GRi Newsreel 18 - 10 - 99

Ministry to address low productivity problem

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 18^th October 99

The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare is to launch a national productivity movement next year to address the problem of low productivity within the various sectors of the economy.

In addition, it intends setting up a labour commission for quick dispute resolution in labour movements as a means of creating an enabling atmosphere for increased productivity.

The sector minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, announced this in an address read for him at the Sixth Quadrennial delegates conference of the General Agricultural Workers' Union (GAWU) at Sunyani on Friday.

The two-day conference, which was attended by 200 delegates, was under the theme 'charting a new trades union path into the 21st century'.

Alhaji Mumuni noted that, apart from workers' participation in the decision making process at workplaces, a peaceful and progressive labour front is needed between employers and workers.

He stated that the turbulence and wrangling that have characterised some labour organisations of late do not augur well for increased productivity.

''Disputes of this nature at workplaces tend to be a setback in productivity as they set up worker against worker and also disrupt the whole work programme,'' he said.

Alhaji Mumuni announced that the ministry and its stakeholders have already produced a draft labour code that would be placed before parliament soon and will change some of the obsolete laws to reflect the prevailing wind of change in the economy.

He added that the freedom of association as enshrined in the 1992 constitution also means that the monopoly the of Trades Union Congress (TUC) would be broken since other workers' organisations have the right to operate on the labour scene.

He, therefore, called on the leadership of organised labour to ensure an effective education programme to reflect the new trend in labour for a more congenial labour front.

In an address, the General Secretary of GAWU, Mr. Samuel Kengah, called on the overnment to adopt policies that would improve the lot of small-scale farmers.

The Brong Ahafo regional minister, Mr. Donald Adabre, commended the GAWU for organising its workers within both the formal and non-formal sectors for the last 40 years.

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Women talents buried for cultural, religious reasons

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18^th October 99

Mr. Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, on Sunday observed that, for cultural and religious reasons, several women have buried their talents in the ground in disobedience to God.

He said some function within tightly confined boundaries that are suffocating and thereby increase their ignorance, dependence and socio-political poverty.

Creative ways must, therefore, be sought to dismantle these negative Boundaries, a speech read on his behalf at the opening of a seminar organised by the Ashanti Region Institute of Women in Religion and Culture in Kumasi said.

Representatives from various religious organisations, women's groups and youth organisations in Kumasi are attending the seminar.

Mr. Yankah noted that blind obedience to authoritative figures had led to charlatans in priestly garb seducing unsuspecting women and fleecing others of their material wealth.

He said the Institute's objectives of making muted voices heard and throwing light on the margins of society where some have been consigned for cultural reasons are laudable sentiments that must be actively pursued.

Mr. Yankah said "working towards a more just, compassionate and free society is the civic responsibility of all of us".

Professor (Mrs.) Mercy Amba Oduyoye, Director of the Institute, noted that women are endowed with divine dignity that must not be trifled with.

''Any church that ignores this is anti-Christ and any nation that forgets them decays and perishes in the filth of injustices and violence.''

She said the Institute has been established at Trinity Theological Seminary to help cure the nation and, of insensitivity to the power relations between women and men.

"It is envisaged that, with focus on women, religion and gender in church and society, it will help examine religious and cultural practices and customs and distil African culture for its enduring humanising elements.''

Prof. Oduyoye said the institute would concentrate on women-centred studies in religion and culture and reach out to students of faculties and departments of religion, seminaries and Theological Colleges in the country.

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Avoka urges community action to tackle environmental problems

Dawu (Eastern Region) 18^th October 99

The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Cletus Avoka, has urged community participation in finding solutions to environmental problems to stimulate development.

He observed that the rapid expansion in development had been at a very high cost to the environment and that if development did not match with sound environmental practices, other national resources like soils and water bodies could become degraded or depleted.

Mr. Avoka said this at the launch of an afforestation project initiated by the Dawu Friends Club at Dawu in the Akuapem North district of the Eastern Region on Saturday.

He stressed the need for a concerted effort in finding solutions to environmental problems since the government could not do it alone and commended the club for making environmental problems one of its goals.

Mr. Avoka touched on the National Environmental Policy (NEP), which, he said, is aimed at finding a balance between economic development and natural resources conservation, thereby making environmental quality a key element in the country's socio-economic development.

Mr. Asare Larbi, president of the club, said it had already planted about 2,000 seedlings around the Lampkaku stream and acquired 8.2 hectares of land to cultivate teak and other tree species.

Nana Akyea Afare III, Dawuhene, asked the citizens to support the activities of the club in order to replenish the dwindling forest reserves in the town.

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Small-scale importers contribute to Asantehene fund

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18^th October 99

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on Ghanaians not to hide the fact that AIDS is real and a killer but embark on intensive education to create awareness about the pandemic.

He said the fact that the Ashanti Region had been ranked as leading in HIV/AIDS infection was disturbing and must be taken seriously.

The Asantehene said he had held discussions with World Bank officials on how best to tackle the problem in the region and that he was awaiting proposals from the bank on the issue.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the call when members of the Kumasi Small-Scale Importers Association called on him to present two million cedis as their contribution towards the Asantehene Education Fund.

He said, as small-scale importers who are mostly women, they could assist in educating their fellow women as well as their husbands and daughters about the dangers of the disease.

The Asantehene noted that small-scale enterprises are the backbone of the nation's economy and that it is the private sector that is responsible for the full growth of the economy.

Their work is, therefore, of importance to the nation and they must be truthful and honest because the country can only be built on truth, which also ensures development.

Mrs. Philipa Obeng-Addai, President of the association, said they have the goodwill of the nation at heart and, therefore, always think of what they can do for the nation and not what the nation can do for them.

In line with this objective, she said the association had presented furniture and other items to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and donated to the Cardio Centre at the same hospital.

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MP inspects work on 35 million cedis bathhouse complex

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18^th October 99

Alhaji Ahmed Musah, Member of Parliament for Asokwa-East, on Saturday inspected progress of work on a 35 million-cedi public bathhouse for residents of Asawasi "D" Line in Kumasi being constructed by Attachy Construction Company Limited.

It comprises 12 bathing apartments that will be fitted with electrical systems, dressing mirrors and showers.

Mr. Antwi Bosiako and Mr. Sampson Osei Frimpong, both unit committee members of the Asawasi "D" Line, who conducted the MP round to inspect work on the project, commended him for his concern for the improvement of personal hygiene in his constituency.

They said when the project is completed, it will relieve many residents in the area of the problem of having to look for a place to shower since many houses in the area do not have bath facilities.

They, however, appealed to the MP to impress upon the Department of Urban Roads and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to rehabilitate the broken down drainage system and the bad road network in the Asawasi area.

Ahaji Musah gave the assurance that he was working feverishly to seek approval from the relevant authorities to ensure rehabilitation of the roads and drains.

He, however, advised them to ensure that they do not choke the already damaged drains with refuse since that could spark off epidemics.

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Stop atrocities for the sake of humanity, Priest appeals

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18^th October 99

The Right Reverend Thomas Brient, Anglican Bishop of Sunyani, on Sunday appealed to those behind the recent spate of rape and murder of women and children in the country to put a stop to their criminal activities.

He said they need to do some critical self-examination and probe their conscience so as to appreciate the value of life.

The Rt. Rev. Brient was preaching at an ordination service for two priests and four deacons of the Kumasi diocese of the Anglican Church.

The ordained priests were the Reverend Samuel Kyei-Manu and the Reverend Christian Oscar Amoah while the new Deacons included Deacons Osei Asante Ababio, Stephen Fosu Amoako, Adu Sarkodie and David Okyere Korankye.

The Anglican Bishop of Sunyani also asked the Church to work hand in hand with the government to promote and maintain the prevailing peace and stability of the country.

He noted that peace is costly and that it can only come about through tolerance and restraint, adding that religious leaders should encourage politicians to be more accommodating of their opponents.

The Rt. Rev. Brient advised the new priests and Deacons to comport themselves and lead exemplary lives worthy of their calling.

They should also accept criticism, use good judgement to bring people together and stay within the plan and will of God.

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Let's adopt a more national and practical approach to murders, Prophet

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18^th October 99

A religious leader on Sunday stressed the need for a more national and practical approach in solving the recent murders of women, particularly in Accra.

''People must cease to perceive it as the sole responsibility of the female sex to handle,'' Prophet Michael Aaron Appiah-Frimpong, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the General Council for Pentecostal Churches, Ghana, said.

He was delivering a sermon in Tafo-Pankrono in Kumasi at the induction of newly elected executive officers of the Ashanti Region branch of the Council.

Prophet Appiah-Frimpong said it is regrettable that only women's groups have been at the forefront of campaigns for the apprehension of the suspects.

''Very little support has come from male groups and organisations on the murders.''

He said the Council is pursuing a programme under which more schools would be established to provide formal education to all children of school going age in the area.

Mr. Samuel Atwerebour, Assemblyman for Tafo, said protracted chieftaincy problems and the inability of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to hold meetings had led to the poor development of the area.

Mr. Atwerebour appealed to Churches to pray for God's intervention for the amicable solution of the impasse at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) so as to pave the way for growth and fast development of Tafo area.

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