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.
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
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.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Total Ghana supports malaria campaign
Accra, Ghana- Total Petroleum Ghana Limited on Thursday organised a float and children's party across the country to create awareness on the need to prevent malaria.
Mr Jonas Ayi, Executive Director, Human Resource and Communication noted that Total was organising series of educational campaign through out the country on the dangers of malaria.
He noted that the company was spending over GHC 20,000 on the campaign aside other external support adding, "this is in view of the fact that one child dies every 30 seconds of the disease".
Mr Ayi noted "Total Worldwide is focusing its 2009 fight against malaria on children who were the most vulnerable group".
He added that in line with its campaign, a special educative game had been developed to enhance awareness on malaria prevention.
Mr Ayi said Total Ghana would also undertake public education campaign in some selected schools and deprived areas.
"Total is committed to human centered activities and we will continue to undertake such social responsibilities as a contribution to the growth and development of the society", he added
Mr Jonas Ayi, Executive Director, Human Resource and Communication noted that Total was organising series of educational campaign through out the country on the dangers of malaria.
He noted that the company was spending over GHC 20,000 on the campaign aside other external support adding, "this is in view of the fact that one child dies every 30 seconds of the disease".
Mr Ayi noted "Total Worldwide is focusing its 2009 fight against malaria on children who were the most vulnerable group".
He added that in line with its campaign, a special educative game had been developed to enhance awareness on malaria prevention.
Mr Ayi said Total Ghana would also undertake public education campaign in some selected schools and deprived areas.
"Total is committed to human centered activities and we will continue to undertake such social responsibilities as a contribution to the growth and development of the society", he added
Thursday, April 23, 2009
National Child Health Promotion week is here again
Accrai, Ghana - This year’s National Child Health Promotion Week would be launched at Takoradi on Thursday, April 30.
Mr Winfred Wunu, Western Regional Nutrition Officer of Ghana Health Service (GHS) who announced this on Wednesday said it would be under the theme “Follow Your Child’s Growth-Use Your Child Health Records”.
Addressing a press conference at Takoradi, Mr Wunu said the week celebrated in the second week of May every year, was instituted by GHS in 2004 to improve service delivery and coverage of children under five years.
Mr Wunu who represented the Western Regional Director of Health Services said during the week-long celebration existing child health services would be advocated in the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts.
He explained that the launch would be followed with service delivery in all health facilities from May 4-8 and key services to be offered would include immunisation, Vitamin “A” Supplementation, distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), growth promotion and birth registration.
Mr Wunu said Vitamin “A” Supplementation was intended to ensure strong and healthy children from six months to five years, and children were expected to be immunised at least five times before they attain a year, while ITNs should be re-treated every six months.
He advised parents and children to sleep under ITNs and regularly weigh their children from birth to five years.
Mr Wunu announced that management of GHS had introduced new child health records cards with information on the new treatment for malaria, other interventions and World Health Organisation (WHO) new growth chart for children.
The growth chart was designed after WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study undertaken in selected countries including Ghana.
Mr Winfred Wunu, Western Regional Nutrition Officer of Ghana Health Service (GHS) who announced this on Wednesday said it would be under the theme “Follow Your Child’s Growth-Use Your Child Health Records”.
Addressing a press conference at Takoradi, Mr Wunu said the week celebrated in the second week of May every year, was instituted by GHS in 2004 to improve service delivery and coverage of children under five years.
Mr Wunu who represented the Western Regional Director of Health Services said during the week-long celebration existing child health services would be advocated in the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts.
He explained that the launch would be followed with service delivery in all health facilities from May 4-8 and key services to be offered would include immunisation, Vitamin “A” Supplementation, distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), growth promotion and birth registration.
Mr Wunu said Vitamin “A” Supplementation was intended to ensure strong and healthy children from six months to five years, and children were expected to be immunised at least five times before they attain a year, while ITNs should be re-treated every six months.
He advised parents and children to sleep under ITNs and regularly weigh their children from birth to five years.
Mr Wunu announced that management of GHS had introduced new child health records cards with information on the new treatment for malaria, other interventions and World Health Organisation (WHO) new growth chart for children.
The growth chart was designed after WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study undertaken in selected countries including Ghana.
media urged to promote social stories
Accra, Ghana– The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has tasked the Ghanaian media to devote daily space and airtime for civic education to ensure that citizens were alive to their rights and responsibilities.
“The steady democratic development in the country demands an equally active citizen’s participation and act of responsiveness from both the government and the governed from an informed position.
“It is the wish of the NCCE that as citizens of Ghana, from whom all governments derive their power, we will strive to deepen our civic knowledge, sharpen our civic skills and position ourselves appropriately to participate effectively in governance in order to achieve transparency in governance and strengthen the culture of government accountability,” Mr Baron Amoafo, NCCE Deputy Chairman in Charge of Programmes stated at a press conference in Accra.
Mr Amoafo therefore tasked the media to slot civic education on their daily programme on air and in the newspapers, saying, “This will go a long way to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.”
The press conference organized by the NCCE was to officially launch the ninth Constitution Week celebration, which is on the general theme: “Beyond Elections, Citizens’ Participation and Government Accountability”.
The week starts from April 28 to May 4 throughout the country.
The celebration, instituted by the NCCE, is to enable Ghanaians to participate in discussions, debates, theatre performances and other activities on the constitution to make it "a living document embodied on the mind and heart for the attainment of democracy and good governance".
It is also as a result of an urgent demand for knowledge and information on the constitution to accelerate the growth and sustenance of democracy and constitutionalism in the country.
Mr Amoafo said since 1992, Ghanaians have had the opportunity to exercise their sovereign will and power through elections, in choosing or selecting the president as enshrined in the constitution.
He said the elections have shown that the power to select our leaders such as the president and members of parliament rather resides with the people and that the electorates had the power to vote for a new set of government or retain the government.
Mr Amoafo said the theme would enable the public to consider whether after the elections, the people of this country had any further role to play in ensuring accountability of government.
Mr Kwaku Baa Owusu, NCCE Director of Public Education described Election 2008 as a poll which for the second time in the nation’s political history changed the political administration of the country, and reinforced the national resolve to build a society that was premised on the principles of democracy.
He explained that while democracy remained the preferred system of governance, it was important that as a nation, “we do not limit its essence to practice to elections only”.
“The elections are over, but our democracy is not over. Beyond elections, there are even greater challenges of governance. It is only with effective participation of the citizenry in national affairs at all levels that good governance, whose attributes include transparency and accountability in public and private life, can be ensured.
“The 1992 constitution, in its preamble, demands transparency and accountability. As a nation, therefore, the people have an obligation to permanently engage their leaders on the basis of a principled, democratic arrangement to build a society that respects the virtues of transparency and accountability,” he stated.
Mr Baa Owusu said “it is important that, as citizens, we initiate and implement constructive actions towards ensuring that our leaders do address our needs.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that the right national priorities are set and that our national resources are properly managed in the best interest and welfare of the citizens.
“As citizens, we need to encourage ourselves to be concerned with issues and developments around us. We must ensure that things done in our name and our national resources are properly managed in the best interest and welfare of the citizens”.
“The steady democratic development in the country demands an equally active citizen’s participation and act of responsiveness from both the government and the governed from an informed position.
“It is the wish of the NCCE that as citizens of Ghana, from whom all governments derive their power, we will strive to deepen our civic knowledge, sharpen our civic skills and position ourselves appropriately to participate effectively in governance in order to achieve transparency in governance and strengthen the culture of government accountability,” Mr Baron Amoafo, NCCE Deputy Chairman in Charge of Programmes stated at a press conference in Accra.
Mr Amoafo therefore tasked the media to slot civic education on their daily programme on air and in the newspapers, saying, “This will go a long way to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.”
The press conference organized by the NCCE was to officially launch the ninth Constitution Week celebration, which is on the general theme: “Beyond Elections, Citizens’ Participation and Government Accountability”.
The week starts from April 28 to May 4 throughout the country.
The celebration, instituted by the NCCE, is to enable Ghanaians to participate in discussions, debates, theatre performances and other activities on the constitution to make it "a living document embodied on the mind and heart for the attainment of democracy and good governance".
It is also as a result of an urgent demand for knowledge and information on the constitution to accelerate the growth and sustenance of democracy and constitutionalism in the country.
Mr Amoafo said since 1992, Ghanaians have had the opportunity to exercise their sovereign will and power through elections, in choosing or selecting the president as enshrined in the constitution.
He said the elections have shown that the power to select our leaders such as the president and members of parliament rather resides with the people and that the electorates had the power to vote for a new set of government or retain the government.
Mr Amoafo said the theme would enable the public to consider whether after the elections, the people of this country had any further role to play in ensuring accountability of government.
Mr Kwaku Baa Owusu, NCCE Director of Public Education described Election 2008 as a poll which for the second time in the nation’s political history changed the political administration of the country, and reinforced the national resolve to build a society that was premised on the principles of democracy.
He explained that while democracy remained the preferred system of governance, it was important that as a nation, “we do not limit its essence to practice to elections only”.
“The elections are over, but our democracy is not over. Beyond elections, there are even greater challenges of governance. It is only with effective participation of the citizenry in national affairs at all levels that good governance, whose attributes include transparency and accountability in public and private life, can be ensured.
“The 1992 constitution, in its preamble, demands transparency and accountability. As a nation, therefore, the people have an obligation to permanently engage their leaders on the basis of a principled, democratic arrangement to build a society that respects the virtues of transparency and accountability,” he stated.
Mr Baa Owusu said “it is important that, as citizens, we initiate and implement constructive actions towards ensuring that our leaders do address our needs.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that the right national priorities are set and that our national resources are properly managed in the best interest and welfare of the citizens.
“As citizens, we need to encourage ourselves to be concerned with issues and developments around us. We must ensure that things done in our name and our national resources are properly managed in the best interest and welfare of the citizens”.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Training on Radiation opens
Accra, Ghana– A five-day training Programme for physicists and engineers in the health sector was opened on Monday with a call on participants to adopt both preventive and maintenance habits to avoid rampant breakdown of hospital equipment.
The workshop, organized by the International Atomic Energy Commission and facilitated by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission engaged participants from African countries including Ghana, Tanzania, Congo, Niger, South Africa, Uganda and Tunisia to enhance their capacity as well as training them on the maintenance of Siemens ECAM Gamma Cameras, (a radioactive equipment used in diagnosing cancers and liver problems among other aliments.)
Dr Mary Boadu, Acting Director, Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute at the Commission said the proper maintenance of such cameras was essential to ensure continuous service delivery to patients.
She urged the participants to use the opportunity to exchange ideas and share information that would improve their work in their respective countries.
Dr Boadu said the training, which was a follow-up on a similar one held in South Africa in 2008 would also teach participants to separate operator faults, quality problems and breakdown, check system and software settings and identify system related serial numbers to enhance radioactive operation in their respective countries.
Dr Verna Vanderpuye, Acting Director, National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital noted that the expensive nature of
the equipment demanded that personnel were trained to carefully operate them.
Mr. Paul Obeng, Course Coordinator said already
the International agency had donated about 10 Gamma
ECAM cameras to African countries adding, “Ghana’s
camera broke down in 2008 and was only repaired in February this year”.
He said the training was imperative to ensure
that respective user countries provided a first line maintenance and diagnostics in case of break down before and outside expertise could be sought.
The workshop, organized by the International Atomic Energy Commission and facilitated by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission engaged participants from African countries including Ghana, Tanzania, Congo, Niger, South Africa, Uganda and Tunisia to enhance their capacity as well as training them on the maintenance of Siemens ECAM Gamma Cameras, (a radioactive equipment used in diagnosing cancers and liver problems among other aliments.)
Dr Mary Boadu, Acting Director, Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute at the Commission said the proper maintenance of such cameras was essential to ensure continuous service delivery to patients.
She urged the participants to use the opportunity to exchange ideas and share information that would improve their work in their respective countries.
Dr Boadu said the training, which was a follow-up on a similar one held in South Africa in 2008 would also teach participants to separate operator faults, quality problems and breakdown, check system and software settings and identify system related serial numbers to enhance radioactive operation in their respective countries.
Dr Verna Vanderpuye, Acting Director, National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital noted that the expensive nature of
the equipment demanded that personnel were trained to carefully operate them.
Mr. Paul Obeng, Course Coordinator said already
the International agency had donated about 10 Gamma
ECAM cameras to African countries adding, “Ghana’s
camera broke down in 2008 and was only repaired in February this year”.
He said the training was imperative to ensure
that respective user countries provided a first line maintenance and diagnostics in case of break down before and outside expertise could be sought.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rail transport to be developed to address road crashes
Accra, Ghana– Mr Mike Hammah, Minister for Transport, on
Wednesday said rail transport would be developed to address the recent
spate of road accidents.
He said education, enforcement and engineering alone could not fully address the problem of road accidents stressing the need for rail transport
to help cut down on the carnage.
The Minister made the statement when Dr Marius Haas, German Ambassador
to Ghana, and Mr Yannick Aplogan, General Manager of Lufthansa in Ghana,
paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.
Mr Hammah said it was difficult to sustain the country’s road infrastructure and therefore appealed to the German government to cooperate
with Ghana at the bilateral level so that government could access grants
for development.
The Minister said the recent oil find in the country would be a challenge to the transport sector, especially the ports, since the infrastructure was poorly developed for transporting the oil.
He added that, in view of the oil and gas find, the Ministry would
organize a workshop in July, engaging all stakeholders in the transport
industry to discuss the challenges of the oil find on the transport sector.
Dr Haas said the two countries needed to cooperate to identify strategic areas and projects that could be developed.
He urged government to engage the private sector in the development agenda of the government to enable them to access funds to develop various sectors.
Wednesday said rail transport would be developed to address the recent
spate of road accidents.
He said education, enforcement and engineering alone could not fully address the problem of road accidents stressing the need for rail transport
to help cut down on the carnage.
The Minister made the statement when Dr Marius Haas, German Ambassador
to Ghana, and Mr Yannick Aplogan, General Manager of Lufthansa in Ghana,
paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.
Mr Hammah said it was difficult to sustain the country’s road infrastructure and therefore appealed to the German government to cooperate
with Ghana at the bilateral level so that government could access grants
for development.
The Minister said the recent oil find in the country would be a challenge to the transport sector, especially the ports, since the infrastructure was poorly developed for transporting the oil.
He added that, in view of the oil and gas find, the Ministry would
organize a workshop in July, engaging all stakeholders in the transport
industry to discuss the challenges of the oil find on the transport sector.
Dr Haas said the two countries needed to cooperate to identify strategic areas and projects that could be developed.
He urged government to engage the private sector in the development agenda of the government to enable them to access funds to develop various sectors.
The raining season is here again
Accra, Ghana– Easter Monday’s heavy down-pour, which was experienced in most parts of the country is likely to usher in the first and major rainy season, Mr Amos Narh of the Meto the trological Services Department has warned.
Mr Narh, who is in charge of the Department at the Kotoka International Airport, said although atmospheric conditions had not been favourable for some time, the conditions finally changed to precipitate the Monday’s rains.
He said the northern part of the country, however, would experience the rainy season much later than the southern part.
The down-pour measured from 0.2 millimetres within Wa in the northern part of the country to as much as 75.1 millimetres in Ketekrachi in the Volta Region.
Mr Narh advised farmers within the southern part of the country, especially those in Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions to hold on with their planting of crops until one or two more rainfalls.
He said farmers in the northern part on the other hand could begin planting somewhere in the middle of May, 2009.
Mr Narh said if any one attempted to plant crops earlier than the period advised they risked a situation where the lack of rain fall for a period might result in their crops not being able to survive.
Mr Narh, who is in charge of the Department at the Kotoka International Airport, said although atmospheric conditions had not been favourable for some time, the conditions finally changed to precipitate the Monday’s rains.
He said the northern part of the country, however, would experience the rainy season much later than the southern part.
The down-pour measured from 0.2 millimetres within Wa in the northern part of the country to as much as 75.1 millimetres in Ketekrachi in the Volta Region.
Mr Narh advised farmers within the southern part of the country, especially those in Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions to hold on with their planting of crops until one or two more rainfalls.
He said farmers in the northern part on the other hand could begin planting somewhere in the middle of May, 2009.
Mr Narh said if any one attempted to plant crops earlier than the period advised they risked a situation where the lack of rain fall for a period might result in their crops not being able to survive.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Health Minister lauds Britain's assistance to Ghana
Accra,Ghana – Dr. George Yankey, Minister for Health on Monday lauded the British government’s contribution to the fight against maternal and child mortality.
“Your contribution is helping in reducing infant mortality by one third and we are hoping that every community with 500 inhabitants will have a clinic to serve their health needs”.
Dr Yankey said this when Mr Nicholas Westcott, the British High Commissioner to Ghana in the company of Mike Hammond, Country Director DFID paid a courtesy call to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
He noted that the ministry was committed to meeting the MDGs on health, “and this will help to reduce the current difficulties the ministry was facing”.
Dr Yankey said about 45 per cent of the disease burden was malaria related which he noted was affecting the country’s per capita income and GDP.
Mr Westcott noted his country’s significant contribution in the areas of health, trade and development adding, “Although good progress had been made, we will continue to help Ghana achieve the MDGs”.
He said though the Credit Crunch was a global issue, resources would be harnessed to support Ghana in the area of malaria, which he said, “We providing over 1.38 million pounds this year for malaria control and prevention”.
“Your contribution is helping in reducing infant mortality by one third and we are hoping that every community with 500 inhabitants will have a clinic to serve their health needs”.
Dr Yankey said this when Mr Nicholas Westcott, the British High Commissioner to Ghana in the company of Mike Hammond, Country Director DFID paid a courtesy call to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
He noted that the ministry was committed to meeting the MDGs on health, “and this will help to reduce the current difficulties the ministry was facing”.
Dr Yankey said about 45 per cent of the disease burden was malaria related which he noted was affecting the country’s per capita income and GDP.
Mr Westcott noted his country’s significant contribution in the areas of health, trade and development adding, “Although good progress had been made, we will continue to help Ghana achieve the MDGs”.
He said though the Credit Crunch was a global issue, resources would be harnessed to support Ghana in the area of malaria, which he said, “We providing over 1.38 million pounds this year for malaria control and prevention”.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Buruli Ulcer strategy to focus on early detection
Accra, Ghana - Based on the best available evidence, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new strategy for Buruli Ulcer (BU) control will focus on early case detection and early initiation of antibiotic treatment
for patients.
This was announced on Monday by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr
Luis Sambo, in an address to the High-Level Leadership Meeting on BU which
took place in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Explaining the rationale behind the focus of WHO’s BU control strategy
on early detection and early commencement of treatment, Dr Sambo stated that “early treatment with antibiotics is vital to avoid the progression of the disease to its destructive and disabling stages.”
He also informed the participants: “WHO’s strategy for BU control calls
for universal access by all populations to appropriate health care … and given that the incidence of the disease is highest among deprived populations, treatment should be free of charge or at a cost affordable by the poor.”
The Regional Director listed some of the numerous advantages of the new strategy as including: the alleviation of suffering and disabling complications, reduction in the cost for specialized surgery; better integration of Buruli Ulcer control activities into the primary health care system, and the lowering of the direct and indirect cost of treatment.
Dr Sambo described the development of drug treatment of BU as a notable achievement which had revolutionized the management and treatment of the disease and reduced by half the need for expensive surgical treatment.
“However, many challenges still lie ahead”, he said, adding, that they included the need to develop a simple diagnostic test to help health workers in rural clinics to diagnose the disease; better surveillance and case notification to allow for the commencement of early treatment; shortage of qualified health workers, and inadequate funds for research into the epidemiology of BU, its mode of transmission, and improved diagnosis and treatment.
He paid tribute to the Heads of State attending the meeting, saying that their presence in Cotonou was evidence of the importance they attached to BU control. “Let us work together to get to the root of this disfiguring disease
of which mankind is still a victim in the 21st century,” he said.
Dr Sambo pledged that WHO would continue to work with countries and development partners to ensure the attainment by Member States of internationally agreed health objectives.
A neglected but treatable tropical disease, Buruli ulcer, is caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans, a relative of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy.
The disease is characterized by skin lesions which persist without healing.
Named after an area of Uganda where it was once highly prevalent, it is present in over 30 countries worldwide.
for patients.
This was announced on Monday by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr
Luis Sambo, in an address to the High-Level Leadership Meeting on BU which
took place in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Explaining the rationale behind the focus of WHO’s BU control strategy
on early detection and early commencement of treatment, Dr Sambo stated that “early treatment with antibiotics is vital to avoid the progression of the disease to its destructive and disabling stages.”
He also informed the participants: “WHO’s strategy for BU control calls
for universal access by all populations to appropriate health care … and given that the incidence of the disease is highest among deprived populations, treatment should be free of charge or at a cost affordable by the poor.”
The Regional Director listed some of the numerous advantages of the new strategy as including: the alleviation of suffering and disabling complications, reduction in the cost for specialized surgery; better integration of Buruli Ulcer control activities into the primary health care system, and the lowering of the direct and indirect cost of treatment.
Dr Sambo described the development of drug treatment of BU as a notable achievement which had revolutionized the management and treatment of the disease and reduced by half the need for expensive surgical treatment.
“However, many challenges still lie ahead”, he said, adding, that they included the need to develop a simple diagnostic test to help health workers in rural clinics to diagnose the disease; better surveillance and case notification to allow for the commencement of early treatment; shortage of qualified health workers, and inadequate funds for research into the epidemiology of BU, its mode of transmission, and improved diagnosis and treatment.
He paid tribute to the Heads of State attending the meeting, saying that their presence in Cotonou was evidence of the importance they attached to BU control. “Let us work together to get to the root of this disfiguring disease
of which mankind is still a victim in the 21st century,” he said.
Dr Sambo pledged that WHO would continue to work with countries and development partners to ensure the attainment by Member States of internationally agreed health objectives.
A neglected but treatable tropical disease, Buruli ulcer, is caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans, a relative of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy.
The disease is characterized by skin lesions which persist without healing.
Named after an area of Uganda where it was once highly prevalent, it is present in over 30 countries worldwide.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ghanaian media urged to report more on environment
Accra, Ghana - Out of 7000 news reports sampled by the National Media Commission in 2008, Natural Resource and Environment (NRE) represented only one per cent.
Political related issues recorded 26 per cent; Sports, 24, Drugs, 10 per cent, peace and security, nine per cent; Arts and Entertainment, five per cent; Media and Law recorded three per cent each; Women and Children and Development, two per cent each while Tourism recorded one per cent.
Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the Commission, said this when he spoke on the Topic “Media Reporting and the Natural Resource and Environment: What makes the news?” at a day’s capacity building workshop for environmental journalists in Accra.
The workshop was organized by Kasa, an advocacy group on the theme, “Natural Resource and Environment: Media as an Effective Advocacy Partner in Shaping Public Opinion and Influencing Policy” to equip journalists in developing the interest in reporting on those thematic areas.
Kasa is a two-year pilot civil society support mechanism in natural resource management established in 2008 to organize learning lessons to design a longer term capacity building in natural resource and environmental management.
Mr Sarpong explained the higher scores for politics, sports and drugs could mean there were lots of activities relating to those fields but added that the one per cent recorded for NRE issues was not encouraging.
“We knew last year was an election year, lots of drug traffickers were arrested within the period and the hosting of the CAN 2008 could have been the contributing factors,” he said, adding, NRE issues were equal national ones which cut across all regions and urged reporters to give equal coverage to the sector.
The Executive Secretary also decried the over concentration of Frequency Modulation (FM) Stations in the Greater Accra Region and hinted that the NMC would correct the anomalies to ensure fair distribution of air waves across the country.
Mr Sarpong said the over concentration came about because of lack of communication between the Commission and the National Communication Authority (NCA) “but the NMC is now included on the board of the NCA and we hope to use the opportunities to correct those wrongs”.
Dr Steve Manteaw, Media and Campaign Director, ISODEC, said: “the extraction of natural resource in our part of the continent rather brought us total misery and poverty”.
He said: “resources from the natural resources should be used to improve facilities in the mining areas to alleviate abject poverty among the people”.
He, therefore, urged the government to endeavour to maximize benefits from natural resource extraction and minimize the toll on the environment.
Sarah Naa Dedei Agbey, a member of the group, said the goal was to reduce poverty through improved natural resource and environmental governance, build capacity in advocacy, research and communication strategies, among other things. She announced that they would be monitoring news reports on NRE to award media houses that give more prominence to the issues.
Political related issues recorded 26 per cent; Sports, 24, Drugs, 10 per cent, peace and security, nine per cent; Arts and Entertainment, five per cent; Media and Law recorded three per cent each; Women and Children and Development, two per cent each while Tourism recorded one per cent.
Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the Commission, said this when he spoke on the Topic “Media Reporting and the Natural Resource and Environment: What makes the news?” at a day’s capacity building workshop for environmental journalists in Accra.
The workshop was organized by Kasa, an advocacy group on the theme, “Natural Resource and Environment: Media as an Effective Advocacy Partner in Shaping Public Opinion and Influencing Policy” to equip journalists in developing the interest in reporting on those thematic areas.
Kasa is a two-year pilot civil society support mechanism in natural resource management established in 2008 to organize learning lessons to design a longer term capacity building in natural resource and environmental management.
Mr Sarpong explained the higher scores for politics, sports and drugs could mean there were lots of activities relating to those fields but added that the one per cent recorded for NRE issues was not encouraging.
“We knew last year was an election year, lots of drug traffickers were arrested within the period and the hosting of the CAN 2008 could have been the contributing factors,” he said, adding, NRE issues were equal national ones which cut across all regions and urged reporters to give equal coverage to the sector.
The Executive Secretary also decried the over concentration of Frequency Modulation (FM) Stations in the Greater Accra Region and hinted that the NMC would correct the anomalies to ensure fair distribution of air waves across the country.
Mr Sarpong said the over concentration came about because of lack of communication between the Commission and the National Communication Authority (NCA) “but the NMC is now included on the board of the NCA and we hope to use the opportunities to correct those wrongs”.
Dr Steve Manteaw, Media and Campaign Director, ISODEC, said: “the extraction of natural resource in our part of the continent rather brought us total misery and poverty”.
He said: “resources from the natural resources should be used to improve facilities in the mining areas to alleviate abject poverty among the people”.
He, therefore, urged the government to endeavour to maximize benefits from natural resource extraction and minimize the toll on the environment.
Sarah Naa Dedei Agbey, a member of the group, said the goal was to reduce poverty through improved natural resource and environmental governance, build capacity in advocacy, research and communication strategies, among other things. She announced that they would be monitoring news reports on NRE to award media houses that give more prominence to the issues.
Mills' sanitation club
Accra, Ghana -The Atta Mills Foundation, a pro-democracy Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in Kumasi, has advocated the formation of sanitation clubs in educational institutions.
The NGO said sanitation issues had become very important in the nation’s development process in recent times and that the formation of such clubs was crucial in sensitizing students, especially the youth to appreciate cleanliness in all their activities.
Togbui Mawufeame Fugah, Life Patron of the Foundation, was not happy that the nation spent a chunk of her resources in curbing filth-related diseases such as malaria, typhoid and cholera, which he said, could have been avoided if the citizenry were sanitation-conscious.
He was briefing the GNA in Kumasi, at the weekend, on the second phase of a massive clean-up exercise to be embarked by the Foundation, next month, to help keep the Kumasi Metropolis clean. The first exercise was held in January this year.
Togbui Fugah said the exercise would cover some principal streets and communities including, the Kumasi Children’s Home and that during the event, choked gutters and garbage would be cleared.
He appealed to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), identifiable groups and residents to join in the exercise by providing equipment to facilitate the work.
Togbui Fugah noted that the exercise also formed part of activities towards the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as Asantehene.
The NGO said sanitation issues had become very important in the nation’s development process in recent times and that the formation of such clubs was crucial in sensitizing students, especially the youth to appreciate cleanliness in all their activities.
Togbui Mawufeame Fugah, Life Patron of the Foundation, was not happy that the nation spent a chunk of her resources in curbing filth-related diseases such as malaria, typhoid and cholera, which he said, could have been avoided if the citizenry were sanitation-conscious.
He was briefing the GNA in Kumasi, at the weekend, on the second phase of a massive clean-up exercise to be embarked by the Foundation, next month, to help keep the Kumasi Metropolis clean. The first exercise was held in January this year.
Togbui Fugah said the exercise would cover some principal streets and communities including, the Kumasi Children’s Home and that during the event, choked gutters and garbage would be cleared.
He appealed to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), identifiable groups and residents to join in the exercise by providing equipment to facilitate the work.
Togbui Fugah noted that the exercise also formed part of activities towards the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as Asantehene.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sanitation fighting against the MDGs'
Accra, Ghana- Elias Sory, Director General of the Ghana Health Service said sanitation had become a crisis thwarting the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in Africa and Asia.
“The root of this unrelenting catastrophe lies in the plain, grim fact that four out of every 10 people in the world do not have access to even a simple pit latrine and nearly two in 10 have no source of drinking water”.
In a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the 28th Health Week Celebration of the University of Ghana Nursing School in Accra, he said the world continued to be off track in meeting the MDG target by half the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015 and noted that if the trend continued, there would be 2.4 billion people without basic sanitation by the same year.
It was on the theme: “ensuring a Healthy environment, a Way of Promoting National Development- the role of the individual”.
In Ghana, he said a staggering 60 percent of residents in the capital did not have toilets and one wondered how the situation in the districts would be and the precarious health-related effects it brought.
A concerted effort was therefore needed to combat the global poor sanitation phenomena with workable strategies and measures that would address the critical issues related to all aspects of sanitation, he said.
He also called for a purpose driven action such as advocacy for policy change to help mitigate its health related challenges.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mr. George Kumi Kyeremeh said though efforts had been made by previous government to solve the country’s sanitation problems it still remained a major challenge.
He said there were still chocked gutters, few public toilets with long queues making people defeacate anyhow and polluting the water bodies.
Mr Kyeremeh said it consequences were the high incidence of malaria and the outbreak of cholera in some part of the country.
He also reiterated the need for continuous awareness creation, advocacy to sustain education from junior level as well as the involvement of all stakeholders to sensitize society.
“The root of this unrelenting catastrophe lies in the plain, grim fact that four out of every 10 people in the world do not have access to even a simple pit latrine and nearly two in 10 have no source of drinking water”.
In a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the 28th Health Week Celebration of the University of Ghana Nursing School in Accra, he said the world continued to be off track in meeting the MDG target by half the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015 and noted that if the trend continued, there would be 2.4 billion people without basic sanitation by the same year.
It was on the theme: “ensuring a Healthy environment, a Way of Promoting National Development- the role of the individual”.
In Ghana, he said a staggering 60 percent of residents in the capital did not have toilets and one wondered how the situation in the districts would be and the precarious health-related effects it brought.
A concerted effort was therefore needed to combat the global poor sanitation phenomena with workable strategies and measures that would address the critical issues related to all aspects of sanitation, he said.
He also called for a purpose driven action such as advocacy for policy change to help mitigate its health related challenges.
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mr. George Kumi Kyeremeh said though efforts had been made by previous government to solve the country’s sanitation problems it still remained a major challenge.
He said there were still chocked gutters, few public toilets with long queues making people defeacate anyhow and polluting the water bodies.
Mr Kyeremeh said it consequences were the high incidence of malaria and the outbreak of cholera in some part of the country.
He also reiterated the need for continuous awareness creation, advocacy to sustain education from junior level as well as the involvement of all stakeholders to sensitize society.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Enact laws to regulate Midwifery
Accra, GHana- Mr Jude Edochie, UNFPA Deputy Representative on Tuesday called on countries with high maternal mortality rate to enact relevant regulations to create the enabling environment for the practice of midwifery.
"The world needs midwives now more than ever to save the lives of mothers and babies", he said at the opening of a two-week conference organised by the UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives.
The theme: "Investing in Midwives" was chosen to educate government of member nations on the need to develop that sector of the public health system as a way of promoting reproductive health.
Mr Edochie called on member countries to develop strong and credible professional associations and educational institutions for the training of midwives to raise the standards of practice.
Dr Elias Sory, Director General, Ghana Health Service noted that maternal mortality continued to be a major health problem globally, "We see a mother suffering complications of labour without access to qualified support".
He said an estimated 530,000 of complications of pregnancy and childbirth with over 90 per cent deaths occur in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa each year and suggested midwifery be given the needed attention especially at the community level where most complications occurred to help in achieving the universal access to reproductive health by 2015.
"This is because the presence of a midwife in over 99 per cent pregnancy and birth related cases could lead to a decrease in mortality by 73 per cent. Furthermore, midwives are professionally positioned to address the first two delays in the management of obstetric emergencies".
Dr Sory said the service had outlined a multi-strategic approach for improvements, which included pre-service training of more midwives and their deployment to the community level to provide the needed services.
Mrs Abigail Kyei, Advisor of the International Confederation of Midwifery said the formation of the council’s confederation sought to improve and increase the provision of midwifery services in low-income priority countries by developing the foundations of a sustainable midwifery workforce.
She said the body would also help strengthen and support midwives' professional autonomy to ensure that midwifery education was regulated, designed by midwives as well as supporting midwifery research to enhance evidence-based midwifery practices.
Mrs Kyei said the goals set would enable Ghana to achieve the objective set out by the Millennium Development Goals of reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity, Child Mortality, Promoting Gender Equality and Combating HIV, malaria and other diseases.
"The world needs midwives now more than ever to save the lives of mothers and babies", he said at the opening of a two-week conference organised by the UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives.
The theme: "Investing in Midwives" was chosen to educate government of member nations on the need to develop that sector of the public health system as a way of promoting reproductive health.
Mr Edochie called on member countries to develop strong and credible professional associations and educational institutions for the training of midwives to raise the standards of practice.
Dr Elias Sory, Director General, Ghana Health Service noted that maternal mortality continued to be a major health problem globally, "We see a mother suffering complications of labour without access to qualified support".
He said an estimated 530,000 of complications of pregnancy and childbirth with over 90 per cent deaths occur in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa each year and suggested midwifery be given the needed attention especially at the community level where most complications occurred to help in achieving the universal access to reproductive health by 2015.
"This is because the presence of a midwife in over 99 per cent pregnancy and birth related cases could lead to a decrease in mortality by 73 per cent. Furthermore, midwives are professionally positioned to address the first two delays in the management of obstetric emergencies".
Dr Sory said the service had outlined a multi-strategic approach for improvements, which included pre-service training of more midwives and their deployment to the community level to provide the needed services.
Mrs Abigail Kyei, Advisor of the International Confederation of Midwifery said the formation of the council’s confederation sought to improve and increase the provision of midwifery services in low-income priority countries by developing the foundations of a sustainable midwifery workforce.
She said the body would also help strengthen and support midwives' professional autonomy to ensure that midwifery education was regulated, designed by midwives as well as supporting midwifery research to enhance evidence-based midwifery practices.
Mrs Kyei said the goals set would enable Ghana to achieve the objective set out by the Millennium Development Goals of reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity, Child Mortality, Promoting Gender Equality and Combating HIV, malaria and other diseases.
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.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
three districts get potable water
Aveyime (V/R), Ghana– In line with meeting government’s Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals, it had provided an 11 million dollar water supply system for three district in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The three District Water Supply projects which would serve the potable water need of 108 communities with a population of 120,000 was co-funded by the Danish International Development Agency and the Department for International Development.
Shiekh IC Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister who commissioned the project said government wanted to find lasting solutions to the water problems in the area, “accordingly, feasibility studies started in 2002 under the small towns’ water scheme for surface water.”
“This project brings to an end the suffering of our people who have suffered the severe lack of potable water over the years” he said.
Sheikh Quaye noted that government was committed to reducing poverty and improving the health and living conditions of people through the provision of water and sanitation facilities especially in the rural communities.
He urged all households to take advantage of the project, “construct appropriate household places of convenience and avoid poor environmental practices which will take away the benefits of safe water supply”.
Dr Philips Gyau-Boakye, Chief Executive Officer, Community Water and Sanitation Agency said it was the single largest rural water supply project facilitated by the agency since 1998.
He said it was conceived out of the difficult hydro-geological conditions in the Accra Plains.
Dr Gyau-Boakye noted that to ensure sustainability, the project would be under the management of the Water and Sanitation Development Board through a private operator and urged beneficiaries to take good care of the system.
Mr Minta Aboagye, Director Water Resources of the Sector Ministry urged the communities to pay service charges on time.
Mr Lars Moller Larsen, Councellor, Royal Danish Embassy said water and sanitation underpinned other targets of the MDGs adding, improved access to safe water supply can also increase economic well-being at the households level”.
“The ultimate goal of our joint efforts here is to enable poor people to lead healthier lives through improved management of water resources”.
The three district water project consists: an intake structure, treatment plant, pump house, clear water well, reservoirs and transmission and distribution networks.
The three District Water Supply projects which would serve the potable water need of 108 communities with a population of 120,000 was co-funded by the Danish International Development Agency and the Department for International Development.
Shiekh IC Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister who commissioned the project said government wanted to find lasting solutions to the water problems in the area, “accordingly, feasibility studies started in 2002 under the small towns’ water scheme for surface water.”
“This project brings to an end the suffering of our people who have suffered the severe lack of potable water over the years” he said.
Sheikh Quaye noted that government was committed to reducing poverty and improving the health and living conditions of people through the provision of water and sanitation facilities especially in the rural communities.
He urged all households to take advantage of the project, “construct appropriate household places of convenience and avoid poor environmental practices which will take away the benefits of safe water supply”.
Dr Philips Gyau-Boakye, Chief Executive Officer, Community Water and Sanitation Agency said it was the single largest rural water supply project facilitated by the agency since 1998.
He said it was conceived out of the difficult hydro-geological conditions in the Accra Plains.
Dr Gyau-Boakye noted that to ensure sustainability, the project would be under the management of the Water and Sanitation Development Board through a private operator and urged beneficiaries to take good care of the system.
Mr Minta Aboagye, Director Water Resources of the Sector Ministry urged the communities to pay service charges on time.
Mr Lars Moller Larsen, Councellor, Royal Danish Embassy said water and sanitation underpinned other targets of the MDGs adding, improved access to safe water supply can also increase economic well-being at the households level”.
“The ultimate goal of our joint efforts here is to enable poor people to lead healthier lives through improved management of water resources”.
The three district water project consists: an intake structure, treatment plant, pump house, clear water well, reservoirs and transmission and distribution networks.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Endow children with ICT Skills-Education Minister
Accra, Ghana -Professor dominic Fobih, Minister of Education on Thursday noted need for school children to be endowed with skills especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order for them to march up with their contemporaries on the other side of the globe.
He said with the current trend of modernity, quality education to produce professionals and scholars for the country's development required all necessary infrastructure to ensure holistic development.
Prof Fobih said this when he commisssioned a GHC 48, 500 computer science laboratory for the Kwashieman Cluster of Shchools to enhance the ICT cacpabilities of the pupils.
The project was the brain-child of Mr Kwamena Bartels, Member of Parliament, Ablekuma North Constitutency and would serve the ICT need of the 28 schools within the cluster.
He said government was committed to strengthen the education sector through various reforms and initiatives, "The every child to a lap top programme is now on pilot basis and would be extended to cover the entire country in no time".
Mr Kwamena Bartels, MP for the area said the project demonstrated his commitment to ensure the development of education in the constitutency.The MP also provided 5,000 pieces of school uniforms at a cost of GHC 28, 350 to needy but brilliant students.
He mentioned some of the development projects undertaken in the constitutency as electrifictaion, health and sanitation, construction and rehabilitation of roads and drainage and human resource development.
Mr Bartels noted that to make education accessible, dual desk have been provided for the school while some selected ones were benefiting from the school feeding programme.
He said with the current trend of modernity, quality education to produce professionals and scholars for the country's development required all necessary infrastructure to ensure holistic development.
Prof Fobih said this when he commisssioned a GHC 48, 500 computer science laboratory for the Kwashieman Cluster of Shchools to enhance the ICT cacpabilities of the pupils.
The project was the brain-child of Mr Kwamena Bartels, Member of Parliament, Ablekuma North Constitutency and would serve the ICT need of the 28 schools within the cluster.
He said government was committed to strengthen the education sector through various reforms and initiatives, "The every child to a lap top programme is now on pilot basis and would be extended to cover the entire country in no time".
Mr Kwamena Bartels, MP for the area said the project demonstrated his commitment to ensure the development of education in the constitutency.The MP also provided 5,000 pieces of school uniforms at a cost of GHC 28, 350 to needy but brilliant students.
He mentioned some of the development projects undertaken in the constitutency as electrifictaion, health and sanitation, construction and rehabilitation of roads and drainage and human resource development.
Mr Bartels noted that to make education accessible, dual desk have been provided for the school while some selected ones were benefiting from the school feeding programme.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Develop indigenous engineering capacity-Ing Akwaboah
Accra, Ghana– Mr Frederick Akwaboah, President, Ghana Institution of Engineers on Friday called for the development of indigenous engineering and technology capacity to enable Ghana to compete effectively in the global economic environment.
He said while science and engineering had contributed to the high quality of life in the developed countries, the role of engineering in developing countries was often not understood.
Mr Akwaboah who made the call when he delivered the 39th Presidential Address of the institution, said capacity building and technical expertise was therefore the key to enhancing the country’s ability to becoming economically self-sufficient.
“Ghana and other developing countries are to lift themselves out of poverty by adopting scientific and engineering approaches to accelerate socio-economic growth”, he said.
Mr Akwaboah said national development entailed the provision of the necessary social and physical facilities towards the realisation of the talents of the individual and the enhancement of the nation.
“Two areas that can likely lead to the desired economic growth and self-sufficiency in developing countries are the utilisation of advanced technologies and education that leads skilful manpower”
Mr Akwaboah relating Ghana to Asia noted that economic development in that continent was mostly attributed to their efforts to enhance the education of their indigenous engineers and technology graduates.
He said the role engineers in poverty reduction could not be under-emphasized adding, capabilities in engineering determine the ability to provide clean water, good health care, adequate infrastructure and safe foods.
On the oil exploration, he said Ghana should learn from the experiences of other countries.
“Engineers need to play a major role in the environmental issues of oil drilling to save the environment from degradation.
Training should aim at developing local competency to complement foreign personnel”.
Mr Akwaboah said such a base of qualified engineers and technologists would facilitate the infusion of foreign capital through aid funds and grow local business.
Engineering practice in Ghana however faces challenges such as the lack of protection of indigenous firms, self-worth, teamwork, slow growth of the construction industry and inadequate support and protection from government and other regulatory bodies.
Mr Akwaboah called for the passage of the engineering bill to enable the council to properly regulate and control the practice in the country.
He said while science and engineering had contributed to the high quality of life in the developed countries, the role of engineering in developing countries was often not understood.
Mr Akwaboah who made the call when he delivered the 39th Presidential Address of the institution, said capacity building and technical expertise was therefore the key to enhancing the country’s ability to becoming economically self-sufficient.
“Ghana and other developing countries are to lift themselves out of poverty by adopting scientific and engineering approaches to accelerate socio-economic growth”, he said.
Mr Akwaboah said national development entailed the provision of the necessary social and physical facilities towards the realisation of the talents of the individual and the enhancement of the nation.
“Two areas that can likely lead to the desired economic growth and self-sufficiency in developing countries are the utilisation of advanced technologies and education that leads skilful manpower”
Mr Akwaboah relating Ghana to Asia noted that economic development in that continent was mostly attributed to their efforts to enhance the education of their indigenous engineers and technology graduates.
He said the role engineers in poverty reduction could not be under-emphasized adding, capabilities in engineering determine the ability to provide clean water, good health care, adequate infrastructure and safe foods.
On the oil exploration, he said Ghana should learn from the experiences of other countries.
“Engineers need to play a major role in the environmental issues of oil drilling to save the environment from degradation.
Training should aim at developing local competency to complement foreign personnel”.
Mr Akwaboah said such a base of qualified engineers and technologists would facilitate the infusion of foreign capital through aid funds and grow local business.
Engineering practice in Ghana however faces challenges such as the lack of protection of indigenous firms, self-worth, teamwork, slow growth of the construction industry and inadequate support and protection from government and other regulatory bodies.
Mr Akwaboah called for the passage of the engineering bill to enable the council to properly regulate and control the practice in the country.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
make regenerative health a subject in schools
Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Minister for Health on Tuesday said regenerative health education should be prominent in school syllabus to educate Ghanaians and promote a healthy lifestyle.
He noted that promoting healthy living and dieting had the potential to eliminate most of the communicable and non-communicable diseases which had burdened the country's health sector.
Major Quashigah made the call at the opening of a five-day national conference for senior nurse managers on the theme: “Regenerative Health and the Nurse Manager”.
The participants would discuss issues affecting nursing administration and ethics and introduced to other new management concepts, health policies and develop action plans for dissemination.
Major Quashigah said regenerative health and nutrition programme was initiated to change lifestyles, prevent ill-health and promote a healthy individual, adding, "this would increase work output, economic growth, reduce poverty and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals".
He said, "Nurses needed to be empowered with adequate knowledge and skills on the programme for their personal benefit and impart the knowledge to their clientele".
"We are to serve as change agents in our communities after the conference. We must experience a change in our health which would inspire those we come in contact with to adopt the regenerative health and nutrition lifestyle".
Mrs May Osae-Addae, Chief Nursing Officer of Ministry of Health, said a recent survey revealed that there was inadequate information on the programme among senior nurses, therefore the conference would provide a deeper understanding to ensure effective implementation at the regional level.
She noted that the conference would also develop strategies to ensure growth and development of nursing in the country.
Topics to be discussed would include regenerative health and nutrition, customer care, national health vision, NHIS and the nurse/midwifery manager, code of conduct and effect of staff attitude and interpersonal relations in service delivery.
He noted that promoting healthy living and dieting had the potential to eliminate most of the communicable and non-communicable diseases which had burdened the country's health sector.
Major Quashigah made the call at the opening of a five-day national conference for senior nurse managers on the theme: “Regenerative Health and the Nurse Manager”.
The participants would discuss issues affecting nursing administration and ethics and introduced to other new management concepts, health policies and develop action plans for dissemination.
Major Quashigah said regenerative health and nutrition programme was initiated to change lifestyles, prevent ill-health and promote a healthy individual, adding, "this would increase work output, economic growth, reduce poverty and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals".
He said, "Nurses needed to be empowered with adequate knowledge and skills on the programme for their personal benefit and impart the knowledge to their clientele".
"We are to serve as change agents in our communities after the conference. We must experience a change in our health which would inspire those we come in contact with to adopt the regenerative health and nutrition lifestyle".
Mrs May Osae-Addae, Chief Nursing Officer of Ministry of Health, said a recent survey revealed that there was inadequate information on the programme among senior nurses, therefore the conference would provide a deeper understanding to ensure effective implementation at the regional level.
She noted that the conference would also develop strategies to ensure growth and development of nursing in the country.
Topics to be discussed would include regenerative health and nutrition, customer care, national health vision, NHIS and the nurse/midwifery manager, code of conduct and effect of staff attitude and interpersonal relations in service delivery.
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