Accra, Oct 26, GNA - Dr Abu Sakara,  flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party for Election 2012,  has paid a courtesy call on Nana Kobina Nketia V, Onanhene of Essikadao in the Western Region, as part of his tour of the area. The flag bearer and his entourage introduced themselves to the Essikadao Traditional Council and sought the advice and blessings of members. A statement from the CPP, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday, said Dr Abu Sakara praised the CPP for its track record of excellent leadership. He said: “CPP would usher in a period of transformation with sustainable and meaningful development, and would not do anything to harm the security of the country”. Nana Akosua Frimpongmaa Sarpong Kunankuma, running mate of Dr Sakara, called on the traditional leaders to take up leadership positions in the country since they had the welfare of the people at heart. Nana Nketia V said that Ghana would have been transformed into an economic giant like China if it had followed the ideals of late President Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana. The traditional ruler said he has confidence in the CPP and asked the leadership to sustain its commitment to the implementation of the vision of Dr Nkrumah. Dr Sakara met with CPP parliamentary candidates in the region and presented them with additional party posters, flags and paraphernalia, and motorbikes to facilitate their activities. He asked them to intensify their electioneering to enable the party win the polls. GNA...

Koforidua, Oct. 26, GNA - The 10th Annual General Conference of Ghana Physician Assistants (Medical) Association (GPAA) opened in Koforidua, on Friday.       The five-day conference is on the theme: “All hands on deck, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 8- The role of the Physician Assistant.”         Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister expressed the need for stakeholders to come together to address the problems confronting the provision of quality health for the citizenry.        He noted that the attainment of the MDGs, especially goals 4, 5, and 6 are of utmost important to everyone.      “Government is therefore expanding and improving health infrastructures in the country so as to ensure that everyone and especially pregnant women have easy and quality access to health care,” he said.      Mr Terlabi said Ghana had made considerable achievement in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic, adding: “Aside the campaigns for voluntary testing and counselling, the Ghana AIDS Commission is vigorously working with other stakeholders to eliminate mother to child transmission of the virus.”      He asked pregnant women to visit the hospitals for early examination.    Chief Badana Imoro III, National President of GPAA, observed that the health specific MDGs, which are goals 4, 5, and 6, are becoming more challenging to meet, “try as we would in the forward march against the countdown”.      “Let us not be seen to be chasing a mirage by establishing just monumental operational landmarks but be seen to be building a mental attitude that will stimulate a resolve and commitment by all, towards the ultimate objective.”     Chief Imoro said to achieve the goal it calls for an approach that would be appealing to the conscience of all.    He indicated that members of the association are well poised to make great impact in the efforts. GNA...

Accra, Oct 26, GNA - Maulvi Dr. Wahab Adam, Ameer (Head) and Missionary in Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, has  asked Ghanaians to bear in mind that their ultimate goal was towards building one peaceful and prosperous nation. He said that differences in opinion did not mean enmity, and asked stakeholders in Election 2012 to work towards ensuring free and fair polls. Maulvi Adam said these  on Friday, during the Eidul-Adzha celebration, at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Conference Center in Accra. Explaining the significance of the occasion, the Head and Missionary said: “Prophet Abraham on whom be peace, who was used by Allah to build the Kaa'ba, the pivot around which the rites of the Haj revolves, is accepted by both Christians and Muslims, and indeed, all the major religions of the world, as the Father of Prophets". Maulvi Adam said this: “must bind Muslims and Christians together and also our traditionalists, who believe in the Unity of God, into a strong bond of brotherhood and sisterhood". He said that it was not a mere co-incidence that the Eid was so close to Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which would be held in December. Maulvi Adam called on Ghanaians to embrace love and eschew hatred and animosity and added:  "We have had five successful elections already. We should all pray and resolve that we will succeed in doing it again this year too, to prevent the difficulties, anguish and pain that other countries experience as a result of bickering that surround their elections". Eid-ul-Adzha, also said the sacrifice festival, is celebrated by Muslims all over the world every year, to mark the spectacular sacrifice by the Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham, of his only son, Ismail or Ishmael, with the support of his spouse, Hajrah or Hagar. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA-The Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has urged all presidential aspirants in the December elections to take a health check in view of the rigorous nature of their campaign. The hospital maintained that most of the aspirants are beyond 40 years, and at that age, too much travelling around is not good for their health. Professor Nii Otu Nartey, Chief Executive Officer KBTH gave the advice when the presidential aspirant of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom called at the hospital to enlighten the management of the hospital on the party’s plan to upgrade facilities at the institution to meet current challenges. The visit formed part of the PPP’s presidential candidate’s campaign tour of constituencies in the Greater Accra Region. The hospital is located in the Ablekuma South Constituency. Prof Nartey said it is extremely important that every presidential aspirant includes a physician specialist in his or her campaign team to regularly check for health anomalies. “It is important and you all need to be healthy to withstand this rigorous routine as you criss-cross the country to canvass for votes,” he said. Prof Nartey said the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is ready to provide the service free of charge to all presidential aspirants, adding that all they need to do is to place a call “and we will be at your service”. He cited the case of a presidential candidate in the US who rescinded his decision to run for the presidency when he discovered after a medical check that he was not fit for that race, asking whether other politicians would emulate that example? Prof Nartey called for stability in the country, calling on politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully in order to maintain the stable environment Ghana is enjoying before, during and after the December polls. Dr Nduom gave the assurance that the PPP would not negate the current peaceful atmosphere in the country and would always strive to engender unity even in diversity. He said it is important that institutions of State are adequately recognise and commended the hospital for the sterling service it is providing. The PPP presidential candidate assured the management of the hospital that when voted into power, the party would expediently ensure that the facility is given the adequate facelift and equipment upgrade to handle emergency cares. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – More than 6,500 lives are lost annually in Ghana as a result of exposure to air pollution caused by use of inefficient cook-stoves and fuels,  a report by the World Health Organisation had announced. Eighty-seven per cent of the three billion people worldwide who annually rely on such inefficient traditional energy source to cook, are adversely affected by air household pollution, the report added. Mrs Radha Muthiah, Executive Director of Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, disclosed this on Thursday at the launch of the Ghana Sustainable Energy for All Country Action Plan (GSE4ALL) in Accra. The Action Plan which was officially launched by Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, was developed by the Energy Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme, Ghana. The document was to ensure universal access to modern energy for cooking and productive use of energy by 2020. It also outlines specific solutions and prioritised actions to accelerate the achievement of universal access to modern energy services, double the rate of improvements in energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. The GSE4ALL is said to represent the Country Action Plan Implementation and Monitoring Plan and the cost estimates of the prioritised interventions under the Plan. Mrs Muthiah observed that women were mostly impacted by the negative effects of cooking on open fires and traditional cookstoves because of their responsibilities as cooks and managers of their households. She pledged the Alliance’s commitments towards supporting government’s advocacy efforts encourage innovation, improve access and quality of cookstove and to ensure that women were economically empowered. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private partnership that seeks to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and combat climate change by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. Clean cooking solutions are cookstove technologies, fuels, equipment, and practices that address the health and environmental impacts associated with traditional cookstoves. Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, UN Resident Coordinator, called for strong partnerships to be developed among institutions, agencies and civil society groups to ensure effective implementation of the action plan work. She added that sustainable development as well as issues of gender needed to be addressed. Professor Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Board Chairman of the Energy Commission, called on stakeholders to demonstrate commitment for successful roll out of the project. GNA...

Accra, Oct 26, GNA - Grace Petroleum Company Limited on Tuesday organized a two-day training seminar to equip its staff with customer relations skills, to enhance service delivery. Attendants and supervisors of the company from the 10 regions of Ghana participated in the event that aimed at upgrading the workers’ skills in modern forecourt management. Mr Jonas Ayi, General Manager of Grace Petroleum, said the company was obliged to raise the standards of customer service attendants through education and sharing of best practices in customer care. He said good customer service should incorporate general principles such as mutual collaboration between the customer and service provider.  Mr Dela Komla Kayi, Marketing and Commercial Manager of the company, said: “ providing delightful customer service to the fast growing customer base is the only means by which Grace Petroleum can differentiate its offer and also to achieve its mission of becoming the dominant Ghanaian oil marketing company.” He said the company would continue to provide the required tools and skills as well as motivate staff to enable them to give off their best to customers. Grace Petroleum does businesses in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, and is engaged in marketing and distribution of petroleum and allied products throughout Ghana. The company’s products include petrol, diesel, kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur underscored Government’s commitment to supporting  activities of Muslims in the country. The Vice President cited the organization of Hajj for the past four years, which according to him was smooth and peaceful. He stressed: “that with diligence and proper organisation, the number of Muslims travelling on pilgrimage from Ghana had increased.’’ Vice President Amissah-Arthur was addressing Muslims of the Ahlul-Sunnah Wal Jamah at the celebration of Edul Adhar, at the Afua Sutherland children’s Park in Accra on Friday. He said government has recognized the relationship between Muslims and Christians in the country, and called for its sustenance, to facilitate development, adding, “Let us demonstrate more to the world that we are peaceful.” Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the Ahlul-Sunnah Wal Jamah was noted for its ability to resolve conflicts in the country through Islamic principles, and called on Ghanaians to emulate the religious group. He called on Muslims to abide by the practices of Prophet Muhammed, who was peaceful. Vice President Amissah-Arthur called on Ghanaians to ensure peace and unity before during and after the elections. Sheik Ibrahim Umar Imam, National Chief Imam of the Ahlul-Sunnah Wal Jamah, gave the assurance that Muslims would pay ceaselessly for peace and unity in the country. He also asked Ghanaians to strive for justice and said “there can be no peace without justice”. Sheik Imam said the National Democratic Congress government has recognised the contribution of Muslims, including the Ahlul-Sunnah Wal Jamah , to national development. Sheik Muniru Abdulai Toufiq, Greater Accra Regional Imam of Ahlul-Sunnah Wal Jamah, said Allah has blessed Ghana with peace, and asked Ghanaians to continue to promote peace and unity. He pledged that Muslims would remain peace ambassadors in the country and advocate peaceful elections. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, have sent a message of goodwill to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid ul Adha festival being celebrated on Friday. A statement from the office of the former President, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, said the couple also congratulated Muslims for the successful conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.     It called on all Muslims to use this period of sacrifice to pray for peace and unity as the country draws close to the presidential and parliamentary elections. The statement said: “Our dear brothers and sisters, as we pray, perform sacrifices and celebrate, let us seek guidance from Allah to protect us during this electoral season so we come out of the process successfully”. It called on Ghanaians to join hands across all religious and political divides to ensure that the elections are incident-free. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Action would be expedited to elevate the status of the Higher National Diploma (HND), to enable them find their rightful place on the job market. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Progressive People’s Party (PPP) presidential candidate for Election 2012, who gave the assurance, said: “We know your value...and the PPP would ensure that you find your rightful place and gain reputation in this country and beyond”. He said these when he inaugurated the Progressive Youth Movement, the youth wing of the party, at the Accra Polytechnic on Wednesday. Dr Nduom said the party would fufil the promise if voted into power in December and added that it was time that the job market recognised the value of polytechnic graduates. He explained that the polytechnics have produced brilliant and talented people, now occupying distinguished positions, both locally and internationally. The PPP presidential candidate said he had employed many HND holders and they had proved their worth. Dr Nduom said the party would create jobs to guarantee the future of the youth of Ghana. He stressed that ‘’the PPP would ensure that in six years, everyone who graduates from the tertiary institution would find employment waiting for him or her, because there is no reason seeking education when there is no prospects of gaining job.’’ Dr Nduom   said the party would harness the country’s resources to establish industries to create employment for the youth, and appealed to young people across the country to vote massively for the PPP for a brighter future. The issue of job placement of polytechnic graduates has over the years become contentious, with HND holders demanding that their certificates be equated to a first degree. Most job evaluators place HND certificate holders a step or two lower than degree holders, limiting their progression in relation to that of university graduates. GNA...

Cape Coast, Oct. 26, GNA - The government through the National Disaster Management Organisation, on Thursday made available  for distribution, relief items to persons affected by floods at Kwaprow, in the Cape Coast area. The items included 50 bags of rice, 50 bags of corn, 30 cartons of cooking oil, mosquito nets and mosquito coils and plastic buckets and cups. Government has also engaged a contractor to start dredging the Kakum River next week. The interventions were announced by Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur when he visited Kwaprow, as part of a tour of the Central Region. He ascertained the needs of the people, told them about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) programmes and projects for the region if the party is retained in power in the December 7 polls.         The Vice President expressed sympathy to the people, whose properties were destroyed by the floods last week, and assured them of government’s support. He said government was making interventions to provide jobs for the youth, and to ensure stability and development. Vice President Amissah-Arthur appealed to the electorate to give the NDC their mandate to continue with its Better Ghana Agenda, in December. He stressed that they should vote massively for President John Dramani  Mahama, NDC presidential candidate for Election 2012, and Mr Ebo Barton Oduro, the party’s parliamentary  candidate for Cape Coast. Vice President Amissah-Arthur also visited Kyekyewere near Dunkwa On Offin in the Denkyira East Constituency, and urged the electorate to vote massively for the NDC. He introduced Dr Mark Kurd Nawaane, NDC parliamentary candidate for Denkyira East. Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who is also running mate to President Mahama in Election 2012, would pay a courtesy call on traditional rulers at Abankesieso, attend a rally at the Dunkwa Kyekyewere and inspect the Dunkwa-Kyekyewere-Awisem--Cape Coast road. He would continue to Denkyera West and stop over at Bisiase and Diaso and meet with the chiefs and people, Npom and interact with small-scale miners at Ayanfury. Accompanying the Vice President included, Ms Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Minister for the Central region, Nana Sam Brew Batchler, former chairman of National Sports Council, and member of the NDC. GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – Presidential and parliamentary aspirants of the various political parties have filed nominations with the Electoral Commission, paving the way for the crucial political contest in Election 2012. The parties are seriously engaged in electioneering that is characterised by promises, which has been the practice since the inception of multi-party democracy in Ghana. Ghanaians consider electoral promises by presidential candidates as normal no matter how sceptical they might view them. It is customary for pledges made by prospective parliamentarians to raise eye brows.        Some people hold the view that because parliamentarians do not control the national purse to be able to implement development projects, their promises to improve the standards of living of the people are just political gimmicks to win votes. After all, their basic responsibility is to enact laws for the running of the country, and to support the executive arm of government to administer the nation. But in practical terms, Ghanaian Members of Parliament (MPs) after elections become overburdened with demands from their supporters and sympathisers, following assurances they made at political rallies. This is to the extent that some MPs pay school fees, water and electricity bills and fund social functions, including funerals, of relatives and well wishers. Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, a Deputy Minister of Energy, and National Democratic Party (NDC) MP for Ellembele, has dismissed the notion that legislators should not make promises and execute development projects as well. He said society is dynamic, and the duty of the modern MP should be diverse, and not limited to law- making and other efforts to deepen governance.  “Today’s parliamentarian should be ingenious, establish links, promote peace and unity, and pool human and natural resources for the development of his or her constituency, to raise the people’s standard of living,” Mr Buah told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.          The 46-year-old MP, who is contesting for the Ellembele seat on the ticket of the NDC on December 7, said he had worked tirelessly to bring progress to his people, and pledged to do more if retained in Parliament, through effective leadership and representation. Mr Buah, a law graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and graduate of Master of Science in Management from Maryland University, USA, said that education is key to national development, and would, therefore, do his best to improve that sector in his constituency. The Deputy Minister said he would adopt a “Leave no Child Behind” approach for every child in Ellembele to get access to basic and secondary education, collaborate with the district assembly, private sector, national and international groups, to raise funds to upgrade and build educational facilities such as classroom blocks, and promote the learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Mr Buah said he would initiate measures to motivate teachers to accept transfers to his constituency and remain at post, and give financial support to needy and poor school children, to enable them to complete their education. On healthcare and sanitation, the MP said he would work with the assemblies and stakeholders to reduce child mortality, spread of HIV and AIDS, provide waste dumping sites, drainage systems, potable water, and make sure that access to health care becomes a right and not a privilege. Stressing that “a healthy person is a healthy society”, the MP expressed commitment to promote preventive health care, provide elderly care services, and create Ellembele Ambulance Service and a mobile clinic. Mr Buah noted that “the devil finds work for the idle hand” hence the need for him to liaise with government institutions, national and international organisations, mainly non-governmental organisations, private persons, traditional rulers and the district assembly to create the necessary conditions for investments to create jobs for the youth in the area. Also of priority is the development of the rich cultural heritage of the people such as Nkroful, the birthplace of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, making the beaches clean, preserving historic castles and other tourist attraction sites to promote tourism. Under the sleeves of the Ellembele MP is the establishment of the Ellemble Tourism Planning Committee, visitor’s bureau or offices in all the major towns in the constituency, Ellembele Chamber of Commerce and the Ellembele Beautification project. The MP’s attention was drawn to the fact that his plans for the constituency were grandiose, ambitious and seemed to give meaning to the African proverb, “If nakedness promises you clothing, ask of its name”. Mr Buah reacted with another indigenous proverb: “If a blind person says he would throw a stone at you, be careful because he might be stepping on one”, meaning he has what it takes to deliver his promises. The MP said he had provided computers to some basic and senior high schools (SHSs), connected Internet to Nkroful Agriculture SHS, and supported the construction of new ICT centres at Atuabo, Asasetre, ICT training for teachers and students to enhance ICT education in Ellembele District. Mr Buah negotiated for a fixed quota for qualified Nzema students to enter nurses and teacher training colleges and took care of the cost of their training. The MP arranged for free mock examination for all public and private candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination, registration of remedial students for the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination, and secured scholarships for undergraduate and post-graduate students. Mr Buah supported the construction of classrooms blocks and teachers’ quarters in some communities, lobbied to ensure that Kikam Technical Institute was selected as one of only three institutions in Ghana with the capacity to train students in the oil and gas industry. The MP provided street lights and ensured the construction of new electricity transmission lines to Ellembele and Jomoro districts, as well as the installation of three-phase transformers in some institutions and towns in Ellembele.   Mr Buah ensured the connection of most communities in Ellembele to the national electricity grid and distributed street lamps to the people, the installation of solar energy panels, mobile phone charging and lighting systems in some communities in the northern part of the constituency. Through the efforts of Mr Buah, some people in the constituency, especially the youth, have received employment through social openings such as Zoomlion, Zoil, Mosquito Spraying Programme and the establishment of small and medium enterprises. The tarring of Esiama town roads, reshaping of Aiyinase-Nyamebekyere road and a 42- km- road network to link the northern part of the district to the south were made possible through the initiatives of the parliamentarian.       Mr Buah had established Ellembele Mobile Clinic and Community-based Health Planning and Services centres to increase health-care accessibility, initiated Ellembele Health Fund and rehabilitated and refurnished health facilities at Aiyinase. He had also registered orphans and the aged under the National Health Insurance Scheme, donated medical equipment to Nzema District Hospital, as well as wheel-chairs and crutches to persons with disabilities in the area. The provision of pipe-borne water and boreholes, KVIP and water closet toilets in communities in Elembele, including Teleku Bokazo, Aiyinase, Esiama, Bakanta, and Teleku-Bokazo were the brainchild of Mr Buah, as well as the building and rehabilitation of community sheds at Bomoakpole, Anwia and Azuleluanu. Definitely, the role of a modern MP has undergone massive transformation in Ghana, and this calls for more innovation to assist his or her constituents. Apart from being a legislator, the MP is an ombudsman acting as a trusted intermediary between the people and government, and a social worker, addressing the needs of the people. Mr Buah has demonstrated these potentials for change, and proved that the MP can be a conduit for development. After all, heaven helps those who help themselves.  (GNA feature by Clemence Okumah)...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – A book that seeks to pave the way for fertile answers in stories of struggles, victories and convictions was on Thursday launched in Accra.   The book titled, “Women leading Africa”, is a collection of conservation and interviews of 18 inspirational African women leaders from Eastern, Western and Southern Africa. It was launched by the Africa Women Development Fund (AWDF).   Mrs Adeleye-Fameyi, First Lady of Ekiti State in Nigeria and Co-Founder of AWDF, said the book is a grant making foundation that supports local, national and regional women’s organizations working towards the empowerment of African women and the promotion and realization of their rights.   She said the AWDF aims at increasing the participation of women in decision making in governance such as parliament and the judiciary.   Mrs Fameyi said it was important that women were recognized in every step in society as they formed the foundation for the growth of children, who would grow to become future leaders.   The AWDF advocates for women to live in a world where there is social justice, equity and respect for their human rights.   Mrs Fameyi said AWDF mobilises financial, human and material resources to support African women and the work of the African women’s movement to advance women’s rights and gender equality in Africa.   She believes that if women and women’s organizations were empowered with skills, information, sustainable livelihood, opportunities to fulfill their potentials and the capacity and space to make transformatory choices, “We will have vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities.”       Mrs Fameyi said since the AWDF starts in 2001, it had provided about 17 million United States dollars in grants to about 800 women organization in 42 African countries, adding “The grant making processes are uniquely designed to meet the needs of African women and include the provision of small grants from 1000 to 5000 United States dollars to community-based organizations.”   Nana Nyarko Boateng, a women’s rights advocate, who reviewed the book, said it projects a sense of community that exists on the continent and avails support to those who might feel lost or alone in the struggle for gender equality.   The 178-page book is authored by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA – Season two of the multi-award winning TV show, Vodafone Healthline comes to an end this weekend after 13 weeks of providing health information and saving many lives.   The show also paid for life changing surgeries to save the lives of many people across the length and breadth of the country to restore hope and smiles to patients and families.   Over the 13 weeks, the show educated Ghanaians on several health topics including cancer, the endocrine system, nail and skin care, diabetes, hypertension, etc. In the kids segment and treatment room, viewers were given practical demonstrations of health tips and medical advice.   “We ‘re dedicated to making an lasting impact in the lives Ghanaians and has chosen the area of health because it is a very important component of a productive and fulfilled life,” Carmen Bruce Annan, the Head of Corporate Communications for Vodafone Ghana noted.   “We are also very excited that the programme has been embraced by Ghanaians which is evident in the recent awards that the show has won.”   Bruce Annan thanked the production team and all viewers for their support. “Healthline returns with season three in January so everybody should watch out,” she added.   The final episode of Healthline focuses on the nervous system and the network for communication of our bodies. The episode also provides information on how to prevent spinal cord injury and how to improve stammering, which medically has no cure.   It also takes a look at the touching stories of a 10-year old Llyas and six year old Rosemary, who but for Vodafone would have continue to suffer social stigmatization as a result of their health conditions. Llyas suffered an unusual bone growth around his forehead, which started when he was a little boy. His condition which grew worse with time, has led to him dropping out of school because his peers kept mocking him.   Through, the intervention of Vodafone, Llya has undergone the needed surgery to correct the situation and is looking forward to having a normal lively childhood again.   In the case of little Rosemary, at the age of six she started suffering societal neglect due to her unfortunate health condition. Rosemary is an orphan, who lives with her aunt at Keta in the Volta Region and has what medically referred to as congenital malformation, which has ended up in a swelling around her buttocks. Her condition resulted in an uncontrolled passage of faces and urine and this has kept her out of school all her life.   Vodafone Healthline reserved her sad situation by paying all medical expenses for her to undergo the necessary medical operation.   The last episode of Vodafone Healthline comes off the screens Sunday October 28th on TV3 at 5pm, eTV and Top TV at 8pm and GTV at 8:30p and the repeat on Wednesdays on Metro TV and Crystal TV at 8:30pm.   The public can also continue to access valuable health information and advice while the programme is off-air on the HealthLine facebook page on www.facebook.com/vodafonehealthline.     GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 26, GNA – The MTN Foundation, a leading communication company in the country, has cut the sod for the construction of a neonatal intensive centre for the Tamale Teaching Hospital to provide care and support for new born babies.   The project, which is estimated to cost GH¢ 335,000 would be equipped with the needed facilities to provide intensive care to improve the survival rate for critically ill neonates in meeting the MDG 4 global initiative in reducing cum infant mortality.   The project is part of the month-long Savanna Fest celebration of the MTN Foundation, which has so far seen the communication giant commissioned a three-unit classroom block for the Kanvilli Presby JHS and presented medical equipment to the Chereponi district both in the Northern Region.   Mr. James Basintale, General Manager of MTN Northern Business District on Thursday said the facility was expected to cater for cases in the three northern regions since it was the only unit in these areas, noting that it was expected not only to improve health conditions but also the working condition of staff.   He said the project was part of many efforts MTN was making to put smiles on the faces of its subscribers stressing that “MTN Foundation has invested GH¢9.7 million over the last five years in health, education and economic empowerment across the country”.   The company, he noted had invested GH¢1.1 million in various projects in the Northern Region alone in providing services, which included schools, hospital’s rehabilitation and medical supplies.   Dr. Ken Sagoe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, who cut the sod for the project, commended MTN for the gesture noting that the unit, which was established in 2009, had save the lives of many children, who would have died due to low birth weight.   He said the neonatal unit was poorly equipped with only eight incubators without adequate medical facilities, adding that “three babies are put in one incubator, which had the danger of the babies contracting diseases from each other…” he emphasized.   He said as a result of the congestion, some of the children died through cross infections and lauded the assistance of MTN, which he said when completed, could contained 40 beds that could provide healthcare to many people.   Dr. Sagoe said the old structure had restricted space with sometimes rodent attacks but was largely over subscribe with some of the patients coming from the Upper West and East Regions, adding that ‘neonatal cases are contributing factors of infant mortalities’.   Dr. Anthony Amponsem, Pediatrics Consultant at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, said the unit admits 300 to 500 patients per annum with about one-third of the patients dying as a result of poor facilities and late admissions.     GNA...

    Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), have launched investigations into a ground accident involving a privately owned aircraft at the Kotoka International Airport.   This was contained in a joint statement released by the GCAA and GACL in Accra on Thursday.   The aircraft, a light-bodied single engine aircraft (Beechcraft, B-36) with registration number F – GELY, registered in France, was involved in the accident at about 1415 hours on Thursday, 25th October, 2012.   The aircraft was significantly damaged and the technician involved in the accident had been treated and discharged by the Airport Clinic.   “An investigation into the accident has commenced and updates will be provided as and when they are available,” the statement said.     GNA...

Accra Oct. 26, GNA – Government has approved GH¢ 388.84 as boarding fees for the first term first year students in public second cycle schools for the 2012-2013 academic year, Mr. Lee Ocran, Minister of Education has announced.   He said Day Students for the first year, first term will also pay GH¢152.50, while foreign students were required to pay a tuition fee of GH¢ 468.00 per term.   Mr. Lee Ocran, made these known at a meeting with Conference of Heads of Assistance Secondary Schools (CHASS) in Accra on Thursday aimed to state government’s position clearer to parents as far as charging of school fees was concerned.   He said the Education Ministry had received a lot of complaints from parents that some heads of schools were charging between GH¢80.00 and GH¢1,200 in addition to the approved fees, thereby making it difficult for some of them to raise the money.   The Education Minister said government was subsiding sport, culture, and sanitation fees as well as electricity and water bills. The subsidy also covered textbook user fee, practical fee, tools and maintenance of mechanical for technical institutions, building maintenance as well as furniture maintenance.   Mr. Ocran appealed to heads of cycle schools to spread payment of school uniform, church uniform, school crest, medical examination, outing uniform, book fees, ceremonial dress, and compulsory core literature book over the three terms and not to lump them and slap them at once on parents.   He called on executives of the CHASS to police their colleagues properly to ensure that the right fees were charged in order not over burden parents.   Mr. Samuel Ofori-Adjei, Chairman of the CHASS, assured the Minister that the Executive would collaborate with their colleagues to implement the approved fees and spread all other fees over the three terms to help reduce any burden on parents.     GNA...

Nsawkaw (B/A), Oct. 26, GNA – Mrs Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Programme Manager of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), has observed that abuse of entrusted power in a public office for private gain was corruption.   She explained that corruption affected anyone whose life, livelihood and happiness depended on the integrity of the people in a position of authority.   Mrs Ofori-Kwafo made the observation at the opening session of a two-day workshop for 65 participants at Nsawkaw in the Tain District of Brong-Ahafo Region.   They were drawn from the security services, traditional authorities, the media, religious groups, traders, the physically challenged, assembly members, political parties and unit committee members.   The workshop was organised by GII in partnership with National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and funded by MISEREOR, a German NGO on the theme: “Anti-Corruption and Social Auditing, to promote democracy and good governance in Ghana”.   Some of the topics treated were, “Corruption at workplace, “Transparency”, and “Anti-Corruption”.   Mrs Ofori-Kwafo noted that corruption was likely to increase when people who were engaged in the act were allowed to go unpunished and attributing the cause to weak institutions.   She identified corruption in an environment controlled and influenced by conflicts in mining communities, saying “Corruption if not checked will lead to impunity”.   Mrs Ofori-Kwafo announced that GII, being the local chapter of Transparency International (TI), had established an Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ANAL) in Ghana to serve as a platform for the citizenry and corporate entities to participate more effectively in the fight against corruption by reporting cases of alleged corruption for necessary action.   Mr Saaka Davies Kotomah, Tain District Director of NCCE, said accountability could not be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.   He pointed out that money, gift, favours and promises were the basic tools used in corruption and advised people to play their roles in the fight against corruption.   Nana Amoah Sakyi Djan, Gyaasehene of Nsawkaw Traditional Area, lauded GII in sensitizing the people on the fight against corruption and transparency in accountability in service delivery in the country.     GNA...

Busunya (B/A), Oct. 26, GNA - Mr James Appiah-Kusi, Nkoranza North District Director of Education, has commended the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for partnering the Government towards the provision of quality education in the country.   He reiterated that the efforts and support from donor agencies in promoting education in Ghana was overwhelming as the government alone could not shoulder all the responsibilities in developing the country.   Mr Appiah-Kusi made the commendation when addressing about 60 stakeholders in education at an Education Advocacy Forum at Busunya.   It was on the theme: “Improving Quality Education in Nkoranza North District-The Role of Stakeholders”.   The forum was organised under the Partnership for Accountable Governance in Education (PAGE) Project, a USAID – Ghana educational intervention, which has been designed to improve education from basic schools, especially primary education.   Mr Appiah-Kusi expressed appreciation to the efforts of USAID – Ghana in initiating interventions to improve upon education in the communities to move the country forward since education was the bedrock of every country’s development.   He announced that under the PAGE project, Circuit Supervisors in the area had been provided with motor bikes to facilitate their movements to offer support to teachers in the communities.   Mr Appiah-Kusi pointed out that teachers, circuit supervisors, School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) had in addition, received Capacity Building Training to enable them play their respective roles to improve on the standard of education in the country.   He announced that under the PAGE project, monitoring and supervision had improved in schools in the communities, adding that the improvement reflected in the district’s performance at this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as the candidates obtained 84 per cent passes.   Mr Benedict Beyuo, Headmaster of Yefriman Senior High School (SHS) emphasised that all schools were community-based and therefore stressed the need for parents to support the activities of teachers to improve on education.   He expressed concern about the manner some parents refused to provide their children with their basic needs for school and advised such parents to change their attitude since education of the youth was a shared responsibility between the Government and all stakeholders.   Mr Beyuo said teachers, as agents of change, should educate their pupils and students to develop a moral upright life so that they would be fit for the society after acquiring the necessary education to contribute towards national development.   Mr Emmanuel Kungi, Nkoranza North District Coordinating Director, gave the assurance that the Assembly would provide the necessary infrastructure and furniture for the schools to make their environment conducive for teaching and learning.     GNA...

Chereponi (N/R), Oct 26, GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Ghana Foundation, the humanitarian wing of the telecom giant, has presented hospital equipment to the Chereponi Government Hospital to help improve health care delivery.   The equipment, worth GH¢ 51,450 included one laboratory incubator, one infant incubator, six pediatric beds with rails, six adult beds adjustable   with mattress, two laboratory my set, two caesarean section set, one biopsy set and one general operating set.   Mr James Bukari Basintale, General Manager for Northern Business District of MTN, who made the presentation on behalf of the company to the hospital authorities at its premises at Chereponi in the Northern Region on Wednesday said it formed part of activities marking the Foundation's fifth anniversary dedicated to "deepening our enriching lives agenda and impacting positively more lives of our stakeholders".   Mr Basintale also announced that the Foundation had earmarked an amount of GH¢ 114,520 to construct 10 boreholes in 10 communities of the Chereponi District to provide potable water to the people.   The communities include Kpani, Kpaboku, Kpamanba, Nawori, Sangbana, Dambu, Garinkuka, Danado, Tumpundi and Lalitani.   The MTN Ghana Foundation's benevolence to the people of Chereponi followed an appeal made to it by the Member of Parliament for Chereponi Constituency Mr Samuel Jabanyite to support the hospital to improve its operations.   Chereponi Government Hospital serves as a referral facility to the sub-districts, as well as provides expertise for quality and comprehensive health services delivery.   The hospital, even though is grappling with the challenges of overcrowding at both out-patient and in-patient departments, it has no medical doctor, whiles two medical assistants there have been transferred leaving it (hospital) with only two midwives and few nurses.   Mr Basintale commended staff of the hospital for their hard work, saying "despite these setbacks the staff and entire hospital administration have worked hard and chalked tremendous success".   He recounted some of the company's interventions in the region, saying "MTN Ghana Foundation has invested over GH¢1,106,000 in projects, which include the support to Zuyung School, Tamale Senior High School, Tamale Teaching Hospital amongst others.”   He assured that the Foundation would continue to invest in disadvantaged communities in the region and called on residents to take advantage of the projects to turn around their conditions.   Hajia Adamu Yakubu, Chereponi District Director of Health Services, appealed to the Ghana Health Service to post a medical doctor, two medical assistants, three midwives and four registered general nurses and enrolled nurses to augment the staff strength of the hospital.   She thanked the Foundation for the gesture and assured that the equipment would be put to good use.   A speech read on behalf of the Northern Regional Director of Health Services noted the challenges of the hospital and assured that all was being done to post more doctors and other health workers to man the facility.       GNA...

Agona Nkwanta, Oct 26, GNA – The Ahanta West District Assembly (AWDA) as at September 2012 collected as low as GH¢ 1,918,082, representing 41.2 per cent out of budgeted amount of GH¢ 4,656,571.90.   “The low figure is due to the non release of funds from the Central Government, which are used to prepare budget for the year”, Mr Joseph Dofoyena, the District Chief Executive (DCE) said at the general assembly meeting of the 52-member house at Agona Nkwanta. For Internally Generated Fund (IGF), the DCE said a total amount of GH¢ 412,714 out of an estimated amount of GH¢ 637,114.00, representing 65 per cent was generated within the same period.   The IGF was generated from market tolls, fee fixing, levies and other marketing sources.   He said that had been a significant increase from 17.7 per cent to 47 per cent achievement of the annual budget between the second and third quarters.   Mr Dofoyena indicated that the Assembly out of an estimated amount of GH¢841,052.90, received only GH¢165,845.62 as its share of the 2012 allocation of the Common Fund representing 20 per cent.   The money has been used for the construction of schools and facilities mainly office annex, the purchase of a grader, boreholes, CHPS compounds.   The DCE said the Assembly’s local recurrent expenditure as at September 30 stood at GH¢ 389,449.46 out of budgeted annual figure of GH¢ 609,760.72 representing 63.9 per cent.   On scholarship, the Assembly has released GH¢ 10,000 for the payment of outstanding sponsorship package for students while persons living with disability have also been taken care of with the disbursement of GH¢ 75,340.00 to 164 members.   Given a balance of GH¢ 27,154.30 preparation underway for disbursement for the next batch.   GNA...