Story: Jennifer Donoo & Francis Yaw Kyei
THE Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, has called on political parties and other institutions to encourage women to take up leadership positions in societies.
She said Ghanaian women had the ability to be the President, ministers of state or lead any reputable institution when encouraged, financed or given any other form of assistance.
Mrs Iddrisu, who made this call at the annual get-together of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) challenged women not to see themselves as inferior to their male counterparts and strive to achieve their goals.
“We need women in decision making and all levels of governance in this country,” she said and called on women to wake up and change the anomaly.
Eventhough she admitted that leadership positions were challenging, she urged women not to allow the challenges to overcome their quest to be who they want to be.
She expressed commitments to work to champion the rights of access to justice for women because the law was designed to protect them.
“The laws of this land was designed to champion and protect the rights of women, I will work hard and make a qualitative difference in the administration of justice in the country,” she said.
Mrs Iddrisu also lamented on the current state of the legal aid scheme and called on the Judiciary to help to effectively operationalise the scheme.
She said every individual in the country had the right to an attorney and a fair trial and urged lawyers to help implement the scheme effectively.
The Executive Director of AWLA, Ms Edna Kuma said AWLA, since its inception in 1999, had helped improved the access to justice for women by networking with organisations and institutions to enhance the status of women in Africa.
She said AWLA had helped removed negative cultural, traditional and religious practices which impeded the total development of women and enhance the inclusion of women in decision making.
“In the last ten years, AWLA has embarked on a number of advocacy and training programmes and other activities to achieve its aims and objectives,” she said.
Present at the get-together were female lawyers, notable among them was Nana Oye Luther, a women’s rights activist.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Presiding Bishop condemns use of abusive language by youth (27/03/09)
THE Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah has condemned the use of abusive language and other acts of indiscipline in the country.
Rev. Dr Aboagye-Mensah who attributed these vices to lack of moral training and good cultural values, therefore, stressed the need for intensified public education to instil moral discipline among the people.
He said this at the launch of the 2009 Methodist Church Education Week celebration on the theme: “ The Bible in the life of the school”, in Accra.
He said the high incidence of crime, corruption, rape of innocent children and women, and other acts of indiscipline were clear demonstrations of the neglect of proper and balanced education infused with the living word of God.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah said it was in this view that the Methodist Church had realised that “Education should not only concentrate on the acquisition of cognitive and psychomotive skills which could easily be tested through series of examinations but also focus on instilling morality and discipline in students”.
He said the church, therefore, sought to use the education week to “draw the attention of the entire citizenry, especially teachers, parents and the government to the need to embark on holistic education that had a place in the Bible to develop the moral values of our people without neglecting the other two aspects”.
He noted that the church at its last conference recommended that all their schools use the Sunday School Church syllabus to support school worship in order to encourage the schools to take their worship lives seriously and instil the word of God in the students.
A representative of the Bible Society of Ghana, Mrs Elizabeth Taylor, said the society was faced with several challenges of indiscipline, corruption and the negative influence of technology.
She said it was in that light that the society launched a programme on May 16, 2007 to distribute 1,000,000 Bibles to Public Junior High School (JHS) students all over the country between 2007 to 2010.
She said the programme sought to help remove all forms of negative vices in the upcoming generation and make them be of good service to the country.
She said as at December 2007, 400,000 Bibles had been distributed to most of the JHSs across the country.
Mrs Taylor expressed the hope that the initiative would help transform the lives of people especially the youth in the country.
The General Manager of the Methodist Education Unit, Very Rev. Stephen Asher said the week-long celebration would be characterised by a float, symposium ,debates, Bible quiz, community work, fund raising and a thanksgiving service.
Rev. Dr Aboagye-Mensah who attributed these vices to lack of moral training and good cultural values, therefore, stressed the need for intensified public education to instil moral discipline among the people.
He said this at the launch of the 2009 Methodist Church Education Week celebration on the theme: “ The Bible in the life of the school”, in Accra.
He said the high incidence of crime, corruption, rape of innocent children and women, and other acts of indiscipline were clear demonstrations of the neglect of proper and balanced education infused with the living word of God.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah said it was in this view that the Methodist Church had realised that “Education should not only concentrate on the acquisition of cognitive and psychomotive skills which could easily be tested through series of examinations but also focus on instilling morality and discipline in students”.
He said the church, therefore, sought to use the education week to “draw the attention of the entire citizenry, especially teachers, parents and the government to the need to embark on holistic education that had a place in the Bible to develop the moral values of our people without neglecting the other two aspects”.
He noted that the church at its last conference recommended that all their schools use the Sunday School Church syllabus to support school worship in order to encourage the schools to take their worship lives seriously and instil the word of God in the students.
A representative of the Bible Society of Ghana, Mrs Elizabeth Taylor, said the society was faced with several challenges of indiscipline, corruption and the negative influence of technology.
She said it was in that light that the society launched a programme on May 16, 2007 to distribute 1,000,000 Bibles to Public Junior High School (JHS) students all over the country between 2007 to 2010.
She said the programme sought to help remove all forms of negative vices in the upcoming generation and make them be of good service to the country.
She said as at December 2007, 400,000 Bibles had been distributed to most of the JHSs across the country.
Mrs Taylor expressed the hope that the initiative would help transform the lives of people especially the youth in the country.
The General Manager of the Methodist Education Unit, Very Rev. Stephen Asher said the week-long celebration would be characterised by a float, symposium ,debates, Bible quiz, community work, fund raising and a thanksgiving service.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
‘Support students with disabilities’ (26/03/09)BP
Story: Jennifer Dornoo
THE Programme Officer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ghana, Ms Regina Dennis, has advised the management of academic institutions in the country not to see students with disability as a burden.
This is because such students have unique qualities and experiences that will help in the development of the country.
"By helping the students, you are contributing to the development of Ghana and helping to make the Disability Law that was passed in 2006 meaningful," she stated.
Speaking at the inauguration of an office for students with special needs at the University of Ghana, Legon, Ms Dennis said teaching persons with various forms of disability was an opportunity to learn new skills from them.
She said the office, which would address the various needs of students with disability, would also serve as a resource centre to ensure that tertiary education was accessible to all.
She commended the university for realising the need to address the special needs of students with disability and setting the example for other institutions to follow.
"By recognising the need for this room, the university is telling the students to come and seek additional support that they may need to achieve their academic goals and prepare for the future," she said.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kwesi Yankah, stressed the need for academic institutions to gear themselves up to make education accessible and easy for persons with disability.
He said as much as Ghana was interested in making life easy for people with disability, it was also important to take measures to wipe out disability from the country.
The Registrar of the university, Mr A.T. Konu, recalled a regrettable incident in which a visually impaired student had not been given the opportunity to read Law at the university some years ago, adding that he was very happy that the school had realised that students with special needs needed attention.
A representative of the Campus Association of Students with Disability, Mr Albert Frimpong, thanked the school for the office, as well as the friends who helped them to move about on campus.
He appealed to the university to provide them with the facilities they could have easy access to, such as a washroom, a friendly stairway and safely sealed gutters on campus.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development (CCD), Professor E. Gyimah-Boadi, said the university still had a long way to go in trying to catch up with the reality of the society.
He said it was important for the university to work hard towards helping more people with disability to access tertiary education.
Currently, there are only 60 students with disability in the university.
THE Programme Officer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ghana, Ms Regina Dennis, has advised the management of academic institutions in the country not to see students with disability as a burden.
This is because such students have unique qualities and experiences that will help in the development of the country.
"By helping the students, you are contributing to the development of Ghana and helping to make the Disability Law that was passed in 2006 meaningful," she stated.
Speaking at the inauguration of an office for students with special needs at the University of Ghana, Legon, Ms Dennis said teaching persons with various forms of disability was an opportunity to learn new skills from them.
She said the office, which would address the various needs of students with disability, would also serve as a resource centre to ensure that tertiary education was accessible to all.
She commended the university for realising the need to address the special needs of students with disability and setting the example for other institutions to follow.
"By recognising the need for this room, the university is telling the students to come and seek additional support that they may need to achieve their academic goals and prepare for the future," she said.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kwesi Yankah, stressed the need for academic institutions to gear themselves up to make education accessible and easy for persons with disability.
He said as much as Ghana was interested in making life easy for people with disability, it was also important to take measures to wipe out disability from the country.
The Registrar of the university, Mr A.T. Konu, recalled a regrettable incident in which a visually impaired student had not been given the opportunity to read Law at the university some years ago, adding that he was very happy that the school had realised that students with special needs needed attention.
A representative of the Campus Association of Students with Disability, Mr Albert Frimpong, thanked the school for the office, as well as the friends who helped them to move about on campus.
He appealed to the university to provide them with the facilities they could have easy access to, such as a washroom, a friendly stairway and safely sealed gutters on campus.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development (CCD), Professor E. Gyimah-Boadi, said the university still had a long way to go in trying to catch up with the reality of the society.
He said it was important for the university to work hard towards helping more people with disability to access tertiary education.
Currently, there are only 60 students with disability in the university.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Give NDC time to fulfil campaign promises — MP (24/03/09)
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe North in the Volta Region, Mr Prince Jacob Hayibor, has appealed to Ghanaians to be patient and give the National Democratic Congress time to fulfil campaign promises.
He said it was better to give the government enough time to effectively develop the country rather than expect things to be done overnight.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, the MP said the government had instituted many measures to put the economy back on track.
He said development of the country could not be done within a short period, and added that the criticisms were too early and were orchestrated by the opposition to discredit the new government.
He advised Ghanaians to work hard to earn some income to improve upon their standard of living instead of always depending on the government.
He said Ghana would be a better place if all citizens worked hard to contribute to the development of the nation.
Mr Hayibor pledged to effectively represent his people in Parliament, and that he was optimistic that his second term in Parliament would be smooth and successful, with the NDC in power.
He recalled that his previous term in Parliament was challenging since he was with the Minority.
He said he would continue to support the people in his constituency with scholarships, good educational infrastructure, social amenities and a lot more.
Commenting on the low patronage of locally manufactured goods, Mr Hayibor said the perception of Ghanaians that made-in-Ghana goods were inferior was hindering the patronage of the products.
He said not until that perception was changed, it would be very difficult to promote the locally manufactured goods.
He stressed the need for a massive education for Ghanaians to acquaint themselves with the quality and affordable products manufactured in the country.
The MP also advised local producers to add value and increase the quality of their products to make them more durable.
He also called on the government to restrict the import of products into the country to promote local products.
He said it was important to build confidence in Ghanaian institutions and industries in the country in order to move forward as one nation.
He said it was better to give the government enough time to effectively develop the country rather than expect things to be done overnight.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, the MP said the government had instituted many measures to put the economy back on track.
He said development of the country could not be done within a short period, and added that the criticisms were too early and were orchestrated by the opposition to discredit the new government.
He advised Ghanaians to work hard to earn some income to improve upon their standard of living instead of always depending on the government.
He said Ghana would be a better place if all citizens worked hard to contribute to the development of the nation.
Mr Hayibor pledged to effectively represent his people in Parliament, and that he was optimistic that his second term in Parliament would be smooth and successful, with the NDC in power.
He recalled that his previous term in Parliament was challenging since he was with the Minority.
He said he would continue to support the people in his constituency with scholarships, good educational infrastructure, social amenities and a lot more.
Commenting on the low patronage of locally manufactured goods, Mr Hayibor said the perception of Ghanaians that made-in-Ghana goods were inferior was hindering the patronage of the products.
He said not until that perception was changed, it would be very difficult to promote the locally manufactured goods.
He stressed the need for a massive education for Ghanaians to acquaint themselves with the quality and affordable products manufactured in the country.
The MP also advised local producers to add value and increase the quality of their products to make them more durable.
He also called on the government to restrict the import of products into the country to promote local products.
He said it was important to build confidence in Ghanaian institutions and industries in the country in order to move forward as one nation.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Catholic Institute receives computers (23/03/09)
THE Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the Catholic Social Advance Institute has presented items worth GH¢ 8,200 to the school.
The items included four brand new computers with back-ups, assorted story books and textbooks.
The Chairman of the PTA, Mr Peter Ketibuah who did the presentation said the items were part of efforts of the association to help equip the library and computer laboratory of the school to enhance effective teaching and learning, particularly in the area of information, communication and technology.
He said it was the hope of the association that the teachers would be able to discharge their duties effectively to help the children excel in their examinations.
The Principal of the School, Ms Rosa Mamaa Sam expressed her gratitude to the PTA and promised to take good care of the items donated.
She said it was very important for parents to inculcate the habit of reading into their wards, adding that, the books and computers would go a long way to boost the quality of education in the school.
The School Prefect, Miss Ophelia Boafor thanked the PTA for its generosity and appealed to the association to provide the school with a school bus for sporting activities.
The items included four brand new computers with back-ups, assorted story books and textbooks.
The Chairman of the PTA, Mr Peter Ketibuah who did the presentation said the items were part of efforts of the association to help equip the library and computer laboratory of the school to enhance effective teaching and learning, particularly in the area of information, communication and technology.
He said it was the hope of the association that the teachers would be able to discharge their duties effectively to help the children excel in their examinations.
The Principal of the School, Ms Rosa Mamaa Sam expressed her gratitude to the PTA and promised to take good care of the items donated.
She said it was very important for parents to inculcate the habit of reading into their wards, adding that, the books and computers would go a long way to boost the quality of education in the school.
The School Prefect, Miss Ophelia Boafor thanked the PTA for its generosity and appealed to the association to provide the school with a school bus for sporting activities.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Society contributes towards community centre(20/03/09)
THE Mpraesoman Kuo in Accra and Tema has launched an appeal for funds for the construction of a GH¢300,000 ultra modern community complex for the community.
The project, which would include such facilities as a hotel, library, clinic and a gym, would also serve as the venue for observing funerals in the community.
Speaking at a fundraising ceremony in Accra over the weekend, the Mpraesohene, Nana Ampadu Daaduam II, said the construction of a complex for the conduct of social and other activities at Mpraeso was long over due.
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to the Mpraesoman Kuo for taking it upon themselves to construct such a facility.
Nana Ampadu Daaduam II, said despite its high cost, the project when completed would be a monumental legacy befitting the status of Mpraeso.
He called on all citizens of Mpraeso to contribute to the early completion of the project since no contribution was small.
The Chairman of the Mpraesoman Kuo, Mr S. K. B. Omari outlined some achievements of the society such as the establishment of an investment fund to offer financial support to members, the organisation of monthly health walks and health screening as well as the acquisition of land for the construction of the community complex and funeral ground.
He said the society had a herculean task of raising funds to finance the project and therefore appealed to friends, well wishers and benevolent organisations for sponsorship.
The Head of the Mpraeso community in Accra and Tema, Nana Owoahene Akyeampong II, called on all citizens of Mpraeso to help rekindle Mpraeso’s glorious legendary past as the residential town of the District Commissioner of Kwahu (DC-Krom).
“It is my hope that in the near future, we shall raise the dignity of Mpraeso as we open up new vistas to our ambition, so that we can anticipate a great future for the community,” he said.
The project, which would include such facilities as a hotel, library, clinic and a gym, would also serve as the venue for observing funerals in the community.
Speaking at a fundraising ceremony in Accra over the weekend, the Mpraesohene, Nana Ampadu Daaduam II, said the construction of a complex for the conduct of social and other activities at Mpraeso was long over due.
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to the Mpraesoman Kuo for taking it upon themselves to construct such a facility.
Nana Ampadu Daaduam II, said despite its high cost, the project when completed would be a monumental legacy befitting the status of Mpraeso.
He called on all citizens of Mpraeso to contribute to the early completion of the project since no contribution was small.
The Chairman of the Mpraesoman Kuo, Mr S. K. B. Omari outlined some achievements of the society such as the establishment of an investment fund to offer financial support to members, the organisation of monthly health walks and health screening as well as the acquisition of land for the construction of the community complex and funeral ground.
He said the society had a herculean task of raising funds to finance the project and therefore appealed to friends, well wishers and benevolent organisations for sponsorship.
The Head of the Mpraeso community in Accra and Tema, Nana Owoahene Akyeampong II, called on all citizens of Mpraeso to help rekindle Mpraeso’s glorious legendary past as the residential town of the District Commissioner of Kwahu (DC-Krom).
“It is my hope that in the near future, we shall raise the dignity of Mpraeso as we open up new vistas to our ambition, so that we can anticipate a great future for the community,” he said.
AIDS Commission donates computers for data collection (21/03/09)
THE Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), with the support of the British Department For International Development (DFID), through UNAIDS, has donated computers and their accessories worth GH¢70,000 to the 10 regional co-ordinating councils (RCCs) and 21 district assemblies in the country.
Some selected ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have also benefited from the donation, which included 44 desktop computers and three laptops. They are to be used to strengthen data collection, processing and analysis as far as the national response to HIV/AIDS in the country is concerned.
The beneficiaries included the ministries of Education and Food and Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare, the Dangme West District Assembly and the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council.
The Director-General of the GAC, Prof Sekyi Awuku-Amoah, said the donation was made in support of the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS through the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge on the disease.
He said it is also to support awareness creation programmes to promote healthy lifestyles and behavioural change to help reduce the current infection rate of HIV/AIDS, which stood at 24,000 a year.
Prof Awuku-Amoah said providing the agencies with the necessary logistics to have a functional database to generate accurate information in order to manage the epidemic was essential.
The HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Hilda Eghan, thanked the GAC and the DFID for the donation.
She assured the commission that the computers would be used for the intended purpose to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Some selected ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have also benefited from the donation, which included 44 desktop computers and three laptops. They are to be used to strengthen data collection, processing and analysis as far as the national response to HIV/AIDS in the country is concerned.
The beneficiaries included the ministries of Education and Food and Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare, the Dangme West District Assembly and the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council.
The Director-General of the GAC, Prof Sekyi Awuku-Amoah, said the donation was made in support of the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS through the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge on the disease.
He said it is also to support awareness creation programmes to promote healthy lifestyles and behavioural change to help reduce the current infection rate of HIV/AIDS, which stood at 24,000 a year.
Prof Awuku-Amoah said providing the agencies with the necessary logistics to have a functional database to generate accurate information in order to manage the epidemic was essential.
The HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Hilda Eghan, thanked the GAC and the DFID for the donation.
She assured the commission that the computers would be used for the intended purpose to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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