Published in the Daily Graphic on 8/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service has intensified its human rights advocacy programme on Juvenile Justice and Domestic Violence among schoolchildren to sensitise the children to their rights and juvenile offence. A juvenile is an individual under 18 years( a child), suspected to have committed an offence against the laws of a state.
Juvenile justice is, therefore, the dispensation of justice involving a juvenile. This is in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations (UN) in 1948.
The UDHR recognises that children need special safeguards and appropriate legal protection. It therefore proclaims that every child should be given special care and assistance before and after birth, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity.
Due to this, the Juvenile Justice Act 653, 2003, was enacted to assist authorities to handle juveniles.
The project, which started with some selected basic schools in Accra, is to look at factors that account for juvenile delinquency, their psychological effects and impact on society, as well as ways to prevent it.
Speaking at the first outreach programme organised for pupils of the St Paul’s Catholic Basic Shoal in Accra, the Deputy Director of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ciphers Arthur, indicated that juvenile offenders included children who engaged in criminal and other activities which do not conform with societal norms.
According to him, although juveniles were crime suspects, they had their rights which needed to be protected.
He explained that the law believed juveniles could commit crimes without having knowledge on its consequences.
"Children are the vulnerable group in society and anyone who is vulnerable needs special care and protection," he added.
He mentioned the right to be questioned before a guardian or a lawyer, the rights to hide ones identity from the media, the rights to have a guardian informed of an arrest and the right to be granted bail on mild offences, as some of the rights of a juvenile offender.
ASP Arthur also stressed the need for authorities to seek the interest of a juvenile on suspected crime before taking decisions since that formed part of his or her rights.
He cautioned the pupils to stay away from activities that could cause their arrest and also advised them to be mindful of their rights in case they came into conflict with the law.
"Although juveniles have rights which must be protected, make sure you don't get yourself involved in any crime, but rather study hard to become responsible adults in future," he added.
Speaking on factors that lead to juvenile delinquency, a Clinical Psychologist of the Greater Accra Regional DOVVSU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bismark Agyapong, explained that delinquency was a set of behaviours that were not in line with the collective practices and ethics of a dominant social group or society.
He stated that juvenile delinquency incorporated not only general criminal activities but also conduct that was unlawful for the youth such as skipping school.
He mentioned consistent conflicts within families leading to the lack of supervision on the part of parents, a distinct lack of parent-child attachment, poor home life quality and peer pressure as some factors that accounted for juvenile delinquency.
ASP Agyapong further indicated that some children became juvenile delinquents through psychological effects such as mental disorders, denial, depression and inconsistent discipline by parents, which could be prevented through counselling and responsible parenthood.
He advised the pupils to focus on their studies to enable them become responsible leaders in future.
The Public Affairs Officer of DOVVSU, Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, who took the pupils through the functions of DOVVSU, advised them to report to their parents, teachers or the police anytime they faced any form of sexual abuse and other abuses.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
154 graduates from Ghana Telecom University
Published in the Daily Graphic on 7/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
ONE hundred and fifty-four students who took short courses at the Ghana Telecom University College have completed their six-month studies.
They consist of students who completed their studies in 2008 and 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, a Lecturer at the Centre for New Learning at the DePaul University in the US, Professor Derise Tolliver, said technology was important in the development of every nation.
According to her,technology formed a fundamental section of development that transformed a nation.
"The application of technology in today's world is very essential since it enhances development in every sector of development," she added.
Professor Tolliver challenged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had acquired in all sectors of development to the benefit of their communities.
She also encouraged them to develop in themselves a supreme confidence and creativity to enable them to improve on themselves.
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, indicated that the institution, which was built four years ago to provide education in Information Technology, had made substantial investments in training the youth of Ghana through its programmes.
He said the institution had trained students who could function as responsible global citizens and effective leaders in the increasingly interdependent world as an urgent and challenging task facing the nation.
" We encourage our students, faculty and staff to get involved in their communities; and to use their expertise to try to make a difference in the world," he said.
According to him,the institution had also built academic partnership with a number of institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world to improve its operations.
"The university is collaborating with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, the Aalbog University in Denmark, the University of Applied Sciences at Wildau, in Germany among others in a number of core areas such as capacity building, academic and research co-operation," he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the institution which offered programmes such as IT,Telecom Engineering and Telecom Management, would introduce new ones including post graduate programmes.
"We continue to expand the range of programmes offered within our three faculties. In September this year, we will introduce a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Business Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in supply Chain Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering and Management; and a one-year MBA in Engineering Management.
Two additional programmes at the Masters level in Telematics and Aviation Management will be introduced as well," he added.
Outlining the challenges of the institutions,the president mentioned the lack of hostel facilities for students as a major challenge facing the institution and appealed to organisations and individuals to assist in addressing the problem.
The college currently has a student population of 1,422.
Story: Matilda Attram
ONE hundred and fifty-four students who took short courses at the Ghana Telecom University College have completed their six-month studies.
They consist of students who completed their studies in 2008 and 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, a Lecturer at the Centre for New Learning at the DePaul University in the US, Professor Derise Tolliver, said technology was important in the development of every nation.
According to her,technology formed a fundamental section of development that transformed a nation.
"The application of technology in today's world is very essential since it enhances development in every sector of development," she added.
Professor Tolliver challenged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had acquired in all sectors of development to the benefit of their communities.
She also encouraged them to develop in themselves a supreme confidence and creativity to enable them to improve on themselves.
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei Darkwa, indicated that the institution, which was built four years ago to provide education in Information Technology, had made substantial investments in training the youth of Ghana through its programmes.
He said the institution had trained students who could function as responsible global citizens and effective leaders in the increasingly interdependent world as an urgent and challenging task facing the nation.
" We encourage our students, faculty and staff to get involved in their communities; and to use their expertise to try to make a difference in the world," he said.
According to him,the institution had also built academic partnership with a number of institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world to improve its operations.
"The university is collaborating with institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, the Aalbog University in Denmark, the University of Applied Sciences at Wildau, in Germany among others in a number of core areas such as capacity building, academic and research co-operation," he stated.
Dr Darkwa said the institution which offered programmes such as IT,Telecom Engineering and Telecom Management, would introduce new ones including post graduate programmes.
"We continue to expand the range of programmes offered within our three faculties. In September this year, we will introduce a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Business Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in supply Chain Management, a one-year Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering and Management; and a one-year MBA in Engineering Management.
Two additional programmes at the Masters level in Telematics and Aviation Management will be introduced as well," he added.
Outlining the challenges of the institutions,the president mentioned the lack of hostel facilities for students as a major challenge facing the institution and appealed to organisations and individuals to assist in addressing the problem.
The college currently has a student population of 1,422.
Gt Accra Police tough on criminals
Published in the Daily Graphic on 7/07/2010, pg 51
Story: Matilda Attram & Gloria Kyeremeh
ELEVEN suspected armed robbers who are believed to have engaged in various operations at Adenta and the Teshie-Nungua area have been nabbed by the Greater Accra Regional Police.
Six of them were identified as Ablor Uman, 58; Nathaniel Addo Apan, 29; Lucas Anum, 27; Felix Sango, 25; Eric Baba, 21, and Bismark Addo, 20.
After the swoop on their Teshie-Nungua hideout by the Nungua District Police following a tip off, items including a laptop, a Dell computer, an LG DVD player, nine mobile phones, four pen drives, two ATM cards, a SSNIT ID card, one screw driver, two pairs of vehicle number plates and an instrument believed to be used for sniffing cocaine were recovered from the suspects.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, two employees of Romantic Furniture Company on the Kanda Highway were also arrested for alleged robbery.
The suspects, Daniel Agyare and David Ohene Painstil, were arrested after a complaint made by their employers, Louise Yuon and Xu Shun Lai, for allegedly stealing the company's laptop, two personal mobile phones and an amount of GH¢3,000.
DCOP Atinga indicated that two other men who allegedly snatched a Nissan Urvan bus, with registration number GR 645S, and a Nissan Almera taxi, with registration number GS 8646-09, in two different operations had been arrested by the police.
Rashim Mohammed, 23, suspected for stealing the Nissan Urvan from a house at Fadama on December 21, 2009, was arrested on June 27, 2010 while using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
Rashim was said to have been released from prison custody in June 2009 after serving a four-year jail term for a similar offence.
The other suspect, James Donkor, 22, was said to have hired the taxi about 10:30 p.m. on February 2, 2010 from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Dzorwulu and later snatched it from the driver midway through the journey and made away with it, as well as the driver's sales for the day and his mobile phone.
DCOP Atinga advised the public to help the police with information that would lead to the arrest of criminals and ultimately reduce crime in the country.
She also cautioned potential car buyers to conduct due diligence on the places and the people they are buying the cars from in order not to buy stolen cars.
"If we arrest anybody with stolen items, the law will take its course, irrespective of whether he or she bought it or not," she stressed.
Story: Matilda Attram & Gloria Kyeremeh
ELEVEN suspected armed robbers who are believed to have engaged in various operations at Adenta and the Teshie-Nungua area have been nabbed by the Greater Accra Regional Police.
Six of them were identified as Ablor Uman, 58; Nathaniel Addo Apan, 29; Lucas Anum, 27; Felix Sango, 25; Eric Baba, 21, and Bismark Addo, 20.
After the swoop on their Teshie-Nungua hideout by the Nungua District Police following a tip off, items including a laptop, a Dell computer, an LG DVD player, nine mobile phones, four pen drives, two ATM cards, a SSNIT ID card, one screw driver, two pairs of vehicle number plates and an instrument believed to be used for sniffing cocaine were recovered from the suspects.
According to the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, two employees of Romantic Furniture Company on the Kanda Highway were also arrested for alleged robbery.
The suspects, Daniel Agyare and David Ohene Painstil, were arrested after a complaint made by their employers, Louise Yuon and Xu Shun Lai, for allegedly stealing the company's laptop, two personal mobile phones and an amount of GH¢3,000.
DCOP Atinga indicated that two other men who allegedly snatched a Nissan Urvan bus, with registration number GR 645S, and a Nissan Almera taxi, with registration number GS 8646-09, in two different operations had been arrested by the police.
Rashim Mohammed, 23, suspected for stealing the Nissan Urvan from a house at Fadama on December 21, 2009, was arrested on June 27, 2010 while using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
Rashim was said to have been released from prison custody in June 2009 after serving a four-year jail term for a similar offence.
The other suspect, James Donkor, 22, was said to have hired the taxi about 10:30 p.m. on February 2, 2010 from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Dzorwulu and later snatched it from the driver midway through the journey and made away with it, as well as the driver's sales for the day and his mobile phone.
DCOP Atinga advised the public to help the police with information that would lead to the arrest of criminals and ultimately reduce crime in the country.
She also cautioned potential car buyers to conduct due diligence on the places and the people they are buying the cars from in order not to buy stolen cars.
"If we arrest anybody with stolen items, the law will take its course, irrespective of whether he or she bought it or not," she stressed.
Education village under construction at Savelugu-Nanton
Published in the Daily Graphic on 6/07/2010, pg 11
Story: Matilda Attram
A sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a $20 million educational village has been performed at Savulugu-Nanton in the Northern Region.
When completed, the village is expected to house the youth of the three northern regions, especially young women, and provide them with vocational training to improve their lives.
The project is, therefore, aimed at reducing youth migration from the northern to the southern parts of the country.
The construction work is under the auspices of the Pamela Bridgewater Project, initiated by the former USA Ambassador, Pamela E. Bridgewater, to improve the lives of female porters (Kayayei) in Ghana.
The initiative is supported by Kunata Voluntary Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
In his address, the Director of the project, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, indicated that the project will also offer them opportunities to enhance their farming activities.
He said the project was important to the country since it aimed at changing the lives of some of the youth who migrate to the south to make a living under trying conditions.
He attributed the migration of young girls from the northern part of the country to the south to the lack of training facilities and motivation in the three northern regions.
Mr Alhassan noted that as part of the organisation’s support to the project, executives of the project often visited some of the young women who had already migrated to the south, donated items to them and interacted with them.
He called on district chief executives (DCEs), chiefs and community leaders in the regions to engage the youth in communal activities that would enable them explore and develop their potential.
The District Chief Executive for Savulugu-Nanton, Alhaji Prince Askia Mohammed, expressed concern about the deplorable conditions the female porters operated in and stressed the need for an intervention to address the problem. He also commended the executives of the project for their efforts and pledged his support for it.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Director of Consar Ghana Limited, the construction firm undertaking the project, Mr Ramiz Hamdeh, assured those present that his company would support views to enhance the development of deprived areas in the country.
Story: Matilda Attram
A sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a $20 million educational village has been performed at Savulugu-Nanton in the Northern Region.
When completed, the village is expected to house the youth of the three northern regions, especially young women, and provide them with vocational training to improve their lives.
The project is, therefore, aimed at reducing youth migration from the northern to the southern parts of the country.
The construction work is under the auspices of the Pamela Bridgewater Project, initiated by the former USA Ambassador, Pamela E. Bridgewater, to improve the lives of female porters (Kayayei) in Ghana.
The initiative is supported by Kunata Voluntary Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
In his address, the Director of the project, Mr Yahaya Alhassan, indicated that the project will also offer them opportunities to enhance their farming activities.
He said the project was important to the country since it aimed at changing the lives of some of the youth who migrate to the south to make a living under trying conditions.
He attributed the migration of young girls from the northern part of the country to the south to the lack of training facilities and motivation in the three northern regions.
Mr Alhassan noted that as part of the organisation’s support to the project, executives of the project often visited some of the young women who had already migrated to the south, donated items to them and interacted with them.
He called on district chief executives (DCEs), chiefs and community leaders in the regions to engage the youth in communal activities that would enable them explore and develop their potential.
The District Chief Executive for Savulugu-Nanton, Alhaji Prince Askia Mohammed, expressed concern about the deplorable conditions the female porters operated in and stressed the need for an intervention to address the problem. He also commended the executives of the project for their efforts and pledged his support for it.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Director of Consar Ghana Limited, the construction firm undertaking the project, Mr Ramiz Hamdeh, assured those present that his company would support views to enhance the development of deprived areas in the country.
Ga Rural Bank makes progress
Published in the Daily Graphic on 6/07/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram, Amasaman
The Ga Rural Bank Limited, has posted a net profit after tax of GH¢196,641 in 2009 representing 7.79 per cent over its operations in 2008.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Joseph Hyde who made this known at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Amasaman, in the Ga West District, said the achievement was made in a competitive environment through the investment of additional equity funds and patronage of services offered by the bank.
According to the Chairman, the total assets of the bank also increased by 14 percent, from GH¢7,025,479 in 2008 to GH¢8,037,496 last year of which he said the bank had progressed in its productivity.
The bank’s total income also rose from GHc1,072,998 in 2008 to GHc1,480,403 in 2009 representing 37.97 per cent.
Mr Hyde said, the bank made additional investments in fixed assets of GH¢222,521 to improve on infrastructure as well as expand its business and network.
He stated that shareholders funds also hiked up by 22.31 percent from GH¢751,864 in 2008 to GH¢931,167 last year.
He noted that inspite of this, the bank made a modest increase of GH¢9232.00 in the advances of loans and overdrafts and extended GH¢9,106 as its support to communities, institutions and projects in its localities.
He further indicated that the board of the bank recommended that the bank maintained its dividend of 2 Ghana pesewas (2Gp) per share with regards to its performance in the previous year.
He added that the board would continue to pursue dividend policies to ensure a fair return on the investments of shareholders.
Mr Hyde indicated that although the world economic recession which began in 2008 affected the less capital inflows and foreign currency remittances in the country, the bank continued to expand in rural areas through the adoption of adequate policies to manage its challenges.
He said challenges posed by advancing big commercial banks continued to strengthen the operations of the bank in the competitive environment it found itself.
"Your bank continues to grow from strength to strength with your support and patronage. We shall endeavour to pursue policies and programmes as would utilise your resources to obtain maximum benefits and improve our profitability and value for shareholders," he added.
Mr Hyde called on the public and shareholders to continue to buy more shares to enable the bank expand its capacities to attract more businesses.
The General Manager of the bank, Mr Samuel Larkai, said the bank since its establishment in 1984 had complied with all the statutory provisions of the Bank of Ghana in terms of re-capitalisation among other requirements.
He said the bank aimed at promoting economic and infrastructure development of its areas of operation.
In an address, the Deputy Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, pointed out that the performance of most Rural and Community banks had been encouraging as they consistently registered impressive deposits and increased in share capital, a phenomenon which he described as "indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system."
He said although RCBs had achieved most of their aims there was still the need to consider their organisational restructuring, effective credit administration, cost control and reduction in its products so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive businesses environment.
He encouraged management of Ga Rural Bank to introduce new and innovative banking products to promote the rapid development of the communities.
"Your bank should introduce new products like the granting of good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals, enterprise development and the concept of one-day loan within its areas of operation to ensure availability of deposits and improve the livelihood of the rural communities," he added.
He made an assurance that 25 rural banks would be computerised and networked by the end of 2010 through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) computerisation programme for RCBs, under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), of which all RCBs and their branches/agencies would be computerised as well as networked to improve on operational efficiency.
The meeting ended with the appointment of a new board of director, Mr Nii Ayi Tagoe, and the re-election of two retiring directors on the board, Mr Godfred Seyedem Anku and Mrs Angela Peasah.
Story: Matilda Attram, Amasaman
The Ga Rural Bank Limited, has posted a net profit after tax of GH¢196,641 in 2009 representing 7.79 per cent over its operations in 2008.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Joseph Hyde who made this known at the 18th Annual General Meeting of the bank at Amasaman, in the Ga West District, said the achievement was made in a competitive environment through the investment of additional equity funds and patronage of services offered by the bank.
According to the Chairman, the total assets of the bank also increased by 14 percent, from GH¢7,025,479 in 2008 to GH¢8,037,496 last year of which he said the bank had progressed in its productivity.
The bank’s total income also rose from GHc1,072,998 in 2008 to GHc1,480,403 in 2009 representing 37.97 per cent.
Mr Hyde said, the bank made additional investments in fixed assets of GH¢222,521 to improve on infrastructure as well as expand its business and network.
He stated that shareholders funds also hiked up by 22.31 percent from GH¢751,864 in 2008 to GH¢931,167 last year.
He noted that inspite of this, the bank made a modest increase of GH¢9232.00 in the advances of loans and overdrafts and extended GH¢9,106 as its support to communities, institutions and projects in its localities.
He further indicated that the board of the bank recommended that the bank maintained its dividend of 2 Ghana pesewas (2Gp) per share with regards to its performance in the previous year.
He added that the board would continue to pursue dividend policies to ensure a fair return on the investments of shareholders.
Mr Hyde indicated that although the world economic recession which began in 2008 affected the less capital inflows and foreign currency remittances in the country, the bank continued to expand in rural areas through the adoption of adequate policies to manage its challenges.
He said challenges posed by advancing big commercial banks continued to strengthen the operations of the bank in the competitive environment it found itself.
"Your bank continues to grow from strength to strength with your support and patronage. We shall endeavour to pursue policies and programmes as would utilise your resources to obtain maximum benefits and improve our profitability and value for shareholders," he added.
Mr Hyde called on the public and shareholders to continue to buy more shares to enable the bank expand its capacities to attract more businesses.
The General Manager of the bank, Mr Samuel Larkai, said the bank since its establishment in 1984 had complied with all the statutory provisions of the Bank of Ghana in terms of re-capitalisation among other requirements.
He said the bank aimed at promoting economic and infrastructure development of its areas of operation.
In an address, the Deputy Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Duke Osam-Duodu, pointed out that the performance of most Rural and Community banks had been encouraging as they consistently registered impressive deposits and increased in share capital, a phenomenon which he described as "indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system."
He said although RCBs had achieved most of their aims there was still the need to consider their organisational restructuring, effective credit administration, cost control and reduction in its products so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive businesses environment.
He encouraged management of Ga Rural Bank to introduce new and innovative banking products to promote the rapid development of the communities.
"Your bank should introduce new products like the granting of good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals, enterprise development and the concept of one-day loan within its areas of operation to ensure availability of deposits and improve the livelihood of the rural communities," he added.
He made an assurance that 25 rural banks would be computerised and networked by the end of 2010 through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) computerisation programme for RCBs, under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), of which all RCBs and their branches/agencies would be computerised as well as networked to improve on operational efficiency.
The meeting ended with the appointment of a new board of director, Mr Nii Ayi Tagoe, and the re-election of two retiring directors on the board, Mr Godfred Seyedem Anku and Mrs Angela Peasah.
VAT service educates students
Published in the Daily Graphic on 30/06/2010, pg 29
Story: Matilda Attram
Officials of the Adabraka Value Added Tax (VAT) office have organised a sensitisation programme for staff and students of Accra Girls’ High School to raise the awareness of the need for the payment of Value Added Tax and National Health Insurance Levy (VAT/NHIL).
The programme also aimed at interacting with students of the school to enable them understand the concept of VAT/NHIL and their processes.
It was on the theme ‘Role VAT/NHIL in national development’.
In a presentation, the Senior Revenue Officer of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Salifu Wumbei, indicated that the payment of taxes was a legislative instrument applied by the government of a nation for the benefit of all.
He said the correct payment of taxes by citizens promoted the development of every nation and the well being of its people.
“Taxes are compulsory statutory payments made to government with no obvious and immediate benefit to the payer but for the benefit of all,” he stated.
According to him, parts of the revenue invested in the development of Ghana depended on the contributions the public made to the VAT Services.
He explained VAT as a general tax on consumption expenditure, imposed on prices of goods and services.
He, therefore, stated that the VAT Services were responsible for the collection of VAT, National Health Insurance Levy, the Communications Service Tax and the Domestic Excise Tax in the country.
“The VAT was established in 1998 under section 36 of the Value Added Tax Act, 1998, (Act 546) to take up certain responsibilities on the collection of taxes,” he added.
He also mentioned direct and indirect taxes as the types of taxes collected in the country.
“Direct taxes are imposed on a person’s earnings, income or wealth paid by the individual to whom the income or wealth accrues, example gift tax and income tax while, indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services paid by consumers or receivers of such goods and services, for example VAT and customs duty,” he added.
Mr Wumbei emphasised that some services were exempted from the payment of taxes and those included agricultural , educational and medical services.
The Client Services Supervisor of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Nathan Danquah, in a statement stressed that taxation was a major means that permitted everyone to contribute towards revenue mobilisation for development.
The Public Relations Officer for the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Welbeck Asare Asamoah, advised all to insist on their VAT invoice anytime they purchased goods and services from registered businesses, and also report to any VAT office when they suspected that certain businesses had not registered with the VAT.
“Please report to us if you suspect businesses who charge taxes and do not make returns to us, so together we can all build our nation to the benefit of all.”
Story: Matilda Attram
Officials of the Adabraka Value Added Tax (VAT) office have organised a sensitisation programme for staff and students of Accra Girls’ High School to raise the awareness of the need for the payment of Value Added Tax and National Health Insurance Levy (VAT/NHIL).
The programme also aimed at interacting with students of the school to enable them understand the concept of VAT/NHIL and their processes.
It was on the theme ‘Role VAT/NHIL in national development’.
In a presentation, the Senior Revenue Officer of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Salifu Wumbei, indicated that the payment of taxes was a legislative instrument applied by the government of a nation for the benefit of all.
He said the correct payment of taxes by citizens promoted the development of every nation and the well being of its people.
“Taxes are compulsory statutory payments made to government with no obvious and immediate benefit to the payer but for the benefit of all,” he stated.
According to him, parts of the revenue invested in the development of Ghana depended on the contributions the public made to the VAT Services.
He explained VAT as a general tax on consumption expenditure, imposed on prices of goods and services.
He, therefore, stated that the VAT Services were responsible for the collection of VAT, National Health Insurance Levy, the Communications Service Tax and the Domestic Excise Tax in the country.
“The VAT was established in 1998 under section 36 of the Value Added Tax Act, 1998, (Act 546) to take up certain responsibilities on the collection of taxes,” he added.
He also mentioned direct and indirect taxes as the types of taxes collected in the country.
“Direct taxes are imposed on a person’s earnings, income or wealth paid by the individual to whom the income or wealth accrues, example gift tax and income tax while, indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services paid by consumers or receivers of such goods and services, for example VAT and customs duty,” he added.
Mr Wumbei emphasised that some services were exempted from the payment of taxes and those included agricultural , educational and medical services.
The Client Services Supervisor of the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Nathan Danquah, in a statement stressed that taxation was a major means that permitted everyone to contribute towards revenue mobilisation for development.
The Public Relations Officer for the Adabraka VAT Office, Mr Welbeck Asare Asamoah, advised all to insist on their VAT invoice anytime they purchased goods and services from registered businesses, and also report to any VAT office when they suspected that certain businesses had not registered with the VAT.
“Please report to us if you suspect businesses who charge taxes and do not make returns to us, so together we can all build our nation to the benefit of all.”
AMA, NADMO assist fire victims
Published in the Daily Graphic on 28/06/2010, pg 38
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has presented assorted items to some victims of fire at Bubuashie in Accra.
The fire incident, which happened in October last year, ravaged a compound house and destroyed property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
The items included 20 students’ mattresses, 50 rubber mats, three packets of roofing sheets and a bale of second-hand clothing.
The presentation was to support the victims who lost their belongings during the fire outbreak which was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Presenting the items, the Accra Metro NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Isaac Mensah, said his office received a report on the incident in October last year.
He said NADMO then consulted the AMA on the issue and promised to “support the victims to pull back their lives”.
Mr Mensah stated that the two organisations, when notified, supported victims of all kinds of disaster in the country but cautioned the general public to take effective precautions to avoid disasters that could result in the loss of lives.
The landlady of the affected house, Madam Comfort Naa Ayifo Quarshie, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed appreciation to the two bodies for their support, adding, “We thought you have forgotten about us but you have proved to us that we are of importance to you. God bless you.”
In a related development, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has donated cleaning tools and materials worth GH¢3,000 to the AMA to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolis.
The tools are 10 wheelbarrows, 10 shovels, 10 metal rakes, 12 pairs of Wellington boots and 10 boxes of hand wash.
The Public Affairs Manager of SSNIT, Mr Jonathan Cato, indicated that the support came as a result of a request by the AMA to organisations to help improve the sanitation situation in the city.
The Director for Budget and Rating of the AMA, Mrs Lydia Sackey, thanked SSNIT for its support and assured it of the purposeful use of the items.
She called on other organisations to assist the AMA to enhance good sanitation in the city.
Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has presented assorted items to some victims of fire at Bubuashie in Accra.
The fire incident, which happened in October last year, ravaged a compound house and destroyed property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
The items included 20 students’ mattresses, 50 rubber mats, three packets of roofing sheets and a bale of second-hand clothing.
The presentation was to support the victims who lost their belongings during the fire outbreak which was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Presenting the items, the Accra Metro NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Isaac Mensah, said his office received a report on the incident in October last year.
He said NADMO then consulted the AMA on the issue and promised to “support the victims to pull back their lives”.
Mr Mensah stated that the two organisations, when notified, supported victims of all kinds of disaster in the country but cautioned the general public to take effective precautions to avoid disasters that could result in the loss of lives.
The landlady of the affected house, Madam Comfort Naa Ayifo Quarshie, who received the items on behalf of the victims, expressed appreciation to the two bodies for their support, adding, “We thought you have forgotten about us but you have proved to us that we are of importance to you. God bless you.”
In a related development, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has donated cleaning tools and materials worth GH¢3,000 to the AMA to improve on the sanitation situation in the metropolis.
The tools are 10 wheelbarrows, 10 shovels, 10 metal rakes, 12 pairs of Wellington boots and 10 boxes of hand wash.
The Public Affairs Manager of SSNIT, Mr Jonathan Cato, indicated that the support came as a result of a request by the AMA to organisations to help improve the sanitation situation in the city.
The Director for Budget and Rating of the AMA, Mrs Lydia Sackey, thanked SSNIT for its support and assured it of the purposeful use of the items.
She called on other organisations to assist the AMA to enhance good sanitation in the city.
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