THE Ashaiman Municipal Assembly is adopting effective strategies to improve revenue generation to finance development projects in the municipality.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Numo Adinortey Addison, made this known at the passing out parade of newly recruited city guards.
He said the concept of grassroots development was vital to the country’s middle income objective as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on poverty eradication.
The eight female recruits underwent a six-week intensive training programme at the Ghana Police College where they were taken through foot drills, criminal law, public relations and the local government act.
Mr Adinortey stated that the city guards unit of the assembly was created to assist in its revenue mobilisation drive and to also assist police personnel on traffic duties, decongestion and maintenance of law and order.
He entreated the recruits to ensure that residents in the municipality were accorded the needed respect and courtesy in the discharge of their duties, stressing that they should also work hard to ensure the criminality tag associated with the municipality was a thing of the past.
The MCE expressed concern about street-hawking which had taken a new dimension in the municipality, although the assembly had in the past spent a huge chunk of its revenue on decongestion.
Mr Adinortey appealed to the residents to co-operate with the assembly and the guards in revenue mobilisation to help improve the assembly’s developmental drive.
A Member of the Council of State, Mr Adjei Annang, who represented the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashittey, challenged the guards to live above reproach as they contribute their quota towards the development of the assembly and the community as a whole.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
FWSC MEETS POTAG REPS (PAGE 51, NOV 24, 2010)
THE Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), as well as Governing Councils of Polytechnics, yesterday met in Koforidua to explore avenues for resolving the sticky points concerning their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Mr George Smith-Graham, explained the rationale behind the Commission’s decision not to negotiate with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) for their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS)
He explained that since there were other groups of workers such as the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) within the polytechnics to be negotiated with, the best solution to the problem was for FWSC to standardise the allowances and salaries within the public sector to correct all the anomalies.
That, Mr Smith-Graham said, would help members of POTAG to benefit from their placement on the SSSS.
The one-day meeting was to see how best to finally resolve issues that led to the strike of POTAG, which ended recently and also address inherent challenges facing polytechnics.
Mr Smith-Graham said although POTAG, whose collective agreement had elapsed since 2008, had a genuine case, should the FWSC single it out and negotiate with it for its placement on the SSSS, that would open a floodgate for others to follow suit and that would worsen the situation.
He, therefore, explained that the best option was for the FWSC to standardise allowances associated with 110 salary structures within the public sector, including that of polytechnic lecturers, to ensure fairness.
He also stated that the SSSS concept was for equal pay for equal job performed but not equal pay for equal qualification and said it was wrong for workers with the same qualification to be paid the same salary, explaining that while one’s work would be tedious for hours a day, another person with the same qualification would be working for less hours.
Mr Smith-Graham said FWSC had done a lot in terms of SSSS implementation and that 15 institutions would be hooked on to it this month and appealed to POTAG to be patient to allow his outfit to do its job for the placement of its members on the structure, which, he said, would be beneficial to POTAG.
The President of POTAG, Mr Godfred Abledu, had earlier told the gathering that POTAG was not happy about the refusal of FWSC to meet the association and that it would be suicidal if its members were not involved in negotiations for their placement on the SSSS.
Mr Abledu, who gave an example of the disparities in the salaries of lecturers of the polytechnics and those in the public universities, indicated that such disparities must be addressed to bring harmony.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the FWSC would act in that respect.
Earlier, in his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Koforidua Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said although polytechnic teachers were back to the lecture halls, there were other challenges facing the polytechnics and called on stakeholders to help resolve them.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Mr George Smith-Graham, explained the rationale behind the Commission’s decision not to negotiate with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) for their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS)
He explained that since there were other groups of workers such as the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) within the polytechnics to be negotiated with, the best solution to the problem was for FWSC to standardise the allowances and salaries within the public sector to correct all the anomalies.
That, Mr Smith-Graham said, would help members of POTAG to benefit from their placement on the SSSS.
The one-day meeting was to see how best to finally resolve issues that led to the strike of POTAG, which ended recently and also address inherent challenges facing polytechnics.
Mr Smith-Graham said although POTAG, whose collective agreement had elapsed since 2008, had a genuine case, should the FWSC single it out and negotiate with it for its placement on the SSSS, that would open a floodgate for others to follow suit and that would worsen the situation.
He, therefore, explained that the best option was for the FWSC to standardise allowances associated with 110 salary structures within the public sector, including that of polytechnic lecturers, to ensure fairness.
He also stated that the SSSS concept was for equal pay for equal job performed but not equal pay for equal qualification and said it was wrong for workers with the same qualification to be paid the same salary, explaining that while one’s work would be tedious for hours a day, another person with the same qualification would be working for less hours.
Mr Smith-Graham said FWSC had done a lot in terms of SSSS implementation and that 15 institutions would be hooked on to it this month and appealed to POTAG to be patient to allow his outfit to do its job for the placement of its members on the structure, which, he said, would be beneficial to POTAG.
The President of POTAG, Mr Godfred Abledu, had earlier told the gathering that POTAG was not happy about the refusal of FWSC to meet the association and that it would be suicidal if its members were not involved in negotiations for their placement on the SSSS.
Mr Abledu, who gave an example of the disparities in the salaries of lecturers of the polytechnics and those in the public universities, indicated that such disparities must be addressed to bring harmony.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the FWSC would act in that respect.
Earlier, in his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Koforidua Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said although polytechnic teachers were back to the lecture halls, there were other challenges facing the polytechnics and called on stakeholders to help resolve them.
SAUDI NATIONAL DONATES CATTLE TO THE POOR (PAGE 54, NOV 22, 2010)
TO ensure that the poor and marginalised in society within the New Juaben Municipality also enjoyed the Idul Adha festival, a Saudi national donated five cows which were slaughtered and the meat shared among them last Tuesday.
According to Chief Abu Adams, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Council of Muslim Chiefs, who received the cattle, the donation had been a big relief to not only poor Muslims, but also others people in general since the festival was a joyous occasion to for all.
Chief Abu Adams, who is also the Head of the Dagomba Community in the Eastern Region, on behalf of Muslims and their chiefs, especially the poor, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi donor.
According to Chief Abu Adams, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Council of Muslim Chiefs, who received the cattle, the donation had been a big relief to not only poor Muslims, but also others people in general since the festival was a joyous occasion to for all.
Chief Abu Adams, who is also the Head of the Dagomba Community in the Eastern Region, on behalf of Muslims and their chiefs, especially the poor, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi donor.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
MINISTER DEFENDS OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL MINERS (SPREAD, NOV 18, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has defended the military/police crackdown on illegal gold miners at Kyebi, stating that such operations will continue until the miners are totally flushed out.
He said if that was not done, the activities of the illegal gold miners, most of whom operated along the Birim river, would lead to the total destruction of the river, the main source of water for numerous farming communities.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also said the crack-down was to prevent the situation of Ghana becoming a failed state or lawless society since the “galamsey” operators who were always armed often fought among themselves, making their operational grounds a no-go area.
Mr Ampofo, therefore, called for support from traditional rulers in the area.
The regional minister made these remarks at a press conference to throw light on the military/police crackdown on “galamsey” operators at Kyebi and its environs on November 8, 2010.
It was attended by top security personnel including Lt Col. Barima Owusu, the Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, Michel Camp, Tema and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, who led the military/police operation.
Also present were top officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Health Service who gave detailed accounts on the negative effects of the activities of the “galamsey” operators on the environment and the health of the people.
The minister said although the military and the police had over the past year carried out a number of swoops not only in the Kyebi area but in other parts of Akyem Abuakwa where a number of the illegal miners were arrested and their equipment seized, it was difficult in getting their prosecutions expedited.
He said what was also worrying was that fines imposed by the courts on the illegal miners were not punitive enough to deter them from re-engaging in the illegal activities and gave the assurance that the swoops would be carried out when and where necessary to totally flush them from the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo deplored some reports in the media with specific reference to private radio stations and newspapers portraying the military as being heavy-handed during the swoop as well as wrongfully associating some politicians to the problem.
“As media personnel, it is your responsibility to come out with the actual truth, pointing out the dangers of illegal gold mining instead of wrongfully accusing the military of brutalities because if the military withdraws, it is the people in the area who will suffer,” he stated.
He said if that was not done, the activities of the illegal gold miners, most of whom operated along the Birim river, would lead to the total destruction of the river, the main source of water for numerous farming communities.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also said the crack-down was to prevent the situation of Ghana becoming a failed state or lawless society since the “galamsey” operators who were always armed often fought among themselves, making their operational grounds a no-go area.
Mr Ampofo, therefore, called for support from traditional rulers in the area.
The regional minister made these remarks at a press conference to throw light on the military/police crackdown on “galamsey” operators at Kyebi and its environs on November 8, 2010.
It was attended by top security personnel including Lt Col. Barima Owusu, the Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, Michel Camp, Tema and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, who led the military/police operation.
Also present were top officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Health Service who gave detailed accounts on the negative effects of the activities of the “galamsey” operators on the environment and the health of the people.
The minister said although the military and the police had over the past year carried out a number of swoops not only in the Kyebi area but in other parts of Akyem Abuakwa where a number of the illegal miners were arrested and their equipment seized, it was difficult in getting their prosecutions expedited.
He said what was also worrying was that fines imposed by the courts on the illegal miners were not punitive enough to deter them from re-engaging in the illegal activities and gave the assurance that the swoops would be carried out when and where necessary to totally flush them from the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo deplored some reports in the media with specific reference to private radio stations and newspapers portraying the military as being heavy-handed during the swoop as well as wrongfully associating some politicians to the problem.
“As media personnel, it is your responsibility to come out with the actual truth, pointing out the dangers of illegal gold mining instead of wrongfully accusing the military of brutalities because if the military withdraws, it is the people in the area who will suffer,” he stated.
CLINICAL AUDIT SAVES NHIS FROM LOSING GH¢100,000 (PAGE 43, NOV 15, 2010)
A CLINICAL audit of claims submitted by service providers to the Eastern Regional Office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) saved the office from paying GH¢100,000 that would have gone down the drain.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr Windham Emil Afram, made this known at a peer review meeting in Koforidua last Thursday.
He did not, however, indicate which particular health service providers that submitted the fictitious and false claims.
Mr Afram assured the gathering that his outfit would continue to scrutinise every claim submitted to ensure that the correct claims from service providers were paid.
The one-day meeting, which was attended by district managers and other top officials of the scheme, was to examine the inherent challenges of the scheme in the region and strategise for the future.
Mr Afram said although there had been some anomalies in the book keeping processes of the scheme which were addressed, no financial malfeasance was identified when the clinical audit was conducted on claims submitted in the first quarter of this year.
He stated that in recent times, service providers in the region had few or no complaints in respect of claims payments, adding that GH¢31,142,027.46, which was released by the government from January to August this year to pay claims, had been disbursed to most of the service providers.
Mr Afram praised the government for its commitment to the sustainability of the scheme, noting that such commitment would sustain the scheme and make it possible for the poor to continue to access quality healthcare.
With regard to the issuing of new identity cards for the scheme, he said with tremendous improvement in the process, cards for all those who registered six months ago had been made available for distribution.
He also announced that mass registration of new members during traditional festivals and market days in the region was ongoing.
Mr Afram mentioned Akuapem North, East Akyem, Kwahu North, Atiwa, Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo as districts where the mass registration was about to be completed, while Kwahu West, Kwahu South, New Juaben and Fanteakwa would soon be tackled.
On the proposed one-time premium, he stated that it was feasible and that its modalities would be outlined by the close of the year.
He expressed his appreciation to the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for his personal commitment, as well as the Regional Co-ordinating Council, that had made it possible for the scheme to gain grounds in the region.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, said the NHIS was on the verge of collapse when the National Democratic Congress administration took over the reins of government.
He said, for instance that the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua had GH¢1,089,768.53 in outstanding claims as of the end of May this year, while those of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stood at GH¢2.7 million.
Mr Baba Jamal said the government, therefore, had to institute prudent measures to clear the outstanding bills and also purge the system of illegitimate claims.
The deputy regional minister asked the scheme managers to eschew all forms of corrupt practices to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.
He, however, praised them for their high performance that had sustained the scheme in the region.
The National Operation Manager of the NHIS, Mr William Okyere, commended managers of the scheme in the region for their efforts at detecting fraud in the payment of claims, while the Head of the Audit Unit, Mr George Omaboe, directed them to furnish his outfit with the necessary documents on all past directors to make it possible to process their end-of-service benefits.
A representative of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Addo Larbi, who also spoke at the meeting, urged the managers not to do anything that would lead to the collapse of the scheme in the region.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr Windham Emil Afram, made this known at a peer review meeting in Koforidua last Thursday.
He did not, however, indicate which particular health service providers that submitted the fictitious and false claims.
Mr Afram assured the gathering that his outfit would continue to scrutinise every claim submitted to ensure that the correct claims from service providers were paid.
The one-day meeting, which was attended by district managers and other top officials of the scheme, was to examine the inherent challenges of the scheme in the region and strategise for the future.
Mr Afram said although there had been some anomalies in the book keeping processes of the scheme which were addressed, no financial malfeasance was identified when the clinical audit was conducted on claims submitted in the first quarter of this year.
He stated that in recent times, service providers in the region had few or no complaints in respect of claims payments, adding that GH¢31,142,027.46, which was released by the government from January to August this year to pay claims, had been disbursed to most of the service providers.
Mr Afram praised the government for its commitment to the sustainability of the scheme, noting that such commitment would sustain the scheme and make it possible for the poor to continue to access quality healthcare.
With regard to the issuing of new identity cards for the scheme, he said with tremendous improvement in the process, cards for all those who registered six months ago had been made available for distribution.
He also announced that mass registration of new members during traditional festivals and market days in the region was ongoing.
Mr Afram mentioned Akuapem North, East Akyem, Kwahu North, Atiwa, Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo as districts where the mass registration was about to be completed, while Kwahu West, Kwahu South, New Juaben and Fanteakwa would soon be tackled.
On the proposed one-time premium, he stated that it was feasible and that its modalities would be outlined by the close of the year.
He expressed his appreciation to the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for his personal commitment, as well as the Regional Co-ordinating Council, that had made it possible for the scheme to gain grounds in the region.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, said the NHIS was on the verge of collapse when the National Democratic Congress administration took over the reins of government.
He said, for instance that the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua had GH¢1,089,768.53 in outstanding claims as of the end of May this year, while those of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stood at GH¢2.7 million.
Mr Baba Jamal said the government, therefore, had to institute prudent measures to clear the outstanding bills and also purge the system of illegitimate claims.
The deputy regional minister asked the scheme managers to eschew all forms of corrupt practices to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.
He, however, praised them for their high performance that had sustained the scheme in the region.
The National Operation Manager of the NHIS, Mr William Okyere, commended managers of the scheme in the region for their efforts at detecting fraud in the payment of claims, while the Head of the Audit Unit, Mr George Omaboe, directed them to furnish his outfit with the necessary documents on all past directors to make it possible to process their end-of-service benefits.
A representative of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Addo Larbi, who also spoke at the meeting, urged the managers not to do anything that would lead to the collapse of the scheme in the region.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
AKROPONG PRESBY CELEBRATES 175TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 57, NOV 15, 2010)
THE AKROPONG-Akuapem Christ Church congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has celebrated its 175th anniversary.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large number of worshippers, including the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and some sub-chiefs and queens of Akropong-Akuapem, was addressed by the outgoing Moderator of the PCG, Rt Revd Dr Yaw Frempong Manso.
The Rt Revd Frempong Manso expressed regret that although Christianity had permeated every community in the country, indiscipline had been the order of the day.
Quoting various biblical texts, he said hardly would a day pass without malpractices such as corruption and other negative acts like armed robbery, prostitution and disrespect for the elderly being encountered in the country.
“Ghana has lost its past glory because of indiscipline, so hardly will a day pass without hearing of armed robbery, corruption and girls soliciting for sex and it is the duty of Christians to live decent life worthy of emulation to change the trend,” Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso stated.
Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso said what was also worrying was the exodus of Ghanaians to foreign lands, especially the United States, Germany and France, to do all sorts of menial jobs, adding that Ghana seemed to have lost its glory and called on Christians to lead lives worthy of emulation.
The Chairperson of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, traced the history of the church in the presbytery as one associated with numerous challenges.
He said although almost all the early Basel missionaries from Europe who brought Christianity, especially Presbyterianism, to the area died from malaria, they were able to establish the church at Akropong, as well as educational institutions.
That, he said, did not only bring the people closer to God, but also contributed to the physical development of the area and asked members of the church to continue from where the early missionaries and indigenous converts left off.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large number of worshippers, including the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and some sub-chiefs and queens of Akropong-Akuapem, was addressed by the outgoing Moderator of the PCG, Rt Revd Dr Yaw Frempong Manso.
The Rt Revd Frempong Manso expressed regret that although Christianity had permeated every community in the country, indiscipline had been the order of the day.
Quoting various biblical texts, he said hardly would a day pass without malpractices such as corruption and other negative acts like armed robbery, prostitution and disrespect for the elderly being encountered in the country.
“Ghana has lost its past glory because of indiscipline, so hardly will a day pass without hearing of armed robbery, corruption and girls soliciting for sex and it is the duty of Christians to live decent life worthy of emulation to change the trend,” Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso stated.
Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso said what was also worrying was the exodus of Ghanaians to foreign lands, especially the United States, Germany and France, to do all sorts of menial jobs, adding that Ghana seemed to have lost its glory and called on Christians to lead lives worthy of emulation.
The Chairperson of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, traced the history of the church in the presbytery as one associated with numerous challenges.
He said although almost all the early Basel missionaries from Europe who brought Christianity, especially Presbyterianism, to the area died from malaria, they were able to establish the church at Akropong, as well as educational institutions.
That, he said, did not only bring the people closer to God, but also contributed to the physical development of the area and asked members of the church to continue from where the early missionaries and indigenous converts left off.
FOUNDATION INTENSIFIES CAMPAIGN ON SANITATION (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
AMPA Resource Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to good sanitation, especially purity of the Densu River at Nsawam and its environs, has intensified its educational campaign in that respect.
One of such programmes sponsored by the World Bank was held at Nsawam at the weekend during which resource persons took participants through the rudiments of sanitation, especially how to make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
The participants who were drawn from the communities that depend on the Densu River, some assembly members of the areas involved and workers of refuse collection companies, expressed concern about the pollution of the Densu River, especially at Nsawam.
According to them, although the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly was doing its best to ensure that the Densu River would not be polluted, the situation had rather worsened.
They said they had therefore decided to serve as watchdogs to apprehend those found dumping refuse or human excreta into the river.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Director of Ampa Resource Foundation, Mr Emmanuel K. Mintah, said his outfit was determined to make Nsawam and its environs tidy and also help make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
Mr Mintah said those were being done through radio programmes and dialogue in partnership with the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a refuse management company, and other stakeholders such as the people in the communities.
He said schoolchildren in the area were being educated on the issue to carry the message to their parents.
One of such programmes sponsored by the World Bank was held at Nsawam at the weekend during which resource persons took participants through the rudiments of sanitation, especially how to make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
The participants who were drawn from the communities that depend on the Densu River, some assembly members of the areas involved and workers of refuse collection companies, expressed concern about the pollution of the Densu River, especially at Nsawam.
According to them, although the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly was doing its best to ensure that the Densu River would not be polluted, the situation had rather worsened.
They said they had therefore decided to serve as watchdogs to apprehend those found dumping refuse or human excreta into the river.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Director of Ampa Resource Foundation, Mr Emmanuel K. Mintah, said his outfit was determined to make Nsawam and its environs tidy and also help make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
Mr Mintah said those were being done through radio programmes and dialogue in partnership with the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a refuse management company, and other stakeholders such as the people in the communities.
He said schoolchildren in the area were being educated on the issue to carry the message to their parents.
ATIWA MAKES GIANT STRIDES (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
THE Atiwa District which was created four years ago has made giant strides in terms of provision of social amenities.
Highlighting on the progress so far made at the last annual sitting of the assembly, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, said a lot had been achieved within the limited period, particularly in the areas of health, education as well as water and sanitation where many of such facilities had been provided
He cited for instance that on education, 37 classroom blocks had either been provided or rehabilitated with eight more school blocks currently under construction, which were at various stages of completion.
Apart from that Mr Atta Twum stated that the assembly had also spent GH21,771.43 to sponsor the education of 67 brilliant, needy students at various levels of education while 11 basic schools had been roped into the school feeding programme.
He said the assembly which had put education on its priority list, had provided the required furniture for teachers and the pupils, adding that 100 sets of furniture for children at the kindergarten level and 1,200 dual desks for those in the junior high schools would soon be delivered.
Mr Atta Twum stated that so far 58,010 people had sort far been insured under the district’s health insurance scheme to enable them to have affordable and quality health care.
To reduce water-borne diseases, the DCE said the percentage of the population enjoying good drinking water had increased from 51 per cent in 2006 to 65 per cent in 2008 and further improved to about 75 per cent this year.
The assembly, he further stated collaborated with Community Water and Sanitation Agency DANIDA, World Vision, Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), Water Aid and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide 262 boreholes, 54 hand-dug wells, four small town water facilities and 54 institutional latrines in the district, especially in the deprived areas.
Mr Atta Twum who indicated that some of the bad roads had also been rehabilitated said GH 39,000.00 had been given out to members of the district’s branch of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled and other individuals to undertake livelihood projects.
On electricity, the DCE told the House that most of the towns and villages had been hooked to the national grid and that the facility would soon be extended to other villages such as Nanapa, Ahankrasu, Vanderpuye and Akutuase-Ehiawoanwu.
With regard to internally-generated revenue, Mr Atta Twum said as of September 30, this year, GH199.851.74 had been collected from local sources, representing 77.6 per cent of the assembly’s annual budget estimated at GH 257,358.20 out of which GH 158,360 had been expended on various projects and programmes.
Highlighting on the progress so far made at the last annual sitting of the assembly, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, said a lot had been achieved within the limited period, particularly in the areas of health, education as well as water and sanitation where many of such facilities had been provided
He cited for instance that on education, 37 classroom blocks had either been provided or rehabilitated with eight more school blocks currently under construction, which were at various stages of completion.
Apart from that Mr Atta Twum stated that the assembly had also spent GH21,771.43 to sponsor the education of 67 brilliant, needy students at various levels of education while 11 basic schools had been roped into the school feeding programme.
He said the assembly which had put education on its priority list, had provided the required furniture for teachers and the pupils, adding that 100 sets of furniture for children at the kindergarten level and 1,200 dual desks for those in the junior high schools would soon be delivered.
Mr Atta Twum stated that so far 58,010 people had sort far been insured under the district’s health insurance scheme to enable them to have affordable and quality health care.
To reduce water-borne diseases, the DCE said the percentage of the population enjoying good drinking water had increased from 51 per cent in 2006 to 65 per cent in 2008 and further improved to about 75 per cent this year.
The assembly, he further stated collaborated with Community Water and Sanitation Agency DANIDA, World Vision, Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), Water Aid and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide 262 boreholes, 54 hand-dug wells, four small town water facilities and 54 institutional latrines in the district, especially in the deprived areas.
Mr Atta Twum who indicated that some of the bad roads had also been rehabilitated said GH 39,000.00 had been given out to members of the district’s branch of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled and other individuals to undertake livelihood projects.
On electricity, the DCE told the House that most of the towns and villages had been hooked to the national grid and that the facility would soon be extended to other villages such as Nanapa, Ahankrasu, Vanderpuye and Akutuase-Ehiawoanwu.
With regard to internally-generated revenue, Mr Atta Twum said as of September 30, this year, GH199.851.74 had been collected from local sources, representing 77.6 per cent of the assembly’s annual budget estimated at GH 257,358.20 out of which GH 158,360 had been expended on various projects and programmes.
NEWMOUNT, OLIVES DONATE TO MINING COMMUNITIES (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
NEWMONT Golden Ridge Limited, a gold mining company in the Akyem area in the Eastern Region, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Organisation for Livelihood Enhancement Services (OLIVES), has presented television sets, DVD players and office and games equipment to be distributed to four communities in the operational areas of the company.
The four beneficiary communities, Adausena, Afosu, Ntronang and Okaikrom, have also been given plastic chairs and canopies to be rented out to generate income for the people in the area.
Presenting the items on behalf of Newmont at New Abirem at the weekend, the Birim North District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Francis Owusu Ansah, praised Newmont and OLIVES for their assistance, which according to him, would help improve the lot of the people.
He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs Juliana Sackey, who received the items on behalf of the communities, was hopeful that Newmont had already assessed the medical equipment situation of health facilities in the area.
She said the items would be delivered to the health facilities such as the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw to improve on their performance.
The Executive Director of OLIVES, Mr Moses E. Ogoe, said apart from the donation, his outfit was also educating the people to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS due to the influx of people from all walks of life to the area as a result of the operations of the company.
Earlier, Newmont had organised a quiz competition for 16 junior high schools (JHS) in its operational area during which the pupils were drilled on mining activities, science, mathematics and social studies.
The event also brought together, the queen of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewa III, the Abiremhene, Nana Amo Tweretwie and officials of the Birim North District Assembly, who were impressed with the pupils’ performance.
Mamanso Islamic JHS won the competition while Afosu Roman Catholic JHS took the second position, with New Abirem Holy Child JHS placing third and Old Abirem Muzama Academy JHS coming fourth.
The four schools were given television sets and other educational materials which were also presented to all the 16 participating schools.
The contestants of the four schools were each given school bags stocked with stationery and a certificate while the overall best school received a gift voucher valued at GH1,200 presented by Global Institute of Business and ICT Studies (GIBCTS) to be used by the contestants for basic training in ICT.
Miss Erica Afumwaa of the Afosu Roman Catholic JHS, the only female candidate who also excelled in the competition, was presented with a special prize.
While Nana Akua Asantewa appealed to parents to give teachers the chance to discipline their indisciplined children, Nana Amo Tweretwie suggested that all the senior high schools in Newmont’s operational area should in future be roped into the quiz to enable the students to know more about mining operations.
Teachers, he said, must also help the pupils to solve mathematical and science problems since such areas had been their Achilles heel.
Newmont’s Government Relations Co-ordinator, Mr K. Obodum, said pupils, students and adults in the 17 communities in the company’s operational areas were being properly educated on mining activities as well as providing the needed social amenities and other poverty alleviation programmes.
The four beneficiary communities, Adausena, Afosu, Ntronang and Okaikrom, have also been given plastic chairs and canopies to be rented out to generate income for the people in the area.
Presenting the items on behalf of Newmont at New Abirem at the weekend, the Birim North District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Francis Owusu Ansah, praised Newmont and OLIVES for their assistance, which according to him, would help improve the lot of the people.
He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs Juliana Sackey, who received the items on behalf of the communities, was hopeful that Newmont had already assessed the medical equipment situation of health facilities in the area.
She said the items would be delivered to the health facilities such as the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw to improve on their performance.
The Executive Director of OLIVES, Mr Moses E. Ogoe, said apart from the donation, his outfit was also educating the people to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS due to the influx of people from all walks of life to the area as a result of the operations of the company.
Earlier, Newmont had organised a quiz competition for 16 junior high schools (JHS) in its operational area during which the pupils were drilled on mining activities, science, mathematics and social studies.
The event also brought together, the queen of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewa III, the Abiremhene, Nana Amo Tweretwie and officials of the Birim North District Assembly, who were impressed with the pupils’ performance.
Mamanso Islamic JHS won the competition while Afosu Roman Catholic JHS took the second position, with New Abirem Holy Child JHS placing third and Old Abirem Muzama Academy JHS coming fourth.
The four schools were given television sets and other educational materials which were also presented to all the 16 participating schools.
The contestants of the four schools were each given school bags stocked with stationery and a certificate while the overall best school received a gift voucher valued at GH1,200 presented by Global Institute of Business and ICT Studies (GIBCTS) to be used by the contestants for basic training in ICT.
Miss Erica Afumwaa of the Afosu Roman Catholic JHS, the only female candidate who also excelled in the competition, was presented with a special prize.
While Nana Akua Asantewa appealed to parents to give teachers the chance to discipline their indisciplined children, Nana Amo Tweretwie suggested that all the senior high schools in Newmont’s operational area should in future be roped into the quiz to enable the students to know more about mining operations.
Teachers, he said, must also help the pupils to solve mathematical and science problems since such areas had been their Achilles heel.
Newmont’s Government Relations Co-ordinator, Mr K. Obodum, said pupils, students and adults in the 17 communities in the company’s operational areas were being properly educated on mining activities as well as providing the needed social amenities and other poverty alleviation programmes.
MARANATHA ASSISTS UPPER MANYA KROBO WITH SAFE WATER (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
Upper Manya Krobo District was carved out of the vast Manya Krobo District three years ago. Under the normal circumstances, many of the villages should have enjoyed potable water.
This is because the area, with numerous deprived communities, lies near a tributary of the Volta River from which treated water is pumped to Koforidua, the entire New Juaben Municipality and some communities in East Akyem.
Although provision was made for some of the communities along the pipeline to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project others had been left out.
Such an unfortunate situation is delaying the inauguration of the facility although work has almost been completed within the New Juaben Municipality and the people have started enjoying the facility.
The reason is that President Mills who is to inaugurate the facility directed that all the villages along the pipeline should be covered before the inauguration, and therefore asked the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, to act in that direction which was being done.
One deprived community which lies far away from the pipeline and would therefore not be covered is Kwabia Teyi.
The people of this village, together with other 15 adjoining smaller villages and hamlets with approximate population of about 1,000, depend on unwholesome water from a source shared with cattle.
Most of the inhabitants as expected have been contracting water-borne diseases and as such some of them have left such villages to join relatives in other areas where potable water is available, leaving behind vast stretches of arable land for farming, the mainstay in the area.
To reverse such an unfortunate trend, the Maranatha Power Ministries decided to provide a borehole for the villagers.
Inaugurating the facility at Kwabia Teyi, the General Overseer of Maranatha, Rev Francis Afotey Odai, said the church which had established a branch in the area, had to provide the people with potable water.
“The church is not only taking care of the spiritual needs of the people, but their physical needs as well and we are doing this to alleviate your suffering,” Reverend Afotey Odai told the people at the inauguration ceremony which was attended by all the chief farmers and people of the beneficiary communities.
Rev. Afotey Odai stated that Maranatha Power Ministries would ensure that other villages in the area also got the facility in due course, and advised the people to maintain the facility.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, who witnessed the ceremony, said provision had been made for 30 more villages to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project.
This is because the area, with numerous deprived communities, lies near a tributary of the Volta River from which treated water is pumped to Koforidua, the entire New Juaben Municipality and some communities in East Akyem.
Although provision was made for some of the communities along the pipeline to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project others had been left out.
Such an unfortunate situation is delaying the inauguration of the facility although work has almost been completed within the New Juaben Municipality and the people have started enjoying the facility.
The reason is that President Mills who is to inaugurate the facility directed that all the villages along the pipeline should be covered before the inauguration, and therefore asked the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, to act in that direction which was being done.
One deprived community which lies far away from the pipeline and would therefore not be covered is Kwabia Teyi.
The people of this village, together with other 15 adjoining smaller villages and hamlets with approximate population of about 1,000, depend on unwholesome water from a source shared with cattle.
Most of the inhabitants as expected have been contracting water-borne diseases and as such some of them have left such villages to join relatives in other areas where potable water is available, leaving behind vast stretches of arable land for farming, the mainstay in the area.
To reverse such an unfortunate trend, the Maranatha Power Ministries decided to provide a borehole for the villagers.
Inaugurating the facility at Kwabia Teyi, the General Overseer of Maranatha, Rev Francis Afotey Odai, said the church which had established a branch in the area, had to provide the people with potable water.
“The church is not only taking care of the spiritual needs of the people, but their physical needs as well and we are doing this to alleviate your suffering,” Reverend Afotey Odai told the people at the inauguration ceremony which was attended by all the chief farmers and people of the beneficiary communities.
Rev. Afotey Odai stated that Maranatha Power Ministries would ensure that other villages in the area also got the facility in due course, and advised the people to maintain the facility.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, who witnessed the ceremony, said provision had been made for 30 more villages to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project.
14 NPP MEMBERS IN YILO REINSTATED (PAGE 12, NOV 9, 2010)
ALL the 14 members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yilo Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region who were expelled from the party in 2005 have been reinstated.
With this new development, their dismissal letters have been declared null and void.
They are Nicholas Addai, Okyeame Odum, Mathew Bawa, Moses Tetteh Kwao, Alex Adjirakor, Stephen Nartey, John Lartey, alias carpenter, Adjei Paddy, J. Tetteh, one Kwasi, Desmond Afutu, Phillip Okunor and I.K. Chartey.
According to a statement signed by Mr Kwashie Davies, Yilo Krobo Constituency Secretary of the NPP, their reinstatement followed a peaceful settlement of the issues involved at the constituency headquarters at Somanya which was presided over by Mr Fred Oware, the First National Chairman of the NPP and Mr Opare Hammond, Director of Finance and Administration of the party.
The statement said the reconciliation became possible after a committee formed by all the parties involved and chaired by the former immediate past District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Mr Adu Tawia, waived the dismissal letters and declared them null and void on October 30, this year.
The statement indicated that the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who was happy with the peaceful settlement of the problem expressed his appreciation to the executive members of the party in the constituency, as well as the entire members for their efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
According to the statement, the former constituency Secretary of the NPP, Mr Stephen Nyadey, appealed to the members of the party in the constituency to forget about the past and unite to move the party forward to win the constituency seat in the 2012 elections.
Mr Moses Kwao, who represented the reinstated members, in a statement thanked the regional and national executives for their assistance in resolving the problem.
Present at the ceremony were Mr Stephen Nartey, constituency Chairman, Mr Richard Twum Barimah, 1st Vice Chairman, Enoch Tetteh, 2nd Vice Chairman, Kwashie Davies, Secretary, Esther Nuer, Women Organiser, Mary Osom, Deputy Women Organiser, Ebenezer Asodji, Financial Secretary and Paul Ayertey, Communication Officer.
Also present were the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Dr Samuel Annoh, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, the 1st Vice Regional Chairman as well as other members of the regional executive and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah.
With this new development, their dismissal letters have been declared null and void.
They are Nicholas Addai, Okyeame Odum, Mathew Bawa, Moses Tetteh Kwao, Alex Adjirakor, Stephen Nartey, John Lartey, alias carpenter, Adjei Paddy, J. Tetteh, one Kwasi, Desmond Afutu, Phillip Okunor and I.K. Chartey.
According to a statement signed by Mr Kwashie Davies, Yilo Krobo Constituency Secretary of the NPP, their reinstatement followed a peaceful settlement of the issues involved at the constituency headquarters at Somanya which was presided over by Mr Fred Oware, the First National Chairman of the NPP and Mr Opare Hammond, Director of Finance and Administration of the party.
The statement said the reconciliation became possible after a committee formed by all the parties involved and chaired by the former immediate past District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Mr Adu Tawia, waived the dismissal letters and declared them null and void on October 30, this year.
The statement indicated that the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who was happy with the peaceful settlement of the problem expressed his appreciation to the executive members of the party in the constituency, as well as the entire members for their efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
According to the statement, the former constituency Secretary of the NPP, Mr Stephen Nyadey, appealed to the members of the party in the constituency to forget about the past and unite to move the party forward to win the constituency seat in the 2012 elections.
Mr Moses Kwao, who represented the reinstated members, in a statement thanked the regional and national executives for their assistance in resolving the problem.
Present at the ceremony were Mr Stephen Nartey, constituency Chairman, Mr Richard Twum Barimah, 1st Vice Chairman, Enoch Tetteh, 2nd Vice Chairman, Kwashie Davies, Secretary, Esther Nuer, Women Organiser, Mary Osom, Deputy Women Organiser, Ebenezer Asodji, Financial Secretary and Paul Ayertey, Communication Officer.
Also present were the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Dr Samuel Annoh, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, the 1st Vice Regional Chairman as well as other members of the regional executive and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah.
Friday, November 12, 2010
DOCTORS THREATEN STRIKE (PAGE 3, NOV 8, 2010)
MEDICAL doctors in state-owned hospitals have called on the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve the numerous challenges in the health sector.
They also gave an ultimatum that November 30, 2010 should be the deadline for the payment of their outstanding on-duty-facilitation allowance, otherwise they would withdraw their services.
In a communiqué read at a press conference to climax the 52nd annual general meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Koforidua last Saturday, the President of the association, Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, said it was unfortunate that for almost two years after negotiations for the allowance, its implementation had not been fully carried out, making majority of doctors not being paid the allowance.
Such a situation, he stated, had serious consequences on the health delivery system.
The GMA, Dr Adom Winful said, was, therefore, asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all its members would benefit from the allowance to avoid a strike.
With regard to the placement of medical doctors on the single spine salary structure, Dr Adom Winful called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to, as soon as possible, engage the GMA to clear all the bottlenecks surrounding its implementation.
He also called on the Ministry of Health and the FWSC to negotiate and implement the conditions of service of medical doctors which had been outstanding for many years, adding that such an initiative would enable the doctors to get what was due them.
The GMA, according to Dr Adom Winful, had recognised numerous challenges in the health sector and, therefore, asked the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve them.
These, he said, included high maternal mortality rate of 451 deaths per 100,000 live births, which should be reduced by at least 75 per cent by 2015, as well as a condition of service that would, among other things, address the health care needs of doctors.
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Dr Adom Winful stated, should invest in at least one ambulance for their districts to transport the sick, especially pregnant women, in time of emergency, while the Ghana Blood Transfusion Service should also speedily implement the approved National Blood Policy to address the pressing problem of deaths from haemorrhage after childbirth.
In answer to a question why some members of the GMA often refused postings to deprived areas, Dr Adom Winful explained that the government had not heeded GMA’s advice to it to solve certain problems in deprived communities that would be encountered by doctors posted there.
“We have told the government what to do to keep doctors in the deprived areas but nothing has been done. If they do it as it has been done for doctors working in hospitals in deprived areas run by the Presbyterian Church, many of our members will flock to such areas,” Dr Adom Winful stated.
Earlier in a speech read on his behalf at the conference, the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, reiterated the government’s commitment to address the challenges in the health sector to particularly reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.
He, therefore, asked members of the GMA to support the government in that direction by putting in their best.
The Vice-President said there were numerous challenges facing the health sector, which could only be addressed through collaboration between the government and the GMA to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
He said such an initiative would also enable the country to attain its millennium development goals in the health sector.
Mr Mahama expressed the hope that the GMA would embrace the slogan “Zero Tolerance for Maternal and Infant and Childhood Deaths” and work in that direction to find solutions to the problems associated with such deaths.
He commended the GMA for its numerous contributions to the development of the health sector that had culminated in the separation of healthcare delivery from health policy, leading to the creation of the Ghana Heath Service.
They also gave an ultimatum that November 30, 2010 should be the deadline for the payment of their outstanding on-duty-facilitation allowance, otherwise they would withdraw their services.
In a communiqué read at a press conference to climax the 52nd annual general meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Koforidua last Saturday, the President of the association, Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, said it was unfortunate that for almost two years after negotiations for the allowance, its implementation had not been fully carried out, making majority of doctors not being paid the allowance.
Such a situation, he stated, had serious consequences on the health delivery system.
The GMA, Dr Adom Winful said, was, therefore, asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all its members would benefit from the allowance to avoid a strike.
With regard to the placement of medical doctors on the single spine salary structure, Dr Adom Winful called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to, as soon as possible, engage the GMA to clear all the bottlenecks surrounding its implementation.
He also called on the Ministry of Health and the FWSC to negotiate and implement the conditions of service of medical doctors which had been outstanding for many years, adding that such an initiative would enable the doctors to get what was due them.
The GMA, according to Dr Adom Winful, had recognised numerous challenges in the health sector and, therefore, asked the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve them.
These, he said, included high maternal mortality rate of 451 deaths per 100,000 live births, which should be reduced by at least 75 per cent by 2015, as well as a condition of service that would, among other things, address the health care needs of doctors.
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Dr Adom Winful stated, should invest in at least one ambulance for their districts to transport the sick, especially pregnant women, in time of emergency, while the Ghana Blood Transfusion Service should also speedily implement the approved National Blood Policy to address the pressing problem of deaths from haemorrhage after childbirth.
In answer to a question why some members of the GMA often refused postings to deprived areas, Dr Adom Winful explained that the government had not heeded GMA’s advice to it to solve certain problems in deprived communities that would be encountered by doctors posted there.
“We have told the government what to do to keep doctors in the deprived areas but nothing has been done. If they do it as it has been done for doctors working in hospitals in deprived areas run by the Presbyterian Church, many of our members will flock to such areas,” Dr Adom Winful stated.
Earlier in a speech read on his behalf at the conference, the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, reiterated the government’s commitment to address the challenges in the health sector to particularly reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.
He, therefore, asked members of the GMA to support the government in that direction by putting in their best.
The Vice-President said there were numerous challenges facing the health sector, which could only be addressed through collaboration between the government and the GMA to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
He said such an initiative would also enable the country to attain its millennium development goals in the health sector.
Mr Mahama expressed the hope that the GMA would embrace the slogan “Zero Tolerance for Maternal and Infant and Childhood Deaths” and work in that direction to find solutions to the problems associated with such deaths.
He commended the GMA for its numerous contributions to the development of the health sector that had culminated in the separation of healthcare delivery from health policy, leading to the creation of the Ghana Heath Service.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
NDC URGES NPP TO STOP CONVERT ACTIVITIES (PAGE 13, NOV 3, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked activists of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to refrain from covert activities designed to sow seeds of discord within the ranks of other political parties, especially the National Democratic Congress.
Speaking at a press conference at Koforidua, the Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, said it had been the practice of the NPP to undertake covert activities not only to sow seeds of discord within the NDC but also to discredit the government.
The press conference comes in the wake of the arrest of some activists of the NPP and the PNC at the weekend over the distribution and posting of posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
Mr Gyampoh, who was flanked by the Regional Organiser of the NDC, Mr Tawia Boateng and other regional executives of the party, said last Friday, October 29 at about 3 p.m., the Abetifi Constituency NDC Youth Organiser, Mr Oliver Mark Kervor informed the Kwahu East District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Asamoah that an NPP activist, Mr William Kwaku Afrifa, was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
He said the DCE referred the matter to the police and Afrifa was arrested.
Afrifa, he said upon police investigations admitted possessing such posters but indicated that he picked them from the car of one Michael Boateng popularly called Mike 2, a presenter on Hi FM and that the posters formed part of a pack meant for one George Kwame Wiredu, the NPP Constituency Research Officer which he had already delivered to him.
According to Mr Gyampoh, the police, together with some NDC constituency executives, picked Wiredu at Aseseeso near Abetifi and when questioned, Wiredu admitted receiving the posters which he said were at the Abetifi constituency office of the NPP and volunteered to help the police to retrieve them since he had the key to the office.
Mr Gyampoh stated that the police together with Afrifa and Wiredu, then proceeded to the NPP constituency office and retrieved the posters hidden in an inner room.
He said apart from the number of loose posters which were found in the room, the police also retrieved a sealed brown envelope containing about 150 more posters which were addressed to Michael Boateng, with his telephone numbers written beneath his name.
Mr Gyampoh indicated that the DCE directed that the case be referred to the Mpraeso Police Command which had oversight responsibility over the police at Abetifi but the Mpraeso District Commander released Wiredu and Michael Boateng with the explanation that there was no basis for their arrest since the posters were not offensive to be possessed.
Mr Gyampoh further stated that the DCE later directed the Abetifi Police to re-arrest Afrifa, Wiredu and Michael Boateng but only Afrifa was arrested and taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua for further investigations while Michael Boateng and Wiredu were still at large.
The NDC Regional Secretary said Nana Opambuor Boateng, the Peoples’ National Convention candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency who was also linked with the case, was also arrested but released.
Mr Gyampoh said the NDC wondered why NPP activists continued to distribute and post posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings even after the NDC had come out to absolve her of the knowledge of such posters.
Mr Gyampoh, who stated that the NPP was undertaking covert activities to sow seeds of discord within the NDC and also defame the government, recalled similar incidents in the run-up to the 2000 elections during which women were said to have been killed and their corpses dumped all over Accra as well as the recent shocking story of armed robbers forcing male victims to rape their female counterparts on the Kintampo-Tamale road, which turned out to be a hoax.
Speaking at a press conference at Koforidua, the Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, said it had been the practice of the NPP to undertake covert activities not only to sow seeds of discord within the NDC but also to discredit the government.
The press conference comes in the wake of the arrest of some activists of the NPP and the PNC at the weekend over the distribution and posting of posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
Mr Gyampoh, who was flanked by the Regional Organiser of the NDC, Mr Tawia Boateng and other regional executives of the party, said last Friday, October 29 at about 3 p.m., the Abetifi Constituency NDC Youth Organiser, Mr Oliver Mark Kervor informed the Kwahu East District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Asamoah that an NPP activist, Mr William Kwaku Afrifa, was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
He said the DCE referred the matter to the police and Afrifa was arrested.
Afrifa, he said upon police investigations admitted possessing such posters but indicated that he picked them from the car of one Michael Boateng popularly called Mike 2, a presenter on Hi FM and that the posters formed part of a pack meant for one George Kwame Wiredu, the NPP Constituency Research Officer which he had already delivered to him.
According to Mr Gyampoh, the police, together with some NDC constituency executives, picked Wiredu at Aseseeso near Abetifi and when questioned, Wiredu admitted receiving the posters which he said were at the Abetifi constituency office of the NPP and volunteered to help the police to retrieve them since he had the key to the office.
Mr Gyampoh stated that the police together with Afrifa and Wiredu, then proceeded to the NPP constituency office and retrieved the posters hidden in an inner room.
He said apart from the number of loose posters which were found in the room, the police also retrieved a sealed brown envelope containing about 150 more posters which were addressed to Michael Boateng, with his telephone numbers written beneath his name.
Mr Gyampoh indicated that the DCE directed that the case be referred to the Mpraeso Police Command which had oversight responsibility over the police at Abetifi but the Mpraeso District Commander released Wiredu and Michael Boateng with the explanation that there was no basis for their arrest since the posters were not offensive to be possessed.
Mr Gyampoh further stated that the DCE later directed the Abetifi Police to re-arrest Afrifa, Wiredu and Michael Boateng but only Afrifa was arrested and taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua for further investigations while Michael Boateng and Wiredu were still at large.
The NDC Regional Secretary said Nana Opambuor Boateng, the Peoples’ National Convention candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency who was also linked with the case, was also arrested but released.
Mr Gyampoh said the NDC wondered why NPP activists continued to distribute and post posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings even after the NDC had come out to absolve her of the knowledge of such posters.
Mr Gyampoh, who stated that the NPP was undertaking covert activities to sow seeds of discord within the NDC and also defame the government, recalled similar incidents in the run-up to the 2000 elections during which women were said to have been killed and their corpses dumped all over Accra as well as the recent shocking story of armed robbers forcing male victims to rape their female counterparts on the Kintampo-Tamale road, which turned out to be a hoax.
PNC, NPP ACTIVISTS ARRESTED...Over Konadu's posters (PAGE 13, NOV 1, 2010)
THE People’s National Convention (PNC) parliamentary candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency in the 2008 elections, Nana Obuadea Opumbuo Boateng, and one Mike, said to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, have been arrested.
Their arrest was in connection with the distribution and posting of posters with pictures of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
While Nana Opumbuo Boateng was arrested at Koforidua on Saturday, October 30, Mike was apprehended at Abetifi the night before and both men are being held in the Koforidua Central Police cells.
According to a source at the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, at 10 p.m. on Friday, October 29, the District Chief Executive for Kwahu East, Mr Samuel Asamoah, lodged a complaint with the police at Abetifi that Mike was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
The source stated that Mike was arrested and taken to the NPP Constituency Office at Abetifi where 178 of the posters were retrieved.
According to the source, the police acting on a tip-off also arrested Nana Opumbuo Boateng the next morning (October 30) at Koforidua and when his room was searched, 109 posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and a poster of a club known as Billion Club were found.
The source indicated that a docket on the case had been prepared for presentation to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice.
Their arrest was in connection with the distribution and posting of posters with pictures of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
While Nana Opumbuo Boateng was arrested at Koforidua on Saturday, October 30, Mike was apprehended at Abetifi the night before and both men are being held in the Koforidua Central Police cells.
According to a source at the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, at 10 p.m. on Friday, October 29, the District Chief Executive for Kwahu East, Mr Samuel Asamoah, lodged a complaint with the police at Abetifi that Mike was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
The source stated that Mike was arrested and taken to the NPP Constituency Office at Abetifi where 178 of the posters were retrieved.
According to the source, the police acting on a tip-off also arrested Nana Opumbuo Boateng the next morning (October 30) at Koforidua and when his room was searched, 109 posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and a poster of a club known as Billion Club were found.
The source indicated that a docket on the case had been prepared for presentation to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice.
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