30,000 youth to be employed by rLG by end of 2012

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30,000 youth to be employed by rLG by end of 2012 Bolgatanga (UE), Jan. 25, GNA – Mr Sam Kwesi Fletcher, Head of Corporate Affairs of rLG, on Wednesday said Information Communication Technology (ICT) was a revolution of a knowledge based society which Africa and Ghana could not afford to miss.

Mr Fletcher said ICT skills played an integral part of global phenomenon that facilitated not only job acquisition but was required in any sphere of life.

He said this at a ceremony where rLG donated 360 computers to 15 Junior High Schools (JHS) in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Bongo District, as part of government’s public – private partnership with rLG Communications to promote the learning of ICT in schools.

The beneficiary schools were Sherigu, Akantome,  Adakura , Sumbrungu Kolgo, Baptist JHS, Awogeya , Afeghera No. 2 and Aninga Zanga JSS.

The rest were Preparatory Junior High, Anglican Junior High, Soe R/C Junior High, Saligba D/A.  Junior High, Gambrungu D/A Junior High, St Johns and Nuru Islamic Junior high Schools. Each school had 24 computers.

He said the benefits of the partnership does not end with the learning of ICT, but opened opportunities for over 30,000 youth to be employed by rLG in the assembling of computers by the end of 2012.

He called on all to assist to make the partnership programme a successful one.

Mr Paul Apanga, Upper East Regional Director of Education, commended rLG for donating the computers and the efforts they had made to train teachers to acquire skills to support the youth in the learning of the subject in schools.

He added that underdevelopment could be fought with the use of ICT and urged the youth to take it seriously.

He appealed to the Municipal and District Assemblies that had not connected their schools to the National Grid to do so, to help in the learning of ICT. He also assured rLG that the computers would be put to good use.

Mrs Lucy Awuni, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, said it was a commitment of government to bring quality life to the people and to also achieve the Better Ghana promised Ghanaians.

She said the donation was long overdue since some schools missed out in writing ICT for their Basic School Certificate Examination because the subject was not taught in their schools.

She said the distribution of the computers to the schools would enhance the teaching and learning of the subject in the country.

“It is an avowed commitment of government to develop the youth, who will in the near future take up the mantle of leadership and the administration of this country”, she said.    

She hoped the partnership with rLG would continue and called on more corporate organizations to join in similar partnerships to build a prosperous nation together where all Ghanaians would be self- sufficient.

GNA

Signs Of The Times

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President John Evans Atta Mills

We are at a loss as to what exactly is happening to this country.

Politics under President Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana has been reduced to something unworthy of attraction to men of repute. It is an unfortunate situation which demands intervention by good people lest the otherwise noble occupation of politics eventually becomes the preserve of fiends.

We pray that things do not degenerate to this lowly notch because the political leadership of every democratic dispensation is chosen from among politicians.

It is difficult to regard the present crop of men at the helm as presenting a good image of politics. It is unfathomable why those entrusted with the management of the affairs of the country would embark upon a course of destruction of the nation’s political values.

Yesterday, news about the veiled dismissal of Dr. Grace Bediako, Government Statistician, competed with the resignation of Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the immediate past Minister of Education.

Both reflect the unusual times the country finds itself in today, a period in which mendacity has become the order of the day in the seat of government.

If Betty-Mould’s exit can be attributed to the smelly Woyome debacle, the former is shrouded in the usual opaqueness associated with government business. It has sent Ghanaians trying frantically seeking answers to what informed the disguised dismissal.

We hasten to remark that asking such a high-profile personality, a Government Statistician and her deputy, to proceed on leave smacks of something sinister.

It is regrettable that government’s obsession with manipulating the people’s electoral verdict is driving it to engage in actions untoward and incompatible with civility.

In a country where rumours are rife, when there is a situation aggravated by a dearth of credible information from government sources, there is a tendency to be swayed by the fear being expressed by many that the dismissal of the Government Statistician and her deputy is part of a grand design to fidget with the population figures.

Gerrymandering is one of the preferred means of upturning the electoral verdict of 2012 by a government which is abhorred by most Ghanaians today. There is credibility in the fear being expressed about the real intentions of the government.

Such electoral manouvres are unsafe and should be avoided by all who seek the peace of this country. President Mills’s speeches are mostly ironic and for those hearing him for the first time, he is a gentleman intent on avoiding conflict in his country. It is an untenable impression however when such blunders, given their combustibility, are played out by the government at the behest of the President.

Ghana, he once said, would not burn when, in one of his cynical moods, poured scorn on his opponents; yet his supervision over the reckless treatment of high-level professionals such as Government Statistician and the Medical Director of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof Frimpong-Boateng, all under mischievous circumstances, makes us wonder where we are heading towards as a nation.   

All matters related to elections call for sincerity of the highest order because as flammable issues, they can be injurious to the fate of the country.

In nearby Ivory Coast, such manouvres left unattended, exacted a killer aftermath. Need we allow a reckless government to take us down such a path? No, because Ghana will outlive all of us and the worst we can do to her is to be irresponsible with such important matters such as elections. As for the Government Statistician and her deputy, we demand answers to what has befallen them. We are waiting.

Equatorial Guinea team receives 1m dollars cash for opener win

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Equatorial Guinea team receives 1m dollars cash for opener win Bata, Jan. 25, GNA – The Equatorial Guinea national football team has received a 1 million dollars package for their opening victory against Libya at the ongoing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The co-hosts beat Libya by a lone goal in the tournament’s opener last Saturday at a packed Estadio de Bata with striker Balboa Osa scoring in the closing stages of the game.

The Nzalang Nacional were promised a cash package of 500 million CFA Francs (1 million dollars) by Teodoo Nguema Obiang Mangue, first son of the country’s President who also doubles as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for a victory against the North Africans.

The 40-year old Mangue, who has been in the news for his extravagant lifestyle at home and abroad, handed over the cash to the team on Tuesday at their Mbini Hotel base, located on the outskirts of Bata, the country’s economic capital.

“The match was a very important one for the people of Equatorial Guinea, being the first time an event of that magnitude is being hosted in this country.

 “My presence here is to fulfil the promise made before the opening game. The journey is still long but not impossible,” the Minister told the team.

Mangue, who heads the country’s most important Ministry also gave out an extra ,000 for the two goals scored by Balboa, though only one counted with the other being ruled offside.

Captain Juvenal Edjogo-Ewono on behalf of his colleagues commended the Minister for his kind gesture and pledged to maintain smiles on the faces of the fans in subsequent matches.

The package ranks the debutants as the most motivated team at the tournament so far with the players also due to pocket 4 million CFA Francs (6,000 Euros) for each win at the group phase.

The co-hosts will face Senegal in the second match of the competition on Wednesday at the Estadio de Bata.

GNA

[Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Courtesy CAF]

Judge asks convict to confess before Catholic priest for forgiveness

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Judge asks convict to confess before Catholic priest for forgiveness Takoradi, Jan. 25,GNA — The Takoradi Circuit Court “A” Judge, Mr. Kwasi Boakye,  has directed a convict, Shadrack Obeng Mintah, 44, to confess before a Catholic priest and ask for forgiveness from God for spewing abusive, filthy and unpleasant words that ridicule womanhood.

He was charged with offensive conduct contrary to Section 207 of Act 29/ 60.

Mintah accepted the offence after his conduct was explained to him.

The court sentenced him to a bond of six months to be of good behaviour or in default serve 12 months imprisonment.

In addition, the presiding judge directed Mintah to render an unqualified apology to his former sister-in-law, Madam Mary Magdalene Yawson, for insulting her womanhood.

“You should know that it is a woman who carried you for nine months in her womb and delivered you therefore you must respect womanhood in spite of any provocation. It is unbecoming of a man to insult womanhood and you should be able to tolerate any uncomplimentary utterance that might come from a woman,” he said.

Mintah divorced his wife about five months ago but before the convict divorced his wife, the couple had been staying in their sister-in-law’s house for about 17 years until a problem developed between them.

The convict, who thought the sister-in-law was the brain behind the separation, started sent abusive, filthy and threatening messages through his mobile phone to the former sister-in-law who was then in Australia.

Inspector Annor said the complainant returned to Ghana in December last year for the Christmas holidays and reported the case to the police who arrested him.

GNA

Illegal operation of non Ghanaian traders slammed

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Illegal operation of non Ghanaian traders slammed Accra, Jan 25, GNA – Activities of non-Ghanaian traders has been slammed for non compliance of the provision of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Vice President and signed by Mr L.B Tusoe, acting Secretary at the office said “ the activities of some non-Ghanaian traders were not in compliance with the provisions of Section 18 of the provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994 (Act 478).

The Act states that: (i) Enterprises wholly reserved for Ghanaians include the sale of anything in a market, petty trading, hawking or selling in a kiosk at any place.

(ii)  Operation of taxi service and car hire services (A non-Ghanaian may undertake this service provided he has a minimum fleet of ten new vehicles), all aspect of pool betting and lotteries except football, operation of saloons and barbering shops,  “Market” as defined in the GIPC Act means a public place whether open or enclosed, established and managed by local custom, or specifically designated by the appropriate local government authorities or their agents with selling sites such as stores or stalls for purposes of selling and buying”

The statement said at a meeting held by Vice President Mahama at the Castle, on December 14 last year, with representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Registrar-General Department, Ghana immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the activities of non-Ghanaians in the trading sector of the Ghanaian economy were discussed, amongst others.

The representatives expressed their displeasure about such activities, even though they acknowledged the useful contributions non-Ghanaian investors are making in the development of the Ghanaian economy.

The statement further said several non Ghanaian traders were not complying with both Immigration and tax laws of the country and that without prejudice to any group of investors, the meeting resolved that an inter-Agency taskforce set up by the GIPC to monitor such activities be reconstituted.

This is to ensure that the provisions relating to the areas reserved for Ghanaians under the said Act were complied with: The country’s immigration laws were properly enforced; and also non Ghanaians traders meet their obligations to the state.

The meeting also resolved that companies wishing to engage in trading activities should also reflect the provision of Section 18 in their application for business incorporation to the Registrar-General’s Department: by indicating clearly the specific activity the company wishes to engage in and compliance with the relevant provision of the GIPC Act 1994.

“Non Ghanaian traders are therefore advised to take note of this communiqué and make the necessary arrangement to comply with the relevant provision provisions under Section 18” it said

GNA

Israel partners AMA to launch early Childhood Development Programme

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Israel partners AMA to launch early Childhood Development Programme Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in partnership with Isreali International Development Agency (MASHAV) on Tuesday launched an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme in Accra to improve childhood education in Ghana.

The programme being replicated in Accra Metropolitan Area, was piloted in Kumasi Metropolis in 2008 as a two-year trainer of trainees programme for a core group of kindergarten (KG) Ghanaian teachers mentored by their Israeli counterparts.

The first phase of the programme was aimed at upgrading ECD in Kumasi to suit the cultural needs of the people and introduce the educational philosophy that children learn through play and active experience.

In addition, it would train and empower teachers who would be qualified to train KG teachers and implement the local curriculum in a more flexible manner that would emphasize the “why” and how” in planning the activities.

Theories were drawn from discussions and analyses of activities resulting in the production of games and learning materials using local low cost or no cost materials and also giving the teachers a sense of belonging, love and care towards the children.

The Accra Mayor, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije said ECD was a cardinal part of the Better Ghana Agenda and on this premise that the School Shift System in Accra was abolished to give children eight hours of learning instead of the four hours that existed as well as reduce the large class size.

Under the project, 50 buildings of 18 three-storey classroom blocks are being constructed with the 38th building on course.

Each building has a library, science laboratory, and all necessary equipment needed to upgrade and improve conditions in the schools.

Mr Vanderpuije said equally important was the revision of instructional materials, training of human resource, adding that the ECD programme had come in handy and noted that the successes of the pilot in Kumasi would spur the Accra programme on to higher heights and commended the Kumasi team for a yeoman’s job done.

Mr Samuel Sarpong, Mayor of Kumasi, lauded the programme and said it was the reason why the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) gave it all the needed support in terms of funding for the training of teachers in Israel, provision of modern KG school facilities.

He noted that the programme had boosted the confidence and morale of teachers, children, parents and contributed to low rate of absenteeism.

Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Sharon Bar-li said the launch of the programme, and expansion of the Millennium City Project in Accra, was expected to be meaningful exposure to greater educator’s audience, to decision and policymakers who would be able to obtain first hand impression of the programme qualities.

She noted that the programme would also benefit local base of experienced KG teachers and supervision that was created over the past three years, which would further strengthen the element of capacity building both in Kumasi and Accra.

Ms Aviva Ben Hefer, ECD Specialist and Project Director, said introducing change was a long and difficult process that must be tackled with sensitivity and respect, without impinging on local and tradition culture.

She said under the project dark and small crowded classrooms with tables and chairs of different heights, children faced by teachers, who stood in front of children holding a long cane at them had been changed to a friendly environment making teaching more participatory and enjoyable.

The training model, she observed needed in the field, should be prioritised through understanding the culture and traditions and yet endeavour to introduce the “Why” and the “How” aspects of activity to existing Ghanaian curriculum which presented only the “What”

Ms Hefer called on the Ministry of Education, universities with ECD departments and teacher training colleges to adopt a uniform, integrative approach to early childhood education and prepare KG Teachers to implement it in the field.

GNA

Lady Pharmacists Support Dzorwulu Special School

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Lady Pharmacists Support Dzorwulu Special School Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – The Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana (LAPAG), has committed GH¢ 150,000 to provide a flour mill and a structure to accommodate the facility at the Dzorwulu Special School (DSS), a shelter for mentally challenged children.

LAPAG has also donated 10- kilogramme load of washing machine, industrial gas oven and other items to the school, which it adopted more than 18 years ago.

Ms Eunice Akosua Ofosua Amoako, National Chairperson OF LAPAG, made this known, when the body donated toilet rolls, laundry and antiseptic soap, insecticide spray, disinfectants, body powder, powdered milk, tomato puree, chocolate powder, granulated sugar, and pens  to the  school.

The donation forms part of the annual support of LAPAG to the school.

The donation was made possible through the assistance of PZ Cussons Ghana Limited and the Cocoa Processing Company.

“We went there (DSS) to interact with the children and to learn from the Headmistress and staff about the needs of the children and how best we (LAPAG) could help,” Ms Amoako said.

She said the children at the school are assisted to gain skills to enable them live independent lives and reduce the stigma attached to them in the society.

 “We are women health professionals and anything we can do to make life easier for these children, to be integrated smoothly into society, will be a charge to keep we have and our God to Glorify.”

Mrs Veronica Sackey, Headmistress of DSS thanked members of LAPAG for their support over the years and appealed to other public-spirited organisations to emulate the kind gesture.

GNA

Nine districts in C/R benefit from 1,000,133 treated bed nets.

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Nine districts in C/R benefit from 1,000,133 treated bed nets. Cape Coast, Jan. 24, GNA- The Ghana Health Service (GHS) last December embarked on a “Long lasting insecticide treated nets hang up” campaign in the Central Region where a total of 1,000,133 nets were distributed.The exercise, which began from November 28 to December 9, 2011, was carried out in nine districts in the Region with eight more to cover.Briefing the Press in Cape Coast on the exercise on Tuesday, the Regional Biologist and Malaria Coordinator, Mr. Moses Asante, said the goal of the exercise was to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality rate by 75% by 2015.He noted that the GHS took delivery of the nets, which had been well treated to last over three years from the Department for International Development (DFID) through the UNICEF.He said though the main focus was on pregnant women and children under five years, every household as well as individuals in the Region were considered during the exercise and that the net as well as its hanging were free of charge.Mr. Asante said his outfit was expecting an extra 46,000 treated bed nets which would be soon distributed and hanged in the districts which did not get their allocation.According to him, a total of 133 health staff, 482 sub-district supervisors as well as 10,800 volunteers were trained on the “hang-up” activities.He said the exercise faced some challenges such as shortage of nets, some volunteers giving out the nets instead of hanging them, illegitimate collection of money by some volunteers.Mr. Mensah said these problems were tackled and therefore the exercise went on smoothly.He said the nets could be washed for up to twenty times with mild soap and should not be dried in the sun but should rather be hung under a shade advising that they should be used always to avoid malaria.He cautioned the public not to pay any monies to the volunteers who hang up the nets and that those who demand money should be reported, stressing that the nets were not to be handed over to individuals but rather be hanged in houses.He pleaded with the Media to continue with the public education on the proper use of the nets as well as the practice of good sanitation to avoid malaria.GNA

Need for government to demonstrate strong commitment to fight corruption – GACC

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Need for government to demonstrate strong commitment to fight corruption - GACC Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has Government to critically look at the processes initiated to investigate the actions of public officials which led to the payment of money to Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a businessman.

It said “The mix-ups and slip-ups surrounding the Woyome Judgement debt should be a source of worry to every Ghanaian, as it badly exposes severe weaknesses in the exercise of discretionary power by public officials, who are supposed to act solely and exclusively in the public interest.

“Additionally, it called to question the political class’ commitment to fight corruption and promote accountability when

they are unable to differentiate between party and government.

“This is a systemic problem that requires bi-partisan response and sobriety to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian taxpayer does not bore the brunt of these kinds institutional failures.”

The GACC made the call in a statement issued in Accra and jointly signed by Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, Chairman and Ms Florence Dennis, Executive Secretary.

“We urge the State institutions in the chain of accountability, including the Controller and Accountant General, the Auditor-General and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to come out once and for all to end the speculation and political ‘football’, by establishing the facts related to the amounts of monies paid so far to Mr Woyome.

“We also entreat the Acting Attorney-General to expedite action on the parallel legal process initiated by his predecessor, as directed the President.”

The statement said the allegation of political interference in the Attorney General’s mandate of prosecuting corrupt

public officials in the ensuing Judgement debt case, confirmed the challenges confronting the dual role of the Attorney General as the principal legal advisor to the Government and also the initiator of

public prosecution.

“In this light, we renew our call for the decoupling of the Attorney Generals Department from the Ministry of Justice to insulate corruption prosecution from suspicion of political interference and enhance the country’s anti-corruption drive.”

“We, urge the ousted Attorney General to provide all the information he has on the case to any of the independent anti-corruption institutions tasked with investigating the case, using the appropriate channels while protecting his integrity.”

“Lastly, we refer to the Government’s recent membership of the Open Government Partnership, which requires it to be committed to be open and transparent in its activities, ensure civic participation in governance and exhibit the highest standard of professionalism and integrity in its administration.

This should not be a mere rhetoric but translated into action in this case.”

“We would also like to use this opportunity to urge all citizens, especially public and civil servants, and political appointees to use the safeguard that is offered under the Whistle-blower Act, 2006 (Act 720),

to report on cases of malpractices to ensure that they are not mishandled by any political figure.”

The GACC said it had followed with concern the unfolding controversies and confusion related to the Woyome judgment debt case.

It said the confusion had been worsened by the events leading to dismissal of the former Attorney General, Mr. Martin Amidu, in the light of these recent events.

GNA

MP builds Kindergarten blocks for two communities

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MP builds Kindergarten blocks for two communities Nyinampong (Ash), Jan 25, GNA – The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante-Mampong, Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh has built two Kindergarten (KG) blocks at Nyinampong and the Patasi-Sesease-Kokoben communities in his constituency at a total cost of GH¢ 24,348.00.

The funding came from his share of the MP’s Common Fund.

Performing the inaugural ceremony at Nyinampong, he said, this was his contribution towards efforts at strengthening early childhood education in the area.

He said it was important to pay more attention to that level of education by putting in place the needed infrastructure and the supply of relevant teaching and learning aids to give the children solid education foundation.

The MP vowed to do all he could to help raise the academic performance of pupils and students in the Asante-Mampong Municipality.

He is already giving financial assistance to a total of 237 students and sponsoring free vacation classes.

Mr Addai-Nimoh said he would continue with these and other programmes to promote education.

Bringing quality health care to the people is another area that has engaged his attention. He has provided money and building materials towards the refurbishment of the Mampong Maternity and Midwifery Training School and the construction of a Health Centre at Adidwan.

The Municipal Education Director, Mr Joseph Appiah advised parents to invest in the education of their children to secure a better future for them.

Nana Boakye Yiadom Atonsa, the Gyasehene of Asante-Mampong, praised the MP for the significant contribution to the development of education in the Municipality.

He encouraged the people to take advantage of the facilities to enroll their children.

GNA

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