Published in the Daily Graphic on 22/01/10
pg 24 (center spread)
Story: Matilda Attram
TWO communities in the Ashanti and Upper East regions have received a grant assistance totalling $186,857 from the Japanese government under the Japanese Grant Assistance under the Grassroots Human Security Project (GGHSP) Scheme.
Sarfokrom in the Offinso-North District of the Ashanti Region received $95,860, while Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region received $90,997.
The amount is to enable Safokrom to construct a six-unit classroom block with a toilet facility, while in Bolgatanga the Bolgatanga Community Development Vocational Technical Training Institute (CDVTTI) will be rehabilitated.
The Safokrom project will include a six-unit classroom block, an office, a store room and a library, while the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI will include the renovation of a nine-bedroom dormitory and a dining hall block, and the provision of beds, mattresses, looms and sewing machines.
During the signing of the grant contract between the government of Japan and the two communities, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami, said the GGHSP had assisted about 200 communities and non-profit groups in the country since its establishment in 1989.
He said it was instituted to support communities and non-profit groups with projects such as educational and health facilities that contributed directly to the development of a community at the grass-root level.
"Since lack of education and youth unemployment are the part of the pressing problems of society today, especially given the current economic conditions, any training and educational institute that will contribute to the employability and welfare of the youth of Ghana today deserves all the encouragement it needs,” he said.
He said the GGHSP assisted about eight projects annually, depending on the content of their proposal sent among 500 applications for contract annually.
Mr Katakami stated that there was the need for the establishment of a conducive learning environment to encourage learning and the building of potential among the youth for the development of the country.
He commended the initiatives of the Sarfokrom Unit Committee and the management of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI and urged them to ensure effective utilisation of the projects when completed.
The Chairman of the Sarfokrom Unit Committee, Mr Isaac Frimpong Manso, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and assured it of the committee's support for development in the area.
The Headmistress of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI, Ms Justina Atiim, also commended the Japanese government and assured them of the effective use of the funds provided for the various projects.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Audit Service Staff urged to work diligently
Published in the Daily Graphic on 21/01/2010, pg38
Audit Service (Gen)
Story: Matilda Attram
(Audit Service staff urged to work diligently)
THE General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Fred Degbe, has challenged the staff of the Ghana Audit Service to deliver their services fervently to please God rather than man.
He said a Christian employee was expected to go about his duties on earth as serving God, believing he would be rewarded at the right time.
“A Christian worker should never do an average work; we must go beyond the average to do what God expects from us. Let us not work to please man on earth, for our service here is only a fraction of the eternal life God has given us,” he stated.
Rev. Degbe was delivering a sermon at the 2009 end-of-year thanksgiving service organised by the Ghana Audit Service in Accra.
He was speaking on the theme: “Whatever you do, do it heartily unto God, not men”.
The 2009 thanksgiving service formed part of activities slated to celebrate the service’s centenary anniversary next year.
Rev. Degbe said most Ghanaians, in the delivery of service in their various fields, did it to gladden the hearts of men rather than God and that could be a hindrance to productivity.
He noted that God created work for mankind to enable him to earn a living, as well as take care of others.
“It provides us the opportunity to be a blessing unto others and to take care of those in need,” he added.
He urged the congregation to create a favourable relationship with God and their colleagues and in all activities to improve on the development of the organisation and the nation.
“As you have the opportunity to be alive, do what you know will glorify God and the nation, because you reap more than you sew,” he said.
Addressing the media later, the acting Auditor of the Ghana Audit Service, Mr Richard Quartey, said the organisation had improved on its services through ICT to IT auditing, value for money auditing and forensic auditing, and would later introduce environmental auditing.
Audit Service (Gen)
Story: Matilda Attram
(Audit Service staff urged to work diligently)
THE General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Fred Degbe, has challenged the staff of the Ghana Audit Service to deliver their services fervently to please God rather than man.
He said a Christian employee was expected to go about his duties on earth as serving God, believing he would be rewarded at the right time.
“A Christian worker should never do an average work; we must go beyond the average to do what God expects from us. Let us not work to please man on earth, for our service here is only a fraction of the eternal life God has given us,” he stated.
Rev. Degbe was delivering a sermon at the 2009 end-of-year thanksgiving service organised by the Ghana Audit Service in Accra.
He was speaking on the theme: “Whatever you do, do it heartily unto God, not men”.
The 2009 thanksgiving service formed part of activities slated to celebrate the service’s centenary anniversary next year.
Rev. Degbe said most Ghanaians, in the delivery of service in their various fields, did it to gladden the hearts of men rather than God and that could be a hindrance to productivity.
He noted that God created work for mankind to enable him to earn a living, as well as take care of others.
“It provides us the opportunity to be a blessing unto others and to take care of those in need,” he added.
He urged the congregation to create a favourable relationship with God and their colleagues and in all activities to improve on the development of the organisation and the nation.
“As you have the opportunity to be alive, do what you know will glorify God and the nation, because you reap more than you sew,” he said.
Addressing the media later, the acting Auditor of the Ghana Audit Service, Mr Richard Quartey, said the organisation had improved on its services through ICT to IT auditing, value for money auditing and forensic auditing, and would later introduce environmental auditing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
'Pay attention to the spa and beauty industry'
Published in the Daily Graphic on 20/01/10, pg 20
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer of Allure Africa Limited, Ghana, Mrs Dzigbordi Dosoo, has expressed concern that little attention is given to the spa and beauty industry in the country.
She said the beauty industry in Ghana contributed immensely towards the development of the nation and thus needed support and attention of stakeholders to grow.
“In our country, the beauty industry is regarded as a side vocation, low tier and a fall back profession when everything fails. Little attention is given to the thousands of Ghanaians who earn their living from this industry,” she said.
Mrs Dosoo made this remark at the launch of the 2010 ‘Iyaba’- Africa’s premier and beauty trade exhibition and conference to be held in Accra this year.
It is a three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference organised by the Allure Africa Limited on the theme: “Growing your Business in the Spa and Beauty Industry”, sought to contribute to private sector development in Ghana.
‘Iyaba’, which is an Hausa name which means a dream, a wish, a desire, an aspiration or a hope that is fulfilled, was conceptualised to bring together reputable international companies interested in doing business in Africa, particularly Ghana, with global beauty resources.
‘Iyaba’ is expected to raise the standards in the wellness and beauty industry by equipping participants with the requisite skills in the industry through lectures, practical, products, tools, equipment and supplies that would ensure professionalism.
It is also anticipated to create an avenue for the sharing of ideas with regard to the industry and identify the needs of the industry through leaders and stakeholders within it.
Mrs Dosoo added that although the industry was a major contributor to the promotion of tourism in the country, it was one of the most underrated and unrecognised sector.
She said the industry generated employment for people, especially the younger generation, and yet it was not given due attention.
Mrs Dosoo stressed the need to build capabilities that would encourage Ghanaians to contribute to the development of the industry. She said it was necessary to improve on various structures such as areas of research and technology to make the required impact on the industry due to the constant evolution of the industry worldwide.
“We have to move from basic skills to solution providers, from cosmetic sellers to partners, from trainers to educators.
When the needed standards are raised in all areas, the spa and beauty industry would become a unified force of knowledge and a strong resource base serving the needs of the entire population,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Kobby Acheampong, said the spa and beauty industry in Ghana was important to the development of the nation, since it contributed greatly to the development of the tourism sector.
He said Ghana had the potential to attract more investors and visitors if the spa and beauty industry could be well managed.
Mr Acheampong called on players in the industry to be resourceful in order to boost tourism in the country.
That, he said, could be done through the provision of quality services needed in the industry to contribute to the development of the nation.
The three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from the February 15 to 17 of this year.
International hair, beauty and spa exhibiting brand companies from North America, Africa, Asia and Europe are expected to participate in the exhibition and conference.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer of Allure Africa Limited, Ghana, Mrs Dzigbordi Dosoo, has expressed concern that little attention is given to the spa and beauty industry in the country.
She said the beauty industry in Ghana contributed immensely towards the development of the nation and thus needed support and attention of stakeholders to grow.
“In our country, the beauty industry is regarded as a side vocation, low tier and a fall back profession when everything fails. Little attention is given to the thousands of Ghanaians who earn their living from this industry,” she said.
Mrs Dosoo made this remark at the launch of the 2010 ‘Iyaba’- Africa’s premier and beauty trade exhibition and conference to be held in Accra this year.
It is a three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference organised by the Allure Africa Limited on the theme: “Growing your Business in the Spa and Beauty Industry”, sought to contribute to private sector development in Ghana.
‘Iyaba’, which is an Hausa name which means a dream, a wish, a desire, an aspiration or a hope that is fulfilled, was conceptualised to bring together reputable international companies interested in doing business in Africa, particularly Ghana, with global beauty resources.
‘Iyaba’ is expected to raise the standards in the wellness and beauty industry by equipping participants with the requisite skills in the industry through lectures, practical, products, tools, equipment and supplies that would ensure professionalism.
It is also anticipated to create an avenue for the sharing of ideas with regard to the industry and identify the needs of the industry through leaders and stakeholders within it.
Mrs Dosoo added that although the industry was a major contributor to the promotion of tourism in the country, it was one of the most underrated and unrecognised sector.
She said the industry generated employment for people, especially the younger generation, and yet it was not given due attention.
Mrs Dosoo stressed the need to build capabilities that would encourage Ghanaians to contribute to the development of the industry. She said it was necessary to improve on various structures such as areas of research and technology to make the required impact on the industry due to the constant evolution of the industry worldwide.
“We have to move from basic skills to solution providers, from cosmetic sellers to partners, from trainers to educators.
When the needed standards are raised in all areas, the spa and beauty industry would become a unified force of knowledge and a strong resource base serving the needs of the entire population,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Kobby Acheampong, said the spa and beauty industry in Ghana was important to the development of the nation, since it contributed greatly to the development of the tourism sector.
He said Ghana had the potential to attract more investors and visitors if the spa and beauty industry could be well managed.
Mr Acheampong called on players in the industry to be resourceful in order to boost tourism in the country.
That, he said, could be done through the provision of quality services needed in the industry to contribute to the development of the nation.
The three-day beauty trade exhibition and conference would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from the February 15 to 17 of this year.
International hair, beauty and spa exhibiting brand companies from North America, Africa, Asia and Europe are expected to participate in the exhibition and conference.
6th African Heart Summit Opens
Published in the Daily Graphic on 18/01/10, pg 41
Story: Matilda Attram
Medical science has established that non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes remain the most threatening risk factors and commonest problems leading to cardiovascular diseases in Africa, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Ofosu Appeah, has said.
Making reference to a World Health Organisation report, Mr Appeah said “cardiovascular disease has higher mortality in developing countries than in developed ones, and affects younger people and women disproportionately”.
He said the WHO report indicated that the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the sub-Saharan Africa could rise from 6.5million for men and 6.9 million for women in 2000 to 8.1 million and 7.9 million 2010 respectively”.
Mr Apea was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Sixth African Heart Summit organised by the 37 Military Hospital Post-graduate College in Accra last Saturday to create awareness of cardiovascular diseases in Ghana.
The topics being discussed included ‘Prevention of cardiovascular disease, Acquired aortic and mitral valve surgery, Congenital heart disease, Grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) and Surgical management.
Others were Intensive care, Imaging-CT and MRI, Long –Term follow-up of patients, Hands-on echocardiography and Capacity building in cardiovascular health building in Africa.
The four-day summit is expected to enhance the capacity of cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, physicians, nurses, cardiovascular physiologists and researchers in cardiovascular medicine in Science, Technology and Practice.
Mr Appeah said social disintegration and inequality, compounded by the deteriorating economy in many African countries hindered the response to non-communicable diseases associated with the heart.
He further stated that there was the need to develop more infrastructure needed to handle cardiac cases in Ghana, as well as institute a budget to support awareness creation of the disease, adding that “the need for a Cardiac Centre at the 37 Military Hospital has become imperative to train cardiac surgeons and cardiologists, who will manage the increasing cases of both adult and juvenile heart cases in the country”.
Mr Appeah appealed to international partners and participants to support and encourage the initiative to the benefit of Ghanaians and other African countries.
The co-ordinator of the 37 Military Hospital Postgraduate College, Lt Col Dr Sunny Mante, indicated that the 37 Military Hospital was a Level Four United Nations facility and received referrals from United Nations Level Three centres, as well as other hospitals in Ghana, but referred all its cardiac cases to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio Thoracic Centre for surgery, since it lacked a centre for cardiac surgery.
He pointed out that a development of the cardiothoracic programme at the 37 Military Hospital would assist the surgical residents to prepare adequately for examinations after the course training.
A course Director from the German Heart Institute, Berlin in Germany, Professor Charles Yankah, in his address, explained that cardiovascular medicine and surgery were based on the development of new knowledge (science), continuing development of technical tools (technology) and implementation of knowledge.
He said cardiovascular science was developed in academic institutions whereas technology was practised in industries which generated technological innovations to support the know-how and practice in clinical setting such as patient care, treatment management, hospital and out-patient management, methodological design and implementation, teamwork and staff retention programme, technical procedures and maintenance.
Story: Matilda Attram
Medical science has established that non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes remain the most threatening risk factors and commonest problems leading to cardiovascular diseases in Africa, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Ofosu Appeah, has said.
Making reference to a World Health Organisation report, Mr Appeah said “cardiovascular disease has higher mortality in developing countries than in developed ones, and affects younger people and women disproportionately”.
He said the WHO report indicated that the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the sub-Saharan Africa could rise from 6.5million for men and 6.9 million for women in 2000 to 8.1 million and 7.9 million 2010 respectively”.
Mr Apea was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Sixth African Heart Summit organised by the 37 Military Hospital Post-graduate College in Accra last Saturday to create awareness of cardiovascular diseases in Ghana.
The topics being discussed included ‘Prevention of cardiovascular disease, Acquired aortic and mitral valve surgery, Congenital heart disease, Grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) and Surgical management.
Others were Intensive care, Imaging-CT and MRI, Long –Term follow-up of patients, Hands-on echocardiography and Capacity building in cardiovascular health building in Africa.
The four-day summit is expected to enhance the capacity of cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, physicians, nurses, cardiovascular physiologists and researchers in cardiovascular medicine in Science, Technology and Practice.
Mr Appeah said social disintegration and inequality, compounded by the deteriorating economy in many African countries hindered the response to non-communicable diseases associated with the heart.
He further stated that there was the need to develop more infrastructure needed to handle cardiac cases in Ghana, as well as institute a budget to support awareness creation of the disease, adding that “the need for a Cardiac Centre at the 37 Military Hospital has become imperative to train cardiac surgeons and cardiologists, who will manage the increasing cases of both adult and juvenile heart cases in the country”.
Mr Appeah appealed to international partners and participants to support and encourage the initiative to the benefit of Ghanaians and other African countries.
The co-ordinator of the 37 Military Hospital Postgraduate College, Lt Col Dr Sunny Mante, indicated that the 37 Military Hospital was a Level Four United Nations facility and received referrals from United Nations Level Three centres, as well as other hospitals in Ghana, but referred all its cardiac cases to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio Thoracic Centre for surgery, since it lacked a centre for cardiac surgery.
He pointed out that a development of the cardiothoracic programme at the 37 Military Hospital would assist the surgical residents to prepare adequately for examinations after the course training.
A course Director from the German Heart Institute, Berlin in Germany, Professor Charles Yankah, in his address, explained that cardiovascular medicine and surgery were based on the development of new knowledge (science), continuing development of technical tools (technology) and implementation of knowledge.
He said cardiovascular science was developed in academic institutions whereas technology was practised in industries which generated technological innovations to support the know-how and practice in clinical setting such as patient care, treatment management, hospital and out-patient management, methodological design and implementation, teamwork and staff retention programme, technical procedures and maintenance.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Michigan State assists G East Municipality
Published in the Daily Graphic on 13/01/2010, pg 16
Story: Matilda Attram, Abokobi
The Ga-East Municipal Assembly is to receive a $115,000 grant from the state of Michigan in the United States of America (USA) for the construction of a health facility.
The grant is to be released through an initiative of the Bill and Gates Foundation under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Sister City International (GRSCI) mechanism, which forms part of the African Poverty Alleviation Project (AUPAP).
The Ga-East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kwao Sackey, announced this at the assembly’s fifth General Assembly Meeting in Accra.
The meeting reviewed its development activities in the year 2009 and plotted the way forward in 2010.
Mr Sackey said the health facility that would be built at Taifa in Accra followed discussions held between the assembly and a four-member delegation from sister-city partners of the Grand Rapids, USA, last November.
He noted that the facility would help improve on the assembly's public health system and reduce the pressure on the health facilities in the district.
Mr Sackey said waste management was one of the major challenges facing the communities in the district due to the high level of population influx, adding that the situation needed to be looked at.
“This has resulted in the increase of the volume of refuse generated daily and consequently the inability to effectively manage it. In their attempt to retrieve scrap metals, scavengers continue to set fire to the refuse, thereby polluting the environment with smoke, stench and flying plastic materials,” he stated.
He stressed the urgent need to relocate the refuse dumping site of the assembly to prevent health hazards associated with it.
In relation to the sanitation problems, Mr Sackey said the Public Health Department of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the assembly had initiated programmes in schools and the communities to educate students and assembly members on related issues. Some of the issues are personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, and also enforced environmental sanitation rules and regulations.
The MCE expressed worry about the lack of household latrines in the municipality, which he said, was below 25 per cent. This, he said, explained the total reliance of the populace on public toilets in the surroundings and the indiscriminate defecating everywhere.
The MCE said the management of the assembly had decided to sell two of its tractors to the farmer’s association within the municipality in order to support the youth in agriculture programmes, and called on the assembly to amend its previous decision to sell the tractors to individuals.
Mr Sackey further indicated that revenue mobilisation in the municipality was ineffective due to some irregularities in the way and manner revenue collection was handled in the past.
“It was discovered that most of the contract agreements with the revenue contractors were not properly signed. We also found out that the duration was too long and that was what led to the review of the contract to make them more effective,” added Mr Sackey.
Mr Sackey entreated all departmental heads in the municipality to submit their performance review reports early to enable them to obtain support from the assembly. He also called on the Government to help solve the problems of the municipality.
In a related development, the Ministry of Local Government has donated 10 bicycles to the Waste and Sanitation Management Guards under the National Youth Employment Programme in the municipality to enable them to monitor sanitation activities in the municipality.
Story: Matilda Attram, Abokobi
The Ga-East Municipal Assembly is to receive a $115,000 grant from the state of Michigan in the United States of America (USA) for the construction of a health facility.
The grant is to be released through an initiative of the Bill and Gates Foundation under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Sister City International (GRSCI) mechanism, which forms part of the African Poverty Alleviation Project (AUPAP).
The Ga-East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kwao Sackey, announced this at the assembly’s fifth General Assembly Meeting in Accra.
The meeting reviewed its development activities in the year 2009 and plotted the way forward in 2010.
Mr Sackey said the health facility that would be built at Taifa in Accra followed discussions held between the assembly and a four-member delegation from sister-city partners of the Grand Rapids, USA, last November.
He noted that the facility would help improve on the assembly's public health system and reduce the pressure on the health facilities in the district.
Mr Sackey said waste management was one of the major challenges facing the communities in the district due to the high level of population influx, adding that the situation needed to be looked at.
“This has resulted in the increase of the volume of refuse generated daily and consequently the inability to effectively manage it. In their attempt to retrieve scrap metals, scavengers continue to set fire to the refuse, thereby polluting the environment with smoke, stench and flying plastic materials,” he stated.
He stressed the urgent need to relocate the refuse dumping site of the assembly to prevent health hazards associated with it.
In relation to the sanitation problems, Mr Sackey said the Public Health Department of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the assembly had initiated programmes in schools and the communities to educate students and assembly members on related issues. Some of the issues are personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, and also enforced environmental sanitation rules and regulations.
The MCE expressed worry about the lack of household latrines in the municipality, which he said, was below 25 per cent. This, he said, explained the total reliance of the populace on public toilets in the surroundings and the indiscriminate defecating everywhere.
The MCE said the management of the assembly had decided to sell two of its tractors to the farmer’s association within the municipality in order to support the youth in agriculture programmes, and called on the assembly to amend its previous decision to sell the tractors to individuals.
Mr Sackey further indicated that revenue mobilisation in the municipality was ineffective due to some irregularities in the way and manner revenue collection was handled in the past.
“It was discovered that most of the contract agreements with the revenue contractors were not properly signed. We also found out that the duration was too long and that was what led to the review of the contract to make them more effective,” added Mr Sackey.
Mr Sackey entreated all departmental heads in the municipality to submit their performance review reports early to enable them to obtain support from the assembly. He also called on the Government to help solve the problems of the municipality.
In a related development, the Ministry of Local Government has donated 10 bicycles to the Waste and Sanitation Management Guards under the National Youth Employment Programme in the municipality to enable them to monitor sanitation activities in the municipality.
NYEP to absorb 30,000 into formal employment
Published in the Daily Graphic on 12/01/2010 , pg 24
Story Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho & Matilda Attram
THE National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) is implementing an exit plan to absorb more than 30,000 youths who are currently on the programme into formal employment.
The exit plan is to make room for a new set of youths to be employed under the programme, while the old set will be absorbed by their current employers or made to enter into a trading or vocational skills training to be introduced by the programme.
The National Co-ordinator of the NYEP, Mr Abuga Pele, who made this known at a press briefing in Accra yesterday, said a bill, the National Youth Employment Bill, would be laid before Parliament this year to help facilitate the activities of the programme.
The NYEP was introduced in the country by the former government in 2007 as a stop-gap measure to create employment for the youth and it is being financed with funds from the GETFund, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Road Fund, the Communication Talk Time Tax and the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Mr Pele said under the exit plan, institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Education would provide top-up training programmes for personnel under their outfits so that they could be formally absorbed into the various professions.
Also, the NYEP would liaise with private security agencies so that personnel who were under the Community Police Programme but were not enlisted into the Police Service would be employed to ensure that they did not become a threat to society, he said.
According to him, personnel who had not been employed formally would be encouraged to enter into trading and vocational skills training that would help them to be self-employed.
He said although the exit plan was yet to be implemented, all personnel who had been under the programme for the past two years were expected to end their tenure last December.
On the issue of arrears owed personnel of the NYEP, Mr Pele said arrears for October 2009 would to be paid this week, while those of November and December 2009 would be paid by the end of January this year.
He, however, cautioned that those who had already exited from the programme but were still drawing salaries from it should desist from that act, since any such person found out would be dealt with according to law.
He stated that the NYEP did not have any hand in the removal of some personnel from their stations and called on regional and district co-ordinators to reinstate such personnel till they were recalled.
Mr Pele called on the public to stop reading partisan politics into the programme, saying “that will not augur well for the whole country”.
Story Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho & Matilda Attram
THE National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) is implementing an exit plan to absorb more than 30,000 youths who are currently on the programme into formal employment.
The exit plan is to make room for a new set of youths to be employed under the programme, while the old set will be absorbed by their current employers or made to enter into a trading or vocational skills training to be introduced by the programme.
The National Co-ordinator of the NYEP, Mr Abuga Pele, who made this known at a press briefing in Accra yesterday, said a bill, the National Youth Employment Bill, would be laid before Parliament this year to help facilitate the activities of the programme.
The NYEP was introduced in the country by the former government in 2007 as a stop-gap measure to create employment for the youth and it is being financed with funds from the GETFund, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Road Fund, the Communication Talk Time Tax and the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Mr Pele said under the exit plan, institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Education would provide top-up training programmes for personnel under their outfits so that they could be formally absorbed into the various professions.
Also, the NYEP would liaise with private security agencies so that personnel who were under the Community Police Programme but were not enlisted into the Police Service would be employed to ensure that they did not become a threat to society, he said.
According to him, personnel who had not been employed formally would be encouraged to enter into trading and vocational skills training that would help them to be self-employed.
He said although the exit plan was yet to be implemented, all personnel who had been under the programme for the past two years were expected to end their tenure last December.
On the issue of arrears owed personnel of the NYEP, Mr Pele said arrears for October 2009 would to be paid this week, while those of November and December 2009 would be paid by the end of January this year.
He, however, cautioned that those who had already exited from the programme but were still drawing salaries from it should desist from that act, since any such person found out would be dealt with according to law.
He stated that the NYEP did not have any hand in the removal of some personnel from their stations and called on regional and district co-ordinators to reinstate such personnel till they were recalled.
Mr Pele called on the public to stop reading partisan politics into the programme, saying “that will not augur well for the whole country”.
Latex Foam donates to Pamela Bridgewater Project
Published in the Daily Graphic on 16/01/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
LATEX Foam Company Limited, Ghana has donated 30 pieces of mattresses which cost GH¢1,500 in support of the 'Pamela Bridgewater Children's Home Project' in Accra.
Making the presentation, the Public Relations Officer of the company Mr Isaac Fenning, said the donation was made in line with the company's social responsibility, stressing that the company was determined to support the project.
"We see the situation of our sisters on the streets as a disturbing factor that’s why we are making efforts to put smiles on their faces", he said.
The Project Director of 'Pamela Bridgewater Project', Mr Yahaya Alhassan, who received the items expressed gratitude to the company for their kind gesture and also appealed to other companies, organisations and individuals to emulate the example.
He indicated that Latex foam was the 8th Private company to have supported the project since its establishment two years ago.
The ‘Pamela Bridgewater Children’s Home Village Project’ was established by the former United States Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Kunata International Organisation, to assist female porters (kayayei).
Under the 10-year project, which commenced in 2008, a school complex is to be set up in the Northern Region to offer skills training to young girls to empower them economically.
It also seeks to support girl child education in the northern part of the country.
Story: Matilda Attram
LATEX Foam Company Limited, Ghana has donated 30 pieces of mattresses which cost GH¢1,500 in support of the 'Pamela Bridgewater Children's Home Project' in Accra.
Making the presentation, the Public Relations Officer of the company Mr Isaac Fenning, said the donation was made in line with the company's social responsibility, stressing that the company was determined to support the project.
"We see the situation of our sisters on the streets as a disturbing factor that’s why we are making efforts to put smiles on their faces", he said.
The Project Director of 'Pamela Bridgewater Project', Mr Yahaya Alhassan, who received the items expressed gratitude to the company for their kind gesture and also appealed to other companies, organisations and individuals to emulate the example.
He indicated that Latex foam was the 8th Private company to have supported the project since its establishment two years ago.
The ‘Pamela Bridgewater Children’s Home Village Project’ was established by the former United States Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Kunata International Organisation, to assist female porters (kayayei).
Under the 10-year project, which commenced in 2008, a school complex is to be set up in the Northern Region to offer skills training to young girls to empower them economically.
It also seeks to support girl child education in the northern part of the country.
Poison mum's kids buried
Published in the Daily Graphic on 16/01/2010, front pg
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
THE grief-stricken father of the children who were allegedly killed by their mother through poisoning broke into tears when the bodies of four of the five children were taken from the Police Hospital morgue for burial at Akwamu Pesse in the Eastern Region.
Relatives and sympathisers who stood by the father, Mr Christian Asante, were also thrown into a state of mourning.
Mr Asante, however, did not claim the body of Esi, the last-born of Georgina Pipson, because he claimed she was not his biological child.
The four whose bodies were claimed for burial were Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante, 9, Angel Asante, 6, and Kofi Asante, 4.
Mr Asante, who managed to speak to the Daily Graphic, said he could not bury Georgina and her last-born, Esi, because his tradition did not allow him to do so without agreement from both families.
He explained that there had been no co-operation between his family and that of Georgina’s after their break-up about three years ago and even after the death of the children.
Mr Asante stated that he would have wished to bury Georgina and her five children together but he could not do so because of the lack of co-operation between the two families.
He, however, noted that there had once been a visit by a representative of Georgina’s family to present a bottle of Schnapps to his family on the account of the death of his children.
Present at the morgue were relatives, friends and sympathisers of the deceased family.
Residents of Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region woke up on Monday, January 4, 2010 to the tragic story of five children suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their mother, after which she also attempted suicide.
Georgina was found lying in an abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop near the Accra College of Education at Madina in Accra around 9 a.m. the next day, following a tip-off by a civilian to the Madina Police.
She was sent to the Police Hospital for medical attention, where she also passed away the next day.
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
THE grief-stricken father of the children who were allegedly killed by their mother through poisoning broke into tears when the bodies of four of the five children were taken from the Police Hospital morgue for burial at Akwamu Pesse in the Eastern Region.
Relatives and sympathisers who stood by the father, Mr Christian Asante, were also thrown into a state of mourning.
Mr Asante, however, did not claim the body of Esi, the last-born of Georgina Pipson, because he claimed she was not his biological child.
The four whose bodies were claimed for burial were Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante, 9, Angel Asante, 6, and Kofi Asante, 4.
Mr Asante, who managed to speak to the Daily Graphic, said he could not bury Georgina and her last-born, Esi, because his tradition did not allow him to do so without agreement from both families.
He explained that there had been no co-operation between his family and that of Georgina’s after their break-up about three years ago and even after the death of the children.
Mr Asante stated that he would have wished to bury Georgina and her five children together but he could not do so because of the lack of co-operation between the two families.
He, however, noted that there had once been a visit by a representative of Georgina’s family to present a bottle of Schnapps to his family on the account of the death of his children.
Present at the morgue were relatives, friends and sympathisers of the deceased family.
Residents of Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region woke up on Monday, January 4, 2010 to the tragic story of five children suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their mother, after which she also attempted suicide.
Georgina was found lying in an abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop near the Accra College of Education at Madina in Accra around 9 a.m. the next day, following a tip-off by a civilian to the Madina Police.
She was sent to the Police Hospital for medical attention, where she also passed away the next day.
Friday, January 8, 2010
'Poison' Mum dies
Published in the Daily Graphic on 08/01/2010 Front pg
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
The woman who allegedly killed her five children through food poisoning died at the Police Hospital in Accra in the early hours of yesterday.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Godfred Asiamah, who confirmed this, said the cause of Georgina Pipson's death was yet to be established.
Pipson was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, because of her condition after she was found lying semiconscious in a vehicle near the Accra College of Education at Madina in Accra.
Dr Asiamah said the police were to visit the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to investigate the history of the deceased, adding that "it’s unfortunate she passed away”.
The deceased was said to have not uttered a word to anyone since her admission to the hospital.
Residents of Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region woke up last Monday, January 4, 2010, to the tragic story of five children suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their mother.
The bodies of the five children — Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante, 9, Angel Asante, 6, Kofi Asante, 4 and Esi, 1 — the only child she had with a different man, are now at the Police Hospital morgue pending autopsy.
Dr Asiamah said the autopsy on the children was still ongoing and expressed the hope that the results would be ready by next week.
Pipson was found in a skirt and blouse with a small purse. In the purse was a small diary, in which she had chronicled some interesting statements relating to her life.
Some of the statements read: ”I was born in December 1977”, “I am alone in this world, God why, God why”, “I don’t have a mother or father, who am I” and “Georgina with three boys and two girls.”
Others are “My People deserted me”, “God give me hope”, “forgive me and my children, Nana, Kwaku, Angel, Kofi, Esi”, “What a painful world; God have mercy on me and my children”, “Why, Kojo my husband”, and “Kojo, I do love you and will never forget you.”
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
The woman who allegedly killed her five children through food poisoning died at the Police Hospital in Accra in the early hours of yesterday.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Godfred Asiamah, who confirmed this, said the cause of Georgina Pipson's death was yet to be established.
Pipson was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, because of her condition after she was found lying semiconscious in a vehicle near the Accra College of Education at Madina in Accra.
Dr Asiamah said the police were to visit the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to investigate the history of the deceased, adding that "it’s unfortunate she passed away”.
The deceased was said to have not uttered a word to anyone since her admission to the hospital.
Residents of Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region woke up last Monday, January 4, 2010, to the tragic story of five children suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their mother.
The bodies of the five children — Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante, 9, Angel Asante, 6, Kofi Asante, 4 and Esi, 1 — the only child she had with a different man, are now at the Police Hospital morgue pending autopsy.
Dr Asiamah said the autopsy on the children was still ongoing and expressed the hope that the results would be ready by next week.
Pipson was found in a skirt and blouse with a small purse. In the purse was a small diary, in which she had chronicled some interesting statements relating to her life.
Some of the statements read: ”I was born in December 1977”, “I am alone in this world, God why, God why”, “I don’t have a mother or father, who am I” and “Georgina with three boys and two girls.”
Others are “My People deserted me”, “God give me hope”, “forgive me and my children, Nana, Kwaku, Angel, Kofi, Esi”, “What a painful world; God have mercy on me and my children”, “Why, Kojo my husband”, and “Kojo, I do love you and will never forget you.”
'Poison' mum's Dairy Reveals-'My people deserted me'
Published in the Daily Graphic on 07/01/2010 Front pg
Story: Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
TIME finally caught up with the 33-year-old woman who is believed to have poisoned her five children at Nyanyano in the Central Region, when the police yesterday found her in an abandoned car in Accra.
Clutching a note book in which she had diligently scripted all her frustrations, Georgina Akweley Pipsi also provided an awful lot of clues to what she perceived as the demons tormenting her life.
In what looked like a collection of poems, Georgina wrote in her note book: ”I was born in December 1977.” “I am alone in this world, God why, God why.” “I don’t have a mother or father, who am I.” “Georgina with three boys and two girls.”
In her self-confined solitude when the police found her in the abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop near the Accra Teacher Training College (ATTC) at Madina, Georgina was semi-conscious when she was sent to the Police Hospital for medical treatment at about 9a.m.
She wore a skirt and blouse, had a small lady’s purse and a pocket diary, in which she had chronicled the things that summed up her emotions and happenings in her mind.
“My people deserted me,” “God give me hope,” “forgive me and my children, Nana, Kwaku, Angel, Kofi, Esi.” “What a painful world. God have mercy on me and my children”, “Why, Kojo my husband,” “Kojo, I do love you and will never forget you.”
Also in the purse was a piece of paper supposed to be an inscription given to her to purchase some two drugs at a pharmacy at Agirigano near a school.
DSP Ebenezer Boryor, the Madina District Crime Officer, told the Daily Graphic at the Police Hospital that the police were informed that there was a lady lying in an abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop at the ATTC.
He said the police, who suspected it might be the lady in question, called for the publication in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Graphic and found the picture to be that of the suspect.
He said the woman — who looked helpless, dull, and could not talk — was conveyed to the hospital to be attended to.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Outpatients Department (OPD) at the hospital, Dr Harold Agbenu, said the suspect was brought to the hospital weak and was examined.
He said although she was in a stable condition, her blood pressure was a bit high, adding that “she just refused to talk”.
He said the hospital had a report that the suspect had a history of mental ailment and when the police hospital had done its bit, she would be referred to the psychiatric hospital for further examination.
Story: Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
TIME finally caught up with the 33-year-old woman who is believed to have poisoned her five children at Nyanyano in the Central Region, when the police yesterday found her in an abandoned car in Accra.
Clutching a note book in which she had diligently scripted all her frustrations, Georgina Akweley Pipsi also provided an awful lot of clues to what she perceived as the demons tormenting her life.
In what looked like a collection of poems, Georgina wrote in her note book: ”I was born in December 1977.” “I am alone in this world, God why, God why.” “I don’t have a mother or father, who am I.” “Georgina with three boys and two girls.”
In her self-confined solitude when the police found her in the abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop near the Accra Teacher Training College (ATTC) at Madina, Georgina was semi-conscious when she was sent to the Police Hospital for medical treatment at about 9a.m.
She wore a skirt and blouse, had a small lady’s purse and a pocket diary, in which she had chronicled the things that summed up her emotions and happenings in her mind.
“My people deserted me,” “God give me hope,” “forgive me and my children, Nana, Kwaku, Angel, Kofi, Esi.” “What a painful world. God have mercy on me and my children”, “Why, Kojo my husband,” “Kojo, I do love you and will never forget you.”
Also in the purse was a piece of paper supposed to be an inscription given to her to purchase some two drugs at a pharmacy at Agirigano near a school.
DSP Ebenezer Boryor, the Madina District Crime Officer, told the Daily Graphic at the Police Hospital that the police were informed that there was a lady lying in an abandoned vehicle at a fitting shop at the ATTC.
He said the police, who suspected it might be the lady in question, called for the publication in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Graphic and found the picture to be that of the suspect.
He said the woman — who looked helpless, dull, and could not talk — was conveyed to the hospital to be attended to.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Outpatients Department (OPD) at the hospital, Dr Harold Agbenu, said the suspect was brought to the hospital weak and was examined.
He said although she was in a stable condition, her blood pressure was a bit high, adding that “she just refused to talk”.
He said the hospital had a report that the suspect had a history of mental ailment and when the police hospital had done its bit, she would be referred to the psychiatric hospital for further examination.
Mum,33,Poisons five kids
Published in the Daily Graphic on 06/01/2010 , pg20
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
THE tragic story of five children, suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their own mother, yesterday sent hundreds of residents of Nyanyano in the Central Region guessing what could have triggered such cruelty.
The bodies of the five children, Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante 9, Angel Asante, 6, Kofi Asante, 4 and Esi, 1, the only child she had with a different man, are now at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at his Sowutuom residence, the father of the children, Mr Christian Asante, disclosed that 33-year-old Georgina Pipsi, who is the mother of the children, visited them (children) at his residence in Sowutuom last Sunday morning to spend some time with them.
He said Georgina stayed with the children till about 5pm when he received some visitors and realised that they (mother and children) were nowhere to be found.
He then traced one Tawiah Pipsi, a sister of Georgina, to enquire about his children but was told she did know their whereabouts.
"They were not back by 7p.m. so I had to call other relatives to find out whether they had visited," he said.
According to him, all efforts to get in touch with the children, who were supposed to resume school yesterday, proved futile.
Mr Asante said four of the children were his children with Georgina and that Esi was not his biological daughter and he knew nothing about her background.
He told the Daily Graphic that Georgina developed a mental problem about three years ago before their break-up, adding that "it was for this reason I decided to take care of the children but allowed her to visit them anytime she chose to".
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Gomoa Nyanyano Police Station, the Assistant Station Officer, Inspector Samuel Anobi, confirmed the report.
He said the bodies were transported to the Police Hospital in Accra for autopsy to facilitate investigations into the case. He said the police were also looking for the suspect.
Story: Henrietta Brocke & Matilda Attram
THE tragic story of five children, suspected to have been killed through poisoning by their own mother, yesterday sent hundreds of residents of Nyanyano in the Central Region guessing what could have triggered such cruelty.
The bodies of the five children, Kwaku Osae Asante, 11, Yaw Ofori Asante 9, Angel Asante, 6, Kofi Asante, 4 and Esi, 1, the only child she had with a different man, are now at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at his Sowutuom residence, the father of the children, Mr Christian Asante, disclosed that 33-year-old Georgina Pipsi, who is the mother of the children, visited them (children) at his residence in Sowutuom last Sunday morning to spend some time with them.
He said Georgina stayed with the children till about 5pm when he received some visitors and realised that they (mother and children) were nowhere to be found.
He then traced one Tawiah Pipsi, a sister of Georgina, to enquire about his children but was told she did know their whereabouts.
"They were not back by 7p.m. so I had to call other relatives to find out whether they had visited," he said.
According to him, all efforts to get in touch with the children, who were supposed to resume school yesterday, proved futile.
Mr Asante said four of the children were his children with Georgina and that Esi was not his biological daughter and he knew nothing about her background.
He told the Daily Graphic that Georgina developed a mental problem about three years ago before their break-up, adding that "it was for this reason I decided to take care of the children but allowed her to visit them anytime she chose to".
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Gomoa Nyanyano Police Station, the Assistant Station Officer, Inspector Samuel Anobi, confirmed the report.
He said the bodies were transported to the Police Hospital in Accra for autopsy to facilitate investigations into the case. He said the police were also looking for the suspect.
Pamela 'Bridgewater Project' on course
Published in the Daily Graphic on 5/01/2010, pg 17
Story: Matilda Attram
THE ‘Pamela Bridgewater Children’s Home Village Project’ established by the former United States Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Kunata International Organisation, to assist female porters (kayayei) in on course.
Under the project dubbed the, a school complex is to be set up in the Northern Region to train young girls to enable them earn a living.
The 10-year project commenced in 2008 with the aim of serving the needs of needy persons in society, especially, kayayei. It also seeks to support girl child education in the northern part of the country.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Project Director, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, stated that while serving her four-year term as the US Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater had the desire to promote girl child education.
“In honouring the legacy she left behind, the Kunata Voluntary Organisation had the aim of fulfilling the dreams of our young girls”, he said.
He said the project was to lead a national crusade to assist young girls who risked their lives on the streets of urban areas to earn a living.
Mr Alhassan stated that the condition of ‘kayayei’ in the cities was disturbing which gave rise to the establishment of the project to help curb the phenomenon.
“It is sad to see most of our sisters sleeping on the streets of Accra and other areas, risking their lives for a living”, he stated.
According to Mr Alhassan more than 500 girls had already benefited from the project and out of the number, five were expected to be trained in beauty therapy by the FC Beauty Clinic adding that “We also organise programmes such as free health services and counselling among others to educate these girls on the dangers of migration”.
He said the organisation had already visited some governmental agencies including the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Co-ordinating Council of the Greater Accra Region and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise awareness on the phenomenon.
The Assistant Project Director of the organisation, Mr Alhassan Abdallah Musah, pointed out that the problem of young girls moving from the north to the south was due to lack of employment opportunities in the area.
He said the issue of ‘kayayei’ in the country was a problem with rural-urban migration from the north to the south involving young men and women motivated by the need of items in setting up a home.
He mentioned lack of funds and the lack of recognition of the initiators of the project as the major challenges facing the organisation in achieving its aim.
Mr Musah called on Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chief Executives (DCEs), and Chiefs of the three northern regions to engage the youth in community planning and building.
He also appealed to the government and other organisations to support the project to change the plight of ‘kayayei’ in the country.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE ‘Pamela Bridgewater Children’s Home Village Project’ established by the former United States Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Kunata International Organisation, to assist female porters (kayayei) in on course.
Under the project dubbed the, a school complex is to be set up in the Northern Region to train young girls to enable them earn a living.
The 10-year project commenced in 2008 with the aim of serving the needs of needy persons in society, especially, kayayei. It also seeks to support girl child education in the northern part of the country.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Project Director, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, stated that while serving her four-year term as the US Ambassador to Ghana, Pamela Bridgewater had the desire to promote girl child education.
“In honouring the legacy she left behind, the Kunata Voluntary Organisation had the aim of fulfilling the dreams of our young girls”, he said.
He said the project was to lead a national crusade to assist young girls who risked their lives on the streets of urban areas to earn a living.
Mr Alhassan stated that the condition of ‘kayayei’ in the cities was disturbing which gave rise to the establishment of the project to help curb the phenomenon.
“It is sad to see most of our sisters sleeping on the streets of Accra and other areas, risking their lives for a living”, he stated.
According to Mr Alhassan more than 500 girls had already benefited from the project and out of the number, five were expected to be trained in beauty therapy by the FC Beauty Clinic adding that “We also organise programmes such as free health services and counselling among others to educate these girls on the dangers of migration”.
He said the organisation had already visited some governmental agencies including the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Co-ordinating Council of the Greater Accra Region and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise awareness on the phenomenon.
The Assistant Project Director of the organisation, Mr Alhassan Abdallah Musah, pointed out that the problem of young girls moving from the north to the south was due to lack of employment opportunities in the area.
He said the issue of ‘kayayei’ in the country was a problem with rural-urban migration from the north to the south involving young men and women motivated by the need of items in setting up a home.
He mentioned lack of funds and the lack of recognition of the initiators of the project as the major challenges facing the organisation in achieving its aim.
Mr Musah called on Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chief Executives (DCEs), and Chiefs of the three northern regions to engage the youth in community planning and building.
He also appealed to the government and other organisations to support the project to change the plight of ‘kayayei’ in the country.
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