Students drive away invading prostitutes
Muslim students discuss problem of street children
Assembly votes ˘300m for construction of schools
University don calls for the institution of more vocational, technical schools
KMA to decide on Nana Akwasi Agyeman's fate on July 20
Missions abroad asked to attract more investors
Academy of Arts and Sciences launches programme
Religious leaders urged to lead campaign against negative cultural practices
NADMO supplies seed grains to armyworm victims in N/R
Assembly to support education sector with 545m cedis
Two honoured for patronising children's library
GRi Feature 14-07-99
Daasebre- Knocking on Fame’s door
Students drive away invading prostitutes
Goaso (B/A), 14th July 99 –
Students of Ahafoman Secondary/Technical School at Goaso in the Asunafo district, over the weekend drove away a number of prostitutes who invaded a portion of the school compound where contractors working on the European Union (EU)-financed 54-kilometre Noberkwa-Gambia road have pitched camp.
Mr Akwasi Asamoah, headmaster of the school, disclosed this at a meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) held on Monday.
He said some of the prostitutes who said they had come from Mim, near Goaso, however, returned to the school later to demand 50,000 cedis which they claimed they lost while being chased out by the students.
Mr Asamoah described the level of discipline and academic work in the school as among the best in the country and asked that strict security measures should be put in place to enable the students to pursue academic work without undue intefereance.
Mr J. Obu, the out-going PTA chairman, commended the students for their action and hoped the school authorities would ensure that the prostitutes do not return.
He said the PTA has, through special levies, provided the school with a workshop and a permanent kitchen and appealed to the Asunafo District Assembly to support its development programmes.
GRi…/
Muslim students discuss problem of street children
Navrongo (Upper East), 14th July 99 –
An Islamic scholar, Mallam Khassim Labaika, has emphasised the need for parents to provide their children with secular and religious education.
He said when religious values such as honesty, truthfulness, moderation, obedience, humility, trustworthiness and self-respect are inculcated in children, they would grow to become useful citizens.
Mallam Labaika was speaking on "Parent-Child Relationship in Islam" at a seminar on street children organised by the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) of the Navrongo campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Navrongo, at the weekend.
He urged Muslim parents to send their children to school, adding that the present situation whereby most Muslims do not give their children formal education is detrimental to the development and welfare of the religion.
"It is through education, alongside proper moral upbringing, that the potential of the child is tapped and developed for the overall development of society," he added.
Mallam Labaika noted that the incidence of street children, child delinquency, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and other social vices would be reduced if the youth were equipped with employable skills.
Alhaji Zakaria Al-Hussein, Executive Director of Community Development and Youth Advisory Centre (CODEYAC), a Tamale-based NGO and sponsors of the seminar, stressed the need for women to be empowered economically, socially, politically, and mentally to enhance their contribution to development.
He said Islam preaches gender equality and equity and debunked the notion that women are discriminated against in all aspects of Islamic life.
Alhaji Al-Hussein also urged Muslim parents to give equal attention to the education of both boys and girls, emphasising that women empowerment through education would greatly enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of Muslim communities.
Mr Alhassan Seidu, a lecturer at UDS and patron of the association, called for a policy that would ensure equal access by all to quality education, employment, health care and economic opportunities in the informal sector to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
Mr Mohammed Abdul-Majeed, President of the GMSA, said they have embarked on a series of educational programmes on topical issues that affect the development of the youth.
He said the GMSA owed it a duty to promote both the secular and spiritual development of its members and expressed appreciation to CODEYAC for sponsoring the seminar.
Mr Abdul-Majeed appealed to other NGOs, individuals and groups to support the GMSA to undertake more of such educational programmes.
Assin District Assembly votes 300m cedis for school projects
GRi…/
Assembly votes ˘300m for construction of schools
Assin Fosu (Central Region), 14th July 99-
The Assin District Assembly has voted 300 million cedis this year for the construction and rehabilitation of basic schools in the district.
The assembly spent more than 100 million cedis last year on similar projects.
Mr Abraham Forkuo, Assin District Chief Executive, made this known to the GNA at Assin Fosu on Monday.
The DCE said the assembly has also voted 19 million cedis for a scholarship scheme for students who excel academically and in sports.
It has again set aside three million cedis for epidemic control and disaster relief in the district.
GRi…/
University don calls for the institution of more vocational, technical schools
Accra (Greater Accra), 14th July 99 –
Professor Florence A. Dolphyne, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Tuesday called for more technical and vocational institutions to accommodate the increasing number of junior and senior secondary school graduates.
She made the call in a lecture as part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee celebration of Labone Senior Secondary School (LABOSCO) in Accra.
Speaking on "A Decade of Education Reform, an Appraisal", Prof. Dolphyne noted that Ghana's educational reform programme, which emerged in 1987, was implemented without adequate preparations to face the challenges that came afterwards.
She observed that, through the reform programme, access to basic education has increased resulting in an increase in Senior Secondary School enrolment from 12 per cent in 1992 to over 50 per cent in 1998.
"Unfortunately, while the educational reforms increased access to basic and secondary education, it did not increase access to vocational and technical education.
"It appears that very little effort was put into providing more such training centres that could absorb JSS and SSS products who are interested in pursuing such practical careers."
Prof. Dolphyne described the poor implementation of the reform programme as the "military style - immediate implementation without adequate preparation."
She noted that the poor preparation before its implementation accounts for the situation whereby most products of JSS and SSS who do not get access to the universities and polytechnics are not able to continue their education.
"There is, therefore, the need for more vocational and technical institutions where those who want to improve on their skills learnt in JSS and SSS can train to become employable or self-employed."
She also called for an increase in the number of nursing and teacher-training colleges, adding that facilities at the universities, polytechnics and the available vocational and technical institutions should be improved.
This, she said, is to ensure that the ultimate objectives of the reform programme, which is to provide its beneficiaries with employable skills, will be achieved.
Prof. Dolphyne also blamed the lack of tertiary education facilities to accommodate SSS products on the World Bank, which is the financier of Ghana's education reform programme.
She explained that the World Bank deliberately refused to include tertiary education institutions in the reform project because "in 1987, its report on tertiary education in developing countries concluded that it is the preserve of a few elite citizens of such countries."
Prof. Dolphyne noted that the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme has though increased access to basic education, there has not been a corresponding improvement in the performance levels of the children.
She said the achievement level of JSS three students is far below that of the middle school leavers of the old education system, adding that only 1,354 representing 3.2 per cent of the first set of 42,105 candidates who took the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) qualified for university entrance examination.
The professor was, however, quick to correct the erroneous impression that the compulsory university entrance examination is due to the inferiority of the SSS system, adding that the examination is strictly part of the universities' continuous assessment programme.
She blamed the poor performance of basic school pupils on inadequate teaching and learning facilities, wholesale promotion, lack of commitment on the part of the teachers and poor supervision in public schools.
GRi…/
KMA to decide on Nana Akwasi Agyeman's fate on July 20
Kumasi (Ashanti), 14th July 99 –
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Tuesday fixed July 20 to decide on a petition by 46 of its members calling for the removal from office of Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Metropolitan Chief Executive.
This is in keeping with Section Four (b) of the Assemblies Standing Orders that require the "Presiding member to call for a meeting within at least seven days if one third of members give notice".
Mr Ishmael Butler, spokesman for the assembly members, announced this at a press conference held at the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi.
He said the members called the conference to dispel rumours that they had been prevailed upon to back down from their call for the removal of the Chief Executive.
Mr Butler explained that the meeting was originally scheduled for July six but was postponed by the Presiding Member, Nana Osei Owusu Banahene, at the eleventh hour due to ill health.
He said they are unhappy with what they perceive to be deliberate delay tactics adopted by the Presiding Member to prevent the assembly from meeting to take a decision on the petition.
"We are undeterred and will remain resolute in pursuing all constitutional options available. We want to assure the electorate that we will stand by our decision and that until we succeed in removing Nana Akwasi Agyeman, we shall never give up the fight."
The 46 assembly members have accused the Metropolitan Chief Executive of abuse of office, corruption, one-man show and incompetence.
GRi…/
Missions abroad asked to attract more investors
Ho (Volta Region), 14th July 99 –
Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) at the weekend called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana's embassies to promote the country's trade abroad.
He urged them to seek and promote the country's investment opportunities and interests in the face of global competition.
Mr Ahwoi was delivering a paper on "Investment promotions under new issues influencing Ghana's Foreign Policy Orientation", at a two-day workshop organised in Ho by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA).
The workshop, organised under the auspices of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation of Germany, was for Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr Ahwoi explained that Ghana has adopted foreign trade and investment as the major drive for the vision 2020 framework, as her foreign policy shifts from the consular and diplomatic representation to economic diplomacy.
He called on Parliament to appreciate the issues affecting the shift and give it the necessary support to ensure its success.
Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, a Senior Research Fellow at LECIA said the success of Ghana's economic diplomacy in the face of competition in the world, would be determined through transparency, good governance and stability.
Dr Antwi-Danso said it was important to have a clear understanding of the historical trend and the dynamics of global shifts, as well as prudent economic policies, in order to avoid waste and corruption.
He indicated that Ghana would have to be alert to enhance her opportunities as foreign policies continue to be dictated by global shifts.
Dr Antwi-Danso advocated regional integration schemes as a way forward but cautioned that Ghana needs to re-think her decision to integrate her economy with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), since "its implications are glaringly unfavourable".
Mr Kassim Yahaya, Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Trade said the vital pre-requisite for enhancing structural change, productivity and growth in the economy was to expand investment in primary and secondary industries, both in the public and the private sectors.
Mr Yahaya noted that constraints concerning under-developed human resource and infrastructure remained severe.
"As a result, African economies remain locked into a state of low productivity and heavy dependence on a small number of primary commodities in a global economy characterised by unprecedented technological change", Mr Yahaya said.
GRi…/
Academy of Arts and Sciences launches programme
Accra (Greater Accra), 14th July 99 –
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences on Tuesday launched a programme of scientific activities to usher it into the next millennium.
The programme under the theme: "Science and technology for development: The past, present, and the future", is to give visibility to science and its importance to everyday life.
It emanated from a 1996 proposal by the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), of which Ghana is a member, requesting all national academies to organise scientific activities between 1999 and 2000.
The activities would involve scientific research institutions like the Universities of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Noguchi Memorial Institute as well as policy makers and the public.
Dr E. Evans-Anfom, chairman of the programme planning committee, said during 1999, activities would be organised to highlight the progress made in science and technology in the 20th century.
"In specific terms, there will be workshops, essay competitions, television and radio discussions, science exhibitions and science week".
Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said the next millennium has provided enormous opportunities for nations and governments, scientists and the public to review the dimensions and implications of science.
He said what Ghana needs is a population that uses the principles of science and technology for various development activities.
"It is, therefore, not surprising that Ghana's Vision 2020 relies heavily on scientific and technological knowledge in the nation's efforts to move out of our underdeveloped status".
GRi…/
Religious leaders urged to lead campaign against negative cultural practices
Accra (Greater Accra), 14th July 99 –
Participants at a round-table discussion on gender sensitisation in Accra on Tuesday urged leaders of religions to do away with excesses that promote negative cultural practices among women and inhibit their total development.
No portion of the Koran or the Bible promotes female genital mutilation, early marriages for girls, they said, adding that these practices are man-made and aimed at suppressing women.
The one-day discussion, to sensitise the leaders was organised by the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD) in collaboration with the National Population Council (NPC) was attended by about 50 Christian and Muslim leaders as well as leaders of other women's organizations.
The participants said Muslim leaders, especially Imams, should be seen playing a leading advocacy role in educating Muslim communities where female genital mutilation is common.
They noted that religion does not teach that women should be suppressed. It rather touches on the need to teach the positive virtues of women.
They said misinterpretations of the Bible and the Koran to support the oppression of women, and promotion of gender imbalance should be seriously addressed.
Mrs Marian Tackie, acting Executive Secretary of NCWD, noted that the concern of the leaders should be based on the recognition that a violation of a woman's body is a violation of a scared creation.
"Societal practices have in the main served to negate this fact where the female body is used for advertising and selling products".
Mrs. Tackie said the church has a lot to change in terms of calling women into the priesthood because it can no longer use the excuse that the biological functions of women do not allow them to play any leadership role.
Mrs. Elisabeth Akpalu, a gender consultant, noted that almost all institutions, including the churches, are male-dominated and they take decisions for women, who, more often than not, are in the majority.
She said men, cannot be left any longer to think for women especially in cases, where the interests of women are involved.
Sheikh Seebaway Zakaria, Editor of the Fountain, a Muslim newspaper, said Islam views both men and women as equal adding that Muslim women suffer a lot of discrimination because their very appearance in veils raises eyebrows.
He said, "We all need to encourage Muslim women to jump over the remaining hurdles. The Muslim woman wants to be accepted in both the Muslim and non-Muslim society.
"In Ghana there is the evidence of the changing image of the Muslim women from that of the illiterate "wakye" seller to that of the enlightened public figure."
GRi…/
NADMO supplies seed grains to armyworm victims in N/R
Tamale (Northern Region) 14 July '99
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is supplying the first consignment of seed grains to assist farmers in the Northern Region to re-plant large hectares of farms destroyed by armyworms two weeks ago.
So far 110 bags of seeds and food aid had been supplied to the affected districts of Nanumba, Yendi, West Gonja, Gushegu-Karaga, Zabzugu-Tatale, West Mamprusi and East Mamprusi.
NADMO also donated wellington boots, facemasks and other logistics estimated at 46 million cedis to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOFA) towards spraying the worms.
Mr Ali Yakubu, regional co-ordinator of NADMO who disclosed this to the GNA in Tamale yesterday said MOFA was also given fuel worth one million cedis to facilitate the spraying exercise which, he said, involved NADMO's community disaster management committee members.
GRi../
Assembly to support education sector with 545m cedis
Koforidua (Eastern Region) 14 July '99
The New Juaben Municipal Assembly will provide 545 million cedis from its common fund of 2.3 billion cedis to support education.
Mr Emmanuel Adu-Boateng, the Municipal Chief Executive, said this at the third ordinary meeting of the assembly at Koforidua on Monday.
He said 10 million cedis out of the 545 million cedis would be used to support the assembly's scholarship scheme for needy students.
The assembly has banned computer games in the municipality because it "contributes to child delinquency and truancy."
GRi../
Dedeso (Eastern Region) 14 July '99
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa, has described the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a big family without discrimination and ethnicity.
He said the NDC was growing from strength to strength and would continue to win more elections to enable it to continue with the overall development of the country.
He told a constituency rally at Dedeso in the Fanteakwa district that the government had a vision of improving the lives of the people, especially those in the rural areas.
The provision of potable water and solar generated electricity for the people were a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to improve their lives.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo advised NDC activists not to allow the party's detractors to dissuade them with lies and misinformation, but to work hard to win more people into the party.
Mr Takyi Mensah, the Eastern Regional Organiser, said an NDC government is the only one that could develop the country and urged supporters to reject the opposition in the 2000 polls.
GRi../
Two honoured for patronising children's library
Tamale (Northern Region) 14 July '99
Miss Hamdya Amadu of Tamale Bishops Junior Secondary School and Master Tungteiya Rashid Seini of St. Gabriels Primary School were on Tuesday honoured for their regular visits to the Tamale Regional Children's Library.
They were among 18 other award winners of a special poetry competition to commemorate the International Children's Book Day jointly organised by the Ghana Library Board and Tamale Municipal Assembly at Tamale.
Their colleagues gave them a standing ovation as they stepped forward at a ceremony to receive their prizes of books.
Mr Mohammed Alhassan Adams, Municipal Chief Executive, said the day is to create a forum for all stakeholders in education to discuss ways of boosting the national policy framework on the successful implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme.
The day commemorates the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson, a Danish author who was one of the world's greatest children's story tellers.
He called for an appraisal of the performance of basic schools in the region and measures to ensure opportunity for children of school going age to have access to every relevant textbook and other learning materials.
Mr Adams attributed the poor academic performance of JSS graduates to lack of textbooks, inadequate motivation of teachers, teacher-absenteeism, lateness and lack of interest of pupils in their studies.
Mr Adams called on parents to see education as an investment, which will yield dividends to them and their children in the future.
GRi../