THE Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Aaron Offei, has criticised the bad practice of taking alcohol and smoking after undertaking fitness exercices.
He noted that the practice did not bring any health benefit but rather put the lives of those who embarked on the fitness walk at risk.
He therefore advised people who wanted to avoid heart related diseases and to have a good physical condition to stop taking alcohol and smoking after such exercises.
Dr Offei expressed this sentiment at the forecourt of the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, just before the start of a walk to regional World Heart Day (WHD) Celebration, in the Brong-Ahafo Region, this year under the theme “Do you know your risk?”
It was organised by the Ghana Heart Foundation, National Cardiothoracic Centre, Ghana Society of Hypertension and Cardiology, Help Age and Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association with support from the GHS, the World Health Organisation and World Heart Federation. It was to create awareness on the risk factors for heart diseases and stroke which are the world’s largest killer.
The walk that took place during the weekend, begun from the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, and lasted for about four hours; the participants went through some of the principal streets of the Sunyani Municipality and ended at the Sunyani Coronation Park.
At the Park, the participants including school children, workers from the various government health facilities, the Regional Health Directorate, ministries, department and agencies as well as a cross section of the public undertook aerobics.
Dr Offei in his remarks observed that recently, many Ghanaians have adopted the practice of drinking alcohol and smoking immediately after undertaking an exercise or a walk and cautioned that the practice must stop if people wanted to reap the health benefits of exercising and walking.
He further called for a daily exercise to keep all the organs in the body in order and stressed the need for people to avoid fatty and sugar based foods, alcohol and cigarette to cut down the incidence of stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart diseases which he said were the leading cause of death in adult Ghanaians.
The Brong Ahafo Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Nana Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye who also took part in the walk with the participants reiterated the need for every Ghanaian to cultivate the habit of exercising to reduce the incidence of heart related diseases, and added that the human heart could be likened to a car engine and if any system or organ in the body do not function well it affected the heart.
He advised people to desist from certain lifestyles that would put their health at risk and to cultivate healthy eating.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
TECHIMAN COUNCIL SETS UP PEACE COUNCIL FOR ELECTIONS (PAGE 17)
THE Techiman Traditional Council has set up a Municipal Peace Council (MPC) to ensure peace in the Techiman Traditional Area in the run-up to and after the December 7 general election.
The MPC would use dialogue, traditional arbitration systems and co-operation to resolve conflicts and prevent them from happening as well as monitor the activities of political parties in the area.
In situations where the council suspects there is a potential conflict that is beyond it to resolve, it would swiftly invite the government to come in.
The Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who is also a member of the National Peace Council (MPC), at his palace in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists on the measures adopted by the traditional council to ensure peace and violence-free polls in the traditional area.
He further disclosed that as of now, no violent clashes or conflicts had been recorded in the traditional area, and the MPC was able to intervene in matters between political parties which could have degenerated into conflicts.
Nana Ameyaw said the MPC, which was made up of representatives from the traditional council, queens, the Municipal Police Command, Fire Service, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Local Council of Churches and the Muslim Community had no representation from all the political parties.
According to him, the reason why political parties were not represented on the MPC was to prevent them from muddying the waters when there was any conflict.
He, therefore, appealed to the various political parties in the traditional area to set up an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) to complement the work of the MPC.
He stated that the MPC was an idea mooted by Nananom as their contribution towards peace building, before and after the election in the Brong Ahafo Region and at the national level.
The Techimanhene urged leaders of the various political parties to tone down their language in the run-up to the December 7 general election in order not to heighten the political tension and make room for any conflict in the country.
He also called on the various presidential aspirants and their running mates to talk to their followers to be tolerant towards the supporters of other political parties who did not share their views and ideologies, since that was the beauty of democracy.
Nana Ameyaw noted that Ghanaians could not afford to allow politicians with selfish ambitions to plunge the country into a state of anarchy and chaos. He, therefore, appealed to all leaders of political parties to let their utterances promote peace, national unity and ignite a new sense of patriotism.
The Techimanhene, who was flanked by the Bamuhene of Techiman, Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour, who is also the Hansuahene, stressed that the media had a role to play to ensure a peaceful electioneering and, therefore, appealed to media practitioners to be circumspect in their reports in order not to inflame passion.
Nana Ameyaw advised Ghanaians to commit themselves to the democratic process, exercise restraint and allow the laws and the state institutions charged with elections to work to ensure peaceful and successful elections.
Touching on the new emerging trend of power-sharing system in some countries on the African continent, Nana Ameyaw said it was anti-democratic, adding that power sharing did not present any constructive debate, and that eroded the essence of democracy, which ‘gives us . . . a choice’.
He, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians not to support the idea of power sharing, since it would erode the essence of democracy, and urged the electorate to ‘vote and vote well for their preferred party to come to power and avoid the power-sharing system, which prepares the ground for dictatorship’.
The MPC would use dialogue, traditional arbitration systems and co-operation to resolve conflicts and prevent them from happening as well as monitor the activities of political parties in the area.
In situations where the council suspects there is a potential conflict that is beyond it to resolve, it would swiftly invite the government to come in.
The Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who is also a member of the National Peace Council (MPC), at his palace in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists on the measures adopted by the traditional council to ensure peace and violence-free polls in the traditional area.
He further disclosed that as of now, no violent clashes or conflicts had been recorded in the traditional area, and the MPC was able to intervene in matters between political parties which could have degenerated into conflicts.
Nana Ameyaw said the MPC, which was made up of representatives from the traditional council, queens, the Municipal Police Command, Fire Service, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Local Council of Churches and the Muslim Community had no representation from all the political parties.
According to him, the reason why political parties were not represented on the MPC was to prevent them from muddying the waters when there was any conflict.
He, therefore, appealed to the various political parties in the traditional area to set up an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) to complement the work of the MPC.
He stated that the MPC was an idea mooted by Nananom as their contribution towards peace building, before and after the election in the Brong Ahafo Region and at the national level.
The Techimanhene urged leaders of the various political parties to tone down their language in the run-up to the December 7 general election in order not to heighten the political tension and make room for any conflict in the country.
He also called on the various presidential aspirants and their running mates to talk to their followers to be tolerant towards the supporters of other political parties who did not share their views and ideologies, since that was the beauty of democracy.
Nana Ameyaw noted that Ghanaians could not afford to allow politicians with selfish ambitions to plunge the country into a state of anarchy and chaos. He, therefore, appealed to all leaders of political parties to let their utterances promote peace, national unity and ignite a new sense of patriotism.
The Techimanhene, who was flanked by the Bamuhene of Techiman, Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour, who is also the Hansuahene, stressed that the media had a role to play to ensure a peaceful electioneering and, therefore, appealed to media practitioners to be circumspect in their reports in order not to inflame passion.
Nana Ameyaw advised Ghanaians to commit themselves to the democratic process, exercise restraint and allow the laws and the state institutions charged with elections to work to ensure peaceful and successful elections.
Touching on the new emerging trend of power-sharing system in some countries on the African continent, Nana Ameyaw said it was anti-democratic, adding that power sharing did not present any constructive debate, and that eroded the essence of democracy, which ‘gives us . . . a choice’.
He, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians not to support the idea of power sharing, since it would erode the essence of democracy, and urged the electorate to ‘vote and vote well for their preferred party to come to power and avoid the power-sharing system, which prepares the ground for dictatorship’.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
ISD MUST SHOW FILMS DEPICTING RAVAGES OF WAR ...Says NDC aspirant for Tain (PAGE 17)
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary aspirant for the Tain Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, has urged the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to equip the Information Service Department (ISD) with films of the ravages and atrocities of election-related civil wars on the African continent and elsewhere, to serve as a deterrent to those beating the war drum in the country, in connection with the forthcoming elections.
The NDC parliamentary hopeful said this when he took his turn at a forum organised for parliamentary aspirants of the various political parties in the Tain District by the Badu Students Union (BASU) at Badu.
According to Mr Ibrahim, the showing of such films at this crucial period when the nation was preparing for another general election on December 7 would give the people the true picture of wars associated with elections.
“It is time the ISD showed films such as the conflicts in Kenya, Cote d’Iviore and elsewhere that erupted as a result of elections as well as the recent violence at Gushegu in the Northern Region to help Ghanaians say no to all forms of violence that could disturb the peace and stability of the nation before, during and after the general elections”, he stressed.
Mr Ibrahim further stated that it was time that politicians stopped controlling the activities of government departments and agencies in the country whose duties were clearly stipulated in the 1992 Republican Constitution to help them discharge their duties without fear or favour.
He noted with grave concern that it was not the delight of the people for the ISD to be showing films concerning the past, which had no bearing on the forward march of the country.
The Tain NDC Parliamentary aspirant continued that the significance of the ISD would be conspicuous if attention was given to issues directly related to society rather than films, which according to him, had no relevance to the present and future generations.
For his part Mr John Kwame Duku, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) parliamentary aspirant for Tain, appealed to the electorate to shun politicians who sought to create violence in the society through their utterances and actions.
He also urged the youth to shun any politician who incited them to violence, and urged such individuals or groups of persons not to let their wives, husbands and children foment trouble before, during and after the elections so as to safeguard the peace and stability of the nat
Mr Suala Faaki, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) Parliamentary aspirant for Tain, who also addressed the forum urged the electorate to try the DPP this time around since they had better policies for the socio-economic advancement of the country.
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Tain, Mr Joe Danquah, and two independent parliamentary aspirants, Mr Richard Obour and Thomas Nsowah-Adjei, did not turn up for the forum.
When contacted, Mr Obour said he received the invitation at short notice, while Mr Nsowah-Adjei said he was not invited at all. The incumbent MP, Mr Danquah, did not however assign any reason for his failure to attend the programme.
The NDC parliamentary hopeful said this when he took his turn at a forum organised for parliamentary aspirants of the various political parties in the Tain District by the Badu Students Union (BASU) at Badu.
According to Mr Ibrahim, the showing of such films at this crucial period when the nation was preparing for another general election on December 7 would give the people the true picture of wars associated with elections.
“It is time the ISD showed films such as the conflicts in Kenya, Cote d’Iviore and elsewhere that erupted as a result of elections as well as the recent violence at Gushegu in the Northern Region to help Ghanaians say no to all forms of violence that could disturb the peace and stability of the nation before, during and after the general elections”, he stressed.
Mr Ibrahim further stated that it was time that politicians stopped controlling the activities of government departments and agencies in the country whose duties were clearly stipulated in the 1992 Republican Constitution to help them discharge their duties without fear or favour.
He noted with grave concern that it was not the delight of the people for the ISD to be showing films concerning the past, which had no bearing on the forward march of the country.
The Tain NDC Parliamentary aspirant continued that the significance of the ISD would be conspicuous if attention was given to issues directly related to society rather than films, which according to him, had no relevance to the present and future generations.
For his part Mr John Kwame Duku, the Convention People’s Party (CPP) parliamentary aspirant for Tain, appealed to the electorate to shun politicians who sought to create violence in the society through their utterances and actions.
He also urged the youth to shun any politician who incited them to violence, and urged such individuals or groups of persons not to let their wives, husbands and children foment trouble before, during and after the elections so as to safeguard the peace and stability of the nat
Mr Suala Faaki, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) Parliamentary aspirant for Tain, who also addressed the forum urged the electorate to try the DPP this time around since they had better policies for the socio-economic advancement of the country.
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Tain, Mr Joe Danquah, and two independent parliamentary aspirants, Mr Richard Obour and Thomas Nsowah-Adjei, did not turn up for the forum.
When contacted, Mr Obour said he received the invitation at short notice, while Mr Nsowah-Adjei said he was not invited at all. The incumbent MP, Mr Danquah, did not however assign any reason for his failure to attend the programme.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
DRUG PEDDLER JAILED 10 YEARS (PAGE 35)
A FORTY-TWO-YEAR old drug peddler has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Duayaw Nkwanta Circuit Court in the Tano North District for possessing narcotic drugs (wee).
The convict, Isaac Mensah, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was sentenced on his own plea by the court presided over by Mr Justice Amo Yartey.
The convict pleaded with the court to pardon him since he earned his living through the sale of the “wee” and used part of the proceeds to cater for his family.
However, after listening to the convict, the presiding judge said there were so many decent jobs that he could engage in rather than the illicit drug business.
Mr Justice Yartey, therefore, decided to give the convict a stiffer punishment to serve as a deterrent to other drug dealers in the country.
The facts of the case as given by the prosecution were that the convict was arrested by the police with six maxi bags of ‘dried leaves’ (which have since been confirmed by the Police Forensic Laboratory in Accra as cannabis) on the Bechem-Tepa road in May, this year. The convict was transporting the ‘stuff’ from Sunyani to Tepa on board a cargo truck with registration number GT 9723 T when it was stopped by the police on duty at the Bechem-Tepa Junction road.
When the vehicle was searched, six maxi bags of ‘dried leaves’ were found concealed in it. The convict claimed ownership of the stuff and told the police that he was sending it to Tepa for sale to the general public as that was his only source of income.
The police, therefore, arrested him and after investigations, he was charged with the offence
The convict, Isaac Mensah, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was sentenced on his own plea by the court presided over by Mr Justice Amo Yartey.
The convict pleaded with the court to pardon him since he earned his living through the sale of the “wee” and used part of the proceeds to cater for his family.
However, after listening to the convict, the presiding judge said there were so many decent jobs that he could engage in rather than the illicit drug business.
Mr Justice Yartey, therefore, decided to give the convict a stiffer punishment to serve as a deterrent to other drug dealers in the country.
The facts of the case as given by the prosecution were that the convict was arrested by the police with six maxi bags of ‘dried leaves’ (which have since been confirmed by the Police Forensic Laboratory in Accra as cannabis) on the Bechem-Tepa road in May, this year. The convict was transporting the ‘stuff’ from Sunyani to Tepa on board a cargo truck with registration number GT 9723 T when it was stopped by the police on duty at the Bechem-Tepa Junction road.
When the vehicle was searched, six maxi bags of ‘dried leaves’ were found concealed in it. The convict claimed ownership of the stuff and told the police that he was sending it to Tepa for sale to the general public as that was his only source of income.
The police, therefore, arrested him and after investigations, he was charged with the offence
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
TECHIMAN BUSINESSMAN APPEALS TO IGP (PAGE 20)
A Techiman-based businessman, Mr Kwadwo Adjei, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to set up an independent investigation team to look into a case linking him to an extortion scandal involving five policemen at Techiman.
Mr Adjei, who made the appeal through the Daily Graphic, said he and the five policemen were arrested for allegedly extorting 450,000 CFA from two traders, but was later granted bail by the Sunyani Circuit Court.
He said, however, that his mobile phone was seized by the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command in the course of investigations.
According to Mr Adjei, although at the last hearing of the case, the court, presided over by Mr Justice Debrah, ordered the police to return the phone to him, they had refused to do so.
Mr Adjei said the continued refusal of the police to give him back his mobile phone despite the order by the court had affected his business, since he could not communicate.
He said the five policemen who were also suspects in the case had their mobile phones, while he had been denied his.
He also called on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to impress upon the Brong
Ahafo Regional Police Command to obey the court order by handing over the mobile phone to him.
Mr Adjei said his woes with the police began when he started raising issues about the way the police in Techiman were going about their duties.
He said since then the Techiman police with support from the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command had devised several strategies to implicate him, but had failed consistently.
Mr Adjei alleged that the latest trap set for him by the police was to use some boys who dealt in fake currency, but he reported the matter to the Wenchi police, who arrested one Justice K. Adjoda with fake GH¢5 and GH¢10 with two accomplices.
He said Adjoda had since his arrest on July 19, 2008 been granted bail by the police and was walking freely on the streets of Techiman.
Mr Adjei urged the IGP to revisit the fake currency case, since the Techiman police had failed to act on it.
Mr Adjei, who made the appeal through the Daily Graphic, said he and the five policemen were arrested for allegedly extorting 450,000 CFA from two traders, but was later granted bail by the Sunyani Circuit Court.
He said, however, that his mobile phone was seized by the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command in the course of investigations.
According to Mr Adjei, although at the last hearing of the case, the court, presided over by Mr Justice Debrah, ordered the police to return the phone to him, they had refused to do so.
Mr Adjei said the continued refusal of the police to give him back his mobile phone despite the order by the court had affected his business, since he could not communicate.
He said the five policemen who were also suspects in the case had their mobile phones, while he had been denied his.
He also called on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to impress upon the Brong
Ahafo Regional Police Command to obey the court order by handing over the mobile phone to him.
Mr Adjei said his woes with the police began when he started raising issues about the way the police in Techiman were going about their duties.
He said since then the Techiman police with support from the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command had devised several strategies to implicate him, but had failed consistently.
Mr Adjei alleged that the latest trap set for him by the police was to use some boys who dealt in fake currency, but he reported the matter to the Wenchi police, who arrested one Justice K. Adjoda with fake GH¢5 and GH¢10 with two accomplices.
He said Adjoda had since his arrest on July 19, 2008 been granted bail by the police and was walking freely on the streets of Techiman.
Mr Adjei urged the IGP to revisit the fake currency case, since the Techiman police had failed to act on it.
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