Takoradi, Nov. 21, GNA - National Democratic Congress(NDC) Parliamentary Aspirant for Takoradi, Mr Alfred Ekow Gyan says he will institute a Constituency Development Plan to fast track grass root development when voted into power. The plan,which will be undertaken by a constituency development committee, will focus on the development of infrastructure, education and health to better the lot of the people in the metropolis. Mr Gyan said this when addressing a rally of NDC faithful and sympathizers at the inauguration of the Takoradi Youth for Mahama Association in Takoradi. He said a micro finance scheme to boost local business and empower artisans, those in the informal sector, will be instituted. On health, he said, the committee will use local funds to assist communities especially the aged and offer scholarships to students. The chairman of the Takoradi Branch of the Association, Mr Eliasu Rahman, said for the past 16 years, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has failed to develop the area but since 2009 when the NDC assumed office the Metropolis has been given a facelift. The youth, he maintained, will move all out to marshal strategies to wrestle the seat from the NPP in the December Parliamentary polls. A member of the group, Madam Fatimah Baba Konney, said the youth will rally behind President John Mahama because he is not a tribalist or ethnocentric and asked Ghanaians to vote for the NDC in memory of late President John Atta Mills.   GNA ...

Asanta (W/R), Nov. 21, GNA – Mr Obeng Boampong, Jomoro District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has said it was important for all to obey the provisions of the constitution in order to maintain and preserve the peace of the country. He made the call at a durbar organized by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) on the coming elections at Asanta in the Ellembele District. Mr Boampong said the peace and stability that has been prevailing in the country since 1992 could be attributed to the constitution and that government resided in the people who have the power to form government. He said the constitutional provision on freedom of speech and expression empowers the people to speak on issues and avoid using insults. Mr Emmanuel Aidoo, Ellembele District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), appealed to the electorates to observe the electoral rules in order to prevent violence and disturbances during the elections. He said those who did not check their names and personal details during the exhibition of the biometric voter’s register would have themselves to blame if they are unable to vote in the elections. Mr Aidoo said voters would be required to produce their voter’s identity cards (ID) and receipts at the polling stations. He said those who have misplaced their voter’s ID could be allowed to vote if they mentioned the name with which they registered and undergo fingerprint verification test. Mr Aidoo said nobody will be allowed to wear party T’shirt or colours or campaign at the polling stations, just as the playing of party songs on mobile phones at polling stations would not be permitted. Mr Aidoo said voters could ask for a new ballot paper if they mistakenly voted for a candidate. He said in that case, the polling official would collect the old ballot paper and put in an envelope provided for that purpose. Mr Samuel Akpanyah, Nzema East Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), asked the people to maintain the peace so that the elections would be free and fair.   GNA ...

Dormaa Ahenkro (B/A), Nov. 21, GNA – Forty-seven youth who completed training in various businesses under the Local Enterprise and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP) in Dormaa-Ahenkro have received tools to begin their own businesses.   They are hairdressers, bakers, dressmakers, caterers, mobile phone repairers, barbers and motor-king riders.   The tools were over-lock and knitting machines, gas ovens, motor-king, hair dryers and catering kits while the Dormaa Municipal Assembly was presented with a truck for hiring to boost revenue mobilisation.   Mr Gordon Asubonteng, Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, commended the youth for accepting the challenge to train and equip themselves with employable skills in line with government’s policy.   He appealed to the beneficiaries to utilise the tools judiciously to attract others into their businesses for rapid realisation of LESDEP’s objectives.   Mr Benjamin Kusi Ofori, Dormaa Central Municipal LESDEP Coordinator, said the beneficiaries were expected to re-pay the cost of the tools within 12 to 24 months.   He appealed to them to re-pay as planned to enable others to benefit from the programme.   Three beneficiaries; Zenabu Bukari, Martha Asuama Yeboah and Kwasi Asamoah, expressed appreciation to LESDEP and the government for providing them with employable skills.   On behalf of the beneficiaries they pledged to be committed to their families and society.   GNA...

Koforidua, Nov. 21, GNA- Mr William Aboah, Minister of the Interior, has cautioned security agents that would be deployed to the polling stations to play according to the rules of the Electoral Commission (EC).     He tasked them to take instructions only from the Presiding officers.     Reacting to a question at a meeting with security agencies in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, Mr Aboah stressed that the duty of the security agents at the polling stations is to maintain peace and should therefore not interfere in the electoral process.     He said the EC had categorically stated that any person with voters’ Identification card is eligible to vote, security agents could not arrest any person based on his age unless the Presiding officer gives them the explicit instruction.      He said the December, 7 elections is crucial and stakeholders, especially the security officers should exhibit professionalism at the polling centres to ensure that they are not distracted from their main function of ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for voting.     He said government is committed to violence free elections for the outcome to be acceptable to all and is therefore prepared to support stakeholders, especially the security services in efforts to ensure that unscrupulous persons do not plunge the nation into chaos.     The Interior Minister told the security officers to be vigilant so that they could act on information quickly to forestall any violence.   Mr Aboah noted that events leading to the polling day such as meetings and rallies could have undertones that must not be taken for granted.      He announced that government had accepted a recommendation to acquire a helicopter for the police to enhance their work.      The Interior Minister explained that the equipping of the police was not based on electoral promises but a constitutional requirement that successive government must act upon.   GNA...

Domiabra- Ash, Nov. 21, GNA - The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in collaboration with the Citizenship Peace Advisory Committee (CPAC) has held a public forum at Domiabra in the Obuasi Municipality to promote a peaceful, transparent and credible elections on December 7.      CPAC, made up of a representative of the National Commission for Civic Education, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Electoral Commission and Civil Society Organisations, was formed to educate the public towards a peaceful election.      The forum, which was attended by chiefs and residents of the community, offered them the opportunity to ask questions that would enable them to contribute to the peaceful elections in the area.      Most of the questions asked centered around the electoral process and security, especially the protection of the ballot box from “machomen”.       Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Matthew Asante, Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, warned so called “machomen” who had been disturbing the peace at polling stations during elections to ward off on the voting day.       He said 47 flashpoints had been identified out of 163 polling stations in the Obuasi East and West constituencies and that security in those areas would be strengthened during the day of voting.      “We would not allow few people to take the peace we are enjoying in this country for granted. The security would do everything to ensure that there is peace around the polling stations, “  DSP Asante said.       Mr Francis Addai Boateng, Obuasi Electoral Officer, drew attention to the numerous electoral offences and advised the people to observe the electoral rules so as to contribute a peaceful election.      The Municipal CDD Facilitator, Miss Diana Aboagye, said a number of public education programmes had taken place in various communities on human rights issues, electoral rules,  and election and security among other things to facilitate the peace Ghanaians were clamoring for.      The representatives of NCCE and CSO spoke on the moral obligation as citizens and unity and peace in the upcoming elections at the programme which would be organized again at Kunka a suburb of Obuasi.   GNA...

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Nov. 21, GNA – Twelve Junior High Schools(JHS) in the Dormaa Central Municipality have received 288 laptops under the Government’s “One Child One Computer” programme.      Each school received 24 laptops.      They were Dormaa Ahenkro Municipal Authority JHS, Asikasu Number One JHS, Dormaa Ahenkro Anglican JHS, Abonsrakrom Municipal Authority JHS, Amasu Municipal Authority JHS and Adeemmra Number Four Municipal Authority JHS.      The rest were Kofiasua Municipal Authority JHS, Bebianeha Municipal Authority JHS, Manteware Municipal Authority JHS, Aboabo Number One Municipal Authority JHS, Diabaa Municipal Authority JHS and Antwirifu Municipal Authority JHS.      Mr Gordon Asubonteng, Municipal Chief Executive,  said the programme was designed to bridge the gap between urban and rural basic schools with regard to modern technology in general and information communication technology  in particular.      He said the Government would continue to invest in the people especially the youth to prepare them adequately for leadership roles in future.      Mr Asubonteng pointed out that the distribution of free school uniforms for pupils in deprived communities, free exercise books and increase in the capitation grant showed the Government’s commitment to invest in the youth.      Mr Bernard Adu-Afram, Municipal Director of Education lauded the programme, which had the potential to expose rural schools to modern technology and make them fit properly into the global village.      He appealed to head teachers and traditional authorities of beneficiary schools to provide security for the laptops to ensure they are not stolen.      Mr Adu-Afram urged the head teachers to give the pupil’s opportunity to access the laptops to develop interest in its usage.   GNA...

Busunya (B/A), Nov. 21, GNA – Mr Daniel Baffoe, Convention People’s Party (CPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Nkoranza North, has advised all the presidential and parliamentary  candidates in Election 2012 to accept the results as destined by God in good faith.        Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Busunya, Mr Baffoe, a teacher said: “I believe that God has already destined the person to become the next President of Ghana and Parliamentarians.”       He deplored the attitude of politicians who indulge in insults and character assassination against their opponents and said the best way to win votes from the electorate is to inform them of policies and programmes that would improve their living standards.       Mr Baffoe asked politicians to preach peace in the communities to enable the people comport themselves before, during and after the elections.       “Such good manners among the people would enhance the development of all communities in the constituency,” he added.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Ghanaian Human Rights Advocates on Wednesday set out a strategic plan to observe the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women with a press conference scheduled for November 28.   The press conference being organised by the Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) will focus on spousal murders and rival killings , and a release of human rights report: "Deadly Relationships and Toxic Bonds: Spousal Murders and Rival Killings in Ghana."   A statement issued in Accra by Nana Oye Lithur, HRAC Executive Director and copied to the Ghana News Agency explained that the report would be used to sheds light on the problem of domestic violence.   The press conference would serve as platform to kick start 16 days of activism for women’s rights, and culminate in the Day to Eliminate Violence.   Domestic violence is a significant and ongoing concern in Ghana. Past reports have indicated that as many as one in three women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime.   “Last year alone, DOVSUU (Domestic Violence Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service) reported more than 15,000 cases of domestic violence perpetrated against women and more than 2,000 against men.   “Taking into account the stigma and shame associated with domestic violence in Ghana, and the belief for some that it does not constitute a crime, it is reasonable to assume that the actual figure is much higher.   “At its worst, domestic violence can result in, or take the form of, spousal murder. This is a largely uninvestigated issue in Ghana,” she noted.   Through monitoring of the media, HRAC noticed the high incidence of spousal murder, particularly the cases of the husband or male partner killing his wife or female partner.   HRAC is a not-for-profit, independent, non-partisan, research and advocacy organisation set up to advance and protect human rights in Ghana.   The HRAC’s mission is to ensure the realisation, respect, promotion and protection of the rights of all persons living in Ghana in accordance with Ghanaian law and international standards, and to increase human rights awareness and the adoption of a sustainable human rights culture by public officers in Ghana, thereby enhancing democracy, good governance and accountability.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 21 GNA - The Inter-agency Task Force setup to check the activities of foreign traders who have infringed on Ghanaian laws of setting up business in markets, on Wednesday issued final eviction warning letters to relocate.   The final eviction warning letters was to remind the recalcitrant traders who are still doing business within geographical market location reserved for Ghanaian traders despite various engagements aimed at educating them to vacate or face the full rigours of the laws.   Nana Sarpong, Acting Director of Communication and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Trade and Industry said every country has laws to protect its citizens.   He said the exercise is not against any particular nationality but against individuals who have infringed on Ghanaian laws for setting up business.   Nana Sarpong accused most of the recalcitrant traders of failing to pay taxes to the state and use fraudulent means to register their businesses thereby avoiding the responsibility of paying taxes.   He said after final warning letters and the Task Force would go ahead and make sure these traders comply with the law.   He said enforcing the Ghana Investment Promotion Commission law does not mean these foreign traders would be sent back to their countries but would be advised to relocate to other places, from the central business district of Accra.   The Task Force started the exercise from the Central Business District of Accra on Tuesday, November 20, and continued through the Abossey Okai Spare Parts market.   The Task Force is made up of representatives from the Ghana Union of Traders Association, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and National Security.   The group visited various foreign own stores at the market.   The Task Force also visited a number of spare parts stores owned by Chinese ECOWAS nationals.   The Task Force and journalists on the tour noticed that most of the foreign shops have not registered their businesses with the GIPC as required by the law.   Besides, most of the shops that were close do not have any inscription written on the frontage to identify them.    GNA...

Takoradi, Nov. 21, GNA - Mrs Matllda Amissah-Arthur, Second Lady, on Wednesday assured the people that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not let them down when re-elected.      She was speaking during visits to Adakope and the Takoradi Market Circle at the start of a three-day visit to the Western Region.      Mrs Amissah-Arthur said the NDC Government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, would continue the policies and development plans initiated by the late Professor John Evans Atta-Mills.      She said the policies and development plans were human centered and were geared towards developing the country and improving the living standards of the people.      Mrs Amissah-Arthur asked the people to vote wisely by voting for the NDC in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.      She advised the people to vote early and to leave the polling stations after voting and to desist from quarreling with people who would insult or provoke them during the voting period.      Mrs Amissah-Arthur noted that Adakope was an NDC stronghold and urged people in the community to remain loyal to the party and vote massively for it.      Madam Emelia Arthur, Deputy Western Regional Minister, accompanied the Second Lady.   GNA...