Togolese refugees to return home from Ghana
A group of 176 men, women and children are the first Togolese refugees to return home from Ghana by road convoy with the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
They are among 1,700 Togolese refugees in eastern Ghana's Volta region who have registered with the agency to seize on easing tensions and return to their home country.
UNHCR is giving priority to those refugees who wish to return in time for Togo's parliamentary election on 14 October.
Among those in the first group of returnees, Akoko, 32, said he hopes to fight for freedom and democracy in Togo, while Ametipe, a mother of two, plans to establish a small business.
The refugees will travel to Danyi prefecture in Togo's Plateau region before continuing their journeys to their respective home villages or towns.
"Today marks a new beginning," said UNHCR's Ghana chief Aida Haile Mariam at this week's departure ceremony. "While Togo is still in the process of political reform, these 176 Togolese refugees have decided to avail themselves of the opportunity to return to their home country in the context of the voluntary repatriation exercise organized by UNHCR and the Ghana Refugee Board."
UNHCR and its partners will provide a return package, which includes a $120 cash grant per adult and $60 per child, clothing, mosquito nets, mats, buckets, soap, hygiene kits and food rations for two months.
Following the eruption of violence after the April 2005 installation of the son of the late Gnassingbe Eyadema as Togo's president, tens of thousands of Togolese fled to neighbouring Ghana and Benin. UNHCR provides assistance to 13,300 remaining Togolese refugees in the two countries.
Thousands have already returned on their own from Ghana, which hosts over 42,000 refugees from numerous countries, including some 8,500 from Togo.
Source:
United Nations
Train more vocational/tech teachers - Universities urged
Winneba, C/R, GNA - The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, has charged tertiary institutions especially the universities to train more vocational and technical teachers for the success of the educational reform programme.
He noted that the 1987 Reforms failed because of the lack of technical/vocational teachers in the country to train students ready for the "job marketplace" after school.
"UEW is currently the only institution training technical teachers with limited facilities," he said.
Prof Anamuah-Mensah was delivering a valedictory lecture at the South Campus Auditorium of the University on Friday at Winneba on the topic "Walking the dream: Reflection of a Vice Chancellor". He called for blending of teaching approaches with distance learning as the main model to increase the number of such teachers by the Universities.
The Vice Chancellor stated that a pilot programme sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning had been introduced at the University and stressed the need to expand it.
He noted that technical people who completed polytechnics with the Higher National Diploma Certificate found it difficult to get job placement in industries and other areas and said the two-year programme in educational studies was to turn them into professional teachers. The Vice Chancellor said the programme was began with the vision of making the University responsive to the needs of the school system and the job marketplace must offer convenient first rate learning opportunities, modern facilities, state-of-the art technology and student services to make it successful.
He stated that the challenges the University had to grapple with included unfavourable age profile of staff and the need to redress the gender imbalance in both the student population and faculty members.
Prof Anamuah-Mensah said an unfavourable research environment, unattractive salaries and conditions of service, provision of adequate physical and learning facilities for both staff and students were some of the challenged coupled with inadequate funding.
"For almost a decade no, UEW has been undergoing a systematic process of transformation to become a leader in teacher education in the sub-region. This process resulted in significant changes in the culture and environment of the institution before the attainment of full-fledged university status," he stressed.
Professor Akwasi Asabere Ameyaw, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice Chancellor-Elect, who chaired the function, described Prof Anamuah-Mensah as his "mentor, role- model and inspirer" and on behalf of the University authorities and students expressed profound gratitude to him for his hard work and dedication.
He expressed the hope that he would continue to advice and encourage him to attain the quality leadership to make the UEW "a place of excellence for learning".
Present at the lecture were Professor S. Y. Boafo, Ghana's Former Ambassador to Cote D'Iviore and France and the current Chairman of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi, Minister of Harbours, Ports and Railways, Mr C Y Akwaah Mensah, Registrar of the University, Heads of Department, Professors and Dr Mandoh Botchwey, Chief Executive Officer of the Klimovic Hospital at Winneba.
Source:
GNA
Ghana exposed to insulating concrete forms building
Prampram (GAR), Sept. 30, GNA - Government's effort at building affordable houses for middle and lower class workers was given a boost with the introduction of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) blocks into the building construction industry.
Mrs Sheryl Brown, founder of Negucci Link Ghana Limited said ICFs are hollow foam blocks which are stacked into the shape of the exterior walls of a building, reinforced with steel rebar, and then filled with concrete to build houses within a shorter period at less expense.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency at Prampram after a tour of a four bedroom insulated concrete forms building construction site, Mrs Brown said ICF combined one of the finest insulating materials, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), with one of the strongest structural building materials, steel reinforced concrete to make the structure durable. She said the result is a wall system of unmatched comfort, energy efficiency, strength and noise reduction.
On the advantages of an insulated concrete form structure over the traditional concrete cement blocks, Mrs Brown explained that Insulated Concrete Form structures are much more affordable, comfortable, quiet, and energy-efficient than those build with traditional construction methods.
"Whether you are building a concrete home or a multi-level commercial structure, you can't beat the benefits of building with Insulating Concrete Forms," she stated. Mrs. Brown noted that ICF buildings provide a superior construction technology that delivers cost-effective, high-performance structures that are safer, quieter, more comfortable, energy efficient, structurally secure, and environmentally responsible than any building system available on the market today.
She said ICF building would offer the average Ghanaian worker the capability to own a truly affordable house. The Peoples Dialogue and Ghana Federation of the Urban Poor (PD), a non-governmental organisation, is collaborating with Negucci Link Ghana Limited to empower Ghanaians to acquire the skills of construction with ICF.
Mr. Faruk R. Briamah, Chief Executive Officer of PD lauded the effort to introduce ICF building technology into Ghana and appealed to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to adopt the technology in building government's affordable houses.
Source:
GNA
Ghana to host West African Police Chiefs meeting
Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - The Ghana Police Service under the distinguished patronage of the Government of Ghana will host the Ninth Meeting of West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) in Accra from 1st to 5th October 1 to 5.
The Police Chiefs will discuss a range of issues bordering on Police operations in the West Africa Sub-Region. These will include issues such as Police operations, Cross-border and Gender-based crimes, Capacity building for Police forces in the Sub-Region, and child trafficking.
Furthermore conflict prevention, conflict management and resolution; peacekeeping, financial crime and general sub-regional security are the other issues, which will be top on the committee's agenda.
A release issued by the Public Affairs Directorate in Accra on Sunday said activities of member states over the years, will be addressed by personalities like Minister of the Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Patrick K. Achampong, Secretary General of Interpol and the Chairman of the WAPCCO.
The WAPCCO was formed to address crime issues in the Sub-Region, identify trends and patterns of crimes, organise conferences and working meetings of the Sub-Region, establish and nurture contacts with different law-enforcement authorities in the Sub-Region and assist in sharing best practise, among other things.
Source:
GNA
Politics is not about vote buying - Akosa
Cape Coast, Sept 30, GNA - A presidential aspirant of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa, on Sunday expressed worry about the current trend of politicking in the country and said there was "no respect" in it.
He said politics should not be about vote buying but about one's commitment, dedication and ability to serve the country. Prof Akosa said this when he joined the congregation at the St Francis de Sales Cathedral in Cape Coast at a fund-raising harvest in aid of a vocation centre for the unemployed youth in the church. The presidential aspirant, therefore, stressed the need for politics to be conducted with decorum and appealed to politicians to be prepared to make sacrifices for the country and pledged his preparedness to do so.
On the nation's economy, he expressed worry at the sale of state enterprises set up during the Nkrumah regime. He said rather than sell off such vital properties, what successive governments after Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah's government should have been doing was adding more to them for the benefit of future generations.
Prof Akosa, who is also the immediate past Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said although market forces have a crucial role, the government should not leave everything to these forces.
He commended the church for raising funds to set up a vocational centre for the unemployed youth in the church and also expressed worry that eight out of every 10 children in the country were unable to continue their education to the secondary school or vocational/technical levels.
Prof Akosa appealed to the government to ensure that Ghanaian children are able to continue his or her education to enable them contribute their quota to national development.
Mr Kweku Ricketts, who chaired the function, tasked all members of the church to contribute generously towards the project to help provide the youth with skills and that it was their "duty to cater for the future of the youth".
Prof Akosa donated GH=A2100 towards the project.
Source:
GNA
"Professor" applies for profersorship
ELBERT FABILE VINDICATED? AS DR. ADEI APPLIES TO GIMPA COUNCIL.
The Director General of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, (GIMPA), Dr. Steve Adei has formally applied to the council of the institute to be made a professor, weeks after the ‘Ghanaian Observer’ newspaper accused him of awarding himself the title.
The 12 page application letter dated 4th of this month in procession of Happy FM was addressed to the Deputy Rector and Dean of Academic Affairs of GIMPA asking to the council to grant him the title to corresponded to his position of as the Director General of the school saying the move would not cost GIMPA any extra cost.
The application including the extensive works and publications referred to a meeting of the GIMPA council on the 27th of August this year at which the council informed him that by appointing him as the Director and Rector of GIMPA, he was not confirmed as a professor. This revelation is likely to be welcomed by the publisher and Editor of the ‘Observer’ newspaper, Egbert Faibille. Jnr who has for the past months being waging a crusade against the Fake professorship of Dr. Adei. The two are currently in court over the issue. Source: Happyghana.com
Source:
Happy FM
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School Fees Go Up
The government has approved fee increases for public second-cycle schools nationwide to take effect from the 2007/2008 academic year which began on September 11.
The Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, who disclosed this to the Times in Accra yesterday, said boarding fees have shot up from ¢712,800 per term to ¢784,700. Day students are to pay ¢33,000 per term instead of ¢31,000.
The current feeding fee of ¢7,200 per student per day has been increased to ¢8,000 or ¢746,700 per term, from ¢676,800 a term.
Mr. Bannerman-Mensah said that fee levels in senior secondary schools (now senior high schools) had for the past three years remained the same despite increases in prices of major food items and petroleum products. A letter dated September 27, confirming the increases, has been dispatched to the Regional District Directors, heads of SHS and principals of Technical Institutes.
The GES has directed heads of schools to ensure that students’ bills feature only items indicated on the approved list. "All other items required by students should be listed in the prospectus for parents to procure for their wards," the letter signed by Mrs Rene Boakye-Boaten, Director of Secondary Education, added. It said Parent Teacher Association levies over and above the approved level of ¢80,000 per term should be authorised by the Director General.
According to the approved list, total fees payable on admission, which cover items such as admission, school uniform, house attire, and physical education kits, have been increased from ¢412,000 to ¢442,000.
Government however maintained its subsidy of ¢179,000 per student per term for stationery and maintenance of office machine, first aid, building maintenance, sports, culture, sanitation, postage, text book use fee, practical fee, tools and maintenance fees, furniture maintenance and utility.
Mr. Bannerman-Mensah, appealed to school heads to be a little flexible in demanding the payment of fees, especially by the parents of the first year students. They may accept installment payments in certain circumstances to ensure smooth admission process.
He told the Times that, the various fee levels have been discussed with the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), the Association of Principals of Technical Institutions, the Conference of Principals of Training Colleges and the Domestic Bursars Association to enable adjustments to be made.
In June this year, CHASS appealed to the GES to review the fee levels to correspond with prevailing market prices of essential items such as staple food, fuel wood and petroleum products that the schools depend on to function.
Source:
Ghanaian Times
Government updates flood statistics
The government says 56 people died in floods that wrecked havoc in the northern part of the country late last month.
Interior Minister Kwamena Bartels, who is leading an inter- ministerial committee on the floods, said in Accra on Thursday that 332,548 people were displaced in the Northen, Upper East and Upper West regions.
He said 34,336 houses, mainly mud houses, collapsed in the affected regions and 70,526 hectares with a production potential of 144,430 metric tonnes of crops were destroyed.
Bartels said the government, in concert with its local and foreign development partners, NGOs, corporate bodies and individuals would continue to monitor the situation and factor all strategic planning and other components into its relief management strategy.
"We are faced with a disaster and what is even worrying is the fact that successful recovery from this situation is definitely going to be a difficult path fraught with dangers," he said.
Large swathes of land were covered with water when the floods came, following rains and the opening of spill gates of a dam in its northern neighbour, Burkina Faso.
The northern regions are the poorest in Ghana and the floods have aggravated the conditions of the people.
The floods came as the regions were complaining of drought that had seen crops wither and aborted the planning season.
Abubakar Saddique Boniface, minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, said they had embarked on aggressive education to sensitise the people to boil their water before drinking to avert any possible water- borne diseases.
"In addition we would be spraying the whole area and the water bodies to ensure that the people would be affected with diseases such as bilharzias and river blindness."
Boniface said the Ministry would dig some 2,000 boreholes for the people after the flood subsided.
"We are also carrying out an exercise to come out with a long term detailed design for our buildings. We are also considering changing the system of building but maintain our culture in modernity by adding cement to the brisk to give it weight," he said.
Source:
Panapress
Govt, UNICEF assist flood victims with food items
Wa, Sept. 29, GNA - Government on Saturday provided assorted food items to victims of the recent floods that hit the Upper West Region. The items included 3,200 mini bags of rice, 4050 pieces of blankets and 1,200 polymats.
Presenting the items to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Madam Winifred Dy-Yakah, said the Region was expecting poor harvests this year.
She said the long drought that delayed cropping and the floods that also washed away crops and submerged the remaining ones accounted for the poor situation awaiting the people come next year. The Deputy Minister appealed to international organisations, donor countries and Non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of the people to re-integrate into the society.
Madam Dy-Yakah also presented assorted items received from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to the Upper West Regional Directorates of Health and Education for children who were affected by the floods.
The items included sanitary towels; baby soaps, nappies, plastic combs and roofing sheets.
She charged the authorities to ensure that the items benefited the real victims, saying, the Regional Coordinating Council would monitor the movement and distribution of the all food aid that had been received.
The Deputy Minister thanked the government and UNICEF for the assistance and warned community leaders not to discriminate in the sharing of the items.
Mr Timothy, Dombo Regional Coordinator of NADMO, assured the government and people of the Region that all relief items would get to the appropriate persons and every item received would be properly accounted for.
Source:
GNA
Abolish Information Ministry - Prof
Accra, Sept 28, GNA - Professor Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh, a communication expert has called for the abolishing of the Ministry of Information, headed by Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie(pictured), saying resources allotted to it should rather be reinvested into the Ministry of Communications to vigorously address issues of the Information society.
In professorial inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh highlighted excellence, objectivity, and the need for factual and balanced journalism with freedom and quality professionalism as tenets that must be promoted.
The lecture, titled "Ka Nea Woahu" (Publish Only the Verified): An African Communication Paradigm, was laced with humour, indigenous Akan lyrics and proverbs, and exposed the framework of communication in Africa, specifically in the area of news reporting.
Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh explored different paradigms of journalism that sought freedom, balanced with factual and truthful reporting, pointing out that the watchdog role of journalism was not just constitutional, but fundamental to public discipline, a major criterion for good governance, development and progress.
Watchdog journalism, he said, would also avoid the abuse of privilege by an incumbent President who is seeking re-election. The lecture touched on media pluralism, training, current practices of 'newspaper reviews programmes', news polls, regulatory regimes and "citizen journalism".
It called for an aggressive strategy and programme for an African technological leap in communication practice. "There needs to be an aggressive strategy and programme for an African technological leap that would enable both software and hardware production deepening, as well as content uploading and up-linking to achieve celestial inclusiveness", Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh said. He said self-regulation in media practice must be intensified and strengthened in reporting and other related practices. Also, the Ghana Journalists Association must be courageous enough to set standards, and find more effective sanctioning of errant behaviour and unethical infractions.
"Self regulation must tackle the problem of "twakurodo", "okromouth", "anukom", "di nsekuo", "ntwatoso", "aya", insults....they are all freely used on air with reckless abandon" said Prof Ansu-Kyeremeh, who is also an Apemanihene in Bosomtwe Atwima-Kwanwoma District.
He called for more resources to be allocated to the National Media Commission to enhance its monitoring role and also give it a more national outlook.
Source:
GNA
Fire guts "Sodom and Gomorrah"
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA - Fire on Friday swept through parts of "Sodom and Gomorrah", a sprawling shanty town in Accra, destroying several million cedis worth of property and claiming a number of lives. According to eyewitness accounts, the fire started at about 1500 hours at a popular spot in the area being used as a brothel, and spread to other structures, after efforts to extinguish the initial source had failed.
When the GNA got to the scene, almost everything in that part of the vicinity had been completely razed to the ground, with resident scavenging through the smouldering fire to salvage what was left of their "properties".
A resident, Opoku Ntiamoah, told the GNA that when the fire initially started, the Fire Service was called in to remedy the situation,
He said that two fire tenders arrived on the scene but the personnel after fruitless attempts to put out the fire abandoned the mission because of lack of access to the area.
Thus, the fire, aided by the direction of the wind, destroyed everything in its path from the embankment of the Korle lagoon to almost the Agbogbloshie market road before the Fire Service personnel could have enough access to put out the fire.
Ntiamoah attributed the severity of the damage to the combustible nature of the materials used in putting up the haphazardly-arranged structures in that area that denied access even to a "wheelbarrow". This is the second time in the last four months that fire had devastated the area, which government intends to relocate the residents, whose activities are seen as the main pollutant of the Korle lagoon that was being dredged.
Most residents who had by then left for their respective jobs, returned soon as the heard the news on the airwaves, but there was little they could do to salvage their belongings because of the fierce fire.
As the GNA went about, it came across a body burnt beyond recognition.
Residents identified the body as that of a male who had taken medicine and was fast asleep when the fire started.
Source:
GNA
Charred body found after Sodom and Gomorrah fire
The charred remains of an unidentified male have been found after fire gutted Sodom and Gomorrah, one of Accra slums on Friday.
The fire swept through parts of "Sodom and Gomorrah", destroying several million cedis worth of property and claiming a number of lives.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire started at about 1500 hours at a popular spot in the area being used as a brothel, and spread to other structures, after efforts to extinguish the initial source had failed.
When the GNA got to the scene, almost everything in that part of the vicinity had been completely razed to the ground, with resident scavenging through the smouldering fire to salvage what was left of their "properties".
A resident, Opoku Ntiamoah, told the GNA that when the fire initially started, the Fire Service was called in to remedy the situation,
He said that two fire tenders arrived on the scene but the personnel after fruitless attempts to put out the fire abandoned the mission because of lack of access to the area.
Thus, the fire, aided by the direction of the wind, destroyed everything in its path from the embankment of the Korle lagoon to almost the Agbogbloshie market road before the Fire Service personnel could have enough access to put out the fire.
Ntiamoah attributed the severity of the damage to the combustible nature of the materials used in putting up the haphazardly-arranged structures in that area that denied access even to a "wheelbarrow".
This is the second time in the last four months that fire had devastated the area, which government intends to relocate the residents, whose activities are seen as the main pollutant of the Korle lagoon that was being dredged.
Most residents who had by then left for their respective jobs, returned soon as the heard the news on the airwaves, but there was little they could do to salvage their belongings because of the fierce fire.
As the GNA went about, it came across a body burnt beyond recognition.
Residents identified the body as that of a male who had taken medicine and was fast asleep when the fire started.
Meanwhile, it is not known yet how many lives have been lost.
Source:
GNA
Conference urges GES to restore image of teachers
Sunyani (B/A), Sept. 29, GNA - Nana Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister on Thursday attributed the present low public image of teachers in communities to the negative practices that have engulfed the teaching fraternity.
He mentioned some of problems confronting teachers as the alarming rate of excessive intake of alcohol, absenteeism, lateness and indecent dressing of some teachers particularly in the rural communities. Launching the 14th Annual National Conference of Directors of Education (CODE) in Sunyani, Nana Kwakye called on the Ghana Education Service as a matter of urgency to act quickly to help restore the original and highly esteemed image of teachers. The conference, which is on the theme; "quality education: the teacher factor" slated for October 14 to 20 this year is expected to be attended by 160 Directors of education throughout the country. Nana Kwakye stressed that quality education could be attained through the use of child centred approach in well-managed classrooms, schools and skilful assessment to facilitate learning and reduce disparities.
He said, it was against this background that the government was working hard to ensure vast improvement in educational infrastructure, the introduction of the capitation grant and school feeding programme as well as the provision of school uniforms and adequate teaching and learning materials.
The Deputy Regional Minister noted that the new educational reform programme could thrive depending on teachers and reiterated the need to revisit the General Teacher Incentive Policy to motivate them to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.
Mrs. Sophia Awortwi, Acting National President of CODE explained that, the Conference instituted in 1993 and formerly known as Conference of District Directors of Education (CODDE) comprised all Directors of the rank of Director II, being district Directors of education, deputy regional directors and those in-charge of various programmes and projects at the Ghana Education Service headquarters at Accra. She said the inputs of education Directors were very crucial in the development and implementation of education policies in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies. Mrs. Awortwi therefore, called for a cordial relationship between the various assemblies and the education directorate to help ensure quality and relevant education in the country.
Source:
GNA
KNUST Faculty offers less admissions
Sunyani (B/A), Sept. 29, GNA -The Faculty of Forest Resource Technology, the Sunyani Campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology this year failed to offer admissions to the required number of qualified candidates expected due to infrastructural constraints.
The Sunyani Campus, admitted only 195 students, which is 18 per cent lower than last year's figures of 237.
Professor William O. Ellis, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, said this on behalf of Professor Kwasi Adarkwa, the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST) at a matriculation ceremony held for fresh students of the Sunyani Campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He said a students' hostel which is currently under construction would be completed by the end of the year and was hopeful that when completed the problem of accommodation would be checked. Prof. Ellis said overall, the University received a total of 17, 438 applications out of which it only admitted 6, 868 candidates representing 39.38 per cent of students on admission, adding 29 per cent of this were females whilst the rest were males. The Pro-Vice Chancellor said the University continued its policy of offering admission to students from less endowed schools as classified by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and said " a total of 243 students from the less endowed schools, comprising 183 males and 60 females were admitted".
"With regards to the Sunyani Campus, the Prempeh College has the chunk of student intake of 22 making up 12.8 per cent, followed by Kumasi High School with eight students representing 4.7 per cent as well as students from Accra Academy, Juabeso Secondary School, Adisadel College and Toase Secondary School", he stated. He advised the fresh students to read regulations guiding the conduct of examinations and try not to cheat as they would be dismissed when caught.
He sounded a word of caution to the female student to dress modestly at all times by covering all critical and most sensitive parts of their body, while maintaining attractive turnout but shouldn't "dress to kill".
Professor Ellis urged them to make good use of their time on campus by concentrating on their studies, while developing their skills for critical thinking and analysis of situations with the view to applying the knowledge to help solve societal problems after school. The students later took the matriculation oath.
Source:
GNA
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Flight schedules of GIA unchanged - CEO
Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Captain Joe Boachie, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana International Airline (GIA), on Friday assured passengers of the airline that its flight schedules remained unchanged.
"We are operating normally and everything is fine," Captain Boachie said in reaction to a troubled GIA flight which developed a fault in one engine while flying to London on Wednesday night and had to make an emergency landing in Spain.
"Safety is our core value and we will never operate with a faulty aircraft," he told the GNA. He said the aircraft was from the European Union and met all standard requirements.
The flight had returned to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) soon after take-off that night because of a fault on one of the engines and the passengers evacuated.
Captain Boachie said the engine was inspected by experts from London Air, the aircraft leasing company, and after a 30-minute test flight the aircraft was cleared to fly.
He said over the North African coast of Algeria, one of the engines of the aircraft developed a fault again and shut down, causing the pilot to descend to a much lower level since the aircraft was now operating on just one engine.
Captain Boachie said the pilot therefore had to make an emergency landing in Spain from where the passengers had since been flown to their London destination by a chartered aircraft through the airline's arrangements.
Another chartered aircraft by the airline was also used in ferrying Accra-bound passengers from London to the KIA at 0245 hours on Friday. Captain Boachie said an engine shut down was not extraordinary in aviation.
Touching on arrangements to have more aircraft for the airline to contain such emergencies, Captain Boachie said the company had made requests to government about the needs of the airline.
He denied media reports that GIA operations at the KIA could come to a halt due to problems between the airline and its aircraft leasing company.
Source:
GNA
56 deaths reported in flood disaster
Latest assessment gathered by the government on the death toll of the devastating Northern floods disaster have hit a record 56 in two months of torrential down-pour, Kwamena Bartels, Interior Minister has stated.
"As you are aware, Government's initial assessment provided us initial figures on destruction. The situation is still evolving and I present the updated statistics on the disaster. However, we should bear in mind that as Government continues to undertake further assessment these figures may change in the figure," Mr Bartels explained.
The floods have caused immense damage to the three already impoverished Northern Regions of Ghana. These include widespread human, material and environmental losses, and a decimation of population of the affected areas.
Mr Bartels released these figures when he briefed the media on the current disaster situation in the three Northern Regions at the 'Meet The Press' series in Accra yesterday.
According to him, 31 persons died in the Upper East Region, the most affected region; 15 in the Northern Region and 10 in the Upper West Region respectively.
The statistics on the disaster put the total number of displaced people at 332,548, the worst in recent times, with 100,703 in the Upper East Region, 228,812 in the Northern Region and 3,033 in the Upper West Region.
According to Mr Bartels, over 34, 336 houses were destroyed with over 15,069 in the Upper East, 18,167 in the North and 1,100 in the Upper West respectively.
This has caused thousands of affected persons to be temporary accommodated by relatives and friends, somehow mitigating the effects.
The government in its response to the disaster quickly constituted an Inter-Ministerial Task Force which is to serve as a strategic focal point to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to the management of the disaster.
"The Inter-Ministerial Task Force through the National Disaster Management Organisation has and continues to distribute emergency life saving relief items to the affected people," the Interior Minister mentioned.
Government has so far supplied four consignments of relief items and has additionally purchased 30,000 bags of cement, 15,000 packets of roofing sheets, 12,000 packets of roofing nails, 57,000 pieces of hardwood, 600 bales of used clothing, 90,000 pieces of polymats, 15,000 pieces of foam mattresses, and a host of other items.
According to reports, Government has released about GH 6.2 million for the acquisition of additional emergency items. Officials say this gesture has been complemented by the establishment of the National Disaster Relief Fund in which Government has deposited about GH 61 billion.
Kwamena Bartels says the general public`s response to the government`s call for support for the flood victims "have been very encouraging" as more individuals and organisations continue to donate to the affected people through the Task Force and NADMO.
Source:
Statesman
Statesman Poll: Akufo-Addo to beat Mills
Comprehensive, scientific opinion poll says: Akufo-Addo best bet to beat Prof Mills
It is so far and by far the most comprehensive sampling of who, among the then 17 known aspirants of the New Patriotic Party, has the best chance of being nominated as flagbearer and going ahead to beat John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress.
The 55-paged poll by the multinational research group, Research International, goes as far as providing the age group, educational and employment background of the 2,021 people questioned, comprising 935 NPP executives and 1,086 members of the general public eligible to vote.
40% of the NPP executives (2 from each Region and 5 from each constituency) polled said Nana Akufo-Addo was their party's best bet against Prof Mills in the December 2008 presidential elections. While this may mean that 'one touch' victory may be difficult in this particular December 22nd national congress, Akufo-Addo came out by a huge margin as the most popular and electable NPP candidate among the 17.
For example, in second place was Vice President Aliu Mahama with 18%, a clear 22 percentage points behind Akufo-Addo.
Alan Kyerematen came third (11%), but with a wide margin of 29 percentage points behind Akufo-Addo. However, though 30% and 21% of the general public polled also endorsed Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Aliu Mahama, respectively, in the eyes of the general public Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Alan Kyerematen had a similar chance of beating Prof Mills, with the three sharing third place, on 9% each. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang came next, followed by Dan Botwe and Paapa Owusu-Ankomah.
50% of those who tipped Akufo-Addo to win against Prof Mills said they chose him because they found him "acceptable and appealing." 44% opted for the NPP aspirant against Prof Mills because, to them, Nana Akufo-Addo is "well known."
5 aspirants who consistently showed up in all categories as the top favourites were Nana Akufo-Addo, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Alan Kyerematen, Dr Addo-Kufuor and Yaw Osafo-Maafo., but, according to the pollsters, "with Nana Akufo-Addo clearly in the lead with endorsement from both the voting public and the executives."
The polls conducted by Research International covered all 230 constituencies, with the field work undertaken between June 22 - July 10, as the G8 minister-aspirants were preparing to leave office. The pollsters targeted 2,320 people, achieving 87% of the targe: 2,021.
On the question of the popularity of the 17 aspirants, Nana Akufo-Addo received the highest total spontaneous awareness rating: 86% (of party executives) and 80% (of voters). He was followed in name recognition, again, by Alhaji Aliu Mahama (76%, 76%), Dr Addo-Kufuor (73%, 69%), Alan Kyerematen (72%, 54%), with Yaw Osafo-Maafo in fifth place (66%, 58%).
Mr Kyerematen, seen as among the top candidates, appeared to be more popular within the NPP than with the general electorate, with his candidacy being spontaneously acknowledged by only 54% of voters as opposed to 72% of party executives.
For example, in the Ashanti Region , Mr Kyerematen came fifth after Mr Osafo-Maafo as the most popular aspirannt among the public, yet came fouth, behind Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Addo-Kufuor and Alhaji Aliu Mahama, among party executives in the Region. Ashanti was, however, the Vice President�s weakest Region.
Aware of the inherent margin of error in opinion polls, Research International further rated all the 17 aspirants on a scale of 1 (being the poorest score) to 7 on their chances of leading the NPP to victory in the 2008 elections. After the nationwide polls, the pollsters concluded, "Nana Akufo-Addo came out with a clear lead ahead of all the other aspiring candidates. He was followed by Alhaji Aliu Mahama. Alan Kyerematen, Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Dr Addo-Kufuor were virtually tied for the third position."
They added, "Apart from the Northern, Upper West, Volta and Western Regions where Alhaji Aliu Mahama led, Nana Akufo-Addo was favoured in all the Regions by the voting public."
The party executives painted a similar picture as the voting public. "The party executives in the Northern and Western Regions," RI reports, "tied Nana Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Aliu Mahama as candidates with best chances. Those from all the other regions apart from the Volta Region placed Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of all the other candidates." In Volta, executives placed Alan second, ahead of Nana.
"The 5 least recognised aspirants are Dr Arthur Kennedy, Boakye Agyarko, Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Prof Mike Oquaye and Prof K Frimpong-Boateng," RI stated. Read more in tomorrow�s Saturday Statesman.
Source:
The Statesman
Investigate NPP aspirants source of funding -Wayo
THE LEADER of the United Renaissance Party (URP), Mr Charles Kofi Wayo, has urged the investigative bodies in the country, especially the Bureau of National Investigations, Serious Fraud Office (BNI) and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the source of funding of various aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, the rate at which some aspirants are splashing out money in their bid to succeed President John Agyekum Kufuor is worrying, considering their status in 1992 before the NPP assumed power.
Additionally, Mr Wayo, who is also criss-crossing the nation canvassing for votes for his URP, in a telephone chat with this paper also tasked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to declare the tax returns of all the presidential aspirants of the NPP.
He stated that the wanton display of money by these aspirants in the faces of the disadvantaged and the less privileged in society indicated that the NPP as a party had come into government to rob its citizens.
Unhappy with this development, he stressed that it was unfortunate that at a time farmers, teachers, including journalists could not make ends meet due to poor remuneration, the NPP aspirants who were also poor some years back were now splashing out money as if they printed the money by themselves.
�It is a disturbing issue and I think that the BNI, CHRAJ, SFO and other investigative agencies must conduct independent checks into the backgrounds of these aspirants to prevent them from looting the nation,� he said.
The veteran politician cum politician who had tasked the investigative bodies was quick to raise doubts about the ineffectiveness of such bodies.
According to him, he finds it repugnant that these bodies have failed to conduct investigations into the lodging of over one billion cedis by Mr Charles Bintim, the former Minister of Local Government into a bank account.
The vociferous politician could not understand the roles of the Office of Accountability at the Office of the President.
Accusing the NPP of "outright thievery", Mr Wayo, a former stalwart of the NPP further stung the NPP of being in league with cocaine dealers.
Contending that corruption is still rife in the nation, he said, "The NPP thinks that they cannot win the elections and they are grabbing everything from left to right."
In his submission, he said because of the policies of the NPP, the World Bank was treating blacks as people with no brains.
Source:
Chronicle
Politicians shy away from corruption lecture
Accra, Sept 28, GNA - Unlike the eight previous lectures in the monthly series of the Golden Jubilee Lecture, which saw the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) main auditorium virtually full to capacity, the ninth on the topic "Corruption" on Thursday saw a virtually empty hall.
Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), the Judiciary, as well as members of the security services and the many personalities, who attended the previous ones in their numbers, were absent at the lecture delivered by Mr. Reginald Bannerman, a retired legal practitioner. The audience, numbering between 100 to 200 were mainly journalists, young persons and some few senior citizens as well as Members of the Council of State some traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps.
It was not out of place therefore when Rt. Rev. Francis W. B. Thompson, a retired Anglican Bishop and one of the Guests of Honour pointed out that "it is sad the politicians and judiciary who should have been here to hear this important lectures are not here."
Rt. Rev. Thompson noted that the lecture was primarily for politicians, members of the judiciary and the security services, who were perceived to be the main perpetrators of official corruption, saying, "they should have been present to hear the lecture for themselves".
Mr. Bannerman in his lecture outlined a the history of official corruption cases in pre and post independence Ghana and how they were handled.
He noted that since pre-independence Ghana till recently, official attitude towards corruption had been captured in the statement "we are looking into it", saying that, it was not surprising that the government had chosen to hide behind the statement, "we need proof" just to cover up their own failure to deliver on their zero tolerance for corruption. He said recent surveys in the country revealed that about 50 per cent of the citizens perceived judiciary decisions as influenced by corruption and bribery.
Mr. Bannerman said that, coupled with the reported cases of police corruption they undermine the legal system and serve as a disincentive to investors, adding that customs corruption also undermined the tourism drive of the country.
He noted that corruption had spread so wide in society that even at the secondary school level, school prefects were reported to be taking bribes from recalcitrant students to save them from punishment, saying that such a practice at that level was dangerous for the future of the country.
Mr. Bannerman admitted that Ghana lacked the technological capacity to gather hard evidence in a timely fashion and people usually shy away from coming forward to give evidence, usually making it difficult to prosecute perceived corrupt characters.
He said failed projects should be enough evidence that contracts were rigged or awarded wrongly and therefore could be a reason for official probes instead of waiting on whistle blowers to provide evidence.
Mr. Bannerman suggested that to deal with corruption effectively, state organisations should be seen to leading the way by posting anti-corruption campaign materials at their premises to serve as caution to themselves and to every person, who did business with them. "We must also educate our school children about the whistle blower and other relevant anti corruption and good governance laws and constantly publish such literature in the media to creative public awareness more aggressively," he said.
He said at the international level the African Union (AU) should employ a blacklisting mechanism to penalise perceived corrupt governments of member states and the World Bank and other multi national financiers should be enjoined to severe relations with governments blacklisted by the AU.
Mr. Bannerman also called for a more strict application of the OECD anti-corruption regulations to prevent corrupt corporate multi-nationals from exporting their corruption and also to prevent corrupt governments from "shipping" stolen money from developed countries into foreign banks.
Nii Tackie Tawiah III, Ga Mantse, another Guest of Honour mentioned the quest for land ownership as a major avenue for corruption in the country today.
He told the story of how he posed as an investor and found out some officials of the Lands Commission who were willing to sell lands belonging to other persons to him.
Bishop Charles Palmer Buckle, the Metropolitan Catholic Arch-Bishop of Accra, who presided, noted that though Ghana was endowed with wealth, the greed of a few people denied citizens of their fair share of the national cake.
"It is not true that corruption is a result of poverty because if it were so, how do we explain the indulgence of the big multi-national corporate organisations, corruption is out of greed," he argued. He said it was the responsibility of all to ensure that corruption was weeded out of the system, in that it had the potential to create poverty, destroy democracy and governance, promote crime and even terrorism.
"We need to put our people right if we are to experience a better Ghana after 50," he said.
Source:
GNA
US students seek refunds from Ghana trip
University of Washington students evacuated from Ghana after becoming sick during a study-abroad program are seeking thousands of dollars in refunds for their aborted trip.
The eight students were evacuated from rural Ghana by ambulances and chartered planes after their illnesses cut short by a week the planned five-week program.
After returning to Seattle, several students met with Anand Yang, director of UW's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, to voice concerns about the conduct of the trip's two leaders, Linda Iltis, UW's Ghana program director, and her husband, Ter Ellingson, a UW professor of ethnomusicology.
The school would not discuss details of the complaints, which are still being reviewed.
The UW "is aware that behavioral issues of the faculty and management issues have been raised," said Norman Arkans, UW's executive director of media relations. "We need to figure out exactly what happened."
Iltis acknowledged Thursday that "there were some problems" during the trip but would not say more.
One of the students who fell ill said she and the 16 other students who stayed in Hain, in Ghana's upper-west region, often were not given enough food. The student asked not to be named while UW sorts through her request for more than $4,000 in refunds for program fees and airfare.
The university hasn't decided whether it will repay any money to the eight students, Arkans said; it has decided to give students a chance to earn full credit for the trip.
The student said she didn't realize Iltis and Ellingson would not be lodging with the group but instead in a village about four-and-a-half miles away. The student said she lost 15 pounds in three weeks with what UW doctors later diagnosed as dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, and salmonella. Several other students also became ill, with fevers and vomiting. The exact cause is unknown, though malaria has been ruled out.
Leah Choi, a UW senior art major who also made the August trip, said she believes the illnesses gave UW an excuse to pull the plug on a poorly run program. Choi was chagrined that the medical evacuations may make her group look like travel neophytes.
Staying in a high malaria-risk area with pit toilets and unreliable electricity was challenging, "but they were conditions that we consciously chose so that we could learn about sustainable development in rural Ghana," Choi said.
Source:
Seattle Times
Don't joke with HIV/AIDS - Ghanaians Warned
Abura-Afrangua (C/R), Sept. 28, GNA - The Reverend Isaac K. Gyedu, President of Mankessim-based Universal Christian Mission Association (UCMA), has condemned Ghanaians, especially the youth, who still believed that HIV/AIDS was not real and so they could go ahead with their indiscriminate sexual activities with impunity. He has therefore strongly cautioned the people to listen to reason and quickly desist from such destructive attitude.
Closing a special peer educators' workshop on HIV/AIDS disease at Abura-Afrangua in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District, Rev. Gyedu told the participants that the nation was spending huge sums of money on the pandemic annually, which otherwise could have been used to construct more school buildings, provide electricity, potable water and clinics to improve lives of the rural people.
Rev. Gyedu maintained that the infection was spreading fast in some communities due to Ghanaians' attitude towards several useful anti-HIV/AIDS educational programmes initiated by the Government and numerous nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to bring prevalent rate down. He challenged people, particularly the young men and young women who doubted the existence of AIDS, to visit various hospitals to see things for themselves.
They could also contact medical experts and focal persons who had the figures of affected AIDS victims for reliable and accurate information about the number of people infected and those who had died of it in recent years.
Rev. Gyedu renewed his appeal to chiefs, family heads, churches and benevolent organizations to intensify their education on the pandemic to save the nation from losing precious lives through AIDS. He advised participants to carry the message to people in their communities and also to conduct public meetings with the assistance of the chiefs and community leaders to sensitize the inhabitants continuously on the dangers posed by the infection.
Source:
GNA
Ghana marks international Right to Know Day
Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Ghana on Friday joined the global community to commemorate the International Right to Know Day with a call on government to promulgate the Right to Information Bill.
In letter to the Government Advisor on Right to Information Legislation, Mr Justice V. C. R. C. A. Crabbe, the Coalition on the Right to Information stated its opposition to the current form of the Bill describing it as too weak to guarantee the full enjoyment of the right to information as guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.
"The Bill falls short of the minimum international standards such as maximum disclosure, limited exceptions for withholding information and the establishment of effective and efficient appeals mechanisms as propounded by the United Nations," the Coalition stated. It said the citizens had the Right to Know how elected officials were exercising power and how the taxpayers' money was being spent by government and other politically appointed officials. International Right to Know Day was established to mark the founding of the global Freedom of Information Advocates Network on 28 September 2002.
The 5th International Right to Know Day is being celebrated globally to raise awareness of every individual's right of access to government-held information.
The Coalition organised a series of activities to commemorate the Day including sharing of ideas with other democratic stakeholders and media encounters to outline militant strategies to be adopted by the Coalition to ensure that government promulgates the Bill before the end of year. The Coalition called on the government to review the Bill, as it currently did not provide a strong enough affirmation of international acceptable norms on right to information. The Preamble, according to the Coalition, should reflect on commitment to create a right to information, which should incorporate access to information.
Other issues raised included the principle of maximum disclosure, which should affirm in unambiguous terms the principle of maximum disclosure and limited exceptions under which exceptions should be narrowly formulated to protect a legitimate aim.
According to the Coalition, based on the increasing role of private entities in public affairs it was crucial that the obligations for disclosure were broadened to include private bodies whose activities affected the public sphere and the rights of individuals. The Ghana RTI Coalition members are Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Journalists Association, Media Foundation for West Africa, Centre for Democratic Development and Centre for Environmental Law and Development. The rest are Ghana Integrity Initiative, Ghana Bar Association, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Legal Resources Centre and the Foundation for Christian Workers International.
Source:
GNA
Fake doctor in police grips
Aflao, Sept. 28, GNA- The Police at Aflao has apprehended Richard Brown Afful, 27, who posed as a medical practitioner, trained at the University of Ghana Medical School. Afful, a citizen of Apam, in the Central Region, operated under the name Dr. Richard D. Manneh, with two certificates. The first one was issued on July 27, 2001, qualifying him as medical office and the second one, issued on July 20, 2004 qualifying him as a surgeon.
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No compensation for Kumasi fire victims
The 135 people who were injured in the Kumasi gas explosion disaster may not enjoy any compensation because the gas filling station failed to take up a public liability insurance cover.
ENGAS Company Limited, owners of the liquefied petroleum gas, (LPG) filling station only took up fire, goods-in-transit, and motor insurance; and these policies do not allow individuals to be compensated in an event of a fire outbreak, or the collapse of the building, as in public liability insurance.
In the evening of Friday September 21, 2007, an LPG tanker offloading LPG at the ENGAS LPG retail outlet at Asokwa, a suburb of Kumasi exploded due to a leakage, causing a fire outbreak which led to the destruction of property, and severe injuries to more than 135 people.
Some of the companies, which also had their facilities destroyed, include Mckeown Complex, Texas de Hotel and Hotel de Georgia, Millennium Plaza; Dove FM, and Spirit FM, as well as Minkah & Premo Co.
Business & Financial Times (B&FT) learnt that the nation's biggest insurer, State Insurance Company Limited (SIC) of Ghana provided three different insurance covers against fire, goods-in-transit, and motor vehicles, however, ENGAS failed to take up insurance cover against public liability.
Some insurance experts told B&FT that since ENGAS did not insure the property against public liability, it would be almost impossible for any insurance company to pay claims to victims, to compensate them.
"It is about time property owners were compelled to take public liability policies so that in the event of an accident, be it fire or collapse of a building, the victims involved are adequately compensated,” said one expert.
Officials of State Insurance Company Ltd., (SIC) are currently undertaking a survey to assess the extent of damage, after which the total loss can be established.
B&FT further learnt that the other buildings that were destroyed in the process would receive claims from their respective insurers.
When B&FT visited the affected area on Saturday, SIC officials and fire officers were seen assessing the extent of damage caused on the premises of ENGAS.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly officials have hinted that they are working out compensation packages for the victims.
The incident has raised eyebrows on how permits are granted to LPG retail outlets in residential areas in the metropolis.
KMA officials have, however, maintained that the gas operating company, the LPG retail outlets such as ENGAS is located in an industrial area saying, "the KMA will not act in anyway that will put the lives of the residents at risk."
Source:
Business & Financial Times
Fuel Prices To Go Up in October
... as crude oil price hits $80/barrel
Ghanaians should brace themselves for increases in services that affect their lives on day to day basis.
As the public utility and regulatory commission is deliberating on the proposals from Ghana Water Company and the Electricity Company of Ghana for 100% increase in tariffs come October 2007, hints from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) indicates that fuel prices are also to go up in October this year.
This follows crude oil extending its slide towards $80 a barrel yesterday on continued profit-taking from last week's record high.
Speaking to the Business Chronicle, the Public Relations Officer of NPA, Mr. Steve Larbi said while prices are expected to go up because of the increasing prices of the commodity on the international market, he did not know the magnitude of price increases regarding premium petrol, gasoline, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas would depend on the recent increase in the crude oil prices on the international market.
Last month saw prices of some major petroleum products in Ghana going down after some increases a fortnight ago.
The indicative maximum price of premium petrol went down by 4.32% or 4.11 pesewas to 91.20 pesewas per litter from 95.31 pesewas per litter quoted in August.
That of kerosene also fell by 0.26% or 0.27 pesewas from 75.87 pesewas per litter in August to 75.60 pesewas per litter.
However, the indicative maximum price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shot up by 2.49% or 1.88 pesewas from 75.35 pesewas per GHp/Kg to 77.23 pesewas GHp/Kg whilst the price of a litter of gasoline remained unchanged.
The indicative price is a price beyond which an Oil Market Company in Ghana is not allowed to sell petroleum products.
On the international market, US crude for November fell 73c to $80,22 a barrel by midday, adding to yesterday's 67c loss to bring it about $4 below the record $83,90 set by the October contract last Thursday. London Brent crude shed 50c to $78,41 a barrel.
US crude oil production in the Gulf of Mexico rose to 80,7% of capacity yesterday, up from 37% on Friday, the US Minerals Management Service said, as oil companies redeployed workers to offshore rigs.
"What we saw was a risk premium embedded into crude prices, but now that the storm passed without damaging production facilities, we see prices coming down," said Gerard Burg, minerals and energy economist at National Australia Bank.
But traders kept a wary eye on upcoming storm threats. The US National Hurricane Centre said yesterday a tropical cyclone could form in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, while a couple of tropical depressions could form in the Atlantic.
However, three out of four weather models predict the system will steer clear of US oil and gas producing facilities.
"In the short term, we believe there's potential for a price correction," said Harry Tchilinguirian, senior oil analyst at BNP Paribas, citing heavy refinery maintenance expected next month and a seasonal drop in demand as bearish factors.
"When the risks of hurricanes are also behind us, the sort of correction we had last October - losing $10 quite easily at the end of the season - we believe we could have a repeat of that," he said.
Source:
Chronicle
Zero tolerance for corruption under fire
Global anti-corruption campaigners, Transparency International (TI) have again challenged the ‘zero tolerance’ mantra of the Kufuor administration.
In its 2007 Corruption Perception Index Survey which measures how citizens and nations perceive corruption and graft in their countries, Ghana ranked 69th in the world and 5th in Africa as the most corrupt country.
The survey scores countries between zero and ten points. Any country therefore that falls below point five is deemed to have failed. Ghana scored 3.7 points the second highest the country has ever scored since it was first included in the survey in 1999. Last year 2006 the country scored 3.3.
Even though, this year’s figure of 3.7 is higher than last year’s, it is no indication that the country is doing any better in the fight against corruption.
Speaking to the Accra-based radio station - JOYFM - Vitus Azeem, the Executive Secretary of Ghana Integrity Initiative the local office of TI, said the country is not doing well at all in its fight against corruption, and there is the need to do more to curb the problem.
He argues that, there is evidence that monies meant for the construction of roads and schools are being diverted into private pockets.
On how to check corruption in Ghana, Mr. Azeem said, while the government has done well in enacting the laws, they need the political will to enforce the laws. He also advocates for public education to let Ghanaians know that corruption is a canker that must be removed.
He accused the President J. A. Kufuor of behaving like an ostrich in his fight against corruption by demanding for evidence in cases where some people have been accused of corruption.
But in a reaction, Deputy Information Minister, Mr. Frank Agyekum has said that by the TI’s own standards the country is doing well because this year’s score is better than last year’s. He however admits that there is corruption in the country, but challenges people who accuse others of corruption to provide evidence to that effect.
He also reacted to the accusation made by Mr. Azeem that the president was behaving like an ostrich in demanding for evidence in cases of reported corruption.
Mr. Agyekum says allegations of corruption are only perceptions.
When asked about what would be done about the case involving Mr. George Isaac Amoo, former coordinator of NADMO, he said Amoo’s reassignment does not mean nothing is being done about the case.
He moreover, asked TI to provide evidence of corruption, asserting that the report is based on perceptions.
He also added that government is working hard to enact laws that will make it very difficult for people to indulge in corruption, but said this cannot be achieved in one day.
Source:
jfm
Ghana's Economy Rests with Me -Osafo-Marfo
AS THE New Patriotic Party kingpins battle delegates to give them the mandate to succeed President John Agyekum Kufuor in the 2008 general elections, Hon.Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the three-time Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim-Oda, has not only stated his claim but also believes that it will be easier for the NPP to win hands down if he leads the party.
Almost sixteen of the aspirants have picked their forms and two have already filed their nominations.
According to Hon Osafo-Maafo, for anybody to lead the nation and continue with the good legacies of the current President such a candidate must have a proven track record with credible proof that he had done it before and could do it again. "It is important to know that I have a testimony that I have served my party and government dutifully and for one to lead the nation, there must be ample evidence that you have performed and can do it. I can tell you that it will be easier for the NPP to win with Osafo-Maafo." He declared.
Hon. Osafo-Maafo, who was nick-named 'Oyeadeeyie' for his sterling performance as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and later as Minister of Education, Youth and Sports and how he managed, during his tenure to take Ghana to the World Cup, made this known yesterday at the party's headquarters when he picked up his nomination form.
The only aspirant who was accompanied by his wife Anna Osafo-Maafo and two of his children averred that the nation would be doomed if delegates elected a candidate who did not have the vision and the capability to continue with the policies of JAK.
Declaring that education is his passion, he stated that though the nation's economy is in a good shape, the NPP needed a candidate like him to take it to the next level.
"The nation needs accelerated economic development. I have a hand in the economic stability of this nation and I can maintain it further," he said.
The 64-year old politician who was very diplomatic with his campaign strategy said, "My vision is that we need to take the economy to the next stage and if we are not careful the future of the nation will be doomed if we do not have leaders with vision." The ability to deliver does not require shouting on rooftops but to be able to market oneself with what one could do for the nation through the creation of jobs.
Recounting his role in leading Ghana to the famous Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative, the unprecedented World Cup at Germany and the part he played at the National Investment Bank and the Bank for Housing and Construction among others, Oyeadeeyie, said he believed that the delegates would not see money as a consideration to vote but vote according to their conscience. He stated that the delegates assembling at the December Congress were discerning enough and would vote for a candidate like him who has the ability to reach out for non-NPP votes in the next general elections.
Mr Osafo-Maafo also stated that he did not believe in opinion polls. Sharing his views on the recent surveys, he said after touring the 230 constituencies in the country on two occasions and about to complete the third, none of the constituency executives had informed him that their views had ever been sampled. According to him it was only one person in the Eastern Region who had said somebody had called him on the phone and had asked his choice and he declaring that it was Osafo-Maafo. But the aspirant was quick to add, "After touring all the constituencies, I am totally convinced that I have the grass-root support and will win for the party."
He said though one of the biggest challenges that would face the party after Congress would be to unite its members towards the next elections, he said he had the potential and the wherewithal to foster unity within the party.
He said he did not see the problem with people going to pick forms with pump and pageantry, adding that, that was their style.
In a separate development, another strong contender, Mr Hackman Kwame Owusu-Agyemang, who also picked his form yesterday stated that he believed that having served the party in various capacities, the delegates would not make the mistake of not voting for him at the December congress.
Believing in the theory of creating and sharing equally, he highlighted his track record. According to him, he was a party foot soldier and noted that the battle to succeed Mr Kufuor had only just begun.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang, whose messages mostly centre on party unity and consistent calls on the aspirants to be conscious of their utterances, said when given the opportunity, he would be a dynamic and purposeful servant of the nation.
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, the second aspirant to complete and file his nomination, also contended that he had what it takes to lead the country after President Kufuor. He later addressed the press in his house where he further unveiled his vision and plans for both the delegates and the country.
Dr Arthur Kennedy who also picked his nomination form, said delegates had now bought his vision and ideas and believed that his messages were now gaining roots in the minds of the delegates.
He asserted that though there was a possibility of division within the party after the congress, based on allegations of support to some aspirants, he said, he could unite all after the congress. "I believe that this nation needs quality of minds rather than money and I believe I am the winner."
He said the delegates have decided to vote for him to battle Prof. John Evans Atta Mills because he has a passion for people.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, the former Chief Executive of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, also unveiled his achievements and tasked the delegates to consider him as the best among the lot.
The Heart Surgeon, who stormed the offices of the party amidst pump and pageantry, said it was ability to deliver that mattered.
Source:
Ghanaian Chronicle
Too many Ministers is killing our economy
PROFESSOR Yakubu Saakah, an aspiring presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has described the over eighty ministers serving in the Kufuor administration as a drain on the national economy. According to the professor, “It is a shame for a country like ours with a population of about 22 million people to have such a bloated number of ministers.”
He said despite the efforts by the government to put the economy on track with investors marching to the country, people were still suffering. This, he noted, was because of the high number of ministers being used by the President, which was draining the economy.
He conceded that the macro level of the economy had improved, but said that should not be the basis for the president to appoint more ministers than necessary because the economy was still weak at the micro level.
Professor Saakah, who was speaking in an interview with The Chronicle in Takoradi, noted that for any government to rejuvenate its nation’s economy, it must cut down expenditure by reducing the number of ministers.
He also emphasised that for a country to make any meaningful impact on the lives of its citizenry, it was important for it to manage the economy to favour the vast majority of the people, but not a few individuals as being done by the Kufuor administration.
He therefore called on Ghanaians to vote for the PNC to implement better economic policies. He assured the people that a PNC-led government would not appoint more than sixty ministers so that that there would be enough resources to tackle other sectors of the economy.
The professor, who served as a member of parliament for West Gonja in the Northern Region and was the youngest minister in Limann’s administration, did not rule out the possibility of all Nkrumahist parties coming together. According to him, when he is elected as the PNC flagbearer, he would ensure that all the Nkrumahist parties have come together to face both the NPP and the NDC.
“We can still come together to fight hard to gain power because Ghanaians want a change, and not only a change but a change for Nkrumahists,” he said.
Source:
Chronicle
Farmers protest against agreements
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Thousands of peasant farmers, members of civil society organisations and the public on Thursday took to the street of Accra in a Global Day of Action against the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which is to be signed between the EU and ACP countries.
Amidst singing and dancing the protesters holding placards with various inscriptions, some of which read "EPAs will Kill Development," "We are signing our own death warrants," marched on to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
At the Ministry, the leaders presented some copies of posters that showed the legs of Ghana shackled by the chain of the International Financial Institutions while the EPA was strangling them on the neck. The EU is seeking under the EPAs, a reciprocal trade regime between her and the ACP countries in place of the current non-reciprocal, quota free and duty free market access offered under the Cotonou Agreement. In 1998, members of the Africa Caribbean Pacific group (ACP), signed the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union, which includes the negotiation of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the EU and the ACP.
The EU said despite over 30 years of free market access granted under the Cotonou Agreement the economies of ACP countries had not seen any appreciable improvements.
Secondly, that the current Cotonou agreement, which expires at the end of December, is incompatible with World Trade Organisation rules that demand equal treatment for all member countries. Mr Ibrahim Akalbila, Coordinator of the Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition, a nationwide advocacy organization striving for agriculture and trade justice, told the Ghana News Agency that the current level of destruction of livelihoods through unfair trade practices was enough reason why governments and for that matter West African Countries not sign the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union. "EPA will worsen the plight of our poor farmers, who are already struggling to make a living in the face of unbridled trade liberalization," he said. In reply, the Deputy Minister of Trade Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botcway, told the farmers that the government would not do anything that would undermine the sovereignty of the nation.
Source:
GNA
Japan and others donate to flood victims
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Japan on Thursday donated emergency relief items worth GH=A2 105,000 to the flood victims in the three Northern regions of Ghana.
The items included five sets of power generators, 400 blankets, 384 portable jerry cans, 20 tents, 20 plastic sheets, five water tanks and five water purifiers.
Mr. Masamichi Ishikawa, Japan's Ambassador to Ghana, who made the presentation, said the government of Japan acknowledged the relief efforts being made by the government of Ghana and other organisations to alleviate the plight of the flood victims.
"It is sad to recall what this year's torrential rain caused following the drought in the most vulnerable parts of Ghana," he added. Thus in the light of friendly relations between Ghana and Japan, and from a humanitarian point of view, the government of Japan decided to extend this emergency assistance to relieve the people affected. Mr. Ishikawa was hopeful that the relief items would be distributed smoothly and effectively in a way that it would alleviate the suffering of the people in the disaster areas.
Other organisations that made donations were Ghana Agro Food Company Limited (GAFCO) which gave 190 cartons of sankofa-canned tuna, 15 cartons of sankofa semolina and 17 cartons of soya bean oil valued at GH=A2 100,000 (100 million cedis).
Sambus Company Limited donated 10 bags of rice, 10 bags of maize, 50 gallons of cooking oil and 400 blankets among other things while Aluworks presented 20 bundle of roofing sheets valued at 53 million cedis.
Aquafresh also donated 1000 crates of 24 units each of fruit drinks valued at GH=A270,000 (70 million cedis) whiles Quaye-Nungua Foundation gave cash donation of GH=A2 93 million cedis. The rest are Pemasu Trading and Industries Limited donated 30 cartons of mosquito coil, 200 packs of small plastic buckets and 100 packs of large plastic buckets valued at GH=A2 950.00; Philio Delio Smile Company Limited gave out two and half bales of used clothing, 500 packs of yammi instant gari mix valued GHc 5,000 (5,000,000 million cedis), Amandues Company Limited donated 500 packs of T-shirts worth GH=A2 220,000 (220 million cedis)
Ahmed and Friends gave clothing's worth GH=A2 550 (5.5 million cedis), Iddrisu Imoro, Major Mohammed Salifu, Madam Gladys Nettey and Mrs Urania Amartefio also gave out assorted clothing's. Nana Obiri Boahen, Minister of State of the Interior who received the items said it would be dispatched to the affected areas as quickly as possible and gave the assurance that the items would be fairly distributed to the affected people.
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GNA
"The Pioneer" is in deep financial crisis
Kumasi, Sept. 27, GNA - Mr Johnson Gyampoh, Editor of "The Pioneer" says management of the Abura Printing Press, publishers of the Kumasi-based newspaper, is facing deep financial problems.
He said payment of salaries to workers who had served the company over the years had become a problem. "We are in salary arrears and our working equipment is obsolete and can't match modern printing", he added.
Mr Gyampoh was welcoming Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister and his Deputy, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, who visited the printing house on Wednesday.
He appealed to the Minister to assist the Company to have access to government jobs and advertisements that were always seen in state-run and other independent newspapers.
Mr Gyampoh asked the Minister to support the company to get "soft loan" that would revive the paper and help it to meet challenges in the printing industry ahead of next year's Cup of Nations soccer and general election.
He pointed out that "The Pioneer" had over the years championed the cause of the nation's democracy, adding that the paper single-handedly paid a bitter price in the past for publicizing the activities of the Danquah-Busia club, which eventually metamorphosed into the New Patriotic party (NPP).
The Minister's entourage was later conducted round the various departments of the printing house and on seeing the old printing machines, he commended the workers for remaining at the job under such harsh conditions.
He was happy that in spite of all the problems, the company had been able to attain the 68th milestone.
He asked the company to contact the Regional Coordinating Council for help to source funds from the government's Small Scale Credit Unit due to be established.
The Minister presented GH=A2300 (three million) cedis to the company towards the celebration of its 68th anniversary.
Source:
GNA
A guidebook for foreigners launched
Accra, Sept 27, GNA- A guidebook entitled "No Worries" for foreigners visiting the Greater Accra Region was on Thursday launched in Accra. The third edition of the book captures the lifestyle, map, ethics communication and market locations among others of the capital city. Launching the book, Ms Anne Johnson, President, North American Women's Association said the group was devoted to improving the lives of women and children in Ghana and that the proceeds of the sale of the book would go into community support projects.
She indicated that the association had been involved in building schools for the rural dwellers and construction of basic facilities and assisted groups working in the health, agriculture sectors. "The organisation supports which help women and children in Ghana had contributed approximately 200,000 dollars to such projects over twenty years period", she added.
Ms. Johnson noted that Ghana was on the move to developing and that all hands must be on deck to accelerate the momentum to develop. Ms. Pamela Bridgewater, American Ambassador to Ghana commended and the association for their initiative and the effort to assist Ghanaian women and children.
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GNA
Tourism open doors for women
Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Hundreds of women in the tourism industry on Thursday went on a float through some principal streets in Accra and converged at the Afua Sutherland Park and opened a three-day national exhibition to mark World Tourism Day celebrated on the 27th of September every year.
The Day is celebrated to draw attention to tourism and encourage domestic tourism.
Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, commending women in the tourism industry noted that on average more women were engaged in the tourism sector than other sectors of the economy.
She said "65 percent of employees in the tourism industry are women in the catering, restaurant, chop bars and drinking bars sector." The industry is the only one which women have dominated in their own capacities as owners and managers.
Mrs. Obeng-Dapaah urged stakeholders in the industry to support more women to become self-employed through tourism related activities by giving them micro credit. "This makes tourism a key industry for creating self-employment for women and maximizing benefits for local communities where they live." The Minister called for awareness creation of tourism products like handicrafts, food and clothes to enable local communities to benefit directly from the industry. "Development of handicraft industry should form an important part of the strategic planning for community participation in tourism especially the participation of women," she said. Mrs. Obeng-Dapaah stressed on the need to give tourism the necessary support.
Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, noted that the tourism industry had experienced continuous growth and was fast becoming the number one foreign exchange earner in the country. He noted that tourism was a viable tool for poverty reduction and said Ghana had made progress in the development of the community based tourism.
Mr. Osei-Ameyaw repeated the need for financial institutions to support the tourism industry by way of giving micro credit to small and medium scale projects in the industry.
Mr. Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, announced that his Ministry was putting in place a programme to address the issue of sex tourism which affected women the most. He noted that even though tourism created an avenue for educating children, there was also child pornography and prostitutions which needed to be tackled.
Ms. Pamela Bridgewater, US Ambassador to Ghana, in a speech read on her behalf, observed that Ghana was a wonderful destination in terms of tourism because there was something for everyone that visited the country.
"There are the castles which reminds us of our horrific past of slave trade, the Dubois Centre where one can learn about Pan-Africanism and also research and there is the beautiful Kakum canopy walkway," she mentioned.
Ms. Bridgewater pointed out that the greatest asset to Ghana in terms of tourism were the people. She urged government to continue with infrastructure development to enable tourists who visit the country enjoy their visit and to encourage them to make repeated visits. Mrs. Justice Rose Owusu, an Appeal Court Judge who chaired the function urged young girls not to allow themselves to be used as prey for those interested in sex tourism.
"Refrain from engaging in adventurous activities under the guise of tourism, she said and urged queen mothers and parents to protect their young girls from being victims of the sex tourism. In a related development, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Former Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations commended women in the tourism industry for their faith and support to it. He urged industry players to always make quality service delivery and products their yardstick and priority since costumers wanted value for their monies and the sector survived on repeated visits. Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, who is also an NPP presidential aspirant also commended the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for recognizing the contribution of women in the tourism industry.
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GNA
Ghana spends $777m on malaria treatment annually
Savelugu (N/R), Sept. 27, GNA - Ghana spent 777 million dollars annually for the treatment of malaria while the country's health facilities recorded 30 million cases of the disease last year. Major Courage Quarshigah (Rtd), Minister of Health, disclosed this at a meeting of Health Workers and Assembly Members in the Savelugu/Nanton District on Wednesday.
The Minister was in the region to assess the impact of the recent floods in the three Northern Regions on health facilities in the affected communities with the view to identifying the needs of the people.
Maj Quarshigah said the cost of treatment of malaria included not only medication but also the loss in productivity due to the debilitating effect of the disease on people. He expressed fears that there might be an upsurge of guinea worm cases in the Savelugu/Nanton district because sources of drinking water in the area had been contaminated as a result of the floods. He called on all stakeholders involved in the eradication of the disease to collaborate effectively to contain the situation. Major Quarshigah appealed to the people to cooperate with the various agencies to eliminate the guinea worm disease by drinking from safe water sources.
"This is the time to plan a new strategy to re-launch an attack on the guinea worm disease", he said.
Mr. Gilbert Dery, the Regional Coordinator of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, said from January to August this year, the Northern Region recorded 2,001 cases of the disease as compared to 802 cases recorded within the same period last year. He said nine of the most endemic guinea worm infested districts in the region now had safe water facilities to help in the eradication effort.
Dr. Anthony Eric Ashong, a doctor at the Savelugu Government Hospital, said from January to August this year, the district recorded 6,894 cases of malaria as against 3,805 cases within the same period last year.
He said from January to August this year, the district recorded 332 cases of diarrhoea as against 224 cases within the same period last year.
Dr Ashong expressed regret that government institutions in the District were defaulting in the payment of their water bills adding that this was hampering the efficient management of the Savelugu Water system.
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GNA
Taste for imported rice killing local production
Nyankpala (N/R), Sept. 27, GNA - Dr Abdulai Baba Salifu, Director of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) has indicated that failure of Ghanaians to patronise local rice was affecting its production.
He therefore called on the government and the business community to consider banning rice importation in order to promote consumption of the local produce.
Dr Salifu made these remarks on Thursday at a growers' field day at Nyankpala in the Tolon/Kumbungu district, to showcase the success story of 'NERICA 2', a new variety of rice developed by the Institute. This variety, which takes between 90 and 95 days to mature, has a good taste and is drought resistant. Dr Salifu said there was more than 400,000 hectares of potential land available in the North for local rice production, but farmers were reluctant to go all out because the government had encouraged the importation of rice.
He said SARI would continue to develop varieties of rice to help local farmers to boost production. Dr Wilson Dogbe, a Director at SARI, said some 1,000 farmers would be enrolled and helped with the necessary training to grow the "NERICA 2" rice next year.
He said SARI mobilised 2,300 farmers this year and they cultivated some 1,000 hectares of "NERICA 2" rice in three districts of the Northern Region, adding that the yield was good. Alhaji Wahab Suhiyini Wumbei, Tolon/Kumbungu District Chief Executive, appealed to the Institute to continue to provide quality training to the farmers to boost local rice production.
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GNA
Please bear with us - MTN tells subscribers
Accra, Sept 27, GNA - Mr. George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, on Thursday appealed to the over three million subscribers of the company's telephony service to be patient as it worked at optimising the network quality. "We are grateful for the warm reception you gave MTN and for your patience during our challenging period as we optimised our network quality. There is a lot we are doing in this area and we would plead with you to continue to bear with us," he said.
Mr. Andah made the appeal when the 14 delegates of the on-going Miss Malaika Pageant paid a curtsy call on the management of MTN at the head office in Accra. As part of the visit, the girls also went on a familiarisation tour of the MTN cell site and customer service office at Osu.
Mr. Andah noted that MTN promised to improve network quality, deliver a range of innovative products and services and create a love mark brand in Ghana to make subscribers proud of their association with MTN brand when MTN took over from Areeba. He said the network challenges were not a sign of the company's inability to deliver but rather a fall-out effect of ongoing major and landmark improvements to deliver the highest quality network services to subscribers.
"As leaders in Africa and the Middle East, we have done it elsewhere and since we came to Ghana we have proved by our marketing drive that we have the financial, technical and technological capacity to deliver on our promise," he said.
Mr. Andah said MTN's sponsorship for the Miss Malaika Pageant and other reality shows on TV was a mark of the company's commitment to deliver world-class entertainment on a consistent basis.
He said the quality and content of the Miss Malaika pageant was in line with the values of MTN, which included leadership, integrity, innovation, building strong relationship and the can-do spirit. Ms. Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Service Manager of MTN said the company budgeted US$200 million for network improvement for 2007 but had allocated an additional US$35 million to speed up the process to ensure that subscribers received quality services in good time.
"The additional US$35 million is intended to bring in additional infrastructure to enhance speech quality and build capacity," she said. MTN took over from Scancom Ghana Limited, operators of Areeba in March last year. Since the takeover subscribers had experience several network problems such as dropped called, poor reception and calls landing in destinations.
Source:
GNA
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Flood Appeal Falls on Deaf Ears
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 25 (OneWorld) - International donors' apathy towards African flood victims is worrying numerous UN agencies involved in humanitarian relief operations.
Despite repeated calls for urgent funding, UN officials said Tuesday they have received only $1 million out of $85 million sought for just Sudan and Uganda, which were among many African countries hit hard by recent floods.
In the wide swath of sub-Saharan Africa, from Ghana in the West to Ethiopia in the East, more than 1 million people have been affected by the devastating floods. Due to loss of crops throughout the region people are facing acute food shortages.
Expressing its concern over the plight of flood victims, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in northern Uganda there are some 300,000 people in severe need, most of them women and children. Most have lost their homes.
This displacement, according to UNICEF, comes at time when in northern Uganda some 1.4 million people have already been forced from their homes because of the armed conflict in the region.
"The impact has been exacerbated by the conflict with rebels in the north and the fact that most families are experiencing displacement for the second time," UNICEF spokesperson Veronique Taveau told a news briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
Like UNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP) also seems equally wary of the funding situation. The UN food agency officials say it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue further supplying food in Uganda, although they have been successful in feeding about 64,000 flood victims so far.
Last week, the agency appealed for a little over $64 million for its efforts, but no donor has come forward as yet. The agency says that amount is required to feed not only the 300,000 flood victims, but also the 1.4 million refugees and displaced persons in Uganda.
In West Africa some 609,000 people have been affected by flooding in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, according to officials at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),.
"In Niger, our greatest concern is the fact that the heavy rains have displaced landmines, and the risk of hitting them at any time and in any place is very high," said OCHA spokesperson Elizabeth Byrs.
In Niger, WFP, the Red Cross, and the government have provided food for about 50,000 flood victims, but while food aid has been assured for current and arising needs, there is still a need for blankets and mosquito nets, UN officials said.
In Ethiopia, new flooding has been reported since early this month, Byrs said, adding that, nationwide, over 200,000 people are estimated to have been affected and thousands of hectares of crops destroyed.
"The risk of additional flooding and displacement is high in the flood-prone areas as the water level is rising daily," she warned.
UN experts say the devastating flooding in Africa is the worst the region has known in decades. Climate change scientists have already predicted that Africa and small island nations are going to be hard hit by the affects of global warming, including increased risk of flooding.
Raising their concerns about the impacts of global warming, representatives of a number of developing countries Monday demanded that industrialized nations take drastic action against climate change.
At the one-day international meeting called by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon also lashed out at the industrialized world for not taking concrete measures to introduce significant cuts in their levels of carbon emissions.
In his speech, Ban echoed the developing world's argument that due to high levels of emissions in wealthier nations, many in the developing world have to suffer from the impacts of climate change.
"Fifteen years have passed since the Framework Convention on Climate Change was finalized," he told world leaders at the meeting Monday. "Yet, the industrialized country emissions are [still] rising."
In his speech, Ban urged the industrialized countries to assume a leadership role in reducing their levels of carbon emissions and assisting developing countries with technical know-how about the use of clean technology.
U.S. President George W. Bush is set to convene a meeting of the world's most carbon-polluting nations this week. Many analysts are skeptical about the initiative, fearing that hollow commitments could result, providing little more than political cover for the gathered leaders.
Source:
OneWorld