THE United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has developed a new communication strategy with a view to achieving measurable changes in social norms and individual behaviours in favour of children and the population at large at the community level.
The new communication module has some strategic major shifts from messages to dialogue, from focusing on individual behaviour to focusing on collective social change and from expert-driven solutions to community-driven ones.
The approach is a large-scale, integrated, human-oriented and evidence-based, and is to be applied on major interventions such as exclusive breast feeding, corporal punishment and birth registration, scale attendant delivery, hand washing, Insecticide Treated Net and Diarrhoea Treatment with Oral Re-hydration Solution (ORS) and zinc.
Addressing a capacity-building workshop on the strategies, the UNICEF representative in Ghana, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, urged the participants to pursue the power of participation in addressing behavioural patterns.
The participants were drawn from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Vision International (WVI), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Afram Plains Development Organisation, Pronet, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ghana Red Cross and Community Water and Sanitation Agencies.
Dr Haque said all departments must be inter-dependent on one another, saying that it was the only way they could get to their target groups in schools and health facilities.
The Programme Manager of the Ghana Health Service, Ms Veronica Gomez, said the communication for development approach was participatory and would bring social change to find solutions to some health issues, which, hitherto, had been deeply entrenched in socio-cultural norms.
She said the exposure for participants from the GHS and the GES would empower them to roll out interventions with ease.
On behalf of the participants from NGOs, the Programme Manager of CRS, Mrs Clara Lamisi Woebong, said new methodologies for behavioural change were crucial to reaching all decentralised structures at the regional, district and sub-district levels.
He said more of such workshops were needed to empower and sustain them to roll out their programmes effectively.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
WETA RURAL BANK ASSISTS 16 SCHOOLS (PAGE 20, MARCH 17, 2010)
THE Weto Rural Bank at Kpeve in the South Dayi District has donated assorted books and ceiling fans worth GH¢3,000 to 10 basic and six senior high schools (SHS) in its catchment area.
The schools are Kpeve SHS, Kpedze SHS, Agate SHS, Kpando SHS, Have Technical Institute, Toh Kpalime Vocational Institute, Sokode-Lokoe Junior High School (JHS) and Hlefi Municipal Assembly JHS.
The rest are Toh-Kpalime JHS, Alavanyo Local Authority (LA) JHS, Ando Sadzikope, Tsatee LA JHS, Kpeve-Tornu Salvation Army Primary School, Xorsekope LA Primary School, Goviepe-Todzi Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary, Have EP Primary and New Kayira LA Primary School.
Addressing the recipients, a member of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr C.D. Anyomi, said the gesture was in line with the desire of the bank to strengthen partnership with the community.
He added that the bank’s social responsibility to the community must begin with the support for schools because their products were the future leaders of the community, as well as future clients of the bank.
Mr Anyomi said the vision of the bank was to ensure that it was the preferred rural bank in facilitating wealth creation in its catchment area.
He stated that the donation would engender a partnership that would draw students, pupils and teachers to support the bank in visible and invisible ways to achieve mutual benefit.
“We only have a successful and thriving bank if the bank works actively within and with the community. An active interaction with the community is what creates business, wealth and satisfaction among staff and working citizens within the community,” Mr Anyomi said.
The South Dayi District Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended the bank for identifying education as a target for its interventions.
She said the bank’s ability to withstand the global credit crunch and go further to fulfil its social responsibility to the people was a testimony of the strong inherent corporate values that made it viable at all times.
Mrs Adzato-Ntem appealed to the bank to consider supplying furniture to schools because some of the schools in the district were deprived in that sector.
He added that there was even a “model” school at Kpeve but held classes under cocoa trees, and recommended that school for adoption by the bank.
The Manager of the bank, Mr Theophilus Sebuabe, said the gesture was an appreciation to the community.
He said the bank had offered similar gestures to Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) in its catchment area.
The schools are Kpeve SHS, Kpedze SHS, Agate SHS, Kpando SHS, Have Technical Institute, Toh Kpalime Vocational Institute, Sokode-Lokoe Junior High School (JHS) and Hlefi Municipal Assembly JHS.
The rest are Toh-Kpalime JHS, Alavanyo Local Authority (LA) JHS, Ando Sadzikope, Tsatee LA JHS, Kpeve-Tornu Salvation Army Primary School, Xorsekope LA Primary School, Goviepe-Todzi Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary, Have EP Primary and New Kayira LA Primary School.
Addressing the recipients, a member of the Board of Directors of the bank, Dr C.D. Anyomi, said the gesture was in line with the desire of the bank to strengthen partnership with the community.
He added that the bank’s social responsibility to the community must begin with the support for schools because their products were the future leaders of the community, as well as future clients of the bank.
Mr Anyomi said the vision of the bank was to ensure that it was the preferred rural bank in facilitating wealth creation in its catchment area.
He stated that the donation would engender a partnership that would draw students, pupils and teachers to support the bank in visible and invisible ways to achieve mutual benefit.
“We only have a successful and thriving bank if the bank works actively within and with the community. An active interaction with the community is what creates business, wealth and satisfaction among staff and working citizens within the community,” Mr Anyomi said.
The South Dayi District Director of Education, Mrs Veronica Adzato-Ntem, commended the bank for identifying education as a target for its interventions.
She said the bank’s ability to withstand the global credit crunch and go further to fulfil its social responsibility to the people was a testimony of the strong inherent corporate values that made it viable at all times.
Mrs Adzato-Ntem appealed to the bank to consider supplying furniture to schools because some of the schools in the district were deprived in that sector.
He added that there was even a “model” school at Kpeve but held classes under cocoa trees, and recommended that school for adoption by the bank.
The Manager of the bank, Mr Theophilus Sebuabe, said the gesture was an appreciation to the community.
He said the bank had offered similar gestures to Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) in its catchment area.
EASTER CELEBRATIONS IN THE VOLTA REGION (PAGE 20, MARCH 17, 2010)
EASTER is a period celebrated in remembrance of the cruxificion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In this regard, the Christian world, believers of Christ, observe Good Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday to commemorate the passion, death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which signifies the birth of Christianity.
Aside its religious aspect, the Easter period has been adopted by many traditional areas in Ghana for social activities such as fund-raising to fund development projects, family reunion, youth socialisation, reconciliation and development planning.
In some areas of the Volta Region, activities to raise funds to finance development projects are planned for the Easter, compelling all citizens to visit home and contribute their quota towards the development of their communities.
For this year, the people of Mafi-Avakpedome in the Central Tongu District will hold a fund-raising rally in aid of the construction of a school block for the community, while the people of Takla Gborgame will also hold a grand activity on Easter Sunday.
The people of Likpe Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality will also devote the Easter Saturday to a durbar of their “Lekoryi” or Unity Festival, aimed at forming stronger bonds among the people.
The celebration of the “Lekoryi” this year is on the theme: “Tourism for sustainable development and wealth creation,” with a special project focused on the wiring of all basic school blocks to facilitate the use of computers for electronic learning (e-learning) through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Other communities which will celebrate Easter in a grand style are the people of Sovie, Kpando, Kpando-Torkor, Vakpo, Tsrukpe, Botoku, Anfoega, Awate, Wusuta, all in the Kpando District, and Ve, Gbi, Santrokofi, Akpafu, Logba and Nyagbo in the Hohoe Municipality.
In fact, many more communities across the region have planned to celebrate Easter with goodwill towards life, the neighbourhood and community development.
The celebration will give a flip to the decentralisation process, which requires that citizens participate in the governance of their areas, for which it is incumbent on every traditional area in the country to set the tone for opportunities for their kinsmen to visit home without fear.
That may serve as a fertile ground for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and district assemblies to put their act together to ensure that rural development receives the needed boost.
In this regard, the Christian world, believers of Christ, observe Good Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday to commemorate the passion, death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which signifies the birth of Christianity.
Aside its religious aspect, the Easter period has been adopted by many traditional areas in Ghana for social activities such as fund-raising to fund development projects, family reunion, youth socialisation, reconciliation and development planning.
In some areas of the Volta Region, activities to raise funds to finance development projects are planned for the Easter, compelling all citizens to visit home and contribute their quota towards the development of their communities.
For this year, the people of Mafi-Avakpedome in the Central Tongu District will hold a fund-raising rally in aid of the construction of a school block for the community, while the people of Takla Gborgame will also hold a grand activity on Easter Sunday.
The people of Likpe Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality will also devote the Easter Saturday to a durbar of their “Lekoryi” or Unity Festival, aimed at forming stronger bonds among the people.
The celebration of the “Lekoryi” this year is on the theme: “Tourism for sustainable development and wealth creation,” with a special project focused on the wiring of all basic school blocks to facilitate the use of computers for electronic learning (e-learning) through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Other communities which will celebrate Easter in a grand style are the people of Sovie, Kpando, Kpando-Torkor, Vakpo, Tsrukpe, Botoku, Anfoega, Awate, Wusuta, all in the Kpando District, and Ve, Gbi, Santrokofi, Akpafu, Logba and Nyagbo in the Hohoe Municipality.
In fact, many more communities across the region have planned to celebrate Easter with goodwill towards life, the neighbourhood and community development.
The celebration will give a flip to the decentralisation process, which requires that citizens participate in the governance of their areas, for which it is incumbent on every traditional area in the country to set the tone for opportunities for their kinsmen to visit home without fear.
That may serve as a fertile ground for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and district assemblies to put their act together to ensure that rural development receives the needed boost.
BAD HUMPS CAUSE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS (PAGE 20, MARCH 17, 2010)
THE Volta Regional Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Alex Martels Hughes, has attributed the upsurge of road traffic accidents to sharp or crudely constructed speed humps or rumble strips across roads.
He said the GNFS, as an emergency responding institution, had identified that the impact on vehicle by those rumble strips and speed humps affected the joints and weakened the bearings, tyres, shocks, engine seat and other parts of vehicles.
Mr Hughes said this when he inaugurated an extrication competition among fire service personnel drawn from the various districts of the region aimed at sharpening their skills in saving lives during road accidents.
He said it was incumbent on the Ghana Road Safety Commission and the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to take into consideration the concerns expressed by the service and take appropriate action, since some strips had destroyed roads at Michel Camp, Kpong, Afienya and Ablekuma.
Mr Hughes appealed to the public not to tamper with accident victims.
He said although there was always the zeal for people to rescue victims from wreckage the accident victims were sometimes manhandled and in the process their conditions became worsened.
Mr Hughes directed the public to call the Ghana National Fire Service on telephone number 192 to attend to such emergencies, especially in situations when their actions could worsen the conditions of the accident victims.
He said the GNFS did not charge for emergencies rendered so the public should report all emergencies to the service without delay because every second was crucial in any emergency.
Mr Hughes said the nation was grappling with road traffic accidents, and, therefore, there was the need for workable strategies to rescue victims and to save life and property.
He stated that the winner of the competition at the regional level would represent the region at the national level on a date to be announced later.
He said the GNFS, as an emergency responding institution, had identified that the impact on vehicle by those rumble strips and speed humps affected the joints and weakened the bearings, tyres, shocks, engine seat and other parts of vehicles.
Mr Hughes said this when he inaugurated an extrication competition among fire service personnel drawn from the various districts of the region aimed at sharpening their skills in saving lives during road accidents.
He said it was incumbent on the Ghana Road Safety Commission and the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to take into consideration the concerns expressed by the service and take appropriate action, since some strips had destroyed roads at Michel Camp, Kpong, Afienya and Ablekuma.
Mr Hughes appealed to the public not to tamper with accident victims.
He said although there was always the zeal for people to rescue victims from wreckage the accident victims were sometimes manhandled and in the process their conditions became worsened.
Mr Hughes directed the public to call the Ghana National Fire Service on telephone number 192 to attend to such emergencies, especially in situations when their actions could worsen the conditions of the accident victims.
He said the GNFS did not charge for emergencies rendered so the public should report all emergencies to the service without delay because every second was crucial in any emergency.
Mr Hughes said the nation was grappling with road traffic accidents, and, therefore, there was the need for workable strategies to rescue victims and to save life and property.
He stated that the winner of the competition at the regional level would represent the region at the national level on a date to be announced later.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
NORTHERN STUDENTS UNION EMBARKS ON PEACE CRUSADE (PAGE 13, MARCH 13, 2010)
The Ho Polytechnic chapter of the Northern Students Union is embarking on a peace crusade in the northern sector of the country with its focus on Bawku.
This is to help re-establish lasting peace in the area.
The 95 students of the polytechnic will organise peace talks for opinion leaders and the youth to inculcate the spirit of belonging and cohesion among the people of Northern Region.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Ho, the Vice- President of the NSU, Mr Timothy Kyiu, said conflicts in the Northern Region had made those of them from the north feel inferior because of derogatory remarks made about them.
He said the week-long crusade would focus on a series of talks with the people in the Bawku municipality on the need for them to avoid conflicts, rivalry and other anti-social acts that may lead to conflicts and eventually delay the development of the area.
Mr Kyiu said the conflict had a long-term effect on the region because the area had been classified as a conflict zone and thus made the youth to reject posting to the area.
The Public Relations Officer of the union, Mr Mustapha Gbande, appealed for sponsorship to enable like-minded youth to undertake such public education to forestall unnecessary unrest in the communities.
This is to help re-establish lasting peace in the area.
The 95 students of the polytechnic will organise peace talks for opinion leaders and the youth to inculcate the spirit of belonging and cohesion among the people of Northern Region.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Ho, the Vice- President of the NSU, Mr Timothy Kyiu, said conflicts in the Northern Region had made those of them from the north feel inferior because of derogatory remarks made about them.
He said the week-long crusade would focus on a series of talks with the people in the Bawku municipality on the need for them to avoid conflicts, rivalry and other anti-social acts that may lead to conflicts and eventually delay the development of the area.
Mr Kyiu said the conflict had a long-term effect on the region because the area had been classified as a conflict zone and thus made the youth to reject posting to the area.
The Public Relations Officer of the union, Mr Mustapha Gbande, appealed for sponsorship to enable like-minded youth to undertake such public education to forestall unnecessary unrest in the communities.
Monday, March 8, 2010
TEACHING OF SCIENCE HAMPERED AT AWUDOME SCHOOL...As facilities deteriorate (PAGE 41, MARCH 8, 2010)
THE teaching and learning of science at the Awudome Senior High School at Tsito in the Ho Municipality has virtually become impossible because facilities in the science block have de teriorated.
The roof of the two- storey Science building which housed the Chemistry, Physics and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) departments have developed serious cracks which have resulted in extensive leakages during rainfalls.
All laboratory benches fitted with taps had broken down and other apparatus and cupboards are rotten.
According to the Headmaster, Mr Cyprian Kwasivi Otti, the science building which was constructed as far back as 1972 had seen no renovation and had appealed to the Central Government and the entire benevolent community to come to the aid of the school.
He said it was unfortunate that the school was deprived of the delivery of science education to the youth at a time when the Government was placing premium on the teaching of Science in
schools.
Mr Otti said about one-third of the school’s population of 1,400 studied science subjects such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and ICT.
The headmaster said the school had grown beyond the available facilities adding that there was the need to expand the assembly hall which was designed for 700 students and more staff bungalows to serve the 85 members of staff.
Two of the assistant headmasters and the head of the Science department who conducted some newsmen round the science block said they were managing affairs through extensive improvisation.
The Head in-charge of administration, Mr Emmanuel Amu said it was a laborious process to meet demands of external examination because of the poor facility.
The Head of the Science department, Ms Anthonia Kakraba said in the past four years she made several appeals to appropriate quarters but nothing had been done so far.
The roof of the two- storey Science building which housed the Chemistry, Physics and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) departments have developed serious cracks which have resulted in extensive leakages during rainfalls.
All laboratory benches fitted with taps had broken down and other apparatus and cupboards are rotten.
According to the Headmaster, Mr Cyprian Kwasivi Otti, the science building which was constructed as far back as 1972 had seen no renovation and had appealed to the Central Government and the entire benevolent community to come to the aid of the school.
He said it was unfortunate that the school was deprived of the delivery of science education to the youth at a time when the Government was placing premium on the teaching of Science in
schools.
Mr Otti said about one-third of the school’s population of 1,400 studied science subjects such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and ICT.
The headmaster said the school had grown beyond the available facilities adding that there was the need to expand the assembly hall which was designed for 700 students and more staff bungalows to serve the 85 members of staff.
Two of the assistant headmasters and the head of the Science department who conducted some newsmen round the science block said they were managing affairs through extensive improvisation.
The Head in-charge of administration, Mr Emmanuel Amu said it was a laborious process to meet demands of external examination because of the poor facility.
The Head of the Science department, Ms Anthonia Kakraba said in the past four years she made several appeals to appropriate quarters but nothing had been done so far.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
GHANA TO RETAIN 38% OF OIL REVENUE (BACK PAGE, MARCH 6, 2010)
GHANA will retain 38 per cent of revenue from the country’s oil and gas resources, an advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Joe Amoako-Tuffuor, has announced.
He said the expected revenue would accrue from direct and indirect sources such as royalties, corporate income tax, dividends, additional income tax, surface rental and carried interest.
What is yet to be determined is whether the revenue should be paid in cash or in kind.
Dr Amoako-Tuffuor said this in a paper he delivered on the topic, “Use and Management of Oil and Gas Revenues”, at a public forum on petroleum revenue management in Ho on Wednesday.
He said revenue inflow had been categorised into two — big spending era and low spending — adding that the big spending era spanned 2011-2018, while the low spending era was expected from 2018 and beyond.
He said it was recommended that priority spending areas should focus on investment in basic elements of a good society such as public safety, law and order institutions, culture, human capital development and processes and institutions of economic management.
In a presentation on, “Gas and Oil Industry”, a geophysicist at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr Ben Asante, said the oil industry might last in Ghana for 15-20 years if it relied only on the Jubilee well.
He, however, said the time frame could be extended with the incorporation of three other major discoveries at Odum, Sankofa and Tweneboa since 2001.
He said the first phase of production of oil from the Jubilee field would start from the fourth quarter of this year, with 120,000 barrels expected to be drilled per day, in addition to 120 millimetres of standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day.
Mr Asante said the second phase was expected from 2013, with additional infrastructure for the production of 240,000 barrels per day, with a gas component of 240 MMSCF/day.
In an address, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, said the oil and gas industry had opened an opportunity for Ghanaians in the private sector to carve a niche and take control of the industry.
He said the oil industry might not by itself add much to the development of the country if the revenue generated was not properly managed to propel efforts at the sustainable socio-economic growth of the country.
The regional minister said over-dependence on the oil industry, to the neglect of existing sectors of the economy which had hitherto sustained the nation, would be suicidal.
“We need to strengthen our traditional revenue sectors/sources and ensure that revenue that will accrue from the oil industry is complementary to existing revenue sources to accelerate our efforts at national growth,” he said.
Mr Amenowode said expectations were very high following the discovery of oil in the country, adding that it had generated mixed feelings among the people seeking to know what the situation would be like, especially when nations like Nigeria had experienced several negative social and economic challenges in connection with oil exploration.
He, however, said it was pertinent to develop and strengthen all the forward, backward and horizontal industrial linkages in the oil industry in order to have an all-round growth of the economy.
Participants in the consultative forum expressed the strong desire for substantial allocation to a strong defence and security network for investment in the oil fields and fire safety to cope with the accelerated development expected in all spheres of national endeavour.
They also suggested that provision should be made to cater for the large-scale migration that was expected to be generated that might dismember relationships.
He said the expected revenue would accrue from direct and indirect sources such as royalties, corporate income tax, dividends, additional income tax, surface rental and carried interest.
What is yet to be determined is whether the revenue should be paid in cash or in kind.
Dr Amoako-Tuffuor said this in a paper he delivered on the topic, “Use and Management of Oil and Gas Revenues”, at a public forum on petroleum revenue management in Ho on Wednesday.
He said revenue inflow had been categorised into two — big spending era and low spending — adding that the big spending era spanned 2011-2018, while the low spending era was expected from 2018 and beyond.
He said it was recommended that priority spending areas should focus on investment in basic elements of a good society such as public safety, law and order institutions, culture, human capital development and processes and institutions of economic management.
In a presentation on, “Gas and Oil Industry”, a geophysicist at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr Ben Asante, said the oil industry might last in Ghana for 15-20 years if it relied only on the Jubilee well.
He, however, said the time frame could be extended with the incorporation of three other major discoveries at Odum, Sankofa and Tweneboa since 2001.
He said the first phase of production of oil from the Jubilee field would start from the fourth quarter of this year, with 120,000 barrels expected to be drilled per day, in addition to 120 millimetres of standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day.
Mr Asante said the second phase was expected from 2013, with additional infrastructure for the production of 240,000 barrels per day, with a gas component of 240 MMSCF/day.
In an address, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, said the oil and gas industry had opened an opportunity for Ghanaians in the private sector to carve a niche and take control of the industry.
He said the oil industry might not by itself add much to the development of the country if the revenue generated was not properly managed to propel efforts at the sustainable socio-economic growth of the country.
The regional minister said over-dependence on the oil industry, to the neglect of existing sectors of the economy which had hitherto sustained the nation, would be suicidal.
“We need to strengthen our traditional revenue sectors/sources and ensure that revenue that will accrue from the oil industry is complementary to existing revenue sources to accelerate our efforts at national growth,” he said.
Mr Amenowode said expectations were very high following the discovery of oil in the country, adding that it had generated mixed feelings among the people seeking to know what the situation would be like, especially when nations like Nigeria had experienced several negative social and economic challenges in connection with oil exploration.
He, however, said it was pertinent to develop and strengthen all the forward, backward and horizontal industrial linkages in the oil industry in order to have an all-round growth of the economy.
Participants in the consultative forum expressed the strong desire for substantial allocation to a strong defence and security network for investment in the oil fields and fire safety to cope with the accelerated development expected in all spheres of national endeavour.
They also suggested that provision should be made to cater for the large-scale migration that was expected to be generated that might dismember relationships.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
PROJECT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS (PAGE 35, MIRROR, FEB 13, 2010)
From Tim Dzamboe, Ho
The Forestry Commission, in collaboration with the World Bank, is to embark on an environmental project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from deforestation and the degradation of natural resources.
Under the project, Ghana will access funds from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank to fund recommended programmes to ensure that carbon emissions fall below 20 per cent in accordance with international protocols on climate change.
The Chief Executive Officer of Hands Across the Oceans Foundation (HATOF), an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Samuel C. Dotse, said this at a national consultation workshop with landowners, traditional rulers and opinion leaders in Ho.
The workshop, funded by the Forestry Commission, was aimed at educating participants on the dynamics of environmental issues pertaining to climate change and the need to sensitise society to the new project, REDD+, for it to succeed in the country.
Mr Dotse said deforestation and desertification had become international issues and that it was the concern at all international conferences on climate change and sustainable development to reverse the trend.
He said the World Bank had formulated a blueprint for the protection and replanting of lost forests, adding that challenges in connection with the loss of livelihoods would be duly rewarded.
He said opportunities for implementing REDD+ in Ghana were addressing climate change, rural poverty, payment for environmental services, conserving biodiversity, good governance, sustaining vital ecosystem services, respect for local people’s rights and restoring lost forest cover.
The Volta Regional Manager of the Forestry Service, Mr Winfred Bimah, said more than 100,000 hectares of land had been acquired in the Abutia, Adaklu and Ziope areas in readiness for the REDD+ project.
The Paramount Chief of the Ziavi Traditional Area, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, attributed rapid environmental degradation to the fast technology in industrialised countries which, among others, contributed to the invention of the chainsaw machine that had been used to deplete the forests.
The Forestry Commission, in collaboration with the World Bank, is to embark on an environmental project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from deforestation and the degradation of natural resources.
Under the project, Ghana will access funds from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank to fund recommended programmes to ensure that carbon emissions fall below 20 per cent in accordance with international protocols on climate change.
The Chief Executive Officer of Hands Across the Oceans Foundation (HATOF), an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Samuel C. Dotse, said this at a national consultation workshop with landowners, traditional rulers and opinion leaders in Ho.
The workshop, funded by the Forestry Commission, was aimed at educating participants on the dynamics of environmental issues pertaining to climate change and the need to sensitise society to the new project, REDD+, for it to succeed in the country.
Mr Dotse said deforestation and desertification had become international issues and that it was the concern at all international conferences on climate change and sustainable development to reverse the trend.
He said the World Bank had formulated a blueprint for the protection and replanting of lost forests, adding that challenges in connection with the loss of livelihoods would be duly rewarded.
He said opportunities for implementing REDD+ in Ghana were addressing climate change, rural poverty, payment for environmental services, conserving biodiversity, good governance, sustaining vital ecosystem services, respect for local people’s rights and restoring lost forest cover.
The Volta Regional Manager of the Forestry Service, Mr Winfred Bimah, said more than 100,000 hectares of land had been acquired in the Abutia, Adaklu and Ziope areas in readiness for the REDD+ project.
The Paramount Chief of the Ziavi Traditional Area, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, attributed rapid environmental degradation to the fast technology in industrialised countries which, among others, contributed to the invention of the chainsaw machine that had been used to deplete the forests.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
TWO TO WORK FOR THE DISABLED (PAGE 35, MIRROR, JAN 30, 2010)
From Tim Dzamboe, Ho
A Finnish organisation for the disabled, ABILIS Foundation, has partnered Voice of People with Disabilities in Ghana (VOICE) to advocate the plight of people with disabilities by way of granting loans to support their projects.
Under the partnership, ABILIS has granted the right to VOICE in Ghana to represent it in terms of supporting organisations of persons with disabilities in the country in writing funding proposals, assessing and recommending project applications and monitoring and evaluating projects that were supported by ABILIS in the country.
The Executive Director, Madam Marjo Heinonen, disclosed this during an encounter with some journalists during a visit to the country last weekend.
She said so far ABILIS had granted loans to 10 organisations of persons with disabilities in the country since 2008 and it is expected that more organisations would be funded in the coming years.
Madam Heinonen said the foundation granted loans ranging from 500 to 10,000 Euros to projects initiated by organisations of persons with disabilities, stressing that her organisation supported activities that contributed to equal opportunities for disabled people in the society through human rights, independent living and economy self sufficiency.
“Special priority is given to activities developed and implemented by women with disabilities”, she stated.
The project coordinator of ABILIS, Madam Jaanaz Linna, said disabled persons were their own experts in their predicaments and therefore should be active in promoting issues of disability, adding that the organisation had employed eight disabled persons so far.
She said more people were aware of the plight of disabled persons and that it had led to things being done differently in the interest of society.
Some of the on going projects supported by ABILIS are sited in Kadjebi and Jasikan in the Volta Region, Tamale in the Northern Region and Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
A Finnish organisation for the disabled, ABILIS Foundation, has partnered Voice of People with Disabilities in Ghana (VOICE) to advocate the plight of people with disabilities by way of granting loans to support their projects.
Under the partnership, ABILIS has granted the right to VOICE in Ghana to represent it in terms of supporting organisations of persons with disabilities in the country in writing funding proposals, assessing and recommending project applications and monitoring and evaluating projects that were supported by ABILIS in the country.
The Executive Director, Madam Marjo Heinonen, disclosed this during an encounter with some journalists during a visit to the country last weekend.
She said so far ABILIS had granted loans to 10 organisations of persons with disabilities in the country since 2008 and it is expected that more organisations would be funded in the coming years.
Madam Heinonen said the foundation granted loans ranging from 500 to 10,000 Euros to projects initiated by organisations of persons with disabilities, stressing that her organisation supported activities that contributed to equal opportunities for disabled people in the society through human rights, independent living and economy self sufficiency.
“Special priority is given to activities developed and implemented by women with disabilities”, she stated.
The project coordinator of ABILIS, Madam Jaanaz Linna, said disabled persons were their own experts in their predicaments and therefore should be active in promoting issues of disability, adding that the organisation had employed eight disabled persons so far.
She said more people were aware of the plight of disabled persons and that it had led to things being done differently in the interest of society.
Some of the on going projects supported by ABILIS are sited in Kadjebi and Jasikan in the Volta Region, Tamale in the Northern Region and Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
HATCHET MAN RUNS AMOK (1b, MARCH 3, 2010)
Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
A MAN, armed with a machete, ran amok at Mafi-Tsikpo near Adidome in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region on Monday night, butchering his two-year old son in the process.
Innocent Dogah also severed the arm of his wife, Maame Joyce Attipoe, and inflicted severe wounds on his foster child, Diana Ahlidja.
The mother and her child, both with deep cuts on their hands and backs, have been admitted to the Adidome Hospital.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Volta Regional Crime Officer, Mr Edward Konyel, said Dogah had also been admitted to the same hospital, but under police guard, receiving treatment for the beating he received at the hands of a mob which arrested him after he had attacked his family.
He said the police were still investigating.
A MAN, armed with a machete, ran amok at Mafi-Tsikpo near Adidome in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region on Monday night, butchering his two-year old son in the process.
Innocent Dogah also severed the arm of his wife, Maame Joyce Attipoe, and inflicted severe wounds on his foster child, Diana Ahlidja.
The mother and her child, both with deep cuts on their hands and backs, have been admitted to the Adidome Hospital.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Volta Regional Crime Officer, Mr Edward Konyel, said Dogah had also been admitted to the same hospital, but under police guard, receiving treatment for the beating he received at the hands of a mob which arrested him after he had attacked his family.
He said the police were still investigating.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
HO CHRISTIAN WOMEN CONGRATULATE AKUA DANSUA (PAGE 40, MARCH 1, 2010)
THE Ho Christian Women Intercessors’ Fellowship has congratulated Ms Akua Sena Dansua on being the first female minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
According to the fellowship, the appointment was in fulfilment of the saying that “what men can do, women can do it double and even better”.
The women reminded her to make God her greatest companion to enable her to solve all the problem areas in the ministry and to empower her to be able to solve them.
A statement signed by Reverend Mrs Dinah Abbey-Mensah for and on behalf of the fellowship and issued in Ho last Wednesday said Ms Dansua had been put into an area believed to be a preserve for men.
It stated that her performance would prove to all and sundry that women could prevail in any situation that they found themselves no matter the setbacks.
The statement commended President John Evans Atta Mills for fulfilling the excellent intentions for Ghanaian women, adding that the government promised to keep up the torch of women burning.
“Mr President, please continue to put women in more sensitive positions,” it added.
According to the fellowship, the appointment was in fulfilment of the saying that “what men can do, women can do it double and even better”.
The women reminded her to make God her greatest companion to enable her to solve all the problem areas in the ministry and to empower her to be able to solve them.
A statement signed by Reverend Mrs Dinah Abbey-Mensah for and on behalf of the fellowship and issued in Ho last Wednesday said Ms Dansua had been put into an area believed to be a preserve for men.
It stated that her performance would prove to all and sundry that women could prevail in any situation that they found themselves no matter the setbacks.
The statement commended President John Evans Atta Mills for fulfilling the excellent intentions for Ghanaian women, adding that the government promised to keep up the torch of women burning.
“Mr President, please continue to put women in more sensitive positions,” it added.
POLICE PERSONNEL URGED TO WORK ASSIDUOUSLY (PAGE 40, MARCH 1, 2010)
THE Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Colonel Cyril Necku (retd), has urged police personnel to cope with the situation in which they find themselves and work assiduously to make the system work in the interest of the nation.
He said they should keep pace with challenges and cope with them to succeed because they were not conscripts but applied voluntarily to join the service.
Col Necku said this when he addressed a conference of Senior Police Officers (SPOs) in the Volta Region at Ho.
He advised them to display unalloyed loyalty to the state and to exhibit high standards of professionalism, adding that they should not work in isolation but must open up to other people in order to get the necessary co-operation from them.
Col Necku also advised them to prepare adequately for retirement, stressing, “you should start building your ark now”.
He said public criticism against the police should rather put them on their toes to ensure that the right thing was done at the right time.
The Deputy Regional Minister questioned whether a series of reported cases of confrontation between the police and the public in times of maintaining law and order were either due to the lack of confidence and respect for the police or sheer display of hooliganism, impatience and misunderstanding of issues by the public.
He further asked whether the police had served the interest of the public or there were growing new demands on the police for which they needed to change tactics.
Col Necku said whatever the case, they must not forget that the prime objective of the police was to protect life and property, and therefore, must be customer friendly and professional in dealing with the public.
“If public perception of the police is not favourable, the interface between the police service and the public would be rough and our purpose and existence as a service would have been defeated. The police must therefore act with tact and endeavour to always court good working relationship between them and the public,” he stressed.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Reverend David Ampah-Bennin, said although the police in the region performed fairly well last year, they faced many obstacles pertaining to lack of vehicles for 10 districts and units.
He said there was inadequate fuel supply to aid effective patrols in the region, adding that the police were compelled to go on foot patrols in the Ho Municipality.
ACP Ampah-Bennin also stated that the police lacked accommodation, saying that in the Ho Municipality alone, 70 policemen were without accommodation and thus were accommodated in groups in single rooms.
He lamented the lack of a police clinic in the region, which had undermined the norm that health issues pertaining to personnel should have been monitored by a police clinic and where the need be, referrals made to appropriate health facilities.
The regional commander, however, said through self-help, the regional command had been able to construct a five-seater water closet toilet for rented police quarters in Ho, which accommodates 65 personnel and their families.
He said a new office block containing four offices had been built at Sogakope with water closet facilities and renovation works were currently underway at Anyirawase and Abutia-Kloe police stations.
He said they should keep pace with challenges and cope with them to succeed because they were not conscripts but applied voluntarily to join the service.
Col Necku said this when he addressed a conference of Senior Police Officers (SPOs) in the Volta Region at Ho.
He advised them to display unalloyed loyalty to the state and to exhibit high standards of professionalism, adding that they should not work in isolation but must open up to other people in order to get the necessary co-operation from them.
Col Necku also advised them to prepare adequately for retirement, stressing, “you should start building your ark now”.
He said public criticism against the police should rather put them on their toes to ensure that the right thing was done at the right time.
The Deputy Regional Minister questioned whether a series of reported cases of confrontation between the police and the public in times of maintaining law and order were either due to the lack of confidence and respect for the police or sheer display of hooliganism, impatience and misunderstanding of issues by the public.
He further asked whether the police had served the interest of the public or there were growing new demands on the police for which they needed to change tactics.
Col Necku said whatever the case, they must not forget that the prime objective of the police was to protect life and property, and therefore, must be customer friendly and professional in dealing with the public.
“If public perception of the police is not favourable, the interface between the police service and the public would be rough and our purpose and existence as a service would have been defeated. The police must therefore act with tact and endeavour to always court good working relationship between them and the public,” he stressed.
The Volta Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Reverend David Ampah-Bennin, said although the police in the region performed fairly well last year, they faced many obstacles pertaining to lack of vehicles for 10 districts and units.
He said there was inadequate fuel supply to aid effective patrols in the region, adding that the police were compelled to go on foot patrols in the Ho Municipality.
ACP Ampah-Bennin also stated that the police lacked accommodation, saying that in the Ho Municipality alone, 70 policemen were without accommodation and thus were accommodated in groups in single rooms.
He lamented the lack of a police clinic in the region, which had undermined the norm that health issues pertaining to personnel should have been monitored by a police clinic and where the need be, referrals made to appropriate health facilities.
The regional commander, however, said through self-help, the regional command had been able to construct a five-seater water closet toilet for rented police quarters in Ho, which accommodates 65 personnel and their families.
He said a new office block containing four offices had been built at Sogakope with water closet facilities and renovation works were currently underway at Anyirawase and Abutia-Kloe police stations.
2 NGOS DONATE BICYCLES TO VOLUNTEERS (PAGE 40, MARCH 1, 2010)
TWO non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have presented 82 bicycles to community-based volunteers in the Jasikan and South Dayi Districts in the Volta Region to be used for outreach programmes on tuberculosis (TB) under the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP).
The NGOs are the Needy Club of Ghana, which provided 44 bicycles in the Jasikan District, and the Support Service Foundation, which made available 38 bicycles in the South Dayi District, all sponsored by the Global Fund.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Nkonya–Tepo, the Jasikan District Chief Executive, Nana Barima Kumessy Bonsi, commended Needy Club for winning credibility with international agencies in the distribution of logistics for health interventions in rural areas.
He advised the volunteers to handle the bicycles with care to help them deliver their schedules to expectation.
The Jasikan District Director of Health Services, Dr Samuel Abudey, urged the volunteers to intensify the campaign on TB to reflect the honour and confidence reposed in them, adding that they should quickly direct suspected cases to the nearest clinics or hospitals for treatment.
The Chairman of Needy Club, Reverend Killian Carr, expressed gratitude to the district assembly for the interest shown in the health programme by assisting the volunteers to transport the bicycles to their various communities.
At Kpeve in the South Dayi District, the Support Service Foundation also presented 38 bicycles to volunteers.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Moses Oduro, presented them to the volunteers in the presence of the District Director of Health Services, Dr A.A. Owusu, and the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr David Kanyi.
The NGOs are the Needy Club of Ghana, which provided 44 bicycles in the Jasikan District, and the Support Service Foundation, which made available 38 bicycles in the South Dayi District, all sponsored by the Global Fund.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Nkonya–Tepo, the Jasikan District Chief Executive, Nana Barima Kumessy Bonsi, commended Needy Club for winning credibility with international agencies in the distribution of logistics for health interventions in rural areas.
He advised the volunteers to handle the bicycles with care to help them deliver their schedules to expectation.
The Jasikan District Director of Health Services, Dr Samuel Abudey, urged the volunteers to intensify the campaign on TB to reflect the honour and confidence reposed in them, adding that they should quickly direct suspected cases to the nearest clinics or hospitals for treatment.
The Chairman of Needy Club, Reverend Killian Carr, expressed gratitude to the district assembly for the interest shown in the health programme by assisting the volunteers to transport the bicycles to their various communities.
At Kpeve in the South Dayi District, the Support Service Foundation also presented 38 bicycles to volunteers.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Moses Oduro, presented them to the volunteers in the presence of the District Director of Health Services, Dr A.A. Owusu, and the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr David Kanyi.
POTABLE WATER, DRUDGERY IN MANY GHANAIAN COMMUNITIES (PAGE 40, MARCH 1, 2010)
ACCESS to potable water is becoming a drudgery in many communities in Ghana both in cities and rural areas.
In the cities, water supply schemes break down, interrupting regular flow to consumers whilst in the rural areas, sources of water either from man-dug dams, streams and rivers break down or dry up compelling the people to devote much of their productive time in search of water for survival.
Such is the plight of the people of Keyime and other communities located in the remotest part of the Adaklu-Anyigbe District in the Volta Region.
In 1995, the main source of drinking water from the Keyime dam broke down but several appeals for remedy have received lip service over time although the people have persistently made them to the government and other benevolent organisations for reactivation of the dam.
But at long last, a Spanish non-governmental organisation (NGO), MANOS UNIDAS has through the Catholic Church in the Ho Diocese come to their aid and drilled 14 boreholes at a cost of GHc95,000 for communities such as Sowlada, Kofe, Kadzinkor, Atsrulume, Adanakofe, Nornyikpo, Wudorkpo, Ahiadormekofe, Kesenyemito and Adidove.
Incidentally, this is the second time the NGO has come to the rescue of the people in the Keyime electoral area as it funded the construction of a six-unit classroom block for Keyime Primary School in 1995 through the Catholic Church.
The Assembly Member for Keyime electoral area, Mr Daniel Agbesi Latsu on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation to the unconditional co-operation of the Catholic Church to the people of the area.
He said although it had no congregation in the
communities, the church had consistently supported their development process with the provision of the facilities, adding that it was really a gesture worth emulating by other religious groups.
“We appreciate this a lot since the provision of the boreholes will go a long way to curtail the water
borne diseases such as guinea worm, bilharzia and typhoid among others which hitherto, afflicted our people who had no option than to depend on contaminated streams and other unhygienic sources of water,” he said.
Mr Latsu said although previous governmental
promises had failed, the Catholic Church and MANOS UNIDAS had been able to bring hope to the people, adding” this is true partnership and brotherliness for which we cannot forget them.”
He commended Ms Casilda de Zulueta and Paloma Romirez of MANOS UNIDAS who travelled all the way from Spain to inaugurate the boreholes.
Mr Latsu said that demonstrated a unique responsibility and concern for the rural people by
ensuring that funds released for the project were strictly applied.
The assembly member admonished Ghanaian leaders that they should learn from the gesture of the Spanish donors to avoid the incidence of recycling the same project over time due to
poor supervision.
He also advised the beneficiary communities to take good care of the boreholes through collective efforts for them to last longer, stressing that they should regard them as facilities on which they depended for their own survival.
“If we look back today, we can say there is hope for the future. We appreciate the fact that we can only hope for a better future if we are able to sustain what we have while striving to add to others. We can only sustain what we have through maintenance,” Mr Latsu exhorted.
In the cities, water supply schemes break down, interrupting regular flow to consumers whilst in the rural areas, sources of water either from man-dug dams, streams and rivers break down or dry up compelling the people to devote much of their productive time in search of water for survival.
Such is the plight of the people of Keyime and other communities located in the remotest part of the Adaklu-Anyigbe District in the Volta Region.
In 1995, the main source of drinking water from the Keyime dam broke down but several appeals for remedy have received lip service over time although the people have persistently made them to the government and other benevolent organisations for reactivation of the dam.
But at long last, a Spanish non-governmental organisation (NGO), MANOS UNIDAS has through the Catholic Church in the Ho Diocese come to their aid and drilled 14 boreholes at a cost of GHc95,000 for communities such as Sowlada, Kofe, Kadzinkor, Atsrulume, Adanakofe, Nornyikpo, Wudorkpo, Ahiadormekofe, Kesenyemito and Adidove.
Incidentally, this is the second time the NGO has come to the rescue of the people in the Keyime electoral area as it funded the construction of a six-unit classroom block for Keyime Primary School in 1995 through the Catholic Church.
The Assembly Member for Keyime electoral area, Mr Daniel Agbesi Latsu on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation to the unconditional co-operation of the Catholic Church to the people of the area.
He said although it had no congregation in the
communities, the church had consistently supported their development process with the provision of the facilities, adding that it was really a gesture worth emulating by other religious groups.
“We appreciate this a lot since the provision of the boreholes will go a long way to curtail the water
borne diseases such as guinea worm, bilharzia and typhoid among others which hitherto, afflicted our people who had no option than to depend on contaminated streams and other unhygienic sources of water,” he said.
Mr Latsu said although previous governmental
promises had failed, the Catholic Church and MANOS UNIDAS had been able to bring hope to the people, adding” this is true partnership and brotherliness for which we cannot forget them.”
He commended Ms Casilda de Zulueta and Paloma Romirez of MANOS UNIDAS who travelled all the way from Spain to inaugurate the boreholes.
Mr Latsu said that demonstrated a unique responsibility and concern for the rural people by
ensuring that funds released for the project were strictly applied.
The assembly member admonished Ghanaian leaders that they should learn from the gesture of the Spanish donors to avoid the incidence of recycling the same project over time due to
poor supervision.
He also advised the beneficiary communities to take good care of the boreholes through collective efforts for them to last longer, stressing that they should regard them as facilities on which they depended for their own survival.
“If we look back today, we can say there is hope for the future. We appreciate the fact that we can only hope for a better future if we are able to sustain what we have while striving to add to others. We can only sustain what we have through maintenance,” Mr Latsu exhorted.
ICT CENTRE FOR HO WOMEN'S INSTITUTE (PAGE 11, MARCH 2, 2010)
THE Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Colonel Cyril Necku (retd), has cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre estimated to cost GH¢250,000, for the Community Development Women’s Vocational Training Institute at Ho.
To be known as the Rebecca Agroh ICT Centre of Excellence, it is being funded by Dr Ken Kwaku, and named after his mother, who is a past principal of the institute, in recognition for her vision of women empowerment.
Addressing a durbar at the institute, Dr Kwaku said when completed, the centre would continue two of her mother’s passions which were education and empowerment of women, adding that he and his family were committed to entrenching the legacy.
He also announced that he had identified friends in some notable organisations who would construct and equip the centre and help to run it on a sustainable basis for three years.
Dr Kwaku, who is a Consul-General of Ghana in Tanzania, advised students of the institute to take their education seriously because it was the major key to all opportunities in the world.
“Throughout her life, my mother’s commitment was the empowerment of women and my hope is that the proposed centre which will be equipped with computers and other technological services, will continue to keep her vision of a country that utilises productively, its women citizens”, he stated.
In an address, Col. Necku said the late Madam Agroh shared the principle that the economic liberation of women would lead to the liberation and economic empowerment of households since the women were the centre bolt of every household.
He said the decision by Dr Kwaku to raise a monument in his mother’s honour and remembrance should encourage all mothers to endeavour to give the best support to their children.
Col. Necku also exhorted children to appreciate the sacrifices of their parents and to take good care of them in their old age.
He promised that part of the government’s youth employment programmes would be channelled through the institute.
The Deputy Minister of Communication, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, said the establishment of the ICT centre would open a window to the world and in line with the educational mission of the institute to train more worthy graduates.
In an address, the principal of the institute, Ms Bernice Aculey, said the timing of the project was opportune, in view of the current era of information technology, women empowerment, self and personal identification and the quest for values.
She emphasised that there was the need to assist the institute further because several years after its establishment, it had only one block which served all purposes including as dormitories, classrooms, demonstration block, dinning hall, assembly hall, residence for the principal and housemistress and administration office.
The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Community Development, Mr Andrews Imoro Alhassan, said the essence of the institute could not be underestimated because each period of governance of the nation from post-colonial time had come out with alternative programmes to enhance the capacity of the marginalised in the society and that the institute was ready to admit more females to enable them improve their lives.
To be known as the Rebecca Agroh ICT Centre of Excellence, it is being funded by Dr Ken Kwaku, and named after his mother, who is a past principal of the institute, in recognition for her vision of women empowerment.
Addressing a durbar at the institute, Dr Kwaku said when completed, the centre would continue two of her mother’s passions which were education and empowerment of women, adding that he and his family were committed to entrenching the legacy.
He also announced that he had identified friends in some notable organisations who would construct and equip the centre and help to run it on a sustainable basis for three years.
Dr Kwaku, who is a Consul-General of Ghana in Tanzania, advised students of the institute to take their education seriously because it was the major key to all opportunities in the world.
“Throughout her life, my mother’s commitment was the empowerment of women and my hope is that the proposed centre which will be equipped with computers and other technological services, will continue to keep her vision of a country that utilises productively, its women citizens”, he stated.
In an address, Col. Necku said the late Madam Agroh shared the principle that the economic liberation of women would lead to the liberation and economic empowerment of households since the women were the centre bolt of every household.
He said the decision by Dr Kwaku to raise a monument in his mother’s honour and remembrance should encourage all mothers to endeavour to give the best support to their children.
Col. Necku also exhorted children to appreciate the sacrifices of their parents and to take good care of them in their old age.
He promised that part of the government’s youth employment programmes would be channelled through the institute.
The Deputy Minister of Communication, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, said the establishment of the ICT centre would open a window to the world and in line with the educational mission of the institute to train more worthy graduates.
In an address, the principal of the institute, Ms Bernice Aculey, said the timing of the project was opportune, in view of the current era of information technology, women empowerment, self and personal identification and the quest for values.
She emphasised that there was the need to assist the institute further because several years after its establishment, it had only one block which served all purposes including as dormitories, classrooms, demonstration block, dinning hall, assembly hall, residence for the principal and housemistress and administration office.
The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Community Development, Mr Andrews Imoro Alhassan, said the essence of the institute could not be underestimated because each period of governance of the nation from post-colonial time had come out with alternative programmes to enhance the capacity of the marginalised in the society and that the institute was ready to admit more females to enable them improve their lives.
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