THE vigilance of health personnel at the SDA Hospital in Kumasi has led to the arrest of a 36-year-old physically challenged person alleged to have been peddling substances suspected to be narcotic drugs at the hospital.
The suspect, identified as Maxwell Djinku, unemployed and resident at Asokwa in Kumasi, was alleged to have sneaked into the female ward of the hospital and allegedly offered a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine to a patient who was on admission at the ward.
Moments after the suspect left the ward, the patient, identified as Ayisha Fuseini, was seen sniffing the whitish substance at the washroom and when questioned, she mentioned Djinku as her supplier.
The health authorities quickly alerted the security personnel who apprehended Djinku at the gates and when he was searched, dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp were retrieved from his pocket.
Both Djinku and Ayisha were handed over to the Police Narcotic Unit in Kumasi to assist them in their investigations. The substances have been sent to the police forensic laboratory for testing as part of police investigations.
While Djinku was charged with supplying narcotic drugs without authority and attempting to use narcotic drugs, Ayisha was charged with attempting to use narcotic drugs.
The suspects were remanded into prison custody last Friday by a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Justice Agyei Frimpong. They would reappear before the court on October 8, 2010.
Presenting the facts before the court, the prosecutor, Inspector Asenso, said on September 17, 2010, Ayisha Fuseini, who was suffering from stomach pains, was admitted to the hospital.
He said three days after her admission, the pains subsided and as the medical officers were preparing to discharge her, they spotted Djinku at the bedside of the patient.
He said moments after Djinku had left the patient, they saw that she had rushed into the washroom and this prompted some of the medical staff to investigate.
He said as soon as the door was opened, they saw Ayisha sniffing a whitish substance and when questioned she mentioned Djinku as the supplier of the substance.
This, he said, made the hospital authorities alert the security about the operations of Djinku. The security apprehended him as soon as he reached the gates.
The prosecutor said when he was searched, dried substances suspected to be Indian Hemp were retrieved from his pocket, so the police narcotic unit were alerted and they rushed to arrest the two to assist in their investigations.
He said the substances were also sent to the forensic unit for testing, while the suspects were charged and arraigned as part of police investigations.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
BUSINESS CONCERNS SIEZE ALAR BAR STREETS (PAGE 29, SEPT 29, 2010)
THE decongesting exercise, initiated by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) last year to discourage business transactions on major roads and pedestrian lanes in the Kumasi Metropolis, seems to have had little or no meaning to a section of the business community at Alar Bar, a suburb of the metropolis.
At Alar Bar, a section of the business community have totally seized some link roads where they openly display bicycles and motor cycles for sale to the public .
The open display of bicycles and motor cycles on roads and pedestrian lanes at Alar Bar with impunity has now become a norm in the area, thus hindering the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Unlike the Central Business District in Kumasi, where the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has succeeded in instituting measures and policies that has prevented people from transacting business on major roads, especially at the Central Market, Kajetia and the P. Z. areas, the Assembly seems not to have noticed the operations of the bicycle operators at Alar Bar.
There is always massive vehicular congestion from the Roman Hill area down the link road to Alar Bar and Suame road, creating a traffic jam which frustrates motorists and commuters who use such roads on daily basis.
The situation becomes bad on the main Alar Bar-Suame road, where dealers in bicycles behave as if the roads and pedestrian lanes were constructed solely for their businesses.
Before the decongesting exercise started at the Central Business District at Adum, vehicular accidents, some fatal, were regularly recorded around Kejetia and the Central Market area.
While some of the victims lost their lives without any compensation given to their dependants , others were maimed for life, making them depend on families, friends and sympathisers for their livelihood .
With the vigilance of the KMA Task Force which have succeeded in creating sanity at the Central Business District at Adum since the decongesting exercise started, vehicular accidents have reduced drastically at the area, and massive vehicular congestion associated with the place has reduced.
That is why the KMA should be commended for creating the requisite awareness among a section of the business community whose operations undermined free flow of vehicular and human traffic the area.
While commending the Assembly for a partial success in its decongesting exercise, it is important to draw its attention to the fact that much need to be done, especially at Alar Bar which is close to the Central Business District in terms of clearing the area of the operations of some businessmen and women who have turned themselves into tin-gods by transacting business at facilities created to facilitate free flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
The free flow of traffic, at Alar Bar is important because of the regular accidents that have been occurring there almost on daily basis as vehicles and pedestrians struggle for space.
Just like the Central Business District, where vehicular accidents have reduced considerably due to the intervention of the Assembly, that of Alar Bar could also be brought down considerably if the Assembly makes conscious efforts to create the needed awareness and extend the decongesting exercise there.
At Alar Bar, a section of the business community have totally seized some link roads where they openly display bicycles and motor cycles for sale to the public .
The open display of bicycles and motor cycles on roads and pedestrian lanes at Alar Bar with impunity has now become a norm in the area, thus hindering the free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Unlike the Central Business District in Kumasi, where the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has succeeded in instituting measures and policies that has prevented people from transacting business on major roads, especially at the Central Market, Kajetia and the P. Z. areas, the Assembly seems not to have noticed the operations of the bicycle operators at Alar Bar.
There is always massive vehicular congestion from the Roman Hill area down the link road to Alar Bar and Suame road, creating a traffic jam which frustrates motorists and commuters who use such roads on daily basis.
The situation becomes bad on the main Alar Bar-Suame road, where dealers in bicycles behave as if the roads and pedestrian lanes were constructed solely for their businesses.
Before the decongesting exercise started at the Central Business District at Adum, vehicular accidents, some fatal, were regularly recorded around Kejetia and the Central Market area.
While some of the victims lost their lives without any compensation given to their dependants , others were maimed for life, making them depend on families, friends and sympathisers for their livelihood .
With the vigilance of the KMA Task Force which have succeeded in creating sanity at the Central Business District at Adum since the decongesting exercise started, vehicular accidents have reduced drastically at the area, and massive vehicular congestion associated with the place has reduced.
That is why the KMA should be commended for creating the requisite awareness among a section of the business community whose operations undermined free flow of vehicular and human traffic the area.
While commending the Assembly for a partial success in its decongesting exercise, it is important to draw its attention to the fact that much need to be done, especially at Alar Bar which is close to the Central Business District in terms of clearing the area of the operations of some businessmen and women who have turned themselves into tin-gods by transacting business at facilities created to facilitate free flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
The free flow of traffic, at Alar Bar is important because of the regular accidents that have been occurring there almost on daily basis as vehicles and pedestrians struggle for space.
Just like the Central Business District, where vehicular accidents have reduced considerably due to the intervention of the Assembly, that of Alar Bar could also be brought down considerably if the Assembly makes conscious efforts to create the needed awareness and extend the decongesting exercise there.
RACE COURSE AREA TO BECOME A MEGA-BUSINESS CENTRE (PAGE 29, SEPT 29, 2010)
A new hospital with international standards is to be constructed at the Race Course area in Kumasi to complement health delivery at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital .
This is to facilitate quality health care delivery among residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs .
Also to be constructed at the Race Course Area is a 240 semi detached executive houses that would transform the area into one of the most attractive suburbs within the Kumasi Metropolis.
To make the Race Course area more attractive, a five star hotel will also be constructed as part of the project, and attached to the hotel will be a fitness centre and an amusement park, where people from all walks of life can converge to have fun.
A sod-cutting ceremony of the project dubbed “Sun-Citi Kumasi”, which will be carried out by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II next month , will coincide with a ceremony to develop the Race Course area into a magnificent shopping mall that will boost commerce in the Garden City.
A Ghanaian businessman based in South Africa, Mr Robert K.A. Asante, who announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, at the Manhyia Palace also announced that he had already secured funding for the project and would announce the estimated cost during the sod-cutting ceremony.
“The project would mark the beginning of transforming the Race Course area into a vibrant tourist centre, thereby boosting commerce and income generation among residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs” Mr Asante said.
The courtesy call coincided with the visit of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of the South Africa, whose role in the liberation of the country from apartheid policies had been recognised world-wide.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu and his deputy, Ms Anima Wilson, and Service Commanders in the Kumasi Metropolis also attended the durbar which also included the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese in Kumasi, Rt Revd Dr Daniel Yinkah Sarfo and the Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi, Very Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah.
Archbishop Tutu was led to the Manhyia Palace by Professor Atukwei Okai, the renowned poet.
Mr. Asante who was full of enthusiasm when addressing Otumfuo Osei Tutu and a cross section of the Chiefs from the Kumasi Traditional area on the Race Course project said he was concerned about quality health care delivery among residents in the northern sector of the country.
He said he would, therefore, collaborate with his business partners to speed up the construction of the clinic as soon as the sod cutting ceremony was completed.
He gave the assurance that “the clinic would be equipped with an ambulance station as well as a private helicopter pad, a staff quarters and a doctors bungalows”.
He explained that such facilities would not only make the clinic attractive to entice patients from neighbouring countries to come for health care, but would also boost the morale of medical officers who would be employed to deliver quality services to win the trust and confidence of their clients.
Pleading with the chiefs and people of Kumasi to offer him the needed support to enable him complete the projects on schedule, Mr. Asante said the project “ is my widows mite not only to beautify Kumasi ,but also offer employment opportunity to the youth to make them live more dignified lifestyles”
“Nananom, The Sun-City project will create employment and also boost tourism in the Ashanti Region in particular and Ghana as a whole. We are therefore humbly appealing to Otumfuo, the Asantehene, and his noble chiefs for continuous support and protection in this direction”, he stated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended Mr Asante for his sense of initiative, and assured him that he and the other chiefs would offer him all the needed support and co-operation to ensure that the project begins on schedule.
This is to facilitate quality health care delivery among residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs .
Also to be constructed at the Race Course Area is a 240 semi detached executive houses that would transform the area into one of the most attractive suburbs within the Kumasi Metropolis.
To make the Race Course area more attractive, a five star hotel will also be constructed as part of the project, and attached to the hotel will be a fitness centre and an amusement park, where people from all walks of life can converge to have fun.
A sod-cutting ceremony of the project dubbed “Sun-Citi Kumasi”, which will be carried out by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II next month , will coincide with a ceremony to develop the Race Course area into a magnificent shopping mall that will boost commerce in the Garden City.
A Ghanaian businessman based in South Africa, Mr Robert K.A. Asante, who announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, at the Manhyia Palace also announced that he had already secured funding for the project and would announce the estimated cost during the sod-cutting ceremony.
“The project would mark the beginning of transforming the Race Course area into a vibrant tourist centre, thereby boosting commerce and income generation among residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs” Mr Asante said.
The courtesy call coincided with the visit of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of the South Africa, whose role in the liberation of the country from apartheid policies had been recognised world-wide.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu and his deputy, Ms Anima Wilson, and Service Commanders in the Kumasi Metropolis also attended the durbar which also included the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese in Kumasi, Rt Revd Dr Daniel Yinkah Sarfo and the Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi, Very Rev. Thomas Kwaku Mensah.
Archbishop Tutu was led to the Manhyia Palace by Professor Atukwei Okai, the renowned poet.
Mr. Asante who was full of enthusiasm when addressing Otumfuo Osei Tutu and a cross section of the Chiefs from the Kumasi Traditional area on the Race Course project said he was concerned about quality health care delivery among residents in the northern sector of the country.
He said he would, therefore, collaborate with his business partners to speed up the construction of the clinic as soon as the sod cutting ceremony was completed.
He gave the assurance that “the clinic would be equipped with an ambulance station as well as a private helicopter pad, a staff quarters and a doctors bungalows”.
He explained that such facilities would not only make the clinic attractive to entice patients from neighbouring countries to come for health care, but would also boost the morale of medical officers who would be employed to deliver quality services to win the trust and confidence of their clients.
Pleading with the chiefs and people of Kumasi to offer him the needed support to enable him complete the projects on schedule, Mr. Asante said the project “ is my widows mite not only to beautify Kumasi ,but also offer employment opportunity to the youth to make them live more dignified lifestyles”
“Nananom, The Sun-City project will create employment and also boost tourism in the Ashanti Region in particular and Ghana as a whole. We are therefore humbly appealing to Otumfuo, the Asantehene, and his noble chiefs for continuous support and protection in this direction”, he stated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended Mr Asante for his sense of initiative, and assured him that he and the other chiefs would offer him all the needed support and co-operation to ensure that the project begins on schedule.
Monday, September 27, 2010
TAXI DRIVER JAILED 12 YEARS FOR DUMPING ACCIDENT VICTIM (PAGE 29, SEPT 27, 2010)
A 28-year-old taxi driver, who knocked down a pedestrian at Tanoso, a suburb of Kumasi, and created the impression of sending him to a hospital, and rather dumped the injured at a secluded place, was slapped with a 12 year jail term by a Kumasi High Court at the weekend.
He was found guilty of manslaughter by a seven man jury ,and the presiding judge, Justice Jacob Boon, slapped him with the 12 year jail term in hard labour.
According to a Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei –Hwere, who presented the facts of the case before the court, the convict dumped the 41-year-old pedestrian at a lonely place around 8pm on November 13, 2007, and at a time that it was raining heavily, making it impossible for the victim to receive any kind of emergency medical care.
He explained that the victim, Alfred Kinto who suffered severe head and body injuries managed to crawl through the rains , but moments before he reached the road side, he collapsed, causing him to lie in the rains throughout the night, and only received support at the early hours of the following day.
He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment, but died three days afterwards ,and pathological report indicated the cause of death to be severe head and body injuries and excessive bleeding.
The convict, Bossman Owusu, was charged with murder after he was arrested three days later and police had finished with their investigations, but after the trial, which lasted for almost three years, a jury of seven returned a verdict of manslaughter, compelling the Presiding Judge to slap a 12-year jail term on Bossman Owusu .
In his presentation, Mr Osei- Hwere said the convict who was in charge of a Daewoo taxi with registration number, AS7945 V, knocked down Alfred Kinto around 8pm on November, 13, 2007 , causing severe head and body injuries to the victim who was 41 years old.
He said moments afterwards, Owusu was assisted by sympathisers to convey Kinto to hospital for emergency medical care, but the driver dumped Kinto at a secluded place near the Tanoso Anglican Junior High School and sped off.
He explained that at that time, it was raining heavily, so the victim could not receive any support , and, therefore, managed to crawl slowly through the rains, hoping to come across any Good Samaritan who would convey him to hospital.
He said Kinto, however, collapsed when he had almost reached the road side at the Apatrapa Junction, and it was around 7;30 am the following morning that some residents who saw the pathetic posture of the victim, gathered round him, but because of his condition, he could not communicate with them.
Mr Osei–Hwere said a few minutes later, Nana Adade Mensah and Kwaku Owusu, who assisted Bossman Owusu to convey the victim in his car, arrived at the scene and decided to find out why so many people had gathered round the area, only to see that it was Kinto who was lying there in a coma.
He said they managed to rush him to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital but he died three days later.
The Senior State Attorney said the two, who were witnesses in the case, and took the registration number of the vehicle that knocked down Kinto reported the incident to the police .
He said three days later, police investigations led to the arrest of Bossman Owusu, and at the time he was arrested, he had neither reported the incident to his car owner, nor the police.
He explained that due to the impact, the windscreen of the vehicle was smashed, but the convict, wanting to conceal his action, quickly repaired it .
The Senior State Attorney said after police investigations, the convict was charged with murder and arraigned.
He was found guilty of manslaughter by a seven man jury ,and the presiding judge, Justice Jacob Boon, slapped him with the 12 year jail term in hard labour.
According to a Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei –Hwere, who presented the facts of the case before the court, the convict dumped the 41-year-old pedestrian at a lonely place around 8pm on November 13, 2007, and at a time that it was raining heavily, making it impossible for the victim to receive any kind of emergency medical care.
He explained that the victim, Alfred Kinto who suffered severe head and body injuries managed to crawl through the rains , but moments before he reached the road side, he collapsed, causing him to lie in the rains throughout the night, and only received support at the early hours of the following day.
He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment, but died three days afterwards ,and pathological report indicated the cause of death to be severe head and body injuries and excessive bleeding.
The convict, Bossman Owusu, was charged with murder after he was arrested three days later and police had finished with their investigations, but after the trial, which lasted for almost three years, a jury of seven returned a verdict of manslaughter, compelling the Presiding Judge to slap a 12-year jail term on Bossman Owusu .
In his presentation, Mr Osei- Hwere said the convict who was in charge of a Daewoo taxi with registration number, AS7945 V, knocked down Alfred Kinto around 8pm on November, 13, 2007 , causing severe head and body injuries to the victim who was 41 years old.
He said moments afterwards, Owusu was assisted by sympathisers to convey Kinto to hospital for emergency medical care, but the driver dumped Kinto at a secluded place near the Tanoso Anglican Junior High School and sped off.
He explained that at that time, it was raining heavily, so the victim could not receive any support , and, therefore, managed to crawl slowly through the rains, hoping to come across any Good Samaritan who would convey him to hospital.
He said Kinto, however, collapsed when he had almost reached the road side at the Apatrapa Junction, and it was around 7;30 am the following morning that some residents who saw the pathetic posture of the victim, gathered round him, but because of his condition, he could not communicate with them.
Mr Osei–Hwere said a few minutes later, Nana Adade Mensah and Kwaku Owusu, who assisted Bossman Owusu to convey the victim in his car, arrived at the scene and decided to find out why so many people had gathered round the area, only to see that it was Kinto who was lying there in a coma.
He said they managed to rush him to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital but he died three days later.
The Senior State Attorney said the two, who were witnesses in the case, and took the registration number of the vehicle that knocked down Kinto reported the incident to the police .
He said three days later, police investigations led to the arrest of Bossman Owusu, and at the time he was arrested, he had neither reported the incident to his car owner, nor the police.
He explained that due to the impact, the windscreen of the vehicle was smashed, but the convict, wanting to conceal his action, quickly repaired it .
The Senior State Attorney said after police investigations, the convict was charged with murder and arraigned.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
TOURIST BOARD ORGANISES TOUR FOR KUMASI STUDENTS (PAGE 23, SEPT 23, 2010)
The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) is organising an educational tour for students at the tertiary level within the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs, to create awareness on the importance of eco-tourism.
Selected students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Polytechnic and the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus would actively participate in the tour which would take them to the catchment area of the Owabi Dam.
The tour, which has the theme “Tourism and biodiversity’, and will take place on September 25, 2010, is also meant to sensitise them to support the protection and preservation of potential tourist attractions in the region .
That, according to the Tourist Board, was to entice the present and future generations to appreciate the importance of eco-tourism and its significance on the tourism industry and support its development.
As part of the tour, the students would take part in a tree planting exercise and symposium meant to educate them on the values of the ecosystem.
The Ashanti Regional Manager of the GTB, Mr Ekow Sampson, who disclosed this an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the tour would be held on the day set aside as the World Tourism Day as a way of promoting the importance of tourism among the youth.
He said the programme would be concentrated at the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary where residents of the dam’s catchment area are threatening the wildlife .
“With the tree planting exercise, we would be creating awareness among students on the value of trees , especially on biodiversity and how they can contribute more meaningfully towards the protection of the environment”, he explained, adding “similar tours would be organised for the students for them to visit the Barekese Dam, the Bobri Forest Reserve and Lake Bosomtwe to educate them on the importance of such landmarks.
Mr Sampson noted that with students involved in regular tree planting exercises, the present generation would be preserving the environment for the future, as a way of sustaining the tourist potential in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
“That is how eco-tourism emanated, and with this, the environment would be preserved”, he explained further.
He said by preserving the environment, water , which was key to the development of eco-tourism would also be protected to ensure profitable tourism.TOURIST
Selected students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Polytechnic and the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus would actively participate in the tour which would take them to the catchment area of the Owabi Dam.
The tour, which has the theme “Tourism and biodiversity’, and will take place on September 25, 2010, is also meant to sensitise them to support the protection and preservation of potential tourist attractions in the region .
That, according to the Tourist Board, was to entice the present and future generations to appreciate the importance of eco-tourism and its significance on the tourism industry and support its development.
As part of the tour, the students would take part in a tree planting exercise and symposium meant to educate them on the values of the ecosystem.
The Ashanti Regional Manager of the GTB, Mr Ekow Sampson, who disclosed this an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the tour would be held on the day set aside as the World Tourism Day as a way of promoting the importance of tourism among the youth.
He said the programme would be concentrated at the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary where residents of the dam’s catchment area are threatening the wildlife .
“With the tree planting exercise, we would be creating awareness among students on the value of trees , especially on biodiversity and how they can contribute more meaningfully towards the protection of the environment”, he explained, adding “similar tours would be organised for the students for them to visit the Barekese Dam, the Bobri Forest Reserve and Lake Bosomtwe to educate them on the importance of such landmarks.
Mr Sampson noted that with students involved in regular tree planting exercises, the present generation would be preserving the environment for the future, as a way of sustaining the tourist potential in the region in particular and the country as a whole.
“That is how eco-tourism emanated, and with this, the environment would be preserved”, he explained further.
He said by preserving the environment, water , which was key to the development of eco-tourism would also be protected to ensure profitable tourism.TOURIST
The Kumasi shooting incident...GAME UP...Suspect 'turns' woman but gets nabbed (LEAD STORY, SEPT 22, 2010)
Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
ONE of the suspects linked with the murder of Constable Frank William Blankson in the shooting incident in Kumasi last Sunday, disguised himself as a nursing mother to escape arrest, but had his plans nibbed in the bud.
Acting upon a tip-off late on Monday, the police responded quickly and arrested the young man, Hafix Malik, 19, wearing a headgear and a muffler and carrying a baby at the back.
He was arrested at Alarbar, a Kumasi suburb, where he was said to be attempting to sneak to the Tamale station in Kumasi to board a vehicle.
Two women in his company were also arrested — one of them, Maria Fuseini, 26, turned out to be the sister of Hafix, who allegedly gave her baby to the suspect.
Briefing the press, Corporal Godwin Ahianyo of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations office said moments after the suspect was arrested, he led the police to arrest two other suspects in their hideouts at different locations in the Kumasi metropolis.
So far, 13 suspects linked to the shooting incident have been arrested by the police to assist in their investigations.
The names of the suspects have not been disclosed, since, according to the police, that will undermine their investigations.
The ‘Sweet Pub’ shooting incident occurred when the late Constable Blankson shot and killed a young man he suspected to be an armed robber.
A few minutes later, a group of young men massed up and pounced on the policeman, pelting him with stones and cement blocks, causing him to fall.
They then collected his AK 47 assault rifle and shot him at the midsection, killing him on the spot, before escaping in waiting vehicles and on motorbikes.
ONE of the suspects linked with the murder of Constable Frank William Blankson in the shooting incident in Kumasi last Sunday, disguised himself as a nursing mother to escape arrest, but had his plans nibbed in the bud.
Acting upon a tip-off late on Monday, the police responded quickly and arrested the young man, Hafix Malik, 19, wearing a headgear and a muffler and carrying a baby at the back.
He was arrested at Alarbar, a Kumasi suburb, where he was said to be attempting to sneak to the Tamale station in Kumasi to board a vehicle.
Two women in his company were also arrested — one of them, Maria Fuseini, 26, turned out to be the sister of Hafix, who allegedly gave her baby to the suspect.
Briefing the press, Corporal Godwin Ahianyo of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations office said moments after the suspect was arrested, he led the police to arrest two other suspects in their hideouts at different locations in the Kumasi metropolis.
So far, 13 suspects linked to the shooting incident have been arrested by the police to assist in their investigations.
The names of the suspects have not been disclosed, since, according to the police, that will undermine their investigations.
The ‘Sweet Pub’ shooting incident occurred when the late Constable Blankson shot and killed a young man he suspected to be an armed robber.
A few minutes later, a group of young men massed up and pounced on the policeman, pelting him with stones and cement blocks, causing him to fall.
They then collected his AK 47 assault rifle and shot him at the midsection, killing him on the spot, before escaping in waiting vehicles and on motorbikes.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
KATH APPEALS FOR MORE SUPPORT (BACK PAGE, SEPT 21, 2010)
AUTHORITIES at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have appealed to the Ministry of Health and corporate bodies to provide adequate financial support to the hospital to enable it to organise regular programmes on advance medicine in Ghana.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, who made the appeal, explained that such programmes would not only enhance capacity building of medical professionals to be abreast of modern trends in medicine, but would also stem the current brain drain of health professionals in the country.
He was addressing a cross-section of health professionals during a four-day international conference on advances in medicine in Kumasi.
About 250 medical professionals from the United States of America, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and The Sudan are taking part in the conference, which aims at providing updates in clinical medicine through didactic teaching, workshops and hands-on experiences on a broad range of topics.
The topics to be covered during the conference include rheumatic heart diseases, management of coronary artery disease, management of hypertensive emergencies, substance abuse, identifying the child with a genetic syndrome, evaluation and management of acute renal failure and genetic cancer syndrome detection.
Other topics are gastro-intestinal endoscopy, intensive care medicine, alcohol abrasion of liver tumours, cervical cancer and breast cancer screening, advance cardiac life support, general psychiatry, chronic renal diseases and kidney transplantation.
Commending the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and Olmsted Outreach of the United States for collaborating with the KATH to organise the international conference for the past eight years, Professor Ohene Adjei gave an assurance that the hospital would continue to build the capacity of medical professionals to effectively face the emerging challenges in the field of health care.
In an address read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, commended the KATH authorities for their sense of initiatives in organising conferences of such magnitude for the past eight years.
“ It is quite a task to gather annually such a world-class faculty from some of the leading medical institutions in the USA, Europe and Africa to address the continuous medical education needs of health professionals in Africa,” he noted.
He advised medical professionals in Africa to take advantage of the conference, “ so that they can keep abreast of advances in the profession”.
In his remarks, Dr Robert Lewis of Africa Partners Medical of the US, assured of continuous support to sustain the programme.
This, he said, would promote what he described as brain re-circulation among medical professionals in Africa.
He commended the participants for their commitment to the programme and urged them to remain focused to enhance their capacity building, thereby promoting healthcare delivery in Africa.
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, who made the appeal, explained that such programmes would not only enhance capacity building of medical professionals to be abreast of modern trends in medicine, but would also stem the current brain drain of health professionals in the country.
He was addressing a cross-section of health professionals during a four-day international conference on advances in medicine in Kumasi.
About 250 medical professionals from the United States of America, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and The Sudan are taking part in the conference, which aims at providing updates in clinical medicine through didactic teaching, workshops and hands-on experiences on a broad range of topics.
The topics to be covered during the conference include rheumatic heart diseases, management of coronary artery disease, management of hypertensive emergencies, substance abuse, identifying the child with a genetic syndrome, evaluation and management of acute renal failure and genetic cancer syndrome detection.
Other topics are gastro-intestinal endoscopy, intensive care medicine, alcohol abrasion of liver tumours, cervical cancer and breast cancer screening, advance cardiac life support, general psychiatry, chronic renal diseases and kidney transplantation.
Commending the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and Olmsted Outreach of the United States for collaborating with the KATH to organise the international conference for the past eight years, Professor Ohene Adjei gave an assurance that the hospital would continue to build the capacity of medical professionals to effectively face the emerging challenges in the field of health care.
In an address read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, commended the KATH authorities for their sense of initiatives in organising conferences of such magnitude for the past eight years.
“ It is quite a task to gather annually such a world-class faculty from some of the leading medical institutions in the USA, Europe and Africa to address the continuous medical education needs of health professionals in Africa,” he noted.
He advised medical professionals in Africa to take advantage of the conference, “ so that they can keep abreast of advances in the profession”.
In his remarks, Dr Robert Lewis of Africa Partners Medical of the US, assured of continuous support to sustain the programme.
This, he said, would promote what he described as brain re-circulation among medical professionals in Africa.
He commended the participants for their commitment to the programme and urged them to remain focused to enhance their capacity building, thereby promoting healthcare delivery in Africa.
NARCOTIC DRUG PEDDLER JAILED 10 YRS (PAGE 18, SEPT 21, 2010)
THE swift response of personnel of the Police Narcotic Unit in Kumasi on the operations of a drug peddler at Anwiam, a suburb of Kumasi, has led to the arrest and incarceration of the peddler to a 10-year jail term by a Kumasi Circuit court.
The convict, Baba Akoliya, 29, was arrested on January 8, 2010, at a drinking spot following a tip off by concerned residents.
A polythene bag which contained 19 parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp were neatly packed in a black polythene bag he was holding.
Following his arrest and the retrieval of the dry substances, a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Unit confirmed that the leaves were Indian Hemp and this paved way for the police to charge him with an offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge , but after the trail, the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amoo-Yartey, found him guilty of the offence and convicted him to serve the 10-year jail term with hard labour.
Presenting the facts before the court at an earlier hearing, the Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Fandoh, said the convict is noted for peddling Indian hemp at Anwiam and its environs.
He said concerned residents had raised issues on his operations on countless occasions, but he had always ignored their concerns by openly peddling the substances to a section of the youth, many of whom were becoming addicted.
He said following a tip off about the operations of the convict, the police responded swiftly, and around 8p.m. on January 8, 2010, they pounced on him at a drinking spot at Anwiam where he was peddling the substances.
Chief Inspector Fandoh said a search conducted on the convict revealed 19 parcels of wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a laboratory test also confirmed the substances to be Indian Hemp so he was charged with the offence.
The convict, Baba Akoliya, 29, was arrested on January 8, 2010, at a drinking spot following a tip off by concerned residents.
A polythene bag which contained 19 parcels of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp were neatly packed in a black polythene bag he was holding.
Following his arrest and the retrieval of the dry substances, a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Unit confirmed that the leaves were Indian Hemp and this paved way for the police to charge him with an offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge , but after the trail, the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amoo-Yartey, found him guilty of the offence and convicted him to serve the 10-year jail term with hard labour.
Presenting the facts before the court at an earlier hearing, the Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Fandoh, said the convict is noted for peddling Indian hemp at Anwiam and its environs.
He said concerned residents had raised issues on his operations on countless occasions, but he had always ignored their concerns by openly peddling the substances to a section of the youth, many of whom were becoming addicted.
He said following a tip off about the operations of the convict, the police responded swiftly, and around 8p.m. on January 8, 2010, they pounced on him at a drinking spot at Anwiam where he was peddling the substances.
Chief Inspector Fandoh said a search conducted on the convict revealed 19 parcels of wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a laboratory test also confirmed the substances to be Indian Hemp so he was charged with the offence.
EYE CLINIC OPENS AT KSI SOUTH HOSPITAL (PAGE 18, SEPT 21, 2010)
RESIDENTS of the catchment area of the Kumasi South Hospital were beside themselves with joy when an Eye Clinic was commissioned last Thursday to enhance effective eye care.
The Eye Clinic, intended to enhance quality delivery of health care services at the hospital and reduce massive congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was constructed at the cost of GH¢49,000 by the Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Mr Maxwell Kofi Dwumah.
A theatre, two consulting rooms, a ward, out patients department and changing rooms, among others , are some of the facilities at the Kumasi South Hospital Eye Clinic.
The Chief of Kyirapatre, Nana Owusu Ano Panin III, the Queen of Ahensan, Nana Akosua Fobi and the acting Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Joseph Oduro, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion when the eye clinic was commissioned.
In his welcoming address, Dr Joseph Oduro commended Mr Kofi Dwumah for his invaluable contributions towards the development of the hospital.
He pointed out that apart from the Eye Clinic, Mr Dwumah had supported the hospital with various equipment and logistics over the years as his contribution to improve quality health care delivery.
He said his initiative also paved way for the construction of a maternity block which is impacting well on the operations of the hospital and urged him to sustain such gestures to enhance sustainable health care delivery .
“Kumasi South Hospital lacked many facilities, but with the help of the Member of Parliament for Asokwa , benevolent institutions and individuals, facilities which are impacting very well on health care delivery for patients are springing up ” he noted.
Dr Oduro said since quality health care delivery depended on the facilities and equipment at the hospital, the medical personnel at the Kumasi South Hospital had been motivated adequately to offer the best of services to patients to improve their health.
He said with good health , residents would be able to indulge in productive ventures to improve their well-being .
He assured of regular maintenance to ensure a long lifespan or the facilities and equipment at the hospital to sustain quality health care delivery.
For his part, Mr Kofi Dwumah gave the assurance of his continuous support to the hospital to enable residents to have the best of medical care.
Expressing concern about inadequate health care facilities in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs, Mr Dwumah said lack of adequate facilities had created massive congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
This, he explained , was undermining quality health care and promised to initiate more projects that would accelerate the expansion of the hospital to enable residents at the catchment’s area enjoy better health care delivery.
The Eye Clinic, intended to enhance quality delivery of health care services at the hospital and reduce massive congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was constructed at the cost of GH¢49,000 by the Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Mr Maxwell Kofi Dwumah.
A theatre, two consulting rooms, a ward, out patients department and changing rooms, among others , are some of the facilities at the Kumasi South Hospital Eye Clinic.
The Chief of Kyirapatre, Nana Owusu Ano Panin III, the Queen of Ahensan, Nana Akosua Fobi and the acting Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Joseph Oduro, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion when the eye clinic was commissioned.
In his welcoming address, Dr Joseph Oduro commended Mr Kofi Dwumah for his invaluable contributions towards the development of the hospital.
He pointed out that apart from the Eye Clinic, Mr Dwumah had supported the hospital with various equipment and logistics over the years as his contribution to improve quality health care delivery.
He said his initiative also paved way for the construction of a maternity block which is impacting well on the operations of the hospital and urged him to sustain such gestures to enhance sustainable health care delivery .
“Kumasi South Hospital lacked many facilities, but with the help of the Member of Parliament for Asokwa , benevolent institutions and individuals, facilities which are impacting very well on health care delivery for patients are springing up ” he noted.
Dr Oduro said since quality health care delivery depended on the facilities and equipment at the hospital, the medical personnel at the Kumasi South Hospital had been motivated adequately to offer the best of services to patients to improve their health.
He said with good health , residents would be able to indulge in productive ventures to improve their well-being .
He assured of regular maintenance to ensure a long lifespan or the facilities and equipment at the hospital to sustain quality health care delivery.
For his part, Mr Kofi Dwumah gave the assurance of his continuous support to the hospital to enable residents to have the best of medical care.
Expressing concern about inadequate health care facilities in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs, Mr Dwumah said lack of adequate facilities had created massive congestion at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
This, he explained , was undermining quality health care and promised to initiate more projects that would accelerate the expansion of the hospital to enable residents at the catchment’s area enjoy better health care delivery.
Monday, September 20, 2010
KOTOKO PIP JETS (BACK PAGE, SEPT 20, 2010)
Kumasi Asante Kotoko won their second consecutive Glo Premier League match by pipping Tudu Mighty Jets by a lone goal at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday.
The goal, scored by Alex Asamoah just under a minute, saw the fans rooting for more, but it was the visitors who responded as they probed for the equaliser as the game wore on, making the home fans rather sit on tenterhooks for a greater part of the game.
Moments after kick-off, Louis Agyemang intercepted a pass and spotted Asamoah who sneaked through two defenders and put the ball beyond the reach of Yakubu Abubakari in post for Mighty Jets for the opener.
The visitors panicked after the early goal as they allowed Asamoah to head home an in-swinger from Louis Agyemang in the 20th minute, but referee Samuel Suka ruled it offside.
Sensing danger, Mighty Jets built a solid wall at the back, warding off the Kotoko threat, and gradually warmed themselves into the game. They created scoring chances but failed to take advantage of them.
The goal, scored by Alex Asamoah just under a minute, saw the fans rooting for more, but it was the visitors who responded as they probed for the equaliser as the game wore on, making the home fans rather sit on tenterhooks for a greater part of the game.
Moments after kick-off, Louis Agyemang intercepted a pass and spotted Asamoah who sneaked through two defenders and put the ball beyond the reach of Yakubu Abubakari in post for Mighty Jets for the opener.
The visitors panicked after the early goal as they allowed Asamoah to head home an in-swinger from Louis Agyemang in the 20th minute, but referee Samuel Suka ruled it offside.
Sensing danger, Mighty Jets built a solid wall at the back, warding off the Kotoko threat, and gradually warmed themselves into the game. They created scoring chances but failed to take advantage of them.
OWERE MINES OFFERS GIRL SCHOLARSHIP...For winning Akan proverbs contest (PAGE 46, SEPT 20, 2010)
The Management of Owere Mines Company Limited at Konongo has offered a scholarship to a second year Junior High School (JHS) female student from the Odumase Presbyterian JHS for winning a competition organised to test the competence of students in the local language.
The beneficiary student, Fatimatu Alhassan ,who won the competition with 118 points, will receive a scholarship package of GH¢80 from the basic level to the tertiary level.
She will also benefit from other cash payments and stationary from the mining company as she progresses in her academic pursuits.
Fatimatu beat 44 contestants to win the competition organised by the Asante Akim North District Directorate of Culture in collaboration with Kings Radio at Konongo and Owere Mines Company to test the competence of students in Akan proverbs.
Master Bernard Adu Gyamfi, also a second year JHS student of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS, won the second prize, with Master Keal Ofori of the God Bless Complex School at Kawkawkaw, winning the third place.
They were given GH¢50 and GH¢30 respectively as well as certificates for participating in the competition.
Owere Mines Company has also instituted an annual scholarship scheme award for students at the basic level in the district who will excel in future local competitions.
This, according to management, is to motivate the students to focus on their academic programmes.
All the 44 contestants were also given books, and certificates to encourage them to study hard.
Commending Fatimatu Alhassan for her performance in local proverbs, the Project Manager of the Owere Mines, Mr Roger Bannister noted that “management has decided to present to you the first prize of our educational scholarship to the university level within Ghana to further your education to prepare you adequately for your future”.
“In addition, you will receive cash prize and stationary to meet your immediate needs, so we urge you to study hard to enable you to enter the university of your choice in order that you will benefit from the educational scholarship awarded to you,” he said.
Mr Bannister also remarked that on her way to winning the award, “Fatima displayed discipline, commitment to studies, hard work and above all intelligence”, adding that “the student being sponsored would be a source of encouragement and inspiration for others who are nurturing hopes and aspirations to be part of the contest in the coming year”.
He said the primary objective of the mines was to support the provision of the basic needs of residents in its catchment area in order to improve their livelihoods.
He advised the youth to delve into the customs, traditional values and culture of Ghana and to be proficient in them.
This, he said, would enable them to preserve the values and cultural heritage of Ghana and avoid being Westernised.
He gave the assurance that management would support future events to enable the youth to keep abreast of the cultural heritage of Ghana.
In her remarks, the Asante Akim North District Director of Education, Mrs Naana Abudu, commended the management of the Owere Mines for investing in the education of the youth in the district.
She appealed to them to make the event an annual event to motivate the education directorate to organise similar programmes to encourage the youth to focus on their academic programmes.
The beneficiary student, Fatimatu Alhassan ,who won the competition with 118 points, will receive a scholarship package of GH¢80 from the basic level to the tertiary level.
She will also benefit from other cash payments and stationary from the mining company as she progresses in her academic pursuits.
Fatimatu beat 44 contestants to win the competition organised by the Asante Akim North District Directorate of Culture in collaboration with Kings Radio at Konongo and Owere Mines Company to test the competence of students in Akan proverbs.
Master Bernard Adu Gyamfi, also a second year JHS student of the Odumase Presbyterian JHS, won the second prize, with Master Keal Ofori of the God Bless Complex School at Kawkawkaw, winning the third place.
They were given GH¢50 and GH¢30 respectively as well as certificates for participating in the competition.
Owere Mines Company has also instituted an annual scholarship scheme award for students at the basic level in the district who will excel in future local competitions.
This, according to management, is to motivate the students to focus on their academic programmes.
All the 44 contestants were also given books, and certificates to encourage them to study hard.
Commending Fatimatu Alhassan for her performance in local proverbs, the Project Manager of the Owere Mines, Mr Roger Bannister noted that “management has decided to present to you the first prize of our educational scholarship to the university level within Ghana to further your education to prepare you adequately for your future”.
“In addition, you will receive cash prize and stationary to meet your immediate needs, so we urge you to study hard to enable you to enter the university of your choice in order that you will benefit from the educational scholarship awarded to you,” he said.
Mr Bannister also remarked that on her way to winning the award, “Fatima displayed discipline, commitment to studies, hard work and above all intelligence”, adding that “the student being sponsored would be a source of encouragement and inspiration for others who are nurturing hopes and aspirations to be part of the contest in the coming year”.
He said the primary objective of the mines was to support the provision of the basic needs of residents in its catchment area in order to improve their livelihoods.
He advised the youth to delve into the customs, traditional values and culture of Ghana and to be proficient in them.
This, he said, would enable them to preserve the values and cultural heritage of Ghana and avoid being Westernised.
He gave the assurance that management would support future events to enable the youth to keep abreast of the cultural heritage of Ghana.
In her remarks, the Asante Akim North District Director of Education, Mrs Naana Abudu, commended the management of the Owere Mines for investing in the education of the youth in the district.
She appealed to them to make the event an annual event to motivate the education directorate to organise similar programmes to encourage the youth to focus on their academic programmes.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
ASHANTI FINANCE OFFICERS UPGRADE SKILLS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (PAGE 46, SEPT 16, 2010)
The Controller and Accountant-General Department has organised a three-day workshop for metropolitan, municipal and district finance officers in the Ashanti Region to address the weaknesses in financial management and other lapses in the utilisation of public funds.
The workshop, was attended by 200 participants from the region to upgrade their skills in accounting for the management of public funds and resources.
It also focused on the compliance with the financial laws and expenditure controls to facilitate the usage of accounting data and reports.
The programme will be replicated in the remaining nine regions.
The workshop was necessitated by the recent audit reports that revealed weaknesses in financial management by the metropolitan, municipal and district financial officers in managing public accounts.
Among the topics treated at the workshop were financial responsibilities of public officers, organisational structure, revenue budgeting, budget implementation, internal controls, auditing, banking procedures and bank reconciliation.
Others were Chart of Accounts, Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System, reconciliation of financial transactions and financial reporting.
In an address, the Deputy Controller and Accountant-General in charge of treasuries, Mr James Ntim Amponsah, gave the assurance that the department would regularly update the skills of financial officers and also encourage them to share useful knowledge to enable them to deliver quality service to the public.
He said like any human institutions, public service “ is dynamic and is subject to change in terms of skills, technology and laws”.
He said since programmers of such nature were indispensable, it was important for them to be adequately focused on issues that promote public funds and resources to ensure efficient and effective management and maximum gain.
For his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, expressed concern about the lapses in financial accounts in recent times and called for a responsible system that would enhance transparency in public funds.
He said lapses in public accounts did not only undermine sustainable socio-economic development, but also affected government’s quest in initiating programmes and projects that would make the better Ghana agenda feasible.
Mr Opoku Manu said the government was committed to delivering on its campaign promises, and therefore, urged the participants to be focused on addressing all lapses in financial management.
The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Samuel Sarpong, noted that it was important for financial officers to comply with financial management and regulations to make the decentralisation process in the country feasible.
“ We must be guided by the financial regulations and procedures put in place so that at the appropriate times, we can account to the people we serve,” he said.
“We need to be efficient and effective in the management of public financial resources in spite of the challenges and concerns associated with the system”, he said.
Mr Sarpong, however, expressed concern about some of the financial procedures in the country, describing them as “obsolete and not in tune with current developments”.
He said the “ non implementation of composite budgeting is a great barrier to fiscal decentralisation at the district level .In many cases, the current legislation and practices continue to centralise public funds.
Funds continue to be controlled in the central ministries and departments, while functions have been transferred to the district assemblies”.
The workshop, was attended by 200 participants from the region to upgrade their skills in accounting for the management of public funds and resources.
It also focused on the compliance with the financial laws and expenditure controls to facilitate the usage of accounting data and reports.
The programme will be replicated in the remaining nine regions.
The workshop was necessitated by the recent audit reports that revealed weaknesses in financial management by the metropolitan, municipal and district financial officers in managing public accounts.
Among the topics treated at the workshop were financial responsibilities of public officers, organisational structure, revenue budgeting, budget implementation, internal controls, auditing, banking procedures and bank reconciliation.
Others were Chart of Accounts, Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System, reconciliation of financial transactions and financial reporting.
In an address, the Deputy Controller and Accountant-General in charge of treasuries, Mr James Ntim Amponsah, gave the assurance that the department would regularly update the skills of financial officers and also encourage them to share useful knowledge to enable them to deliver quality service to the public.
He said like any human institutions, public service “ is dynamic and is subject to change in terms of skills, technology and laws”.
He said since programmers of such nature were indispensable, it was important for them to be adequately focused on issues that promote public funds and resources to ensure efficient and effective management and maximum gain.
For his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, expressed concern about the lapses in financial accounts in recent times and called for a responsible system that would enhance transparency in public funds.
He said lapses in public accounts did not only undermine sustainable socio-economic development, but also affected government’s quest in initiating programmes and projects that would make the better Ghana agenda feasible.
Mr Opoku Manu said the government was committed to delivering on its campaign promises, and therefore, urged the participants to be focused on addressing all lapses in financial management.
The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Samuel Sarpong, noted that it was important for financial officers to comply with financial management and regulations to make the decentralisation process in the country feasible.
“ We must be guided by the financial regulations and procedures put in place so that at the appropriate times, we can account to the people we serve,” he said.
“We need to be efficient and effective in the management of public financial resources in spite of the challenges and concerns associated with the system”, he said.
Mr Sarpong, however, expressed concern about some of the financial procedures in the country, describing them as “obsolete and not in tune with current developments”.
He said the “ non implementation of composite budgeting is a great barrier to fiscal decentralisation at the district level .In many cases, the current legislation and practices continue to centralise public funds.
Funds continue to be controlled in the central ministries and departments, while functions have been transferred to the district assemblies”.
FIRE DESTORYS PROPERTY IN ASHANTI (PAGE 35, SEPT 15, 2010)
A Total of 394 domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires occurred in the Ashanti Region between January and June, this year, destroying property estimated at GH¢1,937,937
During the same period last year, property estimated at GH¢1,835,147 was destroyed in the region through fire outbreaks while a total of 393 domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires were also recorded.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) in charge of Ashanti Region, Mr Philip Aheng-Mensah, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He stated that while a total of 66 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢702,650 in the region in January, 100 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢125,650 were also recorded in the region in February, this year.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said in March, this year, a total of 77 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢547,410 and in April, a total of 56 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢154,730.
He said a total of 55 fire outbreaks were also recorded in May, this year, which burnt to ashes property worth GH¢71,077, while June recorded a total of 40 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢336,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said last year, as many as 121 fire outbreaks were recorded in January, destroying property estimated at GH¢149,980.
He said in February, last year, 58 fire outbreaks were recorded in the region while property estimated at GH¢253,421 was destroyed, adding that in March, last year, a total of 78 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢848,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah expressed concern about the spate of fire outbreaks in the region and its socio-economic ramifications, and wondered why the public had become apathetic towards educational campaigns on fire safety measures.
He said it was important for the public to submit their building plans to the Ghana National Fire Service for advice, stressing that with such collaboration, the public could be advised on in-built materials that could be used to reduce the impact on fire if they broke out in their homes in future .
During the same period last year, property estimated at GH¢1,835,147 was destroyed in the region through fire outbreaks while a total of 393 domestic, industrial, vehicular and bush fires were also recorded.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) in charge of Ashanti Region, Mr Philip Aheng-Mensah, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.
He stated that while a total of 66 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢702,650 in the region in January, 100 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢125,650 were also recorded in the region in February, this year.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said in March, this year, a total of 77 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢547,410 and in April, a total of 56 fire outbreaks destroyed property estimated at GH¢154,730.
He said a total of 55 fire outbreaks were also recorded in May, this year, which burnt to ashes property worth GH¢71,077, while June recorded a total of 40 fire outbreaks destroying property estimated at GH¢336,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah said last year, as many as 121 fire outbreaks were recorded in January, destroying property estimated at GH¢149,980.
He said in February, last year, 58 fire outbreaks were recorded in the region while property estimated at GH¢253,421 was destroyed, adding that in March, last year, a total of 78 fire outbreaks destroyed property worth GH¢848,420.
Mr Aheng-Mensah expressed concern about the spate of fire outbreaks in the region and its socio-economic ramifications, and wondered why the public had become apathetic towards educational campaigns on fire safety measures.
He said it was important for the public to submit their building plans to the Ghana National Fire Service for advice, stressing that with such collaboration, the public could be advised on in-built materials that could be used to reduce the impact on fire if they broke out in their homes in future .
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
MUSLIMS TO ADOPT HOSPITAL WARD (PAGE 29, SEPT 15, 2010)
THE Muslim community in Kumasi is to adopt a ward at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for rehabilitation and regular maintenance to enhance quality healthcare delivery.
The Chief of the Zongo Community, Alhaji Umar Farouk, who announced this during a courtesy call on the Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, also gave assurance to organise the muslim community to support the hospital in diverse ways as a way of encouraging the medical officers to be proficient in service delivery.
The courtesy call afforded Alhaji Farouk an opportunity to introduce himself to the hospital administrators as the new Chief of the Zongo Community.
Commending the KATH authorities for quality healthcare delivery over the years, Alhaji Farouk said the time had come for residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to collaborate with the hospital administrators to provide uninterrupted healthcare delivery to patients.
He said plans were far advanced for the muslim community to adopt one of the wards at the KATH and maintain it regularly as a way of encouraging others to emulate them.
He said it was only when stakeholders collaborated with the hospital authorities in maintaining the facilities that quality health delivery would be sustained.
He pleaded with the hospital authorities to speed up the process of releasing deceased muslims as a way of quickening their burial, stressing that no matter the status of muslims, it was their tradition to be buried as soon as they died, but delays in releasing dead bodies at the hospitals sometimes delayed burials unduly.
The KATH Administrator, Mr Offeh Gyimah, promised to offer the best of healthcare to all who attend the hospital to facilitate their recovery.
He noted that releasing bodies for burial sometimes depended on the corona’s report, and therefore pleaded with the leadership to to be patient when delays set in.
He commended Alhaji Farouk for declaring the intent to adopt a ward of the hospital and called on the public to provide similar support to sustain quality healthcare delivery.
Professor Ohene Adjei also commended the muslims for supporting development projects at the hospital and urged them to sustain it.
He assured them that in accordance with their corporate responsibility, the hospital would continue to offer quality heathcare delivery to patients to speed up their recovery.
The Chief of the Zongo Community, Alhaji Umar Farouk, who announced this during a courtesy call on the Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, also gave assurance to organise the muslim community to support the hospital in diverse ways as a way of encouraging the medical officers to be proficient in service delivery.
The courtesy call afforded Alhaji Farouk an opportunity to introduce himself to the hospital administrators as the new Chief of the Zongo Community.
Commending the KATH authorities for quality healthcare delivery over the years, Alhaji Farouk said the time had come for residents in the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to collaborate with the hospital administrators to provide uninterrupted healthcare delivery to patients.
He said plans were far advanced for the muslim community to adopt one of the wards at the KATH and maintain it regularly as a way of encouraging others to emulate them.
He said it was only when stakeholders collaborated with the hospital authorities in maintaining the facilities that quality health delivery would be sustained.
He pleaded with the hospital authorities to speed up the process of releasing deceased muslims as a way of quickening their burial, stressing that no matter the status of muslims, it was their tradition to be buried as soon as they died, but delays in releasing dead bodies at the hospitals sometimes delayed burials unduly.
The KATH Administrator, Mr Offeh Gyimah, promised to offer the best of healthcare to all who attend the hospital to facilitate their recovery.
He noted that releasing bodies for burial sometimes depended on the corona’s report, and therefore pleaded with the leadership to to be patient when delays set in.
He commended Alhaji Farouk for declaring the intent to adopt a ward of the hospital and called on the public to provide similar support to sustain quality healthcare delivery.
Professor Ohene Adjei also commended the muslims for supporting development projects at the hospital and urged them to sustain it.
He assured them that in accordance with their corporate responsibility, the hospital would continue to offer quality heathcare delivery to patients to speed up their recovery.
'WEE' PEDDLER JAILED 10 YEARS (PAGE 29, SEPT 15, 2010)
THE dream of a 28-year-old man to make money by peddling Indian hemp has landed him in trouble as he will spend the next 10 years of his life in jail.
The convict, Kwame Frimpong, alias Akiss, claimed to be a tanker wielder, but he abandoned his profession and decided to deal in Indian hemp to enable him to generate adequate resources to enhance his self-esteem.
His operations were, however, short-lived as he was arrested on March 25, 2010 when he was busily peddling the dried leaves at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
Sixty-seven wrapped pieces of dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved from him when he was arrested, and a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the substances to be Indian hemp.
He was, therefore, charged with the offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority and arraigned before a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr D.P. W. Amedior.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Doris Amewu, who prosecuted, told the court that on March 25, 2010, the police, acting on a tip-off that the Frimpong was dealing in Indian hemp, succeeded in arresting him at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
According to the prosecutor, the convict was arrested around 2 p.m. that day at a spot around Sofo Abebrese area at Old Tafo. When he was searched a black plastic bag containing 67 wrapped pieces of dried leaves later certified to be Indian hemp was found on him.
The prosecutor said Frimpong was then arrested to assist the police in their investigations while the substances were sent to the Police Forensic Unit for a test.
ASP Amewu said after test proved the dried leaves were Indian hemp, Frimpong was charged with an offence of illegal possession of narcotic substances and arraigned.
The convict, Kwame Frimpong, alias Akiss, claimed to be a tanker wielder, but he abandoned his profession and decided to deal in Indian hemp to enable him to generate adequate resources to enhance his self-esteem.
His operations were, however, short-lived as he was arrested on March 25, 2010 when he was busily peddling the dried leaves at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
Sixty-seven wrapped pieces of dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved from him when he was arrested, and a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the substances to be Indian hemp.
He was, therefore, charged with the offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority and arraigned before a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr D.P. W. Amedior.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Doris Amewu, who prosecuted, told the court that on March 25, 2010, the police, acting on a tip-off that the Frimpong was dealing in Indian hemp, succeeded in arresting him at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
According to the prosecutor, the convict was arrested around 2 p.m. that day at a spot around Sofo Abebrese area at Old Tafo. When he was searched a black plastic bag containing 67 wrapped pieces of dried leaves later certified to be Indian hemp was found on him.
The prosecutor said Frimpong was then arrested to assist the police in their investigations while the substances were sent to the Police Forensic Unit for a test.
ASP Amewu said after test proved the dried leaves were Indian hemp, Frimpong was charged with an offence of illegal possession of narcotic substances and arraigned.
WEE
THE dream of a 28-year-old man to make money by peddling Indian hemp has landed him in trouble as he will spend the next 10 years of his life in jail.
The convict, Kwame Frimpong, alias Akiss, claimed to be a tanker wielder, but he abandoned his profession and decided to deal in Indian hemp to enable him to generate adequate resources to enhance his self-esteem.
His operations were, however, short-lived as he was arrested on March 25, 2010 when he was busily peddling the dried leaves at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
Sixty-seven wrapped pieces of dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved from him when he was arrested, and a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the substances to be Indian hemp.
He was, therefore, charged with the offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority and arraigned before a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr D.P. W. Amedior.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Doris Amewu, who prosecuted, told the court that on March 25, 2010, the police, acting on a tip-off that the Frimpong was dealing in Indian hemp, succeeded in arresting him at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
According to the prosecutor, the convict was arrested around 2 p.m. that day at a spot around Sofo Abebrese area at Old Tafo. When he was searched a black plastic bag containing 67 wrapped pieces of dried leaves later certified to be Indian hemp was found on him.
The prosecutor said Frimpong was then arrested to assist the police in their investigations while the substances were sent to the Police Forensic Unit for a test.
ASP Amewu said after test proved the dried leaves were Indian hemp, Frimpong was charged with an offence of illegal possession of narcotic substances and arraigned.
The convict, Kwame Frimpong, alias Akiss, claimed to be a tanker wielder, but he abandoned his profession and decided to deal in Indian hemp to enable him to generate adequate resources to enhance his self-esteem.
His operations were, however, short-lived as he was arrested on March 25, 2010 when he was busily peddling the dried leaves at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
Sixty-seven wrapped pieces of dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp were retrieved from him when he was arrested, and a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed the substances to be Indian hemp.
He was, therefore, charged with the offence of possessing illicit drugs without authority and arraigned before a Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Mr D.P. W. Amedior.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Doris Amewu, who prosecuted, told the court that on March 25, 2010, the police, acting on a tip-off that the Frimpong was dealing in Indian hemp, succeeded in arresting him at Old Tafo, a Kumasi suburb.
According to the prosecutor, the convict was arrested around 2 p.m. that day at a spot around Sofo Abebrese area at Old Tafo. When he was searched a black plastic bag containing 67 wrapped pieces of dried leaves later certified to be Indian hemp was found on him.
The prosecutor said Frimpong was then arrested to assist the police in their investigations while the substances were sent to the Police Forensic Unit for a test.
ASP Amewu said after test proved the dried leaves were Indian hemp, Frimpong was charged with an offence of illegal possession of narcotic substances and arraigned.
WATER FOR ASUOYEBOAH SSNIT FLATS (PAGE 29, SEPT 15, 2010)
AUTHORITIES of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have inaugurated a 380,000 gallon mechanised borehole project at the SSNIT flats at Asuoyeboah in Kumasi to ease the acute water problem that had engulfed the area for the past six years.
Estimated at GH¢ 85,000, and initiated by SSNIT, in collaboration with Geo Group limited, the project which was completed in October 2009, was formerly inaugurated by the Director General of SSNIT, Dr Frank Odoom, on Thursday, August 5, 2010.
It is expected to supply potable water to 554 households at the Asuoyeboah SSNIT flats.
Addressing a cross-section of residents who attended the inaugural ceremony, Dr Odoom said the water problem of residents had been a matter of great concern to the management of SSNIT.
He said management agreed to support the construction of a mechanised borehole as part of its corporate social responsibility “ in finding a solution to the perennial water problem”.
He pointed out that the project formed part of the condominium concept designed to cede off the management of the estate to landlords and residents .
Explaining, he said “ the inauguration of this borehole is part of SSNIT’s contribution to equipping you to migrate to the condominium level, expecting that you will start some exploratory plan of action for accelerating this idea”.
He pointed out that the condominium concept took cognisance of “residents to take up responsibility of the entire estate, the only way out to take care of the high maintenance cost of the flats incurred by the Trust”.
Explaining further, he said “ the individual is directly in charge of internal works – internal fixtures, payment of insurance, property rates, ground rent which also include works on the main frame- superstructure of the whole block of flats”
He, therefore, challenged residents to develop the culture of maintenance to enhance effective operation of the borehole’
“The maintenance culture must be maintained to keep this facility operational;” he advised, adding, “WE are hopeful that you will not disappoint SSNIT and posterity and your performance in maintaining this borehole in the coming years.
Earlier, the Area manager of SSNIT, Mr Enoch Acheampong, said their desire was to promote the interest of communities to enhance their development.
He pointed out that water supply had been a hectic problem since the construction of the Asuoyeboah flats, explaining that “Ghana Water Company was initially able to supply water twice weekly, but the situation deteriorated from 2004 due to the increasing number of communities along the stretch from the Owabi dam site to the Estate”.
“Matters got worse when the only pumping machine serving the Estate broke down in June 2009”, he said, adding that “ knowing the lack of access of safe water could lead to negative consequences on health and socio-economic well-being of members, SSNIT, in collaboration with Geo Group Limited, initiated the project”
In his address, the Chairman of the SSNIT residents association, Mr Mac Wortsi, commended management for their sense of initiative.
He said the association would collaborate with residents to adopt maintenance culture to enhance the efficient and effective operation of the project.
He, however, urged management to provide documents covering the purchase of the flats to enable them to use them as collateral to secure loans in future.
Estimated at GH¢ 85,000, and initiated by SSNIT, in collaboration with Geo Group limited, the project which was completed in October 2009, was formerly inaugurated by the Director General of SSNIT, Dr Frank Odoom, on Thursday, August 5, 2010.
It is expected to supply potable water to 554 households at the Asuoyeboah SSNIT flats.
Addressing a cross-section of residents who attended the inaugural ceremony, Dr Odoom said the water problem of residents had been a matter of great concern to the management of SSNIT.
He said management agreed to support the construction of a mechanised borehole as part of its corporate social responsibility “ in finding a solution to the perennial water problem”.
He pointed out that the project formed part of the condominium concept designed to cede off the management of the estate to landlords and residents .
Explaining, he said “ the inauguration of this borehole is part of SSNIT’s contribution to equipping you to migrate to the condominium level, expecting that you will start some exploratory plan of action for accelerating this idea”.
He pointed out that the condominium concept took cognisance of “residents to take up responsibility of the entire estate, the only way out to take care of the high maintenance cost of the flats incurred by the Trust”.
Explaining further, he said “ the individual is directly in charge of internal works – internal fixtures, payment of insurance, property rates, ground rent which also include works on the main frame- superstructure of the whole block of flats”
He, therefore, challenged residents to develop the culture of maintenance to enhance effective operation of the borehole’
“The maintenance culture must be maintained to keep this facility operational;” he advised, adding, “WE are hopeful that you will not disappoint SSNIT and posterity and your performance in maintaining this borehole in the coming years.
Earlier, the Area manager of SSNIT, Mr Enoch Acheampong, said their desire was to promote the interest of communities to enhance their development.
He pointed out that water supply had been a hectic problem since the construction of the Asuoyeboah flats, explaining that “Ghana Water Company was initially able to supply water twice weekly, but the situation deteriorated from 2004 due to the increasing number of communities along the stretch from the Owabi dam site to the Estate”.
“Matters got worse when the only pumping machine serving the Estate broke down in June 2009”, he said, adding that “ knowing the lack of access of safe water could lead to negative consequences on health and socio-economic well-being of members, SSNIT, in collaboration with Geo Group Limited, initiated the project”
In his address, the Chairman of the SSNIT residents association, Mr Mac Wortsi, commended management for their sense of initiative.
He said the association would collaborate with residents to adopt maintenance culture to enhance the efficient and effective operation of the project.
He, however, urged management to provide documents covering the purchase of the flats to enable them to use them as collateral to secure loans in future.
KATH PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC REFURBISHED (PAGE 29, SEPT 15, 2010)
THE Psychiatric Clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has undergone a facelift, giving it a new outlook to enhance quality healthcare delivery.
The refurbishment, at a cost of GH¢172,331.21, would also reduce congestion at the wards.
It was handed over to the Head of Department of the Psychiatric clinic, Mr Christian Amoah, at a short but impressive ceremony.
A Board member of KATH, Mrs Joana Appiah Dwomo; the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Baffour Awuah; Director of Pharmacy, Mrs Elizabeth Animah Appiah; Director of Administration, Mr Isaiah Offeh Gyimah, as well as the Head of Estate, Mr Fredrick Oppong, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
The psychiatric clinic was closed down for almost a year to pave way for rehabilitation works by Brushwell Associates Limited.
During this period patients had to travel to Accra to receive medical care.
The clinic now boasts a 30 -bed capacity and a recovery ward that accommodates 10 patients at a time.
It also has four consulting rooms, an office for the Head of Department, a conference room and other facilities that enhance quality healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the refurbishment of the clinic would not only motivate medical officers to work hard but also reduce congestion.
He said “with the wards now expanded to accommodate 30 patients at a time, we hope to offer the best of services to our cherished patients to enhance healthcare delivery at the hospital”
He challenged the Head of Department and staff of the clinic to adopt a maintenance culture to enhance effective use of the equipment at the clinic.
The refurbishment, at a cost of GH¢172,331.21, would also reduce congestion at the wards.
It was handed over to the Head of Department of the Psychiatric clinic, Mr Christian Amoah, at a short but impressive ceremony.
A Board member of KATH, Mrs Joana Appiah Dwomo; the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Baffour Awuah; Director of Pharmacy, Mrs Elizabeth Animah Appiah; Director of Administration, Mr Isaiah Offeh Gyimah, as well as the Head of Estate, Mr Fredrick Oppong, were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
The psychiatric clinic was closed down for almost a year to pave way for rehabilitation works by Brushwell Associates Limited.
During this period patients had to travel to Accra to receive medical care.
The clinic now boasts a 30 -bed capacity and a recovery ward that accommodates 10 patients at a time.
It also has four consulting rooms, an office for the Head of Department, a conference room and other facilities that enhance quality healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, said the refurbishment of the clinic would not only motivate medical officers to work hard but also reduce congestion.
He said “with the wards now expanded to accommodate 30 patients at a time, we hope to offer the best of services to our cherished patients to enhance healthcare delivery at the hospital”
He challenged the Head of Department and staff of the clinic to adopt a maintenance culture to enhance effective use of the equipment at the clinic.
Monday, September 13, 2010
GOVT, PUBLISHERS URGED FORESTALL NEGATIVE LITERATURE (PAGE 11, SEPT 11, 2010)
THE government and publishers have been called upon to come out with measures that will forestall the breeding of ‘negative literature’ that has the potential to corrupt society.
The Provost of the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Dr Dr Daniel Buor, who made the call also urged publishers in particular to organise experts in various disciplines to produce textbooks that would take cognisance of the cultural and environmental experience of the country.
Professor Buor said it was equally important for publishers to be selective in their publications to curb moral decay in society, explaining that “pornographic literature is having a toll on the moral life of the youth and must be eliminated from the system”.
He was addressing some members of the Ghana Publishers Association, Lecturers of the Department of Publishing Studies of the KNUST and a cross-section of students at the university during the inaugural ceremony of the Ghana Book Publishers Association Northern Sector office at the university.
He pointed out that by their initiative, the association had now embarked upon “indigenisation of knowledge to pave way for development based on local experience”.
He said it was therefore important for the executives of the association to be proactive and innovative “by moving within the current stream of technology and strengthen your networks both locally and internationally to ensure sustainability”.
Appealing to the government and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to support publishers through the award of contracts for them to publish relevant literary works for public consumption, the Provost noted that “reading exposes the reader to wisdom and experience as well as abilities to enhance his experience and abilities to perform more efficiently”.
He said “there is even a very strong correlation between a nation’s literacy ratio and the country’s poverty levels”.
Expressing concern about the lack of reading culture among a large section of the public, he said “the habit of reading is a fundamental skill upon which all formal education depends”, stressing that “unfortunately, it appears that effective and purposeful reading among students and the youth is disappearing.
“Even though students of today have more access to textbooks, as well as literary materials on the internet than ever, they only choose to listen to music, play video games, watch television and videos for long hours,” he stated.
He said the little percentage who chose to read rather read literary materials that contained information that was not meant for them.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, said since the world now revolved around literacy, information and knowledge, society should keep abreast of literary works.
“A child’s reading skills are important to their success in school and during their future work life” he stated, adding that, “ reading can be fun and an imaginative activity for children, and this opens doors to all kinds of new adventures for them”.
He urged the adult public to encourage children to cultivate the reading culture, saying ,“ if we introduce our children to reading at an early stage of their lives, they will undoubtedly be put on a sound pedestal and would have a head-start in their adult life”.
Later at a symposium to commemorate children literacy day as a foundation for their future development, a lecturer at the Department of Publishing Studies at the KNUST, Dr Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, said to become literate was the central purpose of schooling.
He pointed out that approaches to literacy teaching included skills, socio-cultural, historical, whole language, critical literacy and new literacy studies.
He pointed out that since textbooks had the ability to mould social beliefs, attitudes and values, they should reflect and legitimise national and cultural traditions as well as curricular goals.
Speaking on the topic, ‘developing basic literacy in book hungry communities; the role of textbooks’, Dr Opoku Amankwa said children should not only participate in a wide range of literacy events, but should also engage in texts of different types for them to gain the full benefits of literacy.
“Learners need to be introduced to materials that are meaningful and useful in the real world, and such materials should provide hands-on activities, that will bring relevance to the information the children are learning and be able to link up with their lives and experiences outside school,’’ he said.
Dr Opoku-Amankwa pointed out that as artefacts for learning and literacy development, textbooks should not simply aim at providing a body of knowledge, hoping that teachers can easily transfer it to learners.
Rather, he said, textbooks needed to open up ways to stimulate the pupil’s interest, develop creativity and autonomy as well as create cultural awareness, link school knowledge to society and integrate different disciplines by providing authentic materials and tasks which could assist such a process.
He said textbooks should also aim at providing value beyond school by giving attention to current developments in society and also “get students to cooperate and communicate by having them work together in groups on collective tasks”.
Dr Opoku-Amankwa said it was equally important for teachers to get good teacher’s guide as a way of enhancing their teaching skills for effective and efficient delivery.
“A good number of textbooks and their corresponding teachers guide in use in classrooms in Ghana however tend to follow the traditional textbook format, using artificial pedagogical approaches remote from the functional and linguistic needs of learners” he stressed.
The Provost of the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Dr Dr Daniel Buor, who made the call also urged publishers in particular to organise experts in various disciplines to produce textbooks that would take cognisance of the cultural and environmental experience of the country.
Professor Buor said it was equally important for publishers to be selective in their publications to curb moral decay in society, explaining that “pornographic literature is having a toll on the moral life of the youth and must be eliminated from the system”.
He was addressing some members of the Ghana Publishers Association, Lecturers of the Department of Publishing Studies of the KNUST and a cross-section of students at the university during the inaugural ceremony of the Ghana Book Publishers Association Northern Sector office at the university.
He pointed out that by their initiative, the association had now embarked upon “indigenisation of knowledge to pave way for development based on local experience”.
He said it was therefore important for the executives of the association to be proactive and innovative “by moving within the current stream of technology and strengthen your networks both locally and internationally to ensure sustainability”.
Appealing to the government and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to support publishers through the award of contracts for them to publish relevant literary works for public consumption, the Provost noted that “reading exposes the reader to wisdom and experience as well as abilities to enhance his experience and abilities to perform more efficiently”.
He said “there is even a very strong correlation between a nation’s literacy ratio and the country’s poverty levels”.
Expressing concern about the lack of reading culture among a large section of the public, he said “the habit of reading is a fundamental skill upon which all formal education depends”, stressing that “unfortunately, it appears that effective and purposeful reading among students and the youth is disappearing.
“Even though students of today have more access to textbooks, as well as literary materials on the internet than ever, they only choose to listen to music, play video games, watch television and videos for long hours,” he stated.
He said the little percentage who chose to read rather read literary materials that contained information that was not meant for them.
For his part, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, said since the world now revolved around literacy, information and knowledge, society should keep abreast of literary works.
“A child’s reading skills are important to their success in school and during their future work life” he stated, adding that, “ reading can be fun and an imaginative activity for children, and this opens doors to all kinds of new adventures for them”.
He urged the adult public to encourage children to cultivate the reading culture, saying ,“ if we introduce our children to reading at an early stage of their lives, they will undoubtedly be put on a sound pedestal and would have a head-start in their adult life”.
Later at a symposium to commemorate children literacy day as a foundation for their future development, a lecturer at the Department of Publishing Studies at the KNUST, Dr Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, said to become literate was the central purpose of schooling.
He pointed out that approaches to literacy teaching included skills, socio-cultural, historical, whole language, critical literacy and new literacy studies.
He pointed out that since textbooks had the ability to mould social beliefs, attitudes and values, they should reflect and legitimise national and cultural traditions as well as curricular goals.
Speaking on the topic, ‘developing basic literacy in book hungry communities; the role of textbooks’, Dr Opoku Amankwa said children should not only participate in a wide range of literacy events, but should also engage in texts of different types for them to gain the full benefits of literacy.
“Learners need to be introduced to materials that are meaningful and useful in the real world, and such materials should provide hands-on activities, that will bring relevance to the information the children are learning and be able to link up with their lives and experiences outside school,’’ he said.
Dr Opoku-Amankwa pointed out that as artefacts for learning and literacy development, textbooks should not simply aim at providing a body of knowledge, hoping that teachers can easily transfer it to learners.
Rather, he said, textbooks needed to open up ways to stimulate the pupil’s interest, develop creativity and autonomy as well as create cultural awareness, link school knowledge to society and integrate different disciplines by providing authentic materials and tasks which could assist such a process.
He said textbooks should also aim at providing value beyond school by giving attention to current developments in society and also “get students to cooperate and communicate by having them work together in groups on collective tasks”.
Dr Opoku-Amankwa said it was equally important for teachers to get good teacher’s guide as a way of enhancing their teaching skills for effective and efficient delivery.
“A good number of textbooks and their corresponding teachers guide in use in classrooms in Ghana however tend to follow the traditional textbook format, using artificial pedagogical approaches remote from the functional and linguistic needs of learners” he stressed.
Friday, September 10, 2010
SIX YEARS JAIL TER FOR FARMER (PAGE 20, MIRROR, SEPT 11, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A 38-year-old farmer, Sulley Iddrisu, who allowed his emotions to override his judgement, causing him to attack a poultry farmer with a gun without any provocation, has been convicted to serve six-year jail term with hard labour.
Iddrisu was found guilty on a charge of attempted murder by a Kumasi High Court, presided over by Justice Jacob Boom.
Iddrisu was said to have become incensed when he detected that a woman had paid a visit to the farmer in his farm at Sekyere Nkwanta, near Boankra and, therefore, threatened to kill the farmer.
Moments after he issued the threat, he carried it out by shooting the farmer in the neck, arms and back, causing him severe injuries.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted and operated upon.A Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei-Hwere, who prosecuted, told the court that the victim is a poultry farmer whose farm is located at Sekyere Nkwanta, near Boankwa in the Ashanti Region.
He said, the convict also lives near a cottage where the poultry farm is located.
The prosecutor said on March, 12, 2009, a lady visited the victim in his farm at a time when the victim, and his farmhands were working.
He said a few minutes after the woman paid the visit, the convict confronted the victim without any provocation, threatening to kill him if he (victim) allowed women to come to the farm again.
The prosecutor said moments after the lady had left the farm, and the victim and his farmhands were still working , Iddrisu returned to the farm and shot at the victim at close range.
He said Iddrisu retreated with the gun afterwards and the farmhands rushed the victim to the hospital.
A 38-year-old farmer, Sulley Iddrisu, who allowed his emotions to override his judgement, causing him to attack a poultry farmer with a gun without any provocation, has been convicted to serve six-year jail term with hard labour.
Iddrisu was found guilty on a charge of attempted murder by a Kumasi High Court, presided over by Justice Jacob Boom.
Iddrisu was said to have become incensed when he detected that a woman had paid a visit to the farmer in his farm at Sekyere Nkwanta, near Boankra and, therefore, threatened to kill the farmer.
Moments after he issued the threat, he carried it out by shooting the farmer in the neck, arms and back, causing him severe injuries.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted and operated upon.A Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei-Hwere, who prosecuted, told the court that the victim is a poultry farmer whose farm is located at Sekyere Nkwanta, near Boankwa in the Ashanti Region.
He said, the convict also lives near a cottage where the poultry farm is located.
The prosecutor said on March, 12, 2009, a lady visited the victim in his farm at a time when the victim, and his farmhands were working.
He said a few minutes after the woman paid the visit, the convict confronted the victim without any provocation, threatening to kill him if he (victim) allowed women to come to the farm again.
The prosecutor said moments after the lady had left the farm, and the victim and his farmhands were still working , Iddrisu returned to the farm and shot at the victim at close range.
He said Iddrisu retreated with the gun afterwards and the farmhands rushed the victim to the hospital.
INDIAN HEMP PEDDLER ARRESTED (PAGE 19, SEPT 10, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
A 40-year-old man who has turned his room into an Indian hemp peddling spot has realised rather too late that he is in the wrong business.
Following a tip-off about his operations, Baba Yidana, was arrested on March 18, 2010 in his room at Sofoline in Kumasi when he was busily peddling dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
After the substances proved to be Indian hemp, following a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory Unit, Yidana was charged with possessing illegal substances and has been arraigned before a court, presided over by Mr D. P. W. Amedior.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and has been convicted by the court to serve a 10-year jail term with hard labour.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Regina Addo-Yobo, who prosecuted, told the court that the activities of Yidana came to light following a tip-off by neighbours that he was peddling Indian hemp in his room at Sofoline, a Kumasi suburb.
She said police personnel from the Narcotics Unit were, therefore, dispatched to the place to investigate and in the course of their investigations, they succeeded in arresting the accused in his room with a sack of Indian hemp.
A 40-year-old man who has turned his room into an Indian hemp peddling spot has realised rather too late that he is in the wrong business.
Following a tip-off about his operations, Baba Yidana, was arrested on March 18, 2010 in his room at Sofoline in Kumasi when he was busily peddling dried substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
After the substances proved to be Indian hemp, following a laboratory test conducted at the Police Forensic Laboratory Unit, Yidana was charged with possessing illegal substances and has been arraigned before a court, presided over by Mr D. P. W. Amedior.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and has been convicted by the court to serve a 10-year jail term with hard labour.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Regina Addo-Yobo, who prosecuted, told the court that the activities of Yidana came to light following a tip-off by neighbours that he was peddling Indian hemp in his room at Sofoline, a Kumasi suburb.
She said police personnel from the Narcotics Unit were, therefore, dispatched to the place to investigate and in the course of their investigations, they succeeded in arresting the accused in his room with a sack of Indian hemp.
ASHANTI PRISONS COMMANDER MAKES APPEAL (PAGE 18, SEPT 10, 2010)
The outgoing Ashanti Regional Prisons Commander, Deputy Director of Prisons (DPP) Joseph Kwaw-Yankson, has made a passionate appeal to the government to initiate policies and programmes that would enhance human resource development in the service.
He pointed out that much needed to be done, not only in the administrative structure and logistics, but also in key areas such as residential accommodation for officers and general conditions of service.
Explaining, he said support to the service would “ engender the necessary motivation and enthusiasm for increased productivity and prosecuting the cardinal objectives of the service in terms of safe custody, welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates”.
DDP Ekow-Yankson made the remarks at a solemn pull-out ceremony and party held in his honour at the Prisons Canteen in Kumasi.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, and Service Commanders in the metropolis, as well as a cross-section of the public graced the occasion, making it a memorable one.
Earlier, the regional minister and the outgoing Prisons Commander had inspected a guard mounted in their honour as part of the pullout ceremony at the forecourt of the prisons.
In his address, DDP Ekow-Yankson said though he was leaving the Ghana Prisons Service better than how he met it 26 years ago, much is needed to be done to improve conditions.
“ A number of initiatives have been taken in the past, leading to a significant reformation of the administrative structure, improvement in the logistical infrastructure and manpower and human resource development of personnel”, he noted.
He said notwithstanding the improvement, “ much remains to be done through the assistance of government to bring about further improvement”.
Touching on public support, he said various churches, pastors, evangelists, non-governmental organisations and the general public had contributed in diverse ways to support the spiritual and material needs of the inmates.
“ In the course of my tenure of office, these groups variously donated a number of consumable and non-consumable items among which were six television sets, 70 three-in-one bedsteads, 100 mattresses, quantities of cement and quarry stones, among others”, he said.
He said there was also a donation of GH¢4,000 “ to ameliorate the plight of the inmates, as well as to support projects undertaken in the prison by the administration”.
He also commended authorities of the service for enhancing the security lighting system and reinforcing the armoury.
He charged the junior officers to regularly build their capacity to enhance their promotion and also encouraged them to invest in their children’s education.
That, he said, would enable their children develop their potential more meaningfully and acquire employable skills that would make it possible for them to support sustainable socio-economic development in future.
He pointed out that much needed to be done, not only in the administrative structure and logistics, but also in key areas such as residential accommodation for officers and general conditions of service.
Explaining, he said support to the service would “ engender the necessary motivation and enthusiasm for increased productivity and prosecuting the cardinal objectives of the service in terms of safe custody, welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates”.
DDP Ekow-Yankson made the remarks at a solemn pull-out ceremony and party held in his honour at the Prisons Canteen in Kumasi.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, and Service Commanders in the metropolis, as well as a cross-section of the public graced the occasion, making it a memorable one.
Earlier, the regional minister and the outgoing Prisons Commander had inspected a guard mounted in their honour as part of the pullout ceremony at the forecourt of the prisons.
In his address, DDP Ekow-Yankson said though he was leaving the Ghana Prisons Service better than how he met it 26 years ago, much is needed to be done to improve conditions.
“ A number of initiatives have been taken in the past, leading to a significant reformation of the administrative structure, improvement in the logistical infrastructure and manpower and human resource development of personnel”, he noted.
He said notwithstanding the improvement, “ much remains to be done through the assistance of government to bring about further improvement”.
Touching on public support, he said various churches, pastors, evangelists, non-governmental organisations and the general public had contributed in diverse ways to support the spiritual and material needs of the inmates.
“ In the course of my tenure of office, these groups variously donated a number of consumable and non-consumable items among which were six television sets, 70 three-in-one bedsteads, 100 mattresses, quantities of cement and quarry stones, among others”, he said.
He said there was also a donation of GH¢4,000 “ to ameliorate the plight of the inmates, as well as to support projects undertaken in the prison by the administration”.
He also commended authorities of the service for enhancing the security lighting system and reinforcing the armoury.
He charged the junior officers to regularly build their capacity to enhance their promotion and also encouraged them to invest in their children’s education.
That, he said, would enable their children develop their potential more meaningfully and acquire employable skills that would make it possible for them to support sustainable socio-economic development in future.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
INITIATE POLICIES TO DEVELOP PRISON SERVICE PERSONNEL (PAGE 42, SEPT 8, 2010)
THE outgoing Ashanti Regional Prisons Commander, Deputy Director of Prisons, Mr Joseph Kwaw-Yankson, has called on the government to initiate policies and programmes that would enhance manpower and human resource development of personnel in the service.
He said much must be done not only in the administrative structure and logistical infrastructure, but also key areas such as residential accommodation for officers and general conditions of service.
Mr Ekow-Yankson made the call at a solemn pull-out ceremony and a farewell party held in his honour at the prisons canteen in Kumasi.
He said the support for the service would “engender the necessary motivation and enthusiasm for increased productivity and prosecuting the cardinal objectives of the service in terms of safe custody, welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.”
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, and service commanders in the metropolis, as well as a cross section of the public graced the occasion, making it a memorable one.
Earlier, the regional minister and the outgoing prisons commander had inspected a guard mounted in their honour as part of the pull–out ceremony at the forecourt of the prisons.
In his address, Mr Ekow-Yankson said although he was leaving the Ghana Prisons Service better than he came to meet it 26 years ago, much need to be done to further improve conditions .
“A number of initiatives have been taken in the past leading to a significant reformation of the administrative structure, improvement in the logistical infrastructure and manpower and human resource development of personnel,” he stated.
Touching on public support, Mr Ekow-Yankson said various churches, pastors, evangelists, non-governmental organisations and the general public had contributed in diverse ways to support the spiritual and material needs of the inmates.
He charged the junior officers to regularly build their capacity to enhance their promotion to the senior ranks and also encouraged them to invest in their children’s education.
He said much must be done not only in the administrative structure and logistical infrastructure, but also key areas such as residential accommodation for officers and general conditions of service.
Mr Ekow-Yankson made the call at a solemn pull-out ceremony and a farewell party held in his honour at the prisons canteen in Kumasi.
He said the support for the service would “engender the necessary motivation and enthusiasm for increased productivity and prosecuting the cardinal objectives of the service in terms of safe custody, welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.”
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, and service commanders in the metropolis, as well as a cross section of the public graced the occasion, making it a memorable one.
Earlier, the regional minister and the outgoing prisons commander had inspected a guard mounted in their honour as part of the pull–out ceremony at the forecourt of the prisons.
In his address, Mr Ekow-Yankson said although he was leaving the Ghana Prisons Service better than he came to meet it 26 years ago, much need to be done to further improve conditions .
“A number of initiatives have been taken in the past leading to a significant reformation of the administrative structure, improvement in the logistical infrastructure and manpower and human resource development of personnel,” he stated.
Touching on public support, Mr Ekow-Yankson said various churches, pastors, evangelists, non-governmental organisations and the general public had contributed in diverse ways to support the spiritual and material needs of the inmates.
He charged the junior officers to regularly build their capacity to enhance their promotion to the senior ranks and also encouraged them to invest in their children’s education.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
CONSIDER MERGING WITH STRONG BANKS — BOG (PAGE 29, SEPT 7, 2010)
THE Bank of Ghana (BoG) has directed rural banks that have remained undercapitalised and ineffective in their operations over the years to explore the possibilities of merging with strong banks to enhance their operations.
The Deputy Head of the Banking Supervision Department of the BoG, Mr Franklin Belnye, who gave the directive, warned that undercapitalised rural banks which failed to merge with strong financial institutions to enable them operate at optimum level stood the risk of being liquidated.
Explaining, he said, while “capital of major banks increased nearly eight fold from GH¢7 million to GH¢60 million, and that of non-financial institutions increased seven fold from GH¢1-1.5 million to GH¢7 million with firm deadlines for compliance, for rural banks, the increase was only three-fold, with no binding deadlines for compliance”.
Addressing the board of directors, management and shareholders of Nwabiagya Rural Bank and a cross section of the public during their 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Barekese, Mr Belnye expressed concern about the weak capitalisation of some rural banks over the years, saying many of them “remain undercapitalised and weak”.
This, he said, was “hampering their capacity for effective financial inter mediation,” warning that, “ this cannot continue forever, so weak banks must explore the possibility of merging with strong banks, or risk being liquidated.”
He said given the rapid transformation in the banking industry, especially the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) “rural banks have to make investments in these technologies to be abreast with developments and avoid losing clientele to the competition”.
He advised rural and community banks to continue to open their share capital to new investors, while encouraging existing shareholders to subscribe to more shares.
“This way, they can finance new banking infrastructure such as computerisation, automated cheque clearing and other electronic banking services without dissipating depositor’s funds,” he noted.
Mr Belnye commended the management and board of directors of Nwabiagya Rural Bank for their sense of initiatives and policies that have enhanced efficient and effective operations over the years.
He said it was such initiatives that had contributed immensely for Nwabiagya Rural Bank to be recognised and “ranked among the top rural banks in Ghana in terms of total assets, deposit mobilisation, capital and profit”.
“The bank has also demonstrated social responsibility by providing scholarships to needy, brilliant students and other social amenities in the catchment area,” he noted. He, therefore, encouraged them to increase their capital further by transferring part of the income surplus to paid up capital.
He explained that the “bulwark of any good bank is its capital and the stronger the capital base of a bank, the better”.
He pointed out that notwithstanding the weak capitalisation of some rural banks in Ghana , others were performing creditably, saying “ as at the end of December 2009, total assets of all rural banks stood at GH¢623.48 million, while loans and overdrafts stood at GH¢262.58 million”.
Mr Belnye also noted that deposits of rural banks last year amounted to GH¢455.48, saying “ this growth took place amidst increasing competition from the commercial banks and the proliferation of other players such as savings and loans companies, finance houses and micro-finance institutions”.
Presenting the annual report of Nwabiagya Rural Bank, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nana Owusu Sarfo Anwona II , said last year, they put up spectacular performance, making it possible for them to “lift up the major aggregates such as deposits, total assets, paid up capital, loan and advances portfolio”.
He explained that while total assets of the bank increased from GH¢15.09 million in 2008 to GH¢19.74 million last year, total deposits increased from GH¢11.70 million to GH¢14.85 million during the year under review.
During the same period, he said loans and advances grew by 5.2 per cent from GH¢8,715,939 in 2008 to GH¢9,159,209 last year, while profit also increased from GH¢586,255 in 2008 to GH¢1,002,098 in 2009.
Nana Sarfo Anwona said Nwabiagya Rural Bank was also playing her role as a typical rural bank “by contributing to the growth of the country’s domestic capital formation, explaining that 47 per cent of deposits of the bank “ is made up of savings from customers who are predominantly resident in the rural areas”.
its social responsibilities, he said they spent a total of GH¢11,000 as scholarships to 40 students, including 14 who are in tertiary institutions.
He said the beneficiary students were wards of customers and shareholders .
He said a total of GH¢38,753.50 was spent to provide street lights, the construction of aqua privy toilet facilities, heath care and renovation of classrooms among others to communities in its catchment area.
He said last year they supported the Ghana Police Service at Abuakwa with computers and their accessories and also constructed a ward for the Urology centre at Offinso to enhance health care delivery.
On their future plans, Nana Sarfo Anwona said they had acquired a plot at Offinso market to put up a permanent structure to house the bank’s branch, saying with time similar arrangements would be made to house other branches of the bank to enhance efficiency in its operations.
The Deputy Head of the Banking Supervision Department of the BoG, Mr Franklin Belnye, who gave the directive, warned that undercapitalised rural banks which failed to merge with strong financial institutions to enable them operate at optimum level stood the risk of being liquidated.
Explaining, he said, while “capital of major banks increased nearly eight fold from GH¢7 million to GH¢60 million, and that of non-financial institutions increased seven fold from GH¢1-1.5 million to GH¢7 million with firm deadlines for compliance, for rural banks, the increase was only three-fold, with no binding deadlines for compliance”.
Addressing the board of directors, management and shareholders of Nwabiagya Rural Bank and a cross section of the public during their 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Barekese, Mr Belnye expressed concern about the weak capitalisation of some rural banks over the years, saying many of them “remain undercapitalised and weak”.
This, he said, was “hampering their capacity for effective financial inter mediation,” warning that, “ this cannot continue forever, so weak banks must explore the possibility of merging with strong banks, or risk being liquidated.”
He said given the rapid transformation in the banking industry, especially the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) “rural banks have to make investments in these technologies to be abreast with developments and avoid losing clientele to the competition”.
He advised rural and community banks to continue to open their share capital to new investors, while encouraging existing shareholders to subscribe to more shares.
“This way, they can finance new banking infrastructure such as computerisation, automated cheque clearing and other electronic banking services without dissipating depositor’s funds,” he noted.
Mr Belnye commended the management and board of directors of Nwabiagya Rural Bank for their sense of initiatives and policies that have enhanced efficient and effective operations over the years.
He said it was such initiatives that had contributed immensely for Nwabiagya Rural Bank to be recognised and “ranked among the top rural banks in Ghana in terms of total assets, deposit mobilisation, capital and profit”.
“The bank has also demonstrated social responsibility by providing scholarships to needy, brilliant students and other social amenities in the catchment area,” he noted. He, therefore, encouraged them to increase their capital further by transferring part of the income surplus to paid up capital.
He explained that the “bulwark of any good bank is its capital and the stronger the capital base of a bank, the better”.
He pointed out that notwithstanding the weak capitalisation of some rural banks in Ghana , others were performing creditably, saying “ as at the end of December 2009, total assets of all rural banks stood at GH¢623.48 million, while loans and overdrafts stood at GH¢262.58 million”.
Mr Belnye also noted that deposits of rural banks last year amounted to GH¢455.48, saying “ this growth took place amidst increasing competition from the commercial banks and the proliferation of other players such as savings and loans companies, finance houses and micro-finance institutions”.
Presenting the annual report of Nwabiagya Rural Bank, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nana Owusu Sarfo Anwona II , said last year, they put up spectacular performance, making it possible for them to “lift up the major aggregates such as deposits, total assets, paid up capital, loan and advances portfolio”.
He explained that while total assets of the bank increased from GH¢15.09 million in 2008 to GH¢19.74 million last year, total deposits increased from GH¢11.70 million to GH¢14.85 million during the year under review.
During the same period, he said loans and advances grew by 5.2 per cent from GH¢8,715,939 in 2008 to GH¢9,159,209 last year, while profit also increased from GH¢586,255 in 2008 to GH¢1,002,098 in 2009.
Nana Sarfo Anwona said Nwabiagya Rural Bank was also playing her role as a typical rural bank “by contributing to the growth of the country’s domestic capital formation, explaining that 47 per cent of deposits of the bank “ is made up of savings from customers who are predominantly resident in the rural areas”.
its social responsibilities, he said they spent a total of GH¢11,000 as scholarships to 40 students, including 14 who are in tertiary institutions.
He said the beneficiary students were wards of customers and shareholders .
He said a total of GH¢38,753.50 was spent to provide street lights, the construction of aqua privy toilet facilities, heath care and renovation of classrooms among others to communities in its catchment area.
He said last year they supported the Ghana Police Service at Abuakwa with computers and their accessories and also constructed a ward for the Urology centre at Offinso to enhance health care delivery.
On their future plans, Nana Sarfo Anwona said they had acquired a plot at Offinso market to put up a permanent structure to house the bank’s branch, saying with time similar arrangements would be made to house other branches of the bank to enhance efficiency in its operations.
Monday, September 6, 2010
AGLOW TO FIGHT AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS (PAGE 23, SEPT 4, 2010)
Members of the Aglow International, Ghana, have vowed to wage a relentless battle against the practice of homosexuality to prevent it from gaining root in the country to devour the moral values embedded in Ghanaians.
They have also vowed to fight against the practice of occultism, ritual murders and other heinous crimes, describing them as satanic tendencies gradually creeping into the country to destroy our value system.
Describing the practice of homosexuality , occultism and ritual murders as abominable, likely to invoke the wrath of God on Ghanaians, members of the group said the time had come for all decent Ghanaians to join hands with Aglow International, Ghana, to ward off such satanic practices.
They pointed out that they had a heavenly mission to accomplish to redeem the country from falling into the hands of evil doers, and nothing would stop them from achieving their goals.
Stressing that the battle line had already been drawn and with fasting and prayers as their main weapons, they were likely to win the battle to redeem the country from falling into satanic practices gradually creeping into the mainstream of the society.
Members of the group made the vow at a five-day convention held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi.
About 2000 members across the country attended the convention, which was on the theme: “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
Aglow International is a network of care and prayerful women, dedicated to promoting the welfare and caring for women and teenage girls.
Over the years, Aglow International, Ghana, which has over 200 fellowships throughout the country, has ministered to the welfare of women, irrespective of colour, race, religion and creed.
Their mission is not only to help restore and mobilise women around the globe and promote gender reconciliation in the body of Christ as designed by God, but also to amplify the awareness of global concerns from the biblical perspective.
Addressing members of the group as part of their intercessional prayers, a board member of Aglow, Mrs Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, said occultism and ritual murders were part of the evil ways of gaining power and riches for the selfish gains of people who indulged in such practices.
She pointed out that Ghana was blessed to be at the forefront of leading Africa to the limelight of economic emancipation to accelerate the socio-economic development of the continent endowed with human and natural resources.
Expressing concern about some negative practices such as homosexuality, occultism and ritual murders practised by a few for their selfish gains, Mrs Affenyi Dadzie, a former member of the Council of State, noted that members of Aglow had gird their loins to combat such negative practices to prevent them from gaining root in the country.
She said as God relied on Moses to redeem the Israelites from the bondage of slavery, so would He rely on Aglow International, Ghana, to redeem the country from falling into the hands of homosexuals , occultists and ritual murderers.
“ We will never allow the spirit of lesbianism, gayism and occultism to gain root in Ghana,” she vowed, adding that “we will continue to fast and pray for God to change the mindset of such people and redeem the country from their evil deeds” .
She tasked members of the group to remain holy in all their deeds to enable them win their battle against evil doers, stressing that “ The Lord has power to redeem His people, and the gates of hell will not prevail”,
Earlier, the National President of Aglow International , Ghana, Mrs Dorothy Danso, urged Ghanaians to eschew any negative attitudes likely to undermine the peace being enjoyed nation-wide.
She pointed out that God always grieved over evil practices such as corruption, greediness, violence and immorality among others.
Mrs Danso said as God directed Noah to build the Ark to prevent those He had blessed from being destroyed alongside evil doers, so had He directed Aglow International to protect the blessed in Ghana.
“God’s hands are upon Ghana, and no matter the challenges, Ghana and Aglow will move forward,” she noted.
She called for public support in cash and kind to enable them complete all the needed educational infrastructure to enable as many females as possible to be admitted into the school to develop their potentials.
In his address, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, commended Aglow International, Ghana, for its commitment to sustain peace in the country.
He said the peace being enjoyed today could be attributed to their intercessional prayers.
He also commended them for their sense of initiative, making it possible for them to establish a vocational school to build the capacity of young and needy females.
He donated 100 bags of cement as his contribution towards the completion of the project on schedule.
They have also vowed to fight against the practice of occultism, ritual murders and other heinous crimes, describing them as satanic tendencies gradually creeping into the country to destroy our value system.
Describing the practice of homosexuality , occultism and ritual murders as abominable, likely to invoke the wrath of God on Ghanaians, members of the group said the time had come for all decent Ghanaians to join hands with Aglow International, Ghana, to ward off such satanic practices.
They pointed out that they had a heavenly mission to accomplish to redeem the country from falling into the hands of evil doers, and nothing would stop them from achieving their goals.
Stressing that the battle line had already been drawn and with fasting and prayers as their main weapons, they were likely to win the battle to redeem the country from falling into satanic practices gradually creeping into the mainstream of the society.
Members of the group made the vow at a five-day convention held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi.
About 2000 members across the country attended the convention, which was on the theme: “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
Aglow International is a network of care and prayerful women, dedicated to promoting the welfare and caring for women and teenage girls.
Over the years, Aglow International, Ghana, which has over 200 fellowships throughout the country, has ministered to the welfare of women, irrespective of colour, race, religion and creed.
Their mission is not only to help restore and mobilise women around the globe and promote gender reconciliation in the body of Christ as designed by God, but also to amplify the awareness of global concerns from the biblical perspective.
Addressing members of the group as part of their intercessional prayers, a board member of Aglow, Mrs Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, said occultism and ritual murders were part of the evil ways of gaining power and riches for the selfish gains of people who indulged in such practices.
She pointed out that Ghana was blessed to be at the forefront of leading Africa to the limelight of economic emancipation to accelerate the socio-economic development of the continent endowed with human and natural resources.
Expressing concern about some negative practices such as homosexuality, occultism and ritual murders practised by a few for their selfish gains, Mrs Affenyi Dadzie, a former member of the Council of State, noted that members of Aglow had gird their loins to combat such negative practices to prevent them from gaining root in the country.
She said as God relied on Moses to redeem the Israelites from the bondage of slavery, so would He rely on Aglow International, Ghana, to redeem the country from falling into the hands of homosexuals , occultists and ritual murderers.
“ We will never allow the spirit of lesbianism, gayism and occultism to gain root in Ghana,” she vowed, adding that “we will continue to fast and pray for God to change the mindset of such people and redeem the country from their evil deeds” .
She tasked members of the group to remain holy in all their deeds to enable them win their battle against evil doers, stressing that “ The Lord has power to redeem His people, and the gates of hell will not prevail”,
Earlier, the National President of Aglow International , Ghana, Mrs Dorothy Danso, urged Ghanaians to eschew any negative attitudes likely to undermine the peace being enjoyed nation-wide.
She pointed out that God always grieved over evil practices such as corruption, greediness, violence and immorality among others.
Mrs Danso said as God directed Noah to build the Ark to prevent those He had blessed from being destroyed alongside evil doers, so had He directed Aglow International to protect the blessed in Ghana.
“God’s hands are upon Ghana, and no matter the challenges, Ghana and Aglow will move forward,” she noted.
She called for public support in cash and kind to enable them complete all the needed educational infrastructure to enable as many females as possible to be admitted into the school to develop their potentials.
In his address, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, commended Aglow International, Ghana, for its commitment to sustain peace in the country.
He said the peace being enjoyed today could be attributed to their intercessional prayers.
He also commended them for their sense of initiative, making it possible for them to establish a vocational school to build the capacity of young and needy females.
He donated 100 bags of cement as his contribution towards the completion of the project on schedule.
Friday, September 3, 2010
TENANT SHOOTS LANDLORD (PAGE 27, MIRROR, SEPT 4, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.
A KUMASI High Court, presided over by Justice Jacob Boom, has found a 37-year-old man guilty on a charge of attempted murder and has therefore convicted him to serve a 10- year jail term.
Ernest Owusu, alias Kodjoe Boye, shot and wounded his landlord at Dominase, near Bekwai in the Ashanti Region following a disagreement between them.
After the disagreement over a decision by the convict to move from the house on December 13, 2002, Owusu dashed into his room, picked a loaded gun and shot at the landlord, hitting him in the lower abdomen, causing him to bleed profusely.
Owusu also directed the gun at five other family members and shot at them before fleeing into a nearby bush to escape.
The landlord and his family were rushed to a hospital for medical care and a week later, Owusu was arrested to assist the police in their investigations.
A Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei-Hwere, who prosecuted, told the court that both the convict and the landlord resided at Dominase, near Bekwai.
According to him, on December 13, 2002, there was a disagreement between Owusu and the landlord over a decision by Owusu to quit from the house .
He said the disagreement generated into a quarrel, which later turned bloody.
He said police investigations led to Owusu’s arrest on December 20, 2002.
A KUMASI High Court, presided over by Justice Jacob Boom, has found a 37-year-old man guilty on a charge of attempted murder and has therefore convicted him to serve a 10- year jail term.
Ernest Owusu, alias Kodjoe Boye, shot and wounded his landlord at Dominase, near Bekwai in the Ashanti Region following a disagreement between them.
After the disagreement over a decision by the convict to move from the house on December 13, 2002, Owusu dashed into his room, picked a loaded gun and shot at the landlord, hitting him in the lower abdomen, causing him to bleed profusely.
Owusu also directed the gun at five other family members and shot at them before fleeing into a nearby bush to escape.
The landlord and his family were rushed to a hospital for medical care and a week later, Owusu was arrested to assist the police in their investigations.
A Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei-Hwere, who prosecuted, told the court that both the convict and the landlord resided at Dominase, near Bekwai.
According to him, on December 13, 2002, there was a disagreement between Owusu and the landlord over a decision by Owusu to quit from the house .
He said the disagreement generated into a quarrel, which later turned bloody.
He said police investigations led to Owusu’s arrest on December 20, 2002.
ACCIDENT RATES IN ASHANTI ALARMING (PAGE 35, MIRROR, SEPT 4, 2010)
From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
VEHICULAR accidents claimed the lives of 132 passengers and pedestrians in the Ashanti Region between January and June this year, as against 134, during the same period last year.
The number of passengers and pedestrians numbering 1018 who suffered various degrees of injuries this year through vehicular accidents during the period under review, were not able to make any meaningful contributions towards sustainable socio-economic developmen.
Last year, the number of victims were 606.
The Ashanti Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander , Deputy Superintendent of Police, Godact Dodzi Hlordzi, who briefed The Mirror about the spate of accidents in the region, said between January and June last year, a total of 1,138 vehicles including 60 motor bikes, were involved in accidents.
He said during the same period last year, 1163 vehicles were involved in accidents, saying, most of the vehicles were damaged beyond repairs.
Expressing concern about the spate of accidents in the Ashanti Region and their ramifications on the socio-economic development of the country, Mr Hlordzi said compared to last year, the successes of road safety campaigns weremaking an impact.
“Road safety has not improved in the region because it was just a difference of two people when we compared the number of people who perished through road accidents during the period under review, " he explained.
He assured that more policemen would be placed at vantage points on the highways to check drivers who flout road traffic regulations.
He said posting more men on the road network in the region would make it possible for them to monitor the behaviour of drivers and apprehend those who have acquired the habit of flouting road traffic regulations.
This, he said, would bring sanity on the highways, and protect law abiding drivers and passengers.
He mentioned over-speeding, wrongful overtaking, drunk driving and overloading of vehicles among others as some of the offences that the police would check to bring the culprits to book.
He pointed out that the MTTU, in collaboration with the Road Safety Commission has carried out sufficient road safety education and campaigns over the period with the view of sensitising drivers to be more professional on the road.
“We are going to intensify our education on road safety, but we will also not spare those who flout the laws, “ he assured.
DSP Hlordzi said most of the fatal accidents in the region occurred during the weekends, and attributed them to drunk driving, especially during funeral period.
“ We are going to be very strict during the weekends by not only arresting drunk drivers, but also prosecute them to serve as deterrent to potential drunk drivers,” he warned.
He also warned drivers who overload their vehicles when they are hired by bereaved families during funerals that they risked being arrested and prosecuted “ because attending funerals have nothing to do with overloading of passengers on vehicles”.
VEHICULAR accidents claimed the lives of 132 passengers and pedestrians in the Ashanti Region between January and June this year, as against 134, during the same period last year.
The number of passengers and pedestrians numbering 1018 who suffered various degrees of injuries this year through vehicular accidents during the period under review, were not able to make any meaningful contributions towards sustainable socio-economic developmen.
Last year, the number of victims were 606.
The Ashanti Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Police Commander , Deputy Superintendent of Police, Godact Dodzi Hlordzi, who briefed The Mirror about the spate of accidents in the region, said between January and June last year, a total of 1,138 vehicles including 60 motor bikes, were involved in accidents.
He said during the same period last year, 1163 vehicles were involved in accidents, saying, most of the vehicles were damaged beyond repairs.
Expressing concern about the spate of accidents in the Ashanti Region and their ramifications on the socio-economic development of the country, Mr Hlordzi said compared to last year, the successes of road safety campaigns weremaking an impact.
“Road safety has not improved in the region because it was just a difference of two people when we compared the number of people who perished through road accidents during the period under review, " he explained.
He assured that more policemen would be placed at vantage points on the highways to check drivers who flout road traffic regulations.
He said posting more men on the road network in the region would make it possible for them to monitor the behaviour of drivers and apprehend those who have acquired the habit of flouting road traffic regulations.
This, he said, would bring sanity on the highways, and protect law abiding drivers and passengers.
He mentioned over-speeding, wrongful overtaking, drunk driving and overloading of vehicles among others as some of the offences that the police would check to bring the culprits to book.
He pointed out that the MTTU, in collaboration with the Road Safety Commission has carried out sufficient road safety education and campaigns over the period with the view of sensitising drivers to be more professional on the road.
“We are going to intensify our education on road safety, but we will also not spare those who flout the laws, “ he assured.
DSP Hlordzi said most of the fatal accidents in the region occurred during the weekends, and attributed them to drunk driving, especially during funeral period.
“ We are going to be very strict during the weekends by not only arresting drunk drivers, but also prosecute them to serve as deterrent to potential drunk drivers,” he warned.
He also warned drivers who overload their vehicles when they are hired by bereaved families during funerals that they risked being arrested and prosecuted “ because attending funerals have nothing to do with overloading of passengers on vehicles”.
WORK ON ANOKYE-ABUAKWA ROAD AT SLOW PACE (PAGE 18, SEPT 3, 2010)
AFTER three years of execution of the 11 kilometre road project from Komfo Anokye roundabout to Abuakwa in the Kumasi metropolis only 50 per cent of the work has been completed.
The project involving the construction of a three-lane road took off on August 1, 2007, and was supposed to have been completed on June 30, 2010, but three years on, constructional works is barely half way through.
Consequently, an extension of time has been granted to the contractor, Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation, and ABP Consult Limited, who are supervising the construction of the project.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Urban Roads Engineer, Mr Theodore Quaye, who briefed Daily Graphic about the progress of work during an interview said so far, major drains and bridges along the road that would facilitate constructional works were ongoing.
He did not indicate the period of time that was added for the completion of constructional works, saying “information on the additional time would be announced to the public soon”.
On why an extension of time had been granted, he said the review of the interchange bridge design, especially at Sofoline, affected the duration of constructional works.
He said the general review of the construction design also affected the progress of work.
He also announced that compensation to property owners that would pave way for the demolition of their structures to speed up constructional works had not been completed.
He explained that while some of the property owners had received their compensations paving way for their property to be demolished, others were yet to receive their compensations.
Mr Quaye pointed out that substantial constructional works at the Sofoline interchange have also been undertaken, stressing that progress of works at the place was encouraging.
He said the interchange at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout was however yet to start, but stressed that major obstacles that affected early works at the place had been cleared.
He further assured that constructional works at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout would progress very fast as soon it begins “ because we do not want to disturb the operations of the medical staff when we pitch camp there”
As of January this year, about 27.40 per cent of the total project work had been completed, indicating that between that period and now, 22.60 per cent constructional works has been added.
The Komfo Anokye Roundabout- Abuakwa road project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Transport at a cost of GH¢73,175,175,72.
The government made budgetary allocation to the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) in its 2006 budget towards the development of the arterial road network, and after going through the needed procurement process, the DUR awarded the construction contract to Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and the supervision of the construction works to Messrs ABP Consult Limited.
Both contracts were signed on June 8, 2007 between the then Minister of Transport, Dr Richard Anane and Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and ABP Consult Limited.
In accordance with the condition of contract, notice to commence work was issued to the contractor on July 3, 2007 and actual works started on August 1, 2007 with a construction period of 36 calendar months.
The 11 kilometre asphalted concrete three lanes dual carriageway include associated drainage works, the construction of both the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Roundabout, interchange bridges, construction of five underpasses at selected intersections, the relocation of schools affected by the project and the relocation of utilities such as water, telephone and electricity lines.
The project involving the construction of a three-lane road took off on August 1, 2007, and was supposed to have been completed on June 30, 2010, but three years on, constructional works is barely half way through.
Consequently, an extension of time has been granted to the contractor, Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation, and ABP Consult Limited, who are supervising the construction of the project.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Urban Roads Engineer, Mr Theodore Quaye, who briefed Daily Graphic about the progress of work during an interview said so far, major drains and bridges along the road that would facilitate constructional works were ongoing.
He did not indicate the period of time that was added for the completion of constructional works, saying “information on the additional time would be announced to the public soon”.
On why an extension of time had been granted, he said the review of the interchange bridge design, especially at Sofoline, affected the duration of constructional works.
He said the general review of the construction design also affected the progress of work.
He also announced that compensation to property owners that would pave way for the demolition of their structures to speed up constructional works had not been completed.
He explained that while some of the property owners had received their compensations paving way for their property to be demolished, others were yet to receive their compensations.
Mr Quaye pointed out that substantial constructional works at the Sofoline interchange have also been undertaken, stressing that progress of works at the place was encouraging.
He said the interchange at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout was however yet to start, but stressed that major obstacles that affected early works at the place had been cleared.
He further assured that constructional works at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout would progress very fast as soon it begins “ because we do not want to disturb the operations of the medical staff when we pitch camp there”
As of January this year, about 27.40 per cent of the total project work had been completed, indicating that between that period and now, 22.60 per cent constructional works has been added.
The Komfo Anokye Roundabout- Abuakwa road project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Transport at a cost of GH¢73,175,175,72.
The government made budgetary allocation to the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) in its 2006 budget towards the development of the arterial road network, and after going through the needed procurement process, the DUR awarded the construction contract to Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and the supervision of the construction works to Messrs ABP Consult Limited.
Both contracts were signed on June 8, 2007 between the then Minister of Transport, Dr Richard Anane and Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and ABP Consult Limited.
In accordance with the condition of contract, notice to commence work was issued to the contractor on July 3, 2007 and actual works started on August 1, 2007 with a construction period of 36 calendar months.
The 11 kilometre asphalted concrete three lanes dual carriageway include associated drainage works, the construction of both the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Roundabout, interchange bridges, construction of five underpasses at selected intersections, the relocation of schools affected by the project and the relocation of utilities such as water, telephone and electricity lines.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
USE FESTIVALS TO MOBILISE SUPPORT FOR CENSUS (PAGE 46, SEPT 1, 2010)
The Government Statistician, Dr Grace Bediako, has called on chiefs to use festivals, durbars, funerals and other social gatherings to encourage their subjects to participate fully in the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC).
She described the census as one of the key and credible sources of data collection that would be used for the planning and implementation of development programmes in the country.
Dr Bediako made the call when she interacted with members of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi as part of ongoing awareness creation on the census, which begins at midnight of September 26, 2010.
She said the census would ensure that the nation collated authentic and credible information to facilitate accelerated national development.
Dr Bediako noted that by their position and experience, chiefs had the skills and proficiency in communicating with their subjects for them to appreciate the magnitude of the exercise and its importance for their full participation.
She explained that during such programmes, some people who did not want to participate used norms, religion and traditions, among others, as excuses, saying that all should participate, irrespective of religion, customs and traditional norms.
She also pleaded with chiefs to educate their subjects for them to refrain from erasing identification marks on walls that would be used for the enumeration of members in households and structures throughout the country.
She advised against travelling to specific places to be enumerated, saying that such actions would undermine the credibility of the exercise.
“Wherever we found ourselves on September 26, 2010 which is census night, even if at hotels, is where we would be counted,” she said.
She said the information that would be collated would not only be used to track government development initiatives, but would also be a useful data for district assemblies, the Electoral Commission and other agencies for initiating certain programmes and exercises of national importance.
Dr Bediako said it was also important for individuals to give their precise dates of birth or events close to such dates, as well as educational backgrounds, places of work and marital status, among others, to enhance the accuracy of the exercise.
She explained that inaccurate information relating to dates of birth and other relevant information sometimes affected the credibility of data collected.
Commending the Government Statistician and her team for their initiatives, the chiefs assured them of their support to make the exercise successful.
She described the census as one of the key and credible sources of data collection that would be used for the planning and implementation of development programmes in the country.
Dr Bediako made the call when she interacted with members of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi as part of ongoing awareness creation on the census, which begins at midnight of September 26, 2010.
She said the census would ensure that the nation collated authentic and credible information to facilitate accelerated national development.
Dr Bediako noted that by their position and experience, chiefs had the skills and proficiency in communicating with their subjects for them to appreciate the magnitude of the exercise and its importance for their full participation.
She explained that during such programmes, some people who did not want to participate used norms, religion and traditions, among others, as excuses, saying that all should participate, irrespective of religion, customs and traditional norms.
She also pleaded with chiefs to educate their subjects for them to refrain from erasing identification marks on walls that would be used for the enumeration of members in households and structures throughout the country.
She advised against travelling to specific places to be enumerated, saying that such actions would undermine the credibility of the exercise.
“Wherever we found ourselves on September 26, 2010 which is census night, even if at hotels, is where we would be counted,” she said.
She said the information that would be collated would not only be used to track government development initiatives, but would also be a useful data for district assemblies, the Electoral Commission and other agencies for initiating certain programmes and exercises of national importance.
Dr Bediako said it was also important for individuals to give their precise dates of birth or events close to such dates, as well as educational backgrounds, places of work and marital status, among others, to enhance the accuracy of the exercise.
She explained that inaccurate information relating to dates of birth and other relevant information sometimes affected the credibility of data collected.
Commending the Government Statistician and her team for their initiatives, the chiefs assured them of their support to make the exercise successful.
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