Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Council of Women Traditional Leaders (CWTL) has appealed to all stakeholders in the coming elections to conduct themselves in a manner that would guarantee peaceful elections, declaring: “We don’t want war, we want peace.”   Nana Amba Eyieba, Queen Mother of Oguaa and Coordinator of CWTL, made the appeal on behalf of queenmothers at a durbar in Accra to celebrate the achievement and progress of CWTL for its 10 years existence.   She said Ghanaians could not afford to lose the peaceful atmosphere currently prevailing in the country because when there is war it is women and children who suffer the most.   She called on the security agencies, the electoral commission, political parties, the media, and the entire citizenry particularly the youth not to engage in acts that would mar the current peace in the society.   Nana Eyieba said the theme for the durbar: “From peace in the home to the nation and to the world”, was most appropriate because Ghana was in another critical stage of its democratic process of proving to be the beacon of peace in the sub region.   She said Queenmothers served as symbol of peace who occupy unique place in society to play leading role in consolidating peace at all times.   Nana Eyieba said CWTL has been able to engage the Electoral Commission to carry out electoral sensitization exercises and assist in undertaking capacity building activities for the media.   In her welcome address, Mamaga Amega Kofibra I, President of CWTL and Queen Mother of Peki, said that women commanded influence at all levels of society and thus should be at the forefront of promoting peace.   She added though the 1992 constitution defines and guarantees the role of Queenmothers, they were still not visible as their male counterparts until 2001 when the idea of forming CWTL was conceived at a conference on chieftaincy, culture and governance held in Accra.   Professor Irene Odotei, Executive Director of Institute for Research and Advocacy Training, highlighting on peace during and after Election 2012 advised Ghanaians to protect the integrity of the electoral process by conducting themselves well.   GNA...

Brussels, NOV. 22 (dpa/GNA) - British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday vowed to negotiate "very hard" for a European Union budget that reflects the austerity being implemented nationally, ahead of what is expected to be an acrimonious summit on the 2014-20 spending plan.   "I'm not happy at all," Cameron told reporters in Brussels as he arrived for a meeting with EU president Herman Van Rompuy ahead of the two-day summit.   "Clearly, at a time when we're making difficult decisions at home over public spending, it would be quite wrong, it is quite wrong for there to be proposals for this increased spending in the EU," he added. "We're going to be negotiating very hard for a good deal for Britain's taxpayers and for Europe's taxpayers."   Cameron also said he would fight to "keep the British rebate," a reduction from EU budget contributions that former premier Margaret Thatcher had secured for Britain in the 1980s after an epic battle with European partners.   Cameron is seen as the biggest obstacle to an agreement on the EU budget at the summit - although nine other member states have also threatened vetoes over various issues, according to a count by eurosceptic group Open Europe.   London has advocated for the most cuts, arguing for a real-terms budget freeze that diplomats say would require about 200 billion euros (257 billion dollars) to be slashed off the 1.09 trillion euros in spending commitments proposed by the European Commission.   As a compromise, Van Rompuy has proposed cutting 80 billion euros off the EU executive's proposal, but the plan has drawn fire from all sides. He is expected to present a new draft after his pre-summit so-called "confessionals" with all of the EU leaders throughout Thursday.   The 2014-20 budget - technically known as the multi-annual financial framework or MFF - will set maximum spending limits, as well as define where the money should go and where it should come from.   Most of the funds flow back into member states for everything from road-building projects to support for farmers. GNA  ...

Beirut, NOV. 22 (dpa/GNA) - Syrian government troops have killed dozens of what state television Thursday termed as "terrorists” near the capital Damascus.   Daraya, on the outskirts of Damascus, has been the scene of some of the worst violence in Syria’s 21-month conflict.   "The Syrian army managed in an operation that lasted two days in the area of Daraya to eliminate a terrorist group and liberate civilians who had been used by terrorists as human shields," reported the broadcaster, referring to rebels fighting to oust the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.   Mortar shells were Thursday fired at a government facility and a private building in the district of Mezze in Damascus, said the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It gave no casualty figure.   Elsewhere, rebel fighters have taken control of a government artillery base in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour and killed at least six government soldiers, reported opposition activists.   At least 39,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising started in March last year against al-Assad's rule, according to the opposition. Independent verification of reports coming out of Syria is hampered by government restrictions on the movement of journalists. GNA  ...

Islamabad, NOV. 22 (dpa/GNA) - At least 25 people were killed and 77 injured in three bomb attacks targeting the Shiite minority in Pakistan, police and rescue officials said on Thursday.   A bomber in a suicide vest attacked a religious procession in Rawalpindi near Islamabad just before midnight on Wednesday, said Muhammad Haroon, an official with the office of the city police chief.   Deeba Shehnaz, spokeswoman for the Rescue 1122 service, told dpa that "23 civilians were killed and 62 people injured, including eight children and four policemen."   Haroon said the bomber, aged around 18, tried to enter the Muharram festival procession and detonated his explosive-laden vest when he was stopped by volunteers deployed at the entry point.   "We have found the head of the attacker and we are investigating to identify him," he said.   Another two people were killed Wednesday in two more bomb attacks in the southern city of Karachi. Both attacks targeted Shiites, Hashim Raza, the Karachi police commissioner, told dpa.   A motorbike rigged with explosives was detonated near a Shiite mosque in Orangi Town, killing one person and injuring seven. In the second incident, a bomb was planted in the wall of a mosque in the same locality, killing one person and injuring eight.   Taliban militants Thursday took responsibility for all three attacks, while admitting that the target was the Shiite gatherings.   Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the Pakistani militant outfit, said the Shiites were targeted as they "insult" the Muslim prophet Mohammed and the Koran, their holy book.   "We take responsibility for the attacks at both the places (in Rawalpindi and Karachi)," Ehsan said in a statement.   "We will continue to achieve our targets, irrespective of security measures taken by (the Pakistani Interior Minister) Rehman Malik," he said.   Shiite Muslims make up around 20 per cent of Pakistan's population. They are often considered heretics by the majority Sunni Muslims and frequently targeted by extremists.   The government has increased security where Shiites meet to observe their Muharram festival in which they mourn the death of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.   The bombing came on the eve of a summit meeting of eight developing Muslim countries in the capital Islamabad. GNA  ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, Presidential Candidate of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has described the Ghanaian media as a double edged sword – “power to build and destroy”.       In order to ensure that the media lives up to expectation, Dr Sakara called for adherence to ethical standards within the media and the strengthening of regulatory mechanisms for journalistic practice.       Dr Sakara was contributing to debate on media excesses at the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate involving four of Election 2012 Presidential Candidates.       The debate is limited to only Presidential Candidates of political parties with representation in parliament was on the theme: “Upholding Electoral Accountability”.        The CPP Presidential Candidate expressed concern about the many politicians owning media houses and advised young journalist to learn from seasoned journalists.           Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention, appealed to the media not to sell bad news at the expense of the nation...”.       He also expressed concern about politician owning newspaper which only see things through the eye of the politician saying “we need a newspapers that are not partisan, newspapers that would serve the nations interest”.             Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, called for a self-regulatory mechanism within the media as an external regulation may be detrimental to freedom of the press.       He called for a review of the mandate of the National Media Commission adding that the media had greater role to play in purging itself, adhere to professional standards and also ensure that State Owned Media does not become propaganda wing of the government.         GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, has said revenue accrued from oil would be used to fund the proposed “Free Senior High School,” when elected to form the next government.       Responding to a question on “how to use the country’s oil resources for the benefit of the people, Nana Akufo-Addo said “the most equitable manner in which Ghanaians would benefit from the oil revenue is to ensure that they are used on the two most critical aspects of our national life – education and health care.     “We would use the oil revenue in these critical areas of our lives such that at the time the oil resources run out, we would have transformed the Ghanaian population through education and good healthcare.     “We now have the basis to sustain the development of our nation, not for one year, not for two years but for generations to come”, Nana Akufo Addo stated at the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate in Accra.     The IEA debate, which was limited to Presidential Candidates of political parties with representation in parliament, was on the general theme: “Upholding Electoral Accountability”.     The NPP Presidential Candidate said the oil revenue offers Ghanaians an opportunity to transform the economy.     On how to ensure that Ghana gets the best deals out of contracts relating to our natural resources, Nana Akufo Addo explained that under the previous NPP Administration the parameters was to attract investors to field, but now that we are producing oil the parameter are different.     Mr Hassan Ayariga Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (CPP) blamed past and present governments for signing contracts that have deprived the nation from enjoying the fruit of its natural resources.     “Under my Presidency, I will review all such contracts...taking inspiration from former President Jerry John Rawlings, a Hassan Ayariga led government would review all contracts to ensure that the nation and generation unborn benefits from our natural resources”.     Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, CPP Presidential candidate, said a CPP government would pass the local content law, build the technical capacity to deal with the knowledge gap in the field.       On how to make science and technology the core of Ghana’s economic development, Dr Sakara said a CPP government will set up a 10 million cedi Research and Development Fund dedicated to innovations.     This, he said, was aimed at moving “ideas from the shelf to the factories” and to drive the economy forward.     Dr Sakara explained that the “science and technology gap is reflected in the poverty gap saying “if we do not have science and technology driving the economy, then you will find that we are not able to close the income generation and the other measures that we need to take to improve people’s lives.”    He also pledged to improve the quality of technical and vocational institutions.    On his part, Nana Akufo-Addo promised that institutions offering science and technology as core subjects were going to be made to refocus to boost their effectiveness.   Mr Ayariga on his part said a PNC government will totally change Ghana’s educational curricula to “start with science and technology rather than free education" because science and technology is core to Ghana’s economic development.   “Our government will re-emphasize and change the curricula of education rather than making it free,” he said.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) on Wednesday said a government under his leadership would review the existing fishing laws to bring dynamism into the fishing industry.    “A PNC government would work closely with stakeholders in the fishing industry including Ghana National Association of Fishermen to revive and revamp the sector,” Mr Ayariga stated at the second Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate in Accra.     The IEA debate was limited to Presidential Candidates of political parties with representation in parliament was on the general theme: “Upholding Electoral Accountability”.     Mr Ayariga said fishing and farming would also become key component under the National Youth Employment Programme to attract the youth into the sectors.    On his part Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster Presidential Candidate of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), noted that Ghana needs to promote and take greater advantage of our geographic location on both latitude and longitudes “zero degrees” to attract tourism.    He said: “a CPP government would introduce an electronic tracking devise into the marine sector to know the weights of ships as it enters and leaves our territorial waters”.    Contributing to the marine debate; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, said “the problems associated with the fishing industry are mainly the involvement of politicians.   He said the next NPP government would deal with large scale invasion of the nation’s territorial waters.      GNA  ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, Presidential Candidate of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) on Wednesday said when elected his government would champion the cause of women in nation building.    He said “politicians must practice what they preach, and walk the talk..., as the CPP has demonstrated with its commitment to gender mainstreaming by electing a woman as the Chairperson of the party.    “Our first and second Vice Chairperson are all women and above all nominated a woman as potential Vice President of Ghana, this is a firm demonstration of a party’s stand for promoting gender issues”, Dr Sakara said.     Dr Sakara, who was answering questions at the second and final Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate for Presidential Candidates of political parties with representation in Parliament at the Banquet Hall of the State House, commended Ghanaian women for their tenacity and fortitude to serve as beacon of hope to the society.    He said a CPP government would roll-out programmes that would allow women to increase their representation in national decision making processes saying it would also promulgate affirmative action legislation as a basis for monitoring and ensuring that public organizations adhered to its stated objectives.     Dr Sakara said a CPP government would make institutional arrangements at all levels to achieve gender mainstreaming such that both men and women would equally attain and occupy positions without any bias.    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said “as a father of five girls who have worked with women across board will make sure that women play key role in governance”.    He said “I have promoted gender mainstreaming even within our party structure, been advocate of affirmative action and would continue to promulgate policies that will empower women.”     Nana Akufo Addo acknowledged that women form over 51 per cent of the national population and therefore issues relating to gender mainstreaming must be tackled holistically. Mr Hassan Ayariga Presidential Candidate of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) said “empowering women and providing support at the grass root would be paramount under his administration, when elected.”    He said a PNC Government would identify career women and empower them, implement affirmative action and continue other gender policies of the current administration.     An added innovation at the second debate was the sitting arrangement as the Presidential candidates were comfortable seated which is in sharp contrast to the first debate where the candidates were made to stand for hours.    Most of the dignitaries who attended commended the organisers for the innovation and reduction in duration.    The second debate concludes series of debates and interventions initiated by IEA to promote issues based campaign and promote democratic governance especially as the nation prepares for Election 2012   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - IFS Financial Services, as part of its fifth anniversary celebrations, has presented a cheque of GH¢10,000.00 to Centre Aid, a Non Governmental Organisation, in Accra.     The donation was to support the improvement in living standards and educational scholarship programs of the Centre which is the social arm of the International Central Gospel Church.     Mr Kojo Ohene-Kyei, Chief Executive Officer of the IFS Financial Services, said the company believes in helping to transform the lives of people in the communities it operates.   He said the IFS Financial Services had over the period of its operation donated various health delivery support funds and initiated educational and religious programs in the society.  Mr Ohene-Kyei said the company was established to deliver innovative financial services to grow the businesses of the cherished customers and positively affect their lives.     “As we celebrate the achievements of our past we are even more poised to position our company as the preferred financial partner through our quality service delivery, endearing relationships with clients and stakeholders and increased access points,” he said.     Mr Ohene-Kyei used the occasion to thank the shareholders, the board of the Directors, Management and Staff of the company for their immense contribution towards the development in the company.     Madam Akuan Adjei, Board member of Centre Aid, who received the donation on behalf of organization, said Centre Aid is a human development-oriented and not for profit organization, which was establish 20 years ago to provide support to the needy in the society to enable them develop their spiritual intellectual potentials.     She said Rev Dr Mensah Anamoa Otabil established the Centre to help the youth whose educational attainment could be hindered by financial constraints and that currently about 322 students have benefitted from the scholarship scheme.        Madam Adjei thanked IFS Financial Services for their donation saying it would facilitate the work of the Centre. GNA ...

Kpong, (E/R) Nov. 21, GNA – Two weed harvesters and two transport barges for harvesting water weeds were on Wednesday commissioned at Kpong in the Eastern Region to assist in reducing the spread of invasive water plants.     The commissioning formed part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s initiative dubbed “Ghana Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project” which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).     It aims at controlling water weeds which include hyacinth, water lettuce and Kariba weeds in Tano and Volta rivers.     Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said it was government’s desire to transform the water weed menace into an opportunity for enhancing livelihoods and income generation.     “We will expand the initiative and create the value chain that would attract investment to transform harvested weeds into compost to boost agriculture”, she said.     Ms Ayittey said government was in discussions with the European Union to assist the country to enhance the capacity of the private sector to utilize the water weeds to improve the competiveness of the banana sector on the international market.     Mrs Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Resident Representative of the AfDB, said the Bank had supported Ghana with a concessionary loan of $2,588,000 and a grant component of 323,500 dollars.     She said the five-year project had positively influenced and contributed to changes in social setting in areas that border on the welfare of the women and youth.     Mrs Akin-Olugbade said “women were part of and involved in the Community Water Weed Committees especially in Volta District where more than 50 per cent of their memberships were women”.     Mr Daniel Amlalo, Acting Executive Director of the EPA, noted that water weeds had invaded water bodies especially in the Lower Volta, Kpong Head pond, the Oti and Tano rivers and Lagoon complex.     He said the estimated weed coverage in the rivers with the exception of Oti, stood at 6,066 hectares in 2006.    Mr Amlalo said the infestations had obstructed water supply, river transport, fishing and threatened hydropower generation and also increased the prevalence of water-borne diseases such as Bilharzia.    He said the project was also done in collaboration with seven riparian districts, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, University of Ghana and other stakeholder institutions.       Mr Amlalo expressed confidence that the District Assemblies would provide support to the Community Water Weeds to maintain the areas cleared so as to sustain the gains made under the project.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Avaya, a global provider of business collaboration and communications solutions, on Thursday announced its entry in the Ghanaian market with a promise to offer quality services, at an event organized to outdoor the group.     By the launch, the Group has started its official operations in Ghana to sell directly to their customers, provide unified communications services, contact centers, networking and related services to companies of all sizes around the world and through their local partners.  This was contained in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by Cynthia Boamah, Media Relations Officer for the Group in Ghana.     The statement said the management of Avaya sees tremendous opportunities in Africa and in Ghana in particular, adding it would support the initiative with world class communications and collaboration solutions.     “Ghana is a key market for Avaya because it harbors a number of new businesses and organizations, the capital Accra alone has a population of 2 million, which also houses a growing number of international businesses and organizations” it said.     The statement said Avaya’s main function in Ghana would be to market and direct sales as well as to ultimately bring the company closer to local African customers and partners.     “Avaya believes technology should enable collaboration such that as organizations in Africa move towards a more geographically dispersed workforce, they would have access to the proper tools to enable their users quickly solve business challenges”, it said.     The statement quoted Mr Hatem Hariri, Managing Director for the North, West, East and Central Africa, for Avaya as saying: “Africa continues to remain a key market for Avaya, and expanding our presence into West Africa, by opening an office in Nigeria and eventually Ghana only reinforces our local support to customers as well as partners.”     “Ghana is a growing market and a strong driver for new technologies, an example of the wider regional IT market. This is why Avaya is committed to supporting the countries growth by enabling organizations in all sectors to gain with our world-class collaboration and networking solutions”, he added.     The statement said Avaya group was investing in local partners to help them identify and “crack new opportunities” and thereby expand their regional customer base.     “With a growing number of small and medium size businesses developing throughout the continent, Avaya is also able to meet communications challenges facing small and medium enterprises with their award winning Avaya IP office”, it said.     GNA  ...

Cape Coast, Nov.21, GNA - A  Cape Coast  Magistrate court on Wednesday remanded Ato Kwamena, a 19-year old fisherman  from  Ola  a suburb  Cape Coast  into  police custody  for stealing. Kwamena who pleaded not guilty on three counts of unlawful entry, unlawful damage and stealing would reappear on  Thursday November 29. Prosecuting Sergeant Charles Effah, told the court presided over by Mr Ohemeng Mensah that, on August 26  the complainant madam Gifty Adu Antwi, a resident of Ola travelled to Saltpond  and when she  returned she detected that an intruder had entered her room and taken away some possessions. Sergeant Effah said some of the items stolen included, a tape recorder, two pieces of cloth, a  bag, sauce pans and some dresses, and thereafter lodged a complaint at the Police station. He said on November 11, Madam Antwi bumped into Kwamena in town  wearing one of her shirts, she confronted him and sensing danger, Kwamena removed the shirt threw it at Madam Antwi and took to his heels. Sergeant Effah told the court that Kwamena was arrested last Monday on another case and was identified by Madam Antwi who happened to be around the police station on the day of the arrest. He said on his caution statement Kwamena denied all the allegations but after police investigations, he was charged with offences. GNA ...

Busunya (B/A), Nov. 21, GNA – Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joseph Owusu, Nkoranza South Municipal Police Commander, has said the Police was ready to prevent any trouble in the coming elections. He advised the youth of political parties not to allow themselves to be deceived by politicians to foment trouble at polling stations since the law would deal with them drastically. DSP Owusu gave the advice when addressing a Parliamentary Candidates debate at Busunya in the Nkoranza North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region. The event was organised by the Nkoranza North District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). Participants at the event included, Major Derek Yaw Oduro (Rtd) Incumbent NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Mr Kwadwo Agyei-Dwomor, for the NDC, Mr Kwaah Abdul Rahman for the PPP, Mr Daniel Baffoe for the CPP and Miss Esther Getrude Worae for the NDP. DSP Owusu urged drinking bar operators close to polling stations to avoid operating on that day so that miscreants do not use their facilities to create trouble. He said the Ghana Police Service had trained personnel to ensure adequate security in all the communities and called on the youth to be disciplined and comport themselves at the polling stations. Mr Emmanuel Kwame Etsiwah Ansah, Nkoranza North District Director of the NCCE, said the debate was to introduce the candidates to the electorate for them to know their vision, policies and programmes.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday gave the assurance that Government would continue to uphold most of her foreign policies that would ensure peace, unity and development among her neighbours.   He said: “Government will continue to promote regional integration that will subsequently promote business and massive investment in the country.”   President Mahama gave this assurance when he participated in the second Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential Debate that featured the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Convention Peoples Party and Peoples National Convention on account of their representation in Parliament.   The President said his relations with neighbouring countries especially the Ivory Coast was very cordial and his administration would continue to deepen that relation for mutual benefit. He promised to also cooperate with neighbouring countries to harmonize the tax regimes to ensure the free flow of goods and services among them and to stem the perennial smuggling that had existed among the countries in the past.   President Mahama said government would also adopt economic diplomacy that would promote investment and lift up the image of the country by promoting tourism and other social activities in the country.   The President also promised to continue with the peacekeeping policy that government had upheld in the past saying “government is committed to deepening our foreign policies with our neighbours and other countries.”     GNA ...

Accra, Nov 21, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday announced that government had done a lot and would continue to provide facilities that would reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the country.   He said in the initial phase, government had already established 1300 CHPS compounds to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of women in the rural areas.   President Mahama announced this when he contributed to the second Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential Debate in Ghana.   The Presidential debate is engaging only Political Parties that have representation in Parliament and therefore reduced it to the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Congress, Convention People’s Party and People’s National Convention.    President Mahama said maternal mortality was linked to the provision of other amenities and government would continue to provide motorable roads that would encourage private and commercial vehicles to transport patients to and from rural areas of the country.   He said in addition to those steps, government had also procured a total of 161 ambulances that were managed by the Ghana Ambulance Service to attend to emergency cases in the rural areas.   President Mahama said government was also establishing communication centres, where emergency cases could immediately be reported to health centres and the ambulance services to help prevent deaths.   The president said government had established a number of polyclinics and his administration was committed to increasing those facilities to ensure that many more people had adequate access to health facilities in the country.         GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday outlined plans that government had initiated to improve and promote science and Technology in the country.   He said apart from instituting the first ever Science Congress, where the best Scientist was given a car as a prize, government had also provided 5000 scholarships to science students especially girls who were willing to pursue Science, Technology and Mathematics in tertiary institutions.   President Mahama said this during his contribution to the second Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential debate in Accra.   The debate which was also participated by Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Forster Abu Sakara, Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party and Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention was the last in the series before the December Polls.   President Mahama said government had distributed 66,000 laptop computers to students and would increase that distribution to ensure that they were conversant with the necessary skills that could spur the country into an advanced stage.   On management of the oil resources of the country, President Mahama said a number of legislations were underway to ensure that the benefits of oil and gas was maximized.   He said government had passed the Petroleum Management bill which was waiting Parliamentary approval, while the Local Content bill, which would increase the capacity of Ghanaians to participate in the oil and gas exploitation, was also underway to ensure maximum benefit to the country.   President Mahama said government was also encouraging the foreign companies to engage and maximize the participation of local companies.   He announced that government was also establishing the gas processing plant that would reduce the perennial importation of gas and its related products.   President Mahama said government would collaborate with neighbouring countries to fight against marine crime and make maximum benefits of the marine system in the country.   He said apart from providing the navy with seven new marine boats to execute their duties at the coastal areas, government was also training the police to operate marine vessels to complement the efforts of the navy.    President Mahama said outboard motors were also given to the fisherfolk to step up their operations to increase job creation in the country.   He denounced the perennial pollution of the seas and called on the public to desist from that practice as it could stifle all the efforts government was initiating to improve on living standards of people living along the coastal areas of the country.   On empowerment of women, President Mahama promised to set up a women endowment fund for women ready to take up political and responsible positions in society.       GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday blamed politicians inflaming tensions in the media by producing concocted stories and falsehood designed to discredit their political opponents.   “The Ghana Journalist Association and the Private Newspapers Association of Ghana have the responsibility to step up surveillance by imposing self-regulation on Practitioners to strictly adhere to the rule of the game,” President Mahama said.   He was contributing to the question on media regulation in the second Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential debate that featured the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Convention Peoples Party and People National Convention.   The first Presidential debate was held in Tamale a month ago and this debate was the second and final one leading to the forthcoming December polls.   President Mahama said although the media had performed tremendously well in the country, there was the need for self-regulation for them to desist from deliberate concoction of stories and falsehood.   He said it was in that line of building the capacity of Journalists that motivated the NDC government to provide the media with GH¢2million to train and re-equip media houses and their personnel to become abreast with modern trends of communication.   The President appealed to Journalists to be circumspect and stay away from rumors.   GNA ...

Nyinahin (Ash), Nov 22, GNA – The Nyinahin Magistrate Court has sentenced a farmer, Azumah Issah, to 700 days imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody.       The convict, who had been arrested for attempted rape on April 11, feigned insanity, when arraigned.         The court therefore ordered that he should be sent to the Ankafo Psychiatric Hospital and there he escaped but was re-arrested at Appiakrom in the Atwima-Mponua District on November 15.        He pleaded guilty to the offence.        The court presided over by Mr Sam Nibi directed the police to prosecute the convict for rape.   GNA...

Nyinahin (Ash), Nov 22, GNA – The Nyinahin Magistrate Court has sentenced a farmer, Azumah Issah, to 700 days imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody.       The convict, who had been arrested for attempted rape on April 11, feigned insanity, when arraigned.         The court therefore ordered that he should be sent to the Ankafo Psychiatric Hospital and there he escaped but was re-arrested at Appiakrom in the Atwima-Mponua District on November 15.        He pleaded guilty to the offence.        The court presided over by Mr Sam Nibi directed the police to prosecute the convict for rape.   GNA...

Cape Coast, Nov. 22, GNA – A Cape Coast magistrate’s court on Wednesday jailed Anthony Edem Kofi Esirifi, a 21-year-old unemployed man, for 18 months in hard labour for stealing two mobile phones and GHc200.00   Esirifi pleaded guilty.   Chief Inspector Safo Khanen told the court presided over by Mr. Ohemeng Mensah that last Saturday,  Aba Korba,  a fishmonger and resident of Moree locked her room and  slept in front of the room.   The court heard that when Korba woke up the next morning she realized that someone had broken the window and entered the room and stole GHC 200.00 and two mobile phones.   Chief Insp. Khanen said last Monday, when the complainant went to a phone repairing shop to collect her repaired phone, she met the convict holding one of the stolen phones.   The prosecution said the complainant raised the alarm and the convict was apprehended and handed over to the police.   Chief Inp. Khanen said Esirifi in his caution statement told the police that he bought the phone from an unknown person.   GNA...