THE Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has received a mini laboratory from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Germany, to help analyse food products for the presence of vitamins and minerals to ensure good health for Ghanaians .
The pocket size equipment which has been validated for food analysis will check for fortified food items within seven minutes instead of the five hours as existed previously to reduce deficiencies and malnutrition by 30 per cent in the country.
The equipment, known as 'i Check Chromo' and its accessories cost 8,520 Euros and it is the first to be produced as a sample for Ghana.It is yet to be produced on commercial basis .
Introducing the equipment to stakeholders in Tema, the Project Manager, Mr Richard Odum Nyumuah, said the FDB had introduced a logo to be pasted on fortified products to assure consumers of the genuineness of the product .
He said producers and importers who would display for sale or import products without complying with the laid down regulations would be sanctioned and the products re-exported to its source of importation.
Mr Nyumuah stated that the Ministry of Health had noted that most imported and locally produced cooking oils lacked vitamin A after refining.
This, he said, led to increase in deficiencies which made people to rely on supplementation.
Mr Nyumuah said wheat flour was one of the food items that needed to be fortified with minerals, zinc, iron, vitamins A and B and folic acid .
He said GAIN in line with the project gave support of $1.8 million to flour producing companies in the country to institute measures to fortify their products .
Mr Nyumuah noted that the FDB would soon promote the logo to educate the public on the need to look out for the fortified logo .
The Head of Import and Export Unit of FDB, Mr Emmanuel Kwarteng, said the introduction of the equipment was a milestone in the operations of the FDB in the ports and at the border crossings.
He was of the view that the operations with the food analysing equipment would ensure safe and efficacious medicines and food products on the market to assure consumers of good health .
Mr Kwarteng commended the Customs Division of the National Revenue Authority, members of the Customs Clearing Agencies and the National Security for their vigilance which had exposed some dubious deals at the ports.
He cautioned the public against the use of food and drugs which had not been approved by the board and appealed to the public to inform it of any shady deals. Mr Kwarteng said herbal preparations were not excluded and called for support to help control the inflow of sub -standard products into the country.
The Head of Food Laboratory Unit of the FDB, Mr Cheetham Mingle, demonstrated how the equipment works.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
AYUBA WINS FIDE;ITY BANK DRAW (PAGE 23, NOV 25, 2010)
THE Deputy Managing Director of the Fidelity Bank, Mr Jim Baiden, has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to cultivate the culture of savings to guarantee their financial independence .
He said “some people, even in this era have never stepped into a banking hall and continue to hide their monies at home” .
Mr Baiden appealed to the citizenry to change their attitude and start patronising the banks .
Speaking at the second draw of the Fidelity Bank's 'Go for Gold 'promotion at Tema, Mr Baiden said personnel of the bank had embarked on a door to door campaign to educate people to patronise the bank.
A customer of the Kumasi Adum branch of the bank,Yakubu Ayuba , won the bank's second monthly draw representing one in a series of six draws to be held by the bank to reward customers .
He was rewarded with a 42 inch Plasma flat screen television, while the second and third place winners received a table top fridge and a 4G IPOD respectively .
The ultimate prize at stake after the six draws is a 24-carat one kilogram gold bar worth $60,000 and other prizes.
Mr Baiden said 10 customers from across the country were rewarded last month from the draw and urged new and old customers of the bank to join the promotion for attractive rewards .
He also stated that the bank had 21 branches in the country where they could go and open an account to join the raffle .
The Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Chamber of Mines , Mrs Evelyn Adei Sarpong, commended the bank for using gold, which is a cherished commodity in Ghana, for the promotion.
She was of the view that, the use of gold to reward the winner will go a long way to impact on the winner's life noting that 'you are setting the pace for the banking industry.
Mrs Sarpong stated that, this was the first time in the history of banking in Ghana that a bank was giving away a gold bar as a gift to its customer .
She noted that with this, Ghanaians who had gold in their possession would be reminded of its value and therefore protect it .
Ten tickets belonging to customers from Kumasi, Tem, Accra, Tamale and Takoradi won the raffle with Yakubu Ayuba from Kumasi, Adum branch winning the first prize.
He said “some people, even in this era have never stepped into a banking hall and continue to hide their monies at home” .
Mr Baiden appealed to the citizenry to change their attitude and start patronising the banks .
Speaking at the second draw of the Fidelity Bank's 'Go for Gold 'promotion at Tema, Mr Baiden said personnel of the bank had embarked on a door to door campaign to educate people to patronise the bank.
A customer of the Kumasi Adum branch of the bank,Yakubu Ayuba , won the bank's second monthly draw representing one in a series of six draws to be held by the bank to reward customers .
He was rewarded with a 42 inch Plasma flat screen television, while the second and third place winners received a table top fridge and a 4G IPOD respectively .
The ultimate prize at stake after the six draws is a 24-carat one kilogram gold bar worth $60,000 and other prizes.
Mr Baiden said 10 customers from across the country were rewarded last month from the draw and urged new and old customers of the bank to join the promotion for attractive rewards .
He also stated that the bank had 21 branches in the country where they could go and open an account to join the raffle .
The Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Chamber of Mines , Mrs Evelyn Adei Sarpong, commended the bank for using gold, which is a cherished commodity in Ghana, for the promotion.
She was of the view that, the use of gold to reward the winner will go a long way to impact on the winner's life noting that 'you are setting the pace for the banking industry.
Mrs Sarpong stated that, this was the first time in the history of banking in Ghana that a bank was giving away a gold bar as a gift to its customer .
She noted that with this, Ghanaians who had gold in their possession would be reminded of its value and therefore protect it .
Ten tickets belonging to customers from Kumasi, Tem, Accra, Tamale and Takoradi won the raffle with Yakubu Ayuba from Kumasi, Adum branch winning the first prize.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF SAVING — BAIDEN (PAGE 18, NOV 13, 2010)
THE Deputy Managing Director of the Fidelity Bank, Mr Jim Baiden, has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of saving.
“Some people even in this era have never stepped into a banking hall and continue to hide their money at home,” he said, stressing that there was the need for the citizenry to change their attitude and start to patronise the banks.
Speaking at the second draw of Fidelity Bank's 'Go for Gold promotion’ in Tema, Mr Baiden said personnel of the bank had embarked on a door-to-door campaign to educate people to patronise banking services.
A customer of the Kumasi Adum branch of the bank, Yakubu Ayuba, won the second monthly draw, representing one of a series of six draws to be held by the bank to reward its customers.
He was presented with a 42-inch Plasma flat screen television set, while the second and third winners received a table- top fridge and a 4G iPOD, respectively.
The ultimate prize at stake after the six draws is a 24-carat, one kilogramme gold bar worth $60,000 and other prizes.
Mr Baiden said 10 customers from across the country were rewarded last month from the draw and urged new and old customers of the Fidelity Bank to join the promotion for attractive rewards.
He stated that the bank had 21 branches in the country where prospective customers could go and sign up to join the raffle.
The Director of Administration and Human Resource at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mrs Evelyn Adei Sarpong, commended the bank for using gold, which is a cherished commodity in Ghana, for the promotion.
Ten tickets belonging to customers from Kumasi, Tema, Accra, Tamale and Takoradi won the raffle.
“Some people even in this era have never stepped into a banking hall and continue to hide their money at home,” he said, stressing that there was the need for the citizenry to change their attitude and start to patronise the banks.
Speaking at the second draw of Fidelity Bank's 'Go for Gold promotion’ in Tema, Mr Baiden said personnel of the bank had embarked on a door-to-door campaign to educate people to patronise banking services.
A customer of the Kumasi Adum branch of the bank, Yakubu Ayuba, won the second monthly draw, representing one of a series of six draws to be held by the bank to reward its customers.
He was presented with a 42-inch Plasma flat screen television set, while the second and third winners received a table- top fridge and a 4G iPOD, respectively.
The ultimate prize at stake after the six draws is a 24-carat, one kilogramme gold bar worth $60,000 and other prizes.
Mr Baiden said 10 customers from across the country were rewarded last month from the draw and urged new and old customers of the Fidelity Bank to join the promotion for attractive rewards.
He stated that the bank had 21 branches in the country where prospective customers could go and sign up to join the raffle.
The Director of Administration and Human Resource at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mrs Evelyn Adei Sarpong, commended the bank for using gold, which is a cherished commodity in Ghana, for the promotion.
Ten tickets belonging to customers from Kumasi, Tema, Accra, Tamale and Takoradi won the raffle.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY TO OPEN TEACHING HOSPITAL (BACK PAGE, NOV 18, 2010)
THE Central University College is to establish a teaching hospital and to offer medical attention to communities in its catchment area.
The 200-bed hospital will be equipped with facilities to handle referral cases.
At present, the university runs medical programmes such as nursing, pharmacy and physician assistants but sends the students to other hospitals for practical training.
The President of the Central University College (CUC), Professor Victor Patrick Yao Gadzekpo, made this known at the swearing-in ceremony of a 13-member executive committee of the college’s branch of the Physician Assistants Students Association of Ghana (PASAG).
He said the location of the university on the main Accra-Aflao road made it convenient to receive cases, including accident victims.
He explained that it became difficult for the college to start the physician assistants’ degree programme and was grateful that it had finally begun.
Professor Gadzekpo said the ratio of 2000 medical practitioners to the country’s estimated population of 24 million called for urgent steps to be taken to train more professionals to fill the gap.
He stated that the university was founded on the Word of God and, therefore, had compassion to extend its services to communities that lacked medical facilities.
Professor Gadzekpo called on the first batch of graduates, who have entered the job market after their graduation in October, 2010, to be committed to their work and exhibit different work ethics at their workplaces.
The outgoing President of the PASAG, Mr Shaibu Mohammed, called for international networking to pave the way for affiliation of the physician assistants programme with institutions outside the country.
The incoming President, Mr Emile Asiedu, expressed his gratitude to the students for the trust reposed in him and assured them of hard work to build a strong association.
The 200-bed hospital will be equipped with facilities to handle referral cases.
At present, the university runs medical programmes such as nursing, pharmacy and physician assistants but sends the students to other hospitals for practical training.
The President of the Central University College (CUC), Professor Victor Patrick Yao Gadzekpo, made this known at the swearing-in ceremony of a 13-member executive committee of the college’s branch of the Physician Assistants Students Association of Ghana (PASAG).
He said the location of the university on the main Accra-Aflao road made it convenient to receive cases, including accident victims.
He explained that it became difficult for the college to start the physician assistants’ degree programme and was grateful that it had finally begun.
Professor Gadzekpo said the ratio of 2000 medical practitioners to the country’s estimated population of 24 million called for urgent steps to be taken to train more professionals to fill the gap.
He stated that the university was founded on the Word of God and, therefore, had compassion to extend its services to communities that lacked medical facilities.
Professor Gadzekpo called on the first batch of graduates, who have entered the job market after their graduation in October, 2010, to be committed to their work and exhibit different work ethics at their workplaces.
The outgoing President of the PASAG, Mr Shaibu Mohammed, called for international networking to pave the way for affiliation of the physician assistants programme with institutions outside the country.
The incoming President, Mr Emile Asiedu, expressed his gratitude to the students for the trust reposed in him and assured them of hard work to build a strong association.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
TECHNICAL, VOCATIONAL TEACHERS ATTEND WORKSHOP (PAGE 61, NOV 15, 2010)
A two-week capacity building workshop for 30 technical and vocational teachers and policy makers has opened in Tema.
The workshop, which is being organised by the Department of Education, Culture, Science and Technology of the ECOWAS Commission, is also intended to update the knowledge of the participants on employable skills and enhance technical and vocational education locally.
The ECOWAS international resource person, Mr Joshua Mallet, said the programme was the first to be held in Ghana, although it had been going on in other ECOWAS countries .
He was hopeful to see a competency-based technical expertise that would fit into the growing industrialisation of member states .
Mr Mallet said Ghana was the only African country which had a council for Technical, Vocational and Educational Teachers (TVET), which is an indication of the government's determination to make education a priority .
An Assistant Director of Education at the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Division, Mr Cephas Adjei-Mensah, said the government had fashioned out a new policy to promote technical and vocational education and training as a way of skills development.
He said that vision had been articulated in various documents, including the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) 2003 - 2005, the Education Strategic Plan 2003-2015 and the government’s White Paper on the report of the Education Review Committee (2004) .
Mr Adjei-Mensah said the TVET policy framework of Ghana recommended that competency-based training (CBT) be delivered to serve as a model to all TVET programmes .
He said that curriculum development experts, skilled instructors and competent teachers with workplace experience would serve as the cornerstone to the acquisition of employable skills by all categories of learners.
He underscored the critical role of TVET and called for the institutionalisation of training of trainers and continuous development programmes for technical teachers within national TVET systems.
The workshop, which is being organised by the Department of Education, Culture, Science and Technology of the ECOWAS Commission, is also intended to update the knowledge of the participants on employable skills and enhance technical and vocational education locally.
The ECOWAS international resource person, Mr Joshua Mallet, said the programme was the first to be held in Ghana, although it had been going on in other ECOWAS countries .
He was hopeful to see a competency-based technical expertise that would fit into the growing industrialisation of member states .
Mr Mallet said Ghana was the only African country which had a council for Technical, Vocational and Educational Teachers (TVET), which is an indication of the government's determination to make education a priority .
An Assistant Director of Education at the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Division, Mr Cephas Adjei-Mensah, said the government had fashioned out a new policy to promote technical and vocational education and training as a way of skills development.
He said that vision had been articulated in various documents, including the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) 2003 - 2005, the Education Strategic Plan 2003-2015 and the government’s White Paper on the report of the Education Review Committee (2004) .
Mr Adjei-Mensah said the TVET policy framework of Ghana recommended that competency-based training (CBT) be delivered to serve as a model to all TVET programmes .
He said that curriculum development experts, skilled instructors and competent teachers with workplace experience would serve as the cornerstone to the acquisition of employable skills by all categories of learners.
He underscored the critical role of TVET and called for the institutionalisation of training of trainers and continuous development programmes for technical teachers within national TVET systems.
TMA DONATES TO OLDIES LEAGUE (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 11, NOV 12, 2010)
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has donated 10 footballs and a cheque for GH¢2,000 to support an impending ‘oldies league’ for retired footballers in Greater Accra.
The league has been packaged to have the retired footballers play in a fortnightly match to boost soccer in the country .
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, presenting the cheque and the footballs to the Retired National Footballs Association said it was refreshing to have the retired footballers energizing themselves to promote the sport .
He said as footballers, they contributed positively to soccer in the country through their efforts to lift the nation’s flag on the international scene .
Mr Ofosuware explained that the present achievements of the country’s soccer was as a result of the efforts of the retired players .
He commended them for their achievements and urged them to continue to shine ‘in your corner ’.
Mr Ofosuware said the donation was the modest contribution of the Assembly, adding that ‘we would be monitoring the game.
Mr Willie Klutse, a retired ace footballer in showing appreciation for the gesture, said it had come at the right time .
He said the support will pay off some of their transportation and financial needs .
Mr Klutse said the Retired National Footballers Association is made up of individual players in Premier or Division one clubs .
He said the Association had been able to organize players from Chorkor extending to Tema in the Greater Accra .
Mr Klutse said the membership is 2000 retired footballers who have been grouped in 16 teams for the impending league .
He said the Association also had plans to bring the retired footballers together for coaching courses to teach basic techniques of football to the youth to have fore knowledge of the sport.
Mr Daniel Owusu, a retired footballer, Awuley Quaye and Mohammed Polo, were present to receive the donation .
The league has been packaged to have the retired footballers play in a fortnightly match to boost soccer in the country .
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, presenting the cheque and the footballs to the Retired National Footballs Association said it was refreshing to have the retired footballers energizing themselves to promote the sport .
He said as footballers, they contributed positively to soccer in the country through their efforts to lift the nation’s flag on the international scene .
Mr Ofosuware explained that the present achievements of the country’s soccer was as a result of the efforts of the retired players .
He commended them for their achievements and urged them to continue to shine ‘in your corner ’.
Mr Ofosuware said the donation was the modest contribution of the Assembly, adding that ‘we would be monitoring the game.
Mr Willie Klutse, a retired ace footballer in showing appreciation for the gesture, said it had come at the right time .
He said the support will pay off some of their transportation and financial needs .
Mr Klutse said the Retired National Footballers Association is made up of individual players in Premier or Division one clubs .
He said the Association had been able to organize players from Chorkor extending to Tema in the Greater Accra .
Mr Klutse said the membership is 2000 retired footballers who have been grouped in 16 teams for the impending league .
He said the Association also had plans to bring the retired footballers together for coaching courses to teach basic techniques of football to the youth to have fore knowledge of the sport.
Mr Daniel Owusu, a retired footballer, Awuley Quaye and Mohammed Polo, were present to receive the donation .
HOMEOPATHIC, HERBAL CLINIC OPENED IN TEMA (PAGE 18, NOV 9, 2010)
A New homeopathic facility, Gilead Homeopathic and Herbal Clinic, has been opened in Tema.
Addressing the ceremony, a Registrar of the Traditional and Herbal Medicine Practice Council at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Togbui Hlortsi Akakpo, stressed the need for herbal practitioners to register with the Council and be certified by the MoH.
He said those who failed to do so would be considered to be operating illegally.
Togbui Akakpo also said it was important to test the potency of their herbal medicine “to build the confidence of the people in using such medicine.”
He explained that according to records from the MoH, seven out of every 10 persons sought alternative health care such as herbal medicine and pointed out that the government was putting in place structures and the necessary support to encourage the practice of alternative medicine .
He cautioned the management of such facilities to engage only qualified people to render quality service to their clients and not to just create employment.
Togbui Akakpo appealed to all herbal medicine practitioners to insist on rendering quality and standard service to the public, adding that “the MoH would be ready to assist you to address the challenges you encounter in your operations as herbal practitioners”.
The Executive Director of the Clinic, Rev. Dr Eric Tetteh, said the facility had a staff of 14 trained herbalists and nurses.
He said it rendered diagnostic and massaging services, as well as consulting and dispensary, and had out-patients and counselling departments.
Rev Dr Tetteh disclosed that the clinic treated infertility in men and women, fibroid, cardiovascular diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, stroke, skin diseases and sexual weakness among others.
The President of the Full Gospel Church International, Rt. Revd Samuel Mensah, commended the management of the clinic and urged them to work hard to satisfy the needs of the people.
He said the opening of the clinic had come at a time when Ghanaians needed to step up efforts to promote access to health care.
Rt. Revd Mensah urged them to counsel people to change from their negative behaviour and appealed to people in the medical field to desist from travelling abroad for greener pastures and rather help build the nation.
He urged the management to ensure that the staff at the clinic were adequately trained.
The clinic was opened to the public for free screening for various ailments.
Addressing the ceremony, a Registrar of the Traditional and Herbal Medicine Practice Council at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Togbui Hlortsi Akakpo, stressed the need for herbal practitioners to register with the Council and be certified by the MoH.
He said those who failed to do so would be considered to be operating illegally.
Togbui Akakpo also said it was important to test the potency of their herbal medicine “to build the confidence of the people in using such medicine.”
He explained that according to records from the MoH, seven out of every 10 persons sought alternative health care such as herbal medicine and pointed out that the government was putting in place structures and the necessary support to encourage the practice of alternative medicine .
He cautioned the management of such facilities to engage only qualified people to render quality service to their clients and not to just create employment.
Togbui Akakpo appealed to all herbal medicine practitioners to insist on rendering quality and standard service to the public, adding that “the MoH would be ready to assist you to address the challenges you encounter in your operations as herbal practitioners”.
The Executive Director of the Clinic, Rev. Dr Eric Tetteh, said the facility had a staff of 14 trained herbalists and nurses.
He said it rendered diagnostic and massaging services, as well as consulting and dispensary, and had out-patients and counselling departments.
Rev Dr Tetteh disclosed that the clinic treated infertility in men and women, fibroid, cardiovascular diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, stroke, skin diseases and sexual weakness among others.
The President of the Full Gospel Church International, Rt. Revd Samuel Mensah, commended the management of the clinic and urged them to work hard to satisfy the needs of the people.
He said the opening of the clinic had come at a time when Ghanaians needed to step up efforts to promote access to health care.
Rt. Revd Mensah urged them to counsel people to change from their negative behaviour and appealed to people in the medical field to desist from travelling abroad for greener pastures and rather help build the nation.
He urged the management to ensure that the staff at the clinic were adequately trained.
The clinic was opened to the public for free screening for various ailments.
22 COMPLETE TRAINING IN PORT MANAGEMENT (PAGE 18, NOV 9, 2010)
TWENTY-TWO people drawn from six organisations involved in port operations have completed a year’s training programme aimed at equipping them with modern port management skills.
The training programme, dubbed “Train-For-Trade”, was facilitated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dublin Port Company experts and local experts from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and sought to foster economic development.
The 22 participants were drawn from organisations such as the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), MOL Ghana, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Maritime University, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Advanced Stevedoring Company.
Participants were taken through International Trade and Transport modules, Organisation of a Port System, Future Challenges to Ports, Methods and Tools of Management, Technical Management and Human Resource Development, among others.
The UNCTAD Project Expert, Mr Mark Assaf, commended the GPHA for its role in the training programme.
He said the Modern Port Management training was implemented by UNCTAD in port communities of English-speaking developing countries in co-operation with Dublin Port Company, and with support from Irish Aid participating ports on a pilot base.
Other countries involved in the programme include Tanzania, Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives.
The Director-General of the GPHA, Mr Nestor Galley, expressed appreciation to UNCTAD, Irish Aid and Dublin Port Company for extending the training programme to Ghana and called on all companies at the port to get involved in the project to improve the knowledge of their staff.
He indicated that the programme, which was organised on a pilot basis, was a good investment because at the end of the course, participants would appreciate the industry better.
The participants were awarded certificates and presented with books on the maritime industry to enhance their knowledge.
Mr Galley also indicated that the GPHA had renewed the participation contract in order to develop the industry and expand it to cover many people.
A lecturer in the Port and Shipping Department of the Ghana Maritime University, Mrs Felicity Ankomah Sey, was adjudged the best participant. She was given certificates of merit, maritime books and a laptop as her award.
Officials from Dublin Port Company, represented by a Director, Mr John Moore, and an evaluation team made up of Mr Patrick Madger and Mr John Hoy from Irish AID evaluated the course.
The training programme, dubbed “Train-For-Trade”, was facilitated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dublin Port Company experts and local experts from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and sought to foster economic development.
The 22 participants were drawn from organisations such as the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), MOL Ghana, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Maritime University, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Advanced Stevedoring Company.
Participants were taken through International Trade and Transport modules, Organisation of a Port System, Future Challenges to Ports, Methods and Tools of Management, Technical Management and Human Resource Development, among others.
The UNCTAD Project Expert, Mr Mark Assaf, commended the GPHA for its role in the training programme.
He said the Modern Port Management training was implemented by UNCTAD in port communities of English-speaking developing countries in co-operation with Dublin Port Company, and with support from Irish Aid participating ports on a pilot base.
Other countries involved in the programme include Tanzania, Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives.
The Director-General of the GPHA, Mr Nestor Galley, expressed appreciation to UNCTAD, Irish Aid and Dublin Port Company for extending the training programme to Ghana and called on all companies at the port to get involved in the project to improve the knowledge of their staff.
He indicated that the programme, which was organised on a pilot basis, was a good investment because at the end of the course, participants would appreciate the industry better.
The participants were awarded certificates and presented with books on the maritime industry to enhance their knowledge.
Mr Galley also indicated that the GPHA had renewed the participation contract in order to develop the industry and expand it to cover many people.
A lecturer in the Port and Shipping Department of the Ghana Maritime University, Mrs Felicity Ankomah Sey, was adjudged the best participant. She was given certificates of merit, maritime books and a laptop as her award.
Officials from Dublin Port Company, represented by a Director, Mr John Moore, and an evaluation team made up of Mr Patrick Madger and Mr John Hoy from Irish AID evaluated the course.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
POLICE MOUNT SEARCH FOR ECG ENGINEER (PAGE 51, NOV 4. 2010)
THE Police in Tema have mounted a search for an engineer of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), George Gbafah, who allegedly connived with officials of Melody Industries Limited, a Chinese-owned company at the Tema Heavy Industrial Area, to consume more than GH¢107,154.23 energy through illegal connection.
Already, the police have arrested the Assistant Manager of the Chinese company, Hao Lin also known as Maxwell, to help in their investigations.
The Tema Regional Director of the ECG, Mr Felix Fiebor, told the Daily Graphic that during an operation to check illegal connection in Tema last Friday and acting upon a tip off, a team from the National Revenue Loss Control Unit of the Company went to the Melody Industries Limited, producers of mineral water bottles, on Tuesday October 26, 2010 to inspect the electrical lines.
During the operation it was detected that the company was producing without meters, meaning that it was accumulating losses to the ECG.
He said the lines were disconnected on Tuesday and officials of the company asked to report and settle their indebtedness.
Mr Fiebor said when the team went back in the company of the police to ensure that the lines had not been reconnected, the factory was surprisingly found in full production.
The ECG officials immediately disconnected the lines and ordered that all the machines be put off.
A closer examination of the factory revealed that the company had mounted its own transformer and connected fresh lines to two new ECG project poles.
During interrogation, the Assistant Manager said George Gbafa was the one who did the connections for them.
In another development, the team disconnected other illegal connections at the Tema Light Industrial Area, where an Indian company, Zeetech Limited, produced sachet water packs.
The company had connected the cables directly to the circuit breakers and was, therefore, operating outside the meters, resulting in a loss of GH¢71,590 over a period of 18 months.
The Manager, Mr Francis Selvaraj, was not at the factory when the team went on the operation at the company but there was information later that he had gone to make part payment to avoid prosecution.
When the resident electrician of the company, Mr Teye Mama, was questioned, he explained that he did the illegal connections to save the company from going bankrupt.
A chain of 10 huge containers which had been converted into cold stores were also disconnected at the fishing harbour.
The owners of the containers allegedly put off the cold stores during the day and put them on in the night to freeze fish, and therefore, avoided the watchful eyes of the ECG officials.
The original owners allegedly disappeared to avoid being picked up by the police and their representatives were sent to the Community One Police Station.
Mr Fiebor appealed to the public to help arrest people who had illegally connected power to their homes and factories.
He said the ECG lost 30 per cent of every amount of power sold out, resulting in losses to the company.
Mr Fiebor said the ECG would not shield any official who would condone illegalities.
Already, the police have arrested the Assistant Manager of the Chinese company, Hao Lin also known as Maxwell, to help in their investigations.
The Tema Regional Director of the ECG, Mr Felix Fiebor, told the Daily Graphic that during an operation to check illegal connection in Tema last Friday and acting upon a tip off, a team from the National Revenue Loss Control Unit of the Company went to the Melody Industries Limited, producers of mineral water bottles, on Tuesday October 26, 2010 to inspect the electrical lines.
During the operation it was detected that the company was producing without meters, meaning that it was accumulating losses to the ECG.
He said the lines were disconnected on Tuesday and officials of the company asked to report and settle their indebtedness.
Mr Fiebor said when the team went back in the company of the police to ensure that the lines had not been reconnected, the factory was surprisingly found in full production.
The ECG officials immediately disconnected the lines and ordered that all the machines be put off.
A closer examination of the factory revealed that the company had mounted its own transformer and connected fresh lines to two new ECG project poles.
During interrogation, the Assistant Manager said George Gbafa was the one who did the connections for them.
In another development, the team disconnected other illegal connections at the Tema Light Industrial Area, where an Indian company, Zeetech Limited, produced sachet water packs.
The company had connected the cables directly to the circuit breakers and was, therefore, operating outside the meters, resulting in a loss of GH¢71,590 over a period of 18 months.
The Manager, Mr Francis Selvaraj, was not at the factory when the team went on the operation at the company but there was information later that he had gone to make part payment to avoid prosecution.
When the resident electrician of the company, Mr Teye Mama, was questioned, he explained that he did the illegal connections to save the company from going bankrupt.
A chain of 10 huge containers which had been converted into cold stores were also disconnected at the fishing harbour.
The owners of the containers allegedly put off the cold stores during the day and put them on in the night to freeze fish, and therefore, avoided the watchful eyes of the ECG officials.
The original owners allegedly disappeared to avoid being picked up by the police and their representatives were sent to the Community One Police Station.
Mr Fiebor appealed to the public to help arrest people who had illegally connected power to their homes and factories.
He said the ECG lost 30 per cent of every amount of power sold out, resulting in losses to the company.
Mr Fiebor said the ECG would not shield any official who would condone illegalities.
ASHAIMAN MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTS DRAINS (PAGE 18, NOV 2, 2010)
THE Ashaiman Municipal Assembly has intensified efforts to educate residents on the need to desist from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse to prevent flooding in the municipality
The assembly is also constructing drains in the various electoral areas to enhance the free flow of running water.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after rains caused floods in some parts of Accra recently, the Public Relations Officer of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyamfi, said although the municipality did not experience any floods during last rains, “the Assembly is determined to prevent loss of lives and properties, hence the need to collaborate with the residents to adopt habits that will eliminate the dumping of refuse into drains and gutters.”
He said under the programme, which involves the assembly members of the 11 electoral areas in the municipality, residents would dialogue on how to keep their surroundings clean, since the indiscriminate dumping of refuse constituted 90 per cent of the causes of flooding.
The programme will also tackle erection of structures on watercourses.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi announced that the assembly had authorised the task-force led by the Municipal Engineer, Mr Isaac Lamptey, to inspect and demolish unauthorised structures which were springing up along drains and prohibited areas.
He said according to recommendations by the security task-force which inspected flooded areas in the municipality after the June 20, 2010, down pour that caused floods in the area, a distance of 50 ft must be left on each side of storm drains and roads to prevent disasters in future.
A visit to Ashaiman Newtown where the Gbemi and Amatsuru rivers flooded their banks showed that the displaced residents had returned and were putting up in dilapidated structures.
Storm drains at Community 22 and Roman Down where the rivers flooded, because of garbage, have been cleared.
The PRO noted that the assembly had been given a tipper truck, pay loader and a caterpillar to be used to clear storm drains regularly.
He said before the assembly received this support, it hired some equipment and also tasked the Zoomlion to clear the gutters at a cost.
Mr Adu –Gyamfi stated that the assembly had funded a street light project in all the 11 electoral areas at a total cost of GH¢360,783.28, which is near completion, to improve security in the area.
He said the beneficiary areas were Market Square, Assenso, Mantseman, Niiman, Manmomo, Taboo, Tulaku, Obakatse and Tsinagber electoral areas.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi said the project was undertaken by three electrical contractors namely Matthew Electrical Works, Prefos Ltd and Alexis Brothers Electrical works under the supervision of personnel from the Works Department of the assembly and the assembly members.
He also indicated that work had started on the construction of the road networks from the Ashaiman central business area to Zenu, covering a distance of 4.8 kilometres, with funds from the government, while other roads in the municipality had been awarded on contract.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi appealed to the residents to help the assembly to build a positive image for Ashaiman to attract investments and tourists to help in developing the municipality.
The assembly is also constructing drains in the various electoral areas to enhance the free flow of running water.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after rains caused floods in some parts of Accra recently, the Public Relations Officer of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyamfi, said although the municipality did not experience any floods during last rains, “the Assembly is determined to prevent loss of lives and properties, hence the need to collaborate with the residents to adopt habits that will eliminate the dumping of refuse into drains and gutters.”
He said under the programme, which involves the assembly members of the 11 electoral areas in the municipality, residents would dialogue on how to keep their surroundings clean, since the indiscriminate dumping of refuse constituted 90 per cent of the causes of flooding.
The programme will also tackle erection of structures on watercourses.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi announced that the assembly had authorised the task-force led by the Municipal Engineer, Mr Isaac Lamptey, to inspect and demolish unauthorised structures which were springing up along drains and prohibited areas.
He said according to recommendations by the security task-force which inspected flooded areas in the municipality after the June 20, 2010, down pour that caused floods in the area, a distance of 50 ft must be left on each side of storm drains and roads to prevent disasters in future.
A visit to Ashaiman Newtown where the Gbemi and Amatsuru rivers flooded their banks showed that the displaced residents had returned and were putting up in dilapidated structures.
Storm drains at Community 22 and Roman Down where the rivers flooded, because of garbage, have been cleared.
The PRO noted that the assembly had been given a tipper truck, pay loader and a caterpillar to be used to clear storm drains regularly.
He said before the assembly received this support, it hired some equipment and also tasked the Zoomlion to clear the gutters at a cost.
Mr Adu –Gyamfi stated that the assembly had funded a street light project in all the 11 electoral areas at a total cost of GH¢360,783.28, which is near completion, to improve security in the area.
He said the beneficiary areas were Market Square, Assenso, Mantseman, Niiman, Manmomo, Taboo, Tulaku, Obakatse and Tsinagber electoral areas.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi said the project was undertaken by three electrical contractors namely Matthew Electrical Works, Prefos Ltd and Alexis Brothers Electrical works under the supervision of personnel from the Works Department of the assembly and the assembly members.
He also indicated that work had started on the construction of the road networks from the Ashaiman central business area to Zenu, covering a distance of 4.8 kilometres, with funds from the government, while other roads in the municipality had been awarded on contract.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi appealed to the residents to help the assembly to build a positive image for Ashaiman to attract investments and tourists to help in developing the municipality.
UNILEVER FOUNDATION HONOURS EIGHT FEMALE GRADUATES (PAGE 11, NOV 2, 2010)
UNILEVER Ghana Foundation has rewarded eight best female graduates of some public tertiary institutions in the country for their exceptional performance in various fields during the 2008/2009 academic year .
They are Hilda Heidi Akati from Koforidua Polytechnic, Jennifer Azuma Aduah, Bolgatanga, Janet Tse, Takoradi, Leticia Gyamfuaa Sarfo, Sunyani, Joana Addae, Kumasi and Christabel Serwah Amporfo, Accra Polytechnic.
The others are Juliet Ankomah and Juliet Aaferemwin Yirerong ,who are best graduating students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and were honoured for their excellent performance in human Biology and Microbiology respectively.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Andrew Evans-Quayson, congratulated the graduates on holding the name of women high.
He said the Foundation had since its inception two years ago, invested GH¢70,000.0 in its women empowerment programme covering 455 females from the country’s universities and polytechnics.
According to Mr Evans-Quayson, besides the excellence awards, the Foundation sponsors girls in public senior high schools from across the country to participate in Science, Maths, Technology and innovation clinics undertaken by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
He said the Foundation also sponsors entrepreneurial skills training for women in small and medium enterprises in semi-urban areas .
Mr Evans-Quayson, said empowering women was a positive step to ensure equal education for both boys and girls, as well as improve access to health for children and mother to curb infant and maternal mortality, stressing that the focus of the award on female excellence was in line with women empowerment programmes.
Mr Evans- Quayson noted that Unilever would award people for excellence and encourage more women to strive for excellence .
He stated that the Foundation had invested GH¢300,000 in the provision of water system and public places of convenience to serve nine communities in the three regions in the north and three communities in the Sene district of the Brong Ahafo Region and seven communities in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
Mr Evans-Quayson was of the view that, it would be difficult to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, which aims at reducing child mortality rate, if women were not empowered to appreciate the essence of health and hygiene and its role in safe maternity.
The graduates, who were presented with certificates, products of the company and undisclosed sum, expressed their appreciation to Unilever for recognising their efforts
The award winners were taken round the factory on a guided tour by the Corporate Relations Manager of Unilever, Ms Bernice Natue, to observe the production processes.
They are Hilda Heidi Akati from Koforidua Polytechnic, Jennifer Azuma Aduah, Bolgatanga, Janet Tse, Takoradi, Leticia Gyamfuaa Sarfo, Sunyani, Joana Addae, Kumasi and Christabel Serwah Amporfo, Accra Polytechnic.
The others are Juliet Ankomah and Juliet Aaferemwin Yirerong ,who are best graduating students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and were honoured for their excellent performance in human Biology and Microbiology respectively.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Andrew Evans-Quayson, congratulated the graduates on holding the name of women high.
He said the Foundation had since its inception two years ago, invested GH¢70,000.0 in its women empowerment programme covering 455 females from the country’s universities and polytechnics.
According to Mr Evans-Quayson, besides the excellence awards, the Foundation sponsors girls in public senior high schools from across the country to participate in Science, Maths, Technology and innovation clinics undertaken by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
He said the Foundation also sponsors entrepreneurial skills training for women in small and medium enterprises in semi-urban areas .
Mr Evans-Quayson, said empowering women was a positive step to ensure equal education for both boys and girls, as well as improve access to health for children and mother to curb infant and maternal mortality, stressing that the focus of the award on female excellence was in line with women empowerment programmes.
Mr Evans- Quayson noted that Unilever would award people for excellence and encourage more women to strive for excellence .
He stated that the Foundation had invested GH¢300,000 in the provision of water system and public places of convenience to serve nine communities in the three regions in the north and three communities in the Sene district of the Brong Ahafo Region and seven communities in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
Mr Evans-Quayson was of the view that, it would be difficult to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, which aims at reducing child mortality rate, if women were not empowered to appreciate the essence of health and hygiene and its role in safe maternity.
The graduates, who were presented with certificates, products of the company and undisclosed sum, expressed their appreciation to Unilever for recognising their efforts
The award winners were taken round the factory on a guided tour by the Corporate Relations Manager of Unilever, Ms Bernice Natue, to observe the production processes.
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