THE Ashanti Regional Manager of the Road Safety Commission, Mr Kwaku Oware Boateng, has cautioned motorists in the region to abide by traffic regulations.
That, he said, would go a long way to reduce road accidents and preventable deaths that regularly occurs on the major roads in the region.
Cataloguing the spate of accidents in the region, especially during previous elections in the country, Mr Oware- Boateng said the number of vehicular crashes and deaths associated with them, had always been on the ascendancy.
According to him, indications were that, the trend would be the same by the end of December if drivers ignored road safety measures.
Giving statistics to support his claim, Mr Oware-Boateng noted that in 1999, a total of 1,222 accidents occurred in the Ashanti Region claiming as many as 178 lives.
He said the number increased to 1,818 in 2000, which was an election year, claiming a total of 332 lives.
He said in 2003, a year before the 2004 general election, the total number of vehicular accidents recorded in the region was 1,917, with a corresponding death toll of 365 people.
He stated that most of the deceased were in their prime and contributing in diverse ways towards sustainable national development.
Mr Oware-Boateng said during the last general election in 2004, vehicular crashes in the region again rose to an astronomical height of 2,036, killing as many as 577 able bodied Ghanaians.
He stated that, with a few weeks left for the December 7, 2008 general election, fatal accidents that were robbing the country of people contributing immensely towards national development, should be the concern of all and sundry.
Mr Oware-Boateng said the commission had initiated many educational campaigns to sensitise drivers on the need to respect road safety regulations to ensure sanity on the roads but drivers continue to exhibit gross indiscipline, thus risking their lives and that of the passengers .
He urged the media to join hands with his outfit to educate the driving public as the election drew nearer, to prevent fatalities on the roads.
According to him, there was the need for the media to initiate road safety programmes, especially during the rush-hours to complement the efforts of the commission to sensitise drivers to be more cautious in their operations.
“We cannot sit down unconcerned for drivers to kill innocent Ghanaians and maim others for life through accidents,” Mr Oware-Boateng stressed.
He said with the media playing active role in road safety programmes as was done to other issues like politics and sports, drivers would behave responsibly on the roads to make travelling more comfortable and enjoyable.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI LAUNCHES DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND (PAGE 60)
THE management of Anglogold Ashanti, Obuasi Mines, has launched a $250,000 Community Development Trust Fund to support development programmes in the various communities within its catchment area.
The mining company would invest one per cent of its annual profit in the fund to enable it to make positive impact on beneficiary communities.
As part of the ceremony, a 13-member steering committee, which includes representatives of traditional rulers, the municipal assembly and the company, was inaugurated to manage the fund.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce Aryee, who inaugurated the committee, said it was important for the chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities to appreciate the fact that the fund was not meant for their personal gains.
She explained that the fund was to support sustainable development programmes and projects that would benefit present and future generations.
Ms Aryee urged members of the committee to undertake projects that would be of tremendous benefit to the people.
She mentioned such projects as roads, educational facilities, potable water, health facilities and small-, medium- and large-scale industries as some of the projects that should be initiated for the benefit of the people "as a way of leaving a legacy that would be of tremendous benefit to present and future generations".
The Managing Director of the company, Mr John Miller, noted that the launch of the fund, “marks an era in which the community is not consulted about projects, instead it is actively involved in proposing, developing and selecting the most beneficial and relevant projects from a community viewpoint".
Mr Miller pointed out that the fund “also incorporates a broader range of participants in the process than in the past, such that traditional leaders, the government and the mines are all involved in the process in ensuring a more informed and holistic outcome".
Mr Miller recalled the numerous projects the mining company had initiated to support the development initiatives of the communities in its catchment area and said, in addition to the benefits which allowed individuals to build homes, educate their families and enjoy a more prosperous life, one needs only to look towards hospitals, schools, government buildings and other infrastructure.
The mining company would invest one per cent of its annual profit in the fund to enable it to make positive impact on beneficiary communities.
As part of the ceremony, a 13-member steering committee, which includes representatives of traditional rulers, the municipal assembly and the company, was inaugurated to manage the fund.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce Aryee, who inaugurated the committee, said it was important for the chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities to appreciate the fact that the fund was not meant for their personal gains.
She explained that the fund was to support sustainable development programmes and projects that would benefit present and future generations.
Ms Aryee urged members of the committee to undertake projects that would be of tremendous benefit to the people.
She mentioned such projects as roads, educational facilities, potable water, health facilities and small-, medium- and large-scale industries as some of the projects that should be initiated for the benefit of the people "as a way of leaving a legacy that would be of tremendous benefit to present and future generations".
The Managing Director of the company, Mr John Miller, noted that the launch of the fund, “marks an era in which the community is not consulted about projects, instead it is actively involved in proposing, developing and selecting the most beneficial and relevant projects from a community viewpoint".
Mr Miller pointed out that the fund “also incorporates a broader range of participants in the process than in the past, such that traditional leaders, the government and the mines are all involved in the process in ensuring a more informed and holistic outcome".
Mr Miller recalled the numerous projects the mining company had initiated to support the development initiatives of the communities in its catchment area and said, in addition to the benefits which allowed individuals to build homes, educate their families and enjoy a more prosperous life, one needs only to look towards hospitals, schools, government buildings and other infrastructure.
ABANDONED BABY'S FATE IN BALANCE (PAGE 3)
THE fate of a two-week-old baby girl who was abandoned at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is in the balance after being transferred to the Kumasi Children's Home (KCH).
The baby, whose health is said to be deteriorating fast, has a deformed head and legs and is unable to open a eyes. Her mouth and nose are also joined.
The Supervisor of the KCH, Ms Victoria Asungya, who is taking care of the baby, told the Daily Graphic that the baby girl was sent to the Home by officers of the Social Welfare Department.
She said under normal circumstances such babies were sent to the Home when their condition improved.
“We have no medical officer here to address the health problems of this baby because the only nurse at the KCH died last October. We are only responsible for the bathing, feeding and providing of decent accommodation for the inmates, but our constraint is the provision of medical care to them,” she said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the KATH, Mr Kwame Frimpong, said KATH only sent abandoned babies to the KCH when they were in good health.
“We arrange with the Social Welfare Department when we detect that babies have been abandoned at the hospital for the officers to send them to the Children’s Home,” he stated.
He said babies at the Home with health problems were always sent to the KATH for treatment, adding that “if this particular one is not well, the Supervisor should arrange to bring her for treatment”.
He gave the assurance that medical officers at the KATH were prepared to address the health problems of the inmates to enable them to enjoy a better life.
The baby, whose health is said to be deteriorating fast, has a deformed head and legs and is unable to open a eyes. Her mouth and nose are also joined.
The Supervisor of the KCH, Ms Victoria Asungya, who is taking care of the baby, told the Daily Graphic that the baby girl was sent to the Home by officers of the Social Welfare Department.
She said under normal circumstances such babies were sent to the Home when their condition improved.
“We have no medical officer here to address the health problems of this baby because the only nurse at the KCH died last October. We are only responsible for the bathing, feeding and providing of decent accommodation for the inmates, but our constraint is the provision of medical care to them,” she said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the KATH, Mr Kwame Frimpong, said KATH only sent abandoned babies to the KCH when they were in good health.
“We arrange with the Social Welfare Department when we detect that babies have been abandoned at the hospital for the officers to send them to the Children’s Home,” he stated.
He said babies at the Home with health problems were always sent to the KATH for treatment, adding that “if this particular one is not well, the Supervisor should arrange to bring her for treatment”.
He gave the assurance that medical officers at the KATH were prepared to address the health problems of the inmates to enable them to enjoy a better life.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
SINAPI ABA TRUST GETS HEADQUARTERS IN KUMASI (PAGE 29)
The Board of Directors and Management of the Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT), a micro finance institution, has inaugurated its head office building in Kumasi to offer investment opportunities to small- and medium-scale businesses to enable them to expand their businesses or invest in new ones.
The building has been named Gale House in appreciation of the tremendous contributions of Reverend and Mrs Fred Gale towards the effective development of the SAT over the past 14 years.
Sinapi Aba Trust was designed to provide micro finance services to the ordinary resident in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development.
The inauguration of the Kumasi head office brings the total number of branches of the trust to 38 countrywide. Its clients have also increased to over 700,000 nation-wide.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rev Davis Freeman, commended the financial service officers of the trust for their commitment and hard work, which had enhanced the fortunes of the trust, making it possible to expand its services.
He said the board and management of the trust were determined to provide the needed support to "the poorest of the economically active poor, to enhance their lives through micro finance and basic business training".
He stressed that "the mission of SAT is to serve as a mustard seed through which opportunities for enterprise development and income generation are provided to the economically disadvantaged to transform their lives".
The SAT, he noted, was also "dedicated to providing consulting, training and research services to its clients to reduce poverty. It is dedicated to the creation of job opportunities for the youth as well as providing the required business management training for micro entrepreneurs to enhance their gradual growth from micro level to the macro level".
The wife of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Lady Julia, who was the special guest of honour, commended the board and management of the SAT for their sense of innovation and initiatives and urged them to continue to initiate innovative programmes and policies that would enable them to provide "a whole range of financial services to clients in the low income group".
This, she said, would make it possible for them to contribute more meaningfully towards accelerated and sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sinapi Aba on this special focus in its services and encourage it to do more in this area. The ability to borrow funds to invest in small income-producing enterprises has enhanced the socio-economic development of many vulnerable women and their dependants", she observed.
The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan Baffour, for his part, urged micro finance companies to design more products, which would be easily accessible and affordable "to bring on board the huge portion of our population, which is still ignorant of the inherent benefits of the micro finance industry for their businesses".
He added that in line with the Golden Age of Business target, the NPP government had introduced tax relief incentives and capacity building programmes for the benefit of business enterprises.
Professor Gyan Baffour said the political stability of the country had also promoted the development of business, stressing that "business does not only thrive on adequate resources, but, more important, in an atmosphere of peace and political stability.
"The steady growth of the economy, especially the stability of key macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation and the foreign exchange rate, has also impacted positively on business activities.
Inflation has always been a major stumbling block to micro financing operation. However, the current low inflation rate has become a major boost to the industry," he stated.
The building has been named Gale House in appreciation of the tremendous contributions of Reverend and Mrs Fred Gale towards the effective development of the SAT over the past 14 years.
Sinapi Aba Trust was designed to provide micro finance services to the ordinary resident in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development.
The inauguration of the Kumasi head office brings the total number of branches of the trust to 38 countrywide. Its clients have also increased to over 700,000 nation-wide.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rev Davis Freeman, commended the financial service officers of the trust for their commitment and hard work, which had enhanced the fortunes of the trust, making it possible to expand its services.
He said the board and management of the trust were determined to provide the needed support to "the poorest of the economically active poor, to enhance their lives through micro finance and basic business training".
He stressed that "the mission of SAT is to serve as a mustard seed through which opportunities for enterprise development and income generation are provided to the economically disadvantaged to transform their lives".
The SAT, he noted, was also "dedicated to providing consulting, training and research services to its clients to reduce poverty. It is dedicated to the creation of job opportunities for the youth as well as providing the required business management training for micro entrepreneurs to enhance their gradual growth from micro level to the macro level".
The wife of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Lady Julia, who was the special guest of honour, commended the board and management of the SAT for their sense of innovation and initiatives and urged them to continue to initiate innovative programmes and policies that would enable them to provide "a whole range of financial services to clients in the low income group".
This, she said, would make it possible for them to contribute more meaningfully towards accelerated and sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sinapi Aba on this special focus in its services and encourage it to do more in this area. The ability to borrow funds to invest in small income-producing enterprises has enhanced the socio-economic development of many vulnerable women and their dependants", she observed.
The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan Baffour, for his part, urged micro finance companies to design more products, which would be easily accessible and affordable "to bring on board the huge portion of our population, which is still ignorant of the inherent benefits of the micro finance industry for their businesses".
He added that in line with the Golden Age of Business target, the NPP government had introduced tax relief incentives and capacity building programmes for the benefit of business enterprises.
Professor Gyan Baffour said the political stability of the country had also promoted the development of business, stressing that "business does not only thrive on adequate resources, but, more important, in an atmosphere of peace and political stability.
"The steady growth of the economy, especially the stability of key macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation and the foreign exchange rate, has also impacted positively on business activities.
Inflation has always been a major stumbling block to micro financing operation. However, the current low inflation rate has become a major boost to the industry," he stated.
SECURITY WILL BE FAIR, FIRM ON ELECTION DAY (PAGE 16)
The Security agencies in the Ashanti Region, made up of the Military, Police, Immigration, Prisons, CEPS and Fire Service, have undertaken a series of joint security exercises as a way of strategising to provide adequate security and protection to the electorate during the December 7, 2008 general election.
The exercise, code named " Peace Angel' was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the exercise involved officers of the various security apparatus with the second phase involving selected men and women in various ranks from the security agencies.
The joint exercise was meant to sensitise the participants to exhibit a sense of professionalism, neutrality and decorum in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
This was to create a peaceful environment that would motivate the electorate in the Ashanti Region to turn up in their numbers to cast their vote without any fear of intimidation.
Addressing the participants, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare- Addo, noted that the security apparatus had the duty to prevent potential troublemakers from displaying their antics that could create anarchy before, during and after the December election.
He noted that they also had the responsibility to win the confidence of the electorate by defusing tension likely to cause fear.
" There is the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and transparency in the discharge of our responsibility as well as being fair and firm to enable the election to be held in a peaceful environment," he noted.
DCOP Opare-Addo said it was equally important for the security apparatus to be diligent in their operations, stressing, " If some people want to destroy the nation to achieve their selfish interest, it is our responsibility to fish them out and make them face the full rigours of the law.
“We should not exhibit any form of partisan approach and we should also avoid any act of partiality," he stated.
He said by being professional they in the discharge of their responsibilities, it would be able to prevent anyone from predicting the actions of the security.
The Officer Commanding the 4BN Rear, Major Richard Amponsem Boateng, said it was the duty of the military to join hands with the police and other security agencies to maintain internal peace at all times, stressing, "we are to harmonise our operational plans and procedures to enhance adequate security for the electorate", he noted.
He gave the assurance that they would work as a team and develop operational plans that would make it possible for the electorate in the region to exercise their franchise in a peaceful environment.
The Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Kofi Asomanin, urged the security agencies to manage the electoral process in a way that would make the electorate elect their leaders legitimately.
He pointed out that by creating a peaceful environment, the electorate would be motivated to caste their vote in their numbers.
He said it was equally important for them to offer adequate security to the polling officers as well as the ballot boxes and all materials needed for the conduct of the election.
"You should also offer maximum security to the electorate as they cast their vote and also be at the queue at 5pm to prevent anyone from joining the queue at the last minute," he added.
The exercise, code named " Peace Angel' was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the exercise involved officers of the various security apparatus with the second phase involving selected men and women in various ranks from the security agencies.
The joint exercise was meant to sensitise the participants to exhibit a sense of professionalism, neutrality and decorum in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
This was to create a peaceful environment that would motivate the electorate in the Ashanti Region to turn up in their numbers to cast their vote without any fear of intimidation.
Addressing the participants, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayensu Opare- Addo, noted that the security apparatus had the duty to prevent potential troublemakers from displaying their antics that could create anarchy before, during and after the December election.
He noted that they also had the responsibility to win the confidence of the electorate by defusing tension likely to cause fear.
" There is the need to exhibit the highest sense of professionalism and transparency in the discharge of our responsibility as well as being fair and firm to enable the election to be held in a peaceful environment," he noted.
DCOP Opare-Addo said it was equally important for the security apparatus to be diligent in their operations, stressing, " If some people want to destroy the nation to achieve their selfish interest, it is our responsibility to fish them out and make them face the full rigours of the law.
“We should not exhibit any form of partisan approach and we should also avoid any act of partiality," he stated.
He said by being professional they in the discharge of their responsibilities, it would be able to prevent anyone from predicting the actions of the security.
The Officer Commanding the 4BN Rear, Major Richard Amponsem Boateng, said it was the duty of the military to join hands with the police and other security agencies to maintain internal peace at all times, stressing, "we are to harmonise our operational plans and procedures to enhance adequate security for the electorate", he noted.
He gave the assurance that they would work as a team and develop operational plans that would make it possible for the electorate in the region to exercise their franchise in a peaceful environment.
The Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Kofi Asomanin, urged the security agencies to manage the electoral process in a way that would make the electorate elect their leaders legitimately.
He pointed out that by creating a peaceful environment, the electorate would be motivated to caste their vote in their numbers.
He said it was equally important for them to offer adequate security to the polling officers as well as the ballot boxes and all materials needed for the conduct of the election.
"You should also offer maximum security to the electorate as they cast their vote and also be at the queue at 5pm to prevent anyone from joining the queue at the last minute," he added.
Monday, November 24, 2008
MAKE GENERAL ELECTION INCIDENT-FRREE — PREZ (PAGE 21)
President John Agyekum Kufuor has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to conduct themselves in a way that will make the December general election incident-free to portray to the international community that elections cannot set the country ablaze.
"As the whole world is watching us to see whether we can clear another hurdle on our democratic path, I wish to appeal to all Ghanaians, especially supporters of the various political parties, to ensure that we have very peaceful and successful elections," he stressed, adding, "We have only Ghana as our Motherland and will have nowhere to call our home if we destroy Ghana."
President Kufuor made the appeal in an address read on his behalf by the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during the climax of the Mmoaninko Festival at Offinso at the weekend.
The festival, which was on the theme, “Sustainable Development”, was designed to raise GH¢3 million to help establish a health and educational fund to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in the area.
President Kufuor, who commended the chiefs and people of the Offinso Traditional Area for the massive support given him during his tenure, gave assurance of providing invaluable services for the country even after he had left office in January next year.
He also commended them for registering massively to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and noted that the initiative of the government to provide free health care for pregnant women was in line with its desire to reduce both maternal as well as infant mortality.
He said it was, therefore, important for pregnant women to take advantage of the government's initiatives to attend antenatal care regularly to prevent any complications when in labour.
President Kufuor also urged the youth to focus on their academic work to enable them to develop their potential very well.
He explained that it was because his government saw education as key to the building of the capacity of the youth that "a third of the national budget and expenditure is on education. That explains why at the basic level, and specifically in Offinso, 20 classroom blocks have been constructed by the assembly under the NPP government at Anyakao, Abofour, Kayera and Dumasua, and in addition 21 schools in this area are benefiting from the school feeding programme".
President Kufuor, however, noted that providing efficient and effective education for the youth was a collective responsibility, adding, "The responsibility of the government is to train and recruit teachers, provide the infrastructure and teaching and learning materials. Parents have the responsibility to feed and prepare pupils for school and to show interest and monitor the progress of their pupils."
In his address, the Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafe Akenten, said he was more determined than ever to mobilise citizens of the area to enable them to contribute more meaningfully to the significant development of the area.
He, therefore, urged the citizens of the traditional area to pay regular visits to the area to support the development initiatives of the traditional council to enhance sustainable socio-economic development.
The Paramount Chief of the Juansa Traditional Area, Nana Agyemang Tiatua, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appealed to the electorate to abide by the rules and regulations governing the December general election to prevent any chaos.
"As the whole world is watching us to see whether we can clear another hurdle on our democratic path, I wish to appeal to all Ghanaians, especially supporters of the various political parties, to ensure that we have very peaceful and successful elections," he stressed, adding, "We have only Ghana as our Motherland and will have nowhere to call our home if we destroy Ghana."
President Kufuor made the appeal in an address read on his behalf by the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, during the climax of the Mmoaninko Festival at Offinso at the weekend.
The festival, which was on the theme, “Sustainable Development”, was designed to raise GH¢3 million to help establish a health and educational fund to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development in the area.
President Kufuor, who commended the chiefs and people of the Offinso Traditional Area for the massive support given him during his tenure, gave assurance of providing invaluable services for the country even after he had left office in January next year.
He also commended them for registering massively to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and noted that the initiative of the government to provide free health care for pregnant women was in line with its desire to reduce both maternal as well as infant mortality.
He said it was, therefore, important for pregnant women to take advantage of the government's initiatives to attend antenatal care regularly to prevent any complications when in labour.
President Kufuor also urged the youth to focus on their academic work to enable them to develop their potential very well.
He explained that it was because his government saw education as key to the building of the capacity of the youth that "a third of the national budget and expenditure is on education. That explains why at the basic level, and specifically in Offinso, 20 classroom blocks have been constructed by the assembly under the NPP government at Anyakao, Abofour, Kayera and Dumasua, and in addition 21 schools in this area are benefiting from the school feeding programme".
President Kufuor, however, noted that providing efficient and effective education for the youth was a collective responsibility, adding, "The responsibility of the government is to train and recruit teachers, provide the infrastructure and teaching and learning materials. Parents have the responsibility to feed and prepare pupils for school and to show interest and monitor the progress of their pupils."
In his address, the Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafe Akenten, said he was more determined than ever to mobilise citizens of the area to enable them to contribute more meaningfully to the significant development of the area.
He, therefore, urged the citizens of the traditional area to pay regular visits to the area to support the development initiatives of the traditional council to enhance sustainable socio-economic development.
The Paramount Chief of the Juansa Traditional Area, Nana Agyemang Tiatua, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appealed to the electorate to abide by the rules and regulations governing the December general election to prevent any chaos.
KOTOKO, FAISAL DRAW (BACK PAGE)
The local derby involving Alhaji Grunsah's King Faisal Babies and Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the first 2008/09 Premier League encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi yesterday ended in a barren draw.
The two teams, however, sold a beautiful game to Kumasi soccer fans who filled the stadium in their numbers to witness the much-hyped match.
In the end it was Alhaji Grunsah who smiled all the way to the bank as the large number of fans who almost filled the stadium swelled up his bank account .
Moments after the match got underway, the two teams wasted no time and poured into each other's territory with the intention of scoring an early goal, but their defenders made it impossible for the attackers to penetrate.
It was not until the 25th minute that Kotoko had an opportunity to open the score, but with only Osei Boateng at his mercy, Francis Coffie shot across the post to the relief of King Faisal.
Three minutes later Coffie was presented with another opportunity to put his side ahead, but again in the box he failed to capitalise on the chance by allowing Faisal defenders to clear the ball to safety.
In one of their counter-attacks, Ibrahim Basit beat two Kotoko defenders and entered the box, but the agility of Nii Baah saved Kotoko from conceding a goal. Three minutes later Nii Baah was on hand again to deny Osman Bashiru of Faisal from putting his side ahead.
Not even the presence of substitute Baba Amando in the second half, as well as a number of substitutions by the two teams could produce any goal as the two teams wasted a number of chances created.
The two teams, however, sold a beautiful game to Kumasi soccer fans who filled the stadium in their numbers to witness the much-hyped match.
In the end it was Alhaji Grunsah who smiled all the way to the bank as the large number of fans who almost filled the stadium swelled up his bank account .
Moments after the match got underway, the two teams wasted no time and poured into each other's territory with the intention of scoring an early goal, but their defenders made it impossible for the attackers to penetrate.
It was not until the 25th minute that Kotoko had an opportunity to open the score, but with only Osei Boateng at his mercy, Francis Coffie shot across the post to the relief of King Faisal.
Three minutes later Coffie was presented with another opportunity to put his side ahead, but again in the box he failed to capitalise on the chance by allowing Faisal defenders to clear the ball to safety.
In one of their counter-attacks, Ibrahim Basit beat two Kotoko defenders and entered the box, but the agility of Nii Baah saved Kotoko from conceding a goal. Three minutes later Nii Baah was on hand again to deny Osman Bashiru of Faisal from putting his side ahead.
Not even the presence of substitute Baba Amando in the second half, as well as a number of substitutions by the two teams could produce any goal as the two teams wasted a number of chances created.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
STRAY CATTLE ARE A MENACE (PAGE 29)
The increasing vehicular traffic in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, which is creating undue congestion on the major trunk roads, is being compounded by free range cattle along the streets in the metropolis.
The cattle, mostly with no herdsmen to direct them, also create panic in some residential areas as they look for grass to graze and water to keep them alive.
Residents at such suburbs as Ahensan, Atonsu–Agogo, Asawase, Dichemso, Kaase and Moshie Zongo, etc are the worst affected by the intrusion of cattle that move in and around their surroundings, leaving their droppings on the streets and adding to the environmental problem that already exits in those areas.
Some of the animals, for reasons difficult to understand, and as if they are in a race, sometimes begin to gallop as they trek along, creating panic among children and women.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) bye-laws are specifically against rearing of cattle free range in the Kumasi metropolis.
Ironically, nothing or little has been done over the years to deter residents interested in rearing cattle to get them enclosed.
Article 2 of the KMA bye-laws on cattle rearing states: "The rearing and/or the keeping of cattle in any premises or in any public part of the metropolis, other than for immediate slaughter, or in such public places as the KMA may provide for that purpose, is forbidden, and any cattle kept in contravention of these bye-laws, may be seized by any person authorised by the KMA and placed in a pond".
Article 5 also states that "any cattle placed in a pond may be detained there until the owner pays to the KMA a fee covering the impounding and the maintenance of the cattle as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the KMA."
Article 6 stipulates that "any cattle remaining in the pond for more than seven days for which no fee has been paid by the owner, shall be sold by public auction, and the proceeds paid to the KMA."
The bye–law was enacted by the KMA on December 28, 1995, but since its enactment, it has never been enforced.
The result is that law-abiding residents suffer from the selfish interests of a few individuals who rear cattle at the expense of others, and the assembly officials, who are supposed to protect civil society from the menace of free-range cattle, are doing precious little about it.
A few months ago, a private saloon car ran into a herd of cattle moving along the Ahensan-Atonso Agogo highway. The driver of the car was injured and his car was damaged, creating serious financial problems for him.
Ironically, since there was no one guarding the cattle, the victim had no one to hold responsible for reimbursement of the medical bills and repair expenses he incurred on his car.
The Daily Graphic had on numerous occasions reminded the KMA of its obligations to prevent free-range rearing of cattle along the major highways to enhance sanity on the road and keep accidents to the barest minimum, but the regular reminders have always fallen on deaf ears.
One of such accidents nearly occurred at Asawase at the weekend when a vehicle, in an attempt to avoid running into a herd of cattle moving along the street, nearly collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
The Daily Graphic is once again reminding the KMA that apart from collecting various taxes from the business community to sustain its revenue generation, the assembly also has an obligation to protect residents from animals which are not only a nuisance, but also sometimes cause serious accidents, resulting in fatalities and high costs.
It is time the KMA stuck strictly to its bye-laws to create a congenial atmosphere in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs to safeguard law-abiding residents.
The cattle, mostly with no herdsmen to direct them, also create panic in some residential areas as they look for grass to graze and water to keep them alive.
Residents at such suburbs as Ahensan, Atonsu–Agogo, Asawase, Dichemso, Kaase and Moshie Zongo, etc are the worst affected by the intrusion of cattle that move in and around their surroundings, leaving their droppings on the streets and adding to the environmental problem that already exits in those areas.
Some of the animals, for reasons difficult to understand, and as if they are in a race, sometimes begin to gallop as they trek along, creating panic among children and women.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) bye-laws are specifically against rearing of cattle free range in the Kumasi metropolis.
Ironically, nothing or little has been done over the years to deter residents interested in rearing cattle to get them enclosed.
Article 2 of the KMA bye-laws on cattle rearing states: "The rearing and/or the keeping of cattle in any premises or in any public part of the metropolis, other than for immediate slaughter, or in such public places as the KMA may provide for that purpose, is forbidden, and any cattle kept in contravention of these bye-laws, may be seized by any person authorised by the KMA and placed in a pond".
Article 5 also states that "any cattle placed in a pond may be detained there until the owner pays to the KMA a fee covering the impounding and the maintenance of the cattle as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the KMA."
Article 6 stipulates that "any cattle remaining in the pond for more than seven days for which no fee has been paid by the owner, shall be sold by public auction, and the proceeds paid to the KMA."
The bye–law was enacted by the KMA on December 28, 1995, but since its enactment, it has never been enforced.
The result is that law-abiding residents suffer from the selfish interests of a few individuals who rear cattle at the expense of others, and the assembly officials, who are supposed to protect civil society from the menace of free-range cattle, are doing precious little about it.
A few months ago, a private saloon car ran into a herd of cattle moving along the Ahensan-Atonso Agogo highway. The driver of the car was injured and his car was damaged, creating serious financial problems for him.
Ironically, since there was no one guarding the cattle, the victim had no one to hold responsible for reimbursement of the medical bills and repair expenses he incurred on his car.
The Daily Graphic had on numerous occasions reminded the KMA of its obligations to prevent free-range rearing of cattle along the major highways to enhance sanity on the road and keep accidents to the barest minimum, but the regular reminders have always fallen on deaf ears.
One of such accidents nearly occurred at Asawase at the weekend when a vehicle, in an attempt to avoid running into a herd of cattle moving along the street, nearly collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
The Daily Graphic is once again reminding the KMA that apart from collecting various taxes from the business community to sustain its revenue generation, the assembly also has an obligation to protect residents from animals which are not only a nuisance, but also sometimes cause serious accidents, resulting in fatalities and high costs.
It is time the KMA stuck strictly to its bye-laws to create a congenial atmosphere in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs to safeguard law-abiding residents.
GETFUND PRESENTS BUS TO KUMASI ANGLICAN SCHOOL (PAGE 11)
THE Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has donated a 58-seater Tata Star bus to the Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (Super KASS) to solve its transport problems.
The donation followed an appeal made by Rev. Canon Brobe- Mensah, the headmaster of the school for a means of transport during the school’s last speech and prize-giving day.
The perennial problems of students and teaching staff of the school making requests to neighbouring second cycle institutions and benevolent organisations for means of transport for their academic and social tours is expected to end with the donation of the bus.
Rev. Brobe-Mensah received the bus on behalf of the school.
He noted that the school always found it difficult to convey students to tourist's sites across the country for them to have the practical experience of what was taught in the classroom.
He said in terms of sporting activities outside the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, the school had to fall on sister schools and benevolent organisations for a bus, a situation which affected the morale of the school teams participating in such programmes.
The school had to plead with the Kumasi Technical Institute when it had to go on a trip to the Kakum Park in the Central Region a few months ago, while its sports programmes sometimes suffered because it had no means of transport.
He gave the assurance that the bus would be properly maintained to enable the present and future students, as well as the staff, to benefit from it, and thanked the GetFund, especially Mrs Leticia Osafo Addo, for her personal intervention which made the donation possible.
The donation followed an appeal made by Rev. Canon Brobe- Mensah, the headmaster of the school for a means of transport during the school’s last speech and prize-giving day.
The perennial problems of students and teaching staff of the school making requests to neighbouring second cycle institutions and benevolent organisations for means of transport for their academic and social tours is expected to end with the donation of the bus.
Rev. Brobe-Mensah received the bus on behalf of the school.
He noted that the school always found it difficult to convey students to tourist's sites across the country for them to have the practical experience of what was taught in the classroom.
He said in terms of sporting activities outside the Kumasi metropolis and its environs, the school had to fall on sister schools and benevolent organisations for a bus, a situation which affected the morale of the school teams participating in such programmes.
The school had to plead with the Kumasi Technical Institute when it had to go on a trip to the Kakum Park in the Central Region a few months ago, while its sports programmes sometimes suffered because it had no means of transport.
He gave the assurance that the bus would be properly maintained to enable the present and future students, as well as the staff, to benefit from it, and thanked the GetFund, especially Mrs Leticia Osafo Addo, for her personal intervention which made the donation possible.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
BE CIRCUMSPECT ON THE ROAD AS CHRISTMAS APPROACHES (PAGE 54)
THE Mampong Divisional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander, ASP B. K. Gyasi, has urged motorists plying the Mampong trunk roads to be circumspect as Christmas approaches to reduce accidents on the roads.
He pointed out that in recent times, road traffic accidents had become one of the causes of death in the area, explaining that road traffic accidents did not only occur every day, but also claim the lives of people who were contributing significantly to national sustainable development.
Addressing a section of drivers at a seminar organised on road safety, Mr Gyasi said drivers had a great responsibility for ensuring the safety of their passengers by strictly adhering to road traffic regulations.
Speaking on the causes of accidents at the Mampong environs, Mr Gyasi noted that “the unruly behaviour of the driver, his mental disposition and world view of the road user, induce him to be involved in an accident, stressing that speeding, wrong overtaking, and low level of education of some motorists, which make it difficult for them to appreciate road signs, were some of the other contributory factors.
On wrong overtaking, he said many drivers failed to calculate the speed of vehicles they intended to overtake, and only realise rather too late that they had not only taken a wrong decision, but had also put the lives of the passengers on board their vehicles at great risks.
He said some drivers usually underestimated the extent of danger to which they put their passengers, especially when they continued driving even when they were very tired.
Mr Gyasi advised drivers to appreciate the value of rest when tired by having sufficient rest every day.
"You should adhere to road traffic regulations by not only avoiding wrong overtaking and overtaking at curves, but you should also not drive continuously for more than four hours without adequate rest," he advised.
He noted that if motorists were to observe basic rules and regulations on the road, “head-on collisions, borne out of wrong overtaking and their attendant fatalities, would have been a thing of the past".
He urged the National Road Safety Commission to intensify its educational campaigns by sensitising drivers to Road Traffic Regulations 1974- LI 952 and 953.
Mr Gyasi assured that the MTTU would continue to be on the roads, not only to check recalcitrant drivers, but to also arrest and prosecute those who put the lives of other road users at great risk.
He pointed out that in recent times, road traffic accidents had become one of the causes of death in the area, explaining that road traffic accidents did not only occur every day, but also claim the lives of people who were contributing significantly to national sustainable development.
Addressing a section of drivers at a seminar organised on road safety, Mr Gyasi said drivers had a great responsibility for ensuring the safety of their passengers by strictly adhering to road traffic regulations.
Speaking on the causes of accidents at the Mampong environs, Mr Gyasi noted that “the unruly behaviour of the driver, his mental disposition and world view of the road user, induce him to be involved in an accident, stressing that speeding, wrong overtaking, and low level of education of some motorists, which make it difficult for them to appreciate road signs, were some of the other contributory factors.
On wrong overtaking, he said many drivers failed to calculate the speed of vehicles they intended to overtake, and only realise rather too late that they had not only taken a wrong decision, but had also put the lives of the passengers on board their vehicles at great risks.
He said some drivers usually underestimated the extent of danger to which they put their passengers, especially when they continued driving even when they were very tired.
Mr Gyasi advised drivers to appreciate the value of rest when tired by having sufficient rest every day.
"You should adhere to road traffic regulations by not only avoiding wrong overtaking and overtaking at curves, but you should also not drive continuously for more than four hours without adequate rest," he advised.
He noted that if motorists were to observe basic rules and regulations on the road, “head-on collisions, borne out of wrong overtaking and their attendant fatalities, would have been a thing of the past".
He urged the National Road Safety Commission to intensify its educational campaigns by sensitising drivers to Road Traffic Regulations 1974- LI 952 and 953.
Mr Gyasi assured that the MTTU would continue to be on the roads, not only to check recalcitrant drivers, but to also arrest and prosecute those who put the lives of other road users at great risk.
WASHINGTON-BASED GROUP SUPPORTS SUBIN HEALTH FACILITY (BACK PAGE)
THE Asante Kotoko Kroye Kuo in Washington, DC, in the United States of America (USA), has donated a number of medical equipment to the Subin Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Kumasi.
The items, estimated at GH¢5,000 and presented by Mr Osei Kwaku Addai on behalf of the group, are meant to improve healthcare delivery and reduce maternal and child mortality at the hospital.
Among the medical equipment donated by the group were suction machines, Ambu bags, vacuum extracts and oxygen flow materials.
Mr Addai assured the hospital authorities that the society would provide a deep freezer to enhance the preservation of drugs and other medical supplies.
The donation was the third in a series that the Washington-based organisation had made to the hospital as its contribution to make healthcare readily accessible to the numerous patients who visit the hospital on a daily basis.
Mr Addai commended the staff of the hospital for their commitment to provide quality care for expectant mothers, as well as preserving the lives of children with acute health problems.
The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr (Mrs) Annie Opoku, who received the items, said inadequate medical equipment was undermining quality healthcare delivery at the hospital.
She mentioned an X-ray machine as one of the equipment needed at the hospital to enhance health care.
She said poor infrastructure, inadequate water storage facilities and the lack of a generator to power the machines during power outages were some of the challenges confronting healthcare delivery at the hospital.
Dr Opoku said her outfit had already contacted all the financial institutions operating at Adum for support but said they were yet to respond to the request.
She stressed the need for the financial institutions to urgently support the hospital in kind and in cash to improve facilities at the hospital.
She commended the Asante Kotoko Kroye Kuo for its continuous support to the hospital and urged it to sustain it.
The items, estimated at GH¢5,000 and presented by Mr Osei Kwaku Addai on behalf of the group, are meant to improve healthcare delivery and reduce maternal and child mortality at the hospital.
Among the medical equipment donated by the group were suction machines, Ambu bags, vacuum extracts and oxygen flow materials.
Mr Addai assured the hospital authorities that the society would provide a deep freezer to enhance the preservation of drugs and other medical supplies.
The donation was the third in a series that the Washington-based organisation had made to the hospital as its contribution to make healthcare readily accessible to the numerous patients who visit the hospital on a daily basis.
Mr Addai commended the staff of the hospital for their commitment to provide quality care for expectant mothers, as well as preserving the lives of children with acute health problems.
The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr (Mrs) Annie Opoku, who received the items, said inadequate medical equipment was undermining quality healthcare delivery at the hospital.
She mentioned an X-ray machine as one of the equipment needed at the hospital to enhance health care.
She said poor infrastructure, inadequate water storage facilities and the lack of a generator to power the machines during power outages were some of the challenges confronting healthcare delivery at the hospital.
Dr Opoku said her outfit had already contacted all the financial institutions operating at Adum for support but said they were yet to respond to the request.
She stressed the need for the financial institutions to urgently support the hospital in kind and in cash to improve facilities at the hospital.
She commended the Asante Kotoko Kroye Kuo for its continuous support to the hospital and urged it to sustain it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
OIC BUILDS CAPACITY OF UNSKILLED WORKERS (PAGE 29)
THE Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OIC) has successfully built the capacity of 2,513 youth in various vocational skills such as fashion designing, masonry, computer, office management, plumbing and carpentry since 1977.
Other areas in which the youth who have had the opportunity to acquire vocational skills at the OIC have benefited are hair braiding, baking, palm oil extraction, tiling, steel bending, barbering and shoe-making.
About 69 per cent of the beneficiaries are females and they are now in various productive areas, supporting national development.
The institution, which aims at offering effective and efficient vocational training to the youth to make them more productive to contribute meaningfully to sustainable national socio-economic development, has decided to introduce catering and electrical installation into its curriculum.
This is to open more job opportunities for the youth who will be trained there.
The Programme Manager, Mr E. K. Amos, who announced this during the 27th certification ceremony in Kumasi at the weekend, pointed out that those who had graduated from the centre had been employed in both the public and private sectors and were performing creditably in their areas of endeavour.
He said to make the centre more productive to continue to serve the interest of the public, management was reviewing the curriculum. It would also replace obsolete tools and equipment with modern ones.
Mr Amos gave the assurance that the centre would continue to offer programmes that would attract the youth from both junior and senior high schools, as well as those who were within the 16 to 35 age bracket to enable them to acquire employable skills.
He said notwithstanding the contribution the centre was making in youth training to facilitate their job placement, it was going through many challenges, such as inadequate accommodation, which was the major constraint undermining its development.
He explained that lack of hostel facilities was making it impossible for the centre to admit the requisite number of youth.
He, therefore, appealed to philanthropists and individuals to support the centre financially to develop hostel facilities to bring the accommodation problems under control.
He said inadequate infrastructure was also preventing the centre from introducing new programmes that would attract the youth, stressing that the public should support the centre financially to enable it to meet such obligations.
Other areas in which the youth who have had the opportunity to acquire vocational skills at the OIC have benefited are hair braiding, baking, palm oil extraction, tiling, steel bending, barbering and shoe-making.
About 69 per cent of the beneficiaries are females and they are now in various productive areas, supporting national development.
The institution, which aims at offering effective and efficient vocational training to the youth to make them more productive to contribute meaningfully to sustainable national socio-economic development, has decided to introduce catering and electrical installation into its curriculum.
This is to open more job opportunities for the youth who will be trained there.
The Programme Manager, Mr E. K. Amos, who announced this during the 27th certification ceremony in Kumasi at the weekend, pointed out that those who had graduated from the centre had been employed in both the public and private sectors and were performing creditably in their areas of endeavour.
He said to make the centre more productive to continue to serve the interest of the public, management was reviewing the curriculum. It would also replace obsolete tools and equipment with modern ones.
Mr Amos gave the assurance that the centre would continue to offer programmes that would attract the youth from both junior and senior high schools, as well as those who were within the 16 to 35 age bracket to enable them to acquire employable skills.
He said notwithstanding the contribution the centre was making in youth training to facilitate their job placement, it was going through many challenges, such as inadequate accommodation, which was the major constraint undermining its development.
He explained that lack of hostel facilities was making it impossible for the centre to admit the requisite number of youth.
He, therefore, appealed to philanthropists and individuals to support the centre financially to develop hostel facilities to bring the accommodation problems under control.
He said inadequate infrastructure was also preventing the centre from introducing new programmes that would attract the youth, stressing that the public should support the centre financially to enable it to meet such obligations.
DVLA, A PROGRESSIVE ORGANISATION (PAGE 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The Kumasi Office of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has undergone tremendous transformation.
It has also instituted measures to provide efficient service to its clients.
Since April this year, the staff of the DVLA have been reporting daily to work by 7: 45 a.m. to organise themselves in order to meet the expectations of their numerous clients .
The management has also designated the various offices such as the registration of vehicles, transfers, and licences to reduce the time clients use in accessing such vital services.
To ensure that clients move around the premises of the DVLA without any hindrance, the authority has established a customer service point at The Trust Bank where all enquiries about their operations are answered.
The Trust Bank also serves as a sales point where clients pay all monies related to the services provided.
The payment of all monies through the bank has curbed perceived corruption, which was the subject of complaints by clients a few years ago.
Commenting on the massive transformation at the DVLA and the positive impact it was making, the Regional Licensing Officer, Mr Noah Tetteh Matey, said the punctuality of staff to work was to enable them to organise themselves before they started work at 8 a.m.
" I met my staff and together we came to an agreement that we have to start work by 8 a.m. to enable clients who are workers be served promptly for them to be at their workplaces on schedule. Before then, the reporting time was 8a.m. and we started work at 8;30 a.m., but I realised that we were unable to organise ourselves properly before attending to our clients, which militated against our output," he said.
The Regional Licensing Officer noted that the prompt attention given to clients had built much confidence and trust.
Mr Matey said to sustain the culture of punctuality all the time, the staff met on a regular basis to review their strengths and weaknesses and how to improve upon their services to enhance efficiency.
He said apart from being punctual at work , " we have also split the various units into the Road Worthy Certificate Office, Transfers of Vehicles and the Registration of Vehicles to enable businesses of the day to flow smoothly and continuously".
" This regulation has reduced congestion and time spent doing business at our offices considerably. The issue of establishing the client service point has also helped to provide the needed direction to our clients to enable them to do business without any hindrance," he explained further.
Mr Matey said the invasion of the DVLA premises by 'goro boy impostors' who collected monies from clients and issued them with fake driving licences and roadworthy certificates was their main headache.
" Our main headache is the 'goro boys who have been duping unsuspecting clients and issuing fake documents to them. We have been addressing this issue by issuing each staff with an identity card for easy identification by clients.
We have also put notices at the premises, advising clients to do business with only the DVLA staff.
We have also been explaining our work schedule and how clients should do business with the DVLA , but we always have reported cases of 'goro' boys undermining our operations through the issuing of fake documents".
The Regional Licensing Officer said the police had also been of tremendous help by swooping on the recalcitrant 'goro' boys occasionally.
While some of the cases are pending in court, other culprits have been convicted and fined various sums of money as a way of deterring potential deviants.
He, therefore, appealed to the public to refrain from doing business with people who had no special identity to reduce the incidence of fake documents.
The Kumasi Office of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has undergone tremendous transformation.
It has also instituted measures to provide efficient service to its clients.
Since April this year, the staff of the DVLA have been reporting daily to work by 7: 45 a.m. to organise themselves in order to meet the expectations of their numerous clients .
The management has also designated the various offices such as the registration of vehicles, transfers, and licences to reduce the time clients use in accessing such vital services.
To ensure that clients move around the premises of the DVLA without any hindrance, the authority has established a customer service point at The Trust Bank where all enquiries about their operations are answered.
The Trust Bank also serves as a sales point where clients pay all monies related to the services provided.
The payment of all monies through the bank has curbed perceived corruption, which was the subject of complaints by clients a few years ago.
Commenting on the massive transformation at the DVLA and the positive impact it was making, the Regional Licensing Officer, Mr Noah Tetteh Matey, said the punctuality of staff to work was to enable them to organise themselves before they started work at 8 a.m.
" I met my staff and together we came to an agreement that we have to start work by 8 a.m. to enable clients who are workers be served promptly for them to be at their workplaces on schedule. Before then, the reporting time was 8a.m. and we started work at 8;30 a.m., but I realised that we were unable to organise ourselves properly before attending to our clients, which militated against our output," he said.
The Regional Licensing Officer noted that the prompt attention given to clients had built much confidence and trust.
Mr Matey said to sustain the culture of punctuality all the time, the staff met on a regular basis to review their strengths and weaknesses and how to improve upon their services to enhance efficiency.
He said apart from being punctual at work , " we have also split the various units into the Road Worthy Certificate Office, Transfers of Vehicles and the Registration of Vehicles to enable businesses of the day to flow smoothly and continuously".
" This regulation has reduced congestion and time spent doing business at our offices considerably. The issue of establishing the client service point has also helped to provide the needed direction to our clients to enable them to do business without any hindrance," he explained further.
Mr Matey said the invasion of the DVLA premises by 'goro boy impostors' who collected monies from clients and issued them with fake driving licences and roadworthy certificates was their main headache.
" Our main headache is the 'goro boys who have been duping unsuspecting clients and issuing fake documents to them. We have been addressing this issue by issuing each staff with an identity card for easy identification by clients.
We have also put notices at the premises, advising clients to do business with only the DVLA staff.
We have also been explaining our work schedule and how clients should do business with the DVLA , but we always have reported cases of 'goro' boys undermining our operations through the issuing of fake documents".
The Regional Licensing Officer said the police had also been of tremendous help by swooping on the recalcitrant 'goro' boys occasionally.
While some of the cases are pending in court, other culprits have been convicted and fined various sums of money as a way of deterring potential deviants.
He, therefore, appealed to the public to refrain from doing business with people who had no special identity to reduce the incidence of fake documents.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
AFRANIE SURE OF QUALIFICATION (GRAPHIC SPORTS, BACK PAGE)
Moments after referee Fousseini Ousmana from Niger blew his whistle to bring the Algeria 2009 African Youth Championship first leg qualifier between Ghana’s Black Starlets and their Gambian counterparts to an end, Coach Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie was on his feet talking tough about his team’s chances.
The veteran coach declared that the 3-1 defeat the Starlets handed their opponents at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Sunday placed them in a better position to pick the Algeria 2009 ticket in two weeks time.
The media was skeptical considering the stiff opposition the Gambians offered the Starlets before bowing late in the game, and the begging chances the Starlets squandered.
However, Coach Afranie insists that the Gambians lack the required potency to stop the Starlets from picking a ticket to Algeria.
"They came here to frustrate my boys and did not put up any extraordinary performance to show that they are capable of defeating the Starlets in the second leg", he noted.
He gave the assurance that the worst result for the Starlets in the return leg will be a draw, stressing that nothing will cause his team to surrender their comfortable lead.
But the 3-1 advantage notwithstanding, most of the mediamen think that the Gambians could be dangerous at home.
Just a few minutes after Bright Adade had put the Starlets ahead with a beautiful header from a Fatau Mohammad volley, Saimon Gassama cancelled the lead with a similar header that caught goalkeeper James Nkansah off-guard.
From then on the Gambians massed up in defence and succeeded in preventing the Starlets from causing any havoc, while resorting to counter-attacks which saw them coming close to scoring on many occasions.
Throughout the first half and the early part of the second half, Fatau Mohammad, Alhassan Mohammed, Mahatma Otoo and Frank Acheampong found it difficult to penetrate the Gambian defence as they struggled in vain to walk the ball into the net.
The Starlets finally succeeded in punching holes in their opponents’ defence late in the game with two spot kicks, thanks to the ingenuity of Enoch Ebo Andoh. Aside the dribbling skills of the diminutive offensive midfielder, Andoh also had a lion’s heart as he refused to be intimidated by his physically stronger and taller opponents.
Well aware of the implications of drawing at home, Ebo Andoh was all over the field taking on his opponents in rapid succession and sliding through their thick defensive wall with precision and forcing them to chase their own shadows on countless occasions.
In the 51st minute, for instance, a combination with Alhassan Mohammed saw him penetrating deep into the opponents box, but before he could cause any damage, a hard-pressed defender handled the ball, leaving the referee with no choice than to whistle for a penalty which was converted by Ibrahim Moro.
The same trick worked for Andoh again in the 82nd minute when he boldly took on his opponents and entered the danger zone, only to be whacked down in the box for another penalty which was again converted by Moro to give Ghana that comfortable 3-1 victory.
Torric Gibrine, who missed last Sunday’s game, is expected to strengthen the team for the return leg in Banjul.
The veteran coach declared that the 3-1 defeat the Starlets handed their opponents at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Sunday placed them in a better position to pick the Algeria 2009 ticket in two weeks time.
The media was skeptical considering the stiff opposition the Gambians offered the Starlets before bowing late in the game, and the begging chances the Starlets squandered.
However, Coach Afranie insists that the Gambians lack the required potency to stop the Starlets from picking a ticket to Algeria.
"They came here to frustrate my boys and did not put up any extraordinary performance to show that they are capable of defeating the Starlets in the second leg", he noted.
He gave the assurance that the worst result for the Starlets in the return leg will be a draw, stressing that nothing will cause his team to surrender their comfortable lead.
But the 3-1 advantage notwithstanding, most of the mediamen think that the Gambians could be dangerous at home.
Just a few minutes after Bright Adade had put the Starlets ahead with a beautiful header from a Fatau Mohammad volley, Saimon Gassama cancelled the lead with a similar header that caught goalkeeper James Nkansah off-guard.
From then on the Gambians massed up in defence and succeeded in preventing the Starlets from causing any havoc, while resorting to counter-attacks which saw them coming close to scoring on many occasions.
Throughout the first half and the early part of the second half, Fatau Mohammad, Alhassan Mohammed, Mahatma Otoo and Frank Acheampong found it difficult to penetrate the Gambian defence as they struggled in vain to walk the ball into the net.
The Starlets finally succeeded in punching holes in their opponents’ defence late in the game with two spot kicks, thanks to the ingenuity of Enoch Ebo Andoh. Aside the dribbling skills of the diminutive offensive midfielder, Andoh also had a lion’s heart as he refused to be intimidated by his physically stronger and taller opponents.
Well aware of the implications of drawing at home, Ebo Andoh was all over the field taking on his opponents in rapid succession and sliding through their thick defensive wall with precision and forcing them to chase their own shadows on countless occasions.
In the 51st minute, for instance, a combination with Alhassan Mohammed saw him penetrating deep into the opponents box, but before he could cause any damage, a hard-pressed defender handled the ball, leaving the referee with no choice than to whistle for a penalty which was converted by Ibrahim Moro.
The same trick worked for Andoh again in the 82nd minute when he boldly took on his opponents and entered the danger zone, only to be whacked down in the box for another penalty which was again converted by Moro to give Ghana that comfortable 3-1 victory.
Torric Gibrine, who missed last Sunday’s game, is expected to strengthen the team for the return leg in Banjul.
WOMEN PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES IN ASHANTI (PAGE 17)
Out of a total of 174 candidates vying for the 39 parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region, only 15 are women, with two of them contesting their seats as independent candidates.
The independent parliamentary candidates are Madam Akua Duku, a 62-year-old farmer who is contesting in Kwabre West, and Nana Frema Busia, a 48-year-old attorney, contesting the Manhyia seat.
Other contestants for the Kwabre West seat are the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu Ansah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, who is on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Mr Pius Opoku Boateng, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate who was recently jailed for 12 months by an Offinso Magistrate’s Court for double registration; Mr Osei Kwadwo, a farmer contesting on the ticket of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) and Mr Joseph Boache Danquah, a teacher, contesting on the ticket of the People's National Convention (PNC).
In all, seven political parties are contesting the 39 seats in the Ashanti Region. They are the NDC, the NPP, the PNC, the Convention People's Party (CPP), the Democratic Freedom Party, (DFP), the RPD and the Democratic People's Party (DPP).
Five of the parties, the NDC, NPP, PNC, CPP and RPD endorsed some females to contest some of the constituency seats. The DFP and DPP did not endorse any female candidate.
While the PNC endorsed the highest number of five female candidates, the NPP endorsed four with the NDC endorsing two while the CPP and the RPD endorsed one female candidate each.
In the Manhyia Constituency, Nana Frema Busia, the independent candidate, is contesting the seat, together with Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a medical doctor who is on the ticket of the NPP; Mr Salifu Mumuni, a farmer contesting on the ticket of the PNC; Mr Charles Saifa Bonsu, an NDC candidate and Mr Yaw Nkunim who is on the ticket of the CPP.
The incumbent MP for Kwadaso, Mrs Joyce Hilda Addo, who won the seat for the NPP during the 2004 election, was the only woman MP who lost her primaries in the Ashanti Region and therefore could not contest as a candidate for the December 2008 election.
She lost to Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, indicating that she would not be in parliament after the December 7, 2008 election.
Of the women contesting for some parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region, the PNC filed the highest number of five in the persons of Mariam Iddrisu, a 27-year-old SSSCE graduate contesting the New Edubiase seat, Lovia Berko, a 42-year-old SSS graduate contesting the Effiduase/Asokore seat; Lucy Kapapoe, a 31- year-old Klin Supervisor, contesting the Ejisu-Juaben seat; Mary Agyeiwaa, a 54-year-old teacher contesting the Amansie West seat and Joyce Oduro, a 24-year-old trader contesting the Sekyere West seat.
The NPP endorsed the candidature of four females in the persons of Mrs Cecilia Dapaah, the incumbent MP for Bantama; Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu, the incumbent MP for Asante Akim South; Mrs Grace Addo, a teacher, who won the primaries at Amansie West and the incumbent MP for Oforikrom, Mrs Elizabeth Agyemang. These will contest the various seats in the 2008 parliamentary election.
The two NDC candidates are Mrs Anima Wilson, a 50-year-old caterer who is contesting the Ejisu-Juaben seat, and Ms Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, a 34-year-old student who is contesting the Offinso South seat.
Other contestants for the Ejisu-Juaben seat are Lucy Kapapoe for the PNC, Mr Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi, a civil engineer for the NPP, and Mr James Sarfo-Ansah, a chemical engineer, for the CPP.
In Offinso South, Mr Ben Abdallah Banda, a 37-year-old lawyer for the NPP; Mr Kwaku Owusu Afriyie, a 54-year-old farmer for the CPP; Michael Kotey, a 34-year-old farmer, and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a 54-year-old farmer are the other candidates vying to win the constituency seat.
The only female endorsed by the CPP is Mrs Alice Duah Boateng, a 62-year-old businesswoman who would be contesting the Kwabre East seat, together with Mr Kofi Frimpong a 57-year-old teacher, on the ticket of the NPP; Mr Bismarck Adu Asare, a 52-year-old farmer on the ticket of the NDC and Zacharia Awuah, a 48- year-old accountant contesting the seat on the ticket of the DFP.
Eunice Owusu Ansah, a 23-year-old student, is the only candidate endorsed by the RPD to contest a parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region, specifically in the Bantama Constituency.
Other contestants for the Bantama seat are Madam Cecilia Dapaah, NPP; Stephen Kwaku Saahene a 32-year-old driver, contesting as an independent candidate; Nana Osei Akoto-Kuffour on the ticket of the NDC and Richard Osei Tutu contesting the seat on the ticket of the CPP.
The independent parliamentary candidates are Madam Akua Duku, a 62-year-old farmer who is contesting in Kwabre West, and Nana Frema Busia, a 48-year-old attorney, contesting the Manhyia seat.
Other contestants for the Kwabre West seat are the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu Ansah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, who is on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Mr Pius Opoku Boateng, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate who was recently jailed for 12 months by an Offinso Magistrate’s Court for double registration; Mr Osei Kwadwo, a farmer contesting on the ticket of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD) and Mr Joseph Boache Danquah, a teacher, contesting on the ticket of the People's National Convention (PNC).
In all, seven political parties are contesting the 39 seats in the Ashanti Region. They are the NDC, the NPP, the PNC, the Convention People's Party (CPP), the Democratic Freedom Party, (DFP), the RPD and the Democratic People's Party (DPP).
Five of the parties, the NDC, NPP, PNC, CPP and RPD endorsed some females to contest some of the constituency seats. The DFP and DPP did not endorse any female candidate.
While the PNC endorsed the highest number of five female candidates, the NPP endorsed four with the NDC endorsing two while the CPP and the RPD endorsed one female candidate each.
In the Manhyia Constituency, Nana Frema Busia, the independent candidate, is contesting the seat, together with Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a medical doctor who is on the ticket of the NPP; Mr Salifu Mumuni, a farmer contesting on the ticket of the PNC; Mr Charles Saifa Bonsu, an NDC candidate and Mr Yaw Nkunim who is on the ticket of the CPP.
The incumbent MP for Kwadaso, Mrs Joyce Hilda Addo, who won the seat for the NPP during the 2004 election, was the only woman MP who lost her primaries in the Ashanti Region and therefore could not contest as a candidate for the December 2008 election.
She lost to Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, indicating that she would not be in parliament after the December 7, 2008 election.
Of the women contesting for some parliamentary seats in the Ashanti Region, the PNC filed the highest number of five in the persons of Mariam Iddrisu, a 27-year-old SSSCE graduate contesting the New Edubiase seat, Lovia Berko, a 42-year-old SSS graduate contesting the Effiduase/Asokore seat; Lucy Kapapoe, a 31- year-old Klin Supervisor, contesting the Ejisu-Juaben seat; Mary Agyeiwaa, a 54-year-old teacher contesting the Amansie West seat and Joyce Oduro, a 24-year-old trader contesting the Sekyere West seat.
The NPP endorsed the candidature of four females in the persons of Mrs Cecilia Dapaah, the incumbent MP for Bantama; Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu, the incumbent MP for Asante Akim South; Mrs Grace Addo, a teacher, who won the primaries at Amansie West and the incumbent MP for Oforikrom, Mrs Elizabeth Agyemang. These will contest the various seats in the 2008 parliamentary election.
The two NDC candidates are Mrs Anima Wilson, a 50-year-old caterer who is contesting the Ejisu-Juaben seat, and Ms Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, a 34-year-old student who is contesting the Offinso South seat.
Other contestants for the Ejisu-Juaben seat are Lucy Kapapoe for the PNC, Mr Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi, a civil engineer for the NPP, and Mr James Sarfo-Ansah, a chemical engineer, for the CPP.
In Offinso South, Mr Ben Abdallah Banda, a 37-year-old lawyer for the NPP; Mr Kwaku Owusu Afriyie, a 54-year-old farmer for the CPP; Michael Kotey, a 34-year-old farmer, and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a 54-year-old farmer are the other candidates vying to win the constituency seat.
The only female endorsed by the CPP is Mrs Alice Duah Boateng, a 62-year-old businesswoman who would be contesting the Kwabre East seat, together with Mr Kofi Frimpong a 57-year-old teacher, on the ticket of the NPP; Mr Bismarck Adu Asare, a 52-year-old farmer on the ticket of the NDC and Zacharia Awuah, a 48- year-old accountant contesting the seat on the ticket of the DFP.
Eunice Owusu Ansah, a 23-year-old student, is the only candidate endorsed by the RPD to contest a parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region, specifically in the Bantama Constituency.
Other contestants for the Bantama seat are Madam Cecilia Dapaah, NPP; Stephen Kwaku Saahene a 32-year-old driver, contesting as an independent candidate; Nana Osei Akoto-Kuffour on the ticket of the NDC and Richard Osei Tutu contesting the seat on the ticket of the CPP.
CHURCHES EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT POLITICAL TENSION (PAGE 16)
THE Local Council of Christian Churches in the Ashanti Region has expressed concern about the spate of political tension in the run-up to the December general election and has therefore called on the leadership of the various political parties " to educate their followers to guard against negative and provocative utterances to avoid unnecessary violence before and after the elections".
According to the Council, the need for the followers to be " accommodating, selfless, patient and patriotic" was key to successful elections that would lead Ghana to the next stage of her development endeavours.
At a press conference in Kumasi to express their displeasure about the political turmoil in the country as the December general elections drew nearer, the members pointed out that " recent political events in some parts of Africa, notably Kenya and Zimbabwe, suggested that there was the urgent need for the Church in Ghana to unite and initiate intercessory prayers that would enhance unity, understanding and peaceful co-existence among the citizenry.
This, according to the Council, would ensure a "free, fair, transparent and peaceful Presidential and Parliamentary elections come December 7, 2008".
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, Rt. Rev Daniel Yinka Sarfo, chaired the press conference, which was attended by the leadership of the various churches in the region.
The statement, which was read by the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Council , Rev. Douglas Okoneh Frimpong, said it was time the church intervened by bringing all the flag bearers of the political parties together for an intercessory prayer meeting as a way of calming the storm which is threatening unity, peace and stability being enjoyed by the nation .
According to the council, a three –day intercessory prayer meeting, which will begin from 5p.m. to 8p.m., would be held on zonal basis for all the Christians in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs from November 10 to 13, 2008.
Rev. Frimpong, who read the message, said the prayer meeting would be climaxed on Sunday, November 16, 2008, at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi and " all the Presidential aspirants would be invited to join us pray for free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections".
The council said for the country to have successful elections, there was also the need for the Electoral Commission " to ensure that all polling stations in all the constituencies are adequately provided with the needed logistics, and all staff members and agents remain faithful and impartial during the elections".
To the public, the council urged them to refrain from engaging in unnecessary violence and electoral malpractices, and also remain law-abiding and faithful enough to accept the results.
The council said it was equally important for the public " to turn out in their numbers to exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation, manipulation or violence".
It also called on the security forces not only to maintain the peace being enjoyed in the country but should also prevent politicians from infiltrating their ranks.
The council said for the country to have free, fair and transparent elections, the media also should be circumspect in all their reportage and avoid any form of " discriminatory act, favouritism, nepotism, and selfish partisan interest in the exercise of their professional duties".
According to the Council, the need for the followers to be " accommodating, selfless, patient and patriotic" was key to successful elections that would lead Ghana to the next stage of her development endeavours.
At a press conference in Kumasi to express their displeasure about the political turmoil in the country as the December general elections drew nearer, the members pointed out that " recent political events in some parts of Africa, notably Kenya and Zimbabwe, suggested that there was the urgent need for the Church in Ghana to unite and initiate intercessory prayers that would enhance unity, understanding and peaceful co-existence among the citizenry.
This, according to the Council, would ensure a "free, fair, transparent and peaceful Presidential and Parliamentary elections come December 7, 2008".
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kumasi, Rt. Rev Daniel Yinka Sarfo, chaired the press conference, which was attended by the leadership of the various churches in the region.
The statement, which was read by the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Council , Rev. Douglas Okoneh Frimpong, said it was time the church intervened by bringing all the flag bearers of the political parties together for an intercessory prayer meeting as a way of calming the storm which is threatening unity, peace and stability being enjoyed by the nation .
According to the council, a three –day intercessory prayer meeting, which will begin from 5p.m. to 8p.m., would be held on zonal basis for all the Christians in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs from November 10 to 13, 2008.
Rev. Frimpong, who read the message, said the prayer meeting would be climaxed on Sunday, November 16, 2008, at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi and " all the Presidential aspirants would be invited to join us pray for free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections".
The council said for the country to have successful elections, there was also the need for the Electoral Commission " to ensure that all polling stations in all the constituencies are adequately provided with the needed logistics, and all staff members and agents remain faithful and impartial during the elections".
To the public, the council urged them to refrain from engaging in unnecessary violence and electoral malpractices, and also remain law-abiding and faithful enough to accept the results.
The council said it was equally important for the public " to turn out in their numbers to exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation, manipulation or violence".
It also called on the security forces not only to maintain the peace being enjoyed in the country but should also prevent politicians from infiltrating their ranks.
The council said for the country to have free, fair and transparent elections, the media also should be circumspect in all their reportage and avoid any form of " discriminatory act, favouritism, nepotism, and selfish partisan interest in the exercise of their professional duties".
Monday, November 10, 2008
BAAH-WIREDU LAID TO REST (SPREAD)
A grand burial and funeral ceremony was held last Saturday for the late Finance Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, in his native town of Agogo in the Asante Akim North District in the Ashanti Region.
As if nature was collaborating with the bereaved family, friends and sympathisers to offer Baah-Wiredu the deserving farewell and usher him into the other world, the weather, the atmosphere and the environment were all perfect for that an eventful event.
As early as 4.00 a.m. mourners from far and near had started trooping into Agogo, just as they had done during the one-week observance of his death.
All funerals in the surrounding communities, such as Nyaaboo, Juansa, Hwidiem, Konongo and Kyekyebiase, were suspended last Saturday to enable as many sympathisers as possible to travel to Agogo to mourn their departed Member of Parliament.
As President J.A. Kufuor stated in his tribute to the late Finance Minister, who had served him wholeheartedly, "Even though it cannot be said that he lived his full allotment, having died a long way off our Biblically allotted 70 years, he packed enough achievements into his 56 years to last two lifetimes. If he would have any anxiety about any incomplete business, it would probably be about his aged mother. I recall a recent trip to Agogo when his mother said to me that she hoped when she died I would help Kwadwo to bury her. With God's help, I promised that I would discharge that responsibility."
The wailing for the departed Finance Minister intensified when pallbearers, made up of the security officers, lifted the casket containing his mortal remains at 11.30 a.m. and headed for the cemetery.
Among the chiefs who flooded the funeral grounds were the Paramount Chief of the Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Akuoko Sarpong; the Konongohene, Nana Batafo Akyampong Nti; the Paramount Chef of the Kwamang Traditional Area, Nana Ntori Nimpa II; the Paramount Chief of the Juansah Traditional Area, Nana Agyemang Teatoa; the Chief of Agric- Nsema, Nana Nkansa Boadu, and the Chief of Duase, Nana Owusu Banahene.
Also present to mourn with the bereaved family was a delegation from the Graphic Communications Group Limited, led by the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, who donated GH¢500 on behalf of the company to offset some of the expenses incurred by the family.
The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, their wives, as well as the Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, were also deeply involved in the funeral ceremony, as they sat through the entire ceremony.
The mourners mobbed President Kufuor and his wife, the Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu Ansah, and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, when they arrived at the funeral grounds at 3.32 p.m.
President Kufuor donated GH¢10,000 as his personal contribution to support the bereaved family.
As if nature was collaborating with the bereaved family, friends and sympathisers to offer Baah-Wiredu the deserving farewell and usher him into the other world, the weather, the atmosphere and the environment were all perfect for that an eventful event.
As early as 4.00 a.m. mourners from far and near had started trooping into Agogo, just as they had done during the one-week observance of his death.
All funerals in the surrounding communities, such as Nyaaboo, Juansa, Hwidiem, Konongo and Kyekyebiase, were suspended last Saturday to enable as many sympathisers as possible to travel to Agogo to mourn their departed Member of Parliament.
As President J.A. Kufuor stated in his tribute to the late Finance Minister, who had served him wholeheartedly, "Even though it cannot be said that he lived his full allotment, having died a long way off our Biblically allotted 70 years, he packed enough achievements into his 56 years to last two lifetimes. If he would have any anxiety about any incomplete business, it would probably be about his aged mother. I recall a recent trip to Agogo when his mother said to me that she hoped when she died I would help Kwadwo to bury her. With God's help, I promised that I would discharge that responsibility."
The wailing for the departed Finance Minister intensified when pallbearers, made up of the security officers, lifted the casket containing his mortal remains at 11.30 a.m. and headed for the cemetery.
Among the chiefs who flooded the funeral grounds were the Paramount Chief of the Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Akuoko Sarpong; the Konongohene, Nana Batafo Akyampong Nti; the Paramount Chef of the Kwamang Traditional Area, Nana Ntori Nimpa II; the Paramount Chief of the Juansah Traditional Area, Nana Agyemang Teatoa; the Chief of Agric- Nsema, Nana Nkansa Boadu, and the Chief of Duase, Nana Owusu Banahene.
Also present to mourn with the bereaved family was a delegation from the Graphic Communications Group Limited, led by the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, who donated GH¢500 on behalf of the company to offset some of the expenses incurred by the family.
The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, their wives, as well as the Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, were also deeply involved in the funeral ceremony, as they sat through the entire ceremony.
The mourners mobbed President Kufuor and his wife, the Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu Ansah, and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, when they arrived at the funeral grounds at 3.32 p.m.
President Kufuor donated GH¢10,000 as his personal contribution to support the bereaved family.
ENFORCE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ...President Kufuor directs police (SPREAD)
President John Agyekum Kufuor has directed the police to enforce road traffic regulations by promptly arresting and prosecuting drivers whose conduct results in avoidable accidents.
He has also called on the judiciary to exact swift and harsh punishment for deviant drivers found guilty of road traffic regulations as a way of deterring others.
"The killing and maiming of innocent Ghanaians through vehicular accidents cannot continue and measures should be put in place to curb the menace before it gets out of control," he noted.
President Kufuor gave the directives at the inauguration of the ultra-modern Accident and Emergency Centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) last Saturday.
The project, which also includes the construction of a new Pathology Centre, the refurbishment of the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the hospital and equipment installation there, was funded by the Ghana government through the HIPC initiative and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) at an estimated cost of 74,923,750 euros.
The edifice, which has a helipad on top to enhance easy landing for helicopters transporting accident victims for prompt medical care, was constructed by GerTech GmbH, a German contractor, with Kumasi-based Consar Contractors as the sub-contractors.
Just before the ceremony got underway, a helicopter demonstrating how emergency cases could be transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre landed on the helipad at 11:15 a.m.
President Kufuor urged the police to collaborate with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to intensify the monitoring and enforcement of road traffic regulations to bring discipline on the roads.
Expressing concern over the spate of vehicular accidents on the major trunk roads in the country and the negative impact they have on the human and natural resources of the country, President Kufuor said, "The whole nation should be concerned about the numerous, unnecessary and avoidable road accidents."
Referring to a front page story in the Daily Graphic of July 27, 2000 which stated that "Ghana is rated among the leading six accident-prone countries and within the preceding six years 6,517 lives were lost and 51,877 people injured in road accidents", President Kufuor said, "Any society with a sense of fellow-feeling will be deeply worried by such horrifying statistics, so will a government which is investing so much in human resource development."
He noted that it was because of the premium his government put on human resource development that the administration "has put accident and emergency services high on its health development agenda to reduce the number of deaths from accidents and the burden of disability which results from such accidents".
"Building state-of-the-art facilities alone is not enough. There is also the need for effective public education on accidents and their prevention," he noted, and called on road users "to be more careful and respect regulations regarding road use".
He also noted that an emergency centre was worthwhile "only when victims get there in good time", hence the establishment of the National Ambulance Service to manage the pre-hospital care of accident victims.
President Kufuor said apart from the Accident and Emergency Centre at KATH, his government had also initiated the construction of two new regional hospitals in Wa and Kumasi, in addition to the rehabilitation and expansion of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
"A new specialised Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Ridge in Accra, with funding from the Kuwait Fund, seven new district hospitals and five new polyclinics nation-wide affirm the government's commitment to the health needs of Ghanaians," he stressed.
In his address, the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), pointed out that "trauma is among the top 10 causes of death in the country and those who first come into contact with accident victims are usually lay people with little or no knowledge of first aid and life-saving procedures and skills".
He said at the hospital level, "most medical and paramedical staff are not properly organised, have little practical knowledge of the priorities or skills required for the management of acutely injured patients".
He said it was in line with those problems that the government had taken steps over the last four years to reverse the problems affecting health institutions in the country.
He pointed out that "a series of training and trauma care has been organised for health facilities and for various transport and drivers unions to enhance their life-saving skills in acute trauma".
The Health Minister says the vision for constructing the Accident and Emergency Centre at KATH "is to develop this edifice into a regional centre of excellence for managing accident victims and patients needing emergency care. We also intend that in the very near future it will be a centre for training health personnel in the management of accidents".
In his welcoming address, the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, said to enhance efficient and effective healthcare delivery for accident victims, his administration "has actively sought best practice in the management of accidents and emergencies from countries such as Israel, Germany, the UK and Italy, with the view to instituting functional management structures for the effective running of the centre right from the onset".
He said the hospital had also entered into a number of agreements with some international voluntary medical organisations and institutions "to turn the project into a major centre for specialised training for health professionals in the West African sub-region".
He has also called on the judiciary to exact swift and harsh punishment for deviant drivers found guilty of road traffic regulations as a way of deterring others.
"The killing and maiming of innocent Ghanaians through vehicular accidents cannot continue and measures should be put in place to curb the menace before it gets out of control," he noted.
President Kufuor gave the directives at the inauguration of the ultra-modern Accident and Emergency Centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) last Saturday.
The project, which also includes the construction of a new Pathology Centre, the refurbishment of the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the hospital and equipment installation there, was funded by the Ghana government through the HIPC initiative and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) at an estimated cost of 74,923,750 euros.
The edifice, which has a helipad on top to enhance easy landing for helicopters transporting accident victims for prompt medical care, was constructed by GerTech GmbH, a German contractor, with Kumasi-based Consar Contractors as the sub-contractors.
Just before the ceremony got underway, a helicopter demonstrating how emergency cases could be transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre landed on the helipad at 11:15 a.m.
President Kufuor urged the police to collaborate with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to intensify the monitoring and enforcement of road traffic regulations to bring discipline on the roads.
Expressing concern over the spate of vehicular accidents on the major trunk roads in the country and the negative impact they have on the human and natural resources of the country, President Kufuor said, "The whole nation should be concerned about the numerous, unnecessary and avoidable road accidents."
Referring to a front page story in the Daily Graphic of July 27, 2000 which stated that "Ghana is rated among the leading six accident-prone countries and within the preceding six years 6,517 lives were lost and 51,877 people injured in road accidents", President Kufuor said, "Any society with a sense of fellow-feeling will be deeply worried by such horrifying statistics, so will a government which is investing so much in human resource development."
He noted that it was because of the premium his government put on human resource development that the administration "has put accident and emergency services high on its health development agenda to reduce the number of deaths from accidents and the burden of disability which results from such accidents".
"Building state-of-the-art facilities alone is not enough. There is also the need for effective public education on accidents and their prevention," he noted, and called on road users "to be more careful and respect regulations regarding road use".
He also noted that an emergency centre was worthwhile "only when victims get there in good time", hence the establishment of the National Ambulance Service to manage the pre-hospital care of accident victims.
President Kufuor said apart from the Accident and Emergency Centre at KATH, his government had also initiated the construction of two new regional hospitals in Wa and Kumasi, in addition to the rehabilitation and expansion of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
"A new specialised Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Ridge in Accra, with funding from the Kuwait Fund, seven new district hospitals and five new polyclinics nation-wide affirm the government's commitment to the health needs of Ghanaians," he stressed.
In his address, the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), pointed out that "trauma is among the top 10 causes of death in the country and those who first come into contact with accident victims are usually lay people with little or no knowledge of first aid and life-saving procedures and skills".
He said at the hospital level, "most medical and paramedical staff are not properly organised, have little practical knowledge of the priorities or skills required for the management of acutely injured patients".
He said it was in line with those problems that the government had taken steps over the last four years to reverse the problems affecting health institutions in the country.
He pointed out that "a series of training and trauma care has been organised for health facilities and for various transport and drivers unions to enhance their life-saving skills in acute trauma".
The Health Minister says the vision for constructing the Accident and Emergency Centre at KATH "is to develop this edifice into a regional centre of excellence for managing accident victims and patients needing emergency care. We also intend that in the very near future it will be a centre for training health personnel in the management of accidents".
In his welcoming address, the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, said to enhance efficient and effective healthcare delivery for accident victims, his administration "has actively sought best practice in the management of accidents and emergencies from countries such as Israel, Germany, the UK and Italy, with the view to instituting functional management structures for the effective running of the centre right from the onset".
He said the hospital had also entered into a number of agreements with some international voluntary medical organisations and institutions "to turn the project into a major centre for specialised training for health professionals in the West African sub-region".
STARLETS WIN 3-1 (BACK PAGE)
The Ghana U-17 national team, the Black Starlets, yesterday handed a 3-1 defeat to their Gambian counterparts in the first leg of their African Championship qualifier played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The match played at the Baba Yara Stadium saw the Gambians put in much effort to contain their opponents, especially in the first half where the two sides scored a goal apiece.
The three goals scored by the Starlets were the result of the hard work of nimble footed Enoch Ebo Andoh who proved too slippery for the Gambian defenders, forcing them to hack him down on many occasions two of which won Ghana two penalties and two goals in the second half.
Early on in the 11th minute of the first half Ebo Andoh was brought down at the edge of the penalty box when he dashed past two defenders and moved threateningly towards the vital area.
Fatau Mohammed floated a volley into the box and Bright Adade soared high and headed the ball into the net to give Ghana the first goal.
Undaunted, the Gambians accepted the challenge and poured into their opponent’s territory, creating some scoring chances.
Their efforts yielded dividends in the14th minute when Saimon Tassama equalised with a header in one of their attacks.
The two teams continued their attacks in the second half, but while the Gambians used open spaces and their height to their advantage, the Starlets decided to walk the ball into their opponents’ net which was resisted by the Gambians who massed up in defence to clear all dangerous balls.
It was at this stage that Ebo ignited his dribbling skills as he held on to the ball, dribbled past his markers in the 51st minute and as he entered the box a defender handled the ball.
Referee Ttaona Ibrahim awarded a penalty to Ghana which was easily converted by Ibrahim Moro to give Ghana a 2-1 lead.
Again, in the 82nd minute, Ebo Andoh won for Ghana another penalty when he was hacked down in the box giving Moro another chance to convert to give Ghana a 3-1 victory.
The match played at the Baba Yara Stadium saw the Gambians put in much effort to contain their opponents, especially in the first half where the two sides scored a goal apiece.
The three goals scored by the Starlets were the result of the hard work of nimble footed Enoch Ebo Andoh who proved too slippery for the Gambian defenders, forcing them to hack him down on many occasions two of which won Ghana two penalties and two goals in the second half.
Early on in the 11th minute of the first half Ebo Andoh was brought down at the edge of the penalty box when he dashed past two defenders and moved threateningly towards the vital area.
Fatau Mohammed floated a volley into the box and Bright Adade soared high and headed the ball into the net to give Ghana the first goal.
Undaunted, the Gambians accepted the challenge and poured into their opponent’s territory, creating some scoring chances.
Their efforts yielded dividends in the14th minute when Saimon Tassama equalised with a header in one of their attacks.
The two teams continued their attacks in the second half, but while the Gambians used open spaces and their height to their advantage, the Starlets decided to walk the ball into their opponents’ net which was resisted by the Gambians who massed up in defence to clear all dangerous balls.
It was at this stage that Ebo ignited his dribbling skills as he held on to the ball, dribbled past his markers in the 51st minute and as he entered the box a defender handled the ball.
Referee Ttaona Ibrahim awarded a penalty to Ghana which was easily converted by Ibrahim Moro to give Ghana a 2-1 lead.
Again, in the 82nd minute, Ebo Andoh won for Ghana another penalty when he was hacked down in the box giving Moro another chance to convert to give Ghana a 3-1 victory.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
REHABILITATION OF 2 DAMS TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY ...In Kumasi area (PAGE 20)
Rehabilitation works currently underway at the Barekese and Owabi dams, which started in October last year, are expected to increase potable water supply to the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs from 18 million gallons a day to 24 million gallons.
The project is three months ahead of time, and will be completed by the end of October, next year.
The project, which is estimated at 37.6 million Euros and involves the changing of raw water pumps at the Barekese Dam, the renewal of the motor control centre and the changing of high lift pumps, will increase the variable speed of pumping water from the dams to consumers.
As part of the project, an additional module is also under construction to increase the water supply.
The dosing system involving the use of potassium permanganate, aluminium sulphate, lime and chlorine to enhance the quality of water, is also in progress.
The existing filters at the dams are also being refurbished apart from the sludge treatment plant, which is also being installed to recycle waste water back through the system to enhance adequate water supply, especially during periods of scanty rainfall.
The management of Ghana Water Company made this known when the Parliamentary Sub-committee on Works and Housing paid a familiarisation visit to the Barekese and Owabi dams.
The visit enabled members of the committee to have first-hand information on the progress of work at the dams and to interact with the management to find out if they were encountering any problems with the rehabilitation works.
The members of the committee inspected the dams, filtration and treatment plants, as well as the modules and the high lift pumps to ascertain the extent of works and what needed to be done.
The Parliamentary Sub-committee was led by the Chairman, Mr Samuel Johnfiah.
Other members included Messrs John Gyetua, Eric Oduro, Alex Kyereme, Alex Sofo Seidu, Kwame Owusu Frimpong and Nana Abu Bonsrah.
The Regional Engineer of Ghana Water Company, Mr E.K. Appiah, who took members of the committee round, said little or no rehabilitation works had taken place at the site since they were built.
He said the situation was undermining the quantum of water supply to the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs, which is expanding at a faster rate.
Mr Appiah said but for lack of funding, the rehabilitation works should have started in 1998.
He gave the assurance that the rehabilitation works would not only be completed on schedule, but would also enhance adequate water supply to consumers, and thereby reduce the rationing of water, which is currently underway in the metropolis.
Mr Appiah said the completion of the rehabilitation works at the dams would also increase water supply to as far as 80 kilometres and stressed further that with the commitment, the project would be completed on schedule.
He said apart from the rehabilitation works at the dam, they would also provide a new booster station at Achiase in addition to the supply of 23,000 domestic water meters to enhance efficiency in water distribution and the billing of consumers.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-committee, Mr Johnfiah, who briefed the media on behalf of his colleagues, commended the management for its commitment so far, and urged it to continue working hard for the project to be completed on schedule.
He said members of the committee were very much concerned about the problems of inadequate water supply in the country and gave the assurance that they would continue to initiate programmes that would bring the situation under control.
On the problem of encroachment in the catchment area and the payment of compensation, Mr Johnfiah said the committee would impress upon the government to source money to pay those who were affected by the acquisition of the land for the construction of the dam to prevent further encroachment.
The project is three months ahead of time, and will be completed by the end of October, next year.
The project, which is estimated at 37.6 million Euros and involves the changing of raw water pumps at the Barekese Dam, the renewal of the motor control centre and the changing of high lift pumps, will increase the variable speed of pumping water from the dams to consumers.
As part of the project, an additional module is also under construction to increase the water supply.
The dosing system involving the use of potassium permanganate, aluminium sulphate, lime and chlorine to enhance the quality of water, is also in progress.
The existing filters at the dams are also being refurbished apart from the sludge treatment plant, which is also being installed to recycle waste water back through the system to enhance adequate water supply, especially during periods of scanty rainfall.
The management of Ghana Water Company made this known when the Parliamentary Sub-committee on Works and Housing paid a familiarisation visit to the Barekese and Owabi dams.
The visit enabled members of the committee to have first-hand information on the progress of work at the dams and to interact with the management to find out if they were encountering any problems with the rehabilitation works.
The members of the committee inspected the dams, filtration and treatment plants, as well as the modules and the high lift pumps to ascertain the extent of works and what needed to be done.
The Parliamentary Sub-committee was led by the Chairman, Mr Samuel Johnfiah.
Other members included Messrs John Gyetua, Eric Oduro, Alex Kyereme, Alex Sofo Seidu, Kwame Owusu Frimpong and Nana Abu Bonsrah.
The Regional Engineer of Ghana Water Company, Mr E.K. Appiah, who took members of the committee round, said little or no rehabilitation works had taken place at the site since they were built.
He said the situation was undermining the quantum of water supply to the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs, which is expanding at a faster rate.
Mr Appiah said but for lack of funding, the rehabilitation works should have started in 1998.
He gave the assurance that the rehabilitation works would not only be completed on schedule, but would also enhance adequate water supply to consumers, and thereby reduce the rationing of water, which is currently underway in the metropolis.
Mr Appiah said the completion of the rehabilitation works at the dams would also increase water supply to as far as 80 kilometres and stressed further that with the commitment, the project would be completed on schedule.
He said apart from the rehabilitation works at the dam, they would also provide a new booster station at Achiase in addition to the supply of 23,000 domestic water meters to enhance efficiency in water distribution and the billing of consumers.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-committee, Mr Johnfiah, who briefed the media on behalf of his colleagues, commended the management for its commitment so far, and urged it to continue working hard for the project to be completed on schedule.
He said members of the committee were very much concerned about the problems of inadequate water supply in the country and gave the assurance that they would continue to initiate programmes that would bring the situation under control.
On the problem of encroachment in the catchment area and the payment of compensation, Mr Johnfiah said the committee would impress upon the government to source money to pay those who were affected by the acquisition of the land for the construction of the dam to prevent further encroachment.
ASHANTI RICE GROWERS CALL FOR RELEASE OF POWER TILLERS (BACK PAGE)
THE Rice Growers Association in the Ashanti Region has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to make power tillers more accessible to its membership to enable them to maximise production.
An executive member of the association, Mr Clement Alosebuno Kaba, who made the appeal, said the sector ministry had imported a large number of power tillers into the country, but had kept them in Accra, instead of taking measures to make them available to all rice growers across the country.
Mr Kaba made the appeal at a seminar in Kumasi, which coincided with the election of a seven-member executive to steer the affairs of the association.
The executive was elected unopposed.
Nana Appiah Kubi, from Nnobewan in the Ejisu-Juaben District was elected Chairman, with Mr Kwaku Kyei, from Attia, also in the Ejisu-Juaben District as his vice.
The position of second vice-chairman went to Mrs Cecilia Anaba, from Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya District, with Mr Kingsley Sarkodie, from Besease in the Ejisu-Juaben District, being elected as the secretary.
Mr Adu Tawia from Adugyama in the Ahafo Ano District was elected the Assistant Secretary, while the position of Trustee and Second Trustee went to Mr Wilson Gamor, from New Koforidua in the Ejisu-Juaben District and Mrs Asibi Apoegi respectively.
Mr Kaba congratulated the executive members and urged them to collaborate with their colleagues from the other regions on the need to negotiate with the MoFA to make power tillers more accessible to rice farmers.
He said it was equally important for district assemblies throughout the country to support rice farmers in the production of rice by linking up with the MoFA on how power tillers could be bought or credited to members of the association to encourage them to work harder to increase production.
Mr Kaba said with the active support of the MoFA and the district assemblies, rice farmers could also take advantage of the global demand for rice and produce in large quantities to meet consumers' demand both locally and internationally.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected Chairman, Nana Appiah Kubi, commended members of the association for electing the executive, and assured the gathering that they would not abuse the confidence reposed in them.
He also assured them that the executive would play an advocacy role as a way of straightening all the rough edges militating against production of rice in large quantities in the country.
An executive member of the association, Mr Clement Alosebuno Kaba, who made the appeal, said the sector ministry had imported a large number of power tillers into the country, but had kept them in Accra, instead of taking measures to make them available to all rice growers across the country.
Mr Kaba made the appeal at a seminar in Kumasi, which coincided with the election of a seven-member executive to steer the affairs of the association.
The executive was elected unopposed.
Nana Appiah Kubi, from Nnobewan in the Ejisu-Juaben District was elected Chairman, with Mr Kwaku Kyei, from Attia, also in the Ejisu-Juaben District as his vice.
The position of second vice-chairman went to Mrs Cecilia Anaba, from Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya District, with Mr Kingsley Sarkodie, from Besease in the Ejisu-Juaben District, being elected as the secretary.
Mr Adu Tawia from Adugyama in the Ahafo Ano District was elected the Assistant Secretary, while the position of Trustee and Second Trustee went to Mr Wilson Gamor, from New Koforidua in the Ejisu-Juaben District and Mrs Asibi Apoegi respectively.
Mr Kaba congratulated the executive members and urged them to collaborate with their colleagues from the other regions on the need to negotiate with the MoFA to make power tillers more accessible to rice farmers.
He said it was equally important for district assemblies throughout the country to support rice farmers in the production of rice by linking up with the MoFA on how power tillers could be bought or credited to members of the association to encourage them to work harder to increase production.
Mr Kaba said with the active support of the MoFA and the district assemblies, rice farmers could also take advantage of the global demand for rice and produce in large quantities to meet consumers' demand both locally and internationally.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected Chairman, Nana Appiah Kubi, commended members of the association for electing the executive, and assured the gathering that they would not abuse the confidence reposed in them.
He also assured them that the executive would play an advocacy role as a way of straightening all the rough edges militating against production of rice in large quantities in the country.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
OTUMFUO CALLS FOR STUDENT EXCHANGE PLAN (SPREAD)
THE Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has advocated the establishment of a student exchange programme in the field of tourism development between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago.
He said with the experience of Trinidad and Tobago in the tourism industry over the years, Ghana stood to gain tremendously if such a programme was pursued.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that such exchanges would not only establish a bond of friendship and cordial relations between the two countries but also enable the beneficiary students to learn about the cultural values, traditions and customs of both countries for their mutual benefit.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the remarks at a grand durbar organised at the Manhyia Palace yesterday in honour of the visiting President of Trinidad and Tobago, Prof George Maxwell Richards, and his wife, Mrs Richards.
The couple, who arrived in Ghana last Sunday, are on a four-day state visit to the country.
The durbar, which was attended by some paramount chiefs and queens, as well as some members of the Ghana Bar Association and the Bench in the Ashanti Region, saw Otumfuo Osei Tutu and his guest exchanging gifts as a way of establishing a bond of cordial relations between the Asanteman Council and the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Prior to the visit to the Manhyia Palace, President Richards, who is a professor of Engineering, had visited the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he interacted with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor K.K. Adarkwa, and also explored the Faculty of Engineering to see at firsthand the impact the university was making on the sustainable development of the country.
The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mrs Oboshie Sai Coffie; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, ushered the visiting President and his wife, as well as members of his entourage, into the Manhyia Place at 11:57 a.m. to pave way for them to witness the rich cultural values and traditions of the Asante Kingdom.
Among the chiefs who graced the occasion were the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Sereboe, who spoke on behalf of the Asantehene; the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia; the Paramount Chief of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabuo; the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah; the Apiaduhene, Odeefuo Owusu Amoaye; the Abrankese Nyameanihene, Nana Owusu Panin Adusei, his Queen, Nana Akosua Nyantakyiwaa, and the Queen of Adanse, Nana Kwantwiwaa Apoma II.
Traditional drumming and dancing, as well as the rich culture of Asanteman, were in full display.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also urged his guest to co-ordinate with his Ghanaian counterpart to establish a Ghana Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago as a way of enhancing the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He said it was equally important for Trinidad and Tobago to advise Ghana on how to develop its oil industry to sustain the country's socio-economic development.
In his remarks, President Richards commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu in particular and the Asante Kingdom in general for maintaining the dignity of the kingdom over the years.
"Every schoolchild in my country knows about the Asante Kingdom and its glorious past, especially the battle against the British which maintained the dignity and courage of the kingdom," he noted, adding, "Your fame has spread far and wide and I am happy to see such a rich culture at firsthand," he added.
President Richards commended Otumfuo for his contributions to health, industry and education and urged him to sustain it to accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana.
He said with the experience of Trinidad and Tobago in the tourism industry over the years, Ghana stood to gain tremendously if such a programme was pursued.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that such exchanges would not only establish a bond of friendship and cordial relations between the two countries but also enable the beneficiary students to learn about the cultural values, traditions and customs of both countries for their mutual benefit.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the remarks at a grand durbar organised at the Manhyia Palace yesterday in honour of the visiting President of Trinidad and Tobago, Prof George Maxwell Richards, and his wife, Mrs Richards.
The couple, who arrived in Ghana last Sunday, are on a four-day state visit to the country.
The durbar, which was attended by some paramount chiefs and queens, as well as some members of the Ghana Bar Association and the Bench in the Ashanti Region, saw Otumfuo Osei Tutu and his guest exchanging gifts as a way of establishing a bond of cordial relations between the Asanteman Council and the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Prior to the visit to the Manhyia Palace, President Richards, who is a professor of Engineering, had visited the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he interacted with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor K.K. Adarkwa, and also explored the Faculty of Engineering to see at firsthand the impact the university was making on the sustainable development of the country.
The Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mrs Oboshie Sai Coffie; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, ushered the visiting President and his wife, as well as members of his entourage, into the Manhyia Place at 11:57 a.m. to pave way for them to witness the rich cultural values and traditions of the Asante Kingdom.
Among the chiefs who graced the occasion were the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Sereboe, who spoke on behalf of the Asantehene; the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia; the Paramount Chief of the Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Fosu Gyeabuo; the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah; the Apiaduhene, Odeefuo Owusu Amoaye; the Abrankese Nyameanihene, Nana Owusu Panin Adusei, his Queen, Nana Akosua Nyantakyiwaa, and the Queen of Adanse, Nana Kwantwiwaa Apoma II.
Traditional drumming and dancing, as well as the rich culture of Asanteman, were in full display.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also urged his guest to co-ordinate with his Ghanaian counterpart to establish a Ghana Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago as a way of enhancing the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He said it was equally important for Trinidad and Tobago to advise Ghana on how to develop its oil industry to sustain the country's socio-economic development.
In his remarks, President Richards commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu in particular and the Asante Kingdom in general for maintaining the dignity of the kingdom over the years.
"Every schoolchild in my country knows about the Asante Kingdom and its glorious past, especially the battle against the British which maintained the dignity and courage of the kingdom," he noted, adding, "Your fame has spread far and wide and I am happy to see such a rich culture at firsthand," he added.
President Richards commended Otumfuo for his contributions to health, industry and education and urged him to sustain it to accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana.
KATH ACCIDENT CENTRE TO BE INAUGURATED ON SATURDAY (PAGE 29)
President John Agyekum Kufuor will on Saturday inaugurate the newly constructed modern National Accident Emergency Centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The new facility has been designed to provide quality service delivery to accident victims in the northern sector of the country.
The project, which was estimated at 74.5 million euros includes modern medical equipment at the centre, a new pathology centre with a modern histopathology laboratory and a morgue with cubicles with the capacity to take 208 bodies. The project also involved a comprehensive renovation, expansion and equipping of the specialist Out- Patients Department.
The project was funded by the government and designed to have all the clinical areas on the ground and first floors, with the administration, central command and education facilities on the second floor.
The first floor also has wards with 66 beds made up of 22 beds each for males, females and children as well as an eight-bed intensive care unit with an isolation unit, which has three single beds.
In addition, the project also has a Burns Unit with three single beds, operating theatres, Sterile Supply Department, renal dialysis, as well as two bed spaces equipped with mobile dialysis equipment.
This brings the total of beds on that floor to 80, with 24 observation beds on the ground floor, bringing the total number of beds to 104.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, told the Daily Graphic that the facility, which is modern and the first of its kind in the country, represented "the President's gesture to enhance the provision of quality healthcare delivery to accident victims in the northern sector of the country".
He said other facilities such as radiography, pharmacy, laboratories, blood bank and a dental unit, a mortuary for overnight storage, central stores and materials management had been provided to enable the new centre to meet all the needs of its clients.
He also said the central housekeeping, central staff changing area, as well as administration areas, education facilities, which include a command centre for the overall operational control and co-ordination of emergencies, as well as other facilities had been provided to enhance efficient services delivery.
Dr Nsiah Asare said a separate national disaster area had also been provided in a large space for emergency services.
"Although there are separate clinical departments within this building, it is primarily a major accident and emergency centre, which will require close working relations across the traditional clinical barriers.
This co-operation will be a very important issue in a major emergency. In this building, there are many small specialist departments such as a three-bed Burns Unit, a three-bed isolation unit as well as an eight-bed intensive care unit with staff facilities, administration centre, reception, teaching, seminar and meeting facilities located for convenient shared use across those departments," he noted.
He said working practices might be reviewed "to fully integrate the separate clinical departments into a fully co-ordinated accident and emergency centre".
To enhance the culture of maintenance to make the centre sustain its services, Dr Nsiah Asare said: "Engineering and equipment maintenance services will be provided by the main contractor under a five-year maintenance agreement signed as part of the contract.
“Efforts will also be made to facilitate technology transfer to in-house technical staff to continue with the planned preventive maintenance of the centre and equipment after the five years”, Dr Nsiah Asare added.
He noted further that resources would be made available for the training and re-training of staff to build their capacity in a more effective and efficient way to enable them to stay on top of their jobs.
"We will also have to intensify our fund-raising activities under the hospital's Endowment Fund to mobilise the needed resources to renovate the old hospital blocks which must be given the needed facelift to blend with the new projects springing up around the hospital", he assured.
The new facility has been designed to provide quality service delivery to accident victims in the northern sector of the country.
The project, which was estimated at 74.5 million euros includes modern medical equipment at the centre, a new pathology centre with a modern histopathology laboratory and a morgue with cubicles with the capacity to take 208 bodies. The project also involved a comprehensive renovation, expansion and equipping of the specialist Out- Patients Department.
The project was funded by the government and designed to have all the clinical areas on the ground and first floors, with the administration, central command and education facilities on the second floor.
The first floor also has wards with 66 beds made up of 22 beds each for males, females and children as well as an eight-bed intensive care unit with an isolation unit, which has three single beds.
In addition, the project also has a Burns Unit with three single beds, operating theatres, Sterile Supply Department, renal dialysis, as well as two bed spaces equipped with mobile dialysis equipment.
This brings the total of beds on that floor to 80, with 24 observation beds on the ground floor, bringing the total number of beds to 104.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, told the Daily Graphic that the facility, which is modern and the first of its kind in the country, represented "the President's gesture to enhance the provision of quality healthcare delivery to accident victims in the northern sector of the country".
He said other facilities such as radiography, pharmacy, laboratories, blood bank and a dental unit, a mortuary for overnight storage, central stores and materials management had been provided to enable the new centre to meet all the needs of its clients.
He also said the central housekeeping, central staff changing area, as well as administration areas, education facilities, which include a command centre for the overall operational control and co-ordination of emergencies, as well as other facilities had been provided to enhance efficient services delivery.
Dr Nsiah Asare said a separate national disaster area had also been provided in a large space for emergency services.
"Although there are separate clinical departments within this building, it is primarily a major accident and emergency centre, which will require close working relations across the traditional clinical barriers.
This co-operation will be a very important issue in a major emergency. In this building, there are many small specialist departments such as a three-bed Burns Unit, a three-bed isolation unit as well as an eight-bed intensive care unit with staff facilities, administration centre, reception, teaching, seminar and meeting facilities located for convenient shared use across those departments," he noted.
He said working practices might be reviewed "to fully integrate the separate clinical departments into a fully co-ordinated accident and emergency centre".
To enhance the culture of maintenance to make the centre sustain its services, Dr Nsiah Asare said: "Engineering and equipment maintenance services will be provided by the main contractor under a five-year maintenance agreement signed as part of the contract.
“Efforts will also be made to facilitate technology transfer to in-house technical staff to continue with the planned preventive maintenance of the centre and equipment after the five years”, Dr Nsiah Asare added.
He noted further that resources would be made available for the training and re-training of staff to build their capacity in a more effective and efficient way to enable them to stay on top of their jobs.
"We will also have to intensify our fund-raising activities under the hospital's Endowment Fund to mobilise the needed resources to renovate the old hospital blocks which must be given the needed facelift to blend with the new projects springing up around the hospital", he assured.
BE BOLD TO GO TO COURT (PAGE 29)
Some private and commercial drivers in Kumasi are complaining about the reluctance of some fuel station managers to bring down the prices of petroleum products as announced by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The NPA announced a reduction in fuel prices of between eight and 13 per cent.
In view of this, the Manager of the Asafo Goil Fuel Station in Kumasi, Mr George Ayisi Boateng, has challenged private and commercial drivers operating in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs to be courageous and initiate legal action against managers of fuel stations who sell their products above the stipulated prices.
He said while managers of fuel filling and service stations in the Kumasi metropolis were quick to adjust prices moments after the regulatory board announced increases in fuel prices to maximise profit, they were always reluctant to reduce prices anytime price reduction was announced.
Mr Boateng was reacting to concerns raised by some drivers about the reluctance of some fuel station managers to reduce the fuel prices.
He told the Daily Graphic that unlike some products whose prices were dictated by market forces, fuel prices were always controlled.
On Saturday, November 1, 2008 the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a reduction in fuel prices of between eight and 13 per cent.
According to the NPA , the prices of premium fuel was to go down from GH¢1.18p to GH¢1.06 per litre, representing a decrease of 10.02 per cent, and kerosene from Gh¢1.13p per litre to GH¢1.02 a percentage of 10.13.
Gas oil was also reduced by 8.46 per cent from GH¢1.20p per litre to GH¢1.09 per litre and premix went down from approximately GH73.5p per litre to GH66.1p per litre, a decrease of 10.02 per cent.
While a few managers in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs responded quickly to the new directives and adjusted their prices to satisfy the needs of their consumers, others refused to do so. They claim that their technicians had not adjusted their pumps to enable them to charge the new prices.
Mr Ayisi Boateng expressed concern about the refusal of the fuel managers to adjust their prices and continued to charge the old prices.
" As soon as prices were adjusted upwards, you see their attendants using calculators to adjust their prices at a time the so called technicians had not adjusted their pumps, but I wonder why they cannot do the same thing when prices are reduced , " he noted.
Mr Ayisi Boateng attributed the attitudes of those managers who were reluctant to reduce their prices to the fact that the consuming public had always ignored their penchant for profit maximisation, stressing " it was time the public brought the recalcitrant managers to order by initiating court action against them.
He said the Ghanaian concept of always accepting things without questioning had been the contributory factor of entrenching corruption in the country .
"The time has come for individuals to speak against those who take undue advantage of others to make money" he stated, adding " while the public is eager to speak against perceived corruption against some government officials, they are reluctant to do so against individuals who indulge in massive corruption at the expense of the state".
In view of this, the Manager of the Asafo Goil Fuel Station in Kumasi, Mr George Ayisi Boateng, has challenged private and commercial drivers operating in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs to be courageous and initiate legal action against managers of fuel stations who sell their products above the stipulated prices.
He said while managers of fuel filling and service stations in the Kumasi metropolis were quick to adjust prices moments after the regulatory board announced increases in fuel prices to maximise profit, they were always reluctant to reduce prices anytime price reduction was announced.
Mr Boateng was reacting to concerns raised by some drivers about the reluctance of some fuel station managers to reduce the fuel prices.
He told the Daily Graphic that unlike some products whose prices were dictated by market forces, fuel prices were always controlled.
On Saturday, November 1, 2008 the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a reduction in fuel prices of between eight and 13 per cent.
According to the NPA , the prices of premium fuel was to go down from GH¢1.18p to GH¢1.06 per litre, representing a decrease of 10.02 per cent, and kerosene from Gh¢1.13p per litre to GH¢1.02 a percentage of 10.13.
Gas oil was also reduced by 8.46 per cent from GH¢1.20p per litre to GH¢1.09 per litre and premix went down from approximately GH73.5p per litre to GH66.1p per litre, a decrease of 10.02 per cent.
While a few managers in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs responded quickly to the new directives and adjusted their prices to satisfy the needs of their consumers, others refused to do so. They claim that their technicians had not adjusted their pumps to enable them to charge the new prices.
Mr Ayisi Boateng expressed concern about the refusal of the fuel managers to adjust their prices and continued to charge the old prices.
" As soon as prices were adjusted upwards, you see their attendants using calculators to adjust their prices at a time the so called technicians had not adjusted their pumps, but I wonder why they cannot do the same thing when prices are reduced , " he noted.
Mr Ayisi Boateng attributed the attitudes of those managers who were reluctant to reduce their prices to the fact that the consuming public had always ignored their penchant for profit maximisation, stressing " it was time the public brought the recalcitrant managers to order by initiating court action against them.
He said the Ghanaian concept of always accepting things without questioning had been the contributory factor of entrenching corruption in the country .
"The time has come for individuals to speak against those who take undue advantage of others to make money" he stated, adding " while the public is eager to speak against perceived corruption against some government officials, they are reluctant to do so against individuals who indulge in massive corruption at the expense of the state".
Monday, November 3, 2008
REMOVE THIS TRUCK IMMEDIATELY (PAGE 18)
A Mercedes Benz cargo truck with a questionable registration number broke down on the Asuoyeboah- Kwadaso highway last Sunday.
The truck with registration number 4523 R which was fully loaded is right in the middle of the road, posing great danger to the travelling public.
While the driver found it convenient to offload the goods in the truck to prevent them from getting bad, he refused to push the truck, which is now empty, to a safer place.
The driver has also refused to mount any signal to warn Sunyani-bound vehicles from Kumasi of the danger ahead, and against road safety regulations,and has fixed a warning triangle right at the back of the truck.
Ironically, authorities from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) who are quick to tow vehicles that they deem to have been parked at wrong places and charge towing fees in addition to fines for committing road safety regulations, have looked on unconcerned as this truck has remained in the middle of the road for four consecutive days.
The Police have also ignored the danger that this truck poses to the travelling public, as well as the inconvenience it is causing commuters and motorists with regard to unnecessary traffic congestion.
Perhaps both the KMA and the Police are eagerly waiting for a fatal accident to occur at the scene before they rush, as usual, to tow the truck from Asuoyeboah, which is on the busy Kumasi- Sunyani road, as has been the practice.
The truck with registration number 4523 R which was fully loaded is right in the middle of the road, posing great danger to the travelling public.
While the driver found it convenient to offload the goods in the truck to prevent them from getting bad, he refused to push the truck, which is now empty, to a safer place.
The driver has also refused to mount any signal to warn Sunyani-bound vehicles from Kumasi of the danger ahead, and against road safety regulations,and has fixed a warning triangle right at the back of the truck.
Ironically, authorities from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) who are quick to tow vehicles that they deem to have been parked at wrong places and charge towing fees in addition to fines for committing road safety regulations, have looked on unconcerned as this truck has remained in the middle of the road for four consecutive days.
The Police have also ignored the danger that this truck poses to the travelling public, as well as the inconvenience it is causing commuters and motorists with regard to unnecessary traffic congestion.
Perhaps both the KMA and the Police are eagerly waiting for a fatal accident to occur at the scene before they rush, as usual, to tow the truck from Asuoyeboah, which is on the busy Kumasi- Sunyani road, as has been the practice.
ATWIMA KWANWOMA RURAL BANK MARKS SILVER JUBILEE (PAGE 23)
THE Board of Directors, Management, staff and shareholders of Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank at the weekend celebrated its silver jubilee. It used the occasion to donate a well-furnished library to the Pakyi community and its environs.
The gesture of the bank was to inculcate the culture of reading among the youth in its catchment area as a way of making them well-accomplished students ready to support sustainable socio-economic development of the area in future.
The estimated GH¢13,500 42-seating-capacity library, stocked with varieties of books, was inaugurated last Saturday to coincide with the 25th anniversary celebration of the bank.
Apart from the library, the bank also donated GH¢2,000 each to the Kumasi South Hospital, Old Tafo Government Hospital also in Kumasi, and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital at Dominase.
According to the management of the bank, the donation to the various health institutions was to support the beneficiaries with their expansion programmes to enhance the delivery of quality health care to the public.
Earlier on October 18, 2008, the bank donated GH¢2,000 to support the Otumfuo Educational Fund, which was established principally to support brilliant, needy students.
At the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Rev Paul Frimpong Manso, noted that the commitment of the bank reflected in the overall growth of its major financial indicators.
He said while the bank’s total assets grew from GH¢15,059,799.32 in 2006 to GH¢19,704,524.90 last year, the total deposits also increased from GH¢11,969,771.75 to GH¢15,275,636.35 during the same period.
Rev Frimpong Manso said the bank’s profit increased by 34.7 per cent, explaining that in 2006, the profit was pegged at GH¢627,751,65, but it shot up to GH¢845,681.85 last year.
The board chairman said as part of the efforts of improving efficiency and quality delivery services to its cherished customers, the bank had networked all its branches.
"The aim of the bank is to maximise profit by mobilising savings and granting loans, but we have not lost sight of applying the end results to community development and improving the lives of the rural folks," he noted.
For his part, the Chief Executive of the bank, Mr Godfried Odame Asare, said communities like Kantinkyeren, Dominase, Konkori, Konkomase, Moshe Zongo, Adompon, Tafo Nhyiaso and Santasi had been regularly supported with development projects such as potable water, educational infrastructure, health facilities, electricity and improved sanitation.
He said small and medium enterprises could also have access to capital from the bank through their “Susu” scheme as a way of helping them improve upon their businesses or initiate new ones.
The gesture of the bank was to inculcate the culture of reading among the youth in its catchment area as a way of making them well-accomplished students ready to support sustainable socio-economic development of the area in future.
The estimated GH¢13,500 42-seating-capacity library, stocked with varieties of books, was inaugurated last Saturday to coincide with the 25th anniversary celebration of the bank.
Apart from the library, the bank also donated GH¢2,000 each to the Kumasi South Hospital, Old Tafo Government Hospital also in Kumasi, and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital at Dominase.
According to the management of the bank, the donation to the various health institutions was to support the beneficiaries with their expansion programmes to enhance the delivery of quality health care to the public.
Earlier on October 18, 2008, the bank donated GH¢2,000 to support the Otumfuo Educational Fund, which was established principally to support brilliant, needy students.
At the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Rev Paul Frimpong Manso, noted that the commitment of the bank reflected in the overall growth of its major financial indicators.
He said while the bank’s total assets grew from GH¢15,059,799.32 in 2006 to GH¢19,704,524.90 last year, the total deposits also increased from GH¢11,969,771.75 to GH¢15,275,636.35 during the same period.
Rev Frimpong Manso said the bank’s profit increased by 34.7 per cent, explaining that in 2006, the profit was pegged at GH¢627,751,65, but it shot up to GH¢845,681.85 last year.
The board chairman said as part of the efforts of improving efficiency and quality delivery services to its cherished customers, the bank had networked all its branches.
"The aim of the bank is to maximise profit by mobilising savings and granting loans, but we have not lost sight of applying the end results to community development and improving the lives of the rural folks," he noted.
For his part, the Chief Executive of the bank, Mr Godfried Odame Asare, said communities like Kantinkyeren, Dominase, Konkori, Konkomase, Moshe Zongo, Adompon, Tafo Nhyiaso and Santasi had been regularly supported with development projects such as potable water, educational infrastructure, health facilities, electricity and improved sanitation.
He said small and medium enterprises could also have access to capital from the bank through their “Susu” scheme as a way of helping them improve upon their businesses or initiate new ones.
Friday, October 31, 2008
BE CIRCUMSPECT IN REPORTAGE — BOADU AYEBOAFOH (PAGE 31)
Reporters of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) have been advised to be circumspect in their reportage to avoid creating tension in the run-up to the December 7 general election.
Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Newspapers, of the GCGL, who gave the advice, said it was important for reporters to exhibit the highest form of professionalism and ethical values in their reportage as a way of maintaining the image of the company.
The General Manger was speaking at a seminar organised for reporters in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions to sensitise them to the essence of good reportage and the need to be more professional, especially in the coverage of the December general election, and also respect ethical values to make them more productive to the company and the reading public.
"You must behave professionally and ethically at all times. This is because we have come a long way from where some people did not want to read the Daily Graphic to a situation where we are now recognised as the most credible newspaper in the country. This is a credit to us, and that is what we must maintain.
"We should, however, not dwell in our past glory, but strive to make history as the most credible and widely circulated newspaper in the country, and I hope none of you would give us cause to regret by forcing us to retract any story just because it did not give the true picture of what really happened," he stressed.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh pointed out that it was important for reporters to balance their stories, avoid misrepresentation of information and be fair in their reportage to avoid creating tension among the various political parties and their supporters.
"Always exercise discretion that would redeem the integrity and image of the company and avoid any form of reportage that would create tension. This is because there seems to be too much tension in the country and we should not do anything that would add to it. You should be circumspect about your reportage to avoid creating any enmity among the candidates and their supporters," he stressed.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also warned that any reporter who would bring the name of the company into disrepute would be sanctioned.
For his part, the Political Editor of Daily Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah, advised the reporters to eschew all forms of biases in their work and be committed to their profession.
He urged them to avoid adding their personal sentiments to their stories, stressing that reporters should not be judgemental when they cover events.
"You should present the story as you see it and leave the public to judge," he advised.
Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Newspapers, of the GCGL, who gave the advice, said it was important for reporters to exhibit the highest form of professionalism and ethical values in their reportage as a way of maintaining the image of the company.
The General Manger was speaking at a seminar organised for reporters in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions to sensitise them to the essence of good reportage and the need to be more professional, especially in the coverage of the December general election, and also respect ethical values to make them more productive to the company and the reading public.
"You must behave professionally and ethically at all times. This is because we have come a long way from where some people did not want to read the Daily Graphic to a situation where we are now recognised as the most credible newspaper in the country. This is a credit to us, and that is what we must maintain.
"We should, however, not dwell in our past glory, but strive to make history as the most credible and widely circulated newspaper in the country, and I hope none of you would give us cause to regret by forcing us to retract any story just because it did not give the true picture of what really happened," he stressed.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh pointed out that it was important for reporters to balance their stories, avoid misrepresentation of information and be fair in their reportage to avoid creating tension among the various political parties and their supporters.
"Always exercise discretion that would redeem the integrity and image of the company and avoid any form of reportage that would create tension. This is because there seems to be too much tension in the country and we should not do anything that would add to it. You should be circumspect about your reportage to avoid creating any enmity among the candidates and their supporters," he stressed.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also warned that any reporter who would bring the name of the company into disrepute would be sanctioned.
For his part, the Political Editor of Daily Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah, advised the reporters to eschew all forms of biases in their work and be committed to their profession.
He urged them to avoid adding their personal sentiments to their stories, stressing that reporters should not be judgemental when they cover events.
"You should present the story as you see it and leave the public to judge," he advised.
SUSPECTED CAR THIEF ARRESTED (PAGE 40)
THE Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man believed to be a member of luxury cars stealing syndicate in the Kumasi metropolis.
The police has so far retrieved nine luxury cars, including a ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz saloon, a Rover saloon and a 4 X4 Jeep from the suspect, Kwabena Takyi, alias Boama, alias Master Pee, after he was arrested.
According to the police, the suspect, a native of Nkwatia Kwahu in the Eastern Region, confessed of his involvement in the snatching of luxury cars and had mentioned some of his accomplices.
The ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car, with registration number AS 1725 Z, had bloodstains at the passenger seat after the police had retrieved it, indicating that the owner might have sustained some injuries before his attackers succeeded in snatching the vehicle from him.
The suspect and his accomplices also changed the original colours of the Benz car from blue-black to light brown and were also in the process of changing the colour of the Jeep from black to a different colour when he was arrested.
Other vehicles that were retrieved by the police included three KIA saloon cars with registration numbers GW 9595 W, GT4600 Q and AS 2304 Z, as well as an Opel Astra saloon car with registration number GR 270 U.
Also retrieved by the police from the suspect, who claims to reside at Bohyen, a Kumasi suburb, was a 4X4 Honda with registration number GR 4706 Z.
According to the police, the suspect always replaced the original number plates of the stolen vehicles with those of motorbikes before changing their colours to prevent detection.
Briefing the media about the arrest, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, said reports of car snatching, especially luxury ones, in the Kumasi metropolis had been on the ascendancy in recent times.
He said when the criminal activities of the suspect and his accomplices came to the notice of the police, they mounted a search for their arrest, and with the support of the public, they were able to apprehend Takyi at his hideout to assist in investigations.
Mr Opare Addo gave the assurance that the police would continue to hunt for the other members of the syndicate for them to face the full rigours of the law.
In another development, the police command has arrested 14 suspected robbers most of whom are teenagers.
They included five females, who have specialised in robbing passengers of their mobile phones, monies and other valuables at gunpoint and knifepoint.
The suspects, who operated between Santasi, Ahodwo, Adeammra, Suame Magazine and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Campus, were arrested after one of their victims gave the registration number of the taxi used for their operation to the police.
About seven of the suspected robbers reside at Ohwim, near Barekese in the Atwima Nwabiagya District.
They were identified as Kwabena Osei, John Asante, Afua Cheche, Yaw Owusu alias Joe, Gladys Tweneboah alias Adwoa T, Patrick Yeboah and Kwame Anokye.
The others were Kwabena Nkatia alias Mishell, Eric Dwamena alias Gaby, Yaw Adjei alias Wotoasa, Yaw Nkansa alias Paa Yaw, Naomi Asante, Patrick Nimo and Akosua Foriwaa who claimed to be a radio presenter.
The police has so far retrieved nine luxury cars, including a ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz saloon, a Rover saloon and a 4 X4 Jeep from the suspect, Kwabena Takyi, alias Boama, alias Master Pee, after he was arrested.
According to the police, the suspect, a native of Nkwatia Kwahu in the Eastern Region, confessed of his involvement in the snatching of luxury cars and had mentioned some of his accomplices.
The ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car, with registration number AS 1725 Z, had bloodstains at the passenger seat after the police had retrieved it, indicating that the owner might have sustained some injuries before his attackers succeeded in snatching the vehicle from him.
The suspect and his accomplices also changed the original colours of the Benz car from blue-black to light brown and were also in the process of changing the colour of the Jeep from black to a different colour when he was arrested.
Other vehicles that were retrieved by the police included three KIA saloon cars with registration numbers GW 9595 W, GT4600 Q and AS 2304 Z, as well as an Opel Astra saloon car with registration number GR 270 U.
Also retrieved by the police from the suspect, who claims to reside at Bohyen, a Kumasi suburb, was a 4X4 Honda with registration number GR 4706 Z.
According to the police, the suspect always replaced the original number plates of the stolen vehicles with those of motorbikes before changing their colours to prevent detection.
Briefing the media about the arrest, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, said reports of car snatching, especially luxury ones, in the Kumasi metropolis had been on the ascendancy in recent times.
He said when the criminal activities of the suspect and his accomplices came to the notice of the police, they mounted a search for their arrest, and with the support of the public, they were able to apprehend Takyi at his hideout to assist in investigations.
Mr Opare Addo gave the assurance that the police would continue to hunt for the other members of the syndicate for them to face the full rigours of the law.
In another development, the police command has arrested 14 suspected robbers most of whom are teenagers.
They included five females, who have specialised in robbing passengers of their mobile phones, monies and other valuables at gunpoint and knifepoint.
The suspects, who operated between Santasi, Ahodwo, Adeammra, Suame Magazine and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Campus, were arrested after one of their victims gave the registration number of the taxi used for their operation to the police.
About seven of the suspected robbers reside at Ohwim, near Barekese in the Atwima Nwabiagya District.
They were identified as Kwabena Osei, John Asante, Afua Cheche, Yaw Owusu alias Joe, Gladys Tweneboah alias Adwoa T, Patrick Yeboah and Kwame Anokye.
The others were Kwabena Nkatia alias Mishell, Eric Dwamena alias Gaby, Yaw Adjei alias Wotoasa, Yaw Nkansa alias Paa Yaw, Naomi Asante, Patrick Nimo and Akosua Foriwaa who claimed to be a radio presenter.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NDC PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE JAILED ...For engaging in double registration (PAGE 3)
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Kwabre West in the Ashanti Region, Mr Pius Opoku Boateng, has been jailed 12 months in hard labour for engaging in double registration.
Mr Boateng pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of undertaking double registration when he appeared before the circuit court at Offinso yesterday.
He told the court that he lost his voter’s identity card and, therefore, decided to register again at his new residence in the Kwabre West Constituency where he was also contesting the parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC.
According to the court, Mr Boateng registered first at the Nkuakua-buoho Polling Station in Kwabre West and again at the Patasi Chief’s Palace Polling Station in Afigya Sekyere West.
He, however, maintained the same name and pictures but used different ages to register. While he gave his age as 55 at the Nkuakua-buoho Polling Station, he registered at the Patasi Chief’s Palace Polling Station with 54.
The police arrested the convict on Monday after the District Electoral Commission had detected the anomaly and lodged a complaint with the police.
During police investigations, it came out that the convict’s name had appeared twice in the voters register in two different constituencies.
The District Electoral Officer, Mr Emmanuel Addai, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the conviction, said he had received complaints a few days ago that Boateng had registered at two different polling stations.
He said he decided to investigate, and in the course of the investigations found out that the convict had registered in two different constituencies.
He said he also detected that the convict had gone to check his name during the last voters register exhibition exercise and had also taken pains to make all the necessary corrections to enable him to participate in the December elections.
Mr Addai said based on the outcome of his investigations, he reported the incident to the police, who effected Boateng’s arrest.
Mr Boateng pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of undertaking double registration when he appeared before the circuit court at Offinso yesterday.
He told the court that he lost his voter’s identity card and, therefore, decided to register again at his new residence in the Kwabre West Constituency where he was also contesting the parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC.
According to the court, Mr Boateng registered first at the Nkuakua-buoho Polling Station in Kwabre West and again at the Patasi Chief’s Palace Polling Station in Afigya Sekyere West.
He, however, maintained the same name and pictures but used different ages to register. While he gave his age as 55 at the Nkuakua-buoho Polling Station, he registered at the Patasi Chief’s Palace Polling Station with 54.
The police arrested the convict on Monday after the District Electoral Commission had detected the anomaly and lodged a complaint with the police.
During police investigations, it came out that the convict’s name had appeared twice in the voters register in two different constituencies.
The District Electoral Officer, Mr Emmanuel Addai, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the conviction, said he had received complaints a few days ago that Boateng had registered at two different polling stations.
He said he decided to investigate, and in the course of the investigations found out that the convict had registered in two different constituencies.
He said he also detected that the convict had gone to check his name during the last voters register exhibition exercise and had also taken pains to make all the necessary corrections to enable him to participate in the December elections.
Mr Addai said based on the outcome of his investigations, he reported the incident to the police, who effected Boateng’s arrest.
ATTENDANTS HELP ARREST SUSPECTED CRIMINAL (PAGE 29)
The vigilance of fuel pump attendants at the Asafo Goil Station, led to the arrest of a suspected criminal early on Sunday, October 26, 2008, but his accomplice, who was later identified as Tupac, managed to escape.
The suspect who speaks Twi fluently gave his name as Kwame Yeboah, but later confessed that his real name was Sawana.
Moments after his arrest he was handed over to the police to assist in their investigations but his accomplice who had blood stains on his body and shirt, however, sped off on an unlicensed motorbike he had brought to the fuel station to buy fuel.
This was moments after the attendants had asked him why he had blood stains on parts of his body and shirt.
The suspect, Sawana, who started perspiring profusely as soon as the police arrived at the scene, took them to a shanty area at the Asafo railway line where fish is smoked in large quantities to trace his accomplice.
When the police arrived at the area, which is the property of the Ghana Railway Authority, they found dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a pair of scissors and hard liquor.
Earlier, in an interview, the suspect, who denied being a criminal, said Tupac had the bloodstains after he was involved in a robbery early on Sunday, but could not disclose where the robbery took place.
He explained that the blood stains were the result of an injury Tupac sustained on the knee and ankle in the course of the robbery, but denied that he (Sawana) was involved.
The suspect, who claimed to be a butcher at the Kumasi Central Market, said he visited the accomplice in the morning of Sunday at a time he (Tupac) was on his way to buy fuel, so he accompanied him, only to be apprehended by the fuel attendants.
Sawana also explained that Tupac, together with one Nkawkaw, also on the run, had stolen the motorbike and used it for their criminal activities and gave the assurance that he would assist the police to arrest them to enable him gain his freedom.
When asked why they were squatters on the premises of the railway company, Sawana said he resided at Atonsu but Tupac and Nkawkaw who had made the area their permanent abode and attack their victims there.
A businessman who witnessed the scene, expressed concern that the Ghana Railway Authority had allowed criminals to use their property as their launching pad to attack innocent residents.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said as a responsible company, Ghana Railway Authority had the responsibility to prevent squatters from using its premises and, therefore, called on the management to initiate policies that would clear the area of criminals.
He also called on the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to liaise with the police to weed out criminals from certain spots in the metropolis.
The businessman said areas such as the Asafo Neoplan Station, Railway Line, Subin Valley, Bantama Race Course and Abinkyi should be regularly patrolled to prevent criminals from converging there and using them as their bases to attack residents in the metropolis.
The suspect who speaks Twi fluently gave his name as Kwame Yeboah, but later confessed that his real name was Sawana.
Moments after his arrest he was handed over to the police to assist in their investigations but his accomplice who had blood stains on his body and shirt, however, sped off on an unlicensed motorbike he had brought to the fuel station to buy fuel.
This was moments after the attendants had asked him why he had blood stains on parts of his body and shirt.
The suspect, Sawana, who started perspiring profusely as soon as the police arrived at the scene, took them to a shanty area at the Asafo railway line where fish is smoked in large quantities to trace his accomplice.
When the police arrived at the area, which is the property of the Ghana Railway Authority, they found dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a pair of scissors and hard liquor.
Earlier, in an interview, the suspect, who denied being a criminal, said Tupac had the bloodstains after he was involved in a robbery early on Sunday, but could not disclose where the robbery took place.
He explained that the blood stains were the result of an injury Tupac sustained on the knee and ankle in the course of the robbery, but denied that he (Sawana) was involved.
The suspect, who claimed to be a butcher at the Kumasi Central Market, said he visited the accomplice in the morning of Sunday at a time he (Tupac) was on his way to buy fuel, so he accompanied him, only to be apprehended by the fuel attendants.
Sawana also explained that Tupac, together with one Nkawkaw, also on the run, had stolen the motorbike and used it for their criminal activities and gave the assurance that he would assist the police to arrest them to enable him gain his freedom.
When asked why they were squatters on the premises of the railway company, Sawana said he resided at Atonsu but Tupac and Nkawkaw who had made the area their permanent abode and attack their victims there.
A businessman who witnessed the scene, expressed concern that the Ghana Railway Authority had allowed criminals to use their property as their launching pad to attack innocent residents.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said as a responsible company, Ghana Railway Authority had the responsibility to prevent squatters from using its premises and, therefore, called on the management to initiate policies that would clear the area of criminals.
He also called on the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to liaise with the police to weed out criminals from certain spots in the metropolis.
The businessman said areas such as the Asafo Neoplan Station, Railway Line, Subin Valley, Bantama Race Course and Abinkyi should be regularly patrolled to prevent criminals from converging there and using them as their bases to attack residents in the metropolis.
KEK INSURANCE BROKERS SUPPORTED EDUCATION FUND (PAGE 29)
The Management of KEK Insurance Brokers in Kumasi has made a passionate appeal to corporate bodies, institutions and individuals operating in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to actively support the development of educational infrastructure to complement the government’s desire of making formal education accessible to the youth.
According to the management, the need to support the government to provide educational infrastructure across the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs would enhance effective teaching and learning and thereby raise standards.
The Northern Sector Area Manager of KEK Insurance Brokers, Mr Charles Bennin, made the appeal when he presented a cheque for GH¢1,000 to the Otumfuo Education Fund.
The fund which was established by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, when he ascended the Golden Stool, was to support brilliant, needy students in their academic pursuits.
Presenting the cheque, Mr Bennin commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his sense of initiative, which led to the setting up of the fund.
He explained that Otumfuo's initiative had opened many avenues for students who otherwise might not have dreamt of getting the opportunity to attend second cycle and tertiary institutions.
He said the donation, which was the second by KEK Insurance Brokers, would be a regular affair because it formed part of the company's corporate and social responsibility.
Mr Bennin said the company’s regular contribution would enable as many students as possible to benefit from Otumfuo Osei Tutu's gesture and, therefore, stressed the need for other companies to contribute generously to the fund to make it more sustainable.
According to the management, the need to support the government to provide educational infrastructure across the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs would enhance effective teaching and learning and thereby raise standards.
The Northern Sector Area Manager of KEK Insurance Brokers, Mr Charles Bennin, made the appeal when he presented a cheque for GH¢1,000 to the Otumfuo Education Fund.
The fund which was established by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, when he ascended the Golden Stool, was to support brilliant, needy students in their academic pursuits.
Presenting the cheque, Mr Bennin commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu for his sense of initiative, which led to the setting up of the fund.
He explained that Otumfuo's initiative had opened many avenues for students who otherwise might not have dreamt of getting the opportunity to attend second cycle and tertiary institutions.
He said the donation, which was the second by KEK Insurance Brokers, would be a regular affair because it formed part of the company's corporate and social responsibility.
Mr Bennin said the company’s regular contribution would enable as many students as possible to benefit from Otumfuo Osei Tutu's gesture and, therefore, stressed the need for other companies to contribute generously to the fund to make it more sustainable.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
JONES MAKES HISTORY WITH LIBERTY (GRAPHIC SPORTS, BACK PAGE)
Last Sunday Coach Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, made history at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi when he added his name to the list of coaches who have won gold since the Top 4 tournament was introduced a few years ago.
The master tactician who has carved a niche for himself, as far as the winning of medals locally and internationally is concerned, was on top of his job when he invaded Kumasi for the second time in the 2008 Glo Top 4 tournament with his dancing boys.
Before the Sunday, October 26, 2008 grand finale Glo Top 4 tournament encounter, both Liberty and Kotoko had clashed on two occasions since the tournament got underway.
While Liberty trounced Kotoko 2-1 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium when the two teams met the first time, Kotoko failed to glitter at their home base at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium during the second leg by allowing Liberty to hold them to a pulsating 1-1 draw.
Incidentally, Liberty were always the first to score as it happened in Accra and Kumasi on the two occasions that they met.
The grand finale was, therefore, an opportune time for Kotoko to make amends by forcing a bitter pill down the throat of Liberty by not only letting them score first, but also win the game outright.
This was to pacify their fans who were becoming a bit disturbed about the dominance of Liberty over Kotoko so far as this year’s Glo Top 4 tournament was concerned, but that was not to be as Liberty glittered more and carried the giant trophy away to Dansoman after succeeding in inflicting a fatal wound on the Porcupine warriors.
Prior to the game both Liberty and Kotoko were set to make history. While Kotoko were seeking to make history by retaining the cup they won last year, Liberty were more determined to win it for the first time to make a name for themselves.
Baba Yara Stadium, therefore, became the battle ground for the two clubs and notwithstanding the late start of the game, the fans were there as usual to offer the needed support, and at the end of the game it was Liberty's determination and the strategy of their coach that won them the trophy.
In goalkeeping, Daniel Adjei was totally unbeatable as he succeeded in saving the best shots that Kotoko delivered and was my man of the match.
On one occasion, Daniel Adjei had to come out of his post to deny Eric Bekoe a glorious opportunity and then dashed into the post to prevent another attacker from lobbing the ball into the net .
The bravado caused him to clash with an attacker, forcing him to receive a brief medical treatment. But that did not stop him from making other daring saves.
It was, therefore, his sheer bravado, good anticipation and effective reflexes that eventually won Liberty the day because his goalkeeping prowess denied Kotoko the needed equaliser and possibly the winner.
The defeat of Kotoko could also be attributed to the inability of their attackers and midfielders to convert set pieces and other goal-scoring opportunities that came their way.
In the first half Kotoko had as many as four set pieces besides the numerous corner kicks that came their way.
The corner kicks awarded Kotoko, together with the numerous set pieces which were at the edge of the box of their opponents, showed the attacking prowess of Kotoko during the game.
The master tactician who has carved a niche for himself, as far as the winning of medals locally and internationally is concerned, was on top of his job when he invaded Kumasi for the second time in the 2008 Glo Top 4 tournament with his dancing boys.
Before the Sunday, October 26, 2008 grand finale Glo Top 4 tournament encounter, both Liberty and Kotoko had clashed on two occasions since the tournament got underway.
While Liberty trounced Kotoko 2-1 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium when the two teams met the first time, Kotoko failed to glitter at their home base at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium during the second leg by allowing Liberty to hold them to a pulsating 1-1 draw.
Incidentally, Liberty were always the first to score as it happened in Accra and Kumasi on the two occasions that they met.
The grand finale was, therefore, an opportune time for Kotoko to make amends by forcing a bitter pill down the throat of Liberty by not only letting them score first, but also win the game outright.
This was to pacify their fans who were becoming a bit disturbed about the dominance of Liberty over Kotoko so far as this year’s Glo Top 4 tournament was concerned, but that was not to be as Liberty glittered more and carried the giant trophy away to Dansoman after succeeding in inflicting a fatal wound on the Porcupine warriors.
Prior to the game both Liberty and Kotoko were set to make history. While Kotoko were seeking to make history by retaining the cup they won last year, Liberty were more determined to win it for the first time to make a name for themselves.
Baba Yara Stadium, therefore, became the battle ground for the two clubs and notwithstanding the late start of the game, the fans were there as usual to offer the needed support, and at the end of the game it was Liberty's determination and the strategy of their coach that won them the trophy.
In goalkeeping, Daniel Adjei was totally unbeatable as he succeeded in saving the best shots that Kotoko delivered and was my man of the match.
On one occasion, Daniel Adjei had to come out of his post to deny Eric Bekoe a glorious opportunity and then dashed into the post to prevent another attacker from lobbing the ball into the net .
The bravado caused him to clash with an attacker, forcing him to receive a brief medical treatment. But that did not stop him from making other daring saves.
It was, therefore, his sheer bravado, good anticipation and effective reflexes that eventually won Liberty the day because his goalkeeping prowess denied Kotoko the needed equaliser and possibly the winner.
The defeat of Kotoko could also be attributed to the inability of their attackers and midfielders to convert set pieces and other goal-scoring opportunities that came their way.
In the first half Kotoko had as many as four set pieces besides the numerous corner kicks that came their way.
The corner kicks awarded Kotoko, together with the numerous set pieces which were at the edge of the box of their opponents, showed the attacking prowess of Kotoko during the game.
KNUST SACKS 44 STUDENTS ...For forging admission documents (SPREAD)
AUTHORITIES of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have sacked 44 second-year students offering various programmes in the school for forging their documents to facilitate their admission in the University last year.
The dismissal of the 44 students from the KNUST brings the total number of students who have been dismissed from the school since 2003 for forging their documents to 175.
Last year, 40 students were dismissed from the university for similar offence, and in 2006, 34 students who entered the University using forged documents were also dismissed after the University authorities detected the anomalies in their documents.
The University authorities again dismissed 29 students in 2005 for entering the school with forged documents, and in 2004, a total of 19 students were affected by the exercise while nine students were sacked in 2003.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the University, Mr Koby Yebo-Okrah and made available to the Daily Graphic gave the names of the affected students as Bright Kofi Agyekum, a second year Social Science student who was a former student of Kumasi Anglican Senior High School.
Also dismissed are Ramsia Adams, a former student of Presby Secondary/Commercial at Nungua, who is a second year student offering Social Sciences, Debora Agbozo, formerly of Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute who is also a second year student offering Social Sciences as well as Rita Ofori Nyarko, formerly with Kumasi Girls Senior High School who is a second year student at the University offering Social Sciences.
Others include Mensah Yaw Kwayie, a former student of Kumasi High School, now in his second year at KNUST, offering Social Sciences, Janevera Fosuhene formerly with Sunyani Senior High School, also a second year student offering Social Sciences and Stanley Cubagee, a second year student offering Physics and a former student of St Mary's School in Accra; Collins Delaklu, a private candidate now a second year Human Biology student as well as Matilda Boatemaa Serebour a second year Nursing student formerly with Sunyani Senior High School and Richard Boakye- Yiadom, a second year Publishing student who was a former student of Adonteng Senior High School at Aburi.
The other dismissed students include Frederick Danso, a former student of Antoa Senior High School now offering Computer Science, Daniel Nii Arddey Otoo, formerly with Enyan Denkyira Senior High School offering Architecture in his second year, Benjamin Kofi Norvidzro, a Petroleum Engineering second year student and a former student of Keta Senior High School, Samuel Owusu, a private candidate second year Social Sciences student, Evelyn Adu Poku, also a Private candidate but offering Publishing in her second year and Bernice Okyere, a private candidate Publishing student in his second year at the University.
Also affected by the exercise to rid the University of students who presented forged documents are Ishmael Asare, a second year Chemistry student, formerly with Koforidua Technical, Stephen Enyonam Agbo, International Rural Art and Industry second year student and a former student, Stephen Agyekum, a second year Communications Design student, formerly with Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, Frank Owusu Agyemang, a second year Publishing student formerly with Kumasi High Senior High School, Atta Boateng Abayie, a second year Communication Design student formerly with Madina Senior High School, Jonas Bapuodeme, a second year English student who was a private candidate, Solomon Adjie, a second year Geography and Rural Development student, who was a former student with the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi and Arafat Salifu, a second year Economics student who was a private candidate.
The others are, Vivian Asare, an Economics second year student who was a former student at Seventh Day Adventist Senior High School in Kumasi, Jerry Ameko, a private candidate second year Physics student, Richard Okyere, a private candidate second year Economics student, Stephen Anokye Boateng, a second year Publishing student, formerly of Kumasi High School, Derick Opare, a second year Natural Resources Management student, formerly with Odorgonno Senior High, Benjamin Adu Acheampong, a second year Publishing student who was a Private candidate, Adutwum Kwame Poku, a second year Publishing student, formerly of Kumasi Academy, Richmond Karikari Boateng, a second year Industrial Art student and a Private candidate, Evans Kwabena Danso, a second year natural Resources Management and a Private candidate and Oheneba Kusi Boahen, a second year Industrial Art student, also a Private candidate.
The rest are Albert Kusi, a second year Publishing student, formerly with Kumasi High School, Justice Acheampong, a second year Social Sciences student formerly with Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, Ernest Osei- Mensah a second year Social Sciences student, formerly with Apam Senior High School, Emmanuel Sarfo Boakye, a second year Business Administration student and a former student of Acherensua Senior High School, Ferdinand Kpakpo Allotey, a second year Computer Engineering student and formerly with Presec Legon, Isaac Darko Osei, a second year Communication Design and formerly with Kumasi High School, Samuel Okai a second year Computer Engineering student and a Private candidate, Rosemary Boateng, a second year Statistics and Actuarial Science student and a Private candidate and Donald Akugbire a second year Mathematics student and formerly of Konongo Senior School.
Mr Yebo-Okrah expressed concern about the annual dismissal of students from the school and urged parents to help the university to prevent future occurrence by prevailing on their wards to refrain from using doctored documents to seek admission.
" The University shall continue to be guided by the principles of providing quality education through rightful access. Thus, anyone seeking admission through false pretences shall be flushed out and dismissed accordingly", he stressed.
The dismissal of the 44 students from the KNUST brings the total number of students who have been dismissed from the school since 2003 for forging their documents to 175.
Last year, 40 students were dismissed from the university for similar offence, and in 2006, 34 students who entered the University using forged documents were also dismissed after the University authorities detected the anomalies in their documents.
The University authorities again dismissed 29 students in 2005 for entering the school with forged documents, and in 2004, a total of 19 students were affected by the exercise while nine students were sacked in 2003.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the University, Mr Koby Yebo-Okrah and made available to the Daily Graphic gave the names of the affected students as Bright Kofi Agyekum, a second year Social Science student who was a former student of Kumasi Anglican Senior High School.
Also dismissed are Ramsia Adams, a former student of Presby Secondary/Commercial at Nungua, who is a second year student offering Social Sciences, Debora Agbozo, formerly of Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute who is also a second year student offering Social Sciences as well as Rita Ofori Nyarko, formerly with Kumasi Girls Senior High School who is a second year student at the University offering Social Sciences.
Others include Mensah Yaw Kwayie, a former student of Kumasi High School, now in his second year at KNUST, offering Social Sciences, Janevera Fosuhene formerly with Sunyani Senior High School, also a second year student offering Social Sciences and Stanley Cubagee, a second year student offering Physics and a former student of St Mary's School in Accra; Collins Delaklu, a private candidate now a second year Human Biology student as well as Matilda Boatemaa Serebour a second year Nursing student formerly with Sunyani Senior High School and Richard Boakye- Yiadom, a second year Publishing student who was a former student of Adonteng Senior High School at Aburi.
The other dismissed students include Frederick Danso, a former student of Antoa Senior High School now offering Computer Science, Daniel Nii Arddey Otoo, formerly with Enyan Denkyira Senior High School offering Architecture in his second year, Benjamin Kofi Norvidzro, a Petroleum Engineering second year student and a former student of Keta Senior High School, Samuel Owusu, a private candidate second year Social Sciences student, Evelyn Adu Poku, also a Private candidate but offering Publishing in her second year and Bernice Okyere, a private candidate Publishing student in his second year at the University.
Also affected by the exercise to rid the University of students who presented forged documents are Ishmael Asare, a second year Chemistry student, formerly with Koforidua Technical, Stephen Enyonam Agbo, International Rural Art and Industry second year student and a former student, Stephen Agyekum, a second year Communications Design student, formerly with Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, Frank Owusu Agyemang, a second year Publishing student formerly with Kumasi High Senior High School, Atta Boateng Abayie, a second year Communication Design student formerly with Madina Senior High School, Jonas Bapuodeme, a second year English student who was a private candidate, Solomon Adjie, a second year Geography and Rural Development student, who was a former student with the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi and Arafat Salifu, a second year Economics student who was a private candidate.
The others are, Vivian Asare, an Economics second year student who was a former student at Seventh Day Adventist Senior High School in Kumasi, Jerry Ameko, a private candidate second year Physics student, Richard Okyere, a private candidate second year Economics student, Stephen Anokye Boateng, a second year Publishing student, formerly of Kumasi High School, Derick Opare, a second year Natural Resources Management student, formerly with Odorgonno Senior High, Benjamin Adu Acheampong, a second year Publishing student who was a Private candidate, Adutwum Kwame Poku, a second year Publishing student, formerly of Kumasi Academy, Richmond Karikari Boateng, a second year Industrial Art student and a Private candidate, Evans Kwabena Danso, a second year natural Resources Management and a Private candidate and Oheneba Kusi Boahen, a second year Industrial Art student, also a Private candidate.
The rest are Albert Kusi, a second year Publishing student, formerly with Kumasi High School, Justice Acheampong, a second year Social Sciences student formerly with Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, Ernest Osei- Mensah a second year Social Sciences student, formerly with Apam Senior High School, Emmanuel Sarfo Boakye, a second year Business Administration student and a former student of Acherensua Senior High School, Ferdinand Kpakpo Allotey, a second year Computer Engineering student and formerly with Presec Legon, Isaac Darko Osei, a second year Communication Design and formerly with Kumasi High School, Samuel Okai a second year Computer Engineering student and a Private candidate, Rosemary Boateng, a second year Statistics and Actuarial Science student and a Private candidate and Donald Akugbire a second year Mathematics student and formerly of Konongo Senior School.
Mr Yebo-Okrah expressed concern about the annual dismissal of students from the school and urged parents to help the university to prevent future occurrence by prevailing on their wards to refrain from using doctored documents to seek admission.
" The University shall continue to be guided by the principles of providing quality education through rightful access. Thus, anyone seeking admission through false pretences shall be flushed out and dismissed accordingly", he stressed.
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