Story: MacLiberty Misrowoda & Jennifer Dornoo
THE Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, has appealed to legal training institutions to let the philosophy of their training reflect the real needs of the growing society.
That, she noted, had become relevant in view of the dynamic and increasingly changing world, adding that in order to keep pace with modern developments, legal training institutions needed to review their curricular as and when necessary to enable would-be lawyers to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Mrs Justice Wood made the appeal when she launched the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana last Wednesday.
The celebration, which is on the theme, “Faculty of Law (UGH) @ 50: Contribution to education, governance and socio-economic development”, has a number of activities, such as a two-day public lecture to be delivered by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Dr Date-Bah, a two-day law teachers’ conference, a homecoming barbecue and a grand durbar in April to climax the anniversary.
Nana Dr S.K.B Asante, the Asante Asokorehene, who recollected the history of the Faculty of Law, urged lawyers, especially fresh graduates, to take public interest law seriously and go to the rural areas to offer services to the people who did not know about their rights.
He said that as a traditional leader, he had come across many cases in which rural people, particularly widows, did not know their rights and farmers and traditional authorities whose roles were pivotal to the socio-economic development of the country lacked legal facilities.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Kofi Quashiga, said the responsibility of the faculty was to provide Ghanaian lawyers with quality legal training to make them competitive on both the local and international markets, adding that it would stop at nothing to make that objective a reality.
Prof Quashiga commended all those who had played various roles in sustaining the faculty to bring it to its current status.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Clifford N.B. Tagoe, who chaired the ceremony, pledged the university’s continued support to the Faculty of Law to enable it to provide classic training to students.
He said the celebrations should afford the authorities the opportunity to examine the missions and goals of establishing the faculty and to re-orient themselves to the achievement of those missions and goals.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ghana Scout Association congratulates Mills (29/01/09)
THE Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Ghana Scout Association (GSA) has appealed to President J.E.A Mills to support and give the association official recognition.
This, it said, would enhance the effective contribution of GSA to the development of the youth and people of Ghana.
In a congratulatory message issued and signed by the Chairman of the IMC of the association, Mr Samuel Seshie Sowah, it said “We fervently pray, soliciting the divine intervention of God to grant you health, wisdom, peace of mind, untainted fortitude and political will in your relentless effort to translate into reality all your dreams aimed at meeting the hopes and aspirations of the people of Ghana”.
It congratulated Prof Mills for his election and inauguration as the President of the Republic of Ghana.
“In this momentous period of joyful jubilations occasioned by your deserved victory, we seize this golden opportunity to extend to you our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your elevation to the present position”, it stated.
This, it said, would enhance the effective contribution of GSA to the development of the youth and people of Ghana.
In a congratulatory message issued and signed by the Chairman of the IMC of the association, Mr Samuel Seshie Sowah, it said “We fervently pray, soliciting the divine intervention of God to grant you health, wisdom, peace of mind, untainted fortitude and political will in your relentless effort to translate into reality all your dreams aimed at meeting the hopes and aspirations of the people of Ghana”.
It congratulated Prof Mills for his election and inauguration as the President of the Republic of Ghana.
“In this momentous period of joyful jubilations occasioned by your deserved victory, we seize this golden opportunity to extend to you our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your elevation to the present position”, it stated.
Damaged dams still not repaired (29/01/09)
Story: Edward Turkson & Jennifer Dornoo
Most of the dams which collapsed in the three northern regions as a result of the heavy rains which displaced more than 300,000 residents some two years ago have still not been reconstructed, Mr Sylvester Adongo, the Northern Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), has disclosed.
Speaking at the first public screening of “Water is Life”, a documentary by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and MOFA on the rehabilitation project, he said the situation, which badly affected the farms of residents, resulting in shortage of food, had still not been properly addressed.
He said with this year’s rainy season a few months away, residents of the affected regions, with assistance from GTZ and other donor partners, had taken it upon themselves to rehabilitate the collapsed dams which were built at the time of the country’s independence, to avoid another disastrous flooding.
He said from the European Emergency Relief Fund of 800,OOO euros, only 18 dams had been rehabilitated, with over 60 yet to undergo manual rehabilitation under the “Food for Work” programme by GTZ.
Mr Adongo said there were over 500 dams in the three northern regions, most of whom had stood the test of time but were now wasting away because of exposure to natural forces.
He said the people realised that they could not rely solely on the government for support and, therefore, took it upon themselves, with assistance from the donor partners, to repair the collapsed dams to discourage the migration of the people down south for greener pastures.
“The national budget does not go that far and some of these residents, mostly farmers, have been waiting for years for repairs to be done on the dams, which they use for the irrigation of their crops and as drinking water for their cattle,” he added.
The Country Director of GTZ, Dr Fred Brandl, said the GTZ assisted the people in the transfer of knowledge and helped in building stone bridges which it believed lasted longer than the concrete bridges built by machines.
He said the project was an all-inclusive one which involved at least one person from each affected family, with each family benefiting from relief under the “Food for Work” programme to ensure food security in the region.
Most of the dams which collapsed in the three northern regions as a result of the heavy rains which displaced more than 300,000 residents some two years ago have still not been reconstructed, Mr Sylvester Adongo, the Northern Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), has disclosed.
Speaking at the first public screening of “Water is Life”, a documentary by the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and MOFA on the rehabilitation project, he said the situation, which badly affected the farms of residents, resulting in shortage of food, had still not been properly addressed.
He said with this year’s rainy season a few months away, residents of the affected regions, with assistance from GTZ and other donor partners, had taken it upon themselves to rehabilitate the collapsed dams which were built at the time of the country’s independence, to avoid another disastrous flooding.
He said from the European Emergency Relief Fund of 800,OOO euros, only 18 dams had been rehabilitated, with over 60 yet to undergo manual rehabilitation under the “Food for Work” programme by GTZ.
Mr Adongo said there were over 500 dams in the three northern regions, most of whom had stood the test of time but were now wasting away because of exposure to natural forces.
He said the people realised that they could not rely solely on the government for support and, therefore, took it upon themselves, with assistance from the donor partners, to repair the collapsed dams to discourage the migration of the people down south for greener pastures.
“The national budget does not go that far and some of these residents, mostly farmers, have been waiting for years for repairs to be done on the dams, which they use for the irrigation of their crops and as drinking water for their cattle,” he added.
The Country Director of GTZ, Dr Fred Brandl, said the GTZ assisted the people in the transfer of knowledge and helped in building stone bridges which it believed lasted longer than the concrete bridges built by machines.
He said the project was an all-inclusive one which involved at least one person from each affected family, with each family benefiting from relief under the “Food for Work” programme to ensure food security in the region.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
African-American Medical team in............to explore areas of collaboration (27/01/09)
Story: Edward Turkson & Jennifer Dornoo
AN African-American medical team from the United States of America is to partner the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) to improve on healthcare delivery in the country.
The partnership, according to the team, would serve as an intervention to the problem of brain drain, which they noted had an increasing impact on developing countries, including Ghana.
This was announced when a five-member delegation from the National Medical Association (NMA), a global health initiative, held a meeting with the leadership of the GCPS in Accra yesterday.
According to the team, the partnership would enhance relations with physicians, surgeons and affiliated organisations in Ghana in the upgrading of healthcare specialists.
The assistance, according to Ms Carolyn Barley Britton, a medical doctor and associate professor at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was part of the NMA’s global initiative to provide medical expertise for physicians and medical students in Africa.
“The NMA believes that the current state of health care in Africa requires the same kind of response that motivated African-American physicians more than 100 years ago to get organised and fight for equality, justice and timely access to medical care,” she said.
She disclosed that the medical team would share materials from the NMA’s consortium of US-based medical schools and professional organisations to serve as a learning mechanism for health institutions that were not familiar with the needs of the developing world.
The collaboration would further provide opportunities for US physicians to learn more about Ghana and its people and the diseases that were more prevalent in Africa and also provide physicians from Ghana access to new technologies and innovations to supplement their training, she added.
The President of GCPS, Professor Ofosu-Amoah, took the team through the history of Ghana’s medical schools, their challenges and achievements up to the present.
He said since the establishment of a medical school at the University of Ghana, Legon, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the country had not looked back.
Prof Ofosu-Amoah recalled that a survey conducted some time ago indicated that about 90 per cent of trained healthcare specialists were concentrated in two regions in Ghana, adding that to reverse that trend, the college was keen on training specialists to assist regional and district hospitals in the remaining eight regions.
The Director of the college, Professor Paul Nyame, said the college had adopted a step-wise approach where specialists received training for three to four years and could afterwards upgrade their skills, depending on their areas of specialisation.
He said what the college needed was adequate infrastructure and teaching materials and he expressed the belief that through the assistance, all Ghanaians, irrespective of their status, could benefit from quality and affordable healthcare services.
Caption A group picture of the five-member delegation and the leadership of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS).
AN African-American medical team from the United States of America is to partner the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) to improve on healthcare delivery in the country.
The partnership, according to the team, would serve as an intervention to the problem of brain drain, which they noted had an increasing impact on developing countries, including Ghana.
This was announced when a five-member delegation from the National Medical Association (NMA), a global health initiative, held a meeting with the leadership of the GCPS in Accra yesterday.
According to the team, the partnership would enhance relations with physicians, surgeons and affiliated organisations in Ghana in the upgrading of healthcare specialists.
The assistance, according to Ms Carolyn Barley Britton, a medical doctor and associate professor at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was part of the NMA’s global initiative to provide medical expertise for physicians and medical students in Africa.
“The NMA believes that the current state of health care in Africa requires the same kind of response that motivated African-American physicians more than 100 years ago to get organised and fight for equality, justice and timely access to medical care,” she said.
She disclosed that the medical team would share materials from the NMA’s consortium of US-based medical schools and professional organisations to serve as a learning mechanism for health institutions that were not familiar with the needs of the developing world.
The collaboration would further provide opportunities for US physicians to learn more about Ghana and its people and the diseases that were more prevalent in Africa and also provide physicians from Ghana access to new technologies and innovations to supplement their training, she added.
The President of GCPS, Professor Ofosu-Amoah, took the team through the history of Ghana’s medical schools, their challenges and achievements up to the present.
He said since the establishment of a medical school at the University of Ghana, Legon, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the country had not looked back.
Prof Ofosu-Amoah recalled that a survey conducted some time ago indicated that about 90 per cent of trained healthcare specialists were concentrated in two regions in Ghana, adding that to reverse that trend, the college was keen on training specialists to assist regional and district hospitals in the remaining eight regions.
The Director of the college, Professor Paul Nyame, said the college had adopted a step-wise approach where specialists received training for three to four years and could afterwards upgrade their skills, depending on their areas of specialisation.
He said what the college needed was adequate infrastructure and teaching materials and he expressed the belief that through the assistance, all Ghanaians, irrespective of their status, could benefit from quality and affordable healthcare services.
Caption A group picture of the five-member delegation and the leadership of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS).
Steps to combat illegal trafficking of nuclear materials (28/01/09)
Story: Gifty Bamfo & Jennifer Dornoo
THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), has begun a programme to build the capacities of member countries to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear materials.
As part of the programme, a three-day seminar is being organised to create awareness among member states on the need to establish adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure and improve radiation monitoring capabilities at the borders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Finance Director of the Ministry of Education, Mr Joseph Afranie, commended the IAEA for its continuous role in assisting member states in addressing the nuclear security challenges.
He noted that the IAEA had been able to increase awareness on the importance of establishing an adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure in member states.
“IAEA has improved preparedness in member states to address the risk of malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials,” he said.
The Finance Director called for “new approaches and strategies to counter the complexity and ingenuity of the threats facing the world today and the nuclear society in particular”.
He, however, called on competent authorities in all states to respond to the threat of theft of nuclear materials and illicit trafficking information with all the means within their power.
He expressed the hope that the seminar would serve as an opportunity for effective international co-operation towards achieving improved nuclear security in the sub-region.
Mr Afranie urged participants to “pay attention to the seminar so that you can contribute towards achieving the set of goals of nuclear security in the world”.
The Director General of the GAEC, Prof E. H. K. Akaho, assured member states of the government’s commitment to the multilateral treaty on nuclear safeguards and other legal instruments, including those which have not yet been ratified.
“We will also ensure that whilst developing and promoting nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security are not comprised,” he said.
The seminar is being attended by 27 scientists from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Mali, Togo, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), has begun a programme to build the capacities of member countries to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear materials.
As part of the programme, a three-day seminar is being organised to create awareness among member states on the need to establish adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure and improve radiation monitoring capabilities at the borders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Finance Director of the Ministry of Education, Mr Joseph Afranie, commended the IAEA for its continuous role in assisting member states in addressing the nuclear security challenges.
He noted that the IAEA had been able to increase awareness on the importance of establishing an adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure in member states.
“IAEA has improved preparedness in member states to address the risk of malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials,” he said.
The Finance Director called for “new approaches and strategies to counter the complexity and ingenuity of the threats facing the world today and the nuclear society in particular”.
He, however, called on competent authorities in all states to respond to the threat of theft of nuclear materials and illicit trafficking information with all the means within their power.
He expressed the hope that the seminar would serve as an opportunity for effective international co-operation towards achieving improved nuclear security in the sub-region.
Mr Afranie urged participants to “pay attention to the seminar so that you can contribute towards achieving the set of goals of nuclear security in the world”.
The Director General of the GAEC, Prof E. H. K. Akaho, assured member states of the government’s commitment to the multilateral treaty on nuclear safeguards and other legal instruments, including those which have not yet been ratified.
“We will also ensure that whilst developing and promoting nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security are not comprised,” he said.
The seminar is being attended by 27 scientists from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Mali, Togo, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
Monday, January 26, 2009
High tension pylons under threat(24/01/06)
Picture in Daily Graphic(24/01/09)
Some residents of La Paz New Market area in Okaikwei North in Accra seem to be oblivious of the danger not only in living around a pylon but also blazingly burning refuse under it.
A resident (not in picture) was spotted last Thursday at about 9.45p.m. setting the refuse ablaze close to their unauthorised wooden structures in this dry harmattan season.
Your guess can be as good as mine when the unauthorised wooden structures catch fire.
Picture: Jennifer Dornoo
Some residents of La Paz New Market area in Okaikwei North in Accra seem to be oblivious of the danger not only in living around a pylon but also blazingly burning refuse under it.
A resident (not in picture) was spotted last Thursday at about 9.45p.m. setting the refuse ablaze close to their unauthorised wooden structures in this dry harmattan season.
Your guess can be as good as mine when the unauthorised wooden structures catch fire.
Picture: Jennifer Dornoo
Challenges facing migrants to the cities(24/01/09)
THE challenges that face the large number of young men and women who migrate from other parts of the country to Accra and other cities for non-existent jobs are enormous.
Some of the migrants travel from parts of the three northern regions, the Western, Eastern, Central and Ashanti regions to the city to seek ‘greener pastures’.
Most of them, faced with the realities of city life, resort to all manner of activities to make ends meet. They all come with one reason — to make some money to feed themselves and their families back home. Majority of them come from the rural areas but there are some who move to Accra from other cities.
That is why Accra is spilling over with porters, cobblers, hawkers and petty traders, some of whom operate on the streets, pavements and even on foot bridges to create congestion in the city.
Rural-urban migration causes stress on such amenities as schools, hospitals, accommodation, road and sanitation facilities.
Female porters, popularly known as 'Kayayei', normally face accommodation problems and are exposed to sexual harassment which lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), not to mention the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
A porter at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra, Adiza Yakubu, who came to Accra four years ago at age 15, told the Daily Graphic that she came from a village in the north to work in order to fend for her parents and her four siblings back in her home town.
Currently aged 19, she said she had two children from different casual relations. According to her, she could no longer trace the men to take care of the children, who were aged three and one.
She sleeps with her children and her friends in front of shops at the Agbogbloshie Market, since she does not earn enough to feed herself and the children and save towards accommodation.
Paa Yaw, who works with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, is also a migrant from the Eastern Region who came to Accra to find a job to fend for himself and his mother in the village.
“I came to Accra because there was no work in my village. I heeded the advice from my friends to come here and work to get some money to feed myself and my old mother,” he said.
He said if factories were established in the rural areas, he would go back there to work, since life in the city was too stressful for him.
Kwesi Aboagye, a cobbler from the Ashanti Region, said he came to Accra to work to get money to cater for himself.
He said he came to Accra in 2007 and had since been staying with a friend at Tabora in the Okaikoi North sub-metro.
Vida Asante, a 23-year-old second-hand clothes seller at Makola who hails from the Ashanti Region, said she came to Accra when she was 17 to live and work with her aunt, who was a trader.
She said at the age of 19 she left her aunt’s house because she used to maltreat her. She had, since then, been living with friends to work to earn some money from selling second-hand clothing to rent a single room for herself.
Vida called on the government to create more job opportunities in strategic places and across the country to stop the youth from migrating to the city to seek for greener pastures.
Some of the migrants travel from parts of the three northern regions, the Western, Eastern, Central and Ashanti regions to the city to seek ‘greener pastures’.
Most of them, faced with the realities of city life, resort to all manner of activities to make ends meet. They all come with one reason — to make some money to feed themselves and their families back home. Majority of them come from the rural areas but there are some who move to Accra from other cities.
That is why Accra is spilling over with porters, cobblers, hawkers and petty traders, some of whom operate on the streets, pavements and even on foot bridges to create congestion in the city.
Rural-urban migration causes stress on such amenities as schools, hospitals, accommodation, road and sanitation facilities.
Female porters, popularly known as 'Kayayei', normally face accommodation problems and are exposed to sexual harassment which lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), not to mention the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
A porter at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra, Adiza Yakubu, who came to Accra four years ago at age 15, told the Daily Graphic that she came from a village in the north to work in order to fend for her parents and her four siblings back in her home town.
Currently aged 19, she said she had two children from different casual relations. According to her, she could no longer trace the men to take care of the children, who were aged three and one.
She sleeps with her children and her friends in front of shops at the Agbogbloshie Market, since she does not earn enough to feed herself and the children and save towards accommodation.
Paa Yaw, who works with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, is also a migrant from the Eastern Region who came to Accra to find a job to fend for himself and his mother in the village.
“I came to Accra because there was no work in my village. I heeded the advice from my friends to come here and work to get some money to feed myself and my old mother,” he said.
He said if factories were established in the rural areas, he would go back there to work, since life in the city was too stressful for him.
Kwesi Aboagye, a cobbler from the Ashanti Region, said he came to Accra to work to get money to cater for himself.
He said he came to Accra in 2007 and had since been staying with a friend at Tabora in the Okaikoi North sub-metro.
Vida Asante, a 23-year-old second-hand clothes seller at Makola who hails from the Ashanti Region, said she came to Accra when she was 17 to live and work with her aunt, who was a trader.
She said at the age of 19 she left her aunt’s house because she used to maltreat her. She had, since then, been living with friends to work to earn some money from selling second-hand clothing to rent a single room for herself.
Vida called on the government to create more job opportunities in strategic places and across the country to stop the youth from migrating to the city to seek for greener pastures.
Friday, January 23, 2009
SWAA organises screening for porters(17/01/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo
THE Society For Women and Aids in Africa (SWAA), Ghana has organised a health screening exercise for 63 female porters at the Agbogbloshie Market.
The porters were counselled on HIV and also screened for the virus.
The screening exercise, which was organised by SWAA and funded by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), was to educate the porters on HIV and AIDS, its prevention methods and to make them know their HIV status.
The Executive Secretary of SWAA Ghana, Mrs Josephine Sackey, said the exercise was part of a legal literacy campaign to educate the young porters who were vulnerable to sexual abuse on their sexual and reproductive health rights.
She said it was also to afford them the opportunity to keep abreast of issues of gender violence and other forms of abuses and how they could resist them.
She said the main aim of the exercise was to empower the porters to be able to take safer decisions concerning sex and also protect themselves against HIV and AIDS.
Mrs Sackey said the porters had been counselled on how to prevent contracting HIV and the steps to take when one was infected.
She said those who tested positive at the end of the exercise would be directed to the appropriate institutions to seek help, while those who tested negative would be educated on where to seek help when they were abused.
It was clear from their participation that the porters were determined to know their HIV status. They, therefore, arrived early to check their status even before the officials of SWAA arrived at 10 a.m. to start the exercise.
A porter, Selina Mohammed, said though she was a bit nervous in finding out her HIV status, she was determined to know her status.
Another porter, Hamidu Fatima, said it was important for everyone to know his or her status and that was why she came to test.
Female condoms were distributed to the porters to protect themselves and they were also counselled to stick to one partner.
THE Society For Women and Aids in Africa (SWAA), Ghana has organised a health screening exercise for 63 female porters at the Agbogbloshie Market.
The porters were counselled on HIV and also screened for the virus.
The screening exercise, which was organised by SWAA and funded by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), was to educate the porters on HIV and AIDS, its prevention methods and to make them know their HIV status.
The Executive Secretary of SWAA Ghana, Mrs Josephine Sackey, said the exercise was part of a legal literacy campaign to educate the young porters who were vulnerable to sexual abuse on their sexual and reproductive health rights.
She said it was also to afford them the opportunity to keep abreast of issues of gender violence and other forms of abuses and how they could resist them.
She said the main aim of the exercise was to empower the porters to be able to take safer decisions concerning sex and also protect themselves against HIV and AIDS.
Mrs Sackey said the porters had been counselled on how to prevent contracting HIV and the steps to take when one was infected.
She said those who tested positive at the end of the exercise would be directed to the appropriate institutions to seek help, while those who tested negative would be educated on where to seek help when they were abused.
It was clear from their participation that the porters were determined to know their HIV status. They, therefore, arrived early to check their status even before the officials of SWAA arrived at 10 a.m. to start the exercise.
A porter, Selina Mohammed, said though she was a bit nervous in finding out her HIV status, she was determined to know her status.
Another porter, Hamidu Fatima, said it was important for everyone to know his or her status and that was why she came to test.
Female condoms were distributed to the porters to protect themselves and they were also counselled to stick to one partner.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Drivers advised to join GPRTU(17/1/09)
Story: Francis Yaw Kyei and Jennifer Dornoo
THE Greater Accra Regional Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Robert Sarbah, has urged all drivers to register with the GPRTU to enjoy the enormous benefits offered by the union.
Mr Sarbah said drivers who belonged to the union enjoyed benefits such as end-of-year bonuses and loans, stressing, “We operate welfare schemes and support members when they lose relatives and also give loans to some drivers to repair or buy new cars.”
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview, he explained that most of the drivers who did not belong to the union picked up passengers by the roadside and committed various traffic offences.
He advised Ghanaians against boarding vehicles that were not registered with the union, since the drivers of those vehicles did not ensure the safety of passengers and their luggage, adding that it was difficult to trace such vehicles when passengers misplaced their items.
Mr Sarbah said some drivers failed to join unions such as the GPRTU because they did not want to operate within stipulated rules and regulations to ensure safety on the roads.
He said others could also not follow instructions and rules at the various stations, such as waiting for their turn to load their vehicles, adding that “they rather prefer driving along the streets to pick passengers”.
Mr Sarbah indicated that most of such drivers were guilty of reckless driving, speeding, wrongful parking and other traffic offences.
THE Greater Accra Regional Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Robert Sarbah, has urged all drivers to register with the GPRTU to enjoy the enormous benefits offered by the union.
Mr Sarbah said drivers who belonged to the union enjoyed benefits such as end-of-year bonuses and loans, stressing, “We operate welfare schemes and support members when they lose relatives and also give loans to some drivers to repair or buy new cars.”
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview, he explained that most of the drivers who did not belong to the union picked up passengers by the roadside and committed various traffic offences.
He advised Ghanaians against boarding vehicles that were not registered with the union, since the drivers of those vehicles did not ensure the safety of passengers and their luggage, adding that it was difficult to trace such vehicles when passengers misplaced their items.
Mr Sarbah said some drivers failed to join unions such as the GPRTU because they did not want to operate within stipulated rules and regulations to ensure safety on the roads.
He said others could also not follow instructions and rules at the various stations, such as waiting for their turn to load their vehicles, adding that “they rather prefer driving along the streets to pick passengers”.
Mr Sarbah indicated that most of such drivers were guilty of reckless driving, speeding, wrongful parking and other traffic offences.
Drivers express varied opinions -On government’s promise to adjust fuel price(19/1/09)
Story:Francis Yaw Kyei and Jennifer Dornoo
Some commercial drivers in Accra and members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have expressed divergent opinions on the promise by President J.E.A. Mills to reduce fuel prices, which was made during the 2008 electionerring campaign.
While some called on the government to reduce prices of the commodity, others also called for the maintenance of the current prices even if world market prices go down.
The Vice-Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Robert Sarbah stated that the union as an independent body will welcome any change in the prices of fuel by the government.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Sarbah gave the assurance that the union would also adjust fares accordingly in the event of any fuel price adjustment, to the benefit of the public.
“An increase or decrease in the fuel prices is determined by the world market prices of crude oil and not the government of a country,” he stated.
A commercial driver, Kofi Asante, who plies between Circle and Kasoa, called on the government to further reduce fuel prices as promised adding that “ it will benefit all of us”.
The Secretary of the Kaneshie branch of the GPRTU, Mr Kwabena Amanfo, told the Daily Graphic that, the commercial drivers were at a great loss when the government reduced fuel prices.
“When fuel prices are reduced, prices of spare parts lubricants and other items that keep the vehicle moving do not change, ” he said.
He added that some vehicle owners refused to reduce the daily sales the drivers were to make when there was a reduction in fuel prices thereby causing a loss to drivers.
Mr Amanfo, therefore called on the government to maintain the fuel prices since the reduction would make passengers to agitate for a reduction of fares despite the increasing cost of spare parts and other important items needed to maintain the vehicles.
The Secretary of the Circle Odawna branch of the GPRTU, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, supported the views of Mr Amanfo and said “the government should maintain the current fuel prices even when world market prices go down and use the profits made for other developmental projects”.
He said commercial drivers were being cheated because when fuel prices were reduced, prices of other goods and services including salaries of some workers in the country remained the same adding that “ a slight increase in fuel prices causes a drastic increase in goods and services”.
This, he said, benefited the public, putting the drivers at a loss.
Other commercial drivers the Daily Graphic spoke to also called on the government to fulfil its promise of reducing fuel prices.
Some commercial drivers in Accra and members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) have expressed divergent opinions on the promise by President J.E.A. Mills to reduce fuel prices, which was made during the 2008 electionerring campaign.
While some called on the government to reduce prices of the commodity, others also called for the maintenance of the current prices even if world market prices go down.
The Vice-Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Robert Sarbah stated that the union as an independent body will welcome any change in the prices of fuel by the government.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mr Sarbah gave the assurance that the union would also adjust fares accordingly in the event of any fuel price adjustment, to the benefit of the public.
“An increase or decrease in the fuel prices is determined by the world market prices of crude oil and not the government of a country,” he stated.
A commercial driver, Kofi Asante, who plies between Circle and Kasoa, called on the government to further reduce fuel prices as promised adding that “ it will benefit all of us”.
The Secretary of the Kaneshie branch of the GPRTU, Mr Kwabena Amanfo, told the Daily Graphic that, the commercial drivers were at a great loss when the government reduced fuel prices.
“When fuel prices are reduced, prices of spare parts lubricants and other items that keep the vehicle moving do not change, ” he said.
He added that some vehicle owners refused to reduce the daily sales the drivers were to make when there was a reduction in fuel prices thereby causing a loss to drivers.
Mr Amanfo, therefore called on the government to maintain the fuel prices since the reduction would make passengers to agitate for a reduction of fares despite the increasing cost of spare parts and other important items needed to maintain the vehicles.
The Secretary of the Circle Odawna branch of the GPRTU, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, supported the views of Mr Amanfo and said “the government should maintain the current fuel prices even when world market prices go down and use the profits made for other developmental projects”.
He said commercial drivers were being cheated because when fuel prices were reduced, prices of other goods and services including salaries of some workers in the country remained the same adding that “ a slight increase in fuel prices causes a drastic increase in goods and services”.
This, he said, benefited the public, putting the drivers at a loss.
Other commercial drivers the Daily Graphic spoke to also called on the government to fulfil its promise of reducing fuel prices.
Monday, January 12, 2009
38 trained in employable skills (14/1/09)
THIRTY EIGHT marginalised and vulnerable people made up of the physically challenged, ‘kayayei’, and truck pushers, have acquired employable skills in batik tie and dye, computing, beadmaking, catering and entrepreneurial skills.
The trainees comprising 20 females and 18 males undertook the three months training, aimed at improving upon their lives and those of their families.
The training was sponsored by the Self-Help Initiative Support Services (SISS), a non governmental organisation (NGO), which would also assist each of the trainees with a start up capital to enable them set up their own businesses.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Agbogbloshie in Accra, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng, advised the trainees to work with determination and persistence to be able to succeed.
“When you work, money will come into your pockets, but if you do not work, you won’t get your share of the national cake ” he stated.
He advised them to make good use of their start up capital.
The Project Manager of SISS, Mr Yaw Asante, called on the government, individuals and benevolent organisations to assist the NGO to enable it train and equip more vulnerable people in the society.
He also appealed to individuals and organisations to allow the trainees do practical attachments in their establishments to gain some practical experience.
Mr Asante invited individuals, parents and guardians who wanted to benefit from their training facilities to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment of fresh trainees.
A physically challenged trainee, Mr Samuel Korsah, thanked the management of SISS for helping them acquire skills in the various disciplines.
He said they were going to work hard with the skills acquired, in order to help contribute to the development of the nation.
Mr Cecil Kojo Forde, a Financial Consultant at PriceWater HouseCoopers, who chaired the function urged the trainees to work with punctuality and develop good customer relations in order to be ahead of their competitors.
He also advised them to develop the habit of investing their profits to make their business grow.
The trainees comprising 20 females and 18 males undertook the three months training, aimed at improving upon their lives and those of their families.
The training was sponsored by the Self-Help Initiative Support Services (SISS), a non governmental organisation (NGO), which would also assist each of the trainees with a start up capital to enable them set up their own businesses.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Agbogbloshie in Accra, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng, advised the trainees to work with determination and persistence to be able to succeed.
“When you work, money will come into your pockets, but if you do not work, you won’t get your share of the national cake ” he stated.
He advised them to make good use of their start up capital.
The Project Manager of SISS, Mr Yaw Asante, called on the government, individuals and benevolent organisations to assist the NGO to enable it train and equip more vulnerable people in the society.
He also appealed to individuals and organisations to allow the trainees do practical attachments in their establishments to gain some practical experience.
Mr Asante invited individuals, parents and guardians who wanted to benefit from their training facilities to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment of fresh trainees.
A physically challenged trainee, Mr Samuel Korsah, thanked the management of SISS for helping them acquire skills in the various disciplines.
He said they were going to work hard with the skills acquired, in order to help contribute to the development of the nation.
Mr Cecil Kojo Forde, a Financial Consultant at PriceWater HouseCoopers, who chaired the function urged the trainees to work with punctuality and develop good customer relations in order to be ahead of their competitors.
He also advised them to develop the habit of investing their profits to make their business grow.
AMA evolves strategy to solve waste management problem(9/1/09)
Story: Leticia Ohene-Asiedu & Jennifer Dornoo
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has evolved a strategy to ensure that waste collectors are paid by the people who collect fees at the point of disposal.
This is to prevent instances where fee collectors pocket the fees they take at the point of disposal and to make resources available for waste collectors.
The head of the Waste Management Department of the AMA, Mr Ben Mensah Laryea, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
He said contractors would be deployed to various waste collection sites to collect waste and fees from sanitation guards beginning from the first quarter of this year.
This is to generate funds and help the AMA work effectively to improve sanitation in the metropolis.
He added that the expensive nature of the job needed enough revenue to cater for expenses such as purchasing of vehicles, fuel, spare parts and for maintenance.
According to him, a company was currently developing the Sabbah landfill for waste to be disposed of for three years after which the waste disposal site would be moved to the Kwabenya landfill.
Mr Laryea said the Waste Management Department had approached recycling companies to recycle plastics and other items and expressed the hope that this would start in Accra to make the city clean.
To ensure effective co-operation, Mr Laryea said the public would be educated on the new development, stressing that sanitation and waste management are important for all.
“If the city dwellers will fully co-operate with the AMA and also keep the city clean, we will all cut down on the health bills”, he added.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has evolved a strategy to ensure that waste collectors are paid by the people who collect fees at the point of disposal.
This is to prevent instances where fee collectors pocket the fees they take at the point of disposal and to make resources available for waste collectors.
The head of the Waste Management Department of the AMA, Mr Ben Mensah Laryea, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
He said contractors would be deployed to various waste collection sites to collect waste and fees from sanitation guards beginning from the first quarter of this year.
This is to generate funds and help the AMA work effectively to improve sanitation in the metropolis.
He added that the expensive nature of the job needed enough revenue to cater for expenses such as purchasing of vehicles, fuel, spare parts and for maintenance.
According to him, a company was currently developing the Sabbah landfill for waste to be disposed of for three years after which the waste disposal site would be moved to the Kwabenya landfill.
Mr Laryea said the Waste Management Department had approached recycling companies to recycle plastics and other items and expressed the hope that this would start in Accra to make the city clean.
To ensure effective co-operation, Mr Laryea said the public would be educated on the new development, stressing that sanitation and waste management are important for all.
“If the city dwellers will fully co-operate with the AMA and also keep the city clean, we will all cut down on the health bills”, he added.
Labourer remanded for causing harm to mason(8/1/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo and Matilda Asantewaa Adjaye
A 30-year-old labourer, Kwabena Amankwa Andoh, has been remanded in police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for causing harm to a 51-year-old mason, Seth Oppong, at La-Bawaleshie, East Legon in Accra.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing harm and the court, presided over by Mrs Elizabeth Ankumah, deferred sentence to January 13, 2009 but asked Kwabena to pay the GH¢400 medical bill of the complainant.
Presenting the facts of the case, Chief Inspector John Asare said on November 22, 2008 at about 5:30p.m., the complainant had an argument with his landlady, who is Andoh’s mother-in-law, over the complainant’s rent.
He said the accused then warned the complainant to stop quarrelling with the old lady and that if he did not stop, he would beat him to death.
Andoh stopped the argument and went to his room to eat but while the complainant thought it was all over, Kwabena rushed into his (complainant’s) room with a machete and slashed him twice at the back of his head leaving him bleeding.
He said after causing the harm, Andoh went to sit at a nearby drinking spot with the machete in his hand and a witness raised an alarm.
The complainant was then rushed to the police station for a complaint to be lodged and later rushed to hospital where he was admitted for three days.
When Andoh was arrested he admitted the offence in a caution statement to the police and was charged with the offence.
A 30-year-old labourer, Kwabena Amankwa Andoh, has been remanded in police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for causing harm to a 51-year-old mason, Seth Oppong, at La-Bawaleshie, East Legon in Accra.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing harm and the court, presided over by Mrs Elizabeth Ankumah, deferred sentence to January 13, 2009 but asked Kwabena to pay the GH¢400 medical bill of the complainant.
Presenting the facts of the case, Chief Inspector John Asare said on November 22, 2008 at about 5:30p.m., the complainant had an argument with his landlady, who is Andoh’s mother-in-law, over the complainant’s rent.
He said the accused then warned the complainant to stop quarrelling with the old lady and that if he did not stop, he would beat him to death.
Andoh stopped the argument and went to his room to eat but while the complainant thought it was all over, Kwabena rushed into his (complainant’s) room with a machete and slashed him twice at the back of his head leaving him bleeding.
He said after causing the harm, Andoh went to sit at a nearby drinking spot with the machete in his hand and a witness raised an alarm.
The complainant was then rushed to the police station for a complaint to be lodged and later rushed to hospital where he was admitted for three days.
When Andoh was arrested he admitted the offence in a caution statement to the police and was charged with the offence.
Zoomlion cleans Independence Square(12/1/09)
Story: Gifty Bamfo &Jennifer Dornoo
A Day after the inaugural ceremony of President John Evans Atta Mills at the Independence Square in Accra, the arena and its environs was looking clean.
At about 12 noon on Thursday when the Daily Graphic got to the arena, it had been cleared of any paper and plastic waste, although hitherto the area could be described as being very dirty.
The excellent work was undertaken by workers of Zoomlion Ghana Limited in collaboration with the Parks and Gardens. They started the cleaning at 7a.m.
Mr Joseph Gletsu, the leader of the group, told the Daily Graphic that because of the magnitude of the garbage created and its spread as a result of the event, they had to sweep from the National Theatre through to the Independence Square to the Osu Castle.
He said the garbage consisted of mainly empty water and ice cream sachets and rappers.
The workers called on the new government to ensure the continuous operation of Zoomlion Ghana Limited because the organisation had provided them employment and income for their sustenance.
They, however, called on the organisation to increase their salaries as the workload was heavy and tidious.
The atmosphere at the time the Daily Graphic was leaving was quiet with everybody going about his/her normal activities without let or hindrance and there was no traffic jam as compared to the inaugural day.
A Day after the inaugural ceremony of President John Evans Atta Mills at the Independence Square in Accra, the arena and its environs was looking clean.
At about 12 noon on Thursday when the Daily Graphic got to the arena, it had been cleared of any paper and plastic waste, although hitherto the area could be described as being very dirty.
The excellent work was undertaken by workers of Zoomlion Ghana Limited in collaboration with the Parks and Gardens. They started the cleaning at 7a.m.
Mr Joseph Gletsu, the leader of the group, told the Daily Graphic that because of the magnitude of the garbage created and its spread as a result of the event, they had to sweep from the National Theatre through to the Independence Square to the Osu Castle.
He said the garbage consisted of mainly empty water and ice cream sachets and rappers.
The workers called on the new government to ensure the continuous operation of Zoomlion Ghana Limited because the organisation had provided them employment and income for their sustenance.
They, however, called on the organisation to increase their salaries as the workload was heavy and tidious.
The atmosphere at the time the Daily Graphic was leaving was quiet with everybody going about his/her normal activities without let or hindrance and there was no traffic jam as compared to the inaugural day.
Security agencies lauded for good work(10/1/09)
Story : Jennifer Dornoo and Leticia Ohene-Asiedu.
SOME members of the public have commended the security agencies in the country for the performance exhibited during the presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to them, the professionalism displayed by the security personnels during electioneering was outstanding, and deserved commendation.
They made this known in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic. This was when these reporters visited some parts of Accra to seek the views of the public on the performance of the security agencies during the elections.
Asked how he saw the performance of the security agencies during the elections, a welder, Karl Mac-Pods said despite the confusion at some polling stations, the security personnels were able to ensure that peace prevailed.
He, therefore, charged them to do better in maintaining the peace Ghanaians had worked hard to achieve.
A Quantity Surveyor, Mr Stephen Codjoe also said the work of the security agencies was encouraging.
He urged the security agencies to keep up the spirit and see to it that Ghanaians were protected in the future just like they did during the elections.
A kenkey seller, Mrs Comfort Tenkorang said she was satisfied with the work of the security agencies in ensuring peace in the country especially during the elections, and advised them to continue with their good works.
A trader, Mrs Regina Darko said the security agencies did their work excellently as civil servants with a sense of neutrality.
She advised the agencies to work hard and coperate effectively with the newly-elected President, Professor John Atta Mills just like they did with ex-President J.A. Kufour to enhance the image of the security agencies.
A lotto operator, Bright Somuah congratulated the security agencies for the hard work done during the elections and took the opportunity to advise Ghanaians to respect and coperate with the security agencies to enable peace to prevail.
Stanley Nyarko, a tailor who expressed his grievances over the performance of the security agencies said they did not deliver up to his expectation.
He said they were not well equiped and could not resolve certain problems because they were not enough at the various polling stations, adding that the security personnels always had to call for reinforcement when there was a problem.
He, therefore, advised them to better their security system next time.
SOME members of the public have commended the security agencies in the country for the performance exhibited during the presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to them, the professionalism displayed by the security personnels during electioneering was outstanding, and deserved commendation.
They made this known in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic. This was when these reporters visited some parts of Accra to seek the views of the public on the performance of the security agencies during the elections.
Asked how he saw the performance of the security agencies during the elections, a welder, Karl Mac-Pods said despite the confusion at some polling stations, the security personnels were able to ensure that peace prevailed.
He, therefore, charged them to do better in maintaining the peace Ghanaians had worked hard to achieve.
A Quantity Surveyor, Mr Stephen Codjoe also said the work of the security agencies was encouraging.
He urged the security agencies to keep up the spirit and see to it that Ghanaians were protected in the future just like they did during the elections.
A kenkey seller, Mrs Comfort Tenkorang said she was satisfied with the work of the security agencies in ensuring peace in the country especially during the elections, and advised them to continue with their good works.
A trader, Mrs Regina Darko said the security agencies did their work excellently as civil servants with a sense of neutrality.
She advised the agencies to work hard and coperate effectively with the newly-elected President, Professor John Atta Mills just like they did with ex-President J.A. Kufour to enhance the image of the security agencies.
A lotto operator, Bright Somuah congratulated the security agencies for the hard work done during the elections and took the opportunity to advise Ghanaians to respect and coperate with the security agencies to enable peace to prevail.
Stanley Nyarko, a tailor who expressed his grievances over the performance of the security agencies said they did not deliver up to his expectation.
He said they were not well equiped and could not resolve certain problems because they were not enough at the various polling stations, adding that the security personnels always had to call for reinforcement when there was a problem.
He, therefore, advised them to better their security system next time.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Scouts Association recovers property (6/1/09)
THE Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Ghana Scout Association (GSA) is in the process of recovering all properties of the association following the removal of their chief scout commissioner and his deputy in November 2008.
Prior to this, the IMC had drawn up plans to find out the validity of any tenancy agreement between the GSA and such bodies as the Global Revival Ministry and all squatters on its premises.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the IMC, Mr Samuel Seshie Sowah, in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
He said the move was part of measures adopted by the IMC to retrieve all properties of the GSA after taking over from the commissioner and his deputy.
He said on November 27, 2008 when the commissioners failed to hand over to the committee, the IMC went ahead and locked all the doors to the national headquarters in Accra and the National Scout Training Centre at Sakyikrom.
Mr Sowah said the IMC had since begun work in full swing to move the association forward after taking over the offices.
He said regional delegates of the GSA had endorsed a special annual general meeting (AGM) in line with Article 7 of their constitution and given the IMC the mandate to appoint a chief scout commissioner and a deputy to assist him.
“This is aimed at enabling the GSA to have substantive officers in place in order to solve the outstanding administrative lapses in our fold,” he stated.
The IMC, he added, had declared the positions of the commissioner and his deputy vacant and called on all prospective candidates, who were capable of meeting the requirements enshrined in their constitution to submit their names and Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the GSA.
The IMC also made three recommendations for the amendment of the GSA constitution, which included swearing the oath of office, a code of ethics for future office holders and the decentralisation of the issue of membership ID cards to the various regions for the approval of members of the GSA.
Prior to this, the IMC had drawn up plans to find out the validity of any tenancy agreement between the GSA and such bodies as the Global Revival Ministry and all squatters on its premises.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the IMC, Mr Samuel Seshie Sowah, in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
He said the move was part of measures adopted by the IMC to retrieve all properties of the GSA after taking over from the commissioner and his deputy.
He said on November 27, 2008 when the commissioners failed to hand over to the committee, the IMC went ahead and locked all the doors to the national headquarters in Accra and the National Scout Training Centre at Sakyikrom.
Mr Sowah said the IMC had since begun work in full swing to move the association forward after taking over the offices.
He said regional delegates of the GSA had endorsed a special annual general meeting (AGM) in line with Article 7 of their constitution and given the IMC the mandate to appoint a chief scout commissioner and a deputy to assist him.
“This is aimed at enabling the GSA to have substantive officers in place in order to solve the outstanding administrative lapses in our fold,” he stated.
The IMC, he added, had declared the positions of the commissioner and his deputy vacant and called on all prospective candidates, who were capable of meeting the requirements enshrined in their constitution to submit their names and Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the GSA.
The IMC also made three recommendations for the amendment of the GSA constitution, which included swearing the oath of office, a code of ethics for future office holders and the decentralisation of the issue of membership ID cards to the various regions for the approval of members of the GSA.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Canada gives to Children's block (1/1/09)
THE Canadian High Commissioner, Mr Darren Schemmer, has presented a cheque for $ 2500 to the Child Health Department (CHD) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
The cheque, which was a contribution by the entire staff of the Canadian High Commission, was to facilitate the Child Health Emergency Room Project of the department.
Receiving the cheque, the Head of the CHD, Professor Jennifer Welbeck, thanked the High Commissioner and his staff for coming to their aid just after two months of visiting the department.
She said the department was one of the many that needed great attention and massive support because it took care of children, who are vulnerable but very important in society.
She urged Ghanaians to emulate the kind gesture by the Canadians as soon as possible to save the children who needed urgent attention.
The cheque, which was a contribution by the entire staff of the Canadian High Commission, was to facilitate the Child Health Emergency Room Project of the department.
Receiving the cheque, the Head of the CHD, Professor Jennifer Welbeck, thanked the High Commissioner and his staff for coming to their aid just after two months of visiting the department.
She said the department was one of the many that needed great attention and massive support because it took care of children, who are vulnerable but very important in society.
She urged Ghanaians to emulate the kind gesture by the Canadians as soon as possible to save the children who needed urgent attention.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)