THE Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has stated that the long delay in the migration of its members to the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) was due to low placement of teachers on the structure which the association was trying to correct.
It said the long delay would not negatively affect its members since any arrears due them would be paid when they finally migrated to the SSSS.
The SSSS was to have taken effect from January 2010.
Speaking at a press conference in Koforidua after an executive meeting, the President of the association, Mr Paul A. Apanga, said after CoEn Consulting firm, which was mandated to do job evaluation and grading had completed the exercise, it was realised that placements of teachers on the SSSS had been low.
Mr Apanga, who was flanked by and other executive members of GNAT the General Secretary, Mrs Irene Duncan Adanusa, said GNAT and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), therefore, rejected the low placements and insisted that the necessary corrections be made.
It was in view of this, he noted, that the Ghana Education Service (GES) put together a committee with membership from GNAT, NAGRAT, GES and the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) to deal with the issue, adding that the committee’s meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) held last Friday had been fruitful.
Mr Apanga said it was better to spend time to correct the anomaly than rushing onto the SSSS with the distortions that would impact negatively on its members. “We think that a delay which will ensure that no single teacher is disadvantaged when we are finally rolled onto the SSSS is far better than rushing onto it to encounter unforeseen problems that may defy all solutions”.
“GNAT wishes to assure its members that it will not decline to offer its expertise in all areas regarding the exercise to get the job done in order to get teachers to roll onto the SSSS at the earliest possible time”, Mr Apanga stated.
When asked about the inability of the government to pay the arrears effective January, 2010 due to the large number of teachers totalling about 170,000, Mr Apanga said based on the assurance given by President John Evans Atta Mills, teachers would get all arrears paid to them.
On Ghana’s oil find and consequent drilling in commercial quantities, GNAT commended the various agencies and the executive arm of government for the lead role they were playing in getting a better deal on the issue.
It also congratulated Ghanaians for their ability to manage the country’s democracy and specifically praised the executive, judiciary, legislature and the media in that respect.
With regard to the current political confusion in Cote d’Ivoire, GNAT called on the government to stick to the position that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had taken to bring sanity to that country since the disturbances would have rippling effects on Ghana.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
BLIND & DEAF STUENT NOW POULTRY FARMER (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
IT was a mixture of joy and sorrow when a 24-year-old blind and deaf graduate of the Demonstration School for the Deaf at Mampong-Akuapem, Mr Yoa Sampana was robed with an academic gown to begin life on his own.
Sampana, who was born deaf and blind, had stayed in the school for 15 years during which he went through a functional academic programme (the study of English Language and Basic Accounting), as well as vocations such as poultry and snail rearing).
While some of the parents of the disabled students present could not hold back their tears, officials and others at the function, including the parents of Sampana, Mr Yaw Asiedu Moro, a Security Officer of the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong-Akuapem and the wife, Madam Ama Asibi, were however filled with joy because Sampana, who was a burden to them, could now generate an income for livelihood.
To ensure that Sampana does not stay long at home, the school with the support of Hilton/Perkins, a human- centred organisation in the United States, has set up a small poultry farm for him in his house.
Sampana’s graduation also coincided with the 15th annual workshop for parents of deaf-blind children during which two resource persons, Mr Kafui Kum and Mrs Ayisha Frimpong took the parents through basic sign language lessons to enable them communicate effectively with their children.
Addressing the gathering, the Akuapem North District Special Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Asiama Bekoe, advised parents of disabled children not to hide them at home but to send them to special schools to be trained because they
could be assisted to make a living.
“Do not hide them in rooms, send them out to functions to mix with society and also to school to be trained to make a living,” Mrs Bekoe told the parents.
The Unit Head and Low Vision Co-ordinator of the Education of Visually Impaired, Mr Seth Nyame, who also read the speech of Ms Rosemond Blay, the Director Special Education Division, said it was the primary responsibility of parents to support
their disabled children.
He said since they could only do that effectively through the learning of sign language, they should make it a point to participate in workshops organised in that respect.
Ms Blay called for the implementation of the Disability Law which was passed in 2006 to create the necessary employment opportunities for such unfortunate persons.
He expressed her gratitude to all individuals and organisations that had assisted the disabled, especially the Christofel Blindien Mission.
An official of the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Mr Opoku Addo, who chaired the function, said it was sad that previous governments had paid
lip-service to the welfare of people with disabilities and called for a change in such an attitude.
Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Agnes Akakpo, said the school was facing serious challenges and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations.
Sampana, who was born deaf and blind, had stayed in the school for 15 years during which he went through a functional academic programme (the study of English Language and Basic Accounting), as well as vocations such as poultry and snail rearing).
While some of the parents of the disabled students present could not hold back their tears, officials and others at the function, including the parents of Sampana, Mr Yaw Asiedu Moro, a Security Officer of the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong-Akuapem and the wife, Madam Ama Asibi, were however filled with joy because Sampana, who was a burden to them, could now generate an income for livelihood.
To ensure that Sampana does not stay long at home, the school with the support of Hilton/Perkins, a human- centred organisation in the United States, has set up a small poultry farm for him in his house.
Sampana’s graduation also coincided with the 15th annual workshop for parents of deaf-blind children during which two resource persons, Mr Kafui Kum and Mrs Ayisha Frimpong took the parents through basic sign language lessons to enable them communicate effectively with their children.
Addressing the gathering, the Akuapem North District Special Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Asiama Bekoe, advised parents of disabled children not to hide them at home but to send them to special schools to be trained because they
could be assisted to make a living.
“Do not hide them in rooms, send them out to functions to mix with society and also to school to be trained to make a living,” Mrs Bekoe told the parents.
The Unit Head and Low Vision Co-ordinator of the Education of Visually Impaired, Mr Seth Nyame, who also read the speech of Ms Rosemond Blay, the Director Special Education Division, said it was the primary responsibility of parents to support
their disabled children.
He said since they could only do that effectively through the learning of sign language, they should make it a point to participate in workshops organised in that respect.
Ms Blay called for the implementation of the Disability Law which was passed in 2006 to create the necessary employment opportunities for such unfortunate persons.
He expressed her gratitude to all individuals and organisations that had assisted the disabled, especially the Christofel Blindien Mission.
An official of the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Mr Opoku Addo, who chaired the function, said it was sad that previous governments had paid
lip-service to the welfare of people with disabilities and called for a change in such an attitude.
Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Agnes Akakpo, said the school was facing serious challenges and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations.
TSOSAM ADJUDGED KWAHU SOUTH BEST FARMER (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
A FIFTY-SIX-year-old farmer from Kwahu Amanfrom, Mr Jonas Tsosam, was adjudged this year’s overall best farmer in the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region.
Mr Tsosam has been a professional farmer for the past 26 years, cultivating many cash and food crops, as well as engaging in poultry production.
Mr Tsosam received a bicycle, a full piece of wax print, a spraying machine, five machetes, 10 roofing sheets, a 21-inch colour television set and a certificate as his prize.
About 30 other farmers including women who also distinguished themselves in the cultivation of various crops, animal rearing, as well as fish farming, and an agricultural extension officer were also honoured.
They received various items such as spraying machines, machetes, Wellington boots, wax prints and roofing sheets.
Presenting the items to them at a ceremony at Kwahu Ntomeng, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, praised farmers in the district for their hard work.
To boost food production in the district, Mr Omari said 64 young men and women had been supplied with the necessary inputs such as maize seeds and fertiliser to cultivate 75 acres of maize in the area during the major season, while an acre of rice demonstration farm had been established at Formanso to train the youth in rice cultivation.
The DCE stated that this year, 21,424 hectares of cocoa farms belonging to 5,744 farmers had been given special attention with regard to black pod and capsid disease control.
He said 300 cockerels had been distributed to 44 farmers to improve genetic composition of local birds through cross breeding to improve the lot of peasant farmers.
Mr Omari stated that other farmers were also being assisted to apply modern technology in farming.
He said a number of challenges such as bad roads, lack of storage and processing facilities continued to negatively affect food production and marketing in the area.
Mr Omari said his administration was seriously tackling the issues, especially the rehabilitation of most of the roads.
Mr Tsosam and Mr Eric Midorse, the third national best farmer who is also from Adaklu, a village in the district, praised the government for its assistance to farmers and expressed the hope that such assistance would continue.
Mr Tsosam has been a professional farmer for the past 26 years, cultivating many cash and food crops, as well as engaging in poultry production.
Mr Tsosam received a bicycle, a full piece of wax print, a spraying machine, five machetes, 10 roofing sheets, a 21-inch colour television set and a certificate as his prize.
About 30 other farmers including women who also distinguished themselves in the cultivation of various crops, animal rearing, as well as fish farming, and an agricultural extension officer were also honoured.
They received various items such as spraying machines, machetes, Wellington boots, wax prints and roofing sheets.
Presenting the items to them at a ceremony at Kwahu Ntomeng, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, praised farmers in the district for their hard work.
To boost food production in the district, Mr Omari said 64 young men and women had been supplied with the necessary inputs such as maize seeds and fertiliser to cultivate 75 acres of maize in the area during the major season, while an acre of rice demonstration farm had been established at Formanso to train the youth in rice cultivation.
The DCE stated that this year, 21,424 hectares of cocoa farms belonging to 5,744 farmers had been given special attention with regard to black pod and capsid disease control.
He said 300 cockerels had been distributed to 44 farmers to improve genetic composition of local birds through cross breeding to improve the lot of peasant farmers.
Mr Omari stated that other farmers were also being assisted to apply modern technology in farming.
He said a number of challenges such as bad roads, lack of storage and processing facilities continued to negatively affect food production and marketing in the area.
Mr Omari said his administration was seriously tackling the issues, especially the rehabilitation of most of the roads.
Mr Tsosam and Mr Eric Midorse, the third national best farmer who is also from Adaklu, a village in the district, praised the government for its assistance to farmers and expressed the hope that such assistance would continue.
ER POLICE COMMAND UNTS FOR 38 OFFENDING DRIVERS (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
THIRTY-EIGHT drivers who were arrested this year for committing various traffic offences in different parts of the region have absconded.
The areas where the drivers were arrested included; Apedwa, Osino, Jejeti and Akyem Sekyere, all on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Bunso, Akyem Asafo, Apeguso and Akrade.
The drivers were apprehended in a special exercise under the personal supervision of the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah.
Some of the traffic offences included; driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, use of underweight licenses, driving without license, insecure loading (human beings sitting on cargo), using photocopies of driving licenses and operating with empty fire extinguishers.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua last weekend, Superintendent Peprah said bench warrants had been issued for their rearrest for prosecution.
The drivers include; Kudzinu Francis, who was driving a Madza saloon car with registration number GV 268 T, Eric Amponsah, VW Golf, GW 4873 P, Frimpong Manso, Benz saloon, GW 288 Z, Adu Afful Samuel, Toyota Hiace, GN 2848 Z, Agyeman K. Dua, Toyota 4 Runner, DV 2942, Joseph Kagoa, Toyota Hilux Pick-Up, GW 3312 Z, Enning Emmanuel, TD bus, 6298 10, Joseph Osei, Nissan Pick-Up, GN 3695 Y, Charles Adu Opoku, Nissan Urvan, GW 1695 Q, Amo Joseph, vehicle number GR 7919- 10.
He also named James Owusu operating a Hyundai 200 bus GC 4641-09, John Amadu, Nissan (private) GN 3324-09, Nyarko Akwasi, Sprinter bus, AS 2486-10, Sosuh Aba Egyirba, vehicle number GW 4898-W, Gajesu Komla, Mercedez Benz (private) GW 4511-V, Sackey Prince Nii Mensah, Tata Pick-Up, GE 8950-W, Lawrence A. Baiden, Hyundai Tuck, GS3630-Z, Jonathan Tetteh, Musso Pick-Up GT 1311-W, Kofi Osei Ababio, Toyota Corolla, GW 6535-V, Kwarteng Yaw, Ford (private) GE 7607-V and Kofi Cutburt, Opel Astra, GW 6256-Y, as some of the drivers who have absconded.
Others are; Addo Bernard, Nissan Serena, GE 9769-Z, Emmanuel Wover, Landrover GT 4839-10, Mensah Adjei Kwabena, Hyndai Elantra DV 8170, Eunice Amuzu Great Wall GE 8602-Z, Menka Adjei Kwabena, Hyundai Elantra DV 8170, Wiafe Carl, Mitsubishi ER 1531-Z, Daniel Otchere, Nissan Pathfinder DV 1479-10, Abubakar Zakaria, Toyota Corolla AS 8109-09, Sadic Adams, Nissan Premiera GR 6289-W, Botoyoe Star Kojo, Suzuki 3278-Y and Alhassan Abdulai, Nissan Pick Up GR 9593.
The rest are; Mahoukous Dacruz Pertus, Toyota Rava GR 8843-W, Bediako A. Asare, Madza Tribute DV 1332, Amoah Ernest, Toyota (private) DV 1580-10, Nyarko Yaw Range Rover GE 8300-V, Kanyagui Samuel, Toyota Corolla GS 1900-Z and Tetteh Sundey, Hyundai 100 bus, GW 8223-Y.
According to Superintendent Peprah, although the offending drivers had managed to dodge the police for a long period, they would eventually be apprehended.
He, therefore, advised them to hand themselves over to the police.
To ensure an accident free Christmas and New Year, Superintendent Peprah said his outfit at the weekend organised similar exercises at Somanya, Odumase-Krobo and Kpong.
The exercises, which he said were supported by personnel of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) under the direct supervision of Mr Jacob Abegyah, the Eastern Regional Director, led to the arrest of drivers of 35 vehicles ranging from private saloon cars to heavy duty vehicles.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said his men had been placed at vantage points, especially on the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, which according to him, had witnessed a gradual reduction in motor accidents.
He warned that any driver found wanting would not be spared.
Comparing road accident cases and their attendant death tolls in the first 11 months of 2009 to that of 2010 in the region, Superintendent Peprah said while 2009 registered 1371 cases with 317 deaths, that of 2010 were 1,229 and 216 deaths, a drop of 101.
He explained that the significant reductions were due to intensification of educational campaigns mounted by his outfit on the issue and the positioning of police personnel on strategic areas on the roads and highways, especially the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The areas where the drivers were arrested included; Apedwa, Osino, Jejeti and Akyem Sekyere, all on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Bunso, Akyem Asafo, Apeguso and Akrade.
The drivers were apprehended in a special exercise under the personal supervision of the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah.
Some of the traffic offences included; driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, use of underweight licenses, driving without license, insecure loading (human beings sitting on cargo), using photocopies of driving licenses and operating with empty fire extinguishers.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua last weekend, Superintendent Peprah said bench warrants had been issued for their rearrest for prosecution.
The drivers include; Kudzinu Francis, who was driving a Madza saloon car with registration number GV 268 T, Eric Amponsah, VW Golf, GW 4873 P, Frimpong Manso, Benz saloon, GW 288 Z, Adu Afful Samuel, Toyota Hiace, GN 2848 Z, Agyeman K. Dua, Toyota 4 Runner, DV 2942, Joseph Kagoa, Toyota Hilux Pick-Up, GW 3312 Z, Enning Emmanuel, TD bus, 6298 10, Joseph Osei, Nissan Pick-Up, GN 3695 Y, Charles Adu Opoku, Nissan Urvan, GW 1695 Q, Amo Joseph, vehicle number GR 7919- 10.
He also named James Owusu operating a Hyundai 200 bus GC 4641-09, John Amadu, Nissan (private) GN 3324-09, Nyarko Akwasi, Sprinter bus, AS 2486-10, Sosuh Aba Egyirba, vehicle number GW 4898-W, Gajesu Komla, Mercedez Benz (private) GW 4511-V, Sackey Prince Nii Mensah, Tata Pick-Up, GE 8950-W, Lawrence A. Baiden, Hyundai Tuck, GS3630-Z, Jonathan Tetteh, Musso Pick-Up GT 1311-W, Kofi Osei Ababio, Toyota Corolla, GW 6535-V, Kwarteng Yaw, Ford (private) GE 7607-V and Kofi Cutburt, Opel Astra, GW 6256-Y, as some of the drivers who have absconded.
Others are; Addo Bernard, Nissan Serena, GE 9769-Z, Emmanuel Wover, Landrover GT 4839-10, Mensah Adjei Kwabena, Hyndai Elantra DV 8170, Eunice Amuzu Great Wall GE 8602-Z, Menka Adjei Kwabena, Hyundai Elantra DV 8170, Wiafe Carl, Mitsubishi ER 1531-Z, Daniel Otchere, Nissan Pathfinder DV 1479-10, Abubakar Zakaria, Toyota Corolla AS 8109-09, Sadic Adams, Nissan Premiera GR 6289-W, Botoyoe Star Kojo, Suzuki 3278-Y and Alhassan Abdulai, Nissan Pick Up GR 9593.
The rest are; Mahoukous Dacruz Pertus, Toyota Rava GR 8843-W, Bediako A. Asare, Madza Tribute DV 1332, Amoah Ernest, Toyota (private) DV 1580-10, Nyarko Yaw Range Rover GE 8300-V, Kanyagui Samuel, Toyota Corolla GS 1900-Z and Tetteh Sundey, Hyundai 100 bus, GW 8223-Y.
According to Superintendent Peprah, although the offending drivers had managed to dodge the police for a long period, they would eventually be apprehended.
He, therefore, advised them to hand themselves over to the police.
To ensure an accident free Christmas and New Year, Superintendent Peprah said his outfit at the weekend organised similar exercises at Somanya, Odumase-Krobo and Kpong.
The exercises, which he said were supported by personnel of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) under the direct supervision of Mr Jacob Abegyah, the Eastern Regional Director, led to the arrest of drivers of 35 vehicles ranging from private saloon cars to heavy duty vehicles.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said his men had been placed at vantage points, especially on the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, which according to him, had witnessed a gradual reduction in motor accidents.
He warned that any driver found wanting would not be spared.
Comparing road accident cases and their attendant death tolls in the first 11 months of 2009 to that of 2010 in the region, Superintendent Peprah said while 2009 registered 1371 cases with 317 deaths, that of 2010 were 1,229 and 216 deaths, a drop of 101.
He explained that the significant reductions were due to intensification of educational campaigns mounted by his outfit on the issue and the positioning of police personnel on strategic areas on the roads and highways, especially the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
Friday, December 17, 2010
PRESIDENT'S TERM OF OFFICE DOMINATES IEA DISCUSSIONS (PAGE 12, DEC 17, 2010)
THE term of office of the President dominated discussions at a public forum for the review of the 1992 Constitution in Koforidua.
While some of the participants suggested a seven or six year term for the President who must not be allowed to go for a second term, others agreed that the present four-year term and an additional term must stay.
Some others were also of the view that the President must first serve for five years and allowed to contest for the seat for another term.
It was also suggested that a separate ministry should be created to cater for the needs of physically-challenged persons who, according to the participants, had always been marginalised.
The forum which was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), for the marginalized in society was to enable physically-challenged persons in the Eastern Region to make inputs into the constitutional review process for their welfare.
The term of office of the President took the center stage after a constitutional expert, Justice Srem-Sai, had briefed the participants on the functions of the executive, legislature and judiciary as well as decentralisation, chieftaincy, national elections and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the 1992 Constitution.
But as soon as Justice Srem-Sai had completed his presentation most of speakers dwelt on the term of office of the President, which some said should be a one-time seven or six year period while others rooted for a four or five-year term with provisions to go for another term.
Proponents of the one-time six or seven-year term explained that such a relatively long period would enable the President to complete his development agenda and that if he or she was to go for another term that would make him or her autocratic.
However, others raised objections and said the present four-year term and an additional term must be allowed to stay,while others were of the view that two terms with each spanning for five years should be allowed by the Constitution.
They explained that the President would have to stabilise the economy within the first term with real development coming on during the second term.
Touching on the emoluments, especially the end-of-service of the President and his vice, participants were of the view that they must be based on what pertained in the public service.
They explained that it was ridiculous for the two to be paid huge salaries and end-of-service benefits while most civil or public servants who had continuously been at post for over 30 years continued to receive paltry sums as salaries and end-of-service benefits.
The Speaker, they also suggested, must be sworn in only once to take over the duties of either the Vice President or the President whenever both of them happened to be away from the country.
With regard to how long a member of Parliament must stay in the House, participants also expressed divergent views, with some suggesting that MPs must not be in Parliament for more than three terms while others said there should not be limitation to the number of years in the House so far as an MP could perform.
On the appointment of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), majority of the participants suggested that the President should nominate at most three persons whose fate should be determined by voting in either their respective assemblies or the entire electorate in their districts.
Salaries and end-of-service benefits for the MMDCEs, they further said, must be tied to the revenue generation capacity of their respective assemblies.
Dealing with the welfare of the physically-challenged persons, participants deplored the inability of previous governments to cater for their needs and suggested that a separate ministry should be created in that respect to ensure that what was due to them would be provided.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal, expressed appreciation of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to the IEA for organising the workshop, and said his outfit would continue to support the IEA in its efforts to promote local democracy and decentralised participatory government in Ghana.
Earlier in a welcoming remark, a policy analyst of the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, said the workshop was to allow the vulnerable in society, especially the physically-challenged, to make inputs into the Constitution to address their concerns.
While some of the participants suggested a seven or six year term for the President who must not be allowed to go for a second term, others agreed that the present four-year term and an additional term must stay.
Some others were also of the view that the President must first serve for five years and allowed to contest for the seat for another term.
It was also suggested that a separate ministry should be created to cater for the needs of physically-challenged persons who, according to the participants, had always been marginalised.
The forum which was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), for the marginalized in society was to enable physically-challenged persons in the Eastern Region to make inputs into the constitutional review process for their welfare.
The term of office of the President took the center stage after a constitutional expert, Justice Srem-Sai, had briefed the participants on the functions of the executive, legislature and judiciary as well as decentralisation, chieftaincy, national elections and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the 1992 Constitution.
But as soon as Justice Srem-Sai had completed his presentation most of speakers dwelt on the term of office of the President, which some said should be a one-time seven or six year period while others rooted for a four or five-year term with provisions to go for another term.
Proponents of the one-time six or seven-year term explained that such a relatively long period would enable the President to complete his development agenda and that if he or she was to go for another term that would make him or her autocratic.
However, others raised objections and said the present four-year term and an additional term must be allowed to stay,while others were of the view that two terms with each spanning for five years should be allowed by the Constitution.
They explained that the President would have to stabilise the economy within the first term with real development coming on during the second term.
Touching on the emoluments, especially the end-of-service of the President and his vice, participants were of the view that they must be based on what pertained in the public service.
They explained that it was ridiculous for the two to be paid huge salaries and end-of-service benefits while most civil or public servants who had continuously been at post for over 30 years continued to receive paltry sums as salaries and end-of-service benefits.
The Speaker, they also suggested, must be sworn in only once to take over the duties of either the Vice President or the President whenever both of them happened to be away from the country.
With regard to how long a member of Parliament must stay in the House, participants also expressed divergent views, with some suggesting that MPs must not be in Parliament for more than three terms while others said there should not be limitation to the number of years in the House so far as an MP could perform.
On the appointment of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), majority of the participants suggested that the President should nominate at most three persons whose fate should be determined by voting in either their respective assemblies or the entire electorate in their districts.
Salaries and end-of-service benefits for the MMDCEs, they further said, must be tied to the revenue generation capacity of their respective assemblies.
Dealing with the welfare of the physically-challenged persons, participants deplored the inability of previous governments to cater for their needs and suggested that a separate ministry should be created in that respect to ensure that what was due to them would be provided.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal, expressed appreciation of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to the IEA for organising the workshop, and said his outfit would continue to support the IEA in its efforts to promote local democracy and decentralised participatory government in Ghana.
Earlier in a welcoming remark, a policy analyst of the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, said the workshop was to allow the vulnerable in society, especially the physically-challenged, to make inputs into the Constitution to address their concerns.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
2,308 TO CONTEST ASSEMPLY POLLS IN ER (PAGE 12, DEC 16, 2010)
A TOTAL of 2,308 persons have filed their nomination to contest the district level elections on December 28 to enter the 21 assemblies in the Eastern Region.
Out of the figure, 2,110, which constitutes 91 per cent, are males, while 198 representing 8.6 per cent are females.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Eric Mensah-Bonsu, made this known in an interview in Koforidua.
He said the elections would cover 819 electoral areas out of which 791 were being contested for, with the remaining 28 uncontested.
According to Mr Mensah-Bonsu, the Kwaebibirem District had the largest number of 60 electoral areas while Kwahu East District had the lowest of 22.
With regard to the Unit Committee elections, the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the EC said in all, 5,585 prospective candidates made up of 5,021 males and 557 females would be contesting in 819 units.
He said while 134 candidates were unopposed; 40 of the units were without nominations.
Kwaebibirem District, he indicated again, had the largest number of 60 units with Kwahu East District registering the lowest figure of 22 units.
Out of the figure, 2,110, which constitutes 91 per cent, are males, while 198 representing 8.6 per cent are females.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Eric Mensah-Bonsu, made this known in an interview in Koforidua.
He said the elections would cover 819 electoral areas out of which 791 were being contested for, with the remaining 28 uncontested.
According to Mr Mensah-Bonsu, the Kwaebibirem District had the largest number of 60 electoral areas while Kwahu East District had the lowest of 22.
With regard to the Unit Committee elections, the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the EC said in all, 5,585 prospective candidates made up of 5,021 males and 557 females would be contesting in 819 units.
He said while 134 candidates were unopposed; 40 of the units were without nominations.
Kwaebibirem District, he indicated again, had the largest number of 60 units with Kwahu East District registering the lowest figure of 22 units.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
ELECTORAL MATERIALS READY FOR EASTERN REGION ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (PAGE 12, DEC 15, 2010)
ALMOST all the materials needed for the district level elections in the Eastern Region have been sent to the region.
The Deputy Commissioner (Operations) of the Electoral Commission (EC) who is also in charge of the Eastern Region, Mr Sarfo Kantanka made this known in Koforidua .
He said the EC was now left with the ballot papers which would soon be sent to the region for the elections slated for December 28.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka who was briefing district officers of the EC, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Service Department (ISD) in the region on the election said the main problem was the release of money which he was hopeful would be done on time.
The one-day meeting was organised by the EC in collaboration with Kab Governance Consult to discuss problems associated with the district level election in the region in order to see how best the three organisations, EC, NCCE and the ISD, could collaborate for a smooth election.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who was not happy about the lack of enthusiasm of the people towards the elections was hopeful that it would be successful, explaining that district level elections in all countries generally had low patronage.
He, however, appealed to the media, the NCCE and the ISD to intensify their educational campaign especially on where to vote since some of the electoral areas had been re-demarcated to increase participation.
“Almost all the materials for the elections have been sent here but people are not enthusiastic about the event so all of us have to intensify our educational campaigns on the issue to rekindle voters’ interest to vote on December 28”, Mr Sarfo Kantanka said.
With regard to the mounting of platforms, he said that would be done by the EC or the candidates themselves.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka further said non-political organisations would also be allowed to mount platforms or make public address systems available to all the candidates in a specific area to enable them to market themselves.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, Mr Paul Boateng, said the meeting, the first of its kind, would make it possible for the EC to collaborate effectively with the ISD and the NCCE for a successful election on December 28.
The Deputy Commissioner (Operations) of the Electoral Commission (EC) who is also in charge of the Eastern Region, Mr Sarfo Kantanka made this known in Koforidua .
He said the EC was now left with the ballot papers which would soon be sent to the region for the elections slated for December 28.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka who was briefing district officers of the EC, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Service Department (ISD) in the region on the election said the main problem was the release of money which he was hopeful would be done on time.
The one-day meeting was organised by the EC in collaboration with Kab Governance Consult to discuss problems associated with the district level election in the region in order to see how best the three organisations, EC, NCCE and the ISD, could collaborate for a smooth election.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who was not happy about the lack of enthusiasm of the people towards the elections was hopeful that it would be successful, explaining that district level elections in all countries generally had low patronage.
He, however, appealed to the media, the NCCE and the ISD to intensify their educational campaign especially on where to vote since some of the electoral areas had been re-demarcated to increase participation.
“Almost all the materials for the elections have been sent here but people are not enthusiastic about the event so all of us have to intensify our educational campaigns on the issue to rekindle voters’ interest to vote on December 28”, Mr Sarfo Kantanka said.
With regard to the mounting of platforms, he said that would be done by the EC or the candidates themselves.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka further said non-political organisations would also be allowed to mount platforms or make public address systems available to all the candidates in a specific area to enable them to market themselves.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, Mr Paul Boateng, said the meeting, the first of its kind, would make it possible for the EC to collaborate effectively with the ISD and the NCCE for a successful election on December 28.
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