Adamanso (W/R), Jan.16, GNA — The people of Gwira, Ajomoro/Eshiem and Mpatado Traditional Areas in the Western Region, have expressed their displeasure over continuous displacement of cocoa farms for mining concessions.The traditional areas which are predominantly cocoa growing districts argued that both cocoa and gold earned the country huge foreign exchange; however, the government granted mining concessions on cocoa farms thereby depriving them of their livelihoods.They, therefore, appealed to the government to formulate a policy to prohibit mining concessions on cocoa farms across the country because mining had not made any meaningful impacts on their lives over the years.They expressed these sentiments when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) organised a Public Hearing at Adamanso on a proposed alluvial gold mining project by West Star Mining Limited and Blue River Mining Limited at the Lower Ankobra Basin in the Nzema East Municipality.The forum aimed at soliciting inputs into a draft Environmental Impact Statements on the proposed project as required under Regulation 16(1) and LI 1652 of 1999 and Section 12(1) of Act 490 (1994).Egya Kwesi Nda of Adamanso argued that the amount of money paid for each cocoa tree destroyed was woefully inadequate and the amount would not sustain their families, adding “cocoa trees could sustain us for over 30 years and even benefit our future generations”.However, Mr Simon Enison, Managing Director of the two mining firms, assured the people that adequate compensation would be paid for crops and land as well as ensure safe environmental practices.He said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Action-Plan would cater for basic social amenities, including potable water, health facilities, Education fund and schools to better the lives of the people.Mr. Enison indicated that indigenes of the area would be recruited for training and subsequently employed them and, therefore appealed for maximum cooperation from all the communities.He said the two mining firms have 90 per cent stake, while the government owed 10 per cent shares in the mining concessions.West Star Mining Company Limited owed 50 kilometres land area but mining would take place within a space of 6 Km/Sq, while the Blue River Mining firm owed 40 kilometres land area and would also mine within a space of 9 Km/Sq.GNA

Bolgatanga, Jan 14, GNA- Youth of the New Patriotic Party in the Upper East Region have pledged their support to Mr Adams Mahama, a 44-year-old contractor aspiring for the Regional Chairmanship position in the Region.The Party’s youth, numbering over 400, made the pledge at the weekend when they accompanied the aspirant on their motorbikes and cars to the Regional Party office for him to be vetted with other three contestants vying for the position. The others are Mr Abdallah Otito, Mr Bukari Bawa Ayamga and Mr Gaberial Asaana.According to the youth, they had tried and tested elderly persons for the Regional Chairmanship position but they had disappointed them because the party could not make any significant gains in numbers during the last elections.Speaking to the GNA in Bolgatanga, Mr Ayinebila Bukari Atera, a youth who is an Assembly Man for Gambibgo, stated that the party would need a regional chairman who could contribute his resources to enable the party not only win the Presidential elections massively but capture more Parliamentary seats from the 15 constituencies in the RegionCurrently the party has only two parliamentary seats in the Region.He said Mr Mahama stood tall among his other contestants and that he had over the years remained committed and loyal to the party by contributing his own resources to running the activities of the party.Mr Awonekai Atia Figo, the Bolgatanga Central Constituency Communications Officer, said the party would need somebody who had the ability, capacity and resources to enable him match with the National Democratic Congress to win more votes for the party in 2016.Ms Barikisu Bukari, a Regional Organizer of the NPP Women’s Wing, described the aspirant as a problem solver, a unifier and somebody who did not discriminate and assisted many people.The Aspirant appealed to party delegates to vote for him as a Regional Chairman and assured them that he would help turn the fortunes of the party around in the Region by ensuring that the Party won massively in both Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2016.GNA

Bolgatanga, Jan 14, GNA- Twenty-four aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were on Saturday vetted to contest Regional Executive positions and the National Executive conducted the exercise.The aspirants included Mr Adams Mahama, Mr Abdalla Otito, Mr Bukari Bawa, Mr Gaberial Asaana all contesting the Regional Chairman position.Others are Mr Isaac Atasige and Mr Mohammed Mutala Ibrahim vying for the first vice chairmanship position. Mr Francis Atotono and Mrs Osman Mahamud are both vying for the second Vice Chairmanship position.Mr Michael Abogro and Mr Cletus Ayambire are battling for the Regional Secretary position while Mr Adbdul Karim Ibrahim, Abdul Malik and Mr Passia Asam are contesting for the Assistant Secretary position.Two persons, Mr Patrick Ayamba and Mr Edmond Bombande are vying for the treasurer position while Mr Yaw Mort, Mr Jerry Asamani and Mr Karim A Bediako are contesting the Regional Organiser position.Mr Latif Solomon, Mr Abuga Gordon and Mr Bashiru Ibrahim are contesting the Youth Organiser position whilst Ms Angelina Akorigu and Ms Florence Kurubila are vying for the Women’s Organiser slot.Mr Mohammed Siita is contesting the NASARA Club position; a zongo wing of the party in the Region.The Party would conduct its Regional Executive Election on 25 January 25. Currently the contestants are vigorously touring all the 15 constituencies in the region to persuade the party’s delegates to vote for them.GNA

Beposo (W/R), Jan. 14, GNA – Inhabitants of Beposo and surrounding villages in the Western Region have appealed to the government to complete the Compound Health Projects (CHPS) it initiated a year ago.A spokesperson for the people, Opanin Yaw Owusu-Kwarteng, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the project, when completed, would cater for primary health needs of more than 3,000 citizens, mostly farmers living in and around the area.It would also reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality in the area, since expectant women and nursing mothers in beneficiary communities would no longer travel long distances to access medical care.Opanin Owusu-Kwarteng also called on the World Vision International and other non-governmental organisations as well as private companies operating in the district to assist the assembly to complete the project.He expressed the hope that with adequate financial and maternal assistance from outside, the assembly and the government could even expand the CHPS facility to become a bigger healthcare centre in future.Opanin Owusu-Kwarteng said farmers played important roles in the country’s development and appealed to the government to finish the project.“This would sustain the confidence and trust the people in the area have built in the government,” adding that the people would provide labour.GNA

Tamale, Jan. 14, GNA – Alhaji Abdulai Bistav Inusah Fuseini, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, has organized and funded educational tour for some 41 students from nine senior high schools in the Tamale Metropolis.The tour, which lasted for about one week, enabled the students to acquaint themselves with operations of some key institutions in the country including Parliament House, the Osu Castle, University of Ghana and offices of Television Africa (TV-Africa) as well as the tomb of former President John Evans Atta Mills at Asomdwe Park.Alhaji Fuseini told the GNA in Tamale on Monday after the tour that he personally conducted the students round Parliament House and explained the work of the House to them.Alhaji Fuseini, the Minister of Lands and Forestry, said for students to be committed to education it was important to help them to get closer to public institutions to spur them on to aspire to occupy those offices in future by taking their education seriously.He said the future of the country belonged to the younger generation who had no excuse to let Ghana down if they were given the necessary support in education adding: “Education is a weapon of choice, especially when born into a family where poverty is a legacy”.The MP also outlined measures and steps he had been taking to improve education in the metropolis and called on all stakeholders in education to help address fallen standards of the education in the country.Alhaji Fuseini advised the students to work assiduously to achieve their career goals and should emulate the intellectual footprints of late President Mills saying, “Mills led a peaceful life…imbibe the spirit of peace and discipline in your dealings”.“The students were thrilled when they saw the Osu Castle, the former seat of government. The conductor recounted the history of the place, how it was used as a slave dungeon for carting our forefathers to the Americas”, he said.He said he would use his share of the MP’s Common Fund for the betterment of the people including improving education to ensure that brilliant but needy children had opportunity to continue with their education.GNA

Akwatia (E/R), Jan 14,GNA- Akwatia, capital of the Denkyembuor District, is to be a beneficiary of one of the 200 community day senor high schools promised by the President to be build across the country.The Akwatiahene, Osaberima Kofi Boateng lll, has cut the sod on Saturday to mark the beginning of constriction of the school.The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Mr. Ahmed Baba Jamal, said GHC¢ 230,000 had been earmarked for the project which would have 18 classrooms.He said the school would enable parents in the area to have the opportunity of sending their children, especially the girl child, to the day school at less cost.Mr. Jamal said due to pressure on St. Roses Senior High School, which attracts students from all over the country, few girls from the Akwatia area got the opportunity to attend the school.He said the construction of the new school would help provide more opportunities for girls in the area and promised that work would be fast-tracked to be completed ahead of schedule to offer admission to its first group of students by October this year.Mr. Jamal thanked the chiefs and people of Akwatia, especially the Akwatiahene, for their support for the project.He said those who had already build houses on a portion of the school’s land would not have their houses demolished but warned those who had not started the construction of their buildings to abandon their plans Osaberima Kofi Boateng, who chaired the function, said there were plans for the establishment of a vocational school at Akwatia and urged the people to forget about partisan politics and pull together for the betterment of Akwatia and surrounding communities.GNA

Ekumfi Essarkyir(C/R), Jan 14, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, on Monday cautioned Asafo companies and individuals against the use of live bullets during musketry display at traditional festivals, durbars and other social events.He said gun powder was the most appropriate to use during such activities instead of live bullets.Dr. Sarpong said this when he led a delegation from the Central Regional Coordinating Council to visit the chiefs of Ekumfi Essarkyir and relatives of people who died in last Saturday’s musketry accident.He described the incident as very unfortunate and sad but added that even though it was an accident, the situation could have been prevented if the right thing was done.Dr Sarpong expressed this condolence to the bereaved family and promised government’s support in the burial and the medical expenses of the injured who are on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.He also promised to support the pregnant wife and six children left behind by 40-year-old Kojo Yaago, one of the victims.The Member of Parliament for Ekumfi Essarkyir, Mr. Abeiku Crentsil, called for an all-inclusive effort in ensuring that such a tragic incident was not repeated and also to ensure that calm and peace was maintained.Wofa Arthur and Sarah Aba Okyere, parents of Ibrahim Arthur, the 17-year- old victim, told the GNA that they hoped such an incident did not occur again.The installation of Nana Essel VI, the Chief of Ekumfi Essarkyir turned tragic when a gun fired by Anthony Forson accidentally killed four persons.GNA

Gomoa Sampa (C/R), Jan. 14, GNA – Nana Twumasi Owuyah III, Tufohene of Gomoa Sampa Traditional Area, has cautioned people in the area to desist from indiscriminate setting of bushfires.He said that careful handling of fire was the best strategy to adopt as a nation to protect and to provide food security between now and the season.In a New Year message to the people, Nana Twumasi Owuyah cautioned especially farmers, palm wine tapers, hunters and smokers in the area to ensure proper and prudent handling of fire as their contribution towards national safety as far as fire disasters were concerned.He said anyone caught burning the bush indiscriminately in any part of Gomoa-Sampa Traditional Area would not be spared by the traditional authorities.Nana Twumasi Owuyah said it was the collective obligation of all Ghanaians, particularly people in the rural communities, to assist in providing maximum care and protection to forests in the country to sustain the rich natural medicinal properties, foods and cash crops like cocoa that are produced in the forest reserves.Opanyin Daniel Famber, an opinion leader in the area, reiterated the call by farmers, chiefs, and traders in and around Gomoa-Sampa on the government to rehabilitate feeder roads in the area.GNA

Kumasi, Jan 14, GNA – About 2,000 head porters in the Kumasi metropolis have been screened for malaria, anaemia, heart, eye and skin diseases as part of efforts at helping improve their quality of health.The five-hour free exercise was undertaken by a team of medical professionals from the Kumasi Health Directorate and was initiated by the Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Mrs. Elizabeth Agyemang.Many of them were diagnosed with malaria and were given drugs and those with serious cases were referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).Mrs. Agyemang, speaking after the exercise at Dagomba-Line in Kumasi, said it was meant to reach out to the underprivileged in the society.She said she had paid the health insurance premium for 40 of them to enable them access health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme and appealed to the porters to avoid lifestyles such as alcoholism and promiscuity.GNA

Kumasi, Jan 13, GNA – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has appealed to religious bodies to support the political leadership with prayers.He said political leaders needed God’s gift of wisdom, courage, integrity, selflessness and commitment to make things happen.He was speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church as part of a special programme launched by the Church to strengthen its relationship with the Manhyia Palace.It has been dubbed ‘Mission to the Palace” and involves among other things sharing not only the gospel but also discuss interventions and activities lined up to bring progress to the people.Otumfuo Osei Tutu said Africa had been blessed with enormous resources and only required strong, truthful and accountable leadership to take advantage of these and maximize the benefits to the people.He said they could not on their own strength and capacity, transform the lives of the people but would have to rely on God’s guidance to achieve their dreams and appealed to the church to intensify its evangelism to help purge the society of crime and other social evils.The Asantehene expressed his readiness to work with the Church to tackle the physical needs of the people, particularly in the areas of education and health.The Reverend Kofi Amfo-Akonnor, the Presbytery Chairperson, said the Church would not lose its focus and that it remained resolute in its determination to fight the rot in society.He said they appreciated the significant role played by traditional authorities in the spread of Presbyterianism over the past 150 years.GNA

Tema , Jan 14, GNA - Abraham Baah Kwame Oyortey, 25, who is on a provisional charge of murder over the killing of Ms. Rosemond Nyampong, was on Monday remanded into prison custody by a Tema Magistrate Court.He is to re-appear on February 13.A Duplicate Docket on the case, would also be sent by the court to the Attorney General’s Office, for advise.This has been his third appearance before the court concerning the charge.On November 21, 2013, Rosmond, a worker at the Credit Department of Stanbic Bank, was found murdered in the kitchen of her rented apartment at Baatsona in Accra where she lived alone.The police later discovered the deceased’s Toyota Yaris saloon car at a car washing bay in Odumasi Krobo in the lower Manya District of the Eastern Region.Abraham was arrested by the police when he arrived at the bay to drive the car away. He had removed the vehicle’s number plates and stickers.GNA

Paris, Jan. 14, GNA – Norway donated $ 4.8 billion in official development assistance (ODA) in 2012, representing 0.93 per cent of its gross national income (GNI).This makes the Scandinavian country the third most generous member in terms of its ODA/GNI ratio of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which groups major donors.A new DAC review of Norway praised the country’s long and ongoing commitment to high aid targets and noted that its steady economic growth should mean aid volumes would increase in the future.“Norway focuses on global issues that are important for the country and for the international role it plays, such as peace-building, climate change and global health,” said Vice DAC Chair Ana Paula Fernandes.“This enables Norway to punch above its weight on the global stage, and we commend Norway’s commitment to leading the way in these critical and challenging areas.”The OECD, a global economic policy forum that provides analysis and advice to its 34 member governments and other countries worldwide, noted that Norway continued to play a valuable role as a niche donor, funnelling its aid into innovative initiatives where it can draw on its expertise in areas like managing the sustainable use of natural resources.However, the review found that nearly half the funds Norway had allocated to its flagship initiative on climate and forest since its inception had remained unspent, due to issues with partner countries’ capacity to absorb projects or because the projects are launched before analysis on feasibility and sustainability can be conducted.In taking forward global initiatives, the Committee encouraged Norway to expand further its partnerships with like-minded donors to attract more resources and ensure their long-term sustainability.The DAC review also said Norway would benefit from developing a clear and evidence-based strategy to guide its bilateral aid decisions.While its development policy remains focused on its goal of reducing poverty, the report noted that an increased focus on thematic initiatives, for example in areas like energy and the environment, has resulted in a slight fall in the level of its bilateral aid resources going to the least developed countries.The Committee noted that Norway had taken steps since its last review in 2008 to increase transparency in development co-operation, but recommended it develop a communication agenda, beef up its evaluation procedures and act on recommendations.GNA

Johannesburg (dpa/GNA) – Hundreds of South Sudanese civilians drowned in the Nile while fleeing fighting between government and rebel forces in the northern town of Malakal, regional broadcaster Radio Tamazuj reported Tuesday.The BBC cited an army spokesman as putting the number of victims in Sunday's accident at more than 200.Local official Majok James Chol told Radio Tamazuj that panic had swept Malakal owing to rumours that forces loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar were about to attack it.Hundreds of people thronged a boat that could only accommodate up to 80 passengers, according to the report."People grabbed the sides, but when the boat capsized, only two people and the boat driver managed to reach the banks alive," Chol was quoted as saying."This part of the Nile is wide and deep and has a strong current.”The victims reportedly included childrenGNA

Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - Keta Secondary School (KETASCO) emerged champions of the 2014 Sprite Basket Ball competition for Senior High Schools.The Volta Region-based school beat favourites Presbyterian Boys School (PRESEC) Legon, 25-18 in the finals to win the enviable trophy.KETASCO took home a giant trophy, products from sponsors and cash prize for their efforts, whilst PRESEC also received products from sponsors and a cash prize.Opoku Ware Senior High School placed third, whilst defending champions Mfantsipim failed to live up to expectation by finishing a disappointing fourth.John Teye, captain of KETASCO in a post-match interview said “We really wanted to win this trophy to make our school and Volta Region proud.He said his school is looking forward to retaining the trophy in the next competition.KETASCO’s key man Sedem Tetevi was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the competition (MVP) with their coach Kofi Siaw Boateng also winning the best Coach of the gong.In the Girls division, Kumasi based TI Ahmadiyya (Amass) grabbed the ultimate prize, by beating Aggrey Memorial School, whilst Mfantseman Girls placed third.Aggrey Memorial’s Joana Danso won the MVP award. Fans of Kumasi Secondary Technical School (K.S.T.S) were adjudged the best fans of the competition.The Sprite Ball competition, established in 2007, by Rite Multimedia in collaboration with Sprite.GNA

Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, GNA – Sub-Saharan Africa received $ 2.7 billion to advance financial inclusion in 2012, according to the 2013 Funders Survey by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).This is the first time that it had received more than Latin America and the Caribbean, which got funding of $ 2.2 billion.On the whole, donors committed at least $ 29 billion globally in 2012, an estimated increase of 12 per cent compared to 2011.The survey said that growth in public funding for financial inclusion, which represented over 70 per cent of this global estimate, drove the overall increase over the past year.The survey findings indicate that donor governments increased their funding commitments by 16 per cent between 2011 and 2012, despite continued pressure on public resources.Eastern Europe and Central Asia ($ 4.7 billion) and South Asia ($ 3.4 billion) continued to receive most funding.In recent years the money had gone mainly to supporting microfinance but donors broadened their funding to include financial inclusion.New types of projects were added, including those that supported access to finance for small enterprises, which were excluded in previous years, as the focus was only on microenterprises.Public funders approved close to $ 3.4 billion in new projects in 2012—68 per cent more than the previous year—while they closed fewer projects ($ 1.1 billion in 2012 versus $ 2.8 billion in 2011).Commitments from private funders to the sector grew at a much slower pace of two per cent between 2011 and 2012.Even though other surveys show that microfinance investment intermediaries (MIIs), the main channel of private funding, increased their investments to retail financial service providers (FSPs) in 2012, the increase was partially driven by drawing on an existing pool of assets that were committed prior to 2012.Private commitments to MIIs grew more modestly in 2012.GNA

Accra, Jan. 14, GNA - Ga East Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region, is one of the assemblies in the south that performed creditably in infrastructural and social development and improvement of peoples' living standards.The municipality for the past four years can boast of more than 80 infrastructural and social development projects in education, health, agriculture, sanitation, housing, water and roads.On education, the municipality had over the past four years constructed five two-units, 18 three-units, one four-unit, one storey dormitory and seven six-unit classrooms blocks.The assembly has constructed CHIP compound clinics which comprise nurses’ quarters in strategic communities as well as water closet KVIP toilets.The municipality has constructed 11 roads, which cut across urban and feeder roads for easy accessibility and office building complex, municipal education office and staff bungalows.In an interview with the Mr John Kwao Sackey, Municipal Chief Executive, he said the performance of the municipality shows the commitment of the National Democratic Congress to bridge the development gap between urban communities and the cities.He said massive development projects are being implemented to improve the living conditions of people in the area.Mr Sackey said more projects are ongoing in the various communities which would be completed this year.He said all communities in the municipality are connected to the national grid, which is crucial in the effective implementation of the Better Ghana agenda.Mr Sackey said the directive by President John Dramani Mahama for the assemblies to name streets and number houses are on course and gave the assurance that the project would be executed before the one- and half- year deadline.He said the municipality has improved internal generated funds, showing the effectiveness and efficiency of the staff of the assembly in funds mobilisation.Mr Sackey said the peace and unity the municipality is enjoying would be sustained and appealed to the chiefs, religious leaders, opinion leaders and youth groups to continue to support him to develop the area and improve the living standards of the people.GNA

Accra, Jan 14, GNA - The drive by Vodafone Ghana to empower young ones to reach beyond the limits of their imagination is yielding fruits as many pupils are participating in the organisation’s essay competition.Through its One Ghana writing competition dubbed: “What can you do with GH¢1,” children are resolute to become game-changers in the country.Daniella Afful, a 13-year-old student of Ridge Church School in Accra, wrote in her essay: “In recent times, markets, public buildings and farmlands have caught fire. These losses have cost the government and individuals’ huge sums money. If I am given GH¢1, I will use it to educate my community members especially children about how fire spreads, how to prevent fire outbreaks and how to quench the fire when there is an outbreak.”Martha Owusu-Agyeman of Little Flower Montessori in Dzorwulu also wrote that she would buy large and small polythene bags and invite all the children in her community to hand-pick all the litter and rubbish to keep the community tidy.“We will use the small polythene bags as hand gloves. This will reduce the spread of diseases such as malaria and cholera. It will also reduce the risk of floods particularly in my neighbourhood every time it rains,” added the 10-year-old aiming to become a banker.The competition is aimed at creating value, promoting creative writing, innovation and thoughtful spending among children under the age of 15.The winners for December included Daniella Afful, Martha Owusu-Agyeman, Joshua Akwei all of Saint Barnabas Anglican, Osu, Mercy Feneku of Vichans School, Abelemkpe, Prince Amekor of Saint Kizito R/C ‘2’ JHS, Nima and Gideon Akornor of Osu Saint Peter’s R/C School.The One Ghana essay competition, which was launched by Vodafone Ghana in partnership with Samsung in the last quarter of 2013, is open to children of 15 years and below and would end in January 2014.GNA

Tema, Jan. 14, GNA - The Tema Regional Office of the Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of Ghana Police Service, recorded a total of 1,458 cases in 2013 a rise over the 1,409 cases filed in 2012.The Ashaiman Municipality recorded 913 cases to top the crime chart, while Sakumono came second with 316 cases.Superintendent of Police Rebecca Nyamah, Tema Regional Co-ordinator of DOVVSU, who made this known in an interview with Ghana News Agency on Monday, said assault cases topped the record with 773, followed by 130 defilement cases, 114 stealing, 104 threat of harm and 88 threats of death,She said some of the reported cases were stealing, rape, threat of death, threat of harm and offensive conduct.Others, she said, were defilement, murder, child stealing, and attempted suicide, among other cases.According to her, Tema Newtown recorded 80 cases while Dodowa netted 61, Community Two; 44, Tema; 11, Community 11; 19, and Prampram, 10.Supt Nyamah called for a means of transport to convey policemen and women and suspects to court, visit crime scenes and carry victims to the hospital among other services.She said her outfit would intensify the upgrading of personnel while it continues with awareness creation on the rights of victims in schools, churches and other organisations.According to her, DOVSSU would partner with the various media houses to educate the public on preventive programmes.GNA

Tema, Jan. 13, GNA - Parents have been asked to monitor and control programmes their children watch on television and the Internet.Reverend Roger Parkins, Coordinator of Golden Treasures International School (GTIS) in Tema, made the call when he addressed parents of the school over the weekend.According to him, allowing children to watch immoral programmes in the media would have adverse effect on their future.He said parents must always remember that "what children do in secret is what they will become in future".He noted that parents, guardians and caretakers must monitor all the activities of their children and encourage them to use the media for educational and creative purposes.The school co-ordinator urged stakeholders in education to create an enabling environment for children to share their thoughts and talents.Rev Parkins implored parents to be good living examples to their wards and introduce them to godly and good moral lifestyles.Mrs Rejoice Larwer, Proprietress of GTIS, encouraged parents not to relent in giving quality care to their children.She said apart from paying their children's school fees on time, there is the need for parents to collaborate with teachers to educate the younger ones holistically- academically, and morally.GNA

Tema, Jan.13, GNA - Trucks which haul goods from the Tema Harbour would soon operate from a designated parking lot.At the moment, the trucks park on the shoulders of major roads in the Metropolis.Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), who announced this at a news briefing, said Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) are collaborating to provide the space.“I have had meetings with management of GPHA and an agreement has been reached for a proper parking place to be constructed for waiting trucks to prevent them from parking indiscriminately on the streets,” he said.He said even though operations of some haulage truck drivers are a nuisance to residents, the haulage sub sector cannot be done away with.According to him, residents are worried that the trucks park on the streets encourages immoral activities in the metropolis as people use the back and under of the vehicles for such vices.Mr Odamtten said there could be some form of correlation between such immoral activities and the HIV prevalence rate of the metropolis which is higher than that the average rate of the Greater Accra Region.The MCE noted that providing the parking lot would also help in the fight against immorality and the high rate of HIV in the harbour city.GNA