Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
GRIEF struck Akyem-Tafo in the Eastern Region last Tuesday when two siblings were killed in a fatal motor accident involving a Hyundai bus and a Yutong bus at the accident-prone Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region.
The deceased, identified as Christiana Dansoa Antwi, aka Nana Ama and her younger brother, Kelvin Frimpong, died when the Yutong bus rammed into the rear of the Hyundai bus on which they were travelling.
Nana Ama died instantly, while her brother was rushed to the Kyebi Government Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Nine other passengers on board the Hyundai bus, including the mother of the deceased and three other separate family members named as Gladys Tetteh, 23 and her siblings John Tetteh, five and Jonathan Tetteh, eight, also sustained serious injuries.
They were also rushed to the same hospital where the bodies of the two victims had also been deposited pending autopsy.
According to the police, the two dead children travelled together with their mother for a funeral at Anyinam and were returning to Akyem Tafo when the accident occurred at about 3.30 p.m.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said the two drivers were careless because the accident could have been avoided.
He said if the driver of the Yutong bus, identified as Daniel Owusu, had “managed to slow down and swerved to the other side of the road, it would not have run into the Hyundai bus”.
According to him, Nana Ama and her younger brother and their mother joined the Hyundai bus with registration number GJ 6249 Y at Anyinam.
The bus was travelling from Anyinam to Koforidua, while the Yutong bus with registration number GN 2674 10 was from Accra to Nkawkaw.
Supt. Sarfo Peprah said on reaching the Bunso Junction, the driver of the Hyundai bus wanted to branch off the main road to Koforidua but instead of taking the out lane, he mistakenly took the inner lane, which was already being used by a taxi which was also about to join the main road.
“Since the Hyundai bus was in the lane of the taxi, the driver had to stop for the taxi to reverse but unfortunately, the Yutong bus, which was travelling at top speed, smashed the rear of the Hyundai bus, killing Nana Ama instantly and injuring others,” he stated.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Dan Botwe appeals for calm between Abiriw and Dawu (PAGE 12, JAN 31, 2011)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Abiriw
THE Member of Parliament for Okere in the Eastern Region, Mr Dan Botwe, has appealed to the chiefs and people of Abiriw and Dawu to exercise maximum restraint to ensure peaceful co-existence among them.
He said the exemplary tolerance, maturity and respect for the rule of law that the people of the two neighbouring towns had demonstrated in the wake of the shooting incident that claimed one life had helped sustain peace and unity among the people.
“Since we are one people with a common destiny and aspirations, we should not in any way allow what happened to cause any deep misunderstanding among us and disturb the peaceful environment we are all currently enjoying,” Mr Botwe stated.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview at Abiriw on Saturday, the MP also urged the chiefs and the people to co-operate with the police to bring to book those behind the shooting incident that nearly marred the peace in the two towns.
To facilitate peace in the area, Mr Botwe also called on the police to expedite investigations into the incident, noting that “the ability of the police to bring to book the perpetrators will instil a sense of confidence of the people in the police”.
“Once the youth have heeded to the advice of the elders of the two towns to wait for the law to take its course, it is my hope that the police will do everything within their ability to effect the arrest of those who committed such a heinous crime,” the MP stated.
Mr Botwe expressed his profound gratitude to the chiefs, the people and the police for jointly helping to contain the disturbance that occurred on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, from escalating, adding that “our collective resolve must be sustained to expose those behind the incident to forestall any future recurrence”.
THE Member of Parliament for Okere in the Eastern Region, Mr Dan Botwe, has appealed to the chiefs and people of Abiriw and Dawu to exercise maximum restraint to ensure peaceful co-existence among them.
He said the exemplary tolerance, maturity and respect for the rule of law that the people of the two neighbouring towns had demonstrated in the wake of the shooting incident that claimed one life had helped sustain peace and unity among the people.
“Since we are one people with a common destiny and aspirations, we should not in any way allow what happened to cause any deep misunderstanding among us and disturb the peaceful environment we are all currently enjoying,” Mr Botwe stated.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview at Abiriw on Saturday, the MP also urged the chiefs and the people to co-operate with the police to bring to book those behind the shooting incident that nearly marred the peace in the two towns.
To facilitate peace in the area, Mr Botwe also called on the police to expedite investigations into the incident, noting that “the ability of the police to bring to book the perpetrators will instil a sense of confidence of the people in the police”.
“Once the youth have heeded to the advice of the elders of the two towns to wait for the law to take its course, it is my hope that the police will do everything within their ability to effect the arrest of those who committed such a heinous crime,” the MP stated.
Mr Botwe expressed his profound gratitude to the chiefs, the people and the police for jointly helping to contain the disturbance that occurred on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, from escalating, adding that “our collective resolve must be sustained to expose those behind the incident to forestall any future recurrence”.
Five arrested over Abiriw shooting incident (PAGE 3, JAN 31, 2011)
Story: Nana Konadu
Agyeman, Akropong.
FIVE persons suspected to be behind the shooting incident that took place at Abiriw in the Eastern Region last Wednesday that claimed the life of one person and injured two others have been arrested by the police.
The suspects, whose identities are being kept for security reasons, are in custody on the orders of the Akropong Divisional Police Command.
It would be recalled that one person was shot dead, while two others sustained gunshot wounds, when a long-standing land dispute between the people of Abiriw and Dawu turned violent on Wednesday, January 26, 2010.
Kwabena Adu, 35, and Kwadwo Adu, 36, both from Abiriw, were said to be working on their farm when they were allegedly attacked by a group from Dawu and shot in the chest and the hip, respectively.
A third person, Asiamah Bekwin, 40, also from Abiriw, was allegedly kidnapped in the process and his body was found in the bush 24 hours later.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the arrests, the Akropong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu, said the police had information on Saturday that some of the key brains behind the shooting incident were hiding in villages near Dawu.
He said a team of policemen deployed to look for the suspects arrested the five persons at Dawu and its surrounding villages, including Krutiase, Sanfo and Abenahyia.
He said the five suspects, who are currently assisting in police investigations, would be screened and those found culpable put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
Agyeman, Akropong.
FIVE persons suspected to be behind the shooting incident that took place at Abiriw in the Eastern Region last Wednesday that claimed the life of one person and injured two others have been arrested by the police.
The suspects, whose identities are being kept for security reasons, are in custody on the orders of the Akropong Divisional Police Command.
It would be recalled that one person was shot dead, while two others sustained gunshot wounds, when a long-standing land dispute between the people of Abiriw and Dawu turned violent on Wednesday, January 26, 2010.
Kwabena Adu, 35, and Kwadwo Adu, 36, both from Abiriw, were said to be working on their farm when they were allegedly attacked by a group from Dawu and shot in the chest and the hip, respectively.
A third person, Asiamah Bekwin, 40, also from Abiriw, was allegedly kidnapped in the process and his body was found in the bush 24 hours later.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the arrests, the Akropong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu, said the police had information on Saturday that some of the key brains behind the shooting incident were hiding in villages near Dawu.
He said a team of policemen deployed to look for the suspects arrested the five persons at Dawu and its surrounding villages, including Krutiase, Sanfo and Abenahyia.
He said the five suspects, who are currently assisting in police investigations, would be screened and those found culpable put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Youth organisers show solidarity with Baba Jamal (Jan 28)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua
THE Eastern Regional Youth Organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have appealed President John Evans Atta Mills not to change Mr Baba Jamal as the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister.
This, they believed, would enable him to partner the new Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Appiah Kubi, to handle political and socio-economic developments effectively in the region.
“We are of the conviction that Mr Baba Jamal has what it takes to partner Dr Appiah Kubi to handle the region politically and development wise,” the youth organisers stated.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Eastern Regional Youth Organiser, Mr Yaw Antwi, and all the 41 Youth Organisers and their deputies and issued at Koforidua yesterday.
The statement followed the quarterly meeting of the party’s youth organisers and their deputies from all the 21 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
The statement indicated that it had come to the notice of the youth organisers that the Eastern Regional Executive of the NPP and some faceless persons were fighting hard to get Mr Jamal out of the region, out of fear and for their own selfish ends.
“We the youth and many more members of the party have total confidence in Mr Baba Jamal and pray the President to keep him here in the Eastern Region for the sake of our party, NDC, and the 2012 general elections,” the statement added.
THE Eastern Regional Youth Organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have appealed President John Evans Atta Mills not to change Mr Baba Jamal as the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister.
This, they believed, would enable him to partner the new Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Appiah Kubi, to handle political and socio-economic developments effectively in the region.
“We are of the conviction that Mr Baba Jamal has what it takes to partner Dr Appiah Kubi to handle the region politically and development wise,” the youth organisers stated.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Eastern Regional Youth Organiser, Mr Yaw Antwi, and all the 41 Youth Organisers and their deputies and issued at Koforidua yesterday.
The statement followed the quarterly meeting of the party’s youth organisers and their deputies from all the 21 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
The statement indicated that it had come to the notice of the youth organisers that the Eastern Regional Executive of the NPP and some faceless persons were fighting hard to get Mr Jamal out of the region, out of fear and for their own selfish ends.
“We the youth and many more members of the party have total confidence in Mr Baba Jamal and pray the President to keep him here in the Eastern Region for the sake of our party, NDC, and the 2012 general elections,” the statement added.
LAND DISPUTE TURN VIOLENT...One shot dead, 2 injured (1B Jan 28)
Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Abiriw
ONE person was shot dead, while two others sustained gunshot wounds, when a long-standing land dispute between the people of Dawu and Abiriw in the Eastern Region turned violent on Wednesday.
Kwabena Adu, 35, and Kwadwo Adu, 36, both from Abiriw, were said to be working on their farm when they were allegedly attacked by a group from Dawu and shot in the chest and the hip, respectively.
A third person, Asiamah Bekwin, 40, also from Abiriw, was allegedly kidnapped in the process but his body was found in the bush 24 hours later.
Kwabena and Kwadwo were rushed to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Mampong where they are responding to treatment.
Asiamah’s body was found with some gunshot wounds in the stomach by a search team comprising policemen and youth from Abiriw.
He and six others had gone to their farms on the Abiriw-controlled side of the disputed land between the two neighbouring towns.
Intensive rescue efforts mounted by the police and some of the youth from Abiriw to search for him and seek his release proved futile until his body was discovered in the bush.
The body has been deposited at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.
When Asiamah’s death made the rounds in Abiriw, irate youth massed up to avenge their friend’s death but they were reported to have been stopped by a heavy police presence in the area.
Meanwhile, police reinforcement has been dispatched from Accra and Koforidua to maintain peace between the youth of Abiriw and Dawu.
Police sources said when news of the shooting and kidnapping got to Abiriw, the youth from the area massed up in front of the Abiriwhene’s palace and on the main street. They blocked the main road leading to the town to search every passing vehicle to vent their anger on passengers suspected to be from Dawu.
But they were quickly dispersed by armed policemen sent there from Akropong.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Dawu, the Akropong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu, said when he received information on the shooting, he quickly deployed a team to the scene where the victims were found abandoned.
He said his men rushed them to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital.
Chief Supt Owusu said to prevent any clash between the youth from the two towns, the police went to the Abiriwhene’s palace and appealed to him to advise the youth of Abiriw to refrain from carrying out any violent retaliation.
The police, he said, again went to the acting Dawuhene’s palace to plead with him to prevail on the youth to release the kidnapped person but that had not been done.
Just after that, he said, a reinforcement from Koforidua and Accra was called in to ensure peace in the area.
The armed policemen continue to patrol the streets of the two neighbouring towns to avert any violent clash between the youth of the towns.
An emergency meeting has also been held at the Abiriwhene’s palace between the District Security Committee (DISEC) and the traditional leaders of Abiriw to find an amicable solution to the problem.
ONE person was shot dead, while two others sustained gunshot wounds, when a long-standing land dispute between the people of Dawu and Abiriw in the Eastern Region turned violent on Wednesday.
Kwabena Adu, 35, and Kwadwo Adu, 36, both from Abiriw, were said to be working on their farm when they were allegedly attacked by a group from Dawu and shot in the chest and the hip, respectively.
A third person, Asiamah Bekwin, 40, also from Abiriw, was allegedly kidnapped in the process but his body was found in the bush 24 hours later.
Kwabena and Kwadwo were rushed to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Mampong where they are responding to treatment.
Asiamah’s body was found with some gunshot wounds in the stomach by a search team comprising policemen and youth from Abiriw.
He and six others had gone to their farms on the Abiriw-controlled side of the disputed land between the two neighbouring towns.
Intensive rescue efforts mounted by the police and some of the youth from Abiriw to search for him and seek his release proved futile until his body was discovered in the bush.
The body has been deposited at the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.
When Asiamah’s death made the rounds in Abiriw, irate youth massed up to avenge their friend’s death but they were reported to have been stopped by a heavy police presence in the area.
Meanwhile, police reinforcement has been dispatched from Accra and Koforidua to maintain peace between the youth of Abiriw and Dawu.
Police sources said when news of the shooting and kidnapping got to Abiriw, the youth from the area massed up in front of the Abiriwhene’s palace and on the main street. They blocked the main road leading to the town to search every passing vehicle to vent their anger on passengers suspected to be from Dawu.
But they were quickly dispersed by armed policemen sent there from Akropong.
Briefing the Daily Graphic at Dawu, the Akropong Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Ernest Owusu, said when he received information on the shooting, he quickly deployed a team to the scene where the victims were found abandoned.
He said his men rushed them to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital.
Chief Supt Owusu said to prevent any clash between the youth from the two towns, the police went to the Abiriwhene’s palace and appealed to him to advise the youth of Abiriw to refrain from carrying out any violent retaliation.
The police, he said, again went to the acting Dawuhene’s palace to plead with him to prevail on the youth to release the kidnapped person but that had not been done.
Just after that, he said, a reinforcement from Koforidua and Accra was called in to ensure peace in the area.
The armed policemen continue to patrol the streets of the two neighbouring towns to avert any violent clash between the youth of the towns.
An emergency meeting has also been held at the Abiriwhene’s palace between the District Security Committee (DISEC) and the traditional leaders of Abiriw to find an amicable solution to the problem.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
BANK THIEF JAILED 22 YEARS (1B, JAN 26, 2011)
A FORMER employee of the Akim Oda branch of SG-SSB Bank who embezzled GH¢592,000 belonging to the bank has been sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment with hard labour by the Koforidua High Court.
The convict, Francis Tetteh, who had been in custody for the past 13 months, was found guilty on four counts of stealing, each of which attracted 22 years. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Tetteh, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, used his position as chief cashier to manipulate the bank’s computer system to steal the money in tranches of GH¢361,000, GH¢231,000 and GH¢170,000 between July and October 2009.
The facts of the case, as presented to the court, presided over by Mr Justice G.S. Suurbaareh, were that on October 8, 2009, officials of the Inspectorate Division of the bank in Accra went to the Akim Oda branch on official duties and detected that the convict had stolen GH¢592,000.
A report was lodged at the Akim Oda Divisional Police and, in the course of investigations, Tetteh admitted stealing GH¢531,000 and not GH¢592,000.
Some time between July 29 and the first week of August the same year, the convict failed to balance his papers after the day’s work and, after checking, the branch manager detected shortage of GH¢231,000 caused by the convict.
The manager confronted Tetteh, who confessed that he had taken the money, which he had given to some people for a gold business in Accra and Kasoa, and promised to refund it after the transaction.
The branch manager, after consultations, decided not to report the theft to the bank's head office in Accra.
He, however, informed the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) outfit in Akim Oda and decided to update the bank’s books to agree with the money the convict had embezzled so that when it was retrieved, the anomaly would be corrected to reflect the right account status.
While the branch manager was waiting for the convict to retrieve and produce the money, the bank received an e-mail from the head office Accounts Department to the effect that a questionable transaction of GH¢361,000 had been detected in one of the suspense accounts and that the branch should investigate and reverse it.
In the course of investigations, it came out that the convict had manipulated the computer system and stolen another GH¢361,000 and when he was contacted, he admitted stealing the money, which he claimed he had given to some people in Accra.
The convict requested the assistance of the BNI and the police to travel with him to Accra and Kasoa to retrieve the money from those he had given the money to.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Suurbaareh said the actions of the convict, who was in a position of trust, could seriously erode public confidence in the banking sector.
According to the court, the sentence should be deterrent enough to prevent other bank staff from committing such offences.
The convict, Francis Tetteh, who had been in custody for the past 13 months, was found guilty on four counts of stealing, each of which attracted 22 years. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Tetteh, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, used his position as chief cashier to manipulate the bank’s computer system to steal the money in tranches of GH¢361,000, GH¢231,000 and GH¢170,000 between July and October 2009.
The facts of the case, as presented to the court, presided over by Mr Justice G.S. Suurbaareh, were that on October 8, 2009, officials of the Inspectorate Division of the bank in Accra went to the Akim Oda branch on official duties and detected that the convict had stolen GH¢592,000.
A report was lodged at the Akim Oda Divisional Police and, in the course of investigations, Tetteh admitted stealing GH¢531,000 and not GH¢592,000.
Some time between July 29 and the first week of August the same year, the convict failed to balance his papers after the day’s work and, after checking, the branch manager detected shortage of GH¢231,000 caused by the convict.
The manager confronted Tetteh, who confessed that he had taken the money, which he had given to some people for a gold business in Accra and Kasoa, and promised to refund it after the transaction.
The branch manager, after consultations, decided not to report the theft to the bank's head office in Accra.
He, however, informed the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) outfit in Akim Oda and decided to update the bank’s books to agree with the money the convict had embezzled so that when it was retrieved, the anomaly would be corrected to reflect the right account status.
While the branch manager was waiting for the convict to retrieve and produce the money, the bank received an e-mail from the head office Accounts Department to the effect that a questionable transaction of GH¢361,000 had been detected in one of the suspense accounts and that the branch should investigate and reverse it.
In the course of investigations, it came out that the convict had manipulated the computer system and stolen another GH¢361,000 and when he was contacted, he admitted stealing the money, which he claimed he had given to some people in Accra.
The convict requested the assistance of the BNI and the police to travel with him to Accra and Kasoa to retrieve the money from those he had given the money to.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Suurbaareh said the actions of the convict, who was in a position of trust, could seriously erode public confidence in the banking sector.
According to the court, the sentence should be deterrent enough to prevent other bank staff from committing such offences.
Monday, January 24, 2011
INITIATE YOUTH-MENTORING PROGRAMMES (PAGE 51, JAN 24, 2011)
THE Mamfehene, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku, has advocated the development of sustainable youth-oriented mentoring programmes that will unearth the potential of the youth in the country.
That, he said, would motivate young people to appreciate their God-given talents and potentials to grow up to become more useful to themselves and society.
“Our most precious natural resources are not found in our gold, diamonds, cocoa, timber and manganese that our economy has depended on for many years but in our ability to unearth the talents of our children into indispensable resources for our progress,” he stated.
Speaking at the annual Ohum Festival of the chiefs and people of Mamfe in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region last Saturday, Osabarima Sasraku stated that “hidden in the hearts and minds of our children are the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our towns, regions, nation and the world as a whole”.
The event, which was held on the theme, “Mentoring as a means of transferring knowledge to the youth”, attracted a large gathering of people from all walks of life, including the outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo; the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and the District Chief Executive for Akuapem North, Mr George Opare Addo.
Dwelling on how the country could nurture the youth into responsible adult citizens, the Mamfehene, who is also the Kyidomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for many years the country had placed little attention on the institution of youth-oriented programmes and investments to empower the youth.
“Much of our attention has been devoted to the exploitation of the country’s natural resources which are not our most precious natural resources for our development aspirations,” he stated.
“How do we, as a nation, provide guidance and the support needed so that the youth do not only receive formal education provided by our educational system but also get help to develop their self-esteem and become emotionally and spiritually mature?” he asked.
As a way of providing mentoring programmes for young people of Mamfe and its environs, Osabarima Sasraku called on the chiefs and people of the area to support the initiation of youth mentoring programmes to empower the people.
For his part, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo noted that though the youth constituted the largest segment of the population, they were the most affected by unemployment, while their potential had often been misdirected into wrong actions such as indiscipline, hooliganism, alcoholism, drug abuse and other social vices.
To address that, he said since education was now considered a right and not a privilege, the government would ensure that quality education was accessible to all children.
That, he said, would motivate young people to appreciate their God-given talents and potentials to grow up to become more useful to themselves and society.
“Our most precious natural resources are not found in our gold, diamonds, cocoa, timber and manganese that our economy has depended on for many years but in our ability to unearth the talents of our children into indispensable resources for our progress,” he stated.
Speaking at the annual Ohum Festival of the chiefs and people of Mamfe in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region last Saturday, Osabarima Sasraku stated that “hidden in the hearts and minds of our children are the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our towns, regions, nation and the world as a whole”.
The event, which was held on the theme, “Mentoring as a means of transferring knowledge to the youth”, attracted a large gathering of people from all walks of life, including the outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo; the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and the District Chief Executive for Akuapem North, Mr George Opare Addo.
Dwelling on how the country could nurture the youth into responsible adult citizens, the Mamfehene, who is also the Kyidomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, said for many years the country had placed little attention on the institution of youth-oriented programmes and investments to empower the youth.
“Much of our attention has been devoted to the exploitation of the country’s natural resources which are not our most precious natural resources for our development aspirations,” he stated.
“How do we, as a nation, provide guidance and the support needed so that the youth do not only receive formal education provided by our educational system but also get help to develop their self-esteem and become emotionally and spiritually mature?” he asked.
As a way of providing mentoring programmes for young people of Mamfe and its environs, Osabarima Sasraku called on the chiefs and people of the area to support the initiation of youth mentoring programmes to empower the people.
For his part, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo noted that though the youth constituted the largest segment of the population, they were the most affected by unemployment, while their potential had often been misdirected into wrong actions such as indiscipline, hooliganism, alcoholism, drug abuse and other social vices.
To address that, he said since education was now considered a right and not a privilege, the government would ensure that quality education was accessible to all children.
21,809 PUPILS BENEFIT FROM MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICES...In Lower Manya Krobo (PAGE 11, JAN 24, 2011)
A TOTAL of 21,809 pupils from primary and senior high schools in the Lower Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region have benefited from the Mobile Library and Extension Services (MLS) of the Ghana Library Board (GLB).
The three-day outreach initiative was to give the beneficiary pupils and students from 43 primary schools, 29 junior high schools and 43 senior high schools access to reading and learning materials from the mobile van of the GLB.
Besides, the programme, which was implemented on a pilot basis, afforded the pupils and students the opportunity to learn the rudiments of the Internet and its applications.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the closing ceremony of the programme at Odumase-Krobo at the weekend, the Eastern Regional Librarian, Mr Guy Amartefio, said the exercise formed part of efforts by the GLB to provide effective public library services to deprived communities that did not have access to static libraries.
“It is the hope of GLB that such services will bring basic reading and learning materials closer to pupils and students in order to meet their information, educational, research and recreational needs,” he stated.
Mr Amartefio indicated that the MLS also sought to support teaching and learning in basic and senior high schools, especially those in rural and peri-urban communities and therefore appealed to the pupils and the students to take advantage of the programme to read wide to enable them to acquire knowledge to excel academically.
He pointed out that similar exercises had already been organised in communities in the Kwahu North and the Atiwa districts, both in the Eastern Region.
The three-day outreach initiative was to give the beneficiary pupils and students from 43 primary schools, 29 junior high schools and 43 senior high schools access to reading and learning materials from the mobile van of the GLB.
Besides, the programme, which was implemented on a pilot basis, afforded the pupils and students the opportunity to learn the rudiments of the Internet and its applications.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the closing ceremony of the programme at Odumase-Krobo at the weekend, the Eastern Regional Librarian, Mr Guy Amartefio, said the exercise formed part of efforts by the GLB to provide effective public library services to deprived communities that did not have access to static libraries.
“It is the hope of GLB that such services will bring basic reading and learning materials closer to pupils and students in order to meet their information, educational, research and recreational needs,” he stated.
Mr Amartefio indicated that the MLS also sought to support teaching and learning in basic and senior high schools, especially those in rural and peri-urban communities and therefore appealed to the pupils and the students to take advantage of the programme to read wide to enable them to acquire knowledge to excel academically.
He pointed out that similar exercises had already been organised in communities in the Kwahu North and the Atiwa districts, both in the Eastern Region.
LITERACY PROGRAMME AT HABITAT (PAGE 11, JAN 24, 2011)
A LITERACY programme aimed at inculcating reading habits in schoolchildren at Habitat and its environs near Kyebi in the Eastern Region has been launched.
The initiative, dubbed “Reaching Higher Levels of Learning”, would assist the schoolchildren aged three and 13 from poor communities to access assorted reading and learning materials.
The programme, being sponsored by the Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, is expected to empower the beneficiaries to improve their reading skills by mainly using the same classroom textbooks and materials which are used by their peers in town and cities.
In an address at the launching ceremony, the President of Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, Ms Anita Adomako, said the programme was a voluntary service being provided by some concerned citizens of the area to promote reading habits among schoolchildren in the communities.
“It is our desire to leverage the power of mentoring to inspire literacy, and empower our children to learn to think independently and motivate them to apply the lessons learned from the characters in the books they read in daily life,” she stated.
According to her, many children from low-income homes and less privileged backgrounds lacked the necessary learning materials and therefore, had little or no interest in reading.
“This unfortunate situation makes it difficult for these children to make it to the top of the academic ladder, compelling most of them to drop out of school to become liabilities to the community and the nation as a whole,” Ms Adomako stated.
The Public Relations Officer of the East Akyem Municipal Education Directorate, Mr Ofori Sintim, expressed the readiness of his outfit to help train volunteer teachers to ensure the success of the programme.
The initiative, dubbed “Reaching Higher Levels of Learning”, would assist the schoolchildren aged three and 13 from poor communities to access assorted reading and learning materials.
The programme, being sponsored by the Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, is expected to empower the beneficiaries to improve their reading skills by mainly using the same classroom textbooks and materials which are used by their peers in town and cities.
In an address at the launching ceremony, the President of Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, Ms Anita Adomako, said the programme was a voluntary service being provided by some concerned citizens of the area to promote reading habits among schoolchildren in the communities.
“It is our desire to leverage the power of mentoring to inspire literacy, and empower our children to learn to think independently and motivate them to apply the lessons learned from the characters in the books they read in daily life,” she stated.
According to her, many children from low-income homes and less privileged backgrounds lacked the necessary learning materials and therefore, had little or no interest in reading.
“This unfortunate situation makes it difficult for these children to make it to the top of the academic ladder, compelling most of them to drop out of school to become liabilities to the community and the nation as a whole,” Ms Adomako stated.
The Public Relations Officer of the East Akyem Municipal Education Directorate, Mr Ofori Sintim, expressed the readiness of his outfit to help train volunteer teachers to ensure the success of the programme.
LITERACY PROGRAMME AT HABITAT (PAGE 11, JAN 24, 2011)
A LITERACY programme aimed at inculcating reading habits in schoolchildren at Habitat and its environs near Kyebi in the Eastern Region has been launched.
The initiative, dubbed “Reaching Higher Levels of Learning”, would assist the schoolchildren aged three and 13 from poor communities to access assorted reading and learning materials.
The programme, being sponsored by the Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, is expected to empower the beneficiaries to improve their reading skills by mainly using the same classroom textbooks and materials which are used by their peers in town and cities.
In an address at the launching ceremony, the President of Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, Ms Anita Adomako, said the programme was a voluntary service being provided by some concerned citizens of the area to promote reading habits among schoolchildren in the communities.
“It is our desire to leverage the power of mentoring to inspire literacy, and empower our children to learn to think independently and motivate them to apply the lessons learned from the characters in the books they read in daily life,” she stated.
According to her, many children from low-income homes and less privileged backgrounds lacked the necessary learning materials and therefore, had little or no interest in reading.
“This unfortunate situation makes it difficult for these children to make it to the top of the academic ladder, compelling most of them to drop out of school to become liabilities to the community and the nation as a whole,” Ms Adomako stated.
The Public Relations Officer of the East Akyem Municipal Education Directorate, Mr Ofori Sintim, expressed the readiness of his outfit to help train volunteer teachers to ensure the success of the programme.
The initiative, dubbed “Reaching Higher Levels of Learning”, would assist the schoolchildren aged three and 13 from poor communities to access assorted reading and learning materials.
The programme, being sponsored by the Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, is expected to empower the beneficiaries to improve their reading skills by mainly using the same classroom textbooks and materials which are used by their peers in town and cities.
In an address at the launching ceremony, the President of Yen Anidaso Clubs of Readers, Ms Anita Adomako, said the programme was a voluntary service being provided by some concerned citizens of the area to promote reading habits among schoolchildren in the communities.
“It is our desire to leverage the power of mentoring to inspire literacy, and empower our children to learn to think independently and motivate them to apply the lessons learned from the characters in the books they read in daily life,” she stated.
According to her, many children from low-income homes and less privileged backgrounds lacked the necessary learning materials and therefore, had little or no interest in reading.
“This unfortunate situation makes it difficult for these children to make it to the top of the academic ladder, compelling most of them to drop out of school to become liabilities to the community and the nation as a whole,” Ms Adomako stated.
The Public Relations Officer of the East Akyem Municipal Education Directorate, Mr Ofori Sintim, expressed the readiness of his outfit to help train volunteer teachers to ensure the success of the programme.
CALL FOR MORE FUNDING FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES (PAGE 11, JAN 24, 2011)
THE Director in charge of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), Mr Isaac K. Y. Ebeh, has called for more funding for technical institutions to enable them come out with products that would contribute meaningfully to national development.
“About one per cent of the Ghana Education Service (GES) budget to TVET does not portray any seriousness to technical and vocational education, while poor infrastructure development at the polytechnics and the universities that provide TVET at the tertiary levels are massive to the disadvantage of technical institutes”, Mr Ebeh stated.
He said most of the technical institutes were housed in structures that looked like abandoned farm houses with obsolete machinery and equipment in dilapidated workshops. This, he noted, undermined the relevance of such institutions to the country’s progress.
Speaking at the golden jubilee anniversary of the Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTEC) in Koforidua at the weekend, Mr Ebeh stated that “other countries we turn to for loans, grants and equipment are not naturally endowed like Ghana but have strategically invested in the TVET sector, which has become their tool for national development”.
“Since returns in the investment of TVET are manifold, we must also as a nation adopt a more pragmatic approach and commit adequate funding and make TVET relevant to our national development,” he stated.
The director said TVET was a requisite tool for national development that must be acquired and sharpened adequately to enable products of such institutions to contribute to the country’s development.
“Unfortunately, reports available show that most graduates from technical institutes do not acquire the relevant skills and knowledge and therefore, cannot be expected tools for national development”, he stated.
“Technical and vocational institutions should necessarily be the foundation of TVET, without which engineers and other high calibre technologists may not achieve the desired development goals,” Mr Ebeh stated.
The outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed the government’s commitment to resource technical and vocational institutions to enable them to function more effectively to produce the right calibre of products for national development.
Earlier, the Headmaster of the Institute, Mr Eric E. O. Gyamera, said the lack of a wall, an administrative block, staff bungalows, assembly hall and adequate water supply were some of the challenges facing the school and called on the government and other stakeholders to help tackle the problems.
“About one per cent of the Ghana Education Service (GES) budget to TVET does not portray any seriousness to technical and vocational education, while poor infrastructure development at the polytechnics and the universities that provide TVET at the tertiary levels are massive to the disadvantage of technical institutes”, Mr Ebeh stated.
He said most of the technical institutes were housed in structures that looked like abandoned farm houses with obsolete machinery and equipment in dilapidated workshops. This, he noted, undermined the relevance of such institutions to the country’s progress.
Speaking at the golden jubilee anniversary of the Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTEC) in Koforidua at the weekend, Mr Ebeh stated that “other countries we turn to for loans, grants and equipment are not naturally endowed like Ghana but have strategically invested in the TVET sector, which has become their tool for national development”.
“Since returns in the investment of TVET are manifold, we must also as a nation adopt a more pragmatic approach and commit adequate funding and make TVET relevant to our national development,” he stated.
The director said TVET was a requisite tool for national development that must be acquired and sharpened adequately to enable products of such institutions to contribute to the country’s development.
“Unfortunately, reports available show that most graduates from technical institutes do not acquire the relevant skills and knowledge and therefore, cannot be expected tools for national development”, he stated.
“Technical and vocational institutions should necessarily be the foundation of TVET, without which engineers and other high calibre technologists may not achieve the desired development goals,” Mr Ebeh stated.
The outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed the government’s commitment to resource technical and vocational institutions to enable them to function more effectively to produce the right calibre of products for national development.
Earlier, the Headmaster of the Institute, Mr Eric E. O. Gyamera, said the lack of a wall, an administrative block, staff bungalows, assembly hall and adequate water supply were some of the challenges facing the school and called on the government and other stakeholders to help tackle the problems.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
MAN DROWNS IN MINE PIT (BACK PAGE, JAN 11, 2011)
A 33-year-old man last Saturday drowned in one of the numerous abandoned pits belonging to a mining company at Kyebi.
The deceased, Kabiru Mohammed, was reported to have been engaged by Mos Mining Company to use a pumping machine to drain water from some of the pits to enable the company to reclaim the land.
Kabiru, in the accompany of two young people from the Zongo community near Kyebi, was said to have slipped and fallen into the pit while working on the pumping machine.
He was rescued unconscious by his colleagues, who rushed him to the Kyebi Government Hospital, where he died on arrival.
An autopsy conducted on the body by a senior medical officer of the hospital gave the cause of death as drowning.
Meanwhile, the body has been released to the family and interred.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Kyebi Divisional Police Commander, DSP Ohene Gyan, said about 6.30 a.m., one Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi from Kyebi Zongo went to the Kyebi Police Station to report that his younger brother, the deceased, had drowned in a pit in one of the mining sites.
He said the deceased was engaged by the Mos Mining Company to pump water out of some of the pits to enable the company to reclaim the land.
The deceased, Kabiru Mohammed, was reported to have been engaged by Mos Mining Company to use a pumping machine to drain water from some of the pits to enable the company to reclaim the land.
Kabiru, in the accompany of two young people from the Zongo community near Kyebi, was said to have slipped and fallen into the pit while working on the pumping machine.
He was rescued unconscious by his colleagues, who rushed him to the Kyebi Government Hospital, where he died on arrival.
An autopsy conducted on the body by a senior medical officer of the hospital gave the cause of death as drowning.
Meanwhile, the body has been released to the family and interred.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Kyebi Divisional Police Commander, DSP Ohene Gyan, said about 6.30 a.m., one Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi from Kyebi Zongo went to the Kyebi Police Station to report that his younger brother, the deceased, had drowned in a pit in one of the mining sites.
He said the deceased was engaged by the Mos Mining Company to pump water out of some of the pits to enable the company to reclaim the land.
Monday, January 10, 2011
3 CHIEFS KILLED IN ACCIDENT (1B, JAN 10, 2011)
THE mission of three sub-chiefs of Agona Kwaman, near Agona Swedru in the Central Region, to attend a wedding ceremony of the daughter of their chief at Tepa in the Ashanti Region turned tragic when they lost their lives in an accident on the Accra-Kumasi highway on Saturday.
The accident, which also claimed the life of the taxi driver, identified as Yaw Baah, 40, occurred when he drove his KIA Rio taxi into a Man Diesel articulated truck which had been abandoned in the middle of the road without any warning sign at a junction between Apedwa and Anyinasin on the Accra-Kumasi highway.
The three chiefs, identified as Nana Baffour Otorbor, 78, Kyidomhene; Nana Amoah Sekyi II, 84, Benkumhene, and Nana Kwame Gyan, 93, Kyidombatan, and the driver died on the spot.
The only survivor was Nana Annor Akyemfo, 54, the Gyantuahene, who was rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital for attention. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the hospital pending autopsy.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Kyebi Divisional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), ASP Bernard Ofori Amanfo, said the four sub-chiefs left Agona Kwaman at 2 am for Tepa in the Ashanti Region to accompany Nana Okaaku Yeboah, chief of Agona Kwaman, to his daughter’s wedding ceremony on that fateful day.
He said the chiefs travelled through Suhum and when they reached a spot between Apedwa and Anyinasin on the Accra-Kumasi highway at about 5.30 am, their KIA Rio taxicab ran into the rear of an abandoned Man Diesel articulated truck in the middle of the road.
ASP Amanfo said the truck, fully loaded with TV sets with a Burkinabe registration numbers 10 KK 1599 and 11 KK 1216, had no sign placed behind it to warn other motorists, a situation that made it difficult for the driver of the KIA Rio taxicab, with registration number GR 7393 10, to see the stationary vehicle.
He said by the time a team from the MTTU got to the scene, the driver of the articulated truck and his mate had fled the accident scene in an attempt to avoid being killed by some of the residents of the area who went to the rescue of the victims.
Meanwhile, following the death of the three sub-chiefs in the accident, the wedding ceremony of the chief’s daughter was reported to have been postponed.
The accident, which also claimed the life of the taxi driver, identified as Yaw Baah, 40, occurred when he drove his KIA Rio taxi into a Man Diesel articulated truck which had been abandoned in the middle of the road without any warning sign at a junction between Apedwa and Anyinasin on the Accra-Kumasi highway.
The three chiefs, identified as Nana Baffour Otorbor, 78, Kyidomhene; Nana Amoah Sekyi II, 84, Benkumhene, and Nana Kwame Gyan, 93, Kyidombatan, and the driver died on the spot.
The only survivor was Nana Annor Akyemfo, 54, the Gyantuahene, who was rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital for attention. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the hospital pending autopsy.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Kyebi Divisional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), ASP Bernard Ofori Amanfo, said the four sub-chiefs left Agona Kwaman at 2 am for Tepa in the Ashanti Region to accompany Nana Okaaku Yeboah, chief of Agona Kwaman, to his daughter’s wedding ceremony on that fateful day.
He said the chiefs travelled through Suhum and when they reached a spot between Apedwa and Anyinasin on the Accra-Kumasi highway at about 5.30 am, their KIA Rio taxicab ran into the rear of an abandoned Man Diesel articulated truck in the middle of the road.
ASP Amanfo said the truck, fully loaded with TV sets with a Burkinabe registration numbers 10 KK 1599 and 11 KK 1216, had no sign placed behind it to warn other motorists, a situation that made it difficult for the driver of the KIA Rio taxicab, with registration number GR 7393 10, to see the stationary vehicle.
He said by the time a team from the MTTU got to the scene, the driver of the articulated truck and his mate had fled the accident scene in an attempt to avoid being killed by some of the residents of the area who went to the rescue of the victims.
Meanwhile, following the death of the three sub-chiefs in the accident, the wedding ceremony of the chief’s daughter was reported to have been postponed.
Friday, January 7, 2011
CATHOLIC BISHOP OF KOFORIDUA SUPPORTS 2 INSTITUTIONS (PAGE 11, JAN 7, 2011)
THE Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has donated 200 bags of cement to the St. Mary Vocational Training Institute and the St. Thomas Senior High Technical School at Asamankese in the Eastern Region.
He also provided the two beneficiary schools with two Samsung air conditioners meant for the offices of the headmasters of the schools.
The items were meant to assist management of the two schools to construct more structures to enable them to accommodate the new first-year students they were to admit.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Koforidua Catholic Bishop, the Financial Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Very Rev. Fr Justin Mensah, said the materials reflected the commitment of Most Rev. Agyekum to support the schools to address their infrastructure problems and also to enhance teaching and learning.
He assured management of the beneficiary schools that the Catholic Church was collaborating with other agencies, both local and international, to help put up modern classroom blocks for the two schools and appealed to the headmasters to use the materials for the intended purpose.
Receiving the materials on behalf of the two schools, the Headmaster of the St Thomas Senior High Technical School, Mr Stephen Ahenkrah-Owusu, thanked Most Rev. Agyekum for his commitment to the progress of the schools.
“You have come to our aid at a time we are in desperate need for help to tackle our infrastructure challenges.
We are faced with infrastructure problems, which we can only solve with the support of the government and well-meaning individuals in society, as well as our past students,” Mr Ahenkrah-Owusu stated.
He also provided the two beneficiary schools with two Samsung air conditioners meant for the offices of the headmasters of the schools.
The items were meant to assist management of the two schools to construct more structures to enable them to accommodate the new first-year students they were to admit.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Koforidua Catholic Bishop, the Financial Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, Very Rev. Fr Justin Mensah, said the materials reflected the commitment of Most Rev. Agyekum to support the schools to address their infrastructure problems and also to enhance teaching and learning.
He assured management of the beneficiary schools that the Catholic Church was collaborating with other agencies, both local and international, to help put up modern classroom blocks for the two schools and appealed to the headmasters to use the materials for the intended purpose.
Receiving the materials on behalf of the two schools, the Headmaster of the St Thomas Senior High Technical School, Mr Stephen Ahenkrah-Owusu, thanked Most Rev. Agyekum for his commitment to the progress of the schools.
“You have come to our aid at a time we are in desperate need for help to tackle our infrastructure challenges.
We are faced with infrastructure problems, which we can only solve with the support of the government and well-meaning individuals in society, as well as our past students,” Mr Ahenkrah-Owusu stated.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
KOREA TO FUND 22 SCHOOLS IN KWAHU NORTH, FANTEAKWA DISTRICTS (PAGE 19, JAN 6, 2011)
TWENTY-TWO basic schools in rural communities in the Kwahu North (Afram Plains) and the Fanteakwa districts in the Eastern Region are to benefit from the construction of 22 classroom blocks and residential apartments for teachers.
The multi-million projects, aimed at improving educational facilities in the beneficiary communities, will comprise offices, libraries and computer laboratories, while the teachers’ quarters are expected to accommodate about 132 teachers.
Besides, furniture and various educational materials will be provided for the beneficiary schools to improve teaching and learning in the two districts.
The projects are being funded by the Korean government, under the Integrated Quality Education Project that is being implemented by the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with World Vision International.
Inaugurating one of the completed projects — a three-unit classroom block and two teachers’ bungalows — at Nkankama in the Fanteakwa District, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Hak Sang Lee, said since education was vital to developing the country’s human resource base, the Korean government was ever committed to making educational infrastructure and materials more accessible to some selected rural communities in the two districts.
“Since Ghana can achieve its development aspirations with a well-educated population, the Korean government is committed to helping it to harness its human resource base,” he stated.
The outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended the Korean government for its commitment to various educational projects in rural communities aimed at improving the standard of education in the beneficiary areas.
He appealed to the chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities to take good care of the projects so that they would serve the purposes for which they were constructed.
The Chief of Begoro, Daasebre Awuah Kotoko, expressed the gratitude of the people to the Korean government and World Vision International for their support towards raising the standard of education in the district.
The multi-million projects, aimed at improving educational facilities in the beneficiary communities, will comprise offices, libraries and computer laboratories, while the teachers’ quarters are expected to accommodate about 132 teachers.
Besides, furniture and various educational materials will be provided for the beneficiary schools to improve teaching and learning in the two districts.
The projects are being funded by the Korean government, under the Integrated Quality Education Project that is being implemented by the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with World Vision International.
Inaugurating one of the completed projects — a three-unit classroom block and two teachers’ bungalows — at Nkankama in the Fanteakwa District, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Hak Sang Lee, said since education was vital to developing the country’s human resource base, the Korean government was ever committed to making educational infrastructure and materials more accessible to some selected rural communities in the two districts.
“Since Ghana can achieve its development aspirations with a well-educated population, the Korean government is committed to helping it to harness its human resource base,” he stated.
The outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended the Korean government for its commitment to various educational projects in rural communities aimed at improving the standard of education in the beneficiary areas.
He appealed to the chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities to take good care of the projects so that they would serve the purposes for which they were constructed.
The Chief of Begoro, Daasebre Awuah Kotoko, expressed the gratitude of the people to the Korean government and World Vision International for their support towards raising the standard of education in the district.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
ADASAWASE GETS TOURIST RECEPTIVE FACILITY (BACK PAGE, JAN 4, 2011)
A GH¢177,000 tourist facility to provide conducive resting environment for tourists visiting the Tini Waterfalls and other tourist sites in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region has been inaugurated.
The Adasawase Tourist Receptive facility, funded by the government through the Ghana Tourist Board, has an office, a museum, a souvenir shop, a snack bar and facilities including washrooms for the physically challenged.
The project, the second of its kind to be inaugurated in the country, will serve as a one-stop shop where tourists would be able to access information on tourist attractions and investment opportunities and enjoy local dishes in the Atiwa District in particular and the Eastern Region in general.
In address at the inaugural ceremony at Adasawase, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Sabah Zita Okaikoi, said the project formed part of efforts by the government to improve domestic tourism and the patronage of tourist sites in the Eastern Region.
She said tourism had the capacity to create more jobs and income opportunities for the people and contribute to the better Ghana agenda promised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
She, therefore, expressed the hope that stakeholders, including municipal and district assemblies, would join hands and help attract tourism investment into the region.
The minister hinted that the EREDEC Hotel in Koforidua, which has been on divestiture for many years, would soon be rehabilitated and “put on the market for use by tourists who will visit the Eastern Region”.
Mrs Okaikoi, who announced that her ministry would partner private investors to construct 20 more rest stops nationwide, gave an assurance that the road leading to the Adasawase Tourist Receptive facility would soon be given on contract to be reconstructed to facilitate movement to tourist sites in the Atiwa District.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said since the district was endowed with abundant natural resources, the district assembly must work with the chiefs and the people to plant trees to preserve water bodies and the environment.
Earlier, the chief of Adasawase, Osabarima Kwame Tia, thanked the government for constructing the facility in the community but appealed for the road leading to the facility to be constructed to make it useable by motorists.
He also expressed worry over the activities of illegal chainsaw operators in the community and called on the government to help tackle the situation.
The Adasawase Tourist Receptive facility, funded by the government through the Ghana Tourist Board, has an office, a museum, a souvenir shop, a snack bar and facilities including washrooms for the physically challenged.
The project, the second of its kind to be inaugurated in the country, will serve as a one-stop shop where tourists would be able to access information on tourist attractions and investment opportunities and enjoy local dishes in the Atiwa District in particular and the Eastern Region in general.
In address at the inaugural ceremony at Adasawase, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Sabah Zita Okaikoi, said the project formed part of efforts by the government to improve domestic tourism and the patronage of tourist sites in the Eastern Region.
She said tourism had the capacity to create more jobs and income opportunities for the people and contribute to the better Ghana agenda promised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
She, therefore, expressed the hope that stakeholders, including municipal and district assemblies, would join hands and help attract tourism investment into the region.
The minister hinted that the EREDEC Hotel in Koforidua, which has been on divestiture for many years, would soon be rehabilitated and “put on the market for use by tourists who will visit the Eastern Region”.
Mrs Okaikoi, who announced that her ministry would partner private investors to construct 20 more rest stops nationwide, gave an assurance that the road leading to the Adasawase Tourist Receptive facility would soon be given on contract to be reconstructed to facilitate movement to tourist sites in the Atiwa District.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said since the district was endowed with abundant natural resources, the district assembly must work with the chiefs and the people to plant trees to preserve water bodies and the environment.
Earlier, the chief of Adasawase, Osabarima Kwame Tia, thanked the government for constructing the facility in the community but appealed for the road leading to the facility to be constructed to make it useable by motorists.
He also expressed worry over the activities of illegal chainsaw operators in the community and called on the government to help tackle the situation.
OKUDZETO CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR MISSION VARSITIES (SPREAD, JAN 4, 2011)
THE Chairman of the Presbyterian University Council, Mr Sam Okudzeto, has appealed to the government to amend the GETFund Act to enable mission-based private universities to receive funding for their programmes.
“As trusted partners to the government in education delivery, private universities are producing graduates, hence the government should do well to support their training to enable them to receive the best education for national development,” he stated.
Speaking at the fourth congregation of the Presbyterian University College (PUC) in Abetifi on Saturday, Mr Okudzeto said “failure of the government to support them is a mark of discrimination against the students of these universities and their parents who also contribute to the GETFund”.
“Since tuition is free for students of public universities, I propose that students in private universities must be given students’ loans which can pay off their total tuition fee in order to lessen pressure of cash on their parents,” he stated.
The congregation, which was on the theme: “Training the total person for national development: The role of the Presbyterian University College”, saw 200 students graduating.
Mr Okudzeto said governments the world over invested in education because of the dividends they derived from that investment.
However, he said in order to obtain the full benefit of education, governments should provide a policy on the type of skills which the educational institutions should provide to meet their country’s developmental needs.
In line with that, he said, every government should have a say in the content of the syllabuses to ensure the development of skills which would be of benefit to its human resource.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev Prof. Emmanuel Martey, said the church was determined to support the university to open more campuses in the cities and urban centres to ensure “our continued survival as a tertiary institution”.
“With the assistance of the Asante Presbytery, the church is opening an additional campus in Kumasi, beginning from the 2011/2012 academic year, and this will be followed in the near future with another campus in Accra,” he announced.
Earlier, the Principal of the PUC, Professor Kofi Sraku-Lartey, had mentioned acute water shortage as one of the major challenges confronting the institution and appealed to the government and individuals to help address the situation.
“As trusted partners to the government in education delivery, private universities are producing graduates, hence the government should do well to support their training to enable them to receive the best education for national development,” he stated.
Speaking at the fourth congregation of the Presbyterian University College (PUC) in Abetifi on Saturday, Mr Okudzeto said “failure of the government to support them is a mark of discrimination against the students of these universities and their parents who also contribute to the GETFund”.
“Since tuition is free for students of public universities, I propose that students in private universities must be given students’ loans which can pay off their total tuition fee in order to lessen pressure of cash on their parents,” he stated.
The congregation, which was on the theme: “Training the total person for national development: The role of the Presbyterian University College”, saw 200 students graduating.
Mr Okudzeto said governments the world over invested in education because of the dividends they derived from that investment.
However, he said in order to obtain the full benefit of education, governments should provide a policy on the type of skills which the educational institutions should provide to meet their country’s developmental needs.
In line with that, he said, every government should have a say in the content of the syllabuses to ensure the development of skills which would be of benefit to its human resource.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev Prof. Emmanuel Martey, said the church was determined to support the university to open more campuses in the cities and urban centres to ensure “our continued survival as a tertiary institution”.
“With the assistance of the Asante Presbytery, the church is opening an additional campus in Kumasi, beginning from the 2011/2012 academic year, and this will be followed in the near future with another campus in Accra,” he announced.
Earlier, the Principal of the PUC, Professor Kofi Sraku-Lartey, had mentioned acute water shortage as one of the major challenges confronting the institution and appealed to the government and individuals to help address the situation.
Monday, January 3, 2011
FIVE TRAPPED TO DEATH ...As container falls on taxi cab (BACK PAGE, JAN 3, 2011)
FIVE persons were crushed to death when a container on a moving articulated truck fell on the taxi cab on which they were travelling at a spot near the Apedwa Junction on the Accra-Kumasi Highway on New Year’s eve.
The bodies of the unidentified deceased, comprising the driver of the taxicab, three adults and a two-year-old baby, have been deposited at the Suhum Government Hospital for autopsy.
A lady passenger who was also on board the taxicab, an Opel Astra with registration number GN 7197 Q,, however, survived when she forced open the door of the vehicle and jumped just before the container fell on the taxi.
The lady, who is also yet to be identified, sustained serious injury and was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua where she is responding to treatment.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said the Leyland articulated truck, with registration number AS 3908 A, was travelling from Kumasi to Accra loaded with logs of teak.
He said at the Apedwa Junction, the truck was climbing a hill and its gear failed, causing it to reverse, hit a pick-up before the container on it fell on the taxi, which also had five passengers on board and heading from Apedwa to Suhum.
According to Supt Peprah, a lady on board the taxi cab was reported to have asked the taxi driver, identified only as Cudjoe, to stop to allow the passengers in the vehicle to get down but he refused.
He said the lady then forcibly opened one of the doors of the taxi cab and jumped out before the container fell on it and crushed to death the other four passengers.
“All the passengers who were trapped to death in the taxi could have survived if the driver had listened to the advice of the lady,” Supt Peprah stated.
The bodies of the unidentified deceased, comprising the driver of the taxicab, three adults and a two-year-old baby, have been deposited at the Suhum Government Hospital for autopsy.
A lady passenger who was also on board the taxicab, an Opel Astra with registration number GN 7197 Q,, however, survived when she forced open the door of the vehicle and jumped just before the container fell on the taxi.
The lady, who is also yet to be identified, sustained serious injury and was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua where she is responding to treatment.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said the Leyland articulated truck, with registration number AS 3908 A, was travelling from Kumasi to Accra loaded with logs of teak.
He said at the Apedwa Junction, the truck was climbing a hill and its gear failed, causing it to reverse, hit a pick-up before the container on it fell on the taxi, which also had five passengers on board and heading from Apedwa to Suhum.
According to Supt Peprah, a lady on board the taxi cab was reported to have asked the taxi driver, identified only as Cudjoe, to stop to allow the passengers in the vehicle to get down but he refused.
He said the lady then forcibly opened one of the doors of the taxi cab and jumped out before the container fell on it and crushed to death the other four passengers.
“All the passengers who were trapped to death in the taxi could have survived if the driver had listened to the advice of the lady,” Supt Peprah stated.
VOLTIC PROVIDES TRANSPORT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN (PAGE 11, JAN 3, 2011)
A PROJECT aimed at transporting schoolchildren from their homes to their schools and back in 10 specially-designed trikademik cycles, in the New Juaben Municipality, was today launched at Koforidua.
Under the project, a total of 55 school children, aged four to 11 years, who walked long distances daily to and from their schools will be picked from their homes and sent to school in the morning and taken back to their homes after school.
The initiative is aimed at reducing absenteeism among the beneficiary schoolchildren and improving teaching and learning in the selected schools.
The beneficiary schools are Kyeremanteng Basic School and Good Shepherd School at Ada, Babs International School at Mangasin, Presbyterian Basic Schools, Nana Kweku Boateng Basic School, Rock of Ages, Mosama Preparatory School and Assemblies of God School at Koforidua and the Roman Catholic Primary School at Effiduase.
The initiative, which will commence when basic schools resume in the second week of January, 2011, will be implemented on a pilot basis and is expected to be extended to other communities, based on its successful implementation.
It is being sponsored by the Voltic Ghana Limited in partnership with Instinct Ghana Limited, a marketing and advertising agency.
In an address at the launching ceremony at Koforidua, the Managing Director of the Voltic Ghana Limited, Mr Dhananjay K. Deshmankar, said as part of its corporate social responsibility, the management of the company decided to partner Instinct Ghana Limited to provide free transportation for the beneficiary school pupils.
“Through our observation and interactions with our consumers, we have realised that school attendance for some school children was not regular due to lack of transportation to and from various schools in the selected communities and it is our hope that this initiative will encourage increased attendance among the beneficiary children”, he stated.
The Voltic MD said the introduction of the project would provide employment for 15 riders and two bike mechanics, adding “we hope it will be an avenue for these people to nurture their entrepreneurial skills to earn decent incomes for themselves”.
Under the project, a total of 55 school children, aged four to 11 years, who walked long distances daily to and from their schools will be picked from their homes and sent to school in the morning and taken back to their homes after school.
The initiative is aimed at reducing absenteeism among the beneficiary schoolchildren and improving teaching and learning in the selected schools.
The beneficiary schools are Kyeremanteng Basic School and Good Shepherd School at Ada, Babs International School at Mangasin, Presbyterian Basic Schools, Nana Kweku Boateng Basic School, Rock of Ages, Mosama Preparatory School and Assemblies of God School at Koforidua and the Roman Catholic Primary School at Effiduase.
The initiative, which will commence when basic schools resume in the second week of January, 2011, will be implemented on a pilot basis and is expected to be extended to other communities, based on its successful implementation.
It is being sponsored by the Voltic Ghana Limited in partnership with Instinct Ghana Limited, a marketing and advertising agency.
In an address at the launching ceremony at Koforidua, the Managing Director of the Voltic Ghana Limited, Mr Dhananjay K. Deshmankar, said as part of its corporate social responsibility, the management of the company decided to partner Instinct Ghana Limited to provide free transportation for the beneficiary school pupils.
“Through our observation and interactions with our consumers, we have realised that school attendance for some school children was not regular due to lack of transportation to and from various schools in the selected communities and it is our hope that this initiative will encourage increased attendance among the beneficiary children”, he stated.
The Voltic MD said the introduction of the project would provide employment for 15 riders and two bike mechanics, adding “we hope it will be an avenue for these people to nurture their entrepreneurial skills to earn decent incomes for themselves”.
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