Story: Emmanuel Bonney & Jennifer Dornoo
THE President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), Mr Jonathan Abbosey has called for the enactment of laws to control and regulate the practice of surveying in the country.
He said although the Survey Council Bill and the Estate Agency Bill being championed by the GhIS had been drafted, they were yet to be passed.
“These laws when enacted will bring sanity into Real Estate Brokerage and also effectively provide legal framework for surveying practice in the country,” he explained.
He was speaking at the launch of the 40th anniversary and Fourth week celebration of the GhIS in Accra on Monday. The theme was “The Surveyor and the Millennium Development Goals”; A public lecture, donation to the Village of Hope at Gomoa Fetteh as well as a presidential ball and awards night were the events to mark the celebration.
Mr Abbosey urged district assemblies to engage professional surveyors to help them in their work since this institution could not be overlooked.
He said surveyors could help in the area of planning, development control, land acquisition, property management, cost planning and property rate administration among other things of the assembly.
Mr Abbosey underscored the need for local consultants to be made to partner foreign consultants in the execution of major government projects to ensure that projects were efficiently executed.
“Another major concern that needs to be seriously looked at is the engagement of foreign consultants and professionals by the state to handle major government projects. Although we recognise that international best practices must be brought to bear in our development agenda, it is unquestionable that we have competent consultants in this country,” he stated.
On government lands, he suggested that the government assessed the lands that had not been used by the state and were being encroached upon.
“Where compensation has not been paid and the land is no longer required, or in view of compelling reason such lands cannot be used by the state for the intended purpose, then the lands must be given out. However, care must be taken so that needless litigation and bloodshed will not ensue after such lands had been released, as there is a great potential of conflicting owners claiming same parcels of land”, he stated.
Mr Abbosey said the state could not effectively handle the issue alone and needed to be partnered by the private sector, adding that the GhIS was in the position to provide expert advice on the subject and was willing to collaborate with the sector ministry if involved.
He said although the construction of the Bui dam and oil discovery were two major projects dear to the heart of Ghanaians, reports indicated that many prospective investors had rushed to acquire lands surrounding the project areas for various reasons.
To speed up developments and to ensure efficient utilisation of land, he said, it was imperative that the needed intervention was made on the issue.
Mr Abbosey stressed the need for the nation to resolve to continually hold on to measures that would sustain and even enhance the country’s enviable values and also urged Ghanaians to face the challenges and hold high the flag of the country.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Nurses and midwives cited for intolerance (20/02/09)
Story: Precious Koranteng-Agyei & Jennifer Dornoo
THE Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana (NMC), Reverend Veronica Darko, has expressed concern over the intolerant manner in which some nurses and midwives treat patients under their care.
“Some of the concerns have to do with the impolite way the patients are welcomed to the health facility, the insults rained on them when they are unable to provide certain vital information and the impatient manner in which prescriptions are explained to them,” she explained.
She, therefore, urged nurses and midwives to exhibit the natural tendency to be sympathetic, caring and patient to their clients.
Reverend Darko was speaking at the close of a two-day workshop on enhancing the image of nursing and midwifery practice in Ghana in Accra yesterday.
About 120 nurse managers and principals of nursing and midwifery training institutions within the Greater Accra Region attended the workshop, which was organised by the NMC as part of its five-year strategic plan to train nurses and midwives to live up to their professional ethics by providing quality health care for their clients.
Among the topics discussed were professional adjustment, a code of conduct for nurses and midwives and teamwork.
The registrar attributed the bad service delivery to the recruitment of the wrong calibre of people into the training institutions, noting that "the NMC has doubts as to whether persons with the right qualities in terms of personality traits are being recruited into the profession".
She said the successful practice of nursing or midwifery hinged not merely on the possession of the prescribed academic qualifications but, more important, the right character traits.
Rev Darko, therefore, urged principals and tutors of nursing and midwifery training schools to ensure proper screening and training of candidates before they joined the workforce.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mr George Kyeremeh, cautioned nurses and midwives against compromising their integrity for money.
He advised nurses to be professional when dealing with patients because people were now more informed on their health needs.
A retired Director of Nursing Services, Ms Miriam Hornsby-Odoi, reminded the participants of the core values of the Ghana Health Service, which were professionalism, teamwork, innovation, excellence and integrity, and advised them to abide by those tenets.
THE Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana (NMC), Reverend Veronica Darko, has expressed concern over the intolerant manner in which some nurses and midwives treat patients under their care.
“Some of the concerns have to do with the impolite way the patients are welcomed to the health facility, the insults rained on them when they are unable to provide certain vital information and the impatient manner in which prescriptions are explained to them,” she explained.
She, therefore, urged nurses and midwives to exhibit the natural tendency to be sympathetic, caring and patient to their clients.
Reverend Darko was speaking at the close of a two-day workshop on enhancing the image of nursing and midwifery practice in Ghana in Accra yesterday.
About 120 nurse managers and principals of nursing and midwifery training institutions within the Greater Accra Region attended the workshop, which was organised by the NMC as part of its five-year strategic plan to train nurses and midwives to live up to their professional ethics by providing quality health care for their clients.
Among the topics discussed were professional adjustment, a code of conduct for nurses and midwives and teamwork.
The registrar attributed the bad service delivery to the recruitment of the wrong calibre of people into the training institutions, noting that "the NMC has doubts as to whether persons with the right qualities in terms of personality traits are being recruited into the profession".
She said the successful practice of nursing or midwifery hinged not merely on the possession of the prescribed academic qualifications but, more important, the right character traits.
Rev Darko, therefore, urged principals and tutors of nursing and midwifery training schools to ensure proper screening and training of candidates before they joined the workforce.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mr George Kyeremeh, cautioned nurses and midwives against compromising their integrity for money.
He advised nurses to be professional when dealing with patients because people were now more informed on their health needs.
A retired Director of Nursing Services, Ms Miriam Hornsby-Odoi, reminded the participants of the core values of the Ghana Health Service, which were professionalism, teamwork, innovation, excellence and integrity, and advised them to abide by those tenets.
‘Make local food more attractive’ (20/02/09)
Story: Jennifer Dorno
THE Deputy Head of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Mrs Dzodzi Tsikata, has called on local food producers in the country to take steps to address the challenges facing them to promote the local food industry.
That, she said, was because a lot needed to be done to make local foods attractive, accessible and preferred, not only by Ghanaians but also foreigners.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mrs Tsikata said there was the need for local food producers to improve upon the quality of locally produced foods, since these foods had rich nutritional values, compared to foreign ones.
She said it was also important for local foods to be packaged well to attract consumers, since proper packaging of foods like rice gave a good impression on the food industry.
Mrs Tsikata added that creating more distribution channels to market food products was a key factor in promoting the local food industry, since the food would be available and accessible to the public.
She said locally grown rice, which was very nice and healthy for human consumption, needed to be promoted and made available in markets and shops, instead of selling it at vantage points.
She noted that local farmers were competing unfairly with their foreign counterparts due to the liberalisation of the economy, adding that foreign foods dominating the markets did not only pose a threat to local farmers but also posed serious health threats due to the fertilisers and preservatives in such foods.
She, therefore, called on Ghanaians to consume locally produced foods to promote the local food industry, boost the economy and make Ghanaians healthy.
Mrs Tsikata also called on the government to impose tariffs on foods that were imported into the country in order to make locally produced foods cheaper for Ghanaians.
THE Deputy Head of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Mrs Dzodzi Tsikata, has called on local food producers in the country to take steps to address the challenges facing them to promote the local food industry.
That, she said, was because a lot needed to be done to make local foods attractive, accessible and preferred, not only by Ghanaians but also foreigners.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mrs Tsikata said there was the need for local food producers to improve upon the quality of locally produced foods, since these foods had rich nutritional values, compared to foreign ones.
She said it was also important for local foods to be packaged well to attract consumers, since proper packaging of foods like rice gave a good impression on the food industry.
Mrs Tsikata added that creating more distribution channels to market food products was a key factor in promoting the local food industry, since the food would be available and accessible to the public.
She said locally grown rice, which was very nice and healthy for human consumption, needed to be promoted and made available in markets and shops, instead of selling it at vantage points.
She noted that local farmers were competing unfairly with their foreign counterparts due to the liberalisation of the economy, adding that foreign foods dominating the markets did not only pose a threat to local farmers but also posed serious health threats due to the fertilisers and preservatives in such foods.
She, therefore, called on Ghanaians to consume locally produced foods to promote the local food industry, boost the economy and make Ghanaians healthy.
Mrs Tsikata also called on the government to impose tariffs on foods that were imported into the country in order to make locally produced foods cheaper for Ghanaians.
Papaye Fast Foods honours 72 (24/02/09)
Story : Jennifer Dornoo
SEVENTY-TWO employees of Papaye Fast Foods were awarded at the company’s annual motivational workers awards held over the weekend for their hard work and service towards the growth of the company.
The awards, which were in three categories, were awarded to employees who had served the company meticulously for 15 , 10 and five years, including three best workers from the company’s three branches at Osu, Tesano and on the Spintex road.
Six employees who had served the company for 15 years received a double door refrigerator, a certificate and GH¢200 each, whilst eight other award winners who had served for 10 years received a 21 inch colour television, certificates and GH¢100 each.
The remaining 58 employees who had served for five years also received certificates and GH¢50 cash prize each.
The three best workers, Ms Joyce Aborbor from the Tesano branch, Mr Emmanuel Aquaye from Osu and Ms Comfort Kwao from the Spintex road branch received framed certificates and GH¢100 each for their hard work.
The Tesano branch of Papaye received a silver cup for being the best among the three branches.
The Managing Director, Mr Divine K. Asiedu announced that the management of Papaye was embarking on measures to increase productivity and enhance the image of the company so as to forestall possible job loses due to the global economic crises.
He said two more branches would be opened in Dansoman and Tema to increase their workforce from 450 to 600.
He said management was convinced that the company was endowed with very loyal and hardworking employees whose contributions to the current growth and success of Papaye Fast Foods could not be underestimated.
Mr Asiedu congratulated the award winners and advised all employees who did not perform up to standard to improve on their enthusiasm to work to avoid being fired since the company did not want to be identified with incompetence.
The Greater Accra Regional Officer of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Mr Emmanuel Benimah urged management of Papaye to continually perceive its employees as prime movers of the business, adding that, a lot could be achieved when employees were in alignment with the company’s vision.
He therefore charged the employees to be very supportive of management in return for better conditions of service.
He congratulated award winners and hoped their achievements would serve as an inspiration to all staff in the discharge of their duties at Papaye.
SEVENTY-TWO employees of Papaye Fast Foods were awarded at the company’s annual motivational workers awards held over the weekend for their hard work and service towards the growth of the company.
The awards, which were in three categories, were awarded to employees who had served the company meticulously for 15 , 10 and five years, including three best workers from the company’s three branches at Osu, Tesano and on the Spintex road.
Six employees who had served the company for 15 years received a double door refrigerator, a certificate and GH¢200 each, whilst eight other award winners who had served for 10 years received a 21 inch colour television, certificates and GH¢100 each.
The remaining 58 employees who had served for five years also received certificates and GH¢50 cash prize each.
The three best workers, Ms Joyce Aborbor from the Tesano branch, Mr Emmanuel Aquaye from Osu and Ms Comfort Kwao from the Spintex road branch received framed certificates and GH¢100 each for their hard work.
The Tesano branch of Papaye received a silver cup for being the best among the three branches.
The Managing Director, Mr Divine K. Asiedu announced that the management of Papaye was embarking on measures to increase productivity and enhance the image of the company so as to forestall possible job loses due to the global economic crises.
He said two more branches would be opened in Dansoman and Tema to increase their workforce from 450 to 600.
He said management was convinced that the company was endowed with very loyal and hardworking employees whose contributions to the current growth and success of Papaye Fast Foods could not be underestimated.
Mr Asiedu congratulated the award winners and advised all employees who did not perform up to standard to improve on their enthusiasm to work to avoid being fired since the company did not want to be identified with incompetence.
The Greater Accra Regional Officer of the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Mr Emmanuel Benimah urged management of Papaye to continually perceive its employees as prime movers of the business, adding that, a lot could be achieved when employees were in alignment with the company’s vision.
He therefore charged the employees to be very supportive of management in return for better conditions of service.
He congratulated award winners and hoped their achievements would serve as an inspiration to all staff in the discharge of their duties at Papaye.
Media cautioned against being used as propaganda tool (23/02/09)
Story : Jennifer Dornoo
A retired diplomat, Mr K.B. Asante, has asked the media not to allow themselves to be used as propaganda tools, either for the government or other institutions.
He said as watchdogs, it was the duty of the media to expose the weaknesses of the government and state institutions to enable them to correct them in the interest of the people.
Mr Asante gave the advice at the launch of a new private newspaper, The Standard Times, last Friday.
The weekly paper, which is edited by Mr Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson, will report mainly on political issues and is expected to be on the news-stand from today, February 23, 2009.
“It is the duty of the independent media to expose the fallacies in the hidden propaganda of the government and the institutions,” he said.
Mr Asante explained that the media were relatively free but had to protect their independence, adding, “We the people should, therefore, realise that the media are not a mere entertainment institution but a medium for enlightenment and a tool for development.”
He noted that in a modern democratic society the media had to create a platform for people to learn about matters of public interest, adding that “the media has a role to play in national cohesion and the maintenance of the national conscience”.
He advised the editorial team of the newspaper to be professional in its reportage and noted that society needed papers with clear economic, social and political messages, with the effective propagation of moral values.
Mr De-Graft Johnson said the paper was a non-partisan newspaper which would also report on social and economic issues.
He pledged that it would engage in objective and truthful reportage.
A retired diplomat, Mr K.B. Asante, has asked the media not to allow themselves to be used as propaganda tools, either for the government or other institutions.
He said as watchdogs, it was the duty of the media to expose the weaknesses of the government and state institutions to enable them to correct them in the interest of the people.
Mr Asante gave the advice at the launch of a new private newspaper, The Standard Times, last Friday.
The weekly paper, which is edited by Mr Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson, will report mainly on political issues and is expected to be on the news-stand from today, February 23, 2009.
“It is the duty of the independent media to expose the fallacies in the hidden propaganda of the government and the institutions,” he said.
Mr Asante explained that the media were relatively free but had to protect their independence, adding, “We the people should, therefore, realise that the media are not a mere entertainment institution but a medium for enlightenment and a tool for development.”
He noted that in a modern democratic society the media had to create a platform for people to learn about matters of public interest, adding that “the media has a role to play in national cohesion and the maintenance of the national conscience”.
He advised the editorial team of the newspaper to be professional in its reportage and noted that society needed papers with clear economic, social and political messages, with the effective propagation of moral values.
Mr De-Graft Johnson said the paper was a non-partisan newspaper which would also report on social and economic issues.
He pledged that it would engage in objective and truthful reportage.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Lecturer highlights health benefits of cocoa consumption (14/02/09)
VARIOUS researches conducted on the health benefits of cocoa have revealed that the consumption of pure cocoa with no additives by pregnant women increases the intelligent quotient (IQ) of infants.
The researches also established that cocoa, which has a high percentage of magnesium content, if consumed in moderation, reduces the risk of diabetes and some heart diseases.
A senior lecturer and Head of the Anatomy Department of the University of Ghana Medical School at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Frederick K. Addai, who made this known at a cocoa and chocolate Forum in Accra yesterday, enumerated some of the health benefits of cocoa, the country’s major foreign exchange earner.
The forum was part of a three-day seminar organised by Centuries International as part of celebrations to mark this year’s National Chocolate Day which falls today and the Chocolate Festival due in September this year.
“Cocoa gives you brain power and prevents you from getting stroke. It reduces blood pressure in an average of six weeks. The nutrients in natural cocoa powder prevents malaria parasites from transmitting the disease to humans. It is also good for asthmatic patients,” Prof Addai stated, and pointed out specifically that the spread of malaria, which was collapsing the national economy, could be reduced by encouraging the consumption of pure cocoa or chocolate in moderation.
After 15 years of consumption of cocoa and research into the health benefits of the crop, Prof Addai said he was convinced that regular consumption of chocolate was rather good for the teeth and promoted the production of insulin which helped in digestion.
“The smaller the amount of cocoa in chocolate, the less helpful’ the more it is in chocolate, the better,” he stated, and observed that to derive the health benefits from cocoa or chocolate, one needed to take it every day in moderation because over consumption could also negate the benefits.
He said Japan, the highest consumer of cocoa products, for example, had done a lot of research into the medicinal benefits of cocoa and had known for a long time that cocoa slowed down the ageing process by preventing the red blood cells from clotting.
Prof Addai further disclosed that the consumption of cocoa also improved the sexual performance of both males and females and reduced the pre and post-menstrual tension in women, as well as post-menopausal syndrome.
A director at the Ministry of Tourism, Mr Emmanuel V. Hagan, also discussed some strategies in using cocoa and chocolate that travelling and tour guide operators could resort to in attracting tourists into the country.
“We are sitting on a gold mine,” he stated, and noted that tourists should not be attracted into the country to have a look at only slave castles but also cocoa farms and some of the processes the cocoa beans went through before they were exported.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee of Centuries International, Mr Stephen Dzilah, gave a brief history of Tetteh Quarshie who brought cocoa to Ghana and the nutritional benefits and values of cocoa to the Ghanaian economy.
He said as part of an expansion project by Centuries International, which produces various products from cocoa, about 100 people would be sent abroad to undergo some training and later be brought back to occupy key positions in some factories the company intended setting up across the country.
The researches also established that cocoa, which has a high percentage of magnesium content, if consumed in moderation, reduces the risk of diabetes and some heart diseases.
A senior lecturer and Head of the Anatomy Department of the University of Ghana Medical School at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Frederick K. Addai, who made this known at a cocoa and chocolate Forum in Accra yesterday, enumerated some of the health benefits of cocoa, the country’s major foreign exchange earner.
The forum was part of a three-day seminar organised by Centuries International as part of celebrations to mark this year’s National Chocolate Day which falls today and the Chocolate Festival due in September this year.
“Cocoa gives you brain power and prevents you from getting stroke. It reduces blood pressure in an average of six weeks. The nutrients in natural cocoa powder prevents malaria parasites from transmitting the disease to humans. It is also good for asthmatic patients,” Prof Addai stated, and pointed out specifically that the spread of malaria, which was collapsing the national economy, could be reduced by encouraging the consumption of pure cocoa or chocolate in moderation.
After 15 years of consumption of cocoa and research into the health benefits of the crop, Prof Addai said he was convinced that regular consumption of chocolate was rather good for the teeth and promoted the production of insulin which helped in digestion.
“The smaller the amount of cocoa in chocolate, the less helpful’ the more it is in chocolate, the better,” he stated, and observed that to derive the health benefits from cocoa or chocolate, one needed to take it every day in moderation because over consumption could also negate the benefits.
He said Japan, the highest consumer of cocoa products, for example, had done a lot of research into the medicinal benefits of cocoa and had known for a long time that cocoa slowed down the ageing process by preventing the red blood cells from clotting.
Prof Addai further disclosed that the consumption of cocoa also improved the sexual performance of both males and females and reduced the pre and post-menstrual tension in women, as well as post-menopausal syndrome.
A director at the Ministry of Tourism, Mr Emmanuel V. Hagan, also discussed some strategies in using cocoa and chocolate that travelling and tour guide operators could resort to in attracting tourists into the country.
“We are sitting on a gold mine,” he stated, and noted that tourists should not be attracted into the country to have a look at only slave castles but also cocoa farms and some of the processes the cocoa beans went through before they were exported.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee of Centuries International, Mr Stephen Dzilah, gave a brief history of Tetteh Quarshie who brought cocoa to Ghana and the nutritional benefits and values of cocoa to the Ghanaian economy.
He said as part of an expansion project by Centuries International, which produces various products from cocoa, about 100 people would be sent abroad to undergo some training and later be brought back to occupy key positions in some factories the company intended setting up across the country.
Friday, February 13, 2009
‘Enact bill to create seats in Parliament for youth’ (13/02/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo & Gifty Bamfo
THE Founder and Leader of the Public Youth and Students Movement of Ghana (PUSMOG), Mr Fredrick Duncan Modzabi, has urged the government to enact a bill to create two seats in Parliament for the youth.
He said that would ensure an effective representation of the youth in Parliament and enable them to share their opinion on issues concerning the country, as well as contribute to decision making for the progress and development of the country.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Modzabi said the time had come for the youth to be recognised in governance and indicated that the seats, if created by the government, would serve useful purposes.
He called on all the youth of Ghana to unite and present a common voice on the matter, saying, "The time has come for us to consider our destiny to unite and fight for our position in government."
Mr Modzabi explained that the two seats he was advocating for should be open to the general public for interested persons to contest and be elected to fill during parliamentary elections.
He said PUSMOG was an independent organisation which was not associated with any political party, adding that the movement petitioned Parliament in a proposal it sent last year.
"We pleaded with the then Parliament to consider and recognise the youth in Parliament by creating the two seats," he said, and recalled that the move had not been successful because of the change in government.
He, therefore, called on the NDC administration to help make the call successful.
THE Founder and Leader of the Public Youth and Students Movement of Ghana (PUSMOG), Mr Fredrick Duncan Modzabi, has urged the government to enact a bill to create two seats in Parliament for the youth.
He said that would ensure an effective representation of the youth in Parliament and enable them to share their opinion on issues concerning the country, as well as contribute to decision making for the progress and development of the country.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Modzabi said the time had come for the youth to be recognised in governance and indicated that the seats, if created by the government, would serve useful purposes.
He called on all the youth of Ghana to unite and present a common voice on the matter, saying, "The time has come for us to consider our destiny to unite and fight for our position in government."
Mr Modzabi explained that the two seats he was advocating for should be open to the general public for interested persons to contest and be elected to fill during parliamentary elections.
He said PUSMOG was an independent organisation which was not associated with any political party, adding that the movement petitioned Parliament in a proposal it sent last year.
"We pleaded with the then Parliament to consider and recognise the youth in Parliament by creating the two seats," he said, and recalled that the move had not been successful because of the change in government.
He, therefore, called on the NDC administration to help make the call successful.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
SEND-Ghana launches report on free trade (12/02/09)
Story : Jennifer Dornoo & Gifty Bamfo
THE Director of Administration at the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), Mr Ronald Modey, has said the high levels of fertilisers contained in local food crops reduced their nutritional value and made them unhealthy for human consumption.
He, therefore, called on small scale farmers to practise organic farming as this would increase the quality and nutritional level of locally produced food crops in the country.
Mr Modey said this at the launch of a research report on free trade, small scale production and poverty by the Social Enterprise Foundation (SEND-Ghana) in five communities in the country. They are Elmina in the Central Region, Matsekope in Greater Accra, Gane in Upper East, Kalende in Northern Region and Tangasia in the Upper West Region.
Mr Modey advised farmers to develop innovative ways of farming to give crops longer life span, as crops that contained higher concentrations of fertilizers perished quickly.
The Senior Industrial Promotion Officer in charge of the Gender Desk of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mrs Diana Afriyie Addo called on Ghanaians to patronise locally produced food crops.
She said this would help local producers to cultivate more crops to promote the local food industry and create employment for the youth.
She noted that it would also help local producers to compete in the local and international markets to boost the Ghanaian economy.
Mrs Addo urged the farmers to join co-operative unions to share ideas on good farming practices and also benefit from micro credit facilities.
The Country Director of SEND-Ghana, Mr Samuel Zan Akologo said the research was conducted to educate, generate and advocate for participatory trade policy formulation for small scale farmers.
He said the findings would be used to engage government and other relevant stakeholders in order to develop policies that would impact positively on small scale farmers especially women.
The findings revealed that farmers particularly those cultivating tomato and soya beans were yet to enjoy the benefits associated with the creation of the sub regional market and other integration policies.
It also found out that "unless comprehensive export capacity building programmes were vigorously pursued, the benefits that small scale Ghanaian women producers can reap from regional integration and trade liberalisation would remain a mirage".
The research also revealed that there was a decline in agricultural production because most farmers cultivating tomatoes and soybeans depended on rainfall for their farming.
It further stated that there was a high cost of farming and fishing inputs, such as, pre mix fuel, fertilisers, machinery and pesticides, which rendered agriculture unprofitable for farmers particularly those in small scale food crop production.
The findings stated that trade liberalisation had resulted in stiff competition from imported goods, foreign traders and companies.
The research however recommended that support for women farmers should include capacity building and access to loan facilities.
It also recommended that government should create an enabling environment for private entities to enter into the provision of storage facilities to prevent supply glut and boost the income of farmers.
The research further stressed the need for District Assemblies to create opportunities that increased access to markets by linking women and small scale farmers to the Ghana school feeding programme.
THE Director of Administration at the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), Mr Ronald Modey, has said the high levels of fertilisers contained in local food crops reduced their nutritional value and made them unhealthy for human consumption.
He, therefore, called on small scale farmers to practise organic farming as this would increase the quality and nutritional level of locally produced food crops in the country.
Mr Modey said this at the launch of a research report on free trade, small scale production and poverty by the Social Enterprise Foundation (SEND-Ghana) in five communities in the country. They are Elmina in the Central Region, Matsekope in Greater Accra, Gane in Upper East, Kalende in Northern Region and Tangasia in the Upper West Region.
Mr Modey advised farmers to develop innovative ways of farming to give crops longer life span, as crops that contained higher concentrations of fertilizers perished quickly.
The Senior Industrial Promotion Officer in charge of the Gender Desk of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mrs Diana Afriyie Addo called on Ghanaians to patronise locally produced food crops.
She said this would help local producers to cultivate more crops to promote the local food industry and create employment for the youth.
She noted that it would also help local producers to compete in the local and international markets to boost the Ghanaian economy.
Mrs Addo urged the farmers to join co-operative unions to share ideas on good farming practices and also benefit from micro credit facilities.
The Country Director of SEND-Ghana, Mr Samuel Zan Akologo said the research was conducted to educate, generate and advocate for participatory trade policy formulation for small scale farmers.
He said the findings would be used to engage government and other relevant stakeholders in order to develop policies that would impact positively on small scale farmers especially women.
The findings revealed that farmers particularly those cultivating tomato and soya beans were yet to enjoy the benefits associated with the creation of the sub regional market and other integration policies.
It also found out that "unless comprehensive export capacity building programmes were vigorously pursued, the benefits that small scale Ghanaian women producers can reap from regional integration and trade liberalisation would remain a mirage".
The research also revealed that there was a decline in agricultural production because most farmers cultivating tomatoes and soybeans depended on rainfall for their farming.
It further stated that there was a high cost of farming and fishing inputs, such as, pre mix fuel, fertilisers, machinery and pesticides, which rendered agriculture unprofitable for farmers particularly those in small scale food crop production.
The findings stated that trade liberalisation had resulted in stiff competition from imported goods, foreign traders and companies.
The research however recommended that support for women farmers should include capacity building and access to loan facilities.
It also recommended that government should create an enabling environment for private entities to enter into the provision of storage facilities to prevent supply glut and boost the income of farmers.
The research further stressed the need for District Assemblies to create opportunities that increased access to markets by linking women and small scale farmers to the Ghana school feeding programme.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sabon Zongo youth revamp interest in Quranic recital(9/02/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo
THE Sabon Zongo Youth Movement of the Abossey Okai sub-metro in Accra has organised an inter-Islamic School Quranic recital competition among six Islamic schools in the community.
The participating schools were Ummuriya, Markazil Fulenu, Sulemaniya, Nizaniya, Al-Fajir and Abnau Faida Islamic schools.
The President of the youth movement, Umaru Adamu Murtula, said the competition was to revamp the interest of Quran reading among the youth to help them address challenges that confronted them.
He said some unacceptable behaviour by the youth such as indiscipline and dirtiness were all challenges that had their solutions in the Quran.
He added that it was the aim of the youth movement to sensitise the youth in the community to the principles of Islam to enable them to live decent and righteous lives to enhance the image of the Islamic religion.
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Haruna, a prominent elder in the Sabon Zongo community, urged the youth to study the Quran thoroughly in order to defend it against criticisms and manipulations, adding that some scholars translated the Quran to suit themselves by manipulating the content to make it lose its originality.
He advised the youth to pass on the knowledge acquired to their friends to make them knowledgeable, and encourage them to also read.
Mariya Abdulmunia from Nizaniya Islamic School emerged the winner of the competition out of 12 participants, and took home a cash prize of GH¢30 with three Qurans, six exercise books, a wall clock and a mathematical set.
Aabib Ango from Sulemaniya Islamic School came second and received GH¢20, three Qurans, six exercise books and one mathematical set with Samira Yussif also from the same school taking the third position.
Samira Yussif received a cash prize of GH¢10, two Qurans, six exercise books and a mathematical set.
Ukasha Muhid from Al-Fajir Islamic School took the fourth prize, which included two Qurans, six exercise books and one mathematical set.
Khadija Imam from Nizaniya Islamic School, Maryam Muhid Yussif from Abnau Faida Islamic School, Husaina Nuhu and Hasana Nuhu from Ummuriya Islamic School, Luwaisa Ibrahim from Abnau Faida Islamic School, Usman Muhsin from Al-Fajir Islamic School, Malik Masud and Suraiya Alhassan from Markazil Fuleum Islamic School took the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth positions respectively.
They received one Quran, four exercise books and a mathematical set each.
THE Sabon Zongo Youth Movement of the Abossey Okai sub-metro in Accra has organised an inter-Islamic School Quranic recital competition among six Islamic schools in the community.
The participating schools were Ummuriya, Markazil Fulenu, Sulemaniya, Nizaniya, Al-Fajir and Abnau Faida Islamic schools.
The President of the youth movement, Umaru Adamu Murtula, said the competition was to revamp the interest of Quran reading among the youth to help them address challenges that confronted them.
He said some unacceptable behaviour by the youth such as indiscipline and dirtiness were all challenges that had their solutions in the Quran.
He added that it was the aim of the youth movement to sensitise the youth in the community to the principles of Islam to enable them to live decent and righteous lives to enhance the image of the Islamic religion.
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Haruna, a prominent elder in the Sabon Zongo community, urged the youth to study the Quran thoroughly in order to defend it against criticisms and manipulations, adding that some scholars translated the Quran to suit themselves by manipulating the content to make it lose its originality.
He advised the youth to pass on the knowledge acquired to their friends to make them knowledgeable, and encourage them to also read.
Mariya Abdulmunia from Nizaniya Islamic School emerged the winner of the competition out of 12 participants, and took home a cash prize of GH¢30 with three Qurans, six exercise books, a wall clock and a mathematical set.
Aabib Ango from Sulemaniya Islamic School came second and received GH¢20, three Qurans, six exercise books and one mathematical set with Samira Yussif also from the same school taking the third position.
Samira Yussif received a cash prize of GH¢10, two Qurans, six exercise books and a mathematical set.
Ukasha Muhid from Al-Fajir Islamic School took the fourth prize, which included two Qurans, six exercise books and one mathematical set.
Khadija Imam from Nizaniya Islamic School, Maryam Muhid Yussif from Abnau Faida Islamic School, Husaina Nuhu and Hasana Nuhu from Ummuriya Islamic School, Luwaisa Ibrahim from Abnau Faida Islamic School, Usman Muhsin from Al-Fajir Islamic School, Malik Masud and Suraiya Alhassan from Markazil Fuleum Islamic School took the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth positions respectively.
They received one Quran, four exercise books and a mathematical set each.
Beware of visa frauds(9/02/09)
THE Head of the Visa section of the German Embassy, Mrs Malchereck-Gassel, has cautioned Ghanaians against travel agents who demand huge sums of money as fees to secure them visas from the German Embassy.
She said these middlemen only provided fake documents which could lead innocent people into serious trouble and, therefore, urged all prospective applicants for German visas to go through the right procedure.
Speaking at a symposium for students who had interest to study and research in Germany in Accra at the weekend, she said information regarding visa procedures, requirements and individual applications could only be obtained from the visa officers of the embassy and not from security staff or any other third party.
Mrs Malchereck-Gassel encouraged visa applicants to process their applications well in advance of the enrolment deadline since all student visa applications were forwarded to responsible immigration authorities in Germany for approval within six to 10 weeks.
The Director of the German Academic Exchange service (DAAD), Dr. Heike Edelmann-Okinda also advised students to seek counselling and advice before applying for visas to study in Germany.
She said that was because most student visa applicants failed to meet the expectations and requirements of the embassy and that led to the rejection of their application for Visas.
Dr. Edelmann-Okinda said the symposium was to inform Ghanaian students of the free tertiary education opportunities in Germany and provide them with the appropriate information to apply for Visas.
She said DAAD was a non-profit organisation that sought to help Ghanaian students to attain a high level of education in English and German programs from degree to the PhD level.
She advised Ghanaians to take advantage of the free education opportunities Germany was offering by applying and seeking face-to-face advice’s at the Goethe Institute before applying to the universities.
According to her, students who were applying with Bachelors degrees could only apply with a second class upper in a relevant discipline which had been attained within six years with two years professional experience.
She said the applicants should also be able to afford 634 euros per month to cater for accommodation, food and other utilities since tuition fees was free and in most cases very moderate.
She said these middlemen only provided fake documents which could lead innocent people into serious trouble and, therefore, urged all prospective applicants for German visas to go through the right procedure.
Speaking at a symposium for students who had interest to study and research in Germany in Accra at the weekend, she said information regarding visa procedures, requirements and individual applications could only be obtained from the visa officers of the embassy and not from security staff or any other third party.
Mrs Malchereck-Gassel encouraged visa applicants to process their applications well in advance of the enrolment deadline since all student visa applications were forwarded to responsible immigration authorities in Germany for approval within six to 10 weeks.
The Director of the German Academic Exchange service (DAAD), Dr. Heike Edelmann-Okinda also advised students to seek counselling and advice before applying for visas to study in Germany.
She said that was because most student visa applicants failed to meet the expectations and requirements of the embassy and that led to the rejection of their application for Visas.
Dr. Edelmann-Okinda said the symposium was to inform Ghanaian students of the free tertiary education opportunities in Germany and provide them with the appropriate information to apply for Visas.
She said DAAD was a non-profit organisation that sought to help Ghanaian students to attain a high level of education in English and German programs from degree to the PhD level.
She advised Ghanaians to take advantage of the free education opportunities Germany was offering by applying and seeking face-to-face advice’s at the Goethe Institute before applying to the universities.
According to her, students who were applying with Bachelors degrees could only apply with a second class upper in a relevant discipline which had been attained within six years with two years professional experience.
She said the applicants should also be able to afford 634 euros per month to cater for accommodation, food and other utilities since tuition fees was free and in most cases very moderate.
PHC inaugurates passenger car unit (9/02/09)
PHC Motors Limited has inaugurated a new $2.5 million Passenger Car Business Unit (PCBU) service facility to provide affordable quality services to its customers.
The facility is also to service and maintain PHC Motor’s Tata passenger range of vehicles, which include Tata Safari Four Wheel Drive (4x4), Tata Sumo, Tata Indigo Station Wagon and Sedan and Tata Indica Hatchback.
The Managing Director of PHC Motors, Mr Paul Kwabena Pepra said the facility would ran on 24 hours everyday to help improve customer needs and requirements.
He said PHC Motors would organise free diagnostic programmes throughout the year for all the Tata passenger cars.
Mr Pepra stated that PHC motors in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) would offer training programmes and driver tit bits to customers.
The Regional Sales Manager at PHC Motors for the Tata Passenger Car Division, Ms Geena Punjabi said the facility was fully equipped with 10 bays with a customer relations department, a finance department, parts department and a separate customer relations unit taxis.
“The development within the company’s infrastructure is just another extension of our mission and we desire to provide excellent customer service satisfaction to our customers,” she added.
The Deputy General Manager, Sales and Marketing of Tata Motors Limited, Africa, Mr Surinder Nijhawan said PHC Motors was building a training school for regular training of their workshop staff to continuously upgrade their skills.
“To cater for the needs of customers outside Accra, PHC is also enhancing its presence in six other cities throughout Ghana,” he said.
Mr Nijhawan assured customers that Tata and its dealers in the country was committed to providing world class products and after sales service to meet the needs of its customers.
The facility is also to service and maintain PHC Motor’s Tata passenger range of vehicles, which include Tata Safari Four Wheel Drive (4x4), Tata Sumo, Tata Indigo Station Wagon and Sedan and Tata Indica Hatchback.
The Managing Director of PHC Motors, Mr Paul Kwabena Pepra said the facility would ran on 24 hours everyday to help improve customer needs and requirements.
He said PHC Motors would organise free diagnostic programmes throughout the year for all the Tata passenger cars.
Mr Pepra stated that PHC motors in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) would offer training programmes and driver tit bits to customers.
The Regional Sales Manager at PHC Motors for the Tata Passenger Car Division, Ms Geena Punjabi said the facility was fully equipped with 10 bays with a customer relations department, a finance department, parts department and a separate customer relations unit taxis.
“The development within the company’s infrastructure is just another extension of our mission and we desire to provide excellent customer service satisfaction to our customers,” she added.
The Deputy General Manager, Sales and Marketing of Tata Motors Limited, Africa, Mr Surinder Nijhawan said PHC Motors was building a training school for regular training of their workshop staff to continuously upgrade their skills.
“To cater for the needs of customers outside Accra, PHC is also enhancing its presence in six other cities throughout Ghana,” he said.
Mr Nijhawan assured customers that Tata and its dealers in the country was committed to providing world class products and after sales service to meet the needs of its customers.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Vocational and technical need more attention (9/2/9)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo & Gifty Bamfo
THE Director for Organisations and Programmes of the National Youth Council, Mr Etsibah Mensah, has called on the government to pay more attention to vocational and technical skills education in the country.
“This would assist the youth in acquiring appropriate technical and vocational skills in the nation’s quest to becoming a middle-level income country,” he said.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Mensah said the greatest challenge of the youth who had acquired technical and vocational skills was the competition they faced with their products in the face of cheaper products from foreign countries.
“Most Ghanaians today prefer to buy cheap second-hand clothes to locally made tie and dye shirts hanging in a shop,” he stated.
He stressed the need for the youth to be re-oriented in producing and consuming locally manufactured goods.
Mr Mensah said this would promote the Ghanaian economy, which had become liberalised as a result of the low patronage of locally manufactured goods.
He said the youth had to learn how to appreciate things that had been produced locally to boost youth employment in the vocational and technical sector of the country and further strengthen the economy.
He said there was the need for the government to invest in the youth who had acquired various skills by making micro credits accessible to them to help them to produce in large quantities and make their products cheap and affordable to Ghanaians.
Mr Mensah said the current educational system in the country did not favour the society, since the “classroom education” did not have any impact on the Ghanaian society.
He said formal education made students “aliens in their own society” and rather made them feel part of the Western world, since the knowledge they acquired did not have any reflection on who they really were.
THE Director for Organisations and Programmes of the National Youth Council, Mr Etsibah Mensah, has called on the government to pay more attention to vocational and technical skills education in the country.
“This would assist the youth in acquiring appropriate technical and vocational skills in the nation’s quest to becoming a middle-level income country,” he said.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Mensah said the greatest challenge of the youth who had acquired technical and vocational skills was the competition they faced with their products in the face of cheaper products from foreign countries.
“Most Ghanaians today prefer to buy cheap second-hand clothes to locally made tie and dye shirts hanging in a shop,” he stated.
He stressed the need for the youth to be re-oriented in producing and consuming locally manufactured goods.
Mr Mensah said this would promote the Ghanaian economy, which had become liberalised as a result of the low patronage of locally manufactured goods.
He said the youth had to learn how to appreciate things that had been produced locally to boost youth employment in the vocational and technical sector of the country and further strengthen the economy.
He said there was the need for the government to invest in the youth who had acquired various skills by making micro credits accessible to them to help them to produce in large quantities and make their products cheap and affordable to Ghanaians.
Mr Mensah said the current educational system in the country did not favour the society, since the “classroom education” did not have any impact on the Ghanaian society.
He said formal education made students “aliens in their own society” and rather made them feel part of the Western world, since the knowledge they acquired did not have any reflection on who they really were.
Vocational Training for youth in Central business district (5/2/9)
Story:Gifty Bamfo & Jennifer Dornoo
SOME youth of Agbogbloshie, Konkomba, Sodom and Gomorrah and Abuja, all in the central business district of Accra, are to benefit from a three-year technical and vocational skills training programme.
The programme, which is free, is intended to provide the youth with skills in auto-repairs, auto-electricals and wielding through the Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institute under the National Youth Council (NYC).
This would be in addition to existing skills training in the areas of carpentry, dress making, and building construction, among others, being provided by the NYC to some of the youth in these areas.
Briefing the press, the Acting National Co-ordinator of the NYC, Mr Archibald Donkoh, said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect had already been signed between the NYC and the Great Imperial Company Limited of the Kristo Asafo Church at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region.
The group were at the residence of the Head of the Kristo Asafo Church and owner of the Great Imperial Company Limited, Apostle Kwadwo Safo, to formally introduce themselves and brief him about the joint project.
Mr Donkoh said the training was aimed at equipping the youth with sustainable economic livelihood skills, especially the vulnerable and those out of school.
“The training centre would also provide opportunities for the youth in the 11 vocational and technical institutes under the NYC across the country to have internship programmes to upgrade themselves and be equipped with entrepreneurial skills,” he added.
He said the centre would help the youth to establish themselves in their various regions and also pass on the skills acquired to other people.
Mr Donkoh noted that the move would create jobs in the rural areas and help reduce the increasing rate of rural-urban migration.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo called on the government to pay more attention to vocational and technical skills education, because it held the key to the nation’s quest for becoming a middle-level income country.
He urged entrepreneurs and inventors to pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation for the benefit of the country.
Apostle Safo pledged to help the youth to acquire the needed skills and knowledge to help enhance the development of the country.
SOME youth of Agbogbloshie, Konkomba, Sodom and Gomorrah and Abuja, all in the central business district of Accra, are to benefit from a three-year technical and vocational skills training programme.
The programme, which is free, is intended to provide the youth with skills in auto-repairs, auto-electricals and wielding through the Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institute under the National Youth Council (NYC).
This would be in addition to existing skills training in the areas of carpentry, dress making, and building construction, among others, being provided by the NYC to some of the youth in these areas.
Briefing the press, the Acting National Co-ordinator of the NYC, Mr Archibald Donkoh, said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect had already been signed between the NYC and the Great Imperial Company Limited of the Kristo Asafo Church at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region.
The group were at the residence of the Head of the Kristo Asafo Church and owner of the Great Imperial Company Limited, Apostle Kwadwo Safo, to formally introduce themselves and brief him about the joint project.
Mr Donkoh said the training was aimed at equipping the youth with sustainable economic livelihood skills, especially the vulnerable and those out of school.
“The training centre would also provide opportunities for the youth in the 11 vocational and technical institutes under the NYC across the country to have internship programmes to upgrade themselves and be equipped with entrepreneurial skills,” he added.
He said the centre would help the youth to establish themselves in their various regions and also pass on the skills acquired to other people.
Mr Donkoh noted that the move would create jobs in the rural areas and help reduce the increasing rate of rural-urban migration.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo called on the government to pay more attention to vocational and technical skills education, because it held the key to the nation’s quest for becoming a middle-level income country.
He urged entrepreneurs and inventors to pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation for the benefit of the country.
Apostle Safo pledged to help the youth to acquire the needed skills and knowledge to help enhance the development of the country.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
European Union donates equipments to Civil service organisations(3/02/09)
EIGHT civil society organisations in the country have benefited from information technology equipment, office furniture and medical supplies worth GH¢11,487 donated by the European Commission delegation to Ghana.
The equipment were used by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Ghana (EU EOM) during their observation of the December 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The beneficiary organisations were the Cardinal Foundation for Distance Learning (CADFIL), Ripples Health Care Partners in Community Development Programme (PACODEP), Women’s Wing, PAFA Foundation, Research and Counselling Foundation for African Migrants (RECFAM), Friends for Human Development and Health and Wellness Foundation.
The Head of the European Commission Delegation to Ghana, Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, said the equipment were donated to the organisations because of the crucial role they played in monitoring the elections, promoting health education, rights of women, the underprivileged and people living with HIV/AIDS.
He said the organisations represented different aspects of the Ghanaian civil society such as human rights, democracy, working for health and HIV/AIDS awareness and child care in the country.
Mr Sebregondi said that was also part of a capacity-building action for civil society organisations by the European Union delegation to help them work effectively in important events organised in the country.
He hoped the equipment would be of great use to the organisations.
Professor Alex Asiedu of the Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed his deepest appreciation to the European Commission delegation to Ghana..
He was optimistic that the equipment was going to facilitate the work of the civil society organisations in the country.
The equipment were used by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Ghana (EU EOM) during their observation of the December 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The beneficiary organisations were the Cardinal Foundation for Distance Learning (CADFIL), Ripples Health Care Partners in Community Development Programme (PACODEP), Women’s Wing, PAFA Foundation, Research and Counselling Foundation for African Migrants (RECFAM), Friends for Human Development and Health and Wellness Foundation.
The Head of the European Commission Delegation to Ghana, Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, said the equipment were donated to the organisations because of the crucial role they played in monitoring the elections, promoting health education, rights of women, the underprivileged and people living with HIV/AIDS.
He said the organisations represented different aspects of the Ghanaian civil society such as human rights, democracy, working for health and HIV/AIDS awareness and child care in the country.
Mr Sebregondi said that was also part of a capacity-building action for civil society organisations by the European Union delegation to help them work effectively in important events organised in the country.
He hoped the equipment would be of great use to the organisations.
Professor Alex Asiedu of the Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed his deepest appreciation to the European Commission delegation to Ghana..
He was optimistic that the equipment was going to facilitate the work of the civil society organisations in the country.
Monday, February 2, 2009
“School feeding programme must not be selective” (2/2/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo and Gifty Bamfo
THE Leader of a youth advocacy development organisation, the Public Youth and Students Movement of Ghana (PUSMOG), Mr Fredrick Duncan Modzabi, has called on the government to stop the selective free feeding of children in basic schools.
He has rather suggested the building of more public schools for the country, since such schools were inadequate and teaching and learning had to be controlled on a shift basis.
Other public schools were in a state of dilapidation and needed renovation, he noted.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, he described the school feeding programme as a misuse of public funds that could be invested meaningfully in developing infrastructure in the education sector.
He said the inadequacy of public schools in the country put a stress on head teachers to admit more pupils than necessarily required in a class.
That resulted in the running of morning and afternoon shifts in schools making education ineffective in Ghana.
Mr Modzabi said these were the fundamental causes of the decline in standards of education in public schools in the country, since teachers were not able to control and assess the increasing number of pupils in the class.
He said since Ghana attained independence in 1957, little had been done by government to build more schools.
He said some schools currently under the supervision of the government were schools built by religious and international organisations, such as the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches.
Mr Modzabi said the private sector owned and controlled three quarters of educational facilities in the country from crèche to the university level, and most of these were not affordable to the masses.
In public schools in certain parts of the country, two classes had to use one classroom with one chalkboard, while others who had to study under trees and dilapidated structures that were traps, were threatened by the slightest rainfall.
“It will be meaningless for the government to proclaim itself to the international world that it has free education and free feeding while the mass of school children are not receiving quality education,” he added.
THE Leader of a youth advocacy development organisation, the Public Youth and Students Movement of Ghana (PUSMOG), Mr Fredrick Duncan Modzabi, has called on the government to stop the selective free feeding of children in basic schools.
He has rather suggested the building of more public schools for the country, since such schools were inadequate and teaching and learning had to be controlled on a shift basis.
Other public schools were in a state of dilapidation and needed renovation, he noted.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, he described the school feeding programme as a misuse of public funds that could be invested meaningfully in developing infrastructure in the education sector.
He said the inadequacy of public schools in the country put a stress on head teachers to admit more pupils than necessarily required in a class.
That resulted in the running of morning and afternoon shifts in schools making education ineffective in Ghana.
Mr Modzabi said these were the fundamental causes of the decline in standards of education in public schools in the country, since teachers were not able to control and assess the increasing number of pupils in the class.
He said since Ghana attained independence in 1957, little had been done by government to build more schools.
He said some schools currently under the supervision of the government were schools built by religious and international organisations, such as the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches.
Mr Modzabi said the private sector owned and controlled three quarters of educational facilities in the country from crèche to the university level, and most of these were not affordable to the masses.
In public schools in certain parts of the country, two classes had to use one classroom with one chalkboard, while others who had to study under trees and dilapidated structures that were traps, were threatened by the slightest rainfall.
“It will be meaningless for the government to proclaim itself to the international world that it has free education and free feeding while the mass of school children are not receiving quality education,” he added.
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