THE Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) project has been expanded in the Ashanti Region with the inclusion of seven more districts as beneficiaries.
The districts are Ahafo-Ano South, Ahafo-Ano North, Adansi North, Atwima Nwabiagya, Asante-Akyem North, Amansie West and Mampong Municipality.
More than 900 new beneficiaries have thus been brought on board the project as a result of the inclusion of the seven districts.
Previously, only the Kumasi metropolis and the Obuasi Municipality benefited from the project.
The LEAP, which was instituted by the government about two years ago, was in line with the National Social Protection Strategy.
Under the project, cash transfers between GH¢8 and GH¢15 are made to qualified households every month.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Mr Paschal S. Osei-Twumasi, told the Daily Graphic that GH¢21,556 was paid to beneficiaries in the region as of April 9, 2009.
He stated that there had been a mad rush for application forms for the LEAP because of the benefits inherent in it.
Mr Osei-Twumasi, however, stated that applicants would have to be screened to ensure that only qualified persons were approved.
He said the ultimate aim of the project was to cover all the 27 administrative areas of the region.
The regional director said community LEAP implementation committees had been constituted in the beneficiary areas to assist in identifying qualified applicants.
Mr Osei-Twumasi said the work of the committees had gone a long way in facilitating the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries.
He described the feedback to the disbursement as encouraging “because the monies continue to address some of the problems the people faced.”
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
HERBERT ADDO NAMED NEW KOTOKO COACH...He's to choose assistant (PAGE 31)
THE fate of embattled coach Isaac “Opeele” Boateng hangs on a thin line as the new Interim Management Committee (IMC) of tottering Kumasi Asante Kotoko seal a short-term deal with experienced coach Herbert Addo to head the technical team.
What had made Opeele’s future with Kotoko so uncertain is that management has asked coach Addo to choose an assistant of his choice.
This implies that in the event of the coach looking outside, both Opeele and Johnson Smith could be on their way out of the club.
The hard-talking Opeele was appointed assistant coach to Maurice Cooreman, but took over as head coach when the expatriate coach parted ways with Asante Kotoko.
The then management of the club, led by Sylvester Asare Owusu confirmed Opeele as head coach.
However, after series of poor performances by the club, the young coach decided to revert to his former position as assistant coach.
It was not surprising that coach Addo was contacted by the new management headed by Alhaji Njie, to take over the technical direction of the twice Africa champions.
The focus would continue to be on Asante Kotoko in the coming days as Addo attempts to bring the club out of its troubles.
What had made Opeele’s future with Kotoko so uncertain is that management has asked coach Addo to choose an assistant of his choice.
This implies that in the event of the coach looking outside, both Opeele and Johnson Smith could be on their way out of the club.
The hard-talking Opeele was appointed assistant coach to Maurice Cooreman, but took over as head coach when the expatriate coach parted ways with Asante Kotoko.
The then management of the club, led by Sylvester Asare Owusu confirmed Opeele as head coach.
However, after series of poor performances by the club, the young coach decided to revert to his former position as assistant coach.
It was not surprising that coach Addo was contacted by the new management headed by Alhaji Njie, to take over the technical direction of the twice Africa champions.
The focus would continue to be on Asante Kotoko in the coming days as Addo attempts to bring the club out of its troubles.
Friday, May 22, 2009
USAID TO ASSIST FARMERS (PAGE 31)
Farmers and traders engaged in the production and marketing of onions, maize and livestock are to receive support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve their agricultural activities and businesses.
The support programme is part of USAID’s Agribusiness and Trade Promotion (ATP) project which is designed to exploit the potential of onions, maize and livestock for accelerated national development.
Addressing the opening session of a three-day workshop in Kumasi for 100 agricultural producers and traders selected from across the country, Ms Rose Lum Wanzie of the USAID/ATP Headquarters in Burkina Faso said her outfit was determined to ensure that the nation derived maximum benefit from the three agricultural produce.
The workshop, organised by the ATP and the Ghana Association of Producer and Trader Organisations (GAPTO), afforded the participants the opportunity to brainstorm on how to respond positively to the challenges in the production, processing and marketing of their produce.
The primary objective of the ATP project is to increase the value and volume of intra-regional agricultural trade in West Africa in order to contribute to achieving the six per cent agricultural growth target set under the comprehensive Africa agricultural development programme of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD).
Ms Wanzie acknowledged Ghana’s vast potential in agriculture, saying assisting the GAPTO members would help to drive substantial increases in intra-regional trade well beyond the duration of the ATP project.
She stated that it was anticipated that the project would play a key role in achieving a significant reduction in the physical and policy-related barriers to moving agricultural and related commodities from Ghana to other West African countries.
The GAPTO Secretary General, Mr Haruna Agesheka, expressed the organisation’s appreciation to USAID for the support and said such an endeavour would go a long way to helping GAPTO members to achieve their goals.
He said the future prospects of GAPTO to better co-ordinate and engage in intra-regional trade would be greatly influenced by the knowledge and skills to be acquired with the support of the ATP project.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr George Badu Yeboah, stressed the importance of agriculture in the development of the nation and called for continued support from the government and other organisations to develop the sector.
He said ensuring food security for the nation was paramount in driving the development process of the nation.
Mr Yeboah said with the introduction of subsidies on agricultural inputs and improved rainfall, indications were that the Ashanti Region would achieve better results in food production this year.
The support programme is part of USAID’s Agribusiness and Trade Promotion (ATP) project which is designed to exploit the potential of onions, maize and livestock for accelerated national development.
Addressing the opening session of a three-day workshop in Kumasi for 100 agricultural producers and traders selected from across the country, Ms Rose Lum Wanzie of the USAID/ATP Headquarters in Burkina Faso said her outfit was determined to ensure that the nation derived maximum benefit from the three agricultural produce.
The workshop, organised by the ATP and the Ghana Association of Producer and Trader Organisations (GAPTO), afforded the participants the opportunity to brainstorm on how to respond positively to the challenges in the production, processing and marketing of their produce.
The primary objective of the ATP project is to increase the value and volume of intra-regional agricultural trade in West Africa in order to contribute to achieving the six per cent agricultural growth target set under the comprehensive Africa agricultural development programme of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD).
Ms Wanzie acknowledged Ghana’s vast potential in agriculture, saying assisting the GAPTO members would help to drive substantial increases in intra-regional trade well beyond the duration of the ATP project.
She stated that it was anticipated that the project would play a key role in achieving a significant reduction in the physical and policy-related barriers to moving agricultural and related commodities from Ghana to other West African countries.
The GAPTO Secretary General, Mr Haruna Agesheka, expressed the organisation’s appreciation to USAID for the support and said such an endeavour would go a long way to helping GAPTO members to achieve their goals.
He said the future prospects of GAPTO to better co-ordinate and engage in intra-regional trade would be greatly influenced by the knowledge and skills to be acquired with the support of the ATP project.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr George Badu Yeboah, stressed the importance of agriculture in the development of the nation and called for continued support from the government and other organisations to develop the sector.
He said ensuring food security for the nation was paramount in driving the development process of the nation.
Mr Yeboah said with the introduction of subsidies on agricultural inputs and improved rainfall, indications were that the Ashanti Region would achieve better results in food production this year.
GOASO GETS YOUNGEST CHIEF (MIRROR, PAGE 35)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
GOASO GETS YOUNGEST CHIEF (MIRROR, PAGE 35)
From Kwame Asare Boadu, Goaso
AN 18-year-old student of the Mim Secondary School in the Brong Ahafo Region has made history as the youngest ever chief at any level in the Goaso Traditional Area.
Nana Antwi Barimah, known in private life as Enoch Antwi-Boasiako, swore the oath of allegiance to the Omanhene of Goaso Traditional Area, Nana Kwasi Bosomprah, as the new Manwerehene amidst jubilation by scores of people who witnessed the occasion.
With his cloth dropped to the waist and holding firm the state sword, the Manwerehene pledged to serve diligently to help uplift the Goaso Stool.
Traditionally, the Manwerehene was in charge of the defence in the traditional area.
Indeed, it is one of the most respected stools in the Akan tradition.
The Abusuapanin of the Manwerehene, Mr Kwasi Poku, aka Officer, told The Mirror that the decision to select the young chief for the stool was borne out of his respect to not only family members but also every other person in the community.
He said the family would support the new chief to continue his education to the highest level to gain knowledge to serve his traditional area and country.
The Omanhene, Nana Bosomprah, said the decision to give the stool to the young chief was appropriate, especially if one considered history.
The Omanhene said the Manwerehene was a direct descendant of the late Goasohene, Nana Owusu Nkwantabisa I, who served the area with distinction.
He stated that Nana Nkwantabisa built the Goaso Palace and it was appropriate that he was being honoured in a way with the installation of the Manwerehene.
The Omanhene advised the new chief to keep to his books so that he would rise to the highest level of the education ladder.
Nana Bosomprah said education held the key to the development of every society and pledged to support the chief to get to the top.
GOASO GETS YOUNGEST CHIEF (MIRROR, PAGE 35)
From Kwame Asare Boadu, Goaso
AN 18-year-old student of the Mim Secondary School in the Brong Ahafo Region has made history as the youngest ever chief at any level in the Goaso Traditional Area.
Nana Antwi Barimah, known in private life as Enoch Antwi-Boasiako, swore the oath of allegiance to the Omanhene of Goaso Traditional Area, Nana Kwasi Bosomprah, as the new Manwerehene amidst jubilation by scores of people who witnessed the occasion.
With his cloth dropped to the waist and holding firm the state sword, the Manwerehene pledged to serve diligently to help uplift the Goaso Stool.
Traditionally, the Manwerehene was in charge of the defence in the traditional area.
Indeed, it is one of the most respected stools in the Akan tradition.
The Abusuapanin of the Manwerehene, Mr Kwasi Poku, aka Officer, told The Mirror that the decision to select the young chief for the stool was borne out of his respect to not only family members but also every other person in the community.
He said the family would support the new chief to continue his education to the highest level to gain knowledge to serve his traditional area and country.
The Omanhene, Nana Bosomprah, said the decision to give the stool to the young chief was appropriate, especially if one considered history.
The Omanhene said the Manwerehene was a direct descendant of the late Goasohene, Nana Owusu Nkwantabisa I, who served the area with distinction.
He stated that Nana Nkwantabisa built the Goaso Palace and it was appropriate that he was being honoured in a way with the installation of the Manwerehene.
The Omanhene advised the new chief to keep to his books so that he would rise to the highest level of the education ladder.
Nana Bosomprah said education held the key to the development of every society and pledged to support the chief to get to the top.
Monday, May 18, 2009
NPA WILL NOT INCREASE FUEL PRICES (PAGE 47)
THE acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Alex Mould, has allayed fears of an imminent increase in petroleum prices.
He said even though world market prices had gone up to about $58 per barrel, the NPA would not adjust prices upwards because of some government interventions.
Interacting with journalists in Kumasi yesterday, Mr Mould refused to delve into what interventions the government had made, saying, “Those who want to know can investigate.”
He, however, said it would be difficult to predict what would happen if world crude oil prices exceeded $60 a barrel
Mr Mould, who was in Kumasi to meet stakeholders in the petroleum industry, emphasised that the NPA was independent of the government and that there was no way the government could dictate to it concerning petroleum pricing.
However, the government could intervene in the pricing of petroleum products by way of policy, he noted.
He said the pricing of petroleum products was based on a win-win affair and not an attempt by the NPA to bring untold hardships on the people.
He spoke against the smuggling of petroleum products from the country and said his outfit was collaborating with the security agencies to address the situation.
Mr Mould indicated that the nation could not sit down for some unscrupulous people to continue with the negative activities of smuggling.
He rejected suggestions that his sister, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, influenced his appointment.
He said his appointment was based on merit, not nepotism, as some people wanted others to believe.
Mr Mould, who is the younger brother of Mrs Mould-Iddrisu, indicated that his vast experience in the petroleum industry was going to tell positively in his new position.
He said even though world market prices had gone up to about $58 per barrel, the NPA would not adjust prices upwards because of some government interventions.
Interacting with journalists in Kumasi yesterday, Mr Mould refused to delve into what interventions the government had made, saying, “Those who want to know can investigate.”
He, however, said it would be difficult to predict what would happen if world crude oil prices exceeded $60 a barrel
Mr Mould, who was in Kumasi to meet stakeholders in the petroleum industry, emphasised that the NPA was independent of the government and that there was no way the government could dictate to it concerning petroleum pricing.
However, the government could intervene in the pricing of petroleum products by way of policy, he noted.
He said the pricing of petroleum products was based on a win-win affair and not an attempt by the NPA to bring untold hardships on the people.
He spoke against the smuggling of petroleum products from the country and said his outfit was collaborating with the security agencies to address the situation.
Mr Mould indicated that the nation could not sit down for some unscrupulous people to continue with the negative activities of smuggling.
He rejected suggestions that his sister, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, influenced his appointment.
He said his appointment was based on merit, not nepotism, as some people wanted others to believe.
Mr Mould, who is the younger brother of Mrs Mould-Iddrisu, indicated that his vast experience in the petroleum industry was going to tell positively in his new position.
Friday, May 15, 2009
FINATRADE DONATES TO OTUMFUO FOUNDATION (SPREAD)
THE Finatrade Group has presented a cheque for GH¢10,000 to the Otumfuo Charity Foundation.
The group also presented 40 bags of rice and six boxes of assorted wine valued at about GH¢2,000 to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to support activities marking his 10 years on the Golden Stool.
Top officials of the group, including board member, Mr Kwame Pianim; Managing Director, Mr Nabil Moukarzel, and Corporate Affairs Director, Mr John Awuni, made the presentation after participating in activities marking the 59th birthday of the Asantehene at the Manhyia Gardens last Wednesday.
In an interview, Mr Awuni said the Asantehene’s 10 years on the Golden Stool had brought hope not only to Asanteman but the entire country.
He said through the Otumfuo Education Fund and other initiatives, the chains of hopelessness in a number of homes had been broken.
Mr Awuni said Finatrade saw the Otumfuo Charity Foundation as yet another positive step towards building on what the Asantehene had achieved over the past 10 years.
“We at Finatrade are, therefore, happy to be contributing to support a worthy cause,” he stressed.
He pledged the continuous support of Finatrade to Manyhia as the palace tried to address some of the challenges facing the people.
The Corporate Affairs Director expressed the hope that the country’s economic environment would continue to improve to enable businesses contribute to national development.
Mr Awuni disclosed that Finatrade had made proposals to market the products of Aveyime Rice Project and was waiting for a favourable response from them.
Nana Pambour, President of the foundation, received the cheque and thanked Finatrade for the gesture.
The group also presented 40 bags of rice and six boxes of assorted wine valued at about GH¢2,000 to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to support activities marking his 10 years on the Golden Stool.
Top officials of the group, including board member, Mr Kwame Pianim; Managing Director, Mr Nabil Moukarzel, and Corporate Affairs Director, Mr John Awuni, made the presentation after participating in activities marking the 59th birthday of the Asantehene at the Manhyia Gardens last Wednesday.
In an interview, Mr Awuni said the Asantehene’s 10 years on the Golden Stool had brought hope not only to Asanteman but the entire country.
He said through the Otumfuo Education Fund and other initiatives, the chains of hopelessness in a number of homes had been broken.
Mr Awuni said Finatrade saw the Otumfuo Charity Foundation as yet another positive step towards building on what the Asantehene had achieved over the past 10 years.
“We at Finatrade are, therefore, happy to be contributing to support a worthy cause,” he stressed.
He pledged the continuous support of Finatrade to Manyhia as the palace tried to address some of the challenges facing the people.
The Corporate Affairs Director expressed the hope that the country’s economic environment would continue to improve to enable businesses contribute to national development.
Mr Awuni disclosed that Finatrade had made proposals to market the products of Aveyime Rice Project and was waiting for a favourable response from them.
Nana Pambour, President of the foundation, received the cheque and thanked Finatrade for the gesture.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
GHA IMPOUNDS OVERLOADED TRUCKS (PAGE 29)
THE Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has impounded 14 overloaded articulated trucks in Kumasi for exceeding their permitted axle loads.
Some of the trucks, which are permitted to carry goods weighing 10 tonnes, had excess loads of about nine tonnes.
The trucks, which were loaded with plywood and cashew nuts, were impounded at the GHA’s axle load checkpoint at Tanoso in Kumasi as the authority moved to check the destruction of the major highways by overloaded trucks.
The Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Zonal Head of Axle Load of the GHA, Reverend Kwaku Osei Kusi, told the Daily Graphic that the police were preparing dockets to prosecute the offending drivers.
Besides, the authority would ensure that the excess load was on-loaded before the trucks were allowed to continue their journeys.
The trucks, which were from the Brong Ahafo Region, were on their way to the Takoradi Port from where the goods were to be exported.
Rev Kusi said the overloading of trucks was one of the major factors that contributed to the early destruction of roads in the country.
Consequently, he said, the GHA would not countenance any attempts by drivers to destroy what the government had spent millions to build.
“Some truck owners and drivers want to take this nation for a ride but we will not allow that to happen. We are going to be tough on offending drivers,” he said.
He cited a recent case in Mali in which over 100 trucks being driven by Ghanaians were impounded for exceeding their axle loads.
“If it is happening to our people in another country, why can’t we do the same in our own country?” he asked.
Rev Kusi, therefore, urged truck owners and their drivers to ensure that the right thing was done to avoid their falling foul of the law.
Some of the trucks, which are permitted to carry goods weighing 10 tonnes, had excess loads of about nine tonnes.
The trucks, which were loaded with plywood and cashew nuts, were impounded at the GHA’s axle load checkpoint at Tanoso in Kumasi as the authority moved to check the destruction of the major highways by overloaded trucks.
The Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Zonal Head of Axle Load of the GHA, Reverend Kwaku Osei Kusi, told the Daily Graphic that the police were preparing dockets to prosecute the offending drivers.
Besides, the authority would ensure that the excess load was on-loaded before the trucks were allowed to continue their journeys.
The trucks, which were from the Brong Ahafo Region, were on their way to the Takoradi Port from where the goods were to be exported.
Rev Kusi said the overloading of trucks was one of the major factors that contributed to the early destruction of roads in the country.
Consequently, he said, the GHA would not countenance any attempts by drivers to destroy what the government had spent millions to build.
“Some truck owners and drivers want to take this nation for a ride but we will not allow that to happen. We are going to be tough on offending drivers,” he said.
He cited a recent case in Mali in which over 100 trucks being driven by Ghanaians were impounded for exceeding their axle loads.
“If it is happening to our people in another country, why can’t we do the same in our own country?” he asked.
Rev Kusi, therefore, urged truck owners and their drivers to ensure that the right thing was done to avoid their falling foul of the law.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
WFP TEAM INSPECTS PROJECT IN AMANSIE WEST (PAGE 31)
A THREE-MEMBER team from the World Food Programme (WFP) has paid a working visit to the Bonsaso UN Millennium Villages Project (MVP) in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region to interact with farmers’ groups.
The visit was to collaborate with the MVP on how best the WFP could support the farmers to improve production.
The Executive Director of the WFP, Mrs Jessitee Sheeran, told journalists after touring the site that the project had the potential to improve the living conditions of the people in its operational areas.
The MVP, an initiative of the United Nations, was aimed at reducing poverty in the Amansie West District through agriculture, health and other related programmes and projects.
Mrs Sheeran said Africa could produce more food to feed its people, given the necessary support.
Consequently, she pledged the continuous support of the WFP in that regard.
Mrs Sheeran said even though one out of every six children in Africa was malnourished, she was hopeful that the continent would be able to reduce malnourishment if it increased food production.
The Cluster Manager of the MVP, Mr Samuel Asare Afram, who welcomed the visiting team, thanked them for the visit and expressed the hope that something useful would come out of their visit.
He said the project had made significant impact on the lives of the people of Amansie West, which was considered as the most deprived district in the country.
Mr Afram stated that the district had not recorded any maternal deaths since 2007 due to the involvement of the MVP in improved access to healthcare including free medical services and the provision of two community-based ambulances to ensure rapid emergency response.
The visit was to collaborate with the MVP on how best the WFP could support the farmers to improve production.
The Executive Director of the WFP, Mrs Jessitee Sheeran, told journalists after touring the site that the project had the potential to improve the living conditions of the people in its operational areas.
The MVP, an initiative of the United Nations, was aimed at reducing poverty in the Amansie West District through agriculture, health and other related programmes and projects.
Mrs Sheeran said Africa could produce more food to feed its people, given the necessary support.
Consequently, she pledged the continuous support of the WFP in that regard.
Mrs Sheeran said even though one out of every six children in Africa was malnourished, she was hopeful that the continent would be able to reduce malnourishment if it increased food production.
The Cluster Manager of the MVP, Mr Samuel Asare Afram, who welcomed the visiting team, thanked them for the visit and expressed the hope that something useful would come out of their visit.
He said the project had made significant impact on the lives of the people of Amansie West, which was considered as the most deprived district in the country.
Mr Afram stated that the district had not recorded any maternal deaths since 2007 due to the involvement of the MVP in improved access to healthcare including free medical services and the provision of two community-based ambulances to ensure rapid emergency response.
ECG TO IMPROVE POWER SUPPLY IN WR (PAGE 32)
THE Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is undertaking many projects towards the improvement of the supply, security and reliability of electricity in the Western Region, especially the northern part of the region.
The projects, which are to be completed within the next 18 months include the installation of two primary sub-stations, one near the Takoradi Harbour and other at the Free Zone Board at Mpintsin.
In addition, the ECG will carry out the reinforcement and upgrade of 33,000 volts and 11,000 volts as well as the overhead and underground electricity cable network within Sekondi and Takoradi.
The Western Regional Director of the ECG, Mr B.A.K. Nyatefe, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the projects, stated that the company now had three main stations, all of which would be rehabilitated.
He said a new switch station would be installed which would improve power supply to the Bogoso, Asankrangwa and Enchi districts, adding that the projects were expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Nyatefe said a scada system would be installed in Takoradi to enable the company to remotely sense faults in the system for immediate action and restore supply to the affected areas.
“We have plans for the north most part of the region”, he said.
“The Volta River Authority will extend a 33,000 volts network from Mim in the Brong Ahafo Region to the north most part of the Western Region to improve supply, security and reliability of electricity to Juaboso and Bia Districts in particular”, he stated.
Mr Nyatefe said in addition to the major projects, the company had carried out minor projects to improve quality and supply to customers.
The projects, which are to be completed within the next 18 months include the installation of two primary sub-stations, one near the Takoradi Harbour and other at the Free Zone Board at Mpintsin.
In addition, the ECG will carry out the reinforcement and upgrade of 33,000 volts and 11,000 volts as well as the overhead and underground electricity cable network within Sekondi and Takoradi.
The Western Regional Director of the ECG, Mr B.A.K. Nyatefe, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the projects, stated that the company now had three main stations, all of which would be rehabilitated.
He said a new switch station would be installed which would improve power supply to the Bogoso, Asankrangwa and Enchi districts, adding that the projects were expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Nyatefe said a scada system would be installed in Takoradi to enable the company to remotely sense faults in the system for immediate action and restore supply to the affected areas.
“We have plans for the north most part of the region”, he said.
“The Volta River Authority will extend a 33,000 volts network from Mim in the Brong Ahafo Region to the north most part of the Western Region to improve supply, security and reliability of electricity to Juaboso and Bia Districts in particular”, he stated.
Mr Nyatefe said in addition to the major projects, the company had carried out minor projects to improve quality and supply to customers.
CHURCH EMBARKS ON INCOME GENERATING VENTURES (PAGE 32)
CHURCH collections or offerings, monthly payment of tithes and annual harvests have been the main sources of revenue for most churches in the country, particularly the orthodox churches.
This has put pressure on the congregations or the church members as they have to always dip deep into their pockets and purses to bring out money to donate generously to enhance the activities of their respective churches.
It has also prevented genuine members who cannot afford these multiple offerings from attending the church, particularly on Sundays, to worship the Almighty God.
To avoid such a situation, the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church in the Western Region has embarked on many income-generating ventures to boost its financial standing and not to rely solely on the traditional sources of income.
The diocese has established a 90-acre rubber plantation out of the 200 acres it intends to cultivate within a period of five years at Bamiankor, as well as cassava-processing and corn mill project at Wiredukrom.
The Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese, the Rt Rev. John Harvey-Ewusi, announced this at the 48th annual synod of the diocese at the Bethany Methodist Chapel at Essikado on the theme: “Oh Holy Spirit, establish us in the Lord Jesus to finish the task ahead”.
The synod was attended by 57 reverend ministers of the gospel and 100 lay persons who discussed, among other issues, the 10-year strategic plan of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the proposed teacher training college , a Bible college, women, youth and children’s issues.
The spiritual development of members, finance, membership drive, and welfare of members also featured prominently.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi said progress report from the rubber plantation was very encouraging, adding that the project was thriving, with labourers on the farm regularly receiving their wages from the diocese.
“We are yet to receive progress report from the Wiredukrom cassava and corn mill project, especially to render account for the grant it has been receiving for the purpose occasionally,” he added.
Rt Rev. Harvey-Ewusi said the diocese should be grateful to God for the vision to go into rubber plantation, which, in four years’ time, would be matured for harvesting to boost the diocesan finances.
“So far the church’s source of income has been the traditional payment of tithes, collections and harvests”, he said, and questioned, “But for how long should we depend upon these, considering the global rising inflation with its corresponding high rate of unemployment?”
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi stressed the need for the congregation to seriously consider other sources of income.
He urged societies and circuits of the church which had not yet considered that idea to begin to think aloud and see that as a very urgent agenda which should not be brushed aside, adding, “To do so is to expect financial down-trend within your scope in the near future”.
The bishop said almost all circuits of the church had participated in the training workshops of the steering committee/coordinators of the 10-year strategic plan of the Methodist Church of Ghana (2008-2018) at all levels from the diocese to the societies and anxiously looking forward to its actual implementation.
He said the objective of the strategic plan was to help the church to grow effectively in all sectors of the church’s life, namely spiritually, financially, socially, numerically, not forgetting to achieve the target of having the membership doubled within the next 10 years.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi announced that the Methodist University College delegated two separate teams to inspect infrastructural facilities in the diocese with the intention of establishing a Faculty of Administration in it.
He said the Connexional Christian Education Division of the church had been regularly preparing materials for the nurturing of scholars of the church’s Sunday schools and also giving the opportunity to the scholars to participate in connexional and international programmes, with the result that some of the scholars had showed evidence of potential future leaders.
The bishop said beneficiaries of the scholarship awards continued to excel in their respective courses of studies.
The diocese, he said, played its part to also offer similar awards to, at least, two brilliant, needy students annually, while some societies of the church such as Bethel, Takoradi, Wesley and Sekondi were also showing such gestures, apart from sponsoring others to learn vocational trades.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi commended the Bethel Men’s Fellowship for sponsoring the education, medical care and general up-keep of nine needy children.
This has put pressure on the congregations or the church members as they have to always dip deep into their pockets and purses to bring out money to donate generously to enhance the activities of their respective churches.
It has also prevented genuine members who cannot afford these multiple offerings from attending the church, particularly on Sundays, to worship the Almighty God.
To avoid such a situation, the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church in the Western Region has embarked on many income-generating ventures to boost its financial standing and not to rely solely on the traditional sources of income.
The diocese has established a 90-acre rubber plantation out of the 200 acres it intends to cultivate within a period of five years at Bamiankor, as well as cassava-processing and corn mill project at Wiredukrom.
The Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese, the Rt Rev. John Harvey-Ewusi, announced this at the 48th annual synod of the diocese at the Bethany Methodist Chapel at Essikado on the theme: “Oh Holy Spirit, establish us in the Lord Jesus to finish the task ahead”.
The synod was attended by 57 reverend ministers of the gospel and 100 lay persons who discussed, among other issues, the 10-year strategic plan of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the proposed teacher training college , a Bible college, women, youth and children’s issues.
The spiritual development of members, finance, membership drive, and welfare of members also featured prominently.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi said progress report from the rubber plantation was very encouraging, adding that the project was thriving, with labourers on the farm regularly receiving their wages from the diocese.
“We are yet to receive progress report from the Wiredukrom cassava and corn mill project, especially to render account for the grant it has been receiving for the purpose occasionally,” he added.
Rt Rev. Harvey-Ewusi said the diocese should be grateful to God for the vision to go into rubber plantation, which, in four years’ time, would be matured for harvesting to boost the diocesan finances.
“So far the church’s source of income has been the traditional payment of tithes, collections and harvests”, he said, and questioned, “But for how long should we depend upon these, considering the global rising inflation with its corresponding high rate of unemployment?”
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi stressed the need for the congregation to seriously consider other sources of income.
He urged societies and circuits of the church which had not yet considered that idea to begin to think aloud and see that as a very urgent agenda which should not be brushed aside, adding, “To do so is to expect financial down-trend within your scope in the near future”.
The bishop said almost all circuits of the church had participated in the training workshops of the steering committee/coordinators of the 10-year strategic plan of the Methodist Church of Ghana (2008-2018) at all levels from the diocese to the societies and anxiously looking forward to its actual implementation.
He said the objective of the strategic plan was to help the church to grow effectively in all sectors of the church’s life, namely spiritually, financially, socially, numerically, not forgetting to achieve the target of having the membership doubled within the next 10 years.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi announced that the Methodist University College delegated two separate teams to inspect infrastructural facilities in the diocese with the intention of establishing a Faculty of Administration in it.
He said the Connexional Christian Education Division of the church had been regularly preparing materials for the nurturing of scholars of the church’s Sunday schools and also giving the opportunity to the scholars to participate in connexional and international programmes, with the result that some of the scholars had showed evidence of potential future leaders.
The bishop said beneficiaries of the scholarship awards continued to excel in their respective courses of studies.
The diocese, he said, played its part to also offer similar awards to, at least, two brilliant, needy students annually, while some societies of the church such as Bethel, Takoradi, Wesley and Sekondi were also showing such gestures, apart from sponsoring others to learn vocational trades.
Rt Rev Harvey-Ewusi commended the Bethel Men’s Fellowship for sponsoring the education, medical care and general up-keep of nine needy children.
AMANSIE WEST CONFIRMS PREMPEH DCE (PAGE 13)
THE Amansie West District Assembly has approved the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Charles Oti Prempeh.
At a special meeting of the assembly at Manso Nkwanta, 46 assembly members voted to approve the nominee while 23 voted against him.
Mr Prempeh, 59, was a teacher at the St. Anthony’s Catholic School at Bantama, Kumasi.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Prempeh expressed his gratitude to the President for offering him the opportunity to serve in the highest office of the district.
He commended the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that he would team up with them to ensure the accelerated development of the district.
Mr Prempeh urged the people to put political divisions behind them and work assiduously to uplift the image of the district.
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mrs Anima Wilson, also thanked the assembly members for accepting the nominee.
She urged the new DCE to work in collaboration with all the people of the district.
The Omanhene of Manso Nkwanta, Nana Bi Kusi Appiah II, in a message read on his behalf, said the development of the district should be the focus of the assembly.
He urged the assembly to assist in the completion of work on the official residence of the district magistrate.
At the meeting, Mr James Asafo Akowuah was elected presiding member of the assembly.
At a special meeting of the assembly at Manso Nkwanta, 46 assembly members voted to approve the nominee while 23 voted against him.
Mr Prempeh, 59, was a teacher at the St. Anthony’s Catholic School at Bantama, Kumasi.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Prempeh expressed his gratitude to the President for offering him the opportunity to serve in the highest office of the district.
He commended the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and gave the assurance that he would team up with them to ensure the accelerated development of the district.
Mr Prempeh urged the people to put political divisions behind them and work assiduously to uplift the image of the district.
The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mrs Anima Wilson, also thanked the assembly members for accepting the nominee.
She urged the new DCE to work in collaboration with all the people of the district.
The Omanhene of Manso Nkwanta, Nana Bi Kusi Appiah II, in a message read on his behalf, said the development of the district should be the focus of the assembly.
He urged the assembly to assist in the completion of work on the official residence of the district magistrate.
At the meeting, Mr James Asafo Akowuah was elected presiding member of the assembly.
ASSEMBLIES TO COME OUT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES (PAGE 23)
METROPOLITAN, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country have completed baseline data collection on environmental sanitation for the preparation of various environmental sanitation strategies and action plans.
The district plans would form the basis for the preparation of a National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP) to provide a sustainable work plan for solving the sanitation problems confronting the nation.
A workshop has been organised in Kumasi to validate data collected by the various assemblies in the Ashanti Region to pave the way for the district plans in the region.
Officials who attended the three-day workshop, which was organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in conjunction with the Netherlands Government, were from various institutions, including the Food and Drugs Board, Ministry of Health, Ghana Tourist Board and Environmental Protection Agency.
Opening the workshop, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, said poor sanitation practices were evident in all areas of the country.
“This menace calls for a concerted effort and an integrated approach to tackle the problem head-on,” he said.
Mr Opoku-Manu stated that the unfortunate state of affairs had been created as a result of a long period of neglect of that sector, which was aggravated by the bad attitude of the people.
He said poor sanitation practices continued to have serious health implications on the nation, stressing that it was important for the necessary measures to be taken to address them.
“As a nation, we cannot afford to downplay environmental issues in globalisation, if we want to position ourselves well in the global economic environment,” he said.
Mr Opoku-Manu said as Ghana aspired to reach middle-income status by 2020, the expected enlarged economy and improved incomes would lead to all types of waste creation, which could aggravate the existing problem, and only effective strategies could tackle the situation.
The district plans would form the basis for the preparation of a National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP) to provide a sustainable work plan for solving the sanitation problems confronting the nation.
A workshop has been organised in Kumasi to validate data collected by the various assemblies in the Ashanti Region to pave the way for the district plans in the region.
Officials who attended the three-day workshop, which was organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in conjunction with the Netherlands Government, were from various institutions, including the Food and Drugs Board, Ministry of Health, Ghana Tourist Board and Environmental Protection Agency.
Opening the workshop, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, said poor sanitation practices were evident in all areas of the country.
“This menace calls for a concerted effort and an integrated approach to tackle the problem head-on,” he said.
Mr Opoku-Manu stated that the unfortunate state of affairs had been created as a result of a long period of neglect of that sector, which was aggravated by the bad attitude of the people.
He said poor sanitation practices continued to have serious health implications on the nation, stressing that it was important for the necessary measures to be taken to address them.
“As a nation, we cannot afford to downplay environmental issues in globalisation, if we want to position ourselves well in the global economic environment,” he said.
Mr Opoku-Manu said as Ghana aspired to reach middle-income status by 2020, the expected enlarged economy and improved incomes would lead to all types of waste creation, which could aggravate the existing problem, and only effective strategies could tackle the situation.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
RAINS CAUSE HAVOC AT ABOASO (PAGE 20)
ONE person, said to be a child, was injured, and about 200 buildings including schools, were damaged when a severe rainstorm hit Aboaso and Ntonsu, two close communities in the Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region last Friday evening.
At least, 350 people were rendered homeless and they have made a passionate appeal to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to come to their aid.
Among the affected schools were; the Gyaama Pensan Senior Secondary/Technical School, Nana Asante Gyapong R/C Primary and Junior High Schools, the Islamic School and the Holy Quoran School all at Aboaso, and the Adventist Girls Senior High School where the roof of the dormitory block was ripped off.
The devastation at the Gyaama Pensan School was so serious that almost all the buildings had their roofing ripped off. School documents were not left out.
Final year boarding students, as of last Saturday, were struggling to have a place to lay their heads.
The most affected part of the town was Zongo, where a number of houses had their roofing destroyed.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the assembly member of the Kubease Electoral Area at Aboaso, Mr Owusu Asiedu, said the people were in a very serious situation, which called for prompt attention from the authorities.
He indicated that NADMO officials from the district assembly had inspected the damage caused and the people were awaiting their response.
Commenting on the situation, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong, expressed his sympathy with the victims and called for government’s intervention to rehabilitate the effected school buildings.
Mr Frimpong said he had acquired a number of seedlings from the forestry department for distribution to schools for planting and urged communities that needed some of the seedlings to contact him.
The MP also urged prospective developers to contact professional persons to undertake the jobs instead of relying on inexperienced hands.
At least, 350 people were rendered homeless and they have made a passionate appeal to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to come to their aid.
Among the affected schools were; the Gyaama Pensan Senior Secondary/Technical School, Nana Asante Gyapong R/C Primary and Junior High Schools, the Islamic School and the Holy Quoran School all at Aboaso, and the Adventist Girls Senior High School where the roof of the dormitory block was ripped off.
The devastation at the Gyaama Pensan School was so serious that almost all the buildings had their roofing ripped off. School documents were not left out.
Final year boarding students, as of last Saturday, were struggling to have a place to lay their heads.
The most affected part of the town was Zongo, where a number of houses had their roofing destroyed.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the assembly member of the Kubease Electoral Area at Aboaso, Mr Owusu Asiedu, said the people were in a very serious situation, which called for prompt attention from the authorities.
He indicated that NADMO officials from the district assembly had inspected the damage caused and the people were awaiting their response.
Commenting on the situation, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong, expressed his sympathy with the victims and called for government’s intervention to rehabilitate the effected school buildings.
Mr Frimpong said he had acquired a number of seedlings from the forestry department for distribution to schools for planting and urged communities that needed some of the seedlings to contact him.
The MP also urged prospective developers to contact professional persons to undertake the jobs instead of relying on inexperienced hands.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
BECE VICTIMS COUNSELLED (PAGE 3)
THE Ghana Education Service (GES) has begun a counselling session for the 106 pupils of the Christ the King School in Kumasi who could not write the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in order to prepare them adequately for next year’s examination.
“So far they are happy and we hope better things will come out,” Mr Richard Owusu Agyemang, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Office of the GES, told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi on Monday.
Counsellors from the regional and metropolitan offices of the GES in Kumasi are undertaking the exercise.
Mr Agyemang said the exercise would continue until the GES was satisfied with the results.
He noted that the counselling would ensure that the children concentrated on their books and were not haunted by their past misfortune.
He indicated that the parents of the pupils had been collaborating with the GES to ensure that the exercise was successful.
Mr Agyemang said plans were underway to distribute the affected children among various public schools on re-opening so that they would be registered for the next BECE.
“Everything is under control and we are sure that the children will write the examination next year,” he said.
He said the GES would give the children all the necessary assistance to ensure that they went into next year’s examination with confidence.
The children failed to write the examination after the headmaster and the proprietor of their school allegedly misappropriated their registration fees.
It was later established that the school was not accredited.
The headmaster and the proprietor are on trial for their act.
“So far they are happy and we hope better things will come out,” Mr Richard Owusu Agyemang, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Office of the GES, told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi on Monday.
Counsellors from the regional and metropolitan offices of the GES in Kumasi are undertaking the exercise.
Mr Agyemang said the exercise would continue until the GES was satisfied with the results.
He noted that the counselling would ensure that the children concentrated on their books and were not haunted by their past misfortune.
He indicated that the parents of the pupils had been collaborating with the GES to ensure that the exercise was successful.
Mr Agyemang said plans were underway to distribute the affected children among various public schools on re-opening so that they would be registered for the next BECE.
“Everything is under control and we are sure that the children will write the examination next year,” he said.
He said the GES would give the children all the necessary assistance to ensure that they went into next year’s examination with confidence.
The children failed to write the examination after the headmaster and the proprietor of their school allegedly misappropriated their registration fees.
It was later established that the school was not accredited.
The headmaster and the proprietor are on trial for their act.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Chaining of mental patients...CHRAJ WARNS PASTORS (NSEMPA, LEAD STORY)
By Kwame Asare Boadu, Kumasi
THE Ashanti Regional Office of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ has warned prayer camps to desist from chaining mental patients to trees.
A source at the CHRAJ told Graphic Nsempa that the practice, which was gaining roots in the region, was a complete abuse of the rights of the patients.
According to the source, sometimes, the pastors and their agents torture the patients, which adds to their unfortunate conditions.
“It is absolutely wrong for anyone to think that mental patients have no rights, “ the source said.
Painstaking investigations by Graphic Nsempa revealed that a number of prayer camps were engaged in the negative act.
Indeed, the prayer camps relied on chaining as the only means to tame violent mental patients.
Much as some of the pastors appreciated the pains the patients went through while chained to the trees, they still believed that leaving them on their own could be dangerous as they could harm innocent people.
The Ashanti Regional Office of CHRAJ last year rescued a former footballer of Kumasi Asante Kotoko who had a mental problem from a prayer camp.
The footballer (name withheld) was sent to the prayer camp by relatives to be exorcised of the spirit that the pastor at the prayer camp claimed was responsible for his predicament.
However, when his condition deteriorated a report was made to the CHRAJ who moved in to rescue him after protests from the church leaders.
The source said inspite of the warnings from the CHRAJ, the office continued to receive reports of the negative activities.
“We are following some of these cases to ensure that the correct thing was done, “ the source said.
It urged pastors to advise relatives of mental patients to send them to the mental hospitals for medical attention, and if possible complement the medical attention with prayers.
Some of the pastors, according to CHRAJ, blamed relatives of the patients for refusing to accept them after they received healing at the prayer camps.
The source stressed the need for people to feel free to report the abuses against the patients at the prayer camps to the CHRAJ to enable the office to take immediate action on them.
It said the passage of the mental health bill was crucial in addressing the challenges in mental health delivery.
The source, therefore, expressed the hope that action would be expedited on the passage of the bill.
THE Ashanti Regional Office of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ has warned prayer camps to desist from chaining mental patients to trees.
A source at the CHRAJ told Graphic Nsempa that the practice, which was gaining roots in the region, was a complete abuse of the rights of the patients.
According to the source, sometimes, the pastors and their agents torture the patients, which adds to their unfortunate conditions.
“It is absolutely wrong for anyone to think that mental patients have no rights, “ the source said.
Painstaking investigations by Graphic Nsempa revealed that a number of prayer camps were engaged in the negative act.
Indeed, the prayer camps relied on chaining as the only means to tame violent mental patients.
Much as some of the pastors appreciated the pains the patients went through while chained to the trees, they still believed that leaving them on their own could be dangerous as they could harm innocent people.
The Ashanti Regional Office of CHRAJ last year rescued a former footballer of Kumasi Asante Kotoko who had a mental problem from a prayer camp.
The footballer (name withheld) was sent to the prayer camp by relatives to be exorcised of the spirit that the pastor at the prayer camp claimed was responsible for his predicament.
However, when his condition deteriorated a report was made to the CHRAJ who moved in to rescue him after protests from the church leaders.
The source said inspite of the warnings from the CHRAJ, the office continued to receive reports of the negative activities.
“We are following some of these cases to ensure that the correct thing was done, “ the source said.
It urged pastors to advise relatives of mental patients to send them to the mental hospitals for medical attention, and if possible complement the medical attention with prayers.
Some of the pastors, according to CHRAJ, blamed relatives of the patients for refusing to accept them after they received healing at the prayer camps.
The source stressed the need for people to feel free to report the abuses against the patients at the prayer camps to the CHRAJ to enable the office to take immediate action on them.
It said the passage of the mental health bill was crucial in addressing the challenges in mental health delivery.
The source, therefore, expressed the hope that action would be expedited on the passage of the bill.
Friday, May 1, 2009
EXTEND ELECTRICITY TO SCHOOLS IN AHAFO-ANO (PAGE 22)
THE Ahafo-Ano North District Secretariat of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called for the extension of electricity to schools in the district to facilitate the teaching and learning of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
In a resolution passed at the end of the third quadrennial delegates’ conference of the district GNAT at Tepa, the association said most schools in the district lacked electricity, saying that the situation was disincentive to the promotion of ICT education.
The resolution also called for the downward review of income tax on teachers’ salaries, stressing that the value of the salaries had been eroded by excessive income tax.
It also called on the government to commit a “good part” of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to build teachers’ quarters in the communities to serve as motivation for teachers.
The teachers urged the Ghana Education Service to provide pre-teaching training for newly trained and untrained teachers before they took up posts in the communities.
According to the association, that would prepare the new teachers to appreciate the challenges ahead of them in their new positions.
Speaking at the meeting, which was on the theme: “Teacher as a pivot of national development; professional and socio-economic challenges”, the headmaster of Men Model Basic School, Nana Frank Agyedabi, said the teacher should be a role model for his or her students.
He said the teacher, as a pivot of national development, was so crucial that “we need to strive to attain and maintain quality in our role as teachers”.
The District Director of Education, Ms Nannan Abudu, in a welcoming address, observed that education was the hope of the nation and it was important that the sector was given all the necessary attention.
She expressed concern that for the past four years, the district Best Teachers Award had not been organised in the district.
The District GNAT Secretary, Mr George Gyimah, said teachers played a very important part in educational development and as such, their roles should be recognised through motivational packages.
In a resolution passed at the end of the third quadrennial delegates’ conference of the district GNAT at Tepa, the association said most schools in the district lacked electricity, saying that the situation was disincentive to the promotion of ICT education.
The resolution also called for the downward review of income tax on teachers’ salaries, stressing that the value of the salaries had been eroded by excessive income tax.
It also called on the government to commit a “good part” of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to build teachers’ quarters in the communities to serve as motivation for teachers.
The teachers urged the Ghana Education Service to provide pre-teaching training for newly trained and untrained teachers before they took up posts in the communities.
According to the association, that would prepare the new teachers to appreciate the challenges ahead of them in their new positions.
Speaking at the meeting, which was on the theme: “Teacher as a pivot of national development; professional and socio-economic challenges”, the headmaster of Men Model Basic School, Nana Frank Agyedabi, said the teacher should be a role model for his or her students.
He said the teacher, as a pivot of national development, was so crucial that “we need to strive to attain and maintain quality in our role as teachers”.
The District Director of Education, Ms Nannan Abudu, in a welcoming address, observed that education was the hope of the nation and it was important that the sector was given all the necessary attention.
She expressed concern that for the past four years, the district Best Teachers Award had not been organised in the district.
The District GNAT Secretary, Mr George Gyimah, said teachers played a very important part in educational development and as such, their roles should be recognised through motivational packages.
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