Published in the Daily Graphic on 3/06/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
A public forum has been held at Kasoa to educate potential travellers on the dangers involved in illegal migration.
The forum is also intended to sensitise Ghanaians on the dangers involved in the use of fraudulent certificates and documents.
The event, which started three years ago by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in collaboration with the AENEAS project, aimed at countering documentation fraud in the country.
Speaking at the forum, the Head of Migration Information Bureau (MIB) of the GIS, ACOI Adwoa Sika Anim, said migration was a global phenomenon which had effects on both origin and destination countries with impact on development.
She said although Ghana acknowledged the significance of migration with regard to her development, citizens needed to be encouraged to go through the right processes to avoid any inconvenience.
"In Ghana, we are all aware of the positive benefits of migration to the economy through money transfers, knowledge and skills transfer. However, the continuos flow of migrants in an irregular manner increases the vulnerability to exploitation," she stated.
She mentioned the lack of education and information on the processes of migration as major reasons why people travelled dangerously.
Explaining the negative effects of illegal migration, ACOI Anim pointed out that most migrants got stranded in various transit countries while others were arrested, detained and deported.
She said there were three categories of illegal migrants: Migrants who crossed borders illegally to avoid immigration officials, those who crossed borders using falsified documents and those who stayed on after the expiration of their legal status.
She further advised the public to refrain from illegal means of migration to enhance the country's reputation in the subregion adding that “free movements of persons and the rights of residence and establishment as instituted by ECOWAS, as a result of trade among nations, does not mean travelling without any travel document."
A Senior Registration Officer of the Birth and Death Registry, Hajia Fulera Iddi, who took participants through the process of the registration of documents, recommended that individuals should register through recognised organisations to avoid any fraudulent certificate.
The event also hosted officials from the Passport Office, Registrar General's Department and the Police CID who educated participants on the various aspects of documentation.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Report symptoms of Buruli ulcer early
Published in the Daily Graphic on 3/06/2010, pg 46
Story: Matilda Attram, Obom
The Deputy Chief Medical Assistant of the Obom Health Centre in the Ga South municipality, Mr Isaac Lamptey, has advised the people living in Buruli ulcer endemic communities to report symptoms of the disease early to the hospital to avoid complications.
According to him, the disease often started as a painless swelling on the skin which itches and develops into a sore, stressing that, although Buruli ulcer was dangerous and causes devastating effects on patients, most patients only reported to the centre with the disease when it had reached a critical stage.
Records indicate that the centre recorded 22 cases of Buruli ulcer in the first quarter of the year, and that children are those mostly affected because they bath and play in some of the water sources in the communities.
Buruli ulcer is caused by a germ known as a Mycobacterium ulcerans which are found in water bodies such as slow flowing rivers, ponds, swamps and lakes. It mainly affects the skin but it can also affect the bone.
Mycobacterium ulcerans belongs to the same family of organisms that cause leprosy and tuberculosis.
Explaining the effects of the disease, Mr Lamptey said it led to extensive destruction of the skin and soft tissues of the human body.
"With the formation of large ulcers, usually on the legs or arms, the infection can result in functional disability, such as restriction of joint movement, if not treated early," he said.
He said the communities which depended on the centre for their health care had boreholes as their source of water but continued to use the unhygienic rivers and ponds in the communities as their sources of water.
He said the communities reported cases of Buruli ulcer late, after attributing the ulcers to primitive beliefs such as witchcraft, and ascribed the behaviour and attitude of the people to illiteracy and ignorance.
"They come to the clinic when their visits to herbalists and other traditional sources of healing fail and their conditions have become critical," he added.
Mr Lamptey told the Daily Graphic that the centre, in collaboration with other private institutions, organised durbars, film shows, free screening of children during school hours and embarked on door-to-door campaigns to educate the people on the disease as a means of minimising the rate of infection in the area.
He said the lack of vehicles and the bad state of roads in the communities were the major challenges facing the centre in carrying out its activities.
Story: Matilda Attram, Obom
The Deputy Chief Medical Assistant of the Obom Health Centre in the Ga South municipality, Mr Isaac Lamptey, has advised the people living in Buruli ulcer endemic communities to report symptoms of the disease early to the hospital to avoid complications.
According to him, the disease often started as a painless swelling on the skin which itches and develops into a sore, stressing that, although Buruli ulcer was dangerous and causes devastating effects on patients, most patients only reported to the centre with the disease when it had reached a critical stage.
Records indicate that the centre recorded 22 cases of Buruli ulcer in the first quarter of the year, and that children are those mostly affected because they bath and play in some of the water sources in the communities.
Buruli ulcer is caused by a germ known as a Mycobacterium ulcerans which are found in water bodies such as slow flowing rivers, ponds, swamps and lakes. It mainly affects the skin but it can also affect the bone.
Mycobacterium ulcerans belongs to the same family of organisms that cause leprosy and tuberculosis.
Explaining the effects of the disease, Mr Lamptey said it led to extensive destruction of the skin and soft tissues of the human body.
"With the formation of large ulcers, usually on the legs or arms, the infection can result in functional disability, such as restriction of joint movement, if not treated early," he said.
He said the communities which depended on the centre for their health care had boreholes as their source of water but continued to use the unhygienic rivers and ponds in the communities as their sources of water.
He said the communities reported cases of Buruli ulcer late, after attributing the ulcers to primitive beliefs such as witchcraft, and ascribed the behaviour and attitude of the people to illiteracy and ignorance.
"They come to the clinic when their visits to herbalists and other traditional sources of healing fail and their conditions have become critical," he added.
Mr Lamptey told the Daily Graphic that the centre, in collaboration with other private institutions, organised durbars, film shows, free screening of children during school hours and embarked on door-to-door campaigns to educate the people on the disease as a means of minimising the rate of infection in the area.
He said the lack of vehicles and the bad state of roads in the communities were the major challenges facing the centre in carrying out its activities.
'Report Buruli ulcer early'
Published in the Daily Graphic on 2/06/2010, pg 23
Story: Matilda Attram, Obom
The Deputy Chief Medical Assistant of the Obom Health Centre in the Ga South municipality, Mr Isaac Lamptey, has advised the people living in Buruli ulcer endemic communities to report symptoms of the disease early to the hospital to avoid complications.
According to him, the disease often started as a painless swelling on the skin which itches and develops into a sore, stressing that, although Buruli ulcer was dangerous and causes devastating effects on patients, most patients only reported to the centre with the disease when it had reached a critical stage.
Records indicate that the centre recorded 22 cases of Buruli ulcer in the first quarter of the year, and that children are those mostly affected because they bath and play in some of the water sources in the communities.
Buruli ulcer is caused by a germ known as a Mycobacterium ulcerans which are found in water bodies such as slow flowing rivers, ponds, swamps and lakes. It mainly affects the skin but it can also affect the bone.
Mycobacterium ulcerans belongs to the same family of organisms that cause leprosy and tuberculosis.
Explaining the effects of the disease, Mr Lamptey said it led to extensive destruction of the skin and soft tissues of the human body.
"With the formation of large ulcers, usually on the legs or arms, the infection can result in functional disability, such as restriction of joint movement, if not treated early," he said.
He said the communities which depended on the centre for their health care had boreholes as their source of water but continued to use the unhygienic rivers and ponds in the communities as their sources of water.
He said the communities reported cases of Buruli ulcer late, after attributing the ulcers to primitive beliefs such as witchcraft, and ascribed the behaviour and attitude of the people to illiteracy and ignorance.
"They come to the clinic when their visits to herbalists and other traditional sources of healing fail and their conditions have become critical," he added.
Mr Lamptey told the Daily Graphic that the centre, in collaboration with other private institutions, organised durbars, film shows, free screening of children during school hours and embarked on door-to-door campaigns to educate the people on the disease as a means of minimising the rate of infection in the area.
He said the lack of vehicles and the bad state of roads in the communities were the major challenges facing the centre in carrying out its activities.
Story: Matilda Attram, Obom
The Deputy Chief Medical Assistant of the Obom Health Centre in the Ga South municipality, Mr Isaac Lamptey, has advised the people living in Buruli ulcer endemic communities to report symptoms of the disease early to the hospital to avoid complications.
According to him, the disease often started as a painless swelling on the skin which itches and develops into a sore, stressing that, although Buruli ulcer was dangerous and causes devastating effects on patients, most patients only reported to the centre with the disease when it had reached a critical stage.
Records indicate that the centre recorded 22 cases of Buruli ulcer in the first quarter of the year, and that children are those mostly affected because they bath and play in some of the water sources in the communities.
Buruli ulcer is caused by a germ known as a Mycobacterium ulcerans which are found in water bodies such as slow flowing rivers, ponds, swamps and lakes. It mainly affects the skin but it can also affect the bone.
Mycobacterium ulcerans belongs to the same family of organisms that cause leprosy and tuberculosis.
Explaining the effects of the disease, Mr Lamptey said it led to extensive destruction of the skin and soft tissues of the human body.
"With the formation of large ulcers, usually on the legs or arms, the infection can result in functional disability, such as restriction of joint movement, if not treated early," he said.
He said the communities which depended on the centre for their health care had boreholes as their source of water but continued to use the unhygienic rivers and ponds in the communities as their sources of water.
He said the communities reported cases of Buruli ulcer late, after attributing the ulcers to primitive beliefs such as witchcraft, and ascribed the behaviour and attitude of the people to illiteracy and ignorance.
"They come to the clinic when their visits to herbalists and other traditional sources of healing fail and their conditions have become critical," he added.
Mr Lamptey told the Daily Graphic that the centre, in collaboration with other private institutions, organised durbars, film shows, free screening of children during school hours and embarked on door-to-door campaigns to educate the people on the disease as a means of minimising the rate of infection in the area.
He said the lack of vehicles and the bad state of roads in the communities were the major challenges facing the centre in carrying out its activities.
Stakeholders in cocoa industry fight challenges
Published in the Daily Graphic on 01/06/2010' pg 16 (spread, middle pg)
Story: Matilda Attram
STAKEHOLDERS in the cocoa industry from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central and Pacific Islands, South-East Asia and Europe are meeting at a workshop in Accra to deliberate on sustainable cocoa productivity in major cocoa-producing countries.
The five-day workshop is intended to offer practical insight into and ideas for cocoa researchers to enable them to solve common problems associated with cocoa production.
The event is being organised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in collaboration with the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) and Bioversity International with funds from the Common Fund for Commodities.
Opening the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Mr Anthony Fofie, indicated that the increasing global awareness of the need to pursue development in a sustainable manner under the guiding principle that development must satisfy present needs without compromising the ability of future generations posed a great challenge to cocoa production.
He said the low yields in cocoa productivity resulted from the many challenges facing the cocoa industry.
“This poses a big challenge to cocoa production as yields are low and quality is invariably poor in most countries and needs to be improved,” he stated.
According to him, improvement in productivity and quality in the industry would enhance the economic well-being of a lot of cocoa farmers, thereby improving on productivity.
He mentioned poor planting material and the low nutrient states of soils as some of the challenges that shattered the dreams of most cocoa farmers in production.
He expressed the hope that an improved cocoa productivity would also serve as an incentive to attract the youth into cocoa cultivation.
The Director of Economics and Statistics Division of the ICCO, Dr Jean-Marc Anga, stressed the need for cocoa-producing countries to sustain their partnership in fighting the challenges of the industry.
He said although the industry tackled its thorny issues such as cocoa quality, cocoa traceability, food safety concerns, environmental concerns and social ethics, there were two important challenges they faced in trying to bring about a sustainable cocoa economy.
He mentioned the two important challenges as the ability to consider increase in the income of cocoa farmers and how to meet the requirements of chocolate and cocoa product consumers who would want to address health and safety concerns of the industry.
In a statement, a representative of Bioversity International, Mr Stephan Weise, urged participating countries to locate other different means of achieving a sustainable cocoa economy.
Story: Matilda Attram
STAKEHOLDERS in the cocoa industry from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central and Pacific Islands, South-East Asia and Europe are meeting at a workshop in Accra to deliberate on sustainable cocoa productivity in major cocoa-producing countries.
The five-day workshop is intended to offer practical insight into and ideas for cocoa researchers to enable them to solve common problems associated with cocoa production.
The event is being organised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in collaboration with the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) and Bioversity International with funds from the Common Fund for Commodities.
Opening the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Mr Anthony Fofie, indicated that the increasing global awareness of the need to pursue development in a sustainable manner under the guiding principle that development must satisfy present needs without compromising the ability of future generations posed a great challenge to cocoa production.
He said the low yields in cocoa productivity resulted from the many challenges facing the cocoa industry.
“This poses a big challenge to cocoa production as yields are low and quality is invariably poor in most countries and needs to be improved,” he stated.
According to him, improvement in productivity and quality in the industry would enhance the economic well-being of a lot of cocoa farmers, thereby improving on productivity.
He mentioned poor planting material and the low nutrient states of soils as some of the challenges that shattered the dreams of most cocoa farmers in production.
He expressed the hope that an improved cocoa productivity would also serve as an incentive to attract the youth into cocoa cultivation.
The Director of Economics and Statistics Division of the ICCO, Dr Jean-Marc Anga, stressed the need for cocoa-producing countries to sustain their partnership in fighting the challenges of the industry.
He said although the industry tackled its thorny issues such as cocoa quality, cocoa traceability, food safety concerns, environmental concerns and social ethics, there were two important challenges they faced in trying to bring about a sustainable cocoa economy.
He mentioned the two important challenges as the ability to consider increase in the income of cocoa farmers and how to meet the requirements of chocolate and cocoa product consumers who would want to address health and safety concerns of the industry.
In a statement, a representative of Bioversity International, Mr Stephan Weise, urged participating countries to locate other different means of achieving a sustainable cocoa economy.
GIA Passengers still stranded
Published in the Daily Graphic on 31/05/2010, pg 36
Story: Matilda Attram & Collette Brown
DISAPPOINTED passengers of the Ghana International Airlines (GIA) are still stranded in Accra after their flights were cancelled by the national airline about a week ago.
On a visit to the offices of the airline on Monday, the Daily Graphic observed that angry passengers were still waiting for alternative means of travelling to their destinations.
Worried passengers who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they would lose their jobs if the management of the airline kept delaying their trips.
Others complained of wasting money on transport to and from the office on a regular basis to check on their flights.
Officials of the GIA, who refused to comment on the situation, only said some passengers had already been given alternate flights and that they were doing their best to transfer the remaining people.
The Daily Graphic, on May 15, this year, published a report on the stranded passengers who stormed the offices of the national carrier to vent their frustration on the management, only to be disappointed because the management failed to make alternative arrangements to fly them to their destinations.
The management staff of the airline virtually abandoned their offices, leaving behind a notice to inform passengers of the cancellation of GIA Flight G0 101 of Friday, May 14, 2010.
The notice read: “Ghana International Airlines regrets to announce the cancellation of Flight G0 101 of today, May 14, 2010. Passengers are, therefore, requested not to go to the airport tonight. GIA will contact passengers as soon as arrangements are completed to fly them out of Accra. We thank you for your custom.”
The disappointed passengers, who claimed to have bought their tickets about two months ago, poured vituperations on the management, saying its operations smacked of incompetence and mismanagement.
They were unhappy that the management of the airline kept using the ash clouds caused by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland, which had interrupted flights across Europe, as an excuse.
Story: Matilda Attram & Collette Brown
DISAPPOINTED passengers of the Ghana International Airlines (GIA) are still stranded in Accra after their flights were cancelled by the national airline about a week ago.
On a visit to the offices of the airline on Monday, the Daily Graphic observed that angry passengers were still waiting for alternative means of travelling to their destinations.
Worried passengers who spoke to the Daily Graphic said they would lose their jobs if the management of the airline kept delaying their trips.
Others complained of wasting money on transport to and from the office on a regular basis to check on their flights.
Officials of the GIA, who refused to comment on the situation, only said some passengers had already been given alternate flights and that they were doing their best to transfer the remaining people.
The Daily Graphic, on May 15, this year, published a report on the stranded passengers who stormed the offices of the national carrier to vent their frustration on the management, only to be disappointed because the management failed to make alternative arrangements to fly them to their destinations.
The management staff of the airline virtually abandoned their offices, leaving behind a notice to inform passengers of the cancellation of GIA Flight G0 101 of Friday, May 14, 2010.
The notice read: “Ghana International Airlines regrets to announce the cancellation of Flight G0 101 of today, May 14, 2010. Passengers are, therefore, requested not to go to the airport tonight. GIA will contact passengers as soon as arrangements are completed to fly them out of Accra. We thank you for your custom.”
The disappointed passengers, who claimed to have bought their tickets about two months ago, poured vituperations on the management, saying its operations smacked of incompetence and mismanagement.
They were unhappy that the management of the airline kept using the ash clouds caused by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland, which had interrupted flights across Europe, as an excuse.
Jubilee SHS inaugurates PTA
Published in the Daily Graphic on 28/05/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
Jubilee Senior High School in the Ga South Municipality has inaugurated its first Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that will manage the development of the school.
The school, established in 2007, adopted its name based on the golden jubilee celebration of the country.
At the inaugural ceremony in Accra at the weekend, the acting Training Officer in Charge of Senior High Schools of the Ga South Educational Directorate, Madam Edith Amane, said an association was a collaborative body which aimed at a common goal.
She said the PTA represented the ability of parents and teachers who came together in the interest of a school for the benefit of the children and society.
"A PTA is a non-governmental and non partisan association of both parents and teachers in the interest of a school," she explained.
She noted that the PTA could do better through the assistance of infrasturacture maintenance and activities of its school.
She, therefore, advised members of the association to be committed to their expected roles.
In his welcoming address, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Nobert Andy Sulemana, said the development of every basic and senior high school depended on its PTA who took plans to help the school to progress.
According to him, PTA is an indispensable ingredient of every school due to the productive roles it plays.
He called on the members of the association to work in unity to achieve the school's aim of becoming one of the best second cycle institutions in the country.
Giving a brief history about the school, its Assistant Headmaster, Mr Eric Fordjuor, said the school started operations three years ago with one student and seven staff members who formed its founder members.
He said the school inculcated the fear of God among other values of society in its students to enable them to become responsible leaders in future.
Mr Fordjuor said the school had no records of students performance in the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) since it would be enrolling its first batch for the examinations in the next academic year.
He described the academic performance of students as encouraging and hoped for their success in the WASSCE.
Mr Fordjuor appealed to the PTA to support the school in providing permanent accommodation for academic activities.
The school currently has 140 students and 15 staff members.
Story: Matilda Attram
Jubilee Senior High School in the Ga South Municipality has inaugurated its first Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that will manage the development of the school.
The school, established in 2007, adopted its name based on the golden jubilee celebration of the country.
At the inaugural ceremony in Accra at the weekend, the acting Training Officer in Charge of Senior High Schools of the Ga South Educational Directorate, Madam Edith Amane, said an association was a collaborative body which aimed at a common goal.
She said the PTA represented the ability of parents and teachers who came together in the interest of a school for the benefit of the children and society.
"A PTA is a non-governmental and non partisan association of both parents and teachers in the interest of a school," she explained.
She noted that the PTA could do better through the assistance of infrasturacture maintenance and activities of its school.
She, therefore, advised members of the association to be committed to their expected roles.
In his welcoming address, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Nobert Andy Sulemana, said the development of every basic and senior high school depended on its PTA who took plans to help the school to progress.
According to him, PTA is an indispensable ingredient of every school due to the productive roles it plays.
He called on the members of the association to work in unity to achieve the school's aim of becoming one of the best second cycle institutions in the country.
Giving a brief history about the school, its Assistant Headmaster, Mr Eric Fordjuor, said the school started operations three years ago with one student and seven staff members who formed its founder members.
He said the school inculcated the fear of God among other values of society in its students to enable them to become responsible leaders in future.
Mr Fordjuor said the school had no records of students performance in the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) since it would be enrolling its first batch for the examinations in the next academic year.
He described the academic performance of students as encouraging and hoped for their success in the WASSCE.
Mr Fordjuor appealed to the PTA to support the school in providing permanent accommodation for academic activities.
The school currently has 140 students and 15 staff members.
GNLD donates to Korle Bu
Published in the Daily Graphic on 25/05/2010, pg 18
Story: Matilda Attram
Nine hospitals and one school have benefited from a donation of 120 boxes of home care detergents worth GH¢30,000 from the GNLD International, manufacturers of health care, home care, personal care and skin care products.
The institutions are the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mamprobi Polyclinic, the La General Hospital, Adabraka Polyclinic, Kaneshie Polyclinic, Maamobi Polyclinic, Princess Marie Louise Hospital, Achimota Hospital, the Weija Leprosarium in Accra, and the Godenu LA Kindergarten/Primary School in the Volta region.
The products were expected to support the sanitation sectors of the various institutions.
Presenting the items, the International Vice President in charge of Sales and Marketing of the company, Mr Ridolfo Ricco Brown, said the donation was in line with the company’s good corporate citizenship objective.
He said the company was concerned about the sanitation and health aspects of the communities where it operated adding that “ as a company, our purpose is to make a positive difference in the lives of people”.
He said the exercise was also part of the company’s support towards the celebration of this year’s World Environmental Day to ensure a clean environment.
“As part of the celebration of the World Environmental Day this year, we in GNLD would like to take this step by ensuring that the environment is clean before the day itself”, he stated.
Mr Brown also mentioneded that the company assisted in the development of other institutions and organisations.
The Deputy Director for Nursing Services of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ms Comfort Aboagye-Adu, who received the items on behalf of the institutions expressed appreciation to the management of the GNLD International, for the gesture and gave the assurance that the products would be used for their intended purposes.
The company, which was first established in the United States of America (USA), currently exists in over 50 countries across the world.
Story: Matilda Attram
Nine hospitals and one school have benefited from a donation of 120 boxes of home care detergents worth GH¢30,000 from the GNLD International, manufacturers of health care, home care, personal care and skin care products.
The institutions are the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mamprobi Polyclinic, the La General Hospital, Adabraka Polyclinic, Kaneshie Polyclinic, Maamobi Polyclinic, Princess Marie Louise Hospital, Achimota Hospital, the Weija Leprosarium in Accra, and the Godenu LA Kindergarten/Primary School in the Volta region.
The products were expected to support the sanitation sectors of the various institutions.
Presenting the items, the International Vice President in charge of Sales and Marketing of the company, Mr Ridolfo Ricco Brown, said the donation was in line with the company’s good corporate citizenship objective.
He said the company was concerned about the sanitation and health aspects of the communities where it operated adding that “ as a company, our purpose is to make a positive difference in the lives of people”.
He said the exercise was also part of the company’s support towards the celebration of this year’s World Environmental Day to ensure a clean environment.
“As part of the celebration of the World Environmental Day this year, we in GNLD would like to take this step by ensuring that the environment is clean before the day itself”, he stated.
Mr Brown also mentioneded that the company assisted in the development of other institutions and organisations.
The Deputy Director for Nursing Services of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ms Comfort Aboagye-Adu, who received the items on behalf of the institutions expressed appreciation to the management of the GNLD International, for the gesture and gave the assurance that the products would be used for their intended purposes.
The company, which was first established in the United States of America (USA), currently exists in over 50 countries across the world.
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