A TEAM of Consultant Plastic Surgeons from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in collaboration with their counterparts from the United States of America (USA) has performed resconstructive plastic surgeries for some breast cancer patients in Kumasi.
Some women with big breasts that weighed as much as four kilogrammes each and others whose breasts had become flat as a result of childbirth, also benefited from the surgery.
While some of the patients are still on admission at the hospital to enable the team to monitor their rate of recovery, others have been discharged and asked to report to the hospital periodically for review.
The team performed surgeries on 10 women and each of the operation lasted between four and six hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
A man who had a tumour on one of his breasts was among those who went through the surgical operation.
The team was led by Dr Pius Agbenorku who is the Head of the Resconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit of the KATH. Others were Dr Michael Obeng from the USA, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare who is the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Howte Williams, Dr Abraham Amponsah, Dr Fosu Gyapong, Dr Joseph Akpaloo and Dr Bernice Bornmai.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after the operation, Dr Agbenorku said KATH had been undertaking periodic plastic surgeries for breast cancer patients over the years.
Recalling a similar surgery he performed for a 14-year-old girl in July, 1997, he said “breast cancer is no more a killer disease, so I will encourage victims to report for treatment to enable them to enjoy life to the fullest”.
Dr Agbenorku said in the case of the patient he attended to in July, 1997, her breast weighed eight kilogrammes at that time, and thinking that she had been bewitched, her family dumped her at a prayer camp until her case came to public attention through a Daily Graphic publication.
He said the patient who dropped out of school due to the trauma she went through during her predicament, had now completed senior high school, stressing “This should inspire breast cancer patients to seek early treatment”.
Dr Agbenorku said the 10 surgeries were successfully performed after screening 15 patients, explaining that their ages ranged between 34 and 50 years.
He said a 21-year-old man who had a similar problem at the right breast, was operated upon and later discharged.
Dispelling the fears surrounding breast cancer, Dr Agbenorku said “If people are to die at all, it should not come from breast cancer because we have qualified medical staff who can treat the disease efficiently”.
He said it was therefore important for women with family history of breast cancer to report for regular medical check-ups since that was a risk factor.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
DON'T RESTRICT STAKEHOLDERS MEETING TO ACCRA (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 2)
A former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, Nana Yaw Owusu, has expressed concern over the use of Accra as a venue for taking major decisions on soccer, saying, “it isolates other stakeholders from other parts of the country who could make meaningful contributions on issues that promote soccer”.
Commenting on a recent meeting organised in Accra by the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) on how to entice soccer fans to watch matches at the stadia , Nana Yaw Owusu pointed out that the problem cuts across the country, so the venue should not have been restricted to Accra alone.
In an interview with the Graphic Sports when he visited the Kumasi Office of the Daily Graphic, he pointed out that the meeting organised by GHALCA “was a wonderful idea, but my concern is why such an important exercise should be limited to Accra.
“We all know that the problem affects all the league centres, so at least similar exercises could have been organised at the rest of the main centres like Baba Yara, Sekondi and Tamale, among others to give stakeholders within these areas the opportunity to contribute to the exercise”, he noted.
“We have people in this country who are die-hard football lovers who will be willing to contribute their quota to the development of the game if the opportunity will be given to them”, he stressed.
On measures that should be taken to entice soccer fans in the country to the various stadia, he said “the quality of the game should be improved to be able to attract soccer fans, This could only be done if quality players participate in the local Premier League”.
Explaining, Nana Yaw Owusu said “the league is losing attraction because of the continuous depletion of stars, and this emanates from the exodus of players in Ghana”
“Like any citizen in Ghana, players are free to play for foreign clubs, but before leaving, such a player should be made to play in the Premier League for at least three continuous years”.
“I am saying this because players were nurtured in the country, so we should not be denied their exploits before they join foreign clubs”, he advised.
Nana Yaw Owusu said when this becomes a yardstick for local players, “the quality of the game would be improved, and this will naturally attract the fans to watch their local idols, just as they spend much time to watch international competitions.
“Soccer fans in Ghana always spend quality time to watch competitive matches from their homes because the standard there is very high due to quality players who feature in such matches, so if quality players are enticed to play in the local league, fans will troop to the various stadia in their numbers to watch them” he asserted.
Commenting on a recent meeting organised in Accra by the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) on how to entice soccer fans to watch matches at the stadia , Nana Yaw Owusu pointed out that the problem cuts across the country, so the venue should not have been restricted to Accra alone.
In an interview with the Graphic Sports when he visited the Kumasi Office of the Daily Graphic, he pointed out that the meeting organised by GHALCA “was a wonderful idea, but my concern is why such an important exercise should be limited to Accra.
“We all know that the problem affects all the league centres, so at least similar exercises could have been organised at the rest of the main centres like Baba Yara, Sekondi and Tamale, among others to give stakeholders within these areas the opportunity to contribute to the exercise”, he noted.
“We have people in this country who are die-hard football lovers who will be willing to contribute their quota to the development of the game if the opportunity will be given to them”, he stressed.
On measures that should be taken to entice soccer fans in the country to the various stadia, he said “the quality of the game should be improved to be able to attract soccer fans, This could only be done if quality players participate in the local Premier League”.
Explaining, Nana Yaw Owusu said “the league is losing attraction because of the continuous depletion of stars, and this emanates from the exodus of players in Ghana”
“Like any citizen in Ghana, players are free to play for foreign clubs, but before leaving, such a player should be made to play in the Premier League for at least three continuous years”.
“I am saying this because players were nurtured in the country, so we should not be denied their exploits before they join foreign clubs”, he advised.
Nana Yaw Owusu said when this becomes a yardstick for local players, “the quality of the game would be improved, and this will naturally attract the fans to watch their local idols, just as they spend much time to watch international competitions.
“Soccer fans in Ghana always spend quality time to watch competitive matches from their homes because the standard there is very high due to quality players who feature in such matches, so if quality players are enticed to play in the local league, fans will troop to the various stadia in their numbers to watch them” he asserted.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
RUN KOTOKO ALONG BUSINESS LINES (PAGE 17)
A section of Chiefs in the Ashanti Region have challenged future administrators of Kumasi Asante Kotoko to be more innovative and proficient in running the club on purely business lines.
They were speaking at the Manhyia Palace at the weekend following the replacement of the Asare Owusu management with an interim six-member team to run the affairs of Kotoko.
They pointed out that this could be done by drawing up strategies that would make Kotoko financially sound to enable it attract and retain quality players.
Wondering why teams in North Africa in particular are able to attract and retain quality players, the Chiefs said Ghana is well endowed with talented players who would be eager to ply their trade in the country but inefficient management and their desire to seek their selfishness interest instead of satisfying the needs of players had always militated against the desire of up and coming players to play in the country.
The Chief of Asokore Mampong, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, who threw the challenge wondered why players who are attracted to Kotoko only stay for a few years and leave to play in Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa and other sister African countries .
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace when Otumfuo OseiTutu II, the Asantehene, met Mr Sylvester Asare Owusu and his management team to learn at first hand the problems that had caused Kotoko to slip down the Glo Premier league ladder from their second position to eighth, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah said teams in Ghana could do very well provided their administrators developed keen interest in their players and devise means of motivating them.
Other Chiefs who made inputs at the Manhyia Palace, apart from Otumfuo Osei Tutu were the Paramount Chief of Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafe Akenten, and the Ejisu Paramount Chief, Nana Afranie Okese IV.
After the Chiefs had listened to the five- member management team headed by Mr Asare Owusu and the problems they had created for the team due to their individual selfish interest, they suggested to Otumfuo Osei Tutu to dismiss the management team to pave way for a more proficient one to be appointed to enhance efficiency in the management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
“ Had Kotoko been run on business lines over the years, it would have had its own club house, training grounds and Secretariat to make it more formidable”
“ The players need motivation in terms of good salary, accommodation, winning bonuses , quality medical care and insurance, among others, to enable them focus on their play and deliver to the satisfaction of their fans.
“Soccer is now business- oriented all over the globe, and I am of the view that since this management had reneged on its core business to develop Kotoko to the satisfaction of all,
they should give way for a new one to be appointed to enable the club to be run purely on business lines,”the Asokore Mamponghene submitted.
He wondered what had become of the transfer fees of players who had left Kotoko in the last few years without good replacement and said it was only an efficient management that can make player transfer and recruitment benefit Kotoko.
Both Nana Wiafe Akenten and Nana Afranie Okese supported the Asokore Mamponghene and called for the dismissal of Mr Asare Owusu’s management, explaining that their failure to work together and initiate policies and programmes that would have inspired the players to deliver was a testimony that they had no business to do with Kotoko.
Responding to the calls to dismiss the Management team, Otumfuo Osei Tutu expressed concern about the attitude of Mr Asare Owusu and his team, saying “ I appointed you to take control of Kotoko because of your individual achievements in life. I was of the view that bringing you together would enhance the performance of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, but lack of unity among you has caused the downward trend of the club , causing much disturbance among the supporters”.
“ Because of pettiness you did not establish any target to work towards ,woefully neglected players welfare and failed to find time to evaluate your performance to appreciate the need to address your shortcomings and improve upon your strength”, he lamented.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said when the team was appointed, he assigned specific responsibilities to each of them “ to enhance adequate income generation to enable you cater for the players, technical team, old players and also raise a nursing team that would feed the senior team, but because of your selfish interest, you failed to collaborate, giving meaning to all these concerns”.
Expressing concern about the attitude of the management team and why he was dismissing them, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said “ the players are more important because they are the engine that moves the team forward, but instead of making them receive media attention as expected to motivate them to deliver, you rather created all the media attention through your showmanship”. END
They were speaking at the Manhyia Palace at the weekend following the replacement of the Asare Owusu management with an interim six-member team to run the affairs of Kotoko.
They pointed out that this could be done by drawing up strategies that would make Kotoko financially sound to enable it attract and retain quality players.
Wondering why teams in North Africa in particular are able to attract and retain quality players, the Chiefs said Ghana is well endowed with talented players who would be eager to ply their trade in the country but inefficient management and their desire to seek their selfishness interest instead of satisfying the needs of players had always militated against the desire of up and coming players to play in the country.
The Chief of Asokore Mampong, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, who threw the challenge wondered why players who are attracted to Kotoko only stay for a few years and leave to play in Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa and other sister African countries .
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace when Otumfuo OseiTutu II, the Asantehene, met Mr Sylvester Asare Owusu and his management team to learn at first hand the problems that had caused Kotoko to slip down the Glo Premier league ladder from their second position to eighth, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah said teams in Ghana could do very well provided their administrators developed keen interest in their players and devise means of motivating them.
Other Chiefs who made inputs at the Manhyia Palace, apart from Otumfuo Osei Tutu were the Paramount Chief of Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Wiafe Akenten, and the Ejisu Paramount Chief, Nana Afranie Okese IV.
After the Chiefs had listened to the five- member management team headed by Mr Asare Owusu and the problems they had created for the team due to their individual selfish interest, they suggested to Otumfuo Osei Tutu to dismiss the management team to pave way for a more proficient one to be appointed to enhance efficiency in the management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
“ Had Kotoko been run on business lines over the years, it would have had its own club house, training grounds and Secretariat to make it more formidable”
“ The players need motivation in terms of good salary, accommodation, winning bonuses , quality medical care and insurance, among others, to enable them focus on their play and deliver to the satisfaction of their fans.
“Soccer is now business- oriented all over the globe, and I am of the view that since this management had reneged on its core business to develop Kotoko to the satisfaction of all,
they should give way for a new one to be appointed to enable the club to be run purely on business lines,”the Asokore Mamponghene submitted.
He wondered what had become of the transfer fees of players who had left Kotoko in the last few years without good replacement and said it was only an efficient management that can make player transfer and recruitment benefit Kotoko.
Both Nana Wiafe Akenten and Nana Afranie Okese supported the Asokore Mamponghene and called for the dismissal of Mr Asare Owusu’s management, explaining that their failure to work together and initiate policies and programmes that would have inspired the players to deliver was a testimony that they had no business to do with Kotoko.
Responding to the calls to dismiss the Management team, Otumfuo Osei Tutu expressed concern about the attitude of Mr Asare Owusu and his team, saying “ I appointed you to take control of Kotoko because of your individual achievements in life. I was of the view that bringing you together would enhance the performance of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, but lack of unity among you has caused the downward trend of the club , causing much disturbance among the supporters”.
“ Because of pettiness you did not establish any target to work towards ,woefully neglected players welfare and failed to find time to evaluate your performance to appreciate the need to address your shortcomings and improve upon your strength”, he lamented.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said when the team was appointed, he assigned specific responsibilities to each of them “ to enhance adequate income generation to enable you cater for the players, technical team, old players and also raise a nursing team that would feed the senior team, but because of your selfish interest, you failed to collaborate, giving meaning to all these concerns”.
Expressing concern about the attitude of the management team and why he was dismissing them, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said “ the players are more important because they are the engine that moves the team forward, but instead of making them receive media attention as expected to motivate them to deliver, you rather created all the media attention through your showmanship”. END
Monday, May 18, 2009
NEW MANAGEMENT FOR KOTOKO (PAGE 63)
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chief Patron and owner of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has appointed a six-member Interim Management Committee to steer the affairs of the club for the rest of the Glo Premier season, following the dismissal last Saturday of the Sylvester Asare-Owusu-led management team.
The new management includes former Kotoko and ex-national stars Rev. Osei Kofi, Opoku Afriyie and Sarfo Gyamfi, Mr Benjamin Nti, Ms Helena Cobbina and Alhaji Nje.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II dismissed the management team following their own admissions at the Manhyia Palace last Saturday that they had failed miserably to work as a united group and therefore unable to team up to reverse the dwindling fortunes of Kotoko.
Other members of the dismissed team were Financial Director, George Amoako, Operations Director, Jerry Asare, Communications Director, Kwame Baah-Nuako and Legal Affairs Director, Kwame Boafo.
Before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II dropped the bombshell, he gave the old management members the opportunity to explain the club’s dwindling fortunes, and for almost two hours of blame game at the palace, the management officials pointed accusing fingers at each other for not working together as a team to initiate policies and programmes for the club’s progress.
During the meeting, it came to light that they had held less than seven management meetings since their appointment more than two yars ago, and some of the meetings never took place at the scheduled time while others had no scheduled agenda.
The division among the old management infiltrated the ranks of the playing body and with some players pledging their allegiance to individual management members.
After listening to submissions made by the old management and players, the Asantehene expressed concern about what he believed was selfish interests of individuals which worked against the development of the club despite being endowed with quality players, technical expertise and massive following.
He ordered the dismissed management to collaborate with the club’s auditor and render accounts of their stewardship.
Sarfo Gyamfi has been tasked with the responsibility of representing the interest of the old Kotoko players, Reverend Osei Kofi was assigned special responsibilities to use his rich experience in soccer to bear on the development of Kotoko to arrest their dwindling fortunes on the premier league.
Mr Nti represents the club’s supporters group Circles on the new management, Helena Cobbina represents Kotoko Ladies while Alhaji Nje representes Kotoko supporters at the Zongo Communities in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II charged the new management to initiate measures that would reverse the dwindling fortunes of the club to ensure that it placed a respectable position on the Glo Premier League.
He also charged them to source for money to pay any outstanding salaries of the players and also address their welfare and accommodation problems as a way of motivating them.
He said the poor performance of the club of late had not only affected business transactions in the Kumasi Metropolis, but had also affected revenue generation of the club “because fans are no more interested to waste their scarce resources to fill the stadium only to witness visiting teams conquering Kotoko at their own backyard.”
“I know that Kotoko cannot win the league due to its present position on the league table, but I am certain that if you collaborate effectively with the technical team and the players, the team can win most of their matches to place a respectable position to make their supporters happy.
“I always had sleepless nights whenever Kotoko is defeated, and anytime I pass through the principal streets of Kumasi after such defeats, the fans also express similar sentiments, so it was time we reversed the dwindling fortunes of Kotoko to make it more formidable” the Asantehene stressed.
The new management includes former Kotoko and ex-national stars Rev. Osei Kofi, Opoku Afriyie and Sarfo Gyamfi, Mr Benjamin Nti, Ms Helena Cobbina and Alhaji Nje.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II dismissed the management team following their own admissions at the Manhyia Palace last Saturday that they had failed miserably to work as a united group and therefore unable to team up to reverse the dwindling fortunes of Kotoko.
Other members of the dismissed team were Financial Director, George Amoako, Operations Director, Jerry Asare, Communications Director, Kwame Baah-Nuako and Legal Affairs Director, Kwame Boafo.
Before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II dropped the bombshell, he gave the old management members the opportunity to explain the club’s dwindling fortunes, and for almost two hours of blame game at the palace, the management officials pointed accusing fingers at each other for not working together as a team to initiate policies and programmes for the club’s progress.
During the meeting, it came to light that they had held less than seven management meetings since their appointment more than two yars ago, and some of the meetings never took place at the scheduled time while others had no scheduled agenda.
The division among the old management infiltrated the ranks of the playing body and with some players pledging their allegiance to individual management members.
After listening to submissions made by the old management and players, the Asantehene expressed concern about what he believed was selfish interests of individuals which worked against the development of the club despite being endowed with quality players, technical expertise and massive following.
He ordered the dismissed management to collaborate with the club’s auditor and render accounts of their stewardship.
Sarfo Gyamfi has been tasked with the responsibility of representing the interest of the old Kotoko players, Reverend Osei Kofi was assigned special responsibilities to use his rich experience in soccer to bear on the development of Kotoko to arrest their dwindling fortunes on the premier league.
Mr Nti represents the club’s supporters group Circles on the new management, Helena Cobbina represents Kotoko Ladies while Alhaji Nje representes Kotoko supporters at the Zongo Communities in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II charged the new management to initiate measures that would reverse the dwindling fortunes of the club to ensure that it placed a respectable position on the Glo Premier League.
He also charged them to source for money to pay any outstanding salaries of the players and also address their welfare and accommodation problems as a way of motivating them.
He said the poor performance of the club of late had not only affected business transactions in the Kumasi Metropolis, but had also affected revenue generation of the club “because fans are no more interested to waste their scarce resources to fill the stadium only to witness visiting teams conquering Kotoko at their own backyard.”
“I know that Kotoko cannot win the league due to its present position on the league table, but I am certain that if you collaborate effectively with the technical team and the players, the team can win most of their matches to place a respectable position to make their supporters happy.
“I always had sleepless nights whenever Kotoko is defeated, and anytime I pass through the principal streets of Kumasi after such defeats, the fans also express similar sentiments, so it was time we reversed the dwindling fortunes of Kotoko to make it more formidable” the Asantehene stressed.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
NGO DONATES WELLINGTON BOOTS TO VOLUNTEERS (PAGE 23)
AS a measure to assist buruli ulcer patients in the Amansie Central District Assembly, Health Foundation of Ghana (HFG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated quantities of wellington boots to the assembly for distribution to some health care volunteers in the district.
The donation, which was done in collaboration with Fontiles Lucha Lepra in Spain, is to enhance the monitoring of buruli ulcer infection and early treatment of the disease to reduce the trauma such patients go through.
The Country Director of HFG, Mrs Lynda Arthur, presented the items on behalf of the NGO to the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Matthew Tay, at a short ceremony at Jacobu.
She gave the assurance that the NGO would offer the needed support for the District Directorate of Health Service and the assembly to create awareness about the dangers of the disease in order to reduce the myth surrounding it.
She stated that a section of the victims of the disease had a wrong perception that the strange disease was a curse, which could never be cured.
“We have trained 200 volunteers in the district, comprising 80 teachers, 80 community volunteers and 40 health personnel to monitor the trend of the diseases to be able to identify its early infection and treatment, thereby reducing its spread,” she said.
Mrs Arthur said apart from the Amansie Central District, her organisation had also presented quantities of wellington boots to the Asunafo District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region for distribution to some other volunteers in the district.
She said the donation was to sustain monitoring of the disease which hindered doing business and productivity.
Mrs Arthur gave the assurance that the NGO would soon donate 20 beds and mattresses to the Jacobu Hospital to enhance the treatment of patients suffering from the disease.
She said the NGO had already donated a 21-inch colour television set to the hospital to educate and entertain its patients; it also donated medical supplies to the facility.
Receiving the gift on behalf of the volunteers, Mr Tay commended HFG for its continuous support to the buruli ulcer patients.
The donation, which was done in collaboration with Fontiles Lucha Lepra in Spain, is to enhance the monitoring of buruli ulcer infection and early treatment of the disease to reduce the trauma such patients go through.
The Country Director of HFG, Mrs Lynda Arthur, presented the items on behalf of the NGO to the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Matthew Tay, at a short ceremony at Jacobu.
She gave the assurance that the NGO would offer the needed support for the District Directorate of Health Service and the assembly to create awareness about the dangers of the disease in order to reduce the myth surrounding it.
She stated that a section of the victims of the disease had a wrong perception that the strange disease was a curse, which could never be cured.
“We have trained 200 volunteers in the district, comprising 80 teachers, 80 community volunteers and 40 health personnel to monitor the trend of the diseases to be able to identify its early infection and treatment, thereby reducing its spread,” she said.
Mrs Arthur said apart from the Amansie Central District, her organisation had also presented quantities of wellington boots to the Asunafo District Assembly in the Brong Ahafo Region for distribution to some other volunteers in the district.
She said the donation was to sustain monitoring of the disease which hindered doing business and productivity.
Mrs Arthur gave the assurance that the NGO would soon donate 20 beds and mattresses to the Jacobu Hospital to enhance the treatment of patients suffering from the disease.
She said the NGO had already donated a 21-inch colour television set to the hospital to educate and entertain its patients; it also donated medical supplies to the facility.
Receiving the gift on behalf of the volunteers, Mr Tay commended HFG for its continuous support to the buruli ulcer patients.
OTUMFUO MEETS KOTOKO MANAGEMENT TODAY...CHANGE IMMINENT (PAGE 31)
The Spiritual head and owner of Kumasi Asante Kotoko football club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is meeting the entire management and technical team as the well as playing body of the club at 10a.m. today.
The meeting, which is to take place at the Manhyia palace, is expected to address the dwindling fortunes of the club.
Issues such as the alleged conflict among the management team, making it impossible for them to collaborate to enhance effective and efficient management of the club, have generated public discussions lately.
A statement signed by the Media Relations Manager of the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, pointed out that the Asantehene would address “ some burning issues in the club”.
Speculations are rife in Kumasi that Otumfuo Osei Tutu is, not going to spare the rod and could castigate the management for pursuing their individual interests and creating a gulf that had undermined the promotion of the most popular club in the country
Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who are the defending champions of the Premier league, have now become a punching bag, suffering humiliating defeats, not only in away matches, but at their favourite Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, as well.
Apart from arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak who defeated Kotoko 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, teams like Swedru All Blacks and Sekondi Eleven Wise have also conquered the Porcupine Warriors at Baba Yara Stadium in the presence of their vociferous supporters.
Since the second round started, Kotoko have gained only one point out of the maximum nine, and this had created much anxiety among the supporters who are finding it difficult to come to terms with the misfortunes affecting the club.
The 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Brekum Arsenals last Wednesday seems to have worsened the anxiety of the numerous Kotoko fans who are now sitting on thorns as they welcome Kpando Heart of Lions to Kumasi tomorrow.
Speculations are that Kotoko supporters could turn up in their numbers at the Manhyia Palace when the Asantehene meets the management and technical team, as well as the playing body, to plead for the replacement of the management team.
The meeting, which is to take place at the Manhyia palace, is expected to address the dwindling fortunes of the club.
Issues such as the alleged conflict among the management team, making it impossible for them to collaborate to enhance effective and efficient management of the club, have generated public discussions lately.
A statement signed by the Media Relations Manager of the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, pointed out that the Asantehene would address “ some burning issues in the club”.
Speculations are rife in Kumasi that Otumfuo Osei Tutu is, not going to spare the rod and could castigate the management for pursuing their individual interests and creating a gulf that had undermined the promotion of the most popular club in the country
Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who are the defending champions of the Premier league, have now become a punching bag, suffering humiliating defeats, not only in away matches, but at their favourite Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, as well.
Apart from arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak who defeated Kotoko 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, teams like Swedru All Blacks and Sekondi Eleven Wise have also conquered the Porcupine Warriors at Baba Yara Stadium in the presence of their vociferous supporters.
Since the second round started, Kotoko have gained only one point out of the maximum nine, and this had created much anxiety among the supporters who are finding it difficult to come to terms with the misfortunes affecting the club.
The 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Brekum Arsenals last Wednesday seems to have worsened the anxiety of the numerous Kotoko fans who are now sitting on thorns as they welcome Kpando Heart of Lions to Kumasi tomorrow.
Speculations are that Kotoko supporters could turn up in their numbers at the Manhyia Palace when the Asantehene meets the management and technical team, as well as the playing body, to plead for the replacement of the management team.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
MTTU GETS TOUGH WITH TINTED GLASS USERS (PAGE 29)
The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service last week stepped up its efforts to enforce regulations on the use of tinted glasses by vehicles in Kumasi.
As part of the exercise, personnel of the unit arrested and prosecuted 20 more offenders.
The offenders, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were convicted on their own plea and the courts fined them various sums which totalled GH¢3,500. They ranged between GH¢240 and GH¢300
It was the second time in two weeks that the exercise to enforce regulations on the use of tinted glass had taken place in Kumasi.
In the first exercise, as many as 58 commercial and private car owners whose glasses were tinted were arrested, out of which 41 were prosecuted and convicted after the police had carried out a series of investigations into their cases.
The 41 offenders pleaded guilty and were convicted to pay various fines totalling GH¢75,590.
The acting Ashanti Regional Commander of the MTTU, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Abraham Bansah, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise would continue until the police were able to rid the Kumasi metropolis of vehicles parading the principal streets with tinted glasses.
Expressing concern over the use of tinted glasses, he said the practice undermined effective road safety campaigning because the vision of drivers was blurred anytime it rained or when the weather became foggy.
Such situations posed danger to the drivers themselves and other road users because they easily caused accidents in which innocent lives were lost and property destroyed, he said.
Mr Bansah pointed out that over the years the police had warned owners of vehicles with tinted glasses to remove them due to the threat they posed to other road users “but they had always ignored our advice, hence this exercise to enforce the regulation that bans the use of tinted glasses on our roads”.
Apart from the danger that tinted glasses pose to passengers and other road users, police investigations have also proved that some of such vehicles are used to carry out criminal activities.
Mr Bansah said some of them were also used to transport stolen goods from one point to another, while others were also used to perpetuate the smuggling of goods across the country.
“By their nature, it is very difficult to see the occupants of such vehicles when they offend the law, a situation which makes it easy for them to abscond,” he said.
He noted that acting under the cover of darkness, some of those vehicles were also used to promote immoral activities such as sexual intercourse, stressing, “Sometimes active sex takes place in some of these vehicles parked at secluded areas and during odd hours, hence our resolve to weed them out from the system to enhance sanity on the roads and the environment.”
Mr Bansah warned that “since the MTTU will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who ignore our advice, it is better for them to remove their tinted glasses before the law catches up with them”.
As part of the exercise, personnel of the unit arrested and prosecuted 20 more offenders.
The offenders, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were convicted on their own plea and the courts fined them various sums which totalled GH¢3,500. They ranged between GH¢240 and GH¢300
It was the second time in two weeks that the exercise to enforce regulations on the use of tinted glass had taken place in Kumasi.
In the first exercise, as many as 58 commercial and private car owners whose glasses were tinted were arrested, out of which 41 were prosecuted and convicted after the police had carried out a series of investigations into their cases.
The 41 offenders pleaded guilty and were convicted to pay various fines totalling GH¢75,590.
The acting Ashanti Regional Commander of the MTTU, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Abraham Bansah, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise would continue until the police were able to rid the Kumasi metropolis of vehicles parading the principal streets with tinted glasses.
Expressing concern over the use of tinted glasses, he said the practice undermined effective road safety campaigning because the vision of drivers was blurred anytime it rained or when the weather became foggy.
Such situations posed danger to the drivers themselves and other road users because they easily caused accidents in which innocent lives were lost and property destroyed, he said.
Mr Bansah pointed out that over the years the police had warned owners of vehicles with tinted glasses to remove them due to the threat they posed to other road users “but they had always ignored our advice, hence this exercise to enforce the regulation that bans the use of tinted glasses on our roads”.
Apart from the danger that tinted glasses pose to passengers and other road users, police investigations have also proved that some of such vehicles are used to carry out criminal activities.
Mr Bansah said some of them were also used to transport stolen goods from one point to another, while others were also used to perpetuate the smuggling of goods across the country.
“By their nature, it is very difficult to see the occupants of such vehicles when they offend the law, a situation which makes it easy for them to abscond,” he said.
He noted that acting under the cover of darkness, some of those vehicles were also used to promote immoral activities such as sexual intercourse, stressing, “Sometimes active sex takes place in some of these vehicles parked at secluded areas and during odd hours, hence our resolve to weed them out from the system to enhance sanity on the roads and the environment.”
Mr Bansah warned that “since the MTTU will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who ignore our advice, it is better for them to remove their tinted glasses before the law catches up with them”.
NDCD MEMBERS IN ASHANTI WANT TO TAKE UP VACANT POSITIONS (PAGE 15)
SOME founding members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region have proposed to take up regional leadership positions in the party.
This was to enable them initiate programmes and policies that would expand the party’s membership throughout the region.
This, they said, would enable the party win more seats in future elections to make the party more popular in the region.
At a press conference organised in Kumasi on Monday, the NDC functionaries pointed out that some key party members in the region had been offered national responsibilities, thereby creating a vacuum which needed to be filled.
The members of the party who organised the conference included Alhaji Mohammed Sanni, Nana Ishmeal Buttler, Nana Akoto–Kuffour, Mr Joseph Yammin, Mr Ofori Agyemang and Mr Yamoah Ponko.
The others were Mr Abdalla Umaru, a.k.a. Injeh, Madam Yaa Achiaa, Mr Brogya Genfi, Mr Gabriel Agah, Mr Hamza Emmanuel Abugri, Mr Lawrence Governor and Hon. Amidu Garibah.
Alhaji Saani, who is the deputy Chairman of the NDC in the region and vying for the position of Regional Chairman, acted as their spokesperson and stated that the current Chairman, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, was more likely to take up a national assignment, which would render his position vacant.
He said other executive members in the region were also likely to move from the region, due to some national assignments, hence, their resolve to fill up such positions to enhance effective and efficient organisation of the party at the grass roots to make it more vibrant.
“We want to make sure that the party becomes vibrant and attractive at the grassroots level — from branches, wards to constituencies, which will translate into an effective organisation in the region,” he stated.
Stressing further, Alhaji Sanni pointed out that taking up the vacant positions at this period that the NDC had assumed governance, would enhance fruitful interactions with members of the party in all parts of the region “to sustain the unity and momentum of the NDC in the Ashanti Region”.
Alhaji Sanni gave the assurance that he would bring on board “a blend of experienced leaders and youthful members of the party with the intellectual capacity that would be responsive to the demands and dynamics of the modern-day NDC.”
“The battle for 2012 has begun in this region, and NDC needs men and women of character and strength to be able to break the front of our main political opponent, the NPP,” he noted.
This was to enable them initiate programmes and policies that would expand the party’s membership throughout the region.
This, they said, would enable the party win more seats in future elections to make the party more popular in the region.
At a press conference organised in Kumasi on Monday, the NDC functionaries pointed out that some key party members in the region had been offered national responsibilities, thereby creating a vacuum which needed to be filled.
The members of the party who organised the conference included Alhaji Mohammed Sanni, Nana Ishmeal Buttler, Nana Akoto–Kuffour, Mr Joseph Yammin, Mr Ofori Agyemang and Mr Yamoah Ponko.
The others were Mr Abdalla Umaru, a.k.a. Injeh, Madam Yaa Achiaa, Mr Brogya Genfi, Mr Gabriel Agah, Mr Hamza Emmanuel Abugri, Mr Lawrence Governor and Hon. Amidu Garibah.
Alhaji Saani, who is the deputy Chairman of the NDC in the region and vying for the position of Regional Chairman, acted as their spokesperson and stated that the current Chairman, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, was more likely to take up a national assignment, which would render his position vacant.
He said other executive members in the region were also likely to move from the region, due to some national assignments, hence, their resolve to fill up such positions to enhance effective and efficient organisation of the party at the grass roots to make it more vibrant.
“We want to make sure that the party becomes vibrant and attractive at the grassroots level — from branches, wards to constituencies, which will translate into an effective organisation in the region,” he stated.
Stressing further, Alhaji Sanni pointed out that taking up the vacant positions at this period that the NDC had assumed governance, would enhance fruitful interactions with members of the party in all parts of the region “to sustain the unity and momentum of the NDC in the Ashanti Region”.
Alhaji Sanni gave the assurance that he would bring on board “a blend of experienced leaders and youthful members of the party with the intellectual capacity that would be responsive to the demands and dynamics of the modern-day NDC.”
“The battle for 2012 has begun in this region, and NDC needs men and women of character and strength to be able to break the front of our main political opponent, the NPP,” he noted.
Monday, May 11, 2009
KOTOKO DRAW AT HOME (BACK PAGE)
Kumasi Asante Kotoko yesterday struggled at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to hold Kessben FC to a 1-1 draw in the Glo Premier League second leg match.
After losing 1-0 to Kessben in their first leg match played at the Abrankese Sports Stadium, the numerous followers of Kotoko anticipated a massive home win yesterday.
However, it was the home team that had their back to the wall for more than 65 minutes after going down 1-0 on the half hour mark through a beautiful goal scored by Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi.
Before Kessben scored their goal, Referee Mercy Tagoe who handled the game had shown no mercy to Iddrisu Yahaya in the 19th minute when he showed him the red card.
Yahaya, who had shown prominence in defence, slapped Alex Asamoah of Kotoko without provocation and the referee, who was watching closely, showed him the exit.
Notwithstanding their numerical disadvantage, Kessben took the game to Kotoko, pinning them in their half on most occasions, and it was one of such attacks that saw Adu Gyamfi outpacing two Kotoko defenders to open the scores.
Kessben increased the tempo of the game, winning most of the 50-50 balls and coming close to increasing the tally but Isaac Amoako kept faith by saving some of the goal-bound shots.
Alex Asamoah also came close in the 36th minute to equalise for his side, but Frank Andoh proved too swift and pushed the ball to corner, which was wasted.
Later in the game both teams made a series of changes but it was Kotoko who benefited as Kwadwo Poku, who came on for Alex Asamoah, equalised for his side in the 66th minute with a 25-metre shot.
After losing 1-0 to Kessben in their first leg match played at the Abrankese Sports Stadium, the numerous followers of Kotoko anticipated a massive home win yesterday.
However, it was the home team that had their back to the wall for more than 65 minutes after going down 1-0 on the half hour mark through a beautiful goal scored by Emmanuel Adu Gyamfi.
Before Kessben scored their goal, Referee Mercy Tagoe who handled the game had shown no mercy to Iddrisu Yahaya in the 19th minute when he showed him the red card.
Yahaya, who had shown prominence in defence, slapped Alex Asamoah of Kotoko without provocation and the referee, who was watching closely, showed him the exit.
Notwithstanding their numerical disadvantage, Kessben took the game to Kotoko, pinning them in their half on most occasions, and it was one of such attacks that saw Adu Gyamfi outpacing two Kotoko defenders to open the scores.
Kessben increased the tempo of the game, winning most of the 50-50 balls and coming close to increasing the tally but Isaac Amoako kept faith by saving some of the goal-bound shots.
Alex Asamoah also came close in the 36th minute to equalise for his side, but Frank Andoh proved too swift and pushed the ball to corner, which was wasted.
Later in the game both teams made a series of changes but it was Kotoko who benefited as Kwadwo Poku, who came on for Alex Asamoah, equalised for his side in the 66th minute with a 25-metre shot.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
CHURCH DONATES TO AMAKOM ORPHANAGE (PAGE 23)
THE Women’s Ministry of Amakom District of the Assemblies of God Church has donated various items to the Columbus Orphanage at Medoma in Kumasi.
The donation formed part of the women ministry’s outreach programme to interact with the deprived in society.
The items, including food, used clothes, toilet rolls, a box each of Key bar soap and sugar, were presented on behalf of the Women’s Ministry by Reverend Mrs Addai Kwarteng.
The presentation offered opportunity for the members to share the word of God with the orphans as a way of teaching them good values and morals that would enhance their integration into society.
Making the presentation, Rev. Mrs Kwarteng gave the assurance that the members would undertake regular outreach programmes to the orphanage and interact with the inmates to enable them to appreciate the values of love and sharing.
She said that would sensitise the inmates to lead responsible lifestyles while developing their potential in order to contribute meaningfully towards sustainable socio-economic development in future.
Rev. Kwarteng commended the supervisor and staff of the orphanage for the love they had been showing the inmates.
He promised that the members would pay regular visits to them to motivate the inmates to effectively focus on their academic programmes.
The Supervisor, Mr Prince Opoku Boateng, who received the items, expressed his profound gratitude to the church for the gesture.
He said the items would be distributed to the inmates.
Mr Boateng appealed to individuals, organisations and institutions to pay regular visits to the inmates and provide them some of their needs.
The donation formed part of the women ministry’s outreach programme to interact with the deprived in society.
The items, including food, used clothes, toilet rolls, a box each of Key bar soap and sugar, were presented on behalf of the Women’s Ministry by Reverend Mrs Addai Kwarteng.
The presentation offered opportunity for the members to share the word of God with the orphans as a way of teaching them good values and morals that would enhance their integration into society.
Making the presentation, Rev. Mrs Kwarteng gave the assurance that the members would undertake regular outreach programmes to the orphanage and interact with the inmates to enable them to appreciate the values of love and sharing.
She said that would sensitise the inmates to lead responsible lifestyles while developing their potential in order to contribute meaningfully towards sustainable socio-economic development in future.
Rev. Kwarteng commended the supervisor and staff of the orphanage for the love they had been showing the inmates.
He promised that the members would pay regular visits to them to motivate the inmates to effectively focus on their academic programmes.
The Supervisor, Mr Prince Opoku Boateng, who received the items, expressed his profound gratitude to the church for the gesture.
He said the items would be distributed to the inmates.
Mr Boateng appealed to individuals, organisations and institutions to pay regular visits to the inmates and provide them some of their needs.
Friday, May 8, 2009
STRIKING DOCTORS NOW RESUME WORK (PAGE 3)
AGGRIEVED junior doctors of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital who went on strike on May 1, 2009 have resumed work.
The doctors resumed yesterday and patients who converged on the Out-Patients Department, the specialist consulting rooms and the paediatric emergency rooms at the hospital felt relieved when the doctors started arriving for duty from 8.30 a.m.
Anxious to receive medical care and conscious that the striking doctors would resume duty yesterday, many patients who had been denied medical care since May 1 started trooping to the hospital as early as 5 a.m. to enable them to receive early treatment.
The doctors cited accumulated fuel allowances and non-revision of their salaries since 2006 as their main grounds for the industrial action.
The management of KATH last Monday released GH¢400,000.00 to cover the fuel allowance as a way of encouraging the doctors to resume work but they ignored the incentive and continued the strike.
Explaining why they continued to stay away from work, Dr Sarfo Kantanka, the Ashanti Regional President of the Junior Doctors Association, said the issue of non-revision of their salary had not been addressed.
He said there was also the need to consult the entire membership before any firm decision could be taken as to when to resume work.
He said the Ghana Medical Association would meet government officials on May 12, 2009 to negotiate their salary.
He said the outcome of the negotiation would determine whether or not they would continue to be at post.
The doctors resumed yesterday and patients who converged on the Out-Patients Department, the specialist consulting rooms and the paediatric emergency rooms at the hospital felt relieved when the doctors started arriving for duty from 8.30 a.m.
Anxious to receive medical care and conscious that the striking doctors would resume duty yesterday, many patients who had been denied medical care since May 1 started trooping to the hospital as early as 5 a.m. to enable them to receive early treatment.
The doctors cited accumulated fuel allowances and non-revision of their salaries since 2006 as their main grounds for the industrial action.
The management of KATH last Monday released GH¢400,000.00 to cover the fuel allowance as a way of encouraging the doctors to resume work but they ignored the incentive and continued the strike.
Explaining why they continued to stay away from work, Dr Sarfo Kantanka, the Ashanti Regional President of the Junior Doctors Association, said the issue of non-revision of their salary had not been addressed.
He said there was also the need to consult the entire membership before any firm decision could be taken as to when to resume work.
He said the Ghana Medical Association would meet government officials on May 12, 2009 to negotiate their salary.
He said the outcome of the negotiation would determine whether or not they would continue to be at post.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
KATH UNDERTAKES SPECIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES (PAGE 55)
The Plastic Surgery Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in collaboration with a team of plastic surgeons from Germany is providing special reconstructive surgeries for patients with some abnormalities on their hands and burns on various parts of the body.
Women with extraordinary large breasts who want to reduce their size, or those with very small ones who want to enlarge them would benefit from the surgeries.
Such women would be provided with the desired size and shape to enhance their status.
The team from Germany is already in the country, and will start screening patients suffering from such abnormalities tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) at consulting room nine B of the KATH between 8a.m. and 2p.m. each day.
Dr Joseph Apaloo, a specialist with the Plastic Surgery Unit of the KATH, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the special plastic surgery, explained that people with six or crooked fingers would also benefit from the exercise.
He pointed out that others who had suffered severe burns and had therefore developed scars arising from such burns “will be taken care of during the surgery”.
Explaining further, he said patients who belonged to the National Health Insurance Scheme would be treated free of charge but non-members would pay a token fee.
Women with extraordinary large breasts who want to reduce their size, or those with very small ones who want to enlarge them would benefit from the surgeries.
Such women would be provided with the desired size and shape to enhance their status.
The team from Germany is already in the country, and will start screening patients suffering from such abnormalities tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) at consulting room nine B of the KATH between 8a.m. and 2p.m. each day.
Dr Joseph Apaloo, a specialist with the Plastic Surgery Unit of the KATH, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the special plastic surgery, explained that people with six or crooked fingers would also benefit from the exercise.
He pointed out that others who had suffered severe burns and had therefore developed scars arising from such burns “will be taken care of during the surgery”.
Explaining further, he said patients who belonged to the National Health Insurance Scheme would be treated free of charge but non-members would pay a token fee.
DOCTORS FRONT BROKEN...Some resume work and save striker leader's dad's sight (LEAD STORY)
A decision by some junior doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to call off their six-day-old strike and resume work has broken the front of the striking doctors.
Even though the doctors who have decided to call off the strike are in the minority, they said they believed they had a duty to save lives and they could, therefore, not continue with the action, especially as the hospital authorities and the government had displayed good faith and commitment to address their grievances.
The numbers are difficult to come by but while some of them have resumed official duties and could be seen actively helping their respective departmental heads to deliver service to their clients, others have ignored emergency cases that had been flooding the hospital since the industrial action started.
Ironically, it was the commitment of this minority junior doctors to duty which saved the sight of a Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, who is also the father of Dr Sarfo Kantanka, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, who is the leader of the striking doctors.
The elder Sarfo Kantanka needed an emergency operation at the Eye Department of KATH to correct a defect in his eye at the time the industrial action was at its peak.
It was also at that time that some eye specialists from the University of Utah were collaborating with their KATH counterparts to perform surgery on patients with eye defects at the hospital. In spite of the strike, the junior doctors at the Eye Department were present to support the programme.
Their presence, and the active support offered the team from Utah, made it possible for the Deputy EC Chairman to go through very successful surgery.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the issue of working while some of their colleagues had put down their tools, Dr Yaw Obeng Nsiah of the Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH said patients, most of whom were ordinary Ghanaians, should not be made to suffer on an issue which solely rested with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to negotiate on.
Explaining, he said the issue of the strike should have been initiated by the parent body, which is the GMA, so it was wrong, in the first place, for the junior doctors at KATH to have started it.
“Some of us defied the strike and have been actively working since last Friday because the order did not come from the GMA, which is the parent body,” Dr Nsiah noted.
“Besides, the sector minister had shown the goodwill that he was addressing the issue on the accumulated fuel allowances which was used as one of the grievances for embarking on the action,” he added.
He also noted that since the strike started, the Chief Executive of KATH and his management team had not relented on their efforts to pay the fuel allowance of health workers and questioned the rationale behind the strike to put the lives of taxpayers in danger.
Referring to Dr Sarfo Kantanka’s father who had been well treated by his colleagues who had remained committed to their professional oaths, Dr Nsiah said it could have happened to me, “hence our resolve to work to facilitate quality delivery of medical services”.
Expressing concern over the state of affairs now, he said it was their leaders who had woefully failed to address the issue of salary negotiations and conditions of service in the past years and wondered why it should become a primary grievance at a time a new government had just resumed office.
“Instead of negotiating with the previous government on issues of salaries and conditions of service, the executives of the GMA were concerned with the deduction of dues and pension deductions,” he noted.
Even though the doctors who have decided to call off the strike are in the minority, they said they believed they had a duty to save lives and they could, therefore, not continue with the action, especially as the hospital authorities and the government had displayed good faith and commitment to address their grievances.
The numbers are difficult to come by but while some of them have resumed official duties and could be seen actively helping their respective departmental heads to deliver service to their clients, others have ignored emergency cases that had been flooding the hospital since the industrial action started.
Ironically, it was the commitment of this minority junior doctors to duty which saved the sight of a Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, who is also the father of Dr Sarfo Kantanka, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, who is the leader of the striking doctors.
The elder Sarfo Kantanka needed an emergency operation at the Eye Department of KATH to correct a defect in his eye at the time the industrial action was at its peak.
It was also at that time that some eye specialists from the University of Utah were collaborating with their KATH counterparts to perform surgery on patients with eye defects at the hospital. In spite of the strike, the junior doctors at the Eye Department were present to support the programme.
Their presence, and the active support offered the team from Utah, made it possible for the Deputy EC Chairman to go through very successful surgery.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the issue of working while some of their colleagues had put down their tools, Dr Yaw Obeng Nsiah of the Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH said patients, most of whom were ordinary Ghanaians, should not be made to suffer on an issue which solely rested with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to negotiate on.
Explaining, he said the issue of the strike should have been initiated by the parent body, which is the GMA, so it was wrong, in the first place, for the junior doctors at KATH to have started it.
“Some of us defied the strike and have been actively working since last Friday because the order did not come from the GMA, which is the parent body,” Dr Nsiah noted.
“Besides, the sector minister had shown the goodwill that he was addressing the issue on the accumulated fuel allowances which was used as one of the grievances for embarking on the action,” he added.
He also noted that since the strike started, the Chief Executive of KATH and his management team had not relented on their efforts to pay the fuel allowance of health workers and questioned the rationale behind the strike to put the lives of taxpayers in danger.
Referring to Dr Sarfo Kantanka’s father who had been well treated by his colleagues who had remained committed to their professional oaths, Dr Nsiah said it could have happened to me, “hence our resolve to work to facilitate quality delivery of medical services”.
Expressing concern over the state of affairs now, he said it was their leaders who had woefully failed to address the issue of salary negotiations and conditions of service in the past years and wondered why it should become a primary grievance at a time a new government had just resumed office.
“Instead of negotiating with the previous government on issues of salaries and conditions of service, the executives of the GMA were concerned with the deduction of dues and pension deductions,” he noted.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
DEVELOP MAINTENANCE CULTURE FOR KATH'S ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTRE (PAGE 25)
The Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa–Adjah Yankey, has directed the management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to develop an effective and efficient culture of maintenance at the newly constructed accident and emergency centre of the hospital.
That, he said, would help to preserve both the infrastructure and equipment at the emergency centre for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Describing the structure, which was inaugurated in November last year, as a magnificent edifice, the minister said the investment made in developing the infrastructure would not yield any benefits if the lackadaisical way of maintenance inherited over the years was extended to the newly constructed Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH.
Dr Yankey gave the directive when he paid a familiarisation visit to KATH last Saturday and formally inspected all the facilities.
Among the areas he visited were the children’s and labour wards of the hospital, the main theatres, accident wards, general wards and all the facilities at the accident and emergency centre.
He also inspected the maternity and children’s block, work on which was started during the General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s Military government in 1974.
Later at a media encounter, Dr Yankey said he was not only impressed by the outstanding congenial atmosphere at KATH, but found the accident and emergency centre as an edifice that should be regularly maintained.
He commended the management of KATH for contracting a firm that would maintain the structure and equipment for the next six years, but stressed the need for them to initiate their own maintenance scheme after the expiration of the six-year contract.
This, he said, would enhance the preservation of both the structure and equipment to enable the present and future generations to enjoy their full benefits.
He expressed concern about the congestion at both the children’s and labour wards at the old block and said they undermined efficient and effective delivery of medical services.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that he would initiate policies and programmes that would enhance the early completion of the children’s and maternity blocks to enhance quality services delivery and reduce infant and maternal mortality at the hospital.
Dr Yankey advised the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, to exercise proper supervision of the project to enable him to render proper accounts anytime it was needed.
That, he said, would help to preserve both the infrastructure and equipment at the emergency centre for the benefit of the present and future generations.
Describing the structure, which was inaugurated in November last year, as a magnificent edifice, the minister said the investment made in developing the infrastructure would not yield any benefits if the lackadaisical way of maintenance inherited over the years was extended to the newly constructed Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH.
Dr Yankey gave the directive when he paid a familiarisation visit to KATH last Saturday and formally inspected all the facilities.
Among the areas he visited were the children’s and labour wards of the hospital, the main theatres, accident wards, general wards and all the facilities at the accident and emergency centre.
He also inspected the maternity and children’s block, work on which was started during the General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s Military government in 1974.
Later at a media encounter, Dr Yankey said he was not only impressed by the outstanding congenial atmosphere at KATH, but found the accident and emergency centre as an edifice that should be regularly maintained.
He commended the management of KATH for contracting a firm that would maintain the structure and equipment for the next six years, but stressed the need for them to initiate their own maintenance scheme after the expiration of the six-year contract.
This, he said, would enhance the preservation of both the structure and equipment to enable the present and future generations to enjoy their full benefits.
He expressed concern about the congestion at both the children’s and labour wards at the old block and said they undermined efficient and effective delivery of medical services.
He, therefore, gave the assurance that he would initiate policies and programmes that would enhance the early completion of the children’s and maternity blocks to enhance quality services delivery and reduce infant and maternal mortality at the hospital.
Dr Yankey advised the Chief Executive of the KATH, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, to exercise proper supervision of the project to enable him to render proper accounts anytime it was needed.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
KATH RELEASES CASH FOR DOCTORS, OTHERS (PAGE 3)
FOUR days into the industrial action embarked on by junior doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), the hospital authorities have released GH¢400,000 to cover the fuel allowances of the doctors.
The Public Relations Officer of KATH, Mr Kwame Frimpong, told Daily Graphic in an interview that the amount was lodged in the accounts of the doctors yesterday to encourage them to resume duty.
It is, however, not known when the strike will be over.
The non-payment of the allowances and other arrears were cited as reasons for the strike that began last Friday, leaving hundreds of patients stranded. The most severely affected by the junior doctors’ action was the Out-patients Department (OPD), where crowds continued to gather in need of medical care.
The striking doctors cited accumulated fuel allowances and non revision of their salaries since 2006 as their main grievances for embarking on the action.
The release of the amount followed a directive by the Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa–Adjah Yankey, to the Chief Executive of KATH for all accumulated fuel allowances for the heath workers which accommulated from 2006 to date to be paid in full.
The minister, who paid a surprise visit to KATH last Saturday to interact with the management and junior doctors on the strike, stressed that the management of KATH and all other hospitals in the country that owed health workers any outstanding fuel allowances should arrange to pay within a week.
Earlier at a media briefing last Saturday, the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Nsiah Asare, told journalists and the Health Minister that the full payment of the accumulated fuel allowances would affect cash flow and other operational activities at the hospital. “Nevertheless, management will abide by the directives, fully,” he assured.
He also gave the assurance that the hospital would strive to enhance continuous services to their numerous clients.
When the Daily Graphic visited the hospital around 12 noon yesterday to find out whether or not the junior doctors were at post, it was realised that workers at the Records Department had issued instructions to the patients who were there to return home due to the strike action by the junior doctors.
The Records Department had rather given out dates to the patients on when they should return to the hospital to verify whether the doctors would be at post or not.
When contacted on the payment of the fuel allowances, Dr Sarfo Kantanka, who is the Regional Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, said notwithstanding the prompt payment of the fuel allowances, they would not be enticed to resume work.
He said their industrial action was not based on the accumulated fuel allowances alone.
“The issue of non-revision of our salary negotiated was a major factor, and until we hear something positive, we will continue to lay down our tools,” he stressed.
He pointed out that until something productive came out from the salary negotiations, he would not be able to convene a meeting to impress on his colleagues to resume duty.
In another development, junior doctors at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital are to be paid arrears of fuel allowances due them for the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of this year.
This follows a meeting between the leadership of the Junior Doctors Association and the Management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital held yesterday under the aegis of the Health Minister.
The new development was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the Acting Chief Administrator of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr B. D. R. T. Annan, and the Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, Dr Ernest Yorke.
The statement said the cheques in respects of the payment of the allowances due the doctors for periods stated above were to be issued by close of day yesterday (May 4, 2009).
“Arrears for June - December, 2006, and Jan-Dec, 2007, will be paid by Thursday, June 4, 2009,” the statement added.
It said, subsequently, the payment of fuel allowances would be effected at the end of each quarter.
The Public Relations Officer of KATH, Mr Kwame Frimpong, told Daily Graphic in an interview that the amount was lodged in the accounts of the doctors yesterday to encourage them to resume duty.
It is, however, not known when the strike will be over.
The non-payment of the allowances and other arrears were cited as reasons for the strike that began last Friday, leaving hundreds of patients stranded. The most severely affected by the junior doctors’ action was the Out-patients Department (OPD), where crowds continued to gather in need of medical care.
The striking doctors cited accumulated fuel allowances and non revision of their salaries since 2006 as their main grievances for embarking on the action.
The release of the amount followed a directive by the Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa–Adjah Yankey, to the Chief Executive of KATH for all accumulated fuel allowances for the heath workers which accommulated from 2006 to date to be paid in full.
The minister, who paid a surprise visit to KATH last Saturday to interact with the management and junior doctors on the strike, stressed that the management of KATH and all other hospitals in the country that owed health workers any outstanding fuel allowances should arrange to pay within a week.
Earlier at a media briefing last Saturday, the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Nsiah Asare, told journalists and the Health Minister that the full payment of the accumulated fuel allowances would affect cash flow and other operational activities at the hospital. “Nevertheless, management will abide by the directives, fully,” he assured.
He also gave the assurance that the hospital would strive to enhance continuous services to their numerous clients.
When the Daily Graphic visited the hospital around 12 noon yesterday to find out whether or not the junior doctors were at post, it was realised that workers at the Records Department had issued instructions to the patients who were there to return home due to the strike action by the junior doctors.
The Records Department had rather given out dates to the patients on when they should return to the hospital to verify whether the doctors would be at post or not.
When contacted on the payment of the fuel allowances, Dr Sarfo Kantanka, who is the Regional Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, said notwithstanding the prompt payment of the fuel allowances, they would not be enticed to resume work.
He said their industrial action was not based on the accumulated fuel allowances alone.
“The issue of non-revision of our salary negotiated was a major factor, and until we hear something positive, we will continue to lay down our tools,” he stressed.
He pointed out that until something productive came out from the salary negotiations, he would not be able to convene a meeting to impress on his colleagues to resume duty.
In another development, junior doctors at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital are to be paid arrears of fuel allowances due them for the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of this year.
This follows a meeting between the leadership of the Junior Doctors Association and the Management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital held yesterday under the aegis of the Health Minister.
The new development was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the Acting Chief Administrator of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr B. D. R. T. Annan, and the Chairman of the Junior Doctors Association, Dr Ernest Yorke.
The statement said the cheques in respects of the payment of the allowances due the doctors for periods stated above were to be issued by close of day yesterday (May 4, 2009).
“Arrears for June - December, 2006, and Jan-Dec, 2007, will be paid by Thursday, June 4, 2009,” the statement added.
It said, subsequently, the payment of fuel allowances would be effected at the end of each quarter.
Monday, May 4, 2009
KATH TO RELEASE ALLOWANCES...To junior doctors, others (PAGE 3)
THE management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has pledged to release GH¢250,000 to cover 18 months of accumulated fuel allowances to health workers, including junior doctors at the hospital, who are currently on strike.
The payment, to be made to all health workers entitled to fuel allowance, will commence by next Friday.
The accumulated fuel allowance for the health workers covers the last two months of 2006, the whole of 2007, the last quarter of 2008 and January to April this year.
Junior doctors at KATH started an industrial action on May 1, 2009, citing the non-revision of their salaries since 2006 and accumulated fuel allowances as their main grievances.
The release of the money follows a directive by the Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa –Adjah Yankey, to the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Nsiah Asare, to pay in full all accumulated fuel allowances for the heath workers from 2006 to date.
The minister’s directive asked the management of KATH and all other hospitals in the country who owe health workers any outstanding fuel allowances to arrange to pay within a week or face sanctions.
Dr Nsiah Asare told journalists and the Health Minister during a media briefing at KATH last Saturday, that the full payment of the accumulated fuel allowances would affect cash flow and other operational activities at the hospital. He added that nevertheless, management would comply fully with the directive.
He gave the assurance that the hospital would strive to render continuous service to its numerous clients.
Following the strike by the junior doctors, the Health Minister paid a surprise visit to KATH on Saturday to interact with the hospital authorities and the leadership of the junior doctors in an effort to get them to call off the strike and resume duty.
He assured them of collaboration between the ministry, hospital management and other agencies to find a lasting solution to the problems of the doctors.
Dr Nsiah Asare pointed out that before the doctors embarked on the strike, the hospital had already paid the fuel allowances for the first three quarters of 2008 and arrangement had already been made to pay the remaining quarter this week.
He said the hospital had also paid 10 months of the allowances for 2006, indicating that his administration was on course to paying the outstanding fuel allowances by the end of June 2009.
He, therefore, wondered why the junior doctors cited the outstanding fuel allowances as part of their reasons for embarking on the strike.
Dr Nsiah said the hospital stopped the payment of fuel allowances at the onset of the payment of the Health Sector Salary (HSS) but later restored payment after negotiations between the Ministry of Health, the Agencies and the Ghana Medical Association GMA).
“That explains the reason for the outstanding arrears for the second half of 2006 and 2007,” he stressed.
Dr Yankey gave the assurance that the non-revision of salaries since 2006 and the accumulated fuel allowances, issues which led to the industrial action by the junior doctors, would receive prompt attention by the government.
“Any head who refuses to comply with this directive would be sanctioned accordingly. Those who have no money and have difficulties in the payment should immediately negotiate on how to pay to enhance smooth operations at the health facilities,” he stressed.
Dr Yankey said his ministry was addressing the problem of stalled salary negotiations for health workers, pointing out that the Single Spine Salary Structure for the health workers which was proposed by the previous government had not been implemented.
He explained that some distortions had been detected in the proposed salary structure and so the government would consult with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) within the next few days to address the anomalies before its implementation.
Dr Yankey expressed concern about the industrial action of the junior doctors, and said they did not serve notice of their intention to embark on such action.
He said although the government inherited the salary problems of the health workers, it had been in constant touch with the leadership of the GMA to find how best to address the problem as soon as practicable.
Later, at a meeting with the junior doctors, their leaders agreed to call off their industrial action and resume work today after a general meeting of members yesterday.
The payment, to be made to all health workers entitled to fuel allowance, will commence by next Friday.
The accumulated fuel allowance for the health workers covers the last two months of 2006, the whole of 2007, the last quarter of 2008 and January to April this year.
Junior doctors at KATH started an industrial action on May 1, 2009, citing the non-revision of their salaries since 2006 and accumulated fuel allowances as their main grievances.
The release of the money follows a directive by the Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa –Adjah Yankey, to the Chief Executive of KATH, Dr Nsiah Asare, to pay in full all accumulated fuel allowances for the heath workers from 2006 to date.
The minister’s directive asked the management of KATH and all other hospitals in the country who owe health workers any outstanding fuel allowances to arrange to pay within a week or face sanctions.
Dr Nsiah Asare told journalists and the Health Minister during a media briefing at KATH last Saturday, that the full payment of the accumulated fuel allowances would affect cash flow and other operational activities at the hospital. He added that nevertheless, management would comply fully with the directive.
He gave the assurance that the hospital would strive to render continuous service to its numerous clients.
Following the strike by the junior doctors, the Health Minister paid a surprise visit to KATH on Saturday to interact with the hospital authorities and the leadership of the junior doctors in an effort to get them to call off the strike and resume duty.
He assured them of collaboration between the ministry, hospital management and other agencies to find a lasting solution to the problems of the doctors.
Dr Nsiah Asare pointed out that before the doctors embarked on the strike, the hospital had already paid the fuel allowances for the first three quarters of 2008 and arrangement had already been made to pay the remaining quarter this week.
He said the hospital had also paid 10 months of the allowances for 2006, indicating that his administration was on course to paying the outstanding fuel allowances by the end of June 2009.
He, therefore, wondered why the junior doctors cited the outstanding fuel allowances as part of their reasons for embarking on the strike.
Dr Nsiah said the hospital stopped the payment of fuel allowances at the onset of the payment of the Health Sector Salary (HSS) but later restored payment after negotiations between the Ministry of Health, the Agencies and the Ghana Medical Association GMA).
“That explains the reason for the outstanding arrears for the second half of 2006 and 2007,” he stressed.
Dr Yankey gave the assurance that the non-revision of salaries since 2006 and the accumulated fuel allowances, issues which led to the industrial action by the junior doctors, would receive prompt attention by the government.
“Any head who refuses to comply with this directive would be sanctioned accordingly. Those who have no money and have difficulties in the payment should immediately negotiate on how to pay to enhance smooth operations at the health facilities,” he stressed.
Dr Yankey said his ministry was addressing the problem of stalled salary negotiations for health workers, pointing out that the Single Spine Salary Structure for the health workers which was proposed by the previous government had not been implemented.
He explained that some distortions had been detected in the proposed salary structure and so the government would consult with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) within the next few days to address the anomalies before its implementation.
Dr Yankey expressed concern about the industrial action of the junior doctors, and said they did not serve notice of their intention to embark on such action.
He said although the government inherited the salary problems of the health workers, it had been in constant touch with the leadership of the GMA to find how best to address the problem as soon as practicable.
Later, at a meeting with the junior doctors, their leaders agreed to call off their industrial action and resume work today after a general meeting of members yesterday.
4 GANG BANG PREGNANT WOMAN (MIRROR, PAGE 28)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
A 25-year-old man in Kumasi had the shock of his life when four robbers, including three teenagers armed to the teeth, grabbed his pregnant wife and sexually abused her in turns before robbing the couple of their brand new cell phone and some cash.
The robbers, including a 16-year-old, forced the man to watch the act with the two-month old pregnant woman, threatening to dismember him with their sharpened machetes if he indulged in any foul play.
The 16-year-old boy, who was identified as Kwaku Sarfo, was later arrested together with his accomplices by the police. The others were Kwadwo Atta, 18, Abdul Razak, 27, and Kofi Nyarko, 18.
They were remanded in prison custody by a Kumasi High Court to reappear on May 18, 2009 for the continuation of the case.
Briefing the court, presided over by Justice R. C. Azumah, the State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, said the pregnant woman resides at the Race Course area at Bantama while her husband stays at Asokwa in Kumasi.
He said around 9 p.m. on April 20, 2009 the husband visited his wife and as he was about to leave, the four robbers allegedly surrounded them and started brandishing their machetes, threatening to kill the man if he made any move.
He said they then ordered the woman to undress and when she hesitated, they forcibly undressed her, pinned her down and sexually abused her in turns.
He said anytime one of them was raping the woman and she was writhing in pain, the three others took guard to keep the husband at a distance, but made sure that he watched the action.
Mr Otoo-Boison said having satisfied themselves, they robbed the couple of their phone and some money before bolting.
He said the couple later reported the incident to the police and after investigations the robbers were arrested.
A 25-year-old man in Kumasi had the shock of his life when four robbers, including three teenagers armed to the teeth, grabbed his pregnant wife and sexually abused her in turns before robbing the couple of their brand new cell phone and some cash.
The robbers, including a 16-year-old, forced the man to watch the act with the two-month old pregnant woman, threatening to dismember him with their sharpened machetes if he indulged in any foul play.
The 16-year-old boy, who was identified as Kwaku Sarfo, was later arrested together with his accomplices by the police. The others were Kwadwo Atta, 18, Abdul Razak, 27, and Kofi Nyarko, 18.
They were remanded in prison custody by a Kumasi High Court to reappear on May 18, 2009 for the continuation of the case.
Briefing the court, presided over by Justice R. C. Azumah, the State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, said the pregnant woman resides at the Race Course area at Bantama while her husband stays at Asokwa in Kumasi.
He said around 9 p.m. on April 20, 2009 the husband visited his wife and as he was about to leave, the four robbers allegedly surrounded them and started brandishing their machetes, threatening to kill the man if he made any move.
He said they then ordered the woman to undress and when she hesitated, they forcibly undressed her, pinned her down and sexually abused her in turns.
He said anytime one of them was raping the woman and she was writhing in pain, the three others took guard to keep the husband at a distance, but made sure that he watched the action.
Mr Otoo-Boison said having satisfied themselves, they robbed the couple of their phone and some money before bolting.
He said the couple later reported the incident to the police and after investigations the robbers were arrested.
3 ARMED ROBBERS JAILED 135 YEARS (PAGE 4)
Three armed robbers have been sentenced to a total of 135 years’ imprisonment in hard labour for raping two ladies in Kumasi in two separate incidents before robbing them of their items, including a Toyota saloon car, at gunpoint.
The convicts, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape and raping, as well as robbing the ladies in separate areas, were convicted on their own pleas.
The Kumasi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice R.C. Azumah, convicted 25-year-old Daniel Domfe to 27 years imprisonment in hard labour for taking part in one of the robberies and rape cases, while his accomplices, Daniel Dumanu, alias Kwabena Ntikumah, and Edward Arthur, who were actively involved in both cases, were convicted to serve 54 years’ imprisonment each in hard labour when they appeared before the court on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
The fourth and fifth accomplices, Kojo Amonu and Akwasi Boahen, who pleaded not guilty to the offences, were remanded in prison custody to reappear before the court at a later date.
The Ashanti Regional State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, who prosecuted, told the court that around 9.30 p.m. on October 2, 2008, the first complainant, who works at a restaurant in Kumasi, boarded a taxi at Ahodwo, with Domfe at the wheels.
He said the taxi, which had three other occupants, diverted from the route the lady was going to a different direction and after driving for some time to an unknown destination, the driver stopped the taxi and he and his accomplices raped the lady in turns at gunpoint.
Mr Otoo-Boison said not satisfied with their action, and despite the trauma they had put the lady in, they forcibly took away her handbag containing items estimated at GH¢37, a mobile phone valued at GH¢95 and some unspecified amount of money and left her to her fate.
He said the lady made a complaint to the police and investigations led to the arrest of the convicts.
He said in the second incident, the convicts, including Akwasi Boahen and three others now at large, gang-raped a nurse in Kumasi after they had forcibly seized her car at gunpoint.
Explaining how the incident took place, Mr Otoo-Boison said around 7.30 p.m. on March 20, 2009 after the nurse had closed from work and was driving towards home on the Boadi-Apeadu road, the convicts, who were in a taxi, succeeded in crossing her Toyota Corona saloon car, forcing the nurse to stop.
He said at gunpoint, the convicts and their accomplices took over the car and took the nurse to an unknown place where they raped her in turns.
He said they also took away the car, valued at GH¢6,500, as well as three Nokia mobile phones estimated at GH¢400 and GH¢80 cash before bolting.
Mr Otoo-Boison said police investigations led to the arrest of the convicts and during investigations it came to light that they were the same gang who had raped a lady in turns in October last year.
They were subsequently charged with the offence.
The convicts, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape and raping, as well as robbing the ladies in separate areas, were convicted on their own pleas.
The Kumasi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice R.C. Azumah, convicted 25-year-old Daniel Domfe to 27 years imprisonment in hard labour for taking part in one of the robberies and rape cases, while his accomplices, Daniel Dumanu, alias Kwabena Ntikumah, and Edward Arthur, who were actively involved in both cases, were convicted to serve 54 years’ imprisonment each in hard labour when they appeared before the court on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
The fourth and fifth accomplices, Kojo Amonu and Akwasi Boahen, who pleaded not guilty to the offences, were remanded in prison custody to reappear before the court at a later date.
The Ashanti Regional State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, who prosecuted, told the court that around 9.30 p.m. on October 2, 2008, the first complainant, who works at a restaurant in Kumasi, boarded a taxi at Ahodwo, with Domfe at the wheels.
He said the taxi, which had three other occupants, diverted from the route the lady was going to a different direction and after driving for some time to an unknown destination, the driver stopped the taxi and he and his accomplices raped the lady in turns at gunpoint.
Mr Otoo-Boison said not satisfied with their action, and despite the trauma they had put the lady in, they forcibly took away her handbag containing items estimated at GH¢37, a mobile phone valued at GH¢95 and some unspecified amount of money and left her to her fate.
He said the lady made a complaint to the police and investigations led to the arrest of the convicts.
He said in the second incident, the convicts, including Akwasi Boahen and three others now at large, gang-raped a nurse in Kumasi after they had forcibly seized her car at gunpoint.
Explaining how the incident took place, Mr Otoo-Boison said around 7.30 p.m. on March 20, 2009 after the nurse had closed from work and was driving towards home on the Boadi-Apeadu road, the convicts, who were in a taxi, succeeded in crossing her Toyota Corona saloon car, forcing the nurse to stop.
He said at gunpoint, the convicts and their accomplices took over the car and took the nurse to an unknown place where they raped her in turns.
He said they also took away the car, valued at GH¢6,500, as well as three Nokia mobile phones estimated at GH¢400 and GH¢80 cash before bolting.
Mr Otoo-Boison said police investigations led to the arrest of the convicts and during investigations it came to light that they were the same gang who had raped a lady in turns in October last year.
They were subsequently charged with the offence.
Friday, May 1, 2009
OFFINSO UNION IN USA ASSISTS SHS (PAGE 22)
MEMBERS of Washington DC-based Offinso Union have donated four computers and accessories to the Dwamena Akenten Senior High School (SHS) at Offinso to enhance the teaching and learning of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) programmes.
They also presented quantities of used clothes to the Offinso Children’s Home when some of their executive members visited the inmates.
A member of the union, Mr Kwame Baah, who made the presentation, said the computers would enable the students to be abreast of the changing trends of technology.
He gave the assurance that the union members would continue to mobilise resources to support educational development in the Offinso District.
Mr Baah stated that the members were also planning to establish a community library complex equipped with computers and accessories to encourage the youth in the area to acquire skills on ICT programmes.
He expressed the preparedness of the union in supporting healthcare delivery and improved sanitation in the district to enhance productivity and income generation.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kwadwo Oduro Frimpong, who received the items on behalf of the two institutions, commended members of the union for their commitment to educational development in the district.
He said with such support the youth would be adequately motivated to focus on their academic programmes to enable them to develop their potential.
Mr Frimpong called for more of such support from the private sector to facilitate educational development in the area.
They also presented quantities of used clothes to the Offinso Children’s Home when some of their executive members visited the inmates.
A member of the union, Mr Kwame Baah, who made the presentation, said the computers would enable the students to be abreast of the changing trends of technology.
He gave the assurance that the union members would continue to mobilise resources to support educational development in the Offinso District.
Mr Baah stated that the members were also planning to establish a community library complex equipped with computers and accessories to encourage the youth in the area to acquire skills on ICT programmes.
He expressed the preparedness of the union in supporting healthcare delivery and improved sanitation in the district to enhance productivity and income generation.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kwadwo Oduro Frimpong, who received the items on behalf of the two institutions, commended members of the union for their commitment to educational development in the district.
He said with such support the youth would be adequately motivated to focus on their academic programmes to enable them to develop their potential.
Mr Frimpong called for more of such support from the private sector to facilitate educational development in the area.
STUDENT ENROLMENT IN KUMASI GROWS ..But infrastructure still inadequate (page 11)
PRUDENT policies initiated by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Ashanti Region over the years have enhanced admissions at all levels of educational institutions in the region.
According to the GES, “gross enrolment in the region rose from 56.9 per cent, 83.4 per cent and 79.9 per cent at the kindergarten, primary and junior high school (JHS) respectively in 2004 to 86.2, 105.9 and 91.6 in 2007”.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr J. K. Onyinah, who announced this during the regional education sector annual review programme in Kumasi, noted that the increased enrolment of students in the region had not matched the educational infrastructure to enhance academic work.
He expressed concern about the lack of qualified teachers in such critical areas as Science, Mathematics and English.
The sector is thus addressing the problem by granting study leave with pay in those subject areas, and conscious efforts are being made to recruit more graduates in Science, Mathematics and English to augment the qualified teachers, he stated.
On the enrolment of teachers, as against educational infrastructure, he explained that “the increased enrolment has resulted in large class sizes, and even the provision of additional classrooms has not been able to match the rate of increases in enrolment”.
Explaining further, Mr Onyinah said “some public schools in Kumasi and over 70 per cent in Obuasi run the shift system, and in some cases, classes are held under trees”.
Giving statistics to support his claim, Mr Onyinah said between 2007 and 2008, the region had a total of 3,036 private and public schools at the kindergarten level, with their total enrolment being 260,046, but all the kindergarten schools in the region had only 1,526 classrooms, which were in good condition to facilitate effective academic programmes.
He said at the primary level, total enrolment in the region for both private and public schools between 2007 and 2008 stood at 686,293, but in terms of classrooms which were in good conditions, and at the primary levels, only 6,441 were made available.
With a total enrolment of 261,208 students at the JHS level in the region for both private and public schools, only 2,617 classrooms were provided, creating congestions in some schools and making teaching and learning rather difficult, he noted.
Enrolment in the Ashanti Region in senior high schools (SHSs) during the same period was 83,203 for both public and private schools, he stated, adding that the total classrooms for the purpose of academic was only 1,137.
He also expressed concern about facilities at SHSs in the region and appealed for more dormitories to be constructed to create a healthy environment that would enhance efficient academic work.
“There are many ongoing projects, which when completed, would ease congestion. District Assemblies should focus on the construction of more classrooms and other ancillary facilities at the basic level,” he advised.
On the output of academic programmes in terms of examinations in the region, Mr Onyinah said for the past five years, an average of 69 per cent of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates qualify for entry into SHSs compared to the national average of 69 per cent.
The Director said for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 43 per cent qualified to enter tertiary institutions compared to the national average of 36 per cent.
In 2008, he said the overall best student and the first runner-up came from St Louis Senior High School in Kumasi.
Mr Onyinah said GES was striving to improve the conditions of service for teachers as a way of “improving teacher retention”.
He touched on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and said the programme was improving very fast, but there was the need to support JHS and SHS levels in the areas of computers.
According to the GES, “gross enrolment in the region rose from 56.9 per cent, 83.4 per cent and 79.9 per cent at the kindergarten, primary and junior high school (JHS) respectively in 2004 to 86.2, 105.9 and 91.6 in 2007”.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr J. K. Onyinah, who announced this during the regional education sector annual review programme in Kumasi, noted that the increased enrolment of students in the region had not matched the educational infrastructure to enhance academic work.
He expressed concern about the lack of qualified teachers in such critical areas as Science, Mathematics and English.
The sector is thus addressing the problem by granting study leave with pay in those subject areas, and conscious efforts are being made to recruit more graduates in Science, Mathematics and English to augment the qualified teachers, he stated.
On the enrolment of teachers, as against educational infrastructure, he explained that “the increased enrolment has resulted in large class sizes, and even the provision of additional classrooms has not been able to match the rate of increases in enrolment”.
Explaining further, Mr Onyinah said “some public schools in Kumasi and over 70 per cent in Obuasi run the shift system, and in some cases, classes are held under trees”.
Giving statistics to support his claim, Mr Onyinah said between 2007 and 2008, the region had a total of 3,036 private and public schools at the kindergarten level, with their total enrolment being 260,046, but all the kindergarten schools in the region had only 1,526 classrooms, which were in good condition to facilitate effective academic programmes.
He said at the primary level, total enrolment in the region for both private and public schools between 2007 and 2008 stood at 686,293, but in terms of classrooms which were in good conditions, and at the primary levels, only 6,441 were made available.
With a total enrolment of 261,208 students at the JHS level in the region for both private and public schools, only 2,617 classrooms were provided, creating congestions in some schools and making teaching and learning rather difficult, he noted.
Enrolment in the Ashanti Region in senior high schools (SHSs) during the same period was 83,203 for both public and private schools, he stated, adding that the total classrooms for the purpose of academic was only 1,137.
He also expressed concern about facilities at SHSs in the region and appealed for more dormitories to be constructed to create a healthy environment that would enhance efficient academic work.
“There are many ongoing projects, which when completed, would ease congestion. District Assemblies should focus on the construction of more classrooms and other ancillary facilities at the basic level,” he advised.
On the output of academic programmes in terms of examinations in the region, Mr Onyinah said for the past five years, an average of 69 per cent of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates qualify for entry into SHSs compared to the national average of 69 per cent.
The Director said for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 43 per cent qualified to enter tertiary institutions compared to the national average of 36 per cent.
In 2008, he said the overall best student and the first runner-up came from St Louis Senior High School in Kumasi.
Mr Onyinah said GES was striving to improve the conditions of service for teachers as a way of “improving teacher retention”.
He touched on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and said the programme was improving very fast, but there was the need to support JHS and SHS levels in the areas of computers.
SRT
PRUDENT policies initiated by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Ashanti Region over the years have enhanced admissions at all levels of educational institutions in the region.
According to the GES, “gross enrolment in the region rose from 56.9 per cent, 83.4 per cent and 79.9 per cent at the kindergarten, primary and junior high school (JHS) respectively in 2004 to 86.2, 105.9 and 91.6 in 2007”.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr J. K. Onyinah, who announced this during the regional education sector annual review programme in Kumasi, noted that the increased enrolment of students in the region had not matched the educational infrastructure to enhance academic work.
He expressed concern about the lack of qualified teachers in such critical areas as Science, Mathematics and English.
The sector is thus addressing the problem by granting study leave with pay in those subject areas, and conscious efforts are being made to recruit more graduates in Science, Mathematics and English to augment the qualified teachers, he stated.
On the enrolment of teachers, as against educational infrastructure, he explained that “the increased enrolment has resulted in large class sizes, and even the provision of additional classrooms has not been able to match the rate of increases in enrolment”.
Explaining further, Mr Onyinah said “some public schools in Kumasi and over 70 per cent in Obuasi run the shift system, and in some cases, classes are held under trees”.
Giving statistics to support his claim, Mr Onyinah said between 2007 and 2008, the region had a total of 3,036 private and public schools at the kindergarten level, with their total enrolment being 260,046, but all the kindergarten schools in the region had only 1,526 classrooms, which were in good condition to facilitate effective academic programmes.
He said at the primary level, total enrolment in the region for both private and public schools between 2007 and 2008 stood at 686,293, but in terms of classrooms which were in good conditions, and at the primary levels, only 6,441 were made available.
With a total enrolment of 261,208 students at the JHS level in the region for both private and public schools, only 2,617 classrooms were provided, creating congestions in some schools and making teaching and learning rather difficult, he noted.
Enrolment in the Ashanti Region in senior high schools (SHSs) during the same period was 83,203 for both public and private schools, he stated, adding that the total classrooms for the purpose of academic was only 1,137.
He also expressed concern about facilities at SHSs in the region and appealed for more dormitories to be constructed to create a healthy environment that would enhance efficient academic work.
“There are many ongoing projects, which when completed, would ease congestion. District Assemblies should focus on the construction of more classrooms and other ancillary facilities at the basic level,” he advised.
On the output of academic programmes in terms of examinations in the region, Mr Onyinah said for the past five years, an average of 69 per cent of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates qualify for entry into SHSs compared to the national average of 69 per cent.
The Director said for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 43 per cent qualified to enter tertiary institutions compared to the national average of 36 per cent.
In 2008, he said the overall best student and the first runner-up came from St Louis Senior High School in Kumasi.
Mr Onyinah said GES was striving to improve the conditions of service for teachers as a way of “improving teacher retention”.
He touched on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and said the programme was improving very fast, but there was the need to support JHS and SHS levels in the areas of computers.
According to the GES, “gross enrolment in the region rose from 56.9 per cent, 83.4 per cent and 79.9 per cent at the kindergarten, primary and junior high school (JHS) respectively in 2004 to 86.2, 105.9 and 91.6 in 2007”.
The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr J. K. Onyinah, who announced this during the regional education sector annual review programme in Kumasi, noted that the increased enrolment of students in the region had not matched the educational infrastructure to enhance academic work.
He expressed concern about the lack of qualified teachers in such critical areas as Science, Mathematics and English.
The sector is thus addressing the problem by granting study leave with pay in those subject areas, and conscious efforts are being made to recruit more graduates in Science, Mathematics and English to augment the qualified teachers, he stated.
On the enrolment of teachers, as against educational infrastructure, he explained that “the increased enrolment has resulted in large class sizes, and even the provision of additional classrooms has not been able to match the rate of increases in enrolment”.
Explaining further, Mr Onyinah said “some public schools in Kumasi and over 70 per cent in Obuasi run the shift system, and in some cases, classes are held under trees”.
Giving statistics to support his claim, Mr Onyinah said between 2007 and 2008, the region had a total of 3,036 private and public schools at the kindergarten level, with their total enrolment being 260,046, but all the kindergarten schools in the region had only 1,526 classrooms, which were in good condition to facilitate effective academic programmes.
He said at the primary level, total enrolment in the region for both private and public schools between 2007 and 2008 stood at 686,293, but in terms of classrooms which were in good conditions, and at the primary levels, only 6,441 were made available.
With a total enrolment of 261,208 students at the JHS level in the region for both private and public schools, only 2,617 classrooms were provided, creating congestions in some schools and making teaching and learning rather difficult, he noted.
Enrolment in the Ashanti Region in senior high schools (SHSs) during the same period was 83,203 for both public and private schools, he stated, adding that the total classrooms for the purpose of academic was only 1,137.
He also expressed concern about facilities at SHSs in the region and appealed for more dormitories to be constructed to create a healthy environment that would enhance efficient academic work.
“There are many ongoing projects, which when completed, would ease congestion. District Assemblies should focus on the construction of more classrooms and other ancillary facilities at the basic level,” he advised.
On the output of academic programmes in terms of examinations in the region, Mr Onyinah said for the past five years, an average of 69 per cent of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates qualify for entry into SHSs compared to the national average of 69 per cent.
The Director said for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 43 per cent qualified to enter tertiary institutions compared to the national average of 36 per cent.
In 2008, he said the overall best student and the first runner-up came from St Louis Senior High School in Kumasi.
Mr Onyinah said GES was striving to improve the conditions of service for teachers as a way of “improving teacher retention”.
He touched on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and said the programme was improving very fast, but there was the need to support JHS and SHS levels in the areas of computers.
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