Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Bunso
A renowned Accra-based legal practitioner, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, has been elected the parliamentary candidate for Abuakwa South on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The 46-year-old winner secured 49 votes to beat three other contestants, namely, Kwame Acheampong Boateng, also a lawyer, who had 17 votes, Mrs Gloria Ofori-Boadu, another lawyer and human rights activist, who had 10 votes, and Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, who had only five votes at the primary held at Bunso yesterday.
The incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is stepping down at the end of the year after three terms in Parliament.
The tensed primary, which was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, was witnessed by some executives of the party, including its flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo; the Eastern Regional Chairman, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, and the Regional Secretary, Mr Alecs Agobo.
Prior to the election, all the four contestants took turns to convince the delegates of their achievements in their various fields of endeavour and stressed the need for support for whoever would emerge the winner.
While conceding defeat just after the election, the three contestants commended Mr Akyea and pledged their support and co-operation to enable him and the party to emerge winners in the upcoming general election.
For his part, Mr Akyea expressed his appreciation to the losing contestants and the rank and file of the party for their support and asked for their co-operation to enable the party to win the parliamentary seat, as well as the presidential election in the area.
Addressing the delegates later, Nana Akufo-Addo also congratulated Mr Akyea on his election and called for support for him, since his election was not for his personal gain but the collective interest of the party.
He also commended the delegates for demonstrating maturity in the manner in which they exercised their voting rights which made the conduct of the election peaceful, adding that since 1994 Abuakwa South primaries had always been a model for all the 230 constituencies across the country.
“If we shall continue to display this political maturity and unity of purpose in the days ahead of the December elections, no political force can withstand the Elephant, which is more poised to win between 80 and 85 per cent of the ballot cast,” he stated.
To ensure massive victory for the party, Nana Akufo-Addo entreated the polling station chairmen to work harder and encourage their constituents and those who had attained 18 to register in their numbers when the voters register was re-opened.
Recounting the various economic achievements the country had witnessed under the administration of the NPP, the NPP flag bearer said apart from the massive construction of various social amenities such as roads, health facilities and schools buildings, the country’s economy had also become buoyant, although the present government inherited an ailing economy from the previous government.
Nana Akufo-Addo asked Ghanaians to continue to be grateful to God for the blessings He had bestowed on the nation and also pray for good leadership, under which revenue accruing from the oil find would serve the interest of all segments of the population.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
ZOOMLION PRESENTS VEHICLE TO NEW JUABENG ASSEMBLY (PAGE 22)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, has provided a refuse collection vehicle for the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region.
The vehicle, which has a public address system, will be used by the members of the assembly to educate residents in their respective communities on how to keep their surroundings clean. It will also be used for a house-to-house refuse collection at a token price.
The project, to be managed by the assembly members who will pay for the truck within a five-year period, is aimed at raising environmental awareness among the people and ensuring prompt refuse collection in the municipality.
Making the presentation at a short ceremony in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Benjamin Eshun, said his outfit had decided to present the vehicle to the assembly as part of efforts to involve the people in waste management.
The initiative, which formed part of the company’s sanitary package for metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, would soon be extended to other districts in the region, he said.
The New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng, said since maintaining a clean environment was a collective responsibility of the residents of the area, “we must contribute our quota towards management of waste in our communities.”
He, therefore, commended Zoomlion for introducing private participation initiative in waste management in the area, and expressed the hope that the effort would encourage assembly members to educate the people on the need to keep their surroundings neat and tidy to enhance their health status.
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, has provided a refuse collection vehicle for the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region.
The vehicle, which has a public address system, will be used by the members of the assembly to educate residents in their respective communities on how to keep their surroundings clean. It will also be used for a house-to-house refuse collection at a token price.
The project, to be managed by the assembly members who will pay for the truck within a five-year period, is aimed at raising environmental awareness among the people and ensuring prompt refuse collection in the municipality.
Making the presentation at a short ceremony in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Benjamin Eshun, said his outfit had decided to present the vehicle to the assembly as part of efforts to involve the people in waste management.
The initiative, which formed part of the company’s sanitary package for metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, would soon be extended to other districts in the region, he said.
The New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng, said since maintaining a clean environment was a collective responsibility of the residents of the area, “we must contribute our quota towards management of waste in our communities.”
He, therefore, commended Zoomlion for introducing private participation initiative in waste management in the area, and expressed the hope that the effort would encourage assembly members to educate the people on the need to keep their surroundings neat and tidy to enhance their health status.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING PROCUREMENT COURSES (PAGE 23)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Government has secured $2.3 million from the Millennium Development Authority (MDA) to offer scholarships to students who will enrol and study procurement courses in polytechnics in the country.
The aim is to produce competent graduates who would offer technical procurement advice and assistance to the procurement units of the various senior high schools in the country to ensure effective procurement management practices.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority, Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei, made this known at a day’s workshop to educate heads of senior high schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and the Volta regions at Koforidua on the Procurement Law and a new procurement concept known as Framework Agreement.
The workshop also attracted participants from the regional co-ordinating councils, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as officials of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools in the three regions.
Mr Adjei said the successful implementation of the new concept would maximise value for money for all procurements carried out under the Public Procurement Act to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness on orders, goods or services.
The framework agreement, which would be implemented in two phases, seeks to bring together a number of high schools in a particular geographical area to form a cluster to enable them to order the same goods or services directly from organised suppliers on competitive prices.
The CEO said over the years, various schools had had almost the same common needs but had paid for such goods or services from diverse suppliers at different prices.
That, he noted, had been a major concern to the government, hence the need to cluster a number of schools in a particular geographical area to procure the same services or goods to “obtain the best value for money.”
According to Mr Adjei, as part of the implementation process of the new procurement laws and the new concept, various schools were required to establish a specific procurement unit to be manned by procurement graduates from the polytechnics, including interns.
“It is our expectation that such graduates will help you to adhere to proper procurement management practices to ensure that you do not fall foul of the Procurement Law,” he said.
The CEO pointed out that to ensure the successful implementation of the new procurement concept, his outfit had established a number of zonal offices across the country to provide appropriate advice to procurement officers of schools.
During an open forum, some of the school heads urged the Public Procurement Authority to organise further training workshops for them to gain a better insight into the new procurement concept, which they said, would enable them to adhere to proper procurement management procedures.
THE Government has secured $2.3 million from the Millennium Development Authority (MDA) to offer scholarships to students who will enrol and study procurement courses in polytechnics in the country.
The aim is to produce competent graduates who would offer technical procurement advice and assistance to the procurement units of the various senior high schools in the country to ensure effective procurement management practices.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority, Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei, made this known at a day’s workshop to educate heads of senior high schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and the Volta regions at Koforidua on the Procurement Law and a new procurement concept known as Framework Agreement.
The workshop also attracted participants from the regional co-ordinating councils, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as officials of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools in the three regions.
Mr Adjei said the successful implementation of the new concept would maximise value for money for all procurements carried out under the Public Procurement Act to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness on orders, goods or services.
The framework agreement, which would be implemented in two phases, seeks to bring together a number of high schools in a particular geographical area to form a cluster to enable them to order the same goods or services directly from organised suppliers on competitive prices.
The CEO said over the years, various schools had had almost the same common needs but had paid for such goods or services from diverse suppliers at different prices.
That, he noted, had been a major concern to the government, hence the need to cluster a number of schools in a particular geographical area to procure the same services or goods to “obtain the best value for money.”
According to Mr Adjei, as part of the implementation process of the new procurement laws and the new concept, various schools were required to establish a specific procurement unit to be manned by procurement graduates from the polytechnics, including interns.
“It is our expectation that such graduates will help you to adhere to proper procurement management practices to ensure that you do not fall foul of the Procurement Law,” he said.
The CEO pointed out that to ensure the successful implementation of the new procurement concept, his outfit had established a number of zonal offices across the country to provide appropriate advice to procurement officers of schools.
During an open forum, some of the school heads urged the Public Procurement Authority to organise further training workshops for them to gain a better insight into the new procurement concept, which they said, would enable them to adhere to proper procurement management procedures.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
K'DUA POLY GETS NEW HOSTEL (PAGE 20)
STORY: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
AN 88-bedroom hostel and other amenities worth several thousands of Ghana cedis have been put up for the Koforidua Polytechnic.
The four-storey edifice, capable of accommodating 448 students at a time and the other amenities made up of a two-storey administration block, the rector’s bungalow, 10 staff bungalows, lecture halls for School of Applied Sciences and Technology and the School of Management Studies, were funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
Besides, the GETFund has also refurbished a number of existing blocks of the polytechnic including the computer and the School of Engineering blocks and the construction of a playing field.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr George Afranie, made this known to the Daily Graphic at Koforidua.
He said as an investment by the GETFund, the first-class hostel, which is being managed by a private investor and is currently being occupied by 110 students, was to be attached with two kitchens and furnished with two refrigerators, two large gas and electric cookers and provided with recreational rooms with DSTVs on each floor.
"By this, it is expected that the facility will provide the students a conducive environment to study," Dr Afranie stated.
He said the GETFund had also provided a generator to take care of power outages and a 24-hour security service to ensure the safety of lives and property of the occupants.
Dr Afranie stated that this year alone, the GETFund had provided Koforidua Polytechnic with ¢3.5 billion to be used by the School of Engineering, and that the road leading to the hostel had been re-constructed.
The rector expressed his appreciation to the GETFund for the immense contributions it had made towards infrastructural development in tertiary institutions in the country.
AN 88-bedroom hostel and other amenities worth several thousands of Ghana cedis have been put up for the Koforidua Polytechnic.
The four-storey edifice, capable of accommodating 448 students at a time and the other amenities made up of a two-storey administration block, the rector’s bungalow, 10 staff bungalows, lecture halls for School of Applied Sciences and Technology and the School of Management Studies, were funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
Besides, the GETFund has also refurbished a number of existing blocks of the polytechnic including the computer and the School of Engineering blocks and the construction of a playing field.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr George Afranie, made this known to the Daily Graphic at Koforidua.
He said as an investment by the GETFund, the first-class hostel, which is being managed by a private investor and is currently being occupied by 110 students, was to be attached with two kitchens and furnished with two refrigerators, two large gas and electric cookers and provided with recreational rooms with DSTVs on each floor.
"By this, it is expected that the facility will provide the students a conducive environment to study," Dr Afranie stated.
He said the GETFund had also provided a generator to take care of power outages and a 24-hour security service to ensure the safety of lives and property of the occupants.
Dr Afranie stated that this year alone, the GETFund had provided Koforidua Polytechnic with ¢3.5 billion to be used by the School of Engineering, and that the road leading to the hostel had been re-constructed.
The rector expressed his appreciation to the GETFund for the immense contributions it had made towards infrastructural development in tertiary institutions in the country.
CONFUSION OVER NPP SUHUM PRIMARIES (PAGE 16)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Suhum
DISAGREEMENTS over the eligibility of eight Nankese Polling Station Chairpersons to exercise their voting rights at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary at the Suhum Constituency on Monday led to confusion among the executive members of the party and the two parliamentary candidates, leading to an indefinite suspension of the primary .
The eight polling station chairmen, who were among the 102 delegates who were present to vote at the primary to be contested between the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, and his sole challenger, Mr Bryan Acheampong, an Information Technology (IT) consultant, were said to have no voting rights.
This was because they, as delegates, failed to be elected as chairpersons of their respective polling stations in the last constituency elections of the party, a situation that is against the party’s national executive ruling that makes it mandatory that the electoral college should consist of only those who have been elected as chairpersons of their polling stations.
The tension-filled primary, which was brought under control by a number of armed policemen, led to the reconvening of a meeting between the regional and constituency executives to find an amicable solution to the problem.
However, the meeting, under the chairmanship of the Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, came to an abrupt end when the sitting MP, Mr Opare-Ansah, and Mr Amoabeng were said to have exchanged words, causing the regional executive members to leave the venue unceremoniously.
That was after the executive, which included Mr Alecs Agobo, Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, and the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, as well as constituency executives, had failed to resolve the issue.
According to credible party sources, while the incumbent MP and his supporters, including some of the delegates, favoured that the eight polling station chairpersons should be allowed to cast their votes, his opponent, Mr Acheampong, and his supporters were strongly against the decision.
According to Mr Opare-Ansah, the eight chairpersons were allowed to vote in the last constituency congress to elect polling station chairpersons for the national congress at the University of Ghana and other regional conferences to select delegates to elect regional executive two years ago.
He pointed out that if the eight delegates should be prevented from casting their votes at the primary, then the outcome of all the previous congresses that were held to select delegates for both the national and regional congresses “should be nullified”.
Furthermore, he expressed anger over the alleged remarks by Mr Amoabeng that the venue for the election was not conducive for human habitation and that the centre, the Adideso Social Centre, could pose a serious threat to the security of the delegates, as well as the executive members of the party, since the structure had no windows and doors.
However, his contender, Mr Acheampong, also put up the argument that since the ruling of the national executive of the party required that the electoral college should consist of only polling station chairpersons who had been elected in their respective constituencies, the eight Nankese Polling Station Chairpersons should be prevented from casting their votes as they had no voting right.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the co-ordinator of Mr Acheampong’s campaign team, Mr Emmanuel Danso, deplored the biased attitude of the constituency executive towards Mr Acheampong, noting that such attitude had severely affected their administrative function.
“There is a calculated attempt by the constituency executive towards Mr Acheampong as they are bent on rigging the elections in favour of the sitting MP,” he said, adding that the constituency executive only provided the list of the names of the delegates and communicated the venue of the elections to Mr Acheampong a day to the event.
The unsuccessful primaries was, however, brought to an end when the Suhum Constituency Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Addo, asked the delegates to exercise patience while attempts were being made to find a solution to the problem.
Meanwhile at the Ayensuano Constituency primary in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District, Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye, a 35-year-old automobile engineer, secured 54 votes to beat the incumbent MP, Mr Godfred Otchere, who polled 35 votes.
The two-time MP congratulated Mr Ayeh-Paye and pledged his support for him to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the upcoming general election.
DISAGREEMENTS over the eligibility of eight Nankese Polling Station Chairpersons to exercise their voting rights at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary at the Suhum Constituency on Monday led to confusion among the executive members of the party and the two parliamentary candidates, leading to an indefinite suspension of the primary .
The eight polling station chairmen, who were among the 102 delegates who were present to vote at the primary to be contested between the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, and his sole challenger, Mr Bryan Acheampong, an Information Technology (IT) consultant, were said to have no voting rights.
This was because they, as delegates, failed to be elected as chairpersons of their respective polling stations in the last constituency elections of the party, a situation that is against the party’s national executive ruling that makes it mandatory that the electoral college should consist of only those who have been elected as chairpersons of their polling stations.
The tension-filled primary, which was brought under control by a number of armed policemen, led to the reconvening of a meeting between the regional and constituency executives to find an amicable solution to the problem.
However, the meeting, under the chairmanship of the Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, came to an abrupt end when the sitting MP, Mr Opare-Ansah, and Mr Amoabeng were said to have exchanged words, causing the regional executive members to leave the venue unceremoniously.
That was after the executive, which included Mr Alecs Agobo, Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, and the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, as well as constituency executives, had failed to resolve the issue.
According to credible party sources, while the incumbent MP and his supporters, including some of the delegates, favoured that the eight polling station chairpersons should be allowed to cast their votes, his opponent, Mr Acheampong, and his supporters were strongly against the decision.
According to Mr Opare-Ansah, the eight chairpersons were allowed to vote in the last constituency congress to elect polling station chairpersons for the national congress at the University of Ghana and other regional conferences to select delegates to elect regional executive two years ago.
He pointed out that if the eight delegates should be prevented from casting their votes at the primary, then the outcome of all the previous congresses that were held to select delegates for both the national and regional congresses “should be nullified”.
Furthermore, he expressed anger over the alleged remarks by Mr Amoabeng that the venue for the election was not conducive for human habitation and that the centre, the Adideso Social Centre, could pose a serious threat to the security of the delegates, as well as the executive members of the party, since the structure had no windows and doors.
However, his contender, Mr Acheampong, also put up the argument that since the ruling of the national executive of the party required that the electoral college should consist of only polling station chairpersons who had been elected in their respective constituencies, the eight Nankese Polling Station Chairpersons should be prevented from casting their votes as they had no voting right.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the co-ordinator of Mr Acheampong’s campaign team, Mr Emmanuel Danso, deplored the biased attitude of the constituency executive towards Mr Acheampong, noting that such attitude had severely affected their administrative function.
“There is a calculated attempt by the constituency executive towards Mr Acheampong as they are bent on rigging the elections in favour of the sitting MP,” he said, adding that the constituency executive only provided the list of the names of the delegates and communicated the venue of the elections to Mr Acheampong a day to the event.
The unsuccessful primaries was, however, brought to an end when the Suhum Constituency Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Addo, asked the delegates to exercise patience while attempts were being made to find a solution to the problem.
Meanwhile at the Ayensuano Constituency primary in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District, Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye, a 35-year-old automobile engineer, secured 54 votes to beat the incumbent MP, Mr Godfred Otchere, who polled 35 votes.
The two-time MP congratulated Mr Ayeh-Paye and pledged his support for him to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the upcoming general election.
CABLE THEFTS THWART GT'S EXPANSION WORK (BACK PAGE)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman
FREQUENT stealing of Ghana Telecommunication’s (GT) cables has severely disrupted the company's expansion work in parts of the Eastern Region.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the company, Nii Fleischer-Brock, who disclosed this at a luncheon for the company's corporate customers at Koforidua on Monday, said a total of 79,200 metres of cables worth GH¢41,382 were stolen in the region last year.
"For sometime now some nation wreckers have been stealing and vandalising telecom cables and such acts have led to loss of property and revenue, hampering the extension of services to other parts of the region," he stated.
The regional manager said as part of efforts to curb the situation, the management of the company had over the years instituted a reward scheme for informants who provide useful information that would lead to the arrest of the thieves.
"Anybody whose information will lead to the arrest and conviction of a thief or thieves will be given GH¢500 while GT will offer GH¢1000 to persons who will cause the arrest of such people," Nii Fleischer-Brock stated.
Furthermore, he said the company would deal with people who bought stolen cables, noting that such a move would make the stealing of cable less attractive.
To this end, the GT manager, who expressed profound gratitude to the security services for aiding in the apprehension and conviction of some cable thieves, appealed to people in the communities, especially watchdog committees, to report suspicious characters found near the company's installations.
The event — which brought together heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the security services in the New Juaben Municipality — formed part of activities marking World Telecommunications Day in the region.
According to the GT Regional Manager, the company recorded the highest theft of its cables in places such as Obomeng in the Kwahu South, Nsawam in the Akuapem North, and Asamankese in the West Akyem districts, and Akyem Oda in the Birim Central and Koforidua in the New Juaben municipalities.
In spite of such challenges, Nii Fleischer-Brock pointed out that the company was committed to providing world-class telecom services to its customers, including basic and senior high schools, with its products such as Onetouch network and brodband 4U.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, whose speech was read on his behalf, observed that cable theft had posed a serious threat to the government's commitment to promoting information communication technology (ICT) to the people.
"Those who either vandalise or steal telecom cables can best be described as saboteurs and nation wreckers whose acts prevent us from enjoying the full benefit of ICT, which is transforming businesses, trade and lives in the world," the minister stated.
"Since cable thieves are enemies of progress, they must be punished in accordance with the law when caught," he added.
Mr Affram Asiedu reiterated the government's commitment to providing the people access to quality and affordable ICT and called on GT to complement such efforts to facilitate the concept of community information centres.
FREQUENT stealing of Ghana Telecommunication’s (GT) cables has severely disrupted the company's expansion work in parts of the Eastern Region.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the company, Nii Fleischer-Brock, who disclosed this at a luncheon for the company's corporate customers at Koforidua on Monday, said a total of 79,200 metres of cables worth GH¢41,382 were stolen in the region last year.
"For sometime now some nation wreckers have been stealing and vandalising telecom cables and such acts have led to loss of property and revenue, hampering the extension of services to other parts of the region," he stated.
The regional manager said as part of efforts to curb the situation, the management of the company had over the years instituted a reward scheme for informants who provide useful information that would lead to the arrest of the thieves.
"Anybody whose information will lead to the arrest and conviction of a thief or thieves will be given GH¢500 while GT will offer GH¢1000 to persons who will cause the arrest of such people," Nii Fleischer-Brock stated.
Furthermore, he said the company would deal with people who bought stolen cables, noting that such a move would make the stealing of cable less attractive.
To this end, the GT manager, who expressed profound gratitude to the security services for aiding in the apprehension and conviction of some cable thieves, appealed to people in the communities, especially watchdog committees, to report suspicious characters found near the company's installations.
The event — which brought together heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the security services in the New Juaben Municipality — formed part of activities marking World Telecommunications Day in the region.
According to the GT Regional Manager, the company recorded the highest theft of its cables in places such as Obomeng in the Kwahu South, Nsawam in the Akuapem North, and Asamankese in the West Akyem districts, and Akyem Oda in the Birim Central and Koforidua in the New Juaben municipalities.
In spite of such challenges, Nii Fleischer-Brock pointed out that the company was committed to providing world-class telecom services to its customers, including basic and senior high schools, with its products such as Onetouch network and brodband 4U.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, whose speech was read on his behalf, observed that cable theft had posed a serious threat to the government's commitment to promoting information communication technology (ICT) to the people.
"Those who either vandalise or steal telecom cables can best be described as saboteurs and nation wreckers whose acts prevent us from enjoying the full benefit of ICT, which is transforming businesses, trade and lives in the world," the minister stated.
"Since cable thieves are enemies of progress, they must be punished in accordance with the law when caught," he added.
Mr Affram Asiedu reiterated the government's commitment to providing the people access to quality and affordable ICT and called on GT to complement such efforts to facilitate the concept of community information centres.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
YAW BARIMAH FALLS AT NPP PRIMARIES (PAGE 17)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Presbyterian Schools, Madam Beatrice B. Boateng, has been elected the new parliamentary candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Madam Boateng, who is also the Assembly Member for Social Welfare Electoral Area in the New Juaben Municipality, polled 54 votes to beat the incumbent MP and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, who had 47 votes.
The election, characterised by tension, attracted a number of armed policemen, but was successfully conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC), supervised by some party officers, including its Eastern Regional Chairman, Mr Alecs Agobo, Eastern Regional Secretary of the party.
Prior to the voting, Madam Boateng said since the party had every chance to win all the parliamentary seats in the Eastern Region in the December elections, there was the need for the party’s rank and file to demonstrate a greater commitment and unity of purpose.
For their part, the three contestants, who expressed their preparedness to represent the people in Parliament, identified unity and co-operation among them as their utmost priority and called for support for anyone who would emerge the winner.
Mr Barimah a Minister of State at the Presidency congratulated Madam Boateng who was one time a Presiding Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly on her success and pledged his commitment and co-operation to her to enable the party to win the seat in the December election.
“There is a time to compete and a time to co-operate. There is no division between Madam Boateng and me”, he said, and therefore entreated the delegates to refrain from making negative comments that could cause some division among them.
For her part, Madam Boateng expressed her gratitude to the party officers, delegates and other contestants for their support, adding that “the task ahead of us is challenging, which I cannot bear alone and will, therefore, need your support and co-operation to enable us emerge victorious”.
THE Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Presbyterian Schools, Madam Beatrice B. Boateng, has been elected the new parliamentary candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Madam Boateng, who is also the Assembly Member for Social Welfare Electoral Area in the New Juaben Municipality, polled 54 votes to beat the incumbent MP and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, who had 47 votes.
The election, characterised by tension, attracted a number of armed policemen, but was successfully conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC), supervised by some party officers, including its Eastern Regional Chairman, Mr Alecs Agobo, Eastern Regional Secretary of the party.
Prior to the voting, Madam Boateng said since the party had every chance to win all the parliamentary seats in the Eastern Region in the December elections, there was the need for the party’s rank and file to demonstrate a greater commitment and unity of purpose.
For their part, the three contestants, who expressed their preparedness to represent the people in Parliament, identified unity and co-operation among them as their utmost priority and called for support for anyone who would emerge the winner.
Mr Barimah a Minister of State at the Presidency congratulated Madam Boateng who was one time a Presiding Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly on her success and pledged his commitment and co-operation to her to enable the party to win the seat in the December election.
“There is a time to compete and a time to co-operate. There is no division between Madam Boateng and me”, he said, and therefore entreated the delegates to refrain from making negative comments that could cause some division among them.
For her part, Madam Boateng expressed her gratitude to the party officers, delegates and other contestants for their support, adding that “the task ahead of us is challenging, which I cannot bear alone and will, therefore, need your support and co-operation to enable us emerge victorious”.
Monday, May 12, 2008
GOVT URGED TO UPGRADE TRAINING COLLEGES (PAGES 24 & 49)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Government has been called on to institute a support scheme to upgrade faculty and ancillary staff of the various colleges of education.
The acquisition of desired qualifications by such staff is expected to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the successful implementation of the new educational reform programme.
The Principal of the Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education at Koforidua, Mr A. Akumfi-Ameyaw, who made the appeal at the golden jubilee symposium of the National Principals Conference (PRINCOF) at Koforidua on Saturday, stated that "the institution of scholarships for staff to train in foreign universities will enhance their competencies to effectively handle tertiary level teaching and the management of our institutions".
The event, which was on the theme: "Ghana Education Reform of 2007-Its implications for teacher education", was attended by principals, teachers and students of the three colleges of education in the Eastern Region, namely the Presbyterian College of Education (PTC) at Akropong-Akuapem, the SDA College of Education at Asokore-Koforidua and the Mount Mary College of Education at Somanya.
The principal said the new educational reform demanded that continuous teacher development programme should be offered to serving teachers to enable them to upgrade and update their competencies and skills to be in a better position to offer quality teaching and learning.
He stressed that it was in the same regard that staff capacity building programmes should also be offered to staff of the various colleges of education to pursue sandwich courses and other higher education to obtain the necessary qualifications in various disciplines.
"It is candidly suggested that apart from the training in our universities, staff from the colleges of education could be given government scholarships to train in foreign universities to enable them to contribute towards the successful implementation of the new education reform," Mr Akumfi-Ameyaw appealed.
According to him, for the country to achieve a middle-income status by 2015, special attention should be given to the training of teachers in technical, vocational, agricultural, and special needs education, guidance and counselling, and information and communication technology.
The principal commended the government for providing the various colleges of education with computers but stressed the need for such institutions to have well-equipped ICT facilities with new and modern computers with internet connectivity.
"Judging from the increasing number of anxious teacher trainees, the humble appeal is that the number of computers in the colleges of education must be increased considerably," he stated.
For his part, the Director of Basic Education Division of the Ghana Education Service, Mr Stephen Adu, said since the youth constituted the greatest asset of every nation that needed to be harnessed, the government was making every effort to make education accessible to all children of school age to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills.
He, however, identified the teacher as the major challenge to the new educational reform, saying that "the outcome of the innovations introduced in our educational system will depend to a great extent on the supply of good quality teachers".
Mr Adu therefore called for the institution of appropriate training programmes at all the colleges of education to ensure that "teachers we turn out are of high standard to meet the demand for the success of the new reform programme".
THE Government has been called on to institute a support scheme to upgrade faculty and ancillary staff of the various colleges of education.
The acquisition of desired qualifications by such staff is expected to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the successful implementation of the new educational reform programme.
The Principal of the Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education at Koforidua, Mr A. Akumfi-Ameyaw, who made the appeal at the golden jubilee symposium of the National Principals Conference (PRINCOF) at Koforidua on Saturday, stated that "the institution of scholarships for staff to train in foreign universities will enhance their competencies to effectively handle tertiary level teaching and the management of our institutions".
The event, which was on the theme: "Ghana Education Reform of 2007-Its implications for teacher education", was attended by principals, teachers and students of the three colleges of education in the Eastern Region, namely the Presbyterian College of Education (PTC) at Akropong-Akuapem, the SDA College of Education at Asokore-Koforidua and the Mount Mary College of Education at Somanya.
The principal said the new educational reform demanded that continuous teacher development programme should be offered to serving teachers to enable them to upgrade and update their competencies and skills to be in a better position to offer quality teaching and learning.
He stressed that it was in the same regard that staff capacity building programmes should also be offered to staff of the various colleges of education to pursue sandwich courses and other higher education to obtain the necessary qualifications in various disciplines.
"It is candidly suggested that apart from the training in our universities, staff from the colleges of education could be given government scholarships to train in foreign universities to enable them to contribute towards the successful implementation of the new education reform," Mr Akumfi-Ameyaw appealed.
According to him, for the country to achieve a middle-income status by 2015, special attention should be given to the training of teachers in technical, vocational, agricultural, and special needs education, guidance and counselling, and information and communication technology.
The principal commended the government for providing the various colleges of education with computers but stressed the need for such institutions to have well-equipped ICT facilities with new and modern computers with internet connectivity.
"Judging from the increasing number of anxious teacher trainees, the humble appeal is that the number of computers in the colleges of education must be increased considerably," he stated.
For his part, the Director of Basic Education Division of the Ghana Education Service, Mr Stephen Adu, said since the youth constituted the greatest asset of every nation that needed to be harnessed, the government was making every effort to make education accessible to all children of school age to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills.
He, however, identified the teacher as the major challenge to the new educational reform, saying that "the outcome of the innovations introduced in our educational system will depend to a great extent on the supply of good quality teachers".
Mr Adu therefore called for the institution of appropriate training programmes at all the colleges of education to ensure that "teachers we turn out are of high standard to meet the demand for the success of the new reform programme".
Friday, May 9, 2008
SCHOOL HEADS, OWNERS EDUCATED ON TAXATION (PAGE 11)
A seminar on the importance of taxation on incomes has been held for over 100 owners, heads and teachers of private basic, senior high and technical schools in the Eastern Region,
The seminar brought to the fore, the need for the participants to comply with the tax law and promptly file returns on the income of their employees to the service.
It was on the theme, "Your Tax Returns — A fair way of assessing your income tax" and it formed part of activities marking the revenue week celebration.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operations of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Seifa Agyabeng said that constitutional obligation would enable the IRS to fairly assess the correct income tax of employees to enable them to make claims for personal tax reliefs.
He said employers who failed to file returns on income on behalf of their employees only suceeded in denying them the opportunity to take advantage of the various tax reliefs.
"Honest and accurate declaration of tax returns by employers on behalf of their employees will enable them to take advantage of child education, tax reliefs on marriage, old age, capital allowances and other allowable expenses, Mr Agyabeng stated.
The Assistant Commissioner said it was a constitutional obligation for every employer to promptly file returns on incomes to the service not later than March 31 of every year.
"Article 41 (j) of the 1992 Constitution makes it obligatory, as responsible citizens who have a civic duty to the state, to pay our taxes to enable the government provide us all with social amenities such as good roads, hospitals, potable water, and electricity among others", he said.
Mr Agyabeng also asked employers to provide the service with information on each new employee engaged within a month as well as information on an employee who left the employment in the same period.
To this end, he asked employees, who also would have to file returns on incomes obtained from various sources such as taxable gifts and investments, to always obtain extract of income tax returns filed on their behalf by their employers to the IRS to ensure that the proper thing was done by their employers.
The Assistant Commissioner stated that both companies and individual taxpayers who committed any offence in the payment or under payment of tax could face both administrative and court actions.
"A company which fails to furnish a return of income on due date, in respect of each day during which the default continues, will pay GH¢12 while self-employed who commits the same offence will have to pay GH¢6”, he said, adding that any company or individual who made false and misleading statement of returns would pay twice the under payment of the tax.
He also indicated that in the case where a company or an individual deliberately made false and misleading statements, the offender would pay thrice that amount, while those who aided and abetted tax evasion would also pay thrice the figure.
On penalty imposed by the court, Mr Agyebeng stated that failure to furnish returns and making of false statements and returns to reduce tax could draw a severe punishment; a fine or imprisonment not less than two years or both.
For her part, the Eastern Regional Director of the IRS, Ms Patience Quaye, asked management of schools to honestly declare their various sources of incomes such as regular school fees, development levy, fees for extra classes, bookshops, canteen, income from transportation, sale of uniforms, rent of school premises, parent-teacher association (PTA) donations and external support.
To this end, he urged them to consult the IRS whenever they encountered difficulty in filing returns on their income for the extension of periods to do so.
The seminar brought to the fore, the need for the participants to comply with the tax law and promptly file returns on the income of their employees to the service.
It was on the theme, "Your Tax Returns — A fair way of assessing your income tax" and it formed part of activities marking the revenue week celebration.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operations of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Seifa Agyabeng said that constitutional obligation would enable the IRS to fairly assess the correct income tax of employees to enable them to make claims for personal tax reliefs.
He said employers who failed to file returns on income on behalf of their employees only suceeded in denying them the opportunity to take advantage of the various tax reliefs.
"Honest and accurate declaration of tax returns by employers on behalf of their employees will enable them to take advantage of child education, tax reliefs on marriage, old age, capital allowances and other allowable expenses, Mr Agyabeng stated.
The Assistant Commissioner said it was a constitutional obligation for every employer to promptly file returns on incomes to the service not later than March 31 of every year.
"Article 41 (j) of the 1992 Constitution makes it obligatory, as responsible citizens who have a civic duty to the state, to pay our taxes to enable the government provide us all with social amenities such as good roads, hospitals, potable water, and electricity among others", he said.
Mr Agyabeng also asked employers to provide the service with information on each new employee engaged within a month as well as information on an employee who left the employment in the same period.
To this end, he asked employees, who also would have to file returns on incomes obtained from various sources such as taxable gifts and investments, to always obtain extract of income tax returns filed on their behalf by their employers to the IRS to ensure that the proper thing was done by their employers.
The Assistant Commissioner stated that both companies and individual taxpayers who committed any offence in the payment or under payment of tax could face both administrative and court actions.
"A company which fails to furnish a return of income on due date, in respect of each day during which the default continues, will pay GH¢12 while self-employed who commits the same offence will have to pay GH¢6”, he said, adding that any company or individual who made false and misleading statement of returns would pay twice the under payment of the tax.
He also indicated that in the case where a company or an individual deliberately made false and misleading statements, the offender would pay thrice that amount, while those who aided and abetted tax evasion would also pay thrice the figure.
On penalty imposed by the court, Mr Agyebeng stated that failure to furnish returns and making of false statements and returns to reduce tax could draw a severe punishment; a fine or imprisonment not less than two years or both.
For her part, the Eastern Regional Director of the IRS, Ms Patience Quaye, asked management of schools to honestly declare their various sources of incomes such as regular school fees, development levy, fees for extra classes, bookshops, canteen, income from transportation, sale of uniforms, rent of school premises, parent-teacher association (PTA) donations and external support.
To this end, he urged them to consult the IRS whenever they encountered difficulty in filing returns on their income for the extension of periods to do so.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Y & K INVEST LTD DONATES TO HOSPITAL (PAGE 32)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
A key distributor of products of Unilever and other multinational companies, Y and K Invest Limited, has donated assorted items worth GH¢5,000 to the medical staff of the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
The items comprised 100 cartons of milk, 10 cartons of Milo, 20 cartons of fruit juice, 100 pieces of maxi bags of rice and 500 mini bags of rice.
Making a presentation on behalf of the Managing Director of the company, Mr Akwasi N. Premuh, Mrs Mary Okyere, a staff of the company, said the donation of the items formed part of the company's social responsibility towards improving health care in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs.
She said her outfit decided to donate the items as part of its recognition of the efforts being made by the staff of the hospital to provide quality health care to the people of the area and other districts in the region.
Mrs Okyere indicated that as part of the corporate social responsibility of Y and K Invest Limited, the company had provided employment to 250 youth in the area and gave the assurance that the company would adopt one of the wards of the hospital.
For his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben, Nana Adjei Boateng, commended the company for its commitment to environmental cleanliness and health care in the area.
Receiving the items on behalf of the staff of the hospital, the Medical Superintendent of the facility, Dr E. Apori Obeng, thanked Y and K Company for the gesture, which he said would motivate the workforce of the facility to become more dedicated to render better quality health care to the people.
He called on other organisations to emulate the example.
A key distributor of products of Unilever and other multinational companies, Y and K Invest Limited, has donated assorted items worth GH¢5,000 to the medical staff of the Koforidua Regional Hospital.
The items comprised 100 cartons of milk, 10 cartons of Milo, 20 cartons of fruit juice, 100 pieces of maxi bags of rice and 500 mini bags of rice.
Making a presentation on behalf of the Managing Director of the company, Mr Akwasi N. Premuh, Mrs Mary Okyere, a staff of the company, said the donation of the items formed part of the company's social responsibility towards improving health care in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs.
She said her outfit decided to donate the items as part of its recognition of the efforts being made by the staff of the hospital to provide quality health care to the people of the area and other districts in the region.
Mrs Okyere indicated that as part of the corporate social responsibility of Y and K Invest Limited, the company had provided employment to 250 youth in the area and gave the assurance that the company would adopt one of the wards of the hospital.
For his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben, Nana Adjei Boateng, commended the company for its commitment to environmental cleanliness and health care in the area.
Receiving the items on behalf of the staff of the hospital, the Medical Superintendent of the facility, Dr E. Apori Obeng, thanked Y and K Company for the gesture, which he said would motivate the workforce of the facility to become more dedicated to render better quality health care to the people.
He called on other organisations to emulate the example.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD VARSITY IN THE OFFING (PAGE 20)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
CONSTRUCTIONAL work for the proposed university of the Assemblies of God Church is expected to begin in December this year.
The estimated GH¢500,000 facilities accommodating the three campuses of the university would be sited in Accra, Kumasi and Saltpond.
The Eastern Regional Superintendent of the church, Rev. Alex Ofori Amankwah, made this known at a fund-raising ceremony for the university at Koforidua at the weekend.
The event, which was attended by members of the various branches in the region, was also used to educate them on the need to acquire knowledge to advance society.
Rev. Amankwah said a national fund-raising activity had already been held in Accra to be followed by similar ones in the regions.
He stated that with the enthusiasm being demonstrated by members of the church towards the project, a substantial sum would be realised for the project to commence on schedule.
The regional superintendent said the church believed in using education as a tool for spiritual and physical development.
He stated that although the church had a number of schools in the country, it had no tertiary educational institution.
“For that reason, the church decided to establish the university to make it possible for the youth of the church and the society at large, most of who could not gain admission to public universities due to limited vacancies, to benefit from university education,” Rev. Amankwah stated.
He said the measure would enable such unfortunate students to acquire the requisite knowledge to cope with modern trends and technology.
Rev. Amankwah used the opportunity to preach to the congregation on the benefits of hard work and decent living.
He enjoined Christians not to be a burden on other people, but work hard to make positive impact on society before being called to eternity.
Basing his sermon on Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, verse 10, Rev. Amankwah said the days when manna fell from heaven were over, stressing that it was the responsibility of all and sundry to work for a living.
In another development, the church’s regional branch has ordained eight ministers and promoted four others from exhorters to licensing ministers.
Four ministers were also received into the ministry as exhorters.
In a sermon delivered at the ceremony at Koforidua, the General Superintendent of the church, the Rev. W. W. Dontoh, asked the ministers to accept posting to the rural areas where their services were most needed.
The Regional Superintendent of the church, Rev. Alex Ofori Amankwah, advised them to stand boldly against all vices that militated against society.
CONSTRUCTIONAL work for the proposed university of the Assemblies of God Church is expected to begin in December this year.
The estimated GH¢500,000 facilities accommodating the three campuses of the university would be sited in Accra, Kumasi and Saltpond.
The Eastern Regional Superintendent of the church, Rev. Alex Ofori Amankwah, made this known at a fund-raising ceremony for the university at Koforidua at the weekend.
The event, which was attended by members of the various branches in the region, was also used to educate them on the need to acquire knowledge to advance society.
Rev. Amankwah said a national fund-raising activity had already been held in Accra to be followed by similar ones in the regions.
He stated that with the enthusiasm being demonstrated by members of the church towards the project, a substantial sum would be realised for the project to commence on schedule.
The regional superintendent said the church believed in using education as a tool for spiritual and physical development.
He stated that although the church had a number of schools in the country, it had no tertiary educational institution.
“For that reason, the church decided to establish the university to make it possible for the youth of the church and the society at large, most of who could not gain admission to public universities due to limited vacancies, to benefit from university education,” Rev. Amankwah stated.
He said the measure would enable such unfortunate students to acquire the requisite knowledge to cope with modern trends and technology.
Rev. Amankwah used the opportunity to preach to the congregation on the benefits of hard work and decent living.
He enjoined Christians not to be a burden on other people, but work hard to make positive impact on society before being called to eternity.
Basing his sermon on Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, verse 10, Rev. Amankwah said the days when manna fell from heaven were over, stressing that it was the responsibility of all and sundry to work for a living.
In another development, the church’s regional branch has ordained eight ministers and promoted four others from exhorters to licensing ministers.
Four ministers were also received into the ministry as exhorters.
In a sermon delivered at the ceremony at Koforidua, the General Superintendent of the church, the Rev. W. W. Dontoh, asked the ministers to accept posting to the rural areas where their services were most needed.
The Regional Superintendent of the church, Rev. Alex Ofori Amankwah, advised them to stand boldly against all vices that militated against society.
Monday, May 5, 2008
KAMENAHENE MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSSARY (PAGE 49)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Pesse
THE Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Sampson K. Boafo, has appealed to traditional rulers to encourage all members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to re-register, even if they did not use up their benefits in the past.
He said although they might not have used up their benefits under the scheme before it expired because of their good health, they had to renew their membership in order for them to enjoy quality and affordable health care in case the unexpected happened.
Mr Boafo said this in an address read on his behalf at the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, Kamenahene of the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region at Pesse last Saturday.
“When the health insurance cards of some people expire and they had not attended hospital the previous year, they are reluctant to renew the cards. They wrongly believe they have wasted their money,” the minister said.
“Just as a vehicle insurance has to be renewed yearly, so is the membership of the health insurance scheme. When you fail to renew your membership and you unfortunately fall sick, you may not get help,” he stated.
The event was used to launch an educational endowment fund initiated by Otwasuom Nyampong to support needy students from the area, as well as honour some hard-working teachers and students of senior and junior high schools.
It was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu; the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations; Mr Ntow Bediako, District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman; Mr Ransford Tetteh, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Editor of theh Daily Graphic and Mr William Ampem-Darko, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
According to the minister, despite the fact that the scope of the scheme had been broadened to include many illnesses , the lies being peddled by some people had discouraged others from renewing their cards, while others had decided not to register at all.
“This unfortunate lie that the scheme covers only headaches and some few illnesses is not correct,” Mr Boafo stated, and called on the people to consult the nearest NHIS office in their communities for advice.
Dwelling on chieftaincy disputes, Mr Boafo said as part of efforts to curb conflicts in the country, Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution enjoined chiefs to voluntarily co-operate with the Ministry by keeping proper documentation of customary laws, lines of succession, and the selection of suitable candidates from eligible royal families who would be acceptable to the people.
“All these steps, when carefully and honestly applied, will eliminate conflicts and ensure that the most eligible and suitable candidate is duly selected, enstooled and accepted by all stakeholders,” he stressed.
For his part, Mr Affram Asiedu called on chiefs in the region to co-operate with the Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture to resolve the various chieftaincy disputes that had plagued the region.
Mr Ampem-Darko entreated the media to be responsible in the discharge of their duties and strive to abide by the ethics of the profession, particularly as the December elections drew nearer.
Making reference to the Rwanda and Burundi genocide, he reminded the media that any unprofessional conduct on their part could plunge the country into chaos and, therefore, asked them to help educate the people on their civic responsibilities.
Otwasuom Nyampong highlighted some of his achievements since his enstoolment 25 years ago, which included the construction of a community library, a community centre and a palace.
He called on parents and guardians to give priority to the education of their children and wards to ensure the rapid development of the area.
The chief also called on all members of the community to motivate teachers who were posted to the area to enable them to give their best.
THE Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Sampson K. Boafo, has appealed to traditional rulers to encourage all members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to re-register, even if they did not use up their benefits in the past.
He said although they might not have used up their benefits under the scheme before it expired because of their good health, they had to renew their membership in order for them to enjoy quality and affordable health care in case the unexpected happened.
Mr Boafo said this in an address read on his behalf at the 25th anniversary of the enstoolment of Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, Kamenahene of the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region at Pesse last Saturday.
“When the health insurance cards of some people expire and they had not attended hospital the previous year, they are reluctant to renew the cards. They wrongly believe they have wasted their money,” the minister said.
“Just as a vehicle insurance has to be renewed yearly, so is the membership of the health insurance scheme. When you fail to renew your membership and you unfortunately fall sick, you may not get help,” he stated.
The event was used to launch an educational endowment fund initiated by Otwasuom Nyampong to support needy students from the area, as well as honour some hard-working teachers and students of senior and junior high schools.
It was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu; the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Mr Kofi Osei Ameyaw, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations; Mr Ntow Bediako, District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman; Mr Ransford Tetteh, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Editor of theh Daily Graphic and Mr William Ampem-Darko, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
According to the minister, despite the fact that the scope of the scheme had been broadened to include many illnesses , the lies being peddled by some people had discouraged others from renewing their cards, while others had decided not to register at all.
“This unfortunate lie that the scheme covers only headaches and some few illnesses is not correct,” Mr Boafo stated, and called on the people to consult the nearest NHIS office in their communities for advice.
Dwelling on chieftaincy disputes, Mr Boafo said as part of efforts to curb conflicts in the country, Article 272 (b) of the 1992 Constitution enjoined chiefs to voluntarily co-operate with the Ministry by keeping proper documentation of customary laws, lines of succession, and the selection of suitable candidates from eligible royal families who would be acceptable to the people.
“All these steps, when carefully and honestly applied, will eliminate conflicts and ensure that the most eligible and suitable candidate is duly selected, enstooled and accepted by all stakeholders,” he stressed.
For his part, Mr Affram Asiedu called on chiefs in the region to co-operate with the Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture to resolve the various chieftaincy disputes that had plagued the region.
Mr Ampem-Darko entreated the media to be responsible in the discharge of their duties and strive to abide by the ethics of the profession, particularly as the December elections drew nearer.
Making reference to the Rwanda and Burundi genocide, he reminded the media that any unprofessional conduct on their part could plunge the country into chaos and, therefore, asked them to help educate the people on their civic responsibilities.
Otwasuom Nyampong highlighted some of his achievements since his enstoolment 25 years ago, which included the construction of a community library, a community centre and a palace.
He called on parents and guardians to give priority to the education of their children and wards to ensure the rapid development of the area.
The chief also called on all members of the community to motivate teachers who were posted to the area to enable them to give their best.
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