THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tain, Mr Amed Ibrahim has stressed the need for the youth in the country to develop the spirit of volunteerism in order to fast-track the progress of the nation.
According to him, the knowledge and strength imbued in them would be wastfed if it did not translate to something that could uplift the image of society, adding that the contribution of every youth was key to the development of society.
Mr Ibrahim made the call at Nsawkaw during a meeting with 60 tertiary students from the various communities in the Tain District, who had responded to the call to use their vacation period to enhance poor staffing in various schools in the district.
The MP lamented over the poor performance of schools in the district at the basic school level, which had led to many students not being able to continue their education at the Senior High School (SHS) level.
The situation, he said, had been the bane which was breeding all kinds of social vices in the area.
“If some one had volunteered to help that boy, he wouldn’t have failed and later become an armed robber” adding the youth would be remembered and rewarded in future for what they were able to put right and not what they allowed to go waste", he stressed
Mr Ibrahim noted that apart from going out there to serve the community, he challenged them to serve as role models to the students they have been tasked to teach, adding that the district was bedevilled with numerous challenges that the volunteered tertiary students could assist their communities to find solutions to.
The MP, who would be part of the volunteered teachers, appealed to the students to discard the notion of seeking economic rewards for every service they rendered to society.
“Society has brought you up to this level, this is the time to do the little you can for society without asking for a reward” he emphasised.
Mr Ibrahim also commended the effort of some of the students associations formed in the district such as the Seikwa Tertiary Students Association (SETSA) among others for their individual contribution towards the development of education in the Tain district.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tain, Mr J.S.Tawiah for his part challenged the volunteers to be agents of change in order to justify their call to serve society.
He advised them against exhibiting various characters such as alcoholism, smoking, befriending schoolgirls and others, saying such behaviours could damage their future. “You don’t know what the future hold for you, so be careful about how you handle your life there.”
Some of the officials who also addressed the volunteers included the District Director of Education for Tain, Mr Francis Dongbetigre and the former DCE for Wenchi, Mr Osei Kwadwo as well as the Tain District Coordinating Director, Mr Hayford Kyere who urged the volunteers to deliver their best.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
MAN, 25, JAILED FOR RAPE (PAGE 20)
THE Fiapre Circuit Court in the Sunyani West District in the Brong Ahafo Region, presided over by Mr Justice Benjamin Osei has sentenced a 25 year-old man to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for kidnapping and raping a female Senior High School (SHS) student.
The convict, Charles Amponsah pleaded not guilty to the offence but the court presided over by Justice Benjamin Osei subjected him to a trial that lasted two years and found him guilty.
Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Kwaku Amoako said the convict resided at Odumase near Sunyani while the victim is a student.
He said on October 5, 2007, the victim went to a grinding mill to grind tomatoes but the owner of the mill did not operate that day.
DSP Amoako who is also the Regional Commander of the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, stated that the convict who was around the area called the victim and told her that he knew another place where she could grind the tomatoes.
He said the convict therefore decided to lead the victim to the grinding mill.
According to DSP Amoako, after grinding the tomatoes and she was returning home, Amponsah allegedly managed to lure the victim to his bedroom where he forcibly had sexual intercourse with her and locked her up until dawn the following day.
He said the victim who was staying with her mother on the school compound, reported the ordeal she had gone through to her mother who subsequently reported the matter to the police.
DSP Amoako said after police investigations, the victim was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.
He said the convict was arrested and after police investigations, he was put before court where he pleaded not guilty to the offence and he had to be tried for two years.
The convict, Charles Amponsah pleaded not guilty to the offence but the court presided over by Justice Benjamin Osei subjected him to a trial that lasted two years and found him guilty.
Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Kwaku Amoako said the convict resided at Odumase near Sunyani while the victim is a student.
He said on October 5, 2007, the victim went to a grinding mill to grind tomatoes but the owner of the mill did not operate that day.
DSP Amoako who is also the Regional Commander of the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, stated that the convict who was around the area called the victim and told her that he knew another place where she could grind the tomatoes.
He said the convict therefore decided to lead the victim to the grinding mill.
According to DSP Amoako, after grinding the tomatoes and she was returning home, Amponsah allegedly managed to lure the victim to his bedroom where he forcibly had sexual intercourse with her and locked her up until dawn the following day.
He said the victim who was staying with her mother on the school compound, reported the ordeal she had gone through to her mother who subsequently reported the matter to the police.
DSP Amoako said after police investigations, the victim was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.
He said the convict was arrested and after police investigations, he was put before court where he pleaded not guilty to the offence and he had to be tried for two years.
Friday, May 22, 2009
RICE IMPORTERSDENY TAX INVASION ALLEGATION (PAGE 14)
Ghanaian merchants who import rice from La Cote d'Iviore have denied allegations that they connive with officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to engage in smuggling and tax evasion to the detriment of the country.
They further refuted accusations that they were involved in arms and cocaine importation into the country.
Rather, they said, they were genuine businessmen and women going about their legitimate enterprises to earn a living for themselves and their families, as well as contribute to the development of the state.
Addressing a press conference at Kofi Badu Krom, a town on the Ghana-La Cote d'Iviore border in the Dormaa West Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Kwabena Nketiah-Dardom, a spokesperson for the importers, said they had not connived with any CEPS official at the border to evade taxes due the state.
The importers were reacting to a publication in an Accra daily captioned “Smuggling Scandal Uncovered, Billions Go Down The Drain As CEPS Officials Join Smuggling Syndicate To Loot Mother Ghana”.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom described the allegations as unfounded, false and calculated to kill indigenous Ghanaian businesses which had contributed significantly towards national revenue generation.
He said they were a group of law abiding citizens engaged in genuine business of rice importation and, therefore, debunked suggestions that they had constituted themselves into any smuggling syndicate.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom, who showed some of the documents covering the taxes paid to the state at the press conference, said they had been in the rice importation business for over seven years now and had been diligent in honouring all their tax obligations to the state.
“All documents covering the taxes and duties that we have paid since we commenced our businesses over seven years ago are available for any interested party to check," he stated.
He debunked the assertion that a 40 footer container truckload of rice attracted a duty of GH¢50, saying the duties ranged from a minimum of GH¢500 to GH¢23,000, depending on the consignment.
They further refuted accusations that they were involved in arms and cocaine importation into the country.
Rather, they said, they were genuine businessmen and women going about their legitimate enterprises to earn a living for themselves and their families, as well as contribute to the development of the state.
Addressing a press conference at Kofi Badu Krom, a town on the Ghana-La Cote d'Iviore border in the Dormaa West Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Kwabena Nketiah-Dardom, a spokesperson for the importers, said they had not connived with any CEPS official at the border to evade taxes due the state.
The importers were reacting to a publication in an Accra daily captioned “Smuggling Scandal Uncovered, Billions Go Down The Drain As CEPS Officials Join Smuggling Syndicate To Loot Mother Ghana”.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom described the allegations as unfounded, false and calculated to kill indigenous Ghanaian businesses which had contributed significantly towards national revenue generation.
He said they were a group of law abiding citizens engaged in genuine business of rice importation and, therefore, debunked suggestions that they had constituted themselves into any smuggling syndicate.
Mr Nketiah-Dardom, who showed some of the documents covering the taxes paid to the state at the press conference, said they had been in the rice importation business for over seven years now and had been diligent in honouring all their tax obligations to the state.
“All documents covering the taxes and duties that we have paid since we commenced our businesses over seven years ago are available for any interested party to check," he stated.
He debunked the assertion that a 40 footer container truckload of rice attracted a duty of GH¢50, saying the duties ranged from a minimum of GH¢500 to GH¢23,000, depending on the consignment.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
TWO MINISTRIES TO PUBLISH ROYALTIES...Paid to assemblies (PAGE 16)
THE Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is liaising with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to ensure that all royalties paid to the various district assemblies are published in the dailies to ensure their judicious use for the benefit of the people.
The move is also to promote transparency and accountability at the local level of governance and also to ensure that all stakeholders, especially nananom, have a say in the use of such monies received by the assemblies so as to initiate development projects for the benefit of the people.
The Minister of Lands and a Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said this at a durbar organised in his honour by the Ahafo South Divisional Council at Dadiasoba in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region to congratulate him on his appointment as cabinet minister.
The membership of the council, comprising divisional chiefs from Abuom, Ayomso, Mehame and Dadiasoaba honoured the minister by giving him a traditional title, Oseadeeyo Alhaji Collins Dauda. He was presented with a smock and two rams. A local private radio station, Nananom FM, a subsidiary of Angel group of companies, also presented him with two bulls at the durbar for his contribution towards the growth of the station.
Also honoured by the council was the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo. He was also presented with a smock.
Alhaji Dauda, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, stated that apart from the MLGRD publishing the royalties received by the assemblies, the government had also tasked the ministry to publish the common fund received by the assemblies so that Nananom and the people could hold District Chief Executives (DCEs) accountable for how they utilise the funds which were for development to bring improvement in their living conditions.
He charged the yet-to-be swornin District and Municipal Chief executives in the region, most of who were present at the durbar, to make provision of social amenities in deprived communities of their respective districts a top priority to alleviate the plight of the people.
He thanked the council for the honour done him and promised to serve his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Alhaji Dauda called on the chiefs and people of the communities to rally behind the government to bring into fruition all the electoral promises made to them .
He pledged that by the close of the year, the government would reshape all the bad roads in the area to make travelling on them comfortable, adding that that would also boost commerce.
The Asutifi South MP also called on the people who cultivate cocoa in the various forest reserves in the area to desist from such act, since the government had plans to start the re-afforestation project to revamp the depleted forests.
For his part, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the council for the honour done them and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of the Brong-Ahafo Region to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, called on traditional rulers who were fanning ethnic sentiments in their various traditional areas to put a stop to it, since it was a potential threat to national unity and social integration.
The Ayomsohene, Oyeeman Appiah Kubi, who read the speech on behalf of the council, had earlier called on the government as a matter of urgency to reconstruct the Mahame Junction-Sienchem road and provide a new bridge on the Tano River.
He also called for the rehabilitation of the Goaso-Ayomso, Nkasiem-Nkrankrom, Sankore-Abuom and Goaso-Tepa roads, since their deteriorated state was hampering the progress of the Ahafo area.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Madam Cecilia Johnson, members of the Council of State, Mr I.K. Adjei Mensah, a former Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and some party functionaries at the regional level, including Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary.
The move is also to promote transparency and accountability at the local level of governance and also to ensure that all stakeholders, especially nananom, have a say in the use of such monies received by the assemblies so as to initiate development projects for the benefit of the people.
The Minister of Lands and a Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said this at a durbar organised in his honour by the Ahafo South Divisional Council at Dadiasoba in the Asutifi District in the Brong Ahafo Region to congratulate him on his appointment as cabinet minister.
The membership of the council, comprising divisional chiefs from Abuom, Ayomso, Mehame and Dadiasoaba honoured the minister by giving him a traditional title, Oseadeeyo Alhaji Collins Dauda. He was presented with a smock and two rams. A local private radio station, Nananom FM, a subsidiary of Angel group of companies, also presented him with two bulls at the durbar for his contribution towards the growth of the station.
Also honoured by the council was the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo. He was also presented with a smock.
Alhaji Dauda, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, stated that apart from the MLGRD publishing the royalties received by the assemblies, the government had also tasked the ministry to publish the common fund received by the assemblies so that Nananom and the people could hold District Chief Executives (DCEs) accountable for how they utilise the funds which were for development to bring improvement in their living conditions.
He charged the yet-to-be swornin District and Municipal Chief executives in the region, most of who were present at the durbar, to make provision of social amenities in deprived communities of their respective districts a top priority to alleviate the plight of the people.
He thanked the council for the honour done him and promised to serve his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Alhaji Dauda called on the chiefs and people of the communities to rally behind the government to bring into fruition all the electoral promises made to them .
He pledged that by the close of the year, the government would reshape all the bad roads in the area to make travelling on them comfortable, adding that that would also boost commerce.
The Asutifi South MP also called on the people who cultivate cocoa in the various forest reserves in the area to desist from such act, since the government had plans to start the re-afforestation project to revamp the depleted forests.
For his part, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo thanked the council for the honour done them and promised that he would use his position as the regional minister to serve the region.
He stressed the need for all citizens of the Brong-Ahafo Region to come together to better their lot irrespective of their political affiliation.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, called on traditional rulers who were fanning ethnic sentiments in their various traditional areas to put a stop to it, since it was a potential threat to national unity and social integration.
The Ayomsohene, Oyeeman Appiah Kubi, who read the speech on behalf of the council, had earlier called on the government as a matter of urgency to reconstruct the Mahame Junction-Sienchem road and provide a new bridge on the Tano River.
He also called for the rehabilitation of the Goaso-Ayomso, Nkasiem-Nkrankrom, Sankore-Abuom and Goaso-Tepa roads, since their deteriorated state was hampering the progress of the Ahafo area.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Mr J.H. Owusu Acheampong and Madam Cecilia Johnson, members of the Council of State, Mr I.K. Adjei Mensah, a former Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, and some party functionaries at the regional level, including Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, the NDC Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TAIN ASSEMBLY STARTS CAMPAIGN ON SWINE FLU (PAGE 21)
THE Tain District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Information Services Department (ISD) has embarked on a campaign to sensitise the people to the swine flu.
The 12-day campaign will cover all the five zones in the district through durbars and talk shows.
Briefing members of the team before their departure from Nsawkaw, the district capital, the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hayford Kyere, stated that even though the virus had not been reported in the country, it was prudent for the people to be educated on it because “Prevention is better than cure”.
He urged the team to pursue the campaign vigorously in order to make the desired impact.
Mr Kyere also called on personnel of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Environmental Health Department to monitor the virus in the district.
“We are starting early because of the vast nature of the district and its proximity to Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.
Mr Kyere appealed to pig farmers in the district to report cases of unusual death of their animals and other strange occurrences in their farms to the appropriate authorities.
The co-ordinating director also called on the team to educate the public on the need to cook their pork well before consumption.
He added that pig farmers should see the current situation as a blessing, since locally bred pigs were the safest and therefore urged the public to patronise them.
The 12-day campaign will cover all the five zones in the district through durbars and talk shows.
Briefing members of the team before their departure from Nsawkaw, the district capital, the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hayford Kyere, stated that even though the virus had not been reported in the country, it was prudent for the people to be educated on it because “Prevention is better than cure”.
He urged the team to pursue the campaign vigorously in order to make the desired impact.
Mr Kyere also called on personnel of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Environmental Health Department to monitor the virus in the district.
“We are starting early because of the vast nature of the district and its proximity to Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.
Mr Kyere appealed to pig farmers in the district to report cases of unusual death of their animals and other strange occurrences in their farms to the appropriate authorities.
The co-ordinating director also called on the team to educate the public on the need to cook their pork well before consumption.
He added that pig farmers should see the current situation as a blessing, since locally bred pigs were the safest and therefore urged the public to patronise them.
SEIKWA STUDENTS GREET DCE (PAGE 17)
THE Seikwa Tertiary Students Association (SETSA) has congratulated Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah on his confirmation as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tain.
The Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region assumed such importance in the political history of the country when it became the decider for the winner of the Presidential run-off in the 2008 election.
A letter signed by the president of the association, Mr Addade Noah Justice, and copied to the press in Sunyani said the association had confidence in the capabilities of the new DCE and, therefore, pledged its support to assist him in his administration.
The association noted that Tain was bedevilled with numerous challenges such as poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“It is our hope that you will do your best to create unity which will enable the district to overcome these challenges.”
SETSA further commended the assembly members for the smooth manner in which the confirmation was done, adding that it was a sign of political maturity which was worthy of emulation.
The association also called on the DCE to involve the youth in his decision-making processes in order to prepare them for future leadership positions.
It reiterated the need for the district to do away with political sentiments and focus on the development of the district.
The association also urged chiefs of the area to use their divine wisdom to direct the DCE in order to give the district a facelift.
Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist, emerged victorious in the first round of the confirmation exercise at Nsawkaw, with 78.3 per cent of the total votes cast.
The Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region assumed such importance in the political history of the country when it became the decider for the winner of the Presidential run-off in the 2008 election.
A letter signed by the president of the association, Mr Addade Noah Justice, and copied to the press in Sunyani said the association had confidence in the capabilities of the new DCE and, therefore, pledged its support to assist him in his administration.
The association noted that Tain was bedevilled with numerous challenges such as poverty, unemployment and illiteracy.
“It is our hope that you will do your best to create unity which will enable the district to overcome these challenges.”
SETSA further commended the assembly members for the smooth manner in which the confirmation was done, adding that it was a sign of political maturity which was worthy of emulation.
The association also called on the DCE to involve the youth in his decision-making processes in order to prepare them for future leadership positions.
It reiterated the need for the district to do away with political sentiments and focus on the development of the district.
The association also urged chiefs of the area to use their divine wisdom to direct the DCE in order to give the district a facelift.
Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, an educationist, emerged victorious in the first round of the confirmation exercise at Nsawkaw, with 78.3 per cent of the total votes cast.
Monday, May 18, 2009
JAMAN NORTH, SOUTH CONFIRM DCES (PAGE 13)
THE Jaman North and Jaman South District Assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region have confirmed the nomination of their district chief executives (DCEs), bringing to 21 out of 22 persons whose nominations have been confirmed in the region.
The Jaman North District Assembly confirmed nomination of Hajia Amadu Amina, while the nomination of Mr Julius Atta Bediako was also confirmed by the Jaman South District.
Hajia Amina, 54, a Senior Midwifery Superintendent of the Jaman North District Government Hospital at Sampa, the district capital, polled 27 votes out of the 29 valid votes cast, representing 91.3 per cent of the total votes.
The assembly also elected Mr Twene Adu Asare as its Presiding Member.
Members of the Jaman South Assembly, at their emergency meeting held at Drobo, the district capital, also gave their approval to Mr Bediako, a 59-year-old District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asunafo North Municipality to be its MCE. He polled 30 out of the 37 votes cast.
The election was conducted by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Arthur Yeboah.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku; the Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Mr Yaw Maama Afful; the Jaman South District Coordinating Director, Mr Muslim Mohammed Saani, and some traditional rulers.
Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme was elected the Presiding Member for the Jaman South District Assembly.
In their acceptance speeches, Hajia Amina and Mr Bediako thanked members of their respective assemblies for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work with all stakeholders to ensure rapid socio-economic development of thier districts.
The only assembly left in the region to confirm the President's nominee is the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly, which rejected the nominee, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, at the assembly's special meeting.
Mr Agyekum, who has to present himself before the assembly for the second time for his confirmation next week, failed to get the two-thirds majority of votes required to get the approval.
He was the defeated parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nkoranza South Constituency in the 2008 election.
The Jaman North District Assembly confirmed nomination of Hajia Amadu Amina, while the nomination of Mr Julius Atta Bediako was also confirmed by the Jaman South District.
Hajia Amina, 54, a Senior Midwifery Superintendent of the Jaman North District Government Hospital at Sampa, the district capital, polled 27 votes out of the 29 valid votes cast, representing 91.3 per cent of the total votes.
The assembly also elected Mr Twene Adu Asare as its Presiding Member.
Members of the Jaman South Assembly, at their emergency meeting held at Drobo, the district capital, also gave their approval to Mr Bediako, a 59-year-old District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Asunafo North Municipality to be its MCE. He polled 30 out of the 37 votes cast.
The election was conducted by the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Arthur Yeboah.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku; the Member of Parliament for Jaman South, Mr Yaw Maama Afful; the Jaman South District Coordinating Director, Mr Muslim Mohammed Saani, and some traditional rulers.
Mr Gabriel Kofi Kyereme was elected the Presiding Member for the Jaman South District Assembly.
In their acceptance speeches, Hajia Amina and Mr Bediako thanked members of their respective assemblies for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work with all stakeholders to ensure rapid socio-economic development of thier districts.
The only assembly left in the region to confirm the President's nominee is the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly, which rejected the nominee, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, at the assembly's special meeting.
Mr Agyekum, who has to present himself before the assembly for the second time for his confirmation next week, failed to get the two-thirds majority of votes required to get the approval.
He was the defeated parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nkoranza South Constituency in the 2008 election.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)