... December 2004 - Latest Headlines: --- NPP 52.25% --- NDC 45.03% --- PNC 1.81% --- CPP 0.91%

• 28.09.2008

Enrolment in public universities hits 117%

Enrolment in the country's public universities has been increasing yearly, since 2002 and 2003 academic year, representing an increase of 117 per cent. Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who disclosed this at the University of Cape Coast, during the weekend, said admissions for 2000/2001 were 40,673 while 2006/2007 rose to 88,445.

Over the same period, enrolment in the polytechnics rose from 18, 459 to 28,695, representing an increase of 55 per cent. Alhaji Mahama, who was speaking at the 39th Congregation of the university, said government's policy of encouraging private sector participation in the provision of tertiary education had also yielded very good results.

He said since 2001 to 2007, enrolment had increased from 1,667 to 18,278 constituting an increase of 96 per cent. Alhaji Mahama said the National Accreditation Board has given accreditation to about 25 private institutions to run tertiary programmes, explaining that government is however keen to ensure quality education.

He told the 7,299 graduates to put the knowledge they had acquired to productive and creative use, stressing: "The nation has invested so much in you, and I urge you to go into the world and make a difference." "Some of you may be tempted to look outside beyond the shores of the country for greener pastures. My advice to you is to resist the temptation and rather place the knowledge and skills you have acquired at the service of your country."

Alhaji Mahama asked them to be agents of change and serve as role models for the younger generation.

Commenting on the violence that had characterised this year's General Election, in parts of the country, he said there was the need for stakeholders to educate the public to know that elections need not be bloody.

He noted that elections are a peaceful process of choosing leaders for democratic governance. Alhaji Mahama called on the graduates to educate people to appreciate that being political rivals does not, in any way make them enemies.

"We all desire peace in order to have our present and long-term dreams come true."

The out-going Vice Chancellor, the Reverend Professor Emmanuel Obeng said the university was currently the only academic facility in Africa to be offering African studies as an under-graduate course. He said the university was collaborating with other universities worldwide in key areas of faculty, student and staff exchange for research and professional dialogue. Rev. Prof. Obeng said the UCC had signed a memorandum of understanding with Xiangtan University, for the provision of Confucius Institute for the study of Chinese language and culture on the Cape Coast campus. He said the university had introduced a gender policy to deal with sexual harassment of students on campus. Dr. Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University said lack of capital flow was stalling the expansion of facilities on campus. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang takes over as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the university in Ghana. 28 Sept. 08

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• 27.09.2008

Prof. Agyeman Badu replaces Prof. Adei at GIMPA

The Council of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has appointed Prof. Yaw Agyeman Badu as the new rector of the institute, effective December 15, 2008.

He takes over from Prof. Stephen Adei who attains the statutory retirement age of 60 on December 14, 2008.

Born on January 12, 1952, Prof. Badu attended Asanteman Secondary School from 1964 to 1969. He entered the University of Ghana in 197l and graduated in June, 1974 with combined honours in Economics and Political Science.

He obtained a Masters degree in Public Administration and was awarded a Ph. D. in International Relations and Public Administration at the University of South Carolina in the United States in 1975 and 1980 respectively.

A statement issued by the institute said Prof. Badu had held various positions in academia, including Deputy Rector and Dean of Academic Affairs at GIMPA, Associate Dean and Professor of Finance at the School of Management at Delaware State University, USA, and Department Chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at Virginia State University in the US.

It said he had served on many important boards, committees and programmes of GIMPA, either as chairperson, member or co-ordinator and had also served on a number of public boards and committees.

“Prof. Badu has attended many national and international conferences as a participant, facilitator or discussant. As a scholar, Prof. Badu has published extensively in his area of specialisation which include Public Administration, Public Policy, Corporate Governance and Research Methods," the statement said.

Kwahu North District MHIS registers more than 72,000 clients this year

Donkorkrom (ER), Sept. 27, GNA - Management of Kwahu North District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme registered 72,401 clients by the end of August this year as against 52,801 clients last year. This represents an increase of 45.1 per cent. Mr Daniel Agyepong, Chairman of Board of Directors of the scheme, announced this at the Third Annual General Meeting of the scheme at Donkorkrom.

He said the scheme recorded 76,750 patients in the out patient department (OPD), and paid 820,140 Ghana cedis as claims to 13 service providers in the district.

Mr Agyepong said although the scheme was established about five years ago patronage had not been encouraging due to lack of adequate water transport logistics to reach communities on the dwarf islands.

He commended Nana Okai Duam II, Chief of Donkorkrom, for releasing land to construct permanent offices for the scheme and expressed appreciation to the assembly for its support as well as the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) for providing the scheme with a Toyota pickup, motor bikes, bicycles, four computers and accessories. Mr Kwadwo Affram-Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, in an address read on his behalf, commended the board and management for their ingenuity to register more clients considering the terrain of which 147 out of the 689 communities in the district were on islands. However, he urged them to intensify sensitization programmes to register more clients to enable them access quality and affordable health care delivery.

Mr Affram-Asiedu advised stakeholders in the operations of the scheme to endeavour to avoid the current trend where between 70 to 90 per cent of their revenue were spent in paying health care bills. He advised them to emphasize on preventive health care through public education on environmental cleanliness, personal hygiene and good eating habits to reduce diseases among the people.

Mr Affram-Asiedu urged management of the scheme to collaborate with Ghana Health Service Directorate to educate the public on sanitation. Mr Collins Akuamoah Danso, Eastern Regional Manager of National Health Insurance Authority, urged the management team to evolve more innovative marketing strategy to increase coverage.

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• 26.092008

Recruit knowledgeable polling agents - Former President J.J.Rawlings

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday, called on the leadership of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recruit people with electoral knowledge to serve as polling agents for Election 2008.

"We need to recruit sharp, intelligent men and women of integrity as polling agents, train and equip them with the necessary electoral resources and knowledge to police our interest throughout the electoral process," Former President Rawlings stated at a public lecture organised by the Party under the theme "To Set The Records Straight". He expressed reservations about moral integrity of some past polling agents, who abandoned their duty post during the electoral process paving way for manipulation at the polling stations. Former President Rawlings said the qualification criteria should include loyalty to the Party, exhibition of knowledge of electoral rules, integrity of the person and men and women of courage. He therefore urged loyal NDC members to volunteer as polling agents stressing, "My wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings is ready to volunteer as a polling agent on Election Day."

Former President Rawlings urged the media especially television stations to reduce focusing on him but concentrate on the Party's Flag bearer Professor John Evans Atta Mills and his Running Mate, Mr John Dramani Mahama on their campaign tours.

"I don't need media publicity, Prof. Atta Mills deserve all the media attention, he is the man of the moment, ready to continue and serve the nation for a "Better Ghana," policy," Former President Rawlings noted.

He challenged NDC supporters to move to the hamlets across the country to educate the public on the Party's policies, debunk negative propaganda churned out by "our opponents." Former President Rawlings noted that the rank and file of NPP were panicking when they see the masses following our Flag bearer and his running mate.

He commended the military and police personnel for their discipline and challenged them to maintain the high sense of professionalism before, during and after Election 2008. Former President Rawlings explained that disobeying an unlawful order was a duty not only to security personnel but the entire Ghanaian populace, "an unlawful order is a wrong instruction which should be disobeyed."

Dr Tony Aidoo, Former Deputy Minister of Defence urged the electorate to vote the NPP out of power for deceiving the public. Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary (Operations) alleged that the ruling NPP and its Flag bearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had deliberately hidden from Ghanaians some problems that had affected the smooth operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He said "Operation of the NHIS would have been better if the NPP had listened to the NDC who initiated a pilot implementation of the NHIS."

"Problems affecting operation of the NHIS has affected operations and ability of managements of hospitals and other health facilities to procure vital drugs and essentials for delivery of quality healthcare." Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said due to the poor implementation of the NHIS policy, waiting time in hospitals had increased, motivation of health personnel was low and poor working conditions continued to undermine quality health care delivery.

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NPP's development record is a hoax - Mahama

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Mr John Dramani Mahama, Running Mate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday said the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) trumpeted development record was a hoax.

He said: "As I travelled across the nation on my campaign I often ask the people, which government constructed their road, schools, connected the town to the national electricity grid, provided potable water and the refrain that followed immediately is the NDC Government."

"What the NPP Government has added to national development over the past eight years is practically marginal and in most areas nothing in spite of the heavy injection of capital into the Ghanaian economy including the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) benefit.to whom much is given, much is expected," Mr Mahama stated at public lecture organised by the Party under the theme "To Set The Records Straight" in Accra.

It was attended by a cross-section of the public including former Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, students, academia, journalists and NDC supporters.

Mr Mahama noted that NDC had very impressive record of achievements and should stand out to defend it.

"We are not afraid to compare records as we have a better record of accomplishment than the NPP.I challenge the NPP to a sector by sector comparison of records".

Giving statistics, he said in the education sector, the NDC between 1993 and 2000 built 6,321 pre-schools while the NPP had built only 2,362 over the past eight years, primary schools..NDC built 12,335 but NPP had built only 1,013, JSS - NDC built 6,414 and NPP had built only 853. In the SHS, NDC built 264 and NPP built 19, NDC built 110 Science Resource Centres but NPP had not been able to build any over the past eight years, Polytechnics..NDC built seven and NPP had not built any. Mr Mahama said: "If indeed the NPP over the past eight years have improved the lot of Ghanaians they need not to tell the electorate that his or her economic condition have improved.

"If your economic condition have improved you know it, it is your pocket, yes I must admit that some few individuals condition have improved but the larger majority are suffering."

He said over the past eight years, the NPP Government had not been able to increase the public housing unit with even a single flat, in spite of creating a Ministry for the rail sector, the eastern rail lines had virtually collapsed.

Mr Mahama therefore called on the electorate to reject the NPP during Election 2008 and vote massively for Professor Atta Mills to revamp the economy.

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Political Parties Accuse EC of Extortion

Eight political parties in the country are accusing the Electoral Commission (EC) of extortion, claiming the filing fees as set by the EC are too high.

The EC has set filing fees for presidential candidates contesting the 2008 general elections at GH¢5000 and GH¢500 for parliamentary candidates. The figures were raised from the 2004 elections nomination fees of GH¢2000 and GH¢50 respectively.

In a joint press statement issued in Accra Thursday September 25, 2008, the parties, including the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Peoples National Convention (PNC), Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), the others are EGLE Party, United Renaissance Party (URP), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), say the filing fees are arbitrary, unrealistic and unfair.

They are demanding that the increment should reflect the current level of inflation. They are therefore proposing that the fees should be adjusted by the current inflation rate of a rounded figure of 20%. The parties also claim that because the EC is a state funded institution, asking them to pay the stated amount, amounts to extortion. Moreover, the parties say, the EC did not consult them before it decided on the figures. In the statement, the parties have demanded a meeting with the EC within a week from today September 25, 2008 to resolve the issue. They said the EC should meet with them if it is interested in promoting democracy in the country.

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NPP campaign bases on truth and not propaganda

Tongor-Dzemeni, Sept 26, GNA - Mrs Agnes Okudzeto, First Vice-Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said on Friday that the party's campaign guiding principle was the graphic presentation of achievements of the party for assessment by the people. She said that explains why the executive structure of the party at all levels had no position for a propaganda officer. Mrs Okudzeto was addressing a durbar of mainly women party activists in the South-Dayi constituency at Tongor-Dzemeni on Friday. Mrs Okudzeto, who accompanied Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo, wife of NPP flag bearer on a two-day tour of the Volta Region, said propaganda, which entailed craftily using lies and half truths to win sympathy of people, was not part of the NPP style.

She said NPP performance was inviolable and could not be erased by messages and images of lies by other parties.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, who was on the trip said projects the NPP government brought to the Dzemeni had established a bond between the party and the people there, which could not be broken by dishonest representations by other parties or individuals. Mrs Akufo-Addo who commenced her tour at Juapong with a meeting with market women continued to Nkwanta and Kpassa in the northern part of the region.

Her programme hit a snag when on her return from Kpassa, the entire retinue including some wives of defeated aspirants to the NPP presidential candidature, Mr Dzamesi, party activists and hangers-on were held up for about two hours behind an articulated truck carrying scrap and a bus, stuck deep in mud on a partially completed culvert. Mrs Akufo-Addo had told a rally at Kpassa that the roads in the area would be of paramount concern for her husband when he was elected president.

At all her stops, including Kadjebi she extolled the NPP policies of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), School Feeding Programme, Capitation Grant, infrastructure build-up. The trip which should have continued to Ho and Dzodze was called off due to the death of the Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning Minister.

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• 25.09.2008

 How Hon. Baah Wiredu Died

Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Honourable Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu yesterday passed away in far away South Africa, where he had gone to seek medical attention for his ailing health. Credible information available to The Independent newspaper from South Africa say, Hon. Baah-Wiredu left Accra by South Africa Airways on September 11, 2008 to Johannesburg for medical attention over his ailing health.

He went for medical check up in that country, but on examination at the hospital in Johannesburg where he checked-in, the doctors decided to detain him for further examination.

According to our sources, it became imperative that, surgery should be performed on him, which operation was successful and was discharged last week-end, The Independent Newspaper learnt.

The late Minister, after this development, moved from Johannesburg to the residence of a Ghanaian Diplomat in Pretoria.

The Independent learnt from our credible South Africa sources that, early yesterday, there was a serious relapse creating complications, following which the decision was taken to take him to another hospital in Pretoria by name Little Mary Company Hospital. The late Minister, The Independent Newspaper learnt, was admitted into the Intensive care Department of Little Mary Company Hospital where after a short stay at that department, he passed away.

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Ghana receives more Japanese volunteers

Accra, Sept. 25, GNA - The total number of Japanese volunteers to Ghana under the Japan Overseas Volunteers (JOCV) project since its introduction in 1977 has reached the 1,000-mark, with the posting of nine volunteers this week.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Ghana Office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said these volunteers undertook different projects in different communities all over the country to meet the requirements of each region, especially the highly deprived areas. According to the statement, the volunteers had so far assisted in areas such as health and education through the teaching of subjects like Science and Mathematics, Primary Education, Computer Technology, Hydro Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Veterinary Medicine and Nursing. They also engage in activities that result in youth, sports and community development, HIV and AIDS control, infectious diseases control and acquisition of vocational training skills such as dressmaking, handicrafts, design, carpentry, and teaching of computer science. Currently, there are over 100 professional Japanese volunteers working to support development of Ghana.

The first batch to have been dispatch was on August 17, 1977, which included seven Science and Mathematics teachers, one vegetable-growing volunteer and one rice cultivation volunteer. This was made possible after exchange of notes between the then government of Ghana and Japan for the establishment of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Ghana. The statement said JOVC, which was under the scheme of JICA, had been committed to serving the people of Japan and Ghana "as a bridge to advance international cooperation through sharing of knowledge and experience".

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NDC cautions international observers

Accra, Sept. 25, GNA - Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Thursday sounded a note of caution to international observers coming for the December elections, urging them to consider all the evidence before making declarations on the elections to prevent violence.

He observed that in Kenya, post-election violence was partly due to the fact that in spite of abundant evidence of illegal movement of ballot papers and declaration of results in areas where there was no voting, the international observers angered the people by declaring the election as free and fair.

He said the NDC would like to caution the international observers ahead of their coming to be circumspect with their declarations as that could fuel unnecessary violence, especially when it opposed the evidence.

Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah made the call at the launch of UNITAS Foundations (UF), a non-governmental organisation, with a mission to consolidate democracy in Ghana, particularly educating the electorate to conduct themselves in a manner as would ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in December.

He said Professor John Evan Ata Mills, flag bearer of the NDC, had declared publicly that he would not make any inflammatory statements in the run-up to the elections, adding that, the NDC would expect the other political parties to do same.

"We are not interested in power sharing - we are confident that if the election is organised in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner we will win and we expect that when we win, power should be handed over to us peacefully," he said.

Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah said in the run-up to the elections, it was important that political parties and other stakeholders spoke out on abuses of the system to ensure that the process itself was free and fair, else the desire for a free, fair and peaceful election would be a mirage.

He recalled that when the NDC kicked against the Representation of the People's Amendment Law (ROPAL) and the over-bloated electoral roll, the party's concern was misconstrued as just one of the NDC-NPP dichotomization of national issues.

"History will be our witness. In fact, even the EC is already complaining about the electoral roll being bloated by about two million people in the aftermath of the limited registration exercise," he said. Mr Afriyie-Ankrah said the incidences of underage persons voting could be blamed on both the NDC and the NPP, but the bottom-line was that anyone found culpable, should be brought to book irrespective of their political party.

He also called on the EC to flush out all permanent and temporary staff members who had been found to collude with opposing parties at the polling stations, saying that some of the violence at the polling could be traced to biased EC staff.

"We would also like to appeal to the security agencies (apart from the military) detailed to provide security during the elections, to desist from showing guns at the polling stations; we are not in a war situation and the guns could scare people off," he said. He touched on the recent spate of violence at Gushiegu in the Northern Region, saying that in the incident, seven cars and four houses belonging to NDC members got burnt and four NDC members died. Mr. Afriyie called on the media and all stakeholders to be balanced in their approach to election issues and join hands to foster a workable mechanism to ensure a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.

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HIPC Toilets On Sale!

After sale of GT, Military Lands, Ghana Airways etc

After presiding over the sales of Ghana Telecom, Ghana Airways, Military lands and many others, the Kufuor led NPP government is in the process of selling HIPC toilet facilities in the districts through the supports of District Chief Executives throughout the country.

Investigations conducted by the Evening Tribune newspaper in the Akyemanse District in the Eastern region indicates that HIPC toilets built at Akyem Chia, Ayirabi, Brenase, Ofoase Abranse and other villages that benefited from such facilities are on sale at the cost of two hundred million cedis (¢200,000,000). Our investigation also reveals that since the toilet facilities were built more than two years ago, the communities have since been denied the use of them but left to be engulfed by wild-bush and reptiles.

All efforts by the chiefs and opinion leaders in those communities to talk to the DCE of Akyemanse District Assembly, Nana Aqua Frimpong and the Member of Parliament of Ofoase-Ayirebi Hon. David Oppong-Kusi to allow them to use the toilets have all fallen on death ears. According to an opinion leader at Ofoase who spoke to this paper, he lamented that “our main worries are that, we don’t know who is buying these toilet facilties and where the monies are going to, since the HIPC toilets were built by the tax payer’s money and meant for the communities”.

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Mahama sympathises with Kantamanto fire victims

Accra, Sept. 25, GNA - Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, Flag bearer of People's National Congress (PNC) on Wednesday called for the establishment of a fund to compensate victims of Kantamanto market fire disaster.

"We need to set up a fund to be managed by executives of Kantamanto Railway Traders Association successfully with government playing a supervisory role," he said.

Dr Mahama made the call when sympathising with victims of last Monday fire outbreak at the market.

He said PNC would contribute to the fund when established. Dr Mahama called on appropriate authorities to be proactive and responsible and institute preventive measures to prevent its occurrence. "Thank God there were no casualties and could have been prevented if the stakeholders had planned well ahead of time," he said. Dr Mahama said it was unfortunate that most of the traders purchased their goods on credit and could not repay their debtors because of the disaster.

"Most of them have lost their livelihood and need employment but in Ghana unemployment benefits are not paid but the victims need to survive and need capital to get back into business," he added. Dr Mahama said in redesigning and construction of the market, traders, security agencies and all stakeholders must be involved. Mrs Comfort Mahama who accompanied his husband, called on the authorities to isolate dealers of inflammable items from the rest to reduce the intensity of fire outbreak in markets. She appealed to management of GNFS to ensure the provision of adequate fire hydrants at markets and intensify education on their operations to traders.

Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, National Chairman of PNC called for the reconstruction of the market and provision of access roads for GNFS fire tenders.

Mr Samuel Danquah, General Secretary of Kantamanto Railway Traders Association expressed appreciation to leadership of the various political parties for sympathising with them. Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, Mayor of Accra and Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Tawiah 111, also visited the market to sympathise with the victims.

Mr Maxwell Yeboah, a Compact Disc (CD) dealer at the market said it was a major disaster at the market in a decade.

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Gov't unimpressed with new corruption ratings

Deputy Minister of Information, Frank Agyakum, says the new corruption perception index does not represent government’s efforts in fighting corruption in the country.

Ghana is perceived as less corrupt according to transparency International perception index, which ranked Ghana 67th from a total of 187 with a mark of 3.9 %.

Even though the index represents an improvement from last year’s 3.7, the deputy minister says “government has done more than the figures represent.”

“We have put in place a lot of measures which should put us even higher, and if they look much deeper, they will see that government has done a lot more in terms of fighting corruption than the indicators have given us,” he added.

He however indicated that the improvement though negligible, is a vindication of government stance of using anti-corruption laws.

In an interview with Joy News, Mr. Agyakum dismissed the assertion that the laws were not working; “I fail to understand how anybody can tell me the laws are not working. The procurement law as well as all the other anti-corruption laws are working, “he emphasised.

He said government has provided congenial environment for the laws to work and advised the citizens to make use of it.

On why the freedom of Information Bill is yet to be enacted into law, Mr. Frank Agyakum said all the necessary background work has to be done first to make the law functional.

According to him the record keeping procedures in the country must be improved first before the enactment of the law.

“We still use paper files and pile them on our shelves in our offices. When the law is passed there is a time limit within which government as the implementing agency has to provide the information, unless we improve on the way we store and retrieve information passing the law will be difficult,” he said.

According to him a committee headed by Justice Crabbe has been instituted to solve these fundamental problems associated with freedom of Information Bill to ensure passage and its effective implementation.

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Three died in accident around Jasikan

Jasikan (V/R), Sept. 25, GNA - Two men and a woman met their untimely death, when a taxi cab in which they were travelling from Jasikan to Hohoe, collided with a Benz cargo truck on the outskirts of Jasikan.

Janet Afezuke, a trader at Jasikan died on the spot, while Paul Atisei and Ben Sagba, both English tutors of Jasikan Training College, who were going to Hohoe to submit marked examination papers, to be forwarded to the University of Cape Coast, died moments after admission at the district hospital in Jasikan.

Mathias Tetteh, driver of the taxi cab number GW 8774 R fractured both thighs and was transferred to the Regional Hospital in Ho, while another female passenger and one of her two children sustained injuries and are in critical conditions at Jasikan district hospital. Adam Zibilla, driver of the Benz cargo truck Number AS 3365 D in his hospital bed, said he loaded plywood, paints, roofing sheets and 14 bicycles from Accra enroute to Bimbila, and was overtaken by two taxi cabs close to Jasikan.

One of the taxis suddenly stopped without signal and he veered to prevent running into it and in the process collided with the on-coming taxi cab.

The impact of the collision was devastating such that the taxi was reduced to a scrap and beyond repairs. 

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HIV/AIDS cases increase in Nkoranza District

Nkoranza (B/A), Sept. 25, GNA - Mr Richard Kwasi Hinneh, Nkoranza District Director of the Health Service, has expressed concern about the high prevalence rate of HIV cases in the district. He has, therefore, called on all and sundry especially opinion leaders in the area to intensify educational campaign against the spread of the disease.

Mr Hinneh was addressing participants at a sensitization workshop at Nkoranza at the weekend organized for about 40 community leaders from Nkoranza South District.

It was aimed at educating and equipping the participants to speak strongly against stigmatization to enable people living with HIV to live comfortably in their communities. The workshop organized by the Rural Care Foundation (RUCAF), an NGO, and attended by assembly members and their unit committee members, traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, and the media personnel.

Mr Hinneh announced that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the district as at December last year was 3.2 per cent adding, since every one was at the risk of contracting the pandemic, it was necessary for every individual to take precautionary measures.

He said: "It is rather unfortunate that the youth, the productive age group of the nation, were identified to be the most affected." He attributed the situation to their negative sexual attitudes and practices.

Ms Patience Danquah, National Director of Rural Health Foundation, noted that the Foundation was operating in Nkoranza for the first time in Brong-Ahafo.

She said it would visit churches, schools, organizations, groups and other associations to create the awareness on the NGO and its mission to enable the public to join them in the fight against the disease.

Mrs Eva Agbodo-Saku, Nkoranza District Public Health Nurse, disclosed that about 1,181 people were tested HIV positive between 2000 and the end of the second quarter of this year. She said it was only last year that the district did not record an increase in HIV case. Mrs Agbodo-Saku called for hard work among health workers and support from the public towards the achievement of the goal.

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• 24.09.2008

CPP to revive all abandoned factories establish by Dr Nkrumah

Winneba(C/R), Sept. 24, GNA - The flag bearer of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom on Tuesday said the party would revive viable factories including the workers brigade, state farms, sugar factories and jute factories established by Dr Kwame Nkrumah to create jobs for the youth.

He reminded Ghanaians that tertiary education was free during the era of the CPP and promised to reverse to that situation, when his party came to power.

Dr Nduom said these when he addressed a well-attended mini-rally of CPP supporters and sympathizers in the Effutu Constituency at Winneba. He had earlier addressed similar rallies at Kasoa, Bawjiase and Agona Swedru, where he appealed to the people to vote the CPP into power to continue with the good work of Dr Nkrumah. Included in the campaign tour was the National Treasurer of the CPP, Mr Mike Eghan, Central Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Edu Ansah, the second Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr Isaac Johnson and the Regional Treasurer, Mrs Grace Appiah.

Dr Nduom said the CPP, which had suffered a lot of humiliation from some political parties since the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was now vibrant and ready to take over the administration of the nation. He said the CPP was poised to unseat the NPP Parliamentary candidate for the area and was working hard to elect a reliable candidate to contest the December elections. Mr Mike Eghan told those who were saying that the CPP could not win political power now to discard that notion and join the party to increase its numerical strength. He appealed to supporters of the party to intensify their campaign in a bid to ensure victory, adding that a vote for the CPP was a vote for peace.

The Chairman of the Effutu Constituency, Mr Gordon Afari advised members of the party to show love and respect towards one another in their quest to build a formidable front to wrestle power come December 7.

24 September  2008

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Ghana opens mission in Iran next week

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Government will open a Ghana Mission in Iran next week, Mr. Valiollah Mohammadi, Iranian Ambassador to Ghana announced on Wednesday during a courtesy call on Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations.

He said the Mission in Iran would enable Ghana to receive more Iranian tourists adding that currently more than 400 Iranians visited Ghana for tourism and other purposes.

"About three years ago there were only a few Ghanaians visiting Iran and vice-versa but now more than 300 Ghanaians visit Iran for different purposes as well."

Mr. Mohammadi pointed out that because Ghana had no mission in his country the number of people from Iran who wished to visit this country was limited because of visa problems but with the establishment of a Ghanaian Mission in Iran the country should expect more tourists. The Iranian Ambassador also extended an invitation to Ghana's Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to attend the 2nd International conference on Investment in the Tourism Sector so that Ghana could learn from his country and also share Ghana's experience with Iran.

"The Tourism sector is one area where the two countries can cooperate," Mr Mohammadi said, and mentioned Iran's cultural heritage, craft and tourism industry as areas that Ghana could learn from since Ghana also had a lot of heritage sites. Heritage sites in Ghana include museums, castles, and old historical buildings that need to be preserved for future generation. Mr. Mohammadi presented DVDs and brochures on the Iranian tourism industry to the Minister.

Mrs Sai-Cofie said she was looking forward to working closely with her counterpart in Iran and to learn more from the vibrant artisan industry in Iran.

"We will take advantage of the close relationship between the two countries and learn to improve our sector," she said. Earlier the Minister received the Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, Mr Darran Schemmer who said he was very impressed with the Ghana's tourism industry.

Mrs Sai-Cofie said the tourism sector was becoming a huge industry and called on the private sector to be involved in the booming industry. She mentioned Ghana's readiness to learn more on improving eco-tourism sites and said Canada had a good reputation in ecotourism. Ecotourism involves developing tourist attraction sites without damage to the environment.

Mr Edward Komla, a Director at the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, said Canada offered a lot of opportunities for eco-tourism and urged the High Commissioner to help Ghana benefit from the technical know-how in developing tourism in a sustainable way.

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Gov't to assist fire victims at Kantamanto market

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Wednesday announced that government has authorised the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to establish a special office, to cater for victims of the fire disaster that erased Kantamanto market on Monday, September 22.

The office, which would be operative on Wednesday, October 1, would evaluate the loss of the traders to enable government to offer them relief.

The incident, which occurred around 2018 hours, however, did not register any casualties but led to the burning of more than 600 stalls. Alhaji Mahama made the announcement when he led a government delegation to the smoke-filled market, where the massive destruction of the disaster was eminent by the look of the burnt downed sheds and the debris of the merchandise destroyed.

Alhaji Mahama was flanked by Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of the Interior and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Nana Obiri Yeboah, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Mr Stanley Nii Blankson, AMA Chief Executive.

The rest are the Inspector General of Police, Mr Patrick Acheampong Mr Felix Kwame Ferkah, Chief Fire Officer and Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, acting Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation. Alhaji Mahama said he had informed President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is on official tour of the US on telephone about the incident and had therefore led the delegation to convey government's sympathy to them.

He said government was greatly disturbed by the incident, since the disaster would have negative consequence on the national economy. "Whatever affects you (traders) affects government," he said, attracting prolonged cheers.

Alhaji Mahama however, cautioned the traders to learn a lesson from the incident and prevent future occurrence. Dr Addo-Kufuor announced a relief package of 100 packets of roofing sheets and 500 bags of cement from his Ministry to the victims. Sheikh Quaye said the Regional Co-ordinating Council would also unveil an assistance package.

Mr. Blankson announced that the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo- Addo has donated 1,000 packets of roofing sheets to the victims.

He cautioned the traders to be circumspective about their business operations, since the market had suffered two major fire disasters in two years.

Mr Ferkeh asked the assemblies to provide fire hydrants and access roads to all markets to facilitate the combating of fire and other disasters.

He also appealed to government to improve on the fire tender fleet of the Ghana National Fire Service to enable it to live up to its responsibilities. Mr. Ferkeh asked the traders to avoid setting fires for cooking and illegal electrical connections, which often led to disasters.

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Ga Mantse visits Kantamanto market

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Ga Mantse Tackie Tawiah III on Wednesday welcomed government decision authorising the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to establish a special office to cater for victims of the fire disaster that swept over 600 stores and shops at Kantamanto market on Monday night. Speaking to affected traders at the market he expressed his sympathy to the victims and said he was pleased that no casualties were registered.

He said it was unfortunate that such a disastrous fire should destroy the effort of the hard working traders. The Ga Mantse asked them to exercise restraint and allow the members of the special office, which would be operative next Wednesday, to would evaluate the loss to enable government to offer them relief. Mayor of Accra Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson announced that the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has donated 1,000 packets of roofing sheets to the victims. He appealed to the traders to remain calm and noted that government would do everything possible to come to their aid.

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• 23.09.2008

Fire destroys goods at Kantamanto Market

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - Fire gutted the second hand clothing dealers section at Kantamanto market in Accra on Monday night destroying goods worth several millions of Ghana cedis belonging to traders.

However, there were no casualties.

The fire which began at about 8:15 pm spread through the market and by 11:30 pm it was still raging on.

Mr Agyarko Attobrah, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Greater Accra Regional Commander of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) told Ghana News Agency that his outfit received news about the fire outbreak very late. He said residents around the market tried to put out the fire but when it got out of hand, they alerted the fire personnel while it continued spreading to other areas.

Mr Attobrah was optimistic that with a workforce of 30 fire personnel, four fire tenders and two water tankers the fire could be controlled.

He advised shop owners to acquire portable fire extinguishers to enable them save their property during fire outbreak.

Mr Attobrah said shop owners should ensure only qualified electricians undertake the wiring of their shops with the appropriate electrical cables and change them periodically to prevent fire outbreak from faulty electrical cables.

He called on authorities of the market to provide good access to facilitate operations by fire personnel during fire outbreak. Mr Attobrah appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, to enact bye-laws to make it compulsory for shop owners to acquire portable fire extinguishers.

He said cause of the fire was not known and gave the assurance that it would be investigated, but an eyewitness account told GNA that it suspected an electrical fault.

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Mills, Naadu visit Kantamanto Market

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills and his wife, Naadu, have visited the Kantamanto Market in Accra which has been gutted by fire, destroying property running into millions of Ghana cedis. Professor Atta Mills and his wife, putting off their agenda for the morning, spent some time in the market walking through the debris and the thick smoke assessing first hand, the extent of colossal loss of property and sources of sustenance.

A statement by the Atta Mills campaign office said a lot of the traders Prof. Mills and his wife interacted with did not hide their high level of hopelessness.

According to some of the affected traders, suicide is flashing on their minds because life, for them, is not worth living. This is especially so for those who said they borrowed huge sums of money to invest in their businesses and do not know how to make good their debt obligations.

Prof. Atta Mills and his wife commiserated with the unfortunate persons and called on the government to do all it can to help resuscitate the charred source of livelihood of the affected persons.

"This is the time that government must really show it cares because when people give the mandate to people to manage the affairs of state, they do so with the hope that their needs and concerns will be catered for," the NDC Leader said.

He also called on other well-meaning individuals and groups to stretch a hand of support to the unfortunate colleagues who had found themselves in such unfortunate situations.

"This is not about politics, it is about fellow Ghanaians who are suffering, and need a lot of support and comforting in this time of need," the NDC leader said.

He promised that the NDC would contribute its widow's mite, adding;

"We care that is why we are here and will contribute our widow's mite to help support you in this time of need." Prof. Atta Mills and his wife were accompanied by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe, NDC National Women's Organiser, Mr. Jonathan Nii Tackie Commey, NDC MP, Odododiodioo, and some executives of the constituency.

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Cocoa Festival launched at Akuapem-Mampong

Akuapem-Mampong(E/R), Sept. 23, GNA - A health walk was organized from Larteh Junction to the first cocoa farm established by Tetteh Quarshie at Akuapem-Mampong over 100 years ago to launch the first cocoa festival.

Participants in the walk were taken through processes of production and drying of cocoa beans and some were given a guided tour of the first cocoa farm and the Jubilee Cocoa Farm. The participants in the programme later visited the Museum at the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm Reception Centre where they were addressed by the former Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey appealed to the chiefs and people of Mampong-Akuapem to support cocoa festival for it to grow into a major world tourism festival. He said such a small programme could grow into a major tourism programme that could provide employment and wealth to change the economy of the Akuapem area.

The Akuapem-North District Chief Executive, Mr Edward Adu-Aboagye, said the road between Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm Junction and Mampong Nkwanta would be completed soon to open up the area for further development.

The Mankrado of Mampong-Akuapem, Nana Ansah Owora III, appealed to government to support the chiefs and people of the area to organize the 130th anniversary of Tetteh Quarshie next year.

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• 22.09.2008

Children rescued from child labour in three districts

 Juaso (Ash), Sept 22, GNA - Children's Rights International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment and three district assemblies have rescued 360 children from child labour in cocoa growing areas. Out of the number, 236 have chosen to go to school with the remaining 124 opting to learn various trades of their choices.

The children were rescued under the National Programme for Elimination of worst forms of child labour in cocoa (NPECLC) which is being piloted in Asante Akim District in the Ashanti Region, Kwaebibrem and Suhum Kraboa Coltar district both in the Eastern Region. Mr. Bright Appiah, President of Child Rights International (CRI), said this at a ceremony to hand over school uniforms, foot wear and exercise books to the Asante Akim South District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Abdul Karim Boakye-Yiadom, to be distributed to 90 rescued children in the district at Juaso on Friday.

Mrs. Rita Amankwaah, National Co-ordinator of NPECLE, said a survey conducted by the programme in cocoa growing areas showed 92 percent school attendance but 54 percent of the pupils could not read and write. She said the survey also revealed that most teachers engaged pupils in all sorts that affected their academic performance and called on such teachers to refrain from the practice.

Mr. Boakye-Yiadom said the assembly had been pivotal in the implementation of the programme in the district with the institution of a 15-member District Child Protection Committee to steer the programme effectively.

He said workshops and sensitization programmes had been organised for Community Child Protection Committees in the 10 communities as well as executives of Child Rights Clubs in schools in the district.

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Presidential Palace Abandoned

The completion of the Presidential Palace project before the inauguration of a new president is uncertain, as dark clouds hang over the project. The project, which was expected to have been completed in April this year, is yet to be finished for inauguration at least on December 8.

For months and days, it has been speculated that the new presidential office complex would be inaugurated (all thing being equal) on President Kufuor’s 70th birthday, December 8; just a day after the general election.

Deputy Minister for Information and National Orientation Frank Agyekum, in an interview with The Heritage, confirmed that the project was supposed to have been completed and handed over to Government next month (October) but “it would be handed over to Government in December.” The minister was unable to mention an exact date for the handing-over and inauguration.

Though laborers and artisans at the project site resumed work about three weeks ago after an industrial action over their wages, The Heritage’s investigation has revealed that over 100 artisans and labourers have either quit the work or been sacked by the management of Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd., the Indian construction company contracted by Government to build the presidential office complex.

Some workers have, however, told this reporter that several of their colleagues sacked were the ones suspected to have incited them (employees) to embark on the strike action.

Investigations have revealed that labourers employed by the main contractors, Shapporji Pallonji, are paid a daily wage of GH¢3.12p, whilst artisans take GH4.50p.

According to the workers, the contractors deduct 12p from the daily wage of each labourer in the name of tax and SSNIT contribution, whilst an artisan is paid his earning less 50p for the same social security contribution and tax.

“I have checked from the SSNIT office but I realized they had not paid the SSNIT. After I made noise for a long time, they paid for six months. But I don’t known the situation for other workers,” a worker who insists on strict anonymity told this reporter.

Several workers The Heritage spoke to also said that management of the project had announced for the umpteenth time that the project was over 90% complete and that there was the need to lay a majority of staff off. According to the workers, the project contractors had, notwithstanding that announcement, been silent on their redundancy benefits until they resorted to a sit-down strike.

The workers further told newsmen that in the absence of any information from Management on their redundancy benefits, rumours of how much would be thrown to teach had gained currency.

“Today, you will hear that the contractor says he will give three months’ salaries to workers as redundancy benefit aside of one’s last month’s salary, then tomorrow you will hear that they (contractors) will multiply GH¢10 by the number of months you have worked here (the project site); but the Indians have not yet come face-to-face with the workers to tell us anything,” a worker told newsmen.

Former Interior Minister Blamed For Killings In Anloga

Mr. Francis Nyonyo Agboada, a prominent citizen of the Anlo Traditional Area, has accused Mr. Kwamena Bartels, the former Minister of the Interior, of creating the chaotic and the disorderly situation at Anloga in the Volta Region, which led to the death of some people.

According to him, what was happening within the corridors of Anlo township, was an eyesore, and must be condemned.

"The people of Anlo are peace-loving, and I don't see the reason why some group of people should be murdering people consistently, with the security agencies looking on unconcerned. I am prepared to prove that the whole chaotic situation was created by Mr. Kwamena Bartels," he alleged, adding that the troubles leading to the abortive celebration of Hogbetsotso festival last November, could be attributed to the former Minister.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr. Agboada said he was alarmed at ongoing developments in the Anlo township, and said the ex-minister woefully failed to provide adequate security to prevent these dastardly actions, and prevail upon the security agencies to be up and doing.

To avert what he called a looming situation, before some people took the law into their own hands to defend themselves, he pointed out that all efforts must be made to arrest the perpetrators of such heinous crimes, to avoid the creation of a Dagbon-like situation in Anlo.

"What I am saying is that the consistent murder of people at Anlo, with the regional Minister who is in charge of the security, to say that some crimes were local, while others are national, is breeding a chaotic situation at Anlo. If this is allowed to continue, the people cannot stand the test. We should not play with the peace of the people," he said.

Nyonyo Agboada, who reiterated that he was not interested in ascending the Awoamezi throne, not because he was not qualified, said "If the law enforcement agencies are not seen to be in charge of affairs, what would happen in the upcoming general elections, would not be well for us as a nation."

He maintained that, "My worry now is that my people should live in peace. I see no reason why people should be killing, and it will continue unabated, without people being arrested and prosecuted for their wrongdoings. Why should injustice be perpetrated within the country?" he asked.

Francis Nyonyo Agboada, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fraga Oil, an oil marketing company, appealed to President Kufuor to set up an independent inquiry into the murder of the five people, who died last year, and provide adequate security for the people of the Anlo township.

We do not want our people to take the law into their own hands. We actually do not see the crime that the Royal Adzovia clan had committed to merit this act. It is our bequeathed legacy, that one of us should ascend the throne. It is therefore amazing that some group of people would want to decide for us, and continue to create trouble for our people."

He contended that the mayhem going on in the Anlo area, clearly suggested that there were people who did not have the Anlo state at heart, but were only interested in gaining from the troubles that they would foment.

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