Tuesday, September 28, 2010

KWAHU PRASO, MUMUADU RURAL BANKS DECLARE PROFITS (PAGE 42, SEPT 29, 2010)

THE Kwahu Praso Rural Bank last year made an after tax profit of GH¢70,000.21 as against GH¢27,302 it made in 2008, an increase of about 60 per cent.
Within the same period, the bank’s deposits grew from GH¢919,231 to GH¢1,204,064, a rise of 31 per cent while investments also went up from GH¢420,000 to GH¢600,000, an increase of 42.9 per cent.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Eric Kwakye made this known at the 15th annual general meeting of the bank at Kwahu Prasu, its headquarters at the weekend.
He said such a significant improvement of the fortunes of the bank, which he attributed to prudent measures instituted by the board, made it possible for the bank to give out a GH¢ 606,715.00 as loans to customers.
Mr Kwakye gave the breakdown of the loan as agriculture—GH¢74,200, micro-credit—GH¢75.000, trading—GH¢127,100, transport—GH¢22,250, education—GH¢114,555 and others GH¢193,610.
Mr Kwakye, however, expressed the board’s dissatisfaction about the refusal of some of the loan beneficiaries to repay to enable others to also enjoy the facility, hinting that legal action was being considered to retrieve the loans.
To further improve the fortunes of the bank, share holders by a unanimous decision decided to increase the number of shares and also add GH¢80,000 bonus share to the share capital.
The Head of Finance and Strategic Planning of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Kwadwo Aye Kusi, who read the speech of the Managing Director, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, said most of the rural banks were doing well.
He, however, stressed the need for some of them to merge for their survival due to the competitive nature of today’s banking.
At Osino where the Mumuadu Rural Bank held its annual general meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Seth Adom-Asomaning said last year, the bank gave out GH¢6.1 million as loans to 16,059 customers as against GH¢4.10 million disbursed in that respect in 2008.
He said during the same period, the bank gave out GH¢5.01 million as advances.
Mr Adom-Asomanin said the bank was able to give out the loans and advances because its fortune had improved tremendously over the years.
He cited, for instance, that the bank’s assets grew by 17.4 per cent in 2008, from GH¢ 7,381,942.57 to GH¢9,190,716 in 2009 while investments in treasury bills hiked from GH¢948,248 to GH¢1,129,218 within the same period.
Mr Adom-Asomanin said the bank was also negotiating for a GH¢500,000 loan from Speed Ghana to be given out to customers.
With regard to the underprivileged in society, Mr Adom-Asomaning stated that a total of GH¢12,511 was spent last year on various social initiatives out of which GH¢10,000 went to the Agricultural University College at Bunso.
The Head of the Banking Operation Department of the ARB Apex Bank, who read the speech of the Managing Director, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, congratulated the bank for its significant improvement in its operations and assistance to the public.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, who also attended the function, expressed the government’s appreciation to rural banks for creating jobs for the unemployed.

STUDENTS WANT GOVT INTERVENTION...To end POTAG strike (PAGE 22, SEPT 28, 2010)

THE Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Koforidua Polytechnic has appealled to the government to intervene and end the current strike action being undertaken by the Polytechnic Teachers’ Association of Ghana (POTAG).
That, according to the students’ body, would make it possible for their teachers to return to the classroom for academic work to resume.
POTAC at the beginning of the month started a sit-down strike in protest at what they said was the failure of the government through the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and other stakeholders, to involve the association in the negotiation of the conditions of service for its members, which expired in 2008.
At a press conference in Koforidua, the President of the SRC, Mr Herman Sintim-Aboagye said the strike action was disrupting academic work with its attendant negative effects on the students, and as such, the government must immediately come in to address the issue.
Mr Sintim Aboagye enumerated a number of instances when POTAG drew the attention of the government to the issue with no positive response and that the SRC was dissatisfied about the manner the government and the Labour Commission were handling the issue and called for an immediate action to resolve the matter.
At a certain period of the press conference, which was attended by a large number of students, it became emotional when some of the students expressed their views on the matter, indicating that the government was not paying attention to the needs of POTAG members unlike university lecturers whose grievances were always dealt with promptly although the two groups belonged to the same category of academicians and technocrats.

HUNGER PROJECT HOLDS REVIEW FORUM AT K'DUA (PAGE 22, SEPT 28, 2010)

A CONSTITUTION review forum to seek the views of women in the New Juaben Municipality on the Constitution ended in Koforidua at the weekend.
The forum, which was also to educate women on political issues with a view to encourage them to actively participate in politics, was also attended by a handful of men.
It was organised by The Hunger Project, a non-governmental organisation under the umbrella of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), Gender Centre and the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA).
Topics discussed included general overview of the 1992 Constitution, especially the provisions on women and gender equality.
Addressing the participants, the Country Director of The Hunger Project, Dr Naana Agyeman-Mensah said her outfit decided to undertake the initiative because most women had not shown interest in politics.
Aside from that, she said women had been marginalised in society due to discriminatory practices that had negatively affected their education, health, financial resources and social recognition.
Dr Agyemang-Mensah added that such negative practices must be stopped to enable women to take their rightful place in society.
The Hunger Project, she said, would therefore continue with its crusade to address the anomaly.
A Koforidua-based legal practitioner and also on the Legal Aid Board, Mr Martin T. Amoyaw, who was the resource person, took the participants through the 1992 Constitution.
He said since the Constitution guaranteed the fundamental rights of all citizens, nothing should be done to impede the progress of women.
During discussions, it was suggested that appointments such as ambassadorial positions must not be based on political affiliation but competence, while there should be provisions in the Constitution to debar the media, especially the private radio stations, from broadcasting false information that had the tendency of creating chaos and mayhem.
The powers of traditional rulers some of whom, according to the participants, acted arbitrarily by outlawing people from their areas, they stressed, must be restrained.

RE-UNITING AKUAPEM CHIEFS FOR DEV ....Citizens in US, Canada show the way (PAGE 22, SEPT 28, 2010)

THE Akuapem Traditional area is one of the nine traditional entities in the region.
The people in the mountainous area, which starts from the outskirts of Nsawam to Apirede and shares borders with Yilo Krobo, New Juaben and Shai, speak two main languages, Akuapem Twi and different brands of the Guan dialect.
But despite the differences in language and other cultural practices, the people have from time immemorial been united under one paramount chief. Akropong as the traditional headquarters where all the chiefs and adikrofo from the towns in the area such as Aburi, Larteh, Awukugua, Adukrom, Abonse, Apirede, Mampong, Amanokrom used to meet, particularly to celebrate the Odwira Festival, one of the most important traditional events in the region.
Such unity contributed significantly to the area’s development, especially, in education that catapulted the area far ahead of the other traditional areas.
However, due to certain circumstances, some of the chiefs in the afore-mentioned towns, especially the Guan-speaking group and Aburi decided to part ways with Akropong, thus dealing a big blow to the unity of the paramountcy.
The succession, which is now known as the 1994 Larteh Accord, was however, peaceful and the entire people of the area continued to live in peace except that some of the chiefs stopped converging at Akropong for the annual Odwira festival, which affected the bond of friendship and accelerated development of the area.
That, as expected, has had negative effects on the people, particularly, the development of the traditional area.
To bring the chiefs together, various governments have in the past made all the necessary efforts using the Henry Kissinger step-by-step approach to bring the traditional leaders in the paramountcy together but without success.
The latest to undertake a “diplomatic offensive” is the Association of Akuapem Citizens in the United States of America and Canada.
These Akuapem citizens in the Diaspora who have remained united on foreign lands, wondered why those at home could not do likewise. For that reason, last week they took up the initiative to re-unite the chiefs.
That was after some of the chiefs, namely Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, the Krontihene, Otobuor Gyan Kwasi, Aburihene, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku, Mamfehene and Kyidomhene, Nana Osum Kwatia, Amanokromhene and Gyasehene together with the two political heads of Akuapem, Dr Osei-Bonsu Twum, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South and Mr Opare Addo, the District Chief Executive for Akuapem North, visited the US and Canada in that respect.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who has on various occasions expressed concern about the differences among the Akuapem chiefs and had tried to bring them together, led the delegation which also included the Principal Protocol Officer at the Regional Administration, Mr Joseph Odum, an indication of the government’s desire for the chiefs to unite to enhance the development of the area.
The trip was to bring together Akuapems resident in the USA and Canada to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the formation of Akuapem citizens in the two North American countries. The visit was also to raise funds to support development projects in Akuapem, especially for the improvement of facilities at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong.
Briefing the Eastern Regional Press Corps after the visit, Mr Ofosu Ampofo was happy that Akuapems abroad had shown concern about the issue.
He said it was gratifying that Akuapems, who were united on foreign lands far away from home, had taken the initiative to unite those in Ghana.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo said the willingness of the chiefs from Aburi, Akropong, Mamfe and Amonokrom to be on the trip to search for a solution for the re-unification of Akuapem was gratifying.
He expressed the hope that the road map to that effect would materialise without delay, adding “What we are all yearning for is Akupem re-unification for the total development of the area.”
According to the regional minister, the Chairman of the Association of Akuapem Citizens in the US and Canada, Nana Sasraku La Kumi, who is often referred to as the Omanhene of Akuapems in North America, had successfully united all Akuapems in the two countries who were all supporting the re-unification process.
He said the association was also raising funds and soliciting the support of a non-governmental organisation, Health and Education for Africa (HEAFA), to support an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in Akuapem as well as other initiatives.
The re-unification process, if carried through as expected, would be the panacea for Akuapem development which all Akuapems are looking for.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

FOUR ARMED ROBBERS NABBED (PAGE 3, SEPT 22, 2010)

FOUR persons, who were alleged to have attempted to snatch a Toyota Hilux Pick-Up vehicle from the owner at gun-point at Obodan, a village near Nsawam last Saturday have been arrested.
The suspects are Mohammed Seidu, 28, Francis Adjei, 30 Kwadwo Bismark, 22 and Isaac Kofi Arthur, 27.
Briefing the press after their arrest, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Moses Ninson said on September 16, 2010 the victim, Braimah Kweku, drove the Toyota Hilux Pick-Up with registration number GT 2166 Z belonging to his boss from Bolgatanga to Nsawam with two relatives of his boss for a funeral.
He said the relatives lodged with a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police at Ahodwo Ketewa, a suburb of Nsawam to be picked to and from the funeral grounds.
DCOP Ninson stated that on September 18, 2010 when the driver was returning with the vehicle after sending the two relatives of his boss to where they were residing, he had to slow down because of the rough nature of the road.
According to him, one of the suspects, who was wielding a pistol, stopped him after which they forcibly collected the driver’s mobile phone and the vehicle’s ignition key from him after struggling with him.
DCOP Ninson further stated that, almost at the same time Bismark and Arthur alighted from a taxi at the spot and attempted without success to join the Pick-Up which sped off with Seidu and Adjei in it.
The Regional Police Commander said the driver of the Pick-Up realising that his vehicle was being taken away, jumped into it and started shouting.
That attracted people to the scene who arrested the suspects.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

REOPEN COCOA SEASON EARLY (PAGE 46, SEPT 22, 2010)

COCOA farmers in the Eastern Region have appealed to the government to reopen the 2010/2011 cocoa season before the end of the month to enable cocoa farmers to sell their produce early.
That, according to the farmers, would enable them to be paid the actual price of cocoa and meet the needs of their children ahead of the academic year at both basic and second-cycle educational levels.
The farmers said some cocoa purchasing clerks had taken advantage of the closure of the cocoa season to be buying the cocoa from farmers who are in very difficult financial situations at prices lower than the approved ones, in a bid to make profit when the cocoa season reopened.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Chief Farmer, Nana Kwame Asiedu, made the appeal on behalf of the farmers at a farmers’ forum at Koforidua on Friday, held as part of the 10th anniversary of the listing of the Produce Buying Company on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
The event, which was organised and funded by the Produce Buying Company (PBC), brought together cocoa farmers including all the chief cocoa farmers in the 11 cocoa-growing districts in the region, as well as purchasing clerks of the company.
According to Nana Kwame Asiedu, the annual closure of the cocoa purchasing season in early August and reopening in late September or the first week in October have always negatively affected cocoa farmers because some of them have to sell the produce at lower prices to some of the purchasing clerks who derive the maximum benefit after the re-opening of the cocoa season.
On behalf of cocoa farmers, he appealed to the government to ensure that the 2010/2011 cocoa season is reopened as soon as possible to end what he referred to as “cheating in the highest order” by some purchasing clerks.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the PBC, Mr Mark Kwame Addo, however, asked the cocoa farmers to always sell their produce to the PBC with the assurance that should there be an increase in the producer price of cocoa, PBC would pay the difference in price.
Mr Addo advised the farmers to increase production as cocoa had supported them and the economy for a very long time.
He said in spite of the discovery of oil, cocoa would continue to improve the lot of Ghanaians.
Mr Addo traced the history of the establishment of the PBC to 1947 and said it now controlled about 37 per cent of the market share and was listed on the stock exchange. Besides, he said, the company had also honoured its social responsibility by providing various amenities in cocoa-growing areas in the region.
He added that PBC had teamed up with a Brazilian company to put up a factory to process shea-nuts in the Northern Region.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Manager of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease Control Unit of the COCOBOD, Mr William M. Wiafe, asked cocoa farmers to cut down diseased and aged trees for replanting to be done as that was the best way to increase yield, adding that the COCOBOD had taken measures to assist farmers in that respect.
An official of the Quality Control Division of COCOBOD, Mr Emmanuel Obeng, educated the farmers on the best way of harvesting cocoa pods and preparing the beans for the market.
In an address read on is behalf by the Deputy New Juaben Co-ordinating Director, Mr Majeed Ayariga, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, congratulated the PBC on its continued support for cocoa farmers, who, he said, had also contributed significantly to the growth of the economy.

Monday, September 13, 2010

NEW ROAD TO LINK OBO, ADUAMOA...Major boost to tourism, agric in Kwahu (PAGE 35, SEPT 11, 2010)

OBO and Aduamoa, two of the numerous towns on the picturesque Kwahu Mountains, are noted for two specific things.
While Obo, which is dotted with most of the finest buildings in the Kwahu area, is often referred to as “Small London,” the much smaller Aduamoa is noted for the production of the bulk of the tiger nuts in the area, thus creating jobs for many people.
The production and sale of the tiger nuts, which are sent to other parts of the country, coupled with the mass movement of the people to Obo, especially during the Easter, normally makes transportation between the two towns, Obo and Aduamoa, very difficult.
This is because one has to pass through a semi-circular route from Nkwatia, Mpraeso and Obomeng before getting to Obo or Aduamoa, a distance of nearly 18 kilometres.
What is more worrying is that tiger nut farmers, who, due to the high transport charges, cannot afford to send their produce to the outside market through the 18-kilometre route, are forced to carry the nuts on their heads from Aduamoa to Obo through a footpath of approximately four kilometres.
The situation, as expected, has put a severe strain on travellers and revellers, as well as hindered agricultural production, especially the cultivation and sale of tiger nuts, the mainstay of the people of Aduamoa.
 To address the problem, early this year the chief of Aduamoa, Nana Onini Afari II and the chief of Obo, Nana Afari Buadjan II appealed to the government through the Kwahu South District Assembly to convert the four-kilometre footpath between Obo and Aduamoa to a road to link the two towns.
In response to the request, the assembly, under the direction of Mr Joseph Omari, the District Chief Executive (DCE), decided to construct the road with funding from the Canadian Development Agency (DANIDA) through the Community-Based Rural Development Programme.
The road, which is estimated at GH¢300,000, is being constructed by Dan Bort Company Limited.
Constructional works on the road, which are currently progressing steadily, started in July, this year, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
According to Mr Omari, on assumption of office last year, he paid a familiarisation visit to the Aduamoa area and acquainted himself with the problem.
He said while the assembly was planning to see how best to resolve the problem, Nana Onini Afari and Nana Afari Boadjan also requested the government to construct the road, which, the DCE stated, had been the dream of the two traditional rulers to materialise in their lifetime.
“I am happy because we are almost half way through with the construction of the road, which will shorten travel time and at a lesser cost, as well as open up the area and make it possible for cottage industries to spring up, especially the processing of the tiger nuts with its attendant job creation for the unemployed to earn a living and improve their lifestyle,” Mr Omari stated.
The DCE said mass movement of people, mostly Kwahus from Ghana and the Diaspora, as well as Ghanaians who normally throng the area for the Easter celebrations for sight seeing, would be tremendously improved and the distance shortened following the construction of the road.
Conducting Mr Omari round the project site on the outskirts of Aduamoa at the weekend, the Site Engineer of Dan Bort Company Limited, Mr Paul B. Angerun, said although his outfit was facing a big challenge of heavy downpour, making it almost impossible for the earth-moving equipment to work, he was hopeful that the project would be completed on schedule.
The construction of the new road has been hailed by the people who considered it as the panacea to their transportation difficulties, especially the carting of tiger nuts.
One of the inhabitants, Opanin Kwadwo Asiedu of Aduamoa, was full of praise for the assembly for its rapid response towards the construction of the road, describing it as the best project in the area.
“We have for a long time carried our farm produce on the head and this will soon come to an end,” Opanin Asiedu stated.

ATIWA PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION (PAGE 35, SEPT 13, 2010)

ALL projects awarded in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region last year are at their completion stages.
The projects, comprising social amenities such as foot bridges and roads to facilitate transportation, are to improve the living standard of the people in the various communities.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, made this known at the assembly’s ordinary meeting at Kwabeng at the weekend.
He, however, stated that the contract agreement between the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) and the assembly on one hand and Messrs Rabeck Ghana Limited on the other for the extension of the main office block would be terminated.
The DCE said the termination of the project had become necessary due to some challenges, adding that the contract would be awarded to a new company to speed up its completion.
He said the assembly was doing its best to ensure that all ongoing projects were completed on schedule.
Mr Atta Twum stated that the district had received GH¢1,614,029 as its first quarterly share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund for 2010 to finance a number of projects.
He, therefore, called for support from the assembly members for the early completion of the projects.
With regard to the Youth and Agriculture Programme, he said 70 young persons in the district had been assisted to cultivate maize on a 75-acre land.
The DCE stated that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, through the Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement Programme, a non-governmental organisation, was linking citrus farmers to the market and so far, 350 of them had been registered.
On education, he said schools in the district were facing many challenges such as inadequate furniture, teaching staff, potable water and electricity, which his administration was doing its best to solve.
Touching on the forthcoming Population and Housing Census, Mr Atta Twum said since it would make it possible to know the approximate number of people in the various communities for the reallocation of resources, the assembly members should educate the people on it for them to patronise it.
Earlier, the Presiding Member, Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta, called on the assembly members to put aside party partisanship and unite to develop the communities.

MANYA KROBO RURAL BANK'S FORTUNE HIKES...Makes gains after previous year's loss (PAGE 35, SEPT 13, 2010)

THE Manya Krobo Rural Bank, which operated at a loss of GH¢151,947 in 2008, made a significant improvement last year, registering a pre-tax profit of GH¢123,330.
The reverse of the bank’s 2008’s abysmal performance, according to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr B.T. Apo, was due to prudent measures instituted, especially for the recovery of loans and advances.
Addressing shareholders of the bank at its annual general meeting at its headquarters at Agormanya, Mr Apo also stated that the bank made significant gains in other areas in 2009.
He said, for instance, that its total income increased from GH¢1,168,947 in 2008 to GH¢1,557,135 in 2009 (33.21 per cent) while total assets also rose from GH¢6,916,714 to GH¢7,493,230 (8.34 per cent) and deposits from GH¢4,761,429 to GH¢5,081,922 (6.73).
Investments, according to Mr Apo, also hiked from GH¢ 1,356,765 to GH¢1,399,702, an increase of 3.16 per cent.
He told the shareholders that the significant improvement in the fortunes of the bank made it possible to also increase advances from GH¢3,918,712 to GH¢4,461,437.
He said despite the significant achievements in the operations of the bank, it was still facing a major challenge of default in loan repayment and urged beneficiaries of the loans to settle their indebtedness to put the bank on a sound footing for others to also benefit from the facility.
Mr Apo further stated that since microfinance had been identified as a major tool not only for the improvement of the fortunes of the bank, but also for the reduction in poverty in the community, new structures were being put in place to ensure a smooth take-off of an envisaged dedicated microfinance unit of the bank.
Dwelling on the staff position of the bank, Mr Apo said the former acting Managing Director, Mr Ebenezer K. Kpabitey, had tendered his resignation and a new person, Mr E.T. Ohipeni, had taken his place.
He also stated that while most of the staff members worked hard and offered dedicated services, a few of them who indulged in various acts of indiscipline and crime were summarily dismissed and were being prosecuted.
Mr Apo expressed his appreciation to other members of the board, management, staff and shareholders, as well as its customers, for their support that has made the bank to continue to stand on its feet.

10 MDCES APPEAR BEFORE PAC IN ER (PAGE 12, SEPT 13, 2010)

TEN MUNICIPAL and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Eastern Region, together with senior officials of their assemblies, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament at its sitting, which ended in Koforidua on Wednesday, to answer questions on financial malpractices within their outfits.
The malpractices included award of contracts without following the laid-down procedures, payments not backed by receipts, non-recovery of loans granted to assembly staff and non-recovery of poverty alleviation loans.
The MDCEs were Messrs Johnson Ehiakpor, Asuogyaman; George Agyeman Dua, Kwaebibirem; Seth Otchere of West Akyem; Andrews Tetteh Soda, Yilo Krobo; Isaac Tetteh Agbo, Lower Manya Krobo; Joseph Omari, Kwahu South; Alex Asamoah, New Juaben; Napoleon Asiamah, Birim North; Evans Apraku, Kwahu North; Alex Somuah Obeng, Kwahu West; and Miss Ophelia Koomson, Birim Central.
Although the political heads admitted most of such financial malpractices, they explained they occurred between 2001 and 2008, a time when they had not assumed office and blamed their predecessors for the problem.
Mr Ehiakpor, who was the first to appear, told the committee chaired by Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah that unauthorised variations of GH¢53,000 of contracts, which were more than 25 per cent permitted, as well as double payments of GH¢14,500 and approximately GH¢96,000 given out by the assembly to a number of organisations, occurred when he was not in office.
He, however, indicated that he took steps to recover some of the monies and also plugged the loopholes to make it impossible for such malpractices to recur.
In answer to a question why the assembly had not collected the expected internally generated fund, Mr Ehiakpor explained that Akosombo, where most of the funds were to come from, was currently under the management of the Volta River Authority and appealed to the PAC to see how best to resolve the issue.
Mr Kan-Dapaah gave an assurance that the issue would be referred to Parliament.
When it came to the turn of Mr Omari, Kwahu South DCE, he told the committee that GH¢44,000 went down the drain in the construction of a craft village in the forest reserve near the paragliding site at Atibie and blamed the former DCE, Mr Osafo Djan.
The former DCE, who, Mr Omari also said, could not refund GH¢1,000 loaned him by the assembly, responded that the project was necessary since it would promote paragliding in the area except that it was abandoned when he left office.
According to Mr Omari, his outfit has taken the necessary steps to streamline financial administration in the assembly and that such financial mishaps will be no more.
With regard to Kwahu North, it was detected that GH¢5,900 was overpaid to a contractor, GH¢3,000 misappropriated, GH¢7,100 paid to a contractor but not covered by receipt, GH¢3,300 worth of fuel given out to someone but not accounted for and GH¢209,000 contract awarded outside the tender system but the district finance officer explained that most of the anomalies were corrected.
When it came to the turn of Kwahu West, the committee did not find any lapses in the assembly’s financial administration and congratulated the DCE, Mr Alex Somuah Obeng, on keeping an eagle eye on the finances to make it impossible for anybody to drain the assembly and urged other DCEs to do same.
With the Manya Krobo District, GH¢2,300 out of GH¢10,500 said to have been misappropriated was yet to be recovered and another GH¢28,900 paid out without vouchers while GH¢23,500 imprest on various assignments could not be accounted for.
Mr Isaac Tetteh Agbo, the assembly’s finance officer, who explained the circumstances leading to the loss of the monies, told the committee that most of the monies had been retrieved.
Mr Alex Asamoah, MCE, New Juaben, who together with his senior officials was the last to appear before the committee, said most of the monies that went down the drain had been recovered.
They included GH¢9,210-revolving fund given out to cater for the housing needs of people in the rural area and GH¢2,000 given out as loans to 13 assembly members some of which had been retrieved, as well as GH¢67,000 worth of contract awarded to a contractor without going through the normal process.
Winding up the proceedings, the committee Chairman, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, said if there had been co-operation between the current MDCEs and their predecessors for the former political heads to properly hand over to them, most of the anomalies or lapses in the financial administration of the assemblies would have been dealt with.
Mr Kan-Dapaah, who advised political officers that they would be made to account for their stewardship at the end of their term, expressed his appreciation to the present and immediate past MDCEs for their co-operation.
He was also grateful to GTZ of Germany for funding the event and the public, especially traditional rulers, who took interest in the proceedings.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

PAC CRITICISES DCES FOR KRACHIE EAST, WEST (PAGE 12, SEPT 9, 2010)

THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Krachie East, Mr Raphael Ogyemoko and his counterpart in Krachie West, Mr Moses Ponnye came under severe criticism on Tuesday, for their inability to retrieve varied sums of money which went down the drain before they assumed office.
The money included GH¢100,000 paid to a contractor, GH¢5,100 poverty alleviation fund given out to a number of people, GH¢2,700 misappropriated, GH¢240,000 paid out to contractors without receipts all in Krachie West and GH¢20,900 given out to a construction firm, Kenco Limited in Krachie East for a project not properly executed.
That was when they appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) at its sitting in Koforidua.
The PAC, however, commended the DCE for Nkwanta South, Mr Joseph Mikap, for the prudent measures he took to deal with lapses to ensure financial sanity in his outfit.
Political heads and other senior officials in assemblies in Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta regions were expected to appear before the committee in the event which is being sponsored by GTZ of Germany.
The Chairman of the PAC, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, chastised Messrs Ogyemoko and Ponye for their inability to retrieve the money and said as political heads they had the responsibility to retrieve any public money that had gone down the drain although they were not responsible for the problem.
Mr Kan-Dapaah also expressed PAC’s displeasure at the Finance and Administration Committees in some of the assemblies for not taking prudent measures to ensure good financial management and warned that all those responsible for financial malpractices would be made accountable.
“What went on in the assembly before you took over must be your concern so we expect you to take steps to recover the money which got lost between 2001 and 2009 or thereafter”, Mr Kan Dapaah stated.
Mr Ponny had earlier told the committee that it was difficult for him to get the documents covering some of the money given out and that he would do his best to retrieve them.
With regards to Mr Joseph Micap, the PAC observed that he took the necessary steps to address all inherent financial lapses within his outfit and praised him for his efforts which according to the PAC must be emulated by other metropolitan/municipal/district chief executives.
MDCEs and supporting staff from Nkwanta South, Hohoe, North Tongu, South Tongu, Jasikan, Keta, Ketu districts and municipalities also appeared before the committee.
Earlier, Mr Kan-Dapaah told the gathering that the PAC would not carry out its duty in a partisan manner and that those appearing before it were not on trial but helping to account for public funds, adding that those found culpable would have to be responsible for their misdeeds.
For his part, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Alhaji Amadu Seidu, said the PAC would not tolerate financial malfeasance within the assemblies and that they should submit their audited accounts to the relevant authorities on time.
In his welcoming address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, said internal audit units had been established for all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and asked the assemblies to involve them in whatever they would do to improve the quality of financial management.
He also advised the assemblies to step up efforts and mechanisms to increase internally generated revenue to complement funds from the Central government and donor agencies. Sitting continues.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

ABURI APOSTOLIC CELEBRATES 75TH MILESTONE (PAGE 42, SEPT 8, 2010)

THE Aburi District of the Apostolic Church of Ghana has launched the 75th anniversary of the church with a number of activities.
The activities included a clean-up exercise in the Aburi town, a brass band music through the principal streets of Aburi and a church service on Sunday, which was attended by members of the various congregations within the district.
Also present were a number of pastors, including Apostle J.K. Addey, the Koforidua Area Apostle of the church, Pastor Kwabena Ankamah, the District Pastor and the Aburihene, Otobuor Gyan Kwasi, who chaired the occasion.
In a sermon, Apostle Addey traced the history of the church, which was established in the country in 1935 by missionaries from the United Kingdom.
He said although the early missionaries and the Ghanaian converts, especially the pastors, had to go through many difficulties, they eventually succeeded in establishing the church, which has become the mother of Pentecostalism in the country.
For his part, Pastor Ankamah called on members of the church in the district to continue to support any initiative that would improve their spiritual and physical well-being and also help win more souls for Christ.
He added that it was only in that direction that the church would grow.
Otobuor Gyan Kwasi urged members of the church not to be involved in activities such as indiscriminate disposal of refuse, which degrades the environment.
The Aburihene implored Christians not to consider chieftaincy as atheist.
He gave the assurance that traditional rulers at Aburi would continue to support the church’s initiatives that would improve the lot of the people in the area.

Friday, September 3, 2010

NDC CALLS FOR ARREST OF NPP ACTIVISTS (PAGE 13, SEPT 3, 2010)

THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the arrest of a group of young persons believed to be New Patriotic Party (NPP) activists who are alledged to have assaulted some NDC officials during the Atiwa by-elections at Abomosu.
Speaking at a press conference in Koforidua on Wednesday, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampo, blamed Alhaji Moctar Bamba, the National Organiser of the NPP, for the attack with thugs he referred to as the Bamba Boys.
According to him, a few days to the election, Alhaji Moctar Bamba openly stated at an NPP rally at Kwabeng that he would unleash the Bamba Boys on any stranger in Atiwa during the election and did exactly that by attacking Mr Napoleon Asiamah, the DCE for Birim North, and Madam Anita De Sooso, the NDC National Women Organiser.
He said it was unfortunate that the NPP openly lied to the people that it was the NDC which engaged itself in violence during the election, adding that some of the acts of violence were instigated by NPP’s Regional Secretary, Prince Aboagye, who he said was arrested at Anyinam.
Mr Gyampo therefore wondered why the press rather attributed the disturbances to the Azorka Boys who he said had nothing to do with the violence.
He therefore called for full investigations into the matter for the culprits to face the full rigours of the law to deter others intending to cause mayhem during elections.
Mr Gyampo expressed NDC’s gratitude to the police and other security agencies who worked hard to ensure a free and fair by-election.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, said it was strange that he was mentioned on some of the radio stations to have personally been involved in violence at certain polling centres at a time when he was at different places and appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage.
“My friends in the media, especially those of you in the radio stations, let us report the truth, nothing but the truth, to nurture our fledging democracy”, he stated.
During question time, some of the media practitioners advised their colleagues, especially those with the private radio stations, to be sure of what they fed the public to prevent anarchy.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

JUBILANT NPP SUPPORTERS CELEBRATE ATIWA VICTORY (PAGE 12, SEPT 2, 2010)

THOUSANDS of jubilant supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) poured onto the streets of Kwabeng, headquarters of the Atiwa Constituency,on Tuesday, to celebrate the election of Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta as the new Member of Parliament for the area in a by-election.
The by-election was to find a replacement for the late Kwasi Annor Ankama, also of the NPP, who passed away in the middle of the year.
Mr Amoako Atta, a lawyer, secured 20,282 votes (75 per cent) to beat three other contestants; Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had 6,190 votes (22.89 per cent), Mr George Padmore Apreku of the New Vision Party (NVP) who polled 477 votes (1.76 per cent) and Kasum Abdul Karim of the People’s National Party (PNC) who had 94 representing 0.35 per cent of the total vote cast of 27,540.
As soon as the Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Paul Boateng, announced the results and raised the hands of Mr Amoako Atta as the new MP-elect, thousands of the NPP members and supporters from all parts of the constituency poured onto the streets of Kwabeng singing party songs and dancing.
The jubilant crowd, including old women and children, went through the main street and other arterial roads in Kwabeng while some praised the NPP executives for doing a good job which ensured an overwhelming victory. Others mobbed Mr Amoako Atta for doing his best to win the seat which had been held for years by the NPP.
Earlier the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, who led a number of the party’s gurus to monitor the election, told the jubilant crowd that by retaining the seat, the NPP had exhibited a clear signal that it would definitely win the 2012 elections to unseat the NDC.
However, the First Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, who commended the police for their excellent performance at the poll, indicated that the NDC would gear up to retain power in 2012.
He also called for investigations to find the culprits who, he alleged, assaulted some NDC officials.
Meanwhile, all the 1,200 policemen and a handful of soldiers deployed for the election have been withdrawn.
According to the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, the policemen who managed to prevent chaotic situations at flash points such as Abomosu where six persons were knocked down by a vehicle during disturbances as well as other few places had to be withdrawn immediately the results were announced and calm restored.
The Anyinam District Police Commander, DSP (Rev) John Opoku, who gave out the names of the victims as Isaac Dua, 18, Seth Ampofo, 20, George Abu, 30, Kwabena Agyepong, 25, Kojo Barima, 30 and Osei Kwabena, 48, said they were among a group of young men armed with sticks and other offensive weapons who blocked the road at Abomosu to prevent the NDC National Women Organiser, Madam Anita De Soso, from passing through.
The driver of Madam De Sooso’s vehicle, DSP Opoku stated, panicked and drove through, injuring them in the process.
All the six victims, he stated, were sent to the Government Hospital at Engiresi where three were treated and discharged.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

NPP RETAINS ATIWA SEAT (1C, SEPT 1, 2010)

GHANA is said to be losing an estimated $40 million annually as a result of rice smuggled into the country.
Estimates compiled by the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, for presentation to the Ministry of Trade, indicate that 100,000 metric tonnes out of the 350,000 metric tonnes of rice imported into the country are smuggled in, causing the country the millions of dollars in tax revenue.
The resort to the smuggling of rice is attributed to the high duty and other tariffs being implemented at Ghana’s ports as against the country’s West African neighbours.
In that smuggling adventure, Elubo, Debiso, Nkrankwanta, Dadieso and Enchi border areas are the most frequently used to bring in the 100,000 metric tonnes; 75,000 metric tonnes of which are described as high value perfumed rice.
The finding of the association, made up of about 20 local entrepreneurs, also revealed that rice sales for 2010 dropped by 25 per cent.
It also noted that duty on imported rice in Cote d’Ivoire was 12.5 per cent with no Valued Added Tax (VAT), while “on the contrary, importers in Ghana have to pay 20 per cent customs duty in addition to 12.5 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) in addition to other levies, all totalling 40 per cent.
“So the inherent difference of 22.5 per cent in the landing cost of imported rice in the respective countries works to the advantage of the traders involved in the smuggling,” they added.
They explained that there was a difference to the tune of GH¢7 between a 25kg bag of smuggled perfumed rice and the legally imported one.
According to them, the traders involved in the trade were able to manage the direct cost by manipulating the duty at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border, hence the difference of GH¢7 per bag.
The players said there was also an under-declaration of customs duty to the tune of 50 per cent.
Citing high value perfumed rice as an example, they noted that the CIF price of Thai perfumed rice was $950 per metric tonne and customs duty of 20 per cent amounting to $190 per metric tonne, whereas duty paid at the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border was $95 per metric tonne.
They explained that the loss of revenue to the Ghana government on account of VAT on 75,000 metric tonnes was $6,412,500 annually while customs duty on the same quantum of imports was $7,125,000 annually, bringing the total loss of revenue on perfumed rice alone to $13.5 million.
They said the fear was that international prices of rice had started rising in the last four weeks, which was likely to promote more smuggling into the country, stressing that “rice prices have increased from an average of about $800 to $900 in the last four weeks”.