THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to Ghanaians not to allow the upcoming December elections be a period of political intolerance and bloodshed in the country.
In this regard, he called on the people, irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious affiliations, to unite with a common purpose to ensure a violence-free elections.
At a party held in his honour at Akropong on Saturday, Nana Akufo-Addo stated “in exercising our freedom of expression, we should also strive to accommodate the diverse political opinions and expressions of others”.
“In no way should we allow ourselves as one people to perceive others with different political opinions as enemies but rather with different political ideologies which are necessary for our democratic dispensation”, he stated.
The event drew people from all walks of life, including the party’s executives such as its chairman, Mr Peter Mac Menu, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the Krontihene of Okuapeman Traditional Area, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman IV and other traditional authorities in the area.
The party attracted a number of musicians, including Abrantie Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba, Slim Busterr, Kwabena Kwabena, K. K. Fosu, Nana Ampadu, Kofi Nti, A-Plus.
According to the NPP flag bearer, Ghana as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence and the pacesetter for others to follow suit, had become a beacon of hope in the eyes of other countries on the continent and in the world at large.
To this end, he entreated Ghanaians, especially politicians, to endeavour to demonstrate political maturity by accommodating the diverse opinions of others in order to set good examples to the masses.
In the quest for peace and unity in the country, Nana Akufo-Addo urged the people not to tolerate political leaders who engaged in negative ethnic and tribal propaganda, saying “these acts will only succeed in putting us apart as people”.
“As a nation destined for greatness, we must do everything within our strength and be our brother’s keeper to foster greater unity and peace before, during and after the December elections”, Nana Akufo-Addo emphasised.
He gave the assurance that when elected as the president, he would institute prudent measures to ensure the equitable distribution of the country’s oil among all the segment of the population.
He commended the various artists for their unity and show of love for him and the party, saying “our musicians are one of the nation’s great assets that must be protected and preserved”.
Mr Mac Manu also stressed the need for Ghanaians to be at peace with each other and continue to show their support for the party and the government by voting massively for it during the upcoming elections.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the District Chief Executive for Akuapem North, Mr Edward Adu Aboagye, mentioned the major development project in the area as the construction of the Pantang-Mamfe Road by the NPP government.
He therefore called on the people in the district to vote massively for the party to enable it to continue its good work in the future.
The MP for the area, Mr William Ofori Boafo, who is also the Deputy Minister of Defence, asked the people to turn out massively during the elections to exercise their franchise and vote the NPP into government.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
CRIG TASKED TO INTENSIFY RESEARCH ON COCOA (BACK PAGE)
THE Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, has called on the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) to intensify research into cocoa production to bring to the barest minimum, cocoa diseases and other factors that adversely affect cocoa production.
This, he noted, would boost cocoa production to ensure better remuneration for farmers, thereby alleviating poverty in the country.
Mr Baah-Wiredu made the call in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Professor Djan Baffour, at the launch of the 70th anniversary of CRIG at Koforidua yesterday.
The event was on the theme: ”The role of research in the sustainable production of Cocoa and other mandated crops in Ghana”.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said since the cocoa industry faced challenges such as pesticide residues and other diseases, more research and education were required to reduce to the barest minimum the effects of such problems.
In this regard, he stressed the need for better understanding of the use of inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers and the adoption of recommended agronomic fermentation and drying practices to meet the quality expected on the international market.
For his part, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr Isaac Osei, said cocoa production had increased from 300,000 to 800,000 tons within the last eight years and expressed the hope that by 2010, Ghana would be able to produce one million tons of the crop per annum.
He attributed the increase to research and prudent measures instituted by CRIG and the COCOBOD.
The Executive Director of CRIG, Dr Yaw Ampomah, said since cocoa played an important role in the country’s economy, his outfit was poised to conduct further research to develop early yielding and disease-resistant varieties, to control capsid and promote various good agronomic practices, among others, to enhance cocoa production in the country.
The Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng, who chaired the function, commended the management and staff of CRIG for their hard work which had resulted in an increased cocoa production in the country.
This, he noted, would boost cocoa production to ensure better remuneration for farmers, thereby alleviating poverty in the country.
Mr Baah-Wiredu made the call in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Professor Djan Baffour, at the launch of the 70th anniversary of CRIG at Koforidua yesterday.
The event was on the theme: ”The role of research in the sustainable production of Cocoa and other mandated crops in Ghana”.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said since the cocoa industry faced challenges such as pesticide residues and other diseases, more research and education were required to reduce to the barest minimum the effects of such problems.
In this regard, he stressed the need for better understanding of the use of inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers and the adoption of recommended agronomic fermentation and drying practices to meet the quality expected on the international market.
For his part, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr Isaac Osei, said cocoa production had increased from 300,000 to 800,000 tons within the last eight years and expressed the hope that by 2010, Ghana would be able to produce one million tons of the crop per annum.
He attributed the increase to research and prudent measures instituted by CRIG and the COCOBOD.
The Executive Director of CRIG, Dr Yaw Ampomah, said since cocoa played an important role in the country’s economy, his outfit was poised to conduct further research to develop early yielding and disease-resistant varieties, to control capsid and promote various good agronomic practices, among others, to enhance cocoa production in the country.
The Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng, who chaired the function, commended the management and staff of CRIG for their hard work which had resulted in an increased cocoa production in the country.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
GIVE GES AUDITORS ADEQUATE LOGISTICS (PAGE 28)
THE Eastern Regional Chairman of the Association of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Internal Auditors, Mr Adolph A.K. Gatorwu, has called for the allocation of adequate logistics to internal auditors of the GES to enable them to function effectively and independently.
Such support, he noted, would also help them to play a more proactive role in providing guidance and advice for the management to curb corruption, waste and fraudulent practices in the service.
At the Sixth Annual Eastern Regional Conference of the Association of the GES Internal Auditors at Koforidua last Wednesday, Mr Gatorwu said “without tools such as lap-tops and means of transportation, internal auditors cannot perform their duties to the maximum”.
“When it comes to claiming of transport and travel(T&T) and other allowances, some District Directors of Education feel reluctant to support the internal auditor, who mostly perform their duties outside their districts of residence in line with the zonal system,” he stated.
The three-day conference, on the theme “The Efficiency of the Internal Auditor in Ensuring Sound Financial Administration — The Role of Management”, will be used to deliberate on the successes, failures and challenges facing internal auditors of the GES, as well as adopt strategies on the way forward.
Mr Gatorwu said the world over, internal auditing had evolved from a policy role to an advisory one, requiring the management and the governing councils of organisations to increasingly rely on the internal audit activity to provide information to achieve their set objectives.
“Internal auditors, as experts in creating and promoting a risk management culture necessary for the effective implementation of risk management, advice management on how to institute anti-fraud measures to deter officials from fraudulent practices,” he stressed.
However, he noted that in spite of the crucial role played by internal auditors, they lacked the necessary logistics and a conducive environment to function effectively and efficiently.
Mr Gatorwu, therefore, made a passionate appeal to the Regional and District Directors of Education, as well as those in managerial levels, to ensure that internal auditors who served as technical advisors on financial issues were given the due recognition in decision-making, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, for his part, said since the government recognised that human resource development was the greatest asset to the country’s socio-economic development, it had allocated adequate funds to the education sector.
To this end, he urged the internal auditors, as part of their responsibilities, to monitor and ensure the appropriate use of funds released for specific projects and programmes such as the GETFund, the school feeding programme, the Capitation Grant, as well as grants from donor agencies.
“If the nation must achieve a middle-income status by 2015, then the role of the internal auditor in our public and private institutions must be greatly appreciated,” Mr Affram Asiedu emphasised.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akosua Takyiwaa-Adu, urged internal auditors to do their work thoroughly and fearlessly to curb the abuse of public resources.
Such support, he noted, would also help them to play a more proactive role in providing guidance and advice for the management to curb corruption, waste and fraudulent practices in the service.
At the Sixth Annual Eastern Regional Conference of the Association of the GES Internal Auditors at Koforidua last Wednesday, Mr Gatorwu said “without tools such as lap-tops and means of transportation, internal auditors cannot perform their duties to the maximum”.
“When it comes to claiming of transport and travel(T&T) and other allowances, some District Directors of Education feel reluctant to support the internal auditor, who mostly perform their duties outside their districts of residence in line with the zonal system,” he stated.
The three-day conference, on the theme “The Efficiency of the Internal Auditor in Ensuring Sound Financial Administration — The Role of Management”, will be used to deliberate on the successes, failures and challenges facing internal auditors of the GES, as well as adopt strategies on the way forward.
Mr Gatorwu said the world over, internal auditing had evolved from a policy role to an advisory one, requiring the management and the governing councils of organisations to increasingly rely on the internal audit activity to provide information to achieve their set objectives.
“Internal auditors, as experts in creating and promoting a risk management culture necessary for the effective implementation of risk management, advice management on how to institute anti-fraud measures to deter officials from fraudulent practices,” he stressed.
However, he noted that in spite of the crucial role played by internal auditors, they lacked the necessary logistics and a conducive environment to function effectively and efficiently.
Mr Gatorwu, therefore, made a passionate appeal to the Regional and District Directors of Education, as well as those in managerial levels, to ensure that internal auditors who served as technical advisors on financial issues were given the due recognition in decision-making, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, for his part, said since the government recognised that human resource development was the greatest asset to the country’s socio-economic development, it had allocated adequate funds to the education sector.
To this end, he urged the internal auditors, as part of their responsibilities, to monitor and ensure the appropriate use of funds released for specific projects and programmes such as the GETFund, the school feeding programme, the Capitation Grant, as well as grants from donor agencies.
“If the nation must achieve a middle-income status by 2015, then the role of the internal auditor in our public and private institutions must be greatly appreciated,” Mr Affram Asiedu emphasised.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Akosua Takyiwaa-Adu, urged internal auditors to do their work thoroughly and fearlessly to curb the abuse of public resources.
ASSIST ISD STAFF TO DELIVER — MINISTER (PAGE 29)
THE Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to provide the needed assistance to the staff of the Information Service Department (ISD) across the country.
Assistance such as the provision of accommodation, offices and fuel, he said, would enable them to effectively disseminate information on the various government policies, programmes and achievements to the people.
At a meeting with the staff of the ISD and the Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Eastern Region at Koforidua on Monday, Mr Asamoah-Boateng said “it is high time we prioritised information dissemination and management to enable our people to understand and appreciate the various programmes and achievements of the government”.
The minister, who was in the region to interact with the staff of the ISD, the MCEs and the DCEs to know at first-hand challenges facing them, was accompanied by the Government Spokesperson on Social Services, Mr Amponsah Bediako and the acting Director of the ISD, Mr Samuel Amankwa.
The minister said although the government had in the past made every effort to ensure the effective dissemination of accurate and factual information on the various government programmes and achievements, lack of logistics and resources had severely undermined such efforts.
This, he noted, made the various government activities and achievements quite unpopular among the people, making it impossible to motivate and mobilise them to contribute their quota to national development.
To reverse such a trend, Mr Asamoah-Boateng expressed the government’s resolve to strengthen the capacity of the staff of the ISD to undertake their duty more professionally and explain national issues to Ghanaians.
He pointed out that all the districts across the country, except the newly-created ones, had been provided with the necessary equipment such vehicles, laptops and cinema tools to enable the ISD staff to reach all parts of the country.
The minister encouraged the staff to work hard and build good rapport with the people in their respective communities, including opinion leaders, religious bodies, the media and civil society organisations, in order to win their goodwill and support.
He, however, asked them to refrain from engaging in unnecessary political arguments and campaigns for the government, noting that any negative act on their part could adversely compromise their integrity individually and collectively.
“As a topmost priority of my ministry to build a strong teamwork, any individual whose misconduct will undermine our collective resolve to articulate issues of the government will be fired,” Mr Boateng warned, adding that those who would exhibit hard work would also be rewarded.
He entreated them to educate themselves on the various programmes and policies of the government so as to be in a better position to articulate them to the benefit of the mass.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, pleaded with the ministry to prevail on the various media houses, particularly the private ones, to pay their reporters well to enable them to exhibit more professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
During the open forum, some staff of the ISD appealed to the government to ensure that they had decent accommodation, increased maintenance allowances and training workshops to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills.
Assistance such as the provision of accommodation, offices and fuel, he said, would enable them to effectively disseminate information on the various government policies, programmes and achievements to the people.
At a meeting with the staff of the ISD and the Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Eastern Region at Koforidua on Monday, Mr Asamoah-Boateng said “it is high time we prioritised information dissemination and management to enable our people to understand and appreciate the various programmes and achievements of the government”.
The minister, who was in the region to interact with the staff of the ISD, the MCEs and the DCEs to know at first-hand challenges facing them, was accompanied by the Government Spokesperson on Social Services, Mr Amponsah Bediako and the acting Director of the ISD, Mr Samuel Amankwa.
The minister said although the government had in the past made every effort to ensure the effective dissemination of accurate and factual information on the various government programmes and achievements, lack of logistics and resources had severely undermined such efforts.
This, he noted, made the various government activities and achievements quite unpopular among the people, making it impossible to motivate and mobilise them to contribute their quota to national development.
To reverse such a trend, Mr Asamoah-Boateng expressed the government’s resolve to strengthen the capacity of the staff of the ISD to undertake their duty more professionally and explain national issues to Ghanaians.
He pointed out that all the districts across the country, except the newly-created ones, had been provided with the necessary equipment such vehicles, laptops and cinema tools to enable the ISD staff to reach all parts of the country.
The minister encouraged the staff to work hard and build good rapport with the people in their respective communities, including opinion leaders, religious bodies, the media and civil society organisations, in order to win their goodwill and support.
He, however, asked them to refrain from engaging in unnecessary political arguments and campaigns for the government, noting that any negative act on their part could adversely compromise their integrity individually and collectively.
“As a topmost priority of my ministry to build a strong teamwork, any individual whose misconduct will undermine our collective resolve to articulate issues of the government will be fired,” Mr Boateng warned, adding that those who would exhibit hard work would also be rewarded.
He entreated them to educate themselves on the various programmes and policies of the government so as to be in a better position to articulate them to the benefit of the mass.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, pleaded with the ministry to prevail on the various media houses, particularly the private ones, to pay their reporters well to enable them to exhibit more professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
During the open forum, some staff of the ISD appealed to the government to ensure that they had decent accommodation, increased maintenance allowances and training workshops to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
USE DIALOGUE TO SOLVE GRIEVANCES — BOMBANDE (PAGE 13)
THE Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has called on the youth to use dialogue in all endeavours to enable them to find amicable solutions to problems and grievances.
That, he said, would help minimise tension before, during and after the December general election to help to nurture a vibrant democracy in the country.
Speaking at the Inter-Party Youth Committee (IPYC) at Koforidua, Mr Bombande said “the use of dialogue allows us to explore and discover each other and to find the best solutions to our common problems and challenges as a nation”.
The regional forum brought together about 150 youth from the main political parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the Eastern Region.
It was organised by the IPYC with sponsorship from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation.
The Executive Director of WANEP said since the youth constituted majority of the electoral population, any action or inaction on their part could have positive or adverse effect on the country’s electioneering.
“If we make the use of dialogue an integral part of our political culture, we can be sure of building a vibrant democracy that will be a role model for other countries in the sub-region,” he said.
To this end, Mr Bombande challenged the youth to endeavour to exhibit a true political leadership by not allowing themselves to be influenced materially and financially by politicians for their parochial interest.
“Our belief and ideology of our respective political parties should not allow us to be influenced by political leaders. As a guiding principle and a hallmark of our true leadership aspiration, we must resist such negative influence at all times to ensure our credibility and integrity as individuals,” Mr Bombande stated.
He encouraged the youth to take active part in politics, but urged them not to hesitate to condemn politicians who engaged in unhealthy politics of insults and personal attacks.
Mr Bombande said, “As future leaders, we should not see political opponents as enemies but people with different political ideologies and beliefs,” adding that whoever would emerge winner in the upcoming elections should be given the necessary support and co-operation for the good of the country.
For their part, the representatives of the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP shared thoughts on the role the Electoral Commission, the media, the chieftaincy institution and religious bodies could play towards the conduct of a credible election.
Speaking on the topic: “Tolerance — Means of Achieving Political Excellence”, the National Youth Organiser of the CPP, Mr James K. Bomfeh Jnr, said intolerance had created anarchy and chaos in many African countries, citing Kenya, Gabon and Cote d’ Ivoire as examples.
He, therefore, urged the youth to respect and tolerate others with diverse political views.
In a presentation on the topic: “Averting Conditions Militating Against a Free Political Atmosphere”, the Deputy National Youth Co-ordinator of the NDC, Mr Kofi Adams, called for the banning of formation of militant groups by political parties.
He also called for adequate resources for the EC to enable it to conduct a credible election.
Mr Emmanuel Wilson of the PNC, who spoke on the topic: “Political Discipline — Conduit for Violence-Free Elections”, urged the youth to demonstrate political discipline and resist attempts by politicians to engage them in negative acts that could mar the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.
Mr Alex Kotey, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NPP, called on political leaders, the youth and the media to be mindful of their utterances so as not to incite the people.
He spoke on the topic: “Free and Fair Elections — The Propaganda of the Ghanaian Youth”.
He said “any negative act on our part could spark violence and set back the country’s democratic gains”.
A representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Mr Ibrahim Tahiru, pledged the commitment of his outfit to support youth political programmes to enable them to play the effective leadership role expected of them.
That, he said, would help minimise tension before, during and after the December general election to help to nurture a vibrant democracy in the country.
Speaking at the Inter-Party Youth Committee (IPYC) at Koforidua, Mr Bombande said “the use of dialogue allows us to explore and discover each other and to find the best solutions to our common problems and challenges as a nation”.
The regional forum brought together about 150 youth from the main political parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the Eastern Region.
It was organised by the IPYC with sponsorship from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation.
The Executive Director of WANEP said since the youth constituted majority of the electoral population, any action or inaction on their part could have positive or adverse effect on the country’s electioneering.
“If we make the use of dialogue an integral part of our political culture, we can be sure of building a vibrant democracy that will be a role model for other countries in the sub-region,” he said.
To this end, Mr Bombande challenged the youth to endeavour to exhibit a true political leadership by not allowing themselves to be influenced materially and financially by politicians for their parochial interest.
“Our belief and ideology of our respective political parties should not allow us to be influenced by political leaders. As a guiding principle and a hallmark of our true leadership aspiration, we must resist such negative influence at all times to ensure our credibility and integrity as individuals,” Mr Bombande stated.
He encouraged the youth to take active part in politics, but urged them not to hesitate to condemn politicians who engaged in unhealthy politics of insults and personal attacks.
Mr Bombande said, “As future leaders, we should not see political opponents as enemies but people with different political ideologies and beliefs,” adding that whoever would emerge winner in the upcoming elections should be given the necessary support and co-operation for the good of the country.
For their part, the representatives of the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP shared thoughts on the role the Electoral Commission, the media, the chieftaincy institution and religious bodies could play towards the conduct of a credible election.
Speaking on the topic: “Tolerance — Means of Achieving Political Excellence”, the National Youth Organiser of the CPP, Mr James K. Bomfeh Jnr, said intolerance had created anarchy and chaos in many African countries, citing Kenya, Gabon and Cote d’ Ivoire as examples.
He, therefore, urged the youth to respect and tolerate others with diverse political views.
In a presentation on the topic: “Averting Conditions Militating Against a Free Political Atmosphere”, the Deputy National Youth Co-ordinator of the NDC, Mr Kofi Adams, called for the banning of formation of militant groups by political parties.
He also called for adequate resources for the EC to enable it to conduct a credible election.
Mr Emmanuel Wilson of the PNC, who spoke on the topic: “Political Discipline — Conduit for Violence-Free Elections”, urged the youth to demonstrate political discipline and resist attempts by politicians to engage them in negative acts that could mar the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.
Mr Alex Kotey, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NPP, called on political leaders, the youth and the media to be mindful of their utterances so as not to incite the people.
He spoke on the topic: “Free and Fair Elections — The Propaganda of the Ghanaian Youth”.
He said “any negative act on our part could spark violence and set back the country’s democratic gains”.
A representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Mr Ibrahim Tahiru, pledged the commitment of his outfit to support youth political programmes to enable them to play the effective leadership role expected of them.
Friday, June 20, 2008
DAASEBRE OTI BOATENG MEETS QUEEN SHEBA (PAGE 17)
THE Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng, has called on political leaders to conduct their campaigns on issues of national interest, devoid of personal attacks and insults.
That, he said, would enable the electorate to make an informed decision in selecting a party and aspirants who had the interests and welfare of the people at heart.
The Omanhene made the remarks when he hosted Queen Sheba III, the Imperial Empress of the African Nubian Kingdoms at his palace in Koforidua.
Queen Sheba, a heiress to the throne of the Mother of Sheba I, was in the country to reciprocate a visit by the Omanhene and his entourage to the African Kingdoms Federation summit in Tripoli, Libya, recently.
The Omanhene said to ensure that the country remained a beacon of hope for its best democratic practice in the sub-region, politicians must endeavour to turn their attention to addressing pertinent issues that undermined societal progress.
“If we, as politicians, are indeed serious about seeking the interests and well-being of our people, we must address concerns such as the provision of good health, education, potable water, roads and the socio-economic progress of society”.
Daasebre Boateng noted that that objective could be achieved when political authorities learned to abide by democratic principles which required them to respect the views and opinion of others.
He also urged Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be influenced by politicians with money and material things, explaining that “if we do so, they only succeed in buying our conscience and votes”.
Daasebre Boateng, who asked Ghanaians to be grateful to God for the discovery of oil in the country, called for fair distribution of the benefits accruing from the black gold.
Dwelling on African tradition, the Omanhene called on the people to do everything within their power to protect and promote customs and traditions, saying that “we must ensure that we keep them burning. We must not allow globalisation and technology to get rid of them”.
For her part, Queen Sheba called on the various kingdoms on the continent to unite to enable them to enhance the welfare of the people.
“It is only when we unite and support each other that we can effectively fight disease, poverty, hunger and illiteracy on our continent. When we are able to achieve these, then we will look righteous in the eyes of God," she said.
She called on kings and queens to participate in their numbers in the upcoming African Kingdoms Federation Summit in the United State of America to deliberate on how best to bring about significant change on the continent.
That, he said, would enable the electorate to make an informed decision in selecting a party and aspirants who had the interests and welfare of the people at heart.
The Omanhene made the remarks when he hosted Queen Sheba III, the Imperial Empress of the African Nubian Kingdoms at his palace in Koforidua.
Queen Sheba, a heiress to the throne of the Mother of Sheba I, was in the country to reciprocate a visit by the Omanhene and his entourage to the African Kingdoms Federation summit in Tripoli, Libya, recently.
The Omanhene said to ensure that the country remained a beacon of hope for its best democratic practice in the sub-region, politicians must endeavour to turn their attention to addressing pertinent issues that undermined societal progress.
“If we, as politicians, are indeed serious about seeking the interests and well-being of our people, we must address concerns such as the provision of good health, education, potable water, roads and the socio-economic progress of society”.
Daasebre Boateng noted that that objective could be achieved when political authorities learned to abide by democratic principles which required them to respect the views and opinion of others.
He also urged Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be influenced by politicians with money and material things, explaining that “if we do so, they only succeed in buying our conscience and votes”.
Daasebre Boateng, who asked Ghanaians to be grateful to God for the discovery of oil in the country, called for fair distribution of the benefits accruing from the black gold.
Dwelling on African tradition, the Omanhene called on the people to do everything within their power to protect and promote customs and traditions, saying that “we must ensure that we keep them burning. We must not allow globalisation and technology to get rid of them”.
For her part, Queen Sheba called on the various kingdoms on the continent to unite to enable them to enhance the welfare of the people.
“It is only when we unite and support each other that we can effectively fight disease, poverty, hunger and illiteracy on our continent. When we are able to achieve these, then we will look righteous in the eyes of God," she said.
She called on kings and queens to participate in their numbers in the upcoming African Kingdoms Federation Summit in the United State of America to deliberate on how best to bring about significant change on the continent.
CEPS INTERCEPS UNCUSTOMED WAX PRINTS (BACK PAGE)
THE Koforidua office of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has seized 1,151 pieces of African wax prints valued at GH¢26,824.87 at Akuse in the Eastern Region.
The items, which were being smuggled from Mepe in the Volta Region through the Volta River, could have fetched a GH¢10,600 duty, representing 40 per cent of the value of the smuggled goods.
A Benz bus with registration number ER 2610 C that was carrying the wax prints was also impounded.
The vehicle was being occupied by three persons who are currently assisting in investigations. They are Samuel Sigbe, 26, driver; Junior Amenyedzi, 26, a driver’s mate, and George Atsu, a 30-year-old loader.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Sector Commander of CEPS, Mr James Teibu, said his outfit received an intelligence report at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, this year, that a Benz bus with smuggled wax prints was moving from Aflao through unapproved routes to Accra.
He said a team of personnel from his outfit and police was immediately dispatched to the area to mount surveillance but no vehicle was seen.
However, he said, at exactly 2.30 a.m. the next day, the Benz bus was spotted and later taken to the Regional Headquarters of CEPS for inspection.
The commander said during interrogation, the occupants of the bus said they were only paid GH¢200 by the owners of the goods, whom they failed to name, to cart them from Mepe to Akuse.
He said several intelligence reports received from informants revealed that most of the smuggled goods from Togo entered the country through the estuary of the Volta at Ada.
Such items were then carted by boats that plied the Volta River and deposited on some of the islands on the river upstream, only to be transported to other destinations, mainly Accra and Kumasi, through unapproved routes.
The items, which were being smuggled from Mepe in the Volta Region through the Volta River, could have fetched a GH¢10,600 duty, representing 40 per cent of the value of the smuggled goods.
A Benz bus with registration number ER 2610 C that was carrying the wax prints was also impounded.
The vehicle was being occupied by three persons who are currently assisting in investigations. They are Samuel Sigbe, 26, driver; Junior Amenyedzi, 26, a driver’s mate, and George Atsu, a 30-year-old loader.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Sector Commander of CEPS, Mr James Teibu, said his outfit received an intelligence report at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, this year, that a Benz bus with smuggled wax prints was moving from Aflao through unapproved routes to Accra.
He said a team of personnel from his outfit and police was immediately dispatched to the area to mount surveillance but no vehicle was seen.
However, he said, at exactly 2.30 a.m. the next day, the Benz bus was spotted and later taken to the Regional Headquarters of CEPS for inspection.
The commander said during interrogation, the occupants of the bus said they were only paid GH¢200 by the owners of the goods, whom they failed to name, to cart them from Mepe to Akuse.
He said several intelligence reports received from informants revealed that most of the smuggled goods from Togo entered the country through the estuary of the Volta at Ada.
Such items were then carted by boats that plied the Volta River and deposited on some of the islands on the river upstream, only to be transported to other destinations, mainly Accra and Kumasi, through unapproved routes.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
AKYEMMANSA DISTRICT CRIES FOR BETTER ROADS (PAGE 20)
THE chiefs and people of the newly created Akyemmansa District in the Eastern Region have expressed concern about the deplorable roads in the area.
According to them, they find it difficult to convey sick people and women in labour to nearby health facilities on time, sometimes resulting in their untimely death.
These were among the concerns they expressed at this year’s People’s Assembly held at Akyem Ofoase, the district capital.
They also noted with concern the lack of social amenities such as street lights, public places of convenience and dilapidated school buildings as some of the problems facing the newly-created district.
These concerns came to light after the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Nana Acquah Frimpong, had taken turns to explain the various government policies, programmes and achievements to the gathering.
The chiefs and the people of the area, who are mostly peasant farmers, said the roads from one community to another and those leading to major towns, such as Akyem Oda and New Abirem, had for many years remained untarred, with countless potholes dotted on them.
Such a situation, they bemoaned, had made driving along the roads extremely difficult, thus discouraging commercial vehicles from plying the various communities in the district.
“However, a few of the drivers, who ply the roads, charge exorbitant fares to the detriment of the settlers in the district,” they stressed.
Recounting a personal experience, the Assembly Member for the Adwafo Electoral Area, Mr Philip Kyei Appiagyei, stressed that on many occasions, especially during the rainy season, attempts to convey women in labour had been difficult, resulting in some deaths.
He added that passengers who travelled on such roads had to get down , on several occasions, to push vehicles that were stuck in the mud.
Mr Appiagyei stated that such an unpleasant situation had compelled many drivers plying the roads to charge exorbitant fares from one community to another.
“Our inability to cart our farm produce to the marketing centres always results in unnecessary post-harvest losses of food crops,” Mr Edwin Nartey, a cocoa farmer in the area, said.
He added that such hardships had discouraged many people, especially the youth, from seeing farming as a lucrative venture.
The situation, Mr Nartey explained, had forced many young men and women in the area to seek non-existent jobs in big towns, leaving behind the old and weak to do the farming.
The people further stated that although most of the roads had been awarded on contract, the contractors had abandoned the projects due to lack of funds.
They, therefore, appealed to the government to release funds to the contractors to enable them to quicken the pace of work to make life bearable for them.
Even though they commended the government for introducing the mass cocoa-spraying exercise, they, however, expressed regret at the attitude of some of the spraying gangs, who, they claimed, sometimes demanded as much as GH¢20 from a farmer before spraying his farm.
The people commended the government for creating the new district, as well as introducing various people-centred programmes, such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme, which had brought relief to them.
At New Abirem, the capital of Birim North District, where a similar event took place, the chiefs and people of the area also expressed worry over the lack of social amenities, such as public places of convenience and street light, as well as the absence of a fence round the only senior high school (SHS) in the area, the New Abirem/Afosu SHS.
According to them, because the school had no fence round it, boarding students often sneaked out to engage in all sorts of social vices, such as pre-marital sex, smoking and drinking.
They, therefore, appealed to the government to help fence the school.
The people further appealed to the government to provide a licence to the Newmont (Akyem) Project to commence work and pay compensation to farmers whose lands had been affected by the project.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister and acting DCE for the area, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, who was the guest speaker, took pains to listen to their concerns and promised to carry them to the apprapriate quarters for redress.
According to them, they find it difficult to convey sick people and women in labour to nearby health facilities on time, sometimes resulting in their untimely death.
These were among the concerns they expressed at this year’s People’s Assembly held at Akyem Ofoase, the district capital.
They also noted with concern the lack of social amenities such as street lights, public places of convenience and dilapidated school buildings as some of the problems facing the newly-created district.
These concerns came to light after the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Nana Acquah Frimpong, had taken turns to explain the various government policies, programmes and achievements to the gathering.
The chiefs and the people of the area, who are mostly peasant farmers, said the roads from one community to another and those leading to major towns, such as Akyem Oda and New Abirem, had for many years remained untarred, with countless potholes dotted on them.
Such a situation, they bemoaned, had made driving along the roads extremely difficult, thus discouraging commercial vehicles from plying the various communities in the district.
“However, a few of the drivers, who ply the roads, charge exorbitant fares to the detriment of the settlers in the district,” they stressed.
Recounting a personal experience, the Assembly Member for the Adwafo Electoral Area, Mr Philip Kyei Appiagyei, stressed that on many occasions, especially during the rainy season, attempts to convey women in labour had been difficult, resulting in some deaths.
He added that passengers who travelled on such roads had to get down , on several occasions, to push vehicles that were stuck in the mud.
Mr Appiagyei stated that such an unpleasant situation had compelled many drivers plying the roads to charge exorbitant fares from one community to another.
“Our inability to cart our farm produce to the marketing centres always results in unnecessary post-harvest losses of food crops,” Mr Edwin Nartey, a cocoa farmer in the area, said.
He added that such hardships had discouraged many people, especially the youth, from seeing farming as a lucrative venture.
The situation, Mr Nartey explained, had forced many young men and women in the area to seek non-existent jobs in big towns, leaving behind the old and weak to do the farming.
The people further stated that although most of the roads had been awarded on contract, the contractors had abandoned the projects due to lack of funds.
They, therefore, appealed to the government to release funds to the contractors to enable them to quicken the pace of work to make life bearable for them.
Even though they commended the government for introducing the mass cocoa-spraying exercise, they, however, expressed regret at the attitude of some of the spraying gangs, who, they claimed, sometimes demanded as much as GH¢20 from a farmer before spraying his farm.
The people commended the government for creating the new district, as well as introducing various people-centred programmes, such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme, which had brought relief to them.
At New Abirem, the capital of Birim North District, where a similar event took place, the chiefs and people of the area also expressed worry over the lack of social amenities, such as public places of convenience and street light, as well as the absence of a fence round the only senior high school (SHS) in the area, the New Abirem/Afosu SHS.
According to them, because the school had no fence round it, boarding students often sneaked out to engage in all sorts of social vices, such as pre-marital sex, smoking and drinking.
They, therefore, appealed to the government to help fence the school.
The people further appealed to the government to provide a licence to the Newmont (Akyem) Project to commence work and pay compensation to farmers whose lands had been affected by the project.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister and acting DCE for the area, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, who was the guest speaker, took pains to listen to their concerns and promised to carry them to the apprapriate quarters for redress.
600 NEW JUABEN RESIDENTS RECEIVE MASLOC LOANS (PAGE 20)
THE Koforidua area office of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) has paid GH¢140,000 to 600 beneficiaries of the scheme resident in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs.
Each of the beneficiaries was given between GH¢200 and GH¢500.
The amount, which forms part of a total of GH¢800,000 earmarked for 3,625 individual artisans, traders and operators of small-scale businesses in the region, was paid to the beneficiaries through the Koforidua branch of the National Investment Bank (NIB).
The payment was made after the presentation of withdrawal slips to 210 beneficiary groups by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, as well as District and Municipal Chief Executives in Koforidua about two weeks ago.
Making the presentation, the Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of MASLOC, Mr Dominic Baah-Ayim, said the payment of the loan to the beneficiaries was in fulfilment of the promise made by President John Agyekum Kufuor to the people, when he officially launched the scheme.
He gave the assurance that within the next one week, all eligible beneficiaries in the remaining 20 districts in the region would have their moneys credited to their accounts at the various designated banks.
He said the government introduced the scheme to make available credit facilities to the various groups of associations and individual operators of small-scale businesses to undertake various income-generating ventures to raise their standard of living.
Mr Baah-Ayim urged the beneficiaries to invest the money into productive ventures that would make it possible for them to repay it for others to also benefit.
“If we are to ensure the recycling of the funds, we must check our spending habit and refrain from channelling the money into unproductive ventures such as funerals, buying clothes and other social activities,” he stressed.
The regional co-ordinator also asked the people to disabuse their minds of the fact that the funds were for free, and, therefore, could be spent anyhow as it happened in the past, where people took loans, but refused to pay back.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Ms Doris Tetteh, a 52-year-old ‘chop bar’ operator and Ms Faustina Owusu, 50, a trader, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, expressed their appreciation to the government for the support, which they said, would enable them to expand their businesses.
Each of the beneficiaries was given between GH¢200 and GH¢500.
The amount, which forms part of a total of GH¢800,000 earmarked for 3,625 individual artisans, traders and operators of small-scale businesses in the region, was paid to the beneficiaries through the Koforidua branch of the National Investment Bank (NIB).
The payment was made after the presentation of withdrawal slips to 210 beneficiary groups by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, as well as District and Municipal Chief Executives in Koforidua about two weeks ago.
Making the presentation, the Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of MASLOC, Mr Dominic Baah-Ayim, said the payment of the loan to the beneficiaries was in fulfilment of the promise made by President John Agyekum Kufuor to the people, when he officially launched the scheme.
He gave the assurance that within the next one week, all eligible beneficiaries in the remaining 20 districts in the region would have their moneys credited to their accounts at the various designated banks.
He said the government introduced the scheme to make available credit facilities to the various groups of associations and individual operators of small-scale businesses to undertake various income-generating ventures to raise their standard of living.
Mr Baah-Ayim urged the beneficiaries to invest the money into productive ventures that would make it possible for them to repay it for others to also benefit.
“If we are to ensure the recycling of the funds, we must check our spending habit and refrain from channelling the money into unproductive ventures such as funerals, buying clothes and other social activities,” he stressed.
The regional co-ordinator also asked the people to disabuse their minds of the fact that the funds were for free, and, therefore, could be spent anyhow as it happened in the past, where people took loans, but refused to pay back.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Ms Doris Tetteh, a 52-year-old ‘chop bar’ operator and Ms Faustina Owusu, 50, a trader, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, expressed their appreciation to the government for the support, which they said, would enable them to expand their businesses.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
WORKSHOP ON GENDER RESPONSIVE BUDGETING HELD (PAGE 17)
THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mr Daouda Toure, has commended the government for its commitment to promoting gender responsive budgeting (GRB) to address issues affecting women and girls in the country.
Such effort, he said, was one of the cornerstones for achieving good governance, promoting gender equity and equality as well as reducing poverty among women and girls.
In an address read on his behalf at a three-day workshop on GRB at Akosombo, Mr Toure explained that gender responsive budgeting provided governments with the opportunity to ensure that gender concerns were addressed at the highest levels.
The workshop, on the theme “Institutional Capacity Enhancement for Effective Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Promotion”, brought together about 50 participants drawn from the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC).
The workshop, among other things, aimed at educating the participants on the GRB to enhance their capacity to formulate policies, programmes and budgeting to address concerns of women and girls.
It was jointly organised by the MOWAC, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), with sponsorship from the UNDP, United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Mr Toure said available data on Ghana indicated that although women constituted a larger proportion of those living below the poverty level, they were woefully under-represented in power and decision-making processes.
“Women, in spite of their larger number, continue to experience disadvantages in education, skills training, employment and access to resources,” he stated, stressing that a recent research showed that less than 0.1 per cent of the national budget was allocated to addressing gender equality and women’s empowerment issues.
To this end, he noted that the implementation of the GRB would provide the government with the opportunity to ensure that resources were directed at addressing gender concerns at the highest national level, particularly for the disadvantaged and the excluded.
He indicated that the implementation of the GRB would ensure improved accountability, efficiency and transparency on the part of governments and their representatives as well as ensure women’s empowerment and their informed participation in planning and budgeting policies.
For her part, the Minster of MOWAC, Hajia Alima Mahama, said the GRB was being implemented on a pilot basis in three ministries: MoH, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
As a sequel, she said her outfit had also put together a 12-member committee to fashion how best to implement the GRB in the three ministries as well as other ministries, departments and agencies within three years.
Such effort, he said, was one of the cornerstones for achieving good governance, promoting gender equity and equality as well as reducing poverty among women and girls.
In an address read on his behalf at a three-day workshop on GRB at Akosombo, Mr Toure explained that gender responsive budgeting provided governments with the opportunity to ensure that gender concerns were addressed at the highest levels.
The workshop, on the theme “Institutional Capacity Enhancement for Effective Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Promotion”, brought together about 50 participants drawn from the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC).
The workshop, among other things, aimed at educating the participants on the GRB to enhance their capacity to formulate policies, programmes and budgeting to address concerns of women and girls.
It was jointly organised by the MOWAC, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), with sponsorship from the UNDP, United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Mr Toure said available data on Ghana indicated that although women constituted a larger proportion of those living below the poverty level, they were woefully under-represented in power and decision-making processes.
“Women, in spite of their larger number, continue to experience disadvantages in education, skills training, employment and access to resources,” he stated, stressing that a recent research showed that less than 0.1 per cent of the national budget was allocated to addressing gender equality and women’s empowerment issues.
To this end, he noted that the implementation of the GRB would provide the government with the opportunity to ensure that resources were directed at addressing gender concerns at the highest national level, particularly for the disadvantaged and the excluded.
He indicated that the implementation of the GRB would ensure improved accountability, efficiency and transparency on the part of governments and their representatives as well as ensure women’s empowerment and their informed participation in planning and budgeting policies.
For her part, the Minster of MOWAC, Hajia Alima Mahama, said the GRB was being implemented on a pilot basis in three ministries: MoH, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
As a sequel, she said her outfit had also put together a 12-member committee to fashion how best to implement the GRB in the three ministries as well as other ministries, departments and agencies within three years.
Monday, June 16, 2008
TEACHERS ABANDON CLASSROOMS FOR OTHER PROFESSIONS (PAGE 17)
A NUMBER of trained teachers who have expertise in science and mathematics are abandoning the profession to pursue other professions they consider more rewarding.
The massive enlistment in other professions such as banking, nursing and the seeking of greener pastures is as a result of poor remuneration and conditions of service in the teaching profession.
The Eastern Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Nathaniel L. Apronti, who made this known at a sensitisation workshop in Koforidua, said “conditions of service approved decades ago for teachers are currently being applied, while the newly approved one has only remained on paper for many years”.
“While district heads of basic schools and their assistants earn GH¢1 and GH¢.60 respectively as responsibility allowance per month, heads of double-stream schools take GH¢1.50 for the same period,” he stated.
The workshop, aimed at sensitising district directors of education from the Eastern and the Greater Accra regions to the new in-service education and training in basic schools (INSET), was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The model, designed and implemented on a pilot basis in 10 districts in each region for the past three years, is aimed at building the competences, knowledge and skills of teachers in specific subjects such as science and mathematics, which are considered more difficult to teach.
The programme, which is also to encourage teachers and supervisors, including district directors of education, to design, develop and produce the appropriate teaching and learning materials for use to inspire active teaching and learning in schools, was sponsored by the Government of Japan.
Mr Apronti said although the teaching profession was indispensable to the country’s socio-economic progress, teachers had remained the poorest paid over the years.
“In the past, teachers were held in high esteem, but today what do we see —teachers are being assaulted by their own pupils, students and even parents, a situation that indicates how the profession has lost its past glory,” he stated.
He said until conditions of service for teachers were improved, teachers would continue to be tempted to leave the profession to other sectors of the economy, which they perceive to be more rewarding.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said the outcome of the implementation of the in-service education and training in basic schools in some selected districts had yielded positive outcomes.
He, therefore, called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the model was effectively extended and implemented in other districts across the country.
He commended JICA for both its technical and financial support to the programme.
The massive enlistment in other professions such as banking, nursing and the seeking of greener pastures is as a result of poor remuneration and conditions of service in the teaching profession.
The Eastern Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Nathaniel L. Apronti, who made this known at a sensitisation workshop in Koforidua, said “conditions of service approved decades ago for teachers are currently being applied, while the newly approved one has only remained on paper for many years”.
“While district heads of basic schools and their assistants earn GH¢1 and GH¢.60 respectively as responsibility allowance per month, heads of double-stream schools take GH¢1.50 for the same period,” he stated.
The workshop, aimed at sensitising district directors of education from the Eastern and the Greater Accra regions to the new in-service education and training in basic schools (INSET), was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The model, designed and implemented on a pilot basis in 10 districts in each region for the past three years, is aimed at building the competences, knowledge and skills of teachers in specific subjects such as science and mathematics, which are considered more difficult to teach.
The programme, which is also to encourage teachers and supervisors, including district directors of education, to design, develop and produce the appropriate teaching and learning materials for use to inspire active teaching and learning in schools, was sponsored by the Government of Japan.
Mr Apronti said although the teaching profession was indispensable to the country’s socio-economic progress, teachers had remained the poorest paid over the years.
“In the past, teachers were held in high esteem, but today what do we see —teachers are being assaulted by their own pupils, students and even parents, a situation that indicates how the profession has lost its past glory,” he stated.
He said until conditions of service for teachers were improved, teachers would continue to be tempted to leave the profession to other sectors of the economy, which they perceive to be more rewarding.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said the outcome of the implementation of the in-service education and training in basic schools in some selected districts had yielded positive outcomes.
He, therefore, called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the model was effectively extended and implemented in other districts across the country.
He commended JICA for both its technical and financial support to the programme.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
MAN, 23, ARRESTED FOR FRAUD (PAGE 31)
A 23-year-old man who posed as a soldier and collected sums of money from a number of people with the promise to recruit them into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been arrested by the police in Koforidua.
The suspect, Lawrence Kwabena Asiedu, who claimed to be a computer engineer, was said to have paraded himself for the past one year as a soldier and succeeded in collecting an undisclosed sum of money from a number of people, mostly in Accra.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Police Public Affairs Director, Chief Inspector Christopher Tawiah, said Asiedu arrived in Koforidua from Accra on May 23, 2008 in military uniform and was spotted at the Koforidua Branch of the Agricultural Development Bank in the company of two friends.
He said the suspect, who was later seen at Effiduasi, near Koforidua, and was confronted by policemen because of his misconduct and the way he wore the military uniform, initially claimed to be a soldier from Accra.
Chief Inspector Tawiah said when the policemen asked for both his pass and identity card, the suspect could not produce them, claiming that he had left the ID card in his bag at a friend’s house in Koforidua.
He pointed out that when the policemen decided to accompany him to the friend’s house, the suspect confessed to not being a soldier, explaining that he had got the uniform from a naval officer friend who had given him a number of uniforms to wash for him.
According to the Public Affairs Director, when the police invited the naval officer from Accra, he blatantly denied ever giving any military uniforms to the suspect but admitted that there had been a few occasions on which he had given his dirty Navy uniforms to Asiedu to wash.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, ACP George Anko-Bill, expressed worry at the rate at which armed robbers undertook their operations in military and police uniforms and, therefore, asked security personnel to refrain from giving out their uniforms to civilians to be washed.
The suspect, Lawrence Kwabena Asiedu, who claimed to be a computer engineer, was said to have paraded himself for the past one year as a soldier and succeeded in collecting an undisclosed sum of money from a number of people, mostly in Accra.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Police Public Affairs Director, Chief Inspector Christopher Tawiah, said Asiedu arrived in Koforidua from Accra on May 23, 2008 in military uniform and was spotted at the Koforidua Branch of the Agricultural Development Bank in the company of two friends.
He said the suspect, who was later seen at Effiduasi, near Koforidua, and was confronted by policemen because of his misconduct and the way he wore the military uniform, initially claimed to be a soldier from Accra.
Chief Inspector Tawiah said when the policemen asked for both his pass and identity card, the suspect could not produce them, claiming that he had left the ID card in his bag at a friend’s house in Koforidua.
He pointed out that when the policemen decided to accompany him to the friend’s house, the suspect confessed to not being a soldier, explaining that he had got the uniform from a naval officer friend who had given him a number of uniforms to wash for him.
According to the Public Affairs Director, when the police invited the naval officer from Accra, he blatantly denied ever giving any military uniforms to the suspect but admitted that there had been a few occasions on which he had given his dirty Navy uniforms to Asiedu to wash.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, ACP George Anko-Bill, expressed worry at the rate at which armed robbers undertook their operations in military and police uniforms and, therefore, asked security personnel to refrain from giving out their uniforms to civilians to be washed.
ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO DEVELOP ARTS AND CULTURE (PAGE 31)
THE Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports, Mr Isaac K. Asiamah, has advocated the allocation of adequate resources to develop the arts and culture in the country.
That, he said, would help Ghanaians to appreciate their cultural and traditional values and encourage them to patronise locally-manufactured products.
At a workshop for members of the committee in Koforidua last Saturday, Mr Asiamah stated that “the promotion of culture the world over has remained the basis for harnessing every nation’s human and material resources”.
“To psych up the minds of our people for national patriotism and development, we need to give priority to the arts and culture to appreciate our cultural heritage and values such as honesty, truthfulness, unity, peace, respect for the elderly and the promotion of democratic governance,” Mr Asiamah stated.
The workshop, which was aimed at sensitising the MPs to the new cultural policy and the activities of the Cultural Initiative Support Programme (CISP) to make them more resourceful to advocate cultural issues in Parliament, was organised by the CISP.
The Parliamentary Select Committee chairman said globally nations that had aspired to develop their human and material resources had always paid the necessary attention to the development of such cultural heritage and values.
That, according to him, had helped to encourage their nationals to develop a keen interest in their culture, as well as imbibe cultural values such as patronising locally manufactured products, adopting positive attitudes towards the environment, self-reliance, family and community solidarity, as well as stability and peace.
Mr Asiamah, who is also the MP for Atwima-Mponua in the Ashanti Region, said to give practical meaning to cultural development in all sectors of the economy, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as educational institutions, should dedicate a percentage of their budgets to the cultural component of their programmes.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, said since culture remained an engine for economic development and poverty reduction at all levels of national development, the European Union had provided a two million euros grant to support cultural activities, mainly in the areas of manpower development, cultural agreement, research and support to artistic groups and programmes.
He added that as part of efforts to enhance cultural activities in the country, GH¢200,000 had been made available to support proposals from the cultural sector.
For his part, the Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor George Hagan, stated that his outfit, in collaboration with other relevant institutions, had been organising workshops to seek inputs from stakeholders on how best to develop the cultural sector.
The Project Co-ordinator of the CISP, Mr Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, said his outfit would be providing financial support for stakeholders for the next three years, adding, “The grants will also be applied in the training of cultural administrators, performers and technicians and organising stakeholders’ consultations.”
He added that plans were far advanced to create a meaningful database on the country’s cultural assets to help make culture more relevant to the economy.
That, he said, would help Ghanaians to appreciate their cultural and traditional values and encourage them to patronise locally-manufactured products.
At a workshop for members of the committee in Koforidua last Saturday, Mr Asiamah stated that “the promotion of culture the world over has remained the basis for harnessing every nation’s human and material resources”.
“To psych up the minds of our people for national patriotism and development, we need to give priority to the arts and culture to appreciate our cultural heritage and values such as honesty, truthfulness, unity, peace, respect for the elderly and the promotion of democratic governance,” Mr Asiamah stated.
The workshop, which was aimed at sensitising the MPs to the new cultural policy and the activities of the Cultural Initiative Support Programme (CISP) to make them more resourceful to advocate cultural issues in Parliament, was organised by the CISP.
The Parliamentary Select Committee chairman said globally nations that had aspired to develop their human and material resources had always paid the necessary attention to the development of such cultural heritage and values.
That, according to him, had helped to encourage their nationals to develop a keen interest in their culture, as well as imbibe cultural values such as patronising locally manufactured products, adopting positive attitudes towards the environment, self-reliance, family and community solidarity, as well as stability and peace.
Mr Asiamah, who is also the MP for Atwima-Mponua in the Ashanti Region, said to give practical meaning to cultural development in all sectors of the economy, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as educational institutions, should dedicate a percentage of their budgets to the cultural component of their programmes.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, said since culture remained an engine for economic development and poverty reduction at all levels of national development, the European Union had provided a two million euros grant to support cultural activities, mainly in the areas of manpower development, cultural agreement, research and support to artistic groups and programmes.
He added that as part of efforts to enhance cultural activities in the country, GH¢200,000 had been made available to support proposals from the cultural sector.
For his part, the Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor George Hagan, stated that his outfit, in collaboration with other relevant institutions, had been organising workshops to seek inputs from stakeholders on how best to develop the cultural sector.
The Project Co-ordinator of the CISP, Mr Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, said his outfit would be providing financial support for stakeholders for the next three years, adding, “The grants will also be applied in the training of cultural administrators, performers and technicians and organising stakeholders’ consultations.”
He added that plans were far advanced to create a meaningful database on the country’s cultural assets to help make culture more relevant to the economy.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
AMOAH WINS ABURI-NSAWAM NPP PRIMARY (PAGE 14)
THE aspiration of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Aburi-Nsawam Constituency, Mr Magnus Opare Asamoah, to be in Parliament for the second time got dashed when he suffered a humiliating defeat by Mr O.B. Amoah, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports at the New Patriotic Party primary held at Nsawam yesterday.
The defeated MP, who is also the Deputy Minister of Transportation, polled 61 votes to lose the bid to Mr Amoah, who obtained 86 votes.
The tension-packed primary, which was kept under control by the heavy police presence, was witnessed by the party's Eastern Regional Executive, including its chairman, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng and Mr Alecs Agobo, the regional secretary.
Prior to the election, Mr Amoabeng had asked the delegates to demonstrate maturity and unity of purpose by accepting whoever would emerge the winner to enable him to win the seat for the NPP in the upcoming general election.
He also urged them to endeavour to put their differences behind them and forge ahead in unity by co-operating with the winner.
For their part, the two contestants outlined their vision and achievements for the constituency.
Mr Opare Asamoah particularly mentioned the construction of a number of school buildings and the dual carriageway from Nsawam to Aburi as a hallmark of his term as an MP.
For his part, Mr Amoah said since this year's election would be a straight battle between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress, he remained the better marketable candidate to win the seat for the party in the December election.
After being declared the winner, Mr Amoah commended Mr Opare Asamoah for the good work he had done.
"My election as the new parliamentary aspirant is not a personal victory, but that for the entire NPP family," he said.
Mr Amoah called for support and co-operation from the rank and file of the party to enable him to win the seat for the party.
The defeated MP, who is also the Deputy Minister of Transportation, polled 61 votes to lose the bid to Mr Amoah, who obtained 86 votes.
The tension-packed primary, which was kept under control by the heavy police presence, was witnessed by the party's Eastern Regional Executive, including its chairman, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng and Mr Alecs Agobo, the regional secretary.
Prior to the election, Mr Amoabeng had asked the delegates to demonstrate maturity and unity of purpose by accepting whoever would emerge the winner to enable him to win the seat for the NPP in the upcoming general election.
He also urged them to endeavour to put their differences behind them and forge ahead in unity by co-operating with the winner.
For their part, the two contestants outlined their vision and achievements for the constituency.
Mr Opare Asamoah particularly mentioned the construction of a number of school buildings and the dual carriageway from Nsawam to Aburi as a hallmark of his term as an MP.
For his part, Mr Amoah said since this year's election would be a straight battle between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress, he remained the better marketable candidate to win the seat for the party in the December election.
After being declared the winner, Mr Amoah commended Mr Opare Asamoah for the good work he had done.
"My election as the new parliamentary aspirant is not a personal victory, but that for the entire NPP family," he said.
Mr Amoah called for support and co-operation from the rank and file of the party to enable him to win the seat for the party.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
MASLOC PRESENTS SLIPS TO BENEFICIARIES (PAGE 20)
THE Koforidua area office of the Micro-finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) has presented withdrawal slips to 210 beneficiary groups within the area to enable them access money credited to them from the various designated banks.
The groups comprised 3,625 individual traders, artisans and other operators of small- scale businesses from all the 17 districts in the region.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, together with the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, and other municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) in the region, made the presentation at a ceremony in Koforidua.
The event coincided with the re-launch of the facility in the region.
Mr Prempeh said between October, 2007 and April, this year, his outfit disbursed a total of GH¢1.3 million to the beneficiaries of the facility.
He explained that the government introduced the scheme to make available credit facilities to the various groups of associations, as well as individual operators of small-scale businesses to undertake various income-generating ventures to raise their standards of living.
Mr Prempeh advised the beneficiaries to invest the money in productive ventures which would enable them to pay back the loans promptly for others to also enjoy the benefits of the scheme.
The CEO urged the people not to associate the scheme with any political party, since the facility was meant for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation.
He called on other people to take advantage of the facility to enhance their living standard.
To ensure prompt access to more loans from other financial institutions, Mr Prempeh asked the beneficiaries to save with the various banks which would be willing to provide them with loans.
According to him, as part of measures to ensure successful implementation of the scheme and prompt repayment of loans, his outfit had engaged the services of a number of field officers across the country to identify, monitor and assess the performance of the beneficiaries.
For his part, Mr Affram Asiedu reiterated the government’s commitment to the creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, so that they would be able to contribute their quota towards national development.
He said as a measure for assisting the extremely poor households and individuals in the country, the government had also introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), of which some of the poor in the region had started benefiting.
The groups comprised 3,625 individual traders, artisans and other operators of small- scale businesses from all the 17 districts in the region.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MASLOC, Mr Lawrence Prempeh, together with the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, and other municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) in the region, made the presentation at a ceremony in Koforidua.
The event coincided with the re-launch of the facility in the region.
Mr Prempeh said between October, 2007 and April, this year, his outfit disbursed a total of GH¢1.3 million to the beneficiaries of the facility.
He explained that the government introduced the scheme to make available credit facilities to the various groups of associations, as well as individual operators of small-scale businesses to undertake various income-generating ventures to raise their standards of living.
Mr Prempeh advised the beneficiaries to invest the money in productive ventures which would enable them to pay back the loans promptly for others to also enjoy the benefits of the scheme.
The CEO urged the people not to associate the scheme with any political party, since the facility was meant for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation.
He called on other people to take advantage of the facility to enhance their living standard.
To ensure prompt access to more loans from other financial institutions, Mr Prempeh asked the beneficiaries to save with the various banks which would be willing to provide them with loans.
According to him, as part of measures to ensure successful implementation of the scheme and prompt repayment of loans, his outfit had engaged the services of a number of field officers across the country to identify, monitor and assess the performance of the beneficiaries.
For his part, Mr Affram Asiedu reiterated the government’s commitment to the creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, so that they would be able to contribute their quota towards national development.
He said as a measure for assisting the extremely poor households and individuals in the country, the government had also introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), of which some of the poor in the region had started benefiting.
MORE SOCIAL AMENITIES FOR AFRAM PLAINS (PAGE 20)
THE Government in collaboration with donor countries and agencies is undertaking a project to open up the Afram Plains, now known as the Kwahu North District, to exploit its enormous agricultural potential.
Under the project, about 200 kilometres of feeder roads would be constructed this year while farmers in the area would be given adequate farming skills to enable them to increase production.
The venture is aimed at cultivating 3,000 acres of maize this year, in the area described as the bread basket of the Eastern Region.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, made this known at the Meet-the-Press session in Koforidua.
The event, the second in a series to be organised by the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Agyekum; the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, as well as municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs), heads of ministries, departments and agencies in the region.
The regional minister said since agriculture was vital to the socio-economic development of the region and employed about 67 per cent of the population, the government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other organisations, had been assisting farmers in the area with the necessary inputs to ensure food security.
He said to reduce poverty in the region and the country as a whole, the government had been implementing the Community-Based Rural Development Project to improve the income levels of rural folks to enable them to raise their standard of living.
Mr Affram Asiedu stated that the provision of various social amenities such as the construction of health posts, school buildings, boreholes, markets and roads, currently going in the communities, would enhance the socio-economic development of the area.
With regard to education, he said since it remained pivotal to the development of the area, the government had provided public schools in the region with the necessary facilities, which had resulted in significant increases in enrolment in the kindergarten (KG), primary and senior high schools (SHS).
For instance, he said, enrolment at the KG level rose from 1,792 in 2007 to 1,872 this year while that of the primary schools soared from 2,153 in 2007 to 2,406 this year with junior high schools recording an increase of 1,387 this year as against 1,229 last year.
To enhance teaching and learning, Mr Affram Asiedu said the government through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), had supplied all the schools in the region with furniture as well as teachers’ tables and chairs.
He added that three SHS in the region, namely Aburi Girls, Krobo Girls and St. Roses, had been provided with Nissan Pick-Up vehicles.
“The significant increases in enrolment in the basic schools have been partially attributed to the introduction of the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding programmes by the government on pilot basis in some selected schools,” he said, adding that the gesture would soon be extended to other schools in the region.
The regional minister, however, expressed worry about the large number of untrained teachers in the region, stressing “out of the 25,020 teachers in the region 6,600 were untrained.
He said the municipal and district assemblies in the region had been directed to sponsor teacher-trainees in the various Colleges of Education, after which the beneficiaries would be bonded to teach in their respective districts after completing their courses.
On security, Mr Affram Asiedu said since it was important in the development of the region, the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), in collaboration with security agencies and the municipal and district assemblies had taken up the necessary measures to maintain peace in the area.
He, however, stated that a number of negative factors, such as the unexplained murders within the Suhum township, chieftaincy and land disputes, armed robberies, illegal mining and chain saw operations as well as activities of nomadic herdsmen and their cattle, had undermined the peace of the region.
To contain the situation, he said the security agencies, which had been provided with vehicles and communication gadgets, had increased highway and foot patrols, especially in crime-prone areas and at checkpoints to apprehend suspected criminals.
Such a strategy, Mr Affram Asiedu said, had yielded positive results by decreasing crime and created an enabling environment for the people to do their businesses without fear or intimidation.
With regard to health, he said the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the region had made it possible for about 937,338 people registered with it out of the region’s total population of 2,196,696 to access quality and affordable heath care.
The regional minister, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited number of health personnel in the area, which he said, did not match the increasing number of patients.
He also expressed regret about the high prevalence rate (4.2 per cent) of HIV/AIDS in the region.
Mr Affram Asiedu, however, indicated that with the support of stakeholders, the rate of infection was reducing and advised the people, especially the youth to adopt responsible lifestyles in order not to contract the disease.
For his part, Mr Agyekum reiterated the government’s commitment to cushion Ghanaians against the increases in food and oil prices, due to global trends, adding “we must learn to consume our own locally produced food instead of depending on exported ones.”
Under the project, about 200 kilometres of feeder roads would be constructed this year while farmers in the area would be given adequate farming skills to enable them to increase production.
The venture is aimed at cultivating 3,000 acres of maize this year, in the area described as the bread basket of the Eastern Region.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, made this known at the Meet-the-Press session in Koforidua.
The event, the second in a series to be organised by the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Agyekum; the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, as well as municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs), heads of ministries, departments and agencies in the region.
The regional minister said since agriculture was vital to the socio-economic development of the region and employed about 67 per cent of the population, the government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other organisations, had been assisting farmers in the area with the necessary inputs to ensure food security.
He said to reduce poverty in the region and the country as a whole, the government had been implementing the Community-Based Rural Development Project to improve the income levels of rural folks to enable them to raise their standard of living.
Mr Affram Asiedu stated that the provision of various social amenities such as the construction of health posts, school buildings, boreholes, markets and roads, currently going in the communities, would enhance the socio-economic development of the area.
With regard to education, he said since it remained pivotal to the development of the area, the government had provided public schools in the region with the necessary facilities, which had resulted in significant increases in enrolment in the kindergarten (KG), primary and senior high schools (SHS).
For instance, he said, enrolment at the KG level rose from 1,792 in 2007 to 1,872 this year while that of the primary schools soared from 2,153 in 2007 to 2,406 this year with junior high schools recording an increase of 1,387 this year as against 1,229 last year.
To enhance teaching and learning, Mr Affram Asiedu said the government through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), had supplied all the schools in the region with furniture as well as teachers’ tables and chairs.
He added that three SHS in the region, namely Aburi Girls, Krobo Girls and St. Roses, had been provided with Nissan Pick-Up vehicles.
“The significant increases in enrolment in the basic schools have been partially attributed to the introduction of the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding programmes by the government on pilot basis in some selected schools,” he said, adding that the gesture would soon be extended to other schools in the region.
The regional minister, however, expressed worry about the large number of untrained teachers in the region, stressing “out of the 25,020 teachers in the region 6,600 were untrained.
He said the municipal and district assemblies in the region had been directed to sponsor teacher-trainees in the various Colleges of Education, after which the beneficiaries would be bonded to teach in their respective districts after completing their courses.
On security, Mr Affram Asiedu said since it was important in the development of the region, the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), in collaboration with security agencies and the municipal and district assemblies had taken up the necessary measures to maintain peace in the area.
He, however, stated that a number of negative factors, such as the unexplained murders within the Suhum township, chieftaincy and land disputes, armed robberies, illegal mining and chain saw operations as well as activities of nomadic herdsmen and their cattle, had undermined the peace of the region.
To contain the situation, he said the security agencies, which had been provided with vehicles and communication gadgets, had increased highway and foot patrols, especially in crime-prone areas and at checkpoints to apprehend suspected criminals.
Such a strategy, Mr Affram Asiedu said, had yielded positive results by decreasing crime and created an enabling environment for the people to do their businesses without fear or intimidation.
With regard to health, he said the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the region had made it possible for about 937,338 people registered with it out of the region’s total population of 2,196,696 to access quality and affordable heath care.
The regional minister, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited number of health personnel in the area, which he said, did not match the increasing number of patients.
He also expressed regret about the high prevalence rate (4.2 per cent) of HIV/AIDS in the region.
Mr Affram Asiedu, however, indicated that with the support of stakeholders, the rate of infection was reducing and advised the people, especially the youth to adopt responsible lifestyles in order not to contract the disease.
For his part, Mr Agyekum reiterated the government’s commitment to cushion Ghanaians against the increases in food and oil prices, due to global trends, adding “we must learn to consume our own locally produced food instead of depending on exported ones.”
Monday, June 2, 2008
ABIDE BY CODE OF ETHICS — CJ (PAGE 3)
THE Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina T. Wood, has appealed to the staff of the Judicial Service to abide by the code of ethics of the profession and work hard to facilitate the administration of justice in the country.
This, she said, could only be achieved when they exhibit commitment to duty, courtesy, humility and respect to the members of the public, who, in their desire to seek justice, patronised the various courts.
Mrs Wood made the appeal when she interacted with some workers of the service in Koforidua yesterday to learn first-hand their concerns.
“Any insubordination, dereliction of duty and lack of respect towards members of the public on your part only undermine efforts at improving the delivery of justice to the public,” she said.
Mrs Wood, who was accompanied by the judges of the various courts in the region, as well as an Appeal Court Judge, Mr Jones Dotse, who also has oversight responsibility over the courts in the region, also paid familiarisation visits to the Anyinam and the Kwabeng Magistrate’s courts to acquaint herself with the challenges facing the Judicial Service workers there.
The Chief Justice said the Judicial Service played an important role in the country’s democratic dispensation, particularly in the area of good governance and the rule of law.
By this, she said, the Judicial Service had over the years assisted people in distress and provided the needs of aggrieved people who desired justice.
Mrs Wood further noted that although the service had been over-staffed over the years, low productivity and lack of commitment on the part of some workers had severely affected the efficient and effective delivery of justice in the courts.
“We must try to work hard and exhibit courteous conduct towards members of the public so as to provide them with the reliefs they seek,” the CJ stated.
According to her, as part of efforts to motivate personnel of the service to give their best, her outfit had recently embarked on a mass promotion exercise and called on those who felt cheated by the system of promotion to notify the authorities for immediate redress.
The Chief Justice also urged the personnel of the service to strive to upgrade themselves and invest in information communications technology, saying: Your promotion is strongly tied to your level of computer literacy, which is indispensable to the prompt delivery of justice”.
This, she said, could only be achieved when they exhibit commitment to duty, courtesy, humility and respect to the members of the public, who, in their desire to seek justice, patronised the various courts.
Mrs Wood made the appeal when she interacted with some workers of the service in Koforidua yesterday to learn first-hand their concerns.
“Any insubordination, dereliction of duty and lack of respect towards members of the public on your part only undermine efforts at improving the delivery of justice to the public,” she said.
Mrs Wood, who was accompanied by the judges of the various courts in the region, as well as an Appeal Court Judge, Mr Jones Dotse, who also has oversight responsibility over the courts in the region, also paid familiarisation visits to the Anyinam and the Kwabeng Magistrate’s courts to acquaint herself with the challenges facing the Judicial Service workers there.
The Chief Justice said the Judicial Service played an important role in the country’s democratic dispensation, particularly in the area of good governance and the rule of law.
By this, she said, the Judicial Service had over the years assisted people in distress and provided the needs of aggrieved people who desired justice.
Mrs Wood further noted that although the service had been over-staffed over the years, low productivity and lack of commitment on the part of some workers had severely affected the efficient and effective delivery of justice in the courts.
“We must try to work hard and exhibit courteous conduct towards members of the public so as to provide them with the reliefs they seek,” the CJ stated.
According to her, as part of efforts to motivate personnel of the service to give their best, her outfit had recently embarked on a mass promotion exercise and called on those who felt cheated by the system of promotion to notify the authorities for immediate redress.
The Chief Justice also urged the personnel of the service to strive to upgrade themselves and invest in information communications technology, saying: Your promotion is strongly tied to your level of computer literacy, which is indispensable to the prompt delivery of justice”.
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