Brong Ahafo has only two dentists
Danish Ambassador visits Upper East Region
Rotary International gets new District Governor
Employment Ministry pledges not to take sides in labour disputes
African delegates say World Bank pushing too hard
Two Jomoro communities get electricity
Reform system to allow smaller parties in parliament - Attor
Sunyani schools celebrate Arbor Day
"Help curb elephant poaching"-wildlife officer
Envoy commissions phase one Afrancho market project
Ghana to host International Catholic Women's Confab
Brong Ahafo has only two dentists
Techiman (Brong Ahafo) 8th July '99
There are only two dentists in the Brong Ahafo region.
The principal dental surgeon of the Regional Dental Clinic at the Sunyani Government Hospital, Dr Edmund Sackey, said this has limited access to dental health care in the region.
At the regional launching of the oral health week at Techiman sponsored by Lever Brothers Ghana Limited on Wednesday, Dr Sackey said lack of dentists coupled with low public awareness and observance of oral hygiene in the region has resulted in serious dental problems especially among children.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Yaw Gyarko, appealed to confectionery manufacturers and importers to assist the Ministry of Health to fund oral health programmes in the country.
He urged them to reduced the sugar content of their products and to give clear warning on their packages about the dangers of consuming sweets without regular brushing of teeth to save children from oral health problems.
The DCE called for the re-introduction of weekly teeth inspection in schools to ensure that children appreciate the importance of oral health.
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Danish Ambassador visits Upper East Region
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 8th July '99
The Danish Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Ole Blicher Olsen, has said his country would continue to assist Ghana in her efforts to boost private sector growth.
Speaking in Bolgatanga during a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana the envoy underscored the importance of small businesses in the economic development of a nation.
He said for the past 150 years, Denmark has worked towards the consolidation of its economic development and would be glad to share its experiences with Ghana.
He disclosed that since 1991, his embassy has disbursed 33 million dollars or approximately 82.5 billion cedis for the funding of various development projects throughout Ghana.
Mr Olsen said the Danish Mission in Ghana is committed to the establishment of a healthy partnership between small Ghanaian businesses and their counterparts in Denmark.
He praised the government of Ghana for maintaining a peaceful environment, which, he said, was essential for attracting foreign investment.
Welcoming the Ambassdor, Alhaji Sulemana said deforestation and environmental degradation constitute one of the major problems confronting the region.
He mentioned over population, food shortage and inadequate facilities for the health and educational sectors as other areas of difficulty, adding that any external assistance that would help to mitigate the present situation would be very much appreciated.
The Regional Minister said government has invested a great amount of resources particularly in the educational and health sectors over the years, but that the region is a distressed area that requires special intervention.
Dry season farming is a profitable venture for a vast majority of the area's population, he said and urged the ambassador to assist in the provision of water sources such as dugouts and small-scale dams.
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Rotary International gets new District Governor
Accra (Greater Accra) 8th July '99
A new governor for District 9100 of the Rotary Club was sworn into office in Accra on Wednesday.
Mr Adotei Brown, a Ghanaian, took over from Mr Hilaire Locoh-Donou of Togo.
Mr Brown will be in charge of 14 West African countries, including Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Lone, Liberia and Senegal that constitute District 9100.
He pledged to build on what his predecessors and said this requires " a great and meaningful change in the attitude of all Rotarians".
He said Rotary International has initiated a three-year research project at the cost of 500,000 dollars in Ghana, Togo and Benin on methods of grain storage.
Mr Brown said the research would help establish the levels of fungi growth during the storage and how to reduce it.
He thanked Rotary International for the honour done him and praised governments of the sub-region for supporting the work of the Club.
Mr Locoh-Donou also thanked Rotarians for supporting him and his team of officers during his tenure.
He later presented membership development awards to the Tema and Accra East Rotary Clubs.
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Winneba (Central Region) 8th July '99
Beneficiaries of foreign donor assistance funds have been urged to apply them strictly for the purpose they were given.
They should not see them as " money for spending or gift," the Reverend Father J. J. Bain-Doodu, Archdeacon of the Winneba Anglican Church, has stated at Winneba.
He was opening a three-day workshop on how micro and small scale industries and business can apply foreign donor funds for maximum returns.
It was organised by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), under its programme to empower civil society organisations.
Father Bain-Doodu said since such assistance must be paid back, they must be used judiciously to enhance the economic growth and development of the country.
He charged organisations and district assemblies that administer such funds to monitor the operations of beneficiaries and to assist them to improve their technical and managerial competence.
Mr J. R. Quainoo, district co-ordinator of IFFES, asked the participants numbering about 40 to take the workshop seriously to upgrade their knowledge in their various fields.
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Employment Ministry pledges not to take sides in labour disputes
Accra (Greater Accra) 8th July '99
A Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Austin Gamey on Wednesday reiterated that the Ministry would not support any group of management or workers to aggravate labour unrest in the country.
In an interview in Accra, Mr Gamey reminded workers that in their attempt to associate freely, they must ensure that laid down procedures are religiously followed.
Mr Gamey said while the Ministry is concerned with the speedy resolution of labour conflicts, labour unions must restrict themselves to the laws, rules and regulations governing the national and international labour front.
Explaining the strike action embarked on by workers of the African Automobile Limited (AAL), and the subsequent dismissal of workers, he said the Ministry intervened and had fruitful discussions with management and workers of the company.
Mr Gamey have asked the management of the company to reinstate the dismissed workers and requested that the Assistant Chief Labour Officer of the ministry be part of management deliberations to ensure fairness.
Whilst waiting for the management of the company to implement the , the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) gave June 15 ultimatum to management to re-instate the workers, thus compelling them to hold on to their decision.
He, therefore, expressed dissatisfaction about the ICU's action and said the ministry never took sides on the issue.
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African delegates say World Bank pushing too hard
Accra (Greater Accra) 8th July '99
African delegates to the conference of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) on Wednesday criticised the World Bank for pushing "too hard" for social security reforms in Africa.
While the Bank is calling for privatisation, which could lead to autonomy for African Social Security Institutions, the Africans want support from the Bank to improve on their achievements made so far.
This followed a lengthy discussion during the second-day session of the conference attended by over 200 delegates from 30 African Countries, the World Bank, International Labour Organisation and donor agencies.
The three-day conference, which is under the theme "Social Security in Africa; New Realities", is looking into selected issues in pension reform relevant to the African context.
Topics under discussion include governance of social security schemes, pension schemes in Africa, Social security medical care, and informing the public - a challenge for social security schemes.
Currently, world-wide debate on social security centres on privatisation, defined benefits in relation to defined contributions, transparency in the investment of funds and enhancing administrative efficiency.
A presentation by the Bank's representatives, Mr Luca Barbone and Luis-Alvaro Sanchez, that sought to push for a reform in the social security structures on the continent set the tone for an "artificial polarisation" between the Bank and the Africans.
According to the Bank, Africa is beset with substantial problems such as financial crisis, low coverage, administrative difficulties, poor returns to investment which have cast the credibility of social security systems in Africa in doubt.
It thinks Africa's 10 per cent coverage of its active population that forms only three per cent of the entire population could be improved.
"Our worry is how to reach the 90-odd per cent of non-covered in the typical African country.
"Mostly, coverage has stagnated or shrunk," the Bank's officials said.
The Bank said in a well-designed system, membership and revenues can grow at rates higher than the economy.
"This is what other continents' experiences show. There is not much pension fund administrations can do by themselves; much will depend on the soundness of overall economic policy," the World Bank team said.
The Bank, architect of most African reforms, suggested they should involve relevant stakeholders including those not formally represented through consultations.
But the Africans said there is no single solution to social security problems that can be applied to all nations in view of the diversity of cultures and level of economic development.
To them, most nations have already experienced contraction in revenue through loss of jobs by contributors as a result of the Bank's sponsored economic reforms.
The Africans said the cultural diversity and large size of the informal sector have some inherent social safety nets which must not be destroyed but strengthened under a broad social protection concept.
"Instead of pushing for privatisation of the institutions in Africa, the Bank should rather support us with new ways of investing our finances outside our countries," " a Senegalese delegate said.
According to the delegate, the integration of regional economies such as the ECOWAS has opened up new off-shore investment avenues through the newly created regional stock markets.
Ghana's delegates said, already, some African Social Security institutions are autonomous and performing better than private companies engaged in similar social protection business.
"In Ghana, we have managed to keep the government at arm's length from the social security dues even though it still remains a public institution," said Mr Eric N. A. Adjei, Deputy Director General of SSNIT.
In spite of the differences in the structures and legal framework of social securities in Africa, the session was close to a consensus on the need for Africa to improve on its coverage to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
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Two Jomoro communities get electricity
Ezinlibo (Western Region) 8th July '99
Two more communities in the Jomoro district, Ezinlibo and Aduasuazo, were on Tuesday connected to the national grid under the national electrification programme.
This brings to 17 the number of communities so far connected since the programme started two years ago.
Four communities, Bauia-Nvellenu, Tikobo Number Two, Nawule and Jewi Wharf, are yet to be connected under the programme.
Speaking at a ceremony at Ezinlibo, Nana Kolora Blay III, chief of Ezinlibo, appealed to the government to ensure that communities not included in the programme have their share soon.
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Reform system to allow smaller parties in parliament - Attor
Ho (Volta region) 8th July '99
Mr Kofi Attor, deputy general secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for the adoption of proportional representation as part of Ghana's Electoral System to afford smaller parties the opportunity to be in parliament.
He said with the adoption of such a system, political parties such as the Egle Party, the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and other small parties could gain seats in parliament in proportion to the votes they win.
Mr Attor made the call at a reception organised by Mr Francis Agbotse, MP for Ho West, for media practitioners in Ho on Sunday.
He was recounting his experiences from a one-week visit by general secretaries of the NDC, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Convention Party (CP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) to Germany at the invitation of political parties there.
Mr Attor, the MP for Ho Central, explained that proportional representation, though complex, is worth adopting in Ghana because of its potential for enriching the representative character of Parliament by promoting greater pluralism in the house.
Mr Attor described the visit as worthwhile because apart from the useful lessons for effective party organisation, it also afforded the four general secretaries the opportunity to get over their political prejudices.
He commended his colleagues for their good inter-personal relations and level-headedness.
Mr Attor said the visit, sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation of Germany, gave them the opportunity to take lessons on preparations towards electioneering, the importance of the media in electioneering campaigns, fund raising and the selection of parliamentary candidates.
Mr Agbotse commended media practitioners for their level of co-operation with MP's in the Ho district and appealed to them to forge much closer relations with the MP's.
He urged the practitioners to be circumspect in reporting on sensitive and controversial issues in order not to undermine the development of the region.
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Sunyani schools celebrate Arbor Day
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 8th July '99
The Sunyani District Chief Executive, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo has called on the Department of Forestry to institute stiffer punishment against illegal timber merchants and chain-saw operators whose activities constitute a loss of revenue to the state.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said apart from loosing revenue, their activities lead to the destruction of food and cash crops.
"What is even more disturbing is the fact that these people operate deep in the night", he told teachers and students from first and second cycle institutions in the Sunyani district at the 1999 Abor Day celebrations in the region.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said the culture of tree planting and afforestation must not be seen as a ritual involving teachers, students and other social clubs only but a collaborative effort of traditional rulers, assembly, town and area councils as well as unit committee members.
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"Help curb elephant poaching"-wildlife officer
Goaso(Brong Ahafo) 8th July '99
The Asunafo district officer of the department of game and wildlife has appealed to assembly members, unit committees and traditional councils in the Asunafo, Dormaa and the Asutifi districts to assist the department to curb the activities of poachers.
Mr Frank Nana Bonsu, said at Goaso that the department, which operates in eleven forest reserves within the three districts, has only four forest guards.
He appealed to the government to provide the guards with motorbikes to enable them undertake their duties more effectively.
He expressed concern over the activities of poachers in the districts and urged the public to report anyone poaching elephants from the reserves.
"Do not take delight from the meat you get from the carcass of the elephant and report those who kill the elephants for their tusk", he pleaded.
Nana Bonsu said the department has embarked on a conservation education programme to sensitise the people on the need to protect the elephants.
He reminded the public that, permits for hunting could only be issued by the department but warned that hunting is not permitted between August and December every year.
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Envoy commissions phase one Afrancho market project
Afrancho (Ashanti Region) 8th July '99
Mrs Janet Graham, Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, on Tuesday commissioned the first phase of a 60 million-cedi Afrancho market project in the Offinso district.
It involved the construction of 12 lockable stores at a cost of 29 million cedis.
The Canadian government financed the project while the people provided communal labour
Mrs. Graham noted with satisfaction the resourcefulness and prudent financial management of the people which increased the number of stores from 10 to 12 under phase one of the project.
She expressed her appreciation for the support of the chiefs and people to the project, saying: "this is a good example of a community-based democratic approach to development".
The High Commissioner said Canada and the Government of Ghana are working closely to find solutions to problems in the agricultural sector through bilateral programmes and a new food security programme.
Mrs Graham hoped that the programme would eliminate problems such as access to credits, processing and marketing and lack of irrigation facilities.
Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Member of Parliament for Offinso North, explained that the construction of the market followed an appeal for the decongestion of the existing market.
He asked the High Commissioner to assist potential investors to build a tomato canning factory at Afrancho, a leading producer of tomatoes, to help reduce post-harvest losses estimated at between 40 to 50 per cent.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 8th July '99
The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, on his election as President of the 1999 International Labour Conference (ilc).
The letter, signed by Mr Denis Vormavor, Acting Secretary-General, said the TUC noted that the Minister's performance during the Conference was magnificent.
"The Executive Board, therefore, wishes to congratulate you on your election as well as your credible handling of the affairs of the ILC.
"The Board acknowledges that your performance has contributed immensely to raising the international image of our dear country."
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Ghana to host International Catholic Women's Confab
Accra (Greater Accra) 8th July '99
Ghana will host this year's Africa and Madagascar Regional Conference of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisations slated for September 21.
Mrs Helena Arthur, President of the National Conference of Catholic Women (NCCW), who announced this in Accra on Wednesday, said it would be attended by 250 participants from 18 member-countries in the region.
Under the theme: "The empowerment of the African Woman in decision-making process: hope for the third millennium", it will be opened by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Mrs. Arthur noted that the woman who is empowered becomes an economic asset to herself, her family and her community, adding that the fight for emancipation of women becomes meaningless and theoretical to those who depend on men for everything.
Mrs Arthur blamed the economic dependency and poverty of women on lack of educational preparation to face the challenges of life.
She said the conference is, therefore, geared towards formulating appropriate strategies to prepare African women academically and economically to face the challenges of the third millennium as equal partners in decision-making and development.
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