Ho, Nov. 13, GNA - Volta Youth Caucus (VYC), a non-political pro-Volta Region advocacy group, has said the New Patriotic Party’s Free Senior High School (SHS) promise, could close the education access gap between the haves and have-nots in society.   It said the policy was apt for the circumstances of the people of the Volta Region, where there was evidence of many young people truncating school at JSS Level because of cost of SHS education.   Ernest Agyei-Tuffour, VYC Executive-Secretary, speaking at a press conference in Ho on Tuesday said, it was therefore logical that people in the Volta Region discarded all sentimental attachments to parties seeking to defer the free-SHS- now concept, to a later date.   He said young people in the Volta Region stood to gain from the promise by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the NPP.   Mr Agyei-Tuffour, who hails from the Volta Region, said it was naive for people with the means to see their children through secondary education at whatever cost, to push those without that means, to reject the policy because “it is impossible”.   To a question whether the much touted policy was possible, he said, it was better to give Nana Akufo-Addo the opportunity, and vote him out, if he failed than spurn policy.   Mr Agyei-Tuffour said the VYC was endorsing the policy because it could veer the country on to the path of speedy development, backed by a more educated population as happened in countries with similar policies.   He quoted World Bank report to support the VYC’s stand, which says “secondary education is a gateway to the opportunities and benefits of economic and social development….’   Mr Agyei-Tuffour said claims that there were no schools to absorb the numbers, in the event of secondary education becoming free was untenable.   He said in the Volta Region for example there were a lot of Senior High schools, with very low enrolment, which only needed to be resourced better to attract students.   Mr Agyei-Tuffour said it was ironical for President John Mahama to recount with glee in his book “My First Coup D’état,” the attractions of the free SHS in north and refuse same for others.   He said excuses of resource constraints, was not tangible, in the wake of the lavish spending and underhand dealings leading to huge loss of state money under this government.   Mr Agyei-Tuffour appealed to chiefs in the Volta Region to stop marshalling their people in support of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but allow them to base their decisions on policy proposal of the political parties and not sentiments for us (VYC).   “We are declaring today that until the day of the election, we will tour the whole region to canvas for votes for the NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo, so that he can implement this great human-centred policy for all”.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 13, GNA – The Ghana Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), has expressed condolence to the families of the victims of the Melcom disaster, which occurred at the Achimota branch shopping mall.   A statement signed by Mr Ebenezer Zabaku, Executive President of the Institute, extended a message of condolence to the bereaved families as well to the relatives of those who got hurt.   It said the tragedy was not the first to be recorded in the country citing other incidents that occurred at Spintex road and Gbawe.   It said collective responsibility of all stakeholders was needed to achieve durable, aesthetic and threat-free, residential and commercial structures.   The statement said land lords, town and country planners and the law enforcement agencies were all indispensable partners in achieving solid structures for human occupation.   It said most Ghanaians today were more interested in wealth creation than protecting human lives and properties.   It noted that accident of this nature did not boost investor confidence looking at Ghana’s economic potentials.   “We need to know that whether we are talking domestic policy or foreign policy, the context for everything we do is global,” it added.   It said the occurrence of these avoidable tragedies was a sufficient confirmation of weak or non-existent collaboration between stakeholders in the infrastructure industry.   It called on the Government to find out where the chain of collaboration had slacked so as to fix it.   The statement said the manner in which commercial and residential facilities were being built on water ways and other unapproved areas, showed that “someone has reneged on his assigned duties.”   According to the statement, the Institution was taking measures to collaborate with government and stakeholders to provide the necessary technical and educational support needed.   ACI is a technical and educational society dedicated to improving the design, construction, maintenance and repair of concrete and masonry structures.    GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Ghana, has noted that the intolerance level among political parties and the use of intemperate language in the run up to the December elections was very alarming.   It said the political landscape was characterized by a high degree of verbal exchanges between the ruling and the opposition parties, which had led to further polarized the political forefront leading to high rise tensions especially among youth groups of the political parties.   In line with that, the FES on Monday organized a forum engaging the Inter-Party Youth Committee (IPYC) and relevant stakeholders to encourage young people at the forefront of the political high-tension to channel their energies into positive activities that can promote peaceful election.   The forum was under the theme: “The thin line in between peace and conflict: The role of the youth before, during and after election.”   Mrs Daniela Kuzu, Resident Director of the FES, said the forum was to bring together political youth activists from neighbouring countries to share their experiences on elections.   She said the forum was an overall campaign to educate the politically active youth on the democratic process, especially the significance of promoting the plurality of parties, democracy and good governance and to send a signal to whoever was harbouring the intentions of fomenting trouble to be ware.   Mrs Kuzu said the forum also aimed at providing the platform for general dialogue among the youth wings of political parties in Ghana and in West Africa in order to foster networking to ensure peaceful, non-violent elections.   Mr Kobby Achampong, Deputy Minister of the Interior, said the forum was a clarion call for peace, an essential prerequisite for accelerated development.   He said intolerance on the path of the citizenry, the use of inflammatory words in electronic and print media, disrespect for other segment of society, injustice, chronic unemployment and other social problems and marginalization of some segments of the society in the disturbance of the nation’s resources and in the political file were the causes of conflicts.   He said the effects of conflicts were disturbance of social infrastructure, disruption of the economy, the physical infrastructure, degeneration of the moral fibre of society, deterioration of educational standards, deterioration in the health standards and reduction of agricultural production.   Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area said nothing was worth more than peace, adding “But peace don’t comes on a silver platter.”   He said the maintenance of peace was important and that politicians and youth leaders of political parties, were to preach peace instead of violence to save the lives of future generation who would be emerging as leaders of our various African countries.   Mr Ludwig Akpene Hlodze, National Youth Organizer of the ruling NDC and Chairman of the IPYC said between peace and conflict, the Ghanaian youth would always opt for the former and work at achieving greater peace so as to foster nation building.   Mrs Charlotte Osei, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, said political tolerance was very important in politics.   She said it was important for African leaders to set standards for youths to emulate rather than violence and conflicts.   GNA...

Tema, Nov 12, GNA - Some occupants of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) flats at Tema community ‘5’ have expressed their fear of a future collapse of the buildings due to the deteriorating nature at present.   The 16 flats, which were constructed 17 years ago by SSNIT and either sold or rented out to the residents, have developed serious cracks from the foundation level to the top of the three storey flats.   A visit to the flats on Monday by the Ghana News Agency revealed that the flats, especially the flat number eight was gradually sinking to the ground with major cracks running from the foundation, through the walls and into the various rooms.   Mrs Bernice Addae, a resident, who showed the GNA heavy cracks in her hall, said since she and her family bought the two-bed-room apartment, they have been contacting the SSNIT office for the problem to be solved.   Mrs Addae indicated that even though residents had been carrying out maintenance works on the building frequently, the problem could not be solved due to the intensity of the cracks.   “The cracks are so wide that whenever it rained, the water passes through it into the room”, she noted.   She added that their fears had been heightened due to the collapse of the Melcom building at Achimota last week, which claimed 14 lives and injured 68 people.   She again said several letters and follow-up calls on SSNIT concerning their plights over the years had not yielded any favourable result.   The resident stated that some engineers, who visited the place some three years ago to assess the situation, said the land should have been treated before the construction of the building due to the presence of water.   Mrs Julian Asare, a resident, who occupied the building for the past 17 years, said they were having a hard time convincing their children that the flats was safe due to the Achimota Melcom incident.   Mrs Asare, therefore, called on the SSNIT authorities, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and other institutions to come to their aid to avoid another tragic accident from occurring in the country.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – The government of the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) under the leadership of Dr Michael Abu Sakara will deal ruthless with corrupt government officials to serve as a deterrent to other public office holders, the party’s 2012 manifesto has stated.   The party has identified lack of political will as the bane of the fight against corruption, which accordingly has undermined public confidence in government.   The manifesto states the CPP will use its stand on corruption to attract votes to win the December polls. It says corruption has cost the nation billions of Ghana Cedis as a result of fraudulent practices in government and government projects.   The party says, it would adequately resource public institutions, such as Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).   Again the party sees corruption as a canker where some public officials sometimes used their relatives in acquiring properties which far exceeded their main income.   The CPP claims that it would implement the Whistle Blower Law to encourage the public to report corrupt practices that undermine the integrity of the country.   “CPP will pass the Freedom of Information bill as part of a broad legislative agenda as well as ensuring compliance with the constitution and put open public asset declaration at the heart of public service to improve governance and fight corruption. “CPP will not compromise in the pursuit of social justice...we believe in creating a society that gives equal opportunity to all and the future of our citizens should not be determined by the accident or circumstances of their birth but by the opportunities created by the state intervention”.   A recent survey by the National Commission for Civic Education on matters of concern to the voter with a focus on corruption shows a substantial number of people (45.3 per cent of total respondents) wanting government to severely punish corrupt officials to serve as deterrent to others.   The respondents called on government to strengthen state institutions that deal with corruption; enforce corruption laws in the country, and embark on public education on the dangers and negative side of corruption.   They were of the view that appropriate wages should be paid to government officials to curb corruption; leaders to live exemplary lives, and urged government to review the assets declaration laws of people in authority.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), on Tuesday organized a debate for parliamentary candidates in the Odododiodio Constituency in Accra.   The debate formed part of CDD-Ghana’s activities aimed at promoting policy issues in the electioneering campaign and providing opportunities for the electorate to interrogate aspiring parliamentary candidates in order to make informed choices during elections.   It was on the theme: “Promoting issue based campaign in election 2012: Involving People With Disabilities, Women and Youth”. Supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the debate would provide the platform in 30 hotly contested constituencies nationwide.   Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) described as disturbing the inaccessibility of people with disability to most public and private commercial institutions.   “If I am voted as Member of Parliament I will make sure that people with disability would be recognised and accorded the due respect in society.       “I will champion their cause in Parliament and play advocacy role for the implementation of the Disability Ac,” he assured.   He said, “I pledge that I will maintain peace in the constituency and supporters of the NDC would help me do that”.   Nii Vanderpuye assured the constituents he would lead a crusade to mobilise funds to build a modern sports complex for the people of Odododiodio.      Captain Victor Okaikoi (retired), parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency expressed concern about the spate of HIV/AIDs in the country and said when elected he would step education on it and encourage responsible behaviour to help prevent and control the spread of the disease.   Captain Okaikoi said the NPP free Senior High School election campaign promise was feasible and added that the policy would bring about change in the educational sector.          Mr Emmanuel Nii Ako Oddoye of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) noted that the Government of the PPP would help people with disability by creating jobs to empower them to be self sufficient.   He said the PPP was for peace and would continue to preach it before, during and after the December elections.   Mr Oddoye said: “Under my leadership as MP of the Odododiodio, I will build an ultra modern boxing gym for the people of the constituency since our people stand to be benefiting from boxing.”   GNA...

Prampram (GAR), Nov. 13, GNA – Micro-finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) on Tuesday started distribution of outboard motors to fishermen at fishing communities countrywide at subsidized cost to help boost their economic activities.   Mr Mustapha Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of MASLOC, disclosed this to journalists at a ceremony organized by the Centre to distribute 40 horse-power outboard motors to the fishers at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.   Speaking on behalf of Mrs Bertha Sogah, Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, he said the distribution of the horse-power motors to the fishermen in Prampram formed part of 1,000 motors earmarked to be distributed in series countrywide at a subsidized cost.   Mr Abubakar said though each of the outboard motors costs GH¢9,000.00, it was being given to the fishermen at a subsidized cost of GH¢4,900.00.   He stressed that the 50 per cent subsidy on the motors was as a result of the government’s intervention to boost the economic activities of fishermen.   Mr Abubakar said already 280 of the horse-power outboard motors had been distributed to fishing communities in Cape Coast, and 100 had been allocated to those in Takoradi.   Nii Teye Appeynarh Richson, District Chief Executive of MASLOC, who received the items on behalf of the fishermen, expressed gratitude to government for the kind gesture.   MASLOC was established to provide, manage, regulate and approve funds for microfinance and small-scale credit schemes and programmes.   The centre targets mainly the productive poor and vulnerable in the society, including women, physically challenged and the youth, who are engaged in micro and small scale businesses to provide quick and easily accessible micro-credit facilities to reduce poverty and create employment and wealth.   MASLOC provides micro-credit or group loans, small loans, wholesale lending to microfinance institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and rural banks for on-lending to the productive poor.   Economic activities funded by the centre include food crops, agro-processing, poultry, micro-enterprise, vocations, handicrafts, fish farming and agricultural machinery.   GNA...

Akyem-Akroso (E/R), Nov. 13, GNA - Vodafone Ghana Limited has began a vocational skill training program for the physically challenged and other vulnerable persons at Akyem Akroso in the Birim Central Municipality.   The training which includes programs in dress-making, hair ribbons, fashion designing is to help build the self-esteem of the trainees and ensure that they acquired some useful skill to generate income.   Ms Josephine Nii Whang called on the beneficiaries of the program to take their training seriously and ensure that they acquired the needed vocational skill to help their families.   She said efforts would be made to assist them market their products at the neighboring markets at Akyem Oda and Agona Swedru.   Mr Oto Opare, the Birim Central Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare, commended Vodafone and GTP for their assistance to the program.   He said the training would enable the beneficiaries to acquire a useful trade saying “disability is not inability”.   The Executive Director of the Needy Elevation Crusaders, Mr Obeng Afari,  appealed to parents of the physically challenged to send their children to the centre to acquire some vocational training and appealed to other organizations to come to the aid of the centre as they train more people in useful trades.   GNA...

Shama (W/R), Nov.13, GNA - Mrs Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in-charge of Operations, on Tuesday said it was not advisable for the people to take the country’s multi party democracy for granted.      She was speaking at a focus group discussion on Deepening and Consolidating  Ghana’s Democracy at Shama.      The NCCE organized the programme in collaboration with the District Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC).      The group discussion was followed by a community durbar on the need for tolerance and peaceful elections.       Shama Assemblies of God Drama Group performed a drama; “Ghana will win” at the durbar.       Mrs Akumanyi said democracy has to be learned and practiced and “we all need to work hard to ensure that there is peace before, during and after the elections”.      She said everybody must play active part in sustaining democracy and peace in the country.      Mrs Akumanyi said: “We cannot sit back expecting our democracy to take care of itself and take no action ourselves”.      “We are democracy and power belongs to all of us especially the youth who will be future leaders,” she said, adding, “we all have to be vigilant”.       She said it is vital for the people to be aware that Ghana belonged to them irrespective of their different political beliefs.   Mrs Akumanyi said those who perpetrated terror in the society have nothing to do with reason or responsibility and everything to do with the perceived rights of a minority to attack and destroy the values of the majority which are freedom, democracy, equality and opportunity.      She said the politics of democracy are about public engagement, civil renewal and strengthening of society through the recognition and acceptance of responsibility.      Mrs Akumanyi said politicians could do a lot but without the engagement of citizens nothing much could be achieved.      She said it was also important that women got involved in all community activities as well as in the decision making process.       Mrs Akumanyi said the representation of women in all levels from the grassroots to the top was vital.       She said: “My view is that we still have a long way to go before we can say that our institutions properly represent women who outnumber men in the population census”.       Mrs Akumanyi said there was the need to respect the established institutions such as the Police, the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (EC).      She said the people should all believe in the rule of law because the legitimacy of the whole society rests on the Constitution and the laws of the country.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.13, GNA - Mr Samuel Owiredu Amoh, a Communication Officer of the Bureau of Ghana Languages, on Tuesday testified at the ongoing trial of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central.    Mr Amoh, who transcribed the CD’s containing the comments made by Kennedy Agyapong, is the second prosecution witness to testify in the case.    Kennedy Agyapong has been charged for provocation of riot and offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and he is on self recognizance bail.    Mr Amoh, who was led in evidence by Mr Anthony Rexford Wiredu, Chief State Attorney, said he was in his office on April 20, 2012 when the receptionist called him that two men were looking for him.   He said the two men were from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who gave him two CDs labeled A&B and asked him to transcribe what was on the CD.   He said after he had completed the work he handed over the CDs and the transcripts to the CID.    When asked by Mr Ayikoi Otoo, Counsel for Kennedy Agyapong, whether the signature on the transcripts was his, he answered in the affirmative.   When he was asked again if he remembered the number of times the accused used the word “If” as a condition in his statement,  Mr Amoh said he did not count the number of “Ifs” the accused made in his comment but he kept using it.   Mr Ayikoi Otoo asked the witness whether he noticed the words used by the accused which says they should beat Gas and Voltarians and not kill all Gas and Voltarians as in the transcript.   Mr Amoh said even though he did not disagree with defence, he was going by what was on the transcript.   The witness was also asked to show where in the transcript the accused said Ashantis should kill Gas in the Ashanti Region.   He said there was nothing of such statement in the transcript. The case has been adjourned to December 4, 2012.   The accused was arrested on Monday, April 16, after being invited by the Police CID over statements he allegedly made the previous Friday, April 13, on his Accra-based radio station, Oman FM.        He was alleged to have “declared war” and vowed to lynch any fake security operative, following the alleged physical attack on Ms Ursula Owusu,  NPP’s Ablekuma South parliamentary aspirant and Mr Abu Jinapor, an aide to the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Tarzan, a registration centre at Odododiodoo in Accra.        The accused reportedly said he would organise supporters of the NPP to defend themselves because the police had failed to protect them.        On Wednesday, April 18, the Adjabeng Magistrate's Court in Accra declined jurisdiction in the case of treason, felony and attempted genocide brought against the accused, saying such crimes should be tried by the High Court.        Ms Patricia Quansah, Presiding over the court, said in a ruling after  prosecution had asked for the remand of the accused, that such cases were heard by three high court judges.        She said the Chief Justice on June 17, 2008, released a circular to all judges stating that cases such as treason, murder, narcotics and rape, were to be referred to the Chief Justice, who would in turn refer them to the court.        Ms Quansah asked the prosecution, also led by Mr Wiredu, to refer the matter to the Chief Justice to determine which court should hear the case.   GNA...

Koforidua, Nov. 13, GNA - Ms Gifty Torkornu, one of Ghana’s HIV Ambassadors, has called on chief executives and institutional heads to introduce workplace HIV policies for their employees.           She said such a policy would encourage many people living with HIV to declare their HIV status, seek early treatment and help reduce stigmatization and discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV).       Ms Torkornu was speaking at the Akwasidae festival of the chiefs and people of New Juaben in Koforidua where the HIV caravan made up of experts and HIV Ambassadors participated.       The caravan which is touring all the 10 regions of Ghana, forms part of the activities marking this year’s World AIDS Day to be held in Cape Coast on November 27.      The theme for the celebration is: “Zero New Infections, Zero AIDS-related Deaths, Zero Stigmatization and Discrimination-Accelerating to zero Together”.       Ms Torkornu said there were many workers living with HIV but fear to disclose their status to their employers for fear of being discriminated against or dismissed from employment.       As part of the festival, 38 personalities who had contributed towards the development of the New Juaben area were presented with awards.       The HIV Caravan would be in the Eastern Region for four days, during which, the HIV Ambassadors would interact with students, churches and members of the community.      The team would depart to the Ashanti Region on Wednesday.   GNA...

Obo-Kwahu (E/R), Nov. 13, GNA - Mr Elvis Ofori Boateng, the Assembly Member for Obo-Asemanya Electoral Area in the Kwahu-South District, on Tuesday honoured 19 basic teachers in the Obo Circuit for their hard work and dedication to duty.     The hard work of the teachers resulted in eight Junior High Schools (JHS) in the Circuit obtaining 100 percent passes in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).     The teachers received certificates, television sets, computers and pieces of cloth.     A total of 143 school children from the primary and JHS level who excelled in their various classes also received certificates, exercise books and text books as their awards.     The overall best teacher in the Circuit, which comprises Obomeng, Obo and Tweneduase, Mr Frank Agyekum Adu of Obomeng Presbyterian JHS, received a computer.   The runners-up, Madam Mary Tetteh of Tweneduase Presbyterian Primary, received a 14 inch television set with the third, Madam Grace Adamaley of Obo Presbyterian Kindergarten, receiving a piece of cloth.     Addressing a large number of school children and teachers at the award ceremony at Obo, Mr Ofori Boateng said he decided to invest in education in his electoral area since education was the best investment a nation could give to school children who are the future leaders of the country.     He said the good performance of the schools in the BECE was the result of the investment he made in the schools last year including organizing a Mock examination for the final year school pupils and the distribution of exercise books to them.     The Assembly Member advised parents to take interest in the education of children by ensuring that they study at home and also provide them with their educational needs.      Mr Francis Adisah, the Obo Circuit Supervisor of the Ghana Education Service (GES), commended Mr Boateng for his effort in recognizing the role of the teacher.      He appealed to the government to provide the schools in the area with adequate teaching and learning materials and initiate new mechanisms to motivate teachers to improve upon their performance.   GNA...

Kuntanase (Ash), Nov. 13, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosomtwe Constituency, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, has called on politicians to ensure some level integrity prevailed in their electioneering campaign.   He said there was the need to do away with the mischief, falsehood and deliberate lies and be truthful and sincere to voters.   Mr Osei-Mensah said this when speaking at a press conference in Kuntanase to respond to the chicanery and deception being perpetuated by some political activists.   He said he found distasteful, the desperate attempts by the members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to claim credit for development projects initiated in the area by the Kufuor Administration.   Mr Osei-Mensah enumerated numerous projects he has helped to bring to the Constituency, citing among them, a three-storey girl’s dormitory at the Jachie-Pramso Senior High School (SHS) and the construction of another three storey block of flats to accommodate teachers.   He said there was not a single community in the area that had not benefited from his share of the MPs Common Fund over the last eight years and vowed to continue to be open, transparent and accountable to the people.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA - Mr Edward Gyamerah, Assistant Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has reminded the public that one cannot operate a business without registering it with the Commissioner General.   "If you fail to register, you are not complying with the law, and enforcement measures could be applied against you," he said.   Mr Gyamerah said this at the Ghana Tax Justice Coalition stake-holders tax forum held in Accra on Tuesday.   It was under the theme: "Ghana's Tax Policy Environment: What Direction, Successes and Challenges?"    Touching further on taxation in the country, he said a number of factors made it difficult to enforce the country's taxation laws.   "Delays in the prosecution of tax offenders, difficulty in accessing locations of illegal businesses, and other challenges make enforcement quite challenging."   Mr Gyamerah said some solutions to the problem were the establishment of a tax court, the intensification of education on taxation, and immense collaboration between tax collection agencies within the country.   Mr Yakubu Seidu, Chief Revenue Officer at the Customs Division of the GRA, said: "It is unfortunate that whilst we want provision of hospitals, roads and other modern amenities, some of us still want to avoid paying our taxes."   He said taxation formed quite a bulk of government revenue and added that it was thus very important to ensure that all taxation outlets were fully utilized. "I urge all Ghanaians not to connive with smugglers to deny the country its due."   Mr Seidu cautioned importers that it was not possible for anyone at the ports to divert their goods in order to help them evade tax.   He said:  "The law makes it mandatory for all carriers to declare all goods on board. We would definitely trace and locate your goods because by the time the diversion is done, we know about their existence already."   Mr Sulemana Koney, a director at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said one key means of broadening the tax net was to formalize all forms of mining in order to have those mining activities taxed.   He said the importance was seen clearly when note was taken of the fact that 80 to 90 percent of small scale mining was from the illegal mining industry.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 13, GNA – Alhaji Moctar Bamba, National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said his party would be sincere to Ghanaians and deliver on its electoral promises.   The free Senior High School (SHS) policy was not just a campaign tool to win power but that it would indeed be implemented, if given the mandate to govern on December 7, he said.   He called on the people, particularly the Zongo communities, to ignore the ugly noise and desperate attempts by the political opponents of the NPP to make them to believe that this was not possible.   We have done our research and calculations and had no doubt that the nation has enough resources to make the free SHS education possible, Alhaji Bamba said when addressing a rally at Aboabo Number Two in the Asawasi Constituency, in Kumasi, on Tuesday.   He appealed to the gathering to vote massively for the NPP to help bring down the high rate of illiteracy and poverty, plaguing the Zongos.   He said the NPP would improve on the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), School Feeding Programme and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) introduced by the Kufuor Administration.   Alhaji Bamba an NPP government would salvage those safety nets that were collapsing under the watch of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and accused the NDC of bad management of the economy, which had led to widespread suffering.   Nana Okyere Tawiah Antwi, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for area, called on the party’s supporters to step up their house-to-house campaign to assist the people to have better understanding of the party’s manifesto and win them over.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) said it would review the Criminal Offences Act to define corruption to encompass all corruption-related offences.   “All offences that fall under the scope of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, will be captured,” the NDC stated in its Election 2012 Manifesto obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Accra.   It added: “Regulations under the Public Officers’ Liability Act will be enacted in order to give legal force to the Guidelines on Conflict of Interest and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers prepared by the CHRAJ”.   “The next NDC administration would amend the Public Procurement Act to make it more user-friendly and capable of dealing with corruption in public procurement and regulations under the Act brought into force”.   According to the NDC it intends to revamp the internal audit system under a revised Internal Audit Agency Act to make it more effective to combat corruption and wastage, adding; “Financial Administration Tribunal will be established and begin operation within the first year of the next NDC Government”.   The NDC said it would strictly enforce the Mutual Legal Assistance Act of 2010 to deal with cross-border corruption.      The party seeks to trumpet its aim at fighting corruption to attract votes as it intensified its quest to retain power pledged its commitment and steadfast in combating political corruption and immorality in the Ghanaian society when its mandate is renewed to steer national affairs for the next four years.   The party assured Ghanaians that the next NDC Government would revise Accra re-development policy to provide coherent and transparent guidelines on the acquisition of public lands.   The NDC would set up a Committee of Enquiry to investigate untoward public land dealings in the past and sanction all those who, through fraudulent means, cheated the nation, the NDC said.   The manifesto dubbed: “Advancing the Better Ghana Agenda,” noted that under President John Dramani Mahama, the next NDC administration would empower the sole Commissioner to continue to investigate all disputed judgment debts and financial settlements against the state and action taken to retrieve monies wrongfully paid out from the Consolidated Fund.   “The next NDC Administration will implement the Freedom of Information Act….the transparency and accountability record of the NDC Government has been sterling,” it said.   According to the party its position on corruption for Election 2012 hinges on what the party claims it has been “able to achieve in the last four years based on promises it made to Ghanaians in 2008”.   The party said whereas it has appointed a substantive Commissioner and a substantive second Deputy Commissioner to strengthen the Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the NDC Government in conjunction with key stakeholders has launched a National Anti-Corruption Action Plan.   The NDC Government has established guidelines for the payment of judgment debts and monetary awards based on out-of-court settlements.   “The Serious Fraud Office has been re-organised into the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) with an expanded legal framework;   The NDC said that the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) regulations has been ratified; the Petroleum Revenue Management Act has also provided an open and transparent system for disclosure and monitoring of petroleum revenues while the Public Interest and Accountability Committee was functioning effectively.   On narcotic terrorism, the NDC said it acknowledged that more effort was needed to ensure that the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) deals effectively and efficiently with the drug menace.   The next NDC Government has therefore proposed to intensify demand reduction and supply reduction methods of dealing with narcotic drugs as well as empower NACOB to undertake campaigns to create awareness about the effects of drugs.      It was again established that NDC government would make NACOB a security agency to enable it to collaborate effectively with the other security agencies in dealing with drug traffickers.   The NDC would also pursue the programme for legislative conversion of NACOB into an autonomous Commission, and establish drug rehabilitation centres for treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration into society of drug addicts.   It said: “various reports by international drug enforcement agencies indicate a significant decline in drug trafficking from Ghana”.   The NDC therefore declares that the next NDC administration would “Revive the Alternative Development Programme as a means of reducing or eliminating the cultivation of cannabis in the country”.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 13, GNA – International artiste, B Clay, on Monday released his latest single, “Orphan”, to rave reviews in New York, United States,   A release mailed to the Ghana News Agency by the Akwaaba Media said “Orphan” is about the pain of a child in his daily struggles and its deep yearning for a parent’s warm embrace.   It said the concern of B Clay and many others on the unfortunate plight of children, who have lost their parents, has been a deep-seated one.   The release said during his childhood days in Ghana, one of the close friends of the artiste had the unpleasant and dreaded experience of becoming orphaned and the shared pain, it added, inspired B Clay to write the song.      “After witnessing firsthand, the effects (both physically and mentally) of a child losing both parents, I decided to stand in solidarity with all the orphans of the world through the song”, B Clay said.   Orphan is available on the iTunes and many other online music stores.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe, World Boxing Association (WBA) International Lightweight Champion, has agreed to offer George “Red Tiger Ashie, a rematch if only he will fight in the Super Featherweight division.   Tagoe, who defeated Ashie with a majority decision in a hotly contested bout to win the WBA International Lightweight title in the early hours of Sunday, said he is ready to fight Ashie, but not prepared to go up in weight again.   Tagoe, who now boast of 21 fights, with eight knock outs and a loss, told the GNA Sports in an interview that, he was compelled to fight in the Lightweight division because of Ashie.   He noted “If he wants a rematch, then he should be prepared to fight me in the Super Featherweight division”.   “I went to his level to defeat him and so if he wants a rematch, he should be prepared to fight in the Super Featherweight division. If he is not ready to fight in my division, then he should forget about a rematch.” Tagoe stated.   Tagoe recalled, he once invited Ashie to fight in the Featherweight division, but the light skin boxer declined, adding that he extended a similar invitation to him when he moved up to the Super Featherweight but was turned down by Ashie.   “After beating him last Sunday in his own weight, I was convinced that I am the best on the local scene and there is no need to fight him again.   “My major focus now is to vie for the world title and I’m looking forward to that opportunity to make my case known on the international scene.   “I am ready to face the best in the world, because I believe that I can be a world champion in the shortest possible time.” Tagoe stated.   Tagoe’s condition, could shatter the dreams of Ashie in seeking a rematch, as the later might not be interested in coming down in weight.   Ashie, it will be recalled complained of cheating after the match, claiming he was the clear winner but was denied the fight by the judges and promoters of the event.   Last Sunday’s bout was touted as one of the best on the local scene after the famous Smith Odoom/Raymond Narh, ten years ago, which attracted a similar huge attendance.   The two boxers were touted as the best on the local scene following their impressive fight records as well as their style.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 13, GNA – The 2012 National Best Farmer won on merit, Dr Kinsley Taah, Team Leader for the Best Farmer Selection Team said on Tuesday and debunked some media speculation of political favoritism.   The National Best Farmer deserved the award, and was selected based on the criteria set by the team through inspection of all 30 nominated farmers’ enterprise across the 10 regions as well as administration of a structured interview, he said.   Dr Taah, a representative of the School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, explained at a press conference in Accra that the National Best Farmer selection was done at three levels, the district, regional and national levels.   He said the district team was asked to investigate and present a list of potential farmers in the district, and the regional team was also to scrutinize and present the final list of three nominees from each region to the national team.   Dr Taah said the selection process was in two phases; the inspection exercise; which was done to verify what farmers had told the selection team, and the interview section; where farmers earned marks for correctly responding to each question.     Dr Taah said during the inspection exercise each selected farmer had to show all his enterprises, including crop farms, beehives, fishpond, and livestock to the team.   He said after the observatory inspection, the team conducted an interview where the farmers showed bio data, diversification of farming operation crops, scale of operation crops, environmental awareness and environmental friendly practice, major farming constrains and innovative solutions.   During the interview session each farmer had to demonstrate his or her record keeping, adoption of improved technologies in crop and animal agriculture, role of farmers in the community, farmers comment on local and national agriculture and general impression of farmer on farms.   Dr Taah said the selection of the finalist was based on collation of the final scores using an excel spreadsheet to compute the mean mark.   The marks is then ranked and the contesting farmer with the highest mean score, followed by the one with the second highest mean score and the third highest mean score were recommended to the ministry, while the highest ranked contesting farmer in each region then become the regional best farmers.   Dr Taah noted that the team did its work without prejudice and to the best of their abilities, saying “the 2012 National Best Farmer went through the process and qualified to win”.   The 2012 National Best Farmer Selection Team consist of acclaimed scholars representing various institutions led by Dr Taah, Dr Frederick Obese, College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of  Ghana;  Dr Elias Sowley, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale; and Dr Henry Asumadu, Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Fumesua, Kumasi.   The 2012 National Best Farmer was the 2005 Dangbe West District best rice farmer, 2006 Greater Accra Regional Best rice farmer and 2007 overall district farmer.   Thirty-Eight year old Mr Lemuel Kwashie Martey of Mannah Farms Limited in Accra was on Friday, November 2nd adjudged as the 2012 National Best Farmer.   For his prize, he will have a three-bedroom fully furnished house and a pick-up vehicle.   The 28th edition of the Farmers' Day celebrations took place at Abokobi in the Ga East District of Accra.   The theme for this year’s Farmers Day was: “Grow more Food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organizations for Market Place Bargaining Power”.   GNA...

Nsawkaw (B/A), Nov. 13, GNA – Mr Edward Gyamfi, Tain District Electoral Officer, has appealed to religious bodies to use their pulpit to educate the electorate on the need for peace during the coming polls.        “We need to use the pulpit as the medium to educate the electorate against violence during Election 2012,” he said.        Mr Gyamfi made the appeal after activists and sympathizers of the political parties in the district had undertaken a peace-walk and clean-up exercise as part of activities marking the 90th anniversary celebration of Nsawkaw Methodist Church at Nsawkaw.  The celebration was on the theme: “90 Years of Methodist in Nsawkaw, Achievements, Challenges and Prospects”.        Reverend Kofi Annan-Bennett, Minister-in-Charge of the church, called on politicians to refrain from using intemperate language and educate the electorate on their vision, policies and programmes when voted into power.        “Ghana has experienced peaceful elections since 1992 and Election 2012 should follow the same pattern for Ghanaians to live in peace,” he said.        Mr Osei Owusu, NPP Tain Constituency Co-ordinator, gave the assurance that the NPP would conduct its campaign in peace without any acrimony whiles the  NDC  Constituency Chairman, Mr John K. Abebrese, commended the church for undertaking the peace walk and clean up exercise that brought all the political parties together.        Rev Annan-Bennett later presented detergents, fruits, bed sheets and pillow cases valued at GH¢1,000 to the Tain Government Hospital as part of the celebration.        GNA...