Two persons who got burnt beyond recognition in an accident on the motorway while travelling from Tema to Accra last Friday have been identified as Robert Ocran Nortey, 34, and his friend, Felix Otchere Paintsil, 28.
The Second-in-Command of the Tema Regional Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ransford Ninson, said the deceased were on their way to Agona Swedru in the Central Region when the accident occurred.
ACP Ninson said the deceased were travelling on a Honda Civic saloon car with registration number GT 9276 Z driven by Nortey before the accident occurred and not an Audi car as reported by fire personnel.
The two deceased persons were involved in an accident on Friday, May 22, 2009 when their car, on reaching the abattoir junction, skidded off the motorway, somersaulted across two rails along the road and landed on its roof before bursting into flames.
It took fire personnel 30 minutes to remove the charred bodies of the deceased, which were collected into sacks before depositing them at the 37 Military Hospital. The police are investigating the accident.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
MAN CONNECTS WATER IN HIS BEDROOM (MIRROR, PAGE 3)
From Rose Hayford Darko,
Tema
The Tema Regional Police have arrested a 51-year-old businessman for illegally connecting a reservoir to a Ghana Water Company (GWC) pipeline which runs through his bedroom at Ashaiman Jericho for commercial purposes.
The suspect, George Odametey, has sited his bedroom on the pipeline and connected a long hose to it to fill a 100,000-gallon concrete reservoir with water for sale to the public.
Odametey, who is being held by the Tema Regional CID for interrogation, demonstrated to officials from the Tema Regional Office of the GWC and the media how he operated the system at his residence.
The Tema Regional Customer Care Manager of the GWC, Mr John Mensah Adjah, said the arrest followed a tip-off to the Loss Control Unit of the company which checks all illegalities in the supply of water.
My Adjah said the information indicated that the suspect had, for the past one year, operated a bath house with shower facilities and also the sale of water at 5Gp a bucket to people in the area.
He said the suspect filled the reservoir in the night and also covered the rubber hose which connected the supply line with rags and slates to avoid detection.
Mr Adjah said when Odametey was questioned as to the source of the water in the reservoir, he told officials of the company that he bought it from tanker service companies.
He said the GWC planted some people who spied on him, leading to the discovery of the supply point in his bedroom.
He said the Tema office lost about 500,000 cubic metres of water monthly through wastage and illegal connections.
Mr Adjah expressed disappointment at the crippling effect of illegal operations on the company's image and finances and appealed to the public to report any one found operating illegally to the Loss Control Unit for prompt action.
Tema
The Tema Regional Police have arrested a 51-year-old businessman for illegally connecting a reservoir to a Ghana Water Company (GWC) pipeline which runs through his bedroom at Ashaiman Jericho for commercial purposes.
The suspect, George Odametey, has sited his bedroom on the pipeline and connected a long hose to it to fill a 100,000-gallon concrete reservoir with water for sale to the public.
Odametey, who is being held by the Tema Regional CID for interrogation, demonstrated to officials from the Tema Regional Office of the GWC and the media how he operated the system at his residence.
The Tema Regional Customer Care Manager of the GWC, Mr John Mensah Adjah, said the arrest followed a tip-off to the Loss Control Unit of the company which checks all illegalities in the supply of water.
My Adjah said the information indicated that the suspect had, for the past one year, operated a bath house with shower facilities and also the sale of water at 5Gp a bucket to people in the area.
He said the suspect filled the reservoir in the night and also covered the rubber hose which connected the supply line with rags and slates to avoid detection.
Mr Adjah said when Odametey was questioned as to the source of the water in the reservoir, he told officials of the company that he bought it from tanker service companies.
He said the GWC planted some people who spied on him, leading to the discovery of the supply point in his bedroom.
He said the Tema office lost about 500,000 cubic metres of water monthly through wastage and illegal connections.
Mr Adjah expressed disappointment at the crippling effect of illegal operations on the company's image and finances and appealed to the public to report any one found operating illegally to the Loss Control Unit for prompt action.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
TDC DAMMED FOR ABANDONING PROJECTS (PAGE 30)
The Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw, has toured some facilities and projects of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to acquaint herself with the extent of work done by the company.
She inspected the Tema Town Centre project, the Community 25 site, recreational centre and the TDC guest house project which was started in 2000 but abandoned in 2001.
Dr Bisiw, who was conducted round by the acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, said it was disheartening for a development company to abandon its project for about nine years, leaving air conditioners and electrical gadgets to rust.
The cost of the project was not immediately known but the three-storey guest house, which comprises 34 self- contained rooms, is 70 per cent complete.
She tasked the management of TDC to look for funds to complete the project.
At the Community 25 site off the Ada road, the minister observed that some streets had been named after some famous Ghanaians such as Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr Kofi Annan and others but expressed doubt over the street which had been named after a 'Banson' and said she would find out who that personality was.
After inspecting the Tema Town Centre project, which is also referred to as business park, Dr Bisiw expressed satisfaction with work done so far in the area.
She called on the corporation to re-develop slum areas in the town.
She said the TDC had a bright future and called for co-operation between the workers and the management to make the company viable.
Mr Abbey said the corporation was set up to develop Tema into a modern city.
He said management had set up a technical committee to revive all its abandoned projects.
He said management was initiating schemes to redevelop the city after completing its projects at communities 22, 23 and 25.
He said there were about 770 plots at Community 25, 70 of which were yet to be disposed of because of litigation over them.
Mr Abbey said the re-development scheme would cover the sites in communities 1 and 2 which were the first communities developed in Tema.
He said efforts were being made to complete the abandoned guest house in the next six months.
He gave the assurance that TDC would go about its duties in earnest.
The acting managing director said there was no conflict between the company and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
She inspected the Tema Town Centre project, the Community 25 site, recreational centre and the TDC guest house project which was started in 2000 but abandoned in 2001.
Dr Bisiw, who was conducted round by the acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, said it was disheartening for a development company to abandon its project for about nine years, leaving air conditioners and electrical gadgets to rust.
The cost of the project was not immediately known but the three-storey guest house, which comprises 34 self- contained rooms, is 70 per cent complete.
She tasked the management of TDC to look for funds to complete the project.
At the Community 25 site off the Ada road, the minister observed that some streets had been named after some famous Ghanaians such as Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr Kofi Annan and others but expressed doubt over the street which had been named after a 'Banson' and said she would find out who that personality was.
After inspecting the Tema Town Centre project, which is also referred to as business park, Dr Bisiw expressed satisfaction with work done so far in the area.
She called on the corporation to re-develop slum areas in the town.
She said the TDC had a bright future and called for co-operation between the workers and the management to make the company viable.
Mr Abbey said the corporation was set up to develop Tema into a modern city.
He said management had set up a technical committee to revive all its abandoned projects.
He said management was initiating schemes to redevelop the city after completing its projects at communities 22, 23 and 25.
He said there were about 770 plots at Community 25, 70 of which were yet to be disposed of because of litigation over them.
Mr Abbey said the re-development scheme would cover the sites in communities 1 and 2 which were the first communities developed in Tema.
He said efforts were being made to complete the abandoned guest house in the next six months.
He gave the assurance that TDC would go about its duties in earnest.
The acting managing director said there was no conflict between the company and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
VAT SERVICE TAKES ACTION AGAINST 21 COMPANIES (SPREAD)
The VAT Service in Tema has initiated distress action against 21 companies in the metropolis to retrieve over GH¢ 710,037.03 owed the service.
The sectors earmarked for closure included restaurants, customs clearing agencies, bonded warehouses, transport companies, steel companies and cold stores.
Known as the Enforcement Debt Management team, the VAT officials, comprising headquarters and Tema staff, locked up premises of those companies which could not afford to pay their debts, while the management of some, on seeing the officials, rushed to the VAT offices to pay up.
Briefing the media during the exercise, the leader of the team, Mr Henry Brandford Sam, explained that VAT was time bound and not for any individual to decide to pay at his own pace.
He said the action was in accordance with Section 34 of the VAT Service Act 546, 1998 and also an offence under Section 62(2) to obstruct when action was being brought against the offender.
The 21 companies, he said, were the first batch shortlisted for the exercise.
Mr Sam said the indebted companies had accumulated their debts since 2008 and had persistently refused to respond to several demand notices from the service and personal approaches.
Mr Sam said the monies were meant for the VAT and the state because clients of companies made direct payments which were supposed to be paid promptly to the service.
He said it was unfortunate that officials of the service should go after clients before they cleared their indebtedness, adding that the exercise would go on to ensure that companies paid their quota to the VAT Service.
He expressed the view that the service had given the companies sufficient education to enable them understand the need to pay taxes and that by going after them, the state would lose part of the monies needed to be collected through investment in logistics for the exercise.
Mr Sam appealed to companies on the next list to consider honouring their tax obligations immediately to avoid embarrassment.
The first place the team went was the Traffix Ltd Restaurant and Bar and a
director of the company, Mr G.B. Ahu, resisted the action of the service.
Though he was informed of his indebtedness to the tune of GH¢28,831,12, he insisted that the action was to kill small businesses.
The officials educated him on the need to pay back what clients had paid as VAT on services rendered them.
Trucks were unloading frozen fish at the Greenwich Coldstores International at the Fishing Harbour when the team got there.
All indications were that the managers of the company were not prepared to pay the GH¢29,100.43 owed the VAT Service as far back as August 13, 2008.
The cold store was closed after allowing the trucks to unload the fish they had brought for storage.
Riepco Ltd , a bonded warehousing company in the Industrial Area in Tema was asked to settle its indebtedness of GH¢31,499.02.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Charles Darko explained that he was expecting some bulk cargo belonging to the Electricity Company and the Ghana Water Company Limited and, therefore, pleaded for time to settle the indebtedness.
One of the defaulters, Wahome Steel Ltd, which was listed for closure had closed down and was not in operation.
Companies which rushed to the offices of the VAT Service to clear their indebtedness included a transport company, Atlas Ltd., and the Tropical Freight International Ltd, both in Tema.
The sectors earmarked for closure included restaurants, customs clearing agencies, bonded warehouses, transport companies, steel companies and cold stores.
Known as the Enforcement Debt Management team, the VAT officials, comprising headquarters and Tema staff, locked up premises of those companies which could not afford to pay their debts, while the management of some, on seeing the officials, rushed to the VAT offices to pay up.
Briefing the media during the exercise, the leader of the team, Mr Henry Brandford Sam, explained that VAT was time bound and not for any individual to decide to pay at his own pace.
He said the action was in accordance with Section 34 of the VAT Service Act 546, 1998 and also an offence under Section 62(2) to obstruct when action was being brought against the offender.
The 21 companies, he said, were the first batch shortlisted for the exercise.
Mr Sam said the indebted companies had accumulated their debts since 2008 and had persistently refused to respond to several demand notices from the service and personal approaches.
Mr Sam said the monies were meant for the VAT and the state because clients of companies made direct payments which were supposed to be paid promptly to the service.
He said it was unfortunate that officials of the service should go after clients before they cleared their indebtedness, adding that the exercise would go on to ensure that companies paid their quota to the VAT Service.
He expressed the view that the service had given the companies sufficient education to enable them understand the need to pay taxes and that by going after them, the state would lose part of the monies needed to be collected through investment in logistics for the exercise.
Mr Sam appealed to companies on the next list to consider honouring their tax obligations immediately to avoid embarrassment.
The first place the team went was the Traffix Ltd Restaurant and Bar and a
director of the company, Mr G.B. Ahu, resisted the action of the service.
Though he was informed of his indebtedness to the tune of GH¢28,831,12, he insisted that the action was to kill small businesses.
The officials educated him on the need to pay back what clients had paid as VAT on services rendered them.
Trucks were unloading frozen fish at the Greenwich Coldstores International at the Fishing Harbour when the team got there.
All indications were that the managers of the company were not prepared to pay the GH¢29,100.43 owed the VAT Service as far back as August 13, 2008.
The cold store was closed after allowing the trucks to unload the fish they had brought for storage.
Riepco Ltd , a bonded warehousing company in the Industrial Area in Tema was asked to settle its indebtedness of GH¢31,499.02.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Charles Darko explained that he was expecting some bulk cargo belonging to the Electricity Company and the Ghana Water Company Limited and, therefore, pleaded for time to settle the indebtedness.
One of the defaulters, Wahome Steel Ltd, which was listed for closure had closed down and was not in operation.
Companies which rushed to the offices of the VAT Service to clear their indebtedness included a transport company, Atlas Ltd., and the Tropical Freight International Ltd, both in Tema.
SHIPPING COMPANIES URGED TO PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICES (PAGE 28)
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has implored shipping companies to provide quality service for both importers and exporters to encourage them to use the country's ports.
The acting Director-General of the GPHA, Mr Nestor Galley, explained that the Tema Port had been upgraded to meet international standards and so the rendering of quality services there would increase patronage from its clients.
He was addressing a cross-section of importers, exporters and representatives of shipping companies at the port at the launch of a car carrier, ‘Ro-ro vessel’, owned by Grimaldi Group Limited.
Mr Galley said it was cheaper, safer and more convenient to convey imported cars and other heavy equipment by sea and urged the shipping company to sustain its quality operations.
He commended the Grimaldi Group for the confidence it had in the Tema Port and urged it to continue to increase its fleet of vessels to the port.
He expressed optimism that an increase in the number of vessels to the Tema Port would automatically make it convenient for importers and exporters to transport their goods regularly.
He gave the assurance that the management of the port would maintain a healthy relationship with the Grimaldi Group.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Office of the Grimaldi Group, Mr Evandro Lufti, commended the GPHA for its efforts to provide a conducive environment for shipping companies to transact business.
He said the vessel, christened, 'Grande Ghana', demonstrated the company’s commitment to West Africa as a whole and Ghana in particular.
The Harbour Master of the GPHA, Captain James Owusu-Koranteng, presented a plague on behalf of the authority to the Captain of the vessel, Mr Salvatore Meles, to welcome the vessel to the Tema Port.
The acting Director-General of the GPHA, Mr Nestor Galley, explained that the Tema Port had been upgraded to meet international standards and so the rendering of quality services there would increase patronage from its clients.
He was addressing a cross-section of importers, exporters and representatives of shipping companies at the port at the launch of a car carrier, ‘Ro-ro vessel’, owned by Grimaldi Group Limited.
Mr Galley said it was cheaper, safer and more convenient to convey imported cars and other heavy equipment by sea and urged the shipping company to sustain its quality operations.
He commended the Grimaldi Group for the confidence it had in the Tema Port and urged it to continue to increase its fleet of vessels to the port.
He expressed optimism that an increase in the number of vessels to the Tema Port would automatically make it convenient for importers and exporters to transport their goods regularly.
He gave the assurance that the management of the port would maintain a healthy relationship with the Grimaldi Group.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Office of the Grimaldi Group, Mr Evandro Lufti, commended the GPHA for its efforts to provide a conducive environment for shipping companies to transact business.
He said the vessel, christened, 'Grande Ghana', demonstrated the company’s commitment to West Africa as a whole and Ghana in particular.
The Harbour Master of the GPHA, Captain James Owusu-Koranteng, presented a plague on behalf of the authority to the Captain of the vessel, Mr Salvatore Meles, to welcome the vessel to the Tema Port.
Friday, May 22, 2009
FOUR TRANSIT TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED (BACK PAGE)
THE Tema Motorway Axle Load Control Unit has appealed to the Ashaiman Circuit Court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of four articulated truck transit drivers.
The four drivers, who allegedly loaded their trucks above the approved weight, are said to have failed to present themselves to be processed for court.
They are drivers of Burkina Faso bound trucks with registration numbers 11GH1373BF, 11KK4099BF and 29GH4220BF. The fourth driver of truck number NR 1120 Q has abandoned his documents and driven away his truck.
Drivers of seven other trucks that were impounded by the unit were put before the Ashaiman Circuit Court on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 for carrying load that was double the weight permitted on the roads.
The trucks, which are currently impounded at the unit’s parking lot at the Tema end of the motorway, were loaded with hardware, bicycles and accessories, cement and general goods.
Their registration numbers are P9452MD, AS92P, P2529MD, R3298M3, P6236MD, 11LL1281BF and 11PP9986BF.
The Chief Executive of the axle control unit, Mr Albert Owusu-Ansah, told the Daily Graphic on the motorway yesterday that an average of 400 transit articulated trucks used the motorway weighing bridge but most of them, especially those going to Burkina Faso, Mali and the northern sector of the country, were found guilty of overloading, which gradually affected the nature of the road network in the country.
He said the law governing axle load control was strictly in force in Niger and so trucks bound for that country had always crossed the motorway weighing bridge with underweight load.
Mr Owusu-Ansah said lack of personnel had hampered the operations of the unit and appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to provide more security and personnel for more efficient performance at the unit.
He said presently many drivers diverted their routes to avoid the motorway, where the weighing bridge is situated.
Mr Owusu-Ansah noted that the diverted routes included Sakumono-Spintex, Nungua-Teshie, Afienya-Dodowa junction and the Madina-Pokuase roads and the Ashaiman overpass.
He stated that the Ghana Highway Authority would need about six monitoring teams to check on the various routes as against the only one that they currently had.
Mr Owusu-Ansah observed that lack of space to accommodate the impounded trucks resulted in the escape of some of them during the period of being processed for court.
The four drivers, who allegedly loaded their trucks above the approved weight, are said to have failed to present themselves to be processed for court.
They are drivers of Burkina Faso bound trucks with registration numbers 11GH1373BF, 11KK4099BF and 29GH4220BF. The fourth driver of truck number NR 1120 Q has abandoned his documents and driven away his truck.
Drivers of seven other trucks that were impounded by the unit were put before the Ashaiman Circuit Court on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 for carrying load that was double the weight permitted on the roads.
The trucks, which are currently impounded at the unit’s parking lot at the Tema end of the motorway, were loaded with hardware, bicycles and accessories, cement and general goods.
Their registration numbers are P9452MD, AS92P, P2529MD, R3298M3, P6236MD, 11LL1281BF and 11PP9986BF.
The Chief Executive of the axle control unit, Mr Albert Owusu-Ansah, told the Daily Graphic on the motorway yesterday that an average of 400 transit articulated trucks used the motorway weighing bridge but most of them, especially those going to Burkina Faso, Mali and the northern sector of the country, were found guilty of overloading, which gradually affected the nature of the road network in the country.
He said the law governing axle load control was strictly in force in Niger and so trucks bound for that country had always crossed the motorway weighing bridge with underweight load.
Mr Owusu-Ansah said lack of personnel had hampered the operations of the unit and appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to provide more security and personnel for more efficient performance at the unit.
He said presently many drivers diverted their routes to avoid the motorway, where the weighing bridge is situated.
Mr Owusu-Ansah noted that the diverted routes included Sakumono-Spintex, Nungua-Teshie, Afienya-Dodowa junction and the Madina-Pokuase roads and the Ashaiman overpass.
He stated that the Ghana Highway Authority would need about six monitoring teams to check on the various routes as against the only one that they currently had.
Mr Owusu-Ansah observed that lack of space to accommodate the impounded trucks resulted in the escape of some of them during the period of being processed for court.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
TDC TO CLEAR DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES IN TEMA (PAGE 29)
The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) is initiating a re-development scheme under which it will pull down all dilapidated structures in slum areas in the Tema township. The programme forms part of its 125 years mandate as the planners and managers of Tema.
Areas to be tackled at the beginning are parts of Community One and Community Two, which were the first communities created by the Legislative Instrument which set up the Tema Development Corporation.
The acting Managing Director of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), Mr Joe Abbey, who said this also called for a review of the current Local Government Act 462 of 1993 to recognise the role of the TDC in the planning and management of the harbour city.
He explained that the TDC and the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) had a complementary role to play but lack of understanding had led to misinformation about its functions.
Mr Abbey who was reacting to public complaints about the functions of the TDC and TMA, said the Local government Act 462 1974 recognised Tema and Akosombo but when it was amended in 1994 TDC was left out.
He said the TDC had been tasked to create and build for the TMA to benefit by collecting rates, citing examples like market tolls ,shop levies, fees and rates from schools and residential structures etc..
The acting TDC managing director said Tema had reached a stage where certain areas had to be re-built as indicated by the law that after 50 years some re-structuring needed to be done.
He said the mandate of the TDC had not expired, and explained that development did not mean to build and sell only but to facilitate it, taking cognisance of the 90 years lease of houses in Tema.
Mr Abbey said public complaints about the roles of the TDC and TMA came up when the TMA, instead of examining and approving building plans submitted by the TDC for record purposes, instead asked clients to go over all the process of the issuance of permits at the assembly, resulting in duplication.
He said as a result of the duplication of the documentation process, a harmonisation committee was set up to ensure the smooth co-existence of the TDC and TMA but it failed to complete its work.
Mr Abbey was of the view that the TMA benefited directly from the labour of the TDC because at the end of the day the assembly collected property rates without putting in any effort or making any contribution.
Mr Abbey said currently a minimum of 800 houses under construction at Community 25 were near completion and that 'all these would go to generate revenue for the assembly'.
Mr Abbey said out of the 25 communities supposed to be constructed, the TDC had completed 23 and work was yet to begin on Communities 23 and 24.
He said Community Two which was one of the oldest communities to be built in the early 1960s would need to be re-developed .
Mr Abbey said Communities 16 and 17 had been handed over to the Nungua stool and therefore were no more under the control of the TDC, noting that Communities 13,14,15,18, 19 and 20 were all part of Tema and were serviced plots.
He described the functions of the TDC as 'mutually exclusive' with a statutory role while the TMA had the political authority.
Mr Abbey said the TDC would, in collaboration with the Tema Municipal Assembly, start a public education programme soon after the new chief executive had taken office to clarify its functions vis-a-vis those of the assembly.
He said the TDC had set up a technical committee to revive its abandoned projects to bring back the beauty of Tema.
Areas to be tackled at the beginning are parts of Community One and Community Two, which were the first communities created by the Legislative Instrument which set up the Tema Development Corporation.
The acting Managing Director of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), Mr Joe Abbey, who said this also called for a review of the current Local Government Act 462 of 1993 to recognise the role of the TDC in the planning and management of the harbour city.
He explained that the TDC and the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) had a complementary role to play but lack of understanding had led to misinformation about its functions.
Mr Abbey who was reacting to public complaints about the functions of the TDC and TMA, said the Local government Act 462 1974 recognised Tema and Akosombo but when it was amended in 1994 TDC was left out.
He said the TDC had been tasked to create and build for the TMA to benefit by collecting rates, citing examples like market tolls ,shop levies, fees and rates from schools and residential structures etc..
The acting TDC managing director said Tema had reached a stage where certain areas had to be re-built as indicated by the law that after 50 years some re-structuring needed to be done.
He said the mandate of the TDC had not expired, and explained that development did not mean to build and sell only but to facilitate it, taking cognisance of the 90 years lease of houses in Tema.
Mr Abbey said public complaints about the roles of the TDC and TMA came up when the TMA, instead of examining and approving building plans submitted by the TDC for record purposes, instead asked clients to go over all the process of the issuance of permits at the assembly, resulting in duplication.
He said as a result of the duplication of the documentation process, a harmonisation committee was set up to ensure the smooth co-existence of the TDC and TMA but it failed to complete its work.
Mr Abbey was of the view that the TMA benefited directly from the labour of the TDC because at the end of the day the assembly collected property rates without putting in any effort or making any contribution.
Mr Abbey said currently a minimum of 800 houses under construction at Community 25 were near completion and that 'all these would go to generate revenue for the assembly'.
Mr Abbey said out of the 25 communities supposed to be constructed, the TDC had completed 23 and work was yet to begin on Communities 23 and 24.
He said Community Two which was one of the oldest communities to be built in the early 1960s would need to be re-developed .
Mr Abbey said Communities 16 and 17 had been handed over to the Nungua stool and therefore were no more under the control of the TDC, noting that Communities 13,14,15,18, 19 and 20 were all part of Tema and were serviced plots.
He described the functions of the TDC as 'mutually exclusive' with a statutory role while the TMA had the political authority.
Mr Abbey said the TDC would, in collaboration with the Tema Municipal Assembly, start a public education programme soon after the new chief executive had taken office to clarify its functions vis-a-vis those of the assembly.
He said the TDC had set up a technical committee to revive its abandoned projects to bring back the beauty of Tema.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TEMA INTENSIFIES EFFORTS AT COMBATING CRIME (PAGE 30)
The Tema Regional Police Command and the First Battalion of Infantry - Michel Camp have adopted a new strategy of combating crime in the region by collaborating with the civilian populace in Tema and its environs.
As part of the strategy, combined police and military personnel have been deployed to collaborate with the public and operate in residential areas.
The security personnel will also conduct snap checks and have called on the members of the public to cooperate to make the exercise a success.
Accordingly, police and military personnel from the Tema Regional Police Command and the First Battalion of Infantry -Michel Camp, were on Friday made aware of the flash points in the region which are noted for criminal activities to help them clamp down on armed robbers.
The areas which have been identified with robbery incidents in recent times include the Motorway, Community 18 , Ashaiman and its environs, Zenu, Adjei Kojo, and the Tema Industrial Area.
Leaders of the teams were earlier taken through the route chart by the Director of Operations, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Victor Amedeker, to enable them familiarise themselves with the routes and know how to link up with the information room for directives.
He assured the teams that the Regional Police Command would strictly monitor the exercise from the operations room to ensure that the purpose of the operation was achieved.
The Tema Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor, who relaunched Operation 'Calm Life’ in the Tema Region, appealed to the residents to actively support the exercise and support the team with information. He also appealed to the public not be afraid or worried about the presence of the security personnel.
He noted that Tema was developing fast and this had increased the responsibilities of the police and which had also called for intensified patrols in the communities.
Mr Kudalor called on the police and the military to be efficient, sharp and focused in when the operation began to promote peace and a congenial environment for residents to go about their duties.
He gave the assurance that the relaunch of the 'Operation Calm Life' was to reinvigorate the police and the military to rid Tema of criminal activities.
Mr Kudalor appealed to the public to relay urgent information to the police on telephone numbers 022202936 and 022202937 for prompt responses and action.
The Commanding Officer of the First Battalion of Infantry Major Joe Annak, who addressed the contingent before they dispersed to their respective points of operation, advised them to remember that they had been sent out to serve the public, and therefore, they must not do anything outside the duties assigned them to tarnish the image of both institutions.
He urged them to be professional in their dealings with civilians to enable them to provide the needed information and support without which the operation could be a failure.
Major Annak appealed to the media to support the exercise by giving coverage to the team’s activities to encourage them and inform the nation about the good work the military and police were doing to discourage the criminals from carrying out their activities.
The Commanding Officer of the 1BN called on the security personnel to use the logistics provided them to achieve maximum results.
Major Annak assured the public that the operation would involve patrols in the entire Tema Region and that it would achieve the desired results.
The contingents went through some principal streets in Tema to announce their presence before converging at a point to be assigned their duty areas.
As part of the strategy, combined police and military personnel have been deployed to collaborate with the public and operate in residential areas.
The security personnel will also conduct snap checks and have called on the members of the public to cooperate to make the exercise a success.
Accordingly, police and military personnel from the Tema Regional Police Command and the First Battalion of Infantry -Michel Camp, were on Friday made aware of the flash points in the region which are noted for criminal activities to help them clamp down on armed robbers.
The areas which have been identified with robbery incidents in recent times include the Motorway, Community 18 , Ashaiman and its environs, Zenu, Adjei Kojo, and the Tema Industrial Area.
Leaders of the teams were earlier taken through the route chart by the Director of Operations, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Victor Amedeker, to enable them familiarise themselves with the routes and know how to link up with the information room for directives.
He assured the teams that the Regional Police Command would strictly monitor the exercise from the operations room to ensure that the purpose of the operation was achieved.
The Tema Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor, who relaunched Operation 'Calm Life’ in the Tema Region, appealed to the residents to actively support the exercise and support the team with information. He also appealed to the public not be afraid or worried about the presence of the security personnel.
He noted that Tema was developing fast and this had increased the responsibilities of the police and which had also called for intensified patrols in the communities.
Mr Kudalor called on the police and the military to be efficient, sharp and focused in when the operation began to promote peace and a congenial environment for residents to go about their duties.
He gave the assurance that the relaunch of the 'Operation Calm Life' was to reinvigorate the police and the military to rid Tema of criminal activities.
Mr Kudalor appealed to the public to relay urgent information to the police on telephone numbers 022202936 and 022202937 for prompt responses and action.
The Commanding Officer of the First Battalion of Infantry Major Joe Annak, who addressed the contingent before they dispersed to their respective points of operation, advised them to remember that they had been sent out to serve the public, and therefore, they must not do anything outside the duties assigned them to tarnish the image of both institutions.
He urged them to be professional in their dealings with civilians to enable them to provide the needed information and support without which the operation could be a failure.
Major Annak appealed to the media to support the exercise by giving coverage to the team’s activities to encourage them and inform the nation about the good work the military and police were doing to discourage the criminals from carrying out their activities.
The Commanding Officer of the 1BN called on the security personnel to use the logistics provided them to achieve maximum results.
Major Annak assured the public that the operation would involve patrols in the entire Tema Region and that it would achieve the desired results.
The contingents went through some principal streets in Tema to announce their presence before converging at a point to be assigned their duty areas.
Monday, May 18, 2009
ASHAIMAN NDC CHAIRMAN ASSAULTS MP (PAGE 14)
THE Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi, who was allegedly assaulted by the Ashaiman Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Issifu Braimah, has been discharged from hospital.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after his discharge from the Narh Bita Hospital in Tema, Mr Agbesi alleged that Alhaji Braimah hit him on his face, causing a tender spot on his right eye and a severe headache.
The MP said he had been treated and discharged from the Tema General Hospital, but was rushed back around 11pm on Thursday to the Narh Bita Hospital when the pain from the assault became severe.
Recounting the incident, he said he was at the party's weekly meeting at the constituency office when Alhaji Braimah announced that the agenda for the meeting was “takeover of the toilets and matters arising”.
Mr Agbesi said the chairman went further to allege that he (the MP) had in previous weeks instigated some members of the party to demand accountability of the proceeds from operations of the public toilets in Ashaiman which had been taken over early this year by the party in Ashaiman.
Mr Agbesi said those mentioned by the chairman as demanding accountability denied the allegation and explained that they went on their own to demand monies from the constituency organiser and secretary to meet their medical expenses after the shooting incident at the 'Kufuor Station'.
That, he said, infuriated the chairman who shouted at the two members to sit down and keep quiet.
Mr Agbesi said the two men went on to state their case in a bid to defend themselves, but that rather provoked Alhaji Braimah the more, since he felt his authority as chairman of the party was being undermined.
He said Alhaji then confronted him with a question as to who was in charge and then followed up with a punch which he was able to block.
The MP said Alhaji Braimah threw another blow which landed on his right face, affecting his right eye.
Mr Agbesi said there was pandemonium afterwards as other party members ran helter-skelter, bringing the meeting to an end.
The Member of Parliament first reported the incident to the Ashaiman Divisional Police where he was given a medical form to the Tema General Hospital.
Mr Agbesi said because he was traumatised and was not in the right frame of mind, he could not write his statement to the police.
He told this reporter that although he had been discharged, he hadn’t recovered yet, because his head was still aching.
However, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Alhaji Braimah denied hitting the MP, but confirmed that there was actually a meeting at the party office.
He said the meeting ended and they all went their ways, only to be told the following day that Mr Agbesi had been hospitalised for hypertension.
Alhaji Braimah did not deny shouting down Mr Agbesi and hitting the table, adding that the MP even apologised for interrupting him when he penalised the two men for attacking the party office.
He emphasised that the MP had no right to demand accountability for the operations of the public places of convenience, noting that it was only the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly which had the legal right to demand accountability.
The Ashaiman Constituency of the NDC took over 18 public places of convenience in Ashaiman after a change of government, driving away the legitimate managers of the facilities, with the explanation that they rather belonged to the New Patriotic Party.
The group referred to as “NDC Task Force” also drove away the appointed managers of the Kufuor Park and took over the management of the park. That resulted in a confrontation leading to a shoot-out, which left some with gunshot wounds.
According to the new managers of the facilities, they had a right to manage those facilities, because their party had won power and they must be given jobs.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Organiser of the Ashaiman Constituency of the NDC, Mr Stephen Lawer Aguddey, has, in a statement signed and addressed to the NDC headquarters, appealed to the National Executive to quickly intervene to save the image of the party in the Ashaiman Constituency.
He noted that Ashaiman was a stronghold of the party and said that must be preserved to make the party stronger.
Mr Aguddey accused some of the constituency executive of being money-concious and rushing to take over the facilities that was eventually going to come to the party.
He appealed to the National Executive to consider acting on such issues to keep the foundation of the party strong.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after his discharge from the Narh Bita Hospital in Tema, Mr Agbesi alleged that Alhaji Braimah hit him on his face, causing a tender spot on his right eye and a severe headache.
The MP said he had been treated and discharged from the Tema General Hospital, but was rushed back around 11pm on Thursday to the Narh Bita Hospital when the pain from the assault became severe.
Recounting the incident, he said he was at the party's weekly meeting at the constituency office when Alhaji Braimah announced that the agenda for the meeting was “takeover of the toilets and matters arising”.
Mr Agbesi said the chairman went further to allege that he (the MP) had in previous weeks instigated some members of the party to demand accountability of the proceeds from operations of the public toilets in Ashaiman which had been taken over early this year by the party in Ashaiman.
Mr Agbesi said those mentioned by the chairman as demanding accountability denied the allegation and explained that they went on their own to demand monies from the constituency organiser and secretary to meet their medical expenses after the shooting incident at the 'Kufuor Station'.
That, he said, infuriated the chairman who shouted at the two members to sit down and keep quiet.
Mr Agbesi said the two men went on to state their case in a bid to defend themselves, but that rather provoked Alhaji Braimah the more, since he felt his authority as chairman of the party was being undermined.
He said Alhaji then confronted him with a question as to who was in charge and then followed up with a punch which he was able to block.
The MP said Alhaji Braimah threw another blow which landed on his right face, affecting his right eye.
Mr Agbesi said there was pandemonium afterwards as other party members ran helter-skelter, bringing the meeting to an end.
The Member of Parliament first reported the incident to the Ashaiman Divisional Police where he was given a medical form to the Tema General Hospital.
Mr Agbesi said because he was traumatised and was not in the right frame of mind, he could not write his statement to the police.
He told this reporter that although he had been discharged, he hadn’t recovered yet, because his head was still aching.
However, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Alhaji Braimah denied hitting the MP, but confirmed that there was actually a meeting at the party office.
He said the meeting ended and they all went their ways, only to be told the following day that Mr Agbesi had been hospitalised for hypertension.
Alhaji Braimah did not deny shouting down Mr Agbesi and hitting the table, adding that the MP even apologised for interrupting him when he penalised the two men for attacking the party office.
He emphasised that the MP had no right to demand accountability for the operations of the public places of convenience, noting that it was only the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly which had the legal right to demand accountability.
The Ashaiman Constituency of the NDC took over 18 public places of convenience in Ashaiman after a change of government, driving away the legitimate managers of the facilities, with the explanation that they rather belonged to the New Patriotic Party.
The group referred to as “NDC Task Force” also drove away the appointed managers of the Kufuor Park and took over the management of the park. That resulted in a confrontation leading to a shoot-out, which left some with gunshot wounds.
According to the new managers of the facilities, they had a right to manage those facilities, because their party had won power and they must be given jobs.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Organiser of the Ashaiman Constituency of the NDC, Mr Stephen Lawer Aguddey, has, in a statement signed and addressed to the NDC headquarters, appealed to the National Executive to quickly intervene to save the image of the party in the Ashaiman Constituency.
He noted that Ashaiman was a stronghold of the party and said that must be preserved to make the party stronger.
Mr Aguddey accused some of the constituency executive of being money-concious and rushing to take over the facilities that was eventually going to come to the party.
He appealed to the National Executive to consider acting on such issues to keep the foundation of the party strong.
ELAC HOLDS NATIONAL SALES CONFERENCE (PAGE 53)
AN Assistant General Manager of Enterprise Life Assurance Company (ELAC) Ghana Limited, Mr Andrew Fiifi Simpson, has appealed to the public to desist from engaging in fraudulent documentation to enable them to make claims from insurance companies.
He disclosed that insurance companies had put in place mechanisms to track down fraudsters for prosecution.
Mr Simpson made the appeal in Tema when ELAC held its National Sales Conference to honour 75 top performer among the 365 sales representatives of the company in 2008.
The conference, on the theme, “The career sales representative — building a lasting legacy”, attracted representatives of the company from Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani, Koforidua and Accra, among others.
Mr Simpson, who presented a paper on the performance of the company in 2008 and early 2009, explained that although the fraudsters made adjustments in claims to meet the requirements of the company's policy, they rather rendered the claims non-existent.
The Executive Director of ELAC, Mr Cleland Coffie Bruce, appealed to the sales representatives to put in more effort to strengthen the base of the company to enable it to grow.
He commended the passage of the Insurance Act 724, which he said had transformed the life insurance industry.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku, who chaired the conference, commended the company for maintaining high standards and advised the sales representatives to be truthful to their clients when explaining policies to them.
Ms Gifty Quao was adjudged the first among the 365 sales representatives.
He disclosed that insurance companies had put in place mechanisms to track down fraudsters for prosecution.
Mr Simpson made the appeal in Tema when ELAC held its National Sales Conference to honour 75 top performer among the 365 sales representatives of the company in 2008.
The conference, on the theme, “The career sales representative — building a lasting legacy”, attracted representatives of the company from Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani, Koforidua and Accra, among others.
Mr Simpson, who presented a paper on the performance of the company in 2008 and early 2009, explained that although the fraudsters made adjustments in claims to meet the requirements of the company's policy, they rather rendered the claims non-existent.
The Executive Director of ELAC, Mr Cleland Coffie Bruce, appealed to the sales representatives to put in more effort to strengthen the base of the company to enable it to grow.
He commended the passage of the Insurance Act 724, which he said had transformed the life insurance industry.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku, who chaired the conference, commended the company for maintaining high standards and advised the sales representatives to be truthful to their clients when explaining policies to them.
Ms Gifty Quao was adjudged the first among the 365 sales representatives.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ENSURE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF WORKERS (PAGES 24 & 49)
The President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Mr Wilson Atta Krofah, has advised companies to design and implement policies to maximise the health and occupational safety of their workers.
At a seminar for representatives of companies and organisations in Tema, Mr Krofah said effects of diseases such as HIV and AIDs on production were very huge on operations of companies.
Therefore, he said, companies must make efforts to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
The seminar was organised by the Ghana Business Code (GHBC) to identify the needs and challenges of companies in their efforts to ensure occupational and health safety.
Mr Krofah expressed concern about the situation where some companies had overlooked the importance of health and occupational safety to the detriment of their workers.
He asked the participants to consider a situation where HIV and AIDS caused the death of a worker after spending huge sums of money to train him or her.
On HIV and AIDS, Mr Krofa said there was the need for companies to prevent their workforce from being infected by the pandemic and asked them not to discriminate against their HIV-infected workers.
The Manager of GHBC, Mr Johnson Oduro, stated that the Ghana Business Code project was aimed at improving the business culture to bring it at par with internationally accepted standards.
He said over 140 organisations had already signed on to the code, which was formulated in Ghana two years ago.
At a seminar for representatives of companies and organisations in Tema, Mr Krofah said effects of diseases such as HIV and AIDs on production were very huge on operations of companies.
Therefore, he said, companies must make efforts to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
The seminar was organised by the Ghana Business Code (GHBC) to identify the needs and challenges of companies in their efforts to ensure occupational and health safety.
Mr Krofah expressed concern about the situation where some companies had overlooked the importance of health and occupational safety to the detriment of their workers.
He asked the participants to consider a situation where HIV and AIDS caused the death of a worker after spending huge sums of money to train him or her.
On HIV and AIDS, Mr Krofa said there was the need for companies to prevent their workforce from being infected by the pandemic and asked them not to discriminate against their HIV-infected workers.
The Manager of GHBC, Mr Johnson Oduro, stated that the Ghana Business Code project was aimed at improving the business culture to bring it at par with internationally accepted standards.
He said over 140 organisations had already signed on to the code, which was formulated in Ghana two years ago.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TDC, TMA URGED TO CO-EXIST PEACEFULLY (PAGE 19)
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, has called on the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to co-exist peacefully to ensure a well-planned and structural development of the metropolis.
He said the two organisations were set up to plan and develop Tema and, therefore, did not need to fight over who did what at a particular time .
Nii Armah Ashietey made the remarks when he introduced the new acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, to the assembly in Tema.
Mr Joe Abbey replaces Ms Mansa Banson who has proceeded on leave.
Nii Armah Ashietey urged the assembly to collaborate with Mr Abbey to find solutions to the developmental problems facing the metropolis.
He cited the indiscriminate issuance of permits, resulting in the wrong siting of buildings and kiosks in the metropolis.
Nii Armah Ashietey, therefore, appealed to the yet-to-be-sworn in Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema, Mr Robert Kempis Ofosuware, to work in harmony with the TDC to beautify the metropolis by ensuring its efficient planning.
The regional minister said he was not happy with the lease of the 24-acre land which comprised 100 plots on the Spintex Road to a private company to operate.
He urged the TMA to reconsider its decision and reclaim the land for it to be used for the purpose for which it was acquired.
The regional minister, who recently toured some facilities of the assembly, said the land was originally operated by the assembly to generate funds for the development of the metropolis, but his first-hand information on the site indicated that it had been given out to a private company to make gains, to the detriment of the assembly.
Mr Ashietey said another 26-acre land at Adjiringanor had also been left fallow for years and encroachers had put up structures on it.
He advised that neglect of government property must not be condoned, and called on the assembly to initiate moves to reclaim all its lost property.
Nii Armah Ashietey announced that the government would commend assemblies that honoured their promises and initiated programmes that were self-sustaining.
He also urged the assembly to endeavour to tackle the tasks of effective planning, efficient execution and implementation to bring development to the people.
Meanwhile, the assembly has plans to revive satellite markets in the various communities in the Tema metropolis and decongest the main Community One Market, which is glutted with goods and inundated with traders and structures.
Presently, some of the community markets have been taken over by squatters who converted them into sleeping places.
At Community Four, the space reserved for a market has been turned into a residential commercial area where private buildings continue to spring up and a storey building which was supposed to be used as a shopping mall has been partly given out as private offices to the Internal Revenue Service.
At Community Seven, several kiosks and ‘chop bars’ have sprung up at the reserved space and part of it is being used as residences.
The Community Nine satellite market, which the assembly had intended as a solution to its congestion problems at the main Community One Market, also needs to be provided with sheds.
Some of the women have complained of attacks by robbers because of the non-availability of security lights.
Recently, to decongest the area, the assembly forcibly moved women who were hawking along the streets in the Tema Community One Market to the Community Nine Market.
He said the two organisations were set up to plan and develop Tema and, therefore, did not need to fight over who did what at a particular time .
Nii Armah Ashietey made the remarks when he introduced the new acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, to the assembly in Tema.
Mr Joe Abbey replaces Ms Mansa Banson who has proceeded on leave.
Nii Armah Ashietey urged the assembly to collaborate with Mr Abbey to find solutions to the developmental problems facing the metropolis.
He cited the indiscriminate issuance of permits, resulting in the wrong siting of buildings and kiosks in the metropolis.
Nii Armah Ashietey, therefore, appealed to the yet-to-be-sworn in Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tema, Mr Robert Kempis Ofosuware, to work in harmony with the TDC to beautify the metropolis by ensuring its efficient planning.
The regional minister said he was not happy with the lease of the 24-acre land which comprised 100 plots on the Spintex Road to a private company to operate.
He urged the TMA to reconsider its decision and reclaim the land for it to be used for the purpose for which it was acquired.
The regional minister, who recently toured some facilities of the assembly, said the land was originally operated by the assembly to generate funds for the development of the metropolis, but his first-hand information on the site indicated that it had been given out to a private company to make gains, to the detriment of the assembly.
Mr Ashietey said another 26-acre land at Adjiringanor had also been left fallow for years and encroachers had put up structures on it.
He advised that neglect of government property must not be condoned, and called on the assembly to initiate moves to reclaim all its lost property.
Nii Armah Ashietey announced that the government would commend assemblies that honoured their promises and initiated programmes that were self-sustaining.
He also urged the assembly to endeavour to tackle the tasks of effective planning, efficient execution and implementation to bring development to the people.
Meanwhile, the assembly has plans to revive satellite markets in the various communities in the Tema metropolis and decongest the main Community One Market, which is glutted with goods and inundated with traders and structures.
Presently, some of the community markets have been taken over by squatters who converted them into sleeping places.
At Community Four, the space reserved for a market has been turned into a residential commercial area where private buildings continue to spring up and a storey building which was supposed to be used as a shopping mall has been partly given out as private offices to the Internal Revenue Service.
At Community Seven, several kiosks and ‘chop bars’ have sprung up at the reserved space and part of it is being used as residences.
The Community Nine satellite market, which the assembly had intended as a solution to its congestion problems at the main Community One Market, also needs to be provided with sheds.
Some of the women have complained of attacks by robbers because of the non-availability of security lights.
Recently, to decongest the area, the assembly forcibly moved women who were hawking along the streets in the Tema Community One Market to the Community Nine Market.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
REMOVE BROKEN DOWN VEHICLES WITHIN 2 HRS OR... (PAGE 28)
The Director of Development and Programmes at the National Road Safety Commission, Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, has announced that all break down unattended to vehicles on the highways must henceforth be removed within a period of two hours or their drivers will face prosecution.
She said adherence to the law, which will soon be given a legal backing, would help to prevent multiple accidents caused as a result of break down trucks left in the middle of the road.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah was addressing transit articulated truck drivers who convey cargo from the Tema Port to Burkina Faso, Mali ,Niger and Togo, at an educational forum organised by the Ghana Shippers Council in Tema.
She asked them to observe road traffic regulations and also consider smaller vehicles and pedestrians on the roads in order to save life and property.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah also warned drivers who refused to wear seat belts, stating that there would soon be a Legislative Instrument (LI) which would facilitate the arrest and prosecution of such offenders.
She said but for negligence, most accidents could be avoided and advised that drivers should not drink and drive or drive when they were tired in order to ensure sanity on the roads.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said Ghana lost U$165 million through expenditure on road accidents and that the money could have been used for the maintenance of the bad roads.
She advised truck owners to organise short but regular training courses for their drivers to be abreast with new trends in the transportation sector.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said it would soon be made mandatory for truck drivers to be taken through the rudiments of driving to upgrade their knowledge in driving institutions.
She introduced a permanent reflective tape which would enhance visibility during the night to the drivers.
A director at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), in Accra in charge of Training Testing & Licensing, Mr Cheyuo Wienaa Musah, appealed to vehicle owners to verify from the authority the genuineness of licenses of drivers before employing them to handle their trucks.
He explained that most drivers who were found with fake licenses were those who had failed driving tests, and had been exposed to the services of 'goro boys'.
Mr Musah advised the drivers to have the confidence to approach officials of the authority for assistance in acquiring driving licenses.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr Kofi Mbiah, announced that the council was in the process of strengthening its mandate with respect to the protection of the interest of importers and exporters.
He said as a result, the council envisaged a legal framework that would ensure that the haulage of cargo would be undertaken only in containerised trucks or in containers.
Mr Mbiah called for truck operators to be duly registered and provided with guidelines as well as regular information to ensure that they adhered to international practices and standards.
The Special Advisor to the Minister of Transport, Mr Emmanuel Opoku, who chaired the programme commended the Shippers Council for organising the educational forum to educate transporters of cargo on the rules and regulations governing transportation of goods by road.
He said without the work of transporters shipping would not be complete.
Mr Opoku expressed the hope that the programme would help transform the conduct of drivers.
During contribution time the drivers appealed to the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) to provide parking areas along the highways to enable them to rest after driving for four hours as stipulated.
They claimed that sign posts which indicated the nature of the roads ahead were limited, and called on the GHA to erect more.
The drivers commended the Ghana Shippers Council for giving them the opportunity to air their views and also educate them on new road regulations.
Representatives of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali shippers councils, and members of transport associations were present at the programme which lasted for almost the whole day.
She said adherence to the law, which will soon be given a legal backing, would help to prevent multiple accidents caused as a result of break down trucks left in the middle of the road.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah was addressing transit articulated truck drivers who convey cargo from the Tema Port to Burkina Faso, Mali ,Niger and Togo, at an educational forum organised by the Ghana Shippers Council in Tema.
She asked them to observe road traffic regulations and also consider smaller vehicles and pedestrians on the roads in order to save life and property.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah also warned drivers who refused to wear seat belts, stating that there would soon be a Legislative Instrument (LI) which would facilitate the arrest and prosecution of such offenders.
She said but for negligence, most accidents could be avoided and advised that drivers should not drink and drive or drive when they were tired in order to ensure sanity on the roads.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said Ghana lost U$165 million through expenditure on road accidents and that the money could have been used for the maintenance of the bad roads.
She advised truck owners to organise short but regular training courses for their drivers to be abreast with new trends in the transportation sector.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said it would soon be made mandatory for truck drivers to be taken through the rudiments of driving to upgrade their knowledge in driving institutions.
She introduced a permanent reflective tape which would enhance visibility during the night to the drivers.
A director at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), in Accra in charge of Training Testing & Licensing, Mr Cheyuo Wienaa Musah, appealed to vehicle owners to verify from the authority the genuineness of licenses of drivers before employing them to handle their trucks.
He explained that most drivers who were found with fake licenses were those who had failed driving tests, and had been exposed to the services of 'goro boys'.
Mr Musah advised the drivers to have the confidence to approach officials of the authority for assistance in acquiring driving licenses.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr Kofi Mbiah, announced that the council was in the process of strengthening its mandate with respect to the protection of the interest of importers and exporters.
He said as a result, the council envisaged a legal framework that would ensure that the haulage of cargo would be undertaken only in containerised trucks or in containers.
Mr Mbiah called for truck operators to be duly registered and provided with guidelines as well as regular information to ensure that they adhered to international practices and standards.
The Special Advisor to the Minister of Transport, Mr Emmanuel Opoku, who chaired the programme commended the Shippers Council for organising the educational forum to educate transporters of cargo on the rules and regulations governing transportation of goods by road.
He said without the work of transporters shipping would not be complete.
Mr Opoku expressed the hope that the programme would help transform the conduct of drivers.
During contribution time the drivers appealed to the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) to provide parking areas along the highways to enable them to rest after driving for four hours as stipulated.
They claimed that sign posts which indicated the nature of the roads ahead were limited, and called on the GHA to erect more.
The drivers commended the Ghana Shippers Council for giving them the opportunity to air their views and also educate them on new road regulations.
Representatives of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali shippers councils, and members of transport associations were present at the programme which lasted for almost the whole day.
Monday, May 4, 2009
POLITICIANS NEED TO BE GROOMED (PAGE 18)
The President of the Full Gospel Church International, Rt. Reverend Samuel Norye Mensah, has suggested that politicians who are put in leadership positions to enforce laws must be groomed to enable them to perform to meet the aspirations of the electorate.
He explained that indiscipline on the roads , annual floods, poor state of health facilities, lack of supervision and enforcement of law and order gave a gloomy picture that Ghana had a serious leadership crises.
Rt. Rev. Mensah was expressing his opinion on some challenges facing the nation in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tema.
He expressed dissatisfaction with everyone, including politicians, who he said were just explaining problems, forgetting that leaders were rather supposed to solve them. Rt. Rev. Mensah called on political office holders to stop the blame game because leaders did not pass the buck.
Rt. Rev. Mensah observed that most politicians, including majority of those who were in managerial positions in organisations, had become ‘fire fighters rather than fire preventers.'
To him, it appeared Ghanaians did not know where the nation was moving and questioned 'how and why politicians should manage the affairs of the nation with a “fire fighting mentality”.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said sector ministers should have goals, and well-defined vision and be given targets to meet.
He cited the road and transport, education, town and country p and health sectors as areas whose administrators should act swiftly.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said in the road sector, for example, hawking on the streets had become the order of the day, as traffic lights frequently broke down, coupled with indiscipline on the roads.
In the education sector, he expressed concern about the constant change of curricula, adding that even now teachers and students did not have some of the needed textbooks for their courses.
He alleged that some lapses in the ministry had led to 106 students missing the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE ).
He said flooding had become an annual affair to talk about, but nothing practical was done about it apart from just the visits to flood-prone areas with media personnel and cameras.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said it was pathetic to see Ministers of State fly in a helicopter, taking aerial view of floods, and yet nothing came out of it. He described this annual ritual as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
With the health sector, Rt. Rev. Mensah sighed, and asked why it should take a minister to give ultimatum for en elevator to be repaired when there were officials in charge of the various facilities, stressing that “nothing works, and no one is held responsible”.
Rt. Rev. Mensah called on the government to engage the services of leadership consultants to take political leaders through courses to upgrade their skills.
.He called on Ghanaians to demand good governance and accountability from their leaders.
He commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, for showing the way and changing the face of the country's chieftaincy institution by reconciling the nation and setting up funds for the needy.
Rt. Rev. Mensah described the Asantehene’s initiatives as a sign of good leadership. because he had the concerns of the people at heart.
He also commended some media houses, including the Daily Graphic, for writing to bring out problems, which needed to be tackled by the government, and urged them to continue with the good work.
He explained that indiscipline on the roads , annual floods, poor state of health facilities, lack of supervision and enforcement of law and order gave a gloomy picture that Ghana had a serious leadership crises.
Rt. Rev. Mensah was expressing his opinion on some challenges facing the nation in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tema.
He expressed dissatisfaction with everyone, including politicians, who he said were just explaining problems, forgetting that leaders were rather supposed to solve them. Rt. Rev. Mensah called on political office holders to stop the blame game because leaders did not pass the buck.
Rt. Rev. Mensah observed that most politicians, including majority of those who were in managerial positions in organisations, had become ‘fire fighters rather than fire preventers.'
To him, it appeared Ghanaians did not know where the nation was moving and questioned 'how and why politicians should manage the affairs of the nation with a “fire fighting mentality”.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said sector ministers should have goals, and well-defined vision and be given targets to meet.
He cited the road and transport, education, town and country p and health sectors as areas whose administrators should act swiftly.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said in the road sector, for example, hawking on the streets had become the order of the day, as traffic lights frequently broke down, coupled with indiscipline on the roads.
In the education sector, he expressed concern about the constant change of curricula, adding that even now teachers and students did not have some of the needed textbooks for their courses.
He alleged that some lapses in the ministry had led to 106 students missing the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE ).
He said flooding had become an annual affair to talk about, but nothing practical was done about it apart from just the visits to flood-prone areas with media personnel and cameras.
Rt. Rev. Mensah said it was pathetic to see Ministers of State fly in a helicopter, taking aerial view of floods, and yet nothing came out of it. He described this annual ritual as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
With the health sector, Rt. Rev. Mensah sighed, and asked why it should take a minister to give ultimatum for en elevator to be repaired when there were officials in charge of the various facilities, stressing that “nothing works, and no one is held responsible”.
Rt. Rev. Mensah called on the government to engage the services of leadership consultants to take political leaders through courses to upgrade their skills.
.He called on Ghanaians to demand good governance and accountability from their leaders.
He commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, for showing the way and changing the face of the country's chieftaincy institution by reconciling the nation and setting up funds for the needy.
Rt. Rev. Mensah described the Asantehene’s initiatives as a sign of good leadership. because he had the concerns of the people at heart.
He also commended some media houses, including the Daily Graphic, for writing to bring out problems, which needed to be tackled by the government, and urged them to continue with the good work.
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