Ketu-North District is born
Dzodze, (V/R) March 01, GNA-The newly created Ketu-North District, carved out of the Ketu District was inaugurated on Friday at Dzodze, its capital.
The new assembly's 29 elected and appointed members were also sworn in. However, the election of the assembly's Presiding Member (PM) ended in a stalemate after two ballots in which the contenders failed to obtain the two-thirds majority required to win. The selection of a PM was therefore called off for two weeks. The two, who vied for the position were Togbe Wetsigbe, a traditional ruler and Mr Vincent Tetteh, 62, a retired teacher. Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, who inaugurated the district on behalf of President J.A Kufuor said a series of schemes in place to transform the local governance system required a type of assembly member who understood the dynamics in order to contribute to its enhancement.
Mr. Justice Cudjoe, Ketu District Chief Executive (DCE) said the creation of the new district, which had been fought for during the past 15 years, enjoined the people to assist by paying rates and levies to strengthen its economic position.
He also asked landlords to avoid putting impediments in the way of the district infrastructure development programme. Mr. Cudjoe said the mother district would support the new district to grow and advised assembly members to refrain from petty bickering.
Source:
GNA
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Nine Nigerians jailed for forgery
Accra, Feb. 29, GNA - Nine Nigerians who forged letter heads of various Ministries and state institutions were on Friday sentenced to five years imprisonment each after they were found guilty on charges of conspiracy and possessing forged documents.
They are Ibrahim Mato a.k.a Edward Mensah, Benson Nnadi, Budy Sampson, Raymond Popson, Ashanor Wright Waheed, and Adeotan Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The rest are Abolade Oluwaseyi Toyosi and Ekpemadu Chukwu Andy. They pleaded not guilty but the court after the trial found them guilty and convicted them accordingly.
Mato was additionally sentenced to 18 months for possessing forged passports.
Victor Okechukwu Okoye Ibueze, aka Chairman, who has been on the run, was convicted in absentia.
The court further ordered that computers and accessories used in committing the crime be confiscated to the State.
The convicts were found in possession of letter heads and certificates from the Ghana Police Service, National Security, Office of the President, Attorney General Ministries of Defence, Interior, Finance and Economic Planning. Others were Narcotics Control Board, Auditor General, Bank of Ghana remittance certificates, SS-SSB certificate of remittance, Controller and Accountant General Internal Revenue, International Commercial Bank.
Deputy Superintendent of Police George Abavelim told the court the complainant in the case is a French national, whilst the accused persons were all Nigerians who claimd to be businessmen, traders, computer engineers and technicians, all resident at Achimota, Accra. DSP Abavelim said Ibueze is the leader of an advanced free fraud syndicate commonly known as "419" with the rest of the convicts as members.
He said the syndicate has an internet caf=E9 at house number 10 at Achimota manned by Popson, Waheed Toyosi who are all computer experts.
The syndicate also has a workshop at Alogboshi where their faulty computers were repaired and used as home of the rest of the convicts. As a result, prosecution said the syndicate has for some time now used their caf=E9 to prepare forged documents and convinced victims that huge sums of money were deposited in some banks in Ghana in their names. They therefore collected monies from unsuspecting people to process the collection of those monies from the banks.
Prosecution said the complainant, Gillet de Laumont Gilles was convinced by the accused that he had 8.5 million dollars bequeath to him at the SS-SSB Kokomlemle branch and had to pay 185,000 dollars for the release of the money.
Through some fraudulent correspondence and the forged documents Gilles was invited to Ghana.
On 25 May 2005, Gilles paid a sum of 35,000 dollars as part of payment in the presence of Ibueze, Mato, Nnadi, Sampson, and asked Gilles to return to Germany, and bring along the balance later. Prosecution said in France, Gilles discussed the transaction with a Ghanaian who told him that all the documents given to him had been forged, hence he should report the matter to the Police in Ghana. On August 16 2005, Ibueze invited Gilles to Ghana and he was met on arrival by some of the convicts who had park their Honda CRV and Toyota vehicles at obscure places near the Aviance Cargo Village. The police had already been alerted about the activities of the convicts.
Later on a tip off, the convicts were arrested at their hideouts at Alogboshie, near Achimota.
When their premises were searched, forged official document, computers and accessories, eight Ghanaian passports with two of them bearing the pictures of Mato with different names were retrieved. Prosecution said Nnadi later led the police to the "Office" at Achimota where they retrieved 10 computers, stationery, files with different names and assorted forged documents.
Source:
GNA
New! Upper Manya - Krobo District
all pictures (c) ghana-net.com |
Dzodze, (Eeastern Region)) 29.02.2008 , GhanaWeb-News.com
-The newly created Upper Manya - Krobo District, was inaugurated on Saturday at Asesewa, its capital.
Source: GW-N
Sodomy Cases Rise In Prisons
Reacting to an observation from a reporter who wanted it confirmed by the prison authorities that some prisoners engage in acts of Sodomy, a former Director of the Nsawam Prisons affirmed the fact, saying, however, that each time any report of acts of Sodomy had come to the notice of the prison authorities, those involved are severely dealt with.
`We admit the occurrence of such nasty acts as you mentioned. We will not be dishonest about it; however, anytime such an incident has occurred, we have moved swiftly to apply severe sanctions on `the husband and wife engaged in the act.` `It is a continuing process,` he added, saying that it needs remedial measures on the part of all stakeholders to eliminate the phenomenon of Sodomy in the prisons, which appears to be one major problem but has been kept secret for sometime now.
`Although some of the men and women in our prisons of the same sex at a point identify themselves as man and wife, it is not allowed and those caught in such games are severely punished to serve as deterrent for others.` He added however that although it is suggested that culprits found must be separated and put in different prisons, the Service has resorted to a more proactive approach such as counselling for those engaged in the act to stop.
This step, he believed, would rather gradually serve to nib the practice in the bud instead of the separation which has the tendency of further spreading the practice to other prisons.Speaking on Ghana`s penal administrative system, the Prisons Service`s Director General, Mr. W. K. Asiedu stated: `The penal regime requires heavy investment in the Prisons Service. Criminal Justice is expensive. So is security. We take things for granted because we do not sit down to assess the cost to us as a nation, for example, if the mass of offending citizenry were to be unleashed on society in a break-out in the first place and ultimately when they come out to re-offend,` he added.
Even in advanced countries, Mr. Asiedu said, the cost is phenomenal, citing the case of the State of Michigan, where it costs $6,800 a year to educate one student, but costs $30,000 to imprison one person for the same period. Highlighting that expensive phenomenon of maintaining prisoners, he revealed that more than 20% of Michigan`s budget ($1.78billion) is spent on the prisons.
The Director General of Prisons further observed that the State of Ghana cannot dream of coming near such figures, as the country spends about GH¢ 1,550.36 on a prisoner per year, adding that `This is why it is important that the project `Efiase` is supported so that society would realise the importance of supporting the penal system.` He underscored that successful re-integration of an ex-convict also recognises the acquisition of capital with which to re-start life in the formal sector, as the stigma of incarceration will dog him all his life after incarceration.
Further touching on the deplorable condition of Ghanaian prisons at the pre-launching press soiree for the `Efiase Project` Mr. W. E. Asiedu, stated that the Prisons Service is an important agency for maintaining internal security but also has a duty to contribute to the successful reintegration of ex-convicts into the society. `We serve no useful purpose if, at the end of the day, the ex-convict returns to society without any skills to help him operate as a law-abiding citizen with the means to survive,` the Director General pointed out.
`Efiase` which in the Akan language means Prison, seeks to re-orient all Ghanaians and corporate citizens on the role and functions of the Ghana Prisons Service and the need to equip and empower the Service to reform and train those who get entangled with the law and are sent to prison. The project will be deployed in three phases, which include education of the public as regards the roles and functions of the Prisons Service and also highlight the conditions and general situation of the prisons. It is also to focus on how much positive change can be made and the level of resources and commitment accorded penal administration in relation to the Ghana Prisons Service.
The project will as well highlight the successes chalked by the Service irrespective of severe constraints confronting the Service in their quest to reform prisoners. Additionally, achievements of this project would be to showcase to the public a case for the benefits society would derive from investing in the Prisons Service. In line with this the Prisons boss said plans were afoot to change the current name of the Service to Ghana Correctional Service (GCS), to change the perception that society has about it as a correctional institution.
Continuing, Mr. Asiedu observed that the treatment process of the prisoners starts from the first day of incarceration and for them to survive the prison conditions, they need to have access to good quality food, medical care and hygienic conditions. According to him, when these conditions are put in place, the prisoners would then be in a position to undertake institutional instruction and commit to the programmes of the reformation and rehabilitation. Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General, said everybody is a potential prisoner and therefore all must contribute to develop Ghanaian prisons. The Deputy Minister charged journalists to work with the Ghana Prisons Services to completely transform the prisons.
Source:
Ghanaian Observer
Electricity Tariff Up 100%
... Not 35% As Announced
According to National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), it is an open secret that electricity tariffs have now been increased by 100%, even though the official figure should have been 35%, at the time the government had failed to increase the salary of the Ghanaian teacher.
The NAGRAT has called on government to put in place measures to cushion teachers against the untold economic hardships brought about by escalating utility tariffs.
The Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, Mr. Lordson Afedo, at a press briefing held in Tamale, said the difference between the salaries of health professionals, and professional teachers, gave wrong signals that some professionals were treated better than others in the country. According to Mr. Afedo, the constant undermining of the teaching profession by government, was evil and should be condemned by all right-thinking Ghanaians. “Sacrifices made by teachers, all over the years, seem to have gone unappreciated, largely because of the perception that the teacher’s reward is in heaven. This has become an anachronism, since it has no relevance to today’s changing needs of society. Even if it has any meaning at all, let us enjoy part of that reward here on earth, so that those who would not get to go to heaven would not have lost twice,” he said.
According to him teachers have been neglected to such an extent that nobody wants to remain a teacher till retirement. The NAGRAT Chairman stated that it would be prudent for the government to make living conditions better for graduate teachers, in order to forestall any future industrial strike or agitations. However, Mr. Afedo denied any intentions, whatsoever, by the association to embark on any strike actions against the government. He furthermore called for the immediate release of their October 2006, salaries which were frozen.
The press briefing was organized to press home their demands for an increase in wages and salaries to redeem the image of the profession. Mr. Afedo lamented that the take-home salaries of graduate teachers could not even take them home. NAGRAT bemoaned that even the community health nurses, popularly known as “Zoom Nurses,” were believed to be enjoying better remuneration, than the graduate teachers. The association also reacted to the recent statement by President Kufuor, in his last State of Nation Address, which suggested that teachers take home over ¢20 million each, without stating whether in a month or year.
NAGRAT stressed that the ¢20 million for a teacher, was the annual income, but doctors receive ¢30 million a month. NAGRAT, therefore, appealed to government to, as matter of urgency, open negotiations for salaries to amend its own failure to fulfill its desire of implementing a single spine structure for this year. The association observed that the outcome of such a negotiation would be used to cushion workers against the high cost of living, coupled with increase in utility tariffs. Meanwhile, about five outgoing Northern Regional executives of NAGRAT were rewarded for their selfless-dedication, and contributions to the growth of the association.
They include Mr. Mahama Andani - outgoing Regional Chairman, Mr. Munkayila King Zakari - outgoing Vice Chairman, Mr. C. Doozie - Regional Representative at National Council Meetings, Mr. J. J. Soka – Publicity Secretary and Mr. Mohammed Ayarna -Regional Deputy Secretary.
Source:
The Chronicle
Over 16,691 suffer from mental illness and epilepsy
Tamale, Feb. 28, GNA - Over 16,691 people in Ghana are suffering from various forms of mental illness and epilepsy with 14,796 of the cases from the three northern regions.
Out of the number 6,959 are suffering form epilepsy with 729 cases of epilepsy in the Tamale Metropolis alone.
This implies that about six per cent of the country's workforce that could have contributed to national development cannot do so because of their condition.
Mr. Yaro Badimak Peter, Country Programme Manager of BasicNeeds, a non-governmental organisation, said this at a one-day workshop on Mental Health for media practitioners in the Northern Region in Tamale on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised by BasicNeeds, which is involved in the treatment and also providing assistance to mentally ill people and their carers. Mr. Peter said about 90 per cent of the mental patients were receiving treatment from psychiatric units with a significant number of them having their conditions stabilised and being able to do something for themselves.
He expressed regret about the present attitude of treating mental patients and leaving them to their fate and suggested that community psychiatry should be made part of primary health care.
Mr. Peter said community based rehabilitation ensured the active participation of family and the community and this "does not rob the mentally ill person of his social links resulting from extreme restrictions nor does it create dependence and reduce opportunities." He said community participation in the treatment of mental patients allowed for shared burden with little to do about re-integration adding that; "That is why community psychiatry must be made part of primary health care and BasicNeeds will work to support this to happen".
He said at present the country had only 2.5 per cent active psychiatrists with less than three of them in the public health service and that in the Upper East Region there were just about 15 community psychiatry nurses, most of whom had less than 10 years to work before going on retirement.
Mr. Peter said BasicNeeds was faced with a lot of challenges including the high level of stigma attached to mental patients, lack of understanding between mental health and development and inadequate resources to carry out the programme's activities.
Mr. Anthony Akudugu, a Principal Nursing Officer of the Presbyterian Health Services in Bawku, said something urgent needed to be done to fill the vacancies being created with the retirement of the few ageing psychiatric nurses in the system.
He expressed concern that most of the young ones studying psychiatric were not willing to sacrifice and immediately left upon the completion of the courses for greener pastures. He said the situation was also not being helped when their colleagues other nurses and the general public continued to ridicule them as "mad doctors" instead of appreciating their efforts.
Source:
GNA
Kufuor has turned Ghana into abject poverty
Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National, Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that monies received under president Kufuor's led NPP Administration could have been used to make the country a better place for all but instead the ruling NPP has brought hardship, poverty and misery to Ghanaians.
The poor majority Ghanaians now live in abject poverty, he stressed. He was addressing NDC delegates at the Okaikoi South constituency primaries to elect a parliamentary candidate to capture the seat from Nana Akomea.
He said, under the NPP Administration, water has become a scarce commodity to the ordinary people in the country. This he said shows how NPP has mismanaged the country.
The National Organizer stressed that the defeat of Cote d'Iviore in the just ended African Cup of Nations is an indication that year 2008 is not a year for the elephants even though they were tournament favourites.
He congratulated the NPP representatives present for showing brotherly love by honouring the party's invitation.
According to Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, among all past governments, it is only the NPP Administration that has turned human beings into traffic light instead of making sure traffic lights work efficiently.
Hon. Kofi Attoh, Director of International Relations for NDC revealed that, in a vision, he saw both Prof. Evans Atta Mills and Isaac Mensah being crowned after the 2008 election.
Baba Jamal, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC said the party will use all legitimate and constitutional means to fight the election results if it were rigged. He pointed out that year 2008 is a year of 'do and die affair' for the NDC and advised indifferent executives to make way for committed members.
Isaac Mensah, a.k.a Muda, was elected unopposed as the parliamentary candidate. He was endorsed during the primaries supervised by officers of the Electoral Commission.
His endorsement, according to the Constituency Chairman, Mr. Quaye, marks an important landmark in the constituency, promising successful Presidential and Parliamentary elections. "Isaac Mensah has all the qualities that the people of Okaikoi South want; vibrant, dynamic and energetic," he said.
Mr. Quaye advised supporters not to see political opponents in the area as enemies but to live together to ensure peace and harmony.
Madam Kakra, the Regional Vice-Chairperson said the visit of President Bush to Ghana confirms the doom of the NPP Administration because he came purposely to remind President Kufuor that both regimes are coming to an end but being the bush, it cannot stay alone and need the elephant as well.
NPP's Vice Chairman for the Okaikoi South Constituency, Alhaji Issa, in a goodwill message said democracy is for friendship and not for war. He urged political party supporters to maintain the cordial relationships that exist so that peace can prevail in the fourth coming elections.
Mr. Isaac Mensah thanked the delegates for reposing confidence in him to lead them to victory. He reminded them that together, the NDC will be victorious.
Source:
The Democrat
Dead Bodies For Sale?
A legal consultant and member of the American Bar Association, has begun a fight against incidents where some Ghanaians buy funerals in order to make profit from them. This habit, he noted, has become popular and widespread among Ghanaians, thereby resulting in some families running into huge debts all in the name of funeral ceremonies.
Mr. Kofi Atiemo-Gyan, who is based in Nigeria, made this known at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday.
According to Atiemo–Gyan, who is also the chairman of patrons of the Ghanaian community in Nigeria, “gone were the days when the people of Ghana mourned the dead by abstaining from food and drink and were greatly renowned for this modest custom. This time around, it is time to make profit and merry.
“People now buy golden caskets which are now reputed to have more commercial value in Ghana than gold, while textile firms now lay more emphasis on orders for funerals than for general commercial purposes.”
According to him, it has now become a common practice for funeral celebrations to start from Friday, which is a working day, a situation that has a negative impact on the nation’s economy and productivity. Fighting this practice with other Ghanaian lawyers, the legal practitioner said funerals have taken another disturbing and wasteful trend where wining and dining, with bills running into billions of cedis, have become the order of the day.
“Ghanaians should understand, at this level of our civilization, that the country’s economic stability has to be taken into consideration and individuals who are privileged to be wealthy should invest and create employment for the youth and school leavers; funeral ceremonies should not be used to display one’s wealth.” He revealed that ostentatious nature of funerals encourages violent crime, fraud and corruption, adding that this must be discouraged in all its ramifications in order not to allow it to become a legacy for future generations. He stated that government officials were among those Ghanaians who were often carried away by such funfairs to the extent that government business was occasionally disrupted.
He said it was ironical that “when a man is alive, he is deprived of good food, water, clothing, healthcare and shelter but when he dies and is not in any position to appreciate any gesture, millions of cedis are spent on his burial.” He asked Ghanaians to rather show love, care and concern for the living.
Source:
pfm
Concern about depletion of the forest
Kumasi, Feb. 28, GNA- The Ashanti Regional branch of the Woodworkers Association of Ghana (WAG), has decried the alarming rate at which the country's forests were being depleted. The development, they said, had in recent time deprived small-scale wood and furniture makers of the needed lumber to work with as most tree species were getting scarce on the local retail market. Mr. Reynolds Debrah, Regional Chairman of WAG, speaking on behalf of the group, said these at a press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday. He said the systematic depletion of the forest could eventually lead to the collapse of the wood industry if stringent measures were not instituted to address the problem.
Mr Debrah urged the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission to organise more workshops on investment in forest plantation for stakeholders in the wood industry. This, he said, would help in the reclamation of depleted forests and the conservation of the eco-system and bio-diversity. Mr Debrah stressed the need to organize regular seminars for woodworkers to improve their skills and knowledge.
Source:
GNA
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