Accra, Nov 24, GNA - The Ministry of Environment Science and Technology (MEST) says it has come to its notice that the Better Ghana ICT Project beneficiaries published in the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic have some inconsistencies.   This was contained in a press release issued by the Ministry and copied to the Ghana News agency (GNA) on Saturday.   According to the release, the list of student beneficiaries from the Pentecost University College had been inadvertently exchanged with that of the Presbyterian University College.   The MEST wishes to assure the general public that all anomalies regarding the publication of the Better Ghana ICT Project beneficiaries would be rectified.   “We also wish to state that there are built-in mechanisms in the distribution system of the laptops to ensure that only the beneficiaries of the Better Ghana ICT Project will benefit as they will present their current student identity cards before collecting the laptops,” the release added.   GNA...

Hohoe, Nov. 24, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Gbi Traditional Area are grieving the destruction of their ancestral royal regalia, especially its palanquin, which was lost in the violence that rocked the area five-months ago, as they sojourn to Peki to climax the GbiDuKorza festival.   Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of the Area lamented that the Gbis continued to count the loss of their ancestral palanquin and the royal sword, which are embodiments of traditional authority and epitomize ancestral bonding, that were lost in the attack on his palace by some enraged youth from Hohoe Zongo.   He disclosed this to a three-member delegation from the National Peace Council, led by Mr Francis Azumah, its Executive-Secretary.   He stated that he would participate in the event with a heavy heart since the items of traditional adornment had not been found or replaced.   “The difference will be that while my counterpart dances and displays in the palanquin to set the tone for the celebration, I will be reduced to spectatoring,” he narrated.   Togbega Gabusu said the Gbi land needed peace and his chiefs and subjects attached unalloyed importance to peace but warned that that should not be countenanced for a sign of weakness.   He noted that, "We respect the law and crave for everlasting peace but justice must prevail to guarantee unblemished reconciliation and co-existence between the indigenes and the settler Zongos".   Togbega expressed indignation about the lack of action on the rehabilitation of the devastated palace, the ancestral seat of the Gbis, stating “As I continue to remain homeless and sleep in the streets of Hohoe, we are abiding by the terms inherent in the peaceful process.”   Dr Margaret Kweku, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive said peace building was a process and pledged the Municipal Security Council’s support towards building bridges for lasting peace.   The Executive Secretary  commended the parties for agreeing to live in peace and allowing the processes towards actualizing total reconciliation to work.   He  promised to send their grievances to the appropriate quarters, and said the regalia issue was high on government’s agenda but that its efforts could not be disclosed.   He said conflict in any part of the country was of grave concern to Peace Council and other state actors, alluding that conflict was robbing people of the requisite development in such hotspots countrywide.   He praised the parties for exercising maximum restraint, which prevented the unfortunate event from escalating.   The area is under a state of emergency resulting from an arson attack on the palace of Togbega Gabusu following a misunderstanding over the burial of the Imam of the local Muslim community, and the earlier electrocution of a Muslim boy.   A Presidential Fact-finding Committee is currently sitting and inviting citizens from both sides of the June 11 disturbances, in an attempt to chart a road-map for reconciliation and lasting peace in the area.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 24, GNA – The Police Ladies Association (POLAS) in the Northern Region on Saturday took to the principal streets of the Tamale metropolis in an endurance march and to sensitize the public on the need to promote peace during and after the December polls.   The peace march also saw the Immigration Service, Prisons Service and the Fire Service’s women participating in solidarity with their police ladies colleagues.   Inspector Jemima Senanu, the President of the Northern Regional branch of POLAS said the police took the initiative to carry out the peace march because of the volatile nature of the region, stressing that the police wanted to assure the public that they were ready to carry out their duties professionally.   She said peace was synonymous with development and as a result, the police will stop at nothing in ensuring a peaceful election, adding that “we are more than prepared to provide security for the nation”.   Madam Senanu indicated that the police in general had received several refresher trainings in diverse fields of conflict and riot control to make them more prepared for the coming elections.   She said the police woman was equally strong and confident like their male counterparts and must not be undermined by the public, saying ‘we shall protect the nation with all our might’.   Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ebenezer Tetteh, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, said the police in the region had prepared adequately for the coming elections and were going to do a massive peace march in the coming days to assure the public about the readiness of the police.    He said the police had been sensitizing the public, especially the various political parties in the region on the need to prevail on their supporters to avoid any tendecies that might jeopardize the elections.   ASP Tetteh said the police would carry out its duties professionally without bias during the elections and was awaiting more personnel from the national headquarters to beef up the numbers.   He, however, expressed worry that the registration of minors that took place during the biometric registration exercise were likely to pose a problem for the police in the region and called on the political parties to educate their supporters against allowing minors to vote.   GNA...

Agona Swedru, Nov. 24, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Friday stressed the need for politicians to remain calm in the face of provocation as December 7 draws near.   He said it was necessary to maintain Ghana’s enviable record of successful elections, without marring the political process with uncivil words.   Vice President Amissah Arthur gave the advice at separate durbars to round off the last leg of a three-day campaign tour of the Central Region, prior to the elections.   The Vice President, who is also the Running Mate of President John Dramani Mahama in the December Elections, met with the chiefs, elders and the people of Agona Asafo, Agona Mensakrom, Agona Nsaba, Agona Nyarkrom, Agona Bobikuma and Agona Swedru.   He told the chiefs and people that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was seeking re-election to serve, but not to lord it over the people.   He said Government would make judicious use of national resources to improve the lives of the people. Development, he said was about stability and continuity, adding that the only way to see the continuation of the numerous programmes started or being continued by the NDC was to give the party a second term by coming out and massively voting for President John Mahama, whose  position is Number 1 on the presidential ballot paper.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur said politics was about a contest of ideas and alternative means and programmes by which political parties achieved development goals for the people.   At Agona Mensakrom, Nana Appiah Kubi, the Omankrado of the town, traced the political history of the town, and said it had been significant as a strategic town for Ghanaian forces and those from elsewhere in West Africa.   He appealed to the Government to improve the road network in the area.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who was accompanied by Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister, introduced Maame Pokuaa, the NDC candidate to Nana Odiakopa Arko I Gyasehene of Agona Nsaba Traditional Area.   Nana Pokuaa donated a set of uniforms to the newly formed Peace International Band, which she inaugurated last week.   Ms Benyiwa-Doe advised party faithful to use positive lifestyles to win more people to the side of the NDC.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur later called on Okofo Nyarku Eku X, Paramount Chief of Nyarkrom, and asked for prayers and blessings for peaceful elections and for the NDC to win the polls.   GNA...

Techiman (BA), Nov. 24, GNA – The founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President Jerry John Rawlings, has called on Ghanaians to ensure a very peaceful, incident-free election because Ghana is a beautiful country and must be kept that way.   The former President said if Ghanaians resisted the temptation to provoke and respond to violent things then the elections would be held in a peaceful atmosphere.   A statement issued by the Office of the former President said he made the call when he addressed hundreds of enthusiastic supporters of the NDC who had converged at the forecourts of the Techiman chief's  Palace on Friday.   “When we corrupt the electoral process it can lead to instability and bloodshed. We don’t want that. We should stop provoking each other with some of the nasty things we say on radio. We must learn to show respect towards each other.   “Let us protect the sanctity of the right of election and if we do have elections that are free and fair I believe we will all accept the results,” Former President Rawlings said.   “I plead with you not to allow any kind of provocation that will lead to violence. It is a beautiful country and let us keep it that way.”   The statement said President Rawlings, whose address was regularly interrupted by cheers of support and excitement, also called on Ghanaians to hold all presidential candidates to the promise of combating corruption.   He said Ghana was tired of corruption, “so if they say they will fight corruption we will hold them to it. We have to tackle not only political corruption, but also judicial and economic corruption.”   The Constituency Organiser of the NDC, Mumuni Saaka, commended Former President Rawlings for bringing development to Techiman through the provision of electricity and water.   Ex-President Rawlings, however, noted that that the development was as a result of the hard work and desire of the people of Techiman in supporting developmental policies during his tenure as head of state and President.   Earlier, ex-president Rawlings had called on the Queenmother of the Techiman Traditional Area, Nana Hemaa Abrefipoto, during which he urged the traditional leadership to support and lead the campaign for a peaceful election.   GNA...

Navrongo(UE), Nov.24, GNA - Eight out of the 99 polling stations in the Kasena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, comprising 3000 people would not be able to vote in the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.   Mr Pawiah Ofori, Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday said the Atosale, Azanze , Akurugu Daboo and Abinpingo polling stations who refused to take part in the Biometric Voter registration exercise would not be able to vote.   Mr Ofori was responding to questions by Political youth activists at a workshop organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Navrongo on the theme, “Empowering the youth to stand up for Ghana for a peaceful election 2012”.    He stated that other areas that would not be able to vote were the Doba and Gayingo areas that also constituted four polling stations.   Some party youth representatives at the workshop also voiced their displeasure about some polling stations that were still draped in party colors even though election day was around the corner.   The EC official gave the assurance that those areas would be  checked and appropriate actions taken to correct the situation.   ASP Abdul- Latif Nbonwura,  Navrongo Municipal Police Commander, said peace was essential at this time when Ghanaians prepared for the polls.   The Police Commander, speaking on the topic, “Public order act and elections: Prospects and challenges", assured participants that plans were in place to provide all polling stations and flash points adequate security in the 198 polling stations that included Kassena-Nankana West.   He urged all to exercise tolerance and to direct their problems to the appropriate quarters for redress rather than take advantage of any problem to create trouble.   He advised all aspirants to consider each other as brothers and to accept the results of the polls when they are announced.   Madam Mary Ankrah, head of Programmes ,NCCE, tasked all political parties whose representatives would be monitoring the polls to select those who had numeracy skills to supervise the counting of ballot papers so that they would all accept in good faith the results.   She said some parties had the tendency of presenting “macho men” whose presence at polling stations could intimidate the electorate.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 24,  GNA – Mr Yaw Mort, Upper East Regional Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned in totality the move by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to distribute free laptops in tertiary institutions in the country.   He indicated that the laptops which were mostly distributed to NDC members of the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) in the Region, was a desperate move by the NDC to woo voters to its side.   “Whereas some government departments which are the productive sectors of the economy are not being resourced well to deliver, the NDC can afford to give out laptops just to win students' votes”,  he noted.   He said even though he was not in any way against the use of laptops by students, the timing of the donation was totally wrong,  and besides the most important sectors of the economy which had been neglected for far too long should have been given attention.   Mr Mort noted that the NDC's campaigns in the dying moments towards election 2012 had rather opened them to scrutiny by members of the public adding that it gave the electorate the best opportunity to make the best of choices on election day.   He said the NPP would continue to deal in truth with the voting and non-voting public and honour its promises as it did in its two four-year terms in office.   The Regional Organizer said Nana Addo’s free SHS policy would be all-inclusive where no Ghanaian child would be discriminated against, “unlike what the NDC was currently doing with its laptop distribution solely to its TEIN members and other supporters.   He said just as the NPP promised to implement the National Health Insurance Scheme, the National Youth Employment Programme, the Capitation Grant for basic schools, the Livelihood Empowerment Project and the School Feeding Programme, among others, and did implement them accordingly, “the NDC on the contrary failed to implement a single national programme in the last four years even though it claimed to be a social democratic party”.   Mr Mort indicated that the NDC had failed Ghanaians including its members and called on President John Mahama to step aside and watch the NPP led by Nana Akufo-Addo who was a key part of the Kufour administration, to deliver skilled and achievable policies and programmes for the benefit of all Ghanaians.    He said Nana Addo believed Ghana belonged to all Ghanaians and would not discriminate in serving the people, adding that Nana Addo would pursue prudent economic and social programmes  including education, trade, health, agriculture and most importantly the implementation of the Zongo Fund to improve the living conditions of people living in slums and Zongo communities.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 24, GNA – The Peoples National Convention (PNC) is divided on calls for the removal of Mr Hassan Ayariga as the party's flag bearer barely two weeks to go for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.   A section of the party's supporters have claimed they have evidence to buttress their assertion that the PNC flag bearer was set up by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to divide the PNC even from the onset when he sought to contest for the flag bearer position.   However, the Upper East Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Henry Fatsu has expressed a contrary opinion on the attempts by his party members to remove the flag bearer at a crucial moment when election day is just around the corner.   He said he did not share the idea of removing the candidate and that the very people who were seeking the removal of Mr Ayariga were also alleged to have been bought by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to destabilize the PNC and gain some political credit.   Mr Fatsu who spoke to the Ghana News Agency on telephone from Accra, said: “The party is strong in the Upper East Region, members are going about supporting the campaigns of various Parliamentary candidates and we shall not bow to any pressures”.   He indicated that Mr Ayariga was funding most of the parliamentary candidates including his own campaigns and said the very people who wanted him out were the people who campaigned and voted for him to become the flag bearer, and questioned why they would suddenly turn around and accuse him of being bought by a different party.   Mr Fatsu recalled the imprisonment of MalamYahaya, a Sports Minister during the NPP Administration and the brutish treatment of the late President Hilla Liman by the (P)NDC, saying that both parties for a long time had sought to disintegrate the PNC without success. He wondered why some party members should stab the party in the back now.   He noted that the demand to remove Mr Ayariga would involve interpreting the party’s constitution which would mandate a congress and said within the short time left for the polls, and considering the party’s financial stand, it was not prudent for members to call for the removal of the candidate.   Contrary to the Regional Secretary’s opinion is Madam Agnes Atayela, Regional Chairperson of the PNC who said she strongly supported the removal of her party’s flag bearer without any reservations because the long standing suspicions some party faithfuls held against him seemed to come to pass.   She expressed fury at the flag bearer and said since he was made the leader everything seemed to go wrong in the party, mentioning the flag bearer’s ineptitude and deliberate attempt to kill the party by flirting with the NDC.   She observed that the flag bearer had failed to make funds available to the party in the region and said in spite of the refusal of the leader to resource the Parliamentary candidates in the region, most of the candidates were doing very well and had brighter chances of winning their seats.   She indicated that the party had regretted for bringing Mr Ayariga on board only for him to become a stooge and to lick the boots of the NDC at the expense of the party.   She expressed her support for the immediate removal of Mr Ayariga as flag bearer of the party, adding “it is better to go for election now without a flag bearer than to have a flag bearer who is deceitful”.   The Regional Secretary however said Mr Ayariga’s performance at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate was inaccordance with the rules and regulations set by the Institute.   She added that Mr Ayariga’s performance on that platform had improved remarkably and wondered why his own party members would suddenly turn against him at this crucial time when he needed them most.    The PNC Parliamentary candidate for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Mr Rockson Akuguri, indicated that a dismissal request by some party members at a crucial time to election was not a prudent option.   He said even though the party’s leader had erred by allegedly throwing his support behind a different candidate when he was a candidate himself, Mr Ayariga should be pardoned for his action. “I believe he erred but it is too late to call for his dismissal, he could be reprimanded but not dismissed”, Mr Akuguri added.   Mr Henry Adivila, a sympathizer of the party indicated that the removal of Mr Ayariga should have come a long time ago. “The speculations that he was flirting with the NDC came to light during the early days and even from what we have heard about what the NDC was doing for him secretly, it is politically inexpedient. So the decision to get him off should have come long ago, but it should come anyway”.   The GNA's investigations also reveal that the PNC in the Upper East seems to be a divided party, with one group strongly opposed to the NPP and in favour of the NDC, while a section is deeply involved with the NPP.   Speculations are that the two groups would come out to support their favourite sides if there is a second round come December seven.   The PNC has a large following in the Upper East Region, especially in Bolgatanga and has produced parliamentary candidates from the region since the inception of the Fourth Republic.   Mr David Apasera had served two terms as Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency on the ticket of the PNC and currently the PNC holds the Builsa South seat.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) on Friday organized a luncheon to discuss issues of mutual benefit to both organizations.   Mr Seth Adjei Baah, the President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Ghana has become the preferred investment destination through the implementation of prudent policies and programmes adding that “we have significantly transformed our economic landscape and created the enabling environment for the private sector to operate efficiently and profitably”.   He said the balance of trade was currently in the favour of Hong Kong as the country exported just two million dollars worth of goods to them whiles it imported seventy seven million dollars worth of goods.   He urged all the 25 business delegation present at the luncheon to build the right kind of network that will set the tone for propelling business to greater heights.   Mr Raymond Yip, the Assistant Executive Director of Hong Kong Business Mission Leader, said HKTDC was established in 1996, and is the international marketing arm for the manufacturers and service providers of  Hong Kong.   GNA...

Fijai (W/R), Nov.23, GNA - Mrs Matlida Amissah-Arthur, wife of the Vice President, on Friday called on women to exercise their franchise in the December elections in order to elect candidates that would advance their aspirations.   She made the call when addressing representatives of women professional bodies and Muslim women during her three-day visit to the Western Region at Fijai near Takoradi.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said women would have to consider their welfare and development and vote for candidates of their choice.   She said this could require women to vote for their preferred candidate, independent of the choice of their husbands.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said she would use her position to champion the cause of women and help women groups address their various needs.   She said the NDC has done a lot to improve the lives of women and will continue to improve their lot when it wins the election.   Addressing students of Holy Child Teacher Training College, Mrs Amissah-Arthur urged the students to take their studies seriously and remain disciplined.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said “discipline is the hallmark that would take them far and discipline persons love one another and do not insult and run others down”.   Madam Emelia Arthur, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said it was important to stay united as the December 7 polls would soon be over “so let us keep the peace and remain focused”.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23 GNA – The Goethe Institute, a German Cultural organization on Friday held a reading competition among three basic schools in Abokobi, a suburb of Ga East Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.   The competition was done in collaboration with the Ghana Library Authority, Ghana Education Service Abokobi District, Kenkan Foundation and Writers Project of Ghana.   The programme, which is the third of its kind, brought about 400 school pupils from the various schools.   Mrs Rebecca Aku Adamah, Programme Assistant of the Institute, said there was the need for teachers and parents to sacrifice for their wards and urged the students to be committed to reading books.   Mr Guy Amarteifio, Greater Accra Regional Librarian, advised   parents to encourage their children to read rather than buying movies for them.   Mr Amarteifio said reading broadens the minds as they climb the educational ladder.   Mr Nii Samuel Adjetey Mohenu, Chief of Abokobi, expressed his appreciation to the organisers of the event for his area.   Participating schools included the Pantang Municipal Primary and Junior High School, Abokobi Presby Primary and Junior High School, Pantang Presby Primary and Junior High school.    GNA...

Sefwi-Bodi (W/R), Nov 23, GNA - The Right Reverend Abraham K. Ackah, Anglican Bishop of Sefwi-Wiawso, has appealed to all Ghanaians to show sincere and genuine commitment towards the peaceful conduct of the December 7 polls.      They need to act with responsibility to prevent confusion and needless tension before, during and after the elections.      Peace, he said, was priceless and that everything must be done by the church, political parties, traditional authorities and civil-society organizations to protect the nation’s peace.      The Rt Rev Ackah said the country enjoyed tremendous international goodwill and admiration for its democracy and it was therefore important for the people, particularly politicians, to be guided by this in whatever they did.      He said this when performing the ceremony to induct the Rev Canon Bismark Arkaah-Kintoh, the new Archdeacon of the Sefwi-Bodi Anglican Church.     The Bishop reminded the Archdeacon to adhere strictly to the oaths of his office and work closely with all stakeholders to promote the growth of the church.      He encouraged him to uphold the values of humility, self-discipline, transparency and obedience.     The Rt Rev Ackah advised the leadership to give the Archdeacon the needed support and cooperation saying the church should focus on evangelism and assist fight poverty among the people.     The Rev Canon Arkaah-Kintoh said he was grateful for the elevation and pledged to work aggressively and with passion to bring progress to the church.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - The Centre for Democratic Development in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers on Friday organized a Parliamentary debate for aspiring candidates in the Ablekuma West Constituency in Accra.   Mr Theodore Dzeble, Public Affairs Officer CDD-Ghana, said the debate was to afford the parliamentary aspirants to make known and interact with their constituents on plans and policies ahead of the December polls.   The contestants included Miss Victoria Hamah, from the National Democratic Congress, Ms Ursula Owusu, New Patriotic Party, Mr Daniel Nii Noi Osikai of People’s National Convention and Magnus Asiamah Bekoe of the National Democratic Party.   The programme was supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa.   Mr Dzeble said the debate would contribute to the democratic development of the society where viable contestants would be subjected to questions from moderators and the constituents to see the viability of their policies for the area.   He said CDD-Ghana had organized similar debate in Adenta, Odododiodio, Tema West and Central Constituency which focused on thematic areas such as governance, health, education, employment disability and the economy.   Ms Hamah said on employment, the NDC government as part of its manifesto hopes to tackle unemployment through its Jobs and Enterprise Development Fund (JEDF) and would ensure that the people of the Ablekuma West benefited from the initiative.   “As a Woman activist, am committed to raising the social and economic status of Women through increased access to Medium and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) facilities” she added.   She promised to set up a centre for persons with disability to improve their skills through the support from the Member of Parliament Common Fund.   Ms Owusu said when voted into power she will provide access to Quality education by lobbying for the improvement in educational infrastructure in the constituency, ensure better teaching and learning aids, provide scholarships for brilliant but needy children and training programmes for dedicated teachers.   She promise to organize regular community health screening for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and eye problems and facilitate public education on health related issues in collaboration with health professionals.   “Would institute regular interaction with constituents through quarterly or biannual electoral forums and establish legal education and literacy forum to assist constituents resolve minor legal issues.   Mr Bekoe also expressed the hope to organize workshop for persons with disability in the country and to create awareness of the plight of their condition.   He said would improve the sanitation problem in the constituency through regular de-silting of drains when voted to lead the constituency.   Mr Osikai promised to decentralized medical delivery in the constituency and help in the construction of new hospitals and clinic for improved health services since the area can only boast of one hospital.   GNA...

Amasaman (GAR) Nov. 23, GNA - Mr Raymond Owusu, Child Health Campaign Focal Person of World Vision, has said in spite of some significant improvement in maternal and child care, many children of the nation are still dying from preventable diseases.   He said the mortality rate of children under-five decreased from 121 deaths per every 1,000 births in 1990 to 78 in 2011, however, many Ghanaian children are born stunted and suffer from several ailments.   He said the figure was far below Millennium Development Goal of 40 percent deaths per every 1000 and expressed regret that a large number of Ghanaian children died each year from anemia, malaria, diarrhea, coughs, fever, pneumonia, poliomyelitis and measles that could have been prevented through inexpensive interventions.   Mr Owusu said this during a health walk organized by World Vision in partnership with Ghana Health Services at Amasaman.   The walk was to help raise awareness on the need for improved access to quality health services in the society.   He said needless deaths, resulting from malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, anemia and poliomyelitis could be prevented through low-cost interventions like improved nutrition, water and sanitation education, immunization, sleeping under mosquito net and exclusive breast feeding for six months.   He said a healthy human resource in every nation depended on the health of children saying in spite of government’s commitment to allocating 15 percent of Gross Domestic Product to health care during Abuja Declaration, the nation’s current allocation was hovering around 12 percent.   Mr Owusu said with the current allocation, about 80% go into paying overhead cost like salaries of health workers which does not directly tackle problems leading to child deaths.   During the walk, placard bearing school children, teachers, officials from National Commission for Civic Education and Ghana Nation Fire Service, paraded through the principal streets of Amasaman, chanting “child health now”.   Some of the placards read: “no disease should lead to death of babies; our babies have the right to life and health; and food security is a long term solution to children health.”   World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2008 estimated that 1.5 million of deaths among children under 5 years were due to diseases that could have been prevented by routine vaccination. This represents 17% of global total mortality in children under 5 years.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Water Resources, Work and Housing on Friday cut the sod for the construction 5,000 housing units christened Nyame Dua Estates at Kpone near Tema under the Mass Housing Project.   Mr Mensah said Sethi Realty of India is executing the project in a private-public partnership agreement in which the government of Ghana is providing the land and the costs for the project is being borne by the real estate company.   He said there would be tax exemption for building materials imported purposely for the project.   “It gives me great joy to be part of this ceremony to commence a project, which will deliver 5,000 housing units to persons in the low and middle income brackets,” he said, adding that “my joy comes firstly, from the fact that, the project is going to supply urgently needed housing and the fact that apart providing jobs and incomes it will further stimulate the general economy of Kpone and its surrounding areas.”   The Minister said the housing sector employs literally thousands of people directly and indirectly and acts as boost for other industries and sectors, from primary to tertiary.   He said the importance of housing in national development is not in doubt as it provides the basic need of shelter.   Mr Mensah said that Ghana faces a huge housing shortfall estimated to be 1.7 million housing units and explained that to be able to clear this deficit alone the nation would require an annual delivery rate of about 170,000 units for the next 20 years.   He said regrettably, current annual supply ranges between 40,000 and 50,000 units.   He commended Sethi Realty for their intervention and for choosing to invest in the area and thereby bring the needed stimulation to the local economy.   Mr Manab Pattnaik, Chief Executive Officer of Sethi Realty, gave the assurance that his company would deliver the project at an affordable cost to the low and middle-income people.   He said housing was very important to every society and was full of praise for the Mr Alban Bagbin, the former Minister of Water Resources, Work and Housing for initiating the project whiles in office.   Mr Parag Date, Architect and Town Planner of the company, said they were into the construction of smart cities, which aside the residential facilities would have a school, hospital, church, market, open parks, packing lots, among others.   He explained that the project, located on a 90-acre piece of land, would include the construction of two to three bedrooms apartments at affordable costs.   The sod cutting ceremony was witnessed by Ajaneesh Kumar, Deputy Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr C. S. Sethi, Chairman Sethi Realty Group Ltd, Alhaji Yahaya H. Yakubu, Director Housing of the Ministry and Mr Joe Abbey, Managing Director of Tema Development Corporation.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Water Resources, Work and Housing, has said the Real Estate Agency Bill is now ready and currently before the Attorney General’s Department for the final review.   Mr Mensah announced this on Friday during a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of 5,000 housing at Kpone near Tema by Sethi Realty.   He said the purpose of the Bill is to regulate real estate brokerage practice and practitioners in the country and to bring it to the level of universally accepted standards.   “It provides, among other things, for the training and licensing of estate brokers and requires estate brokers, to make available bonds, as guarantees to operators in the property market,” he stated.   The Minister said the recent painful Melcom disaster had thought us all a lesson of the need to do things right.   He bemoaned the issue of how some estates have been developed, with little regard to the provision of infrastructure and other social services.   Mr Mensah lamented that in some cases, estate developers have charged home owners for services which they never provided whilst sometimes, the quality of work leaves much to be desired.   “It is in the interest of any developer to build right – that is, by using the right caliber of professionals of the built environment,” he noted.   He said the services of estates developers may seem expensive in the beginning, but as the Melcom disaster has shown, it is the best way to provide a sound structure.   “Building right is the also a pre-requisite for support from the finance and insurance companies. Most of all, building right is the supreme interest of the end user, for whom this is a life time investment.” He reiterated.   Mr Mensah made a strong appeal to Sethi Realty and the construction company, Shapoorji and Palonji to ensure that the do quality work for the good of the nation.   Under the leadership of Mr C.M. Sethi, the Sethi Group of companies, have revolutionized the Real Estate arena in Commercial and Residential Projects over the past 20 years and has developed and successfully completed various projects in India and other countries.   GNA...

Sunyani, Nov. 23, GNA – A three-day workshop organised by CARE International, an implementing partner of Cadbury Cocoa Partnership (CCP) has ended in Sunyani.      It was attended by 52 participants from stakeholder bodies in three cocoa growing districts of Asunafo North Municipal in Brong-Ahafo Region, Ejisu-Juaben Municipal and Amansie-West District in the Ashanti Region.      The CCP is being implemented in 76 communities in Asunafo North and Amansie-West Districts, and piloted in 10 communities in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality under the Opportunity for Young Cocoa Farmers (OYCF) project by Care International.      Addressing the closing session of the workshop on Friday, Mr Mawuli Asigbee, CARE CCP Project Manager, reiterated the need for CARE to implement, monitor and assess together with district partners as the best approach to achieve the overall goal of the CCP.      The event was attended by the entire CARE CCP project team, Heads of Departments of Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Cocoa Extension Coordinators of COCOBOD and Municipal and District Planning Officers.      Others were from District Health Directorates, Ghana Education Service, Department of Cooperatives, Social Welfare, Business Advisory Council, Youth Council, Forestry Commission and the Millennium Villages Project in Amansie-West District.      Mr Asigbee said “the objective of the programme is to empower cocoa growing communities to take leadership in meeting their long-term goals and delivering a sustainable cocoa production”.      He said annual planning workshops had been rallying points for the relevant stakeholders to continually support the achievement of the overall aim of a 10-year programme designed to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of about 1,000,000 cocoa farmers and their communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean.      “This will be achieved through a long-term commitment to improving farmer livelihoods and farming communities,” Mr Asigbee stressed.      Mr Philip Christensen, Country Director of CARE International in Ghana, expressed joy about the collaboration between CARE and the district partners and urged participants to further deepen the partnership for the benefit of the cocoa growing communities.               Mrs Vida Bekoe, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer for the project made a presentation on the project’s performance for 2012, using the Social Returns on Investment (SROI) framework, an M&E tool used to track progress on the project.      Mr George Achempim, a Project Officer of CARE and a facilitator at the workshop, expressed the hope that “contributions by participants will definitely yield dividends in 2013”.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - The Electoral Commission for the purpose of achieving a free and fair election during the December 7 poll has made certain acts or omissions punishable offences.   Any person or group of persons found guilty of an election offence may be fined or imprisoned or both, and a person may also be disqualified from voting or from holding public office.    This was contained in a document issued by the Electoral Commission (EC) entitled “Election 2012: What You Should Know,” in Accra.   According to the document, the extracted and simplified offences applies to voters be they election officials, politicians, candidates, party executives, government officials, security officers, or ordinary persons.   The document states that it is an offence to have one’s name in the register of voters of more than one polling station adding that “it is an offence to attempt to vote before the poll officially opens at 7:00 am or after it officially closes at 5:00 pm.”    It is an offence for minors, foreigners and unregistered voters to attempt to vote as well as for a person to attempt to vote more than once in the same election.   Another offence, the EC document has stated, is for a voter to be in possession of another person’s voter ID card without express authority from that person as well as voting in the name of another person living, dead or fictitious.   It further explained that it is an offence to impede or prevent a voter from freely exercising his or her vote by compelling him or her to vote in a particular way.   In this regard, a voter who wears particular clothing, or displays a symbol that indicates support for a particular party or candidate or makes a speech, sings a song or beats a gong-gong or drum, in support of a particular party or candidate commits election offence and would be duly punished.   Again, a voter commits an offence when he displays his marked ballot paper or makes it known to other voters the candidate he/she has voted for. Likewise one commits an offence when one prints, is in possession of, or supplies another person with a ballot papers without authority.   “One commits election offence when one tampers with a ballot box and its contents without authority as well as putting a foreign material other than a ballot paper in a ballot box, the EC document added.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo on Friday presented 110 sewing equipment to the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA).   The donation which falls under the Local Enterprise and Skills Programme (LESDEP) is to help establish training centres across the country.   The centres, which will be based in the regional capitals, will also be accessed by members within the districts for effective teaching and learning.   It will also help members to generate income for the running of the day to day activities of the Association.   The equipment comprised 22 over lock machines, 22 embroidery machines, 22 industrial sewing machines and 44 hand sewing machines are to be distributed to the regional offices of the Association.   Additionally, each regional centre also received a computer and a motor bike for effective monitoring and evaluation of activities.   Speaking at the National Conference of GNTDA at the Trade fair site in Accra, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, said the NDC government has contributed immensely in sustaining, growing and developing local enterprises in the country.   Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said through interventions such as the LESDEP programme, the government had trained and set up 6,652 people from all diverse backgrounds under its fashion and garment module across the length and breadth of the country in less than two years.   He, therefore, urged members of the Association to take advantage of the programme to set up their own businesses and expand existing ones.   He said it was important that the Ghana National Association of Tailors and Dressmakers, as entrepreneurial group, to organise refresher courses for its members to update their knowledge and enhance their skills to make them more competitive not only in the local market but also in the global market.   To ensure the growth of their businesses, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo advised members of the Association to work hard, exhibit creativity and excellence in their work to produce unique results.   The National Coordinator of LESDEP, Mr Adem Gariba in a brief remark, said LESDEP was set up by government to assist skills development and reduce unemployment in the country, noting that steps had been taken to ensure the attainment of set targets.   GNA...

Deduako (Ash), Nov. 23, GNA – The authorities of the Community Special Vocational School at Deduako, in Kumasi, have complained about the delay in the release of the administrative grant meant for the smooth running of the facility. The school is the only special second-cycle institution in the area. Mr Simon Odei Nyarko, Principal of the school told the Ghana News Agency that since January no money had been released to the authorities, “making the going pretty difficult”. He said the school is forced to depend on charity and loans to feed the student population of 35 and to meet other operation expenditures. Mr Nyarko therefore appealed to the government, to make available the grant that had been in arrears.          Mr Nyarko said irregular release and inadequate funding is preventing the authorities to admit more students. He asked individuals, churches and organisations to give support to the school. GNA...