University students heckle Central Regional Minister
Add value to produce - Deputy Minister
Religious groups urged to work for peace
Kpando and Hohoe to enjoy water supply
Agric. Ministry urged to assist farmers to pay back loans
Konadu assures women's group of assistance
Soldiers wives told to support husbands
Assembly to assist farmers to store produce
Norwegian team holds talks on pilot project for disabled
NCC official calls for action against irresponsible parents
University students heckle Central Regional Minister
Cape Coast (Central Region) 6 Dec ’99
Authorities of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on Sunday apologised for the unruly behaviour of some students towards the Central Regional Minister, Lt. Col Charles Kofi Agbenaza and his wife last Saturday.
The student leadership and the UCC authorities led by Prof. S. K. Adjepong, Vice Chancellor, promised to pay for the cost of the repairs of the Regional Minister's vehicle.
Some students, who came to town during a float were said to have met the Regional Minister in town, heckled him and threw dirty water on his wife.
Some of them sat on the bonnet of his car while others banged it and smashed its windscreen amidst shouts of "We shall not pay user fees".
The students were also said to have smashed the windscreen of a vehicle of an unidentified man and beaten up a driver of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and poured dirty water on a GBC correspondent.
Speaking to the GNA at the residency, Col Agbenaza said he had accepted the apology as a father but advised the students against such unacceptable behaviour by people, who are deemed as the future leaders of the nation.
Meanwhile members of the June Four Movement in the region have condemned the misbehaviour of the students.
They warned the students to comport themselves else the masses of the people would rise up against them.
The Movement called on the university authorities to ensure that any future hall week celebration is confined to the university campus.
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Tamale (Northern Region) 6 Dec ’99
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has introduced four new varieties of rice to be multiplied as a measure to improve the quality of locally produced rice and to revamp the industry.
So far 350 tonnes of the seeds have been produced, which can be planted on 4000 hectares to produce 50,000 tonnes of paddy rice by ICOUR, Kpong Farms and Lowlands Rice Project.
Mr J. H. Owusu Acheampong, Minister of Agriculture announced this at a meeting with rice growers and officials of the Ministry at Tamale on Saturday.
He said it is expected that the programme would within the next four years be able to eliminate total importation of rice.
The Ghana National Procurement Agency presently imports between 300 and 400 metric tonnes of rice.
Mr Owusu-Acheampong noted that if the production of rice were well handled it would not only make profit but would minimise its importation.
He said rice production in Ghana has not seen an improvement in the quality, processing, marketing and consumption because the local farmers have not been able to eliminate foreign materials and improve the colour of the end product.
The Minister said there is the need, therefore, for local rice growers to improve production since the consumption of rice far exceeds all cereals and is the most important source of food security in the country.
Mr Owusu-Acheampong appealed to the farmers to accept the new varieties and plant them during the next farming season. He asked them not to contaminate it with old seeds or plant on old fields, which are already contaminated.
He assured the farmers that the processed seeds are comparable to any imported rice and its adoption would increase its consumption and eventually stop its importation.
The Minister said the milling companies are to be strengthened to be able to adequately mill the paddy rice.
He called for collaboration from all stakeholders to achieve the national objective of resuscitating the rice industry and to improve its marketing.
Mr Owusu Acheampong announced that Ministry and Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) was to come out with credit terms for farmers, who patronise the varieties.
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Add value to produce - Deputy Minister
Maame Krobo (Eastern Region) 6 Dec. ’99
District assemblies have been asked to initiate programmes with research institutions to find ways of processing and adding value to traditional crops produced in their areas for local consumption and export.
Such a move would not only increase the volume of non-traditional exports but would also enhance the incomes of farmers, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, made the call at a meeting with the chiefs and people of Maame Krobo, a farming community in the Afram Plains District, during his two-day working visit to the area.
Food crops such as yams, beans and groundnuts, which were produced in larger quantities in the district, could be processed, he said.
The District Chief Executive, Colonel Lord Sarfo said the assembly was exploring avenues with the Ghana Export Promotion Council to export yam and groundnuts, which are produced in large quantities in the district.
He announced that the assembly had voted 60 million cedis to purchase electric poles to extend electricity from the national grid to the town.
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Religious groups urged to work for peace
Anyinam (Eastern Region) 6 Dec ’99
President Jerry John Rawlings has appealed to Christians and other religious groups to work hand in hand with the state to promote peace and tranquillity in the country.
He urged Christians to use their religious platforms to explain the Gospel and at the same time the government’s programmes to their congregations.
This was contained in a speech read on the President’s behalf by Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, at this year's annual convention and fund raising ceremony of the African Faith Tabernacle in aid of school projects at Anyinam on Saturday.
He called on the church to come out with plans, policies and programmes that could help to accelerate the socio-economic and political development of the country.
The President noted that the convention was taking place at a time when the spate of violence, especially among students, was on the increase and urged the churches to help channel the energies of the youth into useful and beneficial ventures.
He congratulated the church for the establishment of schools to complement the efforts of the government and promised a contribution of 50 bags of cement and 500,000 cedis towards the school building projects.
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Kpando and Hohoe to enjoy water supply
Hohoe ( Volta Region) 6 Dec. ’99
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs, announced on Saturday that the government has recommended the immediate commencement of the Kpando-Hohoe water supply project at Agbenoxoe in the Kpando District.
The project when completed would serve the people of Kpando and Hohoe as well as towns and villages within a 16-kilometre radius.
Speaking at the fourth Gbidukoza festival of the people of Peki and Hohoe, he said as and when resources become available, the government would step up the pace of development in the region and create conditions to attract investors.
He noted that the establishment of small-scale industries and the promotion of tourism would provide jobs to reduce the drift of the youth to urban centres for employment.
The Government is aware of the effort communities are making in taking their destinies into their own hands, he said, adding that this is evident from the number of festivals celebrated each year throughout the country to initiate socio-economic development and other self-help projects.
Alhaji Iddrisu, who is also responsible for the Ministry of Health, announced that despite the drop in the price of cocoa in the world market, the government would continue to pay cocoa farmers the same price for their produce.
He said the government is making all efforts to bring the economy back on track in the face of global constraints.
The Volta Regional Minister, Alhaji Seidu Iddi, in an address read for him said if communities fail to supplement the government’s efforts "we will be worse off as a nation by way of development".
He said the government derives its support and strength from the people and would therefore not shirk its responsibilities to the people.
Alhaji Iddi advised the people to respect the laws of the land by abstaining from anti-social and criminal activities such as bribery and corruption, drug abuse, serial murders, rape and defilement of young girls.
Togbe Kwadzo Dei XI, Paramount chief of Peki traditional area, appealed to the government to establish a University in the Volta Region by converting one of the training colleges for the purpose.
Togbe Kwadzo Dei said the people of Gbidukor have instituted a 100 million-cedi educational endowment fund to help needy students to pursue their studies at the Junior Secondary School level.
He said that 20 scholarships would initially be offered during the next academic year and appealed to Gbi citizens and friends to contribute to the fund.
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Agric. Ministry urged to assist farmers to pay back loans
Atonsuagya (Ashanti Region) 6 Dec ’99
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Asante-Mamponghene, has urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to take pragmatic measures to address the problems of food processing, storage and marketing confronting farmers.
He attributed the inability of farmers to pay back loans to the Ministry's failure to assist farmers to market their produce.
The Mamponghene said this at the Farmers' day celebration of the Sekyere West district at Atonsuagya in Ashanti.
"It is sad to observe that farmers sell their farm produce, especially the perishable ones, at very low prices due to the unavailability of markets and storage facilities, and this is a disincentive to farmers".
Mr Samuel Akwasi Acheampong, District Chief Executive, called for the establishment of a branch of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at Asante-Mampong to enable farmers to obtain loans easily.
In all, 25 farmers were honoured with Mr Adom Bediako emerging as the District's Best Farmer.
For his prize he received a cassette radio, spraying machine, a pair of wellington boots, piece of cloth and five cutlasses.
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Konadu assures women's group of assistance
Yagaba, (Northern Region) 6 Dec. ’99
The First Lady and President of the 31st December Women's Movement, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has stated that the movement will not relent in its efforts to empower women for socio-economic development.
She said because women are lowly placed, they need a push and support to enable them to contribute meaningfully to nation building.
Nana Konadu said this during the second day of her working visit to the West Mamprusi District at Yagaba where she commissioned a sheabutter extraction mill for the Yagaba Women's Group on Tuesday.
The project, initiated by the Member of Parliament for West Mamprusi, Mrs Susanna Adam, was sponsored by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). It is the seventh mill to be established in the district.
Nana Konadu expressed the hope that, with the acquisition of the mill, the women would increase their production and income base.
She announced that solar panels and a refrigerator would soon be supplied to the health centre at Kobori in the 'Overseas Area' of the district for the storage of vaccines and other drugs.
Nana Konadu urged people in the area to adopt good farming methods and seek advice on the application of chemicals so as not to degrade the environment.
At Wulugu and Wungu where she commissioned two similar projects, the First Lady said the Free, Compulsory Universal Basic Education Programme would not succeed if the people refused to send their children to school.
Nana Konadu said the movement had launched a programme to increase awareness about family planning benefits among its members.
Mr. Joshua Alabi, Northern Regional Minister, said a bridge would be built over the White Volta at Mishio to link the 'Overseas Area', which has the potential for producing food for the three northern regions.
He stressed, however, that development would depend on continued peace in the area, adding that the government spends about 200 million cedis a month to maintain the peace in the Northern Region alone.
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Soldiers wives told to support husbands
Tema (Greater Accra) 6 Dec. ’99
Mrs Douha Smith, wife of the Army Commander on Friday called on wives of soldiers to support their husbands financially, spiritually and materially to enable them to have the peace of mind to give of their best on the job.
To achieve these objectives, however, she asked the unemployed wives of soldiers to learn trades to earn income to cater for themselves and the household as a means of supporting their husbands.
Mrs Smith was the guest of honour at the West Africa Security Social Association (WASSA) at the First Battalion of Infantry (One Bn) Michel Camp.
This year's WASSA was organised by the wives of the soldiers to entertain and feast with their husbands.
She impressed on the wives to create a congenial atmosphere in the homes to attract the husbands to stay together with the family adding that the success of their husbands depended on them.
Mrs Smith, who is a Chief Patron of the Army Wives Association, told the soldiers to remain faithful to their wives in order to build a happy home.
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Assembly to assist farmers to store produce
Tuunayili-Nyankpala, (Northern Region) 6 Dec ’99
The Tolon-Kunbungu District Assembly is to assist farmers to build improved traditional storage facilities under the Village Infrastructure Project (VIP).
It is hoped this will not only help minimise the perennial post harvest losses incurred by farmers, but it will also enable them to withhold stock and sell only when the price is right.
Mr Sule Alhassan, District Chief Executive announced this when he addressed a durbar of chiefs, farmers and workers to mark the celebration of the farmers' day in the district at Tuunayili near Nyankpala on Friday.
Mr Alhassan said the district assembly disbursed a total of 230 million cedis under the poverty alleviation programme to farmers and other needy groups engaged in income generating activities.
Tuu-Naa Abukari Shieni, chief of Tuunnayili and 1998 national award winner in animal traction, advised the youth to embrace farming as a career because it was rewarding.
The district best farmer award went to 25 year-old Jebuni Daanaa of Tingoli, while the best woman farmer award went to Madam Amama Imoro of Saakuba village.
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Norwegian team holds talks on pilot project for disabled
Winneba (Central Region) 6 Dec. ’99
An eight-member team from the Norwegian Association for the Disabled (NAD) on Thursday met officials of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly at Winneba to plan for a community-based pilot rehabilitation programme for disabled persons in the district.
The leader of the team, Mr Gunnar Buvik, who is also president of NAD, said his organisation is interested not only in the rehabilitation of disabled persons but also in helping them to acquire vocational skills.
This, he said, would enable the beneficiaries to play an active role in the development and sustenance of the programme.
Mr Abudu Sakara, a Director at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, who stood in for the sector Minister, gave the assurance that the government was determined to offer them all the necessary support and co-operation to make their work succeed.
He advised all stakeholders involved in the rehabilitation of the disabled not to relent in their efforts.
Lieutenant Daniel William Osardu, District Chief Executive for the area, announced the formation of budget preparatory team to handle financial affairs of the programme.
Mr Frank Swanzy Essien, District Director of Education, said the University College of Education, Winneba, is training specialists to handle the affairs of the disabled in basic schools.
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NCC official calls for action against irresponsible parents
Awutu-Bawjiase (Central Region) 6 Dec. ’99
The Central and Western Regional Co-ordinator of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC), Mr John Hackman, has called for the institution of drastic measures against irresponsible parents.
He said unless this is done, millions of innocent children shall continue to suffer indignation in the next millennium.
Mr Hackman was educating hundreds of children and teachers on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at a meeting organised by Plan International Ghana at Awutu-Bawjiase.
He said parents who deny their children the right to develop their potentials must be checked because they are "a threat to mankind".
Mr Hackman reminded parents that it is their obligation to ensure that their children get not only the best of their love and attention but are also offered adequate protection.
He praised Plan International for organising the meeting.
Mrs Gladys Avoy, an Assistant Director of Education at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Winneba, advised children to respect their parents and make sure that their rights are not trampled upon.
She urged them to study hard to enable them to make excellent strides in their academic and vocational pursuits.
Mr William Agyekum Acquah, Plan International Programme unit manager for Bawjiase, appealed to school management teams to initiate similar forums to enlighten parents on the need to take proper care of their children.
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