Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
Tema Manhean is a fishing community in the Tema Metropolis, which has a large number of school dropouts.
Child welfare groups in the community have observed that some of the young boys and girls who drop out of school resort to promiscuous lifestyles leading to teenage pregnancy and other anti-social vices.
According to the Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, the increasing rate of unsafe abortion in the Manhean community is of great concern to the traditional authority because the lives of women and girls are endangered.
He said reports from health care facilities indicated that some girls and women in the area used concoctions and other unorthodox means to abort unwanted pregnancies, which sometimes resulted in the loss of lives.
Nii Krakue therefore urged parents to take keen interest in the lifestyle of their children and give them family life education to protect their future.
He also appealed to health officials, women leaders and churches to intensify education on the dangers associated with unsafe abortion to help deal with the issue.
He gave the advice at a forum organised at Tema Manhean by the Metropolitan Youth Rehabilitation Organisation (MYRO), a non-governmental organisation, to enlighten the youth on the risk and consequence of illegal abortion.
Nii Krakue urged the organisers to sustain the programme and appealed to women in Manhean to form formidable groups and collaborate with the MYRO to organise such programmes regularly.
The Chief Executive of MYRO, Madam Sena Akua Apawu-Bri, said although the country’s laws permitted abortion to be performed under certain conditions, some churches had taken an entrenched position against abortions and said there was the need to create awareness on safe abortion to save the lives of women and girls.
She pointed out that it was unfortunate that some parents felt uncomfortable to enlighten their children on adolescent sexuality and added that there was the need for such parents to change their attitude for the betterment of their children.
Madam Apawu-Bri said within the framework of the World Heath Organisation’s (WHO) definition, health was the complete physical, mental and social well-being of the human being and meeting the reproductive health needs of women implied that women should be able to have responsible, satisfying and safe sex life.
She commended women leaders in Tema Manhean for taking up the challenge to embark on sensitisation programmes to enlighten the youth on issues related to their reproductive health.
The Country Director of Ipas, Dr Jehu Appiah, advocated the legalisation of abortion to save the lives of women and girls.
He said since 1985, the country's law on abortion had allowed pregnancy to be terminated if that pregnancy was the result of rape, incest, threat of foetus and mental disability.
Dr Appiah said the law had not been publicised enough, raising deaths of women from unsafe abortion from 22 to 30 per cent.
Records from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicate that unsafe abortion causes 70,000 deaths in Ghana every year, while Ghana has a maternal mortality rate of 540 deaths per every 100,000 births.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
ASHONG NARH WINS TEMA EAST NPP (PAGE 15)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE scramble for the Tema East New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency parliamentary seat has ended with the election of Mr Evans Ashong Narh, a former Chief Executive of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, who ousted the incumbent, Mr Ishmael Ashietey, to represent the party in the December 2008 general election.
He polled 71 votes against 49 to win the party’s constituency primary held in Tema yesterday under the supervision of officials of the Tema office of the Electoral Commission. One delegate was absent and therefore did not vote.
This brings to an end the drama of who qualifies to represent the party and all the hullabaloo about disqualification of some candidates for violation of constitutional obligations.
Mr Ashong Narh was carried shoulder high by the delegates after the Tema Municipal Officer of the EC, Mr Michael Boadu, had announced the results.
The atmosphere was charged but the delegates showed maturity and ensured that the voting process was peaceful.
Mr Ashong Narh, who is currently the Managing Director of Anok Engineering Service, in his appreciation speech, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, explaining that he became a member of the party in October 1992.
Mr Ashietey, in an earlier speech, promised to use his experience gained in Parliament over the period 1996 to date to work in support of the Presidential candidate to win for the party.
However, after losing the election, he conceded defeat and promised to give all his support to Mr Ashong Narh.
The Tema East Constituency branch of the NPP has, for some time now, been in the news due to internal bickering and misunderstanding between the executives, aspirants and the delegates.
In a recent drama, an aspirant, Mr Ramseyer Agyeman Prempeh, who was disqualified for breaching the constitution of the party by going independent, was accused by an executive member, Mr Charles Boateng, for allegedly threatening to kill him.
The case is pending and being investigated by the Tema Regional Police.
Another aspirant, Mr Titus Glover, was also disqualified for not having voting rights and therefore could not be allowed to go to the primary.
This made it a straight fight between Mr Ishmael Ashietey, the incumbent, and Mr Ashong Narh.
The NPP Regional Officer, Mr Eric Kwaitia, who represented the Region? congratulated the delegates on the peaceful elections and urged them to support the candidate to carry the party to win the December general elections.
There were observers from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Assembly members of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
THE scramble for the Tema East New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency parliamentary seat has ended with the election of Mr Evans Ashong Narh, a former Chief Executive of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, who ousted the incumbent, Mr Ishmael Ashietey, to represent the party in the December 2008 general election.
He polled 71 votes against 49 to win the party’s constituency primary held in Tema yesterday under the supervision of officials of the Tema office of the Electoral Commission. One delegate was absent and therefore did not vote.
This brings to an end the drama of who qualifies to represent the party and all the hullabaloo about disqualification of some candidates for violation of constitutional obligations.
Mr Ashong Narh was carried shoulder high by the delegates after the Tema Municipal Officer of the EC, Mr Michael Boadu, had announced the results.
The atmosphere was charged but the delegates showed maturity and ensured that the voting process was peaceful.
Mr Ashong Narh, who is currently the Managing Director of Anok Engineering Service, in his appreciation speech, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, explaining that he became a member of the party in October 1992.
Mr Ashietey, in an earlier speech, promised to use his experience gained in Parliament over the period 1996 to date to work in support of the Presidential candidate to win for the party.
However, after losing the election, he conceded defeat and promised to give all his support to Mr Ashong Narh.
The Tema East Constituency branch of the NPP has, for some time now, been in the news due to internal bickering and misunderstanding between the executives, aspirants and the delegates.
In a recent drama, an aspirant, Mr Ramseyer Agyeman Prempeh, who was disqualified for breaching the constitution of the party by going independent, was accused by an executive member, Mr Charles Boateng, for allegedly threatening to kill him.
The case is pending and being investigated by the Tema Regional Police.
Another aspirant, Mr Titus Glover, was also disqualified for not having voting rights and therefore could not be allowed to go to the primary.
This made it a straight fight between Mr Ishmael Ashietey, the incumbent, and Mr Ashong Narh.
The NPP Regional Officer, Mr Eric Kwaitia, who represented the Region? congratulated the delegates on the peaceful elections and urged them to support the candidate to carry the party to win the December general elections.
There were observers from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Assembly members of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
Monday, May 26, 2008
COLD STORE MANAGER NABBED FOR REBAGGING UNWHOLESOME MEAT (SPREAD)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko & Anasthasia Dzovor, TEMA
Police and Fire Service personnel in Tema have arrested a cold store manager at the Tema Fishing Harbour for repacking over 600 cartons of unwholesome frozen chicken and pig feet for sale to the public.
The suspect, Sylvester Spain, manages the Servistar Cold Store at the fishing harbour.
Briefing the press, an official of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in charge of the Tema Fishing Harbour, Mr Kwame Nsiah Poku, said upon a tip-off, police and fire service personnel who were on a special duty at the fishing harbour approached Mr Spain to open his cold store for inspection but he refused.
He said the team positioned a police officer at the cold store and continued with its duties elsewhere.
Mr Nsiah said information later reached the operations team that the cold store owner had opened it, based on which it went back, only to find some of the rotten chicken and pig feet ready for repackaging. Also found were Sellotape and weighing scales used in the repackaging.
Meanwhile, the cold store has been put under special lock by the police and the FDB, pending investigations.
Mr Nsiah said following the unhealthy situation unearthed at the Servistar Cold Store, the FDB would embark on an operation to ensure that meat, fish, chicken and all related products in cold stores in the Tema metropolis were wholesome and safe for consumption.
When Mr Spain was interrogated, he claimed that he imported the items but he was not willing to disclose other details. He, however, admitted that some of the products were rotten and said he was arranging to dispose of them. He explained that the malfunctioning of the systems at the cold store led to the bad state of the products and also affirmed that there were mice and other rodents in the building but disagreed that it was his duty to clear them, since he rented the premises.
Mr Spain mentioned the Greenwich Company as owner of the cold store and said it was responsible for cleanliness at the entire place.
Police and Fire Service personnel in Tema have arrested a cold store manager at the Tema Fishing Harbour for repacking over 600 cartons of unwholesome frozen chicken and pig feet for sale to the public.
The suspect, Sylvester Spain, manages the Servistar Cold Store at the fishing harbour.
Briefing the press, an official of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in charge of the Tema Fishing Harbour, Mr Kwame Nsiah Poku, said upon a tip-off, police and fire service personnel who were on a special duty at the fishing harbour approached Mr Spain to open his cold store for inspection but he refused.
He said the team positioned a police officer at the cold store and continued with its duties elsewhere.
Mr Nsiah said information later reached the operations team that the cold store owner had opened it, based on which it went back, only to find some of the rotten chicken and pig feet ready for repackaging. Also found were Sellotape and weighing scales used in the repackaging.
Meanwhile, the cold store has been put under special lock by the police and the FDB, pending investigations.
Mr Nsiah said following the unhealthy situation unearthed at the Servistar Cold Store, the FDB would embark on an operation to ensure that meat, fish, chicken and all related products in cold stores in the Tema metropolis were wholesome and safe for consumption.
When Mr Spain was interrogated, he claimed that he imported the items but he was not willing to disclose other details. He, however, admitted that some of the products were rotten and said he was arranging to dispose of them. He explained that the malfunctioning of the systems at the cold store led to the bad state of the products and also affirmed that there were mice and other rodents in the building but disagreed that it was his duty to clear them, since he rented the premises.
Mr Spain mentioned the Greenwich Company as owner of the cold store and said it was responsible for cleanliness at the entire place.
3,000 CASES SOLVED THROUGH ADR IN ASHAIMAN (PAGE 18)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
Mediation through alternative dispute resolution has solved over 3,000 cases in the Ashiaman Municipality between 2001 and 2007, and promoted peace in homes and workplaces.
Most of the cases were rent issues, debts, denial of paternity, child maintenance, neglect and land disputes.
The mediators, who were trained in conflict management in 1999 by the Ghana Association of Chartered Mediators and Arbitrators in conjunction with the Legal Aid Board to help decongest the courts, have since offered their services to residents in Ashiaman and its immediate communities like Zenu, Adjei-Kojo, Santeo, Kubekro and Bethlehem.
Speaking after its sitting, the Chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre at Ashiaman, Mr Gabriel Atsu, disclosed that the centre had successfully handled many issues in the municipality.
He said criminal cases which were reported at the centre had to be referred to the police for prosecution in courts in Tema and elsewhere because of the absence of a court at Ashiaman.
Mr Atsu stated that Ashiaman, which was recently given the municipality status, was populous and had slums as well.
He said the centre had counselled married couples on how to avoid misinformation, suspicion and frustration in their marriages and this had yielded positive results in many homes in the Ashaiman Municipality.
Mr Atsu observed that lack of child maintenance, which had led to child labour, was also rampant in Ashaiman.
He said that this had resulted in the denial of access to education, medical and parental care, compelling the children to undertake all sorts of menial jobs to support themselves.
Mr Atsu said the centre had been able to solve some of these problems and by the end of last year, it had salvaged 15 children aged between 10 and 15 years from indulging in activities that could be described as child labour. He said during mediation it came up that some factors militating against child maintenance by parents were divorce and separation of spouses, spouses having many children beyond the number they could cater for, teenage parenting, polygamous marital practices and the death of spouses.
He suggested that though arbitration had legal backing, Parliament must pass a legislation to back the arbitrators to strengthen them further to enable them to contribute to the amicable settlement of disputes .
Mr Atsu said patronage of the centre continued to increase and attract many residents and, therefore, appealed for rules and regulations to guide the practitioners at their centres.
Other mediators of the centre are Mr H. K. Mensah, Ms Justina Ativor and Mr Kingsley Kutiame.
Mediation through alternative dispute resolution has solved over 3,000 cases in the Ashiaman Municipality between 2001 and 2007, and promoted peace in homes and workplaces.
Most of the cases were rent issues, debts, denial of paternity, child maintenance, neglect and land disputes.
The mediators, who were trained in conflict management in 1999 by the Ghana Association of Chartered Mediators and Arbitrators in conjunction with the Legal Aid Board to help decongest the courts, have since offered their services to residents in Ashiaman and its immediate communities like Zenu, Adjei-Kojo, Santeo, Kubekro and Bethlehem.
Speaking after its sitting, the Chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre at Ashiaman, Mr Gabriel Atsu, disclosed that the centre had successfully handled many issues in the municipality.
He said criminal cases which were reported at the centre had to be referred to the police for prosecution in courts in Tema and elsewhere because of the absence of a court at Ashiaman.
Mr Atsu stated that Ashiaman, which was recently given the municipality status, was populous and had slums as well.
He said the centre had counselled married couples on how to avoid misinformation, suspicion and frustration in their marriages and this had yielded positive results in many homes in the Ashaiman Municipality.
Mr Atsu observed that lack of child maintenance, which had led to child labour, was also rampant in Ashaiman.
He said that this had resulted in the denial of access to education, medical and parental care, compelling the children to undertake all sorts of menial jobs to support themselves.
Mr Atsu said the centre had been able to solve some of these problems and by the end of last year, it had salvaged 15 children aged between 10 and 15 years from indulging in activities that could be described as child labour. He said during mediation it came up that some factors militating against child maintenance by parents were divorce and separation of spouses, spouses having many children beyond the number they could cater for, teenage parenting, polygamous marital practices and the death of spouses.
He suggested that though arbitration had legal backing, Parliament must pass a legislation to back the arbitrators to strengthen them further to enable them to contribute to the amicable settlement of disputes .
Mr Atsu said patronage of the centre continued to increase and attract many residents and, therefore, appealed for rules and regulations to guide the practitioners at their centres.
Other mediators of the centre are Mr H. K. Mensah, Ms Justina Ativor and Mr Kingsley Kutiame.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
ELECTORATE MUST BE DISCIPLINED — NCCE (PAGE 17)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
The Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education has called on the electorate in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency to desist from acts that will create indiscipline in the country during the general election this year.
Addressing a forum of chiefs, traditionalists, aspirants, representatives of political parties, youth and the public from the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency at Kpone, the Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, Mr E. A. Tetteh-Wayo, observed that voting for leaders of the country come once in four years and therefore urged the electorate to take advantage of the period to exercise their franchise to vote for their choices.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo was speaking on the theme: “The Sovereign will of the People — Ensuring Free and Fair Election 2008, the way forward”.
He said voting on Sunday was one of the challenges and therefore urged the electorate to view their involvement in the decision as very crucial.
He said the commission had taken steps to allow the leadership of various groups to express their views as to what could lead to peaceful elections.
The commission, he said, had instituted measures to ensure that traditional, religious and youth leaders and political parties played meaningful roles during the period.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo also stated that the commission lacked funds to go out extensively and therefore appealed to the section of the electorate present to brainstorm to ensure that they conveyed a positive message to their kinsmen.
The forum was attended by aspirants of the NDC, the NPP, and the CPP, representatives of the Muslim community, churches, traditionalists, association of garages, assembly members and various youth associations in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo noted that the Constitution placed Ghana in the hands of the people for whose welfare the power of government was exercised within the limits laid down in it.
He stated that it was important national leaders and representatives were chosen in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful process with the aim of attaining political stability and constitutional development for the country.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo said the NCCE was of the conviction that all major players in the country’s democratic process including the electoral commission, security agencies, political parties, traditional authorities, religious leaders, the media, the judiciary, governance institutions and all ordinary people had roles to play to strengthen the democratic process.
This, he noted, brought freedom, transparency and probity to ensure stability and national unity.
The Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education has called on the electorate in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency to desist from acts that will create indiscipline in the country during the general election this year.
Addressing a forum of chiefs, traditionalists, aspirants, representatives of political parties, youth and the public from the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency at Kpone, the Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, Mr E. A. Tetteh-Wayo, observed that voting for leaders of the country come once in four years and therefore urged the electorate to take advantage of the period to exercise their franchise to vote for their choices.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo was speaking on the theme: “The Sovereign will of the People — Ensuring Free and Fair Election 2008, the way forward”.
He said voting on Sunday was one of the challenges and therefore urged the electorate to view their involvement in the decision as very crucial.
He said the commission had taken steps to allow the leadership of various groups to express their views as to what could lead to peaceful elections.
The commission, he said, had instituted measures to ensure that traditional, religious and youth leaders and political parties played meaningful roles during the period.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo also stated that the commission lacked funds to go out extensively and therefore appealed to the section of the electorate present to brainstorm to ensure that they conveyed a positive message to their kinsmen.
The forum was attended by aspirants of the NDC, the NPP, and the CPP, representatives of the Muslim community, churches, traditionalists, association of garages, assembly members and various youth associations in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo noted that the Constitution placed Ghana in the hands of the people for whose welfare the power of government was exercised within the limits laid down in it.
He stated that it was important national leaders and representatives were chosen in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful process with the aim of attaining political stability and constitutional development for the country.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo said the NCCE was of the conviction that all major players in the country’s democratic process including the electoral commission, security agencies, political parties, traditional authorities, religious leaders, the media, the judiciary, governance institutions and all ordinary people had roles to play to strengthen the democratic process.
This, he noted, brought freedom, transparency and probity to ensure stability and national unity.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
MINISTER URGES CHIEFS TO ENSURE PEACE (PAGE 31)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
The Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture, Mr S. K. Boafo, has urged chiefs in the country to use their positions as custodians of culture to rectify situations that have caused instability in the chieftaincy institution.
He said chiefs must take initiatives that were development-oriented to ensure peace and stability in the institution.
Mr Boafo, in making these assertions, therefore called on them to prevent situations in which people who were not royals infiltrated their ranks to seek to occupy the stool and skin.
He was speaking at the commissioning of officers for a chieftaincy consultancy of the Roses Investment (GH) Limited company at Tema, which was attended by a cross-section of chiefs from the southern part of Ghana.
Mr Boafo observed that as the first establishment in the country with the vision to offer general chieftaincy consultancy services, it would be prudent to operate within the tenets of the profession.
He said there was the need to educate chiefs to enable them to protect the legacy that had all the values of culture, discipline and peace.
Mr Boafo disclosed that there was a bill in parliament to amend the Chieftaincy Act 370 of 1971, which would provide capacity building training for chiefs in Ghana.
He said the power of arbitration would be restored to them and therefore the training would enhance their capacity and urged them to do better to salvage the nation from copying foreign culture.
Mr Boafo observed that the chieftaincy institution was sacred and continued to grow stronger and therefore denied that it will be scrapped as was being speculated.
He emphasised that those who used their monies to entice the leadership of the institution were the ones who brought about chaos.
Mr Boafo stated that chiefs in the country were learned and could help build the economy by initiating projects. He commended those who had set the pace to bring projects into the country.
Mr Boafo referred to some negative ways of speaking and dressing and eating habits, which some Ghanaians had adopted to the detriment of the country’s culture.
He hoped the consultancy would help educate not only chiefs but everybody who had something to do with chieftaincy to curb chieftaincy disputes.
Mr Boafo cautioned the management of the Roses Investment (GH) Limited to use their services to bring peace between two parties.
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbega Gabusu II, who chaired the function, explained that some problems that people considered as chieftaincy were rather ethnic and therefore called on the company to educate the public on those differences to ensure that the chieftaincy institution became a noble one.
He congratulated the President on the recognition he had given the chieftaincy institution and called on chiefs in the country to reciprocate the gesture and unite to help build the a peaceful nation.
Togbega Gabusu, who is also the Fiaga of Gbi Traditional Area in the Volta Region, urged chiefs in the country to utilise the services of the consultancy and tap their experiences for advice.
He observed that the coming of the consultancy, especially when the country was opting for Alternative Dispute Resolution system, was timely and important to help solve some chieftaincy problems currently in some areas.
The Executive Director of Roses Investment (GH) Limited, Mr Harry Anthony Attipoe, in his address, noted that the objective to set up the consultancy was to contribute to the solution of chieftaincy problems.
He said his outfit would render services including general chieftaincy consultancy services, services on customary practices and usage, mediation using ADR systems and seminars and workshops for chiefs, queens and kinsmen, among others.
Mr Attipoe gave the assurance that the company was ready to face challenges of the time.
The Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture, Mr S. K. Boafo, has urged chiefs in the country to use their positions as custodians of culture to rectify situations that have caused instability in the chieftaincy institution.
He said chiefs must take initiatives that were development-oriented to ensure peace and stability in the institution.
Mr Boafo, in making these assertions, therefore called on them to prevent situations in which people who were not royals infiltrated their ranks to seek to occupy the stool and skin.
He was speaking at the commissioning of officers for a chieftaincy consultancy of the Roses Investment (GH) Limited company at Tema, which was attended by a cross-section of chiefs from the southern part of Ghana.
Mr Boafo observed that as the first establishment in the country with the vision to offer general chieftaincy consultancy services, it would be prudent to operate within the tenets of the profession.
He said there was the need to educate chiefs to enable them to protect the legacy that had all the values of culture, discipline and peace.
Mr Boafo disclosed that there was a bill in parliament to amend the Chieftaincy Act 370 of 1971, which would provide capacity building training for chiefs in Ghana.
He said the power of arbitration would be restored to them and therefore the training would enhance their capacity and urged them to do better to salvage the nation from copying foreign culture.
Mr Boafo observed that the chieftaincy institution was sacred and continued to grow stronger and therefore denied that it will be scrapped as was being speculated.
He emphasised that those who used their monies to entice the leadership of the institution were the ones who brought about chaos.
Mr Boafo stated that chiefs in the country were learned and could help build the economy by initiating projects. He commended those who had set the pace to bring projects into the country.
Mr Boafo referred to some negative ways of speaking and dressing and eating habits, which some Ghanaians had adopted to the detriment of the country’s culture.
He hoped the consultancy would help educate not only chiefs but everybody who had something to do with chieftaincy to curb chieftaincy disputes.
Mr Boafo cautioned the management of the Roses Investment (GH) Limited to use their services to bring peace between two parties.
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbega Gabusu II, who chaired the function, explained that some problems that people considered as chieftaincy were rather ethnic and therefore called on the company to educate the public on those differences to ensure that the chieftaincy institution became a noble one.
He congratulated the President on the recognition he had given the chieftaincy institution and called on chiefs in the country to reciprocate the gesture and unite to help build the a peaceful nation.
Togbega Gabusu, who is also the Fiaga of Gbi Traditional Area in the Volta Region, urged chiefs in the country to utilise the services of the consultancy and tap their experiences for advice.
He observed that the coming of the consultancy, especially when the country was opting for Alternative Dispute Resolution system, was timely and important to help solve some chieftaincy problems currently in some areas.
The Executive Director of Roses Investment (GH) Limited, Mr Harry Anthony Attipoe, in his address, noted that the objective to set up the consultancy was to contribute to the solution of chieftaincy problems.
He said his outfit would render services including general chieftaincy consultancy services, services on customary practices and usage, mediation using ADR systems and seminars and workshops for chiefs, queens and kinsmen, among others.
Mr Attipoe gave the assurance that the company was ready to face challenges of the time.
Monday, May 19, 2008
SHORELINE PROJECT IMPROVES BEACHES (PAGE 28)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE Ghana Shoreline Beautification Project has entered its third year since it was initiated in May 2006 to cleanse the beaches, erect structures and facilities, educate and build the capacity of fishermen to boost tourism.
The canoe beach at Tema, which is the starting point of the project, is gradually being transformed into a tourist site with clean sand structures yet to be roofed and signposts indicating the purpose of the project.
Some youth from the Tema community have volunteered to ensure that the fishermen are involved in the project through capacity building to appreciate the negative effects of polluting of the beaches has on marine and human life.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, who initiated the project, has in line with its objectives earmarked GH¢6,000 for this year, noting that the project has included the youth at the community level to provide day-to-day service to remedy the sanitation problems at the beaches.
He also presented wheelbarrows, rakes and rubbish bins to the volunteers of the Friends of the Sea Beaches and Inland Waters Ghana (FRISBIW), to enable them to face the challenges of cleaning up the beaches.
Nii Krakue, who is the Board Chairman of the FRISBIW, said at Tema that the project, which would cover the coastal stretch from Alfa to Axim, started from Tema in May 2006 with the launch.
He said the main objective of the project was to stop all defecation and dumping of refuse along the beaches within a five-year period from 2006 to 2011.
Nii Krakue observed that because of financing, the project has dragged on for sometime but hoped that it would pick up as the fishermen in Tema were showing interest and had become very supportive.
He called for effective collaboration between the government and traditional authorities for the successful realisation of the vision of the initiator.
Nii Krakue appealed for commitment among the people and the volunteers to enable them to achieve the set goals for promotion of tourism on the shorelines.
He said he had adopted new strategies by penetrating the ranks of the youth with the formation of environmental fan clubs in schools to transfer the knowledge of environmental cleanliness to them at that level.
Nii Krakue noted that it was very important to keep beaches clean, since apart from tourism, they could offer a healthy atmosphere for human beings. He was hopeful that the 2009 national regatta would be held in Tema and be an occasion to showcase the beauty of the beach.
The Caretaker of the Tema beach, Mr Adjei Adjetey, who is a member of FRISBIW, said the major source of disposal of refuse into the sea was the Chemu Lagoon outlet where industrial waste passed especially when it rained.
He observed that the fishermen had been very helpful in recent times and therefore appealed to them to enhance the beautification process by reducing refuse generated at the beaches and on sea.
Nii Adjetey commented on dumping the remains of wrecked ships on the shores and indicated the difficulties encountered by visitors and those who expressed interest in swiming at the Tema Beach.
He, however, noted that volunteers had guarded those who went there to prevent disasters.
Mr Adjetey said towards December when the sea usually drew back, the volunteers had organised themselves to cut the steel remains under the sea and hoped that before the end of the five-year period, they would have removed all the wrecks.
He was optimistic that through the hard work of the volunteers, the objectives would be achieved.
Mr Adjetey said the organisation envisages a vision where the communities along the beaches in Ghana would be proactive in solving sanitation problems and local fishermen would engage in fishing in safe working conditions.
THE Ghana Shoreline Beautification Project has entered its third year since it was initiated in May 2006 to cleanse the beaches, erect structures and facilities, educate and build the capacity of fishermen to boost tourism.
The canoe beach at Tema, which is the starting point of the project, is gradually being transformed into a tourist site with clean sand structures yet to be roofed and signposts indicating the purpose of the project.
Some youth from the Tema community have volunteered to ensure that the fishermen are involved in the project through capacity building to appreciate the negative effects of polluting of the beaches has on marine and human life.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, who initiated the project, has in line with its objectives earmarked GH¢6,000 for this year, noting that the project has included the youth at the community level to provide day-to-day service to remedy the sanitation problems at the beaches.
He also presented wheelbarrows, rakes and rubbish bins to the volunteers of the Friends of the Sea Beaches and Inland Waters Ghana (FRISBIW), to enable them to face the challenges of cleaning up the beaches.
Nii Krakue, who is the Board Chairman of the FRISBIW, said at Tema that the project, which would cover the coastal stretch from Alfa to Axim, started from Tema in May 2006 with the launch.
He said the main objective of the project was to stop all defecation and dumping of refuse along the beaches within a five-year period from 2006 to 2011.
Nii Krakue observed that because of financing, the project has dragged on for sometime but hoped that it would pick up as the fishermen in Tema were showing interest and had become very supportive.
He called for effective collaboration between the government and traditional authorities for the successful realisation of the vision of the initiator.
Nii Krakue appealed for commitment among the people and the volunteers to enable them to achieve the set goals for promotion of tourism on the shorelines.
He said he had adopted new strategies by penetrating the ranks of the youth with the formation of environmental fan clubs in schools to transfer the knowledge of environmental cleanliness to them at that level.
Nii Krakue noted that it was very important to keep beaches clean, since apart from tourism, they could offer a healthy atmosphere for human beings. He was hopeful that the 2009 national regatta would be held in Tema and be an occasion to showcase the beauty of the beach.
The Caretaker of the Tema beach, Mr Adjei Adjetey, who is a member of FRISBIW, said the major source of disposal of refuse into the sea was the Chemu Lagoon outlet where industrial waste passed especially when it rained.
He observed that the fishermen had been very helpful in recent times and therefore appealed to them to enhance the beautification process by reducing refuse generated at the beaches and on sea.
Nii Adjetey commented on dumping the remains of wrecked ships on the shores and indicated the difficulties encountered by visitors and those who expressed interest in swiming at the Tema Beach.
He, however, noted that volunteers had guarded those who went there to prevent disasters.
Mr Adjetey said towards December when the sea usually drew back, the volunteers had organised themselves to cut the steel remains under the sea and hoped that before the end of the five-year period, they would have removed all the wrecks.
He was optimistic that through the hard work of the volunteers, the objectives would be achieved.
Mr Adjetey said the organisation envisages a vision where the communities along the beaches in Ghana would be proactive in solving sanitation problems and local fishermen would engage in fishing in safe working conditions.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
MAN FALLS TO DEATH (PAGE 3)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
A BUILDING and civil engineer died instantly when he fell from a 30-foot storey building and had his head crushed in Tema yesterday morning.
Malcom Nii Ayi was working on the roof of the Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company building when he slipped.
He was a contractor with the El Malcom Company Limited based in Tema.
According to the Mill Manager of the GTMC, Mr Charles Lokko, a recent heavy downpour, coupled with winds, blew off a section of the company's roofs.
He said the management of the company, therefore, contracted Nii Ayi, who was in his late 40s, to repair and replace that section of the roof which had been ripped off by the winds.
Mr Lokko said the contractor and his team started work on Monday through Tuesday till the morning of yesterday when the accident occurred.
He said about 10.30 a.m. yesterday, he had a report that the contractor had fallen from the roof and had had his head crushed.
The contractor was reported to have missed a beam which he wanted to step on for support, after which the asbestos ceiling caved in.
According to Mr Lokko, the contractor fell head on and had his head crushed.
When this reporter went to the scene at the factory, the body had been wrapped up by the police and it was about to be conveyed to the Police Hospital.
Mr Lokko said the management of the company would follow up later to the family to express its sympathy and discuss other arrangements.
Later in an interview, the officer in charge of the Tema Community 8 Police, Inspector Francis Essel, who confirmed the incident, said the body had been conveyed to the Police Hospital in Accra.
He said the police would conduct further investigations into the incident.
Meanwhile, work at the factory was going on without any disruption, although workers were found in pockets discussing the incident.
A BUILDING and civil engineer died instantly when he fell from a 30-foot storey building and had his head crushed in Tema yesterday morning.
Malcom Nii Ayi was working on the roof of the Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company building when he slipped.
He was a contractor with the El Malcom Company Limited based in Tema.
According to the Mill Manager of the GTMC, Mr Charles Lokko, a recent heavy downpour, coupled with winds, blew off a section of the company's roofs.
He said the management of the company, therefore, contracted Nii Ayi, who was in his late 40s, to repair and replace that section of the roof which had been ripped off by the winds.
Mr Lokko said the contractor and his team started work on Monday through Tuesday till the morning of yesterday when the accident occurred.
He said about 10.30 a.m. yesterday, he had a report that the contractor had fallen from the roof and had had his head crushed.
The contractor was reported to have missed a beam which he wanted to step on for support, after which the asbestos ceiling caved in.
According to Mr Lokko, the contractor fell head on and had his head crushed.
When this reporter went to the scene at the factory, the body had been wrapped up by the police and it was about to be conveyed to the Police Hospital.
Mr Lokko said the management of the company would follow up later to the family to express its sympathy and discuss other arrangements.
Later in an interview, the officer in charge of the Tema Community 8 Police, Inspector Francis Essel, who confirmed the incident, said the body had been conveyed to the Police Hospital in Accra.
He said the police would conduct further investigations into the incident.
Meanwhile, work at the factory was going on without any disruption, although workers were found in pockets discussing the incident.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES OF A MOTHER? (PAGE 17)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
As Ghana joins about 65 countries, including the United States of America (USA), to celebrate Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday of May, the question that has been bothering my mind over the past days is, who is a mother and what are the attributes of a mother?. I have pondered over this question for an answer but to no avail.
Some of the people I spoke to said “a mother is a woman who has given birth to children”, others also said “every woman is a mother”, while some maintained that “once a woman has tender love for the needy she is a mother”.
The Holy Book talks about the role of parents and calls on children to honour them so that their days will be long. In another instance the scripture urges “slaves” to be respectful to their mistresses.
There is an Akan saying which translates to mean that “Although one person gives birth, many take care of that child”.
The search for an answer to my question drew me into an argument with some male and female colleagues and although it was really difficult for us to arrive at an answer, we came to the conclusion that all women must be hailed for their tender care and love for the world.
Giving her definition of who is a mother, Mrs Elizabeth Essien, a Church Mother in Tema, said every woman who had sympathy for children is a mother, adding that mothers are caring and loving to children who are not only their biological offsprings, but all those they care for.
She said the word “Mother” is crucial and cannot be used for all women because some have different attributes that do not merit motherhood.
She said some women were naturally selfish and bitter when it came to the welfare of children and therefore could not be referred to as mothers.
A marriage Counsellor at the St Stephen Anglican Church in Tema, Mr Samuel Ayittey Quaye, said there were “three types of mothers, namely, biological mothers, guardians of children, whose duty is to ensure the growth and development of children in their care and care takers.
He said the meaning of the word “Mother” goes beyond a woman who gives birth to include women who exhibit essential qualities of motherhood, such as showing love and providing proper care and support for the growth and development of children under their care.
The Headmistress of the Oninku 2 Junior High School in Tema, Mrs Louisa Quarcoopome, urged children to reciprocate the love shown them by their mothers and obey their parents and all adults.
She said the world would be a peaceful place if children were brought up in an atmosphere of love because the future belonged to them.
She urged both mothers and children to use the day to reflect over the meaning of motherhood and hail mothers for their role in promoting family unity and cohesion.
Some women have devoted their lives to bringing up children who never show any form of appreciation to them and such ungrateful acts have demoralised some women and made it difficult for them to show magnanimity to other’s children.
Some guidelines, including the need for good advice , creating loving home , exercising authority, defining family rules and enforcing them promptly and also teaching by example have been adopted by many ideal women to run their homes . This system has worked for many successful homes where the children have grown into useful adults while husbands have seen the good works of these women .
There are some women who do not have children of their own but are committed to caring for needy children. Are these not mothers? Society must not frown on women who do not have children of their own because one way or the other they assist children of other people to survive
Considering the challenges and solutions in the running of homes, all women with those attributes mentioned are mothers.
Mothers Day is for all Women as Catholic faithful would say “Hail Mother Maria” let society recognise the important role of women in the world as a whole.
As Ghana joins about 65 countries, including the United States of America (USA), to celebrate Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday of May, the question that has been bothering my mind over the past days is, who is a mother and what are the attributes of a mother?. I have pondered over this question for an answer but to no avail.
Some of the people I spoke to said “a mother is a woman who has given birth to children”, others also said “every woman is a mother”, while some maintained that “once a woman has tender love for the needy she is a mother”.
The Holy Book talks about the role of parents and calls on children to honour them so that their days will be long. In another instance the scripture urges “slaves” to be respectful to their mistresses.
There is an Akan saying which translates to mean that “Although one person gives birth, many take care of that child”.
The search for an answer to my question drew me into an argument with some male and female colleagues and although it was really difficult for us to arrive at an answer, we came to the conclusion that all women must be hailed for their tender care and love for the world.
Giving her definition of who is a mother, Mrs Elizabeth Essien, a Church Mother in Tema, said every woman who had sympathy for children is a mother, adding that mothers are caring and loving to children who are not only their biological offsprings, but all those they care for.
She said the word “Mother” is crucial and cannot be used for all women because some have different attributes that do not merit motherhood.
She said some women were naturally selfish and bitter when it came to the welfare of children and therefore could not be referred to as mothers.
A marriage Counsellor at the St Stephen Anglican Church in Tema, Mr Samuel Ayittey Quaye, said there were “three types of mothers, namely, biological mothers, guardians of children, whose duty is to ensure the growth and development of children in their care and care takers.
He said the meaning of the word “Mother” goes beyond a woman who gives birth to include women who exhibit essential qualities of motherhood, such as showing love and providing proper care and support for the growth and development of children under their care.
The Headmistress of the Oninku 2 Junior High School in Tema, Mrs Louisa Quarcoopome, urged children to reciprocate the love shown them by their mothers and obey their parents and all adults.
She said the world would be a peaceful place if children were brought up in an atmosphere of love because the future belonged to them.
She urged both mothers and children to use the day to reflect over the meaning of motherhood and hail mothers for their role in promoting family unity and cohesion.
Some women have devoted their lives to bringing up children who never show any form of appreciation to them and such ungrateful acts have demoralised some women and made it difficult for them to show magnanimity to other’s children.
Some guidelines, including the need for good advice , creating loving home , exercising authority, defining family rules and enforcing them promptly and also teaching by example have been adopted by many ideal women to run their homes . This system has worked for many successful homes where the children have grown into useful adults while husbands have seen the good works of these women .
There are some women who do not have children of their own but are committed to caring for needy children. Are these not mothers? Society must not frown on women who do not have children of their own because one way or the other they assist children of other people to survive
Considering the challenges and solutions in the running of homes, all women with those attributes mentioned are mothers.
Mothers Day is for all Women as Catholic faithful would say “Hail Mother Maria” let society recognise the important role of women in the world as a whole.
POLICE CAUTION DRIVERS ON USE OF MOTORWAY (BACK PAGE)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police Timothy Dassah, has cautioned drivers to be extra careful on the motorway to reduce the recent spate of accidents on it.
He pointed out that an area on the motorway, 100 metres from Tema and towards the abattoir and after it, had become a ‘death trap’ because of the swiftness of wind on that portion of the road.
ASP Dassah explained that there were no trees to serve as windbreaks and therefore the wind hit the cars directly, causing speeding cars to swerve beyond control, resulting in somersaults.
He noted that various accidents in recent times were the result of loss of control and instability of the vehicles because of the effect of the wind.
ASP Dassah urged drivers on the motorway to be extra cautious and drive within the speed limit of 100 km per hour.
He was of the view that because the road was bare and clear, the drivers speed to the extent that many of them lose concentration.
ASP Dassah said there were road signs on the motorway, which clearly educate the drivers on the stipulated speed at various points.
He was not happy that drivers ignore those signs and time themselves while driving on the motorway and even on other highways.
ASP Dassah noted that drivers must adhere to road signs and abide by them. He disclosed that the police would soon collaborate with the Road Safety Commission to educate the drivers at the various lorry parks on their obligations.
ASP Dassah said it would be difficult to reach private drivers and therefore appealed to the media to assist in educating them through both the electronic and print media to create awareness among them.
He suggested that the horticulture departments of the assemblies must at this time, when the rains have started, plant shady trees to serve as windbreaks on the motorway.
ASP Dassah advised drivers to keep a distance of about 30 metres between moving vehicles to enable them to control eventualities.
He said the police were taking serious view of the situation and would take steps to ensure that discipline prevailed on the motorway.
ASP Dassah denounced the fear that there was some superstition linked to the spate of accidents and urged the public to help educate drivers to keep to the rules and regulations governing driving.
He also appealed to the various drivers unions to educate their members on ensuring sanity on the roads.
THE Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police Timothy Dassah, has cautioned drivers to be extra careful on the motorway to reduce the recent spate of accidents on it.
He pointed out that an area on the motorway, 100 metres from Tema and towards the abattoir and after it, had become a ‘death trap’ because of the swiftness of wind on that portion of the road.
ASP Dassah explained that there were no trees to serve as windbreaks and therefore the wind hit the cars directly, causing speeding cars to swerve beyond control, resulting in somersaults.
He noted that various accidents in recent times were the result of loss of control and instability of the vehicles because of the effect of the wind.
ASP Dassah urged drivers on the motorway to be extra cautious and drive within the speed limit of 100 km per hour.
He was of the view that because the road was bare and clear, the drivers speed to the extent that many of them lose concentration.
ASP Dassah said there were road signs on the motorway, which clearly educate the drivers on the stipulated speed at various points.
He was not happy that drivers ignore those signs and time themselves while driving on the motorway and even on other highways.
ASP Dassah noted that drivers must adhere to road signs and abide by them. He disclosed that the police would soon collaborate with the Road Safety Commission to educate the drivers at the various lorry parks on their obligations.
ASP Dassah said it would be difficult to reach private drivers and therefore appealed to the media to assist in educating them through both the electronic and print media to create awareness among them.
He suggested that the horticulture departments of the assemblies must at this time, when the rains have started, plant shady trees to serve as windbreaks on the motorway.
ASP Dassah advised drivers to keep a distance of about 30 metres between moving vehicles to enable them to control eventualities.
He said the police were taking serious view of the situation and would take steps to ensure that discipline prevailed on the motorway.
ASP Dassah denounced the fear that there was some superstition linked to the spate of accidents and urged the public to help educate drivers to keep to the rules and regulations governing driving.
He also appealed to the various drivers unions to educate their members on ensuring sanity on the roads.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAMME FOR GBETSILE (PAGE 11)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
A number of residents of Gbetsile, a deprived farming community in the Tema metropolis have resorted to self-medication due to the non-availability of health care facilities in the area and inability of majority of residents to travel long distances to Tema and Ashaiman to access health care.
A study conducted by a medical team indicated that about 80 per cent of the population, majority of whom are women, do not attend hospitals and have developed hypertension and diabetes, which is unknown to them.
The situation prompted a medical team from Progressive Free Health Service, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to hold an-eight-day medical outreach for more than 700 people drawn from Gbetsile and other communities, including Kakasunanka 1 & 2 and Ashaiman.
With support from a medical doctor, Dr Adrienne Charles and nurses from the Tema General Hospital and the Narh Bita School of Nursing, the team had the beneficiaries go through laboratory checks for diabetes, malaria and blood pressure.
They were also given counselling on how to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS and how to live healthy lives by eating healthy food and cultivating the habit of attending clinics for medical attention.
The week-long exercise, which was co-ordinated by the Optimum Development Impact in Tema, started on April 28, and ended on May 2, 2008.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mrs Maryann Darko, a US-based Ghanaian physician, later told the Daily Graphic that before the team decided to come to Ghana, an advanced party was sent to conduct studies in some underprivileged communities which did not have access to medical facilities. She said revelations after the study prompted the team to select Gbetsile and its environs for the outreach programme.
Mrs Darko pointed out that all the people attended to were advised to visit the hospital regularly for routine checks, cut down on the intake of carbohydrates, and eat more green vegetables and fruits.
She said those found to be very sick were referred to a medical doctor immediately.
Mrs Darko said the purpose of the programme was to help the people to cultivate the habit of attending hospital not only when they fell seriously sick but also to go for regular medical check-ups.
She commended the people for their co-operation, understanding and massive turnout.
Mrs Darko gave the assurance that the team would return to the country before the end of the year to assess the impact of the programme.
The Gbetsile Mantse, Nii Kwaku Teye, appealed to the medical team to provide the people with drugs during subsequent outreach programmes to ensure that the people had full benefit of the programme.
He advised the people to take the advice given them, stressing that the programme had opened up avenues for him and his elders to embark on a health educational campaign to create the needed awareness.
The people were given educational materials, including pamphlets on diabetes , hypertension and HIV, to assist them in making informed decisions on health issues confronting them.
The CEO of the Optimum Concept, Ms Phylicia Mortey, said the exercise would be extended to other underprivileged communities in the country.
She explained that the team did not provide medication because the exercise was not meant to set up a clinic but to encourage people to attend hospital.
A number of residents of Gbetsile, a deprived farming community in the Tema metropolis have resorted to self-medication due to the non-availability of health care facilities in the area and inability of majority of residents to travel long distances to Tema and Ashaiman to access health care.
A study conducted by a medical team indicated that about 80 per cent of the population, majority of whom are women, do not attend hospitals and have developed hypertension and diabetes, which is unknown to them.
The situation prompted a medical team from Progressive Free Health Service, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to hold an-eight-day medical outreach for more than 700 people drawn from Gbetsile and other communities, including Kakasunanka 1 & 2 and Ashaiman.
With support from a medical doctor, Dr Adrienne Charles and nurses from the Tema General Hospital and the Narh Bita School of Nursing, the team had the beneficiaries go through laboratory checks for diabetes, malaria and blood pressure.
They were also given counselling on how to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS and how to live healthy lives by eating healthy food and cultivating the habit of attending clinics for medical attention.
The week-long exercise, which was co-ordinated by the Optimum Development Impact in Tema, started on April 28, and ended on May 2, 2008.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mrs Maryann Darko, a US-based Ghanaian physician, later told the Daily Graphic that before the team decided to come to Ghana, an advanced party was sent to conduct studies in some underprivileged communities which did not have access to medical facilities. She said revelations after the study prompted the team to select Gbetsile and its environs for the outreach programme.
Mrs Darko pointed out that all the people attended to were advised to visit the hospital regularly for routine checks, cut down on the intake of carbohydrates, and eat more green vegetables and fruits.
She said those found to be very sick were referred to a medical doctor immediately.
Mrs Darko said the purpose of the programme was to help the people to cultivate the habit of attending hospital not only when they fell seriously sick but also to go for regular medical check-ups.
She commended the people for their co-operation, understanding and massive turnout.
Mrs Darko gave the assurance that the team would return to the country before the end of the year to assess the impact of the programme.
The Gbetsile Mantse, Nii Kwaku Teye, appealed to the medical team to provide the people with drugs during subsequent outreach programmes to ensure that the people had full benefit of the programme.
He advised the people to take the advice given them, stressing that the programme had opened up avenues for him and his elders to embark on a health educational campaign to create the needed awareness.
The people were given educational materials, including pamphlets on diabetes , hypertension and HIV, to assist them in making informed decisions on health issues confronting them.
The CEO of the Optimum Concept, Ms Phylicia Mortey, said the exercise would be extended to other underprivileged communities in the country.
She explained that the team did not provide medication because the exercise was not meant to set up a clinic but to encourage people to attend hospital.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
MAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING RAIL SLEEPERS (PAGE 29)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE police in Tema have arrested a 26-year-old man, Abdul Raman, for allegedly stealing two steel sleepers, valued at $100, belonging to the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), from a rail line that links the Tema Steel Works and Achimota in Accra.
The suspect was arrested after reports of rampant thefts of rails and steel sleepers by the management of the GRCL.
About 300 steel sleepers were identified on the four-kilometre distance to have been removed from the rail line, which has not been functional for some years now.
The suspect is in police custody and will be put before court for prosecution. The Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Oliver Turkson, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said following the reports, a team of policemen posed as businessmen and showed interest in buying the steel sleepers.
Inspector Turkson said while there, they spotted Raman who surfaced on the rail line and started removing the sleepers.
She said upon negotiation, the suspect agreed on GH¢9 for one steel sleeper. Inspector Turkson said the accomplices of the suspect who assisted in the alleged stealing case escaped arrest when they realised that Raman was in danger. She described steel sleepers as components that, together with knots, are used in the construction of railway lines to support the rail on a rail track.
Inspector Turkson said the police would continue to mount surveillance on the rail lines to ensure that activities of thieves were brought under control because they had a serious adverse effect on the economy.
She warned that any one found operating illegally on the rail lines would be arrested and prosecuted. Inspector Turkson said their activities could thwart the efforts of the government to operationalise the country’s rail system.
She warned that the Police Administration had taken serious view of the situation and would not spare anyone found guilty of the offence.
Meanwhile, the police have intensified their day and night patrol operations in the metropolis and the region at large. Inspector Turkson also cautioned scrap dealers to know the source of the steel items they bought from dealers to avoid being held responsible for the offence.
She appealed to the public to volunteer information to the police on the activities of people who dealt in stolen goods, including scraps, for the law to deal with them.
THE police in Tema have arrested a 26-year-old man, Abdul Raman, for allegedly stealing two steel sleepers, valued at $100, belonging to the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), from a rail line that links the Tema Steel Works and Achimota in Accra.
The suspect was arrested after reports of rampant thefts of rails and steel sleepers by the management of the GRCL.
About 300 steel sleepers were identified on the four-kilometre distance to have been removed from the rail line, which has not been functional for some years now.
The suspect is in police custody and will be put before court for prosecution. The Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Oliver Turkson, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said following the reports, a team of policemen posed as businessmen and showed interest in buying the steel sleepers.
Inspector Turkson said while there, they spotted Raman who surfaced on the rail line and started removing the sleepers.
She said upon negotiation, the suspect agreed on GH¢9 for one steel sleeper. Inspector Turkson said the accomplices of the suspect who assisted in the alleged stealing case escaped arrest when they realised that Raman was in danger. She described steel sleepers as components that, together with knots, are used in the construction of railway lines to support the rail on a rail track.
Inspector Turkson said the police would continue to mount surveillance on the rail lines to ensure that activities of thieves were brought under control because they had a serious adverse effect on the economy.
She warned that any one found operating illegally on the rail lines would be arrested and prosecuted. Inspector Turkson said their activities could thwart the efforts of the government to operationalise the country’s rail system.
She warned that the Police Administration had taken serious view of the situation and would not spare anyone found guilty of the offence.
Meanwhile, the police have intensified their day and night patrol operations in the metropolis and the region at large. Inspector Turkson also cautioned scrap dealers to know the source of the steel items they bought from dealers to avoid being held responsible for the offence.
She appealed to the public to volunteer information to the police on the activities of people who dealt in stolen goods, including scraps, for the law to deal with them.
Monday, May 5, 2008
'INCLUDE FIRE HYDRANTS IN SITE PLANS' (PAGE 44)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE Tema Regional Fire Training Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Prince Billy Anaglate, has advocated the inclusion of fire hydrants in the preparation of all site plans to ensure safety of lives and property in residential areas.
He said because of the cost involved, that important component was left out when developers zoned out their areas and built without making provision for it.
Mr Anaglate was of the view that the practice could be the result of ignorance or mere neglect but noted that it was necessary that hydrants were included at the planning stage of settlements to enable the Fire Service to fight fire in times of its outbreak.
He made the observation when a team of fire men went round the Tema business centre and some communities to locate and service fire hydrants. Many of the hydrants had been covered by silt and the team had some difficulty locating them.
Mr Anaglate said about 80 per cent of fire hydrants had either become ineffective or been sealed in the metropolis, making fire fighting difficult for the service. He said the Tema Office of the GNFS had only one fire engine, which could not fight fire continuously for one hour. Therefore easy access to hydrants was very essential for fire fighting.
The team opened some of the hydrants and made them serviceable, while others could not be opened at all because of rust.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the provision and servicing of hydrants to help the Fire Service to secure life and property. He also advised residents to avoid activities which could lead to fire outbreaks, citing the example of a gas welder found on the Ashaiman Overhead road working close to a LPG cylinder repairer.
He said the danger was high because PG cylinder should be emptied before they were repaired, because the welder constantly used fire, noting that there could easily be an explosion.
Mr Anaglate advised the owner of the repair shop to stop work and relocate for the safety of lives and property.
The Tema Regional Estate Officer of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr Abednego Anfu, said the situation would be addressed promptly.
He noted that almost all the hydrants that had been retrieved during the exercise had not had water running through them for many years and, therefore, posed danger to the community.
THE Tema Regional Fire Training Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Prince Billy Anaglate, has advocated the inclusion of fire hydrants in the preparation of all site plans to ensure safety of lives and property in residential areas.
He said because of the cost involved, that important component was left out when developers zoned out their areas and built without making provision for it.
Mr Anaglate was of the view that the practice could be the result of ignorance or mere neglect but noted that it was necessary that hydrants were included at the planning stage of settlements to enable the Fire Service to fight fire in times of its outbreak.
He made the observation when a team of fire men went round the Tema business centre and some communities to locate and service fire hydrants. Many of the hydrants had been covered by silt and the team had some difficulty locating them.
Mr Anaglate said about 80 per cent of fire hydrants had either become ineffective or been sealed in the metropolis, making fire fighting difficult for the service. He said the Tema Office of the GNFS had only one fire engine, which could not fight fire continuously for one hour. Therefore easy access to hydrants was very essential for fire fighting.
The team opened some of the hydrants and made them serviceable, while others could not be opened at all because of rust.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the provision and servicing of hydrants to help the Fire Service to secure life and property. He also advised residents to avoid activities which could lead to fire outbreaks, citing the example of a gas welder found on the Ashaiman Overhead road working close to a LPG cylinder repairer.
He said the danger was high because PG cylinder should be emptied before they were repaired, because the welder constantly used fire, noting that there could easily be an explosion.
Mr Anaglate advised the owner of the repair shop to stop work and relocate for the safety of lives and property.
The Tema Regional Estate Officer of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr Abednego Anfu, said the situation would be addressed promptly.
He noted that almost all the hydrants that had been retrieved during the exercise had not had water running through them for many years and, therefore, posed danger to the community.
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