Published in the Daily Graphic on 8/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service has intensified its human rights advocacy programme on Juvenile Justice and Domestic Violence among schoolchildren to sensitise the children to their rights and juvenile offence. A juvenile is an individual under 18 years( a child), suspected to have committed an offence against the laws of a state.
Juvenile justice is, therefore, the dispensation of justice involving a juvenile. This is in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations (UN) in 1948.
The UDHR recognises that children need special safeguards and appropriate legal protection. It therefore proclaims that every child should be given special care and assistance before and after birth, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity.
Due to this, the Juvenile Justice Act 653, 2003, was enacted to assist authorities to handle juveniles.
The project, which started with some selected basic schools in Accra, is to look at factors that account for juvenile delinquency, their psychological effects and impact on society, as well as ways to prevent it.
Speaking at the first outreach programme organised for pupils of the St Paul’s Catholic Basic Shoal in Accra, the Deputy Director of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ciphers Arthur, indicated that juvenile offenders included children who engaged in criminal and other activities which do not conform with societal norms.
According to him, although juveniles were crime suspects, they had their rights which needed to be protected.
He explained that the law believed juveniles could commit crimes without having knowledge on its consequences.
"Children are the vulnerable group in society and anyone who is vulnerable needs special care and protection," he added.
He mentioned the right to be questioned before a guardian or a lawyer, the rights to hide ones identity from the media, the rights to have a guardian informed of an arrest and the right to be granted bail on mild offences, as some of the rights of a juvenile offender.
ASP Arthur also stressed the need for authorities to seek the interest of a juvenile on suspected crime before taking decisions since that formed part of his or her rights.
He cautioned the pupils to stay away from activities that could cause their arrest and also advised them to be mindful of their rights in case they came into conflict with the law.
"Although juveniles have rights which must be protected, make sure you don't get yourself involved in any crime, but rather study hard to become responsible adults in future," he added.
Speaking on factors that lead to juvenile delinquency, a Clinical Psychologist of the Greater Accra Regional DOVVSU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bismark Agyapong, explained that delinquency was a set of behaviours that were not in line with the collective practices and ethics of a dominant social group or society.
He stated that juvenile delinquency incorporated not only general criminal activities but also conduct that was unlawful for the youth such as skipping school.
He mentioned consistent conflicts within families leading to the lack of supervision on the part of parents, a distinct lack of parent-child attachment, poor home life quality and peer pressure as some factors that accounted for juvenile delinquency.
ASP Agyapong further indicated that some children became juvenile delinquents through psychological effects such as mental disorders, denial, depression and inconsistent discipline by parents, which could be prevented through counselling and responsible parenthood.
He advised the pupils to focus on their studies to enable them become responsible leaders in future.
The Public Affairs Officer of DOVVSU, Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, who took the pupils through the functions of DOVVSU, advised them to report to their parents, teachers or the police anytime they faced any form of sexual abuse and other abuses.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
154 graduates from Ghana Telecom University
Published in the Daily Graphic on 7/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
ONE hundred and fifty-four students who took short courses at the Ghana Telecom University College have completed their six-month studies.
They consist of students who completed their studies in 2008 and 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, a Lecturer at the Centre for New Learning at the DePaul University in the US, Professor Derise Tolliver, said technology was important in the development of every nation.
According to her,technology formed a fundamental section of development that transformed a nation.
"The application of technology in today's world is very essential since it enhances development in every sector of development," she added.
Professor Tolliver challenged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had acquired in all sectors of development to the benefit of their communities.
She also encouraged them to develop in themselves a supreme confidence and creativity to enable them to improve on themselves.
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, indicated that the institution, which was built four years ago to provide education in Information Technology, had made substantial investments in training the youth of Ghana through its programmes.
He said the institution had trained students who could function as responsible global citizens and effective leaders in the increasingly interdependent world as an urgent and challenging task facing the nation.
" We encourage our students, faculty and staff to get involved in their communities; and to use their expertise to try to make a difference in the world," he said.
According to him,the institution had also built academic partnership with a number of institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world to improve its operations.
"The university is collaborating with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, the Aalbog University in Denmark, the University of Applied Sciences at Wildau, in Germany among others in a number of core areas such as capacity building, academic and research co-operation," he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the institution which offered programmes such as IT,Telecom Engineering and Telecom Management, would introduce new ones including post graduate programmes.
"We continue to expand the range of programmes offered within our three faculties. In September this year, we will introduce a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Business Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in supply Chain Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering and Management; and a one-year MBA in Engineering Management.
Two additional programmes at the Masters level in Telematics and Aviation Management will be introduced as well," he added.
Outlining the challenges of the institutions,the president mentioned the lack of hostel facilities for students as a major challenge facing the institution and appealed to organisations and individuals to assist in addressing the problem.
The college currently has a student population of 1,422.
Story: Matilda Attram
ONE hundred and fifty-four students who took short courses at the Ghana Telecom University College have completed their six-month studies.
They consist of students who completed their studies in 2008 and 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, a Lecturer at the Centre for New Learning at the DePaul University in the US, Professor Derise Tolliver, said technology was important in the development of every nation.
According to her,technology formed a fundamental section of development that transformed a nation.
"The application of technology in today's world is very essential since it enhances development in every sector of development," she added.
Professor Tolliver challenged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had acquired in all sectors of development to the benefit of their communities.
She also encouraged them to develop in themselves a supreme confidence and creativity to enable them to improve on themselves.
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, indicated that the institution, which was built four years ago to provide education in Information Technology, had made substantial investments in training the youth of Ghana through its programmes.
He said the institution had trained students who could function as responsible global citizens and effective leaders in the increasingly interdependent world as an urgent and challenging task facing the nation.
" We encourage our students, faculty and staff to get involved in their communities; and to use their expertise to try to make a difference in the world," he said.
According to him,the institution had also built academic partnership with a number of institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world to improve its operations.
"The university is collaborating with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, the Aalbog University in Denmark, the University of Applied Sciences at Wildau, in Germany among others in a number of core areas such as capacity building, academic and research co-operation," he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the institution which offered programmes such as IT,Telecom Engineering and Telecom Management, would introduce new ones including post graduate programmes.
"We continue to expand the range of programmes offered within our three faculties. In September this year, we will introduce a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Business Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in supply Chain Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering and Management; and a one-year MBA in Engineering Management.
Two additional programmes at the Masters level in Telematics and Aviation Management will be introduced as well," he added.
Outlining the challenges of the institutions,the president mentioned the lack of hostel facilities for students as a major challenge facing the institution and appealed to organisations and individuals to assist in addressing the problem.
The college currently has a student population of 1,422.
Gt Accra Police tough on criminals
Published in the Daily Graphic on 7/07/2010, pg 51
Story: Matilda Attram & Gloria Kyeremeh
ELEVEN suspected armed robbers who are believed to have engaged in various operations at Adenta and the Teshie-Nungua area have been nabbed by the Greater Accra Regional Police.
Six of them were identified as Ablor Uman, 58; Nathaniel Addo Apan, 29; Lucas Anum, 27; Felix Sango, 25; Eric Baba, 21, and Bismark Addo, 20.
After the swoop on their Teshie-Nungua hideout by the Nungua District Police following a tip off, items including a laptop, a Dell computer, an LG DVD player, nine mobile phones, four pen drives, two ATM cards, a SSNIT ID card, one screw driver, two pairs of vehicle number plates and an instrument believed to be used for sniffing cocaine were recovered from the suspects.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, two employees of Romantic Furniture Company on the Kanda Highway were also arrested for alleged robbery.
The suspects, Daniel Agyare and David Ohene Painstil, were arrested after a complaint made by their employers, Louise Yuon and Xu Shun Lai, for allegedly stealing the company's laptop, two personal mobile phones and an amount of GH¢3,000.
DCOP Atinga indicated that two other men who allegedly snatched a Nissan Urvan bus, with registration number GR 645S, and a Nissan Almera taxi, with registration number GS 8646-09, in two different operations had been arrested by the police.
Rashim Mohammed, 23, suspected for stealing the Nissan Urvan from a house at Fadama on December 21, 2009, was arrested on June 27, 2010 while using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
Rashim was said to have been released from prison custody in June 2009 after serving a four-year jail term for a similar offence.
The other suspect, James Donkor, 22, was said to have hired the taxi about 10:30 p.m. on February 2, 2010 from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Dzorwulu and later snatched it from the driver midway through the journey and made away with it, as well as the driver's sales for the day and his mobile phone.
DCOP Atinga advised the public to help the police with information that would lead to the arrest of criminals and ultimately reduce crime in the country.
She also cautioned potential car buyers to conduct due diligence on the places and the people they are buying the cars from in order not to buy stolen cars.
"If we arrest anybody with stolen items, the law will take its course, irrespective of whether he or she bought it or not," she stressed.
Story: Matilda Attram & Gloria Kyeremeh
ELEVEN suspected armed robbers who are believed to have engaged in various operations at Adenta and the Teshie-Nungua area have been nabbed by the Greater Accra Regional Police.
Six of them were identified as Ablor Uman, 58; Nathaniel Addo Apan, 29; Lucas Anum, 27; Felix Sango, 25; Eric Baba, 21, and Bismark Addo, 20.
After the swoop on their Teshie-Nungua hideout by the Nungua District Police following a tip off, items including a laptop, a Dell computer, an LG DVD player, nine mobile phones, four pen drives, two ATM cards, a SSNIT ID card, one screw driver, two pairs of vehicle number plates and an instrument believed to be used for sniffing cocaine were recovered from the suspects.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, two employees of Romantic Furniture Company on the Kanda Highway were also arrested for alleged robbery.
The suspects, Daniel Agyare and David Ohene Painstil, were arrested after a complaint made by their employers, Louise Yuon and Xu Shun Lai, for allegedly stealing the company's laptop, two personal mobile phones and an amount of GH¢3,000.
DCOP Atinga indicated that two other men who allegedly snatched a Nissan Urvan bus, with registration number GR 645S, and a Nissan Almera taxi, with registration number GS 8646-09, in two different operations had been arrested by the police.
Rashim Mohammed, 23, suspected for stealing the Nissan Urvan from a house at Fadama on December 21, 2009, was arrested on June 27, 2010 while using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
Rashim was said to have been released from prison custody in June 2009 after serving a four-year jail term for a similar offence.
The other suspect, James Donkor, 22, was said to have hired the taxi about 10:30 p.m. on February 2, 2010 from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Dzorwulu and later snatched it from the driver midway through the journey and made away with it, as well as the driver's sales for the day and his mobile phone.
DCOP Atinga advised the public to help the police with information that would lead to the arrest of criminals and ultimately reduce crime in the country.
She also cautioned potential car buyers to conduct due diligence on the places and the people they are buying the cars from in order not to buy stolen cars.
"If we arrest anybody with stolen items, the law will take its course, irrespective of whether he or she bought it or not," she stressed.
Education village under construction at Savelugu-Nanton
Published in the Daily Graphic on 6/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
A sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a $20 million educational village has been performed at Savulugu-Nanton in the Northern Region.
When completed, the village is expected to house the youth of the three northern regions, especially young women, and provide them with vocational training to improve their lives.
The project is, therefore, aimed at reducing youth migration from the northern to the southern parts of the country.
The construction work is under the auspices of the Pamela Bridgewater Project, initiated by the former USA Ambassador, Pamela E. Bridgewater, to improve the lives of female porters (Kayayei) in Ghana.
The initiative is supported by Kunata Voluntary Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
In his address, the Director of the project, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, indicated that the project will also offer them opportunities to enhance their farming activities.
He said the project was important to the country since it aimed at changing the lives of some of the youth who migrate to the south to make a living under trying conditions.
He attributed the migration of young girls from the northern part of the country to the south to the lack of training facilities and motivation in the three northern regions.
Mr Alhassan noted that as part of the organisation’s support to the project, executives of the project often visited some of the young women who had already migrated to the south, donated items to them and interacted with them.
He called on district chief executives (DCEs), chiefs and community leaders in the regions to engage the youth in communal activities that would enable them explore and develop their potential.
The District Chief Executive for Savulugu-Nanton, Alhaji Prince Askia Mohammed, expressed concern about the deplorable conditions the female porters operated in and stressed the need for an intervention to address the problem. He also commended the executives of the project for their efforts and pledged his support for it.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Director of Consar Ghana Limited, the construction firm undertaking the project, Mr Ramiz Hamdeh, assured those present that his company would support views to enhance the development of deprived areas in the country.
Story: Matilda Attram
A sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a $20 million educational village has been performed at Savulugu-Nanton in the Northern Region.
When completed, the village is expected to house the youth of the three northern regions, especially young women, and provide them with vocational training to improve their lives.
The project is, therefore, aimed at reducing youth migration from the northern to the southern parts of the country.
The construction work is under the auspices of the Pamela Bridgewater Project, initiated by the former USA Ambassador, Pamela E. Bridgewater, to improve the lives of female porters (Kayayei) in Ghana.
The initiative is supported by Kunata Voluntary Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
In his address, the Director of the project, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, indicated that the project will also offer them opportunities to enhance their farming activities.
He said the project was important to the country since it aimed at changing the lives of some of the youth who migrate to the south to make a living under trying conditions.
He attributed the migration of young girls from the northern part of the country to the south to the lack of training facilities and motivation in the three northern regions.
Mr Alhassan noted that as part of the organisation’s support to the project, executives of the project often visited some of the young women who had already migrated to the south, donated items to them and interacted with them.
He called on district chief executives (DCEs), chiefs and community leaders in the regions to engage the youth in communal activities that would enable them explore and develop their potential.
The District Chief Executive for Savulugu-Nanton, Alhaji Prince Askia Mohammed, expressed concern about the deplorable conditions the female porters operated in and stressed the need for an intervention to address the problem. He also commended the executives of the project for their efforts and pledged his support for it.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Director of Consar Ghana Limited, the construction firm undertaking the project, Mr Ramiz Hamdeh, assured those present that his company would support views to enhance the development of deprived areas in the country.
Ga Rural Bank makes progress
Published in the Daily Graphic on 6/07/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram, Amasaman
The Ga Rural Bank Limited, has posted a net profit after tax of GH¢196,641 in 2009 representing 7.79 per cent over its operations in 2008.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Joseph Hyde who made this known at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Amasaman, in the Ga West District, said the achievement was made in a competitive environment through the investment of additional equity funds and patronage of services offered by the bank.
According to the Chairman, the total assets of the bank also increased by 14 percent, from GH¢7,025,479 in 2008 to GH¢8,037,496 last year of which he said the bank had progressed in its productivity.
The bank’s total income also rose from GHc1,072,998 in 2008 to GHc1,480,403 in 2009 representing 37.97 per cent.
Mr Hyde said, the bank made additional investments in fixed assets of GH¢222,521 to improve on infrastructure as well as expand its business and network.
He stated that shareholders funds also hiked up by 22.31 percent from GH¢751,864 in 2008 to GH¢931,167 last year.
He noted that inspite of this, the bank made a modest increase of GH¢9232.00 in the advances of loans and overdrafts and extended GH¢9,106 as its support to communities, institutions and projects in its localities.
He further indicated that the board of the bank recommended that the bank maintained its dividend of 2 Ghana pesewas (2Gp) per share with regards to its performance in the previous year.
He added that the board would continue to pursue dividend policies to ensure a fair return on the investments of shareholders.
Mr Hyde indicated that although the world economic recession which began in 2008 affected the less capital inflows and foreign currency remittances in the country, the bank continued to expand in rural areas through the adoption of adequate policies to manage its challenges.
He said challenges posed by advancing big commercial banks continued to strengthen the operations of the bank in the competitive environment it found itself.
"Your bank continues to grow from strength to strength with your support and patronage. We shall endeavour to pursue policies and programmes as would utilise your resources to obtain maximum benefits and improve our profitability and value for shareholders," he added.
Mr Hyde called on the public and shareholders to continue to buy more shares to enable the bank expand its capacities to attract more businesses.
The General Manager of the bank, Mr Samuel Larkai, said the bank since its establishment in 1984 had complied with all the statutory provisions of the Bank of Ghana in terms of re-capitalisation among other requirements.
He said the bank aimed at promoting economic and infrastructure development of its areas of operation.
In an address, the Deputy Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, pointed out that the performance of most Rural and Community banks had been encouraging as they consistently registered impressive deposits and increased in share capital, a phenomenon which he described as "indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system."
He said although RCBs had achieved most of their aims there was still the need to consider their organisational restructuring, effective credit administration, cost control and reduction in its products so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive businesses environment.
He encouraged management of Ga Rural Bank to introduce new and innovative banking products to promote the rapid development of the communities.
"Your bank should introduce new products like the granting of good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals, enterprise development and the concept of one-day loan within its areas of operation to ensure availability of deposits and improve the livelihood of the rural communities," he added.
He made an assurance that 25 rural banks would be computerised and networked by the end of 2010 through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) computerisation programme for RCBs, under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), of which all RCBs and their branches/agencies would be computerised as well as networked to improve on operational efficiency.
The meeting ended with the appointment of a new board of director, Mr Nii Ayi Tagoe, and the re-election of two retiring directors on the board, Mr Godfred Seyedem Anku and Mrs Angela Peasah.
Story: Matilda Attram, Amasaman
The Ga Rural Bank Limited, has posted a net profit after tax of GH¢196,641 in 2009 representing 7.79 per cent over its operations in 2008.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Joseph Hyde who made this known at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Amasaman, in the Ga West District, said the achievement was made in a competitive environment through the investment of additional equity funds and patronage of services offered by the bank.
According to the Chairman, the total assets of the bank also increased by 14 percent, from GH¢7,025,479 in 2008 to GH¢8,037,496 last year of which he said the bank had progressed in its productivity.
The bank’s total income also rose from GHc1,072,998 in 2008 to GHc1,480,403 in 2009 representing 37.97 per cent.
Mr Hyde said, the bank made additional investments in fixed assets of GH¢222,521 to improve on infrastructure as well as expand its business and network.
He stated that shareholders funds also hiked up by 22.31 percent from GH¢751,864 in 2008 to GH¢931,167 last year.
He noted that inspite of this, the bank made a modest increase of GH¢9232.00 in the advances of loans and overdrafts and extended GH¢9,106 as its support to communities, institutions and projects in its localities.
He further indicated that the board of the bank recommended that the bank maintained its dividend of 2 Ghana pesewas (2Gp) per share with regards to its performance in the previous year.
He added that the board would continue to pursue dividend policies to ensure a fair return on the investments of shareholders.
Mr Hyde indicated that although the world economic recession which began in 2008 affected the less capital inflows and foreign currency remittances in the country, the bank continued to expand in rural areas through the adoption of adequate policies to manage its challenges.
He said challenges posed by advancing big commercial banks continued to strengthen the operations of the bank in the competitive environment it found itself.
"Your bank continues to grow from strength to strength with your support and patronage. We shall endeavour to pursue policies and programmes as would utilise your resources to obtain maximum benefits and improve our profitability and value for shareholders," he added.
Mr Hyde called on the public and shareholders to continue to buy more shares to enable the bank expand its capacities to attract more businesses.
The General Manager of the bank, Mr Samuel Larkai, said the bank since its establishment in 1984 had complied with all the statutory provisions of the Bank of Ghana in terms of re-capitalisation among other requirements.
He said the bank aimed at promoting economic and infrastructure development of its areas of operation.
In an address, the Deputy Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, pointed out that the performance of most Rural and Community banks had been encouraging as they consistently registered impressive deposits and increased in share capital, a phenomenon which he described as "indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system."
He said although RCBs had achieved most of their aims there was still the need to consider their organisational restructuring, effective credit administration, cost control and reduction in its products so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive businesses environment.
He encouraged management of Ga Rural Bank to introduce new and innovative banking products to promote the rapid development of the communities.
"Your bank should introduce new products like the granting of good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals, enterprise development and the concept of one-day loan within its areas of operation to ensure availability of deposits and improve the livelihood of the rural communities," he added.
He made an assurance that 25 rural banks would be computerised and networked by the end of 2010 through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) computerisation programme for RCBs, under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), of which all RCBs and their branches/agencies would be computerised as well as networked to improve on operational efficiency.
The meeting ended with the appointment of a new board of director, Mr Nii Ayi Tagoe, and the re-election of two retiring directors on the board, Mr Godfred Seyedem Anku and Mrs Angela Peasah.
VAT service educates students
Published in the Daily Graphic on 30/06/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
Officials of the Adabraka Value Added Tax (VAT) office have organised a sensitisation programme for staff and students of Accra Girls’ High School to raise the awareness of the need for the payment of Value Added Tax and National Health Insurance Levy (VAT/NHIL).
The programme also aimed at interacting with students of the school to enable them understand the concept of VAT/NHIL and their processes.
It was on the theme ‘Role VAT/NHIL in national development’.
In a presentation, the Senior Revenue Officer of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Salifu Wumbei, indicated that the payment of taxes was a legislative instrument applied by the government of a nation for the benefit of all.
He said the correct payment of taxes by citizens promoted the development of every nation and the well being of its people.
“Taxes are compulsory statutory payments made to government with no obvious and immediate benefit to the payer but for the benefit of all,” he stated.
According to him, parts of the revenue invested in the development of Ghana depended on the contributions the public made to the VAT Services.
He explained VAT as a general tax on consumption expenditure, imposed on prices of goods and services.
He, therefore, stated that the VAT Services were responsible for the collection of VAT, National Health Insurance Levy, the Communications Service Tax and the Domestic Excise Tax in the country.
“The VAT was established in 1998 under section 36 of the Value Added Tax Act, 1998, (Act 546) to take up certain responsibilities on the collection of taxes,” he added.
He also mentioned direct and indirect taxes as the types of taxes collected in the country.
“Direct taxes are imposed on a person’s earnings, income or wealth paid by the individual to whom the income or wealth accrues, example gift tax and income tax while, indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services paid by consumers or receivers of such goods and services, for example VAT and customs duty,” he added.
Mr Wumbei emphasised that some services were exempted from the payment of taxes and those included agricultural , educational and medical services.
The Client Services Supervisor of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Nathan Danquah, in a statement stressed that taxation was a major means that permitted everyone to contribute towards revenue mobilisation for development.
The Public Relations Officer for the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Welbeck Asare Asamoah, advised all to insist on their VAT invoice anytime they purchased goods and services from registered businesses, and also report to any VAT office when they suspected that certain businesses had not registered with the VAT.
“Please report to us if you suspect businesses who charge taxes and do not make returns to us, so together we can all build our nation to the benefit of all.”
Story: Matilda Attram
Officials of the Adabraka Value Added Tax (VAT) office have organised a sensitisation programme for staff and students of Accra Girls’ High School to raise the awareness of the need for the payment of Value Added Tax and National Health Insurance Levy (VAT/NHIL).
The programme also aimed at interacting with students of the school to enable them understand the concept of VAT/NHIL and their processes.
It was on the theme ‘Role VAT/NHIL in national development’.
In a presentation, the Senior Revenue Officer of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Salifu Wumbei, indicated that the payment of taxes was a legislative instrument applied by the government of a nation for the benefit of all.
He said the correct payment of taxes by citizens promoted the development of every nation and the well being of its people.
“Taxes are compulsory statutory payments made to government with no obvious and immediate benefit to the payer but for the benefit of all,” he stated.
According to him, parts of the revenue invested in the development of Ghana depended on the contributions the public made to the VAT Services.
He explained VAT as a general tax on consumption expenditure, imposed on prices of goods and services.
He, therefore, stated that the VAT Services were responsible for the collection of VAT, National Health Insurance Levy, the Communications Service Tax and the Domestic Excise Tax in the country.
“The VAT was established in 1998 under section 36 of the Value Added Tax Act, 1998, (Act 546) to take up certain responsibilities on the collection of taxes,” he added.
He also mentioned direct and indirect taxes as the types of taxes collected in the country.
“Direct taxes are imposed on a person’s earnings, income or wealth paid by the individual to whom the income or wealth accrues, example gift tax and income tax while, indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services paid by consumers or receivers of such goods and services, for example VAT and customs duty,” he added.
Mr Wumbei emphasised that some services were exempted from the payment of taxes and those included agricultural , educational and medical services.
The Client Services Supervisor of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Nathan Danquah, in a statement stressed that taxation was a major means that permitted everyone to contribute towards revenue mobilisation for development.
The Public Relations Officer for the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Welbeck Asare Asamoah, advised all to insist on their VAT invoice anytime they purchased goods and services from registered businesses, and also report to any VAT office when they suspected that certain businesses had not registered with the VAT.
“Please report to us if you suspect businesses who charge taxes and do not make returns to us, so together we can all build our nation to the benefit of all.”
AMA, NADMO assist fire victims
Published in the Daily Graphic on 28/06/2010, pg 38
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has presented assorted items to some victims of fire at Bubuashie in Accra.
The fire incident, which happened in October last year, ravaged a compound house and destroyed property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
The items included 20 students’ mattresses, 50 rubber mats, three packets of roofing sheets and a bale of second-hand clothing.
The presentation was to support the victims who lost their belongings during the fire outbreak which was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Presenting the items, the Accra Metro NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Isaac Mensah, said his office received a report on the incident in October last year.
He said NADMO then consulted the AMA on the issue and promised to “support the victims to pull back their lives”.
Mr Mensah stated that the two organisations, when notified, supported victims of all kinds of disaster in the country but cautioned the general public to take effective precautions to avoid disasters that could result in the loss of lives.
The landlady of the affected house, Madam Comfort Naa Ayifo Quarshie, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed appreciation to the two bodies for their support, adding, “We thought you have forgotten about us but you have proved to us that we are of importance to you. God bless you.”
In a related development, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has donated cleaning tools and materials worth GH¢3,000 to the AMA to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolis.
The tools are 10 wheelbarrows, 10 shovels, 10 metal rakes, 12 pairs of Wellington boots and 10 boxes of hand wash.
The Public Affairs Manager of SSNIT, Mr Jonathan Cato, indicated that the support came as a result of a request by the AMA to organisations to help improve the sanitation situation in the city.
The Director for Budget and Rating of the AMA, Mrs Lydia Sackey, thanked SSNIT for its support and assured it of the purposeful use of the items.
She called on other organisations to assist the AMA to enhance good sanitation in the city.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has presented assorted items to some victims of fire at Bubuashie in Accra.
The fire incident, which happened in October last year, ravaged a compound house and destroyed property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
The items included 20 students’ mattresses, 50 rubber mats, three packets of roofing sheets and a bale of second-hand clothing.
The presentation was to support the victims who lost their belongings during the fire outbreak which was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Presenting the items, the Accra Metro NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Isaac Mensah, said his office received a report on the incident in October last year.
He said NADMO then consulted the AMA on the issue and promised to “support the victims to pull back their lives”.
Mr Mensah stated that the two organisations, when notified, supported victims of all kinds of disaster in the country but cautioned the general public to take effective precautions to avoid disasters that could result in the loss of lives.
The landlady of the affected house, Madam Comfort Naa Ayifo Quarshie, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed appreciation to the two bodies for their support, adding, “We thought you have forgotten about us but you have proved to us that we are of importance to you. God bless you.”
In a related development, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has donated cleaning tools and materials worth GH¢3,000 to the AMA to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolis.
The tools are 10 wheelbarrows, 10 shovels, 10 metal rakes, 12 pairs of Wellington boots and 10 boxes of hand wash.
The Public Affairs Manager of SSNIT, Mr Jonathan Cato, indicated that the support came as a result of a request by the AMA to organisations to help improve the sanitation situation in the city.
The Director for Budget and Rating of the AMA, Mrs Lydia Sackey, thanked SSNIT for its support and assured it of the purposeful use of the items.
She called on other organisations to assist the AMA to enhance good sanitation in the city.
Experts review nation's commitment to health care
Published in the Daily Graphic on 26/06/2010
Story: Matilda Attram
THE International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, provided a platform for nations to outline plans to foster economic development and reduce poverty, with a focus on promoting human rights, empowering women and erasing inequalities within societies.
The conference marked a major milestone in the international community’s struggle to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for all. It also provided a 20-year blueprint that required actions and commitments from both rich and poor countries.
Since then, a number of international summits and conferences have been held leading to the development and adoption of various declarations and conventions. Among these are: The Maputo Plan of Action, the Millennium Development Goals, the Abuja Declaration, the Protocol to the African Union Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Continental Policy Framework for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa.
Underpinning these programmes of action and declarations, is the commitment to improve sexual and reproductive health of women, thereby contributing to reducing maternal and child mortalities and morbidities.
Speaking at a national conference on the state of the nation’s health in Accra, to review pledges and commitments of government on the improvement of healthcare services in the country, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), Ms Vicky Okine, however stated that 16 years since ICPD, the sexual and reproductive health status of women and children has not seen much improvement.
She said although, according to the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), infant mortality decreased from 64 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 50 per 1,000 live births in 2008, maternal mortality remains high at 580 per 100,000 live birth in 2008, according to the Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS).
She stated that the lack of commitment to improve on sexual and reproductive health of women contributed to the increase of maternal and child mortalities and morbidities in the country and explained that home based deliveries which put the lives of many women of reproductive age at risk remained at 43 percent in 2008, which she noted was significantly high.
She added that rural-urban disparity in health care provision also remained uneven with available statistics of 84 percent of urban births likely to be delivered at health facilities compared to 43 percent in rural areas.
The conference based its discussions on sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS and Malaria with regards to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was on the theme ‘MDGs for Better Health: Promises or Commitment’.
Organised by the ARHR, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the conference was aimed at developing an advocacy agenda on the issue of reproductive, maternal and child health, identify the challenges facing the healthcare system of the country, as well as make recommendations for its improvement.
Addressing participants, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr Sylvester Anemana said Ghana needed to improve on its support for strategic investments that could contribute to the attainment of its health goals.
“The MDGs represent the one demand our people are making to us as leaders to correct the gross inequalities characterising the world we live in. We must leave a legacy of strong and vibrant health systems capable of keeping us on track that will lead us there eventually,” he said.
According to him, Ghana was among other developing countries that were making efforts to achieve the 2015 MDG targets on health services and stressed the need for more commitment to ensure that health services, especially reproductive services were made universal.
Dr Anemana stated that plans were advanced for the conduct of a nation-wide survey on emergency obstetric and new-born care with the purpose of guiding policies which would strengthen the health system’s response to maternal and child care.
“Ghana has made commitments over the past few years. We have embarked on policies and social protection mechanisms that allow for free services for pregnant women through delivery and up to one year after deliver. Our National Health Insurance Scheme exempts children and pregnant women from paying for health services among others’” he stated.
He mentioned the existence of socio-cultural beliefs and practices, poverty, poor staff attitudes, poor allocation of resources and the lack of sensitisation activities as some major challenges facing the health delivery system in the country.
“We still have socio-cultural beliefs and practices which pose major barriers to women’s health, the low level of awareness about health and danger signs of pregnancy coupled with weak health systems exacerbated by continuing challenges in developing and retaining requisite human resource for health are all challenges we are managing,” he added.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, provided a platform for nations to outline plans to foster economic development and reduce poverty, with a focus on promoting human rights, empowering women and erasing inequalities within societies.
The conference marked a major milestone in the international community’s struggle to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for all. It also provided a 20-year blueprint that required actions and commitments from both rich and poor countries.
Since then, a number of international summits and conferences have been held leading to the development and adoption of various declarations and conventions. Among these are: The Maputo Plan of Action, the Millennium Development Goals, the Abuja Declaration, the Protocol to the African Union Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Continental Policy Framework for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa.
Underpinning these programmes of action and declarations, is the commitment to improve sexual and reproductive health of women, thereby contributing to reducing maternal and child mortalities and morbidities.
Speaking at a national conference on the state of the nation’s health in Accra, to review pledges and commitments of government on the improvement of healthcare services in the country, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), Ms Vicky Okine, however stated that 16 years since ICPD, the sexual and reproductive health status of women and children has not seen much improvement.
She said although, according to the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), infant mortality decreased from 64 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 50 per 1,000 live births in 2008, maternal mortality remains high at 580 per 100,000 live birth in 2008, according to the Ghana Maternal Health Survey (GMHS).
She stated that the lack of commitment to improve on sexual and reproductive health of women contributed to the increase of maternal and child mortalities and morbidities in the country and explained that home based deliveries which put the lives of many women of reproductive age at risk remained at 43 percent in 2008, which she noted was significantly high.
She added that rural-urban disparity in health care provision also remained uneven with available statistics of 84 percent of urban births likely to be delivered at health facilities compared to 43 percent in rural areas.
The conference based its discussions on sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS and Malaria with regards to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was on the theme ‘MDGs for Better Health: Promises or Commitment’.
Organised by the ARHR, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the conference was aimed at developing an advocacy agenda on the issue of reproductive, maternal and child health, identify the challenges facing the healthcare system of the country, as well as make recommendations for its improvement.
Addressing participants, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr Sylvester Anemana said Ghana needed to improve on its support for strategic investments that could contribute to the attainment of its health goals.
“The MDGs represent the one demand our people are making to us as leaders to correct the gross inequalities characterising the world we live in. We must leave a legacy of strong and vibrant health systems capable of keeping us on track that will lead us there eventually,” he said.
According to him, Ghana was among other developing countries that were making efforts to achieve the 2015 MDG targets on health services and stressed the need for more commitment to ensure that health services, especially reproductive services were made universal.
Dr Anemana stated that plans were advanced for the conduct of a nation-wide survey on emergency obstetric and new-born care with the purpose of guiding policies which would strengthen the health system’s response to maternal and child care.
“Ghana has made commitments over the past few years. We have embarked on policies and social protection mechanisms that allow for free services for pregnant women through delivery and up to one year after deliver. Our National Health Insurance Scheme exempts children and pregnant women from paying for health services among others’” he stated.
He mentioned the existence of socio-cultural beliefs and practices, poverty, poor staff attitudes, poor allocation of resources and the lack of sensitisation activities as some major challenges facing the health delivery system in the country.
“We still have socio-cultural beliefs and practices which pose major barriers to women’s health, the low level of awareness about health and danger signs of pregnancy coupled with weak health systems exacerbated by continuing challenges in developing and retaining requisite human resource for health are all challenges we are managing,” he added.
Yen Daakye' Movement launched
Published in the Daily Graphic on 23/06/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
A CIVIL society organisation aimed at contributing to the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) in the country has been inaugurated.
Known as ‘Yen Daakye Movement’, the organisation is a community-based movement that works in collaboration with Participatory Development Associates Limited (PDA), a non-governmental organisation. It is funded by the International Cocoa Initiatives (ICI) and aims at eliminating child labour in cocoa producing communities.
The first edition of the organisation’s report, which was launched during the inaugural ceremony, gives an account of some projects it had undertaken by ensuring the safety of children in very deprived cocoa growing communities.
Dubbed ‘Securing the Future of our Children, Getting on Track with Basics in Education’, the 16-page report highlights on programmes undertaken by the organisation, its aims and achievements, and some testimonies from beneficiaries.
Addressing the ceremony in Accra, a Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at the University of Ghana, Rev Samuel Asuming-Brempong, indicated that the issue of child labour in cocoa cuiltivation, had been a common problem in all nations, especially developing ones which needed great interventions.
He said the problem which, was identified in the early part of the 19th century had received much attention from stakeholders in the country, but remained a disturbing factor in the development of children.
He stated that although the development of children required some training to enable them acquire skills for their future, there was the need for the education and sensitisation of parents and guardians to their interpretation of the difference between child work and child labour.
He defined child work as activities that enabled children to acquire the necessary skills for their future without interfering with their development, education and health, while child labour constituted activities that deprived children of their development, education and exposed them to health hazards.
Rev Asuming-Brempong, emphasised that apart from hazardous tasks given to children that posed a threat to their development, activities such as house chores and light work on farms were considered normal and healthy to the proper upbringing of children adding that “Traditionally family farms and with family enterprises is seen as part of the process by which children are trained towards adulthood.”
In her address, the Director and Founder of Rescue Foundation, Ghana, Madam Sylvia Hinson- Ekong, spoke about problems confronting children in schools in cocoa growing communities and mentioned lack of motivation of children and teachers, lack of proper school infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, lack of access to district scholarships, and inadequate learning and teaching materials as some of the factors that influenced child labour practice in the country.
Giving a brief on the project, the Project Co-ordinator, Mr Joshua Roland Baidoo, said the project which started in 2004, employed a community-based approach to enable cocoa farmers, their families and communities to make necessary changes in their labour practices as well as help them understand child development and educational needs.
The Director of PDA, Mr Tony Dogbe, who launched the organisation and its report, called on all to join in the fight against child labour and appealed to government to consider the children of cocoa farmers in rural communities since they (cocoa farmers) produced large income for the economy of the country.
Story: Matilda Attram
A CIVIL society organisation aimed at contributing to the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) in the country has been inaugurated.
Known as ‘Yen Daakye Movement’, the organisation is a community-based movement that works in collaboration with Participatory Development Associates Limited (PDA), a non-governmental organisation. It is funded by the International Cocoa Initiatives (ICI) and aims at eliminating child labour in cocoa producing communities.
The first edition of the organisation’s report, which was launched during the inaugural ceremony, gives an account of some projects it had undertaken by ensuring the safety of children in very deprived cocoa growing communities.
Dubbed ‘Securing the Future of our Children, Getting on Track with Basics in Education’, the 16-page report highlights on programmes undertaken by the organisation, its aims and achievements, and some testimonies from beneficiaries.
Addressing the ceremony in Accra, a Lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences at the University of Ghana, Rev Samuel Asuming-Brempong, indicated that the issue of child labour in cocoa cuiltivation, had been a common problem in all nations, especially developing ones which needed great interventions.
He said the problem which, was identified in the early part of the 19th century had received much attention from stakeholders in the country, but remained a disturbing factor in the development of children.
He stated that although the development of children required some training to enable them acquire skills for their future, there was the need for the education and sensitisation of parents and guardians to their interpretation of the difference between child work and child labour.
He defined child work as activities that enabled children to acquire the necessary skills for their future without interfering with their development, education and health, while child labour constituted activities that deprived children of their development, education and exposed them to health hazards.
Rev Asuming-Brempong, emphasised that apart from hazardous tasks given to children that posed a threat to their development, activities such as house chores and light work on farms were considered normal and healthy to the proper upbringing of children adding that “Traditionally family farms and with family enterprises is seen as part of the process by which children are trained towards adulthood.”
In her address, the Director and Founder of Rescue Foundation, Ghana, Madam Sylvia Hinson- Ekong, spoke about problems confronting children in schools in cocoa growing communities and mentioned lack of motivation of children and teachers, lack of proper school infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, lack of access to district scholarships, and inadequate learning and teaching materials as some of the factors that influenced child labour practice in the country.
Giving a brief on the project, the Project Co-ordinator, Mr Joshua Roland Baidoo, said the project which started in 2004, employed a community-based approach to enable cocoa farmers, their families and communities to make necessary changes in their labour practices as well as help them understand child development and educational needs.
The Director of PDA, Mr Tony Dogbe, who launched the organisation and its report, called on all to join in the fight against child labour and appealed to government to consider the children of cocoa farmers in rural communities since they (cocoa farmers) produced large income for the economy of the country.
Voters rush to register
Published in the Daily Graphic on 21/06/2010, pg 3
Story: Matilda Attram
DESPITE the early morning downpour, a lot of people rushed to the voters' registration centres in Accra yesterday to get their names into the voters' register since that was the last day of the exercise.
Throughout the 10-day period prospective voters showed keen interest in the nation-wide voters registration exercise.
There were long queues at all the centres as the people waited patiently for their turns.
The 10-day exercise was meant for Ghanaians who were unable to register in 2008 for the general elections and prospective first-time voters who have just turned 18 or above, as well as replace lost voter identity (ID) cards.
During visits to some centres within the Osu Klottey District, the Daily Graphic observed a large number of prospective voters waiting to be registered.
While some waited patiently, others were impatient and demanding that they be registered quickly.
At the Odawna Official Town registration centres, this reporter counted more than 150 people in queues waiting to be registered at the two centres.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Registration Officer for the Odawna Official Town Centre 'A', Mr Clement Amevor, said the turnout for the last day of the exercise was a better, compared to that of the first day.
According to him, the centre registered less than 100 prospective voters on the first day but the figure increased as the days went by.
At the time of filing this report at about 10:30am yesterday , the centre had registered a total of 1,068 . It also replaced 229 ID cards.
The Registration Officer for the Odawna Official Town Centre 'B', Mr Afram Stanley Addo, also indicated the turnout on the first day was poor, adding "My centre registered only 53 people on the first day but today is different."
He mentioned inadequate registration materials, frequent power outages by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the misconduct of some prospective voters as challenges which slowed the process of the exercise when it began on June 11.
At the time of Daily Graphic's visit, it was realised that the centre had registered a total of 1,335 people and replaced 157 ID cards.
In a related development a number of registration assistants who also spoke to the Daily Graphic admitted that the Hiti technology equipment which were used in taking pictures, printing and lamination were an improvement over the ones used in the previous exercises which were often characterised with various problems.
One of the registration assistants, Mr Awuley Mensah, said the Team 100, which trained and provided support to the exercise in all the 10 regions, should be commended and urged the Electoral Commission to continue updating the equipment used in the exercise.
He said even though they did not have problems with the equipment, the difficulties they encountered included the shortage of undertaking forms for those aged 20 years and above.
Story: Matilda Attram
DESPITE the early morning downpour, a lot of people rushed to the voters' registration centres in Accra yesterday to get their names into the voters' register since that was the last day of the exercise.
Throughout the 10-day period prospective voters showed keen interest in the nation-wide voters registration exercise.
There were long queues at all the centres as the people waited patiently for their turns.
The 10-day exercise was meant for Ghanaians who were unable to register in 2008 for the general elections and prospective first-time voters who have just turned 18 or above, as well as replace lost voter identity (ID) cards.
During visits to some centres within the Osu Klottey District, the Daily Graphic observed a large number of prospective voters waiting to be registered.
While some waited patiently, others were impatient and demanding that they be registered quickly.
At the Odawna Official Town registration centres, this reporter counted more than 150 people in queues waiting to be registered at the two centres.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Registration Officer for the Odawna Official Town Centre 'A', Mr Clement Amevor, said the turnout for the last day of the exercise was a better, compared to that of the first day.
According to him, the centre registered less than 100 prospective voters on the first day but the figure increased as the days went by.
At the time of filing this report at about 10:30am yesterday , the centre had registered a total of 1,068 . It also replaced 229 ID cards.
The Registration Officer for the Odawna Official Town Centre 'B', Mr Afram Stanley Addo, also indicated the turnout on the first day was poor, adding "My centre registered only 53 people on the first day but today is different."
He mentioned inadequate registration materials, frequent power outages by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the misconduct of some prospective voters as challenges which slowed the process of the exercise when it began on June 11.
At the time of Daily Graphic's visit, it was realised that the centre had registered a total of 1,335 people and replaced 157 ID cards.
In a related development a number of registration assistants who also spoke to the Daily Graphic admitted that the Hiti technology equipment which were used in taking pictures, printing and lamination were an improvement over the ones used in the previous exercises which were often characterised with various problems.
One of the registration assistants, Mr Awuley Mensah, said the Team 100, which trained and provided support to the exercise in all the 10 regions, should be commended and urged the Electoral Commission to continue updating the equipment used in the exercise.
He said even though they did not have problems with the equipment, the difficulties they encountered included the shortage of undertaking forms for those aged 20 years and above.
Poor supervision affects school performance
Published in the Daily Graphic on 18/06/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The lack of supervision of teachers has been identified as a contributing factor to the poor academic performance in some public schools in the country.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo who made the observation has consequently charged circuit supervisors to intensify supervision of schools under their jurisdiction for optimal results.
He said the problem of ineffective supervision made some good teachers perform poorly which, resulted in the low teaching and learning outcomes of schools.
“ It is a fact that public basic schools do not perform as creditably as private schools although there are some exceptions that rob shoulder with these private ones,” he stated.
The Minister was speaking at the 34th Annual National Conference of Managers of the Catholic Educational Unit (COMCEU) in Accra.
It was to create opportunities for participants from various parts of the country to share their experiences and challenges in the delivery of their duties in the educational sector.
It was also intended to allow the participants to discuss measures that would enhance their duties.
Mr Tetteh-Enyo said there was also the need to monitor the effectiveness of teachers through their performance by regularly visiting the schools and inspecting their lesson notes.
He said they could also mount in-service training programmes to equip teachers to deliver.
Mr Tetteh-Enyo commended the role churches and religious bodies played to complement the delivery of education in the country and gave the assurance that sections of the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778) would be implemented to its fullest.
According to him, the Act provided the decentralisation of education which, included the provision and management of basic and second cycle schools to District Assemblies.
He stated that it made it imperative for ministries of local government and education to jointly work out the decentralisation policy guidelines and strategies.
He called on COMCEU to continue supporting the nation’s education as it had already demonstrated in the high ethical and spiritual ideals of its products.
Speaking on the theme ‘Good Character Formation: The Role of the Catholic Education’, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev Philip Naameh, stated that the formation of character was a collective effort of parents and teachers and encouraged all to teach the youth to adopt the culture of the country.
In his welcoming address, the President of COMCEU, Rev Fr Addae Boateng, appealed to the government to encourage and permit religious bodies to manage their educational institutions to help minimise the high incidence of immoral decadence in society.
He stressed on the vision of the Catholic education to continue to imbibe in the students good ethical and moral virtues.
Story: Matilda Attram
The lack of supervision of teachers has been identified as a contributing factor to the poor academic performance in some public schools in the country.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo who made the observation has consequently charged circuit supervisors to intensify supervision of schools under their jurisdiction for optimal results.
He said the problem of ineffective supervision made some good teachers perform poorly which, resulted in the low teaching and learning outcomes of schools.
“ It is a fact that public basic schools do not perform as creditably as private schools although there are some exceptions that rob shoulder with these private ones,” he stated.
The Minister was speaking at the 34th Annual National Conference of Managers of the Catholic Educational Unit (COMCEU) in Accra.
It was to create opportunities for participants from various parts of the country to share their experiences and challenges in the delivery of their duties in the educational sector.
It was also intended to allow the participants to discuss measures that would enhance their duties.
Mr Tetteh-Enyo said there was also the need to monitor the effectiveness of teachers through their performance by regularly visiting the schools and inspecting their lesson notes.
He said they could also mount in-service training programmes to equip teachers to deliver.
Mr Tetteh-Enyo commended the role churches and religious bodies played to complement the delivery of education in the country and gave the assurance that sections of the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778) would be implemented to its fullest.
According to him, the Act provided the decentralisation of education which, included the provision and management of basic and second cycle schools to District Assemblies.
He stated that it made it imperative for ministries of local government and education to jointly work out the decentralisation policy guidelines and strategies.
He called on COMCEU to continue supporting the nation’s education as it had already demonstrated in the high ethical and spiritual ideals of its products.
Speaking on the theme ‘Good Character Formation: The Role of the Catholic Education’, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, Most Rev Philip Naameh, stated that the formation of character was a collective effort of parents and teachers and encouraged all to teach the youth to adopt the culture of the country.
In his welcoming address, the President of COMCEU, Rev Fr Addae Boateng, appealed to the government to encourage and permit religious bodies to manage their educational institutions to help minimise the high incidence of immoral decadence in society.
He stressed on the vision of the Catholic education to continue to imbibe in the students good ethical and moral virtues.
Asylum Down drainage needs repairs
Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/6/2010, pg 23
Story & Picture: Matilda Attram
Residents of Asylum Down in Accra have expressed worry about the poor state of the main drainage system in the area.
They complained that the drain which served as the major drainage system in the area and other neighbouring areas had been destroyed by the recent rains and people who use it as their place of convenience and a dumping ground for waste.
According to them, the state of the drain posed danger to their lives and properties and also affected their health because of the indiscriminate dumping of human excreta and waste.
When the Daily Graphic visited the drains yesterday, it observed that part of its walls had broken down while other parts were cracked.
Madam Agartha Frimpomaa, a resident, who narrated the situation to the Daily Graphic, said a contractor started building the walls of the drain about four years ago but could not complete it.
She said the contractor came back four months ago to continue the work which had then reached parts of her house, stopped the work and had since not returned.
“We have tried calling him since last week when the walls got broken by the rains but to no avail. He only tells us there is no money to continue,” she stated.
Madam Frimpomaa, who is also a trader at the Kantamanto market, stated that she got home from the market last Wednesday only to find out that parts of her walls were broken with other parts cracked due to the rains.
She also made it known that the rains damaged some properties since water entered the rooms in the house, adding that: “Now we don’t know our fate during the next rainfall, especially when we are not at home.”
Another resident in the area who wants to remain anonymous, in reaction to the dumping of rubbish into the drain, said people continued to use the drain as their place of convenience and dumping ground which caused health hazards to residents.
‘’People keep on defecating into the gutter and if you question them, they rather threaten you. I observed a situation where one lady was chased up just for complaining when someone was doing it right in front of her house,’’
He said the area faced many challenges and the poor state of the drain was one of them.
He also indicated that there was only one public toilet situated around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle which served the area apart from others in neighbouring areas.
According to him, the situation had been reported to authorities in charge of the city but had received no favourable response.
Other people who were not residents but had their businesses situated in and around the area also shared their views on the bad stench in the area and appealed to the city authorities to take effective action.
An official of the Osu Klottey Sub-Metro District Council of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) who spoke to the Daily Graphic, revealed that the assembly gave out the contract some years ago and gave the assurance that the authorities would take measures to curb the situation.
Story & Picture: Matilda Attram
Residents of Asylum Down in Accra have expressed worry about the poor state of the main drainage system in the area.
They complained that the drain which served as the major drainage system in the area and other neighbouring areas had been destroyed by the recent rains and people who use it as their place of convenience and a dumping ground for waste.
According to them, the state of the drain posed danger to their lives and properties and also affected their health because of the indiscriminate dumping of human excreta and waste.
When the Daily Graphic visited the drains yesterday, it observed that part of its walls had broken down while other parts were cracked.
Madam Agartha Frimpomaa, a resident, who narrated the situation to the Daily Graphic, said a contractor started building the walls of the drain about four years ago but could not complete it.
She said the contractor came back four months ago to continue the work which had then reached parts of her house, stopped the work and had since not returned.
“We have tried calling him since last week when the walls got broken by the rains but to no avail. He only tells us there is no money to continue,” she stated.
Madam Frimpomaa, who is also a trader at the Kantamanto market, stated that she got home from the market last Wednesday only to find out that parts of her walls were broken with other parts cracked due to the rains.
She also made it known that the rains damaged some properties since water entered the rooms in the house, adding that: “Now we don’t know our fate during the next rainfall, especially when we are not at home.”
Another resident in the area who wants to remain anonymous, in reaction to the dumping of rubbish into the drain, said people continued to use the drain as their place of convenience and dumping ground which caused health hazards to residents.
‘’People keep on defecating into the gutter and if you question them, they rather threaten you. I observed a situation where one lady was chased up just for complaining when someone was doing it right in front of her house,’’
He said the area faced many challenges and the poor state of the drain was one of them.
He also indicated that there was only one public toilet situated around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle which served the area apart from others in neighbouring areas.
According to him, the situation had been reported to authorities in charge of the city but had received no favourable response.
Other people who were not residents but had their businesses situated in and around the area also shared their views on the bad stench in the area and appealed to the city authorities to take effective action.
An official of the Osu Klottey Sub-Metro District Council of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) who spoke to the Daily Graphic, revealed that the assembly gave out the contract some years ago and gave the assurance that the authorities would take measures to curb the situation.
Youth Club cleans Dansoman
Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/06/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
Youth Club cleans Dansoman
Members of the Dansoman chapter of the Junior Chambers International (JCI), last week-end embarked on a clean-up exercise at the Dansoman last stop lorry station in Accra.
The exercise, which was part of the group’s social responsibility towards its community, was aimed at clearing filth at the surroundings of the community.
In collaboration with the Dansoman Keep-Fit Club and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, members of the organisation spent about three hours to clear weeds and desilt choked gutters.
Some members swept the surroundings in and around the station and removed rubbish from various corners of the gutters.
The President of the Dansoman chapter of JCI, Ms Kate Adobaya, said the exercise was initiated to help make the environment a clean one for community members as well as explore the commercial opportunities inherent in sanitation.
She noted that the exercise was also part of the group’s project to impact on its community the need to keep an environment clean.
“This is in line with the United Nation’s (UN) Millennium Development Goals to sensitise the public to keep their surroundings clean,” she said.
It was under the theme ‘JCI: Impacting Our Community Through Cleanliness’.
Ms Adobaya, described the organisation as a non-governmental, non-profit and a non-partisan one which focused on individual development and opportunities that empowered young people to create positive changes in their communities.
“JCI is a world-wide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs which represented different occupations.
It currently has an active participation in the UN system including its agents like the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),” she added.
The Chairman of the Dansoman Keep-Fit Club, Mr Daniel Welbeck, expressed appreciation for the organisation’s drive to improve on development and urged them to expand their objectives to other parts of the community.
The exercise ended with a sensitisation talk on sanitation.
Story: Matilda Attram
Youth Club cleans Dansoman
Members of the Dansoman chapter of the Junior Chambers International (JCI), last week-end embarked on a clean-up exercise at the Dansoman last stop lorry station in Accra.
The exercise, which was part of the group’s social responsibility towards its community, was aimed at clearing filth at the surroundings of the community.
In collaboration with the Dansoman Keep-Fit Club and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, members of the organisation spent about three hours to clear weeds and desilt choked gutters.
Some members swept the surroundings in and around the station and removed rubbish from various corners of the gutters.
The President of the Dansoman chapter of JCI, Ms Kate Adobaya, said the exercise was initiated to help make the environment a clean one for community members as well as explore the commercial opportunities inherent in sanitation.
She noted that the exercise was also part of the group’s project to impact on its community the need to keep an environment clean.
“This is in line with the United Nation’s (UN) Millennium Development Goals to sensitise the public to keep their surroundings clean,” she said.
It was under the theme ‘JCI: Impacting Our Community Through Cleanliness’.
Ms Adobaya, described the organisation as a non-governmental, non-profit and a non-partisan one which focused on individual development and opportunities that empowered young people to create positive changes in their communities.
“JCI is a world-wide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs which represented different occupations.
It currently has an active participation in the UN system including its agents like the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),” she added.
The Chairman of the Dansoman Keep-Fit Club, Mr Daniel Welbeck, expressed appreciation for the organisation’s drive to improve on development and urged them to expand their objectives to other parts of the community.
The exercise ended with a sensitisation talk on sanitation.
James Town Mantse marks 32nd anniversary
Published in the Daily Graphic on 15/06/2010, pg 18
Story: Matilda Attram
A durbar of chiefs, queens and the people of James Town has been held in Accra to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the enstoolment of the James Town Mantse, with a call on the Gas to use this year's Homowo festival to unite.
Prior to the durbar, the James Town Mantse, Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, led his people to attend a thanksgiving service at the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity.
Attended by a cross section of the chiefs and people of the Ga State, the events also marked the 90th birthday celebration of Nii Ababio V, who is also known in private life as Mr Ezekiel Quarmina Allotey Cofie.
Speaking at the durbar, Nii Ababio V, stated that the people of the Ga State enjoyed relative peace through unity citing James Town as one of the towns within the Ga State to have maintained the peace, and expressed the hope that it would continue.
"Today James Town enjoys relative peace in the Ga Traditional area, not because of my extraordinary capabilities but because the chiefs and people of James Town have accepted that in circumstances, jaw-jawing is a superior mode of arbitration. We have lived with love for one another ,and that belief is what has kept us going," he stated.
Sharing his experience as the chief of James Town, Nii Ababio V indicated that although he encountered bad times , he depended on God as well as the people of James Town who supported him in all activities.
He used the opportunity to express gratitude to the people of James Town and the Ga Traditional Council for co-operating with him to succeed, and gave the assurance of his continuous support towards the development of the area.
"For thirty two years as a chief and ninety years of existence would definitely have come with their own strains and pressures that may have led me to give up on patience on many occasions but for your love and support, I wouldn't have made it this far.
‘’Let me use this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from any that I have by utterance or action offended and let us continue enjoying our peace for the progress of our area and country," he concluded.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa, the Most Rev Dr Justice Offei Akrofi, encouraged Christians to seek God's intervention in their activities and remain faithful to Him so as to enjoy His blessings.
Goodwill messages were delivered to Nii Ababio V for to his immense contribution towards the development of the Ga Traditional State and the nation.
Personalities present to grace the occasion included the former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the NPP Chairman, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the former Mayor of Accra, Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawia Quaye, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Augustine Blay, the Vice President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and Prampram Mantse, Nene Tetteh Djan, among others.
Story: Matilda Attram
A durbar of chiefs, queens and the people of James Town has been held in Accra to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the enstoolment of the James Town Mantse, with a call on the Gas to use this year's Homowo festival to unite.
Prior to the durbar, the James Town Mantse, Oblempong Nii Kojo Ababio V, led his people to attend a thanksgiving service at the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity.
Attended by a cross section of the chiefs and people of the Ga State, the events also marked the 90th birthday celebration of Nii Ababio V, who is also known in private life as Mr Ezekiel Quarmina Allotey Cofie.
Speaking at the durbar, Nii Ababio V, stated that the people of the Ga State enjoyed relative peace through unity citing James Town as one of the towns within the Ga State to have maintained the peace, and expressed the hope that it would continue.
"Today James Town enjoys relative peace in the Ga Traditional area, not because of my extraordinary capabilities but because the chiefs and people of James Town have accepted that in circumstances, jaw-jawing is a superior mode of arbitration. We have lived with love for one another ,and that belief is what has kept us going," he stated.
Sharing his experience as the chief of James Town, Nii Ababio V indicated that although he encountered bad times , he depended on God as well as the people of James Town who supported him in all activities.
He used the opportunity to express gratitude to the people of James Town and the Ga Traditional Council for co-operating with him to succeed, and gave the assurance of his continuous support towards the development of the area.
"For thirty two years as a chief and ninety years of existence would definitely have come with their own strains and pressures that may have led me to give up on patience on many occasions but for your love and support, I wouldn't have made it this far.
‘’Let me use this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from any that I have by utterance or action offended and let us continue enjoying our peace for the progress of our area and country," he concluded.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa, the Most Rev Dr Justice Offei Akrofi, encouraged Christians to seek God's intervention in their activities and remain faithful to Him so as to enjoy His blessings.
Goodwill messages were delivered to Nii Ababio V for to his immense contribution towards the development of the Ga Traditional State and the nation.
Personalities present to grace the occasion included the former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the NPP Chairman, Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the former Mayor of Accra, Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawia Quaye, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Augustine Blay, the Vice President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and Prampram Mantse, Nene Tetteh Djan, among others.
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