The Minister for Tourism, Mrs Sabah Zita Okaikoi, has said the promotion of domestic tourism would be her major pursuit in the tourism sector.
She said her vision was to enable the sector to move from its current position as the fourth major foreign exchange earner to become the prime source of public revenue.
She was speaking at the launch of the Paragliding Festival to be held in Kwahu in the Eastern Region from April 2 to 5, 2010.
The festival, dubbed “Okwahu 2010”, will attract to the Kwahu community an influx of visitors and tourists.
The festival this year takes on a new look from previous editions with the inclusion of a marathon walk, adventure hikes and health walks.
Mrs Okaikoi said the festival had established itself on the international schedule of paragliding and would receive experienced pilots from Austria, Germany, South Africa, the United States of America, Togo and Switzerland.
She said Ghana’s Paragliding Festival was one of the most adventurous, unique and exciting in the world, adding that the event would go a long way to enrich tourism in the country.
She encouraged the organisers to nurture and promote the festival to attract the desired international attention and participation.
The tourism minister appealed to corporate Ghana to support the paragliding event and all other such events.
The Obohene and Nifahene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan II, said the festival had added a new dimension to the celebration of festivals in the Eastern Region.
He said the festival would bring about economic and social values through the exchange of cultural values among participants.
It would also bring new employment opportunities to the citizens of Kwahu for the benefit of the country as a whole.
Nana Obuagyan said festivals must be promoted through all the media in order to boost their participation.
He called on business entities to explore other activities in the area for the benefit of the tourism sector and the country.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Julius Debrah, said the festival would be the best paragliding event on the continent.
He said preparations had been made to broadcast the festival on international broadcasting stations, including China and South Africa.
He encouraged indigenous businesses in the area to advertise their products through the mounting of flags at the paragliding site.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
NEW SISMIC CENTRE OPENS (BACK PAGE, FEB 5, 2010)
A National Data Centre to monitor, manage and co-ordinate seismic activities in the country has been inaugurated in Accra.
The centre, which has been equipped with modern gadgets to meet international standards, will collate data on seismic activities and report all aspects of disaster to the relevant government agencies.
Inaugurating the centre, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms Sherry Ayittey, said it would disseminate data to the International Data Centre and make data available to stakeholders for earthquake disaster mitigation.
She said the project was a collaborative effort between the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).
She said the centre would be uploaded to the International Data Centre (IDC) and as well receive data from other international organisations.
Ms Ayittey said Ghana did not have any operational, centralised data acquisition system with the capability of accessing data from other international stations, making the establishment of the data centre a laudable one.
She said the idea of setting up a National Data Centre to monitor seismic activities was very timely, recalling the unexpected behaviour of many in the country two weeks ago in response to an announcement of an impending earthquake that turned out to be a hoax.
She said the strange reaction from the citizenry could have been controlled if the country had a system that co-ordinated seismic data to give information to the public about earthquakes.
Ms Ayittey said earthquake-related damage to human lives and property was an important social and economic issue which needed to be addressed at all cost by all nations.
The Deputy Director-General of GAEC, Professor Yaw Serfor Armah, said the centre would provide the commission with the capability of contributing immensely to the global effort of monitoring the testing of nuclear weapons around the world.
He said the commission was ever prepared to serve the nation in any capacity so long as the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology was available.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the advisor and consultant on capacity building for the CTBTO, Dr Mario Villagram, said the organisation acknowledged the importance of reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapon tests world-wide.
He said the organisation would go beyond just monitoring and co-ordinating seismic activities to receiving and interpreting data for special events within the country.
The centre, which has been equipped with modern gadgets to meet international standards, will collate data on seismic activities and report all aspects of disaster to the relevant government agencies.
Inaugurating the centre, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms Sherry Ayittey, said it would disseminate data to the International Data Centre and make data available to stakeholders for earthquake disaster mitigation.
She said the project was a collaborative effort between the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).
She said the centre would be uploaded to the International Data Centre (IDC) and as well receive data from other international organisations.
Ms Ayittey said Ghana did not have any operational, centralised data acquisition system with the capability of accessing data from other international stations, making the establishment of the data centre a laudable one.
She said the idea of setting up a National Data Centre to monitor seismic activities was very timely, recalling the unexpected behaviour of many in the country two weeks ago in response to an announcement of an impending earthquake that turned out to be a hoax.
She said the strange reaction from the citizenry could have been controlled if the country had a system that co-ordinated seismic data to give information to the public about earthquakes.
Ms Ayittey said earthquake-related damage to human lives and property was an important social and economic issue which needed to be addressed at all cost by all nations.
The Deputy Director-General of GAEC, Professor Yaw Serfor Armah, said the centre would provide the commission with the capability of contributing immensely to the global effort of monitoring the testing of nuclear weapons around the world.
He said the commission was ever prepared to serve the nation in any capacity so long as the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology was available.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the advisor and consultant on capacity building for the CTBTO, Dr Mario Villagram, said the organisation acknowledged the importance of reducing and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapon tests world-wide.
He said the organisation would go beyond just monitoring and co-ordinating seismic activities to receiving and interpreting data for special events within the country.
GUTA LAUNCHES PENSION SCHEME (PAGE 47, FEB 4, 2010)
A NEW pension scheme to cater for the interests of workers in the informal sector under the voluntary contribution third-tier system has been launched for the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA).
The new scheme was entered into by GUTA on behalf of its members with Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO) as the scheme operators.
At a brief ceremony to formalise the relationship, the Chief Executive Officer of Glico, Mr Kwame Acheampong Kyei, said the old pension scheme was virtually the preserve of workers in the formal sector, which excluded people in the informal sector, and it was imperative for those excluded to make provisions for their own future retirement benefits.
Mr Kyei said under the new pension law, the third-tier scheme allowed hardworking Ghanaians in the informal sector to also have their own pension schemes and praised GUTA for the initiative.
He said GLICO, for the past years, had had enormous experience and expertise in pensions management and, therefore, assured GUTA of a satisfactory service from the company.
The pension scheme saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties, which makes GLICO an administrator, custodian and funds manager for the members of GUTA.
The President of GUTA, Mr George Ofori, said the association was concerned with the welfare of its members, hence the collaboration to provide the pension plan for them.
He said the MoU would serve as a framework for both parties to work with and cater for the peculiar welfare needs of the traders in the informal sector, which constituted about 80 per cent of the country's workforce.
"GUTA, as a body wants to indicate that it has plans to use this scheme as a launching pad to raise funds to support our plans for our own bank," he said.
He extended the association's gratitude to GLICO for seeing the need to partner them.
The new scheme was entered into by GUTA on behalf of its members with Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO) as the scheme operators.
At a brief ceremony to formalise the relationship, the Chief Executive Officer of Glico, Mr Kwame Acheampong Kyei, said the old pension scheme was virtually the preserve of workers in the formal sector, which excluded people in the informal sector, and it was imperative for those excluded to make provisions for their own future retirement benefits.
Mr Kyei said under the new pension law, the third-tier scheme allowed hardworking Ghanaians in the informal sector to also have their own pension schemes and praised GUTA for the initiative.
He said GLICO, for the past years, had had enormous experience and expertise in pensions management and, therefore, assured GUTA of a satisfactory service from the company.
The pension scheme saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties, which makes GLICO an administrator, custodian and funds manager for the members of GUTA.
The President of GUTA, Mr George Ofori, said the association was concerned with the welfare of its members, hence the collaboration to provide the pension plan for them.
He said the MoU would serve as a framework for both parties to work with and cater for the peculiar welfare needs of the traders in the informal sector, which constituted about 80 per cent of the country's workforce.
"GUTA, as a body wants to indicate that it has plans to use this scheme as a launching pad to raise funds to support our plans for our own bank," he said.
He extended the association's gratitude to GLICO for seeing the need to partner them.
MILLICOM REWARDS LOYAL CUSTOMERS (PAGE 30, FEB 3, 2010)
MiLlicom Ghana Limited, operators of tiGo telecommunication network, has rewarded its loyal subscribers through the tiGo promotion.
The promotion, dubbed ‘tiGo Xmas bonanza’ sought to encourage tiGo subscribers to receive more prizes through the promotion.
It engaged subscribers to text tiGo to the short code 3030 to win exciting prizes from the network.
Some prizes received daily by the subscribers included cash, free SMS and voice minutes.
The ultimate prize winner was Mr Obass Omougele, who took home GH¢30,000.
The Brands Manager, Mr Nana Ampra Tsum, said the promotion lasted for two months and received over 200,000 entries.
He said winners were randomly picked through weekly draws on Fridays for the daily cash prizes.
He said the promotion had helped many of its subscribers to enjoy the festive season and also brought about some changes in their lives.
The occasion also saw the launch of another promotion, dubbed ‘tiGo Mega promo’.
Launching the promotion, the Business Intelligence Manager, Ms Rosy Fynn, said it would run for two months and reward over 200,000 subscribers with 10 daily cash prizes, free SMS and voice minutes.
The promotion will require a subscriber to text tiGo to 3030 for a fee of 50Gp each, the ultimate prize winner taking home GH¢20,000.
She encouraged the network subscribers to continue using the product and get involved in the promotion to win exciting prizes.
Other winners of the Xmas promo were Philip Kuma, Kwame Asare, Irene Yeboah, Benjamin Sarpong, Larry Otoo, Daniel Mingle and many others.
Mr Omougele expressed his gratitude to the management of tiGo for the reward and advised non subscribers to join the tiGo family and take part in its promotions.
The promotion, dubbed ‘tiGo Xmas bonanza’ sought to encourage tiGo subscribers to receive more prizes through the promotion.
It engaged subscribers to text tiGo to the short code 3030 to win exciting prizes from the network.
Some prizes received daily by the subscribers included cash, free SMS and voice minutes.
The ultimate prize winner was Mr Obass Omougele, who took home GH¢30,000.
The Brands Manager, Mr Nana Ampra Tsum, said the promotion lasted for two months and received over 200,000 entries.
He said winners were randomly picked through weekly draws on Fridays for the daily cash prizes.
He said the promotion had helped many of its subscribers to enjoy the festive season and also brought about some changes in their lives.
The occasion also saw the launch of another promotion, dubbed ‘tiGo Mega promo’.
Launching the promotion, the Business Intelligence Manager, Ms Rosy Fynn, said it would run for two months and reward over 200,000 subscribers with 10 daily cash prizes, free SMS and voice minutes.
The promotion will require a subscriber to text tiGo to 3030 for a fee of 50Gp each, the ultimate prize winner taking home GH¢20,000.
She encouraged the network subscribers to continue using the product and get involved in the promotion to win exciting prizes.
Other winners of the Xmas promo were Philip Kuma, Kwame Asare, Irene Yeboah, Benjamin Sarpong, Larry Otoo, Daniel Mingle and many others.
Mr Omougele expressed his gratitude to the management of tiGo for the reward and advised non subscribers to join the tiGo family and take part in its promotions.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY STILL SUFFER DISCRIMINATION (PAGE 14, FEB 3, 2010)
FOUR years after Ghana had signed and passed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), there is still discrimination and stigmatisation against PWDs
The convention is said to be the major milestone in the effort at promoting, protecting and ensuring full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of PWDs.
At the launch of the campaign on the ratification of UN Convention on PWDs, the acting Chief Psychiatrist of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Akwasi Osei, said the government should not only sign treaties and conventions, but also know the content of the document before giving its assent.
He said measures must be put in place for the ratification of such conventions in order to protect the rights of the citizens.
He said PWDs in Ghana faced lots of challenges in their daily lives, especially with societal attitudes towards them.
Dr Osei appealed to the government to pass the Mental Health Bill to help define the legal and regulatory framework for mental health practice in the country.
The Vice-President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Mr Joseph Adu-Boampong, said the convention, when implemented, would mark an important development in the PWD’s pursuit of equality.
“The convention would also be the first legally binding treaty to clearly set out the obligations on states to avoid discrimination against the PWDs,” he noted.
He said ratification of the convention would, therefore, be a commitment on the part of the government to invest in its PWDs.
The President of the Ghana Association of the Blind, Mr Yaw Offori Debra, said the convention would serve as the ultimate protection for PWDs and help in the sensitisation of positive attitudes towards PWDs.
He appealed to the government to initiate the ratification of the convention in the country in order to prevent afterthoughts.
He said the association would continue to advocate issues that did not receive the necessary attention from the government.
The Director of Mind Freedom, Mrs Janet Amegatcher, said statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that by the year 2010, psycho-social disabilities would become the second largest non-communicable disease in the world.
She said this should prompt the country to do what it could to prevent what the WHO has projected.
The convention is said to be the major milestone in the effort at promoting, protecting and ensuring full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of PWDs.
At the launch of the campaign on the ratification of UN Convention on PWDs, the acting Chief Psychiatrist of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Akwasi Osei, said the government should not only sign treaties and conventions, but also know the content of the document before giving its assent.
He said measures must be put in place for the ratification of such conventions in order to protect the rights of the citizens.
He said PWDs in Ghana faced lots of challenges in their daily lives, especially with societal attitudes towards them.
Dr Osei appealed to the government to pass the Mental Health Bill to help define the legal and regulatory framework for mental health practice in the country.
The Vice-President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Mr Joseph Adu-Boampong, said the convention, when implemented, would mark an important development in the PWD’s pursuit of equality.
“The convention would also be the first legally binding treaty to clearly set out the obligations on states to avoid discrimination against the PWDs,” he noted.
He said ratification of the convention would, therefore, be a commitment on the part of the government to invest in its PWDs.
The President of the Ghana Association of the Blind, Mr Yaw Offori Debra, said the convention would serve as the ultimate protection for PWDs and help in the sensitisation of positive attitudes towards PWDs.
He appealed to the government to initiate the ratification of the convention in the country in order to prevent afterthoughts.
He said the association would continue to advocate issues that did not receive the necessary attention from the government.
The Director of Mind Freedom, Mrs Janet Amegatcher, said statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that by the year 2010, psycho-social disabilities would become the second largest non-communicable disease in the world.
She said this should prompt the country to do what it could to prevent what the WHO has projected.
NESTLE HONOURS CONSUMERS (PAGE 29, FEB 2, 2010)
Nestle Ghana Limited, manufacturer of Milo Food drink has rewarded its loyal consumers through the Milo promotion.
The Promotion, dubbed the Milo Go for Goals Promo, was aimed at engaging Milo core target group in winning exciting prices from the brand.
The raffle, which was drawn last Saturday, rewarded over 50 consumers of Milo food drink.
The ultimate prize, a trip to South Africa and spending money, went to Mr Yaw Abroad and Mr Agustine Boamah.
Other prizes include, bicycles, mobile phones, Milo branded bags, bibs and jerseys.
The Category Business Manager for Beverages, Mr Samuel Osafo, said the promotion had over 250,000 entries since its launch on 2nd November 2009.
He said since the establishment of the brand Milo 38 years ago in the country, it had been the preferred beverage of most people.
He said over the years the product had provided good nutrition and had acted as a good source of purposeful energy to its patrons.
"Milo drinkers are able to build up the required amount of energy to go through a day's activities," he said.
Mr Osafo said the special attributes of Milo made it an ideal drink for active and sports-minded people especially growing children.
The Promotion, dubbed the Milo Go for Goals Promo, was aimed at engaging Milo core target group in winning exciting prices from the brand.
The raffle, which was drawn last Saturday, rewarded over 50 consumers of Milo food drink.
The ultimate prize, a trip to South Africa and spending money, went to Mr Yaw Abroad and Mr Agustine Boamah.
Other prizes include, bicycles, mobile phones, Milo branded bags, bibs and jerseys.
The Category Business Manager for Beverages, Mr Samuel Osafo, said the promotion had over 250,000 entries since its launch on 2nd November 2009.
He said since the establishment of the brand Milo 38 years ago in the country, it had been the preferred beverage of most people.
He said over the years the product had provided good nutrition and had acted as a good source of purposeful energy to its patrons.
"Milo drinkers are able to build up the required amount of energy to go through a day's activities," he said.
Mr Osafo said the special attributes of Milo made it an ideal drink for active and sports-minded people especially growing children.
BOOK ON MARKET ORIENTATION LAUNCHED (PAGE 11, FEB 1, 2010)
A MANAGEMENT book that compares international best practices in business and marketing to what pertains in emerging economies, was launched in Accra at the weekend.
The book, "Market Orientation and Competitive Performance,” is written by a management consultant and Professor of Strategy and Marketing at the Regent University, Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu.
The book seeks to contribute to management practices of firms in the country.
Prof. Appiah-Adu, said the book further seeks to explain business concepts in different environments to provide useful conclusions on the efficacy of marketing principles and business practices.
He said the book its underlying framework, the performance paradigm of marketing strategy theory and practice, which involves a topical study of marketing practices and their application in the environment.
The author said in order to determine the significance of marketing principles, the effects of various aspects of marketing such as marketing culture, marketing effectiveness and market orientation on customer based and financial performances needed to be researched.
That, he added, contributed to knowledge on the systematic application of marketing businesses and determined whether firms that engaged in sound marketing practices were characterised by higher performance levels irrespective of the environments.
Launching the book, the Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, said the book was essential for institutional development.
He said lecturers, students, researchers, business executives and policy makers would acquire a wealth of information and knowledge from the book and advised the author to make it widely available to all.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smartline Limited, Mr Elliot Agyare, said the storage, development and distribution of knowledge products had been a matter of great significance to societies.
The 108-page book is about marketing practices in industrialised and emerging economies, and provides the strategies for marketing excellence through the application of techniques.
The book has the endorsement of Mr Kwame Pianim, the Occupant of the Unilever Ishmeal Yamson Chair, at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Dr Paul A. Acquah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and other high ranking members of academia.
The book, "Market Orientation and Competitive Performance,” is written by a management consultant and Professor of Strategy and Marketing at the Regent University, Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu.
The book seeks to contribute to management practices of firms in the country.
Prof. Appiah-Adu, said the book further seeks to explain business concepts in different environments to provide useful conclusions on the efficacy of marketing principles and business practices.
He said the book its underlying framework, the performance paradigm of marketing strategy theory and practice, which involves a topical study of marketing practices and their application in the environment.
The author said in order to determine the significance of marketing principles, the effects of various aspects of marketing such as marketing culture, marketing effectiveness and market orientation on customer based and financial performances needed to be researched.
That, he added, contributed to knowledge on the systematic application of marketing businesses and determined whether firms that engaged in sound marketing practices were characterised by higher performance levels irrespective of the environments.
Launching the book, the Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, said the book was essential for institutional development.
He said lecturers, students, researchers, business executives and policy makers would acquire a wealth of information and knowledge from the book and advised the author to make it widely available to all.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smartline Limited, Mr Elliot Agyare, said the storage, development and distribution of knowledge products had been a matter of great significance to societies.
The 108-page book is about marketing practices in industrialised and emerging economies, and provides the strategies for marketing excellence through the application of techniques.
The book has the endorsement of Mr Kwame Pianim, the Occupant of the Unilever Ishmeal Yamson Chair, at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Dr Paul A. Acquah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and other high ranking members of academia.
TOURISM MINISTRY HOLDS HIV/AIDS WORKSHOP (PAGE 29, JAN 29 2010)
The Ministry of Tourism, has organised an HIV/AIDS awareness workshop to educate its staff and stakeholders in the tourism sector.
The objectives of the workshop was to educate its staff and stakeholders on the socio-cultural and economic impact of HIV AIDS and encourage voluntary counselling and testing among participants.
Taking the participants through the overview of the current situation of the pandemic, the Executive Director for Community Service, Action and Development, Mrs Vera Quaye, said Ghana remained a comparatively low prevalence rate over the years as compared to other countries.
She said according to surveillance report, infection rates had reduced by 13 per cent in the past two years. Giving an overview of adult prevalence rate. Mrs Quaye said 3.4 was recorded in 2002, 3.6 in 2003, 3.1 in 2004, 2.7 in 2005, 2.3 in 2006, 2.6 in 2007 and 2.2 in 2008.
She said the ages of 15 to 49 had 90 percent infection rate and that 63 per cent of infected people were women and girls.
Mrs Quaye said the pandemic was still in existence have been attributed to because of high number of sexual partners, poverty and malnutrition, low levels of education, unequal power dynamics within relationships and low self-esteem.
She said in addressing HIV/AIDS in the country, the government had provided a framework for policy direction strategy to undertake both implementation and co-ordination, policy formulation, supervision and resource mobilisation.
She said the total HIV population as of 2009 was estimated at 240,802, prevalence rate of 1.7 per cent and total HIV infection for 2009 was 23,234.
Mrs Quaye said persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected persons must be treated with much love and not stigmatisation, or else they would be compelled to stay in their shells and infect others with the virus.
She said eating, sleeping and using things with an infected person would not put one at risk, adding that there was the need for more education on stigmatisation and discrimination against PLHIV.
The objectives of the workshop was to educate its staff and stakeholders on the socio-cultural and economic impact of HIV AIDS and encourage voluntary counselling and testing among participants.
Taking the participants through the overview of the current situation of the pandemic, the Executive Director for Community Service, Action and Development, Mrs Vera Quaye, said Ghana remained a comparatively low prevalence rate over the years as compared to other countries.
She said according to surveillance report, infection rates had reduced by 13 per cent in the past two years. Giving an overview of adult prevalence rate. Mrs Quaye said 3.4 was recorded in 2002, 3.6 in 2003, 3.1 in 2004, 2.7 in 2005, 2.3 in 2006, 2.6 in 2007 and 2.2 in 2008.
She said the ages of 15 to 49 had 90 percent infection rate and that 63 per cent of infected people were women and girls.
Mrs Quaye said the pandemic was still in existence have been attributed to because of high number of sexual partners, poverty and malnutrition, low levels of education, unequal power dynamics within relationships and low self-esteem.
She said in addressing HIV/AIDS in the country, the government had provided a framework for policy direction strategy to undertake both implementation and co-ordination, policy formulation, supervision and resource mobilisation.
She said the total HIV population as of 2009 was estimated at 240,802, prevalence rate of 1.7 per cent and total HIV infection for 2009 was 23,234.
Mrs Quaye said persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected persons must be treated with much love and not stigmatisation, or else they would be compelled to stay in their shells and infect others with the virus.
She said eating, sleeping and using things with an infected person would not put one at risk, adding that there was the need for more education on stigmatisation and discrimination against PLHIV.
GHANA NEEDS MORE PAEDRIATRIC NURSES (PAGE 31, JAN 28, 2010)
Ghana requires about 1,500 paediatric nurses in the next five years to meet the health needs of children in the country, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Nii Oakley Kuma Quaye, has indicated.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
TAKE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES SERIOUSLY — DONEWELL (PAGE 33, JAN 22, 2010)
THE Head of Operations of Donewell Life Company Limited, Mr Edmund Diamond Addo, has advised Ghanaians to take life insurance policy as a way of securing their future should the unexpected happens.
He said most Ghanaians do not take life insurance as compared to motor insurance, a situation he said could be attributed to the lack of education.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic during the company’s annual agents conference in Accra, Mr Addo called on Ghanaians to take life insurance in order to secure their lives in tragic moments.
Mr Addo said the company has targeted GH¢ 7.1 million as its annual income for the year 2010, and encouraged sales executives to work harder to achieve the target.
He also stated that the company had put in place a new motivational package to encourage its workers to come out with the best.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Samuel Oduro, called on the staff to exhibit professionalism in the administration of their duties to project the company’s image.
He said members of staff should ensure that efforts were made to demonstrate quality services, marketing skills and product knowledge at their various work places and urged them to strive harder in bringing on board more business for the company.
He asked members of staff to desist from embezzling contributors funds, adding that the company would not hesitate to prosecute anybody found in the act.
As part of the conference, awards were given to outstanding sales agents of the company.
Mr Ebenezer Adjei, from the Kumasi branch, emerged as the most outstanding sales agent bringing on board 139 individual new businesses for the company. For his price, he received an all paid three days trip to Kenya.
He said most Ghanaians do not take life insurance as compared to motor insurance, a situation he said could be attributed to the lack of education.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic during the company’s annual agents conference in Accra, Mr Addo called on Ghanaians to take life insurance in order to secure their lives in tragic moments.
Mr Addo said the company has targeted GH¢ 7.1 million as its annual income for the year 2010, and encouraged sales executives to work harder to achieve the target.
He also stated that the company had put in place a new motivational package to encourage its workers to come out with the best.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Samuel Oduro, called on the staff to exhibit professionalism in the administration of their duties to project the company’s image.
He said members of staff should ensure that efforts were made to demonstrate quality services, marketing skills and product knowledge at their various work places and urged them to strive harder in bringing on board more business for the company.
He asked members of staff to desist from embezzling contributors funds, adding that the company would not hesitate to prosecute anybody found in the act.
As part of the conference, awards were given to outstanding sales agents of the company.
Mr Ebenezer Adjei, from the Kumasi branch, emerged as the most outstanding sales agent bringing on board 139 individual new businesses for the company. For his price, he received an all paid three days trip to Kenya.
ACCRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES NEW PROGRAMMES (PAGE 11, JAN 22, 2010)
THE Accra Institute of Technology has introduced eleven post graduate and under-graduate degree programmes in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The programmes include computer science, information technology, business administration, engineering, education and management.
The initiative forms part of a collaboration with the Open University of Malaysia (OUM).
The President of OUM, Prof Anuwar Ali, made this known when he led an eight-member delegation of the AIT and OUM to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra on Thursday.
He said the programmes would help address the current crisis of shortage of lecturers with the requisite post-graduate degrees within public and private universities in the West African sub-region.
Prof. Ali said the OUM was the way to go if Ghana was to improve university enrolment and broaden access to tertiary education through the exploitation of the emerging educational delivery technologies and learning resources.
He stated that the open university would provide opportunities for Ghanaians and other West African countries to have access to university education and also study on-line.
Mr Iddrisu stated that the relationship between Ghana and Malaysia had existed since independence, saying that “this makes the collaboration a laudable one”.
He said the ministry was facilitating the development of broadband connectivity to support the private sector and other individuals to motivate learning on-line.
The minister said it was the agenda of the government to develop the capacity of the citizenry in the area of ICT and commended the efforts of the two institutions.
He appealed to the AIT and OUM to make the cost of studies affordable in order to make it accessible to all Ghanaians.
Mr Iddrisu urged civil servants and the public to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in ICT, adding that the world was becoming a global village and that everybody needed to have some knowledge in ICT.
The programmes include computer science, information technology, business administration, engineering, education and management.
The initiative forms part of a collaboration with the Open University of Malaysia (OUM).
The President of OUM, Prof Anuwar Ali, made this known when he led an eight-member delegation of the AIT and OUM to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra on Thursday.
He said the programmes would help address the current crisis of shortage of lecturers with the requisite post-graduate degrees within public and private universities in the West African sub-region.
Prof. Ali said the OUM was the way to go if Ghana was to improve university enrolment and broaden access to tertiary education through the exploitation of the emerging educational delivery technologies and learning resources.
He stated that the open university would provide opportunities for Ghanaians and other West African countries to have access to university education and also study on-line.
Mr Iddrisu stated that the relationship between Ghana and Malaysia had existed since independence, saying that “this makes the collaboration a laudable one”.
He said the ministry was facilitating the development of broadband connectivity to support the private sector and other individuals to motivate learning on-line.
The minister said it was the agenda of the government to develop the capacity of the citizenry in the area of ICT and commended the efforts of the two institutions.
He appealed to the AIT and OUM to make the cost of studies affordable in order to make it accessible to all Ghanaians.
Mr Iddrisu urged civil servants and the public to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in ICT, adding that the world was becoming a global village and that everybody needed to have some knowledge in ICT.
TRADE MINISTRY GETS ADVISORY BOARD (PAGE 30, JAN 20, 2010)
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has inaugurated a nine-member Ministerial Advisory Board to help in the formulation and implementation of the ministry’s policies.
Members of the board were drawn from the ministry’s stakeholders, including the Export Development and Investment Fund, the Association of Ghana Industries, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Ceps) and the ministry itself.
The sector Minister, Ms Hannah Tetteh, said it was important for such a board to be inaugurated to steer the affairs of the ministry.
She said the board would help improve the relationship between the ministry and its stakeholders, especially the private sector, in order to boost the country’s exports.
Ms Tetteh said the ministry had outlined some initiatives on manufacturing policies and private sector development which, when completed, would improve the ministry’s key beneficiaries.
She said at the moment the ministry had challenges with the Economic Partnership Agreement and, therefore, it would be important for the board to advise it on that issue.
She appealed to the members of the board to bring on board quality information to help in the implementation of policies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr George Aboagye, who is also a member of the board, said it was the responsibility of the board to advise the ministry on policies, analyse issues and monitor the implementation of policies for the sector.
He said the board would need support from the ministry and its staff in its administrative work.
He urged all to work together, support one another and listen to its beneficiaries to ensure the success of the board.
Other members of the board are Mr John Gyetuah, Mr William Kofi Larbi, Mr Wilson Attah Krofa, Mr Agyaben Antwi Agyei and Ms Veronica Sadah.
Members of the board were drawn from the ministry’s stakeholders, including the Export Development and Investment Fund, the Association of Ghana Industries, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Ceps) and the ministry itself.
The sector Minister, Ms Hannah Tetteh, said it was important for such a board to be inaugurated to steer the affairs of the ministry.
She said the board would help improve the relationship between the ministry and its stakeholders, especially the private sector, in order to boost the country’s exports.
Ms Tetteh said the ministry had outlined some initiatives on manufacturing policies and private sector development which, when completed, would improve the ministry’s key beneficiaries.
She said at the moment the ministry had challenges with the Economic Partnership Agreement and, therefore, it would be important for the board to advise it on that issue.
She appealed to the members of the board to bring on board quality information to help in the implementation of policies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr George Aboagye, who is also a member of the board, said it was the responsibility of the board to advise the ministry on policies, analyse issues and monitor the implementation of policies for the sector.
He said the board would need support from the ministry and its staff in its administrative work.
He urged all to work together, support one another and listen to its beneficiaries to ensure the success of the board.
Other members of the board are Mr John Gyetuah, Mr William Kofi Larbi, Mr Wilson Attah Krofa, Mr Agyaben Antwi Agyei and Ms Veronica Sadah.
AMUANA PRASO CITIZENS RAISE FUNDS FOR DEV PROJECTS (PAGE 31, JAN 19, 2010)
CITIZENS of Amuana Praso in the Eastern Region resident in Accra last Sunday organised a get-together to discuss development issues concerning their home town.
The meeting was also used to raise funds to support development activities in the town.
Specific development agenda which the residents deliberated on and raised funds to take care of were the rehabilitation of an old post office building to be converted into a police station, the road leading to the town and electricity supply.
The residents realised GH¢9,200 through the fund-raising, with the Member of Parliament (MP) for New Abirem, Mrs Esther Obeng Dapaah, contributing GH¢4,000.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Dapaah said the community deserved its share of the nation’s resources in terms of infrastructure, since the people contributed to the economy of the country by way of producing cash and food crops.
She said she had already communicated the plight of the community on the floor of Parliament and promised to do her best to get things done for the people.
Mrs Dapaah promised to support the community in every way she could and appealed to the citizens to be caretakers of any facility they would be provided with.
The chief of Amuana Praso, Nana Opoku Agyemang II, said the citizen of the area had always helped in the development of their communities for the past years, especially through communal labour, and urged them to continue to do so.
He said he was forced to call on the citizens in Accra to raise funds after he received a message that the police station would be transferred to another area if the community was not able to provide the service with an office accommodation.
Nana Opoku Agyemang also reminded the people of the upcoming Amantuo festival scheduled for the Easter period, and called on all citizens of the town to attend and contribute their quota.
The chief, who was enstooled about three years ago, said he also used the opportunity to visit his people in Accra to find out how they were faring.
The Chairman of the Amuana Praso Citizens Association in Accra, Mr Ofori Owusu, urged the members and all others to contribute their quota to the development of the town and gave them the assurance that their contribution would be used for the intended purpose.
The Vice-Chairman of the association, who was also the chairman for the function, Mr Ofori Kusi, encouraged the youth to work hard and also look up to people who had made it in life as their role models but not to get them discouraged.
He also called on other citizens who were not members of the association to join it, since together they could achieve a lot.
The meeting was also used to raise funds to support development activities in the town.
Specific development agenda which the residents deliberated on and raised funds to take care of were the rehabilitation of an old post office building to be converted into a police station, the road leading to the town and electricity supply.
The residents realised GH¢9,200 through the fund-raising, with the Member of Parliament (MP) for New Abirem, Mrs Esther Obeng Dapaah, contributing GH¢4,000.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Dapaah said the community deserved its share of the nation’s resources in terms of infrastructure, since the people contributed to the economy of the country by way of producing cash and food crops.
She said she had already communicated the plight of the community on the floor of Parliament and promised to do her best to get things done for the people.
Mrs Dapaah promised to support the community in every way she could and appealed to the citizens to be caretakers of any facility they would be provided with.
The chief of Amuana Praso, Nana Opoku Agyemang II, said the citizen of the area had always helped in the development of their communities for the past years, especially through communal labour, and urged them to continue to do so.
He said he was forced to call on the citizens in Accra to raise funds after he received a message that the police station would be transferred to another area if the community was not able to provide the service with an office accommodation.
Nana Opoku Agyemang also reminded the people of the upcoming Amantuo festival scheduled for the Easter period, and called on all citizens of the town to attend and contribute their quota.
The chief, who was enstooled about three years ago, said he also used the opportunity to visit his people in Accra to find out how they were faring.
The Chairman of the Amuana Praso Citizens Association in Accra, Mr Ofori Owusu, urged the members and all others to contribute their quota to the development of the town and gave them the assurance that their contribution would be used for the intended purpose.
The Vice-Chairman of the association, who was also the chairman for the function, Mr Ofori Kusi, encouraged the youth to work hard and also look up to people who had made it in life as their role models but not to get them discouraged.
He also called on other citizens who were not members of the association to join it, since together they could achieve a lot.
FAO COMMITED TO FOOD SECURITY (PAGE 6, JAN 19, 2010)
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative to Ghana, Mr Musa Saihou Mbenga, has stated that the FAO is committed to assisting Ghana in implementing policies to improve food security in the country and also enhance the living standards of poor and vulnerable people, most of who are women.
Making the statement in an address read on his behalf at the 10th anniversary of the Development Action Association (DAA) in Accra, he urged the government to step up efforts to boost marketing of agricultural products by linking small-scale farmers, especially women, to regional, national and global trade systems.
The DAA emerged out of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign and Action for Development programme of the FAO, in the Greater Accra Region, to empower rural women in the area of agriculture.
Mr Mbenga said it was important for the government to modernise agriculture to increase access to support services such as research findings, credit and input supply to add value to crops, fish and animal products.
He said the FAO in collaboration with the DAA introduced modern fish smoking, and also trained women in entrepreneurial skills to help them manage their businesses efficiently.
He said over the years agriculture had played a major role in the development of the country, adding that the sector was the country’s main source of food security.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, congratulated the association on its contribution to food security in the country.
She said the association over the years had grown into a viable organisation that had empowered women.
She encouraged women to work selflessly to improve on their living conditions, and to make impacts in their various communities and promised the ministry’s support to the operations of the organisation.
The Executive Director of DAA, Mrs Lydia Sasu, said the organisation was operating in 46 communities in the country with 98 per cent of the beneficiaries being rural women.
She said its main areas of operation included fish processing, cassava production, vegetable production, food crops production and small animals rearing, as well as the provision of micro-credit.
Mrs Sasu said the objectives of the organisation was to initiate a process of development which was based on the transfer of skills and competencies, to provide support and services for its members and to implement sustainable development programmes in the country.
She appealed to the government to support them build a permanent office and improve the road network in the rural areas to help them transport their farm produce.
Making the statement in an address read on his behalf at the 10th anniversary of the Development Action Association (DAA) in Accra, he urged the government to step up efforts to boost marketing of agricultural products by linking small-scale farmers, especially women, to regional, national and global trade systems.
The DAA emerged out of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign and Action for Development programme of the FAO, in the Greater Accra Region, to empower rural women in the area of agriculture.
Mr Mbenga said it was important for the government to modernise agriculture to increase access to support services such as research findings, credit and input supply to add value to crops, fish and animal products.
He said the FAO in collaboration with the DAA introduced modern fish smoking, and also trained women in entrepreneurial skills to help them manage their businesses efficiently.
He said over the years agriculture had played a major role in the development of the country, adding that the sector was the country’s main source of food security.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, congratulated the association on its contribution to food security in the country.
She said the association over the years had grown into a viable organisation that had empowered women.
She encouraged women to work selflessly to improve on their living conditions, and to make impacts in their various communities and promised the ministry’s support to the operations of the organisation.
The Executive Director of DAA, Mrs Lydia Sasu, said the organisation was operating in 46 communities in the country with 98 per cent of the beneficiaries being rural women.
She said its main areas of operation included fish processing, cassava production, vegetable production, food crops production and small animals rearing, as well as the provision of micro-credit.
Mrs Sasu said the objectives of the organisation was to initiate a process of development which was based on the transfer of skills and competencies, to provide support and services for its members and to implement sustainable development programmes in the country.
She appealed to the government to support them build a permanent office and improve the road network in the rural areas to help them transport their farm produce.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
MINISTER CALLS FOR CLASSIFICATION OF ROAD CONTRACTORS (PAGE 15, JAN 16, 2010)
THE Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, has called for the review of conditions for classification of road contracts of government projects.
He said the current classification had contributed to the selection of road contractors who had failed to deliver to the expectation of the sector.
Speaking at the Fourth Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) in Accra yesterday, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the classification centred more on the equipment of a company instead of its effectiveness and the total human resource.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo appealed to the union members to collaborate with other stakeholders in the road sector to bring about efficiency in the dispensation of their work.
He said most of the projects that were being undertaken in the country were at a slow pace and urged the contractors to collectively speed them up.
He appealed to the directors of the GHA to ensure that Internal Payment Certificates (IPC) were justified before they signed them.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo deplored the tendency where some of them demanded money before endorsing IPCs and advised those involved in such practices to put a stop to it.
He advised the union to institute an award scheme to reward hardworking members as a source of motivation at the end of every year.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo hinted that a labour-based training programme would be organised for unionised staff in all the regions to help them upgrade their skills.
He appealed to the members to report encroachment on land earmarked for roads as early warning signal systems to avoid compensation being paid to such encroachers by the government when it wanted to construct or expand on such roads.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo called on the union to devise plans which were attainable at the end of the year for government support.
The acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Mr Kwadjo Nyapong Aboagye, called on the government to help in the prompt payment of monies meant for the transfer of personnel of the authority to ease their burden when they report to their new post.
The General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union, Mr Pius Quainoo, appealed to the government to allow the union of the building and construction workers of the GHA to fully participate in the negotiations on the end-of-service benefits for their workers.
He said those of them in the building and construction sector of the GHA had been denied all social regulations and labour rights.
He deplored the undue interference from public authorities in the daily administration of the GHA in all the regions and added that it was a violation of trade union rights of the workers and amounted to undermining the labour contracts existing between the authority and its staff.
Mr Quainoo appealed to the government to appoint a substantive Board Chairman for the GHA to enable the authority to carry out its functions effectively.
He said the current classification had contributed to the selection of road contractors who had failed to deliver to the expectation of the sector.
Speaking at the Fourth Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) in Accra yesterday, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the classification centred more on the equipment of a company instead of its effectiveness and the total human resource.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo appealed to the union members to collaborate with other stakeholders in the road sector to bring about efficiency in the dispensation of their work.
He said most of the projects that were being undertaken in the country were at a slow pace and urged the contractors to collectively speed them up.
He appealed to the directors of the GHA to ensure that Internal Payment Certificates (IPC) were justified before they signed them.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo deplored the tendency where some of them demanded money before endorsing IPCs and advised those involved in such practices to put a stop to it.
He advised the union to institute an award scheme to reward hardworking members as a source of motivation at the end of every year.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo hinted that a labour-based training programme would be organised for unionised staff in all the regions to help them upgrade their skills.
He appealed to the members to report encroachment on land earmarked for roads as early warning signal systems to avoid compensation being paid to such encroachers by the government when it wanted to construct or expand on such roads.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo called on the union to devise plans which were attainable at the end of the year for government support.
The acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), Mr Kwadjo Nyapong Aboagye, called on the government to help in the prompt payment of monies meant for the transfer of personnel of the authority to ease their burden when they report to their new post.
The General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union, Mr Pius Quainoo, appealed to the government to allow the union of the building and construction workers of the GHA to fully participate in the negotiations on the end-of-service benefits for their workers.
He said those of them in the building and construction sector of the GHA had been denied all social regulations and labour rights.
He deplored the undue interference from public authorities in the daily administration of the GHA in all the regions and added that it was a violation of trade union rights of the workers and amounted to undermining the labour contracts existing between the authority and its staff.
Mr Quainoo appealed to the government to appoint a substantive Board Chairman for the GHA to enable the authority to carry out its functions effectively.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
ABEKA YOUTH ORGANISE CLEAN UP (PAGE 30, JAN 15, 2010)
The Rural Urban Partnership of Africa (RUPFA), in collaboration with the Abeka Youth Club and the Okaikoi North Sub-Metro have organised a clean-up exercise at Abeka to improve on their sanitation conditions.
The exercise dubbed “The youth and environment sanitation, the way forward,” was aimed at creating and maintaining awareness among the youth and the general public on the need to make environmental care a responsibility.
RUPFA is a non-governmental organisation aimed at minimising the rural-urban drift and poverty in the country, thereby reducing the pressure on urban landscape.
The Executive Director of RUPFA, Mr Richard Ashaley, said the organisation chose the Abeka community as a pilot base to implement its policies since most of the members come from the community.
He pointed out that the gesture was to broaden the mindset of the youth and encourage them to go beyond keeping their environment clean.
“The exercise will create a platform to motivate waste management companies in the cleaning of the environment and change negative perceptions of people about such organisations”, he stated.
He urged all youth clubs in the country to organise clean-up exercises as part of their annual activities.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Chairman of the Okaikoi North Sub-metro, Mr Stephen Afutu Neequaye, indicated that it was the duty of the assembly to clean its environment to improve the health of people in the sub-metro.
He said there was the need to educate the society on how to dispose of waste materials to reduce the sanitation problem in the country.
Mr Afutu advised the youth to make it a responsibility to clean their environment often.
He urged the government to put in place measures to help recycle rubber products in the country.
The President of the Abeka Youth Club, Mr Richard Nii Amoo, encouraged members to ensure unity in all their activities.
The exercise dubbed “The youth and environment sanitation, the way forward,” was aimed at creating and maintaining awareness among the youth and the general public on the need to make environmental care a responsibility.
RUPFA is a non-governmental organisation aimed at minimising the rural-urban drift and poverty in the country, thereby reducing the pressure on urban landscape.
The Executive Director of RUPFA, Mr Richard Ashaley, said the organisation chose the Abeka community as a pilot base to implement its policies since most of the members come from the community.
He pointed out that the gesture was to broaden the mindset of the youth and encourage them to go beyond keeping their environment clean.
“The exercise will create a platform to motivate waste management companies in the cleaning of the environment and change negative perceptions of people about such organisations”, he stated.
He urged all youth clubs in the country to organise clean-up exercises as part of their annual activities.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Chairman of the Okaikoi North Sub-metro, Mr Stephen Afutu Neequaye, indicated that it was the duty of the assembly to clean its environment to improve the health of people in the sub-metro.
He said there was the need to educate the society on how to dispose of waste materials to reduce the sanitation problem in the country.
Mr Afutu advised the youth to make it a responsibility to clean their environment often.
He urged the government to put in place measures to help recycle rubber products in the country.
The President of the Abeka Youth Club, Mr Richard Nii Amoo, encouraged members to ensure unity in all their activities.
LET'S RESUSCIATE COLLAPSED INDUSTRIES (PAGE 33, JAN 15, 2010)
THE immediate past Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof Stephen Adei, has appealed to the government to help resuscitate collapsed businesses in the country.
He said for the fear of supporting their opponents governments have tended to run down businesses suspected to be owned by members of the opposition, adding that the practice had lasted for the past 50 years.
Prof Adei said this when he launched the Opportunities 2010 Conference, which provides the platform for the cross fertilisation of business ideas.
The conference which is slated for February 24-25, 2010 is on the theme “identifying Ghana’s Business Opportunities for Sustainable Wealth Creation”.
The conference will bring together high profile businessmen and women, entrepreneurs and professionals to share ideas on how to improve on the business environment in the country.
The speakers are expected to make knowledge based projections and to fully explore all the business opportunities in the various sectors of the economy for 2010.
Prof Adei said Ghana could generate a 15 per cent of growth rate per annum which would intend double the income rate per head in five years.
He urged the government to make a deliberate attempt to create worth in the country in order to increase opportunities for the unemployed youth in the country.
He said there was the need to also create a better environment for personal and business security in the country to help the growth of Ghanaian business in t he country.
A Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Francis Kusi, said the conference would serve as a platform to share ideas in the business sector to enhance the growth of businesses in Ghana.
He said government would continue to encourage and help the business sector to grow.
A representative of Zain Telecommunication, Ransford Mills, said in the era of the global financial crisis there was a need for brainstorming to find solutions to problems in the economy.
Speakers for the conference include, Prof Stephen Adei, formerly of GIMPA; Mr Patrick Awuah, Ashesi University; Mr Kwame Pianim, Economist; Ms Jean Mensa, IEA; Ms Joyce Aryee, Ghana Chamber of Mines; Mr Philip Sowah, Zain Ghana and Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group.
He said for the fear of supporting their opponents governments have tended to run down businesses suspected to be owned by members of the opposition, adding that the practice had lasted for the past 50 years.
Prof Adei said this when he launched the Opportunities 2010 Conference, which provides the platform for the cross fertilisation of business ideas.
The conference which is slated for February 24-25, 2010 is on the theme “identifying Ghana’s Business Opportunities for Sustainable Wealth Creation”.
The conference will bring together high profile businessmen and women, entrepreneurs and professionals to share ideas on how to improve on the business environment in the country.
The speakers are expected to make knowledge based projections and to fully explore all the business opportunities in the various sectors of the economy for 2010.
Prof Adei said Ghana could generate a 15 per cent of growth rate per annum which would intend double the income rate per head in five years.
He urged the government to make a deliberate attempt to create worth in the country in order to increase opportunities for the unemployed youth in the country.
He said there was the need to also create a better environment for personal and business security in the country to help the growth of Ghanaian business in t he country.
A Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Francis Kusi, said the conference would serve as a platform to share ideas in the business sector to enhance the growth of businesses in Ghana.
He said government would continue to encourage and help the business sector to grow.
A representative of Zain Telecommunication, Ransford Mills, said in the era of the global financial crisis there was a need for brainstorming to find solutions to problems in the economy.
Speakers for the conference include, Prof Stephen Adei, formerly of GIMPA; Mr Patrick Awuah, Ashesi University; Mr Kwame Pianim, Economist; Ms Jean Mensa, IEA; Ms Joyce Aryee, Ghana Chamber of Mines; Mr Philip Sowah, Zain Ghana and Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group.
BAN ON HARMFUL GADGETS START END OF YEAR (PAGE 31, JAN 12, 2010)
A ban on the importation of electrical gadgets which contain ozone depleting chemicals (ODCs) will become effective by the end of 2010, an official of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.
The measure is in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, which enjoins countries to stop the manufacture and importation of such gadgets.
When the ban comes into effect, goods such as second-hand refrigerators, computers and vehicular tyres containing those substances will not be allowed into the country.
The Public Relations Officer of the EPA, Mr William Abaidoo, told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra that the Montreal Protocol placed trade sanctions on substances that depleted the ozone layer, as well as a limitation on the importation of such goods, particularly into Third World countries.
Mr Abaidoo said most of those gadgets imported into the country had almost reached the end of their lifespan and, therefore, their continued importation would make the country a dumping site for such goods.
He said most of those electrical gadgets had been abandoned elsewhere, adding that worn-out tyres and scraps from the computers were burnt for various activities.
Experts believe that the substances or the compounds, such as chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), which are emitted into the atmosphere could significantly deplete the ozone layer that shields the planet from harmful ultra-violet rays from the sun.
Mr Abaidoo said most people were ignorant of the toxic substances that were found in such gadgets, adding that young men who were engaged in removing copper wires from scraps were highly at risk, since they were exposed to those toxic substances.
He advised government agencies to work in concert with the EPA to enforce the ban to check the inflow of such goods in order to prevent the country from being a dumping site for such goods.
The measure is in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, which enjoins countries to stop the manufacture and importation of such gadgets.
When the ban comes into effect, goods such as second-hand refrigerators, computers and vehicular tyres containing those substances will not be allowed into the country.
The Public Relations Officer of the EPA, Mr William Abaidoo, told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Accra that the Montreal Protocol placed trade sanctions on substances that depleted the ozone layer, as well as a limitation on the importation of such goods, particularly into Third World countries.
Mr Abaidoo said most of those gadgets imported into the country had almost reached the end of their lifespan and, therefore, their continued importation would make the country a dumping site for such goods.
He said most of those electrical gadgets had been abandoned elsewhere, adding that worn-out tyres and scraps from the computers were burnt for various activities.
Experts believe that the substances or the compounds, such as chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), which are emitted into the atmosphere could significantly deplete the ozone layer that shields the planet from harmful ultra-violet rays from the sun.
Mr Abaidoo said most people were ignorant of the toxic substances that were found in such gadgets, adding that young men who were engaged in removing copper wires from scraps were highly at risk, since they were exposed to those toxic substances.
He advised government agencies to work in concert with the EPA to enforce the ban to check the inflow of such goods in order to prevent the country from being a dumping site for such goods.
Monday, February 22, 2010
MOVES TO HAVE LOCAL RICE PATRONISED (PAGE 31, JAN 07, 2010)
THE Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PAG) has urged the government to make it obligatory for security agencies and government-assisted schools to patronise locally produced rice.
The measure, if implemented, would create ready market for local rice in the country.
The President of the PAG, Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, made the appeal at a rice bazaar in Accra yesterday.
Jointly organised by the PAG and the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition, the bazaar saw participants, including the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr Amadu Sorogo, and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance, Dr Akoto Osei, and officials of the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Prisons Service and other officials enjoy varieties of local rice dishes.
Mr Nashiru argued that locally produced rice was healthier and cheaper than imported rice.
He said patronage of local rice would motivate rice farmers to produce more rice and ensure food security in the country.
Mr Nashiru noted that the government was making effort to expand rice production in the country.
He mentioned the Expanded Rice Production Project, the revamping of the Aveyime Rice Project and the Rice Sector Support Project as examples.
Besides, he said, rice producers had received new farm machinery and equipment, such as new tractors, combined harvesters, rice processing machines with distoners and colour sorters and fertilisers at subsidised prices.
Therefore, Mr Nashiru said, Ghanaians should show patriotism by buying local rice to give meaning to the government’s support for rice production and keep the local rice farmers in business.
He said local rice farmers had the capacity to produce enough rice to satisfy all Ghanaian consumers if the government supported them with more machines and equipment and more Ghanaians began to buy local rice.
Mr Sorogo gave the assurance that the government would pass the necessary legislation to support local rice farmers.
He said the government would encourage rice consumption in institutions.
Dr Osei stressed the need for the government to support local rice farmers with loans to enable them to produce more rice to satisfy the Ghanaian consumer.
The measure, if implemented, would create ready market for local rice in the country.
The President of the PAG, Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, made the appeal at a rice bazaar in Accra yesterday.
Jointly organised by the PAG and the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition, the bazaar saw participants, including the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr Amadu Sorogo, and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance, Dr Akoto Osei, and officials of the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Prisons Service and other officials enjoy varieties of local rice dishes.
Mr Nashiru argued that locally produced rice was healthier and cheaper than imported rice.
He said patronage of local rice would motivate rice farmers to produce more rice and ensure food security in the country.
Mr Nashiru noted that the government was making effort to expand rice production in the country.
He mentioned the Expanded Rice Production Project, the revamping of the Aveyime Rice Project and the Rice Sector Support Project as examples.
Besides, he said, rice producers had received new farm machinery and equipment, such as new tractors, combined harvesters, rice processing machines with distoners and colour sorters and fertilisers at subsidised prices.
Therefore, Mr Nashiru said, Ghanaians should show patriotism by buying local rice to give meaning to the government’s support for rice production and keep the local rice farmers in business.
He said local rice farmers had the capacity to produce enough rice to satisfy all Ghanaian consumers if the government supported them with more machines and equipment and more Ghanaians began to buy local rice.
Mr Sorogo gave the assurance that the government would pass the necessary legislation to support local rice farmers.
He said the government would encourage rice consumption in institutions.
Dr Osei stressed the need for the government to support local rice farmers with loans to enable them to produce more rice to satisfy the Ghanaian consumer.
ECG Donates To Plastic Surgery Centre (Page 28, Feb 22)
THE Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing Sqn Ldr Clend Sowu, has called on the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and disaster management institutions to make data management a priority to reduce fire outbreaks in the country.
He said data on fire outbreaks collected on a yearly basis could help in the reduction of fire disasters if they were managed properly.
He said this when he led a four-member delegation from the ECG to donate a patient monitoring system worth 23,000 Euros to the Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Patient Monitoring System is to help physicians to detect areas of special attention even when burns patients are wrapped in bandages.
It also provides a clear view of patient data and a clear path to improved patient care.
Sqn Ldr Sowu said there was the need for the institution of more educational programmes on fire to create awareness among the citizenry.
He said the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and appealed to other organisations to help the centre.
He expressed shock at the fire outbreak that gutted former President Rawlings’s house, adding that he was happy no one had been hurt.
Receiving the items, the Director of Administration at Korle-Bu, Mr Chris Nartey, said the unit was a critical one and needed more support from corporate bodies.
He was grateful to the ECG for the gesture and promise to make good use of the system to enhance the monitoring of patients at the centre.
Dr Anthony G. Laing, a consultant plastic surgeon at Korle-Bu, said the centre needed more improvement, such as increment in staff and equipment.
He said there were plans to build a separate centre for burns and plastic surgery at the hospital to help cater for patients who were brought to the centre.
He appealed to the government and corporate bodies to come to the aid of the centre, since more patient monitoring systems were needed at the centre.
He said data on fire outbreaks collected on a yearly basis could help in the reduction of fire disasters if they were managed properly.
He said this when he led a four-member delegation from the ECG to donate a patient monitoring system worth 23,000 Euros to the Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The Patient Monitoring System is to help physicians to detect areas of special attention even when burns patients are wrapped in bandages.
It also provides a clear view of patient data and a clear path to improved patient care.
Sqn Ldr Sowu said there was the need for the institution of more educational programmes on fire to create awareness among the citizenry.
He said the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and appealed to other organisations to help the centre.
He expressed shock at the fire outbreak that gutted former President Rawlings’s house, adding that he was happy no one had been hurt.
Receiving the items, the Director of Administration at Korle-Bu, Mr Chris Nartey, said the unit was a critical one and needed more support from corporate bodies.
He was grateful to the ECG for the gesture and promise to make good use of the system to enhance the monitoring of patients at the centre.
Dr Anthony G. Laing, a consultant plastic surgeon at Korle-Bu, said the centre needed more improvement, such as increment in staff and equipment.
He said there were plans to build a separate centre for burns and plastic surgery at the hospital to help cater for patients who were brought to the centre.
He appealed to the government and corporate bodies to come to the aid of the centre, since more patient monitoring systems were needed at the centre.
Minister Launches Paragliding Festival (Center Spread, 20 Feb)
The Minister for Tourism, Mrs Sabah Zita Okaikoi, has said the promotion of domestic tourism would be her major pursuit in the tourism sector.
She said her vision was to enable the sector to move from its current position as the fourth major foreign exchange earner to become the prime source of public revenue.
She was speaking at the launch of the Paragliding Festival to be held in Kwahu in the Eastern Region from April 2-5, 2010.
The festival, dubbed ”Okwahu 2010”, will attract to the Kwahu community an influx of visitors and tourists.
The festival this year takes on a new look from previous editions with the inclusion of a marathon walk, adventure hikes and health walks.
Mrs Okaikoi said the festival had established itself on the international schedule of Paragliding and would receive experienced pilots from Austria, Germany, South Africa, United State of America, Togo and Switzerland.
She said Ghana’s Paragliding Festival was one of the most adventurous, unique and exciting in the world, adding that the event would go a long way to enrich tourism in the country.
She encouraged the organisers to nurture and promote the festival to attract the desired international attention and participation.
The tourism minister appealed to corporate Ghana to support the Paragliding event and all other such events.
The Obohene and Nifahene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan II, said the festival had added a new dimension to the celebration of festivals in the Eastern Region.
He said the festival would bring about economic and social values through the exchange of cultural values among participants.
It would also bring new employment opportunities to the citizens of Kwahu for the benefit of the country as a whole.
Nana Obuagyan said festivals must be promoted through all the media in order to boost their participation.
He called on business entities to explore other activities in the area for the benefit of the tourism sector and the country.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Julius Debrah, said the festival would be the best Paragliding event on the continent.
He said preparations had been made to broadcast the festival on international broadcasting stations, including China and South Africa.
He encouraged indigenous businesses in the area to advertise their products through the mounting of flags at the Paragliding site.
She said her vision was to enable the sector to move from its current position as the fourth major foreign exchange earner to become the prime source of public revenue.
She was speaking at the launch of the Paragliding Festival to be held in Kwahu in the Eastern Region from April 2-5, 2010.
The festival, dubbed ”Okwahu 2010”, will attract to the Kwahu community an influx of visitors and tourists.
The festival this year takes on a new look from previous editions with the inclusion of a marathon walk, adventure hikes and health walks.
Mrs Okaikoi said the festival had established itself on the international schedule of Paragliding and would receive experienced pilots from Austria, Germany, South Africa, United State of America, Togo and Switzerland.
She said Ghana’s Paragliding Festival was one of the most adventurous, unique and exciting in the world, adding that the event would go a long way to enrich tourism in the country.
She encouraged the organisers to nurture and promote the festival to attract the desired international attention and participation.
The tourism minister appealed to corporate Ghana to support the Paragliding event and all other such events.
The Obohene and Nifahene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Nana Yeboah Afari Obuagyan II, said the festival had added a new dimension to the celebration of festivals in the Eastern Region.
He said the festival would bring about economic and social values through the exchange of cultural values among participants.
It would also bring new employment opportunities to the citizens of Kwahu for the benefit of the country as a whole.
Nana Obuagyan said festivals must be promoted through all the media in order to boost their participation.
He called on business entities to explore other activities in the area for the benefit of the tourism sector and the country.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board, Mr Julius Debrah, said the festival would be the best Paragliding event on the continent.
He said preparations had been made to broadcast the festival on international broadcasting stations, including China and South Africa.
He encouraged indigenous businesses in the area to advertise their products through the mounting of flags at the Paragliding site.
CALL FOR RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR PASTORS (PAGE 23, JAN 6, 2010)
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has been urged to put measures in place to ensure the renewal of licences of pastors after two years of operations.
This is expected to help check charlatans who are misconducting themselves.
The call was made by the General Overseer of the Great Solution Centre, Rev. Seth Nana Opoku, who was speaking at the ordination ceremony of 15 pastors last Saturday.
He attributed the cause of pastors fighting each other to a lack of mentoring by the council and the love of money.
He advised the pastors to desist from using big titles, since they meant nothing in the work of God. He appealed to them to lead simple lives to attract the blessing of God upon their lives.
Rev. Opoku urged the pastors to advertise God but not to commercialise him for their own selfish desires.
The ordination was done by a former CCG General Secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Asore, who advised the ministers to walk their talks and depend on God at all times.
He also appealed to them to desist from living lives that would bring disgrace to the church and upon themselves in the future.
This is expected to help check charlatans who are misconducting themselves.
The call was made by the General Overseer of the Great Solution Centre, Rev. Seth Nana Opoku, who was speaking at the ordination ceremony of 15 pastors last Saturday.
He attributed the cause of pastors fighting each other to a lack of mentoring by the council and the love of money.
He advised the pastors to desist from using big titles, since they meant nothing in the work of God. He appealed to them to lead simple lives to attract the blessing of God upon their lives.
Rev. Opoku urged the pastors to advertise God but not to commercialise him for their own selfish desires.
The ordination was done by a former CCG General Secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Asore, who advised the ministers to walk their talks and depend on God at all times.
He also appealed to them to desist from living lives that would bring disgrace to the church and upon themselves in the future.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
GUTA Launches Pension Scheme (Page 47, Feb 4)
A NEW pension scheme to cater for the interest of workers in the informal sector under the voluntary contribution third-tier system has been launched for the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA).
The new scheme was entered into by GUTA on behalf of its members with Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO) as the scheme operators.
At a brief ceremony to formalise the relationship, the Chief Executive Officer of Glico, Mr Kwame Acheampong Kyei, said the old pension scheme was virtually the preserve of workers in the formal sector, which excluded people in the informal sector, and it was imperative for those excluded to make provisions for their own future retirement benefits.
Mr Kyei said under the new pension law, the third-tier scheme allowed hardworking Ghanaians in the informal sector to also have their own pension schemes and praised GUTA for the initiative.
He said GLICO, for the past years, had had enormous experience and expertise in pensions management and therefore assured GUTA of a satisfactory service from the company.
The pension scheme saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties, which makes GLICO an administrator, custodian and funds manager for the members of GUTA.
The President of GUTA, Mr George Ofori, said the association was concerned with the welfare of its members hence the collaboration to provide the pension plan for them.
He said the MoU would serve as a framework for both parties to work with and cater for the peculiar welfare needs of the traders in the informal sector, which constituted about 80 per cent of the country's workforce.
"GUTA as a body wants to indicate that it has plans to use this scheme as a launching pad to raise funds to support our plans for our own bank," he said.
He extended the association's gratitude to GLICO for seeing the need to partner them.
The new scheme was entered into by GUTA on behalf of its members with Gemini Life Insurance Company (GLICO) as the scheme operators.
At a brief ceremony to formalise the relationship, the Chief Executive Officer of Glico, Mr Kwame Acheampong Kyei, said the old pension scheme was virtually the preserve of workers in the formal sector, which excluded people in the informal sector, and it was imperative for those excluded to make provisions for their own future retirement benefits.
Mr Kyei said under the new pension law, the third-tier scheme allowed hardworking Ghanaians in the informal sector to also have their own pension schemes and praised GUTA for the initiative.
He said GLICO, for the past years, had had enormous experience and expertise in pensions management and therefore assured GUTA of a satisfactory service from the company.
The pension scheme saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties, which makes GLICO an administrator, custodian and funds manager for the members of GUTA.
The President of GUTA, Mr George Ofori, said the association was concerned with the welfare of its members hence the collaboration to provide the pension plan for them.
He said the MoU would serve as a framework for both parties to work with and cater for the peculiar welfare needs of the traders in the informal sector, which constituted about 80 per cent of the country's workforce.
"GUTA as a body wants to indicate that it has plans to use this scheme as a launching pad to raise funds to support our plans for our own bank," he said.
He extended the association's gratitude to GLICO for seeing the need to partner them.
Milicom Rewards Loyal Customers (Page 30, Feb 3)
Milicom Ghana Limited, operators of Tigo telecommunication network, has rewarded its loyal subscribers through the Tigo promotion.
The promotion, dubbed ‘Tigo Xmas bonanza’ sought to encourage Tigo subscribers to receive more prizes through the promotion.
It engaged subscribers to text TIGO to the short code 3030 to win exciting prizes from the network.
Some prizes received daily by the subscribers included cash, free SMS and voice minutes.
The ultimate prize winner was Mr Obass Omougele, who took home GH¢30,000.
The Brands Manager, Mr Nana Ampra Tsum, said the promotion lasted for two months and received over 200,000 entries.
He said winners were randomly picked through weekly draws on Fridays for the daily cash prizes.
He said the promotion had helped many of its subscribers to enjoy the festive season and also bring about some changes in their lives.
The occasion also saw the launch of another promotion, dubbed ‘Tigo Mega promo’.
Launching the promotion, the Business Intelligence Manager, Ms Rosy Fynn, said it would run for two months and reward over 200,000 subscribers with 10 daily cash prizes, free SMS and voice minutes.
The promotion will require a subscriber to text Tigo to 3030 for a fee of 50Gp each, the ultimate prize winner taking home GH¢20,000.
She encouraged the network subscribers to continue using the product and get involved in the promotion to win exciting prizes.
Other winners of the Xmas promo were Philip Kuma, Kwame Asare, Irene Yeboah, Benjamin Sarpong, Larry Otoo, Daniel Mingle and many others.
Mr Omougele expressed his gratitude to the management of Tigo for the reward and advised non subscribers to join the Tigo family and take part in its promotions.
The promotion, dubbed ‘Tigo Xmas bonanza’ sought to encourage Tigo subscribers to receive more prizes through the promotion.
It engaged subscribers to text TIGO to the short code 3030 to win exciting prizes from the network.
Some prizes received daily by the subscribers included cash, free SMS and voice minutes.
The ultimate prize winner was Mr Obass Omougele, who took home GH¢30,000.
The Brands Manager, Mr Nana Ampra Tsum, said the promotion lasted for two months and received over 200,000 entries.
He said winners were randomly picked through weekly draws on Fridays for the daily cash prizes.
He said the promotion had helped many of its subscribers to enjoy the festive season and also bring about some changes in their lives.
The occasion also saw the launch of another promotion, dubbed ‘Tigo Mega promo’.
Launching the promotion, the Business Intelligence Manager, Ms Rosy Fynn, said it would run for two months and reward over 200,000 subscribers with 10 daily cash prizes, free SMS and voice minutes.
The promotion will require a subscriber to text Tigo to 3030 for a fee of 50Gp each, the ultimate prize winner taking home GH¢20,000.
She encouraged the network subscribers to continue using the product and get involved in the promotion to win exciting prizes.
Other winners of the Xmas promo were Philip Kuma, Kwame Asare, Irene Yeboah, Benjamin Sarpong, Larry Otoo, Daniel Mingle and many others.
Mr Omougele expressed his gratitude to the management of Tigo for the reward and advised non subscribers to join the Tigo family and take part in its promotions.
People With Disability Still Suffer Discrimination-Says Acting Chief Psychiatrist (Page, 14, Feb 3)
Ghana requires about 1,500 paediatric nurses in the next five years to meet the health needs of children in the country, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Nii Oakley Kuma Quaye, has indicated.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
Nestle Honours Consumers (Page, 29, Feb 3)
Nestle Ghana Limited, manufactures of Milo Food drink has rewarded its loyal consumers through the Milo promotion.
The Promotion dubbed the Milo Go for Goals Promo was aimed at engaging Milo core target group in winning exciting prices from the brand.
The raffle, which was drawn last Saturday, rewarded over 50 consumers of Milo food drink.
The ultimate prize, a trip to South Africa and spending money, went to Mr Yaw Abroad and Mr Agustine Boamah.
Other prizes include, Bicycles, mobile phones, Milo branded bags, bibs and Jerseys.
The Category Business Manager for Beverages, Mr Samuel Osafo said the promotion had over 250,000 entries since its launch on 2nd November 2009.
He said since the establishment of the brand Milo, 38 years ago in the country, it has been the preferred beverage of most people.
He said over the years the product has provided good nutrition and has acted as a good source of purposeful energy to its patrons.
"Milo drinkers are able to build up the required amount of energy to go through a day's activities" he said.
Mr Osafo said the special attributes of Milo makes it an ideal drink for active and sports minded people especially growing children.
The Promotion dubbed the Milo Go for Goals Promo was aimed at engaging Milo core target group in winning exciting prices from the brand.
The raffle, which was drawn last Saturday, rewarded over 50 consumers of Milo food drink.
The ultimate prize, a trip to South Africa and spending money, went to Mr Yaw Abroad and Mr Agustine Boamah.
Other prizes include, Bicycles, mobile phones, Milo branded bags, bibs and Jerseys.
The Category Business Manager for Beverages, Mr Samuel Osafo said the promotion had over 250,000 entries since its launch on 2nd November 2009.
He said since the establishment of the brand Milo, 38 years ago in the country, it has been the preferred beverage of most people.
He said over the years the product has provided good nutrition and has acted as a good source of purposeful energy to its patrons.
"Milo drinkers are able to build up the required amount of energy to go through a day's activities" he said.
Mr Osafo said the special attributes of Milo makes it an ideal drink for active and sports minded people especially growing children.
Ghana Needs More Pawdriatric Nurses (Page, 47, Jan 28)
Ghana requires about 1,500 paediatric nurses in the next five years to meet the health needs of children in the country, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Nii Oakley Kuma Quaye, has indicated.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
The need, he said, was to shore up the number of paediatric nurses in the country to help improve the child mortality rate.
Speaking at the launch of the Paediatric Nursing Training Programme in Accra, the deputy minister said it was necessary to make a conscious effort to train the needed human resource to help address the current health needs of the country.
The training programme, which is a collaborative effort between Ghana and Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is to assist the University of Ghana School of Nursing to give exposure to practising nurses in paediatric care.
Furthermore, it seeks to train nurses in the districts and sub-districts.
“It is in this regard that the government of Ghana is grateful to the Hospital For Sick Children and CIDA for the effort to advance global child health with a view to generating relevant research on child health in Ghana,” Dr Quaye said.
He said paediatric care was one vital area the ministry had made efforts to promote over the years, since the absence of adequate care threatened the workforce and population of the country.
Dr Quaye said the training would be based on the community-based Health Planning and Services with nurses from health institutions in the districts.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Darren Schemmer, said Canada had had a long history of development co-operation with Ghana since independence, which had made Ghana Canada’s first development partner in Africa.
He said the initiative was another important step in the collaboration of both countries to help improve health care in Ghana.
Mr Schemmer said CIDA provided assistance for Ghana’s health sector through direct budget support for the country, especially in the three regions of the north.
He said most countries were finding it difficult to achieve the target of reducing maternal and child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The initiator of the programme, Dr Isaac Odame, who is also a staff physician at the University of Toronto, said Ghanaians living abroad should be given the opportunity to undertake initiatives that would help develop the country.
He advised the government to also initiate such collaborations to motivate Ghanaians living abroad to come back to the country to help.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Book On Market Orientation Launched(PAGE, 11, Feb 2010)
A MANAGEMENT book, that compares international best practices in business and marketing to what pertains in emerging economies, was launched in Accra at the weekend.
The book which is known as "Market Orientation and Competitive Performance,” is written by a management consultant and Professor of Strategy and Marketing at the Regent University, Mr Kwaku Appiah-Adu.
The book sought to contribute to management practices of firms in the country.
Prof. Appiah-Adu, said the book further sought to explain business concepts in different environments to provide useful conclusions on the efficacy of marketing principles and business practices.
He said the book took its underlying framework, the marketing performance paradigm of marketing strategy theory and practice, which involved a topical study of marketing practices and their application in the environment.
The author said in order to determine the significance of marketing principles, the effects of various aspects of marketing, such as, marketing culture, marketing effectiveness and market orientation on customer based and financial performances needed to be researched.
That, he added, contributed to knowledge on the systematic application of marketing businesses and determined whether firms that engaged in sound marketing practices were characterised by higher performance levels irrespective of the environments.
Launching the book, the Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, said the book was essential for institutional development.
He said lecturers, students, researchers, business executives and policy makers would acquire a wealth of information and knowledge from the book and advised the author to make it widely available to all.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smartline Limited, Mr Elliot Agyare, said the storage, development and distribution of knowledge products had been a matter of utmost significance to societies.
"No single product has been instrumental in the dissemination of knowledge and culture in all different sizes, shapes and forms than the ubiquitous product we call book, "he stated.
He said this was because books served an important role in the delivery of education and were considered the foundation in the literacy of any country.
The 108-page book, is about marketing practices in industrialised and emerging economies, and provides the strategies for marketing excellence through the application of techniques.
The book has the endorsement of Mr Kwame Pianim, the Occupant of the Unilever, Ishmeal Yamson Chair, at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Dr Paul A. Acquah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and other Professors.
The book which is known as "Market Orientation and Competitive Performance,” is written by a management consultant and Professor of Strategy and Marketing at the Regent University, Mr Kwaku Appiah-Adu.
The book sought to contribute to management practices of firms in the country.
Prof. Appiah-Adu, said the book further sought to explain business concepts in different environments to provide useful conclusions on the efficacy of marketing principles and business practices.
He said the book took its underlying framework, the marketing performance paradigm of marketing strategy theory and practice, which involved a topical study of marketing practices and their application in the environment.
The author said in order to determine the significance of marketing principles, the effects of various aspects of marketing, such as, marketing culture, marketing effectiveness and market orientation on customer based and financial performances needed to be researched.
That, he added, contributed to knowledge on the systematic application of marketing businesses and determined whether firms that engaged in sound marketing practices were characterised by higher performance levels irrespective of the environments.
Launching the book, the Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, said the book was essential for institutional development.
He said lecturers, students, researchers, business executives and policy makers would acquire a wealth of information and knowledge from the book and advised the author to make it widely available to all.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smartline Limited, Mr Elliot Agyare, said the storage, development and distribution of knowledge products had been a matter of utmost significance to societies.
"No single product has been instrumental in the dissemination of knowledge and culture in all different sizes, shapes and forms than the ubiquitous product we call book, "he stated.
He said this was because books served an important role in the delivery of education and were considered the foundation in the literacy of any country.
The 108-page book, is about marketing practices in industrialised and emerging economies, and provides the strategies for marketing excellence through the application of techniques.
The book has the endorsement of Mr Kwame Pianim, the Occupant of the Unilever, Ishmeal Yamson Chair, at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Dr Paul A. Acquah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and other Professors.
Tourism Ministry Holds HIV/AIDS Workshop
The Ministry of Tourism has organised an HIV AIDS awareness workshop to educate its staff and stakeholders in the tourism sector.
The objectives of the workshop was to educate its staff and stakeholders on the socio-cultural and economic impact of HIV AIDS, deepen personal risk perception at their work places, to undertake HIV counselling and testing for participant among others.
Taken the participants through the overview of the current situation of the pandemic, the Executive Director for Community Service, Action and Development, Mrs Vera Quaye, said Ghana remained a comparatively low prevalence rate over the years as compared to other countries.
She said according to surveillance report, infection rates has reduce by 13 per cent in the past two years. Giving an overview of adult prevalence rate, Mrs Quaye said, 3.4 was recorded in 2002, 3.6 in 2003, 3.1 in 2004, 2.7 in 2005, 2.3 in 2006, 2.6 in 2007 and 2.2 in 2008.
She said the major infection rate was estimated at 90 per cent and it was within the ages of 15 to 49, and 63 per cent of infected people are women and girls.
Mrs Quaye in her presentation said the reasons why the pandemic was still in existence have been attributed to high number of sexual partners, poverty and malnutrition, low levels of education, unequal power dynamics within relationships and low self-esteem.
She said in addressing HIV AIDS in the country, the government had provided a framework for policy direction strategy to undertake both implementation and co-ordinations, policy formulation, supervision and resource mobilisation.
She said the total HIV population for 2009 was estimated at 240,802, prevalence rate 1.7 per cent and total HIV infection at 23,234.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on Stigmatisation, Mrs Quaye said persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected persons must be treated with much love, if not they would be compelled to stay in their shells and affect others.
She said eating, sleeping and using things with an infected person would not put one at risk, adding that there is a need for more education on stigmatisation and discrimination against (PLHIV).
The objectives of the workshop was to educate its staff and stakeholders on the socio-cultural and economic impact of HIV AIDS, deepen personal risk perception at their work places, to undertake HIV counselling and testing for participant among others.
Taken the participants through the overview of the current situation of the pandemic, the Executive Director for Community Service, Action and Development, Mrs Vera Quaye, said Ghana remained a comparatively low prevalence rate over the years as compared to other countries.
She said according to surveillance report, infection rates has reduce by 13 per cent in the past two years. Giving an overview of adult prevalence rate, Mrs Quaye said, 3.4 was recorded in 2002, 3.6 in 2003, 3.1 in 2004, 2.7 in 2005, 2.3 in 2006, 2.6 in 2007 and 2.2 in 2008.
She said the major infection rate was estimated at 90 per cent and it was within the ages of 15 to 49, and 63 per cent of infected people are women and girls.
Mrs Quaye in her presentation said the reasons why the pandemic was still in existence have been attributed to high number of sexual partners, poverty and malnutrition, low levels of education, unequal power dynamics within relationships and low self-esteem.
She said in addressing HIV AIDS in the country, the government had provided a framework for policy direction strategy to undertake both implementation and co-ordinations, policy formulation, supervision and resource mobilisation.
She said the total HIV population for 2009 was estimated at 240,802, prevalence rate 1.7 per cent and total HIV infection at 23,234.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on Stigmatisation, Mrs Quaye said persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected persons must be treated with much love, if not they would be compelled to stay in their shells and affect others.
She said eating, sleeping and using things with an infected person would not put one at risk, adding that there is a need for more education on stigmatisation and discrimination against (PLHIV).
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