Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/04/2010, pg 51
Story: Matilda Attram
The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, has identified the lack of comprehensive data, research and information as a major setback in its efforts at eliminating human trafficking in the country.
She said the inability of researchers to collect, collate and analyse information into a national database for planning affected proposed programmes for the fight against human trafficking.
The minister said this when she launched ‘Intervention and Database on Human Trafficking in Ghana’, a research by Rescue Foundation, Ghana.
The event, which was held in Accra yesterday, was to officially present to the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs a documented data on the research undertaken by the organisation and its partners on human trafficking in Ghana.
Mrs Azumah-Mensah said frequent reports on human trafficking in the country would help the government strategise its measures at eliminating the phenomenon and improving on its development efforts.
According to her, Ghana had been cited as a source, transit and receiving country for human trafficking by the Trafficking in Persons Report Department of the United States of America (USA).
She said the government was determined to eliminate human trafficking in the country, hence the passage of the Human Trafficking Act (Act 694) in 2005.
“Eliminating human trafficking is a priority for the government of Ghana, as enshrined in its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS II), apart from the establishment of agencies to promote human rights,” she added.
She commended the Rescue Foundation for a good work done and called on all to join in the fight against the phenomenon to enable Ghana to achieve its objectives.
In a presentation, the Research Officer at the Department of Children (DoC) at the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mr Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, indicated that most traffickers were found to be Ghanaians.
According to him, 1,808 people were rescued from human trafficking in the country between 1998 and 2010, noting that the victims comprised 1,124 females, 614 males and 70 others whose gender could not be identified by the researchers.
He said 77.7 per cent of the victims investigated were children below 16.
Mr Kyei-Gyamfi observed that although human trafficking was a serious crime, people who engaged in it faced no harsh punishment.
He added that poverty was the main cause of human trafficking in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rescue Foundation, Ghana, Mrs Sylvia Hinson-Ekong, said the collection of secondary data that emanated from projects and implemented by organisations working on human trafficking had become the singular source of information for the country.
She added that many organisations implemented projects but did not make data collection and management a crucial part of the implementation process.
She described Rescue Foundation as a non-governmental organisation which partnered the security agencies, the ministry, the Department of Social Welfare, among other institutions, in a form of capacity building to rescue trafficked victims, especially children.
She advised parents to refrain from giving away their children to strangers, since the practice hindered victims’ education and potential.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Medical team undertakes cleft lip repair
Published in the Daily Graphic on 15/04/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The Rotary Club of Accra West in collaboration with a 25-member medical team from Alliance for Smiles, a non-profit humanitarian organisation in the United States is performing a two-week surgery for Cleft lip children in Accra.
The club is organising the surgeries, freely, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, in line with its social responsibilities.
At the opening ceremony, the President of Accra West Rotary Club, Mr Ekow Paintsil, said the exercise was initiated to provide essential medical care for needy children to “put smiles on the faces of the less privileged in society, especially, children.”
He expressed the need for society to encourage people with deformity to partake in communal activities through love and support.
Mr Paintsil expressed gratitude to the management of Ridge Hospital for their support in executing the project and called on the public to take advantage of the exercise to help solve such problems.
The Mission Director of Alliance for Smiles, Mrs Barbara Fisher, stated that the organisation is a non-profitable one which offered support for the development of needy children around the world.
She indicated that although the project signified the first visit of the organisation in Africa, it had served hundreds of children across the western world for five years.
“We adore children because they are important to society. The future of our society is in their hands,” she said.
She hoped the organisation would operate on 70 children within the two-week period and called on the public to take advantage of the surgery adding that “We are here to serve children and make life better for them and their future.”
The Medical Director of the Ridge Hospital, Dr Obeng Apori, expressed gratitude to Rotary Club of Accra West and Alliance for Smiles for supporting the health delivery service of the country.
He appealed to the organisation to train more Ghanaian health professionals in the cleft lip surgery to enable more patients in the country and in neighbouring countries, to benefit.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. They are among the most common birth defects that affect children. The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the face.
A cleft, or separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, occurs very early in the development of unborn babies. During foetal development, certain components of the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to form normally.
Cleft lip repair is a type of plastic surgery to correct this abnormal development both to restore function and to restore a more normal appearance.
Most clefts can be repaired through specialised plastic surgery techniques, to improve children’s ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe, and to restore a more normal appearance and function.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Rotary Club of Accra West in collaboration with a 25-member medical team from Alliance for Smiles, a non-profit humanitarian organisation in the United States is performing a two-week surgery for Cleft lip children in Accra.
The club is organising the surgeries, freely, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, in line with its social responsibilities.
At the opening ceremony, the President of Accra West Rotary Club, Mr Ekow Paintsil, said the exercise was initiated to provide essential medical care for needy children to “put smiles on the faces of the less privileged in society, especially, children.”
He expressed the need for society to encourage people with deformity to partake in communal activities through love and support.
Mr Paintsil expressed gratitude to the management of Ridge Hospital for their support in executing the project and called on the public to take advantage of the exercise to help solve such problems.
The Mission Director of Alliance for Smiles, Mrs Barbara Fisher, stated that the organisation is a non-profitable one which offered support for the development of needy children around the world.
She indicated that although the project signified the first visit of the organisation in Africa, it had served hundreds of children across the western world for five years.
“We adore children because they are important to society. The future of our society is in their hands,” she said.
She hoped the organisation would operate on 70 children within the two-week period and called on the public to take advantage of the surgery adding that “We are here to serve children and make life better for them and their future.”
The Medical Director of the Ridge Hospital, Dr Obeng Apori, expressed gratitude to Rotary Club of Accra West and Alliance for Smiles for supporting the health delivery service of the country.
He appealed to the organisation to train more Ghanaian health professionals in the cleft lip surgery to enable more patients in the country and in neighbouring countries, to benefit.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. They are among the most common birth defects that affect children. The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the face.
A cleft, or separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, occurs very early in the development of unborn babies. During foetal development, certain components of the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to form normally.
Cleft lip repair is a type of plastic surgery to correct this abnormal development both to restore function and to restore a more normal appearance.
Most clefts can be repaired through specialised plastic surgery techniques, to improve children’s ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe, and to restore a more normal appearance and function.
Child labour cripples children's
Published in the Daily Graphic on 15/04/2010, pg 11
Article: Matilda Attram
Child labour continues to pose problems that result in child abuse and hinder the growth and development of children. Child labour seriously undermines efforts to provide children the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The Children’s Act, 1998 (ACT 560), defines a child as a person below 18 years. A child is said to be a victim of child labour when he or she engaged in hazardous work that is injurious to his/her health, and deprived him or her of education and development.
Section 89 of the Act states that the minimum age for a child to be employed shall be 15, while section 91 states that the minimum age of a person in hazardous tasks which may include going to sea, mining and quarrying, carrying heavy loads, farming, working with manufacturing industries where chemicals are produced or used, is 18.
The Act further regarded places where machines are used and others such as drinking bars, hotels and places of entertainment where an individual would be exposed to immoral behaviours, as unsuitable for children to work.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also defines child labour as “work that exceeds a minimum number of hours depending on the age of child and on the type of work which is considered as harmful to the child”.
According to the 2001 UNICEF report, an estimated 250 million children work under hazardous conditions in developing countries.
Hundreds of children are found hawking on the streets of Accra and other major cities in the country. Some are also found engaged in stone quarrying, others are used as farm hands, others engaged in the sale of iced water and “iced kenkey” among other items on the streets of major cities in the country, risking their lives to generate income, while others assist the elderly and physically impaired in begging for alms. Some of these children even lose their lives as a result of working in extremely dangerous environments.
Child labour continues to pose increasing concern among nations, especially developing ones such as Ghana. Information from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicated that there was an increase in child labour cases involving children between the ages of five and 17 in the country in 2001.
The report presented an estimated population of over 1,031,220 children under age 13 to be involved in child labour. Two hundred and forty-two thousand and seventy-four (242,074) children engaged in hazardous child labour and 2,474,545 representing 39 per cent out of 6,361,111 children in Ghana were engaged in economic activities, according to the GSS.
A report by the United Nation Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) also indicated that, based on a study conducted by the Tulane University in 2008, an estimated number of 1.6 million children are engaged in child labour in Ghana.
The report explained that these children work under hazardous conditions,such as carrying heavy loads, spraying pesticides, using machetes to clear undergrowth and burning vegetation.
The editorial column of the Daily Graphic February 9, 2009, issue concern about reports of children in the Eastern Region spotted to be engaged in ferrying tourists in canoes without any safety equipment.
Over the past few years, Initiatives, structures and mechanisms aimed at identifying and solving the problem were set up to improve upon children’s rights and welfare. Governments, as well as agencies and societal organisations including private ones have all joined the cause to curb this menace.
In connection with this, the ‘International Year of the Child’ was declared and accepted in 1979 by the United Nations (UN) with UNICEF creating the awareness on problems facing children in the world, and the measures to solve them.
Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates “The right of the child must be recognised by the state, protected from economic exploitation and any work that is likely to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development”.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted to ensure that member countries protected the rights of the child and Ghana was the first country among other sovereign nations to ratify the convention as a sign of the country’s commitment to protect working children from exploitation and hazardous conditions.
Again, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1999 launched a major global programme by instituting the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), with a request to individuals and agencies that provide advisory services, to focus on child abuse. The establishment of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) in 2001 was also to oversee the welfare and development of children, and to co-ordinate services which would aim at promoting the rights of the child.
Other programmes to improve on the welfare of children in the country include issues discussed on child labour under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2006 through 2009 (GPRS II), indicating that priority will be given to special programmes to combat the worst forms of child labour under which the government is implementing the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty which introduces a cash transfer programme to support families to fight against child labour.
Also, the Government's National Policy Guidelines on Orphans and Other Children Made Vulnerable by HIV AIDS and the implementation of the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour, as well as other projects, are being implemented with support to the National Plan of Action in Ghana.
These demonstrate the commitment governments (past and current) and civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations and other social clubs, have attached to solving child labour.
The worst forms of child labour activities are predominant in rural areas, as compared to urban areas. Such activities of child labour manifests not only in street hawking but also in most rural areas, where most parents do not value education.
UNICEF is therefore, emphatic on the problem of child labour and describes it as “ a prison that withers both capabilities and potentials of children" and the problem has been attributed to many factors in our own society. Mention could be made of poverty, single parenting and sheer ignorance. The increasing cases of school dropouts, broken homes, peer pressure, unplanned families, gender roles, rural-urban migration and outmoded cultural practices, all contribute to the practice of child labour in our country.
A report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on a study conducted with regards to the problem of child labour in communities across the country in 2008, observed that some rural dwellers regarded child labour as part of a training programme for children. Parents of child labour victims may think of only the economic benefits gained, but the problem does cause more harm than good to the family and society.
We are grateful to the government and all other organisation for their efforts in addressing the problem. There is however, the need to intensify measures including sensitisation programmes such as durbars involving community leaders, drama, movies and house-to-house campaigns on the need to stop child labour.
Also, there is the need for effective implementation of the policies on the rights of the child, which would go a long way in arresting the situation. Therefore, those who persist in breaking the law should be made to suffer the penalty.This will deter others from doing same.
Another issue is the need to enhance the implementation of effective family planning measures to ensure that couples give birth to children they can adequately cater for.To succeed in the fight against child labour in Ghana, attitudes must change and this could be achieved through major forms of inter-personal communication, where interactions and participation are encouraged.
Article: Matilda Attram
Child labour continues to pose problems that result in child abuse and hinder the growth and development of children. Child labour seriously undermines efforts to provide children the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The Children’s Act, 1998 (ACT 560), defines a child as a person below 18 years. A child is said to be a victim of child labour when he or she engaged in hazardous work that is injurious to his/her health, and deprived him or her of education and development.
Section 89 of the Act states that the minimum age for a child to be employed shall be 15, while section 91 states that the minimum age of a person in hazardous tasks which may include going to sea, mining and quarrying, carrying heavy loads, farming, working with manufacturing industries where chemicals are produced or used, is 18.
The Act further regarded places where machines are used and others such as drinking bars, hotels and places of entertainment where an individual would be exposed to immoral behaviours, as unsuitable for children to work.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also defines child labour as “work that exceeds a minimum number of hours depending on the age of child and on the type of work which is considered as harmful to the child”.
According to the 2001 UNICEF report, an estimated 250 million children work under hazardous conditions in developing countries.
Hundreds of children are found hawking on the streets of Accra and other major cities in the country. Some are also found engaged in stone quarrying, others are used as farm hands, others engaged in the sale of iced water and “iced kenkey” among other items on the streets of major cities in the country, risking their lives to generate income, while others assist the elderly and physically impaired in begging for alms. Some of these children even lose their lives as a result of working in extremely dangerous environments.
Child labour continues to pose increasing concern among nations, especially developing ones such as Ghana. Information from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicated that there was an increase in child labour cases involving children between the ages of five and 17 in the country in 2001.
The report presented an estimated population of over 1,031,220 children under age 13 to be involved in child labour. Two hundred and forty-two thousand and seventy-four (242,074) children engaged in hazardous child labour and 2,474,545 representing 39 per cent out of 6,361,111 children in Ghana were engaged in economic activities, according to the GSS.
A report by the United Nation Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) also indicated that, based on a study conducted by the Tulane University in 2008, an estimated number of 1.6 million children are engaged in child labour in Ghana.
The report explained that these children work under hazardous conditions,such as carrying heavy loads, spraying pesticides, using machetes to clear undergrowth and burning vegetation.
The editorial column of the Daily Graphic February 9, 2009, issue concern about reports of children in the Eastern Region spotted to be engaged in ferrying tourists in canoes without any safety equipment.
Over the past few years, Initiatives, structures and mechanisms aimed at identifying and solving the problem were set up to improve upon children’s rights and welfare. Governments, as well as agencies and societal organisations including private ones have all joined the cause to curb this menace.
In connection with this, the ‘International Year of the Child’ was declared and accepted in 1979 by the United Nations (UN) with UNICEF creating the awareness on problems facing children in the world, and the measures to solve them.
Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates “The right of the child must be recognised by the state, protected from economic exploitation and any work that is likely to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development”.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted to ensure that member countries protected the rights of the child and Ghana was the first country among other sovereign nations to ratify the convention as a sign of the country’s commitment to protect working children from exploitation and hazardous conditions.
Again, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1999 launched a major global programme by instituting the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), with a request to individuals and agencies that provide advisory services, to focus on child abuse. The establishment of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) in 2001 was also to oversee the welfare and development of children, and to co-ordinate services which would aim at promoting the rights of the child.
Other programmes to improve on the welfare of children in the country include issues discussed on child labour under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2006 through 2009 (GPRS II), indicating that priority will be given to special programmes to combat the worst forms of child labour under which the government is implementing the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty which introduces a cash transfer programme to support families to fight against child labour.
Also, the Government's National Policy Guidelines on Orphans and Other Children Made Vulnerable by HIV AIDS and the implementation of the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour, as well as other projects, are being implemented with support to the National Plan of Action in Ghana.
These demonstrate the commitment governments (past and current) and civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations and other social clubs, have attached to solving child labour.
The worst forms of child labour activities are predominant in rural areas, as compared to urban areas. Such activities of child labour manifests not only in street hawking but also in most rural areas, where most parents do not value education.
UNICEF is therefore, emphatic on the problem of child labour and describes it as “ a prison that withers both capabilities and potentials of children" and the problem has been attributed to many factors in our own society. Mention could be made of poverty, single parenting and sheer ignorance. The increasing cases of school dropouts, broken homes, peer pressure, unplanned families, gender roles, rural-urban migration and outmoded cultural practices, all contribute to the practice of child labour in our country.
A report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on a study conducted with regards to the problem of child labour in communities across the country in 2008, observed that some rural dwellers regarded child labour as part of a training programme for children. Parents of child labour victims may think of only the economic benefits gained, but the problem does cause more harm than good to the family and society.
We are grateful to the government and all other organisation for their efforts in addressing the problem. There is however, the need to intensify measures including sensitisation programmes such as durbars involving community leaders, drama, movies and house-to-house campaigns on the need to stop child labour.
Also, there is the need for effective implementation of the policies on the rights of the child, which would go a long way in arresting the situation. Therefore, those who persist in breaking the law should be made to suffer the penalty.This will deter others from doing same.
Another issue is the need to enhance the implementation of effective family planning measures to ensure that couples give birth to children they can adequately cater for.To succeed in the fight against child labour in Ghana, attitudes must change and this could be achieved through major forms of inter-personal communication, where interactions and participation are encouraged.
GJA launches 2009 awards
Published in the Daily Graphic on 16/04/2010, middle pg or spread
Story: Matilda Attram
THE 2010 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards competition was launched in Accra yesterday.
Nine new awards have been introduced. The new categories bring to 38 the number of awards to be contested for.
The new awards include Small and Micro Scale Enterprises (SMEs), HIV and AIDS, Development Journalism for furthering MDGs, Crime and Court reporting and Hygiene and Sanitation,
The rest are the Best Report on Anti-Corruption, Best Report on Education, Best Cartoonist, and Democracy and Peace-building. All the awards except that of Democracy and Peace Building will go to individual contestants.
The awards ceremony, scheduled for August 15, 2010, will be the 15th media awards competition of the association.
The already instituted awards are Radio, Television and Print, Investigative reporting, Photojournalism, Sports, Arts/Entertainment and Domestic Tourism, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu Award for Business/Finance and Economic Reporting, Environment, Health, Parliamentary Reporting, Political Reporting, Disability, Telecommunications, ICT (on-line journalism), and the Columnist.
The rest are Best Lay-out and Designed Newspaper, Best Rural Radio Station, Human Rights and the Best Radio/Television Programme for the six main local languages in the country.
At a press briefing in Accra, the President of the GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh, said the awards competition was instituted to promote high journalistic standards, as well as motivate members who excelled in their work.
“The GJA constitution charges the association to promote high journalistic standards and reward excelling members. It is for this reason that the annual GJA awards was instituted,” he said.
He explained that entries for the competition would be received in all categories except that of the Journalist of the Year.
“In the case of the Journalist of the Year, nominees from the public including professionals will inform the thoughts of the Awards Committee,” he stated.
Mr Tetteh also indicated that the competition would include the participation of the public in the selection of contestants for some selected categories through a ‘Predict to Win’ draw which would be announced later.
The Vice-President of the GJA, Mr Affail Monney, encouraged all journalists to participate in the competition to win awards for their good works.
The competition requires interested journalists and media houses to submit three best stories to the Award Committee.
Closing date for entries is May, 17, 2010.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE 2010 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards competition was launched in Accra yesterday.
Nine new awards have been introduced. The new categories bring to 38 the number of awards to be contested for.
The new awards include Small and Micro Scale Enterprises (SMEs), HIV and AIDS, Development Journalism for furthering MDGs, Crime and Court reporting and Hygiene and Sanitation,
The rest are the Best Report on Anti-Corruption, Best Report on Education, Best Cartoonist, and Democracy and Peace-building. All the awards except that of Democracy and Peace Building will go to individual contestants.
The awards ceremony, scheduled for August 15, 2010, will be the 15th media awards competition of the association.
The already instituted awards are Radio, Television and Print, Investigative reporting, Photojournalism, Sports, Arts/Entertainment and Domestic Tourism, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu Award for Business/Finance and Economic Reporting, Environment, Health, Parliamentary Reporting, Political Reporting, Disability, Telecommunications, ICT (on-line journalism), and the Columnist.
The rest are Best Lay-out and Designed Newspaper, Best Rural Radio Station, Human Rights and the Best Radio/Television Programme for the six main local languages in the country.
At a press briefing in Accra, the President of the GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh, said the awards competition was instituted to promote high journalistic standards, as well as motivate members who excelled in their work.
“The GJA constitution charges the association to promote high journalistic standards and reward excelling members. It is for this reason that the annual GJA awards was instituted,” he said.
He explained that entries for the competition would be received in all categories except that of the Journalist of the Year.
“In the case of the Journalist of the Year, nominees from the public including professionals will inform the thoughts of the Awards Committee,” he stated.
Mr Tetteh also indicated that the competition would include the participation of the public in the selection of contestants for some selected categories through a ‘Predict to Win’ draw which would be announced later.
The Vice-President of the GJA, Mr Affail Monney, encouraged all journalists to participate in the competition to win awards for their good works.
The competition requires interested journalists and media houses to submit three best stories to the Award Committee.
Closing date for entries is May, 17, 2010.
Consider views of grass-roots in dev projects- Ashietey
Published in the Daily Graphic on 16/04/2010, pg 14
Story: Matilda Attram
A FOUR-DAY international seminar on the challenges of globalisation on local governments in Africa has opened in Accra.
It is aimed at initiating effective ways to improve on local governance and decentralisation within African countries.
The seminar which is being organised by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) of the Osun State of Nigeria in collaboration with the Local Government Workers Union (LGWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) is also intended to enhance the skills of participants towards effective performance in their localities.
Addressing the opening session of the seminar, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey noted that decentralisation was an effective means and a primary process of development that provided opportunities for all to contribute to promoting national development.
He said decentralisation through local governance was a key to the elimination poverty on the African continent.
The minister stated that the system of local governance constituted how local people were involved in the decision making processes concerning the development.
He said it also amounted to the way people at the grassroots benefited from development facilities that would enhance their living.
“We can only move forward if we move with the people at the grassroots areas. They must be given the chance to decide on their needs as they also contribute their views for better planning and implementation,” he said.
He observed that Ghana based her development on local governance through democratisation, planning and budgeting, and resource mobilisation to improve on her major agenda of national development.
Nii Ashittey advised heads and members of local government institutions, district and municipalities assemblies to undertake their duties well irrespective of their political affiliations adding that “development should be our great concern.”
In his welcoming note, the General Secretary of LGWU of Ghana (TUC), Mr Joe Boahene stressed the need to improve on the revenue generation ability of local government authorities to facilitate development in local and rural areas.
He also encouraged local government authorities to be efficient to enhance development.
The President of NULGE of the Osun State of Nigeria, Comrade Alhaji Kayode Afolabi, indicated that local governments were the pivot of socio-economic planning and development in their areas of authority and added that “ it should be considered as the most important facilitator of economic and social development at the grassroots.”
He stated that, Nigeria had over the years made efforts to intensify its local governance to facilitate quality service delivery at the local levels of development.
He said the current local government system in Nigeria aimed at restructuring the local government administration in conformity with modern society to enhance the lives of the people.
“The reform focuses on the administration of the public at the grassroots level where development is closer to the majority of the population,” he stated.
Alhaji Afolabi further expressed the need for effective leadership in the management of local government institutions to help resolve the challenges of globalisation.
He also urged leaders of local government institutions to be competent and responsive in the execution of their responsibilities.
The chairperson for the occasion, Mrs Faustina Essandoh-Yeddu, emphasised the importance of the welfare of the people in development and encouraged participants to use their experiences and ideas to better the lives of others.
Story: Matilda Attram
A FOUR-DAY international seminar on the challenges of globalisation on local governments in Africa has opened in Accra.
It is aimed at initiating effective ways to improve on local governance and decentralisation within African countries.
The seminar which is being organised by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) of the Osun State of Nigeria in collaboration with the Local Government Workers Union (LGWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) is also intended to enhance the skills of participants towards effective performance in their localities.
Addressing the opening session of the seminar, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey noted that decentralisation was an effective means and a primary process of development that provided opportunities for all to contribute to promoting national development.
He said decentralisation through local governance was a key to the elimination poverty on the African continent.
The minister stated that the system of local governance constituted how local people were involved in the decision making processes concerning the development.
He said it also amounted to the way people at the grassroots benefited from development facilities that would enhance their living.
“We can only move forward if we move with the people at the grassroots areas. They must be given the chance to decide on their needs as they also contribute their views for better planning and implementation,” he said.
He observed that Ghana based her development on local governance through democratisation, planning and budgeting, and resource mobilisation to improve on her major agenda of national development.
Nii Ashittey advised heads and members of local government institutions, district and municipalities assemblies to undertake their duties well irrespective of their political affiliations adding that “development should be our great concern.”
In his welcoming note, the General Secretary of LGWU of Ghana (TUC), Mr Joe Boahene stressed the need to improve on the revenue generation ability of local government authorities to facilitate development in local and rural areas.
He also encouraged local government authorities to be efficient to enhance development.
The President of NULGE of the Osun State of Nigeria, Comrade Alhaji Kayode Afolabi, indicated that local governments were the pivot of socio-economic planning and development in their areas of authority and added that “ it should be considered as the most important facilitator of economic and social development at the grassroots.”
He stated that, Nigeria had over the years made efforts to intensify its local governance to facilitate quality service delivery at the local levels of development.
He said the current local government system in Nigeria aimed at restructuring the local government administration in conformity with modern society to enhance the lives of the people.
“The reform focuses on the administration of the public at the grassroots level where development is closer to the majority of the population,” he stated.
Alhaji Afolabi further expressed the need for effective leadership in the management of local government institutions to help resolve the challenges of globalisation.
He also urged leaders of local government institutions to be competent and responsive in the execution of their responsibilities.
The chairperson for the occasion, Mrs Faustina Essandoh-Yeddu, emphasised the importance of the welfare of the people in development and encouraged participants to use their experiences and ideas to better the lives of others.
$9.484m to construct two ferries
Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/04/2010, back pg
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has signed a $9.484 million contract with Arab Contractors for the construction of two new double-ended ferries and the rehabilitation of the floating dock at Akosombo.
When completed, the ferries are to connect Adawso on the southern shore to Ekye Amanfrom on the northern shore of the Volta Lake to enhance commercial activities in the Afram Plains.
The project, which is part of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact programme for Ghana, is expected to be completed in 20 months.
It will also enhance the Volta Lake Transport Company’s construction, repair and maintenance capabilities for ferries to save farmers much time and offer safe and reliable access of transportation to other users.
The Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, Mr Martin Esson-Benjamin, and the Engineer of Arab Contractors, Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, signed the contract for their respective entities in Accra yesterday.
Mr Esson-Benjamin said the completion of the project would enlarge landing sites to increase ferry and vehicle handling capacities.
He said a contract for the extraction of tree stumps from the crossing route between Adawso and Ekye Amanfrom, to eliminate navigational and safety hazards, had already been negotiated with the VRA.
He further said the contract awarded to Arab Contractors also demonstrated the mutual relationship between Ghana and Egypt.
Mr Esson-Benjamin called on Ghanaians to support the MiDA and contractors working on various projects to complete them successfully.
Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, who received documents to the contract, gave the assurance that the company “will use about 50 per cent of the facilities in Ghana to do its work. We will employ 50 to 80 people from the marine sector to help do the work”.
Mr Abdallah expressed gratitude to the management of MiDA and assured Ghanaians of the commitment of the company to complete the work on schedule.
The Director of Policy and Planning of the Ministry of Transport, Mr Siisi Essuman-Ocran, expressed the hope that the project would enhance effective operations on the Volta Lake to solve the transportation problems of the people in that area.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has signed a $9.484 million contract with Arab Contractors for the construction of two new double-ended ferries and the rehabilitation of the floating dock at Akosombo.
When completed, the ferries are to connect Adawso on the southern shore to Ekye Amanfrom on the northern shore of the Volta Lake to enhance commercial activities in the Afram Plains.
The project, which is part of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact programme for Ghana, is expected to be completed in 20 months.
It will also enhance the Volta Lake Transport Company’s construction, repair and maintenance capabilities for ferries to save farmers much time and offer safe and reliable access of transportation to other users.
The Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, Mr Martin Esson-Benjamin, and the Engineer of Arab Contractors, Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, signed the contract for their respective entities in Accra yesterday.
Mr Esson-Benjamin said the completion of the project would enlarge landing sites to increase ferry and vehicle handling capacities.
He said a contract for the extraction of tree stumps from the crossing route between Adawso and Ekye Amanfrom, to eliminate navigational and safety hazards, had already been negotiated with the VRA.
He further said the contract awarded to Arab Contractors also demonstrated the mutual relationship between Ghana and Egypt.
Mr Esson-Benjamin called on Ghanaians to support the MiDA and contractors working on various projects to complete them successfully.
Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, who received documents to the contract, gave the assurance that the company “will use about 50 per cent of the facilities in Ghana to do its work. We will employ 50 to 80 people from the marine sector to help do the work”.
Mr Abdallah expressed gratitude to the management of MiDA and assured Ghanaians of the commitment of the company to complete the work on schedule.
The Director of Policy and Planning of the Ministry of Transport, Mr Siisi Essuman-Ocran, expressed the hope that the project would enhance effective operations on the Volta Lake to solve the transportation problems of the people in that area.
350,888 Write BECE
Published in the Daily Graphic on 20/04/2010 pg 17 (Spread or middle)
Story: Matilda Attram
THIS year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) began throughout the country yesterday with 350,888 registered candidates.
The examination, which will last five days, is taking place at 1,278 centres, with candidates answering questions from seven subjects.
The subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science and Basic Design Technology, which form the core subjects of the examination.
The rest are, French and Local Languages, which form the elective subjects of the examination.
On a tour to some selected centres in Accra by the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, most of the candidates appeared confident as they wrote English Language, which was the first subject.
At the Achimota School Complex, which is under the Okaikoi Sub Metro, which hosted 1,158 candidates from 15 schools, the examination started 20 minutes late due to the uneven distribution of shading pencils.
The PRESEC Staff School and the West Africa Senior High School (WASS), which are centres in the Ga East District, had a total of 1,304 candidates including three pregnant candidates from 27 schools sitting for the examination.
Four candidates were absent at the time of the minister’s visit to those centres.
At the Adentan Municipality, 1,475 candidates were expected to sit the examination, but nine candidates were absent during the visit.
Giving his overall impression of the conduct of the candidates, Mr Tettey-Enyo commended them for turning out in their numbers to sit the examination and wished them well.
He advised them to eschew any examination malpractice and approach the examination by answering the questions to the best of their ability.
He asked invigilators at the various centres not to compromise their integrity, but help to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination.
Story: Matilda Attram
THIS year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) began throughout the country yesterday with 350,888 registered candidates.
The examination, which will last five days, is taking place at 1,278 centres, with candidates answering questions from seven subjects.
The subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science and Basic Design Technology, which form the core subjects of the examination.
The rest are, French and Local Languages, which form the elective subjects of the examination.
On a tour to some selected centres in Accra by the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, most of the candidates appeared confident as they wrote English Language, which was the first subject.
At the Achimota School Complex, which is under the Okaikoi Sub Metro, which hosted 1,158 candidates from 15 schools, the examination started 20 minutes late due to the uneven distribution of shading pencils.
The PRESEC Staff School and the West Africa Senior High School (WASS), which are centres in the Ga East District, had a total of 1,304 candidates including three pregnant candidates from 27 schools sitting for the examination.
Four candidates were absent at the time of the minister’s visit to those centres.
At the Adentan Municipality, 1,475 candidates were expected to sit the examination, but nine candidates were absent during the visit.
Giving his overall impression of the conduct of the candidates, Mr Tettey-Enyo commended them for turning out in their numbers to sit the examination and wished them well.
He advised them to eschew any examination malpractice and approach the examination by answering the questions to the best of their ability.
He asked invigilators at the various centres not to compromise their integrity, but help to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination.
Mechanical Lloyd introduces new BMW 5 series
Published in the Daily Graphic on 21/04/2010 pg 41 (spread, middlie)
A new BMW vehicle has been introduced onto the Ghanaian market by Mechanical Lloyd Company Limited, a car dealing company in Ghana.
The new BMW 5 Series sedan vehicle comes with special features that seek to enhance driving experience and driver orientation.
They are a 360 degree camera view on screen, park assistance system, in-car internet access, an i-pod management system and a BMW night vision that provides safety at night.
The rest are an integral power active steering and a rear wheel steering, a four-level adaptable chassis set-up, a 50/50 weight distribution, an up to 8-speed automatic transmission, a brake energy regeneration and a very durable engine.
Launching the product in Accra yesterday, the General Manager for Sales and Marketing of Mechanical Lloyd Company Limited, Mr Morkporkpor Adim, said the company had represented BMW in Ghana since 1970.
He also indicated that the company invested heavily in infrastructural, technological and human resource development with the aim of being the best in the luxury segment.
He stated that the new BMW 5 Series sedan was well manufactured to meet the present and future needs of customers.
He observed that the vehicle was friendly, fuel efficient, spacious and also provided safety and comfort for the driver and his passengers, adding that it could travel many miles to any part of the country regardless of the condition of the road.
He noted that the vehicle, which was manufactured in Germany, reflected a power and unique driving experience to users.
“Some highlights of what makes our new 5 Series so special is the advanced technology that increases efficiency and reduces fuel consumption,” he said.
Mr Adim said the newly introduced BMW 5 Series sedan was the sixth generation of the BMW series.
A new BMW vehicle has been introduced onto the Ghanaian market by Mechanical Lloyd Company Limited, a car dealing company in Ghana.
The new BMW 5 Series sedan vehicle comes with special features that seek to enhance driving experience and driver orientation.
They are a 360 degree camera view on screen, park assistance system, in-car internet access, an i-pod management system and a BMW night vision that provides safety at night.
The rest are an integral power active steering and a rear wheel steering, a four-level adaptable chassis set-up, a 50/50 weight distribution, an up to 8-speed automatic transmission, a brake energy regeneration and a very durable engine.
Launching the product in Accra yesterday, the General Manager for Sales and Marketing of Mechanical Lloyd Company Limited, Mr Morkporkpor Adim, said the company had represented BMW in Ghana since 1970.
He also indicated that the company invested heavily in infrastructural, technological and human resource development with the aim of being the best in the luxury segment.
He stated that the new BMW 5 Series sedan was well manufactured to meet the present and future needs of customers.
He observed that the vehicle was friendly, fuel efficient, spacious and also provided safety and comfort for the driver and his passengers, adding that it could travel many miles to any part of the country regardless of the condition of the road.
He noted that the vehicle, which was manufactured in Germany, reflected a power and unique driving experience to users.
“Some highlights of what makes our new 5 Series so special is the advanced technology that increases efficiency and reduces fuel consumption,” he said.
Mr Adim said the newly introduced BMW 5 Series sedan was the sixth generation of the BMW series.
GHATOF meets to strategise
Published in the Daily Graphic on 23/04/2010, pg 19
Story: Matilda Attram
The new executive of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has held its first meeting with the GHATOF council to propose new strategies that will enhance activities of the federation.
The meeting, which was held in Accra, discussed some challenges confronting the federation and measures needed to be taken to address them.
Issues discussed included the federation’s intention to set up a tourism development bank to help facilitate the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
At the meeting, the newly elected president of GHATOF, Nana Kofi Adjei Twinin I, said the federation faced many challenges including lack of funds and commitment among members which slowed down the activities of the federation.
He said the tourism sector could only be sustained when there was a vibrant private sector support for tourism development. GHATOF serves as an umbrella body which represents the private sector in collaborating with the public sector to formulate good policies for sustainable growth of the industry.
The meeting ended with an agreement to mobilise members of the federation through regional forums to interact with stakeholders in the industry.
The council also agreed on the formation of committees that would help the executive to steer the affairs of the federation.
Story: Matilda Attram
The new executive of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has held its first meeting with the GHATOF council to propose new strategies that will enhance activities of the federation.
The meeting, which was held in Accra, discussed some challenges confronting the federation and measures needed to be taken to address them.
Issues discussed included the federation’s intention to set up a tourism development bank to help facilitate the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
At the meeting, the newly elected president of GHATOF, Nana Kofi Adjei Twinin I, said the federation faced many challenges including lack of funds and commitment among members which slowed down the activities of the federation.
He said the tourism sector could only be sustained when there was a vibrant private sector support for tourism development. GHATOF serves as an umbrella body which represents the private sector in collaborating with the public sector to formulate good policies for sustainable growth of the industry.
The meeting ended with an agreement to mobilise members of the federation through regional forums to interact with stakeholders in the industry.
The council also agreed on the formation of committees that would help the executive to steer the affairs of the federation.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Ecobank staff clean up Ridge Hospital
Published in the Daily Graphic on 13/04/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
Ecobank staff clean up Ridge Hospital
The management and members of staff of Ecobank, a Pan African Bank in the country, last Saturday undertook a clean-up exercise at the Ridge Hospital and its environs in Accra.
The exercise, which was part of activities to mark the company's 20th anniversary celebrations, was aimed at clearing filth in the surroundings of the hospital.
Led by the management team of the company, the staff spent about three hours to clear weeds and choked gutters, swept the premises and removed rubbish from various corners of the hospital.
Some members of the team also scrubbed bathrooms and toilets of selected wards in the hospital.
The Company Secretary of Ecobank, Mr Morghan Asiedu, said the exercise was initiated to help make the environment a convenient one for workers and patients of the hospital and that Ridge Hospital was chosen because the company started its operations from Ridge.
"We believe that ‘charity begins at home ‘ and since we started operations from here,we decided to come home," he said.
He noted that the company adopted the children's ward of the hospital 10 years ago, and often donated items.
"This is part of our social responsibility. We believe in giving what belongs to society back to it, " he stated, and added that issues concerning children are very dear to the heart of the company.
Mr Asiedu, who is also the Head of the Legal Department of the bank, indicated that the company was currently the fourth largest bank with 52 branches and over 900 employees across the country.
He expressed the hope that the exercise would inspire other organisations to improve sanitation in the country.
The Environmental Health Officer of the Ridge Hospital, Madam Sarah Osew,on behalf of the management of the hospital, expressed gratitude to Ecobank and called on other corporate organisations to support government in the delivery of quality health services to the people of Ghana.
Other activities slated for the anniversary celebrations include a health walk, donations to selected hospitals in Accra and a dinner dance.
Story: Matilda Attram
Ecobank staff clean up Ridge Hospital
The management and members of staff of Ecobank, a Pan African Bank in the country, last Saturday undertook a clean-up exercise at the Ridge Hospital and its environs in Accra.
The exercise, which was part of activities to mark the company's 20th anniversary celebrations, was aimed at clearing filth in the surroundings of the hospital.
Led by the management team of the company, the staff spent about three hours to clear weeds and choked gutters, swept the premises and removed rubbish from various corners of the hospital.
Some members of the team also scrubbed bathrooms and toilets of selected wards in the hospital.
The Company Secretary of Ecobank, Mr Morghan Asiedu, said the exercise was initiated to help make the environment a convenient one for workers and patients of the hospital and that Ridge Hospital was chosen because the company started its operations from Ridge.
"We believe that ‘charity begins at home ‘ and since we started operations from here,we decided to come home," he said.
He noted that the company adopted the children's ward of the hospital 10 years ago, and often donated items.
"This is part of our social responsibility. We believe in giving what belongs to society back to it, " he stated, and added that issues concerning children are very dear to the heart of the company.
Mr Asiedu, who is also the Head of the Legal Department of the bank, indicated that the company was currently the fourth largest bank with 52 branches and over 900 employees across the country.
He expressed the hope that the exercise would inspire other organisations to improve sanitation in the country.
The Environmental Health Officer of the Ridge Hospital, Madam Sarah Osew,on behalf of the management of the hospital, expressed gratitude to Ecobank and called on other corporate organisations to support government in the delivery of quality health services to the people of Ghana.
Other activities slated for the anniversary celebrations include a health walk, donations to selected hospitals in Accra and a dinner dance.
ECOBANK donates patient monitors to Ridge Hospital
Published in the Daily Graphic on 13/04/2010, pg 24 (Spread, middle pg)
ECOBANK, a Pan African Bank in the country, yesterday donated two patient monitors worth GH¢50,500 to the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
The equipment would be used to detect complications during operations and also help in the training of doctors and nurses at the hospital.
The donation was part of the activities marking the 20th anniversary celebrations of the bank in Ghana.
Presenting the equipment to the hospital, the Head of the Legal Department of Ecobank, Ghana, Mr Morghan Asiedu, said the company chose the hospital because it started its operations from Ridge.
He stated that the company believed in supporting the country to develop.
“We believe in doing all we can to make society a better place for all. We wouldn’t have come this far if society had not supported us”, he said.
He noted that the company adopted the children's ward of the hospital 10 years ago, and often donated items.
"This is part of our social responsibility. We believe in giving what belongs to society back to it, " he stated, and added that issues concerning children are very dear to the heart of the company.
He indicated that the company within its 20 years of operations in Ghana had recently become the fourth largest bank with 52 branches and more than 900 employees across the country.
He also said the company was second in terms of profitability in banking and assured the hospital of their regular support .
The Medical Director of Ridge Hospital, Dr Obeng Apori, who received the equipment, expressed gratitude to the management of Ecobank and called on other corporate organisations to support the work of the hospital adding that “the hospital was one of the largest in the country and also strategically located but cannot operate if it lacks the necessary resources.”
Over the weekend, the management and staff of Ecobank undertook a three-hour clean-up exercise at the hospital and its environs.
The exercise was also to help make the environment a convenient one for workers and patients of the hospital.
ECOBANK, a Pan African Bank in the country, yesterday donated two patient monitors worth GH¢50,500 to the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
The equipment would be used to detect complications during operations and also help in the training of doctors and nurses at the hospital.
The donation was part of the activities marking the 20th anniversary celebrations of the bank in Ghana.
Presenting the equipment to the hospital, the Head of the Legal Department of Ecobank, Ghana, Mr Morghan Asiedu, said the company chose the hospital because it started its operations from Ridge.
He stated that the company believed in supporting the country to develop.
“We believe in doing all we can to make society a better place for all. We wouldn’t have come this far if society had not supported us”, he said.
He noted that the company adopted the children's ward of the hospital 10 years ago, and often donated items.
"This is part of our social responsibility. We believe in giving what belongs to society back to it, " he stated, and added that issues concerning children are very dear to the heart of the company.
He indicated that the company within its 20 years of operations in Ghana had recently become the fourth largest bank with 52 branches and more than 900 employees across the country.
He also said the company was second in terms of profitability in banking and assured the hospital of their regular support .
The Medical Director of Ridge Hospital, Dr Obeng Apori, who received the equipment, expressed gratitude to the management of Ecobank and called on other corporate organisations to support the work of the hospital adding that “the hospital was one of the largest in the country and also strategically located but cannot operate if it lacks the necessary resources.”
Over the weekend, the management and staff of Ecobank undertook a three-hour clean-up exercise at the hospital and its environs.
The exercise was also to help make the environment a convenient one for workers and patients of the hospital.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Government sets up skills development fund
Published in the Daily Graphic on 8/04/2010, back page
A Skills Development Fund (SDF) has been set up by the government to support private and public technical and vocational institutes.
The fund, with a seed money of $40 million, will become operational in July, 2010 and is one of the mechanisms by the government to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
The Executive Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Mr Dan Baffour-Awuah, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the establishment of the fund was driven by the need to enhance the skills development programmes of the beneficiary institutes and make them more competitive.
"It is expected that the fund will primarily provide funding for the improvement of quality and relevance of existing skills systems and, if relevant, expansion of these," he stated.
He said the policy of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system was designed to reduce poverty and foster competitiveness.
“A responsive TVET system is essential for Ghana to realise its goals to become a more productive and competitive middle-income country,” he stated.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said the fund would give priority to innovative new approaches to skills development and employment creation, especially in micro and small enterprises.
He said the supported training institutions would be encouraged to adjust their programmes to an emerging National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a precondition for support.
He said the Danish government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank had indicated their willingness to support the programme.
A Skills Development Fund (SDF) has been set up by the government to support private and public technical and vocational institutes.
The fund, with a seed money of $40 million, will become operational in July, 2010 and is one of the mechanisms by the government to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
The Executive Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Mr Dan Baffour-Awuah, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the establishment of the fund was driven by the need to enhance the skills development programmes of the beneficiary institutes and make them more competitive.
"It is expected that the fund will primarily provide funding for the improvement of quality and relevance of existing skills systems and, if relevant, expansion of these," he stated.
He said the policy of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system was designed to reduce poverty and foster competitiveness.
“A responsive TVET system is essential for Ghana to realise its goals to become a more productive and competitive middle-income country,” he stated.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said the fund would give priority to innovative new approaches to skills development and employment creation, especially in micro and small enterprises.
He said the supported training institutions would be encouraged to adjust their programmes to an emerging National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a precondition for support.
He said the Danish government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank had indicated their willingness to support the programme.
Lions Club offer free eye screening at La
Published in the Daily Graphic on 10/04/2010, pg 17(spread or middle pg)
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metro and the Accra Diamond Lions Clubs have undertaken a free eye-screening exercise for over 300 residents of the La Community in Accra.
The exercise, which was aimed at detecting and treating visual impairment conditions, was done in collaboration with the North West End Eye Centre and the Member of Parliament for Dade Kotopon Constituency, Mr Amasah Namoale.
The exercise was the month of March’s activity for the clubs and part of the association's social responsibility towards the community within which they are located.
It was also intended to educate the community on how to manage visual disorders.
The President of the Accra Metro Lions Club, Mr Kofi Anyinam Boateng, said the exercise was the result of the club’s concern to provide eye care delivery to members of deprived communities.
"It is an undeniable fact that the gift of sight is one of the precious gifts that needs to be preserved", he said, and added that throughout the world, most people lost their vision because they did not know how to manage such illness.
He observed that about 70 per cent of the people who go blind was due to three conditions namely cataracts, trachoma and glaucoma, which when detected early, could be prevented.
Mr Boateng said "The impact of the foregoing on the economies of the world, especially that of the developing countries in terms of treatment, loss of productivity and rehabilitation is simply enormous".
He also assured participants of the support of the association for further treatment after the detection of any negative condition.
The Chairperson for Zone 161 LCI, Ms Kate Baaba Hudson, noted that besides undertaking other charitable programmes, the association focused mainly on the prevention of blindness and the preservation of eyesight through educational programmes and eye-screening exercises.
She said the association had its headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois in Chicago, in the United States of America.
"There are multiple districts under the international body, under which there are also districts, "she noted.
She said Ghana constituted Region 16 and was part of District 403-A. Ghana has 12 clubs divided into two zones, namely Zones 161 made up of seven clubs, and 162 which had five clubs.
“Clubs under Zone 161 LCI include Tema, Accra Metro, Accra Ebony, Accra Premier, Sekondi Takoradi Twin City, Ho Alpha and Kpando Olive Lions Clubs. While Zone 162 comprise of the Accra Diamond, Accra Golden, Kumasi Royal, Cape Coast Crystal and Legon Lions Clubs,” she stated.
Lions in Ghana have undertaken several activities this year which include, the donation of food iems, soaps and detergents, microwave oven, sunk bore holes and provided watertanks among others to several communities and institutions such as the Effiankwanta Hospital in Sekondi Takoradi and the Weija Leprosarium, as well as education on sickle cell and diabetes.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metro and the Accra Diamond Lions Clubs have undertaken a free eye-screening exercise for over 300 residents of the La Community in Accra.
The exercise, which was aimed at detecting and treating visual impairment conditions, was done in collaboration with the North West End Eye Centre and the Member of Parliament for Dade Kotopon Constituency, Mr Amasah Namoale.
The exercise was the month of March’s activity for the clubs and part of the association's social responsibility towards the community within which they are located.
It was also intended to educate the community on how to manage visual disorders.
The President of the Accra Metro Lions Club, Mr Kofi Anyinam Boateng, said the exercise was the result of the club’s concern to provide eye care delivery to members of deprived communities.
"It is an undeniable fact that the gift of sight is one of the precious gifts that needs to be preserved", he said, and added that throughout the world, most people lost their vision because they did not know how to manage such illness.
He observed that about 70 per cent of the people who go blind was due to three conditions namely cataracts, trachoma and glaucoma, which when detected early, could be prevented.
Mr Boateng said "The impact of the foregoing on the economies of the world, especially that of the developing countries in terms of treatment, loss of productivity and rehabilitation is simply enormous".
He also assured participants of the support of the association for further treatment after the detection of any negative condition.
The Chairperson for Zone 161 LCI, Ms Kate Baaba Hudson, noted that besides undertaking other charitable programmes, the association focused mainly on the prevention of blindness and the preservation of eyesight through educational programmes and eye-screening exercises.
She said the association had its headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois in Chicago, in the United States of America.
"There are multiple districts under the international body, under which there are also districts, "she noted.
She said Ghana constituted Region 16 and was part of District 403-A. Ghana has 12 clubs divided into two zones, namely Zones 161 made up of seven clubs, and 162 which had five clubs.
“Clubs under Zone 161 LCI include Tema, Accra Metro, Accra Ebony, Accra Premier, Sekondi Takoradi Twin City, Ho Alpha and Kpando Olive Lions Clubs. While Zone 162 comprise of the Accra Diamond, Accra Golden, Kumasi Royal, Cape Coast Crystal and Legon Lions Clubs,” she stated.
Lions in Ghana have undertaken several activities this year which include, the donation of food iems, soaps and detergents, microwave oven, sunk bore holes and provided watertanks among others to several communities and institutions such as the Effiankwanta Hospital in Sekondi Takoradi and the Weija Leprosarium, as well as education on sickle cell and diabetes.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Use Easter to start afresh
Published in the Daily Graphic on 1/04/2010 pg 3
reports Matilda Attram.
He said Easter was a time for Christians to reflect and renew their lives and relationship with the Creator.
“This means throwing away the old life of selfishness and disobedience to God. It may mean confessing a theft, giving up some negative behaviour — be it anger, evil desire, greed or saying sorry to someone,” he said.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso, whose message was on the theme, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Gives Hope”, explained that Easter was a period which reminded Christians of the need to remain hopeful in God, pointing out that the resurrection of Christ gave new hope for a new life in everything they did.
He described life without Christ as one full of crises, failure, darkness, fear, sin and death which one could not endure.
Reacting to recent societal problems and challenges, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to pray for God’s intervention.
"We live in challenging times, a period when one has to live by faith and not by sight. Through all changing scenes of life, therefore, in trouble and in joy, I urge you all to hold on to your faith, continue to believe just as you did and the Lord shall strengthen your faith," he stated.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso advised all to refrain from immoral activities during the season and rather be motivated to observe the season with faith and confidence that joy in Christ was everlasting.
reports Matilda Attram.
He said Easter was a time for Christians to reflect and renew their lives and relationship with the Creator.
“This means throwing away the old life of selfishness and disobedience to God. It may mean confessing a theft, giving up some negative behaviour — be it anger, evil desire, greed or saying sorry to someone,” he said.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso, whose message was on the theme, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Gives Hope”, explained that Easter was a period which reminded Christians of the need to remain hopeful in God, pointing out that the resurrection of Christ gave new hope for a new life in everything they did.
He described life without Christ as one full of crises, failure, darkness, fear, sin and death which one could not endure.
Reacting to recent societal problems and challenges, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to pray for God’s intervention.
"We live in challenging times, a period when one has to live by faith and not by sight. Through all changing scenes of life, therefore, in trouble and in joy, I urge you all to hold on to your faith, continue to believe just as you did and the Lord shall strengthen your faith," he stated.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso advised all to refrain from immoral activities during the season and rather be motivated to observe the season with faith and confidence that joy in Christ was everlasting.
Local products need good branding
Published in the Daily Graphic on 25/03/2010, pg 57
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand Ghana, Mr Mathias Akotia, has expressed the need for Ghana to create a massive growth in inward investment, tourism, and export brands to grow and attain a good middle income status in the marketing world.
This, he said could be done through the effective branding of products and services in the country that could help attract international attention and goodwill.
“To attract international attention and goodwill, the image of Ghana needs to be positively differentiated from the rest of Africa, and also from its past reality of instability and uneasy political experiments”, he stated.
Mr Akotia made this remark at a two-day branding and identity conference organised in Accra by Oxygen Ghana, a brand consulting firm to support the country’s development efforts through branding and identity advocacy.
It was dubbed ‘BRAND 2010’.
The conference which was organised in collaboration with the British Council was expected to create vocal and visual presence for the discipline of branding and design in Ghana.
According Mr Akotia, the absence of power commercial brands of Ghana origin, must provide the country’s brand direction and inspiration, parenting local brands into commercial success.
He stated that Ghana was an ambitious country but lacked the strategies of developing her status in the international marketing environment.
Explaining the benefits of branding, Mr Akotia said strong brands worked at the level of providing identity and values, strong stimulus that created and connected people and cultures together.
He indicated that branding, which was a means of differentiation between chattels provided a source of motivation and interest to many businesses, charities, schools, political parties, places, events and some celebrities in direction and purpose.
He said brands created important social benefits in relation to wealth creation to improvements of quality life as well as provided a reliable and stable indicator of the future health of every business.
Mr Akotia pointed out that brands were the most stable and sustainable asset in businesses and countries that created security and the stability of employment in a country.
“Brands are useful in creating behavioural attraction as well as barriers to exit, thus brands engender more sustainable wealth, meaning more reliable income, leading to a more reliable earnings for organisations and countries”, he said.
He called on marketing professionals to acknowledge their contribution to brand and branding development in the country.
In a presentation, the CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Madam Esther Cobbah, observed that branding attracted much attention from individuals, organisations and countries realising the enormous value it created.
She stated that most identities of social groupings in Ghana and other parts of the world were communicated through branding in order to be recognised.
Madam Cobbah identified effective branding as one which required a systematic and professional approach to achieve its targeted aim adding that “brands are powerful tools of human communication”.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of Oxygen Ghana, Nana Kwadwo Duah, stated that the conference which was organised at the time of Ghana’s planned decisions through its policy measures to undertake country branding was of great benefit to the country.
He commended government for its efforts in promoting branding in the country adding that “Branding and identity either for corporate or national purposes holds the key to propel progress and success”.
The conference hosted other resource persons such as Jeremy Hildreth, a US based Branding and Identity Consultant, Mr Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of UT Financial Services, and , Madam Norkor Duah, the President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG).
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand Ghana, Mr Mathias Akotia, has expressed the need for Ghana to create a massive growth in inward investment, tourism, and export brands to grow and attain a good middle income status in the marketing world.
This, he said could be done through the effective branding of products and services in the country that could help attract international attention and goodwill.
“To attract international attention and goodwill, the image of Ghana needs to be positively differentiated from the rest of Africa, and also from its past reality of instability and uneasy political experiments”, he stated.
Mr Akotia made this remark at a two-day branding and identity conference organised in Accra by Oxygen Ghana, a brand consulting firm to support the country’s development efforts through branding and identity advocacy.
It was dubbed ‘BRAND 2010’.
The conference which was organised in collaboration with the British Council was expected to create vocal and visual presence for the discipline of branding and design in Ghana.
According Mr Akotia, the absence of power commercial brands of Ghana origin, must provide the country’s brand direction and inspiration, parenting local brands into commercial success.
He stated that Ghana was an ambitious country but lacked the strategies of developing her status in the international marketing environment.
Explaining the benefits of branding, Mr Akotia said strong brands worked at the level of providing identity and values, strong stimulus that created and connected people and cultures together.
He indicated that branding, which was a means of differentiation between chattels provided a source of motivation and interest to many businesses, charities, schools, political parties, places, events and some celebrities in direction and purpose.
He said brands created important social benefits in relation to wealth creation to improvements of quality life as well as provided a reliable and stable indicator of the future health of every business.
Mr Akotia pointed out that brands were the most stable and sustainable asset in businesses and countries that created security and the stability of employment in a country.
“Brands are useful in creating behavioural attraction as well as barriers to exit, thus brands engender more sustainable wealth, meaning more reliable income, leading to a more reliable earnings for organisations and countries”, he said.
He called on marketing professionals to acknowledge their contribution to brand and branding development in the country.
In a presentation, the CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Madam Esther Cobbah, observed that branding attracted much attention from individuals, organisations and countries realising the enormous value it created.
She stated that most identities of social groupings in Ghana and other parts of the world were communicated through branding in order to be recognised.
Madam Cobbah identified effective branding as one which required a systematic and professional approach to achieve its targeted aim adding that “brands are powerful tools of human communication”.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of Oxygen Ghana, Nana Kwadwo Duah, stated that the conference which was organised at the time of Ghana’s planned decisions through its policy measures to undertake country branding was of great benefit to the country.
He commended government for its efforts in promoting branding in the country adding that “Branding and identity either for corporate or national purposes holds the key to propel progress and success”.
The conference hosted other resource persons such as Jeremy Hildreth, a US based Branding and Identity Consultant, Mr Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of UT Financial Services, and , Madam Norkor Duah, the President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG).
Department of Children honours partners
Published in the Daily Graphic on 25/03/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
Ghana was the first country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which enjoins all member states to provide a minimum standard of rights to children within their jurisdiction.
The country followed up with the enactment of the Children’s Act (Act 560) in 1998 to domesticate the convention in national legislative process to create a legal framework for the implementation of the CRC.
To recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations that have helped in the development of the Ghanaian child and to motivate other organisations and stakeholders to support the development and welfare of children in the country, the Department of Children of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured a number of personalities and organisations who have contributed to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
Personalities appreciated included Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, Parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, Accra; the late Justice Kingsley Acquah, a former Chief Justice; Dr Issabella Sagoe-Moses, National Co-ordinator for Child Health; Mrs Estelle Matilda Appiah, Drafter, Attorney General’s Department; Professor Anamoah Mensah, an educationist; Mr Nii Osa Mills, a legal practitioner; Mrs Salomey Francois, Director of the New Horizon Special School; Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Patience Ashorkor Quaye, Head of Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service; Mrs Ruth Ofosua Addison, a Director at the Department of Children; Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); ‘Walter Dee’, a musician, and Kingsley Obeng Kyere, a journalist and manager of Curious Minds (a youth-centred programme).
Organisations appreciated included the Church of Pentecost Ghana, the Catholic Church of Ghana, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Junior Graphic of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Unique FM, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Krobo Odumasi Queens Association, as well as some organisations in the regions that support child-development programmes.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
In her welcoming address, the acting Director of the Department of Children, Ms Mariama Yayah, stated that the protection of the human rights of the child and other vulnerable groups in society had been of utmost importance to the government, adding that, “This is clearly manifested in the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Policy 2004, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007, among others.”
She said the government, through the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach, had made efforts to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children for a better development of the nation.
She observed that the theme chosen for the celebration reinforced the government’s commitment to ensure the enjoyment of children’s rights as enshrined in the UNCRC.
She said there was the need for Ghanaians to be guided by the general principles of non-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to life, survival and development and respect for the views of the child to enhance the welfare of children in the country, adding that “These principles form the basis for our assessment of achievements made as a country in promoting the welfare of children.”
The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, described the programme as significant and said “in compliance with the domestication of the CRC, Ghana has continued to vigorously pursue institutional reforms to improve administration of issues affecting children which impeded the successful implementation of the children’s right in the country”.
She called on all, especially parents, to support the welfare of children for a better future, indicating that “our children are our future and, as a nation, we need to support them to develop their full potential for a bright future”.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Ghana, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, also advised all to contribute to build a better future for children.
The event was supported by UNICEF and those honoured were under various categories namely child welfare, child protection, child health, children with special needs, children’s education, child participation and other meritorious awards.
Story: Matilda Attram
Ghana was the first country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which enjoins all member states to provide a minimum standard of rights to children within their jurisdiction.
The country followed up with the enactment of the Children’s Act (Act 560) in 1998 to domesticate the convention in national legislative process to create a legal framework for the implementation of the CRC.
To recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations that have helped in the development of the Ghanaian child and to motivate other organisations and stakeholders to support the development and welfare of children in the country, the Department of Children of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured a number of personalities and organisations who have contributed to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
Personalities appreciated included Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, Parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, Accra; the late Justice Kingsley Acquah, a former Chief Justice; Dr Issabella Sagoe-Moses, National Co-ordinator for Child Health; Mrs Estelle Matilda Appiah, Drafter, Attorney General’s Department; Professor Anamoah Mensah, an educationist; Mr Nii Osa Mills, a legal practitioner; Mrs Salomey Francois, Director of the New Horizon Special School; Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Patience Ashorkor Quaye, Head of Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service; Mrs Ruth Ofosua Addison, a Director at the Department of Children; Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); ‘Walter Dee’, a musician, and Kingsley Obeng Kyere, a journalist and manager of Curious Minds (a youth-centred programme).
Organisations appreciated included the Church of Pentecost Ghana, the Catholic Church of Ghana, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Junior Graphic of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Unique FM, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Krobo Odumasi Queens Association, as well as some organisations in the regions that support child-development programmes.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
In her welcoming address, the acting Director of the Department of Children, Ms Mariama Yayah, stated that the protection of the human rights of the child and other vulnerable groups in society had been of utmost importance to the government, adding that, “This is clearly manifested in the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Policy 2004, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007, among others.”
She said the government, through the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach, had made efforts to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children for a better development of the nation.
She observed that the theme chosen for the celebration reinforced the government’s commitment to ensure the enjoyment of children’s rights as enshrined in the UNCRC.
She said there was the need for Ghanaians to be guided by the general principles of non-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to life, survival and development and respect for the views of the child to enhance the welfare of children in the country, adding that “These principles form the basis for our assessment of achievements made as a country in promoting the welfare of children.”
The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, described the programme as significant and said “in compliance with the domestication of the CRC, Ghana has continued to vigorously pursue institutional reforms to improve administration of issues affecting children which impeded the successful implementation of the children’s right in the country”.
She called on all, especially parents, to support the welfare of children for a better future, indicating that “our children are our future and, as a nation, we need to support them to develop their full potential for a bright future”.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Ghana, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, also advised all to contribute to build a better future for children.
The event was supported by UNICEF and those honoured were under various categories namely child welfare, child protection, child health, children with special needs, children’s education, child participation and other meritorious awards.
Russia expresses interest in Ghana's oil industry
Published in the Daily Graphic on 26/03/2010, spread (middle pg), pg 24
Story: Matilda Attram
The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Vladimir Barbin has expressed Russia's interest to invest in Ghana's emerging oil industry.
He said Russia’s investment could boost Ghana’s economic fortunes through job creation and also enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Barbin made this known when he paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Mr Igor Degtyarev, the Minister Counsellor of the Russian Embassy,
The visit was also aimed at exploring opportunities to strengthen the relationship between GCGL and Russian media houses especially in the area sharing information and experiences.
Underlying the need for Ghana and Russia to develop an intense co-operation to foster development of the two countries. Mr Barbin said journalists in the two countries should forge closer working relationship and establish channels of communication.
He said the Russian government granted about 30 scholarship to Ghanaians every year to study in Russia.
He commended GCGL on its efforts in the promotion of peace and unity through the dissemination of information and assured the company of the embassy’s support.
The Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, expressed gratitude to Mr Barbin for the visit and pledged the papers’s committment to provide reliable and credible information to the public.
Mr Tetteh, who is also the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said as a national newspaper, the Daily Graphic had a responsibility to provide information to satisfy all sectors of the public and promote the unity, stability and development of the country.
He undercored the need for co-operation between the two countries in the fight against crime and drug trafficking and used the opportunity offered by the visit to announce the celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary scheduled for October this year.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Vladimir Barbin has expressed Russia's interest to invest in Ghana's emerging oil industry.
He said Russia’s investment could boost Ghana’s economic fortunes through job creation and also enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Barbin made this known when he paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Mr Igor Degtyarev, the Minister Counsellor of the Russian Embassy,
The visit was also aimed at exploring opportunities to strengthen the relationship between GCGL and Russian media houses especially in the area sharing information and experiences.
Underlying the need for Ghana and Russia to develop an intense co-operation to foster development of the two countries. Mr Barbin said journalists in the two countries should forge closer working relationship and establish channels of communication.
He said the Russian government granted about 30 scholarship to Ghanaians every year to study in Russia.
He commended GCGL on its efforts in the promotion of peace and unity through the dissemination of information and assured the company of the embassy’s support.
The Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, expressed gratitude to Mr Barbin for the visit and pledged the papers’s committment to provide reliable and credible information to the public.
Mr Tetteh, who is also the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said as a national newspaper, the Daily Graphic had a responsibility to provide information to satisfy all sectors of the public and promote the unity, stability and development of the country.
He undercored the need for co-operation between the two countries in the fight against crime and drug trafficking and used the opportunity offered by the visit to announce the celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary scheduled for October this year.
Co-operate to enhance health delivery
Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/03/2010, pg 32
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, has called on the Medical and Dental Council to co-operate with the ministry to initiate measures that would enhance quality health service delivery in the country.
He said the country faced many challenges in the health sector which needed the contribution of the council to help reduce or eliminate them completely.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo made this call at the swearing-in ceremony of a 16-member board of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana in Accra.
The members include Dr Kofi Osae Adadey, Professor Afua Hesse, Dr McDamien Dedzo, Dr Felix Anyah, Dr Teye Adjase and Dr Jacob Abebrese.
Others are Dr Eric Asamoa and Dr Francis Adu-Ababio, Professor Christine Ntim-Amponsah and Professor Simon Beinakpaa Naaeder, representing the University of Ghana Medical School, and Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo-Kuofi, who is also a representative of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors.
The rest are Dr Bimpong-Buta of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr Elias Sory, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Martin Sowah, the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Doris Ablo and Dr Joseph Rockson.
The board is to ensure the smooth running of pending activities of the council and the country at large with regard to health.
It also has the responsibility for ensuring high professional standards among medical practitioners, proper training of practitioners and keeping records of qualified practitioners.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo stated that Ghana’s health sector was facing challenges, especially with the posting of medical practitioners to rural areas because of a lack of services to motivate them.
He challenged the council to initiate measures such as good ethical standards, the responsibility for ensuring proper training of practitioners and new motivational services to promote the medical profession in the country and beyond.
He assured the council of the support of the ministry for achieving its aim, adding that “the ministry is planning with some regional hospitals to organise tutorials to enable medical practitioners to improve on their performance”.
In his statement, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Sylvester Anemana, observed that the absence of a council to regulate activities of medical practitioners was not the best, since it could affect the performance of practitioners.
Dr Anemana called on the council to ensure equity in the postings of medical practitioners to the rural areas of the country in order to improve on the lives of the rural people.
A representative of the council, Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo Kuofi, on behalf of the council, expressed gratitude to the management of the ministry and gave an assurance of the council’s commitment to enhance quality health service delivery to Ghanaians.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, has called on the Medical and Dental Council to co-operate with the ministry to initiate measures that would enhance quality health service delivery in the country.
He said the country faced many challenges in the health sector which needed the contribution of the council to help reduce or eliminate them completely.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo made this call at the swearing-in ceremony of a 16-member board of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana in Accra.
The members include Dr Kofi Osae Adadey, Professor Afua Hesse, Dr McDamien Dedzo, Dr Felix Anyah, Dr Teye Adjase and Dr Jacob Abebrese.
Others are Dr Eric Asamoa and Dr Francis Adu-Ababio, Professor Christine Ntim-Amponsah and Professor Simon Beinakpaa Naaeder, representing the University of Ghana Medical School, and Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo-Kuofi, who is also a representative of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors.
The rest are Dr Bimpong-Buta of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr Elias Sory, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Martin Sowah, the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Doris Ablo and Dr Joseph Rockson.
The board is to ensure the smooth running of pending activities of the council and the country at large with regard to health.
It also has the responsibility for ensuring high professional standards among medical practitioners, proper training of practitioners and keeping records of qualified practitioners.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo stated that Ghana’s health sector was facing challenges, especially with the posting of medical practitioners to rural areas because of a lack of services to motivate them.
He challenged the council to initiate measures such as good ethical standards, the responsibility for ensuring proper training of practitioners and new motivational services to promote the medical profession in the country and beyond.
He assured the council of the support of the ministry for achieving its aim, adding that “the ministry is planning with some regional hospitals to organise tutorials to enable medical practitioners to improve on their performance”.
In his statement, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Sylvester Anemana, observed that the absence of a council to regulate activities of medical practitioners was not the best, since it could affect the performance of practitioners.
Dr Anemana called on the council to ensure equity in the postings of medical practitioners to the rural areas of the country in order to improve on the lives of the rural people.
A representative of the council, Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo Kuofi, on behalf of the council, expressed gratitude to the management of the ministry and gave an assurance of the council’s commitment to enhance quality health service delivery to Ghanaians.
Skills of teachers central to students' success
Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/03/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
PROFESSIONAL qualification and skills of teachers have been identified to be central to the positive impact on the achievement levels of students.
This observation was made at a monthly seminar organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help teachers build the needed capacity that will help to upgrade the performance of students in the classroom.
"Research reveals that teacher qualification and skills are among the most important factors in improving pupil/student performance".
The seminar was on the topic “teacher development in relation to teacher productivity in contemporary Ghana”.
The monthly seminar has been instituted by WAEC as part of its contribution to promote quality education service delivery in the country.
In a presentation, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Justice Abboa-Offei, said any attempts to reform education and improve pupil and student performance were dependent on teachers.
He said teachers needed to make progress in their subject areas and teaching skills to grow in the profession as well as aspire to achieve excellence in professional standards.
He attested that education was a dynamic entity which required the development of teachers to enable them face any challenges.
Mr Abboa-Offei stated that the most effective teachers were experts in the methods of teaching and understood student development as part of their mastery of subjects they taught.
“Quality teachers are important to any educational system. The teacher needs to make progress in his/her subject area(s) and teaching skills, and how to grow in the teaching profession. He should also aspire to achieve stated standards to grow professionally in order to meet the demands of the changing educational system,” he said.
He also cited the support and contribution of organisations in charge of improving the educational system in the country as being of great influence to the professional development of the teachers.
“The role of school heads, universities, professional associations like the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), WAEC, Ministry of Education, GES, regional and district education officers and circuit supervisors to organise workshops, seminars and provide teaching materials and salary increment will also motivate our teachers to perform well,” Mr Abboa-Offei stated.
He stressed the need for newly trained teachers to receive much support to make progress in their subject and teaching areas and skills to help them grow in the profession, adding that “Teachers, in general, must benefit from continuous in-service training”.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr Simon Tsadidey, who is the former Principal of Peki College of Education, expressed concern about the country’s educational system and advised teachers to be committed and dedicated to improve the performance of their students in class.
He, therefore, appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve on the conditions of teachers, saying “If we are not paying them big salaries, let us provide the necessary teaching facilities in schools to allow them enjoy their work”.
Story: Matilda Attram
PROFESSIONAL qualification and skills of teachers have been identified to be central to the positive impact on the achievement levels of students.
This observation was made at a monthly seminar organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help teachers build the needed capacity that will help to upgrade the performance of students in the classroom.
"Research reveals that teacher qualification and skills are among the most important factors in improving pupil/student performance".
The seminar was on the topic “teacher development in relation to teacher productivity in contemporary Ghana”.
The monthly seminar has been instituted by WAEC as part of its contribution to promote quality education service delivery in the country.
In a presentation, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Justice Abboa-Offei, said any attempts to reform education and improve pupil and student performance were dependent on teachers.
He said teachers needed to make progress in their subject areas and teaching skills to grow in the profession as well as aspire to achieve excellence in professional standards.
He attested that education was a dynamic entity which required the development of teachers to enable them face any challenges.
Mr Abboa-Offei stated that the most effective teachers were experts in the methods of teaching and understood student development as part of their mastery of subjects they taught.
“Quality teachers are important to any educational system. The teacher needs to make progress in his/her subject area(s) and teaching skills, and how to grow in the teaching profession. He should also aspire to achieve stated standards to grow professionally in order to meet the demands of the changing educational system,” he said.
He also cited the support and contribution of organisations in charge of improving the educational system in the country as being of great influence to the professional development of the teachers.
“The role of school heads, universities, professional associations like the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), WAEC, Ministry of Education, GES, regional and district education officers and circuit supervisors to organise workshops, seminars and provide teaching materials and salary increment will also motivate our teachers to perform well,” Mr Abboa-Offei stated.
He stressed the need for newly trained teachers to receive much support to make progress in their subject and teaching areas and skills to help them grow in the profession, adding that “Teachers, in general, must benefit from continuous in-service training”.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr Simon Tsadidey, who is the former Principal of Peki College of Education, expressed concern about the country’s educational system and advised teachers to be committed and dedicated to improve the performance of their students in class.
He, therefore, appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve on the conditions of teachers, saying “If we are not paying them big salaries, let us provide the necessary teaching facilities in schools to allow them enjoy their work”.
Junior Graphic wins DOC awards
Published in the Junior Graphic on 31/03/2010, pg 3
Story: Matilda Attram
The Department of Children (DOC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured the Junior Graphic for its contribution to the education of children in the country.
Other organisations and personalities were also awarded in various categories for their contributions to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
In a citation presented to the Junior Graphic for being the media house that promoted child education in the country, the DOC, stated that Junior Graphic afforded children the opportunity to express their concerns on matters that affect them from across the country.
It said the organisation aimed at serving children with educational information and initiatives that improved on their capabilities.
“With the aim of serving the children of Ghana, you have educational columns that inform and provide guidance on academic and career pursuits”,it stated.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
Other categories awarded include child health, child welfare and child protection.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Department of Children (DOC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured the Junior Graphic for its contribution to the education of children in the country.
Other organisations and personalities were also awarded in various categories for their contributions to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
In a citation presented to the Junior Graphic for being the media house that promoted child education in the country, the DOC, stated that Junior Graphic afforded children the opportunity to express their concerns on matters that affect them from across the country.
It said the organisation aimed at serving children with educational information and initiatives that improved on their capabilities.
“With the aim of serving the children of Ghana, you have educational columns that inform and provide guidance on academic and career pursuits”,it stated.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
Other categories awarded include child health, child welfare and child protection.
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