IN the past few years, when oil was discovered in a commercial quantities off-shore the Cape Three Points in the Western Region, some communities within the vicinity of the oil find have been developing comprehensive programmes to ensure that they derive maximum benefits from the oil find.
This is because those communities have been wallowing in abject poverty, as most of them earn a living from subsistence farming, which is from hand to mouth.
Besides, they have taken cognisance of the fact that mining communities in the Western Region have not received the maximum benefits they deserved with all the environmental and other problems they face as a result of the mining activities.
For that reason, instead of mining contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of the affected communities, it rather worsens the situation.
Sometimes, the situation results in frequent agitation and confrontations leading to fatalities.
To avoid a similar situation, the communities near the area where the oil has been found, are drawing up meaningful development plans to ensure that they derive the maximum benefits so that the oil find becomes a blessing to them not a curse.
In order to realise the laudable dream, a consortium of three investors in the oil and gas industry have developed a sustainable economic development and training initiative towards the sustainable socio-economic development of communities around the Cape Three Points.
The companies are Can-African Development Associates, Sigma-Basestar Technical Services (Ghana) Limited and Rangeland Engineering-Canada. Copies of the documents have been presented to the Ahanta Traditional Council in the Western, a beneficiary of the project.
The consortium will conduct fundraising rallies to raise GH¢5 million from the government as well as the private sector as regional development fund towards the creation of business and other economic activities in the Cape Three Point area.
According to the document, the investors’ primary purpose is to obtain resources to undertake a four-year pilot project to increase the capacities of communities around the Cape Three Point to identify and pursue viable economic development initiatives.
They will also develop five viable and sustainable oil related business opportunities to diversify the communities’ economic base which is currently focused on small-scale farming and fishing activities and develop community-supported economic development organisations in 10 communities.
They will train 100 economic development officers to promote oil related business, assist in job creation and skills development.
The investors will conduct research activities to provide fact-finding data to enhance development activities and also initiate community environmental and development awareness campaign programmes to gain support from the people towards the project and evaluate the pilot project objectives for a successful indicators and implementation strategies.
According to the document, the purpose of the initiative is to improve the capacity of the people in the Cape Three Point area in order to get access to employment and income opportunities from the newly found oil drilling projects in the area.
The Ahanta Traditional Council in the Ahanta West District has organised a mini-durbar at Busua for a delegation of the investors during which copies of the sustainable economic development and training initiative were presented to the President of the council, Otunfuo Baidoo Bonsoe XV.
Speaking at the durbar, the chief of Aketekyi, Nana Bonzah, stated that the initiative was synonymous to the sowing of the mustard seed and that if well nurtured, would help to improve the living conditions of the people in the area.
He said the Ahanta area was deprived, and was among the least developed areas in the country, adding that despite living in the midst of plenty of natural resources, the area continued to wallow in poverty.
Nana Bonzah stated that the presence of the investors was by divine intervention, and therefore, called for co-operation and collaboration between the people and the investors towards the implementation of the economic development initiative.
The Executive Chairman of Sigma-Basestar Technical Services (Ghana) Limited and leader of the delegation, Dr S.M.O. Amachree, said the consortium would share their expertise and experience with the people in the area and help them on how to articulate to benefit from the emerging oil industry.
He stated that the model which had been developed would help the people to take advantage of the oil industry and to ensure that they derived maximum benefit from the oil industry.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
ELECTRONIC EXPORT PERMITS FOR TIMBER PRODUCTS LAUNCHED (PAGE 20)
THE Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission has launched the issuance of its electronic export permits for timber and wood products.
It is based on the Ghana Community Network (GCNet) system in Takoradi to ensure uniformity in data capture with respect to imports and exports of timber and wood products.
The aim is to minimise malpractice, ensure accurate capture of state revenue, enhance record keeping, aid effective monitoring of timber and wood products imports and exports, add value and ultimately reduce permit processing and approval time.
In line with the government’s directives and current operating systems worldwide, and to reduce human contact and permit processing time, it has become necessary for the TIDD permits’ offices to be hooked to the GCNet system.
Another objective is for the TIDD to collaborate with the Ghana Customs Management Systems (GCMS) to approve electronic timber export permits based on the GCNet system.
This collaboration between the TIDD and the GCMS is expected to provide immense benefits to the TIDD, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and exporters and importers of timber and wood products.
The timber industry is the first establishment in Ghana issuing export permits through the GCNet system. All other MDAs and companies that are connected to the GCNet, are rather issuing import permits.
Speaking at a workshop on the launch of the electronic export permits for timber and wood products in Takoradi, the Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Mr A.N. Attah announced that the TIDD was also in the process of delivering contracts of sale electronically.
That, he explained, would help to fast track contract administration and in particular, make the procedures more transparent.
Mr Attah said the TIDD had put up terminals at its offices to kick-start the issuance of electronic export permits and also to help timber exporters who were currently not connected to the GCNet.
“All these timber exporting companies or agents need to provide TIDD with supporting documents, such as approved contract of sale, wood products inspection certificates, permit invoice forms, Bank of Ghana foreign exchange form 4A, specification sheets and letters of credit before their export permits could be processed and approved electronically”, Mr Attah stated.
He further explained that once approval had been granted by the TIDD through the GCNet system, a copy of the permit approved electronically went to CEPS and the exporter or the agent who electronically applied to the TIDD on behalf of the timber exporter.
“It is common knowledge that many companies are now using the GCNet system for their imports. Our efforts are geared to help timber companies to use the GCNet system for their exports as well”, he said.
The Deputy Operations Manager in charge of Projects of the Ghana Community Network Services Limited, Mr Eben Engmann explained that the electronic permit and exemption module of the GCNet system had replaced the manual system for granting permits and exemptions to importers and exporters.
The new system, he said, was faster and more efficient because the processes that importers and exporters went through to obtain permits and exemptions had been shortened.
“The system has so far shown a lot of resilience and has improved the turn around time for documentation which invariably benefits the timber exporting public”, Mr Engmann said.
He said apart from the TIDD that issued export permits for timber and timber products, other MDAs had been connected and were using electronic permits and exemptions for imports into the country.
They included the Ghana Standards Board, Food and Drugs Board, Minerals Commission, Ghana Free Zones Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
It is based on the Ghana Community Network (GCNet) system in Takoradi to ensure uniformity in data capture with respect to imports and exports of timber and wood products.
The aim is to minimise malpractice, ensure accurate capture of state revenue, enhance record keeping, aid effective monitoring of timber and wood products imports and exports, add value and ultimately reduce permit processing and approval time.
In line with the government’s directives and current operating systems worldwide, and to reduce human contact and permit processing time, it has become necessary for the TIDD permits’ offices to be hooked to the GCNet system.
Another objective is for the TIDD to collaborate with the Ghana Customs Management Systems (GCMS) to approve electronic timber export permits based on the GCNet system.
This collaboration between the TIDD and the GCMS is expected to provide immense benefits to the TIDD, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and exporters and importers of timber and wood products.
The timber industry is the first establishment in Ghana issuing export permits through the GCNet system. All other MDAs and companies that are connected to the GCNet, are rather issuing import permits.
Speaking at a workshop on the launch of the electronic export permits for timber and wood products in Takoradi, the Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Mr A.N. Attah announced that the TIDD was also in the process of delivering contracts of sale electronically.
That, he explained, would help to fast track contract administration and in particular, make the procedures more transparent.
Mr Attah said the TIDD had put up terminals at its offices to kick-start the issuance of electronic export permits and also to help timber exporters who were currently not connected to the GCNet.
“All these timber exporting companies or agents need to provide TIDD with supporting documents, such as approved contract of sale, wood products inspection certificates, permit invoice forms, Bank of Ghana foreign exchange form 4A, specification sheets and letters of credit before their export permits could be processed and approved electronically”, Mr Attah stated.
He further explained that once approval had been granted by the TIDD through the GCNet system, a copy of the permit approved electronically went to CEPS and the exporter or the agent who electronically applied to the TIDD on behalf of the timber exporter.
“It is common knowledge that many companies are now using the GCNet system for their imports. Our efforts are geared to help timber companies to use the GCNet system for their exports as well”, he said.
The Deputy Operations Manager in charge of Projects of the Ghana Community Network Services Limited, Mr Eben Engmann explained that the electronic permit and exemption module of the GCNet system had replaced the manual system for granting permits and exemptions to importers and exporters.
The new system, he said, was faster and more efficient because the processes that importers and exporters went through to obtain permits and exemptions had been shortened.
“The system has so far shown a lot of resilience and has improved the turn around time for documentation which invariably benefits the timber exporting public”, Mr Engmann said.
He said apart from the TIDD that issued export permits for timber and timber products, other MDAs had been connected and were using electronic permits and exemptions for imports into the country.
They included the Ghana Standards Board, Food and Drugs Board, Minerals Commission, Ghana Free Zones Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
Friday, March 27, 2009
IDUAPRIEM MINE REFUTES STORY (PAGE 3)
THE Community Relations Manager of Anglogold Ashanti (Iduapriem Mine), Mr Kwamina Sekyi Yorke, has refuted the story that some illegal gold operators have been trapped underground in the company’s concession at Teberebe in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality in the Western Region.
He explained to the Daily Graphic that there were illegal mining activities inside the company’s concession along the Teberebe road.
He said the company discovered a huge open trench very close to the Teberebe road and management called leaders of the illegal gold miners and told them about the dangers their activities were posing to the road.
Mr Yorke explained that the illegal activities were destroying the environment and also the gold diggers were encroaching on the company’s mining concession or property.
He said the illegal miners begged the company to give them some time to enable them to mop up, so they were given two weeks, after which the company would seal the trench.
Mr Yorke said the company had already notified the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly about the activities of the illegal miners in its concession.
“So yesterday morning our security guards went there in an attempt to seal the trench to prevent possible erosion that may destroy the road eventually,” he said.
He said according to the security chief of the company, the illegal miners told the guards that there were some of their colleagues trapped underground.
He said as a result, the security guards stopped their operation to cover the huge trench.
Mr Yorke said the galamsey operators invited some opinion leaders from Akyem and other mining communities to plead on their behalf.
He said in 2006, the road was destroyed through illegal gold mining activities and the company spent thousands of dollars to repair it.
He explained to the Daily Graphic that there were illegal mining activities inside the company’s concession along the Teberebe road.
He said the company discovered a huge open trench very close to the Teberebe road and management called leaders of the illegal gold miners and told them about the dangers their activities were posing to the road.
Mr Yorke explained that the illegal activities were destroying the environment and also the gold diggers were encroaching on the company’s mining concession or property.
He said the illegal miners begged the company to give them some time to enable them to mop up, so they were given two weeks, after which the company would seal the trench.
Mr Yorke said the company had already notified the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly about the activities of the illegal miners in its concession.
“So yesterday morning our security guards went there in an attempt to seal the trench to prevent possible erosion that may destroy the road eventually,” he said.
He said according to the security chief of the company, the illegal miners told the guards that there were some of their colleagues trapped underground.
He said as a result, the security guards stopped their operation to cover the huge trench.
Mr Yorke said the galamsey operators invited some opinion leaders from Akyem and other mining communities to plead on their behalf.
He said in 2006, the road was destroyed through illegal gold mining activities and the company spent thousands of dollars to repair it.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
AKYEMPIM RESIDENTS WORRIED ABOUT MINING ACTIVITIES (PAGE 40)
THE chiefs, opinion leaders, unit committee members and the youth of Subriso and Ningo in the Mporhor Wassa East District of the Western Region have petitioned against the activities of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited, a mining company operating in the district.
The petition signed by the chiefs of Ningo and Subriso, Nana Ben Teye and Nana Ofosu Appiah, respectively as well as the Unit Committee Chairman of Ningo, Mr Jonathan Tetteh and Unit Committee Chairman of Subriso, Mr Amos Asare, was addressed to the management of the company.
The people complained that the drinking water in the communities had been polluted, while dust emissions were so much that all their belongings had turned into red powder.
According to the petition, noise made by the company’s moving machinery and vehicles was so disturbing that one could hardly have rest during the day or at night, while blasting was so close to buildings that many of them had developed cracks and would soon collapse.
“The haul road constructed at the village is so close that the residents, especially children were at a great risk crossing. It is 30 metres or less to the houses and that the schoolchildren cross the road without guide or aid”, the petition said.
It said a new C-Zone pit dug by the company is about 100 metres away from the Ningo village, adding that compensation paid to farmers whose farms had been paid by the company is woefully inadequate.
The petition further complained that the youth in the mining communities were not considered anytime there were employment opportunities.
“We, therefore, send this notice on behalf of the people and ask that something better would be planned for us. Relocation will be the best option anyway, but we do not need hen coop type of buildings”, the petition warned.
Meanwhile, the management of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited has put up comprehensive measures to mitigate the negative impact its operations would have on the people in the Subriso and Ningo communities.
The company has, however, rendered sincere apology to the two communities in the mines’ catchment area for any inconvenience its operations might have caused the people.
Responding to the concerns of the communities raised in the petition, the General Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited, Mr Michael Mracek said the company would want to improve the water quality that the villages had relied on and that it had piped water into villages from a borehole it had drilled.
He said a tank was being constructed at Ningo so that the people could have constant water supply before the end of this month.
Mr Mracet said he had asked a team to look at drilling a second well that would further enhance the water supply system in the communities.
Touching on dust emission, Mr Mracek conceded that the company had a problem with dust control in certain periods of the day on various parts of the haul road.
He, however, stated that it was a mystery as to how dust emission could affect the people at Subriso which was far away from the haul road.
He explained that in the case of Ningo, the company had constructed a new road that by-passed the village completely and that safety and comfort were much enhanced by the construction of the new road.
“Nevertheless we intend to do our best to mitigate any problems with dust”, he said, adding that the company would improve the situation with the addition of a new water truck.
“Currently, we have started a trial with a chemical based dust suppressant in the Odumase area. If it is successful, we would suggest that we use it on the haulage road in the vicinity of your village”, Mr Mracek said.
He said the mining company was also in contact with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which had developed a local lime based product that could be applied to roads to reduce dust, adding that the company would investigate if it was a practical solution.
The general manager said the company had a 24-hour noise monitoring programme conducted monthly, saying “We will increase the frequency of this programme to improve on our data collection”.
Mr Mracek also said waste dumping at the Subriso East dump would be scheduled to minimise noise impact, especially at night.
He said an assessment team had been put together to conduct an investigation into any alleged cracking of buildings as a result of blasting.
The assessment, Mr Mracek explained, would be compared to a baseline study conducted before the company initiated blasting and that any identified affected structures would be repaired at the company’s expense.
“We are also concerned about people using the haul road for access”, he said adding “It is, however a public road and this presents us with some restrictions”.
Mr Mracek said the company would raise the road and build a three-metre high walkway under it so that could provide easy access from one side to the other.
Touching on the payment of compensation, he said Golden Star’s rates were higher than the approved government rates and also compared favourably to other mining companies.
“Our records indicate that the open pit at Benso has created 498 jobs directly and 132 of those jobs are currently being held by local employees, representing 37.7 per cent of the total work force coming from the local communities”, Mr Mracek explained.
He emphasised that the company needed not only a mining license to operate, but also a social license as well to work peacefully.
“Our Community Relations and Environmental Department will continue to work in consultation with you to monitor the impact of our operations in your communities and recommend appropriate mitigation measures”, he said.
The petition signed by the chiefs of Ningo and Subriso, Nana Ben Teye and Nana Ofosu Appiah, respectively as well as the Unit Committee Chairman of Ningo, Mr Jonathan Tetteh and Unit Committee Chairman of Subriso, Mr Amos Asare, was addressed to the management of the company.
The people complained that the drinking water in the communities had been polluted, while dust emissions were so much that all their belongings had turned into red powder.
According to the petition, noise made by the company’s moving machinery and vehicles was so disturbing that one could hardly have rest during the day or at night, while blasting was so close to buildings that many of them had developed cracks and would soon collapse.
“The haul road constructed at the village is so close that the residents, especially children were at a great risk crossing. It is 30 metres or less to the houses and that the schoolchildren cross the road without guide or aid”, the petition said.
It said a new C-Zone pit dug by the company is about 100 metres away from the Ningo village, adding that compensation paid to farmers whose farms had been paid by the company is woefully inadequate.
The petition further complained that the youth in the mining communities were not considered anytime there were employment opportunities.
“We, therefore, send this notice on behalf of the people and ask that something better would be planned for us. Relocation will be the best option anyway, but we do not need hen coop type of buildings”, the petition warned.
Meanwhile, the management of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited has put up comprehensive measures to mitigate the negative impact its operations would have on the people in the Subriso and Ningo communities.
The company has, however, rendered sincere apology to the two communities in the mines’ catchment area for any inconvenience its operations might have caused the people.
Responding to the concerns of the communities raised in the petition, the General Manager of Golden Star (Wassa Mines) Limited, Mr Michael Mracek said the company would want to improve the water quality that the villages had relied on and that it had piped water into villages from a borehole it had drilled.
He said a tank was being constructed at Ningo so that the people could have constant water supply before the end of this month.
Mr Mracet said he had asked a team to look at drilling a second well that would further enhance the water supply system in the communities.
Touching on dust emission, Mr Mracek conceded that the company had a problem with dust control in certain periods of the day on various parts of the haul road.
He, however, stated that it was a mystery as to how dust emission could affect the people at Subriso which was far away from the haul road.
He explained that in the case of Ningo, the company had constructed a new road that by-passed the village completely and that safety and comfort were much enhanced by the construction of the new road.
“Nevertheless we intend to do our best to mitigate any problems with dust”, he said, adding that the company would improve the situation with the addition of a new water truck.
“Currently, we have started a trial with a chemical based dust suppressant in the Odumase area. If it is successful, we would suggest that we use it on the haulage road in the vicinity of your village”, Mr Mracek said.
He said the mining company was also in contact with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which had developed a local lime based product that could be applied to roads to reduce dust, adding that the company would investigate if it was a practical solution.
The general manager said the company had a 24-hour noise monitoring programme conducted monthly, saying “We will increase the frequency of this programme to improve on our data collection”.
Mr Mracek also said waste dumping at the Subriso East dump would be scheduled to minimise noise impact, especially at night.
He said an assessment team had been put together to conduct an investigation into any alleged cracking of buildings as a result of blasting.
The assessment, Mr Mracek explained, would be compared to a baseline study conducted before the company initiated blasting and that any identified affected structures would be repaired at the company’s expense.
“We are also concerned about people using the haul road for access”, he said adding “It is, however a public road and this presents us with some restrictions”.
Mr Mracek said the company would raise the road and build a three-metre high walkway under it so that could provide easy access from one side to the other.
Touching on the payment of compensation, he said Golden Star’s rates were higher than the approved government rates and also compared favourably to other mining companies.
“Our records indicate that the open pit at Benso has created 498 jobs directly and 132 of those jobs are currently being held by local employees, representing 37.7 per cent of the total work force coming from the local communities”, Mr Mracek explained.
He emphasised that the company needed not only a mining license to operate, but also a social license as well to work peacefully.
“Our Community Relations and Environmental Department will continue to work in consultation with you to monitor the impact of our operations in your communities and recommend appropriate mitigation measures”, he said.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
FEMALE AGRIC EXTENSION OFFICERS ATTEND WORKSHOP (PAGE 21)
FIFTEEN participants, comprising eleven extension officers of the Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and four processors in the Western Region, have attended a three-day training of trainers workshop in plantain processing and utilisation in Takoradi.
The participants were taken through market requirements of a good food processor, hygiene in food processing, maintaining standard for processed products—storage, packaging and labelling, exhibition of products and practical demonstrations.
The training programme became possible as a result of the effective implementation of the Plantain and Banana Project, which is intended to be used for the transfer of processing technologies for plantain and banana in the project operation zones.
Gatsby, a charitable foundation seeking among other things to alleviate poverty in the rural areas through the provision of micro credits, funded the project.
The Plantain and Banana Project, which ended in 2002, introduced the black sigatoga resistant hybrid varieties of banana and plantain into six regions in the country.
The regions are Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Volta, Western and Central while Eastern, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions were subsequently selected for a three-year pilot project on ‘processing and utilisation of banana and plantain varieties’, which started in October, 2004.
In 2007, a consultative workshop brainstormed for products to be developed at the farm gate considering the expected increase in production.
Processing plantain into flour and using the flour in recipes appeared to be the best preservation option.
It is expected that 20 plantain-growing communities with at least 50 farmers each, would receive training through the extension officers of the Women in Agriculture Development in collaboration with the Food Research Institute (FRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
At the workshop, the officer in charge of the Value Addition Unit of the Women in Agriculture Development of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Rev. (Mrs) Nyuieme Adiepena, said before plantain flour could be promoted, there was the need for the public to know its nutritional importance.
She said plantain provided adequate amounts of vitamins such as vitamin ‘A’ and served as a good source of energy.
She stated that plantain contained high amounts of potassium with low sodium contents which helped in the prevention of hypertension and was also a rich source of iron which was needed in the formation of haemoglobin.
Rev. Adiepena suggested the establishment of plantain processing centres in all districts in the region through the lobbying of their respective district assemblies for support.
“Sell the idea to them, let them understand you and appreciate the importance of the project,” she advised the participants.
The Western Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr David Okine, noted that training and transferring of technology was easy but the adoption of such technology was very important.
He said his outfit would provide the required information for the improvement of plantain processing in the region.
The participants were taken through market requirements of a good food processor, hygiene in food processing, maintaining standard for processed products—storage, packaging and labelling, exhibition of products and practical demonstrations.
The training programme became possible as a result of the effective implementation of the Plantain and Banana Project, which is intended to be used for the transfer of processing technologies for plantain and banana in the project operation zones.
Gatsby, a charitable foundation seeking among other things to alleviate poverty in the rural areas through the provision of micro credits, funded the project.
The Plantain and Banana Project, which ended in 2002, introduced the black sigatoga resistant hybrid varieties of banana and plantain into six regions in the country.
The regions are Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Volta, Western and Central while Eastern, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions were subsequently selected for a three-year pilot project on ‘processing and utilisation of banana and plantain varieties’, which started in October, 2004.
In 2007, a consultative workshop brainstormed for products to be developed at the farm gate considering the expected increase in production.
Processing plantain into flour and using the flour in recipes appeared to be the best preservation option.
It is expected that 20 plantain-growing communities with at least 50 farmers each, would receive training through the extension officers of the Women in Agriculture Development in collaboration with the Food Research Institute (FRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
At the workshop, the officer in charge of the Value Addition Unit of the Women in Agriculture Development of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Rev. (Mrs) Nyuieme Adiepena, said before plantain flour could be promoted, there was the need for the public to know its nutritional importance.
She said plantain provided adequate amounts of vitamins such as vitamin ‘A’ and served as a good source of energy.
She stated that plantain contained high amounts of potassium with low sodium contents which helped in the prevention of hypertension and was also a rich source of iron which was needed in the formation of haemoglobin.
Rev. Adiepena suggested the establishment of plantain processing centres in all districts in the region through the lobbying of their respective district assemblies for support.
“Sell the idea to them, let them understand you and appreciate the importance of the project,” she advised the participants.
The Western Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr David Okine, noted that training and transferring of technology was easy but the adoption of such technology was very important.
He said his outfit would provide the required information for the improvement of plantain processing in the region.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
GHANA AIDS COMMISSION DONATES COMPUTERS (PAGE 52)
The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has presented computers and accessories worth GH¢4,500.00 to the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council (WRCC), the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly in Sekondi.
Speaking at the presentation, the Chief Director of the WRCC, Mr David Yaro, said there was a high possibility that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the Western Region would increase following the discovery of oil which might lead to a boom in business and consequently an influx of all manner of people including commercial sex workers.
Reports indicate that 2,822 people got infected with the HIV virus in 2008 as against 1,278 people, who got infected with the disease in 2007.
He said a lot needed to be done in an effort to fight and reduce the debilitating effect of HIV on the economy of the region in particular and the country as a whole.
“The level of awareness is currently very high, almost 100 per cent and the acceptance rate is equally increasing dramatically”, he explained but added, “however, in the Western region, the prevalence rate is not one for celebration, despite a reduction from 4.3 per cent in 2006 to 3.2 per cent in 2007”.
Mr Yaro, therefore, stressed that there was the need for proper planning to cope with the new trend which could be done effectively only when there was accurate data.
The presentation of the computers, he said, would help the beneficiaries to do that without major challenges.
He stressed the need to undertake and also ensure proper dissemination of information on HIV, to ensure proper data availability as well as the management and the application of such information.
“There is no doubt that, these computers will help in the dissemination of information to all stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector”, he said, adding, “For us in the Western Region therefore, the presentation is most timely and therefore warmly welcome”.
The use of the computers at the district level, he said, would help link them to the regional co-ordinating council and subsequently improve information flow from the grassroots to the regional and national levels.
“It is expected that information flow will be smooth once the country’s Response Information System becomes the main medium of reporting, which is done through the internet”, he said, pointing out that, “it would also enable the Ghana AIDS Commission to monitor and ensure compliance, while eschewing duplication and wrong entries”.
The Management, Information Systems Officer of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Mr Samuel Dery, who made the presentation, said 21 district assemblies and 10 regional co-ordinating councils had been selected for a pilot project on the national response on HIV/AIDS.
He said there was the need to know whether the regions were moving forward as far as data management was concerned or not.
According to Mr Dery, there were a lot of implementers of HIV/AIDS programmes on the field and that they needed to be monitored.
Speaking at the presentation, the Chief Director of the WRCC, Mr David Yaro, said there was a high possibility that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the Western Region would increase following the discovery of oil which might lead to a boom in business and consequently an influx of all manner of people including commercial sex workers.
Reports indicate that 2,822 people got infected with the HIV virus in 2008 as against 1,278 people, who got infected with the disease in 2007.
He said a lot needed to be done in an effort to fight and reduce the debilitating effect of HIV on the economy of the region in particular and the country as a whole.
“The level of awareness is currently very high, almost 100 per cent and the acceptance rate is equally increasing dramatically”, he explained but added, “however, in the Western region, the prevalence rate is not one for celebration, despite a reduction from 4.3 per cent in 2006 to 3.2 per cent in 2007”.
Mr Yaro, therefore, stressed that there was the need for proper planning to cope with the new trend which could be done effectively only when there was accurate data.
The presentation of the computers, he said, would help the beneficiaries to do that without major challenges.
He stressed the need to undertake and also ensure proper dissemination of information on HIV, to ensure proper data availability as well as the management and the application of such information.
“There is no doubt that, these computers will help in the dissemination of information to all stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector”, he said, adding, “For us in the Western Region therefore, the presentation is most timely and therefore warmly welcome”.
The use of the computers at the district level, he said, would help link them to the regional co-ordinating council and subsequently improve information flow from the grassroots to the regional and national levels.
“It is expected that information flow will be smooth once the country’s Response Information System becomes the main medium of reporting, which is done through the internet”, he said, pointing out that, “it would also enable the Ghana AIDS Commission to monitor and ensure compliance, while eschewing duplication and wrong entries”.
The Management, Information Systems Officer of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Mr Samuel Dery, who made the presentation, said 21 district assemblies and 10 regional co-ordinating councils had been selected for a pilot project on the national response on HIV/AIDS.
He said there was the need to know whether the regions were moving forward as far as data management was concerned or not.
According to Mr Dery, there were a lot of implementers of HIV/AIDS programmes on the field and that they needed to be monitored.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
VODAFONE SETS UP FOUNDATION (PAGE 31)
VODAFONE Ghana has established a foundation, Vodafone Ghana Foundation, with an initial investment of £200,000 with the aim of sharing the benefits of its operations in the country as widely as possible.
The foundation also aims at protecting the natural environment and supporting local communities in which the company’s customers, employees, investors and suppliers live.
The company is yet to advertise for the public to make proposals for assistance from the foundation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Mr David Venn, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, at Essikado in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis over the weekend.
The company donated GH¢3,000 to the Nana Nketsia IV Educational Trust Fund to help alleviate poverty, improve the social and economic circumstances and the development of education in the traditional area.
Mr Venn said Vodafone took immense pride in its contribution to the development of local communities.
“Under our access to communication programme, we have started deploying community SIM phone booths in the rural and peri-urban communities across Ghana,” he said.
This, he explained, was to ensure that as many Ghanaians as possible had access to telecommunications and the enhancement of life the facility provided.
“We have also installed several of these phones in several second cycle schools to facilitate easy communications between students and their parents and guardians, “ he added.
Mr Venn said Vodafone Ghana was currently in transition in order to re-position itself to deliver enhanced value added services to all its stakeholders in a very competitive market.
“In the past few weeks, we have undertaken a number of investments both in infrastructure and people, in order to infuse greater efficiency into our operations and offer our customers the global excellence that Vodafone is famous for,” he explained.
The chief executive officer said the Western region was regarded by the company as one of the most important areas for future business development.
“The region is renowned for its natural resources, which have attracted a lot of world renowned mining companies and which require first class international communications to operate efficiently, ” he noted.
Mr Venn further said with the recent oil discovery, the Western region had become the new economic destination in Ghana and that Vodafone Ghana was working hard to ensure that the company delivered the global excellence that it was famous for to the people of the Western region.
“We intend to expand our operations in the region to ensure that the people of the Western region enjoy excellent, unparalleled and uninterrupted telecommunications services,” he added.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V said there had been a lot of noise about the sale of Ghana Telecom, which showed how dear the company was to the heart of Ghanaians.
Also, he said, capital flight was a worry to the people of the country, since capital retention would ensure re-investment and improvement of the country’s economy.
Nana Nketsia said the company’s donation to the educational trust fund was very commendable and that the traditional council would make judicious use of it to improve education standards in the area.
The foundation also aims at protecting the natural environment and supporting local communities in which the company’s customers, employees, investors and suppliers live.
The company is yet to advertise for the public to make proposals for assistance from the foundation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Mr David Venn, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, at Essikado in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis over the weekend.
The company donated GH¢3,000 to the Nana Nketsia IV Educational Trust Fund to help alleviate poverty, improve the social and economic circumstances and the development of education in the traditional area.
Mr Venn said Vodafone took immense pride in its contribution to the development of local communities.
“Under our access to communication programme, we have started deploying community SIM phone booths in the rural and peri-urban communities across Ghana,” he said.
This, he explained, was to ensure that as many Ghanaians as possible had access to telecommunications and the enhancement of life the facility provided.
“We have also installed several of these phones in several second cycle schools to facilitate easy communications between students and their parents and guardians, “ he added.
Mr Venn said Vodafone Ghana was currently in transition in order to re-position itself to deliver enhanced value added services to all its stakeholders in a very competitive market.
“In the past few weeks, we have undertaken a number of investments both in infrastructure and people, in order to infuse greater efficiency into our operations and offer our customers the global excellence that Vodafone is famous for,” he explained.
The chief executive officer said the Western region was regarded by the company as one of the most important areas for future business development.
“The region is renowned for its natural resources, which have attracted a lot of world renowned mining companies and which require first class international communications to operate efficiently, ” he noted.
Mr Venn further said with the recent oil discovery, the Western region had become the new economic destination in Ghana and that Vodafone Ghana was working hard to ensure that the company delivered the global excellence that it was famous for to the people of the Western region.
“We intend to expand our operations in the region to ensure that the people of the Western region enjoy excellent, unparalleled and uninterrupted telecommunications services,” he added.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V said there had been a lot of noise about the sale of Ghana Telecom, which showed how dear the company was to the heart of Ghanaians.
Also, he said, capital flight was a worry to the people of the country, since capital retention would ensure re-investment and improvement of the country’s economy.
Nana Nketsia said the company’s donation to the educational trust fund was very commendable and that the traditional council would make judicious use of it to improve education standards in the area.
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