Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has expressed surprise about the selection of Pensions Alliance Trust Limited to manage the Occupational Pension Scheme of the Association also known as Tier 2.   Pensions Alliance Trust is a private corporate Trustee.   A statement issued by Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday said members are utterly shocked about the selection of the Trustee without their involvement as required by the Labour Law.   “It is important to note that CLOGSAG has registered a corporate trustee to manage the Pensions for its members, and has taken steps to sensitise its constituents across the country.   As an Association, we have the right to be consulted and to participate in any decision that may affect our members.  Pensions, for that matter, affect the future of our members, and all decisions concerning pensions is of paramount interest to CLOGSAG, “the statement said.   CLOGSAG said government has selected and appointed a Trustee for all public service employees without considering the fact that the 2nd Tier is a Defined Contribution Scheme where the risk of investment is fully borne by the contributors.   “Our initial observation is that this action by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, appointing a Trustee for Civil and Local Government staff, without taking cognisance of the fact that CLOGSAG has registered Hedge Pensions Trust, to manage its own pensions is unilateral and an imposition that is not backed by the tenets of the National Pensions Act 2008, Act 766 and the Labour Law.   “Mortgaging pension contributions of staff of Civil and Local Government Services to a private Trustee for five years is contrary to the intent and purpose of the National Pensions Act 2008, Act 766, as it violates the portability principle of the new pension scheme.  Could this not be an avenue for the payment of judgment debt should the five -year contract be terminated?   “CLOGSAG should not be made to suffer the same unfairness, inequities and inconsistencies that have characterised the Single Spine Pay Policy.   “Our members have suffered and continue to suffer injustices and CLOGSAG would not countenance any manipulation of our pensions and our future.  CLOGSAG and its members would not accept to be part of the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Pensions Alliance Trust Limited.”   The statement said the National Executive Committee of CLOGSAG is… warning the Finance Minister to desist from meddling in “our pensions and our future”.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - The Commission of Inquiry established by the President to enquire into judgment debt payments and other related matters will start sitting on Wednesday November, 28.   The public sittings will take place at the conference room of the Old Parliament House building in Accra, opposite Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.  The first sitting would be live via GBC Television.   A statement issued by George William Dove, Public Relations Officer of the Commission said the body was established by Constitutional Instrument 79 of 2012; i.e. (C.I. 79/2012), which received gazette notification on October 8.   It has a period of one year to submit its report to the presidency.   The public sittings would begin at 1000 hours and close at 1600 hours each day (subject to variation) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Thursdays and Fridays will be devoted to administrative work.   Members of the public who wish to testify or volunteer information to the Commission are first to report at the Commission’s office to give their statements.  The Commission will then schedule a date for such witnesses to testify or give evidence.   The Commission’s office is opened to the public from Monday to Friday of every week – from 0900 hours to 1600 hours.   All those who intend to testify or volunteer information but are unable to be present or in person are requested to submit memoranda to the Commission.  Such memoranda shall be treated confidential.   All correspondence must be addressed to; The Sole-Commissioner, Commission on Judgment Debts, Old Parliament House, c/o P.O. Box 119, Accra.   Such correspondence should be submitted personally to the Secretary to the Commissioner at the Old Parliament House or posted by EMS to the Sole-Commissioner per the above address.  It could also be sent via e-mail to [email protected].   The Commission shall soon establish an official website and when that is done, the public will be informed accordingly.   The Terms of reference of the Commission are: To ascertain the causes of any inordinate payments made from public funds in satisfaction of judgment debts since the 1992 Constitution came into force;   To ascertain the causes of any inordinate payments from public funds and financial losses arising from arbitration awards, negotiated settlements and akin processes since the 1992 Constitution came into force; and to make recommendations to the Government for ensuring that, as far as practicable; The instances where public funds are utilised to make payments in satisfaction of judgment debts and public debts arising from akin processes are limited;     Government does not incur undue financial losses when it does business with private persons or institutions.   The statement assured persons who may testify or assist the Commission in its work that their safety is guaranteed.   The Sole-Commissioner of the Commission is Mr Justice Yaw Appau, a Justice of the Court of Appeal.   The Commission has Mr Dometi Kofi Sorkpor as Counsel, who will be assisted by Mr Kwabena Owusu Mensah.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA - The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has instituted measures to enforce members’ adherence to its Code of Ethics to ensure sanity and decorum on the airwaves as the nation goes to the polls in December.       Chief Crystal Djirackor, President of GIBA, said members had been asked to submit themselves to self-regulation and public scrutiny by asking listeners and their own peers at different radio stations to record any part of their programmes that has the tendency to offend sensibilities or incite passions.        These recordings can be sent to the GIBA headquarters for the sanctioning of the errant member.        Chief Djirackor was speaking at a forum on Thursday on the theme: “Responsible Reportage for the 2012 Elections,” held in Kumasi for its members in the northern sector.         The forum, which was a platform to collate views from members on the challenges encountered in the implementation of its Code of Conduct was under the sponsorship of STAR-Ghana, USAID and UKAID.        Chief Djirackor said broadcasters played a critical role in ensuring a peaceful electoral process and there was the need for members to be more circumspect as they discharged their duties.         He said to stem some of these explosions on the airwaves, plans were underway to procure gadgets to help delay broadcast messages for member radio stations to buy.        “We need to protect the peace of this nation and its neighbours. You must therefore stay focused as media practitioners on your work and not to get aligned to any political party to do its biddings to the displeasure of other political parties,” he said.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.22 GNA-Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology on Thursday noted that government has increased funding for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) development in Ghana from 0.2 per cent of GDP to 0.4 per cent.   She said the institution of core STI programmes such as the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme and ICT projects shows the priority that government has given to the Innovation in its development agenda.   She said so far government has spent about GH¢32 million in the implementation of the programmes      Ms Ayittey was speaking at the launch of the STI Fund and the inauguration of the STI Board in Accra.   The nine-member board which has Mr Ato Ampiah, Chief Executive of the Tema Oil Refinery as its Chairman include Professor Mahama Duweija, National Council for Tertiary Education, Mr Stephen Djaba of Geo-Tech Systems Limited, Nana Osei-Bonsu, Director General, Private Enterprise Foundation and Professor Ralf Mills Tettey, Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.   The rest are Mr Daniel Asiedu, Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Dr Abdulai Salifu, Director General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr Innocent Aboh, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and Mr Hamidu Adakurgu, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.   She said lack of sustainable funding mechanisms for STI development has led to low output of STI service providers thereby creating a wide gap between research institutions and industry.   Ms Ayittey said the STI fund is expected to be one of the flagships leading the way towards a culture of nourishing new ideas, generating and sharing knowledge as well as fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.   She said for the country to boost innovation it has to put emphasis on entrepreneurship research leading to transferable technologies to support the private sector.   “I believe that the STI Fund has therefore a unique opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to Ghana’s science, technology and innovation landscape,” she added.   Ms Ayittey also said the STI fund would focus on building and sustaining excellence in science and technology by helping the youth to develop skills relevant to sustained employment, innovation and economic development.   She said the STI fund is a necessity that the nation cannot do without in its quest to encourage science and technology innovation.   She expressed the belief that the STI fund would be used to promote programmes and projects in national priority areas such as agriculture, health, environment, ICT and education of researchers.   GNA...

Nkroful (W/R) Nov. 22, GNA - The Ministry of Energy is to establish Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution points under a pilot project in the Ellembelle District, Mr Daniel Eshun, District Chief Executive, said on Thursday.       He said areas enumerated for the project included Asemndasuazo, Aiyinasi, Nyamebekyere, Adubrim, Akropong and Ngalekpole.   Mr Eshun was speaking at the Third Ordinary Meeting of the Second Session of the Ellembelle District Assembly at Nkroful.   He said the project was to make LPG accessible and affordable to all in order to lessen the use of firewood.       Mr Eshun said the district had received 1,000 dual desks, 1,400 mono desks and 200 kindergarten tables with chairs from the Ministry of Education for distribution to public schools in the area.       Mr Eshun asked heads of second cycle institutions in the district to ensure that campuses were not used for political activities in order to preserve law and order.       He said the use of campuses of second cycle schools for partisan politics was a disturbing phenomenon that was gaining momentum.       Mr Eshun said the law did not debar students and masters from engaging in political discourse but this could not be done at the expense of teaching and learning.       He said the phenomenon had the tendency of dividing students and masters along political lines.       Mr Dominic Nyanzu, Presiding Member of the assembly, called for peace and tolerance to ensure peaceful elections.       He asked members of the assembly to be ambassadors of peace in their areas particularly during the period of the election.       Mr Emmanuel Aidoo, District Electoral Officer, said there were 113 polling stations in the district.       He said an exercise was going on to delete the names of deceased persons from the district electoral register.       Mr Aidoo said party agents and electoral officials in the area would soon undergo training.       He advised the electorate to decide who they were going to vote for, his name, picture and party symbol for before going to polling stations.       Mr Aidoo urged the electorate to thoroughly wash their hands before going to vote so that their fingerprints would easily be captured by the verification machine.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 22, GNA - Civil Servants in Upper East Region were on Thursday advised to stay neutral and not let their political leanings undermine their work.      “You are not serving a political party, you are serving the State and so... avoid mixing up your political interest with what is expected of you as a Civil Servant,” Mr Paul Kant, Regional Coordinating Director stressed.   Mr Kant gave the advice during a meeting, in Bolgatanga, with Heads of Departments (HoDs) and District Chief Executives in the Region to discuss preparation towards the elections.   He asked the civil servants to be committed to the government and not to attend political rallies nor be seen wearing party T-shirts.   Mr Kant called on the HoDs to give their vehicles out to the Electoral Commission to help with transportation of electoral material on December 7.   Mrs Lucy Awuni, Deputy Regional Minister, called on the people to do their best to maintain peace during and after the elections.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Ms Mary Akosua Togbe, a researcher at the Labour Research and Policy Institute, has noted that the late entry onto the oil producers’ map gives Ghana an advantage to learn from the mistakes of other countries.   She said although the oil find had brought hope and expectations, there is also the need for Ghana to avoid the resource curse which had plagued many oil producing countries in Africa.   Ms Togbe was addressing a two-day capacity-building workshop in Accra for union members of the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers’ Union.   It was sponsored by Oxfam International, a non-governmental organisation, as part of its global campaign to promote accountable governance and transparency in managing natural resource revenue.   She said Ghana has a significant endowment of mineral resources, however many local communities are living with the social and environmental costs of the extractive industry projects without enjoying the short-term benefits such as jobs, healthcare and good infrastructure.   She said the topic: “Management of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Resources, Role of Organised Labour” called for an effective sensitisation programme to enhance the knowledge of workers in the industry to enable them impact positively towards the growth and sustainable development of the oil find and to secure a better future for the union.   Ms Togbe called on Parliament to review the outmoded labour laws as against the fast growing technological challenges in the oil industry and within the labour market.   She urged the Ministry of Energy to be vigilant about the various provisions in the local content and participation policy on recruitment and training so that Ghanaians are not short changed.   Mr Pius Quainoo, General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers’ Union said to promote sustainable management of Ghana’s oil and gas resources, it is important to phase the rate of extraction of oil and gas over a long period.   “This will ensure that future generations benefit from the resources, provided time for building institutional capacity to regulate operations and minimise environmental, fiscal and operational costs,” he emphasised.   Mr Quainoo also noted that achieving local content was possible but would not be offered on silver platter, adding that; “it is a process, not an event and so we should continually focus on end result and not present circumstances.   “We either work together to succeed, or avoid consumption and accumulation of debt, create petro-chemical industry, work towards industrialisation through conversion of petro-chemicals into industrial and consumer products, monitor government actions against the people and avoid complacency or perish together.”   Participants called for an effective coordination between the various government institutions, a strong political will, strong discipline in spending, and the vigilance of civil society to ensure that oil and gas resources are managed in an optimum manner.   They also commended Oxfam International for its role in ensuring that poor people can improve their lives and have a say in decisions that affect them as part of their global campaign movement for change, to build a future free from injustice of poverty.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 22, GNA - Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, on Thursday said government was determined to ensure progressive development of the country.       He said all sectors of government were leaving no stone unturned to bring the needed development to Ghanaians.   Dr Ahmed was addressing students at the Bolgatanga Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) prior to the distribution of 566 laptops to them.   The beneficiary students are from Tempane, Navrongo ,Bawku, and Bongo Senior High schools, Bolgtatanga Polytechnic, Gbewaa and St. John Bosco Training Colleges and University for Development Studies.   Dr Ahmed said it was one of the key policies under the Better Ghana Agenda to ensure students were assisted with access to information and enhancement of research work.   He said government made that possible by promoting local entrepreneurship and improving the local industry in Ghana as it contracted RLG to supply 100,000 laptops for Ghanaian Institutions.   Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, said access to education was paramount and that it was the priority of government to build more schools and remove those under trees.   He said the falling standards of education was due to lack of teachers and that government planned to build 10 more teacher training colleges to train more teachers to teach at the junior and senior high schools.   Mr Woyongo advised beneficiaries of the laptops to desist from using them for negative practices such as cyber fraud and watching pornography.   GNA...

Sunyani, Nov. 22, GNA – Bechem Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC) defeated Kajaji SHS 4-3 at the on-going Brong-Ahafo Regional Inter-Schools and Colleges Soccer Competition at the Sunyani Coronation Park.      PRESEC, defending champions were down by two goals in the early stages of the game before pulling one back before half time.      On resumption, Kajaji increased the tally to 3-1, before PRESEC rallied back to score three goals to seal victory.   In other matches, Jinijini SHS (JINSS) beat Odomaseman SHS (ODASS) 2-0,  Ahafoman also eased past PRANSECO 1-0 whilst Koase Secondary/Technical also dumped Abesim Olistar by a similar scoreline .   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Hearts of Oak's new coach, David Duncan, will have to contend with Liberty Professionals in his journey to recovery when the two sides lock horns on Sunday, in a week eight clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.   Duncan passed his mock test last weekend after managing a draw against bitterest rivals, Asante Kotoko and faces his real test against city rivals, Liberty Professionals, in what will be his second game under the eagle eyes of the Phobians.   Liberty, currently riding on a crest wave on the wings of in-form Kennedy Ashia have yet to taste defeat in their previous five games and serve the right tonic to check the firmness of the new Hearts of Oak guided by Duncan.   The Dansoman lads have the better record in recent matches between the two sides including a double last season and exude confidence in their quest to maintain their encouraging status which, coach George Lamptey has openly declared maximum commitment to.   After their victory over Aduana Stars, which Lamptey tagged as their renaissance, the “Scientific Soccer Lads” have been unstoppable at both home and outside, raking in 11-points of the possible 15.   Against Kotoko, Duncan introduced fresh limbs such as Robin Gnagne, Ali Alhassan and amongst others and it is widely expected that he would carved a blend of his team for the Liberty duel.   Still in the capital, Tema Youth will square Asante Kotoko at the Port City of Tema in a battle which could go either way. The hosts, which boasts youthful players such as Moses Odjer, Francis Narh, Derrick Appiah and Kofi Mensah have yet to lose a game at home and the Porcupine Warriors must sharpen their dull attack to twist the result their way.   Last season, the two sides settled for a stalemate at the same venue and for Kotoko, the maximum points will serve the perfect catalyst in their quest to occupy the apex of the standings before the end of the first round.   Another encounter expected to be full of thrills will be that at the Robert Mensah Stadium, where Ebusua Dwarfs will play host to leaders Berekum Chelsea. The encounter, the first for the homers in front of their fans after an eight-match home ban means a lot to Dwarfs who have set sights on a blissful homecoming.   At the Golden City Park, Berekum Arsenals will seek for their first win of the season against AshantiGold whilst Edubiase are tipped to send Real Tamale United back to their base empty when they face-off at the Bekwai Park.   Dethroned leaders, Medeama welcomes debutants Amidaus Profesionals to the T&A Park in Tarkwa whilst King Faisal and Wa All Stars wrestle each other at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.   The action begins on Saturday with Aduana Stars and Heart of Lions facing off at the Dormaa Park.       GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Mr Kabral Blay–Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), on Thursday launched the Guidelines for Political Advertising with a call on the media to abide by them or face the Commission’s wrath.   Mr Amihere expressed the NMC’s preparedness to take on any media house that might go contrary to the rules and regulations spelt out in the guidelines to ensure sanity as far as political advertisements in the country are concerned.   He called on media houses to pay particular attention to Sections 14 and 16 of the Guidelines which talked about Incitement and Political Advertising on Election Day respectively.   Mr Amihere expressed concern about the decline of journalistic ethics in the country and urged journalists to be circumspect in their utterances and reportage in order not to plunge the country into chaos.   “Journalists in countries like Kenya, Ivory Coast and Rwanda have been hurled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague, not because they pulled guns, but because of their choice of words,” he said.   He called on Ghanaians to sustain the serene and peaceful atmosphere that existed in the country amidst vigorous political campaigns as the general election approaches.   “It’s good to note that amidst all the tensions as the elections approach, we have remained and continue to remain peaceful,” he said.   Mr Blay-Amihere, who is a former ambassador to Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, appealed to the media to give a fair and leveled ground to all political parties.   He called for effective gate keeping and editing to flush issues that had the potential to cause mayhem.   He said the NMC failed to come out with the guidelines on time due to lack of funding, and praised STAR-Ghana, DANIDA, UKAID and the USAID for their sponsorship adding that the guidelines would be applied in subsequent elections.   Mr Blay-Amihere, who was the head of the committee that came out with the guideline, appealed to journalists and the various media houses to corporate with the NMC for its successful implementation.   He called for the establishment of an in-house committee in all media houses to oversee and scrutinize all political ads to ensure that they met NMC’s standards before broadcast.   Mr Akoto Ampaw, Head of the NMC Legal Team, said the commission had been mandated by the Constitution to ensure high journalistic standards in the mass media.   He said media houses did not wield much control on the content of political advertisements because, most of the time, these ads were usually prepared by the political parties and only brought to the media houses to be broadcast.   Mr Ampaw said the guidelines were to uphold the peace and sanity enjoyed by the country and to prevent exploitation, incitement and needless tension in the country as a result of political advertisements.   “This is also to enable the people to make the right decisions as to who to vote for and to ensure that messages are not distorted or inciting,” he said.   Mr Ampaw complained about abuse of incumbency on the part of state media houses by broadcasting the successes of government "as if it is the normal government agencies giving out their normal information on government programmes and achievements to the public."   “We believe that during the last two months to elections, the state media should not broadcast these usual achievements of government,” he said.   Issues treated in the guidelines include Children in Political Advertising, Political Advertising during News Bulletins,  False and Misleading Advertising, Prejudice and Discrimination and Identification of Political Advertising.   Others are Misrepresentation, Premium Rate, Life Presenter Mention, Abuse of Incumbency, Technical Standards, and Disguise in Political Advertising.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Ebusua Dwarfs has set their sights on victory against Berekum Chelsea this weekend as they return to their favourite Robert Mensah Stadium, for the first time in eight months.   Dwarfs will play host to leaders Berekum Chelsea in their week eight clash of the 2012/2013 Premier League on Sunday, in their first ever game since the completion of their eight-match ban, and head coach Professor Joseph Mintah is looking forward to a positive output on their return home.   The Cape Coasters were banned eight matches after a group of their supporters assaulted referee Patrick Kyeremateng in their league clash against Aduana Stars last season, which the visitors won by a solitary strike.   Professor Mintah told GNA Sports playing in front of their teeming fans will serve both negative and positive effects, after such a long absence away from their preferred grounds.   “It will have both negative and positive effects since the team has been away for a long time. We would have loved to play some particular matches at home but the ban made it impossible.   “But I will prefer my team plays to instructions rather than the gallery due to the presence of the fans. The most important thing is we have to win the game which like any other game has three points at stake.”   The United States-trained tactician rued the effect of having to be on the road each weekend for matches, adding that it brought so much stress on his players.    “We were really affected by fatigue as we had to travel outside for games. At one point, I almost gave up because I got tired. However, we managed to put ourselves together and carried on.”   On the clash with Chelsea, Professor Mintah admits a tough opposition with three points separating the two sides.   “Chelsea is one of the best sides in the country if not the best. They have good players and made an impact in the recent CAF Champions League.   “We are going to play our game for the three points. We are ready for them and will work towards our target.”   Dwarfs has won their previous two games, beating King Faisal (1-0) and Wa All Stars (2-1) both away from home.       GNA...

Elmina, Nov.22, GNA - Mrs. Joyce Datsa, a Senior Athletics Coach from the National Sports Council has advocated for the introduction of children athletics at the basic level since it was simple and could be done  anywhere.   In this regard, she has asked teachers to take the training of children in athletics seriously and that children should not be forced against their will, rather be encouraged to participate in athletics willingly .   Mrs Datsa said this on Thursday, at the launch of a two- day Kids Athletics Programme  organized by the British Council In collaboration with U.K Sports and United Nations International Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF).   The programme also organized training for teachers from selected basic schools in the  Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District on how to deliver entertaining, attractive, accessible and instructive athletics to children between the ages of six  and 12.     The British Council through the International Inspiration program  which is currently working in 10 Senior High Schools across the country seek to use the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sports, and fun to enrich the lives of millions of children and the youth in schools and communities across the world.     The programme is also to roll out Kids Athletics across all districts in the country by the year 2014.      Mrs. Datsa who is also the International Association for Athletics Federation (IAAF) kid athletics lecturer discouraged the practice of weighing children before allowing  them to participate in athletics, stressing that it was not fair on the part of the kids who were overweight because some of them  despite their weight could be very good sportsmen.      She also advised teachers not to make sport training appear like a punishment rather a source of fun for the children and warned against discrimination as well as endeavour to  give every child the chance to  participate to enable them acquire the  requisite skills and talents.       Mrs. Elizabeth Adawu-Mensah, the Deputy Director of Human Resource of the Elmina Municipal Education Office said such programs were opportunities for teachers to acquire new knowledge and skills and impact it on the children to broaden their horizon.    GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Vodafone has replicated in Ghana its world class standard retail store along the High Street of Accra to deliver enhanced customer experience meeting every client need on its network.   “This is the same in terms of Vodafone’s global retail standard store in the UK and we are proud to make this happen in Ghana,” Kyle Whitehill, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, who said on Thursday noted, the aim would be completed if the workers worked with a sense of dedication to render reliable and customer friendly service.      The store, which comprised state-of-the–art internet café, WiFi Zone providing the fastest high speed internet connectivity in Africa, has also incorporated, the first ever, Vodafone Business Solutions (VBS) lounge to serve clients.   The VBS lounge comes with a video conferencing facility which will enable VBS customers to interact and work their partners at the store.   “This store is world class and is now Vodafone Ghana’s flagship store which will be replicated in other regions of the country,” Derek Appiah, Head of VBS told the Ghana News Agency at the opening.   He said the aim was to give Vodafone's cherished customers convenience and value.   Vodafone Ghana so far has ten retail stores and is planning to open another big one in Tema that will be fitted with more exciting features before the end of the year.   As a global brand with footprints all over the world, Vodafone Ghana is currently leading in customer experience and innovations with its products and services in the country.   The company in collaboration with Microsoft has currently made all its mobile broadband devices compatible with the Windows Operating System launched recently in Ghana.   Customers who now have the Vodafone Broadband mobile devices can use Windows 8 without the need to download or install new software or drivers.   In addition, Vodafone Ghana has announced it will introduce to its customers in Ghana this week the latest HTC Windows 8 mobile phone.   GNA...

Damang, (W/R), Nov. 22, GNA- Aboso Goldfields Limited, Damang Mine, has awarded 98 workers for their  immense contribution  towards the development of the company.      The workers who have served from five to 10 years received table top fridges, 10 bags of cement and two packets of roofing sheets.       Mr Christo Viljoe, General Manager of the company, said the award ceremony has been instituted for years is to recognise and acknowledge the workers long and meritorious service.     Mr Viljoen said it was through their persistent devotion to duty that they are being awarded and  urged other members of staff to be inspired by demonstrating good work values such as punctuality, loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, commitment and hard work.      He expressed gratitude to the recipients of the award and other personnel  for their commitment and effort to help make the mine's vision a reality.      Mrs Esther Peprah Nyame, one of the award winners on behalf of his colleagues expressed appreciation to management  for the honour.    GNA...

Nsawkaw (B/A), Nov.22,  GNA – Mr Edward Gyamfi, Tain District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) has appealed to the political parties not to encourage registered minors to queue and vote on the December 7 General Election.       He said the political parties should also appoint trustworthy agents to the polling stations while the agents should refrain from confronting eligible voters.       Mr Gyamfi made the appeal at a workshop attended by 50 youth representatives of political parties at Nsawkaw in the Brong Ahafo Region.       The workshop on the theme: “Empowering the Youth to Stand up for Ghana for a Peaceful Election 2012”, was organised by the District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and sponsored by the European Union.   Mr Issah Abdullahi Nasagri, Regional Director of the NCCE, urged State institutions involved in ensuring peaceful elections to be fair to all the political parties.        Mr Saaka Davis Kotomah, District Director of NCCE, asked the youth to refrain from acts likely to mar the peace of Election 2012.   GNA...

Akosombo, (ER), Nov. 22, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday embarked on a three-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region with an appeal to the electorate to vote massively to return National Democratic Congress into power.   He also appealed to them to conduct themselves professionally and diligently, since political elections are about trading of ideas, programmes and issues and not the use of violence to wrest power from opponents.   President Mahama who started the campaign tour at Akosombo would among other areas visit Somanya, Agormanya, Koforidua, Begoro, Adukrom, Okere and Kyebi.   He would also interact with chiefs, inspect and inaugurate development projects  region and hold meetings with the party hierarchy.   The President explained that the four years started by late President John Evans Atta Mills was for the laying of development foundation and victory for him in the 2012 general election would consolidate the gains.   He said his government would not engage in untenable promises, but would rather continue to initiate human-centred programmes that would enhance individuals and groups in the  society.     President Mahama said government in the last four years built 12 new district hospitals, 10 new Polyclinics and 130 CHPS compounds throughout the country and promised to do better given the opportunity in the elections.   GNA...

Koforidua Nov. 22 GNA - Mr Samuel A. Bawa, Eastern Regional Coordinating Director, has commended Municipal and District Assemblies in the area for the timely submission of monthly trial balance.      He noted that this was an improvement upon performance of the assemblies in previous years, and said: “in terms of revenue performance, majority of the assemblies have achieved higher percentage, in collection”.      Mr Bawa was speaking at a four-day workshop on accounting procedures and composite budgeting, for staff of the assemblies, including Coordinating Directors, Finance Officers and Internal Auditors, in Koforidua.      He appealed to the assemblies to improve upon revenue collection, check financial malfeasance, and ensure judicious use of resources.      Mr Bawa expressed worry that according to previous Auditor General’s report, some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) engaged in corruption and malfeasance.      He said: “This situation can be reversed if there is strict adherence to financial regulations”.      Mr Bawa commended the Local Government Service Secretariat, for organizing programmes to train the participants in proper financial administration.      Mr Victor Donkor, Director of Accounts, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, said accounting procedures and composite budgeting training would provide guidelines for MMDAs to undertake prudent financial management.   He said it would also serve as a reference for training finance officers of (MMDAs) and related staff.      Mr Donkor asked the finance officers to improve their capacity so that they could properly advice Chief Executives of the MMDAs and Coordinating Directors on how to utilize funds.      He also urged the finance officers and coordinating directors to liaise with internal auditors so that they could work within legal and regulatory guidelines.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – The government says the conduct of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo at Wednesday’s IEA Presidential Debate gives cause for grave concern ahead of the December 7 General Election.   A statement signed by Deputy Minister of Information Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said: “Nana Addo on two occasions in a relatively short period of less than two hours exhibited a regrettable penchant for violence and intolerance which must be of worry to all Ghanaians especially as we approach the elections.”   Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa cited Nana Addo’s “reckless posture” on our relations with Cote d’Ivoire and the “embarrassingly violent charge” on the moderators of the presidential debate as “the two frightening low points in Nana Addo’s outing”.   The following is the full text of the statement. “On Ivory Coast, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said it was most unpatriotic and reckless for a Ghanaian citizen running for the high office of President to insist that Ghana was harbouring dissidents and was a threat to peace in Cote d’Ivoire.   The insistence of Nana Addo even in the face of contrary evidence from President John Mahama was most shocking. Clearly, Nana Addo did not care about the implications of his confrontational utterances. “Government added that our relations with Cote d’Ivoire were at a stage where mature diplomacy and tact were required and not cheap partisan recklessness from politicians who insist on winning political power ‘at all cost’.   “Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa further stated that it was inappropriate for a presidential candidate regardless of his parochial motivations to give credence to unsubstantiated allegations making rounds in the international press more so at a time some elements in Cote d’Ivoire are making a claim on portions of our oil and gas find in a delicate border dispute.   The conduct of Nana Addo in this matter which has the tendency to raise tensions between both countries and eventually degenerate into conflict must be condemned by all peace loving Ghanaians. “Government took the opportunity to assure all Ghanaians and the international community that Ghana under President John Mahama will not become a rogue state neither will she become a haven for charlatans who seek to destabilize the peace in other countries.   “Government also condemned Nana Addo’s unprovoked attack on the debate moderators when he charged on them immediately after the debate.   Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said this unwarranted attack on the helpless moderators whose only ‘offence’ was that they denied Nana Addo the right of rebuttal during the closing remarks segment which was the correct thing to do according to the established rules of the IEA Debate Committee was most lawless, intolerant and an unworthy example of a politician touted as a democrat.   “Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said though Nana Addo was living up to his reputation as the man who owns the copyright to ‘All die be die’, he must be told now that his penchant for violence will not be countenanced by peace loving Ghanaians especially at this crucial time of our nation’s history where the citizenry demand of their politicians to play by the rules and accept the verdict of the people.”   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Techno Ghana Limited (TGL) on Thursday launched an N3 android 2.3 smart phone at a ceremony organised in Accra.   The dual SIM phone is equipped with a 3.5 capacity touch screen, a camera and video, 800MHz processor and memory of 512MM ROM.   The phone is also fitted with Google play and WhatsApp.   Mr Derek Nkrumah, General Manager of Operations for the TGL expressed optimism that the phone would meet the growing need of the company’s cherished customers.     GNA  ...