From Akwasi Ampratwum-
Mensah, Sunyani
The Chief of Yawhimah, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, Nana Ansuh Ababio, and two others, Messrs Anane Boateng and Nicholas Kwasi Yeboah, have filed a writ at the Sunyani High Court against the government, demanding compensation in respect of their land at Kotokrom/Yawhimah.
The land in quesion was compulsorily acquired for the purpose of a shooting range for the 3rd Brigade Infantry (3BN) barracks in Sunyani.
Also joined in the suit filed through the Attorney-General’s (A-Gs) Department in Sunyani, is the Executive Secretary of the Lands Valuation Board in Accra as the second defendant.
The three plaintiffs argued that following the force with which their land was taken away from them, their crops were badly affected, but the second defendant, who was mandated by the government (first defendant) to pay for compensation to the plaintiffs, has refused to do so, despite persistent demands.
The plaintiffs are also praying the court to compel the defendants to obey any order it deems fit.
In their statement of claim, filed by Twumasi and Associates, a Sunyani-based law firm, the plaintiffs indicated that in or around 1972, the first defendant compulsorily acquired a seven-mile square land belonging to the plaintiffs and other farmers for the purpose of a Military Shooting Range for the 3BN, and that their cocoa and other cash crops were on the land.
They further stated that prior to the compulsory acquisition of their lands by the first defendant, the second defendant was mandated by the government to assess the cost of the crops belonging to the plaintiffs to enable it pay them appropriate compensation.
According to the statement of claim, the second defendant complied with the instructions by the government and that their names, sizes of their lands and the amount of crops affected were to be taken away by the second defendants, and crop compensation would be paid immediately.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
NDC ELECTS NYAMEKYE-MARFO TO CONTEST SUNYANI EAST (PAGE 13)
A former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sunyani, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, 53, has been elected the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary aspirant to contest the December 7, 2008 election for the Sunyani West Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He secured 157 votes to beat three other contestants in the constituency primaries, held at Mantukwa, a town off the Sunyani-Berekum road, on Wednesday.
The defeated aspirants were Mr Ahmed Boadan, Rev. Nana Adjei Ntow and Mr Obeng Apraku Tando. The election was conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) and supervised by representatives of the Regional Secretariat of the NDC, led by Mr Mohammed Seidu Maha, the Regional Youth Organiser.
With the Sunyani West primaries over as the 23rd in the region to be organised by the party, the Sene Constituency is the only one left to be held.
In a brief address before the delegates cast their votes, the Constituency Chairman, Mr Ishak Twumasi Ankrah appealed to the voters to be patient since all the primaries in the previous 22 constituencies in the region had recorded no violence.
Without any apparent reason, the Constituency Chairman took media men invited to cover the event to task by insisting that, they reported accurately whatever transpired at the primaries, and cautioned that any media house that failed to do so would face the law and would not be invited to cover any future events of the party in the constituency.
Mr Ankrah expressed optimism that the NDC would beat the New Patriotic Party (NPP) aspirant for the constituency, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who is also the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.
Before the EC representatives were called to declare the results of the elections after the counting of the ballot, the Regional Youth Organiser called on all the contestants to make their individual pledges to uphold and respect the outcome, saying that their invitation was in accordance with the party’s tradition at such primaries.
In turns, they all obliged to abide by the results and declared their unflinching support for the winner.
He then expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, having contested in three previous primaries but failed to win in the ultimate elections.
This time around, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo declared that even though the NDC was cash strapped, it would win the December elections convincingly since the electorate were yearning for a change in governance from the NPP.
He, however, advised the party’s agents who would be deployed to the various polling stations to be very vigilant and ensure that, the elections were transparent, free and fair, and promised to work hard to wrest the seat from the NPP.
For their part, Rev. Nana Ntow pledged to support the candidate-elect with 10,000 posters, while Mr Tando said he would make available a vehicle for his campaign , with Mr Boadan pledging his energy, wisdom and political experience to rally behind Mr Nyamekye-Marfo.
He secured 157 votes to beat three other contestants in the constituency primaries, held at Mantukwa, a town off the Sunyani-Berekum road, on Wednesday.
The defeated aspirants were Mr Ahmed Boadan, Rev. Nana Adjei Ntow and Mr Obeng Apraku Tando. The election was conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) and supervised by representatives of the Regional Secretariat of the NDC, led by Mr Mohammed Seidu Maha, the Regional Youth Organiser.
With the Sunyani West primaries over as the 23rd in the region to be organised by the party, the Sene Constituency is the only one left to be held.
In a brief address before the delegates cast their votes, the Constituency Chairman, Mr Ishak Twumasi Ankrah appealed to the voters to be patient since all the primaries in the previous 22 constituencies in the region had recorded no violence.
Without any apparent reason, the Constituency Chairman took media men invited to cover the event to task by insisting that, they reported accurately whatever transpired at the primaries, and cautioned that any media house that failed to do so would face the law and would not be invited to cover any future events of the party in the constituency.
Mr Ankrah expressed optimism that the NDC would beat the New Patriotic Party (NPP) aspirant for the constituency, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who is also the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.
Before the EC representatives were called to declare the results of the elections after the counting of the ballot, the Regional Youth Organiser called on all the contestants to make their individual pledges to uphold and respect the outcome, saying that their invitation was in accordance with the party’s tradition at such primaries.
In turns, they all obliged to abide by the results and declared their unflinching support for the winner.
He then expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, having contested in three previous primaries but failed to win in the ultimate elections.
This time around, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo declared that even though the NDC was cash strapped, it would win the December elections convincingly since the electorate were yearning for a change in governance from the NPP.
He, however, advised the party’s agents who would be deployed to the various polling stations to be very vigilant and ensure that, the elections were transparent, free and fair, and promised to work hard to wrest the seat from the NPP.
For their part, Rev. Nana Ntow pledged to support the candidate-elect with 10,000 posters, while Mr Tando said he would make available a vehicle for his campaign , with Mr Boadan pledging his energy, wisdom and political experience to rally behind Mr Nyamekye-Marfo.
DERMA RURAL BANK DESIGNS NEW PRODUCT (PAGE 23)
THE Board of Directors of the Derma Area Rural Bank Limited in the Brong Ahafo Region has designed a product for farmers within its catchment area.
As part of the product, a group of farmers who open a joint saving account with the bank would secure loans from the bank, with their savings automatically serving as collateral for them.
For such farmers, the bank would also not require salary earners to stand as guarantors when they apply for a loan facility.
With regard to salaried workers, another product termed “credit line” has been designed by the board for them to secure loans without much stress.
The two products would be operational by September, this year.
The Chairman of the board, Mr G. Amano-Kyeremeh, announced this at the 21st annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank at Derma near Bechem.
He appealed to all manner of people in the catchment area, especially farmers, to save with the bank so that in times of need they would be supported by the bank.
The board chairman stated that the bank posted a net profit of GH¢80,624.22 after expenses and reducing the accumulated loss of GH¢142,367.10 in 2006 to GH¢71,820.90 in 2007.
He further indicated that the bank’s total assets increased from GH¢1,077,795.20 in 2006 to GH¢1,436,752.48 in 2007, representing two per cent over the previous year’s.
According to Mr Amano-Kyeremeh, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) now required all rural and community banks to increase their share capital to at least GH¢150,000.
He therefore stated that with the bank’s current shareholding of GH¢53,950.87, there was the need to inject GH¢96,049.13 as additional share capital to meet the BoG’s requirement.
He, therefore, urged all shareholders to buy at least two times the quantity of shares they already had.
Mr Amano-Kyeremeh stated that the bank had started to computerise its operations to enable it to operate the e-zwich system introduced by the BoG.
He said when completed, any customer could access his or her money at any point of sale terminal at any part of the country and could also receive payments from traders who had the e-zwich card.
The board chairman advised the shareholders to desist from writing anonymous letters about members of the board.
He stated that in today’s competitive banking environment, any evil report that anyone maliciously smeared on the bank might have serious consequences on its operations.
“Customers might not want to do business with the bank while depositors would refuse to put their monies in the bank and that the fortunes of the bank will be doomed for ever if such a situation occurs,” Mr Amano-Kyeremeh stressed.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, in a speech read on his behalf noted that the performance of most RCBs had been very encouraging, as they had consistently registered impressive deposit mobilisation and increases in share capital, which were indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system.
He said despite the achievements, rural banks still had a lot more to do by way of effective credit administration, cost control and reduction so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive business environment.
According to Mr Osei-Bonsu, the rural banks still continued to perform the crucial function of moral financial inter-mediation that would lead to economic, as well as social development and transformation.
He added that rural banks, therefore, needed the continuous support from the shareholders, the regulatory authorities and the general public.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Tano South, Mr Osei Sekyere Bota, stated that the establishment of the bank was a huge legacy for the people in the district and beyond so everyone ought to show concern about its growth rather than resorting to writing anonymous letters about members of the board of directors.
The Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabour II, urged the shareholders to appoint people with the requisite knowledge about banking as directors of the bank but not people with unscrupulous and suspicious characters.
As part of the product, a group of farmers who open a joint saving account with the bank would secure loans from the bank, with their savings automatically serving as collateral for them.
For such farmers, the bank would also not require salary earners to stand as guarantors when they apply for a loan facility.
With regard to salaried workers, another product termed “credit line” has been designed by the board for them to secure loans without much stress.
The two products would be operational by September, this year.
The Chairman of the board, Mr G. Amano-Kyeremeh, announced this at the 21st annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank at Derma near Bechem.
He appealed to all manner of people in the catchment area, especially farmers, to save with the bank so that in times of need they would be supported by the bank.
The board chairman stated that the bank posted a net profit of GH¢80,624.22 after expenses and reducing the accumulated loss of GH¢142,367.10 in 2006 to GH¢71,820.90 in 2007.
He further indicated that the bank’s total assets increased from GH¢1,077,795.20 in 2006 to GH¢1,436,752.48 in 2007, representing two per cent over the previous year’s.
According to Mr Amano-Kyeremeh, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) now required all rural and community banks to increase their share capital to at least GH¢150,000.
He therefore stated that with the bank’s current shareholding of GH¢53,950.87, there was the need to inject GH¢96,049.13 as additional share capital to meet the BoG’s requirement.
He, therefore, urged all shareholders to buy at least two times the quantity of shares they already had.
Mr Amano-Kyeremeh stated that the bank had started to computerise its operations to enable it to operate the e-zwich system introduced by the BoG.
He said when completed, any customer could access his or her money at any point of sale terminal at any part of the country and could also receive payments from traders who had the e-zwich card.
The board chairman advised the shareholders to desist from writing anonymous letters about members of the board.
He stated that in today’s competitive banking environment, any evil report that anyone maliciously smeared on the bank might have serious consequences on its operations.
“Customers might not want to do business with the bank while depositors would refuse to put their monies in the bank and that the fortunes of the bank will be doomed for ever if such a situation occurs,” Mr Amano-Kyeremeh stressed.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, in a speech read on his behalf noted that the performance of most RCBs had been very encouraging, as they had consistently registered impressive deposit mobilisation and increases in share capital, which were indications of growing public confidence in the rural banking system.
He said despite the achievements, rural banks still had a lot more to do by way of effective credit administration, cost control and reduction so as to meet the challenges of the changing competitive business environment.
According to Mr Osei-Bonsu, the rural banks still continued to perform the crucial function of moral financial inter-mediation that would lead to economic, as well as social development and transformation.
He added that rural banks, therefore, needed the continuous support from the shareholders, the regulatory authorities and the general public.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Tano South, Mr Osei Sekyere Bota, stated that the establishment of the bank was a huge legacy for the people in the district and beyond so everyone ought to show concern about its growth rather than resorting to writing anonymous letters about members of the board of directors.
The Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabour II, urged the shareholders to appoint people with the requisite knowledge about banking as directors of the bank but not people with unscrupulous and suspicious characters.
Friday, August 29, 2008
KEEP PROMISES, UPHOLD TENETS OF ELECTORAL RULE (PAGE 13)
THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt. Rev. Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has urged all the presidential aspirants to faithfully keep their promises and uphold the tenets of the electoral rules — free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.
He has also appealed to politicians in general to make a more productive use of the youth, rather than engaging them in conflicts and acts of violence, vandalism and hooliganism, particularly in the run-up to the elections.
“On our part as a church, I urge all agents to allow officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to come into the Sunday worship meetings and to educate our members on the electoral processes, especially how to use the ballot papers, so that the spoilt votes will be reduced to the barest minimum this year,” he pleaded.
The Moderator, who made the appeal when he addressed the eighth General Assembly of the PCG at the auditorium of the Sunyani Polytechnic in the Brong Ahafo Region last Saturday, said: “Above all, let us pray for God’s guidance as we use our thumbprints to decide who the Lord will choose to rule the nation for the next four years.”
The theme for the six-day meeting, which is being attended by delegates from the United States of America (USA), Germany, the Netherlands and Sierra Leone, is: “Put on the Whole Armour of God”.
Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, who explained that the theme for the meeting required that Ghanaians counteract any acts that could cause conflicts with prayers, lead sound Christian lives and invoke the power of God around, said: “I urge all our members to cast their votes on Sunday, the 7th of December for us to elect credible people to represent us as our leaders.”
The Moderator also stressed the need for Ghanaians to guard against anything that would derail the gains of the current church growth and the democratic dispensation in the country, added that “it is in the light of this that we appeal to all the parties and their members to exercise restraint in the event of any extreme provocations before, during and after the electioneering.
He further appealed to the traditional rulers to avoid disputes and conflicts that would tend to tear the nation apart and also not to prevent their people from voting, particularly in Bawku, Buipe and other areas of the country, where there are ethnic conflicts and chieftaincy disputes.
He noted that recently, there had been stories of the revival of ritual murders in some parts of the country, which, he said, had been a matter of concern to all Ghanaians.
That, the Moderator observed, was an indication that the forces of darkness and the obnoxious cultural practices of human sacrifices were still prevalent among some people in certain parts of the country, which, he said, called for serious prayers and a national crusade against such practices.
Apart from praying about this, he emphasised that the church should “put on the whole armour of God” in order to bring about effective evangelisation and the understanding that Jesus Christ had paid the last price for mankind, through his death on the cross, adding that, “So we don’t need any human sacrifice to atone for our sins”.
He declared, “This is our belief, and this is what we must proclaim loud and clear as we put on the whole armour of God.”
Touching on education, the Moderator noted with satisfaction that against the challenging educational environment, some key institutions of the church continued to make great impact on the nation, and explained that last year, three of the church’s top institutions, namely, Aburi Girls, Prempeh College and the Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, turned out a total of 1,318 students, who fully qualified for entry into tertiary institutions, with 10 students of Aburi Girls, making aggregate six.
Again, he pointed out that PCG institutions provided access to scholarships to 15,417 needy but brilliant students as well as the physically challenged pupils/students, a scheme, he said, was initiated by one Lois Wilson, on behalf of Westminster Church, Albany in the USA, which amounted to $8,400.
According to Dr Frimpong-Manso, there was also a steady growth of a church-based support for its institutions, which he claimed was a good sign of the church’s renewed commitment to education.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in a speech read on his behalf, gave the assurance that the government was ever prepared to deepen its partnership with the church, especially in the areas of education, agriculture and health.
The minister also appealed to the church to continue to pray for the success of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, so that they would be trouble-free, adding that the church should also educate its congregation on their civic responsibilities so as to help them exercise their franchise wisely.
He has also appealed to politicians in general to make a more productive use of the youth, rather than engaging them in conflicts and acts of violence, vandalism and hooliganism, particularly in the run-up to the elections.
“On our part as a church, I urge all agents to allow officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to come into the Sunday worship meetings and to educate our members on the electoral processes, especially how to use the ballot papers, so that the spoilt votes will be reduced to the barest minimum this year,” he pleaded.
The Moderator, who made the appeal when he addressed the eighth General Assembly of the PCG at the auditorium of the Sunyani Polytechnic in the Brong Ahafo Region last Saturday, said: “Above all, let us pray for God’s guidance as we use our thumbprints to decide who the Lord will choose to rule the nation for the next four years.”
The theme for the six-day meeting, which is being attended by delegates from the United States of America (USA), Germany, the Netherlands and Sierra Leone, is: “Put on the Whole Armour of God”.
Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, who explained that the theme for the meeting required that Ghanaians counteract any acts that could cause conflicts with prayers, lead sound Christian lives and invoke the power of God around, said: “I urge all our members to cast their votes on Sunday, the 7th of December for us to elect credible people to represent us as our leaders.”
The Moderator also stressed the need for Ghanaians to guard against anything that would derail the gains of the current church growth and the democratic dispensation in the country, added that “it is in the light of this that we appeal to all the parties and their members to exercise restraint in the event of any extreme provocations before, during and after the electioneering.
He further appealed to the traditional rulers to avoid disputes and conflicts that would tend to tear the nation apart and also not to prevent their people from voting, particularly in Bawku, Buipe and other areas of the country, where there are ethnic conflicts and chieftaincy disputes.
He noted that recently, there had been stories of the revival of ritual murders in some parts of the country, which, he said, had been a matter of concern to all Ghanaians.
That, the Moderator observed, was an indication that the forces of darkness and the obnoxious cultural practices of human sacrifices were still prevalent among some people in certain parts of the country, which, he said, called for serious prayers and a national crusade against such practices.
Apart from praying about this, he emphasised that the church should “put on the whole armour of God” in order to bring about effective evangelisation and the understanding that Jesus Christ had paid the last price for mankind, through his death on the cross, adding that, “So we don’t need any human sacrifice to atone for our sins”.
He declared, “This is our belief, and this is what we must proclaim loud and clear as we put on the whole armour of God.”
Touching on education, the Moderator noted with satisfaction that against the challenging educational environment, some key institutions of the church continued to make great impact on the nation, and explained that last year, three of the church’s top institutions, namely, Aburi Girls, Prempeh College and the Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, turned out a total of 1,318 students, who fully qualified for entry into tertiary institutions, with 10 students of Aburi Girls, making aggregate six.
Again, he pointed out that PCG institutions provided access to scholarships to 15,417 needy but brilliant students as well as the physically challenged pupils/students, a scheme, he said, was initiated by one Lois Wilson, on behalf of Westminster Church, Albany in the USA, which amounted to $8,400.
According to Dr Frimpong-Manso, there was also a steady growth of a church-based support for its institutions, which he claimed was a good sign of the church’s renewed commitment to education.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in a speech read on his behalf, gave the assurance that the government was ever prepared to deepen its partnership with the church, especially in the areas of education, agriculture and health.
The minister also appealed to the church to continue to pray for the success of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, so that they would be trouble-free, adding that the church should also educate its congregation on their civic responsibilities so as to help them exercise their franchise wisely.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
MORE INCENTIVES FOR FOREST PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT WORKERS (PAGE 21)
THE Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, has given the assurance that the government will continue to provide incentives for workers who are engaged in forest plantation development to resuscitate the country’s forest cover.
Consequently, she has urged the workers not to hesitate to make their problems and other needs, which could help them to give of their best known to their respective supervisors.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah gave the assurance when she paid a working visit to the Brong Ahafo Region to acquaint herself with the progress of work on plantations established outside forest reserves, which were being managed with HIPC funds.
The tour was also to enable her to see the operations of some selected timber industries in the region.
The minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission (FC), Professor Ashie Kotey, the Director of Plantations; Mr F.S. Amoah, the Director of Operations, Mr Alex Boadu; the National Co-ordinator of HIPC Plantations, Nana Osei Yaw Barimah, as well as other officials of the FC and the Forest Services Division (FSD).
Addressing workers engaged on the Yaya Forest Plantation, near Chiraa, Mrs Obeng-Dapaa said the various forest plantations had been established as a result of the extensive degradation of the country’s forest resources.
In September, 2001, the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, launched the National Forest Plantation Development Project at Ayigbe in the Wenchi Municipality, aimed at whipping up the enthusiasm of individuals and groups to undertake reforestation programmes of degraded forests in their respective communities.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah stated that the programme to reforest all degraded areas was very dear to the heart of the government, hence its commitment to providing the necessary nurseries, tools and other incentives to communities to undertake their programmes.
The minister and her entourage later visited the Asuo Bomosadu Timbers and Sawmills (ABTS) Limited at Berekum, where she was conducted round by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Ernest Kwame Apraku.
Mr Apraku stated that the company, on its own, was engaged in a massive afforestation programme but needed financial support from the government to sustain its raw material requirement.
The minister also inspected the progress of work at the Oti Yeboah Complex Limited at Abesim, near Sunyani, where she and her entourage were taken round by Mr Fayez Akil, the General Manager of the company.
He said since the establishment of the company in 1993, the workforce had increased from 800 to 1,200.
Mr Akil stated that the company produced lumber of all kinds for local consumption and export.
He said at the ply mill division, plywood of all sizes were produced for local use, while 60 per cent of their products were exported to Nigeria, Benin and other ECOWAS countries.
On the company’s reforestation programme, the general manager indicated that the company had planted a total of 900 acres of teak in the Tain I Forest Reserve and about 300 acres in private plantations at Kobedi, Pede, Chiraa Tanom, Atakrom, Kobede Sreso, Adiembra and Atronie.
He, however, appealed to the minister to assist the company to acquire a forest concession to help increase its production and to create more employment for the people.
According to Mr Akil, the company was producing below capacity due to inadequate raw materials and the high cost of fuel, spare parts and electricity.
Consequently, she has urged the workers not to hesitate to make their problems and other needs, which could help them to give of their best known to their respective supervisors.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah gave the assurance when she paid a working visit to the Brong Ahafo Region to acquaint herself with the progress of work on plantations established outside forest reserves, which were being managed with HIPC funds.
The tour was also to enable her to see the operations of some selected timber industries in the region.
The minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission (FC), Professor Ashie Kotey, the Director of Plantations; Mr F.S. Amoah, the Director of Operations, Mr Alex Boadu; the National Co-ordinator of HIPC Plantations, Nana Osei Yaw Barimah, as well as other officials of the FC and the Forest Services Division (FSD).
Addressing workers engaged on the Yaya Forest Plantation, near Chiraa, Mrs Obeng-Dapaa said the various forest plantations had been established as a result of the extensive degradation of the country’s forest resources.
In September, 2001, the President, Mr J.A. Kufuor, launched the National Forest Plantation Development Project at Ayigbe in the Wenchi Municipality, aimed at whipping up the enthusiasm of individuals and groups to undertake reforestation programmes of degraded forests in their respective communities.
Mrs Obeng-Dapaah stated that the programme to reforest all degraded areas was very dear to the heart of the government, hence its commitment to providing the necessary nurseries, tools and other incentives to communities to undertake their programmes.
The minister and her entourage later visited the Asuo Bomosadu Timbers and Sawmills (ABTS) Limited at Berekum, where she was conducted round by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Ernest Kwame Apraku.
Mr Apraku stated that the company, on its own, was engaged in a massive afforestation programme but needed financial support from the government to sustain its raw material requirement.
The minister also inspected the progress of work at the Oti Yeboah Complex Limited at Abesim, near Sunyani, where she and her entourage were taken round by Mr Fayez Akil, the General Manager of the company.
He said since the establishment of the company in 1993, the workforce had increased from 800 to 1,200.
Mr Akil stated that the company produced lumber of all kinds for local consumption and export.
He said at the ply mill division, plywood of all sizes were produced for local use, while 60 per cent of their products were exported to Nigeria, Benin and other ECOWAS countries.
On the company’s reforestation programme, the general manager indicated that the company had planted a total of 900 acres of teak in the Tain I Forest Reserve and about 300 acres in private plantations at Kobedi, Pede, Chiraa Tanom, Atakrom, Kobede Sreso, Adiembra and Atronie.
He, however, appealed to the minister to assist the company to acquire a forest concession to help increase its production and to create more employment for the people.
According to Mr Akil, the company was producing below capacity due to inadequate raw materials and the high cost of fuel, spare parts and electricity.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ASSURES POLICE (PAGE 16)
THE Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior has given the assurance that it will ensure that the Ghana Police Service is provided with the needed logistical and infrastructural support, especially residential and office accommodation that will spur them on to deliver efficient and effective policing in the country.
The committee recognised that the police were working under stressful conditions, and, therefore, it was important that their welfare was catered for to enable them to discharge their duties conscientiously and without any hindrances.
“Your welfare is the concern of the committee, and it is of paramount importance to members. We understand your work very well, and so we will do our best to ensure that the challenges that you face are addressed to the barest minimum” the committee assured.
Alhaji Abukari Samani, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, who is also a Ranking Member of Defence and the Interior of the committee, gave the assurance in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region noted that “your efforts at combating crime, even under difficult conditions, have been noticed and we commend you for that”.
Alhaji Samani, who was contributing to an interactive meeting between the Select Committee and a section of the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command, however, urged the police not to be downhearted in the face of the challenges, but continue with their good work.
The 12-member delegation of the committee, led by its Chairman, Mr Eugene Atta Agyapong, the MP for Abetifi, was in the region for a two-day working visit.
Alhaji Samani’s comments came shortly after the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Charles Oteng, had briefed the committee members on the operations of the command, which he said, were characterised by numerous problems and challenges, including the abysmal number of personnel, inadequate residential and office accommodation, among other challenges.
Touching on the upcoming December 7, 2008 general election, Alhaji Samani pointed out that for Ghana to sustain its democratic dispensation, much depended on the police, and, therefore, called on the police to ensure that the elections were not only peaceful, but transparent.
He stressed that the police should not in any way interfere with the operations at the polling stations while the electorate cast their votes, adding that the police were only there to maintain law and order, while the people were left to decide on who they wanted to vote for.
According to the ranking member, it was not for nothing that the security agencies were usually made to exercise their franchise a day before the elections, so that on the D-day they would be absolutely free to ensure that the polls were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
Alhaji Samani pointed out that in the event that someone was ineligible to vote, the best option was to allow whoever was in disagreement to fill the appropriate form to state their claim for the Electoral Commission (EC) to decide later, explaining that no police officer had the right to obstruct anyone from exercising their franchise on the election day.
He declared, “It is criminal for any policeman or woman to deny someone the right to vote and to make their choice, and whoever comes out as the winner should have been the decision of the electorate and should be accepted by the contending parties as it has happened in the previous elections”.
When the MP for Sene, Mr Kwame Twumasi-Appiah, asked why the police were still not wearing their badges and name tags, the Regional Commander of Police explained that the National Headquarters was yet to provide them with those things.
The committee recognised that the police were working under stressful conditions, and, therefore, it was important that their welfare was catered for to enable them to discharge their duties conscientiously and without any hindrances.
“Your welfare is the concern of the committee, and it is of paramount importance to members. We understand your work very well, and so we will do our best to ensure that the challenges that you face are addressed to the barest minimum” the committee assured.
Alhaji Abukari Samani, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, who is also a Ranking Member of Defence and the Interior of the committee, gave the assurance in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region noted that “your efforts at combating crime, even under difficult conditions, have been noticed and we commend you for that”.
Alhaji Samani, who was contributing to an interactive meeting between the Select Committee and a section of the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command, however, urged the police not to be downhearted in the face of the challenges, but continue with their good work.
The 12-member delegation of the committee, led by its Chairman, Mr Eugene Atta Agyapong, the MP for Abetifi, was in the region for a two-day working visit.
Alhaji Samani’s comments came shortly after the Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seth Charles Oteng, had briefed the committee members on the operations of the command, which he said, were characterised by numerous problems and challenges, including the abysmal number of personnel, inadequate residential and office accommodation, among other challenges.
Touching on the upcoming December 7, 2008 general election, Alhaji Samani pointed out that for Ghana to sustain its democratic dispensation, much depended on the police, and, therefore, called on the police to ensure that the elections were not only peaceful, but transparent.
He stressed that the police should not in any way interfere with the operations at the polling stations while the electorate cast their votes, adding that the police were only there to maintain law and order, while the people were left to decide on who they wanted to vote for.
According to the ranking member, it was not for nothing that the security agencies were usually made to exercise their franchise a day before the elections, so that on the D-day they would be absolutely free to ensure that the polls were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
Alhaji Samani pointed out that in the event that someone was ineligible to vote, the best option was to allow whoever was in disagreement to fill the appropriate form to state their claim for the Electoral Commission (EC) to decide later, explaining that no police officer had the right to obstruct anyone from exercising their franchise on the election day.
He declared, “It is criminal for any policeman or woman to deny someone the right to vote and to make their choice, and whoever comes out as the winner should have been the decision of the electorate and should be accepted by the contending parties as it has happened in the previous elections”.
When the MP for Sene, Mr Kwame Twumasi-Appiah, asked why the police were still not wearing their badges and name tags, the Regional Commander of Police explained that the National Headquarters was yet to provide them with those things.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
INFORMATION OFFICER CAUTIONS ISD OFFICIALS (PAGE 36)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Information Officer, Mr Bossman Amoh-Poku, has advised cinema commentators and other officials of the Information Services Department (ISD) to avoid indulging in partisan politics as they go round to disseminate government policies and programmes in the various communities.
He explained that, as officials of the department, they should see it obligatory to play their traditional role of educating the people on government policies, programmes and projects but beyond that, they should not be perceived as being politically inclined to the government of the day.
“It is our traditional duty to serve all governments but there is the misconception that officers of the ISD have been a propaganda machinery of the ruling government but we should not be partisan at all in performing our duties. We should make it a point not to go beyond our scheduled role,” the information officer cautioned.
Mr Amoh-Poku gave the advice in an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Sunyani.
He stated that his outfit had embarked on a two-week educational campaign aimed at creating the awareness of the people in the various communities about the government’s policies and programmes.
He said the campaign covered the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, the national identification system, the free medical care for pregnant women as well as the Free, Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE).
Mr Amoh-Poku stated that the ISD officials were prepared to make the maximum use of the information vans provided by the government in all the districts.
He expressed the hope that, with talk and film shows preceded by good music, the people would appreciate the message designed for them.
He observed that during his few rounds, he realised that pregnant women were patronising the health facilities to access the free medical care which was now free, adding that, with the new policy, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality would drastically reduce.
Mr Amoh-Poku emphasised that with the continuous awareness being created, the programmes would impact positively on the people.
He expressed gratitude to the government for beefing up the strength of the office staff of the ISD in all the districts and municipalities.
According to him, currently not less than five qualified officers had been employed in the region and were manning the various offices, as against previously where there was only one person doing all the work.
The regional information officer, however, appealed to the district and municipal assemblies to assist the ISD field officers by providing them with office accommodation and other logistical support to enable them to perform their duties without any hindrance.
He alleged that some of his officers sometimes used the vans as offices and resting places, which did not augur well for any meaningful work.
Mr Amoh-Poku said the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment had directed that the assemblies should provide logistical support for the ISD in the respective districts, especially the servicing of the information vans.
He, however, noted with concern that little was being done in that regard, even though the department was serving the interest of the assemblies.
He explained that, as officials of the department, they should see it obligatory to play their traditional role of educating the people on government policies, programmes and projects but beyond that, they should not be perceived as being politically inclined to the government of the day.
“It is our traditional duty to serve all governments but there is the misconception that officers of the ISD have been a propaganda machinery of the ruling government but we should not be partisan at all in performing our duties. We should make it a point not to go beyond our scheduled role,” the information officer cautioned.
Mr Amoh-Poku gave the advice in an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Sunyani.
He stated that his outfit had embarked on a two-week educational campaign aimed at creating the awareness of the people in the various communities about the government’s policies and programmes.
He said the campaign covered the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, the national identification system, the free medical care for pregnant women as well as the Free, Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE).
Mr Amoh-Poku stated that the ISD officials were prepared to make the maximum use of the information vans provided by the government in all the districts.
He expressed the hope that, with talk and film shows preceded by good music, the people would appreciate the message designed for them.
He observed that during his few rounds, he realised that pregnant women were patronising the health facilities to access the free medical care which was now free, adding that, with the new policy, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality would drastically reduce.
Mr Amoh-Poku emphasised that with the continuous awareness being created, the programmes would impact positively on the people.
He expressed gratitude to the government for beefing up the strength of the office staff of the ISD in all the districts and municipalities.
According to him, currently not less than five qualified officers had been employed in the region and were manning the various offices, as against previously where there was only one person doing all the work.
The regional information officer, however, appealed to the district and municipal assemblies to assist the ISD field officers by providing them with office accommodation and other logistical support to enable them to perform their duties without any hindrance.
He alleged that some of his officers sometimes used the vans as offices and resting places, which did not augur well for any meaningful work.
Mr Amoh-Poku said the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment had directed that the assemblies should provide logistical support for the ISD in the respective districts, especially the servicing of the information vans.
He, however, noted with concern that little was being done in that regard, even though the department was serving the interest of the assemblies.
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