Ghana Official Portal

Crudes Oil Arrives In Ghana

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:23:26 +0000

An edifice of Tema Oil Refinery

A super jumbo tanker carrying 997,000 barrels of crude oil to be discharged to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) arrived in Ghanaian waters from Nigeria on Sunday evening.

The long-awaited crude oil was supplied by the Sahara Oil Company Limited of Nigeria, to enable TOR to resume work.

The amount is said to be the largest delivery TOR has ever received since it started operations 46 years ago.

Since the beginning of the year, TOR has not been able to perform its statutory duties, due to unavailability of crude oil to the nation's oil refinery.

The oil came in after President John Evans Atta Mills’ assurance to workers during a working visit to TOR less than a week ago, that the government will ensure the supply of crude oil, to enable the Refinery to resume operations.

Officials at the Refinery confirmed the arrival of the tanker and indicated that samples of the oil have been taken by the Quality Control Unit of TOR for analysis, to ensure that it fits into the country's specifications.

Mr. Bernard Entsiwah, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of TOR, expressed workers' happiness on the new development, when he spoke with the Ghana News Agency in Tema, but added, however, that even though workers have heard of the arrival of the crude oil, they were yet to see it running through their machines.

Mr. Entsiwah said they will be extremely happy if the delivery will be on sustainable basis.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Grassroots Participation Crucial

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:21:07 +0000

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Nii Ashitey, has disclosed that the key pillars upon which the concept of decentralisation have been formulated are the democratisation and promotion of political power at the grassroots and this involves popular grassroots participation in the administration of various areas of concern.

He further stated that the second pillar to this is the mobilisation of human, physical and financial resources to the districts and sub-district levels for development.

The Minister made these known at the Regional Consultations Forum which was held in Accra yesterday, with the objective of enhancing the sense of ownership and recognition of the direction that has being taken in relation to decentralisation.

According to Hon. Ashitey, the concept of decentralisation is embodied in chapter 20 of the 1992 constitution and although it uses the concept of decentralisation the concept is not defined.

He said that his experience as the Regional Minister indicates that apart from the Regional Co-ordinating Councils and the District Assemblies that are in place, many of the sub-district structures such as the sub-metro district assemblies, the town and area councils, the zonal councils and urban councils are very weak and in many places non -existent.

He said, the functions of the regional co-ordinating councils in some cases seem to have been usurped by Central Government Departments and Organisations.

The Hon. Minister indicated that development provision and management of basic infrastructure at the district level have been completely neglected and the consequence of these weaknesses is the unplanned nature of cities, towns and the numerous unauthorised structures that are confronting the country.

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, noted that the forum is to address the issues confronting the cities and towns and by providing good water, good education, good health services and good sanitation in the country.

The Hon. Minister pledged his support that all ideas and framework will be work on so that the government may see it and know that this is how they want the country to be.

Source: ISD (Antoinette Mintah)
Posted: 27/10/09

Statistical Service Releases PPI

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:19:24 +0000

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced the September 2009 producer price inflation for all industry which has been determined at 15.52%.

Dr. Grace Bediako, Chief Government Statistician, who disclosed this at a news conference in Accra, yesterday, indicated that apart from the Mining and Quarrying sector, the other sectors recorded annual inflation rates less than the all industry inflation rate.

Dr. Bediako said, Manufacturing, the most important industrial sub-sector with 69.75% share of all industry, recorded an inflation rate of 10.83%, while Mining and Quarrying recorded the highest inflation rate of 53.32% after 10.07% in August, with utilities (which comprises the production, transmission and distribution of electricity, and the collection, purification and distribution of water) recording 1.30% inflation rate.

According to the Chief Government Statistician, the all industry year-on-year inflation was relatively stable for the first five months of 2009, averaging 11.89% and up surging to 17.34% before reducing to 14.12% in August 2009.

She noted that in the Manufacturing sector, there was an appreciable inflation rate of 46.22% in the manufacture of tanning and dressing of leather sub-groups, while the manufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded a negative inflation rate of 5.48%.

Petroleum inflation, Dr. Bediako disclosed, has contributed significantly to inflation in the Manufacturing sector, reducing significantly and remaining negative in the first nine months of 2009.

Concluding, she said the monthly change in the all industry for September 2009 (the percentage change in the producer price inflation between August 2009 and September 2009) was 1.87% with the corresponding changes for the major sub sectors being 2.94% for Mining and Quarrying, 1.59% for Manufacturing and -0.06% for Utilities.

Source: ISD (G.D. Zaney)
Posted: 27/10/09

International Health Funding Scheme Launched

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:17:23 +0000

The British Council Country Director, Moses Anibaba, has indicated that the British Council together with Tropical Health and Education Trust and the United Kingdom based International Health Charity, are launching ground breaking initiative to strengthen health systems, he said this at a Press Conference in Accra today.

The objective behind the move is aid at strengthening partnerships between United Kingdom health institutions and their counterparts in Ghana and also to build the capacity of developing countries health systems, he added.

He stressed that, the Tropical Health and Education Trust, (THET) is aimed at supporting fourteen developing countries across Sub- Sahara Africa region including Ghana as well as 8 countries in Asia.

He noted, countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe in Sub Sahara Africa are eligible for funding.

Mr. Anibaba said, “over 9.2 million children die in developing countries before their fifth birthday and every single minute a woman dies in childbirth.”

He opine that, most of these deaths could be prevented by access to basic healthcare that is taken for granted, such as medicine, medical facilities and trained medical staff. Therefore the need for this initiative is an opportunity to make a difference by training staff in developing countries who can serve their local communities without the need to leave home.

The THET` is a pioneering funding scheme supported by the UK Department for international Development (DFID) and the Department of Health, he added.

He stated that, the scheme makes 1.25million available to support the work of Health Links each year.

He mentioned that, the Links is to provide substantial contribution to meeting the needs of poor people and to support institutions that are committed to making health services accessible to the poor.

Source: ISD (Priscilla Aidoo)
Posted: 27/10/09

President Mills Appoints New Members Of Boards, Councils

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:05:31 +0000

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday appointed new members of boards and councils in consultation with the Council of State.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr. Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications at the Office of the President, said Dr. David Anim-Addo, is the Chairman of the Pharmacy Council.

Other members are, Prof. Dawiejua Mahama, Dr. Alexander Nii Oto Dodoo, Mr. John Kofi Obeng, Mr. Kwesi Eghan, Mr. James Ohemeng Kyei, Mr. Edward Mensah Kojo Goh and Mr. Joseph Kodjo Nsiah Nyoagbe.

The Atomic Energy Commission Board has Dr. Samuel Kojo Dapaah as Chairman and the other members are: Prof. Walter Alhassan, Prof. A.K. Nyarko, Prof. Frank O. Kwami, Prof. F.K.A. Allotey and Prof. Albert K. Fiadjoe.

The nine-member board of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is chaired by Dr. Agyemang Mensah and the other members are: Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frimpong, Ms. Joanna Appeal Dwomo, Mrs. Hannah Quansah, Prof. Kwabena Antwi Danso, Dr. Patrick Eric Karikari, Mr. Isaiah Offeh Gyimah, Mrs. Patience Yeboah Ampong and Mrs. Elizabeth Animah Appiah.

The members of the Veterinary Council are: Dr. K.O. Gyaning, Colonel Frank Douglas Ofoe Dosoo, Dr. E.B.M. Boney, Alhaji Abdul-Salam Akate, Prof. B. Awumbila, Dr. Andy Quarcoopome, Dr. D.O.C. Atuora, Dr. K.B. Darkwa and Dr. K. Boa Amponsem.

Mr. Emmanuel F. Siisi-Wilson is the Chairman of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the other members are: Mr. Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, Ms. Mildred Annan and Dr. Vincent Nartey.

The National Theatre of Ghana has Dr. Alex Agordor as the Chairman with Mr. Kwaku Sintim Misa, Mrs. Diana Hopeson, Ms. Korkor Amarteifio, Ms. Lilian Bruce-Lyle and Nana Yaw Kwakye as members.

The Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) Board has Mr. Patrick Nii Odai Yemofio as Chairman, the other members are: Mr. Louis Satchimo Atongo, Mr. Kamel Norshie, Mr. Alex Boateng, Mr.Ibrahim Rahib Tanko, Ms. Cynthia Amerley Amarteifio and Mr. David Quagrine.

The Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) Board has Mr. James Kodjo Creppy as Chairman, the other members are: Ms. Kate Baaba Hudson, Mr. Charles Dodoo, Mr. Joseph Tuffour Sarkodie and Mr. Francis Agble.

The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) Board has Mr. Oko Adjetey as Chairman and the other members are: Mr Afote Agbo, Mr. Richard Akpokavi, Mr. Elliot Gordor, Mrs. Barbara Ayesu and Mr. Roger Dawson.

The Kofi Annan Centre for Excellence Board is chaired by Mr. Kweku Dua Danquah and the other members are: Mr. Henry Kojo Agbai, Ms. Estelle Appiah, Mr. Yaw Benneh, Dr. Imoro Braimah. The rest are: Mrs. Mariam Tackie, Mr. Gideon Quarcoo and Prof. Ansu Kyeremeh.

The Community Water and Sanitation Agency Board has Mr. Yaw Gyarko as Chairman and
the other members are: Mr. Edem Asimah and Dr. Raphael Ametepi.

The GRATIS Foundation Board has Dr. Richard Bani as Chairman, the other members are: Mr. David Crentsil, Mr. Sammy Ewoade, Mr. Albert K. Quansah, Mrs. Annie Vivian Antwi, Mr.
Soditey Donald Dari, Mr. Laud Baddoo and Mr. Alhassan Benne.

The Ghana Standards Board Council has Mr. William Aboah as Chairman, the other members are: Mr. Simons Addai, Prof. George Y.P. Klu, Dr. Odartey Ribeiro and Brigadier Emmanuel Klutsey.

The Ghana Co-operative College board has Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwao as Chairman, the other members are: Mr. Albert Coleman, Mrs. Elizabeth Aba Smith, Mr. Albert Prempeh, Mrs. Grace Ofori-Abebrese, Mr. Theophilus Osei Owusu and Mr. Theodore Tandoh.

The Grains and Legumes Development Board is chaired by Dr. Godfried Adjei Dixon and the other members are: Mr. Samuel Artkurst, Mr. Kwaku Nicol, Mr. Nicholas Fato, Mr. G. Aloko-Dongo, Dr. Simon Saku, Mr. Philip Abayori, Mr. Musa Ali and Mr. Thomas Ahimah.

The Audit Service Board is chaired by Mr. John Klinogo, the other Members are: Mr. Eric Bortey Lamptey, Mr. Samuel Aduamuah-Addo, Mr. William Abra-Appiah and Mr. Enoch Dodoo.

The Social Investment Fund is chaired by Dr. Jacob Benjamin Quartey-Papafio, the other members are: Mr. Joseph Dome Chognuru, Mr. Frank Bo Amissah, Mr. Roger Allotey, Mrs. Mildred Annan Bentil, Mr. Kwabena Agyekum Dankwah and Ms. Selina Fenten. The rest are Mrs. Molly Anim Addo, Mr. Joseph Quao Cleland, Mr. Kofi George Dadzie and Madam Hilda Salifu.

The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) members are: Dr. Theophilus Corquaye Fleischer, Prof. Alfred Apau Oteng Yeboah, Prof. L.N.K. Aryeetey Okine, Agya Kwaku Appiah, Dr. A.M. Mensah, Nana Adjei Frimpong, Mrs. Margaret Anderson and Nana Kwadwo Obiri. The rest are: Dr. Emmanuel Nunyaku Mensah, Mr. Stephen K. Opuni, Mr. Francis K. Hlortsi Akakpo, Mr. Peter Arhin and Mrs. Martha Ghansa-Lutterodt.

The National Lotteries Authority Board is chaired by Dr. Scali Agodzo, the other members are Mr. Hammed Rashid Tunde Ali and Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari.

The Ghana Railway Company Limited Board is chaired by Dr. Clement Hammah, the other members are: Mr. Kwaku Barnes, Dr. Nat Addy, Mr M. John Gatsi, Mr. Addo Gyau, Mr. Frederick Afenu and Mr. Gordon Anim.

The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) Council is Chaired by Prof. Kofi Anyidoho, the other members are: Mr. Koffie Nartey, Mr. Ernest Abbeyquaye, Mr. Francis Gbormittah, Mr. D. Sarpong and Mr. Paul Effah.

The 21-member Nurses and Midwives Council are: Dr. Mrs. Mariama Sumani, Mrs. Alice Darkwa Asare Allotey, Mrs. Margaret Patterson, Colonel Sally Odoi-Gyampo, Mr. George Kumi
Kyeremeh, Mr. Kwaku Asante-Krobea and Mr. Richard Kwesi Henneh. The others are: Mrs. Deborah Morny, Ms. Sophia Adjei-Aye, Ms. Annie Francisca Appoh, Mrs. Doris Kpongoe, Ms. Ernestina Donkor, Mrs. Martha Appiagyei and Mrs. Elizabeth Adjei-Mensah.

The rest are Mrs. Theresa Antwi, Mrs. Ernestina Djokotoe, Mrs. Peace Ivy Ananga, Dr. Thelma Alfonso-Brown, Dr. Emmanuel Dogbatse,     Dr. Robert Sagoe and Dr. Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Single Spine Salary To Boost Production

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:59:37 +0000

Dr. Yaw Baah, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, has said that the Single Spine Salary scheme can be the biggest boost to the dynamics of production in Ghana's public sector for many years if public sector salaries are pushed to economic levels.

He said incomes represent an important determinant of levels of employee effectiveness and efficiency and that productivity is inexplicably linked to remuneration.

Dr. Baah, a Labour Economist, who spoke to the GNA in an interview, cautioned that labour is in no mood for any delay in the implementation of the new salary scheme beyond the scheduled time of January 2010.

Dr. Baah said it is the responsibility of the employer - private and public - to provide the wherewithal, including equipment and skills additions, to make the worker confident and produce to his or her optimum.

He said it is obvious the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not disposed to the impending wage review, because of the high proportion of public sector wage bill to revenue and the often cited numbers in the public sector.

Dr. Baah said that position cannot be tenable against the need to pay public sector workers in Ghana appreciable salaries based on realistic indices given the fact that Ghanaian public sector workers are currently one of the lowest paid in Africa.

He said given the projected 23 million Ghanaian population, the workforce in the public sector cannot be an anomaly, comparing the ratio of public sector workers to populations of some other countries.

Dr. Baah wondered how the government will resolve the big personnel shortfalls in the health and education sectors when they (government) have to put employment on hold.

He urged the government to reform the tax machinery in the country to save formal sector workers the arbitrary high taxes, when people who are making more money contrived to escape the tax net.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Veep Inaugurates Committee On Fire

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:54:16 +0000

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday inaugurated an eight-member committee of enquiry into the fire outbreak at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Wednesday, October 21, at the Osu Castle.

The committee is to present its findings and recommendations on November 30.

He called on the members to come with recommendations that will serve as benchmark for preventing such occurrences in future.

The Committee has Mr. Kwaku Twum Boafo, an Engineering Consultant as Chairman, Mr. Ken Dzirasah, a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Robert Ayalingo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Mr. Klu Agyarko Attobra, an Assistant Chief Fire Officer as members.

Others are, Dr. Don Arthur of the Office of the President, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Morgan Brown, Director of Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. G.E. Ofori, a Principal State Attorney as Member/Secretary.

The committee is to ascertain the cause of the fire which razed the 10- storey building.

It will assess the responsiveness of the Ghana National Fire Service to the disaster, review the status of firefighting equipment at the Ministry and ascertain the extent of damage caused by the fire.

The committee will also take inventory of valuable documents and equipment loss and enquire whether adequate back-up systems for the storage of important documents are in place.

Vice President Mahama said the greater lost to the nation is the vast amount of diplomatic records that have been kept at the office premises since independence.

He said the government will ensure that the committee's findings and recommendations were implemented.

Vice President Mahama said with more high rising buildings springing up in the country, there is the need to develop a fire fighting preparedness to protect archival materials by changing the manner things have been handled in the past.

Mr. Henry Martey Newman, Chief of Staff, impressed on the committee to come out with a 'workable report' that will provide a formula to counter such eruptions in the future.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Tamale Teaching Hospital Commends Government

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:52:19 +0000

The Management of the Tamale Teaching Hospital has expressed appreciation to the government for approving funds for the refurbishment of the medical facility to benefit its status as a referral centre.

Dr. Ken Sagoe, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, who addressed the media in Tamale yesterday, appealed to Parliament to consider the plight of the hospital and approve the 28 million Euros loan to ensure that major rehabilitation and upgrading works are tackled as soon as possible.

He said an additional storey block will be added to the hospital for administrative duties, whilst the current administrative offices will be converted into wards to address the problem of patient accommodation.

"We therefore wish to use this medium to commend government and express our profound appreciation for fulfilling its campaign promise of renovating the hospital", Dr. Sagoe said and called on people of the Metropolis to give the needed co-operation and assistance when works start.

He assured clients of the hospital that the renovation works will not affect the operation of the hospital.

Cabinet has approved for the consideration of Parliament, a loan of 28 million Euros for major rehabilitation and upgrading works at the Teaching Hospital.

The works, according to Information Minister, Mrs. Zita Okaikoi was expected to be completed in 56 months.

The hospital inaugurated in 1974, has never received any major rehabilitation.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

El-Wak Stadium To Be Upgraded

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:43:15 +0000

President John Evans Atta Mills has announced that the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra will soon be upgraded to a 50,000 all-seater capacity as part of efforts towards developing sports in the country.

The upgrading of the Ghana Armed Forces-owned sports facility is one of many penciled by the Government in the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

President Mills made this remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Henry Smith, Minister for Defence during the official opening of the 11th Security Sports Services Association (SESSA) Games, last Wednesday at the El-Wak sports stadium.

He said that the Government has lined up a long-term objective which lays emphasis in the development of infrastructure at the regional and district levels.

"With regard to Sports Infrastructure, our long-term objective remains that every regional capital should have a 50,000-seat capacity stadium and every District capital should have a 7,000-seat capacity stadium."

It is based on this objective that the El-Wak Stadium, the cradle of the biennial SESSA Games will be accorded a facelift to a 50,000-seat capacity.

The establishment of standard stadia in at least every regional capital is expected to ease pressure on the existing four national stadiums in Accra, Kumasi in the Ashanti, Sekondi in the Western and Tamale in the Northern Region as well as placing the nation in a good stead to host future international sports
events amongst which include the 2015 All Africa Games.

President Mills mentioned school sports, establishment of sports academies and juvenile sports as some strategic areas the Government is considering in its quest to achieve their objectives in sports development.

He also said that his outfit is developing a comprehensive Sports Policy and the related legislation to regulate and guide sports development in the country.

President Mills reiterated the Government's determination to encourage and support all sporting disciplines to blossom throughout the country.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

El-Wak Stadium To Be Upgraded

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:41:55 +0000

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Ghana Hosts Meeting On Human Resources For Health

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:08:30 +0000

The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, has stressed the need to strengthen human resources as the foundation for national health systems and a key pre- requisite for improving health outcomes.

Dr. Kumbuor said countries stand to lose if investments in Human Resources for Health (HRH) are neglected. “Our economies need healthy populations who will contribute positively to the production and consumption of goods and services.

We stand to lose as countries when we don’t pay attention to HRH, since they are the centre of investments we make in health,” he said. These were contained in an address read on his behalf at the opening of the country co-ordination and facilitation meeting for Human Resources for Health in Accra, yesterday.

According to Dr. Kumbour, the endemic shortages of health workers are jeopardising the investments being made in the health sector in many sub-Saharan African countries.

He disclosed that to overcome this challenge for health service delivery and for achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Ghana in 2009 received support from the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) to set up the Ghana Health Workforce Observatory with a website to improve upon information sharing and evidence generation for empowerment and improvement of most aspects of human resources for health.

Dr. Kumbour expressed the hope that the meeting will facilitate the institution of mechanisms to enable countries and partners to better co-ordinate their efforts on HRH to develop concerted national strategies and plans.

The four-day meeting, the first consensus building meeting, is being organised by the Global Health Workforce Alliance, an organisation created in 2006 as a common platform for all partners to identify, implement and advocate for solutions to the health workforce crisis.

In attendance are participants from Ethiopia, the Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Other participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana are also attending. Also participating are partner agencies, including the African Development Bank (ADB), British Department for International Development (DfID), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund.

The others are the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), UN Agencies, World Bank and regional bodies like the West Africa Health Organisation and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health community.

In a statement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Ghana, Dr. Daniel Kertesz, noted that without major improvements to national health systems, the health-related MDGs will not be reached and sustained.

Dr. Kertesz said addressing the health workforce situation, which has been described as dire, a crisis or a “threat to global public health”’ requires international co-ordination.

He expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana for hosting the meeting and for demonstrating commitment to health partnership at country level.

Source: ISD (G.D. Zaney)

Posted: 27/10/09

Government Committed To Road Safety

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:58:53 +0000

Cabinet is currently considering a memorandum to define in percentage terms the amount of road fund inflow to be assigned to advance the course of road safety activities in Ghana in the medium to long term to substantially help deal with the funding gap which has usually constrained the implementation of road safety interventions by the NRSC.

In the short term however, the Government has this year intervened to ensure that funding for road safety activities from the road fund, has been increased by some 69%.

This was made known when the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama launched the 10th Anniversary of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), and the “Arrive Alive Campaign” on the theme; “Road Safety: A Shared and Collective Responsibility” at a ceremony held at Gomoa Assin Mampong in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

The Vice President stated that the last quarter of each year often have been disturbing with the rise in road crashes out of festive periods of Christmas and New Year, adding that the NRSC with its stakeholders under the aegis of the Ministries of Transport, Roads and Highways, Interior and Health has put in place a proactive and comprehensive programme throughout the period dubbed the ‘Arrive Alive’ Campaign, stating that the collaboration between the four Ministries underscores the importance the Government attaches to Road Safety and Security.

Vice President Mahama said the nature and scale of the problem is such that the Government through the public agencies alone cannot handle, thus calling for partnership among the public, business and civil society to address the road safety issues and appeal to the Media to also assume a share of the responsibility by making available part of their space and airtime to discuss some of the preventive interventions and not only the related consequences.

The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Ama Benyiwah–Doe expressed regret at the spate of road accidents in the country and called for an all aboard approach to tackle the issue to ensure safety on our roads.

The Deputy Minister for Transport, Hon. Dzifa Ativor said the Ministry will continue to provide the necessary logistics to its Agencies to enable them deliver on their mandate of effectively addressing road safety issues in the country, and called for collaboration and co-ordination among all to solve it.

The chairman for the ceremony and president of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, Nana Ahunako Ahor Ankobra II said road safety is an issue of national importance and appealed to drivers to exercise carefulness on the road, especially those who ply between Mallam Junction and Cape Coast, since negligence, reckless driving and indiscipline is a major factor on road accidents.

Nana Ankobra called on the DVLA to introduce new technologies to check overspeeding and ensure medical checks on prospective drivers, thanking the Police Service for their role in road safety.

Source: ISD (Larry George Botchway, Gomoa)

Posted: 27/10/09

Contractual Teachers Education Confab In Bamako

Rina — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:49:37 +0000

The Malian capital, Bamako, will from today host a three-day Second International Conference on Contractual Teachers.

The conference is being referred to as Bamako + 5 because it is taking place five years after the first meeting on the issue ended in the capital with the adoption of the 2004 Bamako Consensus, and the recommendations on the professional development and management of the careers of contractual teachers.

A statement released in Accra yesterday by Mr. Lawalley Cole, Co-ordinator, Working Group on Communication for Education and Development (WG COMED), said in 2004 the first conference discussed this new category of teachers and examined the challenges ahead in 11 francophone African countries.

The Bamako +5 conference is co-organised by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa, the World Bank, Education International and the Malian Ministry of Basic Education, Literacy and National Languages.

Contractual teachers constitute a specific category of individuals who are teachers with basic secondary education but with no formal teacher training.

In some cases, they are unemployed graduates, or graduates from teacher colleges, or secondary school graduates fresh from the classroom, who are hired to teach on contract basis at a lower salary than regular teachers receive.

The statement said concern has been raised in many quarters on the quality of teaching dispensed by these contractual teachers, due to their low academic level and insufficient training.

It noted that many African countries are faced with an acute shortage of teachers.

The statement said in 2000, African governments committed themselves during the Dakar Global Forum to ensure quality education for all.

According to the 2005 Global Monitoring Report on Education For All (EFA) published by UNESCO, if Africa intends to meet the EFA objectives by 2015 and fulfil its Dakar commitments, it will need to train about four million teachers and ensure that the majority of the teachers to be recruited are professionally qualified.

"In Africa, in particular, shortages of teachers, especially in areas such as mathematics, science and technology, pose a major threat to the goals of expanding education and enhancing its quality.

"The shortage of teachers will continue to be the main challenge for teacher policies in the near future. This is likely to be the case worldwide, although the reasons vary - demography, labour market trends, the impact of HIV and AIDS, and so on," it said.

Source: GNA
Posted: 27/10/09

Appointments To Boards & Councils

Rina — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:11:56 +0000

His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills, in consultation with the Council of State, has appointed the following persons to the following positions:

1. Pharmacy Council

Chairman Dr. David Anim-Addo
Members Prof. Dawiejua Mahama
Dr. Alexander Nii Oto Dodoo
Mr. John Kofi Obeng
Mr. Kwesi Eghan
James Ohemeng Kyei
Mr. Edward Mensah Kojo Goh
Mr. Joseph Kodjo Nsiah Nyoagbe

2. Atomic Energy Commission Board

Chairman Dr. Samuel Kojo Dapaah
Members Prof. Walter Alhassan
Prof. A.K. Nyarko
Prof. Frank O. Kwami
Prof. F.K.A. Allotey
Prof. Albert K. Fiadjoe

3. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Chairman Dr. Agyemang Mensah
Members Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frimpong
Ms. Joanna Appiah Dwomo
Mrs. Hannah Quansah
Prof. Kwabena Antwi Danso
Dr. Patrick Eric Karikari
Mr. Isaiah Offeh Gyimah
Mrs. Patience Yeboah Ampong
Mrs. Elizabeth Animah Appiah

4. Veterinary Council

Members Dr. K.O. Gyaning
Col. Frank Douglas Ofoe Dosoo
Dr. E.B.M. Koney
Alhaji Abdul-Salam Akate
Prof. B. Awumbila
Dr. Andy Quarcoopome
Dr. D.O.C. Atuora
Dr. K.B. Darkwa
Dr. K. Boa Amponsem

5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Chairman Emmanuel F. Siisi-Wilson
Members Mr. Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo
Ms. Mildred Annan
Dr. Vincent Nartey

6. National Theatre of Ghana

Chairman Dr. Alex Agordor
Members Mr. Kwaku Sintim Misa
Mrs. Diana Hopeson
Ms. Korkor Amarteifio
Ms. Lilian Bruce-Lyle
Nana Yaw Kwakye

7. Architectural & Engineering Services Limited (AESL)

Chairman Mr. Patrick Nii Odai Yemofio
Members Louis Satchimo Atongo
Mr. Kamel Norshie
Mr. Alex Boateng
Hon. Ibrahim Rahib Tanko
Ms Cynthia Amerley Amarteifio
Mr. David Quagrine

8. Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI)

Chairman Mr. James Kodjo Creppy
Members Ms Kate Baaba Hudson
Mr. Charles Dodoo
Mr. Joseph Tuffour Sarkodie
Mr. Francis Agble

9. Tema Development Corporation

Chairman Mr. Oko Adjetey
Members Hon Afote Agbo
Mr. Richard Akpokavi
Mr. Elliot Gordor
Mrs. Barbara Ayesu
Mr. Roger Dawson

10. Kofi Annan Centre for Excellence

Chairman Mr. Kweku Dua Danquah
Members Mr. Henry Kojo Agbai
Ms Estelle Appiah
Mr. Yaw Benneh
Dr. Imoro Braimah
Mrs. Mariam Tackie
Hon. Gideon Quarcoo
Prof. Ansu Kyeremeh

11. Community Water and Sanitation Agency

Chairman Mr. Yaw Gyarko
Members Hon Edem Asimah
Dr. Raphael Ametepi

12. GRATIS Foundation

Chairman Dr. Richard Bani
Members Mr. David Crentsil
Mr. Sammy Ewoade
Mr. Albert K. Quansah
Mrs. Annie Vivian Antwi
Hon. Soditey Donald Dari
Mr. Laud Baddoo
Mr. Alhassan Benne

13. Ghana Standards Board

Chairman Mr. William Aboah
Members Hon. Simons Addai
Prof. George Y.P. Klu
Dr. Odartey Ribeiro
Brigadier Emmanuel Klutsey

14. Ghana Cooperative College

Chairman Hon. Stephen Amoanor Kwao
Members Mr. Albert Coleman
Mrs. Elizabeth Aba Smith
Mr. Albert Prempeh
Mrs. Grace Ofori-Abebrese
Mr. Theophilus Osei Owusu
Mr. Theodore Tandoh

15. Grains and Legumes Development Board

Chairman Dr. Godfried Adjei Dixon
Members Mr. Samuel Artkurst
Mr. Kwaku Nicol
Mr. Nicholas Fato
Mr. G. Aloko-Dongo
Dr. Simon Saku
Mr. Philip Abayori
Mr. Musa Ali
Mr. Thomas Ahimah

16. Audit Service Board

Chairman Mr. John Klinogo
Members Mr. Eric Bortey Lamptey
Mr. Samuel Aduamuah-Addo
Mr. William Abra-Appiah
Mr. Enoch Dodoo

17. Social Investment Fund

Chairman Dr. Jacob Benjamin Quartey-Papafio
Members Mr. Joseph Dome Chognuru
Mr. Frank Bo Amissah
Mr. Roger Allotey
Mrs. Mildred Annan Bentil
Mr. Kwabena Agyekum Dankwah
Ms. Selina Fenten
Mrs. Molly Anim Addo
Mr. Joseph Quao Cleland
Mr. Kofi George Dadzie
Madam Hilda Salifu

18. Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)

Members Dr. Theophilus Corquaye Fleischer
Prof. Alfred Apau Oteng Yeboah
Prof. L.N.K. Aryeetey Okine
Agya Kwaku Appiah
Dr. A.M. Mensah
Nana Adjei Frimpong
Mrs. Margaret Anderson
Nana Kwadwo Obiri
Dr. Emmanuel Nunyaku Mensah
Mr. Stephen K. Opuni
Mr. Francis K. Hlortsi Akakpo
Mr. Peter Arhin
Mrs. Martha Ghansa-Lutterodt

19. National Lotteries Authority Board

Chairman Dr. Scali Agodzo
Members Mr. Hammed Rashid Tunde Ali
Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari

20. Ghana Railway Company Ltd.

Chairman Dr. Clement Hammah
Members Mr. Kwaku Barnes
Dr. Nat Addy
M. John Gatsi
Mr. Addo Gyau
Mr. Frederick Afenu
Mr. Gordon Anim

21. National Film & Television Institute (NAFTI)

Chairman Prof. Kofi Anyidoho
Members Mr. Koffie Nartey
Mr. Ernest Abbeyquaye
Mr. Francis Gbormittah
Mr. D. Sarpong
Mr. Paul Effah

22. Nurses and Midwives Council
Members Dr. Mrs. Mariama Sumani
Mrs. Alice Darkwa Asare Allotey
Mrs. Margaret Patterson
Col. Sally Odoi-Gyampo
Mr. George Kumi Kyeremeh
Mr. Kwaku Asante-Krobea
Mr. Richard Kwesi Henneh
Mrs. Deborah Morny
Ms. Sophia Adjei-Aye
Ms. Annie Francisca Appoh
Mrs. Doris Kpongoe
Ms. Ernestina Donkor
Mrs. Martha Appiagyei
Mrs. Elizabeth Adjei-Mensah
Mrs. Theresa Antwi
Mrs. Ernestina Djokotoe
Mrs. Peace Ivy Ananga
Dr. Thelma Alfonso-Brown
Dr. Emmanuel Dogbatse
Dr. Robert Sagoe
Dr. Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira

Koku Anyidoho
(Head, Communications)

Government Secures Funding For Water Plant

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:06:04 +0000

Mr. Albert Abongo, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing

The Government is in negotiations with a Chinese and British company for a GHc 500 million loan facilities to build new water plants to cater for the shortfall of 80 million gallons of water per day in Accra and Tema.

Mr. Albert Abongo, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, who disclosed this to the Times yesterday said if it comes to fruition, the projects will not only ensure adequate water supply in the two metropolis but also provide an excess capacity of 20% to serve as reserve.

He said the arrangements with the British firm, which he did not mention, will be done under a Build, Operate and Transfer to beef up the system.

He corrected an impression by sections of the media that the government is yet to provide a GHc30 million funding to drill boreholes across the country.

The Minister said a cursory look at 2009 budget will have informed the public that the government has already made provision for the money, saying that the Ministry has begun the process of procuring facilities to kick-start the project.

He explained that the GHc30 million is meant to cater for 1,816 boreholes, 16 small town pipes and the extension of Ghana Water Company lines to some communities in the Eastern Region.

Source: The Ghanaian Times
Posted: 26/10/09

Farmer- Based Organisations Receive Support

Rina — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:10:19 +0000

The Yendi Evangelical Presbyterian Development and Relief Agency (EPDRA), has granted an access production credit of GHC4,000 to nine-farmer based organisations (FBO) in the Yendi Municipality to cultivate soya beans, groundnut and sorghum.

The EPDRA doled out the grant in collaboration with Bonzali Rural Bank in the Northern Region.
Some of the beneficiary organisations include: Yendi Suglo Bullock Co-operative Farmers and Marketing Limited (Ltd), Sang Kpanmanga Kuni Sonda Co-operative Farmers and Society Ltd, and Kulikpanga Bongu Nnyee Yaa Co-operative Farming and Marketing Society Limited.

The Programme Manager of the EPDRA, Mr. Joshua Nyaaba, announced this during the presentation of certificates to the farmer- based organisations in Yendi.
Mr. Nyaaba said the loan granted the organisations will attract 30% interest and will be re-paid within one year.

He said for the past five years, EPDRA has organised 52 farming groups in 25 communities in the municipality in order to develop their capacities to become viable and independent farmer-based organisations under the Association of Church Development Project (ACDEP).

Mr. Nyaaba indicated that the first batch of the nine FBO have been registered with the Department of Co-operative Society.
The Executive Director of the ACDEP, Mr. Malex Alebikiya said the Savanna Farmers Marketing Company was established by the association five years ago to provide market and attractive prices for soya beans, groundnuts, and sorghum farmers in the Northern, Upper East and West regions.

Mr. Alebikaya said the Evangelical Presbyterian Farm was established in Yendi 50 years ago to train farmers in bullock farming and other agricultural techniques. The Municipal Budget Officer, Mr. Issifu Ali called on the people in the area to sustain the peace they are enjoying because without peace they cannot benefit from any credit facility to carry out their farming and other businesses.

Mr. Ali said the assembly is preparing the Malzeri and Sunson dams for irrigation to let the youth go into dry season farming.
The Chairman of the FBO, Mr. Chimsi Mahama, commended EPDRA and ACDEP for establishing the market access credit project, which is aimed at finding solution to production, marketing, and other related problems facing farmers in the municipality.

Source: GNA

Posted: 26/10/09

Cabinet Briefing: Major Rehabilitation of Tamale Teaching Hospital

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

Cabinet has approved for consideration of parliament, a loan of twenty-eight million Euros (€28,000,000.00) for major rehabilitation and upgrading works at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

The works when started will be completed in fifty-six months but according to the Minister for Information Mrs. Zita Okaikoi, “the design, construction, and installation of medical equipment required for the hospital to be commissioned will be ready within thirty-two months.”

A statement from the Ministry of Information said in approving the €28million facility from the Fortis Bank N.V. of the Netherlands, Cabinet took note of the fact that the Tamale Teaching Hospital which is the only major referral hospital serving the entire northern belt “has over the years experienced major decline, lost many specialist medical staff, deterioration of infrastructure and depletion in equipment stock.”

Commissioned in 1974, the general lack of maintenance and no major rehabilitation has left the main complex comprising the OPD, tower and technical blocks in a state of severe disrepair. Other structures at the hospital have either not been completed or have developed serious structural problems that pose threats to both staff and patients.

Mrs. Okaikoi noted that the hospital which now serves at the principal teaching facility for the faculty of medicine of the University of Development Studies will eventually have 1,000 beds when the second phase of the planned master-plan for the hospital is completed.

“The new Tamale hospital will have all key functional services consolidated in one new 4-storey building located at the eastern front side of the existing hospital”, the Minister explained.
This new structure would be linked to the old structure through a transfer block and using a new entrance for patients, visitors and staff. There would also be a separate entrance to the administrative offices on top of the existing OPD.

The minister said the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Tamale hospital, which has for years been of concern to Ghanaians in the northern belt, would increase the capacity of health care services in the area. The modern equipment and adequate facilities would enable the hospital to function appropriately as a tertiary care level hospital with teaching facilities.

“One of the major problems has been the retention of qualified staff and government is confident that on completion of the rehabilitation, the Tamale Teaching Hospital will attract and retain qualified specialist staff. Also important is the fact that there will be permanent and sufficient water supply to the hospital.”

The statement reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring an improvement in the living standards and access to health facilities across the country.

Mrs. Zita OKAIKOI
MINISTER FOR INFORMATION

Liberty Honours Satellites Trio

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

Liberty Professionals Football Club has conferred honours on three members of the victorious Under-20 team, the Black Satellites and coach Sellas Tetteh for their contribution to the success of the National Under-20 team.

The three players of the Club, Kassenu Ghandy, Latif Salifu and goalkeeper Daniel Nii Adjei were instrumental in the Satellites conquest of the world at the recent Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Under-20 World Cup.

At a ceremony at the Crown Liberty Hotel, Bortianor, Accra each of the players was presented with a trophy as sign of recognition of their contribution to the success of the team.

Coach Tetteh who guided the team to the historic feat and a member of the technical team of Liberty Professionals was also presented with a trophy for his role in the success of the Black Satellites.

Coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, also a member of the technical team of Liberty Professionals was also honoured with a trophy for being of immense assistance to the team through its stay in premiership since 1996.

Alhaji Ibrahim Sly Tetteh, President of Liberty Professionals said the Club will continue to focus its attention on youth development since it represents the future of the nation.

He said the Club has therefore taken positive steps towards the development of more soccer talents for the nation by strengthening infrastructural developments to meet the demands of their plans.

"We will continue to develop quality players for the various national teams as we have done in the past".

Alhaji Sly Tetteh gave the assurance that Liberty Professionals is also aiming at winning the ultimate trophy in the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) tournament to be held in Lome, Togo.

Coach Tetteh expressed appreciation to the Club for recognising his role in the success of the team.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Board of Directors of Liberty Professionals, players and technical team of the club and other key officials such as Charles Aryeh, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) and Nii Lantei Vanderpuije, aid to President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.

Source: GNA
Posted: 26/10/09

Liberty Honours Satellites Trio

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

Source: GNA
Posted: 26/10/09

Tullow To Partner Ghana Navy

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL) and the Ghana Navy will collaborate to promote the appropriate maritime environment conducive to the peaceful and profitable development of Ghana's petrochemical endowment.

Mr. Tony Dzokoto, Head of Tullow Ghana, Legal Department, said Ghana Navy's maintenance of an ambience of maritime peace in the past, should be viewed by Ghanaians as a key stimulus to the country's success in exploration, discovery and the development of oil.

He made this known in Kumasi at the weekend, when he delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the company, at a public sensitisation lecture as part of activities marking the Ghana Navy's 50th anniversary.

Tullow was the sole sponsor of the lecture delivered by Naval Captain Francis Kwesi Eshun.

Mr. Dzokoto asked: "How much offshore exploration and discoveries could we have had in Ghana if our maritime environment was characterised by widespread. insecurity or an embattled coastline?"

He urged Ghanaians to appreciate the strategic importance of the national navy as a maritime security institution.

Mr. Dzokoto described the Ghana Navy as one of Tullow's most valued partners in the company's development operations and said the corporate entity looks beyond the Navy's traditionally mandated business of protecting the country's territorial integrity and respects its invaluable contributions to peaceful socio-economic activities like fisheries, maritime policing and general maritime safety and security.

With the aid of projected visuals, Captain Eshun took the audience of the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, mostly students and men of the naval cadet corps of the university and Opoku Ware Senior High School through the evolution of the Ghana Navy from its establishment by Ghana's first President, the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, through its various roles as a maritime security institution, to contemporary maritime security and challenges.

The lecture also focused on the urgent need to enhance the Navy's capacity and capabilities as well as the possible areas of collaboration with stakeholders in Ghana's emerging oil industry.

Speaking on the theme: "Ghana Navy at 50: Enhancing Maritime Security for Socio Economic Development," Naval Captain Eshun elaborated the dwindling fortunes of the Ghana Navy in terms of its fleet and logistical standing.

Mr. Kofi Opoku-Manu, Ashanti Regional Minister, who was the special guest at the lecture, said it is time Ghanaians realised that the actual worth of any military force like the Navy is not necessarily the value of its physical production levels, but rather the huge cost to the nation if such a force do not exist.

Source: GNA
Posted: 26/10/09

Love Community Chapel Inaugurates Hospital

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

As part of its social responsibility, the Love Community Chapel yesterday inaugurated a hospital to serve the people of Bubiashie where the mission is located.

"As exhibited by Jesus in his parables, the church should not be only interested in the spiritual well-being of the people but their physical and social well-being as well.

It is upon this basis, that we decided to put up this hospital," said Pastor George Ayiku, Head Pastor of the church.

Speaking at the inauguration, he said the chapel which is 10 years old has 61 branches throughout the country.

He expressed the hope that within the next 10 years the church will establish 500 branches globally, mission schools, a multipurpose church building among other projects.

He urged the private sector to help the government in its quest to provide healthcare for Ghanaians.

Pastor Ayiku praised opinion leaders in Bubiashie for handing over the building, which was refurbished into the hospital at the cost of GHc 30,000.

Nii Agbo Kotei 111, Chief of Koteiman, who was a special guest of honour, praised the church for the medical facility and locating it at a strategic area.

He appealed to the church to pray for peace in the area and the country as a whole, since it is only in a peace and safe environment that the church and the hospital can thrive.

Nana Akomea, Member of Parliament for Okaikoi South pledged to assist the hospital to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme and ensure that the road to the hospital is tarred.

Source: GNA
Posted: 26/10/09

VRA Engages Shara, To Lift Oil For Aboadze Thermal Plant

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

Sahara Oil Company Limited of Nigeria has been temporarily engaged to supply the Volta River Authority (VRA) with crude oil to feed the Aboadze thermal Plant.

It involves the supply of 400,000 barrels of crude oil at a cost of between $36 million and $52 on a monthly basis.

This follows the suspension of the tender for the supply of crude oil to the VRA to feed the Aboadze Plant.

The Chief Executive Officer of the VRA, Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said a committee had been set up by the management of the VRA to inquire into the tendering process.

The tender, which was opened in 2008, had four companies submitting their proposals to supply crude oil to the VRA, but serious questions have been raised about the propriety to the whole tendering process.

The Aboadze Thermal Plant, which depends on crude oil to generate electricity, was activated in 2000 to support the Akosombo Dam when the country was faced with energy crisis.

Currently, the plant generates 220 megawatts of power to augment that generated at Akosombo.

Mr. Awotwi said the VRA had no contract with any oil marketing company to supply oil to it.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the VRA, Mr. Maxwell E.Y Odoom, explained further that Sahara Oil had been engaged to supply the authority with crude oil on cargo basis because it had in the past supplies the VRA with 100 per cent pure crude oil.

He said in accordance with the VRA’s policy, every year the tender was re-opened for companies to submit their proposals for consideration to supply crude oil.

He said to ensure that the oil was not contaminated, the VRA had chartered a vessel which constantly lifted the oil and delivered so the VRA ensured that the oil was 100% pure, hence the engagement of Sahara Oil to supply the VRA on cargo basis until a new tender was opened and a winner selected among competitive companies to supply it with crude oil.

He said to ensure that the oil was not contaminated, the VRA had chartered a vessel which constantly lifted the oil and delivered it to the authority.

Mr. Odoom explained that it was better to deal with one company till another competent company was found to continue with the supply.

He said Sahara Oil won the contract to supply crude oil to VRA between 2001 and 2002 and did that till 2004.

Earlier, Mr. Andohh-Awotwi said the management of the VRA was negotiating with the unionised staff of the company for some departments like the Health, VRA Schools and Estate to be given out on a subsidiary basis to private entities to be run.

He said that was to ensure that the VRA met the challenges that had come up as a result of the deregulation of the energy sector and said the government had offered its supports to the VRA in that direction.

Mr. Awotwi gave the assurance that the VRA would do everything possible to generate adequate power to meet the growing demand of the country, as well as export the excess to other countries.

Source: Daily Graphic
Posted: 26/10/09

Rural, Community Banks Introduced To New System

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

The ARB Apex Bank has introduced Rural/Community Banks to a new reporting standard known as International Financial Reporting standards [ IFRS] and a banking survival strategy called Base 11   Accord.

The   IFRS   is   a   set   of international accounting standards stipulating how particular types of transactions and events should be reported in financial statements, whilst Base 11 Accord is to create an internal standard that banking regulators can use when formulating regulations about how much capital banks need to set aside to guard against financial and operational risks the face .

Mr. Samuel Twumasi Ankrah, Manager , Efficiency Monitaring Unit [EMU] Internal Control, ARB Apex Bank, announced this in a speech read on behalf of Mr. Eric Osei Bonsu, Managing Director of the bank at the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Assinman Rural Bank at Assin Manso at the weekend.

Mr. Osei Bonsu said the new system has been adopted by bigger commercial banks and that the Apex Bank adopted the system because it will be of benefits to the   rural banks.

For example, he said, the Base 11 Accord will help avoid the possibility of collapse of banks in that, there will be a setting of rigorous risk and capital management requirements designed to ensure that a bank holds capital reserves appropriate to the risk it exposed itself to through its lending and investment practices.

Mr. Osei-Bonsu urged Rural and Community Banks to strengthen their internal controls to ensure that operations are carried out in an orderly manner, consistent with best practices in the banking industry.

The ARB Apex General Manager, advised Rural and Community Banks to improve on their services to their customers and pointed out that the bigger banks are luring customers of the smaller banks through better quality services.
.

He urged them to strengthen their marketing departments to ensure revenue growth, customer satisfaction and financial sustainability because marketing is a core component of the forces that drives business and profit.

Mr. Isaac Arkhurst Yamoah, Administrator of the Central Regional Chapter of the Association of Rural Banks, urged directors and management of the banks to take precautionary measures to protect their banks from fraudsters.

Source: GNA
Posted: 26/10/09

Exert Pressure on IMF and World Bank - Minister

matilda — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:18:05 +0000

A Flag Raising Ceremony has been held in Ghana's Capital Accra to commemorate the 64th United Nations Day.

The UN Day, which comes off on the 24th October every year, has been set aside since 1971, which among other things reminds all member countries and the whole world of the need for peace, unity of purpose and the promotion of human right. This year’s event which was held under a solemn atmosphere saw the raising of the UN and the Ghanaian flag respectively, amidst anthems played by the Security Services.

Speaking on the theme:” Ghana and the United Nations: Addressing challenges of MDG'S Financial Crisis,” The Minister for Foreign Affaires, Mohammed Mumuni, acknowledged that Ghana’s quest to mitigate HIV/AIDS pandemic, Child and Maternal mortality remains a challenge to government due to financial constraints.

On the global financial crisis, Mr. Mumuni said, although the roots of the problem are in the industralised countries, the ensuing recession and the meltdown are taking a great toll on the developing countries efforts at reducing unemployment and attain the MDG'S within the time frame.

The Foreign Minister consequently called on the UN to among other things exert more pressure on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to assist vulnerable member countries.

He also requested that, hearing be given to the voices of Developing Countries during international decision making that bothers on financial issues.

Presenting the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon's speech, The UN Resident Co-ordinator in Ghana, Douda Toure, urge government to demonstrate care for the poor, and vulnerable in order to give meaning to the course of the UN.

His Excellency Ban ki- Moon, acknowledged a sharp gap between commitment and actions among member states and urged them to bridged the gap. “People look up to the UN to stop poverty and hunger and war to deepen democracy, rule of law and ensure human rights” he lamented.

Source : ISD (Abraham Otabil)

Posted :26/10/09

Economic Office Of Spain Embassy Inaugurated

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:13:41 +0000

Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning cutting the tape to inaugurate the Economic Office of the Spanish Embassy

Economic Office of the Embassy of Spain in Ghana has officially been inaugurated in Accra yesterday by Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, and Her Excellency Julia Olmo, Ambassador of Spain to Ghana.

The inauguration of the Economic and Commercial Office would help speed up the processes involved in the implementation of the financial protocols already in place and those that will come in the future.

Speaking at the inauguration, Hon. Minister said that the Spanish Government assistance to Ghana has been in the form of concessionary facilities which are guided by the Development Aid Fund (FAD) and managed by the Spanish ministry of industry, trade and tourism.

He further stated that the assistance from the Spanish government focuses primarily on poverty reduction, which is the ultimate objective of the development agenda of the government of Ghana.

The Hon. Minister indicated that Ghana signed its first Financial Protocol with the Spanish government in 1998.
Prior to this period, he said, Spanish financial assistance to Ghana has consist of funding ‘’a shoplist’’ of projects without any formal framework agreement.

Hon Duffuor disclosed that early this year, the Spanish government converted € 8.0 million allocated to the Ghana Police Service and € 5.0 million allocated to the Ministry of Energy into a grant.

Miss Olmo stated that Spain and Ghana have succeeded over the last years in developing close ties in every field, and more specifically in the economic and commercial spheres.

She said over the last nine years Spain and Ghana have signed two financial protocols through which the Spanish government offered concessionary funds to finance projects of mutual interest in Ghana.

The first protocol, she said, included soft loans for a total amount of $ 40 million, which were successfully utilised in the education and health sectors.

Source: ISD (Antoinette Mintah)
Posted: 24/10/09

Statistical Service Releases PPI

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:53:48 +0000

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced the September 2009 producer price inflation for all industry which has been determined at 15.52 per cent.

Dr. Bediako said, Manufacturing, the most important industrial sub-sector with 69.75 per cent share of all industry, recorded an inflation rate of 10.83 per cent, while Mining and Quarrying recorded the highest inflation rate of 53.32 per cent after 10.07 per cent in August, with utilities (which comprises the production, transmission and distribution of electricity, and the collection, purification and distribution of water) recording 1.30 per cent inflation rate.

According to the Chief Government Statistician, the all industry year-on-year inflation was relatively stable for the first five months of 2009, averaging 11.89 per cent, and up surging to 17.34 per cent before reducing to 14.12 per cent in August 2009.

She noted that in the Manufacturing sector, there was an appreciable inflation rate of 46.22 per cent in the manufacture of tanning and dressing of leather sub-groups, while the manufacture of coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded a negative inflation rate of 5.48 per cent.

Petroleum inflation, Dr. Bediako disclosed, has contributed significantly to inflation in the Manufacturing sector, reducing significantly and remaining negative in the first nine months of 2009.
Concluding, she said the monthly change in the all industry for September 2009 (the percentage change in the producer price inflation between August 2009 and September 2009) was 1.87 per cent, with the corresponding changes for the major sub sectors being 2.94 per cent for Mining and Quarrying, 1.59 per cent for Manufacturing and -0.06 per cent for Utilities.

Source: ISD (G.D. Zaney)
Posted: 24/10/09

Ghana To Host West African Power Pool Meeting

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:49:38 +0000

The 4th General Assembly of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) is scheduled to be held from the 26th to the 29th of October 2009.

The meeting will be held on the theme: “Growing and looking forward to energy sufficiency in West Africa”.

A Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing Kirk Koffie, who made these known at a news conference in Accra, yesterday, traced the establishment of the WAPP to 1999 with its Secretariat based in Cotonou, Benin and headed by a Secretary- General.

Ing Koffie said the WAPP is an institution of ECOWAS Sprouting from the ECOWAS Protocol to establish a Regional Electricity Market and to promote regional investment for power production and the interconnection of networks.

He said the vision of ECOWAS is to develop and put in place the West Africa Power Pool as a co-operative power pooling mechanism for integrating national power system operations into a unified regional electricity market.

This vision, Ing Koffie said, was borne out of the realisation that few people in the West Africa sub-region have access to electricity to meet the needs of the population, that despite the region’s large energy endowment, the region’s per capital consumption of electricity is among the lowest in the world and that the efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency in electricity supply have been inadequate due to the high cost of establishing power generation and transmission infrastructure.

WAPP was, therefore, established to promote power systems infrastructure development in West Africa and develop an integrated and sustainable, but yet to be tapped hydro resources of Guinea and an expansion of gas-fired power generation, leveraging the communities parallel track strategy to expand access to Nigeria’s enormous natural gas reserves.

It was also the objective of WAPP to, over the medium to long term, assure the citizens in the sub-region of a stable and reliable electricity supply at affordable costs and facilitate a four-fold increase in power system interconnection capacity among ECOWAS member states over the period 2005-2020

Source: ISD (G.D. Zaney)
Posted: 24/10/09

MOFA Launches Farmers' Platform

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:47:20 +0000

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has officially launched the Ghana Federation of Agricultural Producers (GFAP).

The federation comprises four major apex farmers associations - the Apex Farmers Organisation of Ghana (APFOG), Farmers Organisation of Ghana (FONG), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG and the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) under one umbrella.

A statement from APFOG said the mission of the federation is to unify all agricultural producers and related actors in the agricultural value chain in Ghana, to advocate agricultural and environmentally friendly policies at the local and international levels for sustainable livelihoods.

Mr. Vesper Suglo, who read the keynote on behalf of the sector Minister, expressed gratitude to the farmers organisations at the function for the initiative of coming together as one entity, with one voice and taking their destinies into their own hands to champion the cause of farmers, through advocacy, food security and service provision.

The minister expressed the frustrating circumstances that usually bedevilled the ministry in determining which of the several apex associations to serve, refer to, or engage in addressing issues that demands the input of farmers.

He said at now farmers will heavily weigh in all major decision-making processes for the development and improvement of agriculture in Ghana.

Also at the ceremony, a 20-member National Council, National President and Vice President of the federation were sworn into office.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. King David Amoah, President of the federation, said the group has finally adopted a constitution.

He said the unity of purpose will inspire members to stay focused and contribute to an environment where agricultural producers will be recognised, respected, appreciated and involved in policy formulation and implementation of agricultural projects.

Dr. Amoah called for a sustainable partnership with the government to help accelerate agricultural and development programmes more especially on the Expanded Rice production, the Northern Rural Growth Programme, Savannah Accelerated Development Authority and the fertilizer subsidy programme, among other things.

Source: GNA
Posted: 24/10/09

Work To Begin On GAF accommodation project

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:45:02 +0000

Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (Rtd) yesterday broke the ground for work to begin on a 54-room complex for junior ranks of the Ghana Air Force (GAF).

It forms part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee celebration of the GAF.

The one-storey Air Force Jubilee House is expected to provide accommodation for 160 personnel.

The project being funded by the government at an estimated cost of 700,000 dollars will relieve the personnel facing acute accommodation problems.

Lt-Gen. Smith said: "Officers and men of the forces should be given a deserving accommodation and the necessary logistics to be able to achieve the missions and tasks assigned to them".

The sideline of the event was the aeronautic manoeuvrings of four jet fighters, which emitted a trail of smoke which burst in the air to the astonishment of the crowd.

The jets according to Flight Lieutenant David Nkansah manoeuvred in formations called "inverted flights", "knife edge", and "big heart".

He said the smoke signified the deep love the GAF has in defending Ghana.

Source: GNA
Posted: 24/10/09

Emulate Ghana , Rwanda Modules On Health Insurance- Participants

rexford — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:42:30 +0000

Participants attending the African Health Insurance Workshop in Accra yesterday called on governments on the continent to emulate the health insurance modules being implemented in Ghana and Rwanda to improve on health care delivery.

A communiqué issued at the end of the four-day workshop, said the scheme in Ghana has within a short period covered 60 per cent of the population while about 91 per cent of the population in Rwanda were covered within the same period.

The workshop was sponsored by USAID's Global Health Systems 20/20 Project, the World Bank, World Health Organisation, International Labour Organisation and Rockefeller Foundation.

The participants are drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania.

The participants discussed the modalities and implications of crafting a health insurance scheme, how to upgrade existing ones, and the need to make health insurance affordable to the poor.

Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, Deputy Minister for Health reiterated the need to scale up health insurance on the continent to make health care delivery affordable.

He noted that although the scheme in Ghana is facing some challenges, it still remains an inspiration to the rest of the continent.

Dr. Kumbuor gave the assurance that the government will assist to improve the schemes in other African countries.

Source: GNA
Posted: 24/10/09