The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), Mr Kwasi Asante, has attributed the collapse of the Ghana Airways and the Ghana Railway Authority to lack of strong internal control systems.
He said the lapses gave room for people to manipulate the system which eventually led to the collapse of those institutions.
He, however, said a vibrant and strong control system had contributed immensely to the growth of some companies in the country.
Mr Asante was speaking to the Daily Graphic after a press conference organised by the institute to usher in the institute’s annual week-long celebrations
He said the celebration which was on the theme: “Sustaining Value Creation” was to help accountants deliberate on issues that would help them maintain value in their various organisations.
Addressing the press, the Vice President of the Institute, Mr Joseph Frederick Blankson, said members of the institute played significant and strategic roles in the economy of the country by providing essential services in the areas of accountancy, assurance services, taxation and financial management in both the private and public sectors.
He said in aid of this, the institute intended to start the ICAG diploma with specialisation in business studies geared towards meeting the current dynamic demands of the market.
He said the programme was aimed at training participants to improve on their performance, adding that it included a comprehensive range of advance diplomas.
Mr Blankson said “the advice and support provided by chartered accountants during the 2009 economic crisis made a tangible difference to countless individual organisations as well as our economic recovery as a whole”.
He, therefore, said the council of the institution was in the process of instituting a quality assurance review programme to ensure adherence to quality standards by members.
He said the institute was mentoring the Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA), adding that the institute (LICPA)in recent times had also requested for the ICAG to open an examination centre in Liberia to enable students of LICPA to take part in the professional ICAG examinations.
Mr Blankson called on all members of the institute to be part of the celebrations for interactive deliberations to help promote the growth of the profession.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS HOLD FUN GAMES (PAGE 46, MAY 26, 2010)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana held its annual fun games at the Ajax (1) Field, University of Ghana, Legon, yesterday, with the aim of promoting healthy living among members.
Among the large participants were members of the institute, practising firms such as KPMG, PricewaterHouseCoopers, Deloitte and Touche, PKF, the 2009 and 2010 year groups, as well as other organisations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mr Kwasi Asante, said the fun games formed part of its 2010 Accountants Week celebrations which began on Saturday, May 22, 2010 and will end on Friday, May 28, 2010.
He said every year the institute began its week celebrations with fun games and rounded it off with a dinner dance, noting that the main aim of the games was to promote healthy living among its members for effective work.
Mr Asante said the games were also to create the platform for members to interact, have fun, build cohesion and a sense of belonging to help project the image and profile of the institute.
The event was entertaining, with a high level of competitiveness displayed by the teams in the 100-metre race, the sack race, table tennis, football, lime and spoon, tug-of-war and three-legged race.
Special awards were presented to members who excelled in the various games.
The week-long celebration, on the theme, “Sustaining Value Creation”, will be marked with a press conference, an accountants’ conference and an annual general meeting.
Mr Asante said topics to be discussed were ‘shaping the next generation of accountants’, ‘risk management and internal controls’, ‘climate change reporting’, among others, and called on members to make the week-long celebration a success by taking part in the activities.
Among the large participants were members of the institute, practising firms such as KPMG, PricewaterHouseCoopers, Deloitte and Touche, PKF, the 2009 and 2010 year groups, as well as other organisations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mr Kwasi Asante, said the fun games formed part of its 2010 Accountants Week celebrations which began on Saturday, May 22, 2010 and will end on Friday, May 28, 2010.
He said every year the institute began its week celebrations with fun games and rounded it off with a dinner dance, noting that the main aim of the games was to promote healthy living among its members for effective work.
Mr Asante said the games were also to create the platform for members to interact, have fun, build cohesion and a sense of belonging to help project the image and profile of the institute.
The event was entertaining, with a high level of competitiveness displayed by the teams in the 100-metre race, the sack race, table tennis, football, lime and spoon, tug-of-war and three-legged race.
Special awards were presented to members who excelled in the various games.
The week-long celebration, on the theme, “Sustaining Value Creation”, will be marked with a press conference, an accountants’ conference and an annual general meeting.
Mr Asante said topics to be discussed were ‘shaping the next generation of accountants’, ‘risk management and internal controls’, ‘climate change reporting’, among others, and called on members to make the week-long celebration a success by taking part in the activities.
Monday, May 24, 2010
AUTO PLAZA TO SPONSOR BANKING AWARDS (PAGE 77, MAY 24, 2010)
Auto Plaza Limited, the leading distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Ghana, has presented a Hyundai i10 mini saloon car to Corporate Initiative Ghana (CIG) organisers of Ghana Banking Awards.
The presentation of the car constituted a package from the company as the sponsor of the Corporate Bank of the Year category of the awards which comes off on June 5, 2010, at the Accra International Conference centre (AICC).
Making the presentation, the Managing Director of Auto Plaza Limited, Mr Jihad M. Hijazi, said the company was happy to be a sponsor of the awards which had become one of the major events on the Ghanaian calendar.
He said the company would continue to support efforts meant to bring efficiency in the banking industry and expressed the hope that such a move would create more employment opportunities for others in the company.
Receiving the car, the Executive Secretary of CIG, Mr Afotey Odarteifio, expressed CIG’s appreciation to the company for their confidence in the awards and agreeing to be a sponsor.
He said the car would facilitate the work of the CIG secretariat and other activities that would go to enhance the awards.
Mr Odarteifio used the occasion to tell the status of the preparations towards the awards saying, “The survey being conducted by the event statisticians, KPMG, Consumer Bureau and WestPoint were almost completed.”
The presentation of the car constituted a package from the company as the sponsor of the Corporate Bank of the Year category of the awards which comes off on June 5, 2010, at the Accra International Conference centre (AICC).
Making the presentation, the Managing Director of Auto Plaza Limited, Mr Jihad M. Hijazi, said the company was happy to be a sponsor of the awards which had become one of the major events on the Ghanaian calendar.
He said the company would continue to support efforts meant to bring efficiency in the banking industry and expressed the hope that such a move would create more employment opportunities for others in the company.
Receiving the car, the Executive Secretary of CIG, Mr Afotey Odarteifio, expressed CIG’s appreciation to the company for their confidence in the awards and agreeing to be a sponsor.
He said the car would facilitate the work of the CIG secretariat and other activities that would go to enhance the awards.
Mr Odarteifio used the occasion to tell the status of the preparations towards the awards saying, “The survey being conducted by the event statisticians, KPMG, Consumer Bureau and WestPoint were almost completed.”
Friday, May 21, 2010
GHANA MARKS HEPATITIS B DAY (PAGE 19, MAY 21, 2010)
Ghana on Wednesday joined the rest of the international community to celebrate the World Hepatitis Day with a revelation that nine out 10 born babies delivered to hepatitis infected mothers in the country are infected with the virus.
Speaking at the symposium organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and the Hepatitis Society of Ghana, a Clinical Pharmacist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Stephen Corquaye, said the major mode of transmitting the disease was through birth.
He, however, said babies born to infected mothers could be prevented from contracting the disease if they were vaccinated within 12 hours after delivery.
He said the three-shot vaccine would help the baby to build antibodies which would protect it against the disease.
“It is rather unfortunate that pregnant women cannot be vaccinated if tested positive unless after birth,” he added.
Mr Corquaye advised the public to endeavour to go for screening to know their health status.
Giving a talk on hepatitis, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, Dr Timothy Archampong, said hepatitis was a serious disease caused by a virus that attacked the liver.
He said hepatitis could be transferred through blood transfusion, sex, sharing of personal care items and through birth.
He said high risk factors of the disease included high infectivity rate, excess alcohol, long duration of disease and older age of acquisition.
Dr Archampong said the hepatitis B vaccine was the best protection for everybody.
The President of the Hepatitis Society of Ghana, Dr Kofi Nkrumah, said over the years, the public had been made to think that body fluids such as sweat, tear, saliva, breast milk were the modes of transmission of the disease.
However, he said, it had not been scientifically proven that those body fluids were modes of transmission.
He, therefore, advised the public to seek more counselling and advice from good medical experts and to live healthy lifestyles.
In a related development the Image of God Church International has organised a lecture and free hepatitis B screening for the public at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
The Presiding Pastor of the church, Rev. Percy Apreala, said the programme was to reach out to the society, as their own small way of contributing to solving the health needs of the people.
Speaking at the symposium organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and the Hepatitis Society of Ghana, a Clinical Pharmacist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Stephen Corquaye, said the major mode of transmitting the disease was through birth.
He, however, said babies born to infected mothers could be prevented from contracting the disease if they were vaccinated within 12 hours after delivery.
He said the three-shot vaccine would help the baby to build antibodies which would protect it against the disease.
“It is rather unfortunate that pregnant women cannot be vaccinated if tested positive unless after birth,” he added.
Mr Corquaye advised the public to endeavour to go for screening to know their health status.
Giving a talk on hepatitis, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, Dr Timothy Archampong, said hepatitis was a serious disease caused by a virus that attacked the liver.
He said hepatitis could be transferred through blood transfusion, sex, sharing of personal care items and through birth.
He said high risk factors of the disease included high infectivity rate, excess alcohol, long duration of disease and older age of acquisition.
Dr Archampong said the hepatitis B vaccine was the best protection for everybody.
The President of the Hepatitis Society of Ghana, Dr Kofi Nkrumah, said over the years, the public had been made to think that body fluids such as sweat, tear, saliva, breast milk were the modes of transmission of the disease.
However, he said, it had not been scientifically proven that those body fluids were modes of transmission.
He, therefore, advised the public to seek more counselling and advice from good medical experts and to live healthy lifestyles.
In a related development the Image of God Church International has organised a lecture and free hepatitis B screening for the public at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
The Presiding Pastor of the church, Rev. Percy Apreala, said the programme was to reach out to the society, as their own small way of contributing to solving the health needs of the people.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
MINISTRY COMMITTED TO PROMOTING ICT EDUCATION (PAGE 11, MAY 19, 2010)
THE Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, has assured stakeholders of the ministry’s support to promote sound Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education for teachers and students.
This, he said, was due to the important role ICT was playing in facilitating the rapid development of all sectors of the nation.
He said the integration of ICT into all levels of education in Ghana as a major component of the last educational reform was a matter of priority to the government.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said this in a speech read on his behalf at the opening ceremony of the 2010 annual Global Teenager Project (GTP) coordinators conference in Accra.
He said the Global Teenager Project was one of the key stakeholders partnering the ministry in ICT education to help students acquire and develop rare ICT skills to enhance quality education.
The Minister noted that since its launch, the project had grown from three classes to over 350 and provided professional development training for teachers and students in over 40 Junior and Senior High schools in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Northern regions.
"Education should make provision for changes of the present and the future. It is for this reason that the government places emphasis on quality education," he emphasised.
He therefore commended Rescue Mission Ghana, managers of the project, for the work and promised the ministry's support for the project.
The Executive Director of Rescue Mission Ghana and Project Manager of the GTP, Mr Ebenezer Malcolm, said the project had developed very well and advanced in its objective of using ICT to connect local and international learners and teachers, developing educational content, promoting cross-cultural understanding and raising ICT literacy and awareness in schools.
He said 750 teachers had so far been trained in basic ICT knowledge and skills, while 840 students had acquired web development skills with 17 students and two teachers winning international awards in web development contests organised by the School Net Africa.
Mr Malcolm said the project was playing an important role in the lives of young people and had also become an important aspect in employment, adding that some schools were using ICT to enhance and add new dimensions to the learning process.
"To move the project forward, some critical issues should be addressed and GTP is seeking partnership with well-organised and structured telecentres that are dotted in a few regions across the country," he stated.
He said for the programme to be national in character, it required the active involvement of students, teachers and stakeholders.
He therefore stressed the need for the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to consider including GTP into the school curriculum.
This, he said, was due to the important role ICT was playing in facilitating the rapid development of all sectors of the nation.
He said the integration of ICT into all levels of education in Ghana as a major component of the last educational reform was a matter of priority to the government.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said this in a speech read on his behalf at the opening ceremony of the 2010 annual Global Teenager Project (GTP) coordinators conference in Accra.
He said the Global Teenager Project was one of the key stakeholders partnering the ministry in ICT education to help students acquire and develop rare ICT skills to enhance quality education.
The Minister noted that since its launch, the project had grown from three classes to over 350 and provided professional development training for teachers and students in over 40 Junior and Senior High schools in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Northern regions.
"Education should make provision for changes of the present and the future. It is for this reason that the government places emphasis on quality education," he emphasised.
He therefore commended Rescue Mission Ghana, managers of the project, for the work and promised the ministry's support for the project.
The Executive Director of Rescue Mission Ghana and Project Manager of the GTP, Mr Ebenezer Malcolm, said the project had developed very well and advanced in its objective of using ICT to connect local and international learners and teachers, developing educational content, promoting cross-cultural understanding and raising ICT literacy and awareness in schools.
He said 750 teachers had so far been trained in basic ICT knowledge and skills, while 840 students had acquired web development skills with 17 students and two teachers winning international awards in web development contests organised by the School Net Africa.
Mr Malcolm said the project was playing an important role in the lives of young people and had also become an important aspect in employment, adding that some schools were using ICT to enhance and add new dimensions to the learning process.
"To move the project forward, some critical issues should be addressed and GTP is seeking partnership with well-organised and structured telecentres that are dotted in a few regions across the country," he stated.
He said for the programme to be national in character, it required the active involvement of students, teachers and stakeholders.
He therefore stressed the need for the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to consider including GTP into the school curriculum.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
ADENTAN ASSEMBLY LAUNCHES REVENUE MOBILISATION CAMPAIGN (PAGE 18, MAY 15, 2010)
A revenue mobilisation campaign has been launched by the Adentan Municipal Assembly to generate sufficient revenue to finance development projects within the municipality.
The campaign was also to sensitise rate-payers on their civic obligations to the assembly.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive of the Municipality, Madam Nubly Kakra Vanlare, said the assembly was one of the beneficiaries of the Urban Poverty Reduction Project (UPRP) with its major component of institutional strengthening and capacity building in the area of revenue mobilisation.
“The Legislative Instrument that sets us up clearly mandates us to collect revenue for development, which makes revenue mobilisation one of our main functions, yet one of our greatest challenge”.
She said the assembly needed revenue to fulfil its vision of creating a modernised, harmonious, environmentally friendly and economically viable municipality to deliver people- centred services.
The campaign which is being funded by the Social Investment Fund (SIF) was to improve the efficiency of revenue collection machinery at the local level.
It was also to address the issue of shortage of reliable database for resource mobilisation to complement specific interventions that focus on poverty revaluation and rating.
Madam Vanlare said “we are aware that even when we draw up the best of plans and programmes for the advancement of our municipality, all our good intentions would be stillborn without the accompanying funding”.
She was, therefore, of the hope that the campaign would make rate payers and residents of the municipality appreciate the fact that the demand for good roads, schools, markets and hospitals can only be met if they fulfil their end of the bargain.
In aid of the programme, the assembly had taken some revenue officers through some training programmes on effective revenue mobilisation.
Launching the campaign, the Minister of Local Government, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, said correct naming of streets and numbering of houses in the country would help improve revenue collection of the assemblies.
He said the ministry was putting together a manual to set the standards for take-off of the naming and numbering of streets and houses.
He, therefore, urged the assembly to start with the project while they await the manual.
The campaign was also to sensitise rate-payers on their civic obligations to the assembly.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive of the Municipality, Madam Nubly Kakra Vanlare, said the assembly was one of the beneficiaries of the Urban Poverty Reduction Project (UPRP) with its major component of institutional strengthening and capacity building in the area of revenue mobilisation.
“The Legislative Instrument that sets us up clearly mandates us to collect revenue for development, which makes revenue mobilisation one of our main functions, yet one of our greatest challenge”.
She said the assembly needed revenue to fulfil its vision of creating a modernised, harmonious, environmentally friendly and economically viable municipality to deliver people- centred services.
The campaign which is being funded by the Social Investment Fund (SIF) was to improve the efficiency of revenue collection machinery at the local level.
It was also to address the issue of shortage of reliable database for resource mobilisation to complement specific interventions that focus on poverty revaluation and rating.
Madam Vanlare said “we are aware that even when we draw up the best of plans and programmes for the advancement of our municipality, all our good intentions would be stillborn without the accompanying funding”.
She was, therefore, of the hope that the campaign would make rate payers and residents of the municipality appreciate the fact that the demand for good roads, schools, markets and hospitals can only be met if they fulfil their end of the bargain.
In aid of the programme, the assembly had taken some revenue officers through some training programmes on effective revenue mobilisation.
Launching the campaign, the Minister of Local Government, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, said correct naming of streets and numbering of houses in the country would help improve revenue collection of the assemblies.
He said the ministry was putting together a manual to set the standards for take-off of the naming and numbering of streets and houses.
He, therefore, urged the assembly to start with the project while they await the manual.
GIS IMPROVES CAPACITY (PAGE 19, MAY 15, 2010)
A PROJECT to improve the capacity of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to deal with the problem of migration in the country has been launched in Accra.
Dubbed: " Improve migration management by strengthening the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)", it is a collaborative effort between the GIS and the Danish Government.
The project, which is solely sponsored by the Danish Government, is to help build the capacity of the GIS in carrying out its mandate as the official government agency directly in charge of migration.
It is to also support strategic planning at the GIS and its capacity to lead harmonisation and alignment in the area of migration.
The Director of Immigration, Ms Elizabeth Adjei, said it was important to recognise that migration had become a development issue and as the operational arm of the management of migration, it was a privilege for the service to manage the country's entry and exit data base through the project.
She said GIS had an important role to play at the policy making level by contributing immensely to the migration discourse in the country.
She noted that the country's political stability and emerging oil industry would change the dynamics of migration to and from the country, and that the GIS required a robust and calculated response to deal with the implications of the country’s new development strategy and underpinnings.
Ms Adjei said the project would enhance the GIS’s organisational capacity of migration management with focus on procedure and the implementation of strategic plan of establishing a professional and sufficient service delivery based on policy, law and integrity.
She said above all, the programme would be centred around enhancing and deepening the knowledge and skills on migration through the GIS Training School.
Giving an overview of the project, the Project Manager, Mrs Adi Baaba Asare, said the project would provide training (both locally and overseas) for the GIS staff to build their capacity in migration management and also sensitise officers to issues such as anti corruption, gender mainstreaming, environmental issues and refugee management.
She said the programme would also be included in the GIS training curricula to ensure the provision of not just the lecture-based model currently in practice but to include a more participatory approach.
She noted that the initiative would enable the GIS to effectively manage migration issues to address the emerging challenges in migration and to offer professional services that met international standards.
Launching the project, the Deputy Minister for Interior, Mr Kwesi Apea-Kubi, said although the GIS was relatively young in the ministry, it was the fastest growing in the sector.
He said inclusion of the project in the GIS training academy at Assin Fosu was laudable since it was the only training school of the service.
He, therefore, called on all GIS staff to take advantage of the project to enhance their knowledge in the area of migration.
Dubbed: " Improve migration management by strengthening the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)", it is a collaborative effort between the GIS and the Danish Government.
The project, which is solely sponsored by the Danish Government, is to help build the capacity of the GIS in carrying out its mandate as the official government agency directly in charge of migration.
It is to also support strategic planning at the GIS and its capacity to lead harmonisation and alignment in the area of migration.
The Director of Immigration, Ms Elizabeth Adjei, said it was important to recognise that migration had become a development issue and as the operational arm of the management of migration, it was a privilege for the service to manage the country's entry and exit data base through the project.
She said GIS had an important role to play at the policy making level by contributing immensely to the migration discourse in the country.
She noted that the country's political stability and emerging oil industry would change the dynamics of migration to and from the country, and that the GIS required a robust and calculated response to deal with the implications of the country’s new development strategy and underpinnings.
Ms Adjei said the project would enhance the GIS’s organisational capacity of migration management with focus on procedure and the implementation of strategic plan of establishing a professional and sufficient service delivery based on policy, law and integrity.
She said above all, the programme would be centred around enhancing and deepening the knowledge and skills on migration through the GIS Training School.
Giving an overview of the project, the Project Manager, Mrs Adi Baaba Asare, said the project would provide training (both locally and overseas) for the GIS staff to build their capacity in migration management and also sensitise officers to issues such as anti corruption, gender mainstreaming, environmental issues and refugee management.
She said the programme would also be included in the GIS training curricula to ensure the provision of not just the lecture-based model currently in practice but to include a more participatory approach.
She noted that the initiative would enable the GIS to effectively manage migration issues to address the emerging challenges in migration and to offer professional services that met international standards.
Launching the project, the Deputy Minister for Interior, Mr Kwesi Apea-Kubi, said although the GIS was relatively young in the ministry, it was the fastest growing in the sector.
He said inclusion of the project in the GIS training academy at Assin Fosu was laudable since it was the only training school of the service.
He, therefore, called on all GIS staff to take advantage of the project to enhance their knowledge in the area of migration.
AGRIC MECHANISATION HOLDS KEY TO FOOD SECURITY (PAGE 29, MAY 15, 2010)
THE Ministry of Food and Agriculture has identified agriculture mechanisation as the key to achieving food security and efficiency in the country and in view of that, Russian company AJAX-AGRO is in the country to hold talks with the government and key stakeholders in the sector to help move Ghana’s agriculture sector into a mechanised one.
At a press conference organised by the company, the Technical Director, Mr Nikolay Milovanov, said the company was in the country to educate Ghanaian farmers on the need to move into commercial farming and to also supply equipment to the farmers.
He said the company after talks with the major stakeholders in the industry would be willing to offer agricultural equipment to farmers who might need their services.
He explained that the company's technicians would help in accessing the farms and give the appropriate advice to the farmers to help them to improve upon their farming activities.
In an interview, the Acting Director of Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate, Mr Emmanuel Owusu Oppong, said farmers in the country needed more agricultural equipment to enable the country to achieve its objective of increasing income generation and productivity in the country, hence the importation of agriculture machinery and equipment by the ministry to help address the challenges of inadequate agricultural equipment in the country.
He noted that the ministry, in partnership with private organisations, had established agricultural mechanisation centre across the country to provide mechanised services to farmers who could not afford the cost of the equipment.
“Presently, there are 69 of such centres across the country and hope that by 2012 every district in the country will have an agricultural mechanisation centre to help the farmers improve upon their farming activities”.
Giving an insight into the purchasing procedure, he said equipment was given to individuals, organisations and churches on hire purchase basis after sending their applications to the ministry through the District and the Regional Directors of Agriculture.
He emphasised that applicants would be required to make 50 per cent down-payment with the rest of the amount to be paid in instalments over a period of three to five years.
He, therefore, advised farmers to take advantage of the offer by the AJAX-AGRO company to help boost productivity in the country.
At a press conference organised by the company, the Technical Director, Mr Nikolay Milovanov, said the company was in the country to educate Ghanaian farmers on the need to move into commercial farming and to also supply equipment to the farmers.
He said the company after talks with the major stakeholders in the industry would be willing to offer agricultural equipment to farmers who might need their services.
He explained that the company's technicians would help in accessing the farms and give the appropriate advice to the farmers to help them to improve upon their farming activities.
In an interview, the Acting Director of Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate, Mr Emmanuel Owusu Oppong, said farmers in the country needed more agricultural equipment to enable the country to achieve its objective of increasing income generation and productivity in the country, hence the importation of agriculture machinery and equipment by the ministry to help address the challenges of inadequate agricultural equipment in the country.
He noted that the ministry, in partnership with private organisations, had established agricultural mechanisation centre across the country to provide mechanised services to farmers who could not afford the cost of the equipment.
“Presently, there are 69 of such centres across the country and hope that by 2012 every district in the country will have an agricultural mechanisation centre to help the farmers improve upon their farming activities”.
Giving an insight into the purchasing procedure, he said equipment was given to individuals, organisations and churches on hire purchase basis after sending their applications to the ministry through the District and the Regional Directors of Agriculture.
He emphasised that applicants would be required to make 50 per cent down-payment with the rest of the amount to be paid in instalments over a period of three to five years.
He, therefore, advised farmers to take advantage of the offer by the AJAX-AGRO company to help boost productivity in the country.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
VODAFONE ASSISTS MORE INSTITUTIONS TO ACCESS ICT (SPREAD, MAY 13, 2010)
Vodafone Ghana Limited has donated 20 computers worth GH¢10,000 to the Kaneshie Senior High and Technical School and two other institutions to make Information Communication Technology (ICT) easily accessible to them.
The two institutions are the Industrial Area branch of the Ghana Fire Service and the Akatsi Directorate of the Ghana Education Service.
The Corporate Responsibility Manager of Vodafone, Ms Mamle Asare, said the company, in its bid to bridge the ICT gap, had already donated 208 computers to 25 institutions and schools across the country.
She said the donations were aimed at supporting the government's efforts at making ICT accessible to all junior and senior high schools across the country.
"Vodafone has taken cognisance of the deplorable conditions under which most schools operate in this country," she said.
She explained that the donation, therefore, formed part of the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of ICT in schools while supporting institutions who were deprived in their communications efforts.
"Vodafone believes that the geographical location of a child should not limit him/her in education. We will do a follow-up visit to find out if the computers are working well and the reasons for the donation are being adhered to," she added.
She was of the hope that the company could serve other deprived schools and institutions across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the institutions present, the Divisional Officer Grade 1 of the Industrial Area Fire Station, Mr James Emmanuel Quao, thanked Vodafone for the gesture and promised to use the computers to enhance their work.
The two institutions are the Industrial Area branch of the Ghana Fire Service and the Akatsi Directorate of the Ghana Education Service.
The Corporate Responsibility Manager of Vodafone, Ms Mamle Asare, said the company, in its bid to bridge the ICT gap, had already donated 208 computers to 25 institutions and schools across the country.
She said the donations were aimed at supporting the government's efforts at making ICT accessible to all junior and senior high schools across the country.
"Vodafone has taken cognisance of the deplorable conditions under which most schools operate in this country," she said.
She explained that the donation, therefore, formed part of the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of ICT in schools while supporting institutions who were deprived in their communications efforts.
"Vodafone believes that the geographical location of a child should not limit him/her in education. We will do a follow-up visit to find out if the computers are working well and the reasons for the donation are being adhered to," she added.
She was of the hope that the company could serve other deprived schools and institutions across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the institutions present, the Divisional Officer Grade 1 of the Industrial Area Fire Station, Mr James Emmanuel Quao, thanked Vodafone for the gesture and promised to use the computers to enhance their work.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
CITY CAMPUS 206 DONATES TO ORPHANAGE (SPREAD, MAY 11, 2010)
THE 2006 Year Group of the Accra City Campus of the University of Ghana has donated items worth GH¢2,000 to the Teshie Orphanage in Accra.
The items, which comprised foodstuffs, pillows, used clothes, toys, books and groceries, were intended to help with the upkeep of the inmates of the home.
Presenting the items, Mrs Mabel Offin-Agyeman, the President of the alumni, said the donation was part of the social responsibility of the year group.
She said the group would continue to support the orphanage within the constraints of its limited resources.
Receiving the items, the Founder of the home, Mrs Janet Anyeley Parker, said it had been depending on donations from individuals, groups and corporate entities.
The orphanage, which was established in November 1995, has been able to support 14 children in junior high school, six in senior high school and one in the university.
She explained that eight teenage mothers had also been supported to acquire skills in hairdressing and dressmaking.
Currently, Mrs Parker said, the home was providing care, food, shelter and clothes for 35 children and thanked the group for its kind gesture.
She appealed to other organisations to contribute generously towards the upkeep of the inmates of the home.
The items, which comprised foodstuffs, pillows, used clothes, toys, books and groceries, were intended to help with the upkeep of the inmates of the home.
Presenting the items, Mrs Mabel Offin-Agyeman, the President of the alumni, said the donation was part of the social responsibility of the year group.
She said the group would continue to support the orphanage within the constraints of its limited resources.
Receiving the items, the Founder of the home, Mrs Janet Anyeley Parker, said it had been depending on donations from individuals, groups and corporate entities.
The orphanage, which was established in November 1995, has been able to support 14 children in junior high school, six in senior high school and one in the university.
She explained that eight teenage mothers had also been supported to acquire skills in hairdressing and dressmaking.
Currently, Mrs Parker said, the home was providing care, food, shelter and clothes for 35 children and thanked the group for its kind gesture.
She appealed to other organisations to contribute generously towards the upkeep of the inmates of the home.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
US GOVT DONATES ITEMS TOWARDS MATERNAL, CHILD HEALTH (SPREAD, MAY 5, 2010)
In the quest to promote better maternal and child health in the country, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated items worth $5.7 million to the Ministry of Health.
The items, which consisted of treated mosquito nets, microscopes, rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria, maternal and child health guidelines and other health education materials, are intended to help with the prevention and control of malaria in the country.
Presenting the items, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, said the items were also to enhance the quality of basic healthcare service delivery, particularly in rural and under-served communities.
He said the partnership between the US government and Ghana included a strong focus on health, adding that USAID was working together with the ministry to reduce malaria-related deaths and illnesses.
“The presentation of these equipment and supplies represent a broader commitment on the part of the American people to help improve the health of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
Mr Teitelbaum said the US Government was also providing 955,000 insecticide-treated nets to be distributed among pregnant women and children under five in the Northern and Eastern regions.
He said young children and pregnant women represented the most vulnerable population in terms of malaria and it was important that they slept in ITNs every night.
Receiving the items, the Minister of Health, Mr Benjamin Kunbuor, said the US Government, through the USAID’s Maternal and Child Health Programme and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), had supported the government to improve maternal and child health and also implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control malaria.
He said over the past five years, USAID had supported the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to scale-up the implementation of the Community-based Health Planning and Services initiative in 30 priority districts in seven regions in the country.
Mr Kunbuor explained that the project aimed at strengthening the pre-service and in-service training of community health nurses to deliver basic healthcare services to rural and under-served communities and strengthen the use of data for planning and delivering healthcare services.
“I would like to assure your Excellency that this gesture will not be taken for granted but rather its deployment will be met with equal excitement and urgency to benefit the majority of the people of Ghana,” he said.
The items, which consisted of treated mosquito nets, microscopes, rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria, maternal and child health guidelines and other health education materials, are intended to help with the prevention and control of malaria in the country.
Presenting the items, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, said the items were also to enhance the quality of basic healthcare service delivery, particularly in rural and under-served communities.
He said the partnership between the US government and Ghana included a strong focus on health, adding that USAID was working together with the ministry to reduce malaria-related deaths and illnesses.
“The presentation of these equipment and supplies represent a broader commitment on the part of the American people to help improve the health of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
Mr Teitelbaum said the US Government was also providing 955,000 insecticide-treated nets to be distributed among pregnant women and children under five in the Northern and Eastern regions.
He said young children and pregnant women represented the most vulnerable population in terms of malaria and it was important that they slept in ITNs every night.
Receiving the items, the Minister of Health, Mr Benjamin Kunbuor, said the US Government, through the USAID’s Maternal and Child Health Programme and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), had supported the government to improve maternal and child health and also implement a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control malaria.
He said over the past five years, USAID had supported the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to scale-up the implementation of the Community-based Health Planning and Services initiative in 30 priority districts in seven regions in the country.
Mr Kunbuor explained that the project aimed at strengthening the pre-service and in-service training of community health nurses to deliver basic healthcare services to rural and under-served communities and strengthen the use of data for planning and delivering healthcare services.
“I would like to assure your Excellency that this gesture will not be taken for granted but rather its deployment will be met with equal excitement and urgency to benefit the majority of the people of Ghana,” he said.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
INFO BILL WILL EXPAND FRONTIERS — JOHN TIA AKOLOGO (SPREAD, MAY 4, 2010)
Ghana observed this year’s World Press Freedom Day with a promise by the government to ensure the promulgation of the Right to Information Bill to expand the frontiers of freedom.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologo, who gave the assurance, said the Right to Information Law would be a critical tool to enhance media professionalism and ethical journalism in the country.
He said the passage of the bill would inspire media practitioners to practise qualitative journalism and spur them on to even greater heights to promote truth, good governance, freedom, justice, peace and democracy.
Speaking at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the day in Accra, Mr Akologo said the bill, when passed, would strengthen the role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability in the country.
The theme of the day was: “Freedom of Information; the Right to Know”.
The United Nations, in 1993, declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The minister said information in every aspect was important for national development and the right to know was even more fundamental.
He said it was important for Ghanaians to have the right information on government policies and opportunities at their disposal for them to make informed choices in their investment and career building.
On the broadcasting law, he said a technical committee would soon be formed to study the bill and make the necessary recommendations for the approval of the Cabinet.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, said the GJA believed that credible freedom of information and broadcasting laws would enhance the ability of the media to promote healthy debate and contribute to the achievement of mutual understanding.
He said the two laws would be of immense benefit to improve information flow and promote transparency.
He said Ghana’s experience in the broadcast industry during the last elections convinced many people that there could be no more time to waste in passing those two laws, since any delay "will be at our own peril".
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, said the day should be used to reflect on the past, present and future trends of the journalism profession in the country.
He explained that several members of the media fraternity had suffered various degrees of attacks and said that those heroes needed to be commemorated during Press Freedom Day celebrations.
In his contribution, Mr Kofi Kapito, an official of the Consumer Protection Agency, was of the opinion that the media adopted a lukewarm attitude towards complaints by consumers, because the press and the media depended on companies and multinationals for advertisements.
The Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologo, who gave the assurance, said the Right to Information Law would be a critical tool to enhance media professionalism and ethical journalism in the country.
He said the passage of the bill would inspire media practitioners to practise qualitative journalism and spur them on to even greater heights to promote truth, good governance, freedom, justice, peace and democracy.
Speaking at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the day in Accra, Mr Akologo said the bill, when passed, would strengthen the role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability in the country.
The theme of the day was: “Freedom of Information; the Right to Know”.
The United Nations, in 1993, declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The minister said information in every aspect was important for national development and the right to know was even more fundamental.
He said it was important for Ghanaians to have the right information on government policies and opportunities at their disposal for them to make informed choices in their investment and career building.
On the broadcasting law, he said a technical committee would soon be formed to study the bill and make the necessary recommendations for the approval of the Cabinet.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, said the GJA believed that credible freedom of information and broadcasting laws would enhance the ability of the media to promote healthy debate and contribute to the achievement of mutual understanding.
He said the two laws would be of immense benefit to improve information flow and promote transparency.
He said Ghana’s experience in the broadcast industry during the last elections convinced many people that there could be no more time to waste in passing those two laws, since any delay "will be at our own peril".
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, said the day should be used to reflect on the past, present and future trends of the journalism profession in the country.
He explained that several members of the media fraternity had suffered various degrees of attacks and said that those heroes needed to be commemorated during Press Freedom Day celebrations.
In his contribution, Mr Kofi Kapito, an official of the Consumer Protection Agency, was of the opinion that the media adopted a lukewarm attitude towards complaints by consumers, because the press and the media depended on companies and multinationals for advertisements.
Monday, May 3, 2010
BORROWERS ACT TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY — BOG (PAGE 23, MAY 3, 2010)
THE Deputy Head of the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mr Franklin Belnye, has said the implementation of the ‘Borrowers and Lenders Act’ would bring clarity and transparency between the banks and their clients.
He said the Act would be complemented with a credit reference bureaux system that would provide credible information for credit decision making.
Mr Belnye, who was speaking at the opening of the 15th branch of the International Commercial Bank (ICB) at Korle-Bu, said the move was the BoG's commitment to creating a good environment for lending in the country.
He said Ghanaian banks had survived, without casualties, despite the impact of the global financial crisis that led to the collapse of some very prominent international banks.
"Although there were no casualties, we experienced our share of the global financial crisis in the form of rising inflation and relatively faster exchange rate depreciation throughout most of last year".
He, however, noted that inflation had assumed a downward trend while a measure of stability had returned to the forex markets.
He said,"the total banking system remains sound and stable, with total banking assets expanding by over 30 per cent in 2009” and attributed it to the growth in deposits, and the re-capitalisation policy of the BoG.
He advised the bank to tighten its credit delivery processes and tailor their products to meet the needs of their clients as part of efforts in finding ways to profitably deploy its resources.
He said BoG would continue to implement appropriate policies to create an enabling environment for the thriving of the banking business.
The Chief Executive Officer of ICB, Mr Sanjeev Ananb, said after its establishment in Ghana in November 1996, the bank had come a long way, having established a network of 15 branches over the period and that the branches were located in very strategic business centres of Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Techiman.
Mr Ananb said ICB Ghana was a member of a group of 14 banks under the ICB Global Financing Holding umbrella with 10 of them based in Africa.
He noted that ICB had injected fresh capital into its operations and had met the requirement of BoG of GH¢ 60 million, adding that the bank was poised to expand its operations and businesses and to consolidate its excellent customer relations.
He explained that the bank had all the necessary financial products to meet the specific requirements of every segment such as small enterprise, medium enterprise and corporate entities.
He said the Act would be complemented with a credit reference bureaux system that would provide credible information for credit decision making.
Mr Belnye, who was speaking at the opening of the 15th branch of the International Commercial Bank (ICB) at Korle-Bu, said the move was the BoG's commitment to creating a good environment for lending in the country.
He said Ghanaian banks had survived, without casualties, despite the impact of the global financial crisis that led to the collapse of some very prominent international banks.
"Although there were no casualties, we experienced our share of the global financial crisis in the form of rising inflation and relatively faster exchange rate depreciation throughout most of last year".
He, however, noted that inflation had assumed a downward trend while a measure of stability had returned to the forex markets.
He said,"the total banking system remains sound and stable, with total banking assets expanding by over 30 per cent in 2009” and attributed it to the growth in deposits, and the re-capitalisation policy of the BoG.
He advised the bank to tighten its credit delivery processes and tailor their products to meet the needs of their clients as part of efforts in finding ways to profitably deploy its resources.
He said BoG would continue to implement appropriate policies to create an enabling environment for the thriving of the banking business.
The Chief Executive Officer of ICB, Mr Sanjeev Ananb, said after its establishment in Ghana in November 1996, the bank had come a long way, having established a network of 15 branches over the period and that the branches were located in very strategic business centres of Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Techiman.
Mr Ananb said ICB Ghana was a member of a group of 14 banks under the ICB Global Financing Holding umbrella with 10 of them based in Africa.
He noted that ICB had injected fresh capital into its operations and had met the requirement of BoG of GH¢ 60 million, adding that the bank was poised to expand its operations and businesses and to consolidate its excellent customer relations.
He explained that the bank had all the necessary financial products to meet the specific requirements of every segment such as small enterprise, medium enterprise and corporate entities.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
KISH SPPING LINES CAPTAIN CALLS ON MINISTER (PAGE 46, APRIL 29, 2010)
The Kish Shipping Line (KSL), the biggest Iranian shipping line, has appealed to the government to sign a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Malta to enable qualified Ghanaian seafarers to be recognised in Malta.
It said the agreement was necessary to ensure that Ghanaian seafarers were allowed on Maltese flag.
This came to light when a representative of KSL, Captain Reza Aghaei, paid a courtesy call on the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, during a five-day visit to the country.
Captain Aghaei said KSL owned 90 ships, majority of which sailed under Malta's flag, adding that Ghanaians could be allowed to work under the Malta flag only when the country had an agreement with Malta.
He said although Ghanaian seafarers were duly recognised by Iran, they risked being repatriated to Ghana, as they did not have the necessary permit to work in Malta.
He explained that because there was no agreement, Ghanaian seafarers with qualified certificates were being denied access, adding that they needed to obtain another certificate abroad to sail under the Maltese flag.
For his part, Nii Ashietey said because Ghana did not have adequate vessels to train its seafarers after they had obtained their certificates, it was prudent that the country signed the agreement.
He said the move would increase employment and create avenues for marine employment.
Nii Ashietey commended KSL for being the main employers of Ghanaian seafarers for over 20 years and urged the Ghana Maritime Authority not to hesitate in its efforts at speeding up the necessary documentation needed to sign the agreement.
Addressing the concerns of KSL, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr E.T. Mensah, assured the company that the government would bring other stakeholders together to have the agreement signed to create more jobs for Ghanaians.
Captain Aghaei also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, and other government officials.
It said the agreement was necessary to ensure that Ghanaian seafarers were allowed on Maltese flag.
This came to light when a representative of KSL, Captain Reza Aghaei, paid a courtesy call on the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey, during a five-day visit to the country.
Captain Aghaei said KSL owned 90 ships, majority of which sailed under Malta's flag, adding that Ghanaians could be allowed to work under the Malta flag only when the country had an agreement with Malta.
He said although Ghanaian seafarers were duly recognised by Iran, they risked being repatriated to Ghana, as they did not have the necessary permit to work in Malta.
He explained that because there was no agreement, Ghanaian seafarers with qualified certificates were being denied access, adding that they needed to obtain another certificate abroad to sail under the Maltese flag.
For his part, Nii Ashietey said because Ghana did not have adequate vessels to train its seafarers after they had obtained their certificates, it was prudent that the country signed the agreement.
He said the move would increase employment and create avenues for marine employment.
Nii Ashietey commended KSL for being the main employers of Ghanaian seafarers for over 20 years and urged the Ghana Maritime Authority not to hesitate in its efforts at speeding up the necessary documentation needed to sign the agreement.
Addressing the concerns of KSL, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr E.T. Mensah, assured the company that the government would bring other stakeholders together to have the agreement signed to create more jobs for Ghanaians.
Captain Aghaei also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, and other government officials.
INVEST PART OF EXPECTED OIL REVENUE IN EDUCATION SECTOR — GNECC (PAGE 11, APRIL 30, 2010)
The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has proposed to the government to allocate 10 per cent of the expected oil revenue to the development of infrastructure in the education sector.
The coalition said the development of education as part of efforts to eradicate poverty would be a good legacy which should be vigorously pursued.
Making the call at a day’s forum on education financing in Ghana in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Kofi Asare, a programmes officer of GNECC, said with the estimated $1billion from oil revenues, 10 per cent of the amount could build 1,250 fully furnished basic schools at a per capita cost of $75, 000.
He said such an investment in the education sector would eliminate schools under trees and sheds in the next five years.
The GNECC is a network of all civil society organisations in Ghana that work to promote access to free quality universal basic education in Ghana. The coalition also works to influence policies, practices and resources in favour of quality education in the country.
Mr Asare said the government’s commitment to provide quality education to all citizens could be attained if the necessary infrastructure was put in place, adding that it would enhance effective learning and encourage teachers to accept postings to the rural areas.
The Chairman of GNECC, Mr Bright Appiah, said out of the 31 per cent of the national budget allocated to education, four per cent served as direct investment into infrastructure with 80 per cent going into emolument.
He further explained that a $100 million per annum investment in the basic education infrastructure would produce a thousand schools in a year, leaving a surplus of $25 million for building about 1,000 quarters for rural teachers
Mr Appiah said this would motivate and inspire the teachers and improve education as a whole.
He appealed to the government to treat their proposal with the urgency it demanded.
The coalition said the development of education as part of efforts to eradicate poverty would be a good legacy which should be vigorously pursued.
Making the call at a day’s forum on education financing in Ghana in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Kofi Asare, a programmes officer of GNECC, said with the estimated $1billion from oil revenues, 10 per cent of the amount could build 1,250 fully furnished basic schools at a per capita cost of $75, 000.
He said such an investment in the education sector would eliminate schools under trees and sheds in the next five years.
The GNECC is a network of all civil society organisations in Ghana that work to promote access to free quality universal basic education in Ghana. The coalition also works to influence policies, practices and resources in favour of quality education in the country.
Mr Asare said the government’s commitment to provide quality education to all citizens could be attained if the necessary infrastructure was put in place, adding that it would enhance effective learning and encourage teachers to accept postings to the rural areas.
The Chairman of GNECC, Mr Bright Appiah, said out of the 31 per cent of the national budget allocated to education, four per cent served as direct investment into infrastructure with 80 per cent going into emolument.
He further explained that a $100 million per annum investment in the basic education infrastructure would produce a thousand schools in a year, leaving a surplus of $25 million for building about 1,000 quarters for rural teachers
Mr Appiah said this would motivate and inspire the teachers and improve education as a whole.
He appealed to the government to treat their proposal with the urgency it demanded.
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