TWO past winners of the National Best Teacher Awards have described as motivational, inspirational and laudable the institution of the National Best Teacher/Worker Award Scheme by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) about 14 years ago.
They said the scheme which sought to honour hard work, commitment and sacrifices of teachers had made them role models in their respective areas of service.
An English Language teacher and Assistant Headmistress of the Sunyani Senior High School (SHS) in the Brong Ahafo Region, Madam Doris Naana Marfo, and a teacher of the Obokrom-Kumasi District Assembly (D/A) Junior High School (JHS) in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region, Faustina Gyeketey, the 2005 and 2007 winners said since they received their respective awards, the honour had greatly impacted positively on their personal lives as well as that of their students and the community in which they lived.
Madam Marfo and Madam Gyeketey expressed their satisfaction and appreciation of the scheme when they spoke to the Daily Graphic at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani during the 14th National Best Teacher Awards ceremony on Tuesday.
They were also happy with the improvement in the awards each year, and expressed the hope that more teachers would be motivated to work hard to become proud recipients of future national awards.
In all, 52 teachers were honoured for their hard work, patriotism and dedication to duty, with the overall national best teacher award going to Mr Sadique Boateng, a 42-year-old Integrated Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teacher of T.I. Ahmadiyya SHS in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The two past recipients however expressed regret at the failure of the organisers of this year’s programme to invite them as role models to the function but they decided to attend on their own.
They said, they would spearhead the formation of an association of all past award winners, with the view to identifying ways of ensuring that whatever experiences they had gone through after receiving the awards could be shared with the Ghana Education Service (GES) as well as the MoESS.
They appealed to corporate and financial institutions to sponsor the national best teacher awards day in order to make the packages for awardees more attractive, as that of the national farmers’ day, which is sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB)
Madam Marfo later said the award had changed her life entirely as people accord her a lot of respect and recognition, adding that currently she was into promoting girls education at the community level as well as undertaking a reading project in basic schools where she normally presents reading materials to schools she visited.
She expressed gratitude to SEDCO, EPP Books and other writers who have been assisting her in the reading project, and appealed for bigger sponsorship to extend the project to other basic schools.
Madam Marfo disclosed that she had completed the four bedroom house of her choice at the Airport residential area in the Sunyani Municipality with the prize money of Gh¢30,000 she received as the 2005 overall national best teacher.
She, however, appealed to well wishers, spirited individuals and corporate organisations to aid her to construct a wall and the landscaping on the compound of the house.
For her part, Ms Gyeketey, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics Education at the University of Winneba (UEW) in the Central Region said ever since she won the award she had received several invitations to speak at several fora.
She disclosed that her bankers, the Akyempim Rural Bank in the Central Region, gave her a television set and Gh¢50 cash in recognition of hard work which won her the 2007 award.
Currently, Ms Gyeketey said she was sponsoring the education of three girls at the SHS level and disclosed that she was at the roofing stage of her four bedroom house, for which she used the GH¢40,000 cash prize given her for the construction of her house at Agona Swedru in the Central Region, the place of her choice.
She suggested that in future, the winner of the National Best Teacher Award should be awarded a scholarship to pursue further studies.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
FIVE INJURED IN VIOLENCE AT TUOBODOM (PAGE 50)
FIVE people suffered gunshot wounds when violence broke out on the outskirts of Tuobodom, near Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, during the celebration of the annual Yam Festival.
The injuries occurred when some unidentified gunmen were said to have attacked the convoy of the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who had been invited to the festival by one of the claimants to the Tuobodom Stool, Nana Obeng Ameyaw II.
One of the injured, Kwaku Takyi, who is said to be in critical condition, has been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi from the Techiman Holy Family Hospital for further observation, while the other four remain at the Techiman Hospital.
The Wenchi Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Kwame Nkrumah Akumia, told the Daily Graphic at Tuobodom yesterday that the other four injured persons were Stephen Afrifa, Peter Assah, Yaw Frimpong and Kwame Ameyaw, adding that Takyi had been hit in the head by the bullet.
The assailants are alleged to be supporters of the other faction in the chieftaincy dispute who barricaded the main Techiman–Tuobodom road, thereby preventing vehicular and human movement through the town by the large number of people who wanted to witness the festival.
When the Daily Graphic visited the town about 2:00 p.m. yesterday, calm had been restored but the town had heavy military and police presence.
Supt Akumia explained that as part of activities marking the festival, the chief and his people decided to undertake a procession through the town before converging on the Roman Catholic School Park for the durbar.
However, he said a rival faction barricaded one part of the road from Techiman to Tuobodom with all manner of items and the police had to move in quickly to remove the blockade.
According to the Divisional Commander, the security personnel had a hectic time doing so, adding that even after the removal of the blockade, the faction at the end of the town would not allow Nana Ameyaw to pass through their area.
He said around the same time, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw arrived in the town to witness the ceremony but he and his entourage were prevented from doing so.
He said during that tense moment, there was indiscriminate shooting from a bush nearby, resulting in the injury of the five persons who were quickly rushed to the Holy Family Hospital.
When the Daily Graphic visited Nana Ameyaw’s palace, he was not available for comment. However, Opanin Kwaku Poku, the Ankobea Abusuapanyin, pointed out that the chief and his people had planned to observe the Yam Festival about a month earlier after the successful celebration of the festival by the chiefs and people of Techiman and its environs.
He explained that Tuobodom was the last to celebrate it because of its significance and the position it occupied within the Techiman Traditional Area.
He indicated that the chief and his people had no intention of fomenting trouble, since they were in a festive mood, pointing out that because of the violence perpetrated by the other faction, all the expected dignitaries failed to attend the programme.
At the time of filing this report, the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, had visited the conflict zone to access the situation at first-hand and meet the various factions.
Meanwhile, Samuel Duodu reports that in a telephone interview, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw said he had been invited by the Tuobodomhene, Nana Obeng Ameyaw, who was celebrating his annual Yam Festival at Tuobodom, to come and chair a grand durbar on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the festival.
He said when he and his entourage got to the outskirts of Tuobodom on the Techiman-Tuobodom main road, he saw that the road had been barricaded, saying that when his people attempted to remove it, some unidentified persons who had ambushed them in a nearby bush fired indiscriminately into his convoy, resulting in the injury of five persons, Takyi critically.
The Techimanhene further said his Mercedes Benz, with registration number BA 6525 W, was riddled with bullets.
“But by God's grace I escaped unhurt,” he said.
“Because of the bullet wounds sustained by the five people, we had to rush them to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital where they were admitted. As a result, the durbar did not come on,” Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw stated.
The injuries occurred when some unidentified gunmen were said to have attacked the convoy of the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who had been invited to the festival by one of the claimants to the Tuobodom Stool, Nana Obeng Ameyaw II.
One of the injured, Kwaku Takyi, who is said to be in critical condition, has been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi from the Techiman Holy Family Hospital for further observation, while the other four remain at the Techiman Hospital.
The Wenchi Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Kwame Nkrumah Akumia, told the Daily Graphic at Tuobodom yesterday that the other four injured persons were Stephen Afrifa, Peter Assah, Yaw Frimpong and Kwame Ameyaw, adding that Takyi had been hit in the head by the bullet.
The assailants are alleged to be supporters of the other faction in the chieftaincy dispute who barricaded the main Techiman–Tuobodom road, thereby preventing vehicular and human movement through the town by the large number of people who wanted to witness the festival.
When the Daily Graphic visited the town about 2:00 p.m. yesterday, calm had been restored but the town had heavy military and police presence.
Supt Akumia explained that as part of activities marking the festival, the chief and his people decided to undertake a procession through the town before converging on the Roman Catholic School Park for the durbar.
However, he said a rival faction barricaded one part of the road from Techiman to Tuobodom with all manner of items and the police had to move in quickly to remove the blockade.
According to the Divisional Commander, the security personnel had a hectic time doing so, adding that even after the removal of the blockade, the faction at the end of the town would not allow Nana Ameyaw to pass through their area.
He said around the same time, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw arrived in the town to witness the ceremony but he and his entourage were prevented from doing so.
He said during that tense moment, there was indiscriminate shooting from a bush nearby, resulting in the injury of the five persons who were quickly rushed to the Holy Family Hospital.
When the Daily Graphic visited Nana Ameyaw’s palace, he was not available for comment. However, Opanin Kwaku Poku, the Ankobea Abusuapanyin, pointed out that the chief and his people had planned to observe the Yam Festival about a month earlier after the successful celebration of the festival by the chiefs and people of Techiman and its environs.
He explained that Tuobodom was the last to celebrate it because of its significance and the position it occupied within the Techiman Traditional Area.
He indicated that the chief and his people had no intention of fomenting trouble, since they were in a festive mood, pointing out that because of the violence perpetrated by the other faction, all the expected dignitaries failed to attend the programme.
At the time of filing this report, the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC), led by the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, had visited the conflict zone to access the situation at first-hand and meet the various factions.
Meanwhile, Samuel Duodu reports that in a telephone interview, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw said he had been invited by the Tuobodomhene, Nana Obeng Ameyaw, who was celebrating his annual Yam Festival at Tuobodom, to come and chair a grand durbar on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the festival.
He said when he and his entourage got to the outskirts of Tuobodom on the Techiman-Tuobodom main road, he saw that the road had been barricaded, saying that when his people attempted to remove it, some unidentified persons who had ambushed them in a nearby bush fired indiscriminately into his convoy, resulting in the injury of five persons, Takyi critically.
The Techimanhene further said his Mercedes Benz, with registration number BA 6525 W, was riddled with bullets.
“But by God's grace I escaped unhurt,” he said.
“Because of the bullet wounds sustained by the five people, we had to rush them to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital where they were admitted. As a result, the durbar did not come on,” Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw stated.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
SADIQUE BOATENG IS OVERALL BEST TEACHER (PAGE 3)
A 42-year-old Integrated Science and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) teacher of the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi, Mr Sadique Boateng, has been adjudged the Overall Best Teacher for 2008.
At a well-attended National Best Teacher Awards ceremony at the Sunyani Jubilee Park yesterday, Mr Boateng, currently pursuing a masters degree in ICT at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), received a cheque for GH¢60,000 to be used for the construction of a house at a place of his choice.
Madam Magdalene Mensah, 48, a teacher of French at the Opoku Ware SHS, also in Kumasi, was the first runner-up and she was presented with a Nissan pick-up vehicle valued at $22,000, as well as a computer and its accessories.
Madam Alice Dzifa Gligui Denueme, 40, the Head of the Department of Home Economics at Awudome SHS at Tsito in the Volta Region, who was adjudged the second runner-up, received a Nissan Sunny saloon car valued at $18,009, as well as a computer and its accessories.
As early as 7:00 a.m. people from all walks of life had filled the Jubilee Park to witness the ceremony, which was instituted in 1995 by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to honour teachers for their hard work, commitment and dedicated services.
Earlier, members of GNAT from various part of the country had gone on a float through the principal streets of Sunyani, amid dancing and brass band music.
Among the large audience were members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), municipal and district chief executives, members of academia, the clergy, educationists, security personnel, chiefs and students.
Also present were the Tanokrom Agoroma of the Sunyani Centre for National Culture, other traditional drummers, as well as the Sunyani SHS Choir, which entertained the crowd with some thrilling performances while they were waiting for the arrival of President J.A. Kufuor, the guest of honour.
The theme for the occasion was, “Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Teachers Matter”.
President Kufuor and his entourage arrived at the venue to a tumultuous welcome, amidst drumming. They immediately went round the park to exchange pleasantries with the people.
In all, 92 teachers and workers of the Ghana Education Service (GES) who had distinguished themselves in their duties were honoured, as well as some foreign volunteers, some national service persons and retired teachers from the host region.
The award winners were presented with computers, gas cookers, double and single-door fridges, native carvings, artefacts, certificates, ghetto blasters and cash.
The GNAT also used the occasion to present school bags containing school uniforms, exercise books and footwear to 20 needy pupils selected from two deprived communities, namely, Nkrankrom in the Sunyani municipality and Ashiayem in the Tano North District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The major sponsor of the scheme was the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), with the MTN Ghana Foundation providing the prize for the second runner-up.
Other sponsors were SEDCO/Longman, Ultimate Supplies Limited, the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) and the French Embassy.
In a brief interview with newsmen, Mr Boateng said he was highly elated at winning the Overall Best National Teacher award.
According to him, he had received several offers with juicy conditions of service from financial institutions to come and work with them but he turned all of them down, since he was committed to teaching, saying he would want to remain in the teaching profession.
The function was chaired by the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area, Okatakyie Agyeman Kodom IV, who advised the award winners to do their best in the ensuing years.
At a well-attended National Best Teacher Awards ceremony at the Sunyani Jubilee Park yesterday, Mr Boateng, currently pursuing a masters degree in ICT at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), received a cheque for GH¢60,000 to be used for the construction of a house at a place of his choice.
Madam Magdalene Mensah, 48, a teacher of French at the Opoku Ware SHS, also in Kumasi, was the first runner-up and she was presented with a Nissan pick-up vehicle valued at $22,000, as well as a computer and its accessories.
Madam Alice Dzifa Gligui Denueme, 40, the Head of the Department of Home Economics at Awudome SHS at Tsito in the Volta Region, who was adjudged the second runner-up, received a Nissan Sunny saloon car valued at $18,009, as well as a computer and its accessories.
As early as 7:00 a.m. people from all walks of life had filled the Jubilee Park to witness the ceremony, which was instituted in 1995 by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to honour teachers for their hard work, commitment and dedicated services.
Earlier, members of GNAT from various part of the country had gone on a float through the principal streets of Sunyani, amid dancing and brass band music.
Among the large audience were members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), municipal and district chief executives, members of academia, the clergy, educationists, security personnel, chiefs and students.
Also present were the Tanokrom Agoroma of the Sunyani Centre for National Culture, other traditional drummers, as well as the Sunyani SHS Choir, which entertained the crowd with some thrilling performances while they were waiting for the arrival of President J.A. Kufuor, the guest of honour.
The theme for the occasion was, “Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Teachers Matter”.
President Kufuor and his entourage arrived at the venue to a tumultuous welcome, amidst drumming. They immediately went round the park to exchange pleasantries with the people.
In all, 92 teachers and workers of the Ghana Education Service (GES) who had distinguished themselves in their duties were honoured, as well as some foreign volunteers, some national service persons and retired teachers from the host region.
The award winners were presented with computers, gas cookers, double and single-door fridges, native carvings, artefacts, certificates, ghetto blasters and cash.
The GNAT also used the occasion to present school bags containing school uniforms, exercise books and footwear to 20 needy pupils selected from two deprived communities, namely, Nkrankrom in the Sunyani municipality and Ashiayem in the Tano North District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The major sponsor of the scheme was the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), with the MTN Ghana Foundation providing the prize for the second runner-up.
Other sponsors were SEDCO/Longman, Ultimate Supplies Limited, the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) and the French Embassy.
In a brief interview with newsmen, Mr Boateng said he was highly elated at winning the Overall Best National Teacher award.
According to him, he had received several offers with juicy conditions of service from financial institutions to come and work with them but he turned all of them down, since he was committed to teaching, saying he would want to remain in the teaching profession.
The function was chaired by the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area, Okatakyie Agyeman Kodom IV, who advised the award winners to do their best in the ensuing years.
COMPUTER PER CHILD...Govt's initiative to boost ICT skills in public schools (LEAD STORY)
ALL school children between the ages of five and 12 in public schools will soon be provided with personal computers by the government.
Designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America (USA), the computers are to enable the children to acquire skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which is currently the most critical basic instrument of education world-wide.
Making the disclosure in Sunyani yesterday, President J. A. Kufuor said the deal for the supply of the computers was negotiated by the late Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, two years ago.
To acknowledge the role the late minister played, the machines are to be called “Baah-Wiredu’s Computer a child” to honour his memory.
Speaking at the 14th annual Teachers Awards ceremony in Sunyani yesterday, President Kufuor announced that the first batch of 10,000 units of what he described as “Magic Computers for Children” would soon arrive in the country in fulfilment of the government’s promise.
The President said “Baah-Wiredu was assigned the responsibility two years ago to negotiate with MIT, the creators of the machine, to supply all children in Ghana”.
“Rather tragically and sadly, the very day the producers came to present a sample of the wonder machine to me in New York, two weeks ago, was when news of the minister’s demise reached me. Here is the sample which I brought to show you,” he said.
The President then called for a minute’s silence to be observed in Mr Baah-Wiredu’s memory and remarked, “We cannot honour his memory enough. He was a dedicated public servant.”
In all, 52 teachers selected from 12 categories, as well as workers in education, were honoured for their hard work, patriotism and dedication to duty, with the Overall National Best Teacher award going to Mr Sadique Boateng, a 42- year-old Integrated Science and ICT teacher of the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The theme for the celebration was, “Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Teachers Matter”.
At the same ceremony, 40 retired teachers selected from the various districts of the host region were honoured.
President Kufuor also announced that textbooks and supplementary reading materials for all levels of education, from kindergarten, through primary and junior high school (JHS) to SHS, had been procured and were being distributed from district to district.
Happily, the President noted, the emphasis on ICT in the educational reform was beginning to show the need to make ICT user friendly, adding that technical schools and the science resource centres in the 10 regional capitals were also being rehabilitated and resourced to give school leavers the rounded education the global market needed.
President Kufuor again announced that the government aimed at providing every teacher with a personal computer, pointing out that “teachers must master the magic machine before they can guide their pupils to make any headway in it. Indeed, government intends to sustain the progress made thus far by motivating teachers in different ways”.
He said he had directed that the October 2006 salaries of some teachers which were suspended due to a strike they had embarked on be restored forthwith, adding that it was the government’s show of solidarity with the teachers as they celebrated the awards day.
According to President Kufuor, a progressive review of teachers’ salaries continued to engage government’s attention and further announced that preparations were underway to implement the recommendations for a single-spine salary structure to ensure that all workers received equal pay for equal work next year.
Other incentives for the teacher, he said, included 130 units of accommodation for them, free bicycles for those in deprived schools and motorbikes for circuit supervisors for purchase on manageable terms.
The President said to enhance management efficiency, 200 buses had been provided for the district education offices, while 100 Toyota 4x4 pick-up vehicles had been supplied to the district directorates of education and heads of selected SHS and that 40 Mahindra 4x4 Jeeps were expected for distribution to other SHS.
“These are only some of the things government is trying to do to rationalise the teaching service and make it more attractive,” he added.
He paid tribute to the award winners and urged them to work harder than before by returning to their classrooms and offices more committed than before.
“Let me take this opportunity, at this stage, to thank our development partners who have also been contributing to government’s efforts at improving and modernising education in the country. Their continued assistance is proof that truly the international community is evolving into an interdependent world,” he noted.
President Kufuor said by the operations of the national Constitution, his tenure as the President of the Republic was coming to an end in two months’ time and that he could not leave the scene without expressing his sincere appreciation and acknowledgement to the leadership and the rank and file of the educational sector, both public and private, for the dramatic growth in the sector.
He pointed out that the future of the nation was bright, with great prospects for industrialisation on the back of the petro-chemical industry and an integrated bauxite-aluminium industry.
The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Joseph Kwaku Adjei, noted that a dedicated teacher was the key to good education and that explained why there had been an innovative way to reward successful teachers, as well as encourage those who were striving to improve themselves.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof Dominic Fobih, launched a 60-page reader-friendly book which was designed to address some of the good practices in teaching and community service.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in his welcoming address, urged teachers to gird their loins towards the successful implementation of the new educational reform.
The function was chaired by the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, who is also the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area.
Designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America (USA), the computers are to enable the children to acquire skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which is currently the most critical basic instrument of education world-wide.
Making the disclosure in Sunyani yesterday, President J. A. Kufuor said the deal for the supply of the computers was negotiated by the late Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, two years ago.
To acknowledge the role the late minister played, the machines are to be called “Baah-Wiredu’s Computer a child” to honour his memory.
Speaking at the 14th annual Teachers Awards ceremony in Sunyani yesterday, President Kufuor announced that the first batch of 10,000 units of what he described as “Magic Computers for Children” would soon arrive in the country in fulfilment of the government’s promise.
The President said “Baah-Wiredu was assigned the responsibility two years ago to negotiate with MIT, the creators of the machine, to supply all children in Ghana”.
“Rather tragically and sadly, the very day the producers came to present a sample of the wonder machine to me in New York, two weeks ago, was when news of the minister’s demise reached me. Here is the sample which I brought to show you,” he said.
The President then called for a minute’s silence to be observed in Mr Baah-Wiredu’s memory and remarked, “We cannot honour his memory enough. He was a dedicated public servant.”
In all, 52 teachers selected from 12 categories, as well as workers in education, were honoured for their hard work, patriotism and dedication to duty, with the Overall National Best Teacher award going to Mr Sadique Boateng, a 42- year-old Integrated Science and ICT teacher of the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The theme for the celebration was, “Quality Teachers for Quality Education: Teachers Matter”.
At the same ceremony, 40 retired teachers selected from the various districts of the host region were honoured.
President Kufuor also announced that textbooks and supplementary reading materials for all levels of education, from kindergarten, through primary and junior high school (JHS) to SHS, had been procured and were being distributed from district to district.
Happily, the President noted, the emphasis on ICT in the educational reform was beginning to show the need to make ICT user friendly, adding that technical schools and the science resource centres in the 10 regional capitals were also being rehabilitated and resourced to give school leavers the rounded education the global market needed.
President Kufuor again announced that the government aimed at providing every teacher with a personal computer, pointing out that “teachers must master the magic machine before they can guide their pupils to make any headway in it. Indeed, government intends to sustain the progress made thus far by motivating teachers in different ways”.
He said he had directed that the October 2006 salaries of some teachers which were suspended due to a strike they had embarked on be restored forthwith, adding that it was the government’s show of solidarity with the teachers as they celebrated the awards day.
According to President Kufuor, a progressive review of teachers’ salaries continued to engage government’s attention and further announced that preparations were underway to implement the recommendations for a single-spine salary structure to ensure that all workers received equal pay for equal work next year.
Other incentives for the teacher, he said, included 130 units of accommodation for them, free bicycles for those in deprived schools and motorbikes for circuit supervisors for purchase on manageable terms.
The President said to enhance management efficiency, 200 buses had been provided for the district education offices, while 100 Toyota 4x4 pick-up vehicles had been supplied to the district directorates of education and heads of selected SHS and that 40 Mahindra 4x4 Jeeps were expected for distribution to other SHS.
“These are only some of the things government is trying to do to rationalise the teaching service and make it more attractive,” he added.
He paid tribute to the award winners and urged them to work harder than before by returning to their classrooms and offices more committed than before.
“Let me take this opportunity, at this stage, to thank our development partners who have also been contributing to government’s efforts at improving and modernising education in the country. Their continued assistance is proof that truly the international community is evolving into an interdependent world,” he noted.
President Kufuor said by the operations of the national Constitution, his tenure as the President of the Republic was coming to an end in two months’ time and that he could not leave the scene without expressing his sincere appreciation and acknowledgement to the leadership and the rank and file of the educational sector, both public and private, for the dramatic growth in the sector.
He pointed out that the future of the nation was bright, with great prospects for industrialisation on the back of the petro-chemical industry and an integrated bauxite-aluminium industry.
The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Joseph Kwaku Adjei, noted that a dedicated teacher was the key to good education and that explained why there had been an innovative way to reward successful teachers, as well as encourage those who were striving to improve themselves.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof Dominic Fobih, launched a 60-page reader-friendly book which was designed to address some of the good practices in teaching and community service.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in his welcoming address, urged teachers to gird their loins towards the successful implementation of the new educational reform.
The function was chaired by the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, who is also the Omanhene of the Nkoranza Traditional Area.
Monday, October 6, 2008
INSURANCE COMMISSION EMBARKS ON CAMPAIGN ON COMPENSATION FUND (PAGE 52)
THE National Insurance Commission (NIC) has embarked on a nationwide campaign to educate businessmen and women, drivers, corporate organisations as well as individuals on the need to insure whatever enterprise they were engaged in so that in the event of any accident, they could be compensated.
The commission has observed that many people failed to insure their wares, property and other belongings so in case of fire outbreaks and other accidents, culminating in the loss of their items, they found it difficult to receive compensation.
The Legal Director of the NIC, Mrs Eunice Ocran, has addressed one of such campaigns in Sunyani.
She said a compensation fund was set-up in 1996 for injured persons who were unable to obtain compensation from an insurance company owing to certain unmet requirements.
The legal director further explained that the fund would compensate anybody who had been injured after 1996 but who was unable to obtain compensation from an insurance company because the motorist was uninsured, meaning that, the vehicle owner failed to take a motor insurance policy.
On the procedure for claims, she said, the victim should first put in claims from the insurer or vehicle owner and if that failed, he or she could petition either in writing to the secretary of the compensation fund or could call personally at the offices of the fund.
The legal director pointed out that where an insurance company refused a claim, a letter from the company stating clearly the reasons for the refusal, should also be provided.
The commission has observed that many people failed to insure their wares, property and other belongings so in case of fire outbreaks and other accidents, culminating in the loss of their items, they found it difficult to receive compensation.
The Legal Director of the NIC, Mrs Eunice Ocran, has addressed one of such campaigns in Sunyani.
She said a compensation fund was set-up in 1996 for injured persons who were unable to obtain compensation from an insurance company owing to certain unmet requirements.
The legal director further explained that the fund would compensate anybody who had been injured after 1996 but who was unable to obtain compensation from an insurance company because the motorist was uninsured, meaning that, the vehicle owner failed to take a motor insurance policy.
On the procedure for claims, she said, the victim should first put in claims from the insurer or vehicle owner and if that failed, he or she could petition either in writing to the secretary of the compensation fund or could call personally at the offices of the fund.
The legal director pointed out that where an insurance company refused a claim, a letter from the company stating clearly the reasons for the refusal, should also be provided.
4 PEOJECTS FOR CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY READY (PAGE 52)
FOUR projects have been completed at the new site of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The projects, costing GH¢25 million, have paved the way for the 2008/2009 academic year to start at the new campus.
Since its establishment in March 2003, academic work of the university had been taking place at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sunyani.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) decided in 1998 to establish the CUGC.
The four structures at the new site are a resource centre hosting the university library, computer laboratories, and two large lecture theatres with a seating capacity of 1,200 and a classroom block containing nine big rooms, two of which have been converted into offices for the Registrar and the Vice Chancellor, with the third one being turned into a board meeting room.
Addressing a news conference to usher in the new academic year of the CUCG at the new site on Thursday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor James H. Ephraim, stated that a second classroom block was at the third floor level while an administration block was at the ground floor.
He added that 80 computers had already been set up in one of the two computer laboratories while additional 250 were expected to arrive soon.
The Vice Chancellor said a three-storey block under construction was 70 per cent complete, while contract had been awarded for the construction of 16 staff bungalows.
Plans, he said, were afoot for the establishment of science laboratories for the basic sciences.
The Vice Chancellor stated that from a modest beginning of 50 students, who matriculated on November 13, 2003, the university currently had enrolment of 1,280 undertaking degree programmes in Economics and Business Administration, with options in Economics, Accounting, Management as well as Banking and Finance.
According to Prof. Ephraim, the university was also offering training programmes in Religious Studies up to the Masters level, B.Sc. in Public Health with options in Health Management, Health Informatics and Health Education, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed), which has the options of School Administration and Guidance and Counselling.
In addition, he said, the university offered one-year and two-year Diploma programmes in Education for graduate teachers who wanted to have a professional qualification, and that it organised a Night School, which provides the opportunity for adults, especially employees, to study for their part-time degrees.
The projects, costing GH¢25 million, have paved the way for the 2008/2009 academic year to start at the new campus.
Since its establishment in March 2003, academic work of the university had been taking place at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sunyani.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) decided in 1998 to establish the CUGC.
The four structures at the new site are a resource centre hosting the university library, computer laboratories, and two large lecture theatres with a seating capacity of 1,200 and a classroom block containing nine big rooms, two of which have been converted into offices for the Registrar and the Vice Chancellor, with the third one being turned into a board meeting room.
Addressing a news conference to usher in the new academic year of the CUCG at the new site on Thursday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor James H. Ephraim, stated that a second classroom block was at the third floor level while an administration block was at the ground floor.
He added that 80 computers had already been set up in one of the two computer laboratories while additional 250 were expected to arrive soon.
The Vice Chancellor said a three-storey block under construction was 70 per cent complete, while contract had been awarded for the construction of 16 staff bungalows.
Plans, he said, were afoot for the establishment of science laboratories for the basic sciences.
The Vice Chancellor stated that from a modest beginning of 50 students, who matriculated on November 13, 2003, the university currently had enrolment of 1,280 undertaking degree programmes in Economics and Business Administration, with options in Economics, Accounting, Management as well as Banking and Finance.
According to Prof. Ephraim, the university was also offering training programmes in Religious Studies up to the Masters level, B.Sc. in Public Health with options in Health Management, Health Informatics and Health Education, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed), which has the options of School Administration and Guidance and Counselling.
In addition, he said, the university offered one-year and two-year Diploma programmes in Education for graduate teachers who wanted to have a professional qualification, and that it organised a Night School, which provides the opportunity for adults, especially employees, to study for their part-time degrees.
MOFA READY TO OFFER EXTENSION SERVICES TO FARMERS (PAGE 52)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Extension Officer of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr John Ayisi Jatango, has given the assurance that agricultural extension services would be provided to farmers who were ready to accept those services with a view of addressing their needs.
He further stated that the ministry would team up with the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the District Assemblies in creating the enabling environment for private sector participation in the funding and delivery of extension services.
The aim of the programme, he said, was to raise agricultural productivity in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
Speaking at an agricultural forum for stakeholders in the sector in Sunyani, Mr Jatango said it was the mission of MoFA to promote sustainable agriculture by ensuring an improved human livelihood through research and technology development.
Mr Jatango who presented a paper on the topic: “Increasing farmers access to agricultural services and improving rural infrastructure: The role of MoFA,’’ said MoFA was pursuing six main functions, including ensuring food security for the Ghanaian population and facilitating the production of agricultural raw materials for industry.
The ministry, he said, facilitated the production of agricultural commodities for export, effective and efficient input supply and distribution and ensured effective and efficient output processing and marketing system.
The regional extension officer stated that, the most important function that was of utmost concern to all Ghanaians was ensuring food security, which covered good quality nutrients food, hygienically packaged and attractively presented, available in sufficient qualities all year round and located at appropriate places at affordable prices.
The Senior Programme Officer in charge of Agriculture and Food Security of ActionAid International (AAI), Mr James Kusi Boama, who also presented a paper, observed that it was the wish of all farmers to produce enough food to feed themselves and family as well as for sale to generate income.
His topic was: “Market access and fair price for farmers’ produce—Key to food security.”
According to him, market access in globalisation was an umbrella term for a number of measures that a country might use to restrict imports.
He said one of the most common forms of such restrictions was tariffs on imported goods.
Mr Boama also explained that market access concerned regulation of imported services, adding that some countries might limit the number of foreign service supplier in a sector or limit the number of service transactions a foreign supplier might perform.
He further stated that the ministry would team up with the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the District Assemblies in creating the enabling environment for private sector participation in the funding and delivery of extension services.
The aim of the programme, he said, was to raise agricultural productivity in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
Speaking at an agricultural forum for stakeholders in the sector in Sunyani, Mr Jatango said it was the mission of MoFA to promote sustainable agriculture by ensuring an improved human livelihood through research and technology development.
Mr Jatango who presented a paper on the topic: “Increasing farmers access to agricultural services and improving rural infrastructure: The role of MoFA,’’ said MoFA was pursuing six main functions, including ensuring food security for the Ghanaian population and facilitating the production of agricultural raw materials for industry.
The ministry, he said, facilitated the production of agricultural commodities for export, effective and efficient input supply and distribution and ensured effective and efficient output processing and marketing system.
The regional extension officer stated that, the most important function that was of utmost concern to all Ghanaians was ensuring food security, which covered good quality nutrients food, hygienically packaged and attractively presented, available in sufficient qualities all year round and located at appropriate places at affordable prices.
The Senior Programme Officer in charge of Agriculture and Food Security of ActionAid International (AAI), Mr James Kusi Boama, who also presented a paper, observed that it was the wish of all farmers to produce enough food to feed themselves and family as well as for sale to generate income.
His topic was: “Market access and fair price for farmers’ produce—Key to food security.”
According to him, market access in globalisation was an umbrella term for a number of measures that a country might use to restrict imports.
He said one of the most common forms of such restrictions was tariffs on imported goods.
Mr Boama also explained that market access concerned regulation of imported services, adding that some countries might limit the number of foreign service supplier in a sector or limit the number of service transactions a foreign supplier might perform.
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