Awaradone (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has called for the need for communities to adopt the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) concept of the World Vision to fight desertification.     The FMNR involves selecting and pruning stems regenerating from stumps of naturally grown trees on the field to give them more space to grow.      A Deputy Chief Disaster Control Officer of NADMO in the Upper East Regional Directorate, Mr Paul Wooma, said this the International Day for Disaster Reduction held at Awaradone in the Talensi District over the weekend.      He said the FMNR had proved to be more reliable, cheaper and sustainable than the usual conventional methods of tree planting saying about five hundred acres of forest reserve had been created in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region within two and a half years under the Farmer Managed and Natural Regeneration (FMNR) programme.      Mr Wooma appealed to policy makers to infuse the FMNR into Forestry Commission Programme activities and called on communities in the region to establish woodlot projects for future firewood harvesting.      He said disaster management and its reduction called for a multi-sectorial approach and that was why NADMO worked with all stakeholders including the Ghana Education Service and NGOs in disaster management.      He said his outfit together with District Assemblies ensured that all new school buildings adhered to building codes and standards that incorporate disaster resilience and climate change adaptation.      He called on School authorities to conduct safety reviews of existing school infrastructure with respect to local hazards on a regular basis.       The Day is celebrated on the 13th October every year to raise public awareness about what member countries of the United Nations can do to reduce the Risk of Disasters from Floods, Wildfires, Droughts, Desertification, Earthquakes and Hurricanes among others.      The event was on the theme: “Women and Girls the Invisible Force of Resilience” and it attracted stakeholders including school children, parents, the National Disaster Management Organizations, Assembly Members and NGOs among others.     GNA...

Awaradone (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - This year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction has been marked in the Upper East Region with a call on stakeholders in education to speed up the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in the school curricular.   The year’s event which was organized at Awaradone in the Talensi District of the Region by the World Vision Area Development of the Talensi and Nabdam Districts under the theme: “Women and Girls the Invisible Force of Resilience”, attracted stakeholders including school children, parents, the National Disaster Management Organizations, Assembly Members and NGOs.   The Day is celebrated on the 13th of October every year to raise public awareness about what member countries of the United Nations can do to reduce the risk of disasters, floods, wildfires, droughts, desertification, earthquakes and hurricanes among others.   Speakers laid emphasis on the need for the MOE and GES to quickly ensure the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in the school curricular so as to inculcate in school children, the spirit to fight to reduce disasters.   Mr Norbert Baba Akolbila, Manager of World Vision Ghana in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts, said children were the major agents of change and regretted the undue delay of policy makers to ensure the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in their curricular.   “What these people don’t know is that we are the agents of change and should be encouraged to participate in disaster risk reduction and decision making. The formation of Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Clubs in our Schools by World Vision is very good.   It gives us the chance to talk about things that affect us and our environment. It helps us to contribute to our own safety and keep the environment safe for future generation.   This project must be commended and extended to other schools for others to also gaint”, said Miss Stella Abisiba, a Pupil of the Awaradone Primary School in a speech.   Mr David Aloku, Chairman of the Disaster Risk Reduction Task force of Awaradone Community, advised the pupils to stop creating bush fires in search of rats and also appealed to parents to desist from felling trees for charcoal.   Ms Mame Ntome, a taskforce Member of the Disaster Risk Reduction in Awaradone, said since the formation of the Task Force by World Vision and NADMO, disasters such as floods, bushfires and drought have been reduced drastically in the area.   Ms Dziedzorm Awude, Programme Officer in charge of Children Emergency Response and Disaster(C-ERDM) of World Vision, expressed happiness about the involvement of females, especially school girls in Disaster Management saying women could play a major role when it came to disaster risk reduction.   The pupils treated the gathering to a drama and poetry recital on Disaster Risk Reduction which attracted applause from the audience.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 15, GNA - Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, has appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Education Service to put up pragmatic plans that would promote hand washing with soap and water on Monday in Accra.   Mr Mensah quoting a statistic from the GHS said there had been 5,800 reported cholera cases resulting in sixty deaths from January to September this year.   “This is sad, because these are people who should not have been ill at all in the first place. Cholera can easily be avoided by keeping our environment clean and simply washing our hands with soap, after using the toilet and before handling food - that is before cooking, serving or eating.”   He made the appeal at the commemoration of the 2012 Global hand washing day celebration, which was aimed at inspiring commitment, fostering a global and local culture of hand washing with soap and supporting the campaign for the prevention of cholera.   The day was on the theme: “Five years of global hand washing day celebration: going beyond the fifth birthday of children”.   Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment Science and Technology at the celebration encouraged teachers to have hand washing places at vantage points on school compounds to help inculcate the habit of hand washing with soap and water in the pupils.   Dr. Gloria Quansah said this year’s theme could not have been more appropriate and timely, particularly in the face of Ghana’s renewed committed towards reducing mortality to its barest minimum in children less than five years.   “It is important to note that more than half of under-five child deaths are due to diseases that are preventable and treatable through simple and affordable interventions, one of which is washing hands with soap,” she added.   She said hand washing with soap and water was the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent diarrhea and acute respiratory infection.     GNA...

Sunyani, Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has stated the need for Ghanaians, especially the youth to understand and apply Information Technology in all areas of socio-economic development to enhance governance.   He said the world had become a global village and businesses and individuals are trading across globe through the Internet.   The Deputy Regional Minister was speaking at a ceremony to hand-over 6,624 rIG laptops to 250 basic and Junior High schools in the region to help improve their ICT knowledge in Sunyani.   He said the policy was initiated by the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills to supply over 60,000 laptops to public school nationwide to promote computer literacy in basic schools.   Mr Eric Opoku said 150 computers had already been supplied to 10 rural community schools under phase one of the programme.   He said 31 instructors three from each beneficiary district had been trained by rLG and supplied with laptops to equip them with the skills and knowledge to handle the computers appropriately and also to train the pupils.   The Regional Minister urged the beneficiary schools to take good care of the computers to enhance and build their knowledge in ICT.   Mr George Adjei–Henney, Regional Educational Director, thanked all stakeholders particularly the management of rLG for supporting government to implement the Better Ghana agenda.   Mr Emmanuel Arthur, Corporate Affairs Manager of rLG Communications said over 27,000 laptops out of the 60,000-laptop contract between the company and the Ministry of Education, had already been distributed to basic and junior high schools in five regions and promised to supply the remaining laptops before the year ends.     GNA  ...

Accra, Oct 15, GNA - The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo on Monday handed over 110 motorbikes and desktop computers to beneficiary districts assemblies under the Ghana Social Opportunities Project to enhance monitoring and supervision of projects.   He said the national social protection strategy represented, government of Ghana’s vision of creating an all-inclusive society through the provision of sustainable mechanisms for the protection of persons living in situation of extreme poverty, vulnerability and exclusion.         Mr Ampofo said one of such sustainable mechanisms for protection against extreme poverty was the Labour-Intensive Public Works Programme that has been piloted under the Ghana Social Opportunities Project to offer extreme poor households better access to employment and income to facilitate opportunities in the poor communities within the 40 poorest districts in the country.   He said although the actual implementation of the labour-intensive public works programme began barely six month ago, it had generated over 25,600 temporary jobs for the extreme poor in over 180 poor communities within the 40 beneficiary districts.   Over this same period, about GHc1.96 million had been transferred into the pockets of the poor in eight beneficiary districts.   He said between now and the start of the 2013 major rainy season, the GSOP would implement additional 152 Labour-Intensive Protection Works subprojects in 228 new communities to generate over 49,800 jobs for the poor and transfer to their pockets over GH¢ 11.94 million during the agricultural off-season, the period of low employment, especially in the northern regions of the country.   Mr Robert Austin, the National Coordinator of the Ghana Social Opportunities Protection, said the project was specifically designed as an exceptional social protection mechanism for protecting the extreme poor and marginalized in the society.   He said to improve access to employment and income earning opportunities, GSOP was piloting the Labour-intensive Public Works programme through the existing decentralized local government structures and all activities of implementation from identification, design, contracting and construction of the subprojects were carried out by the beneficiary district assemblies and communities.   He said the GSOP under component 'one' was undertaking study of all existing social protection interventions to help government to redirect its social protection expenditures to the most effective areas and reduce those in less effective areas.   Mr Austin said the labour-intensive Public Works was to assist district assemblies to identify suitable subprojects such as feeder roads, small dams and dugouts and watershed management and other climate change activities within very poor communities as captured in the district assemblies own medium term development plans.     GNA...

Baare (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - The Chief and people of Baare in the Talensi District, have appealed to government to help de-silt the only dam in the area which is the major source of livelihood of the people.      Naba Nyaakora Mantii made the appeal during the celebration of the “Daa festival” of the area.   The festival was on the theme: “Promoting Unity and Creating Awareness through Education and Culture”.      Naba Nyaakora Mantii,  known in private life as Sylvester Balagumyetime, said since the construction of the  dam  25 years ago, it  had not been de-silted and this made it difficult for  people to embark on dry season farming of crops such tomato, pepper, okro and onions.      “The dam helped retain the people of this area as it engaged the youth in some meaningful occupation,” he said.   He said the main source of drinking water was also from the dam and this encouraged the youth to go into livestock rearing in the area saying they could, however, no longer undertake these activities with the choked dam.      Naba Mantii appealed to government to also help the area construct a befitting market structure with decent market stalls saying the Baare market which is one of the famous and oldest markets in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts and the Gurune Speaking areas, when properly constructed would help generate more revenue for the Assembly.      He also called for aid in connecting electricity to the area to enable small scale industries thrive.      The Chief commended the Government for extending the School Feeding Programme to the Baare Primary School and appealed for an additional School block and teachers’ accommodation to help cater for more school children.      The Chief paid tribute to the World Vision Ghana for the numerous support and projects it had brought to Baare especially borehole, KIVP toilets and introduction of the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) among others and called on other NGOs to emulate World Vision.      The Daa festival is celebrated by the people of Baare every year to thank the gods and ancestors for granting them good harvest and protecting them throughout the year and to also ask for further protection.      The Chief also used the occasion to en-skin a new Queen Mother and Youth Chief for the area.          The new Queen Mother is Mrs Geogina Bonsarigya, a 46-year old Medical Assistant.       GNA...

Kumasi, Oct 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has pledged to improve the quality of life and strengthen the economy, if given the mandate to govern the nation in the December polls.      Nana Akomea, the party’s Communication Director, said they would bring more efficiency into the management of the economy and aggressively fight corruption to make the situation of the people better.      They have capable, dedicated, well-experienced and a competent team to make things happen.      He said this when speaking at the campaign launch by the party’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Oforikrom Constituency in Kumasi, Mrs Elizabeth Agyemang.     Nana Akomea accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of corruption, ineptitude and poor performance and said it had proven undeserving of another term.     He called on the electorate to vote massively for Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and the NPP parliamentary candidates adding that they should vote rightly on December 7, to put the nation back on the path of progress and wealth creation.      Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin-North, urged all Ghanaians to be vigilant on the voting day to prevent electoral fraud and cheating.      He also called on the police and other security agencies to act firmly and decisively against trouble makers, who he claimed, had plotted to disrupt voting in known strongholds of the NPP.      He advised those with the evil agenda to intimidate and frighten the party and its supporters to have a change of heart, since they would never be allowed to have their way.      Mrs Agyemang urged members and supporters of the NPP to accept to work hard and make the needed sacrifices to assure the party of a resounding victory.      He said it was necessary to step up the house-to-house campaign to canvass for more votes.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Dansoman Division of the National Fire Service on Monday said it has instituted an investigation into the cause of fire at the Mallam Market in the early hours of Monday.   Mr James Quarshie, Station Fire Officer at Dansoman, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, complained about lack of access in the market which hindered their swift operations to the locate the source of the fire.   He said the combustible material at the market also aided the spread of the fire making it extremely difficult for the fire team to reach the exact spot at about 0615hours.   He said: “we called for immediate re-enforcement due to the density of the fire and advised market women to adhere to fire safety measures and procedures as outlined by regulations.   He though there were no casualties, items destroyed include bags of rice, groundnut, salt, tomatoes and tins of tomatoes, corn, fish, clothes, cartons of eggs and other food stuff.   Also, more than 50 market sheds containing various items were also gutted in the outbreak.   A financial institution, Rich Step Investment, a Susu and Small Medium enterprise had its office destroyed.       An eye witness, one Mr Adams, told the GNA that but for the prompt and timely response of firemen who got to the premises at about 0615hrs a lot more items of traders could have been lost in the process.      He said the fire started around 0555Hrs in one of the sheds, “we thought it was someone who was burning something but before we realised it had spread all over”.   An old woman, Auntie Dora, a salt seller, said she just saw the fire approaching her shed and couldn’t help it as the fire swept through her shed. She appealed to the authorities to quickly come to their assistance.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has explained that the power outages experienced in parts of Accra over the weekend, were as a result of a delay in returning two of their feeders to service following maintenance work.   A statement signed by Mr Albert Kwasi Quainoo, Head of Public Relations and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the delay resulted in an overload on the remaining three power transformers leading to a loss of power supply to parts of the capital.   He said in the process, one of the GRIDCo transformers was faulted but had been repaired and returned to service and that currently all GRIDCo transformers are in operation.   The statement said “GRIDCo and the Electricity Company of Ghana appreciate the understanding of the consumer during such difficult times”.      GNA...

Accra, Oct 15, GNA – Matilda Nana-Manye Amissah-Arthur, wife of Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, on Monday launched Ghana’s celebration of the Global Hand-washing Day, in Accra with a call on Ghanaians to practice sound sanitation and hygienic practices, to promote health.   She said despite the focus of the day on school children, the programme must sensitise Ghanaians on sound environmental practices at homes, communities, schools, offices and markets.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said hand-washing with soap should be a way of life for all Ghanaians and that the Global Hand-washing Day formed part of ongoing campaign launched about nine years ago to promote hand-washing with soap.   The United Nations General Assembly, designated the year 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation and in recognition of hand-washing with soap in achieving sanitation agenda of the Millennium Development Goals, the first even Global Hand-washing Day was designated for 15th October 2008.   Global Hand-washing Day has now become a recurring event that revolves around schools and children, with a guiding vision of promoting a local and global culture of hand- washing with soap.   The major aim of the launch was to raise awareness on the importance of hand-washing with soap and ensure sustained behavioural change.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur asked the people to wash their hands with soap to reduce the high incidence of diarhoea.   She called for the prevention of indiscriminate disposal of excreta and the washing of hand with soap to stop diarrhea.     Mrs Amissah-Arthur said, according to the World Health Organisation, globally diarrhoeal diseases kill more than two million children every year.   She said that in Ghana, statistics from the Ministry of Health indicated that diarrhoea was a leading cause of illness and death among children.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said that the provision of toilets should be complemented by ongoing sanitation activities to maximize the effect of sanitation and hygiene programmes.   She said: “Promoting hand-washing with soap seems like a simple idea, but it has the potential to help Ghanaians lead happier lives,” and performed the symbolic hand-washing.     GNA...

Konongo (Ash), Oct. 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has postponed its parliamentary primary election in the Asante-Akim North Constituency to October 17.        Mr Fredrick Fredua Anto, the Ashanti Regional Chairman, said the decision by the party’s vetting committee was to allow one of the aspiring candidates to renounce his American citizenship.        The aspiring candidate, Mr Samuel Anyan Kusi, holds a dual citizenship and they want to give him space to do the proper thing.        He said the party’s move was to ensure fairness and avert any post election dispute and appealed to both the delegates and contestants to remain patient as the decision was in the best interests of the party.        Mr Kusi, a Management Consultant, is battling for the NPP’s parliamentary ticket with Mr Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, a Communication Consultant.        The third aspirant Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, a Lawyer, could not meet the deadline for submission of his nomination papers.     GNA...

Cape Coast, Oct 15, GNA - The Central Regional Secretariat of the Youth Enterprise and Skills Development Center (YESDEC) has since last year September, trained about 1,500 youths out of its target of 2,500 in the various vocations including, hairdressing, tailoring, carpentry and small scale businesses.   Apart from the training, the youth are also given start-up tools to support them in the establishment of their own businesses as part of YESDEC’s aim of helping determined unemployed youth to gain a vocation of their own to stem unemployment and poverty.   At a programme to start the training of 510 beneficiaries in Cape Coast at the weekend, on the theme: “growing new business for young men and women,” Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, encouraged the youth to focus on setting up their own business rather than concentrating on white-color jobs.   He said it was the surest way of solving the unemployment problem in the country and added that skills training for the youth should be encouraged to also check over dependency on the few who were in business.   Mr Odro, who is also the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, used his personal experience in vocational training, as an example to the youth saying he learnt tailoring as a young man  to encourage them to work hard in whatever vocation or business they found themselves.   They should also work to improve themselves and their own jobs adding that more youths should avail themselves of the opportunity being provided.   The Regional Coordinator of YESDEC, Mr Gyamfi Dawood was of the hope that the training of its 2,500 target would be carried out for more youths to receive vocations such as sewing, carpentry and hairdressing among others.    The Cape Coast Coordinator for YESDEC, Ishmael Abakah, said the start-up kits given to the trainees were to enable them to have a smooth start whilst those who already had their own vocation but did not have enough money to buy equipment were also given the equipment on credit to be paid within 18 months.   Mr Kwaku Adarkwa, Regional Manager of National Board for Small Scale Industries, advised the youths to take the vocation they were learning seriously and take good care of the equipment to be given them in order to make profit to expand.     GNA...

Sampa (B/A), Oct. 15, GNA – Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for election 2012, at the weekend pledged to establish more local industries for youth employment when given the mandate.      He said the only way to push the country into middle income bracket was to ensure massive industrial development.      Nana Akuffo-Addo gave the pledge when addressing hundreds of supporters of the party at separate rallies at Sampa, Goka, Seketia, Duadaso number one and two and Suma-Akenkro in the Jaman North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.      The NPP flagbearer and other party bigwigs including Mr John Alan Kyeremanten and Alhaji Mocta Bamba, NPP National Organiser, are on an eight-day campaign tour in the region.      Nana Akufo-Addo expressed said the single inflation digit being touted by the government had no economic implication on goods and services.      Nana Akuffo-Addo said with the establishment of local industries, the economy would be resuscitated for wealth creation and accelerated national development.      On the free Senior High School education, the NPP presidential candidate said all the various vocational and technical institutions would be revamped to meet current demands.      He said juicy incentive packages as well as better conditions of services had also been designed for teachers to enable them to appreciate their profession and work hard.      Nana Akuffo-Addo advised Ghanaians to ignore the counter accusations adopted by the NDC that the policy was not feasible and vote for the NPP so they would benefit.       GNA...

Adukrom (E/R), Oct. 15, GNA - Mr Dan Botwe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, has promised to fund the construction of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre at Adukrom.     He said this when the Adukrom community at the weekend handed over a site to a contractor for the construction of the ultra modern ICT centre which is estimated to cost GH¢ 120, 000.     Mr Botwe said since he became MP for Okere, he had assisted a number of communities with development projects and promised to continue in that regard to help raise the standard of living in the area.      He said some of the projects include the construction of a three unit classroom block and a computer room for the Bethel Presbyterian Junior High School (JHS) at Adukrom, the renovation of the Adukrom Health Centre which had not seen any major renovation over the past 20 years, and the construction of a clinic at Apirede.     Others were construction of Asuokaw Primary School, assisting the construction of a six unit classroom block for the Awukugua Methodist Primary School with GH¢5,000 and 100 bags of cement.      Awukugua Seventh Day Adventist Primary School also benefited with 100 bags of cement and GH¢ 5,000 to support the completion of a three unit classroom block for the Junior High School.     Mr Botwe said he had also donated GH¢ 10, 000 to Aseseeso community to complete the construction of a school block which was started by the community and presented a cheque of GH¢ 6,000 to Nanabanyin community for the renovation of a clinic.     The MP said he had so far spent more than GH¢ 75, 000 on scholarships to assist brilliant but needy children in the area at both the Senior High School (SHS) and other tertiary institutions.     Mr Botwe reiterated his commitment to help maintain peace in Okere before, during and after the general election saying everything would be done to ensure that the people in the area continued to enjoy peace and security.     He urged traditional authorities and all other stakeholders to continue to champion the crusade of peace to ensure the development of the society.     The MP said one of his major concerns was to see academic performance of school children in the area going up hence the decision to organize extra classes for pupils and urged parents to see the education of their wards as an investment and support them.      Mr Botwe said it was against this background that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, had promised free SHS education to ensure that every Ghanaian child could at least possess a secondary level education.     He appealed to traditional authorities, parents and all stakeholders in the education sector to support the NPP campaign for free SHS to achieve the intended objective of providing quality education.     Mr Botwe said another ICT centre would also be built at the cost of GH¢ 38, 000 for the people of Awukugua to enhance teaching and learning in the area saying materials for the project were ready and was only waiting for the chiefs to release land for the project to begin.     He appealed to the residents to support the contractor to enable him complete the project on time.     GNA...

  ( A GNA feature by Paul Achonga Kwode )  Tamale, Oct 16, GNA – Political parties that crave to come to power always do so with an agenda crafted in an elaborate campaign promise otherwise referred to as a manifesto. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary defines ‘manifesto’ as: “a written statement in which a group of people especially a political party, explain their beliefs and say what they will do if they win an election”. Thus it can be argued that the manifesto is the instrument to be used to gauge how true politicians are to their word – and to the People! So, what was the manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2008 elections which brought them to power and to what extent have these promises been fulfilled this far? In the run up to the 2008 elections, the NDC looked at the prevailing economic, social, health and economic situations and designed its manifesto in conformity with the party’s political ideology at the time, which eventually brought them to power. Technically speaking, Ghanaians accepted their manifesto promises with the hope that the NDC would fulfill the promise to transform their lives and enhance their standards of living. As the 2012 elections draw closer, it will not be out of place to assess the performance of the present government in the almost four years that it has been in power. Again, the NDC manifesto in 2008 was divided into segments such as 100 days, two years and end of first term in office. The NDC promised in the first hundred days to establish a lean but effective and efficient government to curtail ostentation and profligate expenditure; rationalize the ministries and ministerial appointments; and promote service, humility and integrity as principles of government. It further said it will ensure the prompt and effective implementation of existing legislations such as the Persons with Disability Act ( Act 715 of 2006) and the Whistle-blowers Act, (Act 720 of 2006). What is of great interest, perhaps, was the promise on sanitation. The party said it will take bold and comprehensive measures to deal with the appalling filth in the country, and the related health  problems of the people caused by inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective waste management systems and practices -  all in the first 100 hundred days in office. However, Ghanaians will be the best judges on some of those promises as most of the issues are still awaiting fulfillment, especially on the problem of sanitation. The NDC indicated that within two years in office, it will present to Parliament  a co-ordinated programme of economic and social development including agricultural and industrial programmes at all levels, and in all regions of Ghana as required under Article 36 (5) of the Constitution. It also said it will significantly reduce the troubling trends in infant and maternal mortality and review the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to provide coverage for basic healthcare for all. But it appears the fulfillment of these promises too is yet to come to pass. Infant and maternal mortality are still unacceptably high, for instance. It is instructive to note that the government also promised to streamline Public Sector Wages with the view to boosting productivity and paying decent wages for the working people, and to source additional resources from external sources to be able to expand and improve the quality of the School Feeding Programme to cover all primary schools countrywide. “The NDC recognises that in a democracy, the tools of information and communication should be responsibly used to promote national unity and to ensure the stability and security of the state….a plural media such as exists in Ghana today, giving vent to divergent views and opinions, is necessary for a healthy, democratic society.  An NDC Government will safeguard free expression and, when necessary, review any laws that may hinder free speech”, the party pledged. It would also be recalled that they promised to make the career progression and development of journalists issues that would engage the serious attention of an NDC Government, stressing the need for a sponsorship programme for journalists for further training and specialization. “An NDC Government will commence work on the permanent new campus for the Ghana Institute of Journalism at its new site", it added. GIJ till date remains stuck in its old structure. Also, the welfare of Journalists in this country continues to grow worse in spite of the establishment of a Media Development Fund (MDF) that was pronounced during the presentation of this year's Budget to Parliament, with nothing concrete having come out of it yet. By the way, what has become of the MDF? Politicians should watch what they say when they want power in this 21st century and be pragmatic in walking the talk, for there has emerged a new generation of politically-conscious citizenry. Besides, it is not right for them to promise heaven when they know very well they won't be able to deliver on those campaign promises. It has to be acknowledged, however, that even though the ruling government might have fallen short in fulfilling some of its campaign promises made in 2008, it has made some significant gains in the economic, social, health and political sectors of the country. In the economic sphere, it has been able to achieve single digit inflation and has maintained that for close to two years even though its impact on the everyday life of the ordinary Ghanaian remains debatable. Under the NDC's  reign, the country has seen the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure which has put much money in the pockets of public sector workers, as well as other social interventions. At the launch of the party's Green Book which talks about the achievements of the ruling Government, President John Mahama mentioned a GDP growth of 13.6 per cent, longest sustained single-digit inflation, one million metric tons of cocoa production and the setting up of the Constitution Review Commission, assome of the “unprecedented achievements” of his administration. Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications also submitted that under the 'Better Ghana Agenda', a total of 1,250 schools under trees had been eliminated, while two new public universities were being established at Sunyani and Ho and added that the Metro Mass Transit Service had procured additional 350 buses to extend services to many more communities. To put government on its toes, the electorate has a responsibility to continuously remind politicians about the promises they make. Ghana is a rich country endowed with numerous natural and human resources. It is one of the luckiest countries in the world in terms of opportunities, yet poverty remains unacceptably high among many households. Why has development in real terms continued to elude Ghana in spite of its bountiful resources? The answer is obvious, that successive leaders have failed to utilize those resources for the benefit of the country and the people. Civil society's role in advocating for development and championing the rights of groups and individuals has been tremendous but it must be accompanied by the strong voice of the people if it has to achieve the desired objective. The best way to teach the politician to behave well is through voting. Since the people have the right and voice to raise concern about issues affecting their survival, they must exercise that right responsibly and effectively. The politicians must be told in clear terms that they cannot continue to deceive the electorate, so they should watch their words and make realistic promises in the run-up to the forthcoming elections. ...

  Winneba (C/R), Oct 16, GNA - Ghanaians have been asked to vote into power Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)  flag bearer for Election 2012, to rescue them  from hardship.      The NPP parliamentary aspirant for Effutu Constituency, Mr Alex Afenyo-Markin, who made the call, said the National Democratic Congress government has failed the people and should not be maintained in power.      Mr Afenyo-Markin, a legal practitioner and businessman, based in Winneba, was addressing NPP supporters at separate rallies at Effutu Ansaful, Veterinary and Ateitu,   He gave the assurance that the NPP if vote into power in December would fufil  its manifesto,  improve the livelihood of the citizenry, fairly distribute the national cake to Ghanaians, and help the youth to acquire vocational skills and establish their own businesses.     Mr Afenyo-Markin appealed to the people to ensure free, fair and violent-free polls, and said “elections is not war.”.     GNA ...

  Bisease (C/R), Oct. 16, GNA - The First Anglican Child Development Centre (FACDC) at Ajumako-Bisease on Monday joined millions of people worldwide to celebrate the “Global Hand-washing Day – October 15”. The 5th Global Hand-washing Day celebration is on the theme; “Help more Children Reach Their 5th Birthday” is aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases.  A statement to mark the occasion showed that 6.9 million children under-five years die each year as a result of complications – pneumonia, diarrhoea, cholera and respiratory infections and that regular hand wash could easily reverse the trend. Practical demonstration took place at the Centre. Addressing the participants Mr Evans Owusu Berning of the Breman Asikuma Catholic Hospital advised members on the importance and advantages of hand washing and described the process as hygienic, easy and affordable way of preventing diseases, worms and infections. The celebration, There was a procession through the principal streets of the town with placards some of which read; “Wash your hands with soap and water, before and after eating”, “Wash your hands after visiting the toilet”, “Prevent eye infection”, and “Clean hands save lives”. The Chairman for the occasion, Rev Fr Myles Abaidoo, the Parish Priest of the St Luke’s Anglican Church, advised all present to accept, embrace and practice hand washing.     GNA ...

  Tema, Oct. 16, GNA – Three pupils of Tema Parents Association School in Community 6 who excelled in an Essay Competition organised by PZ to mark Global Hand Washing Day (GHWD) were yesterday presented with their prizes at a ceremony in the School. Nine-year-old Maame Ohenewaa Baah, a Class Four pupil placed first with Michael Mitchell, 10, of Class Five and Sena Mensah, eight, of Class Three emerging as the first and second runners-up respectively. For their prizes, each award winner received a certificate and some products of the PZ company. Speaking at the function, Mr Eben Akyeampong, Brand Manager of PZ explained that Global Hand Washing Day which falls on October 15 of every year, is a public/private partnership. Mr Akyeampong further explained that the Day was instituted in 2001 to give families, schools and communities in developing countries the power to prevent diarrhoea and respiratory infections by supporting the universal promotion and practice of proper hand washing with soap. He said public/private partnership for hand washing worked explicitly to promote hand washing with soap and recognised that hygiene, sanitation and water were pillars of development. Commenting on Cares, a sanitizer of PZ, the Brand Manager said the product is the biggest and most recognised hand care expert in the UK and several other countries in the world. Mr Akyeampong said Cares kills all germs faster than other brands on the market leaving the hand smelling nice several hours after use. Mr Kwaku Agyekum, Headmaster of the School thanked PZ for celebrating the Day with the pupils. Mr Agyekum pledged the school authority’s preparedness to ensure that the children of the school observe sound hygienic practices to help keep them healthy and strong at all times.     GNA ...

Winneba (C/R), Oct 16, GNA -The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Mr Hike Hammah, has said work on the Safe Landing Fishing Harbour and the Market Complex at Winneba Junction would start soon.   The projects would be completed within three years, Mr Hammah said when addressing supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a keep-fit exercise in Winneba at the week-end.       He appealed to the people to remain calm and avoid politics of insult, personal attacks and other behaviour that could create problems before, during and after the December elections.           Mr Alloety Jacobs, Central Regional Propaganda Secretary, appealed to NDC members to desist from acts that could tarnish the image of the party.     GNA ...

  Half Assini (W/R), Oct. 16, GNA -The presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, has assured the people in the Jomoro District of employment in oil and gas industry in the area when elected president. He told a rally the party organized at Half Assini that the NPP and NDC ddministrations had been Goliath but he is coming to be David for the country and perform wonders. Dr Nduom said if elected, he would use his political and economic experiences to develop the nation, adding that he has competent people to form the next government. He introduced Mrs Margaret Blay-Kenya, the PPP parliamentary candidate for the area, to the people. The National Chairman of the Party, Mr Brew Hammond, said a PPP government would offer free education from kindergarten to senior high school. Mr Francis Tanoe, Jomoro Constituency chairman of the party, appealed to  politicians to undertake peaceful campaign devoid of personal attack, insults and acrimony.     GNA ...