Help save Selina from heart tumour
Akim Oda (E/R), Aug. 17, GNA - Selina Boamah Dadzie, 19, a form two student of Akim Swedru Secondary School near Akim Oda, and her parents are appealing for public support to raise 12,000 Euros, to enable her undergo a heart surgical operation.
Selina has a tumour in her heart and needs to undergo a surgical operation estimated 12,000 Euros (GH¢14,000) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
According to Dr Frank Edwin, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ms Dadzie was referred to the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle-Bu on March 11, 2008 following an episode of heart failure.
He said a clinical examination and investigations showed "the mass tumour in the left upper chamber of the heart" and will need an open heart surgery to remove the tumour.
Dr Edwin said the Ghana Heart Foundation was ready to assist by paying 50 per cent of the amount, but the other half needed to be paid before the surgery could take place.
The parents of Ms Dadzie, Mr Christian Boamah, a mason and Madam Cecilia Otiwaa, a fishmonger, and Mr Abraham Osei Donkor, headmaster of the student have appealed to the public to help raise the remaining amount to save the life of Ms Dadzie.
All donations should be made to the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital or The Editorial Manager of New Times Corporation.
Government defends new educational reforms
Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - The government over the weekend defended the New Educational Reformed in spite of the teething administrative, and logistical challenges that has bedevil its implementation.
Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports (MESS) said in spite of the challenges, the reforms sought to provide a guarantee for creating a well-balanced school leavers equipped with intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical knowledge, skills, values and aptitudes for self- actualisation.
Prof. Fobih stated in a speech read on his behalf at the commissioning of an ultra modern school complex, Vilac International School at Accra. The school combines both the Ghanaian educational system and the British educational programme to give foreign students access to international programmes while residing in Ghana.
It also seeks to equip Ghanaian students who would want to pursue further studies outside the country to have a glimpse of learning abroad and to learn from their foreign counterparts.
The Minister said the educational reform is a necessary measure for reorienting the content of the educational enterprise to meet the developmental goals of every nation.
He said the reform is also structured to provide a strong foundation to form the fundamental transformation of the education system through which children acquire basic literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills as well as skills for creativity and healthy living.
He said the current reform lays emphasis on the role of science and information technology as a step towards equipping Ghanaian graduates with the tools to compete on the global market.
It also aimed at increasing the percentage of students going into science related disciplines and alter the number of years spent by students at the pre-university level.
Other areas includes, citizenship education, creative arts and information communication and technology to make students appreciate the basic concepts and values that underlie a democratic political community and a constitutional order to enable them uphold the constitution of Ghana at all times.
"Creative arts seek to help the children develop critical thinking and imagination and the spirit of innovation, creativity and resourcefulness, while information communication and technology is to place the children well in the world of knowledge base revolution," Prof Fobih stated.
Prof Fobih said the reform would also promote the inter-connectivity of the different levels of education to ensure that children have a strong foundation and are adequately prepared for further academic work and acquisition of technical and vocational skills.
Mrs. Victoria Mensah, Executive Director said the mission of the school is to provide every child with excellent and wholesome education through a highly experienced staff, comfortable, safe and stimulating learning environment with wide variety of co-curricular activities to develop the students social skills and awareness of God.
Mrs Mensah said Vilan International School will provide the best academically, morally, emotionally and physically -"to nurture a complete personality."
She said although the world is at a stage where the focus of education is towards the demands of the global market, countries like Ghana should rather be looking at what makes a school product a reliable and valuable soldier for local community productivity, sustainability and or an expert of the immediate environment.
She said, "the values of a society are a crucial aspects of its people's self-conception of what they want to become. In order to build communities that we all feel proud to belong to, our values for education should be taken from our African philosophies, cultural values, which enshrine the principle of living for the community."
"We have to reshape our values to the idea that we have the responsibility for building happier communities and the central goal of education should reflect in building in the kid values for the future."
She said teachers of Vilac International School would instill in the students the values of respect, responsibility and the transformation of local community productive capacity, through deeper study and understanding of society' environment and the creative pursuit of optimising the benefit of local resources.
She expressed regret that the values of honesty and service for the good Of the community are nowhere demonstrated and effectively taught in schools currently.
Awulae Agyemfi Kwame II, Omanhene of Nsein Traditional Area, supported by other dignitaries who graced the occasion jointly inaugurated the school.
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Protect us from police harassment; Musama Church appeals to government
Tema, Aug 17, GNA - Some members of Musama Disco Christo Church have appealed to the government to institute an investigation into alleged harassment of members of the church by the Central Regional Police Command.
Speaking at a press conference held in Tema on Saturday Mr Frank Acquah, a member, alleged that for some time now the Central Regional police have been interfering in the activities of the church and intimidates members.
He said in 2002 the church's pastor, Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah, mis-conducted himself for which a legal action was taken against him and the court recommended his suspension.
Based on the court's ruling, a three-man interim management committee was appointed in 2006 to replace him and to administer the church but "since then the police in Central Region have been intimidating the members in all our activities", Mr Acquah said.
Mr Acquah deplored police presence at every event that took place in the church as though there was something wrong "but Musama is a peaceful church and we are all united".
Source
GNA
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President Kufuor rallies support for Akufo-Addo-Bawumia ticket
Sekondi, Aug. 16, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday rallied members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to firmly support the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Presidential ticket and work their hearts out to secure resounding victory in the coming December polls.
"We are lucky to have a winning team comprising a flag-bearer, whose political maturity and sagacity is complemented by the financial and economic expertise of the running mate."
He was addressing the party's 16th National Delegates Congress at the Sekondi College, the highlights of which included the adoption of the NPP's Election Manifesto and the working out of an effective Campaign strategy to win the elections.
NPP's Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo-Danquah Akufo-Addo, picked Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), as running mate in consultation with the National Executive Council last Thursday.
President Kufuor noted that being an outstanding economist and banker with both local and international experience, Dr Bawumia was an invaluable asset and "brings to the ticket a wide network of professional colleagues, associates and friends to support the cause of the NPP and deliver as Vice President."
Ghana, he declared, was "on the crest of a very auspicious wave" and stated that their flag-bearer, who has had a successful stint as Foreign Minister was certain to "ride the crest to take the country far."
"He is the man of destiny, the man needed at this moment to move Ghana forward."
President Kufuor gave high marks to the Government for stabilizing and consolidating the tottering economy it inherited, relaying a deteriorating infrastructure and fixing the educational system that was out of step with globalization.
The next Government, under Nana Akufo-Addo was going to accelerate the growth of the economy, modernize the infrastructure and carry the education system forward.
President Kufuor used the platform to dismiss suggestions that the nation's two major political parties should not compare their records in government, wondering how the electorate could make informed choice in the December elections without this.
The NPP, he said, would tell its story and continue to recount how they halted galloping inflation and brought interest rates tumbling down.
"We shall remind the world that the Cedi, which is now at par with the dollar, was in free-fall when we assumed office in 2001." President Kufuor, whose address catalogued the achievements made by the Government during the past seven years, announced that they were in the process of establishing an integrated aluminium industry around Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), bringing to reality, a dream since the first Republic.
The Government bought the Company back two years ago at 20 million dollars but it is now attracting international partnership offer of over 250 million dollars.
He said there was abundant evidence that the economy was on the move, citing the flocking in of both local and foreign investors into all sectors of the economy, be it banking, mining, Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, manufacturing, construction and commerce.
"This is the condition of our economy today without even counting the substantial find of natural gas and crude oil. Is this the record to be hidden?"
President Kufuor also touched on accusations by the party's opponents that it was elitist and said the records showed that it was pro-people family, mentioning the National Youth Employment Programme, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), free maternal care for pregnant women, Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, School Bussing Programme, Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) and Metro Mass Transport System.
All these, he said were hallmarks of the NPP's commitment to and identification with all the people of Ghana.
He said it was on account of the people-centred policies and record of good governance that the nation was attracting much international attention. That was what made Ghana qualify for the US Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) of 547 million dollars and Chinese Government credit for construction of the Bui Dam.
Other Governments including those of the United Kingdom, Japan, India, France, Denmark and many more were supporting "our Government for the exemplary leadership we are serving Ghana with." President Kufuor said Ghanaians were now wide awake and would not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by negative propaganda.
"Our party is fully set for the December elections", he said, adding that, the destiny of the nation was in the hands of the NPP and it could not afford to fail the people, who had forged a winning partnership with it since the Government was privileged to lead the country.
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Three people arrested in connection with murder of hunchback
Bibiani (WR), Aug. 17, GNA - The Bibiani Police on Thursday arrested three people in connection with the murder of Musa Iddi, one of the hunchbacks found dead with the hump removed.
The three are Nuhu Billa, alias Apana, Alidu Musah, Alias Ton and Abudu Rahman, alias Taller who is a butcher, while the fourth person is at large.
Last month, the Bibiani Police appealed to the public to assist to unravel the emerging gruesome murdering of hunchbacks at Bibiani, with the suspicion that their humps were being used for rituals. The suspected murderers tied one of the victims neck with a rope and cut part of his hump.
Meanwhile, the Bibiani Police is hunting for the fourth culprit and has appealed to the public to assist with any information to facilitate his arrest while they continue with their investigations
Source:
GNA
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Ghana to enforce swimming pool regulations
Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - The Ghana Tourist Board has put in place measures to enforce regulations to ensure the safety of people who patronize swimming pools at hotels and public places and to improve standards in the hospitality industry.
The Board has therefore trained 28 people from various hotels in the country at the Aquatic Life Saving Training Programme held in collaboration with the Regional Maritime University.
PLEASE VISIT THE "BEST" OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL IN GHANA...
Mr. Martin Mireku, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, announced this at the end of the two-week training programme. He said the regulations by the Board included the employment of trained and skilled life guards at hotels, provision of life jackets, swimming pool equipment and materials for maintenance and cleaning, markings showing the depth at each level of the pool and the dos and don'ts sign at every pool side.
"Most swimming pools do not have life guards and those who have are untrained and therefore cannot save lives...most of the lifeguards at swimming polls in hotels do not even know how to swim," he said. He said the board had decided to mount an educational campaign on the issue and all facility owners were expected to comply or have their pools closed down.
Mr Mireku said the board would also organize training programmes for lifeguards at the beaches and waterfalls to stem the occurrence of drowning during mass events at water bodies and to encourage more Ghanaians to go for leisure at such tourist sites.
He urged the trainees to practice what they had learnt and called on pool owners who do not have qualified attendants to take advantage of subsequent training programmes to either train a life guard or sharpen their skills.
In a speech read on her behalf, Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, urged the board to identify and mark areas along the coastline to indicate places which were dangerous for swimming from Aflao to Jewi-Wharf to discourage people from swimming in those areas.
She also urged the board to mark safe sailing lines in rivers, lakes and lagoons as well as the Volta Lake.
"We believe that should our tourist attraction sites, especially water bodies become unsafe due to drowning and other health hazards, our (country) will no longer be the preferred destination but the destination to be avoided."
Mrs. Sai-Cofie said swimming pools played an important role in hotel operations and it was important that safety measures were adopted in managing such facilities.
She appealed to all district assemblies with waterfalls and other water bodies used for recreational activities to send their representatives for subsequent training programmes.
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Alhaji Hearts, two others in court for aiding, abetting money laundering
Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - A Circuit Court in Accra on Friday remanded Alhaji Briamah Suleman, aka Alhaji Hearts, a Board member of Accra Hearts of Oak Football Club and another on charges of conspiracy, concealment of currency, and aiding and abetting money laundering. The court did not take the pleas of Alhaji Hearts and Ahmed Tijani. They will reappear on August 20.
Sources say on August 8, this year, airline security conducted a random search on the crew on board a Ghana International Airline flight which had arrived from London.
During the search, 59,870 pounds was found in two bags belonging to an airhostess, Ewuraesi Claribell.
Ewurasi failed to disclose who gave her the money so she was handed over to personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). When she was quizzed, she disclosed that the money belonged to one George who informed her that someone in Accra would call her and come for the money.
But soon after Ewurasi was put before court and remanded Alhaji Hearts and Tijani went to the BNI claiming ownership of the money. The two were therefore put before court on Friday.
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Infiltration of small arms and weapons
Assin Fosu {C/R}, Aug. 16, GNA - The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr Kobina Tahil Hammond, has appealed to personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service to be vigilant and devise measures to enhance their border patrol activities in order to apprehend smugglers of small arms and light weapons into the country.
He said there are at least 220,000 small arms in civilian hands and this does not arguer well for the security of the nation, particularly this election year and noted with concern the unfortunate incidents that characterised the just ended limited registration exercise that generated a lot of security interest.
Mr Hammond said this at the passing out of 219 new personnel of the service who underwent four months' training at the Immigration Training School at Assin Fosu.
He told them to consider the interest of the nation paramount and help stem cross border crimes such as smuggling, human and drug trafficking as well as entry into the country through unapproved routes that is on the ascendancy.
Mr Hammond said government recognised the pivotal role of the service and was doing all it could to support it with funds to build official and residential accommodation as well as offer better living conditions and remuneration to motivate them.
He said government had also made provision for the acquisition of vehicles and motor bikes, communication equipment and to provide them with uniforms and accessories. Mr Hammond said a bill to restructure the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) would soon be put before parliament and when approved the role of the service would be expanded. Personnel who excelled during the training were given special awards. Julian Akonnor was adjudged the overall best recruit. Michael Frimpong was adjudged the best in academics, Anthony Kwadjo Amoah, best in physical training, the best female in drill went to Miriam Asamani
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Man arrested with cocaine in soup freed
Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Mr. Emmanuel Kweku Darkey, a 50 year-old Ghanaian based in the United Kingdom who was arrested for allegedly concealing 60 kilograms of cocaine in cans labelled "Ghana Fresh Palm Nut Base" was on Friday acquitted and discharged by an Accra Fast Track High Court.
The court in its judgment concluded that the prosecution failed to prove a case against Darkey.
In criminal matter, the onus lay on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt but the prosecution was not able to do this.
The drugs concealed in 60 cans were intercepted at the Aviance Cargo Village in October last year.
Darkey was arrested by security personnel when he allegedly attempted to export the cocaine with street value of three million dollars to the United Kingdom.
Darkey pleaded not guilty to attempted exportation of narcotic drugs.
In October last year, security personnel suspected the movement of boxes containing vegetables and arrested Kirk Patrick Bekoe, the freight forwarder, who became a prosecution witness. He in turn led them to arrest Darkey.
Dakey during interrogation claimed he came to Ghana to purchase vegetables and the consignment was allegedly given to him by one Michael Osei to add to his but he did not know the content.
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Forestry Minister expresses worry about depletion of forest
Koforidua (E/E), Aug. 15, GNA - Ms Esther Obeng Dapaah, Minister for Lands, Forest and Mines, has expressed worry about the continuous depletion of the nation's forest and its impact on the economy. She said the situation called for pragmatic efforts from all stakeholders to save the forest and wildlife.
Ms Dapaah expressed the worry in an address read on her behalf at the opening of the 20th National Delegates Conference of Agricultural Science Teachers Association of Ghana (ASTAG) in Koforidua. She said statistics on the forest cover of Ghana showed a worrying picture because at the beginning of the last century, the country had 8.2 million hectares of forest cover but by the time of independence it had reduced to 4 million hectares.
She said in the late 80s it was 2.7 million hectares, currently the estimate of intact forest cover is about 1.6 million hectares. Ms Dapaah said lack of forest education in educational institutions was also another factor responsible for the continuous depletion of the forest.
She said the nation could not neglect forest education and survive and therefore suggested that intensive education should be encouraged in schools in order to prepare the youth to change their attitudes towards how they treat the forest.
Ms Dapaah urged the teachers to help in this direction to promote and sustain the forest so that it would in turn sustain "our lives as individuals and as a nation".
Mr Isaac Asiegbor, National President of ASTAG, said since 1994 ASTAG had been a lone voice exposing issues confronting agriculture and environmental training system, but not much had been achieved due to the fact that policy makers turned death ears to those issues.
We're Right on GT - President Kufuor
PRESIDENT J. A. Kufuor yesterday broke his silence on the much talked-about sale of Ghana Telecom saying, "the government is confident that it is doing the right thing for the interest of Ghana."
People who are opposed to the 70 per cent sale of the company will come to appreciate what the government is doing when the scrutiny by Parliament of the sale and purchase agreement currently is over, he told the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Kumasi yesterday.
President Kufuor was responding to an assertion by the acting TUC Secretary-General, Kofi Asamoah, that the agreement on the sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone of the UK, was unacceptable and the government should reconsider its decision for a broader public consultation on the matter.
"I am afraid that my brother Asamoah has not been well informed about the issue," the President stated when he stepped up to address the opening of the TUC’s quadrennial congress. He urged the TUC boss to listen to the workers of GT.
The congress, being held under the theme: "Social protection for all, a prerequisite for consolidating democratic governance — the role of Trades Unions".
Going back into history, President Kufuor said ‘Ghacem’ among others was equally a strategic state asset and stressed "do not let us allow ourselves to be moved by whatever motives we have and we should not be hypocritical."
He called on all and sundry to allow the matter to be dealt with by Parliament.
President Kufuor said in a spirit of partnership with the TUC, the government had not shied away from the suggestions and constructive criticisms of organised labour. It had taken them seriously and used such comments to refine many policies which had been enhancing the quality of dialogue within the Tripartite Committee, comprising the government, organised labour and employers, and helping in many ways to deepen the democratic process which began in 1992.
The President expressed concern about the labour inspectorate which he said must be more proactive and vigorous in the inspection of facilities and conditions at the work place for safety of the workforce which is part of the human rights of workers.
He said the government would take the necessary steps to equip the labour inspectorate department to be alive to its responsibilities.
President Kufuor said the aim of government is to achieve a living wage which, is dependent on high productivity. "While we are yet to attain this precondition, we should remind ourselves that, at the end of 2000 the national daily minimum wage was GH¢30 which meant a monthly wage of GH¢11.34, but today, the minimum wage stands at GH¢2.25 or monthly wage of GH¢60.75, representing an increase of 750 per cent over the period."
He expressed worry that "we seem not to appreciate how far we have come, but we will all do well to remember that the current minimum wage could buy more of any basic necessities such as gari, local rice, cassava, "koobi", Charlie wote (sandals), mobile airtime per minute on GT and muni-bus fare from Accra to Kumasi."
Touching on pension schemes, he said, it was one major concern which had engaged the government’s attention, adding that under the T.A. Bediako Commission steps had been taken to consolidate the different pension schemes operating in the country.
Another area of concern the President addressed was the private sector which he noted although generated 80-90 per cent of jobs, lacked access to capital. He said assistance in the form of credits of various kinds, including the Venture capital , the micro-finance and Small Loans Scheme (MASLOC), had been targeted at them.
So far, he said, the government had spent GH¢37 million on MASLOC alone and over 133,000 individuals had benefited from the scheme nationwide, since its inception two years ago. He added that the plan was to serve another butch of 39,000 people this year for which GH¢22.6 million had been earmarked.
He expressed satisfaction that the National Health Insurance Scheme had to date registered over 11 million subscribers, representing more than 55 per cent of the population.
The President also spoke about the December election and noted that Ghana had become the benchmark for credible elections on the continent and "we cannot afford to set the clock back certainly not, when so much is at stake".
Earlier in his address, the TUC Secretary General spoke about what he described as indiscriminate privatisation of state assets to foreign investors without any consideration whatsoever of other equally viable options.
He called for broad public consultations on the sale agreement of GT saying "in our considered opinion, GT is a strategic national asset and should not be hurriedly sold to foreign private interest without the necessary public consultations."
Mr Asamoah also expressed concern about "The emerging cynical practice of employers terminating the employment of workers indiscriminately."
He said that had become rampant following the infamous decision of an Accra High Court earlier in the year that gave a virtual free hand to employers effectively to terminate the employment of workers.
Mr Asamoah noted the judgement of the High Court was provoking great agitation and unrest among workers as employers were seeking to seize on it to get rid of so-called troublesome workers and unionists.
Inflation records marginal decline
Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - The annual rate of inflation for July dropped by 0.1 percentage point to 18.31 per cent, the first time since the beginning of the year.
The corresponding rate for June was 18.41 per cent. The rate had persistently gone up from the beginning of the year with April and May registering the highest margin of increase of about 1.5 percentage points.
Inflation had consistently risen from 13.8 per cent in March to 18.41 per cent as at the end of June, buoyed by high food and crude oil prices.
Professor Nicholas Nuamah, Deputy Government Statistician, attributed the marginal decline to falling prices of food items, mostly in the rural areas.
The non-food and food group contributed 10.45 and 7.86 per cent respectively.
Fish, bread and cereals added more than one percentage point to the rate of inflation for July. In the non-food group are transport, clothing, restaurants and footwear.
Prof Nuamah said the trend was likely to continue, barring further volatility in the global oil market.
"Barring further volatility in crude oil prices, it is likely the declining trend in inflation will continue as the country enters the harvest season," he said, and added that there was the need to further study the situation to allow for informed projections. On regional inflation trend, six regions recorded inflation rates above the national rate of 18.31 per cent with Central Region recording the highest of 27.95. Greater Accra Region, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo recorded rates below the national rate.
China Guns For Ghana’s Oil
High-powered team leaves Beijing for Accra to seek drilling license in the aftermath of Kufuor’s 24-hour visit..
A powerful Chinese delegation of some of the country’s finest power brokers hits Accra next Monday in search of what industry sources here in Beijing, China, say is the emerging power’s investment drive in Ghana’s newly found oil industry.
The delegation, this paper gathered, would be led by two of China’s most influential shot-callers and members of the all-powerful China People’s Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC), which once served as the de-facto legislature of China and remains an unofficial Upper House of China’s parliament.
Sources say the delegation would arrive as part of a team by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a New York and Hong Kong stock exchanges-listed company with a focus on exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas and Smart Rich Energy Finance (Holdings) Limited.
CNOOC is China’s third largest national oil company, with total assets of over $14 billion, while Smart Rich Energy Finance (Holdings) is a multi-million dollar company with interest in the provision of financial information services, credit card security device and management services.
GYE NYAME CONCORD gathered that Mr Zhu Wellin, one of the two CPPCC top guns and Executive Vice President of CNOOC, will lead the delegation to Ghana with his colleague Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Smart Rich, whose name was unavailable by press time.
Other members of the team, this paper gathered, would include geo-physicists, geologists oil drilling and exploration experts.
Their main mission is to secure rights to an oil drilling license and an allocated block in Ghana’s opening oil industry besides other investment interest, this reporter gathered.
Experts say the Chinese, whose company was once allocated one of the successful offshore oil blocks that Kosmos and Tullow Oil recently made significant oil finds in but failed to prospect, are now seething with regret over what they could have had. They have resolved to catch up to the Americans in the competition for investment in Ghana’s opening oil industry, sources told this paper.
The American-led Kosmos and London-based Tullow Oil companies both announced in June last year that they have hit oil in commercial quantities off Ghana’s Cape Three Points, sparking a frenzy among oil drilling companies and nations for Ghana’s oil blocks.
Now comes the Chinese, who have in recent years upped their investment portfolio in Africa’s oil industry and have been pushing for leading roles in the estimated eight per cent of world oil reserves controlled by African economies, including Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and emerging oil states like Ghana.
Admitting that he is aware a Chinese delegation with interest in the oil sector would be visiting Ghana without divulging further detail in a short interview with this paper, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Afare Donkor, told this paper that China has becomes one of Ghana’s leading investment sources, with huge investment in the roads, energy, hospitality and other sectors.
As a country in need of investment we welcome investors whose aspirations fit into ours, he told this paper.
During his 24-hour trip here to visit Ghana’s Olympic team and meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other world leaders, a number of high-flying Chinese delegations also took time to discuss business with the Ghanaian leader.
Among them was a delegation from the Chinese company constructing the $600 million Bui hydro dam, Sinohydro Corporation.
The Chinese company’s Group President, Fan Jixiang and Group Vice President and Board Chairman Huang Baodong at their meeting with Ghana’s President informed him that the Chinese government had just approved its counterpart funding for the 400 megawatts power project.
They thanked President Kufuor for his commitment to the project and his government’s early payment of its 10% counterpart funding of the project.
President Kufuor urged them on his part to ensure the speedy completion of the project upon receipt of the fund from EXIMBANK of China, saying the nation looks forward to the completion of the project on time.
3,000 school desks left to rot away
More than 3,000 dual desks meant for distribution to 21 basic schools in two municipalities in the Greater Accra Region, have been left in the open at Amasaman, apparently abandoned, although they are new.
Some of the furniture which for the past four months has been subjected to the vagaries of the weather, has started to rot.
Mr Dan Adu-Yeboah, Assistant Director in charge of Statistics and Planning at the Ga West Municipal Education office, told the Times on Monday that the desks formed part of about 5,000 desks provided by the government at a total cost of GH¢80million.
He said his office has already distributed its share of 2,500, to beneficiary schools in the Ga West municipality and claimed that the remaining ones are for the Ga South municipality.
However, the Co-ordinating Director of Ga South Municipal Assembly, C.K. Marbel, has denied any knowledge of the desks.
Mr Marbel told the Times that those allocated to Ga South have been taken and duly distributed to schools in the area.
He said he is not aware if a new distribution list has been issued.
Prof Mills still missing in action
The continued conspicuous absence of National Democratic Congress flag-bearer John Evans Atta Mills in the party's campaign, and the growing projection of his running mate is giving rise to concern among his party faithfuls, the Statesman has learnt.
Indeed, one might be forgiven for thinking the former law professor had abandoned the race in favour of John Dramani Mahama! A cursory glance at the news making the front pages of the country's newspapers as well as electronic media would bear this out.
This perception has been fueled in no small part by the NDC flagbearer's ceding of important public appearances to other members of his party, usually his running mate.
For instance, at a recent seminar aimed at offering opportunity for future political leadership in the country to lay out their vision for a crisis-free energy sector in the march towards a middle income status, organised by the Energy Centre and Lecture Committee of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the NDC view was presented by John Mahama, but only after serious haggling and threats of boycott.
The organisers had insisted that only flag-bearers were invited, Paa Kwesi Nduom (CPP), Edward Mahama (PNC) and Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP) gave their addresses in person A statement from Prof Mills' office confirmed he was in the country at the time.
A little later, Prof Mills was also conspicuous by his absence at a demonstration organised by the Committee for Joint Action, a group led almost exclusively by leading members of the NOC, on one of its numerous marches.
Last Tuesday, the NDC leader was again absent at a forum organised by the Ghana Trades Union Congress for Presidential candidates in Kumasi, the country's second largest city.
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, one time running mate to Atta Mills and former Minister in the Rawlings administration, was supposed to represent him.
However, Mumuni was rejected by the TUC with the explanation that the platform offered was for the presidential aspirants themselves and not their representatives.
TUC had deemed it expedient for the flag-bearers to tell the world about their individual programmes regarding job creation for the youth and other related issues.
Earlier, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential hopeful of the Convention People's Party, had completed his discourse. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party flag-bearer, also addressed the group.
John Mahama has regularly received greater media attention on his campaign tours.
A top notch of the NDC, who did not want to be mentioned, remarked to The Statesman: "This is very embarrassing to the party. I quite remember sometime ago when an energy forum was organised by a group of students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, our flag-bearer did not turn up. It does not augur well for our party because such forums give the candidates the opportunity to convince the electorate about their programmes".
According to him, "it is becoming increasingly clear that John Mahama, who is the running mate, is rather the leader of the NDC,” and wondered where Atta Mills is.
The electioneering campaign of the party appears to have been placed on the shoulders of John Mahama, who has been touring some parts of the country to canvass for votes in the December elections.
Authorities of Tamale Children's Home cry for assistance
Tamale, Aug. 13, GNA - The absence of a fence wall around the Nyohini Children's Home in Tamale has led to rampant stealing at the Home while estate developers have taken undue advantage of the situation to encroach on the land. Some of the residents have used the compound as grazing grounds for their livestock while others defecate indiscriminately around, creating a sanitation problem forcing the authorities to keep the children in their rooms.
Madam Augustina Quainoo, Supervisor of the Home told GNA in Tamale on Wednesday that as a result of the encroachment, the children were exposed sanitation problems and called for assistance to fence the Home to prevent the outbreak of an epidemic.
She said most of their buildings were in deplorable state particularly, those housing the children and could collapse if urgent steps were not taken to renovate them. Madam Quainoo recounted how an inmate who fell ill suddenly in the night died because there was no means of transport to convey him to the hospital.
She stressed the need for the Home to be provided with a means of transport to help prevent such an occurrence in future and facilitate administrative work at the Home.
Madam Quainoo said although the Home had been receiving support from corporate bodies and individuals, the assistance could not go beyond feeding the children and appealed for more funds to cater for the needs of the inmates.
"Though we receive government budgetary support, this is not adequate and regular, we appeal to corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals support the Home," she said. Madam Quainoo said children in the Home had increased from 32 to 500 since it was established in 1970.
"The Home has a monthly intake of 10 to 15 children and the increasing number calls for adequate resources to cater for them," she said. When contacted, Mr Jacob Achulo, Northern Regional Director of Department of Social Welfare, told GNA that plans were underway to build a fence wall for the Home.
He said Reverend Father Martin Balmas of Tamale Pastoral Centre had promised to help build part of the fence wall while the management of Tamale branch of Barclays Bank had indicated its willingness to help fence the Home as part of its social responsibility.
Mr Achulo said the department provided a motorcycle to the Home last year adding: "This is not enough since it is not the best means of transport to convey a child who has fallen ill in the night to the hospital or when it is raining."
Sale of GT is "insult" to Ghanaian ingenuity - Mills
Accra, Aug. 12, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday slammed the NPP government's intention to off load 70 per cent shares of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone B.V. International for US$900 million, describing it as an "insult" to the ingenuity of Ghanaians.
Prof. Atta Mills was addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters at the entrance of Parliament House in Accra during a demonstration organised by the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), a pressure group, to protest against the GT deal.
He said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) was creating a false impression about the opposition's protest against the sale of GT and noted that, the tolerance of dissenting opinions was very necessary for the growth of democracy in Ghana.
Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, announced to the crowd that the government had resolved to reconsider the terms of the sale of the shares in GT.
He said the announcement by government to reconsider the terms of sale of GT spelt out a partial victory for the opposition, adding, "every effort shall be made to ensure that the interest of Ghana is considered".
Mr Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of the CJA, criticised the manner in which government sold state companies without considering any alternatives to address the crisis such companies faced. He said there was no guarantee that GT would be better off when sold to a foreign company since the sale of some state-owned companies such as Ghana Airways had not yet yielded any positive results. Professor Atta Bintim, another member of the CJA, noted that there was enough competent human resource in the country and that changing the management of GT was a better option. He accused government of abusing the sovereignty of Ghanaians since it was bent on satisfying its interest and not the interest of the people of Ghana.
Ccommunities within Bui hydroelectric project to receive compensation
Bui (B/A), Aug. 11, GNA- Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Energy, on Friday assured communities within the Bui power hydroelectric power project of excellent compensation.
He said the sector Ministry in collaboration with the Land Valuation Board had completed the necessary procedures to compensate affected communities and asked the people to support the project. Mr. Owusu-Adjapong gave the assurance when he interacted with communities within the project's area as part of a working visit to the project site at Bui in Brong Ahafo. At Jama resettlement camp in Bole-Bamboi district of the Northern region, Mr. Owusu-Adjapong said the Ministry initially intended to construct two bore holes to provide the people with potable water.
"Even though I know life would be unbearable for you at the beginning, the government would do its best in providing you with some basic necessities that would alleviate your plight", Mr. Owusu-Adjapong said.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong later held discussions with the management of the Sino hydro Cooperation and contractors of the project at the Dam site.
He noted that even though the ethics of Chinese and Ghanaian differed, there was the need for the workers to peacefully co-exist to improve relations between the two countries. Mr. Owusu-Adjapong advised the workers at the Site to work hard and learn from the contractors. He expressed optimism that the project on completion would help bridge the gap between the Northern and Brong-Ahafo regions in infrastructural development.
Mr. Nana Michael Togbadza, leader of the Camp, complained that because of the resettlement, the people who are mainly farmers and fishermen currently had no means for survival and appealed to government provide them with food items and improved seeds for farming. He appealed to government to pay compensation to the people on time so that they could provide their domestic needs.
Mr. Togbadza said infrastructural projects including school, community center and places of convenience were under progress at the camp.
Nana Kwadwo Pambo II, Chief of Jama, said the area had lost vast tracts of land, most especially due to the resettlement exercise. He appealed to government to expedite action on the payment of compensation designed for the traditional council and the affected people.
Nana Pambo called on the authorities to extend electricity to the area and improve the road networks to facilitate economic activities. At Banda-Ahenkro Okokyeredom, Nana Kwadwo Sito 11, Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, expressed regret that the previous government took a large portion of the traditional land for the establishment of the Bui National Park without paying compensation to the people. He said "I believe the New Patriotic Party Government will not do a similar thing".
Nana Sito commended government for initiating the Bui power project and gave assurance that his people would cooperate to with the authorities to towards its successful completion.
With the Energy Minister on the tour were Mr. Antwi Darkwa, Director of Power at the Ministry, Mr. Addo Yobo, Chief Executive Director of Bulk Oil Storage Transport (BOST), Mrs. Diana Hammond, Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Fred Owusu, Director of Bui hydroelectric authority and Nana Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Regional Minister.
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