Land has become one of the hottest commodities in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis. People disregard the plans for land use or what public lands have been earmarked for and have been encroaching seriously on them.
Some of the areas which have been seriously encroached upon are the military lands, especially the land which has been reserved around the Takoradi Airport, which serves as a buffer zone between communities close to the airport and the runway.
The land was acquired by the government for the Ministry of Defence in the 1960s and properly demarcated with signposts with the inscription “Ministry of Defence - Ghana Armed Forces (MOD- GAF)” indicating the intended purpose for the land.
Encroachers are fast developing the restricted area which is very close to the runway, ignoring the security risks they are exposing themselves and their families or tenants to. Others are also farming on the land.
Maize planted on the farms has also attracted many small birds which usually fly in flocks after feeding on the crop. Experts have warned the encroachers against such practices because they are exposing themselves to great danger especially in the event of a disaster.
Bird-hazard, according to some pilots, is mostly caused by these small flocks of birds that fly in the path the aircraft and which can damage an aircraft engine worth millions of dollars.
The settlers on these restricted lands also rear animals which also stray onto the runway.
Others also use the runway as thoroughfare because they see it as the shortest route to the central business district.
When the military attempt to enforce discipline in accordance with their regulations at the base, members of the public accuse them of molesting their civilian brothers.
The Takoradi Airport is the only place in the country which has been well planned and designated for the training of pilots for the Ghana Air Force. Therefore, a large parcel of land was reserved for training purposes in the 1960s.
Flight experts say the reserved land was purposely meant for pilots to crush land in the event of a mishap after their planes take off.
Also, when the unexpected happens during training and the plane crush lands within the reserved or the restricted area, it is expected that no harm will be caused to members of the communities around the airport.
The Daily Graphic found during a visit to the restricted area around the airport that encroachers have put up houses in the demarcated area reserved for military use only.
Although high-rise buildings are not allowed around airports, some developers have built storey buildings while others are also winning sand in the area and have constructed roads across the restricted area.
A military base is a facility, settlement, reservation, or installation that shelters military equipment and personnel. It may also contain large concentrations of military supplies and other logistics.
The bases are restricted to the military alone and only authorised personnel are allowed entry.
Interestingly the encroachers claim that the lands belong to them and that when purchasing the lands they did not know the danger they were exposing themselves to.
The Ministry of Information and National Orientation and National Commission on Civic Education have a lot of work to do to educate the populace on why they should keep off military zones.
The Ministry of Defence, aware of the dangers involved, therefore, created a buffer zone to guide against public intrusion on their training grounds and to ensure uninterrupted training exercises. The military bases usually have housing units, mess, churches, gymnasium, sports courts, schools, parks, etc. to ensure that they have the peace of mind to defend the nation when the need arises.
Following the oil find in the Western Region, however, the demand for land is great and people have started encroaching on the restricted military zone and claiming ownership of the lands. Many of the encroachers are said to have petitioned people in high places to press upon the military to allow them to continue their development in the restricted areas.
It is about time the public realised the importance of training pilots for the Ghana Air Force and avoided any interruptions.
One interesting thing is that the encroachers have titles to the land they are developing.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Western Regional office of the Lands Commission to find out if the office was aware of the encroachment in the restricted area, the acting Regional Lands Officer, Mr S. Hans Jorie, responded in the affirmative.
He said a portion of it was initially government land but that had not been appropriated and urged the Ghana Air Force to move in quickly to acquire it.
Mr Jorie said they had had discussions with the military and advised them accordingly, adding that on October 20, 2008, the commission wrote to the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly requesting it to suspend the granting of building permits to developers in the area.
The acting land officer said after careful deliberation the commission recommended that steps should be taken to have that portion of the land which is not part of the government land acquired for the Air Force.
Therefore, “until acquisition is completed, granting of building permits for the development of that portion should cease”, the commission advised the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
He said the letter was the outcome of the meeting and based on the realisation that a portion at the Airport Ridge was considered a threat to the airfield since it was too close to it.
“We will move into action when the military puts in application for the acquisition of that portion of the land which is not part of government land, to give the military total control over the area,” he said.
Asked if that would not constitute an injustice to people who had legally acquired part of that land, he said, “If it is in the interest of the people, the larger public, the state has no option than to acquire it.”
He said the issue had been dragging for long and that in 1996 the then Takoradi Station Commander called for their assistance for the place to be properly demarcated.
The commission has thrown the ball onto the court of the Ministry of Defence and the government as well as the Military High Command for urgent action to halt the encroachment and that must be done fast.
To properly secure the area before the commencement of work on the new airport planned for Takoradi and the completion of the wall around it, it would be important for the ministries of Defence and Aviation to move in to save the situation.
That aside, the public should be aware that the suspension of further development projects at Airport Ridge is in the larger interest of public and flight safety.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
DRIVERS RESUME RECKLESS PARKING ON PAVEMENTS (PAGE 29)
DRIVERS have resumed reckless parking on both sides of the streets and unauthorised places in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis, because the assembly has suspended the operation of the 24-hour towing service.
The suspension came about because the company, which was operating the service, failed to meet the expectations of the assembly.
At the moment, the assembly has not found a replacement and, therefore, there is complete lawlessness on the streets.
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly had hitherto designated parking lots on the streets in the metropolis where people could park their vehicles.
The Public Relations Officer of the assembly, Mr John Laste, said the assembly had put the services of the company on hold for some time, since they had not met the expectation of the assembly.
He said at the moment, city guards had been deployed on the streets to ensure sanity on the roads.
However, a tour around the metropolis by the Daily Graphic indicated that the guards were not up to the task.
Although the former towing company was under-resourced; it provided some checks that helped to reduce and control the recklessness on the roads, since they often clamped vehicles and the offenders were made to pay instant fines of GH¢40.
The current situation in the metropolis, especially the central business district indicates that most commercial drivers have a stronger edge over the city guards.
Some taxi drivers have moved to the street corners and park in front of supermarkets and jostle one another for passengers coming out from the shops, a situation which was previously unknown.
The reality is, apart from the State Transport Company yard and two other bus terminals opposite the Mankesim Whitehouse near the Market Circle, there are no bus terminals in the metropolis and drivers do whatever they deem fit.
Besides, business activities around the Market Circle have resumed with zeal, causing a lot of inconvenience to motorists. Most hawkers display their wares on “trucks” and take over one side of the roads, especially those around the Market Circle.
When the Daily Graphic enquired from the drivers if they were aware of the inconvenience they were causing to other road users as a result of their business activities, they laughed it off and said it was election time, so they were at liberty to do whatever pleased them.
The suspension came about because the company, which was operating the service, failed to meet the expectations of the assembly.
At the moment, the assembly has not found a replacement and, therefore, there is complete lawlessness on the streets.
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly had hitherto designated parking lots on the streets in the metropolis where people could park their vehicles.
The Public Relations Officer of the assembly, Mr John Laste, said the assembly had put the services of the company on hold for some time, since they had not met the expectation of the assembly.
He said at the moment, city guards had been deployed on the streets to ensure sanity on the roads.
However, a tour around the metropolis by the Daily Graphic indicated that the guards were not up to the task.
Although the former towing company was under-resourced; it provided some checks that helped to reduce and control the recklessness on the roads, since they often clamped vehicles and the offenders were made to pay instant fines of GH¢40.
The current situation in the metropolis, especially the central business district indicates that most commercial drivers have a stronger edge over the city guards.
Some taxi drivers have moved to the street corners and park in front of supermarkets and jostle one another for passengers coming out from the shops, a situation which was previously unknown.
The reality is, apart from the State Transport Company yard and two other bus terminals opposite the Mankesim Whitehouse near the Market Circle, there are no bus terminals in the metropolis and drivers do whatever they deem fit.
Besides, business activities around the Market Circle have resumed with zeal, causing a lot of inconvenience to motorists. Most hawkers display their wares on “trucks” and take over one side of the roads, especially those around the Market Circle.
When the Daily Graphic enquired from the drivers if they were aware of the inconvenience they were causing to other road users as a result of their business activities, they laughed it off and said it was election time, so they were at liberty to do whatever pleased them.
YOUTH URGED TO REVIVE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTARISM (PAGE 29)
The Chief of Takoradi, Nana Busumakora III, has called on the youth to be part of nation building and not to ignore the spirit of voluntarism.
He said the hope and prospects of a nation became stronger when its youth took great interest in things that would advance the development agenda of the nation.
He made the call when two officers from the regional headquarters of the Sekondi station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) embarked on a peace walk and arrived in Takoradi as part of their peace message for the country.
The two officers, Fireman John Dominic Dadzie and Station Officer Joseph Cornelius Ampiah, were met on their arrival at the Apremdo Barrier by their fellow officers.
Nana Busumakora said it gladdened his heart when the youth took it upon themselves to volunteer their support for the national campaign for peace and stability to promote accelerated national development.
He said the eyes of the world would be on Ghana during the upcoming elections, to exhibit the strong democratic strides the country had made among its peers in Africa.
“It is heart-warming for personnel of the GNFS to embark on a walk across the country with the message of peace and stability,” he said.
He prayed and asked for God’s protection for the two officers as they continued their journey through the Central, Greater Accra and the Volta regions before making it back to Takoradi.
“I must be honest that my people and the whole of the Western Region are proud of you,” the chief said. He called on Ghanaians to be tolerant now, during and after the elections.
The Regional Fire Officer, Nana Ekwow Abban, said it was very important that every Ghanaian took a personal interest in jealously protecting the enviable peace and stability that the country was enjoying.
“We at the fire station have taken it upon ourselves to carry our message of peace to the people”, he added.
The regional fire officer urged members of the general public to embrace the spirit of brotherliness and ensure that the interest and peace of the country were protected.
Nana Abban said the objective of his men was to use the message of peace to create awareness of the need to maintain peace throughout the country.
He said there were similarities in Ghanaian cultural beliefs, irrespective of the region one hailed from and that it was very important for all Ghanaians to live in peace.
The two peace walkers were initially met on arrival in the metropolis by the Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion of Infantry, Lt. Col. Francis Vib-Sanziri at the Myohanung Barracks at Apremdo in Takoradi.
They were then met at the Takoradi Central Market Fire Post by the Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan.
He said the hope and prospects of a nation became stronger when its youth took great interest in things that would advance the development agenda of the nation.
He made the call when two officers from the regional headquarters of the Sekondi station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) embarked on a peace walk and arrived in Takoradi as part of their peace message for the country.
The two officers, Fireman John Dominic Dadzie and Station Officer Joseph Cornelius Ampiah, were met on their arrival at the Apremdo Barrier by their fellow officers.
Nana Busumakora said it gladdened his heart when the youth took it upon themselves to volunteer their support for the national campaign for peace and stability to promote accelerated national development.
He said the eyes of the world would be on Ghana during the upcoming elections, to exhibit the strong democratic strides the country had made among its peers in Africa.
“It is heart-warming for personnel of the GNFS to embark on a walk across the country with the message of peace and stability,” he said.
He prayed and asked for God’s protection for the two officers as they continued their journey through the Central, Greater Accra and the Volta regions before making it back to Takoradi.
“I must be honest that my people and the whole of the Western Region are proud of you,” the chief said. He called on Ghanaians to be tolerant now, during and after the elections.
The Regional Fire Officer, Nana Ekwow Abban, said it was very important that every Ghanaian took a personal interest in jealously protecting the enviable peace and stability that the country was enjoying.
“We at the fire station have taken it upon ourselves to carry our message of peace to the people”, he added.
The regional fire officer urged members of the general public to embrace the spirit of brotherliness and ensure that the interest and peace of the country were protected.
Nana Abban said the objective of his men was to use the message of peace to create awareness of the need to maintain peace throughout the country.
He said there were similarities in Ghanaian cultural beliefs, irrespective of the region one hailed from and that it was very important for all Ghanaians to live in peace.
The two peace walkers were initially met on arrival in the metropolis by the Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion of Infantry, Lt. Col. Francis Vib-Sanziri at the Myohanung Barracks at Apremdo in Takoradi.
They were then met at the Takoradi Central Market Fire Post by the Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan.
ECOBANK GHANA SUPPORTS POLICE (PAGE 29)
The Takoradi branch of Ecobank Ghana has presented office equipment worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the Regional CID Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Sekondi.
The items, a photocopier and its accessories, were received by the Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, at the regional headquarters in Sekondi.
In a statement before the presentation, Mr Frank Osei-Nkrumah of the Legal Department of the bank, said the donation formed part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility to enhance the operations of the Police Service.
He said since the Police Service is an institution charged with the responsibility for ensuring the safety of all, the bank decided to support the unit to further discharge its duties.
Mr Osei-Nkrumah said that the police, the business community and members of society had a lot in common to share, and that it was, therefore, right that all stakeholders paused to see where they could help make the work of the police a little easier.
“It is the hope of the management and staff of Ecobank that the copier would go a long way to help them in their work”, he added.
For his part, the regional commander Alhassan, thanked the bank for the support and added that it was the aim of the government to address the logistic needs of its institutions to function well, but that it could not do this alone.
The regional commander said with the support of corporate bodies, things tend to be a little better and expressed the unit’s appreciation to the bank.
“One institution or individual will not be able to address the needs of the Police Service, but as you come individually or in groups we will get there”, the regional commander said.
He said further that the donation came at an opportune time when they really needed it and gave the assurance that the bank would put the items to good use to enhance its operations.
The items, a photocopier and its accessories, were received by the Western Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, at the regional headquarters in Sekondi.
In a statement before the presentation, Mr Frank Osei-Nkrumah of the Legal Department of the bank, said the donation formed part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility to enhance the operations of the Police Service.
He said since the Police Service is an institution charged with the responsibility for ensuring the safety of all, the bank decided to support the unit to further discharge its duties.
Mr Osei-Nkrumah said that the police, the business community and members of society had a lot in common to share, and that it was, therefore, right that all stakeholders paused to see where they could help make the work of the police a little easier.
“It is the hope of the management and staff of Ecobank that the copier would go a long way to help them in their work”, he added.
For his part, the regional commander Alhassan, thanked the bank for the support and added that it was the aim of the government to address the logistic needs of its institutions to function well, but that it could not do this alone.
The regional commander said with the support of corporate bodies, things tend to be a little better and expressed the unit’s appreciation to the bank.
“One institution or individual will not be able to address the needs of the Police Service, but as you come individually or in groups we will get there”, the regional commander said.
He said further that the donation came at an opportune time when they really needed it and gave the assurance that the bank would put the items to good use to enhance its operations.
LACK OF FACILITIES HAMPERS WORK AT OIC (PAGE 29)
lack of adequate support for the Opportunity Industrialisation Centre (OIC) is seriously threatening continued existence of the centre.
After the withdrawal of the mother organisation, based in the City of Philadelphia in the United States of America , the only support the school received from the government was the payment of salaries of tutors.
The school had to generate funds internally to take care of its depreciating structures and purchases of training materials.
At the moment, its biggest challenge is how to pay utility bills and procure training materials such as timber, tools for the workshop, computers, typewriters and other materials for the straightening and welding departments.
In Sekondi, the school has a population of more than 200 students who do not pay fees, as they are only charged what is termed “user fees” as their contribution towards their training.
The school authorities are, therefore, appealing to the corporate bodies in the metropolis and the region as a whole to support it to realise its dream of providing useful skills training for the youth.
The centre is appealing to all to help provide skills training for the youth who have demonstrated the zeal to study to enable them to be trained to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to society.
The Training Supervisor of the centre, Mr John Kingsley Dadzie, told the Daily Graphic that the focus of the OIC was skills development and employment generation through adoption of programmes that would ensure a comprehensive human resource development in the country.
He said the programme modules of the centre aimed at ensuring that the vocational skills training and employment opportunities provided by the OIC projects were always relevant to the country’s needs.
Mr Dadzie said over the years many students passed through the school and some of them had comfortably settled and were self-employed and providing jobs for people, while others were pursuing further studies.
The training supervisor said the centre provided balanced non-formal education, with training consisting of 70 per cent practical sessions and 30 per cent theory, after which the students were sent to reputable institutions for internship.
Mr Dadzie said the students were trained for two years, after which they sat for NVTI Grade II examinations and Grade I after obtaining the OIC certificates.
He said those who wished to continue their studies could proceed to the polytechnics through the country.
Another problem facing the school was the absence of a drainage system near the school and pleaded with the metropolitan assembly to construct a drain for it.
“This year, we did not experience heavy rains to warrant flooding, but I can say that when it rains, the whole school gets flooded and obstructs academic work”, he said.
“We have very unique structures to ensure that the children are given the best form of training,” the supervisor said, adding that they had a counselling centre to ensure that students were counselled on various aspects of the programmes they chose to pursue.
“The counsellors also take their time, listen to the students and they both arrive at an acceptable decision that is acceptable to the students and their tutors”, he said.
He expressed his gratitude to West Africa Mills Company (WAMCO), Ghana Telecom, the Parent-Teacher Association of the school and other stakeholders for helping the centre to keep its head above water.
The training supervisor also appealed to the government to support the school.
After the withdrawal of the mother organisation, based in the City of Philadelphia in the United States of America , the only support the school received from the government was the payment of salaries of tutors.
The school had to generate funds internally to take care of its depreciating structures and purchases of training materials.
At the moment, its biggest challenge is how to pay utility bills and procure training materials such as timber, tools for the workshop, computers, typewriters and other materials for the straightening and welding departments.
In Sekondi, the school has a population of more than 200 students who do not pay fees, as they are only charged what is termed “user fees” as their contribution towards their training.
The school authorities are, therefore, appealing to the corporate bodies in the metropolis and the region as a whole to support it to realise its dream of providing useful skills training for the youth.
The centre is appealing to all to help provide skills training for the youth who have demonstrated the zeal to study to enable them to be trained to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to society.
The Training Supervisor of the centre, Mr John Kingsley Dadzie, told the Daily Graphic that the focus of the OIC was skills development and employment generation through adoption of programmes that would ensure a comprehensive human resource development in the country.
He said the programme modules of the centre aimed at ensuring that the vocational skills training and employment opportunities provided by the OIC projects were always relevant to the country’s needs.
Mr Dadzie said over the years many students passed through the school and some of them had comfortably settled and were self-employed and providing jobs for people, while others were pursuing further studies.
The training supervisor said the centre provided balanced non-formal education, with training consisting of 70 per cent practical sessions and 30 per cent theory, after which the students were sent to reputable institutions for internship.
Mr Dadzie said the students were trained for two years, after which they sat for NVTI Grade II examinations and Grade I after obtaining the OIC certificates.
He said those who wished to continue their studies could proceed to the polytechnics through the country.
Another problem facing the school was the absence of a drainage system near the school and pleaded with the metropolitan assembly to construct a drain for it.
“This year, we did not experience heavy rains to warrant flooding, but I can say that when it rains, the whole school gets flooded and obstructs academic work”, he said.
“We have very unique structures to ensure that the children are given the best form of training,” the supervisor said, adding that they had a counselling centre to ensure that students were counselled on various aspects of the programmes they chose to pursue.
“The counsellors also take their time, listen to the students and they both arrive at an acceptable decision that is acceptable to the students and their tutors”, he said.
He expressed his gratitude to West Africa Mills Company (WAMCO), Ghana Telecom, the Parent-Teacher Association of the school and other stakeholders for helping the centre to keep its head above water.
The training supervisor also appealed to the government to support the school.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
AIRMEN CAUTIONED (PAGE 34)
THE Chief Staff Officer at the Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Is Kadri, has cautioned airmen not to indulge in activities that are outside their purview.
He said indulging in debt collection, land guard duties, arbitration in chieftaincy disputes, unauthorised arrest of drug peddlers and unsolicited police duties was not what they were trained to do.
Addressing a parade of newly qualified airmen and women in Takoradi last Friday, Air Commodore Kadri warned them not to let their personal desires prevail over issues which were clearly out of their domain in order not to drag the name of the Air Force into disrepute.
In all, a total of 145 men and women passed out in Course 1/2008 after 25 weeks of intensive training, which took them through sense of team spirit, co-operation, mental robustness, fortitude, confidence and stamina.
Air Commodore Kadri warned that “the Air Force will not countenance any act of commission or omission on your part, as you will individually be answerable to the Command for acts of indiscipline”.
“You are joining a service which has won the trust and confidence of the citizenry through a healthy civil-military relationship. Our duties and responsibilities as airmen/women are clearly spelt out in the Armed Forces Regulations,” he said.
Commodore Kadri reminded them to ensure that the integrity of the Air Force was protected.
The government, he said, was addressing the operational challenges of the Air Force.
“Indeed, the Armed Forces, just like other state institutions, compete for the nation’s scare resources to enhance their outlook and effectiveness,” he said.
Commodore Kadri said the Air Force was looking forward to improvements in its needs, especially in the area of accommodation and acquisition of aircraft.
He, therefore, urged them to dedicate themselves to the profession and the defence of Ghana at all times.
The chief staff officer reminded them that although they had passed out, “training in the armed forces is a continuous and uninterrupted activity. What you went through is just the foundation; training will recommence the very first day you report at various base/stations.”
The Takoradi Air Force Station Commander, Air Commodore Michael Samson-Oje, administered the oath (Which oath?) to the newly trained airmen/women.
He said indulging in debt collection, land guard duties, arbitration in chieftaincy disputes, unauthorised arrest of drug peddlers and unsolicited police duties was not what they were trained to do.
Addressing a parade of newly qualified airmen and women in Takoradi last Friday, Air Commodore Kadri warned them not to let their personal desires prevail over issues which were clearly out of their domain in order not to drag the name of the Air Force into disrepute.
In all, a total of 145 men and women passed out in Course 1/2008 after 25 weeks of intensive training, which took them through sense of team spirit, co-operation, mental robustness, fortitude, confidence and stamina.
Air Commodore Kadri warned that “the Air Force will not countenance any act of commission or omission on your part, as you will individually be answerable to the Command for acts of indiscipline”.
“You are joining a service which has won the trust and confidence of the citizenry through a healthy civil-military relationship. Our duties and responsibilities as airmen/women are clearly spelt out in the Armed Forces Regulations,” he said.
Commodore Kadri reminded them to ensure that the integrity of the Air Force was protected.
The government, he said, was addressing the operational challenges of the Air Force.
“Indeed, the Armed Forces, just like other state institutions, compete for the nation’s scare resources to enhance their outlook and effectiveness,” he said.
Commodore Kadri said the Air Force was looking forward to improvements in its needs, especially in the area of accommodation and acquisition of aircraft.
He, therefore, urged them to dedicate themselves to the profession and the defence of Ghana at all times.
The chief staff officer reminded them that although they had passed out, “training in the armed forces is a continuous and uninterrupted activity. What you went through is just the foundation; training will recommence the very first day you report at various base/stations.”
The Takoradi Air Force Station Commander, Air Commodore Michael Samson-Oje, administered the oath (Which oath?) to the newly trained airmen/women.
Monday, November 24, 2008
HASMAL, ALL STARS DRAW (BACK PAGE)
A depleted Sekondi Hasaacas team yesterday paid the price of trading their top stars during the off season as they only managed a goalless draw in their maiden outing against visiting Wa All Stars.
It was a match that saw the homesters playing without their usual bite at home and even found themselves on the verge of losing the game on the 80th minute, but for timely clearance by defender Prince Ohene.
That was after Wa All Stars striker Issa Saliu, who was adjudged the best player of the day, had beaten goalkeeper Michael Addo.
It was a match that saw the homesters playing without their usual bite at home and even found themselves on the verge of losing the game on the 80th minute, but for timely clearance by defender Prince Ohene.
That was after Wa All Stars striker Issa Saliu, who was adjudged the best player of the day, had beaten goalkeeper Michael Addo.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
TDI PORT STILL VIBRANT (PAGE 29)
THE Director of Takoradi Port, Mr Nestor Percy Galley, has refuted claims that the port is dying, saying, “We are thriving and will be up to any task and challenges to be posed by the recent discovery of oil”.
He said the port had been progressing steadily over the years though not as fast as the Tema Port but its activities should not be described as slow.
The director, who was speaking at a durbar in Takoradi to give awards to its workers for the year 2006-2007, said: “We are perceived as an export port probably due to the fact that we handle about 70 per cent of the country’s exports, but the truth is that the Takoradi Port handles both imports and exports.
“I can assure you that, increasingly, the Sahelian countries of Niger , Mali and Burkina Faso have now recognised that the Takoradi Port is an alternative to their traditional ports of Abidjan, Lome, Benin and Dakar ,” he said.
Mr Galley said in the face of the challenges, the Takoradi Port still remained one of the strongest export and import destination points in the country and other countries up north have found favour with it.
The director reminded workers that the discovery of oil was another challenge to the management of the port, saying: “If we work hard, we would turn the fortunes of the port around. If we don’t, the opportunity will pass us by and we cannot afford to fail corporate Ghana and the expectations of the clients.”
He urged the workers to exhibit professionalism in their work by adopting new and progressive work attitudes towards their clients.
“Let me tell you that the discovery of oil has put the port and Takoradi township on the world map and any negative acts will go a long way to destroy our image internationally, ” he stressed.
He congratulated the award winners and reminded them that one’s selection as an award winner placed more responsibility on him/her.
“I, therefore, urge you not to relent in your efforts to ensure that the Takoradi Port goes beyond the expectation of the people and our employers,” he said.
He said the port had been progressing steadily over the years though not as fast as the Tema Port but its activities should not be described as slow.
The director, who was speaking at a durbar in Takoradi to give awards to its workers for the year 2006-2007, said: “We are perceived as an export port probably due to the fact that we handle about 70 per cent of the country’s exports, but the truth is that the Takoradi Port handles both imports and exports.
“I can assure you that, increasingly, the Sahelian countries of Niger , Mali and Burkina Faso have now recognised that the Takoradi Port is an alternative to their traditional ports of Abidjan, Lome, Benin and Dakar ,” he said.
Mr Galley said in the face of the challenges, the Takoradi Port still remained one of the strongest export and import destination points in the country and other countries up north have found favour with it.
The director reminded workers that the discovery of oil was another challenge to the management of the port, saying: “If we work hard, we would turn the fortunes of the port around. If we don’t, the opportunity will pass us by and we cannot afford to fail corporate Ghana and the expectations of the clients.”
He urged the workers to exhibit professionalism in their work by adopting new and progressive work attitudes towards their clients.
“Let me tell you that the discovery of oil has put the port and Takoradi township on the world map and any negative acts will go a long way to destroy our image internationally, ” he stressed.
He congratulated the award winners and reminded them that one’s selection as an award winner placed more responsibility on him/her.
“I, therefore, urge you not to relent in your efforts to ensure that the Takoradi Port goes beyond the expectation of the people and our employers,” he said.
HOPE FOR NAVAL RATINGS (PAGE 29)
Military personnel play a vital role by securing the territorial integrity of the state as well as defending the people against external aggression.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the state to provide them with the basic necessities of life, especially shelter.
The situation at the Western Naval Command is sad as far as the ratings are concerned.
To make the mobilisation of the military easy to defend the country, the state provides the personnel with bases where they are accommodated. The bases may also be used as a command centre, training ground, or test ground.
However, many ratings of the Ghana Navy in the twin-city are not accommodated. They have to look for their own private accommodation in town.
This is unfair as in most cases landlords eject them when they obtain better offers in rent advance.
That aside, some cannot afford the high rent advances landlords in the twin-city currently demand from prospective tenants.
Some of the ratings have their accommodation miles away from the Sekondi Naval Base, in areas which could best be described as slums.
These ratings use public toilets just like their civilian counterparts and because of the state of the areas in which they live, most of them do not allow their relatives to visit them.
The end of the plight of the enthusiastic young men and women who have chosen to defend the country at the expense of their lives appears to be in sight as the Chief of Naval Station has given them the assurance of better times ahead.
Speaking at the command’s administrative parade at the Western Command, he said measures had been put in place for the young sailors to draw “Family Allowance” in their attempt to alleviate their plight.
He said the construction of more accommodation was also underway to ensure that future recruitment drives of the Navy proceeded unhindered.
He said early next year, the Navy would retrain recruits, whose recruitment process started last year but was stalled as a result of acute accommodation problems.
“It is long overdue for the Ghana Navy to boast a base where it could have all personnel and their families provided with shelter to guarantee them peace of mind to enable them to perform their defensive roles more effectively and efficiently.
It is a fact of life that when one faces problems such as the lack of life’s basic needs one loses concentration.
The Ghana Navy was formed in 1958 and was temporarily accommodated in a facility belonging to the then Ghana Railways and Ports Authority in Takoradi, which now houses the present Ghana Naval Stores Depot.
Ships and the technical department of the navy also use the same facilities at the Takoradi Harbour.
The dream of having a stronger and better Navy comparable to any was made stronger when the government of Ghana in 1960 decided to provide a first class permanent Naval base for the Ghana Navy in Sekondi.
After the government had signed an agreement with Messrs Pomgrad of Yugoslavia for the construction of the base at the Sekondi Port in 1962 preparations were progressing steadily under the watchful eyes of the then President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
However, the dream of the Navy to have a place to call their own, or their base was thwarted by the 1966 coup d’etat.
Since then, successive governments did little to acknowledge the importance of the sister unit of the Ghana Army.
Now that oil has been discovered in the Western Region, the country has seen the importance of the Navy. Thank God, the government of the day is making efforts to add to the fleet of the old ladies GNS Yogaga, Sibo, Anzoni and Achimota.
The security that the country needs at the moment before the commencement of drilling in 2010 is now more urgent than ever.
The NLC government reviewed the original project and made some modifications. Interesting among those changes were the substitutions of the slipway for the dry-dock. Work on the Sekondi project was completed in early 1967.
That was the end of everything, the issue of accommodation for personnel, especially the ratings was not seriously addressed and catered for and as a result the naval ratings have to be scattered everywhere within the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
Looking at the importance of the Navy today, there is the need to ensure that accommodation is provided for the personnel to ensure that they are all housed in a military base for easy mobilisation.
The area of responsibility of the command stretches from Winneba in the Central Region to the Western Border at New Town in the Jomoro District of the Western Region, a distance of about 200 nautical miles seaward.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the state to provide them with the basic necessities of life, especially shelter.
The situation at the Western Naval Command is sad as far as the ratings are concerned.
To make the mobilisation of the military easy to defend the country, the state provides the personnel with bases where they are accommodated. The bases may also be used as a command centre, training ground, or test ground.
However, many ratings of the Ghana Navy in the twin-city are not accommodated. They have to look for their own private accommodation in town.
This is unfair as in most cases landlords eject them when they obtain better offers in rent advance.
That aside, some cannot afford the high rent advances landlords in the twin-city currently demand from prospective tenants.
Some of the ratings have their accommodation miles away from the Sekondi Naval Base, in areas which could best be described as slums.
These ratings use public toilets just like their civilian counterparts and because of the state of the areas in which they live, most of them do not allow their relatives to visit them.
The end of the plight of the enthusiastic young men and women who have chosen to defend the country at the expense of their lives appears to be in sight as the Chief of Naval Station has given them the assurance of better times ahead.
Speaking at the command’s administrative parade at the Western Command, he said measures had been put in place for the young sailors to draw “Family Allowance” in their attempt to alleviate their plight.
He said the construction of more accommodation was also underway to ensure that future recruitment drives of the Navy proceeded unhindered.
He said early next year, the Navy would retrain recruits, whose recruitment process started last year but was stalled as a result of acute accommodation problems.
“It is long overdue for the Ghana Navy to boast a base where it could have all personnel and their families provided with shelter to guarantee them peace of mind to enable them to perform their defensive roles more effectively and efficiently.
It is a fact of life that when one faces problems such as the lack of life’s basic needs one loses concentration.
The Ghana Navy was formed in 1958 and was temporarily accommodated in a facility belonging to the then Ghana Railways and Ports Authority in Takoradi, which now houses the present Ghana Naval Stores Depot.
Ships and the technical department of the navy also use the same facilities at the Takoradi Harbour.
The dream of having a stronger and better Navy comparable to any was made stronger when the government of Ghana in 1960 decided to provide a first class permanent Naval base for the Ghana Navy in Sekondi.
After the government had signed an agreement with Messrs Pomgrad of Yugoslavia for the construction of the base at the Sekondi Port in 1962 preparations were progressing steadily under the watchful eyes of the then President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
However, the dream of the Navy to have a place to call their own, or their base was thwarted by the 1966 coup d’etat.
Since then, successive governments did little to acknowledge the importance of the sister unit of the Ghana Army.
Now that oil has been discovered in the Western Region, the country has seen the importance of the Navy. Thank God, the government of the day is making efforts to add to the fleet of the old ladies GNS Yogaga, Sibo, Anzoni and Achimota.
The security that the country needs at the moment before the commencement of drilling in 2010 is now more urgent than ever.
The NLC government reviewed the original project and made some modifications. Interesting among those changes were the substitutions of the slipway for the dry-dock. Work on the Sekondi project was completed in early 1967.
That was the end of everything, the issue of accommodation for personnel, especially the ratings was not seriously addressed and catered for and as a result the naval ratings have to be scattered everywhere within the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
Looking at the importance of the Navy today, there is the need to ensure that accommodation is provided for the personnel to ensure that they are all housed in a military base for easy mobilisation.
The area of responsibility of the command stretches from Winneba in the Central Region to the Western Border at New Town in the Jomoro District of the Western Region, a distance of about 200 nautical miles seaward.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PLANNED FOR T'DI (PAGE 29)
The government is currently considering plans to build an airport of international standard to take bigger aircraft in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi, the Ministry of Aviation has hinted.
This would accommodate the anticipated traffic to the metropolis as a result of the oil find. Plans are also underway to expand the Takoradi seaport in readiness for the oil business.
The Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Baidoo-Ansah, who announced this during an inspection of the Takoradi Airport, said the government was leaving no stone unturned in its quest to take advantage of ancillary businesses incidental to the oil find.
He said work had commenced on the permanent “approach and runway lights” for the Takoradi Airport to position it well as plans to construct a bigger airport were being considered.
The minister said the lights when completed would enhance visibility for landing not only at night but also during bad weather.
The minister said the overwhelming interest shown in the development of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis and the region as a whole due to the oil find had brought to the fore the need to be proactive.
At the moment, he said, the ministry was considering the creation of a civil passenger terminal at the Takoradi Airport to separate the military and civilian facilities.
Mr Baidoo-Ansah said work on the grooving of the runway was almost complete and that the ministry was also working on the security issues to avert human and animal intrusion at the airport.
He expressed concern that people walk across the airfield and promised that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure that fencing around the airport was completed.
The minister implored the residents around the airport to desist from acts that pose security threats at the airport.
He gave the assurance that the fencing that was started would be completed to ensure maximum security.
This would accommodate the anticipated traffic to the metropolis as a result of the oil find. Plans are also underway to expand the Takoradi seaport in readiness for the oil business.
The Minister of Aviation, Mr Joe Baidoo-Ansah, who announced this during an inspection of the Takoradi Airport, said the government was leaving no stone unturned in its quest to take advantage of ancillary businesses incidental to the oil find.
He said work had commenced on the permanent “approach and runway lights” for the Takoradi Airport to position it well as plans to construct a bigger airport were being considered.
The minister said the lights when completed would enhance visibility for landing not only at night but also during bad weather.
The minister said the overwhelming interest shown in the development of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis and the region as a whole due to the oil find had brought to the fore the need to be proactive.
At the moment, he said, the ministry was considering the creation of a civil passenger terminal at the Takoradi Airport to separate the military and civilian facilities.
Mr Baidoo-Ansah said work on the grooving of the runway was almost complete and that the ministry was also working on the security issues to avert human and animal intrusion at the airport.
He expressed concern that people walk across the airfield and promised that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure that fencing around the airport was completed.
The minister implored the residents around the airport to desist from acts that pose security threats at the airport.
He gave the assurance that the fencing that was started would be completed to ensure maximum security.
CALL FOR PROPER RECORD KEEPING (PAGE 29)
THE Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, Professor Kwame Karikari, has called for efficient record keeping and accurate reportage to ensure that generations unborn are not deprived of facts of events of today, which would be tomorrow’s history.
He said findings had shown that about 95 per cent of records about events in Africa could only be found outside the continent of Africa.
He was speaking at a workshop organised by the coalition on the advocacy to the Right to Information Bill, which is currently before Parliament.
“The stories of Baba Yara and Ohene Gyan and other great sportsmen after whom various sports facilities across the country were named and their photographs are nowhere to be found,” he said, adding that “such development tells how bad we are when it comes to record keeping”.
He gave an example of the United States of America where the first posters printed by political parties for their campaign could be found “but from the ‘50s it would be difficult to have such records in Ghana.”
Prof. Karikari reminded the media that in their quest to disseminate information they should be guided by accurate and balanced information to ensure that, in the future, what the generations unborn would be reading would reflect exactly what transpired today.
He said it was very important for the citizenry to give their support to the passage of the bill before the house. The bill, he said, would pave the way for other agencies to be empowered for the benefit of the people especially the less privileged.
Nana Oye Lithur of the Commonwealth Initiative said international Human Rights Treaties on civil and political rights, Article 19 (2) (and with similar wording: Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) stated as follow:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
She said the proactive duty of citizens today was to request information held by public officers and that principle was recognised under the current bill which states that “one does not need to provide reasons for an application’’ in the Section 1 (4) of the Bill).
Nana Lithur said it was the state’s corresponding duty to provide information on its activities, and be proactive in public education and dissemination of information on a regular basis.
She said although freedom of expression and thought depended on the availability of adequate information, the right to personal safety required that people were informed about security threats to enable them to be active partners.
The bill, she said, would reduce conflict and promote national cohesion, as greater openness brought with it more public trust in the representatives and made resistance and conflict over government policies less likely, where people would hold their government accountable, with feelings of powerlessness and alienation reduced.
The vice-president of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Affail Monney, said information is the lifeblood, raw material and stock in trade without which the media could not be in business.
He said even though Ghana’s level of press freedom struck chords of appreciation nationally and internationally, “however, what is missing is the right to information bill.”
Mr Monney said it was about time the media used their influence in the policy landscape to educate and fast track the passage of the bill. “The Right To Information Bill has been in the fridge for far too long,” he said.
He said findings had shown that about 95 per cent of records about events in Africa could only be found outside the continent of Africa.
He was speaking at a workshop organised by the coalition on the advocacy to the Right to Information Bill, which is currently before Parliament.
“The stories of Baba Yara and Ohene Gyan and other great sportsmen after whom various sports facilities across the country were named and their photographs are nowhere to be found,” he said, adding that “such development tells how bad we are when it comes to record keeping”.
He gave an example of the United States of America where the first posters printed by political parties for their campaign could be found “but from the ‘50s it would be difficult to have such records in Ghana.”
Prof. Karikari reminded the media that in their quest to disseminate information they should be guided by accurate and balanced information to ensure that, in the future, what the generations unborn would be reading would reflect exactly what transpired today.
He said it was very important for the citizenry to give their support to the passage of the bill before the house. The bill, he said, would pave the way for other agencies to be empowered for the benefit of the people especially the less privileged.
Nana Oye Lithur of the Commonwealth Initiative said international Human Rights Treaties on civil and political rights, Article 19 (2) (and with similar wording: Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) stated as follow:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
She said the proactive duty of citizens today was to request information held by public officers and that principle was recognised under the current bill which states that “one does not need to provide reasons for an application’’ in the Section 1 (4) of the Bill).
Nana Lithur said it was the state’s corresponding duty to provide information on its activities, and be proactive in public education and dissemination of information on a regular basis.
She said although freedom of expression and thought depended on the availability of adequate information, the right to personal safety required that people were informed about security threats to enable them to be active partners.
The bill, she said, would reduce conflict and promote national cohesion, as greater openness brought with it more public trust in the representatives and made resistance and conflict over government policies less likely, where people would hold their government accountable, with feelings of powerlessness and alienation reduced.
The vice-president of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Affail Monney, said information is the lifeblood, raw material and stock in trade without which the media could not be in business.
He said even though Ghana’s level of press freedom struck chords of appreciation nationally and internationally, “however, what is missing is the right to information bill.”
Mr Monney said it was about time the media used their influence in the policy landscape to educate and fast track the passage of the bill. “The Right To Information Bill has been in the fridge for far too long,” he said.
STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO INDISCIPLINE ON ROADS (PAGE 28)
students of the Government Secretariat near the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital are causing commercial drivers plying the Sekondi/Takoradi main road to clamour for passengers and make the road unsafe.
The premises and facilities of the school are used by other private institutions as classrooms and hostel.
As a result, the population on campus has increased and the students comprising student nurses and other private individuals who are using the place refuse to make use of the bus-stop at the Fijai-Effia-Nkwanta junction.
The students, from their hostels, refuse to move to the Kweikuma bus stop or the Effia-Nkwanta bus stop, which is about two minutes walk from the school to the major road and rather stop along the road to pick taxis or ‘trotros’ resulting in inconveniences to other road users on that portion of the road.
As a result, the behaviour of these students, drivers find it difficult to make use of the designated bus stops.
In some instances, more than three mini-buses and taxi park in the middle of the road for students to board.
It is the hope of this reporter that officials of the National Road Safety Commission and personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), of their Ghana Police Service in the metropolis,will move in to save the situation by educating the students on the effects of their action.
There is also total disregard for road safety regulations at the Number 9 traffic light at Effiekuma which leads to Anaji. Here, a bus stop has been turned into a taxi rank.
The road is totally blocked sometimes making it impossible for traffic to flow freely.
The premises and facilities of the school are used by other private institutions as classrooms and hostel.
As a result, the population on campus has increased and the students comprising student nurses and other private individuals who are using the place refuse to make use of the bus-stop at the Fijai-Effia-Nkwanta junction.
The students, from their hostels, refuse to move to the Kweikuma bus stop or the Effia-Nkwanta bus stop, which is about two minutes walk from the school to the major road and rather stop along the road to pick taxis or ‘trotros’ resulting in inconveniences to other road users on that portion of the road.
As a result, the behaviour of these students, drivers find it difficult to make use of the designated bus stops.
In some instances, more than three mini-buses and taxi park in the middle of the road for students to board.
It is the hope of this reporter that officials of the National Road Safety Commission and personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), of their Ghana Police Service in the metropolis,will move in to save the situation by educating the students on the effects of their action.
There is also total disregard for road safety regulations at the Number 9 traffic light at Effiekuma which leads to Anaji. Here, a bus stop has been turned into a taxi rank.
The road is totally blocked sometimes making it impossible for traffic to flow freely.
Monday, November 17, 2008
NAVY TO RECEIVE NEW VESSELS (PAGE 3)
THE Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A.R.S. Nuno, has announced that the Ghana Navy is to receive new vessels from Korea and China to enhance its operations and effectively protect the newly discovered oil fields off the shores of Cape Three Points in the Ahanta West District.
Rear Admiral Nuno, who did not disclose the number of vessels to be received, said the government was in contact with the Korean and Chinese governments for the supply.
He observed that the need to ensure the territorial integrity of the country through the safety of its waters had never been as urgent as now.
He said this was so because of the discovery of oil off the shores of the country and the need for the country to efficiently manage its natural resources.
Furthermore, he said, insecurity at sea could derail the relative peace and stability in the country.
Speaking at this year’s administrative parade for the Western Naval Command at Sekondi, Rear Admiral Nuno said the situation called for an efficient and well-equipped navy to discharge its mandate.
He said despite the numerous constraints facing the Ghana Navy, it had been able to make some strides through the judicious use of its limited resources.
In the area of training, he said the navy would leave no stone unturned to train its personnel for the challenges ahead through exchange programmes with foreign partners, adding that collective and individual training for personnel would continue to be a priority for the command.
He commended the contingents for the splendid turnout and enthusiastic performance, which reflected the Ghana Navy’s determination to rise to its duties.
The ceremony was attended by other service commanders from the Ghana Air Force (GAF), the Army, the Police, the Immigration and the Prisons services.
Rear Admiral Nuno, who did not disclose the number of vessels to be received, said the government was in contact with the Korean and Chinese governments for the supply.
He observed that the need to ensure the territorial integrity of the country through the safety of its waters had never been as urgent as now.
He said this was so because of the discovery of oil off the shores of the country and the need for the country to efficiently manage its natural resources.
Furthermore, he said, insecurity at sea could derail the relative peace and stability in the country.
Speaking at this year’s administrative parade for the Western Naval Command at Sekondi, Rear Admiral Nuno said the situation called for an efficient and well-equipped navy to discharge its mandate.
He said despite the numerous constraints facing the Ghana Navy, it had been able to make some strides through the judicious use of its limited resources.
In the area of training, he said the navy would leave no stone unturned to train its personnel for the challenges ahead through exchange programmes with foreign partners, adding that collective and individual training for personnel would continue to be a priority for the command.
He commended the contingents for the splendid turnout and enthusiastic performance, which reflected the Ghana Navy’s determination to rise to its duties.
The ceremony was attended by other service commanders from the Ghana Air Force (GAF), the Army, the Police, the Immigration and the Prisons services.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
JUDGES URGED TO BE ICT COMPLIANT (PAGE 38)
JUDGES have been urged to be Information and Communications Technology (ICT) compliant to prepare themselves adequately for the Judicial Service’s e-governance project which involves the computerisation and automation of the court system.
That, according to the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, would avert the problem of missing dockets, eliminate paper work and improve record keeping and retrieval just by the click of a button.
“Therefore, every judge should be able to know how to send and retrieve e-mail and files to ensure that cost and other forms of delay are eliminated through the e-governance project,” she said.
She said the service spent huge amounts of money on A4 sheets for printing, adding that that would be eliminated under the e-governance programme.
She said computerisation and the implementation of e-governance were perfect initiatives, and that the service would continue to strategise on an e-governance process of courts to achieve its application in all areas of the service.
“Our current ICT policy includes an extensive programme to automate and computerise all courts in the country, as well as provide training for the staff who will man the automated courts,” she said.
The Chief Justice said although some superior courts had benefited from the automation, it was envisaged that the court automation programme would be expanded to all courts in due course.
Mrs Justice Wood said e-governance would lead to a better and more effective delivery of justice in the country by rendering the court processes speedier and more transparent.
She said other initiatives included the institution of an annual report, a programmatic career magistrates training, building a database of cases decided, going electronic with the Supreme Court library, among others.
“It is expected that these reform projects will enhance the level of quality and justice delivery in Ghana,” she said.
Using the annual report as an example, Mrs Justice Wood said it was designed to reinforce the level of accountability within the judicial system, as well as keep the public informed of the activities of the judiciary.
That, according to the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, would avert the problem of missing dockets, eliminate paper work and improve record keeping and retrieval just by the click of a button.
“Therefore, every judge should be able to know how to send and retrieve e-mail and files to ensure that cost and other forms of delay are eliminated through the e-governance project,” she said.
She said the service spent huge amounts of money on A4 sheets for printing, adding that that would be eliminated under the e-governance programme.
She said computerisation and the implementation of e-governance were perfect initiatives, and that the service would continue to strategise on an e-governance process of courts to achieve its application in all areas of the service.
“Our current ICT policy includes an extensive programme to automate and computerise all courts in the country, as well as provide training for the staff who will man the automated courts,” she said.
The Chief Justice said although some superior courts had benefited from the automation, it was envisaged that the court automation programme would be expanded to all courts in due course.
Mrs Justice Wood said e-governance would lead to a better and more effective delivery of justice in the country by rendering the court processes speedier and more transparent.
She said other initiatives included the institution of an annual report, a programmatic career magistrates training, building a database of cases decided, going electronic with the Supreme Court library, among others.
“It is expected that these reform projects will enhance the level of quality and justice delivery in Ghana,” she said.
Using the annual report as an example, Mrs Justice Wood said it was designed to reinforce the level of accountability within the judicial system, as well as keep the public informed of the activities of the judiciary.
TWO DIE IN FIGHT ...Over mutton soup (MIRROR, LEAD STORY)
From Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Bepoase
A fight that ensued over mutton soup prepared has left two people dead at Bepoase, a farming community near Sefwi-Asawinso in the Wiawso District of the Western Region.
One died after receiving a blow that caused him to miss his steps and fall on an exposed rock, while the other collapsed and died on his way to hospital.
The dead are Henry Kpodo, 38, a native of Big Ada in the Greater Accra Region and Steven Abugri, 28, from the Upper West Region.
A suspect in the case, Kweku Kussase, 37, also from the Upper West Region is currently in police custody.
Eyewitnesses told The Mirror that Kpodo visited Kussase and Abugri, who were then preparing the soup and mistakenly kicked the firewood under the cooking pot resulting in the tumbling of the pot .
Kussase was said not to have taken kindly to Kpodo’s behaviour and therefore confronted him, but Kpodo rather became offended and gave Kussase a heavy slap.
According to the witnesses, Kussase then called Abugri, who became furious after realising that Kpodo had shown no remorse for the act.
Abugri was said to have given Kpodo a heavy blow and as he fell with his head hitting a rock, he became unconscious.
Kussase and Abugri then carried Kpodo to the hospital but upon realising that he was dead left the body by the roadside and fled to the bush.
The villagers who were aware of the fight then pursued and apprehended them and later handed them over to the Wiawso Police where the two admitted the offence.
While in police cells, Abugri was said to have complained of dizziness but died while being conveyed to the hospital.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Asafo Family Hospital Mortuary.
A fight that ensued over mutton soup prepared has left two people dead at Bepoase, a farming community near Sefwi-Asawinso in the Wiawso District of the Western Region.
One died after receiving a blow that caused him to miss his steps and fall on an exposed rock, while the other collapsed and died on his way to hospital.
The dead are Henry Kpodo, 38, a native of Big Ada in the Greater Accra Region and Steven Abugri, 28, from the Upper West Region.
A suspect in the case, Kweku Kussase, 37, also from the Upper West Region is currently in police custody.
Eyewitnesses told The Mirror that Kpodo visited Kussase and Abugri, who were then preparing the soup and mistakenly kicked the firewood under the cooking pot resulting in the tumbling of the pot .
Kussase was said not to have taken kindly to Kpodo’s behaviour and therefore confronted him, but Kpodo rather became offended and gave Kussase a heavy slap.
According to the witnesses, Kussase then called Abugri, who became furious after realising that Kpodo had shown no remorse for the act.
Abugri was said to have given Kpodo a heavy blow and as he fell with his head hitting a rock, he became unconscious.
Kussase and Abugri then carried Kpodo to the hospital but upon realising that he was dead left the body by the roadside and fled to the bush.
The villagers who were aware of the fight then pursued and apprehended them and later handed them over to the Wiawso Police where the two admitted the offence.
While in police cells, Abugri was said to have complained of dizziness but died while being conveyed to the hospital.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Asafo Family Hospital Mortuary.
HASCO SCIENCE BLOCK REFURBISHED (MIRROR, PAGE 25)
From Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Half-Assini
The Science Block of the Half-Assini Secondary School (HASCO) in the Jomoro District of the Western Region, which was refurbished by Tullow oil has been handed over to the school authorities.
Tullow Oil, one of the oil and gas production companies working at the Jubilee Oil-Fields in the Western Region, provided $80,000 for the refurbishment and equipment of the laboratory and also replaced the malfunctioning water reservoir with jumbo tanks powered by mechanised boreholes for the school.
The company has also initiated a programme of social empowerment for communities in the Nzema West areas, where 12 mechanised and hand-pump wells have been completed to provide potable water to about 13,000 inhabitants.
The company will by the end of this year complete 30 more wells in the area.
Speaking at the ceremony to hand over the laboratory to the school, the Country Manager of Tullow Oil, Mr Kofi Esson, said when the company selected the school, its focus was to solve the water problem.
“In our rounds, we saw the structure which the head teacher said was not an abandoned building but rather their science laboratory”, he said.
Mr Esson said, “We were touched by that, knowing well the contributions of science to our existence, therefore we had it discussed and approved to ensure that the next batch of science students did not suffer.”
The country manager said Tullow was a responsible company that has adopted pragmatic policies as its social responsibilities with much respect for the countries they operate.
“We also ensure a firm commitment to maintaining a healthy balance between environment and business risks to ensure that the local communities, the country and the company benefited,” he said.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kojo Egya, thanked the company for the support, adding “I can assure you that in the next exams we will no longer perform abysmally but ensure that we justify our call with the improved facilities at the school.”
He said the block would not only be used by the students of HASCO but by schools nearby who use the school lab as a resource centre.
The Science Block of the Half-Assini Secondary School (HASCO) in the Jomoro District of the Western Region, which was refurbished by Tullow oil has been handed over to the school authorities.
Tullow Oil, one of the oil and gas production companies working at the Jubilee Oil-Fields in the Western Region, provided $80,000 for the refurbishment and equipment of the laboratory and also replaced the malfunctioning water reservoir with jumbo tanks powered by mechanised boreholes for the school.
The company has also initiated a programme of social empowerment for communities in the Nzema West areas, where 12 mechanised and hand-pump wells have been completed to provide potable water to about 13,000 inhabitants.
The company will by the end of this year complete 30 more wells in the area.
Speaking at the ceremony to hand over the laboratory to the school, the Country Manager of Tullow Oil, Mr Kofi Esson, said when the company selected the school, its focus was to solve the water problem.
“In our rounds, we saw the structure which the head teacher said was not an abandoned building but rather their science laboratory”, he said.
Mr Esson said, “We were touched by that, knowing well the contributions of science to our existence, therefore we had it discussed and approved to ensure that the next batch of science students did not suffer.”
The country manager said Tullow was a responsible company that has adopted pragmatic policies as its social responsibilities with much respect for the countries they operate.
“We also ensure a firm commitment to maintaining a healthy balance between environment and business risks to ensure that the local communities, the country and the company benefited,” he said.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kojo Egya, thanked the company for the support, adding “I can assure you that in the next exams we will no longer perform abysmally but ensure that we justify our call with the improved facilities at the school.”
He said the block would not only be used by the students of HASCO but by schools nearby who use the school lab as a resource centre.
CJ URGES JUDGES TO JOIN BENCH (SPREAD)
THE Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, has called on members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) who have been in practice for 25 years or more to consider joining the bench at the level of the superior courts.
She said it was necessary that those with the requisite experience at the bar would help shape the course of justice delivery in the country by joining the Bench to help address the shortage of judges in the system.
Addressing lawyers at the Chief Justice’s Forum in Takoradi, Mrs Justice Wood told them, “After 25 years in private service you have gained enough experience; it is about time you came into public service to serve your country.”
She commended the GBA for responding positively to the call by the Judicial Service for the release of some members of the Bar to the Judicial Service.
The Chief Justice announced that the GBA had released 10 of its members to the Judicial Service, out of which eight would be posted to the High Court and two to the Court of Appeal.
She said the Judicial Service had been working feverishly to attract high calibre judges and supporting staff as a means of ensuring qualitative justice delivery.
She said the need for transparency and accountability required the enhancement of conditions of service within the judiciary and better incentives for its staff.
In that regard, Mrs Justice Wood added, the past 10 years had witnessed a fairly large number of middle-level personnel attending short courses in administration and management at institutions in the United Kingdom.
She said it was necessary that those with the requisite experience at the bar would help shape the course of justice delivery in the country by joining the Bench to help address the shortage of judges in the system.
Addressing lawyers at the Chief Justice’s Forum in Takoradi, Mrs Justice Wood told them, “After 25 years in private service you have gained enough experience; it is about time you came into public service to serve your country.”
She commended the GBA for responding positively to the call by the Judicial Service for the release of some members of the Bar to the Judicial Service.
The Chief Justice announced that the GBA had released 10 of its members to the Judicial Service, out of which eight would be posted to the High Court and two to the Court of Appeal.
She said the Judicial Service had been working feverishly to attract high calibre judges and supporting staff as a means of ensuring qualitative justice delivery.
She said the need for transparency and accountability required the enhancement of conditions of service within the judiciary and better incentives for its staff.
In that regard, Mrs Justice Wood added, the past 10 years had witnessed a fairly large number of middle-level personnel attending short courses in administration and management at institutions in the United Kingdom.
Friday, November 7, 2008
CHINESE FISHERMEN STRANDED IN TAKORADI (PAGE 29)
Some unemployed, frustrated and stranded Chinese fishermen who were contracted by their Ghanaian counterparts in Sekondi became hostile towards their hosts after they had allegedly taken locally brewed alcohol, “Akpeteshi”, and other hard liquors.
Community and immigration officials said the jobless Chinese fishermen were impatient and violent, as they claimed their entitlements had not been paid to them by their Ghanaian employers for more than a year.
The situation is getting out of hand as they claim their Ghanaian employers, who relieved them of their fishing jobs, also refused to pay them their entitlements to enable them to return to China.
Out of frustration some of them have taken to alcohol, especially at night, and disturb their hosts and fight with anybody who tries to stop them.
Some of the Chinese told the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) personnel that they were employed and brought into the country by C G Elmina, Loma and Legon Fisheries which have their head offices in Tema but their employers failed to pay them their entitlement after they were laid off ,and eventually sold the trawlers .
Some of the Chinese fishermen the Ghana Immigration Service in Sekondi questioned after the police had arrested them gave their names as Ye Zhiquan, Wu Zhan Am, Shin Xin Xing, Luo Qao, Momo Zhaoyi Wan Zhaoyi and Wan Rargang.
They said they wanted to go back to China. “As we speak, we are not doing anything here, we are poor, we help other fishermen to carry things for food and that is not good enough, we want to go back to our country, the companies that brought us here should pay us to go back home,” they complained
At the moment, some of them have cases of violent behaviour pending at the Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbour Police Station and there is the need to ensure that their conduct does not degenerate into something else.
The hosts and people living in and around European Town found the behaviour of the fishermen dangerous.
“One of the serious problems is that they cannot speak any English, therefore, even when you are trying to help them they become very aggressive , especially when they are drunk,” one fishmonger said and pleaded that whoever brought them down should pay them off.
When contacted, the Western Regional Director of the GIS, Mr Robert Quartey, said the problem at the moment was how to locate their employers.
He said, they had had reports of confrontation between them and their hosts, upon which some were handed over to the police.
The regional director said their employers had agreed to come over to the GIS offices.
However, residents are of the view that if nothing was done to address the situation it would not be good.
When the Daily Graphic contacted their employers at Tema they said as far as they were concerned they had no business with them.
Those contacted admitted contracting the Chinese fishermen but explained that when they were making losses the Chinese resorted to selling part of the catch at sea.
They said they were left with no option but to ground the operations of the vessels which were currently berthed at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Takoradi.
Community and immigration officials said the jobless Chinese fishermen were impatient and violent, as they claimed their entitlements had not been paid to them by their Ghanaian employers for more than a year.
The situation is getting out of hand as they claim their Ghanaian employers, who relieved them of their fishing jobs, also refused to pay them their entitlements to enable them to return to China.
Out of frustration some of them have taken to alcohol, especially at night, and disturb their hosts and fight with anybody who tries to stop them.
Some of the Chinese told the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) personnel that they were employed and brought into the country by C G Elmina, Loma and Legon Fisheries which have their head offices in Tema but their employers failed to pay them their entitlement after they were laid off ,and eventually sold the trawlers .
Some of the Chinese fishermen the Ghana Immigration Service in Sekondi questioned after the police had arrested them gave their names as Ye Zhiquan, Wu Zhan Am, Shin Xin Xing, Luo Qao, Momo Zhaoyi Wan Zhaoyi and Wan Rargang.
They said they wanted to go back to China. “As we speak, we are not doing anything here, we are poor, we help other fishermen to carry things for food and that is not good enough, we want to go back to our country, the companies that brought us here should pay us to go back home,” they complained
At the moment, some of them have cases of violent behaviour pending at the Bosomtwe Sam Fishing Harbour Police Station and there is the need to ensure that their conduct does not degenerate into something else.
The hosts and people living in and around European Town found the behaviour of the fishermen dangerous.
“One of the serious problems is that they cannot speak any English, therefore, even when you are trying to help them they become very aggressive , especially when they are drunk,” one fishmonger said and pleaded that whoever brought them down should pay them off.
When contacted, the Western Regional Director of the GIS, Mr Robert Quartey, said the problem at the moment was how to locate their employers.
He said, they had had reports of confrontation between them and their hosts, upon which some were handed over to the police.
The regional director said their employers had agreed to come over to the GIS offices.
However, residents are of the view that if nothing was done to address the situation it would not be good.
When the Daily Graphic contacted their employers at Tema they said as far as they were concerned they had no business with them.
Those contacted admitted contracting the Chinese fishermen but explained that when they were making losses the Chinese resorted to selling part of the catch at sea.
They said they were left with no option but to ground the operations of the vessels which were currently berthed at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Takoradi.
US-BASED GHANAIAN SUPPORTS EUROPEAN HOSPITAL (PAGE 29)
A Ghanaian anesthetist/nurse based in Virginia in the United States of America has presented medical equipment worth $30,000 to the European Hospital in Takoradi.
The equipment included huge boxes of suture sets, foley cutters, surgical gowns sets, endotracheal tuber, and surgical gloves.
The benefactor, Mr Charles Okyere Peprah, said he owed it a duty to support his people back home in whatever way he could.
According to the administrator of the hospital, Mr Michael Danso, that was the first time they had received medical equipment of which every item was useful to the hospital.
“Most of the time we receive these items, thinking that everything is all right but in the end majority of them turn out to be trash,” he said.
He said the hospital was still trying to cope with space and some infrastructure problems at the delivery ward because rehabilitation work at the ward was abandoned and the new block was yet to be completed.
“One of the major problems is the bad nature of the delivery bed, but we manage to get it fixed somehow. There is the need, however, for a new bed and fixing of the washroom for patients and those working there,” he said.
The administrator said the hospital needed support and would welcome every help, but called for consultation to ensure that the item donated to the hospital were really what the hospital needed.
Mr Danso thanked the donor for demonstrating such patriotism and not abandoning his own people despite the pressures of work and social life in the United States .
“I can assure you that you have done us a lot of good. We regularly purchase these items and it will help to lessen the pressure on our budget for a moment, " Mr Danso said.
The administrator said one of their fervent needs, apart from the structural defects and other problems was an additional medical officer.
The equipment included huge boxes of suture sets, foley cutters, surgical gowns sets, endotracheal tuber, and surgical gloves.
The benefactor, Mr Charles Okyere Peprah, said he owed it a duty to support his people back home in whatever way he could.
According to the administrator of the hospital, Mr Michael Danso, that was the first time they had received medical equipment of which every item was useful to the hospital.
“Most of the time we receive these items, thinking that everything is all right but in the end majority of them turn out to be trash,” he said.
He said the hospital was still trying to cope with space and some infrastructure problems at the delivery ward because rehabilitation work at the ward was abandoned and the new block was yet to be completed.
“One of the major problems is the bad nature of the delivery bed, but we manage to get it fixed somehow. There is the need, however, for a new bed and fixing of the washroom for patients and those working there,” he said.
The administrator said the hospital needed support and would welcome every help, but called for consultation to ensure that the item donated to the hospital were really what the hospital needed.
Mr Danso thanked the donor for demonstrating such patriotism and not abandoning his own people despite the pressures of work and social life in the United States .
“I can assure you that you have done us a lot of good. We regularly purchase these items and it will help to lessen the pressure on our budget for a moment, " Mr Danso said.
The administrator said one of their fervent needs, apart from the structural defects and other problems was an additional medical officer.
ASSEMBLY MUST MONITOR ACTIVITIES OF CONTRACTORS (PAGE 29)
Contract awarding authorities in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis need to sit up, monitor and supervise contractors to who projects have been awarded.
If they relax in their supervisory monitoring duties, contractors will always do shoddy work and the taxpayers’ money would always go waste. If a contract is awarded to a contractor, it is important that he/she executes the project according to the specifications provided for in the contract and for which they append their signatures.
Some contractors in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis need to be called to attention because of the shoddy work they are doing.
The authorities should ensure that the award of contracts do not end with the signing of the agreement. It entails monitoring and evaluation of the projects to ensure that the contractors give the clients and the people value for their money.
The late finance minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, once told this reporter that he could not sit in his office in Accra and be signing agreements without knowing how the tax payers’ money was being used .
Sharing some groundnuts (peanuts) with this reporter Mr Baah-Wiredu, after a tortuous tour of the region said in a more friendly manner “massa, the job is on the ground, not in my office, so lets go. I need to see things for myself”.
If those in charge of awarding contracts for the construction and maintenance of roads and other projects in the metropolis follows the example of the late finance minister, things would be different.
In Sekondi/Takoradi some projects awarded to some contractors are very poorly executed. A typical example is the Axim road roundabout, near House-Two, a popular spot in Takoradi, the Nkontopo township roads and other projects in the metropolis.
Between July and October the Axim-road roundabout had undergone maintenance more than 10 times. The contractor carries the bitumen in a wheelbarrow with the filler on the side.
The workers just dig the already bad spots, fill it with laterite and sprinkle the bitumen over it and in less than a week the road returns to its former shape or becomes worse.
At the moment, the Axim Road roundabout has developed into manholes worse than before. Motorists, especially first-time users of the roundabout, helplessly plunges into them resulting in their vehicles developing flat tyres.
In some cases, vehicles run straight into the roundabout in their attempt to avoid some of the manholes.
It is about time the engineers of the Urban Road Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly lived to their calling and intensified their evaluation and monitoring roles to ensure that the right thing was done to justify the investment of the taxpayers’ money.
This is because apart from the shoddy work done on the maintenance of some roads there is currently the streetlight rehabilitation project going on throughout the metropolis.
Interestingly, some of the pavement slabs have been removed and streets excavated for the laying of cables. This has been done so hurriedly.
When Telecom Malaysia was contracted to manage Ghana Telecom and the service lines were upgraded hardly did one notice that the pavements had once been excavated.
It is important to establish a strong body or a monitoring section within the assembly to monitor and evaluate the execution of projects awarded by the central government or the assembly to ensure their conformity with standards.
If they relax in their supervisory monitoring duties, contractors will always do shoddy work and the taxpayers’ money would always go waste. If a contract is awarded to a contractor, it is important that he/she executes the project according to the specifications provided for in the contract and for which they append their signatures.
Some contractors in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis need to be called to attention because of the shoddy work they are doing.
The authorities should ensure that the award of contracts do not end with the signing of the agreement. It entails monitoring and evaluation of the projects to ensure that the contractors give the clients and the people value for their money.
The late finance minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, once told this reporter that he could not sit in his office in Accra and be signing agreements without knowing how the tax payers’ money was being used .
Sharing some groundnuts (peanuts) with this reporter Mr Baah-Wiredu, after a tortuous tour of the region said in a more friendly manner “massa, the job is on the ground, not in my office, so lets go. I need to see things for myself”.
If those in charge of awarding contracts for the construction and maintenance of roads and other projects in the metropolis follows the example of the late finance minister, things would be different.
In Sekondi/Takoradi some projects awarded to some contractors are very poorly executed. A typical example is the Axim road roundabout, near House-Two, a popular spot in Takoradi, the Nkontopo township roads and other projects in the metropolis.
Between July and October the Axim-road roundabout had undergone maintenance more than 10 times. The contractor carries the bitumen in a wheelbarrow with the filler on the side.
The workers just dig the already bad spots, fill it with laterite and sprinkle the bitumen over it and in less than a week the road returns to its former shape or becomes worse.
At the moment, the Axim Road roundabout has developed into manholes worse than before. Motorists, especially first-time users of the roundabout, helplessly plunges into them resulting in their vehicles developing flat tyres.
In some cases, vehicles run straight into the roundabout in their attempt to avoid some of the manholes.
It is about time the engineers of the Urban Road Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly lived to their calling and intensified their evaluation and monitoring roles to ensure that the right thing was done to justify the investment of the taxpayers’ money.
This is because apart from the shoddy work done on the maintenance of some roads there is currently the streetlight rehabilitation project going on throughout the metropolis.
Interestingly, some of the pavement slabs have been removed and streets excavated for the laying of cables. This has been done so hurriedly.
When Telecom Malaysia was contracted to manage Ghana Telecom and the service lines were upgraded hardly did one notice that the pavements had once been excavated.
It is important to establish a strong body or a monitoring section within the assembly to monitor and evaluate the execution of projects awarded by the central government or the assembly to ensure their conformity with standards.
TIGO ORGANISES HEALTH WALK FOR CUSTOMERS (PAGE 29)
Millicom Ghana, operators of the TiGo network in the country, last week Saturday organised a health walk for its customers, residents and corporate bodies in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
The walk was aimed at promoting the health of the participants.
The Territory Marketing Co-ordinator of TiGo, Nana Yaw R. Appiah, said the company instituted the walk because “we cannot be dealing with people and our focus should be only on how to maximise profit. We also need to keep our customers and the nation alive and healthy, since it is through a healthy body that corporate Ghana can triumph,” he said.
The more than 18-kilometre walk, started at about 6a.m. from the Takoradi Gulf Club on the beach road through the Ecobank Roundabout, Takoradi Port area, to the Paa-Grant Roundabout, the market circle, Nkrumah roundabout and the Old Axim road and back to the starting point.
It was well patronised by the media, students, residents, banks and other corporate bodies in the metropolis.
Nana Appiah said daily economic activities left the citizenry with little time to embark on such walks.
He expressed the hope of the company and its sponsors that even though it would be an annual affair “the impact we made on the people is that at least we made the public aware of the importance of initiatives to keep fit.”
“Before we gather again for such a wonderful and healthy exercise next year, we encourage the people to spare 20 or 30 minutes to walk daily just to keep them ready for the day’s work,” he said.
For their part, the sponsors expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to inspire their customers to aspire for good health.
The Regional Manager for Healthi-Life Beverages, a local beverage company, Mr Elvis Blankson, commended the people in the twin-city for their massive turnout not only to support the event but for their own health.
“The only thing we could do for ourselves is to keep exercising regularly to ensure that we sweat out of the system excess fat to ensure our fitness,” he said.
There were also competitions and musicals at the end of the walk and some participants won prizes of Cow Bell and Healthy Life products as well as fully connected TiGo mobile phones and other products.
The walk was aimed at promoting the health of the participants.
The Territory Marketing Co-ordinator of TiGo, Nana Yaw R. Appiah, said the company instituted the walk because “we cannot be dealing with people and our focus should be only on how to maximise profit. We also need to keep our customers and the nation alive and healthy, since it is through a healthy body that corporate Ghana can triumph,” he said.
The more than 18-kilometre walk, started at about 6a.m. from the Takoradi Gulf Club on the beach road through the Ecobank Roundabout, Takoradi Port area, to the Paa-Grant Roundabout, the market circle, Nkrumah roundabout and the Old Axim road and back to the starting point.
It was well patronised by the media, students, residents, banks and other corporate bodies in the metropolis.
Nana Appiah said daily economic activities left the citizenry with little time to embark on such walks.
He expressed the hope of the company and its sponsors that even though it would be an annual affair “the impact we made on the people is that at least we made the public aware of the importance of initiatives to keep fit.”
“Before we gather again for such a wonderful and healthy exercise next year, we encourage the people to spare 20 or 30 minutes to walk daily just to keep them ready for the day’s work,” he said.
For their part, the sponsors expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to inspire their customers to aspire for good health.
The Regional Manager for Healthi-Life Beverages, a local beverage company, Mr Elvis Blankson, commended the people in the twin-city for their massive turnout not only to support the event but for their own health.
“The only thing we could do for ourselves is to keep exercising regularly to ensure that we sweat out of the system excess fat to ensure our fitness,” he said.
There were also competitions and musicals at the end of the walk and some participants won prizes of Cow Bell and Healthy Life products as well as fully connected TiGo mobile phones and other products.
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