Asantehene receives 100 boxes of books for schools
South African company says it has software for Africa's election systems
Aboabo teachers to loose one day's pay
Rawlings calls for efficient civil service
Committee to probe demonstration Mampong campus
Ashanti security council to clamp down on criminals
We won't countenance lawlessness – Police warn
Computer laboratory to upgrade Armed Forces commissioned
Kojo Yankah on President's interaction with Otumfuo
World Bank approves 32 million dollars loan for Functional Literacy
Boards for Eight Schools in Tamale Inaugurated
Wife beater on the run for attempted murder
Serious Fraud Office investigates financial firm
Asantehene receives 100 boxes of books for schools
Kumasi (Ashanti), 23rd June 99 –
The Rotary Club of Kumasi on Monday presented 100 boxes of books valued at over 50 million cedis to the Ghana Education Service through Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, to promote education in Ashanti.
The books on various academic disciplines are to be distributed to basic and second cycle schools.
Oheneba Boakye-Ansah, President of the Club, who delivered the books at Manhyia, said they were received from their partners in Apopka, in the United States.
He assured Otumfuo Osei Tutu of the Club's support for his interest in the development of education and catalogued the Club's numerous projects and assistance to communities as well as institutions in Ashanti.
These include presentation of eye equipment, motor bikes and helmets to Kasei Saint Luke Hospital.
The club sponsored the training of a number of nurses in plastic surgery and donated a Nissan pick-up to the Garden City Special School at Asokore-Mampong.
It has provided potable water for some communities in Ashanti, he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu expressed appreciation to the club for the donation and its community services.
He said a committee on education set up by the Manhyia Palace would arrange the distribution of the books to beneficiary schools. It will take into account the needs of deprived schools in the rural areas.
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South African company says it has software for Africa's election systems
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 –
AfriGIS, geographical information specialists, says Africa has the potential of making her electoral process transparent and acceptable by the use of the newly developed and trusted AfriGIS software for elections.
The software, developed in South Africa and used during the June two elections in that country, has three dimensional motion graphics for quick announcement of results, a help desk and call-centre application.
It also has softwares to capture geographical base maps, software algorithm development for demarcation, delimitation software development and automated plotting software of bar coded maps.
Mr Charl Fouche, a Director of AfriGIS, disclosed these in an interview with the GNA at the Fourth Africa Geographical Information Systems Conference and Exposition being held in Accra.
Two hundred and fifty geo-information specialists from a wide range of sectors involved in development, and application of geographically referenced information in Africa are attending.
The conference is being organised by the ministries of lands and forestry, environment, science and technology, and communications under the theme "emergent Africa: geo-information and globalisation".
Mr Fouche said with the software it is possible to launch an election results system which is a web-based application used by journalists for reporting.
"The systems consist of different modules which together provide information on votes, seats obtained by the various parties as well as key demographics and statistics on voters."
He named the different modules as votes boards, seats boards, analysis boards and decision boards.
Mr Fouche explained that voting information is capable of being displayed as either tables, graphs or maps. This information can be obtained right down to the district level.
"In this the information can be displayed for a particular area or a particular party over different areas such as national, provincial, municipal or voting district.
"Comparison of the top three parties within an area is also possible as well as information on voter turn-out".
Mr Fouche said AfriGIS' expertise could be of benefit to Ghana in her 2000 elections.
Using geographical data, it is possible to tell the number of people in an area and other important election-sensitive qualities as spatial product engineering, spatial data and spatial planning.
Mr Fouche said with GIS software, the electoral commission is capable of releasing election results quicker, "for instance in one day, instead of a week which is normally the period election results are released in Africa and other third world countries".
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Aboabo teachers to loose one day's pay
Aboabo (Eastern Region), 23rd June 99 –
Teachers at the Aboabo Local Authority Primary School in the Fanteakwa District are to loose a day's pay from their June salary for engaging their pupils in private labour during school hours.
The District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa, Mr Collins Owusu Appiah, gave the order when he met pupils of the school shedding maize for a farmer on the instructions of a teacher, during his visit to the town last Friday.
The visit formed part of his tour to acquaint himself with problems facing schools in the Aboabo circuit.
Mr Appiah was not happy about the way teachers engage pupils in labour in order to generate funds for their schools.
The teachers explained that they wanted to generate funds for the school to meet the transport allowances of circuit supervisors who visit the school since these officials demand such allowances on every visit.
The Deputy District Director of Education for Fanteakwa, Mr C.T. Akorli, who accompanied the DCE, announced that a day's pay will be deducted from the June salaries of the teachers.
Mr Akorli warned Circuit Supervisors against demanding transport allowances from teachers saying this is illegal.
The visit took the team to schools at Nyadie-Krobo, Asrebuso, Amiawa, Miaso and Aburaso.
At Nyadie-Krobo, the DCE promised to provide 20 dual desks to Aerehuso Primary and 30 to Nyadie-Krobo Primary schools.
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Rawlings calls for efficient civil service
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 –
President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday walked down memory lane to the Civil Service of old and said in those days the service was guided by sound work ethic that was respected by all.
In those days, he said, people were afraid to commit acts of indiscipline that might soil their honourable career records.
"In recent times, however, there has been an increasing tendency by civil servants to be guided more by individual expediency than by duty and integrity."
The President said this when he commissioned a multi-million-cedi National Headquarters of the Civil Servants' Association of Ghana. The 1.3 billion-cedi office complex was financed through deductions from the salaries of civil servants.
He said he was happy the leadership of the Civil Service was working hard to recapture some of its past glory as it expects to have a revised code of conduct.
"We will now expect Management to be alive to their responsibilities and ensure that discipline is restored in all work places," the President said.
President Rawlings said as much as good industrial relations are important, workers must aim to promote and maintain better levels of productivity at work places.
"The well-being of our people depends on the efficient implementation of programmes with a sense of urgency and dedication," he said, and drew attention to habits that concern the government.
These include lateness to work, functions and appointments and the indifferent attitudes to implementation of government policies and decisions.
President Rawlings said these problems appear to pervade the Public Service as most offices are empty at 0800 hours when the public expects to be served.
He said even though those expected to implement government programmes and policies might be competent, because of lack of commitment and devotion to duty, they delay action or do a poor job.
President Rawlings said this month's payment of salaries would reflect the changes of the Medium to Long Term Public Sector Salaries and Wage Policy, adding that the massive task of adjusting the payroll may mean that not all salaries would go through today.
"I am assured that the exercise will be completed before the end of the month. I hope that those of you who may have to wait a day or two will exercise patience."
Dr Robert Dodoo, Head of the Civil Service, said the completion of the building is a credit to all civil servants, including the brass who also contributed when traditionally they should not have done so.
Alhaji Yakubu Ziblim, President of the Civil Servants' Association, said the association has spent 650 million cedis to buy land in all the regional capitals to build hostels for use by its members.
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Committee to probe demonstration Mampong campus
Mampong (Ashanti), 23rd June 99 –
The University College of Education of Winneba (UCEW) has appointed a three-member fact-finding committee to enquire into the circumstances surrounding a demonstration by students of the Asante-Mampong campus calling for the removal of Professor Kwabena Addae-Kagya, vice-principal over alleged administrative irregularities and academic dishonesty.
The committee is under the chairmanship of Dr S.M. Quartey, dean of General Cultural and Social Studies education, with Miss Louisa Koranteng Mensah, dean of Languages, and Mr J.K.N. Sackey, dean of Applied Arts and Technology, Kumasi campus, all from UCEW, as members.
The committee is expected to submit its report to the principal of UCEW, Professor J. Anamuah-Mensah at the earliest possible time.
Students of the Mampong campus of UCEW on Monday, April 12, demonstrated through the principal streets of Mampong, calling for the removal from office of Professor Addae-Kagya.
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Ashanti Security Council to clamp down on criminals
Kumasi (Ashanti), 23rd June 99 –
The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has adopted urgent measures to clamp down on increasing activities of armed robbers in the Kumasi metropolis to restore confidence in the residents.
This was contained in a release issued by the REGSEC in Kumasi after an emergency meeting on Sunday, June 20 to review the spate of armed robbery in the metropolis.
The release said the REGSEC has accordingly directed that with immediate effect, joint military and police night patrols will be conducted through the metropolis.
Snap road barriers will also be mounted at all entry points into the city from 6 p.m while vehicles entering or leaving the city after 6p.m. would also be randomly searched by patrol teams.
Hoteliers have also been requested in their own interest to expose all criminals lodging with them.
The REGSEC warned that owners of hotels identified to provide refuge to such criminals will be prosecuted while their hotels will be closed down.
The REGSEC has also directed that all those in possession of weapons without authority should hand them over to the police or face prosecution.
It ordered that all vehicles with foreign registration numbers found operating in the metropolis after 6pm should be impounded. .
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We won't countenance lawlessness – Police warn
Koforidua (Eastern Region), 23rd June 99 –
The Eastern Regional Police Command has warned that it will no longer countenance lawlessness arising out of chieftaincy and land disputes which often result in attacks on Police stations and police personnel.
A statement issued by Chief Inspector Jonathan Kwame Abban of the Public Relations Directorate in Koforidua on Tuesday, appealed to Members of Parliament, chiefs, church leaders, assembly members and other opinion leaders to counsel their communities to desist from attacking policemen performing their statutory functions.
It said in an attempt to discharge our constitutional duties of protecting life and property during disturbances, the Police sometimes incur the displeasure of some ''undesirable elements'', which often result in attacks on them.
The statement reiterated the appeal by the Inspector General of Police to members of the public to furnish the police with information on issues likely to induce a breach of the peace for prompt action.
It also urged residents to be law abiding to ensure peace and tranquillity in the region.
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Computer laboratory to upgrade Armed Forces commissioned
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 –
An ultra-modern computer laboratory for the Military Academy and Training School (MATS) was on Tuesday commissioned in Accra.
The centre sited at the Clerks' Training School is furnished with 12 computers, 12 UPS (uninterrupted power supply), two printers, a scanner, a server, a 28-inch colour television and a deck valued at about 40,000 dollars.
The laboratory, funded with assistance from the British government, is to help enhance the computer literacy programme of the Armed Forces.
Air Commodore P.D. Luker, Director, Overseas Military Activities of the United Kingdom, who commissioned the centre, expressed his gratitude to the Armed Forces for their active role in peacekeeping among warring African countries.
He said the military should always be abreast with information to enable them to communicate effectively with the outside world.
Air Commodore Luker, therefore, urged all military trainees to make good use of the centre during their courses and pledged UK's continuous support for the development of the military in the country.
Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bampoe, Director, Data Processing Unit, Burma Camp who received the keys to the centre, said a training session has already started as part of the computer literacy programme for the school.
He said students who excel after the course will be absorbed into various sector offices of the Armed Forces.
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Kojo Yankah on President's interaction with Otumfuo
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 23 June '99
Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister has said that he finds it very unfortunate that the productive discussions between President Jerry John Rawlings and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene have been misinterpreted in certain quarters.
Mr Yankah said, "it is certain that most of the chiefs, who were present at the meeting expressed utmost satisfaction at the opportunity offered for the Castle and Manhyia Palace to have frank and fruitful discussions on matters of regional and national interests".
In a statement issued in Kumasi, the Regional Minister said it is healthy for avenues of dialogue to be constantly opened for the free flow of discussions.
Mr Yankah said he also believes that "it is in the best interest of the whole nation for the on-going comments on the meeting to address issues that bind us together as one people".
"After all that was the essence of the deliberations that took place at the historic meeting between President Rawlings and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11", he added.
On Friday, June 18, the Asantehene led a delegation of paramount chiefs of Asante to thank President Rawlings for his presence and the assistance of the government during the burial of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II in Kumasi.
At the said meeting, President Rawlings was reported to have taken on the media saying, excesses are committed by the media against individuals as well as those in authority "thus destroying traditional respect for authority".
He also criticised the Chiefs for not helping to check some of these excesses.
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World Bank approves 32 million dollars loan for Functional Literacy
Accra (Greater Accra) 23 June '99
The World Bank on Tuesday approved a 32 million-dollar credit to support Ghana's National Functional Literacy Programme.
The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA), the Bank's lending arm for the poorest countries.
It is on standard terms of 40 years maturity, including 10 years grace.
The government would co-finance the project with an additional 13.5 million dollars, a statement issued in Accra by the Africa Region Office of the Bank said.
The credit would be used to finance the delivery of good quality and cost effective basic functional skills in 15 national languages and English.
It said the main objective of the programme is to get an increasing number of Ghanaian adults (15-45 years), particularly women and the rural poor, to acquire literacy and functional skills.
The programme would among other things focus on enhancing the Non Formal Education Division's management capacity, monitor and evaluate outcomes supported by research and tracer studies as well as ensure access to reading materials in local languages.
It said in addition, it would also collaborate with local non-governmental groups to manage loans for income generating activities and to improve and sustain the programme delivery.
The statement said 84 per cent of women in the rural areas are illiterates and that the programme would benefit an estimated one million learners living in areas with high rates of illiteracy and poverty.
The programme would also create greater awareness on health issues such as AIDS prevention and proper sanitation, the statement added.
The programme has achieved considerable success, resulting in the reduction in the national illiteracy rate from 69 per cent in 1989 to an estimated 52 per cent in 1997.
UNESCO describes a functionally literate person as "one who can engage in activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his/her group and community, and also for enabling him/her to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his/her own and the community's development''.
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Boards for Eight Schools in Tamale Inaugurated
Tamale (Northern Region) 23 June '99
The Boards of Governors for eight second cycle schools in the Tamale Municipality were inaugurated at a joint ceremony in Tamale on Monday with a call on members to tackle the rising trend of indiscipline among students.
Mr B.J.L. Kumasi, Tamale Municipal Director of Education, asked the members to also ensure discipline among the staff of their respective schools.
He spelt out other duties of the boards that include making policy decisions to ensure good financial administration and maintenance culture.
Mr Mohammed Alhassan Adams, Municipal Chief Executive who chaired the function, asked them to guard against conflicts with school heads.
They schools are, Dabokpa Vocational Training Institute, Tamale Secondary School, Business Secondary, Northern School of Business, Vitting Secondary Technical, St. Charles Secondary, Kalpohin Senior Secondary and Ghana Secondary schools.
Mr Bolina Saaka, headmaster of Tamale Secondary School, said student indiscipline and the deplorable state of school infrastructure were of great concern to school heads.
During an open forum, the board members discussed the need for the establishment of girls' schools to promote girl-child education, a culture of maintenance of school facilities, corporal punishment, and the problem of irregular payment of school fees.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 23 June '99
SOS Villages throughout the world will celebrate their 13th International Day and Golden Jubilee of their founding father, Hermann Gmeiner, on Wednesday, June 23.
A release issued in Accra said Herman Gmeiner, father and founder of the SOS Children's Village idea, was born on June 23, 1919 and died in 1986.
A year after his death in 1987, SOS Kinderdorf International decided that June 23 each year will be observed as the International SOS day.
The objectives of the celebration is to remember Gmeiner , propagate the SOS Children's Village idea, and to win for SOS more friends, donors and sponsors to support its Child Welfare work.
To climax the celebration on Wednesday, a new song - Love flows like a river to the sea - has been composed specially for the SOS Children's Village jubilee year, reuniting the voices of all SOS children world-wide in 385 villages in 130 countries and on all the five continents of the world.
The release asked all SOS villages to sing this special song on Wednesday as a hymn of International understanding.
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Wife beater on the run for attempted murder
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 -
The Police have begun a search for a revenue collector of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, who battered and slashed his wife with a knife at an Accra beach.
Narrating her story at the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the Police on Tuesday, Madam Esther Commey, 45, said while sleeping after a film on the fateful night, her husband, Richard Ayan, woke her up and asked them to go for a walk at the beach.
Madam Commey, a kenkey seller at Sempe, said when she requested to know the time, the husband said it was 0400 hours and despite her misgivings, she obliged.
She said during the walk, Ayan told her that their pastor had had a vision about them and asked her to kneel and sing gospel songs to the glory of God.
"After three songs, my husband took a knife from his pocket saying "today is the end of your life," started slashing me with it.
"I had to pretend that I was dead to save the situation," after which he left thing he had achieved his aim.
"In pain, I crawled to a nearby church and called the priestess to come to my aid and she sent me to my house at Sempe.
''I was rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching hospital and a report made at the James Town Police station from where I was referred to WAJU.
Inspector Tawiah Yartey, station officer, said frantic efforts are being made to arrest the suspect adding that he would be charged with attempted murder and dealt with.
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Serious Fraud Office investigates financial firm
Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd June 99 –
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has begun investigations into the business dealings of Sterling Financial Services in its role as consultant to the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC).
A statement on Tuesday from the SFO said a three-member committee has been constituted to conduct the investigations.
The members are: Mr E. Osei Kumah, Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana, Mr H. A. Yakubu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and Mr B. A. Sapati, acting Executive Director of the SFO.
The investigations would cover areas such as the procedure adopted for engaging the company as consultant to the DIC, the contractual relationship and the professional conduct of the company in the divestiture transactions it has handled so far.
They would also look into allegations of conflict of interest involving the company and its sister companies as well as its partners in matters relating to the divestiture of some specified state enterprises.
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Tamale (Northern Region), 23rd June 99 -
A police corporal shot and killed a man, who allegedly went berserk and attacked worshippers at the Episcopal Presbyterian Church at Chereponi in the Saboba-Chereponi district last Sunday.
A statement issued by the Northern Region Police Public Relations Unit in Tamale said the unidentified man, believed to be about 40 years old, stormed the church, brandishing a cutlass towards the congregation.
The Policeman, who was on guard duty nearby, was called upon to disarm the man, suspected to be insane.
According to the statement, the man rushed on the Policeman with the cutlass, but he shot him, killing him instantly.
Meanwhile the Policeman is in custody pending further investigations.
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