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.
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