THE cost of open heart surgery, which is sometimes beyond the reach of some patients, makes it impossible for those suffering from various cardio vascular diseases in the country, to seek medical care.
As a result the relatives of these patients, most of whom are children launch various appeals in the media to raise funds from philanthropists and organisations to bear the cost of such treatment.
To help alleviate the plight of such patients, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi has collaborated with a team of specialists from Boston Children Hospital in the United States of America, for the performance of free open heart surgery at the Accident and Emergency Centre at KATH.
The annual programme, which started three years ago, has benefited 44 Ghanaian children and others from the West African sub-Region.
This year, a team of 32 specialists from the USA, in collaboration with their counterparts at KATH has performed free open heart surgery for 14 children suffering from various cardio vascular diseases on October 16.
The team included heart specialists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and volunteers among others, who paid for their own airfares.
All the patients, including three, who have already been discharged, are responding positively to treatment. According to the leader of the team, Dr Francis Fynn-Thompson, the others, including a 13 -year -old girl who are still on admission, are likely to be discharged soon.
The beneficiaries who reside in various parts of the country, were among many others who were screened by the medical team when they arrived in the country.
Dr Fynn-Thompson, who took newsmen round to see the conditions of some of the patients who were still in admission, said “each of the patients would have paid about $8,000 for the surgical operation”.
He said patients who were operated on since the exercise started always came for review “ and they are all doing very well”
He said the team spent about $70,000.00 on each mission, and in terms of medical equipment and suppliers, they spent a total of $ one million.
He said all equipment brought in for the surgical operations were left behind to enhance further exercises in future.
“ Our main goal is not only to perform free open heart surgery for children suffering from various heart problems, but also to build the capacity of medical officers at the KATH to enable them acquire the skills to treat such patients in future”, Dr Fynn-Thompson told newsmen.
On whether they are on course so far as their mission was concerned, Dr Fynn-Thompson noted, “ in terms of the care, we have been able to provide successful surgery for some children suffering from heart diseases for the past three years. We have some more human resource components to work on . We need to train both physicians , nurses and other medical personnel to enhance their technical skill in taking care of children with heart diseases”, adding that “the discussions are on-going and we hope to achieve results in the next couple of years”.
On their ultimate goal, Dr Thompson, who is a Ghanaian, noted “ we want to establish a cardiothoracic centre at the KATH with a particular focus on taking care of children with heart diseases”
On why they selected Ghana and Kumasi in particular, he said “we started this programme because we felt that there were a large number of children with congenial heart diseases who did not have access to the specific care compared to what we can provide in the US. We felt that we could provide that type of care , and also use the opportunity to train local Ghanaian counterparts with the requisite skills to adequately cater for such children”.
He said members of the team had collaborated effectively with their counterparts at KATH and pointed out that, “ we have identified specific people who are being trained for the past three years in specific skills. We will continue to train them, and with the support from the Chief Executive, physicians and nurses who are actively supporting us, we hope to achieve results very soon”.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, commended Dr Fynn –Thompson and his team for their humanitarian gesture, saying, “ their presence is always seen as a blessing because we cannot imagine what would have happened to the children who had benefited from their gesture so far”.
We said KATH would be expecting them to continue the programme next year “ to help other children who have similar problems”.
He gave the assurance that KATH was on course of putting measures in place to establish the cardio centre to complement that of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to treat both children and adults suffering from various heart problems.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
ONE PERSON KILLED IN SHOOT-OUT OVER LAND (PAGE 3, OCT 26)
ONE person died during a shoot-out over a land dispute which occurred at Atwima Koforidua in the Ashanti Region last Saturday.
Seven others, including an 80-year-old woman who was identified as Maame Ntoaduru and one Diana, sustained various degrees of injury and were treated at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and discharged.
The deceased, identified as Akoto, bled profusely and died on the spot after he had been allegedly shot in the chest and legs.
Another woman, identified as Alice, and a poultry farmer, identified only as Asiedu, who sustained serious injuries are on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the KATH.
A poultry farm said to belong to Asiedu which had about 1,500 birds was set ablaze by the other faction in the conflict.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy, while the police are searching for one Asante, suspected to be Akoto’s killer and said to have bolted with his loaded rifle moments after he allegedly shot the deceased.
A source at Atwima Koforidua told the Daily Graphic that the incident occurred about 11 a.m. on Saturday following a dispute over the land situated at the outskirts of the community.
The source said in the course of the quarrel, some people intervened, making it possible for the deceased to take to his heels, with the intention of reporting the incident to family members.
It said the suspect was alleged to have chased the deceased to the basic school park where he allegedly shot Akoto in the legs, causing him to fall in the process.
The source said the suspect again shot the deceased in the chest at close range, causing him to bleed to death on the spot.
It said the incident incensed the family members of the deceased, who also took locally manufactured guns and started firing, as a result of which some innocent members of the community got injured.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that the incident was reported hours after the shooting, making it possible for the main suspects to escape.
“But we are doing everything possible to apprehend them,” it added.
Seven others, including an 80-year-old woman who was identified as Maame Ntoaduru and one Diana, sustained various degrees of injury and were treated at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and discharged.
The deceased, identified as Akoto, bled profusely and died on the spot after he had been allegedly shot in the chest and legs.
Another woman, identified as Alice, and a poultry farmer, identified only as Asiedu, who sustained serious injuries are on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of the KATH.
A poultry farm said to belong to Asiedu which had about 1,500 birds was set ablaze by the other faction in the conflict.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy, while the police are searching for one Asante, suspected to be Akoto’s killer and said to have bolted with his loaded rifle moments after he allegedly shot the deceased.
A source at Atwima Koforidua told the Daily Graphic that the incident occurred about 11 a.m. on Saturday following a dispute over the land situated at the outskirts of the community.
The source said in the course of the quarrel, some people intervened, making it possible for the deceased to take to his heels, with the intention of reporting the incident to family members.
It said the suspect was alleged to have chased the deceased to the basic school park where he allegedly shot Akoto in the legs, causing him to fall in the process.
The source said the suspect again shot the deceased in the chest at close range, causing him to bleed to death on the spot.
It said the incident incensed the family members of the deceased, who also took locally manufactured guns and started firing, as a result of which some innocent members of the community got injured.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that the incident was reported hours after the shooting, making it possible for the main suspects to escape.
“But we are doing everything possible to apprehend them,” it added.
FAISAL WIN 2-1 (BACK PAGE, OCT 26)
Hamza Mohammed’s beautiful 30-metre volley, and Frank Akyeampong’s low grounder in the box, revived the fortunes of King Faisal at their favourite Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi as they won their first match, defeating Sekondi Hasaccas 2-1 in their Glo Premier League match yesterday.
After near misses by strikers of both teams, Hamza rose to the occasion when his volley on the half hour mark hit the upright corner of the net before Wilson Yeboah, in post for Hasaccas, could react.
Ten minutes later, Frank Akyeampong added his name to the score sheet when his low grounder in the box passed through a forest of legs before entering the net to give King Faisal a comfortable lead.
Back from recess, Hasaccas threw more men upfront, pinning their opponents into their own half and succeeded in reducing the tally through Joseph Bisah in the 60th minute.
The goal gingered the visitors to probe for the equaliser but Faisal withdrew more men in defence, denying the Sekondi boys the chance to share the three points at stake.
• Sekondi Eleven Wise yesterday beat Accra Great Olympics 2-1 at the Sekondi Sports Stadium. Wise’s first goal was scored through Kwabena Okyere on the 43rd minute, with William Owusu making it two in the 77th minute, reports Moses Dotse Aklorbortu, Sekondi.
Charles Amanquah of olympics got a consolation for his side on the 89th minute. However, the visiting team had to play ten against eleven from the 80th minute due to a bad tackle by Ernest Kpertwu which attracted a second yellow card followed by a red.
After near misses by strikers of both teams, Hamza rose to the occasion when his volley on the half hour mark hit the upright corner of the net before Wilson Yeboah, in post for Hasaccas, could react.
Ten minutes later, Frank Akyeampong added his name to the score sheet when his low grounder in the box passed through a forest of legs before entering the net to give King Faisal a comfortable lead.
Back from recess, Hasaccas threw more men upfront, pinning their opponents into their own half and succeeded in reducing the tally through Joseph Bisah in the 60th minute.
The goal gingered the visitors to probe for the equaliser but Faisal withdrew more men in defence, denying the Sekondi boys the chance to share the three points at stake.
• Sekondi Eleven Wise yesterday beat Accra Great Olympics 2-1 at the Sekondi Sports Stadium. Wise’s first goal was scored through Kwabena Okyere on the 43rd minute, with William Owusu making it two in the 77th minute, reports Moses Dotse Aklorbortu, Sekondi.
Charles Amanquah of olympics got a consolation for his side on the 89th minute. However, the visiting team had to play ten against eleven from the 80th minute due to a bad tackle by Ernest Kpertwu which attracted a second yellow card followed by a red.
FIX ATTRACTIVE SALARIES FOR PLAYERS (PAGE 31, OCT 24)
A former Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Nana Yaw Owusu, has suggested to the GFA to collaborate with Premier League club managers to fix attractive salaries for local players.
He pointed out that fixing a minimum salary for players would not only reduce their movements to other Premier league clubs, but would also motivate them to offer their best to improve the standard of play.
“The GFA should find a way of deciding with the clubs what should be the minimum salary for players. Their salary should be attractive enough to prevent those yearning to go outside at all cost to play for foreign clubs to stay a bit longer and play in the country. This will make the league more exciting to entice fans into the stadium” he explained.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on how to improve standards in the Premier league, Nana Yaw Owusu noted, “the standard of play counts in soccer in enticing fans into the stadium, but as key players get attractive offers from foreign clubs and leave the country midway when the Premier league starts, or is about to start, it reduces the interest that fans have in attending matches. It is therefore important for club management to pay their players well and instil a sense of nationalism in them.”
He said, “once players are adequately motivated and provided with the requisite remuneration and incentives, it would balance their desire to go outside, and rather play in the Glo Premier league.”
He also suggested to the GFA to discourage club officials from protesting against what he described as unqualified players.
Explaining, he said, prior to the starting of the league, all clubs advertised their registered players and a dead line was given for club management to query those deemed to be unqualified to register and play in the Premier league.
“What it meant was that, if there was any problem on any of the registered players, clubs would raise objection. As it were , it appears there was no objection regarding unqualified players because no team raised any objection on any of them.
He pointed out that fixing a minimum salary for players would not only reduce their movements to other Premier league clubs, but would also motivate them to offer their best to improve the standard of play.
“The GFA should find a way of deciding with the clubs what should be the minimum salary for players. Their salary should be attractive enough to prevent those yearning to go outside at all cost to play for foreign clubs to stay a bit longer and play in the country. This will make the league more exciting to entice fans into the stadium” he explained.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on how to improve standards in the Premier league, Nana Yaw Owusu noted, “the standard of play counts in soccer in enticing fans into the stadium, but as key players get attractive offers from foreign clubs and leave the country midway when the Premier league starts, or is about to start, it reduces the interest that fans have in attending matches. It is therefore important for club management to pay their players well and instil a sense of nationalism in them.”
He said, “once players are adequately motivated and provided with the requisite remuneration and incentives, it would balance their desire to go outside, and rather play in the Glo Premier league.”
He also suggested to the GFA to discourage club officials from protesting against what he described as unqualified players.
Explaining, he said, prior to the starting of the league, all clubs advertised their registered players and a dead line was given for club management to query those deemed to be unqualified to register and play in the Premier league.
“What it meant was that, if there was any problem on any of the registered players, clubs would raise objection. As it were , it appears there was no objection regarding unqualified players because no team raised any objection on any of them.
Friday, October 23, 2009
14 CHILDREN RECEIVE FREE HEART SURGERY (PAGE 25, OCT 23)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
Fourteen children, suffering from various cardio vascular diseases, have benefited from a free open-heart surgery performed at the accident and emergency centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The surgery was performed by a team of 32 specialists from the Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States of America, in collaboration with their counterparts at KATH.
The team included Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists and volunteers among others, who paid for their own airfares.
All the children including three who have already been discharged are responding to treatment.
The others, including a 13-year-old girl, who were still at the hospital at the time of going to the press, are likely to be discharged today, according to the leader of the team, Dr. Francis Fynn-Thompson.
The beneficiaries who reside in various parts of the country, were among others who were screened by the medical team when they arrived in the country last week end.
Since the exercise started three years ago, the hearts specialist from Boston Children Hospital and their KATH counterparts, have provided free heart surgery to about 44 Ghanaian children and others from the West African sub region.
According to Dr Fynn-Thompson, who took newsmen around to see the conditions of some of the patients, each of the patients would have paid $8000 for the operation.
He said patients who were operated since the exercise started always come for review " and are all doing well".
He said the team spends about $70,000.00 on each mission, and in terms of medical equipment and supplies, they have spent a total of $1million.
He said all equipment brought in for the exercise are left behind to enhance further exercises in future.
On why they selected Ghana in general and Kumasi in particular, he said "we started this programme because we felt that there were a large number of children with congenital heart diseases who did not have access to specific care that we can provide in the US.
We felt that we could provide that type of care, and also use the opportunity to train local Ghanaian counterpart with the requisite skills to adequately cater for such children".
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, commended Dr Fynn- Thompson and his team for their humanitarian gesture, saying "their presence is always seen as a blessing because we cannot imagine what would have happened to the children who had benefited from their gesture so far".
Fourteen children, suffering from various cardio vascular diseases, have benefited from a free open-heart surgery performed at the accident and emergency centre at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The surgery was performed by a team of 32 specialists from the Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States of America, in collaboration with their counterparts at KATH.
The team included Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists and volunteers among others, who paid for their own airfares.
All the children including three who have already been discharged are responding to treatment.
The others, including a 13-year-old girl, who were still at the hospital at the time of going to the press, are likely to be discharged today, according to the leader of the team, Dr. Francis Fynn-Thompson.
The beneficiaries who reside in various parts of the country, were among others who were screened by the medical team when they arrived in the country last week end.
Since the exercise started three years ago, the hearts specialist from Boston Children Hospital and their KATH counterparts, have provided free heart surgery to about 44 Ghanaian children and others from the West African sub region.
According to Dr Fynn-Thompson, who took newsmen around to see the conditions of some of the patients, each of the patients would have paid $8000 for the operation.
He said patients who were operated since the exercise started always come for review " and are all doing well".
He said the team spends about $70,000.00 on each mission, and in terms of medical equipment and supplies, they have spent a total of $1million.
He said all equipment brought in for the exercise are left behind to enhance further exercises in future.
On why they selected Ghana in general and Kumasi in particular, he said "we started this programme because we felt that there were a large number of children with congenital heart diseases who did not have access to specific care that we can provide in the US.
We felt that we could provide that type of care, and also use the opportunity to train local Ghanaian counterpart with the requisite skills to adequately cater for such children".
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, commended Dr Fynn- Thompson and his team for their humanitarian gesture, saying "their presence is always seen as a blessing because we cannot imagine what would have happened to the children who had benefited from their gesture so far".
Thursday, October 22, 2009
KINDERGARTEN GIRL KILLED BY 207 BENZ BUS (OCT 22, Pge 30)
A FIVE-year-old kindergarten girl died on the spot when a 207 Mercedes Benz bus ran over her at Asafo in Kumasi about five weeks ago.
She got trapped by the back tyres of the bus and smashed her head. The girl, an only child of her parents met her untimely death from the bus which was full of passengers.
The accident occurred behind the Neoplan Station which is one of the commercial hubs in the Kumasi metropolis.
The bus had just taken off from the Neoplan Station about a minute earlier, and was ascending a hill on the single lane adjacent to the station, while the deceased and her elder brother were on their way to buy food from a vendor at the station.
As they descended the road, they walked on the shoulders and passed by a number of Neoplan buses which had been parked along the road.
Just before they got to the food vendor, they attempted to cross to the other side of the road and the brother managed to do so on time. Unfortunately for the little girl who comes from Feyiase in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region, while trying to cross the road, the driver of the Benz bus which was approaching did not see her early enough to stop for her.
The drivers park their buses along the single lane road, adjacent to the station and other areas at Asafo. When their passengers alight, they leave the buses on these busy roads for hours.
This selfish attitude forces motorists and pedestrians to compete for the little space left, creating a lot of inconveniences which sometimes lead to fatal accidents.
Pedestrians, especially minors, who want to cross from one end of the road to the other at areas where the buses have taken over the roads are always at the mercy of drivers.
Apart from washing of vehicles on the Asafo roads, faulty vehicles are also repaired there. This situation causes spillage of oil onto the road.
The executive of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at the Asafo Neoplan Station have been notified on countless occasions about how their operations undermined road traffic regulations, especially the numerous accidents that results from the wrong parking of their buses at Asafo .
Anytime such fatal accident which could be traced to the door steps of drivers of the Neoplan Station occured at Asafo, officials from both the KMA and MTTU rush there, just to save their faces.
Under Act 462 section 79 of the KMA bye-laws, “no person shall spill oil on any road in the Metropolis”
On wrongful parking of vehicles. the KMA bye-laws state that, “every driver of a motor vehicle shall park his motor vehicle in the lorry park indicated to him“.
“Any person contravening any of the provisions of these bye-laws, “ according to the KMA “ shall be guilty on an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of ¢ 100,000.00 or in default, to a term of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months”.
When contacted on what the KMA was doing to curb the menace of the Neoplan Station drivers, the Transport Officer, Mr Atta Boafo said, the decongestion which started in earnest at the Central Business District would soon be extended to the Neoplan station.
She got trapped by the back tyres of the bus and smashed her head. The girl, an only child of her parents met her untimely death from the bus which was full of passengers.
The accident occurred behind the Neoplan Station which is one of the commercial hubs in the Kumasi metropolis.
The bus had just taken off from the Neoplan Station about a minute earlier, and was ascending a hill on the single lane adjacent to the station, while the deceased and her elder brother were on their way to buy food from a vendor at the station.
As they descended the road, they walked on the shoulders and passed by a number of Neoplan buses which had been parked along the road.
Just before they got to the food vendor, they attempted to cross to the other side of the road and the brother managed to do so on time. Unfortunately for the little girl who comes from Feyiase in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region, while trying to cross the road, the driver of the Benz bus which was approaching did not see her early enough to stop for her.
The drivers park their buses along the single lane road, adjacent to the station and other areas at Asafo. When their passengers alight, they leave the buses on these busy roads for hours.
This selfish attitude forces motorists and pedestrians to compete for the little space left, creating a lot of inconveniences which sometimes lead to fatal accidents.
Pedestrians, especially minors, who want to cross from one end of the road to the other at areas where the buses have taken over the roads are always at the mercy of drivers.
Apart from washing of vehicles on the Asafo roads, faulty vehicles are also repaired there. This situation causes spillage of oil onto the road.
The executive of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at the Asafo Neoplan Station have been notified on countless occasions about how their operations undermined road traffic regulations, especially the numerous accidents that results from the wrong parking of their buses at Asafo .
Anytime such fatal accident which could be traced to the door steps of drivers of the Neoplan Station occured at Asafo, officials from both the KMA and MTTU rush there, just to save their faces.
Under Act 462 section 79 of the KMA bye-laws, “no person shall spill oil on any road in the Metropolis”
On wrongful parking of vehicles. the KMA bye-laws state that, “every driver of a motor vehicle shall park his motor vehicle in the lorry park indicated to him“.
“Any person contravening any of the provisions of these bye-laws, “ according to the KMA “ shall be guilty on an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of ¢ 100,000.00 or in default, to a term of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months”.
When contacted on what the KMA was doing to curb the menace of the Neoplan Station drivers, the Transport Officer, Mr Atta Boafo said, the decongestion which started in earnest at the Central Business District would soon be extended to the Neoplan station.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL UNDER PRESSURE (PAGE 30)
INADEQUATE facilities and logistics at public health institutions in the Kumasi metropolis have put pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), making it diffficult for medical workers there to deliver to the satisfaction of patients.
It is, therefore, important at this time for other health institutions in the metropolis to be adequately equipped to enable them complement KATH in providing quality health services.
The acting Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, told the Daily Graphic that unlike Accra where the 37 Military Hospital, the Police Hospital, the Ridge Hospital, the La Polyclinic, among others were adequately staffed with medical workers, logistics and facilities to complement the work of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in its healthcare delivery, Kumasi had only KATH.
He, therefore, appealed to the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to initiate projects that would strengthen public health institutions in the metropolis.
"When I took office, I realised that there were serious challenges affecting quality healthcare at both the KATH Polyclinic and laboratories," he stated, adding that problems at both places needed to be addressed, urgently to ensure that medical workers provided the kind of services their patients needed from them.
Prof. Adjei said these were two critical areas which needed serious attention, saying the polyclinic was always choked with patients, while the laboratories were not functioning due to the lack of reagents, adding that some of the equipment at the laboratories had also broken down, making it impossible for them to operate effectively.
He said due to inadequate logistics and facilities at the other public health institutions such as the Sofoline, Tafo, Manhyia and Agogo hospitals, even common malaria was sent to KATH for treatment, thus swelling the number of patients.
"This is affecting the quality of service delivery at KATH because it is the only public health institution with the capacity and medical staff to provide the requisite healthcare services for patients," he stated.
He said the problem at the polyclinic was the delay in serving patients and gave the assurance that his office was looking for means of addressing human resource constraints base to enhance quick service delivery.
It is, therefore, important at this time for other health institutions in the metropolis to be adequately equipped to enable them complement KATH in providing quality health services.
The acting Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, told the Daily Graphic that unlike Accra where the 37 Military Hospital, the Police Hospital, the Ridge Hospital, the La Polyclinic, among others were adequately staffed with medical workers, logistics and facilities to complement the work of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in its healthcare delivery, Kumasi had only KATH.
He, therefore, appealed to the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to initiate projects that would strengthen public health institutions in the metropolis.
"When I took office, I realised that there were serious challenges affecting quality healthcare at both the KATH Polyclinic and laboratories," he stated, adding that problems at both places needed to be addressed, urgently to ensure that medical workers provided the kind of services their patients needed from them.
Prof. Adjei said these were two critical areas which needed serious attention, saying the polyclinic was always choked with patients, while the laboratories were not functioning due to the lack of reagents, adding that some of the equipment at the laboratories had also broken down, making it impossible for them to operate effectively.
He said due to inadequate logistics and facilities at the other public health institutions such as the Sofoline, Tafo, Manhyia and Agogo hospitals, even common malaria was sent to KATH for treatment, thus swelling the number of patients.
"This is affecting the quality of service delivery at KATH because it is the only public health institution with the capacity and medical staff to provide the requisite healthcare services for patients," he stated.
He said the problem at the polyclinic was the delay in serving patients and gave the assurance that his office was looking for means of addressing human resource constraints base to enhance quick service delivery.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Story: Kweku Tsen & A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Akropong
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday assured Ghanaians that his government would never renege on its electoral promise of transforming the economy and ensuring qualitative improvement in the material conditions of the people.
He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to remain steadfast and calm while the government continued to put its act together in order to place the economy on an even keel to address their social concerns and problems.
Addressing the chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area at Akropong during a courtesy call on the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, President Mills said the government had already identified the crucial sectors of the economy which needed immediate and prompt attention, adding that the necessary measures had been instituted to remove and correct the distortions in those sectors.
The call on the Okuapehene formed part of a three-day official visit by the President to the Eastern Region, during which he is expected to spell out policies and programmes designed by the government to improve the lot of the people, as well as ascertain at first-hand the problems militating against their social advancement.
According to President Mills, the contradictions in the economy which the government inherited from the previous administration were being resolved to create the necessary conducive environment which would encourage, motivate and attract direct foreign investment into the country.
He explained that the implementation of those measures needed to be gradual to ensure that the nation derived maximum benefit and was not hoodwinked by individuals and groups of investors.
President Mills further explained that transactions which the government would undertake on behalf of the people of Ghana during his term of office would be very open and transparent, bereft of graft, nepotism and favouritism.
He said as a result of increasing population growth, the government was duty bound to expand educational facilities to offer more opportunities to every Ghanaian, since the nation needed a strong corps of skilled workers to ensure its forward march and development.
He pointed out that the government was also required to find appropriate resources to shore up the private sector to expand its capacity which, in a way, would boost productivity and also encourage the players in that sector to offer more employment opportunities to the people, especially the youth.
He thanked the people for electing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into political office during the last general election and stressed that the government would not shirk its responsibility to address their plight.
President Mills called on the people to do away with all divisive tendencies which had the potential of polarising the country and sowing seeds of bitterness and animosity among the people.
The Okuapehene thanked President Mills for the courtesy call, stressing that the President had, during the short period of time that he had administered the affairs of the country, shown beyond every reasonable doubt that he was a man of humility and great vision.
He said the people in the area would rally behind the government to ensure that it prosecuted its development agenda intended to eradicate poverty from society and ensure the social renewal of the people.
President Mills was accompanied by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, his deputy, Mr Baba Jamal, as well as other high-ranking government officials.
The President also addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Manya and Yilo Krobo Traditional areas in Somanya.
He said the country needed a common platform for the articulation of national concerns that would address the weaknesses in the economy and solve the myriad of social problems facing the people.
He explained that the people could not afford the luxury of concentrating all their efforts and energies on issues which divided them, instead of focusing on those which would advance the national cause.
President Mills said the polarisation of the country along political lines had the detrimental effect of creating bad blood among the people and stalling unity and harmony in society.
The acting Konor of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Tumeh, commended President Mills for the visit and implored him to provide the area with the necessary infrastructure which would open up the local economy and offer jobs to the people.
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday assured Ghanaians that his government would never renege on its electoral promise of transforming the economy and ensuring qualitative improvement in the material conditions of the people.
He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to remain steadfast and calm while the government continued to put its act together in order to place the economy on an even keel to address their social concerns and problems.
Addressing the chiefs and people of the Akuapem Traditional Area at Akropong during a courtesy call on the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, President Mills said the government had already identified the crucial sectors of the economy which needed immediate and prompt attention, adding that the necessary measures had been instituted to remove and correct the distortions in those sectors.
The call on the Okuapehene formed part of a three-day official visit by the President to the Eastern Region, during which he is expected to spell out policies and programmes designed by the government to improve the lot of the people, as well as ascertain at first-hand the problems militating against their social advancement.
According to President Mills, the contradictions in the economy which the government inherited from the previous administration were being resolved to create the necessary conducive environment which would encourage, motivate and attract direct foreign investment into the country.
He explained that the implementation of those measures needed to be gradual to ensure that the nation derived maximum benefit and was not hoodwinked by individuals and groups of investors.
President Mills further explained that transactions which the government would undertake on behalf of the people of Ghana during his term of office would be very open and transparent, bereft of graft, nepotism and favouritism.
He said as a result of increasing population growth, the government was duty bound to expand educational facilities to offer more opportunities to every Ghanaian, since the nation needed a strong corps of skilled workers to ensure its forward march and development.
He pointed out that the government was also required to find appropriate resources to shore up the private sector to expand its capacity which, in a way, would boost productivity and also encourage the players in that sector to offer more employment opportunities to the people, especially the youth.
He thanked the people for electing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into political office during the last general election and stressed that the government would not shirk its responsibility to address their plight.
President Mills called on the people to do away with all divisive tendencies which had the potential of polarising the country and sowing seeds of bitterness and animosity among the people.
The Okuapehene thanked President Mills for the courtesy call, stressing that the President had, during the short period of time that he had administered the affairs of the country, shown beyond every reasonable doubt that he was a man of humility and great vision.
He said the people in the area would rally behind the government to ensure that it prosecuted its development agenda intended to eradicate poverty from society and ensure the social renewal of the people.
President Mills was accompanied by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, his deputy, Mr Baba Jamal, as well as other high-ranking government officials.
The President also addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Manya and Yilo Krobo Traditional areas in Somanya.
He said the country needed a common platform for the articulation of national concerns that would address the weaknesses in the economy and solve the myriad of social problems facing the people.
He explained that the people could not afford the luxury of concentrating all their efforts and energies on issues which divided them, instead of focusing on those which would advance the national cause.
President Mills said the polarisation of the country along political lines had the detrimental effect of creating bad blood among the people and stalling unity and harmony in society.
The acting Konor of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Tumeh, commended President Mills for the visit and implored him to provide the area with the necessary infrastructure which would open up the local economy and offer jobs to the people.
COCOA FARMERS HAIL DEAL (1B, OCT 16)
Story: Kofi Yeboah
THE Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (GCCSFA) has described the recent cocoa price increase and other incentive packages announced by the government for cocoa farmers as adequate and commendable.
This is contrary to claims in some quarters that the new producer price of cocoa announced by the government last Wednesday is inadequate.
“Cocoa farmers are happy about the new producer price. It is good for us,” the acting President of the association, Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, told the Daily Graphic in a telephone interview yesterday.
Last Wednesday, the government announced a new producer price of GH¢138 per 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa, representing a 35.29 per cent increase over the previous price.
This means Ghanaian cocoa farmers will earn GH¢2,208 per tonne of cocoa, representing 71.06 per cent of the world selling price.
The government further announced the establishment of a social security fund for cocoa farmers with seed money of GH¢15 million.
However, some cocoa farmers are not enthused by the package because, according to them, the new producer price is inadequate, compared to what pertains in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.
Responding to those concerns, Alhaji Bukari said the critics were myopic because if they could look far enough and consider the incentive package, they would realise that the government had given cocoa farmers a good deal.
He said the new bonus, compulsory scholarship for children of cocoa farmers and the pension scheme for cocoa farmers announced by the government were packages that would help boost cocoa production in the country.
Alhaji Bukari urged the government to involve cocoa farmers in the mass cocoa spraying exercise to make it more successful.
He admitted that some cocoa farmers had been smuggling the produce outside the country and expressed the association’s commitment to help address the problem.
Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world after Cote d’Ivoire and the country is seeking to increase its production from the current level of about 650,000 metric tonnes per annum to one million metric tonnes.
In a related development, cocoa farmers in the Western Region have welcomed the new producer price and the novelty insurance package, reports Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu from Takoradi.
However, they said the 35 per cent price increase was below their expectation.
The farmers warned that given the current price difference between what pertained in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, coupled with the rate of exchange of the CFA against the cedi, the smuggling of cocoa along the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border might increase.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, a section of the farmers in the region said the government had demonstrated its readiness to help them to secure a good price for their produce but they wished that the price had been pushed to GH¢150 instead of GH¢138.
Cocoa farmers in Akontombra and other Sefwi areas, Mampon-Abotariye, Adum-Bansu, Nzema and Amenfi areas commended the government but wished the price had been higher than the GH¢138 offered them.
THE Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (GCCSFA) has described the recent cocoa price increase and other incentive packages announced by the government for cocoa farmers as adequate and commendable.
This is contrary to claims in some quarters that the new producer price of cocoa announced by the government last Wednesday is inadequate.
“Cocoa farmers are happy about the new producer price. It is good for us,” the acting President of the association, Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, told the Daily Graphic in a telephone interview yesterday.
Last Wednesday, the government announced a new producer price of GH¢138 per 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa, representing a 35.29 per cent increase over the previous price.
This means Ghanaian cocoa farmers will earn GH¢2,208 per tonne of cocoa, representing 71.06 per cent of the world selling price.
The government further announced the establishment of a social security fund for cocoa farmers with seed money of GH¢15 million.
However, some cocoa farmers are not enthused by the package because, according to them, the new producer price is inadequate, compared to what pertains in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.
Responding to those concerns, Alhaji Bukari said the critics were myopic because if they could look far enough and consider the incentive package, they would realise that the government had given cocoa farmers a good deal.
He said the new bonus, compulsory scholarship for children of cocoa farmers and the pension scheme for cocoa farmers announced by the government were packages that would help boost cocoa production in the country.
Alhaji Bukari urged the government to involve cocoa farmers in the mass cocoa spraying exercise to make it more successful.
He admitted that some cocoa farmers had been smuggling the produce outside the country and expressed the association’s commitment to help address the problem.
Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world after Cote d’Ivoire and the country is seeking to increase its production from the current level of about 650,000 metric tonnes per annum to one million metric tonnes.
In a related development, cocoa farmers in the Western Region have welcomed the new producer price and the novelty insurance package, reports Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu from Takoradi.
However, they said the 35 per cent price increase was below their expectation.
The farmers warned that given the current price difference between what pertained in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, coupled with the rate of exchange of the CFA against the cedi, the smuggling of cocoa along the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border might increase.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, a section of the farmers in the region said the government had demonstrated its readiness to help them to secure a good price for their produce but they wished that the price had been pushed to GH¢150 instead of GH¢138.
Cocoa farmers in Akontombra and other Sefwi areas, Mampon-Abotariye, Adum-Bansu, Nzema and Amenfi areas commended the government but wished the price had been higher than the GH¢138 offered them.
FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY TOUR BEGINS (IC, OCT 16)
PRESIDENT J.E.A. Mills yesterday received the FIFA World Cup trophy at a ceremony at the Osu Castle, expressing the hope that the Black Stars would win football’s golden icon at next year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
“I am giving this trophy back to you, but on loan,” President Mills told the FIFA representative, Mr Emmanuel Maradas, who presented the golden trophy to the head of state, surrounded by some of Ghana’s retired football greats. Yesterday’s ceremony officially commences the three-day FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour organised by Coca-Cola, official FIFA World Cup sponsor.
On behalf of the FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, Mr Maradas congratulated President Mills on Ghana's qualification for the World Cup for the second time.
He said the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is a celebration for all Africans, not just the host country.
Tomorrow morning, at the Accra International Conference Centre, hundreds of selected football fans will have a rare close view of the real solid gold trophy as FIFA and Coca-Cola take world football's greatest prize on its longest ever 225-day global tour of 86 countries, including a visit to every African country.
“I am giving this trophy back to you, but on loan,” President Mills told the FIFA representative, Mr Emmanuel Maradas, who presented the golden trophy to the head of state, surrounded by some of Ghana’s retired football greats. Yesterday’s ceremony officially commences the three-day FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour organised by Coca-Cola, official FIFA World Cup sponsor.
On behalf of the FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, Mr Maradas congratulated President Mills on Ghana's qualification for the World Cup for the second time.
He said the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is a celebration for all Africans, not just the host country.
Tomorrow morning, at the Accra International Conference Centre, hundreds of selected football fans will have a rare close view of the real solid gold trophy as FIFA and Coca-Cola take world football's greatest prize on its longest ever 225-day global tour of 86 countries, including a visit to every African country.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
INITIATE PROJECTS TO ACCELERATE GROWTH (PAGE 30, OCT 15)
THE Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong, has urged members of the various sub-metropolitan councils in the metropolis to bury all their political differences and actively support the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to initiate programmes that will accelerate the pace of development in the metropolis.
Addressing members of the 10 sub-metropolitan councils, comprising 250 members, just before the councils were inaugurated, Mr Sarpong said “governance is a collective responsibility and needs the efforts of all and sundry”.
He, therefore, urged them to collectively agree on the development challenges facing their respective sub-metros, identify factors causing development challenges and mobilise efforts to deal with them.
The sub-metropolitan councils were made up of Bantama, Suame, Oforikrom, Asawasi, Kwadaso, Tafo, Asokwa, Nhyiaso, Subin and Manhyia.
The councils in the Kumasi metropolis were dissolved about six years ago, making it impossible for the KMA to function effectively.
Mr Sarpong said the inauguration of the sub-metro councils “marks a critical phase in the life of the KMA as it sets itself up to deepen decentralisation in the county, especially in the Kumasi metropolis”.
He noted that, “the absence of the councils made implementation of Government, assembly decisions and policies a challenge”, stressing that “issues ranging from inadequate staffing, low revenue generation, poor sanitation and unauthorised structures are a few of the challenges facing the sub-metro offices”.
He pledged to provide the councils with all the necessary office accommodation, equipment and logistics to facilitate their work.
Mr Sarpong advised them to be guided by the rules and regulations that backed their operations and work according to the provisions in the Legislative Instrument by seeking guidance where necessary.
Inaugurating the councils, the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku–Manu urged members of the council to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the public.
“You need to consider your positions as servants of the people and avoid lording yourselves over your constituents. You need to listen more to the people by involving them in formulating policies and programmes to address common problems,” he advised.
He said through such initiatives, they would be able to secure support of their constituents, which would “enable them consider programmes and projects undertaken by the councils as their own”.
The regional minister advised them to be “honest, dedicated and exhibit high sense of commitment in their approach to their mandate”.
He also urged them to co-operate with their directors and other technical officers assigned to their councils and avoid issues likely to “detract the councils from achieving their respective objectives”.
With such unity of purpose, the sub-metros would be able to deliver to the expectation of the people, he stated.
A Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Frank Amoah, swore members of the council into office after the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, had inaugurated the councils.
Addressing members of the 10 sub-metropolitan councils, comprising 250 members, just before the councils were inaugurated, Mr Sarpong said “governance is a collective responsibility and needs the efforts of all and sundry”.
He, therefore, urged them to collectively agree on the development challenges facing their respective sub-metros, identify factors causing development challenges and mobilise efforts to deal with them.
The sub-metropolitan councils were made up of Bantama, Suame, Oforikrom, Asawasi, Kwadaso, Tafo, Asokwa, Nhyiaso, Subin and Manhyia.
The councils in the Kumasi metropolis were dissolved about six years ago, making it impossible for the KMA to function effectively.
Mr Sarpong said the inauguration of the sub-metro councils “marks a critical phase in the life of the KMA as it sets itself up to deepen decentralisation in the county, especially in the Kumasi metropolis”.
He noted that, “the absence of the councils made implementation of Government, assembly decisions and policies a challenge”, stressing that “issues ranging from inadequate staffing, low revenue generation, poor sanitation and unauthorised structures are a few of the challenges facing the sub-metro offices”.
He pledged to provide the councils with all the necessary office accommodation, equipment and logistics to facilitate their work.
Mr Sarpong advised them to be guided by the rules and regulations that backed their operations and work according to the provisions in the Legislative Instrument by seeking guidance where necessary.
Inaugurating the councils, the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku–Manu urged members of the council to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the public.
“You need to consider your positions as servants of the people and avoid lording yourselves over your constituents. You need to listen more to the people by involving them in formulating policies and programmes to address common problems,” he advised.
He said through such initiatives, they would be able to secure support of their constituents, which would “enable them consider programmes and projects undertaken by the councils as their own”.
The regional minister advised them to be “honest, dedicated and exhibit high sense of commitment in their approach to their mandate”.
He also urged them to co-operate with their directors and other technical officers assigned to their councils and avoid issues likely to “detract the councils from achieving their respective objectives”.
With such unity of purpose, the sub-metros would be able to deliver to the expectation of the people, he stated.
A Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Frank Amoah, swore members of the council into office after the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, had inaugurated the councils.
Monday, October 12, 2009
SUSTAINING SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME — Govt must make agriculture attractive (PAGE 11, OCT 9)
THE General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has urged the government to make agriculture attractive for it to support and sustain the Ghana School Feeding Programme and the textile industry .
“GAWU is totally convinced that agriculture without an industrial strategy linked to it , is not the way of development, nor can Ghana’s economy grow to the benefit of the people of Ghana through an export-led growth that is dependent on agriculture and other primary commodities”,
The General Secretary of the GAWU, Mr Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, who made these remarks said if the government could make any strides at revamping the national economy and make the better Ghana slogan worthwhile, “then we should reduce the drudgery of agriculture and not only make farming more attractive to the youth, but should also revamp industries and make them more viable and productive”.
Addressing members of the Ashanti Regional branch of GAWU in Kumasi as part of their golden jubilee celebration , Mr Ofei-Nknasha noted , “countries depending on agricultural and other primary commodities for export are most vulnerable to crises that are not their own making”, , stressing that “if we are to make any significant gains from trade and learn any lesson from the global crises, then industrialisation is necessary”.
About 600 members from various departments of the GAWU attended the golden jubilee celebration which had the theme “50 years of organising agricultural workers for development, achievements, challenges and prospects”
The theme was adopted to enable the members to effectively reflect on the strength and weaknesses of the organisation and devise a more improved means of enhancing its contribution towards the country’s development.
Recalling events of the past 50 years and the numerous challenges encountered by both industry and agriculture, he said ,GAWU grew from the effective development of the State Farms, Workers Brigade and other state interventions which saw an accelerated development of industries such as the bast fibre, shoe , meat and canneries as well as vegetable mills paper production mills , and textile industries.
He attributed the downward trend of both agriculture and industry to the combined effect of “massive retrenchment of labour and the drastic reduction in formal employment associated with the sap which cut down the membership to less than 20,000 in the mid nineties”.
Mr Offei-Nkansah pointed out that GAWU was now at the forefront of campaigning for industrialisation because it was the backbone of agriculture .
“Domestic and international trade policies that preserve domestic markets for domestic producers with particular reference to rice, poultry, especially guinea fowl, should be vigorously pursued ,” he said.
He said it was equally important for the government to “review the interim economic partnership agreement with the active participation of civil society representatives so as to remove many unjust clauses which may impact negatively on Ghana’s economic and social development ”.
Mr Ofei -Nkansah also urged the government to actively support small scale farmers to produce more to enable the country to become sufficient in food production as well as create surpluses for export to countries in the West African sub-region.
“GAWU is totally convinced that agriculture without an industrial strategy linked to it , is not the way of development, nor can Ghana’s economy grow to the benefit of the people of Ghana through an export-led growth that is dependent on agriculture and other primary commodities”,
The General Secretary of the GAWU, Mr Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, who made these remarks said if the government could make any strides at revamping the national economy and make the better Ghana slogan worthwhile, “then we should reduce the drudgery of agriculture and not only make farming more attractive to the youth, but should also revamp industries and make them more viable and productive”.
Addressing members of the Ashanti Regional branch of GAWU in Kumasi as part of their golden jubilee celebration , Mr Ofei-Nknasha noted , “countries depending on agricultural and other primary commodities for export are most vulnerable to crises that are not their own making”, , stressing that “if we are to make any significant gains from trade and learn any lesson from the global crises, then industrialisation is necessary”.
About 600 members from various departments of the GAWU attended the golden jubilee celebration which had the theme “50 years of organising agricultural workers for development, achievements, challenges and prospects”
The theme was adopted to enable the members to effectively reflect on the strength and weaknesses of the organisation and devise a more improved means of enhancing its contribution towards the country’s development.
Recalling events of the past 50 years and the numerous challenges encountered by both industry and agriculture, he said ,GAWU grew from the effective development of the State Farms, Workers Brigade and other state interventions which saw an accelerated development of industries such as the bast fibre, shoe , meat and canneries as well as vegetable mills paper production mills , and textile industries.
He attributed the downward trend of both agriculture and industry to the combined effect of “massive retrenchment of labour and the drastic reduction in formal employment associated with the sap which cut down the membership to less than 20,000 in the mid nineties”.
Mr Offei-Nkansah pointed out that GAWU was now at the forefront of campaigning for industrialisation because it was the backbone of agriculture .
“Domestic and international trade policies that preserve domestic markets for domestic producers with particular reference to rice, poultry, especially guinea fowl, should be vigorously pursued ,” he said.
He said it was equally important for the government to “review the interim economic partnership agreement with the active participation of civil society representatives so as to remove many unjust clauses which may impact negatively on Ghana’s economic and social development ”.
Mr Ofei -Nkansah also urged the government to actively support small scale farmers to produce more to enable the country to become sufficient in food production as well as create surpluses for export to countries in the West African sub-region.
SUPPLIERS OF PIRATED ICT PRODUCTS WARNED (PAGE 11, OCTOBER 7)
STUDENTS from four universities in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs who offer Information and Comunications Technology (ICT) programmes have threatened to blacklist suppliers who sell pirated ICT products to their institutions.
According to the students, the procurement of pirated products did not only undermine efficiency in accessing and storing data, but also prevented them from operating in a more effective way.
Their threat followed a presentation by officials from Microsoft during a seminar in Kumasi that sought to build their capacity on the effects of using pirated ICT software and how to acquire licenses to enhance their operations.
Among the institutions whose ICT students participated in the seminar were the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Kumasi campus of the University of Education, Winneba the Garden City University College, and the Christian Service University College.
In his presentation, the West African Education Account Manager of Microsoft , Mr Musa Ali Baba, urged the students to be more focused on their ICT programme to enable them explore their potentials to the maximum and become versatile in the technology.
He assured them of the commitment of Microsoft to build the capacity of the youth through regular education to enable them acquire the needed skills that would enable them to initiate their own programmes to enhance their operations.
Mr Ali Baba also advised them on the need to acquire the requisite licence that would enable them subscribe to programmes that would enhance their operations.
He said acquiring licenses did not only avoid running pirated software and reduce administrative costs in dealing with Microsoft, but also keeps them abreast with new technologies thereby getting value for all their transactions.
“Acquiring licences also provide you smarter tools for learning, standardise software for students and also help students to use software on their personal computers and that of their institutions”, he further advised.
He therefore charged them to expose all distributors who offered them pirated software and also acquire certificates of authenticity to ensure that the right software copies were always procured.
Earlier, Mr Victor Diali, also a West African Representative of Microsoft urged the students to be adventurous in their ICT operations to enable them open new grounds.
He said being adventurous had not only propelled Microsoft to greater heights in ICT programmes, but had also facilitated the introduction of a new software capable of storing and protecting data, which is priceless and therefore preventing it from getting into wrong hands was very important, he added.
According to the students, the procurement of pirated products did not only undermine efficiency in accessing and storing data, but also prevented them from operating in a more effective way.
Their threat followed a presentation by officials from Microsoft during a seminar in Kumasi that sought to build their capacity on the effects of using pirated ICT software and how to acquire licenses to enhance their operations.
Among the institutions whose ICT students participated in the seminar were the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Kumasi campus of the University of Education, Winneba the Garden City University College, and the Christian Service University College.
In his presentation, the West African Education Account Manager of Microsoft , Mr Musa Ali Baba, urged the students to be more focused on their ICT programme to enable them explore their potentials to the maximum and become versatile in the technology.
He assured them of the commitment of Microsoft to build the capacity of the youth through regular education to enable them acquire the needed skills that would enable them to initiate their own programmes to enhance their operations.
Mr Ali Baba also advised them on the need to acquire the requisite licence that would enable them subscribe to programmes that would enhance their operations.
He said acquiring licenses did not only avoid running pirated software and reduce administrative costs in dealing with Microsoft, but also keeps them abreast with new technologies thereby getting value for all their transactions.
“Acquiring licences also provide you smarter tools for learning, standardise software for students and also help students to use software on their personal computers and that of their institutions”, he further advised.
He therefore charged them to expose all distributors who offered them pirated software and also acquire certificates of authenticity to ensure that the right software copies were always procured.
Earlier, Mr Victor Diali, also a West African Representative of Microsoft urged the students to be adventurous in their ICT operations to enable them open new grounds.
He said being adventurous had not only propelled Microsoft to greater heights in ICT programmes, but had also facilitated the introduction of a new software capable of storing and protecting data, which is priceless and therefore preventing it from getting into wrong hands was very important, he added.
KATH TO SANCTION STAFF FOR LUKEWARM ATTITUDE (PAGE 38, OCTOBER 8)
THE acting Chief Executive of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Professor Ohene Adjei, has threatened to sanction medical staff who exhibit lukewarm and apathetic attitude towards patients who seek medical services at the hospital.
He said while his administration was eager to reward staff who demonstrated exemplary conduct and output that would enhance quality delivery of services, they would not hesitate to apply the appropriate sanctions on erring and non-performing staff.
Addressing directors at the KATH as part of the 2009 mid-year performance review workshop in Kumasi, Professor Adjei said “my vision is to create an atmosphere which will make KATH a health centre which provides quality health care to the community. Improving service delivery is therefore going to be the major pre-occupation of my management”.
The mid-year performance review workshop provided a platform for the management of KATH to take stock of their operations and address their shortfalls, thereby enhancing quality health care delivery.
Professor Adjei pointed out that in recent times, the KATH had “seen some significant improvements in the spread and quality of facilities and infrastructure, and we can also boast some of the best medical brains in the country, but these do not necessarily result in better services for patients if the attitude of staff to duty is lukewarm and apathetic”.
Prof. Adjei said patients deserved better services than what they were getting now and therefore entreated the various directors of the KATH to devise and implement appropriate measures that would enable them to meet all challenges of patients.
As heads and managers, he said they were directly responsible for the output of their various units and directorates and urged them to instil discipline in their subordinates.
He pointed out that since they owed it a duty to go the extra mile to improve output and ensure better service delivery to their patients, there was the need for them to pursue excellence at their various workplaces.
Prof. Adjei stressed the need to collaborate with “anyone who is prepared to contribute his or her quota to the quality improvement drive of the hospital, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious inclinations” adding that “there will simply be no room for harassment or witch-hunting of any kind, but management will not tolerate indiscipline, laxity and ineptitude, because KATH can never move to the next level with poor work culture”.
He said while his administration was eager to reward staff who demonstrated exemplary conduct and output that would enhance quality delivery of services, they would not hesitate to apply the appropriate sanctions on erring and non-performing staff.
Addressing directors at the KATH as part of the 2009 mid-year performance review workshop in Kumasi, Professor Adjei said “my vision is to create an atmosphere which will make KATH a health centre which provides quality health care to the community. Improving service delivery is therefore going to be the major pre-occupation of my management”.
The mid-year performance review workshop provided a platform for the management of KATH to take stock of their operations and address their shortfalls, thereby enhancing quality health care delivery.
Professor Adjei pointed out that in recent times, the KATH had “seen some significant improvements in the spread and quality of facilities and infrastructure, and we can also boast some of the best medical brains in the country, but these do not necessarily result in better services for patients if the attitude of staff to duty is lukewarm and apathetic”.
Prof. Adjei said patients deserved better services than what they were getting now and therefore entreated the various directors of the KATH to devise and implement appropriate measures that would enable them to meet all challenges of patients.
As heads and managers, he said they were directly responsible for the output of their various units and directorates and urged them to instil discipline in their subordinates.
He pointed out that since they owed it a duty to go the extra mile to improve output and ensure better service delivery to their patients, there was the need for them to pursue excellence at their various workplaces.
Prof. Adjei stressed the need to collaborate with “anyone who is prepared to contribute his or her quota to the quality improvement drive of the hospital, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious inclinations” adding that “there will simply be no room for harassment or witch-hunting of any kind, but management will not tolerate indiscipline, laxity and ineptitude, because KATH can never move to the next level with poor work culture”.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
ESTHER — BEST MEDICAL STUDENT (MIRROR, LEAD STORY, OCT 3)
By George Ernest Asare
“Moments after my name was mentioned as the overall best student at the just-ended 16th Oath-swearing and induction ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, I felt very elated, and so were my mother and five siblings who had travelled from Accra to grace the occasion.
It was really a lovely moment, which will forever leave an indelible mark in my mind.” These were the words of Dr Esther Ofosu, who won the overall best Medical student award at the ceremony last Saturday.
She is now undertaking a two-year Housemanship at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
“When the results came, I was told that I had been adjudged the overall best student, and while waiting for confirmation, I plunged into prayers to ensure that I would really receive what I was told earlier and surely it came to pass, for which I am grateful to God,” she poured out her heart during an interview with The Mirror.
“With this feat, I am going to dedicate my whole life to serve the sick, especially the needy. I will provide as much as I can to those who need my help and I will do it with the best of my ability. After my Housemanship, I will choose a field that will enhance my service to the sick and needy, and with God’s guidance, nothing will come between me and my goal,” she assured.
Dr Ofosu, who sees her profession as a call by God, said she would never relent on her goal by serving God through the sick, saying “I will never allow my position to get into my head because it is only when I am able to help the sick that I will get my gratitude and satisfaction and I believe that God will help me to do what I want to do.”
After scoring grade A’s in six subjects and two B’s during the Senior Secondary Examination in 2001, Dr Ofosu, whose childhood dream was to become a medical officer, had a lot of options open to her at the university.
Apart from Medicine, she also had the opportunity to study Architecture, Civil Engineering and Pharmacy and with the prospects in such programmes, she became confused in making a choice.
“As a child, I was always telling my father that I would become a medical officer when I grew up, but with such a high score at the SSSCE, I was confused in making a final choice of a programme to be offered at the university, and it was at that point that my father, now deceased, reminded me of my childhood dream, prompting me to plunge into medicine.”
“Having lived up to expectation and the additional honour of being adjudged the overall best student in Medicine, I do not regret selecting medicine as my career,” she noted.
At the SSSCE level, Dr Ofosu scored grade A’s in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, Core Mathematics and Core Science and grade B’s in Elective Mathematics and Social Studies.
She won the heart of the audience, when she picked the overall best student in MB and ChB Final Part II awards and therefore went home with the proud Ghana Medical Association prize.
In all, 98 medical students, comprising 62 males and 36 females, graduated during the ceremony.
“I now love what I am doing, and am very much committed to my profession and therefore thank my father very much for that encouragement, which has now brought me to this level,” quipped Dr Ofosu.
On how she was able to achieve such feat, she said, “It was not easy at all because studying medicine at the university is a different ball game all together. It is totally different from studying at the senior high school level.
This is because you need to know how to study and what to study when offering medicine at the university. You also need to put into practice what you have learnt.
Again you have to sieve important information from books and apply it proficiently, and this puts a lot of pressure on you as a student, not only to excel but do the right thing all the time. This was a challenge, and it took some time for me to come to terms with studying medicine.”
She said when she became well versed in applying what she was learning, “I just kept moving on until I finally graduated.”
She explained that with the award, “I stand out as one of the best in Paediatrics, Medicine, Surgery, as well as Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
It also means that in every field, I am capable of performing to satisfaction.”
She said studying medicine “is not about what you know. God plays a very important role, so even though I studied very hard, I also made sure to pray regularly and invited God to guide me in all my programmes. I can, therefore, say that there was the hand of God in propelling me to achieve this feat, and I am most grateful to God for bringing me this far.”
She added, “I really wanted to graduate from the medical school with something, so I started praying for it very early, and God listened to my prayers, making me to obtain what I wanted.”
On the prospects of the award, she said “I hope it will motivate my colleagues at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High to focus on their academic programmes because with hard work, they can also excel. I also want to mentor the youth for them to appreciate the fact that they can achieve any goal they set their minds on, provided they work very hard.”
She prayed to God to continue guiding her to enable her to become one of the best medical officers in the country.
Dr Esther Ofosu was born at the Police Hospital in Accra 25 years ago to the late Samuel Baffour Ofosu, who was an agricultural researcher and Mrs Pricilla Ofosu, a businesswoman.
Being the third of six children, including three females, one of whom is a medical officer at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Dr Ofosu attended Morning Star Basic School in Accra, from where she went to Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School at Tanoso, near Kumasi.
She expressed gratitude to her parents, especially her father, who provided the needed foundation in life before departing to his creator. She was also grateful to her mother and siblings, as well as her fiancé, who is a pharmacist.
“He had provided the needed support since I met him seven years ago, and I cherish all he had done for me,” she noted.
She is preparing to tie the knot with him in November this year.
To her teachers at the basic school, as well as her headmistress at Yaa Asantewaa and her lecturers at the university, she asked for God’s blessings for them in all their endeavours.
“Moments after my name was mentioned as the overall best student at the just-ended 16th Oath-swearing and induction ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, I felt very elated, and so were my mother and five siblings who had travelled from Accra to grace the occasion.
It was really a lovely moment, which will forever leave an indelible mark in my mind.” These were the words of Dr Esther Ofosu, who won the overall best Medical student award at the ceremony last Saturday.
She is now undertaking a two-year Housemanship at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
“When the results came, I was told that I had been adjudged the overall best student, and while waiting for confirmation, I plunged into prayers to ensure that I would really receive what I was told earlier and surely it came to pass, for which I am grateful to God,” she poured out her heart during an interview with The Mirror.
“With this feat, I am going to dedicate my whole life to serve the sick, especially the needy. I will provide as much as I can to those who need my help and I will do it with the best of my ability. After my Housemanship, I will choose a field that will enhance my service to the sick and needy, and with God’s guidance, nothing will come between me and my goal,” she assured.
Dr Ofosu, who sees her profession as a call by God, said she would never relent on her goal by serving God through the sick, saying “I will never allow my position to get into my head because it is only when I am able to help the sick that I will get my gratitude and satisfaction and I believe that God will help me to do what I want to do.”
After scoring grade A’s in six subjects and two B’s during the Senior Secondary Examination in 2001, Dr Ofosu, whose childhood dream was to become a medical officer, had a lot of options open to her at the university.
Apart from Medicine, she also had the opportunity to study Architecture, Civil Engineering and Pharmacy and with the prospects in such programmes, she became confused in making a choice.
“As a child, I was always telling my father that I would become a medical officer when I grew up, but with such a high score at the SSSCE, I was confused in making a final choice of a programme to be offered at the university, and it was at that point that my father, now deceased, reminded me of my childhood dream, prompting me to plunge into medicine.”
“Having lived up to expectation and the additional honour of being adjudged the overall best student in Medicine, I do not regret selecting medicine as my career,” she noted.
At the SSSCE level, Dr Ofosu scored grade A’s in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, Core Mathematics and Core Science and grade B’s in Elective Mathematics and Social Studies.
She won the heart of the audience, when she picked the overall best student in MB and ChB Final Part II awards and therefore went home with the proud Ghana Medical Association prize.
In all, 98 medical students, comprising 62 males and 36 females, graduated during the ceremony.
“I now love what I am doing, and am very much committed to my profession and therefore thank my father very much for that encouragement, which has now brought me to this level,” quipped Dr Ofosu.
On how she was able to achieve such feat, she said, “It was not easy at all because studying medicine at the university is a different ball game all together. It is totally different from studying at the senior high school level.
This is because you need to know how to study and what to study when offering medicine at the university. You also need to put into practice what you have learnt.
Again you have to sieve important information from books and apply it proficiently, and this puts a lot of pressure on you as a student, not only to excel but do the right thing all the time. This was a challenge, and it took some time for me to come to terms with studying medicine.”
She said when she became well versed in applying what she was learning, “I just kept moving on until I finally graduated.”
She explained that with the award, “I stand out as one of the best in Paediatrics, Medicine, Surgery, as well as Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
It also means that in every field, I am capable of performing to satisfaction.”
She said studying medicine “is not about what you know. God plays a very important role, so even though I studied very hard, I also made sure to pray regularly and invited God to guide me in all my programmes. I can, therefore, say that there was the hand of God in propelling me to achieve this feat, and I am most grateful to God for bringing me this far.”
She added, “I really wanted to graduate from the medical school with something, so I started praying for it very early, and God listened to my prayers, making me to obtain what I wanted.”
On the prospects of the award, she said “I hope it will motivate my colleagues at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High to focus on their academic programmes because with hard work, they can also excel. I also want to mentor the youth for them to appreciate the fact that they can achieve any goal they set their minds on, provided they work very hard.”
She prayed to God to continue guiding her to enable her to become one of the best medical officers in the country.
Dr Esther Ofosu was born at the Police Hospital in Accra 25 years ago to the late Samuel Baffour Ofosu, who was an agricultural researcher and Mrs Pricilla Ofosu, a businesswoman.
Being the third of six children, including three females, one of whom is a medical officer at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Dr Ofosu attended Morning Star Basic School in Accra, from where she went to Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School at Tanoso, near Kumasi.
She expressed gratitude to her parents, especially her father, who provided the needed foundation in life before departing to his creator. She was also grateful to her mother and siblings, as well as her fiancé, who is a pharmacist.
“He had provided the needed support since I met him seven years ago, and I cherish all he had done for me,” she noted.
She is preparing to tie the knot with him in November this year.
To her teachers at the basic school, as well as her headmistress at Yaa Asantewaa and her lecturers at the university, she asked for God’s blessings for them in all their endeavours.
HIGH MATRNAL MORTALITY WORRYING — KUNBUOR (PAGE 25, OCT 2)
THE Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, has expressed concern about the high maternal mortality and the disparity of accessing health care facilities in the country.
He said the government was more determined than ever to invest in infrastructure development in the health sector.
Dr Kunbuor made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a four-day international conference on advanced medicined in Kumasi.
The conference was organised by the authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Olmsted Outreach and navigators, and African Partners from the United States of America.
It sought to build the capacity of health professionals to enhance quality delivery of health services.
The minister said the government would support the training and retention of health professionals in the country, and also provide the requisite equipment to enhance the delivery of quality health care for all Ghanaians.
As many as 1,400 health professionals have been trained to provide quality health care to Ghanaians since the programme was introduced six years ago.
Dr Kunbuor commended the organisers of the outreach programme, adding that his ministry would support health care providers in their guest to build their capacity in terms of training opportunities.
“The district health management teams will be strengthened to directly liaise effectively with district assemblies and their decentralised agencies and departments to be responsible to their own health”, he said.
“The Health Ministry will continue to put in place measures that will not only help to retain the health professionals we train, but also tap the rich experience and expertise of those who have left the country”, Dr Kunbuor stressed.
On the emoluments of health professionals, the deputy minister said the government would continue to dialogue with leadership of health professionals in finding mutually acceptable take home pay.
By this, I am sure health professionals will appreciate the commitment of government and exercise their professional duties to ensure that health care of the people becomes paramount in their agenda”, he stated
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, commended the KATH authorities for their sense of initiative, saying “one of the core mandates as a teaching hospital is by making continuous medical education available to the less privileged hospitals and clinics in the region”.
He explained that fostering relationships with foreign health institutions and organisations would go a long way to address some of the health problems in the country.
In his welcome address, the acting Chief Executive of the KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei said lack of a systematic programme of continuous education and world class refresher courses in most African countries had created knowledge deficit among practitioners in terms of current development in the medical field.
He said the government was more determined than ever to invest in infrastructure development in the health sector.
Dr Kunbuor made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a four-day international conference on advanced medicined in Kumasi.
The conference was organised by the authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Olmsted Outreach and navigators, and African Partners from the United States of America.
It sought to build the capacity of health professionals to enhance quality delivery of health services.
The minister said the government would support the training and retention of health professionals in the country, and also provide the requisite equipment to enhance the delivery of quality health care for all Ghanaians.
As many as 1,400 health professionals have been trained to provide quality health care to Ghanaians since the programme was introduced six years ago.
Dr Kunbuor commended the organisers of the outreach programme, adding that his ministry would support health care providers in their guest to build their capacity in terms of training opportunities.
“The district health management teams will be strengthened to directly liaise effectively with district assemblies and their decentralised agencies and departments to be responsible to their own health”, he said.
“The Health Ministry will continue to put in place measures that will not only help to retain the health professionals we train, but also tap the rich experience and expertise of those who have left the country”, Dr Kunbuor stressed.
On the emoluments of health professionals, the deputy minister said the government would continue to dialogue with leadership of health professionals in finding mutually acceptable take home pay.
By this, I am sure health professionals will appreciate the commitment of government and exercise their professional duties to ensure that health care of the people becomes paramount in their agenda”, he stated
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, commended the KATH authorities for their sense of initiative, saying “one of the core mandates as a teaching hospital is by making continuous medical education available to the less privileged hospitals and clinics in the region”.
He explained that fostering relationships with foreign health institutions and organisations would go a long way to address some of the health problems in the country.
In his welcome address, the acting Chief Executive of the KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei said lack of a systematic programme of continuous education and world class refresher courses in most African countries had created knowledge deficit among practitioners in terms of current development in the medical field.
ASANTE MAMPONG POLICE ON WARPATH ...Defaulting drivers to face the law (PAGE 26, OCT 2)
THE Asante Mampong Divisional Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) has embarked on an exercise to arrest and prosecute motorists who flout vehicular traffic regulations.
The exercise is not only meant to enhance sanity on the Mampong-Ejura-Kofiase road network, but also meant to reduce the spate of accidents in the area.
About seven motorists were arrested and prosecuted during the first day of the exercise. According to the Divisional MTTU Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr Benjamin Kwadwo Gyasi, the exercise would be sustained to make travelling more enjoyable and comfortable.
He mentioned expired insurance, overloading of vehicles which creates insecurity for passengers, driving without the requisite driving licence and roadworthy certificates, as well as riding motorbikes with no registration numbers, as some of the offences committed by some motorists.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on their operations, Mr Gyasi said even though the MTTU had organised a series of educational campaigns for motorists on road traffic regulations, most of them had failed to heed to advice.
He said offending drivers were fined between GH¢50 and GH¢100 when they appeared before courts.
DSP Gyasi, therefore, implored drivers to strictly adhere to road traffic regulations by not only renewing their licences and roadworthy certificates regularly, but should also avoid overloading their vehicles.
DSP Gyasi said it was important for drivers to renew their insurance as soon as it expired so that in case of accidents, the affected passengers and their dependants would be compensated.
He also urged the executives of the various drivers’ unions to support the MTTU in instilling discipline in motorists, since the enforcement of road traffic regulations was not the responsibility of the MTTU alone.
The MTTU Commander expressed concern about the interference of police operations by opinion leaders within the division, saying “they do not allow us to do our work”.
“Anytime we carry out operations to arrest and prosecute recalcitrant drivers, opinion leaders quickly rush to our office to plead on behalf of the offending drivers,” he stressed.
DSP Gyasi said such activities always pushed the police to the wall “and encouraged the drivers to misbehave on the roads thereby putting the lives of passengers at great risk”.
The exercise is not only meant to enhance sanity on the Mampong-Ejura-Kofiase road network, but also meant to reduce the spate of accidents in the area.
About seven motorists were arrested and prosecuted during the first day of the exercise. According to the Divisional MTTU Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr Benjamin Kwadwo Gyasi, the exercise would be sustained to make travelling more enjoyable and comfortable.
He mentioned expired insurance, overloading of vehicles which creates insecurity for passengers, driving without the requisite driving licence and roadworthy certificates, as well as riding motorbikes with no registration numbers, as some of the offences committed by some motorists.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on their operations, Mr Gyasi said even though the MTTU had organised a series of educational campaigns for motorists on road traffic regulations, most of them had failed to heed to advice.
He said offending drivers were fined between GH¢50 and GH¢100 when they appeared before courts.
DSP Gyasi, therefore, implored drivers to strictly adhere to road traffic regulations by not only renewing their licences and roadworthy certificates regularly, but should also avoid overloading their vehicles.
DSP Gyasi said it was important for drivers to renew their insurance as soon as it expired so that in case of accidents, the affected passengers and their dependants would be compensated.
He also urged the executives of the various drivers’ unions to support the MTTU in instilling discipline in motorists, since the enforcement of road traffic regulations was not the responsibility of the MTTU alone.
The MTTU Commander expressed concern about the interference of police operations by opinion leaders within the division, saying “they do not allow us to do our work”.
“Anytime we carry out operations to arrest and prosecute recalcitrant drivers, opinion leaders quickly rush to our office to plead on behalf of the offending drivers,” he stressed.
DSP Gyasi said such activities always pushed the police to the wall “and encouraged the drivers to misbehave on the roads thereby putting the lives of passengers at great risk”.
Friday, October 9, 2009
OTUMFUO CAUTIONS CHIEFS ON SALE OF LANDS (SEPT 28, PAGE 20)
THE Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned chiefs under his authority that they face imminent destoolment, if they sell lands entrusted into their care to multiple developers.
He further indicated that the members of the lineage of royals found culpable of disposing lands to multiple developers would never have the opportunity to be installed as chiefs.
At a meeting of the Asanteman Council in Kumasi, Otumfuo explained that multiple sale of lands did not only create disputes, but also led to tension and undermined sustainable peace and tranquillity.
The meeting coincided with the visit to Manhyia Palace by journalists who covered the United Nations International World Tourism Conference in Ghana.
As part of the celebration, the journalists, mostly from European countries, visited the palace to witness at first-hand how disputes are settled in the traditional way.
After paying homage to the Asantehene and presenting some drinks as custom demanded, the journalists interacted with a section of the people and posed with them for photographs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that chiefs should serve as role models in their respective communities and be the embodiment of honesty and truth in all their dealings and should not use their positions to amass wealth.
He stated that the illegal sale of land was totally against the traditions, customs and norms of the Ashantis.
He expressed concern about the lack of transparency in land transactions in the region and that because of corruption in land transactions, some chiefs did not write the names of their sub-chiefs on their allocation papers, but only forged signatures to enable them to carry out their dubious activities.
The Asantehene said such transactions made it impossible to trace the signatories whenever there was any dispute.
He therefore advised chiefs in the region to involve their sub-chiefs in all land transactions to avoid disputes, tension and violence in their communities.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also expressed concern about traditional rulers who fanned disputes by deliberately distorting facts.
“Some chiefs appointed to be on committees to settle disputes in the region sometimes condone and connive with some litigants to distort facts, making it very difficult for such disputes to be settled on time. The delays mostly create tension and undermine sustainable development,” he added.
He said in future chiefs appointed to settle disputes would be bound by time to submit the results of their recommendation to reduce tension.
He advised prospective chiefs who would be on such committees to be honest and truthful in their transactions and avoid being influenced by any part
He further indicated that the members of the lineage of royals found culpable of disposing lands to multiple developers would never have the opportunity to be installed as chiefs.
At a meeting of the Asanteman Council in Kumasi, Otumfuo explained that multiple sale of lands did not only create disputes, but also led to tension and undermined sustainable peace and tranquillity.
The meeting coincided with the visit to Manhyia Palace by journalists who covered the United Nations International World Tourism Conference in Ghana.
As part of the celebration, the journalists, mostly from European countries, visited the palace to witness at first-hand how disputes are settled in the traditional way.
After paying homage to the Asantehene and presenting some drinks as custom demanded, the journalists interacted with a section of the people and posed with them for photographs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that chiefs should serve as role models in their respective communities and be the embodiment of honesty and truth in all their dealings and should not use their positions to amass wealth.
He stated that the illegal sale of land was totally against the traditions, customs and norms of the Ashantis.
He expressed concern about the lack of transparency in land transactions in the region and that because of corruption in land transactions, some chiefs did not write the names of their sub-chiefs on their allocation papers, but only forged signatures to enable them to carry out their dubious activities.
The Asantehene said such transactions made it impossible to trace the signatories whenever there was any dispute.
He therefore advised chiefs in the region to involve their sub-chiefs in all land transactions to avoid disputes, tension and violence in their communities.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also expressed concern about traditional rulers who fanned disputes by deliberately distorting facts.
“Some chiefs appointed to be on committees to settle disputes in the region sometimes condone and connive with some litigants to distort facts, making it very difficult for such disputes to be settled on time. The delays mostly create tension and undermine sustainable development,” he added.
He said in future chiefs appointed to settle disputes would be bound by time to submit the results of their recommendation to reduce tension.
He advised prospective chiefs who would be on such committees to be honest and truthful in their transactions and avoid being influenced by any part
Thursday, October 8, 2009
WOOD WORKERS MOVING TO SOKOBAN (SEPT 25, PAGE 29)
Wood workers at Anloga who resisted resettling at the Sokoban Wood Village to pave way for the construction of the Oforikrom-Asokwa bypass in Kumasi are now trickling in at the wood village to continue their businesses.
Since the exercise started barely a week ago, about 270 wood workers have relocated to the Sokoban Wood village.
According to the Secretary of the Anloga South branch of the Lumber Sellers Association, Mr Charles Kra Boadu, out of the 320 members of his association, 270 had been allocated sheds at the Sokoban Wood village and they had moved into them to start their businesses.
He said 50 of their members reported late and could therefore not secure sheds at the wood village, but gave the assurance that they were collaborating with the management of the Wood Village to secure a place close to their present location for them to operate their businesses.
He pointed out that a 14-acre land had already been secured for that purpose and constructional work would start soon.
The Sokoban Wood Village was designed to accommodate 958 business operatives and apart from the wood sellers, other business operatives such as carpenters, plywood sellers, saw millers and hardware dealers have also been allocated sheds.
The village has special spaces for transport operators, food vendors and truck pushers.
Facilities such as canteens, police posts, banks, spacious car parks for both private and commercial vehicles and places of convenience have also been developed to enhance business transaction.
Gold Street Real Estate Consult, a private business enterprise, has been contracted to manage the Sokoban Wood Village.
Apart from undertaking regular maintenance and environmental cleanliness to enhance a healthy atmosphere, the management would also provide security and address the need of the business community there.
Mrs Alice Owiaba Addai-Yeboah, who is managing the resettlement exercise, told the Daily Graphic that the initial tension that surrounded the exercise "has now given way to an atmosphere of calm and business is now trickling in".
She said the exercise was smooth because the wood workers were well organised and their leadership proved very mature.
"We worked through their leadership and so far, we have distributed the requisite sheds, which would enhance their business transactions."
Mrs Addai Yeboah, however, expressed concern about the attitude of some of the wood workers who refused to relocate to Sokoban and rather moved to Nkontompo, near Aboabo in Kumasi to ply their trade there.
She said doing business at Nkontompo was close to the Kumasi Airport and therefore could create insecurity there.
She said the Regional Security Council had been alerted about the development and had given the assurance that it would demolish structures that had been erected there.
Mrs Addai-Yeboah said there were enough spaces for all the wood workers and therefore could not fathom the rationale behind those who decided to relocate close to the Kumasi Airport.
On how business would flow at the Sokoban Wood Village, she said the signs had started showing that business would thrive.
"Billboards, banners as well as radio and television announcements, among others, are already underway and very soon business will be booming at the Sokoban Wood Village," she assured.
"Anloga is the largest market for wood products in the country so naturally customers of the products would be attracted to the Sokoban Wood Village to do business," she added.
Since the exercise started barely a week ago, about 270 wood workers have relocated to the Sokoban Wood village.
According to the Secretary of the Anloga South branch of the Lumber Sellers Association, Mr Charles Kra Boadu, out of the 320 members of his association, 270 had been allocated sheds at the Sokoban Wood village and they had moved into them to start their businesses.
He said 50 of their members reported late and could therefore not secure sheds at the wood village, but gave the assurance that they were collaborating with the management of the Wood Village to secure a place close to their present location for them to operate their businesses.
He pointed out that a 14-acre land had already been secured for that purpose and constructional work would start soon.
The Sokoban Wood Village was designed to accommodate 958 business operatives and apart from the wood sellers, other business operatives such as carpenters, plywood sellers, saw millers and hardware dealers have also been allocated sheds.
The village has special spaces for transport operators, food vendors and truck pushers.
Facilities such as canteens, police posts, banks, spacious car parks for both private and commercial vehicles and places of convenience have also been developed to enhance business transaction.
Gold Street Real Estate Consult, a private business enterprise, has been contracted to manage the Sokoban Wood Village.
Apart from undertaking regular maintenance and environmental cleanliness to enhance a healthy atmosphere, the management would also provide security and address the need of the business community there.
Mrs Alice Owiaba Addai-Yeboah, who is managing the resettlement exercise, told the Daily Graphic that the initial tension that surrounded the exercise "has now given way to an atmosphere of calm and business is now trickling in".
She said the exercise was smooth because the wood workers were well organised and their leadership proved very mature.
"We worked through their leadership and so far, we have distributed the requisite sheds, which would enhance their business transactions."
Mrs Addai Yeboah, however, expressed concern about the attitude of some of the wood workers who refused to relocate to Sokoban and rather moved to Nkontompo, near Aboabo in Kumasi to ply their trade there.
She said doing business at Nkontompo was close to the Kumasi Airport and therefore could create insecurity there.
She said the Regional Security Council had been alerted about the development and had given the assurance that it would demolish structures that had been erected there.
Mrs Addai-Yeboah said there were enough spaces for all the wood workers and therefore could not fathom the rationale behind those who decided to relocate close to the Kumasi Airport.
On how business would flow at the Sokoban Wood Village, she said the signs had started showing that business would thrive.
"Billboards, banners as well as radio and television announcements, among others, are already underway and very soon business will be booming at the Sokoban Wood Village," she assured.
"Anloga is the largest market for wood products in the country so naturally customers of the products would be attracted to the Sokoban Wood Village to do business," she added.
BANK SUPPORTS ABUAKWA DISTRICT POLICE COMMAND (SEPT 24, PAGE 34)
The Board and Management of Nwabiagya Rural Bank have donated a Dell computer and its accessories estimated at GH¢1,400 to the Abuakwa District Police Command to enhance their operations .
The presentation, which formed part of the social responsibilities of the bank marked the beginning of bringing Information Communication Technology (ICT) to the door steps of the Abuakwa Police Command to enable them to be more proficient in their service delivery to the public.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nana Owusu Sarfo Anwona II, who presented the facility to the police on behalf of the bank assured that they were prepared to provide technical assistance to the police until they became efficient in operating the computer.
He therefore charged the District Police Command to train more personnel for them to acquire the skills of ICT to enhance efficiency in their operations.
Nana Sarfo Anwona said the Nwabiagya Rural Bank would continue to support the police in its catchment area in diverse ways , as it did last year when the bank furnished the offices of the police.
The Abuakwa District Police Commander, Superintendent Maxwell Osei, who received the items on behalf of his subordinates expressed their profound gratitude to the Board and Management of Nwabiagya Rural Bank for their continuous support which he said was motivating the personnel to operate efficiently.
He said they have already trained more personnel to acquire skills in ICT and therefore appealed to corporate bodies, institutions , organisations and individuals to donate more computers to the district police to facilitate the storage and retrieval of data and other vital information.
The presentation, which formed part of the social responsibilities of the bank marked the beginning of bringing Information Communication Technology (ICT) to the door steps of the Abuakwa Police Command to enable them to be more proficient in their service delivery to the public.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nana Owusu Sarfo Anwona II, who presented the facility to the police on behalf of the bank assured that they were prepared to provide technical assistance to the police until they became efficient in operating the computer.
He therefore charged the District Police Command to train more personnel for them to acquire the skills of ICT to enhance efficiency in their operations.
Nana Sarfo Anwona said the Nwabiagya Rural Bank would continue to support the police in its catchment area in diverse ways , as it did last year when the bank furnished the offices of the police.
The Abuakwa District Police Commander, Superintendent Maxwell Osei, who received the items on behalf of his subordinates expressed their profound gratitude to the Board and Management of Nwabiagya Rural Bank for their continuous support which he said was motivating the personnel to operate efficiently.
He said they have already trained more personnel to acquire skills in ICT and therefore appealed to corporate bodies, institutions , organisations and individuals to donate more computers to the district police to facilitate the storage and retrieval of data and other vital information.
2 TEACHING HOSPITAL SAVE 2-YEAR-OLD GIRL (SEPT 22, PAGE 30)
Prompt action by authorities of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) at the weekend saved the life of a two-year-old girl whose throat was accidentally blocked by some grains of maize she was eating.
Faced with lack of medical equipment and logistics to perform an emergency surgical operation for the child, who encountered severe respiratory difficulties, the KATH authorities quickly flew her from Kumasi to Accra, rushed her to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) for the emergency surgical operation.
The airfare and medical expenses were borne by the KATH authorities because the parents of the patient, who are farmers, could not afford the expenses.
Prior to flying the baby to KBTH for the emergency surgical operation, a medical team at the KATH put her on a ventilator, resuscitated and stabilised her condition.
Briefing the Daily Graphic about the intervention, the acting Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said a medical team led by Dr William Addison had to accompany the baby “ because she was in a life-threatening situation, and had to be put on respiratory support and monitored throughout the journey”.
Explaining further, Professor Adjei said, “ our management had to bear the cost of airfare because it would have been too dangerous and risky to have conveyed her in an ambulance, especially given her unstable condition and the time it would have taken to reach Accra”.
Professor Adjei expressed his profound gratitude to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) which provided service by conveying the KATH medical team and the baby from the Kotoka International Airport to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He also commended the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and the Anaesthesia units of the KBTH “for being on stand-by to receive and treat the patient immediately upon arrival, even though it was a weekend”.
“The co-ordination between our medical team and that of the NAS and KATH was simply impressive, and it is my hope that we will continue to collaborate in the years ahead to save lives,” Professor Adjei noted.
The father of the patient, Mr Kwabena Sanseh, a farmer based at Derma in the Brong-Ahafo Region, was also full of appreciation to the KATH authorities, adding, “There was no way that my baby would have survived this predicament without the kind and quick intervention of the KATH authorities.”
“My baby was breathless and almost at the point of death, but doctors at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the KATH worked around the clock to revive her, and also accompanied her and my wife to Accra, all at the expense of the hospital. I am very grateful to them for saving my baby”, he said.
Faced with lack of medical equipment and logistics to perform an emergency surgical operation for the child, who encountered severe respiratory difficulties, the KATH authorities quickly flew her from Kumasi to Accra, rushed her to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) for the emergency surgical operation.
The airfare and medical expenses were borne by the KATH authorities because the parents of the patient, who are farmers, could not afford the expenses.
Prior to flying the baby to KBTH for the emergency surgical operation, a medical team at the KATH put her on a ventilator, resuscitated and stabilised her condition.
Briefing the Daily Graphic about the intervention, the acting Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said a medical team led by Dr William Addison had to accompany the baby “ because she was in a life-threatening situation, and had to be put on respiratory support and monitored throughout the journey”.
Explaining further, Professor Adjei said, “ our management had to bear the cost of airfare because it would have been too dangerous and risky to have conveyed her in an ambulance, especially given her unstable condition and the time it would have taken to reach Accra”.
Professor Adjei expressed his profound gratitude to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) which provided service by conveying the KATH medical team and the baby from the Kotoka International Airport to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He also commended the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and the Anaesthesia units of the KBTH “for being on stand-by to receive and treat the patient immediately upon arrival, even though it was a weekend”.
“The co-ordination between our medical team and that of the NAS and KATH was simply impressive, and it is my hope that we will continue to collaborate in the years ahead to save lives,” Professor Adjei noted.
The father of the patient, Mr Kwabena Sanseh, a farmer based at Derma in the Brong-Ahafo Region, was also full of appreciation to the KATH authorities, adding, “There was no way that my baby would have survived this predicament without the kind and quick intervention of the KATH authorities.”
“My baby was breathless and almost at the point of death, but doctors at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the KATH worked around the clock to revive her, and also accompanied her and my wife to Accra, all at the expense of the hospital. I am very grateful to them for saving my baby”, he said.
FAKE DOCTOR ARRESTED (SEPT 21, PAGE 44)
The police in Kumasi have arrested a 28-year-old man who allegedly posed as a specialist at the Chest Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
It was the vigilance of a medical student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) which led to the arrest of the suspect, who was identified as Paul Sango.
Six laboratory overalls, a rubber stamp describing his status as a proficient medical officer at the Chest Department of the KATH and a stethoscope were retrieved from his room at Sokoban moments after his arrest last Tuesday.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Mohammed Yusif Tanko, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the arrest, said the police had initiated investigations into the case and would soon arraign the suspect.
He said prior to the arrest of the suspect, two ladies had booked appointment with him and had gone to the KNUST Hostel, where he had asked them to meet him.
He said the security man on duty who wanted to be of help to the two ladies went round looking for the said Dr Paul Sango, but all his efforts proved futile.
He said the security man therefore sought assistance from the president of the hostel to also help to trace the said medical officer.
Chief Inspector Tanko said not long afterwards, the suspect appeared on the scene and was immediately identified by the ladies as the specialist who had booked appointment with them.
He said the appearance of the suspect created suspicion and when the medical student questioned him, the suspect was quick to reveal that he was one of the medical officers working at the Department of Surgery at the KATH.
He said as a way of ensuring the authenticity or otherwise of the suspect, the medical student quickly contacted the head of the Surgery Department of KATH, but was told that no doctor by name Paul Sango was working at that department.
He said when pressed further, the suspect told the medical student that he was rather a student at the Surgery Department, but was dismissed under some unexplained reasons.
Chief Inspector Tanko said based on the inconsistencies of the information provided by the suspect, he was handed over to the police.
It was the vigilance of a medical student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) which led to the arrest of the suspect, who was identified as Paul Sango.
Six laboratory overalls, a rubber stamp describing his status as a proficient medical officer at the Chest Department of the KATH and a stethoscope were retrieved from his room at Sokoban moments after his arrest last Tuesday.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Mohammed Yusif Tanko, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the arrest, said the police had initiated investigations into the case and would soon arraign the suspect.
He said prior to the arrest of the suspect, two ladies had booked appointment with him and had gone to the KNUST Hostel, where he had asked them to meet him.
He said the security man on duty who wanted to be of help to the two ladies went round looking for the said Dr Paul Sango, but all his efforts proved futile.
He said the security man therefore sought assistance from the president of the hostel to also help to trace the said medical officer.
Chief Inspector Tanko said not long afterwards, the suspect appeared on the scene and was immediately identified by the ladies as the specialist who had booked appointment with them.
He said the appearance of the suspect created suspicion and when the medical student questioned him, the suspect was quick to reveal that he was one of the medical officers working at the Department of Surgery at the KATH.
He said as a way of ensuring the authenticity or otherwise of the suspect, the medical student quickly contacted the head of the Surgery Department of KATH, but was told that no doctor by name Paul Sango was working at that department.
He said when pressed further, the suspect told the medical student that he was rather a student at the Surgery Department, but was dismissed under some unexplained reasons.
Chief Inspector Tanko said based on the inconsistencies of the information provided by the suspect, he was handed over to the police.
ASHANTI LOSES GH¢94,421,264 THROUGH ARMED ROBBERY ...From January to June (SEPT 19, 2009, PAGE 23)
BETWEEN January and June, this year, as much as GH¢94,421,264 was lost through armed robbery operations, burglary and stealing.
The police were able to recover GH¢5,550,324 of the total amount lost through various robbery operations during the same period.
In all, a total of 120 robbery cases in residential areas, streets, highways and vehicular snatching, among others, were reported during that period.
These were contained in a police report on crime statistics in the Ashanti Region signed by the Regional Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Mohammed Yusif Tanko, and made available to the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
The report said a total of 69 robbery cases were recorded on streets, highways and residential areas in the region between January and March, this year, but the crime reduced to 51 cases between April and June.
On fraud, Chief Inspector Tanko said between January and June this year, a total of GH¢966,922 was lost through extortion, falsification of accounts, forgery, counterfeiting and issuing of dud cheques in the region.
He said the police were able to recover GH¢67,957 of the amount.
Giving the breakdown of the money lost through fraudulent activities, Chief Inspector Tanko said between January and March, this year, as much as GH¢802,461 was lost through fraud but through intensive investigations, the police were able to recover GH¢50,897.
He said the total amount of money lost through fraudulent activities, however, reduced to GH¢164,461 between April and June with police recovering a total of GH¢17,060.
According to the Police PRO, a total of 1,731 people suspected to have undertaken various criminal activities in the region such as armed robbery, burglary, stealing and attempted robbery were arrested between January and June.
He stated that while a total of 945 suspected criminals were arrested between January and March, this year, 786 of such criminals were arrested between March and June .
On rape, Chief Inspector Tanko said a total of 57 women fell victim to the crime in the region between January and June, this year.
He said while 28 females were raped between January and March, 29 others were sexually abused by their male counterparts between April and June, this year.
Chief Inspector Tanko said a total of 174 girls were also defiled in the region between January and June, this year, stressing that 72 others were defiled between January and March, but the number shot up to 102 between April and June.
He said so far, the police had been able to arrest 23 of the suspected rapists and five of them whose cases had been investigated had been convicted to serve various prison terms.
On defilement, Chief Inspector Tanko said 70 suspects were arrested between January and June, this year, adding that 11 of them had been jailed.
The police were able to recover GH¢5,550,324 of the total amount lost through various robbery operations during the same period.
In all, a total of 120 robbery cases in residential areas, streets, highways and vehicular snatching, among others, were reported during that period.
These were contained in a police report on crime statistics in the Ashanti Region signed by the Regional Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Mohammed Yusif Tanko, and made available to the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
The report said a total of 69 robbery cases were recorded on streets, highways and residential areas in the region between January and March, this year, but the crime reduced to 51 cases between April and June.
On fraud, Chief Inspector Tanko said between January and June this year, a total of GH¢966,922 was lost through extortion, falsification of accounts, forgery, counterfeiting and issuing of dud cheques in the region.
He said the police were able to recover GH¢67,957 of the amount.
Giving the breakdown of the money lost through fraudulent activities, Chief Inspector Tanko said between January and March, this year, as much as GH¢802,461 was lost through fraud but through intensive investigations, the police were able to recover GH¢50,897.
He said the total amount of money lost through fraudulent activities, however, reduced to GH¢164,461 between April and June with police recovering a total of GH¢17,060.
According to the Police PRO, a total of 1,731 people suspected to have undertaken various criminal activities in the region such as armed robbery, burglary, stealing and attempted robbery were arrested between January and June.
He stated that while a total of 945 suspected criminals were arrested between January and March, this year, 786 of such criminals were arrested between March and June .
On rape, Chief Inspector Tanko said a total of 57 women fell victim to the crime in the region between January and June, this year.
He said while 28 females were raped between January and March, 29 others were sexually abused by their male counterparts between April and June, this year.
Chief Inspector Tanko said a total of 174 girls were also defiled in the region between January and June, this year, stressing that 72 others were defiled between January and March, but the number shot up to 102 between April and June.
He said so far, the police had been able to arrest 23 of the suspected rapists and five of them whose cases had been investigated had been convicted to serve various prison terms.
On defilement, Chief Inspector Tanko said 70 suspects were arrested between January and June, this year, adding that 11 of them had been jailed.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
KMA SUSPENDS DUMPING OF REFUSE AT AMANFROM (SEPT 16, PAGE 20)
Following media reports on the illegal dumping of refuse by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) at a site purported to be part of the catchment area of the Owabi dam, and the outcry raised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the effect of dumping refuse there, the KMA has halted further dumping of refuse at the disputed area.
The assembly has directed Zoom lion, the waste management agent, contracted to dump solid waste at Amanfrom, a farming community near Barekese to halt further dumping of refuse in the community immediately and seal it with laterite.
The directives, according to the KMA, was to enable the EPA to study a proposal presented on the dumping site and either accept or reject the proposal.
The sealing of the site with laterite was also to reduce the stench that had engulfed Amanfrom and its environs as well as the mosquitoes and houseflies it bred.
The assembly has also assured the EPA that it would create a sump to suck all effluent from the solid waste to avoid contaminating any water body in the area.
The KMA has further assured the EPA that it is collaborating with the Department of Town and Country Planning to conduct a technical search on its operations at Amanfrom, the outcome of which would determine its next line of action.
The Waste Management Director of the KMA, Mr Tony Mensah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the latest development, stressed: “We are going to halt further transportation of solid waste at the Amanfrom dump site and we have also initiated technical search to ascertain the suitability or otherwise of dumping solid waste there”,
He explained that their collaboration with the Town and Country Planning Department was already underway and that was why they had directed the Zoomlion to suspend further dumping of solid waste at Amanfrom, and to seal the site with laterite.
A source at the Lands Department expressed concern about the operations of the KMA at Amafrom, and pointed out that it was unfortunate for the metropolitan assembly to deposit solid waste at Amanfrom without waiting for approval from the EPA.
The source said taking the effect of dumping tons of solid waste at Amanfrom into consideration, the KMA should have first constructed a sump at the site and as way of preventing any leachate “ because even a drop of affluent into any water body could have devastating effect on the lives of consumers”.
“ The KMA has said they will construct a sump as a way of sucking away the affluent from the Amanfrom refuse site and deposit it at the Oti land fill site, but how soon they will do it is the problem. It is important for the KMA to commit itself to the construction of the sump as soon as possible to prevent the outbreak of an epidemic”.
Barely a week ago, a section of the youth at Amanfrom blocked the road leading to the refuse site to prevent trucks conveying refuse from depositing it at the site.
The youth complained that the stench that emanated from the site, coupled with the breeding of houseflies and mosquitoes, made it very difficult for them to enjoy sound sleep at night.
About four months ago, the EPA ordered the KMA to seal off tonnes of solid waste dumped at Amanfrom, which it considered to be part of the catchment’s area of the Owabi dam, threatening that it would institute legal action against the assembly if it flouted the EPA’s directives.
According to the EPA, some of the materials that had been dumped at the site contained poisonous chemicals, which could be very difficult to treat when they polluted the dam.
The Owabi dam is one of the main sources of potable water supply for residents within the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
When the attention of the Ashanti Regional Director of the EPA, Mrs Philomina Boakye Appiah’s,was drawn to the fact that the KMA was still dumping refuse at Amanfrom, she gave the assurance that she would conduct her own investigations and take immediate action to halt further dumping of solid waste there.
Explaining the stance of the EPA, Mrs Boakye Appiah said apart from the danger of polluting the Owabi dam, making the cost of treatment very huge, at the expense of the state, the solid waste also posed serious health hazards to residents of Amanfrom.
“ The stench that fills their homes, coupled with the insects they attract and their health implications, informed us to stop the KMA from dumping refuse at the place and completely seal off what they had dumped to avoid any health hazard,” she stressed
She further explained that some computers which contained some poisonous metals “had also been dumped alongside the solid waste, and this can cause serious health problems, so it is important for the KMA to seal off the site as soon as possible to prevent the waste materials from polluting any water body “.
On using the site for the construction of houses in future, Mrs Boakye Appiah said “ the action is very dangerous because after the waste had decomposed, the area would emit gas that could explode in future to destroy lives and property”.
She said besides, any structure on such a land could sink in future, especially after the waste had decomposed “ and that can have a devastating effect on those who occupy such structures”.
“The area is very delicate and sensitive, and should therefore, not be used as dumping ground for any waste. The KMA has alternative places to dump refuse, so we will not take this lightly if they ignore our orders,” she noted.
Earlier in an interview with the Officer for Communication Department of the Ghana Water Company, Mr Haruna Asoga, on the effect of dumping waste materials at Amanfrom, he said, notwithstanding the problem being created, “it was only the EPA which had the mandate to stop people from dumping waste at unapproved sites”.
“ It is likely to undermine our operations because as the rains set in, the waste will easily decompose and the effluent can easily pollute the dam, which is one of the main sources of potable water for some residents in the Kumasi metropolis”
The assembly has directed Zoom lion, the waste management agent, contracted to dump solid waste at Amanfrom, a farming community near Barekese to halt further dumping of refuse in the community immediately and seal it with laterite.
The directives, according to the KMA, was to enable the EPA to study a proposal presented on the dumping site and either accept or reject the proposal.
The sealing of the site with laterite was also to reduce the stench that had engulfed Amanfrom and its environs as well as the mosquitoes and houseflies it bred.
The assembly has also assured the EPA that it would create a sump to suck all effluent from the solid waste to avoid contaminating any water body in the area.
The KMA has further assured the EPA that it is collaborating with the Department of Town and Country Planning to conduct a technical search on its operations at Amanfrom, the outcome of which would determine its next line of action.
The Waste Management Director of the KMA, Mr Tony Mensah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the latest development, stressed: “We are going to halt further transportation of solid waste at the Amanfrom dump site and we have also initiated technical search to ascertain the suitability or otherwise of dumping solid waste there”,
He explained that their collaboration with the Town and Country Planning Department was already underway and that was why they had directed the Zoomlion to suspend further dumping of solid waste at Amanfrom, and to seal the site with laterite.
A source at the Lands Department expressed concern about the operations of the KMA at Amafrom, and pointed out that it was unfortunate for the metropolitan assembly to deposit solid waste at Amanfrom without waiting for approval from the EPA.
The source said taking the effect of dumping tons of solid waste at Amanfrom into consideration, the KMA should have first constructed a sump at the site and as way of preventing any leachate “ because even a drop of affluent into any water body could have devastating effect on the lives of consumers”.
“ The KMA has said they will construct a sump as a way of sucking away the affluent from the Amanfrom refuse site and deposit it at the Oti land fill site, but how soon they will do it is the problem. It is important for the KMA to commit itself to the construction of the sump as soon as possible to prevent the outbreak of an epidemic”.
Barely a week ago, a section of the youth at Amanfrom blocked the road leading to the refuse site to prevent trucks conveying refuse from depositing it at the site.
The youth complained that the stench that emanated from the site, coupled with the breeding of houseflies and mosquitoes, made it very difficult for them to enjoy sound sleep at night.
About four months ago, the EPA ordered the KMA to seal off tonnes of solid waste dumped at Amanfrom, which it considered to be part of the catchment’s area of the Owabi dam, threatening that it would institute legal action against the assembly if it flouted the EPA’s directives.
According to the EPA, some of the materials that had been dumped at the site contained poisonous chemicals, which could be very difficult to treat when they polluted the dam.
The Owabi dam is one of the main sources of potable water supply for residents within the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
When the attention of the Ashanti Regional Director of the EPA, Mrs Philomina Boakye Appiah’s,was drawn to the fact that the KMA was still dumping refuse at Amanfrom, she gave the assurance that she would conduct her own investigations and take immediate action to halt further dumping of solid waste there.
Explaining the stance of the EPA, Mrs Boakye Appiah said apart from the danger of polluting the Owabi dam, making the cost of treatment very huge, at the expense of the state, the solid waste also posed serious health hazards to residents of Amanfrom.
“ The stench that fills their homes, coupled with the insects they attract and their health implications, informed us to stop the KMA from dumping refuse at the place and completely seal off what they had dumped to avoid any health hazard,” she stressed
She further explained that some computers which contained some poisonous metals “had also been dumped alongside the solid waste, and this can cause serious health problems, so it is important for the KMA to seal off the site as soon as possible to prevent the waste materials from polluting any water body “.
On using the site for the construction of houses in future, Mrs Boakye Appiah said “ the action is very dangerous because after the waste had decomposed, the area would emit gas that could explode in future to destroy lives and property”.
She said besides, any structure on such a land could sink in future, especially after the waste had decomposed “ and that can have a devastating effect on those who occupy such structures”.
“The area is very delicate and sensitive, and should therefore, not be used as dumping ground for any waste. The KMA has alternative places to dump refuse, so we will not take this lightly if they ignore our orders,” she noted.
Earlier in an interview with the Officer for Communication Department of the Ghana Water Company, Mr Haruna Asoga, on the effect of dumping waste materials at Amanfrom, he said, notwithstanding the problem being created, “it was only the EPA which had the mandate to stop people from dumping waste at unapproved sites”.
“ It is likely to undermine our operations because as the rains set in, the waste will easily decompose and the effluent can easily pollute the dam, which is one of the main sources of potable water for some residents in the Kumasi metropolis”
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IN KUMASI NOT THE BEST (SEPT 16, PAGE 29)
The Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Heath Services, Dr Kwasi Yeboah – Awudzi, has expressed concern about the poor health infrastructure in the metropolis, saying the problem does not only undermine effective and efficient delivery of health care in Kumasi but has been the primary cause of many maternal death .
Explaining, he said, the poor health facilities in the Kumasi metropolis compelled health care personnel to refer all emergency cases to the only referral hospital in Kumasi-the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital- (KATH), “making the place choked with emergency cases, thus unduly delaying medical care for patients to compound their problems”.
“The biggest medical problem we face in the Kumasi metropolis is maternal death. This is happening because we solely depend on the KATH to treat emergency cases, but if we depend on one facility to address a particular medical problem, the result will not be pleasant ” Dr Yeboah- Awudzi noted.
“Last year alone, as many as 133 maternal deaths were recorded in the Kumasi metropolis, and in the Ashanti region, the total maternal death recorded were 220. These were women who were very healthy before they became pregnant, and with proper health infrastructure and facilities, we could have prevented their death because we have competent medical personnel,” he lamented.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the poor health care infrastructure in the Kumasi metropolis, Dr Yeboah-Awudzi said “apart from the KATH, Kumasi does not boast any public health institution with adequate facilities , logistics and infrastructure that can deliver effective and efficient medical services to the numerous patients who seek medical care on a daily basis”.
He mentioned the Kumasi South Hospital at Chirapatre, the Manhyia and Tafo hospitals, as well as the Suntreso Hospital as the major public health institutions supposed to complement the KATH in providing medical care to residents in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs “ but they have been totally neglected in terms of infrastructure development over the years, and this has militated against quality health care ”.
“These hospitals have inadequate labour wards and theatres, and apart from the Suntreso hospital which has improvised blood bank, none of these so-called hospitals has any blood bank, so any form of emergency is quickly referred to the KATH, thereby choking the place. This makes it difficult for medical officers at the KATH to provide the requisite emergency services to patients referred there, so naturally we compound their problems, resulting in some patients losing their lives,” he explained further.
Dr Yeboah-Awudzi therefore appealed to the Ministry of Health to upgrade the public health institutions in Kumasi to enhance quality delivery of health.
“If the Regional Hospital at Chirapatre and the Manhyia Hospital especially are upgraded, and provided with the requisite infrastructure such as theatres, blood banks, wards and accommodation for staff, and the situation at Tafo and Suntreso are also improved, we would be able to reduce the congestion at the KATH.
This is because we will not only provide 24-hour service to patients, but will also address the emergency cases to reduce maternal death in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.” he assured.
Explaining, he said, the poor health facilities in the Kumasi metropolis compelled health care personnel to refer all emergency cases to the only referral hospital in Kumasi-the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital- (KATH), “making the place choked with emergency cases, thus unduly delaying medical care for patients to compound their problems”.
“The biggest medical problem we face in the Kumasi metropolis is maternal death. This is happening because we solely depend on the KATH to treat emergency cases, but if we depend on one facility to address a particular medical problem, the result will not be pleasant ” Dr Yeboah- Awudzi noted.
“Last year alone, as many as 133 maternal deaths were recorded in the Kumasi metropolis, and in the Ashanti region, the total maternal death recorded were 220. These were women who were very healthy before they became pregnant, and with proper health infrastructure and facilities, we could have prevented their death because we have competent medical personnel,” he lamented.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the poor health care infrastructure in the Kumasi metropolis, Dr Yeboah-Awudzi said “apart from the KATH, Kumasi does not boast any public health institution with adequate facilities , logistics and infrastructure that can deliver effective and efficient medical services to the numerous patients who seek medical care on a daily basis”.
He mentioned the Kumasi South Hospital at Chirapatre, the Manhyia and Tafo hospitals, as well as the Suntreso Hospital as the major public health institutions supposed to complement the KATH in providing medical care to residents in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs “ but they have been totally neglected in terms of infrastructure development over the years, and this has militated against quality health care ”.
“These hospitals have inadequate labour wards and theatres, and apart from the Suntreso hospital which has improvised blood bank, none of these so-called hospitals has any blood bank, so any form of emergency is quickly referred to the KATH, thereby choking the place. This makes it difficult for medical officers at the KATH to provide the requisite emergency services to patients referred there, so naturally we compound their problems, resulting in some patients losing their lives,” he explained further.
Dr Yeboah-Awudzi therefore appealed to the Ministry of Health to upgrade the public health institutions in Kumasi to enhance quality delivery of health.
“If the Regional Hospital at Chirapatre and the Manhyia Hospital especially are upgraded, and provided with the requisite infrastructure such as theatres, blood banks, wards and accommodation for staff, and the situation at Tafo and Suntreso are also improved, we would be able to reduce the congestion at the KATH.
This is because we will not only provide 24-hour service to patients, but will also address the emergency cases to reduce maternal death in the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.” he assured.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)