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.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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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