Accra, Ghana – Mr. Larry Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education on Thursday noted the commission’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana became the cradle of constitutional democracy in Africa.
“This is the more reason we have to take the study and practice of the constitution seriously. I am therefore happy that government has adopted the constitution as one of its flagship programmes.”
Mr. Bimi said this at the first National Organizing Committee (NOC) meeting entrusted with the responsibility of the 2009 Constitution Week Celebration.
The week slated for April 28 to May 4, would be celebrated on the theme: “Beyond Elections: Citizens’ Participation and Governments’ Accountability” with series of lectures on selected topics aside nationwide activities.
Mr. Bimi noted that deepening constitutional affairs and democracy in particular called for effective and responsible citizen participation.
Proposed topics for discussion include: Literacy and Level of Participation in Governance, National Identity and Changing Cultural values, The Citizens and His Member of Parliament and Citizen Participation Through parliament.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Engage the Services of professional surveyors
Accra, Ghana – Mr Jonathan Allotey Abbosey, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyor (GhIS), on Friday advised the public to engage the services of qualified surveyors to ensure proper land acquisition and ownership.
“The image of the profession is very important and that is why I call on the public to cross-check from the GhIS before engaging anybody as a surveyor,” he said.
Mr Abossey told the Ghana News Agency at the GhIS 40th annual general meeting their advice had become necessary to flush out quacks who were denting the image of the profession.
He said this was the reason the Surveyor Council Bill needed to be passed to ensure effective regulation and modalities for practitioners to fight the land disputes and acquisition problems that individuals had to go through sometimes.
Mr Aboosey noted that members of the Institution had been provided with identity cards and jackets and urged the public to demand the identity of people so as to engage qualified surveyors.
“The image of the profession is very important and that is why I call on the public to cross-check from the GhIS before engaging anybody as a surveyor,” he said.
Mr Abossey told the Ghana News Agency at the GhIS 40th annual general meeting their advice had become necessary to flush out quacks who were denting the image of the profession.
He said this was the reason the Surveyor Council Bill needed to be passed to ensure effective regulation and modalities for practitioners to fight the land disputes and acquisition problems that individuals had to go through sometimes.
Mr Aboosey noted that members of the Institution had been provided with identity cards and jackets and urged the public to demand the identity of people so as to engage qualified surveyors.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ghana to fight road crashes
Accra, Ghana – Mr Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, on Monday said the Ministry had put in place stringent measures to enforce the Road Traffic Act, to curb the spate of accidents on the roads.
“As a first step to addressing this socially unacceptable trend, the Ministry with effect from April 6, 2009, charges all commercial vehicles to introduce log books in their vehicles to monitor the number of hours drivers use over a distance,” he said.
Mr Hammah, at a stakeholders’ meeting to find solutions to the accidents, charged commercial vehicles to have National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) approved reflective tapes and warning triangles to improve visibility.
“The police are required to enforce these directives while the NRSC monitors its enforcement,” Mr Hammah said.
He said the National Road Safety Strategy II would be reviewed to reflect emerging trends. Institutional capacity, funding and legal framework within which the strategy is implemented would also be reassessed.
Mr Hammah said the introduction of speed cameras, installation of speed limiters in commercial vehicles and instant towing of disabled vehicles were some of the long-term measures to be taken to ensure road safety.
On the recent crashes on some major roads, Mr Hammah noted that preliminary investigation revealed that fatigue, carelessness, poor visibility and high speed were the major causes.
“As the Minister of Transport, I cannot sit down for these needless road accidents to go on.”
The stakeholders called for resources for the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), training of drivers and effective collaboration between industry players to mitigate road crashes.
ACP Victor Tandoh (Rtd), former MTTU commander, advocated the training of “proper traffic police”, who would be dedicated and disciplined, to manage the traffic situation.
“We do not need people who want to make hay while the sun shines or a policeman who is a friend of a driver; we need men who can instil discipline into drivers and ensure sanity on our roads,” he added.
“As a first step to addressing this socially unacceptable trend, the Ministry with effect from April 6, 2009, charges all commercial vehicles to introduce log books in their vehicles to monitor the number of hours drivers use over a distance,” he said.
Mr Hammah, at a stakeholders’ meeting to find solutions to the accidents, charged commercial vehicles to have National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) approved reflective tapes and warning triangles to improve visibility.
“The police are required to enforce these directives while the NRSC monitors its enforcement,” Mr Hammah said.
He said the National Road Safety Strategy II would be reviewed to reflect emerging trends. Institutional capacity, funding and legal framework within which the strategy is implemented would also be reassessed.
Mr Hammah said the introduction of speed cameras, installation of speed limiters in commercial vehicles and instant towing of disabled vehicles were some of the long-term measures to be taken to ensure road safety.
On the recent crashes on some major roads, Mr Hammah noted that preliminary investigation revealed that fatigue, carelessness, poor visibility and high speed were the major causes.
“As the Minister of Transport, I cannot sit down for these needless road accidents to go on.”
The stakeholders called for resources for the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), training of drivers and effective collaboration between industry players to mitigate road crashes.
ACP Victor Tandoh (Rtd), former MTTU commander, advocated the training of “proper traffic police”, who would be dedicated and disciplined, to manage the traffic situation.
“We do not need people who want to make hay while the sun shines or a policeman who is a friend of a driver; we need men who can instil discipline into drivers and ensure sanity on our roads,” he added.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Involve local consultants in state projects-Surveyors
Involve local consultants in state projects - Surveyors
Accra, Ghana – Mr Jonathan Allotey Abbosey, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), on Monday urged government to engage the services of local consultants to handle major state projects.
“Although we recognize that international best practices must be brought to bear in our developmental agenda, it is unquestionable that we have competent consultants in this country and they have the added advantage of local knowledge and expertise,” he said.
Mr Abbossey, speaking at a press conference to launch the 40th anniversary celebrations of GhIS, suggested that local and foreign consultants must be partnered for major projects to ensure efficient implementation.
The theme: “The Surveyor and the Millennium Development Goals” was chosen to highlight the contribution of GhIS to national development.
Mr Abbossey noted that surveyors were key players in the development agenda saying, “Surveyors have to be involved, if the implementation of the various ventures within the economy is to be successful.”
He said GhIS was working hard to enact laws that would control and regulate the practice of surveying. Currently two legislations - the Survey Council Bill and Estate Agency Bill - being championed by the GhIS have been drafted but are yet to be passed.
To weed out quack surveyors, the Institution has adopted a professional jacket for use by members in its three divisions - the Estate and Valuation, Quantity and Land surveying.
“We urge employers both in the public and private sectors to engage qualified professional surveyors to handle various aspects of projects which are survey related,” he said.
On the oil find, Mr Abbossey said it was imperative for proper demarcation to be done to ensure efficient utilization of land.
“In this regard wanton land sales without regard to land use plans must be discouraged,” Mr Abbossey added.
Accra, Ghana – Mr Jonathan Allotey Abbosey, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), on Monday urged government to engage the services of local consultants to handle major state projects.
“Although we recognize that international best practices must be brought to bear in our developmental agenda, it is unquestionable that we have competent consultants in this country and they have the added advantage of local knowledge and expertise,” he said.
Mr Abbossey, speaking at a press conference to launch the 40th anniversary celebrations of GhIS, suggested that local and foreign consultants must be partnered for major projects to ensure efficient implementation.
The theme: “The Surveyor and the Millennium Development Goals” was chosen to highlight the contribution of GhIS to national development.
Mr Abbossey noted that surveyors were key players in the development agenda saying, “Surveyors have to be involved, if the implementation of the various ventures within the economy is to be successful.”
He said GhIS was working hard to enact laws that would control and regulate the practice of surveying. Currently two legislations - the Survey Council Bill and Estate Agency Bill - being championed by the GhIS have been drafted but are yet to be passed.
To weed out quack surveyors, the Institution has adopted a professional jacket for use by members in its three divisions - the Estate and Valuation, Quantity and Land surveying.
“We urge employers both in the public and private sectors to engage qualified professional surveyors to handle various aspects of projects which are survey related,” he said.
On the oil find, Mr Abbossey said it was imperative for proper demarcation to be done to ensure efficient utilization of land.
“In this regard wanton land sales without regard to land use plans must be discouraged,” Mr Abbossey added.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Ghana urged to put in place Transitional mechanisms
Accra, Ghana – Sheikh IC Quaye, Former Greater Accra Regional Minister said there was the need for the country to put in place transitional mechanisms to ensure that change in government did not result in rancour and acrimony.
“We are witnesses to the beautiful transition that has taken place in America recently. And we also aware of other bitter experiences in other parts of Africa. It is about time Ghana travel on that road of true democracies where transitions take place without any problems,” he added.
Sheikh Quaye said this when he officially handed over the administration of the region to Nii Armah Ashitey, the new Greater Accra Minister.
He noted that developing Ghana’s young democracy called for the placement of institutions to promote it.
Sheikh Quaye noted the maintenance of peace within the region as his remarkable achievement adding, “I would urge you to continue in same spirit so that we can preserve the peaceful atmosphere”.
Nii Armah Ashitey noted that change was always necessary to ensure dynamism as well as promoting new ideas for development.
He said Accra was important in the scheme of the country as it was the “eye of the nation” and called on all sectors within it to work hard to raise the status of the capital.
Nii Ashitey said the business of decongesting the capital, riding it of filth and privatization of certain sectors to attract investors and promote good governance would be high on the agenda.
He said the Regional Co-coordinating Council played a key role in the decentralization process.
“We are witnesses to the beautiful transition that has taken place in America recently. And we also aware of other bitter experiences in other parts of Africa. It is about time Ghana travel on that road of true democracies where transitions take place without any problems,” he added.
Sheikh Quaye said this when he officially handed over the administration of the region to Nii Armah Ashitey, the new Greater Accra Minister.
He noted that developing Ghana’s young democracy called for the placement of institutions to promote it.
Sheikh Quaye noted the maintenance of peace within the region as his remarkable achievement adding, “I would urge you to continue in same spirit so that we can preserve the peaceful atmosphere”.
Nii Armah Ashitey noted that change was always necessary to ensure dynamism as well as promoting new ideas for development.
He said Accra was important in the scheme of the country as it was the “eye of the nation” and called on all sectors within it to work hard to raise the status of the capital.
Nii Ashitey said the business of decongesting the capital, riding it of filth and privatization of certain sectors to attract investors and promote good governance would be high on the agenda.
He said the Regional Co-coordinating Council played a key role in the decentralization process.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Intake of pure cocoa, source of healthy living
Accra, Ghana – Professor Fredrick Addai, Head of the Anatomy Department, University of Ghana Medical School on Saturday said regular intake of pure cocoa or chocolate was a must for healthy living.
“Daily intake of cocoa is necessary to realise its optimum benefits for growth and development of the body as well as disease prevention,” he added.
Professor Addai said this at the end of a three-day lecture on cocoa and its benefits organized by Centuries International Organisation, an NGO which is promoting cocoa consuption in Ghana.
He said drinking pure cocoa powder drink at least three times daily could reduced the rate of diabetes and hypertension, “I advice that persons with these kind of diseases would stick to pure cocoa”.
Professor Addai however, noted that it was not really good for people with very low blood pressure or gastroesophageal reflux disease but could reduce the risks of getting stroke and aneurysm.
On chocolate, he urged the youth to eat the dark bar chocolate regularly in addition to drinking pure cocoa adding, “benefits require lifetime commitment to cocoa consumption”.
He said research had shown that pure natural cocoa has incomparable promotive, preventive, and curative health benefits, “most valuable nutrients are stored in the cocoa bean.”
Mr Ekow Otoo, Commercial Manager, Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo said it was working and researching into various aspect of the pod to churn out more products.
“We now have the cocoa fertilizer, soaps, wine, pomade, salts and others from the pod which is even a by-product”, he added.
Mr Stephen Dzilah, President of the Ghana Chefs Association called for improved technologies in cocoa production that would promote cocoa and chocolate in the country, adding “as chefs, we assure the public of nutritional menu from the product”.
“Daily intake of cocoa is necessary to realise its optimum benefits for growth and development of the body as well as disease prevention,” he added.
Professor Addai said this at the end of a three-day lecture on cocoa and its benefits organized by Centuries International Organisation, an NGO which is promoting cocoa consuption in Ghana.
He said drinking pure cocoa powder drink at least three times daily could reduced the rate of diabetes and hypertension, “I advice that persons with these kind of diseases would stick to pure cocoa”.
Professor Addai however, noted that it was not really good for people with very low blood pressure or gastroesophageal reflux disease but could reduce the risks of getting stroke and aneurysm.
On chocolate, he urged the youth to eat the dark bar chocolate regularly in addition to drinking pure cocoa adding, “benefits require lifetime commitment to cocoa consumption”.
He said research had shown that pure natural cocoa has incomparable promotive, preventive, and curative health benefits, “most valuable nutrients are stored in the cocoa bean.”
Mr Ekow Otoo, Commercial Manager, Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo said it was working and researching into various aspect of the pod to churn out more products.
“We now have the cocoa fertilizer, soaps, wine, pomade, salts and others from the pod which is even a by-product”, he added.
Mr Stephen Dzilah, President of the Ghana Chefs Association called for improved technologies in cocoa production that would promote cocoa and chocolate in the country, adding “as chefs, we assure the public of nutritional menu from the product”.
Eschew ethnic sentiments-PCG Moderator
Accra, Ghana-Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Ghana, on Sunday urged Ghanaians to avoid ethnic sentiments that tend to create disunity in society.
“The ethnic sentiments that continue to generate flames at various parts of the country must give way to reconciliation and respect for one another”
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso was delivering a sermon on the theme: ”The cleansing hand of Jesus, ”during the dedication of a new church building at New Achimota, constructed by the Salvation Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana .
He said the ethnic group to which one belonged is a divine act and despising any ethnic group was an indictment on God’s plan.
“The church is important because God does not save people in isolation so an important part of what needs to be restored is our relationship with other people and we can do this best as we unite fully with the Lord in a covenant relationship,” he said.
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso urged Christians to seek God’s guidance in achieving their goals in life instead of bemoaning their weaknesses and past failures.
He said Christians can only overcome social and spiritual evils when they put on the whole amour of God.
“The forces of evil that assail us today such as armed robbery, alcoholism, occultism and ethnocentrism are too real to be ignored and we are powerless over the demons that afflict us with these evils so we need Jesus who has a superior power to help us,” he said.
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso advised Christians to humble themselves and obey God in order to accept mercy and blessings.
“No Christian should even think that he or she is totally independent and does not need help from others and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others and the body of Christ, which is the church, functions well when members work for the common good,” he said.
“The ethnic sentiments that continue to generate flames at various parts of the country must give way to reconciliation and respect for one another”
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso was delivering a sermon on the theme: ”The cleansing hand of Jesus, ”during the dedication of a new church building at New Achimota, constructed by the Salvation Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana .
He said the ethnic group to which one belonged is a divine act and despising any ethnic group was an indictment on God’s plan.
“The church is important because God does not save people in isolation so an important part of what needs to be restored is our relationship with other people and we can do this best as we unite fully with the Lord in a covenant relationship,” he said.
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso urged Christians to seek God’s guidance in achieving their goals in life instead of bemoaning their weaknesses and past failures.
He said Christians can only overcome social and spiritual evils when they put on the whole amour of God.
“The forces of evil that assail us today such as armed robbery, alcoholism, occultism and ethnocentrism are too real to be ignored and we are powerless over the demons that afflict us with these evils so we need Jesus who has a superior power to help us,” he said.
Right Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso advised Christians to humble themselves and obey God in order to accept mercy and blessings.
“No Christian should even think that he or she is totally independent and does not need help from others and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others and the body of Christ, which is the church, functions well when members work for the common good,” he said.
Decentralize ICT policies to ensure efficiency
Decentralize ICT policies to ensure efficiency- Ofosu-Adarkwa
Accra, Feb 16, GNA – Mr Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa, Chief Director, Ministry of Communications, on Monday, reiterated the need for the decentralization of the government’s ICT policy to ensure effective implementation especially at the local level.
“It has been asserted that many e-government projects initiated under the governance transformation processes have failed to achieve the desired outcome, notwithstanding the huge investment,” he said.
Mr Ofosu-Adarkwa said this at a five-day Digital Literacy workshop organized by the Ministry, in collaboration with Microsoft, for participants from the Ministries, Department and Agencies.
The Digital Literacy programme is to help participants to access basic computer concepts and skills to enable them to use the technology to develop new social and economic opportunities to promote government’s businesses.
He said the training had become necessary to bridge the ICT supply gap within the Public and the Civil services and position them for the implementation of a comprehensive electronic government programme to improve service delivery.
“The Ministry shall collaborate with the Office of the Head of Civil Service to operationalise the scheme for IT classes in the public service, which has been developed with the support of UNDP”, he said.
Mr Ofosu-Adarkwa called on participants to become change agents in the governance transformation process, “and this is why I wish to request that all of you actively participate in the course modules outlined under the digital literacy curriculum”.
Mr Okay Ice, Regional Development Manager, Microsoft, Ghana, said the training for system administrators would be carried out in March.
He said Microsoft was poised to help developing countries in the use of ICT to achieve efficiency in the government machinery.
Accra, Feb 16, GNA – Mr Kwaku Ofosu-Adarkwa, Chief Director, Ministry of Communications, on Monday, reiterated the need for the decentralization of the government’s ICT policy to ensure effective implementation especially at the local level.
“It has been asserted that many e-government projects initiated under the governance transformation processes have failed to achieve the desired outcome, notwithstanding the huge investment,” he said.
Mr Ofosu-Adarkwa said this at a five-day Digital Literacy workshop organized by the Ministry, in collaboration with Microsoft, for participants from the Ministries, Department and Agencies.
The Digital Literacy programme is to help participants to access basic computer concepts and skills to enable them to use the technology to develop new social and economic opportunities to promote government’s businesses.
He said the training had become necessary to bridge the ICT supply gap within the Public and the Civil services and position them for the implementation of a comprehensive electronic government programme to improve service delivery.
“The Ministry shall collaborate with the Office of the Head of Civil Service to operationalise the scheme for IT classes in the public service, which has been developed with the support of UNDP”, he said.
Mr Ofosu-Adarkwa called on participants to become change agents in the governance transformation process, “and this is why I wish to request that all of you actively participate in the course modules outlined under the digital literacy curriculum”.
Mr Okay Ice, Regional Development Manager, Microsoft, Ghana, said the training for system administrators would be carried out in March.
He said Microsoft was poised to help developing countries in the use of ICT to achieve efficiency in the government machinery.
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