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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA -Broll Ghana Limited (BGL), a property services company, has asked property owners to conduct periodic audits of their premises to correct any defects and to ensure the structural integrity of the buildings.     Tony Sekyere, Properties Portfolio Manager, Broll, told a press conference that property owners needed to adhere to international best practices adding that an audit was not the periodic painting of the buildings but rather professional checks by qualified individuals.     He said while there were existing rules and regulations guiding the built environment, they were not being properly enforced to ensure compliance.     In this direction, Mr Sekyere said the call for a regulatory body to police the industry was important as it would help sanitise the industry and ensure that building contractors adhered to the provisions of the building permits they had been issued with and also ensure that high rise buildings were architecturally sound.     Mr Sekyere explained that though the Municipal, Metropolitan and the District Assemblies had regulations for the building industry, a regulatory body would add further impetus to help boost the property industry.     He said because Broll takes issues of safety in the properties it manages seriously, the company had instituted as part of its take-on procedure to conduct an audit to ensure that the properties they manage were safe for habitation.     ''In conducting safety analysis of the buildings, we consider the architectural designs and also ensure that fire equipment such as fire alarms are installed and emergency exit are provided,'' he said.     Mr Sekyere assured the clients that Broll’s properties were safe for use, saying the company conducts monthly, quarterly and yearly audits to ensure that all their buildings were safe for occupation.     In addition, he said, Broll had structural engineers who promptly produced structural reports on the company's properties to ensure that all their buildings were strong and fit for habitation.     The Portfolio Manager appealed to investors in the property industry to seek professional advice before putting up high rise buildings.     Operations Manager of BGL, Emmanuel Caulley for his part entreated property owners to conduct regular maintenance of their properties.     Property maintenance, he said, was not only about painting and changing of air conditions,  but also conducting structural audits to check the  structural integrity of a building  to ensure they were safe for occupation. Mr Caulley advised tenants and corporate bodies   to critically scrutinise the structural designs and building certificates before renting them for use.   Chief Executive Officer of Broll Ghana Limited (BGL), Kofi Ampong in a statement enjoined players in the property industry in the country to put safety measures in place to ensure   that their buildings were safe for habitation.     BGL, jointly owned by Broll South Africa, SIC and SSNIT, is a leading property management services company in the country.   The company manages high rise buildings in Accra and Tema and Takoradi with the intention of expanding to Kumasi.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) and the Asongtaba Cottage Industries (ACI) have graduated trainee hairdressers and dressmakers at a ceremony in Accra. The grandaunts numbering 3,629 were made up of 2,486 dressmakers and 1,143 hairdressers were trained in ways to establish sustainable businesses and how to provide direct and auxiliary employment assistance to others. Mr Abuga Pele, Executive Director of GYEEDA in a speech read on his behalf, said in propelling the agenda for youth entrepreneurship, steps have been initiated to harness the immense benefits of Public Private Partnership towards solving the youth unemployment situation in the country. He said several initiatives are being implemented jointly with private and non-Governmental institutions such as Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Youth Enterprises and Skills Development Center (YESDEC), RLG Communications and Asontagtaba Cottage Industries. Mr Pele said the World Bank had agreed to finance a programme, “Youth Enterprise Project”, which would bring together youth groups and individuals who have brilliant business ideas and proposals to be supported and mentored as they grow their businesses into sustainable ventures. Mr Issac Vanderpuye, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, said Government was progressing in its effort to provide jobs and training to the youth. He said Government was aware of her responsibility to provide basic skills to the youth of the country and cautioned the beneficiaries of the training to be responsible citizens by paying their taxes to their various assemblies. Mr Vanderpuye assured managers of the programme of the Regional Coordinating Council commitment and support as they seek to improve the lot of others. Mr Henry Kangah, Executive Director of ACI, said government sees the development of the youth as vital as they are a rich resource base and with the right training can make a positive contribution to the economic development of the nation. He said this can be realized through a well defined public-private partnership which has been exemplified in the relationship between government and GYEEDA. Mr Kangah said Asongtaba through the partnership was facilitating the training of the youth in various vocations with the overall goal of making them economic independent and socially proactive. The Chairman of the occasion was Nii Nortey Owuo III, Osu Mantse and President of the Osu Traditional Council.   GNA ...

Akyem Ofoase (E/R), Nov. 20, GNA - Mr David Oppon-Kusi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase-Ayirebi, on Tuesday donated a motor bike to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at the Akyemmansa District. Making the donation, Mr Oppon-Kusi said earlier in the year, he had donated five of such motor bikes to the Ofoase District Police Command as the constituency was one of the most deprived in the country. The challenges of the area include poor road networks which made access to the various communities very difficult, said the New Patriotic Party MP who is seeking re-election for a third term in office. He said most of the decentralized agencies and departments in the constituency were under resourced and hoped that his little contribution to the two institutions would help them to perform their duties effectively. Mr Oppon-Kusi said since becoming MP for the area, he had done a lot for his people, especially in the area of education by offering a number of scholarships to students in both Junior and Senior High Schools. He said he had also lobbied for electricity to the Constituency and was hopeful that when given the mandate again to represent his people he could do a lot more for them. Mr Opong-Kusi appealed to his constituents to vote massively to retain him as their MP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, flag bearer of the NPP, in the December polls. The District Director of the NCCE, Mr Daniel Chartey, said the donation had come at the right time since his outfit needed to be mobile in order to go about their activities in preparation for the upcoming polls.     GNA ...

Akyem Afosu (E/R), Nov. 20 GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, has appealed to voters in New Abirem to vote for Ms. Mavis Ama Frimpong, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate in the area. Mr Ofosu- Ampofo made the appeal during the campaign lunch of Ms Frimpong at Akyem Afosu. Ms Frimpong, who holds a Masters Degree in Public Health (MBH) from the University of Ghana Legon, is a Public Health Technical Professional and Development Expect and a Researcher. Until her appointment as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for New Abirem over a year ago, she worked with a Colombia University Earth Institute Centre for West and Central Africa as the Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health Advisor. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said Ms Frimpong was well poised to snatch the seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in order to bring development to the constituency. The Eastern Regional Organizer of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampo, appealed to the people to reject the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) as she has achieved little for the area and that the time had come for the electorate to vote for someone like Ms Frimpong who could serve their interest in Parliament better. Ms Frimpong on her part said she was humbled by the massive show of support by the people and pleaded that they translate that into voting on December 07 in order to accelerate the pace of development in the Constituency. She said under the “Better Ghana Initiated Project” she had ensured the establishment of a District Magistrate Court at New Abirem to prevent litigants from travelling to Akyem, Ofoase or the Nkawkaw Courts for hearing of their cases.   GNA ...

Mpraeso (E/R), Nov. 20 GNA - Mr Kwadwo Sarfo- Katanka, the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), has said political party agents should be blamed for the high rate of the registration of minors in the voters register. He said party agents were sent to the registration centres among other things to monitor the process and their failure to challenge minors when they were being registered should be a concern to all. Mr Sarfo Katanka said even though the biometric registration exercise was a good one, all Ghanaians should have been vigilant and cooperate with all stakeholders to challenge the registration of minors in the registration and exhibition exercise for the country to produce one of the best voter registers for the country. He said this when addressing Parliamentary candidates, electoral officers and the media from 10 constituencies in the Northern part of the Eastern Region at a day’s dialogue at Mpraeso on Tuesday. The dialogue was to enhance collaboration between the candidates, the EC and other stakeholders to ensure credible election in the constituency. The constituencies included Atiwa East and West Fanteakwa, Afram Plains North and South, Nkawkaw, Mpraeso, Abetifi and New Abirem. Mr Sarfo-Katanka said the biometric registration had detected multiple registration and other malpractices as the people failed to challenge the registration of minors during the exercise throughout the country. He warned that any minor who would try to vote during the December polls would be arrested and prosecuted. Mr Katanka said a little over 14 million voters had been registered in about 26,000 polling stations throughout the country for the polls. He advised the district and municipal electoral officers to educate the electoral officials who would be recruited for the elections to abide by the rules and regulations to ensure free, fair and credible election. Mr Samuel York Aidoo, a Director of Finance of the EC, urged all stakeholders to develop a keen interest in activities of the EC for them to understand the challenges and other technicalities of their operation. He said copies of the voters register were being printed for distribution to all the political parties before the election. The Eastern Regional Electoral Officer, Mr Paul Boateng, said the achievement of a credible general election for the country would be the responsibility of all stakeholders in the electoral process.   GNA ...

Atebubu (B/A), Nov. 20, GNA - The Atebubu-Amantin District in Brong-Ahafo Region has raised GH¢244,590.13 out of its estimated Internally Generated Fund of GH¢401,380 for 2012. The amount realised by the end of October, represented 61 per cent of the estimates,  Mr Sanja Nanja, Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive who announced this at the Third Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly at Atebubu. He expressed optimism that management would welcome any measures for revenue mobilisation and implored members to explore all possibilities to assist the assembly in that regard. Mr Nanja said the allegation that the School Feeding Programme was collapsing in the district “was totally false” as it had rather expanded from 20,628 to include 23,122 pupils. He said the district had remained calm and relatively peaceful for the past four years but noted that the impasse between the Krontire Royal Family and the Atebubu Traditional Council as well as that of Amantinhene and Amantinhemaa remained unsolved despite combined efforts by the District Security Council and Regional Security Council. Mr Nanja said a major security achievement in the area now was the reduction of political tension during an election year because the district had always been characterised by chaos during campaigns by political parties. He announced that the district had qualified for GHȼ904,000 under the District Development Facility (DDF) based on Functional Organisational Assessment Tool (FOAT) for 2010 to finance some developmental projects in the area.        GNA ...

Nyinahin (Ash), Nov. 20, GNA – The Atwima-Mponua District Office of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE),  has organised a peace walk at Nyinahin to draw attention to the need for political accommodation as the nation inch towards December 7polls.         It brought together members of the various political parties, civil society and youth associations.         They held placards with messages such as “We have done it before, let us do it again,” “Your actions on December 7 will make or unmake Ghana,” and “We need peace not war.”         Addressing the marchers, Nana Agyemang Gyasi, District Director of the NCCE, urged politicians to ensure responsible conduct by using decent language on the campaign platform.   He asked them to avoid inciting their supporters to violence.      Nana Gyasi asked voters to comport themselves at the polling centres to make the exercise smooth and peaceful.      Deputy Superintendent of Police Ernest Fosu, District Police Commander, assured the people of adequate security protection on the day of the elections.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 20, GNA - Dr Clement Apaak, Convener, Forum for Governance and Justice, said the country needed to maintain peace, unity and stability during and after the December polls to ensure the achievement of her democratic and development aspirations.   “As far as I can tell, without peace, unity and stability, all our dreams, our wishes, our desires, our hopes, our aspirations both personal and as enshrined in our Constitution, even loudly espoused by political parties and their candidates, will never see the light of day,” he said.   He said democracy could not be practiced in an atmosphere of violence and instability and the best way to cherish it was to maintain peace, unity and stability enshrined in our Constitution.   Dr Apaak was a addressing a press conference in Tamale on Tuesday as part of activities of the Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) to sensitized the public on the need for peace in the country which would influence the growth of our democratic culture, social transformation and the delivery of justice.   He said the forum harnessed the expertise and experience of its members to think through matters that concerned governance, human rights and respect for the rule of law.   He said peace had always been among humanity's highest values and the most supreme for some, adding that the most popular view of peace is as an absence of dissension, violence and war.   Dr Apaak said: “Without peace, unity and stability, we cannot uphold our constitution, the basis for our democracy, including the right to vote…our natural and inalienable right to establish a framework of government, which shall secure for ourselves and posterity the blessings of liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity”.   He appealed to all political parties to be national in character and free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character.   Mr Amadu Issahaku, Northern Regional Population Officer, said peace was cardinal for the coming elections and advised politicians who incited the youth to cause violence to stop that practice.    GNA ...

  Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - Nine Ghanaian teenagers have been named among the final 33 successful candidates for the Glo Soccer Academy reality show after going through the second phase of screening in Lagos, Nigeria, last week.     The selected candidates who will join other teenagers from Republic of Benin and Nigeria include; Davis Abagana (14), Samuel Opoku Mensah (14) Abaa Daniel (17), Aminu Murtala (16), Princewilll Owhormeji (14), Annan Klinsmann (15), Charles Addai Danquah (17), Bismarck Larbi (16) and Collins Asare (17), were shortlisted from  a pool of 52 players selected from the three countries.   A statement from the Public Relations outfit of Glo Ghana Limited, said the nine Ghanaians qualified along 24 other nationals.   It said four of the candidates were from the Republic of Benin with the remaining 20 coming from Nigeria.   According to the statement, six of the selected Ghanaian players were midfielders while three were defenders.   The statement however noted that, the selected 33 candidates include; three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 18 midfielders and four strikers.   They are expected to camp for one month in Lagos, after which a final squad of 16 players will be selected to form " the Glo Dream Team” and which they will be flown to Manchester for a training tour with the Manchester United Soccer School.   One of the final 16 finalists will eventually emerge as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), with an ultimate prize of GH¢60,000, with 15 other players receiving GH¢12,000 each along with separate academic scholarships and qualification to become Glo Ambassadors.   The Glo Soccer Academy, the biggest soccer reality show and talent hunt in the sub region, started with a six week-long international screening campaign in Kumasi, Ghana, through Benin and ended in Lagos with the selection of 52 male youth from the three countries.    Globacom, the African communications giant launched Glo Soccer Academy in September this year to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young, untapped soccer talents to kick-start their careers in professional football.   GNA...

Asuom (ER) Nov. 20 GNA-Prophet Samuel Kwesi Twumasi, the Founder and General Overseer of the Faith in God Healing Church (FGHC), has appealed to politicians to put “Ghana first” in the course of their campaigns such that their utterances would not plunge the country into chaos before, during, and after the December polls.      He made the appeal at the head quarters of the church at Akyem Asuom in the Kwaebibirem District during the one year anniversary celebration and three days Christmas Convention of the Church.      It was under the theme “Glorifying God for peace in election 2012” and was attended by members from 21 branches of the church.       Prophet Twumasi noted that each of the candidates contesting for the various positions was qualified and appealed to those who would be defeated to accept the results in good faith.      Lamenting on devastating effects of wars and chaos as a result of upheavals, Prophet Twumasi said people would not have the freedom to worship their God if war should break out.      He therefore urged pastors to go on their knees every day for God’s divine intervention and favour for every form of tension to go down and allow peace to prevail.      Prophet Twumasi said religious leaders owed it as a duty to be bold and bring to order any politician who in his quest to win political power would either stand on the platform or use the mass media to plunge Ghana into confusion.      “Whether that person is from Government or in opposition, it is our responsibility as men of God to have courage to condemn the person or prosperity will not forgive us” Prophet Twumasi stressed.      Ghanaian politicians and supporters he emphasized ought to be circumspect in their utterances and put Ghana first since they cannot rule Ghana and its people in the midst of war.      A leader and Head Prophet of Christ Faith Word Church International at Nazareth, Akroso, Prophet Nana Kusi Afram Tawiah ll, cautioned men of God to refrain from engaging in partisan politics since taking the stand could land their own churches into confusion.     He rather advised religious leaders to concentrate in preaching the word of God and pray for national cohesion and peace at all times.   GNA...