Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
On February 1, this year the Controller and Accountant General, Mr Christian Sottie, addressed a durbar at Denu for workers drawn from the southern sector of the Volta Region.
It was aimed at explaining the functions of the department as the sole paymaster for government employees in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and to throw light on the modalities for paying salaries, pensions, promotions grants and transfer grants, among others.
It came out clearly that the Controller and Accountant General’s Department was serious with its work contrary to allegations that it deliberately delayed salaries, deleted names from vouchers, and underpaid or overpaid some workers.
But critical to their work was the shortfall in revenue to the state from which workers were paid on monthly basis and that may be the cause of worry to teachers and health workers because it was clear that the large number of staff of the GES, the Ghana Health Service and their respective ministries, was having a heavy toll on government expenditure.
So it became obvious that with the little revenue on hand teacher remuneration were delayed or not paid at all and more so for any teachers who embarked on a strike action like the October 2006 strike by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT).
These negative attitudes towards teachers continue to re-echo in every sector of life and that called for a serious national consideration to end the frustrations that may eventually cripple the educational system.
On February 14, the problem of non-payment of transfer grants, travel and transport allowances and medical bills, the delay or failure to address distortions in salaries and of late “tax on arrears” and many more grievances, resurfaced in solidarity messages of various educational bodies affiliated to stakeholders in education at a regional directors meeting at Ho.
Also on February 20, the Volta Region branch of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) said at a press conference that their national officers had betrayed them in connection with the proposal not to implement a single spine salary structure contrary to the promise to do so.
The NAGRAT posed a question, ”Where lies the teacher’s reward? Do teachers teach to live or live to teach?” NAGRAT stated that with all the numerous sacrifices, working and giving of their best under tightened belts, the teacher was still worse off.
From the messages that unfolded from the CAGD forum it was clear that the GES had deliberately failed to take the problems of teachers seriously.
This is because, as stated by Mr Sottie, the CAGD could not make inputs in respect of any worker if the accounting personnel of the various ministries, departments and agencies failed to furnish the central system with the necessary information.
So, if a teacher was promoted and a promotion letter was not copied to the accounting section, how then could the CAGD effect payment?
It is also untenable to transfer a staff from a station and refuse to pay such a staff the money he had expended on travelling.
It is a human rights abuse, and teachers in similar situations should consider bringing an action at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) or at the law courts to seek redress.
The NAGRAT press statement said the three-tier pension scheme adopted by the state should be implemented by the end of March as promised and expressed the hope that “the goal posts will not be shifted again this time”.
Indeed the teacher has been badly treated for far too long and it must be reversed with utmost urgency to save education in the country.
The GES must sit up because the alleged refusal to pay transfer grants and travel and transport claims of teachers does not pertain to other departments.
There is a suspicion that there is a conspiracy between the state and the GES against teachers; and if that is so then it must end now.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
VOLTA REGION CPP REMEMBERS NKRUMAH (PAGE 17)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
IN connection with the 42nd anniversary celebration of the overthrow of the First Republic, members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) in the Volta Region lit bonfires and kept vigil in some constituencies to signify faith in the dreams of the freedom fighters of Ghana and Africa.
They also marked the occasion with prayers by Muslims, Christians and Traditionalists at Ziavi in the Ho Municipality, in remembrance of the martyrs of the February 24, 1966 coup.
A press release issued by the Ho-Central Constituency branch of the party stated that the coup of February 24, 1966 was not a coup against only the CPP but also against Africa's fight for emancipation and self-determination.
It said the coup was the first in the nation's history and marked a significant turning point in the quest for democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law, adding that subsequent coups could be traced to the events of 1966 and those series of coups had brought hardship and bitterness to many in Ghana and Africa.
"As we commemorate the sad events of this day, we pray that Ghanaians will resolve never again to support persons who pick up guns to overthrow constitutionally elected governments," the release said.
"We can only uphold the rule of law as a fundamental tenet of civilised society and not a point of convenience at any time of our choosing," it stated.
It said the CPP found it morally offensive when members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continued to hail the architects of the 1966 coup, such as Kotoka and Afrifa.
The release said it was time for the government and all other political parties to join the CPP to honour the men and women who lost their lives in defending constitutionally elected governments or fell victim to overzealous soldiers.
It called for a change of the name of the only international airport to be re-named as the Accra International Airport and that all assets and property seized from the CPP should be returned.
The statement said the occasion marked the beginning of a new dawn and vision and urged all Ghanaians to light candles and say prayers for the souls of all who lost their lives on the day and to keep faith with the liberation fighters of Africa.
IN connection with the 42nd anniversary celebration of the overthrow of the First Republic, members of the Convention People's Party (CPP) in the Volta Region lit bonfires and kept vigil in some constituencies to signify faith in the dreams of the freedom fighters of Ghana and Africa.
They also marked the occasion with prayers by Muslims, Christians and Traditionalists at Ziavi in the Ho Municipality, in remembrance of the martyrs of the February 24, 1966 coup.
A press release issued by the Ho-Central Constituency branch of the party stated that the coup of February 24, 1966 was not a coup against only the CPP but also against Africa's fight for emancipation and self-determination.
It said the coup was the first in the nation's history and marked a significant turning point in the quest for democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law, adding that subsequent coups could be traced to the events of 1966 and those series of coups had brought hardship and bitterness to many in Ghana and Africa.
"As we commemorate the sad events of this day, we pray that Ghanaians will resolve never again to support persons who pick up guns to overthrow constitutionally elected governments," the release said.
"We can only uphold the rule of law as a fundamental tenet of civilised society and not a point of convenience at any time of our choosing," it stated.
It said the CPP found it morally offensive when members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continued to hail the architects of the 1966 coup, such as Kotoka and Afrifa.
The release said it was time for the government and all other political parties to join the CPP to honour the men and women who lost their lives in defending constitutionally elected governments or fell victim to overzealous soldiers.
It called for a change of the name of the only international airport to be re-named as the Accra International Airport and that all assets and property seized from the CPP should be returned.
The statement said the occasion marked the beginning of a new dawn and vision and urged all Ghanaians to light candles and say prayers for the souls of all who lost their lives on the day and to keep faith with the liberation fighters of Africa.
Monday, February 25, 2008
PTAs ARE VOLUNTARY AND AUTONOMOUS BODIES (PAGE 29)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
The Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in the Volta Region have described the directive by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to integrate all levies of second cycle institutions into school accounts as unlawful and an affront to the integrity of PTAs in the country.
They said they were not employees of the GES and that the GES had flouted the basic rights of the associations to exist as partners to the promotion of quality education.
It would be recalled that the GES circulated a letter signed by the Director–General, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, directing all levies of PTAs and related expenditure to be captured in the financial statements of schools although separate cash books could be kept for tracking of data.
The directive was to ensure transparency in the use of levies, since it had come to the notice of the GES that some PTA levies paid by students were recorded outside the school’s official accounting records.
The letter explained that in some situations the executives of PTAs had been the sole signatories to the bank accounts for the operation of the funds and since the PTA levies were being treated as public funds, they should be operated in line with all existing financial regulations.
According to the letter, all approved activities should be directed to the institutional accountant who would initiate the payment process and file all payment vouchers including appropriate attachments for auditing.
It directed further that the signatories to the bank accounts for operating the levies should be the headmaster, the accountant and the PTA chairman to ensure that laid down procedures were followed.
A PTA chairman, Togbui Duklui Attipoe V, said PTAs were voluntary organisations which sought to support the government to enhance the development of their institutions.
He noted that PTAs were autonomous bodies and should not allow the GES to use bureaucratic means to frustrate efforts of members towards the welfare of institutions.
Togbui Attipoe threatened to seek redress at the law courts, if the directive was not withdrawn by March this year because it was not in the interest of the growth and development of PTAs.
For his part, a PTA secretary , Mr F.K. Ovulley, said the directive would mar the prevailing healthy relationship between PTAs and headmasters, since it would be difficult to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the levies.
He said they saw the attempt to take over PTA funds by assigning headmasters and accountants as signatories as a way to control and frustrate the development efforts of the PTAs and thereby render them ineffective and inefficient in the long run.
Mr Bright Agbesi-Akati, for his part, debunked the assertion that PTA levies were public funds and pointed out that they were private funds belonging to their membership and collected on their behalf as school management.
He said auditing of private funds were done in accordance with rules and regulations and constitutions of individual associations and not by the Auditor-General or any of his agents.
The Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in the Volta Region have described the directive by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to integrate all levies of second cycle institutions into school accounts as unlawful and an affront to the integrity of PTAs in the country.
They said they were not employees of the GES and that the GES had flouted the basic rights of the associations to exist as partners to the promotion of quality education.
It would be recalled that the GES circulated a letter signed by the Director–General, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, directing all levies of PTAs and related expenditure to be captured in the financial statements of schools although separate cash books could be kept for tracking of data.
The directive was to ensure transparency in the use of levies, since it had come to the notice of the GES that some PTA levies paid by students were recorded outside the school’s official accounting records.
The letter explained that in some situations the executives of PTAs had been the sole signatories to the bank accounts for the operation of the funds and since the PTA levies were being treated as public funds, they should be operated in line with all existing financial regulations.
According to the letter, all approved activities should be directed to the institutional accountant who would initiate the payment process and file all payment vouchers including appropriate attachments for auditing.
It directed further that the signatories to the bank accounts for operating the levies should be the headmaster, the accountant and the PTA chairman to ensure that laid down procedures were followed.
A PTA chairman, Togbui Duklui Attipoe V, said PTAs were voluntary organisations which sought to support the government to enhance the development of their institutions.
He noted that PTAs were autonomous bodies and should not allow the GES to use bureaucratic means to frustrate efforts of members towards the welfare of institutions.
Togbui Attipoe threatened to seek redress at the law courts, if the directive was not withdrawn by March this year because it was not in the interest of the growth and development of PTAs.
For his part, a PTA secretary , Mr F.K. Ovulley, said the directive would mar the prevailing healthy relationship between PTAs and headmasters, since it would be difficult to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the levies.
He said they saw the attempt to take over PTA funds by assigning headmasters and accountants as signatories as a way to control and frustrate the development efforts of the PTAs and thereby render them ineffective and inefficient in the long run.
Mr Bright Agbesi-Akati, for his part, debunked the assertion that PTA levies were public funds and pointed out that they were private funds belonging to their membership and collected on their behalf as school management.
He said auditing of private funds were done in accordance with rules and regulations and constitutions of individual associations and not by the Auditor-General or any of his agents.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
TWO CHILDREN DROWN DURING FISHING EXPEDITION (MIRROR, PAGE 30)
From Tim Dzamboe, Sogakope
The fate of two children engaged in child labour ended on a tragic note when they got drowned in the Volta Lake during a fishing expedition at night in the lower Volta near Sogakope.
The children Dzigbordi Klu, 8 and Kwashie Klu, 15 were said to have got drowned when a strong wind blew in the course of their expedition and caused their boat to capsize.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, the children had gone together with their grandfather, Klu Adama, on a fishing expedition.
He said their grandfather later reported the incident to the police at Sogakope but a search party organised to retrieve the dead bodies had not been successful.
The fate of two children engaged in child labour ended on a tragic note when they got drowned in the Volta Lake during a fishing expedition at night in the lower Volta near Sogakope.
The children Dzigbordi Klu, 8 and Kwashie Klu, 15 were said to have got drowned when a strong wind blew in the course of their expedition and caused their boat to capsize.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, the children had gone together with their grandfather, Klu Adama, on a fishing expedition.
He said their grandfather later reported the incident to the police at Sogakope but a search party organised to retrieve the dead bodies had not been successful.
TWO BABIES ABANDONED (MIRROR, PAGE 30)
From Tim Dzamboe, Ho
Child abandonment is becoming an increasing phenomenon in the Volta Region apparently due to teenage pregnancy and the absence of a credible father for the child for the needed support.
Within a week, a two day old baby and a month old baby were found abandoned in the bush and a public toilet at Agbozume and Kpando respectively.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afadzinu, a 20 year old nursing mother Delali Kuadugah had been arrested by the Agbozume police in connection with baby abandoned in the bush.
He said police investigations revealed that on January 29 this year at about 11 a.m a woman of the community who was on her way to fetch water from a public stand pipe came across the baby wrapped in a cloth and left on a foot path.
Inspector Afagbedzi said the woman picked up the baby and accompanied by a man went to report the incident to the police.
He said upon a tip off the suspect was arrested and during interrogation she admitted delivering the baby on January 27 at about 7 p.m and left it in the bush. He said the baby was sent to the Aflao district hospital for care while investigations continue.
On the other hand he disclosed that a 16 year old mother had been arrested by the Kpando police for abandoning a one month old baby at a public toilet adding that police investigations revealed that a member of the community found the baby when he went to attend to nature’s call.
He said further investigations led to the arrest of the mother adding that the baby is receiving care and treatment the Margaret Marquart Hospital at Kpando
Child abandonment is becoming an increasing phenomenon in the Volta Region apparently due to teenage pregnancy and the absence of a credible father for the child for the needed support.
Within a week, a two day old baby and a month old baby were found abandoned in the bush and a public toilet at Agbozume and Kpando respectively.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afadzinu, a 20 year old nursing mother Delali Kuadugah had been arrested by the Agbozume police in connection with baby abandoned in the bush.
He said police investigations revealed that on January 29 this year at about 11 a.m a woman of the community who was on her way to fetch water from a public stand pipe came across the baby wrapped in a cloth and left on a foot path.
Inspector Afagbedzi said the woman picked up the baby and accompanied by a man went to report the incident to the police.
He said upon a tip off the suspect was arrested and during interrogation she admitted delivering the baby on January 27 at about 7 p.m and left it in the bush. He said the baby was sent to the Aflao district hospital for care while investigations continue.
On the other hand he disclosed that a 16 year old mother had been arrested by the Kpando police for abandoning a one month old baby at a public toilet adding that police investigations revealed that a member of the community found the baby when he went to attend to nature’s call.
He said further investigations led to the arrest of the mother adding that the baby is receiving care and treatment the Margaret Marquart Hospital at Kpando
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
GES DIRECTORS MEET AT HO (PAGE 11)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
ABOUT six months after the introduction of the educational reform, regional directors of the Ghana Education Service (GES) have met in Ho in the Volta Region to map out strategies to contain the challenges emerging out of the reform.
The directors, made up of eight women and two men will pass a resolution at the end of the two-day brainstorming and note-comparing sessions guided with salient issues raised by major stakeholders in the education sector.
The stakeholders are the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Association of Principals of Technical Institutes (APTI), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Principals of Conference of Teacher Training Colleges (PRINCOFF), Conference of Directors of Education (CODE) and Conference of Managers of Educational Units (COMEO).
The central message in their solidarity messages dwelt on the need for the directors to champion the cause for an enabling environment in all educational institutions with the provision of more logistics to push the reforms ahead.
Other problems identified include the late release of funds to the districts, the need to strengthen Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities in the education sector, the improvement of the channel of communication at all levels and the reverse of the low profile given to vocational and technical education.
The rest were the need to enhance the salaries of teachers to give them the impetus to deliver their services effectively, delayed promotions, non-payment of transfer grants and the refund of medical expenses.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Volta Regional Director of the GES, Mrs Olivia Sosu, said the alarming attrition rate of teachers undermined the smooth implementation of the new school reform programme, adding that there were more than 4,000 pupil teachers in the Volta Region alone.
She said there was also the need to improve the supply of water, electricity and communication services, as well as a means of transport in schools.
Mrs Sosu said with the advent of the new educational reforms, concerted efforts were required to reduce the effect of the nagging problems identified, adding that if the new reform package should succeed,there should be regular features of meetings among all stakeholders to make them aware of their failures in order to strategise for the expected levels of success.
In an address read on his behalf, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, underscored formal education as a tool for personal and national development, and said that was why the government had taken bold steps to reform the system with the view to ensuring that education met national goals and aspirations.
He, therefore, urged them to be loyal, dedicated, focused, committed and dispassionate in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Dzamesi advised them to approach their duties without any blemish and to handle the limited resources channeled through the sector judiciously, stressing that they should ensure that high standard of discipline was restored in schools to enable children grow into responsible and disciplined citizens.
ABOUT six months after the introduction of the educational reform, regional directors of the Ghana Education Service (GES) have met in Ho in the Volta Region to map out strategies to contain the challenges emerging out of the reform.
The directors, made up of eight women and two men will pass a resolution at the end of the two-day brainstorming and note-comparing sessions guided with salient issues raised by major stakeholders in the education sector.
The stakeholders are the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Association of Principals of Technical Institutes (APTI), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Principals of Conference of Teacher Training Colleges (PRINCOFF), Conference of Directors of Education (CODE) and Conference of Managers of Educational Units (COMEO).
The central message in their solidarity messages dwelt on the need for the directors to champion the cause for an enabling environment in all educational institutions with the provision of more logistics to push the reforms ahead.
Other problems identified include the late release of funds to the districts, the need to strengthen Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities in the education sector, the improvement of the channel of communication at all levels and the reverse of the low profile given to vocational and technical education.
The rest were the need to enhance the salaries of teachers to give them the impetus to deliver their services effectively, delayed promotions, non-payment of transfer grants and the refund of medical expenses.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Volta Regional Director of the GES, Mrs Olivia Sosu, said the alarming attrition rate of teachers undermined the smooth implementation of the new school reform programme, adding that there were more than 4,000 pupil teachers in the Volta Region alone.
She said there was also the need to improve the supply of water, electricity and communication services, as well as a means of transport in schools.
Mrs Sosu said with the advent of the new educational reforms, concerted efforts were required to reduce the effect of the nagging problems identified, adding that if the new reform package should succeed,there should be regular features of meetings among all stakeholders to make them aware of their failures in order to strategise for the expected levels of success.
In an address read on his behalf, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, underscored formal education as a tool for personal and national development, and said that was why the government had taken bold steps to reform the system with the view to ensuring that education met national goals and aspirations.
He, therefore, urged them to be loyal, dedicated, focused, committed and dispassionate in the discharge of their duties.
Mr Dzamesi advised them to approach their duties without any blemish and to handle the limited resources channeled through the sector judiciously, stressing that they should ensure that high standard of discipline was restored in schools to enable children grow into responsible and disciplined citizens.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
GHANAIANS ARE READY FOR CHANGE — MAHAMA (Page 17)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has said that his tour of the Volta Region has revealed that the people are ready for another change.
He stated that the electorate had the power to bring about an effective change that was an alternative to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and that it was the turn of the PNC now, in order to balance the scales.
Dr Mahama was speaking to the Daily Graphic after addressing town hall meetings at various district capitals in Hohoe, Kpandu, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta, Dambai and Kete-Krachi last weekend.
According to him, the abandoned Hohoe town roads was an indication that the people had been deceived politically.
He said at Kpando, fishermen were deprived of access to inputs for their work.
At Kadjebi, he asked teachers to change the mindset of Ghanaians by adopting the “can do” spirit, believing in themselves, and changing their attitude towards time management.
He said with good time management it would be easy to instil discipline in the people.
Dr Mahama said that when elected president he would ensure that a sports team called Academicals will be formed in every sporting discipline in all senior high schools.
He also said all lorry parks of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) will be rehabilitated for the comfort of passengers.
This initiative he said should be the the hallmark of a president willing to solve petty problems of the people, adding that the ovation he received throughout the tour was “ Pi pi pi, yebe ko assembly”.
THE presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has said that his tour of the Volta Region has revealed that the people are ready for another change.
He stated that the electorate had the power to bring about an effective change that was an alternative to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and that it was the turn of the PNC now, in order to balance the scales.
Dr Mahama was speaking to the Daily Graphic after addressing town hall meetings at various district capitals in Hohoe, Kpandu, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta, Dambai and Kete-Krachi last weekend.
According to him, the abandoned Hohoe town roads was an indication that the people had been deceived politically.
He said at Kpando, fishermen were deprived of access to inputs for their work.
At Kadjebi, he asked teachers to change the mindset of Ghanaians by adopting the “can do” spirit, believing in themselves, and changing their attitude towards time management.
He said with good time management it would be easy to instil discipline in the people.
Dr Mahama said that when elected president he would ensure that a sports team called Academicals will be formed in every sporting discipline in all senior high schools.
He also said all lorry parks of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) will be rehabilitated for the comfort of passengers.
This initiative he said should be the the hallmark of a president willing to solve petty problems of the people, adding that the ovation he received throughout the tour was “ Pi pi pi, yebe ko assembly”.
Monday, February 18, 2008
VOLTA REGIONAL POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS SUSPECTED ROBBERS (PAGE 24)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Volta Regional Police Command has tracked down a Togolese, who has committed cross-border crimes and taken refuge in Ghana.
The suspect, Amankwei Lashivi, 35, was arrested together with Amuzu Kuwoadah, 28, at the Afedido border on the Avoeme-Lome road after they had attempted to rob two persons on a motorbike.
Addressing a press conference in Ho, the Volta Regional Police Commander, Mr Bernard Dery, said following a complaint by the victims to their assembly members, 16 policemen were deployed to Avoeme where the suspects were allegedly hiding.
He said with assistance from the victims and an assembly member, Kofi Armah, 19, and Atiso Kwame, 28, were arrested.
According to Mr Dery, when the premises of the suspects were searched, an AK 47 assault rifle with registration number 64945 in addition to 28 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were found.
According to Mr Dery, Amankwei and Amuzu gave conflicting statements about the source of the rifle.
While Amankwei, who claimed ownership of the rifle said it was given to him by a Togolese prisoner jailed for armed robbery, Amuzu mentioned Kwame Elo alias "Brother" at Klikor as the one who supplied them with the AK 47 and led the police to Klikor-Abotsivia where Elo Kwami, 36, Elo Cudjoe, 34, and Bright Doh, 15, were arrested.
Mr Dery said the police retrieved a locally manufactured revolver, a pistol, a dagger and a packet of ammunition during the search.
According to him, the police in Togo had alerted the Aflao police about the missing AK 47 that was stolen into Ghana and named Amankwei as the suspect.
He said the Togo police would be contacted in connection with the arrest for further action.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been arraigned at a Ho Circuit Court, which has remanded them in police custody.
In another development, Mr Dery stated that 29 persons were arrested in a dawn swoop at Aflao on January 17 for various offences and that 26 of the suspects had been remanded in prison custody.
He said they were arrested for allegedly possessing Indian hemp, cocaine pipes, "wee" bitters, unlicensed motorbikes, and for black-marketeering and selling of alcoholic liquor at unauthorised places.
Mr Dery, however, stated that two suspects arrested for dealing in currency were discharged after a relative had claimed ownership of the business, adding that a juvenile was also released to reappear in court on January 25, 2008.
He appealed to the general public to co-operate by reporting any suspicious movement of people to the nearest police station.
The regional commander stated that a police task force had been deployed into vantage areas of the region to curb criminal activities.
He said the crime in the region decreased from 13,000 in 2006 to 10,000 in 2007 while armed robbery cases also declined from 45 to eight during the same period.
THE Volta Regional Police Command has tracked down a Togolese, who has committed cross-border crimes and taken refuge in Ghana.
The suspect, Amankwei Lashivi, 35, was arrested together with Amuzu Kuwoadah, 28, at the Afedido border on the Avoeme-Lome road after they had attempted to rob two persons on a motorbike.
Addressing a press conference in Ho, the Volta Regional Police Commander, Mr Bernard Dery, said following a complaint by the victims to their assembly members, 16 policemen were deployed to Avoeme where the suspects were allegedly hiding.
He said with assistance from the victims and an assembly member, Kofi Armah, 19, and Atiso Kwame, 28, were arrested.
According to Mr Dery, when the premises of the suspects were searched, an AK 47 assault rifle with registration number 64945 in addition to 28 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were found.
According to Mr Dery, Amankwei and Amuzu gave conflicting statements about the source of the rifle.
While Amankwei, who claimed ownership of the rifle said it was given to him by a Togolese prisoner jailed for armed robbery, Amuzu mentioned Kwame Elo alias "Brother" at Klikor as the one who supplied them with the AK 47 and led the police to Klikor-Abotsivia where Elo Kwami, 36, Elo Cudjoe, 34, and Bright Doh, 15, were arrested.
Mr Dery said the police retrieved a locally manufactured revolver, a pistol, a dagger and a packet of ammunition during the search.
According to him, the police in Togo had alerted the Aflao police about the missing AK 47 that was stolen into Ghana and named Amankwei as the suspect.
He said the Togo police would be contacted in connection with the arrest for further action.
Meanwhile, the suspects have been arraigned at a Ho Circuit Court, which has remanded them in police custody.
In another development, Mr Dery stated that 29 persons were arrested in a dawn swoop at Aflao on January 17 for various offences and that 26 of the suspects had been remanded in prison custody.
He said they were arrested for allegedly possessing Indian hemp, cocaine pipes, "wee" bitters, unlicensed motorbikes, and for black-marketeering and selling of alcoholic liquor at unauthorised places.
Mr Dery, however, stated that two suspects arrested for dealing in currency were discharged after a relative had claimed ownership of the business, adding that a juvenile was also released to reappear in court on January 25, 2008.
He appealed to the general public to co-operate by reporting any suspicious movement of people to the nearest police station.
The regional commander stated that a police task force had been deployed into vantage areas of the region to curb criminal activities.
He said the crime in the region decreased from 13,000 in 2006 to 10,000 in 2007 while armed robbery cases also declined from 45 to eight during the same period.
HORROR AT GBORKPO ...(MIRROR, PAGE 34)
From Tim Dzamboe, Ho
Horror struck Gborkpo, near Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, when a 45-year-old mother and her seven-month-old baby died as a result of the collapse of a dug out. The tragedy occurred when they went looking for oyster shells for their livelihood.
The two, Madam Mercy Acada and Mawusi Fofoe, had gone to the field with Mr Emmanuel Fofoe and their 24-year-old daughter, Xornam Fofoe, when the tragic incident occurred.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, in the course of digging for oysters, the family got trapped when part of the dug out caved in.
He said they were rescued and sent to the Volta River Authority (VRA) Hospital at Akosombo but Mercy died on the way to the hospital, while the baby, who had been strapped to her back during the incident, died on arrival at the hospital.
Inspector Afagbedzi said both dead bodies had been deposited at the VRA Hospital, adding that when their bodies were inspected they were found to have injuries on their left thighs.
Horror struck Gborkpo, near Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, when a 45-year-old mother and her seven-month-old baby died as a result of the collapse of a dug out. The tragedy occurred when they went looking for oyster shells for their livelihood.
The two, Madam Mercy Acada and Mawusi Fofoe, had gone to the field with Mr Emmanuel Fofoe and their 24-year-old daughter, Xornam Fofoe, when the tragic incident occurred.
According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, in the course of digging for oysters, the family got trapped when part of the dug out caved in.
He said they were rescued and sent to the Volta River Authority (VRA) Hospital at Akosombo but Mercy died on the way to the hospital, while the baby, who had been strapped to her back during the incident, died on arrival at the hospital.
Inspector Afagbedzi said both dead bodies had been deposited at the VRA Hospital, adding that when their bodies were inspected they were found to have injuries on their left thighs.
Friday, February 15, 2008
VETERINARY SERVICES DEPT VACCINATES RUMINANTS IN VR (Page 21)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has embarked on free vaccination of ruminants in the Volta Region.
Dubbed “The Golden Jubilee Free Vaccination of Ruminants,” the exercise, which is part of a nation-wide campaign, is expected to run from February 1 to March 31, 2008.
The ruminants are being vaccinated against the Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) in cattle and “Peste des Petits Ruminants” (PPR) in sheep and goats.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the exercise, the Volta Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Ben Aniwa, said the two devastating diseases were greatly affecting livestock production in the region.
He said the project was a local initiative of MOFA, which was absolving the cost of vaccines with a view to encouraging livestock farmers who had over the years contributed immensely to the provision of animal protein in the diet of Ghanaians.
He, therefore, said the exercise had started in earnest with education and awareness creation of livestock farmers in the communities to prepare them for the programme.
Dr Aniwa appealed to all farmers, including alien herdsmen, to co-operate by ensuring that most of their animals were vaccinated during the period.
He, however, urged them to prepare to pay for the vaccination in 2009 and 2010.
According to him, the department was facing a number of challenges, including an acute shortage of all categories of staff.
Dr Aniwa said it was no secret that most veterinary officers were above 50 years.
He mentioned lack of pick-up vehicles and motorcycles for staff as another major obstacle to the delivery of animal health services, including disease surveillance in the region. Dr Aniwa disclosed that all District Directors of Agriculture had pledged their support the exercise.
THE Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has embarked on free vaccination of ruminants in the Volta Region.
Dubbed “The Golden Jubilee Free Vaccination of Ruminants,” the exercise, which is part of a nation-wide campaign, is expected to run from February 1 to March 31, 2008.
The ruminants are being vaccinated against the Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) in cattle and “Peste des Petits Ruminants” (PPR) in sheep and goats.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the exercise, the Volta Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Ben Aniwa, said the two devastating diseases were greatly affecting livestock production in the region.
He said the project was a local initiative of MOFA, which was absolving the cost of vaccines with a view to encouraging livestock farmers who had over the years contributed immensely to the provision of animal protein in the diet of Ghanaians.
He, therefore, said the exercise had started in earnest with education and awareness creation of livestock farmers in the communities to prepare them for the programme.
Dr Aniwa appealed to all farmers, including alien herdsmen, to co-operate by ensuring that most of their animals were vaccinated during the period.
He, however, urged them to prepare to pay for the vaccination in 2009 and 2010.
According to him, the department was facing a number of challenges, including an acute shortage of all categories of staff.
Dr Aniwa said it was no secret that most veterinary officers were above 50 years.
He mentioned lack of pick-up vehicles and motorcycles for staff as another major obstacle to the delivery of animal health services, including disease surveillance in the region. Dr Aniwa disclosed that all District Directors of Agriculture had pledged their support the exercise.
AKAN CONSTITUENCY NPP FORGES LINKS (Page 16)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Kadjebi
THE Akan Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made good overtures aimed at closing identified gaps with the view to reinforcing the chances of winning the parliamentary seat and presidential election in the December polls.
To this end all perceived factions within the constituency were pronounced abolished and reorganised into one formidable front to compete effectively with opponents in the next elections.
A task force has been set up to work closely with constituency executives to map out strategies to make the party stronger and set it on course for victory in December.
This was the conclusion of a reconciliation meeting of all delegates in the constituency, held at Kadjebi last weekend, under the auspices of two high -ranking members of the party, Messrs S.K. Osei-Nyame and Albert Osebre.
The consensus was that all divided forces within the party should rally behind the parliamentary candidate, Mr Kofi Adjei Ntim, to ensure that he won the December election.
Addressing the delegates, an Accra-based legal practitioner, Mr Osei-Nyame, said without a representative of the government in power in Parliament it was difficult to lobby effectively.
He said every party had a problem but there should be no problem in the Akan Constituency and charged the constituency executive to fight for power until it was won.
THE Akan Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made good overtures aimed at closing identified gaps with the view to reinforcing the chances of winning the parliamentary seat and presidential election in the December polls.
To this end all perceived factions within the constituency were pronounced abolished and reorganised into one formidable front to compete effectively with opponents in the next elections.
A task force has been set up to work closely with constituency executives to map out strategies to make the party stronger and set it on course for victory in December.
This was the conclusion of a reconciliation meeting of all delegates in the constituency, held at Kadjebi last weekend, under the auspices of two high -ranking members of the party, Messrs S.K. Osei-Nyame and Albert Osebre.
The consensus was that all divided forces within the party should rally behind the parliamentary candidate, Mr Kofi Adjei Ntim, to ensure that he won the December election.
Addressing the delegates, an Accra-based legal practitioner, Mr Osei-Nyame, said without a representative of the government in power in Parliament it was difficult to lobby effectively.
He said every party had a problem but there should be no problem in the Akan Constituency and charged the constituency executive to fight for power until it was won.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
DR MAHAMA BEGINGS TOUR OF VOLTA REGION (Page 14)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
The presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) party, Dr Edward Mahama, has said that he will run “a lean and thrifty” government when elected into power in the December election.
He explained that it was only a small number of ministers and deputies that could save cost, prevent waste as well as minimise corruption in the country, and added that he would appoint a maximum of 40 ministers and deputies to the run the affairs of the state.
Dr Mahama said this when he addressed regional executive members and some journalists at the start of a tour of the northern sector of the Volta Region in Ho on Tuesday.
He said corruption was eating Ghana up and challenged the ministers of state who had resigned the post to contest the presidential candidate position of their parties to show proof of the legitimate source of their money.
According to him, the size of a government did not reflect its efficiency and added that it was a waste of resources for a nation of 22 million people to have 88 ministers and deputies with special assistants.
He said the tour of the region, which would take him to seven districts, would focus on making the electorate more informed on certain issues, and eradicate any false notions they had on governance.
“We want to give Ghanaians the ‘can do’ spirit which the Black Stars have demonstrated,” he said, adding that “if Ghanaians believe that they can get themselves out of disease, poverty and hunger, they can do it”.
Dr Mahama said his campaign message for the political season would emphasise the need for real change and hope and said the PNC would give real hope and not an imaginary one to the people.
He questioned the necessity of asking a bidder for 105 signatures before he could win a contract in the country, and said that eroded the profit margin of contractors because of the alleged kickbacks they offered to every signatory.
On the prospects of merging with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the PNC leader said a merger was possible if only the CPP accepted that the new group would carry the PNC symbol, adding that the deal with CPP was not over yet since the deal began on April 15, 2005 and that the doors were still open for all other Nkrumaists parties.
In an address, the Volta Regional Chairman of PNC, Mr Victor Nyaxo, described Dr Mahama as “the next president in 2009”.
He disclosed that seven parliamentary candidates had so far been elected for the Akan, Ketu-South, Ketu-North, Nkwanta-North, Krachi-East, Hohoe-North and Keta constituencies.
The Publicity Chairman of the party, Mr Henry Asante, alleged that reportage on PNC activities in the region was not good and pleaded for an improvement.
The PNC presidential candidate was accompanied by the National Women Organiser, Hajia Ajara Ali.
The presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC) party, Dr Edward Mahama, has said that he will run “a lean and thrifty” government when elected into power in the December election.
He explained that it was only a small number of ministers and deputies that could save cost, prevent waste as well as minimise corruption in the country, and added that he would appoint a maximum of 40 ministers and deputies to the run the affairs of the state.
Dr Mahama said this when he addressed regional executive members and some journalists at the start of a tour of the northern sector of the Volta Region in Ho on Tuesday.
He said corruption was eating Ghana up and challenged the ministers of state who had resigned the post to contest the presidential candidate position of their parties to show proof of the legitimate source of their money.
According to him, the size of a government did not reflect its efficiency and added that it was a waste of resources for a nation of 22 million people to have 88 ministers and deputies with special assistants.
He said the tour of the region, which would take him to seven districts, would focus on making the electorate more informed on certain issues, and eradicate any false notions they had on governance.
“We want to give Ghanaians the ‘can do’ spirit which the Black Stars have demonstrated,” he said, adding that “if Ghanaians believe that they can get themselves out of disease, poverty and hunger, they can do it”.
Dr Mahama said his campaign message for the political season would emphasise the need for real change and hope and said the PNC would give real hope and not an imaginary one to the people.
He questioned the necessity of asking a bidder for 105 signatures before he could win a contract in the country, and said that eroded the profit margin of contractors because of the alleged kickbacks they offered to every signatory.
On the prospects of merging with the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the PNC leader said a merger was possible if only the CPP accepted that the new group would carry the PNC symbol, adding that the deal with CPP was not over yet since the deal began on April 15, 2005 and that the doors were still open for all other Nkrumaists parties.
In an address, the Volta Regional Chairman of PNC, Mr Victor Nyaxo, described Dr Mahama as “the next president in 2009”.
He disclosed that seven parliamentary candidates had so far been elected for the Akan, Ketu-South, Ketu-North, Nkwanta-North, Krachi-East, Hohoe-North and Keta constituencies.
The Publicity Chairman of the party, Mr Henry Asante, alleged that reportage on PNC activities in the region was not good and pleaded for an improvement.
The PNC presidential candidate was accompanied by the National Women Organiser, Hajia Ajara Ali.
Monday, February 11, 2008
YOUTH HOLD POLICE HOSTAGE (Mirror, Page 3)
From Tim Dzamboe, Ho
Irate youth numbering about 200 have taken the police at Nkwanta in the Volta Region hostage and forcibly released a colleague who had been arrested by the police for possessing a bikal shotgun with cartridges.
The youth, armed with offensive weapons such as machetes and cudgels, were said to have blocked the road, amidst threats to set the police vehicle ablaze, and demanded the immediate release of the suspect.
Briefing The Mirror, the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, said the police, led by ASP Douglas Kuma, and three others had gone on an operation with a service vehicle, GP 1216, at Nkwanta when the confrontation occurred.
He said during the patrol and observation duty, the police came across Yaba Mabeli armed with the gun and ammunition at an area known as Komi No.2, near the Civic Centre at Nkwanta.
The PRO said Yaba was arrested and while being taken to the police station, the irate youth group gathered spontaneously and blocked the road, adding that not even the intervention of the assembly member could change their position as they forcefully took away their colleague.
Irate youth numbering about 200 have taken the police at Nkwanta in the Volta Region hostage and forcibly released a colleague who had been arrested by the police for possessing a bikal shotgun with cartridges.
The youth, armed with offensive weapons such as machetes and cudgels, were said to have blocked the road, amidst threats to set the police vehicle ablaze, and demanded the immediate release of the suspect.
Briefing The Mirror, the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, said the police, led by ASP Douglas Kuma, and three others had gone on an operation with a service vehicle, GP 1216, at Nkwanta when the confrontation occurred.
He said during the patrol and observation duty, the police came across Yaba Mabeli armed with the gun and ammunition at an area known as Komi No.2, near the Civic Centre at Nkwanta.
The PRO said Yaba was arrested and while being taken to the police station, the irate youth group gathered spontaneously and blocked the road, adding that not even the intervention of the assembly member could change their position as they forcefully took away their colleague.
ASSEMBLY BENEFITS FROM MICRO LOAN PROJECT (PAGE 34)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Kpeve
THE South Dayi District Assembly has benefited from the Micro-Finance and Small Loan Scheme with the disbursement of a total of GH¢68,400 to 10 groups engaged in private businesses and agriculture in the district.
Apart from the micro-finance facility, seven women’s groups in the district have benefited from schemes from the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Fisheries, worth GH¢15,000, for the cultivation of vegetables, as well as fish and food processing.
The South Dayi District Chief Executive (DCE), Mrs Woyram Boachie-Danquah, announced this when she addressed the third ordinary meeting of the Assembly at Kpeve.
She urged Assembly members to educate their electorate on available facilities and encourage them to form groups to be able to access the facilities to improve economic activities to enhance their living standards.
Mrs Boachie-Danquah said as of the end of December 2007, the Assembly had generated revenue of GH¢52, 845.52 from local sources as against a target of GH¢56, 800.
She expressed the hope that with functional local councils, they would come up with ideas that would enhance revenue mobilisation.
On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mrs Boachie-Danquah disclosed that 811 people had been employed in the agriculture, health extension, education, sanitation, internship and voluntary service modules.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Dr Kwame Ampofo, commended the Assembly members for their good performance last year.
THE South Dayi District Assembly has benefited from the Micro-Finance and Small Loan Scheme with the disbursement of a total of GH¢68,400 to 10 groups engaged in private businesses and agriculture in the district.
Apart from the micro-finance facility, seven women’s groups in the district have benefited from schemes from the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Fisheries, worth GH¢15,000, for the cultivation of vegetables, as well as fish and food processing.
The South Dayi District Chief Executive (DCE), Mrs Woyram Boachie-Danquah, announced this when she addressed the third ordinary meeting of the Assembly at Kpeve.
She urged Assembly members to educate their electorate on available facilities and encourage them to form groups to be able to access the facilities to improve economic activities to enhance their living standards.
Mrs Boachie-Danquah said as of the end of December 2007, the Assembly had generated revenue of GH¢52, 845.52 from local sources as against a target of GH¢56, 800.
She expressed the hope that with functional local councils, they would come up with ideas that would enhance revenue mobilisation.
On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mrs Boachie-Danquah disclosed that 811 people had been employed in the agriculture, health extension, education, sanitation, internship and voluntary service modules.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Dr Kwame Ampofo, commended the Assembly members for their good performance last year.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Ho prolongs night life...Graphic Sports, page 15, Feb5-7
Story : Tim Dzamboe, Ho
Active night life prolonged in Ho and many parts of the Volta Region last Sunday after the Black Stars had defeated the Green Eagles of Nigeria by 2-1 in the hectic quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup tournament played last Sunday.
Carnivals erupted from various corners of Ho and spontaneously spread to form a large mass of people singing and chanting patriotic songs either with “borborbor”, brass band or any other rhythm one may found most attractive to join.
Along the Ho-Heve route towards the Ho Polytechnic was a brass band procession that moved towards the main centre of town through Ahoe.
Another group moved down the K.K house round about with a procession of “borborbor” towards the centre of town through the Ghana Commercial Bank road while the “ Zibo” boys group, a popular vibrant youth group moved across to Dome winning along large number of people into its very fast moving and swift marching.
There was no doubt that a very large number of people including the physically handicapped had poured onto the streets cheering the Black Stars some singing “ Anago du gari” , alluding that the Nigerians have chopped gari.
There were however a few extremists behaviour by some motorbike riders who defied laid down traffic regulations that put life at risk.
Some jubilants also blocked traffic at the Ray Makosa junction and danced to the music that came from a studio nearby, in addition to a blockade at the central market making movement of vehicles almost impossible. Perhaps policemen should be deployed to check such negative developments in the next victory to be celebrated.
Many people the “ Daily Graphic” spoke to after the match said it was a heartbreaking event last Sunday because they had sat on thorns until after the final whistle crowned the Black Stars.
Residents of the SSNIT flats roared into jubilation while many car owners left for town to witness the carnival.
Majority of respondents told the “ Daily Graphic” that it was “a sweet, good and genuine victory” in view of the background of the game in which a penalty was awarded the nation as the host and the expulsion of the captain , John Mensah, but still the Black Stars were still determined to sail through.
Active night life prolonged in Ho and many parts of the Volta Region last Sunday after the Black Stars had defeated the Green Eagles of Nigeria by 2-1 in the hectic quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup tournament played last Sunday.
Carnivals erupted from various corners of Ho and spontaneously spread to form a large mass of people singing and chanting patriotic songs either with “borborbor”, brass band or any other rhythm one may found most attractive to join.
Along the Ho-Heve route towards the Ho Polytechnic was a brass band procession that moved towards the main centre of town through Ahoe.
Another group moved down the K.K house round about with a procession of “borborbor” towards the centre of town through the Ghana Commercial Bank road while the “ Zibo” boys group, a popular vibrant youth group moved across to Dome winning along large number of people into its very fast moving and swift marching.
There was no doubt that a very large number of people including the physically handicapped had poured onto the streets cheering the Black Stars some singing “ Anago du gari” , alluding that the Nigerians have chopped gari.
There were however a few extremists behaviour by some motorbike riders who defied laid down traffic regulations that put life at risk.
Some jubilants also blocked traffic at the Ray Makosa junction and danced to the music that came from a studio nearby, in addition to a blockade at the central market making movement of vehicles almost impossible. Perhaps policemen should be deployed to check such negative developments in the next victory to be celebrated.
Many people the “ Daily Graphic” spoke to after the match said it was a heartbreaking event last Sunday because they had sat on thorns until after the final whistle crowned the Black Stars.
Residents of the SSNIT flats roared into jubilation while many car owners left for town to witness the carnival.
Majority of respondents told the “ Daily Graphic” that it was “a sweet, good and genuine victory” in view of the background of the game in which a penalty was awarded the nation as the host and the expulsion of the captain , John Mensah, but still the Black Stars were still determined to sail through.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
JASIKAN TEACHERS CREDIT UNION MAKES IMPACT (Page 36)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Jasikan District Teachers Co-operative Credit Union continues to register an increase in members’ savings.
The union registered a growth of 71 per cent last year as against 68 per cent in the previous financial year, despite the decline in membership from 2005 to the close of June, 2007.
The Board Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Gati, announced this at the ninth annual general meeting of the credit union held at Jasikan.
He said the union granted a total of GH¢425,300 to members last year while the total income fell from GH¢150,000 to GH¢140, 000 last year, indicating a shortfall in net surplus by 39.3 per cent as compared to that of 2006.
Mr Gati, however, stated that the management of the union had recommended the payment of GH¢6,490 to members as against a lower sum of GH¢5,890 paid to members the previous year.
He advised the members to refrain from the non-payment of loans granted to them since loan defaulters were killing the union, stressing “ non-payment must be killed before it kills the union.”
The first phase of an office complex was officially inaugurated and used as the venue for the annual general meeting.
THE Jasikan District Teachers Co-operative Credit Union continues to register an increase in members’ savings.
The union registered a growth of 71 per cent last year as against 68 per cent in the previous financial year, despite the decline in membership from 2005 to the close of June, 2007.
The Board Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Gati, announced this at the ninth annual general meeting of the credit union held at Jasikan.
He said the union granted a total of GH¢425,300 to members last year while the total income fell from GH¢150,000 to GH¢140, 000 last year, indicating a shortfall in net surplus by 39.3 per cent as compared to that of 2006.
Mr Gati, however, stated that the management of the union had recommended the payment of GH¢6,490 to members as against a lower sum of GH¢5,890 paid to members the previous year.
He advised the members to refrain from the non-payment of loans granted to them since loan defaulters were killing the union, stressing “ non-payment must be killed before it kills the union.”
The first phase of an office complex was officially inaugurated and used as the venue for the annual general meeting.
700 WOODEN ELECTRIC POLES TO BE REPLACED IN VR (Page 36)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited is to replace 700 wooden electric poles with concrete ones along major transmission lines in the Volta Region.
It is one of the effective measures being adopted by the ECG to arrest the growing incidents of bush fires destroying wooden poles.
The company has so far procured 210 concrete poles estimated at GH¢379,650, to start the implementation of the project in the region.
The Volta Regional Director of the ECG, Mr Felix Fiebor, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic last Monday, said a contract had also been awarded to 12 contractors for the construction of fire belts around wooden poles.
He said various routes had been categorised into lots in 11 districts to guide the contractors.
Mr Fiebor said another treatment plan had been identified with the use of aluminium foils to clothe the wooden poles, adding that pilot schemes had been started in the Eastern Region and Dambai in the northern sector of the Volta Region.
He said the region incurred a loss of GH¢114,000 due to the damaging effects of bush fires on wooden electric poles.
The regional director attributed the causes of bush fires to Fulanis, game hunting, smoking and palm wine tapping, and wondered why no culprits had been arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to the public.
THE Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited is to replace 700 wooden electric poles with concrete ones along major transmission lines in the Volta Region.
It is one of the effective measures being adopted by the ECG to arrest the growing incidents of bush fires destroying wooden poles.
The company has so far procured 210 concrete poles estimated at GH¢379,650, to start the implementation of the project in the region.
The Volta Regional Director of the ECG, Mr Felix Fiebor, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic last Monday, said a contract had also been awarded to 12 contractors for the construction of fire belts around wooden poles.
He said various routes had been categorised into lots in 11 districts to guide the contractors.
Mr Fiebor said another treatment plan had been identified with the use of aluminium foils to clothe the wooden poles, adding that pilot schemes had been started in the Eastern Region and Dambai in the northern sector of the Volta Region.
He said the region incurred a loss of GH¢114,000 due to the damaging effects of bush fires on wooden electric poles.
The regional director attributed the causes of bush fires to Fulanis, game hunting, smoking and palm wine tapping, and wondered why no culprits had been arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to the public.
6TH EU MICRO PROJECTS IN VR LAUNCHED (Page 36)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mawutor Goh, has advised major stakeholders in the implementation of projects in the country to act swiftly in the processes to avoid huge price distortions in the event of fluctuating oil prices on the international market.
He said the recent instability of world oil prices was a worry to district and municipal assemblies because the high prices had distorted the budget for projects, and this had apparently caused delays to projects to the dissatisfaction of development partners.
Mr Goh was speaking at a day's workshop at Ho to launch the second phase of implementation of information and education campaign, which coincided with the launch of income generating projects for the sixth European Union Micro projects in the Volta Region.
He welcomed the introduction of the income-generating component of the micro projects.
According to Mr Goh, the programme in its entirety was meaningful to the nation, because it was in fulfilment of the constitutional mandate for district and municipal assemblies to champion development in their areas.
The Regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr Reuben Amegasitsi, on behalf of the Regional Minister, made it known that the region benefited from a total of 373 projects valued at GH¢2,612,594 during the fifth micro project programme.
He said additional 123 projects would be completed at a total cost of GH¢1,880,739 by the end of the first phase of the sixth micro project programme in March, this year.
Mr Amegasitsi said the micro project had contributed to the enhancement of the capacity in project identification and selection; management and implementation; community mobilisation; and participation of women and democratic decision-making, which had strengthened the decentralisation process of the country.
He said the introduction of the income-generating component was a good omen in view of the government’s efforts at enhancing social protection for its citizens.
Mr Amegasitsi, however, expressed misgivings about the indifferent attitude of some communities towards the provision of communal labour, which had caused delays in the completion of some projects.
He was not happy about the inability of some communities to provide the necessary 25 per cent contribution in the form of sand, stones and water and the refusal of some district assemblies to support such communities.
Mr Amegasitsi expressed concern over the ineligible expenses by district assemblies and non-compliance with audit directives, adding that it was pertinent to overcome such weaknesses to push the micro project programme to a higher pedestal.
Launching the programme, the National Programme Manager of the EU/Government of Ghana Micro Projects Management Unit, Mr Kwabena Dankyi Darfoor, said the second phase of the sixth programme would be implemented in 93 districts in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern,
Volta, Eastern and Central regions for the next 18 months starting from April 1, this year.
He disclosed that the Volta zone would benefit from a budget allocation of GH¢1,356,413 for infrastructure projects in addition to GH¢381,600, adding that each beneficiary district would receive GH¢212 for income-generating projects.
THE Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mawutor Goh, has advised major stakeholders in the implementation of projects in the country to act swiftly in the processes to avoid huge price distortions in the event of fluctuating oil prices on the international market.
He said the recent instability of world oil prices was a worry to district and municipal assemblies because the high prices had distorted the budget for projects, and this had apparently caused delays to projects to the dissatisfaction of development partners.
Mr Goh was speaking at a day's workshop at Ho to launch the second phase of implementation of information and education campaign, which coincided with the launch of income generating projects for the sixth European Union Micro projects in the Volta Region.
He welcomed the introduction of the income-generating component of the micro projects.
According to Mr Goh, the programme in its entirety was meaningful to the nation, because it was in fulfilment of the constitutional mandate for district and municipal assemblies to champion development in their areas.
The Regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr Reuben Amegasitsi, on behalf of the Regional Minister, made it known that the region benefited from a total of 373 projects valued at GH¢2,612,594 during the fifth micro project programme.
He said additional 123 projects would be completed at a total cost of GH¢1,880,739 by the end of the first phase of the sixth micro project programme in March, this year.
Mr Amegasitsi said the micro project had contributed to the enhancement of the capacity in project identification and selection; management and implementation; community mobilisation; and participation of women and democratic decision-making, which had strengthened the decentralisation process of the country.
He said the introduction of the income-generating component was a good omen in view of the government’s efforts at enhancing social protection for its citizens.
Mr Amegasitsi, however, expressed misgivings about the indifferent attitude of some communities towards the provision of communal labour, which had caused delays in the completion of some projects.
He was not happy about the inability of some communities to provide the necessary 25 per cent contribution in the form of sand, stones and water and the refusal of some district assemblies to support such communities.
Mr Amegasitsi expressed concern over the ineligible expenses by district assemblies and non-compliance with audit directives, adding that it was pertinent to overcome such weaknesses to push the micro project programme to a higher pedestal.
Launching the programme, the National Programme Manager of the EU/Government of Ghana Micro Projects Management Unit, Mr Kwabena Dankyi Darfoor, said the second phase of the sixth programme would be implemented in 93 districts in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern,
Volta, Eastern and Central regions for the next 18 months starting from April 1, this year.
He disclosed that the Volta zone would benefit from a budget allocation of GH¢1,356,413 for infrastructure projects in addition to GH¢381,600, adding that each beneficiary district would receive GH¢212 for income-generating projects.
ADOPT SOCIAL PROTECTION CONCEPT — DR AHADZIE (Page 36)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
A fellow of the Centre for Social Policy Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr William Ahadzie, has stated that social protection is now an emerging concept in the contemporary world, and which has been adopted by nations in the interest of social justice.
He said where there was no social protection, society was considered a failure because it portrayed such societies as ignoring the weak, who could not manage several risks in their lives.
Dr Ahadzie was delivering a paper on “the concept and practice of social protection” at a National Social Protection and Strategy (NSPS) sensitisation workshop organised by the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment at Ho.
He recounted the historical development of social protection in 1598 to 1948 in Britain, spanning to the United States of America (USA) in 1935 to 1960.
According to him, it was hinged on laws to protect the poor in society and the evolution of insurance practices championed by the state.
Dr Ahadzie said the development of social protection in Ghana underscored investing in people, and that it sought to take private and public partnership to forge the policy ahead with the support of international development agencies, research and advocacy of non-governmental organisations.
He mentioned some of them as the Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Dr Ahadzie said the exemption policy on health delivery, free ride for school children, social mitigation fund, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, were some of the social protection programmes in the country.
He said the government’s commitment was reflected in increasing budgetary allocation, legislation, position papers on the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), among others.
Dr Ahadzie, however, stated that the challenges facing social protection were funding and sustainability, minimising of leakage and scaling it up, adding that social protection was now regarded as a rights-based approach than a service provision concept.
In another paper delivered by Mrs Angela Asante-Asare, she reiterated that the national social protection strategy emphasised investing in people.
She said that was the essence of formulating the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) as a component of the strategy.
According to her, the NSPS had been identified as an empowerment strategy for the vulnerable and excluded social groups under the GPRS I and II, and that it would cater for socio-economic risks, such as unemployment, sickness, disability and old age.
Mrs Asante-Asare stated that major social development programmes would cover social grants support for livelihood empowerment, child protection, survival and development intervention, labour market policies and programmes, health programmes, social insurance and micro finance, and social welfare programmes.
In a welcoming address, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Barnabas Adjin, said the vulnerable in society should be given the opportunity to develop themselves and that the workshop was an opportunity to see to the development of all people.
He urged the participants to relentlessly support the department to foster a strong collaboration to facilitate the full implementation of the programme.
Mr Adjin said in the absence of inadequate resources, there was the need to pool their resources to achieve the same objective.
A fellow of the Centre for Social Policy Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr William Ahadzie, has stated that social protection is now an emerging concept in the contemporary world, and which has been adopted by nations in the interest of social justice.
He said where there was no social protection, society was considered a failure because it portrayed such societies as ignoring the weak, who could not manage several risks in their lives.
Dr Ahadzie was delivering a paper on “the concept and practice of social protection” at a National Social Protection and Strategy (NSPS) sensitisation workshop organised by the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment at Ho.
He recounted the historical development of social protection in 1598 to 1948 in Britain, spanning to the United States of America (USA) in 1935 to 1960.
According to him, it was hinged on laws to protect the poor in society and the evolution of insurance practices championed by the state.
Dr Ahadzie said the development of social protection in Ghana underscored investing in people, and that it sought to take private and public partnership to forge the policy ahead with the support of international development agencies, research and advocacy of non-governmental organisations.
He mentioned some of them as the Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Dr Ahadzie said the exemption policy on health delivery, free ride for school children, social mitigation fund, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, were some of the social protection programmes in the country.
He said the government’s commitment was reflected in increasing budgetary allocation, legislation, position papers on the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), among others.
Dr Ahadzie, however, stated that the challenges facing social protection were funding and sustainability, minimising of leakage and scaling it up, adding that social protection was now regarded as a rights-based approach than a service provision concept.
In another paper delivered by Mrs Angela Asante-Asare, she reiterated that the national social protection strategy emphasised investing in people.
She said that was the essence of formulating the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) as a component of the strategy.
According to her, the NSPS had been identified as an empowerment strategy for the vulnerable and excluded social groups under the GPRS I and II, and that it would cater for socio-economic risks, such as unemployment, sickness, disability and old age.
Mrs Asante-Asare stated that major social development programmes would cover social grants support for livelihood empowerment, child protection, survival and development intervention, labour market policies and programmes, health programmes, social insurance and micro finance, and social welfare programmes.
In a welcoming address, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Barnabas Adjin, said the vulnerable in society should be given the opportunity to develop themselves and that the workshop was an opportunity to see to the development of all people.
He urged the participants to relentlessly support the department to foster a strong collaboration to facilitate the full implementation of the programme.
Mr Adjin said in the absence of inadequate resources, there was the need to pool their resources to achieve the same objective.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
'Credit unions have helped worker' page 34, Feb 5
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
The board chairman of the Volta Electricity Company Limited (ECG) Credit Union Limited (VEECCU), Mr J.J Danjo has affirmed that the establishment of the union at the workplace has augmented the company in providing solutions to the financial problems of its employees.
According to him, “poverty among members has become a thing of the past; and the members are now above the national poverty line”.
Mr Danjo said this at the annual general meeting of the credit union at Ho last weekend.
He disclosed that average member savings ratio as at June 30 last year stood at 1: GHC860 with the per capita income at GHC 1000 adding that loans to members rose from GHc39, 217.04 in June 2001 to GHc247, 309.37 last year.
He further said share capital shot up considerably while accumulated savings rose ten times within six years saying that members have fully cultivated the idea of regular savings.
Mr Danjo however said despite the growth of various portfolios the failure by members to retain interest and dividends affected the growth of the capital of the union stating that cash flow from the business for the payment of interest and dividends amounted to GHc130, 000 which hitherto could have been a bulky asset to the union.
He said the union had purchased 16 plots of land for the construction of hostel facilities for students of the Ho Polytechnic and the Evangelical Presbyterian University at Ho.
To this end VEECCU has presented a 2.5 HP air conditioner and two dust bins valued at GHc1,050 to the E.P University.
Mr Danjo said the donation was part of the social responsibility to the people within its operational areas adding that VEECCU lauded the efforts of the E.P Church to establish a university to bring tertiary education to the door steps of the people of the Volta Region.
He called on all well meaning people, organizations, establishments in the region to contribute their quota in cash or kind towards this noble cause by the E.P Church adding that the establishment of a university in the region was long overdue.
The president of the university, Mr Walter Blege thanked the union for their gesture and urged others to join the advocacy for support for the university.
He said he was highly impressed of a donation coming from a workplace institution.
The board chairman of the Volta Electricity Company Limited (ECG) Credit Union Limited (VEECCU), Mr J.J Danjo has affirmed that the establishment of the union at the workplace has augmented the company in providing solutions to the financial problems of its employees.
According to him, “poverty among members has become a thing of the past; and the members are now above the national poverty line”.
Mr Danjo said this at the annual general meeting of the credit union at Ho last weekend.
He disclosed that average member savings ratio as at June 30 last year stood at 1: GHC860 with the per capita income at GHC 1000 adding that loans to members rose from GHc39, 217.04 in June 2001 to GHc247, 309.37 last year.
He further said share capital shot up considerably while accumulated savings rose ten times within six years saying that members have fully cultivated the idea of regular savings.
Mr Danjo however said despite the growth of various portfolios the failure by members to retain interest and dividends affected the growth of the capital of the union stating that cash flow from the business for the payment of interest and dividends amounted to GHc130, 000 which hitherto could have been a bulky asset to the union.
He said the union had purchased 16 plots of land for the construction of hostel facilities for students of the Ho Polytechnic and the Evangelical Presbyterian University at Ho.
To this end VEECCU has presented a 2.5 HP air conditioner and two dust bins valued at GHc1,050 to the E.P University.
Mr Danjo said the donation was part of the social responsibility to the people within its operational areas adding that VEECCU lauded the efforts of the E.P Church to establish a university to bring tertiary education to the door steps of the people of the Volta Region.
He called on all well meaning people, organizations, establishments in the region to contribute their quota in cash or kind towards this noble cause by the E.P Church adding that the establishment of a university in the region was long overdue.
The president of the university, Mr Walter Blege thanked the union for their gesture and urged others to join the advocacy for support for the university.
He said he was highly impressed of a donation coming from a workplace institution.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
WE'LL PAY SALARIES PROMPTLY (Page 3)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Controller and Accountant-General, Mr Christian Sottie, has assured workers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of a reliable and worthy system for prompt payment of salaries.
He, however, noted that the department was working under difficult conditions, including unexpected delays at the banks, which also delayed the payment of pensions.
Mr Sottie told a forum of workers and pensioners in the southern sector of the Volta Region at Denu at the weekend that it was not a deliberate action by the department to delay salaries and other emoluments to workers.
Some of the conditions, he said, were power outages, defects in software, strikes and the inability of the MDAs to present relevant inputs of their workers to the central system on time.
He called on clients of the Controller and Accountant-General Department (CAGD) to furnish the department with any anomalies they detected in their salaries for prompt correction.
The Accountant-General disclosed that the omission of names from payrolls, reduction of salaries, and dislocation of salaries to banks had been the major complaints of workers and said new structures had been established at the headquarters to handle all problems.
To this end, a help desk and a call centre with a toll free centre had been set up, adding that aggrieved workers could call telephone numbers 021678801 and 021678805 for assistance.
He, however, noted that the major grievances came from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service, because of the absence of a client service unit at those places.
Mr Sottie warned those who were mistakenly paid far above their salaries and thought it was a windfall to report immediately to the CAGD for mutual negotiation for redress, otherwise the system would reclaim the loss without recourse to the beneficiaries.
He also denied claims that teachers who were members of the National Association Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) who went on strike were paid their salaries in some regions.
The Accountant-General, however, urged workers of the MDAs and allied clients of the CAGD to report the conduct of indisciplined officers in order to check any form of disillusionment among workers.
He also advised workers to protect their payslips to avoid misuse by miscreants for guaranteeing for purchases they had not made.
In his remarks, the Chief of Avenorpedo, Torgbui Doklo Akumsah, said the intervention of the Accountant-General had set the minds of workers at rest and said subsequent fora would clear all doubts on the operations of the CAGD.
He commended Mr Sottie for his practicality in explaining issues to workers and suggested that such a forum should be organised at least twice a year.
THE Controller and Accountant-General, Mr Christian Sottie, has assured workers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of a reliable and worthy system for prompt payment of salaries.
He, however, noted that the department was working under difficult conditions, including unexpected delays at the banks, which also delayed the payment of pensions.
Mr Sottie told a forum of workers and pensioners in the southern sector of the Volta Region at Denu at the weekend that it was not a deliberate action by the department to delay salaries and other emoluments to workers.
Some of the conditions, he said, were power outages, defects in software, strikes and the inability of the MDAs to present relevant inputs of their workers to the central system on time.
He called on clients of the Controller and Accountant-General Department (CAGD) to furnish the department with any anomalies they detected in their salaries for prompt correction.
The Accountant-General disclosed that the omission of names from payrolls, reduction of salaries, and dislocation of salaries to banks had been the major complaints of workers and said new structures had been established at the headquarters to handle all problems.
To this end, a help desk and a call centre with a toll free centre had been set up, adding that aggrieved workers could call telephone numbers 021678801 and 021678805 for assistance.
He, however, noted that the major grievances came from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service, because of the absence of a client service unit at those places.
Mr Sottie warned those who were mistakenly paid far above their salaries and thought it was a windfall to report immediately to the CAGD for mutual negotiation for redress, otherwise the system would reclaim the loss without recourse to the beneficiaries.
He also denied claims that teachers who were members of the National Association Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) who went on strike were paid their salaries in some regions.
The Accountant-General, however, urged workers of the MDAs and allied clients of the CAGD to report the conduct of indisciplined officers in order to check any form of disillusionment among workers.
He also advised workers to protect their payslips to avoid misuse by miscreants for guaranteeing for purchases they had not made.
In his remarks, the Chief of Avenorpedo, Torgbui Doklo Akumsah, said the intervention of the Accountant-General had set the minds of workers at rest and said subsequent fora would clear all doubts on the operations of the CAGD.
He commended Mr Sottie for his practicality in explaining issues to workers and suggested that such a forum should be organised at least twice a year.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Armed men seize car- mirror page 43, February 2
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
Three men wielding locally manufactured pistols have a hijacked a private car an Opel Astral with registration number GT 24 U and tied the owner into the bout and dumped him at an unknown destination.
The incident occurred at the Bame junction in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region when the car owner Francis Dunyo, 29, was driving from Kete-Krachi together with pregnant wife, Rejoice Sekpeku, 23, towards Mafi –Kumasi and met the ordeal.
According the public relations officer of the Volta Region police command, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, at Bame junction on a section of the road the car owner stopped and picked a person who feigned serious sickness.
He said as soon as the car stopped, three other armed men wielding pistols emerged from the bush and surrounded the car and seized the driver, tied him with a rope and dumped him in the bout of the car and drove off.
Inspector Agfagbedzi said the mobile phone of the pregnant wife of Dunyo was taken away from her and was left behind at the scene adding that where the car owner was discharged was not known.
He however said the wife had reported to the Anyirawase police that the husband was alive at Mafi-Kumasi but cannot trace the car.
Inspector Afagbedzi appealed to the general public to volunteer information leading to the arrest of the assailants on telephone numbers 0244947688, 0242556428.
Three men wielding locally manufactured pistols have a hijacked a private car an Opel Astral with registration number GT 24 U and tied the owner into the bout and dumped him at an unknown destination.
The incident occurred at the Bame junction in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region when the car owner Francis Dunyo, 29, was driving from Kete-Krachi together with pregnant wife, Rejoice Sekpeku, 23, towards Mafi –Kumasi and met the ordeal.
According the public relations officer of the Volta Region police command, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi, at Bame junction on a section of the road the car owner stopped and picked a person who feigned serious sickness.
He said as soon as the car stopped, three other armed men wielding pistols emerged from the bush and surrounded the car and seized the driver, tied him with a rope and dumped him in the bout of the car and drove off.
Inspector Agfagbedzi said the mobile phone of the pregnant wife of Dunyo was taken away from her and was left behind at the scene adding that where the car owner was discharged was not known.
He however said the wife had reported to the Anyirawase police that the husband was alive at Mafi-Kumasi but cannot trace the car.
Inspector Afagbedzi appealed to the general public to volunteer information leading to the arrest of the assailants on telephone numbers 0244947688, 0242556428.
2 BIKES COLLIDE. One dead, 2 injured-Front Page lead- MIRROR
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
One person died and two others seriously injured when two unregistered motorbikes crashed and later knocked down two pedestrians on a street of Kpedze in the Ho Municipality last Saturday.
The motor bikes were carrying two persons, that is the rider and a pillion or passenger when one of them being ridden by Amenuveve Akpah with Rasta as the pillion activated the trafficator that it was branching to the left side towards the Kpedze main lorry station.
Incidentally another unregistered motor bike with Tamador as rider and carrying Peter Ekow coming from the opposite direction allegedly on high speed ran into the first motorbike causing the rider and the pillion to fall.
Police investigations revealed that the motor bike went on to hit two other pedestrians Kudjovi Akome and Kassardjan into a gutter who sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Ho Municipal Hospital for treatment but Kassardjan died the next day and the body deposited at the mortuary.
The public relations officer of the Volta Regional police command, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi disclosed that Akome had been referred to the Volta Regional Hospital adding that Tamador was still at the municipal hospital responding to treatment.
He said the motor unregistered motor bikes had been impounded by the police while Akpah was in police custody and assisting in investigations.
One person died and two others seriously injured when two unregistered motorbikes crashed and later knocked down two pedestrians on a street of Kpedze in the Ho Municipality last Saturday.
The motor bikes were carrying two persons, that is the rider and a pillion or passenger when one of them being ridden by Amenuveve Akpah with Rasta as the pillion activated the trafficator that it was branching to the left side towards the Kpedze main lorry station.
Incidentally another unregistered motor bike with Tamador as rider and carrying Peter Ekow coming from the opposite direction allegedly on high speed ran into the first motorbike causing the rider and the pillion to fall.
Police investigations revealed that the motor bike went on to hit two other pedestrians Kudjovi Akome and Kassardjan into a gutter who sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Ho Municipal Hospital for treatment but Kassardjan died the next day and the body deposited at the mortuary.
The public relations officer of the Volta Regional police command, Inspector Joy Afagbedzi disclosed that Akome had been referred to the Volta Regional Hospital adding that Tamador was still at the municipal hospital responding to treatment.
He said the motor unregistered motor bikes had been impounded by the police while Akpah was in police custody and assisting in investigations.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
INVOLVING PEOPLE ENHANCE SELF-HELF PROJECTS — HELLYER ...Page 14
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE relationship between the people of Ho and the municipal assembly has been adjudged as one of the strongest and most effective in the country, in view of the high level of engagement of the people in the development of the municipality.
The Ghana Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr Robert Hellyer, who said this noted that the high level of involvement of the citizenry in decision-making processes, such as planning and budgeting, had led to significant success in the implementation of self-help projects.
Mr Hellyer was addressing a durbar of members of civic unions, school management committees and parent/teacher associations to conclude a three-year programme on partnership in strengthening decentralisation and improving quality education under the Government Accountability Improves Trust (GAIT) II in the Ho municipality last Thursday.
The programme, which has been introduced in 25 districts of the country, entails support for democratic local government and decentralisation, strengthening civil society and increasing community advocacy for quality education.
Mr Hellyer said Ghana’s democracy had been described as vibrant and a model for many African countries, adding that the GAIT II programme testified to the contribution of the US government to the growth of democracy in the country.
He underscored the essence for both citizens and local government institutions to assume joint responsibility for the development of the local communities and hold each other accountable, adding that through that engagement, they could tackle issues of joint concern, such as quality education for their children.
He, however, said the true success of GAIT II would be measured by whether the high level of local government-citizen interaction recorded under the programme would be sustained after the end of the project
In an address, the Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, said the success story from Ho would be emulated by all assemblies in the country.
She said the excellent mode of phasing out the project was a sign of progress ahead for the development of the districts.
A director at the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment (MLGRDE), Madam Livina Owusu, said the project had given a vital clue to the aspect of transfer of competence and private–public partnerships under the decentralisation process which manifested in the project, stressing that making people part of development was the essence of the decentralisation policy.
An Assistant Director at the Ghana Education Service (GES) Headquarters, Mrs Josephine Kuffuor-Drah, advised that best practices under the programme should be sustained, adding that the GES would follow up to ensure that the benefits were spread to all schools across the nation.
For her part, Madam Evelyn Arthur of GAIT said 24 civic unions were formed and energised in Ho under the programme and that they formed a potential strength for the ultimate to institutionalise best practices in the governance of the nation.
Earlier in a welcoming address, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Mawutor Goh, said the GAIT II influence had brought a lot of benefits to communities, schools and especially the increase in the number of women in the assembly.
He, therefore, appealed to all and sundry to uphold all the principles under the project to achieve better results.
THE relationship between the people of Ho and the municipal assembly has been adjudged as one of the strongest and most effective in the country, in view of the high level of engagement of the people in the development of the municipality.
The Ghana Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr Robert Hellyer, who said this noted that the high level of involvement of the citizenry in decision-making processes, such as planning and budgeting, had led to significant success in the implementation of self-help projects.
Mr Hellyer was addressing a durbar of members of civic unions, school management committees and parent/teacher associations to conclude a three-year programme on partnership in strengthening decentralisation and improving quality education under the Government Accountability Improves Trust (GAIT) II in the Ho municipality last Thursday.
The programme, which has been introduced in 25 districts of the country, entails support for democratic local government and decentralisation, strengthening civil society and increasing community advocacy for quality education.
Mr Hellyer said Ghana’s democracy had been described as vibrant and a model for many African countries, adding that the GAIT II programme testified to the contribution of the US government to the growth of democracy in the country.
He underscored the essence for both citizens and local government institutions to assume joint responsibility for the development of the local communities and hold each other accountable, adding that through that engagement, they could tackle issues of joint concern, such as quality education for their children.
He, however, said the true success of GAIT II would be measured by whether the high level of local government-citizen interaction recorded under the programme would be sustained after the end of the project
In an address, the Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, said the success story from Ho would be emulated by all assemblies in the country.
She said the excellent mode of phasing out the project was a sign of progress ahead for the development of the districts.
A director at the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment (MLGRDE), Madam Livina Owusu, said the project had given a vital clue to the aspect of transfer of competence and private–public partnerships under the decentralisation process which manifested in the project, stressing that making people part of development was the essence of the decentralisation policy.
An Assistant Director at the Ghana Education Service (GES) Headquarters, Mrs Josephine Kuffuor-Drah, advised that best practices under the programme should be sustained, adding that the GES would follow up to ensure that the benefits were spread to all schools across the nation.
For her part, Madam Evelyn Arthur of GAIT said 24 civic unions were formed and energised in Ho under the programme and that they formed a potential strength for the ultimate to institutionalise best practices in the governance of the nation.
Earlier in a welcoming address, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Mawutor Goh, said the GAIT II influence had brought a lot of benefits to communities, schools and especially the increase in the number of women in the assembly.
He, therefore, appealed to all and sundry to uphold all the principles under the project to achieve better results.
GLICO PROMOTES MICRO-INSURANCE ..Page 33
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Dabala
THE Manager of micro and individual life insurance of the Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO), Mr Padmore Gyasi, has urged the public to take life insurance seriously because of its potential to safeguard family welfare and finances.
Mr Gyasi said taking up insurance policies was a good protection for families and also a wise investment.
Presenting a cheque for GH¢800 to the family of the late Daniel Agbanyo, a holder of a micro-insurance policy insurance plan at Dabala in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region, Mr Gyasi said the aim of micro-insurance was to enable people particularly those in the lower income bracket to be able to leave benefits behind for their dependants to curb dire financial problems that families went through when bread winners died.
The micro-insurance policy also known as “Morkporkpor” or “Anidaso”, literally meaning hope, aside paying benefits to the dependant families on the death of a policy holder, also pays some benefits to a holder on the death of his or her spouse or children under 18 years and provides hospitalisation and accident cover to the holder.
He said holders of the policy could access loans from GLICO three years after taking the policy and regularly paying their monthly premiums of GH¢2.
The Manager of Agave Rural Bank, Mr Emmanuel Koblah, said a policy holder could easily access credit from the bank with GLICO as the guarantor.
A representative of the bereaved family, Mr Frank-Ehlah, who received the cheque thanked GLICO for its honesty.
THE Manager of micro and individual life insurance of the Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO), Mr Padmore Gyasi, has urged the public to take life insurance seriously because of its potential to safeguard family welfare and finances.
Mr Gyasi said taking up insurance policies was a good protection for families and also a wise investment.
Presenting a cheque for GH¢800 to the family of the late Daniel Agbanyo, a holder of a micro-insurance policy insurance plan at Dabala in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region, Mr Gyasi said the aim of micro-insurance was to enable people particularly those in the lower income bracket to be able to leave benefits behind for their dependants to curb dire financial problems that families went through when bread winners died.
The micro-insurance policy also known as “Morkporkpor” or “Anidaso”, literally meaning hope, aside paying benefits to the dependant families on the death of a policy holder, also pays some benefits to a holder on the death of his or her spouse or children under 18 years and provides hospitalisation and accident cover to the holder.
He said holders of the policy could access loans from GLICO three years after taking the policy and regularly paying their monthly premiums of GH¢2.
The Manager of Agave Rural Bank, Mr Emmanuel Koblah, said a policy holder could easily access credit from the bank with GLICO as the guarantor.
A representative of the bereaved family, Mr Frank-Ehlah, who received the cheque thanked GLICO for its honesty.
Friday, February 1, 2008
RISING CREDIBILITY OF CPP GOOD ... (Page 17)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Dzodze
Some chiefs in the southern sector of the Volta Region have said that the rising credibility of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the present political landscape has the potential of convincing past members to rejoin the party.
According to the paramount chief of Dzodze, Togbui Adzofia V, many people were members of the CPP but the intervention of military regimes in the politics of the nation dismembered the party at Dzodze.
He, however, expressed the hope that with the present reorganisation of the party, members who had left may be able to rejoin the party to enhance the fortunes of the party in the next elections.
Togbui Adzofia said this when the presidential candidate of the party, Paa Kwesi Nduom, paid separate courtesy calls on chiefs in the Ketu North, Ketu South and Keta constituencies last Monday.
He advised the presidential candidate to take a critical look at the existing roads and the water situation wherever he would go, to guide him as to what to do for the people in case he won the election this December.
He advised the presidential aspirant to conduct a campaign that would promote friendship and that he should not divide the nation in the way the campaigns would be handled.
At Penyi, the paramount chief of the traditional area, Togbui Dadzi said the experiences of the CPP as an old political party should enable the party to know all the pitfalls and strive to win the elections.
At Aflao, the paramount chief, Togbui Amenya Fiti V, said the Aflao area was a CPP stronghold back in time, adding that if the party could work hard, it could reclaim its members.
He added that with the high calibre of presidential candidates who contested the flagbearership, it was evident that the spirit of Kwame Nkrumah had risen indeed.
Togbui Fiti advised all presidential candidates to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner without acrimony in order to sustain the peaceful environment created under the 16-year rule of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said further that as the first presidential aspirant to visit Aflao, he was assured of the blessings of the Aflao state. He encouraged him not to be discouraged but visit the area again to foster unity with the people through his campaigns.
In his message to the chiefs and people, Paa Nduom said the CPP was back to life and would compete effectively to win, to make Ghanaians confident and happy in their own country.
He said no political party had beaten the CPP in the creation of jobs, adding that “if one party had come and gone, and one is preparing to leave, it is our time to come”, alluding to the eight years each of the NDC and the NPP in political power.
Paa Nduom also visited Keta and the Aflao border where he held closed-door discussions with a section of the senior staff of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and of theCustoms, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
Some chiefs in the southern sector of the Volta Region have said that the rising credibility of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the present political landscape has the potential of convincing past members to rejoin the party.
According to the paramount chief of Dzodze, Togbui Adzofia V, many people were members of the CPP but the intervention of military regimes in the politics of the nation dismembered the party at Dzodze.
He, however, expressed the hope that with the present reorganisation of the party, members who had left may be able to rejoin the party to enhance the fortunes of the party in the next elections.
Togbui Adzofia said this when the presidential candidate of the party, Paa Kwesi Nduom, paid separate courtesy calls on chiefs in the Ketu North, Ketu South and Keta constituencies last Monday.
He advised the presidential candidate to take a critical look at the existing roads and the water situation wherever he would go, to guide him as to what to do for the people in case he won the election this December.
He advised the presidential aspirant to conduct a campaign that would promote friendship and that he should not divide the nation in the way the campaigns would be handled.
At Penyi, the paramount chief of the traditional area, Togbui Dadzi said the experiences of the CPP as an old political party should enable the party to know all the pitfalls and strive to win the elections.
At Aflao, the paramount chief, Togbui Amenya Fiti V, said the Aflao area was a CPP stronghold back in time, adding that if the party could work hard, it could reclaim its members.
He added that with the high calibre of presidential candidates who contested the flagbearership, it was evident that the spirit of Kwame Nkrumah had risen indeed.
Togbui Fiti advised all presidential candidates to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner without acrimony in order to sustain the peaceful environment created under the 16-year rule of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said further that as the first presidential aspirant to visit Aflao, he was assured of the blessings of the Aflao state. He encouraged him not to be discouraged but visit the area again to foster unity with the people through his campaigns.
In his message to the chiefs and people, Paa Nduom said the CPP was back to life and would compete effectively to win, to make Ghanaians confident and happy in their own country.
He said no political party had beaten the CPP in the creation of jobs, adding that “if one party had come and gone, and one is preparing to leave, it is our time to come”, alluding to the eight years each of the NDC and the NPP in political power.
Paa Nduom also visited Keta and the Aflao border where he held closed-door discussions with a section of the senior staff of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and of theCustoms, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
TEACHERS TO NOURISH DEPRIVED IN SOCIETY (Page 11)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
AN Assistant Director of Education at the Ho Municipal office of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mrs Nancy Goh, has advised teachers to see themselves as people anointed to nourish the deprived in society, especially those in the rural areas.
“Go as water to very thirsty land, go and nourish them, be role models, be morally upright and let the children enjoy you,” she said.
Mrs Goh gave the advice at the Ho Municipality last weekend at the closing ceremony of a four-day capacity building for 60 community education teaching assistants under the National Youth Employment Programme.
The teaching assistants were recruited to fill vacancies that existed in many schools in deprived areas of the municipality.
Mrs Goh urged them to work themselves into greatness and work with utmost dedication to justify their selection into the programme in the face of competition from several quarters.
In an address, the Municipal Youth Employment Co-ordinator, Mr Francis Edem Norbedzi, said the youth employment programme had proved its worth, adding that the difference it was making in the field was well noted and appreciated.
He assured the teaching assistants that the government was making all efforts to ensure the payment of their monthly allowances in good time.
A facilitator at the workshop, Mr Peter Adzadey, advised the teaching assistants to see themselves as being integral part of their various schools and avoid feeling inferior to other staff members.
He asked them to apply the knowledge acquired and to prove their status and maturity at the workplace.
AN Assistant Director of Education at the Ho Municipal office of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mrs Nancy Goh, has advised teachers to see themselves as people anointed to nourish the deprived in society, especially those in the rural areas.
“Go as water to very thirsty land, go and nourish them, be role models, be morally upright and let the children enjoy you,” she said.
Mrs Goh gave the advice at the Ho Municipality last weekend at the closing ceremony of a four-day capacity building for 60 community education teaching assistants under the National Youth Employment Programme.
The teaching assistants were recruited to fill vacancies that existed in many schools in deprived areas of the municipality.
Mrs Goh urged them to work themselves into greatness and work with utmost dedication to justify their selection into the programme in the face of competition from several quarters.
In an address, the Municipal Youth Employment Co-ordinator, Mr Francis Edem Norbedzi, said the youth employment programme had proved its worth, adding that the difference it was making in the field was well noted and appreciated.
He assured the teaching assistants that the government was making all efforts to ensure the payment of their monthly allowances in good time.
A facilitator at the workshop, Mr Peter Adzadey, advised the teaching assistants to see themselves as being integral part of their various schools and avoid feeling inferior to other staff members.
He asked them to apply the knowledge acquired and to prove their status and maturity at the workplace.
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