Effiduase (E/R), Jan. 20, GNA - A madman who had occupied one of the abandoned rooms of the old Kindergarten block of Effiduase Methodist School Complex, near Koforidua, nearly burnt down the school at the weekend.The madman started the fire by torching his personal belongings.People living close to the school, saw smoke coming from out of the windows and raised the alarm and tried in vain to put the fire off, and had to call personnel of Ghana National Fire Service to intervene.Although the personnel put off the fire around 1700 hours and left they were asked to return to the scene when the fire ignited.Dr Kweku Owusu-Acheampong, New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, who visited the scene promised to deploy workers of the Assembly to pull down the burnt structure.Ms Freda Opata, Headmistress of the Junior High School of the complex, said due to the closeness of the academic facility to the main street, often, mentally challenged persons have been invading the premises and disrupting academic activities.She appealed to the old students of the school to come to the aid of their alma mater by helping to construct a fence wall.GNA

Yendi (NR) Feb.19, GNA - The feuding royal gates of Dagbon- Abudus and Andanis, at the weekend jointly celebrated the annual Damba festival at Yendi, in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.It was on the theme: “Honouring our Culture and Traditions, Advancing our Fathers.”Damba festival is celebrated by most of the ethnic groups of Muslim origin in Northern Ghana. The festival is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Dagbon, Gonjas, Mamprusis, Nanumbas and the Walas.The main aim for the merriment is to remember the birth and naming ceremony of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, Founder of Islam.The two gates had engaged in bloody conflicts leading to the assassination of the Overlord of Dagbon; Yana Yakubu Andani II, 11 years ago and scores of his traditional elders in Yendi.The Abudu Royal Family and chiefs led by Bavin-Lana Abdulai Mahama and Sunson-Na Shani Amidu II, representatives of Nanton Na and the youth joined their Andani counterparts to celebrate the festival at the Gbewaa Palace.Mr Bede Ziedeng, Regional Minister commended both the Kampakuya Na, Regent of Dagbon and Bolin-Lana, Leader of the Abudus for the maturity they have so far displayed in using dialogue in resolving their differences.He called on the chiefs and people of Dagbon to bury their differences as well as the hatchet to let peace prevail.This, he said would allow the Dagbon Kingdom, which had very strong historical antecedent to restore its rich heritage.Mr Ziedeng said government is on track in prosecuting its developmental agenda but this could only be possible if the people could sustain the pace and even fast track it in an atmosphere of peace and unity.The Regional Minister stated that a divided home cannot be supported in any way.He said the region cannot afford to continue to spend scarce resources mainly on conflict resolution when there is the dire need for good roads, good health facility, quality education, potable water and good sanitation, reliable electricity supply among other services.Mr Ziedeng noted that even though Damba originated from Islam it is now part and parcel of the northern culture.Kampakuya Na Andani Yakubu Abdulai, Regent of Dagbon and Acting President of Dagbon Traditional Council, called on Dagombas not to see themselves as Abudus or Andanis but as a united people to facilitate prosperity, development and peace.He said Dagbon should not be associated with division, intolerance, violence and of lack progress.Kampakuya Abdulai said the major common enemy facing the people includes poverty, environmental change, and unfavorable market forces.He said all over the world Dagombas are making their mark and these proud ambassadors must be honoured and celebrated as beacons of their great past, present and future.According to the Regent they have to build on the foundations their fathers left for them, grow a strong successful nation and leave a proud and enduring story for their children.GNA

Accra, Jan. 19, GNA - Dr Abu Sakara, Presidential Candidate of Conventions People Party, in the 2012 General Election, has described as a shock, the death of Komla Dumor, Ghanaian Broadcaster with the BBC in London.“It came to me as a surprise and it was difficult to believe that the great broadcaster I saw just less than 24 hours on television is no more,” he said in a statement issued in Accra, at the weekend and copied to Ghana News Agency.“I wish to send my deepest condolence to the family of Late Komla Dumor, especially his wife and children. Also to the media in Ghana, Africa and the world at large. Indeed we have lost a great son of our land,” he said.Dr Sakara said Mr Dumor’s 41 years on earth was worth emulating since he lived for mankind and impacted positively on the lives of several millions of people in the world.“He focused on issues of importance and development to Ghana and Africa. He practiced journalism with decency and proved to the world that African journalists can also rise to the top.“Komla Dumor laid it all on the line in the pursuit of the common good. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life!“Such sacrifice for the common good is the single distinguishing feature that separates the great from the mediocre.“The late Komla Dumor was a great Journalist with full of promise,” he said.Dr Sakara said: “The echoes of his name have travelled the canyons of the world and back to await him in a silent grave. But the throb of our hearts will forever beat out a refrain in his memory…..Komla Damirifa Due, Rest is Perfect Peace.”GNA

Abu Dhabi, Jan. 19, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday arrived in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to begin a two- day official visit to the gulf country.Also at the oil- rich city with the President is Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, experts in energy, petroleum and environment among others.While in the Arab country, President Mahama would participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Conference, meet business partners and investors and hold bilateral discussions with others.The week would focus on renewable energy, water and environment.President Mahama is expected to build synergies with experts from the UAE to replicate some of their good practices in Ghana.It would also offer President Mahama and his entourage the opportunity to explore business opportunities and to establish the necessary rapport to enhance the socio-economic development of the country.President was received at the Royal Jet Airport by Major General Obaid Alh-elbi, Executive Member of the Abu Dhabi Council of the Police Service.From: George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Special Correspondent in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Kwahu-Fodoa (E/R), Jan. 19, GNA - Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Eastern Regional Minister, on behalf of National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), has presented quantity of relief items to the victims of the Liquidified Petroleum Gas (LPG) fire at Kwahu Fodoa near Nkawkaw on Sunday.The fire occurred as a result of a leakage of the LPG from a gas tanker which was involved in an accident in the area.The items included 15 bags of rice, 15 bags of maize , a quantity of plastic bowls and cups, mosquito repellents and blankets.The Regional Minister said efforts are being made to assist the affected community with building materials to enable them to rehabilitate their buildings.Receiving the items on behalf of the fire victims, the Chief of Kwahu Besiase, Nana Owusu Kyere II, thanked the Regional Minister and NADMO for the donation and the compassion shown so far towards the victims of the fire incident.The Chief of Kwahu Fodoa, Nana Professor Agyarkwa Frimpong II, appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority to re-examine the effectiveness of the speed ramp at the town because according to him, the ramp had caused a number of road accidents in the area.It would be recalled that, on January 16, a gas tanker with registration number GE 6376-13 loaded with an LPG had an accident at Kwahu Fodoa when it veered off the road and fell into a valley.The gas in the tanker leaked and burst into flames at Kwahu Besease Zongo about 500 meters away from the tanker, killing a seven- month old baby with 28 other people sustaining various degrees of burns.The fire victims were rushed to Kwahu Praso Health Centre and Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital and were later referred to Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi for further treatment, during which eight of them died.GNA

Takoradi, Jan. 19, GNA - Christians have been entreated to remain steadfast and resolute and not allow political, religious and ethnic affiliations to divide their ranks.Brother Kweku Prah Ghartey, a Senior Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made the call during a sermon to mark the Church’s 10th Temple Anniversary, in Takoradi, at the weekend.He charged Christians to be united and live in peace with one another so as to become a shining example to others in order to propel the development agenda of the nation.Brother Ghartey admonished Christians to forgive those who had wronged them and purge themselves from all wrongdoings, saying; “enter God’s temple with sound hearts and mind so that your ordinances and sacrifices will be acceptable to Him”.Brother Richard Osei, First Counsellor to the Stake President, said the Church had achieved great success over the years, including frequent blood donation to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, to support the blood bank , clean-up campaigns at hospitals and special schools, as well as donation of stationery to pupils across the countryRecounting the history of the Church, Brother Joseph Kwame Dadzie, paid tribute to the pioneers of the church for their steadfastness’ despite persecution.The church, established in Ghana in1978, has more than 2000 members.Medals were presented to the pioneers of the church in appreciation for their endurance and perseverance.GNA

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP), over the weekend held an annual management retreat to review activities for last year and planned for 2014.The meeting was attended by GRA management and EWP focal persons from across the country and other stakeholders.The GRA EWP established in 2006 has the objective to enhance the health status of GRA employees and their families and provide them with social protection.It also aims to educate the employees on their health needs as well as afford them the opportunity to be screened for some of the most common diseases.Mr Anthony Minlah, Commissioner Support Services, GRA, said the EWP had been expanded to cover three key areas of health, financial wellness and social protection, after a successful HIV and AIDS workplace policy.He said management of the Authority sees employees as the most important resource and therefore place staff wellbeing at the heart of the policy, which aims at increasing healthy and productive life of employees.Mr Minlah said the programme include social protection and financial wellness component since financial pressures could additionally trigger psychological problems and cause illnesses.He indicated that the provision of increase social protection through retirement benefit schemes, health insurance and other insurance schemes reduce pressure on employees and increase their well-being.Mr Minlah said commitment of staff had been on the high side as far as screening exercises had been scaled up as they are assured of confidentiality.He said the plan for 2014 is to scale up the screening exercises and increase training in financial wellness for staff to enable them prepare adequately for their retirement.He said the EWP is in the process of introducing an electronic health management system to make it easier for staff to access their medical records conveniently at major hospitals to be signed on to the programme across the country.Other programmes to be rolled out in 2014 include Business Continuity Plan under which all GRA Offices would be giving first aid kits with trained personnel to man them.Mr Yusuf Quainoo, National Focal Person GRA EWP, said the programme had been successful because of management support and involvement.GNA

Takoradi, Jan. 19, GNA - Journalists in the Western Region have expressed shock and sadness about the demise of ace broadcast journalist, Komla Dumor.Mr Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Regional Chairman of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in an interview with Ghana News Agency in Takoradi, shared fond memories about Mr Dumor.He described him as a personal friend who shared his experiences and ideas freely with young journalists.“I was supposed to meet him in Tanzania when I went for an international conference because I was supposed to return a book he gave to me on policy analysis, unfortunately his plane arrived late so I had to give the book to Akwasi Sarpong, who also works at the BBC”, he recalled.“When I was a student leader at the African Institute of Journalism, I use to invite him to share his experiences with us and sometimes people say I resemble him and Komla will say: “How!, then I’m not handsome at all,” and we all laugh and share jokes together, ” he added.Mr Emmanuel Opoku, Regional Correspondent of Daily Guide, described the top journalist as a genius who put Ghana on the world map in the field of journalism.“He is an inspiration to some of us because looking at where he came from and the point he reached in his career is amazing,” he said.Okyeame Amoako Darkwa, Morning Show Host of Kyzz FM, a Takorad- based radio station, said Komla was dedicated and passionate about his work and excelled in the field of journalism.“The name of Komla Dumor should be celebrated because he had done a lot for Ghana and Africa in general,” he said.Nana Adwoa Nstua of Radio Maxx described Mr Dumor as an astute journalist and up-and-coming journalists must take inspiration from him.GNA

Accra, Jan 19, GNA - The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has held an award ceremony for more than 120 workers, who retired from the Authority in 2013.The workers had served the organisation in different capacities between 10 and 42 years. They each received plaques and undisclosed sum of money.Mr George Blankson, Commissioner General of GRA, congratulated the retirees for their dedicated contributions to the Commission over the years, saying the body would miss their expertise and guidance.Commenting on the 2013 revenue performance, Mr Blankson said collections were 17 per cent below a target of about GH¢16 billion earmarked for the year.He said total collection for 2013 were 14 per cent over the collection of nearly GH¢12 billion in 2012, adding that it was not for the want of trying that the Authority failed to meet its target.Mr Blankson said key milestones had been achieved in the year in the areas of transforming the organisational processes while efforts at ensuring seamless transaction is at an advanced stage.Among key achievements are the integration of the revenue agencies and the populace transaction concept at the Takoradi Harbour and Kotoka International Airport.Mr Blankson asked the retirees to avail themselves of opportunities such as the health support that the GRA provided for them to make their retirement comfortable.GNA