The Tema Office of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has extended its activities to promote oral health education among school children to schools in the metropolis .
As part of the programme, NCCE officials in Tema have in collaboration with Unilever Ghana and the Dental department of the Tema Polyclinic launched the oral education programme at the Salvation Army Basic School .
Over 453 school children from Kindergarten to Junior High School of the school benefited from the programme.
They were taken through oral health, including how to keep their mouth healthy and how to brush their teeth.
Health officials from the Tema Polyclinic took the children through the exercise.
According to the Programme Officer for the project Mr Theophilus Amewu , the exercise was to enable the children to have healthy growth.
He said the exercise would cover schools in the Tema Metropolis and expressed the hope that by the end of it many children would have learnt the proper way of brushing their teeth and how often it should be done.
The Headteacher of the school, Mr Samuel Gyimah Abaidoo, commended the NCCE for including children in their activities.
He said health was included in the school’s curriculum but the exercise would help the children to understand better the need to keep their teeth healthy because of the inclusion of the professional dentists.
A Principal Dental Nurse at the Tema Polyclinic, Ms Hilda Achengba, who took the children through the practical way of brushing the teeth, explained that tooth decay was on the increase and advised parents to send their children to the clinic at least every six months for check up.
She said tooth decay and other problems were on the increase among children because they usually took in a lot of sweets .
Ms Achengba urged the children to rinse their mouths anytime they ate sweets and that their parents should provide them with soft tooth brushes.
She said soft brushes were the best because hard brushes had given the users cuts resulting in swollen gums and gingivitis.
Ms Achengba took the children through practical ways of using the brush after which they were given some tubes of Close Up tooth paste.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
COURT NULLIFIES TERMINATION OF HEADMISTRESS'S APPOINTMENT (PAGE 46, JULY 26, 2010)
The Accra Fast Track High Court has declared the termination of the appointment of the former headmistress of the Tema Parents' Association School as null and void.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice Edward Amoako Asante, described the governing board of the school which terminated the appointment of Mrs. Leona Anyele Nsakie- Kassim as an 'illegally constituted one.’
In its judgement, the court ruled that the appointment of the defendants as directors of the board of the school was of no legal effect and directed the reinstatement of the previous board.
Justice Amoako Asante was giving the ruling in a case which had dragged on for over two years between Mrs. Kassim and seven defendants who claimed to have terminated her appointment with effect from November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Kassim had sued the defendants, Mr E.O. Mensah, Mr G.W.K. Adanuvor, Mr Martey Plange, Mr S.A.S. Nunoo, Mr Eddie Armah, Mr A.B. Assan and Madam Carole Odamtten for wrongful termination of her appointment and wrongfully holding themselves up as Directors of the Board of the school.
She had prayed the court for a perpetual injunction to restrain them from unlawfully interfering with her employment contract.
She contended in her statement of claim that the defendants held an unlawful meeting during which they decided to terminate her appointment and caused her position to be advertised in the Daily Graphic of October 30, 2007.
She stated that the defendants dismissed her per a letter dated 27th November signed by Mr G.W.K. Adanuvor, who acted as the Chairman of the Board.
The plaintiff contended that the said Board had no lawful authority to dismiss her, hence the writ against them.
In its judgement, the court referred to the complaints of the defendants that the appointment of the previous Board which they purportedly ousted was illegal, pointing out that the appointment of the new Board did not also conform to the regulations of the company and was, therefore, equally illegal.
According to the court, the appointment of the new Board was in contravention of regulations 25 and 26 of the school.
General damages of GH¢3,000 was awarded against each of the seven defendants in favour of the plaintiff.
The court also awarded costs of GH¢3,000 jointly and severally against the defendants for the plaintiff.
The court, presided over by Mr Justice Edward Amoako Asante, described the governing board of the school which terminated the appointment of Mrs. Leona Anyele Nsakie- Kassim as an 'illegally constituted one.’
In its judgement, the court ruled that the appointment of the defendants as directors of the board of the school was of no legal effect and directed the reinstatement of the previous board.
Justice Amoako Asante was giving the ruling in a case which had dragged on for over two years between Mrs. Kassim and seven defendants who claimed to have terminated her appointment with effect from November 23, 2007.
Mrs. Kassim had sued the defendants, Mr E.O. Mensah, Mr G.W.K. Adanuvor, Mr Martey Plange, Mr S.A.S. Nunoo, Mr Eddie Armah, Mr A.B. Assan and Madam Carole Odamtten for wrongful termination of her appointment and wrongfully holding themselves up as Directors of the Board of the school.
She had prayed the court for a perpetual injunction to restrain them from unlawfully interfering with her employment contract.
She contended in her statement of claim that the defendants held an unlawful meeting during which they decided to terminate her appointment and caused her position to be advertised in the Daily Graphic of October 30, 2007.
She stated that the defendants dismissed her per a letter dated 27th November signed by Mr G.W.K. Adanuvor, who acted as the Chairman of the Board.
The plaintiff contended that the said Board had no lawful authority to dismiss her, hence the writ against them.
In its judgement, the court referred to the complaints of the defendants that the appointment of the previous Board which they purportedly ousted was illegal, pointing out that the appointment of the new Board did not also conform to the regulations of the company and was, therefore, equally illegal.
According to the court, the appointment of the new Board was in contravention of regulations 25 and 26 of the school.
General damages of GH¢3,000 was awarded against each of the seven defendants in favour of the plaintiff.
The court also awarded costs of GH¢3,000 jointly and severally against the defendants for the plaintiff.
WOMEN IN MARITIME INDUSTRY FORM ASSOCIATION (PAGE 46, JULY 26, 2010)
WOMEN in the maritime industry have called for the institution of a sub-regional coast guard network that can police the waters from the shipping range of Mauritania to Angola to provide maximum security along commercial shipping routes.
They called on maritime administrations, shippers and port authorities to intensify their integration for regional and sub-regional co-operation, partnerships and networking.
The President of the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Ghana, an organisation of women in management positions involved in maritime transportation business, Mrs Naa Densua Aryeetey, made the call at the inauguration of the association in Tema.
She said the association had among its objectives the need to facilitate the exchange of contacts, information and the promotion of the education of its members.
Mrs Aryeetey said the need to fight piracy and armed robbery would require the initiatives of all port authorities in the sub-region emphasising that 'no one country can do it alone”.
She said there were national WISTAs in over 28 countries world-wide, and in Africa, Ghana was the third country to have a national association with the others being WISTA Nigeria and WISTA South Africa.
Mrs Aryeetey said WISTA Ghana was established in June 2009 with a current membership drawn from both the public and private sectors to promote the role of women in the maritime industry.
She noted that its objectives were in line with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) agenda on women and development.
Mrs Aryeetey said that the marine industry was an international and dynamic one which depended on trade.
She estimated that between 2010 and 2015, there would be tremendous growth in the industry, though it would mostly be from Asia, specifically, China and India.
Mrs Aryeetey said with occurrences of oil spills, marine pollution and piracy among others, there was the need to invest more in maritime education to build the necessary human resource capacity to meet those challenges.
She explained that with the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities, the issue of security and safety could become critical, especially as the commodity would have to be exported and transported from one destination to the other.
Mrs Aryeetey emphasised that WISTA would help to promote the maritime industry and urged members to play their roles effectively for the growth and development of the industry .
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, commended the women for forming the association to bring players in the shipping industry together.
She said it was the desire of the government that the bond of unity among Ghanaian women would be extended to sister countries in the sub-region.
Mrs Attivor stressed that women today had more opportunities in all aspects of life including education, career development and business to improve their access to training, employment, social protection and better working conditions.
She encouraged them to be honest, diligent and hardworking to achieve their objectives.
The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mr Isaac P. Azumah, congratulated the WISTA Ghana, and said the GMA had since its inception tried to promote gender equality in line with the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Azumah was of the view that this had reflected in its recruitment policy of giving qualified women equal opportunity in the organisation and ensured that staff development was spread equally to equip both men and women to excel at their jobs.
He gave the assurance that the GMA would partner WISTA Ghana to promote the progress of women in the maritime industry to achieve the 2015 deadline of the millennium development goals .
Mr Azumah urged members to exhibit high levels of commitment to the association and keep abreast of various developments in the industry .
A Representative of WISTA International, Ms Dime Agboire, expressed happiness that women in the marine industry in Ghana had succeeded in forming an association and pledged to support it to make greater strides.
She said it was a landmark in the history of WISTA International and urged them to network, learn and share experiences to make the association grow.
The President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs Ify Akerele, and other executives from Nigeria presented to the WISTA Ghana brochures and documents which would help them to build on their knowledge.
Other dignitaries at the function included the Minister for Women and Children, Mrs Juliana Azumah, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) , Mr Nestor Galley, Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Mr Kofi Mbiah, and the Rector of the Regional Maritime University, Mr Enoch Asamoah.
They called on maritime administrations, shippers and port authorities to intensify their integration for regional and sub-regional co-operation, partnerships and networking.
The President of the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Ghana, an organisation of women in management positions involved in maritime transportation business, Mrs Naa Densua Aryeetey, made the call at the inauguration of the association in Tema.
She said the association had among its objectives the need to facilitate the exchange of contacts, information and the promotion of the education of its members.
Mrs Aryeetey said the need to fight piracy and armed robbery would require the initiatives of all port authorities in the sub-region emphasising that 'no one country can do it alone”.
She said there were national WISTAs in over 28 countries world-wide, and in Africa, Ghana was the third country to have a national association with the others being WISTA Nigeria and WISTA South Africa.
Mrs Aryeetey said WISTA Ghana was established in June 2009 with a current membership drawn from both the public and private sectors to promote the role of women in the maritime industry.
She noted that its objectives were in line with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) agenda on women and development.
Mrs Aryeetey said that the marine industry was an international and dynamic one which depended on trade.
She estimated that between 2010 and 2015, there would be tremendous growth in the industry, though it would mostly be from Asia, specifically, China and India.
Mrs Aryeetey said with occurrences of oil spills, marine pollution and piracy among others, there was the need to invest more in maritime education to build the necessary human resource capacity to meet those challenges.
She explained that with the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities, the issue of security and safety could become critical, especially as the commodity would have to be exported and transported from one destination to the other.
Mrs Aryeetey emphasised that WISTA would help to promote the maritime industry and urged members to play their roles effectively for the growth and development of the industry .
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, commended the women for forming the association to bring players in the shipping industry together.
She said it was the desire of the government that the bond of unity among Ghanaian women would be extended to sister countries in the sub-region.
Mrs Attivor stressed that women today had more opportunities in all aspects of life including education, career development and business to improve their access to training, employment, social protection and better working conditions.
She encouraged them to be honest, diligent and hardworking to achieve their objectives.
The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Mr Isaac P. Azumah, congratulated the WISTA Ghana, and said the GMA had since its inception tried to promote gender equality in line with the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Azumah was of the view that this had reflected in its recruitment policy of giving qualified women equal opportunity in the organisation and ensured that staff development was spread equally to equip both men and women to excel at their jobs.
He gave the assurance that the GMA would partner WISTA Ghana to promote the progress of women in the maritime industry to achieve the 2015 deadline of the millennium development goals .
Mr Azumah urged members to exhibit high levels of commitment to the association and keep abreast of various developments in the industry .
A Representative of WISTA International, Ms Dime Agboire, expressed happiness that women in the marine industry in Ghana had succeeded in forming an association and pledged to support it to make greater strides.
She said it was a landmark in the history of WISTA International and urged them to network, learn and share experiences to make the association grow.
The President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs Ify Akerele, and other executives from Nigeria presented to the WISTA Ghana brochures and documents which would help them to build on their knowledge.
Other dignitaries at the function included the Minister for Women and Children, Mrs Juliana Azumah, the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) , Mr Nestor Galley, Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Mr Kofi Mbiah, and the Rector of the Regional Maritime University, Mr Enoch Asamoah.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Land guards invade Irrigation Site at Ashaiman, (PAGE 29, JULY 21, 2010)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Ashaiman
ENCROACHERS, described as land guards, are said to have invaded the vegetable farms at the Irrigation Dam site at Roman Down and Jericho, near Ashaiman, and selling the land to potential developers.
More than 150 acres of land were acquired by the government for the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) for demonstration farming but half of it has been illegally acquired and turned into residential facilities.
A spokesman for the Ashaiman Roman Down Co-operative Farmers Society, Mr Emmanuel Doe, told the Daily Graphic that the situation was brought to the attention of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly long ago but the rate of encroachment kept increasing.
Sources at the IDA and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly confirmed the story but added that there were plans to demolish structures in the area because the developers had crossed the buffer zones which protected the dam.
According to sources, the land guards were often armed with dangerous weapons to ward off any resistance from the farmers as they (land guards) demarcated the land for potential developers.
Mr Doe said many more pillars had been erected at vantage points on the land, indicating that those areas had been sold out, but he could not tell the person behind the activities of the land guards.
He said the 150-acre land had virtually been reduced to half and expressed the fear that very soon the whole land area would be covered with buildings, pushing the IDA and the farmers out.
When contacted, the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Augustine Gyenning, said activities of the land guards in the Ashaiman area had become a matter of concern to the police.
He said land guards created multiple problems because after they had aided their agents to secure the land, they in turn attacked the developer for compensation for work done.
ACP Gyenning said attempts to refuse them had led to bloody incidents and harassment.
He said there were some of such cases pending at the courts and appealed to victims to report any such incident to the police for action.
ACP Gyenning urged chiefs to desist from the practice of using land guards to achieve their objectives.
Meanwhile, the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison, has confirmed that the government acquired and reserved the farmlands for farming.
He said the assembly had called for the original site plan of the area from the IDA to enable it to undertake the demolition operation.
Pix- one
The spokesman for the farmers, Mr Emmanuel Doe, pointing at the encroached land which, hitherto, had vegetables and other crops but now have some structures springing up.
ENCROACHERS, described as land guards, are said to have invaded the vegetable farms at the Irrigation Dam site at Roman Down and Jericho, near Ashaiman, and selling the land to potential developers.
More than 150 acres of land were acquired by the government for the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) for demonstration farming but half of it has been illegally acquired and turned into residential facilities.
A spokesman for the Ashaiman Roman Down Co-operative Farmers Society, Mr Emmanuel Doe, told the Daily Graphic that the situation was brought to the attention of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly long ago but the rate of encroachment kept increasing.
Sources at the IDA and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly confirmed the story but added that there were plans to demolish structures in the area because the developers had crossed the buffer zones which protected the dam.
According to sources, the land guards were often armed with dangerous weapons to ward off any resistance from the farmers as they (land guards) demarcated the land for potential developers.
Mr Doe said many more pillars had been erected at vantage points on the land, indicating that those areas had been sold out, but he could not tell the person behind the activities of the land guards.
He said the 150-acre land had virtually been reduced to half and expressed the fear that very soon the whole land area would be covered with buildings, pushing the IDA and the farmers out.
When contacted, the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Augustine Gyenning, said activities of the land guards in the Ashaiman area had become a matter of concern to the police.
He said land guards created multiple problems because after they had aided their agents to secure the land, they in turn attacked the developer for compensation for work done.
ACP Gyenning said attempts to refuse them had led to bloody incidents and harassment.
He said there were some of such cases pending at the courts and appealed to victims to report any such incident to the police for action.
ACP Gyenning urged chiefs to desist from the practice of using land guards to achieve their objectives.
Meanwhile, the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison, has confirmed that the government acquired and reserved the farmlands for farming.
He said the assembly had called for the original site plan of the area from the IDA to enable it to undertake the demolition operation.
Pix- one
The spokesman for the farmers, Mr Emmanuel Doe, pointing at the encroached land which, hitherto, had vegetables and other crops but now have some structures springing up.
PLANT TO PROCESS CONVENTIONAL FUEL INTO ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PRODUCT (PAGE 46, JULY 22, 2010)
An estimated GH¢800,000 pilot plant to process conventional fuel into a cost- effective product, which reduces emissions and saves about 30 per cent cost on fuel consumption, has been unveiled in Tema.
The plant,when it becomes operational, will produce to serve boiler and furnace user industries.
The technology, which uses petroleum, water and emulsifiers to turn out the refined product, will also help to minimise the intermittent shut downs of boilers and furnaces for maintenance.
Branded M-Fuel, the plant which was patented in Korea, is being test run on a capacity of 60,000 litres of fuel daily to turn out 80,000 litres of the refined product. The plant is expected to begin supplying its refined products by the end of July 2010.
According to the Group Managing Director of Marado Company, Mr Robert Adomako, the technology could be used for all types of fuels ranging from diesel, bio-diesel, bunker oil and kerosene.
He said the M-Fuel would concentrate on the processing of diesel and residual fuel which were by-products from oil refineries which emitted high levels of nitrogen oxides and were harmful to the environment.
Mr Adomako said the M-fuel company would purchase conventional fuel on the market and sell the processed product at cheaper cost to industries, but would also accept contracts from industries to refine their conventional fuel products for them to run the boilers and furnaces.
He explained that after processing, the quantity of oil delivered to the company by various industries would increase by 30 per cent because of the use of water in the process.
Mr Adomako called on industries to cut down on production cost by patronising the M-fuel in order to benefit fully from the innovation.
The Chief Executive of Marado Company, Mr Lloyd Amoah, who took invited guests through the process of refining the emulsified fuel, said the plant processed about 60 per cent oil and 40 per cent water.
He emphasised that the M-fuel system was economical to use and environmentally friendly .
Mr Amoah was of the view that the technology could help reduce production cost of industries by 30 per cent with the use of the M-fuel .
He stated that fuel produced by the technology was stable under normal storage conditions for up to a year without any subsequent stirring.
Dr Ali Abugre, a retired Deputy Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), commended the management of Marado Company for transferring the innovation to Ghana and therefore Africa, to support the industry.
He said the supply of conventional fuel on the market should not hinder their operations because as an independent entity, the company could fall on the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs ) for supply.
Dr Abugre described the system as an innovation to the boiler system, which would enable fuel to burn completely and reduce maintenance cost.
He said the system was another means of economising on fuel use in the country and advised industries to patronise the product.
Dr Abugre said the 30 per cent savings to be made on the use of the product was very significant aside the health implications that users of the conventional fuel suffered.
He explained that the TOR was a refinery and not into the nano-technology which would operate with water, fuel and emulsifiers and that it could be done only if TOR decided to build a plant for it.
There was a demonstration to show the difference between conventional fuel and the processed fuel under the nano-technology.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service, representatives of industries, engineers and the general public observed the process.
Korean experts, who built the plant, demonstrated by firing two improvised furnaces and the conventional fuel burned with red flames and thick black smoke, while there was no smoke when the processed M-Fuel was fired.
The plant,when it becomes operational, will produce to serve boiler and furnace user industries.
The technology, which uses petroleum, water and emulsifiers to turn out the refined product, will also help to minimise the intermittent shut downs of boilers and furnaces for maintenance.
Branded M-Fuel, the plant which was patented in Korea, is being test run on a capacity of 60,000 litres of fuel daily to turn out 80,000 litres of the refined product. The plant is expected to begin supplying its refined products by the end of July 2010.
According to the Group Managing Director of Marado Company, Mr Robert Adomako, the technology could be used for all types of fuels ranging from diesel, bio-diesel, bunker oil and kerosene.
He said the M-Fuel would concentrate on the processing of diesel and residual fuel which were by-products from oil refineries which emitted high levels of nitrogen oxides and were harmful to the environment.
Mr Adomako said the M-fuel company would purchase conventional fuel on the market and sell the processed product at cheaper cost to industries, but would also accept contracts from industries to refine their conventional fuel products for them to run the boilers and furnaces.
He explained that after processing, the quantity of oil delivered to the company by various industries would increase by 30 per cent because of the use of water in the process.
Mr Adomako called on industries to cut down on production cost by patronising the M-fuel in order to benefit fully from the innovation.
The Chief Executive of Marado Company, Mr Lloyd Amoah, who took invited guests through the process of refining the emulsified fuel, said the plant processed about 60 per cent oil and 40 per cent water.
He emphasised that the M-fuel system was economical to use and environmentally friendly .
Mr Amoah was of the view that the technology could help reduce production cost of industries by 30 per cent with the use of the M-fuel .
He stated that fuel produced by the technology was stable under normal storage conditions for up to a year without any subsequent stirring.
Dr Ali Abugre, a retired Deputy Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), commended the management of Marado Company for transferring the innovation to Ghana and therefore Africa, to support the industry.
He said the supply of conventional fuel on the market should not hinder their operations because as an independent entity, the company could fall on the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs ) for supply.
Dr Abugre described the system as an innovation to the boiler system, which would enable fuel to burn completely and reduce maintenance cost.
He said the system was another means of economising on fuel use in the country and advised industries to patronise the product.
Dr Abugre said the 30 per cent savings to be made on the use of the product was very significant aside the health implications that users of the conventional fuel suffered.
He explained that the TOR was a refinery and not into the nano-technology which would operate with water, fuel and emulsifiers and that it could be done only if TOR decided to build a plant for it.
There was a demonstration to show the difference between conventional fuel and the processed fuel under the nano-technology.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service, representatives of industries, engineers and the general public observed the process.
Korean experts, who built the plant, demonstrated by firing two improvised furnaces and the conventional fuel burned with red flames and thick black smoke, while there was no smoke when the processed M-Fuel was fired.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
NCCE INTENSIFIES EDUCATION ON DISTRICT POLLS (PAGE 14, JULY 0, 2010)
THE National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified its efforts at educating the people on the forthcoming district assembly elections to whip up interest and encourage eligible voters to participate effectively.
At a forum of opinion leaders, chiefs, educationists and eligible voters at Tema Manhean, the Tema Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, Mr Ebenezer Tetteh-Wayo, expressed concern over the low turnout of voters during district level elections.
He said the poor turnout was a national phenomenon, adding that in 2002, the overall turnout was 33.3 per cent of the voting population, while in 2006, it was about 44 per cent.
That, Mr Tetteh Wayo said, was of concern to the NCCE, which is responsible for education.
He urged the people to embrace the district assembly concept, which is enshrined in Chapter 20 (Article 256) of the Constitution and the Local Government Act 462, for participatory democracy in the development of the nation.
He called on the people to be interested in those they chose to lead them in the assembly, saying they must be vigilant and actively involved in the effective use of assembly funds for proper accountability.
He noted that some citizens had lost confidence in their assembly members for non-performance, hence their decision to abstain from voting.
He said assembly members were there to represent the people and convey the concerns of the people to the assembly for resolution.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo said assembly members were to liaise with the people in the communities, hold meetings and discuss the people’s needs, as well as inform the people on how the assembly operated.
He said effective participation in governance was the surest way to attain the objectives of democracy and appealed to the citizenry to attach importance to the district level elections, just as they did to presidential and parliamentary elections, and come out in their numbers to elect their community leaders.
He advised the youth to refrain from violence and electoral malpractice that would mar elections and prevent people from exercising their franchise.
Mr Tetteh–Wayo urged aspiring candidates to endeavour to satisfy all the requirements of the electioneering processes before they posted their posters for the elections.
During the open forum, participants were surprised to hear that assembly members were not paid salaries, nor were they given money to undertake development projects.
They appreciated the education by the NCCE and appealed to the government to resource the organisation to enable it to undertake more programmes.
An aspiring assembly member was not happy that some candidates were being sponsored by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly in the forthcoming district level elections and called on the NCCE to ensure that everything was fair to whip up the interest of as many people as possible to take part.
At a forum of opinion leaders, chiefs, educationists and eligible voters at Tema Manhean, the Tema Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, Mr Ebenezer Tetteh-Wayo, expressed concern over the low turnout of voters during district level elections.
He said the poor turnout was a national phenomenon, adding that in 2002, the overall turnout was 33.3 per cent of the voting population, while in 2006, it was about 44 per cent.
That, Mr Tetteh Wayo said, was of concern to the NCCE, which is responsible for education.
He urged the people to embrace the district assembly concept, which is enshrined in Chapter 20 (Article 256) of the Constitution and the Local Government Act 462, for participatory democracy in the development of the nation.
He called on the people to be interested in those they chose to lead them in the assembly, saying they must be vigilant and actively involved in the effective use of assembly funds for proper accountability.
He noted that some citizens had lost confidence in their assembly members for non-performance, hence their decision to abstain from voting.
He said assembly members were there to represent the people and convey the concerns of the people to the assembly for resolution.
Mr Tetteh-Wayo said assembly members were to liaise with the people in the communities, hold meetings and discuss the people’s needs, as well as inform the people on how the assembly operated.
He said effective participation in governance was the surest way to attain the objectives of democracy and appealed to the citizenry to attach importance to the district level elections, just as they did to presidential and parliamentary elections, and come out in their numbers to elect their community leaders.
He advised the youth to refrain from violence and electoral malpractice that would mar elections and prevent people from exercising their franchise.
Mr Tetteh–Wayo urged aspiring candidates to endeavour to satisfy all the requirements of the electioneering processes before they posted their posters for the elections.
During the open forum, participants were surprised to hear that assembly members were not paid salaries, nor were they given money to undertake development projects.
They appreciated the education by the NCCE and appealed to the government to resource the organisation to enable it to undertake more programmes.
An aspiring assembly member was not happy that some candidates were being sponsored by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly in the forthcoming district level elections and called on the NCCE to ensure that everything was fair to whip up the interest of as many people as possible to take part.
TMA TO RETRIEVE STOLEN STREET BULBS (PAGE 18, JULY 20, 2010)
THE Tema Metropolitan Assembly has instituted measures to retrieve a missing quantity of street-light bulbs supplied by the Ministry of Energy to support the Assembly to provide light in the metropolis.
As a result, a team of assembly members has been tasked to a count all street-light bulbs installed in their electoral areas and to submit reports to the assembly by the end of this month.
The Chairman of the Tema East Sub Metro , Mr Enoch Adjei Mensah, who is leading the Tema East task force, told the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview that the complaint was made on the floor of the assembly by some members of the house.
Mr Adjei-Mensah made the comment when the issue resurfaced at an educational forum organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Tema Manhean to encourage eligible voters to come out and vote massively when the time comes.
At the forum, a participant complained that an individual in the community was claiming ownership of ten streetlights installed by the assembly at the U compound area of Tema Manhean and inscribed his name on them with the indication that he had supported the area with the provision of light and therefore appealed to the assembly to investigate the issue.
Mr Adjei–Mensah, who is also a Principal Officer at the Tema NCCE, explained that the Assembly had already taken steps to investigate how the bulbs were taken out in somebody’s name.
Mr Adjei-Mensah recounted that late last year, the Energy Ministry supplied a quantity of street-light bulbs to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to install on ceremonial routes in the metropolis.
He said when the issue was brought to the notice of assembly members, they suggested that the bulbs were rather fixed in the communities which were dark.
This, Mr Mensah said, was accepted by the house and therefore, each of the 39 electoral areas was given ten bulbs, with poles, to be erected in their communities, in collaboration with the residents.
He gave the break down in the electoral areas as Tema East-17 , Tema West-12 and Kpone Katamanso-10 which totalled 39 bulbs in all.
Mr Adjei Mensah said the task force was scheduled to start work on Monday, July 20, 2010, to count all streetlights in the metropolis.
He noted that some people, through personal contributions, provided streetlights in their areas but said they were different from the ones supplied by the Ministry of Energy.
Mr Adjei–Mensah who was confirming the allegations made by the concerned citizen said the assembly had taken up the issue, and called on people who had any information about it to contact the Sub–Metro office at Tema Manhean.
The concerned participant who lived at U Compound area at Tema Manhean had explained at the forum that the suspicion arose because the ten poles and bulbs were conveyed and installed in the area by a team of engineers from the TMA.
He said residents witnessed the installation and therefore, were surprised that an individual had his name inscribed on them and was campaigning that he had supplied light in order to win their favour in the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, information available to the Daily Graphic indicates that the one alleged to have inscribed his name on the bulbs was aspiring to become an assembly member in the forthcoming district level election.
As a result, a team of assembly members has been tasked to a count all street-light bulbs installed in their electoral areas and to submit reports to the assembly by the end of this month.
The Chairman of the Tema East Sub Metro , Mr Enoch Adjei Mensah, who is leading the Tema East task force, told the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview that the complaint was made on the floor of the assembly by some members of the house.
Mr Adjei-Mensah made the comment when the issue resurfaced at an educational forum organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Tema Manhean to encourage eligible voters to come out and vote massively when the time comes.
At the forum, a participant complained that an individual in the community was claiming ownership of ten streetlights installed by the assembly at the U compound area of Tema Manhean and inscribed his name on them with the indication that he had supported the area with the provision of light and therefore appealed to the assembly to investigate the issue.
Mr Adjei–Mensah, who is also a Principal Officer at the Tema NCCE, explained that the Assembly had already taken steps to investigate how the bulbs were taken out in somebody’s name.
Mr Adjei-Mensah recounted that late last year, the Energy Ministry supplied a quantity of street-light bulbs to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to install on ceremonial routes in the metropolis.
He said when the issue was brought to the notice of assembly members, they suggested that the bulbs were rather fixed in the communities which were dark.
This, Mr Mensah said, was accepted by the house and therefore, each of the 39 electoral areas was given ten bulbs, with poles, to be erected in their communities, in collaboration with the residents.
He gave the break down in the electoral areas as Tema East-17 , Tema West-12 and Kpone Katamanso-10 which totalled 39 bulbs in all.
Mr Adjei Mensah said the task force was scheduled to start work on Monday, July 20, 2010, to count all streetlights in the metropolis.
He noted that some people, through personal contributions, provided streetlights in their areas but said they were different from the ones supplied by the Ministry of Energy.
Mr Adjei–Mensah who was confirming the allegations made by the concerned citizen said the assembly had taken up the issue, and called on people who had any information about it to contact the Sub–Metro office at Tema Manhean.
The concerned participant who lived at U Compound area at Tema Manhean had explained at the forum that the suspicion arose because the ten poles and bulbs were conveyed and installed in the area by a team of engineers from the TMA.
He said residents witnessed the installation and therefore, were surprised that an individual had his name inscribed on them and was campaigning that he had supplied light in order to win their favour in the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, information available to the Daily Graphic indicates that the one alleged to have inscribed his name on the bulbs was aspiring to become an assembly member in the forthcoming district level election.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
TEMA FISHERMEN REAISE RED FLAGS (PAGE 38, JULY 19)
FISHERMEN and fishmongers at the Tema canoe beach and concerned citizens of Tema Manhean say they will resist all attempts by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA ) to sell a tract of land on which they performed their vocation to a palm oil exportation company.
They claimed: ‘‘We are ever ready even at the peril of our lives to make sure that this palm oil exportation project is not cited on this particular land.’’ The fishermen have in turn given the GPHA a three day ultimatum to explain how they land became their property.
At a forum of fishermen, fishmongers and concerned citizens clad in red head bands, they said they were not happy that GHPA had issued a quit order to them to quit the ‘Tema beach 5’ site as the land area is referred to and claimed that the decision to prevent the fisherfolk from mending their nets, drying of fish and repairing their canoes at the site for the export business was ‘uneconomical, unprofitable and extremely unfair to the fisher folks and the people of Tema’.
A statement issued by the fishermen in collaboration with concerned citizens of Tema Mahean emphasised that the fishermen and the citizens were not against the palm oil exportation project but were concerned about the process adopted in the purchase of the land without the involvement of the local people or discussions with the people involved in the day to day activity of the said land.
The statement which was signed by a spokesman of the concerned citizens, Michael Nii Abbey, indicated that the land in question had been an avenue for extra related fishing activities and fisher training grounds as well.
He noted that information gathered from GPHA indicated that the said oil palm export company would be able to offer employment for only about 500 people as against over 12,500 direct jobs which were created at the beach through the fishing expedition of over 500 canoes with its crew, fish mongers, porters, truck pushers, and general trading at the beach.
Nii Abbey recounted how the already congested situation on the Tema Mahean road would look like if oil tankers start operating to offload the palm oil with its risks of accidents. He was optimistic that the introduction of such a big and busy entity on the road would push further the already squeezed land area of Manhean.
Nii Abbey urged GPHA to consider leaving the land for their use and rather relocate the company to the western gate of the port to make accessibility to the port easier and incident free.
He noted that the said parcel of land must remain an inter-generational cultural heritage and reliable source of livelihood for the people.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjetey, who said he was against the proposed location of the company, recouted the historical backgroud of the people of Tema from when they were moved from their old village to where they are now.
He said GPHA engaged in illegal deals with some people who have sold out the land to satisfy their personal interests. Nii Krakue said if things were not done right, Tema Mahean would gradually disappear because all its land will be taken away and there would not be anything left ‘not even the sea’.
They claimed: ‘‘We are ever ready even at the peril of our lives to make sure that this palm oil exportation project is not cited on this particular land.’’ The fishermen have in turn given the GPHA a three day ultimatum to explain how they land became their property.
At a forum of fishermen, fishmongers and concerned citizens clad in red head bands, they said they were not happy that GHPA had issued a quit order to them to quit the ‘Tema beach 5’ site as the land area is referred to and claimed that the decision to prevent the fisherfolk from mending their nets, drying of fish and repairing their canoes at the site for the export business was ‘uneconomical, unprofitable and extremely unfair to the fisher folks and the people of Tema’.
A statement issued by the fishermen in collaboration with concerned citizens of Tema Mahean emphasised that the fishermen and the citizens were not against the palm oil exportation project but were concerned about the process adopted in the purchase of the land without the involvement of the local people or discussions with the people involved in the day to day activity of the said land.
The statement which was signed by a spokesman of the concerned citizens, Michael Nii Abbey, indicated that the land in question had been an avenue for extra related fishing activities and fisher training grounds as well.
He noted that information gathered from GPHA indicated that the said oil palm export company would be able to offer employment for only about 500 people as against over 12,500 direct jobs which were created at the beach through the fishing expedition of over 500 canoes with its crew, fish mongers, porters, truck pushers, and general trading at the beach.
Nii Abbey recounted how the already congested situation on the Tema Mahean road would look like if oil tankers start operating to offload the palm oil with its risks of accidents. He was optimistic that the introduction of such a big and busy entity on the road would push further the already squeezed land area of Manhean.
Nii Abbey urged GPHA to consider leaving the land for their use and rather relocate the company to the western gate of the port to make accessibility to the port easier and incident free.
He noted that the said parcel of land must remain an inter-generational cultural heritage and reliable source of livelihood for the people.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjetey, who said he was against the proposed location of the company, recouted the historical backgroud of the people of Tema from when they were moved from their old village to where they are now.
He said GPHA engaged in illegal deals with some people who have sold out the land to satisfy their personal interests. Nii Krakue said if things were not done right, Tema Mahean would gradually disappear because all its land will be taken away and there would not be anything left ‘not even the sea’.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
TWO FIRE SERVICE WOMEN EXCEL IN EMERGENCY SERVICE TRAINING (PAGE 11, JULY 10, 2010)
TWO women from the Ghana National Fire Service (Tema Region) have excelled in a one week capacity building in emergency service delivery held at the Ghana Airports Fire Training Centre.
The course was to encourage women to take part in fire fighting, as hitherto, they remained in the office and performed administrative work.
The two female fire officers, Ago Aba Otoo and Belinda Alayine, were among a group of 20 who underwent the training at the Airports Fire Training Centre in Accra .
Speaking to the Daily Graphic , the Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional office of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Timothy Osafo- Affum said the training equipped beneficiaries, who were referred to as incident responders, to work in difficult situations during rescue operations.
Mr Osafo-Affum said the women were also trained to undertake firefighting in modern ways and in an expedient manner .
He said the Tema Region was fortunate to have had two female personnel benefiting from the training and excelling after the course to impact on firefighting in the region .
On their return, the two women demonstrated the skills they had acquired in emergency service delivery techniques to the delight of officers and men of the Tema GNFS.
Their demonstration included how to use the breathing apparatus to attend to firefighting and also how to contain the apparatus .
Mr Osafo-Affum said this was the first time women had participated in the course and hoped other women would take part in firefighting.
Previously, women in the GNFS had been in administrative positions.
He was optimistic that training of the women would change the situation and ensure that all hands were put on deck in firefighting.
The course was to encourage women to take part in fire fighting, as hitherto, they remained in the office and performed administrative work.
The two female fire officers, Ago Aba Otoo and Belinda Alayine, were among a group of 20 who underwent the training at the Airports Fire Training Centre in Accra .
Speaking to the Daily Graphic , the Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional office of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Mr Timothy Osafo- Affum said the training equipped beneficiaries, who were referred to as incident responders, to work in difficult situations during rescue operations.
Mr Osafo-Affum said the women were also trained to undertake firefighting in modern ways and in an expedient manner .
He said the Tema Region was fortunate to have had two female personnel benefiting from the training and excelling after the course to impact on firefighting in the region .
On their return, the two women demonstrated the skills they had acquired in emergency service delivery techniques to the delight of officers and men of the Tema GNFS.
Their demonstration included how to use the breathing apparatus to attend to firefighting and also how to contain the apparatus .
Mr Osafo-Affum said this was the first time women had participated in the course and hoped other women would take part in firefighting.
Previously, women in the GNFS had been in administrative positions.
He was optimistic that training of the women would change the situation and ensure that all hands were put on deck in firefighting.
Friday, July 9, 2010
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO HELP ASHAIMAN (PAGE 18, JULY 9, 2010)
SOME international financing agencies and NGOs, with support from their foreign partners, have decided to provide sanitation and waste-treatment projects for slum areas in Ashaiman to help upgrade its status as a municipality.
One of such agencies is a Dutch-based project organisation, Safisana Foundation, which is partnering the local Assembly and local operators in a joint-venture agreement to design, build and operate a centralised waste digestion and processing pilot plant in Ashaiman.
Construction work on the pilot waste-treatment project estimated to cost 1.5 million Euros is expected to start on the outskirts of Ashaiman in September for the production of industrial biogas and organic fertiliser.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Ashaiman, the Managing Director of the foundation, Mr Art Van Den Beukei, said Safisana Foundation’s goal was to set up a Communal Services Blocks(CBS’s) to service the treatment plant.
The sanitation block, estimated to cost 25,000 euros would have basic toilet and drinking water services, shower and kiosk services all designed to meet the local need of the people.
Mr Beukei said the project also had a waste collection, processing and recycling unit which would help the executors of the project to provide better sanitation, reduce environmental and health hazard due to indiscriminate defecation in bushes and pools and also improve waste collection in the selected areas.
He stated that to be able to sustain the project, users would be made to pay minimal user fees to be used as capital for maintenance.
Mr Beukei explained that the project was a non-profit one, with Safisana acting as a business partner, financial counterpart and co-ordinator of local branches.
He gave an insight into how the systems of the project would work, saying that the processing plant would stimulate regular collection of the effluent from the service blocks for the production of organic fertiliser.
He said additional income would be generated by selling these products.
Mr Beukei disclosed that the foundation had discussed the need to supply the fertiliser to the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) and distribution of the biogas to local industries in the Greater Accra Region.
Earlier in a presentation at a forum of representatives of the various groups and organisations in the Ashaiman community, the Programmes Officer of the Ashaiman office of Safisana Foundation, Mr Frederick Tettey-Lowor, took the participants through the technical details of the project.
The participants included assembly members, private operators, contractors, traditional authorities, persons with disabilities, religious groups, the youth, women groups, landlords, contractors and consultants.
Mr Tettey-Lowor explained that the various groups were included in the initial stage of the project to enable them to disseminate information to people in the communities and also build their capacity in readiness for the project.
He said the implementers would need the people to play various roles to facilitate the mobilisation of the communities and monitor project implementation.
Mr Tettey-Lowor said the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly had major roles to play, including the provision of legally documented land for the work.
An Urban Planner of the Training, Research and Networking for Development(TREND), an NGO engaged in the Tripartite Partnership Project(TPP) in the provision of improved sanitation and water supply service delivery to the urban poor, Mr Benedict Tuffuor, took participants through a Learning Alliance (LA) platform, which according to him was to promote active multi-stakeholder-community participation in project implementation, ownership, facilities operation, management and maintenance and urged participants to strengthen the sector capacity for planning and delivery of the services.
He said the NGO operated on the tripartite partnership of public, private and NGO sectors.
One of such agencies is a Dutch-based project organisation, Safisana Foundation, which is partnering the local Assembly and local operators in a joint-venture agreement to design, build and operate a centralised waste digestion and processing pilot plant in Ashaiman.
Construction work on the pilot waste-treatment project estimated to cost 1.5 million Euros is expected to start on the outskirts of Ashaiman in September for the production of industrial biogas and organic fertiliser.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Ashaiman, the Managing Director of the foundation, Mr Art Van Den Beukei, said Safisana Foundation’s goal was to set up a Communal Services Blocks(CBS’s) to service the treatment plant.
The sanitation block, estimated to cost 25,000 euros would have basic toilet and drinking water services, shower and kiosk services all designed to meet the local need of the people.
Mr Beukei said the project also had a waste collection, processing and recycling unit which would help the executors of the project to provide better sanitation, reduce environmental and health hazard due to indiscriminate defecation in bushes and pools and also improve waste collection in the selected areas.
He stated that to be able to sustain the project, users would be made to pay minimal user fees to be used as capital for maintenance.
Mr Beukei explained that the project was a non-profit one, with Safisana acting as a business partner, financial counterpart and co-ordinator of local branches.
He gave an insight into how the systems of the project would work, saying that the processing plant would stimulate regular collection of the effluent from the service blocks for the production of organic fertiliser.
He said additional income would be generated by selling these products.
Mr Beukei disclosed that the foundation had discussed the need to supply the fertiliser to the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) and distribution of the biogas to local industries in the Greater Accra Region.
Earlier in a presentation at a forum of representatives of the various groups and organisations in the Ashaiman community, the Programmes Officer of the Ashaiman office of Safisana Foundation, Mr Frederick Tettey-Lowor, took the participants through the technical details of the project.
The participants included assembly members, private operators, contractors, traditional authorities, persons with disabilities, religious groups, the youth, women groups, landlords, contractors and consultants.
Mr Tettey-Lowor explained that the various groups were included in the initial stage of the project to enable them to disseminate information to people in the communities and also build their capacity in readiness for the project.
He said the implementers would need the people to play various roles to facilitate the mobilisation of the communities and monitor project implementation.
Mr Tettey-Lowor said the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly had major roles to play, including the provision of legally documented land for the work.
An Urban Planner of the Training, Research and Networking for Development(TREND), an NGO engaged in the Tripartite Partnership Project(TPP) in the provision of improved sanitation and water supply service delivery to the urban poor, Mr Benedict Tuffuor, took participants through a Learning Alliance (LA) platform, which according to him was to promote active multi-stakeholder-community participation in project implementation, ownership, facilities operation, management and maintenance and urged participants to strengthen the sector capacity for planning and delivery of the services.
He said the NGO operated on the tripartite partnership of public, private and NGO sectors.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
LEDZOKUKU-KROWOR CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF BASIC SCHOOLS INAUGURATED (PAGE 11, JULY 7, 2010)
The Ledzokuku-Krowor Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) has been inaugurated to strengthen relations between headteachers of basic schools in the municipality and to raise standards of teaching at the first cycle level.
The President of the conference, Pastor Charles Akafia, explained that COHBS, which had been under the Accra Metro branch, had to be reorganised as a result of the creation of the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly.
Pastor Akafia recounted that with 23,914 pupils, the municipality had 54 headteachers and 679 teachers, 44 junior high schools, 42 primary schools and 19 kindergartens.
He appealed to the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly to provide enough school desks to the Education Directorate to enhance teaching and learning.
Pastor Akafia said the municipality, with the support of COHBS, achieved some academic laurels in the 2009/20 academic year by winning the President’s Award at the basic education level.
The Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Rosetta Addison Sackey, urged the headteachers to strengthen relations between schools and the community to erase all forms of suspicion.
Mrs Sackey explained that the education system in Ghana was examination oriented, and therefore quality education was measured by the number of pupils who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
She cautioned COHBS to respect the views of others and not turn their staff meetings into shops or disciplinary camps where they become unapproachable and inaccessible to colleague teachers.
The President of the conference, Pastor Charles Akafia, explained that COHBS, which had been under the Accra Metro branch, had to be reorganised as a result of the creation of the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly.
Pastor Akafia recounted that with 23,914 pupils, the municipality had 54 headteachers and 679 teachers, 44 junior high schools, 42 primary schools and 19 kindergartens.
He appealed to the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly to provide enough school desks to the Education Directorate to enhance teaching and learning.
Pastor Akafia said the municipality, with the support of COHBS, achieved some academic laurels in the 2009/20 academic year by winning the President’s Award at the basic education level.
The Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Rosetta Addison Sackey, urged the headteachers to strengthen relations between schools and the community to erase all forms of suspicion.
Mrs Sackey explained that the education system in Ghana was examination oriented, and therefore quality education was measured by the number of pupils who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
She cautioned COHBS to respect the views of others and not turn their staff meetings into shops or disciplinary camps where they become unapproachable and inaccessible to colleague teachers.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
TEMA CONTRACTORS ADVISED TO SPEED UP WORK (PAGE 8, JULY 5, 2010)
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, has appealed to contractors engaged in the rehabilitation of roads in Tema to speed up in order to ease traffic congestion and provide a conducive environment for drivers and pedestrians.
He urged them to work faster to complete work within the scheduled time.
Nii Armah Ashietey, who inspected sections of the 53-kilometre roads currently under construction in the Tema metropolis, expressed concern about the slow pace of work and the bad nature of the roads which was an inconvenience to the driving public.
On the Kpone stretch from the Valco Roundabout through the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) road, the contractor, Mr Kobby Lartey of Kob Construction, was behind time and had done 25 per cent of work instead of 40 per cent.
The Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr Stephen Attipoe, who conducted the Regional Minister around on the inspection tour explained that there was a change in the scope of work, leading to the delay.
He said the initial work was changed from ordinary rehabilitation to a complete road project because it was realised that the road needed to be made to stand the test of time, as heavy duty trucks plied it constantly.
Mr Attipoe said the Tema Oil Refinery had contributed $100,000 for work on the frontage of the plant because of the regular movement of trucks there.
He disclosed that the rains had revealed some defects in the work so far done, and that the contractor had, therefore, been directed to raise the side to divert water flow.
Construction work on the Republic Road was progressing and the contractor, Mr James Cuddle of the Lagna Constructions, said it was essential to asphalt the road in the next stage of work. He was optimistic the work would be completed by the end of next month.
The Roads Engineer, Mr Attipoe, told the Regional Minister that Tema Roads had not been re-constructed in the last 40 years and that it was necessary to ensure that a good job was done so that the roads would last for the next 20 years or more.
At the Community Three junction linking the Harbour –Meridian road, beach road – Nungua barrier and the Community Two road, Mr Attipoe said the contractor, Eagle Star Constructions, had almost completed work on the Lashibi road.
He noted that there were plans to change the beach road to a dual carriageway which the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) had promised to assist but the work was continuing because of the delay in the fulfilment of the promise.
Mr Attipoe said work on most of the Tema roads would be completed by the end of July, 2010, noting that there were plans to patch roads which were not included in the rehabilitation package.
He said the major roads rehabilitation was being funded by the Government of Ghana. The Vice-President, Mr John Mahatma, cut the sod for work to begin on the 53kilometres stretch of roads in the Tema metropolis which was to be funded by the Government of Ghana.
For sometime now, the contractors who were immediately awarded the contracts had seemingly slowed down work causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians as well.
The Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, who was accompanied by the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Ofosu Ware, and some officials of the assembly, appealed to the contractors to complete the work on time.
He urged them to work faster to complete work within the scheduled time.
Nii Armah Ashietey, who inspected sections of the 53-kilometre roads currently under construction in the Tema metropolis, expressed concern about the slow pace of work and the bad nature of the roads which was an inconvenience to the driving public.
On the Kpone stretch from the Valco Roundabout through the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) road, the contractor, Mr Kobby Lartey of Kob Construction, was behind time and had done 25 per cent of work instead of 40 per cent.
The Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr Stephen Attipoe, who conducted the Regional Minister around on the inspection tour explained that there was a change in the scope of work, leading to the delay.
He said the initial work was changed from ordinary rehabilitation to a complete road project because it was realised that the road needed to be made to stand the test of time, as heavy duty trucks plied it constantly.
Mr Attipoe said the Tema Oil Refinery had contributed $100,000 for work on the frontage of the plant because of the regular movement of trucks there.
He disclosed that the rains had revealed some defects in the work so far done, and that the contractor had, therefore, been directed to raise the side to divert water flow.
Construction work on the Republic Road was progressing and the contractor, Mr James Cuddle of the Lagna Constructions, said it was essential to asphalt the road in the next stage of work. He was optimistic the work would be completed by the end of next month.
The Roads Engineer, Mr Attipoe, told the Regional Minister that Tema Roads had not been re-constructed in the last 40 years and that it was necessary to ensure that a good job was done so that the roads would last for the next 20 years or more.
At the Community Three junction linking the Harbour –Meridian road, beach road – Nungua barrier and the Community Two road, Mr Attipoe said the contractor, Eagle Star Constructions, had almost completed work on the Lashibi road.
He noted that there were plans to change the beach road to a dual carriageway which the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) had promised to assist but the work was continuing because of the delay in the fulfilment of the promise.
Mr Attipoe said work on most of the Tema roads would be completed by the end of July, 2010, noting that there were plans to patch roads which were not included in the rehabilitation package.
He said the major roads rehabilitation was being funded by the Government of Ghana. The Vice-President, Mr John Mahatma, cut the sod for work to begin on the 53kilometres stretch of roads in the Tema metropolis which was to be funded by the Government of Ghana.
For sometime now, the contractors who were immediately awarded the contracts had seemingly slowed down work causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians as well.
The Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, who was accompanied by the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Ofosu Ware, and some officials of the assembly, appealed to the contractors to complete the work on time.
15 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS COMPLETE TRAINING COURSE (PAGE 22, JULY 3, 2010)
A three week capacity training course for 15 electrical engineers and technicians from Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone, under the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) co-ordination has ended at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Training School in Tema.
This brings to 43 the number of trainees from member countries who have undergone the technician and engineers course designed by WAPP with financial support from the European Union since April, this year.
The training is expected to contribute to the integration of the national electricity companies of ECOWAS member- states.
The participants were taken through transformer and sub-station maintenance, overhead lines and cable network operations and maintenance, distribution system design operation, protection and SCADA management among others.
A representative of the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr Mustapha Zakari Cisse said WAPP in collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance designed the training modules to address unique problems of the power utilities in the West African sub-region and to contribute to the improvement of performance of the utilities.
He said the training would also create an enabling environment for enhancing regional cohesion through mutual understanding and co-operation among WAPP members.
Mr Cisse commended the EU for its involvement and financial support for the programme.
He also appreciated the Board and Management of the Electricity Company of Ghana for opening up its facilities to other members of the Pool.
Mr Cisse called on the participants to make the investment in them worthwhile by making the greatest impact of their training felt by customers in their countries.
He indicated that WAPP would be justified to approach financiers to provide money to train others for advanced levels of continuous training.
The Head of Infrastructure and Sustainable Section of the Delegation of the European Union in Ghana, Mr Jannik Vaa said the support programme to WAPP started in September 2009 and will run over a period of three years .
He noted that the EU financial assistance amounted to 1.8 million euros which is about GH¢3.24 million and was through the ACP –EU Energy facility.
Mr Vaa said the EU support to the WAPP sought to assist ECOWAS countries to develop electricity production and distribution at regional level and to subsequently strengthen regional integration in West Africa .
He commended the participants and said the EU was encouraged by the training programme for having trained 43 electrical engineers and technicians on three modules with each course running for three weeks.
The WAPP Consultant , Mr Igor Zakharov said based on the success of the programme, French speaking WAPP members had also expressed interest which was an indication that the ECG had the human resource base to impart knowledge to others in less endowed countries.
This brings to 43 the number of trainees from member countries who have undergone the technician and engineers course designed by WAPP with financial support from the European Union since April, this year.
The training is expected to contribute to the integration of the national electricity companies of ECOWAS member- states.
The participants were taken through transformer and sub-station maintenance, overhead lines and cable network operations and maintenance, distribution system design operation, protection and SCADA management among others.
A representative of the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr Mustapha Zakari Cisse said WAPP in collaboration with the European Union Technical Assistance designed the training modules to address unique problems of the power utilities in the West African sub-region and to contribute to the improvement of performance of the utilities.
He said the training would also create an enabling environment for enhancing regional cohesion through mutual understanding and co-operation among WAPP members.
Mr Cisse commended the EU for its involvement and financial support for the programme.
He also appreciated the Board and Management of the Electricity Company of Ghana for opening up its facilities to other members of the Pool.
Mr Cisse called on the participants to make the investment in them worthwhile by making the greatest impact of their training felt by customers in their countries.
He indicated that WAPP would be justified to approach financiers to provide money to train others for advanced levels of continuous training.
The Head of Infrastructure and Sustainable Section of the Delegation of the European Union in Ghana, Mr Jannik Vaa said the support programme to WAPP started in September 2009 and will run over a period of three years .
He noted that the EU financial assistance amounted to 1.8 million euros which is about GH¢3.24 million and was through the ACP –EU Energy facility.
Mr Vaa said the EU support to the WAPP sought to assist ECOWAS countries to develop electricity production and distribution at regional level and to subsequently strengthen regional integration in West Africa .
He commended the participants and said the EU was encouraged by the training programme for having trained 43 electrical engineers and technicians on three modules with each course running for three weeks.
The WAPP Consultant , Mr Igor Zakharov said based on the success of the programme, French speaking WAPP members had also expressed interest which was an indication that the ECG had the human resource base to impart knowledge to others in less endowed countries.
ASHAIMAN FLOOD VICTIMS INGNORE WARNING (SPREAD, JULY 3, 2010)
Some victims of the devastating flood which claimed several lives and displaced thousands of people in Ashaiman have ignored warnings of heavier rains this season and started re-constructing their buildings.
They are using heaps of sand which piled up in parts of Ashaiman as a result of the flood for their constructional works.
In separate interviews, some of the victims told the Daily Graphic that they did not have anywhere to go and that the land belonged to them, saying, “God will listen to our prayers.”
According to them, the only homes they had were the ones which were washed away by the floods, which underscored the need for them to build new ones to replace those which were destroyed.
Most of the structures under construction are at Roman Down in the Obakatse Electoral Area where the flood had been severest and claimed many lives.
Commenting on the situation, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi, said it was sad that the residents were re-constructing houses in the same area where the flood destroyed their properties.
He expressed concern over the health hazards posed by the resort to the use of dirty water from the drains because the floods had disrupted water supply in Ashaiman.
The MP said it was unfortunate that at a time when efforts were being made to secure support from organisations and ministries involved in road works and the provision of water, shelter and clothing, the victims were rather going back to establish themselves again.
He appealed to them to heed the advice not to build on water courses and in green belts because they were purposefully designed in low-lying areas.
Mr Agbesi emphasised that it was time strict sanctions were imposed on those who gave permits and allocated land to the people in prohibited areas.
He said he could not decide the fate of those who were re-constructing their houses on water courses and appealed to the assembly to take steps to stop them.
Mr Agbesi appealed to government to set up a committee at government level to find solution to the problem once and for all.
He said the medical needs of the people ,relocation , provision of alternative schools for displaced children and clothing among others must be considered by the committee.
Meanwhile the Member of Parliament, Mr Agbesi had led a team of NDC party executives to distribute food items to the victims.
The items comprised 220 bags of rice and 16 cartons of cooking oil valued at GH¢9,000 .
He explained that the total amount used in the purchase of the items comprised GH¢5,000 from the MP’s office and GH¢4,000 from the former First Lady Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings when she visited and consoled the victims.
The distribution was done in nine flood communities in Ashaiman, including Manmomo, Roman Down (Obakatse), Jericho, Assenso, Malian Estates, Chief Fafra and Behind Presby.
The victims complained that there was no transparency in the distribution because the actual victims were not benefiting from the supplies.
They are using heaps of sand which piled up in parts of Ashaiman as a result of the flood for their constructional works.
In separate interviews, some of the victims told the Daily Graphic that they did not have anywhere to go and that the land belonged to them, saying, “God will listen to our prayers.”
According to them, the only homes they had were the ones which were washed away by the floods, which underscored the need for them to build new ones to replace those which were destroyed.
Most of the structures under construction are at Roman Down in the Obakatse Electoral Area where the flood had been severest and claimed many lives.
Commenting on the situation, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi, said it was sad that the residents were re-constructing houses in the same area where the flood destroyed their properties.
He expressed concern over the health hazards posed by the resort to the use of dirty water from the drains because the floods had disrupted water supply in Ashaiman.
The MP said it was unfortunate that at a time when efforts were being made to secure support from organisations and ministries involved in road works and the provision of water, shelter and clothing, the victims were rather going back to establish themselves again.
He appealed to them to heed the advice not to build on water courses and in green belts because they were purposefully designed in low-lying areas.
Mr Agbesi emphasised that it was time strict sanctions were imposed on those who gave permits and allocated land to the people in prohibited areas.
He said he could not decide the fate of those who were re-constructing their houses on water courses and appealed to the assembly to take steps to stop them.
Mr Agbesi appealed to government to set up a committee at government level to find solution to the problem once and for all.
He said the medical needs of the people ,relocation , provision of alternative schools for displaced children and clothing among others must be considered by the committee.
Meanwhile the Member of Parliament, Mr Agbesi had led a team of NDC party executives to distribute food items to the victims.
The items comprised 220 bags of rice and 16 cartons of cooking oil valued at GH¢9,000 .
He explained that the total amount used in the purchase of the items comprised GH¢5,000 from the MP’s office and GH¢4,000 from the former First Lady Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings when she visited and consoled the victims.
The distribution was done in nine flood communities in Ashaiman, including Manmomo, Roman Down (Obakatse), Jericho, Assenso, Malian Estates, Chief Fafra and Behind Presby.
The victims complained that there was no transparency in the distribution because the actual victims were not benefiting from the supplies.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
VEEP INAUGURATES POLICE STATIONS IN TEMA (SPREAD, JULY 1, 2010)
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has inaugurated a police station at Tema Community 11 to help curb activities of armed robbers and other anti-social elements in the community.
The facility, which was constructed by the Rotary Club of Tema at an estimated cost of GH¢80,000 to serve Communities 10, 11 and 12, has a female, male and juvenile cells.
Mr Mahama commended the Rotary Club for its effort to support the Ghana Police Service to fight crime.
He stated that communities had a stake in their own safety by identifying criminals in their vicinity.
The Vice-President said the government was taking steps to equip the police by installing a new database for fingerprint and to upgrade its laboratories for DNA tests.
The Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, observed that the police in Ghana were working under challenging circumstances and called on society to encourage them than to condemn them outright, adding that “there are bad lots everywhere”.
He appealed to philanthropic organisations to continue to support the police to enable them to work harder.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Alhassan, said effective law enforcement was a shared responsibility without which good results could not be achieved.
He gave an assurance that the police administration would make efforts to equip the station and provide it with a vehicle to enable the police to work efficiently to serve the communities by fighting crime effectively.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tema, Mr John Bisiw, announced that the project was financed locally by the Club and appealed to the Police Administration to equip the station immediately to make it functional.
Mr Bisiw said hitherto residents had witnessed car snatching and strange killings in the three communities and expressed optimism that residents would now enjoy some tranquillity because of the presence of the police in the area.
The facility, which was constructed by the Rotary Club of Tema at an estimated cost of GH¢80,000 to serve Communities 10, 11 and 12, has a female, male and juvenile cells.
Mr Mahama commended the Rotary Club for its effort to support the Ghana Police Service to fight crime.
He stated that communities had a stake in their own safety by identifying criminals in their vicinity.
The Vice-President said the government was taking steps to equip the police by installing a new database for fingerprint and to upgrade its laboratories for DNA tests.
The Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, observed that the police in Ghana were working under challenging circumstances and called on society to encourage them than to condemn them outright, adding that “there are bad lots everywhere”.
He appealed to philanthropic organisations to continue to support the police to enable them to work harder.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Alhassan, said effective law enforcement was a shared responsibility without which good results could not be achieved.
He gave an assurance that the police administration would make efforts to equip the station and provide it with a vehicle to enable the police to work efficiently to serve the communities by fighting crime effectively.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tema, Mr John Bisiw, announced that the project was financed locally by the Club and appealed to the Police Administration to equip the station immediately to make it functional.
Mr Bisiw said hitherto residents had witnessed car snatching and strange killings in the three communities and expressed optimism that residents would now enjoy some tranquillity because of the presence of the police in the area.
VEEP INAUGURATES INTER-MINISSTERIAL COMMITTEE (PAGE 19, JULY 1, 2010)
THE Fight against crime in Tema communities 10, 11 and 12 received a boost when the Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, inaugurated a new police station for the Ghana Police Service.
The police station, funded by the Rotary Club of Tema at a cost GH¢80,000, has separate cells for females, males and juveniles, making the new station the only one in the Greater Accra Region with a facility for juveniles.
Armed robbery and other anti-social activities have become the bane of Tema communities 10, 11 and 12 but the nearest police station to the communities was located in Community One, over three kilometres away.
Performing the inaugural ceremony, the Vice -President commended the Rotary Club of Tema for its effort to support the Ghana Police Service to fight crime in Tema.
He stated that communities had a stake in their own safety and in identifying criminals in their vicinity hence the need to contribute towards the provision of facilities.
Mr Mahama said the government was taking steps to equip the police by installing new database for fingerprinting and upgrading its laboratories for DNA tests.
The Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, observed that the Ghana Police Service was working under challenging circumstances and called on society to encourage the police than to condemn them outright, adding that ‘there are bad lots everywhere.’
He appealed to philanthropic organisations to continue to support the police to enable them work harder even as the government continued in its effort to beef up the workforce of the service.
Mr Mahama said the government would soon recruit 2000 officers into the service to augment the existing number.
He called on people in the various communities to take advantage of the rewards which the service had instituted to encourage them to volunteer information on suspected criminals to enable the police to curb crime.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr Mohammed Alhassan, in an address, said effective law enforcement was a shared responsibility and that good results could not be achieved without collaborative effort between the police and society.
He commended the Rotary Club of Tema for the initiative and asked other organisations to emulate the example.
Mr Alhassan gave an assurance that the police administration would make efforts to equip the station and provide it with a vehicle to enable the police personnel to work efficiently to serve the communities.
The Deputy IGP noted that population growth and corresponding crime wave with its socio-economic dynamics had continued to take a toll on the budget of the police.
Mr Alhassan appealed to the public and police personnel who would be sent there to ensure the safety of the facility to justify the substantial investment made by the Rotary Club of Tema.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tema, Mr John Bisiw, announced that the project was financed locally by the Club and appealed to the Police Administration to equip the station immediately to make it functional.
Mr Bisiw said hitherto residents had witnessed car snatching and strange killings in the Communities, but was optimistic that residents would now enjoy some tranquillity because of the presence of the police in the area .
Mr Bisiw, however, appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to provide a drainage to solve a major drainage challenge that faced the area in the frontage of the building.
Tema Regional Police Commander and the Tema Mantse Nii Adjei Kraku assisted the Vice-President to cut the tape to declare the station open.
The police station, funded by the Rotary Club of Tema at a cost GH¢80,000, has separate cells for females, males and juveniles, making the new station the only one in the Greater Accra Region with a facility for juveniles.
Armed robbery and other anti-social activities have become the bane of Tema communities 10, 11 and 12 but the nearest police station to the communities was located in Community One, over three kilometres away.
Performing the inaugural ceremony, the Vice -President commended the Rotary Club of Tema for its effort to support the Ghana Police Service to fight crime in Tema.
He stated that communities had a stake in their own safety and in identifying criminals in their vicinity hence the need to contribute towards the provision of facilities.
Mr Mahama said the government was taking steps to equip the police by installing new database for fingerprinting and upgrading its laboratories for DNA tests.
The Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, observed that the Ghana Police Service was working under challenging circumstances and called on society to encourage the police than to condemn them outright, adding that ‘there are bad lots everywhere.’
He appealed to philanthropic organisations to continue to support the police to enable them work harder even as the government continued in its effort to beef up the workforce of the service.
Mr Mahama said the government would soon recruit 2000 officers into the service to augment the existing number.
He called on people in the various communities to take advantage of the rewards which the service had instituted to encourage them to volunteer information on suspected criminals to enable the police to curb crime.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr Mohammed Alhassan, in an address, said effective law enforcement was a shared responsibility and that good results could not be achieved without collaborative effort between the police and society.
He commended the Rotary Club of Tema for the initiative and asked other organisations to emulate the example.
Mr Alhassan gave an assurance that the police administration would make efforts to equip the station and provide it with a vehicle to enable the police personnel to work efficiently to serve the communities.
The Deputy IGP noted that population growth and corresponding crime wave with its socio-economic dynamics had continued to take a toll on the budget of the police.
Mr Alhassan appealed to the public and police personnel who would be sent there to ensure the safety of the facility to justify the substantial investment made by the Rotary Club of Tema.
The President of the Rotary Club of Tema, Mr John Bisiw, announced that the project was financed locally by the Club and appealed to the Police Administration to equip the station immediately to make it functional.
Mr Bisiw said hitherto residents had witnessed car snatching and strange killings in the Communities, but was optimistic that residents would now enjoy some tranquillity because of the presence of the police in the area .
Mr Bisiw, however, appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to provide a drainage to solve a major drainage challenge that faced the area in the frontage of the building.
Tema Regional Police Commander and the Tema Mantse Nii Adjei Kraku assisted the Vice-President to cut the tape to declare the station open.
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