Thursday, January 31, 2008

OIL COMPANY LAUNCHES DEV ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (Page 28)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Kengen

TULLOW Oil Company — an oil and gas exploration, development and production company — has launched the second phase of its development assistance estimated at $300,000 to help some communities and a second-cycle educational institution in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
Under the development assistance, the science laboratory of the Half Assini Senior High School (SHS) will be refurbished and equipped at a cost of about $100,000 to become full-fledged science resource centre for the benefit of other SHSs in the district.
Thirty boreholes fitted with pumps will be provided for some selected communities in the district.
The objective of providing potable water for the communities is to save the people, especially schoolchildren, from trekking long distances to fetch water, so that they can attend school early.
Last year, the oil company provided 26 mechanised boreholes and boreholes fitted with pumps at an estimated cost of about GH ¢100,000 for selected communities, under the first phase of its development assistance programme.
Speaking at the launch of the projects at Kengen, the Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, noted that inadequate provision of social infrastructure such as housing, water, electricity, education and health, was a major constraint in the development of many communities in the country.
“We are therefore fortunate to have companies such as Tullow Oil, which are prepared to assist in those areas,” he said.
“Today’s programme is a demonstration of how far Tullow is prepared to go to enhance its performance as a good corporate citizen. We commend you on the good work done in this area,” Mr Amoah stated.
He assured the management of Tullow Oil that the government would not relent in its efforts to promote the private sector, since it was the engine of growth for the economy.
According to Mr Amoah, it was only when the private sector was made to grow that the economy could be expanded to provide the needed jobs and the consequent wealth creation.
“While commending you on your achievement so far, I wish to urge you to aim higher so that your company can grow and enjoy the goodwill of oil,” he stressed.
The Jomoro District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, said for the past seven years, the district had witnessed a considerable positive change in the social, economic and political spectrum.
“Indeed, Jomoro has gained considerable mileage on the development trail by the present government unprecedented in the history of the district, and there is no turning back,“ he emphasised.
Mr Ackah stated that three months ago, the company formally announced its presence in the district by declaring its unflinching support for the progress of the district.
He said in demonstration of its commitment to support the development of the district, Tullow in its first phase of assistance, provided seven mechanised boreholes to Ahobre, Mangyea, Effasu and Elloyin.
The DCE added that the company had also provided five boreholes with pumps to Anlomatuope, Mpeasem, Appolunu, Half Assini and Annor Adjaye SHS.
He said the continued support received from Tullow was a wake-up call on other companies operating in the area to live up to expectation.
Mr Ackah advised the beneficiary communities to devise appropriate mechanisms to ensure the longevity of the projects for posterity.
The Country Manager of Tullow Oil Company, Mr Kofi Esson, explained that the company was prepared to assist the communities to implement development projects, which would affect their lives positively.
A representative of the Ghana National Petroleum Company, Mr Ben Asante, stated that Tullow Oil Company was providing the projects as part of its social responsibility, and therefore urged the communities to ensure proper maintenance of the projects.
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, said the traditional council had decided to establish Information Communication Technology (ICT) at Beyin, Tikobo Number One, Semeye, Half Assini and Effaso-Mangyea.
He, therefore, appealed to Tullow Oil Company for assistance.
He said the chiefs and people would provide the oil company their maximum support to enable it to operate effectively in the area.

Monday, January 21, 2008

NSPS EFFECTIVE FOR FIGHTING POVERTY .... (Page 34)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Takoradi

THE acting Director of the Centre for Social Policy Studies of the University of Ghana, Dr Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, has stated that the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) has been widely accepted as an important strategy for fighting poverty, vulnerability and exclusion.
She said Ghana had now adopted social protection and improved funding in the social services sector, such as the Department of Social Welfare, the Public Works Department, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), among others, but added that there was still room for improvement.
Dr Aryeetey was speaking at a day’s NSPS sensitisation workshop in Takoradi. It was organised by the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment.
Dr Aryeetey, who is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, said the provision of social security and other forms of protection could start even in the midst of widespread poverty.
She explained that social protection was aimed at reducing multi-dimensional deprivation.
Dr Aryeetey, who was the team leader for the workshop, explained that the relaunch of social protection thinking was the result of concerns expressed at the 1995 Copenhagen Social Summit to push social development agenda, as well as the consensus across the United Nations/Breton Woods divide.
She said civil society and the UNDP had been a striking force for social protection, which aimed at enhancing the capacity of the poor.
Dr Aryeetey added that research centres had also played a major role in social protection.
The Programme Co-ordinator of the NSPS, Mrs Angela Asante-Asare, said there was a mainstream policy for social protection to make it part of the main development agenda whose goal was to ensure that Ghanaians got $1,000 per capita income by 2015.
She explained that it was an umbrella concept covering a wide range of programmes, stakeholders and social instruments.
Mrs Asante-Asare mentioned some of the instruments as the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560), the Persons With Disability Act 2005, (Act 715), the Interna-tional Labour Organisation Convention 182 and the Convention on the Rights of Children.
According to her, statistics showed that 40 per cent of Ghanaians were poor and could not cater for their basic needs.
Out of that, over 26 per cent were extremely poor, while more than 14 per cent were the poorest of the poor who were not able to cater for basic human needs, including their nutritional requirements.
Mrs Asante-Asare said it was estimated that 40 per cent of children between the ages of five and 17 were engaged in economic activities, while 20 per cent or 1.27 million children were engaged in child labour, with an estimated 242,000 engaged in hazardous labour.
She mentioned some of the worst forms of child labour as mining, quarrying, fishing, head portage, child trafficking, as well as harmful traditional practices.
She said the NSPS interventions would be based upon improvement in existing mechanisms and the formulation of new interventions.
According to Mrs Asante-Asare, the School Feeding Programme, the Capitation Grant, the National Youth Employment Programme, as well as skills training and apprenticeship, were not only building economic capacity but also social capacity.
The programme co-ordinator said Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), a component of the NSPS being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare, was the first in the West African sub-region.
The Western Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Ms Joanna W. Mensah, said in 2005, UNICEF selected 21 districts in the country for pilot studies to help care for orphans, the vulnerable and other children.
She said the Nzema East District in the Western Region was selected as one of the pilot schemes and work was done in nine communities, where UNICEF took care of the health insurance of the people.
Mr Mensah stated that with the introduction of the LEAP programme, the department was working in two communities with 133 households and 419 orphans and other vulnerable children.                     

Thursday, January 17, 2008

KUFUOR GIVES ACCOUNT ...And says future is bright (1a)

Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Takoradi

President J.A. Kufuor yesterday addressed the last People’s Assembly of his administration in Sekondi and spoke about the achievements of his administration during the last seven years, noting that there was a brighter future for the country.
With the demeanour of a highly fulfilled man, the President listed the discovery of oil, infrastructural development, the fight against corruption, the rule of law and good governance as some of the legacies that his administration was bequeathing to Ghanaians.
Addressing the opening session of the seventh in the series in Sekondi, the President said the discovery of oil, which had been estimated at three billion barrels, was one of the trump cards for the rapid socio-economic development of the country.
He announced that the government was setting up a planning and regulatory authority to fashion out the necessary policies and measures that must be in place prior to the extraction of the oil two or three years from now.
He further announced that the government was also consulting at the highest level with Norway and Great Britain to secure advice on best practices in the management of the oil industry.
“These steps are being taken to ensure that Ghana avoids some of the problems that have befallen countries that struck oil in commercial quantities, and also to make the discovery beneficial to the entire society,” he explained.
For the communities in the immediate vicinity of the oil, President Kufuor said plans were afoot to open up those areas with roads, electricity and other social infrastructure.
Before the opening ceremony of the People’s Assembly, which was on the theme, “Ghana at 50: Looking into the future with hope”, the President had inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by a contingent of the Second Battalion of Infantry and also opened a photo exhibition set up by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The forum was instituted in 2001 to afford people who, otherwise, would not have the opportunity to interact with the President to do so and ask him questions.
Trumpeting the achievements of his government, President Kufuor said today Ghana’s economy was not only stable and registering steady growth but also enjoying international acceptance.
“Inflation and interest rates are both on a downward trend, the cedi remains relatively stable against major currencies and has also been successfully re-denominated, without any incident,” he pointed out.
He said last year, for the first time, the government issued a Eurobond successfully on the London Stock Market to raise US$750 million for infrastructural development and added that the bond was over-subscribed by over US$3 billion, attesting to the high confidence the international community had in the country’s economy.
Recently, the International Financial Review listed Ghana as the best country in contracting a bond in the capital market from among emerging market economies in 2007, he said.
He said about two weeks ago, the IFC listed Ghana as the best reforming nation in terms of doing business in Africa south of the Sahara and among the first 10 in the world.
“These are some of the positive ratings of Ghana’s economy which should be a source of pride to all of us,” he added.
He said US$90 million of the amount raised from the Eurobond had been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the western and eastern railway lines, to be constructed in partnership with the private sector, adding that it should assure the mining companies in the Western Region, especially the manganese and bauxite mines, of a reliable railway system to support the expansion of their operations.
He added that COCOBOD, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the timber industry and the Western Region, especially its twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi, which were all direct beneficiaries of that historic renewal, must be happy.
Touching on development, the President said the Western Region was the richest region in the country, yet, somehow, it had been neglected in the past.
“I am really happy that this government has taken the initiative to correct this. There are ongoing road projects to open up very rich areas of this region which, hitherto, had been inaccessible, in order to promote agriculture, business and commerce,” he noted.
He said under the Cocoa Roads Improvement Project (CRIP), the government had provided US$100 million for the implementation of a programme to tar or surface-dress some selected roads in six selected cocoa-growing regions of the country.
“Out of this, an amount of US$19 million has been allocated to the Western Region, the biggest cocoa producing region, for the upgrading of 223 kilometres of gravel roads to bituminous surface this year," he said.
President Kufuor said the Takoradi Port had been undergoing modernisation and physical expansion to improve its capacity to handle larger volumes of local and foreign businesses, especially those from the neighbouring landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
“Other happy developments are coming together to make the Western Region an even more attractive destination for both local and foreign investors. One of them is the final completion of the West African Gas Pipeline Project which has a major terminal in Sekondi-Takoradi, which I will visit immediately after this assembly,” he said.
“With all these developments, the future is bright and the Western Region should soon come into its own again,” he pointed out.
He said the government would be pleased to see Sekondi-Takoradi, Prestea, Tarkwa, Aboso, Asankragwa, Enchi, Bibiani, Wiawso, Awaso and other towns and villages of the region restored to their previous status as “busy hives of the economy and melting pots of ideas, as I believe was the case at independence over 50 years ago”.
“Currently, opportunities are coming up, not only in the Western Region but all over the country, which are potential sources of employment generation and job creation,” he added.
He dismissed any notion that employment was only in terms of being on the government’s payroll and working from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
He explained that as a matter of fact, part-time work, apprenticeship, internship and small-scale self-employment were some of the forms of employment.
In that regard, he said, it must be generally admitted that this country had never seen construction work on a scale as massive as what was taking place now on roads and real estate development sites, all of which engaged Ghanaian labour.
He spoke about the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), the Micro and Small Loan Scheme (MASLOC) and the Venture Capital Fund and said “every objective assessment acknowledges that this government has touched the lives of the people of this country as never before in many positive ways. The evidence can be seen across the length and breadth of the nation”.
He used the platform to reiterate his commitment to fight corruption within the Ghanaian society.
In 2001, he said, when he assumed office, he made a promise to ensure “zero-tolerance” for corruption, saying that fight against corruption had been fought primarily through the establishment of new institutions and the strengthening of existing ones in Ghana.
"The traditional institutions, such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the police, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the courts are all being progressively improved and strengthened," he said.
He pointed to new legislation such as the Public Procurement Act, the Public Audit Act, the Whistleblowers Act, the establishment of the Revenue Agencies Board, as well as the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, among others, and added that “the media have free rein, while independent NGOs which deal with corruption function freely without fear from any quarter”.
But he said it was crucial that allegations of corruption were backed by proof to make them meaningful and, therefore, urged individuals to boldly put forward information about corruption to enable the institutions concerned to investigate them and prosecute culprits, where possible.
On the upcoming Ghana 2008 tournament, the President urged the whole nation, particularly the four host cities and regions, to receive the visitors that the tournament would attract in a manner that would let them want to come again. He also wished the national team, the Black Stars well.

I'LL RESPECT VERDICT — KUFUOR (Spread)

Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asiedu Marfo

With 11 months to the 2008 general election, President J.A. Kufuor has assured Ghanaians that he will respect the verdict of the people and graciously hand over power in the “unlikely event” of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) losing the elections.
Responding to questions at the last People’s Assembly of his administration in Sekondi yesterday, President Kufuor said “the President and NPP are law-abiding people and will, therefore, respect the true verdict of the people”.
The questioner, a social commentator and serial caller from Jumapo near Koforidua in the Eastern Region, popularly called “Dr” Asem Fofro, said former President J.J. Rawlings was gracious to hand over to him, President Kufuor, and wanted to find out from him whether he would also be prepared to hand over power to Professor J.E.A. Mills if the National Democratic Congress won the general election.
Asem Fofro’s question was premised on a statement he said was made by President Kufuor at Asamankese recently that he would not hand over power to bad people to govern Ghana.
His question attracted spontaneous reactions from some members of the audience, apparently expressing dislike for Asem Fofro’s comments and question.
Taking his turn to ask a question at the forum, Asem Fofro made reference to heckling he received when he asked a question at a similar forum held in Sunyani last year and alleged that he had been beaten up and threatened by someone not to ask any question at the Sekondi People’s Assembly.
His allegation prompted the security officials at the assembly hall of the Sekondi College, the venue for the event, to provide him with security.
Reacting, President Kufuor denied ever making any statement that he and his government would not hand over power.
The President explained that what he rather said was that he would not allow people to “usurp” power without adhering to the due process.
President Kufuor indicated that he still stood by the statement that he would not sit down to allow usurpers to take over the government without following the due process.
Earlier in his opening address, President Kufuor said Ghana had gone through four elections, registering progressive improvement in the conduct of each successive election.
“There is, therefore, no legitimate cause to expect any negative developments during the forthcoming December elections,” he said.
What was important, he said, was for the entire society to be alert to ensure that due process was adhered to at all times in all the processes leading to and through the elections to make the results credible and acceptable to all. “The doom mongers must therefore pipe down,” he added.
Before and after Asem Fofro asked his questions, other people from Sekondi/Takoradi and other parts of the Western Region, as well as others from the Ashanti, Central and Greater Accra regions, also raised their concerns to which the President responded.
At some stages, President Kufuor asked Ministers of State in charge of specific sectors to clarify some of the issues and respond to some of the questions asked by some members of the audience.
This year’s assembly was given a cultural dimension when children danced to music to showcase the cultural diversity of Ghana’s 10 regions.
When the opportunity was given for questions to be asked, there was a rush by the participants at the forum to the microphones to form queues to take their turns.
More than 40 people had the opportunity to ask questions but many others did not have the opportunity to do so because of constraints of time. The people raised concerns about education, the economy, employment, infrastructural development, fuel prices, living conditions, salaries, issues concerning the physically challenged, orphans and the killing of 44 Ghanaians in the Gambia, among others.
Samuel Akoa Nyame from Asante Akyem commended the President for his work, temperate language and tolerance but wanted to know what the government was doing to help Christians in the country, since it had helped in the airlifting of stranded Muslims to Mecca for their Hajj and paid GH¢9,000 to traditional priests before felling a tree at Ofankor in Accra to pave the way for road construction.
Reacting, President Kufuor explained that by helping the stranded Muslims, the government did not by any stretch of imagination show any discrimination but was just helping Ghanaians who were in difficulty.
He explained that the money paid to the traditional priests and traditionalists at Ofankor constituted a way of just respecting the beliefs of the people in that area.
Agya Buor, a second-hand clothes dealer at Kantamanto in Accra, alleged that the Ministers of Finance and Economic Planning, and Ports, Harbours and Railway had collaborated with GUTA and some railway officials to deny them the opportunity to continue to develop the railway portion of the Kantamanto area for their business activities.
President Kufuor said Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu was on official assignment outside but requested Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi to clarify the issues.
Clarifying the issue, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said a meeting would be arranged with all the stakeholders to resolve any outstanding problems.
Kojo Skerk, who described himself as a freelance sports journalists, alleged that his Mercedes Benz was seized from him and he had to spend GH¢2,000 to collect it back.
President Kufuor called for an investigation into the matter and urged the Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, to conduct the investigation and refer the matter to the appropriate authority.
A student of the University of Ghana, Francis Wood, also asked about government policy on full cost recovery.
President Kufuor said the government had a promising policy for education and made reference to massive development of infrastructure such as hostels, laboratories and lecture theatres, which were underway on the campuses of the universities.
He said it was important for Ghanaians to admit that the economy was a young one which could not support free university education and, therefore, there was the need for the people to make contributions.
Kofi Sampson and Agya Manso suggested to the government to increase the salaries of police, fire service and prison officers to enable them to effectively discharge their obligations to the state and the public.
They were of the view that the government should pay the police well to secure their own accommodation in the various communities as a way of checking the crime wave.
In answer, the President gave the assurance of the government’s commitment to improving the working conditions of the security personnel.
One Roger alluded to the hard economic conditions and asked why the government wanted to offload its interest in the Agricultural Development Bank.
President Kufuor, in his reaction, said the government was rather interested in arranging a partnership between a foreign investor and ADB to enhance the operations of the bank.
He expressed his displeasure about the propaganda concerning the future of the ADB.
Odeneho  Jackson from Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region recalled a contribution he made at the People’s Assembly in Sunyani in 2007 concerning the Kintampo town roads and commended the government for its quick response by awarding the roads on contract. Unfortunately, he said, the contractor had abandoned the project.
President Kufuor asked Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, to respond on his behalf.
Mr Baffour Awuah said the issue had come before the Regional Co-ordinating Council and permission had been sought from the appropriate authorities to award the project to a different contractor.
Nana Kobina Anim, Western Regional Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, pleaded with the government to consider naming the Shama Ahanta Metropolitan Assembly after Sekondi/Takoradi.
President Kufuor asked Mr Adjei Darko, the Minister of Local Government, to respond. Mr Darko explained that the naming of the Assemblies was done in consultation with the people themselves, and said the Assemblies could always pass a resolution to change the name if they so wished.
Ama Serwaa, a social and environmental worker from the Ashanti Region, requested the support of the government in her effort to mobilise women to address issues confronting them.
President Kufuor requested Madam Serwaa to contact the District Assemblies, which would liaise with the Ministry of Local Government for assistance.
Abdul  Rahman suggested to the President to ensure the establishment of multi-media centres to show the achievements of the government.
President Kufuor commended the participant for his suggestion and said he was happy he had submitted a paper on the issue, which would be studied by the appropriate agency for possible action.
Two human rights activists also asked the government to publish the report on the killing of 44 Ghanaians in the Gambia.
The President asked Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie to read a statement issued by the government on the matter.
According to the statement, the governments of Ghana and the Gambia had agreed to send the matter to the ECOWAS and possibly the United Nations for independent investigations.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

SEKONDI STADIUM IS A DREAM COME TRUE (Spread Lead)

Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Sekondi

Thousands of residents of the twin city of Sekondi/Takoradi, as well as those from different parts of the Western Region, burst into jubilation when the newly built 20,088-seater-capacity stadium at Essipon, near Sekondi, was inaugurated by President J.A. Kufuor on Sunday.
For the chiefs and people of the region, the new stadium, which would serve as one of the venues for the 26th African Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) tournament, was a dream come true.
Until the stadium, which cost more than $38.5 million, was constructed, the Gyandu Park was the only soccer facility of any acceptable standard in the region. The multi-functional stadium, one of the four venues of the Ghana 2008 tournament, is equipped with modern facilities.
Immediately President Kufuor unveiled the plaque and cut the tape, the people responded with thunderous applause and deafening jubilation.
In their anxiety to watch the Onetouch Premier League match between Sekondi Hasaacas and Tema Real Sportive, the spectators could not wait but clapped while officials were still delivering their speeches, to indicate to them that they were delaying the commencement of the game.
The security officials at the ceremony had a hectic time controlling the spectators when the gates were opened free of charge for the people to watch the match after the inauguration of the stadium.
Performing the inaugural ceremony, President Kufuor said the selection of Ghana as the venue for this year’s tournament gave the government the impetus to build two new stadia in Sekondi and Tamale and rehabilitate the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
He said the government intended to build a stadium in each of the 10 regional capitals to enhance sports and youth development.
The President commended the construction company, the architects, the chiefs and the people for the various roles they played for the realisation of the project.
He stressed the need for proper management and maintenance of the stadium and advised the people to take advantage of the opportunities which the project would bring along to the twin city.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports,  Professor Dominic Fobih, said the stadium would be one of the legacies that the government had bequeathed to the people in the Western Region.
He said the government had opened a window of opportunity to the people and it was up to them to take advantage of it.
The Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area and Chairman of Sekondi Local Organising Committee, Nana Kobina Nketsia, said the occasion was very emotional and historic and commended the government for undertaking the project.

PRESIDENT CUTS SOD FOR ASANKRAGWA-ENCHI ROAD PROJECT ...(Back Page)

Story: Nehemia Owusu Achiaw & Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Enchi

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday cut the sod for work to begin on the 56.4 kilometre road from Asankragwa to Enchi in the Western Region.
The project, which is estimated to cost GH¢2.4 million, is being executed by Top Unit International Corporation, a Chinese firm, and is expected to be completed in three years’ time.
The project involves the construction of a single lane bituminous double-seal road and covers bus bays, taxi stopping lanes and provision for unit structures.
The project is being financed solely by the Government of Ghana.
Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Aowin-Suaman District at Enchi, President Kufuor said the nation recognised the immense contribution of the Western Region to national development.
“Ghana’s hope and future lies largely in the Western Region,” he said.
He asked the people of the Western Region to disabuse their minds of any notion that the government had neglected the region.
He said since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed office in 2001, the road situation in the Western Region had improved tremendously.
For example, he said, the length of paved roads in the region covering the trunk, feeder and urban network had more than doubled from a total of 520 kilometres in 2000 to 1,096 kilometres in 2005.
Additionally, the length of unpaved roads had also increased more than seven-fold from 829 kilometres in 2000 to 6,546 kilometres at the end of 2006.
He added that three-pronged road development projects, totalling about 190 kilometres, are under construction in the Western Region.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

CREDIT FACILITY FOR 103 GROUPS ... (Back Page)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Takoradi

THE Micro Finance and Small Loan Centre (MASLOC) is to provide credit facility for 2,575 beneficiaries from 103 groups in the Shama Ahanta East metropolis to start or expand their small-scale businesses.
The first tranche of GH¢480,000 has been approved for disbursement as loans to the beneficiaries in the metropolis.
At the launch of the credit facility in Takoradi, the Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Akwasi Prempeh, said more funds would be approved for disbursement to the people.
He said the credit facility would be launched at Asankragwa in the Wassa Amenfi West District and Sefwi Wiawso, both in the Western Region.
He said further that the facility had already been launched in the Ashanti, Volta and Greater Accra regions.
Mr Prempeh added that the facility represented efforts being made to alleviate poverty.
He noted that many people were eager to start some business but lacked the start-up capital and stressed that the government was prepared to help the people to start or expand their businesses through the facility.
He, however, said the money was not free and that the beneficiaries should endeavour to repay for others to benefit.
He also said those who would repay the loan promptly would be given more.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, PSI and Private Sector Development, Mr Joe Baidoe Ansah, said the credit facility would attract a very low interest rate, unlike that of the commercial banks.
This, he stated, was to ensure that many people benefited from it.
He advised the beneficiaries to use the loans for profitable ventures.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr A.E. Amoah, said the facility was geared towards wealth creation.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

SAEMA FOCUSES ON SANITATION IMPROVEMENT ...(Page 21)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Sekondi

WITH the days for the kick-off of the 26th Africa Cup of Nations  (CAN 2008 ) tournament drawing near, the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA) is making frantic efforts to ensure that the tournament to be held at the Essipun Stadium, one of the host venues, proceeds in a conducive environment.
While the Ministry of the Interior has trained 550 personnel from the Rapid Deployment Force of the Ghana Police Service, in preparation for the daunting security challenges that will face them during the tournament, the SAEMA is making sure that football fans who will throng the twin-city Sekondi/Takoradi enjoy a very hygienic, as well as a serene environment during the matches.
The assembly has therefore centred its preparations on waste management, provision of adequate street and traffic lighting, beautification of the city and control of stray animals, among others.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of SAEMA, Mr John Analatei Laste, said the assembly had tasked its Waste Management Department to liaise with its private waste management providers, namely, Rusaben, Zoomlion Ghana Limited and ABC to come out with their strategies to control waste that would be generated during the tournament.
“We want to have a strategic plan on how to handle the situation”, he said, adding: “We will be looking at the frequency of lifting the refuse containers, while the assembly tries to increase the number of containers in the system”.
Mr Laste expressed optimism that the assembly would be able to handle the situation.
Touching on street lighting, he said Elsewedy Electric Ghana Limited, an electrical contractor, had been awarded the contract by the Ministry of Energy to install street lights on the 32- kilometre stretch of roads in the metropolis, ahead of
the tournament.
The PRO said the streets to be provided with lights would include the Nkotompo-Paa Grant roundabout, Effia Nkwanta Hospital Junction-Fijai, Kwame Nkrumah roundabout-Fijai as well as the Takoradi-Cape Coast road.
Besides, he said, the existing street lights from the Sekondi College Junction to the Effia Nkwanta intersection were being repaired.
He added that the contractor, who did the installation of the street lights on that road, was in Takoradi to repair the faulty ones.
According to Mr Laste, the contractor had completed the minor works and was left with the replacement of underground cables.
Touching on the beautification of the twin-city, he said Zoomlion Ghana Limited had been awarded the contract to green the roundabouts, as well as shoulders of ceremonial roads in Sekondi/Takoradi.
Mr Laste said the assembly was taking steps to ensure that those rearing animals confined them to stop them from straying from one sub-metropolitan area.
He said further that stray animals whose owners could not be traced would be auctioned, while owners who would come to identify their animals would be made to pay on-the-spot fines.
He said as regards accommodation that all the hotels in Sekondi/Takoradi were fully booked, adding that over 100 private houses and hostels had been registered but were yet to be booked for the tournament.             

Monday, January 7, 2008

C'TTEE SUBMITS REPORT ON DISTURBANCES ... (Page 34)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Sekondi

THE seven-member committee set up to investigate the disturbances that occurred at Teleku Bokazo, Anwia and Nkroful in the Nzema East District of the Western Region over the operations of Adamus Resources Limited, a gold mining company in the three communities, has recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Minerals Commission and the Nzema East District Assembly organise public education in mining regulations on the roles of the various agencies to help reduce conflicts in the area.
The committee said inadequate knowledge of the EPA requirements or regulations on mining operations was identified as one of the causes of the disturbances.
The Chairperson of the committee and a Principal State Attorney, Ms Patience Klinogo, announced this when she presented the committee’s report to the Western Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) in Sekondi.
She said the committee also recommended that EPA should publish the Environmental Impact Statement of Adamus Resources and establish an alternative livelihood for the people in the communities.
She said the committee recommended the reconciliation of the chiefs and people of Teleku Bokazo and Anwia and that the Member of Parliament for the area should be involved in the efforts of reconciling the various parties.
She said the committee identified the main causes of the disturbances as the flushing out of illegal gold mining (galamsey) operators and the frustration these operators met in the bid to legalise their operations.
Ms Klinogo pointed out that conflict between the chiefs and the youth and the concerned citizens and the perceived lack of transparency of the operations of Adamus Resources were some of the causes.
She said another cause was the perceived backing of the youth and the citizens by the MP of Elembelle.
Ms Klinogo said the committee gained much understanding of the concerns of the people of the three communities.
She explained that the disturbances would have been averted if the people had waited for the publication of the Environmental Impact Statement of Adamus by the EPA as they would have been better informed about whether or not their concerns and interests had been taken care of and what channels were open to them for redress.
“It is also our firm belief that the implementation of the recommendations in their totality will produce a suitable environment in which all members will participate without let or hindrance towards the enhancement of life for all”, she added.
The Western Regional Minister and Chairman of REGSEC, Mr A.E. Amoah, who received the report said the submission of the report was indicative that the region needed peace.
He expressed his gratitude to the members of the committee for the submission of the report as well as the chiefs in the area for their assistance.
“If we want development, peace must be the focus”, he pointed out.
Mr Amoah said REGSEC would study the report and come out with a white paper on it.
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye said the white paper on the report would be ready as soon as possible.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

EREHABILITATION OF T'DI AIR FORCE STATION ON COURSE (Page 22)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Takoradi

The rehabilitation of the Takoradi Air Force Station, as part of preparations towards the African Cup of Nations Tournament, will be completed and handed over by the middle of this month.
The projects, which include the rehabilitation of the VIP lounge and the terminal/control tower building, is being done at the cost of $1.2 million as well as the 1,750 meters by 60 meters runway pavement, which will cost $14.4 million.
The rehabilitation of the VIP lounge and the terminal/control tower building which is being done by Messrs CONSAL Limited is 85 per cent complete, while SONITRA, contractors for the rehabilitation of the runway has completed 62 per cent of the work.
The Minister of Aviation, Ms Gloria Akuffo, accompanied by the Commander of the Takoradi Air Force Station, Air Commodore M. Samson-Oje, and Mr Seth Armah, Resident Engineer of I.C.T-Bans Consult, consultants for the projects has inspected the on-going projects in Takoradi.
Ms Akuffo was confident that rehabilitation works would be completed before the tournament.
She explained that the runway pavement was being done in layers gradually to enable it to last longer.
She said the rehabilitation of the runway pavement would continue after the tournament where three more layers would be constructed.
Mr Armah was also optimistic that the projects would be completed within the next two weeks.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

MORE PROJECTS FOR HALF ASSINI SHS

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Half Assini

The Parent-Teacher Association of the Half Assini Senior High School in the Jomoro District of the Western Region has completed a number of projects for the school.
This is aimed at ensuring improvement in teaching and learning and academic performance in the school.
The projects, which were handed over to the school at a ceremony at Half Assini, include 250 desks; 100 benches for the school’s assembly hall; 60 tables for the dining hall; 45 tables and 140 stools for the Visual Arts and Home Economics Departments.
Others were 50 beds for both the boys’ and girls’ dormitories, four sets of sitting room furniture for the headmaster’s office, the masters common hall and the assistant headmaster’s bungalow, and 40 arm chairs.
The PTA has also established a computer centre at a cost of GH ¢2,662 for the school.
The Chairman of the PTA, Mr Joseph M. Whajah, said at the hand-over ceremony that since the executive of the association came into office about five years ago, there had been improvement in the infrastructure in the school.
He urged stakeholders of the school to look deep into the future and see the school as the proud home of brilliant students who could add value to the efforts of their tutors to raise the image of the school once more.
“Our destiny lies in our own hands and we have the capacity to change for the better if we show goodwill towards ourselves and let the greater interest of our school guide us in the education of our wards,” he noted.
Mr Whajah stressed the need to prioritise the school’s resources, create the right institutional structures and formulate suitable programmes and activities which would be beneficial to the students, stressing, “The PTA is doing its part and is ever prepared to do more.”
The District Chief Executive for Jomoro, Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, commended the good work of the PTA and said the kind gesture by the PTA placed enormous responsibilities on the shoulders of the headmaster, the staff and the entire student body to deliver to expectation.
He said the immense contributions being made towards the school should be indicative of the school’s performance in the coming years and added that some PTAs had been used as an instrument by a few self-imposing persons to milk unsuspecting parents. “Parents are already over-burdened with a host of financial responsibilities and to burden them further will be counter-productive,’’ he said.
Touching on the culture of maintenance, he said there were instances when huge sums of money sunk into projects were allowed to go waste because of lack of maintenance. “We all owe it an ethical and statutory responsibility to maintain these projects else posterity will not forgive us”, he stressed.