Inter NGO consortium donates relief items to flood victims
Tamale, Oct. 31, GNA- The Inter NGO Consortium in the Northern Region on Wednesday donated some food relief items valued over 157 million cedis to victims of the recent floods that hit the "overseas areas" of the West Mamprusi and West Gonja Districts. The items were made up of 400 maxi bags of maize and 40 bags of beans and a number of bags of iodated salt.
The Inter NGO Consortium that made the donation possible includes: Action Aid International, Ghana, Assemblies of God and Relief and Development Services, Ghana and World Vision International, Ghana. Mr. Yakubu Mohammed Saani, Programmes Officer of Action Aid, Ghana presented the relief items to Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister on behalf of the NGO consortium.
He said prior to the floods and as a result of the earlier drought faced by the region the consortium had already being discussing on how it could provide assistance to mitigate the sufferings of the people. He said this was in recognition of the fact that the livelihoods of majority of the people in the region depended on farming and such a long drought was going to have telling effects on them.
Mr. Saani said it was while these discussions were on going that the floods also followed and hence the consortium and their development partners contribution. He assured the Minister that the consortium would continue to intervene and provide assistance both in the short, medium and long terms to assist the people.
Alhaji Idris thanked the consortium for their donation, particularly the iodated salt and assured them that the Regional Coordinating Council had put in place measures to ensure that the relief items meant for the people were not diverted.
Source:
GNA
Kadjebi benefits from Sister City Relationship
Kadjebi, Nov. 4, GNA-Kadjebi township is to benefit from the construction of 200 household toilets worth GHC 150,000 (1.5 billion cedis) under the second phase of the Logo South Programme (LSP). The LSP is a partnership between Kadjebi District Assembly and Alkamade Municipality in the Netherlands, courtesy Sister City relationship.
As part of the programme, 50 water closet toilets and 150 vault chamber toilets would be constructed for the inhabitants. Mr Kofi Adjei Ntim, Kadjebi District Chief Executive who disclosed this at an Assembly session said additional two 20-seater public toilets would be constructed at the main Kadjebi Lorry Park and Martinkordzi. He said the second phase would generate a database through household and street numbering exercise towards an efficient liquid waste management.
Mr Ntim said VNG international, a Dutch NGO would collaborate with an Accra based consulting outfit, JSA to update the baseline data and establish a credible databank system for the Assembly. He said draft proposal for the production of a school milk project has been submitted to Atta Foundation of the Netherlands for consideration and assistance.
The DCE said it is hoped that this project would take off as soon as practicable to facilitate schoolchildren to be fed on fresh milk to boost their Body Mass Index (BMI) and their intelligent quotient. Mr Ntim disclosed that measures were far advanced to sensitise the people to comply with the environmental laws of the country with emphasis on Environmental Assessment Regulations of 1999 (LI 1652).
Source:
GNA
CPP will regain Ghana's image and dignity-Dr. Osafo
Nkroful (W/R), Nov.4, GNA- Dr. Kwaku Osafo, one of the six Convention Peoples Party (CPP) presidential aspirants, on Saturday launched his campaign at Nkroful in the Western Region, amid jubilation by supporters clad in party colours.
They danced to brass band music and sang party songs through the streets in praise of Ghana's first president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who hailed from Nkroful and Dr. Osafo.
Dr. Osafo said if given the nod, he would lead the party to regain the image and dignity of Ghana that made the people proud, patriotic, assertive and confident.
He said the launch of his campaign at Nkroful was significant; to remind the people that the torch lit by Dr. Nkrumah was still burning and that his spirit lived on. Dr. Osafo also said it showed his loyalty to the ideals of Dr. Nkrumah and the CPP that made Ghana the Mecca of all people in the Diaspora.
He said the CPP made political, social and economic achievements and urged delegates of the party to endorse him as the party's flagbearer to enable him to win political power for the party in 2008. Dr Osafo announced that he and other scholars in all parts of the world have initiated moves to sustain the ideology and philosophy of Dr. Nkrumah by building a University at Nkroful.
He said a 150-acre land had been acquired for the project, which would be one of his priority projects if given the nod by the delegates and CPP eventually won the 2008 Election.
Dr. Osafo said, "we should recapture the ideas and vision of Nkrumahism; and these should not be allowed to decay." He said education would also be his main concern adding that he would ensure that this becomes free and compulsory to the senior high school level.
Dr. Osafo appealed to CPP delegate to elect him because he had the qualities to lead the party to victory. He said, "It is not wealth but honesty, dedication and determination that can make CPP win elections and we should not be swayed by money or gifts to buy our conscience." Earlier, Dr. Osafo was lead by the Chief Linguist and elders of the town to pour libation at the original burial site of President Nkrumah and a minute's silence was observed in memory of the first President. Mr. Kojo Armah, Member of Parliament for Evalue Dwira and other Western Regional officers of the CPP were at the event.
Source:
GNA
Over 8,842 benefit from NHIS in Tamale
Tamale, Nov. 04, GNA- The Tamale Metropolitan Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (TMMIS), last year, provided services to over 8,842 people while it paid 15 million cedis as hospital bills. As at July 2007, about 26,887 people had benefited from the scheme with an additional 20,000 people expected to benefit from it by the close of the year.
Mr. Mahama Sayibu Imoro, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees announced this at the First Annual General Meeting of the Scheme in Tamale.
He said the scheme had signed contracts with all public service providers and some private organisations in the Metropolis to enable the members to have a wide range of provider options to choose from. He said the scheme was also collaborating with sister schemes in the country to ensure that registered members still benefited from health services even when they travelled outside the Metropolis. Mr. Imoro said the scheme registered 90,974 people out of a total population of 300,000 people in the Metropolis last year, adding that the number increased to 151,234 by the close of September 2007, representing an increase of about 66.2 per cent. He said the scheme was expected to cover 200,000 people by the end of this year.
The scheme's registration, he said, covered social groups from both the formal and informal sectors, noting that the Tamale Mutual Health Insurance Scheme was among the biggest in the country in terms of registration.
The Board Chairman said the scheme had been able to meet all its financial obligations to its service providers adding: "Our scheme is financially buoyant". He said the success chalked by the scheme had fostered rapid growth and popular participation by community members and this had precipitated a very high level of enthusiasm among staff and other stakeholders.
Mr. Imoro commended the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly for offering a modern office complex to the scheme, saying that this had helped to improve upon the quality of service delivery of the scheme. The Board Chairman said there were however some challenges facing the scheme, mentioning complaints of delays in the issuance of ID cards, long queues at service provision points, some prescriptions not covered by the scheme and negative perceptions about the scheme by some people. Dr. Daniel Tapang, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, commended the scheme implementers for their good work and assured them that the hospital would continue to give them the necessary support.
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GNA
Akyempim Traditional Council concerned about siting of district capital
Gomoa Potsin, C/R, Nov. GNA- The Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council has appealed to President John Agyekum Kufuor to consider the circumstances surrounding the siting of the newly created Gomoa East District Capital at Gomoa Afransi instead of Gomoa Potsin as was collectively agreed upon.
Nana Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, President of the Council and Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, made the appeal on behalf of the council at a press conference, attended by the chiefs, Queen mothers and opinion leaders of the area at Gomoa Potsin on Friday.
He said during to run-up to the creation of the district, the two Paramount chiefs, the two MPs for the District, Mr Richmond Sam Quarm and Mr Joe Hackman, Madam Joyce Aidoo, the District Chief Executive, Mr. Oscar Abban, Presiding Member, chiefs and opinion leaders from the Traditional Areas held a meeting at Apam on January 7, 2007 where they took a decision of the siting of the Capital.
The Omanhene said they collectively agreed that the capital of newly created Gomoa East District Assembly be sited at Gomoa Potsin in Akyempim Area, while the District Chief Executive be appointed from the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area. He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to that effect was dully signed and handed over to Ms Joyce Aidoo to be sent to the government through the Minister of Local Government Rural Development and Environment.
"It is however most surprising and shocking to learn that their proposal was not abide by when the creation of the new district was announced."
According to him when the chiefs in the area made a follow-up to the Ministry, the Minister told them his office had not received any thing from them.
"We blamed Ms Joyce Aidoo, the District Chief Executive for our woes; we did not understand why she failed to submit the MOU to the appropriate quarters for the right thing to be done". The Omanhene on behalf of the Chiefs and People expressed appreciation to the President for the creation of new Gomoa East District but vehemently expressed their dissatisfaction about the siting of the Capital at Gomoa Afransi. He said the chiefs and the people would find it difficult and tedious to travel the long distance from Gomoa Nyanyano, Gomoa Fetteh and other areas to attend meetings at Afransi instead of Potsin, which is very close. Meanwhile, Chief of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council on Tuesday held press conference and a durbar to thank President John Agyekum Kufuor for siting the Gomoa East District Capital at Gomoa Afransi.
Source:
GNA
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Use of arms banned in Anloga and environs
Anloga, (V/R), Nov.3, GNA- The Ministry of Interior has placed a ban on the carrying of arms in and around Anloga in the Volta Region and an Executive Instrument issued to this effect.
Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Interior Minister, announced the measure when he addressed police personnel dispatched to maintain peace at Anloga, following chieftaincy clashes there on Thursday, in which four people including a police constable were killed.
The Minister of Interior was at Anloga together with Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence and Mr. Joe Ghartey, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to assess the situation on the ground. They were taken round the scenes of the clashes including where the body of the police constable was damped near a lagoon and also visited the injured at the Keta District Hospital.
Mr. Bartels on Thursday announced an imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Anloga as part of measures to put the situation under control. He commended the police for exercising maximum restraint and acting professionally even though they lost a colleague in the fray. Mr. Bartels reminded the police that the crisis was not over and that they would be required to do their very best to enforce law and order, peace and stability in the area while upholding the rights of peace loving people in the area.
Addressing a contingent of soldiers, Mr. Dapaah expressed confidence that they would put their peacekeeping experiences both locally and internationally to good effect at Anloga. He asserted that about 99 percent or more of the people at Anloga and its environs were peaceful and that only a few people were responsible for the trouble there.
Mr. Dapaah assured the soldiers that all the logistics and materials required for their operations would be put at their disposal. Except for Anloga where an atmosphere of apprehension could be felt with most of the people keeping to their homes, life in the surrounding communities appeared undisturbed as people were seen on their vegetable farms along the lagoon on Saturday while others went about their businesses.
Source:
GNA
No child should be denied access to education- Vice President
Kumasi, Nov.3, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend called on parents and other stakeholders of education to be vigilant to ensure that no child is deprived of education at any level for want of support or access to funds.
He expressed the need for the fine tuning of institutional sources and processes of funding education continually in order to address more effectively the challenges of quality, access and service conditions of education personnel.
Vice President Mahama was speaking at the 58th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Teaching of Islam (TI) Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi, on the theme: "Promoting Excellence In Discipline And Academic Performance In The Senior High School: The Role Of Stakeholders." He said the current educational reforms were meant to enhance capacity to deliver a skilled and competitive workforce that could drive the country to the cutting edge of modern Information, Communication Technology (ICT) led human development processes. Vice President Mahama expressed appreciation for the co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the Islamic academic institution, which he said was a common national trait that made Ghana unique. "We must continue to strengthen our resolve to live together as one people with common destiny and a strong believe in God, irrespective of how we choose to worship.
The school, founded in 1954 with seed money of 100 pounds from the late Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, could boast of past students who are prominent Christian leaders like the Rev. Dr. Sam Prempeh former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church and the current Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Frimpong Manso.
Vice President Mahama commended the school for not witnessing students' unrest which often leads to the destruction of lives and property during the 58 years of its existence. He also lauded the Ahmadiyya Mission for contributing to education, health and culture leading to the socio-economic development of the country. Vice President Mahama promised a bus in response to a number of requests made by the school. He asked the school authorities to select a project dear to their heart for immediate consideration by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND). Mr Yusif Kobena Agyare, Headmaster said the school had recorded consistent improvement in its academic performance, citing the 100 per cent results recorded in the 2006 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
"We have just received the 2007 WASSCE results and the general performance is good. In terms of percentage, the school recorded 99.83 per cent."
Mr Agyare appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations to help the school to complete a four-storey classroom block being constructed by the Parent-Teacher Association. He asked parents to take keen interest in the payment of the school fees of their children to ensure their proper upkeep and enhance effective teaching and learning.
Baffour Osei Tutu Amofah, Kronkohene of Kumasi who represented the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expressed appreciation for the achievements of the school and pledged his continued support for the development of the school.
Master Ishaque Mahmoud, School Prefect, appealed to the Government to assist the school with boarding facilities, assembly hall and sports equipment.
Source:
GNA
Police arrest robber on wanted list
Kumasi, Nov.2, GNA - The Police in Kumasi on Thursday arrested the suspected hardened criminal on whom a GH=A22000 reward had been offered for public information leading to his arrest.
The suspect who was believed to have committed multiple robberies in the Kumasi Metropolis and the Sunyani Municipality was arrested at his hide-out at "Race Course" in Kumasi, a notorious den of criminals. Eric Alfred Zieme, 25, a native of Kusele near Nandom in the Upper West Region has confirmed having caused all the criminals acts he was initially suspected of when he confessed to have committed about 30 robberies in the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions. The suspect on July 26, armed with an AK 47 riffle, robbed one George Addai, transport owner of Blue Banana Ventures at Kotwi near Kumasi of an amount of GH=A25,600.
At a press briefing in Kumasi on Friday Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Seth Oteng Regional Deputy Commander of Police disclosed that the same person also on three separate occasions, also at gun point robbed Isaac Owusu-Ansah, Director of Owusu-Ansah Company Limited at Ohwim of a total of GH=A224,940. Zieme also confessed to have been behind the GoCrest security Company robberies in which three staff were attacked and robbed of 48,000 cedis whiles one was shot in the right thigh in the process. Upon Police interrogation, Zieme confessed to have invested the money into a supermarket complex, restaurant and a car washing bay at the race course.
The Police retrieved an unregistered Toyota Corolla, a Honda Motor bike two AK 47 assault riffles and one pump action gun among other things. ACP Oteng commended the new trend of Police cum civilian co-operation in the area of volunteering credible information to the police.
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GNA
La Palm Hotel fetes orphans
Accra, Nov 3, GNA-The La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Saturday hosted 50 orphans from the Gomoa Fetteh Village of Hope Orphanage in the Central region to the hotel's newly established "Children's theme Park" for a pre-Christmas party to official open the facility.
Mrs Juliet Grace Quainoo, General Manager in-charge of procurement told newsmen at the event in Accra that the gesture formed part of the hotel's policy to assist the needy.
She said management decided to host the children for the event to give them the opportunity to enjoy a world class teen park with the Disney style. According to her, the park, which was now open to the general public was introduced by the hotel to enhance its service delivery for clients and give their children an avenue to also play. Mrs. Quainoo said La Palm had adapted the Orphanage to support it and pledged its commitment to continue to assist such vulnerable children. Mrs. Matilda Adu Poku, House Parent for the Orphanage expressed her appreciation to the hotel for the support in recent years. She therefore, called on other corporate bodies to emulate it and support the orphanage with funding to cater for the education of 18 of the orphans in tertiary schools. " We also have 22 of them in senior high schools and 135 in the basic level, we urgently need financial support to enable us to provide these precious children with education".
Source:
GNA
CPP Presidential Vetting Committee Invites Information on Candidates
Accra, Nov. 3, GNA -The Convention People's Party Presidential Vetting Committee is inviting from fully paid-up party members information about any of the six candidates, who have put up themselves for election as flag bearers.
A statement signed by Professor Nii Noi Dowuona, CPP General Secretary asked members to submit such written information to the Committee through the General Secretary on or before Tuesday, 13th November 2007.
Meanwhile, the six candidates namely, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Prof A.B. Akosa, Mr George Aggudey, Mr Bright Akwetey, Dr Kwaku Osafo and Dr F.W.A. Akuffo are scheduled to appear before the vetting committee on November 14.
The Central Committee of the Convention People's Party set up a seven-member Presidential Candidates Vetting Committee in line with Article 72 of the Party's constitution to vet members who filed their nomination papers to contest the flag bearer's position at the forthcoming Third National Party Congress.
The members of the committee are Justice Jones Mensah, Justice Opare Addo, Mr Riley Poku, Mrs Jane Chinebuah, Mad. Tina Dadzie, Mr R.O. Frimpong-Manso and Dr Charles Vandick.
Source:
GNA
Residents demand for new bridge
New Krobo (B/A) Nov. 3, GNA - Mr. Francis Ameyaw-Mensah, Assembly Member for Abanim in Techiman municipality has appealed for the reconstruction of the narrow bridge over River Tano on the Techiman-Sunyani trunk road. He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that residents of several communities were often cut off from the rest of the municipality due to floods that rendered the road impassable. "Due to the narrow bridge, people and their belongings are sometimes carried away by the strong current of the floods and forced school children to stay at home for about three days", the Assembly member added.
He named the affected communities as New Krobo, Jerusalem, Waoso, Twimia Koase, Nkwanta, Nkwaeso, Agosa, Bonkwae, Nsuta and Nkrankrom. Mr. Ameyaw-Mensah cited numerous motor accidents that had claimed several lives on the narrow bridge, including two school children of a recently the drowning of an employee of the Municipal Assembly who also lost his motor bike.
In a related development, the MP for Techiman South, Mr. Addai Simons has inspected work on 60 million cedis concrete bridge over Kwaforosua stream to link Kenten and Mamprusiline communities in Techiman. The MP donated 27 million cedis in support of the project and commended the people for their initiative and urged religious, social and political organizations to tolerate each other for progress in communities.
Mallam Yahaya Musah, Assembly Member for Konimase electoral area, urged parents in the area to effectively monitor the activities of their children to steer them away from indulging in social vices. He deplored the constant attendance by some children at video shows and advised the parents to keep their children at home to study instead of allowing them to loiter in the streets. The Assembly Member warned cattle owners to keep their animal in kraals as they cause a lot of nuisance in town with their droppings else they would be arrested and sent to the Municipal Assembly where the owners would be made to pay fines.
Source:
GNA
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Ghana - Armed Robbers Menace in Ghana
02/11/2007 - Accra Mail (Accra)
Not too long ago, Ghanaians were told by the authorities that the police would be equipped to go on the beat in communities and their efforts would be augmented by the services of watchdog committees.
In the national capital, there were signs here and there of police personnel on bicycles, light motorbikes and on foot. It was to be a nine day wonder! They have all disappeared from sight and duty!
Not too long ago, Ghanaians were told by the authorities that the police would be equipped to go on the beat in communities and their efforts would be augmented by the services of watchdog committees.
In the national capital, there were signs here and there of police personnel on bicycles, light motorbikes and on foot. It was to be a nine day wonder! They have all disappeared from sight and duty!
Now that we are being terrorized by armed robbers, isn't it about time that we revisited the community policing project all over again?
Our police personnel could be more community-friendly if they are motivated enough. We have seen how some of them perform over and above the call of duty when the occasion demands. The latest example is how one policeman thwarted the efforts of five armed robbers attempting to rob a cold store in Kumasi this week. One of the robbers lost his life in the process due to the vigilance of the policeman.
Equip them, put them on local beats, augment their efforts with neighbourhood watchdog committees - the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) can be of help here - and the menace of armed robbers, we believe would come under control. Is someone in authority reading us ?
Source: © Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )
Ghana - Ghana Ruling Party Candidate in Big Trouble
02/11/2007 - Cephas Larbi
Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, who is aspiring for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) might lose his chance after failing to appear before the vetting committee on tuesday when he was officially invited to do so.
The vetting committee on Monday vetted two of the first three aspirants invited - Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Mr. Alan Kyeremanten.
Whilst some die-hard supporters of Apraku are hoping for a second chance, others are saying that he should be 'kicked out' for failing to appear before the committee. They said his failure to appear is a sign of disrespect to the committee.
In an interview with the ADM, the party's General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow said he is not quite sure whether Dr. Apraku would be given a second chance to come before the committee to be vetted.
Ohene Ntow however said, "The absence of Dr. Apraku at the vetting would not have any effect on the credibility of the committee; neither would it have any impact in the vetting of the aspirants. I don't know the kind of effect it will have on the party as whole as far as I am concerned".
The aspirants know that without being vetted and approved by the vetting committee as qualified candidates there is no way that they can stand to be voted for in the forthcoming congress to lead the NPP in the 2008 elections.
Ohene Ntow said the vetting committee has its way of vetting the aspirants and there wouldn't be any discrimination during the vetting.
The committee is made up of mature and well known party faithful who have been with the party for a while and know the rules and regulations of the party and abide by them.
The NPP constitution states that "the vetting committee shall disallow the candidature of any aspirant when it finds that such an aspirant does not qualify to be a presidential candidate".
Sub-section (iv) also states that, "An aspirant who is dissatisfied with such a finding, may appeal against it to the National Executive Committee within 48 hours of receipt of notice of the finding by filing an appeal in writing with the General Secretary.
The National Executive Committee shall give its decision within seven days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the National Executive Committee on the appeal shall be final.
Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang, an NPP aspirant who has been vetted told ADM that he is satisfied with how the committee went about with the vetting and is sure to make it to the congress come December 22. "I did submit the necessary documents they required and everything that they needed to know I revealed it to them," he said.
He said now that he has finished with the vetting, he is focusing on campaigning to make sure the delegates vote for him in the December congress and subsequently lead the party to victory in 2008. "I am sure of victory," he said.
The nine-member vetting committee consists of five chairpersons of the standing committees of the National Council and three persons appointed by the council, one of whom shall be designated chairperson of the committee.
The members of the committee include Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health, who is also the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee; Brigadier Obeng, Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Mr. Samuel Odoi-Sykes, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee; Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, former Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Constitutional Committee and two women including Madam Ama Busia.
The committee is chaired by Prof Daniel Adzei-Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State.
The NPP general secretary did not give a specific date for the submission of the vetting committee's report, but he said the committee would finish its job before the December 22 congress to give room for the filing of appeals, if any.
Source: © Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )
TOR management wants food vendors away from plant
Tema, Nov.1, GNA - The management of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has expressed concern about illegal activities of food vendors operating across the street in front of the plant, saying they posed a threat to the facility.
The food vendors, who had since the inception of TOR in the 1960's, been operating in the area, have ignored persistent verbal and written warnings to stop their activities for their own safety and that of the plant.
Captain Edward Kwofie (Rtd), Manager in charge of Security Services and Mr Kingsley Kofi Ditsa, Environmental Services Manager, jointly addressed newsmen on the situation on Wednesday in Tema.
They said they recognised the need for the vendors to earn a
living, but it should not be at the expense of the refinery, which
produces petroleum and other highly inflammable substances. The two officials said though the area where the vendors were operating does not belong to TOR, management was concerned about the susceptibility of the plant to fire, which could emanate from their (vendors) illegal activities.
They said TOR was collaborating with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, owners of the area being occupied by the food vendors, to eject them, adding that the exercise might begin "any moment from now". To avert any unforeseen incidents and also bolster safety, management of TOR in March this year constructed a modern parking facility for tankers at a location few metres away from the plant.
The park has canteens, rest rooms, as well as offices for Oil Marketing Companies. According to the two officials, the vendors were allocated free spaces at the park, but they continued to sell along the street with some of them erecting illegal mid-shift structures such as garages, which also served as their dwelling places.
The bush around the area has also become a den for drug dealers and for illegal siphoning of fuel, an activity, which caused fire outbreaks in the area early this year, Capt Kwofie and Mr Ditsa added.
There was also a major fire disaster in 2003, leading to the setting up of a probe, which recommended that vendors operating in the area be cleared. However, they resurfaced weeks after their ejection, the officials said.
The food vendors told newsmen that they were not making good sales at the canteens allocated to them in the parking facility, hence their preference for the old area.
They alleged that they were encouraged to remain and sell in the unapproved area because TMA officials regularly came aroundto collect fees from them, despite the ejection exercise.
Source:
GNA
Minister of Chieftaincy cautions Ghanaians
Kumasi, Nov.2, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, has advised Ghanaians to eschew negative ethnic sentiments that could inflame passions and destroy the peace and stability of the nation.
"It is my prayer that Ghanaians would always consider themselves first and foremost as one people with a common destiny as we have demonstrated over the past 50 years," he said when opening this year's National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in Kumasi on Thursday.
The 10-day festival is on the theme: "50 years of Ghana's
Cultural Integration and National Development." NAFAC is held biennially to showcase Ghana's rich culture and traditions.
Activities lined-up to mark the celebrations this year include a Jubilee traditional durbar of Chiefs, Regional Days, Exhibitions and Bazaars, Highlife Fashion and Beauty Pageants.
Mr Boafo said ethnicity portrayed people's cultural features and traditions, which gave them their identity, self-respect and respect, adding that Ghanaians should therefore be committed to activities that would enhance inter-ethnic and tribal relations.
He said his Ministry was compiling a register of succession of various stools and skins in the country as a way of curbingchieftaincy disputes and urged the co-operation of traditional authorities and stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise. Mr Boafo bemoaned the presence of unsightly heaps of filth in the cities and urban areas and called on Ghanaians to keep their environment clean ahead of next year's African Cup of Nations tournament to be held in the country.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, lauded the late Dr Alexander Atta Yaw Kyerematen, former Director and founder of the National Cultural Centre for initiating NAFAC and hoped it would be sustained to further consolidate the current peace in the country.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene, who represented the
Asantehene, called on the organizers of the festival to outline programmes that would boost Ghana's tourism potentials.
Source:
GNA
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Ghana - Ghanaian Vice President Challenges Ecowas
01/1172007 - Melissa Chea-Annan
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been challenged to revitalize and strengthen existing relevant frameworks and associations for the promotion of business and investment in the region.
The Vice President of the republic of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama threw out the challenge on Monday, when he addressed the opening session of the First ECOWAS Business Forum held at the International Conference in Accra, Ghana.
Mr. Mahama pointed out that ECOWAS ought not remain a blue print; instead member states need to rise above their individual comfort for the common good of the sub-regions.
The Ghanaian Vice President who was the "Guest of Honor" at the occasion called on the participants not to lose sight of the need to adopt modalities to improve delivery capacities, business networking, consultation and consensus building among member states and among the sub regions with other countries and regions of the world.
"I therefore expect that at the end of this forum, you would create more awareness among the West African private sector concerning the status, challenges and opportunities in regional integration," Mr. Mahama said and added, "I am sure that participants will also contribute to the formulation of appropriate strategies and plans that will enhance the integration of our sub-regions for the benefit of our people".
A representative of the International donors, Jeffrey Cochrane, who also addressed the conference pointed out that if governments of ECOWAS are serious about listening to the private sector, they must be prepared to meet with that organization on a regular basis for consultation, "but governments must not control the meeting in anyway; they must simply listen and understand".
Mr. Cochrane further stated that the private sector must speak with one voice as much as possible, because if it is divided into too many voices and pulling in too many directions, it will become too easy for governments to say that the private sector doesn't know what it wants.
Mr. Cochrane, who is also an official of USAID stressed the need for governments to listen to the private sector on its own ground, in its own facilities, on its own factory floors, in its own market places and not just in the halls of governments' institutions, "that means, senior governments' managers must regularly leave their offices to see how business is done".
He added, "we at USAID/West Africa are supportive of the efforts ECOWAS is making and I am pleased to announce today that our commitment to support the private sector has just been renewed for another four years, and we at USAID are opened for business and at your services," he concluded.
The conference, which brought together 200 delegates, including business persons and governments' officials from 15 ECOWAS countries as well as other international organizations is being held under the theme "Harnessing Private Sector Energies for Challenges Integration".
The first ECOWAS Business Forum, which is also being organized by ECOWAS, in partnership with ECOBANK, has been possible through the collaboration between its donors, including USAID, UN-ECA, UBA, MTN, PZ, UEMOA Commission and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Meanwhile, the three-day Business Forum is expected to end on Wednesday, at which time participants would adopt recommendations that will define the way forward with strategies and action plans. They will also assign roles and responsibilities for stakeholders and form the basis for future activities, including collaboration with partners and the work programmes for the Private Sector Department of ECOWAS from 2008.
Source: © Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )
British consultant defiles three-year-old girl
A 57-year-old British national who allegedly abused the hospitality accorded him by his Ghanaian host and indecently assaulted his host's three-year-old daughter has been remanded in custody.
Thomas Alan Tichler, a consultant, was alleged to have inserted his fingers into the victim's private part which resulted in the girl bleeding profusely.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra Wednesday, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey said Tichler committed the offence on October 13, 2007 at the residence of the victim barely a week after his arrival in the country.
Tichler has been charged with causing harm and indecent assault and would be arraigned before the Circuit Court in Accra Thursday November 1, 2007.
He said reports reaching his office indicated that the victim had undergone surgery.
Mr Ghartey stated that his outfit would investigate the claim and, if found to be true, the suspect would be charged with defilement in addition to the charges of causing harm and indecent assault.
According to the Attorney-General, the accused person was initially charged with indecent assault, which was a misdemeanour, and for that reason a nolle prosequi was filed, resulting in his discharge and re-arrest.
Mr Ghartey stated that his outfit had requested the British authorities to furnish them with the background of Tichler.
The facts of the case are that Tichler visited the victim's father at North Legon, near Redco Flats, on October 13, 2007 and on reaching there, the victim's father left the victim and her two siblings in the care of Tichler in order to purchase some items from town.
Tichler engaged the victim and her two siblings, aged eight and six, at the living room but later managed to engage the victim alone and succeeded in inserting his fingers into her vagina.
Not quiet long after the incident, the victim's mother arrived from town and just as she entered the kitchen, Tichler followed her and requested for water to wash his hands.
Later, the victim went to her mother and said she wanted to urinate and while helping her, the mother noticed blood stains in the victim's panties.
The victim mentioned the accused person as the one who inserted his fingers into her vagina when she was questioned by her mother. Tichler was arrested and handed over to the Legon police.
The victim was later taken to hospital where she was examined, treated and discharged.
Source:
Daily Graphic
Asantehene to attend Head of State's Forum In Germany?
Kumasi, Nov.1, GNA- Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, Asantehene would leave the country on Thursday November 1, for the Federal Republic of Germany to participate in the third African Forum for Heads of State.
He would be accompanied by Nana Otuo Serebour, Juabenghene for the forum, which takes place between 2nd and 4th November at Kloster Eberbach Monastery Conference Centre, in the State of Hesse in Germany.
In a press release issued on Monday from the Manhyia Palace and signed by Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, Media Relations Manager, Otumfuo would address the forum on Traditions and Modernity.
The forum, which would bring together top politicians, businessmen and members of civil society organisations has the theme "Pushing Forward into the 21st Century, The World State of Flux: Answers from Africa and Germany."
Source:
GNA
Officials of Goldfields interact with the media
Takoradi, Nov. 1, GNA - Dr Tony Aubynn, Head of Corporate Affairs and Social Services of Goldfields Ghana Limited, on Wednesday said the community relations policy of the company was based on sustainable development in health, education, water and sanitation and infrastructure.
He was interacting with the press at Takoradi after presenting two computers, two printers and 21-inch television set to the press centre of the Western Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). Dr Aubynn said over 300 students are benefiting from the company's scholarship scheme and are pursuing courses in tertiary institutions, vocational and senior high schools. The company has built over 30 classrooms units in its catchments area and provided learning materials and furniture to the schools. Dr Aubynn said the company would continue to carry out intensive gold exploration, develop them into real mines, acquire quality assets and ensure mine efficiency.
He said the company was undertaking a study to ascertain whether it would be viable to undertake underground mining at its Damang mine. Mr Stephen Yirenkyi, a Community and Public Relations Manager of Goldfields, said many factors would be taken into consideration before the company starts underground mining. He said the price of gold had gone up on the world market but the prices of equipment had also increased.
Mr Yirenkyi said underground mining could be undertaken with new technology that would not require construction of shafts.
Source:
GNA
Swedish delegation visits Upper West Region
Wa, Nov. 1, GNA - A 30-member Plan Sweden delegation is in the Upper West Region to inspect Plan Ghana development projects and how activities of the non-governmental organisation is impacting on the lives of the people.
Plan Sweden is a co-sponsor of the Plan Ghana and the delegation would visit the Wa West, Sissala West and Sissala East districts and interact with community members during its four-day tour to promote good relations between Ghana and Sweden.
Madam Asa Malmqvist, Group Visits Manager of Plan Sweden who is the head of the delegation, said members of the delegation were mostly sponsors who donate monies through Plan Ghana.
She said the delegation was in the region to inspect school projects, dams, borehole and household toilet facilities as well as interact with members of Village Saving and Loans Associations, children's clubs and sponsor families.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. George Hikah Benson, told the delegation during a courtesy call on him that Plan Ghana was operating in eight districts in the region and its development efforts had touched the hearts of the people.
He said the NGO had provided several dams and school infrastructure and credit facilities for the rural people that were impacting positively on their lives.
Mr. Benson briefed the delegation about the recent floods in the three northern regions and thanked Plan Ghana for donating relief items to the flood victims.
Source:
GNA
Fuel Prices Shoot Up
Prices of fuel in Ghana have shot up after recent upsurge in the prices of crude oil on the world market.
The indicative maximum price of premium petrol is now up by 4.11% to 97.78 pesewas per litre from 93.92 pesewas per litter quoted last month.
Kerosene also shot up by 8.76% from 79.38 pesewas per litre to 86.25pesewas per litre.
However, the indicative maximum price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shot up significantly by 20.72% from 81.10 pesewas per GHp/Kg to 97.90 pesewas GHp/Kg which may be due to taxi drivers powering their engines with LPG.
The price of gasoline was not spared the shakeup as it also increased by 5.35% from 90.44 pesewas to 95.28 pesewas per litre.
The indicative maximum price is a price beyond which an Oil Market Company (OMC) in Ghana is not allowed to sell petroleum products.
It could be recalled that Oil prices, traded near a record high of US$93 a barrel and threatens an all time hit of US$100 if political tension and speculation continue in the Middle East, the hub of the oil industry.
Oil hit an all-time high of US$93.07 a barrel yesterday, because of the violence between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas and a record low of the US dollar.
According to officials from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), oil has risen for reason unrelated to supply and demand and that there is little the exporter group can do to lower price.
OPEC is set to raise oil output by 500,000 barrels per day from November 11-18, 2007 in Riyadh for their third Heads of State Summit, an event that is usually a talking shop that makes no decision on supply policy.
Reasons adduced to the increases, according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NPA, Mr. Steve Larbi are not far fetched from the indicators on the futures market.
The National Petroleum Authority ACT 691 was enacted by the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana to regulate, oversee and monitor activities in the petroleum downstream industry; to establish a Unified Petroleum Price Fund; and to provide for related purposes.
Source:
Ghanaian Chronicle
Ministry inaugurates mobile cinema vans
Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - The Ministry of Information and National Orientation has given the Information Services Department (ISD) 146 mobile cinema vans with accessories to enable the Department to disseminate and explain government's policies and programmes to people in the remotest parts of the country.
In addition, there are nine pick-ups to help Regional Directors to monitor the activities of the cinema van project while the Ministry has produced docu-dramas to further emphasize messages to bring clear meaning and understanding to its audience.
Ms. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said at the short inauguration ceremony on Thursday that the vans, which would be based in the various districts, would have an established itinerary to ensure full penetration of the entire country. She said government had also ensured that the mobile van programme was fully staffed for the greatest efficiency.
The Minister said the staff of ISD would additionally be tasked to gather feedback from the public through post-viewing interactions, as this would further assist the Ministry with its objective of taking government's messages to every single Ghanaian in a format and language that would be understood by the people.
The Minster said the need for government to prioritise the operations of the mobile cinema van project was apt, because the wheel of socio-economic development would spin uninterruptedly when an enlightened people lent their support to the effective implementation of government's policies and programmes. "The acquisition of knowledge and information is a panacea to economic empowerment," she said.
Ms Sai-Cofie further stressed that it was important that as the world was moving fast in the age of information technology, every effort was made to create maximum awareness, understanding and appreciation of all efforts of government to bring about great transformation in the overall development of the country.
She said though the media terrain had changed dramatically, it was still believed that there was a niche where these cinema vans, used as tools for effective public education, would fit perfectly. "As well as engaging the citizens with audiovisual representation of government policies and programmes, the vans will show all kinds of Ghanaian produced entertainment such as Ghanaian comedies, music videos, documentaries and drama shows to ensure a mix of information, entertainment and public education," she said. The Minister called for total dedication and hard work on the part of the newly recruited ISD staff who would manage and run the cinema van project.
Mrs Sai-Cofie said the Ministry had put in place a monitoring unit and intended to initiate an electronic fleet management system to ensure the efficient management, maintenance and regular servicing of the vehicles.
She cautione d that the Ministry would not tolerate the deviant use of the vehicles and would appropriately sanction any officer who would be caught doing that. Mr Frank Agyekum, Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, advised the ISD officers to function as facilitators to ensure free flow of timely and reliable information to the public to enable government to have accurate feedback on its policies and programmes.
Source:
GNA
More donations for flood victims
Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - Six organisations on Thursday made donations worth millions of cedis in response to a nation-wide appeal by the government in aid of the flood victims in the north. The companies were the Africa West Area of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, the Korean Embassy, Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Iranian Red Crescent, the Ghana Association of Tailors and Dressmakers Association and the National Investment Bank. Mr. Daniel Yirenya-Tawiah, Area Welfare Manager of the church who donated 1,025 bags of rice valued at 16.4 million cedis, mosquito nets and farming tools said funds had been provided through the church's charitable organisations to send additional humanitarian supplies to the flood victims.
He said the church was touched by the plight of the flood victims and that it had put measures in place to ensure that the items were distributed in three days.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea made a donation of building materials worth 50 thousand dollars while the Ghana National Association of Teachers presented a cheque for 50 million cedis. The Iranian Embassy on behalf of the Iranian Red Crescent presented 2,500 bags of rice valued at 6,000 dollars while the National Investment Bank made a presentation of assorted clothes valued at 11, 327,000 million cedis. The Ghana National Association of Tailors and Dressmakers donated 20 million cedis.
Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State, Ministry of the Interior who received the items pledged the government's commitments in ensuring that there was equity in the distribution of the items. He appealed to other organisations and individuals to support the flood victims.
Source:
GNA
Upper East and South Central Region of Burkina Faso strengthen cooperation
Bolgatanga, Nov 1, GNA- Two Regions, one in Ghana and the other in Burkina Faso on Wednesday, agreed to strengthen the friendly relationship between them and work towards promoting free movement of people, good and services between the two countries. This would be done by educating the people to acquire the appropriate travel documents and working towards the removal of trade barriers.
This was contained in a communiqu=E9 issued in Bolgatanga after a two-day meeting of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari and the Governor of the South Central Region of Burkina Faso, Madam Pauline Hien Winkoun.
District and Municipal Chief Executives, security personnel and heads of departments of the two regions also attended. On border security and road transportation, they lauded the already existing collaboration between the security agencies and said they would improve upon it by holding formal and informal meetings and exchange information on the activities of criminals. The two regions would also collaborate on common health issues that affect their people, like, HIV/AIDS, Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and polio vaccinations through joint review meetings, clinical care, strengthening of communicable disease surveillance, and exchange of ideas on national and local innovations.
The two regions adopted the Protocol on the World Union for Nature and agreed to develop and protect wildlife corridors to serve the good purpose of protecting wildlife, biodiversity and the natural resources. They asked that women from the two regions collaborate and enhance trade between them; learning new skills from each other and helping find market for their products.
They urged districts in the two regions that had not linked up in the spirit of sister-city relationship to do so, saying; "Good relationship can help us share natural resources, knowledge and skills." The Education Services of both regions would also exchange teachers, have joint cultural festivals and sporting activities, they said.
Earlier, during the meeting, security personnel from the South Central Region of Burkina Faso complained that their drivers and traders who travel through Ghana were being harassed at the borders and the numerous security checks along the Tema-Paga roads. In reaction, the Ghanaian security personnel explained that many of the people did not have the right travel documents and used only their identity cards, which were not acceptable in the country.
Source:
GNA
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Ghana - Big Problem in Kumasi Airport Case
31/10/2007 - Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)
Yesterday, Peace FM reported that the proposed rehabilitation work at the Kumasi Airport to uplift its standard for the CAN 2008 tournament might not materialise due to a number of factors. According to the correspondent of the radio station who reported live from the airport, the award of contract to put up a VVIP lounge has ran into difficulties due to safety issues that have cropped up.
According to the correspondent's report, the government awarded the contract for the execution of the project to Messrs. Consar Limited in September but after digging and laying of concrete underground to erect the structure, the air traffic unit of the Civil Aviation Authority came in to stop the project because the proposed building was too closed to the runway of the airport. The decision, according the correspondent, came after the contractor had sunk billions of cedis in the form of materials into the project, which seemed to have gone waste.
The report further alleged that the Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) sanctioned the project. The Chronicle is really disturbed by this news, especially allegation by the correspondent that the GCAA Director sanctioned the project. We are disturbed because a project like this would have gone through the due process, including safety measures before the final approval was given. So how come that the GCAA could not detect that the project was too close to the runway?
Again, who is going to bear the cost for the money that has been wasted through the apparent negligence of duty by the GCAA? Despite the prosecution and imprisonment of people for willfully causing financial loss to the state, it seems that Ghanaians are not learning any lessons from it. We really find it hard to understand why a well-established authority like GCAA could site a project that is too close to a runway knowing very well that safety measures would not permit that.
The Chronicle thinks that the issue, if it is actually true, must never be swept under the carpet. There must be proper investigations by the oversight ministry into the allegation and deal with those who may be found culpable. Ghana as a developing country cannot afford to waste money in this reckless manner. People with the relevant knowledge are being paid with the taxpayer's money to do the job they have been trained to do. Therefore, if something goes wrong, they have to be held responsible for it.
To err, they say, is human but we do not think that even a layman who does not have any expertise would site a building too close to a runway. We hope that the news as carried by the radio station is not true. But if the contrary is the case, then heads must definitely roll in addition to prosecution. It is only when we do this that our public officials would begin to sit up.
CAN 2008 tournament is left with a little over two months to commence. One can thus imagine the pressure that would be brought to bear on the contractor to complete the VVIP lounge after the demolition of the earlier one he started. This anticipated frustration would have been avoided if the supervising authorities had done the proper thing.
We shall surely return to this subject because, as a media house, we have the constitutional or moral mandate to protect the public purse.
Source: © Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )
Adom Mmoroso in brisk business after robbery attack
Kumasi, Oct. 31, GNA- Business activities at Adom Mmoroso cold store at Asafo in Kumasi returned to normal on Wednesday morning after a dramatic daylight robbery attack on the Company the previous day. A visit by the Ghana News Agency to the Company's premises revealed that business was going on briskly, as fish mongers and traders were seen busily buying and selling.
However, armed police officers were seen positioned at vantage points in the Company's premises to provide security. Management of the Company was also said to be having close door meeting with security chiefs from the regional CID, who had gone to the premises to assess the situation.
A sales executive of the Company told the GNA that, everything was normal and business was going on as usual. He said the Company had beefed up its security to prevent any possible reprisal attacks.
Five armed gangs on Tuesday morning attacked the cold store company in an attempt to rob it, but the bravery of a police constable on duty thwarted their efforts.
A gun battle that ensued resulted in the death of one of the robbers and injury to four persons including the police officer. The remaining robbers sensing danger recoiled and managed to escape in a Nissan Primera taxicab, which they brought for the operation. The police later impounded the vehicle and retrieved five locally made pistols and machetes from it.
The body of the dead armed robber had been deposited at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital's (KATH's) mortuary while the injured ones are on admission at hospitals for treatment. The police are continuing with its investigations.
Source:
GNA
Solar-powered fridges for health ministry
Welsh 
RENEWABLE-ENERGY company Dulas has secured a major new order from Ghana`s health ministry for its solar-powered vaccine fridges.
The deal for the Machynlleth- based firm comes after promoting its vaccine fridge at the MedicAfrica exhibition in Lusaka, Zambia, two years ago.
Since the event two years ago Dulas representatives have stepped-up their efforts to secure orders in the region, most recently with an export visit to Ghana supported by the Assembly`s overseas trade arm International Business Wales (IBW).
It has resulted in an order for 30 vaccine fridges from the Ghanaian government, with the prospect of significant further orders in the next few years following their specification in the tender.
Dulas`s solar-powered fridges are used to store blood and vaccines, often holding more than $ 200,000 worth of vaccines.
Solar-powered vaccine refrigerators and other solar-powered items of medical equipment have been important specialisations for Dulas since 1985, the firm being one of a handful of companies world-wide to qualify as approved solar system suppliers to the World Health Organisation and Unicef.
Dulas solar medical installations cover a wide range of solar power applications, including ice pack freezers for vaccine transportation, operating theatre and general lighting, ceiling and desk fans, medical centrifuges, water pumps and purifiers (from deep borehole to floating surface pumps), and integrated generating systems providing electricity for singular appliances or entire hospitals.
It has equipped many remote hospitals and clinics in Africa, Asia and Latin America with solar medical equipment.
Ms Draisey added, "We have had one of the company`s busiest years in respect to fridge production and water supply, fuelled by increasing worldwide demand.
Over the last two years the company`s turnover has increased from £4m to £7m.
Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn-Jones said, "The Assembly has been delighted to support the company`s efforts in Africa and this recent export success justifies the hard work of the company and our officials that have been involved in the process.
"We should also be very proud that innovative technology developed here in Wales will play such an important role in saving lives in poorer nations."
Source:
Western Mail
AMA to arrest those who litter in November
Accra, Oct 31, GNA - The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) would, from November arrest those who indiscriminately dispose waste as new measure to clear the city of filth. The initiative, which would start on pilot basis at the Central Business District formed part of recommendations made by a committee tasked by the AMA to develop modalities that would help address the waste management challenges in the Metropolis.
Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, AMA Chief Executive made this known in Accra on Tuesday at an inauguration ceremony to usher into office an Executive Implementation Committee to manage the task which was under the umbrella of a new project, Accra Plastic Waste Management Project(AWMP).
He said the pilot programme, which would last for six months would be replicated in other business centres in the city. He said the Assembly would mount bill boards at vantage points with the inscriptions "No Drop Zone", adding that guards would be deployed to arrest recalcitrant ones who refused to dispose plastic waste in bins. The AMA Boss said the AWMP would also implement a compulsory registration exercise for producers and distributors of plastic products to ensure an empirical data base system on companies producing plastics and polythene to help in effective waste management. To provide funding for the project, special permit stickers would be issued for all trucks distributing pure water within the piloted area at a fee of 100 Ghana cedis (one million) for trucks that carry up to four tonnes of sachet water.
Mr Adjiri Blankson said vehicles up to seven tonnes would pay 120 Ghana cedis and those, which were seven tonnes and above would pay 150 Ghana cedis and articulator trucks would also pay 300 Ghana cedis. He said only companies with AMA business operating permit, business registration certificate and Standard Board/Food and Drugs Board certificate would be issued with the trade permit stickers to operate. The AMA Chief Executive called on alcohol, beverage, pharmaceutical companies as well as all other industries whose products contributed to waste to come to the AMA to support the project.
Mr Ebbo Botwe, Chairman of the Executive Implementing Committee said the AWMP was developed on the short, medium and long term to address issues of communication, education, technology and improvement to improve waste management system.
He advised all producers and distributors of sachet water and polythene to come to their secretariat located near the Internal Revenue Service Office, Dan's Bar, North Kaneshie to register before November 15.
Ghana hosts two-day anti-piracy seminar
Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - The Copyright Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, African Publishers Network (APNET) and the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA) would host a two-day continental meeting on the need to fight piracy. The regional seminar being held between October 31 and November 1, on the theme: "Maximizing the Benefits of Creativity - Say no to Piracy" would attract participants such as writers, publishers, authors, copyright owners from the continent. A statement issued in Accra by the Copyright Office said the aim of the seminar, was to create awareness and highlight the relevance of the Copyright Act of Ghana. It is also to maximize the benefits of creativity, as it intends to draw the attention of participants to the benefits of copyright protection and the need to fight piracy. The Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey would address the opening session.
Source:
GNA
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Ghana - Sex Trade Gang mafia is Alive And Kicking
30/10/2007 - Public Agenda (Accra)
The busting of two men last week for allegedly trafficking women to Europe for sex tourism did not come as a surprise since Ghana has become a hub for many things in the West African subregion.
The surprising aspect of it is that it is Ghanaians at the helm of the heinous crime to export as many 19 Nigerian girls to Europe ostensibly to trade as sex tools.
Why on earth would Nigerian girls heading for Europe use Ghana as a transit point? The media reports quoted police investigators as saying that the girls came to Ghana to have travel documents processed for their trip to Europe.
What this simply implies is that whereas even in Nigeria it has become very difficult to use fake documents to travel, Ghana has become a breeding ground for the illegal business, which is gradually eroding the confidence of the embassies in Ghanaians.
While commending the CID authorities for acting swiftly to nip the bud, the latest attempt at exporting young girls to Europe through Ghana, like their Nigeria counterparts, Ghanaian police and their immigration counterparts must assure the public that they on top of the job.
It is a known fact that the sex trade industry is complex network of hardened criminals some of who work in the very security services that are paid by the taxpayer to put the brakes on the activities such social deviants.
Even as this editorial is being read, there are probably scores of such girls still being sent to Europe under the guise of sending them to their relatives or parents. The 19 girls may be Nigerians as the reports indicated, but any girl, no matter her nationality that is being trafficked to be exploited sexually should be our concern. This because human rights abuse against any girl, no matter colour, nationality, religion or tribe is a crime against humanity.
Let us not delude ourselves that Ghanaian girls are being trafficked the same manner as Nigerian girls. Ghanaian girls are even worse when it comes to such things.
At the heart of trafficking girls for sexual exploitation is tourism, no one needs any reminder that wherever tourism is at its peak social vices like prostitution, homosexuality and pedophilia come as a natural consequence. That is why this newspaper has had cause to raise the red flag over the government's zeal to make tourism the number one exchange earner. Undoubtedly, tourism has the potential to boost economic growth, but even where the economies entirely depend on tourism for revenue, they have put in tight laws to protect vulnerable children.
Even as we are pushing to possibly make tourism the number exchange earner, we must strengthen the regulatory bodies before opening the gates. For instance, the United States of America has the PROTECT Act of 2003 which is a multipurpose law intended to prevent child abuse.
Among other things, the law provides for mandatory life imprisonment of sex offenses against a minor if the offender has had a prior conviction of abuse against a minor, with some exceptions. It also establishes a program to obtain criminal history background checks for volunteer organizations.
Without such a law, the Ghana 2008 tournament will open our country to excessive abuse by sex tourists masquerading as soccer fans.
Source: PublicAGENDA / © / Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )
Suspected armed robber shot dead in Asafo, Kumasi
Kumasi, Oct. 30, GNA- A suspected armed robber was on Tuesday morning shot dead while two others and a policeman sustained serious gunshot wounds in Asafo, Kumasi.
This was when armed robbers engaged the police in a fierce gun battle at the Adom Mmoroso Cold Store Limited.
The robbers, believed to be between the ages of 18 years and 20 years old, arrived at the store in a Nissan Primera taxi cab and started shooting indiscriminately in an attempt to rob the Company. Police on duty at the Company's premises were said to have returned fire and in the process one of the robbers was shot dead. Two other robbers and a policeman on duty sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds.
An eye witness told GNA at the Company's premises that around 1030 hours the armed robbers arrived at the Company's main gate in vehicles. He said two of them entered the sales point and demanded money from the cashiers, while the others in the vehicle began shooting indiscriminately to scare traders and onlookers in the area. He said one of the cashiers, who was afraid, decided to hand over the cash, adding that one of the robbers shot the policeman on duty at the cash point on the arm and he returned fire killing him instantly. The eyewitness said traders, who had gone there to transact business, ran helter-skelter with some leaving behind their monies and other valuables.
He said the other robbers managed to escape in the waiting vehicle amidst shooting.
A police source confirmed the robbery to the GNA and said the vehicle, which was used by the robbers, had been impounded while the body of the robber had been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital mortuary. The source said the police retrieved five locally made pistols from the impounded vehicle and that investigations were ongoing.
Source:
GNA
Concern about police delays in executing court orders
Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - Many people are still "languishing" unduly in custody partly because of delays by the police in executing court orders pertaining to their cases, a Member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has observed.
Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado Manu, MP for Ahafo Ano South, said he could not fathom why an order issued by the court in 2001 for the destruction of three bags of cannabis at the Dunkwa-on-Offin District Police headquarters, should take them six years to carry out.
The PAC heard at its sitting on Monday that the Dunkwa-On-Offin Police executed the 2001 court order in August 2007.
"This attitude is not good enough," Mr Manu said, adding that this persistent delays by the police might also be the reason for the many people still on remand.
This was during the appearance of officials of Ministry of the Interior, led by Mr Kwamena Bartels, to response to queries raised in the 2004-05 Auditor General's report on financial operation of the Ghana Police Service.
The Report revealed a general lack of supervision of police exhibit stores, as well as inadequate storage capacity, leading to congestion, and sometimes, the loss of revenue.
According to the Report, the Police Service as of 2004 owed Tema Oil Refinery more than GH=A2170,000 (17 billion cedis) for supply of fuel.
It noted that the debt had accumulated because the Service could not pay for oil lifting over a long period due to insufficient budgetary allocation.
The Report also revealed the loss of court exhibits valued at about GH=A215,000 (150 million cedis).
The exhibits, including GH=A22,500 (25 million cedis) cash and rifles left in the custody of a police officer, Mr J. A Milebor, the Ho station.
According to the Report, the items could not be produced for physical inspection during the audit, therefore it was concluded that Mr Milebor had expropriated them. The Report for 2004 also showed misapplication of GH=A256,100 (560 million cedis) from personnel emolument.
Source:
GNA
Child Sex Base Exposed
"Donkomi!" 20,000 Per Client Per Round
After almost a year of underground investigations into child prostitution in the country, Ghanaian Observer(GO) has uncovered one of the biggest child prostitution bases and clandestine activities by some unscrupulous Ghanaians, who are massively exploiting these children in the Greater Accra Region.
GO investigations have established that the children, whose ages range between 12 years and 17 years, are drawn from different parts of the country such as Kasoa, Kaneshie, Nima, Mamobi, Osu and Abeka among other places, to be signed on into the sex trade as prostitutes.
With certain accommodation facilities having been provided by some macho men and women in the heart of the city, GO can further reveal that some of these children, as young as they are, rather enjoy working as prostitutes and paid agents of these criminals and child traffickers than being in the classroom to learn the 3Rs.
The children who appear barely ignorant about the dangers associated with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, are provided with accommodation by these unscrupulous Ghanaians at a fee of Cedis 10,000 per client for a night.
GO can authoritatively report that these innocent girls, who converge by 8pm at the prostitution base located at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the capital city Accra, stay for more than 12 hours engaging men of all classes and physical sizes and strength in sex for a meagre fee of between Cedis 20,000 and Cedis 30,000 per each man for the agents.
Our investigations have revealed that these children are exposed to all kinds of dangers and other forms of social vices, as the base also serves as a camp for armed robbers, centre for taking all forms of drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, as well as other criminal activities.
Coincidently, the wooden structure where these criminal activities are perpetrated almost every night, is named 'Soldier Bar' found just behind the Holy Gardens AMA Task Force station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the capital, Accra.
The wooden structure is compartmentalised into three cubicles, with each containing about 10 to 15 student-sized bed, for which each child is charged Cedis 10,000 for using the bed and other facilities with her client.
A number of these children, who spoke to this reporter, cited parental neglect, economic hardships, lack of jobs, among other factors, as major reasons for which they found themselves prostituting to feed and clothe themselves on a daily basis.
A 13-year-old girl, Cynthia Acheampong (not real name), who spoke with GO in the Twi dialect, confirmed: "We pay Cedis 10,000 for the rooms. When you pay the money, the man at the gate will give you one condom, which sometimes cannot serve the customer because it bursts"'
As to why at such age she was engaging in prostitution, Cynthia Acheampong replied: 'I came to Accra with my little brother and mother; but few days later, we could not find anywhere to lodge. As a result, living became difficult for me and my brother; A friend who was visiting me often told me I could get money for myself and my brother
"So we started coming here"
She told GO that, as young as she is, all kinds of men, irrespective of their age, political or socio-economic background, call her for sex. According to her, she has no choice than to give in to their demands in order to satisfy her needs.
Another young prostitute, aged 15, Maame Esi (not real name), said she has been offering herself for money because she cannot find any means of livelihood or support from her parents, let alone see herself through education at the Junior Secondary School (JSS) level.
Sounding disappointed, she promised that, if she had the opportunity to further her education, prostitution will be a thing of the past. She blamed her plight on `the difficult situation' that she faced and that led to her being introduced to the sex trade.
"I would immediately stop coming here, if anybody tells me that Esi, I will assist you to get a different job or even pay your fees to enable you attend school" she told GO.
Apparently ignorant about the perils of prostitution, Ayesha, another victim, said: "My association with the people, who are mainly criminals and people who clearly do not have any good ambitions in life, has brought great danger to my life". According to her, her association with other girls at the base has taught her how to drink heavily and smoke, which she believes is dangerous to her health.
Source:
Ghanaian Observer
Koforidua residents not happy with ECG services
Koforidua, Oct. 30, GNA- The Eastern Regional Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG), Mr K.A. Kyeremeh on Tuesday said the frequent power cuts being experienced by residents of Adweiso was due to repair works on the transformer serving the area He said one of the two main transformers that serves the municipality developed a fault sometime back was being replaced leading to the interruptions over the weekend.
Mr Kyeremeh was responding to the concerns of residents of Adweiso, a suburb of Koforidua in the New Juaben Municipality on the erratic disruption of power supply to the area. The residents complained that the area had been experienced power cuts on more than three occasions during last Sunday just like the previous Saturday making them to wonder whether the recent energy crisis is actually over.
Mr Kyeremeh told the GNA that the municipality, which derived its power from the Akyem New Tafo sub-station had some interference, due to some bamboo grooves along the transmission lines at Mangoase near Suhum resulting in sporadic power disruptions.
He said in view of that only one transmission line links Koforidua to the Tafo station, adding that anytime there was a problem on that line, the situation would affect the entire municipality. "To ensure that the problem does not recur, the ECG has engaged the services of a contractor to cut the mangroves dotted along the transmission line".
He said another action being taken, was the diversion of the lines from problem areas to ensure regular supply of electricity. Mr Kyeremeh entreated the public to understand that the ECG only makes profit when it meets their demands and as a result would not take any actions that were injurious to sensibilities of its customers.
Source:
GNA
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Armed robbers Gun Down Soldiers
Armed robbers have killed a soldier and wounded two other soldiers who chanced upon them as they were robbing some traders at Nakpaduri Hill, in the Bunkpurugu/Yooyo District of the Northern Region.Image
The other soldiers said to be in critical condition, have been airlifted to Accra.
The incident occurred on Thursday night on the hill, between Nakpaduri and Sakuwu.
An eyewitness said the robbers had stopped a cargo truck which was conveying some traders from the Bawku market to Gushiegu and were robbing them when "a pick-up pulled up with the three soldiers on board."
He said when the robbers saw the pick-up, they opened fire on the soldiers and then bolted with their booty.
Police sources at Bunkpurugu confirmed the incident saying that the dead soldier was shot in the head while the others were hit in the abdomen and shoulder.
Majeed Salifu, presiding member of the Bunkprugu/Yooyo Assembly told the Times that many robbery cases had been recorded in the area.
"About three or four armed robberies have taken place in the area within the last two weeks," he disclosed.
Mr. Salifu said a pick-up vehicle belonging to the Bunkprugu Mutual Health Insurance scheme was attacked by armed robbers on the same hill last month.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Ms Elizabeth Pigir Poyari, said the matter has been reported to the Northern Regional Security Council.
Source:
Times
Ghana - Tension in Ghana as daily Gun Shots At Sefwi Wiawso
29/10/2007 - Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)
THE DIVISIONAL Police Command at Sefwi Wiawso in the Western Region is investigating a shooting incident and an assault case which the former Minister of Health, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, is alleged to have perpetrated on one Kwabena Benie.
A police source, which hinted The Chronicle, said the Police Command had retrieved the pistol used to fire the warning shots, and was yet to take a formal statement from the former Minister of Health who is now aspiring to become the Member of Parliament for the area on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Narrating the incident to the paper, the 34-year old victim recounted that on Thursday, October 18, 2007, at about 8 pm whilst he and others were packing the tents and chairs used for the one-week celebration of the death of Nana Kwabena Adu Tawiah, Jasehene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, in the company of one Yaw Ebow and Akwasi Mensah who said to be a security man at Liberty FM - a local radio station in the area, passed by them.
According to him, a few minutes later, Dr. Afriyie returned with the two people and requested to know whether he was called Kwabena Benie because he (Afriyie) had heard that the person behind the name had been insulting him, and it was in the process of supplying an answer that the former Minister visited his anger on him by slapping him.
The victim narrated that the security man then trussed around him, thereby giving Dr. Afriyie a free move to triply spank him on the face after he (Benie) had shown a sign of retaliation.
He subsequently reported the incident to the Wiawso Police Station where a medical form was issued to him to seek medical attention at the government hospital, Mr. Benie further told the paper.
In line with the assault episode, the victim claimed his shirt got torn, his cell phone was damaged and an amount of ¢350, 000 got lost in the process.
The accused, Dr. Afriyie, on the other hand, denied ever slapping the victim, Mr. Kwabena Benie, during an interview with The Chronicle.
According to him, on his way to the studio of Liberty FM for a health talk show programme, as he usually did, he was confronted by a group of young men who were raining insults on him without any provocation.
Dr. Afriyie said he initially thought they had mistaken him for someone else and, therefore, he did not mind them until the men, led by the victim - Mr. Benie - drew closer to him and started to point fingers towards his eyes.
The accused said he questioned their conduct and told them to accord him some respect because he could be their father or uncle.
At that point, the former minister said he observed that the young men were bent on molesting him and it was in his attempt to parry them off and run for his safety that his hand touched accidentally Kwabena Benie whom he (Afriyie) identified as a leader of the 'gang'.
He added that the young men subsequently hurled stones towards the Liberty FM where he had gone to seek refuge, thereby trapping some members of COCOBOD, who were emerging from the radio station after their programme there, for nearly 30 minutes.
Dr. Afriyie explained that after his initial attempt to call the police had failed, he called his brother, Mr. Anthony Afriyie - a businessman - who got to the scene with some people and a gun.
On reaching the scene, Dr. Afriyie narrated that his brother fired warning shots into the air which, the accused said, got him rescued from his entrapment.
Meanwhile, a relative of the victim, Mr. Sarpong Manu, who also recounted the incident to the paper, stated that he saw Dr. Afriyie in his Ford Pick-up in the form of a convoy with other cars blowing horns, and shooting profusely into the air.
According to him, two policemen on the scene managed to retrieve the gun and sent it to their station, whilst one Akwasi Addai got assaulted by another police officer on a peacekeeping mission at Sefwi Wiawso.
Source: © Reborn Radio Africa ( Germany )