Diaso (C/R), Nov. 22, GNA- Four parliamentary candidates for the Upper Denkyira West constituency have called on the people of Diaso, a farming and mining community and its environs, to turn up in their numbers on December 7 to exercise their franchise.       The candidates, who made the call on Wednesday at a parliamentary debate organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said the debates and campaigns messages would be useless if electorate did not turn up to cast their votes.          Mr. Benjamin Kofi Aryeh, the Member of Parliament seeking re-election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kofi Ackah Yankey, the District Chief Executive, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Bernard Asomah for the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and Mr. Daniel Ohene Darko, an independent candidate, took turns to answer questions on education, employment, health  and women and children      Addressing the issue of affordable, accessible, quality and equitable SHS education in the area, Mr. Aryeh said he had already set up the Ayamfuri SHS with funding from GETFund and his share of the Common Fund.   He said he would also build and improve structures in existing schools to improve teaching and learning in them, adding that if free education is prioritized in the country, it would be achievable.       Mr. Darko said he would ensure there was at least four SHSs in every district and would also ensure government supports individuals or groups who want to set private schools in the area in order to make it a government/private partnership where education would be accessible and affordable to all.        Mr. Yankey said the area did not have any standard kindergarten and that the   basic schools were dilapidated and if given the nod he would ensure better ones are put up in order to make the foundation ‘solid’ before the students enroll in SHS, adding that teacher-motivation was also very important in improving teaching in the area.        In the area of employment creation, Mr. Darko said he would set up an MP’s “Apprenticeship Programme” where about 202 interested persons would be selected from electoral areas and given training in different fields after which they could also train others.       Mr. Asomah said the PPP would set up factories and companies using the state purchasing power where the people would be employed and paid salaries whilst Mr. Aryeh and Mr. Yankey said they would encourage young entrepreneurs, support and resource them to set up their own businesses and operate on their own. Addressing the issue of women and children in the area, the NPP candidate said it all boiled down to education, so he would empower them through higher education and also provide credit facilities to support their businesses.   The Independent candidate said he would establish more nurseries and KGs where mothers could leave their children and have time to work and that he would also ensure they have access to loans to grow and expand their businesses.       The PPP candidate said he would ensure maternal and infant mortality rates were drastically reduced and the NDC candidate pledged to support and empower women as well as make girl-child education paramount.      In the area of agriculture, all the aspirants promised to ensure farmers get easy access to credit facilities as well as other farm inputs and that equitable distribution of incentives for the promotion of farming in the area would be encouraged.      Other areas tackled were environment, sports, housing as well as roads and infrastructure.        Mr. Cletus Abang, Central Regional Director of the NCCE urged the electorate to make an informed choice and vote wisely come December 7 whilst Mr. Samuel Arhin, District Director of the NCCE called on them to ensure the elections were peaceful and also live in harmony with one another before, during and after the elections.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA- The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MoWAC) will join the rest of the world to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Sixteen days of activism has been set aside by the United Nations for countries to use to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. The theme for the campaign is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's End Violence against Women”. Activities in Ghana will include a National Durbar (November 26) in Tamale, a visit to the Witches Camp at Gambaga (November 27) and a Youth Symposium at the Walewale Senior High School (November 28) all in the Northern region. This 16-day period will also highlight other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. Briefing the media in Accra, Mr Gershen Koku Kumor, Acting Chief Director of MoWAC, said the lined activities will engage community leaders, public sector officials and the general public to understand the issues about gender violence and to garner their support to champion against gender-based violence. He noted that the theme was timely for Ghana due to the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections considering what some countries like Somalia, Sudan, and Rwanda have suffered as a result of conflict arising out of their elections. He said in situations like this it was women and children who suffered the atrocities and called for the need to advocate against keeping guns in homes. Mr Kumor noted that the importance of gender equality was underscored by its inclusion as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals, which served as a framework for decreasing poverty and improving the quality of life of the ordinary Ghanaian women. “Discrimination against women and girls including gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health inequalities, and harmful traditional practices remain the most persuasive forms of gender inequality”, he added.      He called for the need to review Ghana’s traditional approach to a more proactive strategy that will ensure zero tolerance for gender based violence.       The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991.        Participants at that meeting chose the dates November 25, which is International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Families of the 14 victims of the Melcom disaster who lost their lives have received GH¢10,000 each from government to help them give the victims befitting burial. At a short but emotional presentation ceremony in Accra on Thursday, mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, said the donation was in fulfillment of government's promise of assisting victims of the disaster. He explained that the donation was besides the Melcom Disaster Fund established by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly with a seed capital of GH¢30,000, GH¢10, 000 from Zoomlion and GH¢25,000 cedis from the management of Melcom. The AMA fund would be disbursed to all 81 victims of the disaster when it hits GHȼ100, 000 and would ensure that only victims would benefit from it, he said  and added that  disbursement would be done whenever the fund accrued to GH¢100,000. Local Government Minister, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo smpathized with the families and said “money cannot replace the lives of your loved ones, but this is just to assist you”. Some of the relatives could not hold back their tears when their envelopes containing the money were handed over to them. Mr Neils Lutterodt who lost an uncle, on behalf of the bereaved family thanked government for the gesture saying that though it cannot replace the lives of their loved ones they were grateful.     GNA ...

Gomoa Mozano (C/R), Nov. 22, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Thursday commissioned some education projects in the Gomoa Area of the Central Region and urged students to study diligently and achieve their objectives for the future. The projects include a girl’s dormitory for the Gomoa Mozano Senior High School, and an 18 unit two-storey building at the Gomoa Dawurampong Senior High Technical School. Other projects provided at the Mozano Senior High School within the last four years are a six-unit classroom block, another 12 unit classroom block which is at the finishing stage, and a 28-seater EITCHCER bus. Inaugurating the facilities, Vice President Amissah-Arthur advised the students to apply themselves to excellence in their studies so that they would become world class professionals in the global village. He commended the founders of the school for their vision, and the management on their effort that had seen its growth, with an assurance that Government was determined to improve the quality of education through improved facilities. The Vice President advised the students to be focused, and emulate good behaviors as they socialized, and have good role models to as they climbed the academic ladder. On the coming poll, Vice President Amissah-Arthur said there was the need for stability for continuity , and asked the electorate vote massively and retain the governing National Democratic (NDC). Mr Emmanuel Acquah, Headmaster of Mozano Senior High School, said “the school acknowledges the unprecedented recognition given the school by the NDC within the last four years.” He appealed to the Government to provide an administration block, staff accommodation, computers, science laboratory; and a Mahindra bus for the headmaster. Later at a durbar, Nana Kobena Baah, Gyaasehene of Mozano, appealed for improvement in the road network in the area, extension of electricity to Eshiem, a teachers training college in the area, a multi-complex market and a hospital. Vice President Amissah-Arthur later addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of Gomoa Afransi, in the Gomoa Central Constiteucny where Nana Ogyedom Kwasi Atta appealed for a Government assisted secondary school in the area. Nana Atta also appealed for stronger with a stronger capacity to reduce the frequent power outages in the area. Vice President Amissah-Arthur used the occasion to introduce Rachel Nana Adwoa Appoh, the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Gomoa Central. The Vice President addressed a similar durbar at Gomoa Buduburam, and later called on Nana Dr Obeng Wiabo, Chief of Gomoa Nyanyano, who expressed an open support for the victory of the NDC. The Veep later addressed a rally and asked the people to retain the NDC to continue with projects yet to be finished.    GNA ...

Nsawam-Afutu (E/R), Nov. 22, GNA – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has re-emphasised that the free Senior High School (SHS) education policy by the party would relieve Ghanaians from the heavy burden of paying fees.     Nana Akufo-Addo said parents had suffered for far too long in paying heavy amounts of monies on their children’s education while those who could not afford see their wards either doing menial jobs or roam about aimlessly.     He made the statement on Wednesday when he made a brief visit to Afutu, a suburb of Nsawam, as part of his campaign tour to introduce the party’s parliamentary candidates to the people in the area.      Nana Akufo-Addo said without proper education to the youth as future leaders, the country would lack in its better developmental agenda and appealed to parents, guardians and supporters of the NPP to vote for him and his parliamentary candidates to allow his vision to come to fruition.     He said if NPP government was given the mandate in the coming December 7 election more jobs would be created in all the ten regions in order to give the youth employment.     Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, NPP parliamentary candidate for Nsawam-Adoagyiri who was introduced to the people by the Flag-bearer, called on members and supporters of the party to vote massively for Nana Akufo-Addo and himself for them to bring development and to restore the bad governance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.     “We will not look on and allow the NDC party to destroy the economy of the country for the present and future generations to suffer so I am calling on all sympathisers of our great NPP party to go out there on December 7 to vote the NDC out,” Mr Annoh-Dompreh saidappealed.       GNA ...

Accra, Nov 22, GNA – Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, on Thursday donated four computers and five motor cycles to the Methodist Church, Ghana to aid in the mobility of the mission’s evangelizing activities. The donation was also with the support of Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOSAG). Mr Mensah stressed the need for the prospective riders of the motor cycles to constantly wear the crash helmet and to observe road safety regulations whiles riding. Most Rev Prof Emmanuel K Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, expressed appreciation to Mr Mensah and CLOSAG for the kind gesture. GNA ...

Accra, Nov 22, GNA – Nokia, mobile phone manufacturer, on Thursday unveiled her Windows Phone 8 devices, Nokia Lumia 920 and the Nokia Lumia 820 smartphones at a short ceremony in Accra. The launch was in collaboration with Microsoft and MTN, a telecommunication service provider. The device which comes in variety of colours is equipped with an inbuilt wireless charging system, Nokia Maps and City Lens applications. Mr James Rutherford, Vice President of Nokia West Africa said Nokia aimed at satisfying the needs of customers and to “bring the best of technology to…customers to aid, excite and benefit their work and social lives”.     GNA ...

Kenyase (Ash), Nov. 22, GNA – The Garden City University College at Kenyase in the Kwabre East on Thursday matriculated 424 new students to pursue degree programmes in nursing, business and communication.         They are made up of 217 males and 207 females.    Professor Steve Sobotie, President of the University, reminded them to be disciplined, focused and to work hard.           They should develop the right attitude and explore the opportunity offered them to acquire knowledge and skills to become competitive in the job market.           He said while doing this, they should respect and accept to abide by the statutes, rules and regulations of the institution.            He warned against cheating in examinations saying that would not be tolerated and that plagiarism, copying from colleagues’ work and smuggling prepared notes to examination halls would attract appropriate sanctions.           Prof Sobotie gave the assurance that the University would provide the right environment to enhance teaching and learning.     GNA ...

Yawhima(B/A), Nov. 22, GNA – The management of Compassion Is Love In Action (CILIA) Children’s Home at Yawhima in the Sunyani Municipality has initiated the construction of a clinic to improve health care delivery to its inmates. The clinic comprising a short stay ward, nurse’s office, dispensary, consulting room and an Out-Patient Department (OPD) is estimated at about GH¢120,000. Reverend Mrs Charlotte Osei Kwarteng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Home speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Yawhima on Thursday, said two US-based Ghanaian philanthropists had presented an initial amount of GH¢20,000 with a promise of further assistance towards the project. She said some building materials had been procured for the project which is expected to begin in December, 2012. Rev Mrs Kwarteng said as a non-profit making organisation, CILIA depended on her own resources as well as assistance from individuals and charitable organisations in the society. She appealed to government, charitable organisations, financial institutions and other philanthropists to assist the Home not only to complete the clinic on schedule but to undertake the other development projects for the welfare of the inmates. Rev Mrs Kwarteng said an urgent need of the Home was a means of transport for field trips for the inmates adding “It is my passionate plea and appeal to all individuals, groups and companies in Ghana and outside to come to our aid for holistic education and training for the inmates”. CILIA has 38 orphans with the oldest being two years and seven needy children. It is situated on an eight-acre land and currently has a security booth, an administrative block, a nursery and a temporal accommodation for the inmates. In addition, the Home has been designed to include a caretaker’s house, a bungalow for the Founder, dinning and an assembly hall with kitchen, a six-classroom block, chapel and a mission house, a workshop for vocational and technical training and dormitories for boys and girls.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Mr Alex Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, on Thursday said the Ministry would ensure that culture became the bedrock of development in Ghana. "The Ministry and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, are seeking approval for proposed permanent arrangement for the Regional Coordinating Councils and the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, to support the Traditional Councils to enable Nananom promote good governance and national development." The Minister said this at the 2012 edition of the annual Meet the Press series, which was held in Accra. He said as part of the processes to ensure stability and security for national development, the Constitution had mandated the national house of chiefs to compile customary laws and lines of succession, applicable to each Stool or Skin in the country. The Minister said the project was to curtail litigation in chieftaincy affairs, clarify procedures for the knowledge of stool claimants, Kingmakers and other stakeholders. Mr Asum Ahensah said it was also to ensure peace and cohesion during periods of transition,  and to serve as an authentic documentation for instruction and reference for the codification of customary laws and succession. He said in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education with funding by the Government of Ghana, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the United Nations Development Program, "the project which started in the year 2000 continues". The Minister said research work had been done in about 113 paramountcies and reports on them written, as part of the enactment process adding that "in 2010, legislative instruments on Declaration of Customary Law for eleven traditional areas came into force." He said validated reports of fifteen traditional areas had been converted into draft customary declaration laws for transmission to parliament for passage into legislative instruments. "The completion of the project would tremendously reduce the numerous chieftaincy disputes that arise when a stool becomes vacant," said the Minister. Mr Asum-Ahensah said the Ministry acknowledged the emerging creative economy as a leading component of economic growth, employment, trade and innovation, as well as social cohesion in many countries. "More importantly, it recognizes the potential of the creative industries to shape and reinforce Ghana's economic growth, through job creation, income generation and export earnings." He said "this is why the Ministry in its five year Strategic Plan, as a major policy, sought to boost the creative industry by developing and promoting public-private partnership in that area, and strengthening the institutional support framework." The Minister said in pursuance of the "above objective", the ministry was working with civil society in the ten domains of the creative industry, as well as other cultural practitioners involved in the overall development of culture nationally. Mr Asum-Ahensah said the Ministry in collaboration with other stake-holders, under the guidance of the National Development Planning Commission, developed the Creative Industry Sector Medium-Term development Plan, under the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda(2010-2013), to inform initiatives and programs that would strengthen the sector to actively engage in the world trade in creative goods and services, estimated at 2.2 trillion dollars in 2000, and continuing to grow at five percent. The Minister mentioned inadequate budgetary allocation, poor resourcing of Traditional Councils, inadequate personnel and weak human resource capacity as some of the "several" challenges the Ministry and its sector agencies faced. On the Ministry's outlook for the coming year, 2013, he said the Ministry would continue with the second and third phases of the Ascertainment and Codification of the Customary Law Project, relating to Family and land in Ghana. Mr Asum-Ahensah said the National and three Regional Houses of Chiefs would be rehabilitated, adding that the Ministry also sought to complete the construction of the four Regional Theatres in the Brong Ahafo, Western, Ashanti and Eastern Regions. He said the Ministry intended to work closely with cultural practitioners and stake-holders in the creative industry, to implement the Creative Industry Sector Medium Term Development Plan. "This collaboration would be done with a view to developing and strengthening the country's creative economy in ways, that would enable Ghana to actively engage in the lucrative trade in creative goods and services," the Minister said.       GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – Mr Allan Nkrumah, a final year student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was on Thursday adjudged the winner of the final Season Three Goodlife game show organised in Accra.   For his prize, he received GH¢5,000 and other Goodlife souvenirs.   Mr Nkrumah battled it out with three other contestants in the Goodlife game show, which created a platform to address social and cultural issues related to the prevention of diseases as well as triggered an intensive health awareness campaign among Ghanaians by motivating them to choose prevention over treatment.   The Show is part of Ghana Health Service “Goodlife, Live it Well” campaign supported by the United States Agency for International Development with technical support from the Agency's Behaviour Change Support Project.   It was an entertaining and educational blend of multimedia and health information quizzes, which aimed at promoting health issues and to encourage good health practices.   The other contestants were Mr Selassie Setsoafia, a Service Person at the Ghana Technology University who won the second prize of GH¢2,000 and Madam Roselyn Paintsil, a student at the Institute of Professional Studies who received GH¢1,000 for the third prize.   Mr Kevin Nana Siaw a student of the Central University College who won the fourth prize also received GH¢1, 000.   Mr Nkrumah told the Ghana News Agency he would use a substantial amount of his prize to further his education and invest the rest of the money.   He urged the public to patronise the show and read widely so as to enroll in the game.   Mr Setsoafia disclosed that he would use his money as “seed money” to develop his passion in animation.   “As an Information and Technology graduate, my passion is in animation”, he added.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday said his government was committed to providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to people with disabilities so as to contribute their quota to national development.   He said under the senior high school computerized project, some of the graduates would be integrated into the mainstream as ICT instructors or trainers while others would be maintained to repair broken down computers.   President Mahama said this at the maiden graduation ceremony of Persons with Disability ICT Project and distribution of Better Ghana laptops at the Accra International Conference Centre under the auspices of rlg Communications Limited.   He said it was not worth enrolling people with disability and the youth in schools without providing them employable skills to fit well into the world of work and ICT.   He said persons with disability should no longer associate themselves with tokenism and pettiness that sought to undermine their dignity, respect and self-esteem.   President Mahama said government had repositioned itself to preparing persons with disability and students across the educational divide with skills in ICT as part of government’s commitment to building a Better Ghana through technology and innovation.   He disclosed that in phase one of the project 60,000 laptops have been distributed to teachers and students in basic and senior high schools, nursing training colleges, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities to promote teaching and learning in ICT and research.   President Mahama added that while in phase two additional 100,000 would be distributed to basic and second cycle schools as well as tertiary institutions, 400, 000 would be circulated in the next four years.   He appealed to Ghanaians, especially the youth and other stakeholders, to work cordially with the security agencies to have successful elections to make Ghana the model of Africa.   Mr Roland Agambire, Chief Executive Officer of rlg Communications Limited, explained that rlg, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, launched the Persons with Disability ICT Project aimed at equipping them with ICT skills for the contemporary world.   Mr Agambire challenged the youth to follow their dreams, saying: “dream and you will succeed; the only disability in life is bad attitude.”   Mr Max Vardon, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disability, pointed out social injustice, discrimination, poverty, hostility, lack of access to healthcare and education as some challenges facing people with disability in Ghana.   He expressed disappointment that persons with disability had been robbed of self-esteem, respect and dignity after 55 years of independence, and demanded their integration in the exigency of economic progress of Ghana.   2,400 out of 5,000 graduates, being the first group of trainees of rlg Institute of Technology, from Greater Accra, Eastern, Western, Central and Volta regions representing the southern sector, were presented with certificates and a set of tools to set up their own ICT hardware repair shops.   GNA...

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...