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

News Ghana
-
0

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

News Ghana
-
0

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

News Ghana
-
0

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

AFAG hits streets to protest government’s handling of the Woyome saga

News Ghana
-
0

AFAG demonstration

Pro-opposition pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), is embarking on a street match this morning to protest what it says are economic hardship and corruption under the Mills administration.

Spokesperson, Samuel Awuku, says AFAG is particularly unhappy with government’s handling of the Woyome saga.

He told Joy News the removal of fuel subsidies also smacked of insensitivity on the part of the government.

Myjoyonline.com’s Ernest Dela Aglanu who is at the Obra Spot near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle reports organizers are excited about the numbers turning out for the match.

Dela reports of excited crowds of demonstrators draped in red drumming and dancing.

The Director of Protocol at AFAG, Maame Afua Akoto, told journalists the disorganized state of affairs in the country testified to the gross incompetence of government.

She said the situation is even worse when the incompetence and incoherence in government is cupped by massive corruption, citing the all too familiar Wayome judgement debt scandal.

Miss Akoto said while President Mills at his interaction with editors said he would not be so criminally minded and irresponsible to order the payment made to Mr Wayome, he had failed to take action on those responsible for the payments.

The match is expected to be ignored by government.

Some of the placards carried by demonstrators read: Atta will go; Atta Nie, Wayo Nie; Corruption na Doube Double;

The AFAG demonstration comes just a day after a pro-government group petitioned President Mills to compel former government officials to cooperate with EOCO as it investigates the matter.

Source: Joy News

Prestea Huni/Valley MP re-elected by popular acclamation

News Ghana
-
0

Prestea Huni/Valley MP re-elected by popular acclamation Samahu, (W/R) Jan. 24, GNA – The Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni/Valley, Mr Francis Adu Blay-Koffie has been elected unopposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegates to re-contest the seat for the 2012 election.

The 594 delegates from the seven wards in the Prestea Huni/Valley District confirmed their total support for the aspiring MP on Tuesday at Samahu in the Western Region when the party organised a constituency delegate’s conference.

Speaking at the function, a member of the National Communication Team of the NDC, Mr Peter Boamah Otukunor said Mr Adu–Blay Koffie had worked tirelessly to contribute immensely to the development of the nation.

He said considering the number of developmental projects that the MP had executed in terms of education, health, sanitation, water supply and infrastructure, he deserve to be given a second term to continue the good works and commended the delegates for imposing their trust in the MP.

He called on Ghanaians to re-elect the NDC government and the Parliamentary candidate back to power come December 7.

Mr Adu-Blay Koffie expressed gratitude to the delegates for giving him the mandate to contest on the ticket of the party for the second term.

He promised to work hard to transform the constituency by lobbying for more developmental projects.

The MP appeal to the citizenry to help maintain the peace the entire nation is enjoying by avoiding the politics of insult.

GNA

Politicians should show commitment to peace

News Ghana
-
0

Politicians should show commitment to peace Koforidua, Jan. 25, GNA-The Eastern Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Alex Ofori-Amankwa, has urged politicians to show commitment to peace to ensure that the December General election is held in peaceful atmosphere.

He also called on pastors to concentrate on preaching what was right for the transformation of the society and to guard against involving themselves in politics, adding that pastors preaching politics were dangerous society.

Speaking in an interview with GNA in Koforidua, Rev. Ofori-Amankwa, said the 2012 election placed an enormous task on all politicians to ensure that they conducted their campaigns and all programs in a peaceful manner.

“One could not create the impression that he or she was all for peace whiles he acted provocatively through his words and deeds.”

He stressed the need for politicians to do away with politics of insults, personal interest and the “ do and die affair” since the electorates were more than enlightened and would vote on issues.

 Reverend Amankwa noted that the 2012 election was a critical one that had the tendency to decide the fate of the nation and it behooved on all politicians, whether in power or opposition to lead the crusade for a peaceful election.

GNA

Bag thief jailed for 12 months

News Ghana
-
1

Bag thief jailed for 12 months Tarkwa (W/R), Jan. 25, GNA – A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 24-year-old illegal gold miner, Owusu Aikins, to 12 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing GH¢ 2,950 Ghana cedis belong to one Audrey Tidari.

He pleaded guilty.

Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the Madam Tidari is a business woman who owns a store at Kedawen where she rents canopies and plastic chairs.

  He said on December 20 last year she went to her store and while preparing to travel to Accra one of her workers gave her GH¢1,550 which she placed in her bag and handed it over to her 10-year-old son and went to the Presbyterian park in the area to collect some canopies to her store.

 The convict sneaked into the store, snatched the bag containing the money and took to his heels.

Inspector Amponsah said the son chased him and with assistance from passersby akinis was arrested.

GNA

Medical Doctor Enstooled as Manwerehene of Owirekyiman Traditional Area

News Ghana
-
0

Medical Doctor Enstooled as Manwerehene of Owirekyiman Traditional Area Assin Kushea (C/R), Jan 25, GNA – Nana Prah Agyensem VI, Omanhene of the Owirenkyiman Traditional Area, has advised the youth to desist from violence acts, especially before, during and after the December general elections.

He also cautioned them to be weary of politicians, who would deceive them into causing mayhem and asked them not to allow party politics to divide their ranks but to forge ahead with the development of the community.

Nana Prah Agyensem gave the advice when he enstooled Dr Nicholas DeHeer a Medical Practitioner based in Accra as Manwerehene of the Gyase Division of Owirenkyiman Traditional Area at Assin Kushea in the Central Region on Tuesday.

Dr deHeer, who is the first son of the late Odeefuo Sir Tsibu Darko IX of the Assin Atandensu traditional area was given the stool name Nana Ofori Amissah I.

As the first son of the stool, the Manwerehene is supposed to be the consoler of the people as well as to be by the Omanhene at all times.

Nana Prah Agyensem described the Manwerehene as a committed and dedicated person who is trustworthy and was proud to have such a prominent person coming from his traditional area and was therefore happy to bestow the honours of Manwerehene on him.

He, however, expressed concern about the fact that the people usually confuses traditionalism with idol worshiping stressed that “our culture as Africans is the spine that holds us together and that a nation without a culture is worthless”.

He described the chieftaincy institution as dynamic and very important and should therefore be accorded the need recognition and respect in the society.

He advised the new Manwerehene to endeavour to pay regular visits to the area and share his expertise and experiences with the youth in the area. 

Dr DeHeer thanked the chiefs and people of Owirenkyiman Traditional Area for the honour bestowed on him and promised to perform his duties with all the diligence and commitment expected of him.

Dr deHeer has held several position including Medical Adviser to the Shropshire County in England; Eight years as the Director of the Commonwealth West African Health Seerefarcat in Lagos Nigeria and consultant on School Health Education to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service.

GNA

GNAT signs MoU with stakeholders on salary

News Ghana
-
0

GNAT signs MoU with stakeholders on salary Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at a meeting with other stakeholders have agreed to put in place measures that will ensure that newly recruited teachers, who have not been paid since 2010, receive their salaries at the end of March 2012.

In addition, teachers who have been promoted to various grades in the Service, will be captured by the Controller and Accountant General on the April, 2012 pay roll.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued by Mr Awotwe Nkansah, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT and Mr Samuel Manteaw, Human Resource Director, Ghana Education Service (GES) in Accra on Tuesday.

It said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at a meeting between GNAT, Ministry of Education (MoE), Ghana Education Service (GES), Controller and Accountant General’s Department and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Monday, January 23, and Tuesday 24, 2012.

The statement said “All outstanding issues related to the conditions of employment of teachers, including delayed promotion and pay of transport and travelling allowances (T & T) and transfer grants would be addressed by the GES and MoE.

Meanwhile, the MoE will procure a server to facilitate prompt processing of payroll of staff of GES.

A Technical Committee made up of the parties had been constituted to speedily address other outstanding issues such as delayed promotions, delayed salaries, problems relating to transfers of teachers, sale of application forms for promotions, extortion of IPPD units in district offices, growing delinquency in schools, unavailability of collective agreement to teachers, recognition of teachers who read various degree programmes with study leave with pay, or without pay and extended working hours.

“The parties agreed to meet within the next two weeks to address all outstanding issues,” the statement added.

GNA

UCC Still committed to the training to people – Prof Yankson

News Ghana
-
0

UCC Still committed to the training to people - Prof Yankson Cape Coast, Jan. 25, GNA – Professor Kobina Yankson, Chairman of the University of Cape Coast Anniversary Celebration Committee, has said the university would remain committed to the training of qualified teachers to meet the needs of the nation.

He said as the first university established to train teachers, about 50 percent of its student population was in the Faculty of Education and that the requisite facilities and programmes have been put in place to enhance the training of students.

Prof Yankson said this during a pre-launch cocktail held for the media and other partners of the UCC to share ideas on how to successfully celebrate the anniversary. 

The Year long celebration would be officially launched on February 18 and there would be a number of programmes including press conferences, regional alumni activities, sporting activities, inaugural lectures and alumni homecoming.

The others are the naming of streets and structures on campus after prominent personalities, construction of an anniversary park where busts of past Vice Chancellors would be built and a banquet would be organized where deserving personalities would be honoured.

Prof Yankson said one activity during the celebration of the anniversary would be the inauguration of an ICT centre which would be used as a training centre for students as well as a research centre for lecturers.

He said UCC was key to the education of teachers, agricultural extension officers and business administrators and that the university’s medical school (UCCSMS) would start graduating doctors next year.

Prof Yankson said the Medical School was using problem based learning method to train the doctors and that the school was a pace setter helping to meet the needs of the rural communities.

He said the university was running nine faculties and that the Faculty of Law would be introduced in August, adding that the university was leading in terms of student numbers with a total of 68,000 regular students 24,000 distance learning students and 2,000 sandwiched students.

GNA

1...49,60249,60349,604...49,622Page 49,603 of 49,622