From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani
DRIVERS in the Brong Ahafo Region who flouted various road traffic rules and regulations and committed other vehicular offences have been fined a total amount of GH¢29,552.00 by circuit and magistrate courts in the region within the second quarter of this year.
For the first quarter of the year, recalcitrant drivers in the region were sentenced to a total fine of GH¢ 2,150.00 by the same courts at Techiman, Tuobodom, Kintampo, Wamfie, Goaso, Bechem and Duayaw-Nkwanta.
The offences committed included speeding, driving vehicles with worn-out tyres, driving with expired licenses and without licenses, loading above approved height, failing to stop, failing to equip vehicles with fire extinguishers and warning triangles, driving without road insurance certificate, failing to pay vehicle income tax and failing to renew insurance and road worthiness certificates, among others.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Paul Wesley Baah, who disclosed this to The Mirror in an interview in Sunyani, pointed out that the police would not relent in its efforts to ensure sanity on the roads by prosecuting drivers who constantly break the vehicular rules and regulations.
Providing statistics on accidents in the region for the same periods, ASP Baah indicated that within the second quarter of the year, a total of 149 cases were reported as against 200 recorded between January and April, involving 201 and 279 vehicles, respectively.
He indicated that for the second quarter, 30 of the cases were fatal while 45 fatal cases were recorded between January and April, and that for the two occasions, 52 of the cases were serious while 67 and 103 were respectively recorded as minor.
ASP Baah disclosed that out of the total accident cases, 45 persons died in the second quarter while 48 perished in the January to April recorded cases, adding that 332 got injured within the second quarter, with 416 sustaining injuries between the January to April period.
Giving the statistics for the first quarter of 2009, the MTTU said 174 accident cases occurred, involving 207 vehicles; 82 died, 151 got injured, 98 of the cases were rated as minor, 33 as serious while 43 were fatal.
He could, however, not provide the statistics for the second quarter for 2009.
According to ASP Baah, speeding and driver fatigue had been identified as two major causes of road accidents in the region.
He, therefore, urged drivers to observe the speed limit regulation of 50 Km/h and also endeavour to rest for 30 minutes after driving for continuous four hours, as stipulated in the regulation, in order to save lives and property.
Friday, July 30, 2010
JOSCO HOLD SECOND GRADUATION (PAGE 22, JULY 30, 2010)
THE acting Principal of the St Joseph College of Education (JOSCO) at Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Anthony Agyemang has called for a national debate on the code of conduct for teacher trainees in the country.
He stressed, ‘‘there is the urgent need for a code for teacher trainees that will ensure quality education at all levels. Yet, the accreditation of teacher training colleges has brought about calls for freedom without license. This is a great challenge’’.
Mr Agyemang made the call at the second graduation and awards ceremony of JOSCO at Bechem. The theme for the celebration was: ‘‘Infrastructural development: A prerequisite for quality tertiary education”.
The acting principal said, ‘‘We should focus on what students are being trained for instead of seeking freedom without responsibility; and if the teacher is going to expect pupils to request, ‘Please, teacher may I go out?’, then he or she needs to learn how to ask for permission while in college”.
Mr Agyemang stated that if the teacher was going to organise morning assembly in the basic school, then there was the need for him or her to attend morning assembly while in college.
He observed that if those who were admitted to the Military Academy and Training School, as well as students in the major seminary, some of whom were post-graduate students, were considered as tertiary students and as such had no freedom to themselves, how could the same not apply to students at the college of education?
Mr Agyemang noted with concern that the entry requirements of students admitted into the college had not been good enough over the years, citing for instance that, 26 out of the 276 students admitted last year had between aggregates 13 and 18, while the remaining 250 had between aggregates 19 and 24.
He said the institution which was established in 1948, currently had a student population of 805, comprising 605 males and 200 females, adding that the college could have admitted more students but the authorities were restricted by the quota system being enforced by the Ministry of Education.
He, therefore, appealed to the sector minister and other stakeholders to permit the college to increase its intake to be able to satisfy the many applicants.
He stated that the college had a list of 986 qualified applicants, but as many as 711 were unfortunate to be disappointed, adding “This has been the trend over the years”.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, he commended the students of JOSCO for their decision to part with some of their monthly allowances to hire labourers to improve sanitation on campus.
He, however,said in the same spirit of sacrifice, the students should accept posting to the rural areas to offer dedicated services to their less unfortunate little brothers and sisters to enable them to enjoy the benefit of quality basic education.
The minister announced that time was due for JOSCO to benefit from basic infrastructure needed to fulfil its dream of becoming a university college through the provision of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Library complex with Internet facilities, among other facilities.
A number of personalities received awards for their various contribution towards the growth of the college.
They included the Omanhene of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabuor Akoto II, the Catholic Bishop of the Goaso Diocese, His Lordship Peter Kwaku Atuahene and the Chaplain of the college, Monsignor Matthew Addai.
He stressed, ‘‘there is the urgent need for a code for teacher trainees that will ensure quality education at all levels. Yet, the accreditation of teacher training colleges has brought about calls for freedom without license. This is a great challenge’’.
Mr Agyemang made the call at the second graduation and awards ceremony of JOSCO at Bechem. The theme for the celebration was: ‘‘Infrastructural development: A prerequisite for quality tertiary education”.
The acting principal said, ‘‘We should focus on what students are being trained for instead of seeking freedom without responsibility; and if the teacher is going to expect pupils to request, ‘Please, teacher may I go out?’, then he or she needs to learn how to ask for permission while in college”.
Mr Agyemang stated that if the teacher was going to organise morning assembly in the basic school, then there was the need for him or her to attend morning assembly while in college.
He observed that if those who were admitted to the Military Academy and Training School, as well as students in the major seminary, some of whom were post-graduate students, were considered as tertiary students and as such had no freedom to themselves, how could the same not apply to students at the college of education?
Mr Agyemang noted with concern that the entry requirements of students admitted into the college had not been good enough over the years, citing for instance that, 26 out of the 276 students admitted last year had between aggregates 13 and 18, while the remaining 250 had between aggregates 19 and 24.
He said the institution which was established in 1948, currently had a student population of 805, comprising 605 males and 200 females, adding that the college could have admitted more students but the authorities were restricted by the quota system being enforced by the Ministry of Education.
He, therefore, appealed to the sector minister and other stakeholders to permit the college to increase its intake to be able to satisfy the many applicants.
He stated that the college had a list of 986 qualified applicants, but as many as 711 were unfortunate to be disappointed, adding “This has been the trend over the years”.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, he commended the students of JOSCO for their decision to part with some of their monthly allowances to hire labourers to improve sanitation on campus.
He, however,said in the same spirit of sacrifice, the students should accept posting to the rural areas to offer dedicated services to their less unfortunate little brothers and sisters to enable them to enjoy the benefit of quality basic education.
The minister announced that time was due for JOSCO to benefit from basic infrastructure needed to fulfil its dream of becoming a university college through the provision of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Library complex with Internet facilities, among other facilities.
A number of personalities received awards for their various contribution towards the growth of the college.
They included the Omanhene of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabuor Akoto II, the Catholic Bishop of the Goaso Diocese, His Lordship Peter Kwaku Atuahene and the Chaplain of the college, Monsignor Matthew Addai.
BA POLICE WORRIED ABOUT PROLIFERATION OF ARMS (PAGE 22, JULY 30, 2010)
The BrongAhafo Regional Police Command has expressed concern about the consistent flouting of laws governing the importation, acquisition and use of arms and ammunition by certain unscrupulous individuals in the region.
The police stressed that the ease with which armed robbers and other criminals had access to arms and ammunition, put residents in Sunyani, the regional capital in particular and the entire region in a state of insecurity.
Consequently, the police authorities have warned all those operating outside the requirements of the law to cease forthwith before they were arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
A press release signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Seth Charles Oteng and issued in Sunyani, reminded the people of the negative practice, which contravened the existing Arms and Ammunition Laws, especially the Arms and Ammunition Act 1972 (NRCD).
The release stated that no person was permitted to use any firearm, weapon or ammunition without authority and that, persons below the age of 18 years were also not permitted to own and use any firearm, weapon or ammunition.
The police warned that no person other than a person registered and permitted to operate as a dealer, should trade in or sell firearms, weapons or ammunition.
The release added that no persons, except those permitted by the Act or with the consent of the Inspector General of Police, should publicly display any arms or ammunition or discharge firearms or any other weapons in a public place.
The release further warned that ‘‘No registered dealer should sell any firearms, weapons or ammunition to any person other than a valid permit holder, which meant that no one could buy a firearm, weapon or ammunition on behalf of another.
‘‘The police would like to warn all those operating outside the requirement of the law to put an end to that act before a regional exercise to arrest and prosecute offenders begins shortly,” the release stressed.
The police stressed that the ease with which armed robbers and other criminals had access to arms and ammunition, put residents in Sunyani, the regional capital in particular and the entire region in a state of insecurity.
Consequently, the police authorities have warned all those operating outside the requirements of the law to cease forthwith before they were arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
A press release signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Seth Charles Oteng and issued in Sunyani, reminded the people of the negative practice, which contravened the existing Arms and Ammunition Laws, especially the Arms and Ammunition Act 1972 (NRCD).
The release stated that no person was permitted to use any firearm, weapon or ammunition without authority and that, persons below the age of 18 years were also not permitted to own and use any firearm, weapon or ammunition.
The police warned that no person other than a person registered and permitted to operate as a dealer, should trade in or sell firearms, weapons or ammunition.
The release added that no persons, except those permitted by the Act or with the consent of the Inspector General of Police, should publicly display any arms or ammunition or discharge firearms or any other weapons in a public place.
The release further warned that ‘‘No registered dealer should sell any firearms, weapons or ammunition to any person other than a valid permit holder, which meant that no one could buy a firearm, weapon or ammunition on behalf of another.
‘‘The police would like to warn all those operating outside the requirement of the law to put an end to that act before a regional exercise to arrest and prosecute offenders begins shortly,” the release stressed.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
'DEAL DIRECTLY WITH SIC' (PAAGE 46, JULY 29, 2010)
Clients of the State Insurance Company (SIC) have been advised to deal directly with the company in respect of their insurance claims instead of hiring the services of lawyers who would in the end be paid a percentage of the amount the lawyer helps a client to claim.
The Area Manager in charge of the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, Ms Lydia Bawah, who gave the advice in Sunyani, stressed that it was even easier to deal personally with the insurance company since it was the duty of the company officials to process the claims for the clients rather than resorting to the services of lawyers.
Ms Bawah, who was addressing a seminar for managers and directors of about 19 rural banks in the Brong Ahafo Region, explained that once the proper documentation had been completed by the client, with the assistance of the SIC officials, there was no way the company would renege on its obligation to pay whatever compensation was due a client.
She said many people wrongly perceived SIC officials as cheats as far as the payment of insurance claims was concerned, and added that the company had been advising its clients to deal with its officials directly.
The area manager emphasised that the company would not be in a position to process any claims for payment if the client had not done the necessary documentation.
She declared: ‘‘We are very sympathetic when dealing with individual clients because we want them to enjoy their claims in bulk. If you hire a lawyer he or she is entitled to a percentage of the insurance claims they pursue on behalf of a client’’.
Ms Bawah further urged clients not to pay any money to any insurance broker, since they were paid commission by the company for the duties they performed, adding that without lawyers one could still be paid his or her compensation.
She also insisted that clients should not give out insurance forms to the police to fill on their behalf in the case of motor accidents because they had nothing to do with those forms, and it was never their duty to fill those forms whatsoever.
She explained that the filling of such forms entailed the making of a sketch, which she said, was not beyond the scope of the client.
The participants who said they were overwhelmed by the education they went through, appealed to the organisers to regularly hold such meetings for other departments and agencies as well as those in the private sector in view of the benefits to be derived.
The Area Manager in charge of the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, Ms Lydia Bawah, who gave the advice in Sunyani, stressed that it was even easier to deal personally with the insurance company since it was the duty of the company officials to process the claims for the clients rather than resorting to the services of lawyers.
Ms Bawah, who was addressing a seminar for managers and directors of about 19 rural banks in the Brong Ahafo Region, explained that once the proper documentation had been completed by the client, with the assistance of the SIC officials, there was no way the company would renege on its obligation to pay whatever compensation was due a client.
She said many people wrongly perceived SIC officials as cheats as far as the payment of insurance claims was concerned, and added that the company had been advising its clients to deal with its officials directly.
The area manager emphasised that the company would not be in a position to process any claims for payment if the client had not done the necessary documentation.
She declared: ‘‘We are very sympathetic when dealing with individual clients because we want them to enjoy their claims in bulk. If you hire a lawyer he or she is entitled to a percentage of the insurance claims they pursue on behalf of a client’’.
Ms Bawah further urged clients not to pay any money to any insurance broker, since they were paid commission by the company for the duties they performed, adding that without lawyers one could still be paid his or her compensation.
She also insisted that clients should not give out insurance forms to the police to fill on their behalf in the case of motor accidents because they had nothing to do with those forms, and it was never their duty to fill those forms whatsoever.
She explained that the filling of such forms entailed the making of a sketch, which she said, was not beyond the scope of the client.
The participants who said they were overwhelmed by the education they went through, appealed to the organisers to regularly hold such meetings for other departments and agencies as well as those in the private sector in view of the benefits to be derived.
LACK OF ACCOUNTANTS HAMPERS AUDITING (PAGE 42, JULY 29, 2010)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Audit Service, Mr Daniel Kwadwo Marnu, has expressed concern about lack of qualified and competent accountants in some organisations in the region.
The situation, he said, was affecting the preparation of credible financial statements on transactions made to enable officers of the service to conduct their mandated periodic auditing.
According to him, due to the incompetent status of some people working as accountants in some state institutions and organisations, writing accounting records was difficult for them and even when they strive to prepare their financial statements for auditing, the records tended not to be up to date for auditing.
Mr Marnu expressed the concern when he spoke to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani after he had led about 100 members of staff of the service, drawn from the 11 districts in the region, to undertake a two-hour clean-up exercise at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital.
The voluntary work formed part of activities marking the regional celebration of 100 years of the establishment of the Audit Service in the country.
The theme for the celebration was: “A century of public sector auditing: Defining new frontiers.”
The volunteers cleared choked gutters, weeded bushy surroundings and trimmed grasses and shady trees.
Mr Marnu said some of the district assemblies and pre-tertiary educational institutions in the region refused to prepare their accounts on a timely basis, a situation which hampered the service’s statutory period to submit its report to Parliament.
He further alleged that in cases when his outfit planned and prepared scheduled dates for auditing the books of some of the institutions, officers from his outfit would arrive only to be told by the officers in-charge that they were not ready while others would indicate that they were engaged in some activities, such as workshops and seminars.
Mr Marnu also observed that some traditional councils had no registrars and accountants to prepare financial statements to be audited, emphasising that some of the accounts offices at some of the councils had even been shut down.
He appealed to accountants to be up and doing by preparing their financial statements on time and making them available for auditing at the appropriate time as the Audit Service had its statutory period to submit its report to Parliament for scrutiny and action.
The Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee for the celebration, Mr Justice Bevary, said the decision to organise the clean-up activities at the Municipal Hospital was to assist the facility’s management in its environmental cleanliness programme.
He observed that with a clean environment, the recovery rate of patients would be accelerated, adding that no matter the level of medication, if the environment was dirty, the recovery rate of the sick would delay.
The situation, he said, was affecting the preparation of credible financial statements on transactions made to enable officers of the service to conduct their mandated periodic auditing.
According to him, due to the incompetent status of some people working as accountants in some state institutions and organisations, writing accounting records was difficult for them and even when they strive to prepare their financial statements for auditing, the records tended not to be up to date for auditing.
Mr Marnu expressed the concern when he spoke to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani after he had led about 100 members of staff of the service, drawn from the 11 districts in the region, to undertake a two-hour clean-up exercise at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital.
The voluntary work formed part of activities marking the regional celebration of 100 years of the establishment of the Audit Service in the country.
The theme for the celebration was: “A century of public sector auditing: Defining new frontiers.”
The volunteers cleared choked gutters, weeded bushy surroundings and trimmed grasses and shady trees.
Mr Marnu said some of the district assemblies and pre-tertiary educational institutions in the region refused to prepare their accounts on a timely basis, a situation which hampered the service’s statutory period to submit its report to Parliament.
He further alleged that in cases when his outfit planned and prepared scheduled dates for auditing the books of some of the institutions, officers from his outfit would arrive only to be told by the officers in-charge that they were not ready while others would indicate that they were engaged in some activities, such as workshops and seminars.
Mr Marnu also observed that some traditional councils had no registrars and accountants to prepare financial statements to be audited, emphasising that some of the accounts offices at some of the councils had even been shut down.
He appealed to accountants to be up and doing by preparing their financial statements on time and making them available for auditing at the appropriate time as the Audit Service had its statutory period to submit its report to Parliament for scrutiny and action.
The Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee for the celebration, Mr Justice Bevary, said the decision to organise the clean-up activities at the Municipal Hospital was to assist the facility’s management in its environmental cleanliness programme.
He observed that with a clean environment, the recovery rate of patients would be accelerated, adding that no matter the level of medication, if the environment was dirty, the recovery rate of the sick would delay.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
NDC TO ESTABLISH FUND TO SUPPORT YOUTH (PAGE 13, JULY 14, 2010)
Story: Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah & Samuel Duodu, Sunyani
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has decided to establish a fund that is geared towards supporting members of the youth wing of the party who are desirous to either go into farming or learn a trade of their choice in the various regions.
In the next couple of months, the fund would be officially launched in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, to kick-start the Youth-In-Agriculture and Skills Training Programme for the teeming youth of the NDC in the respective regions.
Mr Ludwig Hlodze, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, who announced this at an NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Forum at the Auditorium of the Sunyani Polytechnic at the weekend, further indicated that already an agricultural pilot project was underway in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, where maize had been cultivated on a large scale.
The forum was on the theme,”Unite! We Must!!, for a Better Ghana Agenda”
Under agriculture, Mr Hlodze explained that Agriculture Mechanisation Centres would be established in the various regions, where tractors would be purchased for the youth, who would be encouraged to go into block farming to produce food for the country .
For the skills training, Mr Hlodze said the party would pay for those who wanted to learn any trade or business enterprise of their choice, adding that the programme was designed to economically empower both the young male and female of the party in the regions.
“So I want the regional youth executives to identify those who want to go into farming or learn a trade and by that we would be able to plan ahead of time, since we cannot always depend on the central government for all our needs all the time”, Mr Hlodze advised.
He further advised them to take the programme very seriously so that there would be food security in the country as envisaged by the NDC thereby, contributing to the “Better Ghana” agenda of President John Evans Atta Mills’s administration.
According to the NDC National Youth Organiser, a recent fund-raising meeting organised by the youth wing of the party in the Ashanti Region yielded about Gh¢70,000 which he described as very encouraging and, therefore, gave the assurance that more of such meetings would be held in the other regions.
He said, gone are the days when the youth of the party relied on District Chief Executives (DCEs) for stipends, saying “How long can you depend on the DCEs for your survival. A time may come that a DCE’s secretary will tell you his boss is not in when you get there”.
Mr Hlodze stressed that under his leadership as the National Youth Organiser, such behaviours would not be encouraged as he promised at the time of his election but rather he would ensure that better programmes were undertaken for the economic empowerment of the youth.
However, he noted that all the laudable programmes and projects that would be embarked upon would not materialise if there was no unity among the youth, saying that by 2012 the young people of the party would have been economically strong and encouraged to show their loyalty for the NDC party.
Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, the Central Regional Minister, who also addressed the gathering advised that those who would be roped into the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) should use whatever money they would receive to either continue their education or learn a trade.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Alex Segbefia, stressed the need for the youth to exercise patience and come along with the government to battle the challenges that it inherited from the previous administration, adding that one and a half years was too short a time for the government to satisfy everyone.
He said those who wanted to criticise the government ought to do so constructively and avoid resorting to the media on any trivial issue instead of settling matters amicably indoors.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Information, pointed out that without the youth the NDC could not survive and, therefore, called on the regional executive of the party to embark on projects and programmes that would benefit the party.
He gave the assurance that by the end of August those who had applied for loans under the MASLOC, especially the women, would receive them with one and a half per cent interest as against the previous three per cent interest on the facility.
According to Mr Ablakwa, there was no need for the regional executives to wait for Accra to come down to solve the problems at the grassroots, adding that, “everytime should be a time for party work but not only when elections were due”.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, whose address drew applause from the youth disclosed that the current government inherited about ¢100 Trillion from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP), and that the government was doing everything possible to put things in order and, therefore, urged the youth to exercise restraint.
Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, also appealed to the youth not to make statements that would destroy the party, saying, “Don’t let us destroy the party with our mouths because no matter the situation, we can find solutions.
He declared, “Do not let us joke with the power that we have struggled to grab from the NPP or else we will be doomed when they recapture the reigns of government”.
Present at the forum were the Brong Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Alhaji Baba Gausu, the NDC Regional Organiser and Mr Mohammed Seidu, the NDC Regional Youth Organiser.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has decided to establish a fund that is geared towards supporting members of the youth wing of the party who are desirous to either go into farming or learn a trade of their choice in the various regions.
In the next couple of months, the fund would be officially launched in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, to kick-start the Youth-In-Agriculture and Skills Training Programme for the teeming youth of the NDC in the respective regions.
Mr Ludwig Hlodze, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, who announced this at an NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Forum at the Auditorium of the Sunyani Polytechnic at the weekend, further indicated that already an agricultural pilot project was underway in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, where maize had been cultivated on a large scale.
The forum was on the theme,”Unite! We Must!!, for a Better Ghana Agenda”
Under agriculture, Mr Hlodze explained that Agriculture Mechanisation Centres would be established in the various regions, where tractors would be purchased for the youth, who would be encouraged to go into block farming to produce food for the country .
For the skills training, Mr Hlodze said the party would pay for those who wanted to learn any trade or business enterprise of their choice, adding that the programme was designed to economically empower both the young male and female of the party in the regions.
“So I want the regional youth executives to identify those who want to go into farming or learn a trade and by that we would be able to plan ahead of time, since we cannot always depend on the central government for all our needs all the time”, Mr Hlodze advised.
He further advised them to take the programme very seriously so that there would be food security in the country as envisaged by the NDC thereby, contributing to the “Better Ghana” agenda of President John Evans Atta Mills’s administration.
According to the NDC National Youth Organiser, a recent fund-raising meeting organised by the youth wing of the party in the Ashanti Region yielded about Gh¢70,000 which he described as very encouraging and, therefore, gave the assurance that more of such meetings would be held in the other regions.
He said, gone are the days when the youth of the party relied on District Chief Executives (DCEs) for stipends, saying “How long can you depend on the DCEs for your survival. A time may come that a DCE’s secretary will tell you his boss is not in when you get there”.
Mr Hlodze stressed that under his leadership as the National Youth Organiser, such behaviours would not be encouraged as he promised at the time of his election but rather he would ensure that better programmes were undertaken for the economic empowerment of the youth.
However, he noted that all the laudable programmes and projects that would be embarked upon would not materialise if there was no unity among the youth, saying that by 2012 the young people of the party would have been economically strong and encouraged to show their loyalty for the NDC party.
Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, the Central Regional Minister, who also addressed the gathering advised that those who would be roped into the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) should use whatever money they would receive to either continue their education or learn a trade.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Alex Segbefia, stressed the need for the youth to exercise patience and come along with the government to battle the challenges that it inherited from the previous administration, adding that one and a half years was too short a time for the government to satisfy everyone.
He said those who wanted to criticise the government ought to do so constructively and avoid resorting to the media on any trivial issue instead of settling matters amicably indoors.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Information, pointed out that without the youth the NDC could not survive and, therefore, called on the regional executive of the party to embark on projects and programmes that would benefit the party.
He gave the assurance that by the end of August those who had applied for loans under the MASLOC, especially the women, would receive them with one and a half per cent interest as against the previous three per cent interest on the facility.
According to Mr Ablakwa, there was no need for the regional executives to wait for Accra to come down to solve the problems at the grassroots, adding that, “everytime should be a time for party work but not only when elections were due”.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, whose address drew applause from the youth disclosed that the current government inherited about ¢100 Trillion from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP), and that the government was doing everything possible to put things in order and, therefore, urged the youth to exercise restraint.
Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, also appealed to the youth not to make statements that would destroy the party, saying, “Don’t let us destroy the party with our mouths because no matter the situation, we can find solutions.
He declared, “Do not let us joke with the power that we have struggled to grab from the NPP or else we will be doomed when they recapture the reigns of government”.
Present at the forum were the Brong Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Alhaji Baba Gausu, the NDC Regional Organiser and Mr Mohammed Seidu, the NDC Regional Youth Organiser.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
DACF DISBURSES OVER GH¢1 BILLION TO MMDAs (PAGE 13, JULY 13, 2010)
THE government, through the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), has disbursed a total of GH¢1,024,755,220.00 to the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) since the inception of decentralised policy in 1994.
Under Section 9 of the DACF Act (Act 455), the minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, determines the categories of expenditure of the approved development budget of the district assemblies.
Using the DACF guidelines, the assemblies select projects from their approved budget to match the value of its share of the fund.
Mr Joshua M. Nicol, the Administrator of the DACF, who disclosed this at a local economic development workshop in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, indicated that in 1994 his office transferred a total of GH¢ 2,619,300.00 to the MMDAs while the following year they received GH¢ 5,407,700.00.
The workshop, which was organised by the National Association of Local Authorities (NALGO), was attended by metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives and their co-ordinating directors, planning officers, finance and budget officers, as well as presiding members and other stakeholders from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Zones.
He said while ¢7,803,600.00 was disbursed in 1996 the figure had risen to GH¢188,565,425 by 2009s.
In his presentation on ‘‘The Role of District Assemblies’ Common Fund in Promoting Local Economic Development’’ Mr Nicole explained that, the DACF was created to encourage local governance and deepen government’s commitment to decentralisation in general and fiscal decentralisation in particular and also promote sustainable self-help development.
He added that the transfer of resources such as finance had been identified as the means without which power and competence of the MMDAs would not be effective.
According to the DACF administrator, local economic development required the creation of an environment that enabled the stimulation of new opportunities in rural and urban areas where there might be limited existing opportunities for economic growth.
Mr Nicol emphasised that local economic development programmes in the MMDAs strengthened and reinforced good governance and identified sustainable income generating opportunities for the local community, particularly for the poor which the DACF had championed.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku who opened the workshop, observed that local economic development had been accepted as a process in which partnerships between local government, community-based groups and the private sector were established to manage existing resources to create jobs and stimulate the economy of a well-defined territory.
Furthermore, he said, the concept emphasised local control, using the potential of the people, institutional and physical resources, mobilised actors, organisations and resources to develop new institutions and local systems through dialogue and strategic plans.
Indeed, Mr Opoku stressed that local economic development was seen as a pragmatic way of decreasing poverty while it was again primarily aimed at creating jobs and making the local economies grow.
Mr Kwame Agyenim-Boateng, the Brong Ahafo Regional Representative of NALAG, said the association was determined to ensure that its members created an environment that enabled the stimulation of new opportunities in the districts where there might be limited existing opportunities for economic growth.
He said, it was the believe of NALAG that if MMDA’s took local economic development issues seriously, it would help harness opportunities, employment and wealth creation, increased revenue and tax base, among other benefits.
Under Section 9 of the DACF Act (Act 455), the minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, determines the categories of expenditure of the approved development budget of the district assemblies.
Using the DACF guidelines, the assemblies select projects from their approved budget to match the value of its share of the fund.
Mr Joshua M. Nicol, the Administrator of the DACF, who disclosed this at a local economic development workshop in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region, indicated that in 1994 his office transferred a total of GH¢ 2,619,300.00 to the MMDAs while the following year they received GH¢ 5,407,700.00.
The workshop, which was organised by the National Association of Local Authorities (NALGO), was attended by metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives and their co-ordinating directors, planning officers, finance and budget officers, as well as presiding members and other stakeholders from Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Zones.
He said while ¢7,803,600.00 was disbursed in 1996 the figure had risen to GH¢188,565,425 by 2009s.
In his presentation on ‘‘The Role of District Assemblies’ Common Fund in Promoting Local Economic Development’’ Mr Nicole explained that, the DACF was created to encourage local governance and deepen government’s commitment to decentralisation in general and fiscal decentralisation in particular and also promote sustainable self-help development.
He added that the transfer of resources such as finance had been identified as the means without which power and competence of the MMDAs would not be effective.
According to the DACF administrator, local economic development required the creation of an environment that enabled the stimulation of new opportunities in rural and urban areas where there might be limited existing opportunities for economic growth.
Mr Nicol emphasised that local economic development programmes in the MMDAs strengthened and reinforced good governance and identified sustainable income generating opportunities for the local community, particularly for the poor which the DACF had championed.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku who opened the workshop, observed that local economic development had been accepted as a process in which partnerships between local government, community-based groups and the private sector were established to manage existing resources to create jobs and stimulate the economy of a well-defined territory.
Furthermore, he said, the concept emphasised local control, using the potential of the people, institutional and physical resources, mobilised actors, organisations and resources to develop new institutions and local systems through dialogue and strategic plans.
Indeed, Mr Opoku stressed that local economic development was seen as a pragmatic way of decreasing poverty while it was again primarily aimed at creating jobs and making the local economies grow.
Mr Kwame Agyenim-Boateng, the Brong Ahafo Regional Representative of NALAG, said the association was determined to ensure that its members created an environment that enabled the stimulation of new opportunities in the districts where there might be limited existing opportunities for economic growth.
He said, it was the believe of NALAG that if MMDA’s took local economic development issues seriously, it would help harness opportunities, employment and wealth creation, increased revenue and tax base, among other benefits.
Monday, July 12, 2010
SENIOR CITIZENS NOT HAPPY WITH ANONYMOUS LETTER (PAGE 14, JULY 12, 2010)
Some senior citizens in the Brong Ahafo Region have condemned disgruntled persons who write anonymous letters about political office holders in the region.
They pointed out that such practices did not augur well for the development of the region and rather cast a slur on the integrity of citizens of the area.
They stressed that backbiting was becoming rampant in the region and the earlier those concerned put a stop to it, the better.
Making their optional speeches at a luncheon organised for them by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council in Sunyani on Republic Day, the senior citizens also expressed concern about the youth’s flagrant disregard for the elderly whose toil and sweat had contributed immensely to the development of the country.
They observed that in recent times some of the young people, especially those who profess to be political activists and fanatics, make unsavoury remarks on the airwaves about their opponents to the extent that some of them had the guts to openly insult the presidency, the highest office of the country.
The senior citizens emphasised that the Brong Ahafo Region had been noted for its peaceful nature and serene atmosphere which must be preserved at all times to attract non citizens to assist in its development effort.
The senior citizens also expressed regret about , the rampant land disputes which were pending before the law courts and explained that, those cases had arisen because of double sale of plots for building projects by owners of the lands.
They also complained that the standard of education in the region had fallen and, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to remedy this, adding that parents ought to ensure that their children were disciplined, especially in their dressing.
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said 50 years after Ghana attained a republican status, it was befitting that the government recognised senior citizens by organising a buffet for them.
He appealed to the senior citizens to pass on the secret of their successes to the youth, and impress upon them to learn the same values to make them worthy future leaders of the country.
The regional minister also expressed concern about the gross insubordination the young people exhibited towards those in authority and pointed out that the Ghanaian culture abhorred the practice of the youth insulting adults on the airwaves and in the print media.
They pointed out that such practices did not augur well for the development of the region and rather cast a slur on the integrity of citizens of the area.
They stressed that backbiting was becoming rampant in the region and the earlier those concerned put a stop to it, the better.
Making their optional speeches at a luncheon organised for them by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council in Sunyani on Republic Day, the senior citizens also expressed concern about the youth’s flagrant disregard for the elderly whose toil and sweat had contributed immensely to the development of the country.
They observed that in recent times some of the young people, especially those who profess to be political activists and fanatics, make unsavoury remarks on the airwaves about their opponents to the extent that some of them had the guts to openly insult the presidency, the highest office of the country.
The senior citizens emphasised that the Brong Ahafo Region had been noted for its peaceful nature and serene atmosphere which must be preserved at all times to attract non citizens to assist in its development effort.
The senior citizens also expressed regret about , the rampant land disputes which were pending before the law courts and explained that, those cases had arisen because of double sale of plots for building projects by owners of the lands.
They also complained that the standard of education in the region had fallen and, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to remedy this, adding that parents ought to ensure that their children were disciplined, especially in their dressing.
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said 50 years after Ghana attained a republican status, it was befitting that the government recognised senior citizens by organising a buffet for them.
He appealed to the senior citizens to pass on the secret of their successes to the youth, and impress upon them to learn the same values to make them worthy future leaders of the country.
The regional minister also expressed concern about the gross insubordination the young people exhibited towards those in authority and pointed out that the Ghanaian culture abhorred the practice of the youth insulting adults on the airwaves and in the print media.
SENIOR CITIZENS NOT HAPPY WITH ANONYMOUS LETTER (PAGE 14, JULY 12, 2010)
Some senior citizens in the Brong Ahafo Region have condemned disgruntled persons who write anonymous letters about political office holders in the region.
They pointed out that such practices did not augur well for the development of the region and rather cast a slur on the integrity of citizens of the area.
They stressed that backbiting was becoming rampant in the region and the earlier those concerned put a stop to it, the better.
Making their optional speeches at a luncheon organised for them by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council in Sunyani on Republic Day, the senior citizens also expressed concern about the youth’s flagrant disregard for the elderly whose toil and sweat had contributed immensely to the development of the country.
They observed that in recent times some of the young people, especially those who profess to be political activists and fanatics, make unsavoury remarks on the airwaves about their opponents to the extent that some of them had the guts to openly insult the presidency, the highest office of the country.
The senior citizens emphasised that the Brong Ahafo Region had been noted for its peaceful nature and serene atmosphere which must be preserved at all times to attract non citizens to assist in its development effort.
The senior citizens also expressed regret about , the rampant land disputes which were pending before the law courts and explained that, those cases had arisen because of double sale of plots for building projects by owners of the lands.
They also complained that the standard of education in the region had fallen and, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to remedy this, adding that parents ought to ensure that their children were disciplined, especially in their dressing.
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said 50 years after Ghana attained a republican status, it was befitting that the government recognised senior citizens by organising a buffet for them.
He appealed to the senior citizens to pass on the secret of their successes to the youth, and impress upon them to learn the same values to make them worthy future leaders of the country.
The regional minister also expressed concern about the gross insubordination the young people exhibited towards those in authority and pointed out that the Ghanaian culture abhorred the practice of the youth insulting adults on the airwaves and in the print media.
They pointed out that such practices did not augur well for the development of the region and rather cast a slur on the integrity of citizens of the area.
They stressed that backbiting was becoming rampant in the region and the earlier those concerned put a stop to it, the better.
Making their optional speeches at a luncheon organised for them by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council in Sunyani on Republic Day, the senior citizens also expressed concern about the youth’s flagrant disregard for the elderly whose toil and sweat had contributed immensely to the development of the country.
They observed that in recent times some of the young people, especially those who profess to be political activists and fanatics, make unsavoury remarks on the airwaves about their opponents to the extent that some of them had the guts to openly insult the presidency, the highest office of the country.
The senior citizens emphasised that the Brong Ahafo Region had been noted for its peaceful nature and serene atmosphere which must be preserved at all times to attract non citizens to assist in its development effort.
The senior citizens also expressed regret about , the rampant land disputes which were pending before the law courts and explained that, those cases had arisen because of double sale of plots for building projects by owners of the lands.
They also complained that the standard of education in the region had fallen and, therefore, called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to remedy this, adding that parents ought to ensure that their children were disciplined, especially in their dressing.
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said 50 years after Ghana attained a republican status, it was befitting that the government recognised senior citizens by organising a buffet for them.
He appealed to the senior citizens to pass on the secret of their successes to the youth, and impress upon them to learn the same values to make them worthy future leaders of the country.
The regional minister also expressed concern about the gross insubordination the young people exhibited towards those in authority and pointed out that the Ghanaian culture abhorred the practice of the youth insulting adults on the airwaves and in the print media.
WENCHI ASSEMBLY RENOVATES MCE'S RESIDENCE (PAGE 14, JULY 12, 2010)
THE Wenchi Municipal Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region is renovating the residence of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Yaw Osei Agyei, at a cost of GH¢45,000.
The decision by the assembly to undertake the project is due to the deplorable state of the bungalow.
Since the current MCE, Mr Yaw Osei Agyei, assumed office over a year ago, he has been residing in his father’s private apartment at Wenchi because it would have been very expensive if he had opted for a hotel accommodation for the assembly to bear the cost.
The renovation work on the five-bedroom block, which is being done in two phases, involves rewiring, replacing louvre blades, panelling, replacing doors, erecting an overhead water reservoir, as well as digging a manhole for toilets and water drains.
The other works are fixing air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen cabinet and laying floor and wall tiles in the various rooms.
Mr. Agyei, who conducted the Daily Graphic to inspect the project, vehemently denied a recent report by a local FM station that the assembly did not approve the amount for the renovation and explained that members of the assembly first approved GH¢22,000 and later gave the approval for the remaining ¢23,000.
“The whole place was in a deplorable condition and was not suitable for human habitation and it is also not true that the assembly did not approve of the money for the renovation,” the MCE explained.
According to the MCE, when he went through the accounting books of the assembly, he detected that there was a huge debt owed contractors in respect of various projects they had executed for the assembly.
Mr Agyei said he needed to find appropriate means to clear the accumulated indebtedness, among which was the plan to improve on the revenue generation of the assembly by blocking the leakage that was detected and checking corruption on the part of some revenue collectors.
He stressed that because of the precarious financial position of the assembly, he decided not to stay in a hotel but rather stay in his father’s house and explained that it would have been incumbent on the assembly to have borne the cost of lodging at the hotel.
The MCE further indicated that since the assembly was also not in a position to construct an entirely new residence, the only wise decision was to opt for the renovation of the dilapidated bungalow, which had not been occupied by his predecessor due to its state.
Mr. Agyei insisted that he had never taken a unilateral decision to engage a contractor to renovate the place but rather it was a collective arrangement, adding that as a citizen of the area, he was determined to develop the municipality.
He said the doors of his office were always opened for any member of the area to contact him on any matter he or she did not understand instead of going about spreading falsehood which would not help in the development of the area.
The decision by the assembly to undertake the project is due to the deplorable state of the bungalow.
Since the current MCE, Mr Yaw Osei Agyei, assumed office over a year ago, he has been residing in his father’s private apartment at Wenchi because it would have been very expensive if he had opted for a hotel accommodation for the assembly to bear the cost.
The renovation work on the five-bedroom block, which is being done in two phases, involves rewiring, replacing louvre blades, panelling, replacing doors, erecting an overhead water reservoir, as well as digging a manhole for toilets and water drains.
The other works are fixing air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen cabinet and laying floor and wall tiles in the various rooms.
Mr. Agyei, who conducted the Daily Graphic to inspect the project, vehemently denied a recent report by a local FM station that the assembly did not approve the amount for the renovation and explained that members of the assembly first approved GH¢22,000 and later gave the approval for the remaining ¢23,000.
“The whole place was in a deplorable condition and was not suitable for human habitation and it is also not true that the assembly did not approve of the money for the renovation,” the MCE explained.
According to the MCE, when he went through the accounting books of the assembly, he detected that there was a huge debt owed contractors in respect of various projects they had executed for the assembly.
Mr Agyei said he needed to find appropriate means to clear the accumulated indebtedness, among which was the plan to improve on the revenue generation of the assembly by blocking the leakage that was detected and checking corruption on the part of some revenue collectors.
He stressed that because of the precarious financial position of the assembly, he decided not to stay in a hotel but rather stay in his father’s house and explained that it would have been incumbent on the assembly to have borne the cost of lodging at the hotel.
The MCE further indicated that since the assembly was also not in a position to construct an entirely new residence, the only wise decision was to opt for the renovation of the dilapidated bungalow, which had not been occupied by his predecessor due to its state.
Mr. Agyei insisted that he had never taken a unilateral decision to engage a contractor to renovate the place but rather it was a collective arrangement, adding that as a citizen of the area, he was determined to develop the municipality.
He said the doors of his office were always opened for any member of the area to contact him on any matter he or she did not understand instead of going about spreading falsehood which would not help in the development of the area.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
POLICE WARN PUBLIC AGAINST ILLEGAL FIREARM USE (PAGE 42, JULY 8, 2010)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command has warned individuals in the Sunyani Municipality who use fireams, weapons and ammunition without the requisite permit to desist from the practice.
It added that it would embark on an exercise in the next few weeks to arrest and prosecute offenders.
A statement released in Sunyani and signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Seth Charles Oteng, noted with concern, the consistent disobedience and the flouting of the laws governing the importation, acquisition and the use of arms and ammunition by certain unscrupulous individuals in the region and reminded the residents that the practice contravened the existing Arms and Ammunition Laws, especially, Arms and Ammunition Act 1972 (NRCD).
It said the ease with which armed robbers and other criminals had access to arms and ammunition also raised serious security concerns for residents in Sunyani, the regional capital in particular, and the entire region.
The statement pointed out that no person was permitted to use a firearm, weapon or ammunition without authority and that, no one below the age of 18 years was entitled to own and use any firearm, weapon or ammunition.
“Again, no person other than a person registered and permitted to operate as a dealer, shall trade in or sell firearm, weapon or ammunition, and no person, except permitted by the Act or with consent by the Inspector General of Police, shall publicly display any arms or ammunition or discharge a firearm or any other weapon in a public place,” it added
It warned further that: ‘‘No registered dealer shall sell any firearm, weapon or ammunition to any person other than a valid permit holder’’,
It advised all persons operating outside the requirement of the law to put an end to that act, adding that an exercise to arrest and prosecute offenders would be conducted soon.
It added that it would embark on an exercise in the next few weeks to arrest and prosecute offenders.
A statement released in Sunyani and signed by the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Seth Charles Oteng, noted with concern, the consistent disobedience and the flouting of the laws governing the importation, acquisition and the use of arms and ammunition by certain unscrupulous individuals in the region and reminded the residents that the practice contravened the existing Arms and Ammunition Laws, especially, Arms and Ammunition Act 1972 (NRCD).
It said the ease with which armed robbers and other criminals had access to arms and ammunition also raised serious security concerns for residents in Sunyani, the regional capital in particular, and the entire region.
The statement pointed out that no person was permitted to use a firearm, weapon or ammunition without authority and that, no one below the age of 18 years was entitled to own and use any firearm, weapon or ammunition.
“Again, no person other than a person registered and permitted to operate as a dealer, shall trade in or sell firearm, weapon or ammunition, and no person, except permitted by the Act or with consent by the Inspector General of Police, shall publicly display any arms or ammunition or discharge a firearm or any other weapon in a public place,” it added
It warned further that: ‘‘No registered dealer shall sell any firearm, weapon or ammunition to any person other than a valid permit holder’’,
It advised all persons operating outside the requirement of the law to put an end to that act, adding that an exercise to arrest and prosecute offenders would be conducted soon.
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