Cape Coast, Jan. 17, GNA - Eleven out of the fifteen survivors of the Eduagyei accident that claimed four lives including a toddler, on Thursday morning have been treated and discharged from the Central Regional Hospital.The remaining four still on admission at the health facility are in a relatively stable condition and responding to treatment.Dr Maame Efua Sam-Kwakye, Medical Officer on duty, told Ghana News Agency that those who were discharged suffered minor injuries and fractures and therefore were able to go home after medical attention.Dr Daniel Asare, Director of the Hospital, called on National Road Safety Commission, Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of Ghana Police Service and other agencies responsible for safety on the roads to step up their efforts to ensure that the road carnage is reduced.Meanwhile three bodies of the fatal accident including the toddler, deposited at the hospital’s morgue have been identified.The accident occurred at Eduagyei near Ataabadze in the Region when a VVIP King Long bus heading towards Takoradi skidded off the road and landed in a ditch in an attempt to prevent a collision with an articulated truck from the opposite direction.GNA

Bolgatanga, Jan. 18, GNA - Mr Edward Ayagle, Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said on Friday that the Assembly had put in place prudent and workable fiscal strategies to improve upon revenue mobilisation.The measures include instituting legal action against property owners who are indebted to the Assembly.The MCE told Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga that the Assembly netted GH¢200,000 from fees collected as property rates in the Municipality in 2013, which was far below the estimated target of GH¢300,000.He attributed the inability of the Assembly to meet its revenue target to failure of some property owners to pay property rates.Mr Ayagle said the Assembly used sensitisation and public education as strategies to improve the current situation.He said the Assembly would update records on properties in the Municipality.Mr Mustapha Adam, Budget Officer of the Assembly, said his office is confronted with challenges such as the demarcation of properties due to the increasing number of estates and commercial developments.He indicated that the first valuation by the Assembly was conducted in 1997 and updated in 2010 compelling it to generate low income on property rates.Mr Adams said the Assembly had set its property rate collection target for this year to GH¢360,000.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - The local Black Stars relinquished an early lead to draw one all with Libya in a second Group C match of the Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) tourney at the Free State Stadium, South Africa on Friday.Ghana, needing all three points to book a place in the last eight were put ahead by Yahaya Mohammed with a fine header in five minutes only for Libya to pull parity in the second half through Faisal Ali’s penalty.The Stars began well despite the glaring frailties in defence with one of their many moves upfront giving birth to Mohammed goal.The Kotoko midfielder had an opportunity to grab a brace two minutes after sending Ghana ahead only to miss narrowly from a close range.The Mediterranean knights proved an improved side from recess and were unlucky not to have levelled after several invasion into the Ghanaians' final third. In the 53rd minute, Elmutasem Abushnaf scored what was to be an equaliser only to have his effort ruled out.Ali however equalised in the 72nd minute, from the penalty after the Stars' Nuru Sulley fouled Mohamed Ghanudi inside the18 yard box.Stars' goalkeeper Stephan Adams made a quick double save minutes on to deny Mohamed Elgadi and Mohamed Ghanudi from gifting Libya the maximum points. The North Africans top Group C with a goal difference ahead of Ghana.Line-upGhana: Stephen Adams, Kwabena Adusei, Nuru Sulley, Joshua Tijani, Godfred Saka, Michael Akuffo, Jordan Opoku, Richard Mpong, Theophilus Anoorbah (Mohammed Abdul Latif 55’), Yahaya Mohammed ( Paul Asare), Sulley Mohammed (Kennedy Boateng ).GNA

Yendi (NR) Jan. 17, GNA - The Dagbon Traditional Council in collaboration with the Yendi Municipal Assembly, has allocated two acres of land to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) for the construction of an office in Yendi.The project, when completed would serve Yendi Municipality, Zabzugu, Tatale, Gushegu, Karaga, Saboba, Mion, Kpandai, Nanumba North and Nanumba South Districts within the Eastern corridor, who hitherto had to travel to Tamale for vehicle related registration issues.Kapamkuya Na Yakubu Abdulai Andani, Regent of Dagbon announced this in Yendi on Friday when an eight- member board of the DVLA from Accra paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi.He said the project was nurtured in 2013 after a number of consultations involving the Traditional Council, the Municipal Assembly and the Yendi Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union of the Trades Union Congress and Reverend Bernard Oduro-Twum, Northern Regional Manager of DVLA.Brigadier General Ishmael Ben Quartey, Board Chairman of DVLA said the Authority looks for well documented lands before they could build their offices to avoid litigation.Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwubutoge Awuni, Director of Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of Ghana Police Service, commended the Regent and the people of Yendi for the prevailing peace in the area.He said peace had attracted a number of development projects.ACP Awuni who is a Board Member of the DVLA appealed to the Regent to educate the youth to ensure that they celebrate the impending Damba festival peacefully to disabuse the minds of many who perceived Damba to be associated with violence.Mr Issah Zakaria, Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, proposed that a temporal office for the DVLA should be opened at the Public Works Department yard until the project is completed.GNA

Wamfie, (B/A) Jan. 17, GNA – Mr Frank Kumi, the President’s nominee as Dormaa East District Chief Executive (DCE), was on Friday confirmed by the assembly.He polled 29 votes representing 100 per cent of the valid votes cast in an election conducted and supervised by the Electoral Commission at Wamfie. Two of the 31- member assembly were absent.Mr Kumi thanked the assembly members for his confirmation and asked them to team up with him for the socio-economic development of the area.The DCE said his doors are open for advice and suggestions that would help facilitate the speedy development of the district.He asked the assembly members to offer constrictive criticism and avoid divisive tendencies that could draw back development.Addressing the assembly members prior to the elections, amidst intense security, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister said the failure to confirm the DCE would stall development.He charged the assembly members to guard against partisan politics in the assembly’s proceedings and asked the DCE to work in unity with all the assembly members.Voting to elect the Presiding Member of the assembly was however postponed.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - Preliminary data released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has confirmed that 2013 was the safest year ever recorded in terms of fatalities for scheduled international air transport operations.Although the number of fatal accidents involving scheduled commercial operations remained steady at nine during 2013, fatalities were down at a significant 53.5 per cent from 2012, dropping to only 173 compared to 372 the previous year.The report which was made available to the Ghana News Agency on Friday by Sue-Ann Rapattoni, ICAO Communications Associate, noted that using 2010 as a baseline, fatalities had fallen by a whopping 76 per cent and 2013 represents the third consecutive year in which air transport fatalities have continued to decrease.“These results are no surprise given the level of commitment our sector demonstrates, year-in and year-out, to improving the safety of the global air transport network,” remarked ICAO Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin.“Recent years have seen a tremendous increase in the level of cooperation and partnership on aviation safety priorities and we are now seeing the fruits of these efforts borne out by these remarkable 2013 outcomes.” The report said using ICAO Regional Aviation Safety Group areas of responsibility as a basis for comparison, the Middle East had no fatal accidents, Africa and the Asia/Pacific each had one, Europe had two, and the Americas saw the highest number with a total of five fatal accidents in 2013.It also noted that, of the nine total fatal accidents worldwide, seven occurred during the approach or go-around phases of flight.“Safety is ICAO’s guiding and most fundamental Strategic Objective,” stressed Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council.“ICAO, together with a wide range of partnering organisations who are contributing to our cooperative international safety programmes, will continue to coordinate the investment and collaboration needed to ensure that air transport remains the safest means of rapidly moving people and goods worldwide.”GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - National Security Council investigations revealed that no gold left the shores of Ghana as purported in a section of the media in December 2012.Mr Marcus Awelinga of the National Security Council told a news conference in Accra said there were speculations that an aircraft carrying 1.5 tonnes of gold was detained in Turkey due to the crew’s inability to produce valid document on the cargo.He said the aircraft originated from Kotoka International Airport (KIA) at 2220 hours on December 31, 2012 with what was believed to be gold bars on board.Mr Awelinga said the aircraft arrived in Ghana at 1235 hours on December 29, 2012 from Tripoli with the declared purpose of picking up gold bars.He said findings from the investigations revealed that the aircraft (Airbus-300-B4F) was a ULS airline cargo plane with registration number TCABK and not a Turkish cargo aircraft as earlier publicised.Mr Awelinga said the supposed gold was supplied by Omanye Gold Mining Limited (OGML).He said according to Isaac Anakwa Asante, Head of Operations of Aviation Handling Services, the company which handled the aircraft at KIA, when he boarded the aircraft to receive the crew, he sighted only empty pallets on board.He said further investigations gathered at the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), revealed that OGML is a registered entity with registration number CA-98,960, incorporated on December 9, 2011 and commenced business on December 22, 2011.Mr Awelinga said OGML is operating from a house at Tantra Hill in Achimota, a suburb of Accra, without visible signs of a corporate entity, as stipulated by the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179).He said records at the RGD listed the directors of OGML as Frederick Kojo Essumang and Peter Kofi Bedzra, authorised to operate as mining and dealing in export of precious minerals.Mr Awelinga said on December 31, 2012, during the pre-departure formalities, Mr Asante claimed that 15 boxes, all similar in size to an A4 sheet box containing gold bars were opened for inspection in the presence of personnel of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the National Security Council Secretariat whose names he did not know.He said the cargo got to the scanner which is operated by NICK TC SCAN Limited at 1841 hours of December 31, 2012 and was scanned at 1845 hours as was recorded on the console worksheet with serial number of 29.Mr Awelinga said the Akosua Soma Adom, Manager of the Scanner said the result of the analysis was ‘normal’ because the result of the analysis of the image was in tune with the description of the cargo as stated on the instructions for Despatch of Goods (IDG) form.He said on the IDG form, the description of the cargo was ‘mineral samples’ and the weight of 1.500 kg/1.5 tonnes.Mr Awelinga said Mr Bedzra, now deceased, Director of OMGL who was spoken to admitted that they supplied gold bars, which were loaded from the KIA.He said checks traced the consignment to the Aviance Cargo Section where it had been returned to sender from Dubai found to be specially sealed by Emirates Industrial Laboratory, the company that conducted the testing.Mr Awelinga said accompanying documents indicated that the 30 boxes of what was believed to be gold rather comprised of zinc; 0.468 per cent, tin, 1.24 per cent, lead; 0.310 per cent, iron; 0.326 per cent, silicon; 0.101 per cent, copper; 0.644 per cent, aluminium; 0.031 per cent, gold; 0.25 per cent and nickel, 96.13.Mr John Agyei Duodu Director at the Geological Survey Department said his outfit only carried out laboratory analysis on mineral samples and not on gold bars.He said the department only received a “request for approval” from OMGL “to export mineral samples to Mr Vahid Moradi Moghddam to Swift Investment and Development Co. Ltd DMCC Branch, Transguard Code DSS 898 Suite 910 Business Ave BLD, (ETIHAD) Road, Deira-Dubai-UAE”.GNA

Accra, Jan 17, GNA - Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the ministry is aimed at promoting coordination in the implementation of interventions to prevent and prosecute offenders who perpetuate gender-based violence.“The ministry will also rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors into the society”, she added.The minister made the remarks during a New Year get- together on Friday for staff of the ministry.She said the ministry would also facilitate the enactment of the human trafficking and domestic violence regulations, implementation of the National Plan of Actions for Domestic Violence (DV) and Human Trafficking (HT), as well as operationalisation of the HT and DV rapid response teams.“Providing professional psychosocial support for HT and DV victims and operationalise the HT and DV funds is another goal the gender ministry intends to achieve.”Nana Oye Lithur said: “I am therefore confident that our Ministry will evolve to be the people’s Ministry because we are collectively resolved to deliver on our mandate to impact the lives we are responsible for,” she said.She tasked workers of the ministry to discharge their responsibilities with high level of dedication and professionalism to leave a mark.Mrs Gifty Afenyi- Dadzie, National Prayer Director of AGLOW advised staff of the ministry to join the change crusade and build Ghana.She called for team work spirit amongst the workers as they rally behind the minister not only to achieve their set goals but to work towards the mandate of Ghana’s developmental goals."Your Ministry is the pivot of Ghana’s developmental agenda so I challenge you to play your advocacy role to help in the nation’s progress,” she said.Mr Kwesi Armo- Himbson, Chief Director of the ministry said before the goals set out for the year could be achieved, members would be compelled to work as a team.“Everybody’s contribution is needed to make the ministry carry out its set mandate”, he added.GNA

Akim Swedru (E/R), Jan. 17, GNA – A 19-year-old unemployed who stole an electric motor valued GH¢ 2,500 has been jailed for three years, by a circuit court at Akim Swedru in the Birim South District.Rockson Kofi was jailed on his own plea of guilty to unlawful entry and stealing.He will serve one year prison term on count one and a three years on count two, in hard labour. The sentences run concurrently.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Kingsley Kwaku Antwi told the court presided over by Mr Yaw Atta Sampong that Mr Alex Kwadwo Asiedu, the complainant, is the Senior Security Officer at the Akim Oda Sawmills Company Limited, while Kofi lives at Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality.The prosecutor stated that the company detected rampant theft in its yard and that on September 3, 2013, while Mr Asiedu and other security officers were at post they saw Kofi carrying something in a sack and running away.Chief Inspector Antwi said the security officers arrested the convict and handed him over to the police and when the sack was opened, the company’s electric motor was found.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA – The GREAT Partnership, a UK-based think tank, has slammed the verdict that described as lawful the killing of an unarmed Mark Duggan, 29 in the UK.The verdict drew angry protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after a jury said Duggan had been lawfully killed by police.His shooting by police in north London in 2011, triggered days of riots across England.A statement issued by Dr Koku Adomdza, President and Senior Fellow of the GREAT Trust Partnership in the UK and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra, said: “After a period of calm reflection and the peaceful vigil in the wake of the Jury’s Majority Verdict of Lawful Killing of late Mark Duggan, the GREAT Partnership calls for support of the Duggan Family to exhaust every legal avenue available to them.”This, the think tank said should include a special budget for legal fees, a review by Parliament of the tests for lawful killing and for the Police to review their specialist training for its firearms-bearing personnel.Dr Adomdza called on the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to conduct a detailed investigation into the full circumstances of police activity that culminated in the killing of Duggan, to enable the family to seek justice to the highest echelon of the British Judicial System and when possible to the European Courts of Human Rights.“We consider it strange that the jury would arrive at a verdict of lawful killing when the victim was unarmed at the time of his killing and would expect that the IPCC would fully investigate and establish what went wrong.“We are alarmed that the verdict of lawful killing sets a very dangerous precedent both in law and for policing, where the shooting of an unarmed civilian by police could result in such a bizarre verdict...“We are concerned about the far-reaching implications of this lawful verdict for Community-Police and Police-Race Relations, especially given the history of unfavourable Community-Police Relations in Tottenham and Police-Race Relations in London, England and the United Kingdom,” he said.Dr Adomdza said for the court to say that Mr Duggan had no gun in his hand and yet conclude that he was lawfully killed shows that there is something wrong with the law which must be reviewed and changed or... there were some inexplicable dynamics within the jury unknown to the public.“Mr Mark Duggan’s tragic killing should not be in vain. There is no doubt that the IPCC, the police, local politicians and community leaders have a lot of work to do, worth discharging for the peace and wellbeing of the resident of Tottenham, London, England and the UK generally.”He said the high profile case raises the spectre of the credibility of the British Jury System, which is meant to enhance the discharge of justice by the British Courts.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - The Minister for the Interior has, on the advice of the Volta Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument, renewed the curfew imposed on the Alavanyo and Nkonya Township with effect from Friday, January 17.A release signed by the Minister, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, on Friday said the curfew hours remained from 8:00pm to 5:00am.Government continues to urge the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and the people of Alavanyo and Nkonya to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and use non-violent means to resolve conflicts and differences.“Meanwhile, Government will like to reiterate that there is a ban on all persons in the two towns and its environs from carrying arms, ammunitions or any offensive weapon,” the release said.It said any person found with any arms or ammunition would be arrested and prosecuted.GNA

Beahu (W/R), Jan.17, GNA - Cocoa loading boys at the Cocoa Marketing Company warehouse at Beahu, near Apowa, in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region have finally resumed work.The aggrieved cocoa couriers stopped work about two weeks ago in protest over low wages and poor working conditions.Mauvi Mawuto, spokesperson of the workers, told the media in Takoradi on Friday that they resumed work on Thursday, January 16.He said Mr Stephen Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, held a meeting with the aggrieved workers and had agreed to increase each bag of cocoa offloaded from 10 pesewas to 30 pesewas.The CEO of COCOBOD also agreed to impress upon the contractors who employed the cocoa porters to register them under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust and the National Health Insurance Scheme, Mr Mawuto said.In addition, COCOBOD had assured them of potable water and a vehicle to convey cocoa porters to and from the Commodity Village warehousing facility at Beahu every day.The cocoa couriers are made up of gangs of sixteen and each gang offloaded 2,880 bags of cocoa from the haulage trucks to the warehouse every day.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA - A market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency in various parts of Accra on Friday showed that prices of most commodities remained unchanged despite the fuel price increase announced on Thursday, January 16, 2014.This trend was explained by the fact that so far, the cost of transportation had generally remained unchanged.At the Osu Night Market, most food commodities continued to maintain the old prices.Maize sold at GH¢2.50p "Olonka" tin measure while a small bottle of palm oil is also sold at GH¢2.00, with the big bottle selling at GH¢7.00.An olonka of fresh palm-nut was sold at Gh¢3.00, four fingers of plantain for GH¢4.00, two tubers of cassava for GH¢2.00 and four tubers of cocoyam also went for GH¢5.00.According to Mrs. Esther Aryeh, a trader at the market, “Petrol is very essential in every social activity and therefore the increase would affect cost of the food stuffs when transport charges go up soon".Commodity prices at Nima market also remained the same on Friday as compared to last week, the GNA survey revealed. For instance, the price of an “olonka” of dried pepper remained stable at GH¢10.00 over the past week.An olonka of 'gari' went for GH¢3.50p, while an olonka of beans sold at GH¢5.50P and the same measure of maize remained at GH¢2.40P.An olonka of wheat was sold for GH¢ 9.00; with local rice going for GH¢ 8.00. A bowl of tomatoes (Navrongo variety) sold at GH¢ 6.00 on Friday while onion sold for GH¢7.00. Five fingers of plantain sold at GH¢ 2.00 while a tuber of yam went for GH¢3, GH¢4, and GH¢5 depending on the size. An olonka of local rice sold at GH¢ 8.At the Makola market in Accra, foodstuff prices also remained unchanged on Friday compared to last week.Prices of items such as gari, yam, palmnut and maize have maintained the same level as last week. Auntie Naana Kumiwaa, a trader, said an olonka of gari sold at Gh¢4.50 for the past week.A big sized tuber of yam sold at Ghc4, the same as last week. An olonka of palmnut still cost Gh¢ 3.00, while that of maize which went for Gh¢ 2.50 last week still sold at the same price on Friday.At the Madina Market the prices of foodstuffs showed the same trend as in the other centres. An olonka of millet sold at GH¢3. 50p and maize for GH¢ 3.00, the same as last week.The price of an olonka of groundnut which was sold at GH¢ 10.00 last week remained the same on Friday. Four fingers of plantain which went for GH¢ 2.00 last week, also remained unchanged. Other market centres including Tema Station in Accra, and the La Mini market reflected the same trend. Prices of millet, beans, yam, groundnut, maize, garden eggs, tomatoes and okra were generally stable on Friday relative to last week's prices.However, the prices of some commodities at La mini market showed a slight upward movement as at Friday.The prices of beans, yam, smoked fish, palm nut oil, vegetable oil, fresh palm nut and plantain had witnessed a marginal increase over the past week.Madam Mary Addo, a plantain seller at the market said the cost of five fingers of plantain had gone up to GH¢ 3 from its initial price of Gh¢ 2.00.An Olonka of garden eggs which sold at Gh¢5.00 the previous week had increased to Gh¢ 6.00 A gallon of vegetable oil which sold at Gh¢ 7.80 had also gone up to Gh¢ 8.00, while the mini-gallon of palm oil which was sold at Gh¢ 18 the previous week had gone up to Gh¢ 20.00 as at Friday.Similarly, the prices of yam.smoked fish (salmon), tomatoes and onions witnessed slight upward movements as at Friday, the survey maintained.Mary Kottey, a palm nut seller said the prices of both the local and hybrid palm nut fruits had moved from Gh¢4.00 to Gh¢ 5.00 in the past week.An olonka of tomatoes which went for Gh¢9.00 the previous week had increased to Gh¢ 10.00 on Friday, whiles an olanka of onion went up from Gh¢7.00 last week to Gh¢ 8.00 as at Friday.GNA

Accra, Jan 17, GNA – The Armed Forces Children Association of Ghana (AFCAG) on Friday appealed for support for all children, especially the less-privileged, to enable them to develop to their full potential.Mrs Marina Kingsley-Nyinah, AFCAG President, said the era of depending on government to provide the needs of children, particularly those living in orphanages, was over and, therefore, urged Ghanaians to support orphanages to ensure that the needs of the children were provided.She said children, as future leaders, needed education and better nutrition in order to develop their fullest potential and to be adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.Mrs Kingsley-Nyinah made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency during a donation to the Veteran Association of Ghana for subsequent distribution to the Veterans Children’s Village and other orphanages in the country.She said the AFCAG was made up of children of both serving and retired officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and aimed at helping to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged children in society.She said children had potentials which had to be unearthed and harnessed for the nation’s development and urged parents not to neglect their children but to give them the needed support.“You don’t have to be rich before you can give your children the support they need,” she said, and advised parents to be good role models to their children at all times.Mrs Kingsley-Nyinah appealed to the media to be mindful of the content of their programmes which might have grievous impact on the lives of children.She said the media must also provide an educative platform to help children in their studies.She bemoaned the politics of insults on the airwaves, saying “it does not provide good examples for children to learn from”.She lauded the efforts by the Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council for the re-sit opportunities starting 2015 for Basic Education Certificate Examinations candidates who could not make it at the first attempt.GNA

Accra, Jan 17, GNA - The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) on Friday provided assorted vocational training tools to the Mampong Akuapem Senior High Technical School for the Deaf to reinforce its skills training.The donation made up of Sewing machines, two welding machines and helmets, five hair dryers, and a box of carpentry tools including its accessories were presented to staff of the school in Accra.Mr Yaw Offori-Debrah, GFD President, said the items had been donated to the Federation by Mrs Rebecca Akuffo-Addo, wife of former New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo.But the Federation was happy to share with an institution engaged in offering skills training to empower younger ones for improved economic lives, he said.He expressed the hope that beneficiaries would put the tools into efficient use for their upkeep and become self-dependent to contribute meaningfully to their communities.Receiving the items, Mr Nathan Pecku, Headmaster of the school observed that the school was a gateway to the world of work but had been neglected in many ways, reducing it to depending largely on donations.He said the school, with a population of 352, lacked operational tools and store, and appealed to individuals and organisations to support it.The current rental premises were meant to house 70 students, however, the number has grown astronomically over the years. Last year, the school was threatened with an ejection notice prompting individuals and organisations to move swiftly to assist it.Mr Pecku said the school is faced with numerous challenges; untimely release of feeding grants, lack of stores and overcrowding in classrooms and dormitories among others.He called on the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to act swiftly to relocate the school and equip it with the requisite machines.GNA

Adidome (V/R), Jan. 17, GNA - Women in the Central-Tongu District have been urged to use the new female condom as it enables them to be in charge of their reproductive health.“The male condom is popular and widely used but we believe the new female condom will soon overtake it,” Dr Winfred Ofosu, Deputy Volta Regional Director of Public Health, said at the launch of the female condom at Adidome in the Volta Region on Thursday.The female condom and male condom are, however, not to be used at the same time during sexual intercourse.It is alleged that some men often punched holes in the male condoms and succeeded in impregnating their partners or infecting them with sexually transmitted diseases.Dr Ofosu said like the male condom, the female condom is pre-lubricated and made of strong soft rubber and works by lining the vagina to create a barrier against pregnancy and germs that caused sexually transmitted infections.He said the condom had a small ring at its base and a larger ring at its opening and encased in a lubricated rubber which is much larger than the male condom.Before the packet is opened it must be squeezed gently between a clean palm and fingers and torn gently from the point of blue arrow at the top right corner.Dr Ofosu said: “The smaller ring at the base of the condom must be squeezed into an eight-shape using the thumb and the fore finger and inserted into the vagina with the larger outer ring placed well over the outer skin of the vagina.”After each round of sex the opening of the condom is closed by being twisted and gently pulled out of the vagina to prevent the spillage of semen.A fresh condom must be used during each round of sex.Ms Justine Alornyo, Central Tongu District Director of Health, said: “Women let us take charge of our lives and have the number of children we want at the right time”.Each female condom sells at three pesewas.GNA

Accra, Jan 17, GNA -The Accra Polytechnic on Friday held its 21st Matriculation ceremony to admit 3,454 fresh students into various programmes offered by the institution for the 2013/2014 academic year.The Matriculants were introduced by the Deans of the various schools run by the Institutions to the Registrar of the Accra Polytechnic, Mrs Rita Kaine, who in turn led them to swear the Matriculation Oath and Declaration of Obedience.The students were further led by the Registrar to sign the covenant of admission, which enjoins each student to be of acceptable behavior, in keeping with good taste and propriety.Professor Sylvester Achio, Rector of the Polytechnic, later made a declaration after receiving the list of freshmen and women from the Registrar, to signify their official admittance to the various programmes that had been awarded them by the Institution.He congratulated the fresh students for turning out in their numbers to grace the occasion, which also symbolised their acceptance as junior members of the Accra Polytechnic.Prof. Achio explained that out of the total number of 6,887 applications received for admissions into the various programmes, only 4,546 applications, representing 66 percent qualified, however the Institution was able to offer admission to 3,454 of the qualified applicants.He further explained that out of the admitted students 1,794 received unconditional admissions, while the remaining 1,660 were based on a conditional term that required a pass in a special three-month access course run by the Polytechnic.The Rector said the Polytechnic operated three major Schools, namely: The School of Business and Management Studies, School of Applied Sciences and Arts and the School of Engineering, with each school having five departments.He said although the Polytechnic’s programmes range from technician certificate, Diploma in Business Studies (DBS), Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Technology (BTECH) degrees, it was in collaboration with other higher educational institution outside the country, as well as local business entities to ensure practical skills training and also to expand its programmes.He indicated that the year’s admissions had been very challenging to the Polytechnics, owing to directives by the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTC) and the National Accreditation Board, to abide strictly by the A1-C6 requirements.According to him, applicants, who met the minimum requirements with aggregate 36 or better in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (WASSCE) and 24 or better in the Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education (SSSCE) with mixed grades of D7 and E8 in any of the three core areas, were not admitted.He however stated that it was after sound arguments put up by the various Rectors and other stakeholders that applicants with the D7 and E8 were admitted on condition that they passed a three-month special access course programme.He therefore advised those applicants to study hard and pass the access course examinations in order to make a stronger case for government to hasten the process of streamlining the admission criteria into the Polytechnics.Prof. Achio also urged the new students to be of good behavior since the Polytechnic would not countenance behaviors such as alcoholism, narcotics, indecent dressing, obscene language and other deviant attitudes and asked them to be humble, respectful, disciplined and ready to accept divergent views of others.He encouraged them to make good use of the facilities provided by the institution to ensure quality returns for the investments being made by their benefactors.Mr Cornelius Dzikunoo, a Member of the Governing Council of the Accra Polytechnic, who represented the Council’s Chairman, Professor Joshua Alabi at the ceremony, congratulated the students and encouraged them to be obedient and respect the school authorities to ensure peaceful co-existence and harmony.GNA

Koforidua, Jan. 17, GNA - Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, the Second Lady, has broken grounds for the construction of a GH¢ 1.5 million cedi Hospice, in Koforidua on Friday to serve as care centre for the terminally ill and the sick in society till their death.The facility which is an initiative of Monsignor Bobby Benson, the founder and Director of the Mathew 25 House, an HIV and AIDS Care center, is the first of its kind in Ghana and the whole sub-region.The Hospice is a Home where sick and dying persons would be cared for in the comfort of caregivers and their relatives creating an environment for solidarity in the end of life so that people irrespective of their backgrounds would die in dignity and peace without the usual emotional pain that both patients and their families go through during those moments.Mrs Amissah-Arthur in an address said the Hospice would in no doubt be of help to many Ghanaians weather rich or poor to care for their dying relatives after they had been discharged from hospitals and women would be the ultimate beneficiaries.She said often people in dying moments were taken care of by women who were wives, sisters or daughters and hoped that people would see the importance of treating their dying relatives in dignity than celebrating their funerals.The 2nd lady said she was touched by the passion of Monsignor Benson when she came into contact with the Mathew 25 House and noticed the sacrificial work of caring for People Living with HIV and AIDS and their children as well those who had been orphaned by the disease.She therefore, called on all Ghanaians to support the programme because it was a worthy cause and hoped that within the shortest time the project would be completed to serve its purpose.The Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Damien Dedzo, extolled the importance of the project, indicating that, ideally it was part of health service delivery but unfortunately Ghana and many parts of Africa lacked it.He therefore commended Monsignor Benson for such a laudable initiative and pledged the full support of the GHS in constructing the project as well as managing it after completion.Most Reverend Joseph Afrifa-Agyekum, Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic Church said the end of life must not always be an experience of pain, fear and anguish but rather be seen as a transition and that could be possible when in that state, there was love and care.Bishop Afrifa-Agyekum said the story of Mathew chapter 25 and that of the Good Samaritan were reference points for every human being to be compassionate to one another and especially Christians and not to neglect relations in pain and suffering.Monsignor Benson said even though the Hospice would be an extension of the Mathew 25 House, where HIV patients and their orphans had received medical care, shelter, food and education for their children over the past ten years, it would serve others suffering from terminal ailments.He urged all Ghanaians to support the project to come to fruition and thanked the Catholic Church for the support, especially the past and present Bishops of Koforidua, the 2nd Lady, who had been a friend of the House and the many organizations and individuals who had supported him all along.During an appeal for fund, the 2nd Lady donated an undisclosed amount with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) supporting with Ghc1,000 and 30 bags of cement, Reverend Father Campbell on behalf of the Christ the King Parish gave Ghc5,000, Antarctic construction Ghc5,000 and the Hospice of the Sea in the USA donated 23,000 US dollars.GNA

Accra, Jan. 16, GNA – The National Theatre of Ghana has been closed temporarily till January 30 for scheduled maintenance works, Mr Welbeck Tamakloe, the Assistant Estate Manager told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday.The minor works would include vacuuming, overhauling, painting and other face-lifting groundwork to keep the facility in good condition.Mr Tamakloe explained that the yearly maintenance would also involve repairing and replacement of old equipment, changing of worn-out carpets and improvement of the interior décor.“Art and entertainment is about creativity and to maintain our accolade as the citadel of theatre, we must always keep the place attractive,” Mr Tamakloe stated.The GNA observed that workers of the theatre were busily scrubbing the floor, servicing machines and clearing the stage.Mr William Ashong, the General Stage Manager said the team was currently cleaning the back stage and will later polish the stage for artistic effect during performances.The National Theatre was built through a technical co-operation Agreement signed on September 18, 1985 in Beijing between the Governments of the Republic of Ghana and the People's Republic of China.The construction of the Theatre was completed on December 20, 1992 and currently houses resident performing companies; namely the National Dance Company, National Theatre Players (Abibigromma) and the National Symphony Orchestra. It also has youth groups such as the Dance Factory, Indigen Afrika and the Vision BandThe elegant and imposing National Theatre has a complicated construction moulding and novel exterior features and has served as an ideal place for events such as Conferences, Seminars, Awards night, Workshops, Artistic Presentations, Receptions, General Meetings, and Parties with an uninterrupted supply of electricity.GNA

Accra, Jan. 17, GNA – Mr David Osafo Adonteng, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) on Friday identified billboards mounted at wrong locations as causes of some major road accidents in the country.He said billboard mounted should not distract a driver or impede the view of pedestrian as well as block directorial signs, traffic signals and other traffic control devices or to obscure information about road alignment.“But unfortunately some of the billboards across the country are mounted without due regard to the law,” Mr Adonteng made this known at a stakeholders meeting organised by NRSC to outline Ghana’s specification for outdoor signs and advertisement in relation to road safety in Accra.The stakeholders included the Ghana Highway Authority, Ghana Advertisers Association, Department of Urban Roads, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Safety Ghana, Road Safety Advocates and the Ghana Standard Authority.Mr Adonteng said billboards must be designed to ensure that roadside advertising does not create a road safety hazard or confuse drivers in any road environment, or compromise bicycle and pedestrian safety.He said billboard must not be in a position that has the potential to give incorrect information on road alignment.He said NRSC would in June this year prosecute anybody who would break the law on billboard mounting, adding that, “any billboard which does not meet the standard of the law would be dismantled and the offender prosecuted”.He called for removal of all wrongly mounted billboards to avert accidents.He said the NRSC objectives were to promote best safety practices for all categories of road users including pedestrians so as to reduce accidents on roads in the country.The stakeholders assured NRSC of their full support and promised to make sure safety is improved in the country.GNA