A New 50-bedroom hotel - NODA Hotel - was inaugurated at Fumesua in Kumasi at the weekend to boost the hospitality industry in the metropolis which is now growing at a fast rate.
Other facilities in the hotel, which has a policy of always striving to remain a step ahead in the hospitality industry, include deluxe double, twin and executive suites as well as four conference rooms.
Inaugurating the hotel, the Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Martin Mireku, commended the management of NODA for their entrepreneurial spirit, and ingenuity, and urged them to maintain the hotel.
He said in the hospitality sector, accommodation played a key role, because it had direct correlation with the number of tourists who flocked into the country at a particular point in time.
He said in the revised strategic plan of the tourism sector between 2003 and 2007, it was envisaged that one million tourists would tour the country during that period.
Mr Mireku added that since tourists needed a decent, and safe accommodation anytime they were in the country, it was important for investors to direct their attention to the development of infrastructure to enhance the accelerated development of the tourism industry.
He gave the assurance that a lot of incentives were being provided “to stimulate investment in the hotel sub-sector, especially hotels with 50 or more room capacity”.
Mr Mireku mentioned tax holidays, duty exemptions on items imported for hotels and enhanced tax incentives for investments in the rural areas as some of the incentives being provided to entice investors into the sector.
He said since the industry was a service provider where customers expected value for their money, it was important for management to always employ well-trained and motivated staff capable of delivering the requisite services that met international standards.
“Management should also make continuous training of staff the hallmark of the industry. They should take advantage of the numerous training programmes the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and other allied organisations organised to upgrade the skills and capabilities of their staff,” Mr Mireku said.
He advised the management of the hotel to develop a maintenance culture to ensure that the hotel met the expectations of its clients all the time.
Inadequate maintenance by some managers had ruined many hotels and deprived them of the requisite revenue, he said, stressing that “a well-planned maintenance regime with proper replacement of equipment will ensure quality delivery of service and revenue generation”.
In his address, the Managing Director of the hotel, Mr Bernard Acheampong, commended GTB for its tremendous support and encouragement that made it possible for them to develop the hotel.
He said with the quality delivery of service as their hallmark, management would continue to institute the necessary measures to maintain standards and deliver excellent services to win the confidence of its customers.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
SEMINAR ON CUSTOMARY LANDS IN KUMASI (PAGE 29)
STORY: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A five-day training workshop designed to build the capacity of the staff of Customary Land Secretariat (CLS) to enhance their operations has taken place in Kumasi.
The workshop was the first of its kind in a series of capacity-building programmes for the CLS to equip its staff to effectively and efficiently perform their functions.
It also sought to enhance record-keeping, interpretation of plans, dispute resolution as well as registration procedures.
It further sought to sensitise the staff to the importance of the ongoing land administration reforms under the Land Administration Project (LAP), legal land rights and interest associated with them, general staff management, land use planning, as well as the determination of rent, premium and conveyancing.
The CLSs are located at Tabiase in the Upper West Region; Sandema in Upper East, Tamale in the North and Dormaa in the Brong Ahafo regions. The rest are at the Asantehene’s Secretariat in Kumasi, Kyebi in the Eastern Region, Wasa Amenfi in the Western, Odupong Kpehe in the Central as well as the Gbawe Kwatei Family in the Greater Accra regions.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Andrews Adjei Yeboah, said the workshop, which formed part of the LAP being pursued by the government aimed at re-engineering land administration at all levels and was, therefore, designed to train staff of the CLS in the 10 regions across the country.
He said the project also intended to “create a fair, efficient and transparent system of land service delivery in the country”.
Explaining, Mr Yeboah said “Customary Land Secretariats are the interface between the traditional land ownership systems and the public land administration system, and it is the aim of the government to harmonise the two systems”.
The secretariats, he pointed out, “have been established as part of the government’s efforts to address the myriad challenges facing the land sector such as poor record-keeping, indeterminate boundaries, multiple sales of land and protracted land litigation, among others, which combine to create a lot of problems in the country”.
Such problems, he said, do not only “divert enormous resources away from development projects, but also increase transaction costs for doing business in Ghana and sometimes scare away investors”.
He said in dealing with the challenges facing the land sector, the government also recognised the fact that most lands in Ghana are held by customary authorities “and that no intervention in the land sector can be effective without the understanding, direct participation and support of the land owners”.
Mr Yeboah, therefore, urged the participants to focus on the workshop in order to build their skills in a way that would enable them to keep and maintain “up-to-date records of all land transactions on behalf of customary land owners in the country”.
He said as customary land administrators, an opportunity had been created for them to set standards worthy of emulation and, therefore, urged them to use the skills acquired “to deal with complex and technical issues of land administration in your respective communities”.
He said it was also important for them to use their skills to manage the land tenure system effectively and also “spawn investor confidence in the land industry in Ghana”.
A five-day training workshop designed to build the capacity of the staff of Customary Land Secretariat (CLS) to enhance their operations has taken place in Kumasi.
The workshop was the first of its kind in a series of capacity-building programmes for the CLS to equip its staff to effectively and efficiently perform their functions.
It also sought to enhance record-keeping, interpretation of plans, dispute resolution as well as registration procedures.
It further sought to sensitise the staff to the importance of the ongoing land administration reforms under the Land Administration Project (LAP), legal land rights and interest associated with them, general staff management, land use planning, as well as the determination of rent, premium and conveyancing.
The CLSs are located at Tabiase in the Upper West Region; Sandema in Upper East, Tamale in the North and Dormaa in the Brong Ahafo regions. The rest are at the Asantehene’s Secretariat in Kumasi, Kyebi in the Eastern Region, Wasa Amenfi in the Western, Odupong Kpehe in the Central as well as the Gbawe Kwatei Family in the Greater Accra regions.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Andrews Adjei Yeboah, said the workshop, which formed part of the LAP being pursued by the government aimed at re-engineering land administration at all levels and was, therefore, designed to train staff of the CLS in the 10 regions across the country.
He said the project also intended to “create a fair, efficient and transparent system of land service delivery in the country”.
Explaining, Mr Yeboah said “Customary Land Secretariats are the interface between the traditional land ownership systems and the public land administration system, and it is the aim of the government to harmonise the two systems”.
The secretariats, he pointed out, “have been established as part of the government’s efforts to address the myriad challenges facing the land sector such as poor record-keeping, indeterminate boundaries, multiple sales of land and protracted land litigation, among others, which combine to create a lot of problems in the country”.
Such problems, he said, do not only “divert enormous resources away from development projects, but also increase transaction costs for doing business in Ghana and sometimes scare away investors”.
He said in dealing with the challenges facing the land sector, the government also recognised the fact that most lands in Ghana are held by customary authorities “and that no intervention in the land sector can be effective without the understanding, direct participation and support of the land owners”.
Mr Yeboah, therefore, urged the participants to focus on the workshop in order to build their skills in a way that would enable them to keep and maintain “up-to-date records of all land transactions on behalf of customary land owners in the country”.
He said as customary land administrators, an opportunity had been created for them to set standards worthy of emulation and, therefore, urged them to use the skills acquired “to deal with complex and technical issues of land administration in your respective communities”.
He said it was also important for them to use their skills to manage the land tenure system effectively and also “spawn investor confidence in the land industry in Ghana”.
MORE DIVORCE CASES IN KUMASI (PAGE 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
While most of the youth in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs are responding to their hearts’ desires by tying the knot with their female partners whom they want to spend the rest of their lives with, many more are heading for the courts to break their relationships with their life partners for reasons difficult to comprehend.
Records from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s Marriage and Divorce Department have revealed that between January and March, this year alone, 309 customary marriages were contracted, and as many as 631 cases of dissolution of customary marriages from the courts were also recorded in Kumasi.
In 2007, 266 customary marriage dissolution cases were declared at the KMA, while the divorce cases stood at 130.
The records from the Marriage and Divorce Department of the KMA further indicated that between 2000 and 2007, only 92 customary marriage dissolution cases were registered at the KMA, while as many as 9,111 marriages were also registered.
The KMA registered 18,439 marriages under the ordinance between 2000 and 2007 but could not provide up-to-date records of divorce cases under marriage by ordinance.
This was because such cases always took place in either the Circuits Court or High Courts.
Reacting to the increased divorce cases pending at the KMA and other courts that had been already annulled, the Metropolitan Solicitor, Mr Anthony Osei Poku, told the Daily Graphic that immaturity on the part of the partners was the contributory factor to the numerous divorce cases in recent times.
Explaining, he said some of the partners, especially some members of the Pentecostal Churches, contracted their marriages without studying their partners adequately to appreciate their values and shortcomings.
He said in such cases, any little conflict between the partners created extensive tension, making it impossible for them to come together again.
Comparing them to members of the Orthodox churches, Mr Osei Poku said before they contracted their marriages, those from the Orthodox churches took time to study their partners and also sought extensive marriage counselling from experienced counsellors, so before they came together, they appreciated what “for better and worse” stood for, so they easily patched up whenever there was any conflict.
He also attributed the upsurge in divorce cases in the metropolis to the fact that in some of the Pentecostal Churches, “ it is the elders who become matchmakers by enticing some of the partners to contract marriages, instead of allowing them to seek their own lovers.
“In such cases, the marriages do not last, because any little problem brings separation leading to divorce”.
He said in most cases, the need to adjust to each other’s attitude was another issue that brought partners on a collision course, leading to divorce.
He explained that adjusting to each other’s attitude was very important because each person was brought up in a different environment and family background, and it was only through proper counselling that partners would appreciate the fact that as humans, “we are fallible and can easily offend one another, but coming together to address the problem as husband and wife is key to the success of every marriage”.
Mr Osei Poku also said infertility was the major cause of separation and the increasing rate of divorce cases among the youth.
He pointed out that in most cases, pressure was brought to bear on the partners “if they are not able to give birth after a few years of marriage, and when that happens, one of the partners sometimes indulges in extra-marital sex, leading to divorce when their partners find out”.
He said in-laws who live with their children in their matrimonial homes are also causes of the numerous divorce cases in the metropolis. Such in-laws, he explained, interfere in almost all issues affecting the couples, creating much tension at home, leading to divorce.
He also mentioned the financial insecurity of couples as another cause of divorce, but said, in all cases, “ divorce should be the last resort because it is a lifetime contract between couples.
“Marriages should only break down beyond reconciliation but some couples find flimsy excuses to seek divorce, which should not be encouraged,” he added.
While most of the youth in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs are responding to their hearts’ desires by tying the knot with their female partners whom they want to spend the rest of their lives with, many more are heading for the courts to break their relationships with their life partners for reasons difficult to comprehend.
Records from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s Marriage and Divorce Department have revealed that between January and March, this year alone, 309 customary marriages were contracted, and as many as 631 cases of dissolution of customary marriages from the courts were also recorded in Kumasi.
In 2007, 266 customary marriage dissolution cases were declared at the KMA, while the divorce cases stood at 130.
The records from the Marriage and Divorce Department of the KMA further indicated that between 2000 and 2007, only 92 customary marriage dissolution cases were registered at the KMA, while as many as 9,111 marriages were also registered.
The KMA registered 18,439 marriages under the ordinance between 2000 and 2007 but could not provide up-to-date records of divorce cases under marriage by ordinance.
This was because such cases always took place in either the Circuits Court or High Courts.
Reacting to the increased divorce cases pending at the KMA and other courts that had been already annulled, the Metropolitan Solicitor, Mr Anthony Osei Poku, told the Daily Graphic that immaturity on the part of the partners was the contributory factor to the numerous divorce cases in recent times.
Explaining, he said some of the partners, especially some members of the Pentecostal Churches, contracted their marriages without studying their partners adequately to appreciate their values and shortcomings.
He said in such cases, any little conflict between the partners created extensive tension, making it impossible for them to come together again.
Comparing them to members of the Orthodox churches, Mr Osei Poku said before they contracted their marriages, those from the Orthodox churches took time to study their partners and also sought extensive marriage counselling from experienced counsellors, so before they came together, they appreciated what “for better and worse” stood for, so they easily patched up whenever there was any conflict.
He also attributed the upsurge in divorce cases in the metropolis to the fact that in some of the Pentecostal Churches, “ it is the elders who become matchmakers by enticing some of the partners to contract marriages, instead of allowing them to seek their own lovers.
“In such cases, the marriages do not last, because any little problem brings separation leading to divorce”.
He said in most cases, the need to adjust to each other’s attitude was another issue that brought partners on a collision course, leading to divorce.
He explained that adjusting to each other’s attitude was very important because each person was brought up in a different environment and family background, and it was only through proper counselling that partners would appreciate the fact that as humans, “we are fallible and can easily offend one another, but coming together to address the problem as husband and wife is key to the success of every marriage”.
Mr Osei Poku also said infertility was the major cause of separation and the increasing rate of divorce cases among the youth.
He pointed out that in most cases, pressure was brought to bear on the partners “if they are not able to give birth after a few years of marriage, and when that happens, one of the partners sometimes indulges in extra-marital sex, leading to divorce when their partners find out”.
He said in-laws who live with their children in their matrimonial homes are also causes of the numerous divorce cases in the metropolis. Such in-laws, he explained, interfere in almost all issues affecting the couples, creating much tension at home, leading to divorce.
He also mentioned the financial insecurity of couples as another cause of divorce, but said, in all cases, “ divorce should be the last resort because it is a lifetime contract between couples.
“Marriages should only break down beyond reconciliation but some couples find flimsy excuses to seek divorce, which should not be encouraged,” he added.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
BABA YARA STADIUM AND HEAVY RAINS (NSEMPA, BACK PAGE)
By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
WHEN the clouds started gathering around the Asokwa end of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium around 2 pm on Sunday, May 11, 2008, the numerous Kotoko fans who were hungry for honour ignored it and continued buying their tickets.
They were very much aware that clouds gathering, especially thick black clouds, at the Asokwa end of the stadium, was a sure recipe for a heavy downpour. However they fully concentrated on the massive tickets purchased at the various gates.
Ticket buying
The ticket buying was to afford them the opportunity to watch live the second leg titanic CAF Confederation cup match qualifier, involving their idol club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and their counterparts, Dolphins of Nigeria.
Two weeks earlier in their first leg clash, the Dolphins had scored Kotoko 2-0 in Nigeria, and this placed a huge pressure on the Porcupine Warriors to outshine and outscore their opponents to ensure their passage into the last stage of the qualifying rounds to enter into the group stages, which is also the money zone of the Cup Confederation competition.
A few weeks earlier, Kumasi Asante Kotoko had dismissed Wikki Tourists, another Nigeria side in the CAF Confederation cup 6-3 on aggregate, to book a date with Dolphins, who had sworn thunder and lightning to ditch Kotoko from the competition.
It was, therefore, not surprising that the fans, having won the respect and confidence of Kotoko since the beginning of the premier league and the participation of Kotoko in the CAF confederation cup, were eager to be part of the demolition exercise that Kotoko intended to carry against Dolphins at their favourite Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Cloud
When the match got underway at 3pm, the cloud was still gathering and becoming darker and darker, but the spectators, having secured their tickets, continued to pour into the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in their numbers.
The confidence of the fans in ignoring the clouds stemmed from the fact that they had been assured of the technical expertise of Consar Limited, Kumasi-based building and civil engineering contractors who undertook the reconstruction of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and put in place measures to prevent any flooding when it rains.
Before the handing over of the project to the government, the management of Consar had assured the pubic that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure that the pitch absorbed as much water as possible anytime it rained.
So it was to become part of the success story of Kotoko and be able to give a testimony of the performance of the players that the fans ignored the thick black clouds forming and continued to fill the stands, chanting the praises of the Kotoko players and encouraging them to die a little for the club to edge out the Nigerians from the competition.
Rains
When the it started drizzling midway into the game, as was expected after Kotoko had taken a 1-0 lead, the fans were still glued to their seats, unmindful of the defensive tactics and time-wasting attitude that the Dolphins had adopted as a strategy to cage the Porcupine Warriors, taking into consideration the 2-0 lead they took in the first leg.
By the end of the first half, the rains were pouring heavily as if the gates of heaven had just opened, and this took a toll on the fans because most of them were totally drenched and had, therefore, not only vacated their seats, but also taken refuge at secluded areas at the stadium.
For the pitch itself, the least said about it the better. This is because the rate at which the rains fell was far greater than the absorption capacity, so pools of water started collecting, creating problems for the players and preventing them from displaying their skills and potential.
Swimming pool
At the beginning of the second half, a mini-lagoon had been created at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and players like Harrison Afful, Jordan Opoku, Samuel Inkoom and Prince Anokye, who had displayed great talents in the course of the game, attempted swimming in the pool, creating much fun out of the Herculean task ahead of them.
Disappointment was written on the faces of the numerous Kotoko fans and that of the Dolphins, when after the referee had inspected the pitch, he indicated that the match had been postponed.
To the fans, it was a double agony. This was because the lone goal that Kotoko had scored would not count the next day and they also had to pay to watch the match again. It was, therefore, not surprising that the fans started criticising the technical expertise of Consar, describing it as ordinary.
To them, their decision to ignore the black clouds and watch Kotoko’s match, even in the rains, had become a fiasco. This was because, the newly constructed Baba Yara Sports Stadium “was just like the old one demolished in 2006 to pave way for Consar Limited to display its technical expertise.”
Fears
When Graphic Nsempa got in touch with Consar Limited, the Quantity Surveyor of the firm, Miss Nada Majdoub, allayed the fears of the fans to the effect that Consar Limited faulted in its expertise in developing a waterproof pitch.
“ The system is the best, but it has its limitations” she noted, adding that “ the inflow of rains onto the pitch due to the torrential rainfall on May 11, 2008, was far greater than the outflow into the system, hence the pockets of water collected, rendering the pitch ineffective for the match to continue.”
She pointed out that a good drainage system, perhaps one of the best at any stadium the world over, was developed, and when it was tested before the handing over, “ the absorption capacity was perfect, indicating that the PVC pipes and absorption system were of high standard, and could absorb as much water as possible.”
Measures
“ We took adequate measures of high technological standard to ensure that the pitch drained very well, but this time, the rains were too heavy, and the materials could not absorb them as quickly as the rains fell,” She explained further.
Miss Majdoud dismissed the assertion that the pitch needed to be redeveloped to prevent future flooding and said “the technology was perfect, but the rains that day were exceptionally heavy. The system needs a little time to drain all the water, so in future, flooding may not occur.”
She assured everyone that Consar was also monitoring the maintenance of the pitch on daily basis to ensure that it lives up to expectations, stressing that with the system put in place, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will carry out its core function in a more effective and efficient way.
WHEN the clouds started gathering around the Asokwa end of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium around 2 pm on Sunday, May 11, 2008, the numerous Kotoko fans who were hungry for honour ignored it and continued buying their tickets.
They were very much aware that clouds gathering, especially thick black clouds, at the Asokwa end of the stadium, was a sure recipe for a heavy downpour. However they fully concentrated on the massive tickets purchased at the various gates.
Ticket buying
The ticket buying was to afford them the opportunity to watch live the second leg titanic CAF Confederation cup match qualifier, involving their idol club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and their counterparts, Dolphins of Nigeria.
Two weeks earlier in their first leg clash, the Dolphins had scored Kotoko 2-0 in Nigeria, and this placed a huge pressure on the Porcupine Warriors to outshine and outscore their opponents to ensure their passage into the last stage of the qualifying rounds to enter into the group stages, which is also the money zone of the Cup Confederation competition.
A few weeks earlier, Kumasi Asante Kotoko had dismissed Wikki Tourists, another Nigeria side in the CAF Confederation cup 6-3 on aggregate, to book a date with Dolphins, who had sworn thunder and lightning to ditch Kotoko from the competition.
It was, therefore, not surprising that the fans, having won the respect and confidence of Kotoko since the beginning of the premier league and the participation of Kotoko in the CAF confederation cup, were eager to be part of the demolition exercise that Kotoko intended to carry against Dolphins at their favourite Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Cloud
When the match got underway at 3pm, the cloud was still gathering and becoming darker and darker, but the spectators, having secured their tickets, continued to pour into the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in their numbers.
The confidence of the fans in ignoring the clouds stemmed from the fact that they had been assured of the technical expertise of Consar Limited, Kumasi-based building and civil engineering contractors who undertook the reconstruction of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and put in place measures to prevent any flooding when it rains.
Before the handing over of the project to the government, the management of Consar had assured the pubic that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure that the pitch absorbed as much water as possible anytime it rained.
So it was to become part of the success story of Kotoko and be able to give a testimony of the performance of the players that the fans ignored the thick black clouds forming and continued to fill the stands, chanting the praises of the Kotoko players and encouraging them to die a little for the club to edge out the Nigerians from the competition.
Rains
When the it started drizzling midway into the game, as was expected after Kotoko had taken a 1-0 lead, the fans were still glued to their seats, unmindful of the defensive tactics and time-wasting attitude that the Dolphins had adopted as a strategy to cage the Porcupine Warriors, taking into consideration the 2-0 lead they took in the first leg.
By the end of the first half, the rains were pouring heavily as if the gates of heaven had just opened, and this took a toll on the fans because most of them were totally drenched and had, therefore, not only vacated their seats, but also taken refuge at secluded areas at the stadium.
For the pitch itself, the least said about it the better. This is because the rate at which the rains fell was far greater than the absorption capacity, so pools of water started collecting, creating problems for the players and preventing them from displaying their skills and potential.
Swimming pool
At the beginning of the second half, a mini-lagoon had been created at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and players like Harrison Afful, Jordan Opoku, Samuel Inkoom and Prince Anokye, who had displayed great talents in the course of the game, attempted swimming in the pool, creating much fun out of the Herculean task ahead of them.
Disappointment was written on the faces of the numerous Kotoko fans and that of the Dolphins, when after the referee had inspected the pitch, he indicated that the match had been postponed.
To the fans, it was a double agony. This was because the lone goal that Kotoko had scored would not count the next day and they also had to pay to watch the match again. It was, therefore, not surprising that the fans started criticising the technical expertise of Consar, describing it as ordinary.
To them, their decision to ignore the black clouds and watch Kotoko’s match, even in the rains, had become a fiasco. This was because, the newly constructed Baba Yara Sports Stadium “was just like the old one demolished in 2006 to pave way for Consar Limited to display its technical expertise.”
Fears
When Graphic Nsempa got in touch with Consar Limited, the Quantity Surveyor of the firm, Miss Nada Majdoub, allayed the fears of the fans to the effect that Consar Limited faulted in its expertise in developing a waterproof pitch.
“ The system is the best, but it has its limitations” she noted, adding that “ the inflow of rains onto the pitch due to the torrential rainfall on May 11, 2008, was far greater than the outflow into the system, hence the pockets of water collected, rendering the pitch ineffective for the match to continue.”
She pointed out that a good drainage system, perhaps one of the best at any stadium the world over, was developed, and when it was tested before the handing over, “ the absorption capacity was perfect, indicating that the PVC pipes and absorption system were of high standard, and could absorb as much water as possible.”
Measures
“ We took adequate measures of high technological standard to ensure that the pitch drained very well, but this time, the rains were too heavy, and the materials could not absorb them as quickly as the rains fell,” She explained further.
Miss Majdoud dismissed the assertion that the pitch needed to be redeveloped to prevent future flooding and said “the technology was perfect, but the rains that day were exceptionally heavy. The system needs a little time to drain all the water, so in future, flooding may not occur.”
She assured everyone that Consar was also monitoring the maintenance of the pitch on daily basis to ensure that it lives up to expectations, stressing that with the system put in place, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium will carry out its core function in a more effective and efficient way.
OTUMFUO INFORMED OF MILICOM SPONSORSHIP (PAGE 47)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Milicom Ghana Limited, operators of Tigo in the country, have formally informed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, about their contractual agreement to sponsor Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the next three years. They are to provide sponsorship pacakage worth $ 3 million for that period.
As part of the sponsorship package, the Board Chairman of Milicom, Mr Tismark Inja, has on behalf of Milicom presented a cheque for GH¢10,000 to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, to support the Otumfuo Educational Fund.
He also gave souvenirs of their products to Otumfuo Osei Tutu with the assurance that Milicom would be committed to the effective and efficient development of Kotoko during that period to enable the club to achieve many laurels locally and internationally. The cheque and the products were received on behalf of Otumfuo Osei Tutu by the Akyempemhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku.
Presenting the cheque, Mr Inja gave the assurance that tiGo would provide the necessary support to the management of Kotoko to enable them to realise their dreams of becoming the best club in Africa. He said as the top cell phone providers in Ghana, they appreciated the value of efficiency and quality service and would therefore partner Kotoko to excel in all levels.
Mr Inja said since Kotoko was very dear to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, tiGo would not relent in their efforts to strengthen its relationship with the club to win the confidence of the Asantehene and the numerous supporters of the Porcupine Warriors.
Receiving the items, Oheneba Adusei Poku gave the assurance that Manhyia palace would provide all the requisite support and encouragement to ensure that the contract benefited the two parties.
He also commended Milicom for its quality service, making it possible for the company to win various awards. He, therefore, urged management to continue to strive hard to enable them stay on top for a long time.
Milicom Ghana Limited, operators of Tigo in the country, have formally informed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, about their contractual agreement to sponsor Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the next three years. They are to provide sponsorship pacakage worth $ 3 million for that period.
As part of the sponsorship package, the Board Chairman of Milicom, Mr Tismark Inja, has on behalf of Milicom presented a cheque for GH¢10,000 to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, to support the Otumfuo Educational Fund.
He also gave souvenirs of their products to Otumfuo Osei Tutu with the assurance that Milicom would be committed to the effective and efficient development of Kotoko during that period to enable the club to achieve many laurels locally and internationally. The cheque and the products were received on behalf of Otumfuo Osei Tutu by the Akyempemhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku.
Presenting the cheque, Mr Inja gave the assurance that tiGo would provide the necessary support to the management of Kotoko to enable them to realise their dreams of becoming the best club in Africa. He said as the top cell phone providers in Ghana, they appreciated the value of efficiency and quality service and would therefore partner Kotoko to excel in all levels.
Mr Inja said since Kotoko was very dear to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, tiGo would not relent in their efforts to strengthen its relationship with the club to win the confidence of the Asantehene and the numerous supporters of the Porcupine Warriors.
Receiving the items, Oheneba Adusei Poku gave the assurance that Manhyia palace would provide all the requisite support and encouragement to ensure that the contract benefited the two parties.
He also commended Milicom for its quality service, making it possible for the company to win various awards. He, therefore, urged management to continue to strive hard to enable them stay on top for a long time.
Monday, May 26, 2008
POLITICAL LEADERS MUST PREACH UNITY, LOVE (PAGE 17)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The Pastor in charge of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish at South Suntreso, in Kumasi, Rev. Fr. Dominic Asiedu Fosu, has called on Christians to pray for the political leadership to have the spirit of unity and love any time they mounted political platforms.
He reiterated the need for political leaders in the country to preach unity, love and peace during their electioneering as the December general election drew near.
He said by this action, politicians would only make remarks likely to unify the country instead of creating tension among the populace through unguarded comments.
This, he said, would create a conducive atmosphere before, during and after the elections and maintain the peace being enjoyed.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu Fosu made the statement during a sermon to mark Pentecost Day at the parish at South Suntreso last Sunday.
He pointed out that like the disciples who became fearless in propagating the word of God after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians should also be fearless by pointing out the shortcomings of politicians any time they made uncomplimentary remarks likely to spark violence in the country.
“Be fearless in criticising the politicians any time they make remarks that undermine the peace being enjoyed. Be honest and truthful but fearless in pointing out their shortcomings, so that they would be circumspect in their remarks to enhance sustainable peace and unity among the populace”, he stressed.
He said prior to receiving the gift of Holy Spirit, the disciples feared venturing out to preach the Gospel “ but after the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were fearless, and it was such zeal in propagating the Gospel that made it possible for them to win many souls for the Kingdom of God”, he noted.
He said the gift of the Holy Spirit stood for unity, love, truth and peace “and this is what Christians are expected to do anywhere they go”.
“Be fearless in your actions, promote peace and love in your communities and workplaces and honest and truthful in all your transactions, as a sign that you are filled with the Holy Spirit”, he advised
He said it was equally important for Christians to commit themselves to issues and programmes that would accelerate the pace of sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu Fosu noted that some Christians blessed with unique talents that could enhance accelerated national development failed to put them at the disposals of society because of their selfish interest and advised against that.
He also said it would be wrong for Christians who were the vehicles of love, unity, peace and truth to behave in a way that was likely to create division and hatred among people.
He said it was only when Christians were seen to be promoting peace and unity in society and also being honest and truthful in all their transactions as well as being the vehicles for accelerated national development that the Pentecost Day would be meaningful to them in particular and society in general.
The Pastor in charge of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish at South Suntreso, in Kumasi, Rev. Fr. Dominic Asiedu Fosu, has called on Christians to pray for the political leadership to have the spirit of unity and love any time they mounted political platforms.
He reiterated the need for political leaders in the country to preach unity, love and peace during their electioneering as the December general election drew near.
He said by this action, politicians would only make remarks likely to unify the country instead of creating tension among the populace through unguarded comments.
This, he said, would create a conducive atmosphere before, during and after the elections and maintain the peace being enjoyed.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu Fosu made the statement during a sermon to mark Pentecost Day at the parish at South Suntreso last Sunday.
He pointed out that like the disciples who became fearless in propagating the word of God after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians should also be fearless by pointing out the shortcomings of politicians any time they made uncomplimentary remarks likely to spark violence in the country.
“Be fearless in criticising the politicians any time they make remarks that undermine the peace being enjoyed. Be honest and truthful but fearless in pointing out their shortcomings, so that they would be circumspect in their remarks to enhance sustainable peace and unity among the populace”, he stressed.
He said prior to receiving the gift of Holy Spirit, the disciples feared venturing out to preach the Gospel “ but after the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were fearless, and it was such zeal in propagating the Gospel that made it possible for them to win many souls for the Kingdom of God”, he noted.
He said the gift of the Holy Spirit stood for unity, love, truth and peace “and this is what Christians are expected to do anywhere they go”.
“Be fearless in your actions, promote peace and love in your communities and workplaces and honest and truthful in all your transactions, as a sign that you are filled with the Holy Spirit”, he advised
He said it was equally important for Christians to commit themselves to issues and programmes that would accelerate the pace of sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
Rev. Fr. Asiedu Fosu noted that some Christians blessed with unique talents that could enhance accelerated national development failed to put them at the disposals of society because of their selfish interest and advised against that.
He also said it would be wrong for Christians who were the vehicles of love, unity, peace and truth to behave in a way that was likely to create division and hatred among people.
He said it was only when Christians were seen to be promoting peace and unity in society and also being honest and truthful in all their transactions as well as being the vehicles for accelerated national development that the Pentecost Day would be meaningful to them in particular and society in general.
Friday, May 23, 2008
FAISAL THRASH SPORTIVE (PAGE 47)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Alhaji Grunsah’s King Faisal added Real Sportive to their list of victims by thrashing them 3-1 in their premier league encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium yesterday.
Determined to improve their point build-up on the Premier League after defeating Accra Great Olympics by a similar goal margin at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday, Faisal shot into the lead through Eric K. Opoku on the 11th minute.
Sportive accepted the challenge and multiplied in attack. In one of their forays, Isaac Boakye equalised for his side in the 14th minute.
The defenders of both teams built solid walls to prevent any more goals, but undaunted Faisal dominated proceedings, putting much pressure on their opponents with the aim of increasing the tally.
Faisal’s efforts paid off when on the 35th minute Abraham Basit managed to put the ball in the net to end the half.
In one of Faisal’s fast counter attacks on the 71st minute, Eric Agyeman pounced on a loose ball and ran deep into the area of Sportive. He laid a pass to substitute Enoch Ebo Andoh who displaced goalkeeper John Adotey before planting the ball into the net for Faisal’s third goal.
• A ten-man Liberty Professionals team yesterday humbled visiting Wa All Stars 3-1 at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman, to maintain their second position on the table in their mid-week match of the Onetouch Premier League, writes Peter Sarbah.
Skipper Amin Ishmail of Wa All Stars scored an own-goal in the second minute of the game when a cross he intended to head away beat his keeper to put the home team ahead. Yaw Antwi scored in the 45th minute while Samuel Yeboah made it three in the 77th minute for the home team. All stars got a consolation in the 90th minute through Daniel Coffie
Alhaji Grunsah’s King Faisal added Real Sportive to their list of victims by thrashing them 3-1 in their premier league encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium yesterday.
Determined to improve their point build-up on the Premier League after defeating Accra Great Olympics by a similar goal margin at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday, Faisal shot into the lead through Eric K. Opoku on the 11th minute.
Sportive accepted the challenge and multiplied in attack. In one of their forays, Isaac Boakye equalised for his side in the 14th minute.
The defenders of both teams built solid walls to prevent any more goals, but undaunted Faisal dominated proceedings, putting much pressure on their opponents with the aim of increasing the tally.
Faisal’s efforts paid off when on the 35th minute Abraham Basit managed to put the ball in the net to end the half.
In one of Faisal’s fast counter attacks on the 71st minute, Eric Agyeman pounced on a loose ball and ran deep into the area of Sportive. He laid a pass to substitute Enoch Ebo Andoh who displaced goalkeeper John Adotey before planting the ball into the net for Faisal’s third goal.
• A ten-man Liberty Professionals team yesterday humbled visiting Wa All Stars 3-1 at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman, to maintain their second position on the table in their mid-week match of the Onetouch Premier League, writes Peter Sarbah.
Skipper Amin Ishmail of Wa All Stars scored an own-goal in the second minute of the game when a cross he intended to head away beat his keeper to put the home team ahead. Yaw Antwi scored in the 45th minute while Samuel Yeboah made it three in the 77th minute for the home team. All stars got a consolation in the 90th minute through Daniel Coffie
Thursday, May 22, 2008
COURT DISCHARGES FOUR ALLEGED FRAUDSTERS (PAGE 40)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh has discharged two suspects including a White South African, Carlos coker alias Tony, who were alleged to have defrauded a Kumasi-based businessman of $103,000.
The four, were discharged following an application of nolle prosequi filed by the Ashanti Regional Principal State Attorney, Mr William Kpobi, for them to be discharged and prosecuted by a higher court.
Consequently, they were re-arrested minutes after their discharge to assist with further investigations into the case.
The four, together with six others now at large, are said to have promised to assist the complainant, Alhaji Dauda Abu, a resident of Suame, a Kumasi suburb, to establish a school complex and a hospital.
Carlos; Noel Morton Moss, alias James Anderson; Tunde Alabi and Musa Awudu, alias Mustapha, who first appeared before the court on May 8, 2008, were remanded into prison custody when they pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to defraud and defrauding a businessman of $103,000.
It was at their second appearance before the court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh, that the application for their discharge was filed.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Regina Kesewa, had told the court that about six months ago, the complainant had a call on his cell phone and the caller, who identified himself as Mustapha, calling from London, told him (the complainant) that he (Mustapha) worked for some white men in London who had expressed interest in establishing a school complex and a hospital in Kumasi.
She said Mustapha also told Alhaji Dauda that the white men had tasked him to look for a front man in Ghana who could get them 50 plots of land to house the two projects, as well as buildings that could be used as offices and accommodation facilities for workers who would be employed to work there.
According to ASP Kesewa, the complainant became interested in the proposals and later Mustapha succeeded in establishing a contact between Alhaji Dauda and a certain man who claimed to be calling from London and who identified himself as Hans Rudorf, now at large.
She said in the course of their conversation, Rudorf promised to send $3 million to the complainant to enable him to pay for the 50 plots of land and the houses to be developed for the projects.
ASP Kesewa said a few days later, the complainant had another call from someone, who claimed to be calling from Togo and the caller told the complainant that he had been given a parcel, which contained $3 million to be given to him (the complainant).
The prosecutor further told the court that in the course of their conversation, the complainant told the caller to bring the parcel to him in Ghana, and so a deal was established that the complainant should pay $3,725 for the parcel to be brought to him in Kumasi.
He said on his way to collect the parcel, the complainant had a call from Mustapha, who wanted to know if the complainant had received the parcel containing the $3 million.
The prosecutor said the complainant also had another call from Rudorf, directing him to read carefully the instructions accompanying the parcel and comply fully with them.
She said Rudorf also told the complainant that for security reasons, the $3 million had been defaced and, therefore, directed the complainant to contact some people in Ghana for assistance to turn the notes into genuine ones.
The prosecutor said as soon as Alhaji Dauda called the number provided by Rudorf, someone who identified himself as Carlos, picked the call and later succeeded in tracing the complainant to Kumasi to inspect the contents of the parcel.
She said Carlos later demanded $3,500 to procure chemicals to enable him to turn the defaced dollars into genuine notes. She said through that means, Carlos succeeded in collecting thousands of dollars from the complainant, with a firm assurance that the defaced dollars would be turned into genuine notes.
ASP Kesewa said along the line, another suspect, Mack Williams, and one Engineer, both at large, were also introduced to the complainant by Cooker as officials from South Africa, who could assist in turning the defaced dollars into genuine ones and, therefore, collected several dollars from the complainant.
The prosecutor also told the court that on April 5, 2008, Carlos led a delegation, which included Mack Williams and two whites, James Anderson, alias Noel Morgan Moss, and one Smith, to the complainant, where Morgan sprayed some chemicals onto some of the defaced dollar notes, causing some of them to turn into real notes.
She said after the act, they further demanded $11,000 from the complainant, claiming that they needed to buy more chemicals to turn the others into dollars.
The prosecutor, said after paying about $103,000 to the suspects, the complainant came to his senses that he was being defrauded so he lodged a complaint with the police. When Carlos returned to Kumasi on April 28, 2008 to collect the parcel back to Accra, he was arrested.
.ASP Regina Kesewa said Carlos later took the police to Accra to arrest some of his accomplices, including James Anderson, Tunde Alabi and Mush Awudu, who had earlier given his name as Mustapha, but the other six escaped police arrest.
A Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh has discharged two suspects including a White South African, Carlos coker alias Tony, who were alleged to have defrauded a Kumasi-based businessman of $103,000.
The four, were discharged following an application of nolle prosequi filed by the Ashanti Regional Principal State Attorney, Mr William Kpobi, for them to be discharged and prosecuted by a higher court.
Consequently, they were re-arrested minutes after their discharge to assist with further investigations into the case.
The four, together with six others now at large, are said to have promised to assist the complainant, Alhaji Dauda Abu, a resident of Suame, a Kumasi suburb, to establish a school complex and a hospital.
Carlos; Noel Morton Moss, alias James Anderson; Tunde Alabi and Musa Awudu, alias Mustapha, who first appeared before the court on May 8, 2008, were remanded into prison custody when they pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to defraud and defrauding a businessman of $103,000.
It was at their second appearance before the court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh, that the application for their discharge was filed.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Regina Kesewa, had told the court that about six months ago, the complainant had a call on his cell phone and the caller, who identified himself as Mustapha, calling from London, told him (the complainant) that he (Mustapha) worked for some white men in London who had expressed interest in establishing a school complex and a hospital in Kumasi.
She said Mustapha also told Alhaji Dauda that the white men had tasked him to look for a front man in Ghana who could get them 50 plots of land to house the two projects, as well as buildings that could be used as offices and accommodation facilities for workers who would be employed to work there.
According to ASP Kesewa, the complainant became interested in the proposals and later Mustapha succeeded in establishing a contact between Alhaji Dauda and a certain man who claimed to be calling from London and who identified himself as Hans Rudorf, now at large.
She said in the course of their conversation, Rudorf promised to send $3 million to the complainant to enable him to pay for the 50 plots of land and the houses to be developed for the projects.
ASP Kesewa said a few days later, the complainant had another call from someone, who claimed to be calling from Togo and the caller told the complainant that he had been given a parcel, which contained $3 million to be given to him (the complainant).
The prosecutor further told the court that in the course of their conversation, the complainant told the caller to bring the parcel to him in Ghana, and so a deal was established that the complainant should pay $3,725 for the parcel to be brought to him in Kumasi.
He said on his way to collect the parcel, the complainant had a call from Mustapha, who wanted to know if the complainant had received the parcel containing the $3 million.
The prosecutor said the complainant also had another call from Rudorf, directing him to read carefully the instructions accompanying the parcel and comply fully with them.
She said Rudorf also told the complainant that for security reasons, the $3 million had been defaced and, therefore, directed the complainant to contact some people in Ghana for assistance to turn the notes into genuine ones.
The prosecutor said as soon as Alhaji Dauda called the number provided by Rudorf, someone who identified himself as Carlos, picked the call and later succeeded in tracing the complainant to Kumasi to inspect the contents of the parcel.
She said Carlos later demanded $3,500 to procure chemicals to enable him to turn the defaced dollars into genuine notes. She said through that means, Carlos succeeded in collecting thousands of dollars from the complainant, with a firm assurance that the defaced dollars would be turned into genuine notes.
ASP Kesewa said along the line, another suspect, Mack Williams, and one Engineer, both at large, were also introduced to the complainant by Cooker as officials from South Africa, who could assist in turning the defaced dollars into genuine ones and, therefore, collected several dollars from the complainant.
The prosecutor also told the court that on April 5, 2008, Carlos led a delegation, which included Mack Williams and two whites, James Anderson, alias Noel Morgan Moss, and one Smith, to the complainant, where Morgan sprayed some chemicals onto some of the defaced dollar notes, causing some of them to turn into real notes.
She said after the act, they further demanded $11,000 from the complainant, claiming that they needed to buy more chemicals to turn the others into dollars.
The prosecutor, said after paying about $103,000 to the suspects, the complainant came to his senses that he was being defrauded so he lodged a complaint with the police. When Carlos returned to Kumasi on April 28, 2008 to collect the parcel back to Accra, he was arrested.
.ASP Regina Kesewa said Carlos later took the police to Accra to arrest some of his accomplices, including James Anderson, Tunde Alabi and Mush Awudu, who had earlier given his name as Mustapha, but the other six escaped police arrest.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
KATH TO BAN CELLPHONE IN THEATRES (PAGE 29)
STORY: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have decided to ban the use of cellphones in the theatres to enhance efficiency and quality delivery of medical services.
The ban will take effect from June 1, 2008, and any medical officer who flouts the regulation would be severely sanctioned.
According to the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, the use of cellphones at the hospital not only affects the monitors at the theatres, but also undermines quality delivery of service.
Announcing the ban during a seminar organised for selected nurse anaesthetists and other medical staff in the country, Dr Nsiah Asare pointed out that the time had come for medical officers to be conscious of the needs of their patients at all times.
He explained that with the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the activities of medical officers were being scrutinised continuously by the patients and managers of the insurance scheme “and so any form of inefficiency on your part would not only land you in court but would also cause your name to be deleted from our register, so take notice of the directive and abide by it”, he advised.
The seminar was meant to build the capacity of the nurse anaesthetists in the country to enable them to handle trauma and emergency cases efficiently and effectively.
This is to reduce the mortality rate associated with such cases.
The KATH organised the workshop in collaboration with a team of medical officers from the University of Utah in the United States of America (USA).
The seminar, which was instituted four years ago, is also meant to refresh and update the knowledge of practising nurse anaesthetists and physician anaesthetists throughout the country.
It is further meant to build their capacity more effectively to enable them to provide safe anaesthesia to patients and also train other health providers in basic life support during emergencies.
Dr Nsiah Asare expressed concern about the rate of death associated with road traffic injuries in the country and said it was indeed important to train more people to handle accident victims efficiently to reduce the death rate among road traffic accident victims.
He explained that because of the poor handling of accident victims, as many as 80 per cent of people, including politicians, medical officers, students, priests, farmers and journalists died on the spot while 14 per cent died at the theatre during emergency services.
He said research had also shown that only six per cent of accident victims survived.
He added that as part of the measures to reduce the number of deaths among accident victims, the KATH authorities were initiating policies and programmes that would greatly enhance quality delivery of services and efficient handling of accident victims from the accident scenes.
He said further that measures were also being taken to ensure that only well-trained people handled accident victims.
He said as part of the measures, the KATH was agitating for a law to be passed to ensure that only well-trained people handled accident cases.
The Accident Emergency Centre at the KATH which is under construction will be opened by July 1, 2008 to cater for trauma-related and emergency cases.
Dr Nsiah Asare says the Accident Emergency Centre is a complex unit, which would need a lot of critical care nurses, and that the KATH authorities were collaborating with their Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) counterparts to train more nurses capable of providing quality heath care delivery at the centre.
The KATH is also collaborating with the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Unit (GPRTU) to train its members to handle accident victims properly to reduce the death rate, which outnumbers HIV and AIDS cases in the country.
In a welcoming address, the Head of the Directorate of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit at the KATH, Dr Gabriel Boakye, said the KATH was determined to build the capacity of the participants in modern anaesthesia techniques to markedly improve the safety of surgery.
Authorities at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have decided to ban the use of cellphones in the theatres to enhance efficiency and quality delivery of medical services.
The ban will take effect from June 1, 2008, and any medical officer who flouts the regulation would be severely sanctioned.
According to the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, the use of cellphones at the hospital not only affects the monitors at the theatres, but also undermines quality delivery of service.
Announcing the ban during a seminar organised for selected nurse anaesthetists and other medical staff in the country, Dr Nsiah Asare pointed out that the time had come for medical officers to be conscious of the needs of their patients at all times.
He explained that with the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the activities of medical officers were being scrutinised continuously by the patients and managers of the insurance scheme “and so any form of inefficiency on your part would not only land you in court but would also cause your name to be deleted from our register, so take notice of the directive and abide by it”, he advised.
The seminar was meant to build the capacity of the nurse anaesthetists in the country to enable them to handle trauma and emergency cases efficiently and effectively.
This is to reduce the mortality rate associated with such cases.
The KATH organised the workshop in collaboration with a team of medical officers from the University of Utah in the United States of America (USA).
The seminar, which was instituted four years ago, is also meant to refresh and update the knowledge of practising nurse anaesthetists and physician anaesthetists throughout the country.
It is further meant to build their capacity more effectively to enable them to provide safe anaesthesia to patients and also train other health providers in basic life support during emergencies.
Dr Nsiah Asare expressed concern about the rate of death associated with road traffic injuries in the country and said it was indeed important to train more people to handle accident victims efficiently to reduce the death rate among road traffic accident victims.
He explained that because of the poor handling of accident victims, as many as 80 per cent of people, including politicians, medical officers, students, priests, farmers and journalists died on the spot while 14 per cent died at the theatre during emergency services.
He said research had also shown that only six per cent of accident victims survived.
He added that as part of the measures to reduce the number of deaths among accident victims, the KATH authorities were initiating policies and programmes that would greatly enhance quality delivery of services and efficient handling of accident victims from the accident scenes.
He said further that measures were also being taken to ensure that only well-trained people handled accident victims.
He said as part of the measures, the KATH was agitating for a law to be passed to ensure that only well-trained people handled accident cases.
The Accident Emergency Centre at the KATH which is under construction will be opened by July 1, 2008 to cater for trauma-related and emergency cases.
Dr Nsiah Asare says the Accident Emergency Centre is a complex unit, which would need a lot of critical care nurses, and that the KATH authorities were collaborating with their Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) counterparts to train more nurses capable of providing quality heath care delivery at the centre.
The KATH is also collaborating with the leadership of the Ghana Private Road Transport Unit (GPRTU) to train its members to handle accident victims properly to reduce the death rate, which outnumbers HIV and AIDS cases in the country.
In a welcoming address, the Head of the Directorate of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit at the KATH, Dr Gabriel Boakye, said the KATH was determined to build the capacity of the participants in modern anaesthesia techniques to markedly improve the safety of surgery.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
REJECT CORRUPT POLITICAL LEADERS...Archbishop Sarpong (PAGE 17)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of the Kumasi Diocese, Most Rev Peter Kwasi Sarpong, has called on the electorate to register massively for the December 2008 elections and vote in their numbers.
He said the electorate should, however, reject corrupt leaders who may entice them with money, in both the parliamentary and presidential elections and explained that such politicians who offered bribes to entice the electorate to vote for them would have nothing to offer the state.
Archbishop Sarpong made the remarks during an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic at the Catholic Secretariat in Kumasi last Tuesday.
The interview dwelt on many issues, including religion and politics, the forthcoming general election, the challenges that confronted him during his active religious activities and his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
Quoting Pope Benedict XI to support his statement, Archbishop Sarpong noted that “Africa needs saintly politicians and holy heads of state whose activities would have positive influence on the people ”. “ The money they offer you for your votes, is a testimony of their character as corrupt leaders who would like to bribe you to be in high office. Make sure that you do not allow their money to influence your votes in any way. This is because such people do not deserve to be your leaders”, he advised.
Archbishop Sarpong explained that “accepting money to vote for corrupt officials indicates that you are selling your conscience to corrupt men and women and preparing the grounds to entrench corruption in the system instead of helping to uproot them”.
He said it was time Ghanaians were guided by the dictates of their conscience to elect God-fearing leaders who would put the welfare of the nation first in all their actions and programmes.
Stressing his points, he said, it was only when God-fearing people were elected to higher positions that Ghana would realise her dream of joining the middle income at the stipulated period.
“This is because such people would have the welfare of the people at heart and would therefore initiate policies and programmes that would impact positively on their life”, he explained.
Archbishop Sarpong said it was equally important for supporters of the various political parties to refrain from any action that would undermine state security and create anarchy before, during or after the December general elections.
“Why should you cause violence or get yourself killed because of the political ambition of somebody?” He questioned, adding, “ This message should be preached at all corners of the country for the electorate to appreciate the need to conduct themselves peacefully in this election year”.
He said by the tenets of our constitution, everybody had the right to join any political party and “vote for a candidate of his choice but this should not create any rancour or bitterness among the political opponents and their supporters”.
Archbishop Sarpong also appealed to the electorate to refrain from provoking their opponents if their favourites won the elections. “ You should by all means jubilate over your victory, but do not do anything that would provoke the losing side”, he advised.
On religion and politics, Archbishop Sarpong said religious leaders had the right to speak on political issues and that “religion cannot be separated from politics because the human being is both religious and political, and since politics and religion are about promoting the welfare of human beings, there is no way the two could be separated..
“We cannot draw any line of demarcation between religion and politics because the two are woven together and that is what it should be” Archbishop Sarpong said the dichotomy of attempting to separate religion from politics “is what is spelling the doom of Ghana”.
He pointed out that it was wrong for religious leaders to actively participate in partisan politics because doing that would alienate their congregation, but also added that politicians who attempted to separate religion from politics were those who would also go to any length to give or take bribes in the course of serving the state, or cheat for their own benefit at the expense of the state.
“Religion promotes good politics,” he stressed, adding, “If you are a good religious person, then you are fighting for the welfare of your people, and not for your own interest, and so long as we continue to separate religion from politics, the welfare of the people would be taken for granted”, he added.
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of the Kumasi Diocese, Most Rev Peter Kwasi Sarpong, has called on the electorate to register massively for the December 2008 elections and vote in their numbers.
He said the electorate should, however, reject corrupt leaders who may entice them with money, in both the parliamentary and presidential elections and explained that such politicians who offered bribes to entice the electorate to vote for them would have nothing to offer the state.
Archbishop Sarpong made the remarks during an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic at the Catholic Secretariat in Kumasi last Tuesday.
The interview dwelt on many issues, including religion and politics, the forthcoming general election, the challenges that confronted him during his active religious activities and his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
Quoting Pope Benedict XI to support his statement, Archbishop Sarpong noted that “Africa needs saintly politicians and holy heads of state whose activities would have positive influence on the people ”. “ The money they offer you for your votes, is a testimony of their character as corrupt leaders who would like to bribe you to be in high office. Make sure that you do not allow their money to influence your votes in any way. This is because such people do not deserve to be your leaders”, he advised.
Archbishop Sarpong explained that “accepting money to vote for corrupt officials indicates that you are selling your conscience to corrupt men and women and preparing the grounds to entrench corruption in the system instead of helping to uproot them”.
He said it was time Ghanaians were guided by the dictates of their conscience to elect God-fearing leaders who would put the welfare of the nation first in all their actions and programmes.
Stressing his points, he said, it was only when God-fearing people were elected to higher positions that Ghana would realise her dream of joining the middle income at the stipulated period.
“This is because such people would have the welfare of the people at heart and would therefore initiate policies and programmes that would impact positively on their life”, he explained.
Archbishop Sarpong said it was equally important for supporters of the various political parties to refrain from any action that would undermine state security and create anarchy before, during or after the December general elections.
“Why should you cause violence or get yourself killed because of the political ambition of somebody?” He questioned, adding, “ This message should be preached at all corners of the country for the electorate to appreciate the need to conduct themselves peacefully in this election year”.
He said by the tenets of our constitution, everybody had the right to join any political party and “vote for a candidate of his choice but this should not create any rancour or bitterness among the political opponents and their supporters”.
Archbishop Sarpong also appealed to the electorate to refrain from provoking their opponents if their favourites won the elections. “ You should by all means jubilate over your victory, but do not do anything that would provoke the losing side”, he advised.
On religion and politics, Archbishop Sarpong said religious leaders had the right to speak on political issues and that “religion cannot be separated from politics because the human being is both religious and political, and since politics and religion are about promoting the welfare of human beings, there is no way the two could be separated..
“We cannot draw any line of demarcation between religion and politics because the two are woven together and that is what it should be” Archbishop Sarpong said the dichotomy of attempting to separate religion from politics “is what is spelling the doom of Ghana”.
He pointed out that it was wrong for religious leaders to actively participate in partisan politics because doing that would alienate their congregation, but also added that politicians who attempted to separate religion from politics were those who would also go to any length to give or take bribes in the course of serving the state, or cheat for their own benefit at the expense of the state.
“Religion promotes good politics,” he stressed, adding, “If you are a good religious person, then you are fighting for the welfare of your people, and not for your own interest, and so long as we continue to separate religion from politics, the welfare of the people would be taken for granted”, he added.
Monday, May 19, 2008
KOTOKO SUPPORTERS WON TITANIC MATCH (NSEMPA, BACK PAGE)
By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
KUMASI Asante Kotoko’s victory over the Dolphins of Nigeria at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Monday, May 12, 2008, described by coach Bashir Hayford as “miraculously sweet,” killed two golden birds with a mighty stone.
Giant feat
This was because after performing the giant feat, which saw the Porcupine Warriors recovering from 0-3 goal aggregate to score four goals, two of which were scored in the last seven minutes of the match to edge out Dolphins from the CAF Confederation Cup competition, Kotoko also smiled all the way to the bank, to cash in the gate proceeds which their supporters doled out generously on Sunday and Monday for watching the match for the two consecutive days.
Reports reaching Graphic Nsempa in Kumasi indicated that the Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, accumulated over GH¢170,000 from the two days it engaged the Nigeria representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup competition in Kumasi.
A heavy downpour on Sunday, May 11, 2008 a few minutes after kick off when Kotoko was leading their opponents by a lone goal rendered the pitch ineffective for any competitive match, and this caused the match officials from Angola, to push the game to Monday, which incidentally was the first working day of the third week of May 2008.
Unflinching support
The fear was that unlike the previous day where a sizeable number of Kotoko faithful stormed the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to offer their unflinching support to Kotoko in their abortive clash with the Dolphins, a few of them may throng the stadium on Monday.
However, with the expectations so high and the battle ahead so Herculean, the numerous Kotoko fans knew to that the players needed them more than over before at that crucial moment, so staying away from the match would be detrimental to the forward match of their idol club.
They also realised that it was only their massive support from the stands that could ginger the players into action to deliver, and that was exactly what they did.
It was therefore not surprising that by kick off at 3p.m, on Monday, almost all the stands had been filled by soccer fans wearing their usual red and white shirts, indicating that, they were not taking any chances and were prepared to sacrifice their profits even on a busy day like Monday to see to Kotoko’s victory.
Fans
The presence of the fans was therefore very intimidating and it was quite surprising that the Dolphins succeeded in shooting ahead in the 22nd minute against the run of play at a time that Kotoko had played so well and pinned them into their half for a greater part of the game.
Victory finally came but it came the hard way, mainly because of the hard work of the players, especially at the closing stages of the game, but primarily from the encouragement of the vociferious supporters who never stopped singing and urged the players on until the last minute of the game when Eric Bekoe exploded with two quick goals with Kwabena Yaro coming out with the winner on the stroke of time.
The Oduro magic
Putting the match into perspective, one could not rule out the magic of substitute Stephen Oduro whose midfield role had great impact on the game.
Prior to his inclusion in the game, Kotoko was just playing to the advantage of their taller opponents by ballooning the ball to their opponents area who responded by heading them away.
With faulty passes, unable to win some of the 50-50 balls, failing to make use of the numerous set pieces that came their way, and erratic shooting at goal, Kotoko became more desperate as the 90 minutes duration came closer.
As the Dolphins feigned injury at the least opportunity to waste precious time, and also resulted to massing up in defense, building a massive wall to protect their lead instead of attacking, Kotoko became more frustrated until the Stephen Oduro factor manifested midway in the second half.
As he put the ball on the turf, taking total control in the midfield with his perfect ball control and distribution and creating empty spaces for his attackers, the spectators responded with shouts for goals at a time the Dolphins were up 3-1 on goal aggregate.
Kotoko finally scored three goals within a space of 20 minutes to beat their opponents 4-3 on aggregate to qualify to the next stage of the competition.
As the team gets closer to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup competition, the need for more of such support is key to the future success of the Porcupine Warriors.
Effective support
The supporters need to organise themselves more effectively to ensure that they storm the Baba Yara Stadium anytime Kotoko play to encourage the players to die a little for their idol club.
The players are young with some of them having very faint hearts. It is only massive support by the fans that can adequately motivate them during tough battles as happened at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2008.
Since 1983 when Opoku Nti, John Bannerman, Papa Arko, Yaya Kassum and Abdul Karim Zito, who constituted the core of the Kotoko team won the African Cup for Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the second time, the team has always struggled to conquer Africa.
Honour
Perhaps this is the time for the players to bring honour to themselves, their team and nation. They seem eager to create history for themselves and the team so as to be counted among the greatest players who had ever featured for the club.
However, the need for the numerous Kotoko fans to rally behind the players to sing their praises all the time would go a long way to rekindle the fighting spirit of the team.
It is therefore very important for those who need to organise the fans in a more effective way to put their shoulders to the wheel to ensure an all round support for the players in any competitive match.
This will ginger the boys to perform, even at the peril of their lives as Eric Bekoe, Jordan Opoku, Daniel Nii Adjei, Harrison Afful and Samuel Inkoom did last Monday.
KUMASI Asante Kotoko’s victory over the Dolphins of Nigeria at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Monday, May 12, 2008, described by coach Bashir Hayford as “miraculously sweet,” killed two golden birds with a mighty stone.
Giant feat
This was because after performing the giant feat, which saw the Porcupine Warriors recovering from 0-3 goal aggregate to score four goals, two of which were scored in the last seven minutes of the match to edge out Dolphins from the CAF Confederation Cup competition, Kotoko also smiled all the way to the bank, to cash in the gate proceeds which their supporters doled out generously on Sunday and Monday for watching the match for the two consecutive days.
Reports reaching Graphic Nsempa in Kumasi indicated that the Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, accumulated over GH¢170,000 from the two days it engaged the Nigeria representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup competition in Kumasi.
A heavy downpour on Sunday, May 11, 2008 a few minutes after kick off when Kotoko was leading their opponents by a lone goal rendered the pitch ineffective for any competitive match, and this caused the match officials from Angola, to push the game to Monday, which incidentally was the first working day of the third week of May 2008.
Unflinching support
The fear was that unlike the previous day where a sizeable number of Kotoko faithful stormed the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to offer their unflinching support to Kotoko in their abortive clash with the Dolphins, a few of them may throng the stadium on Monday.
However, with the expectations so high and the battle ahead so Herculean, the numerous Kotoko fans knew to that the players needed them more than over before at that crucial moment, so staying away from the match would be detrimental to the forward match of their idol club.
They also realised that it was only their massive support from the stands that could ginger the players into action to deliver, and that was exactly what they did.
It was therefore not surprising that by kick off at 3p.m, on Monday, almost all the stands had been filled by soccer fans wearing their usual red and white shirts, indicating that, they were not taking any chances and were prepared to sacrifice their profits even on a busy day like Monday to see to Kotoko’s victory.
Fans
The presence of the fans was therefore very intimidating and it was quite surprising that the Dolphins succeeded in shooting ahead in the 22nd minute against the run of play at a time that Kotoko had played so well and pinned them into their half for a greater part of the game.
Victory finally came but it came the hard way, mainly because of the hard work of the players, especially at the closing stages of the game, but primarily from the encouragement of the vociferious supporters who never stopped singing and urged the players on until the last minute of the game when Eric Bekoe exploded with two quick goals with Kwabena Yaro coming out with the winner on the stroke of time.
The Oduro magic
Putting the match into perspective, one could not rule out the magic of substitute Stephen Oduro whose midfield role had great impact on the game.
Prior to his inclusion in the game, Kotoko was just playing to the advantage of their taller opponents by ballooning the ball to their opponents area who responded by heading them away.
With faulty passes, unable to win some of the 50-50 balls, failing to make use of the numerous set pieces that came their way, and erratic shooting at goal, Kotoko became more desperate as the 90 minutes duration came closer.
As the Dolphins feigned injury at the least opportunity to waste precious time, and also resulted to massing up in defense, building a massive wall to protect their lead instead of attacking, Kotoko became more frustrated until the Stephen Oduro factor manifested midway in the second half.
As he put the ball on the turf, taking total control in the midfield with his perfect ball control and distribution and creating empty spaces for his attackers, the spectators responded with shouts for goals at a time the Dolphins were up 3-1 on goal aggregate.
Kotoko finally scored three goals within a space of 20 minutes to beat their opponents 4-3 on aggregate to qualify to the next stage of the competition.
As the team gets closer to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup competition, the need for more of such support is key to the future success of the Porcupine Warriors.
Effective support
The supporters need to organise themselves more effectively to ensure that they storm the Baba Yara Stadium anytime Kotoko play to encourage the players to die a little for their idol club.
The players are young with some of them having very faint hearts. It is only massive support by the fans that can adequately motivate them during tough battles as happened at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2008.
Since 1983 when Opoku Nti, John Bannerman, Papa Arko, Yaya Kassum and Abdul Karim Zito, who constituted the core of the Kotoko team won the African Cup for Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the second time, the team has always struggled to conquer Africa.
Honour
Perhaps this is the time for the players to bring honour to themselves, their team and nation. They seem eager to create history for themselves and the team so as to be counted among the greatest players who had ever featured for the club.
However, the need for the numerous Kotoko fans to rally behind the players to sing their praises all the time would go a long way to rekindle the fighting spirit of the team.
It is therefore very important for those who need to organise the fans in a more effective way to put their shoulders to the wheel to ensure an all round support for the players in any competitive match.
This will ginger the boys to perform, even at the peril of their lives as Eric Bekoe, Jordan Opoku, Daniel Nii Adjei, Harrison Afful and Samuel Inkoom did last Monday.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
ABANDONED BUS NOW BROTHEL (MIRROR, LEAD STORY)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
A 61-seater Vanttol bus which has been abandoned at Asafo in Kumasi for the past one year, now serves as a brothel for both young and old.
The bus, with registration number GT 5012 W, has been described by residents as “a 24-hour service” brothel for the youth and some elderly people at Asafo and its environs.
The modus operandi of those who indulge in this act is that during the day, one of the consenting parties would sneak into the bus through the windows, while their partners join them later by the same means.
This is to avoid detection by residents who do business around the area where the bus has been abandoned. At night, the apparent cold atmosphere in the bus creates a more conducive environment for the immoral activities.
The patrons, therefore, take advantage of the situation to enter the bus in their numbers to indulge in sexual activities.
Some female teenagers who have been regular patrons of the bus service for nearly a year now are reported to be pregnant and are expected to be delivered of their babies very soon.
When The Mirror inspected the bus last Thursday, a variety of used condoms were scattered in the bus, indicating that not only had patronage been soaring, but that some of its clients were conscious of protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy or being infected with any disease.
A 38-year-old businesswoman, Mrs Esther Adu-Gyamfi, a resident of Asafo, who sometimes witnessed some of the youth jumping into the bus during the day, has expressed misgivings about the situation.
She wondered why the owner of the vehicle could abandon it at a residential area for such a long time for the youth to turn it into a place for sexual activities.
“At dawn, I see some elderly women who have no sense of shame jumping out of the bus while their partners follow them as if it was a brothel, and in the afternoon, it is the same. The situation is becoming worse by the day and all efforts to convince the owner to tow the bus from its present location has proved futile”, she told The Mirror.
Mrs Adu-Gyamfi pointed out that some elders of Asafo, who are apprehensive of the behaviour of the youth and the danger it poses to their health, had complained to the owner on his cell phone, but the response had not been positive.
She said apart from being used as a brothel, the abandoned bus also posed risk to motorists.
“ The bus is a few metres from the main intersection of the Asafo Zion School, and therefore, blocks the view of motorists which sometimes causes accidents.
She has, therefore, appealed to the Regional MTTU Police Command to tow the bus from the Asafo area to prevent further accidents.
“Towing it from here will serve two purposes: It will reduce the rate of sexual promiscuity here and also reduce the number of accidents that are being recorded here,” Mrs Adu-Gyamfi added.
A 61-seater Vanttol bus which has been abandoned at Asafo in Kumasi for the past one year, now serves as a brothel for both young and old.
The bus, with registration number GT 5012 W, has been described by residents as “a 24-hour service” brothel for the youth and some elderly people at Asafo and its environs.
The modus operandi of those who indulge in this act is that during the day, one of the consenting parties would sneak into the bus through the windows, while their partners join them later by the same means.
This is to avoid detection by residents who do business around the area where the bus has been abandoned. At night, the apparent cold atmosphere in the bus creates a more conducive environment for the immoral activities.
The patrons, therefore, take advantage of the situation to enter the bus in their numbers to indulge in sexual activities.
Some female teenagers who have been regular patrons of the bus service for nearly a year now are reported to be pregnant and are expected to be delivered of their babies very soon.
When The Mirror inspected the bus last Thursday, a variety of used condoms were scattered in the bus, indicating that not only had patronage been soaring, but that some of its clients were conscious of protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy or being infected with any disease.
A 38-year-old businesswoman, Mrs Esther Adu-Gyamfi, a resident of Asafo, who sometimes witnessed some of the youth jumping into the bus during the day, has expressed misgivings about the situation.
She wondered why the owner of the vehicle could abandon it at a residential area for such a long time for the youth to turn it into a place for sexual activities.
“At dawn, I see some elderly women who have no sense of shame jumping out of the bus while their partners follow them as if it was a brothel, and in the afternoon, it is the same. The situation is becoming worse by the day and all efforts to convince the owner to tow the bus from its present location has proved futile”, she told The Mirror.
Mrs Adu-Gyamfi pointed out that some elders of Asafo, who are apprehensive of the behaviour of the youth and the danger it poses to their health, had complained to the owner on his cell phone, but the response had not been positive.
She said apart from being used as a brothel, the abandoned bus also posed risk to motorists.
“ The bus is a few metres from the main intersection of the Asafo Zion School, and therefore, blocks the view of motorists which sometimes causes accidents.
She has, therefore, appealed to the Regional MTTU Police Command to tow the bus from the Asafo area to prevent further accidents.
“Towing it from here will serve two purposes: It will reduce the rate of sexual promiscuity here and also reduce the number of accidents that are being recorded here,” Mrs Adu-Gyamfi added.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
FAISAL, ASHGOLD DRAW (BACK PAGE)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Kumasi-based King Faisal were held to a goalless draw by visting Ashantigold yesterday at the Baba Yara Stadium in an outstanding match, in a game characterised by some missed chances in both halves.
Both sides split points in their last encounter during the first round played last year.
A powerful shot from King Faisal’s Samad Abdul Oppong which hit Ashgold goalie Fatau Dauda in the chest left him injured. Dauda had to receive medical attention for about four minutes before he fully recovered to continue in the post for his team.
Both teams displayed rare talents in midfield and attack, creating numerous chances but failed to utilise any of them.
In the sixth minute, for instance, Alex Asamoah of Ashgold came very close to putting the ball past Faisal goalie Osei Boateng but he blasted away the glorious chance.
In the 28th minute the Ashgold attacker succeeded in leaving his markers behind and entered the box, but instead of shooting at goal he dribbled past goalkeeper Boateng who sprawled to collect the ball from his foot.
Faisal also had a fair share of the chances and in the eighth minute Enoch Ebo Andoh dashed deep into the vital area of Ashgold, but with goalkeeper Fatau Dauda rushing on, he shot wide.
Unable to score in the first half, both teams made some changes and poured into each other’s half after recess but missed the chances they created.
In the last quarter of the game Faisal were more purposeful at goal and it was during one of such moves that goalkeeper Fatau Dauda got injured.
Kumasi-based King Faisal were held to a goalless draw by visting Ashantigold yesterday at the Baba Yara Stadium in an outstanding match, in a game characterised by some missed chances in both halves.
Both sides split points in their last encounter during the first round played last year.
A powerful shot from King Faisal’s Samad Abdul Oppong which hit Ashgold goalie Fatau Dauda in the chest left him injured. Dauda had to receive medical attention for about four minutes before he fully recovered to continue in the post for his team.
Both teams displayed rare talents in midfield and attack, creating numerous chances but failed to utilise any of them.
In the sixth minute, for instance, Alex Asamoah of Ashgold came very close to putting the ball past Faisal goalie Osei Boateng but he blasted away the glorious chance.
In the 28th minute the Ashgold attacker succeeded in leaving his markers behind and entered the box, but instead of shooting at goal he dribbled past goalkeeper Boateng who sprawled to collect the ball from his foot.
Faisal also had a fair share of the chances and in the eighth minute Enoch Ebo Andoh dashed deep into the vital area of Ashgold, but with goalkeeper Fatau Dauda rushing on, he shot wide.
Unable to score in the first half, both teams made some changes and poured into each other’s half after recess but missed the chances they created.
In the last quarter of the game Faisal were more purposeful at goal and it was during one of such moves that goalkeeper Fatau Dauda got injured.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
1,200 BENEFIT FROM FREE BREAST SCREEING
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
AS many as 1200 women and four men in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs benefited from a free breast screening exercise organised in Kumasi on Sunday, May 11, 2008 to mark Mothers Day.
The exercise was meant to create awareness of the breast cancer disease and to educate the beneficiaries on the need to undertake monthly self breast examination in order to detect any abnormality in their breast at early stages.
About 19 of the beneficiaries, including the four men, whose cases had reached advanced stages, were referred to the hospital for further medical check up.
According to the President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, the referral was to enable them undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to correct their abnormalities.
The breast screening exercise was organised by BCI, a Kumasi based non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with Hello FM and Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi to educate the public on the diseases and its effect on women.
This, according to the organisers, was to enable them report such cases to the hospital early enough to enable them to receive quality medical treatment.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the exercise, Dr Wiafe Addai expressed concern about the attitude of a section of women towards the breast cancer disease.
She pointed out that notwithstanding the continuos educational campaign , some women were still apathetic.
“It is very unfortunate that some women in an urban community like Kumasi still disregard the dangers associated with breast cancer and fail to report for early treatment until the disease had reached an advanced state where treatment is very expensive” she stressed.
She pointed out some of the victims of the disease also resorted to the use of herbal medicine to complicate their problems, stressing that reporting very late for medical treatment could cost them their life.
Stressing further, Dr Wiafe Addae noted that the failure of some women to report breast cancer cases for early treatment was because the disease was painless “ so they wait until their conditions deteriorate before reporting for treatment, but reporting late for treatment and also resorting to herbal treatment complicate their cases making treatment very expensive ”.
She said not all breast diseases were cancerous “ but early medical treatment helps to correct any defect”.
She noted further that the educational campaign on breast cancer should be sustained “ because it seems many of our women are still not conscious of the danger of the disease”.
She said it was equally important for everybody to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) “to reduce the cost of treatment of diseases of such nature”.
AS many as 1200 women and four men in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs benefited from a free breast screening exercise organised in Kumasi on Sunday, May 11, 2008 to mark Mothers Day.
The exercise was meant to create awareness of the breast cancer disease and to educate the beneficiaries on the need to undertake monthly self breast examination in order to detect any abnormality in their breast at early stages.
About 19 of the beneficiaries, including the four men, whose cases had reached advanced stages, were referred to the hospital for further medical check up.
According to the President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, the referral was to enable them undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to correct their abnormalities.
The breast screening exercise was organised by BCI, a Kumasi based non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with Hello FM and Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi to educate the public on the diseases and its effect on women.
This, according to the organisers, was to enable them report such cases to the hospital early enough to enable them to receive quality medical treatment.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the exercise, Dr Wiafe Addai expressed concern about the attitude of a section of women towards the breast cancer disease.
She pointed out that notwithstanding the continuos educational campaign , some women were still apathetic.
“It is very unfortunate that some women in an urban community like Kumasi still disregard the dangers associated with breast cancer and fail to report for early treatment until the disease had reached an advanced state where treatment is very expensive” she stressed.
She pointed out some of the victims of the disease also resorted to the use of herbal medicine to complicate their problems, stressing that reporting very late for medical treatment could cost them their life.
Stressing further, Dr Wiafe Addae noted that the failure of some women to report breast cancer cases for early treatment was because the disease was painless “ so they wait until their conditions deteriorate before reporting for treatment, but reporting late for treatment and also resorting to herbal treatment complicate their cases making treatment very expensive ”.
She said not all breast diseases were cancerous “ but early medical treatment helps to correct any defect”.
She noted further that the educational campaign on breast cancer should be sustained “ because it seems many of our women are still not conscious of the danger of the disease”.
She said it was equally important for everybody to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) “to reduce the cost of treatment of diseases of such nature”.
COURT DEFERS SENTENCE (PAGE 30)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A Kumasi circuit court, Presided over by Justice Ernest Yao Obimpeh, has deferred the sentence of a middle aged unemployed man who was found guilty ofthree counts of stealing to May 30,2008..
The suspect, Abdul Alhassan, who pleaded guilty to stealing a KIA Pride taxi, two Mercedez Benz engines and three gear boxes, was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before the court on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
He has been remanded in prison custody pending the sentence, while police hunt for his two accomplices one Mustapha and Musah, now at large.
They were alleged to have conspired together to steal the KIA Pride taxi with registration number AS 754 V, belonging to one Theophilous Adusei Sarfo.
They were also alleged to have stolen two engines and three gear boxes valued at GH¢5000.00 belonging to one Nana Anderson.
Chief Inspector Owusu Manu, who prosecuted, told the court that, the complainants in the case, Theophilous Adusei Sarfo and Nana Anderson, resided at Suame and Gyinyasi respectively.
He said while Adusei Sarfo is a trader, Nana Anderson is a mechanic whose workshop is located at Boadi in Kumasi.
Chief Inspector Owusu Manu said around 2:30 a.m. on April 29, 2008, Abdul Alhassan, together with the two at large, sneaked into Adusei Sarfo’s house at New Suame and succeeded in stealing his KIA Pride taxi with registration number AS 754 V.
He said moments after stealing the car, they sent it to the garage belonging to Nana Anderson at Boadi, attacked the security man there and stole two Mercedez Benz engines and three gear boxes, valued at GH¢5000 and sped off.
He said while escaping with their booty, the fuel in the car run out, and this compelled them to stop in the middle of the road for the two at large to buy more fuel.
He said on their way, they asked Abdul Alhassan to remain in the car and a few distance away, some volunteers suspecting them to be thieves pursued them.
He said to save their lives, the two took to their heels and left their accomplice alone in the car.
According to the prosecutor, the volunteers later found Abdul Alhassan asleep in the car and when they questioned him about what he was doing alone in the middle of the road, he could not provide any tangible answers, so he was arrested and handed over to the police.
He said in his caution statement, Alhassan admitted conspiring with the two at large to steal the car and the other items, and gave their names as Mustapha and Musah.
He said after investigations, he was charged with the offence.
A Kumasi circuit court, Presided over by Justice Ernest Yao Obimpeh, has deferred the sentence of a middle aged unemployed man who was found guilty ofthree counts of stealing to May 30,2008..
The suspect, Abdul Alhassan, who pleaded guilty to stealing a KIA Pride taxi, two Mercedez Benz engines and three gear boxes, was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before the court on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
He has been remanded in prison custody pending the sentence, while police hunt for his two accomplices one Mustapha and Musah, now at large.
They were alleged to have conspired together to steal the KIA Pride taxi with registration number AS 754 V, belonging to one Theophilous Adusei Sarfo.
They were also alleged to have stolen two engines and three gear boxes valued at GH¢5000.00 belonging to one Nana Anderson.
Chief Inspector Owusu Manu, who prosecuted, told the court that, the complainants in the case, Theophilous Adusei Sarfo and Nana Anderson, resided at Suame and Gyinyasi respectively.
He said while Adusei Sarfo is a trader, Nana Anderson is a mechanic whose workshop is located at Boadi in Kumasi.
Chief Inspector Owusu Manu said around 2:30 a.m. on April 29, 2008, Abdul Alhassan, together with the two at large, sneaked into Adusei Sarfo’s house at New Suame and succeeded in stealing his KIA Pride taxi with registration number AS 754 V.
He said moments after stealing the car, they sent it to the garage belonging to Nana Anderson at Boadi, attacked the security man there and stole two Mercedez Benz engines and three gear boxes, valued at GH¢5000 and sped off.
He said while escaping with their booty, the fuel in the car run out, and this compelled them to stop in the middle of the road for the two at large to buy more fuel.
He said on their way, they asked Abdul Alhassan to remain in the car and a few distance away, some volunteers suspecting them to be thieves pursued them.
He said to save their lives, the two took to their heels and left their accomplice alone in the car.
According to the prosecutor, the volunteers later found Abdul Alhassan asleep in the car and when they questioned him about what he was doing alone in the middle of the road, he could not provide any tangible answers, so he was arrested and handed over to the police.
He said in his caution statement, Alhassan admitted conspiring with the two at large to steal the car and the other items, and gave their names as Mustapha and Musah.
He said after investigations, he was charged with the offence.
'GHOST' EXPELS HEALTH BOSS...From Accountant-General's payroll (LEAD STORY)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The move to purge the payroll of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) of ghost names has resulted in the deletion of the name of the Director-General of the service, Dr E. K. Sory.
Dr Sory found himself among scores of health workers whose names were on the payroll but declared as “ghost workers” during the latest head count conducted within the service.
Victims of the exercise who are actually at post in various health institutions across the country, have not received any salary since March, this year.
When he realised that his name had been deleted from the payroll, Dr Sory last month wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, expressing the displeasure of the service about the anomaly.
In the letter, the Director-General wondered why those who carried out the exercise failed to check from the GHS before effecting the deletion of the names from the payroll at the Accountant-General’s Department.
In Kumasi alone, more than 50 health workers in active service, including those in top management positions, were affected by the Head Count Exercise, which sought to delete names of workers they suspected not to be in active service from the payroll of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
While some of the affected workers said they were relying on friends and family members to support them financially to cater for their immediate needs, others said they had resorted to borrowing from financial institutions and workplaces to enable them to make ends meet.
“We wish to express our displeasure at the inadequate involvement of the service in the validation of the data that was collated across the country during this important national exercise,” Dr Sory’s letter noted.
The letter, written on April 7, 2008, pointed out that “health workers in active service did not receive their salaries for March 2008”.
“The Director-General of GHS is among those who have been affected by this irregularity,” it added, and pointed out that the “anomaly stems from the erroneous deletion of names of the affected staff from the payroll following the recent Head Count Exercise, which was carried out in the country’s public sector under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Controller and Accountant General’s Department and the Ghana Statistical Service”.
According to the letter, “most of the affected workers were among those who duly filled the relevant forms with their passport pictures”.
Dr Sory, therefore, appealed to the sector minister to take urgent steps “to rectify this anomaly to forestall any potential labour unrest in the service”.
He, however, urged Heads of the Budget and Management Centres (BMC’s) and (GHS) “to prevail on their respective staff to exercise maximum restraints while efforts are being made to get their names back on the payroll”.
The move to purge the payroll of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) of ghost names has resulted in the deletion of the name of the Director-General of the service, Dr E. K. Sory.
Dr Sory found himself among scores of health workers whose names were on the payroll but declared as “ghost workers” during the latest head count conducted within the service.
Victims of the exercise who are actually at post in various health institutions across the country, have not received any salary since March, this year.
When he realised that his name had been deleted from the payroll, Dr Sory last month wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, expressing the displeasure of the service about the anomaly.
In the letter, the Director-General wondered why those who carried out the exercise failed to check from the GHS before effecting the deletion of the names from the payroll at the Accountant-General’s Department.
In Kumasi alone, more than 50 health workers in active service, including those in top management positions, were affected by the Head Count Exercise, which sought to delete names of workers they suspected not to be in active service from the payroll of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
While some of the affected workers said they were relying on friends and family members to support them financially to cater for their immediate needs, others said they had resorted to borrowing from financial institutions and workplaces to enable them to make ends meet.
“We wish to express our displeasure at the inadequate involvement of the service in the validation of the data that was collated across the country during this important national exercise,” Dr Sory’s letter noted.
The letter, written on April 7, 2008, pointed out that “health workers in active service did not receive their salaries for March 2008”.
“The Director-General of GHS is among those who have been affected by this irregularity,” it added, and pointed out that the “anomaly stems from the erroneous deletion of names of the affected staff from the payroll following the recent Head Count Exercise, which was carried out in the country’s public sector under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Controller and Accountant General’s Department and the Ghana Statistical Service”.
According to the letter, “most of the affected workers were among those who duly filled the relevant forms with their passport pictures”.
Dr Sory, therefore, appealed to the sector minister to take urgent steps “to rectify this anomaly to forestall any potential labour unrest in the service”.
He, however, urged Heads of the Budget and Management Centres (BMC’s) and (GHS) “to prevail on their respective staff to exercise maximum restraints while efforts are being made to get their names back on the payroll”.
Monday, May 12, 2008
THE FORGOTTEN HEROES (GRAPHIC NSEMPA, PAGES 23 & 24)
By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
Last week, I came across Mr Abukari Gariba drenched in sweat, trekking to the Baba Yara Sports stadium from his base at Akwatialine, a Kumasi suburb. Mr Abukari who is now 69 years old, was on his way to watch a football match involving his former club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
However, he had to trek in the scorching sun, because he had no means of transport on his own, neither had he any money to board one.
Second Home
Trekking to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium has therefore become a routine for him, and whether rain or shine, he finds himself there to join some of his former play mates who are still alive, and have made the sports stadium which was named after one of their brilliant play mates-the late Baba Yara, their second home.
For the present generation, who have a faint idea about Abukari Gariba or know next to nothing about him, he was a potent striker whose main appetite in soccer was goal scoring. He featured prominently for the Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko as a young man, and for 12 consecutive years, between 1962 and 1974, he became totally embroiled with Kotoko, scoring important goals at crucial matches before hanging up his boots.
He also featured prominently for the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, helping to qualify it to two Olympics in 1968 and 1974 at Mexico and Munich respectively , and in those youthful and exuberance period as a potent striker, he was too hot to be handled by opposing defenders.
This was because he had great pace and power in both legs, such that, his presence in the vital area of his opponents, was a source of constant worry for goalkeepers.
Contemporaries
He played alongside the late Ohene Brenya, the late Robert Mensah, Malik Jabir, Ibrahim Sunday, Ben Kusi, Sulley Muhammed, Yaw Sam, Atia Muhammed, Osei Kofi, Oliver Acquah, Clifford Odame, and Ousman Olando who among others, constituted the core of the 1971 Kotoko squad that won the African cup for the Porcupine Warriors for the first time in far away Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo.
It was on that foreign land that Kotoko defied all odds to beat their opponents, Englebert 2-1, in-front of over 30,000 spectators to bring the African cup to Kumasi for the first time in the history of the Republic of Ghana,
After a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Kumasi Sports Stadium during the first leg of the finals against Englebert where Abukari as usual, scored the first goal, and Kalala equalised for Englebert, the stage was set for the battle royale in Zaire for the grand finale, and in the presence of the late President Mobutu Sese Seko, it was the potency and striking prowess of Abukari and Malik Jabir which manifested to give the trophy to Kotoko.
After Abukari scored the first goal in the 15th minute as he predicted to silence the vociferous fans, their opponents equalised, and were again awarded a penalty, but Chinadu, who equalised for his side, blasted away that opportunity, and when Malik Jabir got his opportunity, he made no mistake by nodding the ball home to get the match winner for Kotoko, making it possible for them to win the giant trophy at stake.
Others like Messrs P.K. Gyempe, now 70 years, and a former national athlete who was among the first Ghanaians to participate in the All African games at Congo Brazzaville, James Kwakye, now blind, who featured prominently for the Black Stars, as well as Joe Degraft, Damprane, Yaw Sam, Nana Kofi Nyamekye (Great Ashantis) Agyeman (Ghana Dadie) Lomotey, Akuatey Armah (Ninety- nine styles) were all former national soccer stars.
Contributions
Their contributions to soccer development in the country is unsurpassed, but they now belong to history. This is because the present generation knows nothing about their exploits, so far as artistic soccer is concerned.
Their generation, especially soccer administrators, politicians, and businessmen, who enjoyed their exploits, watching them exhibit their skills on the fields each passing Sunday, and ought to have supported them physically, materially and financially, seem to have totally forgotten about them.
They are suffering not only from old age, but are financially handicapped. This is because their benefactors made no provision for their future upkeep, and now many of them have reduced in dignity and have almost become paupers.
They are spread across the country, constant worried, totally neglected and languishing in abject poverty, due to the fact that, their sacrifices yielded no dividend to adequately support them in their old age.
Forgotten heroes
They are the forgotten heroes. Almost all of them are not only financially handicapped, but are also bed-ridden. They have little or no support from friends at this stage of their lives, and the nation which ought to have come to their aid with a regular monthly income has also totally neglected them. Those who are supported by the state are given peanuts, which does not even take them home, let alone meet their needs.
Some of them, like Joe Degraft, Akuatey Armah, Nana Kofi Nyamekye, Lomotey and James Kwakye, Kwasi Owusu, Dogo Moro and Abukari Gariba also live in rented homes, where their landlords keep reminding them about rent advances and threats of ejection.
When Graphic Nsempa caught up with Abukari Gariba, he recounted his glorious days with Kotoko and the Black Stars, where he and other talented players committed themselves to promoting soccer in Ghana, ”but we ended up almost as paupers,”
“At the moment, my rent will expire by the end of this year, and I face eminent ejection. This is because at 69, I cannot earn any revenue, to get money for my new landlord,” he bemoaned.
According to Abukari, “ I come from Tamale, but since my relocation to Kumasi almost 50 years ago, I have lost touch with my family there and has now become a Kumasi boy, so I will not know what to do if I am ejected.”
Problems
He said other former soccer stars had similar problems, due to the fact that they had no source of income to live on and “even when we won the cup for Kotoko, we never got even a pesewa from anybody.”
“ We sacrificed everything to bring soccer to this level, but we have nothing to show for our past achievements, not even past administrators of Kotoko recognise us for what we did for the club. Any time I sit down to ponder over this issue, I become very sad because I would have saved much if I had used my youthful period to even pull truck,” he pointed out.
In an interview with Mrs Regina Nduro, a soccer enthusiast on the neglect of former soccer stars and what should be done to address some of their predicaments, she noted that, it was time soccer administrators came together to organise charity matches to raise funds that would support such people.
“Since they are spread across the country and had played for top clubs in the country, they could be easily identified, so Kotoko, Hearts, Olympics, Ashgold and Real Tamale United among other clubs, should set some period aside and play charity matches to raise funds to support them. I am saying this because Ghanaians would be eager to pay to watch such matches, and when it becomes annual affair, something could be raised to help them”. I hope somebody is listening.
Last week, I came across Mr Abukari Gariba drenched in sweat, trekking to the Baba Yara Sports stadium from his base at Akwatialine, a Kumasi suburb. Mr Abukari who is now 69 years old, was on his way to watch a football match involving his former club, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
However, he had to trek in the scorching sun, because he had no means of transport on his own, neither had he any money to board one.
Second Home
Trekking to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium has therefore become a routine for him, and whether rain or shine, he finds himself there to join some of his former play mates who are still alive, and have made the sports stadium which was named after one of their brilliant play mates-the late Baba Yara, their second home.
For the present generation, who have a faint idea about Abukari Gariba or know next to nothing about him, he was a potent striker whose main appetite in soccer was goal scoring. He featured prominently for the Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko as a young man, and for 12 consecutive years, between 1962 and 1974, he became totally embroiled with Kotoko, scoring important goals at crucial matches before hanging up his boots.
He also featured prominently for the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, helping to qualify it to two Olympics in 1968 and 1974 at Mexico and Munich respectively , and in those youthful and exuberance period as a potent striker, he was too hot to be handled by opposing defenders.
This was because he had great pace and power in both legs, such that, his presence in the vital area of his opponents, was a source of constant worry for goalkeepers.
Contemporaries
He played alongside the late Ohene Brenya, the late Robert Mensah, Malik Jabir, Ibrahim Sunday, Ben Kusi, Sulley Muhammed, Yaw Sam, Atia Muhammed, Osei Kofi, Oliver Acquah, Clifford Odame, and Ousman Olando who among others, constituted the core of the 1971 Kotoko squad that won the African cup for the Porcupine Warriors for the first time in far away Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo.
It was on that foreign land that Kotoko defied all odds to beat their opponents, Englebert 2-1, in-front of over 30,000 spectators to bring the African cup to Kumasi for the first time in the history of the Republic of Ghana,
After a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Kumasi Sports Stadium during the first leg of the finals against Englebert where Abukari as usual, scored the first goal, and Kalala equalised for Englebert, the stage was set for the battle royale in Zaire for the grand finale, and in the presence of the late President Mobutu Sese Seko, it was the potency and striking prowess of Abukari and Malik Jabir which manifested to give the trophy to Kotoko.
After Abukari scored the first goal in the 15th minute as he predicted to silence the vociferous fans, their opponents equalised, and were again awarded a penalty, but Chinadu, who equalised for his side, blasted away that opportunity, and when Malik Jabir got his opportunity, he made no mistake by nodding the ball home to get the match winner for Kotoko, making it possible for them to win the giant trophy at stake.
Others like Messrs P.K. Gyempe, now 70 years, and a former national athlete who was among the first Ghanaians to participate in the All African games at Congo Brazzaville, James Kwakye, now blind, who featured prominently for the Black Stars, as well as Joe Degraft, Damprane, Yaw Sam, Nana Kofi Nyamekye (Great Ashantis) Agyeman (Ghana Dadie) Lomotey, Akuatey Armah (Ninety- nine styles) were all former national soccer stars.
Contributions
Their contributions to soccer development in the country is unsurpassed, but they now belong to history. This is because the present generation knows nothing about their exploits, so far as artistic soccer is concerned.
Their generation, especially soccer administrators, politicians, and businessmen, who enjoyed their exploits, watching them exhibit their skills on the fields each passing Sunday, and ought to have supported them physically, materially and financially, seem to have totally forgotten about them.
They are suffering not only from old age, but are financially handicapped. This is because their benefactors made no provision for their future upkeep, and now many of them have reduced in dignity and have almost become paupers.
They are spread across the country, constant worried, totally neglected and languishing in abject poverty, due to the fact that, their sacrifices yielded no dividend to adequately support them in their old age.
Forgotten heroes
They are the forgotten heroes. Almost all of them are not only financially handicapped, but are also bed-ridden. They have little or no support from friends at this stage of their lives, and the nation which ought to have come to their aid with a regular monthly income has also totally neglected them. Those who are supported by the state are given peanuts, which does not even take them home, let alone meet their needs.
Some of them, like Joe Degraft, Akuatey Armah, Nana Kofi Nyamekye, Lomotey and James Kwakye, Kwasi Owusu, Dogo Moro and Abukari Gariba also live in rented homes, where their landlords keep reminding them about rent advances and threats of ejection.
When Graphic Nsempa caught up with Abukari Gariba, he recounted his glorious days with Kotoko and the Black Stars, where he and other talented players committed themselves to promoting soccer in Ghana, ”but we ended up almost as paupers,”
“At the moment, my rent will expire by the end of this year, and I face eminent ejection. This is because at 69, I cannot earn any revenue, to get money for my new landlord,” he bemoaned.
According to Abukari, “ I come from Tamale, but since my relocation to Kumasi almost 50 years ago, I have lost touch with my family there and has now become a Kumasi boy, so I will not know what to do if I am ejected.”
Problems
He said other former soccer stars had similar problems, due to the fact that they had no source of income to live on and “even when we won the cup for Kotoko, we never got even a pesewa from anybody.”
“ We sacrificed everything to bring soccer to this level, but we have nothing to show for our past achievements, not even past administrators of Kotoko recognise us for what we did for the club. Any time I sit down to ponder over this issue, I become very sad because I would have saved much if I had used my youthful period to even pull truck,” he pointed out.
In an interview with Mrs Regina Nduro, a soccer enthusiast on the neglect of former soccer stars and what should be done to address some of their predicaments, she noted that, it was time soccer administrators came together to organise charity matches to raise funds that would support such people.
“Since they are spread across the country and had played for top clubs in the country, they could be easily identified, so Kotoko, Hearts, Olympics, Ashgold and Real Tamale United among other clubs, should set some period aside and play charity matches to raise funds to support them. I am saying this because Ghanaians would be eager to pay to watch such matches, and when it becomes annual affair, something could be raised to help them”. I hope somebody is listening.
GRAPHIC OFFERS FREE HEALTH SCREENING AT ASAFO (PAGES 24 & 49)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have called on the management of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) to collaborate with the hospital to offer periodic medical screening to the public to help maintain good health in the metropolis.
This, they said, would not only give meaning to the primary health care concept and enhance productivity, but would also accelerate sustainable national development.
A paediatrician at KATH, Dr Anthony Enimil, made the call on behalf of KATH during a free medical screening initiated by GCGL at Asafo in Kumasi last Saturday.
It was organised in collaboration with KATH, Kina Pharma, JM Addo and Sons, Primax and Coca-Cola.
KATH provided medical staff and drug and the other sponsors provided drugs, soft drinks and other essentials.
In all about 500 residents of Asafo and its environs including children benefited from the exercise.
About five of them who were diagnosed with severe hypertension were referred to KATH for further medical attention.
Other diseases diagnosed were poor eyesight, malaria and diarrhoea. Children suffering from worm infection were de-wormed.
The exercise, which was hailed by residents of the suburb and its environs, was the third in a series organised by the company as part of its corporate responsibilities to give back to the public. It is the first to be organised outside the Greater Accra Region. The other two were organised at Adabraka in Accra.
Dr Enimil commended GCGL for their sense of initiative. He called on the public to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to source for quality health care at affordable cost.
He said as members of the scheme, they could easily access medical care at regular intervals to enable them to maintain good health.
He pointed out that due to irregular medical check-ups associated with the public, some people who were infected with diseases failed to detect them early until the disease became complicated, making treatment more expensive at times.
Referring to the five severe hypertension cases detected during the exercise, Dr Enimil said they could have collapsed and died without knowing that they were severely ill and needed urgent medical attention.
The Public Affairs Manager of the GCGL, Mr Albert Sam, commended KATH and other sponsors for supporting GCGL to conduct the exercise.
He pointed out that the exercise, which coincided with the first anniversary celebrations of Graphic Nsempa, was meant to reward the public for their tremendous support to the growth of the company and would therefore be extended to the other regions.
He said the initiative of GCGL to publish Graphic Nsempa was to partner the people of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions in their development initiatives.
He, therefore, urged residents in those regions to patronise the paper, which hits the newsstands on Mondays.
Authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have called on the management of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) to collaborate with the hospital to offer periodic medical screening to the public to help maintain good health in the metropolis.
This, they said, would not only give meaning to the primary health care concept and enhance productivity, but would also accelerate sustainable national development.
A paediatrician at KATH, Dr Anthony Enimil, made the call on behalf of KATH during a free medical screening initiated by GCGL at Asafo in Kumasi last Saturday.
It was organised in collaboration with KATH, Kina Pharma, JM Addo and Sons, Primax and Coca-Cola.
KATH provided medical staff and drug and the other sponsors provided drugs, soft drinks and other essentials.
In all about 500 residents of Asafo and its environs including children benefited from the exercise.
About five of them who were diagnosed with severe hypertension were referred to KATH for further medical attention.
Other diseases diagnosed were poor eyesight, malaria and diarrhoea. Children suffering from worm infection were de-wormed.
The exercise, which was hailed by residents of the suburb and its environs, was the third in a series organised by the company as part of its corporate responsibilities to give back to the public. It is the first to be organised outside the Greater Accra Region. The other two were organised at Adabraka in Accra.
Dr Enimil commended GCGL for their sense of initiative. He called on the public to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to source for quality health care at affordable cost.
He said as members of the scheme, they could easily access medical care at regular intervals to enable them to maintain good health.
He pointed out that due to irregular medical check-ups associated with the public, some people who were infected with diseases failed to detect them early until the disease became complicated, making treatment more expensive at times.
Referring to the five severe hypertension cases detected during the exercise, Dr Enimil said they could have collapsed and died without knowing that they were severely ill and needed urgent medical attention.
The Public Affairs Manager of the GCGL, Mr Albert Sam, commended KATH and other sponsors for supporting GCGL to conduct the exercise.
He pointed out that the exercise, which coincided with the first anniversary celebrations of Graphic Nsempa, was meant to reward the public for their tremendous support to the growth of the company and would therefore be extended to the other regions.
He said the initiative of GCGL to publish Graphic Nsempa was to partner the people of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions in their development initiatives.
He, therefore, urged residents in those regions to patronise the paper, which hits the newsstands on Mondays.
Friday, May 9, 2008
NHIS IS A MAJOR ACTION BY GOVT (PAGE 30)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The Rector of GIMPA, Professor Stephen Adei, has reiterated the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of political divide, gender and status to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He explained that it was one of the best policies that had been initiated by any government since independence.
Explaining further he said, considering the premium paid for a year as a member of the scheme and the tremendous benefits that accrue from it, it was advantageous to be a member.
He, therefore, urged the management of the NHIS to package their message in a way that would attract majority of Ghanaians to appreciate the need to join the scheme to enable them to source for quality health care at an affordable cost when the need arose.
Professor Adei made the statement at a seminar organised by the Managers of the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in Kumasi.
The seminar was meant to build the capacity of Subin Sub Metro staff in particular and other sub metros within the Kumasi metropolis on customer care services to enable them to attract and retain customers.
Professor Adei noted that because of the power of pulled resources and the burden of sharing, associated with the NHIS, it assures every Ghanaian with the minimum health services at a price they can afford.
He further noted that the scheme also touched on one of the basic requirements of any person because it bordered on health, which was the livelihood of every person.
He noted that notwithstanding the numerous benefits associated with the NHIS, its management is very poor“ and customer service next to zero”, stressing, “ the fact that such a wonderful scheme still has in some places low patronage, can partly be blamed on poor customer care, though there are other major problems such as management capacity and record keeping”.
He explained that customer care was not only about “creating and nurturing customer preference and being totally committed to your clients and stakeholders, but was also about developing systems that would improve standard to enable your scheme to become a model one, and also become financially viable with happy staff and customers”.
He said to achieve customer care, the Sub Metropolitan Schemes should be able to develop leadership with vision and commitment “ to high standards of customer care, believe in it, be persuaded by it, and convince all employees to believe in it”.
Adding, Professor Adei noted that, attitude is everything in customer care. “This is important everywhere in the world, but especially in static cultures like ours, that must be translated into conscious effort to please the customer, to put the customer first, and to make the believe and practice of customer care a central pillar in the evaluation and reward system of the office”.
He said it was equally important for them to make “conscious efforts to know and articulate customer expectations which come in various forms from complaints to impatience”, stressing that, it was important for them to put on a quick smile and response and also understood the needs of their customers at all times.
Professor Adei pointed out that like every business the world over, it was the delivery of good customer care that enhanced the effective and efficient development of businesses, and said for the NHIS to develop to any appreciable level, it was important for their staff to appreciate that principle.
He said the need to establish offices that met the expectations of customers, being conscious of time in providing services, establishing complain desks to swiftly deal with all grievances of their customers, as well as organising regular in-service training for their staff on how to deal with difficult customers and providing equal treatment to all clients, irrespective of status, ethnic group and gender, were also part of providing indispensable customer care that would enhance the success of the scheme.
The Rector of GIMPA, Professor Stephen Adei, has reiterated the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of political divide, gender and status to join the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He explained that it was one of the best policies that had been initiated by any government since independence.
Explaining further he said, considering the premium paid for a year as a member of the scheme and the tremendous benefits that accrue from it, it was advantageous to be a member.
He, therefore, urged the management of the NHIS to package their message in a way that would attract majority of Ghanaians to appreciate the need to join the scheme to enable them to source for quality health care at an affordable cost when the need arose.
Professor Adei made the statement at a seminar organised by the Managers of the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in Kumasi.
The seminar was meant to build the capacity of Subin Sub Metro staff in particular and other sub metros within the Kumasi metropolis on customer care services to enable them to attract and retain customers.
Professor Adei noted that because of the power of pulled resources and the burden of sharing, associated with the NHIS, it assures every Ghanaian with the minimum health services at a price they can afford.
He further noted that the scheme also touched on one of the basic requirements of any person because it bordered on health, which was the livelihood of every person.
He noted that notwithstanding the numerous benefits associated with the NHIS, its management is very poor“ and customer service next to zero”, stressing, “ the fact that such a wonderful scheme still has in some places low patronage, can partly be blamed on poor customer care, though there are other major problems such as management capacity and record keeping”.
He explained that customer care was not only about “creating and nurturing customer preference and being totally committed to your clients and stakeholders, but was also about developing systems that would improve standard to enable your scheme to become a model one, and also become financially viable with happy staff and customers”.
He said to achieve customer care, the Sub Metropolitan Schemes should be able to develop leadership with vision and commitment “ to high standards of customer care, believe in it, be persuaded by it, and convince all employees to believe in it”.
Adding, Professor Adei noted that, attitude is everything in customer care. “This is important everywhere in the world, but especially in static cultures like ours, that must be translated into conscious effort to please the customer, to put the customer first, and to make the believe and practice of customer care a central pillar in the evaluation and reward system of the office”.
He said it was equally important for them to make “conscious efforts to know and articulate customer expectations which come in various forms from complaints to impatience”, stressing that, it was important for them to put on a quick smile and response and also understood the needs of their customers at all times.
Professor Adei pointed out that like every business the world over, it was the delivery of good customer care that enhanced the effective and efficient development of businesses, and said for the NHIS to develop to any appreciable level, it was important for their staff to appreciate that principle.
He said the need to establish offices that met the expectations of customers, being conscious of time in providing services, establishing complain desks to swiftly deal with all grievances of their customers, as well as organising regular in-service training for their staff on how to deal with difficult customers and providing equal treatment to all clients, irrespective of status, ethnic group and gender, were also part of providing indispensable customer care that would enhance the success of the scheme.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
KUMASI DRIVERS PETITION KMA (PAGE 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A section of drivers in the Kumasi metropolis have petitioned the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to provide them with parking places to enhance their operations.
They have also expressed concern about alleged police harassment that culminated in the arrest of some of their members when they attempted to hold a press briefing at Bomso on Tuesday.
According to the drivers, the police did not only prevent them from holding the press briefing, which was their constitutional rights, but also assaulted and arrested some of their members without any provocation.
The drivers have therefore threatened to stage a demonstration against the KMA as a way of protest if the Assembly fails to address their concerns.
A statement issued and signed by Messrs Akwasi Poku and Matthew Bawah, spokespersons of the KNUST Taxi and Trotro concerned drivers, noted that the inability of the KMA to address the problem of parking for the commercial drivers was creating problem between the drivers and the police, leading to constant arrest and alleged extortion.
“We are concerned about the lack of parking and bus terminals on our route, which greatly impact negatively on our trade, and we register our protest over the constant harassment at the hands of police officials in the city,” the statement noted, adding that “we cannot cope with the arbitrary arrests and the continued extortion at the hands of the policemen”.
The statement noted that in effecting the arrest of commercial drivers who pick passengers at unauthorised places, the police “discriminate against us because Metro Mass buses are allowed to park anywhere, but is not the same for us”.
The statement regretted the action of the police by not only arresting some of their members, but also prosecuting them.
The statement also expressed concern about the high cost of KMA’s embossments and other form of taxes without creating a conducive environment for their operations.
The police have, however, refuted the allegation that they arrested two drivers for holding a press briefing.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, Inspector Mohammed Tanko, told the Daily Graphic that the two were arrested for organising a demonstration without informing the police about their actions.
He said they also blocked the Kumasi-Accra road and forced other drivers to join their illegal demonstration.
Explaining, Inspector Tanko said they had information that some drivers had barricaded the KNUST section of the Kumasi-Accra road with the intention of staging a demonstration against the police and the KMA.
He said under the public order act the drivers should have notified the police about their intention five days before their action “so when we had information that they had embarked on illegal demonstration and blocked the road to prevent the free flow of traffic, we dispatched men to disperse them, but they ignored our advice and this led to the arrest of two of their members”.
He denied the allegation that the police opened fire on the drivers.
A section of drivers in the Kumasi metropolis have petitioned the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to provide them with parking places to enhance their operations.
They have also expressed concern about alleged police harassment that culminated in the arrest of some of their members when they attempted to hold a press briefing at Bomso on Tuesday.
According to the drivers, the police did not only prevent them from holding the press briefing, which was their constitutional rights, but also assaulted and arrested some of their members without any provocation.
The drivers have therefore threatened to stage a demonstration against the KMA as a way of protest if the Assembly fails to address their concerns.
A statement issued and signed by Messrs Akwasi Poku and Matthew Bawah, spokespersons of the KNUST Taxi and Trotro concerned drivers, noted that the inability of the KMA to address the problem of parking for the commercial drivers was creating problem between the drivers and the police, leading to constant arrest and alleged extortion.
“We are concerned about the lack of parking and bus terminals on our route, which greatly impact negatively on our trade, and we register our protest over the constant harassment at the hands of police officials in the city,” the statement noted, adding that “we cannot cope with the arbitrary arrests and the continued extortion at the hands of the policemen”.
The statement noted that in effecting the arrest of commercial drivers who pick passengers at unauthorised places, the police “discriminate against us because Metro Mass buses are allowed to park anywhere, but is not the same for us”.
The statement regretted the action of the police by not only arresting some of their members, but also prosecuting them.
The statement also expressed concern about the high cost of KMA’s embossments and other form of taxes without creating a conducive environment for their operations.
The police have, however, refuted the allegation that they arrested two drivers for holding a press briefing.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, Inspector Mohammed Tanko, told the Daily Graphic that the two were arrested for organising a demonstration without informing the police about their actions.
He said they also blocked the Kumasi-Accra road and forced other drivers to join their illegal demonstration.
Explaining, Inspector Tanko said they had information that some drivers had barricaded the KNUST section of the Kumasi-Accra road with the intention of staging a demonstration against the police and the KMA.
He said under the public order act the drivers should have notified the police about their intention five days before their action “so when we had information that they had embarked on illegal demonstration and blocked the road to prevent the free flow of traffic, we dispatched men to disperse them, but they ignored our advice and this led to the arrest of two of their members”.
He denied the allegation that the police opened fire on the drivers.
KOTOKO BEAT ARSENAL (BACK PAGE)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Berekum Arsenals gave Kumasi Asante Kotoko a match of their lives but in the end succumbed to the Porcupine Warriors by 0-2 in their outstanding Onetouch Premier League played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium yesterday.
The goals were scored by Francis Cofie and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour in the 13th and 45th minutes. A minute’s silence was observed for the late Kwame Owusu Ansah, who was a former PRO of Kotoko.
Both teams displayed rare talents of ball possession, dribbling skills and shooting power, pinning opposing defenders to their halves. But it was Kotoko who opened the scores in 13th minute when Bekoe’s combination with Francis Cofie found the latter in the vital area of Berekum Arsenals.
He made no mistake when he displaced goalkeeper Issahaku Shaibu for the match opener. Arsenals reorganised quickly by pushing more men upfront. They pinned the defenders to their half but found goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah too alert to beat.
The game was concentrated in the midfield with each team trying to dominate, but it was Kotoko who scored again just before the first half ended through Emmanuel Osei Kuffour.
The second half followed the same trend after the two teams made some changes but no more goals were scored.
• At the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra yesterday, Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics, gave their fans something to cheer about when they beat visiting Kessben FC 2-1.
Berekum Arsenals gave Kumasi Asante Kotoko a match of their lives but in the end succumbed to the Porcupine Warriors by 0-2 in their outstanding Onetouch Premier League played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium yesterday.
The goals were scored by Francis Cofie and Emmanuel Osei Kuffour in the 13th and 45th minutes. A minute’s silence was observed for the late Kwame Owusu Ansah, who was a former PRO of Kotoko.
Both teams displayed rare talents of ball possession, dribbling skills and shooting power, pinning opposing defenders to their halves. But it was Kotoko who opened the scores in 13th minute when Bekoe’s combination with Francis Cofie found the latter in the vital area of Berekum Arsenals.
He made no mistake when he displaced goalkeeper Issahaku Shaibu for the match opener. Arsenals reorganised quickly by pushing more men upfront. They pinned the defenders to their half but found goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah too alert to beat.
The game was concentrated in the midfield with each team trying to dominate, but it was Kotoko who scored again just before the first half ended through Emmanuel Osei Kuffour.
The second half followed the same trend after the two teams made some changes but no more goals were scored.
• At the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra yesterday, Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics, gave their fans something to cheer about when they beat visiting Kessben FC 2-1.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
KMA TO REGISTER PORTERS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME (PAGE 29)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE management of Subin Sub Metro Mutual Insurance scheme in Kumasi , is collaborating with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to urge porters to register with the scheme to enable them enjoy quality health care delivery when the need arises.
According to the Subin Sub Metro Insurance Scheme Manager, Ms Esther Odoom, “about 90 per cent of porters reside and work at Adum, the Central Market and Asafo Market, all of which fall within the Subin Sub Metro, but because they do not earn sufficient income, they are reluctant to pay the premium. They are also of the belief that they will not fall ill to need the insurance scheme”.
Ms Odoom told the Daily Graphic in an interview that encouraging potters to register was important “ because the females especially, are very vulnerable, and because they do not have permanent places of abode, they are exposed to all forms of problems, including sexual abuse, leading to unwanted pregnancies and its related problems, so getting them to join the scheme will help them source for quality health care when necessary”.
Explaining further, Ms Odoom said, the KMA had already registered most of the porters, so her office was arranging to meet them in groups and explain the policy to them to entice them to join in their numbers.
She noted that some of the porters who were nursing babies were pregnant as well, so the need for them to regularly visit the hospitals to keep them healthy was very important, “and getting them to join the scheme was the only way to reduce the money they may spend on quality health care delivery”.
She noted that those who would not be able to meet the minimum premium requirement would be registered free of charge.
She said apart from the porters, the Subin Sub Metro had also visited various homes within its catchment area to register people who were bedridden.
Explaining, Ms Odoom said under normal circumstances, it was the family members of such people who ought to have registered them.
“We are moving from house to house to register the bedridden, and so far, the response is positive.
This is because we have been able to register about 20 of them who are around 70 years or more ”, she stressed.
Ms Odoom said apart from the house to house registration exercise being carried out by the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, her outfit was also collaborating with its National Service persons “to move from office to office to register companies whose staff were yet to join the scheme”.
She explained that because of the pressure at work places, some workers who belonged to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and whose contributions had sustained the scheme, were yet to join. “ We therefore send our people to their offices to register them and their dependants as well, and so far, we are getting favourable responses” she noted, adding that “ we also arrange to meet some of them on Saturdays to take pictures of their spouses and dependants, and so far, we are making progress”.
Ms Odoom pointed out that the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme would continue to devise means that would make it possible for a great number of residents within its catchment area to join the scheme.
This, she said, would enhance the primary health care delivery, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing national development.
THE management of Subin Sub Metro Mutual Insurance scheme in Kumasi , is collaborating with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to urge porters to register with the scheme to enable them enjoy quality health care delivery when the need arises.
According to the Subin Sub Metro Insurance Scheme Manager, Ms Esther Odoom, “about 90 per cent of porters reside and work at Adum, the Central Market and Asafo Market, all of which fall within the Subin Sub Metro, but because they do not earn sufficient income, they are reluctant to pay the premium. They are also of the belief that they will not fall ill to need the insurance scheme”.
Ms Odoom told the Daily Graphic in an interview that encouraging potters to register was important “ because the females especially, are very vulnerable, and because they do not have permanent places of abode, they are exposed to all forms of problems, including sexual abuse, leading to unwanted pregnancies and its related problems, so getting them to join the scheme will help them source for quality health care when necessary”.
Explaining further, Ms Odoom said, the KMA had already registered most of the porters, so her office was arranging to meet them in groups and explain the policy to them to entice them to join in their numbers.
She noted that some of the porters who were nursing babies were pregnant as well, so the need for them to regularly visit the hospitals to keep them healthy was very important, “and getting them to join the scheme was the only way to reduce the money they may spend on quality health care delivery”.
She noted that those who would not be able to meet the minimum premium requirement would be registered free of charge.
She said apart from the porters, the Subin Sub Metro had also visited various homes within its catchment area to register people who were bedridden.
Explaining, Ms Odoom said under normal circumstances, it was the family members of such people who ought to have registered them.
“We are moving from house to house to register the bedridden, and so far, the response is positive.
This is because we have been able to register about 20 of them who are around 70 years or more ”, she stressed.
Ms Odoom said apart from the house to house registration exercise being carried out by the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, her outfit was also collaborating with its National Service persons “to move from office to office to register companies whose staff were yet to join the scheme”.
She explained that because of the pressure at work places, some workers who belonged to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and whose contributions had sustained the scheme, were yet to join. “ We therefore send our people to their offices to register them and their dependants as well, and so far, we are getting favourable responses” she noted, adding that “ we also arrange to meet some of them on Saturdays to take pictures of their spouses and dependants, and so far, we are making progress”.
Ms Odoom pointed out that the Subin Sub Metro Mutual Health Insurance Scheme would continue to devise means that would make it possible for a great number of residents within its catchment area to join the scheme.
This, she said, would enhance the primary health care delivery, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing national development.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
TRUCK ILLS 3 BOYS (BACK PAGE)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A Hyundai truck last Saturday veered off the road and ran into a section of spectators at a football match, killing three boys instantly and seriously injuring another one at Ntonsu in the Ashanti Region.
The truck, according to sources, was being driven by a driver’s mate.
Two of the deceased, Kwasi Awusi, 11, and Yaw Antwi, 8, were siblings, while the third, Richson Obuo, 6, who lost his father a few months ago, was his mother’s only child.
The mothers of the deceased children were said to have collapsed as soon as news of the death of their children were broken to them, and they were rushed to the Asenemaso Government Hospital where they are receiving medical care.
A nine-year-old boy, Prince Tawia, who was said to have been seriously injured after the truck ran over his abdomen, is also on admission at the same hospital and is responding to treatment.
The driver’s mate who was alleged to be driving the truck when it veered off the busy Mampong-Kumasi road, was said to have vanished from the scene as soon as the accident happened, but the police have arrested the driver, who was identified as Russell Kwasi Ankoma, to assist in their investigations.
The Ashanti Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said the deceased, together with the injured boy, were among a section of spectators at Ntonso watching a football match last Saturday.
He explained that the truck, loaded with sachets of water, veered off the main Mampong-Kumasi road and ran into the spectators, killing the three boys on the spot and injuring the other after running over his abdomen.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said the diver of the truck was arrested after the accudent but the mate who was said to be driving the truck at the time of the incident, vanished from the scene.
The police have mounted a search for him to assist in their investigations.
A Hyundai truck last Saturday veered off the road and ran into a section of spectators at a football match, killing three boys instantly and seriously injuring another one at Ntonsu in the Ashanti Region.
The truck, according to sources, was being driven by a driver’s mate.
Two of the deceased, Kwasi Awusi, 11, and Yaw Antwi, 8, were siblings, while the third, Richson Obuo, 6, who lost his father a few months ago, was his mother’s only child.
The mothers of the deceased children were said to have collapsed as soon as news of the death of their children were broken to them, and they were rushed to the Asenemaso Government Hospital where they are receiving medical care.
A nine-year-old boy, Prince Tawia, who was said to have been seriously injured after the truck ran over his abdomen, is also on admission at the same hospital and is responding to treatment.
The driver’s mate who was alleged to be driving the truck when it veered off the busy Mampong-Kumasi road, was said to have vanished from the scene as soon as the accident happened, but the police have arrested the driver, who was identified as Russell Kwasi Ankoma, to assist in their investigations.
The Ashanti Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said the deceased, together with the injured boy, were among a section of spectators at Ntonso watching a football match last Saturday.
He explained that the truck, loaded with sachets of water, veered off the main Mampong-Kumasi road and ran into the spectators, killing the three boys on the spot and injuring the other after running over his abdomen.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said the diver of the truck was arrested after the accudent but the mate who was said to be driving the truck at the time of the incident, vanished from the scene.
The police have mounted a search for him to assist in their investigations.
Monday, May 5, 2008
NEW KUMASI CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP INSTALLED (PAGE 24)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE Most Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah was last Saturday installed as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Catholic Church.
He took over from the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, who resigned voluntarily at the age of 75 after 38 years of continuous service to God.
Until his appointment on March 26 by Pope Benedict XVI, the Most Rev Mensah was the Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese and Chairman of the Episcopal Department of Pastoral Care at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra.
The ceremony was performed on behalf of Pope Benedict by Mongsinio Mark Kadama, Apostolic Pro Nuncio in Ghana, with the assistance of Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi and Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, the Bishop of the Navrongo Diocese.
President John Agyekum Kufour and his wife, Theresa, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah and his Deputy, Mr Osei Asibey Antwi, as well as the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, were among the dignitaries who graced the ceremony.
The Most Rev. Kwasi Sarpong, who delivered the installation sermon, urged the newly appointed Archbishop to commit himself to the challenges of homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, sexual promiscuity and commercialisation of religion among others, which, he said, were creeping into society, leading many people astray and creating social unrest.
He said it was the responsibility of the church to collaborate with politicians to embark on vigorous evangelisation to spread the word of God to make society to embrace it totally.
This, he said, would go a long way to rid the world of social cankers such as sexual promiscuity and its negative consequences, to help the youth to refrain from indulging in immoral activities, which can eventually destroy their lives.
The Most Rev Sarpong said the church, which faced numerous challenges during its early stages in the country, had not only spread far and wide but had also established six dioceses in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions.
“ We have reached a point where the Church should feed the people with compassion, love, unity, mercy, and tolerance among other virtues, to enhance world peace and understanding,” he said.
For his part, Archbishop Thomas Mensah thanked God for blessing him with the new appointment, saying, “My appointment proves that God does not discriminate in elevating people from grass to grace”.
He pointed out that over the years, the Catholic Church had sought to rid the world of ignorance by establishing educational institutions to facilitate the education of the youth and empower them with the requisite knowledge.
This, he said, was helping them to build their capacity to enable them to support sustainable national development.
He said he would use his office to promote unity and peace in the country to sustain accelerated national development.
“ Unity and peace are indispensable ingredients for national development, so we should not allow ourselves to fall apart by any divisive tendency,” he advised
On behalf of President Kufour and the state, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah, presented GH¢2000 to the newly appointed Archbishop.
He appealed to the leadership of the Church to continue praying for Ghana, especially at this election period, to ensure that the election was held in an atmosphere devoid of violence.
The Most Rev. Thomas Mensah was born on February 2, 1935 at Asuoho Asaamang and started his basic education at Banso, near Bekwai, from 1944 to 1952 before undertaking a private correspondent course in Typing and Commercial Studies with the Bennett College in England from 1953 to 1958.
Between 1959 and 1960, he entered the preparatory seminary at Jamasi in the Ashanti Region and continued at the St Teresa’s Minor Seminary at Amisano, and later at St Peter’s Regional Seminary at Pedu until 1966.
He completed his priesthood education at the St. Maur’s school of Theology at Indianapolis in the United States of America, where he was ordained by his predecessor, the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, on June 3, 1973.
THE Most Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah was last Saturday installed as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Catholic Church.
He took over from the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, who resigned voluntarily at the age of 75 after 38 years of continuous service to God.
Until his appointment on March 26 by Pope Benedict XVI, the Most Rev Mensah was the Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese and Chairman of the Episcopal Department of Pastoral Care at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra.
The ceremony was performed on behalf of Pope Benedict by Mongsinio Mark Kadama, Apostolic Pro Nuncio in Ghana, with the assistance of Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Archbishop Emeritus of Kumasi and Most Rev. Lucas Abadamloora, the Bishop of the Navrongo Diocese.
President John Agyekum Kufour and his wife, Theresa, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah and his Deputy, Mr Osei Asibey Antwi, as well as the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, were among the dignitaries who graced the ceremony.
The Most Rev. Kwasi Sarpong, who delivered the installation sermon, urged the newly appointed Archbishop to commit himself to the challenges of homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, sexual promiscuity and commercialisation of religion among others, which, he said, were creeping into society, leading many people astray and creating social unrest.
He said it was the responsibility of the church to collaborate with politicians to embark on vigorous evangelisation to spread the word of God to make society to embrace it totally.
This, he said, would go a long way to rid the world of social cankers such as sexual promiscuity and its negative consequences, to help the youth to refrain from indulging in immoral activities, which can eventually destroy their lives.
The Most Rev Sarpong said the church, which faced numerous challenges during its early stages in the country, had not only spread far and wide but had also established six dioceses in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions.
“ We have reached a point where the Church should feed the people with compassion, love, unity, mercy, and tolerance among other virtues, to enhance world peace and understanding,” he said.
For his part, Archbishop Thomas Mensah thanked God for blessing him with the new appointment, saying, “My appointment proves that God does not discriminate in elevating people from grass to grace”.
He pointed out that over the years, the Catholic Church had sought to rid the world of ignorance by establishing educational institutions to facilitate the education of the youth and empower them with the requisite knowledge.
This, he said, was helping them to build their capacity to enable them to support sustainable national development.
He said he would use his office to promote unity and peace in the country to sustain accelerated national development.
“ Unity and peace are indispensable ingredients for national development, so we should not allow ourselves to fall apart by any divisive tendency,” he advised
On behalf of President Kufour and the state, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah, presented GH¢2000 to the newly appointed Archbishop.
He appealed to the leadership of the Church to continue praying for Ghana, especially at this election period, to ensure that the election was held in an atmosphere devoid of violence.
The Most Rev. Thomas Mensah was born on February 2, 1935 at Asuoho Asaamang and started his basic education at Banso, near Bekwai, from 1944 to 1952 before undertaking a private correspondent course in Typing and Commercial Studies with the Bennett College in England from 1953 to 1958.
Between 1959 and 1960, he entered the preparatory seminary at Jamasi in the Ashanti Region and continued at the St Teresa’s Minor Seminary at Amisano, and later at St Peter’s Regional Seminary at Pedu until 1966.
He completed his priesthood education at the St. Maur’s school of Theology at Indianapolis in the United States of America, where he was ordained by his predecessor, the Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, on June 3, 1973.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR BREAST CANCER...Health experts advise women (PAGE 11)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
It is common to hear stories in the media about people resorting to various treatments, apart from orthodox health care for the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer.
A recent story on a television station about a young girl whose parents have taken her away from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was being treated for breast cancer, to a female pastor at Nungua is, however serious and sad.
When interviewed the girl said she was made to bath at the beach with sea water at dawn every day and that had made her better.
The story, coming in the wake of persistent advise from health experts to women to do regular self examination of the breast and also go for regular check-ups at the hospitals for the early detection of any deformity in the breast, is quite incomprehensible.
Another story was told of a 42-year-old woman who nearly lost her life because she decided to go in for a herbal treatment at Ankaase, near Bekwai, instead of seeking medical treatment at a hospital for her breast cancer which had just started developing in her right breast.
After using the herbs to treat the seemingly painless boil on her breast without any positive results, resulting in the spreading of the cancer at an alarming rate, family members had to rush her to Peace and Love Hospital at Kentinkrono in Kumasi, where she was responding to treatment.
One can continue to enumerate countless examples of breast cancer patients, who because of fear refuse to seek medical treatment at the hospital at the initial stages of the disease and are therefore rushed to the hospital after the disease had reached an advanced stage.
That is after they resorted to the use of herbal concoctions and prayers at prayer camps.
A publication by the National Cancer Institute of the United States National Institutes of Health indicates that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. It says cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up body tissues
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors often cannot explain why one woman develops breast cancer and another does not. They do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. You cannot "catch" it from another person.
Research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer.
Studies have found the risk factors for breast cancer to include age, that is the chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older, personal history of breast cancer, family history, certain breast changes, that is some women who have cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope increases the risk of breast cancer.
Other risk factors include gene changes, reproductive and menstrual history: That is women who had their first menstrual period before age 12, women who went through menopause after age 55, women who never had children and women who take menopausal hormone therapy with oestrogen plus progestin after menopause appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Being overweight or obese after menopause and lack of physical activity by women throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Mr F.N. Ghartey, the Executive Director of MAMMOCARE, a breast cancer awareness non-governmental organisation, was recently reported to have said that a number of women in Ghana do not realise they have breast cancer until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
That, he said was due to ignorance about the symptoms of the disease, and the fact that a number of women did not go for regular check-ups or do regular self-examination of their breasts.
There is one institution in Kumasi that has intensified educational campaigns to raise awareness about breast cancer and inculcate a sense of survival among breast cancer patients, that is Breast Care International (BCI), located at Oduom, a Kumasi suburb.
BCI, an NGO, established in October 2002 by Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, educates women about breast cancer, teach them how to undertake their own breast examination and seek clinical screening regularly to prevent complication of the disease.
The role of the organisation is to ensure that the cost of treatment of the disease, especially when it became complicated, was reduced, and also offer counselling to patients and help in their rehabilitation.
The free breast screening exercises undertaken by the organisation in the Ashanti Region, in particular and other parts of the country in general, have restored the hope of many patients, especially those who were seriously sick as a result of the complications of their ailment.
Such women have now become the vehicles that provide counselling to others who have fallen victim to the disease and have lost all hope to stay alive.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic Dr Wiafe Addai who specialised in Ultrasonography and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, as well as breast pathology , said her focus was to organise as many fora as possible to educate women to understand that breast cancer could be treated, especially when they reported for medical treatment early.
She said by educating women to be conscious about the disease and also undertake monthly self examination, complications associated with the disease would be greatly reduced and women would be able to live normal lives to enable them contribute more meaningfully towards sustainable national development.
Dr Wiafe Addai said it was necessary to demystify the myth surrounding breast cancer which was perceived as a disease caused by a curse from the devil, and look at it as a disease with many treatment options, which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy.
It is common to hear stories in the media about people resorting to various treatments, apart from orthodox health care for the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer.
A recent story on a television station about a young girl whose parents have taken her away from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was being treated for breast cancer, to a female pastor at Nungua is, however serious and sad.
When interviewed the girl said she was made to bath at the beach with sea water at dawn every day and that had made her better.
The story, coming in the wake of persistent advise from health experts to women to do regular self examination of the breast and also go for regular check-ups at the hospitals for the early detection of any deformity in the breast, is quite incomprehensible.
Another story was told of a 42-year-old woman who nearly lost her life because she decided to go in for a herbal treatment at Ankaase, near Bekwai, instead of seeking medical treatment at a hospital for her breast cancer which had just started developing in her right breast.
After using the herbs to treat the seemingly painless boil on her breast without any positive results, resulting in the spreading of the cancer at an alarming rate, family members had to rush her to Peace and Love Hospital at Kentinkrono in Kumasi, where she was responding to treatment.
One can continue to enumerate countless examples of breast cancer patients, who because of fear refuse to seek medical treatment at the hospital at the initial stages of the disease and are therefore rushed to the hospital after the disease had reached an advanced stage.
That is after they resorted to the use of herbal concoctions and prayers at prayer camps.
A publication by the National Cancer Institute of the United States National Institutes of Health indicates that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. It says cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up body tissues
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors often cannot explain why one woman develops breast cancer and another does not. They do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. You cannot "catch" it from another person.
Research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer.
Studies have found the risk factors for breast cancer to include age, that is the chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older, personal history of breast cancer, family history, certain breast changes, that is some women who have cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope increases the risk of breast cancer.
Other risk factors include gene changes, reproductive and menstrual history: That is women who had their first menstrual period before age 12, women who went through menopause after age 55, women who never had children and women who take menopausal hormone therapy with oestrogen plus progestin after menopause appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Being overweight or obese after menopause and lack of physical activity by women throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Mr F.N. Ghartey, the Executive Director of MAMMOCARE, a breast cancer awareness non-governmental organisation, was recently reported to have said that a number of women in Ghana do not realise they have breast cancer until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
That, he said was due to ignorance about the symptoms of the disease, and the fact that a number of women did not go for regular check-ups or do regular self-examination of their breasts.
There is one institution in Kumasi that has intensified educational campaigns to raise awareness about breast cancer and inculcate a sense of survival among breast cancer patients, that is Breast Care International (BCI), located at Oduom, a Kumasi suburb.
BCI, an NGO, established in October 2002 by Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, educates women about breast cancer, teach them how to undertake their own breast examination and seek clinical screening regularly to prevent complication of the disease.
The role of the organisation is to ensure that the cost of treatment of the disease, especially when it became complicated, was reduced, and also offer counselling to patients and help in their rehabilitation.
The free breast screening exercises undertaken by the organisation in the Ashanti Region, in particular and other parts of the country in general, have restored the hope of many patients, especially those who were seriously sick as a result of the complications of their ailment.
Such women have now become the vehicles that provide counselling to others who have fallen victim to the disease and have lost all hope to stay alive.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic Dr Wiafe Addai who specialised in Ultrasonography and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, as well as breast pathology , said her focus was to organise as many fora as possible to educate women to understand that breast cancer could be treated, especially when they reported for medical treatment early.
She said by educating women to be conscious about the disease and also undertake monthly self examination, complications associated with the disease would be greatly reduced and women would be able to live normal lives to enable them contribute more meaningfully towards sustainable national development.
Dr Wiafe Addai said it was necessary to demystify the myth surrounding breast cancer which was perceived as a disease caused by a curse from the devil, and look at it as a disease with many treatment options, which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
INITIATE PROGRAMMES TO EMPOWER WOMEN ...US envoy urges Muslims (PAGE 21)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
THE American Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Pamela E. Bridgwater, has called on the Muslim community in Ghana to initiate programmes that would actively involve women in the mainstream of decision making to enhance the building of a strong foundation that would facilitate the maintenance of peace, tolerance and socio-economic development in the country.
She gave the assurance that she would use her influence to support the provision of educational infrastructure in the Kumasi Metropolis as a way of building the capacity of women in particular and the youth in general, to enable them to contribute more meaningfully to sustainable development.
Mrs Bridgwater made the statement at a reception held at the Golden Tulip, Kumasi City on Monday for the leadership of the Muslim community in the Kumasi metropolis.
The reception was for her to bid farewell to the Muslim community in Kumasi, in appreciation of the good relationship that had existed between the American Embassy in Ghana and the Muslim community, since she assumed office three years ago.
Among the dignitaries who attended the reception were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, his deputy, Mr Osei Asibey Antwi, the Deputy Chief Imam, Sheik Abdul Mumim Harun, President of the chiefs of the Zongo Community in Kumasi, Chief Ahmed Ibrahim, the Chief of the Moshie community in Kumasi, Alhassan Wahab and the President of the Ashanti Muslims Women Association (AMWA), Hajia Halematu Ibrahim.
The assurance by Mrs Bridgwater to support the education of Muslim women was in response to a request by Hajia Ibrahim, who personally asked the Ambassador to support the association to establish a university college to give more Muslim youth and women the opportunity of acquiring tertiary education.
This, she said, was to encourage them “ develop their potential and contribute more meaningfully to sustainable development in future”.
Hajia Ibrahim had earlier told Mrs Bridgwater that the association had acquired a large tract of land at Bobai, near Asokore Mampong in Kumasi, for the establishment of a university college to promote the education of women and the youth, but financial problems had militated against their desire to establish the university college.
Mrs Bridgwater pointed out that the deep and lasting friendship that had continued between the Muslim community in Ghana and the American people was meant to improve the “ lives of ordinary Muslims throughout Ghana”.
She explained that the construction of an Islamic Education Unit and a community centre at Nima, the establishment of an American corner in Tamale, where an ICT and Library facilities had been established for the youth to improve their knowledge in ICT programmes, as well as the construction of a clinic-the Sheikh Tawfiq Clinic, in Kumasi showed the importance of another facet of our partnership with the Muslim community.
Mrs Bridgwater made it clear that her office had sponsored a number of Muslim youth in Ghana to travel to America “ to experience American values, see how our large Muslim population worshipped in freedom, and witness the foundation of tolerance and compassion upon which our society is based”, and expressed satisfaction about the “ legacy of co-operation and friendship between the Muslim community in Ghana and the US Embassy”.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief Imam, Sheik Abdul Mumim Harun, commended Ambassador Bridgwater for her initiatives that had established a strong bond between the Muslim community in Ghana and the American people.
He pointed out that the Islamic religion was established on a strong foundation of peace, and therefore congratulated Muslims in Ghana for accepting to live in peace and tranquillity with members of other religious bodies.
He said it was their intention to avoid anything that would create violence to undermine the peace being enjoyed in the country.
For his part, the Regional Minister, Mr E.A. Owusu Ansah, said Ghana was a secular state, where freedom of worship and association had been promoted over the years without any rancour.
THE American Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Pamela E. Bridgwater, has called on the Muslim community in Ghana to initiate programmes that would actively involve women in the mainstream of decision making to enhance the building of a strong foundation that would facilitate the maintenance of peace, tolerance and socio-economic development in the country.
She gave the assurance that she would use her influence to support the provision of educational infrastructure in the Kumasi Metropolis as a way of building the capacity of women in particular and the youth in general, to enable them to contribute more meaningfully to sustainable development.
Mrs Bridgwater made the statement at a reception held at the Golden Tulip, Kumasi City on Monday for the leadership of the Muslim community in the Kumasi metropolis.
The reception was for her to bid farewell to the Muslim community in Kumasi, in appreciation of the good relationship that had existed between the American Embassy in Ghana and the Muslim community, since she assumed office three years ago.
Among the dignitaries who attended the reception were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, his deputy, Mr Osei Asibey Antwi, the Deputy Chief Imam, Sheik Abdul Mumim Harun, President of the chiefs of the Zongo Community in Kumasi, Chief Ahmed Ibrahim, the Chief of the Moshie community in Kumasi, Alhassan Wahab and the President of the Ashanti Muslims Women Association (AMWA), Hajia Halematu Ibrahim.
The assurance by Mrs Bridgwater to support the education of Muslim women was in response to a request by Hajia Ibrahim, who personally asked the Ambassador to support the association to establish a university college to give more Muslim youth and women the opportunity of acquiring tertiary education.
This, she said, was to encourage them “ develop their potential and contribute more meaningfully to sustainable development in future”.
Hajia Ibrahim had earlier told Mrs Bridgwater that the association had acquired a large tract of land at Bobai, near Asokore Mampong in Kumasi, for the establishment of a university college to promote the education of women and the youth, but financial problems had militated against their desire to establish the university college.
Mrs Bridgwater pointed out that the deep and lasting friendship that had continued between the Muslim community in Ghana and the American people was meant to improve the “ lives of ordinary Muslims throughout Ghana”.
She explained that the construction of an Islamic Education Unit and a community centre at Nima, the establishment of an American corner in Tamale, where an ICT and Library facilities had been established for the youth to improve their knowledge in ICT programmes, as well as the construction of a clinic-the Sheikh Tawfiq Clinic, in Kumasi showed the importance of another facet of our partnership with the Muslim community.
Mrs Bridgwater made it clear that her office had sponsored a number of Muslim youth in Ghana to travel to America “ to experience American values, see how our large Muslim population worshipped in freedom, and witness the foundation of tolerance and compassion upon which our society is based”, and expressed satisfaction about the “ legacy of co-operation and friendship between the Muslim community in Ghana and the US Embassy”.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief Imam, Sheik Abdul Mumim Harun, commended Ambassador Bridgwater for her initiatives that had established a strong bond between the Muslim community in Ghana and the American people.
He pointed out that the Islamic religion was established on a strong foundation of peace, and therefore congratulated Muslims in Ghana for accepting to live in peace and tranquillity with members of other religious bodies.
He said it was their intention to avoid anything that would create violence to undermine the peace being enjoyed in the country.
For his part, the Regional Minister, Mr E.A. Owusu Ansah, said Ghana was a secular state, where freedom of worship and association had been promoted over the years without any rancour.
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