A TOTAL of 78 drivers in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region have been arrested by personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for recklessness and indiscipline during a special pre-X’mas exercise to clamp down on drivers who contravened road traffic rules and regulations.
Out of the number, 63 were processed to appear before various courts in the municipality, 33 were fined between GH¢70 and GH¢300. Bench warrants were issued by the courts for the arrest of 19 of them and five were, however, cautioned and discharged.
The exercise, which the police said would continue, was aimed at ensuring that accidents which normally occurred during Christmas were drastically reduced to the barest minimum or prevented.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Wesley Baah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Commander of the MTTU, told The Mirror in an interview that, 15, of the drivers were also issued with warning letters and explained that some of the drivers were plying the roads without their driving licenses while others had not equipped their vehicles with fire extinguishers and advanced warning triangles.
Mr Baah also intimated that some of the drivers were using worn-out tyres, others had overloaded, some were driving without road worthiness certificates, speeding, driving without insurance or expired certificates and many other offences, which according to him, were the cause of many accidents on the roads.
The MTTU Commander disclosed that the checks were mounted on the Sunyani- Kumasi, Sunyani-Techiman and the Sunyani-Berekum highways as well as the Sunyani-Odumase road, in collaboration with officials of the National Road and Safety Commission (NRSC) and the Driver, Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
He pointed out that as Christmas was fast approaching, the three institutions had decided to come out early to ensure that vehicles that plied the roads were of standard and conformed strictly with the road traffic and transport regulations so as to curb the carnage on the various road networks.
‘‘We want to make sure that every vehicle on the road is worthy, possessed valid license, insurance cover, advanced warning triangles, fire extinguishers and all the necessary documents and equipment before they embarked on their businesses,” Mr Baah stressed.
The MTTU Commander, however, cautioned that those drivers who would not obey the simple but important rules would be prosecuted at the law courts, adding that the exercise was going to be sustained to protect human lives and property.
According to the police officer, the checks were not limited to only commercial vehicles alone but covered all manner of transports, including motorbikes and, therefore, all drivers should co-operate with personnel of the service and their collaborators to make the exercise succeed in the interest of the wider population.
Mr Yaw Yeboah Asante, Assistant Planning Officer of the NRSC in Sunyani, said in another interaction that the exercise was intended to ensure safety on the roads and expressed optimism that at the end of the day, the drivers would do what was expected of them and not fall foul to the law.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
SENSITIZATION SEMINAR FOR MDAS (PAGE 13, NOV 24, 2010)
A sensitisation seminar on the Legislative Instrument (LI) 1961, with particular reference to the establishment of the new Department of Trade, Industry and Tourism and its linkage with the Business Advisory Centres (BACs) and Rural Technology Facilities (RTCs) within the District Assembly system, has been held in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The objective of the seminar was to help the stakeholders to identify practical ways of absorbing the BACs and the RTFs into the new department and ultimately mainstream them within the district assembly concept to ensure sustainability of the two structures.
It was organised by the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) in collaboration with its supervising Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Local Government Service.
The target groups were: District and Municipal Chief Executives, District Coordinating Directors, District Finance Officers, Planning Officers and other stakeholders from 66 participating districts of the REP in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo. Central, Western, Northern, Eastern, Upper East and Volta regions.
Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, who addressed the function, stressed that the ministry was pursuing a policy for strengthening the informal private sector by initiating the establishment of a national institutional framework for the promotion of micro and small-scale enterprises at the district, metropolitan and regional levels.
He explained that the bulk of the micro and small-scale enterprises operated at the district level, however, most of them did not operate at sustainable levels due to a number of reasons, including the lack of relevant business development support services.
The deputy minister further indicated that the passing of the LI 1961, 2009, sought to operationalise the decentralised departments, which included trade, industry and tourism at the district level as the substantive departments of the district assemblies.
Mr Ayariga also pointed out that the function of the new department within the assembly system, which among others, shall facilitate the promotion and development of small-scale industries, the task of the new arrangement was consistent with the objective of the REP and the operations of the BACs and the RTFs.
The National Coodinator of the REP, Mr Kwasi Atta-Antwi, explained that the BACs and RTFs were institutional structures that had strengthened the capacity of the assemblies to promote micro and small- scale enterprises and facilitated local economic development.
However, he noted that the assemblies face the challenge of directly paying for the salaries of the staff appointed by the assemblies to the two structures, and that was mainly because technically, the staff were not part of the assembly system which resulted in their demotivation and high attrition in some districts.
The objective of the seminar was to help the stakeholders to identify practical ways of absorbing the BACs and the RTFs into the new department and ultimately mainstream them within the district assembly concept to ensure sustainability of the two structures.
It was organised by the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) in collaboration with its supervising Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Local Government Service.
The target groups were: District and Municipal Chief Executives, District Coordinating Directors, District Finance Officers, Planning Officers and other stakeholders from 66 participating districts of the REP in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo. Central, Western, Northern, Eastern, Upper East and Volta regions.
Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, who addressed the function, stressed that the ministry was pursuing a policy for strengthening the informal private sector by initiating the establishment of a national institutional framework for the promotion of micro and small-scale enterprises at the district, metropolitan and regional levels.
He explained that the bulk of the micro and small-scale enterprises operated at the district level, however, most of them did not operate at sustainable levels due to a number of reasons, including the lack of relevant business development support services.
The deputy minister further indicated that the passing of the LI 1961, 2009, sought to operationalise the decentralised departments, which included trade, industry and tourism at the district level as the substantive departments of the district assemblies.
Mr Ayariga also pointed out that the function of the new department within the assembly system, which among others, shall facilitate the promotion and development of small-scale industries, the task of the new arrangement was consistent with the objective of the REP and the operations of the BACs and the RTFs.
The National Coodinator of the REP, Mr Kwasi Atta-Antwi, explained that the BACs and RTFs were institutional structures that had strengthened the capacity of the assemblies to promote micro and small- scale enterprises and facilitated local economic development.
However, he noted that the assemblies face the challenge of directly paying for the salaries of the staff appointed by the assemblies to the two structures, and that was mainly because technically, the staff were not part of the assembly system which resulted in their demotivation and high attrition in some districts.
BOATENG GYAN CHAIRS BOFOAKWA (PAGE 79, NOV 22, 2010)
The Board of Directors of Sunyani-based Bofoakwa Tano Football Club, a division one side in the Brong-Ahafo Region, has appointed Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan of the office of the President, Castle, as the new chairman of the club with immediate effect.
A letter dated November 16, 2010 and copied to the Graphic Sports in Sunyani, said, ‘‘I have been directed by the Chief Patron of Bofoakwa Tano FC, Dr E.A. Saarah Akyereko, to inform you that you have officially been appointed as the new Board Chairman of the club. Your appointment takes immediate effect’’.
The letter, signed by the Secretary of the board, Mr Charles Osei Shiamang, also named Mr J.Y. Appiah, an Accra representative of the club, as the Vice Chairman, saying, “I am fully convinced that you would accept your new appointment in good faith. accept my congratulations’’.
A letter dated November 16, 2010 and copied to the Graphic Sports in Sunyani, said, ‘‘I have been directed by the Chief Patron of Bofoakwa Tano FC, Dr E.A. Saarah Akyereko, to inform you that you have officially been appointed as the new Board Chairman of the club. Your appointment takes immediate effect’’.
The letter, signed by the Secretary of the board, Mr Charles Osei Shiamang, also named Mr J.Y. Appiah, an Accra representative of the club, as the Vice Chairman, saying, “I am fully convinced that you would accept your new appointment in good faith. accept my congratulations’’.
KOTOKO END LOSING STREAK (BACK PAGE, NOV 22, 2010)
Faded Kumasi Asante Kotoko continued their dismal display in the Glo Premier League as they failed to take advantage of their numerical strength to collect the three points at the expense of B.A. Stars at the Sunyani Coronation Park. The match ended goaless.
It was Kotoko’s first point in five games following a four-match losing streak that sent their otherwise brilliant start to the season tumbling into the reverse gear.
Tema-based FIFA referee Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo red-carded the hometers’ intelligent play-maker, Daniel Larbi Coomson, on the 50th minute for violent conduct.
B.A. Stars dominated play in all the departments of the game, but failed to utilise clear chances that they created to the amazement of their supporters and sympathisers.
In fact, the tutorials of Kotoko’s new coach, Bogdan Korak, are yet to yield dividends, and the doubts that have been cast over his capability of stemming the tide appears to have emanated from the floppy and unattractive nature of the current Kotoko side.
It was Kotoko’s first point in five games following a four-match losing streak that sent their otherwise brilliant start to the season tumbling into the reverse gear.
Tema-based FIFA referee Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo red-carded the hometers’ intelligent play-maker, Daniel Larbi Coomson, on the 50th minute for violent conduct.
B.A. Stars dominated play in all the departments of the game, but failed to utilise clear chances that they created to the amazement of their supporters and sympathisers.
In fact, the tutorials of Kotoko’s new coach, Bogdan Korak, are yet to yield dividends, and the doubts that have been cast over his capability of stemming the tide appears to have emanated from the floppy and unattractive nature of the current Kotoko side.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
ROTORIANS SUPPORT SUNYANI MUNICIPAL SCHOOL (JUNIOR GRAPHIC PAGE 6, NOV 17, 2010)
The Sunyani Central branch of the Rotary Club, in collaboration with Rotary International and other sister Rotary clubs in Canada, has provided teaching and health items for the Sunyani Municipal Basic School.
The items which included library books, computers, cupboards, television sets, mosquito nets, as well as health and sanitation equipment cost GH¢65,739.
In addition to these, the club has completed the construction of a fence wall to ward off thieves and other social miscreants who had hitherto used the open school compound for their criminal and other nefarious activities.
Mr Samuel A. Obour, President of the Sunyani Central Rotary Club, who disclosed this at a ceremony to officially inaugurate the security wall project, said the club had also decided to construct a 12-unit toilet facility for the school.
He said it was the intention of the club and Rotary International to improve the lives of deprived people in society and, therefore, appealed to all well-meaning residents of Sunyani to join the club in achieving its goals.
The Sunyani Municipal Director of Education, Rev Timothy Kankam Dwumfuor, commended the club for the decision to protect the vulnerable pupils and their teachers from criminals.
He used the occasion to advise the children to study hard in order to achieve their future goals, adding that it was the desire of the education directorate to ensure that results of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) were improved in the municipality.
Mr Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who performed the ceremony, noted that the gesture by the club was in line with the government’s policy of public-private partnership for development.
The items which included library books, computers, cupboards, television sets, mosquito nets, as well as health and sanitation equipment cost GH¢65,739.
In addition to these, the club has completed the construction of a fence wall to ward off thieves and other social miscreants who had hitherto used the open school compound for their criminal and other nefarious activities.
Mr Samuel A. Obour, President of the Sunyani Central Rotary Club, who disclosed this at a ceremony to officially inaugurate the security wall project, said the club had also decided to construct a 12-unit toilet facility for the school.
He said it was the intention of the club and Rotary International to improve the lives of deprived people in society and, therefore, appealed to all well-meaning residents of Sunyani to join the club in achieving its goals.
The Sunyani Municipal Director of Education, Rev Timothy Kankam Dwumfuor, commended the club for the decision to protect the vulnerable pupils and their teachers from criminals.
He used the occasion to advise the children to study hard in order to achieve their future goals, adding that it was the desire of the education directorate to ensure that results of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) were improved in the municipality.
Mr Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who performed the ceremony, noted that the gesture by the club was in line with the government’s policy of public-private partnership for development.
NO CLASSROOMS @ BEREKUM PRESEC (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, NOV 17, 2010, PAGE 3)
About 500 newly admitted Form One students of the Berekum Presbyterian Senior High School (Berekum Presec) have no classrooms for their lessons.
However, as an interim measure, the authorities have decided to convert the school’s library block and the science laboratory into classrooms for their use.
In addition, an uncompleted headmaster’s bungalow which started about 10 years ago is currently being used by the Form One students as a hostel, owing to the acute accommodation problem in the school.
Mr Joseph Mensah-Diawuo, the Headmaster, who disclosed this at the maiden Speech and Prize-giving Day of the school, indicated that the school needed classrooms, an assembly hall, computer and science laboratories, hostels for boys and girls, staff bungalows, a home science centre and a vehicle.
The theme for the celebration was: “Educating the Youth for National Development: The Role and Challenges of Less-Endowed Schools”.
He pointed out that the time had come for the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to direct their attention at less-privileged schools in the country such as Berekum PRESEC by providing them with basic needs to promote teaching and learning.
The headmaster emphasised that in spite of the constraints, Berekum Presec was doing very well academically under strict Presbyterian discipline.
According to Mr Mensah-Diawuo, in 2005 the school won the first position in the National Science Fair competition, placed first and second in 2008, took the second and fourth positions in 2009 and came third this year.
In the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), he described the school’s performance as impressive and announced that from 2005 to 2009 it scored 100 per cent passes, explaining that out of the 298 students presented in 2009, 289 passed in six, seven or eight subjects.
The headmaster expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the teachers for their dedication and hard work and disclosed that in 2001 one of them, Ms Cecilia Yeboah, was the second runner-up in the National Best Teacher awards.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, said the government had decided to construct a six-unit classroom block and a three-storey girls’ dormitory for the school.
However, as an interim measure, the authorities have decided to convert the school’s library block and the science laboratory into classrooms for their use.
In addition, an uncompleted headmaster’s bungalow which started about 10 years ago is currently being used by the Form One students as a hostel, owing to the acute accommodation problem in the school.
Mr Joseph Mensah-Diawuo, the Headmaster, who disclosed this at the maiden Speech and Prize-giving Day of the school, indicated that the school needed classrooms, an assembly hall, computer and science laboratories, hostels for boys and girls, staff bungalows, a home science centre and a vehicle.
The theme for the celebration was: “Educating the Youth for National Development: The Role and Challenges of Less-Endowed Schools”.
He pointed out that the time had come for the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to direct their attention at less-privileged schools in the country such as Berekum PRESEC by providing them with basic needs to promote teaching and learning.
The headmaster emphasised that in spite of the constraints, Berekum Presec was doing very well academically under strict Presbyterian discipline.
According to Mr Mensah-Diawuo, in 2005 the school won the first position in the National Science Fair competition, placed first and second in 2008, took the second and fourth positions in 2009 and came third this year.
In the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), he described the school’s performance as impressive and announced that from 2005 to 2009 it scored 100 per cent passes, explaining that out of the 298 students presented in 2009, 289 passed in six, seven or eight subjects.
The headmaster expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the teachers for their dedication and hard work and disclosed that in 2001 one of them, Ms Cecilia Yeboah, was the second runner-up in the National Best Teacher awards.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, said the government had decided to construct a six-unit classroom block and a three-storey girls’ dormitory for the school.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
WORKSHOP ON PROMOTING BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ENDS (PAGE 22, NOV 12, 2010)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, has observed that for the private sector to be the engine of growth, intermediary organisations such as trade and business associations (TBS) should act as the voice of the sector.
He stressed that private businesses have to organise themselves into strong associations and through advocacy, use them as platforms to articulate their concerns for the attention of policy-makers at the national, regional and district levels.
“They can advise government on the adoption of prudent economic policies that will create the appropriate environment for private sector growth and development. The TBAs should strengthen the capacity of the private sector and determine policy as well as the allocation of resources,’’ Mr Nyamekye-Marfo suggested.
The Regional Minister made the observation in a speech read on his behalf at a workshop in Sunyani on “Promoting Business Associations in Ghana”, which was organised by the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF).
Sponsored by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the workshop was aimed at improving the membership and capacity of trade and business associations.
The workshop explored the current status of trade and business, inhibition factors in attaining optimal membership of trade and business associations and the potential roles of leadership and membership of trade and business associations, the state and other civil society organisations, among other objectives.
According to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, TBAs in Ghana were weak, poorly funded and lacked research and lobbying capacity.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that the workshop would strengthen the associations to enable them to have a strong and coherent voice to effectively play their role in the development process and also contribute towards the achievement of the government’s ‘‘Better Ghana’’ agenda.
The Regional Minister stated that the government’s support for active trade associations was premised on the knowledge that TBAs the world over, had the potential to facilitate the development of a strong private sector by representing the interest of businesses and providing support for members.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KAB Governance Consult, Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, who presented a paper on ‘‘The case for strengthening business associations,’’ said the policy environment remained relatively weak for the private sector in spite of the government’s declared commitment to private sector development.
He suggested that the leadership of business associations should strive for a strong voice in the determination of policy and the allocation of resources, adding that strengthening business associations was a shared responsibility.
According to Mr Badu, Ghanaian business associations had the potential to become a force to reckon with in the national arena but noted that what was required were effective leadership and the need for PEF to rise to the challenge and offer the required leadership.
The acting Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), Mr Saeed Owusu-Brobbey, in a speech read on his behalf, said in the current competitive business world, it was almost impossible for any small scale entrepreneur to survive as an individual.
He said the resources of an individual alone might not be enough to enable him or her to compete effectively with the larger business concerns which made use of modern and complex scientific methods in production.
He stressed that private businesses have to organise themselves into strong associations and through advocacy, use them as platforms to articulate their concerns for the attention of policy-makers at the national, regional and district levels.
“They can advise government on the adoption of prudent economic policies that will create the appropriate environment for private sector growth and development. The TBAs should strengthen the capacity of the private sector and determine policy as well as the allocation of resources,’’ Mr Nyamekye-Marfo suggested.
The Regional Minister made the observation in a speech read on his behalf at a workshop in Sunyani on “Promoting Business Associations in Ghana”, which was organised by the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF).
Sponsored by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the workshop was aimed at improving the membership and capacity of trade and business associations.
The workshop explored the current status of trade and business, inhibition factors in attaining optimal membership of trade and business associations and the potential roles of leadership and membership of trade and business associations, the state and other civil society organisations, among other objectives.
According to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, TBAs in Ghana were weak, poorly funded and lacked research and lobbying capacity.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that the workshop would strengthen the associations to enable them to have a strong and coherent voice to effectively play their role in the development process and also contribute towards the achievement of the government’s ‘‘Better Ghana’’ agenda.
The Regional Minister stated that the government’s support for active trade associations was premised on the knowledge that TBAs the world over, had the potential to facilitate the development of a strong private sector by representing the interest of businesses and providing support for members.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KAB Governance Consult, Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, who presented a paper on ‘‘The case for strengthening business associations,’’ said the policy environment remained relatively weak for the private sector in spite of the government’s declared commitment to private sector development.
He suggested that the leadership of business associations should strive for a strong voice in the determination of policy and the allocation of resources, adding that strengthening business associations was a shared responsibility.
According to Mr Badu, Ghanaian business associations had the potential to become a force to reckon with in the national arena but noted that what was required were effective leadership and the need for PEF to rise to the challenge and offer the required leadership.
The acting Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), Mr Saeed Owusu-Brobbey, in a speech read on his behalf, said in the current competitive business world, it was almost impossible for any small scale entrepreneur to survive as an individual.
He said the resources of an individual alone might not be enough to enable him or her to compete effectively with the larger business concerns which made use of modern and complex scientific methods in production.
DCE WORRIED OVER COCOA SMUGGLING (PAGE 36, NOV 10, 2010)
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Juabeso, Mr Solomon Fuachie, has expressed concern over the smuggling of cocoa by some unscrupulous people across the borders of Ghana.
He observed that the smuggling of tonnes of cocoa beans to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire over the years had been a big loss to the national economy.
He, therefore, appealed to the economic saboteurs to think about their country first before their selfish and parochial interests.
Mr Fuachie expressed the concern in his opening remarks at a ceremony where OLAM Ghana Limited, a licensed buying company (LBC) in the country presented three motorbikes valued at GH¢20,000 to an anti-cocoa smuggling squad of the security agencies at Sefwi Essam, the capital of the Bia District in the Western Region.
He noted that cocoa had been the backbone of the Ghanaian economy from time immemorial but noted with regret that some people did not seem to appreciate that fact and had rather resorted to undermining what the resource could do to sustain the economy.
‘‘We should be proud of the commodity and respect the producer price being offered by the government,’’ he said.
Mr Fuachie emphasised that by law it was only the government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), that had the sole responsibility to export cocoa beans for sale.
“We need to educate the people about the law and the consequences of smuggling. Let us condemn the act and the perpetrators in the strictest terms and in totality,” he emphasised.
He commended OLAM Ghana for the gesture.
Mr Fuachie appealed to the security agencies to work harder than before to stop the menace of cocoa smuggling in the area once and for all, stressing that the logistics they had received should be a morale booster for them to act swiftly on the smugglers in the district.
The Head of Business of OLAM Ghana Limited, Mr John Andre, disclosed that Ghana produced 650,000 metric tonnes of cocoa last year but lost about 100,000 tonnes of the commodity through smuggling, adding that the money that was lost could have been used to construct roads in the area.
According to him, his company had donated 100 hospital beds to the Dunkwa Health Assistants Training School and also presented a quantity of rice to its customers during the celebration of COPAL Day last year..
He added that the company had created many jobs and for the people to help improve their living conditions.
He said as the fourth largest LBC in the country, OLAM was operating in all the cocoa producing regions, except Volta.
He observed that the smuggling of tonnes of cocoa beans to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire over the years had been a big loss to the national economy.
He, therefore, appealed to the economic saboteurs to think about their country first before their selfish and parochial interests.
Mr Fuachie expressed the concern in his opening remarks at a ceremony where OLAM Ghana Limited, a licensed buying company (LBC) in the country presented three motorbikes valued at GH¢20,000 to an anti-cocoa smuggling squad of the security agencies at Sefwi Essam, the capital of the Bia District in the Western Region.
He noted that cocoa had been the backbone of the Ghanaian economy from time immemorial but noted with regret that some people did not seem to appreciate that fact and had rather resorted to undermining what the resource could do to sustain the economy.
‘‘We should be proud of the commodity and respect the producer price being offered by the government,’’ he said.
Mr Fuachie emphasised that by law it was only the government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), that had the sole responsibility to export cocoa beans for sale.
“We need to educate the people about the law and the consequences of smuggling. Let us condemn the act and the perpetrators in the strictest terms and in totality,” he emphasised.
He commended OLAM Ghana for the gesture.
Mr Fuachie appealed to the security agencies to work harder than before to stop the menace of cocoa smuggling in the area once and for all, stressing that the logistics they had received should be a morale booster for them to act swiftly on the smugglers in the district.
The Head of Business of OLAM Ghana Limited, Mr John Andre, disclosed that Ghana produced 650,000 metric tonnes of cocoa last year but lost about 100,000 tonnes of the commodity through smuggling, adding that the money that was lost could have been used to construct roads in the area.
According to him, his company had donated 100 hospital beds to the Dunkwa Health Assistants Training School and also presented a quantity of rice to its customers during the celebration of COPAL Day last year..
He added that the company had created many jobs and for the people to help improve their living conditions.
He said as the fourth largest LBC in the country, OLAM was operating in all the cocoa producing regions, except Volta.
ARMED ROBBERS STRIKE ON KINTAMPO-TAMALE ROAD (PAGE 19, NOV 9, 2010)
TWO passenger vehicles, a Yutong bus and a Blue Bird, were attacked by armed robbers at a spot between Dawadawa No 1. and Atta Akuraa on the Kintampo-Tamale road in the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday.
Numbering about seven, the armed robbers allegedly took away GH¢ 3,000.00 from a co-driver of the Yutong bus and an unspecified amount from the passengers as well as their mobile phones and other items.
They are also alleged to have collected GH¢800.00 and a mobile phone from Daniel Marfo, the driver of the Blue Bird vehicle and GH¢200.00 from a woman on the bus.
Confirming the incident to the Daily Graphic, the Kintampo Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, said the robbers became furious when the Yutong bus driver attempted to bypass the Blue Bird vehicle which they had stopped so they shot at the vehicle, injuring one passenger who is now on admission at the Kintampo Government Hospital.
Superintendent Boampong said the police had begun investigations into the incident.
Numbering about seven, the armed robbers allegedly took away GH¢ 3,000.00 from a co-driver of the Yutong bus and an unspecified amount from the passengers as well as their mobile phones and other items.
They are also alleged to have collected GH¢800.00 and a mobile phone from Daniel Marfo, the driver of the Blue Bird vehicle and GH¢200.00 from a woman on the bus.
Confirming the incident to the Daily Graphic, the Kintampo Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, said the robbers became furious when the Yutong bus driver attempted to bypass the Blue Bird vehicle which they had stopped so they shot at the vehicle, injuring one passenger who is now on admission at the Kintampo Government Hospital.
Superintendent Boampong said the police had begun investigations into the incident.
RURAL ENTERPRISES PROJECT UP-SCALED (PAGE 22, NOV 9, 2010)
THE Ministry of Trade and Industry has decided to up-scale the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) to a National Rural Enterprises Programme (NREP) to cover all districts in the country and support job creation nationwide.
This is part of the government’s development effort to create wealth and reduce poverty in rural areas.
The Ministry believes that the implementation of a National Rural Enterprises Programme will reinforce the wider national strategy of empowering the rural poor with skills and other productive assets to develop and grow their businesses and further strengthen the private sector.
The up-scaling of the project followed an interim independent evaluation, which was carried out in July, this year and whose findings were positive. Consequently, a preliminary design mission of the proposed programme was set up, which completed its assignment and submitted its initial report to the Ministry.
A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, who announced this in Sunyani, said by January, 2012, the change of the project to a programme status would be officially launched.
He was addressing the 2010 annual review workshop of the REP, which was attended by District Chief Executives, District Co-ordinating Directors, staff of the project and other stakeholders from the participating districts of the project.
The REP was jointly financed by the government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide a critical mass support for the micro enterprise sector in Ghana.
According to the Deputy Minister, the President of IFAD, Dr Kanayo Felix Nwanze, assured the ministry on his recent visit to the country that IFAD could contribute funding to up-scale the programme to cover all rural districts in Ghana, made up of 66 existing participating districts and 95 additional ones.
He stressed that the objective was to spread the benefits of skills development, technology promotion and transfer, rural financial services, job creation and poverty reduction to all districts in the country.
He said that would involve among others, the establishment of sustainable structures for business promotion, including Business Advisory Centres (BACs) and Rural Technology Facilities nation-wide.
Mr Ayariga stated that the expansion of the programme nationwide fitted into the wider national strategy of establishing an institutional framework for the promotion of micro and small scale enterprises.
He said that had come about due to lack of co-ordination and effective linkages of various programmes on medium and small enterprises’ promotion at the district, regional and national level, adding that there was an avoidable gap that needed to be addressed for better synergy.
It was the expectation of the Deputy Minister that the institutional structure of the NREP that would cover all rural districts in the country would put in place an appropriate institutional framework that would effectively involve and co-ordinate the activities of all stakeholders at the district, regional and national levels, to enable them to work in harmony with the sustained development and growth of micro and small scale enterprises in the long term.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Kwasi Atta-Antwi, disclosed that since its inception in 2003, the project had reached over 196,000 persons, including 110,000 women, who formed 56 per cent, with various project services.
He said more than 89,000 persons out of the number were trained in various community-based skills trades, small business management, improved production processes, occupational safety and environmental management, banking culture and others.
Mr Atta-Antwi said in the area of rural financial services, the participating banks had disbursed GHC 1.7 million credit funds to support over 4,350 micro and small enterprises of which 58 per cent were female managed enterprises.
He added that the implementation of the project was scheduled to end in June, 2011 in accordance with the project design.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, stated that the REP was relevant since it had increased rural productivity, employment and income, thereby reducing poverty.
He said the project had the potential to contribute significantly towards the transformation of the rural economy of the country.
This is part of the government’s development effort to create wealth and reduce poverty in rural areas.
The Ministry believes that the implementation of a National Rural Enterprises Programme will reinforce the wider national strategy of empowering the rural poor with skills and other productive assets to develop and grow their businesses and further strengthen the private sector.
The up-scaling of the project followed an interim independent evaluation, which was carried out in July, this year and whose findings were positive. Consequently, a preliminary design mission of the proposed programme was set up, which completed its assignment and submitted its initial report to the Ministry.
A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, who announced this in Sunyani, said by January, 2012, the change of the project to a programme status would be officially launched.
He was addressing the 2010 annual review workshop of the REP, which was attended by District Chief Executives, District Co-ordinating Directors, staff of the project and other stakeholders from the participating districts of the project.
The REP was jointly financed by the government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide a critical mass support for the micro enterprise sector in Ghana.
According to the Deputy Minister, the President of IFAD, Dr Kanayo Felix Nwanze, assured the ministry on his recent visit to the country that IFAD could contribute funding to up-scale the programme to cover all rural districts in Ghana, made up of 66 existing participating districts and 95 additional ones.
He stressed that the objective was to spread the benefits of skills development, technology promotion and transfer, rural financial services, job creation and poverty reduction to all districts in the country.
He said that would involve among others, the establishment of sustainable structures for business promotion, including Business Advisory Centres (BACs) and Rural Technology Facilities nation-wide.
Mr Ayariga stated that the expansion of the programme nationwide fitted into the wider national strategy of establishing an institutional framework for the promotion of micro and small scale enterprises.
He said that had come about due to lack of co-ordination and effective linkages of various programmes on medium and small enterprises’ promotion at the district, regional and national level, adding that there was an avoidable gap that needed to be addressed for better synergy.
It was the expectation of the Deputy Minister that the institutional structure of the NREP that would cover all rural districts in the country would put in place an appropriate institutional framework that would effectively involve and co-ordinate the activities of all stakeholders at the district, regional and national levels, to enable them to work in harmony with the sustained development and growth of micro and small scale enterprises in the long term.
The Project Co-ordinator, Mr Kwasi Atta-Antwi, disclosed that since its inception in 2003, the project had reached over 196,000 persons, including 110,000 women, who formed 56 per cent, with various project services.
He said more than 89,000 persons out of the number were trained in various community-based skills trades, small business management, improved production processes, occupational safety and environmental management, banking culture and others.
Mr Atta-Antwi said in the area of rural financial services, the participating banks had disbursed GHC 1.7 million credit funds to support over 4,350 micro and small enterprises of which 58 per cent were female managed enterprises.
He added that the implementation of the project was scheduled to end in June, 2011 in accordance with the project design.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, stated that the REP was relevant since it had increased rural productivity, employment and income, thereby reducing poverty.
He said the project had the potential to contribute significantly towards the transformation of the rural economy of the country.
Friday, November 12, 2010
LIONS HOLD ARSENAL (BACK PAGE, NOV 8, 2010)
Kpando Heart of Lions played their hearts out at the Berekum Golden City Part and succeeded in holding their hosts, Berekum Arsenal, to a goalless draw in their Glo Premier League match played yesterday.
Cheered on by their vociferous fans, Arsenal conjured all that they could at their backyard but hard luck, coupled with the resilience of the back-line of Lions, robbed them of victory.
Led in attack by strong man, Gilbert Fiamenyo, the visitors nearly ran away with the maximum points but luck eluded them.
Cheered on by their vociferous fans, Arsenal conjured all that they could at their backyard but hard luck, coupled with the resilience of the back-line of Lions, robbed them of victory.
Led in attack by strong man, Gilbert Fiamenyo, the visitors nearly ran away with the maximum points but luck eluded them.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
CONSULTATIVE C'TTEE LAUNCHES FUND TO EMPOWER WOMEN (PAGE 11, NOV 4, 2010)
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), working in the Ahafo area of the Brong Ahafo Region has formed a Women Consultative Committee (WCC) to provide a forum for women, in the Newmont Ahafo concession to discuss and share ideas and issues of concern in the mining communities.
The 85-member committee, which was formed in line with NGGL Gender Plan, was chaired by Nana Ataa Adwoa Agyeiwaa II, Omanhemaa of the Hwediem Traditional Area. It is made up of queens and elected representatives of all community women groups or associations within the Newmont Ahafo concession.
Members of the committee, which was inaugurated in November 2007, meet quarterly and each member is charged to be well informed about the operations of the company to enhance the free flow of information between the women and the company.
In September 2008, the women set up a revolving fund, which is managed by a nine-member committee, with assistance from a consultant, WALTEX Company Limited, contracted by Newmont, to economically empower themselves.
The money was raised through contributions made during their quarterly meetings, fund-raising activities and appeals to institutions and other organisations for assistance and by February 2009, the WCC had been able to mobilise more than GH¢1,060.00 for the first disbursement to contributors to promote their businesses, mostly of the WCC.
To date, a total of GH¢ 15,190.00 has been disbursed to 47 beneficiaries, with 10 being third-time beneficiaries, 20 being second-time beneficiaries while 17 have accessed the fund for the first time to support or start their businesses.
Since it is a revolving fund, a contributor is eligible to access the facility as many times as possible, once she duly completes repayment of the previous credit line.
The minimum amount a member can access is GH¢ 100.00 while the highest amount given out so far was GH¢ 1,000.00. Currently, the repayment rate is about 99 per cent and this has been largely due to the peer monitoring role played by the contributors with the view to protecting their investment.
Just recently, the fund was officially launched at Kenyasi, where the management of NGGL contributed GH¢ 100,000.00, during which the General Manager of Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR) of the company, Mr Dan V.Michaelsen, presented a dummy cheque to the WCC.
He said the Gender Mainstreaming Plan of Newmont, was formulated to change the face of the mining industry in Ghana, hence the establishment of the WCC and the decision by the members themselves to set up the revolving fund to support their activities.
‘‘The businesses our women engage in should contribute to the expansion of the economy here in this area and thus, fall in line with Newmont’s long-term plan to leave a sustainable legacy of economic development. And it is impressive that an amount of GH¢ 15,000.00 has so far been disbursed to nearly 50 contributing members of the WCC,’’ Mr Michaelsen noted.
Madam Elizabeth Opoku-Darko, the Co-ordinator of the NGGL Gender Mainstreaming Programme, also pointed out that research had shown that the mining sector had been a highly gender-biased sector, with income accruing from royalties, compensation, employment and supply opportunities, largely extended to men.
She added that in Ahafo, women made up 51 per cent of the population, hence their needs and aspirations could not be overlooked.
Some of the WCC beneficiaries of the fund, who gave testimonies at the launch, indicated that their lives had been economically transformed after accessing the money to start or expand their businesses
The way forward is that the WCC membership will continue to encourage other WCC members to access the fund while educating other women in the Ahafo host communities on the fund to prepare them towards contributing and accessing credits to improve on their businesses.
The 85-member committee, which was formed in line with NGGL Gender Plan, was chaired by Nana Ataa Adwoa Agyeiwaa II, Omanhemaa of the Hwediem Traditional Area. It is made up of queens and elected representatives of all community women groups or associations within the Newmont Ahafo concession.
Members of the committee, which was inaugurated in November 2007, meet quarterly and each member is charged to be well informed about the operations of the company to enhance the free flow of information between the women and the company.
In September 2008, the women set up a revolving fund, which is managed by a nine-member committee, with assistance from a consultant, WALTEX Company Limited, contracted by Newmont, to economically empower themselves.
The money was raised through contributions made during their quarterly meetings, fund-raising activities and appeals to institutions and other organisations for assistance and by February 2009, the WCC had been able to mobilise more than GH¢1,060.00 for the first disbursement to contributors to promote their businesses, mostly of the WCC.
To date, a total of GH¢ 15,190.00 has been disbursed to 47 beneficiaries, with 10 being third-time beneficiaries, 20 being second-time beneficiaries while 17 have accessed the fund for the first time to support or start their businesses.
Since it is a revolving fund, a contributor is eligible to access the facility as many times as possible, once she duly completes repayment of the previous credit line.
The minimum amount a member can access is GH¢ 100.00 while the highest amount given out so far was GH¢ 1,000.00. Currently, the repayment rate is about 99 per cent and this has been largely due to the peer monitoring role played by the contributors with the view to protecting their investment.
Just recently, the fund was officially launched at Kenyasi, where the management of NGGL contributed GH¢ 100,000.00, during which the General Manager of Environment and Social Responsibility (ESR) of the company, Mr Dan V.Michaelsen, presented a dummy cheque to the WCC.
He said the Gender Mainstreaming Plan of Newmont, was formulated to change the face of the mining industry in Ghana, hence the establishment of the WCC and the decision by the members themselves to set up the revolving fund to support their activities.
‘‘The businesses our women engage in should contribute to the expansion of the economy here in this area and thus, fall in line with Newmont’s long-term plan to leave a sustainable legacy of economic development. And it is impressive that an amount of GH¢ 15,000.00 has so far been disbursed to nearly 50 contributing members of the WCC,’’ Mr Michaelsen noted.
Madam Elizabeth Opoku-Darko, the Co-ordinator of the NGGL Gender Mainstreaming Programme, also pointed out that research had shown that the mining sector had been a highly gender-biased sector, with income accruing from royalties, compensation, employment and supply opportunities, largely extended to men.
She added that in Ahafo, women made up 51 per cent of the population, hence their needs and aspirations could not be overlooked.
Some of the WCC beneficiaries of the fund, who gave testimonies at the launch, indicated that their lives had been economically transformed after accessing the money to start or expand their businesses
The way forward is that the WCC membership will continue to encourage other WCC members to access the fund while educating other women in the Ahafo host communities on the fund to prepare them towards contributing and accessing credits to improve on their businesses.
CONTROVERSIAL YUTONG BUS IN ACCIDENT (1C, NOV 4, 2010)
FIVE people were killed on the spot when the Yutong passenger bus which had been at the centre of a controversial robbery and rape story, collided head-on with an articulated Benz truck at the Kintampo Waterfalls Junction in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Many others were injured in the bloody accident which occurred on the Kintampo-Tamale trunk road at midnight on Wednesday.
The bodies, including that of the mate of the Yutong driver, have been deposited at the Kintampo Government Hospital morgue.
Those who sustained injuries in the crash include the driver of the articulated truck which had travelled from Burkina Faso.
The driver of the Yutong bus with 47 persons on board also received minor injuries and was treated at the Kintampo Government Hospital.
The Kintampo District Police Commander, Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, explained that about three days earlier, a vehicle was involved in an accident at the same waterfalls junction but it could not be removed from the spot, thereby making it difficult for other vehicles to use the junction.
He said this left just a narrow way for passing vehicles to use.
Supt Boampong said the police suspected that the drivers of both vehicles were both in haste to use that ‘‘one way’’ and in the process crashed head-on as they were both speeding.
Mr Boampong said upon receiving a call from the Ashanti Regional Police Commander about the accident at about 11.57 p.m., he quickly made a call to three police patrol vehicles and the Kintampo Motor Traffic and Transport personnel, who reported quickly at the scene to assist in the rescue efforts.
In view of the bad nature of the Kintampo Hospital mortuary, he said, the police would explore the possibility of transporting the bodies to the Sunyani Regional Hospital.
Meanwhile the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council led by its chairman, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye- Marfo, who is also the Regional Minister, visited the accident scene yesterday to assess the situation.
The delegation also visited some of the victims of the accident who were on admission at the Kintampo Government Hospital, reports Samuel Duodu.
Many others were injured in the bloody accident which occurred on the Kintampo-Tamale trunk road at midnight on Wednesday.
The bodies, including that of the mate of the Yutong driver, have been deposited at the Kintampo Government Hospital morgue.
Those who sustained injuries in the crash include the driver of the articulated truck which had travelled from Burkina Faso.
The driver of the Yutong bus with 47 persons on board also received minor injuries and was treated at the Kintampo Government Hospital.
The Kintampo District Police Commander, Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, explained that about three days earlier, a vehicle was involved in an accident at the same waterfalls junction but it could not be removed from the spot, thereby making it difficult for other vehicles to use the junction.
He said this left just a narrow way for passing vehicles to use.
Supt Boampong said the police suspected that the drivers of both vehicles were both in haste to use that ‘‘one way’’ and in the process crashed head-on as they were both speeding.
Mr Boampong said upon receiving a call from the Ashanti Regional Police Commander about the accident at about 11.57 p.m., he quickly made a call to three police patrol vehicles and the Kintampo Motor Traffic and Transport personnel, who reported quickly at the scene to assist in the rescue efforts.
In view of the bad nature of the Kintampo Hospital mortuary, he said, the police would explore the possibility of transporting the bodies to the Sunyani Regional Hospital.
Meanwhile the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council led by its chairman, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye- Marfo, who is also the Regional Minister, visited the accident scene yesterday to assess the situation.
The delegation also visited some of the victims of the accident who were on admission at the Kintampo Government Hospital, reports Samuel Duodu.
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