Penyi (V/R), Oct. 29, GNA - Former President Flight- Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings has asked people placed in charge of community development initiatives to eschew selfishness and corruption, so as not to derail the expectations of the people.      He entreated the communities to demand probity and accountability from persons they entrusted the management of community resources.      Ex-President Rawlings said this at the weekend when addressing the maiden annual “Nogoryi Za,” (Development Festival) durbar, of the chiefs and people of Penyi near Dzodze in the Ketu-North District.     He commended the people of Penyi for initiating the festival, as a vehicle to accelerate the development of the area and also launching a five-year development programme.     Ex-President Rawlings said the country faced a major challenge in meeting its developmental goals due to lack of resources and it was therefore important that communities initiated their own projects to complement those of government.     He said the low interest of people in the development of their areas was worrying saying the “central government is handicap and this led to the community initiative concept which graduated into the district assembly concept during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era”.     He identified chiefs as strong pillars of development and asked politicians to emulate the culture of social justice, selflessness and commitment which had sustained the chieftaincy institution.      Ex-President Rawlings said had politicians lived up to expectation and respected the laws of the country, whether in opposition or in government, as was the case in America and other advanced countries, coups would have been unheard of in Africa.     Togbe Dadzie IV, Paramount Chief of the Area, said the festival would be used to mobilize the people for the payment of revenue for government projects, build a community centre and also assist the Ghana National Fire Service station in the town.        GNA ...

Koforidua, Oct. 29, GNA- Mr Patrick Timbilla, Commissioner of Police, has assured Ghanaians that the police have the capacity to deal with any act that could threaten the December polls.         He however, said, the police would need the support and cooperation of the public if they are to succeed, adding that the provision of security is not the preserve of the personnel alone but a shared responsibility.         Mr Timbilla was speaking at an orientation workshop organised by the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) for members of the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), in Accra at the weekend.       He said those who plan to foment trouble are living among people in the communities and that the police could only take preventive measures if they get information on such activities.       The Police Commissioner therefore urged Ghanaians to get the telephone numbers of the police and so that they could easily pass on any information.       The CFI is a coalition of civil society organisations, including religious bodies and professional associations committed towards the support of State institutions responsible for elections, to play their expected roles to ensure credible and peaceful elections.      For this year’s elections, the CFI would establish “Situation Rooms” in the regions where people could pass on information that is likely to pose a threat to the electoral process.      Mr Timbilla said more than 26,000 security personnel would be deployed to ensure that there is safety at each polling station.      He said apart from the security personnel at the polling stations, there would be a standby rapid deployment policy force, which would respond quickly to any crisis signal from any polling station.      Mr Timbilla said should the rapid deployed force failed to bring the situation under control at any polling station, the Armed Forces Detachments that would be deployed throughout the country away from the polling stations would be called in to enforce peace.      He said in planning for the security measures for the election, polling stations and areas known to record problems during elections were considered and special measures have been put in place to contain any “nasty” situation.      Mr Timbilla urged people to use the cameras of their mobile phones to snap pictures of people who would engage in activities that threaten the peace of the country during the elections and pass on the pictures to the police to arrest the culprits for prosecution.      He appealed to sellers of alcoholic beverages to voluntarily decide not to sell on the Election Day until the polls are over as their contributions towards ensuring peaceful elections.   GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 29, GNA – The National Chairman of the United Front Party (UFP), Nana Agyenim Boateng, says their focus now is on winning more parliamentary seats in the December 7 polls, after the qualification of its flag-bearer by the by Electoral Commission (EC).   They are stepping up the campaign in the various constituencies, where they have put up candidates to win those seats.   The UFP on September 29, elected Mr Kwaku Owusu Antwi, as its presidential candidate at its Cape Coast special delegates’ congress to replace Mr Akwasi Addai, popularly known as “Odike”, who it had earlier in December 2011, elected to run on the party’s presidential ticket.   Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, Nana Boateng, said the party was yet to take a decision on which of the presidential candidates to support - highlighting the continued confusion and cracks within the UFP.   Nana Boateng alias “Gyataba” repeated that “Odike” was not the UFP’s flag-bearer and that there was no way the party would canvass for votes for him.   “Odike” is an imposition by the EC, he said, and alleged that he was expelled from the party on grounds of corruption and conflict of interest.   He said they found the decision by the EC to accept his nomination scandalous and renewed the threat to drag the body charged with the conduct of elections, to court.   Nana Boateng served notice that at the appropriate time the UFP would come out with the name of the candidate in its view is best qualified to lead the nation and throw its weight behind him.   The national executives were consulting with the regional and constituency officers and the grass root, on the one to give their votes to.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Oct. 29, GNA- Mrs May Obiri Yeboah, Director of Planning and Programmes at the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has reiterated the need for stakeholders to ensure greater emphasis on their roles in the road safety sector to aid the commission achieve its envisaged targets.      She called for a more effective collaboration between stakeholders to bring to an end the crashes recorded in the last quarter of the year resulting in numerous fatalities.      Mrs Obiri Yeboah was speaking in Bolgatanga, at a stakeholder forum with political party executives in the Upper East Region to discuss current road safety issues and the Road Safety Code of Conduct for political parties.      The day’s forum was to streamline activities for road safety with consideration on the upcoming elections and Christmas festivities.      Statistics from the NRSC indicate that election years were fatal years and that during the last two election years; Ghana lost about 4,124 people in road crashes. In 2004, 2,186 deaths were recorded towering above the 2003 and 2005 fatality numbers.      She said the Upper East Region was not exempted in the trend, bearing in mind what occurs during electioneering and campaign periods when the youth were involved in reckless riding.      She therefore cautioned against the act of ignoring timely education and activities for road users by state agencies.      Mr Atilado Mohammed, Regional Road Safety Manager, expressed worry about the road safety situation in the region and the country as a whole, indicating that, the region had set a target to reduce fatalities arising from road crashes at a limit of 39 deaths.      “I’m however saddened to admit that we are frantically struggling to keep the figure below 50 at the moment”, he said, adding that “it is in line with this that we convene to explore ways to possibly minimize casualty rate especially during the electioneering period and Christmas festivities”.      He further added that road safety was a shared responsibility, urging stakeholders to as a matter of urgency help save lives from these preventable daily fatalities.      Regional MTTU Commander, ASP Daniel Kwao Teye entreated individuals to desist from the act of tagging the Police with political party colours in the performance of their “mandate to protect lives and property.”      He called for the maximum cooperation of the general public in their bid to reduce indiscipline on the roads during this electioneering and Christmas festivities.      Political party representatives pledged to educate their members to ensure their safety as the electioneering campaigns gather momentum.   GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 29, GNA – The Reverend Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), has urged his colleague pastors to strive to remain politically neutral.      This, he said, would enable them to earn the trust and confidence of the political parties, something that could give them the moral authority to mediate political disputes.      It should not be lost on them that engaging in partisan politics could threaten the unity of the church and hamper its growth.      The Rev Dr Opuni-Frimpong expressed discomfort with the situation where some of the pastors used the pulpit to make all sorts of predictions about the outcome of the December 7 polls, and said it must stop.      He was speaking at a service held at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi to climax the 90th anniversary celebration of the presbytery.       “The Holy Spirit in the life of Asante Presbytery at 90 - Yesterday, today and tomorrow”, was the theme.      The Rev Dr. Opuni-Frimpong used the occasion to recount the history of the church and difficulties the founding members endured in the early years to nurture its growth.      The present generation needed to be inspired by their hard work, dedication and sacrifices to expand the membership.      They should also abide by the church’s doctrine - evangelize, lead pious lives, and to support the poor and the suffering.      Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Ministers, lauded the PCG for its significant contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development through education, health and the supply of social amenities as well as moral training.      It had indeed served as a reliable development partner of the state.      He appealed to the church to continue praying and fasting for the peaceful conduct of this year’s elections.      Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, Asantehene, in a speech read for him congratulated the church for the important milestone and wished them a successful anniversary celebration.      The Manhyia Palace has had warm relations with the church and that could only continue.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA – Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has enjoined Ghanaians to sacrifice a little for the peace and prosperity of the nation.   He pointed out that Ghanaians would be making a very sad mistake if they took the current peaceful atmosphere within the country for granted.   Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo, who is also the National Democratic Congress’s parliamentary candidate for Tema west, made the call when he joined Muslims of three communities in the constituency to celebrate their festival of sacrifice popularly known as Eid-Adha.   The communities were Lashibi, Klagon and Adjei Kojo.   Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo commended the Muslims for their high sense of discipline and urged them to use the occasion to pray for the country’s progress and prosperity.   He advised Muslim youths not to be lured by selfish politicians to engage in acts that will disturb the national cohesion and peace.   The parliamentary candidate asked Ghanaians to continue praying for God’s mercies and blessings on the nation to ensure peaceful polls on December 7.   The Minister presented two rams to the Muslim community at Adjei Kojo while those in Lashibi and Klagon were each given one ram towards the celebration of their festival of sacrifice.   GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 29, GNA – All is set for the IEA Presidential debate for Presidential candidates to present themselves for public scrutiny in Tamale on Tuesday.      The main streets of the Tamale Metropolis had been draped in NDC, CPP, NPP and PNC party paraphernalia with the NDC and NPP dominating.   Motor-riders were also seen clad in their party colours whilst others are taking advantage of the influx of people to the town to make brisk business of selling party paraphernalia.      Every electricity pole on the road leading to the Radach Memorial centre, the venue for the programme, had NPP and NDC flags flying, while the main hall of the event is decorated in National colours.      The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag-bearer, Nana Akuffo Addo, PNC’s candidate Hassan Ayariga and the Convention People’s Party’s, Mr Abu Sakara are already in Tamale waiting for the event on Tuesday.      President John Dramani Mahama, NDC’s candidate is also expected in Tamale Tuesday morning.      Dr Clifford Braimah, Northern Regional Secretary of the NPP told the GNA that Nana Addo’s triumphant entry into the region on Saturday, three clear days to the event was the manifestation he had the interest of the programme at heart.      He said he expected Nana Addo to deliver and explain his free education policy well to Ghanaians to consider voting him to power to exert good governance to Ghanaians.      “We don’t build schools before offering free education to the people. Free education can go on alongside the provision of school infrastructure and we want to assure the ‘doubting Thomases’ that the free education will come on if Ghanaians give us the mandate”, he said.      Mr Iddisa Mumuni, Northern Regional secretary of the CPP expressed the hope that Ghanaians would listen to the agricultural policy of the CPP and vote for its presidential candidate to provide the needed assistance to farmers to produce more food.      He said Ghanaians were interested in someone who had their interest at heart and prepared to transform the country, which other politicians had been paying lip service to.      He claimed that other politicians, who had the opportunity to serve the country, collapsed some industries but those same political parties were going round promising Ghanaians heaven on earth and appealed to the electorate to reject them and vote the CPP into power.      Mr Adam Mahama, Northern Regional chairman of the PNC said he expected Mr Ayariga to stand tall and perform better than the other presidential aspirants and was hopeful that he would win the elections.   GNA...

Accra, oct. 29, GNA – The eighth African Development Forum (ADF VIII) which ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday called on African countries to use their natural resources to promote people-centered sustainable development.   In a statement to the Ghana News Agency, the African Development Bank (ADB) said the forum which had the theme “Governing and Harnessing Natural Resources for Africa’s Development”, dwelt on the need for sustainable exploitation and preservation of Africa’s forests and its mineral resources.   “Africa accounts for 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land that need to be protected against rapacious speculation”.   In a statement to participants, OXFAM noted that the African continent is endowed with mineral resources such as gold, bauxite, oil and gas that can be tapped for the benefits of its people, yet the people are poor.   But the ADB said transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources were the major challenges that confront African countries.   According to the ADB the participants at the forum, identified policy, legal, regulatory, economic, governance, equity, knowledge, institutional and environmental constraints as key challenges to sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources and development.   “Overcoming these constraints is key, for attaining inter-sectoral linkages between agriculture, forest, industries and human settlement in Africa,” the statement added.   It also called on African countries to implement the “African Mining Vision” adopted by African leaders in 2009, which spells out how mining could bring about development in member countries.   The ADF is a biennial event convened in collaboration with the African Union Commission, African Development Bank, and other partners to establish an African-driven development agenda that reflects consensus on specific programmes for implementation.   About 1,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government, African Member State policy-makers, development partners, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations, academia, practitioners, civil society organizations, the private sector, eminent policy and opinion leaders, and the media are participating.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - Religious Leadership Council of Ghana, a non-denominational organisation, has called on Christians to come together and provide spiritual backing for peaceful elections.   Briefing the media in Accra on Monday, Apostle Dr Matthew Antwi, President of the Organisation said religious leaders should serve as effective and powerful vehicle for peace and development.   The Religious Leadership Council, which was launched on October 12, seeks to ensure that leaders in the religious set up cease to stereotype each other based on their religious beliefs.   It will also mobilise religious leaders irrespective of their religious background to necessitate and facilitate the demand for quality education, skills and logistics to work for God and establish a system for peace building.   Dr Antwi said it is unfortunate that national circumstances have encouraged the need for readiness of religious communities to come together to provide an incentive for greater cooperation.   “We will promote the development of the inner qualities and external conditions needed for the creation of a more peaceful, just and sustainable society,” he added.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama said government will in the next few days launch the Jobs and Enterprises Fund (JEC) to support access to business financing by young people who are desirous of engaging in entrepreneurship.   President Mahama said Government will provide a GH¢ 10m cedi seed capital for the Jobs and Enterprises Fund, which will also address funding frustrations of young and local businesses.   This was contained in a press statement signed by Emmanuel Arthur, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Rlg Communications and copied to the Ghana News Agency.   President Mahama made the announcement at the 1st National Youth Achievers Awards in Accra at the weekend and said the move was expected to add to several interventions by government to address youth unemployment in Ghana.   The fund will be administered at JEC to be established across the country to ease the burden on job seekers and first-time young businessmen and women.   The event was organized by Charterhouse and sponsored by Rlg Communications. Young achievers who have excelled in 26 different fields of endeavour were rewarded at the ceremony.   They were selected by a 10-member jury led by Prof. Atukwei Okai Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association, who screened more than 250 entries, among Ghanaian youth, both home and abroad.   Stephen Appiah, Former Senior national team captain took the award for youth leadership while Michael Henaku, Chief Executive of Beige Capital, and Eunice Ogbogu,the Managing Director of Eugo Terrano, emerged the overall National Youth Personalities.   Other award winners included Anas Aremiyaw Anas,the ace investigative journalist, and Manasseh Azuri Awuni, the 2011 GJA Journalist of the year, who emerged joint winners in the Media Excellence category.   A high point of the event was when President Mahama offered to personally decorate two physically challenged ladies, Farida Afua Bedwei, for Special Award and RLG Award for Information and Communication Technology recipient, Derrydine Dadzie.   Other award winners included Shirley Frimpong Manso for Film; Hiplife Musicians Sarkodie and Becca for Music   The ceremony was attended by several Ministers of State and Deputies as well as Chief Executives of some state and private organizations.   President Mahama said expansion of models, re-organisation and transformation of the erstwhile National Youth Employment Programme to become the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency ( GYEEDA), has created employment to 200,000 youth nationwide since the NDC government assumed office in 2009.   He said additional 5,000 jobs have been created for young people in the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).   The president said government had amply demonstrated its avowed interest in persons with disability by the execution of the PWDs ICT project intended to give ICT and related training to 20,000 PWDs in phases.   The President also announced government will from next month distribute 100,000 laptops to tertiary institutions across the country to promote research and development while frantic efforts are being made to expand ICT infrastructure at all levels of education.   “The NDC government’s position on education has always been in favour of access and quality. We are convinced the job market will require the highest quality of educated and trained personnel to stimulate growth in our economy.”   “Government’s programme to supply 60,000 laptops to basic schools is intended to ensure pupils, students and teachers are not left out of the ICT world”, the president said.   He asked the youth to resist attempts by politicians to use them for selfish political gains as the country approaches the December 7 general elections while pledging the commitment of government to ensure peaceful polls.   The Chief Executive of Rlg Communications, Roland Agambire said the company’s decision to sponsor the awards scheme “is only to demonstrate our passion and commitment towards hardworking, commitment and innovative young persons.   He cautioned the youth against destructive tendencies such as sycophancy, laziness and corruption”. He reiterated his pledge to create jobs for one million youth within the next five years.   The idea for the National Youth Achievers Awards scheme was mooted by President Mahama, who as Vice President bemoaned the non-existence of a comprehensive national youth awards, to recognize their contribution.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA – Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, (JOY) an Independent Presidential Candidate has expressed the believe that the current governance system that operates along the lines of partisan politics is responsible for the problems of ethnocentrism, greed and poverty.   He argued that building a democratic structure that is rooted in African’s own cultural traditions is the only way to set Ghana and Africa on the path to true economic emancipation and independence.       He was speaking at a book launch in titled:” “The Next President of Ghana” in Accra on Monday.   Mr Yeboah, known in the political circle (JOY 2012) said the only alternative to the political party system is the Independence Presidential System, which has the potential of forming a national unity government and eliminating the winner-takes-all syndrome.   “The current happenings in Ghana and Africa as a whole with the ‘winner-takes-all-system’ and ‘one-man one vote’, ‘non-participation’ structures, have displaced, relegated and misplaced the real energy inherent in the Ghanaian and Africa traditional governing value,” he added.   Mr Yeboah, who is the author of the 194-page book, chronicled his thoughts, aspirations and visions for the proper democratization of Ghana and Africa taking on important national issues including gay rights, chieftaincy, foreign loans and partisanship.   The Independent Presidential Candidate whose slogan is “The Power of One: And you are the One” announced that when voted into power he would form an all inclusive workable government.   He noted that he would lead in the formation of a National Development Agenda, indicating that “no political party can do that for Ghana except…the unity government”.   Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of Essikado commended, Mr Yeboah for his work in contributing to the political development of the country.   He said Ghana has learnt the experiences from some African countries in terms of conflict and would not like to be in that situation.   He commended Ghanaians for the display of unity during the demise of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, saying “Ghanaians should make a difference in the forthcoming elections since we do not have an option”.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA -The United Nations Industrial and Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Monday signed 1.28 million Euros agreement aim to encourage biogas technology and business for sustainable growth.   The project to be implemented by Ghanaian experts and their Korean counterparts would support the transfer of industrial-scale biogas technology between the two countries.   It will also involve piloting industrial-scale biogas plant and business and enterprise development support to biogas companies, conducting collaborative targeted research on industrial scale biogas and raise awareness and policy recommendation for biogas industry development.   Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General UNIDO said, the biogas project would strengthen technical and business skills of biogas companies to ensure that they approach biogas technology as a business and provide technical support to biogas systems in the country in the long-term.   He said industrial-scale biogas technology development in Ghana would present a lot of opportunities and help industries that currently dumped bio-waste bodies to comply with environmental laws and in the process produce heat and power to enhance their operations and productivity.   Ms Hannah Tetteh Minister of Trade and Industry said the agreement would promote the transfer of industrial-scale biogas technology project in the country.   She said the project would help stem the excessive dependence on wood fuels, mainly for domestic use, causing deforestation.   Ms Tetteh said the management of waste has become a major challenge “and this waste to energy technology seeks to address the significant amount of both liquid and solid wastes generated in the country”.   She stressed that the project would provide a sustainable avenue for the treatment and disposal of liquid and solid wastes.   Ms Tetteh said the industrial-Scale biogas development presents opportunities that include increasing access to energy, productivity in local industries, reduced risk of disease related to waste water and emissions of dangerous chemicals.   In a related development UNIDO also presented a report of a study it had undertaken to map and measure Ghana’s National System of Innovation to Ms Tetteh.   A National System of Innovation represents the strength and quality of the systematically organised interactions and linkages between Government, Knowledge-based institutions, industry and financial arbitrageurs.   GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 29, GNA – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, on Monday briefed the Asanteman Council on the stolen crown jewelry whilst on visit to Oslo, Norway, and called for calm as efforts are being made to get the items back.     He said the security agents in Norway are making significant inroads in their investigations, having arrested some of the culprits.     The Asantehene was in the Scandinavian nation to address the Norwegian African Business Association summit, a platform he sought to use to woo investors.      But things went bad as some gold ornaments he carried on the trip got stolen at the hotel lobby where he had checked in.      The Asanteman Council meeting was held in a somber mood with the chiefs clad in black, signifying that something indeed unpleasant had happened to the Asante Kingdom.      Otumfuo Osei Tutu described the turn of events as “unfortunate”.      But for that downside, everything about the trip had gone on smoothly and successfully.      The Asantehene said he had used the opportunity to persuade some top business executives to invest in Ghana and other West African countries to help create jobs, reduce poverty and better the living conditions of the people.       Areas, where they could put their monies include forestry conservation, the cocoa industry, and the oil and gas sector.       Otumfuo Osei Tutu said some of the business executives expressed optimism and that soon the results would begin to show.       There are those who would be coming to invest in the paper and pulp industry, he hinted.       He said as chiefs they should continue to lead their people to bring development and help supplement the efforts of the government.        Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Omanhene of Mampong, welcomed the Asantehene back from the trip and advised the chiefs and people not to become overly disturbed by the Oslo incident.   GNA...

Adaklu Kodzobi (V/R), Oct. 29, GNA – Togbe Dzegblade IV, Chief of Adaklu-Kodzobi at the weekend  stunned revellers at the community’s “Bliza,” (corn festival), when he removed his sandals, knelt down and  prayed for his people before addressing the durbar.   Togbe Dzegblade in his supplication asked God to forgive the sins of the past and present generations of Adaklu-Kodzobi, located in the newly created Adaklu District and host to Ho-Polytechnic.       In the view of the chief, the sins of past and present generations of a community could result in curses and as leader of the people he had to plead on their behalf for forgiveness.     The durbar, climaxed a week-long festival, which was on the theme: “Education, its Importance and Benefits to Self and Community.”     Togbe Dzegblade appealed to the people not to use festivals for merrymaking alone, but regard it as an opportunity to reflect and take stock of achievements and failures and also plan for the future.     He said festivals should also be used to make peace between individuals, groups and communities.     Togbe Dzegblade said the community’s five-year development achieved the target of providing potable water, electricity, sanitation improvement and educational infrastructure.      He said a 20-seater water closet facility; also part of the plan is nearing completion.     Togbe Dzegblede lauded government for creating the new district and appealed to the citizens of the area to unite to forge development.     Mr Kwame Agbodza, National Democratic Congress Parliamentary candidate for the area said he would assist farmers to move from subsistent farming to mechanised farming to enable them cultivate the vast arable land available.     An appeal for funds to complete the water closet facility under construction yielded GH¢7, 000.   GNA...

Nkoranza (B/A) Oct. 29, GNA – The First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama at the weekend called for an effective collaboration between chiefs and the security agencies to sustain national stability towards Election 2012.           She emphasised that as the embodiment of the people, the role of chiefs is paramount in peace building since most Ghanaians hold them in high esteem.           Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza to climax the Munufie Kese Festival, Mrs Mahama noted that views of chiefs have influence on their communities whilst their opinions are well respected.          This year’s celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Paramount Chief of Nkoranza.          It is a period for the purification of the various stools and insignia of the State, which are the embodiment of Nkoranzaman.          The festival was attended by thousands of indigenes of Nkoranza from all walks of life to prepare and strengthen them for the challenges and opportunities of the ensuing year and formally permit the eating of the new yam planted during the preceding farming season.          Mrs Mahama, who is an inhabitant of Nkoranza, told the chiefs that although they are barred from active partisan politics; it does not that they should remain unconcerned when political parties engage in activities that could jeopardise national stability especially in the heat of the electioneering.         She appealed to the people to support President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to retain power to facilitate more development projects.         The First Lady explained that it is the desire of President Mahama not only to promote quality education but also ensure that the health needs of the people are achieved.         Mrs Mahama said 2013 is an action year where the citizenry would witness tremendous improvement in their standard of living through job creation and poverty reduction interventions.         She said all these would be a reality when the electorate vote for the NDC and ensure that national peace is sustained before, during and after the elections.         Mrs Mahama presented 260 laptops for distribution among students in the traditional area and additional 40 computers for a new ICT centre she had built for the people.        In addition, she presented alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and GH¢5,000 cash to support the celebration. Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Member of the Council of State who represented President Mahama emphasised that Government would not tolerate individuals and groups whose activities could cause tension in Election 2012.      She advised the political parties to adhere to the electoral laws and conduct their campaigns based on development issues.      Mrs Johnson advised chiefs to take the responsibility to sensitise their people on the need for national peace as the government had directed the security agencies not to deal leniently with trouble makers.      Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister called on the people to play their part at peace building and sustenance as a collective responsibility.      Okatakyie Kudom noted that political stability, expansion in socio-economic infrastructure and the unity in development that the traditional area had enjoyed for the past years was unprecedented.      He said road network, education and agriculture had all increased and improved but added that the two major roads connecting Nkoranza to Jema Nkwanta and Nkoranza-Abease-Atebubu needed immediate attention.      Okatakyie Kudom emphasised that Ghanaians have no other place to run to when politics of insults and violence destabilised the country.      He entreated the citizenry to collectively and jealously protect the prevailing peace in the country to achieve the objective of development in unity.   GNA...

Tarkwa, Oct. 29, GNA – The circuit court at Tarkwa has sentenced a 48-year-old bicycle repairer, Musah Kusasi, to 15 years imprisonment for robbery and possessing locally manufactured pistol without lawful authority.       The convict pleaded guilty, and Alhassan Yakuba, his accomplice, was acquitted and discharged.       Chief Inspector Edward Paddy told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that on March 15, 2010, at about 0400 hours, the complainant,  Amevor Delali, was traveling with his daughter, on a motor bike  from Kyekyeada to Dadieso in the Western.      The court heard that on reaching a section of the road near Nyamekelgene junction,  Kusasi and  Yakubu  ordered Delali to stop but he (victim) ignored them and sped away.      Insp. Paddy said the convict shot the victim at the upper part of his abdomen with a locally manufactured pistol.   The prosecution said Delali managed to ride to Kwabena Nateg check point, and reported the matter to the security officers there.     Insp. Paddy said security officials accompanied the victim to the scene but the convict and his accomplice had fled.     The prosecution said the victim later identified the convict on unregistered motor bike believed to have been stolen from the security check point.      Insp. Paddy said when Kusasi was arrested and a search was conducted on him, a locally manufactured pistol and two life cartridges were found concealed in a compartment of the motor bike, and a wrap of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp in his possession.      The prosecution said when the weapon was sent for examination, it was found to have been fired, and the suspected dried leaves found to be cannabis.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The Worldwide Miracle Outreach (WMO), has invited President John Dramani Mahama, two former presidents; Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, and presidential candidates of Election 2012, to a Ghana for Christ Crusade.      Dr Lawrence Tetteh, President and Founder of WMO told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra at the weekend that “letters have been sent to the President who is the Flag bearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress, the two former Heads of State as well as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Presidential Candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party and other players in the 2012 elections”.   “The WTO is inviting all these personalities for the Ghana for Christ Crusade because it is going to be a platform to pray for peaceful elections and to neutralise any diabolical intention of the devil against Ghana.   “All these people matter in ensuring peace before, during and after the December 7 General Election and there is no better platform for these personalities than Ghana for Christ Crusade,” Dr Tetteh said.   The crusade takes place at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre in Accra from November 1- November 3 and would be addressed by personalities like Dr Richard Roberts of the Oral Roberts Ministry in the US and Reverend Paul Naughton of the Benny Hinn Ministries in the UK.   Dr Tetteh asked the political leaders as well as the citizenry to be cautious in their utterances in order to keep Ghana safe and united.   “We (Ghanaians) have a collective responsibility to make Ghana a beacon of democracy for the West African sub-region.   “Every Ghanaian should be an ambassador of peace,” Dr Tetteh said, adding it will be a big loss for Ghana for anyone to lose a dear one for the simple reason of choosing a president or members of parliament.    The WTO President said it is the civil and religious responsibility of every Ghanaian to guard and guide against all acts that could plunge Ghana into violence, stressing: “Ghana deserves peace and stability and not political strife or bloodshed.”   Dr Tetteh called on Ghanaians to pray for the nation without ceasing explaining that “a prayerless nation is a powerless nation.   GNA...

Techiman (B/A), Oct. 29, GNA – The Brong-Ahafo Regional Branch of the Ghana Blind Union, on Monday commended the Government for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the right of persons with disability.   It expressed the hope that the ratification would be followed by positive actions for the absolute wellbeing of the blind.      The commendation was contained in a communiqué signed Mr Ebenezer Nsoah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of the group,   after its general meeting at Techiman,  copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).      It called on the Government to fulfill its promise of increasing the disability fund from two per cent to three per cent as captured in the national budget.      The communiqué expressed worry about the delay in the enactment of Legislative Instrument to back the Disability Act, and called on the Government to facilitate its passage before the end of the year.      It noted that people with disabilities would suffer the consequences of any post and pre election violence, and appealed to political parties and stakeholders to ensure peaceful polls in December.   GNA...

Bawku (U/E), Oct. 29, GNA - Mr. Kofi Asante-Owusu, Bawku Municipal Electoral Commission Officer, at the weekend called on security officers in the Bawku municipality to be wary of deviant people in society and be professional in their duties during and after the December elections.   Mr. Asante-Owusu said most people may take their leniency to be their weakness and misconduct themselves to distract the election process.      He noted that if they perform their duties with much vigilance they would outwit people who have the intension to cause mayhems during the election in the area.      Mr. Asante-Owusu was speaking at the annual inter-security services root match organized by the security agencies through the principal streets in the municipality to create awareness on the need for peace and to assure the people of their safety.      He said the commission was committed to collaborating effectively with the security agencies to ensure a violent free election in the area.      He noted that the commission would continue to promote the relationship between the security and the commission in the country as they were partners in development.      Mr. Asante-Owusu called on the electorate to exercise their franchise with maturity in order not to jeopardize the peace being enjoyed in the country.      Heads of security agencies, who took part in the exercise, commended the people in the area for the peace they were enjoying, saying’ it was the surest way to bring development to their communities.      Mr Asante-Owusu later presented items including nonalcoholic beverages to the security agencies after the exercise to motivate them to perform their duties as expected.   GNA...