Accra, Oct 19, GNA – The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Friday said in collaboration with mobile phone operators, it was now possible to dial 192 when in distress and needed their services. "Users of Vodafone, Expresso and Airtel can call 192 for prompt response," a GNFS statement to the Ghana News Agency on Friday signed by Mr. Robinson Ellis Okoe, Head of Public Relations stated. The statement said the management of the Service had noted with concern, the spate of fire outbreaks and the inability of a section of the public to access 192 because of the line being busy or its inaccessibility in newly developed areas. It reminded the public that “999” is not GNSF distressed call number. He said: "alternately, callers could also use the following fixed line numbers for assistance; Greater Accra - 0302666576/7, Ashanti Region - 032-2022221; Eastern Region - 034-2021852; Volta Region – 036-2026679; Northern Region - 037-2022864; Upper West Region - 039-2022389; Tema-030-3202518; and Western Region - 031-2022660. Others are Central Region - 033-2032902; Brong Ahafo Region - 035-2027129; Upper East Region - 338-2022277. The GNFS also quoted the numbers for its Headquarters as 030-2760110, 030-2779637, 030-2772446. The telephone number to the Fire Training School is 030- 2664937, the statement said. GNA...
Takoradi, Oct 19, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama on Friday commissioned military facilities and called on the Ghana Armed Forces to exhibit a high level of professionalism to put them ahead of their colleagues in the sub-region. The facilities include; two new aircraft hangars, a simulator and a diamond DA 42 aircraft, sea vessels and surveillance aircraft among others. The construction of the hangars was a collaboration between the governments of Ghana and China and the facility would house aircraft and serve as a place of maintenance for planes in Ghana and the entire sub-West African region. President Mahama said apart from the facilities, government would continue to provide all the necessary logistics that would make the Ghana Armed Forces to exhibit their best in the coming years. He urged them to regularly maintain the facilities to ensure a longer lifespan and to serve future generations in the Ghana Armed forces. President Mahama said government would also receive four new helicopters by the end of the year to enable them to carry out domestic assignments in the coming years. Lt General Joseph Henry Smith, Minister for Defence gave the assurance that the Ghana Armed Forces would make maximum use of the facility to step up their performance both in the country and beyond. He promised to provide more equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces to beef up their performance and called for collaboration from the civilian community to ensure successful performance of the military in the country. Mr Song Lin, President of the China Poly Group that constructed the hangars said the projects would further deepen the cordial relations between Ghana and China that had been established since Ghana's independence. GNA...
Kumasi, Oct 19, GNA – Mr Peter Hodgson, a Principal Inspector of Mines at the Minerals Commission, has advised officials of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to become more conversant with mining rights and regulations. He said this would equip the officials with knowledge and skills, to enable them to assist in bringing sanity to the mining sector, particularly small-scale mining. Mr Hodgson was speaking at a day’s sensitization workshop, organized by the Commission to educate stakeholders in the mining sector on the recently passed minerals law. In was attended by more than 100 representatives of sand-winners, small-scale miners, quarry companies, chiefs and the assemblies. Mr Hodgson asked mineral prospecting companies, quarry operators and sand winners to obtain mineral rights from the Commission, before going into business. reclaim devastated lands. He said the Commission would closely monitor and supervise their operations, to help maintain environmental safety standards. Mr John Amoanyi, a Senior Inspector of Mines, educated the participants on the Minerals and Mining Explosives of Law (LI 2177) of 2012 that seeks to address challenges associated with the use of explosives in mining and civil works, and to conform to international best practices – health and safety. GNA ...
Accra, Oct 19, GNA – Mr Ken Ashiegbey, Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group, on Friday lauded the media for their role in the improvement of the electoral processes of the country. He said Ghana’s elections, especially transparency with elections, had come this far due to the enormous role played by the media, especially reportage on electoral issues since 1992. Addressing student journalists during a workshop organized by the International Institute of Journalism, PenPlusbytes in Accra Mr Ashiegbey lauded the media for the swift manner in which issues pertaining to elections were reported by the use of digital devices. “Due to the hard work of the media and the emergence of the digital devices, reports are now swifts, right from the polling centres as well as on the spot issues. “Accurate reports on election results would leave the loser with no other option but to accept it because a lot of light might thrown on the on it already”, he said. He appealed to the students to explore the digital paradigm to know more about happenings around them in order to be abreast with time. Mr Eric Akowuah, Director of Operations, National Information Technology Agency (NITA), extolled the crucial role played by technology, especially the internet and social media in the education of the masses on government issues. He said governments, globally, are using the power of the internet to transform governance, empower and educate the citizenry on their policies, and advised the media to continue to use the mass media to their advantage. He said NITA had rolled out eleven electronic services (e-services) aimed at making service provision and access to certain information easier. “Some of our e-services include information on passports acquisition and business and marriage registrations in Ghana on our site www.eservices.com”, he added. He described Kenya as a shining example in Africa on its open data policies, adding that Ghana was also working on developing such a policy for its citizen. Mr Akowuah cited delay in the release of important data to the public and the ability or inability to determine the sort of information or data to churn out as some of the issues militating against the open data system worldwide. The workshop attracted journalism students from the Jayee University College (JUC), the African University College of Communications (AUCC) and the National Films and Television Institute (NAFTI).http://www.penplusbytes.org/images/spacer.gif This Bootcamp or workshop formed part of Penplusbytes’ efforts to promote the use of new media tools in journalism and the newsroom and it comes at the opportune time when Ghanaians are gearing up for the upcoming general elections where social media had to be harnessed by the ordinary citizen to ensure credible and transparent elections. The theme for this year’s edition is "Improving the Quality of Ghana’a 2012 Elections Coverage through Data Journalism Application” and it’s expected to cover key topics such as "Introduction to Data Journalism", covering elections powered by data journalism and visualization with special focus on interactive school team projects. GNA ...
Accra Oct. 19, GNA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday unanimously dismissed a case against the Electoral Commission (EC) in the creation of the 45 new constituencies. According to the Supreme Court the action brought by businessman Ransford France, challenging the authority of the EC to create the 45 new constituencies, was not founded in law. According to the SC considering the resources and time sunk into the creation of the constituencies by the EC it would amount to waste of resources. The court noted that the Constitution was not static and it should be interpreted as a living document to suit the current trends in the country. “It would be improper to invalidate the discretional powers exercised by the EC,” stressing that; “Article 296 clause (c) did not affect the discretional powers exercised by the Commission”, the Court noted. It noted that if the Court nullified the case of EC, it would amount to nullification of all Acts embarked by public bodies especially in issues concerning national interest. Mr Ransford Frances and his lawyers had gone to the Supreme Court praying it to declare the Constitutional Instrument 78 as unconstitutional and therefore null and void. This was after the court had dismissed a writ for an interlocutory injunction filed by lawyers of the plaintiff seeking to prevent Parliament from passing the C.I. 78 that was intended to give legal backing to the creation of the 45 new constituencies. The businessman was challenging the powers of the EC to go ahead with the creation of new constituencies without first laying it before Parliament a Constitutional Instrument indicating clearly the mechanism, formula or modalities by which it intended to undertake that exercise. On July 16 this year, the plaintiff proceeded to the SC praying it to perpetually restrain the EC from laying before Parliament any Constitutional Instrument creating new constituencies or revoking the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2004 [C.I. 46], until it lays before Parliament a Constitutional Instrument which clearly sets out the processes to be adopted by the EC. GNA ...
Accra , Oct 19, GNA – Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojo, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Ghana on Friday lauded the country’s determination and commitment towards the sustenance of peace on the African continent. These, she said had been achieved through the country's effective peacekeeping and other alternative forms of dispute resolution, both within and outside of the country, to promote national and regional security, cohesion , and development to consolidate the gains made over the years. Ms Sandhu-Rojo, was addressing the press in Accra on activities lined up for the 67th UN Day celebrations in Ghana, which would be observed under the theme: “Good Governance, Peace and Stability for National Development”. The day, which falls on October 24 each year, provides an opportunity for countries to renew their shared devotions to the aims and objectives of the UN, highlight and celebrate, and also reflect on the achievements of the Organisation through various activities. In Ghana the theme has been chosen judging from the challenges that confront nation-building and more significantly in line with the country’s preparations towards the December 2012 election. Activities would include radio and television discussions and discussions on breakfast shows, a Model UN Session by school children, “What do you know” quiz programme on GTV, and a flag raising ceremony at the forecourt of the State House, Accra. Ms Sandhu-Rojo stressed that it was important to note that development alone could not bring about peace, but rather peace must be recognized as a critical ingredient to development, while development also becomes necessary to sustain peace. She noted that although Ghana had been successful in conducting five peaceful general elections, the political maturity must be preserved to ensure peace and security both in the country in the sub-Region. She also spoke about the high level of commitment exhibited by political leaders and Civil Society Organisations towards peace and the peaceful manner in which the Biometric Voter Registration exercise was conducted, as a good sign towards the successes of the elections 2012. Ms Sandhu-Rojo said part of activities for the celebrations the UN would engage in various forms of dialogue with countries who are likely to miss the realization of some of the Millennium Development Goals, especially those on Maternal and Infant mortality among others, to develop a plan of action for the achievement of such goals. Ambassador Chris Kpodo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, paid tribute to the UN and its Systems who have remained dedicated over the past 67 years to the service of humanity, sometimes at the peril of their lives. He noted that the choice of the theme for the celebration was an emphatic recognition of the connection between peace, stability and national development and further cited their significant role in fostering national cohesion and development. He stated that the reality that development could only be achieved in a peaceful and stable environment underscored the sustained efforts being made by Government to stem the tide of inter and intra-ethnic conflicts, through the intervention of local institutions and structures like the National Peace Council and the Committee of Eminent Chiefs. “As a country whose constitution imposes on us the responsibility to establish a just and free society, where every Ghanaian would have the opportunity to live long, productive and meaningful lives, we hold a strong conviction that every single life lost as a result of armed violence, represents a setback to our national development”, he said. “Today, we are less than 50 days away from conducting our presidential and parliamentary elections. H.E the President of the Republic has assured the nation and the international community of his personal, as well as Government’s commitment to ensuring that the elections are free, fair and peaceful. That assurance indeed, reaffirms our determination, as a nation, to sustain good governance," he said. Ambassador Kpodo said Ghana’s success in election 2012 would again be a significant test of her commitment to democratic governance as an essential prerequisite for sustainable peace and development. GNA ...
Accra, Oct 19, GNA - Dr Ebenezer Appiah Denkyirah, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on Friday launched a 47-page manual to serve as a Regional reference document for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The document would also aid institutions and organizations in the management of health care waste. For the first time in the annals of the Sub-Region, there is a practical and explicit document that clearly provides legal, administrative and financial guidelines on a daily basis for a rational and responsible management of health care waste. The manual, which is simplified for easy reading, understanding and implementation, was developed by the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO), a Sub-Regional Institution mandated for the prevention of HIV and AIDS, care and support, treatment and the facilitation of free movement of people and goods and along the road linking Abidjan to Lagos. The fight against Sexually Transmitted Infections as well as HIV and AIDS along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor requires a mufti-dimensional approach to halt the potential risk of further spread of the disease along the corridor due to poor management of health waste. The ALCO’s intervention therefore covers five ECOWAS - member countries – Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria and whose governments have appended their signatures to the document. The five countries have demonstrated their commitments to ensuring the implementation of the guidelines for the proper management of health care waste in their respective countries. Dr Appiah Denkyirah in an address said although Ghana had a similar document, its implementation had not been effective and expressed the hoped that the current manual would complement the existing document to promote best practices along this corridor. Dr Edith Clark, Programme Manager, Occupational and Environmental Health Unit (GHS), who gave highlights of the manual, described health care waste as any form of waste generated at health care facilities. She cited examples of such waste as amputated human parts, placenta, needles and syringes used for the treatment of both persons with infectious diseases and other regular patients. She explained that in the health facility waste could be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous, where the former include sharp and contaminated objects that need to be packaged separately in a coded disposal bag to prevent contamination. The manual contains basic information about the nature, generation collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of healthcare waste, hence its implementation would certainly ensure a culture of best practices in health facilities and borders to help minimize the incidence of infections of STIs as well as HIV and AIDS, she said. According to her it was clear that management of such waste in the sub-Region was saddled with challenges such as ignorance among stakeholders, the absence of strong policies, legal framework and weak capacity of waste management professionals among others. Dr Clark noted that poor management of health care waste increasingly exposes medical staff and the population to an unhealthy environment and the risk of infections. Therefore ALCO's interventions are focused on awareness campaigns, provision of equipment for personal protection, construction of incinerators and septic tanks and partnerships with the private sector in the collection, removal and disposal of such forms of waste. She urged all stakeholders to embrace the use of the manual to ensure a safe health care environment for both staff and patients. GNA ...
Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who picked the number one position for President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, said the top spot on the ballot paper would make party’s voter education easier. “This is a good omen for us as the first position also falls in line with our ‘One touch victory slogan,’ for Election 2012,” Mr Asiedu Nketia told the Ghana News Agency in Accra after leading some party executives to participate in the balloting at the Electoral Commission. Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), described the third position for the party’s Presidential Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo said: “Three is a good number for the NPP.” “With number three, we are sure to win. The NPP picked number one position in 2008 and we lost the elections and the late President John Evans Atta Mills picked number three and won”. Justifying the number seven position he picked for the presidential candidate of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP), Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, Mr. Donkor Ayita, said: “Number seven has all the powers that God invested on earth and it also represent the number of perfection”. Mr Bernard Mornah, General Secretary of the Peoples National Convention who represented the party and picked the sixth position for Mr Hassan Ayariga, the party’s presidential candidate, down played the significance of position on the ballot paper. He said: “simple positions on the ballot paper does not win vote, but rather intensive voter education is key and the trick to winning elections and will not attach any spiritual meaning to the number six.” Mr. Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, EC Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, said the pictures of the presidential candidates would appear on the ballot paper in accordance with the position they occupy. He said a later date would be organized for parliamentary candidates of the six political parties whose flag bearers’ nomination papers were rejected ballot for positions. At the end of balloting supervised by Mr Sarfo-Kantanka, the NDC’s presidential candidate picked the top spot on the ballot paper and second spot was picked by Dr Henry Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP). Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the NPP picked the third position, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) the fourth position and the United Front Party’s (UFP) Mr Akwasi Adddai Odike, the fifth position. The rest are Mr Hassan Ayariga of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) sixth and the Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) seven. According to the Electoral rules the Independent Presidential Candidate Mr Jacob Osei Yebaoh will be the eighth on the Presidential ballot. The positions will be the same for parliamentary candidates, with independent candidates coming after candidates of the political parties in alphabetical order. The order for that balloting was determined by the order in which the presidential candidates filed their papers at the EC last Wednesday and Thursday. In Election 2008, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo picked the top spot on the ballot paper whilst the second was picked by Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama of the People's National Convention, while Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) occupied the third on the ballot paper. Mr Emmanuel Ansah Antwi of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) fourth, Mr Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People's Party fifth, and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom then with the Convention People's Party sixth, Mr Kwamena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats seventh, while Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an independent candidate was eighth. GNA ...
Ejisu (Ash), Oct 19, GNA - The Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Director of Education, Madam Gertrude Mensah, has reminded teachers about the need to uphold professional ethics and show passion for the job. They should carry themselves with dignity to become good examples not only to the children they teach but the people in their communities. She was speaking at a day’s orientation workshop held at Ejisu for 110 newly trained teachers posted to the municipality. Madam Mensah urged them to make effective use of the “school contact hours” to enhance the academic performance of the pupils and should avoid absenteeism and lateness to school. Mr. Adjen Frimpong, the Municipal Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers’ (GNAT), advised them to take advantage of the GNAT Youth Policy to upgrade themselves. GNA ...
Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – The Veterans Administration of Ghana would, on October 23, launch the Poppy Appeal to help raise funds in support of Ghanaian veterans of the world wars and international peacekeeping operations. This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday. The appeal is to support the commemoration of the Remembrance Day which falls on Sunday, November 11. Remembrance Day, November 11 each year, is observed throughout the world to remember members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the course of duty since the end of the First World War. The statement said on that day some 67 years ago, World War I formally ended with the signing of the armistice. “During the period preceding Remembrance Day, artificial red poppies were sold to the general public in honour of the dead and fallen ex-service personnel”, it said. It added that the symbolic significance of selling poppies is a way of mobilizing funds to support the welfare of veterans, especially the disabled and the hospitalized. The statement said in addition to remembering heroes who died during the two world wars, Remembrance Day was used to remember gallant soldiers who lost their lives in the fight for independence and in the peacekeeping operations which began in Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1960 but is still ongoing with Ghana among the top ten troop contributing nations to United Nations peace operations. GNA ...
Cape Coast, Oct 18, GNA – The circuit court in Cape Coast, on Thursday remanded two men into police custody, for stealing at gun point GHc2, 100 and a mobile phone worth GHc380 at electricity pre-paid shop belonging to Geogietta Koomson, at Abura, a suburb of Cape Coast. William Gbedze, a 22-year-old petty trader, and Gershon Ahedor Francis a 28-year-old mechanic, both residents of Wiamoah, near Cape Coast Polytechnic, were charged for five counts of unlawful entry, conspiracy to commit crime, causing harmful damage, possession of fire guns without authority, and robbery. The accused, who pleaded guilty, would re-appear before court on Thursday, November 1. Chief Inspector Charles Anku told the court that on August 5 at about 2030 hours, the accused entered the shop and pretended to recharge their prepaid card. The prosecution said when, Gabriel P.K. Aidoo, a friend of Koomson, confronted the accused, Gbedze pointed a gun at (him) Aidoo and ordered him to lie down, while Francis kept watch over him (Aidoo). Chief Insp. Anku told the court that Gbedze ordered the victim to open the glass door of another apartment of the shop. The prosecution said when the victim refused, Gbedze assaulted her, crushed open the door with his leg, entered the apartment, and took the amount and Francis took the phone. The court heard that after the episode, Gbedze fired a warning shot to scare people from coming to the scene, and he together with Francis escaped with the booty. Chief Insp. Anku told the court that on October 14, the accused, who were arrested by the police at a hideout in Cape Coast, admitted the crime. GNA ...
Beposo (Ash), Oct 19, GNA - As the struggle for political power in the December 7 election intensifies, women supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Nsuta-Kwamang-Beposo Constituency have become more visible in the party’s campaign to win over more voters. They have come together under the “Girls-Girls Association” and are going from house-to-house to canvass for votes for Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate, and Mr Asafo Adjei, the party’s parliamentary candidate for the area. Ms Joana Adoma, President of the Association, at a ceremony held at Beposo to formally outdoor it, pledged their resolve to work hard to increase the NPP’s share of popular voters in the coming polls. They would reach out to the people with the NPP’s campaign message on free Senior High School (SHS) education, growing the economy, strong and incorruptible leadership, aggressive push towards industrialization and job creation. She said they would do everything to help the electorate to make the right choices to put the nation back on the path to progress to end the economic hardship. Dr Thomas Forkuo Agyapong, a leading member of the party, praised the women for the pivotal role they were playing to bring the NPP back to power and urged them to carry on. They should remain focused on the task ahead and refuse to be intimidated, he said. GNA ...
Takoradi, Oct 19, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama on Friday commissioned military facilities and called on the Ghana Armed Forces to exhibit a high level of professionalism to put them ahead of their colleagues in the sub-region. The facilities include; two new aircraft hangars, a simulator and a diamond DA 42 aircraft, sea vessels and surveillance aircraft among others. The construction of the hangars was a collaboration between the governments of Ghana and China and the facility would house aircraft and serve as a place of maintenance for planes in Ghana and the entire sub-West African region. President Mahama said apart from the facilities, government would continue to provide all the necessary logistics that would make the Ghana Armed Forces to exhibit their best in the coming years. He urged them to regularly maintain the facilities to ensure a longer lifespan and to serve future generations in the Ghana Armed forces. President Mahama said government would also receive four new helicopters by the end of the year to enable them to carry out domestic assignments in the coming years. Lt General Joseph Henry Smith, Minister for Defence gave the assurance that the Ghana Armed Forces would make maximum use of the facility to step up their performance both in the country and beyond. He promised to provide more equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces to beef up their performance and called for collaboration from the civilian community to ensure successful performance of the military in the country. Mr Song Lin, President of the China Poly Group that constructed the hangars said the projects would further deepen the cordial relations between Ghana and China that had been established since Ghana's independence. More ...
Winneba, Oct. 19, GNA – The Effutu constituency parliamentary candidate for Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Owusu Ofori, has said he would be the Member of Parliament for all if he wins in December. This was contained in a message delivered on his behalf by Mr James Marshall Boah, Constituency Chairman of the party, after the submission of his nomination form at the of Effutu Municipal office of the Electoral Commission in Winneba on Thursday. He said he would ensure team work irrespective of religion, culture, political affiliations and family linage to restore the image of the constituency that has been tarnished due to discrimination by some politicians. He said the PPP has the qualities to deliver and it will therefore be very prudent to vote for Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum as President. GNA ...
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