Ghana News Agency

Koforidua, Nov. 9, GNA - Mr Eric Opare- Addo, Convention People's Party (CPP) parliamentary candidate for Aburi, has said the party would wrest the seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on December 7. He said the people in the constituency had lost confidence in the NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC), and were prepared to vote the CPP to power. Mr Opare-Addo, who made the vow in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Koforidua on Friday, said: “Politics is all about development and the wellbeing of the people, and if the NPP and NDC fail to live up to expectation, there is no way the people would continue to give their mandate to any of these parties”. The CPP parliamentary candidate said he has contributed to the development of the area, and cited the rehabilitation of the Aburi taxi rank, construction of a durbar ground for the Awherase community and provision of street light bulbs for some communities, including Obaodaka. He appealed to the electorate to elect him into Parliament on December 7, to enable him to continue with his vision for the constituency. Mr Opare-Addo promised to promote education in the area if elected into Parliament, and said he had already contacted teachers from the Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, Aburi Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School and Presbyterian Women’s College of Education to organise remedial classes for students in the area. GNA ...

Akyawkrom (Ash), Nov 9, GNA – The Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Director of Education, Madam Gertrude Mensah, has cautioned teachers against the use of cellular phones in the classroom. It was a distraction to effective teaching and must be avoided to prevent the Ghana Education Service (GES) from sanctioning offenders. She said they should make sure that the instructional hours were properly managed. Madam Mensah said this in an address read for her at the opening of a weeklong workshop on the Teacher Community Assistance Initiative (TCAI) programme at Akyawkrom near Ejisu. It brought together 150 teachers and head teachers from 30 selected primary schools in 12 districts in Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Region. TCAI is an intervention by the GES to equip teachers with skills to better assist pupils with low learning ability at the lower primary level of education. Madam Mensah reminded them to be punctual and regular to school. The head teachers should also do more to strengthen supervision in the schools to promote discipline. Mr. Albert Nyaaba Akuoubila, the Regional Coordinator of the TCAI programme for Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo, said the goal was to help address the learning needs of weak pupils in numeracy and literacy through remedial classes. The programme is being piloted in 500 selected schools in 42 districts nationwide. GNA ...

Kumasi, Nov 9, GNA – NDC Pioneers Movement, a group of loyalists of the ruling party in the Ashanti Region, has launched a campaign to woo aggrieved members of the party back as the December 7 polls nears. They have been crisscrossing the constituencies to mend cracks, heal wounds and foster a united front. Mr Stephen Boateng, the Chairman, and Mr Patrick Ofori-Anane, Secretary of the Movement, jointly told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, that they were making significant progress. They said since multi-party democracy was essentially about numbers, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would need to hold on firmly to its members adding that it could not afford to take chances. They noted that a strong showing in Ashanti would be vital to assure the party of victory in the coming general elections. It was against this background that they would do everything to get all members and supporters who had for one reason or the other, become angry, frustrated and refused to have anything doing with the party to rescind any such decision. They should put the past behind them and pull together to return the NDC to power. GNA ...

Juaso (Ash), Nov 9, GNA - All five parliamentary candidates for the December 7 elections in the Asante-Akim South Constituency, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure clean and decent electioneering campaign. This was at a meeting held with the District Election Security Taskforce held at Juaso. The candidates are Mr. De-graft Fokuo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Kwaku Asante-Boateng, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Oduro Frimpong, Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Mr. Ebenezer Alex Lamptey, National Democratic Party (NDP) and Mr. Kwasi Agyemang, Convention Peoples Party (CPP). They deliberated on ways to remove tension and make the impending polls peaceful and smooth. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Samuel Sandow Latebu, the District Commander and Chairman of the Taskforce, underlined the need for all stakeholders to work together towards free, fair and credible polls. The expectation was that as political leaders they would impress on their followers to be tolerant of opposing views and conduct themselves well. He noted that elections in the constituency over the years had been peaceful and he said this must be maintained. DSP Latebu spoke against the unhealthy practice of defacing posters of political opponents and warned that offenders would be prosecuted. GNA ...

Juaso (Ash), Nov. 9, GNA - A ceremony to mark the official start of construction work of an Accident and Emergency Unit at the Juaso District Hospital, was performed on Thursday. The GH¢200,000.00 project would be funded through voluntary cash donations and fund-raising activities to be organised by the hospital. Mr. Danso Yeboah, Asante-Akim South District Director of Health Services, said the completion of the project would significantly help the facility to provide efficient care to accident victims. He said that giving the hospital’s strategic location on the Kumasi-Accra Highway, particularly at the Konongo-Nkawkaw stretch of the road, it serves as the first point of call for accident victims. Mr. Danso Yeboah said it was important to have a well-equip Accident and Emergency unit to handle emergency cases. He commended Odeneho Kwaku Kyeremateng, Chief Executive Officer of Comet Property, a Real Estate Development Company, for his donating cash, cement, roofing sheets and technical expertise towards the project. Mr. Tom Ababio, Chairman of the Hospital’s Board, said prudent measures would be taken to ensure the early completion of the project. GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - This year’s Africa University Day, which falls on Monday November 12, 2012, would be celebrated on the theme: “Promoting University-Industry Linkages for Graduate Employment”. A statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday by the Association Of African Universities (AAU) invited all African Universities to organise an event on the theme. African University Day is held on November 12, every year and this year’s event will be jointly organised by the Secretariat of AAU, in Accra and the Secretariat of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) now Vice Chancellors, Ghana (VCG). The event will be in the form of exhibitions and lectures to discuss the pragmatic selected themes for the year from 2006 to date. The statement said this year’s celebration would seek to explore “Good academic qualification, linkages between universities and productive sector, innovative opportunities to be explored and pursued by universities with variety of stakeholders, enhancement of business skills and provision of valuable work experience” among other topics. “AAU will organise a public lecture on the theme and hopes to reach all Ghanaian universities (both public and private) and other tertiary educations who will participate in this year’s African University Day celebration.” GNA...

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mr. Joseph Donkor Issachar as the Administrator-General of the Presidential Estates Unit. This is in accordance with Section 8(2) of the Presidential (Transition) Act 2012, ACT 845, a statement signed by Mr J.K. Bebaako-Mensah, Secretary to the President, in Accra on Friday said. He will be the Head of the Unit, which under Section 8(1) of ACT 845 is to undertake, among other things, take and keep an inventory of the assets and properties of the Government, which are assets and properties not vested in the Lands Commission established under article 258 of the Constitution. The statement said the Head of the Unit would ensure that assets and properties of the Government were maintained in good condition and tenantable repair. He would also ensure that, where relevant, the assets and properties of the Government were transferred in good condition and tenantable repair. “The Administrator-General would also be required to make recommendations to the President in consonance with article 179 of the Constitution, for budgetary allocations for the purpose of the transfer of the reins of Government from one administration to the next administration.” The statement described Mr. Issachar as an accomplished public service executive with diverse experience in the Ghana Civil Service. He was appointed Secretary to the Vice President in 2001, a position he held until he was appointed the Head of the Ghana Civil Service in 2006. He retired from the Civil Service in November 2009 and took up a post-retirement contract appointment as a Resident Scholar (Principal Lecturer) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Public Services School. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the Police to escort pilgrims of the North, who have arrived from Saudi Arabia, to their various destinations, Alhaji Alhassan Benne, Chairman of the National Hajj Committee, announced on Friday. He told the Ghana News Agency that this was to protect the pilgrims from armed attacks on their way to their destinations and to ensure their safe arrival. He said buses had been lined up at the newly constructed Hajj Village awaiting the arrival of pilgrims, adding that “Some are already in the bus and we are waiting for other pilgrims who have just arrived on the fourth flight.” Alhaji Benne said so far, four batches of the pilgrims had already arrived from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, while others were expected to come by daily flights agreed by the Committee and Egypt Air to meet the general elections. He said Egypt Air was the official airline, which airlifted the pilgrims to the Holy Land and that the Hajj Committee was working with the airline to fulfill its agreement on a daily flight schedules from Saudi Arabia. Alhaji Benne said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government was committed to the welfare of Muslims in the country and that all measures were put in place to avoid the inconveniences of pilgrims. “The provision of the new Hajj Village with all modern facilities shows the commitment of the President to uplift the standards of Muslims in the country," he said. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - Colonel M'Bawine Atintande, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, has disclosed that 10 people have officially been declared dead after four days of the collapsed Melcome building at Achimota in Accra. He said 52 people who have suffered scratches, trauma, bruises and wounds have also been treated and discharged at the 37, Achimota, Police and Korle-bu Teaching Hospitals. “One Millitary officer (name withheld) has also collapsed from exhaustion and has been rushed to the hospital. Col. Atintande made this known at a press briefing at the scene of the collapsed building at Achimota in Accra on Friday. He said Melcom, owners of the shop has also reported that nine of its staff were still missing and that they were still searching for them. Col. Atintande revealed that 400 Police officers were on the ground, 300 officers from the Ghana Armed Forces and 15 Ambulances with 45 staff from the Ghana Ambulance Service were attending to the disaster. Captain Guvaal Barrack, leader of the Israel rescue team congratulated Ghana’s security service for their commitment and response to the disaster. He said: “My team have not been able to rescue anybody because we are going through the due process, we may rush into it and even kill people who are alive in there.” Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flag bearer of the Opposition New Patriotic Party, who also visited the scene, called for an investigations into the cause of the disaster. He urged the team on ground to be focusssed and ensure that the last person was rescued. GNA ...

Whindo (W/R), Nov 9, GNA - Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Effia-Kwesimintsim, on Friday presented 50 dual desks and four sets of Dell Desktop Computers to the Whindo Metropolitan Assembly (M/A) Primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) at Whindo near Takoradi. Nana Kofi Imbeah, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Director of Education, received the donation on behalf of the schools. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Baidoe-Ansah, who is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Kwesimintsim, noted that the school was constructed through his initiative when the NPP was in power. He said children in the community had to walk long distances to attend Junior Secondary Schools at nearby Asakae and Kwesimintsim. Mr. Baidoe-Ansah said the donation was to boost teaching and learning at the school which is located in a deprived community. Mr. Baidoe-Ansah said his concern was to help raise the standard of education at the school and to equip pupils with knowledge and skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He called on parents and guardians to ensure that their children attend school and receive good education. Mr. Baidoe-Ansah urged the people to vote NPP back to power to improve education delivery. GNA...

Ashaiman, Nov. 9, GNA – Madam Christiana Kwaku, 55, from Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality was on Friday adjudged the Greater Accra Regional Best Farmer at the regional celebration of this year’s National Farmers Day at Ashaiman. For her prize, Madam Kwaku took home a corn-mill, pumping and spraying machines, wax print, ashfoam mattress, wellington boots, cutlasses, wall clock and other farming inputs. Twenty-five others who also distinguished themselves in their various areas of farming were also awarded. They also received assorted farming inputs as their prizes. In an address read for the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbeo by his Deputy, Mr Isaac Vanderpuye, advised farmers in the region to take advantage of the irrigation facilities to reduce their reliance on the weather for agricultural production. Nii Afotey Agbo pointed out that in today’s competitive market small-scale farmers could not participate as individuals and have a bargaining power for their produce. He therefore advised farmers to form cooperative groups in order to become competitive domestically and internationally. The Regional Minister commended the award winners for their hard work and expressed the hope that this would go a long way to motivate the youth to enter into agriculture as a big time business. He appealed to traditional authorities to liaise with the various assemblies to release farmlands for agricultural purposes to help boost food production in the country. The Regional Minister advised farmers, who have taken loans from the financial institutions to pay back the loans in order for others to benefit from the facility. On the selection of award winners, the Regional Minister noted that it was the sole responsibility of a technical team with specific indicators for the award of marks, adding “it is not left at the discretion of any individual or group to influence.” He said it was therefore not true that an individual was hand-picked for the Best Farmer Award as being peddled in certain quarters of the society. Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, advised the youth to enter into farming instead of exerting their energy on unprofitable activities. Numo Adinortey Addison, Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, urged farmers in the Municipality to adopt new technology in order to help in food production. Eleven other farmers, who also excel were given Municipal awards with Mr Tetteh Abayateye emerging as overall Municipal Best Farmer. The theme for the occasion was: “Grow more Food: Strengthening Farmer-based Organisations for Market-place Bargaining Power.” GNA...

Accra, Nov 9, GNA - Professor Linus Abraham, Rector of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), has urged products of school to aim at becoming independent film producers, who would revolutionalize the film industry in Ghana, and make the country's film products competitive on the international market. "Learn from the film industry while you are in school, and learn how to fit into the industry once you are out of school. It is about time NAFTI graduates started playing their roles as commercially successful, independent film makers, dominating the video-film industry with quality productions," he said. Prof Abraham was speaking at NAFTI's 14th matriculation ceremony in Accra on Friday, which 60 matriculants being admitted to take up courses in film production and editing. He said over the past few decades, Ghana and Africa had experienced profound growth and change, especially in the media industry and the film sector for instance. "Since the 1970s, feature film production in the country has risen steadily from barely two a year to 160 local films released in the first four months of 2010." Prof Abraham said skilled human resource was needed to manage the rapidly growing media industry in Ghana. He said the boom and expansion of the media was creating a huge demand for audio-visual content, as well as for skilled human resource. "Unfortunately, the demand for content is being met through importation of foreign material, which critics argue do not serve the needs of the continent." The Rector of NAFTI said the film industry in Ghana and most parts of Africa, lacked the skilled human resources essential to the sector and "more importantly", the training institutions and facilities to develop the required professionals. "The decision to turn NAFTI into a nedia arts university is intended to create a pool of skilled professional class media workers, who would help the country to exploit its creative arts and media resources, turn them into a viable area of economic growth for the country, and make our media products globally competitive." He urged the matriculants not only to aim at fitting into "safe jobs in government and media houses". Dr. Osei Darkwa, President of the Ghana Telecom University, said "most of our productions lack global appeal and we are over-dependent on productions. These are some of our challenges in the field". He said what was most important, "is how your training would impact on our present situation of film production in the country". Dr. Darkwa urged the matriculants to honor and make full use of the opportunity they had found to add to their knowledge at the institute. Dr. Awo Asiedu, Acting Director of the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon, who also chaired the function, said the media in any country largely influenced the thinking and awareness of the people concerning several key issues. "As media students, be open to new ideas and not stuck within a particular bracket of thought." She urged the matriculants to take full advantage of the "many opportunities" in the media industry, adding that they should make honesty and integrity their hallmark, if they intended to succeed further in life. Mr. Joseph Budu, Registrar, University of Ghana-Legon, led the matriculants to recite oath of matriculation. GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 9, GNA – An apprentice seamstress of about 18 years met her untimely death in Tamale at about 1430 hours on Friday when she was hit by a tipper truck with registration number NR 5027C close to the SSNIT flats at Fuo. The driver sensing danger, bolted from the scene. Rahama Alhassan, who was from Gbalahe community in Fuo, was sent by her boss and on return, she was hit by the truck loaded with gravel. Station Officer I, Mr. Theophilous Ayi-Bonte of the Tamale Metro Fire Service told the GNA that a distress call alerted the station about the incident and they quickly moved to the scene, but before they got there, the driver had bolted. The deceased was identified as Rahama Alhassan from Gbalahe community of Fuo and an apprentice learning how to sow dresses. An eyewitness told Mr. Ayi-Bonte that the driver attempted moving the stationary truck only for it to reverse killing the victim and destroying a parked motorbike in the process. The Police had conveyed the body to the morgue. GNA...

Old Ningo (GAR), Nov. 9, GNA- Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah- Arthur on Friday reiterated the commitment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stay focus with its development agenda, adding “the party stands for nothing but development”. He therefore asked the electorate to retain the NDC in the December general poll. Vice President Amissah- Arthur made this known when he paid a working visit to Ningo Prampram Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. The visit took him to Ahwiam, Old Ningo, Prampram, Dawhenya, Afenya where he was given a rousing welcome by the chiefs and the people. Vice President Amissah-Arthur was accompanied by Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo- Prampram, who is seeking re-election. He called on the people to vote massively for the NDC Flag bearer; President John Dramani Mahama, and the MP for the area, whom he described as man with maturity, who could go places. The major concern of the chiefs and people are the bad nature of roads in the area, the need for cold storage system, a hospital and improvement in water distribution and security system. They also appealed for a defence wall to protect the communities from the ravages of the sea. Mr Mensah, who is also the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing announced that Parliament had approved a loan for the construction of coastal defence for communities stretching from Ada to Accra coast. He said governments intend to construct landing beaches for the coastal towns as well. He spoke of the number projects he championed as MP listing roads, hospitals and water systems as examples and urged the people to stick to the NDC. He reiterated the determination of the NDC to give the Constituency its fair share of development. Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister and MP for Kpone Katamanso asked the chiefs and people to reject the empty promises the New Patriotic Party is making to the electorate, All the chiefs of that the Vice President interacted with thanked the late President John Evans Atta Mills for his endorsement of the creation of the Ningo Prampram District for effective political administration. GNA...

Tumu, (U/W), Nov. 9, GNA – Action for Sustainable Development (ASUDEV) a local NGO based in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region has organised a debate for candidates vying to represent the Sissala East in Parliament. The debate which was organised in collaboration with STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor funding organisation, gave the electorate the opportunity to express their opinions on the candidates by questioning them on various issues concerning development to enable them make informed choices. Mr Osman Kanton, Executive Director of ASUDEV cautioned the politicians against the use of indecent language in their campaigns in order to make the general election processes peaceful. He said with less than a month to the elections, tensions are heightening and any foul language could trigger violence that could mar the peaceful elections Ghanaians are yearning for. He urged politicians to base their campaign messages on the real enemies of development which are poverty, ignorance, disease, hunger, insecurity, poor roads, lack of potable water and bad sanitation. Mr Kanton said as part of their commitment towards peaceful, credible, free and fair general election, ASUDEV and STAR-Ghana are investing $50,000 into a project dubbed: “Elections for Peace and Development Project”. According to him, the project would carry out various elections related interventions including the Parliamentary debates in three constituencies of the Region. Mr Kanton said the debate would enable the voters to hold their leaders accountable for their actions and inactions. Parliamentary candidates who participated in the debate were Mr Amidu Chinnia of the New Patriotic Party, Madam Alijata Sulemana of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Moses Dani Baah of the People’s National Convention, Mr Kanton Luriwie Fuseini of the Progressive Peoples’ Party and Mr Musah Issah, an Independent candidate. They were questioned on various issues including education, health, agriculture, rural infrastructure, governance and gender. GNA...

Takoradi, Nov.9 – GNA - Mr Eric Yankah, President of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Ghana, on Friday called on public and private institutions to establish internal audit units to safeguard funds and resources. He made the call when he launched the Western Regional Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Ghana in Takoradi. Mr Yankah said internal auditors play important role in decision making, good governance and internal control of institutions. He said the Internal Audit Agency Act, which was promulgated as part of government’s public accountability enforcement programme, makes it mandatory for all public sector institutions to have internal audit units. Mr Yankah noted that many institutions have relegated internal audit to a very narrow areas of account verification, “Leaving the broader systems with potential auditable horizon largely untouched”. He urged managements of all institutions to use the internal audit to the effective benefit of their organisations, to facilitate the value-added advisory and assurance services that would lead to improved and effective corporate governance. “As Internal Auditors, we believe that we can bring to the table innovative ideas, a fresh pair of eyes to help managements see around the corners, nooks and crannies that would in turn provide an opportunity for our institutions to self-reflect at all times,” Mr Yankah said. He said the Institute is dedicated to serve as a knowledge sharing platform to assist members and stakeholders, especially institutional leaders. Mr Yankah said the Institute has set in motion engagement series with chief executive officers and Heads of Institutions to share best practices. He asked heads of institutions to support the internal audit functions of their organisations through effective allocation of resources, capacity building, timely consideration of audit advice and the comprehensive implementation of audit recommendation. Mr Yankah advised Internal Auditors to perform their duties with dedication and professionalism. Mr Paul Boadi of the Takoradi Polytechnic is, Chairman of the Interim Executives of the Western Regional Chapter of the Institute with Mr. John Akpalu of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and Mr Alexander Zormelo of the Regional Coordinating Council, as members. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA - Professor Stephen Adei, Former Reactor of the Ghana Institute of Public Administration said on Friday that the behaviour of politicians in Ghana is the most single threat to national peace. Prof Adei noted that what politicians say in public are sometimes very disheartening since it tends to threaten the peace of the country. Prof Adei made this known during a peace symposium in Accra, organised by the Ghana National Association of Adventists Students, as part of efforts to reinforce the campaign for peace in the pending December 7, elections. The symposium on the theme: “Ghana for Peace: The role of the Student,” targeted student leaders. He cautioned politicians to desist from playing the ethnic card. Prof Adei expressed delight that this year’s general election is more of issue base, mentioning education as an example, which he said is an improvement upon Election 2008. He said research had shown that in Africa what accounts for conflicts were rigging of elections, mismanagement of the electoral process, perceived non-neutrality of the security forces, undue financial screwing by the winning party, among other issues. Prof Adei asked the media to be proactive in informing the people about issues and not to drive the nation into conflict. Prof Daniel Buor, Vice Chancellor, Valley View University who chaired the function called on the youth not to allow politicians to use them to cause mayhem through financial inducement. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – The Acting Principal of Ghana Labour College, Mr Isaac K. Yanney, on Friday expressed unhappiness over declining enrolment of students into the College, attributing it to unwillingness of employers to release interested employees for the programme. He said some workers have re-echoed to the authorities of the college, the possibility of running evening programmes for them because their employers refuse to give them permission to take part in the regular session. Mr Yanney was speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Certificate in Labour Studies (CLS) programme of the college in Accra. The CLS programme is collaboration between Trade Union Congress (TUC) and University of Cape Coast aim at helping union activists to build their capacity and understanding of global issues relating to labour and economics to be able to adapt to the dynamics in the world of work. He said the CLS programme offered admission to 24 students this year, made up of 14 males and 10 females. However only 14 of them reported for the programme comprising eight males and six females. Mr Yanney also attributed the declining number of students admitted into the college to SASK, Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland, discontinuation of its support that started 2001. He recalled that SASK has assisted the college with computers, payment of salaries to lecturers, and feeding grant to students. “We used to feed the students twice a day, but now they have to feed themselves in addition to paying their own school fees.” Mr Joshua Ansah, acting Secretary General of TUC, acknowledged that the college is facing enormous challenges that need to be addressed. “People have the notion that the CLS is solely designed for trade unions but this is never true. “If one takes a critical look at the course content one would realise that the programme is designed to encourage, complement and sustain industrial relations’ climate at workplaces, the communities and the nation as a whole,” he said. Mr Ansah said the college faces huge infrastructural problems that need massive facelift. The college also lacks good reference books, inadequate computers, and a vehicle to assist students in their field trips. He said these problems have contributed to the sharp decline in the number students enrolled for this academic year. Mrs Martha Akorsah, assistant course prefect, who read the students, reports for the CLS 2012 programme highlighted inadequate infrastructure, poor lightening system, inadequate computers as some of the key challenges confronting the college. She said in spite of these challenges the programme has given students better insight on issues such as occupational safety, health and environment, the roles of organised labour, employer and the state in ensuring peaceful industrial relations towards productivity and national development. GNA...

Accra, Nov.10, GNA – The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday donated medical items worth 12,000 dollars to the Ministry of Health for the upkeep of the victims of the collapsed Melcom Shopping Mall at Achimota in Greater Accra Region. Dr Iddrisa Sow, WHO Representative, who presented the items, congratulated the security agencies for their quick response to the November 7 disaster. Dr Sylvester Anemana, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health thanked the WHO for the donation. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – The Ministry of the Interior on Friday tasked personnel of Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to be vigilant, impartial, and professional in carrying out their duties on December 7 to ensure incident free polls. Mr Kwabena Owusu Akyeampong, Deputy Minister of the Interior said “GNFS is a strategic partner in the nation’s development and as it plays a vital role in preventing undesirable fires and the destruction of the country’s valuable investments in the agricultural, industrial, manufacturing, commercial, hospitality, health and the educational sectors of the economy. “It is in recognition of this crucial role that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has since the beginning of 2012 procured 125 new fire tenders, 55 units of double cabin Nissan pick-up vehicles, 4 turntable ladders, 4 towing vehicles breathing apparatus, protective clothing and other equipment for the Services to enhance their operations”, he added. The Deputy Minister was speaking at the passing out parade of 298 recruits course 45 of the Service at the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) at James town in Accra. Mr Akyeampong who was the reviewing officer urged the Chief Fire Officer to develop more training programmes that would be in line with government policy of prioritising human resource development as one of the pillars to accelerate the enhancement of the service. “You must update your skills to meet the challenges posed by fires caused as result of technological advancement,” he stated. He asked the recruits to do all in their power to uplift the image of the service. Fireman Godsway Kudzo was adjudged the overall Best Recruit. GNFS was established by Act 537, (GNFS Act of 1997) to give a broad objective of prevention and management of undesired fires and other related matters. To achieve this objective, the Service is expected to perform the following functions: organise public fire education programmes; create and sustain awareness of the hazards of fire; and heighten the role of the individual in the prevention of fires. GNFS is to provide technical advice for building plans in respect of machinery and structural layouts to facilitate escape from fire, rescue operations and fire management; and inspect and offer technical advice on fire extinguishers. It also has the mandate to co-ordinate and advise on the training of personnel in fire fighting departments institutions in the country; train and organise fire volunteer squads at community level; offer rescue and evacuation services to those trapped by fire or in other emergency situations and undertake any other function incidental to the objective of the Service. GNA...

CPP parliamentary candidate vows to win Aburi seat

Stop using cellular phones in the classroom - GES

NDC Group moves to woo aggrieved party members

Parliamentary candidates pledge commitment to peace

Work on Juaso Accident and Emergency Unit project to begin

African Universities mark Day

Issachar named Administrator-General of Presidential Estates Unit

President Mahama orders Police escort for northern sector pilgrims

Nine declared dead in Melcom disaster

Joe Baidoe-Ansah donates dual desks, computers to school

Christiana Kwaku adjudged Greater Accra Regional Best Farmer

NAFTI products challenged to make world class films

Seamstress killed on the spot by tipper truck in Tamale

VP Amissah-Arthur tours Ningo Prampram Constituency

Sissala East Parliamentary candidates hold debate

Western Regional Chapter of Institute of Internal Auditors inaugurated

Politicians behaviour is a threat to peace in Ghana-Prof Stephen Adei

Ghana Labour College Principal bemoans declining enrollment of students

WHO donates medical items to MOH

GNFS tasked to be impartial in performing electoral duties