Measles cases in the Western Region dropped from 434 in 2005 to 28 in 2007.
Dr (Mrs) Linda Vanotoo, the acting Western Regional Director of Health, who disclosed this, also stated that there had been no measles death in the country since 2002.
Dr (Mrs) Vanotoo made this statement when she briefed the press on this year’s integrated maternal and child health ( IMCH) campaign in the region, on the theme; "Healthy mothers and children make a better Ghana".
She said since September, 2003, there had not been any reported case of wild polio virus and this had been attributed mainly to the successful and improved routine immunisation in the country.
Dr Vanotoo said the region had reactivated its intersectoral committees to plan, organise and monitor the implementation of the IMCH.
The committees, she said, would be involved in social mobilisation, publicity, financial and logistics management, transport mobilisation and assessment of implementation.
She said during the period of the campaign, vitamin A capsules would be given to children aged six months to five years and breastfeeding mothers with children less than two months to make them strong and healthy.
In addition, polio immunisation would be administered to children aged zero to five years, while de-worming tablets would be given to children aged two years and above for good health, Dr Vanotoo said.
She advised mothers to immunise their children to protect them against childhood diseases.
She entreated pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinic regularly to benefit from all services required for a healthy pregnancy and added that they should also ensure that they deliver at a health facility.
Dr Vanotoo urged the mothers to start breastfeeding within 30 minutes after delivery and give the child only breast milk till six months, after which they could add other foods.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
TWIN-CITY BUSINESSES SCHOOLED ON QUALITY PRODUCTION (PAGE 25)
THE Sekondi/Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ghana Quality Organisation have jointly organised a one-day seminar on quality and productivity improvement for 102 people drawn from the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
The seminar was aimed at promoting quality management and corporate best practices in the country.
The seminar, which was attended by managing directors, business owners, managers and supervisors of manufacturing, hospitality, health care, agro-business and service industries, also addressed the issue of a lack of quality management training and practices, which were said to be major reasons for poor profitability and slow business growth in the country.
It was organised to help participants to utilise quality management strategies to improve their business performance and increase their companies’ profitability.
Also, it was to enable them to understand and appreciate how quality management strategy could help their companies to compete successfully on the domestic and international markets.
In addition, it was to provide them with the leverage quality technology to grow their businesses through continuous quality improvement and innovation.
The Chairman of Ghana Quality Organisation, Mr Kofi Akuoko, in his presentation, stressed that the desire for quality products and services was universal, regardless of whether the consumer was a company, an individual or an organisation. "Everybody demands quality," he said.
He said quality was also about achieving excellence and perfection and, therefore, quality strategy could help the companies to move faster.
"Quality does not stand still, it changes.
"If we are going to hide behind traditional definition of quality, we will not move fast," he said, adding that "traditional quality approaches focus more on conformity assessment and conformance to standards, regardless of whether or not the product actually creates value for the customer. Meeting standards alone will not guarantee that your product is the best, if it does not promote continuous improvement."
Mr Akuoko said the traditional definition of quality had not helped the local industries to grow to become world-class companies, since the rate at which the local companies were improving was very slow, urging them to embrace quality and speed up national development.
Speaking on the topic, "Using quality management strategy to achieve customer satisfaction, productivity, profitability and business growth," Mr Akuoko said modern quality focused on designing into products, services and processes.
"It is also designed to promote the pursuit of excellence in products and services," he said, explaining that "21st century quality is focused on reducing variations in key characteristics of products and services if variations in key characteristics decrease and quality increases."
Quality, he emphasised, was the least capital intensive to achieve productivity, and if the participants wanted their industries to grow, then quality approach was very important. "Always, there is an opportunity to improve on what one is doing," he said.
Mr Akuoko said the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) played an important role in ensuring quality, but that was not what quality was all about.
He said if one started thinking about meeting standards, the quality of his/her products and services would not improve.
The Chairman of the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ato Van-Ess, said the chamber was to become a leading trading organisation in the country.
He said the chamber had designed programmes that would enable its members to work hard to improve the quality of their products and services, since if they did not provide quality services and remained where they were, those who provided quality services would definitely overtake them.
"We want you to raise the level of your professionalism," he said.
The seminar was aimed at promoting quality management and corporate best practices in the country.
The seminar, which was attended by managing directors, business owners, managers and supervisors of manufacturing, hospitality, health care, agro-business and service industries, also addressed the issue of a lack of quality management training and practices, which were said to be major reasons for poor profitability and slow business growth in the country.
It was organised to help participants to utilise quality management strategies to improve their business performance and increase their companies’ profitability.
Also, it was to enable them to understand and appreciate how quality management strategy could help their companies to compete successfully on the domestic and international markets.
In addition, it was to provide them with the leverage quality technology to grow their businesses through continuous quality improvement and innovation.
The Chairman of Ghana Quality Organisation, Mr Kofi Akuoko, in his presentation, stressed that the desire for quality products and services was universal, regardless of whether the consumer was a company, an individual or an organisation. "Everybody demands quality," he said.
He said quality was also about achieving excellence and perfection and, therefore, quality strategy could help the companies to move faster.
"Quality does not stand still, it changes.
"If we are going to hide behind traditional definition of quality, we will not move fast," he said, adding that "traditional quality approaches focus more on conformity assessment and conformance to standards, regardless of whether or not the product actually creates value for the customer. Meeting standards alone will not guarantee that your product is the best, if it does not promote continuous improvement."
Mr Akuoko said the traditional definition of quality had not helped the local industries to grow to become world-class companies, since the rate at which the local companies were improving was very slow, urging them to embrace quality and speed up national development.
Speaking on the topic, "Using quality management strategy to achieve customer satisfaction, productivity, profitability and business growth," Mr Akuoko said modern quality focused on designing into products, services and processes.
"It is also designed to promote the pursuit of excellence in products and services," he said, explaining that "21st century quality is focused on reducing variations in key characteristics of products and services if variations in key characteristics decrease and quality increases."
Quality, he emphasised, was the least capital intensive to achieve productivity, and if the participants wanted their industries to grow, then quality approach was very important. "Always, there is an opportunity to improve on what one is doing," he said.
Mr Akuoko said the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) played an important role in ensuring quality, but that was not what quality was all about.
He said if one started thinking about meeting standards, the quality of his/her products and services would not improve.
The Chairman of the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ato Van-Ess, said the chamber was to become a leading trading organisation in the country.
He said the chamber had designed programmes that would enable its members to work hard to improve the quality of their products and services, since if they did not provide quality services and remained where they were, those who provided quality services would definitely overtake them.
"We want you to raise the level of your professionalism," he said.
PAY US OUR OUTSTANDING ALLOWANCES (PAGE 25)
THIRTY sanitation guards of the Environmental Health module of the National Youth and Employment Programme (NYEP) of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) have appealed to the authorities to pay them their outstanding allowances that have been in arrears for six months.
They have also urged the authorities to regularise their appointments by issuing them with appointment letters, since they have worked for 15 months without any appointment letter.
This, they explained, would enable them to be paid salaries, instead of allowances, since personnel under other modules who had been given appointment letters were being paid salaries and not allowances.
Some of the affected personnel, led by their spokesperson, Mr Frederick Mensah, told the Daily Graphic that when they were recruited, they were made to understand that they would be paid monthly allowances of GH¢70, but this had not been regular.
According to Mr Mensah, the sanitation guards wanted their salaries to be paid through the banks.
"Some of the personnel under other modules of the programme are receiving salaries and not allowances," he said.
The spokesperson explained that they knew that they were employed under the NYEP, but when the problem of non-payment of the allowances started and they contacted their respective Sekondi Sub-metro and Takoradi Sub-metro Co-ordinators of the NYEP, they were told that they were no more under the NYEP, but were rather under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.
"So, we do not know where we belong, whether our allowances are coming from the ministry or from the NYEP," he said, adding that "so as we speak now, we don’t know our fate".
They have also urged the authorities to regularise their appointments by issuing them with appointment letters, since they have worked for 15 months without any appointment letter.
This, they explained, would enable them to be paid salaries, instead of allowances, since personnel under other modules who had been given appointment letters were being paid salaries and not allowances.
Some of the affected personnel, led by their spokesperson, Mr Frederick Mensah, told the Daily Graphic that when they were recruited, they were made to understand that they would be paid monthly allowances of GH¢70, but this had not been regular.
According to Mr Mensah, the sanitation guards wanted their salaries to be paid through the banks.
"Some of the personnel under other modules of the programme are receiving salaries and not allowances," he said.
The spokesperson explained that they knew that they were employed under the NYEP, but when the problem of non-payment of the allowances started and they contacted their respective Sekondi Sub-metro and Takoradi Sub-metro Co-ordinators of the NYEP, they were told that they were no more under the NYEP, but were rather under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.
"So, we do not know where we belong, whether our allowances are coming from the ministry or from the NYEP," he said, adding that "so as we speak now, we don’t know our fate".
FLOATING OF SHARES GAINS GROUNDS IN TWIN-CITY (PAGE 25)
FOR the past few years, Takoradi has witnessed a profileration of banks, as well as non-bank financial institutions, to assist the people in the city to access credit facilities to grow and expand their businesses.
This has significantly contributed to many business activities flourishing in the city.
But the new trend of business activity that has not been the characteristic of Takoradi and other regional capitals in the country is now snowballing into business activities in the twin city. This is the launch of public share offers for people to purchase shares from government and private companies, as well as bank and non-bank institutions in the country, to become shareholders of the companies and the financial institutions.
Many years ago, companies and financial institutions, that wanted to go public launched their share offers in Accra, but on limited occasions in Kumasi.
But of late, the management of these companies and the financial institutions that want to float shares have deemed it very prudent to go outside Accra so far as the launch of their shares are concerned.
Last month, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated launched its US$2.5billion share offer at the Shippers Council offices at the Takoradi Harbour to increase the shareholders’ funds.
On Thursday, October 2, 2008 the UT Financial Services Limited, an indigenous company, also launched its public share offer at the Raybow Hotel in Takoradi for the sale of 90,293,000 ordinary shares of no par value at 30Gp per share. UT hopes to raise about GH¢27million, and it is expected that more companies and financial institutions that want to float shares would take a cue from the two companies that have launched their offers in Takoradi.
Speaking at the launch of the UT share offer, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UT Financial Services Limited, Mr Prince Kofi Amoabeng, said the company had come a long way in its business operations in the country.
He said the company was trying to help those who were not being helped by the commercial banks to obtain credit facilities to do their businesses.
Mr Amoabeng pointed out that the company owed its successes to the general public and wanted Ghanaians to share in its joy and success.
According to the CEO, there was absolutely no risk in purchasing the shares, adding that, "I want your money to create more jobs and put food on people’s tables."
The Anglican Bishop of the Sekondi/Takoradi Diocese, the Rt Rev. Col. Kwamina Otoo (retd), who launched the share offer, said the seed that was sown by the company was not neglected, but was rather nurtured to bear fruits.
He said the company did not want to be selfish and, therefore, advised the public to sow through the purchase of the shares, since what they would buy would not go waste.
The Director of Operations of the company, Captain Budu Koomson (retd), explained that the management of the company was trying to understand the environment within which they operated to enable them to develop the processes that would help them to deliver. "Once we have the speed and the trust, we can deliver," he said.
He said the management was seriously thinking about expanding the activities of the company to other regional capitals and towns in the country.
"We intend to open nine branches outside Accra in the year 2010 in Sunyani, Ho, Nkawkaw and others."
He said if the company was able to grow its capital base, it would be able to provide bigger loan facilities.
Capt Koomson said there was an influx of financial institutions in the country, and that had heightened competition that would bring the best out of them.
He said the company needed to go further and do more than the granting of loans.
The Director of Finance and Administration of UT Financial Services, Mrs Pearl Esua-Mensah, explained that the company had not grown in a vacuum, but within the stable economic growth of the country.
She said there had been stability in the interest and the exchange rates, as well as in politics of the country, which had gone a long way to facilitate the operations of the company.
"We are consistent in our delivery and we use capital invested in the company efficiently and profitably," she said.
The Takoradimanhene, Osahene Katakyi Busumakura III, said UT Financial Services was an example of what an indigenous company could do, and expressed optimism that the company could expand to other countries in Africa.
He said the company had come to Takoradi at the time there was an oil find in the Western Region, advising the company to position itself well for the oil business.
This has significantly contributed to many business activities flourishing in the city.
But the new trend of business activity that has not been the characteristic of Takoradi and other regional capitals in the country is now snowballing into business activities in the twin city. This is the launch of public share offers for people to purchase shares from government and private companies, as well as bank and non-bank institutions in the country, to become shareholders of the companies and the financial institutions.
Many years ago, companies and financial institutions, that wanted to go public launched their share offers in Accra, but on limited occasions in Kumasi.
But of late, the management of these companies and the financial institutions that want to float shares have deemed it very prudent to go outside Accra so far as the launch of their shares are concerned.
Last month, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated launched its US$2.5billion share offer at the Shippers Council offices at the Takoradi Harbour to increase the shareholders’ funds.
On Thursday, October 2, 2008 the UT Financial Services Limited, an indigenous company, also launched its public share offer at the Raybow Hotel in Takoradi for the sale of 90,293,000 ordinary shares of no par value at 30Gp per share. UT hopes to raise about GH¢27million, and it is expected that more companies and financial institutions that want to float shares would take a cue from the two companies that have launched their offers in Takoradi.
Speaking at the launch of the UT share offer, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UT Financial Services Limited, Mr Prince Kofi Amoabeng, said the company had come a long way in its business operations in the country.
He said the company was trying to help those who were not being helped by the commercial banks to obtain credit facilities to do their businesses.
Mr Amoabeng pointed out that the company owed its successes to the general public and wanted Ghanaians to share in its joy and success.
According to the CEO, there was absolutely no risk in purchasing the shares, adding that, "I want your money to create more jobs and put food on people’s tables."
The Anglican Bishop of the Sekondi/Takoradi Diocese, the Rt Rev. Col. Kwamina Otoo (retd), who launched the share offer, said the seed that was sown by the company was not neglected, but was rather nurtured to bear fruits.
He said the company did not want to be selfish and, therefore, advised the public to sow through the purchase of the shares, since what they would buy would not go waste.
The Director of Operations of the company, Captain Budu Koomson (retd), explained that the management of the company was trying to understand the environment within which they operated to enable them to develop the processes that would help them to deliver. "Once we have the speed and the trust, we can deliver," he said.
He said the management was seriously thinking about expanding the activities of the company to other regional capitals and towns in the country.
"We intend to open nine branches outside Accra in the year 2010 in Sunyani, Ho, Nkawkaw and others."
He said if the company was able to grow its capital base, it would be able to provide bigger loan facilities.
Capt Koomson said there was an influx of financial institutions in the country, and that had heightened competition that would bring the best out of them.
He said the company needed to go further and do more than the granting of loans.
The Director of Finance and Administration of UT Financial Services, Mrs Pearl Esua-Mensah, explained that the company had not grown in a vacuum, but within the stable economic growth of the country.
She said there had been stability in the interest and the exchange rates, as well as in politics of the country, which had gone a long way to facilitate the operations of the company.
"We are consistent in our delivery and we use capital invested in the company efficiently and profitably," she said.
The Takoradimanhene, Osahene Katakyi Busumakura III, said UT Financial Services was an example of what an indigenous company could do, and expressed optimism that the company could expand to other countries in Africa.
He said the company had come to Takoradi at the time there was an oil find in the Western Region, advising the company to position itself well for the oil business.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
NPP ROAD CONSTRUCTION EFFORTS UNPRECEDENTED — AKUFO-ADDO (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has emphasised that no government has undertaken more massive road infrastructural development in the annals of the country than that of the NPP.
He said for the NPP government to have constructed between 25,000 and 27,000 kilometres of roads throughout the country during its tenure was unprecedented.
Nana Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed a rally at Mumuni Camp in the Wassa Amenfi West District as part of a one-week campaign tour of the northern part of the Western Region.
He addressed similar rallies at Debiso in the Bia District, Asempanaye, Bonsu Nkwanta and Bodi in the Juaboso District, Asawinso, Wiawso, Nsawora and Akontombra in the Sefwi Wiawso District, Karlo, Dadieso and Enchi in the Aowin-Suaman District and Asankragwa and Anakom in the Wassa Amenfi West District.
The flag bearer led those who attended the rallies to observe a one-minute silence in memory of the late Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. He also introduced aspiring NPP Members of Parliament in the region.
Nana Akufo-Addo said when voted to power, he would complete all the development projects initiated under President Kufuor but which could not be completed and also add more to them.
He said all roads in cocoa-growing areas would be tarred to facilitate the carting of cocoa to the harbour and foodstuffs to the market centres.
Also, he said he intended to set up a cocoa processing factory in a cocoa-growing area to locally process 70 per cent of cocoa produced in the country to add value to cocoa beans that were exported in the raw state.
He was of the view that poverty should not be a barrier to education, since most Ghanaians came from poor homes, saying for that reason when voted to power he would make secondary education free.
The presidential aspirant noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was peddling falsehood to the effect that he would find it difficult to fulfil his promise to make secondary education free, noting that the same NDC was sceptical about the NPP making basic education free.
Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that the NPP would use the same means it employed to make basic education free to make secondary education free.
"We don’t want to hear anyone saying that he/she did not go to school because his/her father or uncle did not have money to sponsor his/her education," he stressed.
He said for the NPP government to have constructed between 25,000 and 27,000 kilometres of roads throughout the country during its tenure was unprecedented.
Nana Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed a rally at Mumuni Camp in the Wassa Amenfi West District as part of a one-week campaign tour of the northern part of the Western Region.
He addressed similar rallies at Debiso in the Bia District, Asempanaye, Bonsu Nkwanta and Bodi in the Juaboso District, Asawinso, Wiawso, Nsawora and Akontombra in the Sefwi Wiawso District, Karlo, Dadieso and Enchi in the Aowin-Suaman District and Asankragwa and Anakom in the Wassa Amenfi West District.
The flag bearer led those who attended the rallies to observe a one-minute silence in memory of the late Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. He also introduced aspiring NPP Members of Parliament in the region.
Nana Akufo-Addo said when voted to power, he would complete all the development projects initiated under President Kufuor but which could not be completed and also add more to them.
He said all roads in cocoa-growing areas would be tarred to facilitate the carting of cocoa to the harbour and foodstuffs to the market centres.
Also, he said he intended to set up a cocoa processing factory in a cocoa-growing area to locally process 70 per cent of cocoa produced in the country to add value to cocoa beans that were exported in the raw state.
He was of the view that poverty should not be a barrier to education, since most Ghanaians came from poor homes, saying for that reason when voted to power he would make secondary education free.
The presidential aspirant noted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was peddling falsehood to the effect that he would find it difficult to fulfil his promise to make secondary education free, noting that the same NDC was sceptical about the NPP making basic education free.
Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that the NPP would use the same means it employed to make basic education free to make secondary education free.
"We don’t want to hear anyone saying that he/she did not go to school because his/her father or uncle did not have money to sponsor his/her education," he stressed.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY MAKES POSITIVE IMPACT (PAGE 40)
ONE educational institution that has made a positive impact in the Western Region is the Tarkwa School of Mines.
It started in November 1952 as the Tarkwa Technical Institute (TTI). In 1957, through the initiative of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the institute was restructured to become the Tarkwa School of Mines and in 1976, the institution was affiliated as a faculty to the then University of Science and Technology (UST), now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
In October 2001, it was upgraded to become the Western University College of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology at Tarkwa.
In November 2004, the Western University College gave way to the establishment of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) by an Act of Parliament (Act 667). The Western University College which was given a full-fledged autonomous university status by Act 667 in November 2004 was renamed the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa.
The fast-growing university has a mission to provide higher education with speciality in mining and related fields to promote knowledge through research as well as provide professional services to the national and international communities.
The university’s vision is to become a Centre of Excellence in Ghana and indeed Africa by producing world-class professionals in the fields of geo-science, mining technology and related disciplines.
The University of Mines and Technology, the only public university in the Western Region, has three faculties and a school. The Faculty of Mineral Resources Technology offers academic programmes such as BSc in Geomatic Engineering, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering and Mineral Engineering.
The Faculty of Engineering is offering BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mathematics as well as BSc in Computer Engineering, while the Faculty of Integrated Management Sciences offers BSc in Administration (Banking and Finance), Administration (Human Resources Management), Administration (Management Information Systems).
The School of Postgraduate Studies of the university co-ordinates all postgraduate programmes leading to the award of MSc, MPhil and PhD degrees, which are offered by the university.
The University of Mines and Technology has a good library and computing facilities for research work in mining and related disciplines.
The institution can boast modern and well-equipped laboratories in Geomatic Geological, Soil and Rock Mechanics, Mineral Processing, Mine Environmental and Safety, Explosives, Mechanical Engineering as well as workshops and light and heavy current laboratories.
Over the last four years, the university has been developing at a fast rate to the admiration of the people. While new infrastructural and learning facilities are being provided, the existing ones are also being improved and expanded.
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has provided a total amount of GH¢9,171,446.06 to finance five projects at the university, including the provision of furniture.
The projects which are at various stages of execution include an auditorium which is being constructed at a cost of GH¢1,835,950.97; the Vice Chancellor’s lodge valued at GH¢1,104,001.40; students hostel worth GH¢3,580,026.09, and bungalows which are being provided at a total cost of GH¢452,329.14 as well as the construction of the campus road network at a cost of GH¢1,500,000.
The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council at Tarkwa has donated 26 square kilometres of land to the university to expand its facilities, since the present location is not large enough, causing congestion to the large number of students admitted every year.
A renowned architect, Mr Ekow Sam, who is also a member of the University Council, has offered to design the university’s guest house in Accra in addition to an ultra modern UMaT campus to be constructed on the new 26-kilometre land of the university.
He has already completed the design of the guest house and has also completed building of the new model of the university.
Speaking at a recent matriculation ceremony at the university, the Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, commended the university’s benefactors for their positive contribution to the development of the university.
He seized the opportunity to encourage all other stakeholders, especially mining and related companies as well as the alumni of the university, to join them to develop the university further.
There are employment opportunities for graduates of the university in the large- and small-scale mining and allied companies, the Mines Department and Minerals Commission, the Geological and Survey Department, the financial institutions as well as the construction and manufacturing companies.
The graduates also have job opportunities in the electrical and electronic companies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Energy Board, the Volta River Authority, the universities and other educational and research institutions as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations.
It started in November 1952 as the Tarkwa Technical Institute (TTI). In 1957, through the initiative of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the institute was restructured to become the Tarkwa School of Mines and in 1976, the institution was affiliated as a faculty to the then University of Science and Technology (UST), now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
In October 2001, it was upgraded to become the Western University College of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology at Tarkwa.
In November 2004, the Western University College gave way to the establishment of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) by an Act of Parliament (Act 667). The Western University College which was given a full-fledged autonomous university status by Act 667 in November 2004 was renamed the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa.
The fast-growing university has a mission to provide higher education with speciality in mining and related fields to promote knowledge through research as well as provide professional services to the national and international communities.
The university’s vision is to become a Centre of Excellence in Ghana and indeed Africa by producing world-class professionals in the fields of geo-science, mining technology and related disciplines.
The University of Mines and Technology, the only public university in the Western Region, has three faculties and a school. The Faculty of Mineral Resources Technology offers academic programmes such as BSc in Geomatic Engineering, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering and Mineral Engineering.
The Faculty of Engineering is offering BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mathematics as well as BSc in Computer Engineering, while the Faculty of Integrated Management Sciences offers BSc in Administration (Banking and Finance), Administration (Human Resources Management), Administration (Management Information Systems).
The School of Postgraduate Studies of the university co-ordinates all postgraduate programmes leading to the award of MSc, MPhil and PhD degrees, which are offered by the university.
The University of Mines and Technology has a good library and computing facilities for research work in mining and related disciplines.
The institution can boast modern and well-equipped laboratories in Geomatic Geological, Soil and Rock Mechanics, Mineral Processing, Mine Environmental and Safety, Explosives, Mechanical Engineering as well as workshops and light and heavy current laboratories.
Over the last four years, the university has been developing at a fast rate to the admiration of the people. While new infrastructural and learning facilities are being provided, the existing ones are also being improved and expanded.
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has provided a total amount of GH¢9,171,446.06 to finance five projects at the university, including the provision of furniture.
The projects which are at various stages of execution include an auditorium which is being constructed at a cost of GH¢1,835,950.97; the Vice Chancellor’s lodge valued at GH¢1,104,001.40; students hostel worth GH¢3,580,026.09, and bungalows which are being provided at a total cost of GH¢452,329.14 as well as the construction of the campus road network at a cost of GH¢1,500,000.
The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council at Tarkwa has donated 26 square kilometres of land to the university to expand its facilities, since the present location is not large enough, causing congestion to the large number of students admitted every year.
A renowned architect, Mr Ekow Sam, who is also a member of the University Council, has offered to design the university’s guest house in Accra in addition to an ultra modern UMaT campus to be constructed on the new 26-kilometre land of the university.
He has already completed the design of the guest house and has also completed building of the new model of the university.
Speaking at a recent matriculation ceremony at the university, the Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, commended the university’s benefactors for their positive contribution to the development of the university.
He seized the opportunity to encourage all other stakeholders, especially mining and related companies as well as the alumni of the university, to join them to develop the university further.
There are employment opportunities for graduates of the university in the large- and small-scale mining and allied companies, the Mines Department and Minerals Commission, the Geological and Survey Department, the financial institutions as well as the construction and manufacturing companies.
The graduates also have job opportunities in the electrical and electronic companies, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Energy Board, the Volta River Authority, the universities and other educational and research institutions as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations.
26,300 BENEFIT FROM MASLOC LOANS IN WR (PAGE 40)
The Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) has disbursed GH¢4.5 million as loans to 26,300 beneficiaries in the Western Region.
The scheme has so far given out GH¢31 million to more than 95,300 beneficiaries across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Akwasi Prempeh, made this known at Juaboso at the relaunch of the loans scheme at Juaboso, Bia, Akontombra, Sefwi Wiawso, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Aowin/Suaman, Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Prestea/Huni Valley, Wassa Amenfi East, West Amenfi West, Mpohor Wassa East, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Jomoro, and Ahanta West Districts, all in the Western Region.
During the launch, a total of 11,000 beneficiaries were presented with their cheques for the loans totalling GH¢1.5 million at separate ceremonies at Juaboso, Tarkwa and Nkroful.
It is expected that the loans will enable the beneficiaries to improve on their economic activities which include petty trading and farming, and assist women in entrepreneurship, alternative livelihoods, handicraft production, fishing and small-scale mining.
Qualification for MASLOC loans is based entirely on the economic viability and projected profitability of the activity involved and it is open to all Ghanaians of sound mind and between the ages of 18 and 65.
As a social protection programme of the government to bring micro credit to the doorstep of the marginalised productive poor, the loans scheme attracts concessionary rate of 10 per cent and prime rate plus two per cent per annum.
The MASLOC was established by Administrative Directive of the government to serve as the fiduciary agency of government for the prudent and judicious management of government/development partners, microfinance funds to promote the emergence, development and growth of a sustainable and decentralised microfinance sector in the country.
The establishment of MASLOC was therefore in response to the perennial lack of finance for micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
As an integral component of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, the government established the centre to serve as the focal point agency for using micro and small-scale credit programmes to support the development of a sustainable MSME sector as an important growth pillar of the national economy.
The long-term objective of the loan scheme is to promote the emergence, development and growth of a sustainable and decentralised micro-financial sector with grass-roots participation in ownership, management and control.
Speaking at the launch of the loan scheme at Juaboso, the CEO of MASLOC, Mr Prempeh, explained that the decision to set up MASLOC underscored the government’s recognition of microfinance as one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for poverty reduction by way of bringing financial services to the productive poor.
“In pursuit of this mandate, the targets for MASLOC’s facilities are principally the marginalised productive poor who fall mostly within the micro, small and medium enterprises sector,” he stated, adding that “programmes for women, youth and people with disability receive priority attention within the operations of MASLOC”.
Mr Prempeh also announced that his outfit had additionally disbursed a total of GH¢6.7 million to support 42,069 beneficiaries through pro-poor schemes of 16 ministries, departments and agencies as well as some private microfinance groups.
The activities that had been covered under those schemes, he said, included women in entrepreneurship, micro credit enterprise, youth credit schemes, guinea fowl rearing, agro-processing, fish mongering, alternative livelihood vocations, handicraft production agro-marketing, women in poultry, jatropha production and small-scale mining as well as ICT training under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
“For many of the beneficiaries, this gesture by the government must be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to access critically needed finance to improve their economic activities and enhance the quality of their lives and that of their families,” he emphasised.
According to Mr Prempeh, the loans centre and the government expected the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity with both hands and ensure that they used the loans for the purposes for which they were granted.
“It is expected also that beneficiaries will take their loan repayment obligation seriously to support the sustainability of the scheme and thereby ensure that more people benefit from the MASLOC loans,” he stressed.
Mr Prempeh said the loans scheme was committed to its mandate of making affordable finance accessible to the productive poor who have been marginalised by the traditional banking system.
“In seeking to do this, the centre will count on the active collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the metropolitan, municipal and the district assemblies and other like-minded segments of our society to ensure that we mainstream micro finance into regular funding arrangements for our private sector,” he stated.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Blay, noted that people initially did not believe that the micro finance loan scheme could be a reality.
He said all those who had submitted their applications for the loans would benefit from the facility, since it had been institutionalised.
He, however, stressed that the credit facility was a loan and that it had its added responsibility, that is, the repayment of the loan to ensure that it would continue to revolve for the benefit of others.
The scheme has so far given out GH¢31 million to more than 95,300 beneficiaries across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Akwasi Prempeh, made this known at Juaboso at the relaunch of the loans scheme at Juaboso, Bia, Akontombra, Sefwi Wiawso, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Aowin/Suaman, Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Prestea/Huni Valley, Wassa Amenfi East, West Amenfi West, Mpohor Wassa East, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Jomoro, and Ahanta West Districts, all in the Western Region.
During the launch, a total of 11,000 beneficiaries were presented with their cheques for the loans totalling GH¢1.5 million at separate ceremonies at Juaboso, Tarkwa and Nkroful.
It is expected that the loans will enable the beneficiaries to improve on their economic activities which include petty trading and farming, and assist women in entrepreneurship, alternative livelihoods, handicraft production, fishing and small-scale mining.
Qualification for MASLOC loans is based entirely on the economic viability and projected profitability of the activity involved and it is open to all Ghanaians of sound mind and between the ages of 18 and 65.
As a social protection programme of the government to bring micro credit to the doorstep of the marginalised productive poor, the loans scheme attracts concessionary rate of 10 per cent and prime rate plus two per cent per annum.
The MASLOC was established by Administrative Directive of the government to serve as the fiduciary agency of government for the prudent and judicious management of government/development partners, microfinance funds to promote the emergence, development and growth of a sustainable and decentralised microfinance sector in the country.
The establishment of MASLOC was therefore in response to the perennial lack of finance for micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
As an integral component of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, the government established the centre to serve as the focal point agency for using micro and small-scale credit programmes to support the development of a sustainable MSME sector as an important growth pillar of the national economy.
The long-term objective of the loan scheme is to promote the emergence, development and growth of a sustainable and decentralised micro-financial sector with grass-roots participation in ownership, management and control.
Speaking at the launch of the loan scheme at Juaboso, the CEO of MASLOC, Mr Prempeh, explained that the decision to set up MASLOC underscored the government’s recognition of microfinance as one of the most effective and sustainable strategies for poverty reduction by way of bringing financial services to the productive poor.
“In pursuit of this mandate, the targets for MASLOC’s facilities are principally the marginalised productive poor who fall mostly within the micro, small and medium enterprises sector,” he stated, adding that “programmes for women, youth and people with disability receive priority attention within the operations of MASLOC”.
Mr Prempeh also announced that his outfit had additionally disbursed a total of GH¢6.7 million to support 42,069 beneficiaries through pro-poor schemes of 16 ministries, departments and agencies as well as some private microfinance groups.
The activities that had been covered under those schemes, he said, included women in entrepreneurship, micro credit enterprise, youth credit schemes, guinea fowl rearing, agro-processing, fish mongering, alternative livelihood vocations, handicraft production agro-marketing, women in poultry, jatropha production and small-scale mining as well as ICT training under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
“For many of the beneficiaries, this gesture by the government must be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to access critically needed finance to improve their economic activities and enhance the quality of their lives and that of their families,” he emphasised.
According to Mr Prempeh, the loans centre and the government expected the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity with both hands and ensure that they used the loans for the purposes for which they were granted.
“It is expected also that beneficiaries will take their loan repayment obligation seriously to support the sustainability of the scheme and thereby ensure that more people benefit from the MASLOC loans,” he stressed.
Mr Prempeh said the loans scheme was committed to its mandate of making affordable finance accessible to the productive poor who have been marginalised by the traditional banking system.
“In seeking to do this, the centre will count on the active collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the metropolitan, municipal and the district assemblies and other like-minded segments of our society to ensure that we mainstream micro finance into regular funding arrangements for our private sector,” he stated.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Blay, noted that people initially did not believe that the micro finance loan scheme could be a reality.
He said all those who had submitted their applications for the loans would benefit from the facility, since it had been institutionalised.
He, however, stressed that the credit facility was a loan and that it had its added responsibility, that is, the repayment of the loan to ensure that it would continue to revolve for the benefit of others.
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