Okyeman Council announces funeral procedures
New hotel commissioned at Navrongo
Kyere launches Upper East book scheme
School and Hospital Projects Commissioned
Workers reassured of pension payments
Waste management equipment commissioned
TUC commissions study into social security benefits
Maternal deaths increase in Assin
Driver stabs colleague over luggage
Parents urged to help instil discipline in children
MP provides funds to buy chemicals to control army worms
Settler farmers told not to meddle in land dispute
Okyeman Council announces funeral procedures
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 July '99
The Okyeman Traditional Council on Monday outlined programme for the funeral of the Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II at Kyebi from August nine-15.
A statement by the Okyeman Council said, institutions, identifiable groups and professional bodies that would want to pay their last respects to Osagyefuo should indicate their preferred dates to the funeral secretariat.
The funeral secreatriat, which is based in Kibi, could be reached through Post Office Box two, the statement said.
Similarly, all groups and bodies as well as persons, who seek to pay tribute to the Okyenhene should send copies of the tribute to the Publicity and Public Relations Committee through the same address.
The statement said all persons, who would want to engage in any trading activity, during the funeral should also apply to the funeral secretariat for the requisite franchise.
"This shall be rigorously enforced. Any unfranchised trading activity shall be illegal."
The statement said local and foreign journalists and media houses wishing to cover the events should apply to the secretariat for accreditation.
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New hotel commissioned at Navrongo
Navrongo (Upper East) 13 July '99
An 800 million-cedi hotel consisting of 12 self-contained and eight ordinary rooms, a restaurant, bar and entertainment hall was commissioned at Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana District on Monday.
Hajia Fati Seidu, Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, who did the commissioning, underscored the need for more of such tourist facilities to facilitate government's efforts to provide basic infrastructure in making Ghana a safe tourist destination.
Hajia Seidu she said to boost the tourist and investment potentials of the region, government had improved the telecommunication network and hooked all six districts of the region to the national grid.
Government has also asphalted the Tamale-Paga trunk road while a favourable political atmosphere has been created for tourist attraction.
Hajia Fati observed that the current situation whereby most tourist facilities like hotels, restaurants, rest houses and reliable means of transport are concentrated in Bolgatanga, the regional capital, does not augur well for the holistic development of the tourist potentials of the region.
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Kyere launches Upper East book scheme
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 13 July '99
Mr Kwabena Kyere, a Deputy Minister of Education, on Monday launched the Book Scheme for Basic Schools (BSBS) in the Upper East Region at Bolgatanga.
With the scheme, pupils in public primary schools in the region will be supplied with library books on one-to-one basis free of charge.
In addition, primary schools in the area are to be provided with two copies each of 50 different book titles for their libraries. They will also have a five per cent replacement of books per annum for the first five years of the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme.
Mr Kyere stated that the need to help children cultivate the habit of reading could not be over-emphasised in the present scientific and technological age.
"The first step in education is literacy, and the ability to read is the key to knowledge, he emphasised.
Mr Kyere urged teachers and parents to encourage their children to develop the culture of reading by reading with them, adding that a child who enjoys reading can become a self-educated adult.
He said the success of the book scheme programme would be measured by the interest shown by the school children in the books donated and by the impact of reading on their classroom performance.
In a welcoming address, the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, said the inadequacy of essential teaching materials, particularly reading books, was one of the major causes of low standards of education at the basic school level.
He said the results of the 1997 Criterion Reference Test (CRT), for example, indicated that only 6.1 per cent of pupils in public schools in the Upper East Region had attained mastery level in the English language.
The Regional Minister attributed the trend to poor reading culture among school children and urged teachers in the area to help pupils build a solid foundation in English language.
Alhaji Sulemana called on the district assemblies to establish community libraries in the rural areas to make books accessible to schoolchildren in the villages.
He thanked the British government for providing the needed financial support for the realisation of the book scheme.
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School and Hospital Projects Commissioned
Awutu-Odumase, (Central Region) 13 July '99
A hospital and school project estimated at 120 million cedis built by Plan International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the people of Odumase and Bawjiase in the Central Region were on Monday commissioned at separate ceremonies.
The projects included a three-classroomed block, office and store at 31,000 dollars located at Odumase-Atwer-Bibianiha and a recovery ward for the Bawjiase Health Centre at 21,000 dollars.
In addition, Plan International donated equipment valued at 20 million cedis to the ward.
The projects are in response to concerns expressed by the communities and are aimed at providing basic education to needy children and to meet the health needs of the people.
Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications, who was the guest, noted that Plan International has contributed to the development of the country especially in the areas of education, health and children.
He said the NGO has transformed the lives of many rural communities and created an environment to boost the confidence of pupils to imbibe what they are taught by providing school uniform, furniture and learning aids to schools.
Mr John Greensmith, International Executive Director of Plan International, commended the government and people of Ghana for the prevailing peace and stability.
He said the co-ordination and co-operation of the government has enabled Plan International to operate successfully.
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Workers reassured of pension payments
Dunkwa-on-Offin, (Central Region) 13 July '99
Workers have been reassured that they would have no problems claiming their social security benefits in times of invalidity, retirement or death.
What is important is for workers to satisfy the necessary conditions that qualify them to make the claims.
The assurance was given by the Dunkwa, District Manager of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Mr J. R. Langma, when he spoke on "The worker and SSNIT contributions" at a seminar organised by the district secretariat of the National Mobilisation Programme (NMP) at Dunkwa-on-Offin.
He told the over thirty participants drawn from the NMP, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), leaders of mobisquads and Civil Servants, that once all contributions were made and the necessary conditions were met, a contributor could claim his benefit after duly notifying the SSNIT.
Mr Langma stressed the need for workers to follow their contributions to SSNIT closely by periodically requesting for their up to date statement of accounts from the nearest SSNIT office.
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Waste management equipment commissioned
Accra (Greater Accra), 13th July 99 –
Equipment worth 8.3 million dollars to boost the services of the Waste Management Department (WMD) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), was on Monday commissioned in Accra.
They included 52 rear-loading compaction trucks, 15 roll-on/roll-off trucks and 395 three-cubic metre containers, and are expected to increase the WMD's daily waste collection capacity from 700 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes.
Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development commissioned the equipment.
He said a joint public-private sector consortium, City and Country Waste Limited, would operate the machinery and supervised by the WMD.
AMA and Chagnon Waste Management Group of Canada, providers of the machinery, hold 25 per cent shares each while local waste disposal companies have the remaining 50 per cent.
According to Mr Ahwoi, AMA bore 7.1 million dollars of the total cost while Chagnon took care of the remaining 1.2 million dollars in the form of a loan to the AMA.
AMA's Chief Executive is by virtue of his position not only a director of the company but also the Chairman of its Board.
Under the arrangement, the metropolis has been divided into 10 solid waste collection zones in the six sub-districts.
No fees would be charged for dumping into the containers. AMA revenue collectors would levy residences and other premises.
Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus have threatened legal action against the agreement claiming, among other things, that AMA could not meet the repayment costs of the facility.
Mr Ahwoi said it was partly in anticipation of such a problem and to support the sanitation requirements of other cities that Cabinet approved the National Environmental Sanitation Policy.
Under the policy, sanitation is to be given national budgetary support since waste management in cities "is too enormous to be left to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies alone."
Mr Ahwoi said if it is true, as claimed by the NPP, that AMA procedures were breached in negotiating the agreement then the AMA Chief Executive should investigate the claims and rectify the anomalies.
"If in the course of implementing the agreement any conditions or situations are brought to our attention, which warrant a review of any provision of the agreement, we will not hesitate to direct the AMA to seek their review."
He assured local waste contractors, including donkey and cart users, that the new facility would not render them redundant.
Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who presided, said the public-private sector collaboration in the agreement represents a collective will to keep the nation's capital clean.
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TUC commissions study into social security benefits
Nkoranza (Brong Ahafo), 13th July 99 –
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has commissioned a study into how social security can be enhanced to benefit workers.
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) of Germany, is financing the study, Mr Michael A. B. Quarm, Brong Ahafo Regional Secretary of the TUC told the Nkoranza District Council of Labour.
The study would determine the basis of the existing ownership and the power structure of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Mr Quarm said the study would determine the existing benefits under the SSNIT scheme for workers and the possibility of introducing additional benefits under the scheme.
On the operations of the SSNIT Pension Scheme, he said the TUC was studying the operations of the SSNIT pension scheme critically and would come out with appropriate recommendations.
He stressed the need for the government to rectify all the anomalies detected on the pay vouchers of workers in June.
Government should reconsider its decision to withdraw all allowances due to workers under the new salary scheme.
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Maternal deaths increase in Assin
Assin Foso (Central Region), 13th July, 99 -
The Assin District of the Central Region has over the last two years recorded a steady rise in maternal deaths and complications arising out of pregnancy and delivery cases, a maternal morbidity and mortality audit report of the district has shown.
Figures quoted from the report by Dr Kodwo Sekyi-Appiah, Assin District Director of Health Services said the maternal mortality of 500 per 100,000 of 1997 is quite alarming compared to the national figure, which is 214 per 100,000.
Dr Sekyi-Appiah was speaking at a graduation ceremony for 50 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) after a two-week intensive training course in various aspects of reproductive health at Assin Foso.
He said because of the socio-economic importance of women and the fact that they become endangered during pregnancy and labour, the government has through the Ministry of Health put in place a package of reproductive health services and programme to safeguard the lives of mothers and children.
He noted that many mothers do not deliver at the hospitals partly because they can not afford the cost of delivery and appealed to the government to make the cost of delivery at the hospital free as it has done for ante-natal and post natal visits.
Miss Georgina Asimedi, a Public Health Nurse, who was the course co-ordinator, commended the World Vision International and the Assin District Assembly for their support.
She said until facilities and services were brought closer and made affordable, the Ministry of Health would continue to rely on the services of TBAs to improve the quality of services rendered.
Miss Florence Kumi, Member of Parliament for Assin North on behalf of the organisers of the course, presented certificates and working tools to each of the participants.
She warned them to work within the confines of the course and refer all complicated cases to the health authorities.
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Driver stabs colleague over luggage
Breman Asikuma (Central Region), 13th July 99 –
The Breman Asikuma Community Tribunal has imposed a fine of 100,000 cedis on a 19-year old driver, Moses Owusu for stabbing a colleague, Mr Kwaku Baffoe during a struggle for a passenger and his luggage.
Owusu, who pleaded guilty to causing bodily harm, was bonded to be of good behaviour for 12 months or in default serve six months imprisonment in hard labour.
He is also to pay a compensation of 200,000 cedis to Mr Baffoe or in default serve another 12 months' imprisonment in hard labour.
Prosecuting, Detective Police Chief Inspector, Mr David Nkrumah Danso said on June 16, a fight ensued between the two drivers over a passenger and his luggage at the Breman Asikuma lorry park.
After they had been separated, Inspector Danso said, Owusu took a knife and stabbed Baffoe above the right eye, causing the latter to be partially blind.
Baffoe was rushed unconscious to the Breman Asikuma Catholic Hospital where he was on admission for a week.
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Parents urged to help instil discipline in children
Mamfe (Eastern Region) 13th, July 99 –
The Akwapim North District Chief Executive, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, has blamed the current spate of acts of indiscipline in educational institutions on the inability of parents to inculcate in their wards acceptable societal values.
Speaking at the open day of the Mamfe-Akwapim Presbyterian Junior Secondary School, (JSS) at Mamfe on Friday, the DCE urged parents to play a more active role in restoring discipline in schools and in the welfare and supervision of their wards.
Mr Gyampoh spoke against parents, who fail to question the source of extravagant lifestyles exhibited by their wards and gloss over their mistakes saying such acts could lead the children into trouble in future.
"Engaging children in recreational activities to divert their attention from mischief should be preferred to unrestricted life styles", the DCE added.
The DCE announced that the assembly would give seed money of 250,000 cedis to the school in its drive to promote academic excellence and repair the leaking roof of the school building. The assembly will also construct and equip a technical workshop for the school.
Mrs Esther Lily Owusu, Eastern Regional Manager of Presbyterian Schools, reiterated the need for the nation to invest heavily in educating its populace.
She said adding agriculture to the basic educational curricula would help needy JSS leavers to engage in snail, mushroom and other exportable farming activities.
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MP provides funds to buy chemicals to control army worms
Yendi, (Northern Region) 13th July 99 –
The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, has provided 6.5 million cedis for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to purchase chemicals and knapsack sprayers to control army worms invasion in the area.
Alhaji Yakubu said he took the money is from the MP's common fund, when Dr Mathias Kojo Ayensu, Yendi District Director of Agriculture, disclosed that the department had run out of the chemicals used to spray the destructive worms.
Briefing the MP on the situation, Dr Ayensu said the 20 litres of chemicals supplied by the Ministry was used to spray about 50 out of the 104 hectares of farms infested by the worms.
About 20 hectares of mainly maize and guinea corn farms were destroyed by the worms, while about 30 hectares more are under threat from the pests.
He said the shortage of chemicals since last week had brought the control exercise to a halt, adding that the district needs about 60 litres of chemicals to be able to cope with the situation.
Dr Ayensu said farmers have been reporting of invasion by the worms on daily basis. Some of them use their own chemicals, while others are said to be using kerosene.
Alhaji Yakubu commended the officials of MOFA for their effort and urged them not to relent until the situation is brought under control and appealed to the farmers to co-operate with the field staff by providing water to mix with the chemicals.
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Settler farmers told not to meddle in land dispute
Kwaomante (Eastern Region) 13th July 99
Settler farmers at Kwaomante in the Akwapim North District have been cautioned not to meddle in the land dispute between the people of Apirede and the Krobos.
The Assemblyman for Nkyawora-Monu electoral area, Mr R. G. Ansah-Appiah, said all matters concerning land should be left to the government to determine.
Mr Ansah-Appiah, was speaking at separate meetings on Friday with unit committees, chiefs and people of Kwaomante, Apirede and Monu in his electoral area.
He stressed that the government had been able to maintain peace and stability in the country over the past two decades and it behoved every citizen to be law abiding to ensure that peace prevailed in the country.
Mr Ansah-Appiah explained the government's and the district assembly's policies and programmes, saying that the government had instituted a number of poverty alleviation intervention programmes with the aim to help improve the lives of people in the rural areas.
He advised the farmers to form co-operatives to enable them to benefit from the district's poverty alleviation fund.
The people at Kwaomante appealed to the district assembly to provide them with potable water, a school and places of convenience.
They also expressed concern about the long-standing dispute between the people of Apirede and the Krobos and urged the government to find an immediate settlement.
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Brakwa (Central Region), 13th July 99 –
A poultry farm with the capacity for 1,000 birds, has been razed by fire and property worth over three million cedis destroyed at Brakwa in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District.
The cause of the fire is not known but the owner, Mr Mohammed Tanko said property destroyed included all the 500 birds in stock, prepared feed, bags of wheat bran and drugs.
Students of the English/Arabic Junior Secondary School, who battled to put the fire out, told the GNA that the fire was detected too late.
They said it took them about five minutes to destroy the fence around the project site before they could reach the site.
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