THE salaries of health workers have ranked among the highest in the public sector since 2006, Mr Kofi Asamoah, the acting Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has noted.
He has, therefore, commended the government for taking bold initiatives to improve salaries and working conditions in the health sector as a way of reducing the brain drain.
Mr Asamoah made the remark at the opening of the second plenary meeting of the West African Health Sector Unions Network (WASHUN) in Tema.
The union is made up of public health sector unions in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Mr Asamoah said the meeting was being held at a time when the public sector in Ghana was going through another reform, explaining that there had been a significant increase in public sector pay since 2001 but that because the increases were on a relatively low base, public sector workers were still earning lower than their counterparts in the private sector.
He said as part of the reform process, all jobs in the public sector were being evaluated to provide the basis for the determination of salaries based on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Mr Asamoah gave the assurance that the unions were participating in all the processes, under the leadership of the Ghana TUC, to ensure that members in the public sector were rewarded equitably.
He noted that the largest unit in the public sector was the health sector, which employed over 50,000 workforce, but said he was optimistic that it would increase in future as Ghana strove to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and moved further to become a middle-income country by 2015.
Mr Asamoah stated that Ghana needed to do a lot more to achieve a significant improvement in the health status of the people, especially children under the age of five.
He called on the meeting to come up with practical recommendations that could halt or reduce the brain drain, particularly in the health sector.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom, urged the participants to share information, experiences and exchanges on issues affecting members, as well as health systems in the sub-region, since they had similar disease patterns.
He observed that as members of health sector unions, it was their responsibility to ensure that there was constant dialogue between policy formulators and implementers, such that the reforms would be focused on addressing the needs of their countries.
Mr Odoom said the role of dialogue should not be left in the hands of non-unionised groups which had the tendency to fight for their selfish aims.
The National Chairman of the Health Services Workers Union of the TUC, Rev Richard K. Yeboah, announced that WASHUN would publish quarterly journals beginning this year to advocate for increased spending on health care and request member governments to pay competitive salaries to uphold the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Health workers’ salaries among the highest— TUC boss
THE salaries of health workers have ranked among the highest in the public sector since 2006, Mr Kofi Asamoah, the acting Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has noted.
He has, therefore, commended the government for taking bold initiatives to improve salaries and working conditions in the health sector as a way of reducing the brain drain.
Mr Asamoah made the remark at the opening of the second plenary meeting of the West African Health Sector Unions Network (WASHUN) in Tema.
The union is made up of public health sector unions in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Mr Asamoah said the meeting was being held at a time when the public sector in Ghana was going through another reform, explaining that there had been a significant increase in public sector pay since 2001 but that because the increases were on a relatively low base, public sector workers were still earning lower than their counterparts in the private sector.
He said as part of the reform process, all jobs in the public sector were being evaluated to provide the basis for the determination of salaries based on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Mr Asamoah gave the assurance that the unions were participating in all the processes, under the leadership of the Ghana TUC, to ensure that members in the public sector were rewarded equitably.
He noted that the largest unit in the public sector was the health sector, which employed over 50,000 workforce, but said he was optimistic that it would increase in future as Ghana strove to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and moved further to become a middle-income country by 2015.
Mr Asamoah stated that Ghana needed to do a lot more to achieve a significant improvement in the health status of the people, especially children under the age of five.
He called on the meeting to come up with practical recommendations that could halt or reduce the brain drain, particularly in the health sector.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom, urged the participants to share information, experiences and exchanges on issues affecting members, as well as health systems in the sub-region, since they had similar disease patterns.
He observed that as members of health sector unions, it was their responsibility to ensure that there was constant dialogue between policy formulators and implementers, such that the reforms would be focused on addressing the needs of their countries.
Mr Odoom said the role of dialogue should not be left in the hands of non-unionised groups which had the tendency to fight for their selfish aims.
The National Chairman of the Health Services Workers Union of the TUC, Rev Richard K. Yeboah, announced that WASHUN would publish quarterly journals beginning this year to advocate for increased spending on health care and request member governments to pay competitive salaries to uphold the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
He has, therefore, commended the government for taking bold initiatives to improve salaries and working conditions in the health sector as a way of reducing the brain drain.
Mr Asamoah made the remark at the opening of the second plenary meeting of the West African Health Sector Unions Network (WASHUN) in Tema.
The union is made up of public health sector unions in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Mr Asamoah said the meeting was being held at a time when the public sector in Ghana was going through another reform, explaining that there had been a significant increase in public sector pay since 2001 but that because the increases were on a relatively low base, public sector workers were still earning lower than their counterparts in the private sector.
He said as part of the reform process, all jobs in the public sector were being evaluated to provide the basis for the determination of salaries based on the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Mr Asamoah gave the assurance that the unions were participating in all the processes, under the leadership of the Ghana TUC, to ensure that members in the public sector were rewarded equitably.
He noted that the largest unit in the public sector was the health sector, which employed over 50,000 workforce, but said he was optimistic that it would increase in future as Ghana strove to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and moved further to become a middle-income country by 2015.
Mr Asamoah stated that Ghana needed to do a lot more to achieve a significant improvement in the health status of the people, especially children under the age of five.
He called on the meeting to come up with practical recommendations that could halt or reduce the brain drain, particularly in the health sector.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom, urged the participants to share information, experiences and exchanges on issues affecting members, as well as health systems in the sub-region, since they had similar disease patterns.
He observed that as members of health sector unions, it was their responsibility to ensure that there was constant dialogue between policy formulators and implementers, such that the reforms would be focused on addressing the needs of their countries.
Mr Odoom said the role of dialogue should not be left in the hands of non-unionised groups which had the tendency to fight for their selfish aims.
The National Chairman of the Health Services Workers Union of the TUC, Rev Richard K. Yeboah, announced that WASHUN would publish quarterly journals beginning this year to advocate for increased spending on health care and request member governments to pay competitive salaries to uphold the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Graduates urged to use polished language during interviews
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
March 28
The Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Concepts, a local NGO, Ms Phylicia Mortey, has appealed to the youth to learn to build their human resource base by taking advantage of all education related training programmes available in the country.
She observed that many young graduates considered themselves qualified for jobs, without knowing the basics when applying for vacant positions.
Ms Mortey made these assertions in Tema at a seminar for graduates of tertiary institutions and senior high schools (SHSs).
She observed that over-ambition and complacency had resulted in the inability of many people to effectively prove their capabilities.
Ms Mortey who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Masters in International Degree from American Universities, deemed it important for the graduates to use polished language when presenting themselves for interviews.
She said some had ‘diluted’ their language with ‘pidgin’ and it rendered them incompetent and not ready to work for serious organisations.
Ms Mortey advised them to look for the secrets of companies and what they stood for.
She said Synergy Concepts was involved in social, voluntary and philanthropic activities with the purpose of creating a more efficient, effective and globally competitive situation for job seekers.
She noted that education was not limited to just going to school, and urged the graduates to consider learning good habits, build up their vocational base and look smart for interviews.
She reminded them of the global unemployment situation of which Ghana was not isolated, and said a careful study of unemployment for very qualified graduates revealed that the youth took things for granted and did not consider the ethics of work places, job search, and interview techniques.
She said that the NGO which had foreign and local partners had on-line facilities through which the centre would train high calibre job seekers.
Ms Mortey said Ghana was developing fast and very soon with many positive indications coming up, investors would turn their attention to the country and jobs would be made available to qualified and high calibre graduates seeking employment.
The Tema Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Charles Adjei-Mensah, urged the drivers to display the VIT stickers on the windscreens of their vehicles for inspection.
He said after the education, the IRS would start with prosecution of offending drivers who failed to comply with the provision of the IRS Law and they would be liable to summary conviction of fines or three years imprisonment or both.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr David Quaye Annang, who chaired the seminar called for closer collaboration between the IRS and the truck operators for increased revenue collection.
He urged the payers to fulfil their obligations as a way of contributing their quota to the country’s economy.
Mr Annang was of the view that the National Centre for Civic Education (NCCE) should be made to educate the public to be aware of their tax obligations to enhance tax collection.
The commercial truck operators and truck owners who participated in the forum filled the Tema Port conference hall.
They shared ideas with the IRS officials as to how to operate the system creditably to benefit them and the economy as well.
March 28
The Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Concepts, a local NGO, Ms Phylicia Mortey, has appealed to the youth to learn to build their human resource base by taking advantage of all education related training programmes available in the country.
She observed that many young graduates considered themselves qualified for jobs, without knowing the basics when applying for vacant positions.
Ms Mortey made these assertions in Tema at a seminar for graduates of tertiary institutions and senior high schools (SHSs).
She observed that over-ambition and complacency had resulted in the inability of many people to effectively prove their capabilities.
Ms Mortey who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Masters in International Degree from American Universities, deemed it important for the graduates to use polished language when presenting themselves for interviews.
She said some had ‘diluted’ their language with ‘pidgin’ and it rendered them incompetent and not ready to work for serious organisations.
Ms Mortey advised them to look for the secrets of companies and what they stood for.
She said Synergy Concepts was involved in social, voluntary and philanthropic activities with the purpose of creating a more efficient, effective and globally competitive situation for job seekers.
She noted that education was not limited to just going to school, and urged the graduates to consider learning good habits, build up their vocational base and look smart for interviews.
She reminded them of the global unemployment situation of which Ghana was not isolated, and said a careful study of unemployment for very qualified graduates revealed that the youth took things for granted and did not consider the ethics of work places, job search, and interview techniques.
She said that the NGO which had foreign and local partners had on-line facilities through which the centre would train high calibre job seekers.
Ms Mortey said Ghana was developing fast and very soon with many positive indications coming up, investors would turn their attention to the country and jobs would be made available to qualified and high calibre graduates seeking employment.
The Tema Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Charles Adjei-Mensah, urged the drivers to display the VIT stickers on the windscreens of their vehicles for inspection.
He said after the education, the IRS would start with prosecution of offending drivers who failed to comply with the provision of the IRS Law and they would be liable to summary conviction of fines or three years imprisonment or both.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr David Quaye Annang, who chaired the seminar called for closer collaboration between the IRS and the truck operators for increased revenue collection.
He urged the payers to fulfil their obligations as a way of contributing their quota to the country’s economy.
Mr Annang was of the view that the National Centre for Civic Education (NCCE) should be made to educate the public to be aware of their tax obligations to enhance tax collection.
The commercial truck operators and truck owners who participated in the forum filled the Tema Port conference hall.
They shared ideas with the IRS officials as to how to operate the system creditably to benefit them and the economy as well.
Graduates urged to use polished language during interviews
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
March 28
The Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Concepts, a local NGO, Ms Phylicia Mortey, has appealed to the youth to learn to build their human resource base by taking advantage of all education related training programmes available in the country.
She observed that many young graduates considered themselves qualified for jobs, without knowing the basics when applying for vacant positions.
Ms Mortey made these assertions in Tema at a seminar for graduates of tertiary institutions and senior high schools (SHSs).
She observed that over-ambition and complacency had resulted in the inability of many people to effectively prove their capabilities.
Ms Mortey who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Masters in International Degree from American Universities, deemed it important for the graduates to use polished language when presenting themselves for interviews.
She said some had ‘diluted’ their language with ‘pidgin’ and it rendered them incompetent and not ready to work for serious organisations.
Ms Mortey advised them to look for the secrets of companies and what they stood for.
She said Synergy Concepts was involved in social, voluntary and philanthropic activities with the purpose of creating a more efficient, effective and globally competitive situation for job seekers.
She noted that education was not limited to just going to school, and urged the graduates to consider learning good habits, build up their vocational base and look smart for interviews.
She reminded them of the global unemployment situation of which Ghana was not isolated, and said a careful study of unemployment for very qualified graduates revealed that the youth took things for granted and did not consider the ethics of work places, job search, and interview techniques.
She said that the NGO which had foreign and local partners had on-line facilities through which the centre would train high calibre job seekers.
Ms Mortey said Ghana was developing fast and very soon with many positive indications coming up, investors would turn their attention to the country and jobs would be made available to qualified and high calibre graduates seeking employment.
The Tema Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Charles Adjei-Mensah, urged the drivers to display the VIT stickers on the windscreens of their vehicles for inspection.
He said after the education, the IRS would start with prosecution of offending drivers who failed to comply with the provision of the IRS Law and they would be liable to summary conviction of fines or three years imprisonment or both.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr David Quaye Annang, who chaired the seminar called for closer collaboration between the IRS and the truck operators for increased revenue collection.
He urged the payers to fulfil their obligations as a way of contributing their quota to the country’s economy.
Mr Annang was of the view that the National Centre for Civic Education (NCCE) should be made to educate the public to be aware of their tax obligations to enhance tax collection.
The commercial truck operators and truck owners who participated in the forum filled the Tema Port conference hall.
They shared ideas with the IRS officials as to how to operate the system creditably to benefit them and the economy as well.
March 28
The Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Concepts, a local NGO, Ms Phylicia Mortey, has appealed to the youth to learn to build their human resource base by taking advantage of all education related training programmes available in the country.
She observed that many young graduates considered themselves qualified for jobs, without knowing the basics when applying for vacant positions.
Ms Mortey made these assertions in Tema at a seminar for graduates of tertiary institutions and senior high schools (SHSs).
She observed that over-ambition and complacency had resulted in the inability of many people to effectively prove their capabilities.
Ms Mortey who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Masters in International Degree from American Universities, deemed it important for the graduates to use polished language when presenting themselves for interviews.
She said some had ‘diluted’ their language with ‘pidgin’ and it rendered them incompetent and not ready to work for serious organisations.
Ms Mortey advised them to look for the secrets of companies and what they stood for.
She said Synergy Concepts was involved in social, voluntary and philanthropic activities with the purpose of creating a more efficient, effective and globally competitive situation for job seekers.
She noted that education was not limited to just going to school, and urged the graduates to consider learning good habits, build up their vocational base and look smart for interviews.
She reminded them of the global unemployment situation of which Ghana was not isolated, and said a careful study of unemployment for very qualified graduates revealed that the youth took things for granted and did not consider the ethics of work places, job search, and interview techniques.
She said that the NGO which had foreign and local partners had on-line facilities through which the centre would train high calibre job seekers.
Ms Mortey said Ghana was developing fast and very soon with many positive indications coming up, investors would turn their attention to the country and jobs would be made available to qualified and high calibre graduates seeking employment.
The Tema Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Charles Adjei-Mensah, urged the drivers to display the VIT stickers on the windscreens of their vehicles for inspection.
He said after the education, the IRS would start with prosecution of offending drivers who failed to comply with the provision of the IRS Law and they would be liable to summary conviction of fines or three years imprisonment or both.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr David Quaye Annang, who chaired the seminar called for closer collaboration between the IRS and the truck operators for increased revenue collection.
He urged the payers to fulfil their obligations as a way of contributing their quota to the country’s economy.
Mr Annang was of the view that the National Centre for Civic Education (NCCE) should be made to educate the public to be aware of their tax obligations to enhance tax collection.
The commercial truck operators and truck owners who participated in the forum filled the Tema Port conference hall.
They shared ideas with the IRS officials as to how to operate the system creditably to benefit them and the economy as well.
Friday, April 18, 2008
TEMA MARKET IS CONGESTED — TRADERS (PAGE 29)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko, Tema
TRADERS at the Tema Community One Market have described the market as congested, with no escape routes for people in times of fire outbreaks, thereby making it a ‘danger zone’.
They said entry gates and pavements had all been turned into sitting places while loose electrical cables hang over the market with water hydrants sealed off.
The Secretary of the Tema Community One Market Traders Union, Mr Robert Ocran, made the observations when officials from the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and Fire Personnel met the traders to educate them on hazards and also to implore them to ensure the safety of the market.
Mr Ocran was of the view that the metropolitan assembly had neglected the market, allowing some people to sit anywhere to trade in the market.
He noted that other organisations which needed to collaborate with the Fire Service to ensure safety in the market had not played their roles well.
Mr Ocran who claimed to have been in the market for over 45 years, said electrical wiring had never been changed but rather people continued to do illegal connections and overload distribution points.
He urged the NCCE and the Fire Service to collaborate effectively and include the metropolitan assembly in the exercise to enable them to solve the problems in the market.
An executive member of the union, Madam Mary Frimpong, noted that there was indiscipline in the market while the assembly took interest only in the collection of tolls.
She alleged that some traders had sub-let their stores and stalls to other people while they perched on the pavements and main entrances of the market, making movement difficult for business.
Madam Mary expressed the appreciation of the traders and called on the NCCE and the Fire Service to intensify the educational programme and ensure that the metropolitan assembly performed its functions well.
The Tema Regional Fire Officer, Divisional Officer Kwabena Taa Korang, said domestic fires were high and continued to rise in the region according to the statistics of the first quarter of the year.
He said that in three months, the region had experienced 29 domestic fires followed by bushfires.
Mr Korang noted that industrial fires had reduced drastically to two in the first quarter while electrical and commercial fires were 9 each.
Station Officer Isaac Laryea Otoo advised the traders to educate their colleagues to adhere to safety measures to protect their wares and property.
He urged them to desist from throwing combustible discarded materials onto the roof of the market sheds because they could help ignite fire.
Mr Otoo advised food vendors who cooked in the markets to ensure that they put out all fires before they left in the evenings.
He also said some people used electrical gadgets like irons and water heaters which they leave on out of negligence or forgetfulness and which had led to fires.
Mr Otoo said people had blamed the fire service for performing poorly but they forget the fact that the fire trucks could not fight fire continually for more than one hour.
He explained, that the hydrant which was supposed to serve as water replenishing points had been sealed off.
Mr Otoo was not happy that the Water Company had not collaborated effectively because the Fire Service had been able to retrieve some hydrants but had not been reconditioned.
The NCCE official, Mr Enoch Adjei Mensah, urged the traders to report all incidents of possible dangers to the Fire Service for immediate attention.
He said a report on the market tour and interactions would be compiled and submitted to the metropolitan assembly for action.
TRADERS at the Tema Community One Market have described the market as congested, with no escape routes for people in times of fire outbreaks, thereby making it a ‘danger zone’.
They said entry gates and pavements had all been turned into sitting places while loose electrical cables hang over the market with water hydrants sealed off.
The Secretary of the Tema Community One Market Traders Union, Mr Robert Ocran, made the observations when officials from the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and Fire Personnel met the traders to educate them on hazards and also to implore them to ensure the safety of the market.
Mr Ocran was of the view that the metropolitan assembly had neglected the market, allowing some people to sit anywhere to trade in the market.
He noted that other organisations which needed to collaborate with the Fire Service to ensure safety in the market had not played their roles well.
Mr Ocran who claimed to have been in the market for over 45 years, said electrical wiring had never been changed but rather people continued to do illegal connections and overload distribution points.
He urged the NCCE and the Fire Service to collaborate effectively and include the metropolitan assembly in the exercise to enable them to solve the problems in the market.
An executive member of the union, Madam Mary Frimpong, noted that there was indiscipline in the market while the assembly took interest only in the collection of tolls.
She alleged that some traders had sub-let their stores and stalls to other people while they perched on the pavements and main entrances of the market, making movement difficult for business.
Madam Mary expressed the appreciation of the traders and called on the NCCE and the Fire Service to intensify the educational programme and ensure that the metropolitan assembly performed its functions well.
The Tema Regional Fire Officer, Divisional Officer Kwabena Taa Korang, said domestic fires were high and continued to rise in the region according to the statistics of the first quarter of the year.
He said that in three months, the region had experienced 29 domestic fires followed by bushfires.
Mr Korang noted that industrial fires had reduced drastically to two in the first quarter while electrical and commercial fires were 9 each.
Station Officer Isaac Laryea Otoo advised the traders to educate their colleagues to adhere to safety measures to protect their wares and property.
He urged them to desist from throwing combustible discarded materials onto the roof of the market sheds because they could help ignite fire.
Mr Otoo advised food vendors who cooked in the markets to ensure that they put out all fires before they left in the evenings.
He also said some people used electrical gadgets like irons and water heaters which they leave on out of negligence or forgetfulness and which had led to fires.
Mr Otoo said people had blamed the fire service for performing poorly but they forget the fact that the fire trucks could not fight fire continually for more than one hour.
He explained, that the hydrant which was supposed to serve as water replenishing points had been sealed off.
Mr Otoo was not happy that the Water Company had not collaborated effectively because the Fire Service had been able to retrieve some hydrants but had not been reconditioned.
The NCCE official, Mr Enoch Adjei Mensah, urged the traders to report all incidents of possible dangers to the Fire Service for immediate attention.
He said a report on the market tour and interactions would be compiled and submitted to the metropolitan assembly for action.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
METHODIST LAY MOVEMENT HOLDS CONFERENCE (PAGE 44)
STORY: Rose Hayford Darko & Anasthasia Dzovor, Tema
THOUSANDS of Methodist faithful from all over the country gathered at Tema at the weekend to celebrate the 55th Connexional Conference of the Methodist Lay Movement.
The three-day conference, which started on Friday and ended on Sunday, had the theme “The Lay Movement and the Mission of the Church — 60 years and beyond”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Dr Aboagye-Mensah, urged them to use the occasion to transform the church and be worth ‘the salt’ that it is.
He explained that they must consider issues in their right perspectives than to take sides based on personal, tribal and political interests.
Dr Aboagye Mensah said that the church was capable of catering for its needs and disclosed that very soon local churches could not rely on their foreign missions for assistance.
He said as laymen they must have the vision of change to build on the fortunes of the church.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah reminded Christians of the December elections and urged them to portray themselves as messengers of peace.
He asked them to lead the crusade of propagating clean campaigns and choice of decent language.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah was of the view that they as citizens of the country had their party affiliations and, therefore, through their activities they would be helping the nation to be a peaceful place to live in.
He stated that decency related to all aspects of life and not politics and democracy alone, adding that it was a way of life that must be cultivated and appealed to them to play their role well for a successful political period.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah also urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage to ensure peace.
A member of the Council of State, Mr Ato Essuman, was not happy with the extent of change in the church, noting that the original objective of repositioning the clergy after serving the church had not been achieved.
He, therefore, challenged the laymen to make it an agendum of their deliberations during the conference as they started the 60 years journey.
Mr Essuman called the laymen to change their attitude and behaviour to commensurate their positions as the frontmen of the church.
The President of the Methodist Lay Movement, Mr James Badoo-Brew, observed that there was cheating within the church, which had retarded growth and, therefore, called for unity.
Mr Badoo-Brew said that the church would see a lot of growth if preachers were themselves transformed and practised what they preached to make disciples of all nations.
The conference will also look at various reports, empower the laymen to achieve their mission for the church, consider thorny issues and come out with a consensus. It will give the laymen the opportunity to articulate their views effectively to ensure a change in the church.
THOUSANDS of Methodist faithful from all over the country gathered at Tema at the weekend to celebrate the 55th Connexional Conference of the Methodist Lay Movement.
The three-day conference, which started on Friday and ended on Sunday, had the theme “The Lay Movement and the Mission of the Church — 60 years and beyond”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Dr Aboagye-Mensah, urged them to use the occasion to transform the church and be worth ‘the salt’ that it is.
He explained that they must consider issues in their right perspectives than to take sides based on personal, tribal and political interests.
Dr Aboagye Mensah said that the church was capable of catering for its needs and disclosed that very soon local churches could not rely on their foreign missions for assistance.
He said as laymen they must have the vision of change to build on the fortunes of the church.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah reminded Christians of the December elections and urged them to portray themselves as messengers of peace.
He asked them to lead the crusade of propagating clean campaigns and choice of decent language.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah was of the view that they as citizens of the country had their party affiliations and, therefore, through their activities they would be helping the nation to be a peaceful place to live in.
He stated that decency related to all aspects of life and not politics and democracy alone, adding that it was a way of life that must be cultivated and appealed to them to play their role well for a successful political period.
Dr Aboagye-Mensah also urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage to ensure peace.
A member of the Council of State, Mr Ato Essuman, was not happy with the extent of change in the church, noting that the original objective of repositioning the clergy after serving the church had not been achieved.
He, therefore, challenged the laymen to make it an agendum of their deliberations during the conference as they started the 60 years journey.
Mr Essuman called the laymen to change their attitude and behaviour to commensurate their positions as the frontmen of the church.
The President of the Methodist Lay Movement, Mr James Badoo-Brew, observed that there was cheating within the church, which had retarded growth and, therefore, called for unity.
Mr Badoo-Brew said that the church would see a lot of growth if preachers were themselves transformed and practised what they preached to make disciples of all nations.
The conference will also look at various reports, empower the laymen to achieve their mission for the church, consider thorny issues and come out with a consensus. It will give the laymen the opportunity to articulate their views effectively to ensure a change in the church.
TEMA REGIONAL MTTU HOLDS DURBAR (PAGE 47)
Story: Rose Hayford Darko & Anasthesia Dzovor, Tema
Officers of the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) have been asked to extend their duties to include protection of life, giving direction to strangers and assisting children and the aged when they go on road duties.
They must not limit themselves to the enforcement of laws, checks on vehicle documents and arrests alone, the Tema Regional Commander of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor has said.
DCOP Kudalor was addressing officers and men of the unit in the region at a police durbar held in Tema on Friday.
He advised the officers to show respect to road users, explaining that some police personnel on the road were arrogant, rude and indisciplined, traits that gave a bad name to the service.
DCOP Kudalor said some of them arrested vehicles instead of the drivers and inconvenienced passengers.
He said many police stations had been littered with vehicles because of the actions of these personnel and urged them to desist from making such arrests.
DCOP Kudalor said drivers must be held for their own misdeeds and that passengers must not be made to suffer adding that the police must enforce the law in a humane manner to command the respect of the public.
DCOP Kudalor urged police personnel to be a source of encouragement to the public and serve as a morale booster.
He cautioned that his advice must not discourage them but rather strengthen them to do their work creditably.
On the elections, the regional police boss said they must be alert and ensure that they performed creditably.
He commended the personnel for their recent peaceful and successful operation to check drivers’ documents and appealed to them to keep it up.
DCOP Kudalor said the durbar would be made a quarterly event to afford the personnel the opportunity to share ideas and correct the public’s perception of the police.
The Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Joshua Dogbeda, expressed concern about the way radio presenters made announcements before certain cases were reported to the police. He explained that victims of armed robbery, assault and other anti-social events had resorted to going to radio stations to make reports instead of going to the police station or calling the police information room for assistance.
Chief Superintendent Dogbeda observed that the electronic media were at fault because they had made culprits escape arrest.
He appealed to the radio stations to assist the victims to telephone the police and not make announcements on radio with the aim of causing arrests to be made.
The durbar afforded the personnel the opportunity to air some of their personal views on issues which had been agitating them and also made contributions to help the police work effectively.
Officers of the Tema Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) have been asked to extend their duties to include protection of life, giving direction to strangers and assisting children and the aged when they go on road duties.
They must not limit themselves to the enforcement of laws, checks on vehicle documents and arrests alone, the Tema Regional Commander of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor has said.
DCOP Kudalor was addressing officers and men of the unit in the region at a police durbar held in Tema on Friday.
He advised the officers to show respect to road users, explaining that some police personnel on the road were arrogant, rude and indisciplined, traits that gave a bad name to the service.
DCOP Kudalor said some of them arrested vehicles instead of the drivers and inconvenienced passengers.
He said many police stations had been littered with vehicles because of the actions of these personnel and urged them to desist from making such arrests.
DCOP Kudalor said drivers must be held for their own misdeeds and that passengers must not be made to suffer adding that the police must enforce the law in a humane manner to command the respect of the public.
DCOP Kudalor urged police personnel to be a source of encouragement to the public and serve as a morale booster.
He cautioned that his advice must not discourage them but rather strengthen them to do their work creditably.
On the elections, the regional police boss said they must be alert and ensure that they performed creditably.
He commended the personnel for their recent peaceful and successful operation to check drivers’ documents and appealed to them to keep it up.
DCOP Kudalor said the durbar would be made a quarterly event to afford the personnel the opportunity to share ideas and correct the public’s perception of the police.
The Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Joshua Dogbeda, expressed concern about the way radio presenters made announcements before certain cases were reported to the police. He explained that victims of armed robbery, assault and other anti-social events had resorted to going to radio stations to make reports instead of going to the police station or calling the police information room for assistance.
Chief Superintendent Dogbeda observed that the electronic media were at fault because they had made culprits escape arrest.
He appealed to the radio stations to assist the victims to telephone the police and not make announcements on radio with the aim of causing arrests to be made.
The durbar afforded the personnel the opportunity to air some of their personal views on issues which had been agitating them and also made contributions to help the police work effectively.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)