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.
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