Daily Graphic Friday November 27, 2009 Page 28
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Executive Council of the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organization (SMIDO), the umbrella organization and development unit of Suame Magazine has expressed gratitude to the government for its undertaking in the 2010 budget statement to support the establishment of the Suame Magazine Automatics Technical Institute (SMATI).
The project is intended to introduce artisans at Suame into modern vehicular repair technology using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in auto mechanics to enable the artisans cope with the current technology whose absence is threatening the survival of the artisanal engineering industry in the country.
The government’s 2010 budget statement presented to parliament last week captured this project which the government intend to implement next year.
In a press statement signed by the President of SMIDO, Mr. George Asamoah Amankwa, the Executive Council of the organisastion said the hope of a better future for Suame Magazine and the expressed desire and commitment by SMIDO to turn Suame Magazine into a technological advanced industrial estate has been given a significant boost by the government.
The statement further called on government to make the artisanal engineering industry the bedrock of its industrial policy and to use this historic response to strengthen the relationship between Suame Magazine and the government for the development of Suame Magazine.
The Executive Council of SMIDO called on all the players in the fitting artisanal industry to join SMIDO to collectively thank the government for this unique gesture which is a striking expression of the value and recognition government has towards Suame Magazine and the fitting industry as a whole.
They further called on all the stakeholders in the industry to see this as a victory for the fitting industry as a whole since such a project would serve the entire industry of which Suame Magazine was only playing a leading role.
They also extended appreciation to the Ministry of Environment Science Technology, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Finance for taking the initiative to meet with SMIDO to explore common grounds’ for partnership to develop Suame magazine.
According to Mr Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo,a consultant to SMIDO and industrial development planner, the government’s bold response in the sector was very appropriate and timely to save suame magazine from the threat of collapse which was very imminent with its associated horrors of mass unemployment and poverty.
He said the intervention to bridge this technological gap with its own brand of technical institute for professional skills upgrading to render the industry competitive in modern engineering practices is a strategic development project without which Ghana’s quest for middle income status would remain a pipedream.
He said it was also strategic for the entire Kumasi economy as Suame Magazine was the propelling sector of Kumasi’s economy.
The new Baba Yara Stadium
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Monday, 9 November 2009
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Rev Ebenezer donates to Ksi Prisons
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, Founder and Leader of Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi has presented a cash donation of GH¢4000 to authorities of the Kumasi Central Prisons for the upkeep and well being of the inmates.
made appeal to the government to make changes in the prisons act to give power to prison officers to take remand prisoners who outstay their stay in the prisons to court for the court to determine their faith.
2.He said most remand prisoners outstay their stay in the prisons because their investigators for one reason or the other refuses to take them back to the courts for the court to determine their faith.
3.He said because prison officers do not have the power to take overstayed remand prisoners to the court they are made to stay in the prisons for months and even years without been taken to court.
4.Also appealed to government to pass a law to ensure that doctors in the government hospitals are made to visit the prisons on say weekly or monthly basis and examine the health status of the priosners.
5. He said this will ensure that the health of the prisoners are given priority attention so that prisoners would not be rushed to the hospitals in handcuffs when their condition deteriorates.
6.He again urged the government to consider relocating the Kumasi prisons to a more conducive area to ensure that the problem of congestion in the prisons would be a thing of the past.
7.He said it was imperative because the present location of the prisons which is in the central business district of the metropolis was not pleasant at all.
8.Implored prison officers to discharge their duties with humility and deep sense of compassion to ensure that prisoners come out reformed and not as hardened criminals.
9.Urged government to improve the condition of service of prison officers to ensure that they discharge their duties with love, care, compassion and affection.
1
11.The Ashanti regional prisons chaplain, DSP Tei Padi received the donation on behalf of the prisons and thanked Rev Adarkwa for his kind gesture.
12.called on other individuals, groups, churches and corporate bodies to assist the prisons by making in kind or cash donations.
13.After the donation, Rev Adarkwa visited the inmates, preached and prayed for them.
14.The visit was part of activities marking his 45th birthday celebration which fell on October 20, 2009.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, Founder and Leader of Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi has presented a cash donation of GH¢4000 to authorities of the Kumasi Central Prisons for the upkeep and well being of the inmates.
made appeal to the government to make changes in the prisons act to give power to prison officers to take remand prisoners who outstay their stay in the prisons to court for the court to determine their faith.
2.He said most remand prisoners outstay their stay in the prisons because their investigators for one reason or the other refuses to take them back to the courts for the court to determine their faith.
3.He said because prison officers do not have the power to take overstayed remand prisoners to the court they are made to stay in the prisons for months and even years without been taken to court.
4.Also appealed to government to pass a law to ensure that doctors in the government hospitals are made to visit the prisons on say weekly or monthly basis and examine the health status of the priosners.
5. He said this will ensure that the health of the prisoners are given priority attention so that prisoners would not be rushed to the hospitals in handcuffs when their condition deteriorates.
6.He again urged the government to consider relocating the Kumasi prisons to a more conducive area to ensure that the problem of congestion in the prisons would be a thing of the past.
7.He said it was imperative because the present location of the prisons which is in the central business district of the metropolis was not pleasant at all.
8.Implored prison officers to discharge their duties with humility and deep sense of compassion to ensure that prisoners come out reformed and not as hardened criminals.
9.Urged government to improve the condition of service of prison officers to ensure that they discharge their duties with love, care, compassion and affection.
1
11.The Ashanti regional prisons chaplain, DSP Tei Padi received the donation on behalf of the prisons and thanked Rev Adarkwa for his kind gesture.
12.called on other individuals, groups, churches and corporate bodies to assist the prisons by making in kind or cash donations.
13.After the donation, Rev Adarkwa visited the inmates, preached and prayed for them.
14.The visit was part of activities marking his 45th birthday celebration which fell on October 20, 2009.
(Page 20) - Rev Ebenezer donates to Ksi Prisons
Rev Ebenezer donates to Ksi Prisons
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, Founder and Leader of Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi has presented a cash donation of GH¢4000 to authorities of the Kumasi Central Prisons for the upkeep and well being of the inmates.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Rev Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom, Founder and Leader of Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi has presented a cash donation of GH¢4000 to authorities of the Kumasi Central Prisons for the upkeep and well being of the inmates.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
(Back Page) - Ashanti Police to retrieve illegal arms
Daily Graphic Tuesday October 27, 2009 (Back Page)
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has given a two week ultimatum to persons in possession of illegal weapons to hand them over to the police.
The Command said it would soon embark on an exercise code named, “Operation Dragnet” to retrieve all illegal firearms from the Kumasi metropolis with the view to reducing robberies and other violent crimes.
It noted that all such weapons included imported but unlicensed and locally manufactured ones.
A statement signed by Chief Inspector Yusif Mohammed Tanko, in charge of the Public Affairs Unit of the Regional Police Command advised persons in possession of unlicensed firearms to take steps to regularise them with the police and those whose registration has expired to endeavour to use the two week grace period to register them.
The statement reminded the public that it was an offence under the Arms and Ammunitions Act 1962, Section 118(6) to possess firearms without authority as well as an offence under Section 118(15) to transfer firearms to another person without authority.
“It is in view of this that persons in possession of such firearms are advised to register same with the Arms and Ammunition Unit of the Regional Police Command”.
According to the Police, the objective of the exercise was to purge the metropolis of the illegal weapons as most violent crimes especially robberies were perpetrated with such weapons.
“We want to get rid of them or regularise them in order to help curb robberies and other violent crimes”, the Command said.
It said so far it has retrieved five of such weapons in two separate operations within the past one week from suspected criminals and they are currently helping police in their investigations.
It advised all persons who have firearms in their possession to go to the Regional Police Headquaters before November 3, 2009 to be assisted to register as anyone who will be found in possession of an unregistered weapon after the period will be arrested and prosecuted.
It also appealed to the public, particularly persons with information on people who are in possession of illegal weapons especially local manufactured pistol or any manufacturer to the Regional Police Command and assured informants of their protection.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has given a two week ultimatum to persons in possession of illegal weapons to hand them over to the police.
The Command said it would soon embark on an exercise code named, “Operation Dragnet” to retrieve all illegal firearms from the Kumasi metropolis with the view to reducing robberies and other violent crimes.
It noted that all such weapons included imported but unlicensed and locally manufactured ones.
A statement signed by Chief Inspector Yusif Mohammed Tanko, in charge of the Public Affairs Unit of the Regional Police Command advised persons in possession of unlicensed firearms to take steps to regularise them with the police and those whose registration has expired to endeavour to use the two week grace period to register them.
The statement reminded the public that it was an offence under the Arms and Ammunitions Act 1962, Section 118(6) to possess firearms without authority as well as an offence under Section 118(15) to transfer firearms to another person without authority.
“It is in view of this that persons in possession of such firearms are advised to register same with the Arms and Ammunition Unit of the Regional Police Command”.
According to the Police, the objective of the exercise was to purge the metropolis of the illegal weapons as most violent crimes especially robberies were perpetrated with such weapons.
“We want to get rid of them or regularise them in order to help curb robberies and other violent crimes”, the Command said.
It said so far it has retrieved five of such weapons in two separate operations within the past one week from suspected criminals and they are currently helping police in their investigations.
It advised all persons who have firearms in their possession to go to the Regional Police Headquaters before November 3, 2009 to be assisted to register as anyone who will be found in possession of an unregistered weapon after the period will be arrested and prosecuted.
It also appealed to the public, particularly persons with information on people who are in possession of illegal weapons especially local manufactured pistol or any manufacturer to the Regional Police Command and assured informants of their protection.
(Nsempa) - New Diocesan Bishops for Methodist Church
Nsempa Monday Oct 26, 2009 (Spread)
Story and Picture: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Methodist Church Ghana has inducted into office, four new Diocesan Bishops to help with the administration of the church in the Kumasi, Tema, Effiduase and Obuasi Dioceses.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante performed the induction service for the new Bishops at the Wesley Cathedral in Adum-Kumasi today (Sunday)
The newly inducted Bishops who are to serve for a six-year term were Right Rev Osei Sarfo-Kantanka for Kumasi, Right Rev Moses Quayson for Effiduase, Right Rev Stephen Bosomtwi-Ayensu for Obuasi and Right Rev Winfred H.Y. Ametefe for Tema.
A fifth Diocesan Bishop for Wenchi, Right Rev Sampson Yamoah was also given recognition. Bishop Yamoah has ever served as a Diocesan Bishop at Tarkwa and the church has given him a second chance to serve at Wenchi.
Most Rev Prof Asante who presented the pastoral staff to the new Bishops in an induction sermon emphasized the need to place premium on the reliance on God for success.
He said success was not limited to material prosperity but it was defined by righteous living.
He therefore urged the new Bishops not to value material wealth and property at the expense of the reliance and “a walk with God”.
“What is material wealth without God”, he questioned and stressed that true wealth cannot be defined without the presence of God.
Most Rev Asante told the new Bishops that their position had nothing to do with wealth and prosperity but they should learn to depend on God always.
He said when that was done it will help to build the church and the nation
He tasked the church to put the past behind them and help support the new administration to move the church forward.
Story and Picture: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Methodist Church Ghana has inducted into office, four new Diocesan Bishops to help with the administration of the church in the Kumasi, Tema, Effiduase and Obuasi Dioceses.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante performed the induction service for the new Bishops at the Wesley Cathedral in Adum-Kumasi today (Sunday)
The newly inducted Bishops who are to serve for a six-year term were Right Rev Osei Sarfo-Kantanka for Kumasi, Right Rev Moses Quayson for Effiduase, Right Rev Stephen Bosomtwi-Ayensu for Obuasi and Right Rev Winfred H.Y. Ametefe for Tema.
A fifth Diocesan Bishop for Wenchi, Right Rev Sampson Yamoah was also given recognition. Bishop Yamoah has ever served as a Diocesan Bishop at Tarkwa and the church has given him a second chance to serve at Wenchi.
Most Rev Prof Asante who presented the pastoral staff to the new Bishops in an induction sermon emphasized the need to place premium on the reliance on God for success.
He said success was not limited to material prosperity but it was defined by righteous living.
He therefore urged the new Bishops not to value material wealth and property at the expense of the reliance and “a walk with God”.
“What is material wealth without God”, he questioned and stressed that true wealth cannot be defined without the presence of God.
Most Rev Asante told the new Bishops that their position had nothing to do with wealth and prosperity but they should learn to depend on God always.
He said when that was done it will help to build the church and the nation
He tasked the church to put the past behind them and help support the new administration to move the church forward.
(Nsempa) - Squatters take over gov’t affordable house in Kumasi
Nsempa
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Squatters numbering about two hundred have taken over portions of the government’s affordable housing project at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi.
This is as a result of the neglect of the project by various contractors for non-payment of due monies. There has been little constructional activity at the place since January 2009 resulting in many of the contractors abandoning the site.
Squatters who settled at the project site earlier on have ended up exploiting new ones by charging fees ranging between GH¢10 and GH¢20 as agreement fees from the new persons who want to also come to stay at the place.
Even though there are security personnel on site, they have also complained of being powerless with low moral because of threats to their lives by the squatters and pilferers as well as non-payment of their salaries in the last nine months.
The security men told the Daily Graphic during a visit to the site on Tuesday that the pilferers who come from surrounding areas such as Ayigya Zongo and Sawaba have resorted to stealing building materials such as iron rods, PVC pipes, cement blocks, chippings, wooden door and window frames, which belongs to the government and are on site as well as others purchased by the contractors.
They said many of the materials get stolen at night and that with regards to the chippings, they said the thieves normally come with sacks to carry them away.
They said they recently arrested one person and handed him over to the police at KNUST but the suspect was never arraigned in court and has been released.
“This guy we arrested has been moving around the area and has been pointing fingers at us, threatening us”, they said.
The Asokore Mampong Affordable Housing Project, which involves the construction of 800 flats of one, two and three bedrooms on a 50-acre land, was started in year 2006 by the government as part of measures to address the serious shortage of decent and affordable accommodation for middle and lower income workers in the country.
There are 4500 affordable housing units being constructed countrywide at the moment and situated at Borteyman and Kpone in Accra and Asokore Mampong in Kumasi.
The security men at the Asokore Mampong site explained that all efforts to enquire about their unpaid salaries have yielded no results and they are not sure of when it was going to be paid.
Numbering 19, they said some of their colleagues have been forced to stop the work because of the situation and were afraid that if all of them should stop, it would provide a “field day” for the pilferers to steal more building materials from the site.
At the time of the Daily Graphic’s visit it was observed that only one contractor was on site constructing pillars for the building.
It was observed that the squatters have used polythene and wawa board to bracket the windows and doors so as to make it habitable for them.
One woman said she paid GH¢15 to a gentleman before she was offered one of the rooms to stay in. She said she was aware of other colleagues who paid between GH¢10 and GH¢20 before getting a place to stay there.
A number of persons were seen loitering and it was also gathered that many of the squatters come around in the night to sleep.
When the NPP government initiated the Affordable Housing Project, the plan was to facilitate the speedy completion of the project and give the apartments out for rent or outright purchase to Ghanaians, particularly public servants.
The government also started working out a comprehensive mortgage scheme with some financial institutions to make the payment for the apartments more flexible and that the outright sale of the apartments was estimated to range between GH¢12,000 and GH¢20,000 and was to be spread over a payment period of between 10 and 20 years.
PICTURE BY John K. Essel
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
Squatters numbering about two hundred have taken over portions of the government’s affordable housing project at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi.
This is as a result of the neglect of the project by various contractors for non-payment of due monies. There has been little constructional activity at the place since January 2009 resulting in many of the contractors abandoning the site.
Squatters who settled at the project site earlier on have ended up exploiting new ones by charging fees ranging between GH¢10 and GH¢20 as agreement fees from the new persons who want to also come to stay at the place.
Even though there are security personnel on site, they have also complained of being powerless with low moral because of threats to their lives by the squatters and pilferers as well as non-payment of their salaries in the last nine months.
The security men told the Daily Graphic during a visit to the site on Tuesday that the pilferers who come from surrounding areas such as Ayigya Zongo and Sawaba have resorted to stealing building materials such as iron rods, PVC pipes, cement blocks, chippings, wooden door and window frames, which belongs to the government and are on site as well as others purchased by the contractors.
They said many of the materials get stolen at night and that with regards to the chippings, they said the thieves normally come with sacks to carry them away.
They said they recently arrested one person and handed him over to the police at KNUST but the suspect was never arraigned in court and has been released.
“This guy we arrested has been moving around the area and has been pointing fingers at us, threatening us”, they said.
The Asokore Mampong Affordable Housing Project, which involves the construction of 800 flats of one, two and three bedrooms on a 50-acre land, was started in year 2006 by the government as part of measures to address the serious shortage of decent and affordable accommodation for middle and lower income workers in the country.
There are 4500 affordable housing units being constructed countrywide at the moment and situated at Borteyman and Kpone in Accra and Asokore Mampong in Kumasi.
The security men at the Asokore Mampong site explained that all efforts to enquire about their unpaid salaries have yielded no results and they are not sure of when it was going to be paid.
Numbering 19, they said some of their colleagues have been forced to stop the work because of the situation and were afraid that if all of them should stop, it would provide a “field day” for the pilferers to steal more building materials from the site.
At the time of the Daily Graphic’s visit it was observed that only one contractor was on site constructing pillars for the building.
It was observed that the squatters have used polythene and wawa board to bracket the windows and doors so as to make it habitable for them.
One woman said she paid GH¢15 to a gentleman before she was offered one of the rooms to stay in. She said she was aware of other colleagues who paid between GH¢10 and GH¢20 before getting a place to stay there.
A number of persons were seen loitering and it was also gathered that many of the squatters come around in the night to sleep.
When the NPP government initiated the Affordable Housing Project, the plan was to facilitate the speedy completion of the project and give the apartments out for rent or outright purchase to Ghanaians, particularly public servants.
The government also started working out a comprehensive mortgage scheme with some financial institutions to make the payment for the apartments more flexible and that the outright sale of the apartments was estimated to range between GH¢12,000 and GH¢20,000 and was to be spread over a payment period of between 10 and 20 years.
PICTURE BY John K. Essel
(Nsempa) - Chamber of mines want Ghanaian investors in gold mining
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Chamber of Mines has called for the need for Ghanaian investors to be attracted into gold mining in the country.
According to the Chamber, such a move would help integrate the industry into the local economy.
Dr Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive of the Chamber who was speaking in an interaction with the press in Kumasi said there was the need for government to be encouraged to mainstream mining as a growth pole for development.
She said the chamber would continue to advocate for a specific policy to increase the quantum of royalties from nine percent to 30percent for specific infrastructural development over a specific period.
“We are not saying give the money to any District Assembly at all for them to squander”, she noted and called for support for the advocate to increase the quantum of royalties.
Dr Aryee said unlike elsewhere where the monies from mining goes directly to the local level, in Ghana the minerals were owned by the state hence the monies go to the central government.
She said her outfit was also advocating for compensation to be in cash and where possible land or alternate lands for farmers whose lands are taken for mining activities.
On the allocation of mineral revenue in 2008, Dr Aryee said the mining industry returned more than 63percent of mineral revenue to the country through the Bank of Ghana as well as Commercial Banks.
She said the industry deployed 22percent of its revenue to procure inputs locally besides the 13percent and eight percent used to procure fuel and electric power locally.
She said overall, producing member companies procured 47percent of all their inputs and 71percent of their consumables locally in year 2008.
The Chamber of Mines has called for the need for Ghanaian investors to be attracted into gold mining in the country.
According to the Chamber, such a move would help integrate the industry into the local economy.
Dr Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive of the Chamber who was speaking in an interaction with the press in Kumasi said there was the need for government to be encouraged to mainstream mining as a growth pole for development.
She said the chamber would continue to advocate for a specific policy to increase the quantum of royalties from nine percent to 30percent for specific infrastructural development over a specific period.
“We are not saying give the money to any District Assembly at all for them to squander”, she noted and called for support for the advocate to increase the quantum of royalties.
Dr Aryee said unlike elsewhere where the monies from mining goes directly to the local level, in Ghana the minerals were owned by the state hence the monies go to the central government.
She said her outfit was also advocating for compensation to be in cash and where possible land or alternate lands for farmers whose lands are taken for mining activities.
On the allocation of mineral revenue in 2008, Dr Aryee said the mining industry returned more than 63percent of mineral revenue to the country through the Bank of Ghana as well as Commercial Banks.
She said the industry deployed 22percent of its revenue to procure inputs locally besides the 13percent and eight percent used to procure fuel and electric power locally.
She said overall, producing member companies procured 47percent of all their inputs and 71percent of their consumables locally in year 2008.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
(Spread) - 'Support NMC to deliver'
Daily Graphic Sat October 24, 2009 (Spread)
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The General Manager of Newspapers at the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh has reiterated the call on government to adequately resource the National Media Commission (NMC) to enable it execute its constitutional mandate to the fullest.
He said it was unfortunate that other commissions such as the Electoral Commission (EC), Commission on Human Rights and Administration of Justice (CHRAJ), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) as well as the Ministries and Departments were well resourced than the NMC.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh, a former Executive Secretary of the NMC who was speaking in Kumasi on Thursday at the official opening of the northern sector office of the NMC said it was clear that government was unwilling and reluctant to resource the commission to deliver on its mandate of providing free and responsible media.
He said resourcing the NMC was key to media development in the country and noted that if the NMC was well resourced to promote free and responsible media, “there would be no need for instance to spend money to hire people to police ballot boxes during elections”.
This is because the media would be well positioned to build a culture of tolerance and accommodation in the country so as to help prevent attacks during elections.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said during his term as Executive Secretary of the NMC, there was a 10-year programme which included expansion across the length and breadth of the country.
He said for instance that there were more radio stations in Kumasi than in Accra and that without a physical presence in Kumasi, there was no way the commission could sit in Accra and monitor them and therefore welcomed the opening of the Kumasi office.
He also noted that it was unfortunate that the National Communications Authority (NCA) does not consult the NMC before granting licenses to people to operate radio stations.
He said with about 140 radio stations across the country and many newspapers currently on the newsstands, the responsibility of the NMC was huge.
“The government should be able to find the money to resource it because we are able to find the money when it comes to a bi-election”, he said.
“When NMC was well established, it would help with our democratic development in the country”, he said.
The National Media Commission (NMC) has the mandate to ensure higher journalistic standards in the mass media in line with Article 167 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
Unfortunately the commission had not been able to move out of Accra to establish its presence in other parts of the country since the inception of the 1992 constitutions.
Mr Paul Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the NMC through whose personal instrumentality made the opening of the Kumasi office successful said the commission had been struggling to open offices in the regions without success over the years.
He said before he joined the commission he wondered how it was able to function amidst the growth in the media, their contribution to democratic development and support for transparent elections and opportunities offered people to participate in national discourse.
“On regular basis, I have come across journalists who have complained about limited opportunities for training available to them in the regions. I have seen journalists emerge from the regions who with a little push, could rise to the top of the profession at the national level”.
He noted that while the regional chapters of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) always do their best to seek the welfare of their members, their efforts are hampered by the lack of partnership from the Commission at the regional level.
The Chairman said on daily basis, the commission witnesses the cries of citizens who feel the media have not been fair to them in one way or the other but have no avenues for redress as well journalists who feel their right to do their work without harassment is also undermined by the absence of the NMC from their geographical areas of operation.
He said he was happy that all such people could now have the opportunity with the commission being at their doorstep.
“I promise the people of Ghana that, this is only the beginning and that wherever I find myself in the coming years after my service as Chairman, I will continue to help with the development of the commission into a strong viable institution.
Nana Yaw Osei, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GJA said though it had taken almost 17 years for the NMC to make its physical presence felt in the northern part of the country by the opening of an office, it will still be very useful in helping to improve standards. “It is said that it is better late than never”.
He said many people in the northern part of the country have unduly suffered and continue to suffer the excesses of the media and those who work in them.
“I must say however that through the periodic organisations of seminars, workshops and other interactions by the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), some improvements in professional standards have been registered over the period”.
“Mr Chairman, now that the office is here what we expect of the Commission is the publication of the complaints procedure, when to file complaints and other things that may be necessary for the Commission to do its work. We do not want a situation where there is an office but it is not functioning”.
Additionally, how will the Commission deal with the complaints? Will it accumulate a number of complaints within a certain specified period before sitting on them or what? We must know all these things to be able to understand the Commission when there is the need to do so, he questioned.
Sir Dennis Adjei, Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) said members of the bar were happy that the NMC was now in Kumasi saying law and media complement each other in the promotion of peace and justice.
He said it was necessary for the media to reminded that media houses were not courts of law and urged the GJA to take steps to exercise supervisory role to ensure that unprofessional people were not allowed to practice.
Mr Gerald Ankrah, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) who served as the chairman of the occasion called on journalists not to only see the NMC office as receiving complaints but see it as helping them to develop their capacities
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The General Manager of Newspapers at the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh has reiterated the call on government to adequately resource the National Media Commission (NMC) to enable it execute its constitutional mandate to the fullest.
He said it was unfortunate that other commissions such as the Electoral Commission (EC), Commission on Human Rights and Administration of Justice (CHRAJ), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) as well as the Ministries and Departments were well resourced than the NMC.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh, a former Executive Secretary of the NMC who was speaking in Kumasi on Thursday at the official opening of the northern sector office of the NMC said it was clear that government was unwilling and reluctant to resource the commission to deliver on its mandate of providing free and responsible media.
He said resourcing the NMC was key to media development in the country and noted that if the NMC was well resourced to promote free and responsible media, “there would be no need for instance to spend money to hire people to police ballot boxes during elections”.
This is because the media would be well positioned to build a culture of tolerance and accommodation in the country so as to help prevent attacks during elections.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said during his term as Executive Secretary of the NMC, there was a 10-year programme which included expansion across the length and breadth of the country.
He said for instance that there were more radio stations in Kumasi than in Accra and that without a physical presence in Kumasi, there was no way the commission could sit in Accra and monitor them and therefore welcomed the opening of the Kumasi office.
He also noted that it was unfortunate that the National Communications Authority (NCA) does not consult the NMC before granting licenses to people to operate radio stations.
He said with about 140 radio stations across the country and many newspapers currently on the newsstands, the responsibility of the NMC was huge.
“The government should be able to find the money to resource it because we are able to find the money when it comes to a bi-election”, he said.
“When NMC was well established, it would help with our democratic development in the country”, he said.
The National Media Commission (NMC) has the mandate to ensure higher journalistic standards in the mass media in line with Article 167 (b) of the 1992 Constitution.
Unfortunately the commission had not been able to move out of Accra to establish its presence in other parts of the country since the inception of the 1992 constitutions.
Mr Paul Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the NMC through whose personal instrumentality made the opening of the Kumasi office successful said the commission had been struggling to open offices in the regions without success over the years.
He said before he joined the commission he wondered how it was able to function amidst the growth in the media, their contribution to democratic development and support for transparent elections and opportunities offered people to participate in national discourse.
“On regular basis, I have come across journalists who have complained about limited opportunities for training available to them in the regions. I have seen journalists emerge from the regions who with a little push, could rise to the top of the profession at the national level”.
He noted that while the regional chapters of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) always do their best to seek the welfare of their members, their efforts are hampered by the lack of partnership from the Commission at the regional level.
The Chairman said on daily basis, the commission witnesses the cries of citizens who feel the media have not been fair to them in one way or the other but have no avenues for redress as well journalists who feel their right to do their work without harassment is also undermined by the absence of the NMC from their geographical areas of operation.
He said he was happy that all such people could now have the opportunity with the commission being at their doorstep.
“I promise the people of Ghana that, this is only the beginning and that wherever I find myself in the coming years after my service as Chairman, I will continue to help with the development of the commission into a strong viable institution.
Nana Yaw Osei, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GJA said though it had taken almost 17 years for the NMC to make its physical presence felt in the northern part of the country by the opening of an office, it will still be very useful in helping to improve standards. “It is said that it is better late than never”.
He said many people in the northern part of the country have unduly suffered and continue to suffer the excesses of the media and those who work in them.
“I must say however that through the periodic organisations of seminars, workshops and other interactions by the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), some improvements in professional standards have been registered over the period”.
“Mr Chairman, now that the office is here what we expect of the Commission is the publication of the complaints procedure, when to file complaints and other things that may be necessary for the Commission to do its work. We do not want a situation where there is an office but it is not functioning”.
Additionally, how will the Commission deal with the complaints? Will it accumulate a number of complaints within a certain specified period before sitting on them or what? We must know all these things to be able to understand the Commission when there is the need to do so, he questioned.
Sir Dennis Adjei, Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) said members of the bar were happy that the NMC was now in Kumasi saying law and media complement each other in the promotion of peace and justice.
He said it was necessary for the media to reminded that media houses were not courts of law and urged the GJA to take steps to exercise supervisory role to ensure that unprofessional people were not allowed to practice.
Mr Gerald Ankrah, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) who served as the chairman of the occasion called on journalists not to only see the NMC office as receiving complaints but see it as helping them to develop their capacities
Friday, 23 October 2009
(Spread) - Ghana to produce shopping bags from bamboo
Daily Graphic October 22, 2009 (Spread)
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Fumesua
The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has pledged to assist the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) set up a plant to produce paper shopping bags from bamboo.
According to the Ministry, the move was to help in the shift from the usage of polythene bags in shopping and trading activities to paper bags.
Polythene has been described as very harmful to the environment as it takes about 250years to disintegrate when left in soil as compared to paper bag which is more environmentally friendly.
FORIG identified and exhibited the potential to use bamboo in the making of paper shopping bags somewhere in 1997 but there have been no response and support to produce on large scale as of now.
Bamboo has been said to be 100percent biodegradable and are naturally anti-bacterial, which is good for a bag used to carry goods.
According to Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology her outfit has decided to assist FORIG with a plant to enable it produce the paper bags on pilot basis.
She said such a move would greatly help in the shift from the usage of polythene bags which were a nuisance all over to paper bags.
Ms Ayittey made this known at Fumesua on Tuesday during a familiarization tour of FORIG as part of a general tour of all the 13 research institutions under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country.
She said FORIG’s proposal on the project is to be forwarded to cabinet for approval.
The Minister noted, “it was about time we move from traditional way of doing research into innovation”.
“We need to support research into productivity”, she said.
She said FORIG was placed in a position to support the national agenda of the reliance on science and technology for development.
She said it was also her outfits plan to set up a fund to support pilot projects on all research findings as a way of helping to bridge the gap between policy and research.
The Sector Minister also visited the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) to inspect facilities at the place.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Fumesua
The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has pledged to assist the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) set up a plant to produce paper shopping bags from bamboo.
According to the Ministry, the move was to help in the shift from the usage of polythene bags in shopping and trading activities to paper bags.
Polythene has been described as very harmful to the environment as it takes about 250years to disintegrate when left in soil as compared to paper bag which is more environmentally friendly.
FORIG identified and exhibited the potential to use bamboo in the making of paper shopping bags somewhere in 1997 but there have been no response and support to produce on large scale as of now.
Bamboo has been said to be 100percent biodegradable and are naturally anti-bacterial, which is good for a bag used to carry goods.
According to Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology her outfit has decided to assist FORIG with a plant to enable it produce the paper bags on pilot basis.
She said such a move would greatly help in the shift from the usage of polythene bags which were a nuisance all over to paper bags.
Ms Ayittey made this known at Fumesua on Tuesday during a familiarization tour of FORIG as part of a general tour of all the 13 research institutions under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country.
She said FORIG’s proposal on the project is to be forwarded to cabinet for approval.
The Minister noted, “it was about time we move from traditional way of doing research into innovation”.
“We need to support research into productivity”, she said.
She said FORIG was placed in a position to support the national agenda of the reliance on science and technology for development.
She said it was also her outfits plan to set up a fund to support pilot projects on all research findings as a way of helping to bridge the gap between policy and research.
The Sector Minister also visited the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) to inspect facilities at the place.
(Page 20) - Man arrested in connection with girlfriend's death
Daily Graphic October 20, 2009 (Page 20)
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
A FORTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD man at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Juaben District of Ashanti has found himself in the grips of the police following the death of his girlfriend in his bedroom.
Isaac Adomako, who work as a security man at the Akyawkrom Sawmill has been arrested and detained by the police to assist in investigations on the cause of death of the girlfriend, Ama Konadu, 25, who died in his room during a visit.
Konadu who hailed from Ejisu Besease was said to have visited Adomako on Tuesday but died later in the day.
The Ejisu District Commander of Police, ASP Stephen Awuah said the police have initiated investigations to establish the cause of death.
He said even though, Adomako told the police the deceased was only a friend to his wife who had travelled out of town, the police have been able to establish that she was his girlfriend.
He said according to the suspect the deceased visited him in the afternoon and complained of stomach ache but refused to take the food and drug he offered.
The suspect claimed the deceased slept and woke up around 6:30pm and complained of hunger so he went out to buy food for her only to return to find her dead in the room.
The police officer said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue for autopsy to enable the police determine if there was foul play.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
A FORTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD man at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Juaben District of Ashanti has found himself in the grips of the police following the death of his girlfriend in his bedroom.
Isaac Adomako, who work as a security man at the Akyawkrom Sawmill has been arrested and detained by the police to assist in investigations on the cause of death of the girlfriend, Ama Konadu, 25, who died in his room during a visit.
Konadu who hailed from Ejisu Besease was said to have visited Adomako on Tuesday but died later in the day.
The Ejisu District Commander of Police, ASP Stephen Awuah said the police have initiated investigations to establish the cause of death.
He said even though, Adomako told the police the deceased was only a friend to his wife who had travelled out of town, the police have been able to establish that she was his girlfriend.
He said according to the suspect the deceased visited him in the afternoon and complained of stomach ache but refused to take the food and drug he offered.
The suspect claimed the deceased slept and woke up around 6:30pm and complained of hunger so he went out to buy food for her only to return to find her dead in the room.
The police officer said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue for autopsy to enable the police determine if there was foul play.
Monday, 19 October 2009
(Page 18) - Stop polluting water bodies
Daily Graphic Saturday October 17, 2009 (Page 18)
Story: Albert K. Salia and Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Barekese
The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to desist from dumping refuse close to water bodies and in the catchment of dams.
It has accordingly asked all Assemblies to properly collaborate with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in identifying refuse dumping sites in other to ensure that dams and water bodies were not polluted.
Mr Albert Abongo, the Sector Minister gave the directive when he inspected ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at the Barekese and Owabi Dams which supply pipe borne water to Kumasi and its environs.
The Minister, who was not happy that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited were dumping refuse in the catchments of the Barekese Dam, directed that the practice should be discontinued with immediate effect and the refuse dump relocated outside the catchment of the dam.
Zoomlion Ghana had been dumping refuse in some pits at Amanfrom and Ohwim in the catchment of Barekese Dam and upon a protest from the GWCL, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the company to discontinue with the practice.
It therefore sealed off the tonnes of solid waste dumped at the site with soil but the GWCL is further alleging that Zoomlion had moved to another site in the catchment area and was dumping refuse there.
After inspecting the refuse dump site which had been sealed off, Mr Abongo described the practice as not good for water production since the materials that had been dumped contained poisonous chemicals which would be very difficult to treat when they polluted the dam.
He said apart from the danger of polluting the dam, making the cost of treatment very huge at the expense of the state, the solid waste also posed serious health hazards to residents of the area.
He said as the waste decomposed, it was likely to flow into the dam anytime it rained to pollute it, thereby making the cost of treating the water very expensive.
Mr Abongo expressed appreciation for the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at the Barekese and Owabi Dams, which are the main source of pipe-borne water supply for residents of the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
The contractors working on the project, Ballast Nedam said 96 percent of works on the €37.826million project were complete and assured that the work would be completed by end of November 2009.
On completion, the irregular supply of water for residents of Kumasi was expected to be a thing of the past.
The scopes of works at the Barekese dam include rehabilitation of the existing system and expansion for it to be able to produce 24million gallons of water per day.
This is expected to add up to three million (3) gallons of water per day which would be produced at the Owabi Dam to bring the entire supply of water for Kumasi and its areas to 27million gallons per day.
The Barekese Dam currently produces between 16 and 18million gallons of water per day. The dam was however designed to produce 48million gallons of water per day but the needed expansion works have not been done for it to produce at full capacity.
At present an additional clarifier which has the capacity to clarify 6million gallons of water per day has been constructed to bring the number of clarifiers at the dam site to four.
In addition to that six new filters have been constructed to bring the number of filters at the dam to 24. Each filter has the ability to filter one million gallons of water per day.
Two new booster stations have also been constructed at Achiase and Suame to help pump water to areas such as Santasi, Brofoyedru, Oduom, Nkawie, Kronom, Afrancho and Agric Nzema, which hitherto were experiencing irregular no water supply.
Pipe-borne water demand in Kumasi was presently about 40million gallons a day and the Sector Minister said the government was committed to ensuring full capacity delivery to ensure that water which was a basic necessity was available.
He said he was impressed with the works and described the project as going well.
“This is good news for the people of Kumasi”, he said and acknowledged that government need to continue to source for funding for the water sector to be able solve the water problem.
The Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya, Mr Benito Owusu Bio appealed to government to initiate efforts to resettle farmers at Nwabi, a village downstream of the Owabi Dam which gets flooded anytime the dam was over flown and causes damage to property.
He said there were only 20 houses in the village and that any time the dam was over flown it causes damage to property in the area.
Mr Abongo said the Ministry was considering how the town’s folks could be resettled in other to protect life and property.
Story: Albert K. Salia and Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Barekese
The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to desist from dumping refuse close to water bodies and in the catchment of dams.
It has accordingly asked all Assemblies to properly collaborate with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in identifying refuse dumping sites in other to ensure that dams and water bodies were not polluted.
Mr Albert Abongo, the Sector Minister gave the directive when he inspected ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at the Barekese and Owabi Dams which supply pipe borne water to Kumasi and its environs.
The Minister, who was not happy that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited were dumping refuse in the catchments of the Barekese Dam, directed that the practice should be discontinued with immediate effect and the refuse dump relocated outside the catchment of the dam.
Zoomlion Ghana had been dumping refuse in some pits at Amanfrom and Ohwim in the catchment of Barekese Dam and upon a protest from the GWCL, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the company to discontinue with the practice.
It therefore sealed off the tonnes of solid waste dumped at the site with soil but the GWCL is further alleging that Zoomlion had moved to another site in the catchment area and was dumping refuse there.
After inspecting the refuse dump site which had been sealed off, Mr Abongo described the practice as not good for water production since the materials that had been dumped contained poisonous chemicals which would be very difficult to treat when they polluted the dam.
He said apart from the danger of polluting the dam, making the cost of treatment very huge at the expense of the state, the solid waste also posed serious health hazards to residents of the area.
He said as the waste decomposed, it was likely to flow into the dam anytime it rained to pollute it, thereby making the cost of treating the water very expensive.
Mr Abongo expressed appreciation for the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion works at the Barekese and Owabi Dams, which are the main source of pipe-borne water supply for residents of the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.
The contractors working on the project, Ballast Nedam said 96 percent of works on the €37.826million project were complete and assured that the work would be completed by end of November 2009.
On completion, the irregular supply of water for residents of Kumasi was expected to be a thing of the past.
The scopes of works at the Barekese dam include rehabilitation of the existing system and expansion for it to be able to produce 24million gallons of water per day.
This is expected to add up to three million (3) gallons of water per day which would be produced at the Owabi Dam to bring the entire supply of water for Kumasi and its areas to 27million gallons per day.
The Barekese Dam currently produces between 16 and 18million gallons of water per day. The dam was however designed to produce 48million gallons of water per day but the needed expansion works have not been done for it to produce at full capacity.
At present an additional clarifier which has the capacity to clarify 6million gallons of water per day has been constructed to bring the number of clarifiers at the dam site to four.
In addition to that six new filters have been constructed to bring the number of filters at the dam to 24. Each filter has the ability to filter one million gallons of water per day.
Two new booster stations have also been constructed at Achiase and Suame to help pump water to areas such as Santasi, Brofoyedru, Oduom, Nkawie, Kronom, Afrancho and Agric Nzema, which hitherto were experiencing irregular no water supply.
Pipe-borne water demand in Kumasi was presently about 40million gallons a day and the Sector Minister said the government was committed to ensuring full capacity delivery to ensure that water which was a basic necessity was available.
He said he was impressed with the works and described the project as going well.
“This is good news for the people of Kumasi”, he said and acknowledged that government need to continue to source for funding for the water sector to be able solve the water problem.
The Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya, Mr Benito Owusu Bio appealed to government to initiate efforts to resettle farmers at Nwabi, a village downstream of the Owabi Dam which gets flooded anytime the dam was over flown and causes damage to property.
He said there were only 20 houses in the village and that any time the dam was over flown it causes damage to property in the area.
Mr Abongo said the Ministry was considering how the town’s folks could be resettled in other to protect life and property.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
(Page 31) - Armed robber killed in shootout
Daily Graphic Wednesday October 14, 2009 (Page 31)
Story and Picture: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
IN what looked like a swift response to the killing of a police officer by armed robbers in Ashaiman on Monday, the police in Kumasi have shot and killed a suspected armed robber.
The suspect was shot dead on Tuesday in a shootout with the police after robbing a victim at Kenyase-Duase new site in Kumasi in the company of four other suspected robbers.
The four others managed to escape and the police have mounted a search for them.
The body of the deceased, believed to be in his early 30s has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) mortuary for autopsy.
The armed men had stormed the Kenyase-Duase new site area and had succeeded in robbing some victims, but one of the victims fiercely challenged and engaged them in fire exchanges, wounding some of the robbers.
Briefing the press, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbillah, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander said the police received information about the robbery incident at about 3:00am on Tuesday that a group of armed robbers had attacked a house at Kenyase-Duase New site.
He said the information was that the robbery victim was engaging the robbers in a gun battle and so a police team was dispatched to the scene but when they got there, the robbers had fled.
He said the team as part of their routine exercise at the robbery scene, started combing the place for the suspects or any exhibit that will assist in investigations.
He said unknown to the police, one of the robbers believed to be their leader who had sustained gunshot wounds as a result of the exchanges with the victim could not escape and was therefore hiding in a nearby bush.
He said the search took the police officers to where the robber then wounded was hiding and sensing danger of an imminent arrest fired at an officer and missed him narrowly.
He said the police were therefore compelled to fire back and in the course of the exchanges the bullets hit the deceased and he died.
The police commander said although the deceased had not been identified, an examination of the body portrayed an earlier wound on the right arm suspected to have been inflicted by the robbery victim.
He said the deceased had plastered his cheeks with plaster to conceal tribal marks in a bid to alter his facial appearance. When the plaster was removed, a deep tribal mark was found on his left cheek.
Exhibits found on the deceased according to the police commander included one pump action shot gun, two chisels, 21 live cartridges, six spent cartridges, a flash light, pepper spray and two mobile phones belonging to a victim who had earlier been robbed the same night and a carriage bag (backpack) in which the other items excluding the gun were found.
Story and Picture: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
IN what looked like a swift response to the killing of a police officer by armed robbers in Ashaiman on Monday, the police in Kumasi have shot and killed a suspected armed robber.
The suspect was shot dead on Tuesday in a shootout with the police after robbing a victim at Kenyase-Duase new site in Kumasi in the company of four other suspected robbers.
The four others managed to escape and the police have mounted a search for them.
The body of the deceased, believed to be in his early 30s has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) mortuary for autopsy.
The armed men had stormed the Kenyase-Duase new site area and had succeeded in robbing some victims, but one of the victims fiercely challenged and engaged them in fire exchanges, wounding some of the robbers.
Briefing the press, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbillah, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander said the police received information about the robbery incident at about 3:00am on Tuesday that a group of armed robbers had attacked a house at Kenyase-Duase New site.
He said the information was that the robbery victim was engaging the robbers in a gun battle and so a police team was dispatched to the scene but when they got there, the robbers had fled.
He said the team as part of their routine exercise at the robbery scene, started combing the place for the suspects or any exhibit that will assist in investigations.
He said unknown to the police, one of the robbers believed to be their leader who had sustained gunshot wounds as a result of the exchanges with the victim could not escape and was therefore hiding in a nearby bush.
He said the search took the police officers to where the robber then wounded was hiding and sensing danger of an imminent arrest fired at an officer and missed him narrowly.
He said the police were therefore compelled to fire back and in the course of the exchanges the bullets hit the deceased and he died.
The police commander said although the deceased had not been identified, an examination of the body portrayed an earlier wound on the right arm suspected to have been inflicted by the robbery victim.
He said the deceased had plastered his cheeks with plaster to conceal tribal marks in a bid to alter his facial appearance. When the plaster was removed, a deep tribal mark was found on his left cheek.
Exhibits found on the deceased according to the police commander included one pump action shot gun, two chisels, 21 live cartridges, six spent cartridges, a flash light, pepper spray and two mobile phones belonging to a victim who had earlier been robbed the same night and a carriage bag (backpack) in which the other items excluding the gun were found.
(Spread) - Nkrumah's projects in ruins. After 33years of neglect
Daily Graphic Sat October 10, 2009 (Spread)
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
(Page 31) - Chaos all over
Daily Graphic Wednesday October 7, 2009 (Page 31)
Story: George Ernest Asare and Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
In the Ashanti Region, there were no reported violence in the polling station executive elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but some constituency executives expressed concern about the manner in which the elections were conducted.
There were widespread complaints of “sidelining” of certain party leaders and members in the various constituencies, which led to the suspension of the election in some constituencies.
Reports indicated that the exercise had been suspended at Bekwai, Bosome Freho and Mampong constituencies respectively due to various agitations and differences among party members.
Nonetheless, many constituencies have gone ahead and elected various polling station executives.
The Bekwai Constituency Chairman, Mr Atta Kwasi confirmed to the Daily Graphic that the exercise had been suspended in the constituency.
He did not give reasons for the suspension and when it would finally take place but information gathered indicated that it was suspended due to disagreements on the membership that should constitute the Electoral College.
Whiles there were agitations for supporters of the Member of Parliament, Mr Joe Osei Wusu who left the party to contest as independent candidate to be included in the members, others were of the opinion that, they should be sidelined.
An Executive from the Kwadaso constituency in Kumasi who spoke to the Daily Graphic in an interview said notwithstanding his position, he was totally sidelined from “an important exercise to elect new polling station executives”.
“I have heard that new polling station executives had been elected at the Kwadaso constituency, but I was not informed, likewise some of the executive members” he complained, adding “ the right procedure was not followed, and this is likely to cause bitterness and rancour among some party faithfuls”.
Explaining, he said prior to the election, the constituency executives, together with some opinion leaders were contacted to supervise the exercise to enhance sanity “but before we could act, we were told that the elections were over”.
He said in all, there are 61 polling stations at the Kwadaso constituency and information reaching him indicated that all the polling stations had elected their executive members.
He said some of the members who wanted to contest the elections were also denied nomination forms and wondered why such an important exercise could be conducted in a clandestine manner.
“The correct procedure was not used to conduct the elections at the Kwadaso constituency and this is likely to bring rancour, and bitterness among some members” he complained.
Police told the Daily Graphic that no violence characterised any of the polling station elections in the region.
“We have not received any reports of violence so far at any of the areas that the polling station elections are taking place” a source from the Public Affairs Unit of the Regional Police said.
Meanwhile some polling agents in the Bantama constituency has sent a petition to the Regional Executive of the party calling for the cancellation of the election.
They claimed the constituency chairman; Mr Henry Kokofu used “diabolical activities” to conduct the elections.
“Mr Kokofu gave out nomination forms to all his stooges. The people he selected instead of elected did not have anything to show as NPP members”, they said.
The petitioners levelled a series of allegations against the constituency chairman and called on the Regional Executives to cancel the elections for a fresh one to be conducted.
Story: George Ernest Asare and Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
In the Ashanti Region, there were no reported violence in the polling station executive elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but some constituency executives expressed concern about the manner in which the elections were conducted.
There were widespread complaints of “sidelining” of certain party leaders and members in the various constituencies, which led to the suspension of the election in some constituencies.
Reports indicated that the exercise had been suspended at Bekwai, Bosome Freho and Mampong constituencies respectively due to various agitations and differences among party members.
Nonetheless, many constituencies have gone ahead and elected various polling station executives.
The Bekwai Constituency Chairman, Mr Atta Kwasi confirmed to the Daily Graphic that the exercise had been suspended in the constituency.
He did not give reasons for the suspension and when it would finally take place but information gathered indicated that it was suspended due to disagreements on the membership that should constitute the Electoral College.
Whiles there were agitations for supporters of the Member of Parliament, Mr Joe Osei Wusu who left the party to contest as independent candidate to be included in the members, others were of the opinion that, they should be sidelined.
An Executive from the Kwadaso constituency in Kumasi who spoke to the Daily Graphic in an interview said notwithstanding his position, he was totally sidelined from “an important exercise to elect new polling station executives”.
“I have heard that new polling station executives had been elected at the Kwadaso constituency, but I was not informed, likewise some of the executive members” he complained, adding “ the right procedure was not followed, and this is likely to cause bitterness and rancour among some party faithfuls”.
Explaining, he said prior to the election, the constituency executives, together with some opinion leaders were contacted to supervise the exercise to enhance sanity “but before we could act, we were told that the elections were over”.
He said in all, there are 61 polling stations at the Kwadaso constituency and information reaching him indicated that all the polling stations had elected their executive members.
He said some of the members who wanted to contest the elections were also denied nomination forms and wondered why such an important exercise could be conducted in a clandestine manner.
“The correct procedure was not used to conduct the elections at the Kwadaso constituency and this is likely to bring rancour, and bitterness among some members” he complained.
Police told the Daily Graphic that no violence characterised any of the polling station elections in the region.
“We have not received any reports of violence so far at any of the areas that the polling station elections are taking place” a source from the Public Affairs Unit of the Regional Police said.
Meanwhile some polling agents in the Bantama constituency has sent a petition to the Regional Executive of the party calling for the cancellation of the election.
They claimed the constituency chairman; Mr Henry Kokofu used “diabolical activities” to conduct the elections.
“Mr Kokofu gave out nomination forms to all his stooges. The people he selected instead of elected did not have anything to show as NPP members”, they said.
The petitioners levelled a series of allegations against the constituency chairman and called on the Regional Executives to cancel the elections for a fresh one to be conducted.
(Page 11) KNUST discovers 2 wood species
Daily Graphic Monday October 5, 2009 (Page 11)
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has uncovered two wood species as very strong for constructional purposes.
The two species named as “Wawa bima” and “Akyen” were identified from a total of 20 lesser known species in a research by the faculty.
The two woods are in the forest and currently not being used for any constructional purposes but the research from the Faculty has revealed that the woods are very good and strong for construction.
The Faculty has consequently used the two species to construct a footbridge on the Susanso River at Anloga in Kumasi and one on the KNUST campus which was being used by students.
The footbridge is to facilitate the movement of people between Anloga and Susanso – Bomso in particular and other areas within the catchment.
Efforts are also underway to replicate the construction of similar footbridges from the two wood species in other parts of the country as well as use it for other constructional purposes.
Two female students, Paulina Johnson and Patricia Porchner used the discovery of the woods and the construction of the bridge at Anloga as their project work, which was a joint collaboration between the KNUST and the Bern University of Switzerland.
The footbridge on the Susanso River was today (Tuesday) commissioned by the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong.
A former Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Professor Frimpong Mensah said the research was made possible with funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.
He said the Wood Technology Department of the KNUST contributed immensely to the research while the Faculty of Engineering assisted with the construction of the footbridge.
Professor Mensah said the Wood Technology Department was constantly researching into lesser used wood species.
The KMA Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong expressed appreciation to the KNUST and the Bern University through whose support and collaboration the project became a reality.
He also expressed appreciation to the Anloga community for their communal spirit that went into the construction of the footbridge and said the initiative at Anloga would bring immense benefit to the people.
He noted that other communities in Kumasi has similar problems but have folded their arms and were waiting for the government to come to their rescue.
Mr Sarpong said plans were underway to construct another bridge which could be used by vehicles to link Susanso and Anloga and that it was being catered for in the Assembly’s budget for next year.
The KMA Chief Executive said the Assembly was ready to enforce its bye-laws and impose appropriate sanctions on offenders.
He said the ongoing decongestion exercise needed the support of every one and said the Assembly was prepared to give it a human face but would apply the law to the fullest and apply punitive measures to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Assembly Member for the Anloga Electoral Area, Mr Aminu Gariba expressed appreciation for the construction of the footbridge saying the old weak bridge was not usable at the slightest downpour since the area became flooded.
Story: Enoch Darfah Frimpong, Kumasi
The Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has uncovered two wood species as very strong for constructional purposes.
The two species named as “Wawa bima” and “Akyen” were identified from a total of 20 lesser known species in a research by the faculty.
The two woods are in the forest and currently not being used for any constructional purposes but the research from the Faculty has revealed that the woods are very good and strong for construction.
The Faculty has consequently used the two species to construct a footbridge on the Susanso River at Anloga in Kumasi and one on the KNUST campus which was being used by students.
The footbridge is to facilitate the movement of people between Anloga and Susanso – Bomso in particular and other areas within the catchment.
Efforts are also underway to replicate the construction of similar footbridges from the two wood species in other parts of the country as well as use it for other constructional purposes.
Two female students, Paulina Johnson and Patricia Porchner used the discovery of the woods and the construction of the bridge at Anloga as their project work, which was a joint collaboration between the KNUST and the Bern University of Switzerland.
The footbridge on the Susanso River was today (Tuesday) commissioned by the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong.
A former Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Professor Frimpong Mensah said the research was made possible with funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation.
He said the Wood Technology Department of the KNUST contributed immensely to the research while the Faculty of Engineering assisted with the construction of the footbridge.
Professor Mensah said the Wood Technology Department was constantly researching into lesser used wood species.
The KMA Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong expressed appreciation to the KNUST and the Bern University through whose support and collaboration the project became a reality.
He also expressed appreciation to the Anloga community for their communal spirit that went into the construction of the footbridge and said the initiative at Anloga would bring immense benefit to the people.
He noted that other communities in Kumasi has similar problems but have folded their arms and were waiting for the government to come to their rescue.
Mr Sarpong said plans were underway to construct another bridge which could be used by vehicles to link Susanso and Anloga and that it was being catered for in the Assembly’s budget for next year.
The KMA Chief Executive said the Assembly was ready to enforce its bye-laws and impose appropriate sanctions on offenders.
He said the ongoing decongestion exercise needed the support of every one and said the Assembly was prepared to give it a human face but would apply the law to the fullest and apply punitive measures to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Assembly Member for the Anloga Electoral Area, Mr Aminu Gariba expressed appreciation for the construction of the footbridge saying the old weak bridge was not usable at the slightest downpour since the area became flooded.
Monday, 5 October 2009
(Nsempa) - Cement sellers donate to Adum Presby Primary School
Graphic Nsempa Monday Oct 5 - 11, 2009 (Page 10)
Nana Takyi Mensah, Chairman of Cement Sellers Youngsters Association at Adum (right) in a handshake with Charles Akwaboah (left), Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman of Adum Presby Primary School.
Also in the picture is Mr Albert Osei Banahene (extreme left), Assembly Member of Nsuase in Adum and staff members of Adum Presby Primary.
This was when members of the Cement Sellers Youngsters Association in Adum donated 10bags of cement valued at GH¢130 to support rehabilitation works at the primary school.
Nana Mensah said the gesture from the association was in response to an appeal by the assembly member to assist the school with the rehabilitation works and that even though their contribution seemed to be small, he hoped it would encourage others to come to the aid of the school.
Mr Osei Banahene, the Nsuase Assembly Member appealed to financial institutions in Adum to also come to the aid of the school and said the classrooms were in deplorable state and needed to be rehabilitated.
The PTA Chairman expressed appreciation for the gesture from the cement dealers.
PICTURE BY ENOCH DARFAH FRIMPONG
Nana Takyi Mensah, Chairman of Cement Sellers Youngsters Association at Adum (right) in a handshake with Charles Akwaboah (left), Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman of Adum Presby Primary School.
Also in the picture is Mr Albert Osei Banahene (extreme left), Assembly Member of Nsuase in Adum and staff members of Adum Presby Primary.
This was when members of the Cement Sellers Youngsters Association in Adum donated 10bags of cement valued at GH¢130 to support rehabilitation works at the primary school.
Nana Mensah said the gesture from the association was in response to an appeal by the assembly member to assist the school with the rehabilitation works and that even though their contribution seemed to be small, he hoped it would encourage others to come to the aid of the school.
Mr Osei Banahene, the Nsuase Assembly Member appealed to financial institutions in Adum to also come to the aid of the school and said the classrooms were in deplorable state and needed to be rehabilitated.
The PTA Chairman expressed appreciation for the gesture from the cement dealers.
PICTURE BY ENOCH DARFAH FRIMPONG
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