Published on 24th October,2009, Daily Graphic, pg 19
(Govt urged to pass three health-related bills)
Story: Matilda Attram
THE government has been urged to expedite action on the passage of the Mental Health Bill, the Occupational Health Bill and the Allied Health Bill to facilitate effective and efficient health delivery.
A communiqué issued during the second Civil Society forum organised in Accra by the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health said healthcare delivery would be enhanced if mental patients were treated and served in a conducive environment.
The communiqué, which emphasised health issues, was on the theme, “Reaching the Unreached — the Role of Civil Society”.
It encouraged the government to ensure the active participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country, especially in the regional and district health management team (R/DHMT) programmes.
The communiqué, which was read by the Vice-President of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Tobacco Control, Mr Oscar Brucealso, emphasised the need to establish institutionalised partnership with civil society working within the health sector of development and re-examine health policies governing health delivery in the country.
“The government should review existing health laws and address gaps in them to ensure their harmonisation for efficient health service delivery,” it said.
The communiqué also urged CSOs to identify and address the challenges that confronted them and state institutions.
In his remarks, the Chairman for the occasion, Mr Solomon Onubuogu, who is the Executive Director of the HESI International Social Agency, explained that the purpose of the forum was to highlight the role of CSOs in promoting development through health.
He said the forum was part of a processing plan for a four-year medium-term programme on health initiated by the government.
The Vice-President of the Coalition of NGOs in Malaria Control, Mrs Beckyln Ulzen-Christian, added that although the organisation faced challenges in their operations, it had achieved the opportunity of co-operating with the government in the planning and implementation of health policies.
She urged CSOs and the media to help change the bad perception the public had about NGOs.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Drivers to Disallow selling, preaching on vehicles-GPRTU
Published on 26th October 2009, Daily Graphic pg 30
Drivers to disallow selling, preaching on vehicles-GPRTU
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the TUC has warned that drivers who allow pastors and herbalists to preach and sell drugs in their vehicles will be suspended by the union.
It said the practice of preaching and selling in moving vehicles deprived passengers of their right to privacy while in moving vehicles.
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, Alhaji Eesa Antiaye Tetteh, told the Daily Graphic that the practice of preaching, advertising and selling drugs in moving vehicles was against the union’s rules and regulations, but some passengers encouraged drivers to allow the practice.
He disclosed that the union had informed that its various offices to only allow individuals to preach, advertise or sell items at the lorry parks but not on the moving vehicles.
Alhaji Tetteh stressed that drivers who were found guilty of such acts would be suspended from loading passengers at their registered stations.
”We’ve had cases where heads of traditional healers associations and other organisations had come to plead on behalf of some suspended drivers, but we did not tolerate that because the right thing must be done,” he said.
Alhaji Tetteh urged the public to co-operate with the union by noting and providing numbers of vehicles, in which such practices occur.
He said the union had no monitoring team to check on drivers who allowed such practices, but would depend on the station executives of the union to do so.
Golda Appiah, a passenger at the Neoplan Station of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said the practice of selling and preaching in moving buses tended to disturb and embarrass passengers, who may not want to listen to them.
“If a passenger complain about those who preach the word of God or even sleep while preaching is going on, he or she is seen as an unbeliever of the word,” she said.
Another passenger, Oswald Atta, said there was the need for the GPRTU to take urgent action on the issue of preaching and selling in moving vehicles, since it had been a source of concern for a long time for most passengers.
Drivers to disallow selling, preaching on vehicles-GPRTU
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the TUC has warned that drivers who allow pastors and herbalists to preach and sell drugs in their vehicles will be suspended by the union.
It said the practice of preaching and selling in moving vehicles deprived passengers of their right to privacy while in moving vehicles.
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, Alhaji Eesa Antiaye Tetteh, told the Daily Graphic that the practice of preaching, advertising and selling drugs in moving vehicles was against the union’s rules and regulations, but some passengers encouraged drivers to allow the practice.
He disclosed that the union had informed that its various offices to only allow individuals to preach, advertise or sell items at the lorry parks but not on the moving vehicles.
Alhaji Tetteh stressed that drivers who were found guilty of such acts would be suspended from loading passengers at their registered stations.
”We’ve had cases where heads of traditional healers associations and other organisations had come to plead on behalf of some suspended drivers, but we did not tolerate that because the right thing must be done,” he said.
Alhaji Tetteh urged the public to co-operate with the union by noting and providing numbers of vehicles, in which such practices occur.
He said the union had no monitoring team to check on drivers who allowed such practices, but would depend on the station executives of the union to do so.
Golda Appiah, a passenger at the Neoplan Station of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, said the practice of selling and preaching in moving buses tended to disturb and embarrass passengers, who may not want to listen to them.
“If a passenger complain about those who preach the word of God or even sleep while preaching is going on, he or she is seen as an unbeliever of the word,” she said.
Another passenger, Oswald Atta, said there was the need for the GPRTU to take urgent action on the issue of preaching and selling in moving vehicles, since it had been a source of concern for a long time for most passengers.
Ministers Appreciate Public Transport
Published on 29 October 2009, Daily Graphic pg......
Story: Matilda Attram & Henrietta Brocke
(Ministers appreciate public transport problems)
Two Ministers of State yesterday participated in the celebration of the World Transport Day by boarding public transport to their offices in Accra.
They did so to ascertain the needs of the masses who used public transport with the view to finding solutions to the problems in the transport sector.
The celebration formed part of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), held on the theme: “Road Safety is a shared and collective responsibility”, which was launched by the Vice President, Mr John Dramani, on October 26, this year, in the Eastern Region.
The initiative was organised to educate the public on road safety issues to improve the transportation system in the country.
Sharing her experiences, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, told the Daily Graphic that she could remember using public transport for about 19 years before owning a vehicle.
She said she joined a ‘trotro’ from Pig Farm through 37 to the Tema Station and walked to her office.
She noted that the bus she used lacked enough space for passengers to relax their legs and had protruding metals from seats which could cause injury to others.
Mrs Attivor said when she asked the driver and his mate for the vehicle’s registration number, they could not provide it and described this as unusual.
Mrs Attivor also said the government was going to implement a Bus Rapid Transit programme on a pilot basis, starting from Mallam to Kasoa soon, to reduce the consumption of fuel and increase productivity.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, said the last time he used public transport was 15 years ago.
He explained that the Public Transport Day was celebrated to remind policy makers of the challenges in the public transportation system.
Mr Gidisu said he joined a public transport from the Volta Region to Madina and another to the Tema Station and walked to his office, adding that he was not noticed by anyone in the bus until the media started calling to interview him.
He also raised concerns about the uncomfortable features of some public buses, which need to be replaced to make public transport comfortable.
Story: Matilda Attram & Henrietta Brocke
(Ministers appreciate public transport problems)
Two Ministers of State yesterday participated in the celebration of the World Transport Day by boarding public transport to their offices in Accra.
They did so to ascertain the needs of the masses who used public transport with the view to finding solutions to the problems in the transport sector.
The celebration formed part of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), held on the theme: “Road Safety is a shared and collective responsibility”, which was launched by the Vice President, Mr John Dramani, on October 26, this year, in the Eastern Region.
The initiative was organised to educate the public on road safety issues to improve the transportation system in the country.
Sharing her experiences, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, told the Daily Graphic that she could remember using public transport for about 19 years before owning a vehicle.
She said she joined a ‘trotro’ from Pig Farm through 37 to the Tema Station and walked to her office.
She noted that the bus she used lacked enough space for passengers to relax their legs and had protruding metals from seats which could cause injury to others.
Mrs Attivor said when she asked the driver and his mate for the vehicle’s registration number, they could not provide it and described this as unusual.
Mrs Attivor also said the government was going to implement a Bus Rapid Transit programme on a pilot basis, starting from Mallam to Kasoa soon, to reduce the consumption of fuel and increase productivity.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, said the last time he used public transport was 15 years ago.
He explained that the Public Transport Day was celebrated to remind policy makers of the challenges in the public transportation system.
Mr Gidisu said he joined a public transport from the Volta Region to Madina and another to the Tema Station and walked to his office, adding that he was not noticed by anyone in the bus until the media started calling to interview him.
He also raised concerns about the uncomfortable features of some public buses, which need to be replaced to make public transport comfortable.
Traffic Signalisation System to be Upgraded
Published on 20th October, 2009, Daily Graphic pg......
Story: Matilda Attram & Ayisha Dah
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is set change the traffic signalisation system in the metropolis to improve the present method of operation.
The project, which will help in the regulation of traffic systems in traffic-prone areas, such as the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, the Kanda Highway, the Liberation Road, the Obasanjo Highway and Ring Road Central, will be completed by the end of this year.
The new system will include a computerised technique to aid in the identification of faulty traffic lights, as well as help track careless motorists who damage them.
The Traffic Engineer of the Accra Metropolitan Roads Department of the Department of Urban Roads, Mr Godwin Kalenshie, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic.
According to him, the new traffic system would be two-way powered, using electricity and supported by solar to sustain its current during power outages.
He noted that the increase in population had outweighed the present traffic system, hence the need to update the system.
“Vehicular traffic has grown beyond the present traffic system and this calls for replacement if the problem of heavy traffic is to be solved,” he said.
Presently, Mr Kalenshie said, careless motorists who damaged traffic lights in the metropolis were made to pay for the repairs if they were apprehended, adding that in cases of run away motorists, the state paid.
Story: Matilda Attram & Ayisha Dah
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is set change the traffic signalisation system in the metropolis to improve the present method of operation.
The project, which will help in the regulation of traffic systems in traffic-prone areas, such as the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, the Kanda Highway, the Liberation Road, the Obasanjo Highway and Ring Road Central, will be completed by the end of this year.
The new system will include a computerised technique to aid in the identification of faulty traffic lights, as well as help track careless motorists who damage them.
The Traffic Engineer of the Accra Metropolitan Roads Department of the Department of Urban Roads, Mr Godwin Kalenshie, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic.
According to him, the new traffic system would be two-way powered, using electricity and supported by solar to sustain its current during power outages.
He noted that the increase in population had outweighed the present traffic system, hence the need to update the system.
“Vehicular traffic has grown beyond the present traffic system and this calls for replacement if the problem of heavy traffic is to be solved,” he said.
Presently, Mr Kalenshie said, careless motorists who damaged traffic lights in the metropolis were made to pay for the repairs if they were apprehended, adding that in cases of run away motorists, the state paid.
Economic Fcators prevent Parents from educating children
Published on 26th October, 2009, Daily Graphic pg 11
Economic factors prevent parents from educating children
Story: Matilda Attram
THE lower average of females enrolled in formal education compared to that of males, is said to be a major factor hampering the improvement of the nation’s economy, according to Dr Carol Markwei, a lecturer at the University of Ghana.
She noted that there were some economic factors leading to the inability of parents to motivate and fully support their children to enrol in schools leading them to indulge in some social vices.
Dr Markwei was speaking at the golden jubilee anniversary celebration of Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS), on the theme ‘Sustaining Quality Girl-Child Education for 50 years and Above’ in Accra.
She said there was the need to put more efforts into educating the girl- child and to be able to maintain the national policy on their education.
Although there was equal access to education for both boys and girls, she said most girls of school going age were involved in economic activities, depriving them of their right to education.
Dr Markwei explained that educating the girl child was a necessity since it would effectively enhance the economic, moral and social change Ghanaians expected in homes, society and the nation as a whole.
“There will be a decrease in immoral activities leading to teenage pregnancy and other social deviant behaviours if our young girls are retained in school. Educate a girl, educate a nation and enhance the well-being of the nation”, she stated.
She noted that there had been the institution of scholarship schemes such as the Girls Club and the Ambassador Girls Scholarship Programme (AGSP) to boost the capacity of girls in formal education.
Dr Markwei, therefore, urged the continuing students of the school to emulate the examples of their past seniors.
In her welcome address, the headmistress of the school, Ms Veronica Akapame, disclosed that the school had contributed immensely towards the development of the nation, by training prominent women in all fields in the nation.
“Accra Girls has meaningfully contributed to the realisation of the dream of its founding fathers with so many women it has turned out, who are serving in various sectors of the economy,” she stated.
She noted that the golden jubilee celebration provided an opportunity for the school to reflect on the progress it had made in the past years and to renew the commitment to its vision and the empowerment of old students of the school.
The Chief Economic Planning Officer of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, who is also the President of the Accra Girls’ Old Students Association (AGOSA), Ms Florence Oku said the anniversary was a year-long celebration, which will commence next year.
She, therefore, congratulated the association, and urged the staff, old students and parents to co-operate in training the young girls as well as support the school to enable it meet its needs.
Economic factors prevent parents from educating children
Story: Matilda Attram
THE lower average of females enrolled in formal education compared to that of males, is said to be a major factor hampering the improvement of the nation’s economy, according to Dr Carol Markwei, a lecturer at the University of Ghana.
She noted that there were some economic factors leading to the inability of parents to motivate and fully support their children to enrol in schools leading them to indulge in some social vices.
Dr Markwei was speaking at the golden jubilee anniversary celebration of Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS), on the theme ‘Sustaining Quality Girl-Child Education for 50 years and Above’ in Accra.
She said there was the need to put more efforts into educating the girl- child and to be able to maintain the national policy on their education.
Although there was equal access to education for both boys and girls, she said most girls of school going age were involved in economic activities, depriving them of their right to education.
Dr Markwei explained that educating the girl child was a necessity since it would effectively enhance the economic, moral and social change Ghanaians expected in homes, society and the nation as a whole.
“There will be a decrease in immoral activities leading to teenage pregnancy and other social deviant behaviours if our young girls are retained in school. Educate a girl, educate a nation and enhance the well-being of the nation”, she stated.
She noted that there had been the institution of scholarship schemes such as the Girls Club and the Ambassador Girls Scholarship Programme (AGSP) to boost the capacity of girls in formal education.
Dr Markwei, therefore, urged the continuing students of the school to emulate the examples of their past seniors.
In her welcome address, the headmistress of the school, Ms Veronica Akapame, disclosed that the school had contributed immensely towards the development of the nation, by training prominent women in all fields in the nation.
“Accra Girls has meaningfully contributed to the realisation of the dream of its founding fathers with so many women it has turned out, who are serving in various sectors of the economy,” she stated.
She noted that the golden jubilee celebration provided an opportunity for the school to reflect on the progress it had made in the past years and to renew the commitment to its vision and the empowerment of old students of the school.
The Chief Economic Planning Officer of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, who is also the President of the Accra Girls’ Old Students Association (AGOSA), Ms Florence Oku said the anniversary was a year-long celebration, which will commence next year.
She, therefore, congratulated the association, and urged the staff, old students and parents to co-operate in training the young girls as well as support the school to enable it meet its needs.
63 Students receive scholarship packages-under Archbishop Andoh's Education Fund
Published on 26th October,2009, Daily Graphic pg 11
63 Students receive scholarship packages
-Under Archbishop Andoh’s Education Fund
Story: Matilda Attram
SIXTY-THREE students from the Accra Archdiocese Catholic Schools have been awarded scholarship packages under the Archbishop Andoh’s Education Endowment Fund of the Catholic Church of Ghana.
The awards, which were given to 33 students from the Accra-East Archdiocese, 10 from the Accra-West Archdiocese and 20 from Tema and Bartor ranged between GH¢500 to GH¢150 per child.
In his address, Reverend Francis Adoboli, the Vicar General of the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church and the Chairman of the board of trustees of the fund disclosed that the fund was established about 10 years ago with the objective of supporting needy but brilliant children in catholic schools to enable them realise their potentials to become responsible leaders in future.
He said this year’s awards which amounted to GH¢15,000 were given to students from basic to tertiary schools and will be renewed annually depending on the performance of beneficiaries.
Rev Adoboli, encouraged parishioners of the Catholic Church and all members of the society to contribute immensely to the fund to enable it support more children, adding that, “You need not be rich before you can support others and that the little you give can make an impact in a child’s life.
In her speech, the guest speaker for the occasion, Mrs Elizabeth Villars, Managing Director for Camelot said about 700 children had benefited from the fund since its establishment and noted that it had been a major contributory factor to curbing school dropouts in the country.
She said the support for needy brilliant children in the society was one of the important social responsibilities of most Catholics.
Mrs Villars urged the beneficiaries to study hard and maintain good behaviours to justify the sacrifices made by donors and benefactors of the fund.
Again, Mrs Elizabeth Akpalu, a gender advocate said the fund was expected to bring hope to needy brilliant children who would have prematurely terminated their education.
She urged all to donate willingly to it to generate more support for needy children.
63 Students receive scholarship packages
-Under Archbishop Andoh’s Education Fund
Story: Matilda Attram
SIXTY-THREE students from the Accra Archdiocese Catholic Schools have been awarded scholarship packages under the Archbishop Andoh’s Education Endowment Fund of the Catholic Church of Ghana.
The awards, which were given to 33 students from the Accra-East Archdiocese, 10 from the Accra-West Archdiocese and 20 from Tema and Bartor ranged between GH¢500 to GH¢150 per child.
In his address, Reverend Francis Adoboli, the Vicar General of the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church and the Chairman of the board of trustees of the fund disclosed that the fund was established about 10 years ago with the objective of supporting needy but brilliant children in catholic schools to enable them realise their potentials to become responsible leaders in future.
He said this year’s awards which amounted to GH¢15,000 were given to students from basic to tertiary schools and will be renewed annually depending on the performance of beneficiaries.
Rev Adoboli, encouraged parishioners of the Catholic Church and all members of the society to contribute immensely to the fund to enable it support more children, adding that, “You need not be rich before you can support others and that the little you give can make an impact in a child’s life.
In her speech, the guest speaker for the occasion, Mrs Elizabeth Villars, Managing Director for Camelot said about 700 children had benefited from the fund since its establishment and noted that it had been a major contributory factor to curbing school dropouts in the country.
She said the support for needy brilliant children in the society was one of the important social responsibilities of most Catholics.
Mrs Villars urged the beneficiaries to study hard and maintain good behaviours to justify the sacrifices made by donors and benefactors of the fund.
Again, Mrs Elizabeth Akpalu, a gender advocate said the fund was expected to bring hope to needy brilliant children who would have prematurely terminated their education.
She urged all to donate willingly to it to generate more support for needy children.
Rotary Club of Accra West Visits Graphic
Published on 30th October 2009, Middle Pg of the Daily Graphic
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has assured the reading public and advertisers that the completion of the company's new press project early next year will enhance the quality of the company's publications.
He said the $20-million press facility, which is at an advanced stage of completion, would enable the company to carry more colour adverts, thereby enhancing the quality of adverts.
Mr Awal gave the assurance when a delegation from the Rotary Club of Accra West paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Accra yesterday.
The visit was part of the club's monthly programme to familiarise itself with the operations of industrial concerns.
Mr Awal, therefore, appealed to the business community, including advertisers, to take advantage of the new press facility when it became operational next year to do business with the GCGL, adding, "We are always ready to partner businesses and organisations to achieve their objectives."
He noted that as the biggest media organisation in the country, the GCGL would always set the pace in quality and credibility to improve the level of journalism.
Mr Awal called on the Rotarians to patronise the company's newspapers and assured them of accuracy, balance and credibility.
The President of the Rotary Club of Accra West, Mr Ekow Paintsil, indicated that the Rotary Club was the world's first volunteer service organisation of professional leaders united to provide humanitarian services to help build goodwill and peace.
"Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas conduct projects on challenges such as illiteracy, hunger, poverty, disease, lack of clean water and environmental concerns facing the world today, while encouraging high standards in all vocations," he said.
He said the club discussed community and international issues, adding that it was opened to every race, culture and creed.
The Past Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club of Accra West, Mr Winfred Ayi Mensah, used the opportunity to solicit sponsorship for advertisement on initiated programmes for the club's project on the eradication of polio by 2012.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has assured the reading public and advertisers that the completion of the company's new press project early next year will enhance the quality of the company's publications.
He said the $20-million press facility, which is at an advanced stage of completion, would enable the company to carry more colour adverts, thereby enhancing the quality of adverts.
Mr Awal gave the assurance when a delegation from the Rotary Club of Accra West paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Accra yesterday.
The visit was part of the club's monthly programme to familiarise itself with the operations of industrial concerns.
Mr Awal, therefore, appealed to the business community, including advertisers, to take advantage of the new press facility when it became operational next year to do business with the GCGL, adding, "We are always ready to partner businesses and organisations to achieve their objectives."
He noted that as the biggest media organisation in the country, the GCGL would always set the pace in quality and credibility to improve the level of journalism.
Mr Awal called on the Rotarians to patronise the company's newspapers and assured them of accuracy, balance and credibility.
The President of the Rotary Club of Accra West, Mr Ekow Paintsil, indicated that the Rotary Club was the world's first volunteer service organisation of professional leaders united to provide humanitarian services to help build goodwill and peace.
"Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas conduct projects on challenges such as illiteracy, hunger, poverty, disease, lack of clean water and environmental concerns facing the world today, while encouraging high standards in all vocations," he said.
He said the club discussed community and international issues, adding that it was opened to every race, culture and creed.
The Past Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club of Accra West, Mr Winfred Ayi Mensah, used the opportunity to solicit sponsorship for advertisement on initiated programmes for the club's project on the eradication of polio by 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
