Accra (Greater Accra) 8 March 2000
Degrees awarded by Ghanaian universities are still accorded high recognition by academic and industrial concerns world-wide, Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Education, said on Tuesday.
He said perceptions may vary on the validity of these degrees by individuals but no accreditation body in the world has withdrawn its recognition.
Mr Spio-Garbrah, who was answering a parliamentary question, said the only known remark made by the National Academic Recognition Centre of the United Kingdom (UK) in 1998 that "since 1996, degrees awarded by Ghanaian universities are of lower standard..." was withdrawn by the same body in 1999.
He quoted the body as saying in a reply to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) as saying: "I would like to inform you that it is our understanding that Bachelor degrees from Ghana are generally considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard".
Mr Akwasi Afrifa, NPP-Fomena, had asked the Minister on steps his Ministry was taking to reverse the international de-recognition of the country's degrees.
The Minister said the nation's universities have properly accredited programmes that make their products eligible to any academic and professional activity offered them.
On basic and second cycle schools, he said the fact that the international community still supports their development with capital and cash investment shows the confidence they have in them.
He said though the Education Reform Programme may have its problems, one should not use just a case or scenario to condemn the entire process.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 8 March 2000
Women Parliamentarians on Tuesday paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian women in all sectors of the economy and in all corners of the country for working tirelessly against all odds to keep the fabric of society together.
They also commended the government, NGOs and men for giving women support to achieve this, but noted that in spite of the remarkable improvement in the lifestyle of Ghanaian women, much needs to be done in terms of education to
empower them to enter public life.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in connection with the celebration of International Women's Day which falls on Wednesday, some of the women MPs noted that there are still a lot of impediments in the way of women who want to enter public life hence the need for affirmative action.
The MPs, therefore, urged women to be bold, assertive and not to be afraid to enter public life. They urged women to offer themselves as candidates for the forthcoming general elections.
The UN has set aside March eight every year as International Women's Day to create awareness and to provide a platform for tackling issues militating against the socio-economic development of women.
The MPs commended the media for highlighting issues on women saying this has resulted in the creation of awareness all over the country that women are regarded as partners of men in the development of the country.
They noted that Ghana has achieved a lot in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Affirmative Action and expressed their appreciation to Cabinet for accepting the proposal on affirmative action.
The Beijing Declaration emphasises, among other things, the natural equality between men and women and the need for governments, organisations, and individuals to institute changes necessary for improving women's status and
quality of life.
They mentioned poverty alleviation programmes, the Youth in Agriculture Programme and the decentralisation process as some the policies that are contributing towards the socio-economic empowerment of women.
Ms Theresa Nyako-Fofie, chairperson of the 19-member Women's Caucus in parliament, noted that a society with liberated women is one that will surely develop and succeed.
"This is why it is important that everybody should make it a point to support women."
She said men could not do without women and the vice versa adding "we should see ourselves as partners in development and together we can make it."
Ms Nyarko-Fofie said it is important that women take active part in activities in their communities and appealed to them to ensure that they and their families are counted on Census Day.
She stressed that it is only when the right information is given that the government or the district assemblies can plan efficiently, hence the need for women to ensure that they take active part in the census.
Mrs Rebecca Adotey, Deputy Minister for Communications, referred to the girl-child education, violence against women, abolishing of female genital mutilation and the Children's Bill as some achievements in recent years that have enhanced the status of women in the country.
"We have come a long way, now we are on the threshold of talking about results. For example, the girl-child education drive has taken off, women's rights are now considered as human rights, a Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) has been established to take care of violence against women and many, many more."
She particularly paid tribute to the ordinary women in the country, calling them "unsung heroines", and said all men should say a simple thank you to the women who, in one way or the other, help to do their work and have made them what they are today.
Ms Theresa Amerley Tagoe, NPP-Ablekuma South, said Ghana is on course as far as the implementation of the Beijing Declaration is concerned and commended NGOs and women organisations for working in concert to improve the lot of women.
However, she noted, women are reluctant to enter politics because of its unruly nature, sometimes, which exposes politicians to all kinds of abuses.
She advised women not be deterred by this because when they come on board they can make a change. "Women, don't be afraid of the hustle and the abuses, we can make a difference."
She suggested to all political parties to field women as vice-presidents for this year's general elections.
Ms Tagoe noted that another factor that militates against women taking active part in politics is their heavy workload and appealed to scientist and technicians to invent labour saving devices so that women will have more time for social and community work.
Ms Tagoe commended the government of Dr Kwame Nkrumah which put affirmative action into practice by appointing 10 women to parliament.
"Until recently all the other governments abandoned affirmative action. We are happy that cabinet has accepted our proposal on affirmative action. It is just a temporary measure to correct an imbalance."
Mrs Tagoe also stressed the need for all women to be educated to improve the lot of their colleagues.
Mrs Gladys Asmah, deputy minority leader, noted that women are hardworking, dedicated and caring and they can change the turbulent nature of politics in Africa if they are bold enough to enter politics.
"Women are natural managers who take care of their family units. It is time for them to come forward to use their management instinct in politics so that together with men we would improve the standard of living of Ghanaians."
Mrs Asmah said women understand women's issues best. That is why it is important that more women enter politics to influence legislation and policies.
Ms Florence Kumi, NDC-Assin North, commended the government, NGOs and women for the achievements so far and urged women to collaborate with the security agencies to solve the numerous crimes being perpetrated against women.
"It is unfortunate that some women assist men to commit heinous crimes against women. I appeal to all such persons to desist from such nefarious activities."
Two male MPs who were present when GNA was conducting the interviews made contributions.
Mr Freddie Blay, second deputy speaker, said humanity needs to encourage women to play a positive role in all spheres of life to uplift mankind.
Mr Kwabena Fosu called for the enactment of an act on violence against women to specifically address the issue of abuse of women.
"The present laws are not specific enough. We need a code for all these laws against abuse of women to be encapsulated."
The international Women's Day would be celebrated in Ghana with numerous activities including world march of women and a world-wide signature campaign to raise awareness and mobilise people to combat poverty and violence against
women.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 8 March 2000
An International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the "worst forms of child labour" was on Tuesday laid before Parliament.
Known as "Convention 182", the 16-article document was adopted at the 87th General Conference of the ILO in Geneva on June 17, 1999.
The convention, which was laid by Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House, enjoins every member-country that ratifies it "to take immediate and effective measures to secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency".
Under the convention, the worst forms of child labour comprise all instances of slavery or practises similar to slavery such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom, as well as forced or compulsory labour, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts.
The convention also seeks to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, production of pornography and pornographic performances as well as work which, by its nature or circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.
The document said the convention shall be binding only on those members of the ILO whose ratifications have been registered with the Director-General of the organisation.
The convention shall come into force 12 months after the date on which the ratifications of two ILO member-countries have been registered with the Director-General.
Thereafter, the convention shall come into force for any member country 12 months after the date on which its ratification has been registered.
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