Odotobri Rural Bank donates to Otumfuo Educational Fund

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Odotobri Rural Bank donates to Otumfuo Educational Fund Kumasi, Jan 23, GNA-The Kumasi branch of the Odotobri Rural Bank has donated 5,000 exercise books worth GH¢ 3,500 to the Otumfuo Educational Fund in Kumasi.

Mr Jonny Owusu Boadi, Board Chairman of the Bank, said the donation formed part of the Bank’s corporate responsibility to boost academic work and ensure quality education delivery.

He said in view of the tremendous efforts by the Otumfuo Education Fund to raise the standard of education, it was imperative for stakeholders to contribute to the Fund to achieve its objectives.

He indicated that the Bank had over the years made various contributions in the form of sponsorship to students and also embarked on numerous development projects in the areas of educational facilities for deprived schools.

Mr Boadi said the Bank would continue to support educational development for the advancement of the country.

Nana Adu Mensah Asare, the Amakomhene, who received the books on behalf of the Fund, thanked the Bank for the gesture and called on other corporate entities to emulate them.

GNA

Chirano Trains drivers and traders on fire safety

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Chirano Trains drivers and traders on fire safety Ntrentreso (W/R), Jan 25, GNA- Commercial drivers have been advised to seek the assistance of the various Fire Service Offices before purchasing fire extinguishers for their vehicles and homes.

District Fire Service offices could be of immense help to safeguard the destruction of lives and property in case of fire outbreaks in vehicles and at home.

Mr Osman Agyeman, a Fire Officer at Chirano Gold Mines Limited (CGML) said this during an educational meeting with commercial drivers and traders at Ntrentreso.

He explained that there were several classes of fire and different types of fire extinguishers on the market and that most of the extinguishers may not be suitable for commercial vehicles.

“If an inappropriate one is used during a fire outbreak, it could lead to further destruction of a particular property”.

Mr Agyeman said while some fire extinguishers needs to be serviced regularly to make them potent for use during fires, its safety pin and seal should always be intact and should be inspected regularly to ensure that it was useable.

He cautioned commercial drivers not to attempt re-fixing electrical faults on their vehicles but should rather seek the assistance of qualified auto electricians and mechanics to prevent the increasing cases of fires among commercial vehicles.

Mr John Kennedy Anyanah, Senior Safety Officer of CGML, said he was not happy with the way most commercial drivers, especially taxis, which ply Bibiani, Wiawso, Bekwai, Ntrentreso, Akoti and Etwebo were mostly overloaded beyond the capacity of the vehicles.

He said such acts had contributed to several accidents, adding that, overloading also violates the insurance cover on the vehicle.

He therefore appealed to commercial drivers to stop over loading in order to prolong the lifespan of their vehicles as well as save lives.

Mr Anyanah said seat belts were meant to protect lives and urged all drivers and passengers to use seat belts whenever they board any commercial vehicle. 

Mr Anyanah reminded them that road signs and markings and are meant to guide drivers to prevent road accidents.

GNA

Health services in Bolgatanga Municipality improves

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Health services in Bolgatanga Municipality improves Bolgatanga Jan. 25, GNA The Bolgatanga Municipal Health Directorate says its programmes carried out in 2011 fared better than those in previous years.

Some of the programmes given special attention included detection and cure of Tuberculosis (TB), Expanded Programme of Immunization  (EPI) , Malaria Control, HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health and Nutrition.

Speaking at an annual review meeting organised to take stock of the performance of the Municipal Health Services against set targets on Wednesday, Ms Joyce K Bagina, Municipal Director of Health Services, said the detection rate of TB increased from 79.2 per cent in 2010 to 82.9 per cent in 2011, exceeding the national target of 70 per cent while the death rate reduced from 13.8 per cent in 2010 to 5.2 per cent in 2011.

She said apart from Measles and Yellow Fever, there has been significant increase in the coverage of all antigens from 2010 to 2011, as 95 per cent of all the vaccinations covered an excess of the target that was pegged at 95 per cent.

She noted that HIV control activities were intensified as incidence of the disease was rather high, rising from 2.6 per cent in 2009 to 3.8 per cent in 2010. All health facilities were then equipped and started offering Prevention of Mother to Child transmission treatment to pregnant women and 45 counsellors were trained to help with it while all second cycle schools in the area were visited and given education as well as counselling  on the disease.

Radio sensitization programmes were also carried out.

“At the Out Patients Departments (OPD) of health facilities in the Municipality, there was a decrease in the 2011 Malaria cases as compared to the figure in 2010, from 152,156 in 2010 to 129,645 in 2011.”

Ms Bagina explained that the improvement could have been due to the intensive education on malaria preventive measures and the use of insecticide treated bed nets.

Antenatal coverage was increased from 79.4 per cent in 2010 to 84.9 per cent in 2011 while supervised deliveries increased from 69.1 per cent to 76 per cent during the same period.

In the area of nutrition, 221 children were seen with acute malnutrition and 71.1 per cent cured.

Ms Bagina said the shortage of personnel which was a problem had improved as about five Diploma General Nurses and several enrolled nurses were posted to the Municipality while Health Extension Workers and Health Promotion Assistants were also assigned to the facilities to help.

She said Family Planning (FP) patronage was rather low and called on the personnel to work hard at educating the people on the need to plan their families.

 “Some reasons for the poor response to FP include traditional beliefs against the prevention of procreation, refusal of husbands to allow their wives, inconvenience of having to take pills everyday and misconception about side effects”, she said.

Dr James Akpable, Upper East Deputy Regional Director of Health Services, called on the health workers to make innovations in their usual duties and plan differently to enable them perform better.

He assured them that they would be getting more funds this year to carry out their duties.

GNA

Bongo River Tree Restoration Project Launched

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Bongo River Tree Restoration Project Launched Bongo (U/E), Jan 25, GNA – Tree Aid, in collaboration with the Bongo Traditional Authority and the Bongo District Assembly, has started a project to restore and maintain vegetation around the major rivers in Bongo, Upper East Region.

Mr Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive officer of Tree Aid, said the major concern of his outfit was to create an opportunity for individuals particularly the poor to generate income to create forest enterprises and manage the resources more securely and ultimately protect the environment.

 “Poverty creates greater problems for the environment but a degraded environment creates more poverty”, he said, noting that Tree Aid had made effective interventions to break that cycle of environmental decline.

He explained that the project was planned after a visit showed that the area was challenged with deforestation along the rivers.

Mr Andrews Dokurugu, Project officer of Tree Aid in Burkina Faso, said the removal of vegetation along river banks in the area was a matter of great concern, saying the trees were extremely important and checked soil erosion as well as protecting the water body.

 “This is especially crucial because the rivers and streams in this district feed the Vea Dam which is the main source of water for the Bongo Municipality” he said.

He said his outfit intended to work effectively with the community and other traditional authorities to replant the lost vegetation along the major river banks with the local tree species and added that farmers who work along the rivers would be brought on board to put in place appropriate farm management practices that would reduce soil erosion and the silting up of the rivers.

Mr Dokurugu said Tree Aid planned to incorporate enterprises based on tree products to ensure t individuals in the area had alternate livelihood activities devoid of the tendency to over exploit the natural resources.

He said the pilot project would take an initial three-year timeline to cover 15 kilometres of the overall length of 50 kilometers of the river.

He was however hopeful that, at the end of the project the forest and the biodiversity along the rivers would be restored and ultimately conserve the water body. Also farmers would have been sensitized to adopt appropriate practices that would ensure long term sustainable management of resources.

Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Bonaba Baba Salifu Alemyarum, expressed appreciation to Tree Aid for the attempt at restoring trees and protecting the water bodies.

He recounted his childhood days and said there were numerous trees along the river banks with water in the rivers during the dry season which was used for irrigation farming by their fathers.

He called on his sub-chief and people to embrace the initiative and support Tree Aid to carry out the tree restoration project which would be of immense benefit to them.

Mr Albert Abongo, Member of Parliament for the area, said the government was committed to improving the environment and that 30 million Ghana Cedis had been allocated in this year’s budget under the government forestation programme.

Mr Abongo appealed to the community chiefs and the District chief Executive to support the project and come out with punitive measures to protect the depletion of trees in the area.

GNA

Secret Agents Who Retrieve Cameras From Panties

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We are in bad times and the signs, according to my crystal ball, point to gloomy days ahead.  With people like Larry Gbevlo-Lartey and his BNI at the helm of affairs, as far as the national security outfit is concerned, we are doomed.  The country is about to revisit the crazy days of the revolution when human life and dignity were treated with disdain. It looks as if the Mills/Mahama regime has given Gbevlo-Lartey the license to torture and kill.  Nobody in this country is safe anymore as the former boss of the dreaded 64 Battalion continues to flex his muscles and lies through his teeth.  I shudder to look back and recount what happened to the good people of this country when Rawlings and the Gbevlos of this world took up arms and treated Ghanaians as subhuman beings.  Those were the days when we witnessed the horrifying spectacle of sadism offered to the public gaze.  I surely remember the bazaar exhibition of ‘soldier power’, the drilling and shaving of suspects with broken bottles and acts of terrorism often explained away in the name of ‘revolutionary justice’.  We are back at square one. 

My fear would have been allayed if the National Security Coordinator, in the person of Mr. Gbevlo-Lartey, had apologized to the good people of this country in general and lady Gifty Lawson in particular, following the brutality meted out to the poor girl by operatives of the BNI when she was going about her lawful duty to earn a living.  Listen to the man who should have been on retirement defending the brutalities: “The BNI is a creature of the law and they will go ahead and do their job as prescribed by law and we are not going to take any indiscipline from any member of the public.  It doesn’t matter who he is preventing the BNI from doing their job”.  Oh no, Mr. Gbevlo-Lartey, that is not the issue. The BNI operatives rather took the law into their own hands when they manhandled the unarmed lady who was taking pictures at the court premises, which is allowed, anyway.  The creatures called BNI were undisciplined and they are those who need to be whipped into line. 

If we are to escape the danger of gradually drifting into the wish-to-be-forgotten days of ‘soldier power’, it is necessary to apply the sanctions whenever necessary, instead of leaving things to the temperament of individual BNI operatives who may ultimately do more harm than good through misguided zeal.  Are those seven BNI operatives men at all?  If it took seven well-armed BNI operatives to arrest an unarmed lady photojournalist, then I wonder what they can do when faced with armed robbers. Indeed, if a BNI operative can threaten to shoot a poor girl like Gifty, then I wonder what such a man will do if he comes face to face with this irrepressible earth Angel Gabriel, the zongo boy who fears no police.  But come to think of this, don’t you believe that some seized cocaine might have found its way to the offices of the BNI where these operatives laid their hands on to become ‘high’ like those who manhandled the girl? It is highly possible because what they did was unthinkable. Shame!

If Mr. Gbevlo-Lartey and his cohorts think journalists in this country can be cowed into quietude, then they have to think again.  What they did to Gifty has opened a can of worms which will be difficult to close.  In fact, what they did has put more ink in our fountain pens and we will show them that the pen is mightier than the sword.  In my own small way I will continue to use this column to exhort Ghanaians to rise in protest against this government’s violation of our fundamental human rights.

 I will unrepentantly use intemperate language to describe any bully who may treat Ghanaians so shabbily like they did Gifty.  And as sure as the sun will shine tomorrow, I will continue this path with strong will. If President Mills who calls himself “Asomdwiehene” fails to whip his men into line and they continue to provoke confrontation, we will call their bluff at the risk of our lives.  In fact, we will never hesitate to use the most offensive language to describe their foolishness. 

The ‘Gifty case’ will forever remain in our minds till Election Day.  We are aware the NDC would try all means to bully Ghanaians in the run-up to the elections but they will never have their way as everybody is now wide awake.  What Mr. Lartey and his overzealous scatterbrains should understand is that this time around, the good people of Ghana will not be so docile again for a few undisciplined BNI operatives to step on our rights.  Yes of course, they have the guns but we have the will to survive.  The time has come for us to remake the BNI.  The outfit is loaded with inexperienced NDC supporters who know nothing about security.  Can you imagine a situation where operatives of the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) in the US or the MOSSAD of Israel grabbing an unarmed girl and subjecting her to severe beatings and putting their hands inside her panties in search of a suspected hidden camera, simply because she was seen taking pictures of a victim of human rights abuse?  These libidinous BNI operatives should bow down their heads in shame.  I can bet with my last Kufuor gollar that if they had the chance they would have raped the poor girl.

 Accept my sympathy Gifty.  Be strong and remember that this is a price you have paid to expose a bunch of criminals parading as BNI operatives.  All Ghanaians should see the treatment meted out to Gifty as a national concern. People should stand up to be counted else these goons could repeat the show.  Threatening to shoot somebody while directing the gun at the person’s head is enough scare to make one contract a heart attack.  It was the vulture who said that when man points a gun at you and even fails to pull the trigger, you lose more than ten years of your life. I can imagine the nightmares that these Daily Guide reporters, who went through the ordeal, are having. For me, Gifty is a symbol of resistance.  The day before she was manhandled, family members of the DSP maltreated her at the same place.  The girl was so bold that she went again to cover the story despite the risk she faced.  This is a sign of a brave journalist.  One can compare her to Christina Amanpour of CNN fame.  

And if Gbevlo-Lartey and his boys think they have an axe to grind with Gina Blay’s DAILY GUIDE, then they better gird up their loins because the battle will be hotter and they may not even get time to go for supper.  The absurdity of the whole drama is that at the end of the day, DAILY GUIDE was able to publish the picture of DSP Gifty Mawuenyega Tehoda on the front page of the paper.  Who won the war?  Who say man no dey?  You don’t screw with DAILY GUIDE, you know! I must admit that there are some fine guys in the BNI who are doing their job with dignity.  When a few party boys who were drafted into the system recently began fooling around, I sincerely pitied the good guys out there.  The behaviour of the few undisciplined goons in the Gifty saga should be condemned by all peace loving Ghanaians.  Today it is Gifty.  Who knows, they may one day extend their fists of fury to the noses of our chiefs and men of God. 

When then Chairman Rawlings disbanded the Special Branch and replaced it with the Bureau of National Investigation, he did so with good intention but sadly the current crop is destroying the good intention. 

Operatives of the BNI who are supposed to be secret agents are making a mess of the institution.  The perfect anonymity of a secret agent is totally lost as they continue to expose themselves in the course of their duties.  Some of them quickly introduce themselves to even strangers as BNI operatives.  Do you think any operative of the KGB will even mention his real name to anyone, not to talk of introducing himself as an operative of that outfit? A secret agent is supposed to be colourless, so ordinary a man you could not pick him out of a crowd.  Indeed a secret agent operates in a world where he is the man who is a mystery to all but himself. Not so with Gbevlo-Lartey’s BNI who do not hesitate to pull a pistol at the slightest provocation and put their hands inside the panties of girls to retrieve cameras.  What a gargantuan mess! (Apologies to Martin Amidu)

From Eric Bawah

Thief fined GH¢ 420

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Thief fined GH¢ 420 Tarkwa (W/R), Jan. 25, GNA – A Tarkwa circuit court has fined 20-year-old Richard Osei GH¢ 420 or in default 3 months imprisonment for stealing money belonging to Mr Victor Gadri of Dunkwa On-Offin. 

He pleaded guilty.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the complainant, Mr Victor Gadri, a businessman, visited his family in Prestea on Devember 11 last year and lodged at the Hanpet Hotel.

Inspector Amponsah said Mr Gadri packed his car in the premises of the hotel and left  GH ¢ 6,900 and 100 dollars in the instrument panel of the car before retiring to bed.

He said the next day, he discovered that his car had been broken into and the money had been stolen and reported the matter to the police.

Inspector Amponsah said the accused was apprehended based on a tip-off that he was seen loitering around the hotel during the period of the burglary.

He said when the accused was questioned he admitted the offense and GH¢ 6,100 and the 0 note was retrieved from him.

He said the accused claimed he used GH¢ 170 to purchase 10 pieces of roofing sheets and boards which has since been retrieved.

GNA

30,000 youth to be employed by rLG by end of 2012

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30,000 youth to be employed by rLG by end of 2012 Bolgatanga (UE), Jan. 25, GNA – Mr Sam Kwesi Fletcher, Head of Corporate Affairs of rLG, on Wednesday said Information Communication Technology (ICT) was a revolution of a knowledge based society which Africa and Ghana could not afford to miss.

Mr Fletcher said ICT skills played an integral part of global phenomenon that facilitated not only job acquisition but was required in any sphere of life.

He said this at a ceremony where rLG donated 360 computers to 15 Junior High Schools (JHS) in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Bongo District, as part of government’s public – private partnership with rLG Communications to promote the learning of ICT in schools.

The beneficiary schools were Sherigu, Akantome,  Adakura , Sumbrungu Kolgo, Baptist JHS, Awogeya , Afeghera No. 2 and Aninga Zanga JSS.

The rest were Preparatory Junior High, Anglican Junior High, Soe R/C Junior High, Saligba D/A.  Junior High, Gambrungu D/A Junior High, St Johns and Nuru Islamic Junior high Schools. Each school had 24 computers.

He said the benefits of the partnership does not end with the learning of ICT, but opened opportunities for over 30,000 youth to be employed by rLG in the assembling of computers by the end of 2012.

He called on all to assist to make the partnership programme a successful one.

Mr Paul Apanga, Upper East Regional Director of Education, commended rLG for donating the computers and the efforts they had made to train teachers to acquire skills to support the youth in the learning of the subject in schools.

He added that underdevelopment could be fought with the use of ICT and urged the youth to take it seriously.

He appealed to the Municipal and District Assemblies that had not connected their schools to the National Grid to do so, to help in the learning of ICT. He also assured rLG that the computers would be put to good use.

Mrs Lucy Awuni, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, said it was a commitment of government to bring quality life to the people and to also achieve the Better Ghana promised Ghanaians.

She said the donation was long overdue since some schools missed out in writing ICT for their Basic School Certificate Examination because the subject was not taught in their schools.

She said the distribution of the computers to the schools would enhance the teaching and learning of the subject in the country.

“It is an avowed commitment of government to develop the youth, who will in the near future take up the mantle of leadership and the administration of this country”, she said.    

She hoped the partnership with rLG would continue and called on more corporate organizations to join in similar partnerships to build a prosperous nation together where all Ghanaians would be self- sufficient.

GNA

Signs Of The Times

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President John Evans Atta Mills

We are at a loss as to what exactly is happening to this country.

Politics under President Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana has been reduced to something unworthy of attraction to men of repute. It is an unfortunate situation which demands intervention by good people lest the otherwise noble occupation of politics eventually becomes the preserve of fiends.

We pray that things do not degenerate to this lowly notch because the political leadership of every democratic dispensation is chosen from among politicians.

It is difficult to regard the present crop of men at the helm as presenting a good image of politics. It is unfathomable why those entrusted with the management of the affairs of the country would embark upon a course of destruction of the nation’s political values.

Yesterday, news about the veiled dismissal of Dr. Grace Bediako, Government Statistician, competed with the resignation of Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the immediate past Minister of Education.

Both reflect the unusual times the country finds itself in today, a period in which mendacity has become the order of the day in the seat of government.

If Betty-Mould’s exit can be attributed to the smelly Woyome debacle, the former is shrouded in the usual opaqueness associated with government business. It has sent Ghanaians trying frantically seeking answers to what informed the disguised dismissal.

We hasten to remark that asking such a high-profile personality, a Government Statistician and her deputy, to proceed on leave smacks of something sinister.

It is regrettable that government’s obsession with manipulating the people’s electoral verdict is driving it to engage in actions untoward and incompatible with civility.

In a country where rumours are rife, when there is a situation aggravated by a dearth of credible information from government sources, there is a tendency to be swayed by the fear being expressed by many that the dismissal of the Government Statistician and her deputy is part of a grand design to fidget with the population figures.

Gerrymandering is one of the preferred means of upturning the electoral verdict of 2012 by a government which is abhorred by most Ghanaians today. There is credibility in the fear being expressed about the real intentions of the government.

Such electoral manouvres are unsafe and should be avoided by all who seek the peace of this country. President Mills’s speeches are mostly ironic and for those hearing him for the first time, he is a gentleman intent on avoiding conflict in his country. It is an untenable impression however when such blunders, given their combustibility, are played out by the government at the behest of the President.

Ghana, he once said, would not burn when, in one of his cynical moods, poured scorn on his opponents; yet his supervision over the reckless treatment of high-level professionals such as Government Statistician and the Medical Director of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof Frimpong-Boateng, all under mischievous circumstances, makes us wonder where we are heading towards as a nation.   

All matters related to elections call for sincerity of the highest order because as flammable issues, they can be injurious to the fate of the country.

In nearby Ivory Coast, such manouvres left unattended, exacted a killer aftermath. Need we allow a reckless government to take us down such a path? No, because Ghana will outlive all of us and the worst we can do to her is to be irresponsible with such important matters such as elections. As for the Government Statistician and her deputy, we demand answers to what has befallen them. We are waiting.

Equatorial Guinea team receives 1m dollars cash for opener win

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Equatorial Guinea team receives 1m dollars cash for opener win Bata, Jan. 25, GNA – The Equatorial Guinea national football team has received a 1 million dollars package for their opening victory against Libya at the ongoing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The co-hosts beat Libya by a lone goal in the tournament’s opener last Saturday at a packed Estadio de Bata with striker Balboa Osa scoring in the closing stages of the game.

The Nzalang Nacional were promised a cash package of 500 million CFA Francs (1 million dollars) by Teodoo Nguema Obiang Mangue, first son of the country’s President who also doubles as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for a victory against the North Africans.

The 40-year old Mangue, who has been in the news for his extravagant lifestyle at home and abroad, handed over the cash to the team on Tuesday at their Mbini Hotel base, located on the outskirts of Bata, the country’s economic capital.

“The match was a very important one for the people of Equatorial Guinea, being the first time an event of that magnitude is being hosted in this country.

 “My presence here is to fulfil the promise made before the opening game. The journey is still long but not impossible,” the Minister told the team.

Mangue, who heads the country’s most important Ministry also gave out an extra ,000 for the two goals scored by Balboa, though only one counted with the other being ruled offside.

Captain Juvenal Edjogo-Ewono on behalf of his colleagues commended the Minister for his kind gesture and pledged to maintain smiles on the faces of the fans in subsequent matches.

The package ranks the debutants as the most motivated team at the tournament so far with the players also due to pocket 4 million CFA Francs (6,000 Euros) for each win at the group phase.

The co-hosts will face Senegal in the second match of the competition on Wednesday at the Estadio de Bata.

GNA

[Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Courtesy CAF]

Judge asks convict to confess before Catholic priest for forgiveness

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Judge asks convict to confess before Catholic priest for forgiveness Takoradi, Jan. 25,GNA — The Takoradi Circuit Court “A” Judge, Mr. Kwasi Boakye,  has directed a convict, Shadrack Obeng Mintah, 44, to confess before a Catholic priest and ask for forgiveness from God for spewing abusive, filthy and unpleasant words that ridicule womanhood.

He was charged with offensive conduct contrary to Section 207 of Act 29/ 60.

Mintah accepted the offence after his conduct was explained to him.

The court sentenced him to a bond of six months to be of good behaviour or in default serve 12 months imprisonment.

In addition, the presiding judge directed Mintah to render an unqualified apology to his former sister-in-law, Madam Mary Magdalene Yawson, for insulting her womanhood.

“You should know that it is a woman who carried you for nine months in her womb and delivered you therefore you must respect womanhood in spite of any provocation. It is unbecoming of a man to insult womanhood and you should be able to tolerate any uncomplimentary utterance that might come from a woman,” he said.

Mintah divorced his wife about five months ago but before the convict divorced his wife, the couple had been staying in their sister-in-law’s house for about 17 years until a problem developed between them.

The convict, who thought the sister-in-law was the brain behind the separation, started sent abusive, filthy and threatening messages through his mobile phone to the former sister-in-law who was then in Australia.

Inspector Annor said the complainant returned to Ghana in December last year for the Christmas holidays and reported the case to the police who arrested him.

GNA

Illegal operation of non Ghanaian traders slammed

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Illegal operation of non Ghanaian traders slammed Accra, Jan 25, GNA – Activities of non-Ghanaian traders has been slammed for non compliance of the provision of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Vice President and signed by Mr L.B Tusoe, acting Secretary at the office said “ the activities of some non-Ghanaian traders were not in compliance with the provisions of Section 18 of the provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994 (Act 478).

The Act states that: (i) Enterprises wholly reserved for Ghanaians include the sale of anything in a market, petty trading, hawking or selling in a kiosk at any place.

(ii)  Operation of taxi service and car hire services (A non-Ghanaian may undertake this service provided he has a minimum fleet of ten new vehicles), all aspect of pool betting and lotteries except football, operation of saloons and barbering shops,  “Market” as defined in the GIPC Act means a public place whether open or enclosed, established and managed by local custom, or specifically designated by the appropriate local government authorities or their agents with selling sites such as stores or stalls for purposes of selling and buying”

The statement said at a meeting held by Vice President Mahama at the Castle, on December 14 last year, with representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Registrar-General Department, Ghana immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the activities of non-Ghanaians in the trading sector of the Ghanaian economy were discussed, amongst others.

The representatives expressed their displeasure about such activities, even though they acknowledged the useful contributions non-Ghanaian investors are making in the development of the Ghanaian economy.

The statement further said several non Ghanaian traders were not complying with both Immigration and tax laws of the country and that without prejudice to any group of investors, the meeting resolved that an inter-Agency taskforce set up by the GIPC to monitor such activities be reconstituted.

This is to ensure that the provisions relating to the areas reserved for Ghanaians under the said Act were complied with: The country’s immigration laws were properly enforced; and also non Ghanaians traders meet their obligations to the state.

The meeting also resolved that companies wishing to engage in trading activities should also reflect the provision of Section 18 in their application for business incorporation to the Registrar-General’s Department: by indicating clearly the specific activity the company wishes to engage in and compliance with the relevant provision of the GIPC Act 1994.

“Non Ghanaian traders are therefore advised to take note of this communiqué and make the necessary arrangement to comply with the relevant provision provisions under Section 18” it said

GNA

Israel partners AMA to launch early Childhood Development Programme

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Israel partners AMA to launch early Childhood Development Programme Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in partnership with Isreali International Development Agency (MASHAV) on Tuesday launched an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme in Accra to improve childhood education in Ghana.

The programme being replicated in Accra Metropolitan Area, was piloted in Kumasi Metropolis in 2008 as a two-year trainer of trainees programme for a core group of kindergarten (KG) Ghanaian teachers mentored by their Israeli counterparts.

The first phase of the programme was aimed at upgrading ECD in Kumasi to suit the cultural needs of the people and introduce the educational philosophy that children learn through play and active experience.

In addition, it would train and empower teachers who would be qualified to train KG teachers and implement the local curriculum in a more flexible manner that would emphasize the “why” and how” in planning the activities.

Theories were drawn from discussions and analyses of activities resulting in the production of games and learning materials using local low cost or no cost materials and also giving the teachers a sense of belonging, love and care towards the children.

The Accra Mayor, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije said ECD was a cardinal part of the Better Ghana Agenda and on this premise that the School Shift System in Accra was abolished to give children eight hours of learning instead of the four hours that existed as well as reduce the large class size.

Under the project, 50 buildings of 18 three-storey classroom blocks are being constructed with the 38th building on course.

Each building has a library, science laboratory, and all necessary equipment needed to upgrade and improve conditions in the schools.

Mr Vanderpuije said equally important was the revision of instructional materials, training of human resource, adding that the ECD programme had come in handy and noted that the successes of the pilot in Kumasi would spur the Accra programme on to higher heights and commended the Kumasi team for a yeoman’s job done.

Mr Samuel Sarpong, Mayor of Kumasi, lauded the programme and said it was the reason why the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) gave it all the needed support in terms of funding for the training of teachers in Israel, provision of modern KG school facilities.

He noted that the programme had boosted the confidence and morale of teachers, children, parents and contributed to low rate of absenteeism.

Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Sharon Bar-li said the launch of the programme, and expansion of the Millennium City Project in Accra, was expected to be meaningful exposure to greater educator’s audience, to decision and policymakers who would be able to obtain first hand impression of the programme qualities.

She noted that the programme would also benefit local base of experienced KG teachers and supervision that was created over the past three years, which would further strengthen the element of capacity building both in Kumasi and Accra.

Ms Aviva Ben Hefer, ECD Specialist and Project Director, said introducing change was a long and difficult process that must be tackled with sensitivity and respect, without impinging on local and tradition culture.

She said under the project dark and small crowded classrooms with tables and chairs of different heights, children faced by teachers, who stood in front of children holding a long cane at them had been changed to a friendly environment making teaching more participatory and enjoyable.

The training model, she observed needed in the field, should be prioritised through understanding the culture and traditions and yet endeavour to introduce the “Why” and the “How” aspects of activity to existing Ghanaian curriculum which presented only the “What”

Ms Hefer called on the Ministry of Education, universities with ECD departments and teacher training colleges to adopt a uniform, integrative approach to early childhood education and prepare KG Teachers to implement it in the field.

GNA

Lady Pharmacists Support Dzorwulu Special School

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Lady Pharmacists Support Dzorwulu Special School Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – The Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana (LAPAG), has committed GH¢ 150,000 to provide a flour mill and a structure to accommodate the facility at the Dzorwulu Special School (DSS), a shelter for mentally challenged children.

LAPAG has also donated 10- kilogramme load of washing machine, industrial gas oven and other items to the school, which it adopted more than 18 years ago.

Ms Eunice Akosua Ofosua Amoako, National Chairperson OF LAPAG, made this known, when the body donated toilet rolls, laundry and antiseptic soap, insecticide spray, disinfectants, body powder, powdered milk, tomato puree, chocolate powder, granulated sugar, and pens  to the  school.

The donation forms part of the annual support of LAPAG to the school.

The donation was made possible through the assistance of PZ Cussons Ghana Limited and the Cocoa Processing Company.

“We went there (DSS) to interact with the children and to learn from the Headmistress and staff about the needs of the children and how best we (LAPAG) could help,” Ms Amoako said.

She said the children at the school are assisted to gain skills to enable them live independent lives and reduce the stigma attached to them in the society.

 “We are women health professionals and anything we can do to make life easier for these children, to be integrated smoothly into society, will be a charge to keep we have and our God to Glorify.”

Mrs Veronica Sackey, Headmistress of DSS thanked members of LAPAG for their support over the years and appealed to other public-spirited organisations to emulate the kind gesture.

GNA

Nine districts in C/R benefit from 1,000,133 treated bed nets.

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Nine districts in C/R benefit from 1,000,133 treated bed nets. Cape Coast, Jan. 24, GNA- The Ghana Health Service (GHS) last December embarked on a “Long lasting insecticide treated nets hang up” campaign in the Central Region where a total of 1,000,133 nets were distributed.The exercise, which began from November 28 to December 9, 2011, was carried out in nine districts in the Region with eight more to cover.Briefing the Press in Cape Coast on the exercise on Tuesday, the Regional Biologist and Malaria Coordinator, Mr. Moses Asante, said the goal of the exercise was to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality rate by 75% by 2015.He noted that the GHS took delivery of the nets, which had been well treated to last over three years from the Department for International Development (DFID) through the UNICEF.He said though the main focus was on pregnant women and children under five years, every household as well as individuals in the Region were considered during the exercise and that the net as well as its hanging were free of charge.Mr. Asante said his outfit was expecting an extra 46,000 treated bed nets which would be soon distributed and hanged in the districts which did not get their allocation.According to him, a total of 133 health staff, 482 sub-district supervisors as well as 10,800 volunteers were trained on the “hang-up” activities.He said the exercise faced some challenges such as shortage of nets, some volunteers giving out the nets instead of hanging them, illegitimate collection of money by some volunteers.Mr. Mensah said these problems were tackled and therefore the exercise went on smoothly.He said the nets could be washed for up to twenty times with mild soap and should not be dried in the sun but should rather be hung under a shade advising that they should be used always to avoid malaria.He cautioned the public not to pay any monies to the volunteers who hang up the nets and that those who demand money should be reported, stressing that the nets were not to be handed over to individuals but rather be hanged in houses.He pleaded with the Media to continue with the public education on the proper use of the nets as well as the practice of good sanitation to avoid malaria.GNA

Need for government to demonstrate strong commitment to fight corruption – GACC

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Need for government to demonstrate strong commitment to fight corruption - GACC Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has Government to critically look at the processes initiated to investigate the actions of public officials which led to the payment of money to Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a businessman.

It said “The mix-ups and slip-ups surrounding the Woyome Judgement debt should be a source of worry to every Ghanaian, as it badly exposes severe weaknesses in the exercise of discretionary power by public officials, who are supposed to act solely and exclusively in the public interest.

“Additionally, it called to question the political class’ commitment to fight corruption and promote accountability when

they are unable to differentiate between party and government.

“This is a systemic problem that requires bi-partisan response and sobriety to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian taxpayer does not bore the brunt of these kinds institutional failures.”

The GACC made the call in a statement issued in Accra and jointly signed by Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, Chairman and Ms Florence Dennis, Executive Secretary.

“We urge the State institutions in the chain of accountability, including the Controller and Accountant General, the Auditor-General and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to come out once and for all to end the speculation and political ‘football’, by establishing the facts related to the amounts of monies paid so far to Mr Woyome.

“We also entreat the Acting Attorney-General to expedite action on the parallel legal process initiated by his predecessor, as directed the President.”

The statement said the allegation of political interference in the Attorney General’s mandate of prosecuting corrupt

public officials in the ensuing Judgement debt case, confirmed the challenges confronting the dual role of the Attorney General as the principal legal advisor to the Government and also the initiator of

public prosecution.

“In this light, we renew our call for the decoupling of the Attorney Generals Department from the Ministry of Justice to insulate corruption prosecution from suspicion of political interference and enhance the country’s anti-corruption drive.”

“We, urge the ousted Attorney General to provide all the information he has on the case to any of the independent anti-corruption institutions tasked with investigating the case, using the appropriate channels while protecting his integrity.”

“Lastly, we refer to the Government’s recent membership of the Open Government Partnership, which requires it to be committed to be open and transparent in its activities, ensure civic participation in governance and exhibit the highest standard of professionalism and integrity in its administration.

This should not be a mere rhetoric but translated into action in this case.”

“We would also like to use this opportunity to urge all citizens, especially public and civil servants, and political appointees to use the safeguard that is offered under the Whistle-blower Act, 2006 (Act 720),

to report on cases of malpractices to ensure that they are not mishandled by any political figure.”

The GACC said it had followed with concern the unfolding controversies and confusion related to the Woyome judgment debt case.

It said the confusion had been worsened by the events leading to dismissal of the former Attorney General, Mr. Martin Amidu, in the light of these recent events.

GNA

MP builds Kindergarten blocks for two communities

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MP builds Kindergarten blocks for two communities Nyinampong (Ash), Jan 25, GNA – The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante-Mampong, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh has built two Kindergarten (KG) blocks at Nyinampong and the Patasi-Sesease-Kokoben communities in his constituency at a total cost of GH¢ 24,348.00.

The funding came from his share of the MP’s Common Fund.

Performing the inaugural ceremony at Nyinampong, he said, this was his contribution towards efforts at strengthening early childhood education in the area.

He said it was important to pay more attention to that level of education by putting in place the needed infrastructure and the supply of relevant teaching and learning aids to give the children solid education foundation.

The MP vowed to do all he could to help raise the academic performance of pupils and students in the Asante-Mampong Municipality.

He is already giving financial assistance to a total of 237 students and sponsoring free vacation classes.

Mr Addai-Nimoh said he would continue with these and other programmes to promote education.

Bringing quality health care to the people is another area that has engaged his attention. He has provided money and building materials towards the refurbishment of the Mampong Maternity and Midwifery Training School and the construction of a Health Centre at Adidwan.

The Municipal Education Director, Mr Joseph Appiah advised parents to invest in the education of their children to secure a better future for them.

Nana Boakye Yiadom Atonsa, the Gyasehene of Asante-Mampong, praised the MP for the significant contribution to the development of education in the Municipality.

He encouraged the people to take advantage of the facilities to enroll their children.

GNA

AFAG hits streets to protest government’s handling of the Woyome saga

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AFAG demonstration

Pro-opposition pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), is embarking on a street match this morning to protest what it says are economic hardship and corruption under the Mills administration.

Spokesperson, Samuel Awuku, says AFAG is particularly unhappy with government’s handling of the Woyome saga.

He told Joy News the removal of fuel subsidies also smacked of insensitivity on the part of the government.

Myjoyonline.com’s Ernest Dela Aglanu who is at the Obra Spot near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle reports organizers are excited about the numbers turning out for the match.

Dela reports of excited crowds of demonstrators draped in red drumming and dancing.

The Director of Protocol at AFAG, Maame Afua Akoto, told journalists the disorganized state of affairs in the country testified to the gross incompetence of government.

She said the situation is even worse when the incompetence and incoherence in government is cupped by massive corruption, citing the all too familiar Wayome judgement debt scandal.

Miss Akoto said while President Mills at his interaction with editors said he would not be so criminally minded and irresponsible to order the payment made to Mr Wayome, he had failed to take action on those responsible for the payments.

The match is expected to be ignored by government.

Some of the placards carried by demonstrators read: Atta will go; Atta Nie, Wayo Nie; Corruption na Doube Double;

The AFAG demonstration comes just a day after a pro-government group petitioned President Mills to compel former government officials to cooperate with EOCO as it investigates the matter.

Source: Joy News

Prestea Huni/Valley MP re-elected by popular acclamation

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Prestea Huni/Valley MP re-elected by popular acclamation Samahu, (W/R) Jan. 24, GNA – The Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni/Valley, Mr Francis Adu Blay-Koffie has been elected unopposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates to re-contest the seat for the 2012 election.

The 594 delegates from the seven wards in the Prestea Huni/Valley District confirmed their total support for the aspiring MP on Tuesday at Samahu in the Western Region when the party organised a constituency delegate’s conference.

Speaking at the function, a member of the National Communication Team of the NDC, Mr Peter Boamah Otukunor said Mr Adu–Blay Koffie had worked tirelessly to contribute immensely to the development of the nation.

He said considering the number of developmental projects that the MP had executed in terms of education, health, sanitation, water supply and infrastructure, he deserve to be given a second term to continue the good works and commended the delegates for imposing their trust in the MP.

He called on Ghanaians to re-elect the NDC government and the Parliamentary candidate back to power come December 7.

Mr Adu-Blay Koffie expressed gratitude to the delegates for giving him the mandate to contest on the ticket of the party for the second term.

He promised to work hard to transform the constituency by lobbying for more developmental projects.

The MP appeal to the citizenry to help maintain the peace the entire nation is enjoying by avoiding the politics of insult.

GNA

Politicians should show commitment to peace

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Politicians should show commitment to peace Koforidua, Jan. 25, GNA-The Eastern Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Alex Ofori-Amankwa, has urged politicians to show commitment to peace to ensure that the December General election is held in peaceful atmosphere.

He also called on pastors to concentrate on preaching what was right for the transformation of the society and to guard against involving themselves in politics, adding that pastors preaching politics were dangerous society.

Speaking in an interview with GNA in Koforidua, Rev. Ofori-Amankwa, said the 2012 election placed an enormous task on all politicians to ensure that they conducted their campaigns and all programs in a peaceful manner.

“One could not create the impression that he or she was all for peace whiles he acted provocatively through his words and deeds.”

He stressed the need for politicians to do away with politics of insults, personal interest and the “ do and die affair” since the electorates were more than enlightened and would vote on issues.

 Reverend Amankwa noted that the 2012 election was a critical one that had the tendency to decide the fate of the nation and it behooved on all politicians, whether in power or opposition to lead the crusade for a peaceful election.

GNA

Bag thief jailed for 12 months

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Bag thief jailed for 12 months Tarkwa (W/R), Jan. 25, GNA – A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 24-year-old illegal gold miner, Owusu Aikins, to 12 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing GH¢ 2,950 Ghana cedis belong to one Audrey Tidari.

He pleaded guilty.

Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the Madam Tidari is a business woman who owns a store at Kedawen where she rents canopies and plastic chairs.

  He said on December 20 last year she went to her store and while preparing to travel to Accra one of her workers gave her GH¢1,550 which she placed in her bag and handed it over to her 10-year-old son and went to the Presbyterian park in the area to collect some canopies to her store.

 The convict sneaked into the store, snatched the bag containing the money and took to his heels.

Inspector Amponsah said the son chased him and with assistance from passersby akinis was arrested.

GNA

Medical Doctor Enstooled as Manwerehene of Owirekyiman Traditional Area

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Medical Doctor Enstooled as Manwerehene of Owirekyiman Traditional Area Assin Kushea (C/R), Jan 25, GNA – Nana Prah Agyensem VI, Omanhene of the Owirenkyiman Traditional Area, has advised the youth to desist from violence acts, especially before, during and after the December general elections.

He also cautioned them to be weary of politicians, who would deceive them into causing mayhem and asked them not to allow party politics to divide their ranks but to forge ahead with the development of the community.

Nana Prah Agyensem gave the advice when he enstooled Dr Nicholas DeHeer a Medical Practitioner based in Accra as Manwerehene of the Gyase Division of Owirenkyiman Traditional Area at Assin Kushea in the Central Region on Tuesday.

Dr deHeer, who is the first son of the late Odeefuo Sir Tsibu Darko IX of the Assin Atandensu traditional area was given the stool name Nana Ofori Amissah I.

As the first son of the stool, the Manwerehene is supposed to be the consoler of the people as well as to be by the Omanhene at all times.

Nana Prah Agyensem described the Manwerehene as a committed and dedicated person who is trustworthy and was proud to have such a prominent person coming from his traditional area and was therefore happy to bestow the honours of Manwerehene on him.

He, however, expressed concern about the fact that the people usually confuses traditionalism with idol worshiping stressed that “our culture as Africans is the spine that holds us together and that a nation without a culture is worthless”.

He described the chieftaincy institution as dynamic and very important and should therefore be accorded the need recognition and respect in the society.

He advised the new Manwerehene to endeavour to pay regular visits to the area and share his expertise and experiences with the youth in the area. 

Dr DeHeer thanked the chiefs and people of Owirenkyiman Traditional Area for the honour bestowed on him and promised to perform his duties with all the diligence and commitment expected of him.

Dr deHeer has held several position including Medical Adviser to the Shropshire County in England; Eight years as the Director of the Commonwealth West African Health Seerefarcat in Lagos Nigeria and consultant on School Health Education to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service.

GNA

GNAT signs MoU with stakeholders on salary

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GNAT signs MoU with stakeholders on salary Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at a meeting with other stakeholders have agreed to put in place measures that will ensure that newly recruited teachers, who have not been paid since 2010, receive their salaries at the end of March 2012.

In addition, teachers who have been promoted to various grades in the Service, will be captured by the Controller and Accountant General on the April, 2012 pay roll.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued by Mr Awotwe Nkansah, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT and Mr Samuel Manteaw, Human Resource Director, Ghana Education Service (GES) in Accra on Tuesday.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at a meeting between GNAT, Ministry of Education (MoE), Ghana Education Service (GES), Controller and Accountant General’s Department and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Monday, January 23, and Tuesday 24, 2012.

The statement said “All outstanding issues related to the conditions of employment of teachers, including delayed promotion and pay of transport and travelling allowances (T & T) and transfer grants would be addressed by the GES and MoE.

Meanwhile, the MoE will procure a server to facilitate prompt processing of payroll of staff of GES.

A Technical Committee made up of the parties had been constituted to speedily address other outstanding issues such as delayed promotions, delayed salaries, problems relating to transfers of teachers, sale of application forms for promotions, extortion of IPPD units in district offices, growing delinquency in schools, unavailability of collective agreement to teachers, recognition of teachers who read various degree programmes with study leave with pay, or without pay and extended working hours.

“The parties agreed to meet within the next two weeks to address all outstanding issues,” the statement added.

GNA

UCC Still committed to the training to people – Prof Yankson

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UCC Still committed to the training to people - Prof Yankson Cape Coast, Jan. 25, GNA – Professor Kobina Yankson, Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Anniversary Celebration Committee, has said the university would remain committed to the training of qualified teachers to meet the needs of the nation.

He said as the first university established to train teachers, about 50 percent of its student population was in the Faculty of Education and that the requisite facilities and programmes have been put in place to enhance the training of students.

Prof Yankson said this during a pre-launch cocktail held for the media and other partners of the UCC to share ideas on how to successfully celebrate the anniversary. 

The Year long celebration would be officially launched on February 18 and there would be a number of programmes including press conferences, regional alumni activities, sporting activities, inaugural lectures and alumni homecoming.

The others are the naming of streets and structures on campus after prominent personalities, construction of an anniversary park where busts of past Vice Chancellors would be built and a banquet would be organized where deserving personalities would be honoured.

Prof Yankson said one activity during the celebration of the anniversary would be the inauguration of an ICT centre which would be used as a training centre for students as well as a research centre for lecturers.

He said UCC was key to the education of teachers, agricultural extension officers and business administrators and that the university’s medical school (UCCSMS) would start graduating doctors next year.

Prof Yankson said the Medical School was using problem based learning method to train the doctors and that the school was a pace setter helping to meet the needs of the rural communities.

He said the university was running nine faculties and that the Faculty of Law would be introduced in August, adding that the university was leading in terms of student numbers with a total of 68,000 regular students 24,000 distance learning students and 2,000 sandwiched students.

GNA

Let us prevent non-Ghanaians from enlist on electoral roll-Gbedemah

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Let us prevent non-Ghanaians from enlist on electoral roll-Gbedemah Ho, Jan 25, GNA-Mr Kofi Tenasu Gbedemah, a Public Rights Worker, has called for more purposeful inter-agency efforts to prevent non-Ghanaians from registering as voters.

He said birth certificates and other evidences of nationality and naturalizations could be demanded before registration.

Mr Gbedemah was speaking at the inauguration of the Ho Municipal Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) in Ho on Tuesday.

Mr Ohene Frimpong, Ho-Central Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said it was  important to stop  non-Ghanaians from registering as voters but made it clear that it was difficult to determine who is a non-Ghanaian at the registration centres and that procedures for protest were elaborate and frustrating.

Mr Emmanuel Abeam Danso, the Ho Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission, said   political parties often keep quite over registration of unqualified people and other misdeeds when considered favourable to them but would rant if not in their favour.

He said there were procedures to stop non-Ghanaians from registering by registering protest at polling stations and providing proof before a committee.

Mr Kenneth Kponor, Ho Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) under whose aegis the IPDC would work said it was important peace prevailed in the country, before, during and after the elect ions.

He appealed to politicians, their supporters and party activists against mudslinging and destructive criticism and the media against tendentious stories.

 “Let us safeguard the image of the country in the eyes of the international community as the haven of peace,” Mr Kponor said.

He said power must not be won through intimidation and that national interest must supersede all other interests.

An Executive Committee out of the 25-member larger committee was selected with Togbe Atsridom V, Paramount Chief of Kpedze Traditional Area as Chairman with and Mr Gbedemah as his vice.

Mr Stanley Glate, Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ho-Central Constituency is Secretary while Mr Paul Aba, Electoral and Research Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ho-Central Constituency, is Organizer.    

Mr Glate said rivalry between the NPP and the NDC was the main cause of problems in the nation’s political landscape and that if the two parties could champion peace “half of the work is done”.

The committee which would operate from now until early January next year went into session soon after inauguration to draw a first quarter action plan to permeate coverage area with its message of peace.

The coverage area spans the Ho-West and Ho-Central constituencies.

Mr Prosper Afealete, NCCE Ho Municipal Area Programmes Officer in a paper listed distribution of money and gifts, declaration of election results by political parties, superimposing of posters, defacing of posters and biased media reportage as among violations to be monitored by the committee.

GNA

Atwima-Mponua appeals for more health professionals

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Atwima-Mponua appeals for more health professionals Nyinahin (Ash), Jan 25, GNA – The Atwima-Mponua District Director of Health Service, Madam Elizabeth Danso Abentwi, has appealed for the posting of more health professionals to the area.She said inadequate midwives, community health nurses and medical assistants was a major challenge that needed to be tackled head-on to enhance health care delivery to the people.She also complained about the lack of residential accommodation and encroachment on lands belonging to health facilities by developers.This was at an annual review meeting held at Nyinahin to assess performance during the past year and discuss ways of improving performance.Madam Danso Abentwi said the district saw significant rise in the cases of malaria, diarrhoea, anaemia, intestinal worm infestation, ulcers and skin diseases at the Out-Patients Department (OPD).Available statistics showed malaria went up to 48,939 cases from the 2010 figure of 43,718.During the same period, patients who reported to the facilities with diarrhoea stood at 3,777 as against the previous year’s total of 2,360.Madam Danso Abentwi praised the health workers for their hard work, dedication and professionalism and said this should be sustained.GNA

NGOs on Health discuss strategies to achieve MDG goals

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NGOs on Health discuss strategies to achieve MDG goals Wa, Jan. 25, GNA – The Coalition of Non Governmental Agencies (NGO) in Health in the Upper West Region is repositioning itself to become more relevant in health service delivery in the region.The coalition, with the collaboration of the International Medical Monitoring Committee a Danish NGO has started networking and pooling their resources to support the government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on Health which relates to maternal and child health.Members of the Coalition are currently brainstorming to find ways of strengthening public-private collaboration for improved sexual and reproductive health service in the Upper West Region at a four-day workshop in Wa.Mr. Osman Kanton, regional chairman of the Coalition, told the participants to build their capacities in their areas of work and improve upon the credibility of their organizations in order to remain relevant.He noted that the country was not doing well in maternal and child health and therefore achieving MDG Four and Five was therefore a task which called for the support of everyone including Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Alhaji Issaku Saliah, the Upper West regional Minister, called for a new outlook to health care delivery in the region so as to achieve the MDG four and five.GNA

NDC demonstrates to compel NPP to cooperate with EOCO

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NDC demonstrates to compel NPP to cooperate with EOCO Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The Concerned Members of National Democratic Congress on Tuesday embarked on a demonstration to ask government to compel the Cabinet of 2005 and 2006 to cooperate with Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) to scrutinize the Woyome judgement debt saga.

The demonstration staged in Accra aimed to drum home the call for Former President John Agyekum Kuffour and others to account for their roles in events that led to the payment of one the biggest judgment debts in the country’s history.

The protestors who wore red and white T-Shirts, urged President John Evans Atta Mills to urgently investigate the controversial GHS 58 million judgment debts paid to Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a businessman.

Made up of sympathisers of the ruling National Democratic Congress, they started the protest march from Kwame Nkrumah Circle through Kwame Nkrumah Avenue Station and later converged at the Independence Square.

They carried placards some of which read: “Akuffo Addo Corruption Na Daily Bread”, “Why is Kuffour afraid of investigation, “NPP can run but can’t hide”, “NPP you can’t dictate to Ghanaians”, “EOCO arrest them” and “Go to EOCO, Kuffour”.

Mr Paul Semey, Spokesperson for the Group, said the recent Court judgements compelling the state to pay huge amounts of money to many institutions and individuals articulate the extent to how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government was corrupt, reckless during the time in office.

He described “attempts by the NPP functionaries to use the media to cover up their crimes by attacking the Courts for doing its job as shameful”.

“In our view, this is a deliberate attempt to bastardize the real facts, especially when the NPP is privy to the administrative negligence and professional ineptitude of the government in that matter”, he said.

“The NPP must stop hiding behind the media and account for its stewardship to Ghanaians, including their role in how the state lost huge sums of money in judgement debt”, he added.

Mr Semey said the sponsored media attacks on Mr. Woyome, who had a court judgement and was cooperating fully with the EOCO investigations demonstrated that the NPP was afraid of accountability and had a lot to hide.

In a petition received by Mr Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, a Presidential Aid, they called on Nana Akuffo Addo to immediately resign as the NPP Flag bearer to help EOCO know his role in the abrogation of a legitimate contract which had been approved by the Central Tender Review Board through the procurement process.

They also demanded Former President Kuffour to stop running away from accounting for his eight year stewardship in government and explain to EOCO the process under which he awarded the construction and rehabilitation of the stadia for CAN 2008 to the Shangai Construction Group.

They expressed shock about the silence of decent Ghanaians and civil society groups like the Media Commission, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Bar Association and the Trade Union Congress who have turned a blind eye as the NPP hide behind the media and politics to destroy the court verdict.

 According, the protestors expressed hope that EOCO had the legal mandate and the professional competence to solve the mystery surrounding the biggest organised crime which involved the entire cabinet of Former President Kuffour in 2005 and 2006.

GNA

NLA to ensure that revenue is not compromised

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NLA to ensure that revenue is not compromised Accra, Jan.24, GNA – The National Lottery Authority (NLA) on Tuesday said it would continue to work assiduously to ensure that the security of its generated revenue was not compromised and ceded to institutions or persons.

Mr Kojo Andah, Director General of NLA, who gave the assurance, said “The NLA with the assistance of the Police shall exercise in full, its powers of entry and seizure in respect of any article or object, which has been or is being used to commit an offence connected to lotto and lottery”.

Reacting to a recent court decision, Mr Andah said in the case between the authority and Millicom Ghana Limited, operators of TIGO, the court declined jurisdiction to determine the matter because in its opinion the NLA lacked the capacity to enforce civil action against TIGO.

The court last week restrained the NLA from further prosecuting businesses that engaged in lottery.

It said any business that had fallen short of the lottery act, should instead be impeached by the Attorney General because it constituted a criminal offence.

Mr Andah said “The Judgment further stated that since a breach of the mandatory prohibition creates a criminal offence, only the Attorney General can prosecute on behalf of the NLA, unless the Attorney General has by Executive Instrument granted the NLA powers to prosecute its own cases”.

“All the court said was that the Attorney General should have constituted the action on behalf of the NLA since the breach of the mandatory prohibition was criminal in nature.”

Mr Andah said the NLA would appeal against the judgment as the court did not determine the substantive matter, which boarded on whether or not the activities of TIGO constituted a lottery.

He pointed out that the judgment had not changed the mandate of the NLA as enshrined in the National lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722).

“All it means is that if any institution or person is engaged in lotto or lottery, the NLA with the assistance of the Police would have to arrest the directors of the institution and with the assistance of the Attorney General prepare a docket on the company and its directors or person for prosecution,” he added.

Mr Andah said the NLA would continue to enforce ACT 722 and would not cede its mandate to any individual or institution.

Based on that, Mr Andah said the NLA had engaged the A-G’s Department, which had indicated its willingness and capacity to work with the authority in ensuring that ACT 722 remained an effective law.

Pursuant to ACT 722, the NLA commenced legal action against institutions engaged in lottery disguised as marketing or consumer promotions and secured injunctions to curb their activities.

Last year, the NLA secured an injunction to restrain mobile operator, TIGO from running its “TIGO House Promotion” since it was illegal.

GNA

16 Burnt To Ashes

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The burnt bus with the trapped passengers

A TECHIMAN-bound commercial Ford bus and a Daewoo taxi heading towards Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region yesterday collided, resulting in the death of 16 people including a baby boy on the spot.

All the passengers on the Ford were burnt beyond recognition, except one person who was occupying the front passenger’s seat who managed to escape.

Two other people in the taxi were also burnt, according to an eyewitness.

The Ford passengers were trapped as the door was automatically locked following the head-on collision.

The taxi driver was also trapped by his seat-belt.

The accident occurred around 3pm when the two drivers were travelling on a section of the road which had been engulfed in thick smoke due to bush fires.

According to Kwadwo Nimo, an eyewitness, he had alighted from the Daewoo taxi cab before the accident occurred.

He said soon after getting off at the Kwagyasco farms junction where there was a raging bushfire, he saw the taxi taking off but it soon crashed into the oncoming Ford due to poor visibility in the thickly wafting smoke.

Nimo said following the collision, the taxi veered off the road and fell into the nearby fire and caught fire instantly as it was filled with gas.

Two passengers on board the taxi escaped while one was able to escape from the Ford.  

He stated that by the time the Fire Service vehicle got to the scene, the two vehicles and the 16 people were burnt beyond recognition.

Most of the horrified drivers who arrived at the scene attributed the tragedy to the rampant bushfire in the area.

As at the time of filing this story, the police were collecting the remains of the victims to be deposited at the Sunyani Regional Hospital morgue.

The police personnel on the ground were not ready to talk as they said they needed permission from their superiors.

From Vivianna Mensah, Anyakamaso

Atomic Workers Freed

News Ghana
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The freed Atomic Energy security men at the Cocoa Affairs Court yesterday

The over 30 security and senior officers of the Atomic Energy Commission who were grabbed by the police for allegedly setting a sales point belonging to a Chinese investor at Dome-Kwabenya on fire, were yesterday given a hero’s welcome to the 28th February Road Courts  as their colleague workers cheered them when they arrived in pick-up vehicles.

The workers, who arrived at the court in their hundreds in anticipation that their arrested colleagues would be brought to court for trial, were pleasantly surprised as the suspects were transported from police custody and let off the hook at the court. They sang and chanted, calling the security men and their boss, Felix Adeku, and one Major Samuel Kuleke heroes who had risked their lives to ensure that the right thing was done.

More workers who heard that their colleagues had been released without being tried rushed to the court to show solidarity, openly jubilating that the plans of the Chinese investor had come to naught.

All this while, some of the senior officers including the Director-General, Prof. Edward Akaho and Prof. Francis Allotey, a board member of the commission who were with the workers, said they were informed that the arrested workers would not be charged.

Prof. Akaho did not say much, except that they were waiting for the other workers as some of them were taken to other courts at Osu.  

Prof. Allottey, in an interview with the media, urged the government to protect the commission from encroachers as failure to do so would taint the image of Ghana on the international scene.

He said the workers were threatened with guns so they had to defend themselves and ensure that the interest of the organization was protected.

Prof Edward Akaho at the court yesterday

According to him, the International Atomic Agency was holding a meeting on the development in Ghana and said the decision to prosecute the workers could affect the way the international community perceived Ghana.

He said the action by the commission was to protect lives and property in case of any eventuality, noting that the commission would not want to be held responsible for anything unpleasant happening to any citizen.

Explaining further, he stated that the land in question belonged to the commission.

It would be recalled that on Monday, Professor Edward E. Akaho, together with 35 other security and senior officers of the commission, were arrested by the police for allegedly setting ablaze a sales point office structure belonging to a Chinese investor at Dome-Kwabenya in Accra.

The office structure belonging to Anaiana International Company Limited, the Chinese company, was razed down by fire following an attack by the men in the early hours on Monday

The commission and the Chinese company are both laying claim to a 164-acre piece of land in the area.

According to the police information, the Atomic Energy Commission officials arrested included Professor Akaho, Major Samuel Kuleke, Chief Security, and Felix Adeku, Administrator.

A police source said the security officers attacked the company on the orders of Professor Akaho.

By Fidelia Achama

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