Ghana Association of the blind sets up white cane project
Rawlings receives special message from Beninoise President
Workshop on rational drug use opens at Ankaful
Ghana Association of the blind sets up white cane project
Kumasi (Ashanti), 3rd November 99
The Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) has through the help of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) set up a 100,000 dollar white cane manufacturing project for use by local blind and visually impaired persons and for export.
Apart from providing employment for four blind men working on the project it has the overall aim of providing all blind people in the country with white canes to enable children, who act as guides for blind people to enjoy their right to uninterrupted formal education.
Mr. Eleazar Plahar, Director of GAB, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the Kumasi Metropolitan branch of GAB said 5,000 canes have been manufactured since the project started eight months ago.
The collapsible type costs 40,000 cedis each while the rigid is sold at 25,000 cedis each or 25 dollars and 10 dollars respectively on the export market.
He said it has been the aim of GAB since its inception in 1963 to promote the wellbeing of the visually impaired and act as an advocacy group for the blind to contribute to the formulation of policies affecting them.
The GAB also makes efforts to promote opportunities for skill acquisition and enhance their chances of becoming independent and integrated into the society.
Mr. Plahar, therefore, called on the government and the general public to show concern towards the blind and assist them since they could do as much work as their sighted colleagues when given the necessary push.
Mr. Alfred Mensah, Ashanti Regional President of GAB, said it has been the wish of the Association to incorporate all blind people, who stand at the street side and beg into the Association.
This could not be possible if they have not been able to acquire any skill to earn a living.
GAB, therefore, organises workshops and training for all its members, but their attempts to do this has been handicapped since it has no office from where all activities could be co-ordinated.
Mr. Mensah, called on the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the general public to assist the association to acquire an office and a vehicle.
Mr. G. K. Kumor, Deputy Regional Co-ordinating Director said the inauguration of the branch in Kumasi would give GAB a new lease of life and an increase in its activities.
He assured the GAB of the continued support of the RCC and called on the executive members to work hard to persuade the blind, who still beg for alms in the Metropolis.
Nana Kofi Genfi II, Managing Director of Nurom Hotel and Patron of GAB, said it was sad that the public shows apathy and shuns blind people.
He said those, who have lost their sight needed much more support from the government, but such support was not forthcoming.
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Induction course for teachers
Tepa (Ashanti), 3rd November 99
The Ahafo Ano North District Education Office has organised a one-day induction course for 39 newly trained teachers posted to the district.
Mr. Charles Michael Boateng, Assistant Director of Education, in-charge of Supervision told the teachers that they are joining the Ghana Education Service (GES) at a time everything possible was being done to make the Free Compulsory Universal Education (FCUBE) programme to succeed.
He said even though they may be working in a new environment, they must appreciate the effort of the community, respect their culture and help to form better society.
Mr. Stephen Amusah, the Assistant Director in-charge of Welfare, advised the teachers not to indulge in local politics, especially, chieftaincy disputes but live exemplary life.
Miss Rabi Chibaley, the course prefect, appealed to the GES and the District Assembly to give teachers the needed support to enable them to do their work.
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Rawlings receives special message from Beninoise President
Accra (Greater Accra), 3rd November 99
The International co-ordinator of the UN Millennium Project for Africa based in Cotonou, Benin, Professor Albert Tevoedjre on Tuesday delivered a special message from President Mathew Kerekou to President Jerry John Rawlings.
The message centred on the UN proposal for the direction and vision of Africa's development in the next millennium, Prof. Tevoedjre told newsmen at the airport before his departure.
He said the proposal, which was discussed in Benin with the UN Secretary General three years ago and sponsored by UNDP calls for the total cancellation of Africa's debt.
Prof. Tevoedjre said apart from debt cancellation, there was the need for Africa to chart a new direction in partnership with Latin American and Asian countries.
He said during his discussion, President Rawlings consented to the need for the continent to remove all barriers to ensure the free movement of people and goods.
Prof. Tevoedjre, who is also a Special Aid to President Kerekou, said the meeting with President Rawlings was because of his commitment to the integration and development of Africa.
He said President Rawlings would be invited to a symposium planned for Benin to discuss the proposal.
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Workshop on rational drug use opens at Ankaful
Ankaful (Central Region), 3rd November 99
A two-day training workshop on the rational use of drugs opened at the Nurses Training College at Ankaful on Tuesday.
The first of two being organised by the Central Regional Health Administration, it is being attended by 39 medical practitioners, pharmacists, dispensing technicians and medical assistants.
It would evolve strategies to determine how best to improve the procurement, supply and distribution of drugs to ensure quality care for patients.
Topics being considered include "Problems of rational drug use", "Decision making for drug use interventions" and "The selection of district focal persons on rational drug use".
Opening it, Dr W. K. Bosu, Senior Medical Officer in charge of Public Health, underscored the importance of drugs in both preventive and curative health care delivery.
He said a patient's satisfaction depends on a reliable and an affordable supply of drugs and said he regretted that in spite of this there is only a "fledgling" drug policy in the country.
This has been compounded with problems of quality control, inefficient distribution, inadequate drug management, as well as non-adherence of patients to treatment regimes.
Dr Bosu urged the participants to examine drug supply and management in the region since it was imperative to prescribe drugs rationally to avoid waste.
They should help to ensure the success of the five-year medium term development programme initiated by the Ministry of Health to improve the sector.
Dr. Bosu disclosed that the regional health administration has been provided with 102 million cedis by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) to train some health personnel to enhance health care delivery in the region.
Mr. Devine Asiamah, National Programme Manager of the Ghana National Drugs Programme (GNDP), described the workshop as vital for efficient health care delivery.
He charged them to work out a realistic plan to ensure effective drug dispensation and commended the Overseas Development Agency of Netherlands for its assistance since 1997 to help improve management support systems in the pharmaceutical sector.
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