THE Jomoro District Assembly in the Western Region is to assist artisans and bakers in the district through the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the Rural Enterprise Project to benefit from the Rural Enterprises Development Fund to expand their businesses.
The Head of the Business Advisory Centre in the Jomoro District, Mr Daniel Amponsah, announced this when addressing bakers and artisans, comprising garage operators, carpenters and woodworkers drawn from the district at separate workshops at Half Assini and Tikobo Number One.
An Italian non-governmental organisation (NGO), COSPE, supported the training workshops.
The artisans were taken through fuel injection repairs, costing, pricing, quality finishing, proper management techniques and book-keeping, to ensure quality production and also reduce waste, while the bakers were taught how to use cassava to make cake, doughnuts, biscuits, meat pie and other pastries.
Mr Amponsah advised the participants to strengthen their groups to enable them to benefit from the Rural Enterprise Fund and other interventions such as the Grant Fund.
He said it was the policy of the government to put money in the training of artisans, especially the unskilled ones in the country, to be skilful and increase production for their livelihood.
Mr Amponsah, therefore, advised them to take advantage of all the workshops and training courses being organised by the BAC to equip themselves with the necessary skills to enable them to become self-supporting, self-employed and independent.
The Jomoro District Business Advisor of COSPE, Mr Maxwell Blay, said his organisation had been assisting both financially and materially in the training of small scale entrepreneurs through its small micro-enterprise systems to eliminate poverty and enhance their businesses.
He advised the participants to put what they had learnt in constant practice in order to become masters of their jobs.
A resource person of the workshop, Mrs Adelaide Sefa Boakyea, advised bakers who were not members of the association to register with it to enable them to benefit from any assistance that would come from the BAC.
She advised the participants to honour their tax obligations to help the assembly to generate enough revenue for its development activities.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
MORE CRIMINAL CASES PENDING BEFORE COURTS IN WR (PAGE 20)
A TOTAL of 7,369 criminal cases were pending in the district courts in the Western Region as of the end of June, 2008, while 6,369 criminal cases were disposed of in the district courts in the region between July, 2007 and June 2008.
Besides, a total of 3,241 fresh criminal cases were filed in the district courts in the region between July, 2007 and June, 2008, while 3,857 criminal cases were pending in the district courts at the beginning of July, 2007.
According to the Judicial Service Annual Report 2007/2008, a total number of 8,897 civil cases were pending in the courts in the region at the end of June, 2008, while 6,114 civil cases were concluded in the district courts between July, 2007 and June, 2008.
It stated that a total of 7,225 fresh civil cases were filed in the district courts between July, 2007 and June 2008, while a total number of 7,786 civil cases were pending in the district courts at the beginning of July, 2007.
Besides, a total of 3,241 fresh criminal cases were filed in the district courts in the region between July, 2007 and June, 2008, while 3,857 criminal cases were pending in the district courts at the beginning of July, 2007.
According to the Judicial Service Annual Report 2007/2008, a total number of 8,897 civil cases were pending in the courts in the region at the end of June, 2008, while 6,114 civil cases were concluded in the district courts between July, 2007 and June, 2008.
It stated that a total of 7,225 fresh civil cases were filed in the district courts between July, 2007 and June 2008, while a total number of 7,786 civil cases were pending in the district courts at the beginning of July, 2007.
WORKSHOP ON HIV/AIDS ENDS AT TARKWA (PAGE 20)
THE Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal AIDS Committee has organised a two-day workshop on HIV-AIDS for representatives of religious groups, traditional rulers, security personnel, youth and women’s groups as well as media practitioners drawn from the municipality.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr George Mireku-Duker, appealed to the Ghana AIDS Commission to consider, as a matter of agency, the need to increase the support given to the municipality for HIV/AIDS activities.
He explained that the municipality had a peculiar problem with HIV/AIDS prevention due to the influx of people into the area for mining activities.
The Municipal HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Mr Joseph Adjei Sowah, appealed to the participants to share the knowledge they had acquired from the workshop with those they represented, so that together they could achieve the goals of the National Strategic Framework.
He said it was the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure that the spread of HIV/AIDS was brought under control.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, the participants pledged to play an active role in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the municipality.
They also pledged to encourage chiefs in the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area to promote condom use to help in the prevention of the disease.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr George Mireku-Duker, appealed to the Ghana AIDS Commission to consider, as a matter of agency, the need to increase the support given to the municipality for HIV/AIDS activities.
He explained that the municipality had a peculiar problem with HIV/AIDS prevention due to the influx of people into the area for mining activities.
The Municipal HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Mr Joseph Adjei Sowah, appealed to the participants to share the knowledge they had acquired from the workshop with those they represented, so that together they could achieve the goals of the National Strategic Framework.
He said it was the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure that the spread of HIV/AIDS was brought under control.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, the participants pledged to play an active role in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the municipality.
They also pledged to encourage chiefs in the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area to promote condom use to help in the prevention of the disease.
WESTERN REGION IS 3RD MOST INDUSTRIALISED IN GHANA (PAGE 20)
THE Western Region is ranked the third most industrialised region in the country with the highest concentration of mining companies.
The Western Regional Trade and Industry Officer, Mr Charles Folikumah, who announced this in Takoradi, said the region was a significant contributor to export-led economic development policy which the Ministry of Trade, Industry and PSI is pursuing.
He said this in an address read on his behalf at the launch of the Association of Ghana Industries’ (AGI’s) SME Agenda 2008.
The AGI is developing the SME Agenda 2008, a policy document for the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, which will be presented to the new government in early 2009.
Mr Folikumah emphasised that there could not be any meaningful economic development and growth in the country without the backing of a vibrant industrial sector.
He said the variety and volume of industrial products as well as services that could be credited to the AGI today, were formidable, despite constraints such as lack of sufficient working capital, obsolete equipment, inadequate supply of raw materials, stiff competition with imported goods, among others.
Mr Folikumah said it was in view of those constraints that the AGI had decided to develop a policy for implementation in order to promote and propel SMEs in the country in the export-led growth and domestic industrialisation.
He, therefore, implored all stakeholders to get actively involved in all the discussions and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the set goal to remove bottlenecks constraining the development of SMEs.
That, he stressed, would facilitate the redirection of socio-economic activities as well as the creation of more vibrant industries in the country.
“By so doing, we would be acknowledging the effort of all those who have contributed and offered technical as well as financial assistance for the realisation of this project”, Mr Folikumah stated.
The Project Manager of AGI SME Agenda 2008, Mr Isaac Akosa, said the project would be a fact-based advocacy document.
He added that 1,000 chief executives/owners of SMEs from all the regions would be interviewed and would contribute their views.
Mr Akosa said the findings of the opinion survey and the study would be presented at regional validation workshops which would bring together private sector representatives and government officials.
He said further that a national SME conference would be held in early 2009, adding that the outcome of the conference would form the basis of the agenda.
According to him, the agenda would present practical policy recommendations to the government for an enhanced business environment in all the regions of the country and also serve as a platform for advocacy and monitoring activities.
The Western Regional Trade and Industry Officer, Mr Charles Folikumah, who announced this in Takoradi, said the region was a significant contributor to export-led economic development policy which the Ministry of Trade, Industry and PSI is pursuing.
He said this in an address read on his behalf at the launch of the Association of Ghana Industries’ (AGI’s) SME Agenda 2008.
The AGI is developing the SME Agenda 2008, a policy document for the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country, which will be presented to the new government in early 2009.
Mr Folikumah emphasised that there could not be any meaningful economic development and growth in the country without the backing of a vibrant industrial sector.
He said the variety and volume of industrial products as well as services that could be credited to the AGI today, were formidable, despite constraints such as lack of sufficient working capital, obsolete equipment, inadequate supply of raw materials, stiff competition with imported goods, among others.
Mr Folikumah said it was in view of those constraints that the AGI had decided to develop a policy for implementation in order to promote and propel SMEs in the country in the export-led growth and domestic industrialisation.
He, therefore, implored all stakeholders to get actively involved in all the discussions and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the set goal to remove bottlenecks constraining the development of SMEs.
That, he stressed, would facilitate the redirection of socio-economic activities as well as the creation of more vibrant industries in the country.
“By so doing, we would be acknowledging the effort of all those who have contributed and offered technical as well as financial assistance for the realisation of this project”, Mr Folikumah stated.
The Project Manager of AGI SME Agenda 2008, Mr Isaac Akosa, said the project would be a fact-based advocacy document.
He added that 1,000 chief executives/owners of SMEs from all the regions would be interviewed and would contribute their views.
Mr Akosa said the findings of the opinion survey and the study would be presented at regional validation workshops which would bring together private sector representatives and government officials.
He said further that a national SME conference would be held in early 2009, adding that the outcome of the conference would form the basis of the agenda.
According to him, the agenda would present practical policy recommendations to the government for an enhanced business environment in all the regions of the country and also serve as a platform for advocacy and monitoring activities.
JUBILEE OIL FIELD TO BE DEVELOPED IN PHASES (PAGE 20)
THE Jubilee Oil Field at Cape Three Points in the Western Region, which is still under study, will be developed in phases.
When completed, the oil field will produce 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day for a start and will increase gradually.
The first amount of oil is expected to be produced in the fourth quarter of 2010. In all, about 17 wells are to be drilled.
The Chief Geophysicist of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Gabriel Q.A. Osatey, announced this in a paper he presented at the five-day senior naval officers convention in Takoradi.
Speaking on the topic: “Safety and Security of Ghana’s Oil/gas Industry-Envisaged role of the navy”, Mr Osatey mentioned some of the challenges facing the development of the oil field as tight rig market as of now, production facilities, if they were to be ordered from shipyards, and unpredictable development costs due mostly to the rapid fluctuation of oil prices.
He stated that the building of production facilities from the scratch, inadequate port facilities at the main operation base and the capacity of the Takoradi Port to handle heavy equipment and materials for the oil fields were also other challenges.
Touching on gas utilisation, Mr Osatey explained that some of the gas from the Jubilee Field would be directed to the Osagyefo Barge at Efaso Mangyea in the Jomoro District in the Western Region, for the generation of 225 megawatts of electricity.
He said gas infrastructure development, both onshore and offshore, would be given priority and that would be independent of the Jubilee Field development partners.
According to Mr Osatey, there would be pipelines to be linked to the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project, while stranded gas would have access to the infrastructure, adding that that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production would be encouraged.
He said the oil industry spawned a host of other industries and so Ghanaians must position themselves to partner other oil companies.
According to Mr Osatey, the Takoradi Port should be expanded to position itself properly for the oil industry.
He enumerated some of the problems facing the oil industry as oil thefts on the high seas by organised criminals, diversion of goods meant for the oil rigs, militant locals who might disrupt onshore installations on the pretext of securing more oil wealth for their communities and dangers posed by fishermen, as well as explosives used in the industry.
Mr Osatey stressed that Ghana’s oil find would be beneficial, if it was well protected.
When completed, the oil field will produce 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day for a start and will increase gradually.
The first amount of oil is expected to be produced in the fourth quarter of 2010. In all, about 17 wells are to be drilled.
The Chief Geophysicist of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Gabriel Q.A. Osatey, announced this in a paper he presented at the five-day senior naval officers convention in Takoradi.
Speaking on the topic: “Safety and Security of Ghana’s Oil/gas Industry-Envisaged role of the navy”, Mr Osatey mentioned some of the challenges facing the development of the oil field as tight rig market as of now, production facilities, if they were to be ordered from shipyards, and unpredictable development costs due mostly to the rapid fluctuation of oil prices.
He stated that the building of production facilities from the scratch, inadequate port facilities at the main operation base and the capacity of the Takoradi Port to handle heavy equipment and materials for the oil fields were also other challenges.
Touching on gas utilisation, Mr Osatey explained that some of the gas from the Jubilee Field would be directed to the Osagyefo Barge at Efaso Mangyea in the Jomoro District in the Western Region, for the generation of 225 megawatts of electricity.
He said gas infrastructure development, both onshore and offshore, would be given priority and that would be independent of the Jubilee Field development partners.
According to Mr Osatey, there would be pipelines to be linked to the West Africa Gas Pipeline Project, while stranded gas would have access to the infrastructure, adding that that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production would be encouraged.
He said the oil industry spawned a host of other industries and so Ghanaians must position themselves to partner other oil companies.
According to Mr Osatey, the Takoradi Port should be expanded to position itself properly for the oil industry.
He enumerated some of the problems facing the oil industry as oil thefts on the high seas by organised criminals, diversion of goods meant for the oil rigs, militant locals who might disrupt onshore installations on the pretext of securing more oil wealth for their communities and dangers posed by fishermen, as well as explosives used in the industry.
Mr Osatey stressed that Ghana’s oil find would be beneficial, if it was well protected.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ELECTION FEVER GRIPS WESTERN REGION (PAGE 17)
Since the election of their flag bearers, the political parties, especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been frequenting the Western Region with their political messages, promises and their manifestos to convince people in the region to vote for them.
The Western Region has 22 constituencies, out of which NPP has 12, NDC, eight with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) having two.
For this year’s December election a total of 90 candidates filed their nominations to contest the elections in the Western Region. The NDC is contesting in all the 22 constituencies, NPP 21, CPP 21, the People’s National Convention (PNC) eight, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) two, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP) two, with eight people contesting as independent parliamentary candidates.
In the Ahanta West constituency, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), a 56 year old Agriculturist, Samuel Johnfiah, is the candidate for NPP while a 52-year old trader, Madam Comfort Amoo, is standing for the DFP, with David Oscar Yawson a 31-year old Geo-information Scientist is contesting on the ticket of the CPP, with a 44-year-old teacher Mr Joseph Jones Amoah is standing for the NDC.
In the 2004 elections, Samuel Johnfiah won the seat for the NPP by securing 22,615 votes, while Joseph Jones Amoah, who stood for the NDC, got 7,345 votes which is an indication that the NPP has the chance to retain the seat in this year’s election, all things being equal.
In the Amenfi Central, a 39-year old Public Servant, Padmore Kofi Yonkopa Arthur, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while a 51-year old marine engineer, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, is standing as an independent candidate, with a 38- year old accountant, James Boateng, contesting for the CPP, and a 39-year old teacher, George Kofi Arthur is running on the ticket of the NDC.
In the 2004 elections, Kofi Arthur stood for the NDC and won the parliamentary seat with 14,139 votes, while Peter Kwakye Ackah, now going independent, stood for the NPP and secured 14,004 votes. Now that Kwakye-Ackah has decided to go independent, maybe the NPP votes would split in favour of the NDC.
For this year’s election, a 57-year old teacher, Mrs Agnes Sonful, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP in the Amenfi West, while a 49-year old teacher, John Gyetuah, the incumbent, is running for the NDC, with a 61-year old trainer/consultant, Anthony Kwame Enimil, contesting for the CPP.
In the previous election, John Gyetuah secured 15,233 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Agnes Sonful got 13,108 votes for the NPP. The margin is such that the NPP would have to intensify its campaign in the constituency, if it wants to overtake the NDC.
For Amenfi East, a 51-year old lecturer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the incumbent NPP MP is contesting for the party, while a 50-year-old system/electrical engineer, Samuel Yaw Obeng-Damoah, is running for the CPP, with a 51-year old Management Consultant, Akwasi Opong Fosu is contesting for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Joseph Boahen Aidoo polled 23,937 votes to win the seat for the NPP, Osei Kuffour Omooyey, who stood for the NDC, polled 12,370 votes. The situation is such that the NPP stands the chance of retaining the seat, if things work the same way as they worked in the previous election.
A 54-year old teacher, Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, is running for the NPP in the Aowin constituency while a 27-year old self-employed Ebenezer Ebbi Kwaw Dankwa is contesting for the PNC, and Martin Boadi, a 29-year-old accountant, contesting for the CPP, with Mathias Kwame Ntow, a 51-year-old teacher, running for the NDC.
In Aowin, in the 2004 election, Samuel Adu-Gyamfi polled 22,059 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against 16,358 votes secured by John Kwekucher Ackah who stood for the NDC. This indicates that the NPP has the advantage and that the NDC has to do its home work well.
For Bia, a 32-year old Lawyer, Anthony Marshall Arpoh is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while Michael Coffie Boampong, 46 the incumbent is running for the NDC, with Kwaku Affukaah, a 51-year-old timber merchant going independent, while Philemon Armah, 33, a teacher, is running for the CPP. Augustine Duku, 34, an engineer, is standing for the DFP, with Alex Ackah Korsah, 46, a teacher, contesting for the DPP.
In the 2004 election, Michael Coffie Boampong won massively for the NDC by polling 36,014 votes, as against the 17,607 votes Anthony Marshall Arpoh got for the NPP. In this case the NPP had a herculean task in the constituency.
A 45-year-old administrator the incumbent Christopher Addae, is contesting the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai seat on the ticket of NPP, while a 55-year-old economist, Seidu Paakuna Adamu, is running for the NDC, with Gyasi Newlove, 36-year-old teacher, standing for the CPP and Alice Philipa Gyamfi, a 45-years-old stenographer, running for the DFP.
Chistopher Addae polled 24,333 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, while Seidu Paakuna Adamu got 22,370 votes for the NDC. The situation is such that the race is still open.
In Effia Kwesimintsim, Joe Baidoe Ansah the current MP 44, and a communications professional, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while a 53-year old legal practitioner Joseph Abekah is running for the CPP, with Barnabas Impraim, 43, an electrician, standing for the PNC, while Ambrose Sessah Ankrah, 43 and a maritime administrator, is contesting for the NDC. A 39-year-old wood technician, Innocent Asamoah, is contesting for the GCPP, while Philip Buckman, 35 is going as an independent candidate.
Joe Baidoe-Ansah won massively for the NPP in the 2004 election by polling 36,936 votes, as against the 13,660 polled by George Kweku Christian, who stood for the NDC. So it is clear that the NPP still has the chance to win the seat.
For Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, 42 an administrator, is contesting for the NDC, while Maxwell Amuah Essien, 30, and also an administrator, is running as an independent candidate, with a 56-year old Barrister Freddie Blay contesting for the CPP. Kodwoe Yankson, 52, a lawyer, and a 30-year-old TV producer, Mathias Boateng, are contesting as independent candidates.
Freddie Blay won convincingly in the 2004 election when he polled 18,428 votes, as against the 11,322 votes Kaku Korsah got for the NDC. This means that the CPP has advantage to retain the seat.
In Essikado/Ketan, a 60-year-old accounts clerk, John Eghan, is running for the CPP, while Victor Henry Abbey-Hart, 44 and an accountant is contesting for the NDC, with a 55-year-old agriculturist, Emmanuel Victor Grayham standing for the PNC, while Joe Ghartey, 47 a lawyer, is contesting for the NPP.
Joe Ghartey polled 24,078 votes in the 2004 elections to win massively for the NPP, while David Mensah, who stood for the NDC, got 8,976 votes. So one can conclude that the constituency is a no go area for the NDC.
Catherine Abelema Afeku, a 41-year-old communications professional, is contesting the Evalue Gwira seat for the NPP, while Peter Arde-Kodwo, 56 and a lecturer, is standing for the NDC, with a 63-year old lawyer, Kojo Armah, contesting for the CPP.
In the 2004 election, Kojo Armah polled 10,377 votes to win the seat for the CPP, since the NPP did not put a candidate to contest the seat. The NDC got 6,150 votes. Now that the NPP is contesting the seat, the likelihood that the occupancy of the seat will change is very clear.
A 64-year-old scientist, Lee Ocran the incumbent is contesting the Jomoro seat, while a new entrant, a 48-year old educationist and journalist, Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah, is running for the CPP, with a 34-year-old educationist and also a journalist, Martin Nyameke Ackah, standing for the NPP, while Jemaima Soboe, 41 and a hairdresser, is contesting for the PNC.
In the 2004 election, Lee Ocran polled 16,490 votes to win the seat for the NDC, as against the 14,835 Anthony Ransford Tandoh won for the NPP. The NPP has the chance to make amends.
In the Juaboso Constituency, a 34-year-old administrator, Ahi John, is running for the NPP, while a 36-year old businessman Boadi Francis is standing for the CPP, with a 41-year-old farmer Ayagibah Isaac is contesting for the PNC and Samson Ahi, a 36-year-old businessman the incumbent is running for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Sampson Ahi polled 33,411 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Francis Assuah polled 15,935 votes for the NPP. The difference, as well as the fact that the NPP had never won in the constituency, is a clear indication that NDC will continue to dominate the area.
For the Mpohor Wassa East, a 50-year-old consultant, Mary Ankomah, is contesting on the ticket of the CPP, while a 56-year-old journalist, Anthony Evans Amoah, the current MP running for the NPP, with Anthony Bassaw, 56 a lecturer is contesting for the NDC.
In the 2008 election, Anthony Evans Amoah polled 19, 635 to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 10,691 Mary Ankomah for the CPP. The wide margin gives the NPP the advantage to retain the seat only if it will do its homework very well.
Albert Kwaku Obbin, 52 and a teacher, is running for the Prestea Huni Valley seat on the ticket of the NPP, while a 51-year-old lawyer, Mubashir Taminu Dari, is contesting for the CPP, with Francis Adu-Blay Koffie standing for the NDC. Edwin Asare, 22 and an electrician, is contesting for the DPP, while Charles Kojo Adu-Fordjour, a 30-year-old civil engineer, is running for the DFP, with Osei Kuffour Omooyey, 51 and a farmer, contesting as an independent candidate.
Albert Kwaku Obbin polled 23,852 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, while an independent candidate, Samuel Plange Kaye, got 16,441 votes. With the wide margin the scale is likely to tip in favour of the NPP.
A 36-year old accounts officer, Appiah-Kubi Baidoo, is contesting the Akontombra seat on the ticket of the NPP, while Herod Cobbina, 52 and a farmer, is running on the NDC ticket, with Kwaku Duah, 33, a farmer, standing for the DFP.
Herod Cobbina polled 14,477 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat, for NDC, with Appiah-Kubi Baidoo polling 10,060 votes for the NPP. The NPP will have to work extra hard, if it wants to take the seat but it is likely that the NDC will also work hard to retain it.
In Sefwi Wiawso, Kwaku Afriyie (Dr), 54 a consultant, is contesting for the NPP, while a 50-year old teacher, Evans Paul Aidoo, is running for the NDC, with Kingsley Sarfo-Nyamekye, 51 a businessman, running for the CPP.
In the previous election, Evans Paul Aidoo got 26,095 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Kwaku Afriyie (Dr) polled 16,855 votes for the NPP. The big difference in the votes indicates that the NDC is likely to retain the seat, unless the NPP works extra hard.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 50, a Lawyer is contesting for the Sekondi seat on the ticket of the NPP, while Frederick Akor Larbi, a 45-year-old accountant, is running for the PNC, with Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, 42 a teacher, is standing on the ticket of the NDC. Mrs Hildergard Krakue, 43, and a secretary, is running for the CPP, while a 46-year-old businessman Oliver Peter Vanderpuye-Orgle is contesting for the DFP.
In the 2004 election, Papa Owusu Ankomah polled 17,433 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 8,086 votes Betty Bosumtwi-Sam got for the NDC, which shows clearly that the NPP will retain the seat unless the NDC works extra hard.
Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie, 58, a chartered accountant, is contesting the Shama seat on the ticket of the NDC, while a 54-year-old educationist, Angelina Baiden Amissah, is running for the NPP, with Francis Nana Akorligah M. Kwofie, 37 a farmer is standing for the PNC. A 31-year old Agriculturist, Francis Ainoo is running for the CPP, while Francis Sekum, 60 and a ship-wright contesting for the GCPP.
Angelina Baiden Amissah got 14,782 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 9,067 polled by Emelia Arthur for the National Reform Party (NRP). Since the NRP did not contest, the NDC will replace it but has to work very hard to take seat but still it will be a herculean task for the NDC to take over from the NPP.
For Suaman, a 24-year old student, Daniel Tetteh, is standing for the PNC, while a 36-year-old purchasing clerk, Affum Sylvester, is running for the CPP, with Eric Theophilus Tandoh, 36, a proprietor, contesting for the NPP, while a 58-year old teacher, S.M.E.K Ackah, is standing for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Ackah Stephen Michael Essuah polled 6,931 votes to win the seat for the NDC, as against the 5,063 Prof Kojo Kwarteng got for the NPP. It is likely that the NDC will protect the seat unless the NPP works hard.
In Takoradi, a 42-year-old, Godwill Abaka, is running for the seat as an independent candidate, while a 51- year old educationist, Kobina Prah Annan, is contesting for the NDC, with Eustace Kwesi Gyakyi Haizel, 44, a legal practitioner running for the CPP, while a 34-year old Bio-chemist and a development Consultant, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is contesting for the NPP.
Mrs Gladys Asmah polled 25,714 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 7,894 for Esther Lily Nkansah of the NDC. The very wide margin, coupled with the fact that the NPP has retained the seat since 1996 is a clear indication that the NPP will retain it in this election, despite the change in the candidature.
For Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Gifty Eugenia Kusi (Mrs) 50, a Social Scientist is contesting for the NPP, while a 55-year old teacher, Christina Kobinah (Mrs), is running for the NDC, with a 44-year old Lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, running for the CPP.
In the 2004 election, Gifty Eugenia Kusi polled 32,154 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 14,506 Solomon Kwabena Amoah got for the NDC, and it is likely that the NPP will retain the seat as a result of the vast difference.
The Western Region has 22 constituencies, out of which NPP has 12, NDC, eight with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) having two.
For this year’s December election a total of 90 candidates filed their nominations to contest the elections in the Western Region. The NDC is contesting in all the 22 constituencies, NPP 21, CPP 21, the People’s National Convention (PNC) eight, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) two, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP) two, with eight people contesting as independent parliamentary candidates.
In the Ahanta West constituency, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), a 56 year old Agriculturist, Samuel Johnfiah, is the candidate for NPP while a 52-year old trader, Madam Comfort Amoo, is standing for the DFP, with David Oscar Yawson a 31-year old Geo-information Scientist is contesting on the ticket of the CPP, with a 44-year-old teacher Mr Joseph Jones Amoah is standing for the NDC.
In the 2004 elections, Samuel Johnfiah won the seat for the NPP by securing 22,615 votes, while Joseph Jones Amoah, who stood for the NDC, got 7,345 votes which is an indication that the NPP has the chance to retain the seat in this year’s election, all things being equal.
In the Amenfi Central, a 39-year old Public Servant, Padmore Kofi Yonkopa Arthur, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while a 51-year old marine engineer, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, is standing as an independent candidate, with a 38- year old accountant, James Boateng, contesting for the CPP, and a 39-year old teacher, George Kofi Arthur is running on the ticket of the NDC.
In the 2004 elections, Kofi Arthur stood for the NDC and won the parliamentary seat with 14,139 votes, while Peter Kwakye Ackah, now going independent, stood for the NPP and secured 14,004 votes. Now that Kwakye-Ackah has decided to go independent, maybe the NPP votes would split in favour of the NDC.
For this year’s election, a 57-year old teacher, Mrs Agnes Sonful, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP in the Amenfi West, while a 49-year old teacher, John Gyetuah, the incumbent, is running for the NDC, with a 61-year old trainer/consultant, Anthony Kwame Enimil, contesting for the CPP.
In the previous election, John Gyetuah secured 15,233 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Agnes Sonful got 13,108 votes for the NPP. The margin is such that the NPP would have to intensify its campaign in the constituency, if it wants to overtake the NDC.
For Amenfi East, a 51-year old lecturer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the incumbent NPP MP is contesting for the party, while a 50-year-old system/electrical engineer, Samuel Yaw Obeng-Damoah, is running for the CPP, with a 51-year old Management Consultant, Akwasi Opong Fosu is contesting for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Joseph Boahen Aidoo polled 23,937 votes to win the seat for the NPP, Osei Kuffour Omooyey, who stood for the NDC, polled 12,370 votes. The situation is such that the NPP stands the chance of retaining the seat, if things work the same way as they worked in the previous election.
A 54-year old teacher, Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, is running for the NPP in the Aowin constituency while a 27-year old self-employed Ebenezer Ebbi Kwaw Dankwa is contesting for the PNC, and Martin Boadi, a 29-year-old accountant, contesting for the CPP, with Mathias Kwame Ntow, a 51-year-old teacher, running for the NDC.
In Aowin, in the 2004 election, Samuel Adu-Gyamfi polled 22,059 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against 16,358 votes secured by John Kwekucher Ackah who stood for the NDC. This indicates that the NPP has the advantage and that the NDC has to do its home work well.
For Bia, a 32-year old Lawyer, Anthony Marshall Arpoh is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while Michael Coffie Boampong, 46 the incumbent is running for the NDC, with Kwaku Affukaah, a 51-year-old timber merchant going independent, while Philemon Armah, 33, a teacher, is running for the CPP. Augustine Duku, 34, an engineer, is standing for the DFP, with Alex Ackah Korsah, 46, a teacher, contesting for the DPP.
In the 2004 election, Michael Coffie Boampong won massively for the NDC by polling 36,014 votes, as against the 17,607 votes Anthony Marshall Arpoh got for the NPP. In this case the NPP had a herculean task in the constituency.
A 45-year-old administrator the incumbent Christopher Addae, is contesting the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai seat on the ticket of NPP, while a 55-year-old economist, Seidu Paakuna Adamu, is running for the NDC, with Gyasi Newlove, 36-year-old teacher, standing for the CPP and Alice Philipa Gyamfi, a 45-years-old stenographer, running for the DFP.
Chistopher Addae polled 24,333 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, while Seidu Paakuna Adamu got 22,370 votes for the NDC. The situation is such that the race is still open.
In Effia Kwesimintsim, Joe Baidoe Ansah the current MP 44, and a communications professional, is contesting on the ticket of the NPP, while a 53-year old legal practitioner Joseph Abekah is running for the CPP, with Barnabas Impraim, 43, an electrician, standing for the PNC, while Ambrose Sessah Ankrah, 43 and a maritime administrator, is contesting for the NDC. A 39-year-old wood technician, Innocent Asamoah, is contesting for the GCPP, while Philip Buckman, 35 is going as an independent candidate.
Joe Baidoe-Ansah won massively for the NPP in the 2004 election by polling 36,936 votes, as against the 13,660 polled by George Kweku Christian, who stood for the NDC. So it is clear that the NPP still has the chance to win the seat.
For Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, 42 an administrator, is contesting for the NDC, while Maxwell Amuah Essien, 30, and also an administrator, is running as an independent candidate, with a 56-year old Barrister Freddie Blay contesting for the CPP. Kodwoe Yankson, 52, a lawyer, and a 30-year-old TV producer, Mathias Boateng, are contesting as independent candidates.
Freddie Blay won convincingly in the 2004 election when he polled 18,428 votes, as against the 11,322 votes Kaku Korsah got for the NDC. This means that the CPP has advantage to retain the seat.
In Essikado/Ketan, a 60-year-old accounts clerk, John Eghan, is running for the CPP, while Victor Henry Abbey-Hart, 44 and an accountant is contesting for the NDC, with a 55-year-old agriculturist, Emmanuel Victor Grayham standing for the PNC, while Joe Ghartey, 47 a lawyer, is contesting for the NPP.
Joe Ghartey polled 24,078 votes in the 2004 elections to win massively for the NPP, while David Mensah, who stood for the NDC, got 8,976 votes. So one can conclude that the constituency is a no go area for the NDC.
Catherine Abelema Afeku, a 41-year-old communications professional, is contesting the Evalue Gwira seat for the NPP, while Peter Arde-Kodwo, 56 and a lecturer, is standing for the NDC, with a 63-year old lawyer, Kojo Armah, contesting for the CPP.
In the 2004 election, Kojo Armah polled 10,377 votes to win the seat for the CPP, since the NPP did not put a candidate to contest the seat. The NDC got 6,150 votes. Now that the NPP is contesting the seat, the likelihood that the occupancy of the seat will change is very clear.
A 64-year-old scientist, Lee Ocran the incumbent is contesting the Jomoro seat, while a new entrant, a 48-year old educationist and journalist, Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah, is running for the CPP, with a 34-year-old educationist and also a journalist, Martin Nyameke Ackah, standing for the NPP, while Jemaima Soboe, 41 and a hairdresser, is contesting for the PNC.
In the 2004 election, Lee Ocran polled 16,490 votes to win the seat for the NDC, as against the 14,835 Anthony Ransford Tandoh won for the NPP. The NPP has the chance to make amends.
In the Juaboso Constituency, a 34-year-old administrator, Ahi John, is running for the NPP, while a 36-year old businessman Boadi Francis is standing for the CPP, with a 41-year-old farmer Ayagibah Isaac is contesting for the PNC and Samson Ahi, a 36-year-old businessman the incumbent is running for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Sampson Ahi polled 33,411 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Francis Assuah polled 15,935 votes for the NPP. The difference, as well as the fact that the NPP had never won in the constituency, is a clear indication that NDC will continue to dominate the area.
For the Mpohor Wassa East, a 50-year-old consultant, Mary Ankomah, is contesting on the ticket of the CPP, while a 56-year-old journalist, Anthony Evans Amoah, the current MP running for the NPP, with Anthony Bassaw, 56 a lecturer is contesting for the NDC.
In the 2008 election, Anthony Evans Amoah polled 19, 635 to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 10,691 Mary Ankomah for the CPP. The wide margin gives the NPP the advantage to retain the seat only if it will do its homework very well.
Albert Kwaku Obbin, 52 and a teacher, is running for the Prestea Huni Valley seat on the ticket of the NPP, while a 51-year-old lawyer, Mubashir Taminu Dari, is contesting for the CPP, with Francis Adu-Blay Koffie standing for the NDC. Edwin Asare, 22 and an electrician, is contesting for the DPP, while Charles Kojo Adu-Fordjour, a 30-year-old civil engineer, is running for the DFP, with Osei Kuffour Omooyey, 51 and a farmer, contesting as an independent candidate.
Albert Kwaku Obbin polled 23,852 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, while an independent candidate, Samuel Plange Kaye, got 16,441 votes. With the wide margin the scale is likely to tip in favour of the NPP.
A 36-year old accounts officer, Appiah-Kubi Baidoo, is contesting the Akontombra seat on the ticket of the NPP, while Herod Cobbina, 52 and a farmer, is running on the NDC ticket, with Kwaku Duah, 33, a farmer, standing for the DFP.
Herod Cobbina polled 14,477 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat, for NDC, with Appiah-Kubi Baidoo polling 10,060 votes for the NPP. The NPP will have to work extra hard, if it wants to take the seat but it is likely that the NDC will also work hard to retain it.
In Sefwi Wiawso, Kwaku Afriyie (Dr), 54 a consultant, is contesting for the NPP, while a 50-year old teacher, Evans Paul Aidoo, is running for the NDC, with Kingsley Sarfo-Nyamekye, 51 a businessman, running for the CPP.
In the previous election, Evans Paul Aidoo got 26,095 votes to win the seat for the NDC, while Kwaku Afriyie (Dr) polled 16,855 votes for the NPP. The big difference in the votes indicates that the NDC is likely to retain the seat, unless the NPP works extra hard.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 50, a Lawyer is contesting for the Sekondi seat on the ticket of the NPP, while Frederick Akor Larbi, a 45-year-old accountant, is running for the PNC, with Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, 42 a teacher, is standing on the ticket of the NDC. Mrs Hildergard Krakue, 43, and a secretary, is running for the CPP, while a 46-year-old businessman Oliver Peter Vanderpuye-Orgle is contesting for the DFP.
In the 2004 election, Papa Owusu Ankomah polled 17,433 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 8,086 votes Betty Bosumtwi-Sam got for the NDC, which shows clearly that the NPP will retain the seat unless the NDC works extra hard.
Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie, 58, a chartered accountant, is contesting the Shama seat on the ticket of the NDC, while a 54-year-old educationist, Angelina Baiden Amissah, is running for the NPP, with Francis Nana Akorligah M. Kwofie, 37 a farmer is standing for the PNC. A 31-year old Agriculturist, Francis Ainoo is running for the CPP, while Francis Sekum, 60 and a ship-wright contesting for the GCPP.
Angelina Baiden Amissah got 14,782 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 9,067 polled by Emelia Arthur for the National Reform Party (NRP). Since the NRP did not contest, the NDC will replace it but has to work very hard to take seat but still it will be a herculean task for the NDC to take over from the NPP.
For Suaman, a 24-year old student, Daniel Tetteh, is standing for the PNC, while a 36-year-old purchasing clerk, Affum Sylvester, is running for the CPP, with Eric Theophilus Tandoh, 36, a proprietor, contesting for the NPP, while a 58-year old teacher, S.M.E.K Ackah, is standing for the NDC.
In the 2004 election, Ackah Stephen Michael Essuah polled 6,931 votes to win the seat for the NDC, as against the 5,063 Prof Kojo Kwarteng got for the NPP. It is likely that the NDC will protect the seat unless the NPP works hard.
In Takoradi, a 42-year-old, Godwill Abaka, is running for the seat as an independent candidate, while a 51- year old educationist, Kobina Prah Annan, is contesting for the NDC, with Eustace Kwesi Gyakyi Haizel, 44, a legal practitioner running for the CPP, while a 34-year old Bio-chemist and a development Consultant, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is contesting for the NPP.
Mrs Gladys Asmah polled 25,714 votes in the 2004 election to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 7,894 for Esther Lily Nkansah of the NDC. The very wide margin, coupled with the fact that the NPP has retained the seat since 1996 is a clear indication that the NPP will retain it in this election, despite the change in the candidature.
For Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Gifty Eugenia Kusi (Mrs) 50, a Social Scientist is contesting for the NPP, while a 55-year old teacher, Christina Kobinah (Mrs), is running for the NDC, with a 44-year old Lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, running for the CPP.
In the 2004 election, Gifty Eugenia Kusi polled 32,154 votes to win the seat for the NPP, as against the 14,506 Solomon Kwabena Amoah got for the NDC, and it is likely that the NPP will retain the seat as a result of the vast difference.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
CPP TO REDESIGN, REDEVELOP WESTERN REGION — NDUOM (PAGE 14)
The Presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has promised the chiefs and people of the Western Region that when the party is voted into power it will transform the respective communities into modern ones.
He said the communities would have proper waste management systems, public parks, libraries, schools, good drinking water and health facilities.
He said the road network would be rebuilt to first class standards that befit the status of a resource-rich area of the country.
Dr Nduom made the promise at a meeting with the chiefs of Ahanta, at Essikadu as part of his campaign tour of the Western Region.
He emphasised that a CPP government would ensure that bad and dangerous roads became a thing of the past in the region, adding “From Elubo to Enchi to Dadieso and from Samreboi to Prestea and other points would be built a first class road system.’’
“On the other hand, old towns and cities such as Tarkwa, Prestea, Takoradi, Sekondi, Enchi, Dadieso, Samreboi, Asankragua, Axim and others will be redesigned and rebuilt, while new ones will be planned and built to suit the 21st Century,” he explained.
Dr Nduom said if elected his government would completely restructure the railway system and expand it to reach the northern part of the country.
This, he explained, would include the implementation of light rail systems in the major cities so that Sekondi and Takoradi would become active once again.
In the area of education, he said the CPP if elected, would reintroduce free, compulsory education from kindergarten to senior high school and make it continuous so that every child in the country could get a good education.
“We intend also to build complete school compounds that have classrooms, toilet and kitchen facilities, libraries, computer and science laboratories, sports facilities and houses for the teachers in every community,” he added, saying “Children sitting under trees and pretending to be in school will be a thing of the past”.
According to the CPP flag bearer, his government would ensure that proper and modern fish landing facilities existed with complete fishing harbours that had decent places for women to process fish as well as a boat repair centre.
“We will also act with a sense of urgency to protect our fishing grounds from the illegal activities of the big, and mostly foreign fishing trawlers,” he said, adding “We plan to support our local fishermen to acquire bigger and modern fishing trawlers so that we can develop big business people in the industry”.
Dr Nduom said the CPP would re-develop Nkroful and Half Assini to befit the memory of the founder of the nation, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and turn them into international tourist sites.
He said the communities would have proper waste management systems, public parks, libraries, schools, good drinking water and health facilities.
He said the road network would be rebuilt to first class standards that befit the status of a resource-rich area of the country.
Dr Nduom made the promise at a meeting with the chiefs of Ahanta, at Essikadu as part of his campaign tour of the Western Region.
He emphasised that a CPP government would ensure that bad and dangerous roads became a thing of the past in the region, adding “From Elubo to Enchi to Dadieso and from Samreboi to Prestea and other points would be built a first class road system.’’
“On the other hand, old towns and cities such as Tarkwa, Prestea, Takoradi, Sekondi, Enchi, Dadieso, Samreboi, Asankragua, Axim and others will be redesigned and rebuilt, while new ones will be planned and built to suit the 21st Century,” he explained.
Dr Nduom said if elected his government would completely restructure the railway system and expand it to reach the northern part of the country.
This, he explained, would include the implementation of light rail systems in the major cities so that Sekondi and Takoradi would become active once again.
In the area of education, he said the CPP if elected, would reintroduce free, compulsory education from kindergarten to senior high school and make it continuous so that every child in the country could get a good education.
“We intend also to build complete school compounds that have classrooms, toilet and kitchen facilities, libraries, computer and science laboratories, sports facilities and houses for the teachers in every community,” he added, saying “Children sitting under trees and pretending to be in school will be a thing of the past”.
According to the CPP flag bearer, his government would ensure that proper and modern fish landing facilities existed with complete fishing harbours that had decent places for women to process fish as well as a boat repair centre.
“We will also act with a sense of urgency to protect our fishing grounds from the illegal activities of the big, and mostly foreign fishing trawlers,” he said, adding “We plan to support our local fishermen to acquire bigger and modern fishing trawlers so that we can develop big business people in the industry”.
Dr Nduom said the CPP would re-develop Nkroful and Half Assini to befit the memory of the founder of the nation, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and turn them into international tourist sites.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
NAVAL CHIEFS HOLD FORUM ON MARITIME SECURITY (SPREAD)
SENIOR naval officers have gathered in Takoradi for a forum with other stakeholders in the maritime industry to discuss challenges in the country’s maritime sector.
The key objectives of the five-day convention are the identification of the country’s maritime interests , other maritime security threats as well as the strengthening of existing stakeholder collaboration to identify new initiatives to enhance maritime security.
On the theme, “Enhancing maritime security in Ghana’s maritime domain for socio-economic development”, the convention will also deliberate on ways of resourcing and supporting the Ghana Navy to effectively perform its roles.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr William Ofori-Boafo, said the theme for the convention was very relevant in view of the current developments in the maritime environment.
These developments, he said, included the oil discovery offshore , the incidence of drug trafficking via the sea , illegal fishing, smuggling and piracy, which were on the ascendancy.
“It is both an essential element of our national security and an international obligation to ensure safety and security in our maritime and inland waters,”’ he emphasised.
Mr Ofori-Boafo said the challenges facing the Ghana Navy included inadequate ships, poor technical state of the ships, as well as logistics limitations such as spare parts and maintenance facilities.
These challenges, he said, were being given the due and urgent attention by the Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces Command.
“I believe by the end of this convention, you would have identified Ghana’s maritime interest and key maritime threats,” he said. He urged the participants to come out with measures to strengthen existing stakeholder collaboration and identify new initiatives that would enhance maritime security.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A. R. S. Nuno, identified the major challenges that militated against the achievement of safety and security in the maritime domain as transnational threats which had been on the ascendancy of late.
He said reports of drug trafficking in Ghana’s waters was a case in point, adding that the Navy was bracing up to meet the challenges that would emanate from the discovery of oil in the country’s waters.
Rear Admiral Nuno explained that unlike the land area where the government had a number of organisations, such as the Police, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, among others, that enforced law and other, the Navy remained the major government agency which enforced the laws of Ghana at sea.
The key objectives of the five-day convention are the identification of the country’s maritime interests , other maritime security threats as well as the strengthening of existing stakeholder collaboration to identify new initiatives to enhance maritime security.
On the theme, “Enhancing maritime security in Ghana’s maritime domain for socio-economic development”, the convention will also deliberate on ways of resourcing and supporting the Ghana Navy to effectively perform its roles.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr William Ofori-Boafo, said the theme for the convention was very relevant in view of the current developments in the maritime environment.
These developments, he said, included the oil discovery offshore , the incidence of drug trafficking via the sea , illegal fishing, smuggling and piracy, which were on the ascendancy.
“It is both an essential element of our national security and an international obligation to ensure safety and security in our maritime and inland waters,”’ he emphasised.
Mr Ofori-Boafo said the challenges facing the Ghana Navy included inadequate ships, poor technical state of the ships, as well as logistics limitations such as spare parts and maintenance facilities.
These challenges, he said, were being given the due and urgent attention by the Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces Command.
“I believe by the end of this convention, you would have identified Ghana’s maritime interest and key maritime threats,” he said. He urged the participants to come out with measures to strengthen existing stakeholder collaboration and identify new initiatives that would enhance maritime security.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A. R. S. Nuno, identified the major challenges that militated against the achievement of safety and security in the maritime domain as transnational threats which had been on the ascendancy of late.
He said reports of drug trafficking in Ghana’s waters was a case in point, adding that the Navy was bracing up to meet the challenges that would emanate from the discovery of oil in the country’s waters.
Rear Admiral Nuno explained that unlike the land area where the government had a number of organisations, such as the Police, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, among others, that enforced law and other, the Navy remained the major government agency which enforced the laws of Ghana at sea.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
RETAIN NPP TO CONTINUE GOOD WORKS (PAGE 16)
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Mrs Gladys Asmah, has urged the electorate in the constituency to vote massively for the flag bearer of the party, Nana Akufo-Addo, as well as the parliamentary candidate for the Takoradi Constituency, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, for the party to retain power to continue its good work.
She said the NPP should get 80 per cent votes in the constituency to elect the parliamentary candidate, who would continue what she had done.
She was speaking at a mini-rally at Amanful, a suburb of Takoradi, as part of a campaign tour of the constituency.
Mrs Asmah, who has been in Parliament since 1996, expressed her gratitude to the people in the constituency for electing her for three consecutive periods, adding “l would be ungrateful, if l do not thank you”.
“You sent me and you know what we have done for you... .Everybody knows what the President Kufuor’s administration has done”.
Mrs Asmah, who is also the Minister of Fisheries, urged the people not to listen to what the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would say since they would never win the Takoradi parliamentary seat.
She described Mr Darko-Mensah as a very young man and that she was ready to share her experience with him if he was elected.
The MP advised the people to vote peacefully, go home and come back at 5 pm to observe the counting of the ballots.
Mr Darko-Mensah thanked Mrs Asmah for the support she had been giving him and added that he was optimistic that the NPP would win the elections.
He said the NPP regime had been blessed with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, adding that the party needed peace to enable it move the country forward.
In another development, Mr Darko-Mensah has launched a website for job opportunities in Takoradi.
Speaking at the launch, he pointed out that the youth were the future leaders of the country.
She said the NPP should get 80 per cent votes in the constituency to elect the parliamentary candidate, who would continue what she had done.
She was speaking at a mini-rally at Amanful, a suburb of Takoradi, as part of a campaign tour of the constituency.
Mrs Asmah, who has been in Parliament since 1996, expressed her gratitude to the people in the constituency for electing her for three consecutive periods, adding “l would be ungrateful, if l do not thank you”.
“You sent me and you know what we have done for you... .Everybody knows what the President Kufuor’s administration has done”.
Mrs Asmah, who is also the Minister of Fisheries, urged the people not to listen to what the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would say since they would never win the Takoradi parliamentary seat.
She described Mr Darko-Mensah as a very young man and that she was ready to share her experience with him if he was elected.
The MP advised the people to vote peacefully, go home and come back at 5 pm to observe the counting of the ballots.
Mr Darko-Mensah thanked Mrs Asmah for the support she had been giving him and added that he was optimistic that the NPP would win the elections.
He said the NPP regime had been blessed with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, adding that the party needed peace to enable it move the country forward.
In another development, Mr Darko-Mensah has launched a website for job opportunities in Takoradi.
Speaking at the launch, he pointed out that the youth were the future leaders of the country.
WESTERN REGION CPP DISTANCES ITSELF FROM BLAY'S ACTIONS (PAGE 16)
The Western Regional secretariat of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) has said that it has nothing to do with the campaigning of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembele and first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, in favour of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo Addo.
In a statement signed by the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr G.K. Alorzuke, and issued in Takoradi, it said if anything of that sort was happening as alleged, “we find it very unfortunate and detrimental to the CPP in the Ellembele Constituency”.
According to the statement, information reaching the secretariat as well as newspaper publications indicated that the MP for Ellembele attended an NPP rally at Esiama on Saturday, November 15, 2008 where he was introduced by the Presidential candidate of the NPP “as the parliamentary candidate on the CPP ticket though”.
It said there were also reports that vehicles of the CPP meant for the constituency had started moving to the Evalue Gwira Constituency to spread false rumours about a merger between the CPP and the NPP.
“This is another mischievous lie, we find it very disturbing. All our detractors are being asked to keep off the CPP, because the CPP has the best chance of forming the next government,” it said.
The statement, therefore urged all CPP members to stand firm and vote for Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom in the December elections.
In a statement signed by the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr G.K. Alorzuke, and issued in Takoradi, it said if anything of that sort was happening as alleged, “we find it very unfortunate and detrimental to the CPP in the Ellembele Constituency”.
According to the statement, information reaching the secretariat as well as newspaper publications indicated that the MP for Ellembele attended an NPP rally at Esiama on Saturday, November 15, 2008 where he was introduced by the Presidential candidate of the NPP “as the parliamentary candidate on the CPP ticket though”.
It said there were also reports that vehicles of the CPP meant for the constituency had started moving to the Evalue Gwira Constituency to spread false rumours about a merger between the CPP and the NPP.
“This is another mischievous lie, we find it very disturbing. All our detractors are being asked to keep off the CPP, because the CPP has the best chance of forming the next government,” it said.
The statement, therefore urged all CPP members to stand firm and vote for Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom in the December elections.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
SEKONDI ENTREPRENEURS, UNDP INTERACT (PAGE 18)
Members of the Sekondi/Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry have met some directors of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Takoradi to discuss issues which will contribute positively to the businesses of members of the chamber.
Members of the chamber raised issues such as the setting up of an Information and Communication Technology centre, institutional assessment, skills development, institutional strengthening, advocacy and sensitisation of the chamber as well as an exhibition centre for the showcasing of their products.
Speaking at the meeting, the Partnership Advisor of the UNDP, Mr Fredrick Ampiah, stressed the need for the chamber to arrive at one concrete intervention, which could be implemented for non-members to appreciate the seriousness of the chamber.
Mr Ampiah said the UNDP had ongoing programmes which had links with what members of the chamber were doing.
He said mobilising resources was a process, and that there were a lot of funds which people could not access as a result of the cumbersome processes they had to go through. Mr Ampiah said those who managed the funds were assessed by the number of people who accessed the fund.
The Project Director of the Ghana Multimedia Incubator Centre, partners of the UNDP, Mr Solomon Asante Dartey, explained that the centre showed entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) what contributed to the collapse of their businesses and how to speed up their revival.
He said the centre had helped 13 companies to come out with innovative products.
Mr Dartey noted that accessing funds by the SMEs was becoming difficult, and that the centre offered training programmes and guidance as well as counselling to help the enterprises to access the funds.
Also, he said, a business plan was important in any business activity, and that the centre could assist them to prepare strong business plans which could help them to access loans.
The Chairman of the Sekondi/Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ato Van-Ess, stressed the need for the development and resourcing of the staff of the chamber.
He said members of the chamber needed a lot of information to expand their respective businesses.
Members of the chamber raised issues such as the setting up of an Information and Communication Technology centre, institutional assessment, skills development, institutional strengthening, advocacy and sensitisation of the chamber as well as an exhibition centre for the showcasing of their products.
Speaking at the meeting, the Partnership Advisor of the UNDP, Mr Fredrick Ampiah, stressed the need for the chamber to arrive at one concrete intervention, which could be implemented for non-members to appreciate the seriousness of the chamber.
Mr Ampiah said the UNDP had ongoing programmes which had links with what members of the chamber were doing.
He said mobilising resources was a process, and that there were a lot of funds which people could not access as a result of the cumbersome processes they had to go through. Mr Ampiah said those who managed the funds were assessed by the number of people who accessed the fund.
The Project Director of the Ghana Multimedia Incubator Centre, partners of the UNDP, Mr Solomon Asante Dartey, explained that the centre showed entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) what contributed to the collapse of their businesses and how to speed up their revival.
He said the centre had helped 13 companies to come out with innovative products.
Mr Dartey noted that accessing funds by the SMEs was becoming difficult, and that the centre offered training programmes and guidance as well as counselling to help the enterprises to access the funds.
Also, he said, a business plan was important in any business activity, and that the centre could assist them to prepare strong business plans which could help them to access loans.
The Chairman of the Sekondi/Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ato Van-Ess, stressed the need for the development and resourcing of the staff of the chamber.
He said members of the chamber needed a lot of information to expand their respective businesses.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
FIASEMAN RURAL BANK HOLDS AGM (PAGE 20)
THE Fiaseman Rural Bank Limited at Bogoso in the Prestea/Huni Valley District in the Western Region made a net profit of GH¢184,679 last year as against GH¢150,804 in 2006.
The bank also had a total deposit of GH¢2,701,239 or 9.7 per cent growth in 2007 as against GH¢2,462,116 in 2006.
Loans and advances of the bank grew from GH¢1,094,127 in 2006 to GH¢1,328,817 in 2007, representing a growth of 21.5 per cent.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu V1, announced this at the 20th annual general meeting of shareholders and the 25th anniversary celebration of the bank at Bogoso.
He explained that GH¢212,975 went into agriculture, while GH¢24,313 was granted to the transport sector, with GH¢5,284 going into cottage industry.
Osagyefo Edu said trading received GH¢337,964 while other areas got GH¢798,337.00.
He said the bank also disbursed a total amount of GH¢155,193 in the form of micro loans as of December 2007 in order to reduce the poverty level within the communities in its catchment area.
Osagyefo Edu implored all beneficiaries of loan facilities to repay them to enable the bank to maintain its cordial customer/banker relationship and also for other customers to benefit.
According to the chairman, total assets of the bank grew from GH¢3,683,302 in 2006 to GH¢5,121,689 in 2007.
He said a total of GH¢10,928.50 was spent on the bank’s community and social responsibility programmes in 2007 as against GH¢6,335 in 2006.
Osagyefo Edu noted that the new era of banking in the country had brought with it dramatic changes and as a result, the board and management of the bank were putting in proactive measures to meet the competition by training the staff, repackaging old products and developing additional ones to position itself for the competition.
He, therefore, appealed to the shareholders to buy more shares to enable the bank to improve its capital base.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, said the ongoing rural and community banks computerisation which started under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), had received a further boost from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
He said the MCA was making funds available not only for the full computerisation of the banks and their agencies, but also the networking of all rural and community banks (RCBs) and their agencies under a Wide Area Network.
Mr Osei-Bonsu said the benefits from that assistance were enormous, adding: "In addition to improving the operational efficiency of RCBs, it would speed up the full integration of the RCBs into the National Payment System.
"You are, therefore, entreated to update all your customer information and ensure that static data of your customers, and your agencies are captured in readiness for smooth implementation," he stated.
The managing director noted that the bank had a competitive advantage in micro financing which would not only bring improvement in the living standards of beneficiaries, but would also increase the bank’s income.
He entreated the board and management of the bank to put in place proper and effective monitoring mechanisms that would ensure the full recovery of the loans given out in order to guarantee sustainability and also reduce the burden of bad loans on profits.
The bank also had a total deposit of GH¢2,701,239 or 9.7 per cent growth in 2007 as against GH¢2,462,116 in 2006.
Loans and advances of the bank grew from GH¢1,094,127 in 2006 to GH¢1,328,817 in 2007, representing a growth of 21.5 per cent.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu V1, announced this at the 20th annual general meeting of shareholders and the 25th anniversary celebration of the bank at Bogoso.
He explained that GH¢212,975 went into agriculture, while GH¢24,313 was granted to the transport sector, with GH¢5,284 going into cottage industry.
Osagyefo Edu said trading received GH¢337,964 while other areas got GH¢798,337.00.
He said the bank also disbursed a total amount of GH¢155,193 in the form of micro loans as of December 2007 in order to reduce the poverty level within the communities in its catchment area.
Osagyefo Edu implored all beneficiaries of loan facilities to repay them to enable the bank to maintain its cordial customer/banker relationship and also for other customers to benefit.
According to the chairman, total assets of the bank grew from GH¢3,683,302 in 2006 to GH¢5,121,689 in 2007.
He said a total of GH¢10,928.50 was spent on the bank’s community and social responsibility programmes in 2007 as against GH¢6,335 in 2006.
Osagyefo Edu noted that the new era of banking in the country had brought with it dramatic changes and as a result, the board and management of the bank were putting in proactive measures to meet the competition by training the staff, repackaging old products and developing additional ones to position itself for the competition.
He, therefore, appealed to the shareholders to buy more shares to enable the bank to improve its capital base.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, said the ongoing rural and community banks computerisation which started under the Rural Financial Services Project (RFSP), had received a further boost from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
He said the MCA was making funds available not only for the full computerisation of the banks and their agencies, but also the networking of all rural and community banks (RCBs) and their agencies under a Wide Area Network.
Mr Osei-Bonsu said the benefits from that assistance were enormous, adding: "In addition to improving the operational efficiency of RCBs, it would speed up the full integration of the RCBs into the National Payment System.
"You are, therefore, entreated to update all your customer information and ensure that static data of your customers, and your agencies are captured in readiness for smooth implementation," he stated.
The managing director noted that the bank had a competitive advantage in micro financing which would not only bring improvement in the living standards of beneficiaries, but would also increase the bank’s income.
He entreated the board and management of the bank to put in place proper and effective monitoring mechanisms that would ensure the full recovery of the loans given out in order to guarantee sustainability and also reduce the burden of bad loans on profits.
GHANA TELECOM MAKES SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS (PAGE 20)
THE Ghana Telecommunication Company Limited (Ghana Telecom) has chalked up certain significant achievements in the last 60 days that Vodafone has operated it.
There has been 300 per cent increase in the monthly roll-out of cell sites of the company’s Onetouch mobile service, with 161 per cent increase in its international in-bound revenues and six per cent net growth in customers.
The company has also added 10 new voice and nine new data roaming destinations to the mobile service.
The Head of Corporate Communications/Customer Care, Major Albert Don-Chebe (retd), who announced this during an interaction with the press in Takoradi, said the link with Vodafone had given all those benefits.
He said plans were on course to deploy 500 s-link devices in seconcycle schools, adding that 10 successful pilot projects had already been carried out.
Major Don-Chebe further announced that five deprived communities were to enjoy modern telecommunication services.
Touching on fixed network service and the broadband4u, he said in the last 60 days "we have sold the highest fixed lines since August 2007, while broadband4u customer acquisition has tripled".
"In the past we had a backlog, today we have cleared the backlog," he said, adding, "Corporate business sales have grown significantly".
Major Don-Chebe said additional 30 per cent broadband4u customers had registered since August 19, while the southern ring of the national fibre network had been completed.
He stated that 24-hour fault clearance rate for Greater Accra Region had improved from 57 per cent at the end of September to 70 per cent as of October 19, with fault incidence rate dropping from 1.4 per cent to 1.27 per cent.
Major Don-Chebe said transmission equipment would be inaugurated soon to provide more resilient network.
Concerning human resource development, he said 40 staff members of the company had received overseas training, while 721 had undergone local training within the 60 days, adding that the mood of the workers was positive.
He complained that cable theft was a problem facing the management of the company since the price of cable had tripled.
Major Don-Chebe made it clear that cable theft was sabotage to the country’s economy because when a cable was stolen, those on that line, including many corporate bodies, would not be able to make a call.
There has been 300 per cent increase in the monthly roll-out of cell sites of the company’s Onetouch mobile service, with 161 per cent increase in its international in-bound revenues and six per cent net growth in customers.
The company has also added 10 new voice and nine new data roaming destinations to the mobile service.
The Head of Corporate Communications/Customer Care, Major Albert Don-Chebe (retd), who announced this during an interaction with the press in Takoradi, said the link with Vodafone had given all those benefits.
He said plans were on course to deploy 500 s-link devices in seconcycle schools, adding that 10 successful pilot projects had already been carried out.
Major Don-Chebe further announced that five deprived communities were to enjoy modern telecommunication services.
Touching on fixed network service and the broadband4u, he said in the last 60 days "we have sold the highest fixed lines since August 2007, while broadband4u customer acquisition has tripled".
"In the past we had a backlog, today we have cleared the backlog," he said, adding, "Corporate business sales have grown significantly".
Major Don-Chebe said additional 30 per cent broadband4u customers had registered since August 19, while the southern ring of the national fibre network had been completed.
He stated that 24-hour fault clearance rate for Greater Accra Region had improved from 57 per cent at the end of September to 70 per cent as of October 19, with fault incidence rate dropping from 1.4 per cent to 1.27 per cent.
Major Don-Chebe said transmission equipment would be inaugurated soon to provide more resilient network.
Concerning human resource development, he said 40 staff members of the company had received overseas training, while 721 had undergone local training within the 60 days, adding that the mood of the workers was positive.
He complained that cable theft was a problem facing the management of the company since the price of cable had tripled.
Major Don-Chebe made it clear that cable theft was sabotage to the country’s economy because when a cable was stolen, those on that line, including many corporate bodies, would not be able to make a call.
BAD ROADS IN WR TO BE TACKLED NEXT YEAR (PAGE 20)
CONSTRUCTION of good roads is an integral part of the development agenda in any country.
any bad road network is likely to militate against the development taking place in the other sectors of the national economy, be it industry, commerce, agriculture, mining, or some other.
The Western Region has had its problem of bad road network, but for the past four years, the region has witnessed the reconstruction of some of the important trunk roads in the region.
Some of the roads undergoing reconstruction are those linking Axim Junction with Tarkwa and Sefwi Wiawso with Benkyemaa while construction work on the Asankrangua-Enchi road is progressing steadily.
One very important road in the region which is in a very bad state is the Tarkwa-Bogoso road. The road has deteriorated to the extent that not a single day passes without an accident occurring on the road.
Many users of the road have expressed concern about its deplorable nature.
The Western Regional Director of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Mr Joseph Kwadwo Nsiah, has however, allayed the fears of the people, with the assurance that the contract for the complete reconstruction of the road would be awarded next year.
He told the Daily Graphic that the 99-kilometre road, stretching from Tarkwa to Bogoso through Bawdie and Nkonya in the Western Region to Ayanfuri in the Central Region, would be asphalted.
"All things being equal, the European Union (EU) would fund the reconstruction of the road from Tarkwa to Bogoso through Bawdie and even beyond," he said.
Mr Nsiah said the designs for the road had been reviewed with the final design to be completed. If everything goes through, the road would be worked on by three different contractors.
Mr Nsiah said under the EU programme, all the narrow bridges on the road would be reconstructed and widened.
He described the road as very important considering the type of vehicles that plied it as well as the type of goods they carried, adding that if the road was blocked, there would be a big problem since there was no alternative route between Ayanfuri and Tarkwa.
According to him, that road linked the northern part of the Western Region to the southern part.
Meanwhile, the GHA is carrying out routine maintenance work on the road to keep it safe.
"In this respect, pothole patching and resealing contracts have been awarded to contractors at various sections of the road,” Mr Nsiah stated.
He said work had already started on it and was progressing steadily.
any bad road network is likely to militate against the development taking place in the other sectors of the national economy, be it industry, commerce, agriculture, mining, or some other.
The Western Region has had its problem of bad road network, but for the past four years, the region has witnessed the reconstruction of some of the important trunk roads in the region.
Some of the roads undergoing reconstruction are those linking Axim Junction with Tarkwa and Sefwi Wiawso with Benkyemaa while construction work on the Asankrangua-Enchi road is progressing steadily.
One very important road in the region which is in a very bad state is the Tarkwa-Bogoso road. The road has deteriorated to the extent that not a single day passes without an accident occurring on the road.
Many users of the road have expressed concern about its deplorable nature.
The Western Regional Director of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Mr Joseph Kwadwo Nsiah, has however, allayed the fears of the people, with the assurance that the contract for the complete reconstruction of the road would be awarded next year.
He told the Daily Graphic that the 99-kilometre road, stretching from Tarkwa to Bogoso through Bawdie and Nkonya in the Western Region to Ayanfuri in the Central Region, would be asphalted.
"All things being equal, the European Union (EU) would fund the reconstruction of the road from Tarkwa to Bogoso through Bawdie and even beyond," he said.
Mr Nsiah said the designs for the road had been reviewed with the final design to be completed. If everything goes through, the road would be worked on by three different contractors.
Mr Nsiah said under the EU programme, all the narrow bridges on the road would be reconstructed and widened.
He described the road as very important considering the type of vehicles that plied it as well as the type of goods they carried, adding that if the road was blocked, there would be a big problem since there was no alternative route between Ayanfuri and Tarkwa.
According to him, that road linked the northern part of the Western Region to the southern part.
Meanwhile, the GHA is carrying out routine maintenance work on the road to keep it safe.
"In this respect, pothole patching and resealing contracts have been awarded to contractors at various sections of the road,” Mr Nsiah stated.
He said work had already started on it and was progressing steadily.
EC IDENTIFIES 453 FLASH POINTS IN WESTERN REGION (PAGE 15)
THE Electoral Commission (EC) has identified a total number of 453 flash points in the Western Region.
They are mainly due to chieftaincy disputes, land disputes, illegal gold mining activities, border areas, hideout of drug peddlers/smokers and unhealthy political rivalry in the affected areas.
Also, the commission has identified 145 difficult or inaccessible areas in the region which may require special means of transport, such as tractors, boats and motorbikes to reach them with electoral officers and election materials.
The Deputy Western Regional Director of the EC, Mr Benjamin Bano-Bioh, announced this at a Security Services Study Day code-named ‘Exercise Peace Angel’ for officers of all the security services from the Western Region in Takoradi.
The study day was meant for participants to rehearse the anticipated tasks of the military, the police and other security services and task forces before, during and after the December elections.
Mr Bano-Bioh said arrangements were going on for the hiring of the needed means of transport for the exercise in those areas.
He mentioned that the security agencies were expected to play three important roles in the delivery of free, fair as well as transparent elections.
He said the security agencies were to check all forms of intimidation and keep the general peace in order to create the right atmosphere for democratic politics, particularly for the candidates to freely campaign and for the voters to feel safe to participate in the elections.
"The electoral process must be devoid of violence, coercion and intimidation to make it free and fair.” He added: "These actions may deter candidates from campaigning, force voters to vote against their will, prevent voters from voting or impede the reporting of other forms of fraud".
Mr Bano-Bioh said the security agencies had another duty to keep order at the polling stations and the collation centres on the election day. He warned that there should be no procedures, actions or conditions to deter eligible voters from casting their votes freely and secretly.
He said the security officers should arrest and prosecute people breaking the election laws.
This, he said, would not only serve as a deterrent but also influence public confidence in the election code during future polling.
The deputy director said the EC, as the election management body, had a huge responsibility to ensure free, fair, transparent as well as incontrovertible elections as a contribution to good governance in the country.
He, however, noted that achievement of free and fair elections was a collective or a shared responsibility for the EC, political parties, candidates, the electorate, the media, security services and the courts, adding: "None of these bodies alone can ensure free and fair elections".
The Flag Officer commanding the Western Naval Command and Chairman of the Regional Election Security Task Force, Commodore Frank Daley, explained that the ‘Exercise Peace Angel’ was a joint security exercise to rehearse and synchronise plans and procedures as part of the preparations towards the December elections.
They are mainly due to chieftaincy disputes, land disputes, illegal gold mining activities, border areas, hideout of drug peddlers/smokers and unhealthy political rivalry in the affected areas.
Also, the commission has identified 145 difficult or inaccessible areas in the region which may require special means of transport, such as tractors, boats and motorbikes to reach them with electoral officers and election materials.
The Deputy Western Regional Director of the EC, Mr Benjamin Bano-Bioh, announced this at a Security Services Study Day code-named ‘Exercise Peace Angel’ for officers of all the security services from the Western Region in Takoradi.
The study day was meant for participants to rehearse the anticipated tasks of the military, the police and other security services and task forces before, during and after the December elections.
Mr Bano-Bioh said arrangements were going on for the hiring of the needed means of transport for the exercise in those areas.
He mentioned that the security agencies were expected to play three important roles in the delivery of free, fair as well as transparent elections.
He said the security agencies were to check all forms of intimidation and keep the general peace in order to create the right atmosphere for democratic politics, particularly for the candidates to freely campaign and for the voters to feel safe to participate in the elections.
"The electoral process must be devoid of violence, coercion and intimidation to make it free and fair.” He added: "These actions may deter candidates from campaigning, force voters to vote against their will, prevent voters from voting or impede the reporting of other forms of fraud".
Mr Bano-Bioh said the security agencies had another duty to keep order at the polling stations and the collation centres on the election day. He warned that there should be no procedures, actions or conditions to deter eligible voters from casting their votes freely and secretly.
He said the security officers should arrest and prosecute people breaking the election laws.
This, he said, would not only serve as a deterrent but also influence public confidence in the election code during future polling.
The deputy director said the EC, as the election management body, had a huge responsibility to ensure free, fair, transparent as well as incontrovertible elections as a contribution to good governance in the country.
He, however, noted that achievement of free and fair elections was a collective or a shared responsibility for the EC, political parties, candidates, the electorate, the media, security services and the courts, adding: "None of these bodies alone can ensure free and fair elections".
The Flag Officer commanding the Western Naval Command and Chairman of the Regional Election Security Task Force, Commodore Frank Daley, explained that the ‘Exercise Peace Angel’ was a joint security exercise to rehearse and synchronise plans and procedures as part of the preparations towards the December elections.
Monday, November 10, 2008
GREL SUPPORTS 14 BRILLIANT STUDENTS (PAGE 11)
THE Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) in Takoradi has awarded scholarships to 14 brilliant students from seven traditional areas in which the company operates, to enable them to pursue their education at the senior high school level.
A male and a female student were selected from each of the seven traditional areas within the Ahanta-West and Nzema areas in the Western Region, after they had gone through an interview.
This brings to 52 the number of students who have so far benefited from the company’s annual scholarship scheme.
The GREL, in conjunction with the Association of Chiefs on Whose Lands GREL Operates (ACLANGO), instituted a scholarship scheme in the 2005/06 academic year to support needy students to further their education.
Presenting the awards, the Managing Director of GREL, Mr Mac Genot, said the company granted the request of the chiefs to increase the number of beneficiaries from one to two from each school this academic year, in order to ensure gender equality.
He said the company would sustain the scholarship scheme, adding that the "Rubber price has been hit by the world financial crisis but where we are now, we can conveniently move on".
Mr Genot advised the beneficiaries to take their studies very seriously in order to maintain their awards.
The Chairman of ACLANGO, Awulae Agyefi Kwame, commended the company for increasing the number of the awards and also for supporting the people through the provision of social amenities.
Awulae Kwame pointed out that the company had not defaulted on the payment of the school fees of the beneficiaries since the scholarship scheme was instituted three years ago.
He appealed to the chiefs and people in the company’s operational areas not to adopt a confrontational approach when dealing with issues which can be settled amicably.
A male and a female student were selected from each of the seven traditional areas within the Ahanta-West and Nzema areas in the Western Region, after they had gone through an interview.
This brings to 52 the number of students who have so far benefited from the company’s annual scholarship scheme.
The GREL, in conjunction with the Association of Chiefs on Whose Lands GREL Operates (ACLANGO), instituted a scholarship scheme in the 2005/06 academic year to support needy students to further their education.
Presenting the awards, the Managing Director of GREL, Mr Mac Genot, said the company granted the request of the chiefs to increase the number of beneficiaries from one to two from each school this academic year, in order to ensure gender equality.
He said the company would sustain the scholarship scheme, adding that the "Rubber price has been hit by the world financial crisis but where we are now, we can conveniently move on".
Mr Genot advised the beneficiaries to take their studies very seriously in order to maintain their awards.
The Chairman of ACLANGO, Awulae Agyefi Kwame, commended the company for increasing the number of the awards and also for supporting the people through the provision of social amenities.
Awulae Kwame pointed out that the company had not defaulted on the payment of the school fees of the beneficiaries since the scholarship scheme was instituted three years ago.
He appealed to the chiefs and people in the company’s operational areas not to adopt a confrontational approach when dealing with issues which can be settled amicably.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
INDUSTRIALISTS ATTEND WORKSHOP ON USE OF BAR-CODES (PAGE 20)
MORE than 50 people engaged in trade and industry in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis have undergone a day’s workshop to educate themselves on the use of bar-codes in their businesses.
Bar-codes provide important information that can be read with the aid of an electronic scanner in order to appreciate the product’s characteristics such as the country of origin, the name and address of the manufacturer, the nature of the product, batch number and shipping location.
Bar-codes are simple vertical, black and white lines that are found every day on product packages whether locally manufactured or imported.
Though very simple and apparently insignificant to the consumer they, however, constitute a powerful technological tool in both local and international trade and industry.
The workshop, which is an important aspect of the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP) of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Presidential Special Initiatives and Private Sector Development, was to create awareness and build capacity on the usage and benefits of bar-codes in trade and industry.
In an address read on his behalf to open the workshop and launch usage of the bar-code in the metropolis, the Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, said the best known applications of bar-codes were at the purchase points in shops and supermarkets where a scanner at the cash register read the product code and sent information back to a central computer for interpretation.
He added that the use of bar-codes as a packaging tool was standard in developing countries, and was growing in importance in developing economies and that Ghanaians must not be left out in the race.
"Furthermore, increasing competition among developing countries for export markets means that buyers are able to insist on the application of quality standards as a condition for entry into the market," Mr Amoah said.
That trend, he explained, had the potential to marginalise many developing countries and to avert that, developing economies, including Ghana, must be able to integrate into the global economy by producing and selling goods in accordance with global standards.
Unfortunately, Mr Amoah said, Ghanaians neglected to apply bar-code technologies in international trade.
The Regional Trade and Industry Officer, Mr Charles Folikumah, said the ministry was concerned with supporting the business community by helping them to overcome technical barriers to trade among which the use of bar-codes stood prominent.
He explained further that the use of bar-codes was a relatively new technology that many manufacturers and traders in the country were unaware of, in spite of its tremendous benefits as well as its importance in securing or maintaining an export market in particular and trade in general.
Mr Folikumah said the application of appropriate codes and labelling was an essential aspect of producing finished goods fit for sale and targeted at a particular market.
The Chairman of One Global Standard (GS1 Ghana), facilitators of the use of bar-codes in the country, Mr Kofi Essuman, said about 120 countries in the world had bar-codes, with Ghana being the first West African country to join in the usage of bar-codes in 2006.
Bar-codes provide important information that can be read with the aid of an electronic scanner in order to appreciate the product’s characteristics such as the country of origin, the name and address of the manufacturer, the nature of the product, batch number and shipping location.
Bar-codes are simple vertical, black and white lines that are found every day on product packages whether locally manufactured or imported.
Though very simple and apparently insignificant to the consumer they, however, constitute a powerful technological tool in both local and international trade and industry.
The workshop, which is an important aspect of the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP) of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Presidential Special Initiatives and Private Sector Development, was to create awareness and build capacity on the usage and benefits of bar-codes in trade and industry.
In an address read on his behalf to open the workshop and launch usage of the bar-code in the metropolis, the Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, said the best known applications of bar-codes were at the purchase points in shops and supermarkets where a scanner at the cash register read the product code and sent information back to a central computer for interpretation.
He added that the use of bar-codes as a packaging tool was standard in developing countries, and was growing in importance in developing economies and that Ghanaians must not be left out in the race.
"Furthermore, increasing competition among developing countries for export markets means that buyers are able to insist on the application of quality standards as a condition for entry into the market," Mr Amoah said.
That trend, he explained, had the potential to marginalise many developing countries and to avert that, developing economies, including Ghana, must be able to integrate into the global economy by producing and selling goods in accordance with global standards.
Unfortunately, Mr Amoah said, Ghanaians neglected to apply bar-code technologies in international trade.
The Regional Trade and Industry Officer, Mr Charles Folikumah, said the ministry was concerned with supporting the business community by helping them to overcome technical barriers to trade among which the use of bar-codes stood prominent.
He explained further that the use of bar-codes was a relatively new technology that many manufacturers and traders in the country were unaware of, in spite of its tremendous benefits as well as its importance in securing or maintaining an export market in particular and trade in general.
Mr Folikumah said the application of appropriate codes and labelling was an essential aspect of producing finished goods fit for sale and targeted at a particular market.
The Chairman of One Global Standard (GS1 Ghana), facilitators of the use of bar-codes in the country, Mr Kofi Essuman, said about 120 countries in the world had bar-codes, with Ghana being the first West African country to join in the usage of bar-codes in 2006.
FAMILIARISE YOURSELVES WITH JOURNALISTIC POLITY GUIDE — SAYS BOADU-AYEBOAFOH (PAGE 14)
The General Manager, Newspapers of the Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, has urged journalists of the company to familiarise themselves with the company’s ‘Journalistic Policy Guide’ to ensure they do not falter in their reportage, particularly in the forthcoming general election.
"That is our quran and our bible, if we live with it we will not falter," he added.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh was addressing journalists of the company drawn from the Western and Central regions at a day’s training programme held in Takoradi to re-orient them on the election coverage in Takoradi.
He advised reporters of the company to be fair to all the political parties, particularly the presidential candidates.
"The need to be fair, balanced and promote peace is a duty we owe to ourselves as journalists of the company," he said, adding "If we want Ghana to be peaceful and democracy to grow, we must discharge our professional duties responsibly".
Touching on the coverage of the parliamentary candidates, he said "As media people, be fair and balanced. Do not align yourselves to one candidate to the neglect of others".
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said the focus of GCGL was to unify the nation, saying "Report on healthy developments for the sake of the national good".
"We must contribute our part so that at the end when there is peace, we can say we contributed to it," he stated.
The Political Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah, encouraged the regional reporters to collectively work harder to inform the nation through the various publications of the company as well as helping to maintain GCGL’s lead position in the media industry.
Mr Asmah advised them to work as colleagues and eschew selfishness, suspicion and undermining if they were to make any sustainable impact.
He reminded the regional editors and reporters that they were working towards the same goal, and needed to compliment each other in order to achieve the set mission and vision of the company.
"That is our quran and our bible, if we live with it we will not falter," he added.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh was addressing journalists of the company drawn from the Western and Central regions at a day’s training programme held in Takoradi to re-orient them on the election coverage in Takoradi.
He advised reporters of the company to be fair to all the political parties, particularly the presidential candidates.
"The need to be fair, balanced and promote peace is a duty we owe to ourselves as journalists of the company," he said, adding "If we want Ghana to be peaceful and democracy to grow, we must discharge our professional duties responsibly".
Touching on the coverage of the parliamentary candidates, he said "As media people, be fair and balanced. Do not align yourselves to one candidate to the neglect of others".
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said the focus of GCGL was to unify the nation, saying "Report on healthy developments for the sake of the national good".
"We must contribute our part so that at the end when there is peace, we can say we contributed to it," he stated.
The Political Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah, encouraged the regional reporters to collectively work harder to inform the nation through the various publications of the company as well as helping to maintain GCGL’s lead position in the media industry.
Mr Asmah advised them to work as colleagues and eschew selfishness, suspicion and undermining if they were to make any sustainable impact.
He reminded the regional editors and reporters that they were working towards the same goal, and needed to compliment each other in order to achieve the set mission and vision of the company.
EC PLANS EARLY DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTION MATERIALS (PAGE 14)
The Electoral Commission (EC) has put in place a well designed plan for the early and effective distribution of election materials at dawn on the day of the election .
This is to ensure that the materials get to all polling stations as early as possible for the election to begin at 7 o’clock in the morning.
The Director of Human Resource and General Services of the Electoral Commission, Mr Samuel Yorke Aidoo, announced this at a training programme for media practitioners in Sekondi.
"Majority of the materials will go at dawn on the election day because we want the election to start at 7 o’clock as stipulated," he stated.
Mr Aidoo said unforeseen circumstances, such as, rain and other natural occurrences could affect the distribution of the materials, however, the commission had contingency plans to address all situations.
He stressed that an election day marked the critical point of every electoral process since it was the consummation of the process and as such all policies and regulations pertaining to the election had to be adhered to without fail.
He mentioned stakeholders who would be seen at the polling stations as EC officials, executives, candidates and their spouses, local and international observers, security agents and media practitioners, whose roles were all critical to the success of the day.
He, therefore, urged them to commit themselves to their expected roles to achieve a credible election.
Mr Aidoo emphasised that it was erroneous for anyone to think that ballot boxes would be stuffed with ballot papers to the advantage or disadvantage of particular political parties when they were being conveyed to the collation centres.
"This is ridiculous. That is inconsequential; it has no effect on the results after the declaration of the results at the polling station", he said.
A Commission Member, Madam Eunice Akweley Roberts, said the voters register had been cleaned to some extent, but the process was still ongoing.
She said a lot of people had come forward, especially those whose family members were dead, for the deletion of their names from the register.
Also, she said parents of some minors who registered as well as people who had done double registration had come to delete their names, adding that almost everything was set for the election.
This is to ensure that the materials get to all polling stations as early as possible for the election to begin at 7 o’clock in the morning.
The Director of Human Resource and General Services of the Electoral Commission, Mr Samuel Yorke Aidoo, announced this at a training programme for media practitioners in Sekondi.
"Majority of the materials will go at dawn on the election day because we want the election to start at 7 o’clock as stipulated," he stated.
Mr Aidoo said unforeseen circumstances, such as, rain and other natural occurrences could affect the distribution of the materials, however, the commission had contingency plans to address all situations.
He stressed that an election day marked the critical point of every electoral process since it was the consummation of the process and as such all policies and regulations pertaining to the election had to be adhered to without fail.
He mentioned stakeholders who would be seen at the polling stations as EC officials, executives, candidates and their spouses, local and international observers, security agents and media practitioners, whose roles were all critical to the success of the day.
He, therefore, urged them to commit themselves to their expected roles to achieve a credible election.
Mr Aidoo emphasised that it was erroneous for anyone to think that ballot boxes would be stuffed with ballot papers to the advantage or disadvantage of particular political parties when they were being conveyed to the collation centres.
"This is ridiculous. That is inconsequential; it has no effect on the results after the declaration of the results at the polling station", he said.
A Commission Member, Madam Eunice Akweley Roberts, said the voters register had been cleaned to some extent, but the process was still ongoing.
She said a lot of people had come forward, especially those whose family members were dead, for the deletion of their names from the register.
Also, she said parents of some minors who registered as well as people who had done double registration had come to delete their names, adding that almost everything was set for the election.
STAFF OF BARCLAYS BANK OFFER VOLUNTARY SERVICE (22)
THE staff of the Takoradi branch of the Barclays Bank at the weekend spent several hours to work in the Twin-City Special School for the Mentally Handicapped and the Sekondi School for the Deaf, the two needy institutions in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
The event marked this year’s “Make a Difference Day Celebration”.
At the Twin-City Special School for the Mentally Handicapped, they weeded, swept the compound, scrubbed and painted the dormitories, reconstructed the shelves of the kitchen and provided mosquito nets at the Sekondi School for the Deaf.
The Takoradi High Street Branch Manager of the bank, Mr Albert Owusu-Duffour, explained that every year the bank devoted a day to work in a selected community, interact and socialise with members of the community to mark the day.
Mr Owusu-Duffour said there were other occasions when the bank made donations to some selected institutions.
The event marked this year’s “Make a Difference Day Celebration”.
At the Twin-City Special School for the Mentally Handicapped, they weeded, swept the compound, scrubbed and painted the dormitories, reconstructed the shelves of the kitchen and provided mosquito nets at the Sekondi School for the Deaf.
The Takoradi High Street Branch Manager of the bank, Mr Albert Owusu-Duffour, explained that every year the bank devoted a day to work in a selected community, interact and socialise with members of the community to mark the day.
Mr Owusu-Duffour said there were other occasions when the bank made donations to some selected institutions.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
SUSTAIN CULTURE OF DEMOCRACY — OPOKU-MENSAH (PAGE 15)
THE Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Stephen Opoku-Mensah, has called on Ghanaians to sustain the culture of the democracy prevailing in the country to facilitate free, fair and peaceful election.
He said ensuring peaceful elections was a collective responsibility of everybody and not the EC alone.
Mr Opoku-Mensah was speaking at a press briefing on forthcoming peace walk by two officers of the Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service towards peaceful elections in the country. They are Fireman John Domici Dadzie who is the main walker and is supported by Station Officer Joseph C. Ampiah.
Mr Opoku-Mensah said the Commission was committed to the delivery of free and fair elections as a means of advancing the course of democracy and good governance in the country.
He said through the development of a professionally competent workforce that would exhibit a high sense of personal integrity, the EC would work to achieve free and fair elections this year.
He further said the EC would build confidence and trust in the electoral system through transparent and verifiable electoral practices as well as treat all stakeholders in the elections fairly.
Mr Opoku-Mensah said one of the conditions that would be relevant to ensuring peaceful elections was that the various contestants in the elections should regard and respect one another as a legitimate aspirant to a political office.
"Our political parties, which say that they want free, fair and incident -free elections should be ready to abide by the rules of competitive democratic party politics and play it fair with one another," he emphasised, adding, "Our political parties should refrain from doing acts and playing ‘tricks’ that undermine or circumvent laid down rules and regulations."
The Ghanaian people as a whole, he said, should be prepared to exercise the self-discipline and vigilance required to prevent cheating at elections, while the media should be circumspect in their reportage.
Mr Opoku-Mensah called on the security agencies to check all forms of intimidation and keep the general peace in order to create the right atmosphere for democratic politics.
He said ensuring peaceful elections was a collective responsibility of everybody and not the EC alone.
Mr Opoku-Mensah was speaking at a press briefing on forthcoming peace walk by two officers of the Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service towards peaceful elections in the country. They are Fireman John Domici Dadzie who is the main walker and is supported by Station Officer Joseph C. Ampiah.
Mr Opoku-Mensah said the Commission was committed to the delivery of free and fair elections as a means of advancing the course of democracy and good governance in the country.
He said through the development of a professionally competent workforce that would exhibit a high sense of personal integrity, the EC would work to achieve free and fair elections this year.
He further said the EC would build confidence and trust in the electoral system through transparent and verifiable electoral practices as well as treat all stakeholders in the elections fairly.
Mr Opoku-Mensah said one of the conditions that would be relevant to ensuring peaceful elections was that the various contestants in the elections should regard and respect one another as a legitimate aspirant to a political office.
"Our political parties, which say that they want free, fair and incident -free elections should be ready to abide by the rules of competitive democratic party politics and play it fair with one another," he emphasised, adding, "Our political parties should refrain from doing acts and playing ‘tricks’ that undermine or circumvent laid down rules and regulations."
The Ghanaian people as a whole, he said, should be prepared to exercise the self-discipline and vigilance required to prevent cheating at elections, while the media should be circumspect in their reportage.
Mr Opoku-Mensah called on the security agencies to check all forms of intimidation and keep the general peace in order to create the right atmosphere for democratic politics.
Monday, November 3, 2008
AQUACULTURE COMPLEX FOR WESTERN REGION (PAGE 22)
THE government in collaboration with a Chinese company is to establish an aquaculture complex in the Western Region.
In this regard, more than 2,000 acres has been acquired off Asemasa near Beposo in the Shama District to start the project.
The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, announced this at the inauguration of the Western Regional Fish Farmers Association at Enchi in the Aowin Suaman District of the Western Region.
She expressed the hope that when the aquaculture project begins, fish farmers, especially those in the Western Region, would take advantage of it to benefit immensely from the project.
Mrs Asmah further announced that the government had within the past two years injected more than GH¢1.5 million into the sector, which had made it possible for a number of fish farmers to benefit from the input credit scheme.
She said under the scheme, many farmers had benefited from fish pond construction, fish seed and fish feed credits.
The minister regretted that over exploitation of both the marine and inland fishery resources had led to the continuous decline of the total annual fish catch of about 450,000 metric tonnes.
In order to arrest the decline in fish production, she said the ministry had since 2005 embarked on vigorous fish farming programmes not only as wealth and job creation ventures, but also to produce enough fish to make up for the country’s fish production and requirement deficit.
"Very significant steps have since been made not only to boost the existing structures, but also to attract the youth to go into fish farming. More than 500 existing and prospective fish farmers throughout the country have benefited from the ministry’s aquaculture training programme both locally and abroad," she said.
Mrs Asmah said a couple of months ago her ministry provided a pond digging machine and a compactor to the Wassa West Fish Farmers Association at Tarkwa to enhance the development of fish ponds construction in the Western Region.
Mrs Asmah said she was informed that the interest and enthusiasm in fish farming in the region was high resulting in as many as over 2,000 fish farmers emerging and also the formation of over 22 fish farmers groups in the region alone.
"I am, therefore, not surprised that the hard work exhibited by the fish farmers has given birth to the inauguration of Western Regional Fish Farmers Association," she said.
Mrs Asmah expressed the hope that the inauguration of the association would pave the way for further development of the aquaculture sector in the Western Region and more importantly the injection of the needed assistance from the government and the donor partners.
She said the government for its part was much committed to the provision of the necessary infrastructure, logistics and other relevant technical support to facilitate the promotion, development and management of aquaculture in the country.
In this regard, more than 2,000 acres has been acquired off Asemasa near Beposo in the Shama District to start the project.
The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, announced this at the inauguration of the Western Regional Fish Farmers Association at Enchi in the Aowin Suaman District of the Western Region.
She expressed the hope that when the aquaculture project begins, fish farmers, especially those in the Western Region, would take advantage of it to benefit immensely from the project.
Mrs Asmah further announced that the government had within the past two years injected more than GH¢1.5 million into the sector, which had made it possible for a number of fish farmers to benefit from the input credit scheme.
She said under the scheme, many farmers had benefited from fish pond construction, fish seed and fish feed credits.
The minister regretted that over exploitation of both the marine and inland fishery resources had led to the continuous decline of the total annual fish catch of about 450,000 metric tonnes.
In order to arrest the decline in fish production, she said the ministry had since 2005 embarked on vigorous fish farming programmes not only as wealth and job creation ventures, but also to produce enough fish to make up for the country’s fish production and requirement deficit.
"Very significant steps have since been made not only to boost the existing structures, but also to attract the youth to go into fish farming. More than 500 existing and prospective fish farmers throughout the country have benefited from the ministry’s aquaculture training programme both locally and abroad," she said.
Mrs Asmah said a couple of months ago her ministry provided a pond digging machine and a compactor to the Wassa West Fish Farmers Association at Tarkwa to enhance the development of fish ponds construction in the Western Region.
Mrs Asmah said she was informed that the interest and enthusiasm in fish farming in the region was high resulting in as many as over 2,000 fish farmers emerging and also the formation of over 22 fish farmers groups in the region alone.
"I am, therefore, not surprised that the hard work exhibited by the fish farmers has given birth to the inauguration of Western Regional Fish Farmers Association," she said.
Mrs Asmah expressed the hope that the inauguration of the association would pave the way for further development of the aquaculture sector in the Western Region and more importantly the injection of the needed assistance from the government and the donor partners.
She said the government for its part was much committed to the provision of the necessary infrastructure, logistics and other relevant technical support to facilitate the promotion, development and management of aquaculture in the country.
Friday, October 31, 2008
TICO AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 100 STUDENTS (PAGE 11)
THE Takoradi International Company (TICo) has awarded a scholarship package of US$ 20,000 to 100 brilliant needy students.
The scheme, which is the seventh under its Kramer Scholarship Awards, is for 2008-2009 and forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
The students were selected from the company’s operational communities in the Shama-Aboadze-Abuesi area of the Shama District.
The beneficiaries are pursuing programmes in first and second cycle schools as well as in tertiary institutions in the country.
Last year, the company spent about US$7,500 on 68 pupils and students from the area.
The scheme was introduced seven years ago with a personal donation of US$1,000 by the then General Manager of TICo, Mr Lawrence Kramer, who was then going on retirement.
The General Manager of TICo, Nana Osafo Kantanka, said the awards had come a long way in supporting the beneficiaries in the company’s catchment area.
“From a very humble beginning, we now have a well-structured process for the awards and we will ensure that it serves the purpose for which it was instituted,’’ he stated.
He expressed the company’s confidence in the beneficiaries using the opportunity to excel wherever they found themselves.
Nana Kantanka emphasised that the company was committed to the development and welfare of the communities located in its operational area.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, said the company had exhibited corporate social responsibility in the provision of library facilities, the institution of a scholarship scheme as well as the construction of drains for the communities.
Mrs Baiden-Amissah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Shama Constituency, commended the management of TICo for its support to the community.
She reminded the people that the educational reform made it mandatory for all children of school age to be in school by the year 2015.
The acting Director, Thermal Generation of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Richard N. A. Badger, said over the years, the two companies had sought to improve the social and economic lives of the people in the surrounding communities.
"With the Kramer scholarship programme, TICo has consistently displayed that it holds in high esteem the value of education of the youth in the communities", he said, adding that "it is the youth who will provide leadership in these communities as well as develop them".
He said VRA recognised that education was key to the development of any group of people and support in this area needed encouragement from all quarters.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr A. E. Amoah, commended the management of TICo for institutionalising the scholarship scheme.
He advised the beneficiaries to study hard to justify that they really deserved the awards.
Present at the ceremony was the President and Chief Executive of TAQA Energy, Mr Peter Barker-Homek.
The scheme, which is the seventh under its Kramer Scholarship Awards, is for 2008-2009 and forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
The students were selected from the company’s operational communities in the Shama-Aboadze-Abuesi area of the Shama District.
The beneficiaries are pursuing programmes in first and second cycle schools as well as in tertiary institutions in the country.
Last year, the company spent about US$7,500 on 68 pupils and students from the area.
The scheme was introduced seven years ago with a personal donation of US$1,000 by the then General Manager of TICo, Mr Lawrence Kramer, who was then going on retirement.
The General Manager of TICo, Nana Osafo Kantanka, said the awards had come a long way in supporting the beneficiaries in the company’s catchment area.
“From a very humble beginning, we now have a well-structured process for the awards and we will ensure that it serves the purpose for which it was instituted,’’ he stated.
He expressed the company’s confidence in the beneficiaries using the opportunity to excel wherever they found themselves.
Nana Kantanka emphasised that the company was committed to the development and welfare of the communities located in its operational area.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, said the company had exhibited corporate social responsibility in the provision of library facilities, the institution of a scholarship scheme as well as the construction of drains for the communities.
Mrs Baiden-Amissah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Shama Constituency, commended the management of TICo for its support to the community.
She reminded the people that the educational reform made it mandatory for all children of school age to be in school by the year 2015.
The acting Director, Thermal Generation of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Richard N. A. Badger, said over the years, the two companies had sought to improve the social and economic lives of the people in the surrounding communities.
"With the Kramer scholarship programme, TICo has consistently displayed that it holds in high esteem the value of education of the youth in the communities", he said, adding that "it is the youth who will provide leadership in these communities as well as develop them".
He said VRA recognised that education was key to the development of any group of people and support in this area needed encouragement from all quarters.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr A. E. Amoah, commended the management of TICo for institutionalising the scholarship scheme.
He advised the beneficiaries to study hard to justify that they really deserved the awards.
Present at the ceremony was the President and Chief Executive of TAQA Energy, Mr Peter Barker-Homek.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NGO DONATES LEARNING MATERIALS TO SCHOOL (PAGE 20)
ONE Small Step-Ghana Project, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated assorted learning materials worth US$1,000 to the Adjumako District Council basic school in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
A transcriptionist at the Virginia Hospital Centre in the United States of America, Ms Loretta McDaniel, founded the NGO.
The donor explained to the Daily Graphic before the presentation that it was an on-going project and that she would continue to solicit for teaching and learning aids for the school on a regular basis.
"We are trying to supply this school more learning supplies," she said, adding: "We are asking some families and friends in America to purchase some items that would be shipped to the school".
Ms McDaniel said she would gather information on the needs of the school as well as the learning areas in relation to the school’s curriculum to be able to provide its actual needs.
A co-worker of Ms McDaniel and a native of Adjumako, Madam Mary Andoh, explained that about two years ago, Ms McDaniel accompanied her to the village during which some of the schoolchildren requested learning materials such as pencils, books and pens from her.
She further stated that Ms McDaniel took pictures of the pupils and that when she returned home, she showed them to her friends in America who were touched and decided to contribute to purchase the materials for the school through the project.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Director of Education in charge of second cycle schools in the Ahanta West District, Mr Benjamin Ofori, said the government, the district assembly and the community which were the major stakeholders in education, were to ensure that teachers were decently accommodated, while all children who were of school age were enrolled.
He also urged parents to provide the school with the needs of their children and ensure their orderly growth and development.
Mr Ofori said it was the duty of parents and members of the community to monitor the teaching activities of teachers by reporting them to their heads.
The Presiding Member of the Ahanta West District Assembly, Madam Georgina Sarah Yankey, expressed her appreciation at the donation and appealed to the benefactor to continue to help the school by donating more teaching and learning materials to the school.
She called on parents to ensure the proper education of their children.
The Head teacher of the Adjumako District Council basic school, Mr Edward Bordes, appealed to Ms McDaniel to provide the school with computers to help introduce the pupils to Information and Communication Technology.
The Assembly Member for the Adjumako-Mpatase Electoral Area, Mr Moses Andoh, commended Ms McDaniel for the gesture and said that she would be furnished with the needs of the school to enable her to contribute effectively towards the education of the pupils.
A transcriptionist at the Virginia Hospital Centre in the United States of America, Ms Loretta McDaniel, founded the NGO.
The donor explained to the Daily Graphic before the presentation that it was an on-going project and that she would continue to solicit for teaching and learning aids for the school on a regular basis.
"We are trying to supply this school more learning supplies," she said, adding: "We are asking some families and friends in America to purchase some items that would be shipped to the school".
Ms McDaniel said she would gather information on the needs of the school as well as the learning areas in relation to the school’s curriculum to be able to provide its actual needs.
A co-worker of Ms McDaniel and a native of Adjumako, Madam Mary Andoh, explained that about two years ago, Ms McDaniel accompanied her to the village during which some of the schoolchildren requested learning materials such as pencils, books and pens from her.
She further stated that Ms McDaniel took pictures of the pupils and that when she returned home, she showed them to her friends in America who were touched and decided to contribute to purchase the materials for the school through the project.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Director of Education in charge of second cycle schools in the Ahanta West District, Mr Benjamin Ofori, said the government, the district assembly and the community which were the major stakeholders in education, were to ensure that teachers were decently accommodated, while all children who were of school age were enrolled.
He also urged parents to provide the school with the needs of their children and ensure their orderly growth and development.
Mr Ofori said it was the duty of parents and members of the community to monitor the teaching activities of teachers by reporting them to their heads.
The Presiding Member of the Ahanta West District Assembly, Madam Georgina Sarah Yankey, expressed her appreciation at the donation and appealed to the benefactor to continue to help the school by donating more teaching and learning materials to the school.
She called on parents to ensure the proper education of their children.
The Head teacher of the Adjumako District Council basic school, Mr Edward Bordes, appealed to Ms McDaniel to provide the school with computers to help introduce the pupils to Information and Communication Technology.
The Assembly Member for the Adjumako-Mpatase Electoral Area, Mr Moses Andoh, commended Ms McDaniel for the gesture and said that she would be furnished with the needs of the school to enable her to contribute effectively towards the education of the pupils.
MINING COMPANY, NGO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL CLINICS (PAGE 20)
GOLDEN Star Resources (GSR), a mining company, in collaboration with Project Cure, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) has organised free medical clinics for people in 11 communities in the operational areas of its two subsidiary companies in the Western Region.
The subsidiary companies are the Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited at Akyempim and Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea Mines) at Bogoso.
A total of 9,280 people, including schoolchildren and infants from Subri, Togbekrom, Ningo, Akyempim, Kubekro, Old Subri, Mbease Nsuta, Bondaye, Heman and Dumase benefited from the clinics, which were held for two weeks.
A medical team comprising 10 doctors from Project Cure in the United States of America who undertook the clinics, screened and conducted medical examinations on those who attended the clinics after which they were given free drugs.
Some of the diseases diagnosed were skin rashes, bodily pains, upper respiratory tract infections, malaria, eye problems and itching.
Those who attended were given drugs such as dewormers, multivite, antibiotics, anti-histamines, cough syrups, analgesics for pains and wound dressing packs.
The leader of the medical team, Dr Maurice Ankrah told the Daily Graphic during the last of the clinics at Togbekrom, located in the Wassa Mines that almost everybody, both old and young, complained of bodily pains, noting that "this may be due to the type of work they do, which is farming".
He said many people in the area, especially Old Subri, a farming community, also complained of eye problems and were advised to contact eye specialists at the hospitals.
Dr Ankrah suggested that the mining company should build a standard health facility for the communities within its operational areas to cater for their health needs, since the communities were far from the hospitals and other health facilities.
"Since the mining company is benefiting from the communities, they must also benefit from the mines," he said.
According to Dr Ankrah, the clinics would go a long way to improve the quality of life of the people in the beneficiary communities.
He explained that the viability and sustainability of the clinics, which were organised annually, would depend on the host mining company.
"We are willing to offer the services, if the host company will co-operate. What we need is a host which is co-operative," he stressed, adding that the project had targeted deprived communities.
The General Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines), Mr Richard Gray, commended the people who contributed to the success of the clinics, especially Project Cure and the medical team from the United States of America.
A representative of the Denver Office of Project Cure, Ms Judith Schwartz, explained that the project was instituted to support hospitals and clinics without adequate medical supplies and equipment.
She said the project collected medical supplies and equipment from 120 companies across the world and supplied them to needy hospitals and clinics.
The Human Resource and Administrative Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited, Mr Paul Essah, said it was the responsibility of the mining company to provide some facilities such as schools, potable water, electricity and roads for the communities within its operational areas.
He said the company would continue to support the organisation of the clinics annually to ensure that the people in the mining communities had good health and to enable them to increase productivity.
The subsidiary companies are the Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited at Akyempim and Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea Mines) at Bogoso.
A total of 9,280 people, including schoolchildren and infants from Subri, Togbekrom, Ningo, Akyempim, Kubekro, Old Subri, Mbease Nsuta, Bondaye, Heman and Dumase benefited from the clinics, which were held for two weeks.
A medical team comprising 10 doctors from Project Cure in the United States of America who undertook the clinics, screened and conducted medical examinations on those who attended the clinics after which they were given free drugs.
Some of the diseases diagnosed were skin rashes, bodily pains, upper respiratory tract infections, malaria, eye problems and itching.
Those who attended were given drugs such as dewormers, multivite, antibiotics, anti-histamines, cough syrups, analgesics for pains and wound dressing packs.
The leader of the medical team, Dr Maurice Ankrah told the Daily Graphic during the last of the clinics at Togbekrom, located in the Wassa Mines that almost everybody, both old and young, complained of bodily pains, noting that "this may be due to the type of work they do, which is farming".
He said many people in the area, especially Old Subri, a farming community, also complained of eye problems and were advised to contact eye specialists at the hospitals.
Dr Ankrah suggested that the mining company should build a standard health facility for the communities within its operational areas to cater for their health needs, since the communities were far from the hospitals and other health facilities.
"Since the mining company is benefiting from the communities, they must also benefit from the mines," he said.
According to Dr Ankrah, the clinics would go a long way to improve the quality of life of the people in the beneficiary communities.
He explained that the viability and sustainability of the clinics, which were organised annually, would depend on the host mining company.
"We are willing to offer the services, if the host company will co-operate. What we need is a host which is co-operative," he stressed, adding that the project had targeted deprived communities.
The General Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines), Mr Richard Gray, commended the people who contributed to the success of the clinics, especially Project Cure and the medical team from the United States of America.
A representative of the Denver Office of Project Cure, Ms Judith Schwartz, explained that the project was instituted to support hospitals and clinics without adequate medical supplies and equipment.
She said the project collected medical supplies and equipment from 120 companies across the world and supplied them to needy hospitals and clinics.
The Human Resource and Administrative Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited, Mr Paul Essah, said it was the responsibility of the mining company to provide some facilities such as schools, potable water, electricity and roads for the communities within its operational areas.
He said the company would continue to support the organisation of the clinics annually to ensure that the people in the mining communities had good health and to enable them to increase productivity.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
JUABOSO ASSEMBLY DEVELOPS WATER AND SANITATION PLAN (PAGE 21)
THE Juaboso District Assembly in the Western Region has developed a comprehensive five-year community water and sanitation development plan to provide water and sanitation facilities for schools and communities in the district.
The plan, which covers the period 2008 to 2012, will be sponsored by the World Bank, the International Development Agency (IDA) and the European Union. It was submitted to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in Takoradi.
The Juaboso District Planning Officer, Mr Richard-Nixon Ziork, made this known to the Daily Graphic at Juaboso.
He said most educational institutions and six markets in the district which did not have toilet facilities and markets would be provided with the facilities.
Mr Ziork said household toilet facilities would also be provided, adding that the assembly was sensitising the people to the facilities to enable them to embrace the construction of the facilities in their houses.
According to Mr Ziork, water supply was a problem in some of the communities and so most of the rural communities depended on streams for their source of drinking water which had necessitated the provision of boreholes for the communities.
He said small town water systems, under which ground water would be pumped through mechanised boreholes, would also be provided for the communities.
The planning officer stated that any non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the district which wanted to assist in environmental issues had to consult the sanitation development plan.
The plan, which covers the period 2008 to 2012, will be sponsored by the World Bank, the International Development Agency (IDA) and the European Union. It was submitted to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in Takoradi.
The Juaboso District Planning Officer, Mr Richard-Nixon Ziork, made this known to the Daily Graphic at Juaboso.
He said most educational institutions and six markets in the district which did not have toilet facilities and markets would be provided with the facilities.
Mr Ziork said household toilet facilities would also be provided, adding that the assembly was sensitising the people to the facilities to enable them to embrace the construction of the facilities in their houses.
According to Mr Ziork, water supply was a problem in some of the communities and so most of the rural communities depended on streams for their source of drinking water which had necessitated the provision of boreholes for the communities.
He said small town water systems, under which ground water would be pumped through mechanised boreholes, would also be provided for the communities.
The planning officer stated that any non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the district which wanted to assist in environmental issues had to consult the sanitation development plan.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
2 FIRE OFFICERS TO START PEACE WALK (PAGE 20)
TWO fire officers from the Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) will embark on “2008 Election Peaceful Walk” throughout the country to spread the message of peace before, during and after the December 7 general election.
Fireman John Dominic Dadzie, who is the main walker, is being supported by Station Officer Joseph C. Ampiah and will begin the walk on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from Wa in the Upper West Region through Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region to Tamale in the Northern Region to end the northern sector walk.
The Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and the Western regions will follow suit respectively while the walker will pass through the Central Region up to Agona Swedru, enter the Eastern and Volta regions and finally end up in Accra at the offices of the Electoral Commission in the Greater Accra Region on November 28, 2008.
Speaking at a press briefing on the peace walk at the regional headquarters of the GNFS, the Western Regional Commander of the service, Nana Ekow Abban, explained that the regional security task forces were taking the initiative to spread the message of peace before, during and after the general election.
"We believe that should there be any adversity, the security task forces may be called upon and it is in this purview that we are taking the first step to reach out to all, especially the general public and politicians, to educate their supporters to eschew bitterness and fighting," he stressed.
He emphasised that Ghana was for all of us, so there was the need for all and sundry to protect it, stressing, "we as a people must endeavour to hold our motherland together in trust for generations unborn".
Nana Abban prayed for God’s guidance throughout the walk and that the message might impact positively on all the people.
The Garrison Commander and Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Frank Daley, called on all Ghanaians to support the election to be peaceful and tranquil for the development of the country.
"Our wish and prayer are not only for the successful election in the Western Region alone, but throughout the length and breadth of Ghana," he emphasised, adding, "We shall overcome if we work at it diligently".
The Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, Most Rev John Martin Darko, noted that peace had always been the principle guiding authentic religion and that it was not just a question of live and let live.
He explained that peace was the active and positive expression of goodwill towards others.
According to Bishop Darko, Ghanaians needed goodwill in abundance because of growing selfishness and indiscipline in spite of the call in the past to make the necessary sacrifices for the nation.
He stated that there were people who pretended to be fighting for the development of the nation, but actually had their own hidden agenda.
Bishop Darko noted that greed had swamped the society and that the clergy were not spared the infection, adding "this leads to violence".
"All the evils surrounding us, notably armed robbery, drug trafficking, terrorism and violence either by individuals or groups, or state organs, indiscipline by officials, individuals, gangs, bad and reckless drivers on the roads, are all caused by people who have no goodwill,” he said.
According to him, "the only driving force that motivates them is selfishness, misplaced pride and ‘bad will’ ".
Bishop Darko said the end result was suffering for all and stated that but all that we looked forward to was peace.
The walker, Fireman Dadzie, noted that the country had gone through a number of successful elections, be them unit committee, district, parliamentary or presidential.
He said it was a fact that democracy had come to stay in the country and stressed the need for all and sundry to diligently guide and guard the democracy.
"Our walk for peace before, during and after the general election is meant to educate all Ghanaians, including political parties, on the need to be tolerant and co-exist without rancour and bitterness," Fireman Dadzie stressed.
Fireman John Dominic Dadzie, who is the main walker, is being supported by Station Officer Joseph C. Ampiah and will begin the walk on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from Wa in the Upper West Region through Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region to Tamale in the Northern Region to end the northern sector walk.
The Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and the Western regions will follow suit respectively while the walker will pass through the Central Region up to Agona Swedru, enter the Eastern and Volta regions and finally end up in Accra at the offices of the Electoral Commission in the Greater Accra Region on November 28, 2008.
Speaking at a press briefing on the peace walk at the regional headquarters of the GNFS, the Western Regional Commander of the service, Nana Ekow Abban, explained that the regional security task forces were taking the initiative to spread the message of peace before, during and after the general election.
"We believe that should there be any adversity, the security task forces may be called upon and it is in this purview that we are taking the first step to reach out to all, especially the general public and politicians, to educate their supporters to eschew bitterness and fighting," he stressed.
He emphasised that Ghana was for all of us, so there was the need for all and sundry to protect it, stressing, "we as a people must endeavour to hold our motherland together in trust for generations unborn".
Nana Abban prayed for God’s guidance throughout the walk and that the message might impact positively on all the people.
The Garrison Commander and Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Frank Daley, called on all Ghanaians to support the election to be peaceful and tranquil for the development of the country.
"Our wish and prayer are not only for the successful election in the Western Region alone, but throughout the length and breadth of Ghana," he emphasised, adding, "We shall overcome if we work at it diligently".
The Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, Most Rev John Martin Darko, noted that peace had always been the principle guiding authentic religion and that it was not just a question of live and let live.
He explained that peace was the active and positive expression of goodwill towards others.
According to Bishop Darko, Ghanaians needed goodwill in abundance because of growing selfishness and indiscipline in spite of the call in the past to make the necessary sacrifices for the nation.
He stated that there were people who pretended to be fighting for the development of the nation, but actually had their own hidden agenda.
Bishop Darko noted that greed had swamped the society and that the clergy were not spared the infection, adding "this leads to violence".
"All the evils surrounding us, notably armed robbery, drug trafficking, terrorism and violence either by individuals or groups, or state organs, indiscipline by officials, individuals, gangs, bad and reckless drivers on the roads, are all caused by people who have no goodwill,” he said.
According to him, "the only driving force that motivates them is selfishness, misplaced pride and ‘bad will’ ".
Bishop Darko said the end result was suffering for all and stated that but all that we looked forward to was peace.
The walker, Fireman Dadzie, noted that the country had gone through a number of successful elections, be them unit committee, district, parliamentary or presidential.
He said it was a fact that democracy had come to stay in the country and stressed the need for all and sundry to diligently guide and guard the democracy.
"Our walk for peace before, during and after the general election is meant to educate all Ghanaians, including political parties, on the need to be tolerant and co-exist without rancour and bitterness," Fireman Dadzie stressed.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
90 CANDIDATES FILE IN WESTERN REGION (PAGE 15)
NINETY parliamentary candidates, including eleven females, have filed their nominations to contest in the 22 constituencies of the Western Region in this year’s general election.
Two of the females each are contesting in the Jomoro and the Sekondi constituencies, while each of the remaining is contesting in the Evalue Gwira, Ahanta West, Shama, Mpohor Wassa East, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Amenfi West, and Bibiani Anhiawso Bekwai constituencies.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is contesting in all the 22 constituencies in the region, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed nominations to contest in 21 of the constituencies with the exception of Ellembele.
With the exception of Sefwi Akontombra, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) is contesting in all the other 21 constituencies in the region, while the People’s National Convention (PNC) has filed nominations to contest in eight constituencies, with the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) contesting in two constituencies.
The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) is contesting in six constituencies, while eight people have filed their nominations to contest as independent candidates, with the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) contesting in two constituencies in the region.
The Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Steve Opoku-Mensah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview, said an aspiring parliamentary candidate of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency could not process his nomination forms at the close of nominations.
He said with the completion of nominations, the parliamentary candidates and the party agents would be trained, after which the EC would train its election officials in the region.
Meanwhile, at the Evalue-Gwira Constituency in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, officially filed her nomination with the EC at Axim to contest the 2008 general election.
The CPP and NDC parliamentary candidates for the constituency, Mr Kojo Armah and Mr Peter Arde Kodwo respectively, also filed their nominations to contest the polls. They were followed by their party executives and supporters.
Two of the females each are contesting in the Jomoro and the Sekondi constituencies, while each of the remaining is contesting in the Evalue Gwira, Ahanta West, Shama, Mpohor Wassa East, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Amenfi West, and Bibiani Anhiawso Bekwai constituencies.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is contesting in all the 22 constituencies in the region, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has filed nominations to contest in 21 of the constituencies with the exception of Ellembele.
With the exception of Sefwi Akontombra, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) is contesting in all the other 21 constituencies in the region, while the People’s National Convention (PNC) has filed nominations to contest in eight constituencies, with the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) contesting in two constituencies.
The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) is contesting in six constituencies, while eight people have filed their nominations to contest as independent candidates, with the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) contesting in two constituencies in the region.
The Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Steve Opoku-Mensah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview, said an aspiring parliamentary candidate of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Constituency could not process his nomination forms at the close of nominations.
He said with the completion of nominations, the parliamentary candidates and the party agents would be trained, after which the EC would train its election officials in the region.
Meanwhile, at the Evalue-Gwira Constituency in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, officially filed her nomination with the EC at Axim to contest the 2008 general election.
The CPP and NDC parliamentary candidates for the constituency, Mr Kojo Armah and Mr Peter Arde Kodwo respectively, also filed their nominations to contest the polls. They were followed by their party executives and supporters.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
BUSINESSES RUSH TO CAPITALISE ON OIL BOOM (PAGE 29)
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has received more than 20 applications from companies and businesses to construct ultra-modern office complexes within the metropolis to position themselves for the oil business.
The assembly is yet to approve the applications.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, announced this in an address read on his behalf by the Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Edwin Philips, at the launch of the e-zwich smart card national roadshow campaign in Takoradi.
Mr Nkrumah said Sekondi-Takoradi had been experiencing unprecedented influx of businesses since the announcement of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in the Western Region.
"As a result, new office complexes and warehouses are being built, existing buildings are being refurbished and converted into offices, warehouses and stores," he said.
This development, he said, posed a great challenge to the banking and financial institutions in the metropolis and required of them to design a wide-range of products and services to meet the specific needs of the emerging businesses in the metropolis.
"The assembly has positioned itself to play the leading role in facilitating the provision of infrastructure in various sectors to further improve the investment climate within the metropolis," he said.
Mr Nkrumah gave the assurance that the assembly was ready to offer any possible assistance to all existing and new businesses.
He said the government had recognised the need to modernise the banking and financial sector as major catalysts to attract the needed foreign direct investment for rapid economic growth.
Before the introduction of the new currency, he explained, the economy was significantly over burdened with a note regime.
"The re-denomination has undoubtedly enhanced the way we do business today," he said.
He further explained that the re-denomination of the cedi had helped to reduce the burden of carrying large volumes of money, reduced time in transactions, made easy entries into accounting books and eased statistical records.
The metro chief executive said the launch of the e-zwich smart card was another innovative product from the Bank of Ghana.
Mr Nkrumah said the e-zwich smart card provided a common platform for various banking and retail functions such as cash withdrawals, payment for goods and services, money transfers and the payment of salary and wages.
"The e-zwich enables the public to benefit from a more convenient, safer and easier way to spend and receive money by using a smart card," he added.
He said it was the expectation of the government that the introduction of the e-zwich smart card would result in the transformation of the predominantly cash payment systems in the country and bring monetary transactions up to international standards.
Also, he said, it would bring major improvements in the financial and payment systems of the country with the domination of electronic transactions.
The assembly is yet to approve the applications.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, announced this in an address read on his behalf by the Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Edwin Philips, at the launch of the e-zwich smart card national roadshow campaign in Takoradi.
Mr Nkrumah said Sekondi-Takoradi had been experiencing unprecedented influx of businesses since the announcement of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in the Western Region.
"As a result, new office complexes and warehouses are being built, existing buildings are being refurbished and converted into offices, warehouses and stores," he said.
This development, he said, posed a great challenge to the banking and financial institutions in the metropolis and required of them to design a wide-range of products and services to meet the specific needs of the emerging businesses in the metropolis.
"The assembly has positioned itself to play the leading role in facilitating the provision of infrastructure in various sectors to further improve the investment climate within the metropolis," he said.
Mr Nkrumah gave the assurance that the assembly was ready to offer any possible assistance to all existing and new businesses.
He said the government had recognised the need to modernise the banking and financial sector as major catalysts to attract the needed foreign direct investment for rapid economic growth.
Before the introduction of the new currency, he explained, the economy was significantly over burdened with a note regime.
"The re-denomination has undoubtedly enhanced the way we do business today," he said.
He further explained that the re-denomination of the cedi had helped to reduce the burden of carrying large volumes of money, reduced time in transactions, made easy entries into accounting books and eased statistical records.
The metro chief executive said the launch of the e-zwich smart card was another innovative product from the Bank of Ghana.
Mr Nkrumah said the e-zwich smart card provided a common platform for various banking and retail functions such as cash withdrawals, payment for goods and services, money transfers and the payment of salary and wages.
"The e-zwich enables the public to benefit from a more convenient, safer and easier way to spend and receive money by using a smart card," he added.
He said it was the expectation of the government that the introduction of the e-zwich smart card would result in the transformation of the predominantly cash payment systems in the country and bring monetary transactions up to international standards.
Also, he said, it would bring major improvements in the financial and payment systems of the country with the domination of electronic transactions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
GH¢250,000 FOR STARS (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 17)
MTN has promised the national football team, the Black Stars a winning bonus of GH¢250,000 when they qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The support is to boost their morale for the world cup qualifiers.
The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, Mr George Andah announced this in a speech read for him when the company presented MTN souvenirs and talktime worth GH¢4,000 to the Black Stars at the end of their training session at the Sekondi Stadium before their crucial encounter with their Lesotho counterparts.
He said the 2010 World Cup was set to make Africa proud and as the shinning stars of the continent , they had already been seen playing on that field.
Mr Andah, therefore called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars in their qualifying campaign.
"MTN encourages the Black Stars to continue doing what they do best and demonstrate the can-do spirit in order to emerge victorious in the qualifiers to the World Cup 2010", he said.
He noted that the Black Stars put up a sterling performance during the Africa Cup of Nations, adding "However our expectation of the Black Stars was for them to win the trophy and this expectation has now been transferred to the 2010 FIFA World Cup".
Mr Andah pointed out that it would be the greatest pleasure to see an African team win the world cup, saying "and for us the team is the Black Stars".
The Captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah thanked the management of MTN for the kind gesture and their immense support for the team.
The support is to boost their morale for the world cup qualifiers.
The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, Mr George Andah announced this in a speech read for him when the company presented MTN souvenirs and talktime worth GH¢4,000 to the Black Stars at the end of their training session at the Sekondi Stadium before their crucial encounter with their Lesotho counterparts.
He said the 2010 World Cup was set to make Africa proud and as the shinning stars of the continent , they had already been seen playing on that field.
Mr Andah, therefore called on Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars in their qualifying campaign.
"MTN encourages the Black Stars to continue doing what they do best and demonstrate the can-do spirit in order to emerge victorious in the qualifiers to the World Cup 2010", he said.
He noted that the Black Stars put up a sterling performance during the Africa Cup of Nations, adding "However our expectation of the Black Stars was for them to win the trophy and this expectation has now been transferred to the 2010 FIFA World Cup".
Mr Andah pointed out that it would be the greatest pleasure to see an African team win the world cup, saying "and for us the team is the Black Stars".
The Captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah thanked the management of MTN for the kind gesture and their immense support for the team.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
EXHIBIT PROFESSIONALISM TO REASSURE VOTERS — ALHASSAN (PAGE 13)
THE Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, has tasked all security personnel to exhibit the highest level of professionalism to reassure voters, officials and the public that their safety and security are guaranteed.
He said "The Police and indeed all national security personnel have a crucial responsibility to ensure peace and security during the December election.”
DCOP Alhassan was speaking at the opening session of a two-day seminar on ‘Election monitoring and policing’ for key police commanders and members of the national, regional and district election security task force from the Western and Central regions in Takoradi.
He said "the protection of human life, voters, electoral materials and officials, and the preservation of lawful and orderly electoral processes are necessary for free and fair elections."
In his view, the success of the forthcoming elections, to a large extent, would be dependent on the conduct of the police officers as well as security personnel before, during and after the elections.
DCOP Alhassan was confident that the police officers would come out of the seminar better equipped and informed to be able to make more positive and appreciable contributions to support the electoral process as a whole.
"I find this seminar very crucial” he said, and therefore entreated the police personnel to make the best out of the seminar.
The Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Stephen Opoku-Mensah, urged the police to be conversant with the electoral laws to be able to play their role effectively.
He said it was an offence for a voter to put any other material rather than the validated ballot paper supplied by the commission in the ballot box.
Speaking on the topics "Electoral law and electoral offences" and "Democracy, election and human rights", Mr Opoku-Mensah said the secret ballot prevented intimidation, since nobody would know which party or candidate one voted for.
Also, he said the counting of the ballot papers openly at the polling stations showed the transparency of the country’s electoral process.
The regional director said the polling station executive of the various political parties were expected to witness the collation of the election results at the constituency capital.
He explained that when a voter in the process of voting spoiled a ballot paper; he or she could send it back to the presiding officer at the polling station to be changed for him or her.
Mr Opoku-Mensah further explained that when a voter cast a spoilt ballot paper without sending it back to be changed, that vote would be rejected during counting.
He said "The Police and indeed all national security personnel have a crucial responsibility to ensure peace and security during the December election.”
DCOP Alhassan was speaking at the opening session of a two-day seminar on ‘Election monitoring and policing’ for key police commanders and members of the national, regional and district election security task force from the Western and Central regions in Takoradi.
He said "the protection of human life, voters, electoral materials and officials, and the preservation of lawful and orderly electoral processes are necessary for free and fair elections."
In his view, the success of the forthcoming elections, to a large extent, would be dependent on the conduct of the police officers as well as security personnel before, during and after the elections.
DCOP Alhassan was confident that the police officers would come out of the seminar better equipped and informed to be able to make more positive and appreciable contributions to support the electoral process as a whole.
"I find this seminar very crucial” he said, and therefore entreated the police personnel to make the best out of the seminar.
The Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Stephen Opoku-Mensah, urged the police to be conversant with the electoral laws to be able to play their role effectively.
He said it was an offence for a voter to put any other material rather than the validated ballot paper supplied by the commission in the ballot box.
Speaking on the topics "Electoral law and electoral offences" and "Democracy, election and human rights", Mr Opoku-Mensah said the secret ballot prevented intimidation, since nobody would know which party or candidate one voted for.
Also, he said the counting of the ballot papers openly at the polling stations showed the transparency of the country’s electoral process.
The regional director said the polling station executive of the various political parties were expected to witness the collation of the election results at the constituency capital.
He explained that when a voter in the process of voting spoiled a ballot paper; he or she could send it back to the presiding officer at the polling station to be changed for him or her.
Mr Opoku-Mensah further explained that when a voter cast a spoilt ballot paper without sending it back to be changed, that vote would be rejected during counting.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
EFFIA-NKWANTA HOSPITAL LACKS EQUIPMENT FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT (PAGE 25)
The Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Takoradi will be found wanting in the event of a major disaster, since the hospital lacks the necessary equipment, logistics, structures and monitors for proper and effective management of disasters and emergencies.
Besides, the location of the hospital itself, which is situated on a hilly landscape, has also rendered it incapable of dealing effectively with any major disaster as it is difficult for one to get easy access to the hospital’s facilities.
The Deputy Western Regional Director of Clinical Care, Dr Robert Sagoe, announced this at a press briefing and the launch of this year’s World Disaster Reduction Day in Sekondi, which was held on the theme: "Hospitals safe from disaster".
He has, therefore, called for the construction of a new and modern hospital to replace the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, since it would go a long way to facilitate the effective and proper health delivery and management of emergencies.
"Visit the hospital to enable you to appreciate the need for new structures and equipment to meet the modern-day disaster management," he told the Regional Disaster Management Committee, saying "we have the personnel, but lack the structures and equipment".
Dr Sagoe also urged them to take measures to secure the lives of people in times of emergencies, adding that "to save lives we are seriously handicapped".
He explained that with the oil find in the Western Region, there would be an influx of people to the region, since there would be an increase in economic activities and that people may be taking a lot of risks.
He further explained that the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, the third largest hospital in the country, after the Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals, was constructed as a centre for the screening of military personnel for the Second World War and was later converted into a hospital with various structures added to it.
Dr Sagoe suggested that if a new hospital was constructed, the old structures could be used as a district hospital to support the Takoradi and Kwesimintsim hospitals.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Disaster Management Committee, Mr Kwasi Blay, explained that the theme for this year’s celebration was to create awareness about what needed to be done to protect the lives of patients and health personnel by ensuring the structural resilience of health facilities.
"There is the need to look at existing hospital structures and ask ourselves whether they were put up taking into consideration natural disaster occurrences. Let’s ask ourselves whether our hospitals, as they are now, can withstand any of the known natural hazards," he said.
He further explained that the celebration was to ensure that health facilities and services were able to function in the aftermath of emergencies and disasters when they were most needed, adding, "Disasters, both natural and man-made, strike without giving any warning signals and their effects, especially to human life, could be very devastating."
Therefore, he stressed that it was very important to take measures to sustain the hospitals, so that they could function during and after emergencies.
Also, he said, it was to create awareness of the need to improve the risk reduction capacity of health workers and institutions, especially during emergency management periods.
"We cannot talk of effective handling of disasters when the health workers and the institutions themselves do not have the capacity to withstand disasters or to reduce their impact," he said.
Mr Blay said as major stakeholders, the health workers and institutions needed to increase their risk reduction capacity in order to be able to withstand the impact of any major disaster.
The Western Regional Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Kofi Yonkopah Arthur, said the focus of all energies and attention would be on the occurences and impact of disasters, and called for concerted efforts towards disaster awareness.
Besides, the location of the hospital itself, which is situated on a hilly landscape, has also rendered it incapable of dealing effectively with any major disaster as it is difficult for one to get easy access to the hospital’s facilities.
The Deputy Western Regional Director of Clinical Care, Dr Robert Sagoe, announced this at a press briefing and the launch of this year’s World Disaster Reduction Day in Sekondi, which was held on the theme: "Hospitals safe from disaster".
He has, therefore, called for the construction of a new and modern hospital to replace the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, since it would go a long way to facilitate the effective and proper health delivery and management of emergencies.
"Visit the hospital to enable you to appreciate the need for new structures and equipment to meet the modern-day disaster management," he told the Regional Disaster Management Committee, saying "we have the personnel, but lack the structures and equipment".
Dr Sagoe also urged them to take measures to secure the lives of people in times of emergencies, adding that "to save lives we are seriously handicapped".
He explained that with the oil find in the Western Region, there would be an influx of people to the region, since there would be an increase in economic activities and that people may be taking a lot of risks.
He further explained that the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, the third largest hospital in the country, after the Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals, was constructed as a centre for the screening of military personnel for the Second World War and was later converted into a hospital with various structures added to it.
Dr Sagoe suggested that if a new hospital was constructed, the old structures could be used as a district hospital to support the Takoradi and Kwesimintsim hospitals.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Disaster Management Committee, Mr Kwasi Blay, explained that the theme for this year’s celebration was to create awareness about what needed to be done to protect the lives of patients and health personnel by ensuring the structural resilience of health facilities.
"There is the need to look at existing hospital structures and ask ourselves whether they were put up taking into consideration natural disaster occurrences. Let’s ask ourselves whether our hospitals, as they are now, can withstand any of the known natural hazards," he said.
He further explained that the celebration was to ensure that health facilities and services were able to function in the aftermath of emergencies and disasters when they were most needed, adding, "Disasters, both natural and man-made, strike without giving any warning signals and their effects, especially to human life, could be very devastating."
Therefore, he stressed that it was very important to take measures to sustain the hospitals, so that they could function during and after emergencies.
Also, he said, it was to create awareness of the need to improve the risk reduction capacity of health workers and institutions, especially during emergency management periods.
"We cannot talk of effective handling of disasters when the health workers and the institutions themselves do not have the capacity to withstand disasters or to reduce their impact," he said.
Mr Blay said as major stakeholders, the health workers and institutions needed to increase their risk reduction capacity in order to be able to withstand the impact of any major disaster.
The Western Regional Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Kofi Yonkopah Arthur, said the focus of all energies and attention would be on the occurences and impact of disasters, and called for concerted efforts towards disaster awareness.
FOOD AND DRUGS BOARD IMPOUNDS UNWHOLESOME FLOUR (PAGE 25)
The Takoradi Zonal Office of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has impounded 338 bags of unwholesome flour that are being sold to the general public at a reduced price at a warehouse located along the Axim Road in Takoradi.
The consignment will be destroyed after thorough investigation by the board.
The flour, branded ‘Selected Hard-Spring Wheat Flour’, milled by G.M.G in Tema, is being kept at the Royal Bow Company Limited, a Lebanese warehouse, and are being sold to the public at a reduced price of GH¢55 per bag instead of the original price of about GH¢63.25.
Officers from the Takoradi Zonal office of the board who went to the warehouse following a tip-off have taken inventory of the caked flour and issued a notice of detention/seizure to the management of the warehouse.
The board also found other bad products at the warehouse.
Some of the products are bags of rice and sugar, edible oil, Lele laundry soap, Saba soap, Soft Silk beauty soap, margarine, as well as assorted plastic products.
The FDB has ordered the management of the warehouse to take inventory of the other spoiled products and submit it to the zonal office in Takoradi for destruction.
The Zonal Officer of the FDB in charge of the Western and Central regions, Mr George Pentsil, who led the team, said the board had to do a little more investigation, since the management said they collected them from the factory in Tema.
"They are completely caked and not good for human consumption,” he said, adding that they could be recycled at the factory.
"Quality flour must maintain its quality, otherwise it compromises the quality and safety of the product," he emphasised.
He said the board had been calling on consumers to notify them of the kind of products they bought from the market for onward investigations.
Mr Pentsil said the board had been doing regular inspections of bad products at the market, saying, "We inspect and check. Inspections are procedural, we inspect them periodically."
He also said the warehouse was not properly kept to the rule and it was also not well ventilated, adding that "the items are packed close to the wall and the flour can absorb moisture".
The Manager of the warehouse, Mr Ahmed Termos, who was furious with the reporter and the cameraman, earlier said the spoilt flour was being kept in the warehouse for three weeks but had caked as a result of heat.
The consignment will be destroyed after thorough investigation by the board.
The flour, branded ‘Selected Hard-Spring Wheat Flour’, milled by G.M.G in Tema, is being kept at the Royal Bow Company Limited, a Lebanese warehouse, and are being sold to the public at a reduced price of GH¢55 per bag instead of the original price of about GH¢63.25.
Officers from the Takoradi Zonal office of the board who went to the warehouse following a tip-off have taken inventory of the caked flour and issued a notice of detention/seizure to the management of the warehouse.
The board also found other bad products at the warehouse.
Some of the products are bags of rice and sugar, edible oil, Lele laundry soap, Saba soap, Soft Silk beauty soap, margarine, as well as assorted plastic products.
The FDB has ordered the management of the warehouse to take inventory of the other spoiled products and submit it to the zonal office in Takoradi for destruction.
The Zonal Officer of the FDB in charge of the Western and Central regions, Mr George Pentsil, who led the team, said the board had to do a little more investigation, since the management said they collected them from the factory in Tema.
"They are completely caked and not good for human consumption,” he said, adding that they could be recycled at the factory.
"Quality flour must maintain its quality, otherwise it compromises the quality and safety of the product," he emphasised.
He said the board had been calling on consumers to notify them of the kind of products they bought from the market for onward investigations.
Mr Pentsil said the board had been doing regular inspections of bad products at the market, saying, "We inspect and check. Inspections are procedural, we inspect them periodically."
He also said the warehouse was not properly kept to the rule and it was also not well ventilated, adding that "the items are packed close to the wall and the flour can absorb moisture".
The Manager of the warehouse, Mr Ahmed Termos, who was furious with the reporter and the cameraman, earlier said the spoilt flour was being kept in the warehouse for three weeks but had caked as a result of heat.
MICE BESIEGE HOSPITAL (PAGE 25)
MICE have besieged the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital as a result of poor environmental sanitation.
This has become a nuisance to the hospital’s administration, the staff and the patients who visit the facility for medical treatment.
Also, the hospital’s administration is worried about the breeding of mosquitoes at the facility, which is likely to militate against effective health care delivery at the hospital.
The Medical Director of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, Dr Paul Ntodi, made this known at the launch of a sanitation campaign programme on the theme: "Preventing diseases through improved environmental sanitation in Ghana" at the hospital.
The Zoomlion Ghana Limited, waste management experts, launched the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority.
Under the programme, personnel of Zoomlion will undertake clean-up exercises at the health facilities in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis and its environs after which the company will manage sanitation at the facilities over a period of time.
Dr Ntodi said it was not proper for a sick person who visited the hospital to go away with another ailment as a result of poor environment.
Therefore, he said, the sanitation programme was very important to the hospital’s administration, since it would keep the premises of the hospital clean at all times.
He stressed that cleanliness was needed everywhere, but more important at the health facilities.
He mentioned some of the environmentally related diseases as malaria, typhoid and worm infections.
The acting Western Regional Director of Health, Dr (Mrs) Linda Vanotoo, deplored a situation in the markets where traders sold items in the midst of filth.
She urged parents to teach their children how to wash their hands after visiting a place of convenience and also to ensure that the children used footwear always, since worm infections militated against their growth and development.
Dr Vanotoo said this would protect the children against cholera, which could kill many people within a short period.
She said many children on admission at the children’s ward at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital needed blood.
Also, she said anaemic pregnant women experienced pre-mature labour, light birth, low weight and still birth.
Therefore, she said the need to keep the environment clean could not be over emphasised.
Dr Vanotoo commended Zoomlion for the good work it was doing, and urged it to intensify its public education on public health.
The Western Regional Co-ordinator of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr Felix Boankrah, said about 4,000 sanitary guards would be employed for the programme throughout the country to complement the work of the environmental health officers of the various district assemblies as part of efforts to keep the communities clean.
He said the main task of the sanitary guards was to improve sanitary conditions in the country through weeding, cleaning, sweeping of streets and open spaces, vector control, provision of dust bins and waste collection services.
Mr Boankrah said the campaign would be in the form of public education, which would be done in collaboration with the regional and district environmental health officers as well as communication co-ordinators at the district health directorates.
The Western Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority, Mr Emmanuel Reinfred Okyere, said unregulated keeping of livestock and the indiscriminate disposal of empty cans further aggravated the breeding of mosquitoes.
He said with the provision of pipe borne water, many old hand-dug wells were left open, which subsequently became the breeding sites for insects.
Mr Okyere said the result of these environmental problems was that people continued to suffer from many environmentally related diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid.
"Today, malaria continues to occupy the top spot on the table of the top 10 diseases in most of our communities," he said, adding, "Malaria also continues to take a significant portion of the medical claims paid by the district mutual health insurance schemes in the country."
This has become a nuisance to the hospital’s administration, the staff and the patients who visit the facility for medical treatment.
Also, the hospital’s administration is worried about the breeding of mosquitoes at the facility, which is likely to militate against effective health care delivery at the hospital.
The Medical Director of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, Dr Paul Ntodi, made this known at the launch of a sanitation campaign programme on the theme: "Preventing diseases through improved environmental sanitation in Ghana" at the hospital.
The Zoomlion Ghana Limited, waste management experts, launched the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority.
Under the programme, personnel of Zoomlion will undertake clean-up exercises at the health facilities in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis and its environs after which the company will manage sanitation at the facilities over a period of time.
Dr Ntodi said it was not proper for a sick person who visited the hospital to go away with another ailment as a result of poor environment.
Therefore, he said, the sanitation programme was very important to the hospital’s administration, since it would keep the premises of the hospital clean at all times.
He stressed that cleanliness was needed everywhere, but more important at the health facilities.
He mentioned some of the environmentally related diseases as malaria, typhoid and worm infections.
The acting Western Regional Director of Health, Dr (Mrs) Linda Vanotoo, deplored a situation in the markets where traders sold items in the midst of filth.
She urged parents to teach their children how to wash their hands after visiting a place of convenience and also to ensure that the children used footwear always, since worm infections militated against their growth and development.
Dr Vanotoo said this would protect the children against cholera, which could kill many people within a short period.
She said many children on admission at the children’s ward at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital needed blood.
Also, she said anaemic pregnant women experienced pre-mature labour, light birth, low weight and still birth.
Therefore, she said the need to keep the environment clean could not be over emphasised.
Dr Vanotoo commended Zoomlion for the good work it was doing, and urged it to intensify its public education on public health.
The Western Regional Co-ordinator of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr Felix Boankrah, said about 4,000 sanitary guards would be employed for the programme throughout the country to complement the work of the environmental health officers of the various district assemblies as part of efforts to keep the communities clean.
He said the main task of the sanitary guards was to improve sanitary conditions in the country through weeding, cleaning, sweeping of streets and open spaces, vector control, provision of dust bins and waste collection services.
Mr Boankrah said the campaign would be in the form of public education, which would be done in collaboration with the regional and district environmental health officers as well as communication co-ordinators at the district health directorates.
The Western Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority, Mr Emmanuel Reinfred Okyere, said unregulated keeping of livestock and the indiscriminate disposal of empty cans further aggravated the breeding of mosquitoes.
He said with the provision of pipe borne water, many old hand-dug wells were left open, which subsequently became the breeding sites for insects.
Mr Okyere said the result of these environmental problems was that people continued to suffer from many environmentally related diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid.
"Today, malaria continues to occupy the top spot on the table of the top 10 diseases in most of our communities," he said, adding, "Malaria also continues to take a significant portion of the medical claims paid by the district mutual health insurance schemes in the country."
CHIEF APPEALS FOR ROAD REHABILITATION (PAGE 20)
THE Chief of Ellenda in the Jomoro District of the Western Region, Nana Kyeku Anyimiah IV, has made an appeal to the Jomoro District Assembly to rehabilitate the road from Tikobo Number 1 to Ellenda, as a matter of urgency, to facilitate the movement of people and haulage of goods and farm produce in the area.
Nana Anyimiah also called on the assembly to provide the Ellenda community with potable water and Public toilets and help complete teachers’ quarters being constructed in the town to solve the accommodation problems facing teachers posted to the town.
Nana Anyimiah made the appeal when the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro, Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, visited Ellenda and New Nzulezo to interact with the people, identify their problems and educate them on government policies and programmes.
He further requested the assembly to extend electricity from Ellenda to Ellenda Wharf to boost economic activities there.
On behalf of the district assembly, Mr Ackah presented a palm oil processing machine, 260 energy-saving bulbs and 150 exercise books to the Ellenda community.
He promised that the assembly would provide the community with their needs as soon as funds became available.
The DCE urged the people to appreciate the numerous development projects the assembly was undertaking in the community, some of which had already been completed, to improve their living conditions.
Mr Ackah mentioned some of the projects as potable water, electricity supply, construction of roads, classroom blocks, teachers quarters, cocoa and market sheds.
At New Nzulezo, the Safohene, Mr John Ackah Ellonye, on behalf of the chiefs and the people, appealed to the Jomoro District Assembly to provide the town with street lights and also extend electricity from the town to the Samenye Barrier, a new settlement where auto mechanics, artisans and other tradesmen were operating.
In another development, the Minister of Energy, Mr Felix Owusu Adjepong, paid a day’s working visit to Half Assini, Mangyea and Effaso to interact with the chiefs and people in the three towns in the Jomoro District.
Most of the interactions centred on the Osagyefo Barge, an electricity generating facility located at Effaso/Mangyea, as well as on the oil find in the region.
The youth of the three towns, especially those from Effaso/Mangyea, where the barge is located, complained that people employed at the site were mostly from outside the catchment area, adding that the few from the two towns who were employed, had been laid off.
The chiefs and the people of Mangyea and Effaso wanted to know from the Energy Minister when electricity would be extended to the two towns.
Mr Owusu Adjepong assured them that they would enjoy power before the end of the year.
He assured them further that revenue from the oil would be well managed to benefit the Jomoro District, the rest of the Western Region and the country at large.
The minister told the youth in the towns that following the discussions he and his team had with the management of the Balkan Energy Company working on the Osagyefo Barge, it was agreed that the youth from the area who had learnt some trade, such as carpentry, masonry, painting would be considered first, ahead of all others, when employing people.
Nana Anyimiah also called on the assembly to provide the Ellenda community with potable water and Public toilets and help complete teachers’ quarters being constructed in the town to solve the accommodation problems facing teachers posted to the town.
Nana Anyimiah made the appeal when the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro, Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, visited Ellenda and New Nzulezo to interact with the people, identify their problems and educate them on government policies and programmes.
He further requested the assembly to extend electricity from Ellenda to Ellenda Wharf to boost economic activities there.
On behalf of the district assembly, Mr Ackah presented a palm oil processing machine, 260 energy-saving bulbs and 150 exercise books to the Ellenda community.
He promised that the assembly would provide the community with their needs as soon as funds became available.
The DCE urged the people to appreciate the numerous development projects the assembly was undertaking in the community, some of which had already been completed, to improve their living conditions.
Mr Ackah mentioned some of the projects as potable water, electricity supply, construction of roads, classroom blocks, teachers quarters, cocoa and market sheds.
At New Nzulezo, the Safohene, Mr John Ackah Ellonye, on behalf of the chiefs and the people, appealed to the Jomoro District Assembly to provide the town with street lights and also extend electricity from the town to the Samenye Barrier, a new settlement where auto mechanics, artisans and other tradesmen were operating.
In another development, the Minister of Energy, Mr Felix Owusu Adjepong, paid a day’s working visit to Half Assini, Mangyea and Effaso to interact with the chiefs and people in the three towns in the Jomoro District.
Most of the interactions centred on the Osagyefo Barge, an electricity generating facility located at Effaso/Mangyea, as well as on the oil find in the region.
The youth of the three towns, especially those from Effaso/Mangyea, where the barge is located, complained that people employed at the site were mostly from outside the catchment area, adding that the few from the two towns who were employed, had been laid off.
The chiefs and the people of Mangyea and Effaso wanted to know from the Energy Minister when electricity would be extended to the two towns.
Mr Owusu Adjepong assured them that they would enjoy power before the end of the year.
He assured them further that revenue from the oil would be well managed to benefit the Jomoro District, the rest of the Western Region and the country at large.
The minister told the youth in the towns that following the discussions he and his team had with the management of the Balkan Energy Company working on the Osagyefo Barge, it was agreed that the youth from the area who had learnt some trade, such as carpentry, masonry, painting would be considered first, ahead of all others, when employing people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)