The Ghana Tourist Board has suggested to operators of tourist facilities to offer discount to tourist clubs in the country to encourage patronage.
The Deputy Executive Director-Operations of the Ghana Tourist Board,Mr Edwin Owusu -Mensah, made the suggestion when he inaugurated the Port of Tema branch of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Tourist Club, last Thursday.
He explained that available statistics indicated that in 2008, there was growth in visitation and revenues which yielded GH¢615,207 from over half a million visits by local tourists.
Mr Owusu-Mensah noted that, this data base was critical to the taking of appropriate decisions on the promotion of local tourism.
He, therefore, called on clubs to participate in the board’s tourism and its related programmes.
Mr Owusu -Mensah said the board had put in place other strategies for the development and promotion of tourism, which included the development and planning of incentive travels and excursions to make domestic tourism appealing and affordable to all categories of Ghanaians.
He said the board had plans of ensuring that tourism was integrated into the curriculum of schools to encourage travel in schools.
Mr Owusu-Mensah said the GTB had currently registered 150 clubs with a membership of almost 12,000 nationwide.
He commended the management of the GPHA for encouraging the staff to form the club.
Mr Owusu-Mensah said as a company which served as the entry point of the country by sea, it was in the right direction to enhance its image through such tourists clubs.
The General Manager in charge of administration at the GPHA, Mr Kwadwo Adansi Bonna, appealed to the Ghana Tourist Board to provide a congenial environment for tourism.
He explained that tourism had become the preserve of the privileged few because of the cost of transport, accommodation and other related leisure involved.
Mr Adansi-Bonna urged the GTB to engage tour operators in a dialogue to provide affordable educational and inter-regional tours which would facilitate travel within the country for residents to appreciate Ghana's tourists attractions and facilities.
He urged members of the club to make every effort to promote the corporate image of the authority.
The President of the GPHA Tourist Club, Kumi Adjei-Sam,said the club was broad-based and democratic because its membership cut across all streams of staff, from management to junior staff.
He said with the rejuvenation of the club, the GPHA stood a chance of making the port a tourist attraction of good standing.
Mr Adjei-Sam expressed optimism that members, who had started speaking foreign languages such as French, Italian and German, were well poised to face the challenges ahead.
The Harbour Master, Captain James Owusu- Koranteng, later swore in the newly elected officers of the club.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
NDC FEUDING FACTIONS CLASH OVER LORRY PARK (PAGE 14)
A clash between two feuding factions of the National Democratic Congress over a lorry park at Ashaiman resulted in the injury of several people, including activists of the party.
Those who received gunshot wounds are James Arua, 25, Yakubu Alhassan, 34, Ismael Worlanyo ,28, Abdulai Abubakar, 25, Suleman Tahiru, 33, Iddrisu Yakubu, 32, and Mohammed Usman,35.
Arua is still on admission at Tema General Hospital but Alhassan, Worlanyo,Abubakar,Tahiru, Yakubu and Usman were treated and discharged.
They were, however, asked to return to the hospital today for the bullets embedded in their bodies to be removed.
Police from the Buffalo Unit in Tema and Accra quickly went to the scene to bring the situation under control.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Kudalor, who was at the scene immediately convened a closed door meeting with the leadership of the feuding factions.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the meeting, DCOP Kudalor said he warned the factions to note that it was illegal to take over a lorry park without authority .
The commander said he explained to them that there was a process that interested people had to go through to acquire and operate lorry parks.
DCOP Kudalor said the original operator of the lorry park, Mr John Kojo Gyapong, a former Member of Parliament for the Akan Constituency, had the license to operate the lorry park and therefore must be allowed to continue until the expiry of his contract at the end of this year.
He told the Daily Graphic that the issue had been resolved and that the police would continue to monitor activities at the lorry park to ensure sanity.
According to the Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer , Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, an alleged NDC task force was reported to have taken over the lorry park at Ashaiman, known as ‘Kufuor park’, on Monday, April 20, 2009.
She said the task force locked out the original operators of the lorry park and collected the loading fees from drivers who plied the Teshie , Nungua , Adjei Kojo routes.
Chief Inspector Turkson said this issue was under investigation until Saturday when another group, suspected to be sympathisers of Mr Gyapong, who had a license to operate also moved in to attack the supposed NDC task force.
She said there were incidents of shooting and use of cutlasses and sticks during the clash, as a result of which some of the people involved in the clash, and passers-by sustained gunshot and cutlass wounds.
Chief Inspector Turkson said the police would intensify its investigations to identify the source of the gunshots, and those found guilty would be arrested and prosecuted .
It was later found out that the former MP had a license issued on February 24, 2009 from the Ashaiman Municpal Assembly (ASHMA) in the name of his company , Rural Action Co-operative.
Those who received gunshot wounds are James Arua, 25, Yakubu Alhassan, 34, Ismael Worlanyo ,28, Abdulai Abubakar, 25, Suleman Tahiru, 33, Iddrisu Yakubu, 32, and Mohammed Usman,35.
Arua is still on admission at Tema General Hospital but Alhassan, Worlanyo,Abubakar,Tahiru, Yakubu and Usman were treated and discharged.
They were, however, asked to return to the hospital today for the bullets embedded in their bodies to be removed.
Police from the Buffalo Unit in Tema and Accra quickly went to the scene to bring the situation under control.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Kudalor, who was at the scene immediately convened a closed door meeting with the leadership of the feuding factions.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the meeting, DCOP Kudalor said he warned the factions to note that it was illegal to take over a lorry park without authority .
The commander said he explained to them that there was a process that interested people had to go through to acquire and operate lorry parks.
DCOP Kudalor said the original operator of the lorry park, Mr John Kojo Gyapong, a former Member of Parliament for the Akan Constituency, had the license to operate the lorry park and therefore must be allowed to continue until the expiry of his contract at the end of this year.
He told the Daily Graphic that the issue had been resolved and that the police would continue to monitor activities at the lorry park to ensure sanity.
According to the Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer , Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, an alleged NDC task force was reported to have taken over the lorry park at Ashaiman, known as ‘Kufuor park’, on Monday, April 20, 2009.
She said the task force locked out the original operators of the lorry park and collected the loading fees from drivers who plied the Teshie , Nungua , Adjei Kojo routes.
Chief Inspector Turkson said this issue was under investigation until Saturday when another group, suspected to be sympathisers of Mr Gyapong, who had a license to operate also moved in to attack the supposed NDC task force.
She said there were incidents of shooting and use of cutlasses and sticks during the clash, as a result of which some of the people involved in the clash, and passers-by sustained gunshot and cutlass wounds.
Chief Inspector Turkson said the police would intensify its investigations to identify the source of the gunshots, and those found guilty would be arrested and prosecuted .
It was later found out that the former MP had a license issued on February 24, 2009 from the Ashaiman Municpal Assembly (ASHMA) in the name of his company , Rural Action Co-operative.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
PERFORMANCE OF EDUCATION SECTOR REVIEWED (MIRROR, PAGE 22)
From Greater Accra Region
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
A THREE-DAY annual review programme to assess performance of the education sector in the Greater Accra Region and to critically examine the draft Education Strategy Plan (ESP) which covers 2010-2020 has ended in Tema.
The programme took cognisance of the Education Acts, Policies review reports and papers of national, regional and district importance in education delivery.
In attendance at the programme were stakeholders from the Greater Accra Region, made up of staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as heads of schools from primary to the senior high school level.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said in an address read on his behalf by Mrs Victoria Donkor, a Director at the Special Education Division of the GES, that education delivery had, over the past six years, been guided by the 2003- 2015 draft ESP, which outlined educational policies, objectives, expected outcomes and various strategies, aimed at achieving educational goals of the country.
According to him, the government's policy was to ensure that basic level education was made free for all children of school age.
He explained that the draft ESP currently under review for 2010-2020 had been adopted to reflect the actual structure of the educational system in the country, adding that its approach was clearer for users and beneficial to planners.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah noted that the draft ESP of 2010-2020 was guided by policy initiatives that emerged over the years following the publication of the previous ESP in May 2003, known as the National Education Reform Implementation Committee (NERIC, 2007).
He called on stakeholders to collate opinions, comments and recommendations to review the draft ESP 2010-2020 during the three-day programme to be embodied in the final ESP for adoption.
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
A THREE-DAY annual review programme to assess performance of the education sector in the Greater Accra Region and to critically examine the draft Education Strategy Plan (ESP) which covers 2010-2020 has ended in Tema.
The programme took cognisance of the Education Acts, Policies review reports and papers of national, regional and district importance in education delivery.
In attendance at the programme were stakeholders from the Greater Accra Region, made up of staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as heads of schools from primary to the senior high school level.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said in an address read on his behalf by Mrs Victoria Donkor, a Director at the Special Education Division of the GES, that education delivery had, over the past six years, been guided by the 2003- 2015 draft ESP, which outlined educational policies, objectives, expected outcomes and various strategies, aimed at achieving educational goals of the country.
According to him, the government's policy was to ensure that basic level education was made free for all children of school age.
He explained that the draft ESP currently under review for 2010-2020 had been adopted to reflect the actual structure of the educational system in the country, adding that its approach was clearer for users and beneficial to planners.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah noted that the draft ESP of 2010-2020 was guided by policy initiatives that emerged over the years following the publication of the previous ESP in May 2003, known as the National Education Reform Implementation Committee (NERIC, 2007).
He called on stakeholders to collate opinions, comments and recommendations to review the draft ESP 2010-2020 during the three-day programme to be embodied in the final ESP for adoption.
FISHERMEN CALL FOR CHECK ON ILLEGAL FISHING METHODS (BACK PAGE)
FISHERMEN and youth leaders at Nungua and Tema have called on the government to be mindful of its campaign promises to fishermen in the country and work towards fulfilling them as another fishing season approaches.
The bumper season is usually between the months of June and October, but the fishermen claim that the use of light at sea, dynamites and poisonous solutions and pair trawling in recent times had virtually collapsed their business.
They, therefore, called on the government to set up a special task force to check pair trawling and the use of other illegal methods of fishing.
In a statement issued in Tema last Thursday, the fishermen and the youth leaders said the task force could work together with the security agencies to check the abuses during the forthcoming fishing season.
The statement further urged the government to withdraw all licences for pair trawling, since those engaged in the practice often used those permits to defend themselves.
The signatories to the statement included Nii Tettey Bortier, the Nungua Woleiatse, Nii Borketey, the Chairman of the youth association, Nii Charway Ayi and Nii Bortier Omanka, both fishermen.
The fishermen and youth leaders, however, expressed their appreciation to the government for fulfilling its campaign promise to return to the original owners of Nungua lands that were acquired by the government but not been used.
They appealed to the people of Nungua to appreciate the noble gesture of the government by resolving their differences to create a peaceful atmosphere to attract investors.
They also appealed to the government to ensure that all conditions contained in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that governed the release of the land were strictly enforced in the interest of the people.
The fishermen and youth leaders called on the people of Nungua to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and the Nyemitei Commission of Enquiry’s report, as well as Executive Instrument 18 of 1983.
The bumper season is usually between the months of June and October, but the fishermen claim that the use of light at sea, dynamites and poisonous solutions and pair trawling in recent times had virtually collapsed their business.
They, therefore, called on the government to set up a special task force to check pair trawling and the use of other illegal methods of fishing.
In a statement issued in Tema last Thursday, the fishermen and the youth leaders said the task force could work together with the security agencies to check the abuses during the forthcoming fishing season.
The statement further urged the government to withdraw all licences for pair trawling, since those engaged in the practice often used those permits to defend themselves.
The signatories to the statement included Nii Tettey Bortier, the Nungua Woleiatse, Nii Borketey, the Chairman of the youth association, Nii Charway Ayi and Nii Bortier Omanka, both fishermen.
The fishermen and youth leaders, however, expressed their appreciation to the government for fulfilling its campaign promise to return to the original owners of Nungua lands that were acquired by the government but not been used.
They appealed to the people of Nungua to appreciate the noble gesture of the government by resolving their differences to create a peaceful atmosphere to attract investors.
They also appealed to the government to ensure that all conditions contained in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that governed the release of the land were strictly enforced in the interest of the people.
The fishermen and youth leaders called on the people of Nungua to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and the Nyemitei Commission of Enquiry’s report, as well as Executive Instrument 18 of 1983.
Monday, April 20, 2009
PERFORMANCE OF EDUCATION SECTOR REVIEWED ...By stakeholders in Accra (PAGE 11)
A THREE-DAY annual review programme to assess performance of the education sector in the Greater Accra Region and to critically examine the draft Education Strategy Plan (ESP) which covers 2010-2020 has ended in Tema.
The programme took cognisance of the Education Acts, Policies and review reports, papers of national, regional and district importance in education delivery.
In attendance at the programme were stakeholders from the Greater Accra Region, made up of staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as heads of schools from primary to senior high school levels.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said in an address read on his behalf by Mrs Victoria Donkor, a Director at the Special Education Division of the GES, that education delivery had, over the past six years, been guided by the 2003- 2015 draft ESP, which outlined educational policies, objectives, expected outcomes and various strategies, aimed at achieving educational goals of the country.
According to him, the government's policy was to ensure that basic level education was made free for all children of school age.
He explained that the draft ESP currently under review for 2010-2020 had been adopted to reflect the actual structure of the educational system in the country, adding that its approach was clearer for users and beneficial to planners.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah noted that the draft ESP of 2010-2020 was guided by policy initiatives that emerged over the years following the publication of the previous ESP in May 2003, known as the National Education Reform Implementation Committee (NERIC, 2007).
He called on stakeholders to collate opinions, comments and recommendations to review the draft ESP 2010-2020 during the three-day programme to be embodied in the final ESP for adoption.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Mrs Ernestina Afosa- Anim, said the annual review programme was one of the important activities which took stock of performance in education delivery in the country.
The Regional Director, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders in education, including parents, to ensure that they played their roles properly to help achieve the final ESP.
Mrs Afosah-Anim noted that the ESP under review focused on 10 goals including improvement in planning and management, expansion of pre-school education, provision of equal opportunities for girls to access education and the promotion and provision of good health and sanitation in schools and institutions .
Others were the improvement and extension of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the promotion of activities to prevent HIV/AIDS.
She said stakeholders had put in place several interventions in their bid to meet these demands.
The programme took cognisance of the Education Acts, Policies and review reports, papers of national, regional and district importance in education delivery.
In attendance at the programme were stakeholders from the Greater Accra Region, made up of staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, as well as heads of schools from primary to senior high school levels.
The Director-General of the GES, Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, said in an address read on his behalf by Mrs Victoria Donkor, a Director at the Special Education Division of the GES, that education delivery had, over the past six years, been guided by the 2003- 2015 draft ESP, which outlined educational policies, objectives, expected outcomes and various strategies, aimed at achieving educational goals of the country.
According to him, the government's policy was to ensure that basic level education was made free for all children of school age.
He explained that the draft ESP currently under review for 2010-2020 had been adopted to reflect the actual structure of the educational system in the country, adding that its approach was clearer for users and beneficial to planners.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah noted that the draft ESP of 2010-2020 was guided by policy initiatives that emerged over the years following the publication of the previous ESP in May 2003, known as the National Education Reform Implementation Committee (NERIC, 2007).
He called on stakeholders to collate opinions, comments and recommendations to review the draft ESP 2010-2020 during the three-day programme to be embodied in the final ESP for adoption.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Mrs Ernestina Afosa- Anim, said the annual review programme was one of the important activities which took stock of performance in education delivery in the country.
The Regional Director, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders in education, including parents, to ensure that they played their roles properly to help achieve the final ESP.
Mrs Afosah-Anim noted that the ESP under review focused on 10 goals including improvement in planning and management, expansion of pre-school education, provision of equal opportunities for girls to access education and the promotion and provision of good health and sanitation in schools and institutions .
Others were the improvement and extension of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the promotion of activities to prevent HIV/AIDS.
She said stakeholders had put in place several interventions in their bid to meet these demands.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
UNILEVER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 50 STUDENTS (PAGE 14)
Unilever Ghana Foundation for Education and Development (UFED) has awarded scholarships to 50 senior high school (SHS) students and three undergraduates from public universities beginning from the 2008/09 academic year for the entire duration of their courses of study at a total cost of GH¢55,000 annually.
For their awards, 30 of the SHS students who performed exceptionally well at the interviews received full scholarships and the remaining 20 received half scholarship while the three undergraduates also received scholarships to cover their full academic user fees, part of their residential user fees and some allowances to cover books and pocket money.
Awarding the scholarships to the 53 SHS students and undergraduates at the training centre of Unilever Ghana Ltd in Tema, the Chairman of Trustees of the UFED, Mr Andrews Quayson, disclosed that the foundation had operated over the last nine years and spent about GH¢500,000 on 440 SHS students and 87 undergraduates.
He stated that the award of scholarships by the foundation formed part of the company’s objective to contribute towards the building of quality human resource for the country.
Mr Quayson said “the selected lucky young future leaders” were part of 87 other students who applied to be considered.
He cautioned the students to note that they were chosen on the basis of excellence in a competitive selection and therefore urged them to exhibit those qualities of leadership and moral behaviour at school to continue to enjoy the scholarship.
Mr Quayson disclosed that trustees of the foundation would continue to monitor their academic excellence and those who would be found wanting will have their scholarship withdrawn.
He called on them to prove that they indeed merited the scholarship award by continuing to study hard and being able to earn the foundation’s postgraduate scholarship scheme, which has supported five postgraduate students at the College of Sciences.
The Human Resource Director of Unilever, Mr Sam Dontoh, said the company takes pride in achieving excellence hence the need to initiate programmes that would enhance education.
He encouraged the students to aim high and strive for more laurels because education was investment for the future.
Mr Dontoh congratulated the students on their achievement and urged them to serve as good examples to others.
For their awards, 30 of the SHS students who performed exceptionally well at the interviews received full scholarships and the remaining 20 received half scholarship while the three undergraduates also received scholarships to cover their full academic user fees, part of their residential user fees and some allowances to cover books and pocket money.
Awarding the scholarships to the 53 SHS students and undergraduates at the training centre of Unilever Ghana Ltd in Tema, the Chairman of Trustees of the UFED, Mr Andrews Quayson, disclosed that the foundation had operated over the last nine years and spent about GH¢500,000 on 440 SHS students and 87 undergraduates.
He stated that the award of scholarships by the foundation formed part of the company’s objective to contribute towards the building of quality human resource for the country.
Mr Quayson said “the selected lucky young future leaders” were part of 87 other students who applied to be considered.
He cautioned the students to note that they were chosen on the basis of excellence in a competitive selection and therefore urged them to exhibit those qualities of leadership and moral behaviour at school to continue to enjoy the scholarship.
Mr Quayson disclosed that trustees of the foundation would continue to monitor their academic excellence and those who would be found wanting will have their scholarship withdrawn.
He called on them to prove that they indeed merited the scholarship award by continuing to study hard and being able to earn the foundation’s postgraduate scholarship scheme, which has supported five postgraduate students at the College of Sciences.
The Human Resource Director of Unilever, Mr Sam Dontoh, said the company takes pride in achieving excellence hence the need to initiate programmes that would enhance education.
He encouraged the students to aim high and strive for more laurels because education was investment for the future.
Mr Dontoh congratulated the students on their achievement and urged them to serve as good examples to others.
HEALTH SECTOR GETS MOTORBIKES FOR FIELD WORK (BACK PAGE)
The Ministry of Health has taken delivery of 4,000 Nafang motorbikes valued at US$52,000 to support the health sector.
The motor bikes will help health workers to reach deprived areas for health delivery services as part of the government’s determination to provide efficient and reliable healthcare service nationwide.
Tanink Ghana Limited, distributors of the motorbikes, in collaboration with the ministry, has trained over 200 district mechanics to give after sales service support.
The Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey, who received the motorbikes, reiterated the government’s determination to ensure that health workers were equipped to work efficiently.
Dr Yankey tasked officials who would use the motorbikes to make sure they were used for the purposes intended.
The Chief Executive of Tanink Ghana Limited, Mr Roger Klogo, expressed the company's determination to assist the ministry to meet its commitment to improve the health care of the citizens.
He said Tanink Ghana Limited would provide after sales servicing of the motorbikes and also train additional 200 district mechanics across the country by June, this year.
Mr Klogo said Tanink Ghana Limited would soon hold discussions with technical institutions, such as Gratis Foundation, on the possibility of producing some spare part components of Nanfang motorbikes locally.
He explained that in consultation with the company's Chinese partners, Nanfang would encourage the production of about 70 to 80 per cent of the bike components locally to serve as catalyst for a future motorbike manufacturing industry in Ghana.
The motor bikes will help health workers to reach deprived areas for health delivery services as part of the government’s determination to provide efficient and reliable healthcare service nationwide.
Tanink Ghana Limited, distributors of the motorbikes, in collaboration with the ministry, has trained over 200 district mechanics to give after sales service support.
The Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey, who received the motorbikes, reiterated the government’s determination to ensure that health workers were equipped to work efficiently.
Dr Yankey tasked officials who would use the motorbikes to make sure they were used for the purposes intended.
The Chief Executive of Tanink Ghana Limited, Mr Roger Klogo, expressed the company's determination to assist the ministry to meet its commitment to improve the health care of the citizens.
He said Tanink Ghana Limited would provide after sales servicing of the motorbikes and also train additional 200 district mechanics across the country by June, this year.
Mr Klogo said Tanink Ghana Limited would soon hold discussions with technical institutions, such as Gratis Foundation, on the possibility of producing some spare part components of Nanfang motorbikes locally.
He explained that in consultation with the company's Chinese partners, Nanfang would encourage the production of about 70 to 80 per cent of the bike components locally to serve as catalyst for a future motorbike manufacturing industry in Ghana.
Monday, April 13, 2009
FREE MEDICAL SCREENING AT GBETSILE (PAGE 29)
A free medical screening held for residents at Gbetsile in the Tema metropolis has revealed that most children in the area have never been immunised against the six-killer diseases or attended weighing sessions while a handful were behind schedule.
During the screening, 123 children were immunised and had their mass weight checked . Pregnant women and mothers were screened and tested for blood sugar and hypertensive conditions.
The exercise was organised by the Rotaract Club of Tema in collaboration with the Kpone Health post .
During counselling a medical officer from the Tema General Hospital, Dr Mame Pomaa, expressed the need for parents to meet the nutritional needs of their children.
She said the immunisation exercise helped to avoid infections and kept the children healthy, especially in the growing and formative stages.
Dr Pomaa advised nursing mothers to patronise local foods on the market as they contained the nutritional values needed to ensure the good growth and health of their children.
She called on them to attend health facilities for ante-natal and post-natal care since that could help in the early diagnosis of any disease which might attack the child.
The Project Director of the Rotaract Club of Tema, Mr Seth Otu Larbi, said the exercise which focused on maternal health and child nutrition had its major highlight in the theme of Rotary Club for the year which is: " Make dreams real ".
He said it was aimed at promoting health among women and children in selected communities.
Mr Larbi said it also created the means for supporting the people to reduce complications that pregnant women went through before child birth.
He appealed to those who benefited from the exercise to put into practice what they had learnt from the experts.
Mr Larbi gave the assurance that the request for assistance to put up a clinic by residents of Gbetsile would be considered and promised that the Rotaract Club would work towards it .
He said the objective of the Rotaract Club was to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance their knowledge and skills that would help in their personal development, and to address the physical and social needs of their communities.
Mr Larbi commended the people for the high patronage of the programme, which was supported by the Kpone Traditional Council and the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate.
During the screening, 123 children were immunised and had their mass weight checked . Pregnant women and mothers were screened and tested for blood sugar and hypertensive conditions.
The exercise was organised by the Rotaract Club of Tema in collaboration with the Kpone Health post .
During counselling a medical officer from the Tema General Hospital, Dr Mame Pomaa, expressed the need for parents to meet the nutritional needs of their children.
She said the immunisation exercise helped to avoid infections and kept the children healthy, especially in the growing and formative stages.
Dr Pomaa advised nursing mothers to patronise local foods on the market as they contained the nutritional values needed to ensure the good growth and health of their children.
She called on them to attend health facilities for ante-natal and post-natal care since that could help in the early diagnosis of any disease which might attack the child.
The Project Director of the Rotaract Club of Tema, Mr Seth Otu Larbi, said the exercise which focused on maternal health and child nutrition had its major highlight in the theme of Rotary Club for the year which is: " Make dreams real ".
He said it was aimed at promoting health among women and children in selected communities.
Mr Larbi said it also created the means for supporting the people to reduce complications that pregnant women went through before child birth.
He appealed to those who benefited from the exercise to put into practice what they had learnt from the experts.
Mr Larbi gave the assurance that the request for assistance to put up a clinic by residents of Gbetsile would be considered and promised that the Rotaract Club would work towards it .
He said the objective of the Rotaract Club was to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance their knowledge and skills that would help in their personal development, and to address the physical and social needs of their communities.
Mr Larbi commended the people for the high patronage of the programme, which was supported by the Kpone Traditional Council and the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
ROTARY CLUB ASSISTS GIRLS' SHS (PAGE 46)
THE Serwaa Kesse Girls Senior High School (SHS) at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Brong Ahafo Region has received 800 books worth US$8,000 to start a library project as a measure of inculcating reading habit in the students.
The donation was in response to an appeal made by the school authorities to the Rotary Club of Tema Meridian for support to establish a library.
The books cover various subject areas like biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science, home economics and history, as well as encyclopaedia and reference books for teachers.
The headmistress of the school, Ms Janet Ansuh, who received the books on behalf of the school in Tema, said the school, with a population of 772 students, lacked library facilities and teachers.
Ms Ansuh stated that the school authorities were happy with the club’s decision to include schools in the rural areas in the distribution of books.
She said most times, schools in the rural areas were neglected when it came to the sharing of logistics, despite the fact that students in those areas also needed educational materials to study in order to become useful citizens in future.
Ms Ansuh stated that students of the Serwaa Kesse Girls SHS were making efforts to raise their standards, and therefore needed assistance so as to achieve their goals.
The President of the club, Ms Regina Naana Essandoh, who made the presentation, said the Rotary Club of Tema Meridian was made up of women in business, professionals and community elders.
She said the club, therefore, had as its primary agenda the promotion of literacy to help develop the human resource base of the country.
Ms Essandoh was of the view that the club would henceforth send its humanitarian services to the hinterland to support the underprivileged in society.
She stated that members of the club would not relent in their efforts to seek support from elsewhere to extend similar assistance to the local people.
Ms Essandoh urged the students and teachers of the school to make good use of the books to encourage the club to continue to support them.
She said one of the objectives of Rotary Club of Tema Meridian was to render invaluable services to society and would therefore continue to extend its services to the needy and the vulnerable in society.
The donation was in response to an appeal made by the school authorities to the Rotary Club of Tema Meridian for support to establish a library.
The books cover various subject areas like biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science, home economics and history, as well as encyclopaedia and reference books for teachers.
The headmistress of the school, Ms Janet Ansuh, who received the books on behalf of the school in Tema, said the school, with a population of 772 students, lacked library facilities and teachers.
Ms Ansuh stated that the school authorities were happy with the club’s decision to include schools in the rural areas in the distribution of books.
She said most times, schools in the rural areas were neglected when it came to the sharing of logistics, despite the fact that students in those areas also needed educational materials to study in order to become useful citizens in future.
Ms Ansuh stated that students of the Serwaa Kesse Girls SHS were making efforts to raise their standards, and therefore needed assistance so as to achieve their goals.
The President of the club, Ms Regina Naana Essandoh, who made the presentation, said the Rotary Club of Tema Meridian was made up of women in business, professionals and community elders.
She said the club, therefore, had as its primary agenda the promotion of literacy to help develop the human resource base of the country.
Ms Essandoh was of the view that the club would henceforth send its humanitarian services to the hinterland to support the underprivileged in society.
She stated that members of the club would not relent in their efforts to seek support from elsewhere to extend similar assistance to the local people.
Ms Essandoh urged the students and teachers of the school to make good use of the books to encourage the club to continue to support them.
She said one of the objectives of Rotary Club of Tema Meridian was to render invaluable services to society and would therefore continue to extend its services to the needy and the vulnerable in society.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
TEMA ROAD USERS UNPERTURBED (PAGE 29)
The decision by the National Road Safety Commission to deal with the recent carnage on the country's roads has been received with mixed feelings by some concerned road users in Tema.
This is because the commission’s branch office in Tema had not functioned for the past one year.
Some people the Daily Graphic spoke to said the Tema Road Safety Committee had organised educational campaigns in schools, communities and lorry parks to create awareness about how drivers and pedestrians should behave on the road.
They were of the view that Tema was strategically situated by the motorway , Akosombo, Ho, Ada and Aflao roads, which made road safety critical as far as the recent spate of accidents were concerned.
When the Daily Graphic correspondent went to the offices of the committee, the doors were locked and there was nobody in sight.
A member of the committee, Mr Joshua Amfo-Adu when contacted, confirmed that for the past one year, the committee had been inactive .
He explained that the over 23 member stakeholders who were supposed to form the committee had dispersed because of lack of logistics.
Mr Amfo-Adu said the office did not have equipment to work with and besides, some members had sacrificed over a period to run the office with their own money.
He said although the job was a sacrificial one, the work of the committee needed funds to move around considering the scope of the Tema region.
Mr Amfo -Adu said various transport unions had supported the committee by offering venues for driver education.
He appealed to the National Road Safety Commission to consider the need to revive the committee in Tema to enable drivers in the region to gain from their expertise .
Mr Amfo -Adu also urged the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), to involve the committee in its exercises through which drivers would be given tit-bits on road safety.
The representatives from the health sector, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union ,Tema Development Corporation , Tema Metropolitan Assembly and all other drivers unions were members of the commission and that they had for a long time promoted road safety in the region from their own resources .
Mr Amfo -Adu said it was time road safety education was stepped up to raise drivers’ awareness of it.
When contacted, Mr P. G Ofori-Ansong also a member of the Tema Road Safety Committee confirmed the state of despondency the commission found itself in Tema.
He said it was pathetic that the office had to be closed down and called on the National Road Safety Commission to respond to the numerous letters written to it for support.
Mr Ofori -Ansong said the carnage on the roads could be minimised through constant education at all levels because it would serve as a reminder to the drivers anytime they were behind the steering wheel.
As it stands, there is no Road Safety Committee working in Tema apart from the activities of the MTTU.
This is because the commission’s branch office in Tema had not functioned for the past one year.
Some people the Daily Graphic spoke to said the Tema Road Safety Committee had organised educational campaigns in schools, communities and lorry parks to create awareness about how drivers and pedestrians should behave on the road.
They were of the view that Tema was strategically situated by the motorway , Akosombo, Ho, Ada and Aflao roads, which made road safety critical as far as the recent spate of accidents were concerned.
When the Daily Graphic correspondent went to the offices of the committee, the doors were locked and there was nobody in sight.
A member of the committee, Mr Joshua Amfo-Adu when contacted, confirmed that for the past one year, the committee had been inactive .
He explained that the over 23 member stakeholders who were supposed to form the committee had dispersed because of lack of logistics.
Mr Amfo-Adu said the office did not have equipment to work with and besides, some members had sacrificed over a period to run the office with their own money.
He said although the job was a sacrificial one, the work of the committee needed funds to move around considering the scope of the Tema region.
Mr Amfo -Adu said various transport unions had supported the committee by offering venues for driver education.
He appealed to the National Road Safety Commission to consider the need to revive the committee in Tema to enable drivers in the region to gain from their expertise .
Mr Amfo -Adu also urged the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), to involve the committee in its exercises through which drivers would be given tit-bits on road safety.
The representatives from the health sector, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union ,Tema Development Corporation , Tema Metropolitan Assembly and all other drivers unions were members of the commission and that they had for a long time promoted road safety in the region from their own resources .
Mr Amfo -Adu said it was time road safety education was stepped up to raise drivers’ awareness of it.
When contacted, Mr P. G Ofori-Ansong also a member of the Tema Road Safety Committee confirmed the state of despondency the commission found itself in Tema.
He said it was pathetic that the office had to be closed down and called on the National Road Safety Commission to respond to the numerous letters written to it for support.
Mr Ofori -Ansong said the carnage on the roads could be minimised through constant education at all levels because it would serve as a reminder to the drivers anytime they were behind the steering wheel.
As it stands, there is no Road Safety Committee working in Tema apart from the activities of the MTTU.
TEMA SHIPYARD WORKERS RESOLVE TO CO-OPERATE (PAGE 29)
Management and Local Union of the PSC Tema Shipyard who had a long-standing stand-off between them have resolved to come together and work as social partners to create wealth for the company and the nation as a whole.
In pursuit of this, the management, as directed by the National Labour Commission to educate workers, contracted a labour consultancy firm, the Pulse Institute Africa, to assist the Shipyard in its human resource development and management of industrial crisis.
The Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr Austin Gamey, presented certificates of participation to 57 management and senior personnel and local union executive of the PSC Shipyard at Tema at the weekend after a two-day residential workshop on crisis management and appropriate dispute resolution.
Mr Gamey said the turbulent period was over and that the initial part of the workshop indicated that there was a yawing gap between labour and the management of the shipyard during the time of the standoff as “the word co-operation was non existent”.
He said the workshop also brought out open anger, use of abusive words with both sides blaming each other.
Mr Gamey was happy to note that at the end of the workshop, which was on the theme Conversation for a change ‘working in a 21st century setting’, management and workers had understood to use language skills effectively.
He said there were other shipyard companies in the sub-region which needed customers and, therefore, if they of Tema PSC continued to fight, both the workers and management would be the losers.
Mr Gamey advised both parties to continue speaking to each other in a gentle, honest, open and specific manner until they found a convergence point to enable them to work together to satisfy customers and protect their job security .
He disclosed that six other persons drawn from the union, senior staff and Management were undergoing special training in Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) to enable them to study specific facilitation in Managerial Mediation, Self Mediation and Executive Mediation to be able to handle issues themselves without a third party or professional mediator.
The Head of Human Resource and Administration, Mr Musah Issah Haruna, noted that the company just came out of an industrial crisis and hoped it would not occur again, stressing that both workers and management had suffered some consequences.
He stated that there was the need to train and re-train employees on a wide range of issues as part of the company’s human capital development and labour-related issues.
The Secretary of the local union Mr George Arthur, commended Pulse Concultancy, for being firm in its training.
He said the last time when workers and management had crisis was in December 2008 when all members of the executive of the PSC Shipyard Company were asked to go on interdiction for fighting for the workers whose bonus was to be taxed wrongly.
Mr Arthur said he was optimistic that the intervention of the Labour Commission and Pulse Consultancy came at a good time and had helped restore all misunderstanding.
The entire workforce which had gathered at the presentation ceremony went gay calling names which hitherto would have sparked off industrial crisis.
In pursuit of this, the management, as directed by the National Labour Commission to educate workers, contracted a labour consultancy firm, the Pulse Institute Africa, to assist the Shipyard in its human resource development and management of industrial crisis.
The Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr Austin Gamey, presented certificates of participation to 57 management and senior personnel and local union executive of the PSC Shipyard at Tema at the weekend after a two-day residential workshop on crisis management and appropriate dispute resolution.
Mr Gamey said the turbulent period was over and that the initial part of the workshop indicated that there was a yawing gap between labour and the management of the shipyard during the time of the standoff as “the word co-operation was non existent”.
He said the workshop also brought out open anger, use of abusive words with both sides blaming each other.
Mr Gamey was happy to note that at the end of the workshop, which was on the theme Conversation for a change ‘working in a 21st century setting’, management and workers had understood to use language skills effectively.
He said there were other shipyard companies in the sub-region which needed customers and, therefore, if they of Tema PSC continued to fight, both the workers and management would be the losers.
Mr Gamey advised both parties to continue speaking to each other in a gentle, honest, open and specific manner until they found a convergence point to enable them to work together to satisfy customers and protect their job security .
He disclosed that six other persons drawn from the union, senior staff and Management were undergoing special training in Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) to enable them to study specific facilitation in Managerial Mediation, Self Mediation and Executive Mediation to be able to handle issues themselves without a third party or professional mediator.
The Head of Human Resource and Administration, Mr Musah Issah Haruna, noted that the company just came out of an industrial crisis and hoped it would not occur again, stressing that both workers and management had suffered some consequences.
He stated that there was the need to train and re-train employees on a wide range of issues as part of the company’s human capital development and labour-related issues.
The Secretary of the local union Mr George Arthur, commended Pulse Concultancy, for being firm in its training.
He said the last time when workers and management had crisis was in December 2008 when all members of the executive of the PSC Shipyard Company were asked to go on interdiction for fighting for the workers whose bonus was to be taxed wrongly.
Mr Arthur said he was optimistic that the intervention of the Labour Commission and Pulse Consultancy came at a good time and had helped restore all misunderstanding.
The entire workforce which had gathered at the presentation ceremony went gay calling names which hitherto would have sparked off industrial crisis.
BETHEL METHODIST MEN'S FELLOWSHIP MARKS ANNIVERSSARY (PAGE 30)
The Bethel Methodist Men's Fellowship of the Tema North Circuit of the Methodist Church, Ghana, has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a thanksgiving service at Tema, with a call on the christian community to put away all fear and stand firm to receive the salvation of the Lord.
As part of activities, members of the fellowship undertook a keep-fit and healthwalk to improve on their health.
In a congratulatory message, the National Chairman of the Association of the Methodist Men's Fellowships in Ghana, Mr Richard Quarshie, said the call on christians to stand firm was relevant and appropriate, especially during the silver jubilee celebration of the fellowship.
He said children were copying negative cultures from films, there was unemployment, and other related events. The national chairman said, the Lord had given the assurance that he had the power to save any situation and that there was need to fear.
Mr Quarshie urged christians to continue to pray and put their trust in the Lord for salvation.
The Tema Diocesan Chairman of the Association, Dr J.O Arthur described the Bethel Men's Fellowship as hard workers.
He said the fellowship had made tremendous contributions towards the growth of the church and entreated members to surrender themselves to God as they look to winning more souls for the Lord and church.The Diocesan Bishop of the Church, Bishop S.O Achamfuo -Yeboah who preached the sermon,urged members to trust the Lord in obedience and in holiness .
As part of activities, members of the fellowship undertook a keep-fit and healthwalk to improve on their health.
In a congratulatory message, the National Chairman of the Association of the Methodist Men's Fellowships in Ghana, Mr Richard Quarshie, said the call on christians to stand firm was relevant and appropriate, especially during the silver jubilee celebration of the fellowship.
He said children were copying negative cultures from films, there was unemployment, and other related events. The national chairman said, the Lord had given the assurance that he had the power to save any situation and that there was need to fear.
Mr Quarshie urged christians to continue to pray and put their trust in the Lord for salvation.
The Tema Diocesan Chairman of the Association, Dr J.O Arthur described the Bethel Men's Fellowship as hard workers.
He said the fellowship had made tremendous contributions towards the growth of the church and entreated members to surrender themselves to God as they look to winning more souls for the Lord and church.The Diocesan Bishop of the Church, Bishop S.O Achamfuo -Yeboah who preached the sermon,urged members to trust the Lord in obedience and in holiness .
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