THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah, has donated hospital equipment to seven health facilities in the Asunafo North Municipality, at a cost of GH¢ 20,000.
The beneficiary health facilities are Ampenkro, Akrodie, Ayomso, Wam, Mim, Fawohoyeden, Gyasikrom, as well as the Goaso Municipal Hospital, and the items included stethoscope, boxes of examination gloves, surgical gloves, clinical thermometers, baby hanging scale, glucometer, boxes of syringe and needles, delivery set, dressing set and haemoglobin scale.
The MP’s initiative to equip those health facilities followed regular visits and interactions with the leadership of the Municipal Health Directorate to know at first-hand the felt needs of those institutions.
Making the presentation at a brief ceremony at Goaso, Mr Sarfo-Mensah indicated that the shortage and complete absence of some basic health items at the facilities undermined the smooth operation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said it was in this vein that he sought financial assistance from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) after which he consulted the health authorities to purchase the items.
“It is pathetic to see our people visit the clinics, health centres and the hospitals which are without simple medical equipment to the detriment of their lives,” Mr Sarfo –Mensah noted.
Already, the MP disclosed that he had provided funds towards construction of a laundry at the Goaso Municipal Hospital which, he said, had been completed, and that the Ministry of Health (MoH) was to supply equipment for the smooth functioning of the block.
He commended the staff at the various health facilities in the municipality for their hard work in spite of the problems they were confronted with.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr Kofi Asemayi-Mensah, who received the equipment, expressed profound appreciation to the MP for the gesture, saying that the items would facilitate the smooth health service delivery in the area.
He recounted a similar assistance provided by the MP for the extension of electricity to some Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) as well as provision of television sets to some Maternity Homes in the area.
The Asunafo North Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Haruna A. Salam, called for an effective collaboration between the municipal council and the MP towards effective development of the municipality.
Friday, February 26, 2010
NEWMOUNT LAUNCHES SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (PAGE 23, JAN 30, 2010)
NEWMONT Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), which is operating the Ahafo Mine in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region, has launched a programme dubbed: “Skills Development for Income Improvement Programme (SDIIP).
The programme is designed to enhance the quality of life of about 1,652 men, women and children affected by the expansion of the company’s mining activities to a new area within its concession called Amoma Pit.
The SDIIP is to be implemented by the Opportunities Industrialisation Centres International (OICI) from other funding sources after an initial support by NGGL for one year.
The current expansion of the Amoma Pit, which covers 562 hectares in the stool lands of Ntotroso, is the fourth pit of NGGL’S operation in the Ahafo area.
The programme is focused on agricultural and vocational skills development as the mechanism for re-establishing livelihoods of the PAPs.
The Amoma resettlement initiative also includes the payment of cash compensation, replacement of houses for people qualified for resettlement.
At a workshop to launch the programme, the Social Investment Manager of NGGL (Ahafo Mines), Mr Kwasi Amponsah Boateng, said the company recognised the potential social and environmental effects that could be created through the development of mining projects.
He said to ensure proper and appropriate mine development, the NGGL had endorsed the concept of sustainable development.
Mr Amponsah said in order to prevent impoverishment, ‘‘we recognise that the resettlement programme must focus on preventing any risk of leaving our host communities impoverished”.
He stated that prior to the SDIIP, Newmont had commissioned OICI to implement another programme known as “Livelihood Enhancement and Community Empowerment Programme (LEEP)” in February, 2005, which was to restore the livelihood of the Ahafo South project affected persons (PAPs).
According to Mr Boateng, the LEEP had three objectives and accomplished seven intermediate results.
They include improved sustainable food and cash crop production among 750 farmer households, post-harvest handling and storage losses reduced to five per cent, as well as small and medium-size enterprises strengthened for income generation for 1,500 men and women.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr Mike Krakue, said apart from the legally required interventions, such as the payment of compensations and relocation, which the company was mandated to implement, the NGGL had also gone out of its way to implement programmes such as the LEEP, Ahafo Agribusiness Growth Initiative (AAGI) and the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme (AILAP).
He stated that one of the most obvious features of involuntary resettlement was that people displaced were often those who had the least access to resources and were most likely to become impoverished.
Those people, Mr Krakue said, shouldered a disproportionate share of the costs of development but usually gained the least.
He said impoverishment resulted from eight risks, namely landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, marginalisation, food insecurity, increased morbidity and mortality, loss of access to common property resources and failure to articulate concerns.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of OICI, Mr W.P. Bray, explained that his organisation, which is a non-profit making, mainly focused on improving the quality of life of low-income disadvantaged individuals, through the provision of sustainable human resource development services, through education and skills training, agriculture and food security, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, entrepreneurship and business development, and micro-financing, among other interventions.
The programme is designed to enhance the quality of life of about 1,652 men, women and children affected by the expansion of the company’s mining activities to a new area within its concession called Amoma Pit.
The SDIIP is to be implemented by the Opportunities Industrialisation Centres International (OICI) from other funding sources after an initial support by NGGL for one year.
The current expansion of the Amoma Pit, which covers 562 hectares in the stool lands of Ntotroso, is the fourth pit of NGGL’S operation in the Ahafo area.
The programme is focused on agricultural and vocational skills development as the mechanism for re-establishing livelihoods of the PAPs.
The Amoma resettlement initiative also includes the payment of cash compensation, replacement of houses for people qualified for resettlement.
At a workshop to launch the programme, the Social Investment Manager of NGGL (Ahafo Mines), Mr Kwasi Amponsah Boateng, said the company recognised the potential social and environmental effects that could be created through the development of mining projects.
He said to ensure proper and appropriate mine development, the NGGL had endorsed the concept of sustainable development.
Mr Amponsah said in order to prevent impoverishment, ‘‘we recognise that the resettlement programme must focus on preventing any risk of leaving our host communities impoverished”.
He stated that prior to the SDIIP, Newmont had commissioned OICI to implement another programme known as “Livelihood Enhancement and Community Empowerment Programme (LEEP)” in February, 2005, which was to restore the livelihood of the Ahafo South project affected persons (PAPs).
According to Mr Boateng, the LEEP had three objectives and accomplished seven intermediate results.
They include improved sustainable food and cash crop production among 750 farmer households, post-harvest handling and storage losses reduced to five per cent, as well as small and medium-size enterprises strengthened for income generation for 1,500 men and women.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr Mike Krakue, said apart from the legally required interventions, such as the payment of compensations and relocation, which the company was mandated to implement, the NGGL had also gone out of its way to implement programmes such as the LEEP, Ahafo Agribusiness Growth Initiative (AAGI) and the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme (AILAP).
He stated that one of the most obvious features of involuntary resettlement was that people displaced were often those who had the least access to resources and were most likely to become impoverished.
Those people, Mr Krakue said, shouldered a disproportionate share of the costs of development but usually gained the least.
He said impoverishment resulted from eight risks, namely landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, marginalisation, food insecurity, increased morbidity and mortality, loss of access to common property resources and failure to articulate concerns.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of OICI, Mr W.P. Bray, explained that his organisation, which is a non-profit making, mainly focused on improving the quality of life of low-income disadvantaged individuals, through the provision of sustainable human resource development services, through education and skills training, agriculture and food security, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, entrepreneurship and business development, and micro-financing, among other interventions.
QUEENCARE PROTECTS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS (PAGE 11, JAN 28, 2010)
ONE non-governmental organisation (NGO) that is complementing the efforts of the government, individuals and other NGOs to protect the rights and interests of women and children is QueenCare International.
The organisation is based at Kato, near Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region and was founded by the Queen of Kato, Nana Afia Siraa-Ababio III, soon after she was enstooled in 1989. It is currently taking care of about 46 children, some of whom are orphans, destitute and street children.
The NGO seeks to create awareness of quality parenting and child care and rekindle lost cultural values. It is also committed to providing intervention services for vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disability through advocacy, counselling, care, support and economic empowerment.
At an appreciation day organised by QueenCare International, the Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board (NAB), Mr Kwame Dattey, stressed the need for the youth to abstain from alcohol and all hard drugs, eschew social vices and rather concentrate on their education to become worthy citizens of the country.
He observed that many religious and other organisations were currently establishing tertiary educational institutions in the country to contribute their quota to national development and advised parents to ensure that their children got the best of education, since it was the key to socio-economic development.
The 52-year-old queen, known in private life as Hannah Asuamah Kyere, who is the Executive Director of QueenCare International, acknowledged initiatives by government agencies, local and international institutions and other NGOs to address the problems associated with the development of the Ghanaian child, particularly in deprived communities, adding that there was no doubt about the fact that children were the future leaders of this country.
She said among the key problems confronting children were child labour, child trafficking, migration from the rural to the urban centres and streetism and pointed out that the root cause of all those problem was child neglect resulting from parental irresponsibility and deep-seated ignorance by parents and sometimes state institutions.
QueenCare International has selected four regions in the country, namely the Brong Ahafo, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central, for its operations but currently it had concentrated its activities in Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra.
Nana Siraa-Ababio, who is a product of the Berekum Presbyterian Girls’ School and the Government Secretariat School in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, stressed that her organisation used advocacy, sensitisation, awareness creation and confidence building to ensure quality parenting and make fathers and mothers more responsible for the care and support of their children.
The queen, who succeeded her late grandmother, Nana Yaa Tima, is currently providing food and shelter for about 46 neglected children and called for support from all well-meaning individuals and organisations.
The NGO is also involved in an advocacy and care and support programme for persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIVs). It has also established a theatre group called Otwaakwan Performing Arts, an abstinence club and a rescue home at Kato.
A number of individuals and organisations were presented with certificates of honour by the NGO in recognition of their invaluable support to it to promote quality parenting and child care.
The organisation is based at Kato, near Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region and was founded by the Queen of Kato, Nana Afia Siraa-Ababio III, soon after she was enstooled in 1989. It is currently taking care of about 46 children, some of whom are orphans, destitute and street children.
The NGO seeks to create awareness of quality parenting and child care and rekindle lost cultural values. It is also committed to providing intervention services for vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disability through advocacy, counselling, care, support and economic empowerment.
At an appreciation day organised by QueenCare International, the Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board (NAB), Mr Kwame Dattey, stressed the need for the youth to abstain from alcohol and all hard drugs, eschew social vices and rather concentrate on their education to become worthy citizens of the country.
He observed that many religious and other organisations were currently establishing tertiary educational institutions in the country to contribute their quota to national development and advised parents to ensure that their children got the best of education, since it was the key to socio-economic development.
The 52-year-old queen, known in private life as Hannah Asuamah Kyere, who is the Executive Director of QueenCare International, acknowledged initiatives by government agencies, local and international institutions and other NGOs to address the problems associated with the development of the Ghanaian child, particularly in deprived communities, adding that there was no doubt about the fact that children were the future leaders of this country.
She said among the key problems confronting children were child labour, child trafficking, migration from the rural to the urban centres and streetism and pointed out that the root cause of all those problem was child neglect resulting from parental irresponsibility and deep-seated ignorance by parents and sometimes state institutions.
QueenCare International has selected four regions in the country, namely the Brong Ahafo, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central, for its operations but currently it had concentrated its activities in Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra.
Nana Siraa-Ababio, who is a product of the Berekum Presbyterian Girls’ School and the Government Secretariat School in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, stressed that her organisation used advocacy, sensitisation, awareness creation and confidence building to ensure quality parenting and make fathers and mothers more responsible for the care and support of their children.
The queen, who succeeded her late grandmother, Nana Yaa Tima, is currently providing food and shelter for about 46 neglected children and called for support from all well-meaning individuals and organisations.
The NGO is also involved in an advocacy and care and support programme for persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIVs). It has also established a theatre group called Otwaakwan Performing Arts, an abstinence club and a rescue home at Kato.
A number of individuals and organisations were presented with certificates of honour by the NGO in recognition of their invaluable support to it to promote quality parenting and child care.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
LIBRARY, CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR NTOTROSO (PAGE 17, JAN 18, 2010)
CONSTRUCTION works on a new library block at Ntotroso and the renovation of a four-unit classroom block for the Ntotroso Primary School have been completed at an estimated cost of ¢30,000 and GH¢25,000 respectively.
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), operating the Ahafo Mine, contributed substantially towards the successful completion of the two projects.
Speaking at the inauguration of the projects at Ntotroso, in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Community Development Superintendent of Newmont Ahafo Project, Mr Joseph Danso, said his company considered education and human resource development as a very essential component of the overall development of its host communities.
He stressed that “one of our key values as a company is to develop our people in pursuit of excellence and we as a company will continue to strive to be a role model corporate citizen”.
Mr Danso gave the assurance that Newmont would continue to listen and provide assistance to its host communities and other district stakeholders and strengthen the already cordial relationship that existed between them.
He called for the setting up of a committee or a board to see to the management and regular maintenance of the projects so that they would last longer for more children to benefit.
Mr Danso disclosed that last month the company hand a four-unit teachers’ quarters to Dokyikrom after another handing over of a new classroom block for the community.
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), operating the Ahafo Mine, contributed substantially towards the successful completion of the two projects.
Speaking at the inauguration of the projects at Ntotroso, in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region, the Community Development Superintendent of Newmont Ahafo Project, Mr Joseph Danso, said his company considered education and human resource development as a very essential component of the overall development of its host communities.
He stressed that “one of our key values as a company is to develop our people in pursuit of excellence and we as a company will continue to strive to be a role model corporate citizen”.
Mr Danso gave the assurance that Newmont would continue to listen and provide assistance to its host communities and other district stakeholders and strengthen the already cordial relationship that existed between them.
He called for the setting up of a committee or a board to see to the management and regular maintenance of the projects so that they would last longer for more children to benefit.
Mr Danso disclosed that last month the company hand a four-unit teachers’ quarters to Dokyikrom after another handing over of a new classroom block for the community.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
BRITISH COUNCIL, GES ORGANISE WORKSHOP FOR 60 TEACHERS (PAGE 17, JAN 11, 2010)
THE British Council, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), has organised a workshop on the Department for International Development (DFID) Global School Partnerships (DGSP) for 60 teachers selected from the Sunyani Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The DGSP programme sought to promote links between schools in the United Kingdom (UK) and those in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The three-year programme which started in 2003 provided opportunities and grants to schools that were using partnerships as a means of developing global education within their curriculum.
Under the programme, schools in over 100 countries benefited from advice, guidance and grants, as well as in-country support.
The DGSP promotes partnerships which are educational, equality-based, inclusive, sustainable, and engaged the wider community.
It aimed at enabling young people to learn about themselves and their responsibilities as global citizens in the context of a diverse, complex and interdependent world, through joint curricular work with a partner school.
The Programme Coordinator, Ms Bridget Konadu Gyamfi, who briefed the Daily Graphic about the DGSP in Sunyani, disclosed that 370 grants had been awarded to school partnerships between UK schools and 43 southern countries, and explained that the partnerships had become a means of raising awareness among learners on global education.
The Programme Co-ordinator disclosed also that 270 partnerships had so far been formed in the 10 regions in Ghanaand that a total of 30 were to be formed in the Brong Ahafo Region.
She said through joint curriculum works to be undertaken by schools in partnerships, each of the beneficiary schools ended up in enriching its curriculum.
He indicated further that after partnerships had been formed, schools could access Global Curriculum Project Grants from the British Council to support their partnership activities.
The grants, she said, included reciprocal and global partnership visits which attracted £2,000 and £6,000 per partnership respectively, saying that the programme was beneficial, since it sought to broaden the scope and horizon of learners who were more or less limited to only what pertained in their localities.
Again, Ms Gyamfi explained that the DGSP supported teachers to upgrade their knowledge and skills through what she termed teacher accreditation and professional development modular workshops.
The DGSP programme sought to promote links between schools in the United Kingdom (UK) and those in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The three-year programme which started in 2003 provided opportunities and grants to schools that were using partnerships as a means of developing global education within their curriculum.
Under the programme, schools in over 100 countries benefited from advice, guidance and grants, as well as in-country support.
The DGSP promotes partnerships which are educational, equality-based, inclusive, sustainable, and engaged the wider community.
It aimed at enabling young people to learn about themselves and their responsibilities as global citizens in the context of a diverse, complex and interdependent world, through joint curricular work with a partner school.
The Programme Coordinator, Ms Bridget Konadu Gyamfi, who briefed the Daily Graphic about the DGSP in Sunyani, disclosed that 370 grants had been awarded to school partnerships between UK schools and 43 southern countries, and explained that the partnerships had become a means of raising awareness among learners on global education.
The Programme Co-ordinator disclosed also that 270 partnerships had so far been formed in the 10 regions in Ghanaand that a total of 30 were to be formed in the Brong Ahafo Region.
She said through joint curriculum works to be undertaken by schools in partnerships, each of the beneficiary schools ended up in enriching its curriculum.
He indicated further that after partnerships had been formed, schools could access Global Curriculum Project Grants from the British Council to support their partnership activities.
The grants, she said, included reciprocal and global partnership visits which attracted £2,000 and £6,000 per partnership respectively, saying that the programme was beneficial, since it sought to broaden the scope and horizon of learners who were more or less limited to only what pertained in their localities.
Again, Ms Gyamfi explained that the DGSP supported teachers to upgrade their knowledge and skills through what she termed teacher accreditation and professional development modular workshops.
30 APPRENTICES RECEIVE START-UP KITS (PAGE 17, JAN 11, 2010)
THIRTY apprentices in the Atebubu/Amantin District of the Brong Ahafo Region who have successfully completed training in their various trades, have been presented with start–up kits valued at GH¢10,000, under the Technology Promotion and Support to Apprentices Training (TPSAT) programme.
The programme is being implemented by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), under the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) with a joint sponsorship by the government of Ghana, the International Fund For Agricultural Development Bank (IFAD) and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).
The apprentices underwent training in hairdressing, barbering, dressmaking, electrical welding, trailoring and carpentry, among others.
Presenting the start-up kits at a ceremony at Atebubu, the Head of the BAC office in the district, Mr Isaac Opoku disclosed that since 2007, 102 unemployed youth who had undergone similar training had benefited from a package and were successfully engaged in their various trades to earn a living.
He indicated that the BAC office was ever prepared to assist any unemployed youth who wanted to engage in small, scale businesses after they had sat and passed proficiency tests conducted by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI).
Mr Oppong cautioned the beneficiaries of the package against selling their kits, since it was against the law to do so and anyone caught in such an act would face the appropriate sanction.
He commended the district assembly for promptly contributing 25 per cent of the cost of the kits which facilitated the arrival of the equipment in the district.
The District Chief Executive for Atebubu/Amantin, Mr Sanja Nanja, advised the youth not to rely solely on the government for employment but to try and learn trades in order to reduce their poverty levels.
He explained that the manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to create employment for the youth did not mean that the government was to provide white colour jobs for them, adding that the provision of the tools was job creation in disguise .
Mr Sanja Nanja also advised against the sale of the package by the beneficiaries or to keep them in their rooms, and encouraged them to train other people so that they could also enjoy a similar package to improve upon their living standards.
The programme is being implemented by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), under the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) with a joint sponsorship by the government of Ghana, the International Fund For Agricultural Development Bank (IFAD) and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).
The apprentices underwent training in hairdressing, barbering, dressmaking, electrical welding, trailoring and carpentry, among others.
Presenting the start-up kits at a ceremony at Atebubu, the Head of the BAC office in the district, Mr Isaac Opoku disclosed that since 2007, 102 unemployed youth who had undergone similar training had benefited from a package and were successfully engaged in their various trades to earn a living.
He indicated that the BAC office was ever prepared to assist any unemployed youth who wanted to engage in small, scale businesses after they had sat and passed proficiency tests conducted by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI).
Mr Oppong cautioned the beneficiaries of the package against selling their kits, since it was against the law to do so and anyone caught in such an act would face the appropriate sanction.
He commended the district assembly for promptly contributing 25 per cent of the cost of the kits which facilitated the arrival of the equipment in the district.
The District Chief Executive for Atebubu/Amantin, Mr Sanja Nanja, advised the youth not to rely solely on the government for employment but to try and learn trades in order to reduce their poverty levels.
He explained that the manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to create employment for the youth did not mean that the government was to provide white colour jobs for them, adding that the provision of the tools was job creation in disguise .
Mr Sanja Nanja also advised against the sale of the package by the beneficiaries or to keep them in their rooms, and encouraged them to train other people so that they could also enjoy a similar package to improve upon their living standards.
WISE SUCCUMB TO BECHEM CHELSEA (PAGE 54, JAN 11, 2010)
A third minute goal fetched by Bechem Chelsea wenger, Moro Mubarak, gave them maximum three points in their game against visiting Sekondi Eleven Wise when the two teams met at the Sunyani Coronation Park in their Glo-Premier league match on Saturday.
The Bechem lads never looked back when the match kicked off , and a twenty yarder drive by Mubarak was enough to give them a sweet 1-0 victory over Wise.
The Bechem lads never looked back when the match kicked off , and a twenty yarder drive by Mubarak was enough to give them a sweet 1-0 victory over Wise.
PERFORMANCE OF KINTAMPO RURAL BANK IMPRESSIVE (PAGE 23, JAN 9, 2010)
The consistent, positive performance of the Kintampo Rural Bank in the Brong Ahafo Region since it started business in 1980, has been recognised and appreciated by the government. The bank has, therefore, received a number of accolades, including the current best and number one bank in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The Apex Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Unit also ranked it third among five strong banks, out of the 127 rural/community banks in the country as of December 31, 2008. Recently it was adjudged the best managed rural and community bank in the northern sector of Ghana.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr Samuel Donyina-Ameyaw, announced this in a report presented on his behalf at the 24th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the bank. He said the “Net profit of the bank increased to GH¢239,497 in 2008 from GH¢142,009 the previous year.
He said the operating profit of the bank went up by 68.74 per cent from GH¢157,492 in 2007 to GH¢265,754 in 2008, while the returns on the bank’s assets had consistently remained above the benchmark level of five per cent.
During the year under review, Dr Donyina-Ameyaw further said, returns on the bank’s net worth went beyond GH¢888,237; from 20.9 per cent to 26.9 per cent at the end of December, 2008.
Its consistent growth in profits has resulted in an upward movement in the bank’s shareholder value.
On the other key financial indicators, the board chairman said the capital adequacy ratio of the bank stood at 31.9 per cent by December 31, 2008 as against 31.0 per cent as of December 31, 2007, and well above the Bank of Ghana’s (BOG’s) minimum requirement of 10 per cent.
According to Dr Donyina-Ameyaw, while growth in business and profits were the driving force of the bank, the emphasis was always on asset quality in the course of pursuing business expansion, which had resulted in improvement on non-performing loans (MPL) from 11.1 per cent in 2007 to 7.8 per cent in 2008.
“You will be pleased to learn that your bank, as in the past, surpassed all stipulated targets set and as you are aware, it has always been forward-looking and strategised to meet future challenges,” he told the shareholders.
The total business of the bank registered a 33.3 per cent growth, reaching the level of GH¢4,749,690, while total deposits rose to GH¢3,358,182 with gross advances of GH¢2,291,040, representing 41.4 per cent and 28.6 per cent respectively.
The Apex Bank Monitoring and Evaluation Unit also ranked it third among five strong banks, out of the 127 rural/community banks in the country as of December 31, 2008. Recently it was adjudged the best managed rural and community bank in the northern sector of Ghana.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr Samuel Donyina-Ameyaw, announced this in a report presented on his behalf at the 24th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the bank. He said the “Net profit of the bank increased to GH¢239,497 in 2008 from GH¢142,009 the previous year.
He said the operating profit of the bank went up by 68.74 per cent from GH¢157,492 in 2007 to GH¢265,754 in 2008, while the returns on the bank’s assets had consistently remained above the benchmark level of five per cent.
During the year under review, Dr Donyina-Ameyaw further said, returns on the bank’s net worth went beyond GH¢888,237; from 20.9 per cent to 26.9 per cent at the end of December, 2008.
Its consistent growth in profits has resulted in an upward movement in the bank’s shareholder value.
On the other key financial indicators, the board chairman said the capital adequacy ratio of the bank stood at 31.9 per cent by December 31, 2008 as against 31.0 per cent as of December 31, 2007, and well above the Bank of Ghana’s (BOG’s) minimum requirement of 10 per cent.
According to Dr Donyina-Ameyaw, while growth in business and profits were the driving force of the bank, the emphasis was always on asset quality in the course of pursuing business expansion, which had resulted in improvement on non-performing loans (MPL) from 11.1 per cent in 2007 to 7.8 per cent in 2008.
“You will be pleased to learn that your bank, as in the past, surpassed all stipulated targets set and as you are aware, it has always been forward-looking and strategised to meet future challenges,” he told the shareholders.
The total business of the bank registered a 33.3 per cent growth, reaching the level of GH¢4,749,690, while total deposits rose to GH¢3,358,182 with gross advances of GH¢2,291,040, representing 41.4 per cent and 28.6 per cent respectively.
Monday, February 22, 2010
FORMULATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY — PROF FRIMPONG-BOATENG (PAGE 17, JAN 8, 2010)
PROFESSOR Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, has called on the government to formulate a comprehensive and coherent national science and technology policy, designed to contribute to the achievement of the country’s development objectives.
“This policy is necessary for the effective application of science and technology for development, because for many decades now, the government has not shown any serious commitment to the development of science and technology, even in areas where institutional and legal framework exists”, he stressed.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng made the call when he presented a paper at the 5th lecture series instituted by the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) in the Brong Ahafo Region. His topic was, “Science and Technology for Accelerated Development”.
He declared, “Science and Technology have the historic record of solving problems and any country that is serious about development has to promote science and technology”.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, who is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation, explained that the categorisation of nations into poor and rich, developed and backward, was based on the level of their scientific and technological development.
“We need to recognise that we are in a fight for survival and there is the need for us to be determined, aggressive, ambitious and passionate about our affairs. As a people, we should not be afraid of breaking new,” he emphasised.
The renowned heart surgeon pointed out that, “The world may want to intimate us that we are so far behind that we cannot catch up. No! we don’t have to run after them. However, we can learn from the achievements and mistakes of others whilst charting our own path and preserving our cultural heritage and our time tested value systems”.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that the advanced and the newly advancing nations had been investing newly in science and technology, and that, doing so paid off.
He said economic data showed that contribution of science and technology to economic growth among the industrial countries was 70 per cent, among newly industrial countries it was 45-55 per cent and among the under-developed countries, such as Ghana, less than 30 per cent.
He further explained that in Ghana, just about 0.3 per cent- 0.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was set aside for research and development, saying that consequently, all the indicators of the level of development of science and technology in Ghana were not favourable.
The President observed that the number of scientists and technologists who were involved in science and technology in the country were woefully inadequate and not only that, they had little opportunity to update their skills and knowledge.
He noted that among researchers in the various institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) scientific publications and research conferences, were few and far in between, and that in industry, the state of science and technology could be seen in the quality of locally manufactured or processed products, when they were available.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said in agriculture, science and technology inputs gave rise to increased, more effective and high quality production as well as minimising pre and post-harvest losses, adding however that the state of agriculture in the country was still primitive and “We have not been able to mechanise production of any of the local food stuffs, such as cocoyam, yam, cassava and even the sweet potato”.
The prof pointed out that the filth in Ghana testified the hopeless nature of the country’s technological development and added that, “I have not seen any country that has developed in filth, and countries that are legendary in environmental cleanliness are invariably those that also have a high level of technological development”.
In the 1960s, he noted that both Ghana and South Korea had per capita Gross National Product (GNP) of $250, but said today the per capita income of South Korea was $1,500 per annum, and explained that Ghana was colonised by the British and South Korea by the Japanese and while 20 per cent of the total area in South Korea was arable, in Ghana close to 100 per cent of the total land was arable.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained that the reason for the success story of South Korea included application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies and effective management of it as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by research institutions.
The Rector of the S-Poly, Prof. Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, disclosed that the lecture series by the institution had received commendation from both local and external institutional collaborators, who had encouraged the authorities at the polytechnic to continue to organise the programme and publish every volume of the presentations.
That, he said, would create a forum for experts to showcase their research and contribute to the knowledge generation and sharing, as well as to build up teaching and research expertise in polytechnics in Ghana.
He explained that the 5th lecture series was focused on applied science and technology, because that area had proved a major challenge to the government and the people of Ghana.
The Chairman of the S-Poly Council, Nana (Dr) Justice Owusu-Ansah, said for any country that sought to develop it was important that the higher institutions of learning that charted the path for development, got a platform such as the S-Poly lecture series to discuss issues that affected the lives of the people and the country as a whole.
“This policy is necessary for the effective application of science and technology for development, because for many decades now, the government has not shown any serious commitment to the development of science and technology, even in areas where institutional and legal framework exists”, he stressed.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng made the call when he presented a paper at the 5th lecture series instituted by the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) in the Brong Ahafo Region. His topic was, “Science and Technology for Accelerated Development”.
He declared, “Science and Technology have the historic record of solving problems and any country that is serious about development has to promote science and technology”.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, who is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation, explained that the categorisation of nations into poor and rich, developed and backward, was based on the level of their scientific and technological development.
“We need to recognise that we are in a fight for survival and there is the need for us to be determined, aggressive, ambitious and passionate about our affairs. As a people, we should not be afraid of breaking new,” he emphasised.
The renowned heart surgeon pointed out that, “The world may want to intimate us that we are so far behind that we cannot catch up. No! we don’t have to run after them. However, we can learn from the achievements and mistakes of others whilst charting our own path and preserving our cultural heritage and our time tested value systems”.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng noted that the advanced and the newly advancing nations had been investing newly in science and technology, and that, doing so paid off.
He said economic data showed that contribution of science and technology to economic growth among the industrial countries was 70 per cent, among newly industrial countries it was 45-55 per cent and among the under-developed countries, such as Ghana, less than 30 per cent.
He further explained that in Ghana, just about 0.3 per cent- 0.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was set aside for research and development, saying that consequently, all the indicators of the level of development of science and technology in Ghana were not favourable.
The President observed that the number of scientists and technologists who were involved in science and technology in the country were woefully inadequate and not only that, they had little opportunity to update their skills and knowledge.
He noted that among researchers in the various institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) scientific publications and research conferences, were few and far in between, and that in industry, the state of science and technology could be seen in the quality of locally manufactured or processed products, when they were available.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said in agriculture, science and technology inputs gave rise to increased, more effective and high quality production as well as minimising pre and post-harvest losses, adding however that the state of agriculture in the country was still primitive and “We have not been able to mechanise production of any of the local food stuffs, such as cocoyam, yam, cassava and even the sweet potato”.
The prof pointed out that the filth in Ghana testified the hopeless nature of the country’s technological development and added that, “I have not seen any country that has developed in filth, and countries that are legendary in environmental cleanliness are invariably those that also have a high level of technological development”.
In the 1960s, he noted that both Ghana and South Korea had per capita Gross National Product (GNP) of $250, but said today the per capita income of South Korea was $1,500 per annum, and explained that Ghana was colonised by the British and South Korea by the Japanese and while 20 per cent of the total area in South Korea was arable, in Ghana close to 100 per cent of the total land was arable.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained that the reason for the success story of South Korea included application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies and effective management of it as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by research institutions.
The Rector of the S-Poly, Prof. Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, disclosed that the lecture series by the institution had received commendation from both local and external institutional collaborators, who had encouraged the authorities at the polytechnic to continue to organise the programme and publish every volume of the presentations.
That, he said, would create a forum for experts to showcase their research and contribute to the knowledge generation and sharing, as well as to build up teaching and research expertise in polytechnics in Ghana.
He explained that the 5th lecture series was focused on applied science and technology, because that area had proved a major challenge to the government and the people of Ghana.
The Chairman of the S-Poly Council, Nana (Dr) Justice Owusu-Ansah, said for any country that sought to develop it was important that the higher institutions of learning that charted the path for development, got a platform such as the S-Poly lecture series to discuss issues that affected the lives of the people and the country as a whole.
NEWMOUNT SETS UP COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE C'TTEE (PAGE 28, JAN 8, 2010)
THE management of the Ahafo Mine Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGLL), has a Community Consultative Committee (CCC), to provide a forum for the company and the community to deliberate on matters of common interest.
The membership of the committee cuts across several societal groupings, from chiefs, the clergy, various identifiable groups, representatives of the youth, and students as well as the villages which are affected by the operations of Newmont.
The company sees the CCC as a useful democratic and participatory mechanism for managing expectations while it will also help open up dialogue, build trust between the company and its community partners and improve relationships.
The Communities Relations Manager of NGLL, Mr Emmanuel Ato Aubynn. explained that in constituting the CCC, those members representing the Government, non-governmental organisations and chiefs were appointed from among their respective groups while others from the local communities were elected in an election supervised by the Asutifi District Office of the Electoral Commission..
According to Mr Aubynn, the processes the company went through to assemble members of the committee were cumbersome but “we endured because Newmont believes that free, fair and transparent election is the surest way the electorate will trust and listen to their representatives”.
The General Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR), Mr Dan. V. Michaelsen, said in a speech read on his behalf that the CCC would eventually be transformed into an advisory body for the company and for community interaction.
He said the deliberations of the committee would go beyond issues of social responsibility. Some of the deliberations will touch on matters such as informing Newmont of key community perspectives related to the company’s operations, exploration, working to develop constructive and mutually beneficial relationships between the company and affected communities.
One of the company’s values, he said, was to “insist on and demonstrate teamwork, as well as honest communications”, adding, “we know that our performance as a business entity will not be measured solely by how many tons of gold we mine but it will also be based on how well we are as a good corporate citizen in Ahafo,”.
The ERS General Manager expressed confidence in the CCC and gave the assurance that the NGGL would do its best at ensuring that the work of the committee started in earnest and progressed smoothly.
Mr Michaelson recalled a similar inauguration event in May 2008, in respect of signing of the Ahafo Social Responsibility Agreement (ASRA), which has by far, been the most bold and perhaps audacious move any mining company in Ghana had made to demonstrate its commitment to develop communities and to ensure that when mines closed, the communities became better of.
The membership of the committee cuts across several societal groupings, from chiefs, the clergy, various identifiable groups, representatives of the youth, and students as well as the villages which are affected by the operations of Newmont.
The company sees the CCC as a useful democratic and participatory mechanism for managing expectations while it will also help open up dialogue, build trust between the company and its community partners and improve relationships.
The Communities Relations Manager of NGLL, Mr Emmanuel Ato Aubynn. explained that in constituting the CCC, those members representing the Government, non-governmental organisations and chiefs were appointed from among their respective groups while others from the local communities were elected in an election supervised by the Asutifi District Office of the Electoral Commission..
According to Mr Aubynn, the processes the company went through to assemble members of the committee were cumbersome but “we endured because Newmont believes that free, fair and transparent election is the surest way the electorate will trust and listen to their representatives”.
The General Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR), Mr Dan. V. Michaelsen, said in a speech read on his behalf that the CCC would eventually be transformed into an advisory body for the company and for community interaction.
He said the deliberations of the committee would go beyond issues of social responsibility. Some of the deliberations will touch on matters such as informing Newmont of key community perspectives related to the company’s operations, exploration, working to develop constructive and mutually beneficial relationships between the company and affected communities.
One of the company’s values, he said, was to “insist on and demonstrate teamwork, as well as honest communications”, adding, “we know that our performance as a business entity will not be measured solely by how many tons of gold we mine but it will also be based on how well we are as a good corporate citizen in Ahafo,”.
The ERS General Manager expressed confidence in the CCC and gave the assurance that the NGGL would do its best at ensuring that the work of the committee started in earnest and progressed smoothly.
Mr Michaelson recalled a similar inauguration event in May 2008, in respect of signing of the Ahafo Social Responsibility Agreement (ASRA), which has by far, been the most bold and perhaps audacious move any mining company in Ghana had made to demonstrate its commitment to develop communities and to ensure that when mines closed, the communities became better of.
FIRST NATIONAL SAVINGS OPENS BRANCH IN SUNYANI (PAGE 20, JAN 07, 2010)
One of the greatest challenges facing the Government is how to reduce poverty, increase employment and reduce the drift of the youth from the rural areas to the urban centres.
Professor Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly), who made the observation pointed out that availability and access to credit was one of the surest ways and means of addressing those challenges.
“In the Brong Ahafo Region in particular, where small-scale farming and agriculture-related activities are the main sources of income and employment, the need for credit is most crucial during the farming season to enable farmers expand their farms and increase productivity”, he noted.
Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah was speaking at the inuaguration of the Sunyani branch of the First National Savings and Loans (FNSL) company at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The First National Savings and Loans company is a wholly-owned Ghanaian financial institution, licensed by the Bank of Ghana.
Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah further observed that at a time when armed robbery was on the increase, the culture of savings needed to be promoted so that people would not keep their money at home or carry large amounts on them to transact business.
According to him, fraud could also affect the fortunes of a financial institution, since sometimes, banks also failed in their duty to provide sound business advice to their customers, while some customers also refused advice from bank officials and misapplied funds on activities which were not profitable.
The S-Poly rector also advised the financial institution to keep its interest rates low and give more loans to women, especially single parents who shouldered huge responsibilities of taking care of their children and family.
The Financial Manager of the institution, Mr Samuel Addo-Nortey, said within the short period of three years that the bank started its operations, it had been able to attract 42,677 customers and disbursed GH¢23.97million to its clients.
The financial manager further said the FNSL had assisted farmers in the Akuapem South and Gomoa districts in the Eastern and Central regions with loans totalling Gh¢2.87million, to boost food production. He said the bank was prepared to extend similar assistance to farmers in the Brong Ahafo Region to expand their farms and yield, thereby, improving their earnings and reducing their poverty level.
He said the FNSL had a network of 20 branches located in all the 10 regions of the country, and that plans were far advanced to open five more branches next year, to bring the total to 25 in 2010. “This is in fulfilment of our vision to be the ‘People’s Bank’,” he said.
Professor Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly), who made the observation pointed out that availability and access to credit was one of the surest ways and means of addressing those challenges.
“In the Brong Ahafo Region in particular, where small-scale farming and agriculture-related activities are the main sources of income and employment, the need for credit is most crucial during the farming season to enable farmers expand their farms and increase productivity”, he noted.
Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah was speaking at the inuaguration of the Sunyani branch of the First National Savings and Loans (FNSL) company at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The First National Savings and Loans company is a wholly-owned Ghanaian financial institution, licensed by the Bank of Ghana.
Prof. Nsiah-Gyabaah further observed that at a time when armed robbery was on the increase, the culture of savings needed to be promoted so that people would not keep their money at home or carry large amounts on them to transact business.
According to him, fraud could also affect the fortunes of a financial institution, since sometimes, banks also failed in their duty to provide sound business advice to their customers, while some customers also refused advice from bank officials and misapplied funds on activities which were not profitable.
The S-Poly rector also advised the financial institution to keep its interest rates low and give more loans to women, especially single parents who shouldered huge responsibilities of taking care of their children and family.
The Financial Manager of the institution, Mr Samuel Addo-Nortey, said within the short period of three years that the bank started its operations, it had been able to attract 42,677 customers and disbursed GH¢23.97million to its clients.
The financial manager further said the FNSL had assisted farmers in the Akuapem South and Gomoa districts in the Eastern and Central regions with loans totalling Gh¢2.87million, to boost food production. He said the bank was prepared to extend similar assistance to farmers in the Brong Ahafo Region to expand their farms and yield, thereby, improving their earnings and reducing their poverty level.
He said the FNSL had a network of 20 branches located in all the 10 regions of the country, and that plans were far advanced to open five more branches next year, to bring the total to 25 in 2010. “This is in fulfilment of our vision to be the ‘People’s Bank’,” he said.
Sale of Sunyani lands...DORMAA CHIEF REACTS (PAGE 23, JAN 6, 2010)
Barely two weeks after the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, had warned the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, against the sale of Sunyani lands, the Dormaa Traditional Council has rebutted, calling the claim by the Sunyanihene a bluff.
The council said it considered the utterances, accusations and threats by the Sunyanihene as not only unfortunate but total falsehood, calculated to distort historical facts to attract undue public sympathy to the detriment of the long-existing peace-loving and law- abiding Dormaa State.
At a press conference in Sunyani, Nana Nkrawiri had also called on the Dormaahene to close down the office of the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani, since it was creating tension between the two traditional areas.
Addressing a similar press conference at the Abranpediase Palace at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, who is the President of the traditional council, said he and the entire membership of the council expressed ‘‘shock and dismay at the utterances, claims and even threats’’ by the Sunyanihene, as was carried by the December 17, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic”.
Flanked by his sub and divisional chiefs, who wore mourning cloths, the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area said, ’’We vehemently refute the Sunyanihene’s allegation that the Dormaahene has been selling Sunyani lands.”
He stressed that, ‘‘Indeed and in fact, the Dormaahene does not share any common boundary with Sunyanihene but rather with Domasehene, since time immemorial.’’
The Omanhene, who showed some documentary proof, explained that the boundary with the Domase Stool was marked by the Gubre stream, which he said flowed into the Bisi stream and far beyond, pointing out that important land marks, buildings and institutions such as the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, the Regional Hospital, the Nurses’ Quarters and the Pastoral Centre, were all located within Dormaa Stool Lands.
He further indicated that indeed, the sub-urban settlement of Penkwase, a suburb of Sunyani, was also part of Dormaa Stool Lands.
Again, the Dormaahene explained that the Sunyanihene’s allegation that the Dormaahene had trespassed beyond the Tyco Filling Station at Abisim to as far as the Police Barrier, near the Sunyani Senior High School, was also totally unfounded.
He declared, ‘‘The Dormaahene has indeed been in an effective and absolute control of all his traditional environs, including Abesim, Bomaa and Chiraa as far back as the 17th Century.”
Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, himself a member of the Bench, emphasised that the Sunyanihene’s ultimatum to him for the immediate closure of the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani was most unfortunate, saying even granted that the office was located on Sunyani Stool Land, there was hardly any restriction that prevented the operations of a lawfully established office in any part of the country from providing legitimate services to the general public, Sunyani being no exception.
‘‘We deem the Sunyanihene’s ultimatum to close down the office a mere rhetoric and that the Dormaa Traditional Council at its end-of-year meeting has unanimously decided to rename the building which houses the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani as ‘‘Aduana House’’ with effect from January 1, 2010,” he again declared.
He emphasised that the Dormaahene and members of the traditional council would be the last traditional authority in the country to condone and connive in the activities of ‘‘land guards’’ in any part of the country, and therefore the Sunyanihene’s allegation in that regard was once again totally false and unfounded.
According to him, as a fellow custodian of treasured customs and tradition, ‘‘One would have expected the Sunyanihene in the first instance to have acted with decorum by resorting to our traditional means of seeking redress in matters of this nature involving two traditional areas.”
‘‘In the unfortunate circumstances, therefore, the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II, and his chiefs have no other alternative than resorting to this same medium to set the records straight for the benefit of the general public.’’
The council said it considered the utterances, accusations and threats by the Sunyanihene as not only unfortunate but total falsehood, calculated to distort historical facts to attract undue public sympathy to the detriment of the long-existing peace-loving and law- abiding Dormaa State.
At a press conference in Sunyani, Nana Nkrawiri had also called on the Dormaahene to close down the office of the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani, since it was creating tension between the two traditional areas.
Addressing a similar press conference at the Abranpediase Palace at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, who is the President of the traditional council, said he and the entire membership of the council expressed ‘‘shock and dismay at the utterances, claims and even threats’’ by the Sunyanihene, as was carried by the December 17, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic”.
Flanked by his sub and divisional chiefs, who wore mourning cloths, the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area said, ’’We vehemently refute the Sunyanihene’s allegation that the Dormaahene has been selling Sunyani lands.”
He stressed that, ‘‘Indeed and in fact, the Dormaahene does not share any common boundary with Sunyanihene but rather with Domasehene, since time immemorial.’’
The Omanhene, who showed some documentary proof, explained that the boundary with the Domase Stool was marked by the Gubre stream, which he said flowed into the Bisi stream and far beyond, pointing out that important land marks, buildings and institutions such as the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, the Regional Hospital, the Nurses’ Quarters and the Pastoral Centre, were all located within Dormaa Stool Lands.
He further indicated that indeed, the sub-urban settlement of Penkwase, a suburb of Sunyani, was also part of Dormaa Stool Lands.
Again, the Dormaahene explained that the Sunyanihene’s allegation that the Dormaahene had trespassed beyond the Tyco Filling Station at Abisim to as far as the Police Barrier, near the Sunyani Senior High School, was also totally unfounded.
He declared, ‘‘The Dormaahene has indeed been in an effective and absolute control of all his traditional environs, including Abesim, Bomaa and Chiraa as far back as the 17th Century.”
Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, himself a member of the Bench, emphasised that the Sunyanihene’s ultimatum to him for the immediate closure of the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani was most unfortunate, saying even granted that the office was located on Sunyani Stool Land, there was hardly any restriction that prevented the operations of a lawfully established office in any part of the country from providing legitimate services to the general public, Sunyani being no exception.
‘‘We deem the Sunyanihene’s ultimatum to close down the office a mere rhetoric and that the Dormaa Traditional Council at its end-of-year meeting has unanimously decided to rename the building which houses the Dormaa Stool Land Secretariat in Sunyani as ‘‘Aduana House’’ with effect from January 1, 2010,” he again declared.
He emphasised that the Dormaahene and members of the traditional council would be the last traditional authority in the country to condone and connive in the activities of ‘‘land guards’’ in any part of the country, and therefore the Sunyanihene’s allegation in that regard was once again totally false and unfounded.
According to him, as a fellow custodian of treasured customs and tradition, ‘‘One would have expected the Sunyanihene in the first instance to have acted with decorum by resorting to our traditional means of seeking redress in matters of this nature involving two traditional areas.”
‘‘In the unfortunate circumstances, therefore, the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II, and his chiefs have no other alternative than resorting to this same medium to set the records straight for the benefit of the general public.’’
DORMAAMAN EDUCATIONAL FUND SUPPORTS 71 STUDENTS (PAGE 17, JAN 6, 2010)
SEVENTY-ONE students have been presented with scholarships totalling GH¢10,500 by the Dormaaman Educational Endowment Fund (DORMEEF) to enable them to undertake various courses.
The beneficiaries are made up of 41 second cycle and 30 tertiary students.
So far, 1,006 brilliant, needy students from the Dormaa Traditional Area and its environs in the Brong Ahafo Region, have benefited from a similar package at the total cost of GH¢44,749 since the establishment of the scheme about nine years ago.
The traditional council presents scholarships to students from various categories at the end of every year.
Speaking at this year’s function which was well attended, the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, called on the people to examine themselves based on their individual contributions towards the development of the Dormaa West Municipality in particular and the Brong Ahafo Region as a whole, adding that those who knew they had faulted should rekindle themselves.
He said the endowment fund was established to assist children in the area to take their studies seriously, since education was the key to development, saying that talking about the world being a global village meant talking about effective education.
Osagyefo Agyeman Badu said, ‘‘I want to urge beneficiaries of the fund to make good use of it by studying hard so that at the end of the day you will put money in your own pockets and earn a decent living, and I can assure you that plans are underway to expand the fund to cover more children who are willing to study”.
The Omanhene used the occasion to solicit support for the Dormaa-based Aduana Stars Football Club which is currently featuring in the Glo Premier League competition and is performing very well.
He paid tribute to the Head Coach of the club, Mr Herbert Addo, for his sterling performance so far, and expressed hope that even if Aduana did not win the premiership, they would qualify to play in the Top Four Competition, adding that, ‘‘We shall do everything possible to make the club a force to reckon with in the country’’.
The beneficiaries are made up of 41 second cycle and 30 tertiary students.
So far, 1,006 brilliant, needy students from the Dormaa Traditional Area and its environs in the Brong Ahafo Region, have benefited from a similar package at the total cost of GH¢44,749 since the establishment of the scheme about nine years ago.
The traditional council presents scholarships to students from various categories at the end of every year.
Speaking at this year’s function which was well attended, the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, called on the people to examine themselves based on their individual contributions towards the development of the Dormaa West Municipality in particular and the Brong Ahafo Region as a whole, adding that those who knew they had faulted should rekindle themselves.
He said the endowment fund was established to assist children in the area to take their studies seriously, since education was the key to development, saying that talking about the world being a global village meant talking about effective education.
Osagyefo Agyeman Badu said, ‘‘I want to urge beneficiaries of the fund to make good use of it by studying hard so that at the end of the day you will put money in your own pockets and earn a decent living, and I can assure you that plans are underway to expand the fund to cover more children who are willing to study”.
The Omanhene used the occasion to solicit support for the Dormaa-based Aduana Stars Football Club which is currently featuring in the Glo Premier League competition and is performing very well.
He paid tribute to the Head Coach of the club, Mr Herbert Addo, for his sterling performance so far, and expressed hope that even if Aduana did not win the premiership, they would qualify to play in the Top Four Competition, adding that, ‘‘We shall do everything possible to make the club a force to reckon with in the country’’.
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