The Headmistress of KNUST Senior High School, Mrs Joyce Owusu- Ansah, has called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to collaborate to call a private land developer who had been harassing and threatening the lives of school authorities and construction workers to order.
She explained that the private land developer- a native of Boadi- who claims to be the owner of an area allotted the school by the KNUST for expansion, had not only been “interfering with new projects , but has also been harassing workers at the new site by using notorious machomen to threaten them”.
That, she noted, had not only been undermining their academic programmes, but also been rendering them helpless in providing the requisite infrastructure that would have accelerated the construction of dormitories and other school facilities.
Mrs Owusu- Ansah made the appeal during the school’s second speech and prize-giving day held at the weekend.
The ceremony, which was on the theme “ Human resource development; the role of science, technical and vocational education” saw the school authorities awarding prizes to deserving staff and students.
Commending the former headmaster of the school, Mr J.A. Boamah and the former Board Chairman, Nana Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, as well as the late Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, Professor Kwesi Andam for the significant roles they played to acquire the new site for the KNUST Senior School, Mrs Owusu- Ansah said their contributions would not yield fruitful results if noting was done to bring the private land developer to order.
“ There is an urgent need for the provision of the required facilities to give the school a boarding status, since land is available for the construction of dormitories, assembly hall dining hall and a kitchen. Staff accommodation is also inadequate and presently, only five out of a total number of 75 teachers are accommodated by the school through the PTA” she lamented
She said the rate of progress of work for the development of classrooms “ is also at a snail pace, and if nothing is done about it, the school cannot accommodate the first year students during the 2010-2011 academic year”.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah however, commended the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa and Dr R.P. Baffour who was a former Vice Chancellor of the KNUST, “for their various assistance ranging from Staff accommodation, access to some learning facilities at the KNUST and the donation of a 52-acre piece of land for expansion”.
She also commended the government for providing the school with a 32-seater bus and some infrastructure, including a new administration block and classrooms.
She was also full of praise for the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), regional and metropolitan directors of education, as well as the Board of Governors and old students of the school for their tremendous contributions which she said was impacting positively on their programmes .
In his address, the Minister of Education, M. Alex Tettey-Enyo said the nation had no option to initiate policies and programmes that would accelerate the development of the human resource base for the promotion and growth of the industries in the country.
“Our local industries are key to our national development, hence the need for the promotion of science , technical and vocational education” he noted ,stressing “ with new knowledge and skills through science, technical and vocational education, we can have the required manpower needs like engineers, technicians and artisans from our youth instead of the usual reliance on external expertise”.
Explaining further he said government’s investment in the energy sector , including gas and hydro power generation could be derailed and Ghana would end up selling “ our birth rights to foreigners if we ignore the training of our youth in the skills and knowledge required for the energy sector “
Mr Tettey-Enyo, therefore, urged stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to actively support the government in its effort “ at revamping education delivery in this country and more importantly in providing the needed resources to promote science and Technology”.
He also urged parents to encourage their children “ to pursue science, technical and vocational education programmes at the pre-tertiary level and higher technological courses in the tertiary institutions”.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
DWARFS TEAM APPEAL TO TARKWA GOLDFIELDS (PAGE 14, NSEMPA, NOV 23)
By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Dwarfs Sports Team has appealed to Tarkwa Goldfields to sponsor the team to enable it participate in local and international competitions.
Commending Goldfields for their financial support to the senior national team that had made it possible for the Black Stars to achieve many laurels for the nation, the Dwarfs’ team, a.k.a, Little Black Stars, said similar financial support to it would enable them develop their potentials to the fullest.
The team’s National Coach, Mr Adu Akyeampong who made the appeal on their behalf when they paid a familiarisation visit to the Graphic Communications Group Limited’s (GCGL) Kumasi offices, said it was time various companies, institutions and firms extended financial support to the Dwarfs’ team which is made up of football stars, athletes and table tennis players.
The visit to the Kumasi office was also in appreciation of the tremendous support the company had been offering them since the team was formed a few years ago.
It also created a platform for their officials to appeal to the GCGL to continue supporting the physically challenged in terms of publicity for society to appreciate their worth.
Mr Akyeampong, who is also the Sports Development Co-ordinator noted, “it takes both the able and the disabled to develop a nation, but in sports, the disabled are always neglected and sidelined, making it impossible for them to nurture and develop their talents to support national development”.
“ We may lack the physical structures, but in terms of skills, know-how, ability, zeal and commitment, we have them in abundance” he added.
Expressing concern about their neglect when it came to sponsorship in sporting programmes in particular and other socio-economic development in general, Mr Akyeampong pointed out that, “when we participated in the Benin games a few months ago, we won trophies in football by beating Benin 9-0 to win the trophy at stake and in table tennis, we won it hands down, a feat that we are eager to further explore to enable us win more laurels for the country in future”.
“Apart from boxing and wrestling, we can participate in any sporting programme because we have the potentials and the ability to excel” adding, “since we are always referred to as the little Stars, we deserve a little of the national cake in the form of sponsorship to enable us participate in both local and international tournaments”.
Lamenting on the lack of sponsorship which he said undermined the development of the team, he said, “we have only one football for the team. Our players also train with different colours because we have no jerseys, boots and other sports kits”.
He said it was due to the problems they had been encountering in terms of sponsorship that “we have now decided to launch ourselves for the public to appreciate our worth. This is because we have been neglected for far too long”.
Mr Akyeampong commended Mr Daniel Arhin, who is the Chief Executive of Friends for the Physically Challenged Foundation and his wife Mrs Elizabeth Arhin for their continuous support for the team.
He said the couple had sponsored their team to participate in major local and international tournaments “but looking at the situation they cannot do it alone, hence our appeal to every Ghanaian to come on board to support us with sponsorship packages”.
The sports co-ordinator said it was equally important for premier clubs in Ghana to adopt them to play curtain raisers during their matches as a way of creating interest for football fans who might be willing to support them.
He pointed out that keeping interest in sports that promoted the Dwarfs’ team and those who were handicapped physically would reduce the stigma associated with such members.
The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Dwarfs Sports Team has appealed to Tarkwa Goldfields to sponsor the team to enable it participate in local and international competitions.
Commending Goldfields for their financial support to the senior national team that had made it possible for the Black Stars to achieve many laurels for the nation, the Dwarfs’ team, a.k.a, Little Black Stars, said similar financial support to it would enable them develop their potentials to the fullest.
The team’s National Coach, Mr Adu Akyeampong who made the appeal on their behalf when they paid a familiarisation visit to the Graphic Communications Group Limited’s (GCGL) Kumasi offices, said it was time various companies, institutions and firms extended financial support to the Dwarfs’ team which is made up of football stars, athletes and table tennis players.
The visit to the Kumasi office was also in appreciation of the tremendous support the company had been offering them since the team was formed a few years ago.
It also created a platform for their officials to appeal to the GCGL to continue supporting the physically challenged in terms of publicity for society to appreciate their worth.
Mr Akyeampong, who is also the Sports Development Co-ordinator noted, “it takes both the able and the disabled to develop a nation, but in sports, the disabled are always neglected and sidelined, making it impossible for them to nurture and develop their talents to support national development”.
“ We may lack the physical structures, but in terms of skills, know-how, ability, zeal and commitment, we have them in abundance” he added.
Expressing concern about their neglect when it came to sponsorship in sporting programmes in particular and other socio-economic development in general, Mr Akyeampong pointed out that, “when we participated in the Benin games a few months ago, we won trophies in football by beating Benin 9-0 to win the trophy at stake and in table tennis, we won it hands down, a feat that we are eager to further explore to enable us win more laurels for the country in future”.
“Apart from boxing and wrestling, we can participate in any sporting programme because we have the potentials and the ability to excel” adding, “since we are always referred to as the little Stars, we deserve a little of the national cake in the form of sponsorship to enable us participate in both local and international tournaments”.
Lamenting on the lack of sponsorship which he said undermined the development of the team, he said, “we have only one football for the team. Our players also train with different colours because we have no jerseys, boots and other sports kits”.
He said it was due to the problems they had been encountering in terms of sponsorship that “we have now decided to launch ourselves for the public to appreciate our worth. This is because we have been neglected for far too long”.
Mr Akyeampong commended Mr Daniel Arhin, who is the Chief Executive of Friends for the Physically Challenged Foundation and his wife Mrs Elizabeth Arhin for their continuous support for the team.
He said the couple had sponsored their team to participate in major local and international tournaments “but looking at the situation they cannot do it alone, hence our appeal to every Ghanaian to come on board to support us with sponsorship packages”.
The sports co-ordinator said it was equally important for premier clubs in Ghana to adopt them to play curtain raisers during their matches as a way of creating interest for football fans who might be willing to support them.
He pointed out that keeping interest in sports that promoted the Dwarfs’ team and those who were handicapped physically would reduce the stigma associated with such members.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
SD HONOURS GRAPHIC, OTHER MEDIA HOUSES (PAGE 40, NOV 23)
THE Central Ghana Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, has honoured Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in particular and other media establishments in general, for their contributions towards the socio–economic development of the country.
A citation signed jointly by the Communication Director, Pastor Peter Obeng Manu, and the President, Pastor Emmanuel Denteh of the church said the SDA Church, acknowledged and appreciated the positive contributions the GCGL and other media houses were making towards evangelisation of the church in Ghana.
“We also recognise your contributions in the promotion of health, education, agriculture, social issues and many others, that are crucial to the healthy development of our great nation. We pray for the salvation of your entire staff and the success of your daily operations,” it stressed.
The ceremony took place at a special church service organised in Kumasi at the weekend, dubbed: “Media appreciation day”.
Other media houses which were honoured alongside GCGL were the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, TV3, TV Africa, Metro TV, OTEC FM, ANGEL FM, Garden City Radio, KESBEN FM and HELLO FM. The rest were FOX and Liberty FM stations as well as Ghana News Agency, News Times Corporation and the Pioneer.
In his address, Pastor Denteh of the church said over the years, the media in Ghana had collaborated with various governments to initiate policies and programmes that had promoted national development.
He said the media had also not only kept the public abreast with both local and foreign news, but had also provided civic education that had enabled Ghanaians to live up to their civic rights and responsibilities.
Pastor Denteh challenged the media to continue to play their assigned roles as the watchdogs in the country as a way of promoting “God fearing principles among the youth in particular and society in general”.
On health issues, Pastor Denteh said the media had a crucial role to play to initiate health reform principles among Ghanaians.
He stated that the media had successfully carried out an anti-smoking campaign that had considerably reduced the smoking of cigarettes at public places in the country .
Pastor Denteh, however, said the media was yet to initiate programmes and policies that would ward society off the intake of alcohol and hard drugs which had become the order of the day.
“Both radio and television have been using their media to advertise the potency of different brands of alcoholic beverages on daily basis, creating the impression that they are very good for the body. Such false impressions make society, including the youth patronise alcohol in large quantities, which directly and indirectly affect their health,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged the media to propagate the effects of quaffing quantities of alcohol just as they did for smoking, to enable society to appreciate the need to refrain from patronising alcohol.
Pastor Denteh said it was very important for the media to actively support the campaign of preventive principles to enable Ghanaians to enjoy good health.
He mentioned good environmental conditions, adequate rest, regular exercises and good diet, among others, as some of the measures that should be regularly practised by society to enhance good health among them.
He said the church on its part , has constructed four hospitals, 14 clinics and a Nursing Training College in the Ashanti as their contribution of meeting the heath needs of society.
On education, Pastor Denteh said the SDA Church had established 250 public and private schools at the basic level in the Ashanti Region alone, stressing that it also had set up six Senior High Schools, as well as a private university to complement the government’s efforts in bringing education to the doorsteps of the ordinary Ghanaian.
He urged the media to continue playing its role as watchdogs to enhance accelerated social development, but however, said in doing so, the media needed to check the accuracy of their reportage and should also be selective in the music played on air.
“Be selective in the kind of music presented and discard music which tends to lower morals,” Pastor Denteh said, adding “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the service of the Lord and not to men”.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Nana Yaw Osei, commended the Central Ghana Conference of the SDA Church for recognising the crucial role the media play in accelerated national development.
He said the historic ceremony would not only ginger the media to work harder than before to enhance social stability and rapid economic growth, but would also bring the media closer to the church to promote values that would firmly entrench democratic principles in the country.
A citation signed jointly by the Communication Director, Pastor Peter Obeng Manu, and the President, Pastor Emmanuel Denteh of the church said the SDA Church, acknowledged and appreciated the positive contributions the GCGL and other media houses were making towards evangelisation of the church in Ghana.
“We also recognise your contributions in the promotion of health, education, agriculture, social issues and many others, that are crucial to the healthy development of our great nation. We pray for the salvation of your entire staff and the success of your daily operations,” it stressed.
The ceremony took place at a special church service organised in Kumasi at the weekend, dubbed: “Media appreciation day”.
Other media houses which were honoured alongside GCGL were the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, TV3, TV Africa, Metro TV, OTEC FM, ANGEL FM, Garden City Radio, KESBEN FM and HELLO FM. The rest were FOX and Liberty FM stations as well as Ghana News Agency, News Times Corporation and the Pioneer.
In his address, Pastor Denteh of the church said over the years, the media in Ghana had collaborated with various governments to initiate policies and programmes that had promoted national development.
He said the media had also not only kept the public abreast with both local and foreign news, but had also provided civic education that had enabled Ghanaians to live up to their civic rights and responsibilities.
Pastor Denteh challenged the media to continue to play their assigned roles as the watchdogs in the country as a way of promoting “God fearing principles among the youth in particular and society in general”.
On health issues, Pastor Denteh said the media had a crucial role to play to initiate health reform principles among Ghanaians.
He stated that the media had successfully carried out an anti-smoking campaign that had considerably reduced the smoking of cigarettes at public places in the country .
Pastor Denteh, however, said the media was yet to initiate programmes and policies that would ward society off the intake of alcohol and hard drugs which had become the order of the day.
“Both radio and television have been using their media to advertise the potency of different brands of alcoholic beverages on daily basis, creating the impression that they are very good for the body. Such false impressions make society, including the youth patronise alcohol in large quantities, which directly and indirectly affect their health,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged the media to propagate the effects of quaffing quantities of alcohol just as they did for smoking, to enable society to appreciate the need to refrain from patronising alcohol.
Pastor Denteh said it was very important for the media to actively support the campaign of preventive principles to enable Ghanaians to enjoy good health.
He mentioned good environmental conditions, adequate rest, regular exercises and good diet, among others, as some of the measures that should be regularly practised by society to enhance good health among them.
He said the church on its part , has constructed four hospitals, 14 clinics and a Nursing Training College in the Ashanti as their contribution of meeting the heath needs of society.
On education, Pastor Denteh said the SDA Church had established 250 public and private schools at the basic level in the Ashanti Region alone, stressing that it also had set up six Senior High Schools, as well as a private university to complement the government’s efforts in bringing education to the doorsteps of the ordinary Ghanaian.
He urged the media to continue playing its role as watchdogs to enhance accelerated social development, but however, said in doing so, the media needed to check the accuracy of their reportage and should also be selective in the music played on air.
“Be selective in the kind of music presented and discard music which tends to lower morals,” Pastor Denteh said, adding “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the service of the Lord and not to men”.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Nana Yaw Osei, commended the Central Ghana Conference of the SDA Church for recognising the crucial role the media play in accelerated national development.
He said the historic ceremony would not only ginger the media to work harder than before to enhance social stability and rapid economic growth, but would also bring the media closer to the church to promote values that would firmly entrench democratic principles in the country.
COURT RESTRAINS NPP, ASOKWA CONSTITUENCY (PAGE 13, NOV 21)
A Kumasi High Court has granted an application restraining both the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Asokwa Constituency Executive of the party from holding any election of new executive members for the Asokwa Constituency of the party.
A suit filed by Mr Kwame Owusu Sekyere, on behalf of the applicants who are polling station executives of eight polling stations of the Asokwa Constituency, also sought an order to declare the polling station membership register compiled between September and October 2009 by the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee of the NPP and the Executive Committee of the Asokwa Constituency of the party null and void.
The plaintiffs are Messrs Gyamfi Marfo of Kaasi, Nana Kwaku Frimpong of F170102, Charles Damptey of Gyinase M/A Primary, Luke Kofi Fofie of SDA Church, Osei Efah Amponsah of F170708, Yaw Boakye of Gyinase , Frank Bosompem Danso of F10109 and Madam Lydia Efa Amponsah of Atonsu S-Line polling station.
Other claims that the court, presided over by Justice Imoru Ziblim, has granted an order compelling the defendants to compile and validate the Polling Station Membership Register of the Asokwa Constituency of the NPP in accordance with the NPP constitution, rules and regulations, and an order restraining the defendants, their agents and assigns from conducting the Asokwa Constituency Executive Elections of the NPP, pending the final determination of the suit and general damages.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiff explained that they were elected in 2005 in their respective polling stations of the Asokwa Constituency as polling station executives, and, therefore, form part of the Electoral College for the selection and election of constituency executives and parliamentary candidates, as well as the selection and election of delegates who select and elect national executive and the presidential candidate for the party.
It said being card-bearing members of the party, they also qualify to stand for any election within the party, including election to select polling station and constituency executives.
It said even though they remained at post as polling station executives, they were sidelined by the constituency executives during the compilation and validation of the polling station register.
The statement further explained that contrary to the party’s constitution, rules and regulations, the Executive Committee of the Asokwa Constituency and the Member of Parliament of the constituency, designed and compiled the membership register without any reference to the plaintiffs who form part of the polling station executives.
The statement also explained that following the action of the Asokwa Executive Committee members and the MP, they (Plaintiffs) petitioned the Regional Executive Committee and the National Secretariat, as well as the Council of Elders of the party, but had not received any response, and in spite of the petition to the party executives at the regional and national levels, the defendants were bent on using the illegal register to elect constituency executives.
It said if the defendants were allowed to use that register for the selection and election of constituency executives, they (Plaintiffs) would be denied their fundamental human rights to belong to the party of their choice and a right to vote and be voted for in any executive position.
A suit filed by Mr Kwame Owusu Sekyere, on behalf of the applicants who are polling station executives of eight polling stations of the Asokwa Constituency, also sought an order to declare the polling station membership register compiled between September and October 2009 by the Ashanti Regional Executive Committee of the NPP and the Executive Committee of the Asokwa Constituency of the party null and void.
The plaintiffs are Messrs Gyamfi Marfo of Kaasi, Nana Kwaku Frimpong of F170102, Charles Damptey of Gyinase M/A Primary, Luke Kofi Fofie of SDA Church, Osei Efah Amponsah of F170708, Yaw Boakye of Gyinase , Frank Bosompem Danso of F10109 and Madam Lydia Efa Amponsah of Atonsu S-Line polling station.
Other claims that the court, presided over by Justice Imoru Ziblim, has granted an order compelling the defendants to compile and validate the Polling Station Membership Register of the Asokwa Constituency of the NPP in accordance with the NPP constitution, rules and regulations, and an order restraining the defendants, their agents and assigns from conducting the Asokwa Constituency Executive Elections of the NPP, pending the final determination of the suit and general damages.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiff explained that they were elected in 2005 in their respective polling stations of the Asokwa Constituency as polling station executives, and, therefore, form part of the Electoral College for the selection and election of constituency executives and parliamentary candidates, as well as the selection and election of delegates who select and elect national executive and the presidential candidate for the party.
It said being card-bearing members of the party, they also qualify to stand for any election within the party, including election to select polling station and constituency executives.
It said even though they remained at post as polling station executives, they were sidelined by the constituency executives during the compilation and validation of the polling station register.
The statement further explained that contrary to the party’s constitution, rules and regulations, the Executive Committee of the Asokwa Constituency and the Member of Parliament of the constituency, designed and compiled the membership register without any reference to the plaintiffs who form part of the polling station executives.
The statement also explained that following the action of the Asokwa Executive Committee members and the MP, they (Plaintiffs) petitioned the Regional Executive Committee and the National Secretariat, as well as the Council of Elders of the party, but had not received any response, and in spite of the petition to the party executives at the regional and national levels, the defendants were bent on using the illegal register to elect constituency executives.
It said if the defendants were allowed to use that register for the selection and election of constituency executives, they (Plaintiffs) would be denied their fundamental human rights to belong to the party of their choice and a right to vote and be voted for in any executive position.
Friday, November 20, 2009
DWARFS TEAM VISITS GRAPHIC (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 11, NOV 20)
The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Dwarfs Sports team has paid a familiarisation visit to the Kumasi office of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) with a call on sports enthusiasts to actively support the development of the team to enable them develop their potentials effectively and efficiently.
The visit to the Kumasi office was in appreciation of the tremendous support the GCGL has been offering them since the team was formed a few years ago .
It also created a platform for their officials to appeal to the GCGL to continue supporting the disabled in terms of publicity for society to appreciate their worth.
This, according to their National Coach, Mr Adu Akyeampong, “ will encourage sports philanthropists , organisations, institutions and individuals to sponsor members of the team in diverse ways for them to nurture and develop their potentials”.
The team comprised soccer stars, table tennis players and athletes .
Mr Akyeampong , who is also the Sports Development Coordinator, noted, “ it takes both the able and the disabled to develop a nation, but in sports the disabled are always neglected and sidelined, making it impossible for them to nurture and develop their talents to support national development”
“We may lack the physical stature, but in terms of skills , know-how, ability , zeal and commitment , we have them in abundance,” he noted.
Expressing concern about their neglect when it comes to sponsorship in sporting programmes in particular and other socio-economic development in general, Mr Akyeampong noted, “ when we participated in the Benin games a few months ago, we won trophies in soccer by beating Benin 9-0 to win the trophy at stake , and in table tennis too we won it hands down, a feat that we are eager to further explore to enable us win more laurels for the country in future”.
The visit to the Kumasi office was in appreciation of the tremendous support the GCGL has been offering them since the team was formed a few years ago .
It also created a platform for their officials to appeal to the GCGL to continue supporting the disabled in terms of publicity for society to appreciate their worth.
This, according to their National Coach, Mr Adu Akyeampong, “ will encourage sports philanthropists , organisations, institutions and individuals to sponsor members of the team in diverse ways for them to nurture and develop their potentials”.
The team comprised soccer stars, table tennis players and athletes .
Mr Akyeampong , who is also the Sports Development Coordinator, noted, “ it takes both the able and the disabled to develop a nation, but in sports the disabled are always neglected and sidelined, making it impossible for them to nurture and develop their talents to support national development”
“We may lack the physical stature, but in terms of skills , know-how, ability , zeal and commitment , we have them in abundance,” he noted.
Expressing concern about their neglect when it comes to sponsorship in sporting programmes in particular and other socio-economic development in general, Mr Akyeampong noted, “ when we participated in the Benin games a few months ago, we won trophies in soccer by beating Benin 9-0 to win the trophy at stake , and in table tennis too we won it hands down, a feat that we are eager to further explore to enable us win more laurels for the country in future”.
4 DIE IN ACCIDEENT (PAGE 3, NOV 20)
FOUR persons died on the spot yesterday when a Nissan Urvan bus in which they were travelling from Kumasi to Sankore collided with a Renault timber truck at the outskirts of Mpasatia on the Kumasi-Bibiani trunk road.
The bodies of the deceased, made up of three females and a male, have been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
According to the police, the driver of the bus, with registration number AS 3157 X, escaped unhurt, but 10 passengers who were on board suffered various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Nkawie Government Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Abraham Bansah, told the Daily Graphic that the accident occurred around 6:30 a.m.
He said initial investigations revealed that the driver of the bus was overtaking another vehicle at the outskirts of Mpasatia, in the process of which he entered the lane of the oncoming timber truck, with registration number AS 1877 R.
He said the driver of the timber truck attempted to save the situation by branching off the road when he saw the bus in his lane, but in the process the trailer hit the bus, dragging it into the bush.
Mr Bansah said it took a lot of time for sympathisers who were attracted to the scene to remove both the deceased passengers and the injured from the mangled bus.
The bodies of the deceased, made up of three females and a male, have been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
According to the police, the driver of the bus, with registration number AS 3157 X, escaped unhurt, but 10 passengers who were on board suffered various degrees of injury and were rushed to the Nkawie Government Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Abraham Bansah, told the Daily Graphic that the accident occurred around 6:30 a.m.
He said initial investigations revealed that the driver of the bus was overtaking another vehicle at the outskirts of Mpasatia, in the process of which he entered the lane of the oncoming timber truck, with registration number AS 1877 R.
He said the driver of the timber truck attempted to save the situation by branching off the road when he saw the bus in his lane, but in the process the trailer hit the bus, dragging it into the bush.
Mr Bansah said it took a lot of time for sympathisers who were attracted to the scene to remove both the deceased passengers and the injured from the mangled bus.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
THREATRE STUDENTS PLAY TO KUMASI SCHOOLS (GRAPHIC SHOWBIZ, NOV 19, PAGE 3)
By George Ernest Asare
Students of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana visited the Dwabrem theatre at the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi last Saturday where they dished out a mix of traditional music, dance and drama to entertain and educate the youth on the effects of drug abuse, parental irresponsibility and truancy.
The programme, which attracted students from Kumasi Academy Senior High School and a number of second cycle institutions in the metropolis, saw the audience glued to their seats and totally engrossed in the performance as they watched the unfolding of various scenes.
It was a drama which involved a powerful spirit who after being thrown down from heaven, vowed to take revenge on man by putting all his powers into leaves so as to destroy anyone who uses such leaves .
A student, who became frustrated after his father refused to cater for his education, joined a gang of drug addicts, and eventually became addicted himself, destroying his future and getting arrested for various crimes committed.
Intermittent applause during the performance and the spontaneous clamour for more of such performances by both students and a cross section of the public who watched the show, was an indication that Kumasi was hungry for such shows as a way of encouraging the youth to refrain from drugs and bad company which eventually destroys their lives.
Commenting on the programme, Mr T. B. Ofosu who was in charge of the group told Showbiz about the need to use entertainment to educate the youth, especially students on the dangers of drug abuse.
Expressing concern about the problems that drug abuse was creating in the country, Mr Ofosu noted “ we want to reach out to the youth with such performances and inform them about the hazards of drug abuse, hoping that they will accept the message and refrain from such activities”.
He said the School of Performing Arts had put up a number of such shows in Accra “and with the positive response we received, we decided to extend our tentacles to Kumasi before venturing into other parts of the country”.
Mr Ofosu said their main headache was sponsorship saying “ we want to reach out to the youth, especially students in both the second cycle and tertiary institutions throughout the country, but lack of sponsorship is undermining our effort”.
He said it was therefore important for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), firms, Institutions, and individuals to actively support them with funds to enable them start the nationwide tour as soon as possible.
On his part, the Vice President of the Association of School of Performing Arts (ASPA), Mr Richmond Amoako said using theatre as a platform to reach out to the youth was yielding positive results.
Describing their programme as a “soul winning” one to entice the youth to stay away from drugs, Mr Amoako said they would not relent in their efforts to interact with as many students as possible for them to appreciate the dangers of getting closer to any form of drug.
Students of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana visited the Dwabrem theatre at the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi last Saturday where they dished out a mix of traditional music, dance and drama to entertain and educate the youth on the effects of drug abuse, parental irresponsibility and truancy.
The programme, which attracted students from Kumasi Academy Senior High School and a number of second cycle institutions in the metropolis, saw the audience glued to their seats and totally engrossed in the performance as they watched the unfolding of various scenes.
It was a drama which involved a powerful spirit who after being thrown down from heaven, vowed to take revenge on man by putting all his powers into leaves so as to destroy anyone who uses such leaves .
A student, who became frustrated after his father refused to cater for his education, joined a gang of drug addicts, and eventually became addicted himself, destroying his future and getting arrested for various crimes committed.
Intermittent applause during the performance and the spontaneous clamour for more of such performances by both students and a cross section of the public who watched the show, was an indication that Kumasi was hungry for such shows as a way of encouraging the youth to refrain from drugs and bad company which eventually destroys their lives.
Commenting on the programme, Mr T. B. Ofosu who was in charge of the group told Showbiz about the need to use entertainment to educate the youth, especially students on the dangers of drug abuse.
Expressing concern about the problems that drug abuse was creating in the country, Mr Ofosu noted “ we want to reach out to the youth with such performances and inform them about the hazards of drug abuse, hoping that they will accept the message and refrain from such activities”.
He said the School of Performing Arts had put up a number of such shows in Accra “and with the positive response we received, we decided to extend our tentacles to Kumasi before venturing into other parts of the country”.
Mr Ofosu said their main headache was sponsorship saying “ we want to reach out to the youth, especially students in both the second cycle and tertiary institutions throughout the country, but lack of sponsorship is undermining our effort”.
He said it was therefore important for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), firms, Institutions, and individuals to actively support them with funds to enable them start the nationwide tour as soon as possible.
On his part, the Vice President of the Association of School of Performing Arts (ASPA), Mr Richmond Amoako said using theatre as a platform to reach out to the youth was yielding positive results.
Describing their programme as a “soul winning” one to entice the youth to stay away from drugs, Mr Amoako said they would not relent in their efforts to interact with as many students as possible for them to appreciate the dangers of getting closer to any form of drug.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)