Bechem Chelsea maintained their lead in the ongoing Glo Premier League when they defeated visiting Wa All Stars 2-1 at their adopted Berekum Golden City Park yesterday.
Bismark Idan opened the scoreline for Chelsea with a 17th minute grounder, but that lead was cancelled by All Stars’ Fatau Mohammed in the 57th minute.
When the match looked like heading for a draw, Chelsea’s determination not to surrender the top spot was bolstered with the match winner through substitute Emmanuel Clottey in the dying minutes of the game.
• Visiting Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs held Kessben to a goalless draw at the Sekondi Sports Stadium at Essipong yesterday, reports, Moses Dotse Aklorbortu.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
NDC COMMITTED TO IMPROVING ROADS IN COCOA AREAS (PAGE 13, NOV 13, 2010)
THE Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, has debunked reports in a section of the media that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was not doing anything to improve roads in the cocoa growing communities in the country, especially in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He said contractors who were awarded the roads in cocoa producing areas in the region were working but had to stop as a result of the torrential rains that hit the cocoa growing areas in the region recently, and that now that the rains had subsided, work had begun earnestly on the roads to make the evacuation of cocoa from the area easy.
Mr Opoku said this at separate durbars held at Anwiam and Norbekaw, both cocoa growing areas in the Asunafo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region, to cut the sod for the commencement of the tarring of two kilometres of the Anwiam and Norbekaw town roads to give the two towns a facelift.
In addition, drains would also be constructed along the roads to check flooding.
The two road projects are being funded by the Government of Ghana (GOG) at a cost of GH¢560,000 (¢5.6billion) each.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister also inaugurated a GH¢149,000 six-unit classroom block for the Methodist Primary School at Sankore which was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) as part of the government’s efforts to eradicate schools under trees in the region.
Mr Opoku in his address gave the assurance that the NDC government would ensure that every community in the country would have its share of development projects.
He said it was during the NDC government under former President Rawlings that the Brong Ahafo Region witnessed massive infrastructure development in terms of roads and the extension of electricity which opened up the region to the rest of the country.
Mr Opoku, therefore, said President Mills’ administration which was committed to the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda would ensure that every nook and cranny of the country was made better for its inhabitants.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that the government would continue to improve the road network in the region, provide potable water and extend electricity to communities which do not have them.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister also called on the people in the region to rally behind the government to enable it to achieve the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda.
Touching on education, Mr Opoku said in line with the government’s policy of investing in the people, interventions and programmes had been rolled out which include the construction of about 70 classroom blocks to phase out schools under trees in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He said the government had also allocated 880 scholarships under the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship scheme to the region, adding that each of the 22 Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in the region would receive 40 each to be given to brilliant, needy students at the senior high school and the tertiary levels studying mathematics and science subjects.
Mr Opoku said the government had also supplied the region with over 44,000 school uniforms and 717,864 free exercise books under its free school uniform and exercise books policy for distribution to basic school children which were on-going, adding that all these were geared towards the realisation of true universal access to basic education in the country.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, therefore, urged parents to take advantage of the various interventions by the government in the educational sector and enrol their children in schools.
Mr Danso, the Asunafo South District Chief Executive (DCE), for his part, said the assembly would continue with the extension of electricity, provision of potable water and school infrastructure to all communities in the district.
He announced that the assembly had acquired a grader which would be used to reshape all roads leading to food and cash crop production areas in the district to enable farmers cart their produce to the marketing centres with ease.
Mr Danso said the government had also increased the number of beneficiary schools under the school feeding programme for the district to enable many more schools to benefit.
Mr Emmanuel Papa Pireku, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), in his brief remarks commended the Deputy Minister who lobbied for the two road projects for the district and called on the people in the beneficiary communities to co-operate with the contractor to ensure that the projects were completed on schedule.
He said contractors who were awarded the roads in cocoa producing areas in the region were working but had to stop as a result of the torrential rains that hit the cocoa growing areas in the region recently, and that now that the rains had subsided, work had begun earnestly on the roads to make the evacuation of cocoa from the area easy.
Mr Opoku said this at separate durbars held at Anwiam and Norbekaw, both cocoa growing areas in the Asunafo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region, to cut the sod for the commencement of the tarring of two kilometres of the Anwiam and Norbekaw town roads to give the two towns a facelift.
In addition, drains would also be constructed along the roads to check flooding.
The two road projects are being funded by the Government of Ghana (GOG) at a cost of GH¢560,000 (¢5.6billion) each.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister also inaugurated a GH¢149,000 six-unit classroom block for the Methodist Primary School at Sankore which was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) as part of the government’s efforts to eradicate schools under trees in the region.
Mr Opoku in his address gave the assurance that the NDC government would ensure that every community in the country would have its share of development projects.
He said it was during the NDC government under former President Rawlings that the Brong Ahafo Region witnessed massive infrastructure development in terms of roads and the extension of electricity which opened up the region to the rest of the country.
Mr Opoku, therefore, said President Mills’ administration which was committed to the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda would ensure that every nook and cranny of the country was made better for its inhabitants.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that the government would continue to improve the road network in the region, provide potable water and extend electricity to communities which do not have them.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister also called on the people in the region to rally behind the government to enable it to achieve the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda.
Touching on education, Mr Opoku said in line with the government’s policy of investing in the people, interventions and programmes had been rolled out which include the construction of about 70 classroom blocks to phase out schools under trees in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He said the government had also allocated 880 scholarships under the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship scheme to the region, adding that each of the 22 Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in the region would receive 40 each to be given to brilliant, needy students at the senior high school and the tertiary levels studying mathematics and science subjects.
Mr Opoku said the government had also supplied the region with over 44,000 school uniforms and 717,864 free exercise books under its free school uniform and exercise books policy for distribution to basic school children which were on-going, adding that all these were geared towards the realisation of true universal access to basic education in the country.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, therefore, urged parents to take advantage of the various interventions by the government in the educational sector and enrol their children in schools.
Mr Danso, the Asunafo South District Chief Executive (DCE), for his part, said the assembly would continue with the extension of electricity, provision of potable water and school infrastructure to all communities in the district.
He announced that the assembly had acquired a grader which would be used to reshape all roads leading to food and cash crop production areas in the district to enable farmers cart their produce to the marketing centres with ease.
Mr Danso said the government had also increased the number of beneficiary schools under the school feeding programme for the district to enable many more schools to benefit.
Mr Emmanuel Papa Pireku, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), in his brief remarks commended the Deputy Minister who lobbied for the two road projects for the district and called on the people in the beneficiary communities to co-operate with the contractor to ensure that the projects were completed on schedule.
FDB DESTROYS EXPIRED DRUGS (PAGE 22, NOV 13, 2010)
THE Sunyani zonal office of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has destroyed expired, substandard drugs, unwholesome foods, cosmetics, household chemicals and medical devices valued at GH¢14,252.75 at the Sunyani landfill site.
The destroyed items were assorted products such as meat, fish, milk, biscuits, confectionery, herbal and orthodox medicines, aphrodisiac and detergents.
The items were seized during the post-market surveillance exercise conducted in 15 municipalities and districts in the Brong Ahafo Region including Sunyani, Asunafo North, Techiman and Wenchi municipalities, Asunafo South, Nkoranza South, Sene, Tain, Tano North and Tano South Districts from March to October this year.
The exercise which formed part of the FDB’s mandate, was to ensure public health and safety and it was organised to rid the markets of expired, fake, unregistered and unwholesome foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and household chemicals.
During the exercise, officials from the FDB also examined products on the markets to ascertain the conditions under which they were stored and displayed for sale.
Briefing newsmen in Sunyani before the destruction of the items, the Sunyani Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mrs Nora Narkie Terlabie said during the exercise wholesale outlets, supermarkets, provision stores, pharmacy shops, and licensed chemical stores were inspected for expired, unregistered, fake and unwholesome products.
She explained that unwholesome products were those which were improperly stored, for instance those under wrong temperature, as well as those which had broken seals, rusted, dented and bloated cans.
According to her, products under those conditions were likely to become unsafe before their intended dates of expiry.
Subsequently, Mrs Terlabie said the safety and quality of those products could not be guaranteed hence the need to withdraw them from the market for destruction.
Mrs Terlabie advised the public to be cautious when buying products during festive periods, especially now that Christmas is around the corner.
She further urged the public to check the expiry dates of products and avoid expired ones when buying them.
“Refrain from buying dented and leaking products, desist from buying products exposed to the sun or improperly stored and buy from hygienic shops, especially when buying meat, frozen foods, pastries and bread,” Mrs Terlabie stressed.
She also urged shop owners to store and display products in cool and dry places, employ the principles of first in first out (FIFO) or first expired first out (FEFO) to avoid products staying longer on the shelves, and observed good personal hygiene to help reduce contamination in the shops.
Mrs Terlabie called for co-operation from the public to assist the FDB to ensure public health and safety.
The destroyed items were assorted products such as meat, fish, milk, biscuits, confectionery, herbal and orthodox medicines, aphrodisiac and detergents.
The items were seized during the post-market surveillance exercise conducted in 15 municipalities and districts in the Brong Ahafo Region including Sunyani, Asunafo North, Techiman and Wenchi municipalities, Asunafo South, Nkoranza South, Sene, Tain, Tano North and Tano South Districts from March to October this year.
The exercise which formed part of the FDB’s mandate, was to ensure public health and safety and it was organised to rid the markets of expired, fake, unregistered and unwholesome foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and household chemicals.
During the exercise, officials from the FDB also examined products on the markets to ascertain the conditions under which they were stored and displayed for sale.
Briefing newsmen in Sunyani before the destruction of the items, the Sunyani Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mrs Nora Narkie Terlabie said during the exercise wholesale outlets, supermarkets, provision stores, pharmacy shops, and licensed chemical stores were inspected for expired, unregistered, fake and unwholesome products.
She explained that unwholesome products were those which were improperly stored, for instance those under wrong temperature, as well as those which had broken seals, rusted, dented and bloated cans.
According to her, products under those conditions were likely to become unsafe before their intended dates of expiry.
Subsequently, Mrs Terlabie said the safety and quality of those products could not be guaranteed hence the need to withdraw them from the market for destruction.
Mrs Terlabie advised the public to be cautious when buying products during festive periods, especially now that Christmas is around the corner.
She further urged the public to check the expiry dates of products and avoid expired ones when buying them.
“Refrain from buying dented and leaking products, desist from buying products exposed to the sun or improperly stored and buy from hygienic shops, especially when buying meat, frozen foods, pastries and bread,” Mrs Terlabie stressed.
She also urged shop owners to store and display products in cool and dry places, employ the principles of first in first out (FIFO) or first expired first out (FEFO) to avoid products staying longer on the shelves, and observed good personal hygiene to help reduce contamination in the shops.
Mrs Terlabie called for co-operation from the public to assist the FDB to ensure public health and safety.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
SCHOOL PROPRIETOR IN COURT FOR FRAUD (PAGE 20, MIRROR, NOV 13)
From Samuel Duodu, Kintampo.
THE proprietor of the Hope for Life Senior High School (SHS) at Babato in the Kintampo North Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region who went into hiding after taking delivery of 51 bags of sheanuts valued at Gh¢3,100 has come face to face with the law.
Augustine Weturah, 37, is alleged to have told the complainant in the case, Salifatu Dramatu, also a resident in Kintampo, that he had been contracted by the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Hansua, near Techiman, to purchase sheanuts on their behalf.
Based on this information, Dramatu gave 51 bags of sheanuts worth GH¢3,100 to Weturah but after receiving the nuts, Weturah began to play pranks and later went into hiding.
Weturah was later spotted in town by Dramatu who arrested him and handed him over to the police.
Weturah appeared before the Kintampo Magistrate Court and was charged with the offence of fictitious trading but he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of Gh¢4,000 with two sureties to be justified.
Weturah would re-appear before the court, presided over by Mr Albert Zoogah, on November 15, 2010.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector (Insp) Wisdom Ahiakpor told the court that Weturah and Dramatu both lived at Kintampo and that Weturah approached Dramatu that he had been contracted by the Ghana Nuts Company Limited and needed customers to supply him with sheanuts to purchase for the company.
He said Dramatu showed interest and supplied Weturah with 51 bags of sheanuts valued at GH¢3,100. Weturah collected the sheanuts without paying for them and went into hiding.
Insp. Ahiakpor said Dramatu made all efforts to reach Weturah on phone and by contacting him personally but to no avail.
The prosecutor said Dramatu on September 18, 2010, spotted Weturah in Kintampo and arrested him and handed him over to the police. During interrogation Weturah admitted collecting the sheanuts without paying for them.
Insp. Ahiakpor said Weturah agreed to pay the money later and was granted police enquiry bail but he failed to pay the money.
He said Weturah was served with criminal summons to appear before the court on October 22, 2010, but he failed to appear. Subsequently, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
THE proprietor of the Hope for Life Senior High School (SHS) at Babato in the Kintampo North Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region who went into hiding after taking delivery of 51 bags of sheanuts valued at Gh¢3,100 has come face to face with the law.
Augustine Weturah, 37, is alleged to have told the complainant in the case, Salifatu Dramatu, also a resident in Kintampo, that he had been contracted by the Ghana Nuts Company Limited at Hansua, near Techiman, to purchase sheanuts on their behalf.
Based on this information, Dramatu gave 51 bags of sheanuts worth GH¢3,100 to Weturah but after receiving the nuts, Weturah began to play pranks and later went into hiding.
Weturah was later spotted in town by Dramatu who arrested him and handed him over to the police.
Weturah appeared before the Kintampo Magistrate Court and was charged with the offence of fictitious trading but he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of Gh¢4,000 with two sureties to be justified.
Weturah would re-appear before the court, presided over by Mr Albert Zoogah, on November 15, 2010.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector (Insp) Wisdom Ahiakpor told the court that Weturah and Dramatu both lived at Kintampo and that Weturah approached Dramatu that he had been contracted by the Ghana Nuts Company Limited and needed customers to supply him with sheanuts to purchase for the company.
He said Dramatu showed interest and supplied Weturah with 51 bags of sheanuts valued at GH¢3,100. Weturah collected the sheanuts without paying for them and went into hiding.
Insp. Ahiakpor said Dramatu made all efforts to reach Weturah on phone and by contacting him personally but to no avail.
The prosecutor said Dramatu on September 18, 2010, spotted Weturah in Kintampo and arrested him and handed him over to the police. During interrogation Weturah admitted collecting the sheanuts without paying for them.
Insp. Ahiakpor said Weturah agreed to pay the money later and was granted police enquiry bail but he failed to pay the money.
He said Weturah was served with criminal summons to appear before the court on October 22, 2010, but he failed to appear. Subsequently, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
MORE BRONG AHAFO YOUTH PATRONISE APHRODISIACS (PAGE 21, MIRROR, NOV 13, 2010)
From Samuel Duodu, Sunyani.
The use of aphrodisiacs or sex enhancement drugs is said to be on the increase in the Brong Ahafo Region, especially among the youth.
The Sunyani Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), Mrs Nora Narkie Terlabie, said this in an interaction with newsmen in Sunyani prior to the destruction of expired, substandard drugs, as well as food, cosmetics and medical devices worth GH¢14,252.75 at the Sunyani Landfill site last Tuesday.
Mrs Terlabie, who is in charge of the FDB in the Brong Ahafo Region, said the region had been flooded with aphrodisiacs and that everywhere one went, one could meet three or four people, especially young men, selling the drugs either to their counterparts or some elderly men.
According to her, most of the seized drugs meant for destruction by her outfit were aphrodisiacs.
She said on her visit to one of the district assembly offices in the region, she met a young man selling aphrodisiacs on the premises.
Mrs Terlabie said members of her team seized the drugs the young man was selling, adding that they were surprised to see that some staff of the assembly who patronised the drugs came forward to plead for the release of the seized drugs to the young man.
According to her, those officials who intervened for her to release the drugs to the young man told her that he had been going to the district assembly office almost every day to sell the drugs and there had not been any negative report made about the drugs by those who patronised them.
That, Mrs Terlabie said was the situation in the region which was hampering the efforts of the FDB to live up to its mandate of ensuring public safety.
She added that most of the aphrodisiacs on the market were not registered and had Chinese inscribed on them, which was against FDB’s regulations.
She, therefore, cautioned the public against the use and patronage of those unregistered aphrodisiacs, since they posed a serious health risk to the users and were also against public safety.
She stated further that it was an offence to peddle any drug, including aphrodisiacs, and urged those who wanted to buy any drug for use, including aphrodisiacs, to go for them at pharmacies and licensed chemical shops.
Mrs Terlabie also advised the public to be vigilant when buying any product, especially imported biscuits, drinks, cooking oil, canned foods and frozen meat and fish, for the Christmas festivities, since most of those items might be expired.
“When you are buying any of these items during the Christmas festivities, you should look for the expiry dates on them. For canned foods, you must ensure that the can is not dented or rusted, while for drinks you must ensure that the lid or the seal is not opened and leaking,” she stated.
The use of aphrodisiacs or sex enhancement drugs is said to be on the increase in the Brong Ahafo Region, especially among the youth.
The Sunyani Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), Mrs Nora Narkie Terlabie, said this in an interaction with newsmen in Sunyani prior to the destruction of expired, substandard drugs, as well as food, cosmetics and medical devices worth GH¢14,252.75 at the Sunyani Landfill site last Tuesday.
Mrs Terlabie, who is in charge of the FDB in the Brong Ahafo Region, said the region had been flooded with aphrodisiacs and that everywhere one went, one could meet three or four people, especially young men, selling the drugs either to their counterparts or some elderly men.
According to her, most of the seized drugs meant for destruction by her outfit were aphrodisiacs.
She said on her visit to one of the district assembly offices in the region, she met a young man selling aphrodisiacs on the premises.
Mrs Terlabie said members of her team seized the drugs the young man was selling, adding that they were surprised to see that some staff of the assembly who patronised the drugs came forward to plead for the release of the seized drugs to the young man.
According to her, those officials who intervened for her to release the drugs to the young man told her that he had been going to the district assembly office almost every day to sell the drugs and there had not been any negative report made about the drugs by those who patronised them.
That, Mrs Terlabie said was the situation in the region which was hampering the efforts of the FDB to live up to its mandate of ensuring public safety.
She added that most of the aphrodisiacs on the market were not registered and had Chinese inscribed on them, which was against FDB’s regulations.
She, therefore, cautioned the public against the use and patronage of those unregistered aphrodisiacs, since they posed a serious health risk to the users and were also against public safety.
She stated further that it was an offence to peddle any drug, including aphrodisiacs, and urged those who wanted to buy any drug for use, including aphrodisiacs, to go for them at pharmacies and licensed chemical shops.
Mrs Terlabie also advised the public to be vigilant when buying any product, especially imported biscuits, drinks, cooking oil, canned foods and frozen meat and fish, for the Christmas festivities, since most of those items might be expired.
“When you are buying any of these items during the Christmas festivities, you should look for the expiry dates on them. For canned foods, you must ensure that the can is not dented or rusted, while for drinks you must ensure that the lid or the seal is not opened and leaking,” she stated.
ATEBUBU-AMANTIN ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES EDUCATION FUND (PAGE 11, NOV 10, 2010)
THE Atebubu-Amantin District Assembly has launched an educational fund dubbed “Atebubu-Amantin Education Endowment Fund” (AADEEF) to support academically promising students of the district at the senior high school and tertiary levels of education.
To begin with, the assembly has voted a seed capital of GH¢30,000.00 and will also contribute two per cent of its share of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) every quarter to the fund.
To ensure the sustainability of the fund, contractors working with the assembly will also pay 0.5 per cent of the total of their contract sum to the fund, while the assembly will intermittently contribute a quarter of its available balance into the fund.
A fundraising activity during the launch of the programme also yielded an amount of GH¢9,217.00 with GH¢2,417.00 cash and GH¢6,800 in cheques and pledges.
To ensure equity and transparency in the disbursement of the fund, an 11-member board of trustees chaired by Rev. Peter Atia, a Clegyman was also inaugurated, with Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong II, Omanhene of Atebubu Traditional Area and Osabarima Ababio, Omanhene of Amantin Traditional Area acting as life patrons of the fund.
Launching the fund at the forecourt of the assembly at Atebubu, Mr Eric Opoku, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, expressed the hope that the eligibility criteria for accessing the fund would be brilliant but needy students to help them climb the academic and professional ladder.
He entreated the board of trustees to observe the principles of equity, fairness, transparency and accountability in the management of the funds and further urged them to devise modern and pragmatic strategies to mobilise resources for a sustainable scheme.
“You must eschew discrimination and political considerations in the disbursement of the fund”, he told the trustees.
Mr Opoku commended the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Sanja Nanja, Nananom, assembly members and all who in diverse ways helped in this bold initiative to ensure academic progression of children in the district.
Touching on some of the government interventions and programmes in the educational sector for the region, Mr Opoku said the government was constructing over 69 classroom blocks to phase out classes held under trees in the region.
He said about 1,000 students in the region would also benefit from the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship scheme, a collaboration between the Ministries of Environment, Science and Technology and Education.
Mr Opoku announced that the region had been supplied with 44,000 school uniforms and 717,864 exercise books for distribution to basic schoolchildren under the government’s free school uniform and exercise books policy, and that all these were geared towards the realisation of true universal access to basic education in the country.
He urged parents to take keen interest in the education of their children and admonished pupils and students to eschew all forms of social vices and channel all their energies into their studies in order to justify the huge investments being made in them by their parents and the government.
The Atebubu-Amantin DCE, Mr Nanja, said the assembly set up the fund to assist the numerous students in the district who were brilliant but could not further their education as a result of financial constraints.
He, therefore, appealed to all and sundry in the district to contribute their quota to ensure the sustainability of the fund no matter how small it was.
Rev. Peter Atia, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the fund, for his part pledged to work assiduously to ensure that the fund was sustained to the expectations of all.
Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong II, the Omanhene of Atebubu Traditional Area, who chaired the function, commended the assembly for establishing the fund and appealed to the people in the district to contribute to the fund to ensure its sustainability.
To begin with, the assembly has voted a seed capital of GH¢30,000.00 and will also contribute two per cent of its share of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) every quarter to the fund.
To ensure the sustainability of the fund, contractors working with the assembly will also pay 0.5 per cent of the total of their contract sum to the fund, while the assembly will intermittently contribute a quarter of its available balance into the fund.
A fundraising activity during the launch of the programme also yielded an amount of GH¢9,217.00 with GH¢2,417.00 cash and GH¢6,800 in cheques and pledges.
To ensure equity and transparency in the disbursement of the fund, an 11-member board of trustees chaired by Rev. Peter Atia, a Clegyman was also inaugurated, with Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong II, Omanhene of Atebubu Traditional Area and Osabarima Ababio, Omanhene of Amantin Traditional Area acting as life patrons of the fund.
Launching the fund at the forecourt of the assembly at Atebubu, Mr Eric Opoku, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, expressed the hope that the eligibility criteria for accessing the fund would be brilliant but needy students to help them climb the academic and professional ladder.
He entreated the board of trustees to observe the principles of equity, fairness, transparency and accountability in the management of the funds and further urged them to devise modern and pragmatic strategies to mobilise resources for a sustainable scheme.
“You must eschew discrimination and political considerations in the disbursement of the fund”, he told the trustees.
Mr Opoku commended the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Sanja Nanja, Nananom, assembly members and all who in diverse ways helped in this bold initiative to ensure academic progression of children in the district.
Touching on some of the government interventions and programmes in the educational sector for the region, Mr Opoku said the government was constructing over 69 classroom blocks to phase out classes held under trees in the region.
He said about 1,000 students in the region would also benefit from the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship scheme, a collaboration between the Ministries of Environment, Science and Technology and Education.
Mr Opoku announced that the region had been supplied with 44,000 school uniforms and 717,864 exercise books for distribution to basic schoolchildren under the government’s free school uniform and exercise books policy, and that all these were geared towards the realisation of true universal access to basic education in the country.
He urged parents to take keen interest in the education of their children and admonished pupils and students to eschew all forms of social vices and channel all their energies into their studies in order to justify the huge investments being made in them by their parents and the government.
The Atebubu-Amantin DCE, Mr Nanja, said the assembly set up the fund to assist the numerous students in the district who were brilliant but could not further their education as a result of financial constraints.
He, therefore, appealed to all and sundry in the district to contribute their quota to ensure the sustainability of the fund no matter how small it was.
Rev. Peter Atia, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the fund, for his part pledged to work assiduously to ensure that the fund was sustained to the expectations of all.
Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong II, the Omanhene of Atebubu Traditional Area, who chaired the function, commended the assembly for establishing the fund and appealed to the people in the district to contribute to the fund to ensure its sustainability.
METHODIST UNIV TO ESTABLISH NURSES TRAINING COLLEGE (PAGE 11, NOV 10, 2010)
THE Methodist University College of Ghana (MUCG) is to establish a Nurses Training College (NTC) at Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo Region next year.
Consequently, the university has acquired a 32-acre property belonging to the British American Tobacco (BAT) at Wenchi to set up the Nursing College which will eventually have a medical school attached to it.
The university will also use the Wenchi Methodist Hospital as a venue for the practical training of its students.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the property at Wenchi, the Principal of the MUCG, the Very Rev Professor S.K. Adjepong said the MUCG acquired the leaf station property from BAT from a disadvantaged position, in that, it had no money at the time but went into negotiations for the property situated on the 32-acre land.
The principal observed that the idea of establishing a Nurses Training College made the BAT officials consider their bid over others and allowed the university to pay for the property on instalment basis to enable it to serve a public cause.
Rev. Prof. Adjepong stated that if things worked according to plan, the NTC would hit the ground running, come next academic year.
He indicated that the university had drawn up a curriculum and it was with the National Accreditation Board, saying the Nurses and Midwives Council had equally been contacted.
Touching on the daunting task ahead, Rev. Prof. Adjepong said “We will develop the place in piece-meal but progressively”.
He thanked the Wenchi Traditional Council and all those who played a role in the acquisition of the property.
The Security and Environmental Health Manager of BAT, Mr Michael Bondurin handed over the keys of the property to Rev. Prof. Adjepong.
In a brief remark , Mr Bondurin pointed out that when BAT decided to fold up, a lot of offers were received but it decided to give the property to the Methodist Church for the benefit of society.
Among those who witnessed the ceremony were the Vice Principal of MUCG, Very Rev. Prof. J.N. Kudadjie, The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture- Wenchi Campus of the MUCG, Prof. E.O Octhere and the Omanhene of Wenchi, Nana Abrefa Nketiah.
Consequently, the university has acquired a 32-acre property belonging to the British American Tobacco (BAT) at Wenchi to set up the Nursing College which will eventually have a medical school attached to it.
The university will also use the Wenchi Methodist Hospital as a venue for the practical training of its students.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the property at Wenchi, the Principal of the MUCG, the Very Rev Professor S.K. Adjepong said the MUCG acquired the leaf station property from BAT from a disadvantaged position, in that, it had no money at the time but went into negotiations for the property situated on the 32-acre land.
The principal observed that the idea of establishing a Nurses Training College made the BAT officials consider their bid over others and allowed the university to pay for the property on instalment basis to enable it to serve a public cause.
Rev. Prof. Adjepong stated that if things worked according to plan, the NTC would hit the ground running, come next academic year.
He indicated that the university had drawn up a curriculum and it was with the National Accreditation Board, saying the Nurses and Midwives Council had equally been contacted.
Touching on the daunting task ahead, Rev. Prof. Adjepong said “We will develop the place in piece-meal but progressively”.
He thanked the Wenchi Traditional Council and all those who played a role in the acquisition of the property.
The Security and Environmental Health Manager of BAT, Mr Michael Bondurin handed over the keys of the property to Rev. Prof. Adjepong.
In a brief remark , Mr Bondurin pointed out that when BAT decided to fold up, a lot of offers were received but it decided to give the property to the Methodist Church for the benefit of society.
Among those who witnessed the ceremony were the Vice Principal of MUCG, Very Rev. Prof. J.N. Kudadjie, The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture- Wenchi Campus of the MUCG, Prof. E.O Octhere and the Omanhene of Wenchi, Nana Abrefa Nketiah.
THREE BODIES TO TACKLE GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT (BACK PAGE, NOV 10, 2010)
THE National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) is in discussion with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to train unemployed graduates in business and entrepreneurship.
Under the programme, the participants should be prepared to set up their own businesses at the end of their two-year stint under the NYEP.
Mr Lukman Abdul-Rahim, the Executive Director of the NBSSI, explained that the move was to help reduce graduate and youth unemployment and create jobs to reduce poverty.
Mr Abdul-Rahim was speaking with the Daily Graphic in Sunyani shortly after meeting with some beneficiaries of the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP).
The programme, which is sponsored by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), is aimed at providing managerial and technical support to actors in the value chain of root and tuber production and processors.
Mr Abdul-Rahim also visited some of the project sites of the beneficiaries under the programme and interacted with them to know their challenges at first-hand to make recommendations for assistance.
So far about 300 people in the Sunyani, Techiman and Kintampo North municipalities, Sunyani West, Tano North and Atebubu-Amantin districts in the Brong Ahafo Region who are mostly into the production and processing of root and tuber, particularly cassava, are benefiting from the programme.
Mr Abdul-Rahim said beneficiaries under the business and entrepreneurship training programme would be supported with start-up capital when they exited from the National Service to set up their own businesses.
He said he managerial component of the RTIMP was to do with how beneficiaries could operate as business entities and also work as entrepreneurs.
He said other components included developing business plans, record-keeping and basic accounting practices, safety and hygiene practices.
In terms of technical support, the NBSSI would come up with proposals to address the technical gaps in the area of skills, equipment or machines, he said.
Mr Abdul-Rahim said by doing so the NBSSI was also fulfilling its mandate to promote and develop micro enterprises in the country, adding that NBSSI activities were also spread across the 110 districts in the country.
He said the RTIMP would continue to make resources available to address all the challenges faced by micro enterprises to ensure their sustainability through improved productivity, high incomes and job creation, since they had the potential for achieving the government’s private sector agenda.
Under the programme, the participants should be prepared to set up their own businesses at the end of their two-year stint under the NYEP.
Mr Lukman Abdul-Rahim, the Executive Director of the NBSSI, explained that the move was to help reduce graduate and youth unemployment and create jobs to reduce poverty.
Mr Abdul-Rahim was speaking with the Daily Graphic in Sunyani shortly after meeting with some beneficiaries of the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP).
The programme, which is sponsored by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), is aimed at providing managerial and technical support to actors in the value chain of root and tuber production and processors.
Mr Abdul-Rahim also visited some of the project sites of the beneficiaries under the programme and interacted with them to know their challenges at first-hand to make recommendations for assistance.
So far about 300 people in the Sunyani, Techiman and Kintampo North municipalities, Sunyani West, Tano North and Atebubu-Amantin districts in the Brong Ahafo Region who are mostly into the production and processing of root and tuber, particularly cassava, are benefiting from the programme.
Mr Abdul-Rahim said beneficiaries under the business and entrepreneurship training programme would be supported with start-up capital when they exited from the National Service to set up their own businesses.
He said he managerial component of the RTIMP was to do with how beneficiaries could operate as business entities and also work as entrepreneurs.
He said other components included developing business plans, record-keeping and basic accounting practices, safety and hygiene practices.
In terms of technical support, the NBSSI would come up with proposals to address the technical gaps in the area of skills, equipment or machines, he said.
Mr Abdul-Rahim said by doing so the NBSSI was also fulfilling its mandate to promote and develop micro enterprises in the country, adding that NBSSI activities were also spread across the 110 districts in the country.
He said the RTIMP would continue to make resources available to address all the challenges faced by micro enterprises to ensure their sustainability through improved productivity, high incomes and job creation, since they had the potential for achieving the government’s private sector agenda.
Friday, November 12, 2010
YEJI TOWN ROADS TO BE TARRED (PAGE 35, NOV 8, 2010)
THE Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, has cut the sod for the tarring of two kilometres of roads in Yeji town and the construction of 500 metres of drains along the road.
The projects, which are aimed at giving Yeji a facelift and to help ease the perennial flooding, are expected to be completed by September next year.
The projects, which are being financed with a Japanese grant of GH¢775, 685,64, are being executed by Kehentson Company Limited.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Yeji after cutting the sod for the commencement of the projects, Mr Gidisu said the government had decided to channel a greater part of a $13.2 billion roll-on-credit facility it secured from the Chinese government, during the recent visit by President John Evans Atta Mills to that country, to improve the road sector of the economy.
He stated that some roads in the Brong Ahafo Region would receive attention under the Chinese facility, notably the Atebubu-Kwame-Danso-Kajeji road to the banks of the Volta Lake in the Sene District, which has been on the drawing board for about a decade.
He said the government’s decision to use a greater portion of the facility for the road sector, was to take off some of the huge financial burden on the government’s funding for the sector.
Mr Gidisu added that much attention would be paid to feeder roads and other link roads in the country under the facility, saying that the road sector was the pivot for the socio-economic transformation of the country.
He assured Ghanaians that the road infrastructure of the country would see massive transformation in 2011 under President Mills’s administration.
The minister said since Prof. Mills took over power, his government had paid more than GH¢300 million to road contractors in the country while there were still some arrears to pay.
In response to an appeal by the Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemanpem Yaw Kagbrese V, and the Pru District Chief Executive, Mr Masawud Mohammed, that the government should improve the drainage system of Yeji town to ease the perennial flooding , Mr Gidisu said those concerns would be taken on board.
He expressed the hope that when the project was completed, it would bring improvements in the living conditions of the people.
Mr Gidisu also called on the contractor executing the project to construct the roads to the agreed specifications so that it would last longer.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, said the government was committed to the improvement of the road network in the country, giving an assurance that every community would get its fair share of development projects.
Mr Mohammed, the Pru DCE, appealed to the minister to consider improving other roads in the area such as the Prang-Abease-Kintampo and Yeji-Vutudeke roads, since they lad to food-growing communities in the district.
Nana Kagbrese, who is also the Vice-President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, expressed his appreciation to the government for the project.
He appealed for additional stretch of the town roads, including the one leading to the District Hospital.
The projects, which are aimed at giving Yeji a facelift and to help ease the perennial flooding, are expected to be completed by September next year.
The projects, which are being financed with a Japanese grant of GH¢775, 685,64, are being executed by Kehentson Company Limited.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Yeji after cutting the sod for the commencement of the projects, Mr Gidisu said the government had decided to channel a greater part of a $13.2 billion roll-on-credit facility it secured from the Chinese government, during the recent visit by President John Evans Atta Mills to that country, to improve the road sector of the economy.
He stated that some roads in the Brong Ahafo Region would receive attention under the Chinese facility, notably the Atebubu-Kwame-Danso-Kajeji road to the banks of the Volta Lake in the Sene District, which has been on the drawing board for about a decade.
He said the government’s decision to use a greater portion of the facility for the road sector, was to take off some of the huge financial burden on the government’s funding for the sector.
Mr Gidisu added that much attention would be paid to feeder roads and other link roads in the country under the facility, saying that the road sector was the pivot for the socio-economic transformation of the country.
He assured Ghanaians that the road infrastructure of the country would see massive transformation in 2011 under President Mills’s administration.
The minister said since Prof. Mills took over power, his government had paid more than GH¢300 million to road contractors in the country while there were still some arrears to pay.
In response to an appeal by the Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemanpem Yaw Kagbrese V, and the Pru District Chief Executive, Mr Masawud Mohammed, that the government should improve the drainage system of Yeji town to ease the perennial flooding , Mr Gidisu said those concerns would be taken on board.
He expressed the hope that when the project was completed, it would bring improvements in the living conditions of the people.
Mr Gidisu also called on the contractor executing the project to construct the roads to the agreed specifications so that it would last longer.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, said the government was committed to the improvement of the road network in the country, giving an assurance that every community would get its fair share of development projects.
Mr Mohammed, the Pru DCE, appealed to the minister to consider improving other roads in the area such as the Prang-Abease-Kintampo and Yeji-Vutudeke roads, since they lad to food-growing communities in the district.
Nana Kagbrese, who is also the Vice-President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, expressed his appreciation to the government for the project.
He appealed for additional stretch of the town roads, including the one leading to the District Hospital.
CHURCH EDUCATION UNIT ASSITS CHIRAA SDA SCHOOL (PAGE 35, NOV 8, 2010)
THE Ghana Union Conference (GUC) of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church and the Brong Ahafo Region SDA Education Unit have presented five packets of roofing sheets worth Gh¢1,1000 to the Chiraa SDA basic school in the Sunyani West District.
The gesture is to enable the school to re-roof the kindergarten (KG) block, whose roof was recently ripped off during a rainstorm in the area.
The General Manager of SDA Schools in Ghana, Elder Peter Yaw Frempah, who presented the roofing sheets, said the gesture was in response to an appeal made by the authorities of the school for assistance when the roof of the three-classroom block for the KG was ripped off.
He pledged that the church would continue to collaborate with the central government to provide quality education in the country.
The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Mr R.O. Ampofo, who received the items, thanked the church and the education unit for their prompt response to the distress call made by the school authorities and the PTA.
The gesture is to enable the school to re-roof the kindergarten (KG) block, whose roof was recently ripped off during a rainstorm in the area.
The General Manager of SDA Schools in Ghana, Elder Peter Yaw Frempah, who presented the roofing sheets, said the gesture was in response to an appeal made by the authorities of the school for assistance when the roof of the three-classroom block for the KG was ripped off.
He pledged that the church would continue to collaborate with the central government to provide quality education in the country.
The Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Mr R.O. Ampofo, who received the items, thanked the church and the education unit for their prompt response to the distress call made by the school authorities and the PTA.
CAPITAL RURAL BANK ORGANISES RAFFLE (PAGE 35, NOV 8, 2010)
THE Capital Rural Bank with its headquarters at Abesim in the Brong Ahafo Region has organised its annual raffle dubbed: “My home bonanza raffle draw’’ to reward its loyal customers.
The raffle, the second this year, is drawn every year with a house as the first prize.
It is aimed at rewarding loyal customers of the bank, inculcating the habit of savings in the people, as well as helping to mobilise excess liquidity in the system.
Mr William Gyabaah of Abesim won the first prize of the raffle and was given a two-bedroom flat at Abesim as his prize.
The second and third prizes of a deep freezer and a television set, respectively went to Mr David A. Appiah and Dr G.W. Opoku both from Sunyani, while consolation prizes of wall clocks and the bank’s branded T-shirts were presented to the 11th-50th winners.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after the draw, the Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, Dr E. Yaw Peprah-Agyemang, said so far about 70 people had benefited from the bank’s housing project christened “Capital affordable housing” launched last year to help meet the country’s housing deficit stock among Ghanaians.
He said under the bank’s housing scheme, the bank provided financial support to enable low-income earners in the formal and informal sectors in the region to own their houses.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang said the innovation by the bank was the first of its kind to be carried out by any rural bank in the country.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang explained that the bank decided to come up with the affordable housing product to make up for the housing deficit in the region and the nation as whole.
He added that one needed to save for at least six months to qualify for a mortgage or a housing loan to purchase the house.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang said the raffle was being run in collaboration with a private real estate developer, adding 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 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 apart from providing financial services, the bank also counselled people on the kind of investments to make.
The raffle, the second this year, is drawn every year with a house as the first prize.
It is aimed at rewarding loyal customers of the bank, inculcating the habit of savings in the people, as well as helping to mobilise excess liquidity in the system.
Mr William Gyabaah of Abesim won the first prize of the raffle and was given a two-bedroom flat at Abesim as his prize.
The second and third prizes of a deep freezer and a television set, respectively went to Mr David A. Appiah and Dr G.W. Opoku both from Sunyani, while consolation prizes of wall clocks and the bank’s branded T-shirts were presented to the 11th-50th winners.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after the draw, the Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, Dr E. Yaw Peprah-Agyemang, said so far about 70 people had benefited from the bank’s housing project christened “Capital affordable housing” launched last year to help meet the country’s housing deficit stock among Ghanaians.
He said under the bank’s housing scheme, the bank provided financial support to enable low-income earners in the formal and informal sectors in the region to own their houses.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang said the innovation by the bank was the first of its kind to be carried out by any rural bank in the country.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang explained that the bank decided to come up with the affordable housing product to make up for the housing deficit in the region and the nation as whole.
He added that one needed to save for at least six months to qualify for a mortgage or a housing loan to purchase the house.
Dr Peprah-Agyemang said the raffle was being run in collaboration with a private real estate developer, adding 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 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 apart from providing financial services, the bank also counselled people on the kind of investments to make.
PARENTS URGED TO ENROL THEIR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL (PAGE 35, NOV 8, 2010)
THE Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, has called on parents, especially those in the countryside, to take advantage of the numerous interventions by the government to enrol their children in school.
He mentioned some of the interventions as the supply of free school uniform and exercise books policy, as well as the provision of modern classroom infrastructure.
According to him, the government has also increased the number of beneficiary schools on the school feeding programme, especially in deprived communities, to encourage more children to go to school.
The regional minister, therefore, appealed to the people in the area to let the education of their children be their priority, as it was the cornerstone of the country’s human resource development and social uplift.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, who represented the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, as the special guest of honour, made the call at a colourful durbar of chiefs and people of Banda Ahenkro in the Tain District to climax their annual Fordjour Yam festival at Banda Ahenkro.
The durbar was also used to raise funds for the construction of a weekly market for the area initiated by the Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I.
The government delegation, led by Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, pledged 15 packets of roofing sheets worth GH¢3,000 and GH¢2,000 cash towards the construction of the market.
The occasion also served as a remembrance and thanksgiving for the ancestors for protecting the people over the years and asked for more blessing in the years ahead.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo explained that the interventions by the government in the educational sector were geared towards the lessening of the financial burden on parents.
He urged Ghanaians to use their annual festivals to plan for self-help development projects and generation of adequate funds to support the education sector.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo further admonished Ghanaians to use festivals as a rallying point to promote unity and reconciliation.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum Ahensah, implored chiefs, who are the repository of the country’s rich cultural heritage, to use festivals to revive the country’s culture which was dying slowly.
He stated that chieftaincy disputes were a bother to the government, since they retard development.
Mr Ahensan, therefore, urged the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs to find possible ways of resolving all the 56 chieftaincy disputes pending before it.
The President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi, who is also the Kukuomhene, said the region lagged behind in girls’ education in the country.
He, therefore, called on stakeholders, especially Nananom, to lead the crusade to promote girls’ education and to abolish cultural practices affecting the well-being of girls and undermining their education.
The Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I, appealed to chiefs in the area with inter or intra community disagreements to use the festival to bury their differences to enhance the development of the area.
The Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemanpem Yaw Kagbrese V, who is also the Vice-President of the Regional House of Chiefs, chaired the function.
He reiterated the call on the chiefs to use the festival to unite their people.
He mentioned some of the interventions as the supply of free school uniform and exercise books policy, as well as the provision of modern classroom infrastructure.
According to him, the government has also increased the number of beneficiary schools on the school feeding programme, especially in deprived communities, to encourage more children to go to school.
The regional minister, therefore, appealed to the people in the area to let the education of their children be their priority, as it was the cornerstone of the country’s human resource development and social uplift.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, who represented the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, as the special guest of honour, made the call at a colourful durbar of chiefs and people of Banda Ahenkro in the Tain District to climax their annual Fordjour Yam festival at Banda Ahenkro.
The durbar was also used to raise funds for the construction of a weekly market for the area initiated by the Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I.
The government delegation, led by Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, pledged 15 packets of roofing sheets worth GH¢3,000 and GH¢2,000 cash towards the construction of the market.
The occasion also served as a remembrance and thanksgiving for the ancestors for protecting the people over the years and asked for more blessing in the years ahead.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo explained that the interventions by the government in the educational sector were geared towards the lessening of the financial burden on parents.
He urged Ghanaians to use their annual festivals to plan for self-help development projects and generation of adequate funds to support the education sector.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo further admonished Ghanaians to use festivals as a rallying point to promote unity and reconciliation.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum Ahensah, implored chiefs, who are the repository of the country’s rich cultural heritage, to use festivals to revive the country’s culture which was dying slowly.
He stated that chieftaincy disputes were a bother to the government, since they retard development.
Mr Ahensan, therefore, urged the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs to find possible ways of resolving all the 56 chieftaincy disputes pending before it.
The President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi, who is also the Kukuomhene, said the region lagged behind in girls’ education in the country.
He, therefore, called on stakeholders, especially Nananom, to lead the crusade to promote girls’ education and to abolish cultural practices affecting the well-being of girls and undermining their education.
The Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito I, appealed to chiefs in the area with inter or intra community disagreements to use the festival to bury their differences to enhance the development of the area.
The Omanhene of Yeji Traditional Area, Pemanpem Yaw Kagbrese V, who is also the Vice-President of the Regional House of Chiefs, chaired the function.
He reiterated the call on the chiefs to use the festival to unite their people.
SUMA RURAL BANK RECORDS MORE PROFIT (PAGE 42, NOV 8, 2010)
THE Suma Rural Bank Limited at Suma Ahenkro in the Jaman North District in the Brong Ahafo Region recorded a profit before tax of GH¢64,217 in 2009 against GH¢21,469 recorded in 2008.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Ofori Asubongteng, announced this at the 24th annual general meeting of shareholders of the bank at Suma Ahenkro.
He said the bank‘s share capital went up from GH¢56,987 as of December, 2008 to GH¢155.903 at the end of 2009 while the total deposits of the bank increased from GH¢1,291,672 to GH¢2,030,841.
Mr Asubonteng further stated that last year, loans and advances given out stood at GH¢1,065,430 compared to the GH¢975,966 granted the previous year.
He said the loans went to various sectors, including transport, agriculture, trading, salaried workers, funerals, medical, as well as micro finance.
Mr Asubonteng announced that investments also increased from GH¢252,000 to GH¢1,081,436 while the total assets grew from GH¢1,887,433 to GH¢2,688,885.
The board chairman stated that the bank had met the Bank of Ghana’s (BOG) minimum capital requirement but urged the shareholders to do more to grow up the capital as the BOG might increase the minimum requirement anytime from now.
He said the bank was constructing a computer science laboratory for the Sumaman Senior High School (SHS) at Suma Ahenkro.
The Senior Manager of the bank, Mr Martin Adjei-Amponsah, announced that GH¢8,519 was paid to shareholders as their dividend.
Mr Adjei-Amponsah said the bank had planned to open branches at Berekum and Brodi and also set up a special savings for workers dubbed: “WSSA.”
He said the bank purchased Akuafo cheques worth GH¢117,492 as against GH¢34,498 bought in 2008.
Mr Adjei-Amponsah appealed to customers who had obtained loans from the bank to pay back promptly to ensure the continuous existence of the bank and also pave way for others to enjoy the facility.
The Assistant Director of Banking Supervision Department of the BOG, Mr Philip E. Cobbina, called on Board of Directors of rural banks to focus on good corporate governance and risk management to ensure the continuous existence of their banks.
He said in addition to good risk management, the banks must also be seriously concerned with the growth of their capital.
Mr Cobbina stressed the need for banks to constantly grow their capital by either retaining part of their profits or asking shareholders to inject fresh capital.
He commended the shareholders, board members and staff of the bank for their immense contributions which had brought the bank that far and urged them to work harder than before to move the bank forward.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, in an address read on his behalf, stressed the need for Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) to form corporate merges in order to stay in business.
He said the second quarter of 2010 report on performance showed that of 131 RCBs compiled by the Efficiency Monitoring Unit of ARB APEX Bank, only 91 RCBs nationwide had met the newly paid-up capital requirement of GH¢150,000.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Ofori Asubongteng, announced this at the 24th annual general meeting of shareholders of the bank at Suma Ahenkro.
He said the bank‘s share capital went up from GH¢56,987 as of December, 2008 to GH¢155.903 at the end of 2009 while the total deposits of the bank increased from GH¢1,291,672 to GH¢2,030,841.
Mr Asubonteng further stated that last year, loans and advances given out stood at GH¢1,065,430 compared to the GH¢975,966 granted the previous year.
He said the loans went to various sectors, including transport, agriculture, trading, salaried workers, funerals, medical, as well as micro finance.
Mr Asubonteng announced that investments also increased from GH¢252,000 to GH¢1,081,436 while the total assets grew from GH¢1,887,433 to GH¢2,688,885.
The board chairman stated that the bank had met the Bank of Ghana’s (BOG) minimum capital requirement but urged the shareholders to do more to grow up the capital as the BOG might increase the minimum requirement anytime from now.
He said the bank was constructing a computer science laboratory for the Sumaman Senior High School (SHS) at Suma Ahenkro.
The Senior Manager of the bank, Mr Martin Adjei-Amponsah, announced that GH¢8,519 was paid to shareholders as their dividend.
Mr Adjei-Amponsah said the bank had planned to open branches at Berekum and Brodi and also set up a special savings for workers dubbed: “WSSA.”
He said the bank purchased Akuafo cheques worth GH¢117,492 as against GH¢34,498 bought in 2008.
Mr Adjei-Amponsah appealed to customers who had obtained loans from the bank to pay back promptly to ensure the continuous existence of the bank and also pave way for others to enjoy the facility.
The Assistant Director of Banking Supervision Department of the BOG, Mr Philip E. Cobbina, called on Board of Directors of rural banks to focus on good corporate governance and risk management to ensure the continuous existence of their banks.
He said in addition to good risk management, the banks must also be seriously concerned with the growth of their capital.
Mr Cobbina stressed the need for banks to constantly grow their capital by either retaining part of their profits or asking shareholders to inject fresh capital.
He commended the shareholders, board members and staff of the bank for their immense contributions which had brought the bank that far and urged them to work harder than before to move the bank forward.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, in an address read on his behalf, stressed the need for Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) to form corporate merges in order to stay in business.
He said the second quarter of 2010 report on performance showed that of 131 RCBs compiled by the Efficiency Monitoring Unit of ARB APEX Bank, only 91 RCBs nationwide had met the newly paid-up capital requirement of GH¢150,000.
NDC WOMEN ORGANISERS WANT NANA TO DISTANCE HERSELF FROM GROUP (PAGE 13, NOV 8, 2010)
WOMEN Organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Brong Ahafo Region have called on Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, a former first lady and now a Vice Chairperson of the NDC, to distance herself from the recent posting of her posters across the country by persons claiming to be foot soldiers of the party.
The women stated that Mrs Rawlings‘ delay in distancing herself from the unlawful conduct of the faceless and nameless so-called foot soldiers were undermining the work of President Mills and the unity within the party.
“The delayed silence from Mrs Rawlings is fuelling lots of speculations which do not augur well for the image of our founder, hence our call for Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from the misconduct of the faceless and nameless persons so that as a party and government, we can focus on the work ahead and build the Better Ghana that Ghanaians voted President Mills to do,” the women organisers stated.
A release issued to the press in Sunyani and signed by Nana Adwoa Takyiwaa, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Women’s Organiser, on the recent Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings posters said they had nothing against the desire of Mrs Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, one of the Vice Chairpersons of the NDC, to vie to lead the party into 2012 general election.
The release said the NDC was a democratic party and believed in opening up the political space for every qualified member of the NDC to vie to lead the party.
“However, we are extremely displeased with the attempt by some persons to create unnecessary confusion within the party and distract the attention of President Mills’ government to deliver on its mandate and pursue the Better Ghana agenda,” it said.
The women organisers, therefore, called on Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from this unacceptable behaviour by the group of young men who are misbehaving and destroying the reputation of our Founder as well as the solid image of the NDC.
The women urged Mrs Rawlings as a mother figure to call the lawless persons to order or distance herself from them, adding that every well-meaning mother will not tolerate the waywardness on the part of her children and in like manner, Mrs Rawlings must not tolerate the waywardness of these cowards.
The NDC Brong Ahafo Women Organisers, however, pledged their unflinching support to President Mills and said they had no doubt that a Better Ghana will be built for the NDC’s mandate to be renewed in 2012.
They added that when a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made some attributions to Mrs Rawlings recently, she acted with dispatch to set the records straight.
“It is therefore disturbing that with regard to the recent matter which is undermining unity within the party and undermining the work of President Mills, Mrs Rawlings is delaying in distancing herself from the unlawful conduct of the faceless and nameless so-called foot soldiers,” they stated.
The release noted that it was a matter of fact that some women have made it to the high position of president of their nations and it was a matter of fact that many more women will aspire to such a high office but it is also a matter of fact that those who had made it to the high office, did not employ backdoor tactics as well as support lawlessness within the ranks of their parties.
“Particularly, we are unhappy about the lawlessness being perpetrated by certain faceless and nameless persons in the name of Mrs Konadu Agyemang Rawlings”, the release said.
“We find it highly inappropriate that a lawless agenda is being pursued in the name of a Vice Chairman of the party and also the wife of our respected founder his Excellency Jerry John Rawlings,” it stated.
The women stated that Mrs Rawlings‘ delay in distancing herself from the unlawful conduct of the faceless and nameless so-called foot soldiers were undermining the work of President Mills and the unity within the party.
“The delayed silence from Mrs Rawlings is fuelling lots of speculations which do not augur well for the image of our founder, hence our call for Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from the misconduct of the faceless and nameless persons so that as a party and government, we can focus on the work ahead and build the Better Ghana that Ghanaians voted President Mills to do,” the women organisers stated.
A release issued to the press in Sunyani and signed by Nana Adwoa Takyiwaa, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Women’s Organiser, on the recent Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings posters said they had nothing against the desire of Mrs Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, one of the Vice Chairpersons of the NDC, to vie to lead the party into 2012 general election.
The release said the NDC was a democratic party and believed in opening up the political space for every qualified member of the NDC to vie to lead the party.
“However, we are extremely displeased with the attempt by some persons to create unnecessary confusion within the party and distract the attention of President Mills’ government to deliver on its mandate and pursue the Better Ghana agenda,” it said.
The women organisers, therefore, called on Mrs Rawlings to immediately distance herself from this unacceptable behaviour by the group of young men who are misbehaving and destroying the reputation of our Founder as well as the solid image of the NDC.
The women urged Mrs Rawlings as a mother figure to call the lawless persons to order or distance herself from them, adding that every well-meaning mother will not tolerate the waywardness on the part of her children and in like manner, Mrs Rawlings must not tolerate the waywardness of these cowards.
The NDC Brong Ahafo Women Organisers, however, pledged their unflinching support to President Mills and said they had no doubt that a Better Ghana will be built for the NDC’s mandate to be renewed in 2012.
They added that when a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made some attributions to Mrs Rawlings recently, she acted with dispatch to set the records straight.
“It is therefore disturbing that with regard to the recent matter which is undermining unity within the party and undermining the work of President Mills, Mrs Rawlings is delaying in distancing herself from the unlawful conduct of the faceless and nameless so-called foot soldiers,” they stated.
The release noted that it was a matter of fact that some women have made it to the high position of president of their nations and it was a matter of fact that many more women will aspire to such a high office but it is also a matter of fact that those who had made it to the high office, did not employ backdoor tactics as well as support lawlessness within the ranks of their parties.
“Particularly, we are unhappy about the lawlessness being perpetrated by certain faceless and nameless persons in the name of Mrs Konadu Agyemang Rawlings”, the release said.
“We find it highly inappropriate that a lawless agenda is being pursued in the name of a Vice Chairman of the party and also the wife of our respected founder his Excellency Jerry John Rawlings,” it stated.
ADUANA DEEPEN KOTOKO'S WOES (BACK PAGE, NOV 8, 2010)
Two quick goals by Aduana Stars marksman Bernard Dong Bortey within five minutes further deepened the woes of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in their 10th week Glo Premier League thriller at Dormaa-Ahenkro, yesterday.
Bortey, who was a thorn in the flesh of Kotoko right from recess, capitalised on the loss of concentration on the part of the Kotoko defenders to power the defending champions to a 2-0 win. The victory has made each player GH¢600 richer from a special bonus promised by the club’s bankroller and Life Patron, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II.
Determined to make good his promise to score against Kotoko, Bortey opened the Aduana account with a 20-metre shot from the left which beat goalkeeper Isaac Amoako after 57 minutes. He capitalised on lack of communication in the Kotoko defence to double the lead five minutes later.
Kotoko, playing under caretaker coach, Opoku Nti, and Technical Director Malik Jabir, took the game to the homesters in the first half but Daniel Nii Adjei, Kabiru Moro, Louis Agyemang and Jordan Opoku lacked bite upfront, leaving goalkeeper Stephen Adams on a virtual holiday.
Kotoko made three straight substitutions in the last 20 minutes of the game, bringing on Samad Oppong, Kwadwo Poku and Daniel Ofei for Aziz Ansah, Ekow Benson and Kabiru Moro but that could not alter the scoreline.
Bortey, who was a thorn in the flesh of Kotoko right from recess, capitalised on the loss of concentration on the part of the Kotoko defenders to power the defending champions to a 2-0 win. The victory has made each player GH¢600 richer from a special bonus promised by the club’s bankroller and Life Patron, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II.
Determined to make good his promise to score against Kotoko, Bortey opened the Aduana account with a 20-metre shot from the left which beat goalkeeper Isaac Amoako after 57 minutes. He capitalised on lack of communication in the Kotoko defence to double the lead five minutes later.
Kotoko, playing under caretaker coach, Opoku Nti, and Technical Director Malik Jabir, took the game to the homesters in the first half but Daniel Nii Adjei, Kabiru Moro, Louis Agyemang and Jordan Opoku lacked bite upfront, leaving goalkeeper Stephen Adams on a virtual holiday.
Kotoko made three straight substitutions in the last 20 minutes of the game, bringing on Samad Oppong, Kwadwo Poku and Daniel Ofei for Aziz Ansah, Ekow Benson and Kabiru Moro but that could not alter the scoreline.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
SUGAR THIEF FINED (MIRROR, PAGE 35, NOV 5, 2010)
From Samuel Duodu, Kintampo
ONE of the two persons, who were charged with stealing five bags of sugar with an inscription of the World Food Programme (WFP) embossed on the sacks at Kintampo two weeks ago, has been sentenced to a fine of Gh¢960 or in default serve 23 months imprisonment.
The Kintampo Circuit Court also ordered the convict, Adjei Kwame Vasco to pay a compensation of Gh¢350 to the driver of the Bolga bound articulated truck from which the sugar was stolen, for damaging the tarpaulin been used to cover the sugar on board the truck.
Vasco, 27, and Peter Kategeh, 26, a driver, were arrested by the police at Kintampo when they were loading the sugar into a Tico taxi.
However, the court, presided over by Mr Albert Zoogah, acquitted and discharged Kategeh, since according to the evidence adduced by the court he had no knowledge of the crime, because he was only stopped by Vasco while he was working as a commercial driver to render a service.
During their first appearance in court, Vasco pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, causing unlawful damage and stealing while Kategeh denied knowledge of the crime and were both remanded.
Vasco told the court that he was riding a bicycle from Babatokuma to Kintampo when he saw the bags of sugar by the roadside and called the driver to come to convey them.
However, at the second hearing of the case, Vasco confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.
The facts of the case were that the two were residents of the Kintampo North municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region while the complainant, Mohammed Yakubu was from Accra and in-charge of the articulated truck.
Yakubu, who was in transit stopped over at Kintampo to rest and later took off to Babatokuma. On arrival at Babatokuma, he detected that the rope that was used to fasten the tarpaulin was loose and was dragging on the road.
Yakubu stopped and detected that thieves had cut the tarpaulin and had stolen some bags of sugar.
He quickly reported it to the police patrol team stationed at the Surounuan toll booth.
Yakubu, with the help of the Police Patrol Team traced the stolen bags of sugar to Kintampo and on their way they came across a taxi parked along the road.
The team saw Kategeh sitting behind the steering wheel of the taxi, while Vasco was loading the sugar into the car.
The two were arrested and sent to the Kintampo Police Station with the exhibits.
ONE of the two persons, who were charged with stealing five bags of sugar with an inscription of the World Food Programme (WFP) embossed on the sacks at Kintampo two weeks ago, has been sentenced to a fine of Gh¢960 or in default serve 23 months imprisonment.
The Kintampo Circuit Court also ordered the convict, Adjei Kwame Vasco to pay a compensation of Gh¢350 to the driver of the Bolga bound articulated truck from which the sugar was stolen, for damaging the tarpaulin been used to cover the sugar on board the truck.
Vasco, 27, and Peter Kategeh, 26, a driver, were arrested by the police at Kintampo when they were loading the sugar into a Tico taxi.
However, the court, presided over by Mr Albert Zoogah, acquitted and discharged Kategeh, since according to the evidence adduced by the court he had no knowledge of the crime, because he was only stopped by Vasco while he was working as a commercial driver to render a service.
During their first appearance in court, Vasco pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, causing unlawful damage and stealing while Kategeh denied knowledge of the crime and were both remanded.
Vasco told the court that he was riding a bicycle from Babatokuma to Kintampo when he saw the bags of sugar by the roadside and called the driver to come to convey them.
However, at the second hearing of the case, Vasco confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.
The facts of the case were that the two were residents of the Kintampo North municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region while the complainant, Mohammed Yakubu was from Accra and in-charge of the articulated truck.
Yakubu, who was in transit stopped over at Kintampo to rest and later took off to Babatokuma. On arrival at Babatokuma, he detected that the rope that was used to fasten the tarpaulin was loose and was dragging on the road.
Yakubu stopped and detected that thieves had cut the tarpaulin and had stolen some bags of sugar.
He quickly reported it to the police patrol team stationed at the Surounuan toll booth.
Yakubu, with the help of the Police Patrol Team traced the stolen bags of sugar to Kintampo and on their way they came across a taxi parked along the road.
The team saw Kategeh sitting behind the steering wheel of the taxi, while Vasco was loading the sugar into the car.
The two were arrested and sent to the Kintampo Police Station with the exhibits.
COMPANY REGISTERS 350 NEEDY PEOPLE UNDER NHIS (PAGE 23, NOV 5, 2010)
A PRIVATE company has registered 350 needy people including widows, orphans, the aged and the disabled at Kwatire, a farming community in the Sunyani West District in the Brong Ahafo Region for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
A cassava starch processing factory at Kwatire, Kofi Vinyo Company Limited (KVCL), spent GH¢3,000 on their registration as part of the company’s social responsibility to the community.
The $700,000 factory, which is under construction at Kwatire and scheduled to start operations next year, is an initiative of Mr Kofi Vinyo, a Sunyani-based philanthropist and a businessman, with financial support from the Sunyani branch of ECOBANK.
At the ceremony to register the needy people at Kwatire, the company donated a 21-inch colour television set to the Kwatire Health Centre which serves the people of Kwatire, Adentia, Odumase and their surrounding villages.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of KVCL, Mr Vinyo, said the company saw good health as an important asset for every human being and, therefore, decided to sponsor the registration of the underprivileged in the society to enable them access quality health care.
He stated that even though the factory had not begun operation, he wanted the people in the town to know that the company would be committed to its social responsibilities when it starts production next year and would employ about 700 inhabitants of the town.
He added that the factory would process cassava into starch for industrial use and export, adding that the target was to produce 14,000 tonnes of starch for export annually.
The managing director said the company was expected to cultivate 2,000 acres of cassava by the next major farming season and had also planned to assist individual farmers who were interested in cassava production to do so.
Mr Vinyo, however, appealed to the government to assist the company by providing the necessary security and also to enable it import machines from China for its operations.
The Sunyani West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwadwo Osei Asibey, lauded Mr Vinyo for the investment and commended the company for fulfilling its social responsibility to the community even though it was yet to start production.
He appealed to residents of Kwatire and its environs, especially the youth who would be direct beneficiaries of the factory, to cooperate with the investor to ensure the success of the project.
The DCE also pledged the district assembly’s support for the company.
Mr Asibey called on chiefs in the area to release more land for the expansion of the factory when the need arose since it was part of their contributions towards job creation.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Sunyani Municipal Health Insurance Scheme, Ms Victoria Manu, appealed to wealthy people in the society to help less fortunate ones to register with the scheme, and thanked Mr Vinyo for the gesture.
The Sunyani West District Director of Agriculture, Madam Joyce Takyi, stressed the economic importance of cassava and urged residents of Kwatire who were desirous of going into cassava production not to hesitate to do so.
The Sunyani Branch Manager of ECOBANK, Mr Haruna Alhassan, called on the people of Kwatire to lend their support to the project to ensure its success.
He also urged people who would be engaged when the factory starts operations to cultivate the habit of saving in order to get soft loans from the bank.
The Managing Director of KVCL, the DCE and the other dignitaries later toured the factory site to see the progress of work.
A cassava starch processing factory at Kwatire, Kofi Vinyo Company Limited (KVCL), spent GH¢3,000 on their registration as part of the company’s social responsibility to the community.
The $700,000 factory, which is under construction at Kwatire and scheduled to start operations next year, is an initiative of Mr Kofi Vinyo, a Sunyani-based philanthropist and a businessman, with financial support from the Sunyani branch of ECOBANK.
At the ceremony to register the needy people at Kwatire, the company donated a 21-inch colour television set to the Kwatire Health Centre which serves the people of Kwatire, Adentia, Odumase and their surrounding villages.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of KVCL, Mr Vinyo, said the company saw good health as an important asset for every human being and, therefore, decided to sponsor the registration of the underprivileged in the society to enable them access quality health care.
He stated that even though the factory had not begun operation, he wanted the people in the town to know that the company would be committed to its social responsibilities when it starts production next year and would employ about 700 inhabitants of the town.
He added that the factory would process cassava into starch for industrial use and export, adding that the target was to produce 14,000 tonnes of starch for export annually.
The managing director said the company was expected to cultivate 2,000 acres of cassava by the next major farming season and had also planned to assist individual farmers who were interested in cassava production to do so.
Mr Vinyo, however, appealed to the government to assist the company by providing the necessary security and also to enable it import machines from China for its operations.
The Sunyani West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwadwo Osei Asibey, lauded Mr Vinyo for the investment and commended the company for fulfilling its social responsibility to the community even though it was yet to start production.
He appealed to residents of Kwatire and its environs, especially the youth who would be direct beneficiaries of the factory, to cooperate with the investor to ensure the success of the project.
The DCE also pledged the district assembly’s support for the company.
Mr Asibey called on chiefs in the area to release more land for the expansion of the factory when the need arose since it was part of their contributions towards job creation.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Sunyani Municipal Health Insurance Scheme, Ms Victoria Manu, appealed to wealthy people in the society to help less fortunate ones to register with the scheme, and thanked Mr Vinyo for the gesture.
The Sunyani West District Director of Agriculture, Madam Joyce Takyi, stressed the economic importance of cassava and urged residents of Kwatire who were desirous of going into cassava production not to hesitate to do so.
The Sunyani Branch Manager of ECOBANK, Mr Haruna Alhassan, called on the people of Kwatire to lend their support to the project to ensure its success.
He also urged people who would be engaged when the factory starts operations to cultivate the habit of saving in order to get soft loans from the bank.
The Managing Director of KVCL, the DCE and the other dignitaries later toured the factory site to see the progress of work.
VAT SERVICE HOLDS SEMINAR FOR HOTEL OPERATORS (PAGE 22, NOV 2, 2010)
THE National House of Chiefs (NHC), in collaboration with the Law Reform Commission, is conducting research to ascertain the customary law on land and family in selected traditional areas in the country.
The traditional areas are Offinso and Tepa (Ashanti), Duayaw Nkwanta, Nkoranza (Brong – Ahafo), Eguafo, Assin Atandanso (Central), Akuapem, Yilo Krobo (Eastern) and Kpone and Osudoku (Greater Accra).
The rest are Gonja and Mamprusi (Northern), Bolga, Paga (Upper East), Kaleo, Nandom (Upper West), Asogli, Kete Krachi (Volta) and Lower Axim and Sefwi Chirano (Western).
Known as the Ascertainment and Codification of Customary Law Project (ACLP), the project is partly in fulfilment of Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
The project is being supported by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing a regional validation workshop in Wa, the National Research Co-ordinator of the ACLP, Mr Thomas Tagoe, said the main objective of the project was to carry out the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law.
He said currently 20 traditional areas in the country were being piloted to ascertain customary law on land and family in additional customary legal communities with validations.
According to him, the project was being undertaken in three phases, with two traditional areas from each of the 10 administrative regions.
Mr Tagoe explained that the phase one would involve data collection and literature review, among other issues.
“In the phase two of the project, additional variations of customary laws from about 30 traditional areas will be collected on land and family law,” he added.
Mr Tagoe said within the final stages of the project, it was expected that consultations would be held with traditional leaders from other traditional areas, which were not involved in the process of data collection.
That, he said, would give them the opportunity to review the findings of the ascertained law and identify variations from their communities.
A member of the Joint Steering Committee of the Project, Dr Henry Daannaa, gave the assurance that other traditional areas would be roped in after the validation workshops.
The traditional areas are Offinso and Tepa (Ashanti), Duayaw Nkwanta, Nkoranza (Brong – Ahafo), Eguafo, Assin Atandanso (Central), Akuapem, Yilo Krobo (Eastern) and Kpone and Osudoku (Greater Accra).
The rest are Gonja and Mamprusi (Northern), Bolga, Paga (Upper East), Kaleo, Nandom (Upper West), Asogli, Kete Krachi (Volta) and Lower Axim and Sefwi Chirano (Western).
Known as the Ascertainment and Codification of Customary Law Project (ACLP), the project is partly in fulfilment of Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
The project is being supported by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing a regional validation workshop in Wa, the National Research Co-ordinator of the ACLP, Mr Thomas Tagoe, said the main objective of the project was to carry out the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law.
He said currently 20 traditional areas in the country were being piloted to ascertain customary law on land and family in additional customary legal communities with validations.
According to him, the project was being undertaken in three phases, with two traditional areas from each of the 10 administrative regions.
Mr Tagoe explained that the phase one would involve data collection and literature review, among other issues.
“In the phase two of the project, additional variations of customary laws from about 30 traditional areas will be collected on land and family law,” he added.
Mr Tagoe said within the final stages of the project, it was expected that consultations would be held with traditional leaders from other traditional areas, which were not involved in the process of data collection.
That, he said, would give them the opportunity to review the findings of the ascertained law and identify variations from their communities.
A member of the Joint Steering Committee of the Project, Dr Henry Daannaa, gave the assurance that other traditional areas would be roped in after the validation workshops.
DORMAA WEST NDC URGES SUPPORTERS TO STAY UNITED (PAGE 12, NOV 1, 2010)
Executive Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Dormaa West constituency have called on supporters of the party in the constituency to close their ranks and rally behind the executives to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda.
They also congratulated the Dormaa West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, on the good work done in the municipality since he assumed office about 18 months ago.
The Constituency Executives further cautioned those who want to disturb the current peace prevailing in the constituency to desist from such act.
The Constituency Secretary of the Party, Mr. Haford Yeboah a.k.a Tomboya, made the call and the commendation at a meeting with the executive members and the rank and file of the party at Dormaa Ahenkro, the municipal capital.
Mr. Yeboah mentioned some of the projects undertaken through the support of the Municipal Assembly since the MCE took office as the construction of about 15 school buildings at Agyemankrom, Antwirifo, Amasu, Nkrankwanta and Gonokrom which were executed in less than two years.
Touching on electricity, he said the assembly under the able leadership of the MCE has extended electricity to some communities such as Tronang, Agyemankrom, Sawaba Zongo, Kofikumikrom and Krakrom.
On the educational sector, Mr. Yeboah said about 73 senior high schools (SHS) and 33 tertiary students have been fully catered for while 33 boreholes which were out of use for about eight years were being repaired.
He said the entire youth of Dormaa were also impressed with the construction of the dressing room at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park at Dormaa Ahenkro which has enabled Aduana Stars to play their home matches at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The Dormaa West NDC Constituency Secretary described Mr. Asamoah as an achiever and urged residents in the municipality to judge the good work done and vote massively for the party in the 2012 general election to enable it continue with the good work.
The NDC Constituency Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Kankani, appealed to the supporters as well as the youth wing to respect the party hierarchy in the constituency and also work together as a team with the executives to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the 2012 election.
The NDC Constituency Youth Organiser, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman a.k.a. Yaa Naa cautioned those who want to disturb the current peace prevailing in the constituency to desist from such act.
The NDC Constituency Women Organiser, Madam Ashietu Banda urged women in the party to vote massively for women candidates contesting the forthcoming District level elections.
This, she said would go a long way to get more women to participate in the local level of decision making.
Madam Banda also commended the MCE for his good work and called on all residents in the constituency to rally behind him and President Mills to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda.
They also congratulated the Dormaa West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, on the good work done in the municipality since he assumed office about 18 months ago.
The Constituency Executives further cautioned those who want to disturb the current peace prevailing in the constituency to desist from such act.
The Constituency Secretary of the Party, Mr. Haford Yeboah a.k.a Tomboya, made the call and the commendation at a meeting with the executive members and the rank and file of the party at Dormaa Ahenkro, the municipal capital.
Mr. Yeboah mentioned some of the projects undertaken through the support of the Municipal Assembly since the MCE took office as the construction of about 15 school buildings at Agyemankrom, Antwirifo, Amasu, Nkrankwanta and Gonokrom which were executed in less than two years.
Touching on electricity, he said the assembly under the able leadership of the MCE has extended electricity to some communities such as Tronang, Agyemankrom, Sawaba Zongo, Kofikumikrom and Krakrom.
On the educational sector, Mr. Yeboah said about 73 senior high schools (SHS) and 33 tertiary students have been fully catered for while 33 boreholes which were out of use for about eight years were being repaired.
He said the entire youth of Dormaa were also impressed with the construction of the dressing room at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park at Dormaa Ahenkro which has enabled Aduana Stars to play their home matches at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The Dormaa West NDC Constituency Secretary described Mr. Asamoah as an achiever and urged residents in the municipality to judge the good work done and vote massively for the party in the 2012 general election to enable it continue with the good work.
The NDC Constituency Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Kankani, appealed to the supporters as well as the youth wing to respect the party hierarchy in the constituency and also work together as a team with the executives to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the 2012 election.
The NDC Constituency Youth Organiser, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman a.k.a. Yaa Naa cautioned those who want to disturb the current peace prevailing in the constituency to desist from such act.
The NDC Constituency Women Organiser, Madam Ashietu Banda urged women in the party to vote massively for women candidates contesting the forthcoming District level elections.
This, she said would go a long way to get more women to participate in the local level of decision making.
Madam Banda also commended the MCE for his good work and called on all residents in the constituency to rally behind him and President Mills to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda.
FREE SUPPLY OF UNIFORMS WILL BE SUSTAINED (PAGE 22, OCT 30, 2010)
THE Dormaa West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has stated that the government’s policy to supply free school uniforms to deprived schools is not a nine-days’ wonder.
He said the intervention would continue every year as far as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was concerned.
The MCE also stated that schools in deprived communities in the municipality would benefit from the school feeding programme which had been increased from 1,500 to 3,000 by the government to entice more children to enrol in schools.
Mr Asamoah gave the assurance when he distributed the government’s free school uniforms to 240 pupils in the Kofiasua Primary School in the municipality in fulfilment of the NDC’s manifesto for the realisation of the “Better Ghana” agenda.
Already more than 100,000 free exercise books have been distributed to the schools in the municipality.
Mr Asamoah said the aim of the government was to reduce the burden on parents in financing education.
The MCE explained that the government would ensure the success of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) to enhance quality education delivery since no country could develop without education.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide rural communities with the necessary social amenities such as potable water, good roads, electricity and quality classroom blocks to ensure that the people live in dignity.
Mr Asamoah advised the teachers to offer their best, and cautioned them against drunkenness.
He also urged the pupils to keep their surroundings clean to avoid the outbreak of diseases, adding that the schools must plant more trees and flowers to beautify their compounds.
The Dormaa West Municipal Deputy Director of Education, Mr Atakorah Amaniampong, who received the uniforms on behalf of the schools, thanked the MCE and the government for the gesture, and gave the assurance that the uniforms would encourage the children to go to school.
He said the uniforms had come at the right time to reduce the burden on parents.
Mr Amaniampong urged the teachers to eschew alcoholism, laziness and absenteeism, stressing that parents should take keen interest in the education of their children.
He said the intervention would continue every year as far as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was concerned.
The MCE also stated that schools in deprived communities in the municipality would benefit from the school feeding programme which had been increased from 1,500 to 3,000 by the government to entice more children to enrol in schools.
Mr Asamoah gave the assurance when he distributed the government’s free school uniforms to 240 pupils in the Kofiasua Primary School in the municipality in fulfilment of the NDC’s manifesto for the realisation of the “Better Ghana” agenda.
Already more than 100,000 free exercise books have been distributed to the schools in the municipality.
Mr Asamoah said the aim of the government was to reduce the burden on parents in financing education.
The MCE explained that the government would ensure the success of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) to enhance quality education delivery since no country could develop without education.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide rural communities with the necessary social amenities such as potable water, good roads, electricity and quality classroom blocks to ensure that the people live in dignity.
Mr Asamoah advised the teachers to offer their best, and cautioned them against drunkenness.
He also urged the pupils to keep their surroundings clean to avoid the outbreak of diseases, adding that the schools must plant more trees and flowers to beautify their compounds.
The Dormaa West Municipal Deputy Director of Education, Mr Atakorah Amaniampong, who received the uniforms on behalf of the schools, thanked the MCE and the government for the gesture, and gave the assurance that the uniforms would encourage the children to go to school.
He said the uniforms had come at the right time to reduce the burden on parents.
Mr Amaniampong urged the teachers to eschew alcoholism, laziness and absenteeism, stressing that parents should take keen interest in the education of their children.
GH¢450,000 VOTED FOR MEASLES CAMPAIGN (PAGE 11, OCT 30, 2010)
The government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has voted GH¢450,000 (¢4.5 billion) for the National Mass Measles Campaign in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The money is for the procurement of needles, syringes and other essentials items for the measles immunisation programme scheduled to take place from November 3 to 6, 2010 nationwide.
About 400, 081 children between the ages of nine and 59 months are expected to be immunised against measles in the region, which is a follow up of the routine immunisation, and also reach out to those who were not covered during the routine one.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and one of the highest causes of under five mortality worldwide. In addition to the measles vaccination, children from nine months to under-five years will receive Vitamin A capsules which helps to give children good eyesight and boost their immunity.
The immunisation campaign is on the theme “Measles kills, immunise your child now”. Measles, which is a killer, is preventable when the child is vaccinated against it.
Speaking at the Regional launch of the campaign/media briefing on integrated 2010 measles/Vitamin A immunisation campaign in Sunyani, Dr Aaron Offei, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Health stated that Ghana was one of the countries in the Sub-region that had made significant improvements in measles immunisation.
He noted that in spite of the 90 per cent coverage achieved in the region, there was a need to do more to capture those yet to be reached during the supplementary immunisation campaign.
Dr Offei, therefore, called on all stakeholders, especially the media, to use their medium to create the awareness on the need for every parent to ensure that their children aged from nine months to under five years are immunised.
Dr. E. T. Tinkorang , Deputy Regional Director of Health Service, also in-charge of Public Health, said the immunisation programme had been planned in such a way to ensure safety and the protection of the environment.
He explained that one syringe and needle would be used for each child during the immunisation and once it was used, it would be disposed of immediately without causing any environmental hazards after the programme.
He called for proper co-ordination at the municipal and district levels to ensure the success of the programme, adding that districts should design their programmes in such a way to enable them to capture those in hard-to-reach areas in their districts.
Mr Amofa Boateng, the Regional Disease Control Officer, who spoke on the communication strategy, reiterated the call on the media to create awareness on the need for all to vaccinate their children aged below five years against measles.
He called for co-operation from the public to ensure the success of the programme.
The money is for the procurement of needles, syringes and other essentials items for the measles immunisation programme scheduled to take place from November 3 to 6, 2010 nationwide.
About 400, 081 children between the ages of nine and 59 months are expected to be immunised against measles in the region, which is a follow up of the routine immunisation, and also reach out to those who were not covered during the routine one.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and one of the highest causes of under five mortality worldwide. In addition to the measles vaccination, children from nine months to under-five years will receive Vitamin A capsules which helps to give children good eyesight and boost their immunity.
The immunisation campaign is on the theme “Measles kills, immunise your child now”. Measles, which is a killer, is preventable when the child is vaccinated against it.
Speaking at the Regional launch of the campaign/media briefing on integrated 2010 measles/Vitamin A immunisation campaign in Sunyani, Dr Aaron Offei, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Health stated that Ghana was one of the countries in the Sub-region that had made significant improvements in measles immunisation.
He noted that in spite of the 90 per cent coverage achieved in the region, there was a need to do more to capture those yet to be reached during the supplementary immunisation campaign.
Dr Offei, therefore, called on all stakeholders, especially the media, to use their medium to create the awareness on the need for every parent to ensure that their children aged from nine months to under five years are immunised.
Dr. E. T. Tinkorang , Deputy Regional Director of Health Service, also in-charge of Public Health, said the immunisation programme had been planned in such a way to ensure safety and the protection of the environment.
He explained that one syringe and needle would be used for each child during the immunisation and once it was used, it would be disposed of immediately without causing any environmental hazards after the programme.
He called for proper co-ordination at the municipal and district levels to ensure the success of the programme, adding that districts should design their programmes in such a way to enable them to capture those in hard-to-reach areas in their districts.
Mr Amofa Boateng, the Regional Disease Control Officer, who spoke on the communication strategy, reiterated the call on the media to create awareness on the need for all to vaccinate their children aged below five years against measles.
He called for co-operation from the public to ensure the success of the programme.
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