THERE was jubilation during the annual general meeting of the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly at Odumase-Krobo last Thursday when it was announced that Akuse had been confirmed to be part of the district.
The controversy over the once flourishing town near the Volta River, which had for a long time been the bone of contention between the Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region and Dangbe West in the Greater Accra, with both claiming it, was settled by a Supreme Court ruling on July 23, this year, ceding it to Manya Krobo.
As soon as the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr David Sackitey Asare, announced the ruling of the court, which was confirmed by the Presiding Member (PM), Mr Emmanuel Agyarko, the assembly members went into jubilation, making it difficult for the PM to control the proceedings.
Most of the assembly members, in their happy mood, expressed their satisfaction about the court’s ruling and called on the House to organise a victory parade in the town on September 27, this year.
The House also suggested that the people whose efforts led to the declaration of Akuse’s new status should be acknowledged and possibly rewarded.
They were the late Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Mate Kole; the present Konor, Nene Sakitey; Nene Sasraku 1V, acting Konor; Nene Asada Ahor, the Chief of Akuse; Mr Sackitey Asare, the DCE; Mr Agyarko and the six assembly members from the Akuse area, who, despite the problem, continued to attend the assembly meetings.
In his speech, Mr Sackitey Asare said now that the issue of Akuse had been resolved, all revenues that the Volta River Authority should have paid to the district assembly, but had been withheld due to the uncertainty over the status of the town, would now flow in to the assembly.
That, he stated, would make it possible to develop the district, especially communities that were adversely affected by the construction of the Kpong Dam.
For his part, Nene Sasraku expressed happiness over the court ruling and stated that the Manya Traditional Council would partner the assembly to bring development to Akuse, which, he said, had suffered over the years as a result of the unfortunate incident.
Addressing the House later, Mr Sackitey Asare said apart from a number of social amenities that had been provided, construction work on additional ones would soon begin.
The projects include extension of electricity to five communities, the tarring of Asite town roads, Atua Hospital-Mount Mary, Nuaso town, Airport-Agbom-Ablotsi, and Odumase-Junction-Public Cemetery roads, Akuse town roads and the Kpong Kotokoli-Ahudzo road.
Other projects, which would be funded by the European Union, are teachers’ bungalows at Obelemanya and Oborpa East, a culvert at Abanse, a modern public place of convenience at Lorlornyo and a school building at Kpong.
Mr Sackitey Asare said the assembly had also taken delivery of 12 skip-loader refuse containers to augment 10 others to improve sanitation in the area.
With regard to the financial standing of the assembly, Mr Sackitey stated that although it had received its quarter allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund of GH¢42,556.29, the situation was still a serious one, because from January to July, this year, a total revenue of GH¢68,517.21, out of a projected figure of GH¢155,018.46, representing 44 per cent had been collected.
He, however, stated that the assembly had expended GH¢115,000.63 out of its budget of GH¢188,777.48, adding that such a precarious situation had led to the assembly’s indebtedness to a number of service providers, workers and other institutions.
The DCE, therefore, implored the revenue collectors to intensify their activities.
As regards the report on the dispute over the limestone-rich deposits along the common border between Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo, which were being claimed by both traditional areas, he stated that it had not been accepted by the two parties, and, therefore, appealed to them to passionately study it to ensure a lasting solution to the problem.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
FIGHTING CRIME IN THE EASTERN REGION...Police on the warpath (PAGE 20)
EASTERN Region, the third most populous political entity after the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, has for some time now been experiencing crime.
Its thriving municipalities such as Koforidua, the capital, Akyem Oda, Nkawkaw, Asamankese as well as towns like Suhum, Somanya, Akropong-Akuapem, which have large concentration of people, are associated with all sorts of crimes.
These include armed robbery, murder, rape and defilement, fraud and petty thefts involving food crops such as plantain, cassava, livestock and poultry.
Another crime in the region that normally occurs in the municipalities involves tricksters, popularly known as “419”, who manage to trick people to part with various sums of money.
The crime-prone areas include Okorase, Mile 50, Asokorekuma, Nyamekrom, all new settlements within the New Juaben Municipality, Nsukwao and the business area of Koforidua, also in New Juaben, and big towns such as Oda, Somanya, Akropong and Nkawkaw.
Other worrying issues are chieftaincy disputes in some of the traditional areas, disputes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen, especially in the Kwahu area and fatal motor accidents that continue to claim life.
Differences that occasionally arise among the Muslim community, especially during this year’s Ramadan, are also some of the problems in the area.
Another factor that has led to the increase in the crime rate is the large number of ex-convicts from other parts of the country who are periodically released from the country’s premier prison at Nsawam, and other prisons at Akuse, Koforidua and in the Kwahu North District (Afram Plains), all located within the region.
These ex-convicts, who do not normally go to their home towns after gaining their freedom, continue to live in the region to involve in more criminal activities.
Such issues have, therefore, been a big challenge to the police in the region whose ratio per inhabitant is not far from the national ratio of one policeman to about 1,000 people, thus putting severe pressure on the force.
To effectively tackle the crime wave, the Police Administration in the region under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Anko-Bil, has instituted a number of measures to rid the communities of criminals and make the area safe for habitation.
The measures, which were vigorously enforced, particularly from April, this year, include intensification of police patrols, especially at night, mounting of barriers at entry points to Koforidua and periodic raids in the hideouts of suspected criminals.
The recent acquisition of the Gota, a special communication gadget (walkie-talkie), for the police officers to enhance communication, and the inauguration of a rapid police deployment force, have contributed significantly in tracking down criminals and reduced crime in the communities.
For instance, in the first half of 2007, 48 people were murdered as against 30 this year, while narcotic cases (wee) went down from 72 to 48, rape from 74 to 23, defilement from 122 to 72, all within the same period.
Armed robbery, however, increased slightly from 32 to 36 within the stipulated period. The most interesting aspect of such a heinous crime such as the armed robbery is that most of the robbers have been arrested and are being tried at the law courts.
“Apart from this, we recently resolved the differences between the traditional authorities and the Saviour Church at Osiem, as well as trying to resolve the impasse among the Moslem community in Koforidua which occurred during this Ramadan. Both parties are, however, co-operating on the issue,” ACP Anko-Bil stated.
With regard to motor accidents, the region continues to encounter such problems. Between January and August, 2007, as many as 790 accidents, involving 1,038 vehicles were recorded, during which 168 people lost their lives, with 1,038 sustaining various degrees of injury.
The figure increased within the same period this year with 807 motor accidents, involving 1,038 vehicles, of which 166 died and 1,055 injured.
According to ACP Anko-Bil, the unfortunate situation could be attributed to a significant increase in the number of vehicles in the region and others from various parts of the country, which use the region’s stretch of the main Accra-Kumasi highway.
To reduce such traffic accidents to the barest minimum, the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police Service has been vigorously conducting checks on the roads. It also teams up with the Road Safety Commission to periodically organise durbars to educate drivers and the general public on road safety.
On political activities, the police have made the necessary preparations to deal with any situation that has the potential to disturb the relative peace being enjoyed in the country before, during and after the December 7 general election.
“There are 500 policemen on standby, ready to go to identified flash points or trouble spots in the area, and with the assistance of other security agencies, we can double or even triple the number of our men in such places,” ACP Anko-Bil said.
“Although we have made a significant breakthrough in fighting crime, we are not resting at all, both officers and men are on the alert ready to flush out the criminals in their hideouts at any time. So we appeal to members of the public to bear with us whenever we conduct unexpected operations in their communities,” ACP Anko-Bil stated.
To complement efforts being made by the police, ACP Anko-Bil is of the view that neighbourhood watch committees should be formed in all the communities with active participation from the youth.
He stressed the need for people to be prepared to volunteer information on criminals to the police who would treat the issue confidential in order not to expose such informants to danger.
The municipal and district assemblies must also come to the rescue of their people by improving the lighting system in the communities, especially the crime-prone areas, while landlords and workers must also team up to engage watchmen in their areas.
ACP Anko-Bil emphasised that if such measures were adhered to coupled with the able manner in which the commanders in the six divisions, namely Akosombo, Akropong, Nkawkaw, Kyebi, Koforidua and Akyem Oda, were discharging their duties, the region would in the near future become one of the safest places in the country.
Its thriving municipalities such as Koforidua, the capital, Akyem Oda, Nkawkaw, Asamankese as well as towns like Suhum, Somanya, Akropong-Akuapem, which have large concentration of people, are associated with all sorts of crimes.
These include armed robbery, murder, rape and defilement, fraud and petty thefts involving food crops such as plantain, cassava, livestock and poultry.
Another crime in the region that normally occurs in the municipalities involves tricksters, popularly known as “419”, who manage to trick people to part with various sums of money.
The crime-prone areas include Okorase, Mile 50, Asokorekuma, Nyamekrom, all new settlements within the New Juaben Municipality, Nsukwao and the business area of Koforidua, also in New Juaben, and big towns such as Oda, Somanya, Akropong and Nkawkaw.
Other worrying issues are chieftaincy disputes in some of the traditional areas, disputes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen, especially in the Kwahu area and fatal motor accidents that continue to claim life.
Differences that occasionally arise among the Muslim community, especially during this year’s Ramadan, are also some of the problems in the area.
Another factor that has led to the increase in the crime rate is the large number of ex-convicts from other parts of the country who are periodically released from the country’s premier prison at Nsawam, and other prisons at Akuse, Koforidua and in the Kwahu North District (Afram Plains), all located within the region.
These ex-convicts, who do not normally go to their home towns after gaining their freedom, continue to live in the region to involve in more criminal activities.
Such issues have, therefore, been a big challenge to the police in the region whose ratio per inhabitant is not far from the national ratio of one policeman to about 1,000 people, thus putting severe pressure on the force.
To effectively tackle the crime wave, the Police Administration in the region under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) George Anko-Bil, has instituted a number of measures to rid the communities of criminals and make the area safe for habitation.
The measures, which were vigorously enforced, particularly from April, this year, include intensification of police patrols, especially at night, mounting of barriers at entry points to Koforidua and periodic raids in the hideouts of suspected criminals.
The recent acquisition of the Gota, a special communication gadget (walkie-talkie), for the police officers to enhance communication, and the inauguration of a rapid police deployment force, have contributed significantly in tracking down criminals and reduced crime in the communities.
For instance, in the first half of 2007, 48 people were murdered as against 30 this year, while narcotic cases (wee) went down from 72 to 48, rape from 74 to 23, defilement from 122 to 72, all within the same period.
Armed robbery, however, increased slightly from 32 to 36 within the stipulated period. The most interesting aspect of such a heinous crime such as the armed robbery is that most of the robbers have been arrested and are being tried at the law courts.
“Apart from this, we recently resolved the differences between the traditional authorities and the Saviour Church at Osiem, as well as trying to resolve the impasse among the Moslem community in Koforidua which occurred during this Ramadan. Both parties are, however, co-operating on the issue,” ACP Anko-Bil stated.
With regard to motor accidents, the region continues to encounter such problems. Between January and August, 2007, as many as 790 accidents, involving 1,038 vehicles were recorded, during which 168 people lost their lives, with 1,038 sustaining various degrees of injury.
The figure increased within the same period this year with 807 motor accidents, involving 1,038 vehicles, of which 166 died and 1,055 injured.
According to ACP Anko-Bil, the unfortunate situation could be attributed to a significant increase in the number of vehicles in the region and others from various parts of the country, which use the region’s stretch of the main Accra-Kumasi highway.
To reduce such traffic accidents to the barest minimum, the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police Service has been vigorously conducting checks on the roads. It also teams up with the Road Safety Commission to periodically organise durbars to educate drivers and the general public on road safety.
On political activities, the police have made the necessary preparations to deal with any situation that has the potential to disturb the relative peace being enjoyed in the country before, during and after the December 7 general election.
“There are 500 policemen on standby, ready to go to identified flash points or trouble spots in the area, and with the assistance of other security agencies, we can double or even triple the number of our men in such places,” ACP Anko-Bil said.
“Although we have made a significant breakthrough in fighting crime, we are not resting at all, both officers and men are on the alert ready to flush out the criminals in their hideouts at any time. So we appeal to members of the public to bear with us whenever we conduct unexpected operations in their communities,” ACP Anko-Bil stated.
To complement efforts being made by the police, ACP Anko-Bil is of the view that neighbourhood watch committees should be formed in all the communities with active participation from the youth.
He stressed the need for people to be prepared to volunteer information on criminals to the police who would treat the issue confidential in order not to expose such informants to danger.
The municipal and district assemblies must also come to the rescue of their people by improving the lighting system in the communities, especially the crime-prone areas, while landlords and workers must also team up to engage watchmen in their areas.
ACP Anko-Bil emphasised that if such measures were adhered to coupled with the able manner in which the commanders in the six divisions, namely Akosombo, Akropong, Nkawkaw, Kyebi, Koforidua and Akyem Oda, were discharging their duties, the region would in the near future become one of the safest places in the country.
PNC TO PATNER TRADITIONAL RULERS FOR DEVELOPMENT ...Pledges Dr Mahama (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has said when voted into power, his government will partner traditional rulers in all aspects for the development of the communities.
That, he said, had become necessary, since traditional rulers were endowed with the requisite knowledge to be tapped for the development of the communities to improve the living condition of the people.
The PNC flag bearer made the statement when he paid a courtesy call on Osabarima Awua Kotoko II, the Begorohene and Benkumhene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, at his palace on Monday.
During the call, Dr Mahama introduced Mr William Nkansah, the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the area, to the gathering.
Dr Mahama, who was on a campaign tour of the Eastern Region, was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Mr Bernard Mornah; the National Women’s Organiser, Hajia Hajara Boya; the Publicity Chairman, Mr Henry Asante, and the Eastern Regional Vice-Chairman,, Mr Godwin Tay.
According to Dr Mahama, although chiefs were good statesmen who assisted the colonial administrators to govern the country, successive governments after independence relegated them to the background and that had imparted negatively on the development of the communities.
What had worsened the situation, he stated, was the inability of successive governments to offer the necessary assistance to chiefs in the form of logistics.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that he would reverse the situation when voted into power and called on the chiefs and the people for their support.
“A PNC government will partner chiefs, give them the necessary assistance, especially means of transport, to undertake activities to improve the lot of the people,” he said.
On education, Dr Mahama stated that although the government had implemented the School Feeding Programme and free transport for schoolchildren, only a limited number of schoolchildren were currently benefiting, leaving out majority of them, especially those in the rural areas where poverty was the order of the day.
Dr Mahama, who indicated that his administration would make it possible for all schoolchildren of poor parentage to be covered by the School Feeding Programme and free transportation and also improve the Capitation Grant, gave the assurance that a public university would be put up in the region to make tertiary education accessible to students in the area.
He also promised to improve farming by promoting the cultivation of food crops such as cassava, yam, plantain and maize, in addition to cocoa and other cash crops.
For his part, Osabarima Awua Kotoko advised the PNC leader to conduct his campaign peacefully and wished him well.
Mr Mornah, who addressed the people shortly before the PNC leader called on Osabarima Awua Kotoko, condemned the NPP administration for selling viable state assets and called on the people to rally behind the PNC to win the election to reverse that trend.
Hajia Hajara Boya also called on the women to support the PNC, which she said had a lot of initiatives to be implemented to improve their lot.
The PNC flag bearer had earlier in the day paid a courtesy call on the Krontihene of Kwabeng, Baffuor Twum Ampofo, to solicit the support of the chiefs and people of Kwabeng and also addressed a gathering at New Tafo.
That, he said, had become necessary, since traditional rulers were endowed with the requisite knowledge to be tapped for the development of the communities to improve the living condition of the people.
The PNC flag bearer made the statement when he paid a courtesy call on Osabarima Awua Kotoko II, the Begorohene and Benkumhene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, at his palace on Monday.
During the call, Dr Mahama introduced Mr William Nkansah, the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the area, to the gathering.
Dr Mahama, who was on a campaign tour of the Eastern Region, was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Mr Bernard Mornah; the National Women’s Organiser, Hajia Hajara Boya; the Publicity Chairman, Mr Henry Asante, and the Eastern Regional Vice-Chairman,, Mr Godwin Tay.
According to Dr Mahama, although chiefs were good statesmen who assisted the colonial administrators to govern the country, successive governments after independence relegated them to the background and that had imparted negatively on the development of the communities.
What had worsened the situation, he stated, was the inability of successive governments to offer the necessary assistance to chiefs in the form of logistics.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that he would reverse the situation when voted into power and called on the chiefs and the people for their support.
“A PNC government will partner chiefs, give them the necessary assistance, especially means of transport, to undertake activities to improve the lot of the people,” he said.
On education, Dr Mahama stated that although the government had implemented the School Feeding Programme and free transport for schoolchildren, only a limited number of schoolchildren were currently benefiting, leaving out majority of them, especially those in the rural areas where poverty was the order of the day.
Dr Mahama, who indicated that his administration would make it possible for all schoolchildren of poor parentage to be covered by the School Feeding Programme and free transportation and also improve the Capitation Grant, gave the assurance that a public university would be put up in the region to make tertiary education accessible to students in the area.
He also promised to improve farming by promoting the cultivation of food crops such as cassava, yam, plantain and maize, in addition to cocoa and other cash crops.
For his part, Osabarima Awua Kotoko advised the PNC leader to conduct his campaign peacefully and wished him well.
Mr Mornah, who addressed the people shortly before the PNC leader called on Osabarima Awua Kotoko, condemned the NPP administration for selling viable state assets and called on the people to rally behind the PNC to win the election to reverse that trend.
Hajia Hajara Boya also called on the women to support the PNC, which she said had a lot of initiatives to be implemented to improve their lot.
The PNC flag bearer had earlier in the day paid a courtesy call on the Krontihene of Kwabeng, Baffuor Twum Ampofo, to solicit the support of the chiefs and people of Kwabeng and also addressed a gathering at New Tafo.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
MRS AKUFO-ADDO TOURS OKERE, TARKWA (PAGE 15)
THE wife of the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo was given a hilarious welcome when she visited Adukrom, headquarters of the Okere Constituency in the Eastern Region.
So huge was the crowd that the few security men present had it tough controlling the gathering, most of who were clad in NPP colours and lined up the main Adukrom-Somanya road, partially blocking it.
To save the situation, the main road had to be blocked and vehicles directed through different routes.
Mrs Akufo-Addo who was accompanied by the wives of some of the NPP presidential aspirants who contested with her husband, as well as some deputy ministers and the party’s parliamentary aspirant for Okere, Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, was in the area to interact with the women and also introduce herself to the Okerehene, Nana Otutu Kono III.
The Okerehene, who together with his sub chiefs received Mrs Akufo-Addo at his palace, simply remarked, “This huge crowd is a clear indication that you will definitely be the First Lady.”
Nana Otutu Kono, however, called for peaceful elections in December and said he would ensure that nothing would mar the conduct of the polls in the Okere Traditional Area.
Mrs Akufo-Addo thanked the chiefs for the reception and later visited Mamfe where she met a similar gathering.
She had early on been to some parts of the Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo and the Yilo Krobo districts.
Before then, Mrs Akufo-Addo, had taken her campaign to the Western Region to formally introduce herself to the people in the region and solicit their votes for her husband in the December election.
Last Tuesday she visited Tarkwa Hospital where she was taken round the female and children’s wards.
At the wards she wished the sick a speedy recovery and presented items including toilet rolls, diapers, detergents and soap worth GH¢3,000.00 to the inmates.
Mrs Akufo-Addo tasked the staff to explain the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to unregistered patients and people in the community for them to have access to quality and affordable health care.
She also assured the staff of efforts by the NPP government to improve the living conditions of workers in the country and promised that her husband would build a new hospital for the community when he was given the mandate in the December general election.
Mrs Akufo-Addo and her entourage later addressed a gathering that followed them to the community centre.
She outlined some of the innovative plans, including free secondary education, enhanced social services, improved salaries for workers and creation of an enabling environment for socio-economic growth,which her husband would pursue to accelerate Ghana’s development when he is given the mandate.
She also visited the acting Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Kuma, the queen, Nana Fosuama, and their sub-chiefs.
Mrs Akufo-Addo told them that her mission was to introduce herself to them, seek advice, support and prayers for victory in the December elction.
Mrs Horner Sam asked the people not to vote for parties that are violent, inhuman and unproductive.
As a caring and a responsible party, the NPP created the women and Children’s Ministry to give extra attention to the vulnerable in society.
She mentioned the School Feeding Programme, Free Busing and Free Maternal care for pregnant women as laudable programmes that needed to be continued adding that it was only the NPP which had the right development plan to accelerate the country’s development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also asked the people to vote massively for the NPP in the December poll.
Mrs. Horner Sam said NPP had entrenched democracy, enhanced provision of infrastructure, educational health and social services.
She urged the people to vote in their numbers for the NPP in December to warrant continued enjoyment of more development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also tasked women to educate their children and husbands and relatives to vote massively for the NPP in the December elections.
Nana Kwame Kuma asked the team to embark on a clean campaign.
The entourage were made up of Mrs. Addo Kufuor, Mrs. Oquaye, Mrs. Frimpong, Mrs Boateng, Mrs. Horner Sam, Mrs. Addo Yobo, Mrs Newman, Mrs. Cecelia Banahene, Madam Winifred Asiedu, Nana Adomaa and many other leading members of the party.
Attention: Takyi Boateng has already sent the pictures accompanying the story.
So huge was the crowd that the few security men present had it tough controlling the gathering, most of who were clad in NPP colours and lined up the main Adukrom-Somanya road, partially blocking it.
To save the situation, the main road had to be blocked and vehicles directed through different routes.
Mrs Akufo-Addo who was accompanied by the wives of some of the NPP presidential aspirants who contested with her husband, as well as some deputy ministers and the party’s parliamentary aspirant for Okere, Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, was in the area to interact with the women and also introduce herself to the Okerehene, Nana Otutu Kono III.
The Okerehene, who together with his sub chiefs received Mrs Akufo-Addo at his palace, simply remarked, “This huge crowd is a clear indication that you will definitely be the First Lady.”
Nana Otutu Kono, however, called for peaceful elections in December and said he would ensure that nothing would mar the conduct of the polls in the Okere Traditional Area.
Mrs Akufo-Addo thanked the chiefs for the reception and later visited Mamfe where she met a similar gathering.
She had early on been to some parts of the Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo and the Yilo Krobo districts.
Before then, Mrs Akufo-Addo, had taken her campaign to the Western Region to formally introduce herself to the people in the region and solicit their votes for her husband in the December election.
Last Tuesday she visited Tarkwa Hospital where she was taken round the female and children’s wards.
At the wards she wished the sick a speedy recovery and presented items including toilet rolls, diapers, detergents and soap worth GH¢3,000.00 to the inmates.
Mrs Akufo-Addo tasked the staff to explain the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to unregistered patients and people in the community for them to have access to quality and affordable health care.
She also assured the staff of efforts by the NPP government to improve the living conditions of workers in the country and promised that her husband would build a new hospital for the community when he was given the mandate in the December general election.
Mrs Akufo-Addo and her entourage later addressed a gathering that followed them to the community centre.
She outlined some of the innovative plans, including free secondary education, enhanced social services, improved salaries for workers and creation of an enabling environment for socio-economic growth,which her husband would pursue to accelerate Ghana’s development when he is given the mandate.
She also visited the acting Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Kuma, the queen, Nana Fosuama, and their sub-chiefs.
Mrs Akufo-Addo told them that her mission was to introduce herself to them, seek advice, support and prayers for victory in the December elction.
Mrs Horner Sam asked the people not to vote for parties that are violent, inhuman and unproductive.
As a caring and a responsible party, the NPP created the women and Children’s Ministry to give extra attention to the vulnerable in society.
She mentioned the School Feeding Programme, Free Busing and Free Maternal care for pregnant women as laudable programmes that needed to be continued adding that it was only the NPP which had the right development plan to accelerate the country’s development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also asked the people to vote massively for the NPP in the December poll.
Mrs. Horner Sam said NPP had entrenched democracy, enhanced provision of infrastructure, educational health and social services.
She urged the people to vote in their numbers for the NPP in December to warrant continued enjoyment of more development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also tasked women to educate their children and husbands and relatives to vote massively for the NPP in the December elections.
Nana Kwame Kuma asked the team to embark on a clean campaign.
The entourage were made up of Mrs. Addo Kufuor, Mrs. Oquaye, Mrs. Frimpong, Mrs Boateng, Mrs. Horner Sam, Mrs. Addo Yobo, Mrs Newman, Mrs. Cecelia Banahene, Madam Winifred Asiedu, Nana Adomaa and many other leading members of the party.
Attention: Takyi Boateng has already sent the pictures accompanying the story.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
MRS AKUFO-ADDO TOURS OKERE, TARKWA (PAGE 15)
THE wife of the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo was given a hilarious welcome when she visited Adukrom, headquarters of the Okere Constituency in the Eastern Region.
So huge was the crowd that the few security men present had it tough controlling the gathering, most of who were clad in NPP colours and lined up the main Adukrom-Somanya road, partially blocking it.
To save the situation, the main road had to be blocked and vehicles directed through different routes.
Mrs Akufo-Addo who was accompanied by the wives of some of the NPP presidential aspirants who contested with her husband, as well as some deputy ministers and the party’s parliamentary aspirant for Okere, Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, was in the area to interact with the women and also introduce herself to the Okerehene, Nana Otutu Kono III.
The Okerehene, who together with his sub chiefs received Mrs Akufo-Addo at his palace, simply remarked, “This huge crowd is a clear indication that you will definitely be the First Lady.”
Nana Otutu Kono, however, called for peaceful elections in December and said he would ensure that nothing would mar the conduct of the polls in the Okere Traditional Area.
Mrs Akufo-Addo thanked the chiefs for the reception and later visited Mamfe where she met a similar gathering.
She had early on been to some parts of the Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo and the Yilo Krobo districts.
Before then, Mrs Akufo-Addo, had taken her campaign to the Western Region to formally introduce herself to the people in the region and solicit their votes for her husband in the December election.
Last Tuesday she visited Tarkwa Hospital where she was taken round the female and children’s wards.
At the wards she wished the sick a speedy recovery and presented items including toilet rolls, diapers, detergents and soap worth GH¢3,000.00 to the inmates.
Mrs Akufo-Addo tasked the staff to explain the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to unregistered patients and people in the community for them to have access to quality and affordable health care.
She also assured the staff of efforts by the NPP government to improve the living conditions of workers in the country and promised that her husband would build a new hospital for the community when he was given the mandate in the December general election.
Mrs Akufo-Addo and her entourage later addressed a gathering that followed them to the community centre.
She outlined some of the innovative plans, including free secondary education, enhanced social services, improved salaries for workers and creation of an enabling environment for socio-economic growth,which her husband would pursue to accelerate Ghana’s development when he is given the mandate.
She also visited the acting Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Kuma, the queen, Nana Fosuama, and their sub-chiefs.
Mrs Akufo-Addo told them that her mission was to introduce herself to them, seek advice, support and prayers for victory in the December elction.
Mrs Horner Sam asked the people not to vote for parties that are violent, inhuman and unproductive.
As a caring and a responsible party, the NPP created the women and Children’s Ministry to give extra attention to the vulnerable in society.
She mentioned the School Feeding Programme, Free Busing and Free Maternal care for pregnant women as laudable programmes that needed to be continued adding that it was only the NPP which had the right development plan to accelerate the country’s development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also asked the people to vote massively for the NPP in the December poll.
Mrs. Horner Sam said NPP had entrenched democracy, enhanced provision of infrastructure, educational health and social services.
She urged the people to vote in their numbers for the NPP in December to warrant continued enjoyment of more development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also tasked women to educate their children and husbands and relatives to vote massively for the NPP in the December elections.
Nana Kwame Kuma asked the team to embark on a clean campaign.
The entourage were made up of Mrs. Addo Kufuor, Mrs. Oquaye, Mrs. Frimpong, Mrs Boateng, Mrs. Horner Sam, Mrs. Addo Yobo, Mrs Newman, Mrs. Cecelia Banahene, Madam Winifred Asiedu, Nana Adomaa and many other leading members of the party.
Attention: Takyi Boateng has already sent the pictures accompanying the story.
So huge was the crowd that the few security men present had it tough controlling the gathering, most of who were clad in NPP colours and lined up the main Adukrom-Somanya road, partially blocking it.
To save the situation, the main road had to be blocked and vehicles directed through different routes.
Mrs Akufo-Addo who was accompanied by the wives of some of the NPP presidential aspirants who contested with her husband, as well as some deputy ministers and the party’s parliamentary aspirant for Okere, Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, was in the area to interact with the women and also introduce herself to the Okerehene, Nana Otutu Kono III.
The Okerehene, who together with his sub chiefs received Mrs Akufo-Addo at his palace, simply remarked, “This huge crowd is a clear indication that you will definitely be the First Lady.”
Nana Otutu Kono, however, called for peaceful elections in December and said he would ensure that nothing would mar the conduct of the polls in the Okere Traditional Area.
Mrs Akufo-Addo thanked the chiefs for the reception and later visited Mamfe where she met a similar gathering.
She had early on been to some parts of the Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo and the Yilo Krobo districts.
Before then, Mrs Akufo-Addo, had taken her campaign to the Western Region to formally introduce herself to the people in the region and solicit their votes for her husband in the December election.
Last Tuesday she visited Tarkwa Hospital where she was taken round the female and children’s wards.
At the wards she wished the sick a speedy recovery and presented items including toilet rolls, diapers, detergents and soap worth GH¢3,000.00 to the inmates.
Mrs Akufo-Addo tasked the staff to explain the benefits of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to unregistered patients and people in the community for them to have access to quality and affordable health care.
She also assured the staff of efforts by the NPP government to improve the living conditions of workers in the country and promised that her husband would build a new hospital for the community when he was given the mandate in the December general election.
Mrs Akufo-Addo and her entourage later addressed a gathering that followed them to the community centre.
She outlined some of the innovative plans, including free secondary education, enhanced social services, improved salaries for workers and creation of an enabling environment for socio-economic growth,which her husband would pursue to accelerate Ghana’s development when he is given the mandate.
She also visited the acting Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Kuma, the queen, Nana Fosuama, and their sub-chiefs.
Mrs Akufo-Addo told them that her mission was to introduce herself to them, seek advice, support and prayers for victory in the December elction.
Mrs Horner Sam asked the people not to vote for parties that are violent, inhuman and unproductive.
As a caring and a responsible party, the NPP created the women and Children’s Ministry to give extra attention to the vulnerable in society.
She mentioned the School Feeding Programme, Free Busing and Free Maternal care for pregnant women as laudable programmes that needed to be continued adding that it was only the NPP which had the right development plan to accelerate the country’s development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also asked the people to vote massively for the NPP in the December poll.
Mrs. Horner Sam said NPP had entrenched democracy, enhanced provision of infrastructure, educational health and social services.
She urged the people to vote in their numbers for the NPP in December to warrant continued enjoyment of more development.
Mrs. Horner-Sam also tasked women to educate their children and husbands and relatives to vote massively for the NPP in the December elections.
Nana Kwame Kuma asked the team to embark on a clean campaign.
The entourage were made up of Mrs. Addo Kufuor, Mrs. Oquaye, Mrs. Frimpong, Mrs Boateng, Mrs. Horner Sam, Mrs. Addo Yobo, Mrs Newman, Mrs. Cecelia Banahene, Madam Winifred Asiedu, Nana Adomaa and many other leading members of the party.
Attention: Takyi Boateng has already sent the pictures accompanying the story.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
CONSIDER ECONOMIC PROBLEMS BEFORE VOTING ...John Mahama urges (PAGE 14)
THE running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, has asked Ghanaians to consider the economic difficulties they are currently going through before casting their votes in December.
According to him, the economic difficulties called for a change of government.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration which took over the government from the NDC about eight years ago, had almost collapsed the economy as a result of which majority of Ghanaians were now suffering.
He therefore asked the people to support the NDC to win the December elections to revamp the economy to make life worth living for them.
Mr Mahama made the call when he addressed a rally at the main lorry park in Koforidua. The rally was attended by a large crowd of people.
Mr Mahama who was on a campaign tour of the region, was in the regional capital where he introduced Mr Ransford Owusu Boakye, the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the New Juaben South Constituency, to the people. He also solicited support for the party’s flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
Recounting the economic difficulties of the people, Mr Mahama said the NDC did a lot in the economic transformation of the country before handing over to the NPP and added that the clock of progress had been turned back through massive corruption.
“The country has a lot of resources and if the NPP had been able to live up to its slogan of ‘zero tolerance for corruption’, the country would not have been in this unfortunate situation”, Mr Mahama pointed out.
“The NDC did far better than the NPP but we are not blowing our horns, but if the NPP is saying it has performed better than us, then it is advisable to compare and contrast the performances of the two parties”, he stated.
On public transport, Mr Mahama said an NDC administration would come out with a policy in which private transport operators and the Metro Mass Transport would operate in such a way that it would not have any negative impacts.
As regards education, he stated that since the GH¢3 Capitation Grant instituted by the NPP had accounted for the mass failure at the BECE because it could not provide quality education, the NDC would come out with a realistic amount that would have a positive impact on the performance of the pupils.
Teachers, he also indicated, would be given the necessary incentives that would make them give their best.
Other executive of the NDC, including Messrs Julius Debra and Tawia Boateng, the Eastern Regional Chairman and Secretary respectively, as well as the MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Idrissu, took turns to address the gathering.
According to him, the economic difficulties called for a change of government.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration which took over the government from the NDC about eight years ago, had almost collapsed the economy as a result of which majority of Ghanaians were now suffering.
He therefore asked the people to support the NDC to win the December elections to revamp the economy to make life worth living for them.
Mr Mahama made the call when he addressed a rally at the main lorry park in Koforidua. The rally was attended by a large crowd of people.
Mr Mahama who was on a campaign tour of the region, was in the regional capital where he introduced Mr Ransford Owusu Boakye, the party’s parliamentary aspirant for the New Juaben South Constituency, to the people. He also solicited support for the party’s flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
Recounting the economic difficulties of the people, Mr Mahama said the NDC did a lot in the economic transformation of the country before handing over to the NPP and added that the clock of progress had been turned back through massive corruption.
“The country has a lot of resources and if the NPP had been able to live up to its slogan of ‘zero tolerance for corruption’, the country would not have been in this unfortunate situation”, Mr Mahama pointed out.
“The NDC did far better than the NPP but we are not blowing our horns, but if the NPP is saying it has performed better than us, then it is advisable to compare and contrast the performances of the two parties”, he stated.
On public transport, Mr Mahama said an NDC administration would come out with a policy in which private transport operators and the Metro Mass Transport would operate in such a way that it would not have any negative impacts.
As regards education, he stated that since the GH¢3 Capitation Grant instituted by the NPP had accounted for the mass failure at the BECE because it could not provide quality education, the NDC would come out with a realistic amount that would have a positive impact on the performance of the pupils.
Teachers, he also indicated, would be given the necessary incentives that would make them give their best.
Other executive of the NDC, including Messrs Julius Debra and Tawia Boateng, the Eastern Regional Chairman and Secretary respectively, as well as the MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Idrissu, took turns to address the gathering.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
K'DUA POLY ASSURES SMALL-SCALE OPERATORS (PAGE 20)
THE Rector of the Koforidua Polytechnic, Dr George Afranie, has given the assurance that the polytechnic will continue to offer consultancy services to owners of small-scale businesses in its catchment area to enable them to operate profitably and serve the public well.
He said the gesture was in line with the institution’s social obligation of improving the lot of the people.
Dr Afranie gave the assurance at a three-day workshop for 61 members of the Ghana Bar Operators Association (GHABOA) in the New Juaben Municipality at Koforidua.
The workshop, on the theme: “Improving Business and Financial Management Skills” organised and funded by the Business Development Centre of the polytechnic, was to upgrade the skills of the drinking bar operators not only to operate profitably, but also to ensure that the services offered at the bars conformed to standard to boost tourism.
Dr Afranie said most often operators of small-scale businesses such as drinking bars, did not properly manage their records, resulting in poor functioning.
He stated that since most of the operators had at least basic education, his outfit would offer them the necessary training to keep them on course.
According to the rector, the polytechnic would continue to offer consultancy services to the business sector and, therefore, appealed to the public to award consultancy contracts to it to enable it to generate funds for its activities.
That, he said, would improve the lot of the people in the municipality.
Dr Afranie dwelt extensively on polytechnic education, which he said, was to produce middle-level management personnel for the country.
He stated that his outfit would continue to assist people in its catchment area and advised the participants to make good use of the workshop to upgrade their skills.
The National President of GHABOA, Mr Olando Vincent Quarcoo, said although the association had 75,000 members, only 15,000 had registered with it.
He, therefore, called on all those who had not yet registered with it to do so in order to benefit from its skill training programmes.
Mr Quarcoo also appealed to the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to offer financial support to GHABOA to enable it to organise training programmes for its members to improve their skills to offer good services to the people.
He expressed his appreciation to the polytechnic and other organisations such as the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) for their immense contribution to members of GHABOA.
He said the gesture was in line with the institution’s social obligation of improving the lot of the people.
Dr Afranie gave the assurance at a three-day workshop for 61 members of the Ghana Bar Operators Association (GHABOA) in the New Juaben Municipality at Koforidua.
The workshop, on the theme: “Improving Business and Financial Management Skills” organised and funded by the Business Development Centre of the polytechnic, was to upgrade the skills of the drinking bar operators not only to operate profitably, but also to ensure that the services offered at the bars conformed to standard to boost tourism.
Dr Afranie said most often operators of small-scale businesses such as drinking bars, did not properly manage their records, resulting in poor functioning.
He stated that since most of the operators had at least basic education, his outfit would offer them the necessary training to keep them on course.
According to the rector, the polytechnic would continue to offer consultancy services to the business sector and, therefore, appealed to the public to award consultancy contracts to it to enable it to generate funds for its activities.
That, he said, would improve the lot of the people in the municipality.
Dr Afranie dwelt extensively on polytechnic education, which he said, was to produce middle-level management personnel for the country.
He stated that his outfit would continue to assist people in its catchment area and advised the participants to make good use of the workshop to upgrade their skills.
The National President of GHABOA, Mr Olando Vincent Quarcoo, said although the association had 75,000 members, only 15,000 had registered with it.
He, therefore, called on all those who had not yet registered with it to do so in order to benefit from its skill training programmes.
Mr Quarcoo also appealed to the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to offer financial support to GHABOA to enable it to organise training programmes for its members to improve their skills to offer good services to the people.
He expressed his appreciation to the polytechnic and other organisations such as the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) for their immense contribution to members of GHABOA.
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