Ghana - 32nd Highest Child Mortality in the World
Ghana has the 32nd highest rate of under-5 mortality in the world. For every 100 children born in Ghana, 12 die before their fifth birthday. Malaria, which affects 3.5 million people yearly, continues to be the leading killer of Ghanaian children.
"It is unfortunate that so many Ghanaian children still suffer and die from diseases that are easily preventable and treatable with minimum resources," said Courage Quashigah, the Minister for Health. The Ministry's new focus is on regenerative health and nutrition, with particular emphasis on improving health and sanitation, proper nutrition and the adoption of safe behaviours for malaria control.
The Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF Ghana and other partners, has adopted an integrated health programme to battle infant mortality and improve child health through the High impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) approach.
The integrated approach of cost-effective strategies, which will help to achieve MDGs 4&5, combines immunization, infant and young child feeding, management of childhood illnesses and improved antenatal care - is already having a positive impact on the determinants of child mortality.
"We must build on the strengths of the broad partnerships achieved during the integrated campaigns in 2006-07 in our fight to reduce child mortality," said Dr Joaquim Saweko, WHO Representative in Ghana. Immunisation campaigns have resulted in a dramatic reduction of measles cases and no deaths have been reported in Ghana since 2003.
Encouraging the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), and the distribution of anti-malarial drugs through community based volunteers have become a key component in the home management of malaria. More than 3.5 million ITNs have been distributed to children and pregnant women during successive campaigns 2006-07, and universal coverage could save the lives of 20,000 Ghanaian children that die from malaria every year.
In 2007, UNICEF Ghana supported a pilot project for a new and promising anti-malarial drug among infants, which is highly effective in reducing malaria infection. The agency is also supporting the Ghana Red Cross Society and their network of Mother-to-Mother supported clubs to scale up prevention and home management of fevers.
Through it Universal Iodisation of Salt programme, UNICEF is also supporting the Government of Ghana to prevent iodine deficiency disorders among newborns and pregnant, by promoting the household consumption of iodised slat.
"Simple strategies that are effective and low cost, and can provide practical solutions, can help in the battle to reduce child mortality and improve child health in Ghana," said UNICEF Representative, Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque
"Empowering communities with the knowledge and tools to provide home-based treatment and the prevention of childhood illnesses is a significant step towards ensuring the survival rights of all Ghanaian children."
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Public Agenda
Pastor Shaves 13-year-old girl
THE MADINA Police have arrested a 27-year-old pastor, Bright Addo for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old Junior High School student at his Ritz Junction Area residence at Madina, a suburb of Accra.
Pastor Addo was said to have taken advantage of the girl's weakness after the sex act and shaved off her pubic hair as she lay on the bed.
According to Chief Superintendent Elizabeth Allandu, the Divisional Commander of the Madina Divisional Command, Pastor Addo, who was the pastor in charge of the Divine Faith Prayer Ministry at the Achimota Forest but lives at the Ritz Junction at Madina near Accra, was also the victim's family pastor.
She said on January 22, 2008, Pastor Addo was arrested by the police based on complaint lodged by the victim's mother (name withheld) that her daughter had been defiled by the said 'Man of God'.
C/Supt. Allandu noted that Pastor Addo took advantage of the girl when she was sent by her mother to the pastor's house on an errand.
The pastor was said to have convinced the girl's mother that some men were spiritually defiling her, and that it was necessary for her to be protected from such spiritual attacks.
The mother of the victim therefore asked her daughter to drop in at the pastor's residence on her way home from school at Adenta for spiritual fortification.
Narrating her ordeal to the police, the victim alleged that when she got to Pastor Addo's residence, she was asked to remove her clothes for a spiritual bath.
She said the alleged rapist warmed some water, added some 'spiritual oil' and asked the victim to use the water to cleanse her vagina.
The purpose of the bath, according to the police, was to cleanse the girl of any spiritual spell said to have been cast by her 'enemies'.
The victim continued that after taking her bath, Pastor Addo told her to lie on his bed, and after allegedly 'inspecting the playing field', he had sex with her.
Having satisfied his desire, the pastor asked the girl why the 'playing field was so bushy' and proposed to shave it for her.
The girl said she initially refused to be shaved but Pastor Addo insisted and convinced her that he was a good barber and could therefore do it expertly without hurting her.
Pastor Addo then allegedly shaved her clean, wrapped the hair in a black polythene bag and dumped it in a waste paper bucket.
He then saw the girl off to pick a car and gave her a handkerchief with some drops of red oil, instructing her to tell the mother to burn the handkerchief at midnight.
But when victim got home at about 6:45 pm, the mother was worried over her undue lateness.
When pressed further on why she stayed so long in the pastor's house, the young lady asked her mother why she made her visit the pastor.
The mother was said to have told her daughter that she wanted her to pick a 'spiritual' handkerchief for her and then receive some spiritual 'anointment' herself.
She then told her mother what the pastor did to her. The mention of shaving of pubic hair frightened the mother, who suspected that the pastor wanted to use the hair for juju.
According to the police, it was through one Pastor Adu that the mother of the victim got to know Pastor Addo. She therefore informed Pastor Adu who in turn confronted his colleague pastor.
Pastor Addo was said to have initially denied the charge but the girl insisted that she had evidence that could incriminate the alleged 'rapist'.
Having been exposed, Pastor Addo begged for forgiveness and pledged to settle the girl with an undisclosed sum of money.
The police, led by Chief Inspector Edward Dzokoto, asked the woman to feign interest and on their way to have the matter 'amicably' resolved, the police swooped in on Pastor Addo and arrested him.
The police mentioned that in his cautioned statement, the suspect confessed to the act and led the police to his house where the pubic hair was retrieved from the dustbin.
Pastor Addo, speaking to DAILY GUIDE at the police station, confessed to the act and blamed it on the devil.
He said he was married to a 23-year-old nursing student (name withheld) and did not know why he succumbed to the devil's temptation.
Pastor Addo pleaded for pardon, promising that he would not commit that crime again.
C/Supt. Allandu cautioned mothers who send their daughters to men's rooms to carry out chores to desist from the practice.
She reminded women and Ghanaians in general to be wary of people who call themselves pastors, as many of such people are really "wolves in sheep's clothing".
C/Supt. Allandu urged the public to be security conscious, and added that Pastor Addo would be put before court after investigations were completed.
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Daily Guide
People of the Northern regions urged to develop its human resource base
Bongo (UE), Jan 27, GNA- The people of the three Northern regions have been urged to concentrate more on the development of its human resource base to cater for the little natural resources in the area.
Mr Albert Abongo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bongo Constituency said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Saturday in Bongo.
He said the only way the three Northern Regions could be developed rapidly was through education, which was the major component to the development of the human resource base.
Mr Abongo entreated parents to pay much attention to their children, especially their daughters, by sending them to school and ensure that they do not drop-out of school and later perform menial jobs.
The MP expressed regret of instances where some parents withdrew their wards from school to do farming in the rainy seasons, whilst others are involved in small scale mining.
"Do not allow your children to travel to the south to do menial jobs and jeopardize their future" Mr Abongo cautioned the parents.
He said their attention should be focussed on education to develop the region and the human resource base of the area, adding that, he has spent much of his MP Common Fund to sponsor students up to the tertiary.
"I have also invested much of my MP Common Fund in building of more Educational Infrastructure in my constituency",
he pointed out. The MP appealed to government to continue assisting the flood victims in the three Northern Regions to avert any hunger.
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GNA
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Drivers abhor number of police barriers
Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Jan. 26, GNA- Commercial drivers plying the Dormaa Ahenkro-Bechem trunk road in Brong-Ahafo have expressed their disgust at the number of police barriers on the road.
They alleged that police personnel at the barriers "demand monies from us without any reason and failure to oblige to their demands leads to either the seizure of one's driving license or prosecuted for alleged traffic offences".
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Kwasi Stephen, Secretary of Dormaa Professional Drivers Group of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani on Friday.
"The police on the road come to duty without their names and number and due to this we are unable to report the conduct of such police personnel to the appropriate authorities", the drivers alleged.
They alleged that they were instantly prosecuted at the Duayaw-Nkwanta circuit court for traffic offences and fined not less than GHC 900 "and we suspect foul play between the police and the court".
The drivers alleged they "pay instant charges to the police without being issued with receipts" and appealed to the appropriate authorities to help remedy the situation "or we are going to advise ourselves".
Source:
GNA
Birim South to benefit from German projects
Akim Oda (E/R), Jan. 26, GNA - five communities in the Birim South District are to benefit from projects funded by Germany as part of government's commitment to 'spring up' social amenities in the district, Mr Frank Kwasi Busumtwi, District Chief Executive announced on Friday. The Birim South District is one of the six districts to benefit from the German government funded projects to be undertaken by the German Bank for Reconstruction (KfW).
Mr Busumtwi mentioned Akroso, Asene, Akim Oda, Akim Swedru and Akim Achiase, as the communities to benefit from the KfW projects. He explained that these projects were part of the NPP government's programme, designed to help improve the living conditions of the people and also to open up deprived communities. The DCE said when he led a team from the funding agency to inspect the project sites in five towns. The projects included refurbishment of dilapidated school structures, construction of markets and roads. He noted that the people needed the projects urgently to enhance their lifestyle and pointed out that the rest of the five communities in the other districts would also benefit from the KfW project.
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GNA
TOR engineers stop oil spillage
Tema, Jan. 26, GNA- The Safety and Environmental staff of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) on Thursday afternoon, acted swiftly to stop an oil leakage on one of its underneath pipe lines within the plant.
The workers isolated the affected line buried underground and used sand bags to contain the oil to prevent further
spillage into a nearby gutter, Mrs Aba Lokko, Public Affairs Manager of TOR told the GNA in Tema.
She explained that part of the underground line had corroded thus giving way to the leakage, but its obscurity made it very difficult to detect until the leakage of the oil surfaced with some spilling into the gutter, which flowed intothe municipal drain.
Mrs Lokko said the corrosion was detected after the experts had dug the area and the engineers intervened promptly to save the situation.
Concerning the oil that had spilled into the municipal drain, Mr Kingsley Kofi Ditsa, Environmental Services Manager said foams were being used to collect it for re-processing so it would not go waste.
"Some of these operational hazards occur occasionally but we are able to contain it, Mr Ditsa stated.
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GNA
Bawku Municipal Assembly confirms Municipal Chief Executive
Bawku, Jan. 25, GNA - A 38-year-old management accountant of the Millennium Challenge Accounts (MCA), Mr. Abanga Abdulai, nominated by President Agyekum Kofuor as Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, has been confirmed by the assembly.
He polled 44 out of the 47 votes cast by the assembly members. Mr. Abdulai expressed his appreciation to the members and pledged to work hard to move the development of the area forward.
He said his priority would be to help resolve the fragile peace in Bawku and appealed to the assembly members to rally behind him. He said under his administration he would initiate an open door policy where all suggestions and views pertaining to the development of the municipality would be taken into consideration.
"Agriculture and education would be some of my top priorities and I would ensure that these areas are effectively and efficiently expanded and improved to enhance the living standard of the people."
Mr Abdulai said Bawku had a lot of revenue sources and when properly tapped could help develop the place and that he would adopt innovative initiatives to ensure that revenue mobilization was done effectively without leakages.
"I would ensure that nobody divert revenue meant for development into his or her pocket",
he said. Mr. Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister, said recent floods that hit the area and the communal violence that erupted in Bawku demanded strong leadership to deal with them.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central, Mr. Mark Anthony, MP for Binduri and Mr. Akunye Simon, MP for Pusiga as well as the Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, attended the ceremony.
A 32-Year-old accountant, Mr. Desmond Bugbilla, was also confirmed as the District Chief Executive for Bawku West. He polled 38 votes out 43 votes cast. He thanked the members for confirming him and promised to continue with the good work of his predecessor. Mr. Bugbilla urged members to give him the maximum support by rallying behind him to accelerate the development of the District.
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GNA
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Fire guts Kumasi Central market
Kumasi, Jan 25, GNA - Large quantities of smoked fish, salted beef and property worth millions of Ghana cedis were gutted by fire in the early hours of Friday at the Kumasi Central Market. Also destroyed were cash running into several millions of cedis belonging to some traders.
There were no casualties.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Gabriel Magamsi, in-charge of the Zongo District Police, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, that the incident occurred at about 0100 hours on Friday. He said the cause of the fire, which took personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) about one hour to control, was not immediately known.
He said one Paapa Jato, a night watchman at the market, in his report to the police, said after spotting the fire in the market, he also informed the personnel of the GNFS.
ASP Magamsi said the police, in collaboration with the GNFS, were investigating the cause of the fire. He appealed to the public to be wary of setting fires, especially during the harmattan season.
Madam Esi Arthur, leader of the fishmongers, appealed to the Kumasi metropolitan Assembly to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
On January 13 this year, a similar fire outbreak occurred at the Bantama Market, leaving one person dead with another seriously. About 500 stores and stalls worth millions of cedis were also destroyed by the fire.
Source:
GNA
Prices of Ghana 2008 paraphernalia adjusted.. as demand rises
Retailers of Ghana flag-branded and Ghana 2008 paraphernalia should be pretty much excited about the continuous success of Ghana`s Blackstars in the on-going tournament, as the excitement generated by the tournament would continue to bring a considerable measure of demand for the items.
 "Black Stars" Team Bus |
As at last Wednesday, many of the dealers had adjusted the prices of the items due to the high demand. Prices of items such as Tees, flags for vehicles, head gears, wigs, flags, horns and other related items on sale have all been increased.
For example, a Tee that previously sold between GhC15 and GhC25 is now selling at between GhC18 and GhC28.
The prices are higher on the much fancied Osu Oxford Street in Accra. A polo shirt which previously sold for GhC20 is now GhC 32.
"The prices are not dictated by us," a gentleman in one of the wooden structures where loads of Ghana 2008 items have taken over every inch of space told the dailyEXPRESS.
He added that they have added just a little to the price to make profit he considered as marginal. His sentiments were shared by a number of traders dealing in similar items.
Christopher Ayenini who has pitched camp at the entrance of the Osu food Court where he sells his items had previously told the dailyEXPRESS that sales was not been encouraging. When the paper spoke to him again on Tuesday he had a different story all together.
"The demand has really increased as you can see", he said with a smile. "The prices are what people complain about but they still go ahead go buy them.
He said Ghanaians are generally last minute buyers but once the country`s performance in the tournament picks up people will still come out of their way to buy the items. Mr. Ayenini was however worried about the negative impact the prices could have on sales.
"I don`t think any increase will push people to come out and buy in large quantities" he said. "If care is not taken you`ll have a situation where only a handful of people will buy and the rest will be at a huge cost to us all."
The prices in the maddening traffic jams are no where different from the stationary stalls littered around streets corners. Busy young men and women with different items strapped on their bodies could be seen bringing their mobile selling joints close to either a private car or public bus stop.
"The prices on the items are fixed and nothing could be done about them," one lady told the dailyEXPRESS.
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dailyEXPRESS
Seven prostitutes convicted
Kumasi, Jan. 25, GNA - The Ashanti New Town District Court in Kumasi on Thursday convicted seven women for engaging in prostitution. The seven were fined GH=A2150 each, failure to pay the fine will attract a six month imprisonment in hard labour.
Abenaa Frema 23, Elizabeth Konadu 37, Akosua Serwaa 23, Akua Mother 19, Rukaya Mankasasi 28, Constance Asare 22, and Ama Boatemaa, all pleaded guilty to the offence.
Police Chief Inspector Alice Naami told the court presided over by Mr. S.K.Achina that the commercial sex workers were rounded up by a police patrol at about 2330 hours on January 19 at Vienna City, Kiravi and Queens Gate, notorious haven for prostitutes in the city. He said they were arrested while soliciting for clients.
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GNA
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I'm healthy - Mills
The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has taken exception to recent media reports about his health, claiming that he was strong enough to wage a grueling electoral battle for the December 7, 2008 elections.
Prof Mills, who yesterday was virtually on all radio networks in Accra and beyond, responding to recent concerns raised about his health, said he had been in a very difficult position explaining the issue.
With a visibly shaking voice, he kicked against the attempt to push back his health issue into public discourse, assuring his party members that his health would not impede his quest to win power for them.
"I have enough strength and determination to go through", he told Joy Fm�s Kojo Oppong Nkrumah yesterday.
He however played down reports by a popular charismatic priest that he was under spiritual attacks. "People pray for me so that the more they talk about my health, the more I receive proper spiritual attention," he stressed.
Prof Mills said he has been inundated with calls expressing worries about his health. "I have been in a very difficult position," he said.
Media reports had suggested that his trip to South Africa was to seek treat�ment for his perceived failing health. He had previously treated sinus ailment in the Southern African coun�try, after attempts in China failed owing to what he described as language barri�er.
But Prof Mills said there was nothing unusual about his trip, which he called a "multi-purpose trip", and wondered why people were making noise about it.
According to him, he was in South Africa to see friends, relatives and political contacts.
He said South Africa evokes all kinds of memories since he received treat�ment for his sinus illness, stressing that he had visited that country several times unannounced.
He said it was increasingly becoming difficult for him to see his doctors even in Ghana because of the spin always put on it. "I cannot go to a dentist in Ghana without it being misinterpreted," he agonized.
However, he said his doctors were not worried about his alarming loss of weight. "I have cut down some of the things I used to do," he stated.
The NDC flag bearer indicated that he was strong enough to carry through his campaign, pointing out that his health status should not be part of the issue.
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Daily Guide
Establish special accident emergency centre at Winneba - Doctor
Winneba (C/R), Jan. 24, GNA-The Medical Superintendent In-Charge of the Winneba Government Hospital, Dr. Hercules O. France, has called for the establishment of a special accident and emergency health care centre at the hospital to handle victims of the numerous road accidents that occur on Apam-Junction-Kasoa, and the Winneba-Agona Swedru trunk roads annually. The centre, when established would help save the lives of thousands of unfortunate travellers from within and outside Ghana, who might be victims of such fatal road accidents in the area, Dr. France added.
Dr. France was commenting on the rampant fatal road accidents that occur on the Cape Coast-Accra Trunk Road, especially between the Apam Junction and Kasoa stretch of the road annually. He said, apart from the unexpected stress such accidents placed on the few medical officers operating at the Winneba Government Hospital, the most disturbing aspect of such situations was that some accident victims whose lives could have been saved at the Hospital, died while being conveyed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Dr. France recalled the May 11 fatal accident at Gomoa-Okyereko, near Winneba Junction, that claimed 41 lives, the highest in the country's history and the subsequent ones that followed, and expressed the hope that Government should take a serious view of the suggestion for the establishment of a special accident centre at the hospital. He said last year saw remarkable improvement in the health delivery services at the Winneba Government Hospital, adding that the services of the facility nearly doubled. Dr France attributed this achievement partly to the "excellent performance" of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (AESDMHIS) and advised workers of the scheme to keep the spirit up to achieve more fruitful results this year.
The Medical Superintendent praised the resilience, commitment and devotion to duty coupled with the hard work of the overburdened staff of the hospital. Dr France disclosed that currently, over 70 percent of the hospital's patients who access health care daily are health insurance card bearers.
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GNA
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Unimpressive Ghana cruise on
Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - Unimpressive Ghana managed a 1-0 win over Namibia in their second "Group A" game played at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Thursday.
The Black Stars, who struggled all through, had Junior Agogo to thank for the only goal that brightened their chance of qualifying to the next stage of the continental championship. Agogo tugged in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross with a back heel from close range on 41 minutes.
Owusu-Abeyie darted into the box to receive a visionary pass from Michael Essien, who had profited from a failed attempt at goal by Asamoah Gyan.
With many expecting the hosts to spank Namibia, tagged by pundits as the weakest in the group, the South West Africans played with courage and held their own, minute after minute. The Brave Warriors, as the Namibians are called, proved far more organized defensively and managed to soak up lots of Ghanaian pressure. Ghana, yet to convince many about their title capabilities, stay at the pinnacle of "Group A" and will need only a draw to authenticate their place in the last eight of the competition that pieces Africa's best 16 together.
Namibia had only a few scaring opportunities, such as a 19th minute chance that yawned at them, but Brian Brendell shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Ghana was no different in terms on squandered opportunities with Asamoah Gyan leading the pack in the comedy of errors in front of goal. Gyan, who scored the first goal of the tournament with a penalty against Guinea, had a gaping net ahead of him on 34 minutes as goalkeeper Mbaha Atiel slumped in the six yard box, but the Udinese of Italy striker shot over the bar from five yards.
Ghana's search for another goal continued but it was Collins Benjamin, who nearly drew parity for Namibia on 75 minutes but he shot wide from a very advantageous position.
THE LINE UP Ghana Richard Kingson, Hans Adu Sarpei, John Painstil, Eric Addo, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Laryea Kinston/Andre Ayew, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Asamoah Gyan/Baffour Gyan, Junior Agogo ans Sulley Muntari.
Namibia Mbaha Attiel, Toromba Hartman, Gariseb Richard, Benjimin Collin,Risser Oliver Hanjorge, Plat Jies Sydney/Kaimbi Lazarus, Pieneer Elias Michael, Brendell Brain Guilbert, Bester Rudolf/Jacob Pineas and Ngatjizeko Jamunovamdu.
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GNA
Kufuor urges the security agencies to be alert
Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on the security agencies to be more alert to ensure that the sense of worth and freedom among Ghanaians is never allowed to wane.
He said as "Election 2008" political campaign shifted gear, they should brace themselves up to play their role professionally to protect not only the integrity of the polls but also lives and property. "The nation has every confidence that as in the past, you will rise to the occasion", he said when he addressed the VIP Protection Unit (VIPPU) end-of-year WASSA celebration at the Castle Gardens.
WASSA, which has evolved to become an important event on the annual calendar of the security agencies in Ghana, traditionally, was a regimental celebration organized within units and regiments with the view to fostering esprit de corps, unity and boosting morale. President Kufuor gave an upbeat assessment of the giant strides the nation was making in terms of good governance, the rule of law, economic management and social services delivery and said "there are obvious signs that success is clearly in the horizon."
"The future is bright for everybody and this is why temporary difficulties and vile propaganda should not be allowed to sway the nation from its chosen path of democratic governance to prosperity." He asked the entire population to remain focused on the vision of "Ghana Incorporated" and on lifting the nation into middle income economy within a decade so as to reap and share in the benefits. President Kufuor praised the security services for the professionalism with which they discharged their duties that enabled Ghana to excel in various high profile national and international engagements last year.
He cited among them the Ghana at 50 celebrations, the 9th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) and the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Meeting.
This year, he said, would present equal challenges with the on-going Ghana 2008 soccer fiesta already making demands on the security services.
President Kufuor told the security personnel that he was "delightfully amazed and re-assured by the deep passion for Ghana", which has gripped the nation since the Golden Jubilee and intensified since the beginning of the prestigious Confederation of African Nations (CAN) Cup Tournament, Ghana 2008.
He said by coming out in teeming numbers, proudly adorned in national colours to cheer on the national soccer team, the Black Stars, to lift the coveted trophy, Ghanaians were showing that the nation had recaptured the high sense of patriotism and self-confidence that characterized the society at the point of political independence in 1957.
Colonel Emmanuel Akohene Mensah, the Presidential Security Coordinator, told officers and men of the unit to see their call to serve the Presidency as an honour and privilege and therefore should put in their maximum best to protect and defend the country's infant democracy at the peril of their lives.
"We must realize that our primary task of providing close security to the President is not only the highest call in the land but also the pivot on which, the nation's security revolves." "Our resolve must be positive, our posture professional, dedication unblemished, discipline unquestionable and loyalty unflinching", he said.
Source:
GNA
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Essipon Stadium traders demand refund of their monies
Takoradi, Jan. 24 GNA - Some traders including food vendors who paid various sums of money to the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly for allocation of space and canopies near the Essipon Stadium to sell their wares during the Ghana 2008 football tournament have abandoned the idea and are demanding refund of their monies.
The decision, they said, was as the result of poor arrangement on the part of the assembly to ensure that they benefited from their investments.
The traders said the assembly failed to provide them with water and also prevent hawking in and around the stadium as promised.
These were contained in a petition to Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, and signed by their representatives. They said most of them could not make sales up to ten Ghana cedis during the opening group "B" match on Monday because hawkers were everywhere.
The traders also attributed the very low patronage to the dusty nature of the market and also the absence of security. The traders said they contracted loans from friends, relatives and the banks to undertake the venture with the hope of making some profit. "In order not to incur bigger debts we have decided to abandon our activities at the stadium", they said and appealed to the Regional Minister to prevail on the assembly to refund their monies to them. They showed GNA receipts of monies they paid to the assembly and these ranged between 200 and 500 Ghana cedis.
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GNA
School children write messages to be opened 50 years time
Accra, Jan 24, GNA - Students from seven vocational schools in the country have written messages in the form of artworks to depict how the future generation would be like after 50 years, Ms Linda Adjei an Officer at the Vocational Training Institute for Female said on Wednesday in Accra.
The artworks were exhibited at a ceremony as part of a big treasure chest, a time capsule containing messages from children of the future and serve as a catalyst for communication among children and adults. The schools include St Mary's Vocational Training Institute, Eastern region, Madina Women Training Institute, Accra, Kibi Community Development Technical Institute, Eastern region, Kwamo Community Development Technical Institute, Ashanti region, Margaret Buchner Girls Vocational Institute, Brong Ahafo region, Ramseyer Vocational Institute, Ashanti region and Abetifi Vocational Training Institute in the Eastern region.
The treasure chest project was initiated in Germany where it was supported by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO), Paris and the German Commission of UNESCO in Bonn within the framework of the UNESCO universal declaration on cultural diversity.
Ms Adjei said the project created dialogue between today's generation and that of the future and enhances the talents and creativity of children.
She said the project targets children between the ages of eight to fifteen years, artist and craftspeople, educators and educational institutions, media, public and private institutions. Ms Adjei noted that the messages would be placed in the national museum where they would stay till 2050.
About 30,000 children in 13 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America have participated in the project and the numbers are growing.
In each participating country, an artist is called upon to create a treasure chest, typical of their own traditions. The big treasure chest will be a special contribution to Ghana's 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations by the children of the nation.
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GNA
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Nine year old pupil murdered on a cocoa farm
Suhum (E/R),Jan. 24, GNA- The police at Suhum, in the
Eastern Region are investigating the death of Efua Densua, a nine-year-old pupil of the Suhum Islamic Primary School, who was murdered on a cocoa farm and later dumped at the outskirts of the Suhum-Adakwa road at the weekend.
According to the District Commander of police in-charge of Suhum District, Deputy Superintendent of police Mr E.K. Amoako, the deceased, whose body was found lying with the face turn upside down with blood oozing from the nose had both her legs and the arms tied before allegedly being murdered.
Mr Amoako said the deceased live with the grandmother at Suhum Gariba Zongo and on January 20, this year, the grandmother, Monica Owusu send the deceased to buy her matches from a near-by store but was never seen again until the body was found.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped the school children at Suhum and its surrounding villages over the death of their colleague and some of them have refused to attend school.
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GNA
Brong Ahafo Women's supporters Union launched
Sunyani, Jan 24, GNA - The northern sector coordinator of the Women Supporters Union of Ghana, Madam Felicia Adomah, has urged women to explore and develop their talents for the benefit of the society. She said that "women have a lot of potentials that can be tapped for the nation's development" and therefore advised them not to limit themselves to only home-keeping.
Madam Adomah said this when addressing the launch of the Union in Sunyani to boost women's support for the national football team, the Black Stars in the CAN 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament. The coordinator emphasized that the aim of the Union was to encourage women to develop their talents and to fight for their rights and exhibit their nationalism.
The Union, which was established a few years ago, has branches all over the country and its positive impact on women was impressive with the Brong Ahafo regional branch so far registering about 500 members. Madam Adomah said that the women's body is not only out to urge women to support sports but also to help them to acquire skills and training to improve their living standards.
"Women by nature have been created in a very special way and can easily make progress in all situations", and are good supporters of sports but needed to be encouraged to improve and promote the socio-economic development of the country.
Mr. Kofi Kumi, National Coordinator of the Union asked women not to concentrate only on attending meetings but to have enough time to take care of their families.
He urged the members to encourage their family members to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enjoy better health delivery services.
The National Coordinator appealed to members and the general public against politicizing the activities of the Union, which he said was open to all members of the public including men.
Source:
GNA
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Rapid 'Development' Leaves Poor Without Toilets
There are many things that confirm the rich-poor divide in the Ghanaian capital.
One of these is the beautifully designed houses in the well-planned neighbourhoods of the rich. Another is the lack of toilets in the poor neighbourhoods. Accra's beaches are open-air toilets, the human waste washed untreated into the sea.
Recently a newspaper exposed the truth about the beaches, but it caused only a small outcry. Officials of the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) seem overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand.
Pastor Mensa Otabil, one of the country's leading preachers, has remarked, "Ghana is the only country in the world where the beaches have become toilets. In other parts of the world, you see beachfront houses."
"We have devalued our beaches by what we do there instead of making them a place of high value where people can build houses and take good rest," Otabil said.
The beaches of Labadi, Osu and Teshie, suburbs in Accra, have been turned into outdoor toilets. "It is a sad sight," said Nii Allotey who lives at Labadi but is quick to admit, "I am a culprit because I go there every morning to ease myself."
Allotey blamed the AMA for the serious sanitation problem. "All this is because officials of the AMA have not lived up to their responsibilities. House owners are allowed to build without providing toilets," he said.
But this problem is not peculiar to houses along the beach. In Nima, also a suburb of Accra and considered a shantytown far from the beach, most houses do not have toilets.
Adam Salifu who lives there has his own story. "I came to live in Nima some years ago, and for all this time the landlord has not provided a toilet," he said. "I am ashamed to admit it but I do my thing either at night or early morning by the side of the big drain that passes through the neighbourhood."
Numo Blafo, public relations officer of the AMA, refuses to take the blame for the pollution of the sea. "We have a waste treatment facility which is in operation but it is the private contractors who have entered the waste management service who are doing what they are not supposed to do," he insisted.
Waste collection in this metropolis of some 3 million has for a long time been the responsibility of the AMA. But the recent liberalisation of the economy has opened the doors to private contractors. According to Salifu, "these people do not have the knowledge and the equipment to engage in human waste management and it is worrying that they have been allowed to continue to be in business."
The truth is that Accra has been allowed to expand without the city officials insisting on planning laws. Buildings are springing up especially in the low- income areas with no supervision as a result, provision of civic amenities have not matched the population growth. From about 1.6 million in 2000, the Ghana Statistical Service estimated the population in Accra at about 3 million and this is set to double to 6 million by 2015.
In Osu, for instance, there used to be public toilets. These have all been demolished and in their place stand stores where brisk trade takes place.
"The capital has been turned into one big trading centre and house owners only think of profits they can make without thinking of the needs of their tenants. We are also to be blamed in a way because we do not insist on getting what is required in the first place," said Allotey.
AMA's Blafo agreed with Allotey. "The city authorities have the rules and regulations but the people who go to live in these houses do not ensure that they are provided with amenities such as toilets and bathrooms. These are the same people who turn round to blame the AMA."
Blafo said work has started to keep the beaches clean. "We have taken steps through by-laws that make it an offence to use the beach as a toilet," he said. This has started to pay off.
In addition, since 2005, he said the AMA has taken the treatment of human waste in the city seriously. "There is now a new plant that has been in operation at the Korle Lagoon from where the treated waste goes to the sea."
"The Environmental Protection Council (EPA) has also made it a point that we abide by the strict guidelines that it has set for the treatment of human waste. This has greatly improved the hitherto poor standards," Blafo added.
Indeed the intervention is showing results. The area around the treatment plant is no longer engulfed in the stench of human waste.
Mariam Ablor who lives near the Korle Lagoon neighbourhood told IPS, "We used to go about covering our noses with our handkerchiefs because of the stench, but now it has improved as you can tell yourself. You couldn't have stood talking to me like we are doing in the past." She is right.
Source:
Inter Press Service
Power failure at CAN stadium explained
Ghana's electricity producers, the Volta River Authority, explains the cause of the power failure that preceded the start of Monday evening’s Group B match between Mali and Benin at the Essipong Stadium.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) says the temporal blackout was due to “a slip in the operational procedure due to a communication lapse”.
A statement from the Local Organising Committee for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations explained that, the technical team at the ground's attempted effecting essential change in an oil filter after the first match of the day, which required a switch from the two parallel generators to the National Electricity grid but it rather led to the power outage.
“In the process of making the switch to the national grid, both generators tripped and went off causing the power cut,” the statement explained.
Just minutes to before the start of the game in Monday's African Nations Cup Group B match between Benin and Mali, the floodlights failed.
Ghana's Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama together with other dignitaries, were greeting the players ahead of the second match, due to kick off at 19:30 GMT, when there was a power failure.
The two teams completed their pre-match formalities in the dark and the match finally got under way 12 minutes late after the lights came back on.
Source:
Ghanafa.org
Japan govt hands over ambulances and equipment for Upper West
Accra, Jan. 23, GNA - Japan on Wednesday gave four ambulances and medical equipment worth 1.4 million Ghana Cedis to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Accra to be sent to hospitals in the Upper West region as its contribution to improve the health of Ghanaians. The equipment, which included four Ultrasound machines, two anaesthetic machines and radio communication equipment are to be installed in six hospitals, 58 health centres and one community health training school in Jirapa.
Mr Yutaka Nakamura, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Missions of the Japan Embassy in presenting the items said primary health care was very urgent and called for the capacity of the regional and district hospitals to be strengthened to support such activities. The handing over was the outcome of a grant aid agreement signed in November 2006 preceded by a feasibility study conducted in May 2005.
He noted that though Ghana had improved the economic growth, which had resulted in poverty reduction, there were still disparities in some regions with the three northern regions accounting for low health indicators.
Mr Nakamura said a technical cooperation project for community health planning in the Upper West region was being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and reiterated the continuous support to help Ghana improve the health status of the people. Dr. Gladys Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health commended the Japan government for their assistance and said the equipment would help the country achieve the numbers four and five of the Millennium Development Goals which aimed at reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.
"The gesture is an important landmark in fulfilling the expectation of all, especially the under privileged and vulnerable segment of the Ghanaian society", she added.
Dr. Elias Sory, Director-General of GHS said collaboration between Ghana and Japan in health had been very cordial for the past five years and expressed the concern of the three Northern regions where health care provision had been very limited.
"I see your assistance as very timely and would help improve child health care and reduce maternal mortality, which are very prevalent in these areas".
Source:
GNA
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Language barrier affecting business
Takoradi, Jan. 22, GNA - The inability of some Ghanaians to communicate with Ivorians, Beninois and Malians in French in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis was affecting business.
Some traders at the Takoradi Market Circle told the GNA in an interview that their inability to communicate in French had made it difficult for them to transact business.
Madam Elisabeth Ndiabah, a shoe and bags dealer, said her understanding of the Nzema language made it less difficult dealing with the foreigners.
As an interim measure, most of the traders have procured calculators and would type out the amount and sometimes use sign language to drive home a bargain.
In a related development, several Ivorian food vendors have taken over the Takoradi Polytechnic village. A visit by Ghana News Agency showed food, beverages, cosmetics and drinking spots. Other activities include hairdressing salons, music shows, games centre while several young women were spotted selling soaps, perfumes and other Ivorian products.
Source:
GNA
Police arrests ticket racketeers/pick pockets
Sekondi, Jan. 22 - GNA- Three people have been arrested for ticket racketeering at the Sekondi Sports Stadium on Monday. They are Kojo Acheampong 26, Emmanuel Paintsil 18 and Siedu Adamu 22. The three were alleged to have sold tickets for the Nigeria-Cote d'Ivoire and Benin-Mali matches at the 26th African Cup of Nations tournament, at the gate of the stadium between 35 Ghana cedis and 40 Ghana cedis instead of the approved four Ghana cedis. Briefing the media at Sekondi on Tuesday, the Regional Crime Officer Dennis Abade said the suspects were arrested while soliciting for buyers.
He said four other foreigners and six Ghanaians were also arrested for allegedly engaging in pick pocketing at the stadium. They are Sidibe Abdulai 34, Malian, Solomon Adideme Williams 32, Nigerian, Agbemele Teku 44, an Ivorian were arrested alongside Mark Duker Junior, 20, Frank Badu 18, George Ackah 20, Kofi Atta Panyin 17, Thomas Prempeh 20, and Sulemana Iddrisu, 18.
He said the Police administration would screen all the suspects and those involved would be prosecuted.
In a related development, a 44-year old British Sports Journalist, Satish Chandra Sekar has formally reported that pick pockets had stolen his sony digital Dictaphone, his wallet containing 80 pounds sterling, Morgan Stanley Platinum Master card and some documents. He told the Police that he felt a sudden move in his pocket while entering the Press Centre and when he got in he realised that the items had been stolen.
Source:
GNA
School children are swallowing the Ghana cedi coins
Kumasi, Jan 22, GNA - Dr Peter Awuah, the Clinical Director at the Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, has expressed worry at the alarming rate at which children swallow and get chocked on the Ghana cedi coins. He appealed to parents not to give coins to children when they are leaving home for school and also to desist from putting coins at places within reach of children.
In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Monday, he appealed to education units to educate school children to avoid putting coins in their mouths and teach them how to handle coins. Dr Awua said there was an increase in nose-bleeding cases, allergic Rhinitis (dry cough) and catarrh cases caused by the harsh dry weather being experienced.
Dr Awuah cautioned the public not to use traditional methods to cure these diseases, particularly nose-bleeding, since patients who lose excessive blood through the nose become anaemic by the time they are taken to hospital, a situation which makes treatment very difficult. He said catarrh did not need any treatment but when it prolongs for more than one week, it must be reported to the E.N.T. for treatment.
Source:
GNA
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Child prostitution exposed on video
It sounds incredible, but DAILY GUIDE has in its custody a video recording of naked Ghanaian teenage girls in Accra, caught live on tape in the act of prostitution.
The over-one-hour recording is saved on a digital versatile disk (DVD) and is perhaps the first documentary evidence of the much-talked-about child prostitution in Ghana.
It was secretly shot by Ghana's Investigative Journalist of the Year, Anas Aremeyaw Anas at a brothel popularly known as 'Soldier Bar' at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
Anas, who picked the coveted prize last year, disguised himself and worked at the brothel as a cleaner and bouncer. He cleaned up the rooms and ensured that the women were paid by the clients.
Girls as young as 14 were captured entering a wooden cubicle with their male counterparts. The room takes a student-size bed and just enough space to move to the door and back.
In all of the sex episodes, there was no foreplay, no cuddling, no fondling, no kissing and no caressing.
Once the girl receives the money, she removes her panties, brings out a condom and helps the man to put it on. She then lies on the bed and straight away, and the thrusting starts.
Once the man ejaculates, his time is over and he has to leave the room. The girl then wipes her private parts with tissue paper and throws it down on the floor of the room.
Some of the men who requested to have more than one 'round' of sex were made to pay for each 'round'.
It costs GH c3 for each round and this is what is referred to as 'short time' sex. It was always cash before sex and each of the girls ensured that they received the money before the act.
The video did not only capture the faces of the girls and their male counterparts but also their nakedness and how some of the men were penetrating and spinning their waists on the young girls.
Watching the video, one would think there was a queue of call girls and their male counterparts at the door because the moment one couple moves out, another couple enters and this continued for over an hour.
At times, when a call girl is in the middle of servicing her client, another call girl will knock on the door requesting for quicker action because she also needs to use the room.
Capturing the video
Explaining how the video was recorded, Anas said he actually worked under cover as a pimp at the 'Soldier Bar' during which he planted the secret camera in one of the brothel rooms.
He said his job description was to sweep the rooms, dress the bed and clear the used condoms.
"For sometime now, many journalists have been following this story about child prostitution in Ghana but there had never been enough evidence to put someone before court, and I do not want to investigate an illegality for the story to end up only in the press while the perpetuators of that illegal act walk about freely," Anas added.
DAILY GUIDE did a tour of the brothel over the weekend and observed that indeed child prostitution, though illegal, is a very popular business in Ghana.
The said brothel is a well known one in the capital city and the teen prostitutes who trade there do not hide themselves in any way.
They number over 200 and skillfully glide their partly covered bodies in search of 'customers'. As they wait, some of them puff on sticks of cigarette.
They are dressed in very seductive ways such that some of them have their breasts and lower pubic hairs showing while others do not have any underwear on beneath their miniskirts, exposing their buttocks.
DAILY GUIDE spoke to some of them who were ready to follow this reporter to his house and service him the whole night if only he would pay an amount of GH c20.
Most of the girls this paper spoke to could not express themselves well in the Queen's Language, and though they were drenched in cheap perfume, they did not appear to be neat.
Source:
Daily Guide
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Football fans at Aflao dance on streets to welcome fans
Aflao, (V/R) Jan. 20, GNA- The Aflao township was thrown into a carnival of football fans deep into the night on Saturday as they heralded the CAN 2008 tournament as well as welcome hundreds of football supporters from Cameroun, Benin and Nigeria who arrived in Aflao in dozens of coaches.
Clad in their national colours, the fans organized in various groups, some of them on floats sang and danced along the streets while vehicles tooted horns, holding up traffic on the highway for hours. The visiting supporters, who enjoyed the mood created a good market for cooked food sellers and drinking bars operators. There were no incidents.
There is a 24-hour security presence at the Aflao border and other busy locations to ward off criminals from exploiting the situation.
Source:
GNA
Building materials for flood victims in Bongo arrives
Bongo, (UE), Jan. 21, GNA- Mr. Francis Akurugu Asampana, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bongo in the Upper Region, at the weekend announced that roofing sheets, nails, cement and other building materials provided by government for flood victims in the area, had arrived and would soon be distributed to beneficiaries. He said the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) had completed its assessment and a committee had been formed to re-assess NADMO's assessment after which the materials would be distributed to the victims.
Mr Asampana made the announcement during this year's celebration of Azambene festival by the citizens of Bongo. The event, which was organised under the theme "Culture Re-Awakened to Promote Education," was aimed at uniting the people and to take stock of the past and explore ways of developing the area. Mr Asampana gave the assurance that the materials would be distributed fairly based on the assessment of NADMO. He said a National Health Insurance Fund would soon be launched in the district to assist those who could not afford to pay medical bills. Mr Asampana said government was working around the clock to tar the Bolgatanga-Bongo road to facilitate economic activities there. The DCE urged Bongo citizens in the Diaspora to contribute to the development of the area
Source:
GNA
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Volta Region to benefit from EU projects
Ho, Jan. 22, GNA - The Volta Region is to benefit from a total of GH=A21,356,413 infrastructural projects under the sixth Micro Projects Programme of the European Union.
Mr Kwabena Dankyi Darfoor, Programme Manager of the European Union and the Government of Ghana Micro Projects Management Unit (MPMU), announced this at the launch of the second phase of the sixth Micro Projects Programme Implementation Information and Education Campaign and the launch of Income Generating Projects (IGP) at Ho on Tuesday. Under the project, classroom blocks, nurses and teacher's quarters, clinics, toilet structures and culverts will be constructed in selected communities in the Region.
Mr Dankyi Darfoor expressed the hope that the projects would be ready for commissioning by March 2009.
He urged the district implementation committees to mobilize their people to offer communal labour and other needed materials to enhance its early completion.
Mr Dankyi Darfoor said the programme was also to introduce income generating projects component to support the youth and women groups to go into agro processing and other economic ventures to reduce poverty. He said Technical Service Consultants for the infrastructural projects of the MPMU had engaged the services of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) to help the districts to identify viable projects, prepare business plans and provide business support services to the selected projects.
Mr Dankyi Darfoor said additional IGP budget of GH=A2381,600 has been allocated for Volta Region, adding that each district would receive GH=A221,000.
Mr Reuben Amegashie, Economic Planning Officer of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, who stood in for the Regional Minister said a total of 3,743 micro projects had been implemented across the country since 1990, adding that a total of 50.1 million euros had been spent.
He said as a result of the intervention of the European Union some selected communities in the Region benefited from a total of 373 projects at a total cost of GH=A22,612,594 during the 5th micro project, adding that 123 additional projects at the cost of GH=A21,880,739 would be completed by the end of the first phase of the 6th MPP by the end of March this year.
He deplored the indifferent attitude of some community members towards the provision of construction materials and communal labour, which resulted in the delay of the completion of the programme.Source:
GNA
Bushfire robs farmers of their livelihood
Adaklu Kodzobi (V/R), Jan. 22, GNA - Bushfire stoked by strong Harmattan winds swept through a number of farms at Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District, destroying barns of corn, yams and oil-palm plantations.
Madam Peace Nkutia, one of the victims who spoke to the Ghana News Agency said the fire, which started around 0900 hours last Saturday might have been started by Fulani herdsmen along the Ho-Adidome road in their attempt to get fresh grass growing for their herds of cattle. She said she and other women then on their farms saw the fire about five kilometres away on the spurs of strong Harmattan winds and it caught up with them on their farms.
Madam Nkutia said they were helpless against the sheer intensity of the fire, which destroyed everything in its trail. Mr Samuel Akpa, whose ten-acre oil-palm plantation was destroyed by the fire appealed to the government to curb the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the country.
Mr John Nyatsikor, Unit Committee Chairman of the community, who confirmed the incident called on the Ghana National Fire Service and the Information Services Department to intensify their education on the dangers of bush fires.
He appealed to members of the community and religious bodies to come to the aid of the victims.
Source:
GNA
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Brothel Raided: Naked Girls Flee
Over 160 young women, some in their teens and others early twenties, who live on sex trade have been rendered jobless and perhaps homeless as their operational base was last Saturday raided by a team of armed policemen.The sex workers, some as young as 13, were doing brisk business when their ‘sex palace’ was stormed at around 11:00pm Saturday night. Some of them were actively in the act, with men in deep penetration, while others were outside smoking, drinking and waiting for customers when the midnight raid started.
Some of the patrons were boys who looked more like primary school kids, raising questions about how they were able to raise money to patronise the sex joint.Even though some took to their heels upon seeing the police squad, about 160 women were not lucky as they were grabbed for engaging in illicit trade. In all 50 girls who confessed to being between the ages of 13 and 17, and 101 others who claimed to be above 18 years were arrested and sent to the CID Headquarters in Accra. Some of the girls were carrying babies, and others said they were a few weeks pregnant. 78 men, some of whom were in action with the prostitutes, were also arrested.
The police in recent times have been picking up prostitutes in the run-up to the Ghana 2008 tournament. Last Friday, some of the prostitutes were arrested in Ashaiman and subsequently detained for possible prosecution. The sex workers operate from a base popularly called ‘Soldier Bar’ at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. The place is a cluster of wooden structures with about 20 rooms, and the sex workers charge a minimum of GH¢3 for one round of ‘short-time’. DAILY GUIDE was at the scene when the raid started. About 150 to 200 young women, who were hitherto partying outside, upon seeing the police presence, started to flee in all directions. The uniformed men managed to chase and catch a few of them, before surrounding the actual rooms the prostitutes were operating in.
A young boy, believed to be about 14 years old, who was caught on top of a sex worker, refused to get down after being given the order by the policemen. Unaware that he was addressing police officers, he said he had paid GH¢3 and must therefore be allowed to finish his task. “Masa ma tua, gyae me”, to wit “Master I have paid, please leave me alone”. The police had to pull him half naked from the woman and whisk him away. Other men who were also in the act were seen dragging their trousers up in their bid to run away. Some of them actually mustered courage and attacked the policemen but the armed cops had the upper hand. Some of the arrested men openly insulted and challenged the police on what right they had to prevent them from enjoying the services of the women. Several arrested sex workers also complained bitterly that if they wanted to sell their bodies, no one had the right to complain.
Some of the actions were caught on camera. Anas Aremeyaw Anas of the Crusading Guide told Daily Guide that he had been working under cover at the ‘Soldier Bar’ for some time now and had actually taken a live video of some of the teen girls engaged in prostitution. “My job description was to sweep the rooms, dress the bed and clear the used condoms. I was also to make sure that anybody that came there paid because there are some men who would only want to sleep with the girls for free. So I planted this secret camera in one of the rooms and actually filmed some of them having sex. “For some time now, I have been following this child prostitution story but there had never been enough evidence to put someone before court, and I do not want to investigate an illegality for the story to only end up in the press while the perpetuators of that illegal act walk about freely,” Anas, who is currently Journalist of the Year, said.
Asked how much he was paid for his services, Anas said he was not paid per say, but given some tips, depending on how many people came for their services. “At times, they give me 50Gp and at times I get GH¢1,” he said.During the raid, both Anas and this reporter had the beating of their lives from some of the policemen who were unhappy that the journalists were taking pictures. Anas sustained a swollen face and the DAILY GUIDE reporter had a bloody nose with his brand new Sony digital camera damaged and seized. The two were tied to each other and bused along with the sex workers to the CID headquarters. Around ‘Odo Rice’ at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, some of the arrested people in the bus started to jump off the moving vehicle. It took the intervention of top CID bosses to release the two journalists at around 1:30am Sunday morning and return the damaged camera.
Inspector B. Darkwah, Public Relations Officer at the CID headquarters told DAILY GUIDE the Police would be working in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to find shelter for the teenage sex workers and take them through rehabilitation. He said the focus of the police was to get the teenage girls to appreciate the dangers of the illicit trade they were involved in.
Inspector Darkwah said information available was that the ‘Soldier Bar’ was operated by about four women who were yet to be arrested.
Source:
DAILY GUIDE
Winneba to benefit from one billion dollars investment project
Winneba (C/R), Jan. 21, GNA-The Caribbean Atlantic Holdings Company Limited, a foreign investment company and other prime investors from the Caribbean and the USA are to invest one billion dollars for the construction of an ultra modern beach resort at Winneba to boost tourism revenue. The project, dubbed: "Muni Lagoon Resort" is aimed at creating an
internationally competitive resort that readily makes Ghana a world tourism destination, compared to others such as Barbados, Tobago and Orlando.
Mr Edward Nimoh- Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Atlantic who made this known to the media at Winneba during a durbar of chiefs and people to give details on the project. He said the 1400-acre project would generate about 20,000 jobs and help market the Aboakyir festival to attract more tourists. He said the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations is the host agency for the facility which would provide at least 3,000 rooms of an international 5-Star standard with a myriad of tourist activities, a world class golf club and a stretch of two to three kilometres virgin beach.
The project, he said, was scheduled to take off by January 22, 2008 and would begin with preparatory socio-economic and engineering studies as well as detailed site planning and urban design. According to Mr. Nimoh-Boateng although the resort would be fully completed in 2015, it would partially start operations in 2009. He said considering the huge foreign exchange the facility could generate and the limited number of hospitality facilities in the country, which had become more evident with the hosting of the African Cup of Nations this year, the company was optimistic that the facility would yield positive results.
The CEO said the influx of foreigners into the country each day for one business or the other assignment and the increasing population, there was the need for more of these facilities to serve their accommodation needs.
Mr Nimoh-Boateng said the company was expecting to attract investments of over 700 million dollars into the project. Ms. Ann Marie Charles De Silva, Board Chairman of the company expressed regret on the mixed feeling of some of the people to about the project and urged them to support the company to enable the project to take off.
He said the Aboakyir festival alone has the potential to attract more tourists for it to become a world class festival, adding, "Give us Africans from the Diaspora the chance to invest so that we can all benefit from it", she added.
Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, said government supported the initiative and called on the people to also support it so that revenue could be generated to undertake development projects in the newly created Winneba municipality.
Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, former Ministry of Tourism said the time had come for the people to do away with any conflict of interest and open up to wealth creation by fully supporting the project to boost business opportunities in the town and improve their socio-economic status.
Mr. Samuel Owusu Agyei, Member of Parliament for the area and Minister of Public Sector Reform also welcomed the initiative and reiterated the need for the full support of the community. Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister pledged the Regional Coordinating Council's full support for the investment. The resort would have other facilities such as a thatched village, three 5-star water front hotels, recreational centre, aqua sports, health spa, air transport parks and submerged chalets, among others.
Source:
GNA
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Mills Suspends high profile political activity
The Office of NDC Leader and Presidential Candidate, John Evans Atta Mills, wishes to make it public that in view of the on-going Ghana 2008 Cup of Nations tournament, the NDC Leader has decided to suspend all high profile political activity.
The Ghana 2008 tournament provides the nation with an opportunity to rally behind a common and purposeful cause, hence the decision of John Evans Atta Mills to let the tournament take precedence over any high profile political activity of his.
Certainly, the NDC, as a body corporate, will continue to work at the national, regional, constituency and branch levels.
The Office Of the NDC Leader takes this opportunity to express its profound gratitude to Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education Science and Sports for the extra effort she and her office put in to ensure that John Evans Atta Mills got an official invitation to the opening ceremony of Ghana 2008 as well as ensuring his comfort at the stadium.
The interest of Ghana is certainly bigger than any sectarian interest and John Evans Atta Mills appreciates very much the spirit of nationalism exhibited by Ms. Ohene and her outfit.
With the Black Stars starting on a shining note with a 2-1 victory over their Guinean counterparts, it is the hope of John Evans Atta Mills that the �Host And Win� goal of Ghana 2008 will become a reality for Ghana to once again fly high her football prowess.
At all times, John Evans Atta Mills and the NDC will endeavour to make sure that the agenda of Ghana is foremost on their minds.
Source:
Koku Anyidoho (In-charge, Communications)
Ashaiman residents attack fire fighters
Tema, Jan 21, GNA - Residents of Old Tulaku at Ashaiman on Saturday nearly lynched personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) who went to the area to fight a fire razing down a carpentry shop. The hostile residents threw stones at the personnel, damaged the fire tender and moved to the Ashaiman Fire Station threatening to beat up the personnel but police intervened.
The fire, which occurred at about 1230 hours, completely gutted the carpentry shop in addition to some near-by electrical appliances shop. Mr Paul Enyonam Tamakloe, Tema Regional Fire Officer who confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency, said due to the lack of a fire tender at the Ashaiman Fire Office, its officials called the Tema office at about 1245 hours to attend to the fire.
Mr Tamakloe said Tema office responded swiftly and reached the scene within 10 minutes only for the residents to attack them with stones and sticks claiming the fire fighters had delayed in responding to the call. "They attacked the fire men so dangerously that they had to run for their lives and called for police assistance before they could stop the fire from spreading to more shops," he said.
He said his outfit would file a report to the Chief Fire Officer for the next line of action to taken. Mr Tamakloe said to avoid a repeat of the incident, the GNFS was working hard to repair the Ashaiman fire tender.
Source:
GNA
Programme to tackle critical poverty
Ho, Jan. 21, GNA - An integrated poverty alleviation programme, aimed at uplifting the critically (extremely) poor from their predicament is in the offing.
Known as the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS), the programme together with other poverty reduction interventions is expected to empower the very vulnerable in society by providing for their basic needs and get them out of poverty. The programme is under the auspices of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment (MMYE). Mrs Angela Asante-Asare, NSPS National Coordinator, told a sensitization workshop in Ho that the programme was not a project, but a mainstream policy of government to cushion people from becoming destitute.
She said the programme strategy, which represented investment in the poor, would dovetail into existing poverty alleviation programmes, which often left out the very poor. Officers from the Department of Social Welfare, District Assemblies, some District Chief Executives, Labour Officers and representatives of the Ghana Education Service among others attended the workshop.
Mrs Asante-Asare said poverty trends based on various studies indicated that an estimated 40 percent of Ghanaians regarded as poor were classified as being able to meet their "basic nutritional needs, while unable to access health facilities, get adequate shelter, clothing and education.
She said 14.7 percent out of the 40 who fell under the "extreme poor" were unable to cater for basic human needs, including their nutritional requirements and additionally suffered from inter-generational poverty. Mrs Asante-Asare said the cycle of poverty for some families must be stopped to enable them to join the rest of Ghanaians to work to attain national developmental goals. She said the main flagship plan under the programme was the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) operating under the slogan "Investing In People".
Mrs Asante-Asare said under LEAP, the orphaned and vulnerable children, people above 65 years who are extremely poor and persons with severe disabilities who had no productive capacity would be identified for social grants.
Mr Mawutor Goh, Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who opened the workshop called for the elimination of corruption, favouritism, nepotism and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the administration of poverty alleviation interventions.
Dr William Ahadzi, Centre of Social Policy Studies of the University of Ghana in a paper said governments must provide interventions to cater for the social consequences of some economic policies. He said the trend now was for even the World Bank and its affiliates to incorporate social mitigation variants alongside their stringent economic programmes.
Source:
GNA
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