Published in the Daily Graphic on 1/04/2010 pg 3
reports Matilda Attram.
He said Easter was a time for Christians to reflect and renew their lives and relationship with the Creator.
“This means throwing away the old life of selfishness and disobedience to God. It may mean confessing a theft, giving up some negative behaviour — be it anger, evil desire, greed or saying sorry to someone,” he said.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso, whose message was on the theme, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Gives Hope”, explained that Easter was a period which reminded Christians of the need to remain hopeful in God, pointing out that the resurrection of Christ gave new hope for a new life in everything they did.
He described life without Christ as one full of crises, failure, darkness, fear, sin and death which one could not endure.
Reacting to recent societal problems and challenges, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to pray for God’s intervention.
"We live in challenging times, a period when one has to live by faith and not by sight. Through all changing scenes of life, therefore, in trouble and in joy, I urge you all to hold on to your faith, continue to believe just as you did and the Lord shall strengthen your faith," he stated.
The Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso advised all to refrain from immoral activities during the season and rather be motivated to observe the season with faith and confidence that joy in Christ was everlasting.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Local products need good branding
Published in the Daily Graphic on 25/03/2010, pg 57
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand Ghana, Mr Mathias Akotia, has expressed the need for Ghana to create a massive growth in inward investment, tourism, and export brands to grow and attain a good middle income status in the marketing world.
This, he said could be done through the effective branding of products and services in the country that could help attract international attention and goodwill.
“To attract international attention and goodwill, the image of Ghana needs to be positively differentiated from the rest of Africa, and also from its past reality of instability and uneasy political experiments”, he stated.
Mr Akotia made this remark at a two-day branding and identity conference organised in Accra by Oxygen Ghana, a brand consulting firm to support the country’s development efforts through branding and identity advocacy.
It was dubbed ‘BRAND 2010’.
The conference which was organised in collaboration with the British Council was expected to create vocal and visual presence for the discipline of branding and design in Ghana.
According Mr Akotia, the absence of power commercial brands of Ghana origin, must provide the country’s brand direction and inspiration, parenting local brands into commercial success.
He stated that Ghana was an ambitious country but lacked the strategies of developing her status in the international marketing environment.
Explaining the benefits of branding, Mr Akotia said strong brands worked at the level of providing identity and values, strong stimulus that created and connected people and cultures together.
He indicated that branding, which was a means of differentiation between chattels provided a source of motivation and interest to many businesses, charities, schools, political parties, places, events and some celebrities in direction and purpose.
He said brands created important social benefits in relation to wealth creation to improvements of quality life as well as provided a reliable and stable indicator of the future health of every business.
Mr Akotia pointed out that brands were the most stable and sustainable asset in businesses and countries that created security and the stability of employment in a country.
“Brands are useful in creating behavioural attraction as well as barriers to exit, thus brands engender more sustainable wealth, meaning more reliable income, leading to a more reliable earnings for organisations and countries”, he said.
He called on marketing professionals to acknowledge their contribution to brand and branding development in the country.
In a presentation, the CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Madam Esther Cobbah, observed that branding attracted much attention from individuals, organisations and countries realising the enormous value it created.
She stated that most identities of social groupings in Ghana and other parts of the world were communicated through branding in order to be recognised.
Madam Cobbah identified effective branding as one which required a systematic and professional approach to achieve its targeted aim adding that “brands are powerful tools of human communication”.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of Oxygen Ghana, Nana Kwadwo Duah, stated that the conference which was organised at the time of Ghana’s planned decisions through its policy measures to undertake country branding was of great benefit to the country.
He commended government for its efforts in promoting branding in the country adding that “Branding and identity either for corporate or national purposes holds the key to propel progress and success”.
The conference hosted other resource persons such as Jeremy Hildreth, a US based Branding and Identity Consultant, Mr Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of UT Financial Services, and , Madam Norkor Duah, the President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG).
Story: Matilda Attram
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand Ghana, Mr Mathias Akotia, has expressed the need for Ghana to create a massive growth in inward investment, tourism, and export brands to grow and attain a good middle income status in the marketing world.
This, he said could be done through the effective branding of products and services in the country that could help attract international attention and goodwill.
“To attract international attention and goodwill, the image of Ghana needs to be positively differentiated from the rest of Africa, and also from its past reality of instability and uneasy political experiments”, he stated.
Mr Akotia made this remark at a two-day branding and identity conference organised in Accra by Oxygen Ghana, a brand consulting firm to support the country’s development efforts through branding and identity advocacy.
It was dubbed ‘BRAND 2010’.
The conference which was organised in collaboration with the British Council was expected to create vocal and visual presence for the discipline of branding and design in Ghana.
According Mr Akotia, the absence of power commercial brands of Ghana origin, must provide the country’s brand direction and inspiration, parenting local brands into commercial success.
He stated that Ghana was an ambitious country but lacked the strategies of developing her status in the international marketing environment.
Explaining the benefits of branding, Mr Akotia said strong brands worked at the level of providing identity and values, strong stimulus that created and connected people and cultures together.
He indicated that branding, which was a means of differentiation between chattels provided a source of motivation and interest to many businesses, charities, schools, political parties, places, events and some celebrities in direction and purpose.
He said brands created important social benefits in relation to wealth creation to improvements of quality life as well as provided a reliable and stable indicator of the future health of every business.
Mr Akotia pointed out that brands were the most stable and sustainable asset in businesses and countries that created security and the stability of employment in a country.
“Brands are useful in creating behavioural attraction as well as barriers to exit, thus brands engender more sustainable wealth, meaning more reliable income, leading to a more reliable earnings for organisations and countries”, he said.
He called on marketing professionals to acknowledge their contribution to brand and branding development in the country.
In a presentation, the CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Madam Esther Cobbah, observed that branding attracted much attention from individuals, organisations and countries realising the enormous value it created.
She stated that most identities of social groupings in Ghana and other parts of the world were communicated through branding in order to be recognised.
Madam Cobbah identified effective branding as one which required a systematic and professional approach to achieve its targeted aim adding that “brands are powerful tools of human communication”.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of Oxygen Ghana, Nana Kwadwo Duah, stated that the conference which was organised at the time of Ghana’s planned decisions through its policy measures to undertake country branding was of great benefit to the country.
He commended government for its efforts in promoting branding in the country adding that “Branding and identity either for corporate or national purposes holds the key to propel progress and success”.
The conference hosted other resource persons such as Jeremy Hildreth, a US based Branding and Identity Consultant, Mr Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of UT Financial Services, and , Madam Norkor Duah, the President of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG).
Department of Children honours partners
Published in the Daily Graphic on 25/03/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
Ghana was the first country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which enjoins all member states to provide a minimum standard of rights to children within their jurisdiction.
The country followed up with the enactment of the Children’s Act (Act 560) in 1998 to domesticate the convention in national legislative process to create a legal framework for the implementation of the CRC.
To recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations that have helped in the development of the Ghanaian child and to motivate other organisations and stakeholders to support the development and welfare of children in the country, the Department of Children of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured a number of personalities and organisations who have contributed to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
Personalities appreciated included Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, Parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, Accra; the late Justice Kingsley Acquah, a former Chief Justice; Dr Issabella Sagoe-Moses, National Co-ordinator for Child Health; Mrs Estelle Matilda Appiah, Drafter, Attorney General’s Department; Professor Anamoah Mensah, an educationist; Mr Nii Osa Mills, a legal practitioner; Mrs Salomey Francois, Director of the New Horizon Special School; Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Patience Ashorkor Quaye, Head of Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service; Mrs Ruth Ofosua Addison, a Director at the Department of Children; Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); ‘Walter Dee’, a musician, and Kingsley Obeng Kyere, a journalist and manager of Curious Minds (a youth-centred programme).
Organisations appreciated included the Church of Pentecost Ghana, the Catholic Church of Ghana, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Junior Graphic of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Unique FM, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Krobo Odumasi Queens Association, as well as some organisations in the regions that support child-development programmes.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
In her welcoming address, the acting Director of the Department of Children, Ms Mariama Yayah, stated that the protection of the human rights of the child and other vulnerable groups in society had been of utmost importance to the government, adding that, “This is clearly manifested in the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Policy 2004, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007, among others.”
She said the government, through the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach, had made efforts to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children for a better development of the nation.
She observed that the theme chosen for the celebration reinforced the government’s commitment to ensure the enjoyment of children’s rights as enshrined in the UNCRC.
She said there was the need for Ghanaians to be guided by the general principles of non-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to life, survival and development and respect for the views of the child to enhance the welfare of children in the country, adding that “These principles form the basis for our assessment of achievements made as a country in promoting the welfare of children.”
The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, described the programme as significant and said “in compliance with the domestication of the CRC, Ghana has continued to vigorously pursue institutional reforms to improve administration of issues affecting children which impeded the successful implementation of the children’s right in the country”.
She called on all, especially parents, to support the welfare of children for a better future, indicating that “our children are our future and, as a nation, we need to support them to develop their full potential for a bright future”.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Ghana, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, also advised all to contribute to build a better future for children.
The event was supported by UNICEF and those honoured were under various categories namely child welfare, child protection, child health, children with special needs, children’s education, child participation and other meritorious awards.
Story: Matilda Attram
Ghana was the first country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which enjoins all member states to provide a minimum standard of rights to children within their jurisdiction.
The country followed up with the enactment of the Children’s Act (Act 560) in 1998 to domesticate the convention in national legislative process to create a legal framework for the implementation of the CRC.
To recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations that have helped in the development of the Ghanaian child and to motivate other organisations and stakeholders to support the development and welfare of children in the country, the Department of Children of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured a number of personalities and organisations who have contributed to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
Personalities appreciated included Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, Parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, Accra; the late Justice Kingsley Acquah, a former Chief Justice; Dr Issabella Sagoe-Moses, National Co-ordinator for Child Health; Mrs Estelle Matilda Appiah, Drafter, Attorney General’s Department; Professor Anamoah Mensah, an educationist; Mr Nii Osa Mills, a legal practitioner; Mrs Salomey Francois, Director of the New Horizon Special School; Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) Patience Ashorkor Quaye, Head of Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service; Mrs Ruth Ofosua Addison, a Director at the Department of Children; Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); ‘Walter Dee’, a musician, and Kingsley Obeng Kyere, a journalist and manager of Curious Minds (a youth-centred programme).
Organisations appreciated included the Church of Pentecost Ghana, the Catholic Church of Ghana, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Junior Graphic of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Unique FM, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Krobo Odumasi Queens Association, as well as some organisations in the regions that support child-development programmes.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
In her welcoming address, the acting Director of the Department of Children, Ms Mariama Yayah, stated that the protection of the human rights of the child and other vulnerable groups in society had been of utmost importance to the government, adding that, “This is clearly manifested in the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Policy 2004, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007, among others.”
She said the government, through the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach, had made efforts to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation of children for a better development of the nation.
She observed that the theme chosen for the celebration reinforced the government’s commitment to ensure the enjoyment of children’s rights as enshrined in the UNCRC.
She said there was the need for Ghanaians to be guided by the general principles of non-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to life, survival and development and respect for the views of the child to enhance the welfare of children in the country, adding that “These principles form the basis for our assessment of achievements made as a country in promoting the welfare of children.”
The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, described the programme as significant and said “in compliance with the domestication of the CRC, Ghana has continued to vigorously pursue institutional reforms to improve administration of issues affecting children which impeded the successful implementation of the children’s right in the country”.
She called on all, especially parents, to support the welfare of children for a better future, indicating that “our children are our future and, as a nation, we need to support them to develop their full potential for a bright future”.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Ghana, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, also advised all to contribute to build a better future for children.
The event was supported by UNICEF and those honoured were under various categories namely child welfare, child protection, child health, children with special needs, children’s education, child participation and other meritorious awards.
Russia expresses interest in Ghana's oil industry
Published in the Daily Graphic on 26/03/2010, spread (middle pg), pg 24
Story: Matilda Attram
The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Vladimir Barbin has expressed Russia's interest to invest in Ghana's emerging oil industry.
He said Russia’s investment could boost Ghana’s economic fortunes through job creation and also enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Barbin made this known when he paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Mr Igor Degtyarev, the Minister Counsellor of the Russian Embassy,
The visit was also aimed at exploring opportunities to strengthen the relationship between GCGL and Russian media houses especially in the area sharing information and experiences.
Underlying the need for Ghana and Russia to develop an intense co-operation to foster development of the two countries. Mr Barbin said journalists in the two countries should forge closer working relationship and establish channels of communication.
He said the Russian government granted about 30 scholarship to Ghanaians every year to study in Russia.
He commended GCGL on its efforts in the promotion of peace and unity through the dissemination of information and assured the company of the embassy’s support.
The Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, expressed gratitude to Mr Barbin for the visit and pledged the papers’s committment to provide reliable and credible information to the public.
Mr Tetteh, who is also the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said as a national newspaper, the Daily Graphic had a responsibility to provide information to satisfy all sectors of the public and promote the unity, stability and development of the country.
He undercored the need for co-operation between the two countries in the fight against crime and drug trafficking and used the opportunity offered by the visit to announce the celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary scheduled for October this year.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Vladimir Barbin has expressed Russia's interest to invest in Ghana's emerging oil industry.
He said Russia’s investment could boost Ghana’s economic fortunes through job creation and also enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Mr Barbin made this known when he paid a familiarisation visit to the offices of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Mr Igor Degtyarev, the Minister Counsellor of the Russian Embassy,
The visit was also aimed at exploring opportunities to strengthen the relationship between GCGL and Russian media houses especially in the area sharing information and experiences.
Underlying the need for Ghana and Russia to develop an intense co-operation to foster development of the two countries. Mr Barbin said journalists in the two countries should forge closer working relationship and establish channels of communication.
He said the Russian government granted about 30 scholarship to Ghanaians every year to study in Russia.
He commended GCGL on its efforts in the promotion of peace and unity through the dissemination of information and assured the company of the embassy’s support.
The Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, expressed gratitude to Mr Barbin for the visit and pledged the papers’s committment to provide reliable and credible information to the public.
Mr Tetteh, who is also the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) said as a national newspaper, the Daily Graphic had a responsibility to provide information to satisfy all sectors of the public and promote the unity, stability and development of the country.
He undercored the need for co-operation between the two countries in the fight against crime and drug trafficking and used the opportunity offered by the visit to announce the celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary scheduled for October this year.
Co-operate to enhance health delivery
Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/03/2010, pg 32
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, has called on the Medical and Dental Council to co-operate with the ministry to initiate measures that would enhance quality health service delivery in the country.
He said the country faced many challenges in the health sector which needed the contribution of the council to help reduce or eliminate them completely.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo made this call at the swearing-in ceremony of a 16-member board of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana in Accra.
The members include Dr Kofi Osae Adadey, Professor Afua Hesse, Dr McDamien Dedzo, Dr Felix Anyah, Dr Teye Adjase and Dr Jacob Abebrese.
Others are Dr Eric Asamoa and Dr Francis Adu-Ababio, Professor Christine Ntim-Amponsah and Professor Simon Beinakpaa Naaeder, representing the University of Ghana Medical School, and Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo-Kuofi, who is also a representative of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors.
The rest are Dr Bimpong-Buta of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr Elias Sory, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Martin Sowah, the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Doris Ablo and Dr Joseph Rockson.
The board is to ensure the smooth running of pending activities of the council and the country at large with regard to health.
It also has the responsibility for ensuring high professional standards among medical practitioners, proper training of practitioners and keeping records of qualified practitioners.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo stated that Ghana’s health sector was facing challenges, especially with the posting of medical practitioners to rural areas because of a lack of services to motivate them.
He challenged the council to initiate measures such as good ethical standards, the responsibility for ensuring proper training of practitioners and new motivational services to promote the medical profession in the country and beyond.
He assured the council of the support of the ministry for achieving its aim, adding that “the ministry is planning with some regional hospitals to organise tutorials to enable medical practitioners to improve on their performance”.
In his statement, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Sylvester Anemana, observed that the absence of a council to regulate activities of medical practitioners was not the best, since it could affect the performance of practitioners.
Dr Anemana called on the council to ensure equity in the postings of medical practitioners to the rural areas of the country in order to improve on the lives of the rural people.
A representative of the council, Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo Kuofi, on behalf of the council, expressed gratitude to the management of the ministry and gave an assurance of the council’s commitment to enhance quality health service delivery to Ghanaians.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, has called on the Medical and Dental Council to co-operate with the ministry to initiate measures that would enhance quality health service delivery in the country.
He said the country faced many challenges in the health sector which needed the contribution of the council to help reduce or eliminate them completely.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo made this call at the swearing-in ceremony of a 16-member board of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) of Ghana in Accra.
The members include Dr Kofi Osae Adadey, Professor Afua Hesse, Dr McDamien Dedzo, Dr Felix Anyah, Dr Teye Adjase and Dr Jacob Abebrese.
Others are Dr Eric Asamoa and Dr Francis Adu-Ababio, Professor Christine Ntim-Amponsah and Professor Simon Beinakpaa Naaeder, representing the University of Ghana Medical School, and Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo-Kuofi, who is also a representative of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors.
The rest are Dr Bimpong-Buta of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr Elias Sory, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Martin Sowah, the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Doris Ablo and Dr Joseph Rockson.
The board is to ensure the smooth running of pending activities of the council and the country at large with regard to health.
It also has the responsibility for ensuring high professional standards among medical practitioners, proper training of practitioners and keeping records of qualified practitioners.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo stated that Ghana’s health sector was facing challenges, especially with the posting of medical practitioners to rural areas because of a lack of services to motivate them.
He challenged the council to initiate measures such as good ethical standards, the responsibility for ensuring proper training of practitioners and new motivational services to promote the medical profession in the country and beyond.
He assured the council of the support of the ministry for achieving its aim, adding that “the ministry is planning with some regional hospitals to organise tutorials to enable medical practitioners to improve on their performance”.
In his statement, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dr Sylvester Anemana, observed that the absence of a council to regulate activities of medical practitioners was not the best, since it could affect the performance of practitioners.
Dr Anemana called on the council to ensure equity in the postings of medical practitioners to the rural areas of the country in order to improve on the lives of the rural people.
A representative of the council, Professor Harold Stewart Amonoo Kuofi, on behalf of the council, expressed gratitude to the management of the ministry and gave an assurance of the council’s commitment to enhance quality health service delivery to Ghanaians.
Skills of teachers central to students' success
Published in the Daily Graphic on 29/03/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
PROFESSIONAL qualification and skills of teachers have been identified to be central to the positive impact on the achievement levels of students.
This observation was made at a monthly seminar organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help teachers build the needed capacity that will help to upgrade the performance of students in the classroom.
"Research reveals that teacher qualification and skills are among the most important factors in improving pupil/student performance".
The seminar was on the topic “teacher development in relation to teacher productivity in contemporary Ghana”.
The monthly seminar has been instituted by WAEC as part of its contribution to promote quality education service delivery in the country.
In a presentation, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Justice Abboa-Offei, said any attempts to reform education and improve pupil and student performance were dependent on teachers.
He said teachers needed to make progress in their subject areas and teaching skills to grow in the profession as well as aspire to achieve excellence in professional standards.
He attested that education was a dynamic entity which required the development of teachers to enable them face any challenges.
Mr Abboa-Offei stated that the most effective teachers were experts in the methods of teaching and understood student development as part of their mastery of subjects they taught.
“Quality teachers are important to any educational system. The teacher needs to make progress in his/her subject area(s) and teaching skills, and how to grow in the teaching profession. He should also aspire to achieve stated standards to grow professionally in order to meet the demands of the changing educational system,” he said.
He also cited the support and contribution of organisations in charge of improving the educational system in the country as being of great influence to the professional development of the teachers.
“The role of school heads, universities, professional associations like the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), WAEC, Ministry of Education, GES, regional and district education officers and circuit supervisors to organise workshops, seminars and provide teaching materials and salary increment will also motivate our teachers to perform well,” Mr Abboa-Offei stated.
He stressed the need for newly trained teachers to receive much support to make progress in their subject and teaching areas and skills to help them grow in the profession, adding that “Teachers, in general, must benefit from continuous in-service training”.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr Simon Tsadidey, who is the former Principal of Peki College of Education, expressed concern about the country’s educational system and advised teachers to be committed and dedicated to improve the performance of their students in class.
He, therefore, appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve on the conditions of teachers, saying “If we are not paying them big salaries, let us provide the necessary teaching facilities in schools to allow them enjoy their work”.
Story: Matilda Attram
PROFESSIONAL qualification and skills of teachers have been identified to be central to the positive impact on the achievement levels of students.
This observation was made at a monthly seminar organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help teachers build the needed capacity that will help to upgrade the performance of students in the classroom.
"Research reveals that teacher qualification and skills are among the most important factors in improving pupil/student performance".
The seminar was on the topic “teacher development in relation to teacher productivity in contemporary Ghana”.
The monthly seminar has been instituted by WAEC as part of its contribution to promote quality education service delivery in the country.
In a presentation, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Justice Abboa-Offei, said any attempts to reform education and improve pupil and student performance were dependent on teachers.
He said teachers needed to make progress in their subject areas and teaching skills to grow in the profession as well as aspire to achieve excellence in professional standards.
He attested that education was a dynamic entity which required the development of teachers to enable them face any challenges.
Mr Abboa-Offei stated that the most effective teachers were experts in the methods of teaching and understood student development as part of their mastery of subjects they taught.
“Quality teachers are important to any educational system. The teacher needs to make progress in his/her subject area(s) and teaching skills, and how to grow in the teaching profession. He should also aspire to achieve stated standards to grow professionally in order to meet the demands of the changing educational system,” he said.
He also cited the support and contribution of organisations in charge of improving the educational system in the country as being of great influence to the professional development of the teachers.
“The role of school heads, universities, professional associations like the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), WAEC, Ministry of Education, GES, regional and district education officers and circuit supervisors to organise workshops, seminars and provide teaching materials and salary increment will also motivate our teachers to perform well,” Mr Abboa-Offei stated.
He stressed the need for newly trained teachers to receive much support to make progress in their subject and teaching areas and skills to help them grow in the profession, adding that “Teachers, in general, must benefit from continuous in-service training”.
The chairman for the occasion, Mr Simon Tsadidey, who is the former Principal of Peki College of Education, expressed concern about the country’s educational system and advised teachers to be committed and dedicated to improve the performance of their students in class.
He, therefore, appealed to the government and stakeholders to improve on the conditions of teachers, saying “If we are not paying them big salaries, let us provide the necessary teaching facilities in schools to allow them enjoy their work”.
Junior Graphic wins DOC awards
Published in the Junior Graphic on 31/03/2010, pg 3
Story: Matilda Attram
The Department of Children (DOC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured the Junior Graphic for its contribution to the education of children in the country.
Other organisations and personalities were also awarded in various categories for their contributions to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
In a citation presented to the Junior Graphic for being the media house that promoted child education in the country, the DOC, stated that Junior Graphic afforded children the opportunity to express their concerns on matters that affect them from across the country.
It said the organisation aimed at serving children with educational information and initiatives that improved on their capabilities.
“With the aim of serving the children of Ghana, you have educational columns that inform and provide guidance on academic and career pursuits”,it stated.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
Other categories awarded include child health, child welfare and child protection.
Story: Matilda Attram
The Department of Children (DOC) under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has honoured the Junior Graphic for its contribution to the education of children in the country.
Other organisations and personalities were also awarded in various categories for their contributions to the development and well-being of the Ghanaian Child.
In a citation presented to the Junior Graphic for being the media house that promoted child education in the country, the DOC, stated that Junior Graphic afforded children the opportunity to express their concerns on matters that affect them from across the country.
It said the organisation aimed at serving children with educational information and initiatives that improved on their capabilities.
“With the aim of serving the children of Ghana, you have educational columns that inform and provide guidance on academic and career pursuits”,it stated.
The event, dubbed “Partners Appreciation Day”, was organised in Accra to climax the 20th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which was the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of children.
The 20th anniversary of the country’s ratification of the CRC fell on November 20 last year. It was on the theme, “Enhancing the Destiny of Children”.
Other categories awarded include child health, child welfare and child protection.
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