THE 46th annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has opened in Sunyani, with a call on the two umbrella bodies of Ghanaian teachers to steer clear of partisan politics.
Opening the conference in the Brong Ahafo regional capital on Wednesday, the Vice- Chancellor of the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre, Professor James Hawkins Ephraim, asked the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to avoid becoming tools of any political party but work towards satisfying the aspirations of their members.
That, according to Prof Ephraim, required that GNAT and NAGRAT would apply the necessary pressure for the government to provide an enabling environment for teachers to provide quality teaching and leadership for students.
Speaking on the theme for the six-day conference, “Promoting Quality Educational Leadership and Excellence”, the CUCG Vice-Chancellor stressed that the two professional bodies ought to devise innovative strategies that would enhance the acquisition of leadership skills by their members, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“Quality leadership in our schools, with the ultimate result in excellence, can be promoted when the stakeholders learn to adopt a synergistic approach to their interaction. That is, all stakeholders should resolve to play their part well in such a manner to encourage themselves to offer their best,” he declared.
According to Prof Ephraim, quality educational leadership might also be promoted through a comprehensive motivational package, saying that all teachers should be given enhanced conditions of service, supported with funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
He pointed out that if all teachers enjoyed favourable conditions of service, there might be no need to organise Best Teacher Awards because, according to him, all teachers would be able to buy or build their own houses through the provision of affordable financial facilities.
The vice-chancellor declared, “Such motivation given to teachers at all levels will contribute to the promotion of quality educational leadership which, in turn, will translate into academic excellence.”
Prof Ephraim also suggested that comprehensive leadership training should be given to all heads of high schools, adding that as a logical extension, teachers should be given training in leadership skills through specially organised seminars or via a strategic incorporation of leadership topics in the teacher training curriculum.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Prof Dominic K. Fobih, who opened the conference, noted that the knowledge and skills acquired through the numerous interventional strategies provided by the ministry would adequately equip the heads to become agents of positive change in helping to make secondary education the pivot of human resource development.
He said the ministry had always held the firm conviction that a strong school leadership was crucial in establishing a successful educational system, saying that was why the current educational reform emphasised, among other things, capacity building as a key component to quality educational delivery in the country.
He observed that the Educational Sector Project (Edsep), a World Bank assisted project, had offered the opportunity for heads of institutions to acquire the needed acumen as part of building their capacity.
Similarly, he said, the ministry, through the Ghana Education Service (GES), recently held a training workshop at Ajumako for heads of second-cycle schools and their accountants on financial management, under the Development of Senior Secondary Education Project (DSSEP), an African Development Bank (ADB) funded programme, as part of the ministry’s practical efforts to improve the capacity of educational leadership.
The National President of CHASS, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, pointed out that the perennial delay in the payment of scholarships to beneficiary institutions was a great source of worry and frustration to members.
“Ideally, we should be able to access this money latest by the middle of every term and I hope the measures being put in place by the management of the GES, with the support of the sector ministry, will resolve this issue once and for all. When that is done, we shall be able to concentrate more on our core responsibility, which is to supervise teaching and learning outcomes, more efficiently,” he observed.
According to Mr Ofori-Adjei, CHASS had made moves at the appropriate quarters for an upward review of the feeding fees that members were currently permitted to charge students, adding, “The reality on the ground is that 80Gp per student is woefully inadequate if we are to feed adolescents who eat a lot, through no fault of theirs, well so that they can concentrate on their studies”.
The National President of CHASS further declared, “Our calculations show that we may find it extremely difficult to end the term successfully, if we do not look at the issue critically.”
The Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic, Prof Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, who chaired the function, noted that with the introduction of the Procurement Law and the Financial Administration Act, heads of educational institutions were seriously constrained because traders refused to sell on credit to them, while most local traders were unable to provide invoices, as required by the law, for items to be purchased. At the same time, boarding students ought to be fed.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
FARMERS, FISHERMEN'S DAY OF HONOUR...65 to receive prizes at Techiman (PAGE 21)
Once again, the National Farmers Day celebration is here and it is the turn of the people of Techiman, the commercial hub of the Brong Ahafo Region, to host the 24th edition of the event which takes place at the Techiman Methodist Park today.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Globalization: Its Effects on Agricultural Production in Ghana”.
The National Farmers Day has been celebrated every first Friday in the month of December since it was instituted in 1985 by the Government of Ghana with the aim of honouring gallant and hardworking farmers and fishermen in the country.
The day was instituted by the then government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), led by its chairman, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, following the unprecedented famine that plagued the nation in 1983 and 1984 and the remarkable productivity exhibited by Ghanaians in 1985 to salvage the nation from hunger.
In the years preceding the 1985 bumper, the nation had witnessed an acute drought aggravated by wild fires as a result of the absence of rains. Indeed everything went dry and the effects of the food shortage were made more severe by the deportation of over a million Ghanaians from Nigeria.
Those were the days when people queued to buy uncooked kenkey to their homes to boil it themselves while others chewed raw gari and drank water on top to abate their hunger regardless of the nutrients to be derived from this.
In fact people relied on whatever food they could lay hands on, once it was wholesome. Others never bothered about whether the food was wholesome or not; they only needed to fill their stomachs.
But thank God, who listened to the cry of his people and sent down abundant rains in the succeeding years. Ghanaian farmers took full advantage of the rains to increase their agricultural activities which culminated in high yields. This was rewarded by the wise decision of the government to set aside the first Friday in December to recognise the hard work of the Ghanaian farmer.
The celebration of the Farmers’ Day has thus become a statutory national holiday, backed by law.
The day itself is preceded by a week-long activities with the award winners receiving prizes such as the mouth-watering three-bedroom house, a double cabin air conditioned pick-up vehicle and television sets, among other items.
Now the statutory public holiday is observed at the district, regional and national levels, where farmers whose work has been recognised are rewarded simultaneously each year during the celebration.
For this year’s celebration, however, the organisers after carefully assessing the national calendar, thought it wise to shift the date from December to November 7, owing to the up-coming presidential and parliamentary elections which have been slated for Sunday, December 7, 2008.
From Osino in 1985, the celebration in 1986 was held at Akatsi in the Volta Region and Essumeja in the Ashanti Region the following year, while the venue moved to Nyankpala in the Northern Region in 1988 with Mpohor in the Western Region, taking its turn in 1989.
In 1990, Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo Region hosted the celebration, Juapong in the Volta Region, 1991 while the venue moved to Ejura in the Ashanti Region in 1992, Akuse in the Eastern Region had its turn in 1993, followed by Winneba in the Central Region in1994; Bedeku in the Greater Accra Region in 1995; Esiama in the Western Region, 1996, and Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region in 1997.
For the 1998 celebration, the Trade Fair Site in Accra was chosen, in 1999 it was Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; Wa in the Upper West Region in 2000 while in 2001, the venue again moved to the Trade Fair Site in Accra, and 2002, Takoradi in the Western Region, with Cape Coast in the Central Region hosting it in 2003.
In 2004, Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, hosted the event while in 2005, the celebration took place in Navrongo in the Upper East Region. Nkawie in the Ashanti Region hosted it in 2006 with Wa taking its turn last year.
And for this year, at Techiman, all is now set for the selected 65 award winners to receive their prizes for various categories at the ceremony which is to be graced by the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Council of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Authorities as well as other important dignitaries from all walks of life.
Mr Emmanuel Krobea-Asante, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told this writer that the awardees would first arrive in Sunyani, pay courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, at his residence and other important personalities in the region. They will also be treated to a welcome cocktail.
He said they would also visit some selected Agro-processing industries in the region, including Yedent Maize Processing at Abesim, near Sunyani and E. K. Adjei Agro Processing Company in Sunyani as well as the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Techiman.
According to Mr Krobea-Asante, the Regional Planning Committee had secured adequate decent hotel accommodation in Sunyani and Techiman for the award winners and other important dignitaries and guests to the event, and denied categorically that some hotels in Kumasi had been booked for some of the guests, saying that not a single room had been arranged for any of the guests at Kumasi.
The Regional Director named the booked hotels in Techiman as Dymns, Premier, Agyeiwaa, Dery, Lumnar Lodge, Patoah Lodge, Relax, Expo, Seematins, and the Adventist Senior High School Hostel.
And in Sunyani, Mr Krobea-Asante mentioned those booked as Eusbett, Glamossay, Ideas, Regent Resorts, Aboa Lodge, Tony and Hotel De Jet.
According to him, the necessary security arrangements had been made and lights at the venue had already been fixed by the Volta River Authority (VRA). The Techiman Municipal Assembly was also reshaping the grounds all at the expense of Ghana Telecom.
Mr Krobea-Asante indicated that the erection of the giant dais would be completed before schedule and that the programme would start at 9:00 a.m prompt. He expressed the hope that the occasion would be a memorable one and also commended all the stakeholders for their efforts.
The function is expected to be chaired by the newly elected President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, who is also the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Globalization: Its Effects on Agricultural Production in Ghana”.
The National Farmers Day has been celebrated every first Friday in the month of December since it was instituted in 1985 by the Government of Ghana with the aim of honouring gallant and hardworking farmers and fishermen in the country.
The day was instituted by the then government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), led by its chairman, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, following the unprecedented famine that plagued the nation in 1983 and 1984 and the remarkable productivity exhibited by Ghanaians in 1985 to salvage the nation from hunger.
In the years preceding the 1985 bumper, the nation had witnessed an acute drought aggravated by wild fires as a result of the absence of rains. Indeed everything went dry and the effects of the food shortage were made more severe by the deportation of over a million Ghanaians from Nigeria.
Those were the days when people queued to buy uncooked kenkey to their homes to boil it themselves while others chewed raw gari and drank water on top to abate their hunger regardless of the nutrients to be derived from this.
In fact people relied on whatever food they could lay hands on, once it was wholesome. Others never bothered about whether the food was wholesome or not; they only needed to fill their stomachs.
But thank God, who listened to the cry of his people and sent down abundant rains in the succeeding years. Ghanaian farmers took full advantage of the rains to increase their agricultural activities which culminated in high yields. This was rewarded by the wise decision of the government to set aside the first Friday in December to recognise the hard work of the Ghanaian farmer.
The celebration of the Farmers’ Day has thus become a statutory national holiday, backed by law.
The day itself is preceded by a week-long activities with the award winners receiving prizes such as the mouth-watering three-bedroom house, a double cabin air conditioned pick-up vehicle and television sets, among other items.
Now the statutory public holiday is observed at the district, regional and national levels, where farmers whose work has been recognised are rewarded simultaneously each year during the celebration.
For this year’s celebration, however, the organisers after carefully assessing the national calendar, thought it wise to shift the date from December to November 7, owing to the up-coming presidential and parliamentary elections which have been slated for Sunday, December 7, 2008.
From Osino in 1985, the celebration in 1986 was held at Akatsi in the Volta Region and Essumeja in the Ashanti Region the following year, while the venue moved to Nyankpala in the Northern Region in 1988 with Mpohor in the Western Region, taking its turn in 1989.
In 1990, Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo Region hosted the celebration, Juapong in the Volta Region, 1991 while the venue moved to Ejura in the Ashanti Region in 1992, Akuse in the Eastern Region had its turn in 1993, followed by Winneba in the Central Region in1994; Bedeku in the Greater Accra Region in 1995; Esiama in the Western Region, 1996, and Bechem in the Brong Ahafo Region in 1997.
For the 1998 celebration, the Trade Fair Site in Accra was chosen, in 1999 it was Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; Wa in the Upper West Region in 2000 while in 2001, the venue again moved to the Trade Fair Site in Accra, and 2002, Takoradi in the Western Region, with Cape Coast in the Central Region hosting it in 2003.
In 2004, Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, hosted the event while in 2005, the celebration took place in Navrongo in the Upper East Region. Nkawie in the Ashanti Region hosted it in 2006 with Wa taking its turn last year.
And for this year, at Techiman, all is now set for the selected 65 award winners to receive their prizes for various categories at the ceremony which is to be graced by the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Council of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Authorities as well as other important dignitaries from all walks of life.
Mr Emmanuel Krobea-Asante, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told this writer that the awardees would first arrive in Sunyani, pay courtesy calls on the Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, at his residence and other important personalities in the region. They will also be treated to a welcome cocktail.
He said they would also visit some selected Agro-processing industries in the region, including Yedent Maize Processing at Abesim, near Sunyani and E. K. Adjei Agro Processing Company in Sunyani as well as the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Techiman.
According to Mr Krobea-Asante, the Regional Planning Committee had secured adequate decent hotel accommodation in Sunyani and Techiman for the award winners and other important dignitaries and guests to the event, and denied categorically that some hotels in Kumasi had been booked for some of the guests, saying that not a single room had been arranged for any of the guests at Kumasi.
The Regional Director named the booked hotels in Techiman as Dymns, Premier, Agyeiwaa, Dery, Lumnar Lodge, Patoah Lodge, Relax, Expo, Seematins, and the Adventist Senior High School Hostel.
And in Sunyani, Mr Krobea-Asante mentioned those booked as Eusbett, Glamossay, Ideas, Regent Resorts, Aboa Lodge, Tony and Hotel De Jet.
According to him, the necessary security arrangements had been made and lights at the venue had already been fixed by the Volta River Authority (VRA). The Techiman Municipal Assembly was also reshaping the grounds all at the expense of Ghana Telecom.
Mr Krobea-Asante indicated that the erection of the giant dais would be completed before schedule and that the programme would start at 9:00 a.m prompt. He expressed the hope that the occasion would be a memorable one and also commended all the stakeholders for their efforts.
The function is expected to be chaired by the newly elected President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, who is also the Omanhene of the Kukuom Traditional Area.
TRADITIONAL RULERS ATTEND WORKSHOP (PAGE 23)
ABOUT 100 traditional authorities, made up of divisional and sub-chiefs, queens and elders within the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Area in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region, have attended a sensitisation workshop on the ascertainment and codification of customary law on land and family law in Ghana.
The workshop formed part of a series being organised under the Ascertainment of Customary Law (ACL) Project jointly established by the National House of Chiefs (NHC) and the Law Reforms Commission (LRC) as a pilot in 10 traditional areas in the country.
The objective of the project is to find out the customary law, rules and practices relating to land and family in communities in selected traditional areas.
The selected areas are Offinso in the Ashanti Region, Duayaw Nkwanta, Brong Ahafo; Eguafo, Central; Akuapem, Eastern; Kpone, Greater Accra; Gonja, Northern; Paga, Upper East; Kaleo, Upper West; Asogli, Volta and Lower Axim in the Western Region.
The German Development Co-operation (GTZ) has so far provided about 900,000 Euros to support the project, which started in 2006 and is expected to end in 2009 for the 10 areas after which other traditional areas would have their turn.
The National Research Co-ordinator of the ACL, Mr Thomas Tagoe, and a member of the Joint Steering Committee of the project, Barima Akwasi Offe Okogyeasuo, who is also the Omanhene of the Kokofu Traditional Area, took turns to explain the rationale behind the ACL to the participants.
According to Mr Tagoe, the establishment of the project was mandated by Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution to “undertake customary law” and to evaluate” traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that were outmoded and socially harmful.
He said the ACL was a necessary step that sought to identify customary laws relating to land and family which were applicable in different traditional areas.
Mr Tagoe said those laws would be documented and, where possible, harmonised to enable Ghana to have unified rules for customary laws relating to land and the family.
The project co-ordinator indicated that a training workshop had been organised for field staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to do effective data collection in the selected traditional areas and that the sensitisation workshops were to let the people know what the project was about and its usefulness to them in particular and the country at large.
He said after the collection of data, validation workshops on the data collected would first be held at the traditional areas, then at the regional level and finally another one at the national level.
Barima Okogyeasuo urged the participants not to hesitate to give out whatever information they had when enumerators came around, since the output of the project would lead to the documentation of customary laws of the land for use by individuals, the courts, academic institutions and communities, among other entities.
He further stated that when the project was completed, there would be a reference point for customary land and family law, help minimise land disputes in Ghana, strengthen the legal system and make access to land easier for investors.
The participants showed a lot of enthusiasm and expressed their individual expectations about the outcome of the project, pointing out that the final document would stem the incidence of teenage pregnancy, disrespect for the elderly and all forms of social vices.
The workshop formed part of a series being organised under the Ascertainment of Customary Law (ACL) Project jointly established by the National House of Chiefs (NHC) and the Law Reforms Commission (LRC) as a pilot in 10 traditional areas in the country.
The objective of the project is to find out the customary law, rules and practices relating to land and family in communities in selected traditional areas.
The selected areas are Offinso in the Ashanti Region, Duayaw Nkwanta, Brong Ahafo; Eguafo, Central; Akuapem, Eastern; Kpone, Greater Accra; Gonja, Northern; Paga, Upper East; Kaleo, Upper West; Asogli, Volta and Lower Axim in the Western Region.
The German Development Co-operation (GTZ) has so far provided about 900,000 Euros to support the project, which started in 2006 and is expected to end in 2009 for the 10 areas after which other traditional areas would have their turn.
The National Research Co-ordinator of the ACL, Mr Thomas Tagoe, and a member of the Joint Steering Committee of the project, Barima Akwasi Offe Okogyeasuo, who is also the Omanhene of the Kokofu Traditional Area, took turns to explain the rationale behind the ACL to the participants.
According to Mr Tagoe, the establishment of the project was mandated by Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution to “undertake customary law” and to evaluate” traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that were outmoded and socially harmful.
He said the ACL was a necessary step that sought to identify customary laws relating to land and family which were applicable in different traditional areas.
Mr Tagoe said those laws would be documented and, where possible, harmonised to enable Ghana to have unified rules for customary laws relating to land and the family.
The project co-ordinator indicated that a training workshop had been organised for field staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to do effective data collection in the selected traditional areas and that the sensitisation workshops were to let the people know what the project was about and its usefulness to them in particular and the country at large.
He said after the collection of data, validation workshops on the data collected would first be held at the traditional areas, then at the regional level and finally another one at the national level.
Barima Okogyeasuo urged the participants not to hesitate to give out whatever information they had when enumerators came around, since the output of the project would lead to the documentation of customary laws of the land for use by individuals, the courts, academic institutions and communities, among other entities.
He further stated that when the project was completed, there would be a reference point for customary land and family law, help minimise land disputes in Ghana, strengthen the legal system and make access to land easier for investors.
The participants showed a lot of enthusiasm and expressed their individual expectations about the outcome of the project, pointing out that the final document would stem the incidence of teenage pregnancy, disrespect for the elderly and all forms of social vices.
DR SAKU EMERGES BEST FARMER (1b)
THE nation honoured its gallant farmers at an impressive ceremony in Techiman yesterday, bestowing the National Best Farmer for 2008 award on a 54-year-old medical officer, Dr Simon Saku, from Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo.
For his prize, Dr Saku, who ventured into commercial farming only seven years ago, was the proud recipient of a three- bedroom house, valued at GH¢40,000, to be built at a place of his choice.
For the first time, the National Best Farmer is also to receive a pick-up from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to facilitate his mobility and farm operations.
In all, 67 farmers, including 10 agricultural extension officers, engaged in different categories of agricultural activities were recognised for their contributions to agriculture and national development.
The theme for the celebration was, “Globalisation: Its effects on agricultural production in Ghana”.
The first runner-up in the national best farmer category was Madam Janet Nyabase from Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, while the second runner-up award was clinched by Mr Moris Dery, a 57-year-old retired civil servant.
Madam Nyabase took home a double cabin pick-up, while Mr Dery went away with a single cabin pick up.
The Best Cocoa Farmer award for 2008 went to Clement Kwasi Kuma from C.K. Krom in the Juabeso District of the Western Region and, for his prize, he took home a double cabin pick-up.
In the fishing category, Mr Kojo Sotor, who began fishing in 1974 at Elmina, emerged the Best National Fisherman. Mr Sotor, an evangelist, fisherman and President of the Power Evangelism Network, received a pick-up. He has four canoes, two beach seines and two Watsa fishing nets, as well as oil palm plantations.
The first runner-up in that category was Torgbui Avu Francis from Avukope in the Volta Region, who was the proud recipient of a deep freezer, a colour television set, fishing nets, rope and an outboard motor.
Mr Tsani Gadoga, the second runner-up, who is from Ada in the Greater Accra Region, received similar prizes. He has 18 canoes, two of which operate in Cameroun.
Expressing appreciation to the nation on behalf of the award winners, Dr Saku said farmers were grateful to the government for continuing with the Farmers Day celebration and said the event would continue to serve as a source of motivation to farmers and get particularly the youth to go into agriculture.
Later in an interview, Dr Saku said he began farming after he had been saved by farmers when he was involved in an accident between Techiman and Wenchi seven years ago.
Dr Saku, who also operates a private hospital, has cultivated 666 out of 950 acres into different types of farms located at Wenchi, Amponsahkrom, Abatareye, Subinso, Aduana, Bodidenom, Beposo and Wurongho, all in the Wenchi municipality. He has engaged 45 full-time workers and 80 casual farm hands. He is married with six children.
He explained that he had managed to keep his farms and the hospital at the same time because of his ability to apply time management principles.
The National Award Winners Association also presented a tractor and its accessories to President Kufuor as a parting gift to him on his retirement and also to encourage him to venture into agriculture.
For his prize, Dr Saku, who ventured into commercial farming only seven years ago, was the proud recipient of a three- bedroom house, valued at GH¢40,000, to be built at a place of his choice.
For the first time, the National Best Farmer is also to receive a pick-up from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to facilitate his mobility and farm operations.
In all, 67 farmers, including 10 agricultural extension officers, engaged in different categories of agricultural activities were recognised for their contributions to agriculture and national development.
The theme for the celebration was, “Globalisation: Its effects on agricultural production in Ghana”.
The first runner-up in the national best farmer category was Madam Janet Nyabase from Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, while the second runner-up award was clinched by Mr Moris Dery, a 57-year-old retired civil servant.
Madam Nyabase took home a double cabin pick-up, while Mr Dery went away with a single cabin pick up.
The Best Cocoa Farmer award for 2008 went to Clement Kwasi Kuma from C.K. Krom in the Juabeso District of the Western Region and, for his prize, he took home a double cabin pick-up.
In the fishing category, Mr Kojo Sotor, who began fishing in 1974 at Elmina, emerged the Best National Fisherman. Mr Sotor, an evangelist, fisherman and President of the Power Evangelism Network, received a pick-up. He has four canoes, two beach seines and two Watsa fishing nets, as well as oil palm plantations.
The first runner-up in that category was Torgbui Avu Francis from Avukope in the Volta Region, who was the proud recipient of a deep freezer, a colour television set, fishing nets, rope and an outboard motor.
Mr Tsani Gadoga, the second runner-up, who is from Ada in the Greater Accra Region, received similar prizes. He has 18 canoes, two of which operate in Cameroun.
Expressing appreciation to the nation on behalf of the award winners, Dr Saku said farmers were grateful to the government for continuing with the Farmers Day celebration and said the event would continue to serve as a source of motivation to farmers and get particularly the youth to go into agriculture.
Later in an interview, Dr Saku said he began farming after he had been saved by farmers when he was involved in an accident between Techiman and Wenchi seven years ago.
Dr Saku, who also operates a private hospital, has cultivated 666 out of 950 acres into different types of farms located at Wenchi, Amponsahkrom, Abatareye, Subinso, Aduana, Bodidenom, Beposo and Wurongho, all in the Wenchi municipality. He has engaged 45 full-time workers and 80 casual farm hands. He is married with six children.
He explained that he had managed to keep his farms and the hospital at the same time because of his ability to apply time management principles.
The National Award Winners Association also presented a tractor and its accessories to President Kufuor as a parting gift to him on his retirement and also to encourage him to venture into agriculture.
Monday, November 3, 2008
1 DEAD IN POLITICAL CLASH AT SANKORE (PAGE 3)
A MIDDLE-AGED man was shot dead on Saturday night at Sankore in the Asunafo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region following a clash between rival groups alleged to be supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The deceased was identified as Yaw Amponsah, a supporter of the NPP.
Six others, including a four-year-old boy, who sustained various degrees of injury, have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for treatment, while the body of Amponsah was deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital.
According to sources, the clash between the two groups was the result of an earlier misunderstanding between Kwaku Okyere of the NPP and Kofi Asare, an NDC supporter, during which Asare was said to have been injured.
In the heat of the clash, a rented house of Asare was alleged to have been burnt down.
The police have so far arrested 11 suspects, four of whom were to be sent to the Regional Police Headquarters for further investigations. According to the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Seth Charles Oteng, they would soon be arraigned before court, while the seven others would be screened at the local level.
In an interview, Mr Oteng told the Daily Graphic that the four had been identified as having taken active part in the alleged clash, adding that police reinforcement had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
According to the Police Commander, there had been a long-standing misunderstanding between Asare and Okyere following an alleged robbery case, in which Asare was granted bail by a court. However, when the two met in town, a scuffle ensued between them, during which Asare got injured.
ACP Oteng further stated that dissatisfied with the action of Okyere, Asare informed some of his colleague NDC supporters, who also mobilised some deadly weapons, including guns and paraded through the streets of Sankore and finally came across a group of NPP supporters who were seated in front of a shop, where they normally sat to discuss politics.
He said without any provocation, Asare’s group shot into the gathering, resulting in the injury of the six persons.
The deceased was identified as Yaw Amponsah, a supporter of the NPP.
Six others, including a four-year-old boy, who sustained various degrees of injury, have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for treatment, while the body of Amponsah was deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital.
According to sources, the clash between the two groups was the result of an earlier misunderstanding between Kwaku Okyere of the NPP and Kofi Asare, an NDC supporter, during which Asare was said to have been injured.
In the heat of the clash, a rented house of Asare was alleged to have been burnt down.
The police have so far arrested 11 suspects, four of whom were to be sent to the Regional Police Headquarters for further investigations. According to the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Seth Charles Oteng, they would soon be arraigned before court, while the seven others would be screened at the local level.
In an interview, Mr Oteng told the Daily Graphic that the four had been identified as having taken active part in the alleged clash, adding that police reinforcement had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
According to the Police Commander, there had been a long-standing misunderstanding between Asare and Okyere following an alleged robbery case, in which Asare was granted bail by a court. However, when the two met in town, a scuffle ensued between them, during which Asare got injured.
ACP Oteng further stated that dissatisfied with the action of Okyere, Asare informed some of his colleague NDC supporters, who also mobilised some deadly weapons, including guns and paraded through the streets of Sankore and finally came across a group of NPP supporters who were seated in front of a shop, where they normally sat to discuss politics.
He said without any provocation, Asare’s group shot into the gathering, resulting in the injury of the six persons.
VETEINARY CHIEFS CONFER ON BIRD FLU (PAGE 3)
CHIEF veterinary officers from Ghana,Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire have attended a two-day cross-border workshop in Sunyani to review their preparedness in the fight against the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), otherwise known as Bird Flu, in their respective countries.
It was also attended by selected farmers and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as other stakeholders.
The workshop, which was organised under the European Union (EU) Avian Influenza Project, was on the theme “Improving effective cross-border collaboration in the management of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in West Africa.”
The project was launched in March this year and since then, a number of activities, including such cross-border meetings had been organised.
The workshop in Sunyani was necessitated by the recent outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria in July, 2007 and Togo in September.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday, the acting Director of the Ghana Veterinary Service, Dr E. B. M. Koney, noted that although outbreaks of the disease had decreased significantly worldwide in 2008, the recent outbreaks in Nigeria and Togo should be a source of worry to all stakeholders in the sub-region.
“We need to assess our strengths and weaknesses and improve collaboration among neighbouring countries in harmonising our efforts in the control of the disease,” he stressed.
According to Dr Koney, the HPAI had come as an awakening call for the veterinary services of various countries to be strengthened, equipped and supplied with the requisite reagents and consumables, as well as enhance the capacities of veterinary officers.
He declared, “We as heads and workers of the veterinary institute must take full advantage of the prevailing conducive opportunities to improve animal health delivery, including avian influenza control in our countries.”
Dr Koney pointed out that capacity building in the prevention and control of the disease would also enhance the capacities of the participants in the control of other serious diseases.
He suggested that while putting a lot of effort in the control of avian influenza, “we should not lose sight of other important diseases, including transboundary ones, whose control requires concerted efforts and collaboration among countries”.
Dr Koney cited the effective manner in which rinderpest was controlled through the collaborative approach in disease control among neighbouring countries with the support of the EU.
The deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Mrs Anna Nyamekye, who opened the workshop, said since the absence of the disease in July 2007, the Veterinary Services Directorate of the ministry had focused its resources on a number of strategic prevention and control measures aimed at ensuring early warning, detection and rapid response to combat the disease.
She said considering the importance and key role of biosecurity in the control of animal diseases, the FAO and the United Nations (UN) supported the Veterinary Services with $50,000 to organise a country-wide training for poultry farmers and other stakeholders in the poultry industry on biosecurity between March and December 2007.
“With the recent recurrence of the disease in Togo, we do not need to be complacent at all in our strategic active and passive surveillance through the length and breadth of each country,” she emphasised.
“In Ghana, we are working to strengthen and improve upon the necessary control measures for the effective prevention and control of HPAI and some of them include the improvement of diagnostic capacities of the veterinary laboratories and also equip them with the needed reagents and consumables for the diagnosis of the disease”, she added.
It was also attended by selected farmers and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as other stakeholders.
The workshop, which was organised under the European Union (EU) Avian Influenza Project, was on the theme “Improving effective cross-border collaboration in the management of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in West Africa.”
The project was launched in March this year and since then, a number of activities, including such cross-border meetings had been organised.
The workshop in Sunyani was necessitated by the recent outbreaks of the disease in Nigeria in July, 2007 and Togo in September.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday, the acting Director of the Ghana Veterinary Service, Dr E. B. M. Koney, noted that although outbreaks of the disease had decreased significantly worldwide in 2008, the recent outbreaks in Nigeria and Togo should be a source of worry to all stakeholders in the sub-region.
“We need to assess our strengths and weaknesses and improve collaboration among neighbouring countries in harmonising our efforts in the control of the disease,” he stressed.
According to Dr Koney, the HPAI had come as an awakening call for the veterinary services of various countries to be strengthened, equipped and supplied with the requisite reagents and consumables, as well as enhance the capacities of veterinary officers.
He declared, “We as heads and workers of the veterinary institute must take full advantage of the prevailing conducive opportunities to improve animal health delivery, including avian influenza control in our countries.”
Dr Koney pointed out that capacity building in the prevention and control of the disease would also enhance the capacities of the participants in the control of other serious diseases.
He suggested that while putting a lot of effort in the control of avian influenza, “we should not lose sight of other important diseases, including transboundary ones, whose control requires concerted efforts and collaboration among countries”.
Dr Koney cited the effective manner in which rinderpest was controlled through the collaborative approach in disease control among neighbouring countries with the support of the EU.
The deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Livestock, Mrs Anna Nyamekye, who opened the workshop, said since the absence of the disease in July 2007, the Veterinary Services Directorate of the ministry had focused its resources on a number of strategic prevention and control measures aimed at ensuring early warning, detection and rapid response to combat the disease.
She said considering the importance and key role of biosecurity in the control of animal diseases, the FAO and the United Nations (UN) supported the Veterinary Services with $50,000 to organise a country-wide training for poultry farmers and other stakeholders in the poultry industry on biosecurity between March and December 2007.
“With the recent recurrence of the disease in Togo, we do not need to be complacent at all in our strategic active and passive surveillance through the length and breadth of each country,” she emphasised.
“In Ghana, we are working to strengthen and improve upon the necessary control measures for the effective prevention and control of HPAI and some of them include the improvement of diagnostic capacities of the veterinary laboratories and also equip them with the needed reagents and consumables for the diagnosis of the disease”, she added.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
BEREKUM MIDWIFERY COLLEGE MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 20)
THE Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, has observed that even though eight years have elapsed since the country adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Ghanaians continue to die from preventable diseases.
That, he said, was the result of high level of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious beliefs which were impediments to accessing health services.
The Deputy Minister further noted the HIV/AIDS pandemic had complicated health service delivery and at the same time placed a heavy burden on the national budget and the country’s social systems.
Mr Kwakye made the observation during the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Berekum at the weekend.
The theme for the occasion was: “50 years of producing quality nurses and midwives; our contribution to the healing ministry of Christ”.
The Deputy Regional Minister stressed that, the government had demonstrated its determination and commitment to improve access, participation and equity to essential health care as part of its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II.
He noted that health was an important sector in any country, because the collective efforts of all facets of society were measured by the health status of the population, adding that health indicators served as one of the basis for measuring the success of all government programmes.
Mr Kwakye advised the nurses and midwives to exhibit dedication, commitment, love, devotion and care in addition to ensuring proper medication, personal hygiene and all other forms of health promotion for humanity, as was exhibited by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Dr (Mrs) Gladys N. Ashitey, the Deputy Minister of Health, stated that since 2004, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had rehabilitated and constructed 46 training institutions across the country at a cost of GH¢14.4 million.
She said out of the amount, the Berekum Nursing and Midwifery Training College received GH¢1.2 million for the construction of a hostel and classroom blocks.
Dr Ashitey observed that, in view of emerging global shortages for health care workers and its daunting effects on developing countries, such as Ghana, appropriate planning, production and management of human resource for health, were the key to ensuring that Ghanaians had access to health care providers they needed now and in the future.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the College, Miss Monica Nkrumah, said the college had over the years, chalked up academic successes, placing first in 2007 in the nation-wide Midwifery and General Nursing Licensing examinations with 94.66 per cent pass and 92.85 per cent pass in the Registered Midwifery.
She further stated that, since 2003, the college had seen massive infrastructural development from the MOH, including a 200-capacity hostel, a three-unit classroom block, extension to the dining hall and kitchen facilities
The President of the School Representative Council (SRC), Mr Samuel Sasu Bertchie, catalogued a number of activities the students had undertaken in churches, market places and on local FM radio stations over the years.
They include health talk on some common diseases, such as diabetes, mellitus, hypertension, malaria and cardiovascular accidents.
The Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Reverend Peter Atuahene, said in response to the changing health needs, the Catholic Health Services continued to introduce many innovative health reforms which were replicated by the MOH for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He said, such policies, included health insurance, home-based care, primary health care and outreach services which were pioneered by some of the church’s facilities before their adoption by the MOH.
Prizes were awarded to distinguished personalities and some members of staff for their long services at the college.
That, he said, was the result of high level of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious beliefs which were impediments to accessing health services.
The Deputy Minister further noted the HIV/AIDS pandemic had complicated health service delivery and at the same time placed a heavy burden on the national budget and the country’s social systems.
Mr Kwakye made the observation during the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Berekum at the weekend.
The theme for the occasion was: “50 years of producing quality nurses and midwives; our contribution to the healing ministry of Christ”.
The Deputy Regional Minister stressed that, the government had demonstrated its determination and commitment to improve access, participation and equity to essential health care as part of its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II.
He noted that health was an important sector in any country, because the collective efforts of all facets of society were measured by the health status of the population, adding that health indicators served as one of the basis for measuring the success of all government programmes.
Mr Kwakye advised the nurses and midwives to exhibit dedication, commitment, love, devotion and care in addition to ensuring proper medication, personal hygiene and all other forms of health promotion for humanity, as was exhibited by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Dr (Mrs) Gladys N. Ashitey, the Deputy Minister of Health, stated that since 2004, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had rehabilitated and constructed 46 training institutions across the country at a cost of GH¢14.4 million.
She said out of the amount, the Berekum Nursing and Midwifery Training College received GH¢1.2 million for the construction of a hostel and classroom blocks.
Dr Ashitey observed that, in view of emerging global shortages for health care workers and its daunting effects on developing countries, such as Ghana, appropriate planning, production and management of human resource for health, were the key to ensuring that Ghanaians had access to health care providers they needed now and in the future.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the College, Miss Monica Nkrumah, said the college had over the years, chalked up academic successes, placing first in 2007 in the nation-wide Midwifery and General Nursing Licensing examinations with 94.66 per cent pass and 92.85 per cent pass in the Registered Midwifery.
She further stated that, since 2003, the college had seen massive infrastructural development from the MOH, including a 200-capacity hostel, a three-unit classroom block, extension to the dining hall and kitchen facilities
The President of the School Representative Council (SRC), Mr Samuel Sasu Bertchie, catalogued a number of activities the students had undertaken in churches, market places and on local FM radio stations over the years.
They include health talk on some common diseases, such as diabetes, mellitus, hypertension, malaria and cardiovascular accidents.
The Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Reverend Peter Atuahene, said in response to the changing health needs, the Catholic Health Services continued to introduce many innovative health reforms which were replicated by the MOH for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He said, such policies, included health insurance, home-based care, primary health care and outreach services which were pioneered by some of the church’s facilities before their adoption by the MOH.
Prizes were awarded to distinguished personalities and some members of staff for their long services at the college.
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