September 29, 2008 pg 34 (Feature)
By Musah Yahaya Jafaru
ACCORDING to reports by the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia, although Ghana is one of the countries with the smallest number of pilgrims (2,700), the country creates about 30 per cent of the problems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
Indeed, countries with huge numbers of pilgrims ranging between 60, 0000 and 200,000, such as Indonesia, Turkey, Iran and India and neighbouring Nigeria organise their Hajj without any skirmishes.
This year the signs are already looking ominous as two bodies are entangled in a controversy over who has the mandate to organise this year’s Hajj.
Prospective pilgrims are thus confused as to whom they should pay their Hajj fares to. They are also at a loss as to the amount to pay, since the two groups have given different quotations.
The restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) which was formed following the recommendation by the National Hajj Conference held in Accra early this year claims that it has the mandate of 10 stakeholder organisations to organise the Hajj, but the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) constituted by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, insists that it has the authority of the National Chief Imam to organise the Hajj to, as it puts it, correct the mess created by the previous NHC and IHMC.
As if by design, the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) quoted $2,999 as the Hajj fare while the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) constituted by the National Chief Imam fixed it at $3,100.
The IHMC says it has already entered into contracts with accommodation and transportation owners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that it had signed a contract with Egypt Air to lift the prospective pilgrims. Likewise, the NHC indicates that it has also arranged accommodation and transportation in Saudi Arabia, and that it is in agreement with Antrak Air to convey the would-be pilgrims.
In the heat of the differences, the Northern and Brong Ahafo Regional Committees of the NHC have since expressed their opposition to the formation of the IHMC, and asked the National Chief Imam to disassociate itself from the committee. The Northern Regional NHC has specifically threatened to organise the Hajj in that part of the country if the IHMC insists on organising the Hajj.
The Ghana Hajj Agents Association, on the other hand, has expressed its support for the formation of the IHMC, and indicated that its support “is rooted in the assurance by the IHMC to airlift the 728 paid passengers who were unable to embark on the trip last year”.
The National Chief Imam through his administrative secretary, was reported to have said that the only recognised body to organise this year’s Hajj is the IHMC.
He, therefore, called on the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) to join the IHMC to manage the operations of this year’s pilgrimage, since his sole concern was to ensure sanity in the organisation of the Hajj to achieve the best for the Muslim community.
Reports indicate that two meetings convened by the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, to iron out the differences between members of the NHC and IHMC ended without any agreement.
It is incumbent on members of the two groups in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and unity, the image of Islam and the plight of pilgrims to shun all egoistic tendencies and be guided by the fear of Allah and the feeling for the ‘poor’ prospective pilgrims who want to fulfil one of the five pillars of Islam.
The proposed combined team should enter into binding contracts with known airline operators and work towards improving the accommodation, transportation, health care and welfare of prospective pilgrims. The agreement signed by the IHMC with Egypt Air could be sustained since Egypt Air is a reliable airline when it comes to transporting pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia.
The long-term measures to end the perennial disappointments in the organisation of Hajj in Ghana involves the restructuring of the NHC by bringing on board experienced personalities from relevant Muslim organisations. An advisory body could be constituted to regulate the operations of the proposed restructured NHC.
The Hajj should be pre-financed to avoid the reliance on the Hajj fares paid by prospective pilgrims which are not paid early enough.
Several Hajj boards constituted by the government in the past to organise the Hajj failed to live up to expectation. The Hajj board constituted to run the 2004/5 Hajj performed poorly, which led to the detention of Ghanaian pilgrims at the Jeddah Airport for about five days due to the non-payment of airport tax.
This failure prompted the Muslim community to impress on the government to give them full ownership of the organisation of the Hajj. The government agreed to this request, which led to the formation of the National Hajj Council (NHC) in 2005. The NHC which has representatives from four stakeholder organisations, namely the Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI), the Ahlussunna Wal-Jama’a (ASWAJ), the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) and the Federation of Women Association in Ghana (FOMWAG), is supposed to be a permanent body to run the Hajj.
The NHC organised an improved Hajj in 2005, barely three months after its formation. The NHC, however, slacked in the 2006 Hajj, resulting in the inability of 499 prospective pilgrims to be airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
The inability of the NHC to airlift the 499 somewhat incurred the wrath of the Muslim community, and resulted in the formation of the Ghana Pilgrimage Organisation (GPO).
The entrenched stands by the two bodies generated tension in the Muslim community, which made the National Chief Imam to ask the NHC and the GPO to stay out of the organisation of the Hajj and constituted an Interim Hajj Management Committee.
The committee signed a contract with an unfamiliar airline (Al-Alama), which arrived in the country very late and that compelled prospective pilgrims to sleep in the open at the Aviation Social Centre for about 11 days.
The government had to intervene and request the Ministry of Hajj Affairs in Mecca to extend the closing date of the Jeddah Airport.
About 229 prospective pilgrims were left behind and this figure plus the 499 disappointed pilgrims in 2006 brings the number of disappointed pilgrims for the two previous Hajj to 728.
There are several lingering questions that need answers, with regard to the poor organisation of Hajj in Ghana and the ‘rush’ by many individuals to organise the Hajj.
Are the people fighting over the mandate to organise the Hajj doing so for the interest of Islam and the nation or for their own personal gains, since reports indicate that the Hajj operation is a ‘gold mine’, where organisers cash in on poor pilgrims?
There are also reports of formidable forces with strong connections who impose their will on the Muslim community during the selection of people to organise the Hajj.
Are such people helping the course of Islam or rather advancing their own selfish interests and flexing their muscles because of their perceived stature in society and so-called connection?
Some of the lapses affecting the smooth organisation of Hajj in the country are the lack of consensus among Muslims in decision-taking, the lack of well-defined structures for the Muslim leadership to take all-binding decisions on behalf of the Muslim community, the imposition of the will of the privileged few on the larger Muslim society, competing personal interests among Muslim organisations and impatience in the correction of mistakes.
It is barely three months to the observance of this year’s Hajj, and that puts the organisation of the Hajj in a state of quagmire since prospective pilgrims are still not certain about which of the two bodies has the mandate to organise the Hajj. Ghanaians are now sick and tired of the ritual Hajj Palava.
The short-term solution to the current impasse is for the two bodies, the NHC and the IHMC to iron out their differences and come together to organise the Hajj.
It is about time the stakeholder organisations in the Muslim community, namely sat down to resolve this ‘shameful’ spectacle of poor Hajj organisation in the country once and for all.
And if indeed there are strong forces who thwart efforts at bringing sanity into the organisation of Hajj, they should be warned that Allah will judge them accordingly.
Enough is enough for the suffering pilgrims. It is now time for Ghanaian pilgrims to enjoy some peace in the performance of their religious duty.
Monday, September 29, 2008
'Don't vote for candidate who engages in campaign of insults'
September 29, 2008 pg 17
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AN Anglican Priest, Rev. Father Dr Emmanuel Oddoye, has charged Ghanaians not to vote for any presidential candidate who engages in a campaign of insults, character assassination and lies.
“We will need to support politicians who run a decent campaign devoid of lies and other untruths and who do not speak ill of their opponents. In so doing we would eventually support and elect a leader who will govern this nation in the knowledge and fear of God”, he stressed.
Rev. Dr Oddoye was speaking on the “Role of Christian Youth in Nation Building” at the 11th biennial diocesan delegates conference of the Anglican Young People’s Association (AYPA) at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region.
The three-day conference was to afford the AYPA members the opportunity to review their activities for the year and draw up new programmes for the coming year.
Rev. Dr Oddoye expressed worry that for most people, politics was a dirty game and needed to be avoided, and indicated that “politics need not be dirty”.
“The question we ask ourselves is: If we allow those who play dirty to keep dominating politics, do we have a moral right to ask for a good, God-fearing leader?” he queried.
Touching on morality, Rev. Dr Oddoye bemoaned the increased indiscipline, corruption, illegal connection and nepotism in the country, and said those negative trends would defeat efforts at propelling the development of the country.
For instance, he said, some people steal electric and telephone cables, while others tap into water and electricity illegally, thus robbing the agencies that run those services of income.
Rev. Dr Oddoye said people needed to bribe public officials before they processed their documents, and noted that some public officials took 10 per cent bribe of the contract sum before a contract was awarded.
The result, he said, was that the contract would not be well executed as the contractor had 10 per cent less to work with.
He said the creeping corruption in the country was the result of covetousness and pressure from spouses while in the case of young women, it was the desire to outdo one another.
He said tribalism and nepotism were two ills which were causing a lot of havoc to the country, with family members getting unmeritorious job offers.
Rev. Dr Oddoye lamented how some ‘big men’ demanded sexual favours from female job applicants and “get away with it”.
He called for justice for all in all spheres of life be it in the home, church, work and guilds.
Rev. Dr Oddoye said Ghana needed manpower with the correct moral fibre and dedication to duty, whether in the civil service, public service or private sector.
He, therefore, challenged the Christian youth to be at the forefront of efforts to clean up the system, adding: “Do not corrupt yourselves and when you can, try to prevent others from being corrupt”.
The Diocesan President of the AYPA, Mr Charles Pappoe, said the development of the youth in the Anglican Church was dear to the AYPA, and asked that the youth be put at the epicentre of any activity.
He expressed the hope that at the end of the conference, members would be able to find the niche in which to place the youth in the broad effort of contributing their quota to the development of the nation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highway Authority, Mr Eric Oduro Konadu, who chaired the function, asked the youth to make judicious use of their time and not to be daunted by any obstacles in their lives.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AN Anglican Priest, Rev. Father Dr Emmanuel Oddoye, has charged Ghanaians not to vote for any presidential candidate who engages in a campaign of insults, character assassination and lies.
“We will need to support politicians who run a decent campaign devoid of lies and other untruths and who do not speak ill of their opponents. In so doing we would eventually support and elect a leader who will govern this nation in the knowledge and fear of God”, he stressed.
Rev. Dr Oddoye was speaking on the “Role of Christian Youth in Nation Building” at the 11th biennial diocesan delegates conference of the Anglican Young People’s Association (AYPA) at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region.
The three-day conference was to afford the AYPA members the opportunity to review their activities for the year and draw up new programmes for the coming year.
Rev. Dr Oddoye expressed worry that for most people, politics was a dirty game and needed to be avoided, and indicated that “politics need not be dirty”.
“The question we ask ourselves is: If we allow those who play dirty to keep dominating politics, do we have a moral right to ask for a good, God-fearing leader?” he queried.
Touching on morality, Rev. Dr Oddoye bemoaned the increased indiscipline, corruption, illegal connection and nepotism in the country, and said those negative trends would defeat efforts at propelling the development of the country.
For instance, he said, some people steal electric and telephone cables, while others tap into water and electricity illegally, thus robbing the agencies that run those services of income.
Rev. Dr Oddoye said people needed to bribe public officials before they processed their documents, and noted that some public officials took 10 per cent bribe of the contract sum before a contract was awarded.
The result, he said, was that the contract would not be well executed as the contractor had 10 per cent less to work with.
He said the creeping corruption in the country was the result of covetousness and pressure from spouses while in the case of young women, it was the desire to outdo one another.
He said tribalism and nepotism were two ills which were causing a lot of havoc to the country, with family members getting unmeritorious job offers.
Rev. Dr Oddoye lamented how some ‘big men’ demanded sexual favours from female job applicants and “get away with it”.
He called for justice for all in all spheres of life be it in the home, church, work and guilds.
Rev. Dr Oddoye said Ghana needed manpower with the correct moral fibre and dedication to duty, whether in the civil service, public service or private sector.
He, therefore, challenged the Christian youth to be at the forefront of efforts to clean up the system, adding: “Do not corrupt yourselves and when you can, try to prevent others from being corrupt”.
The Diocesan President of the AYPA, Mr Charles Pappoe, said the development of the youth in the Anglican Church was dear to the AYPA, and asked that the youth be put at the epicentre of any activity.
He expressed the hope that at the end of the conference, members would be able to find the niche in which to place the youth in the broad effort of contributing their quota to the development of the nation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highway Authority, Mr Eric Oduro Konadu, who chaired the function, asked the youth to make judicious use of their time and not to be daunted by any obstacles in their lives.
Glefe tidal wave victims get support
September 27, 2008 pg 19
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE government yesterday donated food and other items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the victims of the recent tidal waves at Glefe in Accra, with a commitment to build a sea defence wall there.
The items included 100 bags of maize, 30 bags of rice, 100 pieces of plastic buckets and five bales of second-hand clothes.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, made the donation during an inspection tour of the area.
He was accompanied by officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the items were to help ease the food burden on and other domestic needs of the victims.
He said the government would make efforts to build a sea defence wall to save the people from the effects of tidal waves.
He gave the assurance that the government would continue to support the people.
He, therefore, asked them to collaborate with the government in efforts at safeguarding their lives.
In a related development, Dr Addo-Kufuor visited one of the victims of the tidal waves, Madam Adjoa Hemaa, 65, who has had her right leg amputated, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He donated GH¢200 towards her medical bills.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE government yesterday donated food and other items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to the victims of the recent tidal waves at Glefe in Accra, with a commitment to build a sea defence wall there.
The items included 100 bags of maize, 30 bags of rice, 100 pieces of plastic buckets and five bales of second-hand clothes.
The Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, made the donation during an inspection tour of the area.
He was accompanied by officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the items were to help ease the food burden on and other domestic needs of the victims.
He said the government would make efforts to build a sea defence wall to save the people from the effects of tidal waves.
He gave the assurance that the government would continue to support the people.
He, therefore, asked them to collaborate with the government in efforts at safeguarding their lives.
In a related development, Dr Addo-Kufuor visited one of the victims of the tidal waves, Madam Adjoa Hemaa, 65, who has had her right leg amputated, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He donated GH¢200 towards her medical bills.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Politicians visit scene of disaster
September 24, 2008 pg 17
Story: Naa Lamiley Bentil & Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A NUMBER of politicians yesterday visited the Kantamanto Traders Market in Accra to express sympathy to the victims of the fire that razed about 600 stores.
They are the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills; the flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom; Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the wife of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer; Mrs Samira Bawumia, the wife of the NPP running mate; and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. Earlier, Mr John Mahama, the NDC running mate, had been there as soon as news of the fire broke.
Prof. Atta Mills accompanied by some party officials, sympathised with the traders for the loss of their property.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom also visited the fire scene and sympathised with the victims. Dr Nduom who was on his way to the Central Region, promised to donate to the victims upon his return to Accra and urged the leadership of the people in the market to contact his office for the donation.
He also appealed to the government to restructure all the markets in the country to prevent such incidence and ensure that fire engines had easy access to markets in the event of a fire outbreak.
Mrs Akufo-Addo said she was saddened by the news of the fire outbreak, since it had destroyed the source of livelihood for many people.
She assured the traders that she would consult with Nana Akufo-Addo for possible assistance to be extended to them.
Mrs Akufo-Addo said it was the dream of her husband to improve the state of markets in the country when given the mandate to be next President of Ghana.
Mrs Bawumia expressed sympathy to the victims of the fire and asked for vote for the NPP to come to power to enable it to modernise the markets.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the fire outbreak should be happening years ago but not now.
He said an Akufo-Addo government would move the country from the third world status to first world status.
Katamanto fire (gen.)
The government has promised to financially assist traders whose shops were razed by fire at the Kantamanto market in Accra on Monday evening.
The traders mostly cassette, leather sellers as well as seamstresses, hairdressers and barbers lost their equipment and money in the inferno which swept through the market.
The Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Kwadwo Adjei Darko, announced the support when he interacted with the affected traders at the market yesterday.
The government, he said, would not be able to give to each trader the exact amount of money that was lost as a result of the fire outbreak but would do its best to ensure that the traders got the needed support to enable them to bounce back to business.
He said it was unfortunate that the traders had not insured their goods, adding that if they had done so, it would have been much easier for them to restart their businesses.
Consequently, Mr Adjei Darko advised them to insure their goods in the future so that in situations such as this one, they would have something to rely on.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri-Blankson, to sympathise with the traders also cautioned them against illegal electricity connection which, according to him, also contributed to the perennial fire outbreaks.
Mr Adjiri-Blankson directed the affected traders to come to the office of the AMA on Wednesday with the list of items that they lost in the fire to enable the government to plan the support.
Story: Naa Lamiley Bentil & Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A NUMBER of politicians yesterday visited the Kantamanto Traders Market in Accra to express sympathy to the victims of the fire that razed about 600 stores.
They are the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills; the flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom; Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the wife of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer; Mrs Samira Bawumia, the wife of the NPP running mate; and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. Earlier, Mr John Mahama, the NDC running mate, had been there as soon as news of the fire broke.
Prof. Atta Mills accompanied by some party officials, sympathised with the traders for the loss of their property.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom also visited the fire scene and sympathised with the victims. Dr Nduom who was on his way to the Central Region, promised to donate to the victims upon his return to Accra and urged the leadership of the people in the market to contact his office for the donation.
He also appealed to the government to restructure all the markets in the country to prevent such incidence and ensure that fire engines had easy access to markets in the event of a fire outbreak.
Mrs Akufo-Addo said she was saddened by the news of the fire outbreak, since it had destroyed the source of livelihood for many people.
She assured the traders that she would consult with Nana Akufo-Addo for possible assistance to be extended to them.
Mrs Akufo-Addo said it was the dream of her husband to improve the state of markets in the country when given the mandate to be next President of Ghana.
Mrs Bawumia expressed sympathy to the victims of the fire and asked for vote for the NPP to come to power to enable it to modernise the markets.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said the fire outbreak should be happening years ago but not now.
He said an Akufo-Addo government would move the country from the third world status to first world status.
Katamanto fire (gen.)
The government has promised to financially assist traders whose shops were razed by fire at the Kantamanto market in Accra on Monday evening.
The traders mostly cassette, leather sellers as well as seamstresses, hairdressers and barbers lost their equipment and money in the inferno which swept through the market.
The Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Kwadwo Adjei Darko, announced the support when he interacted with the affected traders at the market yesterday.
The government, he said, would not be able to give to each trader the exact amount of money that was lost as a result of the fire outbreak but would do its best to ensure that the traders got the needed support to enable them to bounce back to business.
He said it was unfortunate that the traders had not insured their goods, adding that if they had done so, it would have been much easier for them to restart their businesses.
Consequently, Mr Adjei Darko advised them to insure their goods in the future so that in situations such as this one, they would have something to rely on.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Mr Stanley Nii Adjiri-Blankson, to sympathise with the traders also cautioned them against illegal electricity connection which, according to him, also contributed to the perennial fire outbreaks.
Mr Adjiri-Blankson directed the affected traders to come to the office of the AMA on Wednesday with the list of items that they lost in the fire to enable the government to plan the support.
Fire destroys shops at Kantamanto
September 24, 2008 Centre Spread
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
FIRE swept through more than 600 stores and shops at the Kantamanto Market in Accra on Monday night, destroying property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
Some of the property consumed included sewing materials, sandals, second-hand goods, audio and video cassettes and discs, shoes, as well as tailoring shops, hairdressing salons, drinking and chop bars.
The fire, which started at 7.00 p.m., raged for many hours before it was put under control by a contingent of eight fire tenders supported by three water tankers.
The attempts by the fire officers to extinguish the raging fire were obstructed by the tables packed along the access road to the fire spot by traders.
The fire, which burnt electric poles and cables, kept burning as the fire officers struggled to create alternative routes to the spot.
Divisional Officer Grade Two, Michael Gabianu, the Metro Fire Officer at the Accra City Fire Station, told the Daily Graphic that the eight fire tenders and three tankers that got to the scene were forced to stand in a row, supplying only the fire tender in front to fight the fire, rendering attempts to fight the fire from all angles impossible.
He said the fire officers had to create alternative routes before they could get to the fire spot.
Divisional Officer Gabianu said the intensity of the fire increased as a result of the presence of combustible materials, such as gas cylinders, at the market.
He said his outfit had begun investigations to establish the cause of the fire and cited overloading of circuits, power fluctuation and cooking in the midst of combustible materials as some of the possible causes.
Some of the distraught victims told the Daily Graphic that some people cashed in on the situation to steal some of the few goods that the victims managed to retrieve.
The police officers present could not contain the situation and the military were brought in to complement their work of preventing thievery and ensuring order at the place.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire was still smouldering.
Some of the victims were seen shedding tears, while others were being supported by relatives and friends to clear the rubble.
One of the victims, Mr Eric Twumasi, said all the traders had not insured their stores and indicated that insurance companies had refused to insure his stores because of the lack of access routes to the place.
Some of them told this reporter that they would look for some money to start the business, since they had several dependants, adding that they did not anticipate any help from any quarter.
Some young men who deal in scrap were also seen collecting metals from the rubble of sewing machines, refrigerators and pressing irons.
The Metro Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Henry Nii Lante Plange, said his outfit would collaborate with the government to consider assisting the traders to put up temporary structures.
The wife of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Mrs Samira Bawumia, the wife of the running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo; and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey were at the market to sympathise with the traders.
The three expressed their sympathies to the victims and gave the indications that they would consult with Nana Akufo-Addo on how the government could support the victims of the fire to start their respective businesses.
The running mate to the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Mahama, was reported to have gone to the scene to sympathise with the victims of the fire.
In a related development, the government said it had learnt “with shock and dismay a fire outbreak at the Kantamanto Market in Accra which has engulfed the property of a number of people in the area”.
A press statement signed by the Government Spokesperson, Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, said the government had expressed its sympathy to all affected persons and promised to investigate the matter as early as possible and also come up with any form of assistance it could mobilise within the circumstances.
“At a time when the government is providing a conducive atmosphere for individual businessmen and women to go about their businesses in a peaceful manner, it is unfortunate that disaster in the form of a fire outbreak should occur to destroy the efforts of the good people of the country,” the statement said.
It appealed to all persons affected by the fire outbreak to remain calm and also note that the government greatly sympathised with them and would do everything to come to their aid.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
FIRE swept through more than 600 stores and shops at the Kantamanto Market in Accra on Monday night, destroying property running into thousands of Ghana cedis.
Some of the property consumed included sewing materials, sandals, second-hand goods, audio and video cassettes and discs, shoes, as well as tailoring shops, hairdressing salons, drinking and chop bars.
The fire, which started at 7.00 p.m., raged for many hours before it was put under control by a contingent of eight fire tenders supported by three water tankers.
The attempts by the fire officers to extinguish the raging fire were obstructed by the tables packed along the access road to the fire spot by traders.
The fire, which burnt electric poles and cables, kept burning as the fire officers struggled to create alternative routes to the spot.
Divisional Officer Grade Two, Michael Gabianu, the Metro Fire Officer at the Accra City Fire Station, told the Daily Graphic that the eight fire tenders and three tankers that got to the scene were forced to stand in a row, supplying only the fire tender in front to fight the fire, rendering attempts to fight the fire from all angles impossible.
He said the fire officers had to create alternative routes before they could get to the fire spot.
Divisional Officer Gabianu said the intensity of the fire increased as a result of the presence of combustible materials, such as gas cylinders, at the market.
He said his outfit had begun investigations to establish the cause of the fire and cited overloading of circuits, power fluctuation and cooking in the midst of combustible materials as some of the possible causes.
Some of the distraught victims told the Daily Graphic that some people cashed in on the situation to steal some of the few goods that the victims managed to retrieve.
The police officers present could not contain the situation and the military were brought in to complement their work of preventing thievery and ensuring order at the place.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire was still smouldering.
Some of the victims were seen shedding tears, while others were being supported by relatives and friends to clear the rubble.
One of the victims, Mr Eric Twumasi, said all the traders had not insured their stores and indicated that insurance companies had refused to insure his stores because of the lack of access routes to the place.
Some of them told this reporter that they would look for some money to start the business, since they had several dependants, adding that they did not anticipate any help from any quarter.
Some young men who deal in scrap were also seen collecting metals from the rubble of sewing machines, refrigerators and pressing irons.
The Metro Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Henry Nii Lante Plange, said his outfit would collaborate with the government to consider assisting the traders to put up temporary structures.
The wife of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Mrs Samira Bawumia, the wife of the running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo; and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey were at the market to sympathise with the traders.
The three expressed their sympathies to the victims and gave the indications that they would consult with Nana Akufo-Addo on how the government could support the victims of the fire to start their respective businesses.
The running mate to the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Mahama, was reported to have gone to the scene to sympathise with the victims of the fire.
In a related development, the government said it had learnt “with shock and dismay a fire outbreak at the Kantamanto Market in Accra which has engulfed the property of a number of people in the area”.
A press statement signed by the Government Spokesperson, Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, said the government had expressed its sympathy to all affected persons and promised to investigate the matter as early as possible and also come up with any form of assistance it could mobilise within the circumstances.
“At a time when the government is providing a conducive atmosphere for individual businessmen and women to go about their businesses in a peaceful manner, it is unfortunate that disaster in the form of a fire outbreak should occur to destroy the efforts of the good people of the country,” the statement said.
It appealed to all persons affected by the fire outbreak to remain calm and also note that the government greatly sympathised with them and would do everything to come to their aid.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
World Islamic Call Society supports Muslims
September 23, 2008 pg 30
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE World Islamic Call Society (WICS)-Ghana Bureau, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated food items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to needy, orphans and disabled Muslims in Accra.
The donation was to assist the beneficiaries, drawn from Nima, Maamobi, Abeka and Zongo, to observe the Ramadan fast with ease.
The items included bags of rice, cartons of tomato paste and cooking oil.
The Public Relations Officer of the WICS, Sheikh Mohammed Ghazali, said the donation was in response to Allah’s command to Muslims to reach out to the needy and orphans always, especially during the fast period.
Sheikh Ghazali urged Muslims to let the virtues of patience, tolerance and fellow feeling that they had imbibed during the Ramadan to reflect in their lives after the fast period.
That, he said, was the only way they would become true Muslims who would contribute to the socio-economic development of their respective communities and the nation at large.
On the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, Sheikh Ghazali asked Muslims to avoid violence before, during and after the elections.
Sheikh Ghazali commended the Libyan Leader, Mu'ammar Al-Qathafi, for his continuous support to Muslims and his lead role to bring unity on the African continent.
An Islamic scholar and Imam, Sheikh Hussein Zakaria, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qathafi for funding the food donation through the WICS.
He said the food would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries to observe the fast without much difficulty.
In a related development, two Qur’anic memorisers from Libya, Sheikh Mohammed Maghrib and Sheikh Khalid Khalifat, have finished their religious tour of the country.
Pix: Alhaji Ahmed Ashur (2nd left), the Financial Administrator of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS)-Ghana Bureau, donating the food items to Sheikh Hussein Zakaria, an Islamic scholar (3rd left). Looking on are (from left to right) Sheikh Mohammed Ghazali, the Public Relations Officer of the WICS; Sheikh Khalid Khalifat and Sheikh Mohammed Maghrib, both Qur’anic memorisers from Libya.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE World Islamic Call Society (WICS)-Ghana Bureau, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated food items worth thousands of Ghana cedis to needy, orphans and disabled Muslims in Accra.
The donation was to assist the beneficiaries, drawn from Nima, Maamobi, Abeka and Zongo, to observe the Ramadan fast with ease.
The items included bags of rice, cartons of tomato paste and cooking oil.
The Public Relations Officer of the WICS, Sheikh Mohammed Ghazali, said the donation was in response to Allah’s command to Muslims to reach out to the needy and orphans always, especially during the fast period.
Sheikh Ghazali urged Muslims to let the virtues of patience, tolerance and fellow feeling that they had imbibed during the Ramadan to reflect in their lives after the fast period.
That, he said, was the only way they would become true Muslims who would contribute to the socio-economic development of their respective communities and the nation at large.
On the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, Sheikh Ghazali asked Muslims to avoid violence before, during and after the elections.
Sheikh Ghazali commended the Libyan Leader, Mu'ammar Al-Qathafi, for his continuous support to Muslims and his lead role to bring unity on the African continent.
An Islamic scholar and Imam, Sheikh Hussein Zakaria, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Libyan Leader Mu'ammar Al-Qathafi for funding the food donation through the WICS.
He said the food would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries to observe the fast without much difficulty.
In a related development, two Qur’anic memorisers from Libya, Sheikh Mohammed Maghrib and Sheikh Khalid Khalifat, have finished their religious tour of the country.
Pix: Alhaji Ahmed Ashur (2nd left), the Financial Administrator of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS)-Ghana Bureau, donating the food items to Sheikh Hussein Zakaria, an Islamic scholar (3rd left). Looking on are (from left to right) Sheikh Mohammed Ghazali, the Public Relations Officer of the WICS; Sheikh Khalid Khalifat and Sheikh Mohammed Maghrib, both Qur’anic memorisers from Libya.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Prepaid water metres for MDAs
September 22, 2008 pg 44
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is to install prepaid meters in all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), beginning from next year.
The company will also supply prepaid meters to 25,000 of its customers, including pure water producers, hotels, commercial and domestic consumers.
Consequently, the GWCL has submitted an implementation action plan to the government for funding.
The Principal Economist in charge of the Corporation Planning Department of the GWCL, Mr Kwaku Duah-Agyeman, said the replacement of credit meters with prepaid ones was to reduce waste in the use of water, cut costs and ensure reliability in the supply of water.
He was contributing to a discussion at a workshop to disseminate the preliminary findings of a study on water and environmental management in Accra last Thursday.
The study — "Issues influencing values attached to pricing of potable water" — was conducted by the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), a network of scientists, policy makers, business men and media personnel.
The study was conducted at La and Asigbekope in the Greater Accra Region and Abura and Abeyie in the Central Region. Respondents were asked questions ranging from the availability, quality, price and proximity of sources of water.
Mr Duah-Agyeman indicated that the pilot project, which saw the GWCL supplying prepaid meters to 5,000 customers in Tema and Ashaiman in 2000, had reduced the supply of water to those areas by 41 per cent.
He said with the prepaid meters, the customers were able to manage the use of water, since they knew wastage would go into their credit.
Mr Duah-Agyeman said the prepaid meters would be fixed on walls in the premises and put under lock and key to prevent anybody from tampering with them.
He said customers would be issued with rechargeable credit cards for them to pay in advance the amount of water they needed for a specific time.
Mr Duah-Agyeman explained that the use of the prepaid metres would reduce waste in the use of water and make it possible for the GWCL to supply the conserved water to other customers.
"Consumers will be more responsible, economise and be prudent in the use of water," he stressed.
According to him, the GWCL initially presented the concept paper to the government, saying the government had supported the idea and asked for the implementation action plan which the company had submitted.
He said the company might go into a public-private partnership to install the prepaid meters if the government could not solely fund the project, estimated at thousands of Ghana cedis.
Earlier, the National Co-ordinator of the ATPS, Dr Frederick Amu Mensah, who presented the findings of the study, said the results showed that the quality of and access to potable water had decreased in the country.
He mentioned the wearing of underground pipes and inadequate infrastructure as the causes of the poor quality in water supply.
He said the study indicated that many people used rain water but did not have facilities to harvest it.
It also showed that many people were ready to pay for quality, reasonable cost and sustainable water supply, and that availability, quality, pricing and proximity affected people's choice of water sources.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is to install prepaid meters in all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), beginning from next year.
The company will also supply prepaid meters to 25,000 of its customers, including pure water producers, hotels, commercial and domestic consumers.
Consequently, the GWCL has submitted an implementation action plan to the government for funding.
The Principal Economist in charge of the Corporation Planning Department of the GWCL, Mr Kwaku Duah-Agyeman, said the replacement of credit meters with prepaid ones was to reduce waste in the use of water, cut costs and ensure reliability in the supply of water.
He was contributing to a discussion at a workshop to disseminate the preliminary findings of a study on water and environmental management in Accra last Thursday.
The study — "Issues influencing values attached to pricing of potable water" — was conducted by the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), a network of scientists, policy makers, business men and media personnel.
The study was conducted at La and Asigbekope in the Greater Accra Region and Abura and Abeyie in the Central Region. Respondents were asked questions ranging from the availability, quality, price and proximity of sources of water.
Mr Duah-Agyeman indicated that the pilot project, which saw the GWCL supplying prepaid meters to 5,000 customers in Tema and Ashaiman in 2000, had reduced the supply of water to those areas by 41 per cent.
He said with the prepaid meters, the customers were able to manage the use of water, since they knew wastage would go into their credit.
Mr Duah-Agyeman said the prepaid meters would be fixed on walls in the premises and put under lock and key to prevent anybody from tampering with them.
He said customers would be issued with rechargeable credit cards for them to pay in advance the amount of water they needed for a specific time.
Mr Duah-Agyeman explained that the use of the prepaid metres would reduce waste in the use of water and make it possible for the GWCL to supply the conserved water to other customers.
"Consumers will be more responsible, economise and be prudent in the use of water," he stressed.
According to him, the GWCL initially presented the concept paper to the government, saying the government had supported the idea and asked for the implementation action plan which the company had submitted.
He said the company might go into a public-private partnership to install the prepaid meters if the government could not solely fund the project, estimated at thousands of Ghana cedis.
Earlier, the National Co-ordinator of the ATPS, Dr Frederick Amu Mensah, who presented the findings of the study, said the results showed that the quality of and access to potable water had decreased in the country.
He mentioned the wearing of underground pipes and inadequate infrastructure as the causes of the poor quality in water supply.
He said the study indicated that many people used rain water but did not have facilities to harvest it.
It also showed that many people were ready to pay for quality, reasonable cost and sustainable water supply, and that availability, quality, pricing and proximity affected people's choice of water sources.
'Amend Criminal Procedure Code'
September 22, 2008 pg 3
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Law, Dr Dominic Ayine, has proposed an amendment to a provision in the Criminal Procedure Code which restraints judges from granting bail to people suspected of certain offences.
Section 96 (7) of Act 30 of the Criminal Procedure Code puts offences including murder, rape, defilement and narcotic in the list of no bail offences.
Dr Ayine said the law had the tendency to infringe on the liberty of citizens and also interfere with the powers of the judiciary, since the inclusion of offences on the list of no bail offences was done by the legislature.
He was speaking at a conference on, “Bail, Liberty, and Constitutionality: A Separation of Powers Perspective of the No-Bail Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code”.
Dr Ayine said the no-bail law seemed to spring from a parliamentary desire to protect the greater community from people accused of especially heinous or harmful crimes.
“This is a commendable goal, and it is Parliament’s duty to protect the public, but it does not necessarily follow that this manner of protecting the community is desirable or even effective,” he said.
According to him, the question was perhaps one of legislative versus judicial competence, regarding which branch of government was better qualified to determine when crimes could be prevented by keeping accused citizens in custody.
Dr Ayine argued that a ruling government could abuse the no-bail law by impressing on the legislature to introduce other offences, such as treason, to gag political opponents.
For instance, he said, in the run up to elections, political opponents could be accused of crimes on the list of no bail offences and consequently put behind bars, without the right to bail, till the elections were over.
Besides, Dr Ayine said, denying judges the right to consider the option of bail was effectively stealing the “final judicial power” vested in the judiciary by Article 125 (3) of the Constitution.
He argued that although protecting the public was a legislative function, “that does not allow Parliament to do anything it wishes to further this goal”.
He indicated that there were clear constitutional limits to Parliament’s powers, saying one such limit was: “Neither Parliament nor any other person whatsoever shall interfere with judges or judicial officers or other persons exercising judicial power in the exercise of their judicial functions”.
Dr Ayine said there were practical reasons for the judiciary to be responsible for determining whether a suspect risked perpetrating a crime, endangering the community or avoiding trial while on bail.
One such reason, he said, was that judges, by their profession, were well read on rates and occurrences of recidivism and general criminal behaviour.
He said whereas Parliament was responding to general, perceived threats, the judiciary was able to individually weigh the situation of each accused and determine, based on elements such as his or her financial information, family situation, gang of involvement, drug habits and criminal history, whether or not an accused was likely to be a danger to the community if released.
“The error of margin for individual partiality exists, of course, but that is no more harmful than the current situation: Ghana’s jails are being filled with suspects of certain enumerated crimes, whether or not they have any motive or proclivity to commit crimes if released,” he said.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Law, Dr Dominic Ayine, has proposed an amendment to a provision in the Criminal Procedure Code which restraints judges from granting bail to people suspected of certain offences.
Section 96 (7) of Act 30 of the Criminal Procedure Code puts offences including murder, rape, defilement and narcotic in the list of no bail offences.
Dr Ayine said the law had the tendency to infringe on the liberty of citizens and also interfere with the powers of the judiciary, since the inclusion of offences on the list of no bail offences was done by the legislature.
He was speaking at a conference on, “Bail, Liberty, and Constitutionality: A Separation of Powers Perspective of the No-Bail Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code”.
Dr Ayine said the no-bail law seemed to spring from a parliamentary desire to protect the greater community from people accused of especially heinous or harmful crimes.
“This is a commendable goal, and it is Parliament’s duty to protect the public, but it does not necessarily follow that this manner of protecting the community is desirable or even effective,” he said.
According to him, the question was perhaps one of legislative versus judicial competence, regarding which branch of government was better qualified to determine when crimes could be prevented by keeping accused citizens in custody.
Dr Ayine argued that a ruling government could abuse the no-bail law by impressing on the legislature to introduce other offences, such as treason, to gag political opponents.
For instance, he said, in the run up to elections, political opponents could be accused of crimes on the list of no bail offences and consequently put behind bars, without the right to bail, till the elections were over.
Besides, Dr Ayine said, denying judges the right to consider the option of bail was effectively stealing the “final judicial power” vested in the judiciary by Article 125 (3) of the Constitution.
He argued that although protecting the public was a legislative function, “that does not allow Parliament to do anything it wishes to further this goal”.
He indicated that there were clear constitutional limits to Parliament’s powers, saying one such limit was: “Neither Parliament nor any other person whatsoever shall interfere with judges or judicial officers or other persons exercising judicial power in the exercise of their judicial functions”.
Dr Ayine said there were practical reasons for the judiciary to be responsible for determining whether a suspect risked perpetrating a crime, endangering the community or avoiding trial while on bail.
One such reason, he said, was that judges, by their profession, were well read on rates and occurrences of recidivism and general criminal behaviour.
He said whereas Parliament was responding to general, perceived threats, the judiciary was able to individually weigh the situation of each accused and determine, based on elements such as his or her financial information, family situation, gang of involvement, drug habits and criminal history, whether or not an accused was likely to be a danger to the community if released.
“The error of margin for individual partiality exists, of course, but that is no more harmful than the current situation: Ghana’s jails are being filled with suspects of certain enumerated crimes, whether or not they have any motive or proclivity to commit crimes if released,” he said.
Ayee: Police, EC must draw time table for conflict zones
September 19, 2008 pg 17
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Joseph R. A. Ayee, has asked the Police Command and the Electoral Commission (EC) to draw time-tables for all political parties to campaign in turns in conflict zones, to eliminate the possibility of the parties clashing.
He said the regional offices of the Police Command and the EC should consider the local dynamics of the areas and the proximity of the rally or campaign grounds before deciding on the time table.
He stressed that long-standing traditional conflicts must be one of the significant local dynamics to be taken into account when scheduling the political rallies to avoid any confrontation.
Prof Ayee who was sharing his political thoughts with the Daily Graphic, particularly the political clashes between New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Party (NDC) supporters in Tamale and Gushiegu in the Northern Region, said the police and EC should work out the time-table in collaboration with the political parties.
He said the police and the EC must “sit down with the political parties and agree on the schedules”, adding that “the scheduling of the rallies should not be arbitrary”.
Prof Ayee denied the suggestion that the scheduling of the political rallies will amount to imposition of the will of the police and the EC on political parties.
Rather, he said, the scheduling of the political rallies “is in the interest of peace and the election”.
The political scientist charged the police and the military to be neutral and non-partisan in dealing with all political parties.
He said the neutrality of the police would prevent suspicion and build trust in the electoral process.
Prof Ayee expressed worry at the ‘belligerent’ language used by some politicians and “the way they are telling their people they must win the election at all cost”.
“The two major political parties (NPP and NDC) want to win the election at all cost. Anything little, the people become suspicious”, he stressed.
According to Prof Ayee, the desire to win the election at all cost deepened because the NPP and NDC entertained the fear that one would witchhunt the other in the next government.
Prof Ayee reminded Ghanaians that in every election there would be winners and losers, and indicated that whichever party won the election, it was a win for Ghana, since “the country is for all of us”.
He challenged the civil society and religious bodies to intensify education on the need for Ghanaians to shun any violent confrontations before, during and after the December 7 presidential and parliamentary election.
Prof Ayee described the political clashes in Tamale and Gushiegu as “regrettable”, and said it amounted to the lack of political education.
He again expressed regret at the violence witnessed during the voter registration exercise in some parts of the country, and blamed the political parties for allegedly bussing minors to register.
Prof Ayee cited ignorance of the registration exercise as one of the causes of the hitches experienced during the registration exercise, and asked the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the EC to intensify education on electoral processes.
He suggested that the voter registration should be an all-year round activity to allow the youth who attain 18 years and those who had returned home from abroad to register.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof Joseph R. A. Ayee, has asked the Police Command and the Electoral Commission (EC) to draw time-tables for all political parties to campaign in turns in conflict zones, to eliminate the possibility of the parties clashing.
He said the regional offices of the Police Command and the EC should consider the local dynamics of the areas and the proximity of the rally or campaign grounds before deciding on the time table.
He stressed that long-standing traditional conflicts must be one of the significant local dynamics to be taken into account when scheduling the political rallies to avoid any confrontation.
Prof Ayee who was sharing his political thoughts with the Daily Graphic, particularly the political clashes between New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Party (NDC) supporters in Tamale and Gushiegu in the Northern Region, said the police and EC should work out the time-table in collaboration with the political parties.
He said the police and the EC must “sit down with the political parties and agree on the schedules”, adding that “the scheduling of the rallies should not be arbitrary”.
Prof Ayee denied the suggestion that the scheduling of the political rallies will amount to imposition of the will of the police and the EC on political parties.
Rather, he said, the scheduling of the political rallies “is in the interest of peace and the election”.
The political scientist charged the police and the military to be neutral and non-partisan in dealing with all political parties.
He said the neutrality of the police would prevent suspicion and build trust in the electoral process.
Prof Ayee expressed worry at the ‘belligerent’ language used by some politicians and “the way they are telling their people they must win the election at all cost”.
“The two major political parties (NPP and NDC) want to win the election at all cost. Anything little, the people become suspicious”, he stressed.
According to Prof Ayee, the desire to win the election at all cost deepened because the NPP and NDC entertained the fear that one would witchhunt the other in the next government.
Prof Ayee reminded Ghanaians that in every election there would be winners and losers, and indicated that whichever party won the election, it was a win for Ghana, since “the country is for all of us”.
He challenged the civil society and religious bodies to intensify education on the need for Ghanaians to shun any violent confrontations before, during and after the December 7 presidential and parliamentary election.
Prof Ayee described the political clashes in Tamale and Gushiegu as “regrettable”, and said it amounted to the lack of political education.
He again expressed regret at the violence witnessed during the voter registration exercise in some parts of the country, and blamed the political parties for allegedly bussing minors to register.
Prof Ayee cited ignorance of the registration exercise as one of the causes of the hitches experienced during the registration exercise, and asked the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the EC to intensify education on electoral processes.
He suggested that the voter registration should be an all-year round activity to allow the youth who attain 18 years and those who had returned home from abroad to register.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pair trawling still in practice in Ghana's waters
September 16, 2008 Back Page
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
LOCAL fishermen yesterday met with journalists and presented vivid pictures of pair trawling still continuing in Ghana’s waters.
They said the evidence was gathered by a spy expedition they undertook in response to a challenge thrown to them by the Ministry of Fisheries to provide evidence of pair trawling.
The fishermen used two canoes on the spy mission at Elmina, Axim and Half Assin and took photographs of fishing boats doing pair trawling. One of the pair trawlers bears the name Akuya I Akuya II, with registration number AF 672.
Messrs Ato Sortor, Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio and Kobina Badu (Manoma) were speaking at the press conference organised by the Friends of the Nation (FoN), to express the concern of local fishermen to what they described as low harvest resulting from the activity of illegal pair trawlers.
According to Mr Sortor, in the first spy expedition they embarked upon on August 22, 2008, they saw eight pair trawlers, including Akuya, at Axim.
He said the latest spy expedition at Cape Coast last Saturday, September 6, 2008 showed evidence of seven pair trawlers.
He said they captured the name of one of the pair trawlers which he gave as Benhill 7 & 8.
Mr Amarfio claimed that the pair trawlers fished around the clock but indicated that they normally fished in the night to avoid being seen.
He said the owners switched off the light and went trawling destroying the fish in the process.
Mr Badu claimed that the activities of the illegal fishing trawlers had destroyed the fish resources, and thus making it difficult for them to make good catch.
As a result, he said, he had stopped going fishing with his two canoes, and indicated that all the 60 fishermen under his care had lost their jobs.
The local fishermen claimed that the pair trawling had destroyed the habitat of the fish, killed small fish and driven others away.
The local fishermen, therefore, appealed to the government to ban the activities of fish trawlers to save the country’s fish resources from depletion and also save their source of livelihood.
Earlier, the Programmes Co-ordinator of FoN, Mr Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, called on the government to “as a matter of urgency ban the practice of pair trawling in Ghana waters, and this must be followed by an effective enforcement of the ban to ensure that no illegal pair trawling goes on”.
He proposed the promulgation of a Legislative Instrument (LI) to back the fisheries law to provide the proper legal atmosphere for monitoring, control and surveillance activities.
Mr Yamoah requested for the Ministry of Fisheries, the Fisheries Commission, the Ghana Navy and the coastal communities to be “adequately resourced to effectively carry out the monitoring, control and surveillance activities”.
He again proposed the re-establishment and institutionalisation of community-based fisheries management committee structures at the community, district, regional and national levels to help police the country’s waters.
Meanwhile, chief fishermen in the Western and Central regions have pledged support for a policy that would ensure an official ban on fishing activities nationwide at particular periods of the year as part of efforts to reduce the rate at which fish resource are being depleted, reports Shirley Asiedu-Addo.
At a workshop at Cape Coast on Friday, the fishermen, however, reiterated that these efforts would be a fiasco if large vessels operating on the high seas were not checked.
They said it was obvious that there were no effective ways of checking the activities of these vessels operating on the seas.
The workshop, which was organised by Friends of the Nation (FoN), was attended by about 40 chief fishermen and members of Community-Based Fisheries Management Committee in the Central and Western regions.
The workshop, which is being organised in all the coastal regions of the country, seeks to support efforts at reducing poverty and encouraging community rights and voices by coastal communities as a tool for sustainable fisheries management.
The fishermen noted that they were ready to help ensure that the resources in the sea were efficiently managed for posterity but said managing their activities without managing the vessels could even worsen the current state of the sea resource.
Mr Kwadwo Yamoah Kyei, Project Co-ordinator with FoN, said it was important to ensure that the rate of harvest in the seas was less than the rate of rejuvenation to ensure sustained livelihood.
He noted that traditional methods of conservation including bans on fishing were helpful and said such methods must be included in any policy on fishing.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
LOCAL fishermen yesterday met with journalists and presented vivid pictures of pair trawling still continuing in Ghana’s waters.
They said the evidence was gathered by a spy expedition they undertook in response to a challenge thrown to them by the Ministry of Fisheries to provide evidence of pair trawling.
The fishermen used two canoes on the spy mission at Elmina, Axim and Half Assin and took photographs of fishing boats doing pair trawling. One of the pair trawlers bears the name Akuya I Akuya II, with registration number AF 672.
Messrs Ato Sortor, Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio and Kobina Badu (Manoma) were speaking at the press conference organised by the Friends of the Nation (FoN), to express the concern of local fishermen to what they described as low harvest resulting from the activity of illegal pair trawlers.
According to Mr Sortor, in the first spy expedition they embarked upon on August 22, 2008, they saw eight pair trawlers, including Akuya, at Axim.
He said the latest spy expedition at Cape Coast last Saturday, September 6, 2008 showed evidence of seven pair trawlers.
He said they captured the name of one of the pair trawlers which he gave as Benhill 7 & 8.
Mr Amarfio claimed that the pair trawlers fished around the clock but indicated that they normally fished in the night to avoid being seen.
He said the owners switched off the light and went trawling destroying the fish in the process.
Mr Badu claimed that the activities of the illegal fishing trawlers had destroyed the fish resources, and thus making it difficult for them to make good catch.
As a result, he said, he had stopped going fishing with his two canoes, and indicated that all the 60 fishermen under his care had lost their jobs.
The local fishermen claimed that the pair trawling had destroyed the habitat of the fish, killed small fish and driven others away.
The local fishermen, therefore, appealed to the government to ban the activities of fish trawlers to save the country’s fish resources from depletion and also save their source of livelihood.
Earlier, the Programmes Co-ordinator of FoN, Mr Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, called on the government to “as a matter of urgency ban the practice of pair trawling in Ghana waters, and this must be followed by an effective enforcement of the ban to ensure that no illegal pair trawling goes on”.
He proposed the promulgation of a Legislative Instrument (LI) to back the fisheries law to provide the proper legal atmosphere for monitoring, control and surveillance activities.
Mr Yamoah requested for the Ministry of Fisheries, the Fisheries Commission, the Ghana Navy and the coastal communities to be “adequately resourced to effectively carry out the monitoring, control and surveillance activities”.
He again proposed the re-establishment and institutionalisation of community-based fisheries management committee structures at the community, district, regional and national levels to help police the country’s waters.
Meanwhile, chief fishermen in the Western and Central regions have pledged support for a policy that would ensure an official ban on fishing activities nationwide at particular periods of the year as part of efforts to reduce the rate at which fish resource are being depleted, reports Shirley Asiedu-Addo.
At a workshop at Cape Coast on Friday, the fishermen, however, reiterated that these efforts would be a fiasco if large vessels operating on the high seas were not checked.
They said it was obvious that there were no effective ways of checking the activities of these vessels operating on the seas.
The workshop, which was organised by Friends of the Nation (FoN), was attended by about 40 chief fishermen and members of Community-Based Fisheries Management Committee in the Central and Western regions.
The workshop, which is being organised in all the coastal regions of the country, seeks to support efforts at reducing poverty and encouraging community rights and voices by coastal communities as a tool for sustainable fisheries management.
The fishermen noted that they were ready to help ensure that the resources in the sea were efficiently managed for posterity but said managing their activities without managing the vessels could even worsen the current state of the sea resource.
Mr Kwadwo Yamoah Kyei, Project Co-ordinator with FoN, said it was important to ensure that the rate of harvest in the seas was less than the rate of rejuvenation to ensure sustained livelihood.
He noted that traditional methods of conservation including bans on fishing were helpful and said such methods must be included in any policy on fishing.
ISSER boss commends govt
September 16, 2008 pg 54
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Director of the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, has commended the government for investing in the areas of education, health care and infrastructure development.
He said, however, that despite the investments in these areas, the country had performed poorly in adding value to it’s produce and increasing agricultural yields.
Prof. Aryeetey, who was speaking at the launch of a book on Ghana’s economy in Accra on Friday, therefore, stressed the need for the government to reconsider changing the structure of the economy to make it possible to use public expenditure to promote value addition.
He said the focus should be on how to promote growth in agriculture and how to link it with industry.
The 424-page book titled, “The Economy of Ghana: Analytical Perspectives on Stability, Growth and Poverty”, was co-editored by Prof. Aryeetey and Prof. Ravi Kanbur, an international Professor of applied economics and management.
The book traces Ghana’s post-independence growth, the current micro and macro economic growth and challenges, as well as the impact of the balance of trade. It takes stock of Ghana’s achievements in the areas of education, health care and economy in the last 50 years.
Prof. Aryeetey said the country’s growth rate for the past 12 years had been good, with an average of five per cent, saying that “the economy has come a long way”.
He indicated that the economy faced some challenges “but not in a difficult situation”, adding that “we can correct it”.
Prof. Aryeetey said the economy could be said to be decent because it had performed better than many African countries, but it could not be said to be remarkable, since about 12 African countries, including Tanzania and Malawi, had performed better than Ghana.
“Ghana’s economic performance is decent but not remarkable,” he stressed.
Touching on the book, Prof. Aryeetey said the book was an attempt to stimulate development debates in Ghana.
He said the book was for people who liked history, and indicated that the contents of the book represented what was found in a typical African economy.
Prof. Kanbur mentioned the growing level of inequality among people and regions, how Ghana could play a key role in the global trading system and how to use the oil wealth as the three economic challenges facing the country in the next 10 years.
He, therefore, charged the government to consider reversing the trend by ensuring sustained growth with a focus on agriculture.
Prof. Kanbur said countries such as Malaysia and India were entering the labour market with unskilled labour, and added that Ghana being a small country could not compete with them in that area, hence the need for the country to build on its comparative advantage, which is land-based resource or agriculture.
He said the expected oil wealth should be managed judiciously to propel the growth of the country’s economy.
Dr Daniel Twerefou of the Economics Department of the University of Ghana, who reviewed the book, said it was a comprehensive data for understanding Ghana’s economy.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Nana J.B. Siriboe, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the book could be used to shape policies that would bring about the needed growth of the economy.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Director of the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, has commended the government for investing in the areas of education, health care and infrastructure development.
He said, however, that despite the investments in these areas, the country had performed poorly in adding value to it’s produce and increasing agricultural yields.
Prof. Aryeetey, who was speaking at the launch of a book on Ghana’s economy in Accra on Friday, therefore, stressed the need for the government to reconsider changing the structure of the economy to make it possible to use public expenditure to promote value addition.
He said the focus should be on how to promote growth in agriculture and how to link it with industry.
The 424-page book titled, “The Economy of Ghana: Analytical Perspectives on Stability, Growth and Poverty”, was co-editored by Prof. Aryeetey and Prof. Ravi Kanbur, an international Professor of applied economics and management.
The book traces Ghana’s post-independence growth, the current micro and macro economic growth and challenges, as well as the impact of the balance of trade. It takes stock of Ghana’s achievements in the areas of education, health care and economy in the last 50 years.
Prof. Aryeetey said the country’s growth rate for the past 12 years had been good, with an average of five per cent, saying that “the economy has come a long way”.
He indicated that the economy faced some challenges “but not in a difficult situation”, adding that “we can correct it”.
Prof. Aryeetey said the economy could be said to be decent because it had performed better than many African countries, but it could not be said to be remarkable, since about 12 African countries, including Tanzania and Malawi, had performed better than Ghana.
“Ghana’s economic performance is decent but not remarkable,” he stressed.
Touching on the book, Prof. Aryeetey said the book was an attempt to stimulate development debates in Ghana.
He said the book was for people who liked history, and indicated that the contents of the book represented what was found in a typical African economy.
Prof. Kanbur mentioned the growing level of inequality among people and regions, how Ghana could play a key role in the global trading system and how to use the oil wealth as the three economic challenges facing the country in the next 10 years.
He, therefore, charged the government to consider reversing the trend by ensuring sustained growth with a focus on agriculture.
Prof. Kanbur said countries such as Malaysia and India were entering the labour market with unskilled labour, and added that Ghana being a small country could not compete with them in that area, hence the need for the country to build on its comparative advantage, which is land-based resource or agriculture.
He said the expected oil wealth should be managed judiciously to propel the growth of the country’s economy.
Dr Daniel Twerefou of the Economics Department of the University of Ghana, who reviewed the book, said it was a comprehensive data for understanding Ghana’s economy.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Nana J.B. Siriboe, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the book could be used to shape policies that would bring about the needed growth of the economy.
World Bank, ADB finance project
September 15, 2008 pg 3
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other financiers are jointly financing the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project with $94.5 million for the next five years towards the expansion and rehabilitation of Electricity Company of Ghana’s network.
A further $75 million has been allocated for rural electrification. The government is also supporting the ECG’s investment projects with GH¢55 million from this year’s budget.
The Managing Director of ECG, Mr Jude O. Adu-Amankwah, who announced this at a meeting with editors in Accra last Friday, said the projects were part of strategies to revamp the ECG’s network infrastructure in order to improve upon the quality and reliability of power supply in ECG operational areas.
He mentioned the replacement of all credit meters with pre-paid meters in Accra and all towns in the next three years, the upgrading of transmission and distribution networks to provide firm capacity and alternative sources of supply as some of the strategies adopted to overcome ECG’s technical challenges.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the company would install shunt capacitor banks at primary substations to improve system voltages and reduce technical losses, and also introduce live line work to reduce customer lost hours during fault resolution and restoration.
He said as a way of modernising ECG’s operations, the company would install facilities to ensure effective voice and data transfer and networking of its vending stations and computerise the company’s network database.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the ECG was currently implementing investment projects aimed at expanding and rehabilitating its sub transmission and distribution network.
He said the projects included the construction of a third BSP in Accra, a second BSP in Kumasi and the upgrade of Mallam BSP, the provision of switching stations at strategic locations, namely Jasikan, Bogoso, Dodowa, Akuse, Kasoa and Bunso.
Besides, Mr Adu-Amankwah said, the ECG was funding the installation of shunt capacitor banks at selected primary substations, the implementation of High Voltage Distribution System in Accra and injection of primary and secondary substations in all the regions.
Again, he said under the distribution engineering and geographical information systems, the project would enable ECG to computerise its network and customer database and improve trouble call and response to faults and ECG network asset management.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the projects would address ECG’s technical and commercial challenges and overturn the weakening financial position of the company.
He said the projects were expected to reduce the system loss by one per cent every year and on the average reduce by 20 hours of annual unplanned outages per customer per year.
“When these results are achieved, the company would have substantially achieved its desire to provide quality electricity supply to its customers and also attain international benchmarks set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for ECG over the next five years,” he stressed.
Mr Adu-Amankwah mentioned the construction of four primary substations and rehabilitation of some existing ones in Accra and Kumasi, the construction of one primary substation at Ofankor and the replacement of obsolete and faulty equipment in Accra, Ho and Tema as some of the completed investment projects.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other financiers are jointly financing the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project with $94.5 million for the next five years towards the expansion and rehabilitation of Electricity Company of Ghana’s network.
A further $75 million has been allocated for rural electrification. The government is also supporting the ECG’s investment projects with GH¢55 million from this year’s budget.
The Managing Director of ECG, Mr Jude O. Adu-Amankwah, who announced this at a meeting with editors in Accra last Friday, said the projects were part of strategies to revamp the ECG’s network infrastructure in order to improve upon the quality and reliability of power supply in ECG operational areas.
He mentioned the replacement of all credit meters with pre-paid meters in Accra and all towns in the next three years, the upgrading of transmission and distribution networks to provide firm capacity and alternative sources of supply as some of the strategies adopted to overcome ECG’s technical challenges.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the company would install shunt capacitor banks at primary substations to improve system voltages and reduce technical losses, and also introduce live line work to reduce customer lost hours during fault resolution and restoration.
He said as a way of modernising ECG’s operations, the company would install facilities to ensure effective voice and data transfer and networking of its vending stations and computerise the company’s network database.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the ECG was currently implementing investment projects aimed at expanding and rehabilitating its sub transmission and distribution network.
He said the projects included the construction of a third BSP in Accra, a second BSP in Kumasi and the upgrade of Mallam BSP, the provision of switching stations at strategic locations, namely Jasikan, Bogoso, Dodowa, Akuse, Kasoa and Bunso.
Besides, Mr Adu-Amankwah said, the ECG was funding the installation of shunt capacitor banks at selected primary substations, the implementation of High Voltage Distribution System in Accra and injection of primary and secondary substations in all the regions.
Again, he said under the distribution engineering and geographical information systems, the project would enable ECG to computerise its network and customer database and improve trouble call and response to faults and ECG network asset management.
Mr Adu-Amankwah said the projects would address ECG’s technical and commercial challenges and overturn the weakening financial position of the company.
He said the projects were expected to reduce the system loss by one per cent every year and on the average reduce by 20 hours of annual unplanned outages per customer per year.
“When these results are achieved, the company would have substantially achieved its desire to provide quality electricity supply to its customers and also attain international benchmarks set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) for ECG over the next five years,” he stressed.
Mr Adu-Amankwah mentioned the construction of four primary substations and rehabilitation of some existing ones in Accra and Kumasi, the construction of one primary substation at Ofankor and the replacement of obsolete and faulty equipment in Accra, Ho and Tema as some of the completed investment projects.
'Abstain from casual sex'
September 12, 2008 pg 21
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
SPEAKERS at a seminar on HIV/AIDS have urged the youth to abstain from casual sex to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
They rather urged them to focus on their studies since that was the only way they could become responsible citizens and contribute to the development of their respective communities.
A Principal Field Officer on HIV/AIDS, Mrs Sally Agyeman, the Chairman of NAF Ghana, Mr William Ayisu, and an HIV/AIDS advocate, Mr Chris Boadi, who made the call, were speaking at the seminar at Nsawam in the Akuapem South District in the Eastern Region.
Sungtaaba Integrated Development Association (SIDA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), organised the seminar to educate the youth on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to avoid contracting the disease.
Mrs Agyeman stressed the need for the youth to abstain from unprotected sex, and instead engage in physical exercises and other recreational activities.
She implored them to stay away from hard drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and cocaine since they could incite them to engage in casual sex.
Mrs Agyeman also warned the youth against watching pornographic films and magazines.
She exhorted married couples to be faithful to their partners or use condoms when they were not sure of their partners.
For his part, Mr Ayisu urged young ladies not to go in for older men as a measure of making money since such men could be carriers of HIV .
Mr Boadi charged the youth to play complementary roles in HIV/AIDS prevention by embarking on floats to educate their colleagues on the dangers of the disease and its prevention.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
SPEAKERS at a seminar on HIV/AIDS have urged the youth to abstain from casual sex to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
They rather urged them to focus on their studies since that was the only way they could become responsible citizens and contribute to the development of their respective communities.
A Principal Field Officer on HIV/AIDS, Mrs Sally Agyeman, the Chairman of NAF Ghana, Mr William Ayisu, and an HIV/AIDS advocate, Mr Chris Boadi, who made the call, were speaking at the seminar at Nsawam in the Akuapem South District in the Eastern Region.
Sungtaaba Integrated Development Association (SIDA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), organised the seminar to educate the youth on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to avoid contracting the disease.
Mrs Agyeman stressed the need for the youth to abstain from unprotected sex, and instead engage in physical exercises and other recreational activities.
She implored them to stay away from hard drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and cocaine since they could incite them to engage in casual sex.
Mrs Agyeman also warned the youth against watching pornographic films and magazines.
She exhorted married couples to be faithful to their partners or use condoms when they were not sure of their partners.
For his part, Mr Ayisu urged young ladies not to go in for older men as a measure of making money since such men could be carriers of HIV .
Mr Boadi charged the youth to play complementary roles in HIV/AIDS prevention by embarking on floats to educate their colleagues on the dangers of the disease and its prevention.
Friday, September 12, 2008
"Muslim chiefs, opinion leaders must not be partisan'
September 12, 2008 pg 17
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A Research fellow at the Ghana Muslim Academy (GMA), Alhaji Adam Yunus, has advised Muslim chiefs and opinion leaders against openly declaring their support for political parties.
“Chiefs and opinion leaders should try and be non-partisan in their interactions with political parties and be extra careful not to be tagged or seen to be supporting a particular political party,” he stressed.
Alhaji Yunus was delivering a paper on “Towards Peaceful Election 2008 — The Role of the Muslim Ummah,” at the 9th annual Mujahid Ramadan lectures organised by the GMA in Accra.
The lectures highlighted the socio-economic and political challenges of the Muslim community, with the view to finding remedies for them.
Alhaji Yunus spoke against a decision by some chiefs to visit some political leaders to either thank them or declare their support for them.
“Chiefs should wait for politicians to rather come to them, and not they chasing the politicians,” he demanded of the chiefs.
Alhaji Yunus urged Ghanaians to “respect and appreciate” their political differences, and referred to Suratul Hujurat (Qur’an Chapter 49), which requires of Muslims to handle their own affairs and live together by respecting each other’s views.
He said the chapter made it clear that opinions would certainly vary and could never be the same, and indicated that verse 11 says that “insults, speaking evil of others and generally defaming others are things considered as sin. Hence, those attitudes should be avoided”.
Alhaji Yunus stressed that Islamic law actually considered defamation as something sinful and criminal, and said insulting and fighting one another because they belonged to different political parties were un-Islamic and non-political.
“Once we have accepted to practise multi-party democracy, we ought to have political differences, otherwise there is no democracy,” he said.
Alhaji Yunus advised the youth to control their youthful exuberance and not allow themselves to be used by politicians to visit mayhem on their political opponents.
He, therefore, stressed the need for Imams to preach to their congregations the need to participate positively in the country’s political process and always ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
Alhaji Yunus asked Muslims to dedicate this month of Ramadan to prayers for Allah to grant Ghana a peaceful, free and fair election and establish leadership that would bring peace and security to the nation.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A Research fellow at the Ghana Muslim Academy (GMA), Alhaji Adam Yunus, has advised Muslim chiefs and opinion leaders against openly declaring their support for political parties.
“Chiefs and opinion leaders should try and be non-partisan in their interactions with political parties and be extra careful not to be tagged or seen to be supporting a particular political party,” he stressed.
Alhaji Yunus was delivering a paper on “Towards Peaceful Election 2008 — The Role of the Muslim Ummah,” at the 9th annual Mujahid Ramadan lectures organised by the GMA in Accra.
The lectures highlighted the socio-economic and political challenges of the Muslim community, with the view to finding remedies for them.
Alhaji Yunus spoke against a decision by some chiefs to visit some political leaders to either thank them or declare their support for them.
“Chiefs should wait for politicians to rather come to them, and not they chasing the politicians,” he demanded of the chiefs.
Alhaji Yunus urged Ghanaians to “respect and appreciate” their political differences, and referred to Suratul Hujurat (Qur’an Chapter 49), which requires of Muslims to handle their own affairs and live together by respecting each other’s views.
He said the chapter made it clear that opinions would certainly vary and could never be the same, and indicated that verse 11 says that “insults, speaking evil of others and generally defaming others are things considered as sin. Hence, those attitudes should be avoided”.
Alhaji Yunus stressed that Islamic law actually considered defamation as something sinful and criminal, and said insulting and fighting one another because they belonged to different political parties were un-Islamic and non-political.
“Once we have accepted to practise multi-party democracy, we ought to have political differences, otherwise there is no democracy,” he said.
Alhaji Yunus advised the youth to control their youthful exuberance and not allow themselves to be used by politicians to visit mayhem on their political opponents.
He, therefore, stressed the need for Imams to preach to their congregations the need to participate positively in the country’s political process and always ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
Alhaji Yunus asked Muslims to dedicate this month of Ramadan to prayers for Allah to grant Ghana a peaceful, free and fair election and establish leadership that would bring peace and security to the nation.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Report on rights violation under study
September 11, 2008 pg 34
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
STAKEHOLDERS in the country’s mining industry are strategising on how to protect the rights of both people in mining communities and operators of big mining concessions.
Consequently, the stakeholders, namely the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and mining concessions have come out with a report containing recommendations on how to stop the violations of the rights of the people and operators.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Charles Wereko, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the report was being studied by the stakeholders in preparation for possible actions.
He was reacting to the State of Human Rights in Mining Communities in Ghana 2008 report, which indicated that the rights of people in mining areas are being violated in Ghana. The report, published by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), cited widespread pollution of water bodies by mining companies, deprivation and loss of livelihood as a result of mining and excesses by state security agencies as some of the human rights violations.
Mr Wereko did not give details of the report but indicated that the recommendations sought to address the concerns of both indigenes of mining areas and owners of big concessions.
According to him, there had been an upsurge of encroachment on the concessions of big mining companies by small illegal miners.
He also noted that some of the water bodies in mining communities had been polluted, and indicated that some of the allegations had to be proved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mr Wereko indicated that the operators of mining concessions employed the services of security agencies or private security guards to guard their concessions.
He said such security guards prevented illegal miners from straying to the concessions, which the illegal miners complained of as violation of their rights.
Nonetheless, Mr Wereko said so far as the people were Ghanaians, the government was committed to protecting their rights by ensuring that they were not being harassed by the security guards.
Besides, he said, the Minerals Commission was also considering the possibility of reaching an agreement with big mining concessions to cede some part of their concessions that they were not mining to small-scale mining companies.
“They are considering having enclaves within the concessions where the small-scale miners can operate,” he stressed.
In that regard, he said the Minerals Commission had asked small-scale mining companies to register their companies with the Commission as a way of regularising their operations.
However, he said, very few companies had so far registered with the Commission, thus making attempts at helping the small-scale miners difficult.
According to Mr Wereko, the stakeholders wanted to “come out with a broad strategy to ensure that the concession of large companies are not encroached on, and also look at the rights of illegal miners”.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
STAKEHOLDERS in the country’s mining industry are strategising on how to protect the rights of both people in mining communities and operators of big mining concessions.
Consequently, the stakeholders, namely the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and mining concessions have come out with a report containing recommendations on how to stop the violations of the rights of the people and operators.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr Charles Wereko, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the report was being studied by the stakeholders in preparation for possible actions.
He was reacting to the State of Human Rights in Mining Communities in Ghana 2008 report, which indicated that the rights of people in mining areas are being violated in Ghana. The report, published by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), cited widespread pollution of water bodies by mining companies, deprivation and loss of livelihood as a result of mining and excesses by state security agencies as some of the human rights violations.
Mr Wereko did not give details of the report but indicated that the recommendations sought to address the concerns of both indigenes of mining areas and owners of big concessions.
According to him, there had been an upsurge of encroachment on the concessions of big mining companies by small illegal miners.
He also noted that some of the water bodies in mining communities had been polluted, and indicated that some of the allegations had to be proved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Mr Wereko indicated that the operators of mining concessions employed the services of security agencies or private security guards to guard their concessions.
He said such security guards prevented illegal miners from straying to the concessions, which the illegal miners complained of as violation of their rights.
Nonetheless, Mr Wereko said so far as the people were Ghanaians, the government was committed to protecting their rights by ensuring that they were not being harassed by the security guards.
Besides, he said, the Minerals Commission was also considering the possibility of reaching an agreement with big mining concessions to cede some part of their concessions that they were not mining to small-scale mining companies.
“They are considering having enclaves within the concessions where the small-scale miners can operate,” he stressed.
In that regard, he said the Minerals Commission had asked small-scale mining companies to register their companies with the Commission as a way of regularising their operations.
However, he said, very few companies had so far registered with the Commission, thus making attempts at helping the small-scale miners difficult.
According to Mr Wereko, the stakeholders wanted to “come out with a broad strategy to ensure that the concession of large companies are not encroached on, and also look at the rights of illegal miners”.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Interim Hajj C'ttee signs pact with Egypt Air
September 10, 2008 pg 14
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) has signed a contract with Egypt Air to lift the expected 3,000 Ghanaian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s pilgrimage (Hajj).
Under the agreement, Egypt Air will run eight charter flights with each flight conveying 264 passengers.
The rest of the prospective pilgrims will go on regular flights.
Egypt Air is giving 40 (kilogrammes) free luggage to pilgrims and between five and 10 kilogrammes free hand luggage.
The Chairman of the IHMC, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, signed on behalf of the committee while the District Manager of Egypt Air, Mr Maher Hussein, signed on behalf of Egyptair.
Present at the signing ceremony were representatives of the Ghana Hajj Agents Association.
Alhaji Muniru said the committee entered into the contract with Egypt Air because it was a known airline with a record of conveying pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Egypt Air is one of the reliable airlines when it comes to Hajj operations. We have tested them and know that they have the capacity,” he stressed.
He said in the event of any disappointment, members of the IHMC could easily trace the offices of Egypt Air.
According to Alhaji Muniru, the committee had invited several airlines for negotiation and that it was Egypt Air that responded and indicated its readiness to go with charter and regular flights.
He said members of the committee and managers of Egypt Air would have operational meetings to come out with the specific dates and time for departure and the return journey.
He said the committee would also meet with the Airport Company and the Ghana Civil Aviation to agree on the modalities for the check-ins.
Mr Hussein said he had learnt of the suffering that Ghanaian pilgrims went through, and that he had always entertained the idea of helping them.
He gave the assurance that Egypt Air would be responsible and offer good service to the prospective pilgrims.
“We will not leave anything by accident. Everything is planned to make everyone happy,” Mr Hussein stressed.
Hajj organisation in Ghana has faced difficulty with flight arrangements, with last year’s arrangement described as the worst ever. The prospective pilgrims waited at the Aviation Social Centre for about 11 days awaiting the arrival of flights.
The flights arrived later, which compelled the government to appeal to the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the extension of arrival of Ghanaian pilgrims at the Jeddah Airport.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) has signed a contract with Egypt Air to lift the expected 3,000 Ghanaian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s pilgrimage (Hajj).
Under the agreement, Egypt Air will run eight charter flights with each flight conveying 264 passengers.
The rest of the prospective pilgrims will go on regular flights.
Egypt Air is giving 40 (kilogrammes) free luggage to pilgrims and between five and 10 kilogrammes free hand luggage.
The Chairman of the IHMC, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, signed on behalf of the committee while the District Manager of Egypt Air, Mr Maher Hussein, signed on behalf of Egyptair.
Present at the signing ceremony were representatives of the Ghana Hajj Agents Association.
Alhaji Muniru said the committee entered into the contract with Egypt Air because it was a known airline with a record of conveying pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Egypt Air is one of the reliable airlines when it comes to Hajj operations. We have tested them and know that they have the capacity,” he stressed.
He said in the event of any disappointment, members of the IHMC could easily trace the offices of Egypt Air.
According to Alhaji Muniru, the committee had invited several airlines for negotiation and that it was Egypt Air that responded and indicated its readiness to go with charter and regular flights.
He said members of the committee and managers of Egypt Air would have operational meetings to come out with the specific dates and time for departure and the return journey.
He said the committee would also meet with the Airport Company and the Ghana Civil Aviation to agree on the modalities for the check-ins.
Mr Hussein said he had learnt of the suffering that Ghanaian pilgrims went through, and that he had always entertained the idea of helping them.
He gave the assurance that Egypt Air would be responsible and offer good service to the prospective pilgrims.
“We will not leave anything by accident. Everything is planned to make everyone happy,” Mr Hussein stressed.
Hajj organisation in Ghana has faced difficulty with flight arrangements, with last year’s arrangement described as the worst ever. The prospective pilgrims waited at the Aviation Social Centre for about 11 days awaiting the arrival of flights.
The flights arrived later, which compelled the government to appeal to the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the extension of arrival of Ghanaian pilgrims at the Jeddah Airport.
Case of pair trawling at Apam-2 fined $48,000
September 10, 2008 Front Page
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Ministry of Fisheries yesterday declared ‘war’ on trawlers that stray into Ghanaian waters and promised that the full force of the law will be applied against those that also engage in pair trawling.
To demonstrate its resolve to deal with the issue, which has negatively affected the local fishing industry, the ministry announced that owners of the two trawlers that were caught by the Ghana Navy engaging in pair trawling at Apam last week, had been fined $48,000, after admitting the offence.
It further announced that two more trawlers were being investigated by the national security for engaging in illegal fishing in the country’s waters.
The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the $48,000 fine was agreed to by a committee made up of representatives of the Attorney General’s Department, the Ghana Navy and the Ministry of Fisheries.
She commended the Ghana Navy for standing up to the challenge in effecting the arrests and promised that 30 per cent of the $48,000 fine would be paid to the Navy while the remaining would go into the internally-generated fund of the Ministry of Fisheries.
She said the money would be used to promote the fishing industry in terms of infrastructure development.
Mrs Asmah warned that foreign trawlers that fished in Ghanaian waters without the appropriate licences would face the full rigours of the law if caught.
Section 116 of the Fisheries Act (625) of 2002 states that: “...where it is satisfied that a person has committed an offence under this Act (illegally fishing in the country’s waters), and the person has in writing admitted to having committed the offence and expressed willingness that the offence be so dealt with, compound the offence by accepting on behalf of the government from the person a sum of money of not less than the minimum penalty specified for the offence plus the fair market value of any fish caught illegally, and the sum when paid shall immediately be paid into the Fund”.
The minister stressed that never again would the government allow the country’s waters to be invaded by foreign fishing trawlers in disregard of the country’s laws and territorial integrity, and that everything would be done to deter foreign trawlers from straying into the country’s waters and consequently safeguard the country’s fishing industry.
Mrs Asmah denied claims that the fishing industry was collapsing and indicated that the government was laying the foundation for the growth of the industry in terms of infrastructure development.
For instance, she said, the government had secured a seven million euro fund under the Spanish Protocol for the construction of ice plants and refrigeration facilities in some fishing communities, beginning from next month.
She said the construction of the storage facilities was to “reduce post-harvest losses to enable the fishermen to sell their fish at competitive prices for them to make profit to better their lives”.
The beneficiary communities are Nyanyano, Kormantse/Abandze, both in the Central Region, Upper Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, and Half Assini, Shama and New Takoradi in the Western Region.
Besides, she said, funding for the two fishing harbours and 12 landing sites had been arranged and disbursement was about to be concluded for the sod to be cut for construction work to begin by the end of the year.
The communities benefitting from the projects are Elmina Fishing Harbour in the Central Region, James Town Fishing Harbour and Teshie in the Greater Accra Region, Axim and Dixcove Landing sites in the Western Region, Moree, Winneba, Gomoa Fetteh, Senya Bereku and Mumford in the Central Region and Ada, Dzemeni, Tapa Abotoase and Keta in the Volta Region.
Mrs Asmah said a Fishery School had been slated for construction at Mumford, and indicated that the school would train students, both males and females, in the art of fishing, fish storage and smoking, and net mending, among others.
“The 20 projects mentioned are not programmes being imagined but projects which have been planned for the better part of the last two years and they will surely see the light of day,” she stressed.
Earlier this month, 13 Chinese and 23 Ghanaians on board two fishing vessels were arrested near Apam in the Central Region by the Western Naval Command for engaging in pair trawling without licence.
The vessels are Maache One and Maache Two owned by Nebula International Limited, a company registered at Tema. The vessels were also found fishing below the 30-metre depth, eight nautical miles from the shore, which is prohibited by law.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Ministry of Fisheries yesterday declared ‘war’ on trawlers that stray into Ghanaian waters and promised that the full force of the law will be applied against those that also engage in pair trawling.
To demonstrate its resolve to deal with the issue, which has negatively affected the local fishing industry, the ministry announced that owners of the two trawlers that were caught by the Ghana Navy engaging in pair trawling at Apam last week, had been fined $48,000, after admitting the offence.
It further announced that two more trawlers were being investigated by the national security for engaging in illegal fishing in the country’s waters.
The Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the $48,000 fine was agreed to by a committee made up of representatives of the Attorney General’s Department, the Ghana Navy and the Ministry of Fisheries.
She commended the Ghana Navy for standing up to the challenge in effecting the arrests and promised that 30 per cent of the $48,000 fine would be paid to the Navy while the remaining would go into the internally-generated fund of the Ministry of Fisheries.
She said the money would be used to promote the fishing industry in terms of infrastructure development.
Mrs Asmah warned that foreign trawlers that fished in Ghanaian waters without the appropriate licences would face the full rigours of the law if caught.
Section 116 of the Fisheries Act (625) of 2002 states that: “...where it is satisfied that a person has committed an offence under this Act (illegally fishing in the country’s waters), and the person has in writing admitted to having committed the offence and expressed willingness that the offence be so dealt with, compound the offence by accepting on behalf of the government from the person a sum of money of not less than the minimum penalty specified for the offence plus the fair market value of any fish caught illegally, and the sum when paid shall immediately be paid into the Fund”.
The minister stressed that never again would the government allow the country’s waters to be invaded by foreign fishing trawlers in disregard of the country’s laws and territorial integrity, and that everything would be done to deter foreign trawlers from straying into the country’s waters and consequently safeguard the country’s fishing industry.
Mrs Asmah denied claims that the fishing industry was collapsing and indicated that the government was laying the foundation for the growth of the industry in terms of infrastructure development.
For instance, she said, the government had secured a seven million euro fund under the Spanish Protocol for the construction of ice plants and refrigeration facilities in some fishing communities, beginning from next month.
She said the construction of the storage facilities was to “reduce post-harvest losses to enable the fishermen to sell their fish at competitive prices for them to make profit to better their lives”.
The beneficiary communities are Nyanyano, Kormantse/Abandze, both in the Central Region, Upper Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, and Half Assini, Shama and New Takoradi in the Western Region.
Besides, she said, funding for the two fishing harbours and 12 landing sites had been arranged and disbursement was about to be concluded for the sod to be cut for construction work to begin by the end of the year.
The communities benefitting from the projects are Elmina Fishing Harbour in the Central Region, James Town Fishing Harbour and Teshie in the Greater Accra Region, Axim and Dixcove Landing sites in the Western Region, Moree, Winneba, Gomoa Fetteh, Senya Bereku and Mumford in the Central Region and Ada, Dzemeni, Tapa Abotoase and Keta in the Volta Region.
Mrs Asmah said a Fishery School had been slated for construction at Mumford, and indicated that the school would train students, both males and females, in the art of fishing, fish storage and smoking, and net mending, among others.
“The 20 projects mentioned are not programmes being imagined but projects which have been planned for the better part of the last two years and they will surely see the light of day,” she stressed.
Earlier this month, 13 Chinese and 23 Ghanaians on board two fishing vessels were arrested near Apam in the Central Region by the Western Naval Command for engaging in pair trawling without licence.
The vessels are Maache One and Maache Two owned by Nebula International Limited, a company registered at Tema. The vessels were also found fishing below the 30-metre depth, eight nautical miles from the shore, which is prohibited by law.
Don't be mislead into dangerous activities
September 8, 2008 Centre Spread
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Chairman of Council of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, has cautioned the youth, especially students, against being allowed to be used by politicians in furtherance of “illegal and dangerous electoral activity” such as violence in any form and unlawful demonstrations in the December 7 general election.
He said too often, the youth had been misled into dangerous activities during elections, with some of them losing their limbs or lives in the process “only to find the so-called leaders and instigators of the opposing factions cosying up to one another later on with scant memory of the pain and anguish they inflicted on their young supporters”.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi was speaking at the 60th anniversary matriculation of the University of Ghana, Legon, at the weekend.
Out of the 22,865 applications, 11,700 were admitted to pursue various programmes. At the postgraduate level, 1,352 students gained admission, while 1,739 were admitted to the Distance Learning Programme. The Accra City Campus registered 1,479 students.
A Bachelor of Science Administration (BSc. Admin.) student, Ms Monica Mawuena Kukah, who signed the matricula??? on behalf of her colleagues, asked the university to focus more on career-oriented programmes.
In an apparent reference to recent political trouble in the northern part of the country, Mr Oteng-Gyasi urged the youth to rather involve themselves in legitimate electoral activity, since those selfish politicians only inflicted pain on them by prodding them on to indulge in all manner of unlawful deeds.
“For your sake, and the sake of the parents and guardians who have sacrificed in order for you to obtain university education, and for the sake of the taxpayers of this country whose taxes enable you to study here, please, do not become pawns in anyone’s political game”, he demanded of the youth.
He again reminded the youth that the country needed them in more important roles than as “electoral violence cannon fodder”.
Welcoming the students on campus, Mr Oteng-Gyasi asked them to enjoy the euphoria of being in the university, but asked them to settle down as soon as possible and be serious with their studies.
“If your neglect your studies, you create for yourself a situation in which you might be tempted to cheat in examination or take part in illegal activity, hoping to postpone the examination,” he said.
“Such action could easily jeopardise your future. Do not be tempted. Instead, use your time profitably,” he stressed.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi reminded the students that they were the future leaders, and the university was meant to train them into adulthood.
He also advised the students to observe the rules and regulations governing the university, especially the rules governing examinations and any other academic papers.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof C. N. B. Tagoe, said the university was once again faced with a ‘painful task’ of having to turn down the applications of many otherwise qualified applicants, due to constraints on facilities and staff.
He said the Distance Education Programme, which started last year, was thriving and attracting more and more applications.
Prof Tagoe said the university had admitted 153 students from less-endowed schools as listed by the Ghana Education Service (GES), and indicated that those students were exempted from the payment of the academic facility user fees.
He said the Students Financial Aid Office, established in the 2005/6 academic year to assist brilliant, needy students in their academic pursuit, has since then given aid to 550 students.
He announced the institution of three new scholarships in the university — the Education Pathways International (USA), All Nations Education Scholarships (USA) and Tertiary Education Scholarship Trust (TEST for Ghana) (Oxford).
Prof. Tagoe said past years had seen efforts at expansion and improvement in academic and residential facilities, and said that the Law Faculty, the Physics Laboratory and the Balme Library’s extensions were close to completion.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Chairman of Council of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, has cautioned the youth, especially students, against being allowed to be used by politicians in furtherance of “illegal and dangerous electoral activity” such as violence in any form and unlawful demonstrations in the December 7 general election.
He said too often, the youth had been misled into dangerous activities during elections, with some of them losing their limbs or lives in the process “only to find the so-called leaders and instigators of the opposing factions cosying up to one another later on with scant memory of the pain and anguish they inflicted on their young supporters”.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi was speaking at the 60th anniversary matriculation of the University of Ghana, Legon, at the weekend.
Out of the 22,865 applications, 11,700 were admitted to pursue various programmes. At the postgraduate level, 1,352 students gained admission, while 1,739 were admitted to the Distance Learning Programme. The Accra City Campus registered 1,479 students.
A Bachelor of Science Administration (BSc. Admin.) student, Ms Monica Mawuena Kukah, who signed the matricula??? on behalf of her colleagues, asked the university to focus more on career-oriented programmes.
In an apparent reference to recent political trouble in the northern part of the country, Mr Oteng-Gyasi urged the youth to rather involve themselves in legitimate electoral activity, since those selfish politicians only inflicted pain on them by prodding them on to indulge in all manner of unlawful deeds.
“For your sake, and the sake of the parents and guardians who have sacrificed in order for you to obtain university education, and for the sake of the taxpayers of this country whose taxes enable you to study here, please, do not become pawns in anyone’s political game”, he demanded of the youth.
He again reminded the youth that the country needed them in more important roles than as “electoral violence cannon fodder”.
Welcoming the students on campus, Mr Oteng-Gyasi asked them to enjoy the euphoria of being in the university, but asked them to settle down as soon as possible and be serious with their studies.
“If your neglect your studies, you create for yourself a situation in which you might be tempted to cheat in examination or take part in illegal activity, hoping to postpone the examination,” he said.
“Such action could easily jeopardise your future. Do not be tempted. Instead, use your time profitably,” he stressed.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi reminded the students that they were the future leaders, and the university was meant to train them into adulthood.
He also advised the students to observe the rules and regulations governing the university, especially the rules governing examinations and any other academic papers.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof C. N. B. Tagoe, said the university was once again faced with a ‘painful task’ of having to turn down the applications of many otherwise qualified applicants, due to constraints on facilities and staff.
He said the Distance Education Programme, which started last year, was thriving and attracting more and more applications.
Prof Tagoe said the university had admitted 153 students from less-endowed schools as listed by the Ghana Education Service (GES), and indicated that those students were exempted from the payment of the academic facility user fees.
He said the Students Financial Aid Office, established in the 2005/6 academic year to assist brilliant, needy students in their academic pursuit, has since then given aid to 550 students.
He announced the institution of three new scholarships in the university — the Education Pathways International (USA), All Nations Education Scholarships (USA) and Tertiary Education Scholarship Trust (TEST for Ghana) (Oxford).
Prof. Tagoe said past years had seen efforts at expansion and improvement in academic and residential facilities, and said that the Law Faculty, the Physics Laboratory and the Balme Library’s extensions were close to completion.
Interim Hajj C'tee only recognised body
September 8, 2008 pg 3
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) is the only recognised body with the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has said.
He, therefore, called on the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) to join the IHMC to manage the operations of this year’s pilgrimage, since his sole concern was to ensure sanity in the organisation of the Hajj to achieve the best for the Muslim community.
Sheikh Sharubutu said he used his authority as the spiritual leader of all Muslims in Ghana to form the IHMC to correct the failings of the previous National Hajj Council and those of the first IHMC, which led to the inability of 728 people to perform the Hajj.
Sheikh Sharubutu was speaking with the Daily Graphic through his Administrative Manager, Alhaji Adam Musah Abubakar, in the light of the raging controversy between the NHC and the IHMC over who had the mandate to organise this year’s Hajj.
The restructured NHC was formed following recommendations from the National Hajj Conference which was held in Accra early this year.
The seven-member IHMC, on the other hand, was constituted by the National Chief Imam to manage this year’s Hajj.
Sheikh Sharubutu stated that he did not have any confrontation with anybody and that he was the spiritual leader for all Muslims in Ghana, irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliation.
Therefore, he said, he only constituted the IHMC to ensure a problem-free Hajj this year.
He said after the Hajj, he would consider setting up a body to manage the Hajj.
The National Chief Imam said Hajj agents who dealt directly with prospective pilgrims had expressed their support for the IHMC, and indicated their resolve to work with it.
That support, he said, gave an indication that the IHMC had the mandate and support to organise the Hajj.
Hajj organisation in Ghana is always fraught with problems, ranging from delay departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, late return journey and delay in the arrival of luggage.
It is barely three months to the start of this year’s Hajj, but still two bodies, the NHC and IHMC are both claiming the right to organise the Hajj.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) is the only recognised body with the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has said.
He, therefore, called on the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) to join the IHMC to manage the operations of this year’s pilgrimage, since his sole concern was to ensure sanity in the organisation of the Hajj to achieve the best for the Muslim community.
Sheikh Sharubutu said he used his authority as the spiritual leader of all Muslims in Ghana to form the IHMC to correct the failings of the previous National Hajj Council and those of the first IHMC, which led to the inability of 728 people to perform the Hajj.
Sheikh Sharubutu was speaking with the Daily Graphic through his Administrative Manager, Alhaji Adam Musah Abubakar, in the light of the raging controversy between the NHC and the IHMC over who had the mandate to organise this year’s Hajj.
The restructured NHC was formed following recommendations from the National Hajj Conference which was held in Accra early this year.
The seven-member IHMC, on the other hand, was constituted by the National Chief Imam to manage this year’s Hajj.
Sheikh Sharubutu stated that he did not have any confrontation with anybody and that he was the spiritual leader for all Muslims in Ghana, irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliation.
Therefore, he said, he only constituted the IHMC to ensure a problem-free Hajj this year.
He said after the Hajj, he would consider setting up a body to manage the Hajj.
The National Chief Imam said Hajj agents who dealt directly with prospective pilgrims had expressed their support for the IHMC, and indicated their resolve to work with it.
That support, he said, gave an indication that the IHMC had the mandate and support to organise the Hajj.
Hajj organisation in Ghana is always fraught with problems, ranging from delay departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, late return journey and delay in the arrival of luggage.
It is barely three months to the start of this year’s Hajj, but still two bodies, the NHC and IHMC are both claiming the right to organise the Hajj.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tax expert advocates reduction in witholding tax rate
September 4, 2008 pg 50
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
GOVERNMENT has been urged to reduce the five per cent withholding tax rate on local goods and services to about three per cent to encourage the growth of small businesses in the country.
Mr George Ohene Kwatia, a tax expert working with PricewaterhouseCoopers, who made the call, said the reduction of the withholding tax rates would improve compliance in the payment of withholding tax, widen tax net and increase tax revenues.
He was speaking in Accra on Tuesday at a tax seminar organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Mr Kwatia said sole proprietorships, including property owners would also be more willing to pay their fair share of taxes.
Besides, he said, the reduction of the withholding tax rates would “increase capacity for various tax offices to manage the tax credit regime efficiently and reduce bureaucracy for both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and companies”.
Mr Kwatia said companies should be permitted to remit on an instalment basis to ensure they have control over amounts paid, and asked for withholding tax certificates to be issued by customers to suppliers on local goods and services.
The Chief Consultant of Nakyea Consult, a tax and corporate advisory services firm, Mr Ali-Nakyea Abdallah, noted that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Regulations, 2001 (Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1675) provides adequate incentives with respect to donations, sponsorships and contributions to assist corporate bodies to be able to balance their bottomline concerns and social responsibility.
However, he said, the issue that remained was for the relevant government ministries that are in a position to recognise and approve the donations, sponsorships and contributions of corporate bodies, to assist such corporate bodies by liaising with the Commissioner of IRS.
That, Mr Abdallah said, was the surest way corporate bodies could also through these allowable deductions continue to be socially responsible to contribute to the growth and development of the country.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
GOVERNMENT has been urged to reduce the five per cent withholding tax rate on local goods and services to about three per cent to encourage the growth of small businesses in the country.
Mr George Ohene Kwatia, a tax expert working with PricewaterhouseCoopers, who made the call, said the reduction of the withholding tax rates would improve compliance in the payment of withholding tax, widen tax net and increase tax revenues.
He was speaking in Accra on Tuesday at a tax seminar organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Mr Kwatia said sole proprietorships, including property owners would also be more willing to pay their fair share of taxes.
Besides, he said, the reduction of the withholding tax rates would “increase capacity for various tax offices to manage the tax credit regime efficiently and reduce bureaucracy for both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and companies”.
Mr Kwatia said companies should be permitted to remit on an instalment basis to ensure they have control over amounts paid, and asked for withholding tax certificates to be issued by customers to suppliers on local goods and services.
The Chief Consultant of Nakyea Consult, a tax and corporate advisory services firm, Mr Ali-Nakyea Abdallah, noted that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Regulations, 2001 (Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 1675) provides adequate incentives with respect to donations, sponsorships and contributions to assist corporate bodies to be able to balance their bottomline concerns and social responsibility.
However, he said, the issue that remained was for the relevant government ministries that are in a position to recognise and approve the donations, sponsorships and contributions of corporate bodies, to assist such corporate bodies by liaising with the Commissioner of IRS.
That, Mr Abdallah said, was the surest way corporate bodies could also through these allowable deductions continue to be socially responsible to contribute to the growth and development of the country.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
'Educate electorate on violence free polls'
September 3, 2008 pg 16
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A security expert, Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has called for collaborative effort among political parties, the Electoral Commission (EC), the police and civil society to educate the electorate on the need to avoid violent attacks against their political opponents.
That collaboration, he said, was crucial given the recent shooting incident in the Tamale metropolis, which reportedly followed a clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Bombande who was interacting with the media in Accra on Monday, said the conflicts during the limited voter registration exercise and other conflicts in some parts of the country “are tale-tale signs of what will happen in the election if we do not take steps to stop them”.
Therefore, he said, political parties at the level of the executive must sit down with police commanders to review the causes of conflict situations and take steps to curtail the escalation of conflicts in those areas.
Mr Bombande, who is the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), said the collaboration among the political parties, the EC and civil society should be geared towards educating the electorate on the need to co-exist peacefully with their perceived political opponents.
He said there was also the need to build confidence in the people that all their grievances would be addressed.
Mr Bombande indicated that “the systematic pattern in which violent becomes part of the election” gave Ghanaians a cause to worry ”.
Besides, he said, ‘the verbal violence’ in terms of how politicians attack one another sent some worrying signals.
Mr Bomande charged the leaders of all the various political parties to commit themselves to preventing the escalation of conflict in the country by making political statements asking their followers to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A security expert, Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has called for collaborative effort among political parties, the Electoral Commission (EC), the police and civil society to educate the electorate on the need to avoid violent attacks against their political opponents.
That collaboration, he said, was crucial given the recent shooting incident in the Tamale metropolis, which reportedly followed a clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Bombande who was interacting with the media in Accra on Monday, said the conflicts during the limited voter registration exercise and other conflicts in some parts of the country “are tale-tale signs of what will happen in the election if we do not take steps to stop them”.
Therefore, he said, political parties at the level of the executive must sit down with police commanders to review the causes of conflict situations and take steps to curtail the escalation of conflicts in those areas.
Mr Bombande, who is the Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), said the collaboration among the political parties, the EC and civil society should be geared towards educating the electorate on the need to co-exist peacefully with their perceived political opponents.
He said there was also the need to build confidence in the people that all their grievances would be addressed.
Mr Bombande indicated that “the systematic pattern in which violent becomes part of the election” gave Ghanaians a cause to worry ”.
Besides, he said, ‘the verbal violence’ in terms of how politicians attack one another sent some worrying signals.
Mr Bomande charged the leaders of all the various political parties to commit themselves to preventing the escalation of conflict in the country by making political statements asking their followers to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Muslim fasting starts tomorrow or Monday
August 30, 2008 pg 15
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THIS year's Muslim fasting starts on either Sunday August 31, 2008, or Monday September 1, 2008 in the country, depending on when the moon (crescent) will be sighted, according to the resolution adopted at the 14th annual Ramadan conference held at Tamale.
The Acting Chairman of the National Hilal Committee, Sheikh Yunusah Osman Mohammed, said the expected date for the sighting of the moon was around sunset on Saturday August, 30, and that if sighted, Sunday August 31 would become the first day of Ramadan.
He said under any circumstances, if the moon was not sighted, then Sunday, August 31, would become the 30th day of Shaban, which is a day of doubt for which Muslims are not supposed to fast.
Then, he said, Monday September 1, automatically would become the first day of Ramadan.
Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam, and prescribed on all Muslims who are in good condition of health.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, urged Muslims throughout the country to make efforts to sight the moon and inform the Imams and chiefs of their respective communities for onward communication to the National Chief Imam.
He said if sighted, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, and the Ameer in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Wahab Adam, would announce the commencement of the fast on television and radio.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed said delegates at the Hilal conference were guided by the determination of the accurate date for the beginning and completion of the Ramadan fast "by relying on the internal report, commitment to the promotion of unity, collaboration and co-operation among Muslims of all shades of opinion".
He said the delegates, made up of representatives of the 10 regions of the country, agreed that Ghanaian Muslims would not observe the fast by the sighting of the moon by other countries.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed urged Muslims to observe the fast on the same day to further deepen their unity as ordained by God.
The Deputy Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Mohammed Yusuf Yawson, used the occasion to urge politicians to shun divisive tendencies and conduct their campaigns in a manner that would foster national unity and development.
He prayed to God to select for Ghanaians a leader who would work in the larger interest of the Ghanaian society.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THIS year's Muslim fasting starts on either Sunday August 31, 2008, or Monday September 1, 2008 in the country, depending on when the moon (crescent) will be sighted, according to the resolution adopted at the 14th annual Ramadan conference held at Tamale.
The Acting Chairman of the National Hilal Committee, Sheikh Yunusah Osman Mohammed, said the expected date for the sighting of the moon was around sunset on Saturday August, 30, and that if sighted, Sunday August 31 would become the first day of Ramadan.
He said under any circumstances, if the moon was not sighted, then Sunday, August 31, would become the 30th day of Shaban, which is a day of doubt for which Muslims are not supposed to fast.
Then, he said, Monday September 1, automatically would become the first day of Ramadan.
Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam, and prescribed on all Muslims who are in good condition of health.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, urged Muslims throughout the country to make efforts to sight the moon and inform the Imams and chiefs of their respective communities for onward communication to the National Chief Imam.
He said if sighted, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, and the Ameer in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Wahab Adam, would announce the commencement of the fast on television and radio.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed said delegates at the Hilal conference were guided by the determination of the accurate date for the beginning and completion of the Ramadan fast "by relying on the internal report, commitment to the promotion of unity, collaboration and co-operation among Muslims of all shades of opinion".
He said the delegates, made up of representatives of the 10 regions of the country, agreed that Ghanaian Muslims would not observe the fast by the sighting of the moon by other countries.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed urged Muslims to observe the fast on the same day to further deepen their unity as ordained by God.
The Deputy Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Mohammed Yusuf Yawson, used the occasion to urge politicians to shun divisive tendencies and conduct their campaigns in a manner that would foster national unity and development.
He prayed to God to select for Ghanaians a leader who would work in the larger interest of the Ghanaian society.
Govt has no hand in Hajj factions
August 30, 2008 pg 15
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE government has distanced itself from the raging controversy over who has the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, told the Daily Graphic that the government had no hand in the formation of any of the two bodies ‘fighting’ over the right to organise the Hajj.
He, therefore, called for a ceasefire between the two factions, the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) and the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC).
Nana Boahen said since Hajj was a religious duty, the government had thought it prudent to hand over its organisation to the Muslim community.
He noted that Muslims had competent people who could organise a problem-free Hajj in the country.
Nana Boahen expressed worry that the NHC and the IHMC were struggling over the right to organise this year’s Hajj.
“It is unfortunate that the two groups are in disagreement over who has the mandate to organise the Hajj,” he stressed.
The minister said the differences of the two groups would go a long way to affect the outcome of the Hajj and consequently disappoint prospective pilgrims.
Nana Boahen, therefore, called on the two factions to patch up their differences in the interest of peace and the successful organisation of the Hajj.
Asked what action the government would take if the two groups failed to iron out their differences, he only said “when we get to the bridge we will know how to cross it”.
He expressed the hope that the two would not do anything to mar the organisation of this year’s Hajj, since they are both Muslim groups.
Nana Boahen took issue with some political figures in the Minority for politicising the Hajj issue last year when the IHMC had some difficulties in the organisation of the Hajj.
The controversy over who has the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) deepened on Monday after the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) also announced its Hajj fare.
That was barely three days after the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) had announced its Hajj fare and insisted that it was the only body mandated to organise the Hajj.
The NHC pegged the Hajj fare at $2,999 while the IHMC fixed it at $3,100.
The Chairman of the IHMC, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, who announced the $3,100 Hajj fare at a press conference in Accra, indicated that the committee that was constituted by the National Chief Imam was the only recognised body to organise the Hajj.
“This committee, which is made up of seven members, derives its mandate to be responsible for organising 2008 Hajj from the National Chief Imam and Mufti of the Republic of Ghana, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu. Recognising the important role of government in the organisation of Hajj in this country, the National Chief Imam has duly communicated the composition and presence of this committee to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana for government’s endorsement and support to enable the committee carry out its mandate,” he said.
The Co-ordinator of the Board of Trustees of the NHC, Mr Mohammed Frimpong, however, insisted at a press conference in Accra that it was only the NHC that had the mandate to organise this year’s Hajj, since it was formed by 10 stakeholder organisations that had representatives on the council.
He said the NHC would resist the attempt of the IHMC to organise the Hajj, and threatened to take legal action against the members of the IHMC, if they insisted on organising it.
He cautioned prospective pilgrims against paying their fare to any organisation other than the NHC, since it was the only mandated body to organise the Hajj.
Hajj organisation in the country has in recent times been fraught with difficulties characterised by delays in the departure, poor accommodation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, late return journey and delay in the arrival of luggage.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE government has distanced itself from the raging controversy over who has the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
The Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior, Nana Obiri Boahen, told the Daily Graphic that the government had no hand in the formation of any of the two bodies ‘fighting’ over the right to organise the Hajj.
He, therefore, called for a ceasefire between the two factions, the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) and the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC).
Nana Boahen said since Hajj was a religious duty, the government had thought it prudent to hand over its organisation to the Muslim community.
He noted that Muslims had competent people who could organise a problem-free Hajj in the country.
Nana Boahen expressed worry that the NHC and the IHMC were struggling over the right to organise this year’s Hajj.
“It is unfortunate that the two groups are in disagreement over who has the mandate to organise the Hajj,” he stressed.
The minister said the differences of the two groups would go a long way to affect the outcome of the Hajj and consequently disappoint prospective pilgrims.
Nana Boahen, therefore, called on the two factions to patch up their differences in the interest of peace and the successful organisation of the Hajj.
Asked what action the government would take if the two groups failed to iron out their differences, he only said “when we get to the bridge we will know how to cross it”.
He expressed the hope that the two would not do anything to mar the organisation of this year’s Hajj, since they are both Muslim groups.
Nana Boahen took issue with some political figures in the Minority for politicising the Hajj issue last year when the IHMC had some difficulties in the organisation of the Hajj.
The controversy over who has the mandate to organise this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) deepened on Monday after the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) also announced its Hajj fare.
That was barely three days after the restructured National Hajj Council (NHC) had announced its Hajj fare and insisted that it was the only body mandated to organise the Hajj.
The NHC pegged the Hajj fare at $2,999 while the IHMC fixed it at $3,100.
The Chairman of the IHMC, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, who announced the $3,100 Hajj fare at a press conference in Accra, indicated that the committee that was constituted by the National Chief Imam was the only recognised body to organise the Hajj.
“This committee, which is made up of seven members, derives its mandate to be responsible for organising 2008 Hajj from the National Chief Imam and Mufti of the Republic of Ghana, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu. Recognising the important role of government in the organisation of Hajj in this country, the National Chief Imam has duly communicated the composition and presence of this committee to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana for government’s endorsement and support to enable the committee carry out its mandate,” he said.
The Co-ordinator of the Board of Trustees of the NHC, Mr Mohammed Frimpong, however, insisted at a press conference in Accra that it was only the NHC that had the mandate to organise this year’s Hajj, since it was formed by 10 stakeholder organisations that had representatives on the council.
He said the NHC would resist the attempt of the IHMC to organise the Hajj, and threatened to take legal action against the members of the IHMC, if they insisted on organising it.
He cautioned prospective pilgrims against paying their fare to any organisation other than the NHC, since it was the only mandated body to organise the Hajj.
Hajj organisation in the country has in recent times been fraught with difficulties characterised by delays in the departure, poor accommodation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, late return journey and delay in the arrival of luggage.
Military interference bane of development-Pianim
August 30, 2008 pg 14
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AN economist, Mr Kwame Pianim, has blamed the military interference in Ghana’s political leadership and lack of a national vision as the bane for the country’s socio-economic development.
He said Ghana could have developed as the Asian countries, such as China, Malaysia and India, that started on the same economic standing with Ghana had it not been the interferences in the leadership of the country.
Mr Pianim who was speaking at the fifth in the series of Ghana@50 lectures organised by the Department of Economics of the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra on Wednesday, said despite the interferences Ghana had made some progress.
The economic development lectures seek to discuss pressing socio-economic challenges confronting the nation with the view to finding solutions to them.
A financial economist and investment banking consultant, Dr Sam Mensah, delivered the lecture on: “Interest Rates Anomalies in Ghana and Implications for Economic Growth”. The theme for the lecture was “Ghana’s Quest for Sustainable Growth and Development Strategies”.
Mr Pianim who chaired the function told the Daily Graphic after the ceremony that the first President of the Republic of Ghana could not stay for a long time to execute his development agenda.
He said subsequent governments could not also finish their respective terms to be able to make any meaningful contribution to the development of the country, saying that “the governments stayed for about 18 months and 12 months”.
Mr Pianim who was the former Chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) said it was only former President Jerry John Rawlings whose Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC)/National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments stayed for about 20 years and the about eighth-year administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President John Agyekum Kufuor that enjoyed stability.
He said despite the political interferences, Ghana’s economic structure had developed with the country making progress on the economic front and churning out more graduates.
“Something good is happening in Ghana. We have not done well like China, Malaysia and India because we were not given the opportunity”, he stressed.
Mr Pianim the Asian Giants had developed rapidly because they responded to the global supply and demand changes with a disciplined workforce.
He said Ghana could develop as the Asian Tigers if Ghanaians changed their attitude and retune their minds to efforts at developing the nation.
He challenged Ghanaians “to avoid making big mistakes and get things done right”.
Dr Sam Mensah who is also the Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning expressed happiness at developments on the financial sector but indicated that certain areas, including the real interest rates and prime rates had to improved upon.
He urged Ghanaians to change their investment strategies by investing their money into other investment areas rather than saving the money in banks.
Dr Mensah said most discussions on real interest rates in Ghana were based on ‘naive’ models, and indicated bank credits were high because savings rates in the country were very low.
He said if customers were literate in financial or banking nuances, they could bargain well with banks to have reprieve in bank credits.
Dr Mensah said there was more room for more innovative instruments on the banking market.
He noted that the 91-day treasury bill was higher than the Bank of Ghana prime rates, and called for a re-examination of the situation.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AN economist, Mr Kwame Pianim, has blamed the military interference in Ghana’s political leadership and lack of a national vision as the bane for the country’s socio-economic development.
He said Ghana could have developed as the Asian countries, such as China, Malaysia and India, that started on the same economic standing with Ghana had it not been the interferences in the leadership of the country.
Mr Pianim who was speaking at the fifth in the series of Ghana@50 lectures organised by the Department of Economics of the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra on Wednesday, said despite the interferences Ghana had made some progress.
The economic development lectures seek to discuss pressing socio-economic challenges confronting the nation with the view to finding solutions to them.
A financial economist and investment banking consultant, Dr Sam Mensah, delivered the lecture on: “Interest Rates Anomalies in Ghana and Implications for Economic Growth”. The theme for the lecture was “Ghana’s Quest for Sustainable Growth and Development Strategies”.
Mr Pianim who chaired the function told the Daily Graphic after the ceremony that the first President of the Republic of Ghana could not stay for a long time to execute his development agenda.
He said subsequent governments could not also finish their respective terms to be able to make any meaningful contribution to the development of the country, saying that “the governments stayed for about 18 months and 12 months”.
Mr Pianim who was the former Chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) said it was only former President Jerry John Rawlings whose Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC)/National Democratic Congress (NDC) governments stayed for about 20 years and the about eighth-year administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President John Agyekum Kufuor that enjoyed stability.
He said despite the political interferences, Ghana’s economic structure had developed with the country making progress on the economic front and churning out more graduates.
“Something good is happening in Ghana. We have not done well like China, Malaysia and India because we were not given the opportunity”, he stressed.
Mr Pianim the Asian Giants had developed rapidly because they responded to the global supply and demand changes with a disciplined workforce.
He said Ghana could develop as the Asian Tigers if Ghanaians changed their attitude and retune their minds to efforts at developing the nation.
He challenged Ghanaians “to avoid making big mistakes and get things done right”.
Dr Sam Mensah who is also the Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning expressed happiness at developments on the financial sector but indicated that certain areas, including the real interest rates and prime rates had to improved upon.
He urged Ghanaians to change their investment strategies by investing their money into other investment areas rather than saving the money in banks.
Dr Mensah said most discussions on real interest rates in Ghana were based on ‘naive’ models, and indicated bank credits were high because savings rates in the country were very low.
He said if customers were literate in financial or banking nuances, they could bargain well with banks to have reprieve in bank credits.
Dr Mensah said there was more room for more innovative instruments on the banking market.
He noted that the 91-day treasury bill was higher than the Bank of Ghana prime rates, and called for a re-examination of the situation.
‘Let’s invest in the education of our children’
August 29, 2008 pg 17
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Executive Director of the Islamic Centre for Muslim Women and Girl Child Education (ICMWGE), Hajia Fatimatu Bintu Habib Umar, has stressed the need for Muslims to invest in the education of their children, especially the girl child.
Educating the children, she said, was the greatest legacy they could leave for their children.
Hajia Fatimatu was speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the ICMWGE and Fatimatu Bintu Rasul International Islamic School (FBRIIS) in Accra at the weekend.
The school, which started with 40 pupils, now has 300 pupils. The school will be admitting pupils to the junior high school class for the first time this year. Female adults attend evening classes.
Hajia Fatimatu said education should not be restricted to males since females could equally be trained to excel in every field of endeavour.
She said the Islamic school was therefore set up to mainly educate children, especially the girl child.
She said the school also gave opportunity to adults to attend evening classes to seek knowledge in English and Arabic.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh I. C. Quaye, who was the guest of honour, stressed the need for parents to give priority to the education of their children.
He said the government was committed to giving Ghanaians easy access to eduation.
The former running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof John Evans Atta Mills, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, said in this era of technological advancement, those without education would be left behind.
That, he said, put much burden on the youth to aspire for advanced knowledge to be able to compete favourably on the job market.
The National Imam of the Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, who chaired the function, expressed happiness that more and more Muslims were appreciating the value of secular education, and urged more Muslims to send their children to school.
In another development, the former Headmistress of Holy Child Senior School in Cape Coast, Mrs Alice Marie Agyeman, has stressed the need for parents to commit resources to support the education of their children, reports SHIRLEY ASIEDU-ADDO, ELMINA.
She indicated that as the government strived to improve facilities to improve enrolment and retain more children in schools it was important that parents played their roles in ensuring that their children had educational materials needed for effective academic work.
Mrs Agyeman was addressing graduates of the Poised for Success Summer Camp for pupils of Okyeso Catholic School at Duakor, near Cape Coast.
The camp, organised by Ms Ria Pollingwood, an African American student who visited the country as a tourist a few years ago and later returned to contribute to improve educational standards.
She has, in collaboration with the School’s Management Committee (SMC) and the school authorities’ initiated yearly vacation camps for the final year students and selected students from junior high schools during which the students are given the needed attention and instruction in English and Mathematics.
During the camps a conducive environment is created for the students to learn without being distracted. They were not allowed to receive visitors and were provided with square meals.
The young Entrepreneurship Competition is also another component of the camp, and it is used to educate the children to enable them to develop business plans. A competition is then held among the campers to select and fund the top three business plans.
The students are also educated on safe sex habits.
Mrs Agyeman advised the children to learn hard to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
Ms Charity Foli, Headmistress of the school, said due to financial problems only about three students who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) three years ago were able to go to secondary school.
Richard Kechi, a beneficiary of the camp, said the camp had helped him to build his self confidence.
Ms Pollingwood said she was delighted to have contributed to changing their lives, and urged parents and teachers to support the programme to make it a success.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Executive Director of the Islamic Centre for Muslim Women and Girl Child Education (ICMWGE), Hajia Fatimatu Bintu Habib Umar, has stressed the need for Muslims to invest in the education of their children, especially the girl child.
Educating the children, she said, was the greatest legacy they could leave for their children.
Hajia Fatimatu was speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the ICMWGE and Fatimatu Bintu Rasul International Islamic School (FBRIIS) in Accra at the weekend.
The school, which started with 40 pupils, now has 300 pupils. The school will be admitting pupils to the junior high school class for the first time this year. Female adults attend evening classes.
Hajia Fatimatu said education should not be restricted to males since females could equally be trained to excel in every field of endeavour.
She said the Islamic school was therefore set up to mainly educate children, especially the girl child.
She said the school also gave opportunity to adults to attend evening classes to seek knowledge in English and Arabic.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh I. C. Quaye, who was the guest of honour, stressed the need for parents to give priority to the education of their children.
He said the government was committed to giving Ghanaians easy access to eduation.
The former running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof John Evans Atta Mills, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, said in this era of technological advancement, those without education would be left behind.
That, he said, put much burden on the youth to aspire for advanced knowledge to be able to compete favourably on the job market.
The National Imam of the Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, who chaired the function, expressed happiness that more and more Muslims were appreciating the value of secular education, and urged more Muslims to send their children to school.
In another development, the former Headmistress of Holy Child Senior School in Cape Coast, Mrs Alice Marie Agyeman, has stressed the need for parents to commit resources to support the education of their children, reports SHIRLEY ASIEDU-ADDO, ELMINA.
She indicated that as the government strived to improve facilities to improve enrolment and retain more children in schools it was important that parents played their roles in ensuring that their children had educational materials needed for effective academic work.
Mrs Agyeman was addressing graduates of the Poised for Success Summer Camp for pupils of Okyeso Catholic School at Duakor, near Cape Coast.
The camp, organised by Ms Ria Pollingwood, an African American student who visited the country as a tourist a few years ago and later returned to contribute to improve educational standards.
She has, in collaboration with the School’s Management Committee (SMC) and the school authorities’ initiated yearly vacation camps for the final year students and selected students from junior high schools during which the students are given the needed attention and instruction in English and Mathematics.
During the camps a conducive environment is created for the students to learn without being distracted. They were not allowed to receive visitors and were provided with square meals.
The young Entrepreneurship Competition is also another component of the camp, and it is used to educate the children to enable them to develop business plans. A competition is then held among the campers to select and fund the top three business plans.
The students are also educated on safe sex habits.
Mrs Agyeman advised the children to learn hard to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
Ms Charity Foli, Headmistress of the school, said due to financial problems only about three students who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) three years ago were able to go to secondary school.
Richard Kechi, a beneficiary of the camp, said the camp had helped him to build his self confidence.
Ms Pollingwood said she was delighted to have contributed to changing their lives, and urged parents and teachers to support the programme to make it a success.
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