THE independent presidential candidate, Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, has given the assurance that he would embark on a massive employment generation for the youth, when given the mandate to administer the country.
He observed that currently, there were approximately three to four million unemployed people in the country, who, when given jobs, could contribute to the national revenue base through the payment of income tax.
“The potential tax revenue to the government from employment of the unemployed can exceed GH¢1 billion a year, much more than the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), with no strings attached and with this revenue, we can embark on all programmes that we must have in order to meet the aspirations of our people,” he emphasised.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Sunyani, Mr Amoafo-Yeboah pointed out that there were some practical approaches and solutions to the many problems that confronted the country.
“I am, therefore, asking the people to give me their mandate so that as a neutral leader, I can select the best parliamentarians, regardless of which party they belong to, to form a government of national unity.
“I am also asking for the people’s vote to come in as a president and implement practical solutions to the challenges that we face in all aspects of our society,” Mr Amoafo-Yeboah assured.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for instance, the presidential aspirant believed that the objective of the scheme was quite beneficial to the people and, therefore, gave the assurance that he would continue and improve upon it.
According to him, he would make sure that health care providers were paid in accordance with the terms of their agreements with those involved in implementing the scheme so as to raise their level of confidence.
In addition, Mr Amoafo-Yeboah indicated that he would commit more resources to catering for more diseases and other health-related conditions.
On the School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant, the 55-year-old presidential candidate also promised to continue and expand them, saying “I will inject more money into both schemes and provide our children with better education and quality food so that they can be nourished and ready to absorb knowledge”.
Mr Amoafo-Yeboah, a professional entrepreneur, called for a peaceful election, saying, “my message is peace because there is absolutely nothing beneficial to fight amongst ourselves .The election is about seeking to improve the lives of the people but not to ruin them”.
“Voting for Amoafo-Yeboah is a vote for peace because I represent neutrality, so vote for the Green Leaf at the bottom of the ballot. Great men are ordinary men with great determination,” he stated.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
GOASO CATHOLIC DIOCESE CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 14)
By Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Goaso.
MEMBERS of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC), priests, the religious and lay faithfuls of the Catholic Church from various parts of the country, congregated at the Goaso RC Park, last Friday, to celebrate mass to climax activities that marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Goaso Diocese.
Celebration
The celebration, which was also attended by traditional authorities coincided with the episcopacy of Most Reverend Peter Kwaku Atuahene, the first Bishop of the Diocese.
Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani who presented the homily, thanked the priests, and the faithful for their extraordinary collaboration and co-operation for the past 10 years on behalf of Most Rev Atuahene and also expressed thanks to the traditional authorities for the support they gave to the Bishop of Goaso.
Shepherd
On behalf of the GCBC, Most Rev Gyamfi congratulated Bishop Atuahene, whom he described as the “Shepherd” of the Goaso Diocese and expressed his appreciation to him, his priests, the religious and laity as they celebrated the 10th anniversary as a Diocese.
He noted that, the task of being a bishop is an onerous one and therefore scary, more so if one was asked to be first bishop of a diocese, adding that, “Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and many prophets found reasonable exercise why they did not qualify and therefore should not be appointed prophets.”
According to Most Rev Gyamfi, Bishop Atuahene might have considered his own inadequacies with respect to the work of a bishop as did those great prophets and at the same time, Bishop Gyamfi said he was aware that when the Lord gave one a job he also gave him the necessary Grace to accomplish it.
Seeds
“Today, we are all witnesses to the effects of the germinating mustard seed that is the Goaso Diocese. I believe, the Holy Father, Pope John Paul and his successor, Pope Benedict XVI and all who helped create the Diocese of Goaso, are extremely satisfied with what they feel and hear.
Bishop Gyamfi then declared, “My Lord Bishop Peter Kwaku Atuahene, you are a Great Shepherd, who captained this diocese through turbulent waters to the relative calm, peace and development that we celebrate today.”
“With your calm, humble, focused and firm leadership you have led Goaso Diocese to achieve within 10 years, the great and wonderful spiritual and material growth we witness today,” he added.
Developments
He further declared, “Parishes are springing up as many people flock to the Church, health facilities are at the door steps of many rural communities, school are multiplying, portable water is made readily available to the thirsty in deprived communities in rural areas, a magnificent pastoral centre for the formation programs of the clergy, religious and laity, a bishops residence, construction of many chapels, and a cathedral, which is an architectural masterpiece is constructed to the greater Glory of God, a modern secretariat and many more, you have done and are doing all to promote the spiritual, and material growth of the people of God and to the glory of God.”
In his welcome address, the Vicar General of the diocese, Rev Monsignor Matthew Addai, pointed out that, the diocese had had its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its struggles and achievements, saying that, at every stage along the journey, the lord had been their strength and companion.
MEMBERS of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC), priests, the religious and lay faithfuls of the Catholic Church from various parts of the country, congregated at the Goaso RC Park, last Friday, to celebrate mass to climax activities that marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Goaso Diocese.
Celebration
The celebration, which was also attended by traditional authorities coincided with the episcopacy of Most Reverend Peter Kwaku Atuahene, the first Bishop of the Diocese.
Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani who presented the homily, thanked the priests, and the faithful for their extraordinary collaboration and co-operation for the past 10 years on behalf of Most Rev Atuahene and also expressed thanks to the traditional authorities for the support they gave to the Bishop of Goaso.
Shepherd
On behalf of the GCBC, Most Rev Gyamfi congratulated Bishop Atuahene, whom he described as the “Shepherd” of the Goaso Diocese and expressed his appreciation to him, his priests, the religious and laity as they celebrated the 10th anniversary as a Diocese.
He noted that, the task of being a bishop is an onerous one and therefore scary, more so if one was asked to be first bishop of a diocese, adding that, “Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and many prophets found reasonable exercise why they did not qualify and therefore should not be appointed prophets.”
According to Most Rev Gyamfi, Bishop Atuahene might have considered his own inadequacies with respect to the work of a bishop as did those great prophets and at the same time, Bishop Gyamfi said he was aware that when the Lord gave one a job he also gave him the necessary Grace to accomplish it.
Seeds
“Today, we are all witnesses to the effects of the germinating mustard seed that is the Goaso Diocese. I believe, the Holy Father, Pope John Paul and his successor, Pope Benedict XVI and all who helped create the Diocese of Goaso, are extremely satisfied with what they feel and hear.
Bishop Gyamfi then declared, “My Lord Bishop Peter Kwaku Atuahene, you are a Great Shepherd, who captained this diocese through turbulent waters to the relative calm, peace and development that we celebrate today.”
“With your calm, humble, focused and firm leadership you have led Goaso Diocese to achieve within 10 years, the great and wonderful spiritual and material growth we witness today,” he added.
Developments
He further declared, “Parishes are springing up as many people flock to the Church, health facilities are at the door steps of many rural communities, school are multiplying, portable water is made readily available to the thirsty in deprived communities in rural areas, a magnificent pastoral centre for the formation programs of the clergy, religious and laity, a bishops residence, construction of many chapels, and a cathedral, which is an architectural masterpiece is constructed to the greater Glory of God, a modern secretariat and many more, you have done and are doing all to promote the spiritual, and material growth of the people of God and to the glory of God.”
In his welcome address, the Vicar General of the diocese, Rev Monsignor Matthew Addai, pointed out that, the diocese had had its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its struggles and achievements, saying that, at every stage along the journey, the lord had been their strength and companion.
PETITION AGAINST WENCHIHENE DISMISSED (NSEMPA, PAGE 9)
By Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani
SINCE the death of the Omanhene of the Wenchi Traditional Area, the late Nana Abrafa Mbore Bediatuo II, in the Brong Ahafo Region in 2004, the stool has become vacant following a protracted chieftaincy dispute over who was the rightful person to succeed him.
After the death of Nana Bediatuo, litigation ensued between one Nana Kusi Appea and the Omanhemaa of the Wenchi traditional area, Nana Atoaa Samangyetua III and the Wenchi traditional council at the Judicial Committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs.
On June 6, 2006, a petition filed by the said Nana Appea against Nana Samangyetua and the traditional council was dismissed as constituting an abuse of the judicial process.
The same day Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko, the Krontihene of the area and acting Omanhene and President of the House and Nana Kumi Adusi Poku, the Gyasehene of Wenchi and some other divisional chiefs of the area, informed the Omanhemaa to nominate a candidate for the kingmakers of the council to be installed as the successor to Nana Bediatuo.
According to the facts upon which a petition was filed by Nana Samangyetua and three others at the Regional House of Chiefs, the petitioner agreed and promised to nominate a candidate for them in three weeks time.
The facts indicated that Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku and other divisional and sub-chiefs of Wenchi, again went to one Madam Abena Fremah Atuahene, an old lady of the royal family to nominate a candidate to be a chief to succeed the late Nana Bediatuo.
Graphic Nsempa learnt that, Madam Atuahene then nominated one Mr Kwadwo Nyam Nketia of Wenchi as the chief of Wenchi and Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku, have been making efforts to swear in the said Mr Nketia as the successor to the late Omanhene.
The other three petitioners are, Nana Dr Abrefa Mensah Abrampa, Abakomahene of Wenchi, Nana Owusu Achiaw II, Akratohene of Wenchi and Oheneba Dr Krabiri Boateng I, Jumakwaahene of Wenchi.
However, when the committee sat last Tuesday in Sunyani, it dismissed and struck out the petition as lacking merit.
The petitioners had sought an order for perpetual injunction, restraining Nana Nketia from styling or holding himself as the chief of Wenchi.
According to the petition filed on June 6, 2008, the purported nomination of Mr Nketia by Madam Atuahene as the candidate for the Wenchi Paramount stool was void.
The petitioners again sought an order for perpetual injunction, restraining Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko, the Krontihene of the Wenchi Traditional Council and acting Omanhene and President of the House as well as Nana Kumi Adusi Poku the Gyaasehene of Wenchi, from installing and enstooling Mr Nketia as the chief of Wenchi.
They further declared that Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku could not install and enstool Mr Nketia as the Omanhene of Wenchi, as the person who nominated him lacked the capacity to do so and that, Nana Samangyedua was the rightful person to nominate a candidate to the kingmakers of the Wenchi Traditional Council to be installed as Omanhene.
In dismissing the petition, the three-member judicial committee chaired by Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri who is the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area pointed out that, “Nananom have painstakingly considered the petition of the petitioners, the answer to the petition by the respondents, the issues raised by the pleadings and submissions by counsel for the parties.”
The committee, whose other two members were Nana Ansah Adu Baah, the Yamfomanhene and Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese V, the Omanhene of the Yeji Traditional Area said, “We are therefore convinced that, in view of the peculiar custom and practice that have evolved over the pass fifty years or so in connection with the nomination, election and enstoolment/installation of the paramount chief of Wenchi, the present petition is not maintainable and that same is hereby struck out and dismissed as lacking merit.”
The committee however deferred giving their reasons but ordered that, the Gyaasehene as the custodian of the stool property to take an inventory of the property and hand it over to Mr Nketia who will now be addressed by his proper stool name, Nana Kwadwo Abrefa VII within two weeks from November 19, 2008.
The petitioners were ordered to pay GH¢2,500 as cost to the respondents.
SINCE the death of the Omanhene of the Wenchi Traditional Area, the late Nana Abrafa Mbore Bediatuo II, in the Brong Ahafo Region in 2004, the stool has become vacant following a protracted chieftaincy dispute over who was the rightful person to succeed him.
After the death of Nana Bediatuo, litigation ensued between one Nana Kusi Appea and the Omanhemaa of the Wenchi traditional area, Nana Atoaa Samangyetua III and the Wenchi traditional council at the Judicial Committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs.
On June 6, 2006, a petition filed by the said Nana Appea against Nana Samangyetua and the traditional council was dismissed as constituting an abuse of the judicial process.
The same day Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko, the Krontihene of the area and acting Omanhene and President of the House and Nana Kumi Adusi Poku, the Gyasehene of Wenchi and some other divisional chiefs of the area, informed the Omanhemaa to nominate a candidate for the kingmakers of the council to be installed as the successor to Nana Bediatuo.
According to the facts upon which a petition was filed by Nana Samangyetua and three others at the Regional House of Chiefs, the petitioner agreed and promised to nominate a candidate for them in three weeks time.
The facts indicated that Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku and other divisional and sub-chiefs of Wenchi, again went to one Madam Abena Fremah Atuahene, an old lady of the royal family to nominate a candidate to be a chief to succeed the late Nana Bediatuo.
Graphic Nsempa learnt that, Madam Atuahene then nominated one Mr Kwadwo Nyam Nketia of Wenchi as the chief of Wenchi and Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku, have been making efforts to swear in the said Mr Nketia as the successor to the late Omanhene.
The other three petitioners are, Nana Dr Abrefa Mensah Abrampa, Abakomahene of Wenchi, Nana Owusu Achiaw II, Akratohene of Wenchi and Oheneba Dr Krabiri Boateng I, Jumakwaahene of Wenchi.
However, when the committee sat last Tuesday in Sunyani, it dismissed and struck out the petition as lacking merit.
The petitioners had sought an order for perpetual injunction, restraining Nana Nketia from styling or holding himself as the chief of Wenchi.
According to the petition filed on June 6, 2008, the purported nomination of Mr Nketia by Madam Atuahene as the candidate for the Wenchi Paramount stool was void.
The petitioners again sought an order for perpetual injunction, restraining Nana Owusu Ansah Kokroko, the Krontihene of the Wenchi Traditional Council and acting Omanhene and President of the House as well as Nana Kumi Adusi Poku the Gyaasehene of Wenchi, from installing and enstooling Mr Nketia as the chief of Wenchi.
They further declared that Nana Kokroko and Nana Poku could not install and enstool Mr Nketia as the Omanhene of Wenchi, as the person who nominated him lacked the capacity to do so and that, Nana Samangyedua was the rightful person to nominate a candidate to the kingmakers of the Wenchi Traditional Council to be installed as Omanhene.
In dismissing the petition, the three-member judicial committee chaired by Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri who is the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area pointed out that, “Nananom have painstakingly considered the petition of the petitioners, the answer to the petition by the respondents, the issues raised by the pleadings and submissions by counsel for the parties.”
The committee, whose other two members were Nana Ansah Adu Baah, the Yamfomanhene and Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese V, the Omanhene of the Yeji Traditional Area said, “We are therefore convinced that, in view of the peculiar custom and practice that have evolved over the pass fifty years or so in connection with the nomination, election and enstoolment/installation of the paramount chief of Wenchi, the present petition is not maintainable and that same is hereby struck out and dismissed as lacking merit.”
The committee however deferred giving their reasons but ordered that, the Gyaasehene as the custodian of the stool property to take an inventory of the property and hand it over to Mr Nketia who will now be addressed by his proper stool name, Nana Kwadwo Abrefa VII within two weeks from November 19, 2008.
The petitioners were ordered to pay GH¢2,500 as cost to the respondents.
PROF MILLS ASSURES YOUTH OF SUPPORT (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has given the assurance that an NDC government under his leadership will provide capital for the youth who have successfully undergone entrepreneurial skills training.
He also gave the assurance that if voted into power his administration would ensure that whoever was interested in agriculture will be given incentives, and that an NDC led government would modernise agriculture.
Prof. Mills gave the assurance when he addressed thousands of supporters of the NDC at a rally organised at the Victoria Park in Sunyani at the weekend.
“I will lead the crusade against corruption in the country if voted into power, and I will use myself as an example. Any member of my family, my siblings, party members and other close associates who are found to be engaged in any form of corruption, I will let the law take its course”, he told the enthusiastic crowd.
The NDC flag bearer accused the NPP administration of lacking transparency, being discriminatory and disrespectful to Ghanaians but again gave the assurance that when given the mandate he would be a President of all Ghanaians without discrimination.
According to Prof. Mills, Ghanaians are hardworking people but it was rather unfortunate that there was no money in their pockets while the cronies of the NPP government were enjoying under the Kufuor administration, pointing out that the situation needed to change.
He told the cheering crowd that now that they had “carried water and wine” and had come to realise which of the two was heavier they were the best witnesses to distinguish between the administration of the NDC and the NPP.
Prof. Mills pointed out that under the NDC government, about 264 secondary schools were constructed in eight years, a record he said the NPP could not boast of within the same period of its administration of the country, and yet the party was still talking about policies and projects which were not feasible to undertake.
He pointed out that, currently only 30 per cent of graduates of the junior high school (JHS) gain admission into senior high school (SHS).
The NDC Presidential aspirant further accused the Kufuor administration of not being sensitive to the plight of teachers, whose conditions of service he noted, were not the best and gave the assurance that under his leadership as President, a lot more people would love to join the teaching profession.
He also noted with satisfaction that even though the security personnel were laying down their lives to protect life and property in the country yet little was being done to improve on their conditions of service.
Prof. Mills called for peaceful elections but cautioned the people not to allow themselves to be induced with money to vote against their conscience, thereby toying with their own destiny.
“I urge you to be vigilant on the day of the election and at the end of the day Atta Mills and the NDC will go to the Castle”, he predicted amidst thunderous cheers from the crowd.
The NDC Presidential aspirant also pledged to establish a University of Renewable Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region when voted into power, and promised the people that when he became the President on January 7, 2009, Brong Ahafo would be the region he would visit first.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, the incumbent Member of Parliament and NDC Parliamentary aspirant for Asutifi South, for his part urged the people to reciprocate the good works the NDC did for the region during the NDC regime by voting the party into power on December 7.
He said it was under the NDC that the region witnessed massive infrastructural development in terms of roads, potable water, the construction of a regional hospital, the Cocoa House and the connection of the region to the national grid, which opened up the region to the rest of the country.
“I therefore urge you to reciprocate and vote massively for the NDC to continue with the development of the region,” he stressed.
Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, the National Women’s Organiser of the NDC, for her part said the NPP had deceived Ghanaians, and therefore urged the people to reject the NPP at the polls.
According to her, it was only nine per cent of basic schoolchildren who were benefiting from the much trumpeted school feeding programme introduced by the NPP government, and that it did not cover all schoolchildren in the country.
Madam Benyiwa-Doe said during the NDC administration it piloted the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Eastern Region, and pledged that when the NDC is voted into power it would let Ghanaians pay the premium for the scheme once and for all and not every period when your membership expired under the scheme.
Mr John Owusu Agyeman, the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the NDC, for his part urged Ghanaians to check their living conditions whether it was better under the NPP , urging the the people to vote out the NPP which had created economic hardships for the people.
The party's parliamentary candidates for Sunyani East and West, Messrs Justice Samuel Adjei and Nyamekye Maafo were intorduced to the crowd at the rally.
He also gave the assurance that if voted into power his administration would ensure that whoever was interested in agriculture will be given incentives, and that an NDC led government would modernise agriculture.
Prof. Mills gave the assurance when he addressed thousands of supporters of the NDC at a rally organised at the Victoria Park in Sunyani at the weekend.
“I will lead the crusade against corruption in the country if voted into power, and I will use myself as an example. Any member of my family, my siblings, party members and other close associates who are found to be engaged in any form of corruption, I will let the law take its course”, he told the enthusiastic crowd.
The NDC flag bearer accused the NPP administration of lacking transparency, being discriminatory and disrespectful to Ghanaians but again gave the assurance that when given the mandate he would be a President of all Ghanaians without discrimination.
According to Prof. Mills, Ghanaians are hardworking people but it was rather unfortunate that there was no money in their pockets while the cronies of the NPP government were enjoying under the Kufuor administration, pointing out that the situation needed to change.
He told the cheering crowd that now that they had “carried water and wine” and had come to realise which of the two was heavier they were the best witnesses to distinguish between the administration of the NDC and the NPP.
Prof. Mills pointed out that under the NDC government, about 264 secondary schools were constructed in eight years, a record he said the NPP could not boast of within the same period of its administration of the country, and yet the party was still talking about policies and projects which were not feasible to undertake.
He pointed out that, currently only 30 per cent of graduates of the junior high school (JHS) gain admission into senior high school (SHS).
The NDC Presidential aspirant further accused the Kufuor administration of not being sensitive to the plight of teachers, whose conditions of service he noted, were not the best and gave the assurance that under his leadership as President, a lot more people would love to join the teaching profession.
He also noted with satisfaction that even though the security personnel were laying down their lives to protect life and property in the country yet little was being done to improve on their conditions of service.
Prof. Mills called for peaceful elections but cautioned the people not to allow themselves to be induced with money to vote against their conscience, thereby toying with their own destiny.
“I urge you to be vigilant on the day of the election and at the end of the day Atta Mills and the NDC will go to the Castle”, he predicted amidst thunderous cheers from the crowd.
The NDC Presidential aspirant also pledged to establish a University of Renewable Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region when voted into power, and promised the people that when he became the President on January 7, 2009, Brong Ahafo would be the region he would visit first.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, the incumbent Member of Parliament and NDC Parliamentary aspirant for Asutifi South, for his part urged the people to reciprocate the good works the NDC did for the region during the NDC regime by voting the party into power on December 7.
He said it was under the NDC that the region witnessed massive infrastructural development in terms of roads, potable water, the construction of a regional hospital, the Cocoa House and the connection of the region to the national grid, which opened up the region to the rest of the country.
“I therefore urge you to reciprocate and vote massively for the NDC to continue with the development of the region,” he stressed.
Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, the National Women’s Organiser of the NDC, for her part said the NPP had deceived Ghanaians, and therefore urged the people to reject the NPP at the polls.
According to her, it was only nine per cent of basic schoolchildren who were benefiting from the much trumpeted school feeding programme introduced by the NPP government, and that it did not cover all schoolchildren in the country.
Madam Benyiwa-Doe said during the NDC administration it piloted the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Eastern Region, and pledged that when the NDC is voted into power it would let Ghanaians pay the premium for the scheme once and for all and not every period when your membership expired under the scheme.
Mr John Owusu Agyeman, the Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the NDC, for his part urged Ghanaians to check their living conditions whether it was better under the NPP , urging the the people to vote out the NPP which had created economic hardships for the people.
The party's parliamentary candidates for Sunyani East and West, Messrs Justice Samuel Adjei and Nyamekye Maafo were intorduced to the crowd at the rally.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
BISHOPS CONFERENCE COMMENDS NEWMOUNT (PAGE 40)
THE Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has commended the management and staff of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) for the mutual understanding between both the expatriate workers and their Ghanaian colleagues working at the Ahafo Mine of the company in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The GCBC also observed with satisfaction the discipline that the workers exhibited at the mine site, and gave the assurance that the bishops would continue to pray towards the successful operation of the mine.
The Accra Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, made the commendation when members of the conference took time off their 29th Plenary Assembly meeting currently going on at Goaso in the Asunafo North District to pay a visit to the NGGL Ahafo mine site at Ntotroso.
Led by its President, Most Reverend Lucas Abadamloora, who is also the Bishop of the Navrongo/Bolgatanga Diocese, the members, including Cardinal Peter Appiah-Turkson, were briefed by Mr Dan V. Michaelsen, the General Manager of Environment and Social Responsibility of the NGGL, and Mr Steve Baffoe, Communications Manager of the company, about the operations of the mine.
Speaking on behalf of the group after touring the plant site, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said “Our visit has been very useful, and we thank the management and staff for such a kind hospitality”.
“We are proud of what you are doing here, most especially, with the existing co-operation among the entire workforce and we encourage you to continue with such a mutual understanding”, he emphasised. The Archbishop observed that God had endowed Ghana with a lot of natural resources, including gold as well as flora and fauna, and therefore needed to be thanked exceedingly.
According to the Metropolitan Archbishop, Ghana in Arabic means “God has A New Agenda” and that was why he decided to bless the people with a lot of natural resources.
Archbishop Palmer -Buckle, however, stated that what needed to be done now was to take very good care of those endowments.
The bishops commended the management of the company for realising the need to protect the flora and fauna at the site, adding that if they destroyed them, posterity would suffer most.
In a welcoming address, the General Manager of NGGL, Mr Michaelsen, said, 1,828 people were working in the company as permanent staff, adding that Ahafo alone had employed 1,562 people, out of which 987 were Ghanaians, with 498 from the local community with 77 expatriate workers.
According to the general manager, Newmont had invested in excess of $500 million in the Ahafo Mine, adding that since July 2006, the company had paid to the government over $23 million in royalties.
He said last year, the company disbursed about 55 per cent of its revenue totalling $180 million in Ghana with $148 million of the amount going to vendors, $21 million to employees and $19 million to the government.
The GCBC also observed with satisfaction the discipline that the workers exhibited at the mine site, and gave the assurance that the bishops would continue to pray towards the successful operation of the mine.
The Accra Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, made the commendation when members of the conference took time off their 29th Plenary Assembly meeting currently going on at Goaso in the Asunafo North District to pay a visit to the NGGL Ahafo mine site at Ntotroso.
Led by its President, Most Reverend Lucas Abadamloora, who is also the Bishop of the Navrongo/Bolgatanga Diocese, the members, including Cardinal Peter Appiah-Turkson, were briefed by Mr Dan V. Michaelsen, the General Manager of Environment and Social Responsibility of the NGGL, and Mr Steve Baffoe, Communications Manager of the company, about the operations of the mine.
Speaking on behalf of the group after touring the plant site, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said “Our visit has been very useful, and we thank the management and staff for such a kind hospitality”.
“We are proud of what you are doing here, most especially, with the existing co-operation among the entire workforce and we encourage you to continue with such a mutual understanding”, he emphasised. The Archbishop observed that God had endowed Ghana with a lot of natural resources, including gold as well as flora and fauna, and therefore needed to be thanked exceedingly.
According to the Metropolitan Archbishop, Ghana in Arabic means “God has A New Agenda” and that was why he decided to bless the people with a lot of natural resources.
Archbishop Palmer -Buckle, however, stated that what needed to be done now was to take very good care of those endowments.
The bishops commended the management of the company for realising the need to protect the flora and fauna at the site, adding that if they destroyed them, posterity would suffer most.
In a welcoming address, the General Manager of NGGL, Mr Michaelsen, said, 1,828 people were working in the company as permanent staff, adding that Ahafo alone had employed 1,562 people, out of which 987 were Ghanaians, with 498 from the local community with 77 expatriate workers.
According to the general manager, Newmont had invested in excess of $500 million in the Ahafo Mine, adding that since July 2006, the company had paid to the government over $23 million in royalties.
He said last year, the company disbursed about 55 per cent of its revenue totalling $180 million in Ghana with $148 million of the amount going to vendors, $21 million to employees and $19 million to the government.
SECURITY AGENCIES GEAR UP FOR DECEMBER 7 POLLS (PAGE 32)
Senior Officers of the various security agencies in the Brong Ahafo Region, have met in Sunyani, to brainstorm on viable and effective solutions to any form of lawlessness that might occur during and after the upcoming December 7 general election.
The programme dubbed, “Exercise Peace Angel,” was also aimed at shaping the skills and equipping the security personnel ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls.
The forum was attended by the officers from the military, police, fire, prisons, Customs, Excise and Preventive services, the Bureau of National Investigations, and other members of the Regional Election Security Task Force.
It was also attended by a three-member team of the Electoral Commission (EC), led by Nana Amba Eyiaba 1, who is in-charge of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Speaking at the function, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr. Seth Charles Oteng declared, “We are still in the pre-election period which mainly covers preparations of the security services in ensuring a violence-free elections”.
He pointed out that, even though the security services had helped to ensure successful elections since 1992, the Election Security Task Force was leaving nothing to chance, and that the forum involved personnel who would be directly tasked to quell any disturbance during and after the voting.
DCOP Oteng, who is also the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander and the Chairman of the Election Task Force said, it was incumbent on the security personnel to share ideas since no one could boast of being a repository of knowledge, adding, “we need to share the bits we have so that together we can find responsible solutions”.
Nana Eyiaba, who took the personnel through the “dos and donts,” pointed out that, security officers detailed to polling stations ought to note that, the candidates, political parties and sympathisers had the right to equal security with respect to their lives and properties.
She said on the election day, security officers were to provide security cover for the movement of election officials and materials and stressed that, a security person was required to maintain order at a polling station and work under the directives of the Presiding Officer whom she described as the Chief Executive at the station.
The Commission Member, reminded the personnel to ensure that all election materials were safe and secure and the queue of voters orderly.
He asked that all the necessary measures be taken to prevent violence or any activity that threatened the safe conduct of the election, while the lawful instructions of the Presiding Officer, Returning Officer or a senior officer of the EC in relation to arrests of persons who violated the law had to be carried out.
Two other officials of the EC, Mr Samuel Ntow, in-charge of Research and Monitoring at the EC headquarters and Mr James Arthur- Yeboah, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Commission, also addressed issues raised at the meeting.
Lt. Col Michael Ayisi Amoah, the Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion of Infantry (3BN), said it was a task and challenge to the officers to ensure that the elections became success, credible, transparent and violence-free.
The programme dubbed, “Exercise Peace Angel,” was also aimed at shaping the skills and equipping the security personnel ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls.
The forum was attended by the officers from the military, police, fire, prisons, Customs, Excise and Preventive services, the Bureau of National Investigations, and other members of the Regional Election Security Task Force.
It was also attended by a three-member team of the Electoral Commission (EC), led by Nana Amba Eyiaba 1, who is in-charge of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Speaking at the function, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr. Seth Charles Oteng declared, “We are still in the pre-election period which mainly covers preparations of the security services in ensuring a violence-free elections”.
He pointed out that, even though the security services had helped to ensure successful elections since 1992, the Election Security Task Force was leaving nothing to chance, and that the forum involved personnel who would be directly tasked to quell any disturbance during and after the voting.
DCOP Oteng, who is also the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander and the Chairman of the Election Task Force said, it was incumbent on the security personnel to share ideas since no one could boast of being a repository of knowledge, adding, “we need to share the bits we have so that together we can find responsible solutions”.
Nana Eyiaba, who took the personnel through the “dos and donts,” pointed out that, security officers detailed to polling stations ought to note that, the candidates, political parties and sympathisers had the right to equal security with respect to their lives and properties.
She said on the election day, security officers were to provide security cover for the movement of election officials and materials and stressed that, a security person was required to maintain order at a polling station and work under the directives of the Presiding Officer whom she described as the Chief Executive at the station.
The Commission Member, reminded the personnel to ensure that all election materials were safe and secure and the queue of voters orderly.
He asked that all the necessary measures be taken to prevent violence or any activity that threatened the safe conduct of the election, while the lawful instructions of the Presiding Officer, Returning Officer or a senior officer of the EC in relation to arrests of persons who violated the law had to be carried out.
Two other officials of the EC, Mr Samuel Ntow, in-charge of Research and Monitoring at the EC headquarters and Mr James Arthur- Yeboah, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Commission, also addressed issues raised at the meeting.
Lt. Col Michael Ayisi Amoah, the Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion of Infantry (3BN), said it was a task and challenge to the officers to ensure that the elections became success, credible, transparent and violence-free.
MEMBERSHIP OF TANO SOUTH MHIS DROPS (PAGE 23)
THERE is a high drop-out rate of membership of the Tano South Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS).
This situation has come about as many of the people, who register with the scheme in a particular year, fail to renew their membership the following year with the reason that either they did not fall sick or they had their major ailments treated the previous year.
The trend is seriously affecting the revenue generation by the management of the scheme.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the scheme, Mr Robert Adu-Agyei, made this known at Bechem when addressing the second annual general meeting of the scheme.
He also stated that improvement in the quality of health care had been a difficult issue to resolve.
Mr Adu-Agyei, however, gave the assurance that “our goal of achieving an improved customer service and satisfaction requires that we collaborate with our health care providers as much as possible to meet client expectations”.
He stated that the lack of accredited pharmacies and chemical sellers in the district made it difficult to get prescribed drugs for members of the scheme who did not get their medicines at the health facilities.
The chairman gave the assurance that with the introduction of the new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership identification cards, the members would renew their confidence and interest in the system, stressing that it would help in the achievement of set targets.
He said the scheme would continue to employ innovative strategies to overcome any challenges that might confront it so as to increase membership to more than 70 per cent of the district population of 71,902 by the year 2010.
Mr Adu-Agyei added that management would work hard to reduce drop-out rate to below 10 per cent in the next three years.
According to him, the scheme should work together with its health care providers to ensure the quality of delivery at the various health care facilities and educate its members on their obligations under the scheme when they visited those facilities.
The chairman indicated that the board and management of the scheme would avail themselves of the opportunities in the implementation of the uniform technology platform by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and provide its members with the portable identity cards, which could be used anywhere in the country.
Mr Adu-Agyei disclosed that a total of 30,806 people enrolled with the scheme in the previous year, with children under 18 years constituting 15,587.
He added that the total hospital attendance increased by 14.2 per cent from 37,225 in 2006 to 42,513 in 2007.
Mr Adu-Agyei gave the figure of outpatients in 2006 as 35,932, which increased to 41,019 last year, while in-patients attendance also increased from 1,293 to 1,494 in 2007 during the same period.
He said the total claims paid over the period also increased by 29.6 per cent from GH¢239,460.90 in 2006 to GH¢310,223.71 in 2007.
This situation has come about as many of the people, who register with the scheme in a particular year, fail to renew their membership the following year with the reason that either they did not fall sick or they had their major ailments treated the previous year.
The trend is seriously affecting the revenue generation by the management of the scheme.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the scheme, Mr Robert Adu-Agyei, made this known at Bechem when addressing the second annual general meeting of the scheme.
He also stated that improvement in the quality of health care had been a difficult issue to resolve.
Mr Adu-Agyei, however, gave the assurance that “our goal of achieving an improved customer service and satisfaction requires that we collaborate with our health care providers as much as possible to meet client expectations”.
He stated that the lack of accredited pharmacies and chemical sellers in the district made it difficult to get prescribed drugs for members of the scheme who did not get their medicines at the health facilities.
The chairman gave the assurance that with the introduction of the new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership identification cards, the members would renew their confidence and interest in the system, stressing that it would help in the achievement of set targets.
He said the scheme would continue to employ innovative strategies to overcome any challenges that might confront it so as to increase membership to more than 70 per cent of the district population of 71,902 by the year 2010.
Mr Adu-Agyei added that management would work hard to reduce drop-out rate to below 10 per cent in the next three years.
According to him, the scheme should work together with its health care providers to ensure the quality of delivery at the various health care facilities and educate its members on their obligations under the scheme when they visited those facilities.
The chairman indicated that the board and management of the scheme would avail themselves of the opportunities in the implementation of the uniform technology platform by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and provide its members with the portable identity cards, which could be used anywhere in the country.
Mr Adu-Agyei disclosed that a total of 30,806 people enrolled with the scheme in the previous year, with children under 18 years constituting 15,587.
He added that the total hospital attendance increased by 14.2 per cent from 37,225 in 2006 to 42,513 in 2007.
Mr Adu-Agyei gave the figure of outpatients in 2006 as 35,932, which increased to 41,019 last year, while in-patients attendance also increased from 1,293 to 1,494 in 2007 during the same period.
He said the total claims paid over the period also increased by 29.6 per cent from GH¢239,460.90 in 2006 to GH¢310,223.71 in 2007.
NPP CANDIDATE RALLIES FOR SUPPORT (PAGE 16)
• At Techiman North
Story: Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Fitri
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Techiman North Constituency, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has given the assurance that when given the mandate, he would lobby for the creation of a district for Techiman North to enable the people to realise an effective administration and development.
“If you vote for me, I will fight for a new district for Techiman North and that can translate into the effective growth of our area,” Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said.
The NPP Parliamentary candidate gave the assurance when he interacted with some supporters of the party and purported defectors from the NDC to the NPP at Fitri and Atrensu Atifi in the constituency.
He appealed to the electorate in the area to give him the mandate this time around in the December 7 poll for them to enjoy improved development.
The aspiring MP said the sitting National Democratic Party (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP), Alex Kyeremeh, had woefully failed the constituents in terms of solving the development needs of the communities and so there was the need to reject him.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, who is the Minister of Ports and Harbours, urged the people not to be deceived once again by anyone as the date for the elections drew near but advised them to vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo as the President and himself as the parliamentary representative.
The NPP parliamentary aspirant said when voted as their representative in parliament, he would contribute meaningfully to issues and all matters that come up for discussion in the house and would not be seen as dumb while others shared their concerns, adding “I will fight for your cause; there are good plans for you.”
Story: Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Fitri
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Techiman North Constituency, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has given the assurance that when given the mandate, he would lobby for the creation of a district for Techiman North to enable the people to realise an effective administration and development.
“If you vote for me, I will fight for a new district for Techiman North and that can translate into the effective growth of our area,” Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said.
The NPP Parliamentary candidate gave the assurance when he interacted with some supporters of the party and purported defectors from the NDC to the NPP at Fitri and Atrensu Atifi in the constituency.
He appealed to the electorate in the area to give him the mandate this time around in the December 7 poll for them to enjoy improved development.
The aspiring MP said the sitting National Democratic Party (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP), Alex Kyeremeh, had woefully failed the constituents in terms of solving the development needs of the communities and so there was the need to reject him.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, who is the Minister of Ports and Harbours, urged the people not to be deceived once again by anyone as the date for the elections drew near but advised them to vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo as the President and himself as the parliamentary representative.
The NPP parliamentary aspirant said when voted as their representative in parliament, he would contribute meaningfully to issues and all matters that come up for discussion in the house and would not be seen as dumb while others shared their concerns, adding “I will fight for your cause; there are good plans for you.”
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CEL INTENSIFIES AKUFO-ADDO FOR PRESIDENT CAMPAIGN (PAGE 17)
The Campaign for Effective Leadership (CEL), a group with the main objective of providing extensive campaign support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is targeting floating and first time voters across the country.
This is to ensure that Nana Akufo-Addo becomes the next president of Ghana.
Speaking at a forum in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ms Frances Awurabena Asiam, the National Convener of CEL, said the group would intensify their campaign across the length and breadth of the country to let majority of Ghanaians understand the need to cast their vote for Nana Akufo-Addo in the interest of accelerated national development.
According to her, Nana Akufo-Addo was a beacon of hope for the country since his pragmatic messages reflected the vision and mission of floating voters,the youth, women groups and other stakeholders.
Ms Asiam further said Nana Akufo-Addo’s commitment to continue with the sound pragmatic pro-poor policies of the Kufuor-led government which included the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, access to micro-credit, provision of educational, health, road, industrial and agricultural infrastructure and services across the country made him the next leader to take the nation where it belongs.
She added that Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision of transforming Ghana by modernising agriculture, structural transformation of Northern Ghana through the channelling of $1 billion to the Northern Development Fund and $1 billion to the industrial sector shows his commitment to agriculture and the development of the private sector.
Ms Asiam said Nana Akufo-Addo’s focus on human capital through training, provision of equipment and skill building, with teachers, students, security agencies and the entire work force at the centre, were clear indicators of a serious and focused approach to development issues and above all change management in continuity.
“The innovative, creative and challenging but possible ‘Free Senior High School’ is a ‘feather in Nana Akufo-Addo’s cap’. His futuristic planning for the oil industry in terms of enabling Ghanaians to access high level jobs within that sector deepens his astuteness,” she added.
Furthermore, Ms Asiam said Nana Akufo-Addo’s mission to ensure that the ‘Domestic Content’ of all contracts and procurement reach an all time high of 50 per cent, was indicative of the expansion that the indigenous private sector would witness, saying his vision for the salt and lime industry, the petrochemical and other integrated sectors of the economy were clear pointers to the provision of an enabling environment to accelerate job creation and employment.
She described Nana Akufo-Addo as a unifier who would uphold the unity, dignity and social cohesion which Ghanaians desired, adding that “We believe in Ghana (BIG), we can, we will and we are surely moving forward. “Let no drop of Ghanaian Blood” be shed or spilt because of power” as some of the quotations from him that shows that he is a unifier.
Ms Asiam continued that Nana Akufo-Addo’s deep commitment to the ‘Rule of Law’, upholding ‘Human Rights of the Citizenry’, and deepening the ‘Good Governance System’ in the country, revealed that the nation was moving forward towards a modernised society and ultimately the welfare of all citizens.
“Let us join hands and concentrate our efforts through decorous campaigning devoid of violence and negative tendencies, and sway and swing the electorate to vote massively for Ghana’s next President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”, she noted.
Madam Franklina Asamoah, the Co-National Convener, Mr Isaac Adjei and Mr Peter Amoh, all members of the CEL, who took turns to address the gathering urged the electorate not to push the polls to the second round, but to ensure a ‘one touch’ victory for Nana Akufo-Addo.
They also urged Ghanaians to safeguard the peace and stability of the nation by ensuring a violence free polls.
Later in an interaction with newsmen, Ms Asiam said the members of the group who were mostly former members of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) were not card bearing members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a section of the media wanted to portray, but they were only campaigning for Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that he became the next President of Ghana, since so far he was the only candidate with pragmatic and well defined policies to ensure an accelerated development of the country.
She explained that she had not defected to the NPP but had resigned honourably from her party, the DFP, to campaign for Nana Akufo-Addo since she believed that he was committed to the systematic and rapid socio-economic development of the nation, adding that “Nana Akufo-Addo has paid his dues to the nation by helping to entrench constitutional rule and good governance in the country and this is the time for Ghanaians to recognise him by voting massively for him in the December polls”.
This is to ensure that Nana Akufo-Addo becomes the next president of Ghana.
Speaking at a forum in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ms Frances Awurabena Asiam, the National Convener of CEL, said the group would intensify their campaign across the length and breadth of the country to let majority of Ghanaians understand the need to cast their vote for Nana Akufo-Addo in the interest of accelerated national development.
According to her, Nana Akufo-Addo was a beacon of hope for the country since his pragmatic messages reflected the vision and mission of floating voters,the youth, women groups and other stakeholders.
Ms Asiam further said Nana Akufo-Addo’s commitment to continue with the sound pragmatic pro-poor policies of the Kufuor-led government which included the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, access to micro-credit, provision of educational, health, road, industrial and agricultural infrastructure and services across the country made him the next leader to take the nation where it belongs.
She added that Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision of transforming Ghana by modernising agriculture, structural transformation of Northern Ghana through the channelling of $1 billion to the Northern Development Fund and $1 billion to the industrial sector shows his commitment to agriculture and the development of the private sector.
Ms Asiam said Nana Akufo-Addo’s focus on human capital through training, provision of equipment and skill building, with teachers, students, security agencies and the entire work force at the centre, were clear indicators of a serious and focused approach to development issues and above all change management in continuity.
“The innovative, creative and challenging but possible ‘Free Senior High School’ is a ‘feather in Nana Akufo-Addo’s cap’. His futuristic planning for the oil industry in terms of enabling Ghanaians to access high level jobs within that sector deepens his astuteness,” she added.
Furthermore, Ms Asiam said Nana Akufo-Addo’s mission to ensure that the ‘Domestic Content’ of all contracts and procurement reach an all time high of 50 per cent, was indicative of the expansion that the indigenous private sector would witness, saying his vision for the salt and lime industry, the petrochemical and other integrated sectors of the economy were clear pointers to the provision of an enabling environment to accelerate job creation and employment.
She described Nana Akufo-Addo as a unifier who would uphold the unity, dignity and social cohesion which Ghanaians desired, adding that “We believe in Ghana (BIG), we can, we will and we are surely moving forward. “Let no drop of Ghanaian Blood” be shed or spilt because of power” as some of the quotations from him that shows that he is a unifier.
Ms Asiam continued that Nana Akufo-Addo’s deep commitment to the ‘Rule of Law’, upholding ‘Human Rights of the Citizenry’, and deepening the ‘Good Governance System’ in the country, revealed that the nation was moving forward towards a modernised society and ultimately the welfare of all citizens.
“Let us join hands and concentrate our efforts through decorous campaigning devoid of violence and negative tendencies, and sway and swing the electorate to vote massively for Ghana’s next President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”, she noted.
Madam Franklina Asamoah, the Co-National Convener, Mr Isaac Adjei and Mr Peter Amoh, all members of the CEL, who took turns to address the gathering urged the electorate not to push the polls to the second round, but to ensure a ‘one touch’ victory for Nana Akufo-Addo.
They also urged Ghanaians to safeguard the peace and stability of the nation by ensuring a violence free polls.
Later in an interaction with newsmen, Ms Asiam said the members of the group who were mostly former members of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) were not card bearing members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a section of the media wanted to portray, but they were only campaigning for Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that he became the next President of Ghana, since so far he was the only candidate with pragmatic and well defined policies to ensure an accelerated development of the country.
She explained that she had not defected to the NPP but had resigned honourably from her party, the DFP, to campaign for Nana Akufo-Addo since she believed that he was committed to the systematic and rapid socio-economic development of the nation, adding that “Nana Akufo-Addo has paid his dues to the nation by helping to entrench constitutional rule and good governance in the country and this is the time for Ghanaians to recognise him by voting massively for him in the December polls”.
Monday, November 10, 2008
22 PERISH ...In Accident near Techiman (LEAD STORY)
Twenty people died on the spot, while two others died later in hospital, when a 207 Mercedes Benz bus on which they were travelling collided with a KIA truck loaded with sawn timber at Twimea Nkwanta on the outskirts of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The accident was said to have occurred at about 5:00 p.m. when a task force of the Forestry Services Division (FSD), including soldiers, which was chasing the KIA truck, with registration number AS 1627 V, allegedly shot its front tyre, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which crashed head on into the Benz bus which was moving in the opposite direction.
Those who died on the spot, including the drivers of the two vehicles, were made up of 11 women and nine men, while four other women sustained various degrees of injury. Two of the injured later died in hospital.
The bodies of most of the dead were badly mutilated, while the injured had broken limbs. The 207 Benz bus was said to be carrying members of the Sunyani branch of the Nkoranza Kroye Kuo who were returning to Sunyani after sympathising with some of their bereaved members at Akuma, near Nkoranza.
The four surviving women are Hawa Derkyi, Grace Pokuaa, Mary Pokuaa and Yaa Gyamea, who were rushed to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were also deposited at the same hospital.
An eyewitness, Mr Casco Adjei, the husband of one of the deceased, Elizabeth Aboagyewaa from Nkoranza Bremang, mustered courage to identify some of the dead to the Daily Graphic at the mortuary. They were Abena Oforiwaa, Yaw Kwarteng, Opoku Baah, Ohene Adjei, Theresa Anane, Diana Denkyi, Dwommo, Peter Asamoah, Anthony Obeng, alias J.B., and Asubonteng, popularly called Asuo, a station master of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Sunyani.
According to Mr Adjei, he was in one of the two buses hired by the association for the funeral and that it was closely following the Benz bus which his wife and the others boarded.
About 6.30 p.m. when the Daily Graphic got to the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman, a large crowd had gathered, some crying uncontrollably, while the bodies were being offloaded into the mortuary.
Some of the sympathisers heaped insults on the soldiers for their decision to chase the KIA truck even if the driver had committed any offence, instead of taking down its registration number to trace the vehicle later.
Dr Ernest Ameyaw and Dr Kinsley Bosompem, who were busily working on the injured, told the Daily Graphic that the injured would survive, even though they were in critical conditions.
Mr Isaac Tuuree, an attendant at the Dery Filling Station, where the accident occurred, said, “I was here with a friend when, all of a sudden, I heard a sound which was the result of the collision between the two vehicles. When my friend and I got closer, we saw blood oozing profusely from the victims.”
He said other passengers who were on board vehicles that had come from Techiman and Sunyani shortly after the accident assisted to convey the victims to the hospital.
Eighteen-year-old Adamu Bashiru alleged that members of the task force who shot the front tyre of the KIA truck were in a white Nissan pick-up, explaining that he had only seen “X” as the last letter of the registration number and that the vehicle had turned and sped off towards Sunyani after the accident.
About 9:00 p.m. when policemen from the MTTU go to the hospital, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who declined to mention his name said the police were investigating the cause of the accident.
By the time of filing this report the Daily Graphic learnt that two of the surviving women had also died, while members of the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council were on their way to Techiman to assess the situation.
The accident was said to have occurred at about 5:00 p.m. when a task force of the Forestry Services Division (FSD), including soldiers, which was chasing the KIA truck, with registration number AS 1627 V, allegedly shot its front tyre, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which crashed head on into the Benz bus which was moving in the opposite direction.
Those who died on the spot, including the drivers of the two vehicles, were made up of 11 women and nine men, while four other women sustained various degrees of injury. Two of the injured later died in hospital.
The bodies of most of the dead were badly mutilated, while the injured had broken limbs. The 207 Benz bus was said to be carrying members of the Sunyani branch of the Nkoranza Kroye Kuo who were returning to Sunyani after sympathising with some of their bereaved members at Akuma, near Nkoranza.
The four surviving women are Hawa Derkyi, Grace Pokuaa, Mary Pokuaa and Yaa Gyamea, who were rushed to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were also deposited at the same hospital.
An eyewitness, Mr Casco Adjei, the husband of one of the deceased, Elizabeth Aboagyewaa from Nkoranza Bremang, mustered courage to identify some of the dead to the Daily Graphic at the mortuary. They were Abena Oforiwaa, Yaw Kwarteng, Opoku Baah, Ohene Adjei, Theresa Anane, Diana Denkyi, Dwommo, Peter Asamoah, Anthony Obeng, alias J.B., and Asubonteng, popularly called Asuo, a station master of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Sunyani.
According to Mr Adjei, he was in one of the two buses hired by the association for the funeral and that it was closely following the Benz bus which his wife and the others boarded.
About 6.30 p.m. when the Daily Graphic got to the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman, a large crowd had gathered, some crying uncontrollably, while the bodies were being offloaded into the mortuary.
Some of the sympathisers heaped insults on the soldiers for their decision to chase the KIA truck even if the driver had committed any offence, instead of taking down its registration number to trace the vehicle later.
Dr Ernest Ameyaw and Dr Kinsley Bosompem, who were busily working on the injured, told the Daily Graphic that the injured would survive, even though they were in critical conditions.
Mr Isaac Tuuree, an attendant at the Dery Filling Station, where the accident occurred, said, “I was here with a friend when, all of a sudden, I heard a sound which was the result of the collision between the two vehicles. When my friend and I got closer, we saw blood oozing profusely from the victims.”
He said other passengers who were on board vehicles that had come from Techiman and Sunyani shortly after the accident assisted to convey the victims to the hospital.
Eighteen-year-old Adamu Bashiru alleged that members of the task force who shot the front tyre of the KIA truck were in a white Nissan pick-up, explaining that he had only seen “X” as the last letter of the registration number and that the vehicle had turned and sped off towards Sunyani after the accident.
About 9:00 p.m. when policemen from the MTTU go to the hospital, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who declined to mention his name said the police were investigating the cause of the accident.
By the time of filing this report the Daily Graphic learnt that two of the surviving women had also died, while members of the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council were on their way to Techiman to assess the situation.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
AVOID PARTISAN POLITICS...Prof Ephraim advices GNAT, NAGRAT (SPREAD)
THE 46th annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has opened in Sunyani, with a call on the two umbrella bodies of Ghanaian teachers to steer clear of partisan politics.
Opening the conference in the Brong Ahafo regional capital on Wednesday, the Vice- Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, asked the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to avoid becoming tools of any political party but work towards satisfying the aspirations of their members.
That, according to Prof Ephraim, required that GNAT and NAGRAT would apply the necessary pressure for the government to provide an enabling environment for teachers to provide quality teaching and leadership for students.
Speaking on the theme for the six-day conference, “Promoting Quality Educational Leadership and Excellence”, the CUCG Vice-Chancellor stressed that the two professional bodies ought to devise innovative strategies that would enhance the acquisition of leadership skills by their members, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“Quality leadership in our schools, with the ultimate result in excellence, can be promoted when the stakeholders learn to adopt a synergistic approach to their interaction. That is, all stakeholders should resolve to play their part well in such a manner to encourage themselves to offer their best,” he declared.
According to Prof Ephraim, quality educational leadership might also be promoted through a comprehensive motivational package, saying that all teachers should be given enhanced conditions of service, supported with funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
He pointed out that if all teachers enjoyed favourable conditions of service, there might be no need to organise Best Teacher Awards because, according to him, all teachers would be able to buy or build their own houses through the provision of affordable financial facilities.
The vice-chancellor declared, “Such motivation given to teachers at all levels will contribute to the promotion of quality educational leadership which, in turn, will translate into academic excellence.”
Prof Ephraim also suggested that comprehensive leadership training should be given to all heads of high schools, adding that as a logical extension, teachers should be given training in leadership skills through specially organised seminars or via a strategic incorporation of leadership topics in the teacher training curriculum.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof Dominic K. Fobih, who opened the conference, noted that the knowledge and skills acquired through the numerous interventional strategies provided by the ministry would adequately equip the heads to become agents of positive change in helping to make secondary education the pivot of human resource development.
He said the ministry had always held the firm conviction that a strong school leadership was crucial in establishing a successful educational system, saying that was why the current educational reform emphasised, among other things, capacity building as a key component to quality educational delivery in the country.
He observed that the Educational Sector Project (Edsep), a World Bank assisted project, had offered the opportunity for heads of institutions to acquire the needed acumen as part of building their capacity.
Similarly, he said, the ministry, through the Ghana Education Service (GES), recently held a training workshop at Ajumako for heads of second-cycle schools and their accountants on financial management, under the Development of Senior Secondary Education Project (DSSEP), an African Development Bank (ADB) funded programme, as part of the ministry’s practical efforts to improve the capacity of educational leadership.
The National President of CHASS, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, pointed out that the perennial delay in the payment of scholarships to beneficiary institutions was a great source of worry and frustration to members.
“Ideally, we should be able to access this money latest by the middle of every term and I hope the measures being put in place by the management of the GES, with the support of the sector ministry, will resolve this issue once and for all. When that is done, we shall be able to concentrate more on our core responsibility, which is to supervise teaching and learning outcomes, more efficiently,” he observed.
According to Mr Ofori-Adjei, CHASS had made moves at the appropriate quarters for an upward review of the feeding fees that members were currently permitted to charge students, adding, “The reality on the ground is that 80Gp per student is woefully inadequate if we are to feed adolescents who eat a lot, through no fault of theirs, well so that they can concentrate on their studies”.
The National President of CHASS further declared, “Our calculations show that we may find it extremely difficult to end the term successfully, if we do not look at the issue critically.”
The Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic, Prof Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, who chaired the function, noted that with the introduction of the Procurement Law and the Financial Administration Act, heads of educational institutions were seriously constrained because traders refused to sell on credit to them, while most local traders were unable to provide invoices, as required by the law, for items to be purchased. At the same time, boarding students ought to be fed.
Opening the conference in the Brong Ahafo regional capital on Wednesday, the Vice- Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, asked the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to avoid becoming tools of any political party but work towards satisfying the aspirations of their members.
That, according to Prof Ephraim, required that GNAT and NAGRAT would apply the necessary pressure for the government to provide an enabling environment for teachers to provide quality teaching and leadership for students.
Speaking on the theme for the six-day conference, “Promoting Quality Educational Leadership and Excellence”, the CUCG Vice-Chancellor stressed that the two professional bodies ought to devise innovative strategies that would enhance the acquisition of leadership skills by their members, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“Quality leadership in our schools, with the ultimate result in excellence, can be promoted when the stakeholders learn to adopt a synergistic approach to their interaction. That is, all stakeholders should resolve to play their part well in such a manner to encourage themselves to offer their best,” he declared.
According to Prof Ephraim, quality educational leadership might also be promoted through a comprehensive motivational package, saying that all teachers should be given enhanced conditions of service, supported with funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
He pointed out that if all teachers enjoyed favourable conditions of service, there might be no need to organise Best Teacher Awards because, according to him, all teachers would be able to buy or build their own houses through the provision of affordable financial facilities.
The vice-chancellor declared, “Such motivation given to teachers at all levels will contribute to the promotion of quality educational leadership which, in turn, will translate into academic excellence.”
Prof Ephraim also suggested that comprehensive leadership training should be given to all heads of high schools, adding that as a logical extension, teachers should be given training in leadership skills through specially organised seminars or via a strategic incorporation of leadership topics in the teacher training curriculum.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof Dominic K. Fobih, who opened the conference, noted that the knowledge and skills acquired through the numerous interventional strategies provided by the ministry would adequately equip the heads to become agents of positive change in helping to make secondary education the pivot of human resource development.
He said the ministry had always held the firm conviction that a strong school leadership was crucial in establishing a successful educational system, saying that was why the current educational reform emphasised, among other things, capacity building as a key component to quality educational delivery in the country.
He observed that the Educational Sector Project (Edsep), a World Bank assisted project, had offered the opportunity for heads of institutions to acquire the needed acumen as part of building their capacity.
Similarly, he said, the ministry, through the Ghana Education Service (GES), recently held a training workshop at Ajumako for heads of second-cycle schools and their accountants on financial management, under the Development of Senior Secondary Education Project (DSSEP), an African Development Bank (ADB) funded programme, as part of the ministry’s practical efforts to improve the capacity of educational leadership.
The National President of CHASS, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, pointed out that the perennial delay in the payment of scholarships to beneficiary institutions was a great source of worry and frustration to members.
“Ideally, we should be able to access this money latest by the middle of every term and I hope the measures being put in place by the management of the GES, with the support of the sector ministry, will resolve this issue once and for all. When that is done, we shall be able to concentrate more on our core responsibility, which is to supervise teaching and learning outcomes, more efficiently,” he observed.
According to Mr Ofori-Adjei, CHASS had made moves at the appropriate quarters for an upward review of the feeding fees that members were currently permitted to charge students, adding, “The reality on the ground is that 80Gp per student is woefully inadequate if we are to feed adolescents who eat a lot, through no fault of theirs, well so that they can concentrate on their studies”.
The National President of CHASS further declared, “Our calculations show that we may find it extremely difficult to end the term successfully, if we do not look at the issue critically.”
The Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic, Prof Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, who chaired the function, noted that with the introduction of the Procurement Law and the Financial Administration Act, heads of educational institutions were seriously constrained because traders refused to sell on credit to them, while most local traders were unable to provide invoices, as required by the law, for items to be purchased. At the same time, boarding students ought to be fed.
FARMERS, FISHERMEN'S DAY OF HONOUR...65 to receive prizes at Techiman (PAGE 21)
Once again, the National Farmers Day celebration is here and it is the turn of the people of Techiman, the commercial hub of the Brong Ahafo Region, to host the 24th edition of the event which takes place at the Techiman Methodist Park today.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Globalization: Its Effects on Agricultural Production in Ghana”.
The National Farmers Day has been celebrated every first Friday in the month of December since it was instituted in 1985 by the Government of Ghana with the aim of honouring gallant and hardworking farmers and fishermen in the country.
The day was instituted by the then government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), led by its chairman, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, following the unprecedented famine that plagued the nation in 1983 and 1984 and the remarkable productivity exhibited by Ghanaians in 1985 to salvage the nation from hunger.
In the years preceding the 1985 bumper, the nation had witnessed an acute drought aggravated by wild fires as a result of the absence of rains. Indeed everything went dry and the effects of the food shortage were made more severe by the deportation of over a million Ghanaians from Nigeria.
Those were the days when people queued to buy uncooked kenkey to their homes to boil it themselves while others chewed raw gari and drank water on top to abate their hunger regardless of the nutrients to be derived from this.
In fact people relied on whatever food they could lay hands on, once it was wholesome. Others never bothered about whether the food was wholesome or not; they only needed to fill their stomachs.
But thank God, who listened to the cry of his people and sent down abundant rains in the succeeding years. Ghanaian farmers took full advantage of the rains to increase their agricultural activities which culminated in high yields. This was rewarded by the wise decision of the government to set aside the first Friday in December to recognise the hard work of the Ghanaian farmer.
The celebration of the Farmers’ Day has thus become a statutory national holiday, backed by law.
The day itself is preceded by a week-long activities with the award winners receiving prizes such as the mouth-watering three-bedroom house, a double cabin air conditioned pick-up vehicle and television sets, among other items.
Now the statutory public holiday is observed at the district, regional and national levels, where farmers whose work has been recognised are rewarded simultaneously each year during the celebration.
For this year’s celebration, however, the organisers after carefully assessing the national calendar, thought it wise to shift the date from December to November 7, owing to the up-coming presidential and parliamentary elections which have been slated for Sunday, December 7, 2008.
From Osino in 1985, the celebration in 1986 was held at Akatsi in the Volta Region and Essumeja in the Ashanti Region the following year, while the venue moved to Nyankpala in the Northern Region in 1988 with Mpohor in the Western Region, taking its turn in 1989.
In 1990, Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo Region hosted the celebration, Juapong in the Volta Region, 1991 while the venue moved to Ejura in the Ashanti Region in 1992, Akuse in the Eastern Region had its turn in 1993, followed by Winneba in the Central Region in1994; Bedeku in the Greater Accra Region in 1995; Esiama in the Western Region, 1996, and Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region in 1997.
For the 1998 celebration, the Trade Fair Site in Accra was chosen, in 1999 it was Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; Wa in the Upper West Region in 2000 while in 2001, the venue again moved to the Trade Fair Site in Accra, and 2002, Takoradi in the Western Region, with Cape Coast in the Central Region hosting it in 2003.
In 2004, Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, hosted the event while in 2005, the celebration took place in Navrongo in the Upper East Region. Nkawie in the Ashanti Region hosted it in 2006 with Wa taking its turn last year.
And for this year, at Techiman, all is now set for the selected 65 award winners to receive their prizes for various categories at the ceremony which is to be graced by the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Council of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Authorities as well as other important dignitaries from all walks of life.
Mr Emmanuel Krobea-Asante, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told this writer that the awardees would first arrive in Sunyani, pay courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, at his residence and other important personalities in the region. They will also be treated to a welcome cocktail.
He said they would also visit some selected Agro-processing industries in the region, including Yedent Maize Processing at Abesim, near Sunyani and E. K. Adjei Agro Processing Company in Sunyani as well as the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Techiman.
According to Mr Krobea-Asante, the Regional Planning Committee had secured adequate decent hotel accommodation in Sunyani and Techiman for the award winners and other important dignitaries and guests to the event, and denied categorically that some hotels in Kumasi had been booked for some of the guests, saying that not a single room had been arranged for any of the guests at Kumasi.
The Regional Director named the booked hotels in Techiman as Dymns, Premier, Agyeiwaa, Dery, Lumnar Lodge, Patoah Lodge, Relax, Expo, Seematins, and the Adventist Senior High School Hostel.
And in Sunyani, Mr Krobea-Asante mentioned those booked as Eusbett, Glamossay, Ideas, Regent Resorts, Aboa Lodge, Tony and Hotel De Jet.
According to him, the necessary security arrangements had been made and lights at the venue had already been fixed by the Volta River Authority (VRA). The Techiman Municipal Assembly was also reshaping the grounds all at the expense of Ghana Telecom.
Mr Krobea-Asante indicated that the erection of the giant dais would be completed before schedule and that the programme would start at 9:00 a.m prompt. He expressed the hope that the occasion would be a memorable one and also commended all the stakeholders for their efforts.
The function is expected to be chaired by the newly elected President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, who is also the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Globalization: Its Effects on Agricultural Production in Ghana”.
The National Farmers Day has been celebrated every first Friday in the month of December since it was instituted in 1985 by the Government of Ghana with the aim of honouring gallant and hardworking farmers and fishermen in the country.
The day was instituted by the then government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), led by its chairman, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, following the unprecedented famine that plagued the nation in 1983 and 1984 and the remarkable productivity exhibited by Ghanaians in 1985 to salvage the nation from hunger.
In the years preceding the 1985 bumper, the nation had witnessed an acute drought aggravated by wild fires as a result of the absence of rains. Indeed everything went dry and the effects of the food shortage were made more severe by the deportation of over a million Ghanaians from Nigeria.
Those were the days when people queued to buy uncooked kenkey to their homes to boil it themselves while others chewed raw gari and drank water on top to abate their hunger regardless of the nutrients to be derived from this.
In fact people relied on whatever food they could lay hands on, once it was wholesome. Others never bothered about whether the food was wholesome or not; they only needed to fill their stomachs.
But thank God, who listened to the cry of his people and sent down abundant rains in the succeeding years. Ghanaian farmers took full advantage of the rains to increase their agricultural activities which culminated in high yields. This was rewarded by the wise decision of the government to set aside the first Friday in December to recognise the hard work of the Ghanaian farmer.
The celebration of the Farmers’ Day has thus become a statutory national holiday, backed by law.
The day itself is preceded by a week-long activities with the award winners receiving prizes such as the mouth-watering three-bedroom house, a double cabin air conditioned pick-up vehicle and television sets, among other items.
Now the statutory public holiday is observed at the district, regional and national levels, where farmers whose work has been recognised are rewarded simultaneously each year during the celebration.
For this year’s celebration, however, the organisers after carefully assessing the national calendar, thought it wise to shift the date from December to November 7, owing to the up-coming presidential and parliamentary elections which have been slated for Sunday, December 7, 2008.
From Osino in 1985, the celebration in 1986 was held at Akatsi in the Volta Region and Essumeja in the Ashanti Region the following year, while the venue moved to Nyankpala in the Northern Region in 1988 with Mpohor in the Western Region, taking its turn in 1989.
In 1990, Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo Region hosted the celebration, Juapong in the Volta Region, 1991 while the venue moved to Ejura in the Ashanti Region in 1992, Akuse in the Eastern Region had its turn in 1993, followed by Winneba in the Central Region in1994; Bedeku in the Greater Accra Region in 1995; Esiama in the Western Region, 1996, and Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region in 1997.
For the 1998 celebration, the Trade Fair Site in Accra was chosen, in 1999 it was Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; Wa in the Upper West Region in 2000 while in 2001, the venue again moved to the Trade Fair Site in Accra, and 2002, Takoradi in the Western Region, with Cape Coast in the Central Region hosting it in 2003.
In 2004, Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, hosted the event while in 2005, the celebration took place in Navrongo in the Upper East Region. Nkawie in the Ashanti Region hosted it in 2006 with Wa taking its turn last year.
And for this year, at Techiman, all is now set for the selected 65 award winners to receive their prizes for various categories at the ceremony which is to be graced by the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Council of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Authorities as well as other important dignitaries from all walks of life.
Mr Emmanuel Krobea-Asante, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told this writer that the awardees would first arrive in Sunyani, pay courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, at his residence and other important personalities in the region. They will also be treated to a welcome cocktail.
He said they would also visit some selected Agro-processing industries in the region, including Yedent Maize Processing at Abesim, near Sunyani and E. K. Adjei Agro Processing Company in Sunyani as well as the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Techiman.
According to Mr Krobea-Asante, the Regional Planning Committee had secured adequate decent hotel accommodation in Sunyani and Techiman for the award winners and other important dignitaries and guests to the event, and denied categorically that some hotels in Kumasi had been booked for some of the guests, saying that not a single room had been arranged for any of the guests at Kumasi.
The Regional Director named the booked hotels in Techiman as Dymns, Premier, Agyeiwaa, Dery, Lumnar Lodge, Patoah Lodge, Relax, Expo, Seematins, and the Adventist Senior High School Hostel.
And in Sunyani, Mr Krobea-Asante mentioned those booked as Eusbett, Glamossay, Ideas, Regent Resorts, Aboa Lodge, Tony and Hotel De Jet.
According to him, the necessary security arrangements had been made and lights at the venue had already been fixed by the Volta River Authority (VRA). The Techiman Municipal Assembly was also reshaping the grounds all at the expense of Ghana Telecom.
Mr Krobea-Asante indicated that the erection of the giant dais would be completed before schedule and that the programme would start at 9:00 a.m prompt. He expressed the hope that the occasion would be a memorable one and also commended all the stakeholders for their efforts.
The function is expected to be chaired by the newly elected President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, who is also the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area.
TRADITIONAL RULERS ATTEND WORKSHOP (PAGE 23)
ABOUT 100 traditional authorities, made up of divisional and sub-chiefs, queens and elders within the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Area in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region, have attended a sensitisation workshop on the ascertainment and codification of customary law on land and family law in Ghana.
The workshop formed part of a series being organised under the Ascertainment of Customary Law (ACL) Project jointly established by the National House of Chiefs (NHC) and the Law Reforms Commission (LRC) as a pilot in 10 traditional areas in the country.
The objective of the project is to find out the customary law, rules and practices relating to land and family in communities in selected traditional areas.
The selected areas are Offinso in the Ashanti Region, Duayaw Nkwanta, Brong Ahafo; Eguafo, Central; Akuapem, Eastern; Kpone, Greater Accra; Gonja, Northern; Paga, Upper East; Kaleo, Upper West; Asogli, Volta and Lower Axim in the Western Region.
The German Development Co-operation (GTZ) has so far provided about 900,000 Euros to support the project, which started in 2006 and is expected to end in 2009 for the 10 areas after which other traditional areas would have their turn.
The National Research Co-ordinator of the ACL, Mr Thomas Tagoe, and a member of the Joint Steering Committee of the project, Barima Akwasi Offe Okogyeasuo, who is also the Omanhene of the Kokofu Traditional Area, took turns to explain the rationale behind the ACL to the participants.
According to Mr Tagoe, the establishment of the project was mandated by Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution to “undertake customary law” and to evaluate” traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that were outmoded and socially harmful.
He said the ACL was a necessary step that sought to identify customary laws relating to land and family which were applicable in different traditional areas.
Mr Tagoe said those laws would be documented and, where possible, harmonised to enable Ghana to have unified rules for customary laws relating to land and the family.
The project co-ordinator indicated that a training workshop had been organised for field staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to do effective data collection in the selected traditional areas and that the sensitisation workshops were to let the people know what the project was about and its usefulness to them in particular and the country at large.
He said after the collection of data, validation workshops on the data collected would first be held at the traditional areas, then at the regional level and finally another one at the national level.
Barima Okogyeasuo urged the participants not to hesitate to give out whatever information they had when enumerators came around, since the output of the project would lead to the documentation of customary laws of the land for use by individuals, the courts, academic institutions and communities, among other entities.
He further stated that when the project was completed, there would be a reference point for customary land and family law, help minimise land disputes in Ghana, strengthen the legal system and make access to land easier for investors.
The participants showed a lot of enthusiasm and expressed their individual expectations about the outcome of the project, pointing out that the final document would stem the incidence of teenage pregnancy, disrespect for the elderly and all forms of social vices.
The workshop formed part of a series being organised under the Ascertainment of Customary Law (ACL) Project jointly established by the National House of Chiefs (NHC) and the Law Reforms Commission (LRC) as a pilot in 10 traditional areas in the country.
The objective of the project is to find out the customary law, rules and practices relating to land and family in communities in selected traditional areas.
The selected areas are Offinso in the Ashanti Region, Duayaw Nkwanta, Brong Ahafo; Eguafo, Central; Akuapem, Eastern; Kpone, Greater Accra; Gonja, Northern; Paga, Upper East; Kaleo, Upper West; Asogli, Volta and Lower Axim in the Western Region.
The German Development Co-operation (GTZ) has so far provided about 900,000 Euros to support the project, which started in 2006 and is expected to end in 2009 for the 10 areas after which other traditional areas would have their turn.
The National Research Co-ordinator of the ACL, Mr Thomas Tagoe, and a member of the Joint Steering Committee of the project, Barima Akwasi Offe Okogyeasuo, who is also the Omanhene of the Kokofu Traditional Area, took turns to explain the rationale behind the ACL to the participants.
According to Mr Tagoe, the establishment of the project was mandated by Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution to “undertake customary law” and to evaluate” traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that were outmoded and socially harmful.
He said the ACL was a necessary step that sought to identify customary laws relating to land and family which were applicable in different traditional areas.
Mr Tagoe said those laws would be documented and, where possible, harmonised to enable Ghana to have unified rules for customary laws relating to land and the family.
The project co-ordinator indicated that a training workshop had been organised for field staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to do effective data collection in the selected traditional areas and that the sensitisation workshops were to let the people know what the project was about and its usefulness to them in particular and the country at large.
He said after the collection of data, validation workshops on the data collected would first be held at the traditional areas, then at the regional level and finally another one at the national level.
Barima Okogyeasuo urged the participants not to hesitate to give out whatever information they had when enumerators came around, since the output of the project would lead to the documentation of customary laws of the land for use by individuals, the courts, academic institutions and communities, among other entities.
He further stated that when the project was completed, there would be a reference point for customary land and family law, help minimise land disputes in Ghana, strengthen the legal system and make access to land easier for investors.
The participants showed a lot of enthusiasm and expressed their individual expectations about the outcome of the project, pointing out that the final document would stem the incidence of teenage pregnancy, disrespect for the elderly and all forms of social vices.
DR SAKU EMERGES BEST FARMER (1b)
THE nation honoured its gallant farmers at an impressive ceremony in Techiman yesterday, bestowing the National Best Farmer for 2008 award on a 54-year-old medical officer, Dr Simon Saku, from Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo.
For his prize, Dr Saku, who ventured into commercial farming only seven years ago, was the proud recipient of a three- bedroom house, valued at GH¢40,000, to be built at a place of his choice.
For the first time, the National Best Farmer is also to receive a pick-up from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to facilitate his mobility and farm operations.
In all, 67 farmers, including 10 agricultural extension officers, engaged in different categories of agricultural activities were recognised for their contributions to agriculture and national development.
The theme for the celebration was, “Globalisation: Its effects on agricultural production in Ghana”.
The first runner-up in the national best farmer category was Madam Janet Nyabase from Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, while the second runner-up award was clinched by Mr Moris Dery, a 57-year-old retired civil servant.
Madam Nyabase took home a double cabin pick-up, while Mr Dery went away with a single cabin pick up.
The Best Cocoa Farmer award for 2008 went to Clement Kwasi Kuma from C.K. Krom in the Juabeso District of the Western Region and, for his prize, he took home a double cabin pick-up.
In the fishing category, Mr Kojo Sotor, who began fishing in 1974 at Elmina, emerged the Best National Fisherman. Mr Sotor, an evangelist, fisherman and President of the Power Evangelism Network, received a pick-up. He has four canoes, two beach seines and two Watsa fishing nets, as well as oil palm plantations.
The first runner-up in that category was Torgbui Avu Francis from Avukope in the Volta Region, who was the proud recipient of a deep freezer, a colour television set, fishing nets, rope and an outboard motor.
Mr Tsani Gadoga, the second runner-up, who is from Ada in the Greater Accra Region, received similar prizes. He has 18 canoes, two of which operate in Cameroun.
Expressing appreciation to the nation on behalf of the award winners, Dr Saku said farmers were grateful to the government for continuing with the Farmers Day celebration and said the event would continue to serve as a source of motivation to farmers and get particularly the youth to go into agriculture.
Later in an interview, Dr Saku said he began farming after he had been saved by farmers when he was involved in an accident between Techiman and Wenchi seven years ago.
Dr Saku, who also operates a private hospital, has cultivated 666 out of 950 acres into different types of farms located at Wenchi, Amponsahkrom, Abatareye, Subinso, Aduana, Bodidenom, Beposo and Wurongho, all in the Wenchi municipality. He has engaged 45 full-time workers and 80 casual farm hands. He is married with six children.
He explained that he had managed to keep his farms and the hospital at the same time because of his ability to apply time management principles.
The National Award Winners Association also presented a tractor and its accessories to President Kufuor as a parting gift to him on his retirement and also to encourage him to venture into agriculture.
For his prize, Dr Saku, who ventured into commercial farming only seven years ago, was the proud recipient of a three- bedroom house, valued at GH¢40,000, to be built at a place of his choice.
For the first time, the National Best Farmer is also to receive a pick-up from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to facilitate his mobility and farm operations.
In all, 67 farmers, including 10 agricultural extension officers, engaged in different categories of agricultural activities were recognised for their contributions to agriculture and national development.
The theme for the celebration was, “Globalisation: Its effects on agricultural production in Ghana”.
The first runner-up in the national best farmer category was Madam Janet Nyabase from Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, while the second runner-up award was clinched by Mr Moris Dery, a 57-year-old retired civil servant.
Madam Nyabase took home a double cabin pick-up, while Mr Dery went away with a single cabin pick up.
The Best Cocoa Farmer award for 2008 went to Clement Kwasi Kuma from C.K. Krom in the Juabeso District of the Western Region and, for his prize, he took home a double cabin pick-up.
In the fishing category, Mr Kojo Sotor, who began fishing in 1974 at Elmina, emerged the Best National Fisherman. Mr Sotor, an evangelist, fisherman and President of the Power Evangelism Network, received a pick-up. He has four canoes, two beach seines and two Watsa fishing nets, as well as oil palm plantations.
The first runner-up in that category was Torgbui Avu Francis from Avukope in the Volta Region, who was the proud recipient of a deep freezer, a colour television set, fishing nets, rope and an outboard motor.
Mr Tsani Gadoga, the second runner-up, who is from Ada in the Greater Accra Region, received similar prizes. He has 18 canoes, two of which operate in Cameroun.
Expressing appreciation to the nation on behalf of the award winners, Dr Saku said farmers were grateful to the government for continuing with the Farmers Day celebration and said the event would continue to serve as a source of motivation to farmers and get particularly the youth to go into agriculture.
Later in an interview, Dr Saku said he began farming after he had been saved by farmers when he was involved in an accident between Techiman and Wenchi seven years ago.
Dr Saku, who also operates a private hospital, has cultivated 666 out of 950 acres into different types of farms located at Wenchi, Amponsahkrom, Abatareye, Subinso, Aduana, Bodidenom, Beposo and Wurongho, all in the Wenchi municipality. He has engaged 45 full-time workers and 80 casual farm hands. He is married with six children.
He explained that he had managed to keep his farms and the hospital at the same time because of his ability to apply time management principles.
The National Award Winners Association also presented a tractor and its accessories to President Kufuor as a parting gift to him on his retirement and also to encourage him to venture into agriculture.
Monday, November 3, 2008
1 DEAD IN POLITICAL CLASH AT SANKORE (PAGE 3)
A MIDDLE-AGED man was shot dead on Saturday night at Sankore in the Asunafo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region following a clash between rival groups alleged to be supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The deceased was identified as Yaw Amponsah, a supporter of the NPP.
Six others, including a four-year-old boy, who sustained various degrees of injury, have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for treatment, while the body of Amponsah was deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital.
According to sources, the clash between the two groups was the result of an earlier misunderstanding between Kwaku Okyere of the NPP and Kofi Asare, an NDC supporter, during which Asare was said to have been injured.
In the heat of the clash, a rented house of Asare was alleged to have been burnt down.
The police have so far arrested 11 suspects, four of whom were to be sent to the Regional Police Headquarters for further investigations. According to the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Seth Charles Oteng, they would soon be arraigned before court, while the seven others would be screened at the local level.
In an interview, Mr Oteng told the Daily Graphic that the four had been identified as having taken active part in the alleged clash, adding that police reinforcement had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
According to the Police Commander, there had been a long-standing misunderstanding between Asare and Okyere following an alleged robbery case, in which Asare was granted bail by a court. However, when the two met in town, a scuffle ensued between them, during which Asare got injured.
ACP Oteng further stated that dissatisfied with the action of Okyere, Asare informed some of his colleague NDC supporters, who also mobilised some deadly weapons, including guns and paraded through the streets of Sankore and finally came across a group of NPP supporters who were seated in front of a shop, where they normally sat to discuss politics.
He said without any provocation, Asare’s group shot into the gathering, resulting in the injury of the six persons.
The deceased was identified as Yaw Amponsah, a supporter of the NPP.
Six others, including a four-year-old boy, who sustained various degrees of injury, have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for treatment, while the body of Amponsah was deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital.
According to sources, the clash between the two groups was the result of an earlier misunderstanding between Kwaku Okyere of the NPP and Kofi Asare, an NDC supporter, during which Asare was said to have been injured.
In the heat of the clash, a rented house of Asare was alleged to have been burnt down.
The police have so far arrested 11 suspects, four of whom were to be sent to the Regional Police Headquarters for further investigations. According to the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Seth Charles Oteng, they would soon be arraigned before court, while the seven others would be screened at the local level.
In an interview, Mr Oteng told the Daily Graphic that the four had been identified as having taken active part in the alleged clash, adding that police reinforcement had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
According to the Police Commander, there had been a long-standing misunderstanding between Asare and Okyere following an alleged robbery case, in which Asare was granted bail by a court. However, when the two met in town, a scuffle ensued between them, during which Asare got injured.
ACP Oteng further stated that dissatisfied with the action of Okyere, Asare informed some of his colleague NDC supporters, who also mobilised some deadly weapons, including guns and paraded through the streets of Sankore and finally came across a group of NPP supporters who were seated in front of a shop, where they normally sat to discuss politics.
He said without any provocation, Asare’s group shot into the gathering, resulting in the injury of the six persons.
VETEINARY CHIEFS CONFER ON BIRD FLU (PAGE 3)
CHIEF veterinary officers from Ghana,Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire have attended a two-day cross-border workshop in Sunyani to review their preparedness in the fight against the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as Bird Flu, in their respective countries.
It was also attended by selected farmers and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as other stakeholders.
The workshop, which was organised under the European Union (EU) Avian Influenza Project, was on the theme “Improving effective cross-border collaboration in the management of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in West Africa.”
The project was launched in March this year and since then, a number of activities, including such cross-border meetings had been organised.
The workshop in Sunyani was necessitated by the recent outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria in July, 2007 and Togo in September.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday, the acting Director of the Ghana Veterinary Service, Dr E. B. M. Koney, noted that although outbreaks of the disease had decreased significantly worldwide in 2008, the recent outbreaks in Nigeria and Togo should be a source of worry to all stakeholders in the sub-region.
“We need to assess our strengths and weaknesses and improve collaboration among neighbouring countries in harmonising our efforts in the control of the disease,” he stressed.
According to Dr Koney, the HPAI had come as an awakening call for the veterinary services of various countries to be strengthened, equipped and supplied with the requisite reagents and consumables, as well as enhance the capacities of veterinary officers.
He declared, “We as heads and workers of the veterinary institute must take full advantage of the prevailing conducive opportunities to improve animal health delivery, including avian influenza control in our countries.”
Dr Koney pointed out that capacity building in the prevention and control of the disease would also enhance the capacities of the participants in the control of other serious diseases.
He suggested that while putting a lot of effort in the control of avian influenza, “we should not lose sight of other important diseases, including transboundary ones, whose control requires concerted efforts and collaboration among countries”.
Dr Koney cited the effective manner in which rinderpest was controlled through the collaborative approach in disease control among neighbouring countries with the support of the EU.
The deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Mrs Anna Nyamekye, who opened the workshop, said since the absence of the disease in July 2007, the Veterinary Services Directorate of the ministry had focused its resources on a number of strategic prevention and control measures aimed at ensuring early warning, detection and rapid response to combat the disease.
She said considering the importance and key role of biosecurity in the control of animal diseases, the FAO and the United Nations (UN) supported the Veterinary Services with $50,000 to organise a country-wide training for poultry farmers and other stakeholders in the poultry industry on biosecurity between March and December 2007.
“With the recent recurrence of the disease in Togo, we do not need to be complacent at all in our strategic active and passive surveillance through the length and breadth of each country,” she emphasised.
“In Ghana, we are working to strengthen and improve upon the necessary control measures for the effective prevention and control of HPAI and some of them include the improvement of diagnostic capacities of the veterinary laboratories and also equip them with the needed reagents and consumables for the diagnosis of the disease”, she added.
It was also attended by selected farmers and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as other stakeholders.
The workshop, which was organised under the European Union (EU) Avian Influenza Project, was on the theme “Improving effective cross-border collaboration in the management of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in West Africa.”
The project was launched in March this year and since then, a number of activities, including such cross-border meetings had been organised.
The workshop in Sunyani was necessitated by the recent outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria in July, 2007 and Togo in September.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday, the acting Director of the Ghana Veterinary Service, Dr E. B. M. Koney, noted that although outbreaks of the disease had decreased significantly worldwide in 2008, the recent outbreaks in Nigeria and Togo should be a source of worry to all stakeholders in the sub-region.
“We need to assess our strengths and weaknesses and improve collaboration among neighbouring countries in harmonising our efforts in the control of the disease,” he stressed.
According to Dr Koney, the HPAI had come as an awakening call for the veterinary services of various countries to be strengthened, equipped and supplied with the requisite reagents and consumables, as well as enhance the capacities of veterinary officers.
He declared, “We as heads and workers of the veterinary institute must take full advantage of the prevailing conducive opportunities to improve animal health delivery, including avian influenza control in our countries.”
Dr Koney pointed out that capacity building in the prevention and control of the disease would also enhance the capacities of the participants in the control of other serious diseases.
He suggested that while putting a lot of effort in the control of avian influenza, “we should not lose sight of other important diseases, including transboundary ones, whose control requires concerted efforts and collaboration among countries”.
Dr Koney cited the effective manner in which rinderpest was controlled through the collaborative approach in disease control among neighbouring countries with the support of the EU.
The deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Mrs Anna Nyamekye, who opened the workshop, said since the absence of the disease in July 2007, the Veterinary Services Directorate of the ministry had focused its resources on a number of strategic prevention and control measures aimed at ensuring early warning, detection and rapid response to combat the disease.
She said considering the importance and key role of biosecurity in the control of animal diseases, the FAO and the United Nations (UN) supported the Veterinary Services with $50,000 to organise a country-wide training for poultry farmers and other stakeholders in the poultry industry on biosecurity between March and December 2007.
“With the recent recurrence of the disease in Togo, we do not need to be complacent at all in our strategic active and passive surveillance through the length and breadth of each country,” she emphasised.
“In Ghana, we are working to strengthen and improve upon the necessary control measures for the effective prevention and control of HPAI and some of them include the improvement of diagnostic capacities of the veterinary laboratories and also equip them with the needed reagents and consumables for the diagnosis of the disease”, she added.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
BEREKUM MIDWIFERY COLLEGE MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 20)
THE Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, has observed that even though eight years have elapsed since the country adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Ghanaians continue to die from preventable diseases.
That, he said, was the result of high level of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious beliefs which were impediments to accessing health services.
The Deputy Minister further noted the HIV/AIDS pandemic had complicated health service delivery and at the same time placed a heavy burden on the national budget and the country’s social systems.
Mr Kwakye made the observation during the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Berekum at the weekend.
The theme for the occasion was: “50 years of producing quality nurses and midwives; our contribution to the healing ministry of Christ”.
The Deputy Regional Minister stressed that, the government had demonstrated its determination and commitment to improve access, participation and equity to essential health care as part of its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II.
He noted that health was an important sector in any country, because the collective efforts of all facets of society were measured by the health status of the population, adding that health indicators served as one of the basis for measuring the success of all government programmes.
Mr Kwakye advised the nurses and midwives to exhibit dedication, commitment, love, devotion and care in addition to ensuring proper medication, personal hygiene and all other forms of health promotion for humanity, as was exhibited by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Dr (Mrs) Gladys N. Ashitey, the Deputy Minister of Health, stated that since 2004, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had rehabilitated and constructed 46 training institutions across the country at a cost of GH¢14.4 million.
She said out of the amount, the Berekum Nursing and Midwifery Training College received GH¢1.2 million for the construction of a hostel and classroom blocks.
Dr Ashitey observed that, in view of emerging global shortages for health care workers and its daunting effects on developing countries, such as Ghana, appropriate planning, production and management of human resource for health, were the key to ensuring that Ghanaians had access to health care providers they needed now and in the future.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the College, Miss Monica Nkrumah, said the college had over the years, chalked up academic successes, placing first in 2007 in the nation-wide Midwifery and General Nursing Licensing examinations with 94.66 per cent pass and 92.85 per cent pass in the Registered Midwifery.
She further stated that, since 2003, the college had seen massive infrastructural development from the MOH, including a 200-capacity hostel, a three-unit classroom block, extension to the dining hall and kitchen facilities
The President of the School Representative Council (SRC), Mr Samuel Sasu Bertchie, catalogued a number of activities the students had undertaken in churches, market places and on local FM radio stations over the years.
They include health talk on some common diseases, such as diabetes, mellitus, hypertension, malaria and cardiovascular accidents.
The Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Reverend Peter Atuahene, said in response to the changing health needs, the Catholic Health Services continued to introduce many innovative health reforms which were replicated by the MOH for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He said, such policies, included health insurance, home-based care, primary health care and outreach services which were pioneered by some of the church’s facilities before their adoption by the MOH.
Prizes were awarded to distinguished personalities and some members of staff for their long services at the college.
That, he said, was the result of high level of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious beliefs which were impediments to accessing health services.
The Deputy Minister further noted the HIV/AIDS pandemic had complicated health service delivery and at the same time placed a heavy burden on the national budget and the country’s social systems.
Mr Kwakye made the observation during the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Berekum at the weekend.
The theme for the occasion was: “50 years of producing quality nurses and midwives; our contribution to the healing ministry of Christ”.
The Deputy Regional Minister stressed that, the government had demonstrated its determination and commitment to improve access, participation and equity to essential health care as part of its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II.
He noted that health was an important sector in any country, because the collective efforts of all facets of society were measured by the health status of the population, adding that health indicators served as one of the basis for measuring the success of all government programmes.
Mr Kwakye advised the nurses and midwives to exhibit dedication, commitment, love, devotion and care in addition to ensuring proper medication, personal hygiene and all other forms of health promotion for humanity, as was exhibited by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Dr (Mrs) Gladys N. Ashitey, the Deputy Minister of Health, stated that since 2004, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had rehabilitated and constructed 46 training institutions across the country at a cost of GH¢14.4 million.
She said out of the amount, the Berekum Nursing and Midwifery Training College received GH¢1.2 million for the construction of a hostel and classroom blocks.
Dr Ashitey observed that, in view of emerging global shortages for health care workers and its daunting effects on developing countries, such as Ghana, appropriate planning, production and management of human resource for health, were the key to ensuring that Ghanaians had access to health care providers they needed now and in the future.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the College, Miss Monica Nkrumah, said the college had over the years, chalked up academic successes, placing first in 2007 in the nation-wide Midwifery and General Nursing Licensing examinations with 94.66 per cent pass and 92.85 per cent pass in the Registered Midwifery.
She further stated that, since 2003, the college had seen massive infrastructural development from the MOH, including a 200-capacity hostel, a three-unit classroom block, extension to the dining hall and kitchen facilities
The President of the School Representative Council (SRC), Mr Samuel Sasu Bertchie, catalogued a number of activities the students had undertaken in churches, market places and on local FM radio stations over the years.
They include health talk on some common diseases, such as diabetes, mellitus, hypertension, malaria and cardiovascular accidents.
The Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Reverend Peter Atuahene, said in response to the changing health needs, the Catholic Health Services continued to introduce many innovative health reforms which were replicated by the MOH for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He said, such policies, included health insurance, home-based care, primary health care and outreach services which were pioneered by some of the church’s facilities before their adoption by the MOH.
Prizes were awarded to distinguished personalities and some members of staff for their long services at the college.
ZOOMLION LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMME...To improve sanitation (PAGE 20)
THE management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, has launched a programme known as “Tin Ton Tan” with the objective of preventing diseases through improved environmental sanitation.
The programme is to improve environmental cleanliness to reduce sanitation-related diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, among other ailments.
The launch of the programme took place at the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital in Sunyani after a massive clean-up exercise at the hospital premises which lasted about two hours.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Kwame Gariba, who launched the programme, explained that it sought to reintroduce and emphasise the critical roles of traditional authorities in organising sanitation activities in their communities, such as communal work, the construction of toilets, the desilting of gutters and the clearing of bushes.
According to Mr Gariba, the major stakeholders in the programme included the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ministries of Health, Manpower, Youth and Employment and Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.
He indicated that there would be a strong collaboration with the various hospital administrations, traditional rulers, assembly members and youth associations in the communities.
Mr Gariba stated that the programme would inculcate the spirit of clean environment in the communities.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence of sanitation-related diseases which will contribute to improving the health status of the citizenry. It will also reduce the burden on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and free resources for investment in other social programmes,” Mr Gariba explained.
The Medical Director of the Sunyani Regional Hospital, Dr Daniel Asare, lauded the initiative of the company, stressing that good sanitation improved the health of the people.
He, therefore, urged all community members to embrace the programme.
Dr Asare said in view of the expansion of the hospital, with its attendant sanitation problems, the authorities had contracted a company to assist in the day-to-day cleaning of the facility.
According to the medical director, the regional hospital had been adjudged one of the cleanest facilities in Africa and for that matter a team of experts in sanitation from the United Kingdom, Sough Africa and Canada had paid visits to verify the situation.
The programme is to improve environmental cleanliness to reduce sanitation-related diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, among other ailments.
The launch of the programme took place at the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital in Sunyani after a massive clean-up exercise at the hospital premises which lasted about two hours.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Kwame Gariba, who launched the programme, explained that it sought to reintroduce and emphasise the critical roles of traditional authorities in organising sanitation activities in their communities, such as communal work, the construction of toilets, the desilting of gutters and the clearing of bushes.
According to Mr Gariba, the major stakeholders in the programme included the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ministries of Health, Manpower, Youth and Employment and Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.
He indicated that there would be a strong collaboration with the various hospital administrations, traditional rulers, assembly members and youth associations in the communities.
Mr Gariba stated that the programme would inculcate the spirit of clean environment in the communities.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence of sanitation-related diseases which will contribute to improving the health status of the citizenry. It will also reduce the burden on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and free resources for investment in other social programmes,” Mr Gariba explained.
The Medical Director of the Sunyani Regional Hospital, Dr Daniel Asare, lauded the initiative of the company, stressing that good sanitation improved the health of the people.
He, therefore, urged all community members to embrace the programme.
Dr Asare said in view of the expansion of the hospital, with its attendant sanitation problems, the authorities had contracted a company to assist in the day-to-day cleaning of the facility.
According to the medical director, the regional hospital had been adjudged one of the cleanest facilities in Africa and for that matter a team of experts in sanitation from the United Kingdom, Sough Africa and Canada had paid visits to verify the situation.
DON'T VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO WILL SLEEP IN PARLIAMENT (PAGE 16)
THE presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has urged the electorate not to vote for aspiring parliamentarians who would eventually enter the house only to sleep during proceedings or debates.
He said it was not just anybody who should be voted for to enter parliament and would not contribute meaningfully to discussions or debates in the house.
Dr Nduom who made the appeal at Kwame Danso in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday, pointed out thats “some people come to parliament, take their seats and keep mute while others will sleep off when important debates or discussions are going on with others raising their hands in agreement with colleagues’ assertions”.
The CPP flag bearer was introducing the CPP parliamentary candidate for the Sene Constituency, Mr Ramson Emmanuel Osei, a 51-year-old educationist, during an address of party faithful at the Kwame Danso Old Market as part of his campaign tour of some parts of the region.
He, therefore, appealed to the party’s supporters to vote massively for the candidate, who, he said, was capable of entering parliament and contributing his quota to the overall national development, and to the constituency in particular.
Dr Nduom noted that the parliamentary aspirant would also co-operate with the district assembly, show respect to both the elderly and the youth and know their problems before prescribing solutions, saying that the people needed a change of representation in parliament.
The CPP presidential aspirant again urged the people in the area to vote the CPP to power because, according to him, Kwame Danso, Atebubu, Amantin and indeed the entire vicinity had been the support base of the CPP in the 1960s.
He declared, “We are claiming back our land, come December 7 since it has been our stronghold in the past and I promise that the numerous factories that had collapsed would all be revived when you vote the CPP to power”.
Dr Nduom further assured the people that a vote for the CPP would mean a transformation in the economy, which he said, the people would actually feel in their pockets and not the rhetorics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The CPP flag bearer pointed out that the party was for real peace and that was why he did not insult people in his campaign messages, and explained that the recent clashes between the NDC and the NPP at Agbogbloshie, Tamale, Berekum, Ho and elsewhere in the country attested to the fact that the two parties were violent.
He also debunked the notion held in some circles that the CPP was for the older people, pointing out that a careful look at the posters of the NDC presidential aspirant, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, and the NPP presidential hopeful, Nana Akufo-Addo, compared to his picture, would show that he was more energetic.
“We need someone who is strong enough to be our leader and rule the nation, someone who can work tirelessly and not those who are in their pension state already. We don’t need pensioners in government”, he emphasised.
Dr Nduom declared, “You have voted four times without any reward and so it is not for me to tell you that you need a change which everyone is crying for this year, and a change in favour of the CPP means work and happiness”.
The CPP women’s organiser for the constituency, Miss Ubaida Yusif Saani, said the CPP had come to stay, and appealed to the people to put their votes together for Dr Nduom, come December 7, for a better Ghana.
She noted with satisfaction that during Dr Nkrumah’s regime, he did a lot for Ghana and based on that they should vote for the CPP led by Dr Nduom, adding that having tested the NDC and the NPP without any reward there was the need for change.
He said it was not just anybody who should be voted for to enter parliament and would not contribute meaningfully to discussions or debates in the house.
Dr Nduom who made the appeal at Kwame Danso in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday, pointed out thats “some people come to parliament, take their seats and keep mute while others will sleep off when important debates or discussions are going on with others raising their hands in agreement with colleagues’ assertions”.
The CPP flag bearer was introducing the CPP parliamentary candidate for the Sene Constituency, Mr Ramson Emmanuel Osei, a 51-year-old educationist, during an address of party faithful at the Kwame Danso Old Market as part of his campaign tour of some parts of the region.
He, therefore, appealed to the party’s supporters to vote massively for the candidate, who, he said, was capable of entering parliament and contributing his quota to the overall national development, and to the constituency in particular.
Dr Nduom noted that the parliamentary aspirant would also co-operate with the district assembly, show respect to both the elderly and the youth and know their problems before prescribing solutions, saying that the people needed a change of representation in parliament.
The CPP presidential aspirant again urged the people in the area to vote the CPP to power because, according to him, Kwame Danso, Atebubu, Amantin and indeed the entire vicinity had been the support base of the CPP in the 1960s.
He declared, “We are claiming back our land, come December 7 since it has been our stronghold in the past and I promise that the numerous factories that had collapsed would all be revived when you vote the CPP to power”.
Dr Nduom further assured the people that a vote for the CPP would mean a transformation in the economy, which he said, the people would actually feel in their pockets and not the rhetorics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The CPP flag bearer pointed out that the party was for real peace and that was why he did not insult people in his campaign messages, and explained that the recent clashes between the NDC and the NPP at Agbogbloshie, Tamale, Berekum, Ho and elsewhere in the country attested to the fact that the two parties were violent.
He also debunked the notion held in some circles that the CPP was for the older people, pointing out that a careful look at the posters of the NDC presidential aspirant, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, and the NPP presidential hopeful, Nana Akufo-Addo, compared to his picture, would show that he was more energetic.
“We need someone who is strong enough to be our leader and rule the nation, someone who can work tirelessly and not those who are in their pension state already. We don’t need pensioners in government”, he emphasised.
Dr Nduom declared, “You have voted four times without any reward and so it is not for me to tell you that you need a change which everyone is crying for this year, and a change in favour of the CPP means work and happiness”.
The CPP women’s organiser for the constituency, Miss Ubaida Yusif Saani, said the CPP had come to stay, and appealed to the people to put their votes together for Dr Nduom, come December 7, for a better Ghana.
She noted with satisfaction that during Dr Nkrumah’s regime, he did a lot for Ghana and based on that they should vote for the CPP led by Dr Nduom, adding that having tested the NDC and the NPP without any reward there was the need for change.
Monday, October 27, 2008
THOUGHT ON BEST TEACHER AWARDS (NSEMPA, PAGE 20)
By Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah & Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.
A NUMBER of people who attended the 14th Edition of the National Best Teacher Awards ceremony at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, have expressed varied opinions about the institution of the scheme.
While some of them argued that the yearly programme was a laudable initiative by the GNAT in 1995, others called for its expansion to cover more teachers and a review of some of the prizes, as well as an improvement of the general condition of service of teachers in the country.
Recognition
They contended that, since teachers were looked up to as opinion leaders, the awards would further strengthen their relationship with the communities in which they rendered their service.
Professor James H. Ephraim, the Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, near Sunyani, described the awards as a good facility to recognise the contributions of teachers but noted that; the awards were a “tokenism.”
He explained that there were a lot more teachers whose work needed to be recognised and rewarded to serve as an encouragement for them to give their best, adding that, if the general conditions of teachers were improved, there would not be the need for the awards.
Mrs Akua Akubour Debrah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, also indicated that the awards scheme was a good one because it served as a reminder to all teachers to work harder.
She observed that the awards had a great impact on society at large, since teachers were not only supposed to teach, but their lives had an influence in the communities they served, especially the children they taught.
The Volta Regional Secretary of GNAT, Nana Pobee Asomaning, said the scheme as it stood now, served as an impetus for teachers, especially the young ones, adding that it was laudable but ought to be expanded to embrace more teachers for them to work harder.
Motivation
Mr Kwadwo Fordjour, a driver at the GNAT Secretariat in Kumasi, pointed out that, since teachers were training children to become future leaders, they were considered to be very important in society and so the institution of the awards was in the right direction.
The Public Relations Officer of the Western Regional Education office in Sekondi, Mr Francis Sankah, also said the awards were motivational and a welcome initiative for teachers to work harder.
However, he pointed out that, the presentation of fridges as prizes should be reviewed, describing those prizes as not good enough and only a token and also called for its expansion.
Ms Veronica Asare, a teacher of the St. Theresa’s Primary School at Asawasi in Kumasi for her part, indicated that whoever was occupying any enviable position, whether as a Member of Parliament, an engineer, doctor etc., were all taught by a teacher and therefore the work of teacher needed to be appreciated.
She suggested that the organisers should consider those who had taught for 10years and above in the next award instead of selecting only young ones who were energetic.
Honour
Nana Bofo Bena IV, Omanhene of Dwenem Traditaional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region, also described the scheme as very good in the sense that, “A nation that does not honour its heroes was not worth dying for,” because it was the teacher’s contribution that had resulted in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
The Awerempimhene of Awua-Odumasi, near Sunyani, Nana Kwabena Ameyaw, who is also a retired Education Director, said the awards were very useful and encouraged teachers to give their best, and stressed that when one worked hard he or she needed to be rewarded.
He appealed to corporate oragnisations and benevolent individuals and groups to join the GNAT and the government in sponsoring the awards to cover more teachers.
The Upper East Regional Co-ordinator of the Best Teacher Awards noted that, a well-motivated teacher would be committed to his or her work, thereby improving the quality of teaching and learning, adding that the awards would ensure commitment and sacrifices.
Nana Kwadwo Kwakyie, Wirepemhene of Asankrabreman Division in the Wassa Amenfi District in the Western Region and Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, for his part said the awards was a good motivation for teachers that gives them national recognition.
Private schools
But, he observed that there were teachers in the private schools who were equally good and dedicated to their work like their counterparts in the public schools but were not recognised.
“We in the private sector have been conspicuously left out in the National Best Teacher Award Day, and I am therefore appealing to the organisers and the government to include teachers in the private sector in the awards, since we also contribute to the human resource development of the country,” Nana Kwakyie stressed.
Mr Apraku Tuffuor, Regional Committee Planning Member of the 14th edition of the teachers’ award day, said it was to recognise hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
He noted that being awarded does not mean you should be given something that you cannot afford, and that the significance of the awards was the recognition and not the value, and called on the committee, to upgrade the prizes.
Mr Emmanuel Charles Ansong of the Sunyani Municipal Fire Service Command and also in-charge of the Fire Education Team, pointed out that, the award scheme for teachers was laudable.
He however, urged teachers in the public schools to put in their maximum best to arrest the declining standard of education in the public sector.
Mr Yaw Adade Mensah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the Ghana Water Company, for his part, congratulated all teachers for the good work and expressed the hope that the awards would serve as a morale booster to them.
A NUMBER of people who attended the 14th Edition of the National Best Teacher Awards ceremony at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, have expressed varied opinions about the institution of the scheme.
While some of them argued that the yearly programme was a laudable initiative by the GNAT in 1995, others called for its expansion to cover more teachers and a review of some of the prizes, as well as an improvement of the general condition of service of teachers in the country.
Recognition
They contended that, since teachers were looked up to as opinion leaders, the awards would further strengthen their relationship with the communities in which they rendered their service.
Professor James H. Ephraim, the Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, near Sunyani, described the awards as a good facility to recognise the contributions of teachers but noted that; the awards were a “tokenism.”
He explained that there were a lot more teachers whose work needed to be recognised and rewarded to serve as an encouragement for them to give their best, adding that, if the general conditions of teachers were improved, there would not be the need for the awards.
Mrs Akua Akubour Debrah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, also indicated that the awards scheme was a good one because it served as a reminder to all teachers to work harder.
She observed that the awards had a great impact on society at large, since teachers were not only supposed to teach, but their lives had an influence in the communities they served, especially the children they taught.
The Volta Regional Secretary of GNAT, Nana Pobee Asomaning, said the scheme as it stood now, served as an impetus for teachers, especially the young ones, adding that it was laudable but ought to be expanded to embrace more teachers for them to work harder.
Motivation
Mr Kwadwo Fordjour, a driver at the GNAT Secretariat in Kumasi, pointed out that, since teachers were training children to become future leaders, they were considered to be very important in society and so the institution of the awards was in the right direction.
The Public Relations Officer of the Western Regional Education office in Sekondi, Mr Francis Sankah, also said the awards were motivational and a welcome initiative for teachers to work harder.
However, he pointed out that, the presentation of fridges as prizes should be reviewed, describing those prizes as not good enough and only a token and also called for its expansion.
Ms Veronica Asare, a teacher of the St. Theresa’s Primary School at Asawasi in Kumasi for her part, indicated that whoever was occupying any enviable position, whether as a Member of Parliament, an engineer, doctor etc., were all taught by a teacher and therefore the work of teacher needed to be appreciated.
She suggested that the organisers should consider those who had taught for 10years and above in the next award instead of selecting only young ones who were energetic.
Honour
Nana Bofo Bena IV, Omanhene of Dwenem Traditaional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region, also described the scheme as very good in the sense that, “A nation that does not honour its heroes was not worth dying for,” because it was the teacher’s contribution that had resulted in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
The Awerempimhene of Awua-Odumasi, near Sunyani, Nana Kwabena Ameyaw, who is also a retired Education Director, said the awards were very useful and encouraged teachers to give their best, and stressed that when one worked hard he or she needed to be rewarded.
He appealed to corporate oragnisations and benevolent individuals and groups to join the GNAT and the government in sponsoring the awards to cover more teachers.
The Upper East Regional Co-ordinator of the Best Teacher Awards noted that, a well-motivated teacher would be committed to his or her work, thereby improving the quality of teaching and learning, adding that the awards would ensure commitment and sacrifices.
Nana Kwadwo Kwakyie, Wirepemhene of Asankrabreman Division in the Wassa Amenfi District in the Western Region and Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, for his part said the awards was a good motivation for teachers that gives them national recognition.
Private schools
But, he observed that there were teachers in the private schools who were equally good and dedicated to their work like their counterparts in the public schools but were not recognised.
“We in the private sector have been conspicuously left out in the National Best Teacher Award Day, and I am therefore appealing to the organisers and the government to include teachers in the private sector in the awards, since we also contribute to the human resource development of the country,” Nana Kwakyie stressed.
Mr Apraku Tuffuor, Regional Committee Planning Member of the 14th edition of the teachers’ award day, said it was to recognise hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
He noted that being awarded does not mean you should be given something that you cannot afford, and that the significance of the awards was the recognition and not the value, and called on the committee, to upgrade the prizes.
Mr Emmanuel Charles Ansong of the Sunyani Municipal Fire Service Command and also in-charge of the Fire Education Team, pointed out that, the award scheme for teachers was laudable.
He however, urged teachers in the public schools to put in their maximum best to arrest the declining standard of education in the public sector.
Mr Yaw Adade Mensah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the Ghana Water Company, for his part, congratulated all teachers for the good work and expressed the hope that the awards would serve as a morale booster to them.
NDUOM CANVASSES FOR CPP CANDIDATES (PAGE 17)
THE presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwasi Nduom, has urged the electorate not to vote for parliamentary candidates who will eventually enter the House only to sleep during proceedings or would agree to any debate.
He said it was not anybody at all who should be voted for to enter Parliament, since Members of Parliament (MPs) did not contribute meaningfully to whatever matter that came up for discussion on the floor of the House.
Dr Nduom who made the appeal at Kwame Danso in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday pointed out that, “some people come to Parliament, take their seats and keep mute while others will sleep off when important debates or discussions are going on with others raising their hands in agreement with colleagues’ assertions”.
The CPP flag bearer was introducing the CPP parliamentary candidate for the Sene Constituency, Mr Ramson Emmanuel Osei, a 51-year-old educationist, at the party’s rally at the Kwame Danso Old market as part of his campaign tour of some parts of the region.
He therefore, appealed to the party’s supporters to vote massively for the candidate, who he said, was capable to enter Parliament and contribute his quota towards the overall national development and the constituency in particular.
Dr Nduom noted that the parliamentary candidate would also co-operate with the district assembly, show respect to both the elderly and the youth and to know their problems before prescribing solutions, saying that, the people needed a change of representation in parliament.
The CPP presidential candidate again urged the people in the area to vote the CPP to power because according to him, Kwame Danso, Atebubu, Amantin and the entire vicinity had been the support-base of the CPP the 1960s.
He declared, “we are claiming back our land come December 7 since it has been our stronghold in the past and I promise that the numerous factories that had collapsed would all be revived when you vote the CPP to power”.
Dr Nduom further assured the people that a vote for the CPP would mean a transformation in the economy which he said, the people would feel in their pockets and not the rhetorics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The CPP flag bearer pointed out that the party was for real peace and that was why he did not insult in his campaign messages, and explained that the recent clashes between NDC and NPP at Agbogloshie, Tamale, Berekum, Ho and elsewhere in the country attested to the fact that the two parties were violent.
He also debunked the notion held in some circles that, the CPP was for the older people, pointing out that, a careful look at the posters of the NDC presidential aspirant, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and the NPP presidential hopeful, Nana Akufo-Addo, as compared to his picture, would show that he was more energetic.
“We need someone who is strong enough to be our leader and rule the nation, someone who can work tirelessly and not those who are in their pension state already. We don’t need pensioners in government” he emphasised.
Dr Nduom declared, “You have voted four times without any reward and so it is not for me to tell you that you need a change which everyone is crying for this year and a change in favour of the CPP means work and happiness”.
The CPP women’s organiser for the constituency, Miss Ubaida Yusif Saani, said, the CPP had come to stay, and appealed to the people to put their votes together for Dr Nduom, come December 7 for a better Ghana.
She noted with satisfaction that during Dr Nkrumah’s regime, he did a lot for Ghana and based on that they should vote for the CPP, led by Dr Nduom, adding that having tested the NDC and the NPP without any reward, there was the need for a change now.
He said it was not anybody at all who should be voted for to enter Parliament, since Members of Parliament (MPs) did not contribute meaningfully to whatever matter that came up for discussion on the floor of the House.
Dr Nduom who made the appeal at Kwame Danso in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday pointed out that, “some people come to Parliament, take their seats and keep mute while others will sleep off when important debates or discussions are going on with others raising their hands in agreement with colleagues’ assertions”.
The CPP flag bearer was introducing the CPP parliamentary candidate for the Sene Constituency, Mr Ramson Emmanuel Osei, a 51-year-old educationist, at the party’s rally at the Kwame Danso Old market as part of his campaign tour of some parts of the region.
He therefore, appealed to the party’s supporters to vote massively for the candidate, who he said, was capable to enter Parliament and contribute his quota towards the overall national development and the constituency in particular.
Dr Nduom noted that the parliamentary candidate would also co-operate with the district assembly, show respect to both the elderly and the youth and to know their problems before prescribing solutions, saying that, the people needed a change of representation in parliament.
The CPP presidential candidate again urged the people in the area to vote the CPP to power because according to him, Kwame Danso, Atebubu, Amantin and the entire vicinity had been the support-base of the CPP the 1960s.
He declared, “we are claiming back our land come December 7 since it has been our stronghold in the past and I promise that the numerous factories that had collapsed would all be revived when you vote the CPP to power”.
Dr Nduom further assured the people that a vote for the CPP would mean a transformation in the economy which he said, the people would feel in their pockets and not the rhetorics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The CPP flag bearer pointed out that the party was for real peace and that was why he did not insult in his campaign messages, and explained that the recent clashes between NDC and NPP at Agbogloshie, Tamale, Berekum, Ho and elsewhere in the country attested to the fact that the two parties were violent.
He also debunked the notion held in some circles that, the CPP was for the older people, pointing out that, a careful look at the posters of the NDC presidential aspirant, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and the NPP presidential hopeful, Nana Akufo-Addo, as compared to his picture, would show that he was more energetic.
“We need someone who is strong enough to be our leader and rule the nation, someone who can work tirelessly and not those who are in their pension state already. We don’t need pensioners in government” he emphasised.
Dr Nduom declared, “You have voted four times without any reward and so it is not for me to tell you that you need a change which everyone is crying for this year and a change in favour of the CPP means work and happiness”.
The CPP women’s organiser for the constituency, Miss Ubaida Yusif Saani, said, the CPP had come to stay, and appealed to the people to put their votes together for Dr Nduom, come December 7 for a better Ghana.
She noted with satisfaction that during Dr Nkrumah’s regime, he did a lot for Ghana and based on that they should vote for the CPP, led by Dr Nduom, adding that having tested the NDC and the NPP without any reward, there was the need for a change now.
115 ASPIRING MPS FOR BA (PAGE 16)
A total of 112 parliamentary aspirants made up of 107 males and five females have filed their nominations to contest the December 7 elections in the 24 constituencies of the Brong Ahafo Region. Seven of them are standing as independent candidates.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have their candidates in all the constituencies while the Convention People’s Party (CPP) fielded 20 candidates with the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) presenting 13 candidates. The Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) have 12 candidates each.
The five female candidates are contesting on the tickets of the DPP in Asutifi North Constituency, CPP in the Tano North, PNC in Sunyani West, another DPP in Dormaa East and one other CPP in the Techiman North Constituency.
According to the list of parliamentary candidates made available to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani by the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Mark Kojo Anyimadu, two of the Independent candidates filed at Kintampo North Constituency and each in the Atebubu/Amantin, Pru, Tain and Jaman North.
The list indicated that the PNC and the DFP did not field any candidate in Asunafo North while the CPP and DPP also did not present any candidate in the Asunafo South Constituency and the list further showed that in Asutifi South, only the NPP, NDC and DPP fielded candidates.
For the Tano South Constituency, the DPP and DFP did not have any representation and again the DPP had no candidate for the Sunyani East Constituency and also did not present any person in the Berekum Constituency, likewise the PNC also did not field any candidate in the Dormaa East Constituency.
For the Jaman North and South constituencies, the DPP and DFP also failed to field candidates while in the Wenchi District the DPP and the PNC did not have representation.
In the Tain Constituency, the DFP and the PNC did not field anyone. The DPP and PNC did not field candidates in Techiman North while the DFP did not present a candidate for the Techiman South Constituency.
The DFP and the PNC again failed to field candidates in the Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South constituencies, with the DPP again, failing to present someone for the Kintampo North area, and in the Kintampo South, only the NPP, NDC and PNC had nominations.
For the Atebubu/Amantin Constituency, only the NPP and the NDC alongside the Independent candidate filed their nominations, with the PNC failing to present a candidate for the Pru area while the DFP also did not have a nominee for the Sene Constituency.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have their candidates in all the constituencies while the Convention People’s Party (CPP) fielded 20 candidates with the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) presenting 13 candidates. The Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) have 12 candidates each.
The five female candidates are contesting on the tickets of the DPP in Asutifi North Constituency, CPP in the Tano North, PNC in Sunyani West, another DPP in Dormaa East and one other CPP in the Techiman North Constituency.
According to the list of parliamentary candidates made available to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani by the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Mark Kojo Anyimadu, two of the Independent candidates filed at Kintampo North Constituency and each in the Atebubu/Amantin, Pru, Tain and Jaman North.
The list indicated that the PNC and the DFP did not field any candidate in Asunafo North while the CPP and DPP also did not present any candidate in the Asunafo South Constituency and the list further showed that in Asutifi South, only the NPP, NDC and DPP fielded candidates.
For the Tano South Constituency, the DPP and DFP did not have any representation and again the DPP had no candidate for the Sunyani East Constituency and also did not present any person in the Berekum Constituency, likewise the PNC also did not field any candidate in the Dormaa East Constituency.
For the Jaman North and South constituencies, the DPP and DFP also failed to field candidates while in the Wenchi District the DPP and the PNC did not have representation.
In the Tain Constituency, the DFP and the PNC did not field anyone. The DPP and PNC did not field candidates in Techiman North while the DFP did not present a candidate for the Techiman South Constituency.
The DFP and the PNC again failed to field candidates in the Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South constituencies, with the DPP again, failing to present someone for the Kintampo North area, and in the Kintampo South, only the NPP, NDC and PNC had nominations.
For the Atebubu/Amantin Constituency, only the NPP and the NDC alongside the Independent candidate filed their nominations, with the PNC failing to present a candidate for the Pru area while the DFP also did not have a nominee for the Sene Constituency.
NDC CAN'T BE TRUSTED WITH ECONOMY (PAGE 16)
THE running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Pesidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) cannot be trusted to handle the Ghanaian economy having failed to do so during its 19 years in government.
He explained that, for the seven-and-a-half years in office, the NPP had proven that it was capable of managing the economy which had been shattered by the NDC.
Addressing students of the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) at the weekend, Dr Bawumia, explained that, the NPP inherited a HIPC economy but within a very time the party, under President J.A. Kufuor, had been able to turn the economy around to make it one of the best in Africa.
The Party, he said, had a big vision for Ghana to achieve a middle-income status by 2015, and therefore, called on Ghanaians to return the NPP to power for it to realise such a laudable goal for the country.
He pointed out that the NPP had ensured a peaceful and stable state, freedom of speech and that Ghanaians could now go about whatever enterprise they were engaged in freely and without any hindrance, a situation he said never existed previously.
According to the NPP running mate, the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme and many other interventions were testimonies that, the country was on the threshold of progress.
That, he said, could come about only when the electorate voted massively for the NPP in the December polls, adding that, a vote for Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP meant a vote for a total transformation of the economy.
Dr Bawumia, however, advised the youth not to resort to violence of any form to mar the electoral process, pointing out that, as a democratic party, the NPP believed in the rule of law and absolute peace.
He explained that, for the seven-and-a-half years in office, the NPP had proven that it was capable of managing the economy which had been shattered by the NDC.
Addressing students of the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) at the weekend, Dr Bawumia, explained that, the NPP inherited a HIPC economy but within a very time the party, under President J.A. Kufuor, had been able to turn the economy around to make it one of the best in Africa.
The Party, he said, had a big vision for Ghana to achieve a middle-income status by 2015, and therefore, called on Ghanaians to return the NPP to power for it to realise such a laudable goal for the country.
He pointed out that the NPP had ensured a peaceful and stable state, freedom of speech and that Ghanaians could now go about whatever enterprise they were engaged in freely and without any hindrance, a situation he said never existed previously.
According to the NPP running mate, the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme and many other interventions were testimonies that, the country was on the threshold of progress.
That, he said, could come about only when the electorate voted massively for the NPP in the December polls, adding that, a vote for Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP meant a vote for a total transformation of the economy.
Dr Bawumia, however, advised the youth not to resort to violence of any form to mar the electoral process, pointing out that, as a democratic party, the NPP believed in the rule of law and absolute peace.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
NEW PRESIDENT FOR BRONG AHAFO REGIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS (PAGE 21)
THE Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area in the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, is the new President of the Regional House of Chiefs.
Osahene Aterkyi defeated the incumbent President, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, by 23 votes to four in an election conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the third meeting of the house this year in Sunyani on Wednesday.
Osahene Aterkyi also beat Nana Kwame Korang, the former Vice-President of the house, who is also the Omanhene of the Odumase Traditional Area, when he secured 10 votes in the poll, giving way to the Paramount Chief of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese V.
Pemampem Kagbrese polled 29 votes to beat the Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, who secured eight votes out of the total 37 ballots, to serve a four-year.
In another poll, three members of the house, namely, Nana Bofo Bene IV, Dwenimhene, who got 30 votes; Agyewodin Adu-Gyamfi Ampem, Acherensuamanhene, 24 votes, and Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, the Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, who secured 22 ballots, were elected to join the president and his vice for the required five slots to represent the region at the National House of Chiefs.
Two other chiefs, Nana Ansah Adu Baah, Yamfomanhene, and Nana Yaw Agyei, the Paramount Chief of the Mim Traditional Area, who polled 18 and six votes, respectively, contested with the three but lost in their bid.
All the elected chiefs were sworn in by Mr Justice Emmanuel Ato Assan, a High Court judge in Sunyani, who administered the oath of office.
Before the elections, conducted by the Regional Director of the EC, Mr M.K. Anyimadu, and his deputy, Mr James Arthur-Yeboah, two newly installed paramount chiefs for Sankore and Nsawkaw, Okogyeadee Yaw Adusei II and Nana Kutu Ayim Baffour II, respectively, had been admitted to the house, after the outgoing President, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom, who is the Nkoranzamanhene, had administered the official oath.
They again swore the judicial oath and the oath of secrecy administered by Justice Assan.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, his deputy, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, as well as the heads of the security services in the region, witnessed the ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Osahene Aterkyi expressed delight at his election, which was in accordance with Section 7 (1) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) and within the framework of Article 274 of the 1992 Constitution.
He was also grateful to God for ensuring a peaceful election and further thanked the entire membership of the house for the trust and confidence reposed in him, adding, “Once the election is over, the house must stand firm in unity and with a common destiny.”
Earlier in a welcoming address, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom had prayed that the election would be free and fair for the results to be accepted by all the contestants.
He stated that whoever won should see it as a duty to deal with the numerous challenges of chieftaincy in the region in particular and the nation as a whole.
Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom announced that the number of chieftaincy cases in the region that stood at 54 at the beginning of the year had reduced to 42 as of the end of September 2008 and expressed the hope that the number would further reduce by the close of the year.
The regional minister also expressed gratitude to the chiefs for the cordial relationship that had existed between the house and the Regional Co-ordinating Council.
He commended Nananom for attending all important functions organised in the region and adding colour to such functions by displaying their rich culture.
Osahene Aterkyi defeated the incumbent President, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, by 23 votes to four in an election conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the third meeting of the house this year in Sunyani on Wednesday.
Osahene Aterkyi also beat Nana Kwame Korang, the former Vice-President of the house, who is also the Omanhene of the Odumase Traditional Area, when he secured 10 votes in the poll, giving way to the Paramount Chief of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese V.
Pemampem Kagbrese polled 29 votes to beat the Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, who secured eight votes out of the total 37 ballots, to serve a four-year.
In another poll, three members of the house, namely, Nana Bofo Bene IV, Dwenimhene, who got 30 votes; Agyewodin Adu-Gyamfi Ampem, Acherensuamanhene, 24 votes, and Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, the Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, who secured 22 ballots, were elected to join the president and his vice for the required five slots to represent the region at the National House of Chiefs.
Two other chiefs, Nana Ansah Adu Baah, Yamfomanhene, and Nana Yaw Agyei, the Paramount Chief of the Mim Traditional Area, who polled 18 and six votes, respectively, contested with the three but lost in their bid.
All the elected chiefs were sworn in by Mr Justice Emmanuel Ato Assan, a High Court judge in Sunyani, who administered the oath of office.
Before the elections, conducted by the Regional Director of the EC, Mr M.K. Anyimadu, and his deputy, Mr James Arthur-Yeboah, two newly installed paramount chiefs for Sankore and Nsawkaw, Okogyeadee Yaw Adusei II and Nana Kutu Ayim Baffour II, respectively, had been admitted to the house, after the outgoing President, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom, who is the Nkoranzamanhene, had administered the official oath.
They again swore the judicial oath and the oath of secrecy administered by Justice Assan.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, his deputy, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, as well as the heads of the security services in the region, witnessed the ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Osahene Aterkyi expressed delight at his election, which was in accordance with Section 7 (1) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) and within the framework of Article 274 of the 1992 Constitution.
He was also grateful to God for ensuring a peaceful election and further thanked the entire membership of the house for the trust and confidence reposed in him, adding, “Once the election is over, the house must stand firm in unity and with a common destiny.”
Earlier in a welcoming address, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom had prayed that the election would be free and fair for the results to be accepted by all the contestants.
He stated that whoever won should see it as a duty to deal with the numerous challenges of chieftaincy in the region in particular and the nation as a whole.
Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom announced that the number of chieftaincy cases in the region that stood at 54 at the beginning of the year had reduced to 42 as of the end of September 2008 and expressed the hope that the number would further reduce by the close of the year.
The regional minister also expressed gratitude to the chiefs for the cordial relationship that had existed between the house and the Regional Co-ordinating Council.
He commended Nananom for attending all important functions organised in the region and adding colour to such functions by displaying their rich culture.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
GOVERNMENT'S FREE HEALTH CARE IS LAUDABLE (PAGE 11)
A number of pregnant women who patronise the St. Elizabeth Hospital at Hwediem in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region have expressed satisfaction at the government’s policy of allowing expectant mothers to attend ante-natal clinics (ANC) free of charge.
They explained that the policy had greatly relieved them of the difficulties they encountered in paying their hospital bills when they accessed medical care during pregnancy and in getting post-natal care.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews at Hwidiem, the women, therefore commended the government for soliciting funds from the British Government to fund the scheme, describing the initiative as a show of concern to pregnant women to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Madam Dora Kankam, a hairdresser at Mim, who is eight months pregnant, said, the free anti-natal care had encouraged her to visit the hospital regularly to access medical care.
Ms Rosina Berchie, a nurse at the St. Elizabeth Hospital, who is carrying her second pregnancy, lauded the government’s initiative and said it would improve the health of expectant mothers and infants .
A seven-month-old pregnant woman,Madam Abena Animah, a farmer at Wamahinso, who is expecting her first child indicated that apart from looking for money to pay for her transport fare to attend hospital, “I don’t pay a pesewa for whatever drugs are supplied to me any time I come here”.
She, however, advised parents not to take undue advantage of the programme but plan for their family and ensure that they empowered themselves economically.
Mr Wilberforce Mfum, an Accra-based businessman, who accompanied his wife, Madam Fatima Adams, to the hospital, said the government’s assistance had indeed lessened the burden of husbands and their pregnant wives, adding that pregnant women in rural communities who had to raise money to pay their bills when they needed to undergo emergency surgical operation would benefit most.
Madam Adwoa Pinamang, a trader from Mim, who is expecting her fourth child indicated that in time past, she paid so much on drugs supplied to her at the hospital.
“I commend the government for the gesture but that does not mean I should continue to give birth to more children” she said.
Madam Hawa Karim, a farmer from Kwaku Nyumah village, who is carrying her sixth pregnancy, also noted that, for the previous pregnancies she went through, she used to pay so much for drugs whenever she visited the Kukuom, Nobeko, Dadiesoaba and Hwideim health facilities but now she did not pay for drugs and other services.
A farmer from Acherensua, who was seeking anti-natal care said she paid GH¢12.00 in respect of laboratory tests since she had not as yet registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). She, however, gave the assurance that she would do so very soon in order to benefit from the policy.
Later in an interview, a Midwife, Mrs Cecilia Newman, said the policy had resulted in increased hospital attendance by pregnant women, adding that, before the commencement of the policy, the staff of Hwidiem St. Elizabeth Hosiptal closed between 3.00 and 5:00p.m. but now, they could stay till about 7:30p.m.
She appealed for more hands at the clinic to help relieve the pressure on the staff .
Before the implementation of the policy in July this year, anti-natal clinic attendance at the hospital in January was 731; February, 737, March, 692; April, 420; May, 741; June, 615; July, 712, with 1,050 recorded in August.
Mr Kofi Baffour Asare, the Asutifi District Manager of the NHIS, expressed concern about what he termed as the increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy in the area, and attributed the situation to immoral practices perpetrated by some immigrants who engaged in illegal mining in the area.
He advised pregnant women not to wait until they fell sick before registering with the scheme .
In another development, the management of the Asutifi NHIS has presented bicycles valued at GH¢900.00 to 15 agents of the scheme who are registering people to join the scheme .
They explained that the policy had greatly relieved them of the difficulties they encountered in paying their hospital bills when they accessed medical care during pregnancy and in getting post-natal care.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews at Hwidiem, the women, therefore commended the government for soliciting funds from the British Government to fund the scheme, describing the initiative as a show of concern to pregnant women to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Madam Dora Kankam, a hairdresser at Mim, who is eight months pregnant, said, the free anti-natal care had encouraged her to visit the hospital regularly to access medical care.
Ms Rosina Berchie, a nurse at the St. Elizabeth Hospital, who is carrying her second pregnancy, lauded the government’s initiative and said it would improve the health of expectant mothers and infants .
A seven-month-old pregnant woman,Madam Abena Animah, a farmer at Wamahinso, who is expecting her first child indicated that apart from looking for money to pay for her transport fare to attend hospital, “I don’t pay a pesewa for whatever drugs are supplied to me any time I come here”.
She, however, advised parents not to take undue advantage of the programme but plan for their family and ensure that they empowered themselves economically.
Mr Wilberforce Mfum, an Accra-based businessman, who accompanied his wife, Madam Fatima Adams, to the hospital, said the government’s assistance had indeed lessened the burden of husbands and their pregnant wives, adding that pregnant women in rural communities who had to raise money to pay their bills when they needed to undergo emergency surgical operation would benefit most.
Madam Adwoa Pinamang, a trader from Mim, who is expecting her fourth child indicated that in time past, she paid so much on drugs supplied to her at the hospital.
“I commend the government for the gesture but that does not mean I should continue to give birth to more children” she said.
Madam Hawa Karim, a farmer from Kwaku Nyumah village, who is carrying her sixth pregnancy, also noted that, for the previous pregnancies she went through, she used to pay so much for drugs whenever she visited the Kukuom, Nobeko, Dadiesoaba and Hwideim health facilities but now she did not pay for drugs and other services.
A farmer from Acherensua, who was seeking anti-natal care said she paid GH¢12.00 in respect of laboratory tests since she had not as yet registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). She, however, gave the assurance that she would do so very soon in order to benefit from the policy.
Later in an interview, a Midwife, Mrs Cecilia Newman, said the policy had resulted in increased hospital attendance by pregnant women, adding that, before the commencement of the policy, the staff of Hwidiem St. Elizabeth Hosiptal closed between 3.00 and 5:00p.m. but now, they could stay till about 7:30p.m.
She appealed for more hands at the clinic to help relieve the pressure on the staff .
Before the implementation of the policy in July this year, anti-natal clinic attendance at the hospital in January was 731; February, 737, March, 692; April, 420; May, 741; June, 615; July, 712, with 1,050 recorded in August.
Mr Kofi Baffour Asare, the Asutifi District Manager of the NHIS, expressed concern about what he termed as the increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy in the area, and attributed the situation to immoral practices perpetrated by some immigrants who engaged in illegal mining in the area.
He advised pregnant women not to wait until they fell sick before registering with the scheme .
In another development, the management of the Asutifi NHIS has presented bicycles valued at GH¢900.00 to 15 agents of the scheme who are registering people to join the scheme .
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Murder pf Goaso Hospital Administrator..SUNYANI HIGH COURT TO TRY 11 PEOPLE (PAGE 32)
THE Sunyani High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Godwin Gabor, will, on October 24, 2008, begin hearing the case in which 11 people have been linked to the murder of Mr Anthony Yeboah-Boateng, the former Administrator of the Goaso Government Hospital.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, as well as causing unlawful damage to the car belonging to the late Yeboah-Boateng, who was also the Presiding Member of the then Asunafo North District Assembly.
They are Douglas Afriyie, Stephen Donkor, Kwasi Nyantekyi, Kwaku Agyeman Badu, Adama Hamidu and James Dankwah.
The rest are Kwame Yeboah Addae, Kwadwo Awuah, Kwame Anokye, Emmanuel Kwaku Lartey and Kwame Krah.
When they appeared before the court on October 13, 2008, four of them indicated that they had counsel, two of whom were in court, but the remaining seven had no representation.
Until their indictment, the 11 were among 30 suspects who had been standing trial at the Sunyani Magistrate Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Yeboah-Boateng on Easter Sunday, last year.
A source close to the court in Sunyani, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said because of the nature of the case, and in accordance with procedure, the presiding judge had informed the Attorney-General’s Office to apply to the Legal Aid Board to provide lawyers to represent the seven.
According to the source, a five-member jury had been empanelled to hear the case and that all the prosecution witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and a Catholic nun who were in his car at the time of the incident, were in court.
On April 8, 2007, Yeboah-Boateng, in the company of his wife and two other women, was travelling from Goaso to Sunyani to convey the corpse of a relative from the Sunyani Regional Hospital to the Goaso Hospital mortuary.
When they got to Atronie, the accused persons, who had blocked the road, forced Yeboah-Boateng to stop.
According to the police, the accused persons rushed on him and accused him of being a ritual murderer because he was carrying a corpse in his car.
Before the deceased could offer any explanation, the accused pulled him out of the vehicle, clubbed him to death and attempted to set his body ablaze.
The accused persons then vandalised his car and the corpse, after which they bolted from the town.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, as well as causing unlawful damage to the car belonging to the late Yeboah-Boateng, who was also the Presiding Member of the then Asunafo North District Assembly.
They are Douglas Afriyie, Stephen Donkor, Kwasi Nyantekyi, Kwaku Agyeman Badu, Adama Hamidu and James Dankwah.
The rest are Kwame Yeboah Addae, Kwadwo Awuah, Kwame Anokye, Emmanuel Kwaku Lartey and Kwame Krah.
When they appeared before the court on October 13, 2008, four of them indicated that they had counsel, two of whom were in court, but the remaining seven had no representation.
Until their indictment, the 11 were among 30 suspects who had been standing trial at the Sunyani Magistrate Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Yeboah-Boateng on Easter Sunday, last year.
A source close to the court in Sunyani, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said because of the nature of the case, and in accordance with procedure, the presiding judge had informed the Attorney-General’s Office to apply to the Legal Aid Board to provide lawyers to represent the seven.
According to the source, a five-member jury had been empanelled to hear the case and that all the prosecution witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and a Catholic nun who were in his car at the time of the incident, were in court.
On April 8, 2007, Yeboah-Boateng, in the company of his wife and two other women, was travelling from Goaso to Sunyani to convey the corpse of a relative from the Sunyani Regional Hospital to the Goaso Hospital mortuary.
When they got to Atronie, the accused persons, who had blocked the road, forced Yeboah-Boateng to stop.
According to the police, the accused persons rushed on him and accused him of being a ritual murderer because he was carrying a corpse in his car.
Before the deceased could offer any explanation, the accused pulled him out of the vehicle, clubbed him to death and attempted to set his body ablaze.
The accused persons then vandalised his car and the corpse, after which they bolted from the town.
Murder pf Goaso Hospital Administrator..PO
THE Sunyani High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Godwin Gabor, will, on October 24, 2008, begin hearing the case in which 11 people have been linked to the murder of Mr Anthony Yeboah-Boateng, the former Administrator of the Goaso Government Hospital.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, as well as causing unlawful damage to the car belonging to the late Yeboah-Boateng, who was also the Presiding Member of the then Asunafo North District Assembly.
They are Douglas Afriyie, Stephen Donkor, Kwasi Nyantekyi, Kwaku Agyeman Badu, Adama Hamidu and James Dankwah.
The rest are Kwame Yeboah Addae, Kwadwo Awuah, Kwame Anokye, Emmanuel Kwaku Lartey and Kwame Krah.
When they appeared before the court on October 13, 2008, four of them indicated that they had counsel, two of whom were in court, but the remaining seven had no representation.
Until their indictment, the 11 were among 30 suspects who had been standing trial at the Sunyani Magistrate Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Yeboah-Boateng on Easter Sunday, last year.
A source close to the court in Sunyani, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said because of the nature of the case, and in accordance with procedure, the presiding judge had informed the Attorney-General’s Office to apply to the Legal Aid Board to provide lawyers to represent the seven.
According to the source, a five-member jury had been empanelled to hear the case and that all the prosecution witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and a Catholic nun who were in his car at the time of the incident, were in court.
On April 8, 2007, Yeboah-Boateng, in the company of his wife and two other women, was travelling from Goaso to Sunyani to convey the corpse of a relative from the Sunyani Regional Hospital to the Goaso Hospital mortuary.
When they got to Atronie, the accused persons, who had blocked the road, forced Yeboah-Boateng to stop.
According to the police, the accused persons rushed on him and accused him of being a ritual murderer because he was carrying a corpse in his car.
Before the deceased could offer any explanation, the accused pulled him out of the vehicle, clubbed him to death and attempted to set his body ablaze.
The accused persons then vandalised his car and the corpse, after which they bolted from the town.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, as well as causing unlawful damage to the car belonging to the late Yeboah-Boateng, who was also the Presiding Member of the then Asunafo North District Assembly.
They are Douglas Afriyie, Stephen Donkor, Kwasi Nyantekyi, Kwaku Agyeman Badu, Adama Hamidu and James Dankwah.
The rest are Kwame Yeboah Addae, Kwadwo Awuah, Kwame Anokye, Emmanuel Kwaku Lartey and Kwame Krah.
When they appeared before the court on October 13, 2008, four of them indicated that they had counsel, two of whom were in court, but the remaining seven had no representation.
Until their indictment, the 11 were among 30 suspects who had been standing trial at the Sunyani Magistrate Court for their alleged involvement in the murder of Yeboah-Boateng on Easter Sunday, last year.
A source close to the court in Sunyani, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said because of the nature of the case, and in accordance with procedure, the presiding judge had informed the Attorney-General’s Office to apply to the Legal Aid Board to provide lawyers to represent the seven.
According to the source, a five-member jury had been empanelled to hear the case and that all the prosecution witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and a Catholic nun who were in his car at the time of the incident, were in court.
On April 8, 2007, Yeboah-Boateng, in the company of his wife and two other women, was travelling from Goaso to Sunyani to convey the corpse of a relative from the Sunyani Regional Hospital to the Goaso Hospital mortuary.
When they got to Atronie, the accused persons, who had blocked the road, forced Yeboah-Boateng to stop.
According to the police, the accused persons rushed on him and accused him of being a ritual murderer because he was carrying a corpse in his car.
Before the deceased could offer any explanation, the accused pulled him out of the vehicle, clubbed him to death and attempted to set his body ablaze.
The accused persons then vandalised his car and the corpse, after which they bolted from the town.
GUINEA WORM CASES REDUCE IN PRU DISTRICT (MIRROR, PAGE 35)
From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Yeji
The health system in the Pru District in the Brong Ahafo Region recorded a reduction in guinea worm cases from 169 in 2005 to 97 cases in 2006 and down to 12 in 2007.
Only two cases were recorded by June, this year.
The Pru District Director of Health Services, Dr Prince Quarshie, explained that the two were “imported cases” as the patients had contracted the disease from outside the district before relocating somewhere in January, this year. Three years ago the district was leading in guinea worm cases in the country with 169 cases. Ghana is second to Sudan in Africa in terms of guinea worm infections.
Dr Quarshie, who disclosed the statistics at the second annual general meeting of the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, said if by the end of December no more cases had been recorded then it would be understood that the disease had been eradicated in the area.
On tuberculosis (TB) control, he said 115 and 117 cases were recorded in 2006 and 2007 respectively and 119 thus far in 2008, while 9,494, 14,194 and 16,945 malaria cases were recorded in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
In the case of treatment of malaria, Dr Quarshie read statistics to the effect that 9,494 cases were handled in 2006; 14,194 in 2007 and 16,945 cases thus far in 2008, adding that, to reduce the burden of malaria infection, the district carried out intensive education on the preventive treatment of pregnant mothers.
He also mentioned the sale of insecticide treated bed nets (ITBNs) to prevent pregnant mothers and children under five from being infected; re-treatment of bed nets during the National Child Health Promotion Week celebration as well as monitoring of the use of some malaria treatment drugs by pregnant mothers as some of the programmes organised to help reduce the incidence of malaria in the district.
On HIV/AIDS, Dr Quarshie said 90 patients were screened in 2006 with 40 positive cases; 547 in 2007 with 80 positive cases and 191 so far this year with 46 testing positive.
Presenting the operational report, Alhaji Oathmah Adams, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the scheme, said the scheme had a total active membership of 59,539 of the district’s population of 98,304, realising a total premium of GH¢78,883.05.
He said the total health attendance recorded was 49,205 with 46,965 being Out-patients while patients below 18 formed more than 50 per cent of the total attendance followed by clients from the informal sector.
He said GH¢436,665.86 was paid to service providers of the scheme.
The health system in the Pru District in the Brong Ahafo Region recorded a reduction in guinea worm cases from 169 in 2005 to 97 cases in 2006 and down to 12 in 2007.
Only two cases were recorded by June, this year.
The Pru District Director of Health Services, Dr Prince Quarshie, explained that the two were “imported cases” as the patients had contracted the disease from outside the district before relocating somewhere in January, this year. Three years ago the district was leading in guinea worm cases in the country with 169 cases. Ghana is second to Sudan in Africa in terms of guinea worm infections.
Dr Quarshie, who disclosed the statistics at the second annual general meeting of the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, said if by the end of December no more cases had been recorded then it would be understood that the disease had been eradicated in the area.
On tuberculosis (TB) control, he said 115 and 117 cases were recorded in 2006 and 2007 respectively and 119 thus far in 2008, while 9,494, 14,194 and 16,945 malaria cases were recorded in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
In the case of treatment of malaria, Dr Quarshie read statistics to the effect that 9,494 cases were handled in 2006; 14,194 in 2007 and 16,945 cases thus far in 2008, adding that, to reduce the burden of malaria infection, the district carried out intensive education on the preventive treatment of pregnant mothers.
He also mentioned the sale of insecticide treated bed nets (ITBNs) to prevent pregnant mothers and children under five from being infected; re-treatment of bed nets during the National Child Health Promotion Week celebration as well as monitoring of the use of some malaria treatment drugs by pregnant mothers as some of the programmes organised to help reduce the incidence of malaria in the district.
On HIV/AIDS, Dr Quarshie said 90 patients were screened in 2006 with 40 positive cases; 547 in 2007 with 80 positive cases and 191 so far this year with 46 testing positive.
Presenting the operational report, Alhaji Oathmah Adams, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the scheme, said the scheme had a total active membership of 59,539 of the district’s population of 98,304, realising a total premium of GH¢78,883.05.
He said the total health attendance recorded was 49,205 with 46,965 being Out-patients while patients below 18 formed more than 50 per cent of the total attendance followed by clients from the informal sector.
He said GH¢436,665.86 was paid to service providers of the scheme.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)