Exposed electricity cables of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) which hang over the Whin River in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis, electrocuted an unidentified young man who was crossing the river on foot in the early hours of Wednesday.
The pole carrying the cables are weak, have fallen halfway and the cables are hanging loosely to the knee level and just a little above the river.
The water level in the river has reduced considerably and therefore individuals prefer to wade through the water to the other side instead of using the weak footbridge over the river.
According to some fishermen, the cables had been hanging loosely for some time now but they did not know whose responsibility it was to remedy the situation.
Officials of the ECG who went to the scene, said they were not aware that the cables had dropped that low; neither did they receive any signal in their signal room that somebody had been electrocuted.
The victim had a cut on the right eye and also sustained some burns on his head after he came into contact with the bare cables.
The police retrieved a mobile phone, a New Testament Bible, a bottle of mineral water and a book in a bag from the victim who was dressed in shorts made from African wax print, a blue T-shirt and a pair of bathroom slippers.
When the police went to the scene to retrieve the body, which was lying face down in the sand in the middle of the river under the cables, blood was oozing from his eye and the burnt part of the head.
Interestingly, the cables ended at the other side of the river without extending to Amanfokuma, the nearby community.
Some people who were crossing the river and using the weak and dangerous footbridge, said it would have been more disastrous if the water level in the river had been higher or if it had rained heavily.
“We don’t fish in this river on Wednesdays; we allow the river to rest, according to our customs and tradition, therefore, if it were to be any other day, we would have prompted him about the danger,” they said.
Asked why the victim did not use the weak footbridge, the fishermen said there were two bridges over the river and that he might have been heading towards the second bridge to cross from that end since the water level was very low.
Some residents of Beach-Road near the Whin River said they had been seeing the victim who was yet to be identified, passing through the community to an unknown destination.
“We saw him this morning passing and we even complained that he was passing while talking on the phone without acknowledging [the presence of] anybody,” the residents said.
The body has since been conveyed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, awaiting autopsy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
FACILITIES AT TAKORADI PORT TO BE EXPANDED (PAGE 29)
the management of the Takoradi Port is to expand facilities at the port in readiness for the expected oil boom. This is to ensure the free flow of traffic, especially for vehicles carting supplies for the oil drilling companies.
The first phase of the expansion project, which is expected to be undertaken in December this year, is estimated to cost about $60 million. In line with the designated areas, oil berths will be located at the main breakwaters, which when completed could accommodate one big vessel and three other smaller supply vessels.
The break-water would be removed and the area reclaimed and elevated.
The Director of the Takoradi Port, Mr Nestor Percy Galley, told the Daily Graphic that the consultants of the project had come up with three alternatives for consideration.
The director said by the end of the first phase management would be able to create more berths.
“One major work to be done under the expansion project is dredging of the breakwaters and I can tell you on authority that this is our biggest challenge. It costs $3 per cubic metre to dredge when the place is not muddy, but at the Takoradi Port it will cost us $100 per cubic metre to dredge,” he said.
The port manager said management would try as much as possible to do minimal dredging, and undertake more filling which is less expensive.
He said the expansion work was very important because at present the port had six berths and each was about 150 metres long but the vessels berthing there were longer than the current length.
Currently, the berths can accommodate only four modern vessels instead of six, which is not good for us and after completing the expansion project we can comfortably handle those vessels,” he said.
He said by the end of the first phase of the expansion project most of the services involving double handling at the port would have been eliminated to allow for smooth operations.
Mr Galley said port development was a very expensive venture, and that in 2002 management advertised for private investors to get involved but there was no response because of the cost involved. Besides there was the perception that there were no prospects in doing port business.
“But with the oil find people have started moving in to enquire if they could do business at the port even before the designs were completed and advertised.
Therefore, it is possible we might be going into partnership with other investors, and the banks at present are likely to even support our expansion drive,” he said.
Mr Galley said prospects were that traffic to the port would increase and therefore those who would invest could recoup their investments in no time.
“In the past money was our problem, but at present we are well placed to attract funding,” Mr Galley said.
He said the development of a port took time and the project was being done in phases, “so that by the end of the first phase there will be enough room to contain the traffic while the focus is shifted to main projects.”
He said what was good was that the oil itself would not be at the Takoradi port, but the supply services such as the cargo, pipes, and other items which would be supplied to the operation site would be at the port.
Responding to assertions that if enough space was not created management would have to use facilities in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, he said there were initial concerns about that because most of the supplies needed for the initial drillings had to be lifted from neighbouring countries where the facilities were available.
“But at present there is a mud plant now at the Takoradi port and in less than three to four hours the mud, water and other supplies to the rigs are lifted. All these services can now be accessed here at the port, and therefore the companies might turn their attention to us,” he said.
“At the moment traffic is flowing, but when the pipes that would be used for the major work starts coming that will be a challenge but we will be up to the task,” he said.
Mr Galley said the manganese wharf had been given out to be developed into a repair facility in readiness for other services that might be needed in the area of repairs or check-ups on the vessels.
The dry dock, which is also almost finished for inauguration next month, would provide the platform for such mechanical services.
Every year the rig must be inspected and it would not be prudent economically to let go such important services. He said as the oil would not be coming to Takoradi port, management would ensure that the services that would be required by the oil business community are provided for the port to make maximum returns.
He said when the expansion project was completed the port could receive between 10 to 15 vessels in the dock at a time.
Takoradi port is strategically located between the ports of Tema and Abidjan, and also connected to its hinterland, which makes it the preferred and ideal gateway to the middle and northern parts of Ghana and the Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
The port of Takoradi was the country’s first port built in 1928 to handle both import and export traffic.
The first phase of the expansion project, which is expected to be undertaken in December this year, is estimated to cost about $60 million. In line with the designated areas, oil berths will be located at the main breakwaters, which when completed could accommodate one big vessel and three other smaller supply vessels.
The break-water would be removed and the area reclaimed and elevated.
The Director of the Takoradi Port, Mr Nestor Percy Galley, told the Daily Graphic that the consultants of the project had come up with three alternatives for consideration.
The director said by the end of the first phase management would be able to create more berths.
“One major work to be done under the expansion project is dredging of the breakwaters and I can tell you on authority that this is our biggest challenge. It costs $3 per cubic metre to dredge when the place is not muddy, but at the Takoradi Port it will cost us $100 per cubic metre to dredge,” he said.
The port manager said management would try as much as possible to do minimal dredging, and undertake more filling which is less expensive.
He said the expansion work was very important because at present the port had six berths and each was about 150 metres long but the vessels berthing there were longer than the current length.
Currently, the berths can accommodate only four modern vessels instead of six, which is not good for us and after completing the expansion project we can comfortably handle those vessels,” he said.
He said by the end of the first phase of the expansion project most of the services involving double handling at the port would have been eliminated to allow for smooth operations.
Mr Galley said port development was a very expensive venture, and that in 2002 management advertised for private investors to get involved but there was no response because of the cost involved. Besides there was the perception that there were no prospects in doing port business.
“But with the oil find people have started moving in to enquire if they could do business at the port even before the designs were completed and advertised.
Therefore, it is possible we might be going into partnership with other investors, and the banks at present are likely to even support our expansion drive,” he said.
Mr Galley said prospects were that traffic to the port would increase and therefore those who would invest could recoup their investments in no time.
“In the past money was our problem, but at present we are well placed to attract funding,” Mr Galley said.
He said the development of a port took time and the project was being done in phases, “so that by the end of the first phase there will be enough room to contain the traffic while the focus is shifted to main projects.”
He said what was good was that the oil itself would not be at the Takoradi port, but the supply services such as the cargo, pipes, and other items which would be supplied to the operation site would be at the port.
Responding to assertions that if enough space was not created management would have to use facilities in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, he said there were initial concerns about that because most of the supplies needed for the initial drillings had to be lifted from neighbouring countries where the facilities were available.
“But at present there is a mud plant now at the Takoradi port and in less than three to four hours the mud, water and other supplies to the rigs are lifted. All these services can now be accessed here at the port, and therefore the companies might turn their attention to us,” he said.
“At the moment traffic is flowing, but when the pipes that would be used for the major work starts coming that will be a challenge but we will be up to the task,” he said.
Mr Galley said the manganese wharf had been given out to be developed into a repair facility in readiness for other services that might be needed in the area of repairs or check-ups on the vessels.
The dry dock, which is also almost finished for inauguration next month, would provide the platform for such mechanical services.
Every year the rig must be inspected and it would not be prudent economically to let go such important services. He said as the oil would not be coming to Takoradi port, management would ensure that the services that would be required by the oil business community are provided for the port to make maximum returns.
He said when the expansion project was completed the port could receive between 10 to 15 vessels in the dock at a time.
Takoradi port is strategically located between the ports of Tema and Abidjan, and also connected to its hinterland, which makes it the preferred and ideal gateway to the middle and northern parts of Ghana and the Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
The port of Takoradi was the country’s first port built in 1928 to handle both import and export traffic.
NIGERIAN SERVICE PROVIDERS RELOCATE TO TWIN-CITY (PAGE 29)
Many service providers in the oil industry from Nigeria have started relocating to the Western regional capital, Sekondi/Takoradi, to take advantage of the expected oil boom in the country.
According to them, many of them are eager to relocate due to the peace, stability and honesty of their Ghanaian partners.
The latest to arrive in the city is the Tarkwa Marine Services, which specialises in providing professional support such as ship management and operations, port and facility management, world-wide ship deliveries, condition and valuation survey, cargo handling supervision and heavy lift handling.
The Manager of the Tarkwa Marine Services, Mr Hans Schamid, said ship management and service provision to the companies working at the oil fields was a critical combination of both technical and crew management skills which they were ready to offer.
He said the company and its sister company in Nigeria, AMS-BP, would apply their proven expertise in partnership to ensure that the needed services were provided to their clients.
He told the Daily Graphic after they had taken delivery of safety and diving equipment for one of the companies engaged in oil exploration and drilling at the Jubilee Oil Fields that there were other areas in the country they would be exploring to ensure that they expanded their services to take advantage of the country’s oil discovery and added that the country stood to gain as they would be employing local people in their business activities.
Mr Schamid said many more people would be relocating to the country due to its stability. Besides, he said, many investors were willing to do honest business in more unexplored areas.
As a guarantee that they will provide good and efficient services for companies in the oil business, the company will soon take delivery of six other supply vessels from Germany to be positioned at the Takoradi Port in readiness for the booming supply business.
The manager said they were not trying to move everything in Nigeria to Ghana but were making inroads in the country.
According to them, many of them are eager to relocate due to the peace, stability and honesty of their Ghanaian partners.
The latest to arrive in the city is the Tarkwa Marine Services, which specialises in providing professional support such as ship management and operations, port and facility management, world-wide ship deliveries, condition and valuation survey, cargo handling supervision and heavy lift handling.
The Manager of the Tarkwa Marine Services, Mr Hans Schamid, said ship management and service provision to the companies working at the oil fields was a critical combination of both technical and crew management skills which they were ready to offer.
He said the company and its sister company in Nigeria, AMS-BP, would apply their proven expertise in partnership to ensure that the needed services were provided to their clients.
He told the Daily Graphic after they had taken delivery of safety and diving equipment for one of the companies engaged in oil exploration and drilling at the Jubilee Oil Fields that there were other areas in the country they would be exploring to ensure that they expanded their services to take advantage of the country’s oil discovery and added that the country stood to gain as they would be employing local people in their business activities.
Mr Schamid said many more people would be relocating to the country due to its stability. Besides, he said, many investors were willing to do honest business in more unexplored areas.
As a guarantee that they will provide good and efficient services for companies in the oil business, the company will soon take delivery of six other supply vessels from Germany to be positioned at the Takoradi Port in readiness for the booming supply business.
The manager said they were not trying to move everything in Nigeria to Ghana but were making inroads in the country.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
ANY LESSIONS FROM FIRE DISASTERS AT MARKETS? (PAGE 30)
RECENTLY, the Takoradi market has been rocked by devastating fire outbreaks.
However, it seems as if the traders have not learnt any lessons from their experience.
The spaces between the sheds at the Takoradi Central Market are so small that at some points two people walking in opposite directions cannot by-pass each other.
In the recent fire disaster what one fire engine could contain in less than between 10 to 15 minutes, according to the fire experts, lasted for hours because the fire engines could not make it to the centre of the market where the fire started.
Because of this difficulty most traders watched, helplessly as their goods were consumed by fire.
The city authorities should have taken a cue from what happened at the market to move in immediately to decongest the market irrespective of what perceptions residents might have.
Although the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah and his team tried to save the situation, the beneficiaries sadly and fiercely resisted the move by the assembly.
The assembly then promised to rebuild the Takoradi Central Market and work should have begun in January this year.
Unfortunately work is yet to start on the construction of a new market which is expected to have facilities like banks, schools, a modern shopping mall and car park.
At the moment the congestion is worse, and if there is another outbreak of fire at the Takoradi Market, the consequences would be disastrous.
The damage to property at the market in the previous outbreaks would have been reduced if the managers of the market had not allowed unauthorised structures to be erected.
This is because the original design of the Takoradi Central Market had a good layout; vehicles could enter to the market and offload goods, but gradually and without anticipating the consequences of their action many traders have constructed unauthorised structures on the roads in the market.
This makes it impossible for vehicles to enter the market and the area around the market, which was supposed to be a car park, is presently being occupied by hawkers.
The Public Relations Officer of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Mr John Laste, confirmed that the assembly promised that work on the new market would begin in January this year.
“I can assure you that the project is still dear to the heart of the assembly, but there are processes that we have to go through and also we need to select a suitable design,” he said.
However, it seems as if the traders have not learnt any lessons from their experience.
The spaces between the sheds at the Takoradi Central Market are so small that at some points two people walking in opposite directions cannot by-pass each other.
In the recent fire disaster what one fire engine could contain in less than between 10 to 15 minutes, according to the fire experts, lasted for hours because the fire engines could not make it to the centre of the market where the fire started.
Because of this difficulty most traders watched, helplessly as their goods were consumed by fire.
The city authorities should have taken a cue from what happened at the market to move in immediately to decongest the market irrespective of what perceptions residents might have.
Although the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah and his team tried to save the situation, the beneficiaries sadly and fiercely resisted the move by the assembly.
The assembly then promised to rebuild the Takoradi Central Market and work should have begun in January this year.
Unfortunately work is yet to start on the construction of a new market which is expected to have facilities like banks, schools, a modern shopping mall and car park.
At the moment the congestion is worse, and if there is another outbreak of fire at the Takoradi Market, the consequences would be disastrous.
The damage to property at the market in the previous outbreaks would have been reduced if the managers of the market had not allowed unauthorised structures to be erected.
This is because the original design of the Takoradi Central Market had a good layout; vehicles could enter to the market and offload goods, but gradually and without anticipating the consequences of their action many traders have constructed unauthorised structures on the roads in the market.
This makes it impossible for vehicles to enter the market and the area around the market, which was supposed to be a car park, is presently being occupied by hawkers.
The Public Relations Officer of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Mr John Laste, confirmed that the assembly promised that work on the new market would begin in January this year.
“I can assure you that the project is still dear to the heart of the assembly, but there are processes that we have to go through and also we need to select a suitable design,” he said.
ENVOY ENDS TOUR (PAGE 16)
THE British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Nicholas Westcott, has ended a tour of the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis as part of the move to foster closer business links between his country and Ghana, and to assess the political temperature in the region.
Mr Westcott said in the area of democracy, Ghana had advanced and to ensure that the December 7 general election was free, fair and transparent, there was the need to have first hand information of what was going on in other parts of the country.
He said it would enable him to see where Britain could offer more support to ensure the success of Ghana’s democratic process.
Mr Westcott said Britain, no doubt, remained the biggest bilateral donor and investor in the country’s economy.
As part of their contribution towards that, he said, Britain had given Ghana $1.2 million to ensure that the elections were open, free and fair.
He said with the discovery of oil, it was important to find out more about the economy of the region to ensure that an enabling environment was created.
“We have visited the mining areas, and to test the political temperature as we approach the elections in December, I must confess that there is increasing British interest in the region through our engagement in the oil and mining industry,” he said.
He said their determination was to create a favourable business environment where investors and their host would co-exist to ensure industrial and social harmony.
The focus at present, according to the high commissioner, was to support the development of poor areas to ensure that the people benefited and that they did not feel exploited since that would not create the needed environment for business to triumph.
Mr Westcott said British investors would not only focus on what would serve their interest, but would ensure that their social corporate responsibility were taken seriously to ensure that the people were not neglected. “Even before the commencement, the British businesses have already started providing support for some communities.”
The high commissioner also called on the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the regional Police Command, the Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan Assembly, Electoral Commission as well as the British community in the region.
At Essikado, Nana Nketsia called for support to train the needed skilled manpower from the region.
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, said the biggest challenge was how to transform the city to accommodate the visitor, and called for collaboration to ensure the realisation of that dream.
At the Regional Police Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan, said at the regional level, the police would do everything possible to ensure that there was peace before, during and after the election.
He said they had taken proactive measures to ensure that nothing was left to chance as they were collaborating with other sister security agencies to ensure the success of the elections, “we are aware that our fellow country men and women are expecting much from us and we will not fail them.
Mr Westcott said in the area of democracy, Ghana had advanced and to ensure that the December 7 general election was free, fair and transparent, there was the need to have first hand information of what was going on in other parts of the country.
He said it would enable him to see where Britain could offer more support to ensure the success of Ghana’s democratic process.
Mr Westcott said Britain, no doubt, remained the biggest bilateral donor and investor in the country’s economy.
As part of their contribution towards that, he said, Britain had given Ghana $1.2 million to ensure that the elections were open, free and fair.
He said with the discovery of oil, it was important to find out more about the economy of the region to ensure that an enabling environment was created.
“We have visited the mining areas, and to test the political temperature as we approach the elections in December, I must confess that there is increasing British interest in the region through our engagement in the oil and mining industry,” he said.
He said their determination was to create a favourable business environment where investors and their host would co-exist to ensure industrial and social harmony.
The focus at present, according to the high commissioner, was to support the development of poor areas to ensure that the people benefited and that they did not feel exploited since that would not create the needed environment for business to triumph.
Mr Westcott said British investors would not only focus on what would serve their interest, but would ensure that their social corporate responsibility were taken seriously to ensure that the people were not neglected. “Even before the commencement, the British businesses have already started providing support for some communities.”
The high commissioner also called on the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the regional Police Command, the Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan Assembly, Electoral Commission as well as the British community in the region.
At Essikado, Nana Nketsia called for support to train the needed skilled manpower from the region.
The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, said the biggest challenge was how to transform the city to accommodate the visitor, and called for collaboration to ensure the realisation of that dream.
At the Regional Police Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan, said at the regional level, the police would do everything possible to ensure that there was peace before, during and after the election.
He said they had taken proactive measures to ensure that nothing was left to chance as they were collaborating with other sister security agencies to ensure the success of the elections, “we are aware that our fellow country men and women are expecting much from us and we will not fail them.
Monday, October 27, 2008
GOVT TAKES DELIVERY OF THREE SPEED BOATS (SPREAD)
THE government has taken delivery of the first batch of naval speed boats from the United States of America (USA) to boost the capacity of the Ghana Navy in protecting the country’s territorial waters.
The three boats, provided by the US government under the African Partnership Station project, were handed over to the Western Naval Command in Sekondi by the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, on Saturday.
At the handing over ceremony, the Defence Minister assured the soldiers of the government’s determination to equip the Ghana Navy to enable it to patrol the country’s territorial waters efficiently and effectively.
He said the government would soon take delivery of the second batch, which also comprised three vessels.
He said re-equipping the Navy was top on the government’s list of priorities to ensure the country’s territorial integrity, provide security for the country’s oil fields, fight the drug trade, prevent illegal fishing in the country’s waters and reduce environmental pollution.
He drew the attention of the Naval officers to the offshore oil find, saying it had come with peculiar challenges such as the security and protection of oil rigs, checking of illegal bunkering and pollution control.
“The government is aware of these challenges and we are making frantic efforts to equip the Ghana Navy to enable it to accomplish its role. The government will not relent in its efforts until the Ghana Navy is fully equipped to perform its functions,” he said.
The boats are valued at $1.7 million and are named after Calvin Dzang, Joy Amedume and Steve Obimpeh.
“Ghana, like all coastal states, has the responsibility of protecting its maritime interests and creating a conducive and secure environment for harnessing its maritime resources for national development,” the minister said.
Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed the government’s gratitude to the US government for its continued efforts to support the capabilities of Navies in the West African sub-region, particularly Ghana’s.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A.R.S. Nuno, commended personnel of the Ghana Navy for their efforts in keeping the Navy afloat, in the face of daunting challenges.
For his part, the United States envoy to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelaum, said the effort was to stem the flow of illegal goods, particularly narcotics, oil and fish.
He said piracy and illegal trafficking were common threats to all, adding that it was the hope of the US government that the US Coast Guard Response boats would help advance Ghana’s maritime security and safety.
The three boats, provided by the US government under the African Partnership Station project, were handed over to the Western Naval Command in Sekondi by the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, on Saturday.
At the handing over ceremony, the Defence Minister assured the soldiers of the government’s determination to equip the Ghana Navy to enable it to patrol the country’s territorial waters efficiently and effectively.
He said the government would soon take delivery of the second batch, which also comprised three vessels.
He said re-equipping the Navy was top on the government’s list of priorities to ensure the country’s territorial integrity, provide security for the country’s oil fields, fight the drug trade, prevent illegal fishing in the country’s waters and reduce environmental pollution.
He drew the attention of the Naval officers to the offshore oil find, saying it had come with peculiar challenges such as the security and protection of oil rigs, checking of illegal bunkering and pollution control.
“The government is aware of these challenges and we are making frantic efforts to equip the Ghana Navy to enable it to accomplish its role. The government will not relent in its efforts until the Ghana Navy is fully equipped to perform its functions,” he said.
The boats are valued at $1.7 million and are named after Calvin Dzang, Joy Amedume and Steve Obimpeh.
“Ghana, like all coastal states, has the responsibility of protecting its maritime interests and creating a conducive and secure environment for harnessing its maritime resources for national development,” the minister said.
Mr Kan-Dapaah expressed the government’s gratitude to the US government for its continued efforts to support the capabilities of Navies in the West African sub-region, particularly Ghana’s.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A.R.S. Nuno, commended personnel of the Ghana Navy for their efforts in keeping the Navy afloat, in the face of daunting challenges.
For his part, the United States envoy to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelaum, said the effort was to stem the flow of illegal goods, particularly narcotics, oil and fish.
He said piracy and illegal trafficking were common threats to all, adding that it was the hope of the US government that the US Coast Guard Response boats would help advance Ghana’s maritime security and safety.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
SHAIGHAI PRESENTS STADIUM PARTS TO NSC (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 17)
Chinese Construction firm, Shanghai Construction Company, has presented a variety of spare parts to the National Sports Council (NSC) to ensure an effective maintenance of the Sekondi and Tamale stadia which it built prior to Ghana 2008.
This follows the end of the company’s operations and upkeep of the stadium and subsequent handing over of the facilities to the National Sports Council which has the sole responsibility of managing the four new stadia.
According to the Project Manager of the Company, Mr Mark Shin, as a responsible and respected construction company it tried as much as possible to create the environment for the smooth running of the stadium before handing it over to the NSC officials finally.
He said as a result it had manufactured many components which could be used to replace faulty ones.
The Project Manager said they had prepared enough materials for repair works on the stadium, and expressed the hope that they would go a long way to keep the structure in good shape.
The items were mainly electronic parts for the scoreboard, as well as other fixtures and fittings for the various gadgets at the stadium.
The Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, commended the company for transferring their rich knowledge and providing spare parts to ensure that the nation did not have to run to them at any given time for the necessary materials.
He said even though the stadium and the spare parts had been handed over to the Council, it would take great effort to maintain the facilities, and therefore urged the Chinese to be on the alert since the authories would be calling on them when need be.
"We would constantly need your advice and expertise since you are the contractors, to ensure that the strong bond between us is still in place," he said.
This follows the end of the company’s operations and upkeep of the stadium and subsequent handing over of the facilities to the National Sports Council which has the sole responsibility of managing the four new stadia.
According to the Project Manager of the Company, Mr Mark Shin, as a responsible and respected construction company it tried as much as possible to create the environment for the smooth running of the stadium before handing it over to the NSC officials finally.
He said as a result it had manufactured many components which could be used to replace faulty ones.
The Project Manager said they had prepared enough materials for repair works on the stadium, and expressed the hope that they would go a long way to keep the structure in good shape.
The items were mainly electronic parts for the scoreboard, as well as other fixtures and fittings for the various gadgets at the stadium.
The Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, commended the company for transferring their rich knowledge and providing spare parts to ensure that the nation did not have to run to them at any given time for the necessary materials.
He said even though the stadium and the spare parts had been handed over to the Council, it would take great effort to maintain the facilities, and therefore urged the Chinese to be on the alert since the authories would be calling on them when need be.
"We would constantly need your advice and expertise since you are the contractors, to ensure that the strong bond between us is still in place," he said.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
POLICE SEARCH FOR ACCOMPLICES (PAGE 28)
The Western Regional Police Command has mounted a hunt for the accomplices of a 56-year-old man who was arrested last Friday with more than 15 jumbo size sacks stuffed with dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp (wee).
The police impounded two large “Ghana Must Go” bags and 80 large wrappers, also loaded with the substance, from a room on the first floor of a building located in New Takoradi in the twin-city Sekondi/Takoradi.
Samuel Enyan, the suspect, was arrested following a tip-off by personnel of the Narcotics Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after two weeks of surveillance.
The suspect, Samuel Enyan, 56, and one lady whose name the police gave only as Veronica are currently in police custody.
After her arrest Veronica had to be rushed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for medical attention as she was sweating profusely.
Briefing the press, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan, attributed the success of the operation to public-police co-operation.
“The sacks were packed in a room in a manner that makes it very difficult for anybody to detect but with the co-operation of the public we uncovered it,” said DCOP Alhassan.
He said if that level of public-police co-operation continued, the police would be able to reduce the crime rate in the metropolis and its environs to be minimum.
He called on members of the public not to feel intimidated by the police and refuse to volunteer information that would help protect society.
He said: “The police officer cannot be everywhere at all times. Therefore, with the help of members of the public who share the dream of a crime-free society, life will be better than this.”
The police impounded two large “Ghana Must Go” bags and 80 large wrappers, also loaded with the substance, from a room on the first floor of a building located in New Takoradi in the twin-city Sekondi/Takoradi.
Samuel Enyan, the suspect, was arrested following a tip-off by personnel of the Narcotics Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after two weeks of surveillance.
The suspect, Samuel Enyan, 56, and one lady whose name the police gave only as Veronica are currently in police custody.
After her arrest Veronica had to be rushed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital for medical attention as she was sweating profusely.
Briefing the press, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mohammed Arhmed Alhassan, attributed the success of the operation to public-police co-operation.
“The sacks were packed in a room in a manner that makes it very difficult for anybody to detect but with the co-operation of the public we uncovered it,” said DCOP Alhassan.
He said if that level of public-police co-operation continued, the police would be able to reduce the crime rate in the metropolis and its environs to be minimum.
He called on members of the public not to feel intimidated by the police and refuse to volunteer information that would help protect society.
He said: “The police officer cannot be everywhere at all times. Therefore, with the help of members of the public who share the dream of a crime-free society, life will be better than this.”
NSC ADMITS LAPSES AT STARS MATCH (PAGE 31)
The National Sports Council (NSC) has admitted that there were ticketing and security lapses, which nearly marred the beauty of the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup qualifier between the Black Stars and Lesotho in Sekondi last Saturday.
The Chief Executive of the NSC, Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, who was addressing a press conference at Essipon said what happened should be a serious lesson for all stakeholders to ensure that such incidents did not reccur at any of the venues in the country in future.
Mr Oduro-Mensah explained that tickets were not sold in advance because tickets for the match did not have any security features which could prevent people from duplicating them.
He stressed that since the match was not a tournament, it was not economical to print tickets with security features.
"At the planning stage of the game, we all thought that there was the need to fill the stadium to capacity just to keep the crowd behind the Stars, and we even gave some tickets on gratis, hoping that we would achieve our aim. But we were overwhelmed by the crowd," he said.
He said instead of 20,000, about 50,000 fans turned up wanting to enter the stadium by any means possible, with even those with or without tickets forming queues, making, it difficult to control the crowd.
Mr Oduro-Mensah also attributed part of the problem to the failure to educate the public as to which gates at which they could get tickets and where those with tickets should pass.
He said the absence of such vital information, and the quest to fill the stadium, coupled with the overwhelming crowd, led to the agitation.
Asked why they did not open the gate early enough to avert the problems, he said "people asked why we did not open the gate at about 7 a.m. but that cannot be possible because before the gate is opened, we have to ensure that security inside the stadium is in place to take care of those who enter, those selling and checking tickets have security men to guard the stands, fire officers are in place and also that all keys to the gates and vital locations are available."
Asked why the organisers did not do anything to prevent the fans from running to the pitch after the match, he said the rules of the game required that every gate should be opened at the end of every match to ensure that people easily moved out of the stadium.
"We did not expect that people would go out of their way and run to the pitch, but it is a challenge we have identified and next time we will use crash barriers and security men to block those openings," he said.
He, however, commended the fans, as well as police commander, DCOP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, and his team for helping to control the situation.
The Chief Executive of the NSC, Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, who was addressing a press conference at Essipon said what happened should be a serious lesson for all stakeholders to ensure that such incidents did not reccur at any of the venues in the country in future.
Mr Oduro-Mensah explained that tickets were not sold in advance because tickets for the match did not have any security features which could prevent people from duplicating them.
He stressed that since the match was not a tournament, it was not economical to print tickets with security features.
"At the planning stage of the game, we all thought that there was the need to fill the stadium to capacity just to keep the crowd behind the Stars, and we even gave some tickets on gratis, hoping that we would achieve our aim. But we were overwhelmed by the crowd," he said.
He said instead of 20,000, about 50,000 fans turned up wanting to enter the stadium by any means possible, with even those with or without tickets forming queues, making, it difficult to control the crowd.
Mr Oduro-Mensah also attributed part of the problem to the failure to educate the public as to which gates at which they could get tickets and where those with tickets should pass.
He said the absence of such vital information, and the quest to fill the stadium, coupled with the overwhelming crowd, led to the agitation.
Asked why they did not open the gate early enough to avert the problems, he said "people asked why we did not open the gate at about 7 a.m. but that cannot be possible because before the gate is opened, we have to ensure that security inside the stadium is in place to take care of those who enter, those selling and checking tickets have security men to guard the stands, fire officers are in place and also that all keys to the gates and vital locations are available."
Asked why the organisers did not do anything to prevent the fans from running to the pitch after the match, he said the rules of the game required that every gate should be opened at the end of every match to ensure that people easily moved out of the stadium.
"We did not expect that people would go out of their way and run to the pitch, but it is a challenge we have identified and next time we will use crash barriers and security men to block those openings," he said.
He, however, commended the fans, as well as police commander, DCOP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, and his team for helping to control the situation.
Monday, October 13, 2008
FIJAI-EFFIA-NWANTA ROAD MARKED AT LAST (PAGE 25)
A series of publications in the Daily Graphic on the dangers of the absence of road signs and markings on the newly constructed Fijai-Effia-Nkwanta road have caught the attention of the contractor who worked on the road and the metropolitan authorities.
The contractor has, as a reult, finished marking the road but the road signs are yet to be provided.
While the new road has been marked nicely, markings on other roads in the metropolis have faded, thus making it difficult for motorists to know the intentions of pedestrians, especially when they stand at some points near Zebra crossings.
The situation becomes worse in the night when most of the streetlights are not functioning.
The recklessness of various road users also puts the lives of pedestrians in danger.
Residents in the twin-city are therefore appealing to the Metro office of the Department of Urban Roads to tackle the issue of providing road signs and markings in totality and not limit it to the Fijai-Effia-Nkwanta road.
In a related development, the residents have urged the Metro office of the Department of Urban Roads to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of projects awarded to contractors to ensure value for money.
In recent past, a grader rammed through Sunday schoolchildren at Nkotompo in the metropolis, resulting in the amputation of the leg of a little girl and injury to many others.
The grader also caused extensive damage to a house into which it ran.
The contractor who worked on the road did a shoddy job.
Residents of Takoradi have also called for a second look at the contract awarded for potholes on the Axim Road roundabout to be sealed.
They contend that anytime this particular contractor, who carries his gravel and bitumen in wheelbarrow, finishes work at that roundabout, it last for only five days or a week.
The contractor fills the potholes with clay and covers it with bitumen and pours some cheap chippings on it.
The workers seal off the portions of the road on which the potholes have been sealed for them to dry.
The contractor has, as a reult, finished marking the road but the road signs are yet to be provided.
While the new road has been marked nicely, markings on other roads in the metropolis have faded, thus making it difficult for motorists to know the intentions of pedestrians, especially when they stand at some points near Zebra crossings.
The situation becomes worse in the night when most of the streetlights are not functioning.
The recklessness of various road users also puts the lives of pedestrians in danger.
Residents in the twin-city are therefore appealing to the Metro office of the Department of Urban Roads to tackle the issue of providing road signs and markings in totality and not limit it to the Fijai-Effia-Nkwanta road.
In a related development, the residents have urged the Metro office of the Department of Urban Roads to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of projects awarded to contractors to ensure value for money.
In recent past, a grader rammed through Sunday schoolchildren at Nkotompo in the metropolis, resulting in the amputation of the leg of a little girl and injury to many others.
The grader also caused extensive damage to a house into which it ran.
The contractor who worked on the road did a shoddy job.
Residents of Takoradi have also called for a second look at the contract awarded for potholes on the Axim Road roundabout to be sealed.
They contend that anytime this particular contractor, who carries his gravel and bitumen in wheelbarrow, finishes work at that roundabout, it last for only five days or a week.
The contractor fills the potholes with clay and covers it with bitumen and pours some cheap chippings on it.
The workers seal off the portions of the road on which the potholes have been sealed for them to dry.
POWER OUT, MIRREN THROUGH (PAGE 63)
Former Premiership campaigners, Power FC, failed in their bid to return to the elite division despite defeating Royal Knights 3-1 in a crucial Zone 3 Division One Middle League match at the Sekondi Gyandu Park yesterday.
The Electricity lads finished second behind St Mirren who will be making their debut in the Premier League after a 3-0 win over Fair Point at Cape Coast.
Two-goal hero, Yakubu Seidu, opened the scoring for Power FC in the 20th minute, and doubled the lead with a spot kick two minutes after recess.
George Appiah made it 3-0 on the hour mark before Ibrahim Jafaru pulled a goal back for Royal Knights four minutes to the end.
The Electricity lads finished second behind St Mirren who will be making their debut in the Premier League after a 3-0 win over Fair Point at Cape Coast.
Two-goal hero, Yakubu Seidu, opened the scoring for Power FC in the 20th minute, and doubled the lead with a spot kick two minutes after recess.
George Appiah made it 3-0 on the hour mark before Ibrahim Jafaru pulled a goal back for Royal Knights four minutes to the end.
STARS CLEAR FIRST HURDLE (BACK PAGE)
STORY: Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo & Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu
Glittering Black Stars compensated for the prolonged discomfort of their fans at the overcrowded Sekondi Stadium last Saturday with an emphatic 3-0 thrashing of the Crocodiles of Lesotho which propelled them to the top of Group 5 in one of the dramatic finishes in the preliminaries of the joint 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup qualifiers.
However, any celebration for the massive victory had to be put on temporary hold till after FA officials had broken to the players the good news of Gabon’s 1-0 home win over Libya.
Spontaneous jubilation greeted Ghana’s dramatic finishing on top of the group as the Stars players joined hands for a lap of honour to acknowledge cheers from the excited crowd.
In their determination to live up to the expectation of Ghanaians and also give new coach Milovan Rajevac his first win in three games, the Stephen Appiah-led Stars took off to a blistering start and succeeded in killing the game before the half-hour mark, as admitted by Lesotho coach, Milosavljevic Zavisa, after the match.
Inter Milan midfielder, Sulley Muntari, grazed the upright with a header to give the fans an appetiser after just 11 minutes before setting the entire stadium roaring with a typical blinding shot just outside the box on 19 minutes.
With the floodgates opened, arrowhead Junior Agogo Manuel obliged four minutes later by placing a delicate half volley beyond goalkeeper Sam Ketsekile, following an intelligent move by overlapping Harrison Afful.
Though the Stars continued to overwhelm their opponents with their midfield dominance and sweet passing game, they kept the anxious fans sitting on the edge of their seats till after the 62nd minute when comeback kid, Matthew Amoah, capitalised on a defensive lapse by Moitheri Ntobo of Tunisian side, Monastir, to score a great goal that would be the envy of many a world class striker.
As if to atone for his 41st minute bad miss, the NAC Breda striker who leads the Eredivisie’s scorers’ chart with eight goals from five games, swerved past advancing Ketsekile with the speed of light before sliding the ball home in characteristic fashion to announce his return with a bang.
But the revelation of the afternoon was Daniel Yeboah (Argentina), who made his debut in the Black Stars. He combined effectively with tireless Anthony Annan and evergreen Stephen Appiah in midfield with his tailor-measured passes and high work rate.
On the few occasions that the Crocodiles attempted to cause harm by translating their midfield play into attack, they lacked bite upfront giving John Mensah, Eric Addo, John Paintsil and Afful an easy task of tidying up for holidaying goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
So toothless were the Crocodiles that the homesters did not concede a single corner kick throughout the game. Also, Sudanese referee, Abdel Rahman Khalid, had no cause to make any bookings, indicating how clean the entire game was.
On the flip side, the absence of a changing board at the touchline for well over 30 minutes summed up the poor organisation of this destiny-defining encounter.
Appiah, who showed glimpses of his usual self after an 11-month lay-off, received a thunderous applause from the stands when he gave way for Eric Bekoe five minutes from the end, while Prince Tagoe and Haminu Draman who replaced Agogo and Muntari in the 75th and 80th minutes respectively could hardly penetrate the defence of the Basotho.
Glittering Black Stars compensated for the prolonged discomfort of their fans at the overcrowded Sekondi Stadium last Saturday with an emphatic 3-0 thrashing of the Crocodiles of Lesotho which propelled them to the top of Group 5 in one of the dramatic finishes in the preliminaries of the joint 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup qualifiers.
However, any celebration for the massive victory had to be put on temporary hold till after FA officials had broken to the players the good news of Gabon’s 1-0 home win over Libya.
Spontaneous jubilation greeted Ghana’s dramatic finishing on top of the group as the Stars players joined hands for a lap of honour to acknowledge cheers from the excited crowd.
In their determination to live up to the expectation of Ghanaians and also give new coach Milovan Rajevac his first win in three games, the Stephen Appiah-led Stars took off to a blistering start and succeeded in killing the game before the half-hour mark, as admitted by Lesotho coach, Milosavljevic Zavisa, after the match.
Inter Milan midfielder, Sulley Muntari, grazed the upright with a header to give the fans an appetiser after just 11 minutes before setting the entire stadium roaring with a typical blinding shot just outside the box on 19 minutes.
With the floodgates opened, arrowhead Junior Agogo Manuel obliged four minutes later by placing a delicate half volley beyond goalkeeper Sam Ketsekile, following an intelligent move by overlapping Harrison Afful.
Though the Stars continued to overwhelm their opponents with their midfield dominance and sweet passing game, they kept the anxious fans sitting on the edge of their seats till after the 62nd minute when comeback kid, Matthew Amoah, capitalised on a defensive lapse by Moitheri Ntobo of Tunisian side, Monastir, to score a great goal that would be the envy of many a world class striker.
As if to atone for his 41st minute bad miss, the NAC Breda striker who leads the Eredivisie’s scorers’ chart with eight goals from five games, swerved past advancing Ketsekile with the speed of light before sliding the ball home in characteristic fashion to announce his return with a bang.
But the revelation of the afternoon was Daniel Yeboah (Argentina), who made his debut in the Black Stars. He combined effectively with tireless Anthony Annan and evergreen Stephen Appiah in midfield with his tailor-measured passes and high work rate.
On the few occasions that the Crocodiles attempted to cause harm by translating their midfield play into attack, they lacked bite upfront giving John Mensah, Eric Addo, John Paintsil and Afful an easy task of tidying up for holidaying goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
So toothless were the Crocodiles that the homesters did not concede a single corner kick throughout the game. Also, Sudanese referee, Abdel Rahman Khalid, had no cause to make any bookings, indicating how clean the entire game was.
On the flip side, the absence of a changing board at the touchline for well over 30 minutes summed up the poor organisation of this destiny-defining encounter.
Appiah, who showed glimpses of his usual self after an 11-month lay-off, received a thunderous applause from the stands when he gave way for Eric Bekoe five minutes from the end, while Prince Tagoe and Haminu Draman who replaced Agogo and Muntari in the 75th and 80th minutes respectively could hardly penetrate the defence of the Basotho.
NO DEATHS AT STARS MATCH (1b)
THE Black Stars first-ever international appearance in Sekondi last Saturday drew a record crowd, forcing the stadium officials to close the gates at 1 pm — hours before kick off.
However in their anxiety to gain access to the stadium, milling spectators forced one of the gates open, causing a stampede, during which some soccer fans were injured.
Local and foreign media reports spoke of some deaths but the Western Regional Police Command denied widespread media reports that the stampede which occurred last Saturday at the Sekondi Stadium during the Ghana-Lesotho match resulted in the death of a number of football fans.
The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, who spoke to the Daily Graphic hours after the match, stated categorically that no deaths were recorded at the stadium.
He, however, confirmed that some fans sustained some bruises from a stampede which occurred at one of the gates at the stadium following a rush hours before the match.
During the build up to last Saturday’s game, soccer fans in and around Sekondi-Takoradi and beyond vowed to spend their last savings on tickets for the match to drum support for the Stars, who needed a win at all cost against the Crocodiles of Lesotho to advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualifying series.
DCOP Alhassan, who was reacting to some reports in both the local and foreign media in connection with the incident, said a check at both the Stadium Clinic and the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, as well as with the Red Cross Society, revealed that those fans who sustained some minor injuries had been treated and discharged.
When the Daily Graphic visited the Emergency Unit and the morgue of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the attendants also confirmed that no deaths had been recorded. Attendants at the morgue even expressed surprise at the news, stressing that nobody had been deposited there since last Friday.
An eyewitness of the stampede, Mr Ernest Korankye, blamed Sports Council officials at the stadium for the fans’ behaviour.
“The security men kept assuring us that they would start selling the tickets soon. However, we saw some people passing with tickets and that prompted us to push the gate open and rush in,” he said.
“I did not see any dead person so I was shocked to hear that some people had died. Nothing like that happened; only that some people had bruises,” Mr Korankye noted.
When the Daily Graphic team first visited the stadium about 10.00 a.m., the various entrances had been besieged by enthusiastic fans who were seen in long queues waiting to be served with tickets to enter the stadium.
And by 1.00 p.m. every seat in the 20,000-capacity stadium was occupied, leaving fans with tickets with no choice but to look for space anywhere possible to watch the match.
Those who could not get space climbed the walls of the fourth floor of the stadium or peeped through various toilet windows and offices to be part of the historic event.
At a point the fans outside the stadium seemed to outnumber those inside, leaving the organisers with no alternative but to close the gates.
However in their anxiety to gain access to the stadium, milling spectators forced one of the gates open, causing a stampede, during which some soccer fans were injured.
Local and foreign media reports spoke of some deaths but the Western Regional Police Command denied widespread media reports that the stampede which occurred last Saturday at the Sekondi Stadium during the Ghana-Lesotho match resulted in the death of a number of football fans.
The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, who spoke to the Daily Graphic hours after the match, stated categorically that no deaths were recorded at the stadium.
He, however, confirmed that some fans sustained some bruises from a stampede which occurred at one of the gates at the stadium following a rush hours before the match.
During the build up to last Saturday’s game, soccer fans in and around Sekondi-Takoradi and beyond vowed to spend their last savings on tickets for the match to drum support for the Stars, who needed a win at all cost against the Crocodiles of Lesotho to advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualifying series.
DCOP Alhassan, who was reacting to some reports in both the local and foreign media in connection with the incident, said a check at both the Stadium Clinic and the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, as well as with the Red Cross Society, revealed that those fans who sustained some minor injuries had been treated and discharged.
When the Daily Graphic visited the Emergency Unit and the morgue of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the attendants also confirmed that no deaths had been recorded. Attendants at the morgue even expressed surprise at the news, stressing that nobody had been deposited there since last Friday.
An eyewitness of the stampede, Mr Ernest Korankye, blamed Sports Council officials at the stadium for the fans’ behaviour.
“The security men kept assuring us that they would start selling the tickets soon. However, we saw some people passing with tickets and that prompted us to push the gate open and rush in,” he said.
“I did not see any dead person so I was shocked to hear that some people had died. Nothing like that happened; only that some people had bruises,” Mr Korankye noted.
When the Daily Graphic team first visited the stadium about 10.00 a.m., the various entrances had been besieged by enthusiastic fans who were seen in long queues waiting to be served with tickets to enter the stadium.
And by 1.00 p.m. every seat in the 20,000-capacity stadium was occupied, leaving fans with tickets with no choice but to look for space anywhere possible to watch the match.
Those who could not get space climbed the walls of the fourth floor of the stadium or peeped through various toilet windows and offices to be part of the historic event.
At a point the fans outside the stadium seemed to outnumber those inside, leaving the organisers with no alternative but to close the gates.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
CATERERS ADVISED ON FOOD SAFETY MEASURES (PAGE 18)
Traditional and contemporary catering service providers in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis have been asked to attract customers through adoption of safety standards.
The Food Safety and Management Consultant of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Mr L. E. Yankey, made the call at a workshop on improving the quality and safety of food service operations in Takoradi.
He stressed the need for the food service establishments to institute measures for preventing or controlling food hazards in order to ensure the preparation of safe food at all times.
He said preventive measures required that food establishments critically focus on the source, quality, safety status of the raw materials and ingredients, and the people who prepared and served the meals.
Mr Yankey also emphasised that a lot of attention should be paid to the cooking and storage facilities, the presentation of food for consumption and the overall environment of the service establishment.
He said there was more to preparing food for people to consume than what people thought, and therefore, it was very important that people in the industry take a critical look at their environment and other issues that would compromise the safety of the customers.
The Food and Drugs Board has instituted an annual food safety week in the country during which pertinent safety issues are discussed and plans for promoting food safety developed.
“Good food is best for boosting the immune system of the citizens of the country. Safe food is, therefore, essential to improving the quality of life for those already afflicted by diseases, as well as persons suffering from food-borne diseases, [who] are more likely to contract other communicable diseases," he said.
Mr Yankey said recognising the health and economic implications of unsafe food, food services establishments were compelled to develop the appropriate system for sustaining food safety.
"It will be prudent for this sector of the economy to accurately identify problems that militate against the provision of safe food and ensure that they adopt the best practices,” he added.
The Food Safety and Management Consultant of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Mr L. E. Yankey, made the call at a workshop on improving the quality and safety of food service operations in Takoradi.
He stressed the need for the food service establishments to institute measures for preventing or controlling food hazards in order to ensure the preparation of safe food at all times.
He said preventive measures required that food establishments critically focus on the source, quality, safety status of the raw materials and ingredients, and the people who prepared and served the meals.
Mr Yankey also emphasised that a lot of attention should be paid to the cooking and storage facilities, the presentation of food for consumption and the overall environment of the service establishment.
He said there was more to preparing food for people to consume than what people thought, and therefore, it was very important that people in the industry take a critical look at their environment and other issues that would compromise the safety of the customers.
The Food and Drugs Board has instituted an annual food safety week in the country during which pertinent safety issues are discussed and plans for promoting food safety developed.
“Good food is best for boosting the immune system of the citizens of the country. Safe food is, therefore, essential to improving the quality of life for those already afflicted by diseases, as well as persons suffering from food-borne diseases, [who] are more likely to contract other communicable diseases," he said.
Mr Yankey said recognising the health and economic implications of unsafe food, food services establishments were compelled to develop the appropriate system for sustaining food safety.
"It will be prudent for this sector of the economy to accurately identify problems that militate against the provision of safe food and ensure that they adopt the best practices,” he added.
IS TAKORADI AIRPORT READY FOR OIL BOOM? (PAGE 18)
Is the Takoradi Airport in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi ready for the emerging oil and economic boom?
This is the big question on the lips of many residents in the twin-city.
The Takoradi Airport has been put in good shape for good business. The arrival hall and VIP lounge have been refurbished, the runway is in good condition, the immigration post and fire station have been well equipped and an ambulance service provided. The hangars and aprons are all in good state and comparable to other airports throughout the world.
The aprons are being improved and expanded to ensure that there would be enough space to park when air traffic starts building up at the port.
The hangars at the station have been refurbished by the Station Commander, Commodore Michael Samson-Oje, and his team. The surroundings of the airport are clean.
The runway, after the final special asphalt, is currently being grooved or hydroplaned to make it a little rougher for easy landing. One of the things the station is also endowed with is the vast parcel of land although some individuals have encroached on it.
The problem, however, is that the runway is still too short for bigger aircraft. The runway could not be extended beyond the present stretch because of some obstacles such as buildings, hills and a river at one end as well as encroachments by private individuals.
Experts, however, say smaller aircraft can easily take off.
Bigger aircraft such as those used by KLM and British Airways would, therefore, have to first land in Accra and connect to Takoradi by smaller aircraft.
Currently the space allocated to Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) at the station, which it failed to use, has been reallocated temporarily to the oil companies that have invested so much in compacting the grounds for the use of their equipment.
With that done the oil companies have saved the Ghana Air Force the problem of having to invest in the development of the land in future before building hangars.
The station is also training more air control personnel and putting other structures in perfect shape in readiness for the oil business boom. It is anticipated that a booming oil industry will open more avenues for entrepreneurs to invest in the financial, hospitality, real estate development and other sectors.
This is expected to create more job avenues for the indigenous people but are the people ready to take advantage of the opportunities ahead?
The proximity of Abidjan, Lome, Ouagadougou and even Lagos to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is of high economic importance to the country, as at the moment, some business executives have started coming into the country with their helicopters.
This means that more business tycoons would be criss-crossing the sub-region and there would be the need for the local airline industry to position itself for good business. The country and the industry stand to benefit in terms of more jobs and revenue.
According to the Commercial Manager of City-Link, one of the local flight operators, Mr Sam Essel, they have taken proactive measures in readiness for the oil business boom about to hit the metropolis.
"I can assure you that the local industry would not be pushed off by any competitor. From the middle of this month, there will be a regular flight between Accra and Takoradi," he said.
"We are taking delivery of two new aircraft from South Africa, with a rich cream of pilots and who will undertake regular flights. The City-Link is regularly audited by corporate bodies that contracted us to operate charter flights across the coast of West Africa," he added.
He said the Takoradi Airport was ready and the airline would not leave anything to chance as regards the traffic that would be coming to Takoradi and the sub-region.
The air station at Takoradi is a military base for the Ghana Air Force but is also used by commercial aircraft.
At the moment the station has seen an improvement in its facilities, thanks to the just ended Ghana 2008 football tournament.
The location of the airport or the Air Force is very strategic to Ghana’s oil find because it would provide the landing base for aircraft bringing business executives who would want to invest in the oil industry.
Even though the Takoradi Airport is not that busy as expected, there are currently helicopter flights from Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to the airport, as well as local operators such as City-Link and Antrak Air, etc.
This is the big question on the lips of many residents in the twin-city.
The Takoradi Airport has been put in good shape for good business. The arrival hall and VIP lounge have been refurbished, the runway is in good condition, the immigration post and fire station have been well equipped and an ambulance service provided. The hangars and aprons are all in good state and comparable to other airports throughout the world.
The aprons are being improved and expanded to ensure that there would be enough space to park when air traffic starts building up at the port.
The hangars at the station have been refurbished by the Station Commander, Commodore Michael Samson-Oje, and his team. The surroundings of the airport are clean.
The runway, after the final special asphalt, is currently being grooved or hydroplaned to make it a little rougher for easy landing. One of the things the station is also endowed with is the vast parcel of land although some individuals have encroached on it.
The problem, however, is that the runway is still too short for bigger aircraft. The runway could not be extended beyond the present stretch because of some obstacles such as buildings, hills and a river at one end as well as encroachments by private individuals.
Experts, however, say smaller aircraft can easily take off.
Bigger aircraft such as those used by KLM and British Airways would, therefore, have to first land in Accra and connect to Takoradi by smaller aircraft.
Currently the space allocated to Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) at the station, which it failed to use, has been reallocated temporarily to the oil companies that have invested so much in compacting the grounds for the use of their equipment.
With that done the oil companies have saved the Ghana Air Force the problem of having to invest in the development of the land in future before building hangars.
The station is also training more air control personnel and putting other structures in perfect shape in readiness for the oil business boom. It is anticipated that a booming oil industry will open more avenues for entrepreneurs to invest in the financial, hospitality, real estate development and other sectors.
This is expected to create more job avenues for the indigenous people but are the people ready to take advantage of the opportunities ahead?
The proximity of Abidjan, Lome, Ouagadougou and even Lagos to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is of high economic importance to the country, as at the moment, some business executives have started coming into the country with their helicopters.
This means that more business tycoons would be criss-crossing the sub-region and there would be the need for the local airline industry to position itself for good business. The country and the industry stand to benefit in terms of more jobs and revenue.
According to the Commercial Manager of City-Link, one of the local flight operators, Mr Sam Essel, they have taken proactive measures in readiness for the oil business boom about to hit the metropolis.
"I can assure you that the local industry would not be pushed off by any competitor. From the middle of this month, there will be a regular flight between Accra and Takoradi," he said.
"We are taking delivery of two new aircraft from South Africa, with a rich cream of pilots and who will undertake regular flights. The City-Link is regularly audited by corporate bodies that contracted us to operate charter flights across the coast of West Africa," he added.
He said the Takoradi Airport was ready and the airline would not leave anything to chance as regards the traffic that would be coming to Takoradi and the sub-region.
The air station at Takoradi is a military base for the Ghana Air Force but is also used by commercial aircraft.
At the moment the station has seen an improvement in its facilities, thanks to the just ended Ghana 2008 football tournament.
The location of the airport or the Air Force is very strategic to Ghana’s oil find because it would provide the landing base for aircraft bringing business executives who would want to invest in the oil industry.
Even though the Takoradi Airport is not that busy as expected, there are currently helicopter flights from Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to the airport, as well as local operators such as City-Link and Antrak Air, etc.
Friday, October 10, 2008
HOSPITALITY OPERATORS URGED TO SEEK COMFORT OF PATRONS (PAGE 29)
THE hospitality industry has been urged to position itself to cater for the comfort of their patrons in order that on their return to their countries of origin, they would carry good memories of their stay with them.
The Regional Chairperson of the Ghana Hotels Association, Mrs Francesca Addison, who made the call in Takoradi, said with the recent oil find and the influx of financial and other businesses to the metropolis, there was the need for the association to adopt new ways of doing things.
Mrs Addison told the Daily Graphic after the association’s meeting in the metropolis that the challenge for the hospitality industry was to provide more accommodation, as well as deliver quality service to their clients.
She said visitors to the facilities were looking for more than just a place to sleep, so hotels, guest houses and hostels had to ensure that their guests felt at home during their short stay.
Mrs Addison said the oil find, which was said to be in commercial quantities, was not just a normal business in the making, but rather a pregnant industry that would have a positive ripple effect on the economy and other sectors.
"There is the need for more hotels with quality services and facilities that will be needed by the business community, and we have to prepare for these opportunities," she said.
There are 45 members of the association at the metropolitan and regional levels.
"We are in discussion with some stakeholders to establish a hospitality school in the region to turn out qualified middle-level personnel to help keep standards in the industry."
She said one of the other areas that needed to be looked at was the various historical sites dotted in the metropolis and other parts of the region, which needed to be made more attractive by chronicling the rich history behind them to attract tourists at local and international levels.
The regional chairperson said to achieve that, there was the need for a strong collaboration between the regional administration and the traditional rulers.
She urged the government to commit itself more to the development of the tourism industry, which had been identified as one of the best in the country after cocoa and gold, in order to tap its full potential for the benefit of the country.
"It is our hope that the central government will continue helping the hospitality industry to bring development and create employment for the youth," she said.
Mrs Addison said although the sector was doing well, there were some challenges that it faced such as tax payments, marketing the industry and keeping the environment sound.
She said the industry was one of the greatest consumers of natural resources and its environmental impacts needed to be managed properly, especially where it impacted negatively on other stakeholders and sectors.
Stressing that the industry should not ignore environmental issues, Mrs Addison appealed to the government to assist it by instituting mechanisms for the recycling of its waste.
She also appealed to the revenue agencies to be patient with them as most of their services were not paid for off-hand.
She said some of the clients of the industry had to pay huge bills and could not pay off immediately. “We served them and later submit bills for settlement. Therefore, we are not deliberately delaying in payment of certain statutory taxes," she said.
The Regional Chairperson of the Ghana Hotels Association, Mrs Francesca Addison, who made the call in Takoradi, said with the recent oil find and the influx of financial and other businesses to the metropolis, there was the need for the association to adopt new ways of doing things.
Mrs Addison told the Daily Graphic after the association’s meeting in the metropolis that the challenge for the hospitality industry was to provide more accommodation, as well as deliver quality service to their clients.
She said visitors to the facilities were looking for more than just a place to sleep, so hotels, guest houses and hostels had to ensure that their guests felt at home during their short stay.
Mrs Addison said the oil find, which was said to be in commercial quantities, was not just a normal business in the making, but rather a pregnant industry that would have a positive ripple effect on the economy and other sectors.
"There is the need for more hotels with quality services and facilities that will be needed by the business community, and we have to prepare for these opportunities," she said.
There are 45 members of the association at the metropolitan and regional levels.
"We are in discussion with some stakeholders to establish a hospitality school in the region to turn out qualified middle-level personnel to help keep standards in the industry."
She said one of the other areas that needed to be looked at was the various historical sites dotted in the metropolis and other parts of the region, which needed to be made more attractive by chronicling the rich history behind them to attract tourists at local and international levels.
The regional chairperson said to achieve that, there was the need for a strong collaboration between the regional administration and the traditional rulers.
She urged the government to commit itself more to the development of the tourism industry, which had been identified as one of the best in the country after cocoa and gold, in order to tap its full potential for the benefit of the country.
"It is our hope that the central government will continue helping the hospitality industry to bring development and create employment for the youth," she said.
Mrs Addison said although the sector was doing well, there were some challenges that it faced such as tax payments, marketing the industry and keeping the environment sound.
She said the industry was one of the greatest consumers of natural resources and its environmental impacts needed to be managed properly, especially where it impacted negatively on other stakeholders and sectors.
Stressing that the industry should not ignore environmental issues, Mrs Addison appealed to the government to assist it by instituting mechanisms for the recycling of its waste.
She also appealed to the revenue agencies to be patient with them as most of their services were not paid for off-hand.
She said some of the clients of the industry had to pay huge bills and could not pay off immediately. “We served them and later submit bills for settlement. Therefore, we are not deliberately delaying in payment of certain statutory taxes," she said.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY LACKS SKILLED STAFF (PAGE 20)
THE National president of the Ghana Hotels Association, Nana Adjei Twinin, has deplored the growth in the hospitality industry in the country without a corresponding skilled manpower in the sector.
He said after decades of growth and expansion in the number of the facilities across the country, there was a yawning gap between the number of tourist facilities available and the right calibre of professional staff within the industry.
Nana Twinin was speaking at the second national executive committee meeting in Takoradi to discuss the challenges facing the industry and the way forward.
He said the last research by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) indicated that more than 60 per cent of the personnel in the tourism sector were untrained.
Nana Twinin said further that if the tourism sector would move from the third place to occupy the first position as the nation’s foreign exchange earner, then there was the need to provide training as well as employ the right calibre of people, reduce tax burdens and properly market the industry.
He added that the general lack of skills and competencies associated with the services being delivered at the operational levels in the industry was a fact that should not be ignored.
“Even though some proprietors are providing informal and in-house training to address the situation, the preference would be to have their personnel formally trained," Nana Twinin stressed.
He reminded players in the industry to remember that training or human resource development is at the heart of every successful business.
Nana Twinin stressed that for the tourism sector, which is considered as the third foreign exchange earner for the country after gold and cocoa, according to the 2008 economic policy statement, to thrive, there is the need for the players to be motivated.
The national president also observed that even though some training institutions had emerged, they were not equipped well enough to meet the needs of the industry.
To address the situation, he called for collaboration between the Ministries of Transportation and of Tourism and Diasporan Relations as well as players in the industry to ensure that the sector was positioned well to deliver.
Some of the participants who spoke to the Daily Graphic, also condemned the lack of trained personnel in the sector, adding that most of the establishments had employed people with little or no knowledge about the industry.
They expressed the hope that with the current position of the sector, the industry would employ the right kind of people to work.
He said after decades of growth and expansion in the number of the facilities across the country, there was a yawning gap between the number of tourist facilities available and the right calibre of professional staff within the industry.
Nana Twinin was speaking at the second national executive committee meeting in Takoradi to discuss the challenges facing the industry and the way forward.
He said the last research by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) indicated that more than 60 per cent of the personnel in the tourism sector were untrained.
Nana Twinin said further that if the tourism sector would move from the third place to occupy the first position as the nation’s foreign exchange earner, then there was the need to provide training as well as employ the right calibre of people, reduce tax burdens and properly market the industry.
He added that the general lack of skills and competencies associated with the services being delivered at the operational levels in the industry was a fact that should not be ignored.
“Even though some proprietors are providing informal and in-house training to address the situation, the preference would be to have their personnel formally trained," Nana Twinin stressed.
He reminded players in the industry to remember that training or human resource development is at the heart of every successful business.
Nana Twinin stressed that for the tourism sector, which is considered as the third foreign exchange earner for the country after gold and cocoa, according to the 2008 economic policy statement, to thrive, there is the need for the players to be motivated.
The national president also observed that even though some training institutions had emerged, they were not equipped well enough to meet the needs of the industry.
To address the situation, he called for collaboration between the Ministries of Transportation and of Tourism and Diasporan Relations as well as players in the industry to ensure that the sector was positioned well to deliver.
Some of the participants who spoke to the Daily Graphic, also condemned the lack of trained personnel in the sector, adding that most of the establishments had employed people with little or no knowledge about the industry.
They expressed the hope that with the current position of the sector, the industry would employ the right kind of people to work.
GAF READY TO PROVIDE SECURTY AT CAPE THREE POINTS (PAGE 31)
A workshop to repair 300,000 water meters in the southern sector of the country has been reactivated by Aqua Vitens Rands Ltd (AVRL) as a way of eliminating waste in the water delivery system.
This is part of measures adopted by the management of the company to ensure efficiency and make potable water available to majority of the people in the urban areas.
The Managing Director of AVRL, Mr Andrew Barber, said six out of every 10 of its customers had meters and added that the exercise would continue till all properties were covered.
He said another consignment of 5,000 meters had been ordered from abroad to meet the expansion programme of the Ghana Water Company Ltd.
Mr Barber said as soon as funds were available, the company would order more meters to ensure that all areas that required metering had them.
He said as a means of improving efficiency, a call office and Geological Information Systems would soon be set up to ensure that the distribution of water in the country improved, both in quality and quantity.
The Chairman of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, said the reactivation of the meter workshop had demonstrated the company’s commitment to efficiency and waste reduction in the system.
He appealed to customers to take good care of government property on their premises to ensure that it lasted longer.
The Meter Workshop Manager, Mr Noble Bediako, said the country had been divided into two zones to enable the repair works to be carried out as soon as faults were detected.
He said the southern sector workshop, based in Accra, would cater for the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Western and Central regions, where there was a large concentration of the meters.
Mr Bediako said the northern sector would have its meters repaired at the meter workshop in Kumasi to enable the company to maximise the utilisation of its resources.
This is part of measures adopted by the management of the company to ensure efficiency and make potable water available to majority of the people in the urban areas.
The Managing Director of AVRL, Mr Andrew Barber, said six out of every 10 of its customers had meters and added that the exercise would continue till all properties were covered.
He said another consignment of 5,000 meters had been ordered from abroad to meet the expansion programme of the Ghana Water Company Ltd.
Mr Barber said as soon as funds were available, the company would order more meters to ensure that all areas that required metering had them.
He said as a means of improving efficiency, a call office and Geological Information Systems would soon be set up to ensure that the distribution of water in the country improved, both in quality and quantity.
The Chairman of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, said the reactivation of the meter workshop had demonstrated the company’s commitment to efficiency and waste reduction in the system.
He appealed to customers to take good care of government property on their premises to ensure that it lasted longer.
The Meter Workshop Manager, Mr Noble Bediako, said the country had been divided into two zones to enable the repair works to be carried out as soon as faults were detected.
He said the southern sector workshop, based in Accra, would cater for the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Western and Central regions, where there was a large concentration of the meters.
Mr Bediako said the northern sector would have its meters repaired at the meter workshop in Kumasi to enable the company to maximise the utilisation of its resources.
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