NESTLE Ghana Duchess Club, a group of women voluntary organisation dedicated to the welfare of women and children, has expressed concern over the high level of maternal and child mortality due to malaria in the country.
“A miscarriage or the death of an expectant mother, or foetus is often the havoc malaria wrecks on our most precious members of our community,” the club observed.
However, according to Madam Cecelia Dei-Anang, the Public Affairs Manager of the club, “the malarial disease need not kill because not only is it preventable, but it is also curable”.
She further stated that “45 children need not die a day in Ghana from this disease, likewise, pregnant women and their unborn children must not be left vulnerable to the ravages of the mosquito parasite”.
Madam Dei-Anang was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Gushie in the Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region.
The durbar formed part of the club’s malarial and nutrition in pregnancy outreach programme in some parts of the country.
The club has so far covered some communities and health centres in the Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra, Central and Western regions. Other regions the members intend to reach out to are the Upper East and Upper West.
The club, which was formed and sponsored by Nestle Ghana Limited, is made up of dedicated group of women from different walks of life that support the welfare of the vulnerable in society.
Ms Dei-Anang also advised the people to always visit designated health centres with their sick wards for proper medical care instead of staying at home or resorting to unprescribed drugs which posed danger to their health.
She also asked them to ensure good environmental sanitation practices at home and their respective communities to guard themselves and their families against contracting communicable disease, including malaria.
According to her, malaria was mainly caused by the anopheles mosquitoes which bred in stagnant water and sucked the human blood to feed.
“In order to prevent the contraction of the disease, there should be cleanliness in the community, as well as the use of treated mosquito nets at homes,” the officer cautioned.
She also counselled the community on proper nutrition and the need to eat balanced diet.
Treated mosquito nets were later distributed to lactating mothers and pregnant women in the community to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Northern Region has recorded high rates of maternal mortality over the years. For instance in 2006 alone, the region recorded 91 maternal deaths.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
UDS GOVERNING COUNCIL INAUGURATED (PAGE 18)
THE Deputy Minister in charge of Higher Education, Dr J.S. Annan, has inaugurated the University for Development Studies (UDS) governing council in Tamale.
The 14-member council is being chaired by the Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Abdulai Salifu.
Other members of the council include the Kumbung-Naa Yiri II, Professor Thomas Bayorbor, Dr Steven Ayidiya, Dr Gamel Nasser, Hajia Fati Seidu and Chief Awudu Abukari.
The rest are the acting V.C. of the UDS, Professor K.S. Nokoe, Dr Seidu Alhassan and Mr Michael King.
The deputy minister urged members of the council to expedite action on the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor for the university that had been led by an acting V.C. for some years now.
For his part, Professor Nokoe explained that the inauguration of the council had been delayed following some outstanding issues and challenges that confronted the university.
The vice chancellor, however, stated that in spite of those challenges, the management of the institution had stood its grounds to ensure that the core functions of the university to attain its mandate were on track.
On behalf of members of the council, Dr Salifu expressed appreciation to the government for the confidence reposed in them and promised to live up to expectation by working within their job specification of ensuring academic excellence.
He, however, advocated for peaceful and harmonious academic environment and also called for the needed support and co-operation among all stakeholders of the UDS for accelerated growth of the university.
The 14-member council is being chaired by the Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Abdulai Salifu.
Other members of the council include the Kumbung-Naa Yiri II, Professor Thomas Bayorbor, Dr Steven Ayidiya, Dr Gamel Nasser, Hajia Fati Seidu and Chief Awudu Abukari.
The rest are the acting V.C. of the UDS, Professor K.S. Nokoe, Dr Seidu Alhassan and Mr Michael King.
The deputy minister urged members of the council to expedite action on the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor for the university that had been led by an acting V.C. for some years now.
For his part, Professor Nokoe explained that the inauguration of the council had been delayed following some outstanding issues and challenges that confronted the university.
The vice chancellor, however, stated that in spite of those challenges, the management of the institution had stood its grounds to ensure that the core functions of the university to attain its mandate were on track.
On behalf of members of the council, Dr Salifu expressed appreciation to the government for the confidence reposed in them and promised to live up to expectation by working within their job specification of ensuring academic excellence.
He, however, advocated for peaceful and harmonious academic environment and also called for the needed support and co-operation among all stakeholders of the UDS for accelerated growth of the university.
READING IS IMPORTANT (PAGE 18)
“READING maketh a man.” This short but important phrase sums up the essence of reading to man’s existence on earth.
Apart from enriching one’s language and his ability to understand issues, it also broadens one’s mind as he/she learns about every subject and topic under the sun thus, making them dynamic in their ways of life.
The reason for the inability of pupils and students to understand topics and questions during examination is therefore, not far fetched: majority of them do not simply read. For that matter, they are unable to appreciate questions and express themselves well in their deliveries.
A lot of reasons have been ascribed for these shortcomings. They include the lack of reading materials and interest by students, the proliferation of modern electronic gadgets and information and communication technology facilities such as television and video decks and the Internet, as well as the failure by parents and guardians to encourage and monitor the reading habits of their wards.
It is, therefore, no wonder that majority of pupils and students fail miserably in the English language in their Basic and Senior Secondary Education Certification Examinations.
It is disheartening to note that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and SSSCE in 2008 failed in English, respectively in the Tamale metropolis alone.
The situation is not different in other parts of the country, particularly in the rural districts.
Indeed, it is for these reasons that matters concerning the promotion of reading must receive the needed attention of the government and other stakeholders to enrich the vocabulary and also widen the scope of young men and women at all levels in the education system.
One such effort that is worthy of note in the promotion of the culture and habit of reading, is that of the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA).
The association is preparing towards the celebration of its eighth Ghana international book fair in Accra that would be held at the National theatre in Accra in November on the theme: “Books as cultural tools for development: a reading nation is a winning nation”.
According to the President of the GBPA, Mr Asare Canoed Yamoah, the book fair that was recently launched in Accra, is a cultural event aimed at projecting the country’s literary culture.
He expressed concern that, currently, reading had become a laborious pastime for most Ghanaians, recalling that “in the past, the enthusiasm of Ghanaians to read was monumental; publishers at the time could sell 30,000 and over novels in a year.”
Mr Yamoah stated that to help reverse that situation, the Government should as a matter of importance, change its policy on book purchases and also resource the Ghana library board with adequate reading materials, including supplementary ones to schools and colleges.
“In former times, schools had active libraries, timetables had periods for library and reading and community libraries were fashionable,” he stated.
The president, who is also the publisher of ADAEX Educational Publications Limited, added that “today, all these brilliant innovations have dwindled to the disadvantage of our education; the standards of spoken and written English and other Ghanaian languages are not the best today.”
“These trend must change and a conscious effort by the government and all Ghanaians to invest in these critical areas of national development” he stressed.
“READING maketh a man.” This short but important phrase sums up the essence of reading to man’s existence on earth.
Apart from enriching one’s language and his ability to understand issues, it also broadens one’s mind as he/she learns about every subject and topic under the sun thus, making them dynamic in their ways of life.
The reason for the inability of pupils and students to understand topics and questions during examination is therefore, not far fetched: majority of them do not simply read. For that matter, they are unable to appreciate questions and express themselves well in their deliveries.
A lot of reasons have been ascribed for these shortcomings. They include the lack of reading materials and interest by students, the proliferation of modern electronic gadgets and information and communication technology facilities such as television and video decks and the Internet, as well as the failure by parents and guardians to encourage and monitor the reading habits of their wards.
It is, therefore, no wonder that majority of pupils and students fail miserably in the English language in their Basic and Senior Secondary Education Certification Examinations.
It is disheartening to note that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and SSSCE in 2008 failed in English, respectively in the Tamale metropolis alone.
The situation is not different in other parts of the country, particularly in the rural districts.
Indeed, it is for these reasons that matters concerning the promotion of reading must receive the needed attention of the government and other stakeholders to enrich the vocabulary and also widen the scope of young men and women at all levels in the education system.
One such effort that is worthy of note in the promotion of the culture and habit of reading, is that of the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA).
The association is preparing towards the celebration of its eighth Ghana international book fair in Accra that would be held at the National theatre in Accra in November on the theme: “Books as cultural tools for development: a reading nation is a winning nation”.
According to the President of the GBPA, Mr Asare Canoed Yamoah, the book fair that was recently launched in Accra, is a cultural event aimed at projecting the country’s literary culture.
He expressed concern that, currently, reading had become a laborious pastime for most Ghanaians, recalling that “in the past, the enthusiasm of Ghanaians to read was monumental; publishers at the time could sell 30,000 and over novels in a year.”
Mr Yamoah stated that to help reverse that situation, the Government should as a matter of importance, change its policy on book purchases and also resource the Ghana library board with adequate reading materials, including supplementary ones to schools and colleges.
“In former times, schools had active libraries, timetables had periods for library and reading and community libraries were fashionable,” he stated.
The president, who is also the publisher of ADAEX Educational Publications Limited, added that “today, all these brilliant innovations have dwindled to the disadvantage of our education; the standards of spoken and written English and other Ghanaian languages are not the best today.”
“These trend must change and a conscious effort by the government and all Ghanaians to invest in these critical areas of national development” he stressed.
Apart from enriching one’s language and his ability to understand issues, it also broadens one’s mind as he/she learns about every subject and topic under the sun thus, making them dynamic in their ways of life.
The reason for the inability of pupils and students to understand topics and questions during examination is therefore, not far fetched: majority of them do not simply read. For that matter, they are unable to appreciate questions and express themselves well in their deliveries.
A lot of reasons have been ascribed for these shortcomings. They include the lack of reading materials and interest by students, the proliferation of modern electronic gadgets and information and communication technology facilities such as television and video decks and the Internet, as well as the failure by parents and guardians to encourage and monitor the reading habits of their wards.
It is, therefore, no wonder that majority of pupils and students fail miserably in the English language in their Basic and Senior Secondary Education Certification Examinations.
It is disheartening to note that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and SSSCE in 2008 failed in English, respectively in the Tamale metropolis alone.
The situation is not different in other parts of the country, particularly in the rural districts.
Indeed, it is for these reasons that matters concerning the promotion of reading must receive the needed attention of the government and other stakeholders to enrich the vocabulary and also widen the scope of young men and women at all levels in the education system.
One such effort that is worthy of note in the promotion of the culture and habit of reading, is that of the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA).
The association is preparing towards the celebration of its eighth Ghana international book fair in Accra that would be held at the National theatre in Accra in November on the theme: “Books as cultural tools for development: a reading nation is a winning nation”.
According to the President of the GBPA, Mr Asare Canoed Yamoah, the book fair that was recently launched in Accra, is a cultural event aimed at projecting the country’s literary culture.
He expressed concern that, currently, reading had become a laborious pastime for most Ghanaians, recalling that “in the past, the enthusiasm of Ghanaians to read was monumental; publishers at the time could sell 30,000 and over novels in a year.”
Mr Yamoah stated that to help reverse that situation, the Government should as a matter of importance, change its policy on book purchases and also resource the Ghana library board with adequate reading materials, including supplementary ones to schools and colleges.
“In former times, schools had active libraries, timetables had periods for library and reading and community libraries were fashionable,” he stated.
The president, who is also the publisher of ADAEX Educational Publications Limited, added that “today, all these brilliant innovations have dwindled to the disadvantage of our education; the standards of spoken and written English and other Ghanaian languages are not the best today.”
“These trend must change and a conscious effort by the government and all Ghanaians to invest in these critical areas of national development” he stressed.
“READING maketh a man.” This short but important phrase sums up the essence of reading to man’s existence on earth.
Apart from enriching one’s language and his ability to understand issues, it also broadens one’s mind as he/she learns about every subject and topic under the sun thus, making them dynamic in their ways of life.
The reason for the inability of pupils and students to understand topics and questions during examination is therefore, not far fetched: majority of them do not simply read. For that matter, they are unable to appreciate questions and express themselves well in their deliveries.
A lot of reasons have been ascribed for these shortcomings. They include the lack of reading materials and interest by students, the proliferation of modern electronic gadgets and information and communication technology facilities such as television and video decks and the Internet, as well as the failure by parents and guardians to encourage and monitor the reading habits of their wards.
It is, therefore, no wonder that majority of pupils and students fail miserably in the English language in their Basic and Senior Secondary Education Certification Examinations.
It is disheartening to note that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 candidates who sat for the BECE and SSSCE in 2008 failed in English, respectively in the Tamale metropolis alone.
The situation is not different in other parts of the country, particularly in the rural districts.
Indeed, it is for these reasons that matters concerning the promotion of reading must receive the needed attention of the government and other stakeholders to enrich the vocabulary and also widen the scope of young men and women at all levels in the education system.
One such effort that is worthy of note in the promotion of the culture and habit of reading, is that of the Ghana Book Publishers Association (GBPA).
The association is preparing towards the celebration of its eighth Ghana international book fair in Accra that would be held at the National theatre in Accra in November on the theme: “Books as cultural tools for development: a reading nation is a winning nation”.
According to the President of the GBPA, Mr Asare Canoed Yamoah, the book fair that was recently launched in Accra, is a cultural event aimed at projecting the country’s literary culture.
He expressed concern that, currently, reading had become a laborious pastime for most Ghanaians, recalling that “in the past, the enthusiasm of Ghanaians to read was monumental; publishers at the time could sell 30,000 and over novels in a year.”
Mr Yamoah stated that to help reverse that situation, the Government should as a matter of importance, change its policy on book purchases and also resource the Ghana library board with adequate reading materials, including supplementary ones to schools and colleges.
“In former times, schools had active libraries, timetables had periods for library and reading and community libraries were fashionable,” he stated.
The president, who is also the publisher of ADAEX Educational Publications Limited, added that “today, all these brilliant innovations have dwindled to the disadvantage of our education; the standards of spoken and written English and other Ghanaian languages are not the best today.”
“These trend must change and a conscious effort by the government and all Ghanaians to invest in these critical areas of national development” he stressed.
Friday, August 28, 2009
NCCE PREPARES FOR PEACEFUL BY-ELECTIONS IN CHEREPONI (PAGE 16)
In readiness towards ensuring a peaceful by-election in the Chereponi constituency in the Northern Region, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised a workshop for the people to live above reproach during the events which will lead to the September 29, 2009 election.
According to the Northern Regional Director of the Commission, Mr Harunah Husheini Sulemana, the resort to violence at the least provocation among supporters of political parties was most unfortunate, since politics was about the exchange of ideas and holding of different opinions.
The director therefore, appealed to politicians to forthcoming upon their supporters not to consider the impending elections as a matter of life or death, but an exercise to select the best candidate to champion their aspirations.
The workshop which was supported by the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP), was attended by the leadership of political parties, youth groups, traditional authority, security agencies and heads of department in the district.
Among topics discussed at the day’s forum were, “electoral process and electoral conflicts in Ghana”, and “general overview of conflicts in Chereponi district”, with emphasis on chieftaincy, land, political and religious upheavals that have been the bane of the area for sometime now.
Mr Sulemana further entreated the party leadership to use the impending by-election as an opportunity to help unite the people of Chereponi by preaching peace and national cohesion on their various campaign platforms.
He bemoaned the rate at which electoral disputes had characterised Ghana’s elections with particular reference to northern Ghana, and therefore, advised residents of Chereponi to conduct themselves before, during and after the election.
The director expressed concern over the fact that Chereponi, which is one of the youngest districts in the region, had been inundated with unnecessary conflicts that was drawing the area’s development backwards.
On security arrangements, Mr Sulemana gave the assurance that adequate measures would be put in place to forestall any possible acts that could degenerate into conflicts among supporters.
The participants for their part, called for an all inclusive governance system to reduce conflict situations.
They also entreated the Government to resource the NCCE to be able to carry out its constitutional mandate effectively while entreating security operatives to exhibit more professionalism in the discharge of their respective duties before, during and after the by-election.
According to the Northern Regional Director of the Commission, Mr Harunah Husheini Sulemana, the resort to violence at the least provocation among supporters of political parties was most unfortunate, since politics was about the exchange of ideas and holding of different opinions.
The director therefore, appealed to politicians to forthcoming upon their supporters not to consider the impending elections as a matter of life or death, but an exercise to select the best candidate to champion their aspirations.
The workshop which was supported by the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP), was attended by the leadership of political parties, youth groups, traditional authority, security agencies and heads of department in the district.
Among topics discussed at the day’s forum were, “electoral process and electoral conflicts in Ghana”, and “general overview of conflicts in Chereponi district”, with emphasis on chieftaincy, land, political and religious upheavals that have been the bane of the area for sometime now.
Mr Sulemana further entreated the party leadership to use the impending by-election as an opportunity to help unite the people of Chereponi by preaching peace and national cohesion on their various campaign platforms.
He bemoaned the rate at which electoral disputes had characterised Ghana’s elections with particular reference to northern Ghana, and therefore, advised residents of Chereponi to conduct themselves before, during and after the election.
The director expressed concern over the fact that Chereponi, which is one of the youngest districts in the region, had been inundated with unnecessary conflicts that was drawing the area’s development backwards.
On security arrangements, Mr Sulemana gave the assurance that adequate measures would be put in place to forestall any possible acts that could degenerate into conflicts among supporters.
The participants for their part, called for an all inclusive governance system to reduce conflict situations.
They also entreated the Government to resource the NCCE to be able to carry out its constitutional mandate effectively while entreating security operatives to exhibit more professionalism in the discharge of their respective duties before, during and after the by-election.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
GETFUND TO TAKE OVER HOSTEL IN TAMALE (PAGE 45)
THE Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is to take full ownership of the GETFund Hotel on the University for Development Studies (UDS) campus in Tamale.
As a result, the new board of the GETFund has indicated its intention to refund the deposit paid by the UDS in order to reclaim the hotel as part of its vision to promote investment initiatives.
The UDS has, however, expressed its commitment to pursue the GETFund authorities to fulfil its pledge to provide the university with a modest hostel facility exclusively for the use of students as an alternative.
This latest development follows the alleged negative publications the transaction had generated over the purchase of the hotel.
The three-star rated hotel was constructed by the GETFund to accommodate some of the competing teams during the 2008 African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008 ) as Tamale, which was part of the four venues lacked adequate hotel facilities.
In a statement issued by the university last Thursday, it explained that after the games, the GETFund board realised that it would be expensive to rent it out to students because of facilities such as air-conditioners, close-circuit television sets, among other amenities in the structure.
“As a result, GETFund opted to sell out the facility to private investors, giving UDS the first option with the promise to construct a 1,000-bed capacity hostel on the Tamale campus of the university as a replacement,” the statement explained.
It said when the UDS subsequently expressed interest in the purchase of the hostel, it was offered to the university at GH¢6.2 million
The UDS, according to the statement, later paid a 20 per cent deposit of the total amount through the National Investment Bank. The university was thus expected to pay the remaining 80 per cent in three instalments over a period of three years, which is yet to be honoured.
“UDS did not directly pay the GETFund, neither did it issue 42 cheques as published by a section of the press,” the statement said, adding “all these transactions were made with the full knowledge and endorsement of the university council with no secret documentation or malice aforethought whatsoever.”
According to the statement, the reconstituted GETFund board has assured the UDS of its commitment to construct the 1,000-bed capacity student hostel on the Tamale campus as promised, for which the university has already made land available.
An Accra daily on July 9, this year, published a story with the headline “Scandal at Varsity — Vice Chancellor exposed in ¢61 billion deal at UDS Hotel.” This was followed by a related publication in the same paper on July 15, 2009, with the headline, “Sale of ¢62 billion hostel hatched in secret.”
“Management sees these publications as ones which seek to impugn the name of the UDS and the hard-won reputation of the acting VC, Professor Sagary Nokoe. We wish to stress that there are no underhand financial dealings in respect of the said GETFund Hotel at UDS, Tamale,” the statement claimed.
As a result, the new board of the GETFund has indicated its intention to refund the deposit paid by the UDS in order to reclaim the hotel as part of its vision to promote investment initiatives.
The UDS has, however, expressed its commitment to pursue the GETFund authorities to fulfil its pledge to provide the university with a modest hostel facility exclusively for the use of students as an alternative.
This latest development follows the alleged negative publications the transaction had generated over the purchase of the hotel.
The three-star rated hotel was constructed by the GETFund to accommodate some of the competing teams during the 2008 African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008 ) as Tamale, which was part of the four venues lacked adequate hotel facilities.
In a statement issued by the university last Thursday, it explained that after the games, the GETFund board realised that it would be expensive to rent it out to students because of facilities such as air-conditioners, close-circuit television sets, among other amenities in the structure.
“As a result, GETFund opted to sell out the facility to private investors, giving UDS the first option with the promise to construct a 1,000-bed capacity hostel on the Tamale campus of the university as a replacement,” the statement explained.
It said when the UDS subsequently expressed interest in the purchase of the hostel, it was offered to the university at GH¢6.2 million
The UDS, according to the statement, later paid a 20 per cent deposit of the total amount through the National Investment Bank. The university was thus expected to pay the remaining 80 per cent in three instalments over a period of three years, which is yet to be honoured.
“UDS did not directly pay the GETFund, neither did it issue 42 cheques as published by a section of the press,” the statement said, adding “all these transactions were made with the full knowledge and endorsement of the university council with no secret documentation or malice aforethought whatsoever.”
According to the statement, the reconstituted GETFund board has assured the UDS of its commitment to construct the 1,000-bed capacity student hostel on the Tamale campus as promised, for which the university has already made land available.
An Accra daily on July 9, this year, published a story with the headline “Scandal at Varsity — Vice Chancellor exposed in ¢61 billion deal at UDS Hotel.” This was followed by a related publication in the same paper on July 15, 2009, with the headline, “Sale of ¢62 billion hostel hatched in secret.”
“Management sees these publications as ones which seek to impugn the name of the UDS and the hard-won reputation of the acting VC, Professor Sagary Nokoe. We wish to stress that there are no underhand financial dealings in respect of the said GETFund Hotel at UDS, Tamale,” the statement claimed.
SPEED UP APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE VC FOR UDS (PAGE 11)
THE Governing Council of the University for Development Studies (UDS), has been inaugurated in Tamale with a call on members to fashion innovative policies and programmes that will improve the fortunes of the multi-faculty campus university.
The Deputy Minister in charge of Higher Education, Dr J.S. Annan, made the call and entreated members of the council to expedite action on the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) for the university, which has been led by an acting V.C for several years now.
The 14-member council is chaired by Dr Abdulai Salifu, who is also the Director-General of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Other members include the Kumbung-Naa Yiri II, Professor Thomas Bayorbor, Dr Steven Ayidiya, Dr Gamel Nasser, Hajia Fati Seidu and Chief Awudu Abukari. The rest are the acting Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor K.S Nokoe, Dr Seidu Alhassan and Mr Michael King.
The new council is the fourth to be inaugurated since the establishment of the university in 1993. The student population has since increased from 40 to 10,500.
The minister, therefore, commended management of the university for their dedication and commitment to the establishment of more faculties, resulting in the increase in enro lment, in spite of the limited resources of the pioneer university in the north.
According to Dr Annan, “it is now clear that the setting up of the UDS by the erstwhile Rawlings regime was not a mistake, but a giant step in education development in the country”.
Dr Annan called for peaceful and harmonious academic environment, and also stressed the need for the necessary support and co-operation among all stakeholders of the UDS for accelerated growth of the university.
For his part, Professor Nokoe explained that the inauguration of the council had been delayed following some outstanding issues and challenges that confronted the university.
“The delay had led to several rumours and unsubstantiated allegations, often frivolous and of malicious nature; a number of these issues are currently in the court of law,” he stated.
He, however, indicated that in spite of those challenges, management had stood its grounds to ensure that the core functions of the university to attain its mandate were on track.
On behalf of members of the council, Dr Salifu expressed appreciation to the Government for the confidence reposed in them, and promised to live up to expectation by working within their job specification of ensuring academic excellence.
The Deputy Minister in charge of Higher Education, Dr J.S. Annan, made the call and entreated members of the council to expedite action on the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) for the university, which has been led by an acting V.C for several years now.
The 14-member council is chaired by Dr Abdulai Salifu, who is also the Director-General of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Other members include the Kumbung-Naa Yiri II, Professor Thomas Bayorbor, Dr Steven Ayidiya, Dr Gamel Nasser, Hajia Fati Seidu and Chief Awudu Abukari. The rest are the acting Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor K.S Nokoe, Dr Seidu Alhassan and Mr Michael King.
The new council is the fourth to be inaugurated since the establishment of the university in 1993. The student population has since increased from 40 to 10,500.
The minister, therefore, commended management of the university for their dedication and commitment to the establishment of more faculties, resulting in the increase in enro lment, in spite of the limited resources of the pioneer university in the north.
According to Dr Annan, “it is now clear that the setting up of the UDS by the erstwhile Rawlings regime was not a mistake, but a giant step in education development in the country”.
Dr Annan called for peaceful and harmonious academic environment, and also stressed the need for the necessary support and co-operation among all stakeholders of the UDS for accelerated growth of the university.
For his part, Professor Nokoe explained that the inauguration of the council had been delayed following some outstanding issues and challenges that confronted the university.
“The delay had led to several rumours and unsubstantiated allegations, often frivolous and of malicious nature; a number of these issues are currently in the court of law,” he stated.
He, however, indicated that in spite of those challenges, management had stood its grounds to ensure that the core functions of the university to attain its mandate were on track.
On behalf of members of the council, Dr Salifu expressed appreciation to the Government for the confidence reposed in them, and promised to live up to expectation by working within their job specification of ensuring academic excellence.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
NYOHINI CHILDREN'S HOME NOT NEGLECTED...Father Balemans (PAGE 29)
A Philanthropist, Father Martin Balemans of the Catholic Church, has described claims by the supervisor of the Nyohini Children’s Home in Tamale, Ms Janet Qauinoo, that the facility is lacking in many areas as most unfortunate.
He also pointed out a number of inaccuracies contained in the story carried on the July 31, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic with the headline “Visiting students renovate facilities at Children’s Home.”
In a statement reacting to the said story, Father Balemans indicated that “the many inaccuracies disturb me and disgrace the Ghana government and the Department of Social Welfare”.
He alleged that he had personally visited the home regularly for the past 10 years and had also offered numerous assistance for its proper upkeep, adding that many other individuals and organisations had equally paid similar visits and offered enormous material and financial assistance to the Home.
He enumerated a number of projects he had undertaken for the home to include laying of new tiles for the floor of the main corridor and other rooms, installation of water boiler, washing machine and dryer in the shower room.
The philanthropist added that he had also constructed toilets for toddlers and renovated other places of convenience. He mentioned other facilities to include the laying of new water pipes to ensure regular flow of water and a number of water reservoirs.
Father Balemans further indicated that some other individuals and organisations had also painted the walls, constructed a playing ground and continue to donate large quantities of assorted items, food and cash to the management of the Home.
He said even though he travelled briefly outside the country, “On my return, I went to see the home and found out that the food was good, the bedding was in order and mosquito nets were supplied to all the beds and the children looked well nourished.”
The philanthropist, therefore, observed that Ms Quainoo’s assertion that the home had no means of transport, and that many of the children lost their lives as a result of their inability to transport them to the hospital was rather far-fetched.
“Whenever I heard that a child at the home was admitted to the hospital, I went to visit the sick child and never had I ever heard that a child had died because of a lack of transport,” he stated.
On the security fence, Father Balemans said it was currently under construction, and that work on it was about 60 per cent complete and, therefore, wondered why the supervisor still mentioned it as if nothing was being done about it.
The philanthropist further alleged that some years ago when a good Samaritan donated GH¢30,000.00, “I was told in the presence of Ms Quainoo that it was put in the bank to generate funds for the Home.”
He, therefore, wondered the whereabouts of the funds, including the numerous cash donations to the home as more people and organisations continued to present assorted food and other valuable items to the home.
He also pointed out a number of inaccuracies contained in the story carried on the July 31, 2009 issue of the Daily Graphic with the headline “Visiting students renovate facilities at Children’s Home.”
In a statement reacting to the said story, Father Balemans indicated that “the many inaccuracies disturb me and disgrace the Ghana government and the Department of Social Welfare”.
He alleged that he had personally visited the home regularly for the past 10 years and had also offered numerous assistance for its proper upkeep, adding that many other individuals and organisations had equally paid similar visits and offered enormous material and financial assistance to the Home.
He enumerated a number of projects he had undertaken for the home to include laying of new tiles for the floor of the main corridor and other rooms, installation of water boiler, washing machine and dryer in the shower room.
The philanthropist added that he had also constructed toilets for toddlers and renovated other places of convenience. He mentioned other facilities to include the laying of new water pipes to ensure regular flow of water and a number of water reservoirs.
Father Balemans further indicated that some other individuals and organisations had also painted the walls, constructed a playing ground and continue to donate large quantities of assorted items, food and cash to the management of the Home.
He said even though he travelled briefly outside the country, “On my return, I went to see the home and found out that the food was good, the bedding was in order and mosquito nets were supplied to all the beds and the children looked well nourished.”
The philanthropist, therefore, observed that Ms Quainoo’s assertion that the home had no means of transport, and that many of the children lost their lives as a result of their inability to transport them to the hospital was rather far-fetched.
“Whenever I heard that a child at the home was admitted to the hospital, I went to visit the sick child and never had I ever heard that a child had died because of a lack of transport,” he stated.
On the security fence, Father Balemans said it was currently under construction, and that work on it was about 60 per cent complete and, therefore, wondered why the supervisor still mentioned it as if nothing was being done about it.
The philanthropist further alleged that some years ago when a good Samaritan donated GH¢30,000.00, “I was told in the presence of Ms Quainoo that it was put in the bank to generate funds for the Home.”
He, therefore, wondered the whereabouts of the funds, including the numerous cash donations to the home as more people and organisations continued to present assorted food and other valuable items to the home.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
FDB INTRODUCES FOOD FORTIFICATION PROJECT (PAGE 11)
SEVENTY per cent of pregnant women in the country suffer from Iodine Deficiency Anaemia.
The same percentage of children under five also lack Vitamin “A”, which usually results in blindness and the weakening of the immune system, thus making the body susceptible to diseases.
To help reverse this trend, the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has initiated a programme dubbed: “Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), food fortification project.
Under the project, vegetable oil and wheat flour products in the country are being fortified with vitamin “A”, “B” complex, zinc, iron and folic acid to help consumers treat the deficiency.
According to the Project Manager of the FDB, Mr Richard Odum Nyumuah, the GAIN project was initiated in 2006 to fortify some staple foods such as vegetable oil and wheat flour products because of its wide acceptance and consumption rate by the people.
The project is being facilitated through public-private partnership, which includes government agencies, the Ministry of Health and operators in the food industry.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, Mr Nyumuah also stated that a directive had been issued to cooking oil and flour importers to bring in only products that were fortified with the recommended vitamins.
The directive, he said would take effect from next month. The manager explained that, “even though a law to that effect was yet to be passed, all major stakeholders in the industry have agreed to go by the standards set by the FDB.”
A team of monitors and inspectors would be put in place to inspect flour and oil factories to ensure that they adhere strictly to the directive spelt out by the FDB to ensure compliance.
“Those who flout the directive will be cautioned and subsequently banned from importing food items that are not fortified with those nutrients, he stated .
At the moment, officials of the project have embarked on a post-market surveillance where 60 markets are selected country-wide and samples collected and sent to the central laboratory in Accra for content analyses.
Mr Nyumuah expressed appreciation for the goodwill and co-operation demonstrated so far by both local manufacturers and importers of the products.
He advised the general public to patronise products that bore the logo of the fortification symbol for their own benefit.
At the moment, the management and staff of the FDB have embarked on a sensitisation tour of some districts in the Northern Region to educate stakeholders on the need to add the nutrients to their products.
Districts covered so far are West Mamprugu, West Gonja, the Yendi municipality, as well as the Tamale metropolis. The programme would eventually cover the entire region in subsequent tours.
The same percentage of children under five also lack Vitamin “A”, which usually results in blindness and the weakening of the immune system, thus making the body susceptible to diseases.
To help reverse this trend, the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has initiated a programme dubbed: “Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), food fortification project.
Under the project, vegetable oil and wheat flour products in the country are being fortified with vitamin “A”, “B” complex, zinc, iron and folic acid to help consumers treat the deficiency.
According to the Project Manager of the FDB, Mr Richard Odum Nyumuah, the GAIN project was initiated in 2006 to fortify some staple foods such as vegetable oil and wheat flour products because of its wide acceptance and consumption rate by the people.
The project is being facilitated through public-private partnership, which includes government agencies, the Ministry of Health and operators in the food industry.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, Mr Nyumuah also stated that a directive had been issued to cooking oil and flour importers to bring in only products that were fortified with the recommended vitamins.
The directive, he said would take effect from next month. The manager explained that, “even though a law to that effect was yet to be passed, all major stakeholders in the industry have agreed to go by the standards set by the FDB.”
A team of monitors and inspectors would be put in place to inspect flour and oil factories to ensure that they adhere strictly to the directive spelt out by the FDB to ensure compliance.
“Those who flout the directive will be cautioned and subsequently banned from importing food items that are not fortified with those nutrients, he stated .
At the moment, officials of the project have embarked on a post-market surveillance where 60 markets are selected country-wide and samples collected and sent to the central laboratory in Accra for content analyses.
Mr Nyumuah expressed appreciation for the goodwill and co-operation demonstrated so far by both local manufacturers and importers of the products.
He advised the general public to patronise products that bore the logo of the fortification symbol for their own benefit.
At the moment, the management and staff of the FDB have embarked on a sensitisation tour of some districts in the Northern Region to educate stakeholders on the need to add the nutrients to their products.
Districts covered so far are West Mamprugu, West Gonja, the Yendi municipality, as well as the Tamale metropolis. The programme would eventually cover the entire region in subsequent tours.
Friday, August 21, 2009
COALITION OF NDC YOUTH GROUPS INAUGURATED (PAGE 15)
THE Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, has inaugurated a coalition of youth groups of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tamale South Constituency with a call on Ghanaians to be patient with the government as efforts were being made to put the economy on a sound track.
He assured the people that the President Mills-led administration would not shirk its responsibility of ensuring a better Ghana for all as captured in the NDC’s manifesto.
Mr Mabengba also urged members of the coalition and all party loyalists to rally behind the government to make the nation more attractive to both international and local investors.
He appealed to citizens of the entire region, particularly residents of Tamale, to be law-abiding and help the security agencies to sustain the relative peace the area was currently enjoying.
The minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing more socio-economic ventures that would open job opportunities for the youth to build their future.
The secretary of the coalition which comprises 20 youth groups, Alidu Basharu, explained that the reason behind the formation of the alliance was to help foster unity and peaceful co-existence among the youth in the area.
He said the coalition had no intention of antagonising any executive body in the party and gave the assurance that members would support the party’s forward match to retain power come the 2012 elections.
Mr Basharu also indicated the coalition’s determination to join hands with all peace-loving citizens in Tamale to say no to all kinds of violence in the region and to collaborate with other stakeholders to reclaim the area’s lost glory.
He further said the coalition would soon put in place a mechanism that would be responsible for educating the public on government programmes.
Other speakers at the function included the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, who impressed upon all party members to avoid complacency and work towards promoting the ideology of the NDC.
He assured the people that the President Mills-led administration would not shirk its responsibility of ensuring a better Ghana for all as captured in the NDC’s manifesto.
Mr Mabengba also urged members of the coalition and all party loyalists to rally behind the government to make the nation more attractive to both international and local investors.
He appealed to citizens of the entire region, particularly residents of Tamale, to be law-abiding and help the security agencies to sustain the relative peace the area was currently enjoying.
The minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing more socio-economic ventures that would open job opportunities for the youth to build their future.
The secretary of the coalition which comprises 20 youth groups, Alidu Basharu, explained that the reason behind the formation of the alliance was to help foster unity and peaceful co-existence among the youth in the area.
He said the coalition had no intention of antagonising any executive body in the party and gave the assurance that members would support the party’s forward match to retain power come the 2012 elections.
Mr Basharu also indicated the coalition’s determination to join hands with all peace-loving citizens in Tamale to say no to all kinds of violence in the region and to collaborate with other stakeholders to reclaim the area’s lost glory.
He further said the coalition would soon put in place a mechanism that would be responsible for educating the public on government programmes.
Other speakers at the function included the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, who impressed upon all party members to avoid complacency and work towards promoting the ideology of the NDC.
COTTON COMPANIES APPEAL FOR MORE SUPPORT (BACK PAGE)
PRIVATE cotton companies in the Northern Region have implored the government to pay more attention to the sector as the industry has the potential to generate not only foreign exchange but also provide job opportunities for the large number of unemployed youth in the area.
“We are ready and committed to producing cotton once again to feed the local textile industries and for export, if the needed support is offered us by the government to revamp the cotton sector,” the President of the Cotton Producers Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai Mobila, stated at a press conference in Tamale.
“Cotton is the only cash crop that does well with little or no rain. It is a cash crop for the rural poor,” he added.
Alhaji Mobila, however, mentioned the unavailability of farm inputs and adequate financial support to the association as some of the difficulties that members were currently going through in their operations.
According to him, with the involvement of private companies in the cultivation of cotton, the country’s cotton production rose from 6000 to 21,000 metric tons within the period 1998-2000.
“The tremendous increase of cotton lint production made textile mills meet their requirement, while lint and cotton seeds were exported to Europe and Asia,” Alhaji Mobila emphasised.
Apart from the raw cotton for the manufacture of textiles, cotton seed is also processed into oil and other edibles while the by-product is used for animal feed.
“The industry could have grown bigger but this was, however, affected by the international price of the commodity dropping, thus resulting in most companies slowing down production,” Alhaji Mobila indicated.
He said when the business of cotton producers came to a standstill, it had a rippling effect on the entire textile industry with some even closing down their operations and rendering thousands of people unemployed.
This situation, according to him, had resulted in the inability of some companies to pay back loans they contracted from the banks.
At the moment, five of the companies are being prosecuted by a bank in Tamale.
Alhaji Mobila, however, reminded the government of its pledge to revamp cotton companies in northern Ghana to help generate employment, reduce poverty and improve upon the living conditions of the farmers.
“Neighbouring Burkina Faso is an example of how cotton has been a major export crop and foreign exchange earner for the country and as northern Ghana shares similar geographical features, we can do better in cotton production with our joint commitments,” he assured.
“We are ready and committed to producing cotton once again to feed the local textile industries and for export, if the needed support is offered us by the government to revamp the cotton sector,” the President of the Cotton Producers Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulai Mobila, stated at a press conference in Tamale.
“Cotton is the only cash crop that does well with little or no rain. It is a cash crop for the rural poor,” he added.
Alhaji Mobila, however, mentioned the unavailability of farm inputs and adequate financial support to the association as some of the difficulties that members were currently going through in their operations.
According to him, with the involvement of private companies in the cultivation of cotton, the country’s cotton production rose from 6000 to 21,000 metric tons within the period 1998-2000.
“The tremendous increase of cotton lint production made textile mills meet their requirement, while lint and cotton seeds were exported to Europe and Asia,” Alhaji Mobila emphasised.
Apart from the raw cotton for the manufacture of textiles, cotton seed is also processed into oil and other edibles while the by-product is used for animal feed.
“The industry could have grown bigger but this was, however, affected by the international price of the commodity dropping, thus resulting in most companies slowing down production,” Alhaji Mobila indicated.
He said when the business of cotton producers came to a standstill, it had a rippling effect on the entire textile industry with some even closing down their operations and rendering thousands of people unemployed.
This situation, according to him, had resulted in the inability of some companies to pay back loans they contracted from the banks.
At the moment, five of the companies are being prosecuted by a bank in Tamale.
Alhaji Mobila, however, reminded the government of its pledge to revamp cotton companies in northern Ghana to help generate employment, reduce poverty and improve upon the living conditions of the farmers.
“Neighbouring Burkina Faso is an example of how cotton has been a major export crop and foreign exchange earner for the country and as northern Ghana shares similar geographical features, we can do better in cotton production with our joint commitments,” he assured.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
PROVIDE SCHOOLS WITH MODERN COOKING ACCESSORIES (PAGE 35)
THE National Association of Domestic Bursars and Matrons (NADBAM) have appealed to the government to ensure that modern cooking accessories such as gas cookers and cylinders were supplied to all schools.
They observed that the continuous use of firewood in cooking large quantities of food for students over the years did not only pose a hazard to their health, but also contributed to the depletion of the forest.
According to the National Treasurer of the association, Mrs Lydia Miller, “apart from ensuring that gas is supplied regularly to the schools, another option could be to make the “Walewale” smokeless cookers available to us.”
“Widespread use of firewood in our kitchens without chimneys and other outlets for smoke is a major health hazard to members”, she further observed.
Mills Miller made the appeal at the zone one workshop of the association for the northern sector comprising the Northern, Brong Ahafo and Upper West and Upper East regions in Tamale.
The five-day workshop was on the theme: “Promoting indigenous foods in our institutional feeding”.
The event was aimed at sharpening the skills, knowledge and attitude of members to enable them to improve on their services.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth De-souza, urged members of NADBAM to always ensure quality and hygienic practices at their respective kitchens.
She also advised them to be conversant with the Public Procurement Act in order to avoid queries in their purchase of food items and that they must as well work cordially with both students and school authorities for industrial harmony.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, described as unfortunate, the constant misunderstandings between heads of educational institutions, bursars and matrons over who had the mandate to purchase food items in the school.
“Budgeting and purchasing of food items for institutions should not only be the responsibility of heads of schools and bursars only, but the matrons also have a vital role to play since these functions fall under their domain and they must be involved in all processes until the food gets to the dinning table,” he indicated.
Mr Mabengba, who also acknowledged the continuous delay in the release of feeding grants to the schools, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the situation.
They observed that the continuous use of firewood in cooking large quantities of food for students over the years did not only pose a hazard to their health, but also contributed to the depletion of the forest.
According to the National Treasurer of the association, Mrs Lydia Miller, “apart from ensuring that gas is supplied regularly to the schools, another option could be to make the “Walewale” smokeless cookers available to us.”
“Widespread use of firewood in our kitchens without chimneys and other outlets for smoke is a major health hazard to members”, she further observed.
Mills Miller made the appeal at the zone one workshop of the association for the northern sector comprising the Northern, Brong Ahafo and Upper West and Upper East regions in Tamale.
The five-day workshop was on the theme: “Promoting indigenous foods in our institutional feeding”.
The event was aimed at sharpening the skills, knowledge and attitude of members to enable them to improve on their services.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Mrs Elizabeth De-souza, urged members of NADBAM to always ensure quality and hygienic practices at their respective kitchens.
She also advised them to be conversant with the Public Procurement Act in order to avoid queries in their purchase of food items and that they must as well work cordially with both students and school authorities for industrial harmony.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, described as unfortunate, the constant misunderstandings between heads of educational institutions, bursars and matrons over who had the mandate to purchase food items in the school.
“Budgeting and purchasing of food items for institutions should not only be the responsibility of heads of schools and bursars only, but the matrons also have a vital role to play since these functions fall under their domain and they must be involved in all processes until the food gets to the dinning table,” he indicated.
Mr Mabengba, who also acknowledged the continuous delay in the release of feeding grants to the schools, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the situation.
MINISTER HELPS TAMALE COMMUNITIES TO ENJOY POWER (PAGE 16)
THE people of Wamale and its surrounding areas in the Tamale metropolis are now enjoying electricity from the national grid.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, facilitated the realisation of the project.
The project is in fulfilment of the campaign promise of the MP during the last general election in 2008.
At the inaugural ceremony, Mr Haruna, who is also the Minister of Communications, also pledged his commitment to extend pipe-borne water to the communities, including Chanson and other satellite areas, to make potable water accessible to the people who have been relying on unwholesome dam water with its resultant diseases over the years.
He further unveiled plans to secure credit facilities to support women in his constituency to expand on their respective businesses, adding that the government was also importing large quantities of agricultural machinery into the country to boost the agricultural industry to create job opportunities for the large army of unemployed youth in northern Ghana.
He, however, appealed to the people to continue to co-exist peacefully with one another by putting aside their political, religious and chieftaincy differences and rather support the government to extend more development projects to the area.
The MP also commended the electorate for returning the NDC to power and assured them of the government’s desire to live up to its campaign promises.
The chief of Wamale, Naa Abdulai Alhassan thanked the minister for his exemplary leadership and concern for the people in his constituents and beyond.
He entreated Mr Iddrisu to further assist them to construct public places of convenience, rumble strips on the Yendi Road and other basic necessities the area lacked.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, facilitated the realisation of the project.
The project is in fulfilment of the campaign promise of the MP during the last general election in 2008.
At the inaugural ceremony, Mr Haruna, who is also the Minister of Communications, also pledged his commitment to extend pipe-borne water to the communities, including Chanson and other satellite areas, to make potable water accessible to the people who have been relying on unwholesome dam water with its resultant diseases over the years.
He further unveiled plans to secure credit facilities to support women in his constituency to expand on their respective businesses, adding that the government was also importing large quantities of agricultural machinery into the country to boost the agricultural industry to create job opportunities for the large army of unemployed youth in northern Ghana.
He, however, appealed to the people to continue to co-exist peacefully with one another by putting aside their political, religious and chieftaincy differences and rather support the government to extend more development projects to the area.
The MP also commended the electorate for returning the NDC to power and assured them of the government’s desire to live up to its campaign promises.
The chief of Wamale, Naa Abdulai Alhassan thanked the minister for his exemplary leadership and concern for the people in his constituents and beyond.
He entreated Mr Iddrisu to further assist them to construct public places of convenience, rumble strips on the Yendi Road and other basic necessities the area lacked.
CAMPAIGN FOR FEMALE EDUCATION ORGANISES CAMP (PAGE 11)
THERE is no doubt that during the Kufuor administration, public policy was geared towards empowering the private sector to serve as the “engine of growth” in spearheading national development and growth. One of the moves was a deliberate attempt by the government never to crowd out the private sector from accessing financial resources.
However, in sticking to the tenets of liberalism, the government failed the private sector gravely in a number of instances when they could have been propped up. That was in spite of the slogan to encourage Ghanaians to patronise and consume Made-in-Ghana products.
Two incidents stand out clearly — when it came to the acquisition of textbooks and materials to meet the requirements of the education reforms, and in the supply of materials towards the celebration of Ghana at 50, foreign suppliers were engaged at the expense of local manufacturers.
Of course, such positions were rationalised and it made sense only to those who saw these things solely on the basis of prices, not the concomitant jobs and taxes that accrue from such contracts.
That is why, no matter what initial faulty steps were taken, the National Democratic Congress and particularly the Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, must be congratulated for taking the bold step to limit the supply of school uniforms under the government programme to provide these for deprived children, to indigenous productions.
I felt extremely proud, as the Vice-President who only the previous day had honoured me by acknowledging that he decided to do his post-graduate studies in Communication Studies, because his roommate, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, had taken that path, engaged the Association of Ghana Industries, with the promise that the policy could be extended to the supply of uniforms to the security agencies.
That was my roommate, Room!
All we need to do, is to continue to monitor government policies and programmes, such that if they stray, they would be brought back on course. But next time round, the local entities must be consulted early enough so that they could deliver timeously. For as it is, the uniforms cannot be available for the beginning of the next academic year which commences next month. The contracts may not have been concluded by then.
While commending government for the bold and radically functional stand, it is imperative that the local companies are not crowded out of the financial market. If that happens, they may not have the resources to meet the time lines.
What it means is that government must act to halt the erosion of the local currency, even if it drops a little at a time. As the adage goes, it is little drops of water which make a mighty ocean.
That is where the policy of advance or full payment before services could be provided by public bodies must be thoroughly examined. For, whereas those who win contracts to execute jobs for the state have to complete the work before they submit their claims for payment, it now appears that government agencies are unwilling or forbidden to provide any service on credit basis.
As Ghanaians, we need to have open minds about the way our country is being run. That is why where governments pursue good policies which yield functional results, we must commend the government and equally, where the government is failing, we have to state that unequivocally, so that the gaps between the words and deeds of the government could be rectified for the good of us all.
In that regard, it appears the current government does not seem to be willing to recognise the healthy policies pursued by its predecessor. When the Minister of the Interior met the press recently, he announced among other things that the government has introduced the “Justice for all” programme to decongest our prisons. If there is any credit, it must go to the immediate past Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey, MP for Ketan in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, whose foresight culminated in the programme.
That the NDC has found it prudent to continue with the exercise underlines the national interest that the project is serving. That is how nations are developed.
Listening to different interest groups about the recent shortage of petroleum products in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, one gets the clear impression that it happened because the stocks piled up at Buipe got exhausted.
Put together, it has been observed that apart from the importation of refined petroleum products by some of the oil marketing companies, a lot of the oil consumed in this country between December last year and when rehabilitation works on the Tema Oil Refinery were completed this year, came from reserves left from the Kufuor era.
Yet on a daily basis, we are told of unfathomable mismanagement of the nation’s resources. It appears the NPP invested into the future and so some of the deficits, were rather advanced payments. Therefore instead of uncritical condemnation, we must try to analyse and isolate such expenditure to enable us to arrive at objective assessments.
Otherwise, we would be behaving like what Rev Dr Osei Wusu told us at church when he visited us at the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono. Rev Osei Wusu told us about the story of a small boy who wrote a letter to God for help.
In the letter, the boy asked God to give him GH¢10 for a project. The letter was then addressed to God, with the place of delivery as Heaven.
When the post master saw the letter and the addressee, he became curious, opened the letter and saw the request. To increase the faith of the boy that God listens and acts on the requests of His children, the post master decided to send some money to the boy.
Unfortunately, he had only GH¢8 which he put into the envelope and addressed to the boy who had provided his address on the letter to God.
So, when the small boy went to pick the letter addressed by God in Heaven, he was very thankful. However, when he opened it and saw the GH¢8, he was saddened on suspicion that the post master had stolen GH¢2 from it, being convinced that God sent him GH¢10.
Therefore, the boy wrote back to God thanking Him for the timely response but pleaded and advised that next time, God should send the money direct to him otherwise as it happened in the first instance, the post master could tamper with the money and accused the post master for having stolen GH¢2 from him and God.
Our politicians must not do anything that would indirectly suggest that politicians are corrupt whenever they do not belong to the governing party, while those in the governing parties are saintly.
There is equally this matter which the NDC must deal with. Eight months into the government, key government ministers still occupy fundamentally functional positions in the party. That creates conflict of interest positions, and no matter how these individuals attempt to discharge their dual duties objectively, there would be doubts about their sincerity.
If one is in doubt, one must listen to the interview that the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who is also the National Organiser of the NDC granted Uniiq FM last Monday morning, in which he virtually accused the police of unprofessionalism, by the manner they threw hand grenades at the NDC party offices at Akwatia, and but for divine intervention anything could have happened.
He is the chairman of the Regional Security Council but in the manner of the indiscretion of President Barack Obama, who because of racial undertones described the police arrest of an African-American Professor as stupid, Mr Ofosu Ampofo unjustifiably indicted the police.
Unless the NDC wants to create the impression which has no basis that it does not have the human resources to replace the said government appointees who are activists and functionaries of the party, they should be replaced unconditionally
We should avoid the situation of “etua woyonko ho a etua dua mui” as in the face of the reluctance of some Ministers of State under the NPP administration, to resign, to pursue their ambitions of leading the party as its flagbearer, in conflict with the party’s constitution, but not offending any ethical or legal provision in the administration of this country, many members of the NDC joined those who shouted each day to demonstrate the lack of congruence between the NPP’s activities and its avowed faith in the principles of due process and the rule of law.
Our elders say it is only the liar who states that his or her witness is far away. In this case, I can cite my own learned friend and classmate, the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu, as having condemned the NPP for its failure to act. May be it was as the adage goes, when the song is not after you, you say the beat is good. But in the end, our elders could be proven right “afutuo nsakra nnipa, gyese nsohwe”, to wit, advice does not change any person, only experience or adversity does.
As the sages have also noted, “to know what is right and not to do it, is the worst cowardice”, while “admitting that we are wrong is a modest way of showing we have grown wiser.”
However, in sticking to the tenets of liberalism, the government failed the private sector gravely in a number of instances when they could have been propped up. That was in spite of the slogan to encourage Ghanaians to patronise and consume Made-in-Ghana products.
Two incidents stand out clearly — when it came to the acquisition of textbooks and materials to meet the requirements of the education reforms, and in the supply of materials towards the celebration of Ghana at 50, foreign suppliers were engaged at the expense of local manufacturers.
Of course, such positions were rationalised and it made sense only to those who saw these things solely on the basis of prices, not the concomitant jobs and taxes that accrue from such contracts.
That is why, no matter what initial faulty steps were taken, the National Democratic Congress and particularly the Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, must be congratulated for taking the bold step to limit the supply of school uniforms under the government programme to provide these for deprived children, to indigenous productions.
I felt extremely proud, as the Vice-President who only the previous day had honoured me by acknowledging that he decided to do his post-graduate studies in Communication Studies, because his roommate, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, had taken that path, engaged the Association of Ghana Industries, with the promise that the policy could be extended to the supply of uniforms to the security agencies.
That was my roommate, Room!
All we need to do, is to continue to monitor government policies and programmes, such that if they stray, they would be brought back on course. But next time round, the local entities must be consulted early enough so that they could deliver timeously. For as it is, the uniforms cannot be available for the beginning of the next academic year which commences next month. The contracts may not have been concluded by then.
While commending government for the bold and radically functional stand, it is imperative that the local companies are not crowded out of the financial market. If that happens, they may not have the resources to meet the time lines.
What it means is that government must act to halt the erosion of the local currency, even if it drops a little at a time. As the adage goes, it is little drops of water which make a mighty ocean.
That is where the policy of advance or full payment before services could be provided by public bodies must be thoroughly examined. For, whereas those who win contracts to execute jobs for the state have to complete the work before they submit their claims for payment, it now appears that government agencies are unwilling or forbidden to provide any service on credit basis.
As Ghanaians, we need to have open minds about the way our country is being run. That is why where governments pursue good policies which yield functional results, we must commend the government and equally, where the government is failing, we have to state that unequivocally, so that the gaps between the words and deeds of the government could be rectified for the good of us all.
In that regard, it appears the current government does not seem to be willing to recognise the healthy policies pursued by its predecessor. When the Minister of the Interior met the press recently, he announced among other things that the government has introduced the “Justice for all” programme to decongest our prisons. If there is any credit, it must go to the immediate past Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey, MP for Ketan in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, whose foresight culminated in the programme.
That the NDC has found it prudent to continue with the exercise underlines the national interest that the project is serving. That is how nations are developed.
Listening to different interest groups about the recent shortage of petroleum products in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, one gets the clear impression that it happened because the stocks piled up at Buipe got exhausted.
Put together, it has been observed that apart from the importation of refined petroleum products by some of the oil marketing companies, a lot of the oil consumed in this country between December last year and when rehabilitation works on the Tema Oil Refinery were completed this year, came from reserves left from the Kufuor era.
Yet on a daily basis, we are told of unfathomable mismanagement of the nation’s resources. It appears the NPP invested into the future and so some of the deficits, were rather advanced payments. Therefore instead of uncritical condemnation, we must try to analyse and isolate such expenditure to enable us to arrive at objective assessments.
Otherwise, we would be behaving like what Rev Dr Osei Wusu told us at church when he visited us at the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono. Rev Osei Wusu told us about the story of a small boy who wrote a letter to God for help.
In the letter, the boy asked God to give him GH¢10 for a project. The letter was then addressed to God, with the place of delivery as Heaven.
When the post master saw the letter and the addressee, he became curious, opened the letter and saw the request. To increase the faith of the boy that God listens and acts on the requests of His children, the post master decided to send some money to the boy.
Unfortunately, he had only GH¢8 which he put into the envelope and addressed to the boy who had provided his address on the letter to God.
So, when the small boy went to pick the letter addressed by God in Heaven, he was very thankful. However, when he opened it and saw the GH¢8, he was saddened on suspicion that the post master had stolen GH¢2 from it, being convinced that God sent him GH¢10.
Therefore, the boy wrote back to God thanking Him for the timely response but pleaded and advised that next time, God should send the money direct to him otherwise as it happened in the first instance, the post master could tamper with the money and accused the post master for having stolen GH¢2 from him and God.
Our politicians must not do anything that would indirectly suggest that politicians are corrupt whenever they do not belong to the governing party, while those in the governing parties are saintly.
There is equally this matter which the NDC must deal with. Eight months into the government, key government ministers still occupy fundamentally functional positions in the party. That creates conflict of interest positions, and no matter how these individuals attempt to discharge their dual duties objectively, there would be doubts about their sincerity.
If one is in doubt, one must listen to the interview that the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who is also the National Organiser of the NDC granted Uniiq FM last Monday morning, in which he virtually accused the police of unprofessionalism, by the manner they threw hand grenades at the NDC party offices at Akwatia, and but for divine intervention anything could have happened.
He is the chairman of the Regional Security Council but in the manner of the indiscretion of President Barack Obama, who because of racial undertones described the police arrest of an African-American Professor as stupid, Mr Ofosu Ampofo unjustifiably indicted the police.
Unless the NDC wants to create the impression which has no basis that it does not have the human resources to replace the said government appointees who are activists and functionaries of the party, they should be replaced unconditionally
We should avoid the situation of “etua woyonko ho a etua dua mui” as in the face of the reluctance of some Ministers of State under the NPP administration, to resign, to pursue their ambitions of leading the party as its flagbearer, in conflict with the party’s constitution, but not offending any ethical or legal provision in the administration of this country, many members of the NDC joined those who shouted each day to demonstrate the lack of congruence between the NPP’s activities and its avowed faith in the principles of due process and the rule of law.
Our elders say it is only the liar who states that his or her witness is far away. In this case, I can cite my own learned friend and classmate, the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu, as having condemned the NPP for its failure to act. May be it was as the adage goes, when the song is not after you, you say the beat is good. But in the end, our elders could be proven right “afutuo nsakra nnipa, gyese nsohwe”, to wit, advice does not change any person, only experience or adversity does.
As the sages have also noted, “to know what is right and not to do it, is the worst cowardice”, while “admitting that we are wrong is a modest way of showing we have grown wiser.”
Friday, August 14, 2009
STANDARD OF EDUCATION IN TAMALE FALLING (PAGE 11)
THE Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Harruna Friday, has expressed grave concern over the dwindling fortunes of education in the metropolis, and called on all stakeholders to step up efforts at reversing the trend.
He noted that schools in the area which were noted for excellent academic performance were now relapsing into mediocrity, resulting in poor performance of pupils and students at their final examinations.
Alhaji Friday cited, for instance, that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 students who sat for the BECE and SSCE in 2008 failed in English language.
He described the situation as unacceptable and partly blamed it on lack of trained teachers.
At the moment, 1,841 of the 4,540 teachers in the metropolis are pupil teachers.
The mayor also mentioned absenteeism and lack of commitment by some teachers as some of the reasons for the fallen standards of education in the metropolis.
He, therefore, urged the education directorate in the area to strengthen their monitoring systems to check on the activities of erring teachers and make sure that they lived up to their responsibilities.
Alhaji Friday further underscored the importance of quality education at the basic level and indicated that majority of students who performed well at the senior school level had a very good foundation at the primary level.
The mayor equally entreated parents and guardians to show more interest in the education of their children and wards not only by ensuring that they attended school regularly, but also developing the habit of visiting them in school to monitor the performance and the difficulties they encountered in their studies.
He noted that the government and donors would not by themselves produce quality education, but that ‘‘the supervisory role, particularly of parents and communities is essential to ensure good education’’.
The mayor also called on teachers, old students, the private sector, religious bodies, among others, to take a center stage in playing the required supportive role, especially in monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning in schools.
‘‘Those of us who have had the rare privilege and benefit of education from schools in the metropolis should always remember that to whom much is given, much is expected,’’ Alhaji Friday admonished.
He noted that schools in the area which were noted for excellent academic performance were now relapsing into mediocrity, resulting in poor performance of pupils and students at their final examinations.
Alhaji Friday cited, for instance, that 43 per cent of pupils and over 61 per cent out of the 4,460 students who sat for the BECE and SSCE in 2008 failed in English language.
He described the situation as unacceptable and partly blamed it on lack of trained teachers.
At the moment, 1,841 of the 4,540 teachers in the metropolis are pupil teachers.
The mayor also mentioned absenteeism and lack of commitment by some teachers as some of the reasons for the fallen standards of education in the metropolis.
He, therefore, urged the education directorate in the area to strengthen their monitoring systems to check on the activities of erring teachers and make sure that they lived up to their responsibilities.
Alhaji Friday further underscored the importance of quality education at the basic level and indicated that majority of students who performed well at the senior school level had a very good foundation at the primary level.
The mayor equally entreated parents and guardians to show more interest in the education of their children and wards not only by ensuring that they attended school regularly, but also developing the habit of visiting them in school to monitor the performance and the difficulties they encountered in their studies.
He noted that the government and donors would not by themselves produce quality education, but that ‘‘the supervisory role, particularly of parents and communities is essential to ensure good education’’.
The mayor also called on teachers, old students, the private sector, religious bodies, among others, to take a center stage in playing the required supportive role, especially in monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning in schools.
‘‘Those of us who have had the rare privilege and benefit of education from schools in the metropolis should always remember that to whom much is given, much is expected,’’ Alhaji Friday admonished.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
DCE INITIATES MOVES TO RAISE EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS (PAGE 35)
FOLLOWING the continuous poor performance of some schools in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the Northern Region, the District Education Directorate in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District has initiated moves at ensuring high academic standards in the area.
The programme involves testing of pupils in the district on various subjects to prepare them for their final examinations. It includes pupils from primary four to those in form two in junior high schools in the area.
In all, 7,354 pupils wrote the standard examination being piloted in some schools.
According to the District Director of Education, Mr Frank Aflakpui, the programme would be improved upon in subsequent terms and would be made more competitive to cover all schools.
He stated that the district’s performance in the BECE had improved over the years and that in the 2008 BECE “we were among the top 16 districts nationwide.”
The district director, therefore, explained that, the standard examination that was conducted from July 23 to 28, this year, was aimed at “building and maintaining a higher academic standard in the district.”
In order to achieve the objectives of the initiative, Mr Aflakpui urged teachers in the area to always live up to their responsibilities to meet the standards set out for them in the execution of their work.
He, however, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the teachers in their respective duties, but appealed to them to strive in finding an antidote to the challenges they might encounter in the pilot programme.
Mr Aflakpui further called for effective collaboration among stakeholders in education to ensure quality education delivery in the area which was considered one of the deprived districts in the country.
The programme involves testing of pupils in the district on various subjects to prepare them for their final examinations. It includes pupils from primary four to those in form two in junior high schools in the area.
In all, 7,354 pupils wrote the standard examination being piloted in some schools.
According to the District Director of Education, Mr Frank Aflakpui, the programme would be improved upon in subsequent terms and would be made more competitive to cover all schools.
He stated that the district’s performance in the BECE had improved over the years and that in the 2008 BECE “we were among the top 16 districts nationwide.”
The district director, therefore, explained that, the standard examination that was conducted from July 23 to 28, this year, was aimed at “building and maintaining a higher academic standard in the district.”
In order to achieve the objectives of the initiative, Mr Aflakpui urged teachers in the area to always live up to their responsibilities to meet the standards set out for them in the execution of their work.
He, however, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the teachers in their respective duties, but appealed to them to strive in finding an antidote to the challenges they might encounter in the pilot programme.
Mr Aflakpui further called for effective collaboration among stakeholders in education to ensure quality education delivery in the area which was considered one of the deprived districts in the country.
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CIRCULAR EDUCATION (PAGE 35)
THE Federation of Muslim Women Association of Ghana (FOMWAG) has urged Muslims to place importance on secular education by taking advantage of the various government initiatives on education in the country to massively enrol their wards in school.
The Northern Regional President of FOMWAG, Hajia Hamada Telly mentioned the capitation grant, the school feeding programme and the promise by President Mills to offer free uniforms to pupils as some of the initiatives that should be taken advantage of by Muslim parents and guardians to send their wards to school.
She was speaking at a two-day workshop on the significance of secular education in Muslim communities in Tamale.
“The importance of education to individuals’ development is significant; education must, therefore, be acquired by all irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity or religion,” she emphasised.
Hajia Telly also reminded Muslims on the call by Prophet Mohammed to seek knowledge no matter the distance, noting that, there was no better time to acquire knowledge than now when the world had become a global village.
She further observed that, most Muslim parents were still reluctant to send their children to school, adding “those who have their children in school are not supporting them to aspire higher.”
Among the topics discussed were the importance of secular education to the Muslim child, the right and responsibility of the Muslim child and the role of the Muslim parent in child upbringing. The workshop was supported by ActionAid Ghana.
Hajia Telly underlined the major aims and objectives of FOMWAG which are serving as mouth piece of members, liaising between Muslim women and government as well as educate and enhance knowledge of Muslim women on Islam.
A lecturer at the Tamale polytechnic, Alhaji Mohammed Ghazali said the notion that the benefits of secular education were only meant to be enjoyed on earth while Islamic knowledge was the only source of salvation that could lead one to heaven, had been misconstrued.
The Director of the Centre for Multi Disciplinary Research, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Alhaji Ahmad Tajuddeen Saeed spoke on the rights and responsibilities of the Muslim child.
He said a child was a blessing from God given to couples and that it was the responsibility of parents to take proper care of the child including their provision of education for them.
Alhaji Saeed urged the leadership of FOMWAG to help establish a strategic plan to gather data on educated Muslim women in the country.
The Northern Regional President of FOMWAG, Hajia Hamada Telly mentioned the capitation grant, the school feeding programme and the promise by President Mills to offer free uniforms to pupils as some of the initiatives that should be taken advantage of by Muslim parents and guardians to send their wards to school.
She was speaking at a two-day workshop on the significance of secular education in Muslim communities in Tamale.
“The importance of education to individuals’ development is significant; education must, therefore, be acquired by all irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity or religion,” she emphasised.
Hajia Telly also reminded Muslims on the call by Prophet Mohammed to seek knowledge no matter the distance, noting that, there was no better time to acquire knowledge than now when the world had become a global village.
She further observed that, most Muslim parents were still reluctant to send their children to school, adding “those who have their children in school are not supporting them to aspire higher.”
Among the topics discussed were the importance of secular education to the Muslim child, the right and responsibility of the Muslim child and the role of the Muslim parent in child upbringing. The workshop was supported by ActionAid Ghana.
Hajia Telly underlined the major aims and objectives of FOMWAG which are serving as mouth piece of members, liaising between Muslim women and government as well as educate and enhance knowledge of Muslim women on Islam.
A lecturer at the Tamale polytechnic, Alhaji Mohammed Ghazali said the notion that the benefits of secular education were only meant to be enjoyed on earth while Islamic knowledge was the only source of salvation that could lead one to heaven, had been misconstrued.
The Director of the Centre for Multi Disciplinary Research, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Alhaji Ahmad Tajuddeen Saeed spoke on the rights and responsibilities of the Muslim child.
He said a child was a blessing from God given to couples and that it was the responsibility of parents to take proper care of the child including their provision of education for them.
Alhaji Saeed urged the leadership of FOMWAG to help establish a strategic plan to gather data on educated Muslim women in the country.
MRS ASIBI SEIDU LAID TO REST (PAGE 16)
THE mortal remains of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi, Mrs Doris Asibi Seidu, were interred on the compound of her family house at Chereponi last Monday.
The solemn ceremony attracted a large number of sympathisers from far and near, including various political party representatives who came to pay their last respects to the former MP, whom most of them described as selfless, hard-working, generous and development-oriented.
Also present were her colleague MPs who were led by the Majority Leader, Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin. The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Steven Nayina, led the government delegation. An entourage of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the presidential candidate of the party in the last general election, Nana Akufo Addo, also graced the occasion.
Mr Nayina had earlier handed over the remains of the late MP to the family and presented GH¢1,000 and assorted drinks on behalf of the government.
Among those who paid tribute to the former MP were the regional minister, the majority and minority leaders of Parliament, Messrs Alban Bagbin and Osei Kyei Mensah, respectively.
They all commended her diligence and hard work, and described her as someone who served her people well in her duties as a legislature.
Earlier in an interaction with newsmen in Tamale where the mortal remains of Mrs Seidu were flown in from Accra, Mr Bagbin said the death of the Chereponi MP, coupled with the recent demise of the late MP for Jirapa, Mr Edward Salia, indicated that the stress of work was gradually taking a toll on the legislators.
He, therefore, suggested that the institution of Parliament should be strengthened with the provision of enough logistics and human resource to help reduce the pressure of work on the legislators.
The 40-year-old former MP died on August 1, this year, at the cardiothoracic centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a protracted illness. She is survived by a husband and a daughter.
Mrs Seidu who was born in Accra in 1969, obtained her Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) in 1985 and proceeded to the Bimbilla Training College where she attained her teachers’ certificate ‘A’.
She won her parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP in 2004 and served on the Education and Mines and Energy committees. The late MP retained her seat in the 2008 general election by polling 9,188 out of the 17,559 valid votes cast, representing 53 per cent.
Mrs Seidu, who was also a social worker, was credited with a lot of development initiatives in the Chereponi District, which she helped create out of the then Saboba/Chereoni District.
She is also said to have contributed tremendously in the establishment of a day care and a vocational centre, as well as the extension of electricity to the district.
The solemn ceremony attracted a large number of sympathisers from far and near, including various political party representatives who came to pay their last respects to the former MP, whom most of them described as selfless, hard-working, generous and development-oriented.
Also present were her colleague MPs who were led by the Majority Leader, Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin. The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Steven Nayina, led the government delegation. An entourage of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the presidential candidate of the party in the last general election, Nana Akufo Addo, also graced the occasion.
Mr Nayina had earlier handed over the remains of the late MP to the family and presented GH¢1,000 and assorted drinks on behalf of the government.
Among those who paid tribute to the former MP were the regional minister, the majority and minority leaders of Parliament, Messrs Alban Bagbin and Osei Kyei Mensah, respectively.
They all commended her diligence and hard work, and described her as someone who served her people well in her duties as a legislature.
Earlier in an interaction with newsmen in Tamale where the mortal remains of Mrs Seidu were flown in from Accra, Mr Bagbin said the death of the Chereponi MP, coupled with the recent demise of the late MP for Jirapa, Mr Edward Salia, indicated that the stress of work was gradually taking a toll on the legislators.
He, therefore, suggested that the institution of Parliament should be strengthened with the provision of enough logistics and human resource to help reduce the pressure of work on the legislators.
The 40-year-old former MP died on August 1, this year, at the cardiothoracic centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a protracted illness. She is survived by a husband and a daughter.
Mrs Seidu who was born in Accra in 1969, obtained her Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC) in 1985 and proceeded to the Bimbilla Training College where she attained her teachers’ certificate ‘A’.
She won her parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP in 2004 and served on the Education and Mines and Energy committees. The late MP retained her seat in the 2008 general election by polling 9,188 out of the 17,559 valid votes cast, representing 53 per cent.
Mrs Seidu, who was also a social worker, was credited with a lot of development initiatives in the Chereponi District, which she helped create out of the then Saboba/Chereoni District.
She is also said to have contributed tremendously in the establishment of a day care and a vocational centre, as well as the extension of electricity to the district.
Monday, August 10, 2009
MAKE YOUR COURSES RELEVANT TO SOCIETY — GARIBA (PAGE 11)
THE Chairman of the Governing Council of the Tamale Polytechnic, Dr Sulley Gariba, has urged polytechnics to make their programmes and activities relevant to the needs of the communities in which they operate.
He also suggested that the authorities initiate an annual survey of community perceptions and expectations of the polytechnic to assess their performance which, he said, could guide them to achieve excellence in the administration of the institution.
“Our mission can only be achieved, if we build a strong bond with our community. We need to form partnerships and make sure that the polytechnic becomes community-driven,” the chairman further indicated.
Dr Gariba, who was speaking at the inauguration of the council in Tamale, also proposed that local contractors at the polytechnic engaged the services of students for both practical experience and financial benefits.
The 10-member council, that has been offered a three-year mandate, took their oaths of office in Accra.
Dr Gariba noted that even though the polytechnic, under the leadership of the rector, Dr Alhaji Yakubu Seidu Peligah, had already designed a strategic plan, “there will be an enhanced strategic plan to enable the new council and the Tamale Poly to set realistic plans for the coming years”.
The chairman also outlined the vision of the council to include ensuring unity of purpose, transparency and commitment to their tasks.
He emphasised the need for unity among all stakeholders and that “by advocating the unity of purpose, I am not saying you should not have your differences, but when it comes to your job, there must be unity of purpose, it is not an option, it is part of your job requirement.”
Dr Peligah, on his part, said the polytechnic, with a student population of over 6,000, could be classified as a large institution in the country.
He added that it was the only polytechnic that ran a dual-system of the traditional technical institute and tertiary courses.
He, however, said the two tier-system had now been decoupled with the appointment of vice-rectors for both the technical and tertiary divisions.
“We now have adequate qualified staff and have also put in place structures such as a central admissions board and quality assurance office to ensure academic excellence,” Dr Peligah indicated.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, described members of the council as knowledgeable and experienced in their respective professions and therefore called on both staff and students to offer them the necessary support to deliver.
He also suggested that the authorities initiate an annual survey of community perceptions and expectations of the polytechnic to assess their performance which, he said, could guide them to achieve excellence in the administration of the institution.
“Our mission can only be achieved, if we build a strong bond with our community. We need to form partnerships and make sure that the polytechnic becomes community-driven,” the chairman further indicated.
Dr Gariba, who was speaking at the inauguration of the council in Tamale, also proposed that local contractors at the polytechnic engaged the services of students for both practical experience and financial benefits.
The 10-member council, that has been offered a three-year mandate, took their oaths of office in Accra.
Dr Gariba noted that even though the polytechnic, under the leadership of the rector, Dr Alhaji Yakubu Seidu Peligah, had already designed a strategic plan, “there will be an enhanced strategic plan to enable the new council and the Tamale Poly to set realistic plans for the coming years”.
The chairman also outlined the vision of the council to include ensuring unity of purpose, transparency and commitment to their tasks.
He emphasised the need for unity among all stakeholders and that “by advocating the unity of purpose, I am not saying you should not have your differences, but when it comes to your job, there must be unity of purpose, it is not an option, it is part of your job requirement.”
Dr Peligah, on his part, said the polytechnic, with a student population of over 6,000, could be classified as a large institution in the country.
He added that it was the only polytechnic that ran a dual-system of the traditional technical institute and tertiary courses.
He, however, said the two tier-system had now been decoupled with the appointment of vice-rectors for both the technical and tertiary divisions.
“We now have adequate qualified staff and have also put in place structures such as a central admissions board and quality assurance office to ensure academic excellence,” Dr Peligah indicated.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, described members of the council as knowledgeable and experienced in their respective professions and therefore called on both staff and students to offer them the necessary support to deliver.
Friday, August 7, 2009
SKILLS, ETHICAL TRAINING FOR TAMALE YOUTH (PAGE 29)
SOME pupils and students from basic and second- cycle institutions in the three northern regions have undergone a three-day basic training in media skills and ethical reporting in Tamale.
The programme was organised by the Children and Youth in Broadcasting - Curious Minds and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to the Operations Officer for Curious Minds, Mr Emmanuel Brown, the training was organised as part of the group’s media activities to enable the youth from the beneficiary regions, including Greater Accra, to sharpen their skills and also learn new skills in line with the changing trends in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The children were trained in communication and basic broadcasting skills, article writing, understanding projection rights and issues for the children in Ghana, ethical reporting, photo reporting, studio ethics, etc.
The participants also held a live radio broadcast on Radio Savannah in Tamale and later embarked on an outside broadcast programme at the Ghana Senior High School, Tamale, where teachers and students discussed issues about the young people in the country.
They later visited the Zogbeli community, a suburb of Tamale and interacted with the elders, opinion leaders, parents and children in the community.
The Assembly Member of the community, Mr Mohammed Polo, expressed appreciation to the group for choosing the community for the field activity. He also tasked the people in the community to continue to advocate the advancement of youth issues in the country, since matters of young people were enormous and needed more time and resources to handle.
The Co-ordinator for the group, Mr Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh, also urged the participants not to go back and relax, but to engage themselves in writing articles and stories that would help in the development of children in the country.
He expressed appreciation to the UNICEF for its immense support to the group over the years.
The programme was organised by the Children and Youth in Broadcasting - Curious Minds and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to the Operations Officer for Curious Minds, Mr Emmanuel Brown, the training was organised as part of the group’s media activities to enable the youth from the beneficiary regions, including Greater Accra, to sharpen their skills and also learn new skills in line with the changing trends in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The children were trained in communication and basic broadcasting skills, article writing, understanding projection rights and issues for the children in Ghana, ethical reporting, photo reporting, studio ethics, etc.
The participants also held a live radio broadcast on Radio Savannah in Tamale and later embarked on an outside broadcast programme at the Ghana Senior High School, Tamale, where teachers and students discussed issues about the young people in the country.
They later visited the Zogbeli community, a suburb of Tamale and interacted with the elders, opinion leaders, parents and children in the community.
The Assembly Member of the community, Mr Mohammed Polo, expressed appreciation to the group for choosing the community for the field activity. He also tasked the people in the community to continue to advocate the advancement of youth issues in the country, since matters of young people were enormous and needed more time and resources to handle.
The Co-ordinator for the group, Mr Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh, also urged the participants not to go back and relax, but to engage themselves in writing articles and stories that would help in the development of children in the country.
He expressed appreciation to the UNICEF for its immense support to the group over the years.
NON-FUNCTIONING TAMALE STREETS...A security problem (PAGE 29)
RESIDENTS of Tamale have expressed concern over the state of streetlights in the Central Business District of the metropolis. Most of the streetlights have not been functioning for a year now.
A greater portion of the erected railings that served as barricades in the median of the busy dual carriageway around the central market have also been destroyed by reckless drivers partly because of the darkness that engulf the area at night.
According to some residents, the situation also offer a safe haven for some miscreants and social deviants to carry out their nefarious activities, since the area is the hub of commercial activities in the city.
The main area of concern is the stretch between the Afah Ajura Mosque to the National Investment Bank along the Hospital Road.
While the streetlights along that road only worked for a couple of days during the African Cup of Nations Tournament in February last year, there has not been any lighting system from the Gulkpe-Na’s junction to NIB.
It is, however, refreshing to know that a greater part of the metropolis now brightens up at night although some of the dysfunctional bulbs are yet to be replaced.
“The authorities should ensure routine checks of the entire system and also endeavour to replace all the non-functional bulbs and damaged poles as and when they occur,” Mr Iddrisu Musah Mande, a resident, entreated.
A food vendor, Hajia Azara Alhassan, said, “I do not understand why for more than a year now, the lighting system has not been functioning at might yet we have not seen any attempt to fix it”.
“We certainly need efficient street lighting system to be put in place to brighten up the area at all times to make it more vibrant and attractive,” Janet Seidu of the Tamale Polytechnic also opined. Apart from serving as security checks and beautification, streetlights also ensure safe driving and movement for both motorists and pedestrians as they enable them to move freely at night.
A greater portion of the erected railings that served as barricades in the median of the busy dual carriageway around the central market have also been destroyed by reckless drivers partly because of the darkness that engulf the area at night.
According to some residents, the situation also offer a safe haven for some miscreants and social deviants to carry out their nefarious activities, since the area is the hub of commercial activities in the city.
The main area of concern is the stretch between the Afah Ajura Mosque to the National Investment Bank along the Hospital Road.
While the streetlights along that road only worked for a couple of days during the African Cup of Nations Tournament in February last year, there has not been any lighting system from the Gulkpe-Na’s junction to NIB.
It is, however, refreshing to know that a greater part of the metropolis now brightens up at night although some of the dysfunctional bulbs are yet to be replaced.
“The authorities should ensure routine checks of the entire system and also endeavour to replace all the non-functional bulbs and damaged poles as and when they occur,” Mr Iddrisu Musah Mande, a resident, entreated.
A food vendor, Hajia Azara Alhassan, said, “I do not understand why for more than a year now, the lighting system has not been functioning at might yet we have not seen any attempt to fix it”.
“We certainly need efficient street lighting system to be put in place to brighten up the area at all times to make it more vibrant and attractive,” Janet Seidu of the Tamale Polytechnic also opined. Apart from serving as security checks and beautification, streetlights also ensure safe driving and movement for both motorists and pedestrians as they enable them to move freely at night.
TAMA TO COMPLETE WORK ON ASSEMBLY HALL (PAGE 29)
THE Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TAMA) is to commence work on the assembly hall complex project that was left at the vagaries of the weather for the past nine years.
Work on the building, which is situated close to the Northern Regional Police headquarters, would be executed in phases following the high cost involved to complete it.
So far, GH¢350,000 has been allocated for work to begin this year.
The project is estimated at more than GH¢1,400,000.
As a result of the lack of a permanent hall, the assembly has been compelled to hold meetings on hired premises at various locations in the metropolis.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, who announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the first session of the assembly in Tamale, said “the completion of the hall complex will ensure that honourable members will have a decent place for their future meetings”.
Alhaji Friday said waste management, was a major challenge of the assembly and expressed concern over the high spate of indiscipline in waste disposal by some residents.
He acknowledged that with the metropolis fast expanding and increase in its population, daily waste generation was on the increase and indicated that “for now, we shall continue to rely on our share of the District Assembly’s Common Fund to manage waste in the city until we are able to raise funds locally to finance it”.
According to the metropolitan chief executive, the assembly’s contract with private toilet operators had also expired. He, however, gave the assurance that “the due process would be followed to award contracts for the management of the toilets to deserving bidders”.
The mayor also expressed concern about the declining standards of education in the metropolis and called for a holistic measure to address the situation.
“The 91st and 89th positions of the metropolis in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2007 and 2008 respectively are unacceptable, and, therefore, everything must be done to change the situation for the better,” he stated.
Alhaji Friday called for more qualified teachers to be posted to schools in the area and cautioned existing teachers to eschew absenteeism and lateness.
The metropolitan chief executive also called for the intervention of stakeholders in education.
He further indicated that eight more schools would be added to the current six that are benefiting from the school feeding programme in the area.
The metropolitan chief executive appealed for the inclusion of additional schools in the programme, since the 14 schools would not be adequate, considering the growing pupil population in the metropolis.
Work on the building, which is situated close to the Northern Regional Police headquarters, would be executed in phases following the high cost involved to complete it.
So far, GH¢350,000 has been allocated for work to begin this year.
The project is estimated at more than GH¢1,400,000.
As a result of the lack of a permanent hall, the assembly has been compelled to hold meetings on hired premises at various locations in the metropolis.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, who announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the first session of the assembly in Tamale, said “the completion of the hall complex will ensure that honourable members will have a decent place for their future meetings”.
Alhaji Friday said waste management, was a major challenge of the assembly and expressed concern over the high spate of indiscipline in waste disposal by some residents.
He acknowledged that with the metropolis fast expanding and increase in its population, daily waste generation was on the increase and indicated that “for now, we shall continue to rely on our share of the District Assembly’s Common Fund to manage waste in the city until we are able to raise funds locally to finance it”.
According to the metropolitan chief executive, the assembly’s contract with private toilet operators had also expired. He, however, gave the assurance that “the due process would be followed to award contracts for the management of the toilets to deserving bidders”.
The mayor also expressed concern about the declining standards of education in the metropolis and called for a holistic measure to address the situation.
“The 91st and 89th positions of the metropolis in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2007 and 2008 respectively are unacceptable, and, therefore, everything must be done to change the situation for the better,” he stated.
Alhaji Friday called for more qualified teachers to be posted to schools in the area and cautioned existing teachers to eschew absenteeism and lateness.
The metropolitan chief executive also called for the intervention of stakeholders in education.
He further indicated that eight more schools would be added to the current six that are benefiting from the school feeding programme in the area.
The metropolitan chief executive appealed for the inclusion of additional schools in the programme, since the 14 schools would not be adequate, considering the growing pupil population in the metropolis.
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