By Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.
All the fourteen people who were in contention for the Asunafo South District Chief Executive position, but unfortunately failed to make it have expressed their support for the President’s nominee, Mr Fleance Danso.
Mr Kwabena Gyau, a spokesperson for the losing contestants, who is also the father of the NDC in the district made this known to newsmen in Sunyani when he led some party executives in the area to pay a courtesy call on the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku.
They pledged their support for the nominee and called on other party members to also rally behind him to show their respect for the President.
Mr Gyau also appealed to the district assembly to approve Mr Danso's nomination to ensure the rapid development of the district.
The executives of the Asunafo South constituency of the NDC also commended President John Evans Atta Mills for nominating Mr Danso as the Asunafo South District Chief Executive.
The executive members described Mr. Danso as a man whose competence, experience, loyalty and commitment to the party were unquestionable and said members of the party from the constituency were ready to support him to perform his duties after his endorsement by the assembly.
He urged the President to ignore "all forms of unwarranted and mischievous attempts by some internal dissidents of the party hiding under the cover of anonymity to throw dust into the eyes of the general public."
"By these acts, they sought to create the wrong impression that party executives and members in the Asunafo South are unhappy with the choice of Mr. Danso by His Excellency the President," he said.
He emphasised that the rank and file of the party and the general public across the political divide were in a "jubilant mood.”
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Opoku, for his part advised the executives to support the nominee and settle all differences behind close doors.
Meanwhile the Brong Ahafo Region is relatively calm despite some protests and demonstrations within the rank and file of the NDC after the nomination of DCEs and MCEs.
So far there have been protests at Wenchi, Atebubu, Nkoranza North and Sunyani.
In Sunyani, about 80 NDC supporters with placards demonstrated in the municipality on the nomination of Mr Akwasi Oppong as the new MCE for the Sunyani Municipal assembly.
The demonstrators carried placards some of which read, ”We won’t tolerate any nonsense”, “No Justice No MCE” and “Prof. remember what you said”, among others.
The demonstrators later submitted their petition to the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
TUOBODOM IN ARMS ...Against new movie (LEAD STORY, GRAPHIC NSEMPA)
By David Owusu-Antwi, Kumasi & Samuel Duodu, Tuobodom
NKASEI’S “Tuobodom” song became a hit overnight but not without a fierce controversy that nearly resulted in physical attacks on some executives of the Music Association of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the artistes themselves by some natives of Tuobodom.
But even before the dust on that could settle, a similar controversy has started with the release three weeks ago of “Ye firi Tuobodom” a Ghanaian movie.
Apparently fed up with what they perceive as a continuous denigration of the people of the town, the natives are now threatening court action against Parlance Productions, for producing the movie.
The natives are fuming over why artistes and moviemakers could not display anything positive about the town and its citezens but always try to tell the world that they were primitives.
According to some indigenes and residents of the town who spoke to the Graphic Nsempa team that visited the town last Wednesday, the new film was another move to ridicule the people of Tuobodom.
They stated that every movie or song that does not promote social cohesion but put people in a bad light and also promoted ethnocentrism should be banned outright, and cited the new movie as one of such bad films that should not be entertained on the market.
The people cited the film industries of other countries, which seek to make society better and not to destroy a section of their citizens.
Mr Nicholas Sarkodie, a former assembly member for Dompoase Electoral Area in Tuobodom and an indigene, said the movie was just one of those mediocre and amateurish films produced by some few individuals who wanted to satisfy their self-ambitions at the expense of the entire society.
He said the movie lacked the basic morals and values and the producers of the movie were just cashing in on the name of their town to make money since a group of musicians, who “I have consigned to history” made money out of a similar venture not long ago.
Mr Sarkodie added that every community or town had its own unique history, which could be built on or used to bring about development but a few unprofessionals who find themselves in the showbiz industry were exposing their ignorance through their works.
Mr Yaw Sarfo, a resident of the town, said the film was in bad taste as it portrayed the people of Tuobodom as ‘villagers’ and the town as a village, which lacks modern ways of doing things.
Mr Kwasi Fosu, owner of Hi-Tech spot, a popular drinking spot at Tuobodom, said, “the producers of the film should have gone to the town to consult the elders and get the right information before going out with the movie, since it was a calculated attempt to distort the history of our town and put the citizens in a bad light.”
Efforts by the Graphic Nsempa team to get some chiefs and elders of the town to speak to the issue proved futile, because they said they did not want to react to mediocre works like the movie so as to make it popular for it to enjoy heavy patronage.
Speaking to this reporter over the controversy that had greeted the movie, the producer of the movie, Mr Francis Yeboah Sekyere, said he was shocked that the movie could create such discomfort for the people of Tuobodom.
According to him, the main motive for the movie was to prove the point that residing in a remote area did not mean that such persons could not make it in life and that living in a city or town did not make a person any better than a rural dweller.
“In fact, one of my motivations for producing this movie stemmed from the wrong picture that had been created that those from Tuobodom were primitive.
“This movie was aimed at correcting that wrong perception so it came as a big surprise when I heard that the natives were threatening court action because I had used the name of their town for a movie,” he said apologetically.
The 29-year-old producer questioned whether those angry natives had taken their time to watch the movie and found any offensive scenes.
“I wish that I can go there and try to settle this matter calmly but judging from the fact that they nearly assaulted Nkasei and the executives of MUSIGA, I fear for my life,”he said.
Meanwhile, he has apologised to the chiefs and people of Tuobodom, asking for their forgiveness if he had wronged them in anyway.
NKASEI’S “Tuobodom” song became a hit overnight but not without a fierce controversy that nearly resulted in physical attacks on some executives of the Music Association of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the artistes themselves by some natives of Tuobodom.
But even before the dust on that could settle, a similar controversy has started with the release three weeks ago of “Ye firi Tuobodom” a Ghanaian movie.
Apparently fed up with what they perceive as a continuous denigration of the people of the town, the natives are now threatening court action against Parlance Productions, for producing the movie.
The natives are fuming over why artistes and moviemakers could not display anything positive about the town and its citezens but always try to tell the world that they were primitives.
According to some indigenes and residents of the town who spoke to the Graphic Nsempa team that visited the town last Wednesday, the new film was another move to ridicule the people of Tuobodom.
They stated that every movie or song that does not promote social cohesion but put people in a bad light and also promoted ethnocentrism should be banned outright, and cited the new movie as one of such bad films that should not be entertained on the market.
The people cited the film industries of other countries, which seek to make society better and not to destroy a section of their citizens.
Mr Nicholas Sarkodie, a former assembly member for Dompoase Electoral Area in Tuobodom and an indigene, said the movie was just one of those mediocre and amateurish films produced by some few individuals who wanted to satisfy their self-ambitions at the expense of the entire society.
He said the movie lacked the basic morals and values and the producers of the movie were just cashing in on the name of their town to make money since a group of musicians, who “I have consigned to history” made money out of a similar venture not long ago.
Mr Sarkodie added that every community or town had its own unique history, which could be built on or used to bring about development but a few unprofessionals who find themselves in the showbiz industry were exposing their ignorance through their works.
Mr Yaw Sarfo, a resident of the town, said the film was in bad taste as it portrayed the people of Tuobodom as ‘villagers’ and the town as a village, which lacks modern ways of doing things.
Mr Kwasi Fosu, owner of Hi-Tech spot, a popular drinking spot at Tuobodom, said, “the producers of the film should have gone to the town to consult the elders and get the right information before going out with the movie, since it was a calculated attempt to distort the history of our town and put the citizens in a bad light.”
Efforts by the Graphic Nsempa team to get some chiefs and elders of the town to speak to the issue proved futile, because they said they did not want to react to mediocre works like the movie so as to make it popular for it to enjoy heavy patronage.
Speaking to this reporter over the controversy that had greeted the movie, the producer of the movie, Mr Francis Yeboah Sekyere, said he was shocked that the movie could create such discomfort for the people of Tuobodom.
According to him, the main motive for the movie was to prove the point that residing in a remote area did not mean that such persons could not make it in life and that living in a city or town did not make a person any better than a rural dweller.
“In fact, one of my motivations for producing this movie stemmed from the wrong picture that had been created that those from Tuobodom were primitive.
“This movie was aimed at correcting that wrong perception so it came as a big surprise when I heard that the natives were threatening court action because I had used the name of their town for a movie,” he said apologetically.
The 29-year-old producer questioned whether those angry natives had taken their time to watch the movie and found any offensive scenes.
“I wish that I can go there and try to settle this matter calmly but judging from the fact that they nearly assaulted Nkasei and the executives of MUSIGA, I fear for my life,”he said.
Meanwhile, he has apologised to the chiefs and people of Tuobodom, asking for their forgiveness if he had wronged them in anyway.
TECHIMAN TO CELEBRATE 'APOO' IN STYLE (GRAPHIC NSEMPA, PAGE 15)
By Samuel Duodu, Techiman.
THIS year’s ‘Apoo’ festival of the chiefs and people of the Techiman Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region would be used to initiate the construction of an ultra modern cultural centre to help protect, promote and preserve the cultural heritage and the identity of the people of the area.
The cultural centre, which would have a museum, theatre, conference room, artisans’ village, an auditorium, open space, internet café and administrative block and a restaurant would be undertaken by the Techiman Traditional Council in conjunction with the University of Ghana, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Michigan and the Michigan State University both in the United State of America (USA).
According to the Adontenhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Nana Asare Twi Brempong II, who is also a member of the ‘Apoo’ Festival Planning Committee, the centre would be used for the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of Techiman.
He stated that the centre would also educate other residents of the traditional area who hail from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to educate them on the need to respect each other’s culture, and also help erase the negative perceptions that some people held about the culture of the area.
Nana Twi Brempong said this year’s ‘Apoo’ festival began on April 11, 2009, and it would end on May 11, 2009, on the theme “Our Culture, Our Heritage: the Tool for Social Integration” and the high point of the festival would be a colourful grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Techiman which would be held on May 1, 2009.
He explained that this year’s festival is being used to rally all citizens of Techiman both home and abroad for the development of the area, adding that the festival would also be marked with a Miss Apoo pageant.
Nana Twi Brempong who gave a brief history about the ‘Apoo’ festival said it began during the reign of Nana Kwakye Ameyaw who was an authoritarian and, therefore, the people of Techiman at that time could not express their views freely on what was happening.
He noted that the people were peeved during that period but could express their views.
Since the people could also not let them those in authority account for their stewardship, they consulted the gods of the area who asked them to set aside some days for them to come out and say what was on their chest more especially about the traditional authorities at that time.
During the period of “Apoo” it was agreed that one could not be held responsible for what he or she said.
The people would say “Mereko po me haw” which literally meant “I am going to say what was on my chest” and this was how the “Apoo” festival came into existence.
Nana Twi Brempong said the festival was not only about the people getting out what was on their chest about traditional authorities but also all who were in leadership positions in the traditional area at
He said the “Apoo” was also used to recognise those in society who had distinguished themselves or done something good for the society.
The Adontenhene said the “Apoo” is also used to promote social interaction as well as settle family disputes among citizens of the area. It is also it which citizens both home and abroad come together to undertake community projects.
He said Nananom also pour libation during that period to ask for prosperity, peace and success..
Nana Twi Brempong said the significance of the festival among others are to measure the people in authority and also to enable them give account of their stewardship, protect and preserve their cultural identity as a people as well as promote the well being of the people.
He said this year’s festival is focusing on things that would help fight poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in the society.
Nana Twi Brempong mentioned one of the highlights of the festival, which begins on April 11, 2009 as ‘Hyereko’ (Collection of white clay). This is when white clay collected from the Aponkosu River, is used to decorate the shrines in the traditional area, while the priests/priestesses also used the clay when they are possessed by spirits.
THIS year’s ‘Apoo’ festival of the chiefs and people of the Techiman Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region would be used to initiate the construction of an ultra modern cultural centre to help protect, promote and preserve the cultural heritage and the identity of the people of the area.
The cultural centre, which would have a museum, theatre, conference room, artisans’ village, an auditorium, open space, internet café and administrative block and a restaurant would be undertaken by the Techiman Traditional Council in conjunction with the University of Ghana, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Michigan and the Michigan State University both in the United State of America (USA).
According to the Adontenhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Nana Asare Twi Brempong II, who is also a member of the ‘Apoo’ Festival Planning Committee, the centre would be used for the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of Techiman.
He stated that the centre would also educate other residents of the traditional area who hail from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to educate them on the need to respect each other’s culture, and also help erase the negative perceptions that some people held about the culture of the area.
Nana Twi Brempong said this year’s ‘Apoo’ festival began on April 11, 2009, and it would end on May 11, 2009, on the theme “Our Culture, Our Heritage: the Tool for Social Integration” and the high point of the festival would be a colourful grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Techiman which would be held on May 1, 2009.
He explained that this year’s festival is being used to rally all citizens of Techiman both home and abroad for the development of the area, adding that the festival would also be marked with a Miss Apoo pageant.
Nana Twi Brempong who gave a brief history about the ‘Apoo’ festival said it began during the reign of Nana Kwakye Ameyaw who was an authoritarian and, therefore, the people of Techiman at that time could not express their views freely on what was happening.
He noted that the people were peeved during that period but could express their views.
Since the people could also not let them those in authority account for their stewardship, they consulted the gods of the area who asked them to set aside some days for them to come out and say what was on their chest more especially about the traditional authorities at that time.
During the period of “Apoo” it was agreed that one could not be held responsible for what he or she said.
The people would say “Mereko po me haw” which literally meant “I am going to say what was on my chest” and this was how the “Apoo” festival came into existence.
Nana Twi Brempong said the festival was not only about the people getting out what was on their chest about traditional authorities but also all who were in leadership positions in the traditional area at
He said the “Apoo” was also used to recognise those in society who had distinguished themselves or done something good for the society.
The Adontenhene said the “Apoo” is also used to promote social interaction as well as settle family disputes among citizens of the area. It is also it which citizens both home and abroad come together to undertake community projects.
He said Nananom also pour libation during that period to ask for prosperity, peace and success..
Nana Twi Brempong said the significance of the festival among others are to measure the people in authority and also to enable them give account of their stewardship, protect and preserve their cultural identity as a people as well as promote the well being of the people.
He said this year’s festival is focusing on things that would help fight poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in the society.
Nana Twi Brempong mentioned one of the highlights of the festival, which begins on April 11, 2009 as ‘Hyereko’ (Collection of white clay). This is when white clay collected from the Aponkosu River, is used to decorate the shrines in the traditional area, while the priests/priestesses also used the clay when they are possessed by spirits.
ENSURE CLEAN, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (PAGE 40)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Women, Madam Victoria Owusu-Kyeremaa, has urged Ghanaians, especially women, to always ensure a clean and healthy environment wherever they find themselves to help reduce out-patient department (OPD) attendance at health facilities in the country.
According to her, every citizen had a role to play in keeping the environment clean at all times to prevent diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever, which are a drain on the nation’s scarce resources.
She, therefore, urged women, the agents of change in the society and in homes, to lead the crusade against filth in the country to help achieve a clean and healthy environment.
Madam Owusu-Kyeremaa made the call at a clean-up exercise organised by the Regional Directorate of the department in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital.
The exercise formed part of activities marking this year’s women’s week celebration in the region.
The celebration was on the theme: “Men and women working together for a better Ghana”.
The clean-up exercise, which was supported with logistics and staff from Zoomlion, involved the clearing of weeds, sweeping, clearing of choked gutters and the removal of cobwebs on the hospital’s premises.
Among the women’s groups that took part in the exercise were Prisons Officers Wives’ Association (PROWA), Fire Service Ladies and Wives’ Association, Ghana National Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, Unity Ladies Club, Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) Ladies and Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Ladies.
Madam Owusu-Kyeremaa urged women to inculcate the habit of environmental cleanliness in their children so that they would grow with it.
She said since cleanliness is next to Godliness, women must always ensure clean environment wherever they found themselves, especially at the markets, in the homes and offices.
Madam Kyeremah appealed to all residents in the municipality to help maintain and sustain the status of Sunyani as one of the neatest cities in the country by desisting from littering and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
She expressed the hope that the women’s groups would embark on regular clean-up exercises in their various communities.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Nicholas Ofori, commended the women for their massive turnout and pledged the support of Zoomlion to groups or organisations whose objective was to keep the environment clean and healthy at all times.
According to her, every citizen had a role to play in keeping the environment clean at all times to prevent diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever, which are a drain on the nation’s scarce resources.
She, therefore, urged women, the agents of change in the society and in homes, to lead the crusade against filth in the country to help achieve a clean and healthy environment.
Madam Owusu-Kyeremaa made the call at a clean-up exercise organised by the Regional Directorate of the department in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital.
The exercise formed part of activities marking this year’s women’s week celebration in the region.
The celebration was on the theme: “Men and women working together for a better Ghana”.
The clean-up exercise, which was supported with logistics and staff from Zoomlion, involved the clearing of weeds, sweeping, clearing of choked gutters and the removal of cobwebs on the hospital’s premises.
Among the women’s groups that took part in the exercise were Prisons Officers Wives’ Association (PROWA), Fire Service Ladies and Wives’ Association, Ghana National Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, Unity Ladies Club, Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) Ladies and Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Ladies.
Madam Owusu-Kyeremaa urged women to inculcate the habit of environmental cleanliness in their children so that they would grow with it.
She said since cleanliness is next to Godliness, women must always ensure clean environment wherever they found themselves, especially at the markets, in the homes and offices.
Madam Kyeremah appealed to all residents in the municipality to help maintain and sustain the status of Sunyani as one of the neatest cities in the country by desisting from littering and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
She expressed the hope that the women’s groups would embark on regular clean-up exercises in their various communities.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Nicholas Ofori, commended the women for their massive turnout and pledged the support of Zoomlion to groups or organisations whose objective was to keep the environment clean and healthy at all times.
ATEBUBU-AMANTIN AND PRU REJECT NOMINEES (PAGE 16)
The President’s nominees for the positions of District Chief Executive for Atebubu-Amantin and Pru districts in the Brong Ahafo Region were rejected by their respective assemblies at separate special meetings held at Amantin and Yeji on Tuesday.
The nominees, Mr Sanja Nanja, 41, a teacher, and Masawud Mohammed, a tutor at the Atebubu Teacher Training College, who were nominated for the positions of DCE for the Atebbubu-Amantin and Pru districts failed to secure the two thirds of votes from the assembly members present at the meeting.
Subsequently both nominees have within 10 days to present themselves for approval by their respective assemblies for the second time.
At the meeting held at the Roman Catholic School at Amantin about 47miles from Atebubu, the district capital, to confirm Mr Nanja, 19 out of the 32 Assembly members present voted ‘Yes’ while 13 voted ‘No’, which fell short of the required 21 votes needed to get the two-thirds majority to enable him to get the approval.
There was also heavy police and military presence at the venue for the confirmation of Mr Nanja to maintain law and order while his supporters gathered round the building to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, which was supervised by the District Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Immediately the results of the polls was announced, some supporters of Mr Nanja who were angered flared up and cast insinuation at the assembly members.
However, there were pockets of jubilation at the Atebubu township when information got there that Mr Nanja failed to get the approval.
Mr Nanja, who expressed shock about the inability of the assembly members to confirm him, pledged that he was going to do his home work well to be confirmed by the assembly when they meet again.
Mr Nanja’s nomination as the DCE for Atebubu-Amantin was kicked against by the chiefs, sub-chiefs and people of the Atebubu Traditional Area when the announcement was made recently.
In a statement signed by the Omanhene of Atebubu, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, after an emergency meeting at his palace the Atebubu Traditional Council appealed to the President to reconsider his decision as the council would find it very difficult, if not impossible, to work with him.
According to the statement, nobody from the Atebubu Traditional Area, and for that matter Atebubu, the district capital, had ever been appointed to the position of DCE ever since the decentralisation concept started.
Nana Brempong, before the meeting on Tuesday to confirm Mr Nanja, had gone public to make known his stand against the President’s nominee.
At the Pru District Assembly Hall at Yeji, the district capital, Mr Mohammed also failed to secure the two thirds of the votes cast by the 36 assembly members after two rounds of voting of which the second was nullified as a ballot paper that was not validated was found among the validated ones after the voting.
Twenty of the assembly members voted ‘Yes’ while 16 of them voted ‘No’, which fell short of the 24 votes required to enable him to be confirmed.
After a 30-minute closed-door meeting with the assembly members with the presence of the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, who was there to witness the proceedings, the assembly members came into the hall again for the second round of voting to confirm the nominee but he failed to make the mark once again as he polled 22 votes as against 14.
However, the round-off was nullified as an invalidated ballot paper was found among the validated ones.
Supporters of Mr Mohammed who had converged on the venue left for home disappointed, and promised to go and do their home work well to enable the nominee to get the nod the next time.
Mr Mohammed appealed to the assembly members to vote to confirm him when they reconvene the second time.
The Assembly elected Mr Wisdom K. Zor, 38, a tutor at the Yeji Senior High School, as the Presiding Member for the Pru District Assembly after two rounds of voting, obtaining 23 against his contender during the first voting. Mr Frank Atti, also a worker at the assembly who secured 13 votes while after the second round of voting Mr Zor got 28 votes as against eight votes secured by Mr Atti.
Mr Opoku earlier in his remarks called on all local government actors, especially assembly members, traditional rulers, the losing contestants and opinion leaders to bury their differences and give their support as well as their maximum cooperation to ensure that the President’s nominees for the position of Municipal and District Chief Executives gets the nod to hasten the development pace in their various districts.
The nominees, Mr Sanja Nanja, 41, a teacher, and Masawud Mohammed, a tutor at the Atebubu Teacher Training College, who were nominated for the positions of DCE for the Atebbubu-Amantin and Pru districts failed to secure the two thirds of votes from the assembly members present at the meeting.
Subsequently both nominees have within 10 days to present themselves for approval by their respective assemblies for the second time.
At the meeting held at the Roman Catholic School at Amantin about 47miles from Atebubu, the district capital, to confirm Mr Nanja, 19 out of the 32 Assembly members present voted ‘Yes’ while 13 voted ‘No’, which fell short of the required 21 votes needed to get the two-thirds majority to enable him to get the approval.
There was also heavy police and military presence at the venue for the confirmation of Mr Nanja to maintain law and order while his supporters gathered round the building to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, which was supervised by the District Directorate of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Immediately the results of the polls was announced, some supporters of Mr Nanja who were angered flared up and cast insinuation at the assembly members.
However, there were pockets of jubilation at the Atebubu township when information got there that Mr Nanja failed to get the approval.
Mr Nanja, who expressed shock about the inability of the assembly members to confirm him, pledged that he was going to do his home work well to be confirmed by the assembly when they meet again.
Mr Nanja’s nomination as the DCE for Atebubu-Amantin was kicked against by the chiefs, sub-chiefs and people of the Atebubu Traditional Area when the announcement was made recently.
In a statement signed by the Omanhene of Atebubu, Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong II, after an emergency meeting at his palace the Atebubu Traditional Council appealed to the President to reconsider his decision as the council would find it very difficult, if not impossible, to work with him.
According to the statement, nobody from the Atebubu Traditional Area, and for that matter Atebubu, the district capital, had ever been appointed to the position of DCE ever since the decentralisation concept started.
Nana Brempong, before the meeting on Tuesday to confirm Mr Nanja, had gone public to make known his stand against the President’s nominee.
At the Pru District Assembly Hall at Yeji, the district capital, Mr Mohammed also failed to secure the two thirds of the votes cast by the 36 assembly members after two rounds of voting of which the second was nullified as a ballot paper that was not validated was found among the validated ones after the voting.
Twenty of the assembly members voted ‘Yes’ while 16 of them voted ‘No’, which fell short of the 24 votes required to enable him to be confirmed.
After a 30-minute closed-door meeting with the assembly members with the presence of the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, who was there to witness the proceedings, the assembly members came into the hall again for the second round of voting to confirm the nominee but he failed to make the mark once again as he polled 22 votes as against 14.
However, the round-off was nullified as an invalidated ballot paper was found among the validated ones.
Supporters of Mr Mohammed who had converged on the venue left for home disappointed, and promised to go and do their home work well to enable the nominee to get the nod the next time.
Mr Mohammed appealed to the assembly members to vote to confirm him when they reconvene the second time.
The Assembly elected Mr Wisdom K. Zor, 38, a tutor at the Yeji Senior High School, as the Presiding Member for the Pru District Assembly after two rounds of voting, obtaining 23 against his contender during the first voting. Mr Frank Atti, also a worker at the assembly who secured 13 votes while after the second round of voting Mr Zor got 28 votes as against eight votes secured by Mr Atti.
Mr Opoku earlier in his remarks called on all local government actors, especially assembly members, traditional rulers, the losing contestants and opinion leaders to bury their differences and give their support as well as their maximum cooperation to ensure that the President’s nominees for the position of Municipal and District Chief Executives gets the nod to hasten the development pace in their various districts.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
ZOOMLION PROVIDES STREELIGHT BULBS FOR SUNYANI MAGAZINE (PAGE 21)
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a waste management company, has provided bulbs for streetlight rehabilitation project and refuse containers at the Sunyani Magazine (Light Industrial Area). The company has also removed refuse dump from the area.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Benjamin Ason, made this known at a ceremony when the cpmpany handed over 10-seater water closet toilet facility with an overhead tank and bathrooms to the Sunyani Municipal Branch of the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) at Sunyani Magazine.
The facility, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) Domestic Trade and Industrial Management Services Project (DOTIP), seeks to improve environmental sanitation at the workplace. The project, funded by MOTI, was executed by Zoomlion.
Mr Ason said the project would go a long way to improve sanitation in the area. He added that Zoomlion had also provided streetlight bulbs for use at Techiman Magazine, while a toilet facility had been provided for the Dormaa Ahenkro Magazine under the project.
Mr Ason said with the hand over of the project to the garages association, the management of the facility was now in the hands of the beneficiaries but gave the assurance that Zoomlion would assist them with the necessary detergents and disinfectants to enable them to keep the facility clean at all times.
He charged the management committee of the facility to ensure its proper maintenance and management to increase the lifespan of the facility and gave the assurance that Zoomlion would continue to partner all organisations and groups whose objective was to keep a healthy and a clean environment.
The Chairman of the Sunyani Municipal Garages Association, Mr George Baafi-Mensah, thanked Zoomlion and MOTI for the facility , stating that it would enhance environmental sanitation in the area.
He appealed to the relevant departments and agencies responsible for the reshaping and tarring of the magazine roads to speed up with the work and also extend water to the area.
Mr Baafi Mensah also renewed the appeal to the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to work fast at the new site for the Sunyani Light Industrial Area at old Abesim, near Sunyani, to be relocated.
Present at the ceremony was Mr Kwame Gariba, the Head of Northern Sector and Mr Nicholas Ofori, the Deputy Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Benjamin Ason, made this known at a ceremony when the cpmpany handed over 10-seater water closet toilet facility with an overhead tank and bathrooms to the Sunyani Municipal Branch of the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) at Sunyani Magazine.
The facility, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) Domestic Trade and Industrial Management Services Project (DOTIP), seeks to improve environmental sanitation at the workplace. The project, funded by MOTI, was executed by Zoomlion.
Mr Ason said the project would go a long way to improve sanitation in the area. He added that Zoomlion had also provided streetlight bulbs for use at Techiman Magazine, while a toilet facility had been provided for the Dormaa Ahenkro Magazine under the project.
Mr Ason said with the hand over of the project to the garages association, the management of the facility was now in the hands of the beneficiaries but gave the assurance that Zoomlion would assist them with the necessary detergents and disinfectants to enable them to keep the facility clean at all times.
He charged the management committee of the facility to ensure its proper maintenance and management to increase the lifespan of the facility and gave the assurance that Zoomlion would continue to partner all organisations and groups whose objective was to keep a healthy and a clean environment.
The Chairman of the Sunyani Municipal Garages Association, Mr George Baafi-Mensah, thanked Zoomlion and MOTI for the facility , stating that it would enhance environmental sanitation in the area.
He appealed to the relevant departments and agencies responsible for the reshaping and tarring of the magazine roads to speed up with the work and also extend water to the area.
Mr Baafi Mensah also renewed the appeal to the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to work fast at the new site for the Sunyani Light Industrial Area at old Abesim, near Sunyani, to be relocated.
Present at the ceremony was Mr Kwame Gariba, the Head of Northern Sector and Mr Nicholas Ofori, the Deputy Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
DON'T INVOLVE YOURSELVES IN CHIEFTAINCY MATTERS...Bishop Gyamfi urges Christians (page 20)
THE Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has called on Christians not to get involved in chieftaincy matters and other activities that do not promote peace in their communities.
He said the duty of a Christian was always to ensure peace and unity wherever they found themselves as their Lord Jesus Christ did, since Christians were the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Most Rev. Gyamfi made the call at the inauguration of the St Anthony Quasi Parish at Drobo in the Jaman South District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He, therefore, urged Christians and churches to continue to preach peace and reconciliation which were the requisite ingredients for the forward march of the nation.
The parish which started in 1998 with 40 members, now boast 1,100 members with 12 outstations, including Nyamefie, Asuogya, Jenjemireja, Miremaano, Ampenkro/Asratoa, Tegese, Yaa Mansa, Faaman, Baanafour, Kofiko and Famekwa.
Most Rev. Gyamfi said now that the general election was over, it was time Ghanaians got united to move the country forward.
He said with the establishment of the parish, the members must endeavour to preach the good news as Jesus Christ told the Apostles and also be ambassadors of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, love and understanding.
Most Rev. Gyamfi urged the people in the area to allow the power of God and the resurrection to work in their lives.
The Catholic Bishop advised the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Adjei, to be faithful to the church and to also preach to address particular problems confronting the area and also give the message of Christ to his members.
In an address read on his behalf, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, paid glowing tribute to the church for its contribution to the development of the country.
He called on the church to continue with its good works in the provision of healthcare, education and other social services apart from the spiritual aspect.
He urged the people to accept the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE) to enable work to commence in earnest.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked Most Rev. Gyamfi for the good work he had done, saying “I wish the parish well and pray that the church will continue to grow from strength to strength in all its dealings”.
For his part, the Omanhene of Drobo Traditional Area, Beyeeman Bosea Gyinantwi, commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to the development of the area, and pledged the support of the traditional council to the church.
He called on the people to work in unity towards the rapid development of the area.
He said the duty of a Christian was always to ensure peace and unity wherever they found themselves as their Lord Jesus Christ did, since Christians were the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Most Rev. Gyamfi made the call at the inauguration of the St Anthony Quasi Parish at Drobo in the Jaman South District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He, therefore, urged Christians and churches to continue to preach peace and reconciliation which were the requisite ingredients for the forward march of the nation.
The parish which started in 1998 with 40 members, now boast 1,100 members with 12 outstations, including Nyamefie, Asuogya, Jenjemireja, Miremaano, Ampenkro/Asratoa, Tegese, Yaa Mansa, Faaman, Baanafour, Kofiko and Famekwa.
Most Rev. Gyamfi said now that the general election was over, it was time Ghanaians got united to move the country forward.
He said with the establishment of the parish, the members must endeavour to preach the good news as Jesus Christ told the Apostles and also be ambassadors of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, love and understanding.
Most Rev. Gyamfi urged the people in the area to allow the power of God and the resurrection to work in their lives.
The Catholic Bishop advised the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Adjei, to be faithful to the church and to also preach to address particular problems confronting the area and also give the message of Christ to his members.
In an address read on his behalf, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, paid glowing tribute to the church for its contribution to the development of the country.
He called on the church to continue with its good works in the provision of healthcare, education and other social services apart from the spiritual aspect.
He urged the people to accept the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE) to enable work to commence in earnest.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked Most Rev. Gyamfi for the good work he had done, saying “I wish the parish well and pray that the church will continue to grow from strength to strength in all its dealings”.
For his part, the Omanhene of Drobo Traditional Area, Beyeeman Bosea Gyinantwi, commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to the development of the area, and pledged the support of the traditional council to the church.
He called on the people to work in unity towards the rapid development of the area.
Monday, April 27, 2009
TECHIMAN NORTH, SOUTH NDC GRATEFUL TO PREZ (PAGE 13)
THE Techiman North and South executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have commended President J.E.A Mills for nominating Mr Alex Kyeremeh for the position of Muncipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region.
They also on behalf of the entire members of the party, from both constituencies, thanked the President for his choice, which they said was an added advantage to the cause of the party and Techiman in general.
The executives also expressed their appreciation to Nananom and opinion leaders in the municipality and beyond who backed the nominee .
A letter of appreciation signed by Mr Mumuni Saaka Adam, Techiman South NDC Organiser, on behalf of the entire executives of Techiman North and South and copied to the press said the nominee who had a vast experience as a former Member of Parliament (MP) and also a member of the Public Accounts and Works and Housing Committees of the previous parliament ,which made him more than qualified for the task ahead of him.
“We therefore wish to appeal to all the assembly members and stakeholders to approve of the President’s nominee so as to accelerate the development of Techiman,” it said.
The executive also expressed their appreciation to the youth of the party who exhibited maturity and support for the nominee as well as the party in general
In a related development, the Tain Constituency Executive of the NDC also commended the President for nominating Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Nsawkaw, the constituency organiser of the party Mr Abdul Razak Debrah on behalf of the executives said the constituency had no doubt about the competence of the nominee and therefore stated that the party was indeed grateful to the President.
“We have complete confidence in the President’s nominee and we are appealing to the assembly members to ensure his smooth confirmation as well’’. Assuring that the Constituency was prepared to throw its support to the development agenda of the nominee and the government,” he stated.
He said that the peaceful atmosphere that had preceeded the nomination of Mr Tawiah depicted the level of confidence the constituents had in him and their level of readiness to work with him.
He urged all other constituencies across the country to rally behind respective persons nominated for their districts and municipalities in order to accelerate development.
“It is expected that all other districts and municipalities across the country would respect the President’s decision in the interest of speedy development,” he stated.
The constituency executives also commended all the nine persons who vied for the position for pledging their support to the nominee.
They stressed that it was a mark of political maturity and love for the country’s democracy.
“We are urging them to appeal to the assembly members in their respective communities of origin to confirm the nominee without a second round to enable the district to save cost” he said.
According to the executives, it will not be in the interest of any district or municipality if a nominee was denied confirmation on basis of their origin, culture or religious inclinations.
“We believe the same confidence invoked in the President should be translated to his nominees,” he noted.
Mr Debrah was worried that the executives at the constituency level were often left out during political appointments, adding that it was sad that only those party executives at the regional and national levels had the opportunity to serve in government.
He appealed to the president to consider good materials at the constituency levels in future appointments.
For his part, Mr James Kwadwo Tannor who spoke on behalf of the nine contestants also commended the executives for their contribution.
He assured the nominee of their support upon his confirmation. “His nomination is a victory for the constituency” he emphasised.
They also on behalf of the entire members of the party, from both constituencies, thanked the President for his choice, which they said was an added advantage to the cause of the party and Techiman in general.
The executives also expressed their appreciation to Nananom and opinion leaders in the municipality and beyond who backed the nominee .
A letter of appreciation signed by Mr Mumuni Saaka Adam, Techiman South NDC Organiser, on behalf of the entire executives of Techiman North and South and copied to the press said the nominee who had a vast experience as a former Member of Parliament (MP) and also a member of the Public Accounts and Works and Housing Committees of the previous parliament ,which made him more than qualified for the task ahead of him.
“We therefore wish to appeal to all the assembly members and stakeholders to approve of the President’s nominee so as to accelerate the development of Techiman,” it said.
The executive also expressed their appreciation to the youth of the party who exhibited maturity and support for the nominee as well as the party in general
In a related development, the Tain Constituency Executive of the NDC also commended the President for nominating Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Nsawkaw, the constituency organiser of the party Mr Abdul Razak Debrah on behalf of the executives said the constituency had no doubt about the competence of the nominee and therefore stated that the party was indeed grateful to the President.
“We have complete confidence in the President’s nominee and we are appealing to the assembly members to ensure his smooth confirmation as well’’. Assuring that the Constituency was prepared to throw its support to the development agenda of the nominee and the government,” he stated.
He said that the peaceful atmosphere that had preceeded the nomination of Mr Tawiah depicted the level of confidence the constituents had in him and their level of readiness to work with him.
He urged all other constituencies across the country to rally behind respective persons nominated for their districts and municipalities in order to accelerate development.
“It is expected that all other districts and municipalities across the country would respect the President’s decision in the interest of speedy development,” he stated.
The constituency executives also commended all the nine persons who vied for the position for pledging their support to the nominee.
They stressed that it was a mark of political maturity and love for the country’s democracy.
“We are urging them to appeal to the assembly members in their respective communities of origin to confirm the nominee without a second round to enable the district to save cost” he said.
According to the executives, it will not be in the interest of any district or municipality if a nominee was denied confirmation on basis of their origin, culture or religious inclinations.
“We believe the same confidence invoked in the President should be translated to his nominees,” he noted.
Mr Debrah was worried that the executives at the constituency level were often left out during political appointments, adding that it was sad that only those party executives at the regional and national levels had the opportunity to serve in government.
He appealed to the president to consider good materials at the constituency levels in future appointments.
For his part, Mr James Kwadwo Tannor who spoke on behalf of the nine contestants also commended the executives for their contribution.
He assured the nominee of their support upon his confirmation. “His nomination is a victory for the constituency” he emphasised.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
STUDENT SENTENCED FOR FRAUD (MIRROR, PAGE 23)
From Samuel Duodu, Sunyani
A student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Nana Gyekye-Apeatu, has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢1,500 for fraud.
The convict was said to have announced openly at a conference he attended at the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) Hall in Accra in May, last year, that he could assist relations of other participants to secure admissions into any of the country’s health training institutions.
Another participant, Mr Ampofo Twumasi, took the bait and later paid Nana Gyekye-Apeatu GH¢750 to assist three of his relatives to secure admission into the training school but he (convict) failed to deliver and rather went into hiding.
Gyekye-Apeatu, was however, arrested at the UCC Campus and sentenced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretences at the Sunyani Magistrate Court “A” presided over by Mr R. K. Quanson.
He will in default serve a two-year jail term in hard labour.
The facts of the case were that on January 19, 2009, Twumasi, an employee of the Catholic Education Unit in Sunyani, went to seek the convict’s assistance for his three relations and was charged a fee of GH¢750, which was paid into the convict’s account at Sunyani.
At the close of admission however, the complainant’s relatives did not secure the admission and therefore he demanded a refund of his money but to no avail as the convict went into hiding.
Police investigations traced the convict to the university campus, where he was picked up and sent to Sunyani where he was arraign.
A student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Nana Gyekye-Apeatu, has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢1,500 for fraud.
The convict was said to have announced openly at a conference he attended at the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) Hall in Accra in May, last year, that he could assist relations of other participants to secure admissions into any of the country’s health training institutions.
Another participant, Mr Ampofo Twumasi, took the bait and later paid Nana Gyekye-Apeatu GH¢750 to assist three of his relatives to secure admission into the training school but he (convict) failed to deliver and rather went into hiding.
Gyekye-Apeatu, was however, arrested at the UCC Campus and sentenced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretences at the Sunyani Magistrate Court “A” presided over by Mr R. K. Quanson.
He will in default serve a two-year jail term in hard labour.
The facts of the case were that on January 19, 2009, Twumasi, an employee of the Catholic Education Unit in Sunyani, went to seek the convict’s assistance for his three relations and was charged a fee of GH¢750, which was paid into the convict’s account at Sunyani.
At the close of admission however, the complainant’s relatives did not secure the admission and therefore he demanded a refund of his money but to no avail as the convict went into hiding.
Police investigations traced the convict to the university campus, where he was picked up and sent to Sunyani where he was arraign.
Friday, April 24, 2009
2 TRADITIONAL COUNCILS HONOUR NYAMEKYE-MARFO (PAGE 20)
THE Odumase Number One and Awuah Odumase Traditional Councils have jointly honoured the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo.
The two paramountcies with their headquarters at Odumase, the capital of the newly created Sunyani West District, did the regional minister the honour by making him a Development Chief (Nkosuohene) of the area under the stool name, Nana Kwadwo Nyamekye-Beyeman.
The installation ceremony was jointly performed by the Queen of Odumase Number One, Nana Abena Boatemaa, and the Omanhene of Awuah Odumase, Nana Kwame Korang VI.
A stool was presented to Nana Kwadwo Nyamekye-Beyeman as a symbol of his office as the Nkosuohene of Odumase.
The installation coincided with the maiden visit of Mr Nyamekye-Marfo to Odumase as the New Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.
Early on, Nana Korang had recalled the good work of Mr Nyamekye-Marfo when he served as the District Secretary (DS) for the Jaman District and later the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sunyani.
He expressed the hope that the regional minister would continue to work hard as he did when he was a district secretary and a DCE.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the two traditional councils for the honour done him and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of Brong-Ahafo to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and the Deputy National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Yaw Gyan, urged the people of Odumase to give the government the needed support to speed up the progress of the area.
The spokesperson for the two traditional councils, Mr Daniel Adusei-Poku, used the occasion to congratulate President J.E.A. Mills on winning the 2008 general election and thanked him for appointing Mr Nyamekye-Marfo as the regional minister.
Mr Aduse-Poku pledged the support of the chiefs and people of Odumase for the new regional minister, stressing that they had confidence in him that he would deliver.
He appealed to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo to use his good offices in providing the needed infrastructure for the Sunyani West District.
Mr Aduse-Poku also made other appeals that included the development of the Sunyani-Odumase dual carriageway.
The two paramountcies with their headquarters at Odumase, the capital of the newly created Sunyani West District, did the regional minister the honour by making him a Development Chief (Nkosuohene) of the area under the stool name, Nana Kwadwo Nyamekye-Beyeman.
The installation ceremony was jointly performed by the Queen of Odumase Number One, Nana Abena Boatemaa, and the Omanhene of Awuah Odumase, Nana Kwame Korang VI.
A stool was presented to Nana Kwadwo Nyamekye-Beyeman as a symbol of his office as the Nkosuohene of Odumase.
The installation coincided with the maiden visit of Mr Nyamekye-Marfo to Odumase as the New Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.
Early on, Nana Korang had recalled the good work of Mr Nyamekye-Marfo when he served as the District Secretary (DS) for the Jaman District and later the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sunyani.
He expressed the hope that the regional minister would continue to work hard as he did when he was a district secretary and a DCE.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the two traditional councils for the honour done him and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of Brong-Ahafo to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and the Deputy National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Yaw Gyan, urged the people of Odumase to give the government the needed support to speed up the progress of the area.
The spokesperson for the two traditional councils, Mr Daniel Adusei-Poku, used the occasion to congratulate President J.E.A. Mills on winning the 2008 general election and thanked him for appointing Mr Nyamekye-Marfo as the regional minister.
Mr Aduse-Poku pledged the support of the chiefs and people of Odumase for the new regional minister, stressing that they had confidence in him that he would deliver.
He appealed to Mr Nyamekye-Marfo to use his good offices in providing the needed infrastructure for the Sunyani West District.
Mr Aduse-Poku also made other appeals that included the development of the Sunyani-Odumase dual carriageway.
VODAFONE VOTES £200,000 FOR FOUNDATION (page 20)
VODAFONE, formerly Ghana Telecom (GT), has voted an initial seed capital of £200,000 for the establishment of a foundation to be christened “Vodafone Ghana Foundation”.
The foundation, which would be launched this year, is aimed among other things, at helping to protect the natural environment, supporting local communities in which customers, employees, investors and suppliers of the company live and sharing the benefits of developments in mobile communications technology as widely as possible.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Mr David Venn, made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, at his palace in Sunyani.
On behalf of Vodafone Ghana, Mr Venn presented a cheque for GH¢3,000 to the Sunyanihene to support the development of education in his traditional area.
He said the company would advertise for proposals from the public in due course in view of the establishment of the foundation, adding that it was a way of giving back to the society and the communities in which the company operated.
Mr Venn further disclosed that within the past few weeks, the company had undertaken a number of investments both in infrastructure and people, in order to infuse greater efficiency into its operations and offer its customers the global excellence that Vodafone was famous for.
"From its humble beginnings in 1982, Vodafone has grown to become the world’s largest telecommunications company with operations in 26 countries and partner networks in 40 countries," he said, adding that the company had more than 70,000 employees and 290 million customers worldwide.
Mr Venn stated that since the arrival of Vodafone in the country in August, 2008, it had deployed new technology and introduced innovative world-class products and services to the Ghanaian market.
The company’s mobile network, he said, was currently recognised by industry observers and astute customers as the best quality network in Ghana.
Mr Venn said that was achieved through the execution of a planned and deliberate re-development and investment strategy, adding that the same strategy was being replicated across the country and in areas with Vodafone coverage in the Brong Ahafo Region.
According to him, the people could testify to the exceptional quality of the network since the launch of the Vodafone brand in Ghana.
Mr Venn said the company had always maintained a special relationship with the people of Brong Ahafo, adding that when no network was prepared to serve the region, GT stepped forward and provided mobile communication services for the people.
“We intend to deepen this special relationship with the region by extending our coverage to several parts where we are not available,” he stated.
In his response, Nana Nkrawiri reiterated the appeal of the traditional council to GT (now Vodafone) to construct a modern edifice to be christened ‘Vodafone House’ in place of an old office built through communal labour by the people of Sunyani in 1927.
The old building, he said, had been pulled down by the company to make way for the new one to match up with the Cocoa House, which is currently the highest building in the region with an elevator to befit the current status of the municipality.
Nana Nkrawiri expressed his appreciation to the CEO and his entourage for the visit and urged the company to replicate here its unique and quality services it offered in other countries.
The foundation, which would be launched this year, is aimed among other things, at helping to protect the natural environment, supporting local communities in which customers, employees, investors and suppliers of the company live and sharing the benefits of developments in mobile communications technology as widely as possible.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Mr David Venn, made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, at his palace in Sunyani.
On behalf of Vodafone Ghana, Mr Venn presented a cheque for GH¢3,000 to the Sunyanihene to support the development of education in his traditional area.
He said the company would advertise for proposals from the public in due course in view of the establishment of the foundation, adding that it was a way of giving back to the society and the communities in which the company operated.
Mr Venn further disclosed that within the past few weeks, the company had undertaken a number of investments both in infrastructure and people, in order to infuse greater efficiency into its operations and offer its customers the global excellence that Vodafone was famous for.
"From its humble beginnings in 1982, Vodafone has grown to become the world’s largest telecommunications company with operations in 26 countries and partner networks in 40 countries," he said, adding that the company had more than 70,000 employees and 290 million customers worldwide.
Mr Venn stated that since the arrival of Vodafone in the country in August, 2008, it had deployed new technology and introduced innovative world-class products and services to the Ghanaian market.
The company’s mobile network, he said, was currently recognised by industry observers and astute customers as the best quality network in Ghana.
Mr Venn said that was achieved through the execution of a planned and deliberate re-development and investment strategy, adding that the same strategy was being replicated across the country and in areas with Vodafone coverage in the Brong Ahafo Region.
According to him, the people could testify to the exceptional quality of the network since the launch of the Vodafone brand in Ghana.
Mr Venn said the company had always maintained a special relationship with the people of Brong Ahafo, adding that when no network was prepared to serve the region, GT stepped forward and provided mobile communication services for the people.
“We intend to deepen this special relationship with the region by extending our coverage to several parts where we are not available,” he stated.
In his response, Nana Nkrawiri reiterated the appeal of the traditional council to GT (now Vodafone) to construct a modern edifice to be christened ‘Vodafone House’ in place of an old office built through communal labour by the people of Sunyani in 1927.
The old building, he said, had been pulled down by the company to make way for the new one to match up with the Cocoa House, which is currently the highest building in the region with an elevator to befit the current status of the municipality.
Nana Nkrawiri expressed his appreciation to the CEO and his entourage for the visit and urged the company to replicate here its unique and quality services it offered in other countries.
GNAT ASKED TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT ...On single spine salary structure (PAGE 11)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, has appealed to the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to exercise restraint in its dealings with the government on the single spine salary structure.
The government, he noted was only a few months old in office and needed to look into the single spine salary structure well before its implementation.
He gave the assurance that the government was committed to improving the salaries and conditions of service of teachers in the country, while those incentive packages documented in the ruling government’s manifesto for the 2008 elections to motivate teachers, especially those in rural communities, would be implemented.
“The commitment by the government to give maximum attention to the welfare of teachers in the country was made explicit in the 2008 electioneering manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and therefore it would not renege on those promises,” he assured.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo made the appeal at the 2006-2007 Regional Best Teacher/Worker Awards ceremony held at the GNAT Hall at Bakoniaba in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital.
The delay in the organisation of the awards ceremony, according to the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES), was due to financial constraint.
In all, 52 deserving teachers and workers from the primary, junior and senior high schools, vocational and technical, as well as teacher training college levels in the region were honoured with prizes as fridges and ghetto blasters.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo called on teachers to continue to give their best while the government took the necessary steps to address their grievances and also urged them to eschew all negative practices towards work such as lateness, absenteeism and drunkenness, since they serve as role models in the communities they teach.
He also commended teachers in the region for their hard work through which some of them had won the national best teacher awards.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akua Akubour Debrah, expressed the hope that the awards would inspire and motivate all teachers to put in their maximum efforts to improve the standard of education in the country.
The Regional Secretary of GNAT, Mr Kwaku Asante Nketiah, called on the government to address the “unnecessary deductions on the salaries of teachers by the controller and acountant general’s department”.
The government, he noted was only a few months old in office and needed to look into the single spine salary structure well before its implementation.
He gave the assurance that the government was committed to improving the salaries and conditions of service of teachers in the country, while those incentive packages documented in the ruling government’s manifesto for the 2008 elections to motivate teachers, especially those in rural communities, would be implemented.
“The commitment by the government to give maximum attention to the welfare of teachers in the country was made explicit in the 2008 electioneering manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and therefore it would not renege on those promises,” he assured.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo made the appeal at the 2006-2007 Regional Best Teacher/Worker Awards ceremony held at the GNAT Hall at Bakoniaba in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital.
The delay in the organisation of the awards ceremony, according to the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES), was due to financial constraint.
In all, 52 deserving teachers and workers from the primary, junior and senior high schools, vocational and technical, as well as teacher training college levels in the region were honoured with prizes as fridges and ghetto blasters.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo called on teachers to continue to give their best while the government took the necessary steps to address their grievances and also urged them to eschew all negative practices towards work such as lateness, absenteeism and drunkenness, since they serve as role models in the communities they teach.
He also commended teachers in the region for their hard work through which some of them had won the national best teacher awards.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akua Akubour Debrah, expressed the hope that the awards would inspire and motivate all teachers to put in their maximum efforts to improve the standard of education in the country.
The Regional Secretary of GNAT, Mr Kwaku Asante Nketiah, called on the government to address the “unnecessary deductions on the salaries of teachers by the controller and acountant general’s department”.
Monday, April 20, 2009
AMERICAN NGO DONATES TO PUBILS (PAGE 40)
THE Samaritan Purse, a United States of America (USA) based Christian non-governmental organisation (NGO) has made available large quantities of educational and other learning materials for distribution to more than 4,000 pupils, especially those in less privileged and deprived communities in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The gesture is under the “Samaritan Purse-Operation Christmas Child” free gift project.
The project is aimed at imbibing Godly principles and virtues in schoolchildren, the future leaders of the country.
The project focuses on the distribution of small gift boxes containing educational and other learning materials to pupils in deprived communities to whip up their interest in education, encourage them to live by Godly principles and nurture them to become useful citizens of the country.
The gift boxes are from the Samaritan Purse while the distribution of the gift in the region is being done under the auspices of the Sunyani Gospel Ministers’ Network, a network of pastors and the National Leadership Team of Operation Christmas Child, the local representatives of the Samaritan Purse.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) is bearing the transportation cost of the items from Accra to the beneficiary communities.
The beneficiary areas in the region are the Sunyani Municipality, Sunyani West and the Tain Districts.
Distributing some of the items to pupils in schools at Kwatire, Adentia, Twumasikrom and Yawhima Compassion is Love in Action Orphanage, all in the Sunyani West District, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo expressed his appreciation to the donors of the items and urged the pupils to put them to good use.
The gesture is under the “Samaritan Purse-Operation Christmas Child” free gift project.
The project is aimed at imbibing Godly principles and virtues in schoolchildren, the future leaders of the country.
The project focuses on the distribution of small gift boxes containing educational and other learning materials to pupils in deprived communities to whip up their interest in education, encourage them to live by Godly principles and nurture them to become useful citizens of the country.
The gift boxes are from the Samaritan Purse while the distribution of the gift in the region is being done under the auspices of the Sunyani Gospel Ministers’ Network, a network of pastors and the National Leadership Team of Operation Christmas Child, the local representatives of the Samaritan Purse.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) is bearing the transportation cost of the items from Accra to the beneficiary communities.
The beneficiary areas in the region are the Sunyani Municipality, Sunyani West and the Tain Districts.
Distributing some of the items to pupils in schools at Kwatire, Adentia, Twumasikrom and Yawhima Compassion is Love in Action Orphanage, all in the Sunyani West District, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo expressed his appreciation to the donors of the items and urged the pupils to put them to good use.
NGO MAKES IMPACT IN 3 REGIONS (PAGE 40)
IN recent times, many private sector civil society organisations, especially non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country, have been contributing in diverse ways to the development in rural and deprived communities which are aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
Since the government alone cannot meet the needs of every community in the country,the NGOs, both local and foreign, have become partners with the government in a bid to ensure the sustainable development of the rural and deprived communities.
One of such locally-based NGOs that has played its part in ensuring that people in rural communities attain decent livelihoods as well as helping the country to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the Mission of Hope for Society Foundation (MIHOSO).
The NGO has its headquarters in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital.
MIHOSO currently works in the Kintampo North, Sunyani and Techiman municipalities; Kintampo South, Pru, Jaman North, Asutifi and Nkoranza districts, all the Brong Ahafo Region; Jirapa and Lambussie districts in the Upper West Region and the Bosomtwe, Atwima and Nwabiagya districts in the Ashanti Region.
The aim of the foundation, which is a human rights and social development NGO, is to ensure that women and children have access to basic social services, protection, and full recognition in development partnership.
The NGO does that through capacity building, rights-based advocacy, support for basic education, agro-forestry and food security, tourism promotion, health education, among others.
The NGO also shares and actively works with communities, policy makers and children to ensure that educational, agricultural and health programmes really empower vulnerable children and women for sustainable development.
As part of its development objectives, MIHOSO has contributed to the achievement of the universal basic education policy in the country, promoted gender equity and women’s rights to eliminate the vicious cycle of community-based poverty and hunger.
It has also promoted good environmental sanitation and provided primary health care services to keep women and children safe.
Besides, the NGO has carried out programmes to ensure social development in Ghana through advocacy concept and practices.
Over the last seven years, the foundation has been committed to its mission in the areas of community-centred development work, agro-forestry and food security, human rights advocacy in support of women and children, research in working communities and gender mainstreaming strategies.
MIHOSO has given basic education support to children engaged in the worst forms of labour such as children being trafficked, school dropouts, orphans,those engaged in street/farming work, fishing, mining and commercial sexual activities.
The NGO has organised health education and training in malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS.
In the Kintampo North Municipality and Kintampo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region, where MIHOSO has been operation for the past six years, it has been working in child rights protection, reproductive health education, People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) rights education and provision of support services to people affected by HIV/AIDS, women’s rights empowerment and social advocacy.
In the field of advocacy, the NGO is implementing child rights to basic education for all children, reproductive health rights, PLWHIV rights and women’s economic empowerment in Pru, Kimtampo, Asutifi, Jaman North and Asunafo districts.
In the Atwima district in Ashanti, reproductive health education with capacity building has been integrated and currently 120 pupils have been trained as child rights advocates in 15 communities in both the Kintampo North municipality and Kintampo South district.
In the Pru and Yeji districts, awareness of the impact of children being used in fishing activities has been raised in 10 communities by MIHOSO and 230 children engaged in fishing have been withdrawn, supported, rehabilitated and are in primary and junior high schools.
Two hundred community peer educators comprising 100 children and 100 adults have been trained on Children’s Law in Ghana and Advocacy Skills while 75 men and women have been trained on soap-making as alternative livelihood options and have been helped to start businesses.
The NGO has also supported 50 children in apprenticeship and acquiring vocational skills.
On basic education and child rights activities, MIHOSO works actively with the rural poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged children through capacity building, networking and media empowerment on basic rights to education and health.
The programme is being carried out by involving local leaders to advocate a desirable change for children and the implementation of child panels at district and sub-district levels to ensure that children have better and quality education at the grass root level.
On water, environmental and sanitation programmes, MIHOSO has also assisted communities in its operational areas by providing them with information to form their Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) committees, guiding them to acquire water and sanitation facilities; to own, operate and manage their facilities, and generally train and educate WATSAN and communities on sanitation and environmental management.
Currently, the NGO is implementing a project on sustainable land management practices, livelihood enterprise development and a development project in the Jirapa District in the Upper West Region.
The purpose of the project is to promote collaborative, sustainable land management practices in the selected communities through building of the capacity of farmers on innovative strategies for sustainable land management, introducing farmers to sustainable livelihood activities and developing access to market opportunities locally and globally.
According to the Executive Director of MIHOSO, Mr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the objectives of the project are to promote sustainable agricultural practices among farmers in the Jirapa, Tizza and Douri area to enable them to restore the degraded lands through forestry, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting.
It is also to support sustainable small ruminant and guinea fowl rearing as a livelihood supplement and support farmers to access fair and ready markets for their produce in order to increase their incomes, build and sustain the capacities of farmers to enable them to identify innovative strategies, approaches and models in linking trade and livelihoods to sustainable land management.
He said the NGO had been supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the district assemblies in the operational areas.
Since the government alone cannot meet the needs of every community in the country,the NGOs, both local and foreign, have become partners with the government in a bid to ensure the sustainable development of the rural and deprived communities.
One of such locally-based NGOs that has played its part in ensuring that people in rural communities attain decent livelihoods as well as helping the country to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the Mission of Hope for Society Foundation (MIHOSO).
The NGO has its headquarters in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital.
MIHOSO currently works in the Kintampo North, Sunyani and Techiman municipalities; Kintampo South, Pru, Jaman North, Asutifi and Nkoranza districts, all the Brong Ahafo Region; Jirapa and Lambussie districts in the Upper West Region and the Bosomtwe, Atwima and Nwabiagya districts in the Ashanti Region.
The aim of the foundation, which is a human rights and social development NGO, is to ensure that women and children have access to basic social services, protection, and full recognition in development partnership.
The NGO does that through capacity building, rights-based advocacy, support for basic education, agro-forestry and food security, tourism promotion, health education, among others.
The NGO also shares and actively works with communities, policy makers and children to ensure that educational, agricultural and health programmes really empower vulnerable children and women for sustainable development.
As part of its development objectives, MIHOSO has contributed to the achievement of the universal basic education policy in the country, promoted gender equity and women’s rights to eliminate the vicious cycle of community-based poverty and hunger.
It has also promoted good environmental sanitation and provided primary health care services to keep women and children safe.
Besides, the NGO has carried out programmes to ensure social development in Ghana through advocacy concept and practices.
Over the last seven years, the foundation has been committed to its mission in the areas of community-centred development work, agro-forestry and food security, human rights advocacy in support of women and children, research in working communities and gender mainstreaming strategies.
MIHOSO has given basic education support to children engaged in the worst forms of labour such as children being trafficked, school dropouts, orphans,those engaged in street/farming work, fishing, mining and commercial sexual activities.
The NGO has organised health education and training in malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS.
In the Kintampo North Municipality and Kintampo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region, where MIHOSO has been operation for the past six years, it has been working in child rights protection, reproductive health education, People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) rights education and provision of support services to people affected by HIV/AIDS, women’s rights empowerment and social advocacy.
In the field of advocacy, the NGO is implementing child rights to basic education for all children, reproductive health rights, PLWHIV rights and women’s economic empowerment in Pru, Kimtampo, Asutifi, Jaman North and Asunafo districts.
In the Atwima district in Ashanti, reproductive health education with capacity building has been integrated and currently 120 pupils have been trained as child rights advocates in 15 communities in both the Kintampo North municipality and Kintampo South district.
In the Pru and Yeji districts, awareness of the impact of children being used in fishing activities has been raised in 10 communities by MIHOSO and 230 children engaged in fishing have been withdrawn, supported, rehabilitated and are in primary and junior high schools.
Two hundred community peer educators comprising 100 children and 100 adults have been trained on Children’s Law in Ghana and Advocacy Skills while 75 men and women have been trained on soap-making as alternative livelihood options and have been helped to start businesses.
The NGO has also supported 50 children in apprenticeship and acquiring vocational skills.
On basic education and child rights activities, MIHOSO works actively with the rural poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged children through capacity building, networking and media empowerment on basic rights to education and health.
The programme is being carried out by involving local leaders to advocate a desirable change for children and the implementation of child panels at district and sub-district levels to ensure that children have better and quality education at the grass root level.
On water, environmental and sanitation programmes, MIHOSO has also assisted communities in its operational areas by providing them with information to form their Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) committees, guiding them to acquire water and sanitation facilities; to own, operate and manage their facilities, and generally train and educate WATSAN and communities on sanitation and environmental management.
Currently, the NGO is implementing a project on sustainable land management practices, livelihood enterprise development and a development project in the Jirapa District in the Upper West Region.
The purpose of the project is to promote collaborative, sustainable land management practices in the selected communities through building of the capacity of farmers on innovative strategies for sustainable land management, introducing farmers to sustainable livelihood activities and developing access to market opportunities locally and globally.
According to the Executive Director of MIHOSO, Mr Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the objectives of the project are to promote sustainable agricultural practices among farmers in the Jirapa, Tizza and Douri area to enable them to restore the degraded lands through forestry, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting.
It is also to support sustainable small ruminant and guinea fowl rearing as a livelihood supplement and support farmers to access fair and ready markets for their produce in order to increase their incomes, build and sustain the capacities of farmers to enable them to identify innovative strategies, approaches and models in linking trade and livelihoods to sustainable land management.
He said the NGO had been supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the district assemblies in the operational areas.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
NEWMOUNT RENDERS APOLOGY TO NTOTROSO PEOPLE (PAGE 22)
NEWMONT Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL), operators of the Ahafo mine, has rendered apologies to the chiefs and people of Ntotroso, one of the communities affected by the company’s operations in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The company’s apology followed the decision by the people not to allow the mining company to operate in an area in which the payment of compensation had delayed after Newmont had taken possession almost a year ago.
The people took the decision at a meeting with the company at Ntotroso last Friday to fix prices for their fish pond, village structures and wells which were acquired by the company but had since not paid any compensation to them.
The company made the apology through the chief of Ntortroso, Barima Twereku Ampem III immediately after the meeting. But despite the apology, the aggrieved people prevented the company from entering the area for four days and security personnel had to intervene to persuade them before they rescinded their decision for negotiations to continue.
According to the people, in 2004, the same company paid GH¢65,000 as maximum and GH¢1,300 minimum compensation package for the same type and value of village structure, adding that despite inadequate compensation, the company had also delayed in payment.
In response, Mr Emmanuel Ato Aubyn, the Community Relations Manager of Newmont said a committee had been set up by the company to deal with issues concerning resettlement and relocation so no other person or group could by-pass the committee when it came to matters of such nature.
He stated that it would therefore be in the interest of the community to write to the Resettlement Negotiation Committee to beg it to revisit the compensation package that had been agreed upon earlier.
The Executive Director of Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), Mr Richard Adjei-Poku, who was the Technical Advisor at the meeting, debunked the assertions by the company’s community relations manager that communities affected by mining should write to plead for compensations that were due them before they were paid.
He explained that based on Article 20 Clause 2 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, “Compulsory acquisition of property shall only be made under a law which makes provision for the prompt payment of fair and adequate compensation”.
He added that while Clause 3 of the same Act states, “A compulsory acquisition or possession of land affected by the state which involves displacement of any inhabitants, the state shall resettle the displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic well-being and social and cultural values”.
Mr Adjei-Poku also read Section 72 sub-section 3 of the New Minerals and Mining Law of 2006, which states that “The amount of compensation payable shall be determined by agreement between the parties but if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as the amount of compensation, the matter shall be referred by either party to the minister who shall, in consultation with the government agency responsible for land valuation and subject to this Act, determine the compensation payable by the holder of the mineral right”, adding that at that level there as a provision which allowed any of the party who felt dissatisfied to go to court,” to buttress his point.
He, therefore, condemned the company’s decision that the RNC was the only body to deal with resettlement and relocation issues, and the statement that the community should write to the committee to revisit the compensation package they had already agreed on.
The executive director of LEG again stated that the RNC did not have the true representation of the communities affected by mining since some of the people serving on the committee were there on the ticket of ghost communities, (those which were no more in existence) such as Bonaa, Kwakyekrom, Subriagyei, among others.
Mr Adjei-Poku alleged that government officials such as those from the Town and Country Planning, Land Valuation Board, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Social Welfare, which were supposed to give advice, were rather taking the decisions in the interest of the company.
He, therefore, urged those officials to put a stop to that practice.
Mr Adjei-Poku called for the election of the moderator of the RNC by members representing all the affected communities instead of him or her being appointed by the mining company which always sides by its decisions to the detriment of the communities.
The company’s apology followed the decision by the people not to allow the mining company to operate in an area in which the payment of compensation had delayed after Newmont had taken possession almost a year ago.
The people took the decision at a meeting with the company at Ntotroso last Friday to fix prices for their fish pond, village structures and wells which were acquired by the company but had since not paid any compensation to them.
The company made the apology through the chief of Ntortroso, Barima Twereku Ampem III immediately after the meeting. But despite the apology, the aggrieved people prevented the company from entering the area for four days and security personnel had to intervene to persuade them before they rescinded their decision for negotiations to continue.
According to the people, in 2004, the same company paid GH¢65,000 as maximum and GH¢1,300 minimum compensation package for the same type and value of village structure, adding that despite inadequate compensation, the company had also delayed in payment.
In response, Mr Emmanuel Ato Aubyn, the Community Relations Manager of Newmont said a committee had been set up by the company to deal with issues concerning resettlement and relocation so no other person or group could by-pass the committee when it came to matters of such nature.
He stated that it would therefore be in the interest of the community to write to the Resettlement Negotiation Committee to beg it to revisit the compensation package that had been agreed upon earlier.
The Executive Director of Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), Mr Richard Adjei-Poku, who was the Technical Advisor at the meeting, debunked the assertions by the company’s community relations manager that communities affected by mining should write to plead for compensations that were due them before they were paid.
He explained that based on Article 20 Clause 2 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, “Compulsory acquisition of property shall only be made under a law which makes provision for the prompt payment of fair and adequate compensation”.
He added that while Clause 3 of the same Act states, “A compulsory acquisition or possession of land affected by the state which involves displacement of any inhabitants, the state shall resettle the displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic well-being and social and cultural values”.
Mr Adjei-Poku also read Section 72 sub-section 3 of the New Minerals and Mining Law of 2006, which states that “The amount of compensation payable shall be determined by agreement between the parties but if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as the amount of compensation, the matter shall be referred by either party to the minister who shall, in consultation with the government agency responsible for land valuation and subject to this Act, determine the compensation payable by the holder of the mineral right”, adding that at that level there as a provision which allowed any of the party who felt dissatisfied to go to court,” to buttress his point.
He, therefore, condemned the company’s decision that the RNC was the only body to deal with resettlement and relocation issues, and the statement that the community should write to the committee to revisit the compensation package they had already agreed on.
The executive director of LEG again stated that the RNC did not have the true representation of the communities affected by mining since some of the people serving on the committee were there on the ticket of ghost communities, (those which were no more in existence) such as Bonaa, Kwakyekrom, Subriagyei, among others.
Mr Adjei-Poku alleged that government officials such as those from the Town and Country Planning, Land Valuation Board, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Social Welfare, which were supposed to give advice, were rather taking the decisions in the interest of the company.
He, therefore, urged those officials to put a stop to that practice.
Mr Adjei-Poku called for the election of the moderator of the RNC by members representing all the affected communities instead of him or her being appointed by the mining company which always sides by its decisions to the detriment of the communities.
WOMEN, CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TO OPEN DISTRICT OFFICES (BACK PAGE)
THE Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs is to open offices in the various district capitals to monitor the activities of children, especially girls.
The programme, which would be piloted in some selected districts in the country this year, is also to whip up interest in the education of girls in rural and deprived communities to ensure that they remain in school and are encouraged to attain greater heights in life.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day conference in Sunyani for selected girls from primary and junior high schools in 37 communities in the Asutifi and Tain districts of the Brong Ahafo Region.
It was on the theme; “Catch Them young — nurturing girls for leadership”.
The conference, organised by ActionAid, Ghana, was aimed at building their self-confidence, nurturing them for leadership in their various schools and for the future.
The girls were exposed to ideas that would challenge them to work hard to reach their highest potential and treated to topics such as career development, assertiveness and management of peer pressure, violence against girls and adolescent reproductive health.
Mr Opoku disclosed further that the government would also distribute solar panels to communities which did not have electricity to provide light to enable schoolchildren to learn in the evenings under the supervision of a teacher.
He stated that the government had also directed that 60 per cent of government scholarships for junior high school graduates to the senior high schools should be offered to girls, especially those from rural and deprived communities this year, while 40 per cent was to go to boys.
The deputy regional minister said the various district assemblies had been tasked to set aside two per cent of their Common Fund to support education, especially in assisting students who pass the Basic Education Certificate Examination and could not pay the initial admission fees at the senior high school level.
He said the Member of Parliament’s Common Fund had also been increased from five to seven per cent to give support in the same direction.
Mr Opoku called on the participants to study hard so as to attain their aspirations in life and shun all anti-social activities that could jeopardise their future.
In her welcoming address, Madam Christina Amarchey, the Brong Ahafo Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid, Ghana, bemoaned the low representation of women in decision-making.
She stated that currently in the region, the number of elected assemblywomen stood at 58, which she said was negligible as compared to the huge number of elected assembly men.
This situation, Madam Amarchey said, was even worse if the results of the recent parliamentary elections were considered since there was no female MP from the Brong Ahafo Region.
She, therefore, called on political and traditional leaders as well as the general public to make conscious efforts to promote the political rights of women and girls.
The programme, which would be piloted in some selected districts in the country this year, is also to whip up interest in the education of girls in rural and deprived communities to ensure that they remain in school and are encouraged to attain greater heights in life.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day conference in Sunyani for selected girls from primary and junior high schools in 37 communities in the Asutifi and Tain districts of the Brong Ahafo Region.
It was on the theme; “Catch Them young — nurturing girls for leadership”.
The conference, organised by ActionAid, Ghana, was aimed at building their self-confidence, nurturing them for leadership in their various schools and for the future.
The girls were exposed to ideas that would challenge them to work hard to reach their highest potential and treated to topics such as career development, assertiveness and management of peer pressure, violence against girls and adolescent reproductive health.
Mr Opoku disclosed further that the government would also distribute solar panels to communities which did not have electricity to provide light to enable schoolchildren to learn in the evenings under the supervision of a teacher.
He stated that the government had also directed that 60 per cent of government scholarships for junior high school graduates to the senior high schools should be offered to girls, especially those from rural and deprived communities this year, while 40 per cent was to go to boys.
The deputy regional minister said the various district assemblies had been tasked to set aside two per cent of their Common Fund to support education, especially in assisting students who pass the Basic Education Certificate Examination and could not pay the initial admission fees at the senior high school level.
He said the Member of Parliament’s Common Fund had also been increased from five to seven per cent to give support in the same direction.
Mr Opoku called on the participants to study hard so as to attain their aspirations in life and shun all anti-social activities that could jeopardise their future.
In her welcoming address, Madam Christina Amarchey, the Brong Ahafo Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid, Ghana, bemoaned the low representation of women in decision-making.
She stated that currently in the region, the number of elected assemblywomen stood at 58, which she said was negligible as compared to the huge number of elected assembly men.
This situation, Madam Amarchey said, was even worse if the results of the recent parliamentary elections were considered since there was no female MP from the Brong Ahafo Region.
She, therefore, called on political and traditional leaders as well as the general public to make conscious efforts to promote the political rights of women and girls.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
RESIDENTS OF BA WAIT PREZ'S NOMINATION (PAGE 15)
A cross-section of Sunyani residents, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital, have expressed worry about the non-inclusion of the region in terms of the nominations of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (M/MDCEs) announced early this week.
According to them, they do not understand the delay in the release of those nominated for approval by the various assemblies because the region was the second to vet those who applied for the job after the Ashanti Region had concluded its vetting for the M/MDCEs.
Some of the interviewees, however, said they were patiently waiting to see those who would get the nod.
They further stated that the delay might be as a result of people pulling strings to field their favourites against the will of the majority.
They said even though the Presidency had the sole prerogative in the appointing chief executives for the various assemblies, they would not forgive any ‘misjudgement’ on the part of the appointing authority, adding that the right thing should be done to ensure peace and commitment in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Some supporters of the NDC were of the view that only committed, dedicated, development oriented and competent members should be appointed to execute the government’s agenda.
They threatened that if the right thing was not done, the mayhem that characterised the earlier announcement of appointees could be repeated in the Brong Ahafo Region.
This is because the delay has fuelled the perception that those that were pencilled for the position after the vetting might not get the job because some power brokers want to play ‘last minute chest game’.
Mr Kofi Ankyera, Tano North NDC Constituency Secretary, for his part, said “we were expecting that party faithful who are dedicated and committed would be given the nod”.
He stated further that it was on that basis that the vetting committees were set up and those who were vetted and shortlisted for the positions were appointed.
“If these principles were followed then we do not expect that those violent protests that were witnessed in some places in connection with the announcement of the President’s nominees would occur in the region.”
Mr Kofi Adu-Gyamfi Kumaning, a public servant, said the only problem he had was the delay in announcing those who had been nominated by the President for approval by the various assemblies in the region.
He stated that he did not understand why some people should protest against the President’s choice of nominees for the post because the President would be held responsible for the decisions of the team he selects to ‘play’ in his government.
Mr Nicholas Lenin Anane-Agyei, the former DCE for Tano North, said those to be nominated should be well known in their constituencies and the reason why the announcement had attracted protest was that those named were not known.
He added that the genuine concerns raised by the protestors should be considered by the appointing authority in order to restore peace, but if those protests were being instigated by any of the interested parties who did not get the nod or a community, it should be ignored.
According to them, they do not understand the delay in the release of those nominated for approval by the various assemblies because the region was the second to vet those who applied for the job after the Ashanti Region had concluded its vetting for the M/MDCEs.
Some of the interviewees, however, said they were patiently waiting to see those who would get the nod.
They further stated that the delay might be as a result of people pulling strings to field their favourites against the will of the majority.
They said even though the Presidency had the sole prerogative in the appointing chief executives for the various assemblies, they would not forgive any ‘misjudgement’ on the part of the appointing authority, adding that the right thing should be done to ensure peace and commitment in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Some supporters of the NDC were of the view that only committed, dedicated, development oriented and competent members should be appointed to execute the government’s agenda.
They threatened that if the right thing was not done, the mayhem that characterised the earlier announcement of appointees could be repeated in the Brong Ahafo Region.
This is because the delay has fuelled the perception that those that were pencilled for the position after the vetting might not get the job because some power brokers want to play ‘last minute chest game’.
Mr Kofi Ankyera, Tano North NDC Constituency Secretary, for his part, said “we were expecting that party faithful who are dedicated and committed would be given the nod”.
He stated further that it was on that basis that the vetting committees were set up and those who were vetted and shortlisted for the positions were appointed.
“If these principles were followed then we do not expect that those violent protests that were witnessed in some places in connection with the announcement of the President’s nominees would occur in the region.”
Mr Kofi Adu-Gyamfi Kumaning, a public servant, said the only problem he had was the delay in announcing those who had been nominated by the President for approval by the various assemblies in the region.
He stated that he did not understand why some people should protest against the President’s choice of nominees for the post because the President would be held responsible for the decisions of the team he selects to ‘play’ in his government.
Mr Nicholas Lenin Anane-Agyei, the former DCE for Tano North, said those to be nominated should be well known in their constituencies and the reason why the announcement had attracted protest was that those named were not known.
He added that the genuine concerns raised by the protestors should be considered by the appointing authority in order to restore peace, but if those protests were being instigated by any of the interested parties who did not get the nod or a community, it should be ignored.
FIRE DESTROYS DWENEM CHIEF'S HOUSE (BACK PAGE)
FIRE has destroyed a greater part of the nine-bedroom private residence of the paramount chief of Dwenem Traditional Area in the Brong-Ahafo Region.
The residence of Nana Bofo Bene IV, the Omanhene, which is located at Low Cost Area, Odumase, in the Sunyani West District, caught fire in the early hours of last Thursday.
No casualty was recorded but the personal belongings of Nana Bene, including his Nissan Premera saloon car, educational certificates, jewels, traditional regalia and some vital documents belonging to the Dwenem Traditional Council, the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs were completely destroyed by the fire.
Nana Bene, who is also an Assistant Director in charge of Finance and Administration at the Sunyani Municipal Education Directorate, told the Daily Graphic that he had retired to bed after their normal family prayers at around 1 am when he heard an unusual noise in the garage, which was close to his bedroom.
According to him, he thought the noise he heard was caused by a rainstorm because of the thick clouds that had formed that night, but after 30 minutes, he saw that it was a fire outbreak that had begun from the garage where the car was parked.
Nana Bene, known in private life as Mr Samuel Takyi Ampofo, said since his bedroom was next to the garage, he got up immediately and alerted members of his family, including his wife, who began to pack some personal belongings from the various rooms at 1:30 a.m.
He said he had difficulty in reaching the fire service personnel for assistance until 2:40 a.m. when personnel of the Sunyani Municipal Fire Command came in to assist to put out the fire, at which time the fire had completely destroyed the garage, his bedroom and everything in them, including his car and other personal belongings, which he estimated at over GH¢20,000.
The Sunyani Municipal Fire Officer, Mr Kwesi Baffour Awuah, confirmed the fire outbreak, which he described as domestic.
He said the cause of the fire was electrical, which started from the garage and spread to the master bedroom.
Mr Awuah, who is also a Divisional Fire Officer Grade Three, said the command received the distress call at 2:38 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 2:42 a.m. while his men who attended to the fire were able to put out the fire around 3:20 a.m.
The residence of Nana Bofo Bene IV, the Omanhene, which is located at Low Cost Area, Odumase, in the Sunyani West District, caught fire in the early hours of last Thursday.
No casualty was recorded but the personal belongings of Nana Bene, including his Nissan Premera saloon car, educational certificates, jewels, traditional regalia and some vital documents belonging to the Dwenem Traditional Council, the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs were completely destroyed by the fire.
Nana Bene, who is also an Assistant Director in charge of Finance and Administration at the Sunyani Municipal Education Directorate, told the Daily Graphic that he had retired to bed after their normal family prayers at around 1 am when he heard an unusual noise in the garage, which was close to his bedroom.
According to him, he thought the noise he heard was caused by a rainstorm because of the thick clouds that had formed that night, but after 30 minutes, he saw that it was a fire outbreak that had begun from the garage where the car was parked.
Nana Bene, known in private life as Mr Samuel Takyi Ampofo, said since his bedroom was next to the garage, he got up immediately and alerted members of his family, including his wife, who began to pack some personal belongings from the various rooms at 1:30 a.m.
He said he had difficulty in reaching the fire service personnel for assistance until 2:40 a.m. when personnel of the Sunyani Municipal Fire Command came in to assist to put out the fire, at which time the fire had completely destroyed the garage, his bedroom and everything in them, including his car and other personal belongings, which he estimated at over GH¢20,000.
The Sunyani Municipal Fire Officer, Mr Kwesi Baffour Awuah, confirmed the fire outbreak, which he described as domestic.
He said the cause of the fire was electrical, which started from the garage and spread to the master bedroom.
Mr Awuah, who is also a Divisional Fire Officer Grade Three, said the command received the distress call at 2:38 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 2:42 a.m. while his men who attended to the fire were able to put out the fire around 3:20 a.m.
Monday, April 6, 2009
CASHEW FARMERS APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT (GRAPHIC NSEMPA, PAGE 15)
By Samuel Duodu, Nsawkaw
CASHEW farmers in the Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region have appealed to the government to promote cashew since it has an international market value like other crops such as cocoa.
They further appealed to the government to give adequate attention to the crop just like cocoa and called for assistance such as soft loans as well as farm inputs to boost its production.
According to them, when cashew was given the needed attention just like cocoa, coffee and other cash crops that had a foreign exchange value, it would not only encourage the youth to go into its production but would also help generate income for the country.
The farmers who made the appeal in an interview with Graphic Nsempa at Nsawkaw, also appealed to the government and other private companies to establish facilities that could process the cashew and add adequate value to the product before marketing.
This, they said would also provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the district and its environs.
If the commodity is processed, it can produce oil, alcohol, juices, animal feed, among others, but the farmers expressed regret that they were making little or no profit for their livelihoods.
The cashew tree has a life span of 70 years and its fruit and nuts have high economic values.
The Tain District is one of the cashew production areas in the Brong Ahafo Region, apart from Sampa and Techiman in the Jaman North District and the Techiman Municipality.
Currently, cashew nut prices in the Tain district have started on a good note this farming season. Graphic Nsempa findings indicate that 80 kilograms (kgs) of cashew knit cost GH¢32.
Some Cashew farmers who spoke to Graphic Nsempa said it was a good start compared with the same period last year when 80kgs traded for Gh¢22.
According to a purchasing clerk, Mr Sulemann Zadam, who had been in the industry for the past seven years, there had been negotiations with their Indian trading partners, who had agreed to stabilise the price at Gp40 per kilogram, adding that the price would be revised as production increased.
Some of the farmers who spoke to Graphic Nsempa were optimistic that production would be at a record high this year considering the decline in bush fires and the ample rainfall recorded last year.
CASHEW farmers in the Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region have appealed to the government to promote cashew since it has an international market value like other crops such as cocoa.
They further appealed to the government to give adequate attention to the crop just like cocoa and called for assistance such as soft loans as well as farm inputs to boost its production.
According to them, when cashew was given the needed attention just like cocoa, coffee and other cash crops that had a foreign exchange value, it would not only encourage the youth to go into its production but would also help generate income for the country.
The farmers who made the appeal in an interview with Graphic Nsempa at Nsawkaw, also appealed to the government and other private companies to establish facilities that could process the cashew and add adequate value to the product before marketing.
This, they said would also provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youth in the district and its environs.
If the commodity is processed, it can produce oil, alcohol, juices, animal feed, among others, but the farmers expressed regret that they were making little or no profit for their livelihoods.
The cashew tree has a life span of 70 years and its fruit and nuts have high economic values.
The Tain District is one of the cashew production areas in the Brong Ahafo Region, apart from Sampa and Techiman in the Jaman North District and the Techiman Municipality.
Currently, cashew nut prices in the Tain district have started on a good note this farming season. Graphic Nsempa findings indicate that 80 kilograms (kgs) of cashew knit cost GH¢32.
Some Cashew farmers who spoke to Graphic Nsempa said it was a good start compared with the same period last year when 80kgs traded for Gh¢22.
According to a purchasing clerk, Mr Sulemann Zadam, who had been in the industry for the past seven years, there had been negotiations with their Indian trading partners, who had agreed to stabilise the price at Gp40 per kilogram, adding that the price would be revised as production increased.
Some of the farmers who spoke to Graphic Nsempa were optimistic that production would be at a record high this year considering the decline in bush fires and the ample rainfall recorded last year.
SO FAR, SO GOOD — Augustine Asante (GRAPHIC NSEMPA, BACK PAGE)
By Samuel Duodu, Sunyani
THE Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association, Mr Augustine Asante has described this year’s Division One League in the region as peaceful.
According to him, with the support of the police and the military, this season has so far not recorded any hooliganism in the entire league centres.
Mr Asante who disclosed this in an interview with Graphic Nsempa in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital also said officiating so far had not been bad, but added that there was still room for improvement.
He disclosed that so far no team participating in the league in the region had lodged a protest, but noted that he heard on a certain radio station in Sunyani that Berlin FC and Aduana Stars had made a protest against Brong Ahafo (BA) United for fielding an unqualified player.
Mr Asante was however quick to add that his outfit had not received any protect against BA United from the two teams.
He stated that the performance level of the teams participating in this year’s league in the region was high and commendable and urged the teams to keep up the healthy competition.
The regional chairman mentioned three teams from the zone whose performances were so high, as BA United, Kintampo United and Bechem United.
He debunked the assertions and rumours making the rounds in town that BA United was using political influence to win all its matches and mentioned the teams from the zone as BA United, Bofoakwa Tano, Moonlight Football Club (FC), all Sunyani-based, Berlin FC from Berekum, Aduana Stars from Dormaa Ahenkro, Bechem United from Bechem, Techiman Roving Rovers from Techiman and Kintampo United from Kintampo.
THE Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association, Mr Augustine Asante has described this year’s Division One League in the region as peaceful.
According to him, with the support of the police and the military, this season has so far not recorded any hooliganism in the entire league centres.
Mr Asante who disclosed this in an interview with Graphic Nsempa in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo Regional capital also said officiating so far had not been bad, but added that there was still room for improvement.
He disclosed that so far no team participating in the league in the region had lodged a protest, but noted that he heard on a certain radio station in Sunyani that Berlin FC and Aduana Stars had made a protest against Brong Ahafo (BA) United for fielding an unqualified player.
Mr Asante was however quick to add that his outfit had not received any protect against BA United from the two teams.
He stated that the performance level of the teams participating in this year’s league in the region was high and commendable and urged the teams to keep up the healthy competition.
The regional chairman mentioned three teams from the zone whose performances were so high, as BA United, Kintampo United and Bechem United.
He debunked the assertions and rumours making the rounds in town that BA United was using political influence to win all its matches and mentioned the teams from the zone as BA United, Bofoakwa Tano, Moonlight Football Club (FC), all Sunyani-based, Berlin FC from Berekum, Aduana Stars from Dormaa Ahenkro, Bechem United from Bechem, Techiman Roving Rovers from Techiman and Kintampo United from Kintampo.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
USE GOLDEN JUBILEE TO RESOLVE CHIEFTAINCY DISPUTES (PAGE 51)
THE new Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, has appealed to Nananom to use the golden jubilee celebration of the creation of the region to resolve the numerous chieftaincy disputes that have bedevilled the region.
He said statistics available indicated that there were about 58 chieftaincy disputes currently pending before the regional house of chiefs.
Mr Opoku, therefore, urged the chiefs to take advantage of the golden jubilee to speed up the development of the region.
Mr Opoku made the appeal when he called on the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawirie II, at his palace in Sunyani on his assumption of duty as the Deputy Regional Minister.
He appealed to the feuding factions in the disputes to do away with their entrenched positions in the matter and resort to dialogue for the peaceful settlement of the cases.
The Brong Ahafo Region was created on April 4, 1959 by the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory, so Saturday, April 4, 2009 is exactly 50 years when the region was created.
According to him, the chieftaincy disputes in some parts of the region had retarded the development of the affected areas, and therefore implored those involved to give peace a chance, since it was the pre-requisite for development.
Mr Opoku seized the opportunity to thank the chiefs and people in the region for their various roles they played during the December 2008 general election.
“With the dust settling on last December’s election, we should all come together as one people so that the peace needed for the rapid development of the region can be achieved”, he emphasised.
Mr Opoku pledged that he would work assiduously and assist the regional minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, to ensure the success of his administration.
Touching on the yet to be appointed Municipal and District Executives (MDCEs) to the various municipal and district assemblies in the region, Mr Opoku reiterated the appeal made by the regional minister for Nananom to give their support and co-operation to anybody who would be appointed by the President to become a Municipal or District Chief Executive.
He stated that the NDC led government under President J.E.A. Mills was on track and would deliver on its campaign promises, and for that matter urged the people to exercise restraint since the government was on course.
Earlier in a welcome address, Nana Nkrawirie commended the President for ensuring geographical balance in his appointments, since the Deputy Regional Minister was from the Ahafo area, that is Sankore in the Asunafo South District, while the regional minister was from the Brong side.
He stressed that the President’s appointments should unite the people in the region since it was through traditional rulers from both sides of the region that were in the forefront for the creation of the region on April 4, 1959, two years after the country attained its independence.
Nana Nkrawirie stated that it was during the NDC era under former President Rawlings that the region celebrated its 40th anniversary of its creation and now it is another NDC government under President Mills that the region was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
He called on the deputy minister who was then part of the planning committee for the 40th anniversary celebration of the creation of the region to bring his expertise to bear on the 50th anniversary.
Present at the ceremony was the Queen of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Nyamaa II.
He said statistics available indicated that there were about 58 chieftaincy disputes currently pending before the regional house of chiefs.
Mr Opoku, therefore, urged the chiefs to take advantage of the golden jubilee to speed up the development of the region.
Mr Opoku made the appeal when he called on the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawirie II, at his palace in Sunyani on his assumption of duty as the Deputy Regional Minister.
He appealed to the feuding factions in the disputes to do away with their entrenched positions in the matter and resort to dialogue for the peaceful settlement of the cases.
The Brong Ahafo Region was created on April 4, 1959 by the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory, so Saturday, April 4, 2009 is exactly 50 years when the region was created.
According to him, the chieftaincy disputes in some parts of the region had retarded the development of the affected areas, and therefore implored those involved to give peace a chance, since it was the pre-requisite for development.
Mr Opoku seized the opportunity to thank the chiefs and people in the region for their various roles they played during the December 2008 general election.
“With the dust settling on last December’s election, we should all come together as one people so that the peace needed for the rapid development of the region can be achieved”, he emphasised.
Mr Opoku pledged that he would work assiduously and assist the regional minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, to ensure the success of his administration.
Touching on the yet to be appointed Municipal and District Executives (MDCEs) to the various municipal and district assemblies in the region, Mr Opoku reiterated the appeal made by the regional minister for Nananom to give their support and co-operation to anybody who would be appointed by the President to become a Municipal or District Chief Executive.
He stated that the NDC led government under President J.E.A. Mills was on track and would deliver on its campaign promises, and for that matter urged the people to exercise restraint since the government was on course.
Earlier in a welcome address, Nana Nkrawirie commended the President for ensuring geographical balance in his appointments, since the Deputy Regional Minister was from the Ahafo area, that is Sankore in the Asunafo South District, while the regional minister was from the Brong side.
He stressed that the President’s appointments should unite the people in the region since it was through traditional rulers from both sides of the region that were in the forefront for the creation of the region on April 4, 1959, two years after the country attained its independence.
Nana Nkrawirie stated that it was during the NDC era under former President Rawlings that the region celebrated its 40th anniversary of its creation and now it is another NDC government under President Mills that the region was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
He called on the deputy minister who was then part of the planning committee for the 40th anniversary celebration of the creation of the region to bring his expertise to bear on the 50th anniversary.
Present at the ceremony was the Queen of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Nyamaa II.
POLICE INITIATE MOVES TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS (PAGE 21)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Command of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), has stepped up an educational campaign and strict enforcement of the road traffic regulations in the region.
The move is to minimise the recent spate of road accidents in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
During the first quarter of this year, the region recorded 64 deaths through road accidents, compared to the six deaths recorded during the same period last year.
The Regional MTTU Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Paul Wesley Baah, made this known to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani.
He said the move was also aimed at checking indisciplined behaviour on the part of drivers and other road users.
Mr Baah stated that the command had also stepped up road traffic management in the big towns in the region to check decongestion.
He added that the command had, therefore, deployed more police personnel to manage traffic at vantage points in cities and towns in the region.
According the regional MTTU commander, the largest number of deaths in a single accident occurred at Kawanpe on the Kintampo-Tamale road early this year which claimed 28 lives.
Mr Baah mentioned the accident prone areas in the region as Techiman-Jema-Kintampo and Kintampo-Tamale roads.
He, therefore, appealed to drivers, especially those who handle articulated and cargo trucks on the portions of those roads to be cautious, stressing that they must display their reflectors (triangles) 20 metres away from the spots where their vehicles break down to serve as warning to the oncoming motorists.
Mr Baah attributed some of the road accidents in the region to complete disregard for road safety and fatigue driving.
He said since every driver could be tired after driving continuously for four hours, the motorists must take a rest for at least 30 minutes before continuing with the journey.
Mr Baah stated that fatigue driving and speeding had been identified as the major causes of road accidents. In view of this, the National Headquarters of the Police MTTU had proposed the re-introduction of the log system to check these problems.
He called on motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations contained in the Ghana Highway Code to reduce road accidents.
Mr Baah further stated that the command had introduced the use of radar guns to check speeding.
He therefore, urged the general public to co-operate to ensure safety on the roads.
The move is to minimise the recent spate of road accidents in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
During the first quarter of this year, the region recorded 64 deaths through road accidents, compared to the six deaths recorded during the same period last year.
The Regional MTTU Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Paul Wesley Baah, made this known to the Daily Graphic in Sunyani.
He said the move was also aimed at checking indisciplined behaviour on the part of drivers and other road users.
Mr Baah stated that the command had also stepped up road traffic management in the big towns in the region to check decongestion.
He added that the command had, therefore, deployed more police personnel to manage traffic at vantage points in cities and towns in the region.
According the regional MTTU commander, the largest number of deaths in a single accident occurred at Kawanpe on the Kintampo-Tamale road early this year which claimed 28 lives.
Mr Baah mentioned the accident prone areas in the region as Techiman-Jema-Kintampo and Kintampo-Tamale roads.
He, therefore, appealed to drivers, especially those who handle articulated and cargo trucks on the portions of those roads to be cautious, stressing that they must display their reflectors (triangles) 20 metres away from the spots where their vehicles break down to serve as warning to the oncoming motorists.
Mr Baah attributed some of the road accidents in the region to complete disregard for road safety and fatigue driving.
He said since every driver could be tired after driving continuously for four hours, the motorists must take a rest for at least 30 minutes before continuing with the journey.
Mr Baah stated that fatigue driving and speeding had been identified as the major causes of road accidents. In view of this, the National Headquarters of the Police MTTU had proposed the re-introduction of the log system to check these problems.
He called on motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations contained in the Ghana Highway Code to reduce road accidents.
Mr Baah further stated that the command had introduced the use of radar guns to check speeding.
He therefore, urged the general public to co-operate to ensure safety on the roads.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
CHELSEA PIP HASMAL (BACK PAGE)
Bechem Chelsea yesterday defeated Sekondi Hasaacas by a lone goal scored three minutes inside injury time by substitute Ernest Adoma to secure the maximum points in their Glo Premier League match at the Sunyani Coronation Park.
Adoma tapped home the match winner from a quick free-kick awarded his side by Accra-based class one referee, Charles Dowuona, beating goalkeeper Sadik Sackey in post for the visitors.
The goal did not go down well with the Hasmal boys who protested vehemently to no avail.
Some players and officials of Hasaacas rained insults on the referee after the match, but the heavy police presence at the park prevented them from attacking him.
Adoma tapped home the match winner from a quick free-kick awarded his side by Accra-based class one referee, Charles Dowuona, beating goalkeeper Sadik Sackey in post for the visitors.
The goal did not go down well with the Hasmal boys who protested vehemently to no avail.
Some players and officials of Hasaacas rained insults on the referee after the match, but the heavy police presence at the park prevented them from attacking him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)