Published in the Daily Graphic on 2/08/2010, pg 38
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Asylum Down drain in Accra is receiving attention from the city authorities based on the complaints made by residents in the area.
During a visit to the site of the drain by the Daily Graphic last week-end, it was observed that reconstruction work on the drain had started, following complaints by residents.
On June 17 this year, the Daily Graphic reported of the worries of residents of the Asylum Down locality on the poor state of the main drainage system in the area.
Most residents and users of the area complained about the bad state of the drain and how it could affect the area during rainfall.
They also complained of the bad stench from the drain due to the negative attitudes of others who used the it as their refuse dumps.
The drain, which serves as the main drainage system in the area, is said to be a hydraulic structure constructed to take and discharge a volume of water and other liquid waste.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Head of Drainage for the Hydrological Services Department, under the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Wise AMETEK, explained that the drain was originally constructed in the 1960’s in a trapezoidal shape with a nominal re-inforcement designed not to take loads.
He said the drain was in a bad state and collapsing on account of the large amount of pressure it received from residents who had built structures very close to it.
“People building very close to the drain transfer a lot of pressure onto it and that makes it fail to function,” he said.
He further stated that the structure also got weaker as a result of the bad manner through which liquid waste were discharged into it.
He added that the volume of liquid waste that flowed in through the structure had increased, making it difficult for the structure to perform its functions.
Mr Ametefe pointed out that plans were initiated to expand the structure to reduce the volume of pressure on the drains to enable it carry more flow but could not be done because of the encroachment of the banks of the structure by residents.
“Contractors even find it difficult to work on the drain because there are no spaces between the houses and the structure to allow easy passage during the re-construction of some parts,” he stated.
Due to this, he said, the authorities had been compelled to change the triangular shape of the structure to a rectangular one that would help increase its carriage capacity.
He described work on the structure as an emergency one, mentioning the lack of income as the cause of the delay in the restructuring process of the structure.
“The stretch of work to be done on it is very big but cannot be consistent due to the little money available to us now. In view of that, a request has been filed to government to provide funds for the work,” he added.
Mr Ametefe, therefore, advised residents to properly channel liquid waste into drains, observe space between their homes and the drain, as well as avoid throwing solid waste into the drain.
WITH PIX :
Pix showing the present state of the Asylum Down Drain under reconstruction.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Economic stability not a fluke, says veep
Published in the Daily Graphic on 11/08/2010, Front pg
Story:Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday assured the business community that the macro-economic stability being witnessed in the country is a reality which has come to stay and not a fluke.
He, therefore, urged banks that were pursuing a wait-and-see attitude to wake up to the reality and take a cue from the positive economic performance to reduce their interest rates.
Mr Mahama gave the assurance when he launched 490 Yutong buses on the theme, “An efficient transport system for a better Ghana”, in Accra yesterday.
In 2010, the need to ensure an efficient transport system and augment the stock of buses that were imported arose.
Consequently, the 490 buses were imported in bits to operate as intercity buses to ferry workers and other travellers in the country.
J.A. Plant Pool Ghana Limited has been a major stakeholder in importing fresh buses to beef up the stock of commercial long-distance vehicles in the country.
The Vice-President said the unrestrained over expenditure of the 2006 to 2008 era had largely been contained, with the “runaway inflation, rising interest rates and sharply eroding currency that characterised the economy when we took power brought under control”.
He said the cedi had enjoyed the most stable 12-month period since foreign exchange deregulation was introduced in the country, stressing that that created a predictable environment for business planning.
Mr Mahama said inflation had dropped to a single digit and expressed strong optimism that it would reach the eight per cent mark by the end of December.
“Let me thank the banking sector for taking a cue from the positive economic performance to reduce interest rates. It is not possible to accelerate the growth of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in an environment of high credit costs,” he said.
The Vice-President said agricultural growth had been robust, attaining 6.1 per cent last year, and expected to exceed seven per cent growth this year.
He said that had stabilised food prices, particularly in the crop sub-sector, and gave positive indications for achieving food security for Ghana in the near future.
He said an important stabilising factor for the economy had been the increase in the country’s foreign reserves from $1.8 billion to $3.5 billion.
Mr Mahama said preliminary data from the Bank of Ghana indicated a half-year GDP growth rate of 7.2 per cent and an increase in government spending of almost 30 per cent above 2009 and noted that the government anticipated GDP growth above eight per cent and 10 per cent for 2011 and 2012, respectively.
He said the transport sub-sector was a crucial part of the SME sector and one that the government considered very strategic to the growth of the economy.
“This is why the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government promised in its manifesto to work with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and others, including the financial institutions, to build an adequate and affordable road transport sector,” he said.
The Vice-President announced that the government had received an offer for the supply of buses following his recent visit to Brazil early this year, saying that the offer would provide additional modern and comfortable buses for Intercity STC and other transport organisations.
He further said Yutong was working to establish its West African spare parts centre and assembling workshop in the country and gave the assurance that the government would provide the necessary support to enable the company to achieve its objective.
In a message, the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Mr Alhassan Andani, said the bank was proud to be part of the success story of bringing the buses into the country.
He said as a subsidiary of the largest bank in Africa, Stanbic Bank Ghana had made it a priority to engage in business that would ultimately better the lives of Ghanaians.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Ativor, commended the Yutong Company for the initiative, saying it would enhance the road transport sector.
Story:Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday assured the business community that the macro-economic stability being witnessed in the country is a reality which has come to stay and not a fluke.
He, therefore, urged banks that were pursuing a wait-and-see attitude to wake up to the reality and take a cue from the positive economic performance to reduce their interest rates.
Mr Mahama gave the assurance when he launched 490 Yutong buses on the theme, “An efficient transport system for a better Ghana”, in Accra yesterday.
In 2010, the need to ensure an efficient transport system and augment the stock of buses that were imported arose.
Consequently, the 490 buses were imported in bits to operate as intercity buses to ferry workers and other travellers in the country.
J.A. Plant Pool Ghana Limited has been a major stakeholder in importing fresh buses to beef up the stock of commercial long-distance vehicles in the country.
The Vice-President said the unrestrained over expenditure of the 2006 to 2008 era had largely been contained, with the “runaway inflation, rising interest rates and sharply eroding currency that characterised the economy when we took power brought under control”.
He said the cedi had enjoyed the most stable 12-month period since foreign exchange deregulation was introduced in the country, stressing that that created a predictable environment for business planning.
Mr Mahama said inflation had dropped to a single digit and expressed strong optimism that it would reach the eight per cent mark by the end of December.
“Let me thank the banking sector for taking a cue from the positive economic performance to reduce interest rates. It is not possible to accelerate the growth of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in an environment of high credit costs,” he said.
The Vice-President said agricultural growth had been robust, attaining 6.1 per cent last year, and expected to exceed seven per cent growth this year.
He said that had stabilised food prices, particularly in the crop sub-sector, and gave positive indications for achieving food security for Ghana in the near future.
He said an important stabilising factor for the economy had been the increase in the country’s foreign reserves from $1.8 billion to $3.5 billion.
Mr Mahama said preliminary data from the Bank of Ghana indicated a half-year GDP growth rate of 7.2 per cent and an increase in government spending of almost 30 per cent above 2009 and noted that the government anticipated GDP growth above eight per cent and 10 per cent for 2011 and 2012, respectively.
He said the transport sub-sector was a crucial part of the SME sector and one that the government considered very strategic to the growth of the economy.
“This is why the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government promised in its manifesto to work with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and others, including the financial institutions, to build an adequate and affordable road transport sector,” he said.
The Vice-President announced that the government had received an offer for the supply of buses following his recent visit to Brazil early this year, saying that the offer would provide additional modern and comfortable buses for Intercity STC and other transport organisations.
He further said Yutong was working to establish its West African spare parts centre and assembling workshop in the country and gave the assurance that the government would provide the necessary support to enable the company to achieve its objective.
In a message, the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Mr Alhassan Andani, said the bank was proud to be part of the success story of bringing the buses into the country.
He said as a subsidiary of the largest bank in Africa, Stanbic Bank Ghana had made it a priority to engage in business that would ultimately better the lives of Ghanaians.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Ativor, commended the Yutong Company for the initiative, saying it would enhance the road transport sector.
Give more time for climate change
Published in the Daily Graphic on 12/08/2010, pg 46
Story: Matilda Attram
THREE speakers at an environmental symposium on climate change have underscored the need for the media to devote more airtime and editorial pages to issues related to global warming and climate change.
That, they said, was important to create awareness of the phenomena and promote behavioural change.
The speakers were Mr Samuel Anku, the Director for Intersectoral Networks of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Tsetseku Yaw Oppong-Boadi, the Principal Programmes Officer of the Energy Resource Climate Change Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) and Dr Nicholas Iddi, the National Project Co-ordinator of the Ghana Environmental Conventions Co-ordinating Authority under the MEST.
It was a collaboration between MEST and the EPA and sponsored by Nokia, a mobile phone manufacturing company.
The one-day event was to build the capacity of journalists on issues related to climate change.
In a presentation, Mr Oppong-Boadi pointed out that Ghana, among other developing countries, was affected by the impact of climate change due to some negative human activities in communities.
He stressed that farmers and rural communities required access to information to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
He mentioned the felling of trees without replanting them and water and industrial pollution as some of the activities that contributed to climate change and called on the media to educate the public on the effects of those conducts.
For his part, Mr Anku stated that although scientific evidence proved that climate change was taking place and that human action was responsible for the speed of the changes, there was still a perceived lack of information and data available to journalists.
He said climate change was a relatively new concept within the Ghanaian media and that only few journalists and editors had a good appreciation of the issues involved.
He indicated that due to that, efforts were being made by organisations to promote closer collaboration between researchers and journalists to make existing information available to the media.
In his remarks, Dr Iddi described climate change as a developmental and governance issue which had implications for all sectors of the economy.
He stated that the issue continued to receive and retain the attention of policy makers, since it was recognised as one of the key drivers of development.
According to him, the impact of the phenomenon was projected to be most severe for developing nations, including Ghana, and, therefore, needed careful attention by all.
“The socio-economic implications of climate change are real and conscious efforts should be made to manage them,” Dr Iddi added.
In a statement, the Communications Manager of Nokia, West Africa, Mr Osagie Ogunbor, said the company embarked on a recycling exercise on electronic waste as its contribution to sustain the environment.
Story: Matilda Attram
THREE speakers at an environmental symposium on climate change have underscored the need for the media to devote more airtime and editorial pages to issues related to global warming and climate change.
That, they said, was important to create awareness of the phenomena and promote behavioural change.
The speakers were Mr Samuel Anku, the Director for Intersectoral Networks of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Tsetseku Yaw Oppong-Boadi, the Principal Programmes Officer of the Energy Resource Climate Change Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) and Dr Nicholas Iddi, the National Project Co-ordinator of the Ghana Environmental Conventions Co-ordinating Authority under the MEST.
It was a collaboration between MEST and the EPA and sponsored by Nokia, a mobile phone manufacturing company.
The one-day event was to build the capacity of journalists on issues related to climate change.
In a presentation, Mr Oppong-Boadi pointed out that Ghana, among other developing countries, was affected by the impact of climate change due to some negative human activities in communities.
He stressed that farmers and rural communities required access to information to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
He mentioned the felling of trees without replanting them and water and industrial pollution as some of the activities that contributed to climate change and called on the media to educate the public on the effects of those conducts.
For his part, Mr Anku stated that although scientific evidence proved that climate change was taking place and that human action was responsible for the speed of the changes, there was still a perceived lack of information and data available to journalists.
He said climate change was a relatively new concept within the Ghanaian media and that only few journalists and editors had a good appreciation of the issues involved.
He indicated that due to that, efforts were being made by organisations to promote closer collaboration between researchers and journalists to make existing information available to the media.
In his remarks, Dr Iddi described climate change as a developmental and governance issue which had implications for all sectors of the economy.
He stated that the issue continued to receive and retain the attention of policy makers, since it was recognised as one of the key drivers of development.
According to him, the impact of the phenomenon was projected to be most severe for developing nations, including Ghana, and, therefore, needed careful attention by all.
“The socio-economic implications of climate change are real and conscious efforts should be made to manage them,” Dr Iddi added.
In a statement, the Communications Manager of Nokia, West Africa, Mr Osagie Ogunbor, said the company embarked on a recycling exercise on electronic waste as its contribution to sustain the environment.
Audit Service donates to orphanage
Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/08/2010, pg 19
Story: Matilda Attram, Bawjiase
The Countryside Orphanage at Bawjiase in the Central Region has received a donation of assorted items worth GH¢3,000 from the Ghana Audit Service.
The items are toilet rolls, gallons of cooking oil, bags of sugar and rice, cartons of Cowbell powered milk, bags of used clothing and cash of GH¢2,500.
The donation, made by the management and staff of the Ghana Audit Service, is to assist with the upkeep of the inmates.
It also forms part of activities slated for the centenary celebration of the service.
According to the Assistant Auditor-General in charge of Public Accounts, Mr George Winful, who presented the items, the decision to assist the orphanage was meant to express love to the inmates of the orphanage and share with others in society, especially the less privileged.
He said apart from visiting the Countryside Orphanage, the service had also made presentations to other institutions, such as the Akropong School for the Blind in the Eastern Region.
He expressed satisfaction with the operations of the orphanage and assured its management of the service’s support.
Receiving the items, the Founder and Mother of the orphanage, Mrs Emma Boafo, said since its establishment in 1983, it had depended on the support of benevolent organisations for its smooth operations.
She said the aim of the institution was to nurture and train needy children to become responsible adults in future.
Mrs Boafo thanked the management and staff of the Ghana Audit Service for their gesture and appealed to other organisations to donate towards the operations of the orphanage.
The Countryside Orphanage, which started with six needy children, now houses 78, including babies, toddlers and physically challenged children.
Story: Matilda Attram, Bawjiase
The Countryside Orphanage at Bawjiase in the Central Region has received a donation of assorted items worth GH¢3,000 from the Ghana Audit Service.
The items are toilet rolls, gallons of cooking oil, bags of sugar and rice, cartons of Cowbell powered milk, bags of used clothing and cash of GH¢2,500.
The donation, made by the management and staff of the Ghana Audit Service, is to assist with the upkeep of the inmates.
It also forms part of activities slated for the centenary celebration of the service.
According to the Assistant Auditor-General in charge of Public Accounts, Mr George Winful, who presented the items, the decision to assist the orphanage was meant to express love to the inmates of the orphanage and share with others in society, especially the less privileged.
He said apart from visiting the Countryside Orphanage, the service had also made presentations to other institutions, such as the Akropong School for the Blind in the Eastern Region.
He expressed satisfaction with the operations of the orphanage and assured its management of the service’s support.
Receiving the items, the Founder and Mother of the orphanage, Mrs Emma Boafo, said since its establishment in 1983, it had depended on the support of benevolent organisations for its smooth operations.
She said the aim of the institution was to nurture and train needy children to become responsible adults in future.
Mrs Boafo thanked the management and staff of the Ghana Audit Service for their gesture and appealed to other organisations to donate towards the operations of the orphanage.
The Countryside Orphanage, which started with six needy children, now houses 78, including babies, toddlers and physically challenged children.
Ama Dela survivors ask for compensation
Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/08/2010, pg 19
Story: Matilda Attram
Exactly 25 years ago today, when more than 30 lives were claimed at the Tema Harbour during the launch of ‘Amma Dela’, a fishing vessel, no compensation has been paid to survivors and families of those who perished in that tragedy.
Consequently a survivor of the accident, Mr Chris Ackummey, has called on the National Insurance Commission and the government to come up with compensation packages for survivors and families of those who perished in that tragedy.
He said the accident was believed to have been caused by a faulty keel of the boat, which claimed more than 30 lives on board, living just few who could survive.
On August, 17, 1985, a tragedy hit the Tema Fishing Harbour when a newly launched fishing vessel capsized and drowned 50 people who had gone on board for a cruise shortly after the unveiling of the vessel.
The 35-footer motor trawler, constructed by KOFIFO Boat Yard Company Limited and owned by Somen Fisheries Limited, keeled over about 15 metres from the wharf after negotiating a curve to return to the quay.
Some victims survived with the help of fishermen who swam towards the vessel to rescue people on board.
Mr Ackummey yesterday told the Daily Graphic in Accra that “according to reports, the boat had not been insured, hence no compensation was paid to survivors and families of those who perished”.
Mr Ackummey claimed his appeal to the National Insurance Company and the government to compensate survivors and families of those who perished lives was in line with the practice in other countries.
“In other countries, the National Insurance Company takes up compensation matters when there is no insurance cover for the deceased,” he stated.
Some survivors of the tragedy include Mr Joe Okyere of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and Mr Gamel Nkum, formerly of GCGL.
Story: Matilda Attram
Exactly 25 years ago today, when more than 30 lives were claimed at the Tema Harbour during the launch of ‘Amma Dela’, a fishing vessel, no compensation has been paid to survivors and families of those who perished in that tragedy.
Consequently a survivor of the accident, Mr Chris Ackummey, has called on the National Insurance Commission and the government to come up with compensation packages for survivors and families of those who perished in that tragedy.
He said the accident was believed to have been caused by a faulty keel of the boat, which claimed more than 30 lives on board, living just few who could survive.
On August, 17, 1985, a tragedy hit the Tema Fishing Harbour when a newly launched fishing vessel capsized and drowned 50 people who had gone on board for a cruise shortly after the unveiling of the vessel.
The 35-footer motor trawler, constructed by KOFIFO Boat Yard Company Limited and owned by Somen Fisheries Limited, keeled over about 15 metres from the wharf after negotiating a curve to return to the quay.
Some victims survived with the help of fishermen who swam towards the vessel to rescue people on board.
Mr Ackummey yesterday told the Daily Graphic in Accra that “according to reports, the boat had not been insured, hence no compensation was paid to survivors and families of those who perished”.
Mr Ackummey claimed his appeal to the National Insurance Company and the government to compensate survivors and families of those who perished lives was in line with the practice in other countries.
“In other countries, the National Insurance Company takes up compensation matters when there is no insurance cover for the deceased,” he stated.
Some survivors of the tragedy include Mr Joe Okyere of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and Mr Gamel Nkum, formerly of GCGL.
MOWAC to support female aspirants
Published in the Daily Graphic on 26/08/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has relaunched a programme of activities to support women aspirants in the upcoming district assembly elections.
The support is in the form of jingles in six local languages, a cash of GH¢10,000 and the launch of a 96-page training manual on how to contest elections.
The programme is being undertaken by the ministry, in collaboration with its development partners and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister of MOWAC, Madam Hawawu Gariba Bouya, stated that women contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of every nation but lacked behind their male counterparts in key decision making processes.
She described development as total human centred entity which involved majority of the populace, especially women.
She stressed the need to recognise the role of women in society to move Ghana forward in the right direction.
“It is necessary that as a nation, we recognise the importance of this exercise which seeks to involve the critical mass of the people who happen to be women to be part of the decision-making process in the country”, she stated.
The Minister of MOWAC, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, said the government paid much attention to the participation of women in decision making, adding that women were significant, legitimate and competent actors in society which gave them enough ability to participate in both formal and informal sectors of decision making processes.
She said although the Affirmative Action Policy guidelines of 1998 granted 40 per cent quota to women’s representation on policy making bodies and councils, much had still not been achieved as women continued to remain underrepresented at all levels of development, adding “We are still far from even the target of 30 per cent of decision making positions”.
“Though minimal, our efforts will continue and be sustained until the number of women participating in district level elections increases, and subsequent to that, increase our numbers at the parliamentary level as well”, added Mrs Azumah-Mensah.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, added his voice to the importance of promoting women’s representation in local governance, saying “promoting women in district assembly elections is crucial due to the significant role they play at the grassroots”.
He said although women had little influence in the formal level of decision making processes, they played major roles in the informal sectors, especially in shaping the individual and society.
He further urged all to support women in taking leadership roles at the local levels to promote development.
The Member of Parliament for New Juabeng South Constituency, Madam Beatrice Boateng, who chaired the function, shared her experience in participating in local and national governance with the invited guests and encouraged prospective contestants to be focused in attaining their aims, as well as doing away with timidity and fear.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has relaunched a programme of activities to support women aspirants in the upcoming district assembly elections.
The support is in the form of jingles in six local languages, a cash of GH¢10,000 and the launch of a 96-page training manual on how to contest elections.
The programme is being undertaken by the ministry, in collaboration with its development partners and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister of MOWAC, Madam Hawawu Gariba Bouya, stated that women contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of every nation but lacked behind their male counterparts in key decision making processes.
She described development as total human centred entity which involved majority of the populace, especially women.
She stressed the need to recognise the role of women in society to move Ghana forward in the right direction.
“It is necessary that as a nation, we recognise the importance of this exercise which seeks to involve the critical mass of the people who happen to be women to be part of the decision-making process in the country”, she stated.
The Minister of MOWAC, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, said the government paid much attention to the participation of women in decision making, adding that women were significant, legitimate and competent actors in society which gave them enough ability to participate in both formal and informal sectors of decision making processes.
She said although the Affirmative Action Policy guidelines of 1998 granted 40 per cent quota to women’s representation on policy making bodies and councils, much had still not been achieved as women continued to remain underrepresented at all levels of development, adding “We are still far from even the target of 30 per cent of decision making positions”.
“Though minimal, our efforts will continue and be sustained until the number of women participating in district level elections increases, and subsequent to that, increase our numbers at the parliamentary level as well”, added Mrs Azumah-Mensah.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, added his voice to the importance of promoting women’s representation in local governance, saying “promoting women in district assembly elections is crucial due to the significant role they play at the grassroots”.
He said although women had little influence in the formal level of decision making processes, they played major roles in the informal sectors, especially in shaping the individual and society.
He further urged all to support women in taking leadership roles at the local levels to promote development.
The Member of Parliament for New Juabeng South Constituency, Madam Beatrice Boateng, who chaired the function, shared her experience in participating in local and national governance with the invited guests and encouraged prospective contestants to be focused in attaining their aims, as well as doing away with timidity and fear.
Two projects inaugurated at Akramaman
Published in the Daily Graphic on 27/08/2010, pg 18
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Anglican Archbishop of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Dr Justice Ofei Akrofi, has commissioned two development projects at Akramaman in the Ga West Municipality.
The projects, a six-classroom block and a clinic worth about GH¢102,000 is to serve the Akramaman community and its neighbouring communities with basic education and health services.
It was built by the Anglican Diocese of Accra, with support from the Ghana Mothers Hope Incorporated, an NGO in the United States of America (USA).
The classroom block which is to accommodate children from primary one to six adds up to the already built basic schools in the community, but the clinic is the first in the community.
A mini durbar of the chiefs and people of the of Akramaman and its neighbouring communities was held on the school compound to grace the occasion.
In his remarks, Rev. Dr Akrofi encouraged Ghanaians to help themselves to acquire the needed facilities in their communities.
He also entreated them to engage in activities that would enhance peace and development in the country.
For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghanaian Mothers Hope Incorporated, Mrs Debie Frock, expressed appreciation to all who assisted in the development of the projects and assured the Anglican Church of her organisation’s continuous support in providing the needs of the less privileged in society.
She had earlier been installed as the queen of Akramaman with the stool name ‘Naa Shika’ due to her benevolent services towards the development of the community.
The District Chief Executive of Ga West, Nii Armah Tackie, in his address, observed that the completion of the projects were a blessing from God through the Anglican Church and the Mothers Hope Incorporated for the people of Akramaman.
According to him, the community was one of the most peaceful in the district.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Anglican Archbishop of the Province of West Africa, Most Rev. Dr Justice Ofei Akrofi, has commissioned two development projects at Akramaman in the Ga West Municipality.
The projects, a six-classroom block and a clinic worth about GH¢102,000 is to serve the Akramaman community and its neighbouring communities with basic education and health services.
It was built by the Anglican Diocese of Accra, with support from the Ghana Mothers Hope Incorporated, an NGO in the United States of America (USA).
The classroom block which is to accommodate children from primary one to six adds up to the already built basic schools in the community, but the clinic is the first in the community.
A mini durbar of the chiefs and people of the of Akramaman and its neighbouring communities was held on the school compound to grace the occasion.
In his remarks, Rev. Dr Akrofi encouraged Ghanaians to help themselves to acquire the needed facilities in their communities.
He also entreated them to engage in activities that would enhance peace and development in the country.
For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghanaian Mothers Hope Incorporated, Mrs Debie Frock, expressed appreciation to all who assisted in the development of the projects and assured the Anglican Church of her organisation’s continuous support in providing the needs of the less privileged in society.
She had earlier been installed as the queen of Akramaman with the stool name ‘Naa Shika’ due to her benevolent services towards the development of the community.
The District Chief Executive of Ga West, Nii Armah Tackie, in his address, observed that the completion of the projects were a blessing from God through the Anglican Church and the Mothers Hope Incorporated for the people of Akramaman.
According to him, the community was one of the most peaceful in the district.
PLACEMENTS FOR SHS OUT *178,529 miss the boat
Published in the Daily Graphic on 28/08/2010, pg 11
Article: Matilda Attram
ONE of the results of domestic violence is mental health problems, such as major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, among others.
According to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, domestic violence was not only a legal problem. It is a multifaceted problem and its solution demands a multidisciplinary approach.
One way Ghana has responded to domestic violence is through criminal prosecution, and this is a system which usually brings victims face-to-face with perpetrators in the court of law. After the system had run its course, a perpetrator is either convicted and jailed or discharged and acquitted.
Speaking at a dialogue session to engage clinical psychologists in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (DV Act), 2007 (Act 732), in Accra, Mrs Mould-Iddrisu pointed out that most victims were often left embittered, emotionally distraught and unattended to after gruesome court battles.
The programme brought together clinical psychologists from various parts of the country to share their experiences in their fields of study. They were also expected to come up with measures that would earn them maximum recognition in the legal system of the country, especially in the implementation of the DV Act.
Mrs Mould-Iddrisu declared that human behaviour was complex and cognisant of the fact that clinical psychologists, who were trained in the scientific study of human behaviour, had a major role to play in all sectors of the legal system of a country.
She said psychologists had a critical role to play to meet the mental health needs of victims of domestic violence and this role of clinical psychologists was duly recognised within the DV Act, which was the first legislation in Ghana to recognise clinical psychologists and assign them specific roles.
According to her, the disciplines of law and psychology worked together to produce results that could better situations in society, adding, "The forgoing makes the involvement of psychologists in the justice system very imperative as their services are being sought at different points in the criminal justice system.”
Mrs Mould-Iddrisu added that in other jurisdictions, psychologists assisted in the assessment of individuals to provide clinical judgement that informed the police, courts, the prison or probation services on the psychological functioning of an individual.
"This, in a way can influence the different processes of the criminal justice system. For example, a psychologist may be asked to assess individuals in order to determine whether they are fit to stand trial or whether they have a mental illness which means that they would not understand the proceedings", she added.
She further emphasised the need for psychologists to be involved in the prison system since they helped to transform inmates to enable them fit back into society after serving their jail term.
She assured participants of her support to engage clinical psychologists in the legal system of the country.
In his welcome address, the National Co-ordinator for Domestic Violence Coalition at the Methodist University College of Ghana, Mr Adolf Awuku Bekoe, indicated that the group stood to strengthen the implementation of the DV Act and its related issues.
He expressed optimism that the workshop would attract stakeholders to give clinical psychologists the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the country.
In a statement, the Chairman for the occasion, Professor Charles Mate-Korle of the Department of Psychology at the University of Ghana, called on the government to find ways of engaging psychologists in all aspects of the adjudication system.
The clinical psychologists in turn called on the government to give them maximum recognition in the legal system of the country, especially in the implementation of the DV Act.
The Coalition on Domestic Violence Legislation in Ghana consists of a group of organisations such as the Association of Women Lawyers, Action Aid and FIDA among others who work in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC) to fight for the needs of the vulnerable in society.
Article: Matilda Attram
ONE of the results of domestic violence is mental health problems, such as major depression, post traumatic stress disorder, among others.
According to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, domestic violence was not only a legal problem. It is a multifaceted problem and its solution demands a multidisciplinary approach.
One way Ghana has responded to domestic violence is through criminal prosecution, and this is a system which usually brings victims face-to-face with perpetrators in the court of law. After the system had run its course, a perpetrator is either convicted and jailed or discharged and acquitted.
Speaking at a dialogue session to engage clinical psychologists in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (DV Act), 2007 (Act 732), in Accra, Mrs Mould-Iddrisu pointed out that most victims were often left embittered, emotionally distraught and unattended to after gruesome court battles.
The programme brought together clinical psychologists from various parts of the country to share their experiences in their fields of study. They were also expected to come up with measures that would earn them maximum recognition in the legal system of the country, especially in the implementation of the DV Act.
Mrs Mould-Iddrisu declared that human behaviour was complex and cognisant of the fact that clinical psychologists, who were trained in the scientific study of human behaviour, had a major role to play in all sectors of the legal system of a country.
She said psychologists had a critical role to play to meet the mental health needs of victims of domestic violence and this role of clinical psychologists was duly recognised within the DV Act, which was the first legislation in Ghana to recognise clinical psychologists and assign them specific roles.
According to her, the disciplines of law and psychology worked together to produce results that could better situations in society, adding, "The forgoing makes the involvement of psychologists in the justice system very imperative as their services are being sought at different points in the criminal justice system.”
Mrs Mould-Iddrisu added that in other jurisdictions, psychologists assisted in the assessment of individuals to provide clinical judgement that informed the police, courts, the prison or probation services on the psychological functioning of an individual.
"This, in a way can influence the different processes of the criminal justice system. For example, a psychologist may be asked to assess individuals in order to determine whether they are fit to stand trial or whether they have a mental illness which means that they would not understand the proceedings", she added.
She further emphasised the need for psychologists to be involved in the prison system since they helped to transform inmates to enable them fit back into society after serving their jail term.
She assured participants of her support to engage clinical psychologists in the legal system of the country.
In his welcome address, the National Co-ordinator for Domestic Violence Coalition at the Methodist University College of Ghana, Mr Adolf Awuku Bekoe, indicated that the group stood to strengthen the implementation of the DV Act and its related issues.
He expressed optimism that the workshop would attract stakeholders to give clinical psychologists the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the country.
In a statement, the Chairman for the occasion, Professor Charles Mate-Korle of the Department of Psychology at the University of Ghana, called on the government to find ways of engaging psychologists in all aspects of the adjudication system.
The clinical psychologists in turn called on the government to give them maximum recognition in the legal system of the country, especially in the implementation of the DV Act.
The Coalition on Domestic Violence Legislation in Ghana consists of a group of organisations such as the Association of Women Lawyers, Action Aid and FIDA among others who work in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC) to fight for the needs of the vulnerable in society.
Position GTUC as leading ICT University-Haruna Iddrisu advices
Published in the Daily Graphic on 30/08/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
(GTUC) has been inaugurated with a call on the members of the council to urgently position the college as a leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) university in the world.
The council has therefore, been urged to review the strategic plan of the GTUC and also make inputs into the proposed bill to support the legal set up of GTUC as a public tertiary institution.
“The decoupling of GTUC as a fully fledged autonomous ICT university of excellence is therefore an important strategic focus not only for the GTUC, but the government of Ghana,” the Minister for Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, stated as he inaugurated the nine-member council.
The council is expected to approve and support the mission and scope of the institution, set policy for its general operations, improve quality of learning, approve programmes, as well as make changes in existing ones and encourage the co-ordination of all elements of the institution, with focus on building skills and capacity in information technology.
Mr Haruna noted that the GTUC had a primary mission to extend education in engineering, ICT in innovative manner to students on its main campus in Tesano-Accra, as well as across the nation and throughout West Africa through virtual/distance learning.
Beyond this broad mission, the minister said it was important to define an expanded strategic focus for the GTUC, following the decision of the government of Ghana to ensure that GTUC was spun off from Ghana Telecom Company Limited/Vodafone to become a leading university of ICT excellence.
The minister explained that Article II of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) entered into by the government of Ghana and Vodafone International Holdings B.V., enjoins both parties, by mutual intention, to spun off the GTUC from the Ghana Telecom Company into an independent entity.
He said his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the African Union (AU), had selected the GTUC to host this year’s African Institute of Information Technology, under an African Union - Government of India Partnership arrangement.
In a related development, the government had also concluded a partnership arrangement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Open Society Institute of West Africa (OSIWA) to open the Africa e-Governance Academy in Ghana, the minister announced.
It is expected to develop and transfer knowledge of expertise based on research, and help improve the public sector service delivery, citizen’s participation in decision making in a manner that would enhance accountability and transparency in governance across Africa, he added.
He commended the management of the university for its contribution to the country’s development.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, said the university, which started its full operations in 2006, was built on three missions namely teaching, research and public service.
He said the university offered programmes in Telecom Engineering, Computer Engineering, Wireless Internet Communications and Information Technology.
Dr Darkwa pointed out that the university had upgraded its status of learning by introducing research skills that would enhance the capabilities of the students.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the university would produce more professionals in the field of ICT to develop the country.
The council has Professor Walter Alhassan as its chairman. Other members include Dr Osei Darkwa, Rector of the GTUC and Mr Gideon Quarcoo, also representing the GTUC.
The rest are Professor F. A. Allotey, Professor Clement Dzidonu, Mrs Sylvia Asempa, Mr Nortey Yeboah, Dr Ben Adu and Mr Dick Otuteye.
On behalf of the members, the Council Chairman, Professor Alhassan, pledged to the management of the university, to, among other things work effectively to improve the culture of research among students in the school .
Story: Matilda Attram
(GTUC) has been inaugurated with a call on the members of the council to urgently position the college as a leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) university in the world.
The council has therefore, been urged to review the strategic plan of the GTUC and also make inputs into the proposed bill to support the legal set up of GTUC as a public tertiary institution.
“The decoupling of GTUC as a fully fledged autonomous ICT university of excellence is therefore an important strategic focus not only for the GTUC, but the government of Ghana,” the Minister for Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, stated as he inaugurated the nine-member council.
The council is expected to approve and support the mission and scope of the institution, set policy for its general operations, improve quality of learning, approve programmes, as well as make changes in existing ones and encourage the co-ordination of all elements of the institution, with focus on building skills and capacity in information technology.
Mr Haruna noted that the GTUC had a primary mission to extend education in engineering, ICT in innovative manner to students on its main campus in Tesano-Accra, as well as across the nation and throughout West Africa through virtual/distance learning.
Beyond this broad mission, the minister said it was important to define an expanded strategic focus for the GTUC, following the decision of the government of Ghana to ensure that GTUC was spun off from Ghana Telecom Company Limited/Vodafone to become a leading university of ICT excellence.
The minister explained that Article II of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) entered into by the government of Ghana and Vodafone International Holdings B.V., enjoins both parties, by mutual intention, to spun off the GTUC from the Ghana Telecom Company into an independent entity.
He said his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the African Union (AU), had selected the GTUC to host this year’s African Institute of Information Technology, under an African Union - Government of India Partnership arrangement.
In a related development, the government had also concluded a partnership arrangement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Open Society Institute of West Africa (OSIWA) to open the Africa e-Governance Academy in Ghana, the minister announced.
It is expected to develop and transfer knowledge of expertise based on research, and help improve the public sector service delivery, citizen’s participation in decision making in a manner that would enhance accountability and transparency in governance across Africa, he added.
He commended the management of the university for its contribution to the country’s development.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, said the university, which started its full operations in 2006, was built on three missions namely teaching, research and public service.
He said the university offered programmes in Telecom Engineering, Computer Engineering, Wireless Internet Communications and Information Technology.
Dr Darkwa pointed out that the university had upgraded its status of learning by introducing research skills that would enhance the capabilities of the students.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the university would produce more professionals in the field of ICT to develop the country.
The council has Professor Walter Alhassan as its chairman. Other members include Dr Osei Darkwa, Rector of the GTUC and Mr Gideon Quarcoo, also representing the GTUC.
The rest are Professor F. A. Allotey, Professor Clement Dzidonu, Mrs Sylvia Asempa, Mr Nortey Yeboah, Dr Ben Adu and Mr Dick Otuteye.
On behalf of the members, the Council Chairman, Professor Alhassan, pledged to the management of the university, to, among other things work effectively to improve the culture of research among students in the school .
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Anglican Church holds seminar on breast cancer
Published in the Daily Graphic on 28/072010, pg 23
Story: Matilda Attram
ACCORDING to health experts women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who required surgery to remove the affected breast (mastectomy) experienced fear, anger, depression, anxiety and a sense of helplessness.
Most of the patients who have difficulty bearing the cost of surgery and treatment become stressed up and, therefore, need a lot of counselling and other support.
The word ‘cancer’ conjures up deep fears of a silent killer that creeps up on a patient without warning. It evokes such desperation that it has become a metaphor for grief and pain, a scourge that strains intellectual, social and emotional resources.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that there are over 20 million people living with cancer in the world today, with the majority in the developing world.
According to medical experts, cancer, which was the term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divided without control and invaded other tissues, was one of the killer diseases among both men and women. Roughly 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer had no identifiable risk factors for the disease.
Doctors contend that irrespective of the type of cancer a patient develops, he or she may need one of the following processes — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy — pointing out that usually patients who have prostrate and breast cancers go through hormonal therapy.
To raise awareness of the suffering caused by breast cancer and help survivors to access the best possible treatment and care, the Anglican Youth People’s Association (AYPA) of the All Saints Anglican Church last Saturday organised a women’s seminar to educate women on the need to prevent the disease.
The seminar which was based on the theme "The Total Woman for Christian Leadership" was also aimed at training women, both young and old in becoming responsible Christian wives.
Speaking at the seminar in Accra, the Director for PathoLab Medical Laboratory in Accra, Mrs Elizabeth Irene Baitie, described breast cancer as a leading disease that killed most women.
According to her, each cancer was perceived to first start from one abnormal cell. What seems to happen is that certain vital genes which control how cells divide and multiply are damaged or altered. This makes the cell abnormal. If the abnormal cell survives, it may multiply “out of control” into a malignant tumour, which consists of cancer cells that have the ability to spread beyond the original area.
She said cancer affected various parts of the body, which resulted in various types of cancers, "each with its own name and its treatment".
She mentioned others like the lung, stomach, skin, cervical, Ovarian and prostrate cancers.
She pointed out that cancer could be cured when it was detected early, stressing that cancers needed multi-disciplinary treatment with various specialists. However, if left untreated, it may spread and destroy surrounding tissues. Sometimes, cells do break away from the original cancer. They may spread to other organs in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
She advised that about 40 per cent of breast cancer cases could be prevented if women catered for their diets, kept within healthy weight limits, limited the consumption of alcohol and exercised regularly.
Mrs Baitie also urged women to report to their health specialists anytime they encountered abnormalities in and around their breast tissues.
In a statement, the Archdeacon of the Accra North Anglican Arcdeacory, Ven Joseph Lankwei Lamptey, encouraged participants to be submissive to their partners as a means of building a Christian home.
Story: Matilda Attram
ACCORDING to health experts women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who required surgery to remove the affected breast (mastectomy) experienced fear, anger, depression, anxiety and a sense of helplessness.
Most of the patients who have difficulty bearing the cost of surgery and treatment become stressed up and, therefore, need a lot of counselling and other support.
The word ‘cancer’ conjures up deep fears of a silent killer that creeps up on a patient without warning. It evokes such desperation that it has become a metaphor for grief and pain, a scourge that strains intellectual, social and emotional resources.
Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that there are over 20 million people living with cancer in the world today, with the majority in the developing world.
According to medical experts, cancer, which was the term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divided without control and invaded other tissues, was one of the killer diseases among both men and women. Roughly 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer had no identifiable risk factors for the disease.
Doctors contend that irrespective of the type of cancer a patient develops, he or she may need one of the following processes — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy — pointing out that usually patients who have prostrate and breast cancers go through hormonal therapy.
To raise awareness of the suffering caused by breast cancer and help survivors to access the best possible treatment and care, the Anglican Youth People’s Association (AYPA) of the All Saints Anglican Church last Saturday organised a women’s seminar to educate women on the need to prevent the disease.
The seminar which was based on the theme "The Total Woman for Christian Leadership" was also aimed at training women, both young and old in becoming responsible Christian wives.
Speaking at the seminar in Accra, the Director for PathoLab Medical Laboratory in Accra, Mrs Elizabeth Irene Baitie, described breast cancer as a leading disease that killed most women.
According to her, each cancer was perceived to first start from one abnormal cell. What seems to happen is that certain vital genes which control how cells divide and multiply are damaged or altered. This makes the cell abnormal. If the abnormal cell survives, it may multiply “out of control” into a malignant tumour, which consists of cancer cells that have the ability to spread beyond the original area.
She said cancer affected various parts of the body, which resulted in various types of cancers, "each with its own name and its treatment".
She mentioned others like the lung, stomach, skin, cervical, Ovarian and prostrate cancers.
She pointed out that cancer could be cured when it was detected early, stressing that cancers needed multi-disciplinary treatment with various specialists. However, if left untreated, it may spread and destroy surrounding tissues. Sometimes, cells do break away from the original cancer. They may spread to other organs in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
She advised that about 40 per cent of breast cancer cases could be prevented if women catered for their diets, kept within healthy weight limits, limited the consumption of alcohol and exercised regularly.
Mrs Baitie also urged women to report to their health specialists anytime they encountered abnormalities in and around their breast tissues.
In a statement, the Archdeacon of the Accra North Anglican Arcdeacory, Ven Joseph Lankwei Lamptey, encouraged participants to be submissive to their partners as a means of building a Christian home.
Three organisations assist flood victims
Published in the Daily Graphic on 10/07/2010, pg 15
Story: Matilda Attram
THREE organisations have donated items worth GH¢13,200 towards mitigating the plight of victims of the recent floods that hit parts of the country.
Access Bank Limited donated 30 bags of rice, 30 boxes of cooking oil, blankets and some used clothes valued at GH¢5,000. In collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) the bank has opened a Disaster Relief Account with the number (0011620022561) to encourage the public to contribute to support recent flood victims as well as prepare towards future disasters.
Unique Star Foods, the producers of Vega Foods, for their part presented assorted products from the company worth GH¢2,500. The products include boxes of tomato paste, evaporated milk, cooking oil, mackerel and bags of rice.
Ashfoam Ghana Limited, on the other hand, contributed 150 pieces of students mattresses valued at GH¢5,700.
On June 20 this year, severe floods hit parts of the country, particularly the Western, Central, Volta, and Greater Accra regions, leading to the destruction of properties .
Presenting the items, the Country Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Mr Yomi Akapo, said the presentation was part of the company’s social responsibility to give to society to support the lives of others.
According to him, although the company was young in the country, it contributed most of its efforts towards national development.
“This initiative is in line with the Access Bank’s corporate commitment to humanitarian assistance and social interventions in the country,” he stated.
The Head of Corporate Communications of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, said the bank took its social responsibilities seriously since it had the welfare of the people as its top priority.
She said the company maintained its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy in line with the Access Bank Group’s corporate strategy, adding that “The bank’s initiatives cover five key areas: Education, Environment, Health, Arts and Sports.”
The Marketing Manager of Unique Star Foods, Mr Selassie Mawuenyega, and the Marketing Officer of Ashfoam Ghana Limited, Mr Emmanuel Dakey, also explained that their contributions towards the disaster was in fulfilment of their companies social responsibility.
Receiving the items, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Martin Amidu, expressed the government’s appreciation to the three organisations, and called on other organisations to also support the efforts of the government and NADMO to assist the flood victims.
“Government is trying its best but also need your support to enable us to assist our brothers and sisters who have found themselves in this situation,” he added.
In a statement the National Co-ordinator for NADMO, Mr Kofi Portuphy, noted that the number of dead bodies retrieved nationwide as a result of the disaster had increased from 31 to 36, with over 10,000 flood victims at Ashaiman alone.
He assured donors that the items would be used for the purpose for which they were donated and appealed to other organisations to support the victims of the flood disaster.
Story: Matilda Attram
THREE organisations have donated items worth GH¢13,200 towards mitigating the plight of victims of the recent floods that hit parts of the country.
Access Bank Limited donated 30 bags of rice, 30 boxes of cooking oil, blankets and some used clothes valued at GH¢5,000. In collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) the bank has opened a Disaster Relief Account with the number (0011620022561) to encourage the public to contribute to support recent flood victims as well as prepare towards future disasters.
Unique Star Foods, the producers of Vega Foods, for their part presented assorted products from the company worth GH¢2,500. The products include boxes of tomato paste, evaporated milk, cooking oil, mackerel and bags of rice.
Ashfoam Ghana Limited, on the other hand, contributed 150 pieces of students mattresses valued at GH¢5,700.
On June 20 this year, severe floods hit parts of the country, particularly the Western, Central, Volta, and Greater Accra regions, leading to the destruction of properties .
Presenting the items, the Country Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Mr Yomi Akapo, said the presentation was part of the company’s social responsibility to give to society to support the lives of others.
According to him, although the company was young in the country, it contributed most of its efforts towards national development.
“This initiative is in line with the Access Bank’s corporate commitment to humanitarian assistance and social interventions in the country,” he stated.
The Head of Corporate Communications of Access Bank Ghana Limited, Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, said the bank took its social responsibilities seriously since it had the welfare of the people as its top priority.
She said the company maintained its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy in line with the Access Bank Group’s corporate strategy, adding that “The bank’s initiatives cover five key areas: Education, Environment, Health, Arts and Sports.”
The Marketing Manager of Unique Star Foods, Mr Selassie Mawuenyega, and the Marketing Officer of Ashfoam Ghana Limited, Mr Emmanuel Dakey, also explained that their contributions towards the disaster was in fulfilment of their companies social responsibility.
Receiving the items, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Martin Amidu, expressed the government’s appreciation to the three organisations, and called on other organisations to also support the efforts of the government and NADMO to assist the flood victims.
“Government is trying its best but also need your support to enable us to assist our brothers and sisters who have found themselves in this situation,” he added.
In a statement the National Co-ordinator for NADMO, Mr Kofi Portuphy, noted that the number of dead bodies retrieved nationwide as a result of the disaster had increased from 31 to 36, with over 10,000 flood victims at Ashaiman alone.
He assured donors that the items would be used for the purpose for which they were donated and appealed to other organisations to support the victims of the flood disaster.
Gt Accra Police get 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.
Educational village under construction at Savelugu-Nanton
Published in the Daily Graphic on July 6, 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.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
DOVVSU intensifies education on juvenile justice
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Veep inaugurates GNAT Heights
Published in the Daily Graphic on 9/06/2010, pg 49
Story: Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday inaugurated an eight-storey office block built by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Accra with the assurance that the government would motivate teachers for them to give their best.
The GH¢7.2 million facility, constructed with contributions from members of the association, will be rented out to businesses to generate more funds for the welfare of the members of GNAT.
The new office complex, also known as the GNAT Heights, adds to the number of subsidiaries owned by the association.
The others are a GH¢5.8million hostel facility constructed at the University of Ghana, a non-banking financial institution and a credit mall.
Mr Mahama said the government, recognising the role of teachers in the nation’s human resource development, would make all efforts to support them to enable them to perform creditably.
He said the government was working out an incentive package for teachers, particularly those in the deprived communities and science teachers.
He said since teachers contributed greatly to the development of every nation and their services covered all sectors of the economy, there was the need for them to be motivated to be encouraged to give their best.
“Government is determined to give comfort to teachers, since they contribute tremendously in moulding the future leaders of this country for development,” he said.
The Vice-President said although the remuneration of teachers was below their expectation, they continued to discharge their duties with commitment, which portrayed their patriotism.
He said GNAT was one of the few professional associations in the country that had withstood challenges due to its strong structural internal mechanisms and governance, and called on other associations to emulate the example.
“As teachers society holds you in high esteem as the paragon of all virtues. I, therefore, urge you to continue to remain united and steadfast in your vision to building a solid association,” he stated.
Giving an overview of the Teacher’s Trust Fund, the Board Chairman of the fund, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, indicated that the fund was established in 1998 by the association as a retirement supplement scheme for its members.
“The objectives of the fund are to provide retirement supplement, lifestyle enhancing facilities, access to credit purchases from Credit Mall Limited, and to engage in real estate ventures,” he stated.
According to him, although some members of the association faced challenges with their salaries at the time the fund was established, they remained committed by paying contributions, which had finally paid off.
He stated that investment of the fund had grown from GH¢3.6million in 2002 to over GH¢72 million with contributions from more than 150,000 teachers
In a statement, the President of GNAT, Mr Paul Apanga, called on members of the association to contribute their best to the fund to enhance their welfare.
Present at the function were the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo, and the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Dr Fred Degbe, among other personalities.
Story: Timothy Gobah & Matilda Attram
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday inaugurated an eight-storey office block built by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Accra with the assurance that the government would motivate teachers for them to give their best.
The GH¢7.2 million facility, constructed with contributions from members of the association, will be rented out to businesses to generate more funds for the welfare of the members of GNAT.
The new office complex, also known as the GNAT Heights, adds to the number of subsidiaries owned by the association.
The others are a GH¢5.8million hostel facility constructed at the University of Ghana, a non-banking financial institution and a credit mall.
Mr Mahama said the government, recognising the role of teachers in the nation’s human resource development, would make all efforts to support them to enable them to perform creditably.
He said the government was working out an incentive package for teachers, particularly those in the deprived communities and science teachers.
He said since teachers contributed greatly to the development of every nation and their services covered all sectors of the economy, there was the need for them to be motivated to be encouraged to give their best.
“Government is determined to give comfort to teachers, since they contribute tremendously in moulding the future leaders of this country for development,” he said.
The Vice-President said although the remuneration of teachers was below their expectation, they continued to discharge their duties with commitment, which portrayed their patriotism.
He said GNAT was one of the few professional associations in the country that had withstood challenges due to its strong structural internal mechanisms and governance, and called on other associations to emulate the example.
“As teachers society holds you in high esteem as the paragon of all virtues. I, therefore, urge you to continue to remain united and steadfast in your vision to building a solid association,” he stated.
Giving an overview of the Teacher’s Trust Fund, the Board Chairman of the fund, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, indicated that the fund was established in 1998 by the association as a retirement supplement scheme for its members.
“The objectives of the fund are to provide retirement supplement, lifestyle enhancing facilities, access to credit purchases from Credit Mall Limited, and to engage in real estate ventures,” he stated.
According to him, although some members of the association faced challenges with their salaries at the time the fund was established, they remained committed by paying contributions, which had finally paid off.
He stated that investment of the fund had grown from GH¢3.6million in 2002 to over GH¢72 million with contributions from more than 150,000 teachers
In a statement, the President of GNAT, Mr Paul Apanga, called on members of the association to contribute their best to the fund to enhance their welfare.
Present at the function were the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo, and the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Dr Fred Degbe, among other personalities.
National plan to end child labour launched
Published in the Daily Graphic on 8/06/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) is one of the country’s major priorities for the enhancement of a sustainable development.
To fight the menace, provisions of the country’s 1992 Constitution and other relevant legislation such as the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) protect the rights of children and absolve them from engaging in any work that constitutes a threat to their education, health or development.
A more coordinated effort to eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour was adopted by stakeholders and became validated in 2009 to harmonise relevant actions by partners in order to address all issues related to child labour by 2015.
The project, a National Plan of Action (NPA) for the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL), brings together stakeholders in development to address child labour in a more coordinated and sustained manner.
They include the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW) as the leading organisation partnering with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC), the Ghana Employers Association, as well as representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The NPA provides a comprehensive framework which sets out a priority collection of interventions for ensuring the protection and development of every Ghanaian child.
According to the NPA, the worst forms of child labour as defined in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 182 includes practices such as the sale and trafficking of children, serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, which includes the forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution, or for the production of pornography or pornographic performance, and the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs.
The 2003 Ghana Child Labour Survey (GCLS 2003) revealed that 2.47 million children out of an estimated number of 6.36 million aged between 5 and 17 were economically active, with about 1.27 million in activities classified as child labour.
The launch of this year's World Day Against Child Labour and the current International Labour Organisation (ILO) Child Labour Global Report aimed at reducing all forms of child labour to the barest minimum by 2015, took place in Accra recently.
It had the theme 'Ghana, Go for the Goal: End Child Labour'.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ms Anna Bossman, stated that child labour continued to pose problems that resulted in child abuse and hindered the growth and development of children in developing countries.
She said children who were the most vulnerable in society lacked the necessary protection they need to enable them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
According to her, a number of children were still engaged in all forms of economic activities which undermined their development. She also mentioned that fishing, farming and forced labour contributed to prostitution and streetism, thereby exposing children to all forms of abuses.
She called on all to support in the fight against child labour to create a better future for children.
In his welcoming address , the President of GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh, described child labour as a violation of the rights of children which needed to be considered and the nagative cultural practices and traditional beliefs in Africa and Ghana in particular, affected moves to address the problem of child labour.
He attributed the major cause of the problem to the poor economic status of Africa and Ghana and emphasised the need for an effective mechanism to help curb the menace.
Mr Tetteh, therefore, urged the media to seek proper understanding of the issue to assist them in their reportage.
Giving an overview of the NPA for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Ghana, which is targeted for the period 2009-2015, the Principal Labour Officer of the Child Labour Unit of the Labour Department, Madam Stella Ofori, indicated that the NPA was instituted in recognition of the fact that child labour was a challenge to development.
According to her, the project prioritised nine worst forms of child labour which include child trafficking, fishing, mining and quarrying (galamsey), ritual servitude, commercial sex exploitation and child domestic servitude.
Others were carting of heavy loads, involvement of children in agriculture (cocoa, cattle herding, oil palm, cotton, crop and vegetable farming), and street hawking and begging.
She outlined the weak comprehensive legal framework for addressing child labour, the unprotected welfare and rights of children, limited livelihood opportunities for poor households and communities and the low technological practices involved in the production of goods and services in traditional economic sectors as some major issues and objectives identified by the NPA as contributing factors to the practice of child labour and stressed the need for the adoption of new strategies that would help protect the rights of children.
The Chief Technical Advisor of ILO/IPEC, Mr Francesco d'Ovidio, who gave a global trend of the problem, expressed the need for the commitment of stakeholders to fight child labour.
He stated that although the situation declined due to the approaches adopted, it required much work to be done.
In a statement, the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere called on the media to project the voice of the Ghanaian child to help transform society.
The launch of the event which would be climaxed on June 12, was attended by representatives from organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), ILO/IPEC and MOWAC.
Story: Matilda Attram
The elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) is one of the country’s major priorities for the enhancement of a sustainable development.
To fight the menace, provisions of the country’s 1992 Constitution and other relevant legislation such as the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) protect the rights of children and absolve them from engaging in any work that constitutes a threat to their education, health or development.
A more coordinated effort to eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour was adopted by stakeholders and became validated in 2009 to harmonise relevant actions by partners in order to address all issues related to child labour by 2015.
The project, a National Plan of Action (NPA) for the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL), brings together stakeholders in development to address child labour in a more coordinated and sustained manner.
They include the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW) as the leading organisation partnering with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC), the Ghana Employers Association, as well as representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The NPA provides a comprehensive framework which sets out a priority collection of interventions for ensuring the protection and development of every Ghanaian child.
According to the NPA, the worst forms of child labour as defined in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 182 includes practices such as the sale and trafficking of children, serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, which includes the forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution, or for the production of pornography or pornographic performance, and the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs.
The 2003 Ghana Child Labour Survey (GCLS 2003) revealed that 2.47 million children out of an estimated number of 6.36 million aged between 5 and 17 were economically active, with about 1.27 million in activities classified as child labour.
The launch of this year's World Day Against Child Labour and the current International Labour Organisation (ILO) Child Labour Global Report aimed at reducing all forms of child labour to the barest minimum by 2015, took place in Accra recently.
It had the theme 'Ghana, Go for the Goal: End Child Labour'.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ms Anna Bossman, stated that child labour continued to pose problems that resulted in child abuse and hindered the growth and development of children in developing countries.
She said children who were the most vulnerable in society lacked the necessary protection they need to enable them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
According to her, a number of children were still engaged in all forms of economic activities which undermined their development. She also mentioned that fishing, farming and forced labour contributed to prostitution and streetism, thereby exposing children to all forms of abuses.
She called on all to support in the fight against child labour to create a better future for children.
In his welcoming address , the President of GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh, described child labour as a violation of the rights of children which needed to be considered and the nagative cultural practices and traditional beliefs in Africa and Ghana in particular, affected moves to address the problem of child labour.
He attributed the major cause of the problem to the poor economic status of Africa and Ghana and emphasised the need for an effective mechanism to help curb the menace.
Mr Tetteh, therefore, urged the media to seek proper understanding of the issue to assist them in their reportage.
Giving an overview of the NPA for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Ghana, which is targeted for the period 2009-2015, the Principal Labour Officer of the Child Labour Unit of the Labour Department, Madam Stella Ofori, indicated that the NPA was instituted in recognition of the fact that child labour was a challenge to development.
According to her, the project prioritised nine worst forms of child labour which include child trafficking, fishing, mining and quarrying (galamsey), ritual servitude, commercial sex exploitation and child domestic servitude.
Others were carting of heavy loads, involvement of children in agriculture (cocoa, cattle herding, oil palm, cotton, crop and vegetable farming), and street hawking and begging.
She outlined the weak comprehensive legal framework for addressing child labour, the unprotected welfare and rights of children, limited livelihood opportunities for poor households and communities and the low technological practices involved in the production of goods and services in traditional economic sectors as some major issues and objectives identified by the NPA as contributing factors to the practice of child labour and stressed the need for the adoption of new strategies that would help protect the rights of children.
The Chief Technical Advisor of ILO/IPEC, Mr Francesco d'Ovidio, who gave a global trend of the problem, expressed the need for the commitment of stakeholders to fight child labour.
He stated that although the situation declined due to the approaches adopted, it required much work to be done.
In a statement, the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere called on the media to project the voice of the Ghanaian child to help transform society.
The launch of the event which would be climaxed on June 12, was attended by representatives from organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), ILO/IPEC and MOWAC.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Prudential Bank opens Adenta Branch
Published in the Daily Graphic on 04/06/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
PRUDENTIAL Bank Limited, an indigenous bank which aims at promoting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) thorughout the country has opened a new branch at the Adenta community to improve on the economic activities of the community.
This brings to 24 the number of branches the bank has opened throughout the country. The bank also has three agencies operating as subsidiaries.
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of the bank, Mrs Mary Brown said the bank would expand on its branch network in order to cover every district and region in the country.
According to her, Prudential Bank was the first local bank to introduce micro financing to assist SME’s in the country.
She said the bank, since its establishment in 1996 had given financial assistance to individuals and SME’s and other businesses.
Mrs Brown indicated that although the bank operated locally, it provided international banking services and covered the operations of both the local and foreign currencies.
She mentioned the handling of import and export bills, sales and purchase of foreign exchange and the handling of foreign transfers as some of the international services offered by the bank.
The Head of Corporate Marketing Department of the bank, Ms Grace Osei-Bonsu, stated that the bank offered all types of banking services within the area it operated but focused mainly on SME’s such as trading and agriculture production.
She, further, outlined savings account, current accounts, students accounts, fixed deposit, transfer of funds, project financing, export financing, consumer credit facility, home base account, trust account, executive banking, export advisory services, and short, medium and large term loans as some of the services offered by the bank.
“PBL provides one-stop-shop banking services to our customers and all sectors of the economy at all our branches but with special focus on SME’s,” she emphasised.
She, therefore, encouraged all to take advantage of the bank’s products and services in order to enjoy its benefits.
Story: Matilda Attram
PRUDENTIAL Bank Limited, an indigenous bank which aims at promoting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) thorughout the country has opened a new branch at the Adenta community to improve on the economic activities of the community.
This brings to 24 the number of branches the bank has opened throughout the country. The bank also has three agencies operating as subsidiaries.
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of the bank, Mrs Mary Brown said the bank would expand on its branch network in order to cover every district and region in the country.
According to her, Prudential Bank was the first local bank to introduce micro financing to assist SME’s in the country.
She said the bank, since its establishment in 1996 had given financial assistance to individuals and SME’s and other businesses.
Mrs Brown indicated that although the bank operated locally, it provided international banking services and covered the operations of both the local and foreign currencies.
She mentioned the handling of import and export bills, sales and purchase of foreign exchange and the handling of foreign transfers as some of the international services offered by the bank.
The Head of Corporate Marketing Department of the bank, Ms Grace Osei-Bonsu, stated that the bank offered all types of banking services within the area it operated but focused mainly on SME’s such as trading and agriculture production.
She, further, outlined savings account, current accounts, students accounts, fixed deposit, transfer of funds, project financing, export financing, consumer credit facility, home base account, trust account, executive banking, export advisory services, and short, medium and large term loans as some of the services offered by the bank.
“PBL provides one-stop-shop banking services to our customers and all sectors of the economy at all our branches but with special focus on SME’s,” she emphasised.
She, therefore, encouraged all to take advantage of the bank’s products and services in order to enjoy its benefits.
School of Nursing to introduce electives
Published in the Daily Graphic on 3/06/2010, pg 13
Story: Matilda Attram
The School of Nursing of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana (UG) is to introduce electives in its courses to enable nurses to specialise in different subject areas.
Starting with Paediatric Nursing as an elective, this decision is to permit persons who gain admission to the school to specialise in courses of their interest under the nursing programme for quality delivery of health services.
The acting Dean for the School of Nursing of the College of Health Sciences, UG, Dr Ernestina Donkor, announced this at an open day ceremony organised for second cycle institutions on academic programmes and career prospects in Accra.
The event was part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the college, held on the theme: 'A Decade of Achievements and Future Prospects'.
It was to interact with students of second cycle institutions who had interest in furthering their education with the college.
????The event also aimed at exhibiting the courses of the schools under the college and their differences.?????
Other activities of the anniversary include open lectures and a science conference.
The college currently has seven schools, all of which offer different courses.
They are the Medical School, Dental School, School of Allied Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
Dr Donkor said although the school had produced competent personalities in the delivery of health services, the country would improve on its health sector when students were allowed to specialise in areas of their interest to help them deliver better services.
She explained that the school, since its establishment, offered general knowledge in nursing, which constituted all the areas of the course.
"We offer general nursing for all, where students go through all the areas under the nursing course," she said.
According to her, the school currently offered three programmes — the Degree of Science (DSC) Nursing, Master of Science Nursing and Master of Philosophy Nursing.
Addressing the gathering, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences of UG, Professor Aaron Lante Lawson, indicated that most students who applied for admission to the college opted only for the School of Medicine due to the lack of information on the others.
"There are different categories under the health sciences apart from medicine but most people have the wrong notion that only medicine goes into health science," he said.
He stated that although the idea of health constituted medicine, the area of health sciences was a broad area which had a high range of specialities.
He further explained that despite the different areas under health sciences, there was the need for individuals to commit themselves in their different areas, as well as work together to achieve a common goal.
"Although each area has its specialities, we all work together to achieve the aim of delivering quality healthcare services in the country and beyond," he added.
He emphasised the need for students to seek information on the courses and programmes of interest before making choices.
He made known the intention of the college to extend its education to other parts of the country.
Professor Lawson called on parents to refrain from forcing their children to make wrong choices of programmes of their interest, but should help them make the right choices.
Other heads of the different schools of the college took participants through admission and requirements processes, and explained the courses they offered to them.
Participating second cycle institutions included Wesley Girls Senior High School (SHE), Manya Krobo SHS, St Peter's SHS and the Gomoa T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS.
Story: Matilda Attram
The School of Nursing of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana (UG) is to introduce electives in its courses to enable nurses to specialise in different subject areas.
Starting with Paediatric Nursing as an elective, this decision is to permit persons who gain admission to the school to specialise in courses of their interest under the nursing programme for quality delivery of health services.
The acting Dean for the School of Nursing of the College of Health Sciences, UG, Dr Ernestina Donkor, announced this at an open day ceremony organised for second cycle institutions on academic programmes and career prospects in Accra.
The event was part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the college, held on the theme: 'A Decade of Achievements and Future Prospects'.
It was to interact with students of second cycle institutions who had interest in furthering their education with the college.
????The event also aimed at exhibiting the courses of the schools under the college and their differences.?????
Other activities of the anniversary include open lectures and a science conference.
The college currently has seven schools, all of which offer different courses.
They are the Medical School, Dental School, School of Allied Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
Dr Donkor said although the school had produced competent personalities in the delivery of health services, the country would improve on its health sector when students were allowed to specialise in areas of their interest to help them deliver better services.
She explained that the school, since its establishment, offered general knowledge in nursing, which constituted all the areas of the course.
"We offer general nursing for all, where students go through all the areas under the nursing course," she said.
According to her, the school currently offered three programmes — the Degree of Science (DSC) Nursing, Master of Science Nursing and Master of Philosophy Nursing.
Addressing the gathering, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences of UG, Professor Aaron Lante Lawson, indicated that most students who applied for admission to the college opted only for the School of Medicine due to the lack of information on the others.
"There are different categories under the health sciences apart from medicine but most people have the wrong notion that only medicine goes into health science," he said.
He stated that although the idea of health constituted medicine, the area of health sciences was a broad area which had a high range of specialities.
He further explained that despite the different areas under health sciences, there was the need for individuals to commit themselves in their different areas, as well as work together to achieve a common goal.
"Although each area has its specialities, we all work together to achieve the aim of delivering quality healthcare services in the country and beyond," he added.
He emphasised the need for students to seek information on the courses and programmes of interest before making choices.
He made known the intention of the college to extend its education to other parts of the country.
Professor Lawson called on parents to refrain from forcing their children to make wrong choices of programmes of their interest, but should help them make the right choices.
Other heads of the different schools of the college took participants through admission and requirements processes, and explained the courses they offered to them.
Participating second cycle institutions included Wesley Girls Senior High School (SHE), Manya Krobo SHS, St Peter's SHS and the Gomoa T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS.
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