AN overpowering stench from flatulence and urine in a poorly ventilated corner of a merchant vessel has exposed 21 Ghanaian stowaways in a vessel which was bound for Spain.
The stowaways had hidden in a crane of the vessel, the MV Mag Dalena, with the hope of stowing away to Spain, but frequent flatulence and urine gave them away.
The stowaways, who could not stand the stench any longer, felt uncomfortable and made noise, which led to their arrest.
According to a source at the Takoradi Port, the stowaways, all from New Takoradi, boarded the vessel using canoe and bamboo at the anchorage of the Takoradi Port at 2 a.m. last Saturday.
They were identified as Daniel Kweku, Abudulai Mohammed, Francis Essuman, Samuel Adu, Amos Annin, John Ephraim, Emmanuel Okran and Edward Bosman.
Others are Issah Bubani, Christopher Botwey, Collins Mensah, Samuel Hughes, Mike Ashford and Simon Agu.
The rest are Mustapha Kadri, Abudulai Anass, Ebenezer Dadzie, Annin Mensah, Kofi Mensah and Abu Samba.
The source said the stowaways had been contracted by a stevedoring company at the Takoradi Port to help load cocoa onto the vessel.
It said during the loading, the suspects planned to stow away and knowing very well that they would be discovered, they boarded the vessel at about 2 a.m.
According to a police source, the ship master and his crew had conducted a routine search at the port and realised that all the labourers had disembarked.
It said the ship, therefore, moved to the anchorage of the port on its way out but the noise from the stowaways led to their discovery and the vessel made a U-turn to the port.
All the 21 have been remanded into prison custody after being arraigned before the Takoradi Circuit Court ‘B’.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
ILLEGAL MINERS ENDANGER ANKOBRA (1B, JULY 26, 2010)
Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu & Kofi Yeboah, Busua
LOCAL and central government authorities have failed to act, more than a year after a large number of Chinese citizens were reported to have descended on the River Ankobra and other water bodies to undertake small-scale mining.
Now the mining activities of the Chinese are said to be heavily polluting the River Ankobra and putting in danger the health of thousands of people who depend on the river for their drinking water.
From the northeast of Wiawso, the River Ankobra, which flows about 120 miles (190 km) southwards into the Gulf of Guinea, has had a large portion of its course blocked and in some cases diverted by the illegal miners for the purposes of mining and washing the excavated soil, as well as other operations.
Although the Minerals and Mining Act forbids foreigners from engaging in small-scale mining in the country, the Chinese, equipped with dredging equipment and other sophisticated machinery, are said to be subduing everything, including infrastructure and political authority, to reach the precious mineral.
Information reaching the Daily Graphic speaks of dire consequences ahead as the Chinese extend their illegal operations to the foundations of a bridge over the River Ankobra at Dikoto in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region, thereby exposing the bridge to imminent collapse.
The bridge links Dikoto with the Dikoto Junction, Wassa Kumase, Asiamkrom, Anyinabrem, Gyedua and other communities in the district which are major food baskets of the country.
The Presiding Member of the Wassa Amenfi District Assembly, Mr Anthony Kwame Darko, disclosed this at a consultative seminar for key actors in the mining industry organised by the National Peace Council at Busua in the Western Region at the weekend.
The seminar, which was sponsored by the UNDP, was a follow-up to several positive engagements initiated by the NPC over the years with the view to fostering peaceful co-existence between mining companies and their host communities.
Participants at the seminar, including the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu; the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Tarkwa Nsuaem municipality, Mr Michael Sandow Ali, and the Assembly Member of the Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly, Mr Anthony Bissiw, confirmed having received reports of the involvement of Chinese and other foreigners in small-scale mining activities in the Wassa area, particularly in the River Ankobra.
Mr Darko said the issue was reported to the Wassa Amenfi District Security Committee (DISEC) about a year ago and committee, in turn, reported the matter to the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), which also relayed the information to the national level, but no action had been taken.
The inaction of local and central government authorities, as well as the security agencies, to deal with the situation is fuelling speculations that they have been compromised by the illegal Chinese miners whose authority, it is believed, rests on the shoulders of some powerful and influential local collaborators.
The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) provides in Section 83(a), “A licence for small-scale mining operation shall not be granted to a person unless that person is a citizen of Ghana.”
Section 93 of the act further provides, “A person licensed under Section 82 may win, mine and produce minerals by an effective and efficient method and shall observe good mining practices, health and safety rules and pay due regard to the protection of the environment during mining operations.”
Offenders of the act are dealt with variously, such as under Section 106 (I), which provides, “A person who contravenes a provision of this act or regulations made under this act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not more than the cedi equivalent of $5,000 and in the case of a continuing offence after first conviction, a penalty of the cedi equivalent of $500 for each day the offence is continued.”
Following the recent mine disaster in Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region which claimed the lives of scores of ‘galamsey’ operators, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, launched a nation-wide security operation to flush out illegal miners.
According to Mr Darko, the illegal Chinese miners hid behind some Ghanaians who owned mining concessions to pollute the river and plundered the environment in their search for gold.
After acquiring the concession for small-scale mining, Ghanaian owners allegedly engage the Chinese, who supply sophisticated machinery for the mining but they (the Chinese) subsequently assume a front-line role, contrary to the law.
Apart from breaching the law, Mr Darko alleged that the Chinese used wild dogs to chase the indigenes out of their farmlands in order to gain unfettered access to the land for mining.
DCOP Hamidu indicated that officials of the EPA once reported the issue to the Western Regional Minister, who asked the EPA officials to bring the Chinese to him, but they did not show up again.
Responding to concerns as to why the police, for instance, had not acted swiftly to arrest the illegal Chinese miners, he said the police would require the collaboration of the people to combat the situation.
For his part, Mr Ali said although he had not personally witnessed the operations of the Chinese, he had received information to that effect and promised to verify the allegations made.
The Executive Director of WACAM, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that champions the cause of communities affected by mining, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, alleged that some leaders of the small-scale miners association made huge financial gains by offering concessions to the Chinese to mine.
He said gradually Ghana was degenerating into the situation in the Congo where foreigners, armed to the teeth, were engaged in small-scale mining activities and stressed the need for urgent action to address the situation.
LOCAL and central government authorities have failed to act, more than a year after a large number of Chinese citizens were reported to have descended on the River Ankobra and other water bodies to undertake small-scale mining.
Now the mining activities of the Chinese are said to be heavily polluting the River Ankobra and putting in danger the health of thousands of people who depend on the river for their drinking water.
From the northeast of Wiawso, the River Ankobra, which flows about 120 miles (190 km) southwards into the Gulf of Guinea, has had a large portion of its course blocked and in some cases diverted by the illegal miners for the purposes of mining and washing the excavated soil, as well as other operations.
Although the Minerals and Mining Act forbids foreigners from engaging in small-scale mining in the country, the Chinese, equipped with dredging equipment and other sophisticated machinery, are said to be subduing everything, including infrastructure and political authority, to reach the precious mineral.
Information reaching the Daily Graphic speaks of dire consequences ahead as the Chinese extend their illegal operations to the foundations of a bridge over the River Ankobra at Dikoto in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region, thereby exposing the bridge to imminent collapse.
The bridge links Dikoto with the Dikoto Junction, Wassa Kumase, Asiamkrom, Anyinabrem, Gyedua and other communities in the district which are major food baskets of the country.
The Presiding Member of the Wassa Amenfi District Assembly, Mr Anthony Kwame Darko, disclosed this at a consultative seminar for key actors in the mining industry organised by the National Peace Council at Busua in the Western Region at the weekend.
The seminar, which was sponsored by the UNDP, was a follow-up to several positive engagements initiated by the NPC over the years with the view to fostering peaceful co-existence between mining companies and their host communities.
Participants at the seminar, including the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu; the Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Tarkwa Nsuaem municipality, Mr Michael Sandow Ali, and the Assembly Member of the Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly, Mr Anthony Bissiw, confirmed having received reports of the involvement of Chinese and other foreigners in small-scale mining activities in the Wassa area, particularly in the River Ankobra.
Mr Darko said the issue was reported to the Wassa Amenfi District Security Committee (DISEC) about a year ago and committee, in turn, reported the matter to the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), which also relayed the information to the national level, but no action had been taken.
The inaction of local and central government authorities, as well as the security agencies, to deal with the situation is fuelling speculations that they have been compromised by the illegal Chinese miners whose authority, it is believed, rests on the shoulders of some powerful and influential local collaborators.
The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) provides in Section 83(a), “A licence for small-scale mining operation shall not be granted to a person unless that person is a citizen of Ghana.”
Section 93 of the act further provides, “A person licensed under Section 82 may win, mine and produce minerals by an effective and efficient method and shall observe good mining practices, health and safety rules and pay due regard to the protection of the environment during mining operations.”
Offenders of the act are dealt with variously, such as under Section 106 (I), which provides, “A person who contravenes a provision of this act or regulations made under this act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not more than the cedi equivalent of $5,000 and in the case of a continuing offence after first conviction, a penalty of the cedi equivalent of $500 for each day the offence is continued.”
Following the recent mine disaster in Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region which claimed the lives of scores of ‘galamsey’ operators, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda, launched a nation-wide security operation to flush out illegal miners.
According to Mr Darko, the illegal Chinese miners hid behind some Ghanaians who owned mining concessions to pollute the river and plundered the environment in their search for gold.
After acquiring the concession for small-scale mining, Ghanaian owners allegedly engage the Chinese, who supply sophisticated machinery for the mining but they (the Chinese) subsequently assume a front-line role, contrary to the law.
Apart from breaching the law, Mr Darko alleged that the Chinese used wild dogs to chase the indigenes out of their farmlands in order to gain unfettered access to the land for mining.
DCOP Hamidu indicated that officials of the EPA once reported the issue to the Western Regional Minister, who asked the EPA officials to bring the Chinese to him, but they did not show up again.
Responding to concerns as to why the police, for instance, had not acted swiftly to arrest the illegal Chinese miners, he said the police would require the collaboration of the people to combat the situation.
For his part, Mr Ali said although he had not personally witnessed the operations of the Chinese, he had received information to that effect and promised to verify the allegations made.
The Executive Director of WACAM, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that champions the cause of communities affected by mining, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, alleged that some leaders of the small-scale miners association made huge financial gains by offering concessions to the Chinese to mine.
He said gradually Ghana was degenerating into the situation in the Congo where foreigners, armed to the teeth, were engaged in small-scale mining activities and stressed the need for urgent action to address the situation.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
MOTORISTS IN TWIN-CITY COMPLAIN (PAGE 23, JULY 26, 2010)
Motorist in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis are complaining about overgrown weeds on the shoulders of some principal streets in the metropolis.
Some flowers that have been planted for the purpose of beautification are overgrown and creating a lot of inconveniences for motorists.
At the Takoradi Polytechnic Traffic Light, where there is a triangular section of the road linking the Polytechnic road to the main Sekondi/Takoradi road, flowers and weeds have grown so high that drivers from Sekondi heading towards Takoradi have to exercise caution or they risk crashing into other vehicles joining the road.
To add to the mess, the traffic light is not working and therefore, during the rush hours, personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service have to take positions on the roads to direct traffic.
From Fijai Junction to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the weeds on that road are so high that it is difficult to see vehicles on the other side of the dual carriageway.
What is more dangerous is that, this road has many curves. If a vehicle develops a fault on a curve, without proper signals, an oncoming vehicle would definitely crash into it.
That aside, haulage trucks have resumed the use of the Fijai end of the roads as a parking area, taking half of this road.
A speeding driver from Effia-NKwanta who cannot see ahead due to the height of grass and flowers in the median definitely risks crashing into the parked trucks.
What is saving the situation at the moment is a pothole at the end of the curve which drivers slow down to avoid thereby seeing the danger ahead.
At the moment, it is the Department of Parks and Gardens and the assembly which have the responsibility for the beautification of the twin-city but have shown complete indifference about the dangers posed to motorists or they do not have approved funding for the work.
Aside the high grass, the city has many trees which add to its beauty but unfortunately, many of these trees have dry branches.
During the rainy season or whenever strong winds blow in the twin-city, these branches fall either block the roads or smash the windscreens of vehicles.
Many private and commercial drivers are of the view that the assembly has lost control over the city. These problems are basic and proactive measures should have been taken but nothing has been done by the metropolitan assembly to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, it was interesting to note that the city authorities were not aware of the department that was supposed to address the situation; Urban Roads, Parks and Gardens or the Ghana Highways Authority.
Some flowers that have been planted for the purpose of beautification are overgrown and creating a lot of inconveniences for motorists.
At the Takoradi Polytechnic Traffic Light, where there is a triangular section of the road linking the Polytechnic road to the main Sekondi/Takoradi road, flowers and weeds have grown so high that drivers from Sekondi heading towards Takoradi have to exercise caution or they risk crashing into other vehicles joining the road.
To add to the mess, the traffic light is not working and therefore, during the rush hours, personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service have to take positions on the roads to direct traffic.
From Fijai Junction to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the weeds on that road are so high that it is difficult to see vehicles on the other side of the dual carriageway.
What is more dangerous is that, this road has many curves. If a vehicle develops a fault on a curve, without proper signals, an oncoming vehicle would definitely crash into it.
That aside, haulage trucks have resumed the use of the Fijai end of the roads as a parking area, taking half of this road.
A speeding driver from Effia-NKwanta who cannot see ahead due to the height of grass and flowers in the median definitely risks crashing into the parked trucks.
What is saving the situation at the moment is a pothole at the end of the curve which drivers slow down to avoid thereby seeing the danger ahead.
At the moment, it is the Department of Parks and Gardens and the assembly which have the responsibility for the beautification of the twin-city but have shown complete indifference about the dangers posed to motorists or they do not have approved funding for the work.
Aside the high grass, the city has many trees which add to its beauty but unfortunately, many of these trees have dry branches.
During the rainy season or whenever strong winds blow in the twin-city, these branches fall either block the roads or smash the windscreens of vehicles.
Many private and commercial drivers are of the view that the assembly has lost control over the city. These problems are basic and proactive measures should have been taken but nothing has been done by the metropolitan assembly to bring the situation under control.
When contacted, it was interesting to note that the city authorities were not aware of the department that was supposed to address the situation; Urban Roads, Parks and Gardens or the Ghana Highways Authority.
COMPANIE INVADE TWIN-CITY BECAUSE OF OIL FIND (PAGE 23, JULY 26, 2010)
Following Ghana’s oil find in the Western Region, the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi has attracted many investors without a corresponding action plan to enable the city to accommodate these multi-billion dollar oil business entities.
The number of corporate bodies locating to the twin-city, especially those in the financial and oil sector in readiness for the oil boom, has significantly increased.
To cash in on the demand for accommodation by these companies, many landlords have converted their buildings into business facilities, though they were not originally constructed to serve that purpose.
The locations of some of these offices are very obscure and pose a hindrance to easy access in the event of a theft or fire outbreak.
The concentration of the oil-related businesses and offices in Takoradi have created heavy vehicular presence.
Many shops and stores in and around the Takoradi Central Market have been converted into offices or banking halls without taking into consideration the dangers associated with such moves.
There are countless number of businesses with very limited parking space, where hawkers have also taken half of the areas designated for parking.
Hawking on gutters and mini kiosks on the pavements in Takoradi have also resumed, destroying the beauty of the city.
Some businesses such as banks that require the services of the security services, have erected huge kiosks as sentries on the pedestrian walkway for their security personnel.
Interestingly, all the buildings in the metropolis apart from the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank, SSNIT, NIB, Barclays and Standard Chartered Bank, the police stations and the Metropolitan Assembly offices in Sekondi, the rest were designed without car parks.
During an assembly meeting, some few months ago, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Kobina Pra-Annan, promised to build a big park with an overhead walk way in the metropolis leading to the central market, but the project is yet to be started.
The conversion of building in the metropolis into offices also do not follow any laid down designs that would incorporate certain social needs as well as the safety of the customers and others into consideration.
Somehow the demand for business operating areas seems to be limited to Takoradi, even though Sekondi looks more promising . Many owners of abandoned old buildings in Sekondi have expressed their willingness to give away their premises to be used for business purposes, hoping they would be given good deal.
Many of them indicated that they had been approached by corporate bodies and were waiting for final negotiations.
Aside from Sekondi, there are also large tracts of land towards Essipon with good road networks and a serene environment which are attracting attention.
Some residents of Sekondi who spoke to the Daily Graphic said for years, they had fought for recognition and that with the oil find, they thought the city authorities would work hard to project the city but this had not been the case.
They said the Sekondi Sports Stadium at Essipon even had empty offices and conference halls that were yet to attract businesses away from the congestion in Takoradi.
The number of corporate bodies locating to the twin-city, especially those in the financial and oil sector in readiness for the oil boom, has significantly increased.
To cash in on the demand for accommodation by these companies, many landlords have converted their buildings into business facilities, though they were not originally constructed to serve that purpose.
The locations of some of these offices are very obscure and pose a hindrance to easy access in the event of a theft or fire outbreak.
The concentration of the oil-related businesses and offices in Takoradi have created heavy vehicular presence.
Many shops and stores in and around the Takoradi Central Market have been converted into offices or banking halls without taking into consideration the dangers associated with such moves.
There are countless number of businesses with very limited parking space, where hawkers have also taken half of the areas designated for parking.
Hawking on gutters and mini kiosks on the pavements in Takoradi have also resumed, destroying the beauty of the city.
Some businesses such as banks that require the services of the security services, have erected huge kiosks as sentries on the pedestrian walkway for their security personnel.
Interestingly, all the buildings in the metropolis apart from the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank, SSNIT, NIB, Barclays and Standard Chartered Bank, the police stations and the Metropolitan Assembly offices in Sekondi, the rest were designed without car parks.
During an assembly meeting, some few months ago, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Kobina Pra-Annan, promised to build a big park with an overhead walk way in the metropolis leading to the central market, but the project is yet to be started.
The conversion of building in the metropolis into offices also do not follow any laid down designs that would incorporate certain social needs as well as the safety of the customers and others into consideration.
Somehow the demand for business operating areas seems to be limited to Takoradi, even though Sekondi looks more promising . Many owners of abandoned old buildings in Sekondi have expressed their willingness to give away their premises to be used for business purposes, hoping they would be given good deal.
Many of them indicated that they had been approached by corporate bodies and were waiting for final negotiations.
Aside from Sekondi, there are also large tracts of land towards Essipon with good road networks and a serene environment which are attracting attention.
Some residents of Sekondi who spoke to the Daily Graphic said for years, they had fought for recognition and that with the oil find, they thought the city authorities would work hard to project the city but this had not been the case.
They said the Sekondi Sports Stadium at Essipon even had empty offices and conference halls that were yet to attract businesses away from the congestion in Takoradi.
OPERATIONS OF BAUXITE COMPANY CAUSES HAVOC (PAGE 23, JULY 26, 2010)
The operation of the Ghana Bauxite at the Takoradi Port is posing serious environmental and health threat to thousands of fishermen and hawkers during shipment.
The droppings from the conveyer belt of the bauxite company had actually heaped bauxite resulting in a blockade of the entrances of the Fisheries Commission office at the port and another office operating in the area.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the offices of the company one Mr Joe Nsiah of Ghana Bauxite said they had a similar problem from another company at the port and they cleared it themselves, therefore, the fisher folks, Commission and those concerned should find a way of clearing the mess.
At the moment, the fisher folks and the traders complained about the droppings from the conveyer belt, the stones which they claimed have been hitting the heads of the traders’ children who dangerously play under the belt.
That aside, when the company is making shipment, the fishermen could not transport their equipment to the fisheries workshop since the droppings from the belt had been smashing the windscreens of vehicles carrying their fishing gears to the shore.
When the Daily Graphic got to the scene, the team observed a building under the belt, which was said to be in existence before the construction of the belt, completely washed with the colours of the bauxite.
The building belonging to the fisheries commission, which had the entrance to the storeroom where the fishermen keep their nets and other tools, was also completely blocked.
According to one of the fishermen, Nana Kofi Apraku, they have serious problems with Ghana Bauxite for which they had petitioned the fisheries commission on many occasions to help call the company is attention to the situation but to no avail.
“All we want is for the company to address, how their operations have been impeding our ability to carry out our operations legitimately but nobody cares,” he lamented.
At the time the Daily Graphic got to the place, the officer was actually sweating profusely since he had to close the window to prevent the droppings from entering the office during shipment.
The officials of the Western Regional office of the National Fisheries Commission said they had written several letters to the company but they were yet to act.
It said when the belt was constructed they had some form of protective cover which prevented the bauxite from spilling during shipment. But since that cover peeled-off, they had to inhale the dust of the stone droppings from the belt for years.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would be investigating the issue to ensure that the right thing was done.
It deplored the situation and said everything possible would be done to ensure that the right thing is done.
The droppings from the conveyer belt of the bauxite company had actually heaped bauxite resulting in a blockade of the entrances of the Fisheries Commission office at the port and another office operating in the area.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the offices of the company one Mr Joe Nsiah of Ghana Bauxite said they had a similar problem from another company at the port and they cleared it themselves, therefore, the fisher folks, Commission and those concerned should find a way of clearing the mess.
At the moment, the fisher folks and the traders complained about the droppings from the conveyer belt, the stones which they claimed have been hitting the heads of the traders’ children who dangerously play under the belt.
That aside, when the company is making shipment, the fishermen could not transport their equipment to the fisheries workshop since the droppings from the belt had been smashing the windscreens of vehicles carrying their fishing gears to the shore.
When the Daily Graphic got to the scene, the team observed a building under the belt, which was said to be in existence before the construction of the belt, completely washed with the colours of the bauxite.
The building belonging to the fisheries commission, which had the entrance to the storeroom where the fishermen keep their nets and other tools, was also completely blocked.
According to one of the fishermen, Nana Kofi Apraku, they have serious problems with Ghana Bauxite for which they had petitioned the fisheries commission on many occasions to help call the company is attention to the situation but to no avail.
“All we want is for the company to address, how their operations have been impeding our ability to carry out our operations legitimately but nobody cares,” he lamented.
At the time the Daily Graphic got to the place, the officer was actually sweating profusely since he had to close the window to prevent the droppings from entering the office during shipment.
The officials of the Western Regional office of the National Fisheries Commission said they had written several letters to the company but they were yet to act.
It said when the belt was constructed they had some form of protective cover which prevented the bauxite from spilling during shipment. But since that cover peeled-off, they had to inhale the dust of the stone droppings from the belt for years.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would be investigating the issue to ensure that the right thing was done.
It deplored the situation and said everything possible would be done to ensure that the right thing is done.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
NDC MUST WORK AS A TEAM (PAGE 14, JULY 22, 2010)
THE Western Regional executive members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been urged to ignore personal interest and work as a team at the zonal level to improve the party’s fortunes for 2012.
The Regional Organiser of the party, Col. Kaku Korsah, who made the call, said personal interest should not override the interest of the party which serves as the rallying point for all.
He said the party came into office to serve and to improve the lives of the people and any unchecked personal interest would position the party wrongly in the eyes of the public.
At the party’s mid-year review and how to strategise for the 2012 elections in the Ellembelle Constituency, the region and the country as a whole, he said there was the need for team work, understanding of issues through dialogue.
The mid-year meeting was attended by zonal, council of elders, a regional representative and constituency executives.
Col Korsah said Election 2008 came with some amount of problems which required that, as a family, the issues were taken care of at the constituency level to ensure that no stone was left unturned.
He appealed to the executives to find out problems that had made some electoral areas a serious threat to the party and to take steps to address them.
The Regional Organiser urged them to call on the executives for any assistance that would ensure that laid down strategies worked to perfection.
Col. Korsah reminded them that: “It will be very dangerous for us to think we are in power and then relax. This is the time for the executives to work hard since we have to retain power and increase our seats, come the 2012 general elections.”
The Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, indicated that even before his election as the MP, he had vowed to serve his constituency to the best of his ability.
“Looking at the constituency, there is a lot to be done and with the commitment of the government to ensure that living standards of the people improved, he would do everything within his power to serve the constituency,” he said.
He assured the executives and the people that “this is the era of politics where the needs and well-being of the people have become the prime focus for the government. “What we need at the moment is unity of purpose to ensure that we retain power and I will do all it takes to make NDC reign for ages,” he declared.
Mr Buah called on the Executives to communicate the achievements of the government to the people and ensure that there was peace to ensure that they did not do anything to derail the fortunes of the party in the 2012 elections.
The Chairman of the Ellembelle Constituency of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Bervel promised to work as a team to retain power in 2012.
The District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, Mr Daniel K. Eshun thanked the executives for their co-operation and urged them to work harder to increase the votes in the constituency.
The Regional Organiser of the party, Col. Kaku Korsah, who made the call, said personal interest should not override the interest of the party which serves as the rallying point for all.
He said the party came into office to serve and to improve the lives of the people and any unchecked personal interest would position the party wrongly in the eyes of the public.
At the party’s mid-year review and how to strategise for the 2012 elections in the Ellembelle Constituency, the region and the country as a whole, he said there was the need for team work, understanding of issues through dialogue.
The mid-year meeting was attended by zonal, council of elders, a regional representative and constituency executives.
Col Korsah said Election 2008 came with some amount of problems which required that, as a family, the issues were taken care of at the constituency level to ensure that no stone was left unturned.
He appealed to the executives to find out problems that had made some electoral areas a serious threat to the party and to take steps to address them.
The Regional Organiser urged them to call on the executives for any assistance that would ensure that laid down strategies worked to perfection.
Col. Korsah reminded them that: “It will be very dangerous for us to think we are in power and then relax. This is the time for the executives to work hard since we have to retain power and increase our seats, come the 2012 general elections.”
The Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, indicated that even before his election as the MP, he had vowed to serve his constituency to the best of his ability.
“Looking at the constituency, there is a lot to be done and with the commitment of the government to ensure that living standards of the people improved, he would do everything within his power to serve the constituency,” he said.
He assured the executives and the people that “this is the era of politics where the needs and well-being of the people have become the prime focus for the government. “What we need at the moment is unity of purpose to ensure that we retain power and I will do all it takes to make NDC reign for ages,” he declared.
Mr Buah called on the Executives to communicate the achievements of the government to the people and ensure that there was peace to ensure that they did not do anything to derail the fortunes of the party in the 2012 elections.
The Chairman of the Ellembelle Constituency of the NDC, Mr Kwesi Bervel promised to work as a team to retain power in 2012.
The District Chief Executive of Ellembelle, Mr Daniel K. Eshun thanked the executives for their co-operation and urged them to work harder to increase the votes in the constituency.
Monday, July 19, 2010
DEEP PIONEER ARRIVES TO BOOST JUBILEE PROJECT (PAGE 77, JULY 19, 2010)
ANOTHER key milestone for the Jubilee Oil Field operations has been chalked up with the arrival of the Technip's Deep Pioneer vessel in the country for the installation of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platform to the subsea structures.
This backs the announcement that by November this year, the first oil will flow from the wells of the jubilee field off the coast of Cape Three Points in the Western Region.
The arrival of the vessel with flexible pipes onboard according to officials of the contracted company, Technip was very important as the new phase of the construction work , which was the connection of the subsea field to link the FPSO, would start on the Jubilee field.
According to the Country Manager, Mr Stephane Sole the vessel was a multi-purpose vessel and would be used for the flexible risers and dynamic umbilicals.
He said two other vessels would also arrive soon to support the Deep Pioneer for the offshore installation. “These heavy lift vessels will transport dynamic umbilicals from Houston and additional flexible risers spooled in carrousel and on reels with associated buoyancy modules to enhance the operations offshore.”
The country director said with the arrival, they would finish the installations in approximately three months and was within the timetable for the country’s first oil which was scheduled for November 2010.
He said safety and reliability was the hallmark of every aspect of operations in offshore business and that the flexible risers had been designed and manufactured in Technip Group's center of expertise for flexible pipe technology in France which was the world's first and largest unbounded flexible pipe manufacturing facility.
He said the flexible pipe was made up of several different layers with the main components being the leak-proof thermoplastic barriers and corrosion resistant steel wires to the highest standard and world class specification.
The helically- wound- steel wires he said would give the structure its high-pressure resistance and excellent bending characteristics, thus providing flexibility and superior dynamic behaviour.
He said the jubilee project was very important and they would adopt world approach and that this modular construction, where the layers were independent and designed to interact with one another, “means that each layer can be made fit-for-purpose and independently adjusted to best meet a specific field development requirement.”
With the friendly business environment existing in the country, he was confident that his company was in for business and would position itself as a good corporate citizen.
Technip since its inception has trained a number of Ghanaians in both offshore and onshore operation to give meaning to its local content concept.
This backs the announcement that by November this year, the first oil will flow from the wells of the jubilee field off the coast of Cape Three Points in the Western Region.
The arrival of the vessel with flexible pipes onboard according to officials of the contracted company, Technip was very important as the new phase of the construction work , which was the connection of the subsea field to link the FPSO, would start on the Jubilee field.
According to the Country Manager, Mr Stephane Sole the vessel was a multi-purpose vessel and would be used for the flexible risers and dynamic umbilicals.
He said two other vessels would also arrive soon to support the Deep Pioneer for the offshore installation. “These heavy lift vessels will transport dynamic umbilicals from Houston and additional flexible risers spooled in carrousel and on reels with associated buoyancy modules to enhance the operations offshore.”
The country director said with the arrival, they would finish the installations in approximately three months and was within the timetable for the country’s first oil which was scheduled for November 2010.
He said safety and reliability was the hallmark of every aspect of operations in offshore business and that the flexible risers had been designed and manufactured in Technip Group's center of expertise for flexible pipe technology in France which was the world's first and largest unbounded flexible pipe manufacturing facility.
He said the flexible pipe was made up of several different layers with the main components being the leak-proof thermoplastic barriers and corrosion resistant steel wires to the highest standard and world class specification.
The helically- wound- steel wires he said would give the structure its high-pressure resistance and excellent bending characteristics, thus providing flexibility and superior dynamic behaviour.
He said the jubilee project was very important and they would adopt world approach and that this modular construction, where the layers were independent and designed to interact with one another, “means that each layer can be made fit-for-purpose and independently adjusted to best meet a specific field development requirement.”
With the friendly business environment existing in the country, he was confident that his company was in for business and would position itself as a good corporate citizen.
Technip since its inception has trained a number of Ghanaians in both offshore and onshore operation to give meaning to its local content concept.
Friday, July 16, 2010
WORLD CUP HAS OPENED DOORS FOR ME — INKOOM (PAGE 11, GRAPHIC SPORTS, JULY 16, 2010)
Black Stars defender, Samuel Inkoom, says the just-ended World Cup has opened avenues which will help him elevate his career to a dizzy height.
Inkoom told the Graphic Sports in Takoradi that since his two appearances for the Black Stars at the Mundial, he has been inundated by offers from some top European clubs.
“It is likely that I will quit my current club if my agents reach an agreement with one of the clubs,” Inkoom disclosed.
The youngster who was in Ghana’s U-20 squad that won the World Cup in Egypt last year plays for Switzerland-based F/C Basel.
At the moment he and big defender Isaac Vorsah have been linked to English Premiership side, Manchester City.
He said as a young player, it was important to stay focused and disciplined and pray to God for strength and good health.
He said his greatest disappointment was the failure of the Black Stars to reach the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, adding that that feat could easily have propelled the team to the final to win the prestigeous trophy for the first time for Africa.
The Black Stars came close to being the first African side to qualify for the semi-finals of the FIFAWorld Cup, but Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick hit the crossbar with barely seconds to the end of their quarter-final clash with Uruguay.
Asked if he was aware of the pedigree of the various teams that made it to the last four, he said, “we exhibited something which many did not see. And that is respect, commitment and team spirit.
“With these values, we knew no country was going to stop us, but the unfortunate penalty miss led to our exit, but that is football and the unexpected sometimes happens,” he said.
He was grateful to coach Milovan Rajevac for giving him the opportunity to play for Ghana at the World Cup.
He said coach Rajevac is a man with a big heart and demonstrated that he was not only a coach but a father for the players.
Inkoom told the Graphic Sports in Takoradi that since his two appearances for the Black Stars at the Mundial, he has been inundated by offers from some top European clubs.
“It is likely that I will quit my current club if my agents reach an agreement with one of the clubs,” Inkoom disclosed.
The youngster who was in Ghana’s U-20 squad that won the World Cup in Egypt last year plays for Switzerland-based F/C Basel.
At the moment he and big defender Isaac Vorsah have been linked to English Premiership side, Manchester City.
He said as a young player, it was important to stay focused and disciplined and pray to God for strength and good health.
He said his greatest disappointment was the failure of the Black Stars to reach the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, adding that that feat could easily have propelled the team to the final to win the prestigeous trophy for the first time for Africa.
The Black Stars came close to being the first African side to qualify for the semi-finals of the FIFAWorld Cup, but Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick hit the crossbar with barely seconds to the end of their quarter-final clash with Uruguay.
Asked if he was aware of the pedigree of the various teams that made it to the last four, he said, “we exhibited something which many did not see. And that is respect, commitment and team spirit.
“With these values, we knew no country was going to stop us, but the unfortunate penalty miss led to our exit, but that is football and the unexpected sometimes happens,” he said.
He was grateful to coach Milovan Rajevac for giving him the opportunity to play for Ghana at the World Cup.
He said coach Rajevac is a man with a big heart and demonstrated that he was not only a coach but a father for the players.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
ADHANTAMAN RURAL BANK POSTS IMPRESSIVE RECORD (PAGE 55, JULY 15, 2010)
THE Ahantaman Rural Bank, with 10 branches in the Western Region, has posted an impressive profit in its operations at the end of the 2009 financial year.
The bank’s profit before tax stood at GH¢451,342 representing 23 per cent increase from that of the 2008 financial year.
The total assets of the bank went up by 63 per cent while investments for the bank during the same period under review rose by 68 per cent within the same year.
The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr John Dadzie, speaking at the 22nd annual general meeting of the bank, said the main focus of the bank was to develop the institutional growth of the bank and to enforce internal control and monitoring mechanism as well as to be abreast of the usage of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure.
Mr Dadzie said the bank would also focus on the development of its wide area networking of all its branches across the region to make the bank and its products more accessible to its customers.
He said as part of its expansion drive across the region, the Tarkwa branch would be opened for operations by the end this year.
The Manager of the Takoradi Branch of Apex Bank, Mr Kweku Acheampong Ababio, commended the Ahantaman Rural Bank for its sterling performance and said after the successful participation in the Newgen Software Technologies training programme, the bank had been able to enhance its operational activities.
On the issue of mergers of rural banks, the branch manager said apart from the co-operative mergers that would strengthen the rural banks, they had to look at how they could develop a niche market through the strengthening of micro-finance businesses of rural banks.
Mr Ababio said micro financing by rural banks would improve their loan portfolios and reduce the high incident of default, a situation where small amounts were given to several people instead of extending several amounts to an individual or entity.
He said effective micro-finance activities could also attract the attention of donors interested in the advancement of micro finance and this could further influence donors to channel financial and non-financial assistance to support rural and community banks to achieve their key objective of reducing poverty in the rural areas.
The bank’s profit before tax stood at GH¢451,342 representing 23 per cent increase from that of the 2008 financial year.
The total assets of the bank went up by 63 per cent while investments for the bank during the same period under review rose by 68 per cent within the same year.
The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr John Dadzie, speaking at the 22nd annual general meeting of the bank, said the main focus of the bank was to develop the institutional growth of the bank and to enforce internal control and monitoring mechanism as well as to be abreast of the usage of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure.
Mr Dadzie said the bank would also focus on the development of its wide area networking of all its branches across the region to make the bank and its products more accessible to its customers.
He said as part of its expansion drive across the region, the Tarkwa branch would be opened for operations by the end this year.
The Manager of the Takoradi Branch of Apex Bank, Mr Kweku Acheampong Ababio, commended the Ahantaman Rural Bank for its sterling performance and said after the successful participation in the Newgen Software Technologies training programme, the bank had been able to enhance its operational activities.
On the issue of mergers of rural banks, the branch manager said apart from the co-operative mergers that would strengthen the rural banks, they had to look at how they could develop a niche market through the strengthening of micro-finance businesses of rural banks.
Mr Ababio said micro financing by rural banks would improve their loan portfolios and reduce the high incident of default, a situation where small amounts were given to several people instead of extending several amounts to an individual or entity.
He said effective micro-finance activities could also attract the attention of donors interested in the advancement of micro finance and this could further influence donors to channel financial and non-financial assistance to support rural and community banks to achieve their key objective of reducing poverty in the rural areas.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
FORESTRY COMMISSION ASSISTS SCHOOLS TO PLANT TREES (PAGE 23, JULY 15, 2010)
The Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission is collaborating with schools in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi to ensure the success of its tree-planting exercise.
More than six first and second cycle institutions in the metropolis have been covered under the project, which was spearheaded by the ladies and senior staff associations of TIDD.
At Diabene Secondary Senior High School, more than 6,000 trees were planted in collaboration with students studying agricultural science in the school.
The President of the TIDD Ladies Association, Ms Cynthia Buaben said the importance of trees in the survival of man could not be underestimated.
She said the associations deemed it prudent to involve children and students in its green environment agenda to inculcate the importance of preserving nature in them.
Ms Buaben said apart from planting trees to protect the environment, there were other trees that could be harvested as firewood for sale and other purposes.
She, therefore, called on the students to get involved to ensure that people are educated on the importance of tree planting.
More than six first and second cycle institutions in the metropolis have been covered under the project, which was spearheaded by the ladies and senior staff associations of TIDD.
At Diabene Secondary Senior High School, more than 6,000 trees were planted in collaboration with students studying agricultural science in the school.
The President of the TIDD Ladies Association, Ms Cynthia Buaben said the importance of trees in the survival of man could not be underestimated.
She said the associations deemed it prudent to involve children and students in its green environment agenda to inculcate the importance of preserving nature in them.
Ms Buaben said apart from planting trees to protect the environment, there were other trees that could be harvested as firewood for sale and other purposes.
She, therefore, called on the students to get involved to ensure that people are educated on the importance of tree planting.
STANDCHART BANK SETS UP EYE CENTRE IN TWIN CITY (PAGE 23, JULY 15, 2010)
The Standard Chartered Bank, under its Seeing Is Believing Project, has handed over a well-equipped Eye Care Centre costing more than $150,000 to the Takoradi Hospital in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
The bank is also in the process of helping to improve eye care services in the Bibiani, Sefwi and Tarkwa government hospitals, which are also in the region.
The Seeing is Believing Project, which is said to be the bank’s global initiative, aims at helping people to prevent blindness and it is expected that more than 300,000 people across the region will benefit from the facility.
The Head of Corporate Affairs in Charge of West Africa, Nii Okai Nunoo, said the eyes were very important to man, therefore, the bank, in collaboration with Operation Eye Sight Universal would ensure that people with curable blindness were saved.
He said it was important to note that every five seconds, someone somewhere in the world goes blind. There are about 45 million blind people across the world, therefore, without effective intervention, the figure could rise to 76 million people by 2020.
More than 90 per cent of the estimated figure, he said, could be found in the developing world and deprived urban areas. Therefore, the issue was health-related and affects the livelihood of individuals and the economic well-being of communities.
Mr Nunoo said it was also gratifying to note from the records that, about 80 per cent of blindness could be prevented or treated. It was, therefore, in line with the focus of the Stanchart and its partners to ensure the situation was dealt with.
He said apart from the inauguration of the facility, the bank donated eye equipment and a motorbike to enhance the operations of the centre.
The head of corporate affairs said the bank recognised the importance of health to the socio-economic development of every country and that the bank, knowing the importance of sight would do everything to ensure that people with curable eye problems were helped to regain their sight.
Besides the facility in the metropolis and other parts of the Western Region, Mr Nunoo said there were also other projects costing about $500,000 slated for the Eastern Region and other parts of the country.
For her part, the Western Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Linda Vanotoo, commended the bank for the support and stressed the need for people to take good care of their eyes since these serve as the window to the world.
She said eye care services in the region were available in about eight out of the 17 districts.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Betty Bosumtwi Sam, who inaugurated the project, commended Stanchart and called on other corporate bodies to support the project to ensure good health care delivery.
The bank is also in the process of helping to improve eye care services in the Bibiani, Sefwi and Tarkwa government hospitals, which are also in the region.
The Seeing is Believing Project, which is said to be the bank’s global initiative, aims at helping people to prevent blindness and it is expected that more than 300,000 people across the region will benefit from the facility.
The Head of Corporate Affairs in Charge of West Africa, Nii Okai Nunoo, said the eyes were very important to man, therefore, the bank, in collaboration with Operation Eye Sight Universal would ensure that people with curable blindness were saved.
He said it was important to note that every five seconds, someone somewhere in the world goes blind. There are about 45 million blind people across the world, therefore, without effective intervention, the figure could rise to 76 million people by 2020.
More than 90 per cent of the estimated figure, he said, could be found in the developing world and deprived urban areas. Therefore, the issue was health-related and affects the livelihood of individuals and the economic well-being of communities.
Mr Nunoo said it was also gratifying to note from the records that, about 80 per cent of blindness could be prevented or treated. It was, therefore, in line with the focus of the Stanchart and its partners to ensure the situation was dealt with.
He said apart from the inauguration of the facility, the bank donated eye equipment and a motorbike to enhance the operations of the centre.
The head of corporate affairs said the bank recognised the importance of health to the socio-economic development of every country and that the bank, knowing the importance of sight would do everything to ensure that people with curable eye problems were helped to regain their sight.
Besides the facility in the metropolis and other parts of the Western Region, Mr Nunoo said there were also other projects costing about $500,000 slated for the Eastern Region and other parts of the country.
For her part, the Western Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Linda Vanotoo, commended the bank for the support and stressed the need for people to take good care of their eyes since these serve as the window to the world.
She said eye care services in the region were available in about eight out of the 17 districts.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Betty Bosumtwi Sam, who inaugurated the project, commended Stanchart and called on other corporate bodies to support the project to ensure good health care delivery.
MTTU TO IMPOUND UNREGISTERED VEHICLES (PAGE 23, JULY 15, 2010)
The Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan branch of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU)of the Ghana Police Service has launched a campaign against the use of unregistered motor bikes in the twin-city.
This follows the increase in the use of motorbikes to commit crimes such as snatching bags at night.
In an operation spearheaded by the Western Regional MTTU Commander, DSP Daniel Dzaka, more than 25 motorbikes were impounded.
He said in recent times, there had been increasing reports of bag-snatching and other forms of stealing, using the motorbike.
The MTTU commander said it was wrong for people to engage in activities or social vices that made life very uncomfortable for law-abiding citizens.
DSP Dzaka said investigations into the alleged snatching of bags, mobile phones and other valuables revealed that the crimes were actually carried out by people using unregistered motorbikes.
“Others also use bikes which have learner’s number plates to commit crimes. Our primary duty is to ensure a lawful society and it is unfair that some members of society would take to that crime, as if it was lawful,” he said.
The police, he said, would not look on unconcerned and allow these unscrupulous members of society to harass others.
He advised people to report criminals to the police since that would help them to strategise and arrest the criminals.
This follows the increase in the use of motorbikes to commit crimes such as snatching bags at night.
In an operation spearheaded by the Western Regional MTTU Commander, DSP Daniel Dzaka, more than 25 motorbikes were impounded.
He said in recent times, there had been increasing reports of bag-snatching and other forms of stealing, using the motorbike.
The MTTU commander said it was wrong for people to engage in activities or social vices that made life very uncomfortable for law-abiding citizens.
DSP Dzaka said investigations into the alleged snatching of bags, mobile phones and other valuables revealed that the crimes were actually carried out by people using unregistered motorbikes.
“Others also use bikes which have learner’s number plates to commit crimes. Our primary duty is to ensure a lawful society and it is unfair that some members of society would take to that crime, as if it was lawful,” he said.
The police, he said, would not look on unconcerned and allow these unscrupulous members of society to harass others.
He advised people to report criminals to the police since that would help them to strategise and arrest the criminals.
TWIN CITY ROADS IN BAD SHAPE (PAGE 23, JULY 15, 2010)
Most roads in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis have developed serious defects, making driving very unpleasant in the regional capital.
The surface of the road from Kansawurodu Junction to Apremdo using the by-pass was washed away during last year’s rainy season but the road has not been repaired despite numerous appeals by motorists and residents.
The road from Fijai Junction to Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital which was rehabilitated in 2008 developed serious defects two months after its completion.
Other roads in bad shape include the road from the Naval Wardroom towards Effia-Nkwanta and Takoradi; Nkontompo to Sekondi, and the road leading to Apollo and Essipon road.
The road from the Raybow Hotel through the roundabout on the Axim road and the dual carriageway from the Nkrumah Roundabout towards the STC bus terminal are also in very bad shape.
That aside, the one from the Apremdo Traffic Light through Kwesimintsim to the Central Business District (CBD) has also deteriorated so much that driving on it has become very uncomfortable thereby putting the lives of drivers, who are visiting the metropolis for the first time, at risk.
Other link roads in the CBD are also in very bad shape due to the lack of maintenance.
For instance, the situation at the I-Adu Metal road is so bad that it takes more than 15 minutes to drive through the 400-metre stretch of road.
Interestingly, if this road were in a good shape, it could ease the traffic situation in the metropolis, since those going to Tarkwa from Sekondi can now use the Kansawurodu road to avoid driving through the CBD but driving on the Kansawurado road is also rough and unmotorable.
Presently all vehicles from Accra, and those from Kumasi through Yamoransa, and from
Mankesim, Winneba and Cape Coast heading towards Tarkwa and Elubo have to go through Effia-Kuma and West Tanokrom before joining the Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa highway.
The current situation is such that, if nothing is done, vehicular traffic will come to a halt in the metropolis.
Some companies in the metropolis have erected signboards to warn their prospective customers and other road users of the existence of trenches on the roads leading to their premises.
Many parts of the dual carriage road leading to and from Fijai and Effia-Nkwanta have actually been reduced to one lane because of the numerous potholes.
The road from Seena Lodge on the main Accra Road and Cocoa Villa is so bad shape that it has almost been abandoned by motorists.
The road contractors that the assembly contracted to do patches on these roads often carry their equipment; wheelbarrows, bitumen, some chippings and sand, in one mini-truck to do the patching. Unfortunately, these are often washed off within a week for yet another round of patching to be done.
When the Daily Graphic contacted officials of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly on what its Urban Roads Department was doing to rectify the situation, they said the department did not use funds from the assembly and until approval for funds were given from Accra, nothing could be done.
The lack of good access roads to the new settlements is preventing people from moving into their new homes which is creating congestion in the metropolis and escalating rent charges.
A visit to Urban Roads Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis revealed that the department is actually does not have the necessary funds and other logistics and would, therefore, not be in the position to carry out any meaningful project or monitor the ones awarded to contractors.
The surface of the road from Kansawurodu Junction to Apremdo using the by-pass was washed away during last year’s rainy season but the road has not been repaired despite numerous appeals by motorists and residents.
The road from Fijai Junction to Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital which was rehabilitated in 2008 developed serious defects two months after its completion.
Other roads in bad shape include the road from the Naval Wardroom towards Effia-Nkwanta and Takoradi; Nkontompo to Sekondi, and the road leading to Apollo and Essipon road.
The road from the Raybow Hotel through the roundabout on the Axim road and the dual carriageway from the Nkrumah Roundabout towards the STC bus terminal are also in very bad shape.
That aside, the one from the Apremdo Traffic Light through Kwesimintsim to the Central Business District (CBD) has also deteriorated so much that driving on it has become very uncomfortable thereby putting the lives of drivers, who are visiting the metropolis for the first time, at risk.
Other link roads in the CBD are also in very bad shape due to the lack of maintenance.
For instance, the situation at the I-Adu Metal road is so bad that it takes more than 15 minutes to drive through the 400-metre stretch of road.
Interestingly, if this road were in a good shape, it could ease the traffic situation in the metropolis, since those going to Tarkwa from Sekondi can now use the Kansawurodu road to avoid driving through the CBD but driving on the Kansawurado road is also rough and unmotorable.
Presently all vehicles from Accra, and those from Kumasi through Yamoransa, and from
Mankesim, Winneba and Cape Coast heading towards Tarkwa and Elubo have to go through Effia-Kuma and West Tanokrom before joining the Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa highway.
The current situation is such that, if nothing is done, vehicular traffic will come to a halt in the metropolis.
Some companies in the metropolis have erected signboards to warn their prospective customers and other road users of the existence of trenches on the roads leading to their premises.
Many parts of the dual carriage road leading to and from Fijai and Effia-Nkwanta have actually been reduced to one lane because of the numerous potholes.
The road from Seena Lodge on the main Accra Road and Cocoa Villa is so bad shape that it has almost been abandoned by motorists.
The road contractors that the assembly contracted to do patches on these roads often carry their equipment; wheelbarrows, bitumen, some chippings and sand, in one mini-truck to do the patching. Unfortunately, these are often washed off within a week for yet another round of patching to be done.
When the Daily Graphic contacted officials of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly on what its Urban Roads Department was doing to rectify the situation, they said the department did not use funds from the assembly and until approval for funds were given from Accra, nothing could be done.
The lack of good access roads to the new settlements is preventing people from moving into their new homes which is creating congestion in the metropolis and escalating rent charges.
A visit to Urban Roads Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis revealed that the department is actually does not have the necessary funds and other logistics and would, therefore, not be in the position to carry out any meaningful project or monitor the ones awarded to contractors.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
CHINESE CAPTAIN, CREW CHARGED (PAGE 3, JULY 8, 2010)
THE Chinese captain and seven crew members on board the merchant vessel from which three Ivorian stowaways were allegedly dumped into the high seas of Ghana have been charged before the High Court in Sekondi.
They were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit, attempted murder and murder.
That, according to prosecutors, followed the discovery of compelling evidence on the vessel, as mentioned by the two victims who survived the incident.
The accused are the Captain, Li Zibin, 48; the chief officer, Jiang Hong, 38; a steward, Liu Song, 24; an engineer, Tian Shengju, 39, a sailor, Zheng Jungi 28; an electrician, Zhao Nuitao 26; an engineer, Wang Junxing, 37, and the second chief officer, Zhou Youg Joan, 34.
On their first appearance in court, the eight were refused bail and the case was adjourned to Tuesday, July 13, 2010.
Police sources told the Daily Graphic that the owners of the vessel had flown in new crew members to take over the ship.
Omar Secei, 33, and Djiba Kamarah, 22, the two survivors who spent more than 12 hours on the sea and were rescued by a Ghana Navy ship after being spotted by some fishermen, are in police cells.
Asked why the police were still keeping the two in cells, one of the prosecutors said they were witnesses and so if they were released to go back to Cote d’Ivoire, it would be difficult to get them to testify as prosecution witnesses.
The two stowaways have, however, protested against their continued incarceration, arguing that it violated their rights under the United Nations and ITF Seafarers regulations.
The lead prosecutor, Ms Patience Klinogo, a Chief State Attorney, prayed the court, in her objection to the bail application, that it would be dangerous to grant the suspects bail, since they could jump bail.
She said the offence was a serious one, since its punishment could be beyond 20 years in jail and even a life sentence, and, therefore, the bail application should be dismissed.
It would be recalled that agents of National Security impounded a vessel and investigated a case of cruelty on the high seas in which three Ivorian nationals were alleged to have been thrown into the ocean by the captain of a Chinese vessel.
The victims told the police that they had evidence, made up of black plastic bags they had used in stealing food and a hat they had used to clean their footsteps to prevent their being discovered.
The captain allowed a search on the vessel and the hidden items were found.
They were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit, attempted murder and murder.
That, according to prosecutors, followed the discovery of compelling evidence on the vessel, as mentioned by the two victims who survived the incident.
The accused are the Captain, Li Zibin, 48; the chief officer, Jiang Hong, 38; a steward, Liu Song, 24; an engineer, Tian Shengju, 39, a sailor, Zheng Jungi 28; an electrician, Zhao Nuitao 26; an engineer, Wang Junxing, 37, and the second chief officer, Zhou Youg Joan, 34.
On their first appearance in court, the eight were refused bail and the case was adjourned to Tuesday, July 13, 2010.
Police sources told the Daily Graphic that the owners of the vessel had flown in new crew members to take over the ship.
Omar Secei, 33, and Djiba Kamarah, 22, the two survivors who spent more than 12 hours on the sea and were rescued by a Ghana Navy ship after being spotted by some fishermen, are in police cells.
Asked why the police were still keeping the two in cells, one of the prosecutors said they were witnesses and so if they were released to go back to Cote d’Ivoire, it would be difficult to get them to testify as prosecution witnesses.
The two stowaways have, however, protested against their continued incarceration, arguing that it violated their rights under the United Nations and ITF Seafarers regulations.
The lead prosecutor, Ms Patience Klinogo, a Chief State Attorney, prayed the court, in her objection to the bail application, that it would be dangerous to grant the suspects bail, since they could jump bail.
She said the offence was a serious one, since its punishment could be beyond 20 years in jail and even a life sentence, and, therefore, the bail application should be dismissed.
It would be recalled that agents of National Security impounded a vessel and investigated a case of cruelty on the high seas in which three Ivorian nationals were alleged to have been thrown into the ocean by the captain of a Chinese vessel.
The victims told the police that they had evidence, made up of black plastic bags they had used in stealing food and a hat they had used to clean their footsteps to prevent their being discovered.
The captain allowed a search on the vessel and the hidden items were found.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Cruelty On High Seas - 3 Stowaways Thrown To The Sharks Lead story
Agents of National Security are investigating a case of cruelty on the high seas in which three Ivorian nationals are alleged to have been thrown into the ocean by the captain of a Chinese vessel.
The incident happened in Ghanaian waters.
One of the three alleged stowaways who was believed to have hidden himself in the Chinese merchant vessel from Abidjan drowned, while the other two, Omar Secei, 33, and Djiba Kamarah, 22, who spent more than 12 hours on the sea, were rescued by a Ghana Navy ship, according to National Security.
Secei is said to be in critical condition at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Hospital in Takoradi, with doctors doing everything possible to save his life.
Kamarah is currently helping the police in their investigations, while the body of the deceased, identified as Kondah Aziz, is yet to be washed ashore.
The vessel, MV Run Ning 3, has, meanwhile, been impounded by the police and National Security.
Kamarah told investigators that he and the others were discovered by the chief officer of the vessel who, together with his men, threw the stowaways into the sea, in spite of their pleas for mercy.
He said Aziz did not know how to swim and got drowned immediately he was dumped into the sea.
“They dumped Aziz first because he was the first to be discovered. Later, the two of us were also discovered and dumped,” Kamarah said.
Kamarah said he and Secei had to swim until personnel of the Ghana Navy on board one of their defender boats rescued and clothed them.
He told the police that he and Secei had compelling evidence to prove that they had been dumped by those on board the Chinese vessel.
“We had a black plastic bag which we used to store food in and a hat which we used to clean our footprints in the vessel,” he said.
When the Ghana Navy and the police, led by National Security at the Takoradi Port, boarded the vessel, the said plastic bag and the hat were found where the victims had earlier said they had hidden them.
Kamarah was able to identify the Chief Officer of the vessel, Jiang Youg Sun, and the cook who masterminded the act, in spite of strong resistance from the crew.
Meanwhile, National Security has ordered the vessel not to move anywhere or the Ghana Navy would be sent after it.
The incident happened in Ghanaian waters.
One of the three alleged stowaways who was believed to have hidden himself in the Chinese merchant vessel from Abidjan drowned, while the other two, Omar Secei, 33, and Djiba Kamarah, 22, who spent more than 12 hours on the sea, were rescued by a Ghana Navy ship, according to National Security.
Secei is said to be in critical condition at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Hospital in Takoradi, with doctors doing everything possible to save his life.
Kamarah is currently helping the police in their investigations, while the body of the deceased, identified as Kondah Aziz, is yet to be washed ashore.
The vessel, MV Run Ning 3, has, meanwhile, been impounded by the police and National Security.
Kamarah told investigators that he and the others were discovered by the chief officer of the vessel who, together with his men, threw the stowaways into the sea, in spite of their pleas for mercy.
He said Aziz did not know how to swim and got drowned immediately he was dumped into the sea.
“They dumped Aziz first because he was the first to be discovered. Later, the two of us were also discovered and dumped,” Kamarah said.
Kamarah said he and Secei had to swim until personnel of the Ghana Navy on board one of their defender boats rescued and clothed them.
He told the police that he and Secei had compelling evidence to prove that they had been dumped by those on board the Chinese vessel.
“We had a black plastic bag which we used to store food in and a hat which we used to clean our footprints in the vessel,” he said.
When the Ghana Navy and the police, led by National Security at the Takoradi Port, boarded the vessel, the said plastic bag and the hat were found where the victims had earlier said they had hidden them.
Kamarah was able to identify the Chief Officer of the vessel, Jiang Youg Sun, and the cook who masterminded the act, in spite of strong resistance from the crew.
Meanwhile, National Security has ordered the vessel not to move anywhere or the Ghana Navy would be sent after it.
INDIA TO SET UP FERTILISER PLANT IN WESTERN REGION (SPREAD, JULY 6, 2010)
GHANA and India have concluded arrangements for the establishment of a $1.2 billion plant to process natural gas from the Jubilee Fields in the Western Region into fertiliser.
The project, which is expected to be completed in 39 months, will boost local food production and reduce the importation of fertiliser.
A memorandum of understanding between India and Ghana on the project was scheduled to be signed in Accra yesterday for the commencement of the project.
Under the agreement, fertiliser from the project will also be exported to countries within the West African sub-region and other parts of Africa.
Towards that goal, a delegation from India is in the Western Region and currently touring the Shama and the Jomoro districts to identify possible locations.
The proposed project is the result of deliberations between the two countries to forge closer co-operation in the area of agriculture.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Secretary to the Government of India at the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Mr S. Krishnan, said the project would have a positive ripple effect on the country’s agricultural sector.
He said there were many benefits the country could derive from the huge deposits of natural gas and oil and commended the government for taking the decision not to flare the gas.
He was happy that there was a huge market for fertiliser locally, as well as in other countries in Africa, to make the project viable.
Mr Krishnan, who is also a member of the Indian delegation, said his outfit would be working with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to ensure that the project was delivered to the benefit of the two countries.
He said India would engage local expertise right from the construction of the facility to the production stage to ensure the involvement of local capacity as much as possible.
Mr Krishnan expressed the hope that the socio-economic relationship between the two countries would be enhanced for the mutual benefit of all.
The Head of Engineering at the GNPC, Mr Francis B. Ackah, said the country’s gas deposits were enough to support the smooth operation of the proposed plant.
The project, which is expected to be completed in 39 months, will boost local food production and reduce the importation of fertiliser.
A memorandum of understanding between India and Ghana on the project was scheduled to be signed in Accra yesterday for the commencement of the project.
Under the agreement, fertiliser from the project will also be exported to countries within the West African sub-region and other parts of Africa.
Towards that goal, a delegation from India is in the Western Region and currently touring the Shama and the Jomoro districts to identify possible locations.
The proposed project is the result of deliberations between the two countries to forge closer co-operation in the area of agriculture.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Secretary to the Government of India at the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Mr S. Krishnan, said the project would have a positive ripple effect on the country’s agricultural sector.
He said there were many benefits the country could derive from the huge deposits of natural gas and oil and commended the government for taking the decision not to flare the gas.
He was happy that there was a huge market for fertiliser locally, as well as in other countries in Africa, to make the project viable.
Mr Krishnan, who is also a member of the Indian delegation, said his outfit would be working with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to ensure that the project was delivered to the benefit of the two countries.
He said India would engage local expertise right from the construction of the facility to the production stage to ensure the involvement of local capacity as much as possible.
Mr Krishnan expressed the hope that the socio-economic relationship between the two countries would be enhanced for the mutual benefit of all.
The Head of Engineering at the GNPC, Mr Francis B. Ackah, said the country’s gas deposits were enough to support the smooth operation of the proposed plant.
IMPROVE LIVES IN AREAS OF OPERATIONS (PAGE 19, JULY 6, 2010)
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, has advised investors to avoid making enormous gains without ensuring a corresponding improvement in the lives of the people and the development of social infrastructure in the communities where they operate.
He said local communities could react negatively if they found that their natural resources were being exploited without any direct benefit to them.
Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of 600 housing units for the people of Salman by Adamus Resources, operators of the Nzema gold project at Salman, Mr Aidoo said the payment of royalties to chiefs and taxes to the government was not enough, since the money did not usually benefit the people directly.
“It is unfortunate that many companies interested in the country’s resources engage in conflicts, one way or another, with communities in which they operate. These conflicts may be as a result of mistrust and misunderstanding that may exist between the stakeholders,” he said.
He said if investors wanted to exploit the country’s natural resources and ensure socio-industrial harmony, the needs of the communities should be taken into serious consideration.
“The people are well awake now. Therefore, if you pay tax to the district assemblies and royalties to the government and the people don’t see that, they will riot,” he said.
The regional minister urged the investor community to go beyond the payment of taxes and take their corporate social responsibilities seriously, adding that the government was ready to protect the interests of investors and the people in communities they operated.
Mr Aidoo said the investor community needed a peaceful environment to operate and so the combined effort of the government, the private sector and other stakeholders was the surest way to ensure the needed peace to fight the common enemy of poverty.
The resettlement manager of the company, Mr Steve Yirenkyi, said the 600 housing units, costing more than $23 million, would house the Salman community, which was likely to be affected by the operations of the company.
He said local communities could react negatively if they found that their natural resources were being exploited without any direct benefit to them.
Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of 600 housing units for the people of Salman by Adamus Resources, operators of the Nzema gold project at Salman, Mr Aidoo said the payment of royalties to chiefs and taxes to the government was not enough, since the money did not usually benefit the people directly.
“It is unfortunate that many companies interested in the country’s resources engage in conflicts, one way or another, with communities in which they operate. These conflicts may be as a result of mistrust and misunderstanding that may exist between the stakeholders,” he said.
He said if investors wanted to exploit the country’s natural resources and ensure socio-industrial harmony, the needs of the communities should be taken into serious consideration.
“The people are well awake now. Therefore, if you pay tax to the district assemblies and royalties to the government and the people don’t see that, they will riot,” he said.
The regional minister urged the investor community to go beyond the payment of taxes and take their corporate social responsibilities seriously, adding that the government was ready to protect the interests of investors and the people in communities they operated.
Mr Aidoo said the investor community needed a peaceful environment to operate and so the combined effort of the government, the private sector and other stakeholders was the surest way to ensure the needed peace to fight the common enemy of poverty.
The resettlement manager of the company, Mr Steve Yirenkyi, said the 600 housing units, costing more than $23 million, would house the Salman community, which was likely to be affected by the operations of the company.
GANG OF FOUR JAILED 320 YEARS (LEAD STORY, JULY 3, 2010)
FOUR out of the 11 prisoners who broke out of jail at the Sekondi Central Prison have been jailed 80 years each (a total of 320 years) by the Sekondi High Court for robbery and escaping from lawful custody.
The four — Mohammed Issa, Raphael Lawow, Mahamadu Gariba and Okorley Ebenezer Tetteh — were convicted on two counts of robbery and escape from lawful custody. Each count carries a 40-year prison term which will run concurrently.
Three others, identified as Jallo Ibrahim, Kweku Abeiku and Gariba Adamu, were also jailed 36 months each for attempting to escape from lawful custody.
The four, who were serving various sentences in the Sekondi Prison, escaped from lawful custody on May 2, 2010 after they had violently broken into the prisons’ armoury and made away with seven G3 rifles, hijacked vehicles and proceeded to rob residents of Ituma Estates in the Shama District of the Western Region.
However, the security agencies are yet to retrieve two remaining G3 rifles and arrest others who are at large, namely, Wadrago Adama, Raphael Ayo Bouro (a Nigerian), Yaw Mensah Sampson and Adama Idrisu.
The court has consequently issued a warrant for their arrest while intensive search is still ongoing to recover and retrieve the remaining weapons.
Before the passing of judgement by the court, presided over by Justice Robbin Batu, the prisoners pleaded that the judge should instruct the prisons authorities to move them from lock-up to the main prison yard.
They also asked the judge to instruct the authorities to remove the chains and that they would not escape again, saying the first attempt was informed by the harsh conditions at the prison.
A Chief State Attorney, Ms Patience Klinogo, told the court that the convicts were already serving various prison terms in the Sekondi Prison before their violent escape from lawful custody.
She said the escapees’ action was against the laws of the country and so they were charged for escaping from lawful custody, attempting to escape from lawful custody and conspiracy to commit robbery.
On Sunday, May 2, 2010, 11 prisoners broke out of jail after they had overpowered prison officers on duty, broke into the armoury and escaped with arms and ammunition.
They attacked the prison officers on duty and commercial and private vehicles in their bid to escape but they got involved in a series of accidents. They also shot and wounded a driver before hijacking his vehicle.
The prisoners were later arrested by a joint military, police and prisons team after they had joined three other fugitives to allegedly rob residents of Ituma Estates of their mobile phones and money.
The four — Mohammed Issa, Raphael Lawow, Mahamadu Gariba and Okorley Ebenezer Tetteh — were convicted on two counts of robbery and escape from lawful custody. Each count carries a 40-year prison term which will run concurrently.
Three others, identified as Jallo Ibrahim, Kweku Abeiku and Gariba Adamu, were also jailed 36 months each for attempting to escape from lawful custody.
The four, who were serving various sentences in the Sekondi Prison, escaped from lawful custody on May 2, 2010 after they had violently broken into the prisons’ armoury and made away with seven G3 rifles, hijacked vehicles and proceeded to rob residents of Ituma Estates in the Shama District of the Western Region.
However, the security agencies are yet to retrieve two remaining G3 rifles and arrest others who are at large, namely, Wadrago Adama, Raphael Ayo Bouro (a Nigerian), Yaw Mensah Sampson and Adama Idrisu.
The court has consequently issued a warrant for their arrest while intensive search is still ongoing to recover and retrieve the remaining weapons.
Before the passing of judgement by the court, presided over by Justice Robbin Batu, the prisoners pleaded that the judge should instruct the prisons authorities to move them from lock-up to the main prison yard.
They also asked the judge to instruct the authorities to remove the chains and that they would not escape again, saying the first attempt was informed by the harsh conditions at the prison.
A Chief State Attorney, Ms Patience Klinogo, told the court that the convicts were already serving various prison terms in the Sekondi Prison before their violent escape from lawful custody.
She said the escapees’ action was against the laws of the country and so they were charged for escaping from lawful custody, attempting to escape from lawful custody and conspiracy to commit robbery.
On Sunday, May 2, 2010, 11 prisoners broke out of jail after they had overpowered prison officers on duty, broke into the armoury and escaped with arms and ammunition.
They attacked the prison officers on duty and commercial and private vehicles in their bid to escape but they got involved in a series of accidents. They also shot and wounded a driver before hijacking his vehicle.
The prisoners were later arrested by a joint military, police and prisons team after they had joined three other fugitives to allegedly rob residents of Ituma Estates of their mobile phones and money.
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