THE Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Quaye Tawiah, has urged the Greater Accra Regional Security Forum to initiate a legislation that will oblige estate developers to provide police stations and barracks in every new estate community they establish.
He explained that the provision of these facilities would help the police to ensure security and law and order in the communities.
The IGP was addressing the maiden session of the Greater Accra Regional Security Forum in Tema to plan and tackle security threats confronting various localities and the region as a whole.
He said the time had come for the district assemblies to allocate resources to provide the facilities to already established communities which did not have police presence.
Mr Tawiah noted that organised and serious crimes in their various forms were still being recorded, although the rate had decreased considerably.
Highlighting some statistics on armed robbery, he said in 2008, the Accra/Tema police regions recorded 850 robberies and in 2009 a comparatively lesser number of 513 robbery cases were recorded.
Mr Tawiah said at the same time a total of 335 suspected armed robbers were arrested in the region whilst a few others died during confrontation with the police.
He stated that a total of 133 firearms were seized from these suspected armed robbers.
The Inspector General said the police and the assemblies had inter-related challenges, adding that “the very problems that hamper the success and development of the assemblies equally render policing strategies ineffective”.
He expressed concern about the activities of squatters and land guards, explaining that several criminal activities were planned and perpetrated by these groups.
The Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, said the fight against the narcotics menace at the global level continued to be a major challenge.
He noted that as a result, the government had adopted strategies to seriously combat the menace and these were yielding positive results.
Nii Armah Ashietey said the government would continue to implement the intelligence acquisition analysis and application strategies, and the informant system and deepen police presence through massive and intensive day and night patrols, among others.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, who played host to the forum, enumerated some phenomenal threats and danger to security in the metropolis.
He said the high incidence of armed robbery, theft and physical assault, prostitution, narcotic drug business and drug abuse, menace of land guards and sex tourism were some of the dangers to security in the area.
The forum was attended by Service Commanders, National Security Co-ordinators, Service Personnel, Police and Military and all stakeholders concerned with security.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
TMA DONATES TO SHAMO QUAYE MEMORIAL TOURNEY (PAGE 47)
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has donated a magnificent trophy and six footballs to the sporting community in Tema at the re-launch of the Shamo Quaye Memorial Tournament which was to kick off on December 24, 2009. Also presented was GH¢10,000 to support the players.
The trophy, valued at GH¢8000, was to be presented to the champion of the tournament, which faded out because of lack of support.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, commended some companies, including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and Myroc, for their support which contributed to the revival of the games.
He was of the view that the tournament would help unearth football talents and also rekindle the communal spirit and interaction among the various communities.
An organiser of the tournament, Mr David Boafo, who received the package, thanked the Assembly for the gesture.
He said the tournament would involve all the communities in Tema to rekindle the spirit of soccer in the youth.
Mr Boafo was optimistic that the games would also encourage the youth to make sports one of their priorities, while remembering some of the talented footballers the metropolis had produced.
He gave the assurance that everything would be done to enhance soccer to make it attractive to the youth especially with a Chief Executive who has a passion for the game.
The trophy, valued at GH¢8000, was to be presented to the champion of the tournament, which faded out because of lack of support.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, commended some companies, including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and Myroc, for their support which contributed to the revival of the games.
He was of the view that the tournament would help unearth football talents and also rekindle the communal spirit and interaction among the various communities.
An organiser of the tournament, Mr David Boafo, who received the package, thanked the Assembly for the gesture.
He said the tournament would involve all the communities in Tema to rekindle the spirit of soccer in the youth.
Mr Boafo was optimistic that the games would also encourage the youth to make sports one of their priorities, while remembering some of the talented footballers the metropolis had produced.
He gave the assurance that everything would be done to enhance soccer to make it attractive to the youth especially with a Chief Executive who has a passion for the game.
TEMA FIRE SERVICE LAUNCHES RESCUE PATROL UNIT (BACK PAGE)
THE Tema Regional branch of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has set up a Road Traffic Accident Rapid Response Unit to patrol the Accra-Tema Motorway to give prompt attention to accident victims.
By this innovation, the Tema regional office will patrol the Motorway from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily to ensure rapid and effective rescue of accident victims.
Speaking to the media in Tema on Christmas Eve when the fully equipped vehicle was launched, the Regional Commander, Mr Gilford Tetteh Adams, said the station lacked adequate equipment and, therefore, felt certain decisions needed to be taken to salvage the situation.
Mr Adams said the pick-up for the Road Traffic Accident Rapid Response Unit was equipped with a spine board, cutting equipment, spreaders, distinct headlights and hydraulic equipment for professional extrication of accident victims, all at a cost of over GH¢5,000 from its internally generated funds.
He noted that for effective performance while handling accident victims, the Tema regional office re-trained 38 of its personnel for the two units.
Mr Adams explained that many accident victims died because of unprofessional handling.
Mr Adams appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and other organisations to assist the office by providing a vehicle to be used as ambulance to quicken the pace of the rescue exercise.
Mr Adams advised drivers to be mindful of the bumpy nature of the Motorway and drive with care because most recent accidents were caused by the rough and bumpy surface.
Men from the newly launched unit undertook an extrication exercise, during which they handled accident victims using the spine board and the hydraulic equipment.
By this innovation, the Tema regional office will patrol the Motorway from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily to ensure rapid and effective rescue of accident victims.
Speaking to the media in Tema on Christmas Eve when the fully equipped vehicle was launched, the Regional Commander, Mr Gilford Tetteh Adams, said the station lacked adequate equipment and, therefore, felt certain decisions needed to be taken to salvage the situation.
Mr Adams said the pick-up for the Road Traffic Accident Rapid Response Unit was equipped with a spine board, cutting equipment, spreaders, distinct headlights and hydraulic equipment for professional extrication of accident victims, all at a cost of over GH¢5,000 from its internally generated funds.
He noted that for effective performance while handling accident victims, the Tema regional office re-trained 38 of its personnel for the two units.
Mr Adams explained that many accident victims died because of unprofessional handling.
Mr Adams appealed to the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and other organisations to assist the office by providing a vehicle to be used as ambulance to quicken the pace of the rescue exercise.
Mr Adams advised drivers to be mindful of the bumpy nature of the Motorway and drive with care because most recent accidents were caused by the rough and bumpy surface.
Men from the newly launched unit undertook an extrication exercise, during which they handled accident victims using the spine board and the hydraulic equipment.
Monday, December 28, 2009
CHANGE ATTITUDE TO WORK (PAGE 18, DEC 28)
The Executive Chairman of the State Enterprises Commission (SEC), Mr Yaw Klinogo, has called on workers of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to change their ways of doing things and consider the growth of the corporation through hard work and dedication to duty.
“You have to die a little to enable the company to succeed in its endeavours,” he said.
Mr Klinogo was addressing the management and staff of the TDC at its end-of-year awards ceremony, during which some retirees were also presented with gifts.
He said 10 years ago, the TDC was faced with difficulties but commended the workers for the present successes it had achieved through hard work.
He was of the view that the corporation could achieve more successes if the union and the Senior Staff Association worked in concert with management to take decisions for the growth of the organisation.
He said Tema had to regain its original image which made it the most unique town in the country and was referred to as a model in planning and structural development.
The board of the TDC, Mr E.O. Adjetey, said the corporation was pursuing change for the better.
He stressed the need to maximise profit and utilise available resources to generate funds.
He tasked management and workers to bring back Tema to its former glory and redesign it into a viable tourist centre for future generations.
The acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, said the corporation would re-visit most of its abandoned projects to generate revenue.
He said encroachment was the challenge the corporation faced during the year and called for ministerial and police support to enable it to re-develop some old communities and sites.
Mr Abbey said the exercise was capital intensive and the corporation would, therefore, solicit financial support and guarantees to undertake the project.
He said the TDC would make its presence felt in communities, including new settlements, by opening up offices in those areas to collect revenue, ward off encroachers and offer other services.
He commended the workers for their determination to ensure the growth of the TDC.
Some workers were presented with prizes for their dedication and long service. Some of them have served the company between 10 and 40 years, while four members of staff were seen off to start their retirement.
Present at the ceremony were the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Mr Kempes Ofosu Ware, and the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison.
“You have to die a little to enable the company to succeed in its endeavours,” he said.
Mr Klinogo was addressing the management and staff of the TDC at its end-of-year awards ceremony, during which some retirees were also presented with gifts.
He said 10 years ago, the TDC was faced with difficulties but commended the workers for the present successes it had achieved through hard work.
He was of the view that the corporation could achieve more successes if the union and the Senior Staff Association worked in concert with management to take decisions for the growth of the organisation.
He said Tema had to regain its original image which made it the most unique town in the country and was referred to as a model in planning and structural development.
The board of the TDC, Mr E.O. Adjetey, said the corporation was pursuing change for the better.
He stressed the need to maximise profit and utilise available resources to generate funds.
He tasked management and workers to bring back Tema to its former glory and redesign it into a viable tourist centre for future generations.
The acting Managing Director of the TDC, Mr Joe Abbey, said the corporation would re-visit most of its abandoned projects to generate revenue.
He said encroachment was the challenge the corporation faced during the year and called for ministerial and police support to enable it to re-develop some old communities and sites.
Mr Abbey said the exercise was capital intensive and the corporation would, therefore, solicit financial support and guarantees to undertake the project.
He said the TDC would make its presence felt in communities, including new settlements, by opening up offices in those areas to collect revenue, ward off encroachers and offer other services.
He commended the workers for their determination to ensure the growth of the TDC.
Some workers were presented with prizes for their dedication and long service. Some of them have served the company between 10 and 40 years, while four members of staff were seen off to start their retirement.
Present at the ceremony were the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Mr Kempes Ofosu Ware, and the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Numo Adinortey Addison.
Monday, December 21, 2009
TEACHERS URGED TO BE PATIENT (PAGE 11, DEC 21)
THE Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Pre-Tertiary Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, has urged teachers to be patient for the Government to find lasting solutions to their problems.
Mrs Amok-Tetteh was responding to some concerns of teachers at a forum organised by the Member of Parliament for the Tema West Constituency, Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo, for about 1,000 teachers drawn from the constituency.
The forum afforded the teachers the opportunity to interact with the deputy minister and to put across the challenges facing them.
Some of the concerns were about the non-payment of allowances, delayed promotions, cuts in administrative grants for teachers affordable houses.
Mrs Amoah-Tetteh commended the teachers, especially those who teach at the basic level, for their contribution to nation building.
She said the President was aware of their predicament and was working towards finding lasting solutions to them, hence the systematic approach to their situation.
Mrs Amoah –Tetteh noted that teachers had sacrificed sufficiently and would need to be rewarded accordingly, adding “without you teachers, nation building and human resource development will be lacking”.
She said no amount of ridicule should deter them from doing their good work.
The Tema West MP pledged to make available, her funds for 2010, for education in Tema West.
She said she had plans to acquire 678 computers for schools in the constituency, and expressed cncern about the condition of some schools in Batsonaa, Sakumono and Spintex road areas.
Mrs Addo expressed worry that some of the schoolchildren had no tables and sat on stones for their classes under dilapidated structures and therefore, expressed the need to support them.
She called on the teachers to form small clubs within their areas of operation to enable them to know one another better to be able to render support when necessary.
Mrs Amok-Tetteh was responding to some concerns of teachers at a forum organised by the Member of Parliament for the Tema West Constituency, Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo, for about 1,000 teachers drawn from the constituency.
The forum afforded the teachers the opportunity to interact with the deputy minister and to put across the challenges facing them.
Some of the concerns were about the non-payment of allowances, delayed promotions, cuts in administrative grants for teachers affordable houses.
Mrs Amoah-Tetteh commended the teachers, especially those who teach at the basic level, for their contribution to nation building.
She said the President was aware of their predicament and was working towards finding lasting solutions to them, hence the systematic approach to their situation.
Mrs Amoah –Tetteh noted that teachers had sacrificed sufficiently and would need to be rewarded accordingly, adding “without you teachers, nation building and human resource development will be lacking”.
She said no amount of ridicule should deter them from doing their good work.
The Tema West MP pledged to make available, her funds for 2010, for education in Tema West.
She said she had plans to acquire 678 computers for schools in the constituency, and expressed cncern about the condition of some schools in Batsonaa, Sakumono and Spintex road areas.
Mrs Addo expressed worry that some of the schoolchildren had no tables and sat on stones for their classes under dilapidated structures and therefore, expressed the need to support them.
She called on the teachers to form small clubs within their areas of operation to enable them to know one another better to be able to render support when necessary.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
'SODOM AND GOMORRAH' SETTLEMENT SPRINGS UP IN TEMA COMM 3 (PAGE 29, DEC 15)
A 'Sodom and Gomorra' settlement with over 200 wooden structures has sprang up at Tema Community Three.
The settlement in an area demarcated for a buffer zone to absorb gas emanating from the treatment plant where effluent from the township is discharged before flowing into the sea.
The encroachers are suspected to have come from Accra and elsewhere where demolishing and ejectments have taken place.
The Ramseyer site, a conserved wet land stretching along the Sakumono land, has also seen encroachment with wooden structures and mighty well-designed buildings while some people have also demarcated and laid claims to portions of the Mexico Junior High School premises at Community Two.
The Metropolitan Engineer, Mr Victor Mensah, who went round with journalists to witness the extensive encroachment going on in Tema, said the people had ignored all warnings from the Assembly to move from the areas.
He said the Assembly would need the will power to demolish those structures because the actions of the encroachers had violated the development plan for the metropolis.
The structures at the Ramseyer site are situated in watercourses and could obstruct the flow of water during flooding and therefore lead to flooding in other areas of the metropolis.
At the Mexico Junior High School, the head teacher, Ms Joyce Tei, said the encroachers had put up their sleeping places and while school was in session, they relaxed and smoked on the veranda. She said portions of the school park had been turned into roads for nearby residents, stating that occasionally vehicles knocked some of the schoolchildren down.
On the rounds it was observed that some of the structures whose owners had violated the building laws were churches, herbal clinics, sleeping places, hairdressing salons, vehicle workshops.
Mr Mensah said the occupants were asked to produce their legitimate permits which allowed them to live there but noted that for the past two months they had failed to show up.
What they showed to the engineer on the rounds was a permission to operate business there and signed by their association chairman.
Mr Mensah called for a national housing policy to give the nation a clear indication of the number of houses to be built every year.
Mr Mensah said rural-urban migration had also contributed to the population burst in the metropolis and the use of every available space which had been deliberately left for a purpose.
He was not happy that the administrative differences between the Assembly and the Tema Development Corporation had not been solved because residents took advantage of the situation to situate structures anywhere.
Mr Mensah said the Assembly continue to identity other illegal developments to ensure that the metropolis did not become a slum other than what it was planned to be.
The settlement in an area demarcated for a buffer zone to absorb gas emanating from the treatment plant where effluent from the township is discharged before flowing into the sea.
The encroachers are suspected to have come from Accra and elsewhere where demolishing and ejectments have taken place.
The Ramseyer site, a conserved wet land stretching along the Sakumono land, has also seen encroachment with wooden structures and mighty well-designed buildings while some people have also demarcated and laid claims to portions of the Mexico Junior High School premises at Community Two.
The Metropolitan Engineer, Mr Victor Mensah, who went round with journalists to witness the extensive encroachment going on in Tema, said the people had ignored all warnings from the Assembly to move from the areas.
He said the Assembly would need the will power to demolish those structures because the actions of the encroachers had violated the development plan for the metropolis.
The structures at the Ramseyer site are situated in watercourses and could obstruct the flow of water during flooding and therefore lead to flooding in other areas of the metropolis.
At the Mexico Junior High School, the head teacher, Ms Joyce Tei, said the encroachers had put up their sleeping places and while school was in session, they relaxed and smoked on the veranda. She said portions of the school park had been turned into roads for nearby residents, stating that occasionally vehicles knocked some of the schoolchildren down.
On the rounds it was observed that some of the structures whose owners had violated the building laws were churches, herbal clinics, sleeping places, hairdressing salons, vehicle workshops.
Mr Mensah said the occupants were asked to produce their legitimate permits which allowed them to live there but noted that for the past two months they had failed to show up.
What they showed to the engineer on the rounds was a permission to operate business there and signed by their association chairman.
Mr Mensah called for a national housing policy to give the nation a clear indication of the number of houses to be built every year.
Mr Mensah said rural-urban migration had also contributed to the population burst in the metropolis and the use of every available space which had been deliberately left for a purpose.
He was not happy that the administrative differences between the Assembly and the Tema Development Corporation had not been solved because residents took advantage of the situation to situate structures anywhere.
Mr Mensah said the Assembly continue to identity other illegal developments to ensure that the metropolis did not become a slum other than what it was planned to be.
TEMA, ASHAIMAN HONOUR TEACHERS (PAGE 29, NOV 15)
The Tema Metropolitan and Ashaiman Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service has awarded 30 deserving teachers who excelled in their various subject areas at its 2008 and 2009 Best Teacher Awards Ceremony held in Tema.
The ceremony was on the theme, 'Quality Education in the hands of well-motivated Teachers'.
The awardees were presented with standing fans, table top fridges, 21 inch Sanyo television sets, gas stoves, gas cylinders, wax prints and hampers.
There was no overall best winner but the various winners were adjudged according to the levels and subject areas.
The various categories were kindergarten, primary, basic, junior high school, senior high school, technical and vocational levels and science and mathematics.
Some non-teaching staff of the service were also awarded for their dedication to duty.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, in a speech read on his behalf by a director at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mary Lankai Quaye, observed that the quality of teachers determined the development of a nation.
She noted that teachers played a key role in shaping the human resource of the country and therefore called for motivation from all sectors to encourage them to work harder.
Mrs Quaye was of the view that teachers needed to be well-motivated to enable them to perform their functions as counsellors, teachers and sometimes parents to needy children.
She stated that the government recognised the role of teachers hence the institution of the awards and the introduction of study leave and distance education to encourage them to work harder.
Mrs Quaye appealed to district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to support the programme with resources to make the prizes attractive and motivating.
She urged the teachers to continue to be hardworking to turn out good materials for the country's human resource.
Mrs Quaye congratulated the award winners, noting that all teachers worked hard but only a few could be selected for the awards.
The outgoing Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Victoria Opoku, outlined some challenges facing the office in Tema.
She said the current office accommodation had been served with ejection notice and the staff were not working under a conducive atmosphere.
Mrs Opoku appealed to the Ministry of Education to help find office accommodation for them.
A representative of the award winners, Mr Godwin Adja, on behalf of other award winners, expressed gratitude to the organisers but urged them to hold the event annually instead of waiting for two years.
The chairman for the event, Mr Emmanuel Adjei Annang, who is the Greater Accra representative on the Council of State, gave the assurance that he would help the Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the GES to acquire an office to enable them to perform their functions effectively.
He commended the organisers for the effort they put in the event to award the deserving teachers and congratulated the awardees on their hard work.
The ceremony was on the theme, 'Quality Education in the hands of well-motivated Teachers'.
The awardees were presented with standing fans, table top fridges, 21 inch Sanyo television sets, gas stoves, gas cylinders, wax prints and hampers.
There was no overall best winner but the various winners were adjudged according to the levels and subject areas.
The various categories were kindergarten, primary, basic, junior high school, senior high school, technical and vocational levels and science and mathematics.
Some non-teaching staff of the service were also awarded for their dedication to duty.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, in a speech read on his behalf by a director at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mary Lankai Quaye, observed that the quality of teachers determined the development of a nation.
She noted that teachers played a key role in shaping the human resource of the country and therefore called for motivation from all sectors to encourage them to work harder.
Mrs Quaye was of the view that teachers needed to be well-motivated to enable them to perform their functions as counsellors, teachers and sometimes parents to needy children.
She stated that the government recognised the role of teachers hence the institution of the awards and the introduction of study leave and distance education to encourage them to work harder.
Mrs Quaye appealed to district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to support the programme with resources to make the prizes attractive and motivating.
She urged the teachers to continue to be hardworking to turn out good materials for the country's human resource.
Mrs Quaye congratulated the award winners, noting that all teachers worked hard but only a few could be selected for the awards.
The outgoing Metropolitan Director of Education, Mrs Victoria Opoku, outlined some challenges facing the office in Tema.
She said the current office accommodation had been served with ejection notice and the staff were not working under a conducive atmosphere.
Mrs Opoku appealed to the Ministry of Education to help find office accommodation for them.
A representative of the award winners, Mr Godwin Adja, on behalf of other award winners, expressed gratitude to the organisers but urged them to hold the event annually instead of waiting for two years.
The chairman for the event, Mr Emmanuel Adjei Annang, who is the Greater Accra representative on the Council of State, gave the assurance that he would help the Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the GES to acquire an office to enable them to perform their functions effectively.
He commended the organisers for the effort they put in the event to award the deserving teachers and congratulated the awardees on their hard work.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
DON BOSCO YOUTH HOME TO BE EXPANDED (PAGE 30, DEC 14)
A Catholic-based charitable organisation has embarked on an expansion programme in a youth home at Tema Newtown in order to fight child labour, streetism, school dropout and truancy at the beach community of the area.
Located at Tema Manhean, overlooking the sea, the Don Bosco Youth Home started operations in 2003 and has over 100 children between the ages of eight and 16, who are undergoing rehabilitation and reformation for re-integration into the community.
The inmates were picked from the beach, the streets and the harbour where child labour was prominent.
The children underwent two phases of sponsorship rehabilitation and reformation during which they were given psychological and health training.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Programme Co-ordinator, Mr Francis Tetteh, who is also a social worker, said site plans were ready for an expansion programme in the next two months, to make room for the centre to enrol younger children, as well as adults, in it.
Mr Tetteh said the project was initiated in 1993 by Fr Ivan Stojanivic, a Crotian, who set up vocational centres in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo Region, and Tema, in the Greater Accra Region.
He said the Tema Newtown centre catered for orphans and vulnerable children who lacked parental care and came from a poor-economic background.
He said the children, when picked, were investigated and given psychological training to facilitate their quick absorption into mainstream life.
Mr Tetteh noted that most of the children who went through training at the centre found it rather difficult to re-integrate into the community, because of a lack of amenities in the community.
He stated that the centre was funded through fund raising and support from some good-spirited people and organisations, and commended the Zenith Bank in Tema, the latest to visit the centre for presenting GH¢5,000 worth of items to the children.
Located at Tema Manhean, overlooking the sea, the Don Bosco Youth Home started operations in 2003 and has over 100 children between the ages of eight and 16, who are undergoing rehabilitation and reformation for re-integration into the community.
The inmates were picked from the beach, the streets and the harbour where child labour was prominent.
The children underwent two phases of sponsorship rehabilitation and reformation during which they were given psychological and health training.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Programme Co-ordinator, Mr Francis Tetteh, who is also a social worker, said site plans were ready for an expansion programme in the next two months, to make room for the centre to enrol younger children, as well as adults, in it.
Mr Tetteh said the project was initiated in 1993 by Fr Ivan Stojanivic, a Crotian, who set up vocational centres in Sunyani, in the Brong Ahafo Region, and Tema, in the Greater Accra Region.
He said the Tema Newtown centre catered for orphans and vulnerable children who lacked parental care and came from a poor-economic background.
He said the children, when picked, were investigated and given psychological training to facilitate their quick absorption into mainstream life.
Mr Tetteh noted that most of the children who went through training at the centre found it rather difficult to re-integrate into the community, because of a lack of amenities in the community.
He stated that the centre was funded through fund raising and support from some good-spirited people and organisations, and commended the Zenith Bank in Tema, the latest to visit the centre for presenting GH¢5,000 worth of items to the children.
TRADERS, HAWKERS IN ASHAIMAN TO RELOCATE (PAGE 30, DEC 14)
THE Ashaiman Municipal Assembly has given ultimatum to hawkers and traders who operate in the central business area of the municipality to move to the old lorry park known as Kufour Station by the close of the week.
Drivers who stop and pick up passengers in the middle of the road were also advised to load from the station.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the assembly's decongestive exercise the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Numo Adinortey Addison, said the assembly, with support from the Police and the Military, cleared the Kufour Station of all dilapidated structures and re-arranged the Kufour Station to make way for those who would be going there.
He, however, denounced reports that the assembly was demolishing structures used by the hawkers, noting that they would not inconvenience anybody, and insisted that people should operate within the confines of the assembly’s bye-laws.
The MCE said the assembly, with support from the Police and the Military only re-arranged the haphazard placement of tables at the station to make room for the hawkers.
Mr Addison explained that the assembly had since June this year been having a series of meetings with various associations of hawkers, traders and drivers to prepare their minds on the need to clear the roads to make Ashaiman a law-abiding municipality.
He said all the parties had agreed to move at a certain time, but they were later found still selling in the streets.
Mr Addison said the assembly was determined to maintain peace and order in the central business area of the municipality, but would not want to use force.
He, therefore, appealed to the traders to move away from the streets and pavements to the re-arranged 'Kufuor Station' as discussed earlier.
Mr Addison said some of the street hawkers and the traders had sheds in the market, but had persistently refused to move and operate in the market .
He stated that the drivers had also unlawfully created their own lorry parks at three different areas, causing vehicular congestion which worsened the situation.
Mr Addison gave an assurance that the assembly would ensure that the 24-acre land recently allocated to it by the Tema Development Corporation would be developed to help ease the current congestion situation.
He said the assembly was in the process of joining hands with private entities for early completion of the project, which would include a lorry park and a market complex.
Mr Addison noted that land was necessary for the assembly to build up its capacity to enhance development.
Meanwhile, some traders who were affected by the exercise which was to pave the way for the decongestion felt they were rather being harassed.
Drivers who stop and pick up passengers in the middle of the road were also advised to load from the station.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the assembly's decongestive exercise the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Numo Adinortey Addison, said the assembly, with support from the Police and the Military, cleared the Kufour Station of all dilapidated structures and re-arranged the Kufour Station to make way for those who would be going there.
He, however, denounced reports that the assembly was demolishing structures used by the hawkers, noting that they would not inconvenience anybody, and insisted that people should operate within the confines of the assembly’s bye-laws.
The MCE said the assembly, with support from the Police and the Military only re-arranged the haphazard placement of tables at the station to make room for the hawkers.
Mr Addison explained that the assembly had since June this year been having a series of meetings with various associations of hawkers, traders and drivers to prepare their minds on the need to clear the roads to make Ashaiman a law-abiding municipality.
He said all the parties had agreed to move at a certain time, but they were later found still selling in the streets.
Mr Addison said the assembly was determined to maintain peace and order in the central business area of the municipality, but would not want to use force.
He, therefore, appealed to the traders to move away from the streets and pavements to the re-arranged 'Kufuor Station' as discussed earlier.
Mr Addison said some of the street hawkers and the traders had sheds in the market, but had persistently refused to move and operate in the market .
He stated that the drivers had also unlawfully created their own lorry parks at three different areas, causing vehicular congestion which worsened the situation.
Mr Addison gave an assurance that the assembly would ensure that the 24-acre land recently allocated to it by the Tema Development Corporation would be developed to help ease the current congestion situation.
He said the assembly was in the process of joining hands with private entities for early completion of the project, which would include a lorry park and a market complex.
Mr Addison noted that land was necessary for the assembly to build up its capacity to enhance development.
Meanwhile, some traders who were affected by the exercise which was to pave the way for the decongestion felt they were rather being harassed.
Monday, December 7, 2009
VAT DESCENDS ON DEBTORS (PAGE 30, DEC 7)
Officials of the VAT Service descended on debtors to recover over GH¢268,556 owed by operators of various businesses in the Tema metropolis.
They were acting according to Section 34 of the Value Added Tax Act (546)1998 which authorises the service to recover money owed it, and a warrant of distress signed by the Commissioner of the VAT Service, Mr Anthony Ewereko Minlah.
During the exercise, some debtors who had failed in their obligations to the service paid their debts by issuing post-dated cheques to avoid the closure of their companies.
One of the companies, Parkobi Clearing and Forwarding office, was locked up when it could not settle their indebtedness of GH¢ 3,165 owed the VAT Service.
The others who were able to pay up their debts included Ave Maria Resort and Wellness Center, located at the former Halcrow Beach. It owed GH¢5,49.79; Care – Two Shipping Agency - GH¢ 1,170; Favorite Shipping Company Ltd - GH¢1,554, and Pipeline Trading Company - GH¢1450.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic before the exercise, the Head of the Tema local VAT Office, Mrs Nanzirata Duweijua, expressed her unhappiness that people in business waited for the service to send out officials before they paid their debts.
She noted that officials went out from time to time to demand payments but the debtors did not pay heed to them and waited till force was used to make them meet their obligations.
Mrs Duweijua explained that the exercise was necessary because the year had almost ended, and that old debts had to be retrieved.
She said most of the debtors had their outstanding debts spanning a period of two and three years.
Mrs Duweijua appealed to defaulting businessmen and women to pay their debts within the 21-day grace period to ensure that the amount did not accumulate and create problems for them.
She hinted that some cheques issued by the debtors bounced, while some played hide-and-seek with the VAT Service.
Mrs Duweijua, therefore, urged people in business to pay their debts to help develop the nation and gave the assurance that the exercise would continue till all the debtors fulfilled their obligations to the service .
They were acting according to Section 34 of the Value Added Tax Act (546)1998 which authorises the service to recover money owed it, and a warrant of distress signed by the Commissioner of the VAT Service, Mr Anthony Ewereko Minlah.
During the exercise, some debtors who had failed in their obligations to the service paid their debts by issuing post-dated cheques to avoid the closure of their companies.
One of the companies, Parkobi Clearing and Forwarding office, was locked up when it could not settle their indebtedness of GH¢ 3,165 owed the VAT Service.
The others who were able to pay up their debts included Ave Maria Resort and Wellness Center, located at the former Halcrow Beach. It owed GH¢5,49.79; Care – Two Shipping Agency - GH¢ 1,170; Favorite Shipping Company Ltd - GH¢1,554, and Pipeline Trading Company - GH¢1450.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic before the exercise, the Head of the Tema local VAT Office, Mrs Nanzirata Duweijua, expressed her unhappiness that people in business waited for the service to send out officials before they paid their debts.
She noted that officials went out from time to time to demand payments but the debtors did not pay heed to them and waited till force was used to make them meet their obligations.
Mrs Duweijua explained that the exercise was necessary because the year had almost ended, and that old debts had to be retrieved.
She said most of the debtors had their outstanding debts spanning a period of two and three years.
Mrs Duweijua appealed to defaulting businessmen and women to pay their debts within the 21-day grace period to ensure that the amount did not accumulate and create problems for them.
She hinted that some cheques issued by the debtors bounced, while some played hide-and-seek with the VAT Service.
Mrs Duweijua, therefore, urged people in business to pay their debts to help develop the nation and gave the assurance that the exercise would continue till all the debtors fulfilled their obligations to the service .
Friday, December 4, 2009
PTA DONATES GENERATOR TO TEMASCO (PAGE 17, DEC 4)
THE Parent Teacher Association of Tema Secondary School has donated a 50 KVA generator set worth GH¢11,500 to the school and renovated a one storey headmistress bungalow at the cost of GH¢ 36,777.23 to help improve security and enhance academic work.
The PTA Chairman, Mr David Bansa handed the projects over to the chairman of the board of directors of the school, Major (rtd) Kwabena Tandoh.
He said the PTA saw the need to provide the school with the generator because students had to stay in the dark whenever lights went off for their studies and other activities.
He noted that the situation had affected studies and created insecurity since outsiders could take undue advantage of the darkness to enter the compound.
Mr Bansa said the PTA also had plans to immediately provide the school with an Information and Communications Center (ICT) to update students on the subject which is a core subject in the school's curriculum.
He said contract for the project was to be signed for work to start on the installation of the systems.
The Board Chairman of the School, Major Kwabena Tandoh (rtd.) commended the PTA for aiding the students to enhance learning and teaching .
He said such gestures went a long way to support the eforts of the government and the school management boards.
Major Tandoh expressed the board and teachers’ gratitude to the PTA and gave the assurance that the bungalow and the generator would be properly maintained.
The headmistress of the School, Mrs Elizabeth Ama Asare, said the effort of the PTA was a good initiative that must be encouraged.
She drew attention to the current condition of an uncompleted two-storey girls dormitory block. Work on the project has reached roofing level but it has been abandoned since 2005.
Mrs Asare said the project, which was started by the Ghana Education TRust Fund (GETFund), could house more than 400 girls.
She noted that boarding facilities at the school were limited and that if steps were not taken to provide additional structures, the school might not be able to admit female boarding students for the next academic year.
For this academic year, she said the school could only admit 200 girls for boarding .
She said the Achitectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) was the consultant while the contractor was Elfabot Construction, which was occassionally sighted visiting the project site but did not do any work.
Mrs Asare appealed to the government, the sector Ministry and the GETFUND to ensure quick completion of the school’s projects to alleviate the burden on the school authorities.
The PTA Chairman, Mr David Bansa handed the projects over to the chairman of the board of directors of the school, Major (rtd) Kwabena Tandoh.
He said the PTA saw the need to provide the school with the generator because students had to stay in the dark whenever lights went off for their studies and other activities.
He noted that the situation had affected studies and created insecurity since outsiders could take undue advantage of the darkness to enter the compound.
Mr Bansa said the PTA also had plans to immediately provide the school with an Information and Communications Center (ICT) to update students on the subject which is a core subject in the school's curriculum.
He said contract for the project was to be signed for work to start on the installation of the systems.
The Board Chairman of the School, Major Kwabena Tandoh (rtd.) commended the PTA for aiding the students to enhance learning and teaching .
He said such gestures went a long way to support the eforts of the government and the school management boards.
Major Tandoh expressed the board and teachers’ gratitude to the PTA and gave the assurance that the bungalow and the generator would be properly maintained.
The headmistress of the School, Mrs Elizabeth Ama Asare, said the effort of the PTA was a good initiative that must be encouraged.
She drew attention to the current condition of an uncompleted two-storey girls dormitory block. Work on the project has reached roofing level but it has been abandoned since 2005.
Mrs Asare said the project, which was started by the Ghana Education TRust Fund (GETFund), could house more than 400 girls.
She noted that boarding facilities at the school were limited and that if steps were not taken to provide additional structures, the school might not be able to admit female boarding students for the next academic year.
For this academic year, she said the school could only admit 200 girls for boarding .
She said the Achitectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) was the consultant while the contractor was Elfabot Construction, which was occassionally sighted visiting the project site but did not do any work.
Mrs Asare appealed to the government, the sector Ministry and the GETFUND to ensure quick completion of the school’s projects to alleviate the burden on the school authorities.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
JAPAN ASSISTS GHANA WITH FOOD AID (PAGE 31, DEC 1)
Japan has provided a food package of 16,035 tonnes of rice to Ghana as part of its official assistance towards meeting the country’s food requirements.
A cargo vessel, the MV Cido Pacific, which conveyed the consignment, valued at U$10 million, docked at the Tema Port last Saturday.
Last year, Japan provided a similar package of 8,060 tonnes of rice but doubled the consignment this year.
Port security officials had taken measures to secure the cargo and ascertain the wholesomeness of the rice.
According to the Managing Director of Marino Logistics Ghana Limited, Mr Yaw Yirenkyi Attuah, the company had been contracted by the Japanese government to lift all donations provided under Japan’s official development assistance (ODA).
He said since 2000, the company had been in charge of shipments to countries including Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Cape Verde.
Mr Yirenkyi stated that the Japanese government usually monitored the shipments to ensure that the consignments got to their destination.
The President of Marino Logistics Company Limited, Japan, Mr Shoji Komatsu, said he was happy to be associated with the shipment of ODA cargo to Ghana, especially because of the peace and stability in the country and the willingness of the people to tolerate people from different cultures.
A cargo vessel, the MV Cido Pacific, which conveyed the consignment, valued at U$10 million, docked at the Tema Port last Saturday.
Last year, Japan provided a similar package of 8,060 tonnes of rice but doubled the consignment this year.
Port security officials had taken measures to secure the cargo and ascertain the wholesomeness of the rice.
According to the Managing Director of Marino Logistics Ghana Limited, Mr Yaw Yirenkyi Attuah, the company had been contracted by the Japanese government to lift all donations provided under Japan’s official development assistance (ODA).
He said since 2000, the company had been in charge of shipments to countries including Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Cape Verde.
Mr Yirenkyi stated that the Japanese government usually monitored the shipments to ensure that the consignments got to their destination.
The President of Marino Logistics Company Limited, Japan, Mr Shoji Komatsu, said he was happy to be associated with the shipment of ODA cargo to Ghana, especially because of the peace and stability in the country and the willingness of the people to tolerate people from different cultures.
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