THE non-co-operative attitude of some past and present chief executives is seriously hampering development in various districts in the Western Region, some district economic planning officers have complained.
They made the complaint at their maiden meeting with the Regional Economic Planning Officer and the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council at Sekondi.
Some of the participants, who could not hide their frustrations, urged the current administration not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Responding to the complaints, the regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr J. P Atta-Panyin, said the role of the economic planning officer at the district level could not be underestimated.
He said the main duties of the economic planning officer were to assist their respective districts and substructures in the initiation, formulation of policies, programme/projects and implementing them.
“The district economic planning officers are also expected to initiate action for the preparation of medium term development plans and review all related issues and without the co-operation of the district chief executive, it would be difficult to achieve the desired results,” he said
For her part, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, said each and everyone in the present administration was making sure that the needs of the people were met.
She said that could only be achieved if all districts, agencies and department worked as a team.
“We can not have a divided front and expect to progress. When the people who reposed their trust in us and voted us into power are expecting results we cannot fail them,” she said.
She said district planning officers were expected to provide the assembly with information and data which were necessary for the formulation of district development plans and assist in the evaluation of tenders.
She said it was, therefore, important to work as a team to ensure that development was not thwarted just because two people did not agree.
She said while the newly appointed district chief executives were undergoing various stages of orientation, it was important that the civil servants left politics for the politicians.
“It is your constitutional right to belong to a political party, but at the workplace, you do not have to put on your political colours. Try as much as possible to relegate your political inclinations to the background and work as professionals,” she said.
She urged all to realise that elections were over and that it was time to work for the people of Ghana and reminded the planning officers that as civil servants, they must be careful of what they said and did in order not to send the wrong signals to the public.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
DONT MEDDLE IN PARTISAN POLITICS (PAGE 14, OCT 24)
The Western Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr David Yaro, has called on civil servants in the region not to meddle in politics but work diligently to ensure the growth of the national economy.
He explained that when a party won power, its manifesto became the government’s working policy document so he, enjoined heads of departments to study the areas in the NDC manifesto that were in line with their activities and work assiduously to implement them for the benefit of the people.
Mr Yaro said politics should be left for politicians, while civil servants served with dedication for accelerated national development.
He made the call during a tour of all the 17 districts of the Western Region to familiarise himself with the problems confronting the assemblies and explain the role of the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in facilitating their work to ensure rapid development.
He said apart from promoting, teamwork among the various departments, the RCC also monitored and evaluated projects embarked upon by the assemblies and ensured that the people had value for the taxes they paid.
Mr Yaro used the opportunity to explain government policies to the heads of departments.
He warned civil servants who openly engaged in politics to desist from the practice, since it was against the code of ethics of the service.
The Ellembele District Chief Executive, Mr Daniel K. Eshun, thanked the co-ordinating director and enumerated the numerous challenges confronting the assembly to him.
He appealed to the government to construct an administrative block for the assembly.
Mr Eshun said in spite of the numerous challenges confronting the assembly, it was continuing projects, including the Aiyinase Community Centre, which was abandoned eight years ago, the Asaasetre Market and the construction of teachers’ quarters at Ngalechie.
He explained that when a party won power, its manifesto became the government’s working policy document so he, enjoined heads of departments to study the areas in the NDC manifesto that were in line with their activities and work assiduously to implement them for the benefit of the people.
Mr Yaro said politics should be left for politicians, while civil servants served with dedication for accelerated national development.
He made the call during a tour of all the 17 districts of the Western Region to familiarise himself with the problems confronting the assemblies and explain the role of the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) in facilitating their work to ensure rapid development.
He said apart from promoting, teamwork among the various departments, the RCC also monitored and evaluated projects embarked upon by the assemblies and ensured that the people had value for the taxes they paid.
Mr Yaro used the opportunity to explain government policies to the heads of departments.
He warned civil servants who openly engaged in politics to desist from the practice, since it was against the code of ethics of the service.
The Ellembele District Chief Executive, Mr Daniel K. Eshun, thanked the co-ordinating director and enumerated the numerous challenges confronting the assembly to him.
He appealed to the government to construct an administrative block for the assembly.
Mr Eshun said in spite of the numerous challenges confronting the assembly, it was continuing projects, including the Aiyinase Community Centre, which was abandoned eight years ago, the Asaasetre Market and the construction of teachers’ quarters at Ngalechie.
Friday, October 23, 2009
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CROWD TWIN-CITY (PAGE 30, OCT 23)
The pavements and shoulders of roads in some parts of the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi are crowded with illegal structures, causing serious congestion and hampering the free flow of human and vehicular traffic.
Kiosks have sprung up in almost every corner, clouding the beauty of the city, and efforts by the assembly to clear them have not yielded the desired results.
Due to an increase in economic activities, traders have taken over every available space at the Market Circle. That aside, there is chaos on the street as commercial and private vehicles have resorted to indiscriminate parking on the shoulders of the streets.
Private vehicle owners said parking at unauthorised places was the only way they could enter various business premises to transact business.
Some shop owners have expressed concern about the inability of the assembly to maintain order in the city, and appealed to the assembly to enforce its bye-laws.
The situation is obstructing vehicular and human movement in the metropolis. As a result of the congestion, some drivers have turned corners of some streets into loading points.
The most affected areas are the Market Circle and the areas around the Stanbic Bank.
Scrap dealers have contributed to the problem by removing steel covers of drains, thereby forcing drivers to dangerously maneouvre to avoid running into ditches.
In addition, some of the culverts have become old and weak, posing danger to pedestrians.
The market women have, therefore, appealed to the metropolitan assembly to repair the damaged steel covers of the culverts, as they sometimes accidentally drop their monies and other items into the culvert.
“We pay our daily tolls and it is just right for the assembly to also play its part by addressing our concerns,” they said.
Some residents have contended that if the situation is not checked it would derail all efforts by the assembly to modernise the metropolis.
Kiosks have sprung up in almost every corner, clouding the beauty of the city, and efforts by the assembly to clear them have not yielded the desired results.
Due to an increase in economic activities, traders have taken over every available space at the Market Circle. That aside, there is chaos on the street as commercial and private vehicles have resorted to indiscriminate parking on the shoulders of the streets.
Private vehicle owners said parking at unauthorised places was the only way they could enter various business premises to transact business.
Some shop owners have expressed concern about the inability of the assembly to maintain order in the city, and appealed to the assembly to enforce its bye-laws.
The situation is obstructing vehicular and human movement in the metropolis. As a result of the congestion, some drivers have turned corners of some streets into loading points.
The most affected areas are the Market Circle and the areas around the Stanbic Bank.
Scrap dealers have contributed to the problem by removing steel covers of drains, thereby forcing drivers to dangerously maneouvre to avoid running into ditches.
In addition, some of the culverts have become old and weak, posing danger to pedestrians.
The market women have, therefore, appealed to the metropolitan assembly to repair the damaged steel covers of the culverts, as they sometimes accidentally drop their monies and other items into the culvert.
“We pay our daily tolls and it is just right for the assembly to also play its part by addressing our concerns,” they said.
Some residents have contended that if the situation is not checked it would derail all efforts by the assembly to modernise the metropolis.
Monday, October 19, 2009
DON'T TAKE LOANS FOR THE SAKE OF THEM (PAGE 21, OCT 17)
Members of the general public, especially those in the informal sector, have been advised not to take loans when they do not have any need for them.
During this year’s Financial Literacy Week celebration in Takoradi, players in the financial sector took time to explain various financial issues to members of the general public, especially those in the informal sector.
The traders and those present were also told to plan their loans and not to take more than what they required at a time in order to be able to pay them back.
A representative of bankers, Mr Joseph Dadzie, told the participants to cultivate the habit of saving to ensure that money outside the banking halls was made available to the banks for onward investment.
He explained that if funds were channelled through the banking system, the banks would have more for investment, which would not only earn the saver interest but also improve other businesses in terms of loans for their expansion.
“I would, therefore, encourage you to save more and make use of the banks. But you should make sure you understand which type of saving product will best serve your interest,” he said.
Mr Dadzie took the participation through various procedures at the banks and how they could present themselves to the banks.
He also cleared the wrong perceptions the participants had about saving and investments.
Mr Raymond Amanfo, representing the Bank of Ghana, urged members of the public to pay loans contracted on time to enable the institutions to make them available to others.
He also took his time to explain banking rules to the participants and urged them to make use of the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana should they have any problem with the banks.
He said it was the dream of the financial institutions to bring the funds outside the banking halls into the main banking system.
“Therefore, if you are treated in a way that you think is unfair, please just write to the central bank and we will investigate and ensure that the right thing is done,” he advised them.
There were other speakers from the rural banks, loan companies and other investment agents.
During this year’s Financial Literacy Week celebration in Takoradi, players in the financial sector took time to explain various financial issues to members of the general public, especially those in the informal sector.
The traders and those present were also told to plan their loans and not to take more than what they required at a time in order to be able to pay them back.
A representative of bankers, Mr Joseph Dadzie, told the participants to cultivate the habit of saving to ensure that money outside the banking halls was made available to the banks for onward investment.
He explained that if funds were channelled through the banking system, the banks would have more for investment, which would not only earn the saver interest but also improve other businesses in terms of loans for their expansion.
“I would, therefore, encourage you to save more and make use of the banks. But you should make sure you understand which type of saving product will best serve your interest,” he said.
Mr Dadzie took the participation through various procedures at the banks and how they could present themselves to the banks.
He also cleared the wrong perceptions the participants had about saving and investments.
Mr Raymond Amanfo, representing the Bank of Ghana, urged members of the public to pay loans contracted on time to enable the institutions to make them available to others.
He also took his time to explain banking rules to the participants and urged them to make use of the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana should they have any problem with the banks.
He said it was the dream of the financial institutions to bring the funds outside the banking halls into the main banking system.
“Therefore, if you are treated in a way that you think is unfair, please just write to the central bank and we will investigate and ensure that the right thing is done,” he advised them.
There were other speakers from the rural banks, loan companies and other investment agents.
Friday, October 16, 2009
PUBLIC ASKED TO REPORT CRIMINAL CASES (OCT 16, PAGE 29)
The Western Regional Police Command has implored the public to report all cases of criminality in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis to police stations in their respective communities.
This request was in response to concerns expressed by the public about the rising cases of criminal activities in the metropolis which threatened their lives.
According to the Western Regional Crime Officer, Mr Victor Agbetornyo, most criminal cases which happened in the metropolis were not reported to the police for the necessary action to be taken.
He said the command had drawn up an elaborate programme to combat crime in the metropolis to guarantee the safety of the people.
“The police have always adopted a proactive approach to combating crime in the metropolis; we have been acting on tip-off to ward off criminal activities in the area,” he said.
Mr Agbetornyo explained that most criminal activities in the metropolis took place when the inhabitants were at work and, therefore, advised residents to take the necessary measures during that period to control the activities of criminals.
He said for crime to be reduced to the barest minimum in the metropolis, the public was duty bound to constantly inform the police about criminal activities in their respective communities.
The Regional Crime officer further explained that the police were restrained by lack of logistics and inadequate human resource, which negatively impacted on their work.
He said since there had been massive influx of people into the metropolis, there was the likelihood that some criminal elements would infiltrate the area to cause mischief.
“The issue of combating crime within the society is a shared responsibility between the public and the police,“ Mr Agbetornyo pointed out.
A victim of a recent robbery attack told the “Daily Graphic” that thieves broke into his main house while he was in the office.
“My neighbours said they saw unusual movements near my house at about 1a.m. They raised an alarm and the people ran away, but they came back in the afternoon when the house was empty and stole my electrical appliances, including my flat screen plasma TV, sound system, three satellite decoders and other valuables,” he said.
This request was in response to concerns expressed by the public about the rising cases of criminal activities in the metropolis which threatened their lives.
According to the Western Regional Crime Officer, Mr Victor Agbetornyo, most criminal cases which happened in the metropolis were not reported to the police for the necessary action to be taken.
He said the command had drawn up an elaborate programme to combat crime in the metropolis to guarantee the safety of the people.
“The police have always adopted a proactive approach to combating crime in the metropolis; we have been acting on tip-off to ward off criminal activities in the area,” he said.
Mr Agbetornyo explained that most criminal activities in the metropolis took place when the inhabitants were at work and, therefore, advised residents to take the necessary measures during that period to control the activities of criminals.
He said for crime to be reduced to the barest minimum in the metropolis, the public was duty bound to constantly inform the police about criminal activities in their respective communities.
The Regional Crime officer further explained that the police were restrained by lack of logistics and inadequate human resource, which negatively impacted on their work.
He said since there had been massive influx of people into the metropolis, there was the likelihood that some criminal elements would infiltrate the area to cause mischief.
“The issue of combating crime within the society is a shared responsibility between the public and the police,“ Mr Agbetornyo pointed out.
A victim of a recent robbery attack told the “Daily Graphic” that thieves broke into his main house while he was in the office.
“My neighbours said they saw unusual movements near my house at about 1a.m. They raised an alarm and the people ran away, but they came back in the afternoon when the house was empty and stole my electrical appliances, including my flat screen plasma TV, sound system, three satellite decoders and other valuables,” he said.
Monday, October 12, 2009
INSURANCE SECTOR READY FOR OIL INDUSTRY (PAGE 33, OCT 9)
THE insurance industry is ready for the challenges in the emerging oil and gas industry in the country, the Managing Director of International Energy Insurance (IEI), Ghana, Mrs Roseline Ekeng, has stated.
She, therefore, assured investors in the country’s offshore exploration of the necessary financial support, good turnaround time, relevant expertise and good working relationship with all players in the energy market.
Mrs Ekeng told the Daily Graphic that for the insurance companies to play their part they must ensure that they had a good capital base that could absorb the risks assoicated with the industry and that needed collaboration and syndication among insurance companies.
“For the insurance company to underwrite these risk effectively it requires capacity and competency; this means good capital base and technical know-how of the risks,” she said.
She said IEI would lead the change in the new face in the industry to ensure that the company did not only become the leader but equally positioned to handle the unexpected.
She said apart from oil and gas, the company also had a wide range of products including solid minerals, marine (hull and cargo) aviation; general insurance business such as motor, fire and allied perils, burglary, engineering, goods in transit and general accident.
Mrs Ekeng said the robust capital base that IEI had brought into the country’s market had led to changes in the industry and that IEI had positioned itself for the oil and gas industry. She, therefore, expressed the hope that other players were equally prepared for that
Asked if there was going to be unlimited third-party damage or the same way of doing things, she said her company would ensure that they made more third-party exposures associated with doing business in the oil and gas industry available.
“Our products cater for both offshore and onshore risks as well as general line of insurance business. In addition to oil and gas business we are looking at solid minerals, marine (hull and cargo) and aviation; general insurance business like motor, fire and allied perils, which we are well positioned well for,” the managing director said.
Mrs Ekeng said the company’s focus would be the active execution of corporate social responsibility initiatives which hinges on product development and excellent customer service.
That, she said, would create corporate brand awareness for IEI and make it an insurance company of choice and one of the foremost brands in the country.
She, therefore, assured investors in the country’s offshore exploration of the necessary financial support, good turnaround time, relevant expertise and good working relationship with all players in the energy market.
Mrs Ekeng told the Daily Graphic that for the insurance companies to play their part they must ensure that they had a good capital base that could absorb the risks assoicated with the industry and that needed collaboration and syndication among insurance companies.
“For the insurance company to underwrite these risk effectively it requires capacity and competency; this means good capital base and technical know-how of the risks,” she said.
She said IEI would lead the change in the new face in the industry to ensure that the company did not only become the leader but equally positioned to handle the unexpected.
She said apart from oil and gas, the company also had a wide range of products including solid minerals, marine (hull and cargo) aviation; general insurance business such as motor, fire and allied perils, burglary, engineering, goods in transit and general accident.
Mrs Ekeng said the robust capital base that IEI had brought into the country’s market had led to changes in the industry and that IEI had positioned itself for the oil and gas industry. She, therefore, expressed the hope that other players were equally prepared for that
Asked if there was going to be unlimited third-party damage or the same way of doing things, she said her company would ensure that they made more third-party exposures associated with doing business in the oil and gas industry available.
“Our products cater for both offshore and onshore risks as well as general line of insurance business. In addition to oil and gas business we are looking at solid minerals, marine (hull and cargo) and aviation; general insurance business like motor, fire and allied perils, which we are well positioned well for,” the managing director said.
Mrs Ekeng said the company’s focus would be the active execution of corporate social responsibility initiatives which hinges on product development and excellent customer service.
That, she said, would create corporate brand awareness for IEI and make it an insurance company of choice and one of the foremost brands in the country.
TAKORADI-MP SUPPORTS PROJECT AT POLICE BARRACKS (PAGE 15, OCT 9)
THE Member of Parliament for Takoradi Constituency, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has gone to the rescue of the Takoradi Central Police barracks.
He has committed part of his share of the MPs Common Fund to the completion of the abandoned bath house and toilet project that had been left unattended to since 1998.
This follows the exposure by the Daily Graphic of the deplorable state of police barracks in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi, where inhabitants did not have places of convenience, bath houses and kitchens.
Wives of the police officers who usually abandon preparing evening meals, especially when the weather look unfavourable. That aside, the officers have contracted carpenters to construct temporary wooden structures to enable them to take their bath.
Others had to queue up at public toilets to attend the call of nature. These, according to the MP, deserve optimal attention.
“I was humbled by the situation and upon a visit to the barracks, I realised there was a project that has been abandoned for years.”
He said with the latest interest in the Western Region, and the twin-city as its regional capital, the services of the Ghana Police Service were very important.
Mr Darko-Mensah said it was important that the people who were entrusted with the security of the people had the peace of mind to operate without any problems.
“It is right that people have solution to their domestic needs, so it does not conflict with the discharge of their professional duties,” he said.
The MP said the service needed improved infrastructure, but it was important that if there would not be a total transformation, there should be improvement in some other areas to provide them with a decent environment to operate.
He said he was in politics to serve the people, and he would do everything possible to ensure that in his little way, he would support his constituency.
Aside provision of the facility at the police barracks, the MP said he would be seeking support to enhance other social services.
“I also have other projects, all aimed at improving the metropolis. I am, therefore, calling for support and understanding among the constituents to ensure that the needed environment is created,” he said.
The MP noted that Ghana had attracted the attention of investors among the comity of nations, and therefore urged people who felt aggrieved to resort to dialogue.
“With that, we should be mindful that our views do not always hold sway. We have to dialogue to ensure that we arrive at the right conclusions,” he said.
He said the metropolis and the region as a whole had a huge potential that needed to be harnessed to the advantage of the people.
The MP said the areas that concerned him most were education, security and the training of people in acquiring employable skills.
He said the future of the country depended on its human resource development, and that the current oil find should also provide the platform for transfer of skills to Ghanaians.
He urged the youth to seek knowledge to ensure that they positioned themselves very well for the job market.
He added that aside the influx of banks and other financial service providers, there would be more, since the oil industry was very “pregnant” with many opportunities, and the only way out was to get oneself ready.
He has committed part of his share of the MPs Common Fund to the completion of the abandoned bath house and toilet project that had been left unattended to since 1998.
This follows the exposure by the Daily Graphic of the deplorable state of police barracks in the twin-city of Sekondi/Takoradi, where inhabitants did not have places of convenience, bath houses and kitchens.
Wives of the police officers who usually abandon preparing evening meals, especially when the weather look unfavourable. That aside, the officers have contracted carpenters to construct temporary wooden structures to enable them to take their bath.
Others had to queue up at public toilets to attend the call of nature. These, according to the MP, deserve optimal attention.
“I was humbled by the situation and upon a visit to the barracks, I realised there was a project that has been abandoned for years.”
He said with the latest interest in the Western Region, and the twin-city as its regional capital, the services of the Ghana Police Service were very important.
Mr Darko-Mensah said it was important that the people who were entrusted with the security of the people had the peace of mind to operate without any problems.
“It is right that people have solution to their domestic needs, so it does not conflict with the discharge of their professional duties,” he said.
The MP said the service needed improved infrastructure, but it was important that if there would not be a total transformation, there should be improvement in some other areas to provide them with a decent environment to operate.
He said he was in politics to serve the people, and he would do everything possible to ensure that in his little way, he would support his constituency.
Aside provision of the facility at the police barracks, the MP said he would be seeking support to enhance other social services.
“I also have other projects, all aimed at improving the metropolis. I am, therefore, calling for support and understanding among the constituents to ensure that the needed environment is created,” he said.
The MP noted that Ghana had attracted the attention of investors among the comity of nations, and therefore urged people who felt aggrieved to resort to dialogue.
“With that, we should be mindful that our views do not always hold sway. We have to dialogue to ensure that we arrive at the right conclusions,” he said.
He said the metropolis and the region as a whole had a huge potential that needed to be harnessed to the advantage of the people.
The MP said the areas that concerned him most were education, security and the training of people in acquiring employable skills.
He said the future of the country depended on its human resource development, and that the current oil find should also provide the platform for transfer of skills to Ghanaians.
He urged the youth to seek knowledge to ensure that they positioned themselves very well for the job market.
He added that aside the influx of banks and other financial service providers, there would be more, since the oil industry was very “pregnant” with many opportunities, and the only way out was to get oneself ready.
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