CHILD Rights International (CRI), a non-governmental organisation, has set up an information and communications technology (ICT) resource centre furnished with 100 laptops for children at Okorase, a cocoa-growing community in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District in the Eastern Region.
The centre, connected to the Internet, is aimed at making ICT available to children in the community, to improve the quality of teaching and learning in basic schools, as well as enhance the living standards of the people.
The initiative, which forms part of the One Child One Laptop Project, is being supported by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Director of CRI, Mr Bright Appiah, said the initiative was made possible through a collaborative effort between the CRI Ghana and the One Child One Laptop Project, based in the United States of America.
He added that through the initiative of the CRI, some university students from the Derek Richardson-Hunter College and the Monroe College, both in the US, had been invited into the country to teach the beneficiary schools in the community.
He noted that the provision of ICT facilities to children at early ages would help to develop their skills to compete equally with their counterparts in urban areas.
According to him, society’s failure to provide children with appropriate information over the years had resulted in a situation where children had resorted to using all sorts of information at their disposal to seek knowledge, to the detriment of their development.
He said that had led to a number of children engaging in armed robbery, child prostitution, child labour and Internet fraud, adding that “we have neglected our basic duty and the outcome of our negligence as stakeholders has contributed to Internet crime and occultism in educational systems”.
He, therefore, advised parents and guardians to devote more time and resources to their children and wards to enable them to grow up as responsible citizens.
The National Programme Manager of the National Programme for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (NPECLC), Mrs Rita Owusu-Amankwaah, said education had been identified as the key to the eradication of poverty and child labour and pointed out that the importance of computer literacy for the academic development of children in today’s global world could not be over.
The Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District Director of Education, Mrs Gifty Asiedu-Okantah, commended the CRI and its partners for the gesture, which she noted would improve teaching and learning in the communities and the district as a whole.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
AMEND CRIMINAL POCEDURE CODE — Hgh Court judge (PAGE 3)
A High Court Judge, Mr Justice Kossi Efo Kaglo, has called for the amendment of the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Code, Act 633 that prevents high court judges and magistrates from granting bail in some criminal cases pending before them.
That, he said, would ensure the speedy trial of criminal cases and help to decongest the prisons filled with several remand prisoners, some of whom had had their cases pending before the courts for many years.
“Until the Executive and the Legislature take a critical second look at Act 633, the hands of high court judges and magistrates will continue to be tied, since we can never grant bail to persons accused of murder, armed robbery, rape and narcotic offences that are brought before us,” Mr Justice Kaglo said.
Act 633 says emphatically that criminal cases such as murder, rape, narcotic and armed robbery cases are offences that high court judges and magistrates shall not grant bail unless there have been unreasonable delay in prosecuting them.
Mr Justice Kaglo made the call in reaction to the appeal by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, that the Judiciary should help facilitate the speedy trial of criminal cases pending before the courts.
The speedy trial of cases, Mr Ampofo stated, would help to decongest prisons in the country that were mostly filled with remand prisoners, whose daily upkeep and welfare had imposed a heavy financial burden on the country’s budget.
The Regional Minister had told high court judges and staff of the Judicial Service that about 1,701 remand prisoners, comprising 1,681 males and 20 females, were currently in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, while 172 remand prisoners were in the Koforidua Prison and 156 in the Akuse Prison, both in the Eastern Region.
According to Justice Kaglo, the increasing number of remand prisoners in the country’s prisons had often been blamed on high court judges and magistrates who had been accused by members of the public and politicians of keeping remand prisoners in the cells.
He cited delays on the part of police investigators and the lawyers of the Attorney-General Department as partly contributing to the delay in the trial of cases of remand prisoners in the courts.
“It is common to find police prosecutors and lawyers of the Attorney-General's Department coming to courts to say that they have not finished with investigations into criminal cases and, therefore, cannot commence with the case in court,” Mr Justice Kaglo explained.
The High Court judge asked, “If police prosecutors and lawyers of the A-G’s Department do not finish with their investigations on time for trial to begin where do we expect judges and magistrates to put these suspects?”.
“What we all fail to recognise is that it is not the judges and magistrates who are responsible for the increasing number of remand prisoners but it is the law that compels them to strictly apply the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Code.
He added that “a judge cannot do anything when suspects accused of murder, rape, armed robbery and possessing narcotic drugs are brought before the court. We are not allowed to grant them bail apart from keeping them in prisons”.
Earlier, Mr Ofosu Ampofo had said the swelling number of both convicted and remand prisoners, particularly their feeding, had had a severe toll on national budget.
He, therefore, appealed to the Judiciary to expedite action on the trial of remand prisoners’ cases pending before the courts, adding that “the taxpayer’s money being spent on feeding remand prisoners could be prudently used for other national development projects”.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, expressed worry over the lack of accommodation for judges and staff of the Judiciary, as well as the deplorable state of some of the district courts in the region.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address the problems to enable the judicial staff to effectively and efficiently ensure prompt administration of justice in the region.
That, he said, would ensure the speedy trial of criminal cases and help to decongest the prisons filled with several remand prisoners, some of whom had had their cases pending before the courts for many years.
“Until the Executive and the Legislature take a critical second look at Act 633, the hands of high court judges and magistrates will continue to be tied, since we can never grant bail to persons accused of murder, armed robbery, rape and narcotic offences that are brought before us,” Mr Justice Kaglo said.
Act 633 says emphatically that criminal cases such as murder, rape, narcotic and armed robbery cases are offences that high court judges and magistrates shall not grant bail unless there have been unreasonable delay in prosecuting them.
Mr Justice Kaglo made the call in reaction to the appeal by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, that the Judiciary should help facilitate the speedy trial of criminal cases pending before the courts.
The speedy trial of cases, Mr Ampofo stated, would help to decongest prisons in the country that were mostly filled with remand prisoners, whose daily upkeep and welfare had imposed a heavy financial burden on the country’s budget.
The Regional Minister had told high court judges and staff of the Judicial Service that about 1,701 remand prisoners, comprising 1,681 males and 20 females, were currently in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, while 172 remand prisoners were in the Koforidua Prison and 156 in the Akuse Prison, both in the Eastern Region.
According to Justice Kaglo, the increasing number of remand prisoners in the country’s prisons had often been blamed on high court judges and magistrates who had been accused by members of the public and politicians of keeping remand prisoners in the cells.
He cited delays on the part of police investigators and the lawyers of the Attorney-General Department as partly contributing to the delay in the trial of cases of remand prisoners in the courts.
“It is common to find police prosecutors and lawyers of the Attorney-General's Department coming to courts to say that they have not finished with investigations into criminal cases and, therefore, cannot commence with the case in court,” Mr Justice Kaglo explained.
The High Court judge asked, “If police prosecutors and lawyers of the A-G’s Department do not finish with their investigations on time for trial to begin where do we expect judges and magistrates to put these suspects?”.
“What we all fail to recognise is that it is not the judges and magistrates who are responsible for the increasing number of remand prisoners but it is the law that compels them to strictly apply the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Code.
He added that “a judge cannot do anything when suspects accused of murder, rape, armed robbery and possessing narcotic drugs are brought before the court. We are not allowed to grant them bail apart from keeping them in prisons”.
Earlier, Mr Ofosu Ampofo had said the swelling number of both convicted and remand prisoners, particularly their feeding, had had a severe toll on national budget.
He, therefore, appealed to the Judiciary to expedite action on the trial of remand prisoners’ cases pending before the courts, adding that “the taxpayer’s money being spent on feeding remand prisoners could be prudently used for other national development projects”.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, expressed worry over the lack of accommodation for judges and staff of the Judiciary, as well as the deplorable state of some of the district courts in the region.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address the problems to enable the judicial staff to effectively and efficiently ensure prompt administration of justice in the region.
AKUAPEM SOUTH ACQUIRES GRADER FOR ROAD PROJECTS (BACK PAGE)
The Akuapem South Municipal Assembly has acquired a grader to enable it to undertake minor road construction projects in the district.
The grader, which costs GH¢473,000, would be paid for by the assembly over the next four years under a hire purchase arrangement with the management of J. A. Plant Pool (Ghana) to support district assemblies to improve on the road networks in their respective areas.
Taking delivery of the equipment, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South, Dr Godfred Osei Bonsu-Twum, said the municipality was endowed with many tourist sites and other natural resources which could be developed for the benefit of the people.
He, however, mentioned the lack of access roads and bad nature of roads in the area, especially during the rainy season, as one of the major challenges facing the assembly.
The Assistant Eastern Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mrs Faustina Shardey, said the pre-finance package for the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies was aimed at building the capacities of the assemblies to undertake the construction of feeder roads and do other minor projects in their respective areas.
This, she said, would open up the assemblies and facilitate the haulage of goods from the communities to marketing centres.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended the company for its commitment to assist MMDAs to complement government efforts at improving the road network in the country and said that was a positive step towards improving the living standard of farmers.
He called on the Akuapem South District Assembly to make good use of the equipment, since its successful utilisation would prompt J. A. Plant Pool to extend the same gesture to other districts in the region.
The grader, which costs GH¢473,000, would be paid for by the assembly over the next four years under a hire purchase arrangement with the management of J. A. Plant Pool (Ghana) to support district assemblies to improve on the road networks in their respective areas.
Taking delivery of the equipment, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South, Dr Godfred Osei Bonsu-Twum, said the municipality was endowed with many tourist sites and other natural resources which could be developed for the benefit of the people.
He, however, mentioned the lack of access roads and bad nature of roads in the area, especially during the rainy season, as one of the major challenges facing the assembly.
The Assistant Eastern Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mrs Faustina Shardey, said the pre-finance package for the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies was aimed at building the capacities of the assemblies to undertake the construction of feeder roads and do other minor projects in their respective areas.
This, she said, would open up the assemblies and facilitate the haulage of goods from the communities to marketing centres.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended the company for its commitment to assist MMDAs to complement government efforts at improving the road network in the country and said that was a positive step towards improving the living standard of farmers.
He called on the Akuapem South District Assembly to make good use of the equipment, since its successful utilisation would prompt J. A. Plant Pool to extend the same gesture to other districts in the region.
Friday, August 28, 2009
MAN, 45, KILLED FOR STEALING PLANTAIN (PAGE 34)
A 45-year-old man was allegedly butchered to death by a farmer for stealing a bunch of plantain on a farm at Densuano near Akwadum in Koforidua.
The farmer, Michael Koranteng, was said to have gone to his farm at about 8 a.m. last Monday and saw Yaw Larteh allegedly cutting the plantain with a machete.
Koranteng was reported to have asked Larteh to hand over the machete to him but Larteh allegedly attacked him and inflicted a wound on his left palm.
Koranteng, in a bid to defend himself, also used a machete to inflict multiple wounds on Larteh, killing him instantly on the farm.
Briefing the press on the incident at Koforidua, the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Joseph Tawiah, said at about 12.40 p.m on Monday, August 24, 2009, Koranteng went to the Eastern Regional Police Command to report that Larteh had stolen a bunch of plantains on his farm.
Koranteng was immediately arrested and escorted to his farm, where the police saw the body of Larteh with multiple wounds at almost every part of the body.
Koranteng was then taken back to the police headquarters where upon further investigations, he told the police that some residents of the area had often been stealing his farm produce and that any time he succeeded in arresting some of them, elders of the area often pleaded for their release.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue of the Eastern Regional Hospital at Koforidua.
The farmer, Michael Koranteng, was said to have gone to his farm at about 8 a.m. last Monday and saw Yaw Larteh allegedly cutting the plantain with a machete.
Koranteng was reported to have asked Larteh to hand over the machete to him but Larteh allegedly attacked him and inflicted a wound on his left palm.
Koranteng, in a bid to defend himself, also used a machete to inflict multiple wounds on Larteh, killing him instantly on the farm.
Briefing the press on the incident at Koforidua, the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Joseph Tawiah, said at about 12.40 p.m on Monday, August 24, 2009, Koranteng went to the Eastern Regional Police Command to report that Larteh had stolen a bunch of plantains on his farm.
Koranteng was immediately arrested and escorted to his farm, where the police saw the body of Larteh with multiple wounds at almost every part of the body.
Koranteng was then taken back to the police headquarters where upon further investigations, he told the police that some residents of the area had often been stealing his farm produce and that any time he succeeded in arresting some of them, elders of the area often pleaded for their release.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue of the Eastern Regional Hospital at Koforidua.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
FUND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (PAGE 35)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS companies in the country have been called upon to give priority to the funding of community development projects that would have a long-term impact on the lives of the people as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Such investments are also, expected to complement the efforts of the Government at providing basic social amenities for the people, especially those in poverty-stricken communities.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who made the call, stated “the provision of amenities such as good drinking water, school buildings and health posts and the sponsoring of brilliant needy students, are monumental achievements that will serve the interest of generations who will remember your support to them”.
“While you spend millions of cedis in sponsoring various sports, entertainments and beauty pageant programmes that are transient in nature, you must also consider funding community projects that will help address the hardships facing the people”, Mr Ampofo stated.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a new six-unit classroom block for the Odumase Presbyterian Junior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region.
The facility, funded by Zain Ghana, is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room, a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting system and a pumping machine.
The disability-friendly edifice, which is the only government public basic school in the district, will be made available for use by surrounding basic schools in the area.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old building followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic that revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling structure was not only a danger to the students and teachers, but was also not conducive for teaching and learning.
The regional minister said since education was a shared responsibility of the state, corporate bodies, churches, non-governmental organisations and the communities, critical attention must be given to the provision of the necessary education infrastructure in communities that lacked such facilities.
“It is only through our collective resolve to provide the needed education infrastructure that we can hope to raise the standard of teaching and learning to guarantee a bright future for our future leaders”, he stated.
In apparent reference to the commitment of Zain Ghana to support education infrastructure in rural communities in the country, Mr Ampofo said the provision of quality education, worthy investment in the human resource of the country, was to be embraced by stakeholders.
The minister was particularly full of praise for the passion shown by the management and team of Zain Ghana towards the early completion of the school building, saying “we can all create a wonderful world for the youth when we invest in their education today”.
According Mr Ampofo, though Zain Ghana had no offices in Koforidua, the capital of Eastern Region and all the 21 districts and municipalities in the area, “they have reached out to the needs of unfortunate pupils in the community by putting up a first class school building for Odumase Presbyterian JHS, a gesture worthy of emulation by the other networks in the country”.
The Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the delight of his outfit to be involved and associated with the reconstruction of the school building.
Such investments are also, expected to complement the efforts of the Government at providing basic social amenities for the people, especially those in poverty-stricken communities.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who made the call, stated “the provision of amenities such as good drinking water, school buildings and health posts and the sponsoring of brilliant needy students, are monumental achievements that will serve the interest of generations who will remember your support to them”.
“While you spend millions of cedis in sponsoring various sports, entertainments and beauty pageant programmes that are transient in nature, you must also consider funding community projects that will help address the hardships facing the people”, Mr Ampofo stated.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a new six-unit classroom block for the Odumase Presbyterian Junior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region.
The facility, funded by Zain Ghana, is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room, a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting system and a pumping machine.
The disability-friendly edifice, which is the only government public basic school in the district, will be made available for use by surrounding basic schools in the area.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old building followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic that revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling structure was not only a danger to the students and teachers, but was also not conducive for teaching and learning.
The regional minister said since education was a shared responsibility of the state, corporate bodies, churches, non-governmental organisations and the communities, critical attention must be given to the provision of the necessary education infrastructure in communities that lacked such facilities.
“It is only through our collective resolve to provide the needed education infrastructure that we can hope to raise the standard of teaching and learning to guarantee a bright future for our future leaders”, he stated.
In apparent reference to the commitment of Zain Ghana to support education infrastructure in rural communities in the country, Mr Ampofo said the provision of quality education, worthy investment in the human resource of the country, was to be embraced by stakeholders.
The minister was particularly full of praise for the passion shown by the management and team of Zain Ghana towards the early completion of the school building, saying “we can all create a wonderful world for the youth when we invest in their education today”.
According Mr Ampofo, though Zain Ghana had no offices in Koforidua, the capital of Eastern Region and all the 21 districts and municipalities in the area, “they have reached out to the needs of unfortunate pupils in the community by putting up a first class school building for Odumase Presbyterian JHS, a gesture worthy of emulation by the other networks in the country”.
The Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the delight of his outfit to be involved and associated with the reconstruction of the school building.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
DR ASARE EXTENDS OLIVE BRANCH TO BABA JAMAL (PAGE 14)
THE winner of the 2008 parliamentary election in the Akwatia Constituency, where six polling stations were rerun in the past few days, Dr Kofi Asare of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has extended an olive branch to Mr Baba Jamal, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the area, and other candidates who contested the election with him.
He also appealed to traditional authorities and religious leaders to help heal the wounds and rifts among the people, particularly among supporters of the NPP and the NDC.
That, he stressed, would encourage the people, regardless of their political affiliation, to come together and join hands with him to plan towards the rapid socio-economic development of Akwatia and its surrounding communities.
"I will like to extend a hand of friendship to Baba Jamal and others who contested with me in the election to put behind our political differences and forge ahead in unity as leaders to set a good example for our supporters to emulate," he stated.
In a telephone interview with the Daily Graphic shortly after being declared the winner of the seat, Dr Asare stated “we must learn to let go the past bickering, tension, hatred and tribalism to enable us to once again unite and peacefully co-exist with one another”.
“While we must strongly disapprove and condemn in no uncertain terms the unnecessary tension and violence sparked off in Akwatia by the election, we must also not lose focus that we are one people with a common interest,” he stated.
According to Dr Asare, the December, 2008 general election and its rerun in the Akwatia Constituency sparked off unnecessary tension and violent acts that affected the relative peace and unity in the area.
Such unfortunate incidents, he stressed, had not only destroyed the cordial relationship existing among the people, but also slowed down the area’s socio-economic progress.
The Member of Parliament (MP)-elect said his election as the new MP for the area after eight months, should provide the people with a new opportunity to come together and forgive wrongs done them to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s development.
“As an elected MP not representing only the NPP but also the entire Akwatia Constituency, I hope that all hostilities will end regardless of whether you voted for me or not,” he appealed.
Dr Asare added that “we must all be ashamed of the needless violence, since politics is not a contest of brutal force or fight between two political parties and their followers, but rather an expression of ideas and who can better manage the natural resources to the betterment of the town and its people”.
He described the tension and violence that engulfed the entire Akwatia town as shameful, saying “who will we have served if we had succeeded in maiming or killing one another in the name of party politics”.
Touching on his priorities towards the area’s development, Dr Asare expressed his readiness to consult the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to get an investor to resuscitate the Ghana Consolidated Diamond Limited (GCD) at Akwatia to provide gainful employment for the people.
He, however, expressed worry about the number of voters who were denied the opportunity to exercise their franchise, attributing the problem to lapses in the electoral process, which allowed people to impersonate
He also appealed to traditional authorities and religious leaders to help heal the wounds and rifts among the people, particularly among supporters of the NPP and the NDC.
That, he stressed, would encourage the people, regardless of their political affiliation, to come together and join hands with him to plan towards the rapid socio-economic development of Akwatia and its surrounding communities.
"I will like to extend a hand of friendship to Baba Jamal and others who contested with me in the election to put behind our political differences and forge ahead in unity as leaders to set a good example for our supporters to emulate," he stated.
In a telephone interview with the Daily Graphic shortly after being declared the winner of the seat, Dr Asare stated “we must learn to let go the past bickering, tension, hatred and tribalism to enable us to once again unite and peacefully co-exist with one another”.
“While we must strongly disapprove and condemn in no uncertain terms the unnecessary tension and violence sparked off in Akwatia by the election, we must also not lose focus that we are one people with a common interest,” he stated.
According to Dr Asare, the December, 2008 general election and its rerun in the Akwatia Constituency sparked off unnecessary tension and violent acts that affected the relative peace and unity in the area.
Such unfortunate incidents, he stressed, had not only destroyed the cordial relationship existing among the people, but also slowed down the area’s socio-economic progress.
The Member of Parliament (MP)-elect said his election as the new MP for the area after eight months, should provide the people with a new opportunity to come together and forgive wrongs done them to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s development.
“As an elected MP not representing only the NPP but also the entire Akwatia Constituency, I hope that all hostilities will end regardless of whether you voted for me or not,” he appealed.
Dr Asare added that “we must all be ashamed of the needless violence, since politics is not a contest of brutal force or fight between two political parties and their followers, but rather an expression of ideas and who can better manage the natural resources to the betterment of the town and its people”.
He described the tension and violence that engulfed the entire Akwatia town as shameful, saying “who will we have served if we had succeeded in maiming or killing one another in the name of party politics”.
Touching on his priorities towards the area’s development, Dr Asare expressed his readiness to consult the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to get an investor to resuscitate the Ghana Consolidated Diamond Limited (GCD) at Akwatia to provide gainful employment for the people.
He, however, expressed worry about the number of voters who were denied the opportunity to exercise their franchise, attributing the problem to lapses in the electoral process, which allowed people to impersonate
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
AKWAATIA: IT'S NPP (1B)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh & Nana Konadu Agyeman
Dr Kofi Asare of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was yesterday declared the winner of the Akwatia Constituency seat by the Electoral Commission (EC).
He polled a total of 17,900 votes as against 15,860 by Mr Baba Ahmed Jamal of the National Democratic Party (NDC) to come a close second.
This was after the rerun results of yesterday in six polling stations had been added to the results of 83 polling stations in December last year.
At the end of voting yesterday, Dr Asare secured 1,011 votes while Mr Baba Jamal topped the polls with 2,050 votes.
In the December polls, Dr Asare got 16,889 while Mr Jamal secured 13,810 votes. Mr Basil Ahiable and Mr Samuel Abrokwah, both independent candidates got 1,835 votes and 64 votes respectively and Mr Samuel Adjei of the CPP got 109 votes. The latter candidates did not feature in yesterday’s ballot and accordingly got no votes. At the time of filing this report, the atmosphere at Akwatia was peaceful and calm with heavy security presence.
The rerun of the election was occasioned by the alleged snatching of ballot boxes at the six polling stations during the December 7, 2008 general election.
The Koforidua High Court upheld Mr Baba Jamal’s suit for the EC to conduct election in all the 89 polling stations and not only the six affected ones, but the Supreme Court overturned that ruling and ordered the EC to conduct the rerun in only the six troubled polling stations, when Dr Asare took the case before it.
The total number of registered voters in the six out of the 89 polling stations was 4,581.
Earlier in the day, the mounting tension between the NDC and the NPP had subsided.
That was after a peace walk by the national executive of the two political parties.
The walk, jointly led by the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac Manu, took the group to all six polling stations where they urged the voters who had formed queues not to fight but to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah, who held the hand of Mr Mac Manu, said the leadership of the two political parties had come together to ensure a peaceful election at Akwatia.
He said the NDC at first did not believe that the elections at only six polling stations could lead to violence as occurred last Sunday and that the Akwatia elections should not divide the people.
For his part, Mr Mac Manu said there should not be any acrimony between the NPP and the NDC, since they were all one people.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who later joined the group, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the two parties for their initiative to calm the tension and ensure peace in the area.
Earlier, there had been confusion at Yuroba Mosque A Polling Station when the Electoral Commission (EC) officials, led by Mr David Kanga, a Deputy Chairman of the commission, tactfully turned away some people who had wanted to vote twice from the polling station.
Events leading to the rerun of the election had been characterised by scuffles between supporters of the NPP and those of the NDC.
The volatile political situation at Akwatia prompted the police to fire tear gas on some occasions last Sunday, to disperse supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who had massed up in the streets possibly for a showdown.
The events compelled the Ministry of the Interior to impose a curfew on Akwatia and the Eastern Regional Security Council to call for the postponement of the election.
However, President Mills lifted the curfew and overruled the proposal by the Eastern Regional Security Council for the postponement of the election.
Dr Kofi Asare of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was yesterday declared the winner of the Akwatia Constituency seat by the Electoral Commission (EC).
He polled a total of 17,900 votes as against 15,860 by Mr Baba Ahmed Jamal of the National Democratic Party (NDC) to come a close second.
This was after the rerun results of yesterday in six polling stations had been added to the results of 83 polling stations in December last year.
At the end of voting yesterday, Dr Asare secured 1,011 votes while Mr Baba Jamal topped the polls with 2,050 votes.
In the December polls, Dr Asare got 16,889 while Mr Jamal secured 13,810 votes. Mr Basil Ahiable and Mr Samuel Abrokwah, both independent candidates got 1,835 votes and 64 votes respectively and Mr Samuel Adjei of the CPP got 109 votes. The latter candidates did not feature in yesterday’s ballot and accordingly got no votes. At the time of filing this report, the atmosphere at Akwatia was peaceful and calm with heavy security presence.
The rerun of the election was occasioned by the alleged snatching of ballot boxes at the six polling stations during the December 7, 2008 general election.
The Koforidua High Court upheld Mr Baba Jamal’s suit for the EC to conduct election in all the 89 polling stations and not only the six affected ones, but the Supreme Court overturned that ruling and ordered the EC to conduct the rerun in only the six troubled polling stations, when Dr Asare took the case before it.
The total number of registered voters in the six out of the 89 polling stations was 4,581.
Earlier in the day, the mounting tension between the NDC and the NPP had subsided.
That was after a peace walk by the national executive of the two political parties.
The walk, jointly led by the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac Manu, took the group to all six polling stations where they urged the voters who had formed queues not to fight but to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Mr Asiedu-Nketiah, who held the hand of Mr Mac Manu, said the leadership of the two political parties had come together to ensure a peaceful election at Akwatia.
He said the NDC at first did not believe that the elections at only six polling stations could lead to violence as occurred last Sunday and that the Akwatia elections should not divide the people.
For his part, Mr Mac Manu said there should not be any acrimony between the NPP and the NDC, since they were all one people.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who later joined the group, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the two parties for their initiative to calm the tension and ensure peace in the area.
Earlier, there had been confusion at Yuroba Mosque A Polling Station when the Electoral Commission (EC) officials, led by Mr David Kanga, a Deputy Chairman of the commission, tactfully turned away some people who had wanted to vote twice from the polling station.
Events leading to the rerun of the election had been characterised by scuffles between supporters of the NPP and those of the NDC.
The volatile political situation at Akwatia prompted the police to fire tear gas on some occasions last Sunday, to disperse supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who had massed up in the streets possibly for a showdown.
The events compelled the Ministry of the Interior to impose a curfew on Akwatia and the Eastern Regional Security Council to call for the postponement of the election.
However, President Mills lifted the curfew and overruled the proposal by the Eastern Regional Security Council for the postponement of the election.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
SEEK SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF POOR, VULNERABLE MEMBERS ...Ofosu Ampofo urges Christian leaders (PAGE 20)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has appealed to the leadership of churches not only to seek the spiritual welfare of their members but also the material needs of the poor and vulnerable among them.
That, he said, would be a practical demonstration of their commitment towards the social and physical needs of the underprivileged and the needy in society.
“The Bible accounts of the life of Jesus shows that He fully comprehended the difficulties of the poor and was extremely sensitive to their needs. His example should be emulated by Christians”, he said.
Speaking at the dedication of the rehabilitated St. Dominic Catholic Church at Adweso, Koforidua, Mr Ampofo said “part of the offertory should be used to solve the problems of the vulnerable in the church to make life meaningful for them”.
The event was also used to honour some people for their commitment to the development of the church over the years. They included the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, who is also the Editor of the Daily Graphic.
The regional minister said one of the basic responsibilities of Christians towards the poor and the needy in the church and society was their obligation to the social and material needs of the unfortunate people.
Basing his speech on Matthew 9:36, Mr Ampofo said “not only did Jesus feel compassion for the poor, but He also took a personal interest in their needs”.
“Jesus and his disciples had a common fund from which they gave the needy,” he said.
On security, Mr Ofosu Ampofo expressed worry over the increasing spate of social vices such as armed robbery, violent crimes, drug trafficking and the recent cyber fraud, all of which he said were compromising the prevailing security in the country.
He said as part of measures to combat such crime in the New Juaben Municipality, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had adopted new strategies to flush out criminal elements in the region to make it a peaceful place to live.
The regional minister, therefore, called on the Catholic Church and other religious bodies to pray ceaselessly in order to find solutions to those problems, adding “it is my conviction that the social menace cannot be solved physically but spiritually”.
Mr Ampofo commended the Catholic Church for its immense role in national development, especially in the areas of education and health, a commitment which he said had provided the social needs of the people.
Preaching the sermon, the Bishop of Koforidua, Rev. Father Joseph Afrifah Agyekum, entreated Christians to eschew negative lifestyles that compromised their relationship with God, saying “we must dedicate our bodies to God by keeping it pure and holy”.
“As Christians, we should learn to show kindness towards others who we must forgive to enable us to also seek forgiveness from our father, God,” he stated.
That, he said, would be a practical demonstration of their commitment towards the social and physical needs of the underprivileged and the needy in society.
“The Bible accounts of the life of Jesus shows that He fully comprehended the difficulties of the poor and was extremely sensitive to their needs. His example should be emulated by Christians”, he said.
Speaking at the dedication of the rehabilitated St. Dominic Catholic Church at Adweso, Koforidua, Mr Ampofo said “part of the offertory should be used to solve the problems of the vulnerable in the church to make life meaningful for them”.
The event was also used to honour some people for their commitment to the development of the church over the years. They included the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, who is also the Editor of the Daily Graphic.
The regional minister said one of the basic responsibilities of Christians towards the poor and the needy in the church and society was their obligation to the social and material needs of the unfortunate people.
Basing his speech on Matthew 9:36, Mr Ampofo said “not only did Jesus feel compassion for the poor, but He also took a personal interest in their needs”.
“Jesus and his disciples had a common fund from which they gave the needy,” he said.
On security, Mr Ofosu Ampofo expressed worry over the increasing spate of social vices such as armed robbery, violent crimes, drug trafficking and the recent cyber fraud, all of which he said were compromising the prevailing security in the country.
He said as part of measures to combat such crime in the New Juaben Municipality, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had adopted new strategies to flush out criminal elements in the region to make it a peaceful place to live.
The regional minister, therefore, called on the Catholic Church and other religious bodies to pray ceaselessly in order to find solutions to those problems, adding “it is my conviction that the social menace cannot be solved physically but spiritually”.
Mr Ampofo commended the Catholic Church for its immense role in national development, especially in the areas of education and health, a commitment which he said had provided the social needs of the people.
Preaching the sermon, the Bishop of Koforidua, Rev. Father Joseph Afrifah Agyekum, entreated Christians to eschew negative lifestyles that compromised their relationship with God, saying “we must dedicate our bodies to God by keeping it pure and holy”.
“As Christians, we should learn to show kindness towards others who we must forgive to enable us to also seek forgiveness from our father, God,” he stated.
AKWATIA VOTERS APPEAL FOR MORE SECURITY PERSONNEL (PAGE 16)
VOTERS in the six polling stations in the Akwatia Constituency where the 2008 parliamentary election is to be rerun tomorrow have appealed to the government to deploy more security personnel to the area to protect them.
According to them, recruitment of security personnel who would show partiality by protecting one group of voters against the other, or display any partisanship during the election could undermine the credibility of the results.
They claimed that demonstration of impartiality by the security personnel would ensure a high voter turnout and boost the confidence of the people in the outcome of the electoral process.
“If the presence of security agencies is to help foster a violent-free environment necessary for the conduct of a fair and transparent election, then they must not be seen as being on the side of the government or any political party during the polls,” they stated.
The voters, who spoke to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews at Akwatia, added “we believe that our security agencies are above partisan politics and hope that they will exhibit professional conduct and ethics in the interest of the nation and not be biased towards any political party, be it NDC or NPP”.
“It is only by this protection that they can avert a recurrence of the violence that truncated the smooth conduct of the election in Akwatia in December, 2008 election,” they stated.
Nana Adwoa Owusuaa, the Gyaasehemaa of Akwatia, said as Akwatia had become a flashpoint since the previous election, it behoved the government to ensure that not only would adequate security personnel be deployed to the area, but they should also act professionally in order not to be perceived to be biased.
According to her, the 2008 election in the area was characterised by needless violence that soiled the good name of Akwatia and its people, who had been unfortunately tagged lawless and violent.
“Though the violent acts were perpetrated by a few individuals, every resident of Akwatia is now bearing the brunt of the deeds of few recalcitrant troublemakers in the name of election”, Nana Owusuaa stated.
A 38-year-old farmer, Mr Emmanuel Asihene, stated that rumours were rife that the government was making efforts to recruit security personnel with affiliation to the NDC, a move he hoped was just mere hearsay.
“However, if the rumours happen to be true, the people, particularly those believed to be supporters of the NPP, may be compelled to counter such moves by the government and the security forces even at the peril of their lives,” he stated.
Mrs Beatrice Duker, a trader, for her part, said to ensure that the outcome of the polls were acceptable to both parties, there was the need for the government to send a team of security forces who would act professionally to safeguard the electoral process.
According to them, recruitment of security personnel who would show partiality by protecting one group of voters against the other, or display any partisanship during the election could undermine the credibility of the results.
They claimed that demonstration of impartiality by the security personnel would ensure a high voter turnout and boost the confidence of the people in the outcome of the electoral process.
“If the presence of security agencies is to help foster a violent-free environment necessary for the conduct of a fair and transparent election, then they must not be seen as being on the side of the government or any political party during the polls,” they stated.
The voters, who spoke to the Daily Graphic in separate interviews at Akwatia, added “we believe that our security agencies are above partisan politics and hope that they will exhibit professional conduct and ethics in the interest of the nation and not be biased towards any political party, be it NDC or NPP”.
“It is only by this protection that they can avert a recurrence of the violence that truncated the smooth conduct of the election in Akwatia in December, 2008 election,” they stated.
Nana Adwoa Owusuaa, the Gyaasehemaa of Akwatia, said as Akwatia had become a flashpoint since the previous election, it behoved the government to ensure that not only would adequate security personnel be deployed to the area, but they should also act professionally in order not to be perceived to be biased.
According to her, the 2008 election in the area was characterised by needless violence that soiled the good name of Akwatia and its people, who had been unfortunately tagged lawless and violent.
“Though the violent acts were perpetrated by a few individuals, every resident of Akwatia is now bearing the brunt of the deeds of few recalcitrant troublemakers in the name of election”, Nana Owusuaa stated.
A 38-year-old farmer, Mr Emmanuel Asihene, stated that rumours were rife that the government was making efforts to recruit security personnel with affiliation to the NDC, a move he hoped was just mere hearsay.
“However, if the rumours happen to be true, the people, particularly those believed to be supporters of the NPP, may be compelled to counter such moves by the government and the security forces even at the peril of their lives,” he stated.
Mrs Beatrice Duker, a trader, for her part, said to ensure that the outcome of the polls were acceptable to both parties, there was the need for the government to send a team of security forces who would act professionally to safeguard the electoral process.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
63 US VOLUNTEERS TO WORK IN RURAL COMMUNITIES (BACK PAGE)
Sixty-three Peace Corps volunteers who have successfully undergone a 10-week orientation, have been posted to serve in rural communities and selected schools.
The volunteers, comprising teaching and development groups, were trained in education, water and sanitation, health and small enterprise development and also studied various aspects of the country’s culture.
The teaching group has been posted to some selected basic schools, second-cycle institutions and special schools for the deaf to teach subjects such as mathematics, English, science, art and information and communication technology (ICT) for two years.
The development group has also been attached to institutions to assist in the areas of environment, health, water and sanitation and small enterprises development.
Addressing the closing session of the training programme, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, reminded the volunteers that the Peace Corps programme was very dear to the US, a gesture that was amply demonstrated when President Barack Obama visited the country recently.
He, therefore, advised the volunteers to make every effort to impact positively on the lives of the pupils and students they would teach as well as the entire communities.
Such commitment, he said, would help to maintain the positive legacy that over 4,000 predecessors had left in the country in the last 48 years.
According to him, Ghanaians appreciate the positive influence many Peace Corps volunteers have made in their lives, adding, “I am sure you too will have that kind of lasting impact on your students and communities.”
He added, “Always remember your work is important; even if you cannot see the change immediately. Your success and satisfaction will flow from the deep commitment and abiding respect you have for your students, counterparts and your communities.”
Ambassador Teitelbaum advised the volunteers to live above reproach and not to allow themselves to be carried away beyond their mission, warning that “if you are to be found wanton you may find your way out sooner than you think”.
He particularly urged the volunteers to treat the people they would come into contact with, with respect, especially the elderly, adding that “do not equate one’s inability to read and write with stupidity”.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, acknowledged that the activities of the Peace Corps in Ghana had had profound impact on the lives of the people including many people in responsible positions whose lives had been influenced by the volunteers.
“This positive impact is due to the hardworking nature of Peace Corps volunteers and their willingness to live and work under unfavourable conditions in rural communities across the country,” he stated.
He, however, reminded them to be mindful of the cultural differences that existed between the two countries and endeavour to live above reproach to enable them to become role models to the beneficiary communities.
The volunteers, comprising teaching and development groups, were trained in education, water and sanitation, health and small enterprise development and also studied various aspects of the country’s culture.
The teaching group has been posted to some selected basic schools, second-cycle institutions and special schools for the deaf to teach subjects such as mathematics, English, science, art and information and communication technology (ICT) for two years.
The development group has also been attached to institutions to assist in the areas of environment, health, water and sanitation and small enterprises development.
Addressing the closing session of the training programme, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, reminded the volunteers that the Peace Corps programme was very dear to the US, a gesture that was amply demonstrated when President Barack Obama visited the country recently.
He, therefore, advised the volunteers to make every effort to impact positively on the lives of the pupils and students they would teach as well as the entire communities.
Such commitment, he said, would help to maintain the positive legacy that over 4,000 predecessors had left in the country in the last 48 years.
According to him, Ghanaians appreciate the positive influence many Peace Corps volunteers have made in their lives, adding, “I am sure you too will have that kind of lasting impact on your students and communities.”
He added, “Always remember your work is important; even if you cannot see the change immediately. Your success and satisfaction will flow from the deep commitment and abiding respect you have for your students, counterparts and your communities.”
Ambassador Teitelbaum advised the volunteers to live above reproach and not to allow themselves to be carried away beyond their mission, warning that “if you are to be found wanton you may find your way out sooner than you think”.
He particularly urged the volunteers to treat the people they would come into contact with, with respect, especially the elderly, adding that “do not equate one’s inability to read and write with stupidity”.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, acknowledged that the activities of the Peace Corps in Ghana had had profound impact on the lives of the people including many people in responsible positions whose lives had been influenced by the volunteers.
“This positive impact is due to the hardworking nature of Peace Corps volunteers and their willingness to live and work under unfavourable conditions in rural communities across the country,” he stated.
He, however, reminded them to be mindful of the cultural differences that existed between the two countries and endeavour to live above reproach to enable them to become role models to the beneficiary communities.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
19 TRUCKS WITH ILLEGAL LUMBER IMPOUNDED (SPREAD)
NINETEEN trucks with full loads of lumber suspected to have been illegally obtained from forest areas in the Eastern Region have been impounded by a joint police/military operation in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District.
The lumber, believed to have been brought from the Atiwa Forest Reserve and others in the Fanteakwa and the Kwaebibirem districts, as well as the East Akyem Municipality, were seized at the Suhum Chainsaw Lumber Market on Saturday and Sunday.
They were about to be conveyed to the various wood markets, mostly in Accra when the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), accompanied by the police and the military, carried out a swoop on the lumber market.
The trucks, most of which had no registration number plates, were reportedly abandoned by the drivers and their mates on seeing the security presence in the area. The trucks wre driven to the Eastern Regional Police headquarters in Koforidua by the police/millarty team.
Reports indicate that during the operation at the market, some individuals who came forward to prevent the confiscation of the lumber attempted to bribe the security personnel with GH¢10,000, but they turned down the offer.
Briefing newsmen on the incident at a press conference in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said on Saturday, August 8, 2009, the REGSEC received intelligence report that some trucks loaded with lumber had parked at Suhum, ready to be moved to various destinations, especially Accra.
Based on the information received, he and other security members, including the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, the regional BNI commander and the CID officer, as well as some military and police personnel, moved to Suhum, where they found the 19 trucks loaded with the lumber.
He noted that the nation’s environment, mostly the forest covers, were being degraded by the activities of some “group of organised mafias in the wood industry, who did not care about the repercussions of their action on the ecology and the entire population”.
He called on the owners of the trucks and the lumber to assist the police to conduct investigations to determine the source of the lumber.
The minister said “the right thing must be done, and I, therefore, entreat the owners of the truck and the lumber to contact the task force or the Eastern Regional Forestry Commission office to identify their trucks and prove that they have permits to deal in lumber,”.
The regional minister commended the security personnel for their braveness in confronting illegal chainsaw activities, saying “we must duly reward them to motivate them to show commitment in the fight against illegal lumbering in the country”.
“Until we design plans to recognise and motivate our security task force for the good work they are doing, all our commitment to stop illegal lumbering in the country may not yield any positive outcome,” Mr Ampofo stated.
He, however, appealed to security men aiding individuals and syndicate engaged in illegal lumbering to refrain from such act, adding that “the law must deal harshly with those found guilty”.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, said as part of measures to check illegal chainsaw operation in the country, a number of task force committees had been set up at the national, regional and district levels across the country.
Additionally, he indicated, the government, in partnership with the security agencies, had intensified highway patrols in forest areas in the country to fight the menace.
The lumber, believed to have been brought from the Atiwa Forest Reserve and others in the Fanteakwa and the Kwaebibirem districts, as well as the East Akyem Municipality, were seized at the Suhum Chainsaw Lumber Market on Saturday and Sunday.
They were about to be conveyed to the various wood markets, mostly in Accra when the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), accompanied by the police and the military, carried out a swoop on the lumber market.
The trucks, most of which had no registration number plates, were reportedly abandoned by the drivers and their mates on seeing the security presence in the area. The trucks wre driven to the Eastern Regional Police headquarters in Koforidua by the police/millarty team.
Reports indicate that during the operation at the market, some individuals who came forward to prevent the confiscation of the lumber attempted to bribe the security personnel with GH¢10,000, but they turned down the offer.
Briefing newsmen on the incident at a press conference in Koforidua yesterday, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said on Saturday, August 8, 2009, the REGSEC received intelligence report that some trucks loaded with lumber had parked at Suhum, ready to be moved to various destinations, especially Accra.
Based on the information received, he and other security members, including the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, the regional BNI commander and the CID officer, as well as some military and police personnel, moved to Suhum, where they found the 19 trucks loaded with the lumber.
He noted that the nation’s environment, mostly the forest covers, were being degraded by the activities of some “group of organised mafias in the wood industry, who did not care about the repercussions of their action on the ecology and the entire population”.
He called on the owners of the trucks and the lumber to assist the police to conduct investigations to determine the source of the lumber.
The minister said “the right thing must be done, and I, therefore, entreat the owners of the truck and the lumber to contact the task force or the Eastern Regional Forestry Commission office to identify their trucks and prove that they have permits to deal in lumber,”.
The regional minister commended the security personnel for their braveness in confronting illegal chainsaw activities, saying “we must duly reward them to motivate them to show commitment in the fight against illegal lumbering in the country”.
“Until we design plans to recognise and motivate our security task force for the good work they are doing, all our commitment to stop illegal lumbering in the country may not yield any positive outcome,” Mr Ampofo stated.
He, however, appealed to security men aiding individuals and syndicate engaged in illegal lumbering to refrain from such act, adding that “the law must deal harshly with those found guilty”.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Henry Ford Kamel, said as part of measures to check illegal chainsaw operation in the country, a number of task force committees had been set up at the national, regional and district levels across the country.
Additionally, he indicated, the government, in partnership with the security agencies, had intensified highway patrols in forest areas in the country to fight the menace.
ZAIN GHANA HANDS OVER ODUMASE PRESBY JHS BLOCK (BACK PAGE)
ZAIN Ghana yesterday inaugurated and handed over a new six-unit classroom block to the Odumase Presbyterian Junior High School in the Lower Manya District in the Eastern Region.
The unit is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room , a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting facility and a pumping machine.
The building, which is disability-friendly, was constructed within three months in fulfilment of a promise the management made to the people of Krobo-Odumase to rebuild their dilapidated school building.
The facilities of the school will be made available for use by surrounding schools in the district.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old crumbling structure, which is the only government JHS in the area, followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic.
The report revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling building was not only a danger to the students and teachers but also did not provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Parts of the roof of the structure, which had never been rehabilitated since it was constructed in 1883, often flew about anytime it rained, leading to the death of a 13-year-old student, Bernard Nartey, on one occasion.
He was killed by falling debris that also injured three other students during a heavy downpour as the children run for cover.
In an address at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the pride of his outfit to be associated with the provision of the new six-unit classroom block for the pupils of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS.
“We are not only proud to have delivered on our promise but are also proud of the high spirit and passion our staff showed towards the construction of this facility that will put a smile on the faces of these future leaders,” he stated.
“Since our children are the future leaders, who have a basic right to education, we are resolved to work with stakeholders to ensure a bright future for these young ones,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, commended Zain Ghana, for demonstrating the commitment to educational development in the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.
According to him, the new school building would immensely provide a suitable teaching and learning environment not only for the students of the school but also for others in the surrounding schools in the district.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, also commended Zain Ghana, for its commitment to educational development in the country, adding, “you have proved by your commitment that you are a worthy ally to form a partnership with to build a wonderful world for our people”.
Responding to an appeal by the headteacher of the school, Mr Ampofo directed the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly and the district education directorate to help fence the school to protect it against activities of criminals.
The headteacher of the school, Mr Seth Aryeetey, praised Zain Ghana, for their prompt response to the needs of the school, a gesture that, he said, would go a long way to improve teaching and learning.
The unit is furnished with tables and chairs, stocked with 30 computers connected to the Internet, a library, a staff common room , a headmaster’s office, washrooms, a rain harvesting facility and a pumping machine.
The building, which is disability-friendly, was constructed within three months in fulfilment of a promise the management made to the people of Krobo-Odumase to rebuild their dilapidated school building.
The facilities of the school will be made available for use by surrounding schools in the district.
The reconstruction of the 121-year-old crumbling structure, which is the only government JHS in the area, followed a publication of the plight of the school in the May 7, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic.
The report revealed that the school faced imminent closure since the crumbling building was not only a danger to the students and teachers but also did not provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Parts of the roof of the structure, which had never been rehabilitated since it was constructed in 1883, often flew about anytime it rained, leading to the death of a 13-year-old student, Bernard Nartey, on one occasion.
He was killed by falling debris that also injured three other students during a heavy downpour as the children run for cover.
In an address at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Executive of Zain Ghana, Mr Chris Gabriel, expressed the pride of his outfit to be associated with the provision of the new six-unit classroom block for the pupils of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS.
“We are not only proud to have delivered on our promise but are also proud of the high spirit and passion our staff showed towards the construction of this facility that will put a smile on the faces of these future leaders,” he stated.
“Since our children are the future leaders, who have a basic right to education, we are resolved to work with stakeholders to ensure a bright future for these young ones,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, commended Zain Ghana, for demonstrating the commitment to educational development in the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.
According to him, the new school building would immensely provide a suitable teaching and learning environment not only for the students of the school but also for others in the surrounding schools in the district.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, also commended Zain Ghana, for its commitment to educational development in the country, adding, “you have proved by your commitment that you are a worthy ally to form a partnership with to build a wonderful world for our people”.
Responding to an appeal by the headteacher of the school, Mr Ampofo directed the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly and the district education directorate to help fence the school to protect it against activities of criminals.
The headteacher of the school, Mr Seth Aryeetey, praised Zain Ghana, for their prompt response to the needs of the school, a gesture that, he said, would go a long way to improve teaching and learning.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
BABA JAMAL CALLS FOR PEACE IN AKWATIA (PAGE 16)
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Baba Jamal, has stated that the rerun of election at the six polling centres in Akwatia should under no circumstances be allowed to derail the prevailing peace and unity in the town.
He, therefore, appealed to voters in the area not to perceive the upcoming election as a “do-or-die” affair by engaging in unnecessary violent acts that could cause tension and bloodbath during the polls.
“We should not be interested to see any blood spilt because of my or anybody’s political ambitions to win the Akwatia Constituency. Our focus should rather be on how we can remain peaceful and tolerant towards one another,” he stated.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua on Sunday, Mr Jamal said “we must not use election to engage in needless bickering, insults, tribal politics and preach hatred to the people”.
His appeal for peace and tolerance followed allegations being made against him by some of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executive members in the Akwatia Constituency that he recently went to one of the mosques at Akwatia and declared a Jihad on the upcoming election.
Mr Jamal, who is currently the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said although the rerun of the election in six out of the 89 polling centres could determine who would emerge the winner of the polls, the people must not allow themselves to be swayed by politicians who had considered it as a “do-or-die” affair.
“Since the prevailing peaceful co-existence and unity in the Akwatia are more important than any parochial political interest, be it me or any other politician, we must resolve to remain committed to tolerating one another’s political views and shun violence outright,” he emphasised.
Buttressing his point, he stated that since the Electoral Commission (EC) declared August 18, this year as the date for the rerun of the election, he had personally been preaching peace and tolerance at all social gatherings, on funeral grounds, at mosques and churches.
Mr Jamal, therefore, wondered why Akwatia Constituency NPP executive had been making several unfounded allegations against him, “portraying me as the one who is masterminding the entire violent acts in Akwatia”.
“The very people who are inciting the masses to engage in violence and other criminal acts are the same fellows who always turn round and point accusing fingers at me, painting me negative in the minds of the people,” he stated.
Citing one violent incident to justify his point, Mr Jamal asked, “Do you know the group of people who assaulted the Adom FM and Metro TV reporters whose camera was also destroyed last Friday?”.
“It was not members of the NDC but those from the NPP who perpetrated the act right in front of their party office at Akwatia. These are the very people who claim it is NDC supporters who are violent,” he stressed.
On his prospect of winning the election, Mr Jamal said he stood a better chance of emerging the winner, since five out of the six polling stations were located in the Zongo communities.
He, therefore, appealed to voters in the area not to perceive the upcoming election as a “do-or-die” affair by engaging in unnecessary violent acts that could cause tension and bloodbath during the polls.
“We should not be interested to see any blood spilt because of my or anybody’s political ambitions to win the Akwatia Constituency. Our focus should rather be on how we can remain peaceful and tolerant towards one another,” he stated.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua on Sunday, Mr Jamal said “we must not use election to engage in needless bickering, insults, tribal politics and preach hatred to the people”.
His appeal for peace and tolerance followed allegations being made against him by some of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executive members in the Akwatia Constituency that he recently went to one of the mosques at Akwatia and declared a Jihad on the upcoming election.
Mr Jamal, who is currently the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said although the rerun of the election in six out of the 89 polling centres could determine who would emerge the winner of the polls, the people must not allow themselves to be swayed by politicians who had considered it as a “do-or-die” affair.
“Since the prevailing peaceful co-existence and unity in the Akwatia are more important than any parochial political interest, be it me or any other politician, we must resolve to remain committed to tolerating one another’s political views and shun violence outright,” he emphasised.
Buttressing his point, he stated that since the Electoral Commission (EC) declared August 18, this year as the date for the rerun of the election, he had personally been preaching peace and tolerance at all social gatherings, on funeral grounds, at mosques and churches.
Mr Jamal, therefore, wondered why Akwatia Constituency NPP executive had been making several unfounded allegations against him, “portraying me as the one who is masterminding the entire violent acts in Akwatia”.
“The very people who are inciting the masses to engage in violence and other criminal acts are the same fellows who always turn round and point accusing fingers at me, painting me negative in the minds of the people,” he stated.
Citing one violent incident to justify his point, Mr Jamal asked, “Do you know the group of people who assaulted the Adom FM and Metro TV reporters whose camera was also destroyed last Friday?”.
“It was not members of the NDC but those from the NPP who perpetrated the act right in front of their party office at Akwatia. These are the very people who claim it is NDC supporters who are violent,” he stressed.
On his prospect of winning the election, Mr Jamal said he stood a better chance of emerging the winner, since five out of the six polling stations were located in the Zongo communities.
'YOUTH MUST REFRAIN FROM UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLES' (PAGE 3)
THE Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwah I, has made a passionate appeal to the youth to refrain from unhealthy lifestyles and the desire to seek shortcut to material riches in the pursuit of their future ambitions.
This, he said, would enable them to chart a meaningful path to become responsible citizens and achieve their future aspirations.
“As youth with a promising future, you should be mindful that your indulgence in drug and alcohol abuse, pre-marital sex and Sakawa today can seriously jeopardize your future ambitions and possibly destroy you,” he stated.
He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area to mark the Adeibutuo ceremony at his palace at Akropong last week.
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah said the unprecedented undesirable attitudes among the youth were not only gradually destroying Ghana’s reputation as one of the most respected countries in Africa and the world but also destroying the youth”.
The event, which preceded the celebration of this year’s Odwira Festival on September 14, was attended by a large gathering of people from all walks of life, mostly chiefs and queens of the area.
Recalling the inspirational words of the US President, Barack Hussein Obama, when he visited Ghana, the Okuapehene reminded the youth that the future of the nation lay solely in their hands and that any success or failure of the country would depend on the kind of future they desired to build for themselves.
“For this reason, the youth must always be mindful of the fact if they are determined to achieve an enduring success in life, they must refrain from Sakawa, pre-marital sex, drug and alcohol abuse, which will only destroy them,” he stated.
“Since we believe that the future of the country belongs to the youth, they should not enter the future with these types of undesirable characteristics which can easily affect the psychic of the nation,” he added.
The Okuapehene reminded the youth that with determination and perseverance they could always make it in life, saying “you must only acquire the needed knowledge, skills and patriotism to build your capability to achieve your dreams”.
“We you can achieve big dreams when we value today and the future by avoiding lifestyles that can predispose you to avoidable dangers and destructions,” Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah added.
This, he said, would enable them to chart a meaningful path to become responsible citizens and achieve their future aspirations.
“As youth with a promising future, you should be mindful that your indulgence in drug and alcohol abuse, pre-marital sex and Sakawa today can seriously jeopardize your future ambitions and possibly destroy you,” he stated.
He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area to mark the Adeibutuo ceremony at his palace at Akropong last week.
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah said the unprecedented undesirable attitudes among the youth were not only gradually destroying Ghana’s reputation as one of the most respected countries in Africa and the world but also destroying the youth”.
The event, which preceded the celebration of this year’s Odwira Festival on September 14, was attended by a large gathering of people from all walks of life, mostly chiefs and queens of the area.
Recalling the inspirational words of the US President, Barack Hussein Obama, when he visited Ghana, the Okuapehene reminded the youth that the future of the nation lay solely in their hands and that any success or failure of the country would depend on the kind of future they desired to build for themselves.
“For this reason, the youth must always be mindful of the fact if they are determined to achieve an enduring success in life, they must refrain from Sakawa, pre-marital sex, drug and alcohol abuse, which will only destroy them,” he stated.
“Since we believe that the future of the country belongs to the youth, they should not enter the future with these types of undesirable characteristics which can easily affect the psychic of the nation,” he added.
The Okuapehene reminded the youth that with determination and perseverance they could always make it in life, saying “you must only acquire the needed knowledge, skills and patriotism to build your capability to achieve your dreams”.
“We you can achieve big dreams when we value today and the future by avoiding lifestyles that can predispose you to avoidable dangers and destructions,” Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwah added.
OYOKOHENE LEADS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE (BACK PAGE)
THE chief of Oyoko in the New Juaben Municipality, Nana Kodua Kesse II, has appealed to the residents of the area to keep their surroundings clean so as to stay healthy and strong.
This, he said, would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s socio-economic development and that of the country.
He was addressing residents of the area after a two-hour clean-up exercise by the chiefs and people of the town over the weekend.
The exercise formed part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Kodua Kesse as the Oyokohene.
According to him, while the government was determined to make quality healthcare services more affordable through the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the scheme had, since its establishment, come under severe financial constraints.
He attributed this problem to the abuse of the scheme by the people, most of whom reported at the various health facilities with sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid fever, dysentery and many others.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to strictly adhere to environmental cleanliness to enable them to set good examples to their children.
This, he said, would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the area’s socio-economic development and that of the country.
He was addressing residents of the area after a two-hour clean-up exercise by the chiefs and people of the town over the weekend.
The exercise formed part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Kodua Kesse as the Oyokohene.
According to him, while the government was determined to make quality healthcare services more affordable through the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the scheme had, since its establishment, come under severe financial constraints.
He attributed this problem to the abuse of the scheme by the people, most of whom reported at the various health facilities with sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, malaria, typhoid fever, dysentery and many others.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to strictly adhere to environmental cleanliness to enable them to set good examples to their children.
Monday, August 10, 2009
TWO CARS BURNT AT AKWATIA (1B)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman
THE political climate in Akwatia turned sour last Friday, when two private vehicles belonging to the Constituency Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ernest Kwame Ankrah, and the chief of Akyem Abenaso were burnt down by unknown assailants.
Mr Ankrah’s Mazda 626 saloon car and the Ford saloon vehicle of Nana Owusu Boateng, Chief of Akyem Abenase, who is believed to be a sympathiser of the NPP, were reportedly set on fire around 3.15 a.m by two young men whose identities are yet to be established.
The assailants were said to have gone to the houses of Mr Ankrah and Nana Owusu at Akyem Boadua, near Akwatia, in a white Tata pickup, in which they fled after committing the criminal act.
The Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Ofori Abroakwah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, said Nana Osei reported that around 3.15 a.m. on Friday, he was woken by an unusual noise near the house.
He said when the chief peeped through his window, he saw two young men igniting the two vehicles, but the young men immediately jumped into the waiting pickup when the chief emerged from his room.
Mr Abroakwah, however, stopped short of linking the act to the heightening political tension in Akwatia.
“Since we could not find out who the culprits were or determine the registration number of the Tata pickup, we will not want to suspect anybody until the outcome of the police investigations,” he stated.
“It is the outcome of police investigations that will determine or prove the background of the culprits. Until then, we can not accuse anybody,” he explained.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, confirmed the incident, but indicated that the police had commenced investigations to find out who the culprits were.
According to him, to forestall any further tension in the town, the police had deployed a number of men who were patrolling the town to ensure the security of the people.
“We will maintain our physical presence prior to and after the August 18 rerun elections,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie assured.
The Akwatia Constituency is set to go for a rerun of the December, 2008 parliamentary election in six polling stations.
The polling stations are Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, Lorry Station ‘A’, Lorry Station ‘B’, Presby JSS and AME Zion Church.
The total registered voters for each of the six polling stations at Akwatia are Presby JSS, 1,183; Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, 920; Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, 838; Lorry Station ‘A’, 610; Lorry Station ‘B’, 626 and AME Zion Church, 404.
The constituency has 89 polling stations and when 83 polling stations were declared at the close of the poll in December, the NPP candidate, Dr Kofi Asare obtained 16,889 votes as against 13,810 by his NDC counterpart, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed. Mr Basil Ahiable, independent candidate polled 1835 votes while Mr Samuel Adjei of the Convention Peoples Party had 109 votes with Mr Samuel Abrokwah, another independent candidate polling 64 votes.
THE political climate in Akwatia turned sour last Friday, when two private vehicles belonging to the Constituency Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Ernest Kwame Ankrah, and the chief of Akyem Abenaso were burnt down by unknown assailants.
Mr Ankrah’s Mazda 626 saloon car and the Ford saloon vehicle of Nana Owusu Boateng, Chief of Akyem Abenase, who is believed to be a sympathiser of the NPP, were reportedly set on fire around 3.15 a.m by two young men whose identities are yet to be established.
The assailants were said to have gone to the houses of Mr Ankrah and Nana Owusu at Akyem Boadua, near Akwatia, in a white Tata pickup, in which they fled after committing the criminal act.
The Akwatia Constituency Secretary of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Ofori Abroakwah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, said Nana Osei reported that around 3.15 a.m. on Friday, he was woken by an unusual noise near the house.
He said when the chief peeped through his window, he saw two young men igniting the two vehicles, but the young men immediately jumped into the waiting pickup when the chief emerged from his room.
Mr Abroakwah, however, stopped short of linking the act to the heightening political tension in Akwatia.
“Since we could not find out who the culprits were or determine the registration number of the Tata pickup, we will not want to suspect anybody until the outcome of the police investigations,” he stated.
“It is the outcome of police investigations that will determine or prove the background of the culprits. Until then, we can not accuse anybody,” he explained.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, confirmed the incident, but indicated that the police had commenced investigations to find out who the culprits were.
According to him, to forestall any further tension in the town, the police had deployed a number of men who were patrolling the town to ensure the security of the people.
“We will maintain our physical presence prior to and after the August 18 rerun elections,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie assured.
The Akwatia Constituency is set to go for a rerun of the December, 2008 parliamentary election in six polling stations.
The polling stations are Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, Lorry Station ‘A’, Lorry Station ‘B’, Presby JSS and AME Zion Church.
The total registered voters for each of the six polling stations at Akwatia are Presby JSS, 1,183; Yuroba Mosque ‘A’, 920; Yuroba Mosque ‘B’, 838; Lorry Station ‘A’, 610; Lorry Station ‘B’, 626 and AME Zion Church, 404.
The constituency has 89 polling stations and when 83 polling stations were declared at the close of the poll in December, the NPP candidate, Dr Kofi Asare obtained 16,889 votes as against 13,810 by his NDC counterpart, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed. Mr Basil Ahiable, independent candidate polled 1835 votes while Mr Samuel Adjei of the Convention Peoples Party had 109 votes with Mr Samuel Abrokwah, another independent candidate polling 64 votes.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
TENSION MOUNTS AT AKWATIA (PAGE 12)
POLITICAL tension is brewing at Akwatia following an alleged assault of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Organiser for the Akwatia Constituency by thugs believed to be sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Wednesday.
The victim, Mr Emmanuel Acheampong was alleged to have been slapped from behind and kicked several times by the thugs who also destroyed his mobile phone.
The three alleged assailants, two of them twins, who were said to be residents of Akwatia Zongo, confronted Mr Acheampong when he went to buy food from a spot near his house at about 10 p.m.
After the assault, he was reported to have been rushed to the St Dominic’s Hospital at Akwatia, where he was treated and discharged the same day.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Dr Kofi Asare, said, rumours are rife in the town that the thugs were allegedly ordered to kill Mr Acheampong”.
Dr Asare appealed to the police to carry immediate investigations into the incident and arrest the three assailants in order to calm tension in the town, failure of which the conduct of a smooth rerun of the parliamentary election at Akwatia on August 18, this year, might be marred.
“Since the incident took place, we have not seen any attempt on the part of the police to investigate and arrest the assailants who may be emboldened to mete out similar assaults on other NPP activists in the town”, he stressed.
According to Dr Asare, if the police failed to conduct immediate investigations into the assault, they would only “succeed in confirming the people’s fear that the police are only out to protect members of the NDC and not those belonging to the NPP”.
Dr Asare added, “failure of the police to find the assailants will also compel the people, especially sympathisers of the NPP to advise themselves and take control of their own security”.
He particularly appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to act as a true father of the nation by ordering investigations into the incident, stressing “we must not see him as a father in words but also in action”.
On the upcoming rerun of the parliamentary election, Dr Asare appealed to the security forces, especially the police to be impartial in the discharge of their professional duty, emphasising “they must appear to be protector of all people not just a few during the election”.
When contacted on the incident, sources at the Akwatia police station indicated that although they had heard of the reported assault on the NPP Youth Organiser, “the party executive have not made any complaint to the Akwatia police”.
The victim, Mr Emmanuel Acheampong was alleged to have been slapped from behind and kicked several times by the thugs who also destroyed his mobile phone.
The three alleged assailants, two of them twins, who were said to be residents of Akwatia Zongo, confronted Mr Acheampong when he went to buy food from a spot near his house at about 10 p.m.
After the assault, he was reported to have been rushed to the St Dominic’s Hospital at Akwatia, where he was treated and discharged the same day.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident in a telephone interview, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Akwatia Constituency, Dr Kofi Asare, said, rumours are rife in the town that the thugs were allegedly ordered to kill Mr Acheampong”.
Dr Asare appealed to the police to carry immediate investigations into the incident and arrest the three assailants in order to calm tension in the town, failure of which the conduct of a smooth rerun of the parliamentary election at Akwatia on August 18, this year, might be marred.
“Since the incident took place, we have not seen any attempt on the part of the police to investigate and arrest the assailants who may be emboldened to mete out similar assaults on other NPP activists in the town”, he stressed.
According to Dr Asare, if the police failed to conduct immediate investigations into the assault, they would only “succeed in confirming the people’s fear that the police are only out to protect members of the NDC and not those belonging to the NPP”.
Dr Asare added, “failure of the police to find the assailants will also compel the people, especially sympathisers of the NPP to advise themselves and take control of their own security”.
He particularly appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to act as a true father of the nation by ordering investigations into the incident, stressing “we must not see him as a father in words but also in action”.
On the upcoming rerun of the parliamentary election, Dr Asare appealed to the security forces, especially the police to be impartial in the discharge of their professional duty, emphasising “they must appear to be protector of all people not just a few during the election”.
When contacted on the incident, sources at the Akwatia police station indicated that although they had heard of the reported assault on the NPP Youth Organiser, “the party executive have not made any complaint to the Akwatia police”.
AMANOKROMHENE CALLS FOR UNITY AMONG HIS PEOPLE (PAGE 23)
THE Chief of Amanokrom in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region, Nana Osim Kwatia II, has called for unity and a peaceful co-existence among the people of the town.
That, he said, would enable them to unite as a people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the area.
“If we want to see any significant progress taking place in our communities, then we must resolve to do away with bickering, rancour and misunderstanding and rather channel our resources and energies into the development of our town”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Amanokrom, Nana Kwatia stated “we need peace and unity at Amanokrom so we must be one another’s keeper”.
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Manko Aba II, the queen of Amanokrom, was also used to announce the ban on drumming and dancing in the area for the next 40 days prior to the celebration of the annual Odwira festival on September 14, this year.
As part of the ceremony, a borehole constructed by “Friends of Amanokrom” was inaugurated.
Highlights of the festival included a health screening exercise, a cooking contest, talent hunt, torch light procession through the main streets of the town, interdenominational thanksgiving service and street jams.
Nana Kwatia, who is also the Gyaasehene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for the past two years, Amanokrom had been embroiled in chieftaincy disputes that had divided the ranks of the people of the town.
He said the problem had partly contributed to a tense atmosphere in the area, a situation that had slowed down the area’s development.
“As one people, we must remember that nobody will come from outside to build our town for us. We must, therefore, come together and contribute our individual and collective expertise to the development our communities”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
He noted with concern that the few resources that could be utilised to maintain security in our town should rather be used for our communities’ development.
Nana Kwatia appealed to the people to observe the ban on drumming and dancing and use it as “a period for reflection on our achievement and the challenges facing us as a people”.
That, he said, would enable them to unite as a people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the area.
“If we want to see any significant progress taking place in our communities, then we must resolve to do away with bickering, rancour and misunderstanding and rather channel our resources and energies into the development of our town”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Amanokrom, Nana Kwatia stated “we need peace and unity at Amanokrom so we must be one another’s keeper”.
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the enstoolment of Nana Manko Aba II, the queen of Amanokrom, was also used to announce the ban on drumming and dancing in the area for the next 40 days prior to the celebration of the annual Odwira festival on September 14, this year.
As part of the ceremony, a borehole constructed by “Friends of Amanokrom” was inaugurated.
Highlights of the festival included a health screening exercise, a cooking contest, talent hunt, torch light procession through the main streets of the town, interdenominational thanksgiving service and street jams.
Nana Kwatia, who is also the Gyaasehene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for the past two years, Amanokrom had been embroiled in chieftaincy disputes that had divided the ranks of the people of the town.
He said the problem had partly contributed to a tense atmosphere in the area, a situation that had slowed down the area’s development.
“As one people, we must remember that nobody will come from outside to build our town for us. We must, therefore, come together and contribute our individual and collective expertise to the development our communities”, Nana Kwatia stressed.
He noted with concern that the few resources that could be utilised to maintain security in our town should rather be used for our communities’ development.
Nana Kwatia appealed to the people to observe the ban on drumming and dancing and use it as “a period for reflection on our achievement and the challenges facing us as a people”.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
HELP COMBAT INDISCIPLINE AMONG YOUTH (PAGE 20)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has appealed to Christians to support the government and school authorities to combat the increasing spate of indiscipline among the youth.
That, he said, could be achieved if Christians led exemplary lifestyles worthy of emulation by the youth, who looked up to them as role models in society.
“As stakeholders in the development of our children, we must co-operate with the government and school authorities to combat the rising spate of indiscipline which has the tendency to retard the progress and development of our future leaders,” he stated.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal at the seventh biennial convention of the Accra Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary Knights of St John International in Koforidua.
The event, on the theme, “Renewing the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood — The joy of living in Christ”, was attended by reverend fathers, supreme officers, supreme subordinate and grand officers, officers of districts and local commanderies and brother knights of the Catholic Church.
Among others, the convention was aimed at fostering a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among members, as well as improving their moral, mental and social well-being.
The regional minister said the world was bedevilled with crises such as wars, hunger, diseases, occultism, lust for material riches, homosexuality and several others.
He particularly expressed concern over indiscipline, which, he noted, had become a serious issue, triggering unprecedented campaigns by various anti-indiscipline campaigners, the government and other stakeholders to nip that social canker in the bud.
He also bemoaned the rate at which filth was engulfing cities, towns, communities and institutions in the country, adding, “If we believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness, then we have a duty to keep ourselves and surroundings clean.”
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo further expressed worry over the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth and appealed to the Catholic Church to educate the youth on the dangers of leading irresponsible lifestyles that could predispose them to infection.
The Grand President, Brig General Robert K. Foil, said as part of the charitable obligations of the association for the past 72 years, members had visited and supported a number of orphanages and hospitals to provide hope for the people.
In a message, the Bishop of Koforidua, the Most Rev Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, asked the members of the association to lead exemplary lifestyles to enable them to become role models in the Catholic Church and society in general.
That, he said, could be achieved if Christians led exemplary lifestyles worthy of emulation by the youth, who looked up to them as role models in society.
“As stakeholders in the development of our children, we must co-operate with the government and school authorities to combat the rising spate of indiscipline which has the tendency to retard the progress and development of our future leaders,” he stated.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the appeal at the seventh biennial convention of the Accra Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary Knights of St John International in Koforidua.
The event, on the theme, “Renewing the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood — The joy of living in Christ”, was attended by reverend fathers, supreme officers, supreme subordinate and grand officers, officers of districts and local commanderies and brother knights of the Catholic Church.
Among others, the convention was aimed at fostering a feeling of fraternity and fellowship among members, as well as improving their moral, mental and social well-being.
The regional minister said the world was bedevilled with crises such as wars, hunger, diseases, occultism, lust for material riches, homosexuality and several others.
He particularly expressed concern over indiscipline, which, he noted, had become a serious issue, triggering unprecedented campaigns by various anti-indiscipline campaigners, the government and other stakeholders to nip that social canker in the bud.
He also bemoaned the rate at which filth was engulfing cities, towns, communities and institutions in the country, adding, “If we believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness, then we have a duty to keep ourselves and surroundings clean.”
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo further expressed worry over the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth and appealed to the Catholic Church to educate the youth on the dangers of leading irresponsible lifestyles that could predispose them to infection.
The Grand President, Brig General Robert K. Foil, said as part of the charitable obligations of the association for the past 72 years, members had visited and supported a number of orphanages and hospitals to provide hope for the people.
In a message, the Bishop of Koforidua, the Most Rev Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, asked the members of the association to lead exemplary lifestyles to enable them to become role models in the Catholic Church and society in general.
GOVT TO INVEST IN LAKE TRANSPORT (BACK PAGE)
Resources are to be invested by the government in transportation on the Volta Lake to make it a safer, affordable and cost-effective alternative to road and rail transport.
The investment is expected to save the nation $165 million incurred on road accidents annually, the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has announced.
Interacting with the media during a visit to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) Limited at Akosombo, Mr Hammah said the proposed investment in water transportation would also facilitate the movement of goods and services between the northern and southern sectors of the country.
The visit was to afford the minister and his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the company and its workers as well as to share the government’s vision for enhancing inland water transportation in the country.
“As part of strategies to boost the country’s socio-economic development and fast-track the attainment of a middle-income status by 2020, we are determined to construct a railway line from Tema to Akosombo from where cement and bulk haulage will be conveyed on the Volta Lake to Buipe and the northern parts of the country,” Mr Hammah stated.
The minister said since inland water transportation was more affordable, cheaper, environmentally friendly and cost-effective, the government was determined to commit huge resources to the sector.
According to him, the country’s dependence on road transport had not only taken a toll on its Gross Domestic Product, but also cost human lives through accidents which had caused “grief, pain and untold economic and psychological hardships to victims, their families and their dependants”.
Mr Hammah, who said the government was determined to support the growth of the VLTC, also appealed to the management and staff of the company to work extra hard to turn its fortunes-round.
The Managing Director of VLTC, Mr Kwasi Osei Sarpong, said one of the challenges facing the company was the replacement of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation patronage with a Korean company, WORCON, a situation which he said had adversely affected the revenue generation of VLTC.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address problems facing the company so as to keep its 800 staff at post.
The investment is expected to save the nation $165 million incurred on road accidents annually, the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has announced.
Interacting with the media during a visit to the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) Limited at Akosombo, Mr Hammah said the proposed investment in water transportation would also facilitate the movement of goods and services between the northern and southern sectors of the country.
The visit was to afford the minister and his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the company and its workers as well as to share the government’s vision for enhancing inland water transportation in the country.
“As part of strategies to boost the country’s socio-economic development and fast-track the attainment of a middle-income status by 2020, we are determined to construct a railway line from Tema to Akosombo from where cement and bulk haulage will be conveyed on the Volta Lake to Buipe and the northern parts of the country,” Mr Hammah stated.
The minister said since inland water transportation was more affordable, cheaper, environmentally friendly and cost-effective, the government was determined to commit huge resources to the sector.
According to him, the country’s dependence on road transport had not only taken a toll on its Gross Domestic Product, but also cost human lives through accidents which had caused “grief, pain and untold economic and psychological hardships to victims, their families and their dependants”.
Mr Hammah, who said the government was determined to support the growth of the VLTC, also appealed to the management and staff of the company to work extra hard to turn its fortunes-round.
The Managing Director of VLTC, Mr Kwasi Osei Sarpong, said one of the challenges facing the company was the replacement of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation patronage with a Korean company, WORCON, a situation which he said had adversely affected the revenue generation of VLTC.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to help address problems facing the company so as to keep its 800 staff at post.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Akwatia election re-run...POLICE COMMAND ASSURES VOTERS OF SECURITY (PAGE 16)
THE Eastern Regional Police Command has assured voters in the Akwatia Constituency of the preparedness of the police and other security agencies to deal ruthlessly with trouble makers who will attempt to truncate the smooth conduct of the election on August 18, 2009.
“Trouble makers bent on creating unnecessary tensions and engaging in electoral frauds and the snatching of ballot boxes should advise themselves and disabuse their minds of such evil intentions as the police will deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in the act,” the Command stated.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, who gave the warning, stated that “not only will the presence of the police outnumber residents of Akwatia but we will go all out to make our presence more felt and protect not only the ballot materials but also the lives of the voters during the election”.
He was briefing the press in Koforidua on the preparation of the command to combat crime in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs as well as its readiness to police the six polling centres at Akwatia.
The meeting followed a dawn exercise involving police officers and personnel of the Eastern Regional Command on Saturday.
“If a person attempts to snatch a ballot box, he has moved away from being considered as a voter to a trouble maker who needs to be harshly dealt with according to the law,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie stated.
The Regional Commander noted that lack of adequate security personnel during the 2008 elections at the Akwatia Constituency was partly taken advantage of by trouble makers to create confusion, tension as well as engage in various electoral frauds which truncated the conduct of smooth elections there.
To avert recurrence of such violent act, DCOP Andoh-Kwofie gave an assurance that not only would there be more than 10 police men to be deployed to each of the six polling stations, but there would also be a stand by combat-ready force to provide the needed reinforcement in the event of any eventuality.
“For this reason, the Command hopes that trouble makers will shed off their animal instincts to engage in violent behaviours during the election for their own good”, he stressed.
He added that “Akwatia election is a small problem for the police and other security forces, since we have faced tougher and bigger challenges”.
“Trouble makers bent on creating unnecessary tensions and engaging in electoral frauds and the snatching of ballot boxes should advise themselves and disabuse their minds of such evil intentions as the police will deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in the act,” the Command stated.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kwofie, who gave the warning, stated that “not only will the presence of the police outnumber residents of Akwatia but we will go all out to make our presence more felt and protect not only the ballot materials but also the lives of the voters during the election”.
He was briefing the press in Koforidua on the preparation of the command to combat crime in the New Juaben Municipality and its environs as well as its readiness to police the six polling centres at Akwatia.
The meeting followed a dawn exercise involving police officers and personnel of the Eastern Regional Command on Saturday.
“If a person attempts to snatch a ballot box, he has moved away from being considered as a voter to a trouble maker who needs to be harshly dealt with according to the law,” DCOP Andoh-Kwofie stated.
The Regional Commander noted that lack of adequate security personnel during the 2008 elections at the Akwatia Constituency was partly taken advantage of by trouble makers to create confusion, tension as well as engage in various electoral frauds which truncated the conduct of smooth elections there.
To avert recurrence of such violent act, DCOP Andoh-Kwofie gave an assurance that not only would there be more than 10 police men to be deployed to each of the six polling stations, but there would also be a stand by combat-ready force to provide the needed reinforcement in the event of any eventuality.
“For this reason, the Command hopes that trouble makers will shed off their animal instincts to engage in violent behaviours during the election for their own good”, he stressed.
He added that “Akwatia election is a small problem for the police and other security forces, since we have faced tougher and bigger challenges”.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
POLICE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS (PAGE 23)
FOUR persons found in possession of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Suhum in the Eastern Region, have been arrested by the police.
The suspects, Mutali Iddrissu, a driver; Kwesi Attah, a farmer, and two others, a driver and a passenger whose names had been withheld by the police, were arrested on July 22 and 23, this year.
The four are currently in police custody assisting in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic last Saturday, the Suhum Police Commander, Superintendent S. Kontomah, said about 3 p.m. on July 22 this year, the police patrol team spotted a Man Diesel truck with registration number AS 5629 V travelling from Tamale to Tema.
He said the police team stopped the truck and when a routine check was conducted, seven parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was discovered in a compartment of the truck.
Superintendent Kontomah added that about 7.30 a.m. on July 23, this year, a highway patrol team led by Inspector G. O. Lamprey, also spotted an Opel Astra taxi- cab with registration number ER 824 W carrying four mini bags and four cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the police immediately arrested the driver and an occupant both of whom claimed that they were only asked to send the items from Koforidua to Akyem Oda.
On the same day at about 3.30 p.m., a community police assistant on duty at the Suhum roundabout saw Kwesi Attah and another person (name withheld) alighting from an Urvan that had just arrived from Koforidua.
Mr Kontomah said while the community police assistant drew near the two, they took to their heels but luck evaded Attah, who, after being arrested, confessed to the police of possessing two cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspects, Mutali Iddrissu, a driver; Kwesi Attah, a farmer, and two others, a driver and a passenger whose names had been withheld by the police, were arrested on July 22 and 23, this year.
The four are currently in police custody assisting in investigations.
Briefing the Daily Graphic last Saturday, the Suhum Police Commander, Superintendent S. Kontomah, said about 3 p.m. on July 22 this year, the police patrol team spotted a Man Diesel truck with registration number AS 5629 V travelling from Tamale to Tema.
He said the police team stopped the truck and when a routine check was conducted, seven parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was discovered in a compartment of the truck.
Superintendent Kontomah added that about 7.30 a.m. on July 23, this year, a highway patrol team led by Inspector G. O. Lamprey, also spotted an Opel Astra taxi- cab with registration number ER 824 W carrying four mini bags and four cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the police immediately arrested the driver and an occupant both of whom claimed that they were only asked to send the items from Koforidua to Akyem Oda.
On the same day at about 3.30 p.m., a community police assistant on duty at the Suhum roundabout saw Kwesi Attah and another person (name withheld) alighting from an Urvan that had just arrived from Koforidua.
Mr Kontomah said while the community police assistant drew near the two, they took to their heels but luck evaded Attah, who, after being arrested, confessed to the police of possessing two cartons of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
TWO CONSTABLES, CIVILIAN JAILED FOR EXTORTION (BACK PAGE)
TWO police constables and a civilian who were found in possession of narcotic drugs and extorted money from a drug peddler have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each with hard labour by the Koforidua High Court.
General Constable Emmanuel Adjei, 28, of the Mobile Force Unit, Accra and Jersey J. Tumawoo, 29, of the Nima Police Station, Accra were, together with Moses Larbi, 32, said to have arrested the drug peddler on September 1, 2006 at Akropong-Akuapem.
The convicts collected GH¢514.60 and seized eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine from the drug peddler whom they later left off the hook.
The three, who were charged with possessing narcotic drugs, conspiracy to commit crime and corruption, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, a State Attorney, Mr Frederick Tetteh said at about 4.30 p.m. on September 1, 2006, Chief Superintendent G. O. Ahenkan of the Akropong-Akuapem Divisional Police Command had information that some policemen had gone to Akropong to effect the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
The prosecutor said Chief Inspector Ahenkan also indicated that the two police constables and Larbi, a member of a watch-dog committee in Accra, also collected unspecified sums of money from the drug peddler.
Mr Tetteh said when a team of policemen from the Akropong Divisional Police Command were sent to investigate the incident, they arrested the convicts, while another accomplice whose name was only given as Paul managed to escape.
A search conducted on the three led to the discovery of eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine and GH¢514.60 in the pockets of the police constables.
During interrogation, the convicts told the police that they collected the money from the drug peddler who they later released.
Sentencing them, the court said instead of the police constables assisting in the fight to rid the country of the drug menace, they rather engaged themselves in the negative practice.
General Constable Emmanuel Adjei, 28, of the Mobile Force Unit, Accra and Jersey J. Tumawoo, 29, of the Nima Police Station, Accra were, together with Moses Larbi, 32, said to have arrested the drug peddler on September 1, 2006 at Akropong-Akuapem.
The convicts collected GH¢514.60 and seized eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine from the drug peddler whom they later left off the hook.
The three, who were charged with possessing narcotic drugs, conspiracy to commit crime and corruption, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
Presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Justice Gbie S. Suurbaareh, a State Attorney, Mr Frederick Tetteh said at about 4.30 p.m. on September 1, 2006, Chief Superintendent G. O. Ahenkan of the Akropong-Akuapem Divisional Police Command had information that some policemen had gone to Akropong to effect the arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
The prosecutor said Chief Inspector Ahenkan also indicated that the two police constables and Larbi, a member of a watch-dog committee in Accra, also collected unspecified sums of money from the drug peddler.
Mr Tetteh said when a team of policemen from the Akropong Divisional Police Command were sent to investigate the incident, they arrested the convicts, while another accomplice whose name was only given as Paul managed to escape.
A search conducted on the three led to the discovery of eight wrapped pieces of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine and GH¢514.60 in the pockets of the police constables.
During interrogation, the convicts told the police that they collected the money from the drug peddler who they later released.
Sentencing them, the court said instead of the police constables assisting in the fight to rid the country of the drug menace, they rather engaged themselves in the negative practice.
NADMO PRESENTS RELIEF ITEMS TO TWO SCHOOLS (PAGE 35)
THE National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in partnership with the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council has presented a number of relief items to two basic schools at Anum-Boso and Anum-Gua.
The items, comprising a number of packets of roofing sheets and bags of cement, were presented to the Boso Junior High School and the Bose Gua Senior High Technical School.
They were meant for the rehabilitation of part of the school buildings that were damaged as a result of a heavy downpour that also ripped their roofs.
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said the NADMO and the RCC decided to donate the items following a media publication about the destruction of the part of the school building not long ago.
Mr Ampofo, who was taken round to inspect the affected school buildings, urged the traditional and school authorities to use the items for the purpose for which they donated.
Receiving the items, Nana Akyempem Adu VII, Benkumhene of Anum Traditional Area and Nana Amoah Kwasi III, Krontihene of Boso Gua Traditional Area, thanked the government for the gesture, which they said would be a relief to the teachers and pupils of the beneficiary schools.
They, however, appealed to the government to help re-construct the dilapidated major roads in the towns to facilitate the movement of the people and goods.
The items, comprising a number of packets of roofing sheets and bags of cement, were presented to the Boso Junior High School and the Bose Gua Senior High Technical School.
They were meant for the rehabilitation of part of the school buildings that were damaged as a result of a heavy downpour that also ripped their roofs.
Presenting the items, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said the NADMO and the RCC decided to donate the items following a media publication about the destruction of the part of the school building not long ago.
Mr Ampofo, who was taken round to inspect the affected school buildings, urged the traditional and school authorities to use the items for the purpose for which they donated.
Receiving the items, Nana Akyempem Adu VII, Benkumhene of Anum Traditional Area and Nana Amoah Kwasi III, Krontihene of Boso Gua Traditional Area, thanked the government for the gesture, which they said would be a relief to the teachers and pupils of the beneficiary schools.
They, however, appealed to the government to help re-construct the dilapidated major roads in the towns to facilitate the movement of the people and goods.
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