THE Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana, Ms Veronica Darko, has called on student nurses and midwives to work hard to enhance the image of the profession.
She said the general public had been complaining about the negative attitudes of nurses and midwives towards them, which tarnished the image of the profession.
She, therefore, advised the students to serve as the new generation of practitioners who would change the perception that members of the public had about the profession.
Ms Darko was speaking at the sixth diploma students and second clinical health assistants matriculation ceremony of the Western Hills School of Nursing (WHSN) at Ofankor.
She urged the matriculants to abide strictly by the core values of the Ghana Health Service when practising the profession.
They must be disciplined and perform their duties in a professional manner to help develop good relationships with their clients.
The Principal of the School, Mrs Ruth A. Gyang, advised the matriculants to remain focused and adopt a positive attitude towards the profession.
She described the nursing and midwifery profession as a challenge, and that nursing was a profession that gave the practitioner job satisfaction, which could be achieved when the practitioner had been able to assist patients in their time of need.
To be able to do this, she said the practitioner had to be honest, patient, tolerant and sympathetic, adding that this would also help the patient physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The Director of Nursing Services at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mrs Grace Barnes, said the nursing and midwifery profession was not the best field for making money, yet the richness of the blessings that came with dedicated nursing could not be quantified.
She advised the students not to place their individual interests first when delivering their services but that of the profession.
One hundred and sixty students matriculated, out of which 30 are pursuing a three year diploma course in nursing and 130 pursuing a two-year certificate course as health assistants.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Open IEPA for review
THE Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, has called on the government to open up the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA), for review and consultation before it is signed into an international treaty by the end of this year.
This, he explained, is to ensure that the interest and future of the country is not jeopardised by the European Union (EU).
Mr Asamoah said this at the 12th annual TUC and GJA interaction programme at the International Press Centre on Monday.
He said TUC was alarmed by the action of the European Commission to abandon the regional negotiations framework under the auspices of the ECOWAS and were rather embarking on predatory missions on individual countries to get them to initiate a “so called stepping stone Interim EPA”.
He added that the action of the European Commission was a demonstration of bad faith and a stab in the back of the sub regional-intergration which was supposed to be one key objective of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Mr Asamoah emphasised that what the IEPA Ghana initialled with the EU was secured in an atmosphere of considerable pressure and intimidation of public officials, some of whom privately resented the decision and content of the IEPA.
He said the initialling of the IEPA was contrary to the decision taken on October 5, 2007 by the ECOWAS Trade Ministers in Cote d’Ivoire at which the Ministers stated that the sub-region was not in the position to sign Interim or Comprehensive EPA and formally requested for the extension of the deadline.
“Ghana TUC deplores in the strongest possible terms, the non-transparent manner in which the IEPA with the EU was concluded” Mr Asamoah added.
He said given the developmental gap between Ghana and the EU, it was illogical and immoral to have a free trade agreement since it was akin to putting a flyweight boxer in the ring with a heavyweight boxer.
He stated that the removal of customs duties on import from the EU was inconsistent with the policy of Ghana to promote the private sector which provided employment for the youth and produced goods for public consumption.
The Secretary-General said any attempt to remove 80 per cent duties on imports from the EU would decimate the already small production base of the country, wipe out employment and livelihood, deny the country the most reliable source of revenue and undermine efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals of the country.
He described the 100 per cent access to the EU market as cosmetic and meaningless to Ghana due to the historical levels of several non-tarrif barriers, complicated rules of origin and supply side constraints facing Ghana.
Mr Asamoah expressed concern about recent developments on the labour scene after an infamous decision of the Accra Fast Track High Court to the effect that employers could terminate the employment of their employees without reasons.
He said this was seriously undermining the compromises and consensus reached during the tripartite consultations which led to the passage of the Labour Act (Act 651, 2003).
He therefore called on the government to ratify the ILO Convention 158 and take a second look at the Labour Act which suffers from a fair degree of ambiguity which could lead to tension.
Mr Asamoah commended Ghanaians for the maturity showed in ensuring peaceful elections on December 7, and urged them to do better during the run-off for the Presidential election on Sunday.
This, he explained, is to ensure that the interest and future of the country is not jeopardised by the European Union (EU).
Mr Asamoah said this at the 12th annual TUC and GJA interaction programme at the International Press Centre on Monday.
He said TUC was alarmed by the action of the European Commission to abandon the regional negotiations framework under the auspices of the ECOWAS and were rather embarking on predatory missions on individual countries to get them to initiate a “so called stepping stone Interim EPA”.
He added that the action of the European Commission was a demonstration of bad faith and a stab in the back of the sub regional-intergration which was supposed to be one key objective of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Mr Asamoah emphasised that what the IEPA Ghana initialled with the EU was secured in an atmosphere of considerable pressure and intimidation of public officials, some of whom privately resented the decision and content of the IEPA.
He said the initialling of the IEPA was contrary to the decision taken on October 5, 2007 by the ECOWAS Trade Ministers in Cote d’Ivoire at which the Ministers stated that the sub-region was not in the position to sign Interim or Comprehensive EPA and formally requested for the extension of the deadline.
“Ghana TUC deplores in the strongest possible terms, the non-transparent manner in which the IEPA with the EU was concluded” Mr Asamoah added.
He said given the developmental gap between Ghana and the EU, it was illogical and immoral to have a free trade agreement since it was akin to putting a flyweight boxer in the ring with a heavyweight boxer.
He stated that the removal of customs duties on import from the EU was inconsistent with the policy of Ghana to promote the private sector which provided employment for the youth and produced goods for public consumption.
The Secretary-General said any attempt to remove 80 per cent duties on imports from the EU would decimate the already small production base of the country, wipe out employment and livelihood, deny the country the most reliable source of revenue and undermine efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals of the country.
He described the 100 per cent access to the EU market as cosmetic and meaningless to Ghana due to the historical levels of several non-tarrif barriers, complicated rules of origin and supply side constraints facing Ghana.
Mr Asamoah expressed concern about recent developments on the labour scene after an infamous decision of the Accra Fast Track High Court to the effect that employers could terminate the employment of their employees without reasons.
He said this was seriously undermining the compromises and consensus reached during the tripartite consultations which led to the passage of the Labour Act (Act 651, 2003).
He therefore called on the government to ratify the ILO Convention 158 and take a second look at the Labour Act which suffers from a fair degree of ambiguity which could lead to tension.
Mr Asamoah commended Ghanaians for the maturity showed in ensuring peaceful elections on December 7, and urged them to do better during the run-off for the Presidential election on Sunday.
GCB opens 148th branch
Ghana Commercial Bank Limited (GCB) has opened its 148th branch at Kisseiman in Accra.
The branch is to serve individuals and businessmen and women in and around Achimota, Kisseiman and Christian Village and also take the overflow from the Legon branch.
According to the Deputy Managing Director of Operations of GCB, Mr Samuel Sarpong, the new branch was in fulfilment of a banking strategy to serve customers and prospective ones with convenient and quality products and services.
He said as part of initiatives to meet the intense competition in the financial sector and improve upon its services, the staff of the bank had undergone special training to serve customers better.
Mr Sarpong announced GCB's intention to refurbish 30 of its old branches in 2009 to give the branches the facilities of a modern bank and to serve customers better, adding that an SMS banking service and many others would be launched early next year for convenient banking.
The Branch Manager, Mr Albert Twum, urged Ghanaians to come and enjoy the wide range of quality products and services the branch had to offer.
The branch offers products and services such as internet banking services, ATM, local and international money transfers, savings account and current account.
The branch is to serve individuals and businessmen and women in and around Achimota, Kisseiman and Christian Village and also take the overflow from the Legon branch.
According to the Deputy Managing Director of Operations of GCB, Mr Samuel Sarpong, the new branch was in fulfilment of a banking strategy to serve customers and prospective ones with convenient and quality products and services.
He said as part of initiatives to meet the intense competition in the financial sector and improve upon its services, the staff of the bank had undergone special training to serve customers better.
Mr Sarpong announced GCB's intention to refurbish 30 of its old branches in 2009 to give the branches the facilities of a modern bank and to serve customers better, adding that an SMS banking service and many others would be launched early next year for convenient banking.
The Branch Manager, Mr Albert Twum, urged Ghanaians to come and enjoy the wide range of quality products and services the branch had to offer.
The branch offers products and services such as internet banking services, ATM, local and international money transfers, savings account and current account.
Ghanaians cautioned against effects of carbon emissions(1/1/09)
Ghanaians have been cautioned against serious health threats posed by carbon emissions from vehicles .
The carbon emission which pollutes the air and results in health problems such as Asthmah is caused by the low quantity or quality of additives in petroleum products.
This was disclosed by the Health and Safety Manager of the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), Mr Kofi Nyarko, during an interactive programme held for stakeholders in the petroleum industry in Accra.
He said the polluted air, when inhaled, could negatively affect the lungs of human beings in various ways thereby leading to death.
He, therefore, called on motorists to patronise petroleum products that contained tested and guaranteed additives like Formula Plus additives in order to reduce air pollution in the country.
Mr Nyarko said products like Goil’s Diesel XP and G Plus gasoline contained Formula Plus additives, which helped to reduce emission by 42 per cent.
He said the new Diesel XP and G-Plus with the Formula Plus additives protected the engines of the vehicles, kept them clean and made travelling very healthy, smooth and economical.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Formula Plus Africa Ghana Limited, Mr Benjamin Ekow Armstrong, said the company provided the most technologically advanced fuel additives in the petroleum industry with high concern for the protection of the environment.
He said the Formula Plus additives were fuel treatments, which were made with the combination of organic chemicals and petroleum derivatives to provide the customer with optimal product performance and profitability.
He added that Formula Plus additives, which provided the gasoline and diesel additives had benefits such as ensuring air quality, health benefits and economical benefits.
An official of the Ghana Energy Foundation, Mr Stephen Duodu, who tested the Formula Plus additives guaranteed the quality of the additives and urged motorists to patronise the petroleum products with the Formula Plus additives to enhance the performance of their engines.
Motorists who gave testimonies on Diesel XP and G-Plus confirmed the quality and economical nature of the product, saying “ we have not experienced any kind of smoke coming out of our exhaust pipes”.
Moses Amartey, an “ aro glass” driver said he was able to travel long distances unlike other diesel products.
Kojo Boadi also said his car, which always released smoke no longer did so when he started using Diesel XP.
The carbon emission which pollutes the air and results in health problems such as Asthmah is caused by the low quantity or quality of additives in petroleum products.
This was disclosed by the Health and Safety Manager of the Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), Mr Kofi Nyarko, during an interactive programme held for stakeholders in the petroleum industry in Accra.
He said the polluted air, when inhaled, could negatively affect the lungs of human beings in various ways thereby leading to death.
He, therefore, called on motorists to patronise petroleum products that contained tested and guaranteed additives like Formula Plus additives in order to reduce air pollution in the country.
Mr Nyarko said products like Goil’s Diesel XP and G Plus gasoline contained Formula Plus additives, which helped to reduce emission by 42 per cent.
He said the new Diesel XP and G-Plus with the Formula Plus additives protected the engines of the vehicles, kept them clean and made travelling very healthy, smooth and economical.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Formula Plus Africa Ghana Limited, Mr Benjamin Ekow Armstrong, said the company provided the most technologically advanced fuel additives in the petroleum industry with high concern for the protection of the environment.
He said the Formula Plus additives were fuel treatments, which were made with the combination of organic chemicals and petroleum derivatives to provide the customer with optimal product performance and profitability.
He added that Formula Plus additives, which provided the gasoline and diesel additives had benefits such as ensuring air quality, health benefits and economical benefits.
An official of the Ghana Energy Foundation, Mr Stephen Duodu, who tested the Formula Plus additives guaranteed the quality of the additives and urged motorists to patronise the petroleum products with the Formula Plus additives to enhance the performance of their engines.
Motorists who gave testimonies on Diesel XP and G-Plus confirmed the quality and economical nature of the product, saying “ we have not experienced any kind of smoke coming out of our exhaust pipes”.
Moses Amartey, an “ aro glass” driver said he was able to travel long distances unlike other diesel products.
Kojo Boadi also said his car, which always released smoke no longer did so when he started using Diesel XP.
(Capital O2 donates to Osu Children’s Home(30/12/08)
Capital 02 Limited has donated items worth GH¢8,000 to the Osu Children’s Home in Accra.
The items include bags of rice and sugar, crates of soft drinks, second-hand clothing, pastries and sweets.
The Managing Director of Capital 02, Mr John Daniel Otoo, said the Christmas season was an opportunity given by God to the company for it to share the joy of the occasion with the children at the home.
He told the children that the world was a struggle, adding that perseverance and determination were the only keys to success.
He said Capital 02 would continue to express love and care to under-privileged children in society every year.
The Head of the Osu Children’s Home, Mrs Sharon Abbey, who received the items, thanked Capital 02 for the wonderful affection shown towards the children.
She promised to make sure the items were put to good use for the benefit of the children.
Mrs Abbey appealed to individuals and benevolent organisations to show their love to the needy children to put smiles on their faces.
The items include bags of rice and sugar, crates of soft drinks, second-hand clothing, pastries and sweets.
The Managing Director of Capital 02, Mr John Daniel Otoo, said the Christmas season was an opportunity given by God to the company for it to share the joy of the occasion with the children at the home.
He told the children that the world was a struggle, adding that perseverance and determination were the only keys to success.
He said Capital 02 would continue to express love and care to under-privileged children in society every year.
The Head of the Osu Children’s Home, Mrs Sharon Abbey, who received the items, thanked Capital 02 for the wonderful affection shown towards the children.
She promised to make sure the items were put to good use for the benefit of the children.
Mrs Abbey appealed to individuals and benevolent organisations to show their love to the needy children to put smiles on their faces.
Monday, December 22, 2008
CJA endorses Prof. Mills (17/12/08)
Story: Stephen Sah and Jennifer Dornoo
THE Committee for Joint Action (CJA) yesterday endorsed Prof John Evans Atta Mills’ candidature for president in the December 28 run-off as someone who would use his trademark of honesty, integrity and moral authority to inspire and strengthen Ghanaians to build a better nation.
According to the committee, Prof Mills would unite and bind all Ghanaians together to fight for a Ghana of freedom and prosperity for all, and a better Ghana devoid of vindictiveness , anchored on rule of law, freedom and justice.
The endorsement by the committee was at a press conference held in Accra during which it put the eight-year rule of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the leadership of President J.A.Kufuor under the microscope, saying that the NPP was not the answer to the people’s hopes and dreams.
Dr Adam Gamel Nasser, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, who addressed the media on the “state of the nation and matters relating to the presidential run-off”, said the rule of the NPP had been marked by corruption and vulgar opulence while the majority of the people sunk deeper into poverty.
“Our elected leaders and their appointees are using political office to enrich themselves... The nation is rocked daily by credible media and other reports of blatant thievery and waste on the part of presidential appointees.
“Impartial apolitical organisations like the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Centre for Democratic Development, the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition, have all spoken about the dangerous growth of corruption in our public life”, the committee said.
The committee said the only conclusion that could be arrived at by Ghanaians when they look back on the eight year administration of the NPP was that of veritable disaster in almost all facets of national development such that the electorate took that into consideration when they went to the polls on December 7.
“As we move into the next round of elections, there is evidence of panic within the ranks of the NPP. This is because despite its best efforts to subvert the will of the people, the vigilance of the opposition frustrated this sinister objective”, it said.
The CJA said in obvious desperation the government had recently announced its intention to release from prison custody some 5000 commercial drivers serving various jail sentences and the refund of fines that had previously been imposed on others.
That, it noted, was intended to assuage the feelings of the victims of earlier police and judicial extremism in the hope that that would uplift the dwindled fortunes of the NPP at the polls during the run-off, adding that the recent reduction in ex-pump prices of petroleum products was also intended to achieve the same purpose.
“This particular move has had the boomerang effect of exposing the NPP as not only dishonest but also insensitive”, the CJA said.
The committee said the desperation of the NPP was evident and its presidential candidate Nana Akufo Addo was going to fight tooth, nail and claw in a frantic attempt to prevent history from happening and that the NPP would attempt to do by fair or foul means.
“But it should be made unequivocally clear to the NPP that any attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people would be tantamount to a coup d’etat, which the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana was very clear about what constitutes a high treason”, it said.
The CJA stated that the time had come for the voices of the Ghanaian conscience to rally to the side of democracy and an honest national leadership, adding that the political opposition was prepared to provide the leadership of integrity and courage under the governance of Prof Mills.
THE Committee for Joint Action (CJA) yesterday endorsed Prof John Evans Atta Mills’ candidature for president in the December 28 run-off as someone who would use his trademark of honesty, integrity and moral authority to inspire and strengthen Ghanaians to build a better nation.
According to the committee, Prof Mills would unite and bind all Ghanaians together to fight for a Ghana of freedom and prosperity for all, and a better Ghana devoid of vindictiveness , anchored on rule of law, freedom and justice.
The endorsement by the committee was at a press conference held in Accra during which it put the eight-year rule of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the leadership of President J.A.Kufuor under the microscope, saying that the NPP was not the answer to the people’s hopes and dreams.
Dr Adam Gamel Nasser, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, who addressed the media on the “state of the nation and matters relating to the presidential run-off”, said the rule of the NPP had been marked by corruption and vulgar opulence while the majority of the people sunk deeper into poverty.
“Our elected leaders and their appointees are using political office to enrich themselves... The nation is rocked daily by credible media and other reports of blatant thievery and waste on the part of presidential appointees.
“Impartial apolitical organisations like the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Centre for Democratic Development, the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition, have all spoken about the dangerous growth of corruption in our public life”, the committee said.
The committee said the only conclusion that could be arrived at by Ghanaians when they look back on the eight year administration of the NPP was that of veritable disaster in almost all facets of national development such that the electorate took that into consideration when they went to the polls on December 7.
“As we move into the next round of elections, there is evidence of panic within the ranks of the NPP. This is because despite its best efforts to subvert the will of the people, the vigilance of the opposition frustrated this sinister objective”, it said.
The CJA said in obvious desperation the government had recently announced its intention to release from prison custody some 5000 commercial drivers serving various jail sentences and the refund of fines that had previously been imposed on others.
That, it noted, was intended to assuage the feelings of the victims of earlier police and judicial extremism in the hope that that would uplift the dwindled fortunes of the NPP at the polls during the run-off, adding that the recent reduction in ex-pump prices of petroleum products was also intended to achieve the same purpose.
“This particular move has had the boomerang effect of exposing the NPP as not only dishonest but also insensitive”, the CJA said.
The committee said the desperation of the NPP was evident and its presidential candidate Nana Akufo Addo was going to fight tooth, nail and claw in a frantic attempt to prevent history from happening and that the NPP would attempt to do by fair or foul means.
“But it should be made unequivocally clear to the NPP that any attempt to subvert the democratic will of the people would be tantamount to a coup d’etat, which the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana was very clear about what constitutes a high treason”, it said.
The CJA stated that the time had come for the voices of the Ghanaian conscience to rally to the side of democracy and an honest national leadership, adding that the political opposition was prepared to provide the leadership of integrity and courage under the governance of Prof Mills.
Publishers honour distinguished writers (10/11/08)
Daily Graphic pub
THE Ghana Book Publishers Association at the weekend held an awards dinner/dance to honour Ghanaian authors and publishers as part of efforts to inculcate the habit of writing and reading in Ghanaians.
The awards were categorised into four parts: The Picture Story Book for Children, Junior Fiction, Adult Fiction and General Book of the Year.
Mr Meshack Asare won the Picture Story Book for Children award with his book, Tawiah Goes to Sea, published by Sub Saharan Publishers, while Nana Ama Afua Osae’s, The Storyteller, published by Sam Woode Limited, won the Junior Fiction award.
Mr Alex Darko’s Not without flowers, published by Sub Saharan Publishers, won the Adult Fiction prize, with Professor Noah Komla Dzobo’s African Proverbs, published by Woeli Publishing Services, winning the General Book of the Year award.
For their prizes, the winners were presented with certificates, cash and plaques.
Three other personalities in the industry were honoured for contributing to make the industry successful.
They were Professor Atukwei Okai, Mr Sam Woode and Mr F.K. Segbawu, while 14 other authors and publishers received certificates for having been nominated for the awards.
Addressing the gathering, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, urged Ghanaians to make reading a habit in order to progress in life.
“A nation that does not read does not progress,” he said.
He noted that “reading refreshes the memory, gives us food for thought, informs and tells us how to plan our future and become winners”.
King Tackie Tawiah, therefore, entreated all Ghanaians to take a particular interest in reading.
THE Ghana Book Publishers Association at the weekend held an awards dinner/dance to honour Ghanaian authors and publishers as part of efforts to inculcate the habit of writing and reading in Ghanaians.
The awards were categorised into four parts: The Picture Story Book for Children, Junior Fiction, Adult Fiction and General Book of the Year.
Mr Meshack Asare won the Picture Story Book for Children award with his book, Tawiah Goes to Sea, published by Sub Saharan Publishers, while Nana Ama Afua Osae’s, The Storyteller, published by Sam Woode Limited, won the Junior Fiction award.
Mr Alex Darko’s Not without flowers, published by Sub Saharan Publishers, won the Adult Fiction prize, with Professor Noah Komla Dzobo’s African Proverbs, published by Woeli Publishing Services, winning the General Book of the Year award.
For their prizes, the winners were presented with certificates, cash and plaques.
Three other personalities in the industry were honoured for contributing to make the industry successful.
They were Professor Atukwei Okai, Mr Sam Woode and Mr F.K. Segbawu, while 14 other authors and publishers received certificates for having been nominated for the awards.
Addressing the gathering, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III, urged Ghanaians to make reading a habit in order to progress in life.
“A nation that does not read does not progress,” he said.
He noted that “reading refreshes the memory, gives us food for thought, informs and tells us how to plan our future and become winners”.
King Tackie Tawiah, therefore, entreated all Ghanaians to take a particular interest in reading.
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