Friday, October 2, 2009
MP supports school (30/9/9)
The Member of Parliament (MP) of Ablekuma Central constituency, Mr Theophilius Tetteh-Chaie is to construct a GH¢ 30,000 toilet facility for the New Abossey Okai One Primary and Junior High School (JHS) at Mataheko in Accra by the end of this year.The eight seater Water Closet (WC) facility would be funded by proceeds of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).The MP made this known when he met the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school on Friday September 25, 2009 at the school’s premises in Accra.He said it was a shame for a school which contained over 1300 pupils to have no toilet facility for several years.That, he said, disrupted teaching and learning as children were compelled to go home to attend to natures call.Mr Tetteh-Chaie appealed to the school authorities and parents to help maintain the facility and always keep it clean after it had been constructed.The Head teacher of the school, Ms Mercy Genevieve Dzitrie thanked the MP for the facility which she said was a serious challenge to the school.She said the school’s old toilet facility which was built in 1974 had been in a terrible state for years and could not be used.She added that teachers had to plead with residents in the area to use their washrooms when the need arose.She mentioned lack of computers, inadequate desks and lack of security as other challenges facing the school.The Head teacher said some parents were redrawing their wards from the school because the school was not benefiting from the School Feeding Programme.She advised the parents to be responsible and help the teachers in bringing up the children to become good citizens of the country.The Assembly Member for Mataheko Electoral Area, Mr Emmanuel Nii Armah Tagoe advised the PTA to support the school in their own small ways and not rely on government interventions to maintain the school.He said parents had to try their best to motivate the teachers to give out their best in the discharge of their duties.He added that the MP was committed to improving education delivery in the constituency and therefore called on the parents and teachers to support him in improving education in the constituency since it was the key to poverty reduction.Picture: Picture shows the New Abossey Okai One Primary and JHS s old toilet facility in its bad state.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Trade Minister call on SMEs to repackage themselves (26/8/09)
Story: Jennifer Dornoo & Jasmine Arku
THE Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hanna Tetteh, has called on small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to repackage themselves in order to play an effective role in driving the economy.
She assured them of the Government's support and encouraged them to take their own initiatives to increase productivity and enhance economic growth.
Speaking at a Zenith Bank SMEs seminar to address the gap between financial institutions and SMEs in Accra yesterday, Ms Tetteh said one of the interventions being undertaken by the ministry was to build capacity and to strengthen the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) to play a significant role in the provision of business development services.
She advised SMEs to formalise their operations by properly registering their companies and keeping proper financial records of their business transactions.
Ms Tetteh said access to credit had always been one of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian businesses irrespective of the sectors in which they operated.
She said the Government had developed programmes such as the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to improve access to credit for those in the export sector.
Ms Tetteh stated that although Ghana had had a sustainable economic growth over the last 25 years, economic performance showed that there had been an uneven pattern in terms of the social impact and the spatial distribution of growth.
She noted that the disparity in incomes between the wealthy and the poor had widened, while inequality continued to rise.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr Andy Ojei, said SMEs had been identified as the catalyst for the growth of the economy, since they were the major source of income and employment.
He said available data from the Registrar General indicated that 90 per cent of companies registered were micro, small and medium enterprises.
He said the seminar was being organised to address two pertinent challenges — how money worked in businesses and the succession planning in a business organisation.
"It is our belief that at the end of the seminar, we would have provided the needed impetus towards providing the right platform for a solution, leading to the growth and development of our mutual interest,” Mr Ojei stated.
Participants at the seminar were taken through facts about money, simple cash management tools as well as what money in business meant.
THE Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hanna Tetteh, has called on small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to repackage themselves in order to play an effective role in driving the economy.
She assured them of the Government's support and encouraged them to take their own initiatives to increase productivity and enhance economic growth.
Speaking at a Zenith Bank SMEs seminar to address the gap between financial institutions and SMEs in Accra yesterday, Ms Tetteh said one of the interventions being undertaken by the ministry was to build capacity and to strengthen the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) to play a significant role in the provision of business development services.
She advised SMEs to formalise their operations by properly registering their companies and keeping proper financial records of their business transactions.
Ms Tetteh said access to credit had always been one of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian businesses irrespective of the sectors in which they operated.
She said the Government had developed programmes such as the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to improve access to credit for those in the export sector.
Ms Tetteh stated that although Ghana had had a sustainable economic growth over the last 25 years, economic performance showed that there had been an uneven pattern in terms of the social impact and the spatial distribution of growth.
She noted that the disparity in incomes between the wealthy and the poor had widened, while inequality continued to rise.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr Andy Ojei, said SMEs had been identified as the catalyst for the growth of the economy, since they were the major source of income and employment.
He said available data from the Registrar General indicated that 90 per cent of companies registered were micro, small and medium enterprises.
He said the seminar was being organised to address two pertinent challenges — how money worked in businesses and the succession planning in a business organisation.
"It is our belief that at the end of the seminar, we would have provided the needed impetus towards providing the right platform for a solution, leading to the growth and development of our mutual interest,” Mr Ojei stated.
Participants at the seminar were taken through facts about money, simple cash management tools as well as what money in business meant.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hold politicians responsible for nation’s woes (22/8/09)
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa East, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, has challenged the youth to hold politicians responsible for anything that affects the progress of the country.
Addressing the youth of the Gospel Ambassadors Church at a three-day youth camp in Accra, Mr Eduamoah said it had become necessary for the youth to hold politicians accountable because some of them were toiling with the lives of the youth.
Mr Eduamoah said issues of senior high school (SHS) education should not be politicised and political parties should avoid the tendency of changing what their opponents had instituted.
He underscored the need for people with the fear of God to take up leadership positions to ensure good governance in the country.
Mr Eduamoah appealed to the churches to train and encourage the youth to take active part in politics in order to ensure better administration of the nation.
He urged the youth to forge ahead and aspire to be future presidents of the country since any of them could be at the presidency.
The MP alleged that some politicians were abusing their powers by standing surety for armed robbers.
He implored the youth to uphold moral values and stay focused in all their endeavours.
The National Youth Pastor of the Church, Rev Kennedy Bentum, assured the MP of the church’s commitment to empower the youth to take up leadership positions in government.
He urged the youth to aspire to be part of the ruling body of the nation.
Addressing the youth of the Gospel Ambassadors Church at a three-day youth camp in Accra, Mr Eduamoah said it had become necessary for the youth to hold politicians accountable because some of them were toiling with the lives of the youth.
Mr Eduamoah said issues of senior high school (SHS) education should not be politicised and political parties should avoid the tendency of changing what their opponents had instituted.
He underscored the need for people with the fear of God to take up leadership positions to ensure good governance in the country.
Mr Eduamoah appealed to the churches to train and encourage the youth to take active part in politics in order to ensure better administration of the nation.
He urged the youth to forge ahead and aspire to be future presidents of the country since any of them could be at the presidency.
The MP alleged that some politicians were abusing their powers by standing surety for armed robbers.
He implored the youth to uphold moral values and stay focused in all their endeavours.
The National Youth Pastor of the Church, Rev Kennedy Bentum, assured the MP of the church’s commitment to empower the youth to take up leadership positions in government.
He urged the youth to aspire to be part of the ruling body of the nation.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
IDEG launches Book on sub-regional integration (17/8/09)
Story:Jennifer Dornoo & Natasha Lewis
THE Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a book on the challenges of integration in West Africa.
The book discuses critical issues such as Ghana and the Politics of Sub-Regional Integration, the Fate of Ghana’s Agricultural Commodity, the challenges of a single currency for West Africa as well as Gender mainstreaming policies on national and sub-regional integration.
Titled “Nation States and the Challenges of Integration in West Africa: The Case of Ghana”, the 160-page book launched in Accra today, has seven chapters and seven authors.
The Executive Director of IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey said many protocols within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework had not met the expectations of ordinary citizens.
He said civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and the crises in Cote d’Ivore had limited ECOWAS to more peace keeping activities to the detriment of economic and social integration and development.
He said the book answered questions on why the regional integration process since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 had been affected by so many delays and impediments, how to create an effective and efficient movement of people, goods and services in the region as well as how national planning priorities could be reconciled with aspirations at the sub-regional level.
Dr Akwetey added that the publication would serve as a reference and learning material for the media, policy makers, researchers in Ghana and the West-African sub-region.
Reviewing the book, a Senior Research Fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso outlined the need for ECOWAS agenda and integration to be popularised for citizens to better understand sub-regional issues and take advantage of social and economic integration.
He said West Africans were inadequately informed and poorly prepared for the ECOWAS agenda, adding that, ECOWAS had not chalked enough success in economic integration.
He said the book contained information on the various aspects of integration and could enlighten readers on the challenges of integration.
The Programme Specialist of Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO, Dr Abdul Lamin, said the organisation was delighted to be working closely with African institutions to promote the continents regional integration priorities.
Edited by a renowned Political Scientist, Professor Kwame A. Ninsin, the book featured authors namely Mr Kwame Boafo-Arthur, Mr Bonaventure Adjavor, Mr Daniel Sarpong Bruce, Mr Steve Tonah, Dr Lehlohonolo Tlou, Mr Paul Agbedor and Mr A.D.Amarquaye Laryea.
THE Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a book on the challenges of integration in West Africa.
The book discuses critical issues such as Ghana and the Politics of Sub-Regional Integration, the Fate of Ghana’s Agricultural Commodity, the challenges of a single currency for West Africa as well as Gender mainstreaming policies on national and sub-regional integration.
Titled “Nation States and the Challenges of Integration in West Africa: The Case of Ghana”, the 160-page book launched in Accra today, has seven chapters and seven authors.
The Executive Director of IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey said many protocols within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework had not met the expectations of ordinary citizens.
He said civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and the crises in Cote d’Ivore had limited ECOWAS to more peace keeping activities to the detriment of economic and social integration and development.
He said the book answered questions on why the regional integration process since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 had been affected by so many delays and impediments, how to create an effective and efficient movement of people, goods and services in the region as well as how national planning priorities could be reconciled with aspirations at the sub-regional level.
Dr Akwetey added that the publication would serve as a reference and learning material for the media, policy makers, researchers in Ghana and the West-African sub-region.
Reviewing the book, a Senior Research Fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso outlined the need for ECOWAS agenda and integration to be popularised for citizens to better understand sub-regional issues and take advantage of social and economic integration.
He said West Africans were inadequately informed and poorly prepared for the ECOWAS agenda, adding that, ECOWAS had not chalked enough success in economic integration.
He said the book contained information on the various aspects of integration and could enlighten readers on the challenges of integration.
The Programme Specialist of Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO, Dr Abdul Lamin, said the organisation was delighted to be working closely with African institutions to promote the continents regional integration priorities.
Edited by a renowned Political Scientist, Professor Kwame A. Ninsin, the book featured authors namely Mr Kwame Boafo-Arthur, Mr Bonaventure Adjavor, Mr Daniel Sarpong Bruce, Mr Steve Tonah, Dr Lehlohonolo Tlou, Mr Paul Agbedor and Mr A.D.Amarquaye Laryea.
Friday, August 14, 2009
GJA award winners out (14/8/09mp)
THE 2008 Awards Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), yesterday released 29 award winners for the 14th GJA awards ceremony, slated for Saturday, August 15, 2009 in Accra.
The award winners, who include journalists and media houses, include Kofi Akordor, Loretta Vanderpuye, Kofi Yeboah, Peggy Ama Donkor, Godwin Ofosu Acheampong, Theophilus Yartey, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Dominic Hlordze.
The others are Maurice Quansah, Rosalind Amoo, Kingsley Hope, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, Joojo Cobina, Victor Kwawukume, Samuel Smith Asante, Charles Benoni Okine and Samuel Kyei-Boateng.
The media houses expected to receive awards are Public Agenda, GBC Television, Diamond Radio, Boon FM, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Radio Peace and Radio Progress.
Honorary awards would also be given to four important people who have contributed to the success of journalism in Ghana.
They are Mr Cameron Duodo, Mr Frazer Ofori Attah, Mr Kwater Simpson and Mr Gilbert Aryettey.
The committee, however, made some recommendations for the GJA in the organisation of other awards to be held by the association.
They include an improvement in the guidelines for the committee in future, putting in place a standing committee to review the performance of the media from time to time and ensuring that future committee members work closely with the past committees.
The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr Godwin Tutum Anim, a veteran journalist and the first Ghanaian General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the assurance that unlike the 2007 awards, the Journalist of the Year 2008 would be announced at the ceremony.
He said a substantial report would be compiled by Dr Absalom Mutere, Dean of Journalism Studies and Communication of the African University College of Communication, and be made available to journalism training institutions and media houses to further enhance the practice of journalism.
The award winners, who include journalists and media houses, include Kofi Akordor, Loretta Vanderpuye, Kofi Yeboah, Peggy Ama Donkor, Godwin Ofosu Acheampong, Theophilus Yartey, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Dominic Hlordze.
The others are Maurice Quansah, Rosalind Amoo, Kingsley Hope, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, Joojo Cobina, Victor Kwawukume, Samuel Smith Asante, Charles Benoni Okine and Samuel Kyei-Boateng.
The media houses expected to receive awards are Public Agenda, GBC Television, Diamond Radio, Boon FM, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Radio Peace and Radio Progress.
Honorary awards would also be given to four important people who have contributed to the success of journalism in Ghana.
They are Mr Cameron Duodo, Mr Frazer Ofori Attah, Mr Kwater Simpson and Mr Gilbert Aryettey.
The committee, however, made some recommendations for the GJA in the organisation of other awards to be held by the association.
They include an improvement in the guidelines for the committee in future, putting in place a standing committee to review the performance of the media from time to time and ensuring that future committee members work closely with the past committees.
The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr Godwin Tutum Anim, a veteran journalist and the first Ghanaian General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the assurance that unlike the 2007 awards, the Journalist of the Year 2008 would be announced at the ceremony.
He said a substantial report would be compiled by Dr Absalom Mutere, Dean of Journalism Studies and Communication of the African University College of Communication, and be made available to journalism training institutions and media houses to further enhance the practice of journalism.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Lapaz hawkers return (5/8/09)
Hawkers at Lapaz in the Okaikwei North Constituency in Accra have returned to the pavements and the streets after the massive decongestion exercise that took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 1, 2009.
When the Daily Graphic got there at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009, business was brisk despite that their structures — tables and kiosks — were demolished during the decongestion exercise.
The hawkers, such as mobile phone top-up credit vendors, cobblers, mobile phone sellers, food vendors and second-hand clothes dealers, were seen transacting business with their customers.
Ama Serwaa, second-hand clothes dealer, told the Daily Graphic that selling on the pavement was her only source of income, as a single parent of three children.
She said she had never been to school and had no educational background to secure any white-collar that would help her take care of herself, her mother in the village and the children.
She, therefore, appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision of sacking them from the pavements.
A mobile phone top-up credit vendor, Kwesi Offei, said the pavements and the streets were the only places he could sell more credit credits and make huge profits.
That, he said, was because many people from the neighbouring communities, such as Tabora, Alhaji, Race Course and Tantra Hill, passed through Lapaz on their way to and from work or home.
He said it was not going to be easy getting the hawkers off the streets and the pavements since the kind of business had come to stay.
A food vendor, Cynthia Quarshie, said she would be happy if they were resettled at a better location, where their items would be patronised.
She said leaving their present location would mean that they would lose their numerous customers and would thus struggle to make ends meet.
Some pedestrians were, however, happy about the demolition of the unauthorised structures on the pavements.
Mr Moses Assimeng-Kwakye said pedestrians had to walk on the streets because the pavements were occupied with all kinds of structures and wares with their owners doing brisk business.
Also, he commended the authorities for undertaking the exercise, and said more needed to be done to permanently get the hawkers off the pavements.
Another resident, Mr Adolph Banks, also urged the government to put in a lot of effort to ensure that the hawkers did not return to the pavements.
When the Daily Graphic got there at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009, business was brisk despite that their structures — tables and kiosks — were demolished during the decongestion exercise.
The hawkers, such as mobile phone top-up credit vendors, cobblers, mobile phone sellers, food vendors and second-hand clothes dealers, were seen transacting business with their customers.
Ama Serwaa, second-hand clothes dealer, told the Daily Graphic that selling on the pavement was her only source of income, as a single parent of three children.
She said she had never been to school and had no educational background to secure any white-collar that would help her take care of herself, her mother in the village and the children.
She, therefore, appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision of sacking them from the pavements.
A mobile phone top-up credit vendor, Kwesi Offei, said the pavements and the streets were the only places he could sell more credit credits and make huge profits.
That, he said, was because many people from the neighbouring communities, such as Tabora, Alhaji, Race Course and Tantra Hill, passed through Lapaz on their way to and from work or home.
He said it was not going to be easy getting the hawkers off the streets and the pavements since the kind of business had come to stay.
A food vendor, Cynthia Quarshie, said she would be happy if they were resettled at a better location, where their items would be patronised.
She said leaving their present location would mean that they would lose their numerous customers and would thus struggle to make ends meet.
Some pedestrians were, however, happy about the demolition of the unauthorised structures on the pavements.
Mr Moses Assimeng-Kwakye said pedestrians had to walk on the streets because the pavements were occupied with all kinds of structures and wares with their owners doing brisk business.
Also, he commended the authorities for undertaking the exercise, and said more needed to be done to permanently get the hawkers off the pavements.
Another resident, Mr Adolph Banks, also urged the government to put in a lot of effort to ensure that the hawkers did not return to the pavements.
Friday, July 31, 2009
NDC committed to honour members — Nii Ashitey (28/7/09)
Story: Francis Yaw Kyei & Jennifer Dornoo
THE Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for the Korley Klottey Constituency in Accra, Nii Armah Ashitey has reiterated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party’s commitment to honour people who fought hard for the party to win political power.
This, he said, was because a party which did not recognise its heroes was not worth fighting for.
Nii Ashitey was speaking at a ceremony to honour and award polling agents of his constituency at the Arts Centre at the weekend.
All polling agents of the constituency were given certificates for their hardwork and the bravery exhibited during the elections.
Nii Ashitey expressed his gratitude to his constituent for electing him into office and gave the assurance that he would work to deliver on his campaign promise.
The regional minister said the region could only develop if the people were willing to support its course and change their attitudes.
He said the expectations of Ghanaians were high despite the inadequate resources, adding that, the party had competent people who could turn all their promises into reality.
He said a project was in place to support needy but brilliant children in the constituency to enable them to have access to quality education to achieve their dreams.
He said measures were also in place to support traders with micro-finance loans while efforts were being made to rehabilitate roads, gutters, schools and others in the constituency.
He appealed to Ghanaians to cooperate with the authorities in the discharge of their duties to aid the development of the region.
THE Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for the Korley Klottey Constituency in Accra, Nii Armah Ashitey has reiterated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party’s commitment to honour people who fought hard for the party to win political power.
This, he said, was because a party which did not recognise its heroes was not worth fighting for.
Nii Ashitey was speaking at a ceremony to honour and award polling agents of his constituency at the Arts Centre at the weekend.
All polling agents of the constituency were given certificates for their hardwork and the bravery exhibited during the elections.
Nii Ashitey expressed his gratitude to his constituent for electing him into office and gave the assurance that he would work to deliver on his campaign promise.
The regional minister said the region could only develop if the people were willing to support its course and change their attitudes.
He said the expectations of Ghanaians were high despite the inadequate resources, adding that, the party had competent people who could turn all their promises into reality.
He said a project was in place to support needy but brilliant children in the constituency to enable them to have access to quality education to achieve their dreams.
He said measures were also in place to support traders with micro-finance loans while efforts were being made to rehabilitate roads, gutters, schools and others in the constituency.
He appealed to Ghanaians to cooperate with the authorities in the discharge of their duties to aid the development of the region.
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