Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - Justice Irene Danquah, an appeal court judge in-charge of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), on Monday urged the public to embrace the ADR process as a reliable partner to the traditional justice delivery system.   She said ADR concept had complemented the court system by making access to justice cheaper, expeditious, non-adversarial and faster to the citizenry.   Justice Danquah was speaking at this year’s ADR celebration, which took place at the Adjabeng Magistrate court in Accra.   At every ADR week, parties who have cases pending in courts that are connected to ADR get the opportunity to have their cases settled through mediation.   Justice Danquah stated that the ADR process had helped in reducing backlog of cases in the courts substantially due to the mass mediation exercise.   She said currently, the ADR programme had been extended to 47 districts and circuits courts across the country with at least three mediators assigned to each of these courts.   She said between 2007 and 2011 a total of 16,080 cases were mediated out of which 8802 cases were settled representing 55 per cent settlement rate. Justice Danquah also noted that with land related cases becoming dominant in the courts, the Judicial Service in collaboration with the Land Administration Project had trained 30 surveyors to be used as mediators on pilot basis to reduce the backlog of land cases in the Land courts in Greater Accra.   Ms Elizabeth Quansah, the Magistrate in-charge of the Adjabeng court, said the ADR system was efficient, fast and not time wasting.   She added that ADR was very effective and guaranteed the interest of the parties in every aspect of the process.   Mrs Naa Afarley Dadson, a representative of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) dismissed the notion that lawyers were averse to the ADR process.   She said the ADR system was a mechanism which enabled parties to litigation to talk and come out with their own solutions to the problem.   GNA...

Sunyani, Nov. 5, GNA - Mr Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani East Municipal Chief Executive, has called on Ghanaians to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be influenced with monetary or material persuasion to indulge in acts that would affect the prevailing peace in the country.   He asked the youth to take a cue from the plight of refugees in the country and appreciate the need to be law-abiding and eschew violence.   Mr Ababio made the call when addressing the Brong-Ahafo Regional Delegates Congress of the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Ghana (FOMWA) at Sunyani.   FOMWA was established to bring all Muslim women together to review issues that affected Muslim women in the country and find solutions to them and improve on their education.   It was attended by Muslim women in the Region on the theme: “The Role of a Muslim Woman Towards Peaceful Election 2012”.   Mr Ababio pointed out that everyone was a target during violence and urged women to prevail upon their husbands, children and other relatives to refrain from acts that were likely to breach the peace.   Mr Ameyaw Kyeremeh, Member of Parliament for Sunyani East appealed to politicians to desist from the use of intemperate language and personal attacks during their campaign.   He said politicians should outline their policies and programmes to the people to make informed choices on December 7, and asked the women not to be complacent but continued to pray for a free, fair and peaceful election.   GNA...

Accra, Nov., 5, GNA - The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG has elevated its Ga East Mission Field to a District status, with a call on members to seek unity and purity for the growth of the new District.   The Reverend Dr Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery, in a sermon, at a ceremony to elevate the Mission Field, in Accra on Sunday, called on Christians to show love and compassion for the sick, poor and less privileged, particularly those of other religions.   He explained that: “A Presbyterian Church District is one of the four courts of the Church. Under the leadership of the District Minister, a District is expected to empower, facilitate and coordinate the life and ministry of all congregations and preaching points in the District”.   Rev. Odonkor called on Christians to seek the blessing of God and dwell richly on the Holy Spirit, and make good use of variety of gifts, talents and abilities available in the church.   Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey, Moderator of the General Assembly, PCG, appealed to members of the new District to strive to attain the goal for which God has called them.   He said: “support your Presbytery and the church as a whole and contribute effectively to the building of a strong and formidable religious body”.   Rev. Abraham Samuel Brenya-Abbey, Minister of the new District, said he would work hard to ensure the growth of the PCG.   He said: “Let us as a new District look up to the Lord and allow Him to do the fighting for us. The lord, who provided our needs when we were a Mission Field, would still provide us our needs now that we are a District”.   The Oyibi Congregation, now the headquarters of the District, was created in 1870, when the Basel Missionaries were engaging in evangelism, as part of efforts to establish churches across Ghana.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA – Defending league champions, Asante Kotoko and FA Cup lords, New Edubiase have until November 30 to confirm their participation in next year’s African Club Championships.   Kotoko will participate in the prestigious CAF Champions League, where as Edubiase will make their continental bow in the CAF Confederation Cup.   With the 2012 African Club Championships nearing its climax, GNA Sports can confirm that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has communicated to its affiliated National Associations including the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to confirm the participation of their respective clubs in the two competitions before the deadline.   Ghana is entitled to two clubs after failing to make it into the top 12-ranked National Associations permitted to enter two clubs each in the two competitions.   GNA Sports is reliably informed that the GFA has sent out the message to both Kotoko and Edubiase, and is awaiting their responses.      Till this stage, both clubs have made affirmed their decision to participate in the two competitions.   Either club can decide against participation at this stage but any such decision after the draw has been conducted will come with a fine and ban from appearing in future competitions.   Second-tier side Nania FC withdrew from the Confederation Cup after being drawn against FC Sequence, which came with a fine of 1,500 dollars and a three-year ban.   Meanwhile, the draw for the two competitions is expected to be held in Cairo, Egypt next month.   GNA...

Abenase (Ash), Nov 5, GNA – The chiefs and people of Abenase in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality through self-help had completed a mechanized small community water system to ensure access to potable water.   It comes with an overhead tank that has the capacity to hold 333,333 gallons of water.   Inaugurating it amidst fanfare, Mr. Richmond Frimpong, the assembly member of the area said the project was funded through voluntary contributions and special fund-raising.   He said with its completion, the population was now assured of clean and safe drinking water.   He singled out for commendation, Mr Barrack Ofori, a businessman and native of the town for donating the overhead tank.   The assembly member appealed to the government to address the water problem faced by rural communities to help reduce water related diseases.   Nana Yaa Norsowaa II, the queen, performing the ceremony to formally inaugurate the project, gave high marks to the assembly member and the unit committee for the transparency and accountability in the management of the people’s contributions.   She drew attention to the need to handle the facility with care and its regular maintenance to prolong the life span.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA – Liberty Professionals midfielder Kennedy Ashia leads the scorers chart of the 2012/2013 Premier League after six weeks of matches with five goals.   Ashia, shifted to the offensive midfield this season scored his fifth goal, the solitary strike that secured the maximum points at the expense of Berekum Arsenals at the Golden City Park in Berekum over the weekend.   He is closely trailed by the quintet of Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Yakubu Mohamed (AshantiGold), Yahaya Mohamed (Amidaus Professionals), Latif Salifu (Berekum Chelsea) and Francis Narh (Tema Youth), all on four goals apiece.   Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United) and Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko) have each hit the back of the net thrice.   As many as 46 players have each scored one goal each in the premiership which has recorded 91 goals so far.   Below is the scorers chart:   5 - Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Professionals)   4 - Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Yakubu Mohamed (AshantiGold), Yahaya Mohamed (Amidaus Professionals), Latif Salifu (Berekum Chelsea), Francis Narh (Tema Youth)   3 - Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United), Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko)   2 - Bright Luqman (Dwarfs), Osei Bonsu, Nuru Sulley (Hearts of Oak), Louis Agyemang (AshantiGold), Samuel Azumah (All Stars), Kabiru Moro (Medeama), Bernard Ofori (Edubiase)   1- Sulley Mohamed, Prince Boateng (King Faisal), Francis Morton, John Arthur, Prince Appiah (Dwarfs), Ibrahim Dauda, Edmund Owusu Peprah (Berekum Arsenals), Alex Asamoah, Emmanuel Allan, Daniel Gozah, Godfred Saka, Emmanuel Akuoko, John Ashong (Aduana Stars), Francis Coffie, Didier Kore, Aaron Amoah, (AshantiGold), Hanan Giwah, Salim Sakara, Emmanuel Kwamena, (Real Tamale United), Theophilus Anobaah, Otuo Acheampong, Daniel Larbi Koomson, Masawudu Suleiman (Medeama), Eric Bekoe, Ibrahim Issaka, Abdul Wahab (Berekum Chelsea), Michael Helegbe, Joseph Ochaya, Seidu Bancey (Asante Kotoko), Isaac Quansah, Franklin Osei, Daniel Acquaye, Prince Acquah, Benjamin Fadi, Nana Egyir (Heart of Lions), Joshua Otoo, Hafiz Adams, Emmanuel Adu (All Stars), Basit Adam, Sakyi Quaye (Edubiase), Isaac Amoah, (Amidaus Professionals), Moro Iddrisu, Edward Affum, Prince Attakora Gyimah (Hearts of Oak), Derrick Mensah, Daniel Appiah (Tema Youth)   GNA...

Ejisu (Ash), Nov 5, GNA - The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) says it is not happy about the unfair treatment of its members by the government.   This comes in the wake of unexplained reduction in the October salary of teachers. Some of the teachers were reported to have had their salary slashed by about a-half.   A press statement issued and signed by the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Secretary of the Association, Mr Agyen Frimpong, said it was disturbing that since the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) it had been difficult for any teacher to tell his or her actual monthly take home pay.   He said even more irritating was the unjustified delay in the release of their pay slips.   “They are yet to receive their pay slips for August, September and October”, it added.   It said they had raised their concerns with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department but nothing had changed.   This was fueling apprehension and anger among the teachers and the GNAT demanded that things needed to be fixed and must be done quickly.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 5, GNA – The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), a non-governmental organization, is supporting a total of 16,600 female students across four regions of the country this year with scholarship package such as school fees, uniforms and footwear.   The package, which also includes notebooks, sanitary pads, soap and dry food ration, will guarantee the education of the beneficiaries, who are from less privileged homes and deprived communities, in the country.   The support was also to ensure retention rate of 98 per cent for Junior High School in beneficiary communities and 99.9 per cent for the Senior High Schools for girls on the CAMFED programme.   Mrs. Dolores Dickson, Executive Director of CAMFED-Ghana disclosed these in Tamale during the opening ceremony of the CAMFED 2012 Annual General Meeting, which brought together stakeholders of the organization.   The AGM, which was on the theme: “Driving up Educational Performance: Our Impact as Stakeholders” brought District Education Committees, CAMFED alumni (CAMA), mother support groups, teacher mentors and some directors of the GES to take stock of past programmes and achievements.   Mrs. Dickson said the successes of the organization could not have been possible without the hard working staff and stakeholders and commended them for their dedication, adding that “As stakeholders in education, it is essential for us to do self-reflection at some point to see how our actions are impacting on quality education”.   She said the year under review saw the continuation of the annual science, mathematics and technology camp where beneficiaries were well educated and broaden in horizon, saying that more females under the CAMFED sponsorship had progressed from second circle to the tertiary level.   Mrs. Dickson, however, lamented that the NGO due to its good works, had attracted numerous applicants and was struggling to cope with the demands for tertiary education support against the backdrop of increasing tertiary fees resulting in cutting down the numbers.   Mr. Charles Atia, Head of Operations at CAMFED-Ghana, said the NGO had grown since 2008 with operations extended to four regions and 30 districts from the initial one region and eight districts. Staff strength had also improved from five to 28 in 2012.   He said funding had also grown from US$609,587 in 2012 to 6,196,990 million dollars in 2012, which had enabled CAMFED to increase its partner schools from 242 in 2008 to 716.   He mentioned the MasterCard Foundation, DFID Ghana, Google, Credit Suisse, and Marple Trust Fund as the donors.   Mr. Atia said 1,184 businesses had been set up by young women with seed capital from CAMFED while many others had received training in business enterprises to grow themselves.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov 5, GNA - The 2011 Year Group of Diploma Teachers (regular) in the Northern Region, has appealed to the government to take steps to place its members onto the right salary structure and begin paying their salaries.   Addressing a press conference in Tamale on Monday, Mr Baako Yahaya, Public Relations Officer of the group, said since being handed appointment letters in September 2011, members had not received their substantive salaries.   Mr Yahaya, who is a teacher at Tamaligu Junior High School at the Karaga District, said "we have only been receiving allowances" which were not enough to sustain us throughout the month.   He said the group had made various attempts to get some responses from the appropriate authorities but yielded no positive results.   He said, “we called on the government to come to our aid at this difficult time by facilitating the payment of our arrears and placement onto the appropriate salary scale as soon as possible".   Mr Yahaya warned that if the problem persisted after a week, "members shall embark on a peaceful demonstration and subsequently a strike action".   He congratulated the affected teachers for their patience and appealed to them to exercise restraint until the ultimatum expired.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA – Ghana’s oldest existing club, Accra Hearts of Oak has been hit with another crisis following the resignation of their longest serving Administrative Manager/General Manager, Ashford Tettey-Oku on Monday morning.   Tettey-Oku, who has served the club for almost 20 years, tendered his resignation on Monday, November 5.   Tettey-Oku, who until the floatation of shares, was Administrative Manager and was upgraded to the position of General Manager after the floatation, cited personal reasons for his action according to information gathered by the GNA Sports.   His action has brought the clubs’ secretariat to a standstill, since the administrative machinery is now without a General Manager.   According to information gathered by the GNA Sports, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the club, Torbgui Afede XIV, has instructed the closure of the secretariat with immediate effect.   Torgbui Afede XIV, instructed one Apigy Asenu and a Board Member, Alhaji Amadu Moro Braimah, to take inventory of all the clubs properties at the secretariat and lock the office until further instructions.   However, investigations conducted by the GNA Sports indicates that, Tettey-Oku has for the past weeks been taking a lot of criticisms from sections of the club for playing a role in what has been described as poor recruitment exercise conducted by the club before the start of the season.   Hearts is now without a General Manager, Chief Executive Officer and a head coach.   The 2000 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League winners, has for the last three years failed to win the premiership and has been battling with poor form in the 2012/13 premiership.   Hearts, have so far won two out of the six matches in the premiership, with just seven points, from the total eighteen points and lying at the ninth position on the league table.   It would be recalled that the club, last Wednesday sacked coach C.K. Akunnor for the poor run in the league, with Chief Executive Officer Fred Crenstil refusing to seek a renewal of his mandate after it expired.   GNA...

Lucie Safarova beats Jelena Jankovic to ensure the Czech Republic defend their Fed Cup title with a 3-1 win over Serbia.

A campaigner for President John Mahama has expressed gratitude to students of the University of Ghana Legon for their maturity Visit Myjoyonline.com for latest news, breaking news, audio and feature stories in Ghana Apple is the latest multinational to come under scrutiny for the amount of corporation tax it pays, following Starbucks, Facebook and Google.

The Chief of Wechaiu in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region, Naa Imoro Gumah II has waded into the free senior high school education controversy which is currently a subject of debate between the NDC and the NPP.

Police have arrested a 37 year old HIV positive man at Asylum Down in Accra for intentionally infecting several women with the virus.

Ghana defender Daniel Opare says he is making steady progress towards full recovery from a foot injury.

The New Patriotic Party is demanding explanation from President John Dramani Mahama, over the cost of training 250 Ghanaians as medical doctors in Cuba.

Reports reaching Adomonline.com indicate a campaign vehicle of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information and NDC parliamentary candidate for North Tongu has knocked down and killed a 38 year old man at Mepe in the Volta Region.

The Human Rights Court in Accra has adjourned the case brought against the Electoral Commission by the National Democratic Party to 16 November 2012.

A campaigner for President John Mahama has expressed gratitude to students of the University of Ghana Legon for their maturity Visit Myjoyonline.com for latest news, breaking news, audio and feature stories in Ghana On the 1st of December 2012, a day which will be celebrated Worldwide as World AIDS Day, Kaylers Communications will stage an HIVAIDS awareness concert for school children and the general public at the Aviation Social Center in Accra.

Jian Feng, a resident of northern China has sued his wife for giving birth to an awful looking baby girl.