Kumasi, Feb 6, GNA – The Health Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with the goal of improving the quality of academic programmes of health training institutions.

Ho, Feb 6, GNA-Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, Minister of Education, has again stressed that her Ministry would go after heads of institutions who charge students arbitrary fees.

Peduase(ER), Feb 6, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday announced that Ghana would improve on her neighbourliness programme by strengthening her relations with other countries.He said in that regard, Ghana would also spearhead the integration of the African continent by forging ahead for the removal of trade barriers within the continent, harmonizing a common currency and promoting intra- African trade.President Mahama said this when he interacted with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region.The programme was also attended by Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah -Arthur and his his spouse, Mrs Matilda Amissah- Arthur , Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Council of State and development partners in the country.On annual basis, the President of the Republic meets members of the Diplomatic Corps to solidarize with them and share ideas on the way forward on their diplomatic relations.President Mahama said Ghana would also play a meaningful role in maintaining peace and order by providing all the necessary support that would help in the mediation and quelling of conflicts on the continent."Ghana is also committed to supporting all the activities of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States, among other key international organisations," President Mahama added.He announced that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information and Media Relations would soon organise a meeting with various diplomatic missions in the country to deepen relations.He said Ghana would this year post 27 new Heads of Missions to other countries, and gave the assurance that government would continue to work closely with various missions.President Mahama appealed to various missions that engage the services of Ghanaians, to endeavour to constantly pay their social security deductions to enable them to live decent lives after retirement.Madam Pavilin Tendai Musoka, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, called for the strengthening of bilateral and diplomatic relations between Ghana and their various countries to enhance mutual benefits.She said Africa had in the few years made strides in raising the image of women, particularly the assumption of office of Madam Sirleaf Johnson, President of Liberia and Mrs Joyce Banda, President of Malawi, and called for more support for women to achieve their development goals.Madam Musoka who is also the Zimbabwe Ambassador in Ghana, called for greater integration among countries that would subsequently promote intra- African trade among African countries in the coming years.She called for the urgent need to develop policies and strategies that would uplift the African continent in her pursuit for industrialization and general development.The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps commended Ghana for her leadership in achieving some Millennium Development Goals, stakeholders meetings, and her prowess in world soccer.GNA

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA – The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), on Wednesday explained that the recent occasional curtailment of power across was due to increased demand for electricity.A statement issued in Accra by Mr Albert Quainoo, Head of GRIDCo Public Relations and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said, the annual peak demand for electricity grew from 1,729MW in 2012 to 1,943MW in 2013, which is an over growth of 12 per cent.It said the forecast demand is now 1,980MW at a peak with the current available generation capacity from the power producers at 1,965MW therefore the supply inadequacy especially during the peak period.The statement said at present, all six generators at Akosombo Power Plant, all four generators at Kpong and two at Bui are available, but added that all three units at Bui have been commissioned, but power evacuation facilities for one of the units are incomplete, as work is being undertaken at the Sunyani substation.It stated that expansion and maintenance works are on-going at TICO and TAPCO at Aboadze respectively, and are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter and all these generators would have been restored to service.The GRIDCo statement said the expansion works upon completion would increase the capacity plant of TICO from 220MW to 330MW, explaining that the mines reserve plant at Tema which has been out of service for over a year was restored on February 3, 2014 adding 40MW to the system.It noted that in all, about 422MW of installed generating capacity is currently not available from various generators across the system because of the above stated reason.It, however, encouraged the public to conserve electricity as GRIDCo keeps the people updated on any developments on the supply situation.GNA

Bongo (UE), Feb 6, GNA - Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) operating in the country have been urged to take advantage of the reduction in interest rates by ARB Apex Banks to access facilities for on-lending to customers.Mr Kwadwo Aye Kusi, Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Limited, made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the Bolgatanga Branch Manager of the Bank, Mr Zinzendorf Pascal Nkulenu, at separate functions at Zebilla and Bongo, during the Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of the Toende and Bongo Rural Banks.According to the Managing Director, the ARB Apex Bank has reduced its interest rates on its borrowing to RCBs from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.He stated that cash holdings of the various branches of the bank have been increased to enable RCBs to cash with ease, and to do so within short periods after notification.He, therefore, encouraged the management of RCBs to manage their cash needs effectively and address shortfalls.The Managing Director disclosed that the ARB Apex Bank has signed an agreement with a service provider to deploy Short Messaging System (SMS) alert, mobile to mobile transfer of money as well as support “Susu” operations.This, he noted, would not only diversify RCBs’ income stream, but would also increase their profit to ultimately maximize share holders’ value.In another development, the Board Chairman of the Toende Rural Bank at Zebilla, Right Reverend Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo, addressing a meeting on the bank’s total assets, said the bank increased its assets from about GH¢5,007,118 in 2011 to GH¢6,403.903 in 2012, showing a significant increase of GH¢1.396.785.He indicated that loan assets increased substantially to 42 per cent in 2012, as compared to 25.6 per cent in 2011.On the total shares of the bank, Reverend Ayeebo stated that it stood at GH¢166, 120 as against GH¢160,463 in 2011, whilst the total deposits also increased from GH¢3,928.804 to GH¢4, 934.577, an increase of GH¢1,005.77 representing 25.6 percentRev Ayeebo attributed the success story to prudent management of the bank by the Board of Directors, including support from the shareholders, staff and the Apex Bank.He noted that the bank faced challenges particularly with the global financial crisis, adding that plans were far advanced to introduce relevant products to satisfy customer needs.He stated that the bank had upgraded its mobilization centres at Binaba, Sepelga and Bolgatanga into agencies, and computerized them for improved services.Rev Ayeebo mentioned that the bank would soon introduce ATM Cards to enable its customers’ to access their monies after banking hours.He added that management of the bank intended to expand its mobilization base and intensify its search for new products, to project the bank’s growth, and appealed to shareholders to increase their shares to enable the bank to realize its dreams.GNA

Accra, Feb 6, GNA - President John Mahama has initiated a process through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to access a Turkish Exim Bank financial assistance for the construction of an ultra-modern regional theatre centre in Kumasi.The process is in line with government's vision to support the creative arts industry and to encourage private sector investment in the local music and film industry to sustain and export the enduring values of Ghanaian culture and tradition.Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, announced the President’s initiative in Accra on Wednesday when she launched this year’s Ghana Music celebration.The week on the theme, “Positioning Ghanaian Music as Heartbeat for Tourism Promotion,” runs from March 2 to March 9.Activities planned for the week include a Ghana Music Day, Ghana Music Week Kick Off Party, an opening ceremony, a two-day workshop on Music Development and Artiste Management, Ghana Music Honours, a Ghana All Star Live Concert and a Jam Jones and Nite Club Jams.All the events would take place in Accra unless otherwise stated.Mrs Ofosu-Adjare announced that the organizers, the Musicians Union of Ghana, has decided to run the theme as a broad one for the next three years to advertise Ghana’s music on a very large scale, so that it secures its rightful position in the world.“This is welcome news as government is aware of the many untapped potentials in the tourism and creative arts that require various forms of investments which music continues to be one of them,” the Minister said.She reiterated that government would continue to facilitate the forging of partnership with all stakeholders and Development Partners to mobilize funding for the construction of a state-of- the-art multi-purpose auditorium for organising events, including musical shows in Ghana.Mrs Ofosu –Adjare announced that a committee that was drafting a legal and regulatory framework for the Creative Arts industry has been constituted, adding that the Committee was at the final stage of submitting a draft document.Mr Bice Osei Kuffour, President of the Union, said the week which would take place in Ghana’s independence week, would attract international artistes from the United Kingdom, the Carribean, and the United States, among other nations.He appealed to music operators to give priority to the playing of Ghanaian music during the week-long celebrations.There were solidarity messages from the National Theatre, the Accra Brewery Limited and Airtel, collaborators of the celebration.GNA