Accra, Ghana - Vice President John Mahama on Thursday assured labour unions, some of whom are showing increasing agitation over the delay in implementing the single spine pay policy that government remains firmly committed to putting the policy into action. Addressing workers unions and employers at a consultative workshop on the policy in Accra, Vice President Mahama re-echoed the willingness of government to fully implement the policy aimed at removing distortions in public sector wages, to reflect constitutional requirements of equity and equal pay for work of equal worth.
He said government would work assiduously towards "streaming public sector wages with the view to boosting productivity and towards paying decent wages to the working people" with the ultimate goal of making the public sector more "productive, effective and efficient". "This is a statement of fact and my presence here is to allay your fears and remove any cloud of doubt from the minds of public sector employees and their leadership about government's commitment towards ensuring the implementation of the single spine pay policy," he added. The two-day meeting is expected to smoothen grey areas which are believed to have stalled the implementation of the policy, billed by the largest bloc of workers union, the Ghana Trades Union Congress as critical in giving public sector workers a decent wage. Such a move, would pave way for the designing of a 'road map' to guide the implementation of the policy. Vice President Mahama charged the participants to help address major areas of contention and arrive at a consensus on the determination of the base pay and the standardization of allowances and other conditions of service.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Bank of Ghana to introduce new cheque clearing system
Accra, Ghana - The Bank of Ghana is to introduce a new cheque clearing system, "cheque code-line clearing" into banking services with effect from July this year. The electronic-based system which is to make cheque clearing faster was an innovation of the Ghana inter-bank payments solutions system (GHIPSS), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana. Mr Richard Mettle Addo, Head of Research and Marketing Department of the ARB Apex Bank, announced these at the 28th annual general meeting of the Gomoa Rural Bank at Apam. He said the cheque code-line clearing and the e-zwich money transfer were part of reforms being made by the Central Bank to make Ghana a cashless economy, which means people would not need to do transactions with fiscal cash. Mr. Addo appealed to Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) to alter their operations to keep in tune with the changing technological and electronic requirements. He commended management and Board of directors of the Gomoa Rural Bank for increasing its capital adequacy ration to 55.79 per cent placing second position among 126 Rural/Community Banks (RCBs) in the country. Mr. Kodwo Konadu Asiamah, Executive Director, Association of Rural Banks, urged directors of RCBs to initiate programmes to encounter the global
economic crunch.
economic crunch.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ghana has no fiscal policy on Oil, says RWI
Accra, Ghana- New York based Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) has bemoaned the fact that with barely a year to commence commercial oil production off its West Coast, Ghana is yet to put in place a clear policy direction as to how expected oil revenues would be distributed and utilized.
Emmanuel Kuyole, Africa Regional Coordinator for RWI said the country has neither overhauled the agencies charged with overseeing the industry nor published policies on how the discoveries would be used to benefit the country.
Mr Kuyole’s comments highlights pressure in Ghana and outside for government action to help the country escape the so-called “paradox of plenty”, that has left many other resource-rich countries in the grip of graft and mass poverty.
According to him, even though the Ghana has stated clearly its intention to avoid the fate of Nigeria and other troubled resource regions by setting out modalities, before the commencement of commercial oil production for royalties, dividends, corporate taxes and other levies, not much has been achieved in that direction.
Speaking at a training workshop for members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalist (IFEJ) , Mr Kuyole explained that current projections by the German Technical Coorporation indicates that Ghana could reap as much as US$ 25 billion over the projected 25 year life span of the Jubilee oil field, for which reason prudent strategies are required ahead of time to ensure such revenues are well utilised.
He expressed concern about the fact that $27 million of annual receipts from the country’s minerals resources had not impacted much on the livelihood of the citizenry since independence, calling for definitive actions to forestall a similar situation with the entry of oil set to generate $1billion in annual revenue.
According to him, even though the past government worked out a draft oil policy, it is far from being a complete document as the current government wants to revise most portions of the text
Upper East, Ghana - Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has appealed to doctors in the region to continue to run full work schedule and not join some of their colleagues who are embarking on work to rule.
He said many communities in the region were poor and had no means to seek private medical care that was not even available.
Mr. Woyongo said this when he visited the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital to assess the conditions prevailing there. "Yours is to save life, and nobody will like to see people die if the situation can be helped, you will surely receive your due when the situation improves, we ask you to bear with us", he urged. He expressed concern about the lack of adequate doctors, particularly specialists, in the region and pledged to liaise with the Ministry of Health to explore the possibility of posting specialists there once every month to help out with special cases. He said there was good accommodation available at Bolgatanga for any doctor posted to the Region.
Currently, the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga has only two specialist doctors, without any at the District hospitals. Mr Philip Amati, manager of the hospital's laboratory, told the Minister that there was not enough equipment to undertake medical tests. He said HIV related testing equipment, which the hospital received eight months ago, remained uninstalled because the technicians assigned for the job had not yet found time to do so. Mr Amati said the Hospital needed a blood refrigerator for storing blood for later use.
He said many communities in the region were poor and had no means to seek private medical care that was not even available.
Mr. Woyongo said this when he visited the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital to assess the conditions prevailing there. "Yours is to save life, and nobody will like to see people die if the situation can be helped, you will surely receive your due when the situation improves, we ask you to bear with us", he urged. He expressed concern about the lack of adequate doctors, particularly specialists, in the region and pledged to liaise with the Ministry of Health to explore the possibility of posting specialists there once every month to help out with special cases. He said there was good accommodation available at Bolgatanga for any doctor posted to the Region.
Currently, the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga has only two specialist doctors, without any at the District hospitals. Mr Philip Amati, manager of the hospital's laboratory, told the Minister that there was not enough equipment to undertake medical tests. He said HIV related testing equipment, which the hospital received eight months ago, remained uninstalled because the technicians assigned for the job had not yet found time to do so. Mr Amati said the Hospital needed a blood refrigerator for storing blood for later use.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Re-introduce Service Centres in the distribution of Premix
Sekondi, Ghana– Fishermen groups in the Western Region have called on the government to re-introduce Service Centre in the distribution of premix fuel to ensure fair distribution and effective monitoring.
The Groups: Ghana National Association of Fishermen and Farmers (GNAF), Ghana Co-operative Fishermen (GCF) and Ghana Canoe fishermen Council (GCFC) said, this would end the politicization of premix distribution which had greatly affected the fishing industry.
In a meeting with Ms Betty Bosomtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister to find lasting solution to the issues surrounding premix distribution, the group agreed that policies regulating premix distribution should be reactivated.
The policy, according to Mr Kwaw Koomsoon, Regional Secretary, GNAF stipulated that only identifiable and viable fisher groups had the mandate to sell premix fuel and not any individual.
He noted that the Service Centre which was a central point for fisher groups to have easy access to premix fuel had been abrogated over the past eight years while individuals had taken over the sale and distribution of premix fuel.
Ms Bosomtwi-Sam in response to the plea said government would ensure that the appropriate thing was done to bring sanity into the fishing industry.
She therefore charged the group to form a committee with representatives from the oil companies, the fisher associations, the Regional Coordinating Council and the Department of Fisheries to have oversight responsibility.
Ms Bosomtwi-Sam on the other hand abhorred the practice of using light and DDT for fishing and advised the fishermen to stop the practice.
On the Oil Fields, She noted that ocean current around such areas were high and could cost human life and therefore cautioned them not to travel to such areas.
The Groups: Ghana National Association of Fishermen and Farmers (GNAF), Ghana Co-operative Fishermen (GCF) and Ghana Canoe fishermen Council (GCFC) said, this would end the politicization of premix distribution which had greatly affected the fishing industry.
In a meeting with Ms Betty Bosomtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister to find lasting solution to the issues surrounding premix distribution, the group agreed that policies regulating premix distribution should be reactivated.
The policy, according to Mr Kwaw Koomsoon, Regional Secretary, GNAF stipulated that only identifiable and viable fisher groups had the mandate to sell premix fuel and not any individual.
He noted that the Service Centre which was a central point for fisher groups to have easy access to premix fuel had been abrogated over the past eight years while individuals had taken over the sale and distribution of premix fuel.
Ms Bosomtwi-Sam in response to the plea said government would ensure that the appropriate thing was done to bring sanity into the fishing industry.
She therefore charged the group to form a committee with representatives from the oil companies, the fisher associations, the Regional Coordinating Council and the Department of Fisheries to have oversight responsibility.
Ms Bosomtwi-Sam on the other hand abhorred the practice of using light and DDT for fishing and advised the fishermen to stop the practice.
On the Oil Fields, She noted that ocean current around such areas were high and could cost human life and therefore cautioned them not to travel to such areas.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Join credit unions to improve living conditions
Mr James Okyere, Techiman Municipal Cooperative Officer has stressed the need for people to join cooperative credit unions to help better their living conditions. He explained that "credit unions offer members investment opportunities" and formed the corner stone to the development of small business enterprises.
Mr Okyere said this at a forum at Werriwa in the Techiman municipality to sensitize the people about the concept of cooperative credit union.
"As there is no financial institution in Werriwa and its environs it is prudent for the people to embrace the concept", he said, adding that people continue to spend their monies, without thinking of improving their living standards. Mr Okyere appealed to the people to cultivate the habit of savings, because such savings could be invested to enhance their livelihood.
Mr Okyere said this at a forum at Werriwa in the Techiman municipality to sensitize the people about the concept of cooperative credit union.
"As there is no financial institution in Werriwa and its environs it is prudent for the people to embrace the concept", he said, adding that people continue to spend their monies, without thinking of improving their living standards. Mr Okyere appealed to the people to cultivate the habit of savings, because such savings could be invested to enhance their livelihood.
Pork sellers complain about low patronage
Takoradi, Ghana - Pork traders within the Sekondi-Takoradi and its environs have complained about low patronage of pork products due to the outbreak of the swine flu in some countries. Madam Esi Nana, a pig feet trader at the Takoradi Central Market, told the Ghana News Agency on Friday that she used to sell half a jerry can of pork feet a day but she now sells five pieces in a day. She said "Tell the press to stop talking too much about the disease because it is really affecting our business."
She called on importers to stop importing pork products to reduce chances of bringing the disease into the country. Mr George Pentsil, Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board in-charge of the Western and Central regions, said the Ministry of Health had alerted all health facilities to be on the look out for symptoms of the disease.
He said there was no cause for alarm adding, "If you care to eat pork products, cook it very well. Sales will improve with time."
She called on importers to stop importing pork products to reduce chances of bringing the disease into the country. Mr George Pentsil, Zonal Officer of the Food and Drugs Board in-charge of the Western and Central regions, said the Ministry of Health had alerted all health facilities to be on the look out for symptoms of the disease.
He said there was no cause for alarm adding, "If you care to eat pork products, cook it very well. Sales will improve with time."
Friday, May 8, 2009
Champion the cause of women in agriculture
Accra, Ghana- The Volta Regional Minister Mr Joseph Amenowode has urged the Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition (GTLC) to champion the cause of women in agriculture, because of their crucial role in bringing about national food security and stemming poverty.
Speaking at a sensitization forum organized by the Volta Regional chapter of the Coalition, on the government's proposed Youth in Agriculture Project, Mr Amenowode said the Volta Region met all the criteria required for implementing the project and should certainly benefit from it.
The forum was a platform for the relevant government agencies to interact with representatives of peasant farmers groups, from the 18 districts in the Region, on the proposed Youth in Agriculture Project. Mr Amenowode said the government's Youth in Agriculture Project sought to train a number of youths in Agri-business, while others would be supported with inputs to cultivate large hectares of maize, rice and sorghum in 70 districts in the country.
Government would also identify suitable land and negotiate with chiefs and landowners to release them for the project, while modern inputs and irrigation facilities would be provided for the youth to undertake dry season farming. He commended the Coalition for its advocacy role on behalf of peasant farmers, especially its plans to build the capacity of women in agriculture and the problems that confront them.
Speaking at a sensitization forum organized by the Volta Regional chapter of the Coalition, on the government's proposed Youth in Agriculture Project, Mr Amenowode said the Volta Region met all the criteria required for implementing the project and should certainly benefit from it.
The forum was a platform for the relevant government agencies to interact with representatives of peasant farmers groups, from the 18 districts in the Region, on the proposed Youth in Agriculture Project. Mr Amenowode said the government's Youth in Agriculture Project sought to train a number of youths in Agri-business, while others would be supported with inputs to cultivate large hectares of maize, rice and sorghum in 70 districts in the country.
Government would also identify suitable land and negotiate with chiefs and landowners to release them for the project, while modern inputs and irrigation facilities would be provided for the youth to undertake dry season farming. He commended the Coalition for its advocacy role on behalf of peasant farmers, especially its plans to build the capacity of women in agriculture and the problems that confront them.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Imbibe Managerial skills for development-Moderator
Accra, Ghana- The slow pace of development within the society and the church in particular could largely be attributed to the lack of appropriate management skills, Right Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana said on Tuesday.
"The situation calls for the need to review theological courses and blend it with management to make the training of our ministers complete".
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made the call at the opening of this years May School of Church Management organised by the PCG to expose ministers of the church to modern dynamics of management to enable them meet the challenges of the century.
He noted that qualitative growth of any church depended on strategic planning and management of resources as well as leadership, adding, "It is therefore not surprising that the church continues to face management oriented problems such as poor project planning.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso added that, "the church must re-orient its thinking and avail itself for such management training and practices to be able to catch up with modern trends".
He lauded the initiators of the May school and called for classification of participants as well as decentralization of the cent res of the programme to enable PCG ministers across the country to benefit.
Mr Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister of Finance said it was a laudable initiative which sought to bring ministers abreast with the principles and practice of management in the various forms.
"Indeed the course is very relevant especially in this era of national austerity as well as the global financial and economic crisis", he added.
"The situation calls for the need to review theological courses and blend it with management to make the training of our ministers complete".
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made the call at the opening of this years May School of Church Management organised by the PCG to expose ministers of the church to modern dynamics of management to enable them meet the challenges of the century.
He noted that qualitative growth of any church depended on strategic planning and management of resources as well as leadership, adding, "It is therefore not surprising that the church continues to face management oriented problems such as poor project planning.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso added that, "the church must re-orient its thinking and avail itself for such management training and practices to be able to catch up with modern trends".
He lauded the initiators of the May school and called for classification of participants as well as decentralization of the cent res of the programme to enable PCG ministers across the country to benefit.
Mr Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister of Finance said it was a laudable initiative which sought to bring ministers abreast with the principles and practice of management in the various forms.
"Indeed the course is very relevant especially in this era of national austerity as well as the global financial and economic crisis", he added.
Imbibe Managerial skills for development-Moderator
Accra, Ghana- The slow pace of development within the society and the church in particular could largely be attributed to the lack of appropriate management skills, Right Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana said on Tuesday.
"The situation calls for the need to review theological courses and blend it with management to make the training of our ministers complete".
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made the call at the opening of this years May School of Church Management organised by the PCG to expose ministers of the church to modern dynamics of management to enable them meet the challenges of the century.
He noted that qualitative growth of any church depended on strategic planning and management of resources as well as leadership, adding, "It is therefore not surprising that the church continues to face management oriented problems such as poor project planning.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso added that, "the church must re-orient its thinking and avail itself for such management training and practices to be able to catch up with modern trends".
He lauded the initiators of the May school and called for classification of participants as well as decentralization of the cent res of the programme to enable PCG ministers across the country to benefit.
Mr Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister of Finance said it was a laudable initiative which sought to bring ministers abreast with the principles and practice of management in the various forms.
"Indeed the course is very relevant especially in this era of national austerity as well as the global financial and economic crisis", he added.
"The situation calls for the need to review theological courses and blend it with management to make the training of our ministers complete".
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made the call at the opening of this years May School of Church Management organised by the PCG to expose ministers of the church to modern dynamics of management to enable them meet the challenges of the century.
He noted that qualitative growth of any church depended on strategic planning and management of resources as well as leadership, adding, "It is therefore not surprising that the church continues to face management oriented problems such as poor project planning.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso added that, "the church must re-orient its thinking and avail itself for such management training and practices to be able to catch up with modern trends".
He lauded the initiators of the May school and called for classification of participants as well as decentralization of the cent res of the programme to enable PCG ministers across the country to benefit.
Mr Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister of Finance said it was a laudable initiative which sought to bring ministers abreast with the principles and practice of management in the various forms.
"Indeed the course is very relevant especially in this era of national austerity as well as the global financial and economic crisis", he added.
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