| 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 | | | | * 03.03.2010 | Health Minister tours Upper East as CSM breaks out * Source: | Bolgatanga, March 3, GNA - The Minister for Health, Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, has toured
the Upper East Region following the recent outbreak of the new W135 type of Cerebro-
Spinal Meninigitis (CSM) in the Upper West and Northern Regions. The trip was to enable his Ministry to adopt modalities to prevent the disease from
spreading to the Upper East Region, which has the lowest number of recorded cases in the
three northern regions so far. Dr. Kunbuor visited the Bongo District Hospital where 11 cases of the disease were
reported. Out of this, four were confirmed to be the W135 type. At Navrongo, the Minister visited the War Memorial Hospital where about 21 cases,
with one W135 type case, had been recorded. The Health Minister later visited the Navrongo Health Research Center, where he
commended the staff for the support the Centre gives to hospitals in the field of research,
and said government had plans to upgrade the center to the status of an institution. M Addressing a press conference later at the Residency, Dr. Kunbuor said government was
fast advancing plans as to how to curb the CSM pandemic, adding that the Ministry of
Health (MOH) had taken delivery of vaccines from the World Health Organization (WHO)
to help prevent the spread of the disease in the three Northern regions. He gave the assurance that the MOH and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) were doing
all they could to bring the situation under control, and said government is to construct 62
hospitals nationwide, out of which 42 had already been completed. Mr Kumbuor presented two buses worth 130,000 Ghana Cedis and 20 computers valued
at 30,000 Ghana Cedis to the Midwifery Training School and the Nursing Training College
both in Bolgatanga. He charged the authorities of the two institutions to make good use of the items and
called on the students to take proper care of them to ensure their longevity. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, asked the media to play a pivotal
role in the education of the public on the CSM pandemic, and charged the electronic media,
especially Radio stations in the region, to educate the public on the mode of spread and
symptoms of the disease.
The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams, noted that
the CSM disease remains a major public health challenge in the region as the area falls
within the meningitis belt. He said although epidemics in the belt are associated with Neisseiria meningitides
belonging to the sero-group A, the occurrence of meningitis outbreaks associated with the
sero-group W135 in neighbouring Burkina Faso also called for concern. Dr. Awoonor-Williams said analysis indicated that 94 cases were recorded as at
February 28 this year, out of which five deaths were recorded for that month alone, adding
that total deaths as at 28 February 2010 was 13. The Regional Director of Health disclosed that the Region had been allocated 100,000
doses of CSM vaccine mid-January 2010 for reactive vaccination, and that the vaccines had
been distributed to the high risk areas including Fumbisi, Kanjarga and Sendema that
recorded the type 'A' strain. Other areas that received the vaccines were Kayoro, Paga, Nakolo, Sirigu, Bongo Soe,
Namoo, Tilli and the Navrongo prisons, he added. | President Mills inaugurates NDC Committees * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday inaugurated seven committees and four directorates of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), in Accra and kick-started the campaign for the victory of the party in 2012.
"I believe the starter whistle has gone and there is no turning back..Let us continue to strive to build a better Ghana and overcome our many challenges. Let us all try to work hard," he told the committee members.
The committees, tasked to chart the onward move and the cohesion of the party for Election 2012 comprise the Legal, Complaints and Conflict Resolution, Finance, Economic, Social Services, Communications and Political Committees.
The four directorates include Communications, Research, International Relations and Elections.
Members of the committees and directorates swore the Official Oath, administered by the President.
The 23-member Political Committee is chaired by President Atta Mills. The other members are Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey (Rtd), National Security Co-ordinator, Dr Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of the party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Mr. Yaw Boateng Gyan, Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi and Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama.
The rest are Mr. J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Professor Stephen Ahyiawodo, Mr. P.V. Obeng, Mr. Cletus Avoka, Ms. Sherry Ayittey, Ms. Anita Jemima De-Sosoo and Ms. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah.
The others are Lt. General Arnold Quainoo, Mr. Lionel Molbila, Mr. Gershon Gbediameh, Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo, Mr. Kofi Adams and Mr. Martin Amidu.
Mr. Larry Adjetey chairs the Legal Committee and the rest are Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, Health Minister, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Energy Minister, Mr. Chris Ackumey, Mr. Tony Lithur, Mr. David Annan and Ms. Nancy Amopofo.
The seven-member Finance Committee is chaired by Captain Kwadjo Butah (Rtd). The rest are Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary of NDC, Mr. Kamel Noshie, National Treasurer, Ms. Bertha Agnes Amenuvor, Deputy Treasurer, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, Mr. Sam Denu and Mr. Ato Ahwoi. Dr Sipa Yankey chairs the nine-member Economic Committee other members are Mr. Danny Annan, M r. Kofi Portuphy, Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Mr. James Avedzi, Mr. Moses Asaga, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Mr. Kwame Peprah and Mr. Fiifi Kwetey. Mr. Alban Bagbin chairs the nine-member Social Services Committee. The rest are Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, Alhaji Said Sinare, Mr. Sam Garbah, Mr. Vincent Senam Koagbenu, Mr. Abuga Pele, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, Mr. J.W. Agyekum and Mrs. Juliana Azumah- Mensah.
The 11-member Communications Committee is chaired by Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah. The rest are Mr. Richard Quashigah, Propaganda Secretary of NDC, Mr. John Akolgo Tia, Minister of Information, Ms. Anita Jemima De- Sosoo, Hajia Laadi Ayi Ayamba, Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Mr. James K. Asante, Mr. Nathaniel Addy, Mr. Solomon Nkansah, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, and Ms. Esther Cobbah.
Alhaji Huudu Yahaya chairs the 11-member Complaints and Conflict Resolution Committee, the rest are Mr. Kamel Noshie, Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo, Mr. Baba Jamal, DCOP Patrick Agboba (Rtd), Mrs. Diana Twum, Alhaji Baba Sherrif, Mr. Danny Anang, Reverend Professor Lawson, Ms. Margaret Chiravira and Hajia Zaynab Joyce Mahama.
Mr. James Asante is now the Director of Communications; Mr. Abaka Quansah, Director of Research; Mr. Kofi Attor, Director of International Relations and Mr. P.K. Abbonie, Director of Elections.
The co-opted National Executive Committee members are Dr John Frank Abu; Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Ms Ama Benyiwa Doe, Mr. Awudu Ariff and Mrs. Nancy Yelpoe.
Dr Adjei, cautioned the committee members not to work outside their jurisdiction.
He commended the members for volunteering to work for the party. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah called for devotion to duty, saying that the party would appoint from its vast array of people with expertise to replace anyone who could not perform.
Nana Agyemang Rawlings, Former First Lady and member of the Political Committee on behalf of the members said they would initiate urgent actions to improve on the living standards of the people, reduce the cost of living and ensure jobs creation. | Parliament Grants Loan for the construction of Awoshie-Pokuase road * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - Parliament on Monday granted a loan of to 80.35 million dollars from the African Development Fund to finance the construction of Awoshie-Pokuase road.
The loan would be paid within a period of 30 years. Mr Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways, said the project which was the first of its kind in Ghana, would take care of educational facilities, water and sanitation of the towns along the roads, particularly Awoshie, Pokuase and other villages on the that route. He said the financing of these projects would necessitate a supplementary loan.
Ms Ayorkor Shirley Botchway, member for Weija making reference to the Kasoa-Accra road, said communities were too close to the road resulting in constant accidents.
She said the most vulnerable were the children who in their attempts to cross the road in most cases got involved in accidents. She noted that last year about 447 accidents were recorded on the Kasoa road, out of which 26 deaths occurred. She noted that in constructing the Awoshie-Pokuase road efforts must be made to avoid such problems.
Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, member for Asawase, said the contractors who would be engaged on the project must execute it within the scheduled time to avoid more cost. He said the Ministry of Roads and Highway must fast track the processes of documentation. He said any delay in the process could affect the cost of the construction which would not benefit the country. | | . | | ______________________ |
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| Latest Ghana News Wednesday, 03 March 2010 WEEK 09 - 2010 | * Wednesday, 03 March 2010 | Mills credits political parties for making democracy flourish * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has given credit to the political parties for making democracy flourish in Ghana, and called on them to collaborate with Government to improve upon the lives of the people.
He stressed the need for the parties to co-operate to build a much stronger nation and show the outside world that no one has a singular right over the people. Power, President Mills said, was rather invested in the people. President Mills made the remark in Accra on Wednesday when a delegation from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), made up of General Secretaries and National Chairmen of the political parties in Parliament, accompanied by Mr Roel Von Meijenfeldt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra.
President Mills said political parties could not be separated from governments, which were their by- products. He commended the IEA for its contribution to the growth of democracy in Ghana, and gave the assurance that his Administration would work hand in gloves with it to build a Better Ghana. President Mills said the path of democracy Ghanaians had chosen should be followed to its logical conclusion. Mr Meijenfeldt praised Ghana for its democratic credentials and said he was at the Castle to pay the President a visit, and congratulate him as an old friend.
He commended the liaison among the political parties in Ghana; and observed that such partnership had helped in the democratic development of the advanced countries.
Dr Jean Mensa, Executive Director of IEA, commended President Mills for his commitment to the advancement of multi-party democracy. She said the IEA recognised that Government was working on the Funding of Political Parties Bill, to finance the parties and the initiation of a constitutional review.
Dr Mensa said Mr Meijenfeldt has interacted with some of the members and experts working on the review of Ghana's 1992 constitution. | > BACK to TOP < | Gov't urged to reconsider decision to sack health extension workers * Source: GNA | Kumasi, March 3, GNA - Government has been urged to reconsider a decision to lay off health extension workers employed by the previous government, under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
Mr Opoku Agyeman Prempeh, a businessman in Kumasi, said such workers should rather be supported to enroll in nursing and community health training institutions in order to be fully integrated into the health sector. He said they had already obtained considerable work experience and should be given additional training to sharpen their skills and competences. He added that they could play significant role in rural communities that were unattractive to many of the country's health professionals. Mr Prempeh who is the Managing Director of Lakayana Company in Kumasi told the Ghana News Agency that the government had already spent a lot of money on the health extension workers and this should not be allowed to go to waste.
He said the health extension workers have enjoyed confidence and trust from rural folks, which explained why they should be provided with proper training.
Mr Prempeh said given the reluctance of professional health workers to accept postings to rural areas, the importance of their services could not be discounted.
"The current situation where they are just hanging on at health facilities without doing anything just because they are going to be dismissed, is affecting health care delivery in rural communities", he added. Mr Prempeh appealed to the Ministry of Health and NYEP to come out with a definite stand on the matter to ease the mental agony which they were going through. | > BACK to TOP < | | VR Police happy with demise of "Spider" * Source: GNA | Ho, Mar. 03, GNA - The Volta Regional Police Command n Wednesday observed that, the demise of Kofi Fiagbedzi alias "Spider," a notorious armed robber who had been on the Police wanted list for years was a big boost to the fight against crime.
Mr David Ampah-Bennin, Volta Regional Police Commander was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Ho. He confirmed that Fiagbedzi, partly bred in Ho, often visited Ho and that the Volta Regional Police Command had been "in the wait for him" when he was busted in Accra.
Mr Ampah-Bennin, who described the Fiagbedzi saga, as a remarkable feat for the police, claimed that Fiagbedzi had about 50 associates in crime lurking around and must be watched.
He said the Police expected the death of Fiagbedzi to disorganize his gang but were alert to get these accomplices in the Volta Region.
Mr Ampah-Bennin said the Police in the region were scaling up day and night patrols to tackle armed robbers, including highway robbers.
"I will personally go on patrols to enhance the campaign against crime in the Region," Mr Ampah-Bennin stated, calling for support from all stakeholders, including the media.
He urged the police in other regions to be on the look out for Fiagbedzi's gang members, who might seek refuge in their areas. Meanwhile, there is mixed reactions to the death of Fiagbedzi in Ho, a base of Fiagbedzi. While many breathed a sigh of relief and gave kudos to the police others who claimed they knew Fiagbedzi personally, grieved over his death=
but condemned his criminal activities. A Police source told the GNA that Fiagbedzi touched the life of some people in Ho with largesse from his booties. Newspapers thought to have the clearest account including pictures of Fiagbedzi on Tuesday run-out as people rushed to the newsstands to either pick the papers or just catch a glimpse of the slippery robber. | > BACK to TOP < | | March 6 and March 8 declared public holidays * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - The Ministry of the Interior announced on Wednesday that Saturday, March 6 is a statutory public holiday and should be observed as such.
A statement signed by Mr Martin Amidu, Minister of the Interior, said because March 6 falls on Saturday, President John Evans Atta Mills has by Executive Instrument declared Monday, March 8 as a public holiday and it should be observed as such. | > BACK to TOP < | President's end of year party for children at Nkanfua * Source: GNA | Cape Coast, March 3, GNA - The Acting Central Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr. Israel Akrobortu, on Tuesday advised parents to invest in their children's education and stop spending on expensive clothing, funerals and festivals.
He said the best legacy any parent can bequeath to the children is quality education and urged them to take advantage of Government interventions such as the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, free school uniforms and exercise books, to educate their children. Mr. Akrobortu said this at the President's end of year party for children at Nkanfua near Cape Coast under the theme "Children and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at 20". He said Government, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Groups and individuals needed to reflect and assess their commitment to the welfare and well-being of the Ghanaian child within the past 20 years.
He appealed to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region, to fulfill their mandate in the Children's Act (Act 560, 1998) by setting aside at least two per cent of the common fund to address problems confronting children in their respective areas. He advised children to be studious, disciplined and punctual at school and refrain from bad habits such as smoking, drinking and pre-marital sex. The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast, Mr. Anthony Egyir Aikins re-echoed calls on children to eschew bad company and study hard to become great future leaders.
He also expressed gratitude to the president for the party. Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe who presented the food and drinks to the children, advised parents and teachers to be involved in the decision making process of their children and respect their views, to help build their confidence.
She said the future of a nation is its children and the future of children is their education, both should therefore be given the utmost attention to build a better future for the nation. The Metropolitan Deputy Director of Education, Mrs. Pet Acquaye who presided said parents should ensure that they provided the basic needs of their wards.
She urged the pupils not be bothered about their background since it is hard work and persistency that determines one's future. More than 300 students from the Holy Cross International School, St. Paul's Catholic School and Rev. Alec Jones Methodist School were feted. | > BACK to TOP < | NAGRAT calls off three-day old strike * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has called off its three-day old strike and asked its members to return to the classroom to perform their normal duties.
Mr. Christian Addai-Poku, President of NAGRAT who announced the decision at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday said it was as a result of extensive briefing it received from Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES), at a meeting on Tuesday March 2, on efforts to settle the grievances of members.
He said the National Executive Committee of NAGRAT was fully convinced that their members would receive their entitlements by the close of the week.
"We now have in our hands a copy of the cheque for GH¢10 million written by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning for the payment of allowances due, not only to NAGRAT members but all teachers and even non-teaching personnel," he said.
Mr. Addai-Poku said: "We also have a copy of the disbursement document that indicates how much has gone into each school or office apart from Upper West Region (UWR)," "these are hard evidence that can let even the Biblical Thomas believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ".
He said the UWR branch of NAGRAT was yet to submit to the GES the amount of money it owed its members adding that as soon as this was done, the money would be disbursed.
Government on Friday, February 26, released GH¢10 million to the GES for the payment of all outstanding arrears due members of the service nationwide but this did not convince NAGRAT and it went ahead and embarked on a strike action from Monday, March 1, saying until its members confirmed receipt of their arrears, it would not call off the industrial action.
Mr. Addai-Poku said apart from the arrears, other grievances, which included the cancellation of compulsory invigilation of examinations and conducting promotion interviews for its members, have also been addressed= .. He called on the GES and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to expedite action on the speedy implementation of the upward adjustment of the allowances concluded between the GES and the Joint Ghana National Association of Teachers and NAGRAT Negotiating Committee. | > BACK to TOP < | | MOH to procure new ambulances to augment the fleet of ambulances * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - The Ministry of Health would procure new ambulances to augment the fleet of ambulances in the system. The target is to ensure that every district in the country has an ambulance station by December 2010. Mr Kojo Mettle-Nunoo, Deputy Minister of Health, said this when he answered a question tabled by Mrs Elizabeth Sackey, Member for Okaikei North, who wanted to know when Achimota Hospital would be given an ambulance.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the current policy of the Ministry was that all ambulances would be managed by the National Ambulance Service and that no individual health institution would operate an ambulance. He said in line with this policy, the institutional ambulances were to be absorbed by the National Ambulance Service, adding that the National Ambulance Service was being resourced to open more ambulance stations to cover the entire country.
Currently, there were six ambulance stations in the Greater Accra Region, these are; Amasaman; Weija; Accra City; Aiport; Tema and Ada. These would be increased to 12 stations by the end of 2010. Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the Achimota Hospital could fall on the nearest ambulance station anytime the need arose and noted that there were private ambulances in the system and hospitals without ambulances could make arrangements with them for their assistance in time of need. | | > BACK to TOP < | | Ghanaians should worry about taste for foreign foods * Source: | Accra, March 3, GNA - Mr Ernest Akobuor Debrah, Member for Tano North, on Wednesday observed that as at 2008 Ghana was self sufficient in all staple food except rice, meat and fish. He, however, expressed worry that Ghanaians are gradually acquiring foreign taste.
Mr Debrah, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, made the observation to debunk the assertion of President Evans Atta Mills in his State of the Nation Address that: "We have to recognise that we import most of our food at present and so we have already put into action a progressive agricultural policy, which would lead to both lower food prices and to more food security." He said taste for foreign foods such as fried rice, grapes, apple and imported fruits juices had led to the abandonment of "ekwegueme", "ofam", "apiti" and "aprapransa." Mr Debrah also spoke against Ghanaians love for foreign soccer teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Liverpool at the expense of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Aduana. He said as at 2008 Ghana was self sufficient in cassava, yam, plantain, cocoyam, maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea and groundnut. He said Ghana was importing between 300 to 400 tons of rice per annum in 2008, which was less than 200 million dollars per annum. Mr Debrah said in that year 395,000 metric tons of rice amounted to 187.3 million dollars.
Mr Kuntu Blankson, Member of Parliament for Mfantsiman East and Deputy Majority Whip said, government would strive to achieve the better Ghana agenda and the results would be there for all to see. He said the prime rate at which the banks borrowed from the Bank of Ghana had also reduced drastically from 18.5 per cent to 16.0 per cent, which indicates that the economy was doing well. He said for these gains to reflect in the pockets of Ghanaians, banks and other businesses should respond swiftly by reducing their lending rates and cost of items respectively. Mr Blankson also urged the authorities to give the legal and logistics backing to enable it perform its functions effectively and efficiently. He commended the President for the idea to establish Member of Parliament (MP) Development Fund this year as well as construction of constituency offices for all the 230 MPs. Mr Mathias Puozaa, member for Nadowli East said the disbursement of the GETFund should be revised because so much was spend on tertiary education to the neglect of basic education. On the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Richard Anane, member for Nhyiaeso, said for ten months some contributors of the Scheme have not paid their claims saying this came out at the Regional Health Directorate meeting in Brong Ahafo Region. | > BACK to TOP < | | NDC should expose corrupt NPP officials -Konadu * Source: | Accra, March 3, GNA - Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, on Wednesday asked National Democratic Congress (NDC) functionaries, activists and sympathisers to assist the government in exposing all alleged corrupt officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for prosecution. She noted that such efforts would make probity and accountability a cornerstone of the NDC meaningful.
Nana Konadu made the call at the inauguration of seven committees and four directorates for the party to kick-start its campaign for victory in Election 2012 in Accra.
The committees, tasked to chart the onward move and the cohesion of the party for Election 2012 are the Legal, Complaints and Conflict Resolution, Finance, Economic, Social Services, Communications and Political committees. The four directorates are Communications, Research, International Relations and Elections.
They swore the Official Oath administered by President John Evans Atta Mills.
Nana Konadu pointed out that the inauguration was an indication that the party was ready to mobilise all human and other resources to prepare effectively and efficiently to battle the NPP in Election 2012. She called on members of the committees to work hard to assist government to fulfill its socio-economic development and the Better Ghana agenda.
Nana Konad u, President of 31st December Women's Movement and member of the Political Committee said it was obligatory for the appointed members of the committees and directorates to mobilise the required logistics for more effective work for the NDC at the grassroots, constituency and national levels to ensure victory in 2012.
"As members of the various committees and directorates, we should live above reproach and work to achieve a credible, free and fair victory in 2012," she added. | > BACK to TOP < | | Nana Darkwa and I.C. Quaye nearly attacked * Source: | Accra, March 3, GNA - The intervention of policemen at the Cocoa Affairs Circuit Court on Wednesday saved Sheikh Ibrahim Kojo Quaye, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, and Nana Darkwa Baafi, New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, from an irate group believed to be sympathizers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Nana Darkwa alleged during a Top Radio panel discussion in Accra recently that former President Jerry Rawlings set fire to his own residence at Ridge. The crowd, some of whom spoke Hausa and other languages, threatened that they would face the NPP with violence and show them that they were in power and not the NPP. Some even threatened to smash the windscreen of the Mercedes Benz car Sheikh Quaye used when he came to Court to support Nana Darkwa, a member of his constituency. The incident took place after the presiding judge, Mr. C.K. Wilson, adjourned the matter to March 15, 2010 because the prosecution in the case was not present in Court.
When Nana Darkwa, in the company of his lawyers, Mr Kwame Boafo Akuffo and Mr Mike Ocquaye Jr., got out of the courtroom and Sheikh Quaye was heading to his car, the crowd started heckling Sheikh Quaye and Nana Darkwa.
Some policemen who were on duty at the court intervened and shielded both Sheikh Quaye and Nana Darkwa from the crowd. They pushed Sheikh Quaye into the back seat of his car while Nana Darkwa was guarded into one of the courtrooms for safety.
During the proceedings earlier, Mr David Annan, a lawyer, announced to the court that he was holding brief for Mr Kofi Adams, Special Assistant to former President Rawlings and Deputy NDC General Secretary, who is a complainant in the case. However, Mr Akuffo rejected the claims of Mr Annan, saying that he had no locus standing in the matter and that he was also not the prosecutor in the case. He asked the court to stop Mr Annan from interfering in the case. However, Mr Akuffo's words did not go down well with Mr Annan and resulted in hot exchanges between the two.
The judge intervened in the matter to calm nerves and said he had the discretion as to who should be allowed to speak on the matter. He also invited the lawyers for both the complainant and defence to meet him in his chambers after the adjournment though, according to him, the discussion was not related to the current matter. The facts of the case are that Nana Darkwa was arrested by personnel from the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters following a panel discussion at the radio station, after a complaint by Mr Kofi Adams, Spokesperson for Former President Rawlings. During the discussion, Nana Darkwah was alleged to have stated that "former President Rawlings intentionally caused the fire outbreak to comp= el the State to relocate him and his family". The statement angered many listeners of the programme compelling some of them to rush to the precincts of the radio station. The Police rushed to the station to protect lives and property during which the panelists were whisked away to safety. When Nana Darkwa was interrogated at the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters, he admitted the offence and asked for forgiveness. | > BACK to TOP < | | MASLOC boss denies spending GH¢25,000 on a car key * Source: GNA | Accra, March 3, GNA - Ms Bertha Ansah-Djan, Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), has dismissed as "total fabrication", an allegation citing her as having spent GH¢25,000 state funds on a car key.
"GH¢25,000 on a car key; where in this world can that be possible?" she asked.
Ms Ansah-Djan was speaking in an interview with Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Accra, following allegations that she had spent the amount to replace the keys to a V8 Land Cruiser which were lost by her driver. She said the allegation was crafted to discredit her hard work and to drag her hard earned reputation in the mud.
"As I sit here, I have not bought any key," she stressed, adding that the key to the said car was still missing. Ms Ansah-Djan said when she assumed office, the car that was bought by the then Chief of Staff through the offices of the President, was allocated to one Mr Moses Barimah, an employee of MASLOC.
She said Mr Barimah, who was on leave, was contacted to find out where the key was and when searches draw blanks she called Toyota Ghana Limited on phone and the company said a replacement would cost GH¢1,700. Ms Ansah-Djan said she was baffled by an invoice submitted by the company that a showed a jump in the price to GH¢7,491.43.
She showed the invoice to the Ghana News Agency and said irresponsible journalistic practice would not do the nation any good. "If we continue like this, investors and hardworking individuals in the country would not be able to work hard to improve the lot for the nation," she said. Ms Ansah-Djan lauded the former NPP government for introducing the concept but stressed its implementation was badly done.
"If we put the systems in place and the necessary checks to enable MASLOC to work it would be one of the organizations that would improve the socio-economic development agenda of the country," she said. She appealed to applicants to the scheme under the 2010 fiscal year to exercise restraint as the Centre would start the disbursement of loans by the end of March 2010. Ms Ansah-Djan said MASLOC had started working with the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to recover loans from defaulters under the scheme.
MASLOC was established to support government's programme of a sustainable reduction in poverty as spelt out under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy by providing micro credit and small loans, which are to be repaid with interest. It was to serve as the fiduciary agency of government for the prudent and judicious management of government and development partners' funds for micro and small-scale credit programmes. MASLOC is expected to promote the emergence, development and growth of a sustainable and decentralized micro-financial sector with grassroots participation in ownership, management and control. | > BACK to TOP < | | Activities of Fulani herdsmen, security threat * Source: GNA | Tamale, March 3, GNA - Ghana Network for Peace Building (GHANEP), has identified activities of Fulani herdsmen as the most serious security threat to Northern Region and Ghana in general.
Mr. Justin Bayor, National Coordinator of the group, who announced this in Tamale on Tuesday, called on government to ensure that the security agencies take urgent steps to deal with the situation. He was speaking at a press briefing as part of the group's quarterly Ghana Alert Programme, aimed at monitoring the security situation in the country.
Mr. Bayor said the rampant offences that the Fulani herdsmen committed included rape, armed robbery, theft and destruction of farms. He said radio discussions, especially phone-in programmes were at times inimical to peace saying, "Their pronouncements are often provocative and have the tendency to generate fear, panic and mob action". Mr. Bayor said some politicians meddled in land and chieftaincy disputes and criminal cases that could affect peace in the area. He said that social vices existed in the region and criminals could easily use the youth to facilitate their actions.
Mr. Bayor said the celebration of festivals and other ceremonies could be fertile grounds for conflicts adding that "We wish to bring these to the notice of the appropriate agencies for immediate action". GHANEP, a network of civil society organization, contributing to peace building and conflict management in the country, had interacted with personnel of security agencies in the region to discuss threats to peace and strategies to tackle the problem. | > BACK to TOP < | | Ampofo: Ghana needs effective laws to protect oil * Source: GNA | Koforidua, March 3, GNA - Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, has advocated the formulation of good policies and enactment of effective laws to protect the country's oil find.
He also called for the training of Ghanaians in technical skills to enable them to take up jobs in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Ofusu Ampofo was speaking at a consultative forum on management of expected petroleum wealth of the country, organized for residents of Koforidua and its environs, on Tuesday.
Participants suggested that such wealth should be invested in projects that would bring high returns to the nation.
They were of the view that oil revenue should be used for the building of better facilities for environmental protection and the development of agriculture and iron and steel industry and other sectors of the economy. Mr. Yaw Boateng, Headmaster of New Juaben Senior High School, noted that if the expectation of people living in oil-discovered areas was not realized that could create problems.
He said oil exploitation required high technology, which the people in oil communities might not necessarily possess.
Mr. Boateng reminded Ghanaians that revenue obtained from cocoa, timber, gold and other resources was used for the development of the entire country without the creation of a special fund for the benefit of people in communities where those products were acquired. Mr. Richard Kingston of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, advised Ghanaians to disabuse their minds that the oil find was a panacea to Ghana's economic problems.
He explained that oil revenue could be used for the building of roads, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure but people would have to work hard to enable them to pay taxes for the maintenance of those facilities. Mrs. Cedonia Dere of the Community Based Rural Development Project of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, appealed to government to invest a substantial amount of oil revenue in youth development and viable economic ventures to create more jobs for the people. | > BACK to TOP < |
_____________________________________________________ ----- | | | Wednesday, 03 March 2010 | | Middle
Mills credits political parties for making democracy flourish Gov't urged to reconsider decision to sack health extension workers VR Police happy with demise of "Spider" March 6 and March 8 declared public holidays President's end of year party for children at Nkanfua NAGRAT calls off three-day old strike MOH to procure new ambulances to augment the fleet of ambulances Ghanaians should worry about taste for foreign foods NDC should expose corrupt NPP officials -Konadu Nana Darkwa and I.C. Quaye nearly attacked GINKS launches a three-year strategic plan MASLOC boss denies spending GH¢25,000 on a car key Activities of Fulani herdsmen, security threat Ampofo: Ghana needs effective laws to protect oil Right
Ntim pledges support for Jake Invest the oil revenue -Eastern Regional participants Gbeogo School for the Deaf appeals for Support Rawlings' accuser appears in court NPP potential presidential candidate test popularity Stop Showering Praises On Yourself - Okudzeto Tells Kufour Left
Health Minister tours Upper East as CSM breaks out President Mills inaugurates NDC Committees Parliament Grants Loan for the construction of Awoshie-Pokuase road | _________________________________ | Your Opinions | Have Your Say!
| Archived News for 2010 | Go to 02.03.2010 | News Page was last modified on Thursday, 04 March 2010 04:26:31 | 
| All about the Ghana Election 2008 | | | | * 03.03.2010 | Ntim pledges support for Jake * Source: Daily Graphic | The runner-up in the just-ended national delegates conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Stephen Ayensu Ntim, has congratulated Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, who was elected national chairman of the party.
Mr Ntim did that when he went to the residence of Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey in Accra last Monday. He also asked his numerous supporters and delegates to emulate his example and remain faithful to the cause of the NPP.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra Tuesday, he said the most important thing after the congress was for all who believed in the party to join hands with the new executive to execute the agenda of winning the 2012 elections.
At last Saturday's 15th National Delegates Conference of the party held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey won the elections with 2,030 votes, followed by Mr Ntim who had 1,804, Sammy Crabbe, 43; Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, 29 and Mr Felix Owusu Adjapong, 25.
Mr Ntim said although he had some challenges with some of the processes during the elections, he was not contesting the result of the elections but would channel his concerns to the party to guide future elections.
He said the best thing for any good leader was to lead by example, and that he was calling on his followers and supporters to emulate his action and utterances and bear in mind that the NPP was more important than the interests of all.
Mr Ntim urged party members with concerns not to rush to the media to complain, but to use the appropriate procedures in the party to seek redress.
He said he still remained a faithful and committed member of the party and would play any role that the leadership would offer him to advance the cause of the NPP.
To NPP supporters and leaders, Mr Ntim said this was the time to bury all differences, remain united and forge ahead to ensure that the party formed the next government.
| Invest the oil revenue -Eastern Regional participants * Source: | Koforidua, March 3, GNA -Participants at a consultative forum in Koforidua on how to manage the expected petroleum wealth of the country, had suggested that the wealth be invested in projects that would bring high returns to the nation as a whole. They urged that the oil wealth be used to develop better structures for environmental protection and the development of other sectors of the economy like farming and the iron and steel industry. Mr Yaw Boateng, Headmaster of the New Juaben Senior High School, said the oil industry required some technical skills and if only people around the Western Region were employed, there was the possibility of not getting those with the required qualifications for employment. Mr Boateng said before the discovery of the oil, some other communities were producing cocoa, timber and gold, but the money realized was used to develop the whole country and no special funds were set up for the areas where the wealth were created.
Mr Richard Kingston of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors suggested the playing down of the idea that the oil revenue should be shared or that the wealth from that sector would solve all the challenges facing the country. He explained that the development of the oil would require the construction of better infrastructure like roads, hospitals and others, and that would also require that the citizens pay high maintenance fees to continue to enjoy those facilities at least for some time. Mrs Cedonia Dere of the Community Based Rural Development Project of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), called for a substantial part of the petroleum wealth to be used to promote youth development and employment, to help stop the rural/urban migration. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, called for more efforts at training the human resource base for the oil and gas industry, so that Ghanaians could take commanding heights in the industry. He called for more effective laws to protect some aspects of the industry for Ghanaians. | | Gbeogo School for the Deaf appeals for Support * Source: GNA | Tongo (U/E), March 3, GNA - The Gbeogo School for the Deaf in the Talensi-Nabdam District has celebrated its first Open Day with a call on the government, non-governmental organizations and philanthropists to assist the school to enhance its academic work. The Headmaster of the School, Mr. Francis Andiiba, said the school, which was established in 1996 and now has a student population of 320 students, is the only institution for the Deaf in the Region. He the school is being confronted with numerous problems and mentioned some of the problems as lack of accommodation for the Headmaster and the teachers.
The others are difficulty in paying electricity bills, lack of computers, the need to complete the dinning hall, furniture, a fence wall and street lights. Mr. Andiiba said the school would not present candidates for the 2010 Basic School Certificate Examination (BECE) because of the introduction of the Information Communication Technology at the BECE. He said the school needed computers and time to prepare the students for the 2010 BECE and appealed to the Parent/Teacher Association and the School Management Committee to step up their efforts to raise funds for development projects and to generate funds internally by assisting the pupils to produce more vegetables and to assist them in basket weaving. On the academic achievement of the school, the Headmaster said the school had been performing well at the BECE since its inception and most of the students had gained admission to many Deaf Senior High Schools.
Mr. Andiiba commended the Tongo Area Development Project of World Vision for sponsoring the activities of the opening day celebration. He also paid tribute to Action Aid Ghana, the Catholic Relief Services and other individuals for contributing to the development of the school. The Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awini, said the government was committed to the education of children particularly children with special needs. She said government was putting up special facilities for special need schools and incentive packages for teachers who are attached to the Special Education Section. The Senior Programme Officer of the Tongo Area Development Project of World Vision International, Mr. Samuel Laary, assured Management of the School that World Vision would continue to support the school to improve upon its academic performance. | | Rawlings' accuser appears in court * Source: Joy Online | The 27-year-old New Patriotic Party (NPP) sympathizer who was arrested and detained for alleging that former President Rawlings set fire to his Ridge residence, appears before court today.
Nana Darkwah has been charged with spreading fear and alarm and his lawyers will be seeking to get the charges against their client dropped.
Nana Darkwah, who is on a GH¢400 bail, was released shortly after the Minority in Parliament boycotted proceedings to protest his incarceration.
Although his arrest has been criticized by many including the Committee for Joint Action (CJA), Nana Darkwah’s comments have widely been condemned as irresponsible. | NPP potential presidential candidate test popularity * Source: Daily Graphic | The just-ended 15th national delegates conference of the NPP provided a good platform for the potential presidential candidates to test their popularity in the party.
Even though the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party banned any form of campaigning, including wearing of T-shirts and other paraphernalia of the flag-bearer aspirants, they still managed to use other means to put themselves out to the party supporters.
At the end of the day, it appeared Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr Alan Kyerematten were neck and neck in the reception of the party members.
So huge were their followers that one could find difficulty in establishing who was more popular than the other.
Another potential candidate, Mr Isaac Osei, was also doing his own thing to get the necessary attention from party people.
He mounted a large banner with his picture on it at the entrance of the stadium, welcoming delegates to Kumasi.
The Baba Yara Stadium is located in the Subin Constituency, where Mr Osei is the Member of Parliament.
Besides, his agents also distributed cards bearing his picture, ostensibly to get their support ahead of the national delegates congress to elect the party's presidential candidate for the next elections.
Nana Akufo-Addo later told the Daily Graphic that he would soon make a formal declaration of his presidential ambition.
He said with the successful election of national executives of the party, he will soon come out with his position on the party's flag-bearership for the 2012 elections.
He told the Daily Graphic at the Baba Yara Stadium, just before the final results were declared at the party's national delegates conference that, "You all have to wait to hear from me soon."
Even though any such declaration may be seen as just a formality since his ambition was already known, Nana Akufo-Addo said, "Let's wait and see".
Beaming with smiles as names of winners of the various positions went round, Nana Akufo-Addo said he was happy about the conduct of the polls.
"What you see here amply demonstrates the maturity of our people," he said.
Even though Mr Kyerematen was nowhere to be found in the dying embers of the conference, his admirers insisted that he must contest the flag-bearer position because he was the best person to lead the party in 2012.
Perhaps, the way his large following at the stadium shouted "our next President, our next President" as he made his way into the stadium was ample testimony that he would definitely contest.
The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso and close associate of Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, told the Daily Graphic that he was happy that only three Akans were in the new national executive.
This, he noted, would defeat the propaganda by the NDC that the NPP is an Akan party.
"The conference underlined the NPP as a true national party," he said, adding that "that was why some of us close to Nana Akufo-Addo did everything to get representatives from all the regions in the national executives."
Some people were also questioning why the former President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, and Mr Kyerematen did not sit through the conference and had to leave midway through.
That notwithstanding, some of the delegates who spoke to the Daily Graphic said the two personalities did not necessarily had to witness every aspect of the conference to prove their commitment to the party.
Many people were also shocked to see Dr Arthur Kennedy at the conference after he earlier declared that he would not attend the event because he had other commitments in the United States.
The man who wrote the controversial book, "Chasing The Elephant into the Bush," walked quietly to his seat as if party people did not notice his presence. | Stop Showering Praises On Yourself - Okudzeto Tells Kufour * Source: Citifmonline.com | A Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says ex president Kufour’s allusion that he’s the best president the Danquah-Busia tradition has ever produced is a fallacy which has not even been endorsed by his party members who gathered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium over the weekend.
He has thus advised Mr. Kufuor to stop showering strange praises on himself. “Even within his own party they don’t endorse his legacy, they don’t believe that he is the greatest President the Danquah-Busia tradition has produced. If you look at the outcome of the NPP congress after President Kufour’s speech it is clear that the NPP supporters themselves don’t buy all these strange praises he is showering on himself.”
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, responding to the ex President’s comments at the Kumasi congress that President Mills has disappointed Ghanaians told Citi News that contrary to ex president Kufour’s comments, the country’s economy has improved tremendously since the NDC took power. “Indeed if you look at the state of the economy today it is far better than what President Kufour left. He left an economy which had inflation at 18.1%, as we speak now, under President Mills, inflation is around 14.8% and the Cedi has appreciated against the major currencies”
Former President Kufour in his address to party loyalists during the NPP’s National Delegates’ Conference asserted that most of the projects that were initiated by his government had been abandoned by the NDC government. However, in an interview with Citi News, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said most of those projects have come to a standstill because the NPP government was unable to secure a sustainable funding for them.
He said the National Democratic Congress led government does not intend to discontinue all projects started by the erstwhile NPP administration. “We will continue all laudable projects under the previous regime, we do not want to be petty and abrogate or annul contracts or projects just because we didn’t start it” “There were a lot of contracts that were started under the President Kufour regime that did not have sustainable funding and that is why certain projects like the Achimota-Ofankor road for more than five years have not been completed”.
He added that the NDC government is raising funds to complete such projects, and if the needed funds are secured most projects embarked on by the NPP government will be completed. |
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