A Lecturer at the Department of Publishing and Communication Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, has suggested to the government to scrap the Minitry of Information, saying “it has totally outlived its usefulness in a democratic governance as practised in Ghana”.
He pointed out that with the advent of a constitutional government in which the criminal libel law had already been repealed and the government could no longer gag the media, “the Ministry of Information has now become outmoded.
It is one of the ministries we do not need as a nation because it does not contribute in any way to our socio-economic development effort”.
Explaining further, he said, “The Ministry of Information was the mouthpiece of the various military juntas that informed the citizenry about government operations and development issues.
It was also used to control the media in those days, but with the advent of the Constitution and multiparty democracy, we do not need it. It is a waste of the taxpayer’s money to keep that ministry so it must go”.
Dr Opoku-Amankwa made the suggestion when he visited the Kumasi office of the Graphic Communications Group Limited last Tuesday to raise an issue on the relevance of the Ministry of Information, which he described as the propaganda outfit of the government.
He pointed out that the communications directorate of the government, as well as the Chief of Staff and his deputies, were competent enough to communicate to the citizenry the government’s programmes and directives.
He said it was time the government rather strengthened the Information Services Department with the requisite logistics and facilities to enable it “to explain the government’s policies and directives to the public in a more efficient and effective manner. The department can as well communicate to the citizenry development projects being carried out by the government and how they are impacting on their lives”.
Dr Opoku –Amankwa noted that problems relating to other ministries “are handled by the ministers themselves, their chief directors or public relations outfits so of what use is the Ministry of Information to the citizenry who pay taxes to sustain its operations?”
Explaining further, he said when the government or any of its arms was maligned by any journalist, “it is not the Ministry of Information that brings the erring journalist to book; it is rather the Media Commission or the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). So what specific role does the Ministry of Information play with regard to governance, irrespective of the Legislative Instrument that set it up?”
He said just as the other political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had its own communications department that related to its numerous supporters and admirers.
“At that level, the Ministry of Information has no role to oil the party’s propaganda machinery so it is not relevant in the present democratic dispensation where we need to trim the number of ministries to an appreciable level as a way of reducing cost.
“Fortunately, the vibrant media in Ghana is providing us useful service by keeping us informed on what is in government and what the government is doing on a daily basis to enable us to make informed decisions,” he noted.
He pointed out that “the discerning people of Ghana have now moved from a situation where anybody could just churn out information from government to a situation where the citizenry can critically access information from different media and make informed decisions”.
“The Ministry of Information, with two deputies, is virtually redundant. I cannot see what is there for them to do and the role they are playing regarding national development. I expected the President to scrap the Information Ministry during the reshuffle as a way of cutting down cost, but he did not take the opportunity offered,” he bemoaned.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
KATH COLLABORATES TO TRAIN EMERGENCY CARE DOCTORS (PAGE 30, FEB 12, 2010)
AUTHORITIES of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in collaboration with the University of Michigan and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), has started a residency programme to train physicians to handle emergency and acute heathcare needs of patients.
The hospital authorities are also developing an ultra-modern eye centre estimated at $620,000 to provide ophthalmic care of international standards for patients with eye defects
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, who announced this during their annual performance review workshop in Kumasi, explained that the newly constructed Accident and Emergency Centre at the KATH would be used for the training of the medicine physicians.
He pointed out that the exercise was meant to build the capacity of the trainees adequately in order for them to handle the emerging health care needs of patients within the catchment area of the hospital.
“The hospital aims to turn out the first batch of emergency physicians in sub-Saharan Africa with the requisite skills to provide world-class emergency and acute care in the next three years,” he explained
On the eye centre, he said “a critical facility scheduled for construction at the hospital this year is a stand-alone ultra-modern eye centre,” explaining that “with the help of the Himalayan Cataract Project and the USAID, work will commence soon on the construction of the US$620,000 project to provide ophthalmic care of international standards to eye patients.
The annual performance review workshop is a platform for the KATH authorities to take stock of their operations in 2009 and devise means towards achieving better service delivery targets for 2010.
Prof. Ohene Adjei also announced that last year, the hospital established a family planning medicine centre“ to strengthen the hospital capacity to meet the huge clinical burden placed on it by virtue of its strategic location and wide catchment area”.
On infrastructure, he said renovation work estimated at GH¢172,000 was started at the Psychiatry Block of the hospital as a way of creating “more congenial working environment in the wards and consulting rooms“.
He said construction of the Maternity and Children’s Block of the hospital, which started 35 years ago, was, however, far from completion and, therefore, appealed to the government to secure the requisite funding that would enable them to complete the project by the end of the year.
He explained that the early completion of the project “will immensely reduce the unacceptable high mortality rate of the hospital”.
Prof. Ohene Adjei also announced that as part of his priorities, his administration had made provision of a back-up system for water and power.
“We have tendered for an expression of interest for consultancy services for a project to increase the hospital’s water reservoir from 65,000 gallons to 200,000 gallons. The hospital has also awarded a contract for the interconnection and automation of the 2.2 MVA emergency power plant to the Accident and Emergency Centre at a cost of GH¢113,000. This will help provide a round-the-clock power supply to the centre when the national grid fails,” he explained.
He said as part of the measures for enhancing quality service delivery, the hospital would replace “the ageing equipment, especially the X-Ray and the laboratory equipment which are no longer in a position to cope with the pressure from the ever-growing demand of patients”.
He, therefore, called on the staff to strive to adopt a new culture that would put the interest of patients above all interests to win their confidence.
The hospital authorities are also developing an ultra-modern eye centre estimated at $620,000 to provide ophthalmic care of international standards for patients with eye defects
The Chief Executive of KATH, Professor Ohene Adjei, who announced this during their annual performance review workshop in Kumasi, explained that the newly constructed Accident and Emergency Centre at the KATH would be used for the training of the medicine physicians.
He pointed out that the exercise was meant to build the capacity of the trainees adequately in order for them to handle the emerging health care needs of patients within the catchment area of the hospital.
“The hospital aims to turn out the first batch of emergency physicians in sub-Saharan Africa with the requisite skills to provide world-class emergency and acute care in the next three years,” he explained
On the eye centre, he said “a critical facility scheduled for construction at the hospital this year is a stand-alone ultra-modern eye centre,” explaining that “with the help of the Himalayan Cataract Project and the USAID, work will commence soon on the construction of the US$620,000 project to provide ophthalmic care of international standards to eye patients.
The annual performance review workshop is a platform for the KATH authorities to take stock of their operations in 2009 and devise means towards achieving better service delivery targets for 2010.
Prof. Ohene Adjei also announced that last year, the hospital established a family planning medicine centre“ to strengthen the hospital capacity to meet the huge clinical burden placed on it by virtue of its strategic location and wide catchment area”.
On infrastructure, he said renovation work estimated at GH¢172,000 was started at the Psychiatry Block of the hospital as a way of creating “more congenial working environment in the wards and consulting rooms“.
He said construction of the Maternity and Children’s Block of the hospital, which started 35 years ago, was, however, far from completion and, therefore, appealed to the government to secure the requisite funding that would enable them to complete the project by the end of the year.
He explained that the early completion of the project “will immensely reduce the unacceptable high mortality rate of the hospital”.
Prof. Ohene Adjei also announced that as part of his priorities, his administration had made provision of a back-up system for water and power.
“We have tendered for an expression of interest for consultancy services for a project to increase the hospital’s water reservoir from 65,000 gallons to 200,000 gallons. The hospital has also awarded a contract for the interconnection and automation of the 2.2 MVA emergency power plant to the Accident and Emergency Centre at a cost of GH¢113,000. This will help provide a round-the-clock power supply to the centre when the national grid fails,” he explained.
He said as part of the measures for enhancing quality service delivery, the hospital would replace “the ageing equipment, especially the X-Ray and the laboratory equipment which are no longer in a position to cope with the pressure from the ever-growing demand of patients”.
He, therefore, called on the staff to strive to adopt a new culture that would put the interest of patients above all interests to win their confidence.
ONWI JHS BLOCK NEEDS RENOVATION (PAGE 11, FEB 12, 2010)
THE Chiefs and people of Onwi, near Kuntunasi have organised their annual general meeting and fundraising harvest to source for money to renovate the junior high school block in the community, which has now become a death trap.
The JHS block, which was constructed by the community in 1967 through communal labour, now has cracks on the walls and leaks badly, putting the lives of both the teaching staff and students at great risk, especially when the weather is unfavourable.
Through the communal spirit of the people in Onwi in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti, a number of development projects including the construction of a six classroom block, office and store for the primary school in the community and the tarring of the Onwi High Street have been initiated.
Addressing the people during the fundraising harvest, the Chief, Nana Osei Kwabena II, expressed concern about the nature of the JHS block, in spite of the numerous appeals made to the Bosomtwe District Assembly to support the community.
He pointed out that unlike neighbouring communities that the Bosomtwe District Assembly had supported in cash and kind over the years, especially in the areas of educational infrastructure to facilitate teaching and learning, potable water, public places of convenience to enhance sanitation among others , “Onwi is yet to receive any of such support”.
Nana Kwabena noted that the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) initiated to entice children to have keen interest in academic work had also not been extended to the Onwi Community, saying it was time Onwi had a fair share of the national cake because they have been neglected for a long time.
On the issue of spraying of cocoa farms in the area to enhance increased production Nana Kwabena said, “the exercise had not benefited cocoa farmers in the Onwi Community.
He advised the youth to refrain from using drugs and drinking of alcoholic beverages, saying “such actions affect your health and undermine your quest to be future leaders”.
sIn his address, the Chief Executive of Bosomtwe District Assembly, Mr Edward Nti Berko, commended the chiefs and people of Onwi for their communal spirit, making it possible for them to generate resources to initiate a number of projects.
He said the community should not only actively support such initiatives, but also eschew any tendency likely to derail the peace and tranquility that made it possible for them to meet annually to devise means of generating resources to improve their standard of living.
He pledged the assembly’s support, saying the next three years have been earmarked for undertaking development projects likely to improve the standard of living among the people of the district.
He, therefore, urged opinion leaders in the community to liaise with the technical committee to seek their views on priority areas to enable the assembly to come out with a budget that would address their needs.
The JHS block, which was constructed by the community in 1967 through communal labour, now has cracks on the walls and leaks badly, putting the lives of both the teaching staff and students at great risk, especially when the weather is unfavourable.
Through the communal spirit of the people in Onwi in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti, a number of development projects including the construction of a six classroom block, office and store for the primary school in the community and the tarring of the Onwi High Street have been initiated.
Addressing the people during the fundraising harvest, the Chief, Nana Osei Kwabena II, expressed concern about the nature of the JHS block, in spite of the numerous appeals made to the Bosomtwe District Assembly to support the community.
He pointed out that unlike neighbouring communities that the Bosomtwe District Assembly had supported in cash and kind over the years, especially in the areas of educational infrastructure to facilitate teaching and learning, potable water, public places of convenience to enhance sanitation among others , “Onwi is yet to receive any of such support”.
Nana Kwabena noted that the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) initiated to entice children to have keen interest in academic work had also not been extended to the Onwi Community, saying it was time Onwi had a fair share of the national cake because they have been neglected for a long time.
On the issue of spraying of cocoa farms in the area to enhance increased production Nana Kwabena said, “the exercise had not benefited cocoa farmers in the Onwi Community.
He advised the youth to refrain from using drugs and drinking of alcoholic beverages, saying “such actions affect your health and undermine your quest to be future leaders”.
sIn his address, the Chief Executive of Bosomtwe District Assembly, Mr Edward Nti Berko, commended the chiefs and people of Onwi for their communal spirit, making it possible for them to generate resources to initiate a number of projects.
He said the community should not only actively support such initiatives, but also eschew any tendency likely to derail the peace and tranquility that made it possible for them to meet annually to devise means of generating resources to improve their standard of living.
He pledged the assembly’s support, saying the next three years have been earmarked for undertaking development projects likely to improve the standard of living among the people of the district.
He, therefore, urged opinion leaders in the community to liaise with the technical committee to seek their views on priority areas to enable the assembly to come out with a budget that would address their needs.
Friday, February 26, 2010
ARMED ROBBER JAILED 100 YEARS (PAGE 3, FEB 6, 2010)
A 20-year-old armed robber who killed a pregnant woman and critically injured her husband in an attack in May last year is to spend the next 100 years in jail.
The robber, Muhammad Musah, aka Red Bone, was arrested in August last year and he pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to rob and robbing at gunpoint.
However, the court, presided over by Mr Amo Yartey, found him guilty of the charges and sentenced him to serve 1,200 months in jail.
In convicting the robber, Mr Yartey said he took into account the death of the woman, who was six months’ pregnant, and the injuries sustained by her husband, saying, “People like you are not fit to mingle with law-abiding citizens.”
According to the police, Musah is also facing trial in various courts in the Kumasi metropolis for similar offences.
Prosecuting, a State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, told the court that around 1 a.m. on May 20, 2009, Musah, who was unemployed, together with his two accomplices now at large, armed themselves with a pump action gun and started attacking victims at Duase New Site in Kumasi and robbed them of various items, including five single-barrelled guns and 20 live cartridges which volunteers in the new site used for patrols in the community.
He said in the course of the attack, the gang shot and wounded one Tenkorang in his left leg.
Mr Boison said around 2:30 a.m. that day, the convict and his two accomplices attacked Mr Joseph Kofi Oppong, a taxi driver resident in the same vicinity, and his wife, Ataa Achiamaa, now deceased.
He said the distance between the area where the robbers shot and wounded Tenkorang and where Mr Oppong and his wife stayed was about 1,000 metres.
Explaining further, Mr Otoo-Boison said in the course of the attack, Musah and his accomplices forcibly took away GH¢120 from his victims, but not satisfied with their booty, they shot and wounded Mr Oppong in the right hand, causing him to bleed profusely, and also shot his wife, who was six months’ pregnant, killing her in the process, before taking to their heels.
He said the police started investigations as soon as the case was reported to them and succeeded in arresting Musah at his hideout three months later.
He said the convict was identified by his victims at two separate identification parades as one of the robbers who had attacked them at gunpoint.
The robber, Muhammad Musah, aka Red Bone, was arrested in August last year and he pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to rob and robbing at gunpoint.
However, the court, presided over by Mr Amo Yartey, found him guilty of the charges and sentenced him to serve 1,200 months in jail.
In convicting the robber, Mr Yartey said he took into account the death of the woman, who was six months’ pregnant, and the injuries sustained by her husband, saying, “People like you are not fit to mingle with law-abiding citizens.”
According to the police, Musah is also facing trial in various courts in the Kumasi metropolis for similar offences.
Prosecuting, a State Attorney, Mr Emmanuel Lawrence Otoo-Boison, told the court that around 1 a.m. on May 20, 2009, Musah, who was unemployed, together with his two accomplices now at large, armed themselves with a pump action gun and started attacking victims at Duase New Site in Kumasi and robbed them of various items, including five single-barrelled guns and 20 live cartridges which volunteers in the new site used for patrols in the community.
He said in the course of the attack, the gang shot and wounded one Tenkorang in his left leg.
Mr Boison said around 2:30 a.m. that day, the convict and his two accomplices attacked Mr Joseph Kofi Oppong, a taxi driver resident in the same vicinity, and his wife, Ataa Achiamaa, now deceased.
He said the distance between the area where the robbers shot and wounded Tenkorang and where Mr Oppong and his wife stayed was about 1,000 metres.
Explaining further, Mr Otoo-Boison said in the course of the attack, Musah and his accomplices forcibly took away GH¢120 from his victims, but not satisfied with their booty, they shot and wounded Mr Oppong in the right hand, causing him to bleed profusely, and also shot his wife, who was six months’ pregnant, killing her in the process, before taking to their heels.
He said the police started investigations as soon as the case was reported to them and succeeded in arresting Musah at his hideout three months later.
He said the convict was identified by his victims at two separate identification parades as one of the robbers who had attacked them at gunpoint.
KOMFO ANOKYE-SOFOLINE ROAD PROJECT DELAYED (PAGE 30, FEB 4, 2010)
CHALLENGES associated with the payment of compensation to beneficiaries and the review of the Komfo Anokye-Sofoline-Abuakwa road project has delayed the completion of the project.
Initially scheduled to have been completed and handed over on July 31, this year, the project, which started on August 1, 2007, is only 27.4 per cent complete.
The GH¢73 million project, involves the construction of 11-kilometre six-lane dual asphaltic carriageway and the construction of the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye interchange bridges.
It also includes the 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 affected by the project.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the delay of the project, the Consultant to the project, Mr Badu-Prah of ABP Consult Limited, said issues on compensation and the review of both the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Interchanges had delayed construction works for about 12 months.
Explaining, he said, “about 70 per cent of compensation issues have not been settled and that had contributed to the delay of the project”.
He said he could not give the amount involved in the compensation and the number of people affected, but pointed out that issues on compensation, especially on construction works were usually settled by the government
“We have no direct control of the money involved, so I cannot give you details ” he noted, adding “the Land Valuation Board had already identified the property involved and those who are to benefit, and I am certain that efforts are being made to settle them to pave way for work to progress smoothly”.
Explaining further, Mr Badu-Prah said, “until property owners had been duly compensated, we cannot demolish their structures, especially if it is a building, stressing that the victims need to be paid before one could touch their structures”.
He said structures such as fence walls, toilets and minor structures that hinder construction works could however, be pulled down for their owners to be settled by the contractor”.
On the review of the interchanges at both Sofoline and Komfo Anokye that had delayed construction works, Mr Badu-Prah explained that in the previous plan local roads around were used as the basis for the plan.
However, when the volume of traffic, especially those that pass near residential areas, the noise involved and emissions from vehicles were considered, the plan was reviewed to include the construction of full interchanges.
He explained that the full interchanges would contain between eight and 10 road networks, saying “the reviews of both Interchanges by the employer has also affected contract completion period since the two interchanges were put on hold for almost one year”.
Giving details of construction works completed so far, Mr Badu-Prah, said of the 11 kilometre six-lane dual carriageway, only 12.27 per cent works were completed as at November 2009.
He said 26.29 per cent of the Sofoline interchange had also been completed, but work was yet to begin at the Komfo Anokye interchange as at November 2009.
He said 21.63 per cent of construction works on the five underpasses at the major intersections had also been completed and 35.65 per cent of utilities affected by the project had also been relocated as at November 2009.
He said 40.85 per cent of schools, fence walls and other minor structures affected by the project had also been relocated and assured of the commitment of the contractor to speed up the project to reduce vehicular traffic jams on the Kumasi-Abuakwa road network.
Initially scheduled to have been completed and handed over on July 31, this year, the project, which started on August 1, 2007, is only 27.4 per cent complete.
The GH¢73 million project, involves the construction of 11-kilometre six-lane dual asphaltic carriageway and the construction of the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye interchange bridges.
It also includes the 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 affected by the project.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the delay of the project, the Consultant to the project, Mr Badu-Prah of ABP Consult Limited, said issues on compensation and the review of both the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Interchanges had delayed construction works for about 12 months.
Explaining, he said, “about 70 per cent of compensation issues have not been settled and that had contributed to the delay of the project”.
He said he could not give the amount involved in the compensation and the number of people affected, but pointed out that issues on compensation, especially on construction works were usually settled by the government
“We have no direct control of the money involved, so I cannot give you details ” he noted, adding “the Land Valuation Board had already identified the property involved and those who are to benefit, and I am certain that efforts are being made to settle them to pave way for work to progress smoothly”.
Explaining further, Mr Badu-Prah said, “until property owners had been duly compensated, we cannot demolish their structures, especially if it is a building, stressing that the victims need to be paid before one could touch their structures”.
He said structures such as fence walls, toilets and minor structures that hinder construction works could however, be pulled down for their owners to be settled by the contractor”.
On the review of the interchanges at both Sofoline and Komfo Anokye that had delayed construction works, Mr Badu-Prah explained that in the previous plan local roads around were used as the basis for the plan.
However, when the volume of traffic, especially those that pass near residential areas, the noise involved and emissions from vehicles were considered, the plan was reviewed to include the construction of full interchanges.
He explained that the full interchanges would contain between eight and 10 road networks, saying “the reviews of both Interchanges by the employer has also affected contract completion period since the two interchanges were put on hold for almost one year”.
Giving details of construction works completed so far, Mr Badu-Prah, said of the 11 kilometre six-lane dual carriageway, only 12.27 per cent works were completed as at November 2009.
He said 26.29 per cent of the Sofoline interchange had also been completed, but work was yet to begin at the Komfo Anokye interchange as at November 2009.
He said 21.63 per cent of construction works on the five underpasses at the major intersections had also been completed and 35.65 per cent of utilities affected by the project had also been relocated as at November 2009.
He said 40.85 per cent of schools, fence walls and other minor structures affected by the project had also been relocated and assured of the commitment of the contractor to speed up the project to reduce vehicular traffic jams on the Kumasi-Abuakwa road network.
THOUSANDS ATTEND FUNERAL OF KUMASI ZONGO CHIEF (PAGE 30, FEB 2, 2010)
The final funeral rites of the late chief of the Zongo community in Kumasi, Alhaji Ibrahim Tansoho Tahir, held at the Kumasi Central Mosque last Saturday, turned into a durbar as people from all walks of life including politicians and traditional rulers swarmed the funeral ground in their numbers to participate in the ceremony.
Sympathisers in long queues started trooping to the funeral ground around 10.a.m to express their condolence to the bereaved family and by 1:30 p.m., the government delegation led by the Defence Minister General J.H. Smith had long taken their seats. The queues continued amid drumming and dancing.
The late Alhaji Ibrahim Tansoho Tahir, who was 72 and a traditional bone healer, was installed as Chief of the Zongo community in Kumasi on May 7, 2000, and died on January 16, 2010 after ruling for 10 years.
As Moslem tradition demands, he was buried on January, 17, 2010, at the Tafo public cemetery.
The funeral celebration of the late Zongo chief followed the successful installation of a 61-year -old business man, Alhaji Sarouk Saeed as the new chief of the Zongo community.
In all, five contestants, Alhaji Sarouk Saeed, Alhaji Yusif Gawi, Alhaji Amadu Baba, Alhaji Issah Sharon and Alhaji Sanuri Hanawu applied to be considered as the successor to the late chief. After careful vetting and consideration, the kingmakers selected Alhaji Sarouk Saeed, who was readily accepted by the other contestants and the community.
Among the high profile government delegation led by Gen. Smith were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Mutaka Mubarak, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong and Mr Mahama Ayariga.
Former President John Agyekum Kuffor also lead the delegation of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which included his Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the NPP flagbarer for 2008 election Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the Minority Leader in parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, former Minister for Works and Housing, Mr Boniface Sadique and some parliamentarians.
Also in attendance were the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharatuto, Council of Ulaman Imams, The Nigerian Community in Ghana and a delegation from Libya, lead by Mr Ali Salhadem among other dignitaries.
In all, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) donated a total of GH¢8,100 to the bereaved family, wives of the deceased and the chief mourners.
Former President Kuffor also donated GH¢1,100 and Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo who had earlier left the funeral ground to attend to other issues also donated GH¢580. NPP MPs donated GH¢400.
In an address, Gen Smith commended the people of the Zongo community for their maturity, which he said, made it possible to install a successor in a peaceful manner.
Describing the deceased as a man of peace and a visionary, the different demise has created a vacuum which would take a long time to fill and therefore urged the people to collaborate with the new chief in all his endeavours.
Early, Alhaji Aliu Mahama appealed to the community to rally behind the new Zongo chief and accord him the needed respect for him to initiate programmes and policies which will impact on their lives positively.
Sympathisers in long queues started trooping to the funeral ground around 10.a.m to express their condolence to the bereaved family and by 1:30 p.m., the government delegation led by the Defence Minister General J.H. Smith had long taken their seats. The queues continued amid drumming and dancing.
The late Alhaji Ibrahim Tansoho Tahir, who was 72 and a traditional bone healer, was installed as Chief of the Zongo community in Kumasi on May 7, 2000, and died on January 16, 2010 after ruling for 10 years.
As Moslem tradition demands, he was buried on January, 17, 2010, at the Tafo public cemetery.
The funeral celebration of the late Zongo chief followed the successful installation of a 61-year -old business man, Alhaji Sarouk Saeed as the new chief of the Zongo community.
In all, five contestants, Alhaji Sarouk Saeed, Alhaji Yusif Gawi, Alhaji Amadu Baba, Alhaji Issah Sharon and Alhaji Sanuri Hanawu applied to be considered as the successor to the late chief. After careful vetting and consideration, the kingmakers selected Alhaji Sarouk Saeed, who was readily accepted by the other contestants and the community.
Among the high profile government delegation led by Gen. Smith were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Mutaka Mubarak, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong and Mr Mahama Ayariga.
Former President John Agyekum Kuffor also lead the delegation of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which included his Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the NPP flagbarer for 2008 election Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the Minority Leader in parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, former Minister for Works and Housing, Mr Boniface Sadique and some parliamentarians.
Also in attendance were the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharatuto, Council of Ulaman Imams, The Nigerian Community in Ghana and a delegation from Libya, lead by Mr Ali Salhadem among other dignitaries.
In all, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) donated a total of GH¢8,100 to the bereaved family, wives of the deceased and the chief mourners.
Former President Kuffor also donated GH¢1,100 and Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo who had earlier left the funeral ground to attend to other issues also donated GH¢580. NPP MPs donated GH¢400.
In an address, Gen Smith commended the people of the Zongo community for their maturity, which he said, made it possible to install a successor in a peaceful manner.
Describing the deceased as a man of peace and a visionary, the different demise has created a vacuum which would take a long time to fill and therefore urged the people to collaborate with the new chief in all his endeavours.
Early, Alhaji Aliu Mahama appealed to the community to rally behind the new Zongo chief and accord him the needed respect for him to initiate programmes and policies which will impact on their lives positively.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
FREE MEDICAL SCREENING FOR STUDENTS ...Of T.I. Ahmadiya School (PAGE 9, JAN 22, 2010)
Authorities of the T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, in collaboration with the old students, have organised free medical screening for students and members of staff of the school.
The exercise, carried out by the Kumasi Metropolitan Health Service Directorate, benefitted about 1,800 students and 94 teaching and non-teaching members of staff of the school.
Apart from eye screening, the students and staff were also screened for dental problems and malaria symptoms. They also checked their blood pressure and HIV status.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Y.K. Agyare, said the exercise, which formed part of the 60th anniversary of the school, was to offer the opportunity to both students and staff to determine their health status to enable them to seek treatment, where necessary.
He said some of the students and members of staff sometimes showed symptoms of eye and dental problems, hence the decision of the school authorities and old students to organise the screening.
Mr Agyare said the school was located in an environment where sanitation was not the best, hence the screening for symptoms of malaria, and thanked the metropolitan health service directorate for its prompt response.
In his remarks, the Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Health Services, Dr Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, said the screening formed part of the outreach programmes of the directorate to make health services more accessible to the people.
He said last year it carried out similar exercises in some first-cycle institutions in the metropolis and gave the assurance that it would be extended to second-cycle institutions this year to enhance the early detection of diseases affecting students.
The exercise, carried out by the Kumasi Metropolitan Health Service Directorate, benefitted about 1,800 students and 94 teaching and non-teaching members of staff of the school.
Apart from eye screening, the students and staff were also screened for dental problems and malaria symptoms. They also checked their blood pressure and HIV status.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Y.K. Agyare, said the exercise, which formed part of the 60th anniversary of the school, was to offer the opportunity to both students and staff to determine their health status to enable them to seek treatment, where necessary.
He said some of the students and members of staff sometimes showed symptoms of eye and dental problems, hence the decision of the school authorities and old students to organise the screening.
Mr Agyare said the school was located in an environment where sanitation was not the best, hence the screening for symptoms of malaria, and thanked the metropolitan health service directorate for its prompt response.
In his remarks, the Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Health Services, Dr Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, said the screening formed part of the outreach programmes of the directorate to make health services more accessible to the people.
He said last year it carried out similar exercises in some first-cycle institutions in the metropolis and gave the assurance that it would be extended to second-cycle institutions this year to enhance the early detection of diseases affecting students.
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