The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) yesterday destroyed a large quantity of chicken thighs, wings and gizzards valued at GH¢200,000 at Kpone, near Tema.
The products, which were seized from some major frozen food importers comprised 2,500 cartons of chicken thighs and wings, as well as 777 boxes of gizzards.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the landfill site where two bulldozers were used in the destruction exercise, the Head of Import and Export Control Department of the FDB, Mr Emmanuel Yaw Kwarteng, said the products were not even fit for animal consumption and had to be destroyed.
He explained that at the beginning of December, 2010, the FDB, in collaboration with the security agencies undertook an operation to determine the wholesomeness of foods imported.
Mr Kwarteng said an inspection at the Servista Frozen Foods Company, revealed large quantities of gizzards in cold rooms.
He said the company was noted for being a major importer of animal products and some of them had already been distributed.
Mr Kwarteng said other smaller outlets which received products from Servista were also inspected and all the gizzards analysed there were found to be unwholesome and subsequently seized.
He disclosed that another importer of chicken products, Cocas Impex Company, received an import of 2,500 cartons of chicken but decided to contact the FDB to check on the status of the products .
According to Mr Kwarteng, when analysed it was detected that the chicken thighs could not even be used for poultry feed though they looked attractive.
He said the FDB would continue to monitor imports arriving at the port within the period and after the festivities to ensure that consumers bought healthy foods.
Mr Kwarteng cautioned traders who bought anything at unauthorised places to ensure that food items were wholesome .
He warned that the FDB would not shirk its responsibilities but ensure that they rid the markets and stores of all unwanted goods and foods.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
SHAI RURAL BANK MAKES PROFIT (PAGE 55, DEC 23, 2010)
THE Shai Rural Bank at Dodowa recorded a net profit of GH¢35,490.00 in 2009 as against the GH¢3,786.00 the bank recorded in 2008.
The Board Chairman of the bank, Mr Ebenezer Djagbletey Djanie, said at the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank at Dodowa, that despite the challenging year the bank was able to meet its financial obligation to post the modest net profit.
He appealed to the shareholders of the bank to buy more shares to enable the bank to achieve more successes.
Mr Djanie said the bank’s assets had equally grown from GH¢1,540,910.00 in 2008 to GH¢2,367,876 representing a growth of 34.92 per cent over the previous year’s performance.
He said the bank currently operated two agencies located at Adentan and Ashaiman, which according to the Board Chairman contributed to the growth of the bank.
Mr Djanie said computerisation of operations of the Head Office at Dodowa in August 2009 had brought efficiency and effectiveness in the turnaround time of the bank and hinted that the Adentan and Ashaiman agencies would soon be hooked on to the computerised network.
Mr Djanie disclosed that the bank had introduced a Micro Finance Operations and had developed its mobile banking business to cover all clients within the community in which the bank operates.
That, he said, included loans for funeral, school fees, medical bills and church projects, among others .
The board chairman said the bank had plans to migrate from the current interest- based revenue to commission –based revenue such as the ATM and SMS banking.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Ltd , Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, in a speech read on his behalf by the Head of Internal Control Department of the ARB APEX Bank, Mr Hyginus S. Zon, commended the bank for its achievements and said those achievements must be consolidated.
He emphasised that the banking industry was undergoing a rapid technological transformation with the introduction of electronic banking and expressed the hope that the bank would invest in ICT to improve its operational efficiency.
Mr Osei Bonsu said some of the innovations were :e-Zwich, Electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance Systems (e FASS), Cheque Codeline Clearing (CCC) and Automated Clearing House (ACH).
He stated that the Apex Bank would also migrate its star product, the Apex Link Money Transfer Product onto an ICT Platform very soon to make it more efficient.
The Dangme West District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Odoi Ayimi Lartey, commended the bank, and appealed to citizens of the area to patronise the services of the two rural banks in the district.
He noted that the presence of the two banks had contributed to the elimination of poverty in the area.
Mr Lartey further commended the Shai Rural Bank for instituting a scholarship scheme for the needy and urged shareholders to increase their shares.
The Board Chairman of the bank, Mr Ebenezer Djagbletey Djanie, said at the 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank at Dodowa, that despite the challenging year the bank was able to meet its financial obligation to post the modest net profit.
He appealed to the shareholders of the bank to buy more shares to enable the bank to achieve more successes.
Mr Djanie said the bank’s assets had equally grown from GH¢1,540,910.00 in 2008 to GH¢2,367,876 representing a growth of 34.92 per cent over the previous year’s performance.
He said the bank currently operated two agencies located at Adentan and Ashaiman, which according to the Board Chairman contributed to the growth of the bank.
Mr Djanie said computerisation of operations of the Head Office at Dodowa in August 2009 had brought efficiency and effectiveness in the turnaround time of the bank and hinted that the Adentan and Ashaiman agencies would soon be hooked on to the computerised network.
Mr Djanie disclosed that the bank had introduced a Micro Finance Operations and had developed its mobile banking business to cover all clients within the community in which the bank operates.
That, he said, included loans for funeral, school fees, medical bills and church projects, among others .
The board chairman said the bank had plans to migrate from the current interest- based revenue to commission –based revenue such as the ATM and SMS banking.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank Ltd , Mr Eric Osei Bonsu, in a speech read on his behalf by the Head of Internal Control Department of the ARB APEX Bank, Mr Hyginus S. Zon, commended the bank for its achievements and said those achievements must be consolidated.
He emphasised that the banking industry was undergoing a rapid technological transformation with the introduction of electronic banking and expressed the hope that the bank would invest in ICT to improve its operational efficiency.
Mr Osei Bonsu said some of the innovations were :e-Zwich, Electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance Systems (e FASS), Cheque Codeline Clearing (CCC) and Automated Clearing House (ACH).
He stated that the Apex Bank would also migrate its star product, the Apex Link Money Transfer Product onto an ICT Platform very soon to make it more efficient.
The Dangme West District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Odoi Ayimi Lartey, commended the bank, and appealed to citizens of the area to patronise the services of the two rural banks in the district.
He noted that the presence of the two banks had contributed to the elimination of poverty in the area.
Mr Lartey further commended the Shai Rural Bank for instituting a scholarship scheme for the needy and urged shareholders to increase their shares.
Monday, December 20, 2010
296 NYEP RECRUITS TO HELP IN TRAFFIC CONTROL (SPREAD, DEC 18, 2010)
The Ghana Police Service has mobilised 296 personnel from the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to support the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) to control traffic in Accra and Tema.
They have been trained under the community policing module of the NYEP and would be engaged by the Police Service for the next two years.
Forty-nine of the trained personnel, made up of 10 females and 39 males, have been posted to Tema while the rest have been stationed in Accra.
The Commander of the MTTU, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwubutoge Awuni, who was in Tema to meet them, advised them to make discipline the hallmark of their work.
He said the police service needed disciplined people to be attached to the MTTU to help direct traffic especially during the Yuletide.
The MMTU boss noted that traffic had become a problem in the cities and stressed the need to have more hands to help make the roads safe for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
ACP Awuni said some of the NYEP community policing personnel had been found to be habitual absentees when posted to duty points and warned that those who indulge in such behaviours would not be entertained.
He, however, said those found to be obedient and hardworking would be absorbed into the Police Service.
He advised them to be friendly to the public and said as peace officers, they were expected to maintain law and order.
He appealed to them to show commitment to their work and put up attitudes that would justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, ACP Augustine Gyenning, asked the NYEP personnel to be mindful of the numerous road construction works going on in Tema, which has resulted in roadblocks and heavy traffic, and said they would need to work hard at the various road intersections to control vehicular movement.
They have been trained under the community policing module of the NYEP and would be engaged by the Police Service for the next two years.
Forty-nine of the trained personnel, made up of 10 females and 39 males, have been posted to Tema while the rest have been stationed in Accra.
The Commander of the MTTU, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwubutoge Awuni, who was in Tema to meet them, advised them to make discipline the hallmark of their work.
He said the police service needed disciplined people to be attached to the MTTU to help direct traffic especially during the Yuletide.
The MMTU boss noted that traffic had become a problem in the cities and stressed the need to have more hands to help make the roads safe for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
ACP Awuni said some of the NYEP community policing personnel had been found to be habitual absentees when posted to duty points and warned that those who indulge in such behaviours would not be entertained.
He, however, said those found to be obedient and hardworking would be absorbed into the Police Service.
He advised them to be friendly to the public and said as peace officers, they were expected to maintain law and order.
He appealed to them to show commitment to their work and put up attitudes that would justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, ACP Augustine Gyenning, asked the NYEP personnel to be mindful of the numerous road construction works going on in Tema, which has resulted in roadblocks and heavy traffic, and said they would need to work hard at the various road intersections to control vehicular movement.
Friday, December 17, 2010
ASHAISEC LAUNCHES 20TH ANNIVERSARY (MIRROR, PAGE 35, DEC 18, 2010)
From Rose Hayford Darko, Ashaiman
The Ashaiman Senior High School (Ashaisec), the premier secondary school in Ashaiman, is 20 years and has accordingly launched its 20th anniversary to celebrate pioneers, who through hard work, have brought the school to its present status .
It was themed ‘Accessibility to quality education – the need for parity in resource distribution’.
The school started with 30 students and three members of staff, without non-teaching staff and infrastructure to boost teaching and learning .
Twenty years later, the school now boasts a moderate infrastructure, a staff strength of 88 and student population of 1,450 made up of 733 boys and 717 girls .
The Ashaiman Municipal Director of Education, Ms Florence Quaye, who launched the anniversary, commended the founders of the school for ensuring that Ashaiman had a senior high school to promote education .
She said the growing student population buttressed the theme for the celebration which was evident with the ongoing construction works in the school .
Ms. Quaye noted that although government had the responsibility to provide infrastructure and financial resources for the promotion of quality teaching and learning ,the community in which the school was located had to be equally responsive to its needs .
She stated that government and other stakeholders had made bold attempts to improve on the infrastructure of the school to cater for the growing student population.
Ms Quaye said Ashaisec had a solid human resource with highly qualified, experienced and motivated staff who had inculcated in the students, discipline, honesty, self confidence, hardwork, patriotism and tolerance .
She commended both teachers and students for excelling in various activities including sports, culture and others which was a proof that the school was not concerned with only the academics but also the holistic training of the individual .
Ms Quaye cautioned the students to eschew negative practices and lift the banner of the municipality high .
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ofoe Fiemawhle, outlined the highlights of the celebration which included debates, clean up exercises, health walk, float, symposium and speech and prize giving day.
The Ashaiman Senior High School (Ashaisec), the premier secondary school in Ashaiman, is 20 years and has accordingly launched its 20th anniversary to celebrate pioneers, who through hard work, have brought the school to its present status .
It was themed ‘Accessibility to quality education – the need for parity in resource distribution’.
The school started with 30 students and three members of staff, without non-teaching staff and infrastructure to boost teaching and learning .
Twenty years later, the school now boasts a moderate infrastructure, a staff strength of 88 and student population of 1,450 made up of 733 boys and 717 girls .
The Ashaiman Municipal Director of Education, Ms Florence Quaye, who launched the anniversary, commended the founders of the school for ensuring that Ashaiman had a senior high school to promote education .
She said the growing student population buttressed the theme for the celebration which was evident with the ongoing construction works in the school .
Ms. Quaye noted that although government had the responsibility to provide infrastructure and financial resources for the promotion of quality teaching and learning ,the community in which the school was located had to be equally responsive to its needs .
She stated that government and other stakeholders had made bold attempts to improve on the infrastructure of the school to cater for the growing student population.
Ms Quaye said Ashaisec had a solid human resource with highly qualified, experienced and motivated staff who had inculcated in the students, discipline, honesty, self confidence, hardwork, patriotism and tolerance .
She commended both teachers and students for excelling in various activities including sports, culture and others which was a proof that the school was not concerned with only the academics but also the holistic training of the individual .
Ms Quaye cautioned the students to eschew negative practices and lift the banner of the municipality high .
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ofoe Fiemawhle, outlined the highlights of the celebration which included debates, clean up exercises, health walk, float, symposium and speech and prize giving day.
TEMA GES AWARDS 21 TEACHERS (MIRROR, PAGE 35, DEC 18, 2010)
From Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
THE Tema Metropolitan Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) has awarded 21 teachers for their hard work and dedication to duty at its Best Teachers Award ceremony in Tema.
The award winners were from the primary, junior high and senior high schools in various disciplines of Science , Mathematics , General subjects , vocational and technical categories .
Also awarded were some hard working and dedicated non-teaching staff at the Metropolitan office of the GES.
Those who came first in their categories took home a double door fridge, second positions had four burner standing gas cooker and the third place winners received 21 inch flat screen television sets.
The Deputy Director General of the GES, Mr Victor Adu-Mante, said the awards formed part of incentives meant to promote quality basic education in the country.
He said it was also to provide the opportunity as well as challenge for the basic and second cycle schools to strive for excellence.
Mr Mante called on school directors to properly manage their capitation grants and commended heads of senior high schools for their effort during the admission of first year students in the face of all odds; and assured them that GES recognised that motivation enhanced excellence.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, said the Assembly would continue to support and invest in education, adding that the Assembly would provide six pavillions and also meet the infrastructure needs of SHSs in the Metropolis.
Mr Ofosuware said work would soon begin on the construction of 10 new classroom blocks for schools throughout the metropolis with funding from the GetFund.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Kwesi Hutchful, appealed for decent accommodation for the GES and stressed the need to check the encroachment of school lands in the metropolis.
The Greater Accra Member of the Council of State, Mr Adjei Annang, who chaired the programme, accompanied Mr Mante to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Navy Cadet of OLAM Senior High School with support from Chemu Senior Secondary School band.
THE Tema Metropolitan Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) has awarded 21 teachers for their hard work and dedication to duty at its Best Teachers Award ceremony in Tema.
The award winners were from the primary, junior high and senior high schools in various disciplines of Science , Mathematics , General subjects , vocational and technical categories .
Also awarded were some hard working and dedicated non-teaching staff at the Metropolitan office of the GES.
Those who came first in their categories took home a double door fridge, second positions had four burner standing gas cooker and the third place winners received 21 inch flat screen television sets.
The Deputy Director General of the GES, Mr Victor Adu-Mante, said the awards formed part of incentives meant to promote quality basic education in the country.
He said it was also to provide the opportunity as well as challenge for the basic and second cycle schools to strive for excellence.
Mr Mante called on school directors to properly manage their capitation grants and commended heads of senior high schools for their effort during the admission of first year students in the face of all odds; and assured them that GES recognised that motivation enhanced excellence.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, said the Assembly would continue to support and invest in education, adding that the Assembly would provide six pavillions and also meet the infrastructure needs of SHSs in the Metropolis.
Mr Ofosuware said work would soon begin on the construction of 10 new classroom blocks for schools throughout the metropolis with funding from the GetFund.
The Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr Kwesi Hutchful, appealed for decent accommodation for the GES and stressed the need to check the encroachment of school lands in the metropolis.
The Greater Accra Member of the Council of State, Mr Adjei Annang, who chaired the programme, accompanied Mr Mante to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Navy Cadet of OLAM Senior High School with support from Chemu Senior Secondary School band.
NEW VESSEL TO DEEPEN TRADE DOCKS IN TEMA (PAGE 55, DEC 17, 2010)
A geared container vessel 'CMA CGM Africa One' with a capacity of 3,600 teu (twenty equivalent units) and designed to meet specifications of African ports for quick delivery of goods first docked at the Tema harbour.
The ship christened 'Nassau ' to link Asia to West Africa trade route is geared towards independent port operations with its own in-built cranes which maximise the loading of goods at shallow draft ports .
It is currently the largest vessel to enter the waters of Africa since 2007 when the largest vessel entered with a capacity of 2,500 teu .
It was built and delivered in August 2010 at the Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard in Hong Kong.
Briefing the media on the vessel, the Commercial Manager for CMA CGM Group, on behalf of its subsidiary in Ghana ,Delmas Shipping Ghana, Mr Geoffrey Cole said the ship was one of the four to be delivered later .
He noted that the capacity of the vessels had been exclusively designed and built with flexibility considering the in built cranes , draught and length which made it operate autonomously where necessary in all major African ports irrespective of the level of equipment and the characteristics of the port .
Mr Cole said bigger vessels reduce cost per unit the freight rate of imported goods and, therefore, offered competitive rates for importers and exporters .
He said vessels of a certain draft and length had had difficulties in berthing at the Tema port, especially because of the varying berthing space, but the new vessels had their own mechanisms which made them fit in uniquely.
Mr Cole said with the four new container vessels ,delays in loading and discharging would be a thing of the past and make sea transport more dynamic .
The General Manager of the Delmas Shipping Ghana of the CMA CGM Group , Mr Hugh Curtis, observed that the innovative design of the vessel CMA CGM Africa One would allow a high quality service in African ports, especially Tema port which had one of the best levels of productivity in West Africa .
He said the vessel docked with 700 containers from Asia would sail with 800 containers for export .
Mr Curtis said the objective of introducing the bigger vessel was to have them operate directly between Asia and Africa to promote trade .
He disclosed that CMA CGM Group is a major stakeholder in the development of the Ghanaian economy and with the new big vessels entering its fleet,the Group had emphasised its commitment to Africa .
Mr Curtis stated that Ghana had a fast growing economy in the sub -Saharan region and had been an important market for the Group hence its four direct weekly services from Far East,Northern Europe and the Mediterranean operating as number one operator of exports out of the country carrying mainly cocoa, perishable goods ,foodstuff and timber whilst being a major carrier of Ghana's large variety of imported goods from Asia .
The Captain of the vessel,Andriy Pakholchuk from Ukraine in an interview said the technicalities of the vessel was comparably the same with other vessels but only needed a little more care to manoeuvre because of the size and weight .
He said the vessel was capable of making a trip under 30 days from Asia to Ghana and also had a compartment for passengers who would want to experience sea journey and all the comfort that went with it.
Some importers and exporters who were on board the vessel said they were happy to have a direct service to enable them do fast business void of demurrage.
The ship christened 'Nassau ' to link Asia to West Africa trade route is geared towards independent port operations with its own in-built cranes which maximise the loading of goods at shallow draft ports .
It is currently the largest vessel to enter the waters of Africa since 2007 when the largest vessel entered with a capacity of 2,500 teu .
It was built and delivered in August 2010 at the Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard in Hong Kong.
Briefing the media on the vessel, the Commercial Manager for CMA CGM Group, on behalf of its subsidiary in Ghana ,Delmas Shipping Ghana, Mr Geoffrey Cole said the ship was one of the four to be delivered later .
He noted that the capacity of the vessels had been exclusively designed and built with flexibility considering the in built cranes , draught and length which made it operate autonomously where necessary in all major African ports irrespective of the level of equipment and the characteristics of the port .
Mr Cole said bigger vessels reduce cost per unit the freight rate of imported goods and, therefore, offered competitive rates for importers and exporters .
He said vessels of a certain draft and length had had difficulties in berthing at the Tema port, especially because of the varying berthing space, but the new vessels had their own mechanisms which made them fit in uniquely.
Mr Cole said with the four new container vessels ,delays in loading and discharging would be a thing of the past and make sea transport more dynamic .
The General Manager of the Delmas Shipping Ghana of the CMA CGM Group , Mr Hugh Curtis, observed that the innovative design of the vessel CMA CGM Africa One would allow a high quality service in African ports, especially Tema port which had one of the best levels of productivity in West Africa .
He said the vessel docked with 700 containers from Asia would sail with 800 containers for export .
Mr Curtis said the objective of introducing the bigger vessel was to have them operate directly between Asia and Africa to promote trade .
He disclosed that CMA CGM Group is a major stakeholder in the development of the Ghanaian economy and with the new big vessels entering its fleet,the Group had emphasised its commitment to Africa .
Mr Curtis stated that Ghana had a fast growing economy in the sub -Saharan region and had been an important market for the Group hence its four direct weekly services from Far East,Northern Europe and the Mediterranean operating as number one operator of exports out of the country carrying mainly cocoa, perishable goods ,foodstuff and timber whilst being a major carrier of Ghana's large variety of imported goods from Asia .
The Captain of the vessel,Andriy Pakholchuk from Ukraine in an interview said the technicalities of the vessel was comparably the same with other vessels but only needed a little more care to manoeuvre because of the size and weight .
He said the vessel was capable of making a trip under 30 days from Asia to Ghana and also had a compartment for passengers who would want to experience sea journey and all the comfort that went with it.
Some importers and exporters who were on board the vessel said they were happy to have a direct service to enable them do fast business void of demurrage.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
KPONE REJECTS DEAD BODIES (1B, DEC 13, 2010)
bereaved families who sent the bodies of their relatives for burial at the Kpone Public Cemetery were disappointed when they were prevented from doing so by the youth of the town.
Some of the families had to look for alternative burial grounds around Tema, while about nine of the bodies were sent back to the morgue.
Personnel from the Police Buffalo Unit of the Tema Regional Police who had been detailed to the Kpone Cemetery to enforce the law could not help the mourners, as the Kpone youth, numbering more than 400, refused to yield.
Wearing red armbands and headgear and armed with rods and machetes, the youth sang war songs to deter the mourners.
They refilled the graves with sand, barricaded the entrance to the cemetery and burnt tyres there to prevent vehicles from driving in.
Mourners had to redirect their vehicles to avoid any confrontation with the demonstrators and that created heavy traffic on the Tema-Aflao road.
The protest followed a resolution passed and read at a press conference held last week by the coalition of youth groups in Kpone to resist the continued use of their land “as a dumping ground by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA)” and the indiscriminate sale of their lands by the Tema Development Corporation (TDC).
At the press conference, the coalition indicated that it would resist all attempts by the TDC to forcibly acquire Kpone land and use it against the people’s wish.
According to the spokesman for the coalition, Mr William Josiah, the people of Kpone were fed up with the use of the area “as a waste basket for the people of Tema” and would use demonstrations to say “enough is enough”.
He said the action would be extended to other sites which had illegally been acquired as sanitation concerns and landfill sites.
Mr Josiah said the people of Kpone now needed land to support their growing population and called on the TDC to release all lands belonging to the Kpone Stool.
He said Kpone became landless after the 1952 compulsory acquisition of its land by the then government which ceded 17,000 acres of the land, representing almost 90 per cent of Kpone lands, to the TDC.
He said all appeals to the TDC to release the unused lands to the people had proved futile, noting that the demonstration was an extension of that demand.
He said in spite of the sacrifice, no good thing had been extended to Kpone to benefit the people, only “bad things like public refuse dumps and cemeteries”.
“We are not fools, but even if we were, we are now wide awake,” Mr Josiah said.
The Chief Environmental Health Officer of the TMA, Mr Peter Amuzu, reacting to the action by the Kpone youth, said as a temporary measure, the Environmental Health Department of the TMA had decided to provide space for some of the bereaved families at the Community 9 Cemetery which had been closed to enable them to bury their corpses later.
He said he had led a delegation to the Kpone Traditional Council (KTC) to discuss plans to use an area originally demarcated for a cemetery but now cultivated by farmers from Kpone but that had been also met with stiff resistance from the farmers.
Mr Amuzu said the Kpone Cemetery covered an area of 240 square feet, with 7,200 bodies already buried there.
Some of the families had to look for alternative burial grounds around Tema, while about nine of the bodies were sent back to the morgue.
Personnel from the Police Buffalo Unit of the Tema Regional Police who had been detailed to the Kpone Cemetery to enforce the law could not help the mourners, as the Kpone youth, numbering more than 400, refused to yield.
Wearing red armbands and headgear and armed with rods and machetes, the youth sang war songs to deter the mourners.
They refilled the graves with sand, barricaded the entrance to the cemetery and burnt tyres there to prevent vehicles from driving in.
Mourners had to redirect their vehicles to avoid any confrontation with the demonstrators and that created heavy traffic on the Tema-Aflao road.
The protest followed a resolution passed and read at a press conference held last week by the coalition of youth groups in Kpone to resist the continued use of their land “as a dumping ground by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA)” and the indiscriminate sale of their lands by the Tema Development Corporation (TDC).
At the press conference, the coalition indicated that it would resist all attempts by the TDC to forcibly acquire Kpone land and use it against the people’s wish.
According to the spokesman for the coalition, Mr William Josiah, the people of Kpone were fed up with the use of the area “as a waste basket for the people of Tema” and would use demonstrations to say “enough is enough”.
He said the action would be extended to other sites which had illegally been acquired as sanitation concerns and landfill sites.
Mr Josiah said the people of Kpone now needed land to support their growing population and called on the TDC to release all lands belonging to the Kpone Stool.
He said Kpone became landless after the 1952 compulsory acquisition of its land by the then government which ceded 17,000 acres of the land, representing almost 90 per cent of Kpone lands, to the TDC.
He said all appeals to the TDC to release the unused lands to the people had proved futile, noting that the demonstration was an extension of that demand.
He said in spite of the sacrifice, no good thing had been extended to Kpone to benefit the people, only “bad things like public refuse dumps and cemeteries”.
“We are not fools, but even if we were, we are now wide awake,” Mr Josiah said.
The Chief Environmental Health Officer of the TMA, Mr Peter Amuzu, reacting to the action by the Kpone youth, said as a temporary measure, the Environmental Health Department of the TMA had decided to provide space for some of the bereaved families at the Community 9 Cemetery which had been closed to enable them to bury their corpses later.
He said he had led a delegation to the Kpone Traditional Council (KTC) to discuss plans to use an area originally demarcated for a cemetery but now cultivated by farmers from Kpone but that had been also met with stiff resistance from the farmers.
Mr Amuzu said the Kpone Cemetery covered an area of 240 square feet, with 7,200 bodies already buried there.
NO FIRE HYDRANTS AT TEMA MAJOR MARKETS (PAGE 18, DEC 11, 2010)
IT has been found that the four major markets in the Tema Metropolitan area have no water hydrants and therefore stand the risk of being razed in case of a fire outbreak.
The markets, located at Tema community One, Tema Newtown, European Market at Community Two and the Ashaiman main market, do not also have big openings at the entrances to enable fire vehicles to enter during fire outbreaks.
This was observed when a team of fire personnel from the Tema Regional Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Electricity Company of Ghana, Tema Region, went the markets to locate the hydrants to service them for any eventuality.
At the European Market at Tema Community Two, it was detected that a building had been situated on the only hydrant.
The owner had been given a permit by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to construct a storey building on the site.
The Ashaiman and the Tema Newtown markets did not have water hydrants at all and the Tema main market at Community One had its two hydrants encroached on with shops and sheds.
All the markets had loose and naked electrical wiring, posing danger to the patrons of the market.
The Tema Regional Fire Officer, Mr Clifford Tetteh Adams, who led the team, blamed the various assemblies for overlooking the safety aspects of the markets.
He said the GNFS had written several letters to the assemblies to co-operate with them to demolish structures which had been erected on the hydrants.
Mr Adams said the fire tenders could carry a certain quantity of water which will need to be replenished after a short period of use.
Mr Adams called on the assemblies to expand the entrances for vehicles to enable the GNFS to put out fires effectively, even with its resources available.
He stated that after a reminder to the assemblies, the GNFS will make revolutionary moves to demolish the structures to save life and property in times of fire.
Mr Adams said with the harmattan setting in, the weather was ripe for fires.
The team mounted a campaign to educate the traders, especially those involved in the operation of chop bars in the markets.
The traders were educated on how to prevent fires by ensuring that their gas bottles were sealed safely without leakage and also desist from engaging in illegal electricity connections.
The Operations Engineer of ECG in Tema, Mr Francis Atsyatsya, and Mr Emmanuel Appoe of the Protection and Control Unit of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) said they were not happy with what they saw at the markets.
Mr Appoe said the ECG will embark on an operation to disconnect the wires and disclosed that all those found guilty would be made to pay for power consumed over the period.
He explained that illegal connections were done without expert advice and therefore posed danger to lives and property and appealed to the traders to desist from the practice and apply for meters from the ECG.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tema GNFS, Mr Timothy Affum, said the exercise will continue in other industries to ensure that they had fire certificates and were operating within the rules.
The markets, located at Tema community One, Tema Newtown, European Market at Community Two and the Ashaiman main market, do not also have big openings at the entrances to enable fire vehicles to enter during fire outbreaks.
This was observed when a team of fire personnel from the Tema Regional Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Electricity Company of Ghana, Tema Region, went the markets to locate the hydrants to service them for any eventuality.
At the European Market at Tema Community Two, it was detected that a building had been situated on the only hydrant.
The owner had been given a permit by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to construct a storey building on the site.
The Ashaiman and the Tema Newtown markets did not have water hydrants at all and the Tema main market at Community One had its two hydrants encroached on with shops and sheds.
All the markets had loose and naked electrical wiring, posing danger to the patrons of the market.
The Tema Regional Fire Officer, Mr Clifford Tetteh Adams, who led the team, blamed the various assemblies for overlooking the safety aspects of the markets.
He said the GNFS had written several letters to the assemblies to co-operate with them to demolish structures which had been erected on the hydrants.
Mr Adams said the fire tenders could carry a certain quantity of water which will need to be replenished after a short period of use.
Mr Adams called on the assemblies to expand the entrances for vehicles to enable the GNFS to put out fires effectively, even with its resources available.
He stated that after a reminder to the assemblies, the GNFS will make revolutionary moves to demolish the structures to save life and property in times of fire.
Mr Adams said with the harmattan setting in, the weather was ripe for fires.
The team mounted a campaign to educate the traders, especially those involved in the operation of chop bars in the markets.
The traders were educated on how to prevent fires by ensuring that their gas bottles were sealed safely without leakage and also desist from engaging in illegal electricity connections.
The Operations Engineer of ECG in Tema, Mr Francis Atsyatsya, and Mr Emmanuel Appoe of the Protection and Control Unit of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) said they were not happy with what they saw at the markets.
Mr Appoe said the ECG will embark on an operation to disconnect the wires and disclosed that all those found guilty would be made to pay for power consumed over the period.
He explained that illegal connections were done without expert advice and therefore posed danger to lives and property and appealed to the traders to desist from the practice and apply for meters from the ECG.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tema GNFS, Mr Timothy Affum, said the exercise will continue in other industries to ensure that they had fire certificates and were operating within the rules.
Friday, December 10, 2010
VALCO REACTIVATES OPERATIONS (PAGE 51, DEC 8, 2010)
THE Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) has been reactivated for operations after being shut down for two years.
Consequently, the smelter plant is expected to produce its first primary aluminium metal of 80,000 metric tonnes in January 2011.
The Managing Director of VALCO, Mr Emmanuel Lartey, announced this when the Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, visited the plant in Tema yesterday.
He said VALCO had 20,000 metric tonnes of alumina ready and was stockpiling carbon to start smelting.
He added that the designed capacity of the smelter plant was 200,000 metric tonnes of primary aluminium metal per year when all the five lines were in operation.
He said currently the long-term London Metal Exchange price of aluminium was estimated at $2,500 per tonne, noting that the long-term potential sales revenue of VALCO would be $500 million per annum.
Mr Lartey said for a start, the company would produce to feed local companies downstream before exporting to the international market.
Dr Oteng-Adjei said the government viewed VALCO as one of the critical agents which served as an anchor for Ghana's integrated industrial development strategy through aluminium, saying it was in the light of this that President Mills, in July 2009, tasked him to facilitate the conduct of a study of VALCO.
The minister said verifiable evidence from the study indicated that a properly mainstreamed VALCO held a significant place in the country's economic transformation agenda.
He said the reactivation of VALCO provided a unique opportunity to create 8,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs in the over 150 downstream industries and the several other companies engaged in aluminium fabrication and use, as well as service provision activities.
Dr Oteng-Adjei said with the activation of VALCO, the downstream industries would source their raw materials locally, without the attendant huge freight and other costs associated with the importation and clearing of their basic raw materials from other countries.
Consequently, the smelter plant is expected to produce its first primary aluminium metal of 80,000 metric tonnes in January 2011.
The Managing Director of VALCO, Mr Emmanuel Lartey, announced this when the Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, visited the plant in Tema yesterday.
He said VALCO had 20,000 metric tonnes of alumina ready and was stockpiling carbon to start smelting.
He added that the designed capacity of the smelter plant was 200,000 metric tonnes of primary aluminium metal per year when all the five lines were in operation.
He said currently the long-term London Metal Exchange price of aluminium was estimated at $2,500 per tonne, noting that the long-term potential sales revenue of VALCO would be $500 million per annum.
Mr Lartey said for a start, the company would produce to feed local companies downstream before exporting to the international market.
Dr Oteng-Adjei said the government viewed VALCO as one of the critical agents which served as an anchor for Ghana's integrated industrial development strategy through aluminium, saying it was in the light of this that President Mills, in July 2009, tasked him to facilitate the conduct of a study of VALCO.
The minister said verifiable evidence from the study indicated that a properly mainstreamed VALCO held a significant place in the country's economic transformation agenda.
He said the reactivation of VALCO provided a unique opportunity to create 8,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs in the over 150 downstream industries and the several other companies engaged in aluminium fabrication and use, as well as service provision activities.
Dr Oteng-Adjei said with the activation of VALCO, the downstream industries would source their raw materials locally, without the attendant huge freight and other costs associated with the importation and clearing of their basic raw materials from other countries.
ASHAIMAN SHS LAUNCHES 20TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 11, DEC 8, 2010)
THE Ashaiman Senior High School (ASHAISEC), which is the premier secondary school in Ashaiman, is 20 years and has accordingly launched its 20th anniversary to celebrate pioneers who through hard work, have brought the school to its present status.
It was themed “Accessibility to quality education – the need for parity in resource distribution”.
The school started with 30 students and three members of staff to boost teaching and learning .
Twenty years on the school now boasts of moderate infrastructure, a staff strength of 88 and a student population of 1,450 made up of 733 boys and 717 girls .
The Ashaiman Municipal Director of Education, Ms Florence Quaye, who launched the anniversary commended the founders of the school for ensuring that Ashaiman had a senior high school to make secondary education accessible to the people.
She noted that although government had the responsibility to provide infrastructure and financial resources for the promotion of quality teaching and learning in schools, the communities in which schools were located, also had to be equally responsive to the needs of such institutions.
She stated that government and other stakeholders have made bold attempts to improve on infrastructure in the school to cater for the teeming student population.
Ms Quaye said the school had a solid human resource capacity with highly qualified, experienced and motivated staff who had inculcated in the students, discipline, honesty, self-confidence, hardwork, patriotism and tolerance.
She commended both teachers and students for excelling in activities including sports, culture symposia and others which is a proof that the school is not concerned with only academic issues but also the holistic training of the individual.
Ms Quaye called on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the Board, old students of the school and corporate bodies to poll resources to make ASHAISEC grow .
She cautioned the students to eschew negative practices adding that “you can be agents of change wherever you find yourselves to move Ashaiman forward, as indicated by the school’s motto ‘modernisation calls for change’ .”
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ofoe Fiemawhle, described the celebration as historic and emphasised their commitment to train quality students to become future leaders.
He, therefore, called on government to provide adequate support in terms of infrastructure and teaching materials to enable the school authorities perform their roles creditably.
Mr Fiemawhle mentioned that some of the highlights of the celebration of the anniversary were debates, clean-ups, health walk, float and symposium .
He stated that a speech and prize giving day will climax the anniversary on December 11th 2010. AS
It was themed “Accessibility to quality education – the need for parity in resource distribution”.
The school started with 30 students and three members of staff to boost teaching and learning .
Twenty years on the school now boasts of moderate infrastructure, a staff strength of 88 and a student population of 1,450 made up of 733 boys and 717 girls .
The Ashaiman Municipal Director of Education, Ms Florence Quaye, who launched the anniversary commended the founders of the school for ensuring that Ashaiman had a senior high school to make secondary education accessible to the people.
She noted that although government had the responsibility to provide infrastructure and financial resources for the promotion of quality teaching and learning in schools, the communities in which schools were located, also had to be equally responsive to the needs of such institutions.
She stated that government and other stakeholders have made bold attempts to improve on infrastructure in the school to cater for the teeming student population.
Ms Quaye said the school had a solid human resource capacity with highly qualified, experienced and motivated staff who had inculcated in the students, discipline, honesty, self-confidence, hardwork, patriotism and tolerance.
She commended both teachers and students for excelling in activities including sports, culture symposia and others which is a proof that the school is not concerned with only academic issues but also the holistic training of the individual.
Ms Quaye called on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the Board, old students of the school and corporate bodies to poll resources to make ASHAISEC grow .
She cautioned the students to eschew negative practices adding that “you can be agents of change wherever you find yourselves to move Ashaiman forward, as indicated by the school’s motto ‘modernisation calls for change’ .”
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ofoe Fiemawhle, described the celebration as historic and emphasised their commitment to train quality students to become future leaders.
He, therefore, called on government to provide adequate support in terms of infrastructure and teaching materials to enable the school authorities perform their roles creditably.
Mr Fiemawhle mentioned that some of the highlights of the celebration of the anniversary were debates, clean-ups, health walk, float and symposium .
He stated that a speech and prize giving day will climax the anniversary on December 11th 2010. AS
Monday, December 6, 2010
CONTANMINATED FISHMEAL AT ASHAIMAN MARKET (MIRROR, DEC 4, 2010, PAGE 35)
From Rose Hayford Darko, Ashaiman
CONTAMINATED fishmeal has flooded the Ashaiman timber market where many poultry farmers buy their fishmeal.
The contaminated fishmeal is alleged to contain saw dust, sand and other foreign materials and farmers who fed their chicks with it had experienced high mortality rates among the birds on their farms.
Also affected are fish hatchery operators whose fingerlings are unable to survive after being fed with the contaminated fishmeal.
Investigations conducted by The Mirror confirmed that the traders rebagged the sacks of certified dealers with the contaminated ones .
An Official of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), who confirmed the situation, said some culprits were found rebagging the sacks with the contaminated stuff but they managed to abscond, escaping police arrest.
Mr James Lartey, Communications Manager of the FDB, advised poultry farmers to buy from certified dealers to avoid any contaminations on their farms as the Board monitored the situation .
A poultry farmer, Mr Daniel Kissiedu of Kisbenz and Menz Poultry Limited at Gbetsile near Ashaiman, said only 170 out of his 700 chicks survived the contaminated fishmeal only after administering antibiotics on them at an extra cost.
Mr Kissiedu, however, said just five out of another consignment of 1,500 chicks died when he changed the fishmeal and fed the chicks with those bought from the Ghana Protein Limited.
Another farmer, who is engaged in hatchery at Akuse, Mr Daniel Marfo, said his company was compelled to buy the fishmeal from the open market because Ghana Protein Limited was unable to satisfy the market with its product 'which qualifies to be the best of all'.
He appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor the fishmeal on the market to weed out the contaminants and save their farms from such huge losses.
Meanwhile, Ghana Protein Limited, the only mechanised fishmeal producing company in the country, is considering relocating from Ghana to Brazil because of lack of co-ordination in the supply of fish from the Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC) and the Customs Division of the Revenue Authority(CEPS) at the port.
According to Mr Anthony Adu-Nketia, an Administrator of Ghana Protein Limited, though the company had the capacity to produce 360 tonnes of fishmeal daily it now produced only 29 tonnes because of unfair allocation of fish from the supply agencies .
He explained that the company used raw and steamed offal from PFC and uncleared fish which were auctioned by the CEPS at the port for fishmeal and not for human consumption .
Mr Adu-Nketia said the uncleared fish which were unwholesome did not get to the fishmeal companies but found their way to the market for sale for consumption, denying the companies of raw materials .
He said the company’s workforce of 150 had been cut to 50 and appealed to the Minsitry of Agriculture to intervene and streamline the supply chain of the fish to enable the company to satisfy the market with hygienic products, adding that the company also had machinery for fish pellets to serve fish farmers to boost aqua culture .
CONTAMINATED fishmeal has flooded the Ashaiman timber market where many poultry farmers buy their fishmeal.
The contaminated fishmeal is alleged to contain saw dust, sand and other foreign materials and farmers who fed their chicks with it had experienced high mortality rates among the birds on their farms.
Also affected are fish hatchery operators whose fingerlings are unable to survive after being fed with the contaminated fishmeal.
Investigations conducted by The Mirror confirmed that the traders rebagged the sacks of certified dealers with the contaminated ones .
An Official of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), who confirmed the situation, said some culprits were found rebagging the sacks with the contaminated stuff but they managed to abscond, escaping police arrest.
Mr James Lartey, Communications Manager of the FDB, advised poultry farmers to buy from certified dealers to avoid any contaminations on their farms as the Board monitored the situation .
A poultry farmer, Mr Daniel Kissiedu of Kisbenz and Menz Poultry Limited at Gbetsile near Ashaiman, said only 170 out of his 700 chicks survived the contaminated fishmeal only after administering antibiotics on them at an extra cost.
Mr Kissiedu, however, said just five out of another consignment of 1,500 chicks died when he changed the fishmeal and fed the chicks with those bought from the Ghana Protein Limited.
Another farmer, who is engaged in hatchery at Akuse, Mr Daniel Marfo, said his company was compelled to buy the fishmeal from the open market because Ghana Protein Limited was unable to satisfy the market with its product 'which qualifies to be the best of all'.
He appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor the fishmeal on the market to weed out the contaminants and save their farms from such huge losses.
Meanwhile, Ghana Protein Limited, the only mechanised fishmeal producing company in the country, is considering relocating from Ghana to Brazil because of lack of co-ordination in the supply of fish from the Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC) and the Customs Division of the Revenue Authority(CEPS) at the port.
According to Mr Anthony Adu-Nketia, an Administrator of Ghana Protein Limited, though the company had the capacity to produce 360 tonnes of fishmeal daily it now produced only 29 tonnes because of unfair allocation of fish from the supply agencies .
He explained that the company used raw and steamed offal from PFC and uncleared fish which were auctioned by the CEPS at the port for fishmeal and not for human consumption .
Mr Adu-Nketia said the uncleared fish which were unwholesome did not get to the fishmeal companies but found their way to the market for sale for consumption, denying the companies of raw materials .
He said the company’s workforce of 150 had been cut to 50 and appealed to the Minsitry of Agriculture to intervene and streamline the supply chain of the fish to enable the company to satisfy the market with hygienic products, adding that the company also had machinery for fish pellets to serve fish farmers to boost aqua culture .
HIV/AIDS INFECTION IN TEMA GOES UP (PAGE 36, DEC 6, 2010)
STATISTICS show that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Tema has doubled from two per cent last year to four per cent, which is twice the average national prevalent rate.
This means that one person out of 25 people is HIV positive in the Tema Metropolis.
The theme chosen for the day in Tema was “Act aware: Stop the prejudice to protect yourself and others” as against the main theme: “Universal Access and Human Rights. Action now.”
The Group Medical Advisor at Unilever Ghana, Dr Kwaku Sarkodie, made this disclosure at Tema during the celebration of the World Aids Day in Tema.
He said residents of Tema were at a higher risk than anywhere in Ghana today and called for intensified effort to educate the public on the need to ensure safe practices to avoid being infected.
Addressing a cross-section of students drawn from first and second cycle schools in the metropolis, community based organisations, peer educators and the public at a programme to mark the day, Dr Sarkodie said UNAIDS statistics indicated the disease had stabilised and new HIV infections were declining while mortality rate was still high.
He said 90 per cent of infected people in Ghana were between 15 and 49 years which represented the economic sector of the nation.
Dr Sarkodie appealed to residents in Tema to redouble their effort to reduce the present rate.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, in an address read for him, said the youth represented the window of hope for the nation and, therefore, needed to exercise restraint in conducting themselves sexually.
He noted that the rate of prevalence in the metropolis was alarming, stating that Tema has 2,462 people living with AIDs made up of 758 males and 1,704 females .
Mr Ofosuware said it was in the right direction that the Day was dedicated to schoolchildren who were more vulnerable and needed to be educated more on the disease.
He said it was the responsibility of all to get involved in creating awareness that the virus was still infecting and affecting people.
Mr Ofosuware called on the students to desist from indiscriminate sexual activities, suggesting that HIV/AIDS clubs must be formed in all schools in the metropolis to keep the youth well informed.
He reminded them of the Yuletide which he said was close and advised that it was observed in line with the teachings of the Bible to avoid over-indulgence which would lead them to misbehave.
Mr Ofosuware urged corporate bodies to factor the youth in their contingency budgets to help educate them.
At Ashaiman, the day was marked with a durbar of students, chiefs, assembly members, market women, traders and heads of departments in the municipality.
The HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator in Ashaiman, Mrs Patience Boni, who represented the Municipal Director of Health for Ashaiman, declared that records as of June, 2010, indicated that 3,053 pregnant women were tested for the virus and 167 tested positive .
She said voluntary counselling and testing had 133 people testing positive out of 984 people who subjected themselves to the testing.
Mrs Boni said all those who tested positive had been referred for management.
She urged people to take advantage of the free counselling and testing to know their status to prevent the spread of the disease.
That, she said, called for behavioural change and the expansion of services for the Prevention to Mother to Child Transmission (PTMCT).
The Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison, cautioned against stigmatising people living with HIV which obviously is against their fundamental human rights.
He called on all infected persons not to despair as a result of the government’s commitment to ensure that Anti Retroviral drugs were made available at less cost, urging them to commit themselves to the treatment course to enable them live healthy lives.
There were sketches and poetry recitals by the students on the need to abstain from sex or be protected with condoms.
This means that one person out of 25 people is HIV positive in the Tema Metropolis.
The theme chosen for the day in Tema was “Act aware: Stop the prejudice to protect yourself and others” as against the main theme: “Universal Access and Human Rights. Action now.”
The Group Medical Advisor at Unilever Ghana, Dr Kwaku Sarkodie, made this disclosure at Tema during the celebration of the World Aids Day in Tema.
He said residents of Tema were at a higher risk than anywhere in Ghana today and called for intensified effort to educate the public on the need to ensure safe practices to avoid being infected.
Addressing a cross-section of students drawn from first and second cycle schools in the metropolis, community based organisations, peer educators and the public at a programme to mark the day, Dr Sarkodie said UNAIDS statistics indicated the disease had stabilised and new HIV infections were declining while mortality rate was still high.
He said 90 per cent of infected people in Ghana were between 15 and 49 years which represented the economic sector of the nation.
Dr Sarkodie appealed to residents in Tema to redouble their effort to reduce the present rate.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, in an address read for him, said the youth represented the window of hope for the nation and, therefore, needed to exercise restraint in conducting themselves sexually.
He noted that the rate of prevalence in the metropolis was alarming, stating that Tema has 2,462 people living with AIDs made up of 758 males and 1,704 females .
Mr Ofosuware said it was in the right direction that the Day was dedicated to schoolchildren who were more vulnerable and needed to be educated more on the disease.
He said it was the responsibility of all to get involved in creating awareness that the virus was still infecting and affecting people.
Mr Ofosuware called on the students to desist from indiscriminate sexual activities, suggesting that HIV/AIDS clubs must be formed in all schools in the metropolis to keep the youth well informed.
He reminded them of the Yuletide which he said was close and advised that it was observed in line with the teachings of the Bible to avoid over-indulgence which would lead them to misbehave.
Mr Ofosuware urged corporate bodies to factor the youth in their contingency budgets to help educate them.
At Ashaiman, the day was marked with a durbar of students, chiefs, assembly members, market women, traders and heads of departments in the municipality.
The HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator in Ashaiman, Mrs Patience Boni, who represented the Municipal Director of Health for Ashaiman, declared that records as of June, 2010, indicated that 3,053 pregnant women were tested for the virus and 167 tested positive .
She said voluntary counselling and testing had 133 people testing positive out of 984 people who subjected themselves to the testing.
Mrs Boni said all those who tested positive had been referred for management.
She urged people to take advantage of the free counselling and testing to know their status to prevent the spread of the disease.
That, she said, called for behavioural change and the expansion of services for the Prevention to Mother to Child Transmission (PTMCT).
The Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison, cautioned against stigmatising people living with HIV which obviously is against their fundamental human rights.
He called on all infected persons not to despair as a result of the government’s commitment to ensure that Anti Retroviral drugs were made available at less cost, urging them to commit themselves to the treatment course to enable them live healthy lives.
There were sketches and poetry recitals by the students on the need to abstain from sex or be protected with condoms.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
REPLACE TEMA SEWER LINES (PAGE 36, NOV 29, 2010)
THE President of the Full Gospel Church International, Rt. Revd Samuel Mensah, has appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to replace sewer lines in the Metropolis to avoid any future environmental disaster.
He said frequent blockage and subsequent explosion of some sewer lines in Tema, which exposed faecal materials, must be taken seriously and a solution must be found to it.
Rt. Revd Mensah who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tema on recent developments in the Metropolis noted that the sewer lines had outlived their lifespan and, therefore, must be changed.
He acknowledged the good work of the Assembly and commended the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, for the efforts he is making to give Tema a facelift.
He explained that the ongoing asphalt projects on some major roads in the metropolis and filling of pot holes in the communities were commendable.
Rt. Revd Mensah said roads in Tema had seen some improvement as promised by the Chief Executive when he took Office in 2009 and urged him on to do more to bring Tema to its status as the industrial city of the country.
He noted that Mr Ofosuware had shown commitment to the work he had been tasked to do.
Rt. Revd Mensah noted that while performing his duty, the Chief Executive, Mr Ofosuware, must take note of the sewer system and slums which were rapidly emerging.
He cautioned that the road works must be closely monitored to ensure that the contractors did good and quality work.
Rt. Revd Mensah called on the Metropolitan Engineers to insist on specifications which would make the work last with regard to their intended life span.
On the slums, Rt. Revd Mensah acknowledged the need for people to be housed but noted that indiscriminate, unsightly and unplanned structures must be pulled down.
He stated that the efforts of the Assembly would come to naught if slums were encouraged, adding that the beauty of the harbour city would be tarnished.
Rt. Revd Mensah urged residents to help the Assembly to execute its planned projects by paying their levies and rates.
The Head of the Waste Management Department of the Assembly, Mr Edward Mba, in an interview, said sewer lines linking households in the metropolis were over-aged and would need to be changed at a cost running into millions of Ghana Cedis.
He said the capacity of the pumping station could not cope with the increasing population and needed to be increased while the treatment plant needed to be rehabilitated.
Mr Mba noted that there were several sewer lines connected to the pumping station which, with gravity, sent the house to house waste to the treatment plant.
He stated that there were some communities which were not hooked on to the sewer system because the capacity of the pumping station could not accommodate them.
Mr Mba said the capacity of the pumping station needed to be increased to have all the sewer lines hooked on it.
He stated that the pumping station and sewer lines were installed in the 1950s to serve the modern township of Tema but had never been changed or rehabilitated over the years.
He said frequent blockage and subsequent explosion of some sewer lines in Tema, which exposed faecal materials, must be taken seriously and a solution must be found to it.
Rt. Revd Mensah who was speaking to the Daily Graphic in Tema on recent developments in the Metropolis noted that the sewer lines had outlived their lifespan and, therefore, must be changed.
He acknowledged the good work of the Assembly and commended the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, for the efforts he is making to give Tema a facelift.
He explained that the ongoing asphalt projects on some major roads in the metropolis and filling of pot holes in the communities were commendable.
Rt. Revd Mensah said roads in Tema had seen some improvement as promised by the Chief Executive when he took Office in 2009 and urged him on to do more to bring Tema to its status as the industrial city of the country.
He noted that Mr Ofosuware had shown commitment to the work he had been tasked to do.
Rt. Revd Mensah noted that while performing his duty, the Chief Executive, Mr Ofosuware, must take note of the sewer system and slums which were rapidly emerging.
He cautioned that the road works must be closely monitored to ensure that the contractors did good and quality work.
Rt. Revd Mensah called on the Metropolitan Engineers to insist on specifications which would make the work last with regard to their intended life span.
On the slums, Rt. Revd Mensah acknowledged the need for people to be housed but noted that indiscriminate, unsightly and unplanned structures must be pulled down.
He stated that the efforts of the Assembly would come to naught if slums were encouraged, adding that the beauty of the harbour city would be tarnished.
Rt. Revd Mensah urged residents to help the Assembly to execute its planned projects by paying their levies and rates.
The Head of the Waste Management Department of the Assembly, Mr Edward Mba, in an interview, said sewer lines linking households in the metropolis were over-aged and would need to be changed at a cost running into millions of Ghana Cedis.
He said the capacity of the pumping station could not cope with the increasing population and needed to be increased while the treatment plant needed to be rehabilitated.
Mr Mba noted that there were several sewer lines connected to the pumping station which, with gravity, sent the house to house waste to the treatment plant.
He stated that there were some communities which were not hooked on to the sewer system because the capacity of the pumping station could not accommodate them.
Mr Mba said the capacity of the pumping station needed to be increased to have all the sewer lines hooked on it.
He stated that the pumping station and sewer lines were installed in the 1950s to serve the modern township of Tema but had never been changed or rehabilitated over the years.
TEMa RESIDENTS EDUCATE ON HARZARDS OF FIRE (PAGE 36, NOV 29, 2010)
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Tema has, in collaboration with Cirrus Oil Services Limited organised a fire safety sensitisation exercise for traders at the Community One Central Market to educate them on fire hazards and the need to prevent them.
The traders were also taken through various aspects of putting off fire, flammable items and the different types of fire.
As part of the exercise, the Tema branch of the Ghana National Fire Service and the Tema Oil Refinery Fire Brigade jointly had a simulation exercise at the premises of the company where the loading gantry of Cirrus was deemed to be engulfed with fire.
A siren was sounded for the workers to assemble at an emergency point, while the internal safety personnel made efforts to put off the fire before the arrival of the Fire Service personnel who managed to bring the fire under control during the simulation exercise.
The Health,Safety and Environment Co-ordinator at Cirrus Oil Services Limited, Mr Divine Kweku Tetteh, said the company was observing a week-long celebration of safety with the theme: ‘Health and Safety – a commitment for life’ to create awareness among its workers and the public to be fire conscious.
Mr Tetteh noted that the company had operated for 862 days without any incident.
He explained that since July 2008 when the company started operating, it had not suffered any accident.
Mr Tetteh said as part of the safety programme, the company deemed it necessary to go to the market where fire had in recent times destroyed property belonging to the traders and the government, to educate the operators at the markets on safety measures.
The Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Oil Services Limited, Mrs Ivy Appiah Owusu, said safety should be incorporated in all activities, especially when the company deals in oil, which is highly flammable .
She noted that when investments grow without safety measures, all invested items would come to nothing if consumed by fire.
The Tema Metropolitan Fire, Mr William Abaka Blankson, said in the third quarter of 2010, Tema experienced 47 fires.
He said in July, there were 11 fire outbreaks which caused damage to property estimated to cost GH¢12,350.00, while in August, damages caused by fire was GH¢ 30,560.00 in 18 fires.
Mr Blankson said in September, Tema had 18 fires which damaged property estimated to cost GH¢111,440.00
He said they were mostly domestic, vehicular and electrical fires.
Mr Blankson commended the Cirrus Oil Services for its decision to engage the public in fire education to help minimise fires which in recent times were on the increase.
He called on the public to be cautious to avoid the occurrence of fires to save life and property .
The Metropolitan Fire Officer, Mr Blankson and the Operations Officer of the GNFS in Tema, Mr Mark Quarcoo, conducted the simulation exercise at the premises.
The traders were also taken through various aspects of putting off fire, flammable items and the different types of fire.
As part of the exercise, the Tema branch of the Ghana National Fire Service and the Tema Oil Refinery Fire Brigade jointly had a simulation exercise at the premises of the company where the loading gantry of Cirrus was deemed to be engulfed with fire.
A siren was sounded for the workers to assemble at an emergency point, while the internal safety personnel made efforts to put off the fire before the arrival of the Fire Service personnel who managed to bring the fire under control during the simulation exercise.
The Health,Safety and Environment Co-ordinator at Cirrus Oil Services Limited, Mr Divine Kweku Tetteh, said the company was observing a week-long celebration of safety with the theme: ‘Health and Safety – a commitment for life’ to create awareness among its workers and the public to be fire conscious.
Mr Tetteh noted that the company had operated for 862 days without any incident.
He explained that since July 2008 when the company started operating, it had not suffered any accident.
Mr Tetteh said as part of the safety programme, the company deemed it necessary to go to the market where fire had in recent times destroyed property belonging to the traders and the government, to educate the operators at the markets on safety measures.
The Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Oil Services Limited, Mrs Ivy Appiah Owusu, said safety should be incorporated in all activities, especially when the company deals in oil, which is highly flammable .
She noted that when investments grow without safety measures, all invested items would come to nothing if consumed by fire.
The Tema Metropolitan Fire, Mr William Abaka Blankson, said in the third quarter of 2010, Tema experienced 47 fires.
He said in July, there were 11 fire outbreaks which caused damage to property estimated to cost GH¢12,350.00, while in August, damages caused by fire was GH¢ 30,560.00 in 18 fires.
Mr Blankson said in September, Tema had 18 fires which damaged property estimated to cost GH¢111,440.00
He said they were mostly domestic, vehicular and electrical fires.
Mr Blankson commended the Cirrus Oil Services for its decision to engage the public in fire education to help minimise fires which in recent times were on the increase.
He called on the public to be cautious to avoid the occurrence of fires to save life and property .
The Metropolitan Fire Officer, Mr Blankson and the Operations Officer of the GNFS in Tema, Mr Mark Quarcoo, conducted the simulation exercise at the premises.
PERI URBAN AREAS OF TEMA LACK AMENITIES (PAGE 36, NOV 29, 2010)
Some communities in the peri-urban areas of the Tema Metropolis lack basic amenities, good roads and social service facilities though they continue to form the base of the metropolis.
They have no roads, markets, lorry parks and well planned demarcated housing projects .
The acquisition area of Tema has seen a significant growth as far as development is concerned and has a historical background dating back to decades.
As the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), was tasked with the development of well planned and demarcated houses ,the Local Government Act 54 of 1961 paved the way for the Department of Town Planning to oversee the day to day social services for the towns and its various settlements.
These demarcations were to enable the planning authorities to have adequate control over such settlements.
A survey conducted by the Daily Graphic in the peri-urban areas indicated that, some of these communities which come under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly have been neglected and lacked basic amenities which are to enable them move within the pace of development planning of the Metropolis.
Some of the communities under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly are Sasabi, Kakasunanka One and Two, Gbetsile, Okushieblie, Appolonia, Katamansu, Saaki, Kpoi-ete and Zenu .
Others are Bawaleshie, Kpone, Sewrepor, Mataheko, Manhean, Lashibi, Adjei-Kojo and Sakumono, among others.
Development has, however, been located mainly in the Tema township to the detriment of these communities which add up to make the Metropolis, therefore, giving developers the opportunity to indiscriminately put up structures which do not conform to building regulations .
People in these communities are mostly farmers and fishermen who have contributed in many diverse ways to lift high the name of Tema by winning the district and regional fishermen and farmers awards some years back.
The Tema development area was re-demarcated in the 1980’s for easy access for planning, but from all indications this has not brought any significant change.
With the district level elections around the corner, people in these areas are looking forward to elect assembly members who are conscious of initiating development projects .
The Tema Metropolitan Development Planning Officer, Mr Kofi Taylor Appiah in an interview with Daily Graphic confirmed that the peri-urban communities lacked amenities but explained that the people had refused to pay their levies, liquid and solid waste management fees and their property rates.
He said the assembly was already burdened with the rising cost of waste collection in the Metropolis stating that about 80 per cent of the Assembly’s common fund and internally generated funds went into waste collection.
Mr Taylor–Appiah said the Assembly had a four year medium term development plan for 2010-2013 to provide markets, lorry parks, classroom blocks, roads, drains and health posts for some communities in the Metropolis .
He said the assembly would rely on the needs of the people to undertake the project after consultation with them.
Mr Taylor-Appiah said population had far exceeded development, therefore, rendering the existing facilities inadequate .
He said Tema was currently operating dangerously on an over 40 year old sewer pumping station which is not able to contain the workload of the liquid waste .
Mr Taylor –Appiah said the Assembly would need to look for funds to replace the pumping station .
He stated that the Assembly would embark on public fora in all the peri-urban areas to educate them on the need to pay their levies .
Mr Taylor-Appiah said it was the intention of the TMA to open up the Metropolis to ensure that the people were brought closer for transparency. He said the Assembly’s financial base had dwindled considerably because of the inability of some companies to honour their obligations to the Assembly.
He reiterated the governments policy on public toilets and noted that the Assembly would no more provide such facilities in the metropolis and asked landlords to put up places of convenience for their tenants .
Mr Taylor- Appiah appealed to people living in the peri-urban areas to conform to the Local Government Act which demanded that they fulfilled their tax obligations to enable the Assembly provide the needed amenities.
They have no roads, markets, lorry parks and well planned demarcated housing projects .
The acquisition area of Tema has seen a significant growth as far as development is concerned and has a historical background dating back to decades.
As the Tema Development Corporation (TDC), was tasked with the development of well planned and demarcated houses ,the Local Government Act 54 of 1961 paved the way for the Department of Town Planning to oversee the day to day social services for the towns and its various settlements.
These demarcations were to enable the planning authorities to have adequate control over such settlements.
A survey conducted by the Daily Graphic in the peri-urban areas indicated that, some of these communities which come under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly have been neglected and lacked basic amenities which are to enable them move within the pace of development planning of the Metropolis.
Some of the communities under the Tema Metropolitan Assembly are Sasabi, Kakasunanka One and Two, Gbetsile, Okushieblie, Appolonia, Katamansu, Saaki, Kpoi-ete and Zenu .
Others are Bawaleshie, Kpone, Sewrepor, Mataheko, Manhean, Lashibi, Adjei-Kojo and Sakumono, among others.
Development has, however, been located mainly in the Tema township to the detriment of these communities which add up to make the Metropolis, therefore, giving developers the opportunity to indiscriminately put up structures which do not conform to building regulations .
People in these communities are mostly farmers and fishermen who have contributed in many diverse ways to lift high the name of Tema by winning the district and regional fishermen and farmers awards some years back.
The Tema development area was re-demarcated in the 1980’s for easy access for planning, but from all indications this has not brought any significant change.
With the district level elections around the corner, people in these areas are looking forward to elect assembly members who are conscious of initiating development projects .
The Tema Metropolitan Development Planning Officer, Mr Kofi Taylor Appiah in an interview with Daily Graphic confirmed that the peri-urban communities lacked amenities but explained that the people had refused to pay their levies, liquid and solid waste management fees and their property rates.
He said the assembly was already burdened with the rising cost of waste collection in the Metropolis stating that about 80 per cent of the Assembly’s common fund and internally generated funds went into waste collection.
Mr Taylor–Appiah said the Assembly had a four year medium term development plan for 2010-2013 to provide markets, lorry parks, classroom blocks, roads, drains and health posts for some communities in the Metropolis .
He said the assembly would rely on the needs of the people to undertake the project after consultation with them.
Mr Taylor-Appiah said population had far exceeded development, therefore, rendering the existing facilities inadequate .
He said Tema was currently operating dangerously on an over 40 year old sewer pumping station which is not able to contain the workload of the liquid waste .
Mr Taylor –Appiah said the Assembly would need to look for funds to replace the pumping station .
He stated that the Assembly would embark on public fora in all the peri-urban areas to educate them on the need to pay their levies .
Mr Taylor-Appiah said it was the intention of the TMA to open up the Metropolis to ensure that the people were brought closer for transparency. He said the Assembly’s financial base had dwindled considerably because of the inability of some companies to honour their obligations to the Assembly.
He reiterated the governments policy on public toilets and noted that the Assembly would no more provide such facilities in the metropolis and asked landlords to put up places of convenience for their tenants .
Mr Taylor- Appiah appealed to people living in the peri-urban areas to conform to the Local Government Act which demanded that they fulfilled their tax obligations to enable the Assembly provide the needed amenities.
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