The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has assured cocoa farmers in his constituency that the rehabilitation of roads linking them to buying centres in the Ellembelle District will begin soon.
He said the northern part of his constituency was a major cocoa-producing area but it had very bad roads which made access to buying centres difficult.
Mr Buah said during the campaign tour in 2008, they came face to face with the trauma cocoa farmers had to go through in their quest to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
“Upon resumption of office a team from the sector ministry has visited the areas to evaluate the situation and work will soon begin”, he said.
The MP said besides rehabilitation of the bad roads in the constituency to ensure that cocoa and foodstuffs were transported to the market centres, it would also help them access health care in the communities.
Mr Buah revealed that his visit to the communities in the northern part of the Ellembelle Constituency, made it clear that the people had been cut off completely.
“They have no access to things that would make life comfortable for them, but I can assure them that the government has a plan for the farmers”, he said.
Mr Buah, who is also the Deputy Energy Minister, said it would be a great disservice to the people who voted for him to become an MP if he neglected them.
“I have dedicated myself to the people, and will engage the youth, give them hope and encourage them to take personal steps to improve on their living standards”, he stated.
He said at the moment, electricity supply had been upgraded from a single to three phases and extended to many communities.
The MP explained that as MPs they were not development agents but they could work to improve the lives of the people.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
MORE TULLOW CONTRACTS FOR LOCALS (PAGE 51, SEPT 30, 2010)
TULLOW Ghana has, within the last 20 months, awarded $154.7 million worth of contracts to local contractors and service providers for the offshore Jubilee and Deep Tano projects.
According to the Communications Manager of Tullow, Mr Gayheart Edem Mensah, out of a total contract value of $246.2 million awarded during the period, foreign companies had only $91.5 million.
He said in absolute terms, 1,282 out of a total of 1,591 contracts that Tullow Ghana awarded during the period went to local contractors and 309 to foreign contractors.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Mensah said this year alone, 655 contracts valued at $103 million had been awarded to local contractors, compared to 135 valued at $8.8 million, awarded to foreign companies.
He said Tullow was committed to local enterprise to ensure local participation, which would ensure the growth of the country.
“Tullow Ghana remains fully committed to promoting local content in all areas of its operations. This is in line with the company’s long-term plans to be in Ghana for the long haul,” he said.
He said it was important to note that Tullow would offer the needed support to local service providers to bring them up to the standard desired by the oil industry.
Mr Mensah said to actualise its move to equip local companies, Tullow was organising workshops and training sessions on business development and environmental health and safety for suppliers whose capacities were not up to the expected standard.
He said Tullow had the prerogative to subscribe to any standards and processes that, in its view, protected life and property at its work sites to enhanced performance.
According to the Communications Manager of Tullow, Mr Gayheart Edem Mensah, out of a total contract value of $246.2 million awarded during the period, foreign companies had only $91.5 million.
He said in absolute terms, 1,282 out of a total of 1,591 contracts that Tullow Ghana awarded during the period went to local contractors and 309 to foreign contractors.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Mensah said this year alone, 655 contracts valued at $103 million had been awarded to local contractors, compared to 135 valued at $8.8 million, awarded to foreign companies.
He said Tullow was committed to local enterprise to ensure local participation, which would ensure the growth of the country.
“Tullow Ghana remains fully committed to promoting local content in all areas of its operations. This is in line with the company’s long-term plans to be in Ghana for the long haul,” he said.
He said it was important to note that Tullow would offer the needed support to local service providers to bring them up to the standard desired by the oil industry.
Mr Mensah said to actualise its move to equip local companies, Tullow was organising workshops and training sessions on business development and environmental health and safety for suppliers whose capacities were not up to the expected standard.
He said Tullow had the prerogative to subscribe to any standards and processes that, in its view, protected life and property at its work sites to enhanced performance.
Monday, September 27, 2010
GAS AT LAST ... West African gas Project on main stream (Lead Story)
The long-awaited plan of the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO) to supply gas to the Volta River Authority (VRA) through an alternative delivery point in Tema finally came on stream yesterday with the delivery of 60 million British thermal units (mmbtu) of free flow gas to the authority for power generation.
The VRA has concluded arrangement with the NGAS, marketers of WAPCO, to supply 35 million thermal units of gas out of the delivery to the Asogli Power Plant, which was completed a year ago but has remained idle because of lack of gas.
With the gas now flowing, the Asogli Power Plant will be able to generate 180 megawatts of energy to complement that of the VRA.
The acting Head of Public Relations of the VRA, Ms Bellona Gerard, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the supply of gas to the VRA generating plants in Tema meant that the authority would now be able to generate energy to meet total local demand and also take care of any technical emergencies and scheduled maintenance operations.
Until the delivery of gas to an alternative point in Tema, gas supplies were channelled directly to the authority's plants in Takoradi, which depend on gas and fuel for combustion and energy generation.
Currently, the national energy demand is 1,500 megawatts but the VRA is generating 1,650 megawatts while the Asogli Power Plant will provide additional 180 megawatts to bring the national total to 1830 megawatts.
The supply of gas to the VRA will be increased to 120 million standard cubic feet of compressed gas by the end of the year.
According to Mrs Harriet Wereko Brobby, Head of Corporate Affairs of the WAPCO, the increase in gas supply to the VRA would be made possible after the completion of the company's compressor station in Nigeria by the end of the year.
She explained that the WAPCO began firing gas to Ghana last year but was suspended because of technical hitches.
She said the company reactivated its supplies to the VRA in March, 2010 and indicated that the supply to an alternative delivery point in Tema, which was accomplished yesterday, meant that the VRA had been able to convert its equipment to use gas and other energy forms.
Meanwhile, the generating unit of the VRA, Aboadze Thermal Plant, which exploded last July, has resumed full operations after the replacement of the burnt transformer at a cost of $2 million.
The explosion of the generating plant affected the output of the VRA by 110 megawatts.
Two plants of the generating unit, which depended on crude oil, have now been switched to the use of gas from WAPCO to reduce operational cost.
VRA, Aboadze and its sister company, Takoradi International Company (TICO), contribute a total of 550 megawatts to the country's energy needs.
The Director, Thermal Generation of VRA, Mr Richard Badger, told the Daily Graphic that currently all the units were available and had recovered the 110 megawatts of energy which were lost as a result of the explosion.
He said after the incident last month, officials of the plant conducted thorough examination of the remaining units to ensure that the systems were in perfect condition.
The VRA has concluded arrangement with the NGAS, marketers of WAPCO, to supply 35 million thermal units of gas out of the delivery to the Asogli Power Plant, which was completed a year ago but has remained idle because of lack of gas.
With the gas now flowing, the Asogli Power Plant will be able to generate 180 megawatts of energy to complement that of the VRA.
The acting Head of Public Relations of the VRA, Ms Bellona Gerard, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the supply of gas to the VRA generating plants in Tema meant that the authority would now be able to generate energy to meet total local demand and also take care of any technical emergencies and scheduled maintenance operations.
Until the delivery of gas to an alternative point in Tema, gas supplies were channelled directly to the authority's plants in Takoradi, which depend on gas and fuel for combustion and energy generation.
Currently, the national energy demand is 1,500 megawatts but the VRA is generating 1,650 megawatts while the Asogli Power Plant will provide additional 180 megawatts to bring the national total to 1830 megawatts.
The supply of gas to the VRA will be increased to 120 million standard cubic feet of compressed gas by the end of the year.
According to Mrs Harriet Wereko Brobby, Head of Corporate Affairs of the WAPCO, the increase in gas supply to the VRA would be made possible after the completion of the company's compressor station in Nigeria by the end of the year.
She explained that the WAPCO began firing gas to Ghana last year but was suspended because of technical hitches.
She said the company reactivated its supplies to the VRA in March, 2010 and indicated that the supply to an alternative delivery point in Tema, which was accomplished yesterday, meant that the VRA had been able to convert its equipment to use gas and other energy forms.
Meanwhile, the generating unit of the VRA, Aboadze Thermal Plant, which exploded last July, has resumed full operations after the replacement of the burnt transformer at a cost of $2 million.
The explosion of the generating plant affected the output of the VRA by 110 megawatts.
Two plants of the generating unit, which depended on crude oil, have now been switched to the use of gas from WAPCO to reduce operational cost.
VRA, Aboadze and its sister company, Takoradi International Company (TICO), contribute a total of 550 megawatts to the country's energy needs.
The Director, Thermal Generation of VRA, Mr Richard Badger, told the Daily Graphic that currently all the units were available and had recovered the 110 megawatts of energy which were lost as a result of the explosion.
He said after the incident last month, officials of the plant conducted thorough examination of the remaining units to ensure that the systems were in perfect condition.
GAS AT LAST...West African project on stream (LEAD STORY, AUGUST 18, 2010)
THE long-awaited plan of the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO) to supply gas to the Volta River Authority (VRA) through an alternative delivery point in Tema finally came on stream yesterday with the delivery of 60 million British thermal units (mmbtu) of free flow gas to the authority for power generation.
The VRA has concluded arrangement with the NGAS, marketers of WAPCO, to supply 35 million thermal units of gas out of the delivery to the Asogli Power Plant, which was completed a year ago but has remained idle because of lack of gas.
With the gas now flowing, the Asogli Power Plant will be able to generate 180 megawatts of energy to complement that of the VRA.
The acting Head of Public Relations of the VRA, Ms Bellona Gerard, told the Daily Graphic in Accra today that the supply of gas to the VRA generating plants in Tema meant that the authority would now be able to generate energy to meet total local demand and also take care of any technical emergencies and scheduled maintenance operations.
Until the delivery of gas to an alternative point in Tema, gas supplies were channelled directly to the authority’s plants in Takoradi, which depend on gas and fuel for combustion and energy generation.
Currently, the national energy demand is 1,500 megawatts but the VRA is generating 1,650 megawatts while the Asogli Power Plant will provide additional 180 megawatts to bring the national total to 1830 megawatts.
The supply of gas to the VRA will be increased to 120 million standard cubit feet of compressed gas by the end of the year.
According to Mrs Harriet Wereko Brobby, Head of Corporate Affairs of the WAPCO, the increase in gas supply to the VRA would be made possible after the completion of the company’s compressor station in Nigeria by the end of the year.
She explained that the WAPCO began firing gas to Ghana last year but was suspended because of technical hitches.
She said the company reactivated its supplies to the VRA in March, 2010 and indicated that the supply to an alternative delivery point in Tema, which was accomplished today, meant that the VRA had been able to convert its equipment to use gas and other energy forms.
Meanwhile, the generating unit of the VRA, Aboadze Thermal Plant, which exploded last July, has resumed full operations after the replacement of the burnt transformer at a cost of $2 million.
The explosion of the generating plant affected the output of the VRA by 110 megawatts.
Two plants of the generating unit, which depended on crude oil, have now been switched to the use of gas from WAPCO to reduce operational cost.
VRA, Aboadze and its sister company, Takoradi International Company (TICO), contribute a total of 550 megawatts to the country’s energy needs.
The Director, Thermal Generation of VRA, Mr Richard Badger, told the Daily Graphic that currently all the units were available and had recovered the 110 megawatts of energy which were lost as a result of the explosion.
He said after the incident last month, officials of the plant conducted thorough examination of the remaining units to ensure that the systems were in perfect condition.
The VRA has concluded arrangement with the NGAS, marketers of WAPCO, to supply 35 million thermal units of gas out of the delivery to the Asogli Power Plant, which was completed a year ago but has remained idle because of lack of gas.
With the gas now flowing, the Asogli Power Plant will be able to generate 180 megawatts of energy to complement that of the VRA.
The acting Head of Public Relations of the VRA, Ms Bellona Gerard, told the Daily Graphic in Accra today that the supply of gas to the VRA generating plants in Tema meant that the authority would now be able to generate energy to meet total local demand and also take care of any technical emergencies and scheduled maintenance operations.
Until the delivery of gas to an alternative point in Tema, gas supplies were channelled directly to the authority’s plants in Takoradi, which depend on gas and fuel for combustion and energy generation.
Currently, the national energy demand is 1,500 megawatts but the VRA is generating 1,650 megawatts while the Asogli Power Plant will provide additional 180 megawatts to bring the national total to 1830 megawatts.
The supply of gas to the VRA will be increased to 120 million standard cubit feet of compressed gas by the end of the year.
According to Mrs Harriet Wereko Brobby, Head of Corporate Affairs of the WAPCO, the increase in gas supply to the VRA would be made possible after the completion of the company’s compressor station in Nigeria by the end of the year.
She explained that the WAPCO began firing gas to Ghana last year but was suspended because of technical hitches.
She said the company reactivated its supplies to the VRA in March, 2010 and indicated that the supply to an alternative delivery point in Tema, which was accomplished today, meant that the VRA had been able to convert its equipment to use gas and other energy forms.
Meanwhile, the generating unit of the VRA, Aboadze Thermal Plant, which exploded last July, has resumed full operations after the replacement of the burnt transformer at a cost of $2 million.
The explosion of the generating plant affected the output of the VRA by 110 megawatts.
Two plants of the generating unit, which depended on crude oil, have now been switched to the use of gas from WAPCO to reduce operational cost.
VRA, Aboadze and its sister company, Takoradi International Company (TICO), contribute a total of 550 megawatts to the country’s energy needs.
The Director, Thermal Generation of VRA, Mr Richard Badger, told the Daily Graphic that currently all the units were available and had recovered the 110 megawatts of energy which were lost as a result of the explosion.
He said after the incident last month, officials of the plant conducted thorough examination of the remaining units to ensure that the systems were in perfect condition.
TRAGIC END...Fisherman drowns on expedition (MIRROR, LEAD STORY, AUGUST 21, 2010)
From Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Takoradi
what could have passed as a normal fishing expedition by a young fisherman in New Takoradi turned tragic when he fell off his boat and drowned due to high currents.
According to the police, the body of the deceased, Egya Amoasi 21, who went to fishing with his peers in separate boats, had been retrieved after three days underwater.
The police said the deceased and his colleagues had anchored their boats and were fishing with hook and line. Amoasi’s friends returned home the following day without him.
The police said the chief and other opinion leaders dispatched some people to search for him, but they only found his boat anchored.
They looked round and could not trace him but suspected he might have drowned. They sent his boat to the shore and reported to the chief that he was still missing.
After a long fruitless wait for his body to be washed ashore, the elders poured libation and asked the gods to search and release him. His body was found after three days in a state of decomposition.
The body has since been deposited at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital pending autopsy while the Takoradi Central Police continue their investigations.
According to the police the practice of fishing with hook and line was common in the New Takoradi Fishing community where people use smaller boats, hook and line for fishing and that the catch from such expeditions were very expensive.
what could have passed as a normal fishing expedition by a young fisherman in New Takoradi turned tragic when he fell off his boat and drowned due to high currents.
According to the police, the body of the deceased, Egya Amoasi 21, who went to fishing with his peers in separate boats, had been retrieved after three days underwater.
The police said the deceased and his colleagues had anchored their boats and were fishing with hook and line. Amoasi’s friends returned home the following day without him.
The police said the chief and other opinion leaders dispatched some people to search for him, but they only found his boat anchored.
They looked round and could not trace him but suspected he might have drowned. They sent his boat to the shore and reported to the chief that he was still missing.
After a long fruitless wait for his body to be washed ashore, the elders poured libation and asked the gods to search and release him. His body was found after three days in a state of decomposition.
The body has since been deposited at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital pending autopsy while the Takoradi Central Police continue their investigations.
According to the police the practice of fishing with hook and line was common in the New Takoradi Fishing community where people use smaller boats, hook and line for fishing and that the catch from such expeditions were very expensive.
DOCTOR-PATIENT RATIO IN WR ALARMING (PAGE 43, AUGUST 23, 2010)
THE doctor-patient ratio in the Western Region is alarming, a situation which puts pressure on the doctors manning more than 357 health facilities in the region.
According to the ratio, one doctor is responsible for 33,000 patients.
As a result, some patients, who attend health facilities, join queues and those who are unable to see doctors, have to return home without being attended to.
The region with a population of about 1.9 million, has only 68 doctors and 1,210 nurses, making it very difficult for them to provide the needed healthcare for the people in the region.
Some doctors also refuse posting to communities in the districts since there are limited opportunities for them to make additional money by working as part time doctors or undertaking other private activities.
The situation compels doctors in the districts to work for 24 hours daily, seven days in a week.
Some of the health facilities in the region are without doctors.
In his presentation, when he took his turn at the regional “meet the press” in Takoradi, the Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo deplored the situation and said the government would do everything possible to improve on it.
Other factors identified among the main problems affecting quality health delivery were lack of accommodation to attract doctors and nurses and lack of improved infrastructure at various government health centres in the region.
The regional minister said the health of the people was among the top priorities of the government, adding that the government had received a loan from the Chinese Government for the construction of a well-equipped regional hospital.
Mr Aidoo said other major projects the government started last year included the construction of a modern hospital at Tarkwa at a cost of GH¢16.5 million, adding that about 50 per cent of work on it had been completed.
He said a new GH¢15 million health centre at Dadieso had also been completed.
Mr Aidoo stated that the regional health directorate took delivery of four Pick-up vehicles, 27 saloon cars, 400 motorbikes and medical equipment to boost health service delivery in the region.
He observed that the region had made significant progress in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the region as about 70 per cent outpatients who attended the health facilities in the region were insured.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, commended the people in the region for their commitment to the development of the region.
Heads of departments, municipal, metropolitan and district chief executives, as well as traditional rulers across the region, attended the function.
According to the ratio, one doctor is responsible for 33,000 patients.
As a result, some patients, who attend health facilities, join queues and those who are unable to see doctors, have to return home without being attended to.
The region with a population of about 1.9 million, has only 68 doctors and 1,210 nurses, making it very difficult for them to provide the needed healthcare for the people in the region.
Some doctors also refuse posting to communities in the districts since there are limited opportunities for them to make additional money by working as part time doctors or undertaking other private activities.
The situation compels doctors in the districts to work for 24 hours daily, seven days in a week.
Some of the health facilities in the region are without doctors.
In his presentation, when he took his turn at the regional “meet the press” in Takoradi, the Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo deplored the situation and said the government would do everything possible to improve on it.
Other factors identified among the main problems affecting quality health delivery were lack of accommodation to attract doctors and nurses and lack of improved infrastructure at various government health centres in the region.
The regional minister said the health of the people was among the top priorities of the government, adding that the government had received a loan from the Chinese Government for the construction of a well-equipped regional hospital.
Mr Aidoo said other major projects the government started last year included the construction of a modern hospital at Tarkwa at a cost of GH¢16.5 million, adding that about 50 per cent of work on it had been completed.
He said a new GH¢15 million health centre at Dadieso had also been completed.
Mr Aidoo stated that the regional health directorate took delivery of four Pick-up vehicles, 27 saloon cars, 400 motorbikes and medical equipment to boost health service delivery in the region.
He observed that the region had made significant progress in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the region as about 70 per cent outpatients who attended the health facilities in the region were insured.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu, commended the people in the region for their commitment to the development of the region.
Heads of departments, municipal, metropolitan and district chief executives, as well as traditional rulers across the region, attended the function.
TULLOW, PATNERS ASSURE WORKERS OF INSURANCE COVER (PAGE 29, AUGUST 24, 2010)
TULLOW Ghana Limited and its Jubilee Partners have given assurance to all offshore workers of adequate insurance cover to take care of possible emergencies.
The assurance comes against the backdrop of a request made by some Ghanaian crew members working on the Deep Water Block for the Jubilee Partners to be updated on issues of compensation in case of injury.
Mr Gayheart Mensah, Communications Manager of Tullow Ghana, said “we are fully aware that the drilling and production environment is a potentially dangerous place to work, and much as we try to follow the requirements for safety, we also deserve the right to be briefed periodically.”
He said partners in the Jubilee Project had assured the workers that they were aware of their contributions to ensure the success of the Jubilee Phase I project, as the country prepared to be counted among the community of oil producing nations.
According to the Jubilee partners, they would not allow any contracted third party agency to bend the rules and place its employees in a disadvantaged position.
The offshore crew members were assured that all third party companies contracted to provide rig labour or other services for the Jubilee operations were required to have an adequate workman compensation plan for each crew member before the commencement of its services.
Recently a crew member, Prosper Kone, an employee of Menergy, which is a local company that provides rig labour, sustained injury in the course of work. He was immediately evacuated in an air ambulance to Takoradi and then to the 37 Military Hospital for initial medical attention.
The Jubilee Partners said safety and good working conditions for the staff and crew were not negotiable and not limited to any category of people but applied to all personnel on the project site and facilities.
Aside the adequate insurance cover, there were also two standby well-equipped medical facilities in Takoradi operated by the International SOS and the West African Rescue Association to give the best medical care in case of injury.
The partners remained confident of producing first oil in the last quarter of this year. Following the signing of three offshore licences in 2006, Tullow has made three field discoveries in Ghana to date.
The assurance comes against the backdrop of a request made by some Ghanaian crew members working on the Deep Water Block for the Jubilee Partners to be updated on issues of compensation in case of injury.
Mr Gayheart Mensah, Communications Manager of Tullow Ghana, said “we are fully aware that the drilling and production environment is a potentially dangerous place to work, and much as we try to follow the requirements for safety, we also deserve the right to be briefed periodically.”
He said partners in the Jubilee Project had assured the workers that they were aware of their contributions to ensure the success of the Jubilee Phase I project, as the country prepared to be counted among the community of oil producing nations.
According to the Jubilee partners, they would not allow any contracted third party agency to bend the rules and place its employees in a disadvantaged position.
The offshore crew members were assured that all third party companies contracted to provide rig labour or other services for the Jubilee operations were required to have an adequate workman compensation plan for each crew member before the commencement of its services.
Recently a crew member, Prosper Kone, an employee of Menergy, which is a local company that provides rig labour, sustained injury in the course of work. He was immediately evacuated in an air ambulance to Takoradi and then to the 37 Military Hospital for initial medical attention.
The Jubilee Partners said safety and good working conditions for the staff and crew were not negotiable and not limited to any category of people but applied to all personnel on the project site and facilities.
Aside the adequate insurance cover, there were also two standby well-equipped medical facilities in Takoradi operated by the International SOS and the West African Rescue Association to give the best medical care in case of injury.
The partners remained confident of producing first oil in the last quarter of this year. Following the signing of three offshore licences in 2006, Tullow has made three field discoveries in Ghana to date.
CAL BANK ASSISTS ORPHANAGE (SPREAD, AUGUST 24, 2010)
National Service persons attached to Cal Bank in the Takoradi/Sekondi metropolis have presented items valued at GH¢7,000 to Egyam Orphanage Foundation in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
The items include three desktop computers, bags of rice, plates, cooking oil, laundry soaps, tinned tomatoes, fish, stationery and biscuits.
Others are soya milk, sugar, soft drinks, insecticides, detergents, laundry baskets, plastic chairs, toothpaste, aluminium and plastic bowls and ice chest.
The orphanage, established on December 27, 2007 with initial 32 children to help the less privileged in society, now has 51 children comprising 32 boys and 19 girls.
After the presentation, the persons interacted with inmates at the orphanage and encouraged them to aspire to become responsible citizens in future.
The Director of Human Resource at Cal Bank, Mr Samuel Boafo, said the focus was to reach out to the less privileged in the communities within the catchment area of the bank.
Receiving the items, the Administrator of the orphanage, Mr Daniel Payne, thanked the service persons and the bank, as well as other donors, for the support.
Later, the service persons went on a float through the principal streets of the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis to educate people on the importance of blood donation and afterwards donated blood to the Blood Bank of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
The items include three desktop computers, bags of rice, plates, cooking oil, laundry soaps, tinned tomatoes, fish, stationery and biscuits.
Others are soya milk, sugar, soft drinks, insecticides, detergents, laundry baskets, plastic chairs, toothpaste, aluminium and plastic bowls and ice chest.
The orphanage, established on December 27, 2007 with initial 32 children to help the less privileged in society, now has 51 children comprising 32 boys and 19 girls.
After the presentation, the persons interacted with inmates at the orphanage and encouraged them to aspire to become responsible citizens in future.
The Director of Human Resource at Cal Bank, Mr Samuel Boafo, said the focus was to reach out to the less privileged in the communities within the catchment area of the bank.
Receiving the items, the Administrator of the orphanage, Mr Daniel Payne, thanked the service persons and the bank, as well as other donors, for the support.
Later, the service persons went on a float through the principal streets of the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis to educate people on the importance of blood donation and afterwards donated blood to the Blood Bank of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
FAKE NOTES: COP GRABBED (1C, AUGUST 26, 2010)
Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Sekondi
A bold and vigilant taxi driver in Takoradi, last Monday, caused the arrest of a policeman, who was alleged to be possessing fake currency notes.
The policeman, L/Cpl. Kyei Baah, who was then in mufti, was alleged to have used part of the fake notes to pay his taxi fare.
Sensing something fishy, the driver (name withheld), was said to have confronted the policeman, who then took to his heels.
According to the police, the taxi driver raised an alarm and Kyei Baah, attached to the Port Police, was given a chase and arrested.
He was then escorted to the Rapid Deployment Force Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Takoradi, where he was confirmed to be a policeman.
When he was later searched, GH¢50.00 in GH¢10.00 denominations and GH¢8.00 in GH¢1.00 denominations with the same serial numbers were found on him.
Kyei Baah told the police during interrogation that he boarded a taxi the previous day and gave the driver GH¢50.00, which he (the driver) changed into GH¢10 denomination from another taxi driver.
The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, confirmed the story and said the suspect had been interdicted pending investigations.
A bold and vigilant taxi driver in Takoradi, last Monday, caused the arrest of a policeman, who was alleged to be possessing fake currency notes.
The policeman, L/Cpl. Kyei Baah, who was then in mufti, was alleged to have used part of the fake notes to pay his taxi fare.
Sensing something fishy, the driver (name withheld), was said to have confronted the policeman, who then took to his heels.
According to the police, the taxi driver raised an alarm and Kyei Baah, attached to the Port Police, was given a chase and arrested.
He was then escorted to the Rapid Deployment Force Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Takoradi, where he was confirmed to be a policeman.
When he was later searched, GH¢50.00 in GH¢10.00 denominations and GH¢8.00 in GH¢1.00 denominations with the same serial numbers were found on him.
Kyei Baah told the police during interrogation that he boarded a taxi the previous day and gave the driver GH¢50.00, which he (the driver) changed into GH¢10 denomination from another taxi driver.
The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, confirmed the story and said the suspect had been interdicted pending investigations.
CID OFFICERS UNHAPPY OVER CLOTHING ALLOWANCE (PAGE 19, AUGUST 28, 2010)
MEMBERS of the Criminal Investigations Departments (CID) of the Ghana Police Service have expressed reservations about what they described as ‘a drastic reduction in their clothing allowance’ under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
They expressed surprise at the slash in their clothing allowance from last month’s high figure when they were first paid with the new scheme.
They accused the implementers of the scheme of cutting their allowance by more than 150 per cent on their payslips this month (August), with no explanation from the headquarters.
However, a source at the national headquarters of the Ghana Police Service in Accra told the Daily Graphic that the cut became necessary when it was realised that with the introduction of the SSSS, staff at the CID unit were taking far more than their colleagues, with the director of CID earning more than the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The Daily Graphic got hold of some of the payslips before and after the SSSS; those in the inspectorate rank were taking GH¢85.53 for clothing. After the introduction of the single spine, the clothing for the inspectorate rank was increased to GH¢260.89.
“But we were surprised that in the month of August, it has been reduced from GH¢260.89 to GH¢86.96 which is only GH¢1.43p more than before without explanation,” they said.
They said those in the rank of superintendent were taking about GH¢360 for clothing but had been reduced to GH¢150.00, which is only about GH¢2 higher than the previous amount before the introduction of the single spine.
A constable in the service before the single spine got GH¢45.00 but after the introduction in July it went up to GH¢170.00 but decreased again to GH¢58.00 this month.
The source at the police headquarters in Accra said after the computation of the much publicised single spine salary structure, the salary of staff at the CID directorate went up and the salary of the director CID, for example, was allegedly higher than that of the IGP.
It said that prompted the action to slash the clothing allowance of the staff at the CID department.A check at various CID offices in the region confirmed the slash but the staff would not openly comment, indicating that they would rather have wished the situation was explained to them before the action was taken.
They expressed surprise at the slash in their clothing allowance from last month’s high figure when they were first paid with the new scheme.
They accused the implementers of the scheme of cutting their allowance by more than 150 per cent on their payslips this month (August), with no explanation from the headquarters.
However, a source at the national headquarters of the Ghana Police Service in Accra told the Daily Graphic that the cut became necessary when it was realised that with the introduction of the SSSS, staff at the CID unit were taking far more than their colleagues, with the director of CID earning more than the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The Daily Graphic got hold of some of the payslips before and after the SSSS; those in the inspectorate rank were taking GH¢85.53 for clothing. After the introduction of the single spine, the clothing for the inspectorate rank was increased to GH¢260.89.
“But we were surprised that in the month of August, it has been reduced from GH¢260.89 to GH¢86.96 which is only GH¢1.43p more than before without explanation,” they said.
They said those in the rank of superintendent were taking about GH¢360 for clothing but had been reduced to GH¢150.00, which is only about GH¢2 higher than the previous amount before the introduction of the single spine.
A constable in the service before the single spine got GH¢45.00 but after the introduction in July it went up to GH¢170.00 but decreased again to GH¢58.00 this month.
The source at the police headquarters in Accra said after the computation of the much publicised single spine salary structure, the salary of staff at the CID directorate went up and the salary of the director CID, for example, was allegedly higher than that of the IGP.
It said that prompted the action to slash the clothing allowance of the staff at the CID department.A check at various CID offices in the region confirmed the slash but the staff would not openly comment, indicating that they would rather have wished the situation was explained to them before the action was taken.
TULLOW GHANA AVOIDS LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS...GOSPA alleges (PAGE 46, SEPT 23, 2010)
THE local content and participation in the country’s petroleum industry policy has come under threat, following attempts by Tullow Oil, developers of the Jubilee Oil Field, and its partners to sideline local companies from rendering services in the sector, domestic participants in the oil and gas industry have alleged.
According to the Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOSPA), Tullow Ghana has deliberately attempted to kill local businesses rendering services to the offshore oil companies.
They alleged for instance that services that local doctors provided for GH¢100 per patient had been taken over from them and awarded to two expatriate medical service providers at a higher cost of GH¢1,102.50 per patient.
Besides that, GOSPA said, to become a member of the recommended medical facilities, one had to pay a membership fee ranging between $5,000 and $10,000, a situation it described as unacceptable.
According to the President of the association, Mr W. K. Agbesinyale, Tullow Ghana has directed that all medical screening for offshore travel should be done by only International SOS and West African Rescue Association (WARA), contrary to the directives of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Ghana Maritime Authority had before the discovery and drilling in 2007 certified Dr Linda Vanotoo in Takoradi, Dr Maame Pokuah Amo-Addae of Shama, Dr Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah of Ridge Hospital, Dr Felix Kwabena Frimpong, Dr Nii Anum Aryeh of Port Medical Centre, Tema and Dr Bentel Emmanuel Tawiah of Solaees Hospital Community 12, Tema as the only physicians who could undertake this kind of screening for maritime work.
A letter from Tullow dated May, 2010, with Document Number TGJ-EHS-POL-04-000 and signed by four of its top officials designated WARA and International SOS in Accra and Takoradi as official medical certification providers in Ghana.
The local practitioners said they did not have a problem with who Tullow decided to contract to provide service, but doing so at an expensive rate for the same quality and depth of service was unacceptable and smacked of deliberately pushing out Ghanaian service providers out of the industry.
The medical doctors also contested the justification for charging up to GH¢1,100 for fitness screening and described it as unacceptable.
The doctors were of the view that if Tullow was the direct employers of the crew that went offshore, it had every right to take them to the expensive facilities such WARA and SOS, but since the crewing of the rig was done by third party companies, the crew should be allowed to be sent to thefacilities approved by the Regional Maritime Authorit
According to the Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOSPA), Tullow Ghana has deliberately attempted to kill local businesses rendering services to the offshore oil companies.
They alleged for instance that services that local doctors provided for GH¢100 per patient had been taken over from them and awarded to two expatriate medical service providers at a higher cost of GH¢1,102.50 per patient.
Besides that, GOSPA said, to become a member of the recommended medical facilities, one had to pay a membership fee ranging between $5,000 and $10,000, a situation it described as unacceptable.
According to the President of the association, Mr W. K. Agbesinyale, Tullow Ghana has directed that all medical screening for offshore travel should be done by only International SOS and West African Rescue Association (WARA), contrary to the directives of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Ghana Maritime Authority had before the discovery and drilling in 2007 certified Dr Linda Vanotoo in Takoradi, Dr Maame Pokuah Amo-Addae of Shama, Dr Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah of Ridge Hospital, Dr Felix Kwabena Frimpong, Dr Nii Anum Aryeh of Port Medical Centre, Tema and Dr Bentel Emmanuel Tawiah of Solaees Hospital Community 12, Tema as the only physicians who could undertake this kind of screening for maritime work.
A letter from Tullow dated May, 2010, with Document Number TGJ-EHS-POL-04-000 and signed by four of its top officials designated WARA and International SOS in Accra and Takoradi as official medical certification providers in Ghana.
The local practitioners said they did not have a problem with who Tullow decided to contract to provide service, but doing so at an expensive rate for the same quality and depth of service was unacceptable and smacked of deliberately pushing out Ghanaian service providers out of the industry.
The medical doctors also contested the justification for charging up to GH¢1,100 for fitness screening and described it as unacceptable.
The doctors were of the view that if Tullow was the direct employers of the crew that went offshore, it had every right to take them to the expensive facilities such WARA and SOS, but since the crewing of the rig was done by third party companies, the crew should be allowed to be sent to thefacilities approved by the Regional Maritime Authorit
FIRE DESTROYS HOUSES, SHOPS AT ELUBO (SPREAD, SEPT 23, 2010)
More than 400 properties comprising houses, shops and goods worth millions of Ghana cedis were yesterday consumed by fire at Elubo in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
An unconfirmed report indicated that a four-year-old child who was asleep in a shop also got burnt beyond recognition.
The situation nearly turned nasty as the youth of the town went on the rampage attacking the police who were clearing the street for the fire engines to move to the scene of the fire.
The youth chanted and vented their anger on the police and the firemen, saying, “After the fire had razed the town to the ground the fire service is now arriving, what are they coming to do? We don’t need them.”
Items such as wax prints, shoes, personal belongings, hundreds of residential facilities, fridges, new television sets and a chunk of the Elubo Market were consumed by the fire.
The fire which was said to have been caused by a faulty generator which was being used by the owner as aresult of a power outage could have been contained but for the lack of a fire post in the district.
The only fire post, manned by a few personnel, has a bucket of sand and one very rusty fire extinguisher.
The nearest fire post, which is Axim, had its fire engine broken down four months ago, and another station at Agona Nkwanta did not have a fire engine.
Two fire tenders had to be dispatched from the regional headquarters in Sekondi/Takoradi, a distance of about 110km from Elubo, to salvage the situation.
Sensing danger, the station officer for Elubo Police Station, Inspector J.E. Mensah, went from house to house and shop to shop to plead with people who wanted to stay to guard their property to move out.
An eye witness, Nana Agyei, told that Daily Graphic that it was business as usual at the border as people started running and shouting to raise alarm about the fire outbreak.
He said at the time the security agencies decided to move in to save the situation, the outbreak was virtually out of control.
One immigration officer also told the Daily Graphic that the calls made to Axim did not yield any response.
“We then had to call Takoradi before the regional office dispatched two fire engines which took more than 1-hour 20minutes to arrive,” he said.
Electricity supply to the town has been unterrupted following the fire but the district station officer said they had dispatched officers throughout the town to ensure that life and property were protected.
He said some of the buildings that were slightly affected and could be pulled down would be guarded to ensure that people did not capitalise on the situation to rob them of their contents.
When contacted the District Chief Executive, Mr Victor Nyianyi Kablan, who moved to the scene to assess the situation described it as heartbreaking and painful.
An unconfirmed report indicated that a four-year-old child who was asleep in a shop also got burnt beyond recognition.
The situation nearly turned nasty as the youth of the town went on the rampage attacking the police who were clearing the street for the fire engines to move to the scene of the fire.
The youth chanted and vented their anger on the police and the firemen, saying, “After the fire had razed the town to the ground the fire service is now arriving, what are they coming to do? We don’t need them.”
Items such as wax prints, shoes, personal belongings, hundreds of residential facilities, fridges, new television sets and a chunk of the Elubo Market were consumed by the fire.
The fire which was said to have been caused by a faulty generator which was being used by the owner as aresult of a power outage could have been contained but for the lack of a fire post in the district.
The only fire post, manned by a few personnel, has a bucket of sand and one very rusty fire extinguisher.
The nearest fire post, which is Axim, had its fire engine broken down four months ago, and another station at Agona Nkwanta did not have a fire engine.
Two fire tenders had to be dispatched from the regional headquarters in Sekondi/Takoradi, a distance of about 110km from Elubo, to salvage the situation.
Sensing danger, the station officer for Elubo Police Station, Inspector J.E. Mensah, went from house to house and shop to shop to plead with people who wanted to stay to guard their property to move out.
An eye witness, Nana Agyei, told that Daily Graphic that it was business as usual at the border as people started running and shouting to raise alarm about the fire outbreak.
He said at the time the security agencies decided to move in to save the situation, the outbreak was virtually out of control.
One immigration officer also told the Daily Graphic that the calls made to Axim did not yield any response.
“We then had to call Takoradi before the regional office dispatched two fire engines which took more than 1-hour 20minutes to arrive,” he said.
Electricity supply to the town has been unterrupted following the fire but the district station officer said they had dispatched officers throughout the town to ensure that life and property were protected.
He said some of the buildings that were slightly affected and could be pulled down would be guarded to ensure that people did not capitalise on the situation to rob them of their contents.
When contacted the District Chief Executive, Mr Victor Nyianyi Kablan, who moved to the scene to assess the situation described it as heartbreaking and painful.
AUSTRALIA COMMENDS PEOPLE OF LOWER AXIM (PAGE 19, SEPT 25, 2010)
Australia has congratulated the chiefs and people of the Lower Axim Traditional Area on the celebration of this year’s annual Kumdum festival in the Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region.
The Australian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr William Billy Williams, commended the chiefs and people of the area at a colourful durbar, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, members of Parliament, chiefs from other paramount areas as well as Nzema Citizens home and abroad.
Mr Williams was honoured by the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, with the honorary chieftaincy title Nana Kwame Kyi II, in recognition of Australia’s support for development projects in the traditional area.
Mr Williams said over the years, Australia had supported a number of development projects, including financial assistance to the Axim Girls Senior High School to connect water and electricity to the school.
“That aside, the Australian High Commission provided 15 computers and accessories to the school’s ICT laboratory in July 2008 to enhance our move towards information technology super highway,” he said.
He referred to the donation to Asempanaye in the Jomoro District, tackling sanitation at New Takoradi and supporting female hygiene and cassava processing projects at Omanpe in the Aowin-Suaman District and said Australia would continue to work with Ghana, which has proven to be a strong partner for development.
Mr Williams said Australia had a special relationship with the Western Region of Ghana and that mining experts from his country would continue to initiate a number of development projects in communities in the region.
The Nzema Gold Mines operated by Adamus Resources, an Australian mining company, with the support from the High Commission, has sponsored two capacity-building programmes for more than 108 youth from Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipality.
Awulae Attibrukusu lauded the main objective of the initiative, which is providing employable skills to the youth as a means of reducing poverty in the local economy.
The Australian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr William Billy Williams, commended the chiefs and people of the area at a colourful durbar, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, members of Parliament, chiefs from other paramount areas as well as Nzema Citizens home and abroad.
Mr Williams was honoured by the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, with the honorary chieftaincy title Nana Kwame Kyi II, in recognition of Australia’s support for development projects in the traditional area.
Mr Williams said over the years, Australia had supported a number of development projects, including financial assistance to the Axim Girls Senior High School to connect water and electricity to the school.
“That aside, the Australian High Commission provided 15 computers and accessories to the school’s ICT laboratory in July 2008 to enhance our move towards information technology super highway,” he said.
He referred to the donation to Asempanaye in the Jomoro District, tackling sanitation at New Takoradi and supporting female hygiene and cassava processing projects at Omanpe in the Aowin-Suaman District and said Australia would continue to work with Ghana, which has proven to be a strong partner for development.
Mr Williams said Australia had a special relationship with the Western Region of Ghana and that mining experts from his country would continue to initiate a number of development projects in communities in the region.
The Nzema Gold Mines operated by Adamus Resources, an Australian mining company, with the support from the High Commission, has sponsored two capacity-building programmes for more than 108 youth from Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipality.
Awulae Attibrukusu lauded the main objective of the initiative, which is providing employable skills to the youth as a means of reducing poverty in the local economy.
WORKS ENGINEER COMMITS SUICIDE (BACK PAGE, SEPT 25, 2010)
THE Works Engineer of the Tarkwa Municipal Assembly committed suicide by hanging in the early hours of yesterday.
According to the police, the Engineer, Justice Omar, 46, and the family went to bed but he was alleged to have woken up in the night when the whole family was asleep.
He cut the drying line from both ends and tied it to the ceiling in the corridor and hanged himself.
The wife of the deceased, Madam Ruth Dadzie, told the police that for sometime now her husband had been complaining of depression and some burning sensation within him.
“My husband did not show any sign; he was with me the previous day when I was washing. He offered to help but I declined it. However, after that we went to the market together to buy some foodstuff.
“I woke up this morning and my husband was not by my side; I thought he was going round the house as usual or he was in the hall since he loves fresh air,” she told the police.
She said after some time she decided to check outside to see if he was there since there was no sign of him or any noise outside the house.
“I found my husband hanging in the corridor and with his toe touching the ground. I shouted his name but he was long gone, she said.”
Officials of the assembly said they were shocked since the man did not show any sign and had been a very listening officer of the assembly.
The Tarkwa Divisional Police Commander, Mr Kojo Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that at about 5.00 a.m., shortly before he hanged himself, Omar sent a text message to his brother which read, “My wife and the prophet she took me to are the cause of my death”.
He said the police was investigating the case and awaiting result of a post-moterm on the deceased.
According to the police, the Engineer, Justice Omar, 46, and the family went to bed but he was alleged to have woken up in the night when the whole family was asleep.
He cut the drying line from both ends and tied it to the ceiling in the corridor and hanged himself.
The wife of the deceased, Madam Ruth Dadzie, told the police that for sometime now her husband had been complaining of depression and some burning sensation within him.
“My husband did not show any sign; he was with me the previous day when I was washing. He offered to help but I declined it. However, after that we went to the market together to buy some foodstuff.
“I woke up this morning and my husband was not by my side; I thought he was going round the house as usual or he was in the hall since he loves fresh air,” she told the police.
She said after some time she decided to check outside to see if he was there since there was no sign of him or any noise outside the house.
“I found my husband hanging in the corridor and with his toe touching the ground. I shouted his name but he was long gone, she said.”
Officials of the assembly said they were shocked since the man did not show any sign and had been a very listening officer of the assembly.
The Tarkwa Divisional Police Commander, Mr Kojo Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that at about 5.00 a.m., shortly before he hanged himself, Omar sent a text message to his brother which read, “My wife and the prophet she took me to are the cause of my death”.
He said the police was investigating the case and awaiting result of a post-moterm on the deceased.
SPECIAL TUTORING FOR SEKONDI/TAKORADI POLICE (PAGE 29, SEPT 21, 2010)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed special tutoring for police in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi to equip them in readiness for the expected business boom and population increase and its associated crimes as a result of the oil business.
With that directive, the regional police command with the support from the police administration and corporate bodies would furnish the personnel with skills of modern-day democratic policing.
This is to ensure that the policemen would be abreast with knowledge in the laws and the rights of the members of the general public to ensure that they did not trample on the rights of members of the general public or the business community.
According to the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP, Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, the increasing interest in the region especially the twin-city has called for a re-examination of policing in the region.
Policing, he said, had to be done in partnership with the public to create stronger bond between the service and the public.
He said population in the metropolis had increased with the expected crime increase, therefore it would be better to take proactive measures now to ensure that crime was made unattractive to the people.
With that directive, the regional police command with the support from the police administration and corporate bodies would furnish the personnel with skills of modern-day democratic policing.
This is to ensure that the policemen would be abreast with knowledge in the laws and the rights of the members of the general public to ensure that they did not trample on the rights of members of the general public or the business community.
According to the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP, Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, the increasing interest in the region especially the twin-city has called for a re-examination of policing in the region.
Policing, he said, had to be done in partnership with the public to create stronger bond between the service and the public.
He said population in the metropolis had increased with the expected crime increase, therefore it would be better to take proactive measures now to ensure that crime was made unattractive to the people.
LET'S BE CAREFUL ABOUT EUPHORIA ON OIL FIND (SPREAD, SEPT 27, 2010)
A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, has cautioned against the contracting of huge loans in anticipation of the country’s oil revenue.
He said the country needed to be careful about the euphoria about the expected oil revenue, and that more attention should be given to other areas, especially agriculture.
“Even if the country was entitled to more than 50 per cent of the expected oil revenue, it still needs to secure five times the expected amount to realise a realistic hope of making major economic take-off,” he added.
Prof. Addae-Mensah was speaking in Takoradi at first two-day Western Regional Development Forum on the theme: Preparing Minds and Space Towards the Oil and Gas Culture.
He said if the country would need more than five times the expected revenue for economic take-off “why then are we rushing into all sorts of huge loans ostensibly with our envisaged or expected oil and gas revenue as our hope?”
Prof. Addaie-Mensah gave an example of Nigeria saying, “Nigeria went the same way in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, and has still not recovered from those huge debts it was virtually conned into incurring, including kickbacks from dubious loans.”
He questioned how realistic these expectations of large revenue inflow would be, especially in the long and short terms.
“I believe some of the expectations are rather exaggerated and unrealistic, and need to be carefully managed,” but not to rush into huge loans.
He said what was needed at the moment was the moderation and diversification of the country’s economy. The country, the professor said, had seen over-reliance on its primary products with very little value addition which was one of the biggest challenges and feared the oil and gas sector was likely to be faced by it.
The oil sector he said was frightening because it had the potential of becoming a replacement for other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, rather than addition.
He said agriculture still plays very important role in the development of the country, therefore, serious efforts should be made to avert such tendencies.
The professor said it was important, therefore, to ensure that the development of the oil and gas industry in the country be made an addition and not replace agriculture,therefore, every effort should be made to avoid it.
“Other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, must be boosted, and not displaced by oil and gas,” he strongly suggested. Prof. Addae-Mensah said, “we must use local goods and services to the maximum in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including finance, insurance, construction, consumable, fabrication, product,transportation and health, among others, in order to retain the benefits to Ghanaians.”
He said owing to the large capital requirement of the sector, attracting investors to the sector and its development, it would be an important strategy that must, however, be made consistent with increasing benefits to the people of this country.
“In this connection, national capacity to monitor the distribution of benefits of oil and gas production in Ghana needs to be strengthened so that Ghana obtains her fair share from the benefits from the resource development through, for instance, taxation being administered effectively,” he said.
The forum was organised in the memory of Nana Kobiana Nketsia IV and was attended by Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Paramount Chief of Essikado-Traditiona l Area, and chiefs from all the paramount areas in the region as well as members of parliament and the general public.
He said the country needed to be careful about the euphoria about the expected oil revenue, and that more attention should be given to other areas, especially agriculture.
“Even if the country was entitled to more than 50 per cent of the expected oil revenue, it still needs to secure five times the expected amount to realise a realistic hope of making major economic take-off,” he added.
Prof. Addae-Mensah was speaking in Takoradi at first two-day Western Regional Development Forum on the theme: Preparing Minds and Space Towards the Oil and Gas Culture.
He said if the country would need more than five times the expected revenue for economic take-off “why then are we rushing into all sorts of huge loans ostensibly with our envisaged or expected oil and gas revenue as our hope?”
Prof. Addaie-Mensah gave an example of Nigeria saying, “Nigeria went the same way in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, and has still not recovered from those huge debts it was virtually conned into incurring, including kickbacks from dubious loans.”
He questioned how realistic these expectations of large revenue inflow would be, especially in the long and short terms.
“I believe some of the expectations are rather exaggerated and unrealistic, and need to be carefully managed,” but not to rush into huge loans.
He said what was needed at the moment was the moderation and diversification of the country’s economy. The country, the professor said, had seen over-reliance on its primary products with very little value addition which was one of the biggest challenges and feared the oil and gas sector was likely to be faced by it.
The oil sector he said was frightening because it had the potential of becoming a replacement for other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, rather than addition.
He said agriculture still plays very important role in the development of the country, therefore, serious efforts should be made to avert such tendencies.
The professor said it was important, therefore, to ensure that the development of the oil and gas industry in the country be made an addition and not replace agriculture,therefore, every effort should be made to avoid it.
“Other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture, must be boosted, and not displaced by oil and gas,” he strongly suggested. Prof. Addae-Mensah said, “we must use local goods and services to the maximum in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including finance, insurance, construction, consumable, fabrication, product,transportation and health, among others, in order to retain the benefits to Ghanaians.”
He said owing to the large capital requirement of the sector, attracting investors to the sector and its development, it would be an important strategy that must, however, be made consistent with increasing benefits to the people of this country.
“In this connection, national capacity to monitor the distribution of benefits of oil and gas production in Ghana needs to be strengthened so that Ghana obtains her fair share from the benefits from the resource development through, for instance, taxation being administered effectively,” he said.
The forum was organised in the memory of Nana Kobiana Nketsia IV and was attended by Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Paramount Chief of Essikado-Traditiona l Area, and chiefs from all the paramount areas in the region as well as members of parliament and the general public.
WORKS ENGINEER COMMITS SUICIDE (BACK PAGE, SEPT 25, 2010)
THE Works Engineer of the Tarkwa Municipal Assembly committed suicide by hanging in the early hours of yesterday.
According to the police, the Engineer, Justice Omar, 46, and the family went to bed but he was alleged to have woken up in the night when the whole family was asleep.
He cut the drying line from both ends and tied it to the ceiling in the corridor and hanged himself.
The wife of the deceased, Madam Ruth Dadzie, told the police that for sometime now her husband had been complaining of depression and some burning sensation within him.
“My husband did not show any sign; he was with me the previous day when I was washing. He offered to help but I declined it. However, after that we went to the market together to buy some foodstuff.
“I woke up this morning and my husband was not by my side; I thought he was going round the house as usual or he was in the hall since he loves fresh air,” she told the police.
She said after some time she decided to check outside to see if he was there since there was no sign of him or any noise outside the house.
“I found my husband hanging in the corridor and with his toe touching the ground. I shouted his name but he was long gone, she said.”
Officials of the assembly said they were shocked since the man did not show any sign and had been a very listening officer of the assembly.
The Tarkwa Divisional Police Commander, Mr Kojo Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that at about 5.00 a.m., shortly before he hanged himself, Omar sent a text message to his brother which read, “My wife and the prophet she took me to are the cause of my death”.
He said the police was investigating the case and awaiting result of a post-moterm on the deceased.
The body has since been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital.
According to the police, the Engineer, Justice Omar, 46, and the family went to bed but he was alleged to have woken up in the night when the whole family was asleep.
He cut the drying line from both ends and tied it to the ceiling in the corridor and hanged himself.
The wife of the deceased, Madam Ruth Dadzie, told the police that for sometime now her husband had been complaining of depression and some burning sensation within him.
“My husband did not show any sign; he was with me the previous day when I was washing. He offered to help but I declined it. However, after that we went to the market together to buy some foodstuff.
“I woke up this morning and my husband was not by my side; I thought he was going round the house as usual or he was in the hall since he loves fresh air,” she told the police.
She said after some time she decided to check outside to see if he was there since there was no sign of him or any noise outside the house.
“I found my husband hanging in the corridor and with his toe touching the ground. I shouted his name but he was long gone, she said.”
Officials of the assembly said they were shocked since the man did not show any sign and had been a very listening officer of the assembly.
The Tarkwa Divisional Police Commander, Mr Kojo Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that at about 5.00 a.m., shortly before he hanged himself, Omar sent a text message to his brother which read, “My wife and the prophet she took me to are the cause of my death”.
He said the police was investigating the case and awaiting result of a post-moterm on the deceased.
The body has since been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital.
AUSTRALIA COMMENDS PEOPLE OF LOWER AXIM (PAGE 19, SEPT 25, 2010)
Australia has congratulated the chiefs and people of the Lower Axim Traditional Area on the celebration of this year’s annual Kumdum festival in the Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region.
The Australian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr William Billy Williams, commended the chiefs and people of the area at a colourful durbar, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, members of Parliament, chiefs from other paramount areas as well as Nzema Citizens home and abroad.
Mr Williams was honoured by the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, with the honorary chieftaincy title Nana Kwame Kyi II, in recognition of Australia’s support for development projects in the traditional area.
Mr Williams said over the years, Australia had supported a number of development projects, including financial assistance to the Axim Girls Senior High School to connect water and electricity to the school.
“That aside, the Australian High Commission provided 15 computers and accessories to the school’s ICT laboratory in July 2008 to enhance our move towards information technology super highway,” he said.
He referred to the donation to Asempanaye in the Jomoro District, tackling sanitation at New Takoradi and supporting female hygiene and cassava processing projects at Omanpe in the Aowin-Suaman District and said Australia would continue to work with Ghana, which has proven to be a strong partner for development.
Mr Williams said Australia had a special relationship with the Western Region of Ghana and that mining experts from his country would continue to initiate a number of development projects in communities in the region.
The Nzema Gold Mines operated by Adamus Resources, an Australian mining company, with the support from the High Commission, has sponsored two capacity-building programmes for more than 108 youth from Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipality.
Awulae Attibrukusu lauded the main objective of the initiative, which is providing employable skills to the youth as a means of reducing poverty in the local economy.
The Australian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr William Billy Williams, commended the chiefs and people of the area at a colourful durbar, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, members of Parliament, chiefs from other paramount areas as well as Nzema Citizens home and abroad.
Mr Williams was honoured by the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, with the honorary chieftaincy title Nana Kwame Kyi II, in recognition of Australia’s support for development projects in the traditional area.
Mr Williams said over the years, Australia had supported a number of development projects, including financial assistance to the Axim Girls Senior High School to connect water and electricity to the school.
“That aside, the Australian High Commission provided 15 computers and accessories to the school’s ICT laboratory in July 2008 to enhance our move towards information technology super highway,” he said.
He referred to the donation to Asempanaye in the Jomoro District, tackling sanitation at New Takoradi and supporting female hygiene and cassava processing projects at Omanpe in the Aowin-Suaman District and said Australia would continue to work with Ghana, which has proven to be a strong partner for development.
Mr Williams said Australia had a special relationship with the Western Region of Ghana and that mining experts from his country would continue to initiate a number of development projects in communities in the region.
The Nzema Gold Mines operated by Adamus Resources, an Australian mining company, with the support from the High Commission, has sponsored two capacity-building programmes for more than 108 youth from Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipality.
Awulae Attibrukusu lauded the main objective of the initiative, which is providing employable skills to the youth as a means of reducing poverty in the local economy.
Friday, September 24, 2010
EXHIBIT HIGH SENSE OF DISCIPLINE (PAGE 13, SEPT 24, 2010)
CENSUS officers have been urged to exhibit a high sense of discipline and loyalty in the discharge of their national duty.
The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Mr Daniel K. Eshun, who made the call, explained that government and the donor community had invested a lot in the upcoming census exercise.
Speaking at the swearing in of enumerators and supervisors for the 2010 Population and Housing Census at Esiama in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Mr Eshun said the state needed reliable data in order to plan and distribute the resources of the nation equitably.
"Therefore, without good records or data, it will be difficult for development agents and government to direct resources to solve social needs", he stated.
The census, Mr Eshun said, would provide Ghana with a comprehensive national data needed to improve social and living conditions of the people.
He said the exercise was important as data captured would help for effective policy, planning and decision making purposes.
The District Magistrate for Axim and Ellembelle, Mr Frank Nii Ashietey Addo, prevailed on the enumerators to abide by the rules governing the census saying anyone who went contrary would be punished accordingly.
A District Census Training Team Leader, Rev. Sarpong Williams, pledged their commitment to the task ahead saying “we will work hard to the best of our ability to achieve better results for Ellembelle.”
In a related development, the Assembly has presented items to the World Alive Orphanage at Esiama to mark the Founder’s Day Celebration.
The items donated included four Bags of Rice, four gallons of Frytol cooking oil, a bag of sugar, a box of Key Soap and five student mattresses.
The Executive President of Word Alive Mission, Reverend Charles Nyane, thanked the assembly for the donation and called on the assembly to assist children who performed well in the Basic Education Certificate Examination to further their education at the senior high school level.
The District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, Mr Daniel K. Eshun, who made the call, explained that government and the donor community had invested a lot in the upcoming census exercise.
Speaking at the swearing in of enumerators and supervisors for the 2010 Population and Housing Census at Esiama in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, Mr Eshun said the state needed reliable data in order to plan and distribute the resources of the nation equitably.
"Therefore, without good records or data, it will be difficult for development agents and government to direct resources to solve social needs", he stated.
The census, Mr Eshun said, would provide Ghana with a comprehensive national data needed to improve social and living conditions of the people.
He said the exercise was important as data captured would help for effective policy, planning and decision making purposes.
The District Magistrate for Axim and Ellembelle, Mr Frank Nii Ashietey Addo, prevailed on the enumerators to abide by the rules governing the census saying anyone who went contrary would be punished accordingly.
A District Census Training Team Leader, Rev. Sarpong Williams, pledged their commitment to the task ahead saying “we will work hard to the best of our ability to achieve better results for Ellembelle.”
In a related development, the Assembly has presented items to the World Alive Orphanage at Esiama to mark the Founder’s Day Celebration.
The items donated included four Bags of Rice, four gallons of Frytol cooking oil, a bag of sugar, a box of Key Soap and five student mattresses.
The Executive President of Word Alive Mission, Reverend Charles Nyane, thanked the assembly for the donation and called on the assembly to assist children who performed well in the Basic Education Certificate Examination to further their education at the senior high school level.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
FIRE DESTROYS HOUSES, SHOPS AT ELUBO (SPREAD, SEPT 23, 2010)
More than 400 properties comprising houses, shops and goods worth millions of Ghana cedis were yesterday consumed by fire at Elubo in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
An unconfirmed report indicated that a four-year-old child who was asleep in a shop also got burnt beyond recognition.
The situation nearly turned nasty as the youth of the town went on the rampage attacking the police who were clearing the street for the fire engines to move to the scene of the fire.
The youth chanted and vented their anger on the police and the firemen, saying, “After the fire had razed the town to the ground the fire service is now arriving, what are they coming to do? We don’t need them.”
Items such as wax prints, shoes, personal belongings, hundreds of residential facilities, fridges, new television sets and a chunk of the Elubo Market were consumed by the fire.
The fire which was said to have been caused by a faulty generator which was being used by the owner as aresult of a power outage could have been contained but for the lack of a fire post in the district.
The only fire post, manned by a few personnel, has a bucket of sand and one very rusty fire extinguisher.
The nearest fire post, which is Axim, had its fire engine broken down four months ago, and another station at Agona Nkwanta did not have a fire engine.
Two fire tenders had to be dispatched from the regional headquarters in Sekondi/Takoradi, a distance of about 110km from Elubo, to salvage the situation.
Sensing danger, the station officer for Elubo Police Station, Inspector J.E. Mensah, went from house to house and shop to shop to plead with people who wanted to stay to guard their property to move out.
An eye witness, Nana Agyei, told that Daily Graphic that it was business as usual at the border as people started running and shouting to raise alarm about the fire outbreak.
He said at the time the security agencies decided to move in to save the situation, the outbreak was virtually out of control.
One immigration officer also told the Daily Graphic that the calls made to Axim did not yield any response.
“We then had to call Takoradi before the regional office dispatched two fire engines which took more than 1-hour 20minutes to arrive,” he said.
Electricity supply to the town has been unterrupted following the fire but the district station officer said they had dispatched officers throughout the town to ensure that life and property were protected.
He said some of the buildings that were slightly affected and could be pulled down would be guarded to ensure that people did not capitalise on the situation to rob them of their contents.
When contacted the District Chief Executive, Mr Victor Nyianyi Kablan, who moved to the scene to assess the situation described it as heartbreaking and painful.
An unconfirmed report indicated that a four-year-old child who was asleep in a shop also got burnt beyond recognition.
The situation nearly turned nasty as the youth of the town went on the rampage attacking the police who were clearing the street for the fire engines to move to the scene of the fire.
The youth chanted and vented their anger on the police and the firemen, saying, “After the fire had razed the town to the ground the fire service is now arriving, what are they coming to do? We don’t need them.”
Items such as wax prints, shoes, personal belongings, hundreds of residential facilities, fridges, new television sets and a chunk of the Elubo Market were consumed by the fire.
The fire which was said to have been caused by a faulty generator which was being used by the owner as aresult of a power outage could have been contained but for the lack of a fire post in the district.
The only fire post, manned by a few personnel, has a bucket of sand and one very rusty fire extinguisher.
The nearest fire post, which is Axim, had its fire engine broken down four months ago, and another station at Agona Nkwanta did not have a fire engine.
Two fire tenders had to be dispatched from the regional headquarters in Sekondi/Takoradi, a distance of about 110km from Elubo, to salvage the situation.
Sensing danger, the station officer for Elubo Police Station, Inspector J.E. Mensah, went from house to house and shop to shop to plead with people who wanted to stay to guard their property to move out.
An eye witness, Nana Agyei, told that Daily Graphic that it was business as usual at the border as people started running and shouting to raise alarm about the fire outbreak.
He said at the time the security agencies decided to move in to save the situation, the outbreak was virtually out of control.
One immigration officer also told the Daily Graphic that the calls made to Axim did not yield any response.
“We then had to call Takoradi before the regional office dispatched two fire engines which took more than 1-hour 20minutes to arrive,” he said.
Electricity supply to the town has been unterrupted following the fire but the district station officer said they had dispatched officers throughout the town to ensure that life and property were protected.
He said some of the buildings that were slightly affected and could be pulled down would be guarded to ensure that people did not capitalise on the situation to rob them of their contents.
When contacted the District Chief Executive, Mr Victor Nyianyi Kablan, who moved to the scene to assess the situation described it as heartbreaking and painful.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
TULLOW GHANA AVOIDS LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS...GOSPA alleges (PAGE 46, SEPT 23, 2010)
THE local content and participation in the country’s petroleum industry policy has come under threat, following attempts by Tullow Oil, developers of the Jubilee Oil Field, and its partners to sideline local companies from rendering services in the sector, domestic participants in the oil and gas industry have alleged.
According to the Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOSPA), Tullow Ghana has deliberately attempted to kill local businesses rendering services to the offshore oil companies.
They alleged for instance that services that local doctors provided for GH¢100 per patient had been taken over from them and awarded to two expatriate medical service providers at a higher cost of GH¢1,102.50 per patient.
Besides that, GOSPA said, to become a member of the recommended medical facilities, one had to pay a membership fee ranging between $5,000 and $10,000, a situation it described as unacceptable.
According to the President of the association, Mr W. K. Agbesinyale, Tullow Ghana has directed that all medical screening for offshore travel should be done by only International SOS and West African Rescue Association (WARA), contrary to the directives of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Ghana Maritime Authority had before the discovery and drilling in 2007 certified Dr Linda Vanotoo in Takoradi, Dr Maame Pokuah Amo-Addae of Shama, Dr Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah of Ridge Hospital, Dr Felix Kwabena Frimpong, Dr Nii Anum Aryeh of Port Medical Centre, Tema and Dr Bentel Emmanuel Tawiah of Solaees Hospital Community 12, Tema as the only physicians who could undertake this kind of screening for maritime work.
A letter from Tullow dated May, 2010, with Document Number TGJ-EHS-POL-04-000 and signed by four of its top officials designated WARA and International SOS in Accra and Takoradi as official medical certification providers in Ghana.
The local practitioners said they did not have a problem with who Tullow decided to contract to provide service, but doing so at an expensive rate for the same quality and depth of service was unacceptable and smacked of deliberately pushing out Ghanaian service providers out of the industry.
The medical doctors also contested the justification for charging up to GH¢1,100 for fitness screening and described it as unacceptable.
The doctors were of the view that if Tullow was the direct employers of the crew that went offshore, it had every right to take them to the expensive facilities such WARA and SOS, but since the crewing of the rig was done by third party companies, the crew should be allowed to be sent to thefacilities approved by the Regional Maritime Authority.
According to the Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOSPA), Tullow Ghana has deliberately attempted to kill local businesses rendering services to the offshore oil companies.
They alleged for instance that services that local doctors provided for GH¢100 per patient had been taken over from them and awarded to two expatriate medical service providers at a higher cost of GH¢1,102.50 per patient.
Besides that, GOSPA said, to become a member of the recommended medical facilities, one had to pay a membership fee ranging between $5,000 and $10,000, a situation it described as unacceptable.
According to the President of the association, Mr W. K. Agbesinyale, Tullow Ghana has directed that all medical screening for offshore travel should be done by only International SOS and West African Rescue Association (WARA), contrary to the directives of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Ghana Maritime Authority had before the discovery and drilling in 2007 certified Dr Linda Vanotoo in Takoradi, Dr Maame Pokuah Amo-Addae of Shama, Dr Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah of Ridge Hospital, Dr Felix Kwabena Frimpong, Dr Nii Anum Aryeh of Port Medical Centre, Tema and Dr Bentel Emmanuel Tawiah of Solaees Hospital Community 12, Tema as the only physicians who could undertake this kind of screening for maritime work.
A letter from Tullow dated May, 2010, with Document Number TGJ-EHS-POL-04-000 and signed by four of its top officials designated WARA and International SOS in Accra and Takoradi as official medical certification providers in Ghana.
The local practitioners said they did not have a problem with who Tullow decided to contract to provide service, but doing so at an expensive rate for the same quality and depth of service was unacceptable and smacked of deliberately pushing out Ghanaian service providers out of the industry.
The medical doctors also contested the justification for charging up to GH¢1,100 for fitness screening and described it as unacceptable.
The doctors were of the view that if Tullow was the direct employers of the crew that went offshore, it had every right to take them to the expensive facilities such WARA and SOS, but since the crewing of the rig was done by third party companies, the crew should be allowed to be sent to thefacilities approved by the Regional Maritime Authority.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
SPECIAL TUTORING FOR SEKONDI/TAKORADI POLICE (PAGE 29, SEPT 21, 2010)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed special tutoring for police in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi to equip them in readiness for the expected business boom and population increase and its associated crimes as a result of the oil business.
With that directive, the regional police command with the support from the police administration and corporate bodies would furnish the personnel with skills of modern-day democratic policing.
This is to ensure that the policemen would be abreast with knowledge in the laws and the rights of the members of the general public to ensure that they did not trample on the rights of members of the general public or the business community.
According to the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP, Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, the increasing interest in the region especially the twin-city has called for a re-examination of policing in the region.
Policing, he said, had to be done in partnership with the public to create stronger bond between the service and the public.
He said population in the metropolis had increased with the expected crime increase, therefore it would be better to take proactive measures now to ensure that crime was made unattractive to the people.
With that directive, the regional police command with the support from the police administration and corporate bodies would furnish the personnel with skills of modern-day democratic policing.
This is to ensure that the policemen would be abreast with knowledge in the laws and the rights of the members of the general public to ensure that they did not trample on the rights of members of the general public or the business community.
According to the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP, Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, the increasing interest in the region especially the twin-city has called for a re-examination of policing in the region.
Policing, he said, had to be done in partnership with the public to create stronger bond between the service and the public.
He said population in the metropolis had increased with the expected crime increase, therefore it would be better to take proactive measures now to ensure that crime was made unattractive to the people.
JUABOSO ASSEMBLY TO SUE BOG ...To recover illegal withdrawals (BACK PAGE, SEPT 21, 2010)
THE Juaboso District Assembly has threatened to sue the Bank of Ghana (BoG) over the alleged illegal withdrawal of monies from its account by a syndicate said to have had the support of some officials of the assembly.
This followed the arrest of a suspect, Nana Kwesi Okyere, who presented a cheque signed by officials of the Assembly to the Takoradi branch of the BoG with the face value of GH¢37,800 with accompanying contract documents, which were said to have been faked.
According to the Assembly, a total of GH¢126,259.40 was illegally withdrawn from its treasury account at the Takoradi branch of BoG between September 2 and 14, 2010, and the Central Bank had to account for it.
It explained that as of September 2, 2010, its balance was GH¢124,948.11 with four authorised withdrawals amounting to GH¢10,411.83, bringing the remaining balance to GH¢114,536.28, with two other deposits credited to the assembly’s account.
Aside that, the Assembly said it had issued a cheque with the face value of GH¢853.17, which was yet to be presented.
According to Mr Solomon Fuachie, the District Chief Executive, seven cheques including those with face values of GH¢22,150, GH¢571, GH¢14,900, GH¢29,200, GH¢8,500 and GH¢32,150 were cashed between September 8, 2010 and September 13, 2010, thereby reducing the balance in the assembly’s accounts to GH¢13,943.22.
All these withdrawals, according to the DCE, were unauthorised and the BoG should have prompted the assembly before honouring them.
The finance officer and the district co-ordinating director, who were signatories to the cheque that gave the syndicate up, were said to have agreed that the signatures looked like theirs, but could not remember signing the cheques.
Mr Fuachie told the Daily Graphic that the bank erred in honouring withdrawals from the assembly’s treasury account.
He said the monies withdrawn were too huge to be paid to a contractor over the counter, adding that all payments to contractors were deposited into their accounts.
When contacted, officials of the Bank of Ghana said they had referred the case to their head office in Accra for advice.
This followed the arrest of a suspect, Nana Kwesi Okyere, who presented a cheque signed by officials of the Assembly to the Takoradi branch of the BoG with the face value of GH¢37,800 with accompanying contract documents, which were said to have been faked.
According to the Assembly, a total of GH¢126,259.40 was illegally withdrawn from its treasury account at the Takoradi branch of BoG between September 2 and 14, 2010, and the Central Bank had to account for it.
It explained that as of September 2, 2010, its balance was GH¢124,948.11 with four authorised withdrawals amounting to GH¢10,411.83, bringing the remaining balance to GH¢114,536.28, with two other deposits credited to the assembly’s account.
Aside that, the Assembly said it had issued a cheque with the face value of GH¢853.17, which was yet to be presented.
According to Mr Solomon Fuachie, the District Chief Executive, seven cheques including those with face values of GH¢22,150, GH¢571, GH¢14,900, GH¢29,200, GH¢8,500 and GH¢32,150 were cashed between September 8, 2010 and September 13, 2010, thereby reducing the balance in the assembly’s accounts to GH¢13,943.22.
All these withdrawals, according to the DCE, were unauthorised and the BoG should have prompted the assembly before honouring them.
The finance officer and the district co-ordinating director, who were signatories to the cheque that gave the syndicate up, were said to have agreed that the signatures looked like theirs, but could not remember signing the cheques.
Mr Fuachie told the Daily Graphic that the bank erred in honouring withdrawals from the assembly’s treasury account.
He said the monies withdrawn were too huge to be paid to a contractor over the counter, adding that all payments to contractors were deposited into their accounts.
When contacted, officials of the Bank of Ghana said they had referred the case to their head office in Accra for advice.
SHAMA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY UNDERGOES PUBLIC SCRUTINY (PAGE 13, SEPT 21, 2010)
Shama District Assembly has subjected itself to public scrutiny as a way of ensuring transparency and accountability in handling public funds.
Members of the community converged on the Shama Senior High School’s assembly hall, where they were briefed by the Chief Executive, Ms Emilia Arthur on income and expenditure and how much was generated internally.
She said last year the assembly was expecting more than GH¢2 million as its share of the Common Fund, but received only GH¢753,000 which were directed towards socio-economic development, environment and administrative work.
This year the district was expecting GH¢1.92 million but had so far received only GH¢176,000 while internally, the assembly recorded additional GHc131,000 and GHc114,395 last year and as at the end of June this year respectively.
The chief executive said other corporate bodies, GETFund and donors had also contributed to the efforts of the assembly to meet its needs in the areas of water, education and staff capacity building among others.
The chief executive said the reason for holding the public forum was to ensure that the people were aware of the income and expenditure of the assembly.
She said the disbursment of monies that were received in the form of Common Fund or from the corporate bodies must be explained to people on how their monies were used.
The DCE said, “We have to from time to time hold this public forum as required by the local government law to ensure that we mention to the people our plans and also afford the people the opportunity to demand answers.”
Ms Arthur said they would do everything possible to ensure that monies due for development were directed to it.
Areas of health, education and other social infrastructure, she said, were very important and urged members of the community to pay their taxes since it would be put to good use.
She commended the people of Shama for their contribution in the areas of District Development Fund which also played a very vital role in the work of the assembly.
The people asked questions and commended the district chief executive for the bold initiative to subject her administration to public scrutiny.
The people were later taken to project sites to match what was mentioned on the paper with physical structure on the ground.
Members of the community converged on the Shama Senior High School’s assembly hall, where they were briefed by the Chief Executive, Ms Emilia Arthur on income and expenditure and how much was generated internally.
She said last year the assembly was expecting more than GH¢2 million as its share of the Common Fund, but received only GH¢753,000 which were directed towards socio-economic development, environment and administrative work.
This year the district was expecting GH¢1.92 million but had so far received only GH¢176,000 while internally, the assembly recorded additional GHc131,000 and GHc114,395 last year and as at the end of June this year respectively.
The chief executive said other corporate bodies, GETFund and donors had also contributed to the efforts of the assembly to meet its needs in the areas of water, education and staff capacity building among others.
The chief executive said the reason for holding the public forum was to ensure that the people were aware of the income and expenditure of the assembly.
She said the disbursment of monies that were received in the form of Common Fund or from the corporate bodies must be explained to people on how their monies were used.
The DCE said, “We have to from time to time hold this public forum as required by the local government law to ensure that we mention to the people our plans and also afford the people the opportunity to demand answers.”
Ms Arthur said they would do everything possible to ensure that monies due for development were directed to it.
Areas of health, education and other social infrastructure, she said, were very important and urged members of the community to pay their taxes since it would be put to good use.
She commended the people of Shama for their contribution in the areas of District Development Fund which also played a very vital role in the work of the assembly.
The people asked questions and commended the district chief executive for the bold initiative to subject her administration to public scrutiny.
The people were later taken to project sites to match what was mentioned on the paper with physical structure on the ground.
Monday, September 20, 2010
CRIME SURGES IN TWIN-CITY (PAGE 23, SEPT 20, 2010)
Residents of Sekondi/Takoradi have called for urgent measures to curb the rising incidents of car break-ins, prostitution and use of fake currencies in the Metropolis.
Hitherto a peaceful place, Sekondi/Takoradi has been faced with reported cases of use of fake currency, car break-in and harassment of people by prostitutes at various points.
Records made available to the Daily Graphic indicate that car burglary and use of fake currencies occur at hotels, restaurants and drinking bars.
The thieves, who are said to operate with saloon cars, allegedly park close to the vehicles of their victims and use master keys to open the door and steal its contents.
Items such as laptops, mobile phones, cameras, passport, driving licence, electricity prepaid cards, and huge amounts of cash, among others, are stolen.
Prostitutes also harass visitors to various food joints and drinking bars.
Some who normally parade themselves to catch the attention of clients, have changed their style and aggressively pursue potential clients.
The Regional Commander, DCOP Alhaji Mahama Hamidu, has described these vices as worrisome and said the police had mapped out plans to combat them.
Regarding the use of fake currencies, he advised people at the sales points to be observant.
He noted that many sales persons collected money without looking at the features, adding that even though there was enough education before and after the introduction of the new currency, many operators of bars and traders were ignorant of the features.
He said as a matter of urgency the police would join forces with the Bank of Ghana to educate traders, commercial drivers, bar operators on the features of both the fake and the good notes.
“With that we will be sure that the traders will be able to identify fake currency from the good one and call for the arrest of the people who are using it to buy from them,” he said.
He indicated that those changing monies also had to be registered so that the police would be able to know the source of their monies to enable them to act accordingly.
“As part of our move we will first ask them to regularise and if they fail to do so, we will then clamp down on them,” DCOP Hamidu said.
DCOP Hamidu said many crimes went unreported and urged the public to report any crime immediately to the police to ensure that evidence was not tempered with, which normally happens when the crime is reported days later.
“Our police officers are on duty all day and night and patrol teams are all over, therefore report the crime immediately,” he said.
He gave an assurance that the police would do all it could to protect investors and the citizens and ensure that the city, as well as the region, maintained its peace.
Hitherto a peaceful place, Sekondi/Takoradi has been faced with reported cases of use of fake currency, car break-in and harassment of people by prostitutes at various points.
Records made available to the Daily Graphic indicate that car burglary and use of fake currencies occur at hotels, restaurants and drinking bars.
The thieves, who are said to operate with saloon cars, allegedly park close to the vehicles of their victims and use master keys to open the door and steal its contents.
Items such as laptops, mobile phones, cameras, passport, driving licence, electricity prepaid cards, and huge amounts of cash, among others, are stolen.
Prostitutes also harass visitors to various food joints and drinking bars.
Some who normally parade themselves to catch the attention of clients, have changed their style and aggressively pursue potential clients.
The Regional Commander, DCOP Alhaji Mahama Hamidu, has described these vices as worrisome and said the police had mapped out plans to combat them.
Regarding the use of fake currencies, he advised people at the sales points to be observant.
He noted that many sales persons collected money without looking at the features, adding that even though there was enough education before and after the introduction of the new currency, many operators of bars and traders were ignorant of the features.
He said as a matter of urgency the police would join forces with the Bank of Ghana to educate traders, commercial drivers, bar operators on the features of both the fake and the good notes.
“With that we will be sure that the traders will be able to identify fake currency from the good one and call for the arrest of the people who are using it to buy from them,” he said.
He indicated that those changing monies also had to be registered so that the police would be able to know the source of their monies to enable them to act accordingly.
“As part of our move we will first ask them to regularise and if they fail to do so, we will then clamp down on them,” DCOP Hamidu said.
DCOP Hamidu said many crimes went unreported and urged the public to report any crime immediately to the police to ensure that evidence was not tempered with, which normally happens when the crime is reported days later.
“Our police officers are on duty all day and night and patrol teams are all over, therefore report the crime immediately,” he said.
He gave an assurance that the police would do all it could to protect investors and the citizens and ensure that the city, as well as the region, maintained its peace.
MALARIA FIGHT TAKEN TO DOORSTEPS OF CORPORATE BODIES (PAGE 23, SEPT 20, 2010)
The National Malarial Control Programme (NMCP) has taken its fight against malaria to the doorsteps of corporate bodies in various parts of the country.
In Sekondi/Takoradi, the NMCP is collaborating with the Ghana Cement Factory (GHACEM) to educate the workers on steps to take to avoid getting malaria, as a means of reducing production hours lost when workers get malaria.
At a forum held recently, the workers were taken through various ways of preventing contact with the female anopheles mosquito which transmits the disease and the importance of using the insecticide treated bed net.
In his presentation, the Programme Officer in charge of Partnership, Planning and Resource Mobilisation, of the NMCP, Mr Sylvester Segbeya, educated the workers on the environmental factors that promoted the breeding of the female anopheles mosquito.
He said the move to meet the workers at their doorstep was to halt low productivity as a result of a worker contracting malaria.
Mr Segbeya said the socio-economic development of the country was tied to the health of its citizenry, “If you fail to prevent malaria or treat it on time and it pushes you down, your output for the day will reduce hence, you will not produce at full capacity but pay the full cost of production.”
He said it was very important therefore to let people know all about the causes of malaria and how to prevent it.
Mr Segbeya said the mosquito that transmiting the parasite that causes malaria actually bit late in the night between 10p.m. and 4a.m.
He said it was important to note that the mosquito that transmited the parasite did not breed in polluted water with chemicals but rather in stagnant water with no pollutant.
The officer further explained that after breeding, the female anopheles mosquito then flies into cool places in the factories and into homes and late in the night suck human blood to enable it to reproduce.
Mr Segbeya urged the workers who contracted malaria to complete the full dose of medication to avoid drug resistance to the disease.
“One of the problems we have identified is that most patients diagnosed with malaria do not complete the full course of prescribed drugs as they discontinue medication as soon as they feel better,” he said.
The team also took the workers and management through the processes of mounting the insecticide treated bed net to prevent mosquito bites.
The Maintenance Manager of GHACEM, Mr Fred Oboe-Sam, thanked the NMCP for the initiative, which, he hoped, would greatly reduce malaria in the company.
In Sekondi/Takoradi, the NMCP is collaborating with the Ghana Cement Factory (GHACEM) to educate the workers on steps to take to avoid getting malaria, as a means of reducing production hours lost when workers get malaria.
At a forum held recently, the workers were taken through various ways of preventing contact with the female anopheles mosquito which transmits the disease and the importance of using the insecticide treated bed net.
In his presentation, the Programme Officer in charge of Partnership, Planning and Resource Mobilisation, of the NMCP, Mr Sylvester Segbeya, educated the workers on the environmental factors that promoted the breeding of the female anopheles mosquito.
He said the move to meet the workers at their doorstep was to halt low productivity as a result of a worker contracting malaria.
Mr Segbeya said the socio-economic development of the country was tied to the health of its citizenry, “If you fail to prevent malaria or treat it on time and it pushes you down, your output for the day will reduce hence, you will not produce at full capacity but pay the full cost of production.”
He said it was very important therefore to let people know all about the causes of malaria and how to prevent it.
Mr Segbeya said the mosquito that transmiting the parasite that causes malaria actually bit late in the night between 10p.m. and 4a.m.
He said it was important to note that the mosquito that transmited the parasite did not breed in polluted water with chemicals but rather in stagnant water with no pollutant.
The officer further explained that after breeding, the female anopheles mosquito then flies into cool places in the factories and into homes and late in the night suck human blood to enable it to reproduce.
Mr Segbeya urged the workers who contracted malaria to complete the full dose of medication to avoid drug resistance to the disease.
“One of the problems we have identified is that most patients diagnosed with malaria do not complete the full course of prescribed drugs as they discontinue medication as soon as they feel better,” he said.
The team also took the workers and management through the processes of mounting the insecticide treated bed net to prevent mosquito bites.
The Maintenance Manager of GHACEM, Mr Fred Oboe-Sam, thanked the NMCP for the initiative, which, he hoped, would greatly reduce malaria in the company.
GHANA BAUXITE CLEANS ITS MESS (PAGE 23, SEPT 20, 2010)
Months after the Daily Graphic exposed the hazards the shipping process of the Ghana Bauxite Company was causing to its neighbours, the company has taken steps to rectify the problem.
The operations of the company at the Takoradi Port had become a serious environmental and health threat to thousands of fishermen and hawkers operating in the area.
The droppings from the conveyer belt of the bauxite company had actually created a blockade at the entrance of the storeroom of the Fisheries Commission office at the port and another office operating in the area.
When the Daily Graphic initially contacted the company, it declined to take action claiming that the Fisheries Commission and those concerned should find a way of clearing the mess.
But after the Daily Graphic’s publication in July 2010, the Ghana Bauxite Company has taken necessary steps to clear the mess.
At the moment, the conveyer belt has been properly aligned and the protective cover of the belt designed to prevent the bauxite droppings during shipment has been replaced.
The company has also removed the heap of bauxite which had blocked the entrance to the Fisheries Commission storeroom.
The main building and another building under the belt, which had been washed in droppings from the belt have also been repainted. And the heap on top of the building had also been removed.
The fisher folks expressed their gratitude to the Daily Graphic and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for intervening to ensure that the Ghana Bauxite Company lived up to its responsibilities.
The operations of the company at the Takoradi Port had become a serious environmental and health threat to thousands of fishermen and hawkers operating in the area.
The droppings from the conveyer belt of the bauxite company had actually created a blockade at the entrance of the storeroom of the Fisheries Commission office at the port and another office operating in the area.
When the Daily Graphic initially contacted the company, it declined to take action claiming that the Fisheries Commission and those concerned should find a way of clearing the mess.
But after the Daily Graphic’s publication in July 2010, the Ghana Bauxite Company has taken necessary steps to clear the mess.
At the moment, the conveyer belt has been properly aligned and the protective cover of the belt designed to prevent the bauxite droppings during shipment has been replaced.
The company has also removed the heap of bauxite which had blocked the entrance to the Fisheries Commission storeroom.
The main building and another building under the belt, which had been washed in droppings from the belt have also been repainted. And the heap on top of the building had also been removed.
The fisher folks expressed their gratitude to the Daily Graphic and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for intervening to ensure that the Ghana Bauxite Company lived up to its responsibilities.
COURT REMANDS CON MAN (BACK PAGE, SEPT 18, 2010)
THE man who was arrested for attempting to use fake contract documents to withdraw money from the accounts of the Juaboso District Assembly was yesterday remanded in custody by the Takoradi Circuit Court.
The suspect, Nana Kwesi Okyere, was arrested when he presented a cheque at the Takoradi branch of the Bank of Ghana with the face value of GH¢37,800 and fake contract documents purported to contain details of the cost of a project awarded to him by the assembly.
He is to re-appear in court on October 14, 2010.
Okyere was said to have operated a syndicate and allegedly managed to swindle the assembly of more than GH¢200,000.
The cheque bore the signatures of the District Finance Officer, Frank Kojo Dadzie, and the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hammond, who were allegedly waiting for him outside the bank but bolted when Nana Okyere was arrested.
The fake contract documents also bore the forged signature of the District Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Fuakyie.
The police have initiated efforts to pick up the remaining members of the syndicate who were mentioned by the suspect.
The police said they followed up to a hotel where the suspect and his collaborators lodged, but they had checked out.
It would be recalled that at the just-ended Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee sittings in Takoradi, the Juaboso District Assembly was among those in the Western Region which could not account for certain monies paid to contractors.
The assembly could also not properly account for receipts of about GH¢300,000 under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Fund and monies that accrued to the assembly from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The assembly could not also recover about GH¢4 million being fees over-paid to contractors for various projects done.
The suspect, Nana Kwesi Okyere, was arrested when he presented a cheque at the Takoradi branch of the Bank of Ghana with the face value of GH¢37,800 and fake contract documents purported to contain details of the cost of a project awarded to him by the assembly.
He is to re-appear in court on October 14, 2010.
Okyere was said to have operated a syndicate and allegedly managed to swindle the assembly of more than GH¢200,000.
The cheque bore the signatures of the District Finance Officer, Frank Kojo Dadzie, and the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hammond, who were allegedly waiting for him outside the bank but bolted when Nana Okyere was arrested.
The fake contract documents also bore the forged signature of the District Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Fuakyie.
The police have initiated efforts to pick up the remaining members of the syndicate who were mentioned by the suspect.
The police said they followed up to a hotel where the suspect and his collaborators lodged, but they had checked out.
It would be recalled that at the just-ended Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee sittings in Takoradi, the Juaboso District Assembly was among those in the Western Region which could not account for certain monies paid to contractors.
The assembly could also not properly account for receipts of about GH¢300,000 under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Fund and monies that accrued to the assembly from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The assembly could not also recover about GH¢4 million being fees over-paid to contractors for various projects done.
Friday, September 17, 2010
OFFICIALS FLEECE ASSEMBLY...With connivance of conman (LEAD STORY, SEPT 17, 2010)
Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Sekondi
THE Western Regional Police Command has smashed a syndicate led by Nana Kwesi Okyere, who claims to be a contractor, that has allegedly defrauded the Juaboso District Assembly to the tune of GH¢200,000.
The suspect was arrested when he presented a cheque to the Takoradi branch of the Bank of Ghana with the face value of GH¢37,800 and fake contract documents purported to contain details of the cost of a project awarded to him by the assembly.
The cheque bore the signature of the District Finance Officer, Frank Kojo Dadzie, and the District Coordinating Director, Mr Hammond, who were allegedly waiting for him outside the bank but bolted when Nana Okyere was arrested.
The fake contract documents were also bearing the forged signature of the District Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Fuakyie, who expressed surprise when contacted.
According to the police, the scam was exposed after certain elements within the assembly felt peeved because they did not benefit from the deal.
The suspect, Nana Okyere, told the police that he normally travelled from Accra to Takoradi to meet officials from the finance department of the assembly to work out the deal.
He said after receiving the cheque he presented it and the fake contract documents to the Bank of Ghana for payment.
He explained that after cashing the cheque, the people, including the finance director and deputy coordinating director, would collect the money from him and give him his share of the deal thereafter.
“I will go away until they call me again for another deal and I cannot recall how many times but they are substantial amounts,” the suspect said.
Briefing the media, the Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, said after the police received information about the operations, they commenced investigations into the deal and contacted the Central Bank for assistance.
The commander said last Wednesday the suspect, neatly dressed in suit, presented the cheque with the face value of GH¢37,800 issued by the Juaboso District Assembly.
He said the police personnel positioned themselves at the bank and upon seeing the police the suspect took to his heels but he was apprehended.
The police said the suspect confessed that he was neither a contractor nor had any business with the assembly and that he was working for the people in the finance office of the assembly.
Alhaji Hamidu said when the manager of the Bank of Ghana office called the assembly to verify the authenticity of the cheque, the assembly said the last cheque the assembly issued was on September 2, 2010.
But the records at the Bank of Ghana also indicated that seven withdrawals had been made through the same process.
Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, has called for immediate arrest of the officials of the assembly and the bank who are involved in the deal.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
PRISON OFFICERS IN DEMONSTRATION (1B)
Prison officers in Kumasi and Sekondi yesterday demonstrated against what they described as “inadequate upward adjustment in their salaries,” as a result of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
They said in comparison with what their counterparts in the Ghana Police Service received when the SSSS was implemented for its personnel in July, this year, their salaries were far below their expectations.
Wearing red armbands, the officers abandoned their duty posts, locked the main gates of the central prisons in the two cities, blocked all entry points, vowed to prevent visitors from visiting their relatives and also vowed not to admit new prisoners or suspects on remand.
But at a press conference to react to the demonstration, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) said the demonstration was without merit, Caroline Boateng reports.
The press conference was addressed by a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, and the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Mr George Smith-Graham.
Mr Graham said the demonstration was without merit. He explained that the earnings of officers of the Ghana Prison Service could be less than those of personnel of the Ghana Police Service due to some allowances the police enjoyed that the prisons did not.
He, therefore, asked the officers to stop demonstrating and rather prepare to negotiate on allowances when the FWSC invited them for that.
He emphasised that pay levels of officers of the Ghana Prison Service was based on a job evaluation that they did not contest.
Mr Graham further stated that the initial use of the SSSS in July for the payment of salaries for the Ghana Police Service was done without the payment of any allowances except for allowances relating to the knowledge and skills required for the performance of a particular job.
Referring to that as category one allowances, he said they were consolidated for all workers, including the Ghana Prison Service.
For allowances referred to as category two and three, which related to the levels of responsibility that a person exerted in the exercise of his job and the work environment, the agreement was for these to be harmonised and standardised.
Mr Graham explained that the standardisation and harmonisation of such allowances was underway currently and the completion of the exercise would result in all organisations in one service category negotiating for the same levels of allowances pertaining to their organisations.
He said the Ghana Prison Service, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) were the institutions that were put on the SSSS this month in spite of the late submission of information on the mapping from old salary structures onto the new SSSS.
In spite of the delay, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) managed to pay the salaries with the late submission.
Mr Graham said when the first printout of the mapping was done by the CAGD, the top management of the GIS convened a meeting with the FWSC to discuss it, and that explained why officers there were not agitating.
He also explained that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) was not part f the SSSS, and would not be part of it, but had gone through the job evaluation exercise, and in keeping with their terms in deciding their conditions of service, the FWSC was in discussion with them on that.
From Kumasi, Enoch Darfah Frimpong & Robert Kyei-Gyau report that demonstrators burnt tyres on the asphalt road in front of the Prison Service to register their protest.
The officers accused the FWSC and the government of unfair treatment in the implementation of the SSSS.
The demonstrators claimed prison officers had fared worse compared to the Police Service and the Armed Forces under the SSSS, but the leadership of the Prisons Service had failed to act in their favour.
The demonstrating officers refused all attempts by their leadership to address them and refused to call off the demonstration unless the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, came personally to assure them of finding a solution to their complaints.
They called for parity in wages with their counterparts in the Police Service and the Army, institutions they said had fared better with the SSSS.
Moses Dotse Akrobotu reports from Sekondi that at about 10 a.m. convicts transported from other parts of the region to the prison were turned away.
Prison officers there also set lorry tyres ablaze, blocking the road leading to the female prisons, preventing all vehicles from entering the precincts.
The demonstrators were later joined by their wives with cooking utensil, plastic bowls and gallons, all of which they used as drums.
“Our accommodation is not the best.
We have been forgotten and our children who have joined the police service recently are taking more salary than us,” some of the demonstrators said.
Asked if they knew they were a regimental institution and were not supposed to embark on a demonstration, they said they were aware but had been pushed to the wall.
Attempts by some senior officers to enter the yard were met by demonstrators chanting “no way!, no way!”
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
KESSBEN SHOCK HEARTS (PAGE 31, SEPT 14, 2010)
Sensational Kessben FC last Sunday performed another giant-killing feat when they handed visiting Accra Hearts of Oak a painful 1-0 win in their Glo Premiership encounter at the Sekondi Stadium.
The victory, coming only a week after beating Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, put the new-look Kessben side in strong contention for the league title.
With only 11 minutes to go, enterprising striker Hans Kwofie ghosted through a boiling Hearts goalmouth to squeeze the ball past goalkeeper Sammy Adjei for the only goal of the match.
It was a sad end to another superb afternoon by former Ghanaian international goalkeeper Sammy Adjei whose heroics saved Hearts and raised the excitement of the game to dizzy heights.
Adjei displayed brilliant goalkeeping to block a close range shot from Kwofie in a close encounter on the 36th minute after defender Osei Bonsu had blundered in the 18-yard box.
Early in the game Kessben tactically dismantled the Phobian rhythm and kept dangerman Osei Pele out of the game, with veteran Joe Hendricks and Kwabena Edusei virtually eclipsing him, while Abdul Bashiru and Uriah Asante struggled to find their bearing.
Hearts’ trouble started when Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin replaced Pele, Asante and Bashiru with John Antwi, Tawrick Djibril and Douglas Nkrumah.
The victory, coming only a week after beating Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, put the new-look Kessben side in strong contention for the league title.
With only 11 minutes to go, enterprising striker Hans Kwofie ghosted through a boiling Hearts goalmouth to squeeze the ball past goalkeeper Sammy Adjei for the only goal of the match.
It was a sad end to another superb afternoon by former Ghanaian international goalkeeper Sammy Adjei whose heroics saved Hearts and raised the excitement of the game to dizzy heights.
Adjei displayed brilliant goalkeeping to block a close range shot from Kwofie in a close encounter on the 36th minute after defender Osei Bonsu had blundered in the 18-yard box.
Early in the game Kessben tactically dismantled the Phobian rhythm and kept dangerman Osei Pele out of the game, with veteran Joe Hendricks and Kwabena Edusei virtually eclipsing him, while Abdul Bashiru and Uriah Asante struggled to find their bearing.
Hearts’ trouble started when Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin replaced Pele, Asante and Bashiru with John Antwi, Tawrick Djibril and Douglas Nkrumah.
Monday, September 13, 2010
INTERPRETER REMANDED IN CUSTODY OVER THEFT (PAGE 51, SEPT 13, 2010)
AN interpreter attached to the Sekondi High Court has been remanded in police custody for allegedly stealing cash exhibits taken as evidence by the court.
The accused who was said to have used the money to restock the wife’s store and finance his brother’s trip abroad is to re-appear before the Takoradi Circuit Court on September 13, 2010 where he is standing trial .
The exhibits included Ghana cedis, US dollars, British pounds sterling and euros.
According to the police, anytime the court took exhibits and handed them to the accused, Albert Quainoo, to be given to the court registrar for safekeeping, he pocketed the cash and gave the material exhibits to the registrar.
The police said the offence was not detected until the Supervising High Court Judge, who was on transfer to Kumasi, had to prepare his handing over notes and transfer all the exhibits to the incoming judge.
According to the police, when the deputy registrar of the court requested for all the exhibits, the accused quickly went into the vault and put together non-cash items and envelopes and handed them over to him.
Unfortunately for him, the deputy registrar insisted that the sealed envelopes were opened to enable them to check the exhibits together one by one before handing them over to him for onward transfer to the incoming judge.
The accused, however, insisted that the registrar took the envelopes without opening them.
After a few minutes of argument, the registrar and the accused agreed to open the envelopes to verify the contents.
The fears of the deputy registrar were confirmed when the cash exhibits made up of GH¢5,077, $105, 240 euros and 440 pound sterling were not found in the envelopes.
The police said the case was reported to the outgoing supervising judge who summoned Quainoo and his colleagues to his office where the accused confessed.
The accused who was said to have used the money to restock the wife’s store and finance his brother’s trip abroad is to re-appear before the Takoradi Circuit Court on September 13, 2010 where he is standing trial .
The exhibits included Ghana cedis, US dollars, British pounds sterling and euros.
According to the police, anytime the court took exhibits and handed them to the accused, Albert Quainoo, to be given to the court registrar for safekeeping, he pocketed the cash and gave the material exhibits to the registrar.
The police said the offence was not detected until the Supervising High Court Judge, who was on transfer to Kumasi, had to prepare his handing over notes and transfer all the exhibits to the incoming judge.
According to the police, when the deputy registrar of the court requested for all the exhibits, the accused quickly went into the vault and put together non-cash items and envelopes and handed them over to him.
Unfortunately for him, the deputy registrar insisted that the sealed envelopes were opened to enable them to check the exhibits together one by one before handing them over to him for onward transfer to the incoming judge.
The accused, however, insisted that the registrar took the envelopes without opening them.
After a few minutes of argument, the registrar and the accused agreed to open the envelopes to verify the contents.
The fears of the deputy registrar were confirmed when the cash exhibits made up of GH¢5,077, $105, 240 euros and 440 pound sterling were not found in the envelopes.
The police said the case was reported to the outgoing supervising judge who summoned Quainoo and his colleagues to his office where the accused confessed.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
GREL CONSTRUCTS FEMALE CELL FOR KWESIMINTSIM POLICE (PAGE 23, SEPT 8, 2010)
The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) has constructed a female cell for the Kwesimintsim District Police Command in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis.
Hitherto, female offenders after their arrest had to be transported to Takoradi or other nearby police stations.
The facility is fitted with a toilet and bath and a spacious area for sleeping. It also has good ventilation to ensure that offenders are comfortable.
The company also painted the charge office and presented the district command with a computer and accessories.
The Takoradi Omanhene, Oketekyie Bosumakora III, who initiated the project, said the government’s dream of a lawful society could only be achieved if the public realised it had a role to play in complementing its efforts.
The Deputy Western Regional Commander, ACP Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro III, thanked the company and the chief for their support.
He said the completion of the cell came at the right time to ease congestion in the female cells in the metropolis and to improve service of the police.
ACP Pinkro urged members of communities to see the police as friends and partner them to ensure lawful society.
He said the public, made up of individuals, corporate bodies and institutions, were expected to support the police to prevent crime.
The deputy commander said the anticipated partnership between the police and the public was in line with the concept of democratic policing principles and public safety.
The Managing Director of GREL, Mr Marc Genot, said the company had had a lot of support from the police and would therefore continue to support efforts of the police to ensure a lawful society.
He said the mere assurance of security was a good omen for investors which would have a positive rippling effect on socio-economic growth of the country.
ACP Pinkro commended the sponsors and called for more support as according to him, crime prevention methods were changing and therefore, required the assistance of the public or communities to reduce crime.
Hitherto, female offenders after their arrest had to be transported to Takoradi or other nearby police stations.
The facility is fitted with a toilet and bath and a spacious area for sleeping. It also has good ventilation to ensure that offenders are comfortable.
The company also painted the charge office and presented the district command with a computer and accessories.
The Takoradi Omanhene, Oketekyie Bosumakora III, who initiated the project, said the government’s dream of a lawful society could only be achieved if the public realised it had a role to play in complementing its efforts.
The Deputy Western Regional Commander, ACP Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro III, thanked the company and the chief for their support.
He said the completion of the cell came at the right time to ease congestion in the female cells in the metropolis and to improve service of the police.
ACP Pinkro urged members of communities to see the police as friends and partner them to ensure lawful society.
He said the public, made up of individuals, corporate bodies and institutions, were expected to support the police to prevent crime.
The deputy commander said the anticipated partnership between the police and the public was in line with the concept of democratic policing principles and public safety.
The Managing Director of GREL, Mr Marc Genot, said the company had had a lot of support from the police and would therefore continue to support efforts of the police to ensure a lawful society.
He said the mere assurance of security was a good omen for investors which would have a positive rippling effect on socio-economic growth of the country.
ACP Pinkro commended the sponsors and called for more support as according to him, crime prevention methods were changing and therefore, required the assistance of the public or communities to reduce crime.
DON'T TRANSFER LPG FROM CYLINDER INTO VEHICLES...EPA warns taxi drivers (PAGE 23, SEPT 8, 2010)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that any of the suburbs in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi could burst into uncontrollable flames due to activities of taxi drivers, who have converted their cars from petrol based fuel to liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
The taxi drivers use domestic gas cylinders to buy gas and then dangerously transfer it, using tubes near the points of sale, taxi ranks and communities in the metropolis.
The Western Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service, which expressed similar sentiments about these activities, said they had so far recorded more than 11 vehicular fires due to such LPG transfer this year alone.
One of such taxicab drivers, who sustained severe burns, was rushed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
That aside, the Fire Service said the proper procedures for the installation of gas cylinders in the vehicles were not followed or the cylinders were fixed by people who were not trained to perform such tasks.
The dangerous spots where the siphoning is done are usually behind gas stations and the various taxi ranks in the metropolis.
According to the taxi drivers, it is time wasting to join the queue to buy LPG at the designated places as, it was better for them to carry cylinders to buy the commodity after which they siphon it into the fixed tanks in their cabs.
The EPA has warned that the activities of these taxi drivers are dangerous because in case of explosion, fire could engulf the gas station and the explosion would not be limited to the area alone but the whole community, since gas travels fast and far.
Furthermore, some people have taken advantage of the high demand by desperate taxi drivers for gas and are into into the lucrative business of using domestic cylinders to buy the gas which they re-sell at cut throat prices to cab drivers.
The Western Regional Director of EPA, Irene Heathcote, said reports indicated that siphoning was mostly done in crowded communities.
“Should the gas escape into somebody’s kitchen or get into contact with naked fire, there will be conflagration and a whole community will be affected,” she said.
That aside, the regional director said, innocent passers-by would not be spared by the action of somebody to enrich himself.
She said the development was a threat to life and property and should be checked by all stakeholders.
The Regional Director said even the installation of gas cylinders was not properly done, saying “when the vehicle from the manufacturing stage was made to use gas there is no problem, but where the vehicle owner decides to install the gas by himself without proper certification, the lives of the whole society is put at risk”.
The Regional MTTU Commander, DSP Daniel Dzaka, appealed to the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority, (DVLA) to do critical examination of vehicles to ensure that people with dangerous installations were made to remove them.
The taxi drivers use domestic gas cylinders to buy gas and then dangerously transfer it, using tubes near the points of sale, taxi ranks and communities in the metropolis.
The Western Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service, which expressed similar sentiments about these activities, said they had so far recorded more than 11 vehicular fires due to such LPG transfer this year alone.
One of such taxicab drivers, who sustained severe burns, was rushed to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
That aside, the Fire Service said the proper procedures for the installation of gas cylinders in the vehicles were not followed or the cylinders were fixed by people who were not trained to perform such tasks.
The dangerous spots where the siphoning is done are usually behind gas stations and the various taxi ranks in the metropolis.
According to the taxi drivers, it is time wasting to join the queue to buy LPG at the designated places as, it was better for them to carry cylinders to buy the commodity after which they siphon it into the fixed tanks in their cabs.
The EPA has warned that the activities of these taxi drivers are dangerous because in case of explosion, fire could engulf the gas station and the explosion would not be limited to the area alone but the whole community, since gas travels fast and far.
Furthermore, some people have taken advantage of the high demand by desperate taxi drivers for gas and are into into the lucrative business of using domestic cylinders to buy the gas which they re-sell at cut throat prices to cab drivers.
The Western Regional Director of EPA, Irene Heathcote, said reports indicated that siphoning was mostly done in crowded communities.
“Should the gas escape into somebody’s kitchen or get into contact with naked fire, there will be conflagration and a whole community will be affected,” she said.
That aside, the regional director said, innocent passers-by would not be spared by the action of somebody to enrich himself.
She said the development was a threat to life and property and should be checked by all stakeholders.
The Regional Director said even the installation of gas cylinders was not properly done, saying “when the vehicle from the manufacturing stage was made to use gas there is no problem, but where the vehicle owner decides to install the gas by himself without proper certification, the lives of the whole society is put at risk”.
The Regional MTTU Commander, DSP Daniel Dzaka, appealed to the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority, (DVLA) to do critical examination of vehicles to ensure that people with dangerous installations were made to remove them.
PARENTS WORRIED OVER CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOUR (PAGE 23, SEPT 8, 2010)
A NUMBER of children in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi engage in gambling with rubber bands, and play cards under trees, while others spend their time playing computer games at the expense of their education.
Some parents who attended the National Children’s Day celebration at Keten near Sekondi, which was sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Women’s and Children Affairs (MOWAC), the Department of Social Welfare and other stakeholdres to intervene to save the future of their children.
The parents said the children used their pocket money for gambling and when they did not get any money, they stole from them.
The Western Regional Director of the Department of Women and Children, Mr John Hackman, said it was sad that sometimes children trooped to Internet cafés and beaches to gamble under trees during school hours, adding that, “We don’t have a problem with children’s interest in the use of information technology, but if they would do so at the expense of their education, then we would not support it.”
For her part, the Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azuma-Mensah, said her outfit would collaborate with UNICEF and other stakeholders to ensure that the children were protected, stressing that the ministry had a role to play in protecting the interest of children.
Following the concern expressed by the parents, this reporter visited some Internet cafés in the metropolis and he found that majority of their customers were children.
One of the café attendants stated that “the children buy the time and play the same game and bet, the winner then takes the money”.
He said although they did well to discourage them , some of the children outwitted them and were only exposed when there was a disagreement over who won or lost.
Some parents who attended the National Children’s Day celebration at Keten near Sekondi, which was sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Women’s and Children Affairs (MOWAC), the Department of Social Welfare and other stakeholdres to intervene to save the future of their children.
The parents said the children used their pocket money for gambling and when they did not get any money, they stole from them.
The Western Regional Director of the Department of Women and Children, Mr John Hackman, said it was sad that sometimes children trooped to Internet cafés and beaches to gamble under trees during school hours, adding that, “We don’t have a problem with children’s interest in the use of information technology, but if they would do so at the expense of their education, then we would not support it.”
For her part, the Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azuma-Mensah, said her outfit would collaborate with UNICEF and other stakeholders to ensure that the children were protected, stressing that the ministry had a role to play in protecting the interest of children.
Following the concern expressed by the parents, this reporter visited some Internet cafés in the metropolis and he found that majority of their customers were children.
One of the café attendants stated that “the children buy the time and play the same game and bet, the winner then takes the money”.
He said although they did well to discourage them , some of the children outwitted them and were only exposed when there was a disagreement over who won or lost.
Monday, September 6, 2010
FARMER NABBED FOR IMPERSONATION (BACK PAGE, SEPT 4, 2010)
A 25-year-old farmer, who allegedly posed as a senior military officer in charge of enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and defrauded many people in the Sefwi area in the Western Region, has been arrested.
The suspect, Solomon Paul Kaku, was said to have managed to procure an enlistment form and made several photocopies which he distributed to his victims, including taxi drivers, auto and electronic mechanics and school leavers at Sefwi Buako, Asawinso and Kwafukaa after introducing himself as Col. Kaku Korsah of the Ghana Army.
He allegedly managed to extort a total of GH¢4,700.00 under the ploy of enlisting them without they having to go through thorough medical examination.
He reportedly made his victims to submit the completed forms to him and gave them a date and time to report at the army headquarters in Accra for training.
The unsuspecting victims, with much hope of becoming officers and men of the GAF, reported to the Burma Camp in Accra for the training only to be told that there was no military officer with the name Col Kaku Korsah and that the only person with that name had retired years ago.
According to police sources, fortunately for the victims, on their return journey to Sefwi, they saw the suspect at a Metro Mass Transit bus terminal in Takoradi, where he was busy convincing a group of young people to enlist into the Ghana Army, using forms similar to those he gave them.
The victims then pounced on him and sent him to the police station, where he allegedly confessed to committing the offence.
The sources said the suspect admitted that he was not an army officer but a farmer at Esiama in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
They said as a result of the false representation, the suspect succeeded in collecting between GH¢500 and GH¢700, depending on the choice of the victims either into the officer corps or the other ranks.
The suspect is currently on remand and will appear in court on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
The suspect, Solomon Paul Kaku, was said to have managed to procure an enlistment form and made several photocopies which he distributed to his victims, including taxi drivers, auto and electronic mechanics and school leavers at Sefwi Buako, Asawinso and Kwafukaa after introducing himself as Col. Kaku Korsah of the Ghana Army.
He allegedly managed to extort a total of GH¢4,700.00 under the ploy of enlisting them without they having to go through thorough medical examination.
He reportedly made his victims to submit the completed forms to him and gave them a date and time to report at the army headquarters in Accra for training.
The unsuspecting victims, with much hope of becoming officers and men of the GAF, reported to the Burma Camp in Accra for the training only to be told that there was no military officer with the name Col Kaku Korsah and that the only person with that name had retired years ago.
According to police sources, fortunately for the victims, on their return journey to Sefwi, they saw the suspect at a Metro Mass Transit bus terminal in Takoradi, where he was busy convincing a group of young people to enlist into the Ghana Army, using forms similar to those he gave them.
The victims then pounced on him and sent him to the police station, where he allegedly confessed to committing the offence.
The sources said the suspect admitted that he was not an army officer but a farmer at Esiama in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
They said as a result of the false representation, the suspect succeeded in collecting between GH¢500 and GH¢700, depending on the choice of the victims either into the officer corps or the other ranks.
The suspect is currently on remand and will appear in court on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
Friday, September 3, 2010
SOOTHSAYER ARRESTED...For paying prostitute with fake currency (LEAD STORY, MIRROR, SEPT 4, 2010)
From Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Sekondi
A BURKINABE soothsayer has been arrested for paying a prostitute with fake currency after her overnight services in his hotel in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi.
The prostitute after an overnight encounter with the suspect, Sheriff Osuman, 46, got home only to realise that the money his client used in paying her were fake Ghana cedi notes.
She quickly ran to report at the Rapid Deployment Force Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Takoradi and led them to the hotel where the suspect was lodging and was arrested.
Interestingly, the suspect, who told the police he was a soothsayer endowed with the possibilities of seeing into the future, was not able to tell when the police were heading to his hotel.
After his arrest, the police found on him a lot of fake local currency notes and thousands of fake United States dollars.
According to a police source, the woman told the police that, she met the man the previous night, and after a few drinks and negotiations they moved into a hotel in Takoradi.
According to the police the woman reported the man to the police because he failed to keep to his side of the agreement.
“I am happy he has been arrested, at least if not for my money, for the fact that he planned cheating on me,” she said.
According to the source, the man after the act paid the agreed amount and she left for the house but upon reaching home, she realised that the money were fake notes.
She then moved quickly to the police and reported him before he escaped.
According to the source, the suspect, travelling through Ghana to Cote d’Ivoire, decided to pass the night in Takoradi.
The source said apart from the fake currency found on him, there were other items such as talisman and other items that he used for his soothsaying business.
He is currently in police custody pending further investigations.
A BURKINABE soothsayer has been arrested for paying a prostitute with fake currency after her overnight services in his hotel in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi.
The prostitute after an overnight encounter with the suspect, Sheriff Osuman, 46, got home only to realise that the money his client used in paying her were fake Ghana cedi notes.
She quickly ran to report at the Rapid Deployment Force Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Takoradi and led them to the hotel where the suspect was lodging and was arrested.
Interestingly, the suspect, who told the police he was a soothsayer endowed with the possibilities of seeing into the future, was not able to tell when the police were heading to his hotel.
After his arrest, the police found on him a lot of fake local currency notes and thousands of fake United States dollars.
According to a police source, the woman told the police that, she met the man the previous night, and after a few drinks and negotiations they moved into a hotel in Takoradi.
According to the police the woman reported the man to the police because he failed to keep to his side of the agreement.
“I am happy he has been arrested, at least if not for my money, for the fact that he planned cheating on me,” she said.
According to the source, the man after the act paid the agreed amount and she left for the house but upon reaching home, she realised that the money were fake notes.
She then moved quickly to the police and reported him before he escaped.
According to the source, the suspect, travelling through Ghana to Cote d’Ivoire, decided to pass the night in Takoradi.
The source said apart from the fake currency found on him, there were other items such as talisman and other items that he used for his soothsaying business.
He is currently in police custody pending further investigations.
MP FOR ELLEMBELLE CAUTIONS DRIVERS (PAGE 13, SEPT 3, 2010)
The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Deputy Energy Minister, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has given an assurance that the government will do everything possible to ensure that the country’s roads are safe.
He, however, warned against speeding due to the safe and good nature of the roads.
He said each citizen had a role to play in the running of the country and losing people through avoidable accidents would bring social discomfort within communities and families.
“You might be speeding to make the money, but remember when you die, you will not be able to enjoy the money you have made, therefore, it is important to be more careful on the road,” he said.
He said this when he met the Esiama Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) branch of the in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
He said the alarming rate at which road accidents were claiming lives was a worry to the government.
He, therefore, urged drivers across the country to reflect on the excessive and avoidable accidents on the country’s roads and to take steps to curb their reoccurrence.
He said accidents had caused enough pain in the country, and therefore drivers must, take steps to curb the prevalence.
He said most, if not all, of road accidents were caused by human errors, which could have been avoided if drivers adhered to basic road safety regulations and also avoided excessive speeding.
He urged drivers and vehicle owners to ensure periodic maintenance of their vehicles and reminded them that delayed maintenance was a disaster in waiting.
The MP urged drivers to avoid alcohol, self- medication and also advised them to take enough rest and never drive tired.
Mr Buah also used the opportunity to explain the toll increment to the drivers, “it is to enable government pay off old debts and also put the roads in good shape, as well as construct roads to give drivers comfort in their work”.
The Chairman of the Branch, Mr Daniel Kwaw Asmah, thanked the MP for his visit and urged him to maintain the regular interaction between him and his constituents.
Mr Asmah appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways through the MP to consider the construction of the Esiama town roads, as well as construct speed humps on the Kikam-Esiama roads to prevent accidents.
He also appealed to the government to construct the Aiyinase-Nyamebekyere-Atababo-Kwasikrom road to open up the district and also appealed for the erection of more road signs from Apimanim to Elubo to regulate the activities of drivers.
Picture: Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.
He, however, warned against speeding due to the safe and good nature of the roads.
He said each citizen had a role to play in the running of the country and losing people through avoidable accidents would bring social discomfort within communities and families.
“You might be speeding to make the money, but remember when you die, you will not be able to enjoy the money you have made, therefore, it is important to be more careful on the road,” he said.
He said this when he met the Esiama Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) branch of the in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
He said the alarming rate at which road accidents were claiming lives was a worry to the government.
He, therefore, urged drivers across the country to reflect on the excessive and avoidable accidents on the country’s roads and to take steps to curb their reoccurrence.
He said accidents had caused enough pain in the country, and therefore drivers must, take steps to curb the prevalence.
He said most, if not all, of road accidents were caused by human errors, which could have been avoided if drivers adhered to basic road safety regulations and also avoided excessive speeding.
He urged drivers and vehicle owners to ensure periodic maintenance of their vehicles and reminded them that delayed maintenance was a disaster in waiting.
The MP urged drivers to avoid alcohol, self- medication and also advised them to take enough rest and never drive tired.
Mr Buah also used the opportunity to explain the toll increment to the drivers, “it is to enable government pay off old debts and also put the roads in good shape, as well as construct roads to give drivers comfort in their work”.
The Chairman of the Branch, Mr Daniel Kwaw Asmah, thanked the MP for his visit and urged him to maintain the regular interaction between him and his constituents.
Mr Asmah appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways through the MP to consider the construction of the Esiama town roads, as well as construct speed humps on the Kikam-Esiama roads to prevent accidents.
He also appealed to the government to construct the Aiyinase-Nyamebekyere-Atababo-Kwasikrom road to open up the district and also appealed for the erection of more road signs from Apimanim to Elubo to regulate the activities of drivers.
Picture: Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
LET'S PAY REALISTIC TARIFFS — PIANIM (1B, SEPT 2, 2010)
Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Sekondi
A FORMER chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Mr Kwame Pianim, says it is time for electricity consumers to stop their “radical opposition to tariff increases” and face the realities of the day by paying economic prices for energy.
He has also advocated total independence for the PURC to enable the Commission to engage utility companies directly and undertake both technical and financial audits with a view to arriving at full cost recovery.
Consistent with the mood with which he resigned as chairman of the Commission in 2006, Mr Pianim said, “We have to shed our exaggerated entitlement mentality and be ready to accept a tariff adjustment based on full cost recovery to attract investors into the field.”
Mr Pianim resigned in disagreement with the then NPP government over whether or not Ghanaians should pay the full cost of water and electricity generated. While he insisted on full recovery, the government opted for subsidy.
Sharing his thoughts on the energy sector at a symposium to mark the 10th anniversary of the Takoradi International Company (TICO) in Takoradi, Mr Pianim said “until and unless consumers are faced with full cost of the supply of electricity, we cannot expect serious attempts at energy utilisation efficiency and conservation on the part of the consumers.”
He said the people who misused energy were the same people adopting radical measures to resist adjustments being made to attract investors.
Mr Pianim drew attention to the Chinese situation and noted that with all their population, only 15 per cent of the energy generated in China went into domestic use, while in Ghana, more than 50 per cent of the country’s energy went into domestic use.
“This makes me ask if there are industries in our homes for such an amount of energy to be directed to them,” he said.
In his contribution, the General Manager of TICO, Nana Osafo Adjei, said the Volta River reservoir, which provided the resource for the country’s “seemingly unlimited hydro power” had begun to experience reduction in the water level.
“In the mid 1990s, an international report recommended thermal complementation as the most feasible alternative source,” he said.
He said TICO was an example of that initiative that had over the past 10 years supported the overall energy requirement of the country.
“With about 12 per cent of total generating capacity in Ghana and yet delivering an average of well over 15 per cent resulting in total export of 9,165,254 megawatt hours of energy,” he said.
A FORMER chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Mr Kwame Pianim, says it is time for electricity consumers to stop their “radical opposition to tariff increases” and face the realities of the day by paying economic prices for energy.
He has also advocated total independence for the PURC to enable the Commission to engage utility companies directly and undertake both technical and financial audits with a view to arriving at full cost recovery.
Consistent with the mood with which he resigned as chairman of the Commission in 2006, Mr Pianim said, “We have to shed our exaggerated entitlement mentality and be ready to accept a tariff adjustment based on full cost recovery to attract investors into the field.”
Mr Pianim resigned in disagreement with the then NPP government over whether or not Ghanaians should pay the full cost of water and electricity generated. While he insisted on full recovery, the government opted for subsidy.
Sharing his thoughts on the energy sector at a symposium to mark the 10th anniversary of the Takoradi International Company (TICO) in Takoradi, Mr Pianim said “until and unless consumers are faced with full cost of the supply of electricity, we cannot expect serious attempts at energy utilisation efficiency and conservation on the part of the consumers.”
He said the people who misused energy were the same people adopting radical measures to resist adjustments being made to attract investors.
Mr Pianim drew attention to the Chinese situation and noted that with all their population, only 15 per cent of the energy generated in China went into domestic use, while in Ghana, more than 50 per cent of the country’s energy went into domestic use.
“This makes me ask if there are industries in our homes for such an amount of energy to be directed to them,” he said.
In his contribution, the General Manager of TICO, Nana Osafo Adjei, said the Volta River reservoir, which provided the resource for the country’s “seemingly unlimited hydro power” had begun to experience reduction in the water level.
“In the mid 1990s, an international report recommended thermal complementation as the most feasible alternative source,” he said.
He said TICO was an example of that initiative that had over the past 10 years supported the overall energy requirement of the country.
“With about 12 per cent of total generating capacity in Ghana and yet delivering an average of well over 15 per cent resulting in total export of 9,165,254 megawatt hours of energy,” he said.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
JOURNALISTS ATTEND WORKSHOP ON MALARIA CONTROL (PAGE 35, SEPT 2, 2010)
JOURNALISTS in the twin-city of Sekondi-Takoradi and other parts of the Western Region have attended a workshop on the causes and treatment of malaria.
They were also educated on the country’s anti-malarial drug policy, affordable medicine for malaria, and intermittent preventive treatment, among others.
The resource persons observed that most of the information about the breeding grounds of two main female anopheles mosquitoes, which are the main vectors for malarial transmission, was not accurately reported.
The journalists were also made to understand that malaria could be accidentally transmitted through blood transfusion or through contaminated blood on a hypodermic needle.
Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey of the National Malaria Control Programme discounted the notion that chemically polluted choked gutters were breeding grounds for mosquitoes which transmitted malaria.
He said chemically polluted water was not a suitable breeding place for female anopheles mosquitoes but rather areas such as tidal swamps, irrigated rice fields and places in the homes found conducive by the mosquitoes.
Mr Gakpey explained that female anopheles mosquitoes needed human blood to develop their eggs.
He said it was, therefore, very important not to create the environment in the home to attract them.
Mr Gakpey said about 4,500 deaths recorded in the country annually were caused by malaria, with children under five years and pregnant women being the most vulnerable.
He added that about 1,500 children under five years and 60 pregnant women were killed by the disease every year.
He said there was the need to adopt a control mechanism to ensure that rice fields and swampy places were not made conducive for mosquitoes to breed.
He said in most cases, environmental protection agencies protected wet lands, and to ensure that those lands did not breed mosquitoes, fish farming should be introduced in those areas, particularly streams classified as protected areas.
Mr Gakpey urged the media to educate the public on the need to keep their surroundings clean.
He said an anti-malarial drug policy for the country was meant to facilitate the attainment of rapid and long-lasting clinical cure as well as reduction in morbidity, including malaria-related anaemia.
The Western Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Sam Mark Essien, commended the organisers of the event for the education.
He said as communicators, they needed constant information on the new trends of fighting social problems.
Mr Essien assured the organisers that with the latest information on the causes of malaria, he and his colleagues would take up the challenge to ensure that the aim of the National Malaria Control Programme was achieved.
Prompt Ghana, United States Agency for International Development and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in collaboration with Centre for Communications Programmes, BCS-Project, UNICEF and World Health Organisation, supported the programme.
They were also educated on the country’s anti-malarial drug policy, affordable medicine for malaria, and intermittent preventive treatment, among others.
The resource persons observed that most of the information about the breeding grounds of two main female anopheles mosquitoes, which are the main vectors for malarial transmission, was not accurately reported.
The journalists were also made to understand that malaria could be accidentally transmitted through blood transfusion or through contaminated blood on a hypodermic needle.
Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey of the National Malaria Control Programme discounted the notion that chemically polluted choked gutters were breeding grounds for mosquitoes which transmitted malaria.
He said chemically polluted water was not a suitable breeding place for female anopheles mosquitoes but rather areas such as tidal swamps, irrigated rice fields and places in the homes found conducive by the mosquitoes.
Mr Gakpey explained that female anopheles mosquitoes needed human blood to develop their eggs.
He said it was, therefore, very important not to create the environment in the home to attract them.
Mr Gakpey said about 4,500 deaths recorded in the country annually were caused by malaria, with children under five years and pregnant women being the most vulnerable.
He added that about 1,500 children under five years and 60 pregnant women were killed by the disease every year.
He said there was the need to adopt a control mechanism to ensure that rice fields and swampy places were not made conducive for mosquitoes to breed.
He said in most cases, environmental protection agencies protected wet lands, and to ensure that those lands did not breed mosquitoes, fish farming should be introduced in those areas, particularly streams classified as protected areas.
Mr Gakpey urged the media to educate the public on the need to keep their surroundings clean.
He said an anti-malarial drug policy for the country was meant to facilitate the attainment of rapid and long-lasting clinical cure as well as reduction in morbidity, including malaria-related anaemia.
The Western Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Sam Mark Essien, commended the organisers of the event for the education.
He said as communicators, they needed constant information on the new trends of fighting social problems.
Mr Essien assured the organisers that with the latest information on the causes of malaria, he and his colleagues would take up the challenge to ensure that the aim of the National Malaria Control Programme was achieved.
Prompt Ghana, United States Agency for International Development and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in collaboration with Centre for Communications Programmes, BCS-Project, UNICEF and World Health Organisation, supported the programme.
FAREWELL PARTY FOR RETIRED CRIME OFFICER (PAGE 23, SEPT 1, 2010)
FORMER Western Regional Crime Officer, Mr Victor Agbetornyo, has urged young police officers to put the country first in their line of duty.
He said good rapport between police officers and the general public was very vital to effective policing and reduction or eventual elimination of crime in society.
Speaking to his colleagues and junior officers at a send off party for him in Takoradi, Mr Agbetornyo said he was so fulfilled and had never regretted joining the police.
He said the public had a very bad perception about the noble police service and they could redeem their image through the individual efforts of the officers.
“Therefore, if we have to position the Police Service well in the eyes of the public, we need to take personal initiative to changed the negative public perception about us,” he said.
He said “I am stepping out of the service with joy because I have serve my country and I urged you to continue from where I left off and remember you have a duty to repaint the image of the police service with brightest colours.”
“You have the chance now to paint a different picture of our noble service and get the public on your side for effective proactive policing,” he said.
The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu, commended Mr Agbetornyo and said having worked closed with him, his retirement would create a vacuum in the police service.
He wished the retired officer well and urged the young ones to tap from his rich experience.
He was presented with gifts. The function was attended by some members of the judiciary, sister security services and other senior police officers.
He said good rapport between police officers and the general public was very vital to effective policing and reduction or eventual elimination of crime in society.
Speaking to his colleagues and junior officers at a send off party for him in Takoradi, Mr Agbetornyo said he was so fulfilled and had never regretted joining the police.
He said the public had a very bad perception about the noble police service and they could redeem their image through the individual efforts of the officers.
“Therefore, if we have to position the Police Service well in the eyes of the public, we need to take personal initiative to changed the negative public perception about us,” he said.
He said “I am stepping out of the service with joy because I have serve my country and I urged you to continue from where I left off and remember you have a duty to repaint the image of the police service with brightest colours.”
“You have the chance now to paint a different picture of our noble service and get the public on your side for effective proactive policing,” he said.
The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu, commended Mr Agbetornyo and said having worked closed with him, his retirement would create a vacuum in the police service.
He wished the retired officer well and urged the young ones to tap from his rich experience.
He was presented with gifts. The function was attended by some members of the judiciary, sister security services and other senior police officers.
ENCROACHMENT ON T-POLY LANDS HAMPER PHYSICAL DEVT (PAGE 23, SEPT 1, 2010)
TAKORADI Polytechnic has lined up numerous academic programmes and physical infrastructural projects but the achievement of these are hampered by massive encroachment of the school’s lands.
The school’s huge land has been reduced to the extent that it is impossible for it to engage in any physical expansion of structures.
At the moment, the school is on the edge of rolling out other academic programmes in collaboration with City and Guilds and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, both in the United Kingdom as well as other programmes in Bachelor in Procurement Technology and oil and gas related programmes because of the oil find in the Western Region.
According to officials of the polytechnic, these programmes which were designed to meet the modern day demands of the commerce and industry, would have seen an increment in enrolment.
Therefore, the encroachment on the school’s land would be a great setback for future developments.
According to the Rector of the Polytechnic, Rev. Prof. Daniel A. Nyarko, management was putting the necessary process in place to protect and secure the polytechnic’s land.
Land, he said, was very important to the expansion drive of the school and the size of land allocated to the school since its inception in the 60’s should have been secured through proper demarcation and documentation but that was not done.
He said some of other challenges facing the school were student/lecturers accommodation which, he said, was very important to academic work.
The rector said some of the students were residing in areas far away from the campus. In addition the conditions under which some of them studied at their residences were not conducive.
“It will have been the best if we have the financial capabilities to embark on projects such as student/lecturer accommodation, but we are constrained since we have to focus on other areas aimed at enhancing academic work,” he said.
He said one of the strategies being adopted to tackle the students accommodation problem was to invite private investors with good proposals to build hostels operate and transfer.
“But the problem again is that our lands are not properly demarcated, therefore the edges of the supposed school land have been encroached upon,” he said.
He explained that when people look at the school from outside it looked huge but in actual fact the middle of the school had huge stagnant water which divided the school into two.
Rev. Prof. Nyarko said the polytechnic had a very bright future and was well-positioned to train the needed skilled manpower to feed commerce and industry.
He said he would do everything legally acceptable to secure the school’s assets.
Asked whether a private person could invest in the student’s hostel, he said yes, explaining that there were other projects that were uncompleted and that if an investor walks in, there would be no problem.
In the areas of staff accommodation, he said it was a great disincentive for attracting staff to the institution them.
He said even though the institution had a good staff, there was still the need for more, but for the lack of accommodation, it was difficult to attract and retain them.
The rector said the school would put in all efforts to secure the lands for its future expansion.
The school’s huge land has been reduced to the extent that it is impossible for it to engage in any physical expansion of structures.
At the moment, the school is on the edge of rolling out other academic programmes in collaboration with City and Guilds and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, both in the United Kingdom as well as other programmes in Bachelor in Procurement Technology and oil and gas related programmes because of the oil find in the Western Region.
According to officials of the polytechnic, these programmes which were designed to meet the modern day demands of the commerce and industry, would have seen an increment in enrolment.
Therefore, the encroachment on the school’s land would be a great setback for future developments.
According to the Rector of the Polytechnic, Rev. Prof. Daniel A. Nyarko, management was putting the necessary process in place to protect and secure the polytechnic’s land.
Land, he said, was very important to the expansion drive of the school and the size of land allocated to the school since its inception in the 60’s should have been secured through proper demarcation and documentation but that was not done.
He said some of other challenges facing the school were student/lecturers accommodation which, he said, was very important to academic work.
The rector said some of the students were residing in areas far away from the campus. In addition the conditions under which some of them studied at their residences were not conducive.
“It will have been the best if we have the financial capabilities to embark on projects such as student/lecturer accommodation, but we are constrained since we have to focus on other areas aimed at enhancing academic work,” he said.
He said one of the strategies being adopted to tackle the students accommodation problem was to invite private investors with good proposals to build hostels operate and transfer.
“But the problem again is that our lands are not properly demarcated, therefore the edges of the supposed school land have been encroached upon,” he said.
He explained that when people look at the school from outside it looked huge but in actual fact the middle of the school had huge stagnant water which divided the school into two.
Rev. Prof. Nyarko said the polytechnic had a very bright future and was well-positioned to train the needed skilled manpower to feed commerce and industry.
He said he would do everything legally acceptable to secure the school’s assets.
Asked whether a private person could invest in the student’s hostel, he said yes, explaining that there were other projects that were uncompleted and that if an investor walks in, there would be no problem.
In the areas of staff accommodation, he said it was a great disincentive for attracting staff to the institution them.
He said even though the institution had a good staff, there was still the need for more, but for the lack of accommodation, it was difficult to attract and retain them.
The rector said the school would put in all efforts to secure the lands for its future expansion.
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