Mr Isaac Tellar
General manager, Sunset Hotel, Kumasi
As someone from the tourist industry, I expect the government to initiate policies and programmes that would enhance accelerated development of the industry.
The government can do this by actively supporting the proprietors of the tourist industry in terms of facilities and affordable loans from the banks. This would enable the proprietors put up more facilities of international standards, which would in turn attract tourists into the country.
The effect would be that tourists will appreciate the facilities and recommend them to their business partners abroad and encourage them to also visit the country.
With such support, the industry can generate enough revenue comparable to gold, timber and cocoa and this will go a long way to enhance the country’s socio-economic development.
For now, the tourism industry is performing quite well, but there are a lot of things that need to be done to take it to another level of development.
Besides additional facilities of international standards, the training of human resource within the sector is also very important.
I am saying this because some of the proprietors of the tourism facilities are new to the industry and do not have enough knowledge about the sector. It is therefore important that at least they are provided with some basic knowledge as pertains in the industry.
The government should as well support the Ghana Tourist Board in terms of logistics and other essentials to enable it exercise its supervisory role effectively.
It is equally important that the government offers assistance to people in the private sector who are interested in investing in the tourism sector of the economy.
Majority of contracts in the tourism sector go to foreign companies to the detriment of local enterprises. It is time the government offered some of such contracts to local contractors to boost their morale and also as an effort to retain funds in the country. Such retained funds could help build the economy rather than put them in the hands of foreigners who would use such funds to develop their countries.
It is important also that national security is improved and given a boost. The security services must be provided with attractive salaries, good accommodation, equipment and facilities that would improve their service delivery.
Nana Osei Tweneboah Koduah
Retired Banker
The change in government is good for the nation and I expect the government to move in a direction that would boost the national economy as quickly as possible.
With the country having come by oil, it is important that the government initiates policies that would attract foreign investment.
I expect also that the government would pay much attention to public opinion instead of rigidly sticking to its own policies and programmes even if they are not of national interest.
The previous government concentrated on the construction of flyovers in the urban communities to the detriment of the construction of feeder roads that would have helped in evacuating foodcrops from the rural communities to the urban centres.
The government should endeavour to develop the road infrastructure in the rural communities to enable farmers transport and market their produce easily in the urban centres.
With regard to the school feeding programme initiated by the previous government, I look forward to its extension to cover all schools in the country.
The National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) was one of the good legacies of the previous government and I expect this government to futher develop it to enable the ordinary Ghanaian source for affordable health services without much sweat.
I am saying this because it is when the people are in good health that they can concentrate on productive ventures that would go a long way to sustain the growth of the economy.
It is equally important for this government to initiate policies that will quickly reconcile the people. The election was very close and some of the rhetorics on the political campaigns were divisive as there
seem to be bitterness among a section of the populace and this is disturbing.
Nana Batafo
Akyampong Nti II,
Konongohene
The government faces a lot of challenges because public expectations are very high.
In terms of infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture and job creation among others, I expect this government to perform better. As such policies and programmes that would speed up development in these areas are very crucial.
Infrastructure development in all sectors such as health, education, water, sanitation, and agriculture as well as the welfare of the populace are urgently required so the onus lie on the government to justify the confidence reposed in it by the electorate and endeavour to initiate programmes that would impact positively on the lives of the people.
Konongo, like other municipal capitals, has only one second cycle institution and it lacks many facilities.
Which undermine efficient teaching and learning.
The lack of accommodation especially for the teaching staff in many educational institutions spread all over the country, affect the intake of students at the beginning of each academic year.
This problem of accommodation is not limited to second cycle institutions alone but even to the tertiary level where students spend millions of cedis to pay for their hostel accommodation.
It is therefore time that government initiated infrastructure development on a grand scale both in second cycle and tertiary institutions nationwide to reduce this problem.
This would enable parents invest monies that would have gone into hostel accommodation in other enterprises. chiefs should be prepared to provide land for the development of schools infrastructure.
On chieftaincy, I expect the government to decentralise the institution. Some chiefs are sidelined when it comes to decision making at the district level and so I believe that with the decentralisation of the chieftaincy institution, there would be District House of Chiefs, where major decisions could be taken at the district level.
I am saying this because there are a lot of divisional chiefs who are not only highly educated but also proficient and experienced in many fields. However, such chiefs are always sidelined when it came to discussing national issues.
Ms Sophia Brobbey
Student, Christian Service University College
No country can develop without promoting technology, hence my expectation from the newly elected government would be for it to collaborate with Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo to take technology initiatives to a higher level in order to enhance the development of Ghana.
The Apostle has proved over the years that given the opportunity and support, he could bring Ghana at par with the developed world in terms of technological advancement.
Governments in Europe and Asia, actively supported their people who are well versed in technology with financial assistance but the same cannot be said here in Ghana.
I think Ghana would be the eventual winner if the Government supports Apostle Safo in his research into the production of vehicles and other heavy duty machines on a large scale.
When this is done, agriculture can be modernised to enable Ghana become self sufficient in the production of food and cash crops.
Over the years, farmers in Ghana have shown that they can produce food in large quantities, if they were supported financially. Mention could be made of local rice production. We have the land and the human resource to produce and export surplus food, but I wonder why measures have not been taken to take full advantage of the land and human resource in this direction.
It is for this reason that I expect the present government to take the bull by the horn and initiate policies and programmes that would enable Ghana produce food in large quantities.
This would go a long way to improve the growth of the economy and thereby help the government delve into areas that would create jobs for the youth to enable them support sustainable socio-economic development.
With regard to the school feeding programme, I expect the government to expand it to cover all basic schools in the country. This is because only few students in the basic schools enjoy such a laudable programme.
Rockyfeller Amudzi
Businessman
I expect the new government to live up to expectation. It must invest in the human resource base of the economy and improve upon the economy as a whole.
The government must work quickly to alleviate the hardships that the people faced during the last regime.
It must also carefully consider the manufacturing sector of the economy which is at the brink of collapse. Local industries must be given protection in order to survive foreign competition so that they can play a meaningful role in the economy.
I expect the President to have a listening ear. Additionally, new ministers must live by example and above reproach. They must not be arrogant but remain humble and listen to the people in whose interest they have been employed to work.
The people of Ghana must also lend a helping hand to the government and endeavour to offer constructive criticism when necessary.
Mr Kwaku
Adu-Aninkorah
CEO, Makeown Group of Companies
In the first place, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Professor John Evans Atta Millis for his victory.
For us in business, we expect that the President would put in place measures that would quicken the pace of development in the private sector in terms of availability of funds and the laying of sound infrastructure to entice people to invest in the sector with the ultimate aim of reducing unemployment in the country.
Secondly, I would appeal to the President to use his immense skills and knowledge to bridge the political divide that had crept into our social fabric.
I expect him to endeavour to spread the national cake evenly, just as he stated in his maiden speech that he would be a father to all. It is my hope that he would make good his promises and do things that would bring Ghanaians together .
It takes time to put programmes in place that would alleviate poverty. For the youth on the street who are a major concern to all, the government should put pragmatic measures that would take them off the streets and be given employable skills.
This would reduce the crime rate, especially armed robbery which creates panic among the public.
Sanitation and cleanliness should also be a priority of the government.
Change is inevitable in life, and I expect that the change that has taken place in Ghana will come with progress for Ghanaians, so that by the end of the four-year term, he would be judged by his initiatives, policies and programmes.
I also anticipate that the government would develop storage facilities nationwide to reduce the waste that occurs during bumper harvest seasons as well as support farmers financially with loans with moderate interest rates to enable them expand their farms.
I think that it was also time that Ghana moved away from the production of raw materials with regard to agricultural production and rather diverted its attention to the addition of value to our produce to enable the country generate adequate income form agriculture.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
ASANTE MAMPONG BABIES HOME RECEIVES KITS ((PAGE 25)
INMATES of the Asante Mampong Babies Home were beside themselves with joy at the weekend when they were presented with a number of playing kits, including bicycles, assorted toys and clothing.
The donors, who are Ghanaians based in Belgium, in collaboration with some philanthropists at their base, also presented a 34-inch flat screen and a 21-inch colour television sets and a video cassette player to the inmates for entertainment, education and other programmes.
The items, which are estimated at 5000.00 euro and also included a 36-inch deep freezer and chairs, were presented on behalf of the donors by Madam Grace Donkor.
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yinka Sarfo; the Chairman of the Management Board of the Home, Rev. Canon Francis Dwira, and the acting Archdeacon of the Mampong Archdeaconry, Rev. Fr. David Korankye, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Presenting the items, Madam Donkor commended the supervisors of the Home for their commitment to developing the potential of the inmates and encouraged them to continue to enable the inmates become fully integrated into society.
She assured them that they would pay regular visits to the Home to motivate the inmates in diverse ways to boost their confidence.
The Superintendent of the Home, Madam Mabel Asafu-Adjaye, who received the items on behalf of the inmates, thanked the donors for their gesture and also assured them that they would not only be maintained well, but would also be put at the disposal of the inmates.
She appealed to the public to regularly interact with the inmates and also support them in diverse ways to enhance their physical and emotional development.
The donors, who are Ghanaians based in Belgium, in collaboration with some philanthropists at their base, also presented a 34-inch flat screen and a 21-inch colour television sets and a video cassette player to the inmates for entertainment, education and other programmes.
The items, which are estimated at 5000.00 euro and also included a 36-inch deep freezer and chairs, were presented on behalf of the donors by Madam Grace Donkor.
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Daniel Yinka Sarfo; the Chairman of the Management Board of the Home, Rev. Canon Francis Dwira, and the acting Archdeacon of the Mampong Archdeaconry, Rev. Fr. David Korankye, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Presenting the items, Madam Donkor commended the supervisors of the Home for their commitment to developing the potential of the inmates and encouraged them to continue to enable the inmates become fully integrated into society.
She assured them that they would pay regular visits to the Home to motivate the inmates in diverse ways to boost their confidence.
The Superintendent of the Home, Madam Mabel Asafu-Adjaye, who received the items on behalf of the inmates, thanked the donors for their gesture and also assured them that they would not only be maintained well, but would also be put at the disposal of the inmates.
She appealed to the public to regularly interact with the inmates and also support them in diverse ways to enhance their physical and emotional development.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
COURT RULES IN KAMA'S FAVOUR (PAGE 3)
AN Accra Fast Track High Court presided over by Mr Justice P.K. Gyaesayor has ordered Unilever Ghana Limited to pay interest, calculated at the prevailing bank rate, on US$500,000 or its cedi equivalent to KAMA Health Services for failing to convey legal possession of a property purchased by KAMA from Unilever in 2000.
In addition to the interest, the court ordered Unilever to pay GH¢7,040 to counsel of KAMA to cover expenses incurred in trying to perfect the title of the property sold.
In his ruling, Justice Gyaesayor said the interest payment resulted from the findings of the court that “plaintiff suffered unduly when he borrowed money from the bank, upon which interest was levied, but did not benefit from the said transaction”.
He said in accordance with the law, the plaintiff was entitled to interest for two years at the prevailing bank rate and at simple interest on the sum of US$500,000 or its cedi equivalent and, therefore, directed that with immediate effect Unilever should continue to pay the said interest until the date of final payment.
The ruling followed a suit filed by KAMA Health Services, a limited liability company, against Unilever to recover interest on the US$500,000 or its cedi equivalent, as well as special and general damages for breach of contract and cost.
According to the court, the parties executed a contract of sale of property known as Nos.1-3 and 10-12 OTB layout in Kumasi, popularly known as the SAT building.
"The term of payment by the plaintiff was by three instalments, which was duly complied with, and a deed of assignment was prepared in his favour by the defendant and was subsequently registered at the Lands Commission and stamped by the Lands Valuation Board," it said.
Continuing, it said in compliance with the Land Title Registration Law, the plaintiff presented the documents to the Land Title Registry for registration but it could not be done because of the numerous protests lodged by other persons who saw the publication in the newspapers.
Explaining, the court noted that "persons claiming to sue as representing the Golden Stool lodged various forms of complaints, and through a warning letter the Secretary to the Golden Stool also joined the fray, making it impossible for the plaintiff to obtain the requisite title to the property for which he had paid $500,000.
The court stated that "registration of title to land in Kumasi and its surroundings is compulsory for all landowners and failure to register one's land under PNDCL 152 constitutes a criminal offence”.
It said to prove their seriousness, those who protested against the transactions between Unilever and KAMA Health Services filed summons at a Kumasi High Court, "asking that the sale between the parties be declared null and void for want of consent of the Golden Stool Secretariat".
It said a similar writ was issued by one Opanin Kwame Afreh against Unilever and KAMA, which also sought to declare the sale null and void, and when the issue was brought before the Land Title Registry, it refused to register the properties in the name of KAMA Health Services. Faced with that difficulty, the registry returned to Unilever the lease which was dated August 6, 1999.
The court noted that given the various difficulties faced in registering the property, the plaintiff caused his solicitor "to seek an abrogation of the contract and further to demand the refund of the $500,000, together with interest and incidental expenses incurred by KAMA".
It said while Unilever agreed to that request and by mutual consent terminated the contract and paid the $500,000 to KAMA Health Services, it declined to pay the interest demanded, as well as the incidental expenses incurred by the plaintiff while seeking to perfect its title to the property.
It said while legal possession of the property did not pass to the plaintiff at a time the $500,000 remained in the possession of the defendant, the defendant succeeded in selling the same property at a later date in 2005 when the Golden Stool had then been consented "to another person at a higher price but refused to pay the interest to KAMA without giving KAMA the option to purchase the property" and, therefore, ordered that interest on the $500,000 should be paid.
In addition to the interest, the court ordered Unilever to pay GH¢7,040 to counsel of KAMA to cover expenses incurred in trying to perfect the title of the property sold.
In his ruling, Justice Gyaesayor said the interest payment resulted from the findings of the court that “plaintiff suffered unduly when he borrowed money from the bank, upon which interest was levied, but did not benefit from the said transaction”.
He said in accordance with the law, the plaintiff was entitled to interest for two years at the prevailing bank rate and at simple interest on the sum of US$500,000 or its cedi equivalent and, therefore, directed that with immediate effect Unilever should continue to pay the said interest until the date of final payment.
The ruling followed a suit filed by KAMA Health Services, a limited liability company, against Unilever to recover interest on the US$500,000 or its cedi equivalent, as well as special and general damages for breach of contract and cost.
According to the court, the parties executed a contract of sale of property known as Nos.1-3 and 10-12 OTB layout in Kumasi, popularly known as the SAT building.
"The term of payment by the plaintiff was by three instalments, which was duly complied with, and a deed of assignment was prepared in his favour by the defendant and was subsequently registered at the Lands Commission and stamped by the Lands Valuation Board," it said.
Continuing, it said in compliance with the Land Title Registration Law, the plaintiff presented the documents to the Land Title Registry for registration but it could not be done because of the numerous protests lodged by other persons who saw the publication in the newspapers.
Explaining, the court noted that "persons claiming to sue as representing the Golden Stool lodged various forms of complaints, and through a warning letter the Secretary to the Golden Stool also joined the fray, making it impossible for the plaintiff to obtain the requisite title to the property for which he had paid $500,000.
The court stated that "registration of title to land in Kumasi and its surroundings is compulsory for all landowners and failure to register one's land under PNDCL 152 constitutes a criminal offence”.
It said to prove their seriousness, those who protested against the transactions between Unilever and KAMA Health Services filed summons at a Kumasi High Court, "asking that the sale between the parties be declared null and void for want of consent of the Golden Stool Secretariat".
It said a similar writ was issued by one Opanin Kwame Afreh against Unilever and KAMA, which also sought to declare the sale null and void, and when the issue was brought before the Land Title Registry, it refused to register the properties in the name of KAMA Health Services. Faced with that difficulty, the registry returned to Unilever the lease which was dated August 6, 1999.
The court noted that given the various difficulties faced in registering the property, the plaintiff caused his solicitor "to seek an abrogation of the contract and further to demand the refund of the $500,000, together with interest and incidental expenses incurred by KAMA".
It said while Unilever agreed to that request and by mutual consent terminated the contract and paid the $500,000 to KAMA Health Services, it declined to pay the interest demanded, as well as the incidental expenses incurred by the plaintiff while seeking to perfect its title to the property.
It said while legal possession of the property did not pass to the plaintiff at a time the $500,000 remained in the possession of the defendant, the defendant succeeded in selling the same property at a later date in 2005 when the Golden Stool had then been consented "to another person at a higher price but refused to pay the interest to KAMA without giving KAMA the option to purchase the property" and, therefore, ordered that interest on the $500,000 should be paid.
Monday, January 12, 2009
WORK PROGRESSES ON DORMITORY BLOCK (PAGE 11, JAN 12)
Work is progressing steadily on the three-storey girls’ dormitory block of Jachie-Pramso Senior High School.
The project, which is estimated at GH¢850,000.00, started early on October 2008, and in less than three months, it had developed to the second floor.
Expectations are that the project would be completed by the end of March this year, especially if the requisite funds are made available to the contractor who is pre-financing the project.
When completed, it will accommodate about 900 females in the school to reduce congestion faced by the female students.
The early completion of the project would enhance admission of females into the school, which is regarded as the premier second-cycle institution in the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region.
The other secondary school in the district is located at Beposo, which is about 35 kilometres away.
Construction works for a three-storey building estimated at GH¢650,000.00 to accommodate a section of the teaching staff in the school is also underway.
Attachy Construction Limited is undertaking the two projects, which are being funded by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the GETFund Administration.
The problem of female accommodation at Jachie-Pramso Senior High School received attention last year when the female students made a passionate appeal through the Daily Graphic to the GES and the GETFund Administration to come to their aid.
Congestion at the dormitory also affected admission of female students to the school, which undermined girl-child education.
Making the appeal when they interacted with the Daily Graphic last year, the female students expressed concern about the deplorable conditions of their dormitory, which, they said, leaked anytime it rained.
Apart from the leakage, which always destroyed their books, clothing and personal items, there was also the problem of broken louvre blades, which created avenues for swarms of mosquitoes to attack them, creating health problems that undermined their academic programmes.
The publication made by the Daily Graphic on the plight of the female students in the school received prompt attention, leading to the three-storey female dormitory project being underlaken by Attachy Construction Limited.
In an interview, the Managing Director of Attachy Construction, Mr Kwame Atta Acheampong, told the Daily Graphic that he was committed to the early completion of the project to create a conducive atmosphere that would enhance academic work for the female students.
He gave the assurance that while the dormitory to house the females would be completed by March this year, the three-storey teachers’ accommodation, estimated at GH¢650,000.00 which is now at the foundation stage, would be completed by the end of June this year, provided the needed funds were secured.
The project, which is estimated at GH¢850,000.00, started early on October 2008, and in less than three months, it had developed to the second floor.
Expectations are that the project would be completed by the end of March this year, especially if the requisite funds are made available to the contractor who is pre-financing the project.
When completed, it will accommodate about 900 females in the school to reduce congestion faced by the female students.
The early completion of the project would enhance admission of females into the school, which is regarded as the premier second-cycle institution in the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region.
The other secondary school in the district is located at Beposo, which is about 35 kilometres away.
Construction works for a three-storey building estimated at GH¢650,000.00 to accommodate a section of the teaching staff in the school is also underway.
Attachy Construction Limited is undertaking the two projects, which are being funded by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the GETFund Administration.
The problem of female accommodation at Jachie-Pramso Senior High School received attention last year when the female students made a passionate appeal through the Daily Graphic to the GES and the GETFund Administration to come to their aid.
Congestion at the dormitory also affected admission of female students to the school, which undermined girl-child education.
Making the appeal when they interacted with the Daily Graphic last year, the female students expressed concern about the deplorable conditions of their dormitory, which, they said, leaked anytime it rained.
Apart from the leakage, which always destroyed their books, clothing and personal items, there was also the problem of broken louvre blades, which created avenues for swarms of mosquitoes to attack them, creating health problems that undermined their academic programmes.
The publication made by the Daily Graphic on the plight of the female students in the school received prompt attention, leading to the three-storey female dormitory project being underlaken by Attachy Construction Limited.
In an interview, the Managing Director of Attachy Construction, Mr Kwame Atta Acheampong, told the Daily Graphic that he was committed to the early completion of the project to create a conducive atmosphere that would enhance academic work for the female students.
He gave the assurance that while the dormitory to house the females would be completed by March this year, the three-storey teachers’ accommodation, estimated at GH¢650,000.00 which is now at the foundation stage, would be completed by the end of June this year, provided the needed funds were secured.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
KUMASI EAST ROTARY DONATES TO VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (PAGE 26)
THE Kumasi East Rotary Club has donated a number of items, including a deep freezer and a gas cooker, to the St Michael's Vocational Institute at Pramso in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region to enhance the practical work of the students.
The items, estimated at $2000, also comprised four sewing machines and two hair-drying machines.
The President of the club, Mr Charles Robert Amoako, who presented the items on behalf of the members, gave the assurance that plans were far advanced for the club to donate 20 additional sewing machines to the institute to enhance practical training there.
He said the club was more determined than ever to support the practical training of students in institutions in rural communities as a way of building their skills in an effective and efficient way.
He said the club had also contributed in diverse ways to the development of some rural communities in the region.
He said last year, the club constructed a number of boreholes for some communities to reduce water-borne diseases among residents in those communities and also supported others with educational and health facilities to enhance their socio-economic development.
Mr Amoako mentioned Kra Akosua, Domeabra, Poano-Ntinako, Patrensa among others, as some of the beneficiary communities.
The Head of the institute, Mrs Juliana Owusu Antwi, who received the items on behalf of the students, commended members of the club for the gesture.
She said the items had been presented at an opportune time because they came at a time when the students were preparing feverishly for their practical examination.
She said inadequate facilities in the school had always undermined the practical training of the students and, therefore, appealed to organisations, institutions and individuals to support it in diverse ways.
Mrs Owusu Antwi noted that the school also needed furniture in its newly constructed classroom to enhance academic work and urged benevolent societies to help in that direction.
The items, estimated at $2000, also comprised four sewing machines and two hair-drying machines.
The President of the club, Mr Charles Robert Amoako, who presented the items on behalf of the members, gave the assurance that plans were far advanced for the club to donate 20 additional sewing machines to the institute to enhance practical training there.
He said the club was more determined than ever to support the practical training of students in institutions in rural communities as a way of building their skills in an effective and efficient way.
He said the club had also contributed in diverse ways to the development of some rural communities in the region.
He said last year, the club constructed a number of boreholes for some communities to reduce water-borne diseases among residents in those communities and also supported others with educational and health facilities to enhance their socio-economic development.
Mr Amoako mentioned Kra Akosua, Domeabra, Poano-Ntinako, Patrensa among others, as some of the beneficiary communities.
The Head of the institute, Mrs Juliana Owusu Antwi, who received the items on behalf of the students, commended members of the club for the gesture.
She said the items had been presented at an opportune time because they came at a time when the students were preparing feverishly for their practical examination.
She said inadequate facilities in the school had always undermined the practical training of the students and, therefore, appealed to organisations, institutions and individuals to support it in diverse ways.
Mrs Owusu Antwi noted that the school also needed furniture in its newly constructed classroom to enhance academic work and urged benevolent societies to help in that direction.
KUMASI CHILDREN'S PARK IN DISARRAY (PAGE 29, JANUARY 8)
Years of total neglect and inactivity at the Kumasi Children's Park have completely crippled the facility designed for the relaxation and socialisation of children in Kumasi, especially at the weekends and on public holidays.
The park was designed not only to promote health and the culture of exercise among children, but also to enhance their socialisation to enable them to know one another and appreciate shared values.
A library facility developed at the park to facilitate research work among the children, especially during vacations to promote academic work, has also been abandoned. The facility was built to help the children develop their potential to the fullest to support sustainable socio-economic development in future.
The condition of the library, which was built with taxpayers’ money about 10 years ago, is very deplorable. The overgrown weeds round the library tell it all.
The Ghana Library Board, which was operating the library, vacated the premises a few years back, and handed the facility over to the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) with the explanation that the place was not conducive for the operations of a library.
Lotto operators and weavers have taken over the facility. Apart from finding it very convenient for use as an accommodation at no cost, they also use it as the point where they operate their businesses to generate income to keep body and soul together.
Ironically, when their attention was drawn to the deplorable condition of the library, especially the roofing, which is falling apart, and the cracks in the walls, they told the Daily Graphic that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) was responsible for the project.
This was after the Daily Graphic had inspected the library and observed that the asbestos roofing and walls were in poor shape and any delay in maintenance would see a further deterioration of the fine building.
When the attention of the Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Mrs Jemima Nancy Asare, was drawn to the deterioration of the park, she said the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive was collaborating with the wife of the Asantehene, Lady Julia, to source for funds to put the park back in good shape.
She explained that the KMA, on its own, was not financially resourced enough to rehabilitate the park for use by the children in Kumasi.
The park was very lively when it was first opened to the public over a decade ago, but years of total neglect and lack of maintenance have conspired, to the deterioration of the park.
All playing gadgets at the park have completely broken down due to the usual problem of lack of maintenance, which has now become a chronic disease in the populace.
The place is now weedy and attracts all manner of characters from dawn to dusk.
A section of the youth at Anwiam, Afful Nkwanta, Amakom, Nfante New Town and Asafo, among other suburbs in Kumasi, who have no toilets in their homes find it convenient to defecate there. Some social deviants among them find the neglected park a haven for their nefarious activities.
With the grass at the park growing into shrubs and the plants growing into trees, the Children's Park is gradually becoming a mini forest in the heart of Kumasi where robbers lay ambush to unleash terror on innocent people who use the place as a thoroughfare.
Many residents, who use the place as 'short cuts' to reach the premises of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) or Amakom and its environs, have been robbed at knife- and gunpoints there.
The pavilion developed at the park for children to relax after physical exercises has now become a centre of worship for some of the churches springing up in Kumasi on virtually daily bases.
The banner ‘Power of Life Ministry’ at the entrance of the pavilion tells it all that it is now a place of worship. As if that is not enough, the ‘hijacker’ has appended his name beneath the banner, ‘Rev Christopher Sarfo’ to advertise himself to the public that he is now in charge of the park, as it were.
At the extreme wing of the park near the Amakom traffic lights are scores of kebab operators, who have built a wooden kiosk to promote their business.
To them, since nature does not create a vacuum and life must go on, no matter the socio-political atmosphere of the country, they have to use the park to advertise their products which receive much patronage, anyway.
The Kumasi Children's Park is the only official public recreational grounds for the youth in the metropolis. The KMA is behaving as if the facility is of no significance to children's welfare. The place would sooner become one of the slums in Kumasi, and dislodging people there would be tantamount to dislodging people in the ‘decongestion’ exercise carried out by the KMA a few months ago.
That exercise alone, according to the KMA, cost the taxpayer about GH¢120,000 but it yielded no positive results.
It is therefore time the KMA turned the Kumasi Children's Park into a prominent tourist attraction by not only developing all the facilities to attract children far and wide to the place, but also drawing a programme to ensure the regular maintenance of all the facilities to keep them always alive.
The park was designed not only to promote health and the culture of exercise among children, but also to enhance their socialisation to enable them to know one another and appreciate shared values.
A library facility developed at the park to facilitate research work among the children, especially during vacations to promote academic work, has also been abandoned. The facility was built to help the children develop their potential to the fullest to support sustainable socio-economic development in future.
The condition of the library, which was built with taxpayers’ money about 10 years ago, is very deplorable. The overgrown weeds round the library tell it all.
The Ghana Library Board, which was operating the library, vacated the premises a few years back, and handed the facility over to the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) with the explanation that the place was not conducive for the operations of a library.
Lotto operators and weavers have taken over the facility. Apart from finding it very convenient for use as an accommodation at no cost, they also use it as the point where they operate their businesses to generate income to keep body and soul together.
Ironically, when their attention was drawn to the deplorable condition of the library, especially the roofing, which is falling apart, and the cracks in the walls, they told the Daily Graphic that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) was responsible for the project.
This was after the Daily Graphic had inspected the library and observed that the asbestos roofing and walls were in poor shape and any delay in maintenance would see a further deterioration of the fine building.
When the attention of the Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Mrs Jemima Nancy Asare, was drawn to the deterioration of the park, she said the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive was collaborating with the wife of the Asantehene, Lady Julia, to source for funds to put the park back in good shape.
She explained that the KMA, on its own, was not financially resourced enough to rehabilitate the park for use by the children in Kumasi.
The park was very lively when it was first opened to the public over a decade ago, but years of total neglect and lack of maintenance have conspired, to the deterioration of the park.
All playing gadgets at the park have completely broken down due to the usual problem of lack of maintenance, which has now become a chronic disease in the populace.
The place is now weedy and attracts all manner of characters from dawn to dusk.
A section of the youth at Anwiam, Afful Nkwanta, Amakom, Nfante New Town and Asafo, among other suburbs in Kumasi, who have no toilets in their homes find it convenient to defecate there. Some social deviants among them find the neglected park a haven for their nefarious activities.
With the grass at the park growing into shrubs and the plants growing into trees, the Children's Park is gradually becoming a mini forest in the heart of Kumasi where robbers lay ambush to unleash terror on innocent people who use the place as a thoroughfare.
Many residents, who use the place as 'short cuts' to reach the premises of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) or Amakom and its environs, have been robbed at knife- and gunpoints there.
The pavilion developed at the park for children to relax after physical exercises has now become a centre of worship for some of the churches springing up in Kumasi on virtually daily bases.
The banner ‘Power of Life Ministry’ at the entrance of the pavilion tells it all that it is now a place of worship. As if that is not enough, the ‘hijacker’ has appended his name beneath the banner, ‘Rev Christopher Sarfo’ to advertise himself to the public that he is now in charge of the park, as it were.
At the extreme wing of the park near the Amakom traffic lights are scores of kebab operators, who have built a wooden kiosk to promote their business.
To them, since nature does not create a vacuum and life must go on, no matter the socio-political atmosphere of the country, they have to use the park to advertise their products which receive much patronage, anyway.
The Kumasi Children's Park is the only official public recreational grounds for the youth in the metropolis. The KMA is behaving as if the facility is of no significance to children's welfare. The place would sooner become one of the slums in Kumasi, and dislodging people there would be tantamount to dislodging people in the ‘decongestion’ exercise carried out by the KMA a few months ago.
That exercise alone, according to the KMA, cost the taxpayer about GH¢120,000 but it yielded no positive results.
It is therefore time the KMA turned the Kumasi Children's Park into a prominent tourist attraction by not only developing all the facilities to attract children far and wide to the place, but also drawing a programme to ensure the regular maintenance of all the facilities to keep them always alive.
TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR INMATES OF OFFINSO KIDS CENTRE (PAGE 15, JANUARY 6)
Eight out of the 70 inmates of the Offinso Children's Centre are pursuing various programmes in tertiary institutions in the country to develop their potentials.
This is to enable them to acquire employable skills and hold responsible positions to support sustainable and future socio-economic development of the country.
The Executive Director of the Offinso Children's Home, Miss Mary Osei, who announced this when a United States-based Offinso citizen, Mr Anim-Addo Sampong, presented items, explained that while some of the inmates were pursuing programmes in some universities in the country, others were in vocational and technical institutions.
The parents of Mr Sampong, Mr and Mrs S.S. Sampong, donated the items, which included clothing, pairs of shoes, school uniforms, assorted dresses, footballs, toys and stationery, on behalf of their son to the inmates.
Receiving the items, Miss Osei noted that 24 of the inmates had also gained admission to some senior high schools (SHS) in the country where they were building their capacity to enable them to enter tertiary institutions.
Miss Osei said the centre was keen to build the capacity of all the inmates to ensure that they were fully integrated into society in future and not made liabilities to the state.
She announced that the centre spents about GH¢23,000.00 per term to finance the education of the inmates and explained that the inmates were educated through internally generated funds.
"The inmates are catered for through income generated from the centre's poultry farm which currently has about 7,000 birds," she explained.
She said the income from the farm was not adequate to address all the financial needs of the inmates and, therefore, appealed to philanthropists, institutions, firms and individuals to frequently support them in cash and kind to sustain the education of the inmates.
She commended Mr Anim-Addo Sampong for his kind gesture and noted that the donation would not only reduce the problems of financing the needs of the inmates, but would also motivate them to focus on their academic work.
Earlier, Mr and Mrs Sampong had given the assurance that they would continue to interact with the inmates and motivate them to build their confidence.
They pointed out that society had the responsibility of supporting the needy in diverse ways and encouraging them to develop their potential.
"The disadvantaged persons can be encouraged and assisted to harness their potential to enable them to become assets to society, and they can only harness their potential if they are accorded the requisite sympathy, affection and support," they stressed.
This is to enable them to acquire employable skills and hold responsible positions to support sustainable and future socio-economic development of the country.
The Executive Director of the Offinso Children's Home, Miss Mary Osei, who announced this when a United States-based Offinso citizen, Mr Anim-Addo Sampong, presented items, explained that while some of the inmates were pursuing programmes in some universities in the country, others were in vocational and technical institutions.
The parents of Mr Sampong, Mr and Mrs S.S. Sampong, donated the items, which included clothing, pairs of shoes, school uniforms, assorted dresses, footballs, toys and stationery, on behalf of their son to the inmates.
Receiving the items, Miss Osei noted that 24 of the inmates had also gained admission to some senior high schools (SHS) in the country where they were building their capacity to enable them to enter tertiary institutions.
Miss Osei said the centre was keen to build the capacity of all the inmates to ensure that they were fully integrated into society in future and not made liabilities to the state.
She announced that the centre spents about GH¢23,000.00 per term to finance the education of the inmates and explained that the inmates were educated through internally generated funds.
"The inmates are catered for through income generated from the centre's poultry farm which currently has about 7,000 birds," she explained.
She said the income from the farm was not adequate to address all the financial needs of the inmates and, therefore, appealed to philanthropists, institutions, firms and individuals to frequently support them in cash and kind to sustain the education of the inmates.
She commended Mr Anim-Addo Sampong for his kind gesture and noted that the donation would not only reduce the problems of financing the needs of the inmates, but would also motivate them to focus on their academic work.
Earlier, Mr and Mrs Sampong had given the assurance that they would continue to interact with the inmates and motivate them to build their confidence.
They pointed out that society had the responsibility of supporting the needy in diverse ways and encouraging them to develop their potential.
"The disadvantaged persons can be encouraged and assisted to harness their potential to enable them to become assets to society, and they can only harness their potential if they are accorded the requisite sympathy, affection and support," they stressed.
SEKYERE RURAL BANK DECLARES DIVIDEND (PAGE 26, JANUARY 5)
THE Sekyere Rural Bank has declared a total of GH¢111,943.83 as dividend for the 2007 financial year to motivate the shareholders to continue doing brisk business with the bank.
A total of 6,711 shareholders would benefit from the declared dividend with each share attracting 23 Ghana pesewas.
The bank also offered a total of GH¢5,768,819 as loans to a number of small and medium- scale businessmen and women in its catchment area to enable them to expand their businesses or open new ones.
In 2006, the bank offered a total of GH¢3,852,347.38 as loans to the business community in the catchment area.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Kwame Dapaah Siakwan, who announced this during their annual general meeting held at Mampongteng, pointed out that the board was more determined than ever to collaborate with management and staff to initiate products, programmes and policies that would accelerate its growth for the benefit of the shareholders and clients.
He explained that the loans offered went into agriculture and cottage industries, as well as transport and business sectors among others.
On profit, he said the bank accumulated as much as GH¢612,176.91 in 2007 as against GH¢306,249.67 in 2006, with deposits increasing from GH¢6,417,194.00 in 2006 to GH¢7,872,522.00 in 2007.
On investments, he said the bank invested a total of GH¢2,398,191.00 in 2006 as against GH¢1,737,397.00 last year with liabilities decreasing from GH¢118,051.46 in 2006 to GH¢24,289.13 last year.
On the way forward, Mr Siakwan said since the banking environment had become very competitive, plans had been put in place to enable the bank to mobilise a lot of revenue to propel it to higher heights in the years ahead.
The Chief Executive of the bank, Mr K. Obese Antwi, pointed out that the outstanding performance of the bank in terms of revenue mobilisation and quality delivery of service had won many laurels for the bank.
On the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Antwi noted that the bank had improved considerably, having fully computerised its operations to provide efficient services to its numerous clients.
On its corporate responsibilities, he said they had supported a lot of development projects, including the rehabilitation of the Jamasi Police Station, financial support to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Adu Gyamfi Secondary School at Jamasi, periodic donations in cash and in kind to a number of schools and communities for streetlights, wells and KVIP places of convenience.
A total of 6,711 shareholders would benefit from the declared dividend with each share attracting 23 Ghana pesewas.
The bank also offered a total of GH¢5,768,819 as loans to a number of small and medium- scale businessmen and women in its catchment area to enable them to expand their businesses or open new ones.
In 2006, the bank offered a total of GH¢3,852,347.38 as loans to the business community in the catchment area.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the bank, Mr Kwame Dapaah Siakwan, who announced this during their annual general meeting held at Mampongteng, pointed out that the board was more determined than ever to collaborate with management and staff to initiate products, programmes and policies that would accelerate its growth for the benefit of the shareholders and clients.
He explained that the loans offered went into agriculture and cottage industries, as well as transport and business sectors among others.
On profit, he said the bank accumulated as much as GH¢612,176.91 in 2007 as against GH¢306,249.67 in 2006, with deposits increasing from GH¢6,417,194.00 in 2006 to GH¢7,872,522.00 in 2007.
On investments, he said the bank invested a total of GH¢2,398,191.00 in 2006 as against GH¢1,737,397.00 last year with liabilities decreasing from GH¢118,051.46 in 2006 to GH¢24,289.13 last year.
On the way forward, Mr Siakwan said since the banking environment had become very competitive, plans had been put in place to enable the bank to mobilise a lot of revenue to propel it to higher heights in the years ahead.
The Chief Executive of the bank, Mr K. Obese Antwi, pointed out that the outstanding performance of the bank in terms of revenue mobilisation and quality delivery of service had won many laurels for the bank.
On the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Antwi noted that the bank had improved considerably, having fully computerised its operations to provide efficient services to its numerous clients.
On its corporate responsibilities, he said they had supported a lot of development projects, including the rehabilitation of the Jamasi Police Station, financial support to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Adu Gyamfi Secondary School at Jamasi, periodic donations in cash and in kind to a number of schools and communities for streetlights, wells and KVIP places of convenience.
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