Cape Coast, Nov. 9, GNA - The National Child Health Coordinator of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Isabella Sagoe-Moses, has re-echoed calls to nursing mothers to practice the six-month exclusive breastfeeding for their babies.
She also advocated for maternity leave to be extended to six months to afford working mothers enough time to breastfeed their babies well and take better care of them during the period.
Dr. Sagoe-Moses was speaking at a workshop on Thursday to precede the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) 54th Annual General Conference which opens in Cape Coast on November 9.
The theme for the four-day conference being attended by about 500 medical doctors and other practitioners across the country is “Under-five survival in Ghana, challenges and the way forward.” .
She urged health institutions and employers to create baby-friendly work places where mothers can take their babies to work and attend to them frequently because the health benefit of exclusive breastfeeding is enormous.
Speaking on the topic, “Addressing socio-cultural practices that affect under-five survival in Ghana”, Dr. Gilbert Buckle, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, said socio-cultural factors are common factors contributing to poor survival of under-five children in the country.
He mentioned the age and educational status of mothers, income and food availability in families as well as the availability of safe drinking water and basic sanitation as some of the factors that impinge on child survival.
Dr. Buckle said one’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviours` and practices as well as specific ethnic cultural differences are all factors crucial to the survival of the child.
He said when mothers, particularly those in the rural areas, are well educated on child nutrition and other health related issues, they would be able to take good care of their children and positively contribute to under-five survival in Ghana.
He also expressed worry that teenage pregnancy is still high in the country and that the younger the mother, the higher the risk of the child not surviving to the age of five years.
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Doctor says socio-cultural environment is largest contributing factor to child survival
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Tutor dies in a road crash
Fiapre (B/A), Nov .9, GNA - Mr Felix Dasmani, 52, Mathematics tutor at Notre Dam Senior High School at Fiapre, near Sunyani, died on the spot when a vehicle knocked him down at Fiapre on Tuesday evening.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Teddy Damptey Brown, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander of Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Police, confirmed the story to the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani.
He said that the deceased, who was riding a motor bike, was knocked down by the vehicle, which was from Fiapre heading towards the Sunyani Catholic University.
ASP Damptey Brown said the driver of the vehicle, Yaw Baah Nuako, a Librarian at the University, was arrested but granted bail to enable him to attend hospital.
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NPP member says Akufo-Addoâs recent tour of Volta Region should tickle political analysts
Ho, Nov 9, GNA - Huge crowds that poured out in support of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when he visited the Volta Region, should set political analysts revising their notes.
Mr Delali Ndor, a Business Development Officer and a member of the NPP, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday just before Nana Akufo-Addo addressed the packed Ho Polytechnic Auditorium on his agricultural policy should he be elected President.
He said it was not the crowd that mattered to him but the demographics, youth, women, elderly and especially the new converts to the fold.
Mr Ndor, the 2004 NPP candidate for Hohoe-South, said “this time round the stakes have changed and surely from all indication votes the NPP would get in the Volta Region would go up to stun the bookmakers”.
He said it appeared the strong sentimental attachment of people from the Volta Region to the NDC was ebbing and that from now on it would be issues and not feelings.
Mr Ndor said in the past it was difficult to see taxis with NPP stickers fixed on them but it is happening now.
Nana Akufo-Addo during a courtesy call on Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, said he was the person who would be the bridge between the Volta Region and the NPP.
An uncharacteristic large crowd poured out on the streets of Ho to meet Nana Akufo-Addo when he arrived for the visit, resulting in traffic congestions and stoppages.
There was a similarly large crowd at the rally at Dzodze, where Nana Akufo-Addo introduced parliamentary candidates from the region.
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Dan Botwe donates computers to schools
Adukrom Akuapem, Nov. 09, GNA - Mr Dan Botwe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, on Friday donated 40 computers and their accessories to three Senior High Schools (SHS) in his constituency to help improve teaching and learning of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
The beneficiary schools were Nifa Senior SHS, which received 20 computers, Adukrom Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School received 15 and College of Development Studies at Adukrom took five computers.
Presenting the computers to the schools at separate ceremonies, Mr Botwe reiterated his commitment to support education by ensuring that resources were provided to all, especially brilliant but needy students.
He said that education had been a priority in his programmes since he became MP and urged both teachers and students to make good use of the computers to upgrade their knowledge in ICT studies.
Mr Botwe said two ICT centres for Adukrom and Awukugua communities were at various levels of construction in addition to other development projects in the education sector.
He said he would add additional 50 computers to the beneficiary schools early next year as a way of equipping the ICT centres of the schools.
Mr Alexander Acquah, Headmaster of Nifa SHS, thanked the MP for his support to the school and said he should not relent in his efforts to promote education in the constituency.
At the Adukrom Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School, the computers were received by the Assistant Headmaster, Mr Edwin Amoah.
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Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, laid to rest in Accra
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – The mortal remains of Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, a retired Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Accra, was on Friday laid to rest at the Holy Spirit Cathedral premises in Accra.
Bishop Bowers died on Tuesday November 6 at the age 102 at Agomanya in the Eastern Region. He was appointed Bishop of Accra on January 8, 1953 and received his Episcopal consecration on April 22, 1953.
Speaking at the burial service President John Dramani Mahama said the late Bishop Bowers would forever be remembered for his great contribution to the education and health sector of the country and as president of the country it was important to pay his last respect to him.
He said the good works of people would always remain, adding the late bishop contributed his quota not only to the religious aspects of individuals and the nation as a whole but also the education and health of the people.
President Mahama commended the Catholic Church for the moral consciousness towards all issues affecting the nation and asked members not to relent in their efforts to support and continuously pray for the nation as the December General Elections draws closer.
He appealed to all to continue to maintain the current peace in the country and preach peace in order for the country to go through peaceful and violent free elections on December 7, 2012.
Most Rev Gabriel Kumoji, Bishop of Donkorkrom, said the late Bishop was someone who listened and followed the Lord and put his faith in the Lord.
He said “he was an example for all Ghanaians to realize that there are people in the world who will want to give their all for people to serve God in sincerity and in love.”
Bishop Bowers saw to the establishment of the St Peters Senior High School (SHS), Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary, St Paul’s Technical School, St Rose’s SHS, St Mary’s SHS, St Monica’s SHS, St Thomas Aquinas SHS, St Dominic Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and St Martin’s De Pores Hospital.
He was born on March 28, in Massacre, Dominica, and traveled to the United States to attend St. Augustine Seminary, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He was ordained on January 22, 1939, and continued as a priest in the Society of the Divine Word from 1939 to 1952.
In 1957, Bishop Bowers founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer (HDR) in Accra, which is dedicated to caring and comforting the poor.
On July 17, 1981, he retired from church office and, after some years spent in Charlestown, Nevis, returned to Dominica, where he lived in Mahaut , until he was invited back to Ghana by the HDR Sisters in the 1990’s to live till his demise.
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NPP promises to modernise Mankesim market
Mankesim, Nov. 9, GNA - Mr Francis Egyarku Donkoh, Central Regional Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic party (NPP), has pledged that the Mankesim market would be modernized and expanded to include a police station, clinic and fire post, if the party is voted into power on December 7.
He called on Ghanaians to vote for the NPP to enable the party to fufil its promises, particularly, the free Senior High School policy.
Mr Donkoh was addressing market women at Mankesim in the Mfantseman West Constituency in the region
He said the NPP could deliver on its campaign promises as was done under the Kufuor-led government and cited the construction of waterworks at Baafikrom, near Mankesim.
Mr Donkor asked Ghanaians to ignore the NDC propaganda that the free SHS could be implemented in the next 20 years.
He appealed to the people to ensure free, fair and violent-free elections in December.
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Government sets up temporary information centre at disaster site
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – The Government on Friday set up a temporary information centre linked up to two hotline numbers: 023 4725999 and 026 4918886 as part of the search and rescue mission at the Achimota Melcom disaster site to ensure constant information flow.
The Government also released an amount of GHc20,000.00, 100 cartons of mineral water and 20 cartons of soft drinks to assist the operation, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development stated in Accra.
The Minister who presented the items at the disaster site, commended the rescue team for their resilience and dedication to duty.
He also commended the public for the support to the rescue team.
Meanwhile, a government statement issued by the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, to the Ghana News Agency appealed to those who reside within the Achimota community and its immediate environs and who have relations who have gone missing over the last 48 hours to call the contact numbers in order to assist the rescue mission.
In a related development, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, said on Friday that the collapsed Melcom Shopping centre at Achimota was not constructed under his watch.
He said the building was started in 1997 and completed in 2008.
“I took office in May 2009 so evidently this construction did not occur under my watch; there was no way I, as Mayor of the city, will be part of any negligence so as to compromise on the safety of the public,” he said.
Mr Vanderpuye said public safety had always been his watchword and the hallmark of his responsibility as chief executive of Accra.
“Whether I am working on market issues, decongestion of the city, floods, educational development, health and overall construction development within the city, public safety is always at the back of my mind.”
There have been calls by some people for the Mayor to quit in the face of the shoddy work that caused the building to collapse last Wednesday morning.
At least nine people have died while 78 have been rescued from the rubble of the five-storey building housing the Melcom shopping centre at Achimota in Accra.
A task force made up of the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Disaster Management Organisation and the National Ambulance Service have been joined by an 18-member Israeli team as they race against time to rescue more people from the ruins of the building.
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AGA builds 6 million dollars re-settlement community
Dokyiwaa, (Ash), Nov. 9, GNA - Ms Shirley Ayittey, Minister of Environment Science and Technology (MEST), has inaugurated a 6 million dollars new township built to resettle the people of Dokyiwaa, in the Obuasi Municipality.
AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), had constructed it to relocate the over 1300 inhabitants from the mine’s tailing dam which had become a threat to their health and safety.
The new township boasts of tarred streets, street lights, drains, mechanized boreholes, community centre, primary school and a church.
There are also plans by the Company to add a Junior High School (JHS) and Technical/Vocational School to the social facilities.
Performing the ceremony, Ms Ayittey expressed concern about the growing illegal mining in the country and appealed to chiefs and people in the communities to join hands with the government to restore some sanity.
She asked them to have the courage to report the illegal miners to the security agencies.
The government, she said, was determined to tackle the unlawful activity head-on, which was not only denying the state of revenue, but destroying water bodies and the environment.
Ms Ayittey later inaugurated a GH¢250,000 palm kernel oil processing plant at Bidieso, near Obuasi.
It was jointly constructed by the AGA and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to provide modern and environmental friendly operation site for women engaged in palm kernel oil production to reduce health risks associated with smoke and heat.
She also inspected the three-kilometre Obuasi-Sansu road funded by AGA at a cost of GH¢450,000.00.
These projects were undertaken in response to an appeal made by the Minister, when she visited the Obuasi mine about two years ago.
She commended the company for living up to its social responsibility to the people and advised the beneficiary population to take good care of the projects for their own benefit.
Mr Kwesi Eryan, Managing Director of AGA Obuasi Mine, said they were undertaking numerous development projects to help make things better for communities in their operation area.
Mr John Alexander Ackon, Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly would continue to collaborate with the Company to provide the needed infrastructure to improve the living conditions of the people.
Nana Ponko Dabanka II, Konkahene, praised AGA for the modern housing units for the people.
He, however, reminded them to do everything to complete all other outstanding projects in the resettlement agreement to promote peace and harmony.
Nana Dabanka complained about the wanton destruction of the environment by illegal miners and urged the government to act more firmly and decisively.
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High charges killing food research works- Lecturer
Winneba, Nov 9, GNA - Ms Kutum Madah, Head of Food Unit of Home Economics Department of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), has expressed worry about the expensive cost being charged by the Ghana Standard Authority on research work on food.
She said the situation had prevented most of the lecturers and Home Economics Department of the Universities from publishing their research works.
She therefore appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Food and Nutrition Department to intervene.
Ms Madah said this at a food show organized by the Home Economics Department of the University.
Ms Madah said the show was to encourage the students to know more about local dishes in their various regions.
She said time had come for Ghanaians to patronize local food instead of foreign ones, adding that this had compelled some of the hotels and restaurants to stop serving local foods.
She said Dawadawa food and others could be improved by adding some flavours to make it attractive.
Ms Madah said the Unit was going through difficulties as a result of obsolete equipment and appealed to the government to assist the department with modern ones.
She said inadequate structure for the Department has also prevented it from admitting more students to learn about food.
Ms Ophelia Quartey, Head of Department of Home Economics, appealed to the government and other corporate bodies to assist the Department to achieve its objectives.
She said the food competition was organized by the department for level 300 students in preparation for their examinations.
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Court remands driver for possessing narcotic drugs
Juaso (Ash), Nov 9, GNA - A driver caught with 35 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis was on Thursday put before the Juaso Circuit Court.
Emmanuel Bukari had concealed this in his Mercedes Benz 207 bus.
He was ordered to be kept in prison custody after he had pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful possession of narcotic drugs and he will re-appear on November 28.
Police Chief Inspector Joseph Obeng told the court presided over by Mr Justice S. K. Sarpong Appiah that a patrol team at Konongo intercepted the bus following a tip off.
He said during a search the dried leaves were uncovered.
The prosecution said Bukari managed to slip through but investigations led to his arrest at Berekum.
The vehicle had since been impounded while samples of the seized leaves had been sent to the police forensic laboratory for testing.
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GCB Employeesâ Union supports Ho cured lepers
Ho, Nov. 09, GNA-The Employees’ Union of Ghana Commercial Bank Friday presented assorted items worth 3,000 cedis to cured lepers in Ho.
The items include 25 bags of rice, 10 crates of milk, 10 boxes of key soap and 10 cartons of vegetable oil.
Mr Alhassan Adams National Vice-Chairman of the Union said the presentation was to mark the Union’s 24th Biennial Delegates Conference scheduled for Ho on Saturday, November 10.
Dr Mary Eyram Kporku, Medical Superintendent of the Ho Polyclinic who received the items expressed gratitude to the Union.
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Akyempim Rural Bank continues to flourish
Gomoa Pinankor (C/R), Nov. 9, GNA – The Akyempim Rural Bank Limited in the Central Region has over the past three years been recording increases in its operational profits, posting a profit before tax of GHâµ155,157.00 in 2011.
The figure represents 10 per cent increase over 2010 profit of GHâµ140,877.00.
Col Kwame K. Nyame (Rtd), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank announced this at the 27th Annual General Meeting of shareholders of the bank at Gomoa Pinankor.
He said the shareholders fund also increased from GHâµ645,609.99 in 2010 to 745,830.00 in 2011.
The bank’s total deposit during the year under review also went up from GHâµ4,852,258 in 2010 to GHc6,883,802.00 in 2011, attributing the increase to high mobilisation drive which the directors and management carried out.
“Total assets of the bank rose from GHâµ6,550,179.00 in 2010 to 8,595,757.00 in 2011" , he said.
The Board Chairman said the bank granted total loans and advances to the tune of GHâµ4,295,995.00 in 2011 to 3,520 people showing substantial increase over 2010 figures of GHâµ3,330,079 in respect of micro finance, transport, trading and education.
Col Nyame appealed to beneficiaries of the loans and advances the bank granted to pay back for others to benefit.
He encouraged shareholders to buy more shares to give the bank the needed strength to operate smoothly.
In a message delivered on his behalf by Mr Enoch Richard Arkaifie, Head of Credit on behalf of Mr K.A. Kusi, Acting Managing Director, ARB APEX Bank Limited, said in the light of the complex and rapidly changing environment, rural banks were expected to enhance their operational efficiency and risk management to enable them to operate effectively in the dynamic banking industry.
He further urged the board of the bank to strengthen their internal control systems to ensure that their operations were executed in an orderly manner, consistent with best practices in the banking industry.
He commended the board of directors, management and staff for their achievement over the years, adding that they should take advantage of the technological improvements of their bank and re-position their operations to further enhance the overall results of the bank.
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Best farmer lauds Newmontâs role in promoting agriculture
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - Mr Akwasi Asamoah, the 2011 National Best Plantain Farmer, has commended Newmont Ghana for complementing Government’s efforts towards the promotion of agriculture in the country.
He said he had chalked successes through the cultivation of cocoa, plantain cassava through the assistance of the mining company.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, he said, before his association with Newmont Ghana he took farming as a hobby but with the support of the company he now runs his farm as a full commercial entity.
Mr. Asamoah specifically cited the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programmme (AILAP), a post-resettlement mitigation programmme meant to assist farmers directly impacted by the development of the Ahafo Mine, to re-establish their agricultural livelihoods as one programme that had transformed his life.
He said the activities earmarked under the AILAP programme was beneficial to the over 5,000 farmers currently working with the programme.
The AILAP programme, he said, assisted the farmers’ right from the acquisition of land, planting to harvesting.
Farmers on the AILAP programmme have been compensated for lands, which fall within Newmont’s mine take area.
The programme was first implemented in 2006 to assist farmers, who had already been paid their due compensation to gain access to alternative farm lands and receive adequate training for abundant and higher quality yields.
Newmont established AILAP to increase crop production, promote crop diversity, technology adoption, market access, which existed prior to the start of the Ahafo Mine operations through facilitating access to land, provision of free farm inputs, farmer motivation and improved extension services.
“With the help of the AILAP programme my target is to become the overall best national farmer in two years,” Mr Asamoah.
He urged the government to invest part of revenue generated from non-renewable natural resources into sectors such as agriculture to boost the economy.
“We should invest part of the revenues from the non-renewable resources in the renewable components of industry, of agriculture, of tourism so that we better empower the economy in the event that mining industry cannot contribute to development anymore,” he said.
He said the AILAP programme showed the importance Newmont attached to the agricultural sector in the country and pledged his commitment to continue to count on the mining giant for support and direction.
Mr. Asamoah urged the youth to venture into farming as their contribution towards national development.
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OGP National Validation Forum held in Accra
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – The Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Ben Eghan, has said over the past 30 years Ghana had made great efforts to change the public sector with mixed results.
He said what the country needed now was the need to go further and beyond standard administrative reforms.
“We must utilize new technological opportunities in order to change and renew the public sector’s role towards more openness and collaboration; we must promote good governance,” he said.
Mr Eghan was speaking at a day’s national validation forum organised by the Steering Committee on Open Government Partnership (OGP), Ghana with support from the World Bank to authenticate Ghana’s action plan for the partnership initiative.
The OGP is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder international initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to their citizenry to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
The initiative was founded by the U. S. Government in collaboration with seven other countries and but more than 50 countries were currently participating in the partnership.
In September 2011, Ghana signed into the OGP Initiative to improve public services, increase public integrity, manage public resources effectively, create safer communities and increase corporate accountability.
Mr Eghan said: “It is my understanding that, in connection with this membership, we are expected to develop a National Action Plan and submit it to the OGP Global Secretariat by end of this year.
“By April 2013, our country must demonstrate progress in the implementation of the Action Plan, progress which will be monitored and evaluate by international standards,” he said.
He said Ghana’s participation in the OGP Initiative was a consequence of the government agenda on good governance and the government’s prioritization of promoting democratic traditions and values.
“The decision to join OGP was an important step to complement Ghana’s on-going efforts to strengthen good governance across all sectors. Further, the Partnership is a logical platform for renewal and modernization of the relationship between citizens and the public administration,” he added.
In a speech read for him, the World Bank Country Director, Mr Yusupha B. Crookes, said OGP was about Transparency, which is a key element to empower citizens to engage constructively with policy makers and demand accountability from service providers.
“This in turn can lead to more effective institutions. Transparency in light of open government is about making information on government activities and decisions open, comprehensive, and available to citizens in a timely manner,” he added.
Mr Crookes said the launch of the OGP in September 2011 had generated significant momentum about open government issues around the globe.
“Governments and civil society organizations have come together in their respective countries to elaborate the required OGP action plans. Nearly 50 countries have submitted such action plans, which were presented at the OGP Annual Meeting in Brasilia in April 2012, and they are now moving into the implementation stage.
“The World Bank has accompanied the development of OGP, providing assistance mostly through knowledge exchanges (e.g. video conferences, webinars, support for face-to-face events), as well as technical support in Ghana on this consultation for stakeholders to elaborate the OGP action plan.
“In our view, the principles of the OGP, and the concrete commitments that countries are making within its framework, create an enabling environment for more efficient governments and societies in which the playing field is more level for all economic stakeholders,” he said.
Mr Crookes said the World Bank had been playing a facilitator role, assisting stakeholders according to their priorities and providing access to international good practices that contribute to enriching in-country discussions and informing their decisions in terms of how to move forward on the open government agenda.
He, therefore, pledged the bank’s commitment to continuing playing this facilitation role for deepening the open government agenda.
“While the Africa region might face some challenges regarding OGP engagement--for instance there are only five OGP member countries in Africa (South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Tanzania) --there are also promising signs that suggest progress can be achieved.
“Perhaps the most important sign of this is the strong participation of South African and Tanzania on the international steering committees. The genuine interest in Ghana in recent months, which is also a clear sign of this, is the current consultation process in Ghana where civil society and government have collaborated to prepare an action plan through a participatory approach,” he said.
Mr George Osei Bimpeh, Send Ghana representative on the OPG Steering Committee, said civil society organizations were glad that government had join the partnership to ensure transparency and accountability, among others.
He, therefore, encouraged government to commit itself to the implementation plan to have positive influence on the lives of the people.
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Atlas Copco supports gallants farmers in Obuasi Municipality
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - Atlas Copco Ghana, an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems, has donated items worth GH¢3,700 to the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to be distributed to the gallant farmers in the district.
The donation of the items which, had become an annual affair by the Atlas Copco, is to support the district towards this year’s Farmers Day celebration, which was held last Friday November 2, 2012.
Atlas Copco Ghana Obuasi Branch, Mine Rock Service Manager, Juma Lajabu said the donation formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility agenda to communities where the company operates.
Mrs. Irene Eshun, Administrative officer, Atlas Copco, Obuasi Branch, said the company had been making the donation for the past years, adding that it had this year extended its kind gesture to the Asante Bekwai Municipality too.
Items donated include a refrigerator, two standing fans, three irons, two radio sets, three knapsack sprayers, 20 cutlasses and 12 Wellington boots.
Receiving the items, the Municipal Chief Executive, John Alexander Ackon, expressed sincere gratitude to the Atlas Copco for its effort to promote agriculture and the celebration of the National Farmers day in the area.
Caption
(From left) Rhoda Aboagye, Human Resource Officer, Atlas Copco, Obuasi, Juma Lajabu, Mine Rock Service Manager, Atlas Copco, Obuasi, MCE Obuasi, Hon. John Alexander Ackon, and Mrs. Irene Eshun, Atlas Copco, Obuasi
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Vanderpuye: We've instituted measures for developers to regularise their building documents
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - The Mayor of Accra, Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, says his tenure of office has seen the institution of programmes to allow unauthorised developers to regularize their buildings documents.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the site of the collapsed Melcom building at Achimota in Accra, he said through his efforts on the field and the collation of available records, the AMA had enumerated 117,175 buildings across the metropolis.
The efforts, he said, yielded a total of 987 unauthorised buildings with 30 developers stepping up and after due diligence was done development and building permits were issued to them.
Mr Vanderpuijie said the collapsed building, which was started in 1997 and completed 2008, was not under his watch, thus silencing his critics calling for his resignation.
He noted that public safety had always been his watchword and the hallmark of his responsibility in all his endeavours as Chief Executive of Accra.
According to the Mayor his efforts had also led to the increase of submission of regularization of document from 374 in 2010 to 757 and AMA's legal office had been mandated to prosecute offenders.
The AMA, he said, had through collaboration with its partners such as the Millennium City Initiative taken steps to speed up the approval process to within three months, intensifying due diligence and increasing monitoring and supervision.
"With the increased field and monitoring supervision, several developers have been assisted to improve the structural integrity and compliance to the national Building Code," Mr Vanderpuije said.
The building, which was owned by Nana Akwasi Boadu of Kinsadus Company Limited, was completed without the necessary permit.
On measures to be taken on the collapsed building, the Mayor said AMA had been granted a court order to evacuate people in the Fidelity Bank Building which is one the four buildings of Nana Akwasi Boadu to make it available for inspection.
The AMA, he said, was still committed to ensuring safe and sound living environment for the people by increasing monitoring of all on-going constructions, through increasing personnel and competence in development control.
"The AMA will further employ modern technology in the conduct of structural integrity of buildings; in this regard the public would see our officers all over the metropolis and also intensify aggressive prosecution of non-complaint developers and contractors to ensure they comply with detail specification of the approved building permit."
Mr Vanderpuije expressed his deepest sympathies to the affected families and assured them of their continued collaboration and commitment with all agencies which had helped the AMA in their effort to save life caught up in the situation.
He also commended President John Dramani Mahama for his visits and his swift call for investigation into the matter.
Also at the site was the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Ebenezer Appiah Denkyira and the Accra Regional Director of Health, Dr. Linda Vanotoo.
In an interview with the GNA, the GHS Director General said he was there to join hands with other collaborators working to ensure the trapped persons were rescued.
He said the National Ambulance Service was on site and that all hospitals were on alert.
Dr Denkyira said patients in hospitals were doing very well and nine people had been confirmed dead.
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Robber jailed for pouring petrol on pharmacist
Accra, Nov.9, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Friday sentenced Peter Gift, a mason, to 30 years in imprisonment for pouring petrol on a pharmacist and threatened to set her ablaze if she did not surrender all the monies in her possession.
The accused who is a Liberian national has been charge for robbery contrary to section 149 of Act 29/60.
The accused pleaded guilty.
The Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Patrick A. Morkeh said the complainant is a pharmacist at Tonjoce Pharmacy located at Labone while the accused is a mason and a Liberian national.
He said on November 1, 2012 at about 9 am, the accused went to the pharmacy shop of the complainant and demanded to buy medicine for the cure of typhoid. The complainant gave the medicine to him.
He said whiles the complainant was checking the price of the medicines on the computer the accused poured petrol on her and threatened to set her ablaze if she did not surrender all the monies in her possession.
DSP Morkeh said the complainant gave the accused GHâµ40 but he rejected the money. He said the accused escorted the complainant to where she kept the daily sales of GHâµ470.30 and went out after the act.
He said the complainant raised an alarm and the accused was chased and arrested and was handed over to the Police.
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Four new DCEs in Eastern Region sworn into office
Koforidua, Nov. 09, GNA - Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister, has sworn-in four District Chief Executives (DCEs) in the newly created districts.
They are Mr Michael Ofori Darko, Ayensuano, Mr Derrick Ohene Assifo Bekoe, Upper West Akim, Mr Winston Kwodwo Afari-Djan, Akuapem South and Mr Kwaku Ofori Abroakwa, Denkyembuor Districts.
Mr Smith told them to learn from the challenges of their colleagues who had been in office much longer and pleaded with them not to have friction with anybody that would tend to undermine government’s efforts.
“Ensure policies are implemented the way that are envisaged and not allow any person to derail the course”, he added.
Mr Smith asked them to spread resources to benefit all, since they want positive change in the interest of all Ghanaians, saying “That is what the better Ghana agenda stands for.”
Mr Darko on behalf of his colleagues thanked President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their support to continue with the “better Ghana Agenda” even though they had only some few weeks to work.
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Tigo community soccer set to take-off Saturday
Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - The latest edition of the popular Tigo Community Soccer takes off tomorrow Saturday November 10th at the Bukom Park, Accra.
This will be the opener for the Accra East round of matches and will feature a total of sixteen ‘area’ teams that will compete with each other for the bragging rights as the best community football team.
Tigo Community Soccer is a feast of football, played among competing neighborhood teams in selected communities across the country. This year’s edition will be held in five territories-Accra, Eastern, Western, Northern and Ashanti.
A statement from Tigo on Friday said the “Accra territory covers Accra East and Accra West, embracing areas such as Bukom, Dansoman and Madina.
Eastern territory involves Tema, Volta and covers areas including Tema, Ho and Koforidua. Western territory covers Cape-Coast, Sekondi, Takoradi and Tarkwa; Northern covers Techiman with Ashanti involving teams from Kumasi, Mampong, Konongo and Obuasi.
Tigo Community soccer fiesta will run for three-days at each stop starting with elimination matches at the group stage leading to the crowning of a community champion.
The statement said in order to promote inclusiveness, there would be interesting side shows to the main event including women’s penalty shoot-outs and ‘jogo bonitos’-known in local football parlance as ‘totals’.
“Communities, which are interested in participating in the Tigo Community Soccer event are required to contact the Tigo offices in their various regions,” it said.
Explaining Tigo’s association with the community soccer event, Tenu Awoonor, Head of Marketing said: “Tigo shares in the passion of Ghanaians and since we are a brand that understands our customer needs, it comes naturally to us to explore ways of meeting those needs to put smiles on the faces of our customers”
“We at Tigo are committed to developing the nation’s passion at the grassroots. Tigo Community soccer also creates a perfect platform to promote unity, togetherness and train our young ones in team work and team building.”
From Bukom, on November 10, the train will move to Dansoman, Madina and then Tema, in that order for the Accra East territory before travelling to the Ho in the Volta region then the other regions will follow.
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Stanbic, Guinness Ghana, Samsung, Zoomlion and others for CSR awards
Accra, Nov 9, GNA - Stanbic Bank, Guinness Ghana, Samsung Ghana, Zoomlion, Mohinani Group and 12 other socially-responsible companies will on Friday, 16th November, 2012, receive recognition in full media glare for the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities they implemented between 2011 and 2012.
The CEOs and media-studded event will take place at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel in Accra.
The annual Ghana CSR Dairy, a free CSR magazine that catalogues corporate social responsibility activities of companies in Ghana will also be officially outdoored.
The Ghana CSR diary and Awards is endorsed by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) with supports from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Last year, Hanna Tetteh, Minister for Trade and Industry, together with Nana Owusu-Afari, the AGI President, assisted by Mr. Jiro Inamura, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooepration Agency (JICA) launched the first edition of the Ghana CSR Diary and Awards.
Since then, more than 5,000 free copies of the Ghana CSR Diary have been distributed to government agencies, development partners, companies, media houses, NGOs, airlines, etc.
According to Mr. Kojo John Olabode-Williams, Lead Project Manager for the Ghana CSR Diary and Awards; “The concept of CSR is gradually getting demystified in Ghana. Many companies are beginning to appreciate the fact that CSR goes beyond mere donation to orphanages and that it includes adherence to standards and best practices that guide each company’s field of endeavour.”
He concluded that, “This year, through the partnership of the two most influential business associations in Ghana (AGI and GCCI), we are recognizing companies on the basis of the CSR activities they have implemented and submitted to us for verification.”
The theme for this year’s event is, “Ghana CSR Diary and Awards…making CSR more meaningful and impacting”. The Ghana CSR Diary is published by Integriti Media”.
GNA
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