National Union of Ghana Students "New Year Message to Ghanaians"
Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) have stated that the year 2008 would be like 2007,
which would keep Ghana at the centre stage of the world attention.
This is contained in a goodwill message wishing all Ghanaians a happy and prosperous new year, issued on Sunday in Accra by NUGS President, Mr. Kweku Tuoho Bombason.
The statement said, "in view of the fact that Ghana will be hosting the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008) and also conduct her elections, it behoves on all Ghanaians to play their roles well to give Ghana a good name.
"In this respect, NUGS want to urge the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the CAN 2008 tournament to put in place all the necessary structures, facilities and measures to ensures to ensure a successful tournament.
"On the 2008 elections, NUGS recognized the fact that, the nation is making progress in democracy, however, to maintain these gains, the various political parties and their leaders must conduct their campaigns devoid of tribal sentiments, insults and vile propaganda." NUGS commended government on the gains so far made in maintaining peace in Dagbon and the Anloga chieftaincy crises in the Northern and Volta regions respectively and urged government to put in place permanent measures that would ensure lasting peace in these areas and Ghana at large.
The statement said NUGS is ready to support, in which ever way possible, to ensure peace in the country throughout the year 2008. "Indeed, NUGS will still want to reiterate its call on Government to ensure industrial peace by promptly addressing workers concerns, particularly those in the educational sector," it added.
Source:
GNA
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Veep asks Muslims to pursue secular education with vigour
Accra, Dec.30, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Sunday asked Muslims to preach the tenets of Islam, alongside secular education, emphasizing that; "the benefits of secular education far outweigh any fear of their faith being diluted."
"The biggest challenge I foresee is the spread of secular education. It is a fact that if the Muslim community is to be mainstreamed effectively into all sectors of our society, then secular education must be available."
Vice President Mahama was speaking at a durbar organised by the Ghana Muslim Mission in Accra, to climax activities marking the 50th anniversary of the organisation. It was on the theme: "Ghana Muslim Mission @ 50- Prospects and Challenges."
He charged the Mission to lead the crusade to enhance enrolment levels of Muslims in schools. "It is a challenge of changing minds. It is not an easy task. But I am confident that the Mission has the track record to succeed." Vice President Mahama also asked the Mission to be proactive in the campaign against HIV/AIDS and the stigmatization and discrimination of people living with the virus.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the problems associated with the annual Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca and called on the organisers and other stakeholders of the event to be careful and dispassionate in putting in place the right measures to reverse the anomaly. Vice President Mahama, who lost his bid to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party in Election 2008 at the party's delegates congress on December 22, pledged to use his political experience and knowledge at the disposal of the country as long as possible. He encouraged more Muslims to strive to occupy the highest office of the land, stressing that their faith should not limit their ability to do other things in society.
"Of course, one must live by the tenets of Islam, but Islam does not restrict us in the face of the challenges of a global world." Mr. Mohammed Awal, Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited, said in a keynote that, Muslims must tell their own story to the world to reverse the negative media reports about adherents of the religion.
He called for a new crop of leaders in Ghana who would not be self-centred but would champion the lot of every Ghanaian. Mr Muhammed Kpakpo Addo, Assistant General Secretary of the Mission called on Muslims practicing polygamy to be circumspect about HIV/AIDS by screening their spouses before marriage.
Ghana Mission, founded in 1938 aims among other things, at fostering unity amongst Muslims and formulates and pursues policies and programmes that would propagate the true teachings of Islam in Ghana.
Source:
GNA
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Koforidua Central Mosque closed down
Koforidua, Dec. 29, GNA - The Koforidua Central Mosque was on Friday closed down to avert a possible clash between supporters of the Chief Imam, Alhaji Amdani and supporters of the head of the Eastern Regional Muslim Council, Alhaji Tijani, as to who should lead Friday prayers.
The Central Mosque and its surroundings were heavily patrolled by policemen led by the Municipal Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police John Naami following a directive by the New Juaben Municipal Security Council (NJMSC) for the mosque to be closed for Friday prayers to ensure peace and security in the Municipality.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Kwasi Adjei-Boateng, said sometime ago the Regional Chief Imam Alhaji Amdani was asked by the Moslem Council to step down on grounds of ill health. He said after almost two years the Chief Imam told the council that he was now well and therefore wanted to take up his duties as the Chief Imam but was refused and this generated mistrust between the faction of the Imam and the Moslem Council.
Nana Adjei-Boateng said later at a meeting to resolve the issue, one of the Moslem chiefs openly accused the Chief Imam of being a drunkard hence the resolve of the council to relieve him of his duties as the Chief Imam. This did not go down well with Alhaji Amdani so he issued a writ of summons at the Koforidua High Court against the said chief and the entire council for maligning him and sought an injunction against Alhaji Tijani who had been leading prayers at the mosque since he was asked to step down.
The court granted a 10-day injunction against the Moslem Council and that allowed the Chief Imam to assume his duty and therefore presided over the last Eid-Ul-Adha celebration but the 10 days elapsed on Wednesday.
Nana Adjei-Boateng said after an emergency meeting on Thursday with all the stakeholders at a NJMSC meeting to review the situation, it was agreed that the mosque should be closed until the case before the high court was heard and determined and a substantive Imam was appointed. Mr Naami said following the directive the police went to all the Muslim communities to announce to them not to come to the mosque and they obeyed.
All other mosques in the Municipality were opened for prayers.
Source:
GNA
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Bank robbers stole over ¢1.2 billion
It has now been established that the robbers who broke into the Kumasi Central branch of the SG-SSB Bank on December 22, 2007 made away with GH¢124,600 (¢1,246,OOO,OOO).
Confirming this in an interview with the Daily Graphic, a police source said apart from the Deputy Manager, Mr David Asiedu Berchie, who was still in custody and some private security guards who were on police bail, no arrests had been made in connection with the case.
Mr Berchie, who was arrested a few hours after the incident, was still in police custody as of Friday, pending further investigations into the case.
The source stated that a case had been established against the suspect and he would soon be arraigned, explaining that the courts were on recess, hence Mr Berchie's continuous detention in police custody.
The source further noted that charges of illegal entry and stealing were likely to be preferred against the suspect when he finally appears before court.
Last Saturday, some robbers had a field day when they broke into the Kumasi Central Branch of the bank.
After destroying a window at the back of the bank building and entering it, the robbers opened the strong room with a key before removing the protective iron bars to gain access to the stockpile of cash.
The situation undermined business operations of the bank last Saturday as customers who converged there to withdraw cash for their Christmas festivities or business transactions had to return empty-handed, while those who were to deposit cash with the bank could also not do so.
A few hours after the incident, Mr Berchie was arrested by the police to assist in their investigations.
Also arrested were some private security guards keeping watch over the bank, but after their statements had been taken, they were released on police enquiry bail pending further investigations into the case.
Source:
Daily Graphic
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Police training programme ends
Essipong (W/R), Dec. 29, GNA - Mrs Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, on Friday called on police personnel who would be engaged during the Ghana 2008 football tournament to act professionally.
She said this when closing a two-week training programme for 550 personnel of the Police Rapid Deployment Force drawn from the Western and Central regions at Essipong near Sekondi. The training formed part of police preparation for Ghana 2008. Mrs Mills-Robertson told them to be courteous in handling people and work with dedication during the tournament and that the Police Administration was ready to face the security challenges during the tournament.
Mrs Mills-Robertson said as security was a shared responsibility, the public was expected to assist the police to provide security. Mr Patrick Timbillah, Director-General of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, said the security services had put in place an efficient security management plan for the tournament. He said Interpol would send a team to flush out criminals during the tournament. Mr Timbillah said police training experts from Britain and France were assisting to prepare the Ghana Police Service for the tournament. Mr Robert Mark Azu, Acting Western Regional Police Commander, said the Ghana Armed Forces, Fire Service, Prison Service, Immigration Service and the Custom, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have braced themselves to collaborate with the police to ensure that the tournament was incident-free.
Source:
GNA
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Government urged to reduce petrol prices
Agona Swedru, Dec. 29, GNA- The Agona District Council of Labour has called on the government to review downward, the prices of petroleum products to help reduce the burden of workers and ordinary Ghanaian. Mr Francis Odoom, Chairman of the Council who made the call on behalf of the Council at the end of the year meeting at Agona Swedru, said the persistent hike in prices of petroleum products coupled with increases in lorry fares had had negative effects on workers. He said the increment in petrol must lead to salary adjustment for workers to enable them to meet the high transportation cost and payment of school fees of their children.
Mr Odoom appealed to the government to take a second look at the new vehicle law, which imposed a fined of six hundred Ghana Cedis per offence on drivers and described it as too harsh and terrible for drivers to bear.
The Chairman called on the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare the current situation of the Labour Enterprise Trust Company established about seven years ago for workers who were direct owners of the company. He said the workers were made to understand by the TUC that deductions would be made at source for the establishment of the company, but since then nothing has been heard about it or no dividend has been paid to any shareholder.
Mr Odoom appealed to the government to review income taxes imposed on government workers, saying that even though there was the need for them to assist the development of the nation, the taxes are too heavy. The Chairman of the Council appealed to the employers to allow workers to take their annual leave since it was not a privileged but a legal right for them to enjoy.
Source:
GNA
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Prisons urged to prepare for CAN2008
Ankaful (C/R), Dec. 29, GNA- Mr. Oppong Kofi Tweneboa-Kodua, Central Regional commander of the Ghana Prison services, on Friday called on officers of the service to brace-up to meet the challenges of the CAN 2008 and the Presidential and Parliamentary elections next year. He said considering the importance of the two events, they would be expected to discharge their duties diligently and professionally to ensure their success.
Mr. Tweneboa-Kodua said this at a send-off and end of year get-together for the staff of Ankaful prison complex at Ankaful. At the function, eight retirees of the service who had served between 30 and 40 years received gifts ranging from roofing sheets and ice chests and they were presented with citation. Their spouses were also given token gifts.
He cautioned that the service would not entertain tendencies that would not advance the cause of the Service and urged them to work hard, be loyal, discipline and have a deep sense of responsibility towards their duties. He said the year had been a challenging one due to over crowding and financial constraints because of the shortfall of the 2007 budgetary allocation and this, he stressed, affected the operation of the administration. In some cases officers had to use their own money to send inmates to hospital for treatment. Mr. Tweneboa-Kodua said even though the Service faced a lot of challenges, the overall performance for the year was satisfactory and that officer's vigilance was also high and their commitment and professionalism had been commendable in terms of safe custody and disciplines.
The Regional Commander said there were three escapes in the Main and Annex prisons but due to the vigilance of the officers they were all recaptured and commended them for their hard work, dedication, sacrifice and invaluable contributions to the Service.
Mr. Tweneboa-Kodua commended the retirees for their dedication and loyalty to the state in general and the Service in particular, adding, "you are now going to join the civil life we would advise you to humble yourself and give rule of law a chance.
Mr Alfred Ewusi, President of Retired Prison Officers, who presided urged the officers to work very hard in the coming year to enable the Service to achieve the target it has set for itself.
Source:
GNA
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Seven prisoners die through HIV/AIDS
Kumasi, Dec. 29, GNA - Seven inmates of the Kumasi Central Prisons died within January to December this year through HIV/AIDS. Mr. Ambrose Salifu, Deputy Director of Prisons in-charge of Ashanti Region, who announced this, attributed the deaths to lack of support and co-operation from some health care givers in the region who refused to give the necessary medical attention to the invalid inmates. Mr Salifu made the disclosure in Kumasi when the Most Reverend Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi conducted a service for the prisoners after adopting the prison 35 years ago.
He stated that as a result of the closure of the James Fort Prisons this year, the Kumasi Central Prisons which is supposed to take a maximum of 600 inmates has now 1,693 because it had to absorb some prisoners from the James Fort.
This, he said, has led to the current congestion in the prison and does not augur well for their health as it could lead to the spread of infections and other diseases, saying in case of any outbreak it would be disastrous.
The Deputy Director commended Archbishop Sarpong for his tremendous support for the Prison Service over the years, that he adopted the facility which had brought great relief and comfort to both staff and the inmates.
Mr. Salifu also eulogized the Catholic Church for its regular visit to all prison homes in the region to either donate items, counsel or share the word of God and used the opportunity to appeal to the church and other religious groups to help erect a shed in the home to be used for recreational purposes.
Archbishop Sarpong called on the inmates not to give up hope in life even after they have served their terms but reflect soberly on what went wrong in their lives and change for the better. He also commended the prisons authorities for their collaborative efforts and the good reception given to him anytime he visited the home and pledged to continue to pray and support the inmates.
Source:
GNA
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Aliu Quits ...
... Hackman, Oquaye and Owusu-Adjapong to follow?
... Oquaye: Professor to Pastor?
... Addo-Kufuor: Back to Batan?
... Apraku’s 15 years service reward: 19 votes
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates’ congress has claimed its first casualty as some leading members of the party have announced their premature retirement from active politics owing to their poor showing at the congress.
Rattled by the outcome of last Saturday’s congress, which threw them off their feet, Vice President Aliu Mahama and former Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor have indicated their desire to quit active politics following their defeat in the NPP flagbearership race.
Even though all the 16 aspirants pledged their support to the eventual winner, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD who had 1,096 votes (47.9 percent), the decision to quit was informed by the embarrassing number of votes the defeated aspirants received from the delegates.
Other defeated aspirants who are on the verge of announcing their disengagement from politics, DAILY GUIDE learnt, are Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, MP for New Juaben North and former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing; Prof Mike Oquaye, MP for Dome-Kwabenya and former Minister of Communications; and Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong, MP for Akim Swedru and former Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
According to Dr Addo-Kufuor, who had a paltry 22 votes from the total valid votes of 2,285, he was left with no option but to go back to his medical practice, while Alhaji Aliu Mahama said he would go back to his business.
Speaking to journalists after the Electoral Commission (EC) announced the results of the congress, Alhaji Mahama said he had come to the end of his political career, and that going back to his business was the only option he had. The Number Two Citizen had 146 votes, representing 6.3 percent.
However, the Vice President’s decision would take effect after January 7, 2009 when a new government is in place.
“I want to have my cool, go into private life, you know. As I said, eight years is enough for me," the 61-year-old Vice President said.
A Civil Engineer by profession, Alhaji Mahama surprisingly emerged the running mate to then candidate John Agyekum Kufuor, when he was introduced to the party at its annual conference in Ho in 2000. He has been Vice President since 2001 when the party captured power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said he would need time to decide on the type of business he would engage in.
The Vice President who run his campaign on the premise that he was the most suitable for the job, having acted as president several times in the absence of his boss President Kufuor, was roundly defeated to the third position after John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Minister of Trade and Industry, picked the second position with 738 votes, representing 32.5 percent.
Only three contestants polled more than five percent of the votes while seven of them had less than one percent in the bitter contest that was characterized by heavy spending by most of the aspirants.
Dr Addo-Kufuor could not believe his ears when it was announced that his high profile campaign could earn him only 22 votes. “I’m surprised. I believe this is a fluke,” he stated.
According to him, he had done a lot for the country, as well as the NPP and he deserved more credit than the 22 votes he had received.
“Addo-Kufuor deserves more than this,” the MP for Manhyia and brother of the President said.
He said going back to medical practice may be his next line of action.
A former President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor entered the NPP flagbearership race with a solid record of achievements including his tenure as Defence Minister for close to seven years, until he resigned along with seven others to pursue their presidential ambitions.
A disappointed Dr Addo-Kufuor who had the baggage of being the President’s brother to carry said he had come to the end of the road and was therefore going back to private medical practice.
Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, the business mogul and arrowhead of Sikelele Enterprises may also be on his way out of politics after the heavy defeat he suffered at the congress.
Hon Owusu-Agyemang, one of the biggest spenders in the NPP race managed to get 28 votes, six votes less than Papa Owusu-Ankomah, MP for Sekondi’s 34.
He was reported to have said he would not have wasted his time and resources if he had known all he would get were 28 votes.
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku’s 15 years’ service to the party got him 19 votes. The former Minister of Regional Integration and NEPAD could not believe it when it was announced that he had 19 votes.
“What! 19?” he asked his wife who was sitting behind him at the congress.
Prof Mike Oquaye’s notice for retirement was served long before the contest gathered steam. He had told DAILY GUIDE in his office before he resigned as Minister of Communications that in the event of he being rejected by the delegates, he would quit politics and concentrate on the ministry of Jesus Christ.
A Baptist priest and a lawyer by profession, Prof Oquaye, 63, who supported various constituencies with cornmill machines (Nika Nika) had just 20 votes.
His support to the constituencies did not touch the hearts of the delegates, who commended him with the 20 votes. More people are expected to announce their resignation from active politics following the bruising defeats.
Source:
Daily Guide
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Ghana will be happy - President
President Kufuor has assured Ghanaians of more happiness by the end of next year’s general election.
"By December 8, next year, Ghana will be happy because Ghana would have found a good successor to Kufuor," he said in a brief speech at a luncheon last Monday at the Castle to mark his 69th birthday which fell on December 8.
The luncheon was organised by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and attended by Ministers of State, Parliamentarians, family friends and chiefs from across the country.
The President said that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been democratic since its inception not because of votes but with the belief that development in freedom was the best way to curtail subversionist activities. He said the NPP will continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and ensure that it was entrenched.
The newly elected flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, noted that the task he has sought for himself to replace President Kufuor was a huge one and called for the support of all. He expressed gratitude to the NPP delegates for electing him as the flagbearer and said "I will do everything on my part not to disappoint the delegates."
The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawia III, wished the President well on the occasion of his birthday and for his miraculous escape from a near fatal accident.
Nana Dr S. K. B. Asante, Omanhene of Asokore traditional area, commended the President for solidly laying the economic foundation of the country. He described President Kufuor as "a pillar of democracy in Africa whose credentials will go down in history as one of the greatest exponents of democratic behaviour."
Source:
Ghanaian Times
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Central Region urged to come out of poverty
Saltpond (C/R), Dec. 28, GNA - A Member of Council of State, Mr Ato Essuman has called on the people of the Central Region to work hard to fight poverty, which has made the area to be rated among the poor regions of the country.
In a Christmas and New Year Message issued by Mr Essuman at Saltpond, the region's representative on the Council of State expressed concern over why the area should be counted among the poor regions despite the numerous human and natural resources the region was endowed with.
"Most of the best educational institutions in the country are in the region, we have minerals, cocoa, timber, oil palm, citrus, pineapples, arable land for production of food crops and good beaches for promoting tourism."
"The road network is not bad and all our major towns have been connected to the national electricity grid", he stated and asked "what then do we need to come out of poverty"?
Mr Essuman, who is also the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education Science and Sports charged metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the region, the Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and traditional authorities to collaborate efforts to harness resources to improve conditions of living in the region.
"All untapped resources should be unearthed and tapped", he stressed, adding that he was prepared to lead the crusade to bring the region out of poverty.
The Council of State Member however, cautioned that the people should be made to understand that it needed hard work, dedication and commitment to come out of their present predicament. "We need also to sensitise the people on the management of resources, including the use of time,"
Mr. Essuman stressed, adding, "if we enter the new year with all these values, we will succeed in getting out of poverty and realise the joy and prosperity of the new year and the years ahead. 28 Dec. 07
Source:
GNA
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Teachers being trained on use of syllabuses
Ajumako (C/R), Dec 28, GNA - The Curriculum Research and Development Division (CRDD) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has initiated a programme to train teachers on the use of the revised syllabuses for the Educational Reform Programme. In furtherance of this, CRDD has held a training of trainers' workshops for 144 tutors of training colleges and 12 kindergarten teachers from the Eastern Region at Ajumako. Ms Judith Sakara, Head of Implementation Unit of CRDD said the syllabuses had been restructured to meet the aspirations of the Educational Reform Programme. Ms Sakara, who was the coordinator for the workshop, said it was designed to build the capacity and confidence of teachers to promote efficiency in teachers' professional practice to improve quality of teaching and learning. She said the restructured syllabuses catered for producing well-balanced scholars who could analyze issues and be able to solve problems.
Ms Sakara said for the revised syllabuses to achieve the objectives, teachers had to be trained to understand the philosophy and principle that underpinned the development of the syllabuses to enable them to interpret and use them for effective teaching and learning. Mr Samuel Manteaw, Director of the Ajumako-based Ghana Education Service development Institute (GESDI) commended CRDD for involving tutors of teacher training colleges in the training programme. He urged the trainers to help teachers to use the syllabuses to produce critical thinkers who could help in solving the nation's problems.
"The focus of education under the new system should be helping the child to develop a mind that can make him or her to analyze issues and come out with solutions", Mr Manteaw said. He said the syllabuses were detailed enough and wondered why schools were not producing results.
Source:
GNA
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Export volume jumps 21.5%
During January to September 2007, Ghana exported 399,361 m3 of timber and wood products, earning EUR138.5 million of revenue. This represents a 10.1% increase over the EUR125.8 million earned during the same period last year. Export volume also rose by 21.5% during January-September 2007.
Exports to Europe amounted to EUR 58.75 million, representing 42.4% of the earnings. The EU markets, especially Italy, France, Germany and the UK were the key destinations for Ghana’s wood products.
Wood exports to India were 93,935 m³ worth EUR21.46 million, the single highest export destination in terms of volume and value. The products shipped to India included air and kiln dried lumber, sliced and rotary veneers, billets and teak poles. China was also emerging as an important East Asian market for Ghana’s wood products.
At the regional level, Nigeria has also become a prominent wood products market in the ECOWAS sub-region. Nigeria’s plywood imports from Ghana, during the period under review were about EUR17.33 million, the second biggest destination for Ghana’s plywood exports. This is due in part to the robust and sustained market development and trade promotion programme, started by the Forestry Commission. Similarly, the Forestry Commission is collaborating with timber associations locally and overseas to enhance the performance of Ghana’s timber trade and industry in terms of species, products and market developments.
Ten companies with integrated processing facilities and high installed capacity utilization and recovery out of 310 wood processing mills, which exported during the period under review, contributed about EUR83.26 million (or about 60.2%) to the total earning for the period. The ten included Mssrs. John Bitar and Co., Ayum Forest Products, Samartex Timber and Plywood, Logs and Lumber Co. and Forune Timber (Gh), Ghana Primewood, Mondial Veneer (Gh), AG Timbers, Fabi Timbers and Naja David Veneers and Plywood, which earlier this month was granted the Exporter of the Year Award (for 2006) by the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC).
Source:
Tropical Timber Market Report
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Video Centre operators who harbour pupils to be prosecuted
Nkwanta, Dec. 28, GNA- Video Centre Operators in the Nkwanta District who harbour school pupils in their theatres during school hours would be prosecuted. Mr. Joseph Denteh, Nkwanta District Chief Executive (DCE) who said this at the Second Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly at Nkwanta also hinted that such pupils would also be fined.
He was responding to concerns raised by Madam Christiana Ndabiwah, Headmistress of Nkwanta L/A A and B Primary Schools about the disturbing trend of truancy among pupils in the area. Mr. Denteh said the Assembly would task the Police to investigate the issue to bring the culprits to book. He asked parents and teachers to cooperate over the welfare of the children.
Source:
GNA
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Family launches education fund for needy children
Akyem Oda, Dec. 27 GNA - Nana Okyere Boamah, Ekoonahene of Akyem Oda last Wednesday expressed worry about the way some parents spend lavishly on funerals but were reluctant to invest in their children's education.
"Some parents are prepared to buy expensive clothes for funeral celebrations but the same parents would be dragging their feet to buy educational materials for their wards in schools". Nana Boamah, who was speaking at the launch of "Ekoona" family educational fund at Akyem Oda reminded parents that "in this technological age, a child who does not have formal education is doom forever".
The fund is to assist brilliant but needy children in the family to have access to education up to the University level. Nana Boamah called for concerted efforts from members of the family towards the success of the fund. He advised members to register with the Birim South Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to have access to quality health care when they fall sick.
The chief urged parents to educate their young ones on the HIV/ AIDS pandemic to help minimize the spread of the disease, especially among the youth.
He announced a law banning children below 10 years of age from loitering in town after 2000 hours and urged parents to ensure that their children comply with it.
Mrs Cecilia Asamoah, an educationist who chaired the function commended the family on their initiative to bring education to the doorsteps of the needy and urged others to emulate it.
Source:
GNA
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Million Ghanaian children engaged in child labour
More than 1.2m children are engaged in child labour out of the 2.4m economically active children in Ghana.
The National Programmes Coordinator of the International Labour Organization, Matthew Dally, who made this known this at a child labour workshop in Kumasi, expressed grave concern about the continuous abuse of child rights in the country.
He said any work performed by a person below the age of 18, which deprives him of the basic human rights, and is exploitative and harmful to the development of the child is not permissible.
He noted however, that the causes of child labour are primarily rooted in poverty, created by social and economic inequality as well as inadequate educational facilities. Mr. Dally described all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, like the offering of a child for prostitution, production of pornography among others as the worst forms of child labour.
He said children in such conditions suffer trauma of isolation from their families and are thus prone to depression and are denied balanced development.
Source:
GBC News
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Philanthropists donate to flood victims
Accra, Dec. 27, GNA - Two philanthropists on Thursday presented assorted items and money to NADMO for the flood disaster victims in the three northern regions.
Ms Doris Cudjoe, Public Relations Officer of the Etherean Mission Church in Accra presented 300 Ghana cedis cash and 100 Ghana cedis worth of assorted goods whilst Mr Adam Zakariah President of the University of Ghana Medical Students Associations presented assorted goods worth 800 Ghana cedis.
The donors said the presentations were in response to the national call to assist the flood victims and improve their conditions, which they described as no fault of theirs. The Acting National Co-ordinator of NADMO, Deputy Commissioner of Police Douglas Akrofi Asiedu (Rtd) who received the items on behalf of the inter ministerial task force commended the two philanthropists for their gesture and said the items would be transported to the flood victims.
He noted that the response received by NADMO from the general public had been overwhelming and commended all those who had donated in bringing smiles back on the faces of the victims.
Source:
GNA
> BACK TO TOP < TV Cameramen assaulted at NPP Congress
Ato Abban and Issac Netty, cameramen of TV3 Network Limited, an independent Accra-based Television, were on December 22, 2007 assaulted by a number of policemen providing security at the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Special Delegate Congress at the University of Ghana.
The Congress was to elect NPP’s Presidential Candidate for the country’s general elections scheduled for December 2008. During the voting process, confusion broke out following an announcement by the National Organizer of the party that a supporter of one of the aspirants, Alan Kyeremanten, was sharing money to influence the decisions of some of the delegates.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that in the wake of the confusion, a large crowd thronged to the voting area, and the policemen fearing the crowd might disrupt the process cordoned the area. The policemen ordered the crowd including the journalists, who had set up their equipment and were broadcasting the event live, to leave the area.
Abban told the correspondent that in their attempt to reposition their equipment, the policemen pushed them away and in the process Nettey fell. Abban also narrated how the police used their electronic gadgets to apply electric shocks to their (cameramen) bodies. They then attempted seizing Abban’s camera thereby bringing transmission to a halt for a few minutes.
In another development, Israel Laryea, a journalist of Joy FM, an Accra-based private radio station, was also harassed while covering the same elections live on radio. Laryea was heard on air saying “…are you preventing me from doing my job?” he asked.
MFWA has learnt that a Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service later rendered apologies to the journalists on behalf of the police.
Source:
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
> BACK TO TOP < Bank robbery - deputy manager arrested
The Deputy Manager of the Kumasi Central Branch of the SG-SSB Bank has been arrested as one of the key suspects after robbers broke into the strong room of the bank last Saturday and made away with an unspecified amount of cash.
The suspect, Mr David Asiedu Berchie, was arrested a few hours after the robbery to assist the police in their investigations.
Moments after the incident, the police arrested the 50-year-old deputy manager as one of the key suspects to assist in their investigations. Some of the security men were also arrested but they were later released on police inquiry bail.
The robbers were said to have entered the bank by breaking through a back window.
They then opened the strong room with a key before making away with the cash.
Police sources said security men from a private security firm who kept guard at the bank, were probably outwitted by the robbers as they were reported not to have heard anything about the break-in throughout the period it lasted.
The police have mounted a search for the suspects and appealed to the public to offer information that might lead to their arrest.
After opening the strong room, the robbers succeeded in removing some iron bars that protected the room and carried away the unspecified amount of money without any notice by the security men around.
As the robbers escaped with their booty, they were alleged to have scattered a number of the currency notes along their escape route from the strong room to their entry point.
The activities of the unknown robbers affected business operations of the bank last Saturday as customers who converged on the premises of the bank to withdraw money for their businesses and the Christmas festivities were disappointed because the bank did not open for any business.
Those who went there to deposit money also had to return to their offices and homes disappointed, for the same reason.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, Inspector Mohammed Tanko, who confirmed the incident in an interview, said the police could not completely rule out the involvement of some staff of the bank but added that "for now, it is too early to suspect anything like that. However; we strongly believe that the deputy manager can assist the police in our investigations, hence his arrest".
He said investigations into the case would go very deep in a bid to unravel the mystery surrounding the robbery, especially how the robbers succeeded in opening the strong room with a key before removing the protective iron bars to get access to the cash.
Inspector Tanko said there was no evidence of the use of weapons by the unknown persons who broke into the strong room.
He said the police would also stretch investigations to cover why the internal security rnen guarding the bank did not hear anything regarding the entry of the robbers into the bank.
He explained that the strong room had two main doors, including an emergency one, and investigations showed that the robbers opened the emergency room with a key, before taking out some iron bars that protected it to get access to the money.
Source:
Daily Graphic
> BACK TO TOP < BOPP appeals to landowners
Benso (W/R), Dec 27, GNA - Management of Benso Oil Palm Plantations (BOPP) has appealed to landowners in the Wassa Mpohor East District to offer them for the development of out-grower projects to improve the raw material supply base of BOPP.
Mr Neneyo Mate-Korle, Managing Director of BOPP, made the appeal at the company's Annual Durbar and Awards Day held at Benso on Saturday. He said besides the smallholder farms, the company contributed to the health care needs of the communities by opening up the use of BOPP's clinic.
Mr Mate-Korle expressed regret that three years ago the elders of Adum Banso offered 2,000 hectares of land for an out grower project but due to current chieftaincy issues in the area the company was unable to start the project. He appealed to all factions to iron out their differences to enable the project to take off.
Mr Mate-Korle said the company made a profit after tax of 6.5 billion cedis against the previous year of 4.9 billion cedis representing 32 per cent growth. On the Company's future plans, he said the company had plans to acquire 1,300 KVA turbine and boiler to make it self reliant in energy.
Source:
GNA
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Set-up Night Patrols- DISEC Urges Police
Mankranso (Ash) Dec.26, GNA- The Ahafo-Ano South District Security Council (DISEC) has entreated the police to step-up its night patrols in the area to help stem criminal activities during the Christmas festivities.
Mr. Kwaku Obeng Boateng, District Chief Executive (DCE), who made the call in his sessional address at the third ordinary meeting of the Assembly at Mankranso on Monday, also urged assembly members to co-operate with the police since crime prevention required the efforts of all.
He said suspicious characters loitering around the communities should be reported to the police in order to maintain the prevailing peace in the district and also to ensure an accident-free Christmas. Touching on the financial situation of the District Assembly, the DCE noted with concern, that the delay in preparation of the Assembly's internally generated budget estimates for 2007 did not augur well for the Assembly and therefore, stressed the need to discuss, approve and implement this year's financial estimates, fee-fixing resolutions, procurement proposals and others before the ensuing financial year. Mr. Boateng expressed optimism that the assembly would be in a better position to maximize its revenue target since, as at October ending, this year, it mobilized an amount of GH=A266,985.37 from the estimates of GH=A287,714.33 representing 76 per cent despite the challenges it faced.
He announced that the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (DNHIS) registered about 33,520 members with a premium of GH=A2106,939.10 (=A21,035,679,000) as a subsidy from the government. Mr. Boateng commended the District Health Directorate for the outstanding performances in diseases control, especially the absence of any recorded cases of polio.
The DCE expressed appreciation to the members of the Assembly, Chiefs, Heads of Departments and the entire citizenry for their support and cooperation in the discharge of his duties.
Source:
GNA
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Ghanaians urged to unite towards national development
Kumasi, Dec 25, GNA- The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, on Christmas day urged Ghanaians to unite and ensure peace and love for the development of the country. He noted that the birth of Christ has given hope and salvation to humankind through out the world. Rt. Reverend Abubekr was preaching the sermon under the theme "Our Saviour has come," to mark the birth of Christ at the Adum Wesley Cathedral of the Church in Kumasi.
He asked Ghanaians not to use the occasion for merry making alone but to change their attitude and contribute positively to national development. Rt. Rev..Abubekr said the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country had enjoined Ghanaians as one people with common destiny. He advised Christians to live upright lives reminding them that society looked up to them as agents of change.
Preaching at Saint Paul's Catholic Church at Amakom in Kumasi, Reverend Father John Opoku called on Christians to pray for peace for the nation as the country prepared for the 2008 Election. He appealed to the congregation to extend their happiness and joy to the needy and poor as they celebrated the yuletide. Rev. Father Opoku urged the youth to refrain from social vices and concentrate on things that would lead them to salvation. Rev. Peter Kofi Nyarko, Bantama, Kumasi, District Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon advised Christians to be courageous in their religious pursuits and to defend Christendom. Rev Nyarko urged Christians to pray for the country ceaselessly. Preaching at the Saint Cyprian's Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi called on Christians to continue to live in peace, love and harmony with one another.
He said, as they celebrated Christmas, it behoved Christians to settle their differences with other people and to share their enjoyment with the vulnerable, poor and the needy. Bishop Yinkah-Sarfo said the birth of Christ was characterised by wonders and urged Christians to be humble and selfless and allow God to work through them.
The Rev. Otuo Acheampong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, preaching at the Ramseyer Presbyterian Church at Adum in Kumasi, urged Christians to lead morally and upright lives for the growth of Christendom. He bemoaned the moral decadence in the country and said "just as Jesus Christ worked to salvage humankind from evil, so should Christians also fight against bribery and corruption, indiscipline and other social-vices.
Rev Acheampong appealed to Church leaders to use the chunk of the Church's funds for projects that would help equip members with knowledge and employable skills. He explained that such a measure would help address the high unemployment rate and complement government's efforts at providing amenities to ensure accelerated development. Rev.Acheampong urged members of the Church to maintain the Presbyterian discipline towards the growth of the Church. Preaching at the Grace Baptist Church at Amakom in Kumasi, Rev Dr Kojo Osei-Wusu, Head Pastor, admonished cautioned Christians not to take advantage of Christmas to engage in cheating and profit making instead they should consider it as an occasion to reflect on what God has done for them during the year.
He urged Christians to submit to the word of God since that was the only way to peace. Pastor Joe Opoku, an Associate pastor of the Calvary Charismatic Church in Kumasi, in a sermon, urged the congregation to ask God to transform their lives as the Saviour is born.
Source:
GNA
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