Gomoa Dawurampong (C/R) Jan. 19, GNA - Mr Francis Kojo Arthur, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, says government should be commended for taking legal and other due processes to create a conducive environment in other to achieve the Better Ghana Agenda.He therefore asked people who are “sitting on the fence” criticising the government to put a stop to it, since it does not make them patriotic citizens.Mr Arthur, who was speaking with Ghana News Agency at Gomoa Dawurampong in the Central Region, said government is committed to the development of the country, saying his constituency last year, had its fair share of the national cake.He said the area received its fair share of the District Assemblies Common Fund and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Fund, to rehabilitate roads that were abandoned for more than 40 years ago.The funds were also used to complete school buildings, provide electricity to the communities, supply duel desk to schools and registered more than 600 aged for the National Health Insurance Scheme.Mr Arthur said he used a total of GH¢30,000.00 from his share of the funds to sponsor more than 100 students to school.He said part of the money was also used to supply tanks to communities without pipe borne water.GNA

Winneba (C/R) Jan. 18, GNA - The Winneba District Magistrate Court, has bonded Nana Ayirebi-Acquah alias Kofi Essilfie Taylor, to be of good behaviour for six months or in default go to prison for 12 months in hard labour.Nana Ayirebi- Acquah, who appeared before the court presided over by Mr Charles Owusu Nsiah, was charged with abetment of crime, causing damage and conspiring to commit crime.The court also convicted John Otoo alias Shine, Emmanuel Smith Mensah, Kobina Ebo and Nunoo, associates of Nana Ayirebi-Acquah, each to a fine of GH¢300 for abetment of crime, causing damage and conspiring to commit crime.All the accused persons changed their plea from not guilty to guilty when they appeared before the court with their Solicitor.Police Chief Inspector William Kwame Akannah told the court that, Otoo, Mensah, Ebo, and Nunoo damaged a fence wall at Gyeterkrom near Winneba Junction and took away all the tools of the people working at the site.The prosecution said when the accused persons were arrested they said Nana Ayirebi-Acquah engaged them to destroy the fence wall.GNA

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - Local Black Stars pivot, Yahaya Mohammed is keeping faith with his colleagues despite been ruled out of the team's final group game at the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa.Mohammed is suspended for card accumulation and will miss the final Group C tie with Ethiopia on Tuesday.Having scored Ghana's only goal and won the man-of-the-match accolade in the second group game against Libya on Friday, the Kotoko player remains influential to the Stars' campaign.The striker claims "Everybody can play. We have so many strikers including Seidu Bancey and Paul Asare who are capable of playing. I believe in them."Despite losing their first two games, Mohammed has respect for the Ethiopians ahead of their final group meeting on Tuesday." Ethiopia is a very good side though they have lost their first two games. We must go all out without underrating them."Ghana require a decent results off Ethiopia to progress to the last eight of the competition.GNA

Gomoa Adeintem (C/R) Jan. 18, GNA - Nana Asare Andoh I, Chief of Gomoa Adeintem, has appealed to the government rehabilitate the 7,302 square meter road from Gomoa Potsin to Adeintem which has been abandoned for years.He said since, works on the road was stopped the people in the area have gone through a lot of hell, including inhaling of dust which has led some of the people to contract diseases.Nana Andoh, also the Chairman of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area Judicial Committee made the appeal in an interview with Ghana News Agency.He said information gathered from the Central Regional Directorate of Feeder Roads indicated that the necessary documents for work to be commence on the road was forwarded to Accra for action for more than two years.Nana Andoh said if the road is rehabilitated it would go a long way to facilitate free movement of goods and services.He asked the people to tolerate each other and forge ahead in unity to facilitate the development of the area.GNA

Accra, Jan 18, GNA – The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has endorsed the decision by Braimah “Bukom Banku” Kamoko to part ways with his mangers and promoters Golden Mike Boxing Promotions.The GBA endorsed the decision at their Executive Committee meeting after engaging the two parties.According to information gathered by the GNA Sports, the promoters had no objection to the boxers request and gave the officials of the GBA the green light to terminate the contract.Though the contract was expected to expire in 2016, the boxer claimed his inability to secure fights outside the country had compelled him to back out of the deal.Kamoko claims he had secured a deal in Australia and the new managers were ready to get him opponents to realize his dreams of becoming a world champion.GNA

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - Local Black Stars Coach, Maxwell Konadu says his charges is staying focused on doing well at the ongoing Championship of African Nations (CHAN) underway in South Africa.Ghana has accrued four points of a possible six and Konadu who saw his side relinquish an early lead to draw one all with Libya in a second group game is confident his side will come good." We are concentrating on our next match, which is more important. We played one of the best games against Libya on Friday. We played better than our first game and that is a very positive thing."We have to draw inspiration from that and work harder for the next game. I am happy we are lifting our game. We just have to keep our calm and make sure that we play even better in the next game."Ghana will have to at least take a point off Ethiopia to pick a slot for the next stage of the competition.GNA

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The Dumor, Gbeho and allied families have expressed shock of the death of BBC Focus on Africa host; Komla Dumor, saying: “We are lost for words at Komla’s passing.”A statement issued by Esther Cobbah, on behalf of the families and copied to Ghana News Agency on Saturday said the families “with deep sorrow” announce the passing on of Komla Dumor today in London.Komla was well known in the media fraternity as “Boss Player” and has been BBC presenter since 2007 prior to hosting Joy FM Super Morning Show for about a decade.The statement said further information would be provided to the public in due course.GNA

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA – Two top fishermen at the weekend, hailed President John Dramani Mahama, for appointing Dr Alphonse Kwao Dorcoo, as Acting Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).Nii Adjierteh, Mator III, Tema Chief Fisherman, and Nana Kofi Bentum II, Asafohene of Otuam Amanfro in the Central Region, told Ghana News Agency that when Dr Dorcoo was the Production Manager of TOR, he was very instrumental in ensuring that fishermen got pre-mix fuel for their business on time.“During his time as Production Manager, getting the product for fishing was timely and handy, Nii Mator said.Nana Bentum said Dr Dorcoo helped the fishing industry in diverse ways and would forever remain grateful to the President for his elevation.The Industrial experience of Dr Dorcoo, a Chemical Engineer with TOR, spans General Manager, Production, General Manager, Refinery Development and Training and General Manger, Commerce.GNA

Wenyiwaato (C/R), Jan.18, GNA - Four persons died on the spot on Saturday noon when a Mercedes Benz truck carrying timber boards somersaulted and landed with its tyres up.The incident happened at Wenyiwaato near Hans Cottage on the Cape Coast- Twifo Praso road in the Central Region.The bodies including the driver who has been identified as Sherif Ibrahim, 27 years- old, have been deposited at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Morgue while the remaining four occupants of the truck who sustained severe injuries are being treated.Chief Inspector Emmanuel Ofori, Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit told Ghana News Agency a tyre of the truck with registration number CR-124-10 got burst while heading towards Cape Coast from Jukwa.He said the truck veered off the road and somersaulted.GNA

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA – Komla Dumor, a Ghanaian Broadcast Journalist with BBC, died on Saturday morning from cardiac arrest at his London home.Mr Dumor, on Friday evening hosted the BBC Focus of Africa programme, tweeted and wrote on his FACEBOOK Page that he was ” Looking forward to interviewing South Sudan ex -child soldier musician, Emmanuel JAL on Focus on Africa today at 1730GMT ”.Prior to his death, he was nominated to be the face of the BBC for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.Mr Dumor holds a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Ghana and an MPA from Harvard University.He was also one of the lead presenters for BBC World News’ European morning segment.Mr Dumor joined the BBC in 2007 after a decade of broadcast journalism at Joy FM where he won the Ghana Journalist of the Year award.From 2007 and 2009 he hosted Network Africa for BBC World Service, before joining The World Today programme.In 2009 Komla became the first host of the African business news programme on BBC World News, Africa Business Report.Komla Dumor, who was born in 1972, was married to Kwansema, with whom he had three children.GNA

Tamale, Jan. 18, GNA – National Service Personnel have been advised to eschew all negative activities that have the tendency to compromise the patriotic values of the society.Alhaji Imoro Alhassan, Acting Executive Director of the Service who gave the advice in Tamale at the weekend during the National Terminal Congress of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), said negative activities such as tempering with the scheme’s electronic system to manipulate postings must be stopped.The congress was on the theme: “Ghanaian Youth and Patriotism – the role of national service personnel,” and brought service personnel from all over the country, which would also accord them the opportunity to elect new executives.Alhaji Alhassan asked the service personnel to be patriotic to help fight corruption and device innovative ways of doing things.He said they should cultivate good habits, uphold societal values, and avoid laziness to propel them onto the job market.He said the service deployed 80,000 graduates for National Service in 2013, which posed a huge challenge to the scheme in terms of managing such vibrant and energetic youth for national development.Mrs Gifty Mahama Biyira, Chairperson of Board of Directors of the service advised the youth to stay away from any forms of social vices such as hard drugs, alcoholism, smoking, Internet fraud and armed robbery.She also called on the youth to work in partnership with the government to fight illegal mining (galamsey) and illegal chainsaw operations to save the country’s natural resources.Mr Tabbi Awotwi, Acting President of NASPA said the aim of the association is to bring personnel together to promote their welfare through various programmers and to work closely with the staff and management of the scheme.GNA

Aboadze (W/R), Jan.18, GNA - The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing has started a sea defence project along the coastline of Aboadze and Abuesi to protect the Thermal Power Plant from heavy tidal waves.The first phase of the project covered a-two-kilometre coastline from the Thermal Power Plant through to Aboadze and ends up at Abuesi.The project is being undertaken by Xara Developers Limited and is expected to be completed in June this year.Mr Enoch Kojo Appiah, Shama District Chief Executive (DCE), told Ghana News Agency that the project was necessitated because of sand winning along the coastline of the two communities.He said in 2011, heavy tidal waves displaced some residents at Abuesi resulting in destruction of property and the Assembly had to spend scarce resources to resettle the affected persons.The DCE indicated that the project would create jobs for the people and relief the Assembly from spending huge sums of money to resettle people affected by tidal waves.In view of this, he said, his outfit is looking for new landing beaches for fishermen in the area.Mr Appiah said the contractors had promised to construct some social amenities in the two communities as part of their corporate social responsibility.GNA

Takoradi, Jan. 18, GNA – The Pentecost Takoradi Area Co-operative Credit Union, (PENTACCU) has increased its total assets by 104 per cent.The credit union also made a net surplus of 88 per cent while savings mobilisation went up to 105 per cent.Elder Charles Frimpong, Chairman of the Union at the third Annual General Meeting of the credit union, added that membership shares also shot to 76 per cent and loans increased to 98 per cent.The credit Union, has however suspended dividend payments to allow the strengthening of the capital base of the union.Elder Frimpong said the union is building a new office accommodation and had acquired a double cabin Nissan Navara to ease mobility among staff.On loan repayment, the Chairman said: “Many are faithfully discharging their responsibility of repaying. However, few are not keeping faithful, please be up and doing.”Apostle Dr Alfred Koduah, Area Head of the Church of Pentecost and the Special Guest entreated management to ensure optimum transparency in their operations as any negative move would go a long way to affect the image of the church.He tasked management to find innovative means to transform and grow the credit union.GNA

Half-Assini (W/R), Jan.18, GNA -The timely intervention of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) saved the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) building at Half-Assini from being gutted by fire.The Assistant Division Fire Officer of the GNFS at Half-Assini, Abu-Bonsra, told Ghana News Agency that the fire destroyed the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank.He said the cause of the fire is not yet known, however, the GNFS had started investigations into the disaster.He said the GNFS received a call from the security man of the bank informing them about the fire outbreak.Mr Abu-Bonsra said he dispatched a fire tender to the place and detected smoke emanating from the bank’s ATM.The Fire Officer said apart from the air-conditioner that got damaged no other property was destroyed in the inferno.GNA

Accra , Jan 18, GNA - The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs has expressed unhappiness over wrong use of its name in some quarters of the Media.“We wish to bring to the attention of the general public and our Media friends, that the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, as used to be, has been re-designated as Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs in accordance with Executive Instrument (EI) 2013,” said Mr Nelson Akatey, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, in a statement copied to Ghana News Agency.It said even though the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture established in 2006, had been renamed in accordance with EI 2013, most Media organizations continue to use the old designation in their reportage.The statement also urged the Media and the public to be mindful of the correct spelling of the name of the sector minister “Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa” and his Deputy, Mr John Alexander Ackom.The statement explained that the mandate of the re-designation is to formulate policies and programmes for the chieftaincy sector and undertake development planning for the sector in consultation with the National Development Planning Commission.The vision of the Ministry is to preserve, sustain and integrate the legal, traditional values and practices to step up wealth creation and harmony for total national development.It also exists to develop effective interface between government and civil society on issues regarding chieftaincy and traditional affairs, to promote peace, good governance and international partnership for the nations development.In another development the Ministry has expressed gratitude to its media partners for their support in news reportage on the ministry's activities last year.it said the Media has helped in promoting the public understanding about the ministry’s policies, programmes and functions, and expressed the hope that such support would continue to better enhance mutual relations and improve corporate image.GNA

Aveme/Botoku, Jan 18, GNA -The North-Dayi District Assembly is to sponsor special holiday classes for Junior High School (JHS) final year students, in an attempt to reduce the high incidence of failure at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the district.This is one of the measures announced by Mr Stephen Komla Timinka, District Chief Executive (DCE), during the commissioning of two classroom blocks at Aveme-Resettlement and Botoku.Other measures announced, included barring school children from funerals, video centres, and ensuring teachers' compliance with their professional ethics.Mr Timinka said the Assembly would find the resources to motivate teachers for the extra-classes, and that the 24 percent pass in the district in the 2013 BECE was appalling.He said while teachers would be expected to give of their best, parents must also live up to their responsibilities.Mr Timinka said it was distasteful that parents found monies to buy many fabrics to suit different occasions, but would refuse to buy the school needs of their children.Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Volta Regional Minister said parents should not push the care needs of their children onto teachers.Mr George Loh, Member of Parliament (MP) for North-Dayi said, efforts were underway to put the bad roads in the area into good shape.He said while the people waited for comprehensive road works, efforts would be made to maintain the roads regularly.Blessing Construction, a Kpando-based firm which put up the Gh¢ 180,000.00 six-unit classroom block with accessories, for the EP Primary at Botoku, was applauded for excellent work.That project was financed under the Special Projects of government, sourced by Madam Ekua Sena Dansua, former MP of the area.The three-unit classroom block at the Aveme Resettlement Town was executed by Sam Ans Construction Firm at a total cost of Gh¢ 90,00.00.As part of the programme at Aveme, Mr Loh and Mr Timinka, presented roofing sheets and nails to some victims of a recent rainstorm, while school children also received shoes from items sourced from the VRA Resettlement Trust Fund.Present at the ceremonies were Miss Dansua, currently an Ambassador designate, Ghana Education Service officials, and Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Deputy Volta Regional Minister.GNA

Aveme, Jan 18, GNA - Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Volta Regional Minister, has stressed that political stewardship was a nominal authority that must be used solely to advance the good of the people.He said that authority was, therefore, not supposed to be used to satisfy the needs of political supporters alone.Mr Afotey-Agbo was speaking at short ceremonies to formally commission classroom blocks at Aveme-Resettlement Town and Botoku in the North-Dayi District.“We have titles as Ministers and other positions, but these were bestowed on us by the virtue of votes cast by the electorate to put our political party in power,” the Minister stated.He said that did not mean “we should spoon feed” those who voted us into power, but to identify projects, initiate programmes and policies that would improve the lives of everybody.Mr Afotey-Agbo pledged that “Political Appointees” were ready to serve the people.‘We shall serve you and serve you well even at the peril of our lives,” he stated.The Minister said at the end, they, the people, including the chiefs, themselves, would be those who would give good testimonies of “our stewardship”.The Aveme-Resettlement JHS block, constructed by Sam-Ans construction firm, cost Gh¢ 90,00.00, while the six- unit block, with accessories, for the Botoku EP Primary, executed by Blessing Construction, cost Gh¢ 180,000.00.GNA

Accra , Jan 18, GNA - Inside Ghana has commended the President, John Dramani Mahama, for helping to fight corruption to a large extent.It praised the President for launching investigations into the alleged corrupt practices involving GYEEDA, SADA, Waterville, ISOFOTON, and SUBAH.A statement signed by Mr Alex Doe Jnr,. Operations Director of Inside Ghana, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the President could do more if he intervened in the Jake Obetsebi- Lamptey bungalow acquisition saga.“We would want the President to do everything to stop the NPP Party Chairman from acquiring a state bungalow he occupied, while holding a ministerial portfolio.”According to the statement, the action of Jake Obetsebi Lamptey is the highest form of corruption and ought to be discouraged immediately.It urged the President to institute criminal investigations into the dubious drill ship sale.“Inside Ghana is, therefore, commending the efforts of the President, and encouraging him to fight corruption to the barest minimum,” the statement added.GNA

Accra , Jan 18, GNA - Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has signed a book of condolence at the Israeli Embassy in Accra to bid a formal farewell to former Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, who died on January 11.President Rawlings wrote, “We play our role according to our living experiences, the less we know the less we do, and the more we know with enriched perspective and compassion the more and better we perform”.A statement issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency over the week-end, said Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Sharon Bar-li met President Rawlings and conducted him through the signing ceremony.Also present to sign the book of condolence, which was opened on Monday, was the American Ambassador in Ghana, Gene Cretz.The late Sharon was Prime Minister of Israel from 2001 to 2006, and Foreign Minister from 1998 to 1999.He also served as Minister of Defence, and was regarded as the greatest field commander in Israel during his days as a military officer.GNA

Agona Swedru, Jan 18, GNA- Mr King Obuei, a leading member in the Agona West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has made a passionate appeal to the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the party, to put in place a mechanism that would facilitate the early election of ward, constituency, regional and national executives. According to Mr Obuei, the delay can have adverse effects on party in its preparationsl towards the 2016 general election. Making the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru, Mr Obuei, regretted that the terms of officers from the ward to the national level had expired, and this could have negative impact on the performance of the party . He said it would also be extremely difficult for officers who do not contest again in the next elections, to run the day-to-day affairs of the party as expected from the ward to the national level. According to Mr Obuei, the constitution of the NDC stipulates that every four years, the party must hold elections to elect new officers , and wondered why that has eluded the ruling party. The leading member said the election of the executives would help to restructure and re-brand the party to enhance effective democratic governance. He said majority of the members have expressed inhibition about the delay in the election of executives, and expressed the hope that the NEC would heed his humble advice to organize an early congress to elect new officers.GNA