| 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 | | | | * 29.05.2010 | Water Treatment Plant in Danger * Source: GNA | Sekyere-Heman (W/R) May 29, GNA - The Sekyere-Heman Water Treatment Plant, which was constructed as a booster to solve the perennial water storage in Cape Coast and its surrounding towns, is in danger of grinding to a halt.
This is because the negative impact of the vigorous illegal mining activities on the Pra River. Master Alex Abisah, Station Officer of the Head Works, told a team of reporters, on Thursday, that the massive capital injected into the project by the Government and the Netherlands would go to waste if the illegal mining activities on the Pra River were not halted soon. The plant, which was commissioned in 2008, was constructed at 40 million Euros to serve as a booster to the Brimsu Water Works, in Cape Coast.
It serves Sekyere-Heman and its surrounding communities in the Western Region, Ayensudo, Attabadze, Komenda and some parts of the Cape Coast, all in the Central Region. Mr. Abisah said the plant is currently running at a high cost due to the level of silt accumulation in the intake point due to illegal mining. He explained that as a result the intake point had been badly polluted affecting both the colour and torpidity. In addition to the high cost of treatment, the efficiency of the pump and some recently installed equipment had been affected. The news team discovered that parts of the river had been blocked with accumulation of silt dredged from the river and this had affected the rapid inflow of raw water.
Mr. Abisah said all efforts to stop the activities of those illegal miners had proved futile as those arrested by the security personnel were released when the issue took a political twist. He said since their release the operators had intensified their illegal activities with impunity as workers of the plant looked on helplessly. The station officer said several reports had been made to the relevant authorities and they were yet to see their reaction. An interview with some of the illegal miners indicated that they were not ready to halt their operations despite the adverse effects on the river, explaining that they depended on the river for their livelihood. Some residents also alleged that there were high personalities behind the Galamsey operators hence their adamant posture. | | . | | . | | . | | . | | . | | ______________________ |
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| Latest Ghana News Saturday, 29th May 2010 WEEK 21 - 2010 | * Saturday, 29th May 2010 | Ghana-Denmark Company cultivates 1,000 hectares of maize in Afram Plains * Source: GNA | | Kwanim (E/R), May 29, GNA - The Kwanim Ghana-Denmark mechanized farm, a joint private Ghana and Danish venture company, is to cultivate 1,000 hectares of maize farm at Kwanim village in the Kwahu North District. Already 450 hectares of maize, 60 hectares of Soya beans and 20 hectares of water melon farms had been cultivated this major farming season by the company. In addition 500 hectares of maize would be cultivated in the minor farming season in September this year.
The Executive Chairman of the farm, Mr Alex Frimpong Tenkorang, made this known when the Board Chairman of the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), Mr Ibrahim Adams, paid a working visit to the farm at Kwanim village. He said the company was also assisting a number of block farmers to cultivate 1,500 of maize farm in the form of provision of machinery and seeds and marketing of their produce. Mr Tinkorang said the company was also constructing a 10,000-ton capacity warehouse to store the maize, which would be sold locally to poultry farmers and animal feed producers to supplement government's efforts in ensuring food security in the country.
He appealed to the ADB for financial assistance to finance the project. Mr Adams advised the company to process some of its products into animal feed to feed the various poultry and life stock farms in the country. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, said government was committed to modernize agriculture adding that the project would be used as a model farm for farmers in the region to study its operations to improve upon their performances. The Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr Godwin Ocloo, said the district, which covered one third of the region's land area, would benefit from four out of the seven mechanized farms to be established in the region. He said the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), would assist farmers to purchase 16 tractors to expand their farms. | | > BACK to TOP < | Many people in Ho Metropolis rush for television sets ahead of World Cup * Source: GNA | Ho, May 29, GNA - Dealers in television sets in the Ho Metropolis are making brisk business as many people, especially young adults are demanding the sets ahead of the World Cup next month.
The demand according to some of the dealers is on the high for 24 and 28 inch television sets.
Mr John Dzotsi, a dealer told GNA Sports that for the past two weeks he bought 45 television sets from Togo for some students of the Ho Polytechnic. He said so far he has another requests for 30 sets be supplied by next week.
Mr Dzotsi said some people who cannot readily afford to buy the brand new sets have opted to go in for slightly used ones popularly known as 'home used' ones with clear pictures to savour the event. Samuel Kugbadzor, another dealer who is also a television repairer said he sold 15 of the slightly used televisions within the last two weeks. He said some people who have problems with their television sets have also brought them for repairs at his shop demanding that the problems be resolved before the "big game."
Mr Charles Mensah, a football fanatic said he has the hope that he would get a digital box to watch all the matches. He said he has already erected a new antenna to ensure he gets clear pictures of the matches. Meanwhile, the World Cup and the exploits and chances of the senior national team, the Black Stars has become the talk of the Metropolis. | | > BACK to TOP < | Uganda Government delegation calls on Eastern Regional Minister * Source: GNA | Koforidua, May 29, GNA - A Uganda Government delegation, on Friday paid a courtesy call on Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, in Koforidua.
The two-member delegation led by Mr. Gabriel Opio, Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, is on a two-day visit of the country to study the relationship between Central Government and leaders of traditional and cultural institutions.
He said that Uganda used to have strong traditional institutions until the arrival of the colonial masters and later due to their opposition to the "whites", all the institutions, including powerful kingdoms were abolished. Mr. Opio said that in 1995, the Government of Uganda decided to recognize the role of traditional institutions and cultural leaders and their involvement in development programmes.
He said that the government supported members of traditional or cultural institutions with allowances, security, houses, transportation, and they travel by first class airlines and the rehabilitation of existing institutional residences was taking place. Mr. Opio said that the visit would enable the team to understand the collaboration between Ghana's Central Government and the traditional and cultural institutions. He said it would also afford the delegation the opportunity to study the history of the evolution and cohesion of the traditional leaders in governance, constitutional provisions, laws and policies supporting traditional or cultural leaders, and also to learn about the government's financing mechanisms for the institutions, in Ghana. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said government of Ghana recognizes the role of traditional leaders in socio-economic development. He said that although there had been few challenges confronting the chieftaincy institution in Ghana, such as conflicts and disputes, its role could not be over-emphasized in modern developmental agenda. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said that chieftaincy in Ghana plays a significant role in governance at the local, districts, regional and national levels through the appointment of 30 percent of traditional leaders into the district assemblies and the inclusion of the President of the National House of Chiefs and other chiefs in the Council of State. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre Professor Emeritus Oti Boateng in his palace in Koforidua
The traditional ruler, who is also Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, said that recent claim by some people that the chieftaincy institution has out-lived its relevance and should be abolished, was unfortunate and asked such people to reconsider their decision. He said that chieftaincy would remain relevant to the socio-economic and political development of the country and any one or group of people who would champion its abolition would fail. | | > BACK to TOP < | High-powered Ghana-Togo Govt delegations meet at "refugee" zone * Source: GNA | Gbaduak (N/R), May 29, GNA - A high-powered government delegations from Ghana and Togo, on Friday, met at Gbaduak, the site of the "refugees" camps to find an amicable solution to the plight of the displaced people of Bunkpurugu.
The Ghana side included the National Security Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel (rtd) Gbevlo-Lartey, (Leader) the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Moses Mabengba, the Director General of Police Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police, John Kudalo, MP for Bunkpurugu Emmanuel Kwabena Duut.
The Togolese delegation was led by their National Security Minister, Col. Atcha Titikpina Mohamed and the UNHCR Country Representative Mr. Ibrahima Traore.
Lt. Col. Gbevlo-Lartey commended the Togolese Government for assisting the Ghanaians to find places to live during the difficulties and urged the two nations to continue fostering good relations to promote peace in the Sub-region. He said the Ghana government had made available relief items to be distributed soon to the people while measures were being taken to deploy Police and Military personnel to the area. The Security Coordinator urged the people who were still at the camps to return to Ghana because there was peace, adding that tents would also be constructed for those who had lost their homes through the torching of houses. The Togolese Minister of Security, Col. Titikpina observed that Ghanaians and Togolese were one people and what affected one, affected the other.
"Togo is not forcing the Ghanaians to stay but they could do so at their own will," he added.
The UNHCR Country Representative, Togo, said the organization was only a humanitarian one and did not have enough logistics for the people if they continued to stay there.
He said the UNHCR had been able to give the people some relief items including soap, blankets, mats and gari from the Togo government. Six communities with a total of 375 houses were destroyed during the communal clashes on April 20 this year, resulting in some people crossing to Togo for refuge.
The Togo Government, therefore, decided to build four camps of about fifteen tents to host the displaced Ghanaians. | | > BACK to TOP < | Alan will be the best President ever - Kofi Jumah * Source: Citifmonline.com | The Member of Parliament for Asokwa Constituency and a member of the Alan Kyeremanten campaign team, Maxwell Kofi Jumah has declared that Alan will be the best President in the history of Ghana if elected.
Hon. Maxwell Jumah’s comments was in a reaction to suggestions by a former Minister of state, Dr. Geysika Agambilla, that Alan Kyeremanten should step aside for Nana Addo to be elected as flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to recapture power from the ruling NDC.
Dr. Geysika, in an interview with Citi FM, reiterated that it will be prudent for Alan to quit the race for flagbearership, save some money and build a political capital for the future.
He admonished that Alan should throw his support behind Nana Akuffo Addo to win the Presidency.
According to Dr. Agambilla Geysika, Nana Addo has already been marketed to Ghanaians and it will be difficult for the party to introduce a new candidate in the person of Alan Kyeremanten.
“You know what happened when Coca cola tried bringing in a new product, they lost a whole lot of market, well that is what is going to happen if we try and change candidates again. We have already marketed Nana so let us try and market Nana again” Dr. Agambilla said.
But Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah told Citi FM that Nana Addo should rather step down for Alan since he is much younger and has the confidence of the youth instilled in him.
“Based on the facts that I have, the person who should rather step down is Nana Akufo Addo. He should step aside for the much younger, dynamic, very intelligent and visionary person who probably could be the best president Ghana has ever had”.
He added that Alan Kyeremanten represents the future of Ghana and it is completely out of tune for one to suggest that Alan should step aside for Nana Addo.
Hon. Jumah added that considering the massive support for Alan’s campaign he stands a chance to win the August 7 congress. | | > BACK to TOP < | Widening gap between academia and industry worrying - Rector * Source: GNA | Koforidua, May 29, GNA - Mr Godfried Abledu, acting Rector, Koforidua Polytechnic, has observed that the widening gap between academia and industry in relation to graduate output and industry's demand has become a perennial problem.
"These are reflected in the soaring graduate-unemployment figures and increased over-dependence on imported goods and services with the attendant problems of brain-drain and perpetual schooling of graduates, who should be contributing their quota in the world of work," he said. Mr Abledu, who was speaking at the 3rd Annual Applied Research of the Polytechnic called for closer cooperation from all polytechnics to pool resources together in the training and development of a more formidable workforce for the country.
He said that would require extensive collaboration in areas of research curriculum development, staff/student exchange and student industrial attachment.
Mr Abledu indicated that funding of relevant research and the institution of awards for deserving students would go a long way to strengthen the linkage between the 'theory' in the classrooms and the 'practice' of industry.
Ms Phyllis Tetteh, Conference Coordinator, in a message on behalf of the organizing committee, said the country was faced with many challenges in its developmental process, adding that the solution to that laid in "our ability to link the theories of our research findings to the practical situations".
She said polytechnic education was meant to solve practical problems adding that at Koforidua Polytechnic, they were practicing what they preach. "Currently, we are not just offering students employable skills, but also offering practical solutions to some of the problems of our community". Ms Tetteh said the Automotive Engineering Department of the Polytechnic has set up a workshop, which services vehicles in the community, while the Hospitality Department provides catering services for the polytechnic community and other public functions. "Our Computer Science Department can fix any old computer and link any number of computers for clients in and outside of the polytechnic". Nana Nkwantabisa, Chairman of Council of the Polytechnic, who presided over the Conference, expressed the hope that the lessons learnt at the conference would guide the polytechnics in their future deliberations. The two-day conference was under the theme: "Strengthening the linkage between theory and practice" | | | > BACK to TOP < |
_____________________________________________________ ----- | | | Saturday, 29th May 2010 < | - Ghana-Denmark Company cultivates 1,000 hectares of maize in Afram Plains - Many people in Ho Metropolis rush for television sets ahead of World Cup - Uganda Government delegation calls on Eastern Regional Minister - High-powered Ghana-Togo Govt delegations meet at "refugee" zone - Alan will be the best President ever - Kofi Jumah - Widening gap between academia and industry worrying - Rector - Women suffer the brunt of forced eviction - Kabajuni - Committee to investigate gas explosion in Sunyani formed - Commonwealth hall conversion halted! - Water Treatment Plant in Danger | Your Opinions | Have Your Say!
| Archived News for 2010 | Go to 28.05.2010 | News Page was last modified on Saturday, 29 May 2010 18:17:28 | 
| All about the Ghana Election 2008 | | | | * Saturday, 29th May 2010 | Women suffer the brunt of forced eviction - Kabajuni * Source: GNA | Accra, May 29, GNA - A human rights advocate on Women and Housing for Africa on Friday painted a pathetic picture on how women and children suffer forced eviction either by individual landlords, groups or government. "Women spend their time in slums; work, care for children and domestic chores yet are more affected by poor conditions and threats of evictions," Ms Agnes Kabajuni, said at a national training workshop for media practitioners on effective use of the media to promote housing and land rights of women in Ghana. It was organised by Centre on Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) in partnership with Women, Media and Change (WOMEC). About 40 participants drawn from the print and electronic media attended the workshop.
Ms Kabajuni expressed concern about how women struggled to own a house or landed property since most inheritances were owned by men who were either their husbands, uncles or brothers and did not have anywhere to go when forcibly evicted. She said women constituted most of slum dwellers but were inadequately housed globally. Ms Kabajuni noted that most African women found on streets in rural areas were widows who had been thrown out of their husband's houses by either a landlord because the woman could not afford the rent or by relatives of the husband who thought it was illegal for women to own houses. She envisaged equal ownership, access and control of housing between men and women across the globe for people to live in peace, security and dignity, adding "Housing is a right for everyone, everywhere". Mrs Sylvia Noagbesenu, COHER Officer indicated that all persons to undertake evictions were to be properly identified and evictions should not be undertaken particularly during bad weather or at night. She said women experienced rape, sexual assault before, during and after forced eviction, battering with poor living conditions. | Committee to investigate gas explosion in Sunyani formed * Source: GNA | Sunyani, May 29, GNA - The Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Counci l (RCC) in collaboration with the Regional Security Council has formed a five-member committee, to investigate circumstances leading to the gas explosion in Sunyani last Tuesday.
The committee is chaired by Mr. Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municip al Chief Executive and Mr. Samuel K. Gyimah, a Deputy Director at the RCC is
secretary to the group, which has two weeks to complete its work and subm it a report. Members of the committee are: Mr. Paul Opoku, Regional Fire Officer,
Chief Superintendent Edward Tabiri, Regional Crime Officer, Mr. Duncan Opare, Regional Director of the Bureau of National Investigations and Mr.
Theophilus Appo of the Attorney General's Department. It would investigate whether the land on which the gas station was located was legally leased by Inter-City State Transport Corporation (STC ) to Agyenim Boateng Gas Filling station, original owners of the station, a nd if the plot was properly re-zoned to include its use for the construction of the station. The committee would also find out whether all the statutory requirements for the construction and operation of a gas filling station,
such as Environmental Protection Agency certification, statutory planning
and development permit, Fire Service certification were acquired before t he gas station started operating and how Louis Gas came to operate at the filling station. Inaugurating the committee, Mr. Eric Opoku, Deputy Regional Ministe r, lauded the commitment of the media to duty, saying "we are impressed with
the zeal and interest that the media in the region have shown since the incident occurred". He said the RCC had confidence in the committee that it would carry
out its task properly. The Regional Administrative Office had given the assurance that the
RCC would implement the recommendations of the committee's report after receiving and studying it. Last Tuesday, an explosion at Louis Gas Filling Station near the Inter-City STC terminal in Sunyani, left six persons, including two fire officers, injured and properties destroyed. Five of the injured persons were treated and discharged at the Sunya ni Regional Hospital but the gas attendant, who sustained serious injuries a nd was referred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has been reported dead. | Commonwealth hall conversion halted! * Source: Daily Guide | An Accra Fast Track High Court, has advised authorities of the University of Ghana to halt any action to convert the Commonwealth Hall into a mixed graduate hall, as an application for injunction is pending before the court.
The judge, Justice Ofori Atta, observed that until the court arrived at any decision, any action taken by the university authorities could amount to contempt of court.
Counsel for the university, Ace Ankomah, in response told the court that “as gentlemen, we understand that the pendency of the matter is in itself a form of interim injunction, and therefore have already taken note of that and would act accordingly.”
The motion for perpetual injunction filed by four executives of the hall on behalf of 4,000 members, against the university, its executive committee, and Prof. Kwesi Yankah, Pro Vice Chancellor, to stop them from taking measures to shut down the hall without any justifiable reasons, could not be moved because Prof. Yankah had not been served with a notice.
Mr. Ankomah told the court that only the university and its executive committee had been served with a notice, for which reason he, yesterday morning, filed an affidavit in opposition to that effect.
Nana Ato Dadzie, counsel for the students, informed the court that he had not received a copy of the university authorities’ affidavit. The judge also indicated he had not received a copy.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to June 15, after ordering Nana Ato Dadzie to serve Prof. Yankah, who incidentally was present in court, with a notice, for him to respond before the adjourned date.
Initially, the court had wanted to give a date for ruling, asking that both parties should furnish it with all relevant documents, but Mr. Ankomah prayed the court to allow them argue the motion first.
The Commonwealth students, also known as Vandals, by their writ, are seeking certain declarations which include a declaration that per section 46 (2) of the statutes of the university, Commonwealth Hall exists as an all male hall of residence, and that the authorities’ decision violates the university’s own established law because it has not been amended.
According to them, it is the governing council that is authorized and mandated to make such arrangements as it deems fit, regarding the internal organization of the university, therefore since the committee and Prof. Yankah do not constitute the governing council of the university, they cannot expressly or by any administrative action such as letters, usurp the authority of the governing council of the university, to make such a pronouncement.
The students, who noted that the unproven allegations made against them by the school authorities, gravely affected the image of the hall and reputation of the students, said the move is just to punish the 4000 strong students of Commonwealth for offences they have not been, individually or collectively, proven to have committed.
The authorities of the university on the other hand, contended that it is perfectly within the purview of the council’s authority to make the decision, and that such a decision was neither illegal nor unconstitutional, as the university fully complied with and intends to comply with the relevant laws.
According to them, prior to the 13th March 2010 incident, the university had been deliberating on how to prevent the “rowdy, ritualistic behavior and hooliganism” of students of Commonwealth Hall.
They said the university has a duty to maintain its image which has been increasingly tarnished by the bad behaviour of hall members, and also protect other students, its properties, and generally maintain a conducive atmosphere for both staff and students.
The authorities disclosed that the institution has been reviewing its current statute to ensure that all its provisions are in line with the Constitution of Ghana, and a modern thinking.
They rejected claims that their decision is a form of punishment, since members of the hall will be affiliated and accommodated in other halls of residence, observing that the students’ action is premature so the court should dismiss their application. | | . |
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