Monday, December 28, 2009

FARMERS TRAINED TO INCREASE YIELDS (PAGE 23, DEC 28)

AFive-year development programme dubbed “Multi-Year Assistance Programme” (MYAP), has been held for farmers at Watro, a farming community in the Atebubu/Amantin District in Brong Ahafo.
The programme is aimed at increasing the productivity and production of farmers through improved skills to fight poverty and ensure food security in four selected districts in the Brong Ahafo and Northern regions
In all, 55 farmers groups in 48 farming communities in the four selected districts - Sene, Pru, Atebubu-Amantin districts in Brong Ahafo and East Gonja in the Northern Region benefited from the programme implemented by TechnoServe, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
During the programme, which began in 2005 and ended in December, this year, 325 tonnes of a capacity warehouse with 224 metre square drying patio each were constructed in 18 communities of the four beneficiary districts.
Twelve multi -crop- demonstration farms were also established in 12 separate communities in the four beneficiary districts for 10,000 farmers.
About 1,200 farmers were also provided with farm inputs, grains ranging from improved seeds, garden lines and fertilisers among others to increase their yields.
Three hundred and thirty three adults learners, mostly women were also supported during the programme to undertake functional literacy numeric lessons.
Communities with acute water problems were provided with boreholes and rain harvesting facilities to address the problem of water-borne diseases.
At the durbar, Mr Theophilus Adjei, the acting Senior Programme Adviser to TechnoServe, said the objectives of the programme were to increase the incomes of the beneficiaries through enhanced agricultural marketing and strengthen the capacity of local organisation to carry out food security interventions at the community levels.
He said the beneficiaries of the programme were also trained in post-harvest activities and inventory credit through TechnoServe “trainers” workshops and the formation of farmers associations.
The programme greatly improved the quality of life of the farmers who had been introduced to new improved methodologies as well as the provision of infrastructure.
Mr Adjei stated further that farmers in the beneficiary districts had understood the need for business planning and management of their costs to ensure increased profits while they had been encouraged to deposit monthly savings in the group’s bank accounts and stock warehouse.
To ensure the sustainability of the gains made, he said, TechnoServe, through USAID, would provide the Department of Co-operatives, a government agency, with the needed logistics to continue with the project and assist the farmers to apply what they had learnt for their mutual benefit.
Mr Adjei commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Crop Research Institute, Department of Co-operatives, Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education and other NGOs for their support to meet the MYAP objectives.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, the District Chief Executive for Atebubu-Amantin, Mr Sanja Nanja, praised TechnoServe and its collaborators for supporting the farmers in the past years to improve their production, increase their incomes and also ensure food security.
He said TecnoServe would be remembered by the assembly as one of the most cherished development partners in the four beneficiary districts and pledged the collaboration of the assemblies to the Department of Co-operatives to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

UPHOLD NEW CHIEFTAINCY ACT (PAGE 35, DEC 24)

A legal practitioner, Mr Peter K. O. Mensah, has urged traditional rulers to jealously guard and uphold the new Chieftaincy Act (Act 759), since it placed the institution on a more dignified status and devoid of governmental interference.
“Chiefs must regard the new Act very well because it brought back the dignity associated with the institution. With the new Act, chiefs must now stand firm since the law is supporting you. When you are able to do that, the chieftaincy institution will stand the test of time” he stressed
Mr Mensah said this when he presented a paper on the topic: “The tenets of the law”, at a two-day workshop for members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs in Wa.
The workshop was organised by the National House of Chiefs, with support from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
Commenting on the involvement of chiefs in mainstream politics, Mr Mensah, who is also the counsel for the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, stated that the institution was so sacred that considering the manner in which politics was practised in the country, no revered chief could withstand it.
“Chieftaincy is an institution which we will enjoy respecting”, adding there is the need for the respective chieftaincy institutions such as the regional and national houses of chiefs to work to come out with a code of ethics for chiefs in order to streamline their activities.
The Senior Programme Manager of KAS, Mr Isaac Owusu-Mensah, said the deliberations would pave the way for the chiefs to assess the tenets of the new chieftaincy act and respond to it appropriately.
Mr Owusu-Mensah also indicated the need for a documented code of ethics for chiefs to guide their actions.
“ As a national body which is duly recognised by the 1992 Constitution, it is time a code of ethics with its appropriate sanctions were developed to guide the conduct and behaviour of chiefs across the country irrespective of ones traditional area” he emphasised.

ADUNA THUMP ALL STARS (BACK PAGE, DEC 24)

Aduana Stars yesterday maintained their unbeaten home record when they notched a 1-0 win over visiting Wa All Stars in their Premier League encounter at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
Richard Addae scored the only goal of the match from a goal mouth melee with only five minutes to the end of the match.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

BA YOUTH ORGANISER RETAINS POSITION (PAGE 14, DEC 19)

Mr Mohammed Seidu, aka Maha, the incumbent Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has retained his position at the party’s delegate’s conference held in Sunyani, the regional capital, to elect youth and women’s organisers for the party in the region.
He polled 38 votes out of a total of 45 votes cast to beat his opponent, James Oteng Danquah, an Instructor at the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) and former President of the S-Poly Student Representative Council (SRC).
Mr Kwadwo Takyi-Ahene, the incumbent Deputy NDC Regional Youth Organiser, was also retained, while Madam Florence Anning, and Georgina Puopiel were also elected unopposed as the Women’s Organiser and Deputy Women’s Organisers respectively.
The election was supervised by Mr Kofi Adams and Madam Agnes Adoma, National Deputy Youth Organiser and Women’s Organiser respectively and witnessed by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku.
Later in a brief remark, Mr Adams, who is also the spokesperson for former President J.J. Rawlings, cautioned the youth of the party against forming structures outside the party’s structures, and added that any body who wanted to join the party, could do so at the branch and constituency levels.
He disclosed that the relationship between former President Rawlings and the sitting President, Prof. J.E.A Mills, was cordial and the two had been meeting from time to time to discuss pertinent issues concerning the progress of the nation, among others.
Mr Adams noted that the recent criticisms by former President Rawlings against President Mills was to serve as a self-correcting measure and not aimed at destroying the Mills Presidency as perceived.
For her part, Madam Adoma advised the officers-elect to work hard to ensure that the party retained power in the 2012 general election, and also expressed her gratitude to the delegates for ensuring a peaceful election.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, in his address, called on the rank and file of the party in the region to close their ranks, bury their differences and always endeavour to use the party’s internal mechanisms to resolve their differences.
He also urged party supporters not to be complacent, but to work harder than before to ensure that the party improved on its electoral fortunes in the 2012 elections.
Mr Seidu, in his acceptance speech, thanked the delegates for retaining him and pledged to work with all, especially his rival in the contest, to help improve on the record of the party in the 2008 general election.

3 SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS REMANDED (PAGE 27, MIRROR, DEC 19)

From Samuel Duodu, Kintampo.

The Kintampo Magistrate’s Court has remanded in prison custody three suspected armed robbers who allegedly shot and killed the driver of one of two vehicles they attacked on the outskirts of Gulumpe on the Brong Ahafo side of the Kintampo-Tamale road.
Issifu Zebrilla, Abdallah Yakubu and Bonya Daboase were part of a 10-member highway armed robbery gang that attacked passengers on board two vehicles after they had mounted a roadblock in the early hours of December 4, 2009.
Yakubu and Daboase, who are said to be the leaders of the gang, were arrested by the police at their hideout while the police have intensified investigations to enable them to arrest the seven others.  
They were charged with robbery and murder but their pleas were not taken. They would reappear before the court, presided over by Mr Albert Zoogah, on December 21, 2009.
Presenting the facts, Sergeant (Sgt) Tim Ahiaduvor said on December 12, 2009 the robbers, numbering about 10, who had blocked the road with some logs, intercepted the Kumasi-bound Mercedes Benz bus from Bawku being driven by Kwaku Acheampong at about 2.30 a.m.
Sgt Ahiaduvor said the robbers shot into the bus injuring Acheampong and two other passengers, thereby forcing the injured driver to block the road with his vehicle.
He said some minutes later, a Yutong Bus, driven by Abdulai Jamoni, from Accra towards Tamale arrived at the scene and the driver, sensing danger, tried to escape by reversing but was shot and killed by the robbers, forcing the vehicle into a ditch.
He said the armed robbers, having succeeded in stopping the two vehicles, ordered the passengers at gunpoint to lie on the ground and robbed them of their mobile phones and monies, after which they fled into a nearby bush.
The prosecutor said the police were informed and the injured were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi while the body of the deceased was deposited at the Tamale Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Sgt Ahiaduvor said on December 5, 2009, following a tip-off, Zebrilla was arrested by the Buipe Police and a search conducted at his residence revealed seven mobile phones with their chips removed, and cash of GH¢188.00 and 10,000 CFA.
Sgt Ahiaduvor said during interrogation Zebrilla admitted being a member of the robbery gang, adding that the items and monies retrieved from his house were his share of the booty.
The prosecutor said Zebrilla mentioned Yakubu, Daboase, Allai Fulani, Hamidu Fulani, Bukari Naya, Mahamadu, Belembe Yakubu and two others as his accomplices.
Sgt Ahiaduvor said on December 7, 2009, Yakubu and Daboase were also nabbed. Yakubu was found with a stolen mobile phone while Daboase had three phones and GH¢1,350 cash. 
It would be recalled that the Mirror published Zebrilla’s arrest and the attempt by the police in the Brong Ahafo Region to get at the other nine suspects who were then on the run.

OBEY ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS (MIRROR, PAGE 35, DEC 19)

From Samuel Duodu, Techiman.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Seth Charles Oteng, has called on road users to obey road traffic regulations to avoid fatal accidents before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Mr Oteng noted that it was during this period that more people travelled while drivers cashed in to make more profit through speeding, overloading and reckless driving.
He made the call at the regional launch of this year’s National Road Safety Campaign for the Christmas and New Year periods dubbed “Arrive Alive” at the Techiman Main Lorry Park last Tuesday.
The campaign is to remind all road users, especially commercial drivers, of the need to be cautious on the road and strictly observe road traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents during and after the festivities.
An 11-member Road Safety Committee for the Techiman Municipality was inaugurated at the ceremony.
The day was also marked with a street procession of placard-bearing schoolchildren. some some of the placards read “Road Safety is a shared responsibility”,  “If you drink, do not drive and if you drive do not drink”, “Avoid speeding and wrongful overtaking” through some of the principal streets of the municipality to heighten awareness of road safety.
DCOP Oteng, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Road Safety Committee (RRSC), said the festivities also marked a period of joy and merrymaking with excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages by drivers resulting in speeding and wrongful overtaking.
He therefore reminded drivers that section (4) of Act 683 (2004) as amended by Act 761 (2008) permitted alcohol levels of 0.08 per cent when driving and expressed the hope that drivers would strictly observe this regulation to avoid any catastrophe during the period.
“If you drink, do not drive and if you drive do not drink,” he advised the drivers.
Mr Daniel Wuako, Regional Director of the NRSC, said the Brong Ahafo office of the NRSC in collaboration with the RRSC and the Municipal and District Road Safety Committees had drawn up a number of activities to sustain the campaign.
Mr Wuako said road safety was a shared and collective responsibility and therefore called on all and sundry to play their roles to ensure an accident-free Christmas and New Year and also prevent the carnage on the road in the country and the nation as a whole.
Mr Noble Appiah, the Executive Director of the NRSC, who inaugurated the Techiman Municipal Road Safety Committee, stressed the need for all road users to be cautious to reduce avoidable and preventable road accidents.
The Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who chaired the function, stressed the need for drivers and passengers to ensure an accident-free Christmas and New Year.

Friday, December 18, 2009

ADJEI TO GO FOR NDC RE-ELECTION (PAGE 15, DEC 18)

The Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, has given the assurance that he will use his vast experience in politics to mobilise the needed support to help the NDC win the 2012 general election.
He said if he were elected the party’s regional secretary, he would continue to rely on his all-inclusive policy to ensure that the modest gains chalked up by the party in the region in the 2008 general election was sustained.
Mr Adjei, who also contested as the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Sunyani East in the 2008 election, had called at the Daily Graphic Office in Sunyani to declare his intention of going for re-election.
“I will like to appeal to the rank and file of the party, especially the regional delegates, to elect me as the regional secretary to reshape the forward march of the party,” he said.
Mr Adjei noted that under their leadership as the regional executives they were able to bring the NDC to power, saying even though we lost marginally in the first round of the 2008 election we were able to marshal the force to have a slim victory over the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the second round.
He said that the feat achieved by the party in the 2008 general election was the result of the hard work of the party.
He said he would work with all to ensure that the NDC achieved its agenda of a better Ghana as well as ensure victory for the party in the 2012 election.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

DORMAAHENE WARNED AGAINST SELLING SUNYANI LANDS (BACK PAGE, DEC 17)

THE Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, has called on the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, to halt the sale of Sunyani lands.
He also called on the Dormaahene to close down the office of the Dormaa Stool Lands Secretariat in Sunyani since it was creating tension between the two traditional areas.
According to him, the actions of the Dormaahene were an affront to the sovereignty of the chiefs and people of the Sunyani Traditional Area, and must be halted immediately to prevent the situation from degenerating into a conflict.
He stated that the chiefs and people of Sunyani and Dormaa traditional areas had co-existed peacefully for years but the recent actions of the Dormaahene to overstep his boundaries to sell Sunyani lands which were government-vested had led to tension and the breach of the peace.
Nana Asor Nkrawiri made the call at a press conference at his palace in Sunyani to impress on the Dormaahene to halt these actions, which he said were creating unnecessary tension between the two traditional areas.
“We are using this platform to appeal to the conscience of the Dormaahene to halt the sale of Sunyani lands and close down his stool land secretariat office in Sunyani immediately for peace to prevail,” he emphasised.
According to the Sunyanihene, it was land and chieftaincy disputes that had led to violent clashes in some parts of the country in recent times and, therefore, urged the Dormaahene not to allow the situation to degenerate.
Nana Asor Nkrawiri explained that the boundary between the two traditional areas ended just behind the Tyco Filling Station on the Sunyani-Kumasi road at Abesim but the Dormaahene had overstepped the boundary to the police barrier near the Sunyani Senior High School (SHS).
Nana Asor Nkrawiri added that in order not to destroy the laid down master plan for Sunyani, which was reputed to be one of the most beautiful planned cities in the country, there was the need to call the Dormaahene to order to stop the indiscriminate sale of Sunyani lands, which he was laying claim to.
He also alleged that the indiscriminate sale of Sunyani lands by the Dormaahene had led to the formation of land guards who visited mayhem on innocent people who dared to confront them, adding that those said land guards claimed they had been hired by the Dormaahene to protect lands.
On the creation of the new Sunyani West District, which was carved out of the Sunyani Municipality, Nana Asor Nkrawiri called on the politicians to involve traditional rulers in the demarcation of boundaries in order not create further land dispute and tensions in the area.
When the Dormaahene was contacted on telephone, he declined to comment on the issue and said he would respond at the appropriate time.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

OMANHENE COMMENDS NDC (PAGE 17, DEC 15)

The Omanhene of the Seikwa Traditional Area, Nana Kwaku Dwuma Ankoana II, has commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for its commitment to the initiative of extending electricity to 56 communities in the Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Speaking to newsmen at Seikwa recently, Nana Ankoana was hopeful that the initiative would stimulate development at all levels, as the electricity would serve as a bait to investors to enhance job creation in the area.
“I believe this is an initiative that requires the support of all Ghanaians,” he said, stressing that the beneficiary communities should endeavour to make optimum use of the initiative.
The chief was optimistic that the initiative would go a long way to draw quality teachers to Tain schools to raise the dwindling standard of education at all levels.
He commended Mr Asiedu Nketia, the NDC General Secretary, the DCE for Tain, Mr J.S. Tawiah, and the Member of Parliament for Tain, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, for their dominant influence in the ongoing project.
On behalf of the district, Nana Ankoana appealed to the government to consider the poor road network in the district.
He made special reference to the Seikwa-Nsawkaw–Berekum road, which is currently in a deplorable state, adding that the 45km road would open up markets in the area to enhance revenue generation.
He also lauded the Tain District Assembly’s initiative to acquire a grader for the maintenance of feeder roads in the district.
“This is another good initiative for our rural communities. Every year various foodstuffs go waste in the villages due to poor roads,” he said.
Nana Ankoana further urged the government to design various projects that would encourage optimum use of the Degedege Irrigation Dam.
He said that would discourage the youth from embarking on dangerous adventures to Libya across the desert and other areas in search of greener pastures.

Monday, December 14, 2009

POLICE ARRESTS SUSPECTED ATRONIE KILLERS (PAGE 3, DEC 14, GRAPHIC NSEMPA)

By Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.

The Police in Sunyani have arrested two persons believed to be behind the recent mysterious killings of people at Atronie, a farming community in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The suspects, Kofi Amoako, a farmer, and Kofi Yesu, also a farmer and field assistant with the Forestry Department, Sunyani are both said to be resident at Atronie.
According to police sources, on November 17, 2009 at about 7.30p.m, one Issaka Salifu was walking from Atronie to his village, Amemedja, on the Nwawasua road.
About 20 metres away on Nwawasua road from Atronie main junction, the two suspects, in a taxicab, suddenly alighted and started running after him (Issaka) with a machete.
The sources said Issaka, who suspected foul play, run into a nearby bush and one of the suspects then threw the machete at him but he managed to escape unhurt.
On November 18, 2009, Issaka reported the incident to the police and while investigations were ongoing, Salamatu Mamprusi also reported that one of the suspects, Kofi Yesu and eight others chased her in a taxicab on a particular day on the Atronie-Nwawasua road at about 10a.m, but she managed to escape.
The sources said based on these reports they intensified their investigations in the area leading to the arrest of the two who had since been processed for court.
According to the police source, in recent times the police had received several reports from Atronie of ritual murders and the loss of people in the area and believed the suspects were among those who perpetrated such crimes.
This situation, the source added, had created anxiety and fear among residents in the area and its environs.

BA HONOURS CITIZENS, OTHERS (SPREAD, NOV 14)

Former President J.J. Rawlings has called on Ghanaians to support President J. E. A. Mills in his quest to deliver on his electoral promises.
He said President Mills had good intentions for the country but achieving them would demand the support of the entire citizenry.
Former President Rawlings made the call at the Golden Jubilee awards ceremony organised by the Brong Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in Sunyani on Saturday to honour citizens of the region for their immense contribution towards the development of the region.
The ceremony, which climaxed activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region, was attended by a large number of people.
Former President Rawlings, who was the guest of honour, stated that his criticism of President Mills should not be misconstrued as an attempt to wash the NDC's dirty linen in public. Rather, it should be seen as a self assessment to enable the President to deliver to the expectation of Ghanaians.
In all, 104 individuals and corporate institutions were honoured at the ceremony for their meritorious services to the Brong Ahafo Region.
Prominent among the awardees were former President Rawlings; Mr Ernest Apraku, the Managing Director of Asuo Bosomadu Timbers and Sawmills Limited; Nana Kwasi Gyau Gyan, aka Agyemang Gyau; Mr Maxwell Oti Yeboah, the Managing Director of Oti Yeboa Complex Limited; the late Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, the Rt Revd James Owusu; Mr James Baah, Senior Photographer, Graphic Communications Group Limited, Sunyani, and Mr Kwame Asare Boadu, the Ashanti Regional Editor of the Daily Graphic.
Others were the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda; the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alex Asum Ahensan; Mrs Cecilia Johnson, a member of the Council of State, and the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo.
The ceremony was chaired by Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese, the Yejihene and Vice-President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs.

ADUANA STOP KESSBEN (BACK PAGE, DEC 14)

Newcommers, Dormaa-based Aduana Stars, yesterday upset league leaders Kessben F.C when they beat the visitors by a lone goal in their Glo-Premier League match at Nana Agyeman Sports Stadium at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The goal was scored by Joseph Doe on the second minute of the half after goalkeeper Mohammed Nuredeen of Kessben failed to make a first-time save, allowing Doe to tap home the rebound.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

JAMAN SOUTH NDC PREPARES FOR 2012 ELECTIONS (PAGE 13, DEC 12)

THE Jaman South Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held its delegates conference at Drobo in the Jaman South District of the Brong Ahafo Region to elect new executives to prepare the party for the next presidential and parliamentary elections slated for 2012.
The elections were supervised by the District Directorate of the Electoral Commission, led by the District Electoral Officer, Mr Edward Gyamfi.
Mr Anthony Amponsa Amoabeng was elected Chairman, with Mr Matthew Yeboah as Vice-Chairman; Mr P.K. Amponsah, Secretary; Mr Charles Obeng Takyi, Organiser; Mr Stephen Asiedu, Treasurer; Mr Ahmed Kyeremeh, Propaganda Secretary, and Madam Rose Asantewaa, Women’s Organiser.
The other elected executives are Mrs Rita Asante, Deputy Women’s Organizer; Mr Ahmed Sise-Nuru, Youth Organiser; Mr Ibrahim Osman Kumi, Deputy Youth Organiser; Madam Mary Fosuaa, Second Deputy Women’s Organiser; Mr Collins Armaa, Deputy Organiser; Mr Emmanuel Yaw Oppong, Deputy Treasurer; Victor Gyau, Deputy Propaganda Secretary, and Mr. Kenneth Ankamah, Deputy Secretary.
Speaking at the function, Mr Julius Atta Bediako, the Jaman South District Chief Executive (DCE), commended the party members for ensuring peaceful elections and urged them to maintain that spirit.
He advised them to bury their differences, work as a team and settle all differences in line with the party’s constitution, instead of washing their dirty linen in public.
He urged the executives to work tirelessly to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC in the 2012 general election.
The DCE promised to work hand in hand with the new executive, supporters and the members at large, saying his doors were open for good advice.
Nana Yaw Kumi, the Deputy Regional Secretary of the NDC, urged them to work hard until the battle of 2012 was ended with victory for the party.
He said they should start their campaign from now and asked them to go about their campaign in a disciplined manner to enable them to win more members to the party.
Mr Amponsa-Amoabeng, on behalf of the executive, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work hard to ensure that the NDC won more votes in the 2012 general election.

Friday, December 11, 2009

LEG CALLS FOR ACTION (MIRROR, PAGE 35, DEC 12)

From Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.

Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), a local environmental and human rights advocacy non-governmental organisation operating in the Brong Ahafo Region and some parts of Ghana, has urged the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to speed-up with their investigation on the Cyanide spillage around Gyakarom in the Asutifi District of Brong Ahafo Region caused by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL).
The Executive Director of LEG, Mr Richard Adjei-Poku made the call when he called on Mr Sylvester Awozum the officer- in- charge of Mining at the Brong Ahafo Regional office in Sunyani. He said the people in the spill area were afraid of eating their own planted vegetables as well as food crops simply because the company has asked them not to drink from any of the water in the polytank provided by the company.
According to him, if the situation was allowed to continue it could affect the people psychologically and therefore there was the need to have the Laboratory result immediately to be able to determine the level of cyanide pollution and whether or not it was good for the people to continue to stay there and continue eating from the place.
Mr Adjei also reminded EPA to speed up with their investigations on the issue of Manu –shed community and it environs.
He said Newmont had not been responsive to social, economic and environment concerns of the people of Manu-shed and its environs in the Asutifi District of Brong Ahafo Region.
 Mr Adjei said the people in the area were facing a number of problems such as water pollution.
He said the sources of drinking water for the communities was polluted as a result of the waste materials drain from the mines, air pollution had also resulted in coughing by the people, especially children, dust pollution particularly during the dry season had made vegetable unsuitable for eating and the company’s vehicles over-speed at the centre of the villages which makes it a threat to life ,particularly children and domestic animal.
Again, he said regular blasting by the company had resulted in cracks on their buildings leading to fear and trauma among children in the communities, the prevalence of mosquitoes due to the proximity of company to a waste dump, standing water and ponds and the 24hours heavy noise pollution by the mining plant and the heavy trucks had made sleeping unpleasant for the people.
Mr Adjei said any time they met with the company, they promised to put measures in place to mitigate the problems but had failed to fulfil them and therefore appealed to the EPA and other relevant agencies to intervene to ensure that the right time was done.
Mr Awozum for his part pledged that the EPA would investigate the concerns raised by LEG and the people to ensure that there was safety in the area.

HIGHWAY ROBBER ARRESTED (PAGE 35, MIRROR, DEC 12)

By Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.

The Police in the Brong Ahafo Region have arrested one of the nine suspected armed robbers who attacked passengers on board two vehicles at the outskirts of Golumkpe on the Brong Ahafo side of the Kintampo-Tamale road in the early hours of last week Friday.
The robbers who had mounted a road block shot and killed the driver of one of the vehicles with registration number GC 5124 Z which was said to be travelling from Accra to Tamale and also shot and wounded the driver and two passengers of another vehicle with registration number AS 3849 D also on its way from Bawku to Kumasi and later robbed the passengers on board of their monies and mobile phones.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Tamale Government Hospital mortuary awaiting autopsy while the other driver, Kwaku Acheampong and the two passengers who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region for treatment.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent, Mr Charles Domanban who confirmed the story to The Mirror said the name of the suspected robber who was arrested by the police is being withheld to enable the police arrest his accomplices.
He stated that on December 4, 2009 at about 3am, the driver Kwaku Acheampong who was driving a vehicle with registration number AS 3849 D with passengers on board reported that ten  armed men including the one arrested intercepted their vehicle at the outskirts of Golumkpe near Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region on their way from Bawku to Kumasi.
He said the suspects shot and wounded Kwaku Acheampong and two other passengers and later robbed them of their monies and mobile phones.
Supt. Mr Domanban said the victims were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teachning Hospital for treatment.
The Regional Crime Officer said the suspects again shot and killed another driver of a vehicle with registration number GC 5124 Z which was travelling from Accra towards Tamale at the same spot.
He said one of the suspects was later arrested with his name withheld to enable the police conduct further investigations. 

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

WAMFIE RURAL BANK COMMENDED (PAGE 35, DEC 9)

THE Wamfie Rural Bank in the Dormaa East District of the Brong Ahafo Region is one of the few rural and community banks (RCBs) in the region to meet the Bank of Ghana (BOG) statutory requirement for all RCBs to hold a minimum share capital of GH¢150,000.00 by the end of 2010.
The BOG expects that any bank which cannot meet the minimum share capital by the end of 2010 would be acquired by another viable RCB or merge with another bank to form a new bank.
“It is against this background that we are urging shareholders of all RCBs in the region to buy more shares to enable their banks to meet the BOG requirement for the stipulated period to risk being acquired by another bank or merger which would result in the lost of identity”.
The Vice President of the Brong Ahafo (BA) Chapter of the Association of Rural Banks (ARBs), Mr Kofi Bonsu Boakye-Boateng, who was speaking at the 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders of the bank held at Wamfie over the weekend, commended the bank for meeting the BOG requirement.
“Notwithstanding this achievement, the BA chapter council wishes to appeal to shareholders of the bank to inject fresh and additional capital by buying more shares to consolidate the position, and enjoy higher dividend payments,” he noted.
Mr Boakye-Boateng, however, advised the boards and management teams of the various RCBs in the region to endeavour to honour their promises of paying some dividends to their shareholders at the end of relatively good performing years to encourage them to acquire additional ordinary shares.
The vice president urged RCBs in the region to improve their internal control mechanisms by strengthening their internal audit units with the requisite input and resources needed for effective performance and also to prevent fraud that had resulted in the liquidation of most rural banks in recent times.
Mr Boakye-Boateng further entreated rural banks in the region to endeavour to improve on their customer services in order to stand the aggressive competition in the banking sector.
He also advised the management of the banks to station qualified, trained and experienced staff at their agencies, in order to present good public image for new customers.
A community library project financed by the bank as part of its corporate social responsibility in its area of operation was inaugurated during the AGM.
Delivering his report, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Herbert Morrison Adjei, said the bank recorded a net profit of GH¢66,909.53 during the year under review representing 27.97 per cent increase over the December 2007 figure of GH¢52,286.08.
He said the bank’s total deposits grew from GH¢2,064,204.81 in 2007 to GH¢2,090,661.49 in 2008, representing a percentage growth of one per cent, while its total assets also increased from GH¢3,110,574.80 in 2007 to GH¢3,194,581.31 in 2008, a positive variance of a 2.70 per cent.
Mr Adjei said the board of directors of the bank recommended the payment of dividend of GH¢4,000.00 for the year under review as against GH¢3,000.00 in 2007. He said total advances paid out increased from GH¢888,883.74 in 2007 to GH¢1,119,325.32 in 2008, representing an increase of 25.92 per cent.
The bank purchased Akuafo Cheques to the tune of GH¢402,668.26 in the 2008/2009 main season as against GH¢162,416.25 in 2007 showing a percentage increase of 149.92 per cent.
However, he said, the short-term investment of the bank decreased from GH¢687,000.00 in 2007 to GH¢587,000 in 2008, a decrease of 14.55 per cent.
Mr Adjei urged loan facility beneficiaries to repay to enable the bank to advance credits to others who were in dire need and pledged that the bank would continue to ensure good corporate governance and good ethics, comply with all statutory requirements and the Bank of Ghana and the Apex Bank’s directives.
The bank will also improve internal control measures and strengthen the internal audit unit as part of measures to safeguard the interest of the shareholders of the bank.
He further gave the assurance that the bank would continue to focus on the provision of short to medium-term credit facilities to salaried workers and also sensitise and encourage women’s group to take advantage of the bank’s attractive products and microfinance.
Mr Adjei also expressed his appreciation to all, especially the chief of Wamfie and his elders, Monsignor R. B. Mensah-Abrampah and those who bought shares at the inception of the bank in 1981, as well as the working relationship between the bank and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) under its Private Sector Development and SPEED Funding Facility.
In an address read on behalf of the Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, urged RCBs to institute risk management policies as a way of guarding against fraud and continue to improve on their services by providing in service training schemes for their staff.
Nana Owusu Ababio, the Benkumhene of Wamfie, for his part, said the presence of the bank in the area had help the people to cultivate the habit of savings and also help to reduce the risk involved in travelling long distances to other locations to access banking service.

Monday, December 7, 2009

FARMER REMANDED FOR MURDER (MIRROR, PAGE 31, DEC 7)

From Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.

A Sunyani District Magistrate Court has remanded into prison custody Ernest Kwame Awuah, alias President, who beheaded his seven-year-old nephew, Charles Sey at Abesim, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region three weeks ago.
The plea of the accused, charged for murder was not taken in court and would reappear before the court presided over by Mr Frank Y. Gbeddy on December 17, 2009.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Gbeddy after listening to the facts of the case granted the request of the prosecution to remand the accused in prison custody to enable the police conduct further investigations into the case and after that, forward the docket to the Attorney General’s (AGs) office for study and advice.
A brief facts of the case as presented in court by Chief Inspector Alex Ofosu were that the deceased aged seven was a pupil of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church Primary School at Abesim, while the accused was a farmer. The deceased was the son of the accused person’s younger brother who was also deceased and both the accused and his deceased nephew lived in the same house at Abesim.
The prosecutor told the court that the accused had a farm on a piece of land about 150 metres away from their house.
On November 14, 2009 at about 9am while the accused was working on the farm, the deceased and two of his play mates went to his farm and started harassing him (accused).
Chief Inspector Ofosu said an eye witnessed indicated that the deceased poured away the maize the accused was sowing (planting) and fetched sand into the bowl.
He said based on this, the accused chased away the deceased and his two friends were able to run away from the farm while the deceased fell on the ground. The accused butchered him to death by slashing his throat and pierced his right eye and ear.
The two boys, who rushed to the house, informed their parents who with the assistance of others arrested the accused and handed him over to the police.
Chief Inspector Ofosu told the court that the case was still under investigation and so the police could not keep the accused and therefore they decided to present him for the court for him to be remanded for one month to enable the police conclude their investigation.
It would be recalled that the Daily Graphic on the front page of its Monday edition, November 16, 2009 published a story with the headline “Bloody Weekend: Boy 6, beheaded at Abesim, Woman, 30, killed at Okorase. 4 Robbers gunned down in Ksi”.
The story read “The grisly murder of a famous business woman, 30, near Koforidua, the gruesome beheading of a six-year-old boy near Sunyani and the gunning down of four armed robbers in Kumasi in a shootout with the police marked a weekend of blood and horror for some residents of those parts of the country”.
It started further that at Abesim, near Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, hundreds of residents besieged the crime scene, eager to catch a glimpse of Ernest Kwame Awuah, alias President, who was on display with the mutilated body of his six-year-old nephew, Charles Sey.

ATEBUBU-AMATIN ASSEMBLY GOES INTO RICE PRODUCTION (BACK PAGE, DEC 7)

THE Atebubu-Amantin District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region, in collaboration with Technoserve, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and local farmers has embarked on rice production to boost food production to alleviate poverty.
Already 860 hectares of land have been set aside at Fakwasi, a farming community in the district, for the project.
Technoserve is providing technical assistance to the farmers, while the assembly is to be responsible for the irrigation of the demarcated land, as well as the supply of improved seeds and fertilisers for the cultivation of the farmers.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atebubu–Amantin, Mr Sanja Nanja, who made this known at the just-ended farmers day celebration held at Fakwasi, said the move was in line with the government’s agenda to modernise agriculture for food security and economic transformation.
For the successful implementation of the project, Mr Nanja said Technoserve had installed a rice miller at Fakwasi which had the capacity of milling and polishing at least six bags of rice per hour to save farmers from threshing the paddy rice.
A 50-year-old farmer at Fakwasi, Mr Leo Lige, was adjudged the overall best District Farmer, and for his prize, he received a motorbike, a pair of wellington boots, a wax print, a knapsack spraying machine and a radio cassette player.
Nana Mustapha Kofi, 37, of New Konkrompe and Dauda Issaka, 48, of Atebubu, who took the second and third positions respectively each received bicycles, three and two packets of roofing sheets, pairs of wellington boots, wax prints and radio cassette players.
Mr Nanja stated that apart from Fakwasi, other communities had been selected under the block farming for rice and maize production in the district and mentioned the beneficiary communities as Jato-Zongo, Patuda, Old Konkrompe, Abour, Namsa, Yapraso, Mempeasem, Nyomoase, Beposo and New Konkrompe.
He explained that under the programme, a tract of land was ploughed and demarcated to individual farmers, who were provided with improved seeds and other farm inputs such as fertilisers.
The farmers are made to pay for the cost of such inputs and services after harvesting their produce.
In addition to the maize and rice project, Mr Nanja stated that another programme for livestock production was also being implemented.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

BUI POWER PROJECT ON COURSE...Work on main dam begins (BACK PAGE, DEC 3)

CONSTRUCTION of the main dam as part of the Bui Hydro Electric Power Project in the Brong Ahafo Region has started in earnest, after an initial delay caused by resettlement processes.
The project, being undertaken by Syno Hydro Corporation Limited of China, is expected to generate 400 megawatts (MW) of energy to supplement the country’s other hydro and thermal supplies.
Currently, the country generates 2,000MW of power from hydro and thermal sources which, according to experts, is far below the 5,000MW needed in the country.
According to the contractors, the construction of the dam is expected to be completed by 2011 for the entire project to be inaugurated in 2012.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, gave the update on the project when the Energy Minister, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, accompanied by some officials of the ministry, visited the project site last Tuesday.
The CEO said the final inauguration of the 400MW power project for it to become operational is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.
The visit was to enable the minister to know at first-hand some of the challenges confronting the contractors and the workers and also the concerns of the affected communities, especially those who were yet to be resettled.
In his remarks, Dr Oteng-Adjei disclosed that the government had decided to construct four additional mini dams on rivers Ankobra, Pra, Tano and Oti to help solve the energy problems of the country.
He said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ghana and Brazil had already been signed to pave way for work to begin on the Juale Dam on the River Oti, which takes its source from the River Volta in the Upper East Region.
The minister gave the assurance that the government would execute work on all the hydropower projects in the country, which he said, were cheaper and more affordable sources of power for the country’s industrialisation.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

KIDS COMMEND GCGL (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, PAGE 14, DEC 2)

The pupils and students of Glory Kindcare Learning Complex in the Sunyani municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region have commended the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) for publishing the Junior Graphic, which is targeted at the youth.
They said the weekly publication provided them and other children with news and educational information, ranging from academic, sports, entertainment, human interest stories and many other issues that concerned children.
The President of the Glory Kindcare Learning Complex Junior Graphic Fan Club, Ms Esther Asor, a JHS One student, commended GCGL on behalf of the pupils and students at the inauguration of the school’s Junior Graphic Fan Club at the Children’s Park in Sunyani last week.
Other executive members of the club are Emmanuelle Afimaa, Vice-President; Augustina Takyiwaa, Secretary; Erica Konadu Antwi, Assistant Secretary; Gifty Pomaa, Financial Secretary; Andy Donyina, Assistant Financial Secretary; Richard Kyeremeh, Organising Secretary; Kwame Agyenim Boateng, Assistant Organising Secretary; Irene Ameyaa, Chaplain, and Ruth Nyarko, Assistant Secretary.
The inauguration of the club coincided with a quiz organised by the Junior Graphic for members of the club. It was won by Group A “Knowledge and Honesty”, with Group B “Wisdom and Truth” placing second. The three representatives for each group were presented with prizes.
Ms Asor said the club owned its existence to Mr Emmanuel Taah Amoakoh, the Administrator of the school, adding that all the pupils and students from Class Three to JHS One were members of the club, which was founded in 2008 to ensure that all the children in the school participated in reading and the discussion of issues raised in the Junior Graphic.
“Pupils of Glory Kindercare Learning Complex have benefited a lot from the Junior Graphic and the club’s activities. The continuous reading of the paper and the club’s activities increase our knowledge and improve on our reading and writing skills,” the president said.
The Junior Graphic also presented books and a dictionary to the club at the inauguration, which was interspersed with the recitation of poems on the Junior Graphic written by the pupils and a cultural display by the drama group of the school.
Inaugurating the club, Mr Charles Addo Bampoe, the Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of the GCGL urged students and pupils to cultivate the habit of reading to improve their academic work, since English language ran through almost all the examinable subjects in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Mr Francis Taah-Amoakoh, the Director of the school, also urged the pupils to be disciplined and obedient and commended the GCGL for coming out with the publication to improve the reading and writing skills among children.                                                                           

CAPITAL RURAL BANK TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS TO OWN HOUSES (PAGE 20, DEC 1)

THE Capital Rural Bank at Abesim in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region has decided to provide financial support to enable low-income earners in the formal and informal sectors in the region to own their houses under its “Capital Affordable Housing” product.
the Chairman of the bank’s board, Dr E. Yaw Peprah-Agyemang, who announced this at the maiden draw of the Capital Rural Bank’s “My Home Bonanza Raffle Draw’’ in Sunyani, said the innovation by the bank was the first by any rural bank in the country.
The first prize of a two-bedroom flat at Abesim for the raffle was won by a 35-year-old tailor of Sunyani Newtown, Charles Kumi, while the second and third prizes of a flat-screen television and a DVD home theatre went to Frank Okyere of Sefwi Nkawie and Margaret Yeboah of Sunyani respectively, with consolation prizes of the bank’s branded ‘T’-shirts going to the fourth to 23rd winners.
The raffle, which will be drawn every year with a house as the first prize, is aimed at rewarding loyal customers of the bank and also helping to inculcate the habit of savings in the people as well as help mobilise excess liquidity in the system.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang explained that the bank decided to come out with the affordable housing product to make up for the housing deficit in the region and the nation as a whole.
He added that one needed to save for at least six months in order to qualify for a mortgage or a housing loan to purchase the house.
He also said the raffle was being run in collaboration with a private real estate developer, and that the rest of the loan would be spread over a period of 10 years.
He said the bank was there to assist all to embark on their legitimate ventures, and had also put in place a scholarship scheme for the children of its customers to pursue tertiary education.
The Managing Director of the bank, Mr Kwaku Damoah, said every customer of the bank who saved continuously and had a minimum of GH¢100 in his/her accounts qualified to enter the draw.
He said the bank, apart from providing financial services, also counselled people on the kind of investments to make.