| News Home (Main Page) |  | | LATEST WORLD NEWS | | | | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2009 | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2008 | | NEWS ARCHIVE 2007 | | PHOTO REPORTS | | VIDEO REPORTS | | ARTS in GHANA | | Food & Drinks in Ghana |  | | Africa Cup 2008 | | Ghana Hotels | | Links / Websites | | Ghana Districts | | Ghana Tourism | | Ghana Adinkra | Names in Ghana | | | | * 08.03.2010 | President Mills hosts Crown Prince of Japan to a luncheon * Source: | Accra, March 8, GNA - The Crown Prince of Japan, Naruhito, on Monday said his visit would mark a new era of the bonds and friendship between Ghanaians and Japanese.
He commended nationals of both countries for developing strong bonds of friendship between them, especially most of the youth on exchange programmes within the last century. Crown Prince Naruhito was responding to a toast by President John Evans Atta Mills at a luncheon at the Castle, Osu in Accra. He is on a four-day official visit to Ghana, at the invitation of the Government.
Earlier in the day, Crown Prince Naruhito laid wreaths at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in memory of Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and wife Fathia, and held talks with President Mills. The visit, his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa, would take him to Kenya to learn more about issues that would strengthen Afro-Japan relations. Crown Prince Naruhito praised the government for supporting the Hideyo Africa Prize established some years ago to reward excellence in medical research to combat infectious diseases in Africa.
He said 1960 was the African Year during which most African countries attained independence and commended Ghana for blazing the trail on March 6, 1957.
However, Crown Prince Naruhito noted that the 50 years of independence by most African countries had not been uneventful, because most of them had been affected by poverty, infectious diseases and conflicts but the relations between Japan and African countries had greatly developed. He said Ghana and Japan were connected by strong ties, and since Japan established its embassy in Ghana in 1953, the two nations had been working to strengthen their bilateral relations.
Crown Prince Naruhito commended the quality of Ghana cocoa, and said nearly 40 per cent of the cocoa beans imported into Japan came from Ghana, in addition to about 10 per cent of the world's production of shea butter coming from Ghana, had attracted the attention of Japan in the making of soap and cream.
President Mills expressed Ghana's appreciation to the people of Japan for their development assistance to Ghana and said the relationship between the two nations was a treasure, adding "Ghana want to make sure she strengthened the relationship for mutual benefits." He called on Japan to make her expertise in environmental management, water and sanitation available to Ghana and later presented a replica of Ghana's Independence Arch to Crown Prince Naruhito. | Concern expressed about certain negative development in Upper East * Source: GNA | Bolgatanga, March 8, GNA - A civil society organization, Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) operating in Upper East Region, has expressed concern about certain negative developments in the Region. The President of NORPRA, Mr. Bismark Adongo Ayorogo who led the members to the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo to express the concern, said they were not happy that medical examination of students in second cycle institutions in the region was undertaken by doctors from Accra. Mr. Ayorogo said there were equally qualified doctors in the Region who are as competent as their colleagues who travel from Accra to the Region for the exercise and monies paid to them could be used to develop the Region. He said NORPRA was not also happy about the situation where mock examination papers of junior high schools in the Region are given out for contract to a company in Accra.
"The printing can be done in the Region to save cost and other inconveniences."
Mr Ayorogo said NORPRA disagreed with teachers and staff motivation levies initiated by some school authorities in the Region where parents were made to pay some monies that are given to staff and teachers as a form of incentive.
The NORPRA Members appealed to the Committee organizing the region's 50th anniversary celebration to assign competent people in the Region to take up contracts on the designing of paraphernalia for the celebration instead of awarding it to contractors from outside the Region. It appealed to the Regional Minister to give them a role to play during the celebration.
NORPRA members asked the Regional Minister how far the Government had gone with the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). In response to the SADA question, Mr Woyongo said the government had finished some of the processes and that a bill on it was before parliament. He assured the NORPRA members that the Regional Coordinating Council would investigate the concerns they had raised and assured them of roles to play in the forthcoming celebration of the region's 50th anniversary scheduled to start in September. | AI urges governments to address gaps in women's right issues * Soure: GNA | Accra, March 8, GNA - Amnesty International (AI), a human rights organization, on Monday urged governments to respond to the critical gaps in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a statement affirmed and adopted by 189 governments on September 15, 1995 at the fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China.
Mr Lawrence Amesu, Director of Amnesty International, Ghana, at a public forum in Accra to mark International Women's Day on March 8, said to ensure meaningful progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there was the need for governments and related authorities to address structural human rights issues that affected especially women.
"Issues such as denial of sexual and reproductive rights, the right to be free from all forms of gender based violence, discrimination against women, women's unequal status in law and the lack of women's participation in decision making at various levels should be looked at," he said. AI's chosen theme for this year's celebration is: "Beijing +15: Time to Address the gaps in women's rights".
Mr Amesu said despite successes achieved in various countries in terms of creating bodies and institutions that monitored reported and addressed issues affecting women, many people still witnessed gender based violence and abuses against women and girls.
International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8, every year to celebrate women's achievements and look ahead to exciting opportunities that await women.
Mr Amesu said this year's celebration coincided with the 15-year comprehensive review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. He called on traditional leaders and authorities to abolish all forms of traditional and cultural practices that negatively affected women in order to make the society a happy place for all. Mr Amesu specifically called on the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and the High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces to investigate and make public the circumstances leading to the alleged raping of girls and women by some soldiers assigned to maintain peace in the Bawku ethnic conflict. He urged the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, and Ministry of Education to investigate alleged gender-based abuses against women and girls in some schools, colleges and universities such as soliciting sexual favours from female students in return for high grades. Hajia Hawawu Boya Gariba, Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, said the Ministry in its attempt to promote good governance, had been working towards the achievement of proportional representation of women at the local level. She advised women to put themselves forward to be elected into public office since they were excellent managers, judging from the way most women managed the home with very little resources. "This will translate into the creation of a critical mass of women in decision making positions to serve as role models and to mentor young women," she added. Mrs Janet Adama Mohammed, Programme Director, Ibis Ghana, explained that it was important for government to promote gender equality, saying "gender equality does not mean sameness but equal opportunities and equity for all people both men and women". She said gender equality was a cross-cutting issue to achieving all the MDGs. | Dead body found on the streets of Tema Community 20 * Source: GNA | Tema, March 08, GNA-A lifeless body of a middle aged male was found lying at a popular T-junction of Community 20, Lashibi, Tema on Monday morning by residents.
"There were few bruises on his head as he lay lifeless at the Konkonsah junction. I was on my usual dawn jogging when I saw a few people around the body" Miss Aku Mensah, an eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency. The Community 18 Police confirmed the story and said the body had been taken to the Tema General Hospital for autopsy. | | ______________________ |
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| Latest Ghana News Monday, 08 March 2010 WEEK 10 - 2010 | * Monday, 08 March 2010 | About 800,000 children expected to be out of school - Report * Source: GNA | Accra, March 8, GNA - About 800,000 children are expected to be out of school with deprived districts retaining fewer children in classrooms, an Education Sector Performance Report for 2007 has revealed. An estimated 20 per cent of these "out of school children" are between six and 11 years.
Most of the children are out of school because of the remoteness and inaccessible nature of such communities, unfavourable socio-economic and cultural factors.
In addition, economically challenged and seemingly intellectually weak pupils, with a poor parental background are sometimes not attracted to or retained in the formal school system.
The report said these children constituted "a critical mass, whose continues exclusion from the school system would make it difficult for government to achieve Education for All or Universal Primary Completion as stipulated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)." Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, announced this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of this year's European Commission Drawing Competition for Children between eight and 10 years under the theme: "Gender Equality," in Accra on Monday.
The occasion also coincided with the celebration of International Women's Day which fell on March 8.
The competition which commenced in 2007 and celebrated annually was aimed at unearthing skills and talents in children in 58 countries across the globe.
The ultimate winner is expected to receive 1,000 Euros. The report, the Minister said also recorded a National Enrolment Rate (NER) of 81.1 per cent primary and 52.4 per cent for Junior High School (JHS) in 2007.
He said deprived districts also registered 74.5 per cent of enrolment for primary and 41.6 per cent for JHS.
"Respective completion rates at national level for primary and JHS as reported in the Education Sector Performance Report (2007), stands at 85.4 per cent and 65.0 per cent. Rates for deprived districts are 75.5 per cent for primary and 49.2 per cent for JHS," he added.
The Minister of Education noted that even though the current structure and performance of the formal basic education system did not allow any alternative education programme for out of school children, there were opportunities to re-orient these children into formal education. He said there had been much discussion and promotion of flexible school programmes to encourage them and lauded the role of non-state actors in providing informal education for them.
The Minster noted that government's intention to address the problems of out of school children had been captured in the Education Sector Plan, an initiative that would produce a policy document which would translate intentions into actions.
Mr. Tettey-Enyo was optimistic that the policy when implemented would ensure equity in educational opportunities and reduce poverty as well as streetism.
On the competition, he was hopeful that the drawing would help shape policies and develop interventions to address challenging situations. Touching on gender equality, the Minister noted that it was essential to growth and poverty reduction and key to reaching the MDG's and appealed to all and sundry to facilitate chance for equality.
"We need to ensure that from childhood, children are provided with as many opportunities as possible to help them make informed choices, which would enable them maximise their potential and values in society," he said. Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah, Minister for Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), in a speech read for her, charged all stakeholders to identify and reflect on the relevant issues affecting gender equality and address them with seriousness in the interest of global development. Mr. Claude Maerten, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Ghana who launched the competition, pledged the union's continued commitment and support towards gender equity.
Ms. Evelyn Aseidu Agyemfra, Director in-charge of Finance and Administration, MOWAC, noted that the competition would help initiate and sustain the necessary changes in gender relations. Eligible competitors are to submit their work by posting or submitting them to offices of the European Commission by April 27, 2010. | | > BACK to TOP < | NPP asked to make itself attractive to social groups * Source: GNA | Wa, March 8, GNA - Mr. Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper West Regional Second Vice-Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said for the party to win the 2012 election, it must employ strategies that would make itself attractive to the groups that constitute the foundations of the society. He urged supporters of the party to halt the worship of individuals and rather collectively pursue strategies that would bring teachers, nurses, fishermen, market women, the security services and other social groups into its fold to enable it recapture power in 2012.
Mr. Bin Salih told journalists that some members of the party had not learnt from the very basic things that led to the party's defeat. "In order to rebuild the party we need to have a sense of unity and the belief in the absolute supremacy of the NPP and take full responsibility for our actions", he said.
Mr. Bin Salih blamed the government for the high cost of living in the country citing its inability to regularize the supply of fuel in the country.
He said these are testimonies of the government's poor performance. The National Democratic Congress, Mr. Bin Salih said, had reneged on its promise to allocate 200 million Ghana cedis as start-up fund for the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority by only making 25 million Ghana cedis available to the Authority.
He suggested to the NPP to continue to maintain the current arrangement that makes either the Presidential or Vice-Presidential slot of the party a Northerner.
Mr. Bin Salih added that occupants of any of these positions by a northerner should be based on competence and not strictly on religion. | | > BACK to TOP < | Estate houses becoming death traps * Source: Daily Graphic | The State Housing Corporation now State Housing Company Limited was for some time a household name in the delivery of estate houses for institutions, organisations and the general public, particularly in the First Republic.
It was well known for the construction of estate houses in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and some urban areas throughout the country.
In Takoradi, the company constructed the Effia Kuma Estate, popularly known as New Site many years ago.
Now, these estate houses have become so dilapidated that they have become an apology of human settlement, particularly the North Effia Kuma Estate, where some police personnel are living, including the Effia Kuma Police Station.
Most of the buildings in this area have virtually collapsed, while others are hanging as a result of intensive soil erosion caused by rain.
It is against this backdrop that State Housing Company (SHC), has developed a plan to renew/review the urban landscape for the redevelopment of its very old estate houses in the country into a modem and appreciable standards.
This will involve the improvement in the housing stock, as well as the people living in those areas.
This is in line with the company's core business of housing people and businesses in a profitable but socially responsible manner.
The Board of Directors of the State Housing Company have inspected the North Effia Kuma Estate, the Ituma Site and the 58-acre land the company has acquired at Assakae, near Takoradi for the development of estate houses.
The acting Zonal Director of the SHC in charge of Western and Central Regions, Mr Luke A. Kuulamore, told the Daily Graphic that the company had paid about GH¢50,000 to officially acquire 27 out of the 58 acres of the land at Assakae.
He said the company had completed 66 estate houses on the 50-acre land at the Ituma Site, while 25 new buildings were under construction and that a total of 160 estate houses were expected to be constructed at the Ituma Site, near Takoradi.
Mr Kuulamore said the company was constructing 16 new estate houses in Cape Coast, saying that three were being constructed at Ola and 13 at the Fourth Ridge.
He said a total of 336 houses were expected to be constructed on the company's 84 acres of land at Fourth Ridge.
According to Mr Kuulamore, the houses were constructed and sold to public institutions and individuals who pre-financed them or made part deposits.
The Managing Director of the State Housing Company, Mr Mark Nii Akwei Ankrah, told the Daily Graphic that "We believe that North Effia Kuma offers a wonderful opportunity to create a template for how we can transform our built environment, living conditions and socionomic lives worth of the 21st century".
Without these aspirations and commitment to develop our social and economic lives, he noted that any desire we have of developing would be farfetched.
Mr Ankrah explained that this would require an initial investment into a thorough feasibility study of the community and its immediate environment.
"This feasibility will inform us the nature of consultation and engagement strategy to adopt before any project can be conceptualised and implemented," he further explained.
He said all relevant stakeholders would be consulted on the fact that there was sustainable socio-economic regeneration.
The managing director said the SHC was the lead implementing agency of housing delivery in the country, adding "We operate directly under the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to deliver the government's vision of providing affordable social housing for all Ghanaians".
"We are very much aware of the socionomic challenges that confront us", he said adding "but we are confident that the timing is right because there is clear evidence that the people in the community need something different".
Mr Ankrah also noted that with the advent of the oil driven economic activities, the potential for new and more jobs for the local people would serve as a catalyst for investment into complementary services such as social housing.
He said the SHC would not concentrate its activities only in the urban areas, but also in the rural areas in fulfillment of its commitment to provide housing for all Ghanaians as practicable as possible, regardless of income groups.
He said the SHC would be relaunched as the premier housing provider in Ghana. | | > BACK to TOP < | SOS Children's Village organizes "EXPO 2010" * Source: GNA | Tema, March 8, GNA - Twenty-four children of the SOS Children's Village in Tema, at the weekend took part in a cultural competition dubbed: "Talento Expo 2010."
Contestants, who emerged first, second and third positions, took home as their prizes story books, t-shirts and a ticket each to take part in "Footprints 2010", a cultural programme slated for the National Theatre on Saturday March 13, 2010.
Emily Kwafo, a 13-year old Junior High School pupil, took the first position, with Paulina Okai, 11, a primary six child and Audrey Zorh, 13 also a Junior High School pupil placed second and third respectively. The contestants between the ages of eight and 14 years, competed in events such as drama, choreography, poetry, modeling, alongside traditional dancing.
Speaking at the function, Mr Isaac Kojo Ackon, Director of the village, said the programme, the first of its kind at the village, was aimed at giving children the opportunity to unearth their hidden talents in music and the arts.
By so doing, he said, the children, as future leaders of this nation, would be enabled to build confidence that would subsequently prepare them for other challenges ahead. Mr Ackon commended the contestants for their high sense of comportment during the competition, and wished the losers the best of luck next time. | | > BACK to TOP < | Ministry of Tourism holds first Ghana Family Fun Day * ource: GNA | Aburi (ER), March 8, GNA - The first Ghana Family Fun Day (GFFD), an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism aimed at projecting and boosting domestic tourism on major national holidays has been held at Aburi in the Eastern Region.
It involves various social and outdoor games including football, playing cards, oware, as well as health screening, keep fit exercises, dancing competition and group discussions on family values to foster cordial and social bonds among the people.
A photo exhibition in honour of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, was mounted.
This year's programme was under the theme: "Ghana, Time to Explore" and received massive patronage as hundreds of school children and the elderly thronged the Aburi Botanical Gardens to participate. Mrs. Zita OkaiKoi, Minister of Tourism, addressing the participants said domestic tourism needed to be improved to enhance revenue generation. She noted that Ghana was endowed with many tourist sites but were not properly developed and marketed leading to poor patronage. Mrs. OkaiKoi said with the initiative, more people especially the host communities would be encouraged to patronise the sites during statutory holidays to have fun and release stress.
She said this would motivate investors to invest in the sector to enhance the country's revenue base. Mrs. OkaiKoi announced that the initiative would be replicated in all the regions, metropolitan, municipal and districts and called on Ghanaians to welcome it. | | > BACK to TOP < | Rescuers retrieve body of drowned girl * Source: GNA | Bolgatanga, March 8, GNA- The body of one of the two girls who were feared drowned in the Vea Dam on March 6, has been retrieved by a combined team of police personnel and local rescuers.
Fifteen year old Jennifer Anyorigeya's body was spotted floating on the deeper portions of the dam on the morning of Monday. Rescuers are still busy at work searching for the body of Blessing Ayariba 13, the other victim. Jennifer and Blessing were in a canoe with other school children which capsized on the dam on March 6. The Vea Dam was constructed in 1966 by Government to be used for irrigation purposes. It also serves as a source of water supply to the Bolgatanga Municipality. The area has become a recreational centre where holiday makers patronize during festivities. The community members and other residents in the region have expressed concern over the number of lives lost through drowning during festivities. The vast dam is unmarked and has no life guards to watch over revellers during holidays. | | > BACK to TOP < | Prince Naruhito visits Mary Star School and Noguchi Laboratory * Souce: GNA | Kasoa (CR), March 8, GNA - Prince Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan on Monday, visited Mary Star of the Sea International School at Kasoa and the Dr Hideyo Noguchi laboratory at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as part of his three-day visit to Ghana.
The Mary Star of the Sea International is one of the schools in the country that has adopted the teaching of Japanese since 2005, while his visit to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was to see for himself where Dr Noguchi worked and died. Dr Noguchi died in 1928 in Ghana while researching into the causes of malaria in Africa.
At Kasoa where the Crown Prince was accompanied by Mr Koiichi Katakami, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, children of the school welcomed the delegation with fluent Japanese language and treated them to some Japanese and Ghanaian songs.
Mrs Mary Ekenlebiu, Headmistress of the school said Mary Star of the Sea International, which was identified by a Japanese Foundation in 2005 to adopt the teaching of Japanese, had since that time taught the language from class one to Junior High School level.
She commended the Japanese government for providing them with Astronomical Telescopes and appealed for sponsorship for students of the school to go for exchange educational and cultural programmes in Japan. At the Korle Bu Hospital, Prince Naruhito was met by Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Minister of Health, Dr Elias Sory, Director-General of Ghana Health Service and lecturers and students of the Public Health Nursing School. The Prince visited the statue of Dr Noguchi, inspected the laboratory in which he worked as a researcher and interacted with the staff of the laboratory.
The Japanese Crown Prince would later on Tuesday evening interact with Japanese living in Ghana and Ghanaian students who have in the past benefited from Japanese scholarships. | > BACK to TOP < | Calm returns to Tuobodom * Source: GNA | Tuobodom (B/A), March, 8 GNA - A contingent of 92 military and police personnel have moved in to halt sporadic shootings and maintain peace and order at Tuobodom in Techiman Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region. Three persons are confirmed dead whilst unconfirmed reports put the death toll at eight in the bloody clash that erupted last Friday night between supporters of the two traditional factions in the area. Four people including police personnel had sustained various degrees of gunshots wounds and had been treated and discharge.
So far the police had arrested 12 suspects in connection with the shootings incident, and are currently placed in police custody to assist in investigations.
When the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) visited Tuobodom on Sunday, relative calm had returned to the area, but the women and children had fled the town for fear. Drinking spots, shops and stores were also closed. Briefing members of REGSEC about the incident, Superintendent Kwame Nkrumah Akumia, Wenchi Divisional Police Commander said the police had information about the exchange of firearms among the people of the town on Friday night which had claimed one life.
He could not give the root cause of the clash, but said police personnel were detailed to maintain law and order in the town. Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo Regional Minister expressed worry about the incident and urged those who had fled from the town to come back. He gave the assurance that the REGSEC was working hard to ensure that relative peace was brought to the area. Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo expressed his condolence to the bereaved families and assured the people that the police was investigating to bring the perpetrators to book.
He advised the security personnel in the area to comport themselves and discharge their duties without favour to ensure that law and order prevail in the town.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) later gathered that the incident started when some unidentified young men allegedly abducted Nana Baffour Asare II, Omanhene of Tuobodom at the premises of the Wenchi High Court, brought him to the Techiman Traditional Council and subjected the chief to severe beatings.
They later handed him to the police. This did not go down well with the supporters of the chief and they also organized themselves to retaliate. Information reaching the GNA indicated that there had been a protracted vendetta between Nana Baffour Asare II, Omanhene of Tuobodom who swear allegiance to the Asantehene Otumfo Osei Tutu II and the Techiman Traditional Council who had its Akyempemhene as the chief of Tuobodom. The reports indicated that it was the late Asantehene Otumfo Opoku Ware II who pronounced and conferred the paramount title to Nana Baffour Asare II. Since then Nana Asare II who been the President of the Tuobodom traditional council had refused to subject to the Techiman Traditional Council and affirmed its recognition as paramount chief. In October 2008, a similar shooting incident occurred when some unidentified young men from Tuobodom barricaded the Techiman-Tuobodom road to prevent Oseadeyo Akumfi Ameyaw II Omanhene of Techiman from attending a festival.
In that incident the gunmen fired and injured some of the subjects of Oseadeyo Akumfi Ameyaw II.
The Techiman Traditional Council had made consistent appeals to the police to bring the perpetrators to book but to no avail and it was against this background that the irate youth abducted Nana Asare II and later handed him over to the police for the law to take its course. | | > BACK to TOP < | Rival Juaso chiefs stopped from attending Independence anniversary * Source: GNA | Juaso (Ash), March 8, GNA - The confusion and chaotic scenes that had for the past decade characterized the Independence Day celebration in the Asante-Akim South District was absent last Saturday as the two rival chiefs of Juaso were banned from attending.
The District Security Committee told Nana Safrotwie Sarpong and Nana Owusu Prempeh to stay away from the parade of school children marking 53 years of nationhood.
This decision was vindicated as the celebration passed off without trouble, winning praise from the public who called for sustained efforts to find lasting solution to the dispute.
Another novelty in this year's anniversary celebration was the prize award for participating schools that reported early at the parade ground. Mr De-graft Forkuo, the District Chief Executive, said this was meant to inculcate in the youth the need for time consciousness. He urged school children to be disciplined, honest and hard working, saying this was the way to achieving success in life. He reaffirmed the government's determination to ensure that the right conditions existed for effective teaching and learning. | > BACK to TOP < |
_____________________________________________________ ----- | | | Monday, 08 March 2010 | Middle About 800,000 children expected to be out of school - Report NPP asked to make itself attractive to social groups Estate houses becoming death traps SOS Children's Village organizes "EXPO 2010" Ministry of Tourism holds first Ghana Family Fun Day Rescuers retrieve body of drowned girl Prince Naruhito visits Mary Star School and Noguchi Laboratory Calm returns to Tuobodom Rival Juaso chiefs stopped from attending Independence anniversary |
| Right Kufuor commenting on Mills Three rescued on Volta Lake by ZOIL Guards Prince Naruhito lays wreaths and plants a tree at Nkrumah Mausoleum Two jailed for robbing a Nigerian photographer Effutu Assembly acquires land for Youth in Agriculture Programme Nigeria's Acting President praises Rawlings Left President Mills hosts Crown Prince of Japan to a luncheon _____________________ Concern expressed about certain negative development in Upper East AI urges governments to address gaps in women's right issues Dead body found on the streets of Tema Community 20 | Your Opinions | Have Your Say!
| Archived News for 2010 | Go to 07.03.2010 | News Page was last modified on Monday, 08 March 2010 23:52:57 | 
| All about the Ghana Election 2008 | | | | * 08.03.2010 | Kufuor commenting on Mills * Source: Daily Graphic | Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has hailed the commitment of President John Evans Atta Mills to invest in the education of the youth and said that would guarantee the country's future.
Commenting on President Mills's address to a parade of schoolchildren to mark the 53rd independence anniversary in which the President had assured the nation that the government would motivate teachers and provide the necessary condition to improve teaching and learning, former resident Kufuor said investing in children could "guarantee a responsible and brighter future for the country".
He stressed that the country's generation chain would be strengthened if it invested in youth development.
President Kufuor, who was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, described the attendance and the parade by the schoolchildren as "impressive".
Also present at the parade was the former Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Alhaji Mahama indicated that the nation would have a secure future if the youth were given the requisite skills.
He said the splendid conduct of the parade by the children attested to the fact that they could do well in various fields of endeavour if given the necessary support.
Meanwhile, religious and political leaders and the youth have described President Mills's assurance of supporting the education of the youth as a step in the right direction.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, the Rt Rev Dr• Yaw Frimpong-Manso, said the President's focus on the youth was very crucial, since "development cannot be complete without investing in the youth".
He said there was the need for the youth to be educated to appreciate Ghana's rich heritage and cultural identity.
That, the Rt Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso said, would make the youth patriotic and responsible and enable them to cherish the country's cultural values.
He urged Ghanaians to get united and “see one another as one people with a common destiny".
The Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante of the Methodist Church of Ghana stressed that investing in children's education was the only way to secure the country's future.
The Administrative Manager of the Office of the National Chief Imam, Alhaji Adam Musah Abubakar, said any nation that supported the education of the youth had a secure future.
The General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, said the youth were the future leaders of the country, hence the need for the government to give them quality education.
He said both the government and teachers had a role in the education of the youth and, therefore, called for collaboration between the government and parents to promote education.
He asked the government to give meaning to the promise to invest in the education of the youth by providing the necessary school infrastructure and motivating teachers to give of their best.
He again asked the government to create employment avenues for the teeming youth in the country.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Ms Samia Nkrumah, said although Ghana had attained political independence, it was yet to achieve "economic self-reliance".
She said investing in education was the core policy of the Convention People's Party (CPP), adding that supporting the manpower development of the country was the only way in which the country could attain economic independence.
The Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr E.T. Mensah, indicated that the President's message was timely, as the country was in need of human capital to propel its socio-economic development.
He said what was significant was for the country's educational institutions to equip the youth with the relevant skills for the job market.
Mr Mensah asked the media to play a lead role in supporting the government's effort at building the capacity of the youth. .
Master Kpormegbe Senanu Apetsi and Ms Akosua Dufie Nyamekye, both winners of this year's President's Special Independence Anniversary Awards, said they were happy with government's assurance to support their education.
They said given the needed encouragement the youth could unearth their potential and become responsible adults. | Three rescued on Volta Lake by ZOIL Guards * Source: GNA | Dambai, March 8, GNA - Swift response by ZOIL Life Guards on the Volta Lake at Dambai on February 22 averted a disaster on the Lake. The guards saved a driver and his two mates from drowning when their truck loaded with farm produce fell off the Dambai ferry into the lake. Mr Joe Nasandi, a spokesman, told Madam Monica Buabeng, the National Coordinator Volta Lake Transport Enhancement Project, said the truck that was parked on the ferry suddenly crashed through one of the engine compartments and fell into Lake at the start of the crossing from the Kete-Krachi end of the Lake to Dambai.
The driver praised the life guards of Zoil Ghana. "If not for the quick intervention of the life guards I would be in the grave," he said. Mad Buabeng said Zoil Ghana was committed to ensuring that no life is lost should accident happen on the Volta Lake. She said life guards had undergone life saving training at the Tema Naval Base.
She said 10,000 live jackets, two patrol boats and two speed boats will be provided to better enhance the work of the life guards. | Prince Naruhito lays wreaths and plants a tree at Nkrumah Mausoleum * Source: GNA | Accra, March 8, GNA - Prince Naruhito, Japanese Crown Prince on Monday laid two wreaths on the tombs of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's First President and his wife Fathia Nkrumah at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra.
Prince Naruhito who is currently on a three-day visit to Ghana, was accompanied by Mrs. Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Tourism. He also planted what was described as "Tree of Life" at the Nkrumah Park and toured the museum.
Prince Naruhito is expected to hold bilateral talks with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, visit the Noguchi Laboratory at Korle-Bu-Teaching Hospital and Mary Star of the Sea International School at Kasoa in the Central Region.
He would meet Japanese residents in Ghana and Ghanaian beneficiaries of Japanese scholarships.
| Two jailed for robbing a Nigerian photographer * Source: GNA | Aflao, March 8, GNA - Two persons who robbed a Cote d'Ivoire based Nigerian photographer while attempting to cross into Lome through an unapproved route were jailed 10 years each in hard labour by a circuit court at Aflao.
Amewoto Atinyo, a carpenter, 43, and Yao Anani, 26, an auto mechanic, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and stealing 4, 040, 00 CFA Franc, 2,000 Naira and a Nigerian passport from Mr Razak Balogum. Four other accomplices escaped and are on the run. Mr Stephen Wuni, Detective Police Sergeant of Aflao, told the court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri that on February 17, Mr Balogum arrived at Aflao from Abidjan at about midnight in transit to Nigeria. He said Mr Balogun, who was in the process of finding a safe place to pass the night, was convinced by other travellers that they could use an unapproved route to Lome to continue their journey. Mr Balogum followed his supposed colleague travellers to Beat Nine on the Ghana/Togo frontier and some of the travellers crossed the border. But before Balogum could enter Lome, Atinyo, Anani and others numbering about six emerged and accosted him accusing him of breaking entry regulations and told him he was under arrest.
Atinyo demanded to conduct a search on Balogum, having introduced himself as a policeman and in the process the group removed the monies and passport from the pockets and underwear of Balogum.
He said Atinyo, who was arrested the following morning by the police, admitted the offence and led the police into his room where 535,000 CFA Franc, his share of the booty, was retrieved. Mr Wuni said Gabriel Essien, one of the suspects on the run, also deposited his share of 280, 000 CFA with a night watchman of the court and informed the police through his cell-phone. | Effutu Assembly acquires land for Youth in Agriculture Programme * Source: GNA | Winneba (C/R), March 8, GNA - The Effutu Municipal Assembly in conjunction with the International Labour Organisation, has acquired 250 acres of land in the area for the implementation of Government's Youth in Agriculture Programme. Fifty acres of the land, located at Ateitu, Gyahadze, Nsuekyir, New Winneba and Atekyedo have been ploughed for the cultivation of maize, cassava and vegetables. Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, announced these at a parade of school children, to mark the 53rd Independence Anniversary Celebration, on the theme: "Investing in the Youth for a Better Ghana", at Winneba on Saturday.
He advised the youth to take their education seriously to enable them to acquire skills and knowledge so that they could contribute meaningfully to national development. Nii Ephraim said "This is the only way the vision and passion for developing the youth by President John Atta Mills can be achieved". He said the Assembly has inaugurated two four-unit classroom blocks, under the Community Based Rural Development Project programme, for the Anglican School in Winneba.
Nii Ephraim said the assembly has also awarded a contract for the construction of four three-unit classroom blocks, with stores, four-seater KVIP and two-unit urinals each, at Kojo Beedu, Mburabem, Akonfodze-Adae and Osubonpanyin. He said the projects estimated to cost 164,984.87 Ghana Cedis had reached various stages of completion. The A.M.E. Zion Girls Senior High, Saint Paul Methodist Junior High, and Donbosco Catholic Primary School which excelled in the march past, received Lab Top Computer and their accessories each as their prizes. The Minister for Transport and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Mr. Mike Hammah and the Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, were among the personalities who attended the celebration. | | Nigeria's Acting President praises Rawlings * Source: GNA | Abuja, March 8, GNA - Nigerian Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the weekend re-affirmed the position of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua, saying "He is still the President of this country." He made the statement when delegates of the ongoing United Cities for Local Government in Africa (UCLGA) Congress led by, Ghana's former President Jerry John Rawlings called on him in Abuja.
He said "There are clear constitutional provisions in place and as you are aware, I am acting on behalf of the President". Vice President Jonathan praised former President Rawlings for the significant roles he was playing in enhancing leadership on the African Continent and commiserated with him on the recent loss of his residence through fire.
Former President Rawlings who was Guest of Honour at the Congress, had earlier expressed his sympathies on the health situation of President Yar'Adua and called on the Nigerian political leadership to ensure that the situation with the presidency was managed "with care".
"I know there is a lot of political discussion going on and I am sure Nigeria will handle the situation well,' he said. Vice President Jonathan assured former President Rawlings that the situation was under control.
The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere and attended by Nigerian Minister for Interior and Local Government, saw former President Rawlings telling the acting Nigerian President to do everything in his power to clear the terrible image shown on international TV recently of a defenceless Nigerian cripple being shot to death.
Acting President Jonathan said that the report had been published out of context, creating the wrong impression that the cripple had been murdered during the recent Muslim-Christian clashes in Nigeria. He explained that the incident happened well before the religious clashes and was committed by a member of the Boko Haram Islamist fundamentalist sect.
The Acting President added that the Nigerian security agencies were investigating the matter and had already made some arrests. He congratulated Ghana on the occasion of her 53rd Independence anniversary and thanked former President Rawlings for finding time to grace the UCLGA Congress.
He said he was happy that UCLGA was working hard to consolidate local governance on the continent, as governance at the grassroots level was the best way of ensuring national development. Earlier, former President Rawlings delivered a thought provoking address on unity, emphasising that until the sanctity of justice is restored in Africa's political fabric, unity would continue to remain a mirage. He enjoined all Africans to be courageous and to speak out against injustices in society. |
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