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.
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