By Musah Yahaya Jafaru
MRS Ernestina Naadu Mills is the First Lady of Ghana. She is, by extension, the third First Lady of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.
Mrs Mills is an educationist, marriage counsellor and an advocate for youth empowerment. She takes special interest in the education of the youth and the need for them to lead good moral lives.
Mrs Mills attended Aburi Girls’ Secondary School, one of the leading girls’ institutions in Ghana, and later trained for two years as a teacher at the then Specialist Training College, now University of Education, Winneba.
For four years, she trained for a Diploma in Home Economics at the same institution, after which she taught at her alma mater and subsequently at Achimota Secondary School.
To improve her academic credentials, Mrs Mills got enrolled in the University of Ghana, where she obtained a B.A (Honours in Sociology) in 1986. Not satisfied with that, she pursued a postgraduate studies and in 1989, obtained M.Phil degree in Sociology, with emphasis on ‘Deviant Behaviour and Control.’
Her M.Phil thesis topic was on: ‘Social Correlates of the Drug-using Behaviour of Students of Second Cycle Institutions in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.’
Thereafter, she was promoted to the rank of Assistant Director and posted to the Regional Education Office (Greater Accra) as Guidance and Counselling Coordinator.
Also, she received training as a Christian Marriage and Family Counsellor at the Trinity Theological College, Legon, Accra.
Mrs Naadu Mills rose to the rank of District Director of Education and assisted in the administration of educational policies in the Greater Accra Region. She, however, opted for voluntary retirement from the Ghana Education Service in 2003.
The First Lady enjoys doing voluntary Christian missionary work. From 1999-2004, she was the First Vice President of the Bible Society of Ghana. She also participates in other Christian fellowships such as The Scripture Union and the Christian Outreach Fellowship which helps widows, orphans and disadvantaged groups in society.
Mrs Mills is deeply interested in the youth and their education; she also talks to them about their health and professional careers. She devotes her time generally working to issues of epidemiology in medical sociology. The First Lady places emphasis on productive life in society as against the harmful effects of drugs and their implications on HIV and AIDS.
She likes gardening and keeping healthy pet dogs. The First Lady loves clothing and textile design as well as classical and modern gospel music.
Friday, September 11, 2009
President Mills' profile
8/8/09
By Musah Yahaya Jafaru
PROFESSOR John Evans Atta Mills is the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. He assumed the reins of the presidency on January 7, 2009, after a keenly contested election between his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He came behind Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP in the December 7, 2009 election but beat him (Nana Akufo-Addo) in the presidential run-off on December 28, 2009.
Prof. Mills was a Vice-President of Ghana in the Rawlings administration between 1997 and 2001. He contested in two previous presidential elections on the ticket of the NDC against Mr John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP and other presidential candidates in 2000 and 2004.
In the 2008 election, Prof. Mills campaigned on a slogan of change for a better Ghana. Since assuming office, President Mills has demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law, probity and accountability and the political will to deal with appointees found to have misconducted themselves. The termination of the appointment of Moses Asaga as the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, for approving the release of the controversial End-of-Service Benefit (ESB) for former President and some public servants and the resignation of the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, following President Mills’s dissatisfaction with his decision to embark on the German trip with Ms Edith Zinayela, the Secretary to the Majority Leader, are some examples.
President Mills assumed power in the face of the global economic slowdown and took over an economy that was said to be weak. He has so far introduced policy initiatives to rescue the country's economy and promote socio-economic development of the country. The policies include the reduction of taxes and levies on petroleum products, the free school uniforms for basic schools and the cutting down of government expenditure.
President Mills is seen as being humble, peace-loving, a listener, an intellectual and a unifier by his admirers. His expertise transcends the classroom, where he showed his prowess as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana and the School of Administration.
He is an active sportsman and once played for the national hockey team, and was instrumental in the Ghana Hockey Association and still a member of the veteran hockey team.
The law lecturer was born on July 21, 1944 at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana. He hails from Ekumfi Otuam, in the Mfantsiman East Constituency in the Central Region. He is married to Ernestina Naadu, an educationist, and has a 20-year-old son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.
President Mills launched a life-long of learning at Achimota Secondary School, where he completed the Advanced Level Certificate in 1963. To further his education, he attended the University of Ghana, Legon, where he received a bachelor’s degree and professional certificate in Law (1967). At 27, he was awarded his PhD after successfully defending his doctoral thesis in the area of Taxation and Economic Development. While earning the PhD in Oriental and African Studies from the University of London, he was selected as a Fulbright scholar at Stanford Law School (USA).
Prof. Mills’s first formal teaching assignment was as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon. He spent more than 20 years imparting knowledge to students, and rose in position from lecturer through senior lecturer to associate professor. His contribution to the university was remarkable, having served on numerous boards, committees, and schemes. Also, during those years, Prof. Mills travelled as a visiting lecturer and professor to Temple University (USA) and Leiden University (Holland), and presented research papers at symposiums and conferences throughout the world. In 2002, he was a visiting scholar at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Prof. Mills has more than one dozen publications to his credit, and these include:
* Taxation of Periodical or Deferred Payments arising from the Sale of Fixed Capital (1974),
* Exemption of Dividends from Income Taxation: A Critical Appraisal (1977),
* Report of the Tax Review Commission, Ghana, parts 1,2&3, (1977) and
* Ghana’s Income Tax Laws and the Investor. An inter-faculty lecture published by the University of Ghana.
President Mills’s expertise goes beyond the classroom, and that is evidenced by the various examiner positions he held with finance-related institutions throughout Ghana (i.e. Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Bankers, Ghana Tax Review Commission, etc.). As an advocate for recreation, Prof. Mills has supported the community through groups such as the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The following are a few of his activities and projects:
* Study on Equipment Leasing in Ghana
* Casebook preparation on Ghana’s Income Tax
* Review of Ghana’s Double Tax Agreement with the UK
A track record of financial knowledge and strong professional credentials led to several important appointments. In 1988, John Evans Atta Mills became the acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of Ghana and named Commissioner in September 1996. He was a member of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council, Member of the Board of Trustees, Mines Trust, Management Committee Member of Commonwealth Administration of Tax Experts, United Nations Ad Hoc Group of Experts in International Co-operation in Tax Matters, and United Nations Law and Population Project.
In 1997, Prof. Mills received another important appointment when on January 7, 1997, he was sworn in as the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. He contested as the flag bearer of the NDC in the 2000 election. In December 2002, John Evans Atta Mills was elected by the NDC to once again lead the party in the 2004 election. He was re-elected in December 2006 by an overwhelming 81.4 per cent, beating three other contestants, to once again have the mandate to lead his party in the December 7, 2008 election.
As indicated earlier, Prof. Mills campaigned on a platform of change for a better Ghana. He said he would confront the challenges that faced the country, such as the energy crisis, unemployment, education, health, the drug menace, as well as expand the economy. He promised to work to create a better Ghana for the people.
In his inaugural presidential address on January 7, 2009 at the Independence Square in Accra, President Mills re-echoed his election promise to be a President for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliations, and that all Ghanaians would be given equal opportunity. He has since stuck to this stand of being gentle towards perceived opponents of the ruling party who are occupying important positions in the public sector, despite protestations by some NDC supporters. Several political and social commentators have commended Professor Mills for his respect for due process.
President Atta Mills has set up a Policy Unit at the Presidency to work towards the attainment of the goals of the NDC Government. The government is studying a report submitted by a technical team on the pay policy for further action. It is assessing past and current programmes, the 'Youth in Agriculture Programme' and National Youth Employment Programme' and doing the necessary re-engineering that would make them respond to present needs.
The government is in the process of providing free school uniforms and free textbooks to at least one million needy schoolchildren, and has already provided 50 per cent relief on the cost of fertiliser, and had also approved GH¢ 7.5 million for the continuation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme.
He has set up the Disability Council as a way of furthering the cause of the people with disability, and indicated his resolve to ensuring that people living with HIV and AIDS are not discriminated against in the schemes of things.
President Mills has reiterated the government's commitment to create jobs in the economic and productive sectors such as Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Tourism. Besides, the government is putting in place support mechanisms to ensure the environment remains friendly to both old and new investors by way of proper legislation, as well as improving the performance of the public utility outfits.
He promised to ensure equitable distribution of national resources to the benefit of all Ghanaians. He deplored the creation of a class system, and said improvement in the lifestyles of the people would be the yardstick by which the government would be judged. He promised to collaborate with labour unions to tackle the issues of fair public sector pay, pensions, end-of-service benefits and unfair international trade terms. President Mills says he will protect local industries and ensure reciprocity in international trade by championing strong bargaining power for Ghanaian goods.
President Mills shares certain things in common with President Barack Obama of the USA, who is paying a two-day official visit to Ghana from July 10 to 11, 2009. The two presidents are lawyers. They campaigned on the slogan of change. Both President Mills and President Obama are in the first year of their four-year terms.
President Obama was reported to have telephoned President Mills to congratulate him on his election victory. His visit to Ghana is seen as a way of deepening friendship between him and President Mills and strengthening ties between the USA and Ghana.
By Musah Yahaya Jafaru
PROFESSOR John Evans Atta Mills is the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. He assumed the reins of the presidency on January 7, 2009, after a keenly contested election between his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He came behind Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP in the December 7, 2009 election but beat him (Nana Akufo-Addo) in the presidential run-off on December 28, 2009.
Prof. Mills was a Vice-President of Ghana in the Rawlings administration between 1997 and 2001. He contested in two previous presidential elections on the ticket of the NDC against Mr John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP and other presidential candidates in 2000 and 2004.
In the 2008 election, Prof. Mills campaigned on a slogan of change for a better Ghana. Since assuming office, President Mills has demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law, probity and accountability and the political will to deal with appointees found to have misconducted themselves. The termination of the appointment of Moses Asaga as the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, for approving the release of the controversial End-of-Service Benefit (ESB) for former President and some public servants and the resignation of the former Minister of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, following President Mills’s dissatisfaction with his decision to embark on the German trip with Ms Edith Zinayela, the Secretary to the Majority Leader, are some examples.
President Mills assumed power in the face of the global economic slowdown and took over an economy that was said to be weak. He has so far introduced policy initiatives to rescue the country's economy and promote socio-economic development of the country. The policies include the reduction of taxes and levies on petroleum products, the free school uniforms for basic schools and the cutting down of government expenditure.
President Mills is seen as being humble, peace-loving, a listener, an intellectual and a unifier by his admirers. His expertise transcends the classroom, where he showed his prowess as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana and the School of Administration.
He is an active sportsman and once played for the national hockey team, and was instrumental in the Ghana Hockey Association and still a member of the veteran hockey team.
The law lecturer was born on July 21, 1944 at Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana. He hails from Ekumfi Otuam, in the Mfantsiman East Constituency in the Central Region. He is married to Ernestina Naadu, an educationist, and has a 20-year-old son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.
President Mills launched a life-long of learning at Achimota Secondary School, where he completed the Advanced Level Certificate in 1963. To further his education, he attended the University of Ghana, Legon, where he received a bachelor’s degree and professional certificate in Law (1967). At 27, he was awarded his PhD after successfully defending his doctoral thesis in the area of Taxation and Economic Development. While earning the PhD in Oriental and African Studies from the University of London, he was selected as a Fulbright scholar at Stanford Law School (USA).
Prof. Mills’s first formal teaching assignment was as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon. He spent more than 20 years imparting knowledge to students, and rose in position from lecturer through senior lecturer to associate professor. His contribution to the university was remarkable, having served on numerous boards, committees, and schemes. Also, during those years, Prof. Mills travelled as a visiting lecturer and professor to Temple University (USA) and Leiden University (Holland), and presented research papers at symposiums and conferences throughout the world. In 2002, he was a visiting scholar at the Liu Centre for the Study of Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Prof. Mills has more than one dozen publications to his credit, and these include:
* Taxation of Periodical or Deferred Payments arising from the Sale of Fixed Capital (1974),
* Exemption of Dividends from Income Taxation: A Critical Appraisal (1977),
* Report of the Tax Review Commission, Ghana, parts 1,2&3, (1977) and
* Ghana’s Income Tax Laws and the Investor. An inter-faculty lecture published by the University of Ghana.
President Mills’s expertise goes beyond the classroom, and that is evidenced by the various examiner positions he held with finance-related institutions throughout Ghana (i.e. Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Bankers, Ghana Tax Review Commission, etc.). As an advocate for recreation, Prof. Mills has supported the community through groups such as the Ghana Hockey Association, National Sports Council of Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club.
The following are a few of his activities and projects:
* Study on Equipment Leasing in Ghana
* Casebook preparation on Ghana’s Income Tax
* Review of Ghana’s Double Tax Agreement with the UK
A track record of financial knowledge and strong professional credentials led to several important appointments. In 1988, John Evans Atta Mills became the acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of Ghana and named Commissioner in September 1996. He was a member of the Ghana Stock Exchange Council, Member of the Board of Trustees, Mines Trust, Management Committee Member of Commonwealth Administration of Tax Experts, United Nations Ad Hoc Group of Experts in International Co-operation in Tax Matters, and United Nations Law and Population Project.
In 1997, Prof. Mills received another important appointment when on January 7, 1997, he was sworn in as the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. He contested as the flag bearer of the NDC in the 2000 election. In December 2002, John Evans Atta Mills was elected by the NDC to once again lead the party in the 2004 election. He was re-elected in December 2006 by an overwhelming 81.4 per cent, beating three other contestants, to once again have the mandate to lead his party in the December 7, 2008 election.
As indicated earlier, Prof. Mills campaigned on a platform of change for a better Ghana. He said he would confront the challenges that faced the country, such as the energy crisis, unemployment, education, health, the drug menace, as well as expand the economy. He promised to work to create a better Ghana for the people.
In his inaugural presidential address on January 7, 2009 at the Independence Square in Accra, President Mills re-echoed his election promise to be a President for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliations, and that all Ghanaians would be given equal opportunity. He has since stuck to this stand of being gentle towards perceived opponents of the ruling party who are occupying important positions in the public sector, despite protestations by some NDC supporters. Several political and social commentators have commended Professor Mills for his respect for due process.
President Atta Mills has set up a Policy Unit at the Presidency to work towards the attainment of the goals of the NDC Government. The government is studying a report submitted by a technical team on the pay policy for further action. It is assessing past and current programmes, the 'Youth in Agriculture Programme' and National Youth Employment Programme' and doing the necessary re-engineering that would make them respond to present needs.
The government is in the process of providing free school uniforms and free textbooks to at least one million needy schoolchildren, and has already provided 50 per cent relief on the cost of fertiliser, and had also approved GH¢ 7.5 million for the continuation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme.
He has set up the Disability Council as a way of furthering the cause of the people with disability, and indicated his resolve to ensuring that people living with HIV and AIDS are not discriminated against in the schemes of things.
President Mills has reiterated the government's commitment to create jobs in the economic and productive sectors such as Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Tourism. Besides, the government is putting in place support mechanisms to ensure the environment remains friendly to both old and new investors by way of proper legislation, as well as improving the performance of the public utility outfits.
He promised to ensure equitable distribution of national resources to the benefit of all Ghanaians. He deplored the creation of a class system, and said improvement in the lifestyles of the people would be the yardstick by which the government would be judged. He promised to collaborate with labour unions to tackle the issues of fair public sector pay, pensions, end-of-service benefits and unfair international trade terms. President Mills says he will protect local industries and ensure reciprocity in international trade by championing strong bargaining power for Ghanaian goods.
President Mills shares certain things in common with President Barack Obama of the USA, who is paying a two-day official visit to Ghana from July 10 to 11, 2009. The two presidents are lawyers. They campaigned on the slogan of change. Both President Mills and President Obama are in the first year of their four-year terms.
President Obama was reported to have telephoned President Mills to congratulate him on his election victory. His visit to Ghana is seen as a way of deepening friendship between him and President Mills and strengthening ties between the USA and Ghana.
Coexist peacefully - Muslim youth urged
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Ghana Muslim Youth Movement (GMYM) has organised a seminar on religious tolerance, with a call on the Muslim youth to co-exist peacefully with adherents of other religious faiths.
Attended by youth leaders, the workshop was on the theme: “Towards Transcending Religious Intolerance, the Role of the Youth.”
A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Sheikh Seebaway Zakaria,said both Muslims and the West had common values, and indicated that they both cherished acts of charity.
However, he said, because of the experiences of the past, the two sides exaggerated their animosity.
Sheikh Seebaway, therefore, called for a frank dialogue between Muslims and the West to correct the misconceptions between them.
He said the West should study Islam to get a better understanding of the religion.
Besides, he said, the West should respect the independence and authority of other countries.
Sheikh Seebaway asked Muslims to “open themselves up in their dialogue with the West.”
Again, he said, Muslims must have a deep reflection of the misconception other people have about them with the view to correcting the misconception.
The Interim Chairman of the GMYM, Mr Muhammed Swagir Adamu, who spoke on: “Unveiling the new GMYM”, said the seminar sought to “unify the Muslim youth front, and to build a Muslim worker who would be prepared to serve Islam at all times, in every way and by every possible means.”
He said the vision of the movement was to an Islamic organisation that seeks to develop the human and material capacity of the Ghanaian Muslim youth through the use of better education, training and projects.
Mr Adamu mentioned lectures, leadership training programmes and courtesy calls on some embassies of Islamic countries as some of the programmes scheduled for the year.
THE Ghana Muslim Youth Movement (GMYM) has organised a seminar on religious tolerance, with a call on the Muslim youth to co-exist peacefully with adherents of other religious faiths.
Attended by youth leaders, the workshop was on the theme: “Towards Transcending Religious Intolerance, the Role of the Youth.”
A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Sheikh Seebaway Zakaria,said both Muslims and the West had common values, and indicated that they both cherished acts of charity.
However, he said, because of the experiences of the past, the two sides exaggerated their animosity.
Sheikh Seebaway, therefore, called for a frank dialogue between Muslims and the West to correct the misconceptions between them.
He said the West should study Islam to get a better understanding of the religion.
Besides, he said, the West should respect the independence and authority of other countries.
Sheikh Seebaway asked Muslims to “open themselves up in their dialogue with the West.”
Again, he said, Muslims must have a deep reflection of the misconception other people have about them with the view to correcting the misconception.
The Interim Chairman of the GMYM, Mr Muhammed Swagir Adamu, who spoke on: “Unveiling the new GMYM”, said the seminar sought to “unify the Muslim youth front, and to build a Muslim worker who would be prepared to serve Islam at all times, in every way and by every possible means.”
He said the vision of the movement was to an Islamic organisation that seeks to develop the human and material capacity of the Ghanaian Muslim youth through the use of better education, training and projects.
Mr Adamu mentioned lectures, leadership training programmes and courtesy calls on some embassies of Islamic countries as some of the programmes scheduled for the year.
King's head returned to Ghana after 170 yrs
27/7/09
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AFTER 170 years in “detention” in The Netherlands, the head of Nana Badu Bonsu II, who was executed by the Dutch colonialists in the 1830s, was brought to Ghana on Friday.
The head of the 18th century Ahanta king was stored in formaldehyde in the Leiden University Medical Centre for 170 years. A picture of the head shows that all the features — flesh, ears, nose, eyes, mouth and hair — are intact.
Dutch officials released the head to Ghana following negotiations between them and their Ghanaian counterparts.
A KLM flight carrying a family delegation, led by Nana Etsin Kofi II, the chief of Ahanta Aboadi, and the head of Nana Bonsu in a casket covered with black cloth with a red cloth around it touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at 7:04 p.m. on Friday.
They were met on arrival by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum-Ahensah.
Upon their arrival, Nana Kweku Darko III, the chief of Kajebil, performed libation prayer at the airport and invoked the spirits of Nana Bonsu and other ancestors of the Ahanta Traditional Area.
Tracing the circumstances leading to the execution of the king, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nana Bonsu was enthroned during the era of the Dutch colonial occupation of the Coast of Guinea, including the Western Region of present-day Ghana.
It was alleged that the king ambushed and killed many Dutch soldiers in an exchange of hostilities. According to the statement signed by the Assistant Director of the Information and Linguistics Bureau of the ministry, Mr Kwadwo Boateng, the Dutch despatched a punitive expedition to arrest Nana Bonsu, who was eventually court-martialled, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
It said the Dutch executed the penalty in June 1838, after which his head was severed and taken to The Netherlands.
Nana Kofi told the Daily Graphic that the king was killed because of his “bravery and fight against injustice”.
“I am very happy that at long last the remains of the great King of Ahanta who was captured and brutally killed and taken away will now have final rest in line with the country’s tradition,” was how he summed up his joy.
“I am sad that such a king who wanted to prevent injustice had been treated that way,” he lamented.
Nana Kofi said the chiefs and people of the Ahanta Traditional Area would give a befitting burial to Nana Bonsu after consultations with the government.
Mr Asum-Ahensah said the government was glad that the Dutch officials had finally released the remains of the great king.
He said the body would be kept at the 37 Military Hospital mortuary until such a time that the family would be ready for the funeral arrangement.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
AFTER 170 years in “detention” in The Netherlands, the head of Nana Badu Bonsu II, who was executed by the Dutch colonialists in the 1830s, was brought to Ghana on Friday.
The head of the 18th century Ahanta king was stored in formaldehyde in the Leiden University Medical Centre for 170 years. A picture of the head shows that all the features — flesh, ears, nose, eyes, mouth and hair — are intact.
Dutch officials released the head to Ghana following negotiations between them and their Ghanaian counterparts.
A KLM flight carrying a family delegation, led by Nana Etsin Kofi II, the chief of Ahanta Aboadi, and the head of Nana Bonsu in a casket covered with black cloth with a red cloth around it touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at 7:04 p.m. on Friday.
They were met on arrival by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum-Ahensah.
Upon their arrival, Nana Kweku Darko III, the chief of Kajebil, performed libation prayer at the airport and invoked the spirits of Nana Bonsu and other ancestors of the Ahanta Traditional Area.
Tracing the circumstances leading to the execution of the king, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nana Bonsu was enthroned during the era of the Dutch colonial occupation of the Coast of Guinea, including the Western Region of present-day Ghana.
It was alleged that the king ambushed and killed many Dutch soldiers in an exchange of hostilities. According to the statement signed by the Assistant Director of the Information and Linguistics Bureau of the ministry, Mr Kwadwo Boateng, the Dutch despatched a punitive expedition to arrest Nana Bonsu, who was eventually court-martialled, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
It said the Dutch executed the penalty in June 1838, after which his head was severed and taken to The Netherlands.
Nana Kofi told the Daily Graphic that the king was killed because of his “bravery and fight against injustice”.
“I am very happy that at long last the remains of the great King of Ahanta who was captured and brutally killed and taken away will now have final rest in line with the country’s tradition,” was how he summed up his joy.
“I am sad that such a king who wanted to prevent injustice had been treated that way,” he lamented.
Nana Kofi said the chiefs and people of the Ahanta Traditional Area would give a befitting burial to Nana Bonsu after consultations with the government.
Mr Asum-Ahensah said the government was glad that the Dutch officials had finally released the remains of the great king.
He said the body would be kept at the 37 Military Hospital mortuary until such a time that the family would be ready for the funeral arrangement.
Accra Aca boys go home in style
29/7/09
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THIS year’s homecoming of the Accra Academy Old Boys, which came off last Saturday, was described by many old boys as the best so far.
A variety of games took the old boys - from the 1951 year group to the 2008 year group - down memory lane.
The popular school songs (jamas) were undoubtedly hot, while the musical chairs was superb as it produced two joint-winners. Some of other old boys also entertained themselves with table tennis and snooker.
The very old were given a treat of massage and also had the opportunity of exercising their bodies. Food and drinks flowed amidst music, which was occasionally interrupted by the masters of ceremony (MCs).
The excitement took a different turn when some old boys decided to show their dexterity in driving. The severity of the driving did not go down well with the “older” boys, who had to call the “younger” boys to order.
That showed the life-long morale of the academicians, regarding respect for seniors.
The old boys passed the test of character when they mobilised GH¢610 to pay for the tuition fee of a 2008 old boy, who gained admission to read a bachelor degree in business administration at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area and member of Council of State, Mr N. A. Adjin Tettey, former Chairman of the Ghana Athletic Association, Mr O. N. A. Aryee, a retired Principal Training Officer of the State Construction Corporation, and Alhaji M. Billy Brimah, a member of the Council of Muslim Chiefs, were some of the big names who showed up at the homecoming.
Old boys in the fields of medicine, law, engineering, journalism and architecture were equally present.
The 81-year-old Mr Aryee, who completed Accra Academy in 1951, described the homecoming as aptly: “You have left your home and you are coming back to meet old friends, colleagues and reminisce about the old times.”
“You share experiences and make new friends. It is very important, and this year’s homecoming has been the greatest of all. I have been thrilled by the younger ones, who we were separated from about half a century ago,” he stressed.
Mr Aryee said people of his age accommodated all that the younger ones would do, because their activities reminded them (the very old ones) of their time when they were also engaged in those activities.
Mr Adjin Tettey, who was active in the coinage of the slogan “Accra Aca - Bleoo” in 1950, said the homecoming gave him the opportunity to fraternise, as it also afforded him the opportunity to know some more people, who also got to know him.
Besides, he said it created a network which could assist other people to secure jobs, as a result.
The 1995/96 President of the Students’ Representative Council, Mr Raymond N. D. Larbie, said the homecoming was a source of encouragement for the younger ones to emulate the older ones who had climbed higher on the educational ladder.
Again, he said it was a joy to see the younger ones making it big in life.
Mr Larbie’s appeal was for the old boys to contribute effectively towards completion of the new dormitory facility.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THIS year’s homecoming of the Accra Academy Old Boys, which came off last Saturday, was described by many old boys as the best so far.
A variety of games took the old boys - from the 1951 year group to the 2008 year group - down memory lane.
The popular school songs (jamas) were undoubtedly hot, while the musical chairs was superb as it produced two joint-winners. Some of other old boys also entertained themselves with table tennis and snooker.
The very old were given a treat of massage and also had the opportunity of exercising their bodies. Food and drinks flowed amidst music, which was occasionally interrupted by the masters of ceremony (MCs).
The excitement took a different turn when some old boys decided to show their dexterity in driving. The severity of the driving did not go down well with the “older” boys, who had to call the “younger” boys to order.
That showed the life-long morale of the academicians, regarding respect for seniors.
The old boys passed the test of character when they mobilised GH¢610 to pay for the tuition fee of a 2008 old boy, who gained admission to read a bachelor degree in business administration at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area and member of Council of State, Mr N. A. Adjin Tettey, former Chairman of the Ghana Athletic Association, Mr O. N. A. Aryee, a retired Principal Training Officer of the State Construction Corporation, and Alhaji M. Billy Brimah, a member of the Council of Muslim Chiefs, were some of the big names who showed up at the homecoming.
Old boys in the fields of medicine, law, engineering, journalism and architecture were equally present.
The 81-year-old Mr Aryee, who completed Accra Academy in 1951, described the homecoming as aptly: “You have left your home and you are coming back to meet old friends, colleagues and reminisce about the old times.”
“You share experiences and make new friends. It is very important, and this year’s homecoming has been the greatest of all. I have been thrilled by the younger ones, who we were separated from about half a century ago,” he stressed.
Mr Aryee said people of his age accommodated all that the younger ones would do, because their activities reminded them (the very old ones) of their time when they were also engaged in those activities.
Mr Adjin Tettey, who was active in the coinage of the slogan “Accra Aca - Bleoo” in 1950, said the homecoming gave him the opportunity to fraternise, as it also afforded him the opportunity to know some more people, who also got to know him.
Besides, he said it created a network which could assist other people to secure jobs, as a result.
The 1995/96 President of the Students’ Representative Council, Mr Raymond N. D. Larbie, said the homecoming was a source of encouragement for the younger ones to emulate the older ones who had climbed higher on the educational ladder.
Again, he said it was a joy to see the younger ones making it big in life.
Mr Larbie’s appeal was for the old boys to contribute effectively towards completion of the new dormitory facility.
Govt to upgrade GBC status
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru3/8/09
THE Cabinet last Tuesday decided to review the legislation establishing the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC NLCD 226:1968 ) to make it a public broadcaster.
At the sixth anniversary celebration of TV Africa, a private television station in Accra last Friday, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the review of the legislation would model the GBC along the lines of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The review of the legislation is expected to put to rest the raging debate about the status of the GBC.
He noted that the GBC “is suffering from identity crisis” as to whether to operate as a public broadcaster or a commercial broadcaster.
Mr Iddrisu told the Daily Graphic later that the review of the legislation would give the GBC the authority to serve the public well and support government’s efforts at building the country.
He said the change of status of the GBC would make the competition in the broadcasting industry keener.
“The GBC will take the pride of place in Ghana’s media landscape,” he stressed.
The minister, therefore, urged other media houses, including TV Africa, to accept the challenge and respond to the competition in the industry.
He again indicated that the government was committed to the passage of the Broadcasting Act.
Mr Iddrisu said the government wanted every district capital to have at least one public or private radio station to promote the dissemination of information across the country.
Equally, he said, television was important to serve as an effective tool in the dissemination of information within communities, saying that “It has the tendency of transforming social norms”.
Mr Iddrisu said some television stations created awareness about government policies and prepared the people to take advantage of such policies. He, however, said other television programmes “debase our cultural values, and promote child pornography, the use of violent weapons, and explicit sexual programming in the form of Telenovela”.
He, therefore, charged the management of TV Africa to support public education on societal ills, such as crime, fraud, HIV/AIDS, rural-urban migration, teenage pregnancy and street hawking.
Mr Iddrisu commended the station for extending its transmission to about 40 per cent of the viewing population in the country.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to respect, promote and guarantee the independence of the media, media pluralism and freedom of expression.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of TV Africa, Mr Kwaw Ansah, said the station would not use it medium to play politics with issues affecting the people, saying that “We cannot play politics with them.”
Rather, he said, the station would use its medium “to get the people out of the woods”.
The Managing Director of TV Africa, Mr Berifi Apenteng, said the station had come a long way in providing authentic and reliable information about Africa in an African context.
He said through its programmes - news, current affairs and entertainment - TV Africa had been projecting the values of Africa usually ignored by the Western media.
THE Cabinet last Tuesday decided to review the legislation establishing the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC NLCD 226:1968 ) to make it a public broadcaster.
At the sixth anniversary celebration of TV Africa, a private television station in Accra last Friday, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the review of the legislation would model the GBC along the lines of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The review of the legislation is expected to put to rest the raging debate about the status of the GBC.
He noted that the GBC “is suffering from identity crisis” as to whether to operate as a public broadcaster or a commercial broadcaster.
Mr Iddrisu told the Daily Graphic later that the review of the legislation would give the GBC the authority to serve the public well and support government’s efforts at building the country.
He said the change of status of the GBC would make the competition in the broadcasting industry keener.
“The GBC will take the pride of place in Ghana’s media landscape,” he stressed.
The minister, therefore, urged other media houses, including TV Africa, to accept the challenge and respond to the competition in the industry.
He again indicated that the government was committed to the passage of the Broadcasting Act.
Mr Iddrisu said the government wanted every district capital to have at least one public or private radio station to promote the dissemination of information across the country.
Equally, he said, television was important to serve as an effective tool in the dissemination of information within communities, saying that “It has the tendency of transforming social norms”.
Mr Iddrisu said some television stations created awareness about government policies and prepared the people to take advantage of such policies. He, however, said other television programmes “debase our cultural values, and promote child pornography, the use of violent weapons, and explicit sexual programming in the form of Telenovela”.
He, therefore, charged the management of TV Africa to support public education on societal ills, such as crime, fraud, HIV/AIDS, rural-urban migration, teenage pregnancy and street hawking.
Mr Iddrisu commended the station for extending its transmission to about 40 per cent of the viewing population in the country.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to respect, promote and guarantee the independence of the media, media pluralism and freedom of expression.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of TV Africa, Mr Kwaw Ansah, said the station would not use it medium to play politics with issues affecting the people, saying that “We cannot play politics with them.”
Rather, he said, the station would use its medium “to get the people out of the woods”.
The Managing Director of TV Africa, Mr Berifi Apenteng, said the station had come a long way in providing authentic and reliable information about Africa in an African context.
He said through its programmes - news, current affairs and entertainment - TV Africa had been projecting the values of Africa usually ignored by the Western media.
Vodafone asked to follow labour laws
5/08/09
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A LABOUR consultant, Mr Austin Gamey, has urged the management of Vodafone to let the terms of the company’s Collective Agreement (CA) and Section 65 of the Labour Act be the basis for its decision to lay off 950 employees.
He told the Daily Graphic that the terms of the CA should supersede all other provisions in dealing with issues affecting employer-employee relations.
Mr Gamey said Vodafone had the right to lay off workers for economic and technological changes, but said it was required to follow the due process.
He was reacting to the decision of the management of Vodafone to lay off 950 employees by the end of November, 2009, under the company’s compulsory redundancy policy.
The Chief Manager of Corporate Communications of Vodafone, Mr Isaac Abraham, told the press that the lay-off of the workers was to pave the way for a new organisational structure that would take effect on December 1, 2009.
However, the Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, was reported to have said that Vodafone’s decision to lay off the workers undermined the legal practices governing the country’s labour relations.
Mr Gamey said it was wrong for the company to enter into any individual agreements with workers on the issue of laying them off.
Rather, he said, there should be a collective agreement on the issue of disengagement of workers.
The labour consultant asked the management of Vodafone to liaise with the Human Resource and the Industrial Relations departments of the company to sit down with the leadership of the workers to follow through the CA and Section 65 of the Labour Act, which deals with issues of employer-employee relations.
He said they could report to the National Labour Commission in case of any difficulties in understanding the provisions of the Labour Act.
Mr Gamey said it was “painful” for anyone to be laid off, aside of its impact on the labour front and the national economy as a whole.
However, he said, “there is nothing wrong” if an employer wanted to embark on a legal disengagement of workers - within the terms of the CA and the Labour Act.
Mr Gamey urged both the management and workers to stay calm while the issue of dispensing with the services of some workers was being discussed.
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
A LABOUR consultant, Mr Austin Gamey, has urged the management of Vodafone to let the terms of the company’s Collective Agreement (CA) and Section 65 of the Labour Act be the basis for its decision to lay off 950 employees.
He told the Daily Graphic that the terms of the CA should supersede all other provisions in dealing with issues affecting employer-employee relations.
Mr Gamey said Vodafone had the right to lay off workers for economic and technological changes, but said it was required to follow the due process.
He was reacting to the decision of the management of Vodafone to lay off 950 employees by the end of November, 2009, under the company’s compulsory redundancy policy.
The Chief Manager of Corporate Communications of Vodafone, Mr Isaac Abraham, told the press that the lay-off of the workers was to pave the way for a new organisational structure that would take effect on December 1, 2009.
However, the Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Mr Kofi Asamoah, was reported to have said that Vodafone’s decision to lay off the workers undermined the legal practices governing the country’s labour relations.
Mr Gamey said it was wrong for the company to enter into any individual agreements with workers on the issue of laying them off.
Rather, he said, there should be a collective agreement on the issue of disengagement of workers.
The labour consultant asked the management of Vodafone to liaise with the Human Resource and the Industrial Relations departments of the company to sit down with the leadership of the workers to follow through the CA and Section 65 of the Labour Act, which deals with issues of employer-employee relations.
He said they could report to the National Labour Commission in case of any difficulties in understanding the provisions of the Labour Act.
Mr Gamey said it was “painful” for anyone to be laid off, aside of its impact on the labour front and the national economy as a whole.
However, he said, “there is nothing wrong” if an employer wanted to embark on a legal disengagement of workers - within the terms of the CA and the Labour Act.
Mr Gamey urged both the management and workers to stay calm while the issue of dispensing with the services of some workers was being discussed.
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