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.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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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