Health workers in the Upper West Region are preparing to embark on a yellow fever vaccination campaign in three of its nine districts that had recorded six cases of the disease.
About 214, 494 persons, especially one-year old children, would be vaccinated with 248,000 doses of yellow fever vaccines allocated to the region within one week, Dr. Kofi Issah, Deputy Director of Public Health, has said.
Dr. Issah was briefing members of the Upper West Regional Epidemic Preparedness Committee on the yellow fever situation in region at a meeting in Wa on Monday.
He said Wa East District has been the worst hit, recording four cases with one death, while Jirapa and Nadowli Districts also recorded a case each.
It is expected that 61,127 persons would vaccinated in Jirapa District, 61,219 persons in Wa East District and 92,598 persons in the Nadowli District.
The campaign would involve 276 health staff and 32 supervisors and would cost the Health Directorate GH¢110,106.00, Dr. Issah said.
He said about 90 per cent of the targeted population would be vaccinated against the disease and that district and sub-district teams had been trained in vaccination and other aspects of the exercise to be carried out on November 22.
Dr. Issah said the region would receive 340,000 mosquito nets in February next year under the Malaria Control Programme and would be distributed in the nine districts of the region to help reduce malaria.
Three districts, namely Wa Muncipal, Wa East and Wa WestdDistricts would however benefit from Ashanti Gold five-year sustained indoor residual spraying programme to reduce the population of mosquitoes.
The Upper West Regional Directorate of Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the Ashanti Gold would implement the programme.
As a follow up to the previous article on deforestation, I like to now look at how to plant and cater for trees. This is intended for individuals or institutions that wish to plant trees but have little or no expertise. Before I progress, I like to state that even though everyone can plant a tree, it is not every one that can raise a tree. Trees are just like children in my view. Just like how every man may father a child but may not be able to raise that child so is the situation with tree planting. It is one thing planting a tree and a completely different thing raising that tree. To raise a tree is to cater for the tree by protecting it and providing all that it needs to grow.
Most times we hear about tree planting activities by one organization or the other usually on some special days (anniversaries and the like) but we never get to know what happens to those trees after such activities. Tree planting can be done on special days, but tree nursing should be done every day. During the Ghana at 50 celebrations, trees were planted in many places across the country, but how many of these trees have been able to survive? I do not have an exact answer to this question however newspaper reports of 30th May 2007 (published on myjoyonline.com) indicated that some of these trees were dying, using some 1000 trees planted in Ho Municipality as a case in point. As we all know, trees are unable to move from one place to another and so they are more prone to a wide range of problems than animals which can simply move away if the environment is not favourable.
Choosing the right species and transplanting seedlings
Before embarking on tree planting, one must first make some considerations to ensure that the right species is selected for the site of planting (site-species matching). For example, the water requirement of the species should be assessed against the site of planting. Seedlings that require a high amount of water are likely to die in drought prone areas if irrigation is not done and so drought tolerant species should be preferred.
Also, the species must be desirable and provide the kind of benefits that the owner anticipates; e.g. shade, timber, fodder, fuel wood. Such decisions are necessary to avoid problems that may arise later after the tree has already grown. If the institution or individual initiating the planting lacks expertise in tree planting, then it is advisable to consult experts for advice. It is advisable to transplant seedlings at the beginning of the rainy season. The perfect time of day to move the seedling is during morning hours when the humidity is high. Seedlings should be transplanted once they have developed 3 to 4 true leaves.
The hole for planting must be deep enough to accommodate roots without twisting and breaking either the roots or the soil ball. The hole should also be large enough to provide enough aeration and enough loose soil for the young roots to be able to penetrate. The plant should not be put too deep in the soil and should not also be too exposed. As a rule of thumb, it should be ensured that the roots are totally buried in the soil to prevent them from drying out. After transplanting seedlings, they must be provided with enough water to ensure that the roots are well established in the new growing environment.
We must also ensure that the soil is right for the species. Seedlings are delicate and so we may have to use humus soil. In this regard, we may dig out the soil from the hole and refill the hole with humus to a certain height before putting in the seedling.
During dry season, it is also necessary to provide mulch and to water the transplanted seedling. It is extremely important that the newly planted tree has adequate initial moisture. It is however, not advisable to fertilize the seedling during the first year of transplanting.
Protecting trees
After planting seedlings, there is the need to constantly monitor the progress of growth. By observing seedlings regularly, we are able to notice any negative signs early enough to take action. Seedlings are very tender and prone to all sorts of damage threats. They should therefore be fenced to prevent animals from eating shoots or breaking them especially if planting is in cities. Fences should be spacious enough to allow enough aeration and light in for the use of the seedling. Also, fences used must be solid to ensure that they do not easily fall over otherwise the fence will rather destroy the seedling when it falls.
Maintaining trees
In choosing a particular tree species or combination of species for planting, thought should be given to the need for future management. Factors that should be borne in mind include:
water requirements: need for irrigation should be considered right from the beginning and drought-tolerant species should be selected if irrigation is difficult to arrange)
growth rate: need for weeding and other care will be less for fast-growing species
susceptibility to disease: maintenance costs of disease-resistant species/varieties or cultivars are likely to be lower
growth habit: some trees may require pruning to maintain the desired form or foliage; this may also increase maintenance costs
Trees should be pruned regularly to maintain good health and longevity. An effective pruning program helps trees resist wind and help reduce tree hazards. If the planner knows that trees will not receive any pruning once they are in the landscape, then a tree with a naturally good structure (e.g. excurrent growth habit) is preferred.
In conclusion, let us keep in mind that raising trees can be quite an expensive venture. There are many considerations to make and the points discussed in this article are by no means exhaustive. We should at least provide fencing to protect seedlings against damage by animals. We should also consider watering seedlings especially during the dry season.
For those individuals and institutions or organizations who wish to plant trees, you can send an email to [email protected] for any inquires you might have about tree planting. We are ready and willing to share experiences with you and to go through with you step by step to raise a tree.
Remember when the last tree dies, the last man dies!
Ghana’s total debt rose by 34.09 per cent rising to GH¢23.6 billion (over $14 billion), equivalent to 44.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product, the central bank governor announced.
??Domestic debt increased by 43 per cent year-on-year to GH¢11.84 billion in 2011, from GH¢8.3 billion the previous year, while external debt stock also increased by 20.1 per cent compared the corresponding period in 2010.
Presenting a report from the Monetary Policy report, central bank governor, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, on Wednesday said fiscal operations saw revenue and grants in 2011 amounting to GH¢10.7 billion, compared to GH¢7.5 billion in 2010.
Total expenditure, on the other hand, was GH¢12.7 billion in 2011, compared to GH¢9.2 billion in 2010 with wages, salaries and related expenditures surging from a little over GH¢2 billion to GH¢5.2 billion.??
“Fiscal operations in 2011, therefore, resulted in a narrow budget deficit of GH¢2.1 billion and was financed mainly through the issuance of domestic bonds,” the governor said.
Net Domestic Financing of GH¢2.1 billion was within the projected target of GH¢2.4 billion.
On the external front, the country’s overall balance of payments recorded a surplus of GH¢941.07 million in 2011, significantly down from the GH¢1.5 billion surplus recorded in 2010. Amissah-Arthur attributed the decline to the widening of the current account deficit.
The current account balance worsened in 2011 as a result of increased net outflows in the Services and Income Account, which rose to US$3.1 billion in 2011 from $2.1 billion in 2010.
Total merchandise exports grew by 60.6 per cent in 2011 to $12.7 billion, supported by oil exports and favourable commodity prices. ??Gold exports amounted to $4.9 billion while cocoa beans totalled $2 billion and the value of crude oil exports was $2.7 billion over the same period.
Total merchandise imports grew by 46.2 percent in 2011 to $15.9 billion.?? Crude oil imports amounted to US$1.4 billion while imports of refined oil products were $1.7 billion and gas imports were estimated at $172.8 million.
Total non-oil imports amounted to $12.7 billion and by end-use, capital imports were $2.7 billion, intermediate imports amounted to $6.1 billion, consumption goods, $3.0 billion and others constituted $900 million.
The governor noted that the rapid growth in imports 2011 and the unusual surge in demand for foreign exchange during the last quarter of the year created a misalignment in the bank’s foreign exchange cash flow.
The Capital and Financial Account surplus improved to $4.5 billion in 2011 from a surplus of $4.3 billion in 2010, driven by net inflows of private capital investments mainly into the oil sector.??
Gross international Reserves of the Bank of Ghana improved to US$5.4 billion in 2011 from US$4.7 billion in 2010, but Amissah-Arthur said that declined to GH¢4.6 billion as at January 2012 due to the increased demand for foreign exchange resulting from the higher than normal surge in seasonal demand to support trade.
Affable, attractive and talented will be attributes that put him right in the middle of what many wrote off as a dying industry. At a time when Ghanaian movies came no close to matching those from Africas’ most populous nation, Omar Baa Oumson and his generation of actors and actresses appeared on scene to salvage what remained. Soon Ghana could boast of a formidable movie industry still growing in international proportions.
Never lacking a bright smile, there always seem to be something about Omar, especially on set that makes him a delight to watch so much that he could even steal the shine from the lead actor/actress of a movie.
He gained an unrivalled mindshare in Ghanaian movie lovers after casting in 2007 classic, Crime to Christ. He was in the movie alongside Madjid Michel , Yvonne Nelson, Naana Hayford and Gavivina Tamakloe.
Thought ethnically Fulani, ‘Trinity by Nationality’ is how Omar Baa Oumson describes his origin; African by Spirit, Ghanaian by Soul and Sierra Leonean by flesh. His early life begun in Freetown -Sierra Leone, with his family. Definitely a family man, Omar believes the love, affection and support he got from his parents makes them the finest ever to walk the face of the earth.
Born in the early 1970’s he nurtured childhood fantasies of becoming a pilot when he becomes an adult but as he grew older and the puzzle of life fell in place he found himself pursuing a rather different career within the entertainment industry.
Omar Baa Oumson has always been an attention lover; he takes pleasure in putting a smile on a sad face through a genuine display of his entertaining talents. He has a rap music single to his name, released in 1989. He happens to exhibit proficiency in choreography and dancing.
Oumson holds a degree in French and Tourism from the Université Cheikh Anta Diopn (Cheikh Anta Diop University) in Dakar, Senegal. While in school he became the head of English students studying French at the University, underscoring his capabilities as a leader (political and otherwise).
His first appearance on the Ghanaian set was in Shirley Frimpong Manso’s ‘Different Shades of Blue’ – a television series about five university girls who shared a hostel room. Now Omar can count over 20 movies in which he has stared – dozens are in the pipeline soon to hit the screens.
Besides acting, Omar is a script writer, programmes organiser, radio presenter and linguist (English and French). He hosts a radio music programme Criss-Cross Africa on Citi FM, Accra. His lingual proficiencies have taken him across continents.
Omar expressed strong emotions against the increasing phenomenon of nudity in Ghanaian movies. “it’s crazy ,man, it’s crazy’. I don’t blame the producers or actors but blame the public,” he said. He thought the public’s continuous purchase of such movies motivate movie producers to make more of such movies to meet rising demands. “Those who complain are very few, majority are those who buy the movies.”
The actor harbours some quite revolutionary political ideas. “Democracy is not good for Africa”. In his view, it further separates Africans along the artificial boundaries that were set by the colonial masters. Monarchy or unity in political ideology is the way to go. Omar is a Pan-Africanist (Nkrumaist). He hopes to find himself within the ranks of ECOWAS or the AU canvasing for an immediate unity of African states.
Omar is a self-confessed fashion freak. That is at least one thing that is common between the characters he plays on set and his lifestyle. He enjoys the attention, “if I go to a party for instance and somebody is better dressed than me, I will go home and change.”
The programmes organiser is working on a project which he believes will aid in educating persons in West Africa’s English speaking countries about their counterparts in French countries. The saying that the English are very ignorant of the French is true he said, referring to observations he made during his numerous travels and interaction with both parties as a bases.
As his hobbies you will find Omar Baa Oumson partying or shopping.
He has words of encouragement for young movie producers that they pursue their trade with commitment and diligence as it is a very powerful tool to exhibit the rich Ghanaian culture and the beauty in African diversity.
Asem, known in private life as Nana Wiafe Asante Mensah, has allegedly lured a school girl into his Achimota home and had sex with her while she was intoxicated by a drug he allegedly put in her drink.
The story, published in Flex newspaper and written by journalist Attractive Mustapha, is known as Mustapha Inusah.
I thought I was just feeling sleepy naturally so I allowed myself to sleep. I only woke up and realized that my virginity had been broken with blood on me. “That was when I knew I had been raped. I could not tell my mum who happens to be a teacher in a Senior High School since she would not have taken it kindly. I only went to the Maamobi Polyclinic and the doctor told me I was pregnant. I told Asem I was pregnant but he did not mind me till even now, though I hid it from my mum.” The minor told the newspaper captured by
I and the family of Mr Doe in Keta (V.R) are dumbfounded when we read a response through the Lawyers of Mrs Benyiwa Doe to the Ghana Media Commission in the Ghanaian Daily Guide newspaper on Monday, January 17, 2011 denying with arrogance that She (Benyiwa Doe) “Did not Kill Her Husband Mr Doe”.
I am Dennis Doe-Vormavor, The Interim Chairman of Ghanaians Abroad Against Corruption and a Nephew of Mr Doe (Late husband of Mrs Benyiwa Doe). I say with astonishment and extreme anger that Honourable Minister Benyiwa Doe has had the effrontery to deny through her Lawyers to the Ghana Media Commission that she did not kill her husband with poisonous substance. In fact, in her effort to try and deny her iniquitous act, she failed to explain to Ghanaians how she killed my uncle (Mr Doe) if not through poison.
Since my statement was published that she killed her husband (my uncle) with a poison in Nigeria in the 1980’s,poison which a pathologist report confirmed that high doses of rat poison was found in Mr Doe’s bloodstream. the Criminal Investigating Dept of Ghana Police have shown no sign of investigating the matter until we all heard the denial from the Honourable Minister – Mrs Benyiwa Doe through her Lawyers to the Ghana Media Commission.
I deem the denial through her solicitors to the Ghana Media Commission as ridiculous and not enough since the matter is a criminal offence committed by Mrs Benyiwa Doe. I would have expected the C.I.D of Police or the Attorney General to lodge an investigation into the matter. The Ghana government must not cover up murder!
Though I am a resident in Glasgow UK I am prepared to come down to Ghana with more credible evidence and as a witness to show that indeed Ama Benyiwa Doe killed my uncle, provided my safety and security can be guaranteed by the state. I have also spoken with Mrs Arkoh (a Ghanaian) in London who was the Senior Nurse on duty during the postmortem of my late Uncle Mr Doe in Nigeria and is also willing to come down to testify of what she knows about the death of Mr Doe if her security can be assured.
In fact, it is rather unfortunate that one woman who could have even testified before I do so is late honourable Hawa Yakubu who was with Madam Benyiwa in Nigeria during that time but died mysteriously. So now, who poisoned Honourable Hawa Yakubu at the party? This is a food for thought.
I believe that Mrs Benyiwa Doe’s denial through her Lawyers to the Ghana Media Commission as reported by the Daily Guide news paper has raised more questions than answers.
Some of the questions are:
1. Why did Mrs Benyiwa Doe fail to explain to Ghanaians how my uncle (Mr Doe) died if she did not poison him?
2. Why did Nigerian Authorities suspect foul play in Mr Doe’s death and opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
3. Why Mrs Benyiwa Doe has to flee to Ghana under a Diplomatic Immunity (though not Ghanaian government official) whilst the investigation was in progress in Nigeria?
4. Is Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe not living with her late husband’s child in Ghana after poisoning Mr Doe to death?
Ironically, I believe many Ghanaians are still surprised to hear more this unfolding story concerning the death of my uncle (Mr Doe) who was allegedly poisoned in Nigeria by his wife Mrs Benyiwa Doe who is the current regional minister of Central Region.
Mrs Ama Benyiwa used to work at the University of Ghana, Legon administration as a typist and got married to my uncle who was also a lecturer at the university. Eventually, Mr and Mrs Doe moved to settle in Nigeria in the 1980s.
In Nigeria, Mr and Mrs Doe tried tirelessly for a child but could not produce one and as today, Ama Benyiwa has no child of own. Mr Doe – the husband, seemingly lost interest and Mrs Ama Benyiwa resorted to accusing her husband Mr Doe of womanizing and cheating on her. The situation became worse when Mr. Doe befriended a Nigerian woman (Ms. Tolou) in Lagos.
Mr Doe’s girl friend had a child for him and as the result Mrs Benyiwa Doe could not hold her anger and therefore decided to eliminate the Husband with poisonous substances which created a debilitating effect on my uncle which eventually led to his death. The Nigerian authorities suspected foul play in Mr Doe’s death and therefore opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Interestingly, to cover up her deeds from her accusers, Ama Benyiwa quickly camouflaged the Nigerian security and the investigation team at the time by adopting the child from her late husband’s beautiful girl friend. Ama eventually sold my uncle’s assets and then fled to Ghana under a diplomatic immunity by the then Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria with the help of Ghana Foreign Affairs dept under Prez Rawlings. Now, if she claims nothing fishy happened, why the rush to sell the assets of the late husband and flee to Ghana shortly after the death of my uncle? Who was chasing her?
As at today, there’s credible information that Ama Benyiwa Doe is currently wanted in Nigeria to answer allegations of murder of her husband Mr Doe. We also want to assure you that your denial through your Lawyers to the G.M.C is the genesis of the battle, so the honourable Minister Ama Benyiwa should not think that she’s gotten away with the murder of my uncle. Ama has to face the due punishment of the law. This wicked crime can no longer be swept under the carpet!
Though the Nigerian security is still investigating this case according to a reliable source, we also want urge the Ghanaian authorities to lodge an investigation into this atrocious act perpetuated by the honourable Minister Ama Benyiwa Doe.
Its still beggar’s belief that the President and the Parliament of Ghana could still allow a murderer to continue as a Minister representing the good hardworking people of Central Region.
I call on the President, The Ghanaian Authorities and National Security to investigate this matter and together with Interpol should extradite Ama Benyiwa Doe to Nigeria to face Justice!!
Source: Dennis Doe-Vormavor, LLB MA Political Science Interim Chairman Ghanaians Abroad Against Corruption G
Please note this is just an estimate as said by the compiler of this list, most of their wealth are hidden to public eye.
The fact that Nigerian, Aliko Dangote is Africa?s richest man according to Forbes 2011 Rich List doesn?t mean he is the richest in Africa. Forbes list is made up of billionaires who gave access to their personal finances and assets.
Ghanaians Abroad against Corruption is appealing to The UN Secretary General and the Ecowas, to investigate the circumstances whereby elements of the Ghanaian National Security services, and advisors of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills authorised the supply of military equipment, namely pistols, ammunition, rocket propelled launchers, bullet proof vests and two way’/adios to Laurent Gbagbo.
, Our sources on the Ghanaian -Ivorian Border stated that on Christmas Day at 2.am 400 members of the ruling party militia, the United Cadres Front, “crossed the border town of Enchi in Ghana into Cote d ivoire and headed south to a rendezvous point at Grand Bassam in Cote d Ivoire.
Close allies of Laurent Gbagbo have set up a command post to receive these men. Though the aims of objectives of these men are not clear, it is believed they are to act as a search and destroy unit and to thwart forces loyal to Mr Alhassane Ouatarra from taking key installations around the capital and to support the Ivorian army factions loyal to Mr Gbagbo.
The Ghanaian Government we have learnt has bowed to pressure from their National Security outfit to support Mr Gbagbo with financial assistance. We condemn this decision as it undermines the efforts of the African Union and Ecowas, the regional body to bring the crisis to an end.
We also expressed serious reservations about the involvement of Ex President Mr Jerry Rawlings, and Mr Kojo Tsikata, former Head of the Ghanaian Intelligence services, 1982-1995 and currently special advisor on National Security, Foreign Intelligence and Elections under President Mills as well as elements of the Ghanaian security services. We know that elements of the United Cadres front militia are very skilled and well drilled. All are former members of the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs) and the defunct Forces Reserve Battalion (FRB) which existed under the 19 year rule of Mr Jerry Rawlings. Most of these individuals also received training in Libya. We ask the United Nations to investigate why elements who are not part of the Ghanaian army are being sent to Cote d Ivoire without any proper mandate to prop up and support a government whose current legality is in dispute and also why military equipment is being supplied, just satisfy vested interests in violation of international Law.
Dennis Doe Vormavor
Interim Chairman, Ghanaians Abroad against Corruption (GAAC)
GlasgowUK
Dr Frank Obese Jecty
GAAC Representative, Abidjan, Cote d ivoire
In the finest tradition of civil society activism, the right philosophy is
to be critical of government, in all its forms.
In liberal democracies, like Ghana has gradually become, the government pays
enough people to sing its praises that civil groups who spend their time
flattering the incumbent administration would very quickly become redundant.
Evidence-based criticism is a niche that groups like us have been rushing to
fill ever since our democracy matured in the late 90s. Even where government
has been manifestly successful, we rarely see the need to offer praise,
since it is the moral duty of a government to do right by its citizens. In a
democracy, the government does not conduct itself creditably because of its
magnanimity. It does so to survive, which by definition cannot be considered
praiseworthy.
When they fall short of the glory of the constitution, however, it is
important that we are loud in our reproof. For, it amounts to a breach of
great oaths, which they have voluntarily taken. Our culture, at least,
frowns on breakers of oath.
All the above notwithstanding, sometimes, praise can be utilised for
critical purposes. By highlighting good behaviour on the part of specific
institutions and individual actors, the spotlight necessarily turns
afterwards to the failing conduct of other institutions and actors. That is
to say, it is possible to highlight in order to contrast.
That is why for the first time IMANI-Ghana has decided to release a list of
the top 5 most inspirational public sector leaders in Ghana for the year
2010.
In the finest tradition of rating lists, the assessments implied by the
rankings reflect the opinions of those keen observers of the public sphere
who were approached. They reflect a review of media accounts, policy
statements, public records and documented outcomes from the perspective of
independent researchers who nonetheless would have their personal biases as
to what constitutes ?accomplishment?.
The methodology undergirding this ranking is quite straightforward,
actually. We graded a vast number of public sector institutions according to
our three-prong criteria:
*Independence*. Has the institution demonstrated significant independence
from the central government to the extent that the resulting autonomy has
shielded it, to a reasonable extent, from the arbitrary will of
partisan-minded politicians?
*Public Engagement*. Has this institution avoided easy and convenient
propaganda and focussed on providing information to the general public that
is reliable, accurate, thoughtful and useful for the purposes of assessing
the institution?s challenges, performance and objectives? Have they told the
citizenry the hard facts of policy choices and kept away from gratuitous
controversy?
*Promise of Transformation*. The challenges that confront all facets of our
national life are many, deep and complex. Even great leadership would not
succeed in delivering instant results. However, has the institution under
consideration articulated by dint of hard work and persuasive argument an
end in sight that is uplifting and empowering such that its followers and
the general public can dare to hope that transformation may be imminent?
But this is a list of leadership, to wit: inspirational leadership. Thus,
once the institutions had been agreed upon, the rake that was used to winnow
the list down even further was that of clear and unambiguous evidence that
leadership is at play here. Our bias was to look for evidence of exemplary
leadership by the Chief Executive though we were also quite ready to concede
that in some instances leadership appeared to emerge with collective
features. But that is where the quibbling over leadership theory ended.
We all know leadership when we see it. Has this public sector leader
demonstrated resolve in leading her institution to pursue a clearly
articulated vision even in the face of limited resources and the pressures
of conformity in an environment of cheap politics?
When all was said and done, our team and external consultants settled on the
following inspirational leaders of 5 promising state institutions.
1. *Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur*, Governor of the Bank of Ghana
The Governor impressed us with his conduct of the affairs of the Monetary
Policy Committee in particular, though there is evidence that other aspects
of the Bank?s work, such as banking inspection, have also improved. Despite
pressure from political forces to go beyond moral suasion in compelling the
banks to reduce interest rates, the Governor has been unwavering in going
where the evidence leads. Diplomatically, he has rebuked the government to
pay the contractors and stop dithering, since this has an effect on
non-performing loans in the system, and by extension lending rates. In the
words of Friedman, ?inflation everywhere is a monetary phenomenon?. What
this quip means in this context is that the Governor?s conduct of monetary
policy has more than contributed to the era of stable inflation and the
stable national currency. His attitude to his duties has helped stem the
loss of investor confidence that marked the early months of 2009. He may be
dour, but only in a manner quite becoming of a guy who has his fingers on
the nation?s purse strings.
1. *Alfred Oko Vanderpuije*, Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan
Assembly
After a number of false starts, the Mayor quickly settled into the hot seat
of managing the affairs of the country?s most politically sensitive city. We
were unimpressed in the early months of his administration, especially
during the botched decongestion exercise, and we still have a few unresolved
policy differences with him about the right approach to urban ?planning?.
The jury is also still out on his sanitation policy, which some have
interpreted as a ?get Zoomlion? strategy, and also on his outdoor
advertising directives. But the Mayor is fast learning to focus the energies
of the assembly on the big picture. His symbolic raids on government
agencies in pursuit of property rates arrears and his optimistic courting of
Jeffrey Sachs? Millennium City initiative are all testimony to a
determination to ?transform? how city management is done in Ghana. He has
refrained from involving himself in petty partisan squabbles and maintained
a balanced posture with respect to Accra?s many chieftaincy and other
sectarian faultlines. He wants greater devolution of power from the central
government to the towns and regions, and he has even begun developing
investment plans for some of the most challenging sectors under his
jurisdiction. The results are yet to change the fortunes of the city, but we
were inspired by his energy and commitment.
For many years, the Chief Psychiatrist was almost a lone crusader for mental
health policy reforms in this country. Today, he has been joined by a number
of non-governmental organisations and won the attention of the President.
Some have faulted his professional diplomacy skills, following persistent
falling outs with the sector Minister. But what the Chief Psychiatrist lacks
in negotiation skills, he more than makes up for it with relentless focus,
determination and dedication. His knowledge of psychiatric issues and the
policy environment is encyclopaedic, even daunting. He has also shown that
he has a streak of positive opportunism in him. Seizing on the Anas Aremeyaw
exposes, rather than feel indicted by it, he has forced mental health issues
up the media?s priority list for the health sector, bringing into sharp
focus such matters as alcohol regulation, substance abuse, and
community-based care. And by reminding all of us that there is one
psychiatrist for every 2 million Ghanaians, Akwasi Osei has changed the
terms of the debate. He isn?t bringing a neglected issue to our attention;
he is exposing the hollowness of our Ghanaian civilisation.
1. *The Commissioners* of the Commission for Human Rights &
Administrative Justice
CHRAJ?s managers never hide from the fact that there is a host of human
rights issues across the breadth and depth of this country that their
limited resources and personnel prevent them from even remotely addressing.
But there has never been a doubt about the organisation?s direction. This
year, they have navigated political controversy and militant cynicism, and
come out with their reputation intact. They have been vocal in urging
greater speed in prisons reforms, and been loud in their denunciation of the
mob mentality that still dogs nominally liberal-democratic Ghana. They have
firmly planted the issue of disability rights in the labour reform agenda of
Ghana. When ?decongestion? became a lazy excuse for haphazard demolition
activities, CHRAJ descended upon municipal authorities, giving much impetus
to public interest activists who took to the Law Courts to redress the
excesses of these so-called ?urban planning? programs. CHRAJ has never
missed an opportunity this year to paint for all of us what a ?decent and
humane society? looks like.
1. *The Frontline Staff* of the National Disaster Management Organisation
NADMO failed to take major steps towards achieving the organisation?s own
objective of transforming into a comprehensive risk preventive system for
the country from its current status as a disaster response agency. But the
organisation?s field staff need to be commended for their valiant efforts
this year in responding to multiple incidents, predominantly
flooding-related, across the country. Lack of policy robustness
notwithstanding, these underpaid personnel responded quite creditably to
tragedies across the length and breadth of our nation, from the marshy banks
of the Volta to the arid grasslands of the Savannah. Many risked their
lives, as they wrestled against the elements, working without the right
equipment and protective gear. Their actions are the stuff of which genuine
patriotism is made of, and not the bombastic rhetoric of the Accra elite.
So there you have it.
As we said at the very beginning, this is a list of the most inspirational
public sector leaders 2010 gave us. And that indeed is the focus of this
report, but we couldn?t help taking a jab at some of the public sector
institutions that have been most egregious in flouting the list of 3
?virtues? we outlined earlier on. If we were compelled to produce a list of
the 5 least inspirational institutions, we would have gone for the
following:
1. *Ghana Statistical Service:* for mucking up a vital national exercise
as the Census (none of the authors of this report was ?counted?), and
generally larking about with essential public communications of crucial
policy relevance, such as the rebasing fiasco.
2. *Brand Ghana Office*: for raising our hopes of a new era of strategic
national image development, and promptly dashing all of them. True, several
public sector institutions seem dormant too. Forestry and Wildlife
Commission; Water Resources Commission; Chieftaincy Secretariat etc., are
just a few examples of dozens of lazing bureaucracies maintained out of
public funds to what purpose only God knows. But Brand Ghana takes the can
because of the fun fair which surrounded its launch and the audacity of the
PR fraud that was perpetrated on us, the poor citizenry of Ghana. No doubt
its managers shall blame their abysmal performance on resource constraints,
but there are many civil society and private sector organisations labouring
under similar challenges that nevertheless ?makes an effort? to be relevant.
At any rate, we feel that this phantom state body is a good placeholder for
the many state institutions that hide behind the ?no money? slogan to waste
our time and limited resources in this country.
3. *Public Utilities Regulatory Commission*: not that we have any
disrespect for the very capable professionals who are in charge of this
body. But the truth is that we have seen little in the way of clear
regulatory decision-making about how to improve on the quality of the
service delivery of the vital utilities. Next year, we hope they up their
game.
4. *National Communications Authority*: for the creeping signs of
regulatory interference in market phenomenon best left alone. Compulsory SIM
card registration, for instance, was an unnecessary burden on the system.
There appears to be renewed political domination of the regulatory process,
and an alienation of the private sector in the telecoms space. We all know
that many things could be changed for the better in this critical industry,
but the quality of the change is important too.
5. *Ghana Police Service*: the reformist instincts of the Inspector
General of Police notwithstanding, this security establishment got itself
involved in too many controversies for its own good, in some instances
actually damaging its credibility in the public?s perception.
There are certainly a number of organisations that came to our attention
that we decided to somewhat ?ignore? in this report. We have always
respected the National Development Planning Commission?s senior staffers,
but we also felt that the organisation is very much in flux at this time and
it would be best to give it a bit of time to settle. The GNPC puts us off by
their secrecy and aloofness and undemocratic attitude to public
accountability. First oil, notwithstanding, we decided that they do not
merit our ink, positively or negatively. Perhaps, who knows, 2011 may be
different.
*Courtesy AfricanLiberty.org and IMANI, Foreign Policy Magazine?s fifth most
influential think tank in Africa in 2009 ***
Respectfully yours,
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe is head of Ghanaian think tank, IMANI, a non-profit,
non-government organization dedicated to fostering public awareness of
important policy issues concerning business, government and civil society.
He is also editor of AfricanLiberty.org The Foreign Policy Magazine named
IMANI, the fifth most influential think tank in Africa in 2010. Franklin was
named Young Global Leader 2010 by the World Economic Forum.
Health workers in the Upper West Region are preparing to embark on a yellow fever vaccination campaign in three of its nine districts that had recorded six cases of the disease.
