THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suhum, Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi has called on members of the security services in the area to strive to make Suhum and the entire district free from criminals.
The DCE said since peace was vital for the district’s development, the assembly had given it a priority by acquiring a vehicle to support the security services in their operations in the area.
He, however, cautioned the security personnel against involving themselves in party politics.
That, Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said, would enable them to carry out their duties in such a way to promote the development of the area.
The DCE made the call at a get-together organised for officers and men of the security services in the district, namely the Army, Immigration Service, Fire Service and the Police Service at his Suhum residence.
The purpose of the function was to foster unity and co-operation among the security services, the district assembly and the people in the area.
According to the DCE, the security services could only maintain the present peaceful atmosphere, especially the Suhum town, if they did not involve in party partisanship.
Suhum has in recent times witnessed a spate of armed robberies and killings but the security forces have been able to deal with the problem.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi, therefore, urged the security personnel stationed in the area to desist from party politics to be able to execute their duties well to make the area safe for all.
The Suhum District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Paul Samson Kontomah, on behalf of his colleagues commended the DCE for organising the meeting, which he said, had made it possible to share their experiences and expectations for the future development of the district.
DSP Kontomah said although the recent spate of armed robberies and killings at Suhum, which had scared outsiders from the town and stalled its economic growth, had been dealt with.
He gave the assurance that the security personnel would continue to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere.
That, DSP Kontomah stated, would make it possible for many people to do business in the area to accelerate its economic development.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
K'DUA PENTECOST SHS MAARKS 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS (PAGE 20, MARCH 10, 2010)
THE Church of Pentecost is one of the leading Pentecostal churches with branches spread throughout the country.
The church also has branches in many countries throughout the world such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Converting the people and ensuring their spiritual uplift are among the main focus of the Church of Pentecost.
Later on, the church added social services to the two initiatives to enable it to better serve the physical and material needs of its members.
The spiritual uplift coupled with the social services and vigorous evangelisation over the years, increased the membership as well as fortunes of the church .
However, realising that formal education brings knowledge, enlightenment and plays a vital role in socio-economic development, the church decided to invest in it by putting up a number of schools.
That initiative made it possible for the youth in the communities where the schools are located as well as the church’s teeming young men and women to widen their horizon and equip them with the necessary skills to meet the challenges of the fast changing world.
Currently, the Church of Pentecost has educational institutions at all levels, from kindergarten to the Senior High Schools (SHS) in different parts of the country, and has crowned it with a tertiary institution, the Pentecost University College at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.
However, one educational institution that has made its mark both in academic achievement and discipline, is the Pentecost SHS (PENSEC) at Koforidua.
The school which was established 10 years ago, is now one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, both in academic performance and discipline, producing brilliant students for the tertiary educational institutions.
These students, some of whom are now professionals in various fields, currently occupy responsible positions in various reputable organisations in various parts of the country.
The school’s achievements which were hitherto unknown, were made bare last week when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in grand style. Past students, parents, top clergymen of the church and government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who is also a deaconess of the church, attended the ceremony.
The event, on the theme: “Ten years of quality education: Challenges for sustainability,” was used to solicit funds and logistics to improve teaching and learning at the school.
In his report, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Kojo Butu said the institution had within a short time of its establishment been transformed to be among the best not only in the New Juaben Municipality, but the country as a whole.
Giving a brief history of the school, Mr Butu stated that it started on February 10, 2000 with 110 students, comprising 60 girls and 50 boys.
Initially, the school had only one infrastructure, a 12-unit classroom block so some of the classrooms were used as the headmaster’s office, boys’ dormitory and a dining hall.
According to Mr Butu, despite the numerous challenges, especially inadequate infrastructure, the first headmaster, the late Mr John Kwadwo Agyire, worked tirelessly to ensure that the students excelled academically and imbibed with the strict discipline associated with the church.
He said in view of such successes, the school’s population increased tremendously to about 600 and that compelled the church to provide additional facilities which had made it one of the best in terms of infrastructure in the municipality.
According to Mr Butu, the school’s committed and experienced graduate teachers, who enjoy additional 10 per cent of their salaries based on the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, had also contributed significantly to improve the school’s academic record over the years.
He cited for instance that since 2004, the school has been recording 100 per cent passes in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE).
A percentage pass in six or more subjects since the school’s inception is as follows, 2003 — 36.7 per cent, 2004 — 44.7 per cent, 2005 — 52.9 per cent, 2006 — 69.0 per cent, 2007 — 70 per cent, 2008 —7 per cent and 2009 — 87 pr cent.
This remarkable academic achievement made it possible for many of the school’s past students to gain admission to tertiary educational institutions, especially the universities.
It is gratifying that some of these students have come out as professionals in the various disciplines and placed in responsible positions in various reputable organisations throughout the country.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who was the chairperson for the 10th anniversary, was full of praise for the Church of Pentecost for complementing government efforts by providing quality education for the youth.
“What the Church of Pentecost has done is what is expected of all churches and I salute the church for its initiatives,” Mrs Amoah stated with delight.
She, however, advised the students to eschew all negative tendencies such as pornography and “sakawa” and take advantage of the investment being made in them by their parents to study hard to achieve their ambitions.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo whose speech was read by an official from the Regional Co-ordinating Council, also commended the church for its commitment to the development of Education in the country.
“It is gratifying to note that the Church of Pentecost as part of its social responsibility, has put up this institution to make quality education accessible to all; the government as a major stakeholder in education, will create the necessary environment to ensure that the aims and aspirations of the church are realised,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
Although the school’s good infrastructure situated in a serene atmosphere can be described as one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, it is still inadequate.
It needs an additional dormitory block, especially for the girls and a school bus and it is expected that well-meaning citizens in the municipality and other non-governmental organisations would support the church to provide such facilities.
This is because PENSEC admits not only students whose parents are members of the church, but others as well who are all moulded academically and morally to help move the country forward.
The church also has branches in many countries throughout the world such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Converting the people and ensuring their spiritual uplift are among the main focus of the Church of Pentecost.
Later on, the church added social services to the two initiatives to enable it to better serve the physical and material needs of its members.
The spiritual uplift coupled with the social services and vigorous evangelisation over the years, increased the membership as well as fortunes of the church .
However, realising that formal education brings knowledge, enlightenment and plays a vital role in socio-economic development, the church decided to invest in it by putting up a number of schools.
That initiative made it possible for the youth in the communities where the schools are located as well as the church’s teeming young men and women to widen their horizon and equip them with the necessary skills to meet the challenges of the fast changing world.
Currently, the Church of Pentecost has educational institutions at all levels, from kindergarten to the Senior High Schools (SHS) in different parts of the country, and has crowned it with a tertiary institution, the Pentecost University College at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.
However, one educational institution that has made its mark both in academic achievement and discipline, is the Pentecost SHS (PENSEC) at Koforidua.
The school which was established 10 years ago, is now one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, both in academic performance and discipline, producing brilliant students for the tertiary educational institutions.
These students, some of whom are now professionals in various fields, currently occupy responsible positions in various reputable organisations in various parts of the country.
The school’s achievements which were hitherto unknown, were made bare last week when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in grand style. Past students, parents, top clergymen of the church and government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who is also a deaconess of the church, attended the ceremony.
The event, on the theme: “Ten years of quality education: Challenges for sustainability,” was used to solicit funds and logistics to improve teaching and learning at the school.
In his report, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Kojo Butu said the institution had within a short time of its establishment been transformed to be among the best not only in the New Juaben Municipality, but the country as a whole.
Giving a brief history of the school, Mr Butu stated that it started on February 10, 2000 with 110 students, comprising 60 girls and 50 boys.
Initially, the school had only one infrastructure, a 12-unit classroom block so some of the classrooms were used as the headmaster’s office, boys’ dormitory and a dining hall.
According to Mr Butu, despite the numerous challenges, especially inadequate infrastructure, the first headmaster, the late Mr John Kwadwo Agyire, worked tirelessly to ensure that the students excelled academically and imbibed with the strict discipline associated with the church.
He said in view of such successes, the school’s population increased tremendously to about 600 and that compelled the church to provide additional facilities which had made it one of the best in terms of infrastructure in the municipality.
According to Mr Butu, the school’s committed and experienced graduate teachers, who enjoy additional 10 per cent of their salaries based on the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, had also contributed significantly to improve the school’s academic record over the years.
He cited for instance that since 2004, the school has been recording 100 per cent passes in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE).
A percentage pass in six or more subjects since the school’s inception is as follows, 2003 — 36.7 per cent, 2004 — 44.7 per cent, 2005 — 52.9 per cent, 2006 — 69.0 per cent, 2007 — 70 per cent, 2008 —7 per cent and 2009 — 87 pr cent.
This remarkable academic achievement made it possible for many of the school’s past students to gain admission to tertiary educational institutions, especially the universities.
It is gratifying that some of these students have come out as professionals in the various disciplines and placed in responsible positions in various reputable organisations throughout the country.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who was the chairperson for the 10th anniversary, was full of praise for the Church of Pentecost for complementing government efforts by providing quality education for the youth.
“What the Church of Pentecost has done is what is expected of all churches and I salute the church for its initiatives,” Mrs Amoah stated with delight.
She, however, advised the students to eschew all negative tendencies such as pornography and “sakawa” and take advantage of the investment being made in them by their parents to study hard to achieve their ambitions.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo whose speech was read by an official from the Regional Co-ordinating Council, also commended the church for its commitment to the development of Education in the country.
“It is gratifying to note that the Church of Pentecost as part of its social responsibility, has put up this institution to make quality education accessible to all; the government as a major stakeholder in education, will create the necessary environment to ensure that the aims and aspirations of the church are realised,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
Although the school’s good infrastructure situated in a serene atmosphere can be described as one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, it is still inadequate.
It needs an additional dormitory block, especially for the girls and a school bus and it is expected that well-meaning citizens in the municipality and other non-governmental organisations would support the church to provide such facilities.
This is because PENSEC admits not only students whose parents are members of the church, but others as well who are all moulded academically and morally to help move the country forward.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
CLAMP DOWN ON GALAMSEY...Atta Akyea appeals to Prexz (PAGE 17, MARCH 9, 2010)
THE MEMBER of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Mr Atta Akyea, has made a passionate appeal to President John Evans Atta Mills to order the military to clamp down on illegal gold mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”, throughout the country.
He said the activities of the “galamsey” operators, apart from degrading the environment and polluting water bodies, especially near Kyebi in the Eastern Region, had also caused the death of a number of people, including schoolchildren.
Last week, two schoolchildren: Kingsley Effah Agyeman, 11, a Class Six pupil, and his elder brother, Kofi Darkwa, 15, a JHS Two pupil, both of the Kyebi Methodist Primary and Junior High School, drowned in an abandoned “galamsey” pit on the outskirts of Kyebi, the capital of the Abuakwa South Constituency.
Speaking at a press conference at Kyebi at the weekend, Mr Atta Akyea said although President Mills promised to clamp down on the activities of the illegal miners, when he addressed the gathering at Kyebi last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
He said because this had not been done the illegal miners had intensified their activities and were even operating with impunity near Kyebi and many towns, leading to the degradation of arable land, pollution of the sources of drinking water and deaths of people, especially schoolchildren.
Mr Atta Akyea, therefore, appeal to President Mills to order the military to clamp down on the activities of the “galamsey” operators.
Throwing more light on the issue, Mr Atta Akyea stated that lack of jobs at places rich in gold deposits had led to the influx of outsiders, who together with the locals, had gone into illegal mining. He, therefore, asked all such people to obtain the relevant documents and operate in a way that would prevent environmental degradation and disasters.
“I am not against people earning a living through mining by calling for a military clamp down, but we have reached a point where sanity must prevail to prevent a looming calamity so all those in illegal mining must obtain the relevant documents to operate”, Mr Atta Akyea stated.
The Abuakwa South MP who later visited the site where the two schoolchildren drowned last week, also called on the bereaved parents, Mr Kwaku Ofori and his wife, Madam Akua Twumwaa, and donated an unspecified sum of money to them towards the boys’ funeral.
He said the activities of the “galamsey” operators, apart from degrading the environment and polluting water bodies, especially near Kyebi in the Eastern Region, had also caused the death of a number of people, including schoolchildren.
Last week, two schoolchildren: Kingsley Effah Agyeman, 11, a Class Six pupil, and his elder brother, Kofi Darkwa, 15, a JHS Two pupil, both of the Kyebi Methodist Primary and Junior High School, drowned in an abandoned “galamsey” pit on the outskirts of Kyebi, the capital of the Abuakwa South Constituency.
Speaking at a press conference at Kyebi at the weekend, Mr Atta Akyea said although President Mills promised to clamp down on the activities of the illegal miners, when he addressed the gathering at Kyebi last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
He said because this had not been done the illegal miners had intensified their activities and were even operating with impunity near Kyebi and many towns, leading to the degradation of arable land, pollution of the sources of drinking water and deaths of people, especially schoolchildren.
Mr Atta Akyea, therefore, appeal to President Mills to order the military to clamp down on the activities of the “galamsey” operators.
Throwing more light on the issue, Mr Atta Akyea stated that lack of jobs at places rich in gold deposits had led to the influx of outsiders, who together with the locals, had gone into illegal mining. He, therefore, asked all such people to obtain the relevant documents and operate in a way that would prevent environmental degradation and disasters.
“I am not against people earning a living through mining by calling for a military clamp down, but we have reached a point where sanity must prevail to prevent a looming calamity so all those in illegal mining must obtain the relevant documents to operate”, Mr Atta Akyea stated.
The Abuakwa South MP who later visited the site where the two schoolchildren drowned last week, also called on the bereaved parents, Mr Kwaku Ofori and his wife, Madam Akua Twumwaa, and donated an unspecified sum of money to them towards the boys’ funeral.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
ASSAULTED POLICEMAN LOSES TEEH (PAGE 27, MIRROR, JAN 23, 2010)
A taxi driver who assaulted a policeman on duty as a result of which the policeman lost two teeth has been arrested.
Richard Akoto pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light at Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, had been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court and the case was adjourned to January 21.
Sergeant Ayisah who was being treated at the Regional Hospital, Koforidua said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station, Akoto sped through the red light but instead of arresting him, he cautioned him against such acts in the future.
He said two days later, on January 14, Akoto again jumped the red light and so was arrested.
Sergeant Ayisah said while he was taking Akoto in his (Akoto’s) vehicle to the police headquarters, he diverted the course, parked the vehicle and removed the ignition key and attempted to run away.
Sergeant Ayisah said in his attempt to hold onto the suspect, he was severely assaulted during which he lost two teeth in the upper jaw.
He said Akoto was later apprehended and sent to the regional police headquarters.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Police, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the circuit court on the motor offence, would appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault which his unit was investigating.
Richard Akoto pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light at Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, had been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court and the case was adjourned to January 21.
Sergeant Ayisah who was being treated at the Regional Hospital, Koforidua said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station, Akoto sped through the red light but instead of arresting him, he cautioned him against such acts in the future.
He said two days later, on January 14, Akoto again jumped the red light and so was arrested.
Sergeant Ayisah said while he was taking Akoto in his (Akoto’s) vehicle to the police headquarters, he diverted the course, parked the vehicle and removed the ignition key and attempted to run away.
Sergeant Ayisah said in his attempt to hold onto the suspect, he was severely assaulted during which he lost two teeth in the upper jaw.
He said Akoto was later apprehended and sent to the regional police headquarters.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Police, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the circuit court on the motor offence, would appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault which his unit was investigating.
REVENUE AGENCIES EXCEED TARGET (PAGE 57, MARCH 1, 2010)
THE three revenue agencies — made up of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Internal Revenue Service (VAT) — last year collected GH¢4,567.00 million.
Out of the figure, GH¢2,544 million, comprising domestic tax, was mobilised by the IRS and VAT.
This constituted an increase of 55.7 per cent against a projected 49 per cent in the 2009 budget.
The Commissioner of the IRS, Major Dan Ablorh Quarcoo (retd), made this known at this year’s special joint IRS/VAT management retreat at Koforidua during the weekend.
The meeting, the first to be jointly organised by the two revenue mobilisation agencies, on the theme: “Integrating the Revenue Agencies: Prospects and Challenges”, was to take stock of their achievements and challenges last year and adopt strategies for 2010.
According to Major Ablorh, total national tax revenue was expected to grow by 20 per cent this year, while domestic revenue was also expected to rise by 26.5 per cent, adding that CEPS had targeted to collect GH¢5,702.00 million out of which the IRS and VAT would rake in GH¢3,210 million.
He stated that the target set, however, faced challenges, one of which was how to avoid the negative impact of the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies such as making revenue losses.
Major Ablorh, therefore, called on the staff and management of the revenue mobilisation agencies to be committed and work hard to achieve the target.
The Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB), Mr Ernest Kwesie, said the IRS/VAT and CEPS had over the years consistently increased revenue mobilisation to enable the government to meet its numerous obligations to the people.
He said with the integration of the revenue agencies, services rendered would improve voluntary compliance of tax obligations to improve revenue mobilisation.
The Executive Secretary of the RAGB, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, told the gathering that the government would be expecting GH¢6,072.2 million revenue from the three agencies this year.
He stated that although that would be a difficult task, especially for the IRS because of the expansion of the tax-free threshold from GH¢240 to GH¢1008 per annum, the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax which had been a reliable and regular source of revenue over the years, coupled with the crop of experienced, dedicated and committed staff, would make it possible to increase revenue mobilisation.
On the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies, Mr Sallas-Mensah said five thematic groups set up to work out its modalities were working feverishly in that respect.
He stated that full integration to create the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) would be achieved in 2011 for the President to appoint a Commissioner-General to oversee its operations.
Out of the figure, GH¢2,544 million, comprising domestic tax, was mobilised by the IRS and VAT.
This constituted an increase of 55.7 per cent against a projected 49 per cent in the 2009 budget.
The Commissioner of the IRS, Major Dan Ablorh Quarcoo (retd), made this known at this year’s special joint IRS/VAT management retreat at Koforidua during the weekend.
The meeting, the first to be jointly organised by the two revenue mobilisation agencies, on the theme: “Integrating the Revenue Agencies: Prospects and Challenges”, was to take stock of their achievements and challenges last year and adopt strategies for 2010.
According to Major Ablorh, total national tax revenue was expected to grow by 20 per cent this year, while domestic revenue was also expected to rise by 26.5 per cent, adding that CEPS had targeted to collect GH¢5,702.00 million out of which the IRS and VAT would rake in GH¢3,210 million.
He stated that the target set, however, faced challenges, one of which was how to avoid the negative impact of the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies such as making revenue losses.
Major Ablorh, therefore, called on the staff and management of the revenue mobilisation agencies to be committed and work hard to achieve the target.
The Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB), Mr Ernest Kwesie, said the IRS/VAT and CEPS had over the years consistently increased revenue mobilisation to enable the government to meet its numerous obligations to the people.
He said with the integration of the revenue agencies, services rendered would improve voluntary compliance of tax obligations to improve revenue mobilisation.
The Executive Secretary of the RAGB, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, told the gathering that the government would be expecting GH¢6,072.2 million revenue from the three agencies this year.
He stated that although that would be a difficult task, especially for the IRS because of the expansion of the tax-free threshold from GH¢240 to GH¢1008 per annum, the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax which had been a reliable and regular source of revenue over the years, coupled with the crop of experienced, dedicated and committed staff, would make it possible to increase revenue mobilisation.
On the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies, Mr Sallas-Mensah said five thematic groups set up to work out its modalities were working feverishly in that respect.
He stated that full integration to create the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) would be achieved in 2011 for the President to appoint a Commissioner-General to oversee its operations.
Monday, March 1, 2010
ASUOGYAMAN DISTRICT ASSEMBLY PAYS OFF DEBT (PAG 15, FEB 26, 2010)
THE ASUOGYAMAN District in the Eastern Region has paid off the debt of GH¢83,000.00 it inherited from the previous administration.
The assembly has thus become the first of the 21 political entities in the region to pay off its debts.
This was made known by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Johnson Ehiakpor, at the assembly meeting on Tuesday.
He said the assembly paid off the debts with its 2009 internally generated revenue, which amounted to GH¢173,944.
Mr Ehiakpor stated that such a significant increase in revenue mobilisation, which constituted 7.3 per cent of the GH¢162,000 projected for last year, made it possible to pay off the debts, most of which were due to contracts awarded by the previous administration.
The DCE, who stated that total payment made by the assembly from the time the new administration took over to date amounted to GH¢96,467.26, said now that the debts were cleared, the assembly could now execute its development projects without much difficulty.
Mr Ehiakpor, who further indicated that the assembly had received its first and second quarterly share of the 2009 Common Fund amounting to GH¢410,982.99, said the payment of the total debt would go a long way in accelerating the development of the various communities to improve the lot of the people in line with the development programme of the government.
According to Mr Ehiakpor, the assembly had also taken a number of measures to enable the people in the various communities to generate a sustainable income.
These, he stated, included tree-planting exercise covering 150 hectares that would engage 300 young persons who would be paid monthly in five deprived communities, namely Apeguso, Fintey, Tortibo, Osiabura and Nkwakubew.
Projects such as construction of a district hospital and rehabilitation of roads such as the one linking Anum and Peki, Frankadua and Abomayaw, Adjena and Manya Yoyim, Adjena and Ponponya, the A.D.A-Residency Road and others at Tortibo and Mpamproase would be executed.
Others, the DCE said, were classroom blocks at Sedorm and South Senchi, a magistrate’s court and a clinic at Atimpoku, 32 sheds at the Sapor Market and paving of the courtyard of the district assembly block.
Almost all viable old projects would also be executed in the various communities, Mr Ehiakpor stated.
On education, he said the assembly had taken delivery of 130,000 exercise books to be distributed to pupils in the district free of charge in line with the government’s programme.
Mr Ehiakpor, who entreated the assembly members to conduct their campaigns for the forthcoming district level elections with decorum and circumspection without maligning their opponents. He also called on members of the House to remain neutral in the numerous land and chieftancy disputes in the area.
The assembly has thus become the first of the 21 political entities in the region to pay off its debts.
This was made known by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Johnson Ehiakpor, at the assembly meeting on Tuesday.
He said the assembly paid off the debts with its 2009 internally generated revenue, which amounted to GH¢173,944.
Mr Ehiakpor stated that such a significant increase in revenue mobilisation, which constituted 7.3 per cent of the GH¢162,000 projected for last year, made it possible to pay off the debts, most of which were due to contracts awarded by the previous administration.
The DCE, who stated that total payment made by the assembly from the time the new administration took over to date amounted to GH¢96,467.26, said now that the debts were cleared, the assembly could now execute its development projects without much difficulty.
Mr Ehiakpor, who further indicated that the assembly had received its first and second quarterly share of the 2009 Common Fund amounting to GH¢410,982.99, said the payment of the total debt would go a long way in accelerating the development of the various communities to improve the lot of the people in line with the development programme of the government.
According to Mr Ehiakpor, the assembly had also taken a number of measures to enable the people in the various communities to generate a sustainable income.
These, he stated, included tree-planting exercise covering 150 hectares that would engage 300 young persons who would be paid monthly in five deprived communities, namely Apeguso, Fintey, Tortibo, Osiabura and Nkwakubew.
Projects such as construction of a district hospital and rehabilitation of roads such as the one linking Anum and Peki, Frankadua and Abomayaw, Adjena and Manya Yoyim, Adjena and Ponponya, the A.D.A-Residency Road and others at Tortibo and Mpamproase would be executed.
Others, the DCE said, were classroom blocks at Sedorm and South Senchi, a magistrate’s court and a clinic at Atimpoku, 32 sheds at the Sapor Market and paving of the courtyard of the district assembly block.
Almost all viable old projects would also be executed in the various communities, Mr Ehiakpor stated.
On education, he said the assembly had taken delivery of 130,000 exercise books to be distributed to pupils in the district free of charge in line with the government’s programme.
Mr Ehiakpor, who entreated the assembly members to conduct their campaigns for the forthcoming district level elections with decorum and circumspection without maligning their opponents. He also called on members of the House to remain neutral in the numerous land and chieftancy disputes in the area.
ONE MILLION TONNES TARGET ACHIEVABLE...Says COCOBOD Chief Executive (BACK PAGE, FEB 26, 2010)
THE CHIEF Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Tony Fofie, has given the assurance that the one-million tonne target for Ghana’s cocoa production in 2012 would definitely be achieved.
This, he said, was due to the many interventions COCOBOD had put in place such as infrastructural development and logistic support for Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), to intensify its research into cocoa and also to guide cocoa farmers on cocoa production.
He, therefore, asked workers of CRIG to live up to expectation to achieve the production target.
This was contained in a speech read at CRIG’s 2009 Best Worker award ceremony at New Tafo on behalf of the CEO by Mr Dramani Egala, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of Operations.
About 20 workers who performed creditably last year received television sets as prizes, with the overall best worker award going to Mr Anim Danso, a driver of the General Services Division of CRIG, who had served for 30 years. He took home a deep freezer as his prize.
Mr Fofie said COCOBOD had been making systematic and progressive efforts, including contracting external loans, to move cocoa production to a much higher level for the betterment of all stakeholders, including CRIG’s workers.
He said the improvement in the fortunes of the cocoa industry could only be possible if the workers worked hard to make it possible for the repayment of the loans, which would also ensure their betterment.
He congratulated the award winners and called on the entire staff of CRIG to work with dedication and in unity to face the challenges ahead.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, commended CRIG for instituting the award scheme for its workers, since that would motivate them to put in their best.
He said the Regional Co-ordinating Council was making frantic efforts to promote tourism in the region and said it was gratifying that CRIG had taken steps to process cocoa and its by-products and urged COCOBOD to invite private participation in that respect for mass production for both home consumption and export.
This, he said, was due to the many interventions COCOBOD had put in place such as infrastructural development and logistic support for Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), to intensify its research into cocoa and also to guide cocoa farmers on cocoa production.
He, therefore, asked workers of CRIG to live up to expectation to achieve the production target.
This was contained in a speech read at CRIG’s 2009 Best Worker award ceremony at New Tafo on behalf of the CEO by Mr Dramani Egala, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of Operations.
About 20 workers who performed creditably last year received television sets as prizes, with the overall best worker award going to Mr Anim Danso, a driver of the General Services Division of CRIG, who had served for 30 years. He took home a deep freezer as his prize.
Mr Fofie said COCOBOD had been making systematic and progressive efforts, including contracting external loans, to move cocoa production to a much higher level for the betterment of all stakeholders, including CRIG’s workers.
He said the improvement in the fortunes of the cocoa industry could only be possible if the workers worked hard to make it possible for the repayment of the loans, which would also ensure their betterment.
He congratulated the award winners and called on the entire staff of CRIG to work with dedication and in unity to face the challenges ahead.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, commended CRIG for instituting the award scheme for its workers, since that would motivate them to put in their best.
He said the Regional Co-ordinating Council was making frantic efforts to promote tourism in the region and said it was gratifying that CRIG had taken steps to process cocoa and its by-products and urged COCOBOD to invite private participation in that respect for mass production for both home consumption and export.
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