DONEWELL Life Company Limited has added a new product known as the Royal Funeral Policy to its range of products to correct the negative perception of funeral policies.
There is a perecption out there that when one purchases a funeral policy, then one was sighing his or her own death warrant, or that of the person insured, or that the going in for the person was expecting someone tp die.
The product which has been designed to provide funds at short notice for funeral expenses of any member covered under the policy seeks to help address the stress and expenses of organising a funeral.
The Head of Operations, Mr Edmund D. Addo said nothing could be more unexpected and could cause such drastic changes in one’s life than the sudden loss of a loved one and said the policy had been carefully designed to allow the policyholder to extend coverage to third parties.
“This is a level premium and a whole life insurance policy which provide a ‘death benefit’ coverage for the primary insured and an optional rider that allows the policyholder to extend it to the spouse, children, parents and parents-in-law”.
In the event of the death of the insured, he said the benefits could help to reduce the financial impact on the deceased’s family.
Explaining what makes it different from other funeral policies, he said the policy allowed policyholders to pay the same premium till death or to age 65.
He outlined death benefit amounts ranging from GH¢1,000 to GH¢ 10,000, part payment of benefits to defray medical expenses in case of terminal illness, cash back option which allows an additional money to be paid on the premium as an investment as some of the numerous benefits of the product.
For his part, the Managing Director, Mr Samuel Oduro said the changing world of business was what informed the introduction of the royal funeral policy.
He said most funerals were now handled by contemporary funeral contractors an act which was gradually becoming the norm of the day.
He, therefore, said the introduction of the policy was to address the expenses and hustle of organising a funeral.
Mr Addo said the premium payable would depend on the ages of the individuals being covered, the number of persons and the benefits selected which could be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
He called on the public to embrace the policy of a royal funeral.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Huston Christian School Supports Joma Methodist Primary (Page 11, August 23, 2010)
THE Huston Christian High School has funded a borehole for the Joma Methodist Primary School in the Ga South Municipality in the Greater Accra Region at a cost of GH¢ 16,500 to provide water for the school.
The school, which is the only public school in the area with a population of 250, has been confronted with inadequate access to potable water for the past years which resulted in a number of students being diagnosed with bilharzia.
The project was, therefore, aimed at making the school’s dream of having potable water a reality.
Mr Michael Adams Maddry, leader of the delegation from the Houston Christian School, which was in the country to see to the commissioning of the borehole, said a team from the school visited Joma Primary last year and saw the need to support it.
He said students between grade nine and 12 of the school, which is based in Texas, United States of America, donated towards a fund to drill a well for the pupils of Joma.
Mr Maddry said it was the vision and desire of the school to help those in need and more importantly to get the chance to share the gospel of Christ with everybody.
“ We also desire to establish partnerships on every continent of the world to help spread the gospel of Christ.”
The team distributed kits on hygiene to the pupils of the school.
Other members of the team were Drew Zeiler, Stephen Hebert, Casey Bourland, Kelsey Simmons, Katie Jackson, Sam Von Cannon, Lauren Thomas and Dale Wallace.
The Acting Bishop for the Ga Mission Circuit of the Methodist Church, Rev Richard Ako-Adjei thanked the delegation for its generosity.
He said the drilling of the borehole came as a surprise and a relief to the church and the school’s authorities since the school had faced a number of challenges in the past.
He thanked American Tanks and Vessels for the initial support of building a six-classroom block, a teachers’ common room, a computer laboratory for the school and linking the school to the Huston Christian High School.
The school, which is the only public school in the area with a population of 250, has been confronted with inadequate access to potable water for the past years which resulted in a number of students being diagnosed with bilharzia.
The project was, therefore, aimed at making the school’s dream of having potable water a reality.
Mr Michael Adams Maddry, leader of the delegation from the Houston Christian School, which was in the country to see to the commissioning of the borehole, said a team from the school visited Joma Primary last year and saw the need to support it.
He said students between grade nine and 12 of the school, which is based in Texas, United States of America, donated towards a fund to drill a well for the pupils of Joma.
Mr Maddry said it was the vision and desire of the school to help those in need and more importantly to get the chance to share the gospel of Christ with everybody.
“ We also desire to establish partnerships on every continent of the world to help spread the gospel of Christ.”
The team distributed kits on hygiene to the pupils of the school.
Other members of the team were Drew Zeiler, Stephen Hebert, Casey Bourland, Kelsey Simmons, Katie Jackson, Sam Von Cannon, Lauren Thomas and Dale Wallace.
The Acting Bishop for the Ga Mission Circuit of the Methodist Church, Rev Richard Ako-Adjei thanked the delegation for its generosity.
He said the drilling of the borehole came as a surprise and a relief to the church and the school’s authorities since the school had faced a number of challenges in the past.
He thanked American Tanks and Vessels for the initial support of building a six-classroom block, a teachers’ common room, a computer laboratory for the school and linking the school to the Huston Christian High School.
Promoting Use Of Herbal Medicine-Practitioners urged to observe proper hygiene (Page 29, August 25, 2010)
HERBAL medicine practitioners maintain that herbal medicines have proved to work as effectively as the orthodox medicines over the years and called for efforts to promote their use.
However, there are many people who are concerned about the conditions under which some of these practitioners prepare their drugs and are therefore apprehensive about their usage.
To alleviate the fear of such people, the Managing Director of Capital O2, Mr John Daniel Otto has advised herbal medicine practitioners to produce their medication under good hygienic conditions and subject them to proper certification.
This, he said would promote the use of herbal medicines in the country.
Mr Otto gave the advise in Accra at the launch of the “Natural Health Exhibition and Workshop”.
The exhibition, which is scheduled for November 23, 2010 is to promote natural medicines, help correct negative perceptions and to create a platform for deliberations on herbal medicines.
He said herbal medicines had proved over the years to be as effective as the orthodox medicines and even better in some cases.
He stressed that for the country to attain its primary health care delivery goals, it needed to make conscious efforts to incorporate herbal medicine in its health care delivery.
According to him, herbal medicines had been neglected for far too long without thinking of its enormous contributions to the country’s health sector.
Mr Otto said there was the need to combine the advanced, modern and technological diagnosis of orthodox medicines with that of herbal medicines to improve the health needs of the people.
He, therefore, lauded efforts of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to produce graduates in herbal medicines, and called on the government to champion the use of herbal medicines in the country’s health facilities.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minster of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour said herbal medicines had played and continued to play important roles in the country’s health care delivery.
He said it was therefore imperative for practitioners to explore and add value to their products.
He advised practitioners to be customer oriented, continue to learn and develop their skills, create product satisfaction and make their products accessible to all.
Dr Kunbour said the ministry would continue to create a more enabling environment to help address challenges that emerged in the field.
He promised government’s support for the industry adding that “government would support herbal medicine not only for local consumption but for exports that would generate income for the country”.
The General Secretary, of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicines (Ghaftram), Mr Godfred Yaw Boateng called on members of the federation to assist the newly established council for monitoring and evaluating the progress of traditional medicines in the country.
This, he said would help in bringing the charlatans in the industry to book.
He, therefore, advised members to register their products with the federation and the council since any product without certified registration would not be allowed on the market.
However, there are many people who are concerned about the conditions under which some of these practitioners prepare their drugs and are therefore apprehensive about their usage.
To alleviate the fear of such people, the Managing Director of Capital O2, Mr John Daniel Otto has advised herbal medicine practitioners to produce their medication under good hygienic conditions and subject them to proper certification.
This, he said would promote the use of herbal medicines in the country.
Mr Otto gave the advise in Accra at the launch of the “Natural Health Exhibition and Workshop”.
The exhibition, which is scheduled for November 23, 2010 is to promote natural medicines, help correct negative perceptions and to create a platform for deliberations on herbal medicines.
He said herbal medicines had proved over the years to be as effective as the orthodox medicines and even better in some cases.
He stressed that for the country to attain its primary health care delivery goals, it needed to make conscious efforts to incorporate herbal medicine in its health care delivery.
According to him, herbal medicines had been neglected for far too long without thinking of its enormous contributions to the country’s health sector.
Mr Otto said there was the need to combine the advanced, modern and technological diagnosis of orthodox medicines with that of herbal medicines to improve the health needs of the people.
He, therefore, lauded efforts of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to produce graduates in herbal medicines, and called on the government to champion the use of herbal medicines in the country’s health facilities.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minster of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour said herbal medicines had played and continued to play important roles in the country’s health care delivery.
He said it was therefore imperative for practitioners to explore and add value to their products.
He advised practitioners to be customer oriented, continue to learn and develop their skills, create product satisfaction and make their products accessible to all.
Dr Kunbour said the ministry would continue to create a more enabling environment to help address challenges that emerged in the field.
He promised government’s support for the industry adding that “government would support herbal medicine not only for local consumption but for exports that would generate income for the country”.
The General Secretary, of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicines (Ghaftram), Mr Godfred Yaw Boateng called on members of the federation to assist the newly established council for monitoring and evaluating the progress of traditional medicines in the country.
This, he said would help in bringing the charlatans in the industry to book.
He, therefore, advised members to register their products with the federation and the council since any product without certified registration would not be allowed on the market.
Weija Leprosarium Celebrates 60th Anniv. (Page 38, August 23, 2010)
THE Weija Leprosarium has celebrated its 60th anniversary with a call on government to assist the home with the adequate resources for the upkeep of the inmates.
The Chairman of the Leper Aid Committee, Rev. Fr Andrew Campbell, who made the call said the home had depended on donations and assistance from institutions for the past years and had received little support from the government.
He said the inmates at the Leprosarium were humans just as any other individual in the country and needed to be treated as such.
He outlined inadequate infrastructure, lack of social amenities, and inadequate funding as the major challenges facing the home.
Rev. Fr Campbell said aside the challenges facing the home, families of the inmates had deserted them over the years since they were considered as unclean.
He appealed to families whose relatives were at the home to pay them regular visits and to be prepared to take them home when they were cured.
Rev. Fr Campbell who won GH¢25,000 on the “Who wants to be rich” show sponsored by MTN used the money to sponsor the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Leprosarium.
He appealed to all who have the progress of the home at heart to text the number 1966 to all networks to support the home.
Giving a brief history of the home, the prefect of the Leprosarium, Madam Gladys Adobea, said the home was established in 1966 with 85 inmates who were moved from Labadi.
She said to date only five of them were still alive with the oldest been 99 years.
She said despite the challenges that they faced they have lived happily together.
She thanked Rev. Fr Campbell for his enormous support and devotion to the home and the inmates.
The home also received various donations from institutions and individuals at the celebration.
Baron Distilleries, Getty and Friends, Central University College, All Ships in Tema were among the institutions that donated to the home.
Items donated included electrical appliances, bags of gari, rice, charcoal, beverages, toiletries, foodstuffs, used clothes, detergents and fruits worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.
The Administrative Manager of Baron Distilleries, Mr Ellis Clottey, who spoke on behalf of the donors said they were happy to associate with the home on the celebration of their 60th anniversary.
He said it was part of their corporate social responsibility, adding that helping the less privileged in the society brought the company so much joy.
He congratulated the home and Rev. Fr Campbell for the support he continued to give to the home.
He also promised the company’s support to the home.
Rev. Fr Campbell also presented gifts to all 40 inmates and a television set to the surviving five inmates who had spent 60 years of their lives in the home.
The Chairman of the Leper Aid Committee, Rev. Fr Andrew Campbell, who made the call said the home had depended on donations and assistance from institutions for the past years and had received little support from the government.
He said the inmates at the Leprosarium were humans just as any other individual in the country and needed to be treated as such.
He outlined inadequate infrastructure, lack of social amenities, and inadequate funding as the major challenges facing the home.
Rev. Fr Campbell said aside the challenges facing the home, families of the inmates had deserted them over the years since they were considered as unclean.
He appealed to families whose relatives were at the home to pay them regular visits and to be prepared to take them home when they were cured.
Rev. Fr Campbell who won GH¢25,000 on the “Who wants to be rich” show sponsored by MTN used the money to sponsor the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Leprosarium.
He appealed to all who have the progress of the home at heart to text the number 1966 to all networks to support the home.
Giving a brief history of the home, the prefect of the Leprosarium, Madam Gladys Adobea, said the home was established in 1966 with 85 inmates who were moved from Labadi.
She said to date only five of them were still alive with the oldest been 99 years.
She said despite the challenges that they faced they have lived happily together.
She thanked Rev. Fr Campbell for his enormous support and devotion to the home and the inmates.
The home also received various donations from institutions and individuals at the celebration.
Baron Distilleries, Getty and Friends, Central University College, All Ships in Tema were among the institutions that donated to the home.
Items donated included electrical appliances, bags of gari, rice, charcoal, beverages, toiletries, foodstuffs, used clothes, detergents and fruits worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.
The Administrative Manager of Baron Distilleries, Mr Ellis Clottey, who spoke on behalf of the donors said they were happy to associate with the home on the celebration of their 60th anniversary.
He said it was part of their corporate social responsibility, adding that helping the less privileged in the society brought the company so much joy.
He congratulated the home and Rev. Fr Campbell for the support he continued to give to the home.
He also promised the company’s support to the home.
Rev. Fr Campbell also presented gifts to all 40 inmates and a television set to the surviving five inmates who had spent 60 years of their lives in the home.
Breasfeeding Saves Lives of Infants (Page 11, August 2010)
The Director of Family Life Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr (Mrs) Gloria Quansah-Asare, has advised mothers to make conscious efforts to start breastfeeding their babies within the first hour of birth to help reduce their infants risk of death.
She said a research conducted on babies who survived the first day clearly showed that 41 per cent of all babies who die during two (2) to 28 days of life can be saved by this simple intervention.
She explained that initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth was a vital step in reducing the infant’s risk of death.
Dr (Mrs) Quansah-Asare was speaking at the launch of the World Breastfeeding week celebration in Accra on the theme “ Breastfeeding, just 10 steps: The baby friendly way”.
She said the study which was conducted from rural communities in the country involving 10,947 infants had shown that the initiation of breast feeding within the first hour of birth can prevent one million out of four million new-born deaths.
She said the week was also to celebrate 20 years of the Innocenti Declaration on the protecting, promoting and support of breastfeeding, adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1990 to promote successful breastfeeding and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
She explained that to enhance the implementation of the declaration, WHO and UNICEF had put in place 10 basic steps to be promoted by health facilities globally.
The first step enjoins countries to have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff, to train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy, inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding and to help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half hour of birth.
It also requires health officials to show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants, avoid giving new-born infants food or drink unless medically indicated, practice rooming-in, that is allow mothers and infants to remain together, 24 hours a day and encourage breastfeeding on demand.
The other steps also require mothers not to give any artificial teats or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants and to foster the establishment of breastfeed support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge.
Dr (Mrs) Quansah-Asare said it was therefore necessary for all to help support breastfeeding by practising all the 10 steps.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, called on all health care providers as well as community members to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed successfully.
He also called for the revitalisation of the baby friendly hospital initiative in the country which would lead to the achievement of the ”gold standard” aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continue with appropriate complimentary foods until the baby was two years old or more.
He encouraged health workers to display their professional skills to encourage the attendance of mothers to health facilities to help reduce maternal mortality.
He congratulated the 37 Military Hospital for being the leading baby friendly health hospital and for maintaining the standards for 15 years since it was initiated.
A Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF, Dr Ernestina Agyepong, said the Innocenti Declaration proposed that a national breastfeeding co-ordinator and authority be appointed, all maternity facilities practice all the ten steps and that a legal instrument is developed to protect the breastfeeding rights of mothers which was to be enforced through the code of marketing of breast milk substitute and maternity protection laws globally.
She said UNICEF and WHO remained committed to ensuring the continuity of the Innocenti Declaration to support breastfeeding to help impact positively on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals One, Four and Five, which relate to ending poverty, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health respectively.
She said a research conducted on babies who survived the first day clearly showed that 41 per cent of all babies who die during two (2) to 28 days of life can be saved by this simple intervention.
She explained that initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth was a vital step in reducing the infant’s risk of death.
Dr (Mrs) Quansah-Asare was speaking at the launch of the World Breastfeeding week celebration in Accra on the theme “ Breastfeeding, just 10 steps: The baby friendly way”.
She said the study which was conducted from rural communities in the country involving 10,947 infants had shown that the initiation of breast feeding within the first hour of birth can prevent one million out of four million new-born deaths.
She said the week was also to celebrate 20 years of the Innocenti Declaration on the protecting, promoting and support of breastfeeding, adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1990 to promote successful breastfeeding and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
She explained that to enhance the implementation of the declaration, WHO and UNICEF had put in place 10 basic steps to be promoted by health facilities globally.
The first step enjoins countries to have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff, to train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy, inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding and to help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half hour of birth.
It also requires health officials to show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants, avoid giving new-born infants food or drink unless medically indicated, practice rooming-in, that is allow mothers and infants to remain together, 24 hours a day and encourage breastfeeding on demand.
The other steps also require mothers not to give any artificial teats or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants and to foster the establishment of breastfeed support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge.
Dr (Mrs) Quansah-Asare said it was therefore necessary for all to help support breastfeeding by practising all the 10 steps.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, called on all health care providers as well as community members to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed successfully.
He also called for the revitalisation of the baby friendly hospital initiative in the country which would lead to the achievement of the ”gold standard” aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continue with appropriate complimentary foods until the baby was two years old or more.
He encouraged health workers to display their professional skills to encourage the attendance of mothers to health facilities to help reduce maternal mortality.
He congratulated the 37 Military Hospital for being the leading baby friendly health hospital and for maintaining the standards for 15 years since it was initiated.
A Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF, Dr Ernestina Agyepong, said the Innocenti Declaration proposed that a national breastfeeding co-ordinator and authority be appointed, all maternity facilities practice all the ten steps and that a legal instrument is developed to protect the breastfeeding rights of mothers which was to be enforced through the code of marketing of breast milk substitute and maternity protection laws globally.
She said UNICEF and WHO remained committed to ensuring the continuity of the Innocenti Declaration to support breastfeeding to help impact positively on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals One, Four and Five, which relate to ending poverty, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health respectively.
Trade Ministry To Launch Policy (Spread, August 21, 2010)
The Ministry of Trade and Industry will soon launch and implement an industrial policy to address major concerns within the sector.
The policy is expected to be launched on September 21, 2010 to serve as a national policy for the entire sector.
This came to light when the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, paid a familiarisation visit to Interplast Limited in Accra to acquaint himself with the work of the company.
Interacting with the officials of Interplast Limited, Mr Ayariga said as a ministry, its major interest was in trade and export and it was its responsibility to be conversant with the works of companies that were engaged in export.
He noted that few companies in the country were involved in export and therefore the need for the ministry to know and address the challenges faced by such companies.
He congratulated Interplast on being the leading manufacturer and distributor of PVC pipes in West Africa.
The Managing Director of Interplast Limited, Mr Hayssam Fakhry, said despite the various challenges confronting the company it had proved to be the best in the sub-region.
He said the company was established in 1970, in consultation with the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation to provide high quality PVC pipes and fittings of internationally recognised standards.
"The company has since produced and supplied the majority of Ghana's requirement of small and large diameter PVC pipes for the supply of water throughout the country".
Mr Fakhry said the company had extended its range of products to cover the manufacturing of high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, ceiling and wall panelling and Everlast windows and doors.
He noted that the company had put in place modern production facility equipped with the most technically advanced extrusion machinery available to maintain the international standards of its products.
The policy is expected to be launched on September 21, 2010 to serve as a national policy for the entire sector.
This came to light when the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, paid a familiarisation visit to Interplast Limited in Accra to acquaint himself with the work of the company.
Interacting with the officials of Interplast Limited, Mr Ayariga said as a ministry, its major interest was in trade and export and it was its responsibility to be conversant with the works of companies that were engaged in export.
He noted that few companies in the country were involved in export and therefore the need for the ministry to know and address the challenges faced by such companies.
He congratulated Interplast on being the leading manufacturer and distributor of PVC pipes in West Africa.
The Managing Director of Interplast Limited, Mr Hayssam Fakhry, said despite the various challenges confronting the company it had proved to be the best in the sub-region.
He said the company was established in 1970, in consultation with the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation to provide high quality PVC pipes and fittings of internationally recognised standards.
"The company has since produced and supplied the majority of Ghana's requirement of small and large diameter PVC pipes for the supply of water throughout the country".
Mr Fakhry said the company had extended its range of products to cover the manufacturing of high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, ceiling and wall panelling and Everlast windows and doors.
He noted that the company had put in place modern production facility equipped with the most technically advanced extrusion machinery available to maintain the international standards of its products.
Banks Urged To Support Agric Sector (Page 29, August 20, 2010)
THE Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mr Millison Narh, has asked financial institutions to design products and services that will help transform the agricultural sector.
This, he said would lead to growth and wealth in the economies of West African countries.
Mr Narh made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop organised by African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) in Accra, today.
He stated that one of the bedrock for achieving sustainable economic growth and development in any economy is the existence of a vibrant banking and financial sector.
He said that would ensure effective and efficient financial intermediation.
“The financial system acts as a catalyst for initiating and sustaining economic growth, development and integration”, he said.
Mr Narh said access to credit had consistently been identified as one of the key element necessary to increase economic capital and development.
He explained that the largest constraint to the development of the agricultural sector was the lack of a long-term credit, adding that a world bank study proved that the difficulty of accessing affordable finance was one of the main factors holding back the African continent.
The two-day workshop which is on the theme:” Rural Finance Intermediation for Growth and Wealth Creation in Africa” is to create a platform for member countries to discuss ways of enhancing the role and effectiveness of financial service providers in rural agricultural.
The workshop was also to deliberate on bridging the existence financial gaps for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), risk management and regulatory issues in Africa.
The Chairman of AFRACA, Mr Edmund Mkwawa, said developing the agricultural sector in Africa should not lie on the shoulders of the sector ministers alone but should be a collective responsibility for all.
He, therefore, called on financial institutions to support the sector in terms of loans to accelerate the needed growth of the sector.
Mr Mkwawa also called on the delegates to make contributions that would provide useful insights into the many challenges faced by the sector.
For his part, the first Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia, Mr Basiru Njai, said the most empirical studies revealed that limited access and high costs of finance were key obstacles to economic growth and development in Africa.
He advised that to deepen the financial sector and ensure access to loans and credit, it was important to sustain a benign macroeconomic environment.
This, he said would lead to growth and wealth in the economies of West African countries.
Mr Narh made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop organised by African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) in Accra, today.
He stated that one of the bedrock for achieving sustainable economic growth and development in any economy is the existence of a vibrant banking and financial sector.
He said that would ensure effective and efficient financial intermediation.
“The financial system acts as a catalyst for initiating and sustaining economic growth, development and integration”, he said.
Mr Narh said access to credit had consistently been identified as one of the key element necessary to increase economic capital and development.
He explained that the largest constraint to the development of the agricultural sector was the lack of a long-term credit, adding that a world bank study proved that the difficulty of accessing affordable finance was one of the main factors holding back the African continent.
The two-day workshop which is on the theme:” Rural Finance Intermediation for Growth and Wealth Creation in Africa” is to create a platform for member countries to discuss ways of enhancing the role and effectiveness of financial service providers in rural agricultural.
The workshop was also to deliberate on bridging the existence financial gaps for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), risk management and regulatory issues in Africa.
The Chairman of AFRACA, Mr Edmund Mkwawa, said developing the agricultural sector in Africa should not lie on the shoulders of the sector ministers alone but should be a collective responsibility for all.
He, therefore, called on financial institutions to support the sector in terms of loans to accelerate the needed growth of the sector.
Mr Mkwawa also called on the delegates to make contributions that would provide useful insights into the many challenges faced by the sector.
For his part, the first Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia, Mr Basiru Njai, said the most empirical studies revealed that limited access and high costs of finance were key obstacles to economic growth and development in Africa.
He advised that to deepen the financial sector and ensure access to loans and credit, it was important to sustain a benign macroeconomic environment.
Vodafone Holds Health, Safety Workshop (Page 19, August 13, 2010)
Vodafone Ghana Limited has called on its suppliers to institute employee protection schemes to safeguard their workers against fatal accidents and injury on the job.
At a health and safety workshop held for its employees, partners, assignees and contractors, the Head of Supply Chain Management, Mr Bart Borchardt, said health and safety were critical measures in every successful business.
He, therefore, said it was imperative for the company’s suppliers to institute the highest level of health and safety plans, as well as ethical purchasing, if they wanted to be in business with the company.
To ensure the delivery of health and safety among its workers, Vodafone Ghana has put in place six absolute rules to be implemented throughout all its outlets in the country and with all third-party contractors.
The constant wearing of seat belts, the wearing of safety personal protection equipment, the observation of speed limits, the carrying out of electrical works by qualified persons, never to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs and never to use a hand phone while driving constituted the six absolute rules.
The Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Mr Kyle Whitehill, indicated that the rules were mandatory and non- negotiable.
He explained that businesses had a responsibility to keep their employees alive as a corporate responsibility measure.
He said in the past few months Vodafone Ghana had vigorously pursued a health and safety programme among its staff, adding, “These rules, even though they apply directly to internal staff, will be applied to all, the dealers, assigns and contractors we do business with, as a sure means of endearing ourselves to our communities as a partner who is aware of the dangers in doing business recklessly.”
For his part, the Head of Health, Safety and Well-being at Vodafone Ghana, Mr Samuel Koffie, said the company was committed to building capacity and training its suppliers to enable them to employ the high standards Vodafone demanded of them.
He said the company had so far disciplined more than 100 employees who violated the health and safety rules of the company.
He, therefore, advised suppliers to have clear health and safety strategies by allocating budgets and integrating them into their operations.
He also called on suppliers to implement strong and robust safety plans that would give no room for violations.
At a health and safety workshop held for its employees, partners, assignees and contractors, the Head of Supply Chain Management, Mr Bart Borchardt, said health and safety were critical measures in every successful business.
He, therefore, said it was imperative for the company’s suppliers to institute the highest level of health and safety plans, as well as ethical purchasing, if they wanted to be in business with the company.
To ensure the delivery of health and safety among its workers, Vodafone Ghana has put in place six absolute rules to be implemented throughout all its outlets in the country and with all third-party contractors.
The constant wearing of seat belts, the wearing of safety personal protection equipment, the observation of speed limits, the carrying out of electrical works by qualified persons, never to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs and never to use a hand phone while driving constituted the six absolute rules.
The Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Mr Kyle Whitehill, indicated that the rules were mandatory and non- negotiable.
He explained that businesses had a responsibility to keep their employees alive as a corporate responsibility measure.
He said in the past few months Vodafone Ghana had vigorously pursued a health and safety programme among its staff, adding, “These rules, even though they apply directly to internal staff, will be applied to all, the dealers, assigns and contractors we do business with, as a sure means of endearing ourselves to our communities as a partner who is aware of the dangers in doing business recklessly.”
For his part, the Head of Health, Safety and Well-being at Vodafone Ghana, Mr Samuel Koffie, said the company was committed to building capacity and training its suppliers to enable them to employ the high standards Vodafone demanded of them.
He said the company had so far disciplined more than 100 employees who violated the health and safety rules of the company.
He, therefore, advised suppliers to have clear health and safety strategies by allocating budgets and integrating them into their operations.
He also called on suppliers to implement strong and robust safety plans that would give no room for violations.
Use Freedom Responsibly-Kufour (Page 13, August 11, 2010)
FORMER President John Agyekum Kufuor has advised journalists to be responsible in the use of media freedom and not abuse the influence they have on public opinion.
He noted that the media sometimes wielded too much power and needed to be careful not to act in ways that could work against the national interest and stability.
The former President made those remarks at a forum on government-media relations in a developing democracy to mark the ninth anniversary of the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in 2001.
The forum was also held as a prelude to a national conference to be held next year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the landmark repeal.
The former President stressed that journalistic freedom should be accompanied by responsibilities and expressed his support for the extension of press freedoms across the continent
He drew a distinction between criminal libel laws and laws of sedition, adding, “There should not be power without responsibility.”
He said the laws on sedition would make the media more responsible and accountable for their actions.
He noted that the repeal of the law had brought about pluralism in the Ghanaian media, with the flourishing of more than 100 FM stations and private newspapers in the years following the repeal.
Mr Kufour indicated that although many journalists abused the freedom of expression they were granted after the repeal, he had never had any regret for that decision.
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Prof Kwame Karikari, said the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law marked “the attainment of the freedom and independence of the tongue and the pen”.
He said the decision marked one of the most cardinal events in the construction of democracy in the country, as people were no longer afraid to criticise governments, and believed that other laws that fought against the freedom of journalists would be abolished.
The occasion was also used to introduce the “Declaration of Table Mountain” campaign, which is aimed at clamouring for the abolition of insult and criminal defamation laws in Africa and the institution of a free press across the continent.
A representative from the World Association of Newspapers, Mr Amadou Kanoute, presented the document on the declaration to Mr Kufuor and invited him to sign in support of the campaign.
He said the purpose of the campaign was to reaffirm the responsibility of the global representatives of publishers and editors to fight against laws which suppressed media freedom.
However, former President Kufuor explained that although he agreed with the principles expounded in the document regarding the extension of press freedom, he would not sign it until caveats which recognised the dangers of unlimited press freedoms and the need for responsibility were added.
He cautioned against sensationalism and irresponsible journalism and said it was important to prevent “elements that will mitigate against the ideals of press freedom”.
Mr Kanoute indicated that the proposed amendments would be considered.
He noted that the media sometimes wielded too much power and needed to be careful not to act in ways that could work against the national interest and stability.
The former President made those remarks at a forum on government-media relations in a developing democracy to mark the ninth anniversary of the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in 2001.
The forum was also held as a prelude to a national conference to be held next year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the landmark repeal.
The former President stressed that journalistic freedom should be accompanied by responsibilities and expressed his support for the extension of press freedoms across the continent
He drew a distinction between criminal libel laws and laws of sedition, adding, “There should not be power without responsibility.”
He said the laws on sedition would make the media more responsible and accountable for their actions.
He noted that the repeal of the law had brought about pluralism in the Ghanaian media, with the flourishing of more than 100 FM stations and private newspapers in the years following the repeal.
Mr Kufour indicated that although many journalists abused the freedom of expression they were granted after the repeal, he had never had any regret for that decision.
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Prof Kwame Karikari, said the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law marked “the attainment of the freedom and independence of the tongue and the pen”.
He said the decision marked one of the most cardinal events in the construction of democracy in the country, as people were no longer afraid to criticise governments, and believed that other laws that fought against the freedom of journalists would be abolished.
The occasion was also used to introduce the “Declaration of Table Mountain” campaign, which is aimed at clamouring for the abolition of insult and criminal defamation laws in Africa and the institution of a free press across the continent.
A representative from the World Association of Newspapers, Mr Amadou Kanoute, presented the document on the declaration to Mr Kufuor and invited him to sign in support of the campaign.
He said the purpose of the campaign was to reaffirm the responsibility of the global representatives of publishers and editors to fight against laws which suppressed media freedom.
However, former President Kufuor explained that although he agreed with the principles expounded in the document regarding the extension of press freedom, he would not sign it until caveats which recognised the dangers of unlimited press freedoms and the need for responsibility were added.
He cautioned against sensationalism and irresponsible journalism and said it was important to prevent “elements that will mitigate against the ideals of press freedom”.
Mr Kanoute indicated that the proposed amendments would be considered.
Graphic Wins Keep-fit Games (page 63, August 9, 2010)
Workers of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and two other companies on Saturday engaged in a number of sporting activities to maintain their physical health and strengthen the cordial relationship and cooperation among them.
The other workers were from Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) and Voltic Ghana Limited (VGL).
The sporting activities were track events, soccer, volley ball, tug- of- peace and a health walk which started from the GCGL office through the National Theatre, Liberation Circle, 37 Military Hospital to the El-wak Sports Stadium.
The MOMS Health Club,a fitness club, supervised various exercises.
Female workers of the GCGL emerged winners of the 100 metre race, 4X100 metre race, sack race and tug- of- peace events, while the male workers of the company won the tug of peace and volley ball events.
Voltic workers won the 4X100 metre men’s event, lime and spoon and soccer, while the ABL excelled
only in 100metre walking race and sack race(both men’s events).
At the end of the games, Graphic clinched 41 points to emerge winnners, while Voltic won 38 points and ABL 22 points to earn a respectable last and third place.
Addressing the participants, the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ibrahim Awal, said the activity was to promote healthy living among workers for effective work and noted that regular exercises would give workers the strength to work.
“Keep exercising regularly, it should not be once a year, but at least twice a week”, he advised.
For his part, the Managing Director of ABL, Mr Gregory Metcalf, said there was the need for every individual to undertake regular and effective exercises.
He said the occasion created a platform for workers to interact, have fun, build cohesion and a sense of belonging to help project the image and profile of each company.
A doctor and Fitness Therapist, Dr Kojo Essel, advised the participants to eat the right foods, avoid smoking, minimise alcohol intake and ensure environmental and personal hygiene.
Dr Essel advised the public to exercise daily in order to be fit.
The other workers were from Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) and Voltic Ghana Limited (VGL).
The sporting activities were track events, soccer, volley ball, tug- of- peace and a health walk which started from the GCGL office through the National Theatre, Liberation Circle, 37 Military Hospital to the El-wak Sports Stadium.
The MOMS Health Club,a fitness club, supervised various exercises.
Female workers of the GCGL emerged winners of the 100 metre race, 4X100 metre race, sack race and tug- of- peace events, while the male workers of the company won the tug of peace and volley ball events.
Voltic workers won the 4X100 metre men’s event, lime and spoon and soccer, while the ABL excelled
only in 100metre walking race and sack race(both men’s events).
At the end of the games, Graphic clinched 41 points to emerge winnners, while Voltic won 38 points and ABL 22 points to earn a respectable last and third place.
Addressing the participants, the Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ibrahim Awal, said the activity was to promote healthy living among workers for effective work and noted that regular exercises would give workers the strength to work.
“Keep exercising regularly, it should not be once a year, but at least twice a week”, he advised.
For his part, the Managing Director of ABL, Mr Gregory Metcalf, said there was the need for every individual to undertake regular and effective exercises.
He said the occasion created a platform for workers to interact, have fun, build cohesion and a sense of belonging to help project the image and profile of each company.
A doctor and Fitness Therapist, Dr Kojo Essel, advised the participants to eat the right foods, avoid smoking, minimise alcohol intake and ensure environmental and personal hygiene.
Dr Essel advised the public to exercise daily in order to be fit.
Exhibit Quality Customer Service-Adelaide Kastner (Page 11, August 6,2010)
THE Krafty Hospitality Services has held its maiden graduation with a call on those in the hospitality industry to exhibit quality customer service in their fields of endeavour.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Legon, Dr Adelaide Kastner who made the call, said customer services rendered by most people in the hospitality industry in the country were below standards.
She, therefore, said there was the need for institutions in the sector to teach their students how to deliver quality services and the importance of quality customer service in an organisation.
Dr Kastner congratulated the founder of the school, Madam Sybil Ansah for being able to sustain the business, adding that “not many women have been able to start and sustain a business”.
She said the example of Krafty Hospitality was laudable since it was promoting women’s empowerment in the country.
“In today’s fast growing economy women have to realise that they must work extremely hard to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country”.
She, therefore, advised the graduands to explore their chosen field and to deliver quality customer services to their customers.
She was of the belief that Krafty Hospitality Services would grow into a multi-national company with world class services.
On her part, the Director of the institute, Madam Sybil Ansah said the school was established in July 1, 2009 to train ladies in cake making and decorations.
She said the school had so far trained 43 ladies with 31 graduating as professionals in the field.
Madam Ansah said her love for teaching and cooking inspired her to establish the institution to imbibe knowledge in young ladies to enable them to be self-employed.
‘’I am hopeful that the institute will grow into a bigger organisation and become a leader in the hospitality industry in the coming years’’, he stated.
She advised the ladies to put into practise what they had learned from the institute, adding that they should be hard working and try to deliver excellent customer service at all times.
Mr Richard Acquaah Harrison, a guest at the graduation ceremony, also advised the graduands to be smart, sharp and intelligent since those were the virtues and the requisite ingredients for starting a successful business.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Legon, Dr Adelaide Kastner who made the call, said customer services rendered by most people in the hospitality industry in the country were below standards.
She, therefore, said there was the need for institutions in the sector to teach their students how to deliver quality services and the importance of quality customer service in an organisation.
Dr Kastner congratulated the founder of the school, Madam Sybil Ansah for being able to sustain the business, adding that “not many women have been able to start and sustain a business”.
She said the example of Krafty Hospitality was laudable since it was promoting women’s empowerment in the country.
“In today’s fast growing economy women have to realise that they must work extremely hard to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country”.
She, therefore, advised the graduands to explore their chosen field and to deliver quality customer services to their customers.
She was of the belief that Krafty Hospitality Services would grow into a multi-national company with world class services.
On her part, the Director of the institute, Madam Sybil Ansah said the school was established in July 1, 2009 to train ladies in cake making and decorations.
She said the school had so far trained 43 ladies with 31 graduating as professionals in the field.
Madam Ansah said her love for teaching and cooking inspired her to establish the institution to imbibe knowledge in young ladies to enable them to be self-employed.
‘’I am hopeful that the institute will grow into a bigger organisation and become a leader in the hospitality industry in the coming years’’, he stated.
She advised the ladies to put into practise what they had learned from the institute, adding that they should be hard working and try to deliver excellent customer service at all times.
Mr Richard Acquaah Harrison, a guest at the graduation ceremony, also advised the graduands to be smart, sharp and intelligent since those were the virtues and the requisite ingredients for starting a successful business.
More Teachers Needed For Children With Special Needs (Page 11, July 27, 2010)
A specialist committed to addressing Specific Learning Disabilities (SpLD) in Children, Mr Bernard Boaheng, has stressed the need for the establishment of more special training schools for teachers in SpLD.
He said the country needed more teachers in the area to assist children with various forms of SpLD in order to help them identify and address those challenges among the children they taught.
He explained that most children with such problems left home or dropped out of school due to their inability to cope with the conditions in which they found themselves.
Mr Boaheng, who was speaking at a workshop organised by the Special Attention Project (SAP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for parents of some street children in its care, said teachers in the country needed to undergo the appropriate training needed to give extra attention to children in their care in order to identify the various learning difficulties that affects them.
He said children with learning disabilities may require special attention and encouragement from both parents and teachers.
Mr Boaheng said while interacting with some children, he discovered that a number of them had various forms of SpLD which had made it difficult for them to cope in some environment.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Specific Learning Disabilities (SpLD) mean a severe learning problem due to a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in acquiring, organising or expressing information that manifests itself in school as an impaired ability to listen, reason, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations, despite appropriate instruction in the general education curriculum.
Some common types of SpLD include Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.
Mr Boaheng said “the time has come for parents and teachers to undergo some training in identifying and addressing SpLD in children” adding that, “Ghana has only one special training school for teachers in that field based in Accra”.
He said the workshop was to educate the parents on SpLD and to encourage them on how best they could be of help to their children.
He advised parents not to neglect their wards because they had special learning disabilities, but support and encourage them, adding that teachers who teach such children should also endeavour to give special attention to them to help them develop their skills.
He said the country needed more teachers in the area to assist children with various forms of SpLD in order to help them identify and address those challenges among the children they taught.
He explained that most children with such problems left home or dropped out of school due to their inability to cope with the conditions in which they found themselves.
Mr Boaheng, who was speaking at a workshop organised by the Special Attention Project (SAP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for parents of some street children in its care, said teachers in the country needed to undergo the appropriate training needed to give extra attention to children in their care in order to identify the various learning difficulties that affects them.
He said children with learning disabilities may require special attention and encouragement from both parents and teachers.
Mr Boaheng said while interacting with some children, he discovered that a number of them had various forms of SpLD which had made it difficult for them to cope in some environment.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Specific Learning Disabilities (SpLD) mean a severe learning problem due to a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in acquiring, organising or expressing information that manifests itself in school as an impaired ability to listen, reason, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations, despite appropriate instruction in the general education curriculum.
Some common types of SpLD include Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.
Mr Boaheng said “the time has come for parents and teachers to undergo some training in identifying and addressing SpLD in children” adding that, “Ghana has only one special training school for teachers in that field based in Accra”.
He said the workshop was to educate the parents on SpLD and to encourage them on how best they could be of help to their children.
He advised parents not to neglect their wards because they had special learning disabilities, but support and encourage them, adding that teachers who teach such children should also endeavour to give special attention to them to help them develop their skills.
Make Discipline Your Guiding Principle-Kabral (Spread, July 26,2010)
THE Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere has advised students to make discipline their guiding principle in their lives.
That, he said was the only key to their success as they prepared to take their positions as future leaders in the country.
Mr Blay-Amihere was speaking on the theme “Discipline, the beacon of quality education for national development” at the 37th speech and prize giving day of the St Martin de Porres School in Dansoman, Accra.
He said in the country’s quest to produce leaders for the next generation, it was imperative that discipline was inculcated in the students.
“Respect for rules and regulations, values and norms of the society and punctuality should be the standards for producing students who would in turn be the future leaders of this country,” he said
Mr Blay-Amihere said although corporal punishment was no longer prevalent in the country’s educational system, there were several ways of ensuring discipline in schools.
He congratulated the school for its hard work and the discipline that charaterised its activities over the years.
For his part, the Headmaster of the school, Mr E. E. Inkumsah said the school’s optimum goal over the years had been academic excellence, adding that the school had achieved that with selfless dedication by the teaching staff.
He said the school was under-going a number of rehabilitation exercise to give it a facelift and to create comfort and conductive environment to enhance quality teaching and learning.
Recounting the school’s successes, Mr Inkumsah said the school performed excellently at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2009.
He said out of the 80 candidates who took the exams, 69 passed with distinction.
That, he said was the only key to their success as they prepared to take their positions as future leaders in the country.
Mr Blay-Amihere was speaking on the theme “Discipline, the beacon of quality education for national development” at the 37th speech and prize giving day of the St Martin de Porres School in Dansoman, Accra.
He said in the country’s quest to produce leaders for the next generation, it was imperative that discipline was inculcated in the students.
“Respect for rules and regulations, values and norms of the society and punctuality should be the standards for producing students who would in turn be the future leaders of this country,” he said
Mr Blay-Amihere said although corporal punishment was no longer prevalent in the country’s educational system, there were several ways of ensuring discipline in schools.
He congratulated the school for its hard work and the discipline that charaterised its activities over the years.
For his part, the Headmaster of the school, Mr E. E. Inkumsah said the school’s optimum goal over the years had been academic excellence, adding that the school had achieved that with selfless dedication by the teaching staff.
He said the school was under-going a number of rehabilitation exercise to give it a facelift and to create comfort and conductive environment to enhance quality teaching and learning.
Recounting the school’s successes, Mr Inkumsah said the school performed excellently at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2009.
He said out of the 80 candidates who took the exams, 69 passed with distinction.
Book On Affirmative Action Launched (Page 11, July 20 ,2010)
A book on "Affirmative Action and the Prospects for Gender Equality in Ghanaian Politics" written by Dr Dzodzi Tsikata has been launched in Accra.
The book, which talks on injustices in the representation of women in Ghanaian politics, was produced by the women’s advocary groups in collaboration with ABANTU for Development, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Women in Broadcasting.
It makes a case for affirmative action on grounds of necessity, legal justification and its value for the attainment of broad developmental goals.
It also examines the experience of affirmation action in Ghana, traces its history, achievements , limitations and continuing challenges. It provides lessons from the successful cases of affirmative action in countries such as South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda and makes proposals and recommendation for a programme of affirmative action in political representation in Ghana.
Launching the book, the Deputy Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Hawawu Boya commended the women's advocacy groups for jointly organising such an important material to analyse past attempts at implementing affirmative action in Ghana.
She said the book justified the need for explicit measures for such an initiative and proposed an agenda for action.
She, however, contended that efforts at increasing women in decision making was growing at a slower pace and that the country had a long way to go, but added that a joint support crusade from all stakeholders would aid women empowerment in the country.
She said "The situation in Ghana is particularly worrisome as the number of women in parliament has decreased from 20, after the 2008 election to 19".
The author, Dr Tsikata, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), said the book was a call to action and motivation, as well as provided a learning process and hope for greater chances gender equality in Ghanaian politics.
She said affirmative action had been used in Ghana since independence to address gender and regional imbalances in access to education, health, work and politics.
"While it has had some successes, particularly in improving the male/female ratio in primary education, it has been less effective for improving women's representation in political and public life" she said.
She expressed concern on unavailability of national consensus on affirmative action and urged gender-advocacy groups and individuals, to hold the government accountable to its promise of achieving forty per cent women's representation in government.
Dr Tsikata attributed lower participation of women in politics to lack of financial resources and discrimination against women.
She said for women in power to make a difference, they needed critical minds and at least thirty per cent representation in parliament.
The Regional Director of FES, Mrs Daniela Kuzu said affirmative action was a necessary tool to achieve the goal of having more women in politics, adding that “Women give birth and work in raising families, so why shouldn’t we be included in decision making?".
Mr Nii Nortey Duah, a clinical Psychologist present at the function said women advocacy acts should be seen as an investment in the nation’s development rather than cost to individuals.
The ceremony also saw the awarding of certificates to women who under went a seven- month training in the Women in Politics Training (WIPT) programme.
The book, which talks on injustices in the representation of women in Ghanaian politics, was produced by the women’s advocary groups in collaboration with ABANTU for Development, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Women in Broadcasting.
It makes a case for affirmative action on grounds of necessity, legal justification and its value for the attainment of broad developmental goals.
It also examines the experience of affirmation action in Ghana, traces its history, achievements , limitations and continuing challenges. It provides lessons from the successful cases of affirmative action in countries such as South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda and makes proposals and recommendation for a programme of affirmative action in political representation in Ghana.
Launching the book, the Deputy Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Hawawu Boya commended the women's advocacy groups for jointly organising such an important material to analyse past attempts at implementing affirmative action in Ghana.
She said the book justified the need for explicit measures for such an initiative and proposed an agenda for action.
She, however, contended that efforts at increasing women in decision making was growing at a slower pace and that the country had a long way to go, but added that a joint support crusade from all stakeholders would aid women empowerment in the country.
She said "The situation in Ghana is particularly worrisome as the number of women in parliament has decreased from 20, after the 2008 election to 19".
The author, Dr Tsikata, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), said the book was a call to action and motivation, as well as provided a learning process and hope for greater chances gender equality in Ghanaian politics.
She said affirmative action had been used in Ghana since independence to address gender and regional imbalances in access to education, health, work and politics.
"While it has had some successes, particularly in improving the male/female ratio in primary education, it has been less effective for improving women's representation in political and public life" she said.
She expressed concern on unavailability of national consensus on affirmative action and urged gender-advocacy groups and individuals, to hold the government accountable to its promise of achieving forty per cent women's representation in government.
Dr Tsikata attributed lower participation of women in politics to lack of financial resources and discrimination against women.
She said for women in power to make a difference, they needed critical minds and at least thirty per cent representation in parliament.
The Regional Director of FES, Mrs Daniela Kuzu said affirmative action was a necessary tool to achieve the goal of having more women in politics, adding that “Women give birth and work in raising families, so why shouldn’t we be included in decision making?".
Mr Nii Nortey Duah, a clinical Psychologist present at the function said women advocacy acts should be seen as an investment in the nation’s development rather than cost to individuals.
The ceremony also saw the awarding of certificates to women who under went a seven- month training in the Women in Politics Training (WIPT) programme.
Pay Attention to Deprived School (Page 11, July 19,2010)
THE Member of Parliament for Buem, Mr Henry Ford Kamel has advised the Bueman Senior Secondary School to use its 50th anniversary celebration to reflect on its past achievements and strategies for the future.
He said the occasion should serve as a platform for stock taking since the school had contributed immensely to the human resource of the country and to national development.
Speaking at the launch of the 50th anniversary of the Bueman Senior High School in Accra, Mr Kamel, who is also the Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Natural resources, stated that despite major challenges faced by the school such as inadequate facilities, lack of water and inadequate power supply, the school had grown to be one of the best second cycle institutions in the country.
He, therefore, advised the school authorities to initiate specific plans to enhance the development of the school in order to receive the necessary assistance from government.
Mr Kamel also called on the authorities of the school to leave a legacy for the future generation.
A retired banker, Dr Kwaku Addeah, called on the government to pay special attention to deprived schools in the country.
He said the challenges confronting deprived schools tend to have negative effects on students during and after school, stressing that "For a nation to progress, it must give equal attention to all talented persons hailing from every corner of its country".
Speaking on the theme: "50 Years of Academic Excellence: Successes and Challenges in a Deprived Environment", Mr Addeah explained that a school could be said to be deprived if it lacked reasonable quantity and quality of human and material resources.
He said it was "It is better to develop a nation on the basis of the synergy of all its talents than on that of a few".
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tetteh Enyo, commended the school for contributing its quota to the training of the country's manpower.
He said government was not unaware of the challenges faced by deprived schools in their quest to provide quality education to students.
Giving the history of the school, Mr Francis E. Ametefe, the Headmaster of the school, said after its establishment in 1960 as a private institution, the school was absorbed into the public system in 1964.
He said since it establishment, the school had grown over the years with two classroom blocks, with a larger population of 1,038 with 788 students as boarders and 250 as day students.
He paid tribute to the founding fathers of the school and thanked all who had contributed to the success of the school.
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