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.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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.
UNESCO says developing countries had a chunk of illiterate population
Accra, Ghana – The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) said
there were about 774 million illiterate adults in the world with 64 per cent
of the figure being women.
The report also indicated that majority of the illiterate adults were found in developing countries adding, “Illiteracy seems to be a less priority, compared to issues of access and teaching”.
Mr Akwasi Addae-Boahene, Country Director, World University Services
of Ghana, in a statement to launch the Global Action Week on Education
organized by the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition added that
literacy was one of the most neglected of the six goals of the “Education for All”.
The global theme for the celebration is: “Youth and Adult literacy and Lifelong Learning” but Ghana had adopted “Literacy for All, a Challenge to National Development” to drum home the need for Policy makers to pay attention to the sector.
He said in Ghana nearly 42 per cent of the population was illiterate. Additionally about 50 per cent of women in Ghana were illiterate compared to
33 per cent of men.
However, there are regional disparities across the rural and urban divide: the proportion of the population that is illiterate in Greater Accra is 21 per cent, while Ashanti is 40 per cent. Brong Ahafo, 54 per cent meanwhile the three northern regions has over 76 per cent.
Mr. Addae-Boahene noted that the literacy rates at the basic level continued to decrease thus affecting the ability of pupils to perform.
The Global Action Week 2009 which will be observed in Ghana from April
20-25 would be used to pressurize government to place literacy policies at
the centre of education systems and development and create awareness on the
need for families to whip up interest in reading and writing.
there were about 774 million illiterate adults in the world with 64 per cent
of the figure being women.
The report also indicated that majority of the illiterate adults were found in developing countries adding, “Illiteracy seems to be a less priority, compared to issues of access and teaching”.
Mr Akwasi Addae-Boahene, Country Director, World University Services
of Ghana, in a statement to launch the Global Action Week on Education
organized by the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition added that
literacy was one of the most neglected of the six goals of the “Education for All”.
The global theme for the celebration is: “Youth and Adult literacy and Lifelong Learning” but Ghana had adopted “Literacy for All, a Challenge to National Development” to drum home the need for Policy makers to pay attention to the sector.
He said in Ghana nearly 42 per cent of the population was illiterate. Additionally about 50 per cent of women in Ghana were illiterate compared to
33 per cent of men.
However, there are regional disparities across the rural and urban divide: the proportion of the population that is illiterate in Greater Accra is 21 per cent, while Ashanti is 40 per cent. Brong Ahafo, 54 per cent meanwhile the three northern regions has over 76 per cent.
Mr. Addae-Boahene noted that the literacy rates at the basic level continued to decrease thus affecting the ability of pupils to perform.
The Global Action Week 2009 which will be observed in Ghana from April
20-25 would be used to pressurize government to place literacy policies at
the centre of education systems and development and create awareness on the
need for families to whip up interest in reading and writing.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
NSRC to train volunteers to manage crash victims
Accra, Ghana- The National Road Safety Commission (NSRC) is in the process of training volunteers in accidents prone areas on Post Crash management to mitigate the deaths toll and disability.
Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, Director, Planning and Programmes of NSRC added, "For it has been found that improper and unprofessional handling of crash victims could further worsen their plights".
Speaking at a sensitization forum organized by the Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHA) in collaboration with GPRTU and the NSRC, Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said government was also considering building Trauma Centres on major highways as a more efficient approach to dealing with emergencies on the road.
The theme: "Mental Health and Road Crashes" was chosen to create awareness on psycho-social effect of crashes as well as it economic and cost implications on the individual, families and the nation as a whole.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said 1600 people died annually of road crashes and over 1000 injured. The cost of crashes to the country is estimated at 165 million dollars.
"Indeed it will be difficult to divorce mental health from road crashes as the resultant trauma, stress and distress suffered by the crash victims may have serious implication for mental stability", she added.
She noted that road safety was a shared responsibility, "and we are counting on your support to achieve the vision of making our roads transportation the safest in Africa".
Dr Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist, Accra Psychiatric Hospital called on the DVLA to include Epilepsy Test in addition to eye before licensing any driver.
He reiterated that 90 per cent of crashed were born out of human errors and advised drivers in particular to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Dr Osei noted that Ghana was ranked second in terms of crashes adding, "Though Ghana is always first, it doesn't have to be first in crashes".
Rev Godson Akpalu, President of GMHA said actions of the driver on the road was important in ensuring safety adding, "With all the improvement made on our road safety assurance scheme, we expect drastic reduction in the number of accidents".
He added that the mental condition of drivers was therefore imperative.
Rev Akpalu urged drivers to be discipline especially on the road.
Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, Director, Planning and Programmes of NSRC added, "For it has been found that improper and unprofessional handling of crash victims could further worsen their plights".
Speaking at a sensitization forum organized by the Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHA) in collaboration with GPRTU and the NSRC, Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said government was also considering building Trauma Centres on major highways as a more efficient approach to dealing with emergencies on the road.
The theme: "Mental Health and Road Crashes" was chosen to create awareness on psycho-social effect of crashes as well as it economic and cost implications on the individual, families and the nation as a whole.
Mrs Obiri-Yeboah said 1600 people died annually of road crashes and over 1000 injured. The cost of crashes to the country is estimated at 165 million dollars.
"Indeed it will be difficult to divorce mental health from road crashes as the resultant trauma, stress and distress suffered by the crash victims may have serious implication for mental stability", she added.
She noted that road safety was a shared responsibility, "and we are counting on your support to achieve the vision of making our roads transportation the safest in Africa".
Dr Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist, Accra Psychiatric Hospital called on the DVLA to include Epilepsy Test in addition to eye before licensing any driver.
He reiterated that 90 per cent of crashed were born out of human errors and advised drivers in particular to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Dr Osei noted that Ghana was ranked second in terms of crashes adding, "Though Ghana is always first, it doesn't have to be first in crashes".
Rev Godson Akpalu, President of GMHA said actions of the driver on the road was important in ensuring safety adding, "With all the improvement made on our road safety assurance scheme, we expect drastic reduction in the number of accidents".
He added that the mental condition of drivers was therefore imperative.
Rev Akpalu urged drivers to be discipline especially on the road.
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”.
The youth urged to live decent lives
Accra, Ghana- Pastor Mensa Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church on Sunday charged the youth not to make compromises as they journey into adulthood but rather pursue God in holiness and apologetic of heart.
He said it was unfortunate that Christians, especially the youth were dishonouring themselves
in all kinds of profanity and immorality and blamed it on modernity and current trends.
He asked the youth not to follow the abominations of the west because their standards are not that of God.
Speaking at a Palm Sunday service at ChristTemple in Accra, he said; “God does not lower his standards because of modernity and current trends because he is the same as he was at the time of Creation.”
Pastor Otabil said not only did we sin as individuals but most often society’s sins became “our sin too because we look on unconcerned, tolerate it and then become part of it.”
He said many Christians go to other places for all kinds of power and protection under the cover of darkness adding, “all these are abominations and are detested by God”.
He said it was unfortunate that Christians, especially the youth were dishonouring themselves
in all kinds of profanity and immorality and blamed it on modernity and current trends.
He asked the youth not to follow the abominations of the west because their standards are not that of God.
Speaking at a Palm Sunday service at ChristTemple in Accra, he said; “God does not lower his standards because of modernity and current trends because he is the same as he was at the time of Creation.”
He noted that though Palm Sunday is known as the triumphant entry into Jerusalem it was a cruel and painful ordeal for Jesus Christ, through which God in his mercy found the remedy for sin.
Pastor Otabil said not only did we sin as individuals but most often society’s sins became “our sin too because we look on unconcerned, tolerate it and then become part of it.”
He said many Christians go to other places for all kinds of power and protection under the cover of darkness adding, “all these are abominations and are detested by God”.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Road crashes munch 1.6 per cent of GDP
Accra, Ghana- Road crashes contribute 1.6 per cent loss of the country’s Gross Domestic Products, Mr Justice Amegashie, Director of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), said on Friday.
He said insurance companies therefore had a major role to play in researching into causes of road crashes and share the findings for stakeholders to adopt more pragmatic measures in dealing with the situation.
Mr Amegashie said this at the launch of Vanguard Assurance Company Limited road safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents especially during the Easter festivities.
He said ensuring road safety was not the duty of one entity, “and that is why corporate Ghana must be concerned in that direction”.
Mr Gideon Amenyedor, Acting Chief Executive, Vanguard Assurance, said the campaign would focus on two thematic areas: “If you drink, Don’t Drive and if you drive don’t drink; and “If you are tired, don’t drive and if you drive and get tired on the way, break and take a rest.”
Mr Amenyedor therefore urged the public to contribute to the campaign by sending SMS to their friends on the need to maintain and ensure safety on the road particularly at Easter.
Mr Daniel Awuah-Darko, Vice Chairman of Vanguard, reminded Ghanaians that road safety was a collective responsibility, saying “Let us therefore keep each other safe on the road”.
He said insurance companies therefore had a major role to play in researching into causes of road crashes and share the findings for stakeholders to adopt more pragmatic measures in dealing with the situation.
Mr Amegashie said this at the launch of Vanguard Assurance Company Limited road safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents especially during the Easter festivities.
He said ensuring road safety was not the duty of one entity, “and that is why corporate Ghana must be concerned in that direction”.
Mr Gideon Amenyedor, Acting Chief Executive, Vanguard Assurance, said the campaign would focus on two thematic areas: “If you drink, Don’t Drive and if you drive don’t drink; and “If you are tired, don’t drive and if you drive and get tired on the way, break and take a rest.”
Mr Amenyedor therefore urged the public to contribute to the campaign by sending SMS to their friends on the need to maintain and ensure safety on the road particularly at Easter.
Mr Daniel Awuah-Darko, Vice Chairman of Vanguard, reminded Ghanaians that road safety was a collective responsibility, saying “Let us therefore keep each other safe on the road”.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
GIJ to become research hub
Accra, Ghana- Mr Kweku Rockson, acting Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, has said the school is positioning itself to become a research and post-graduate centre for learning and training of communicators.
The move is to provide the relevant skills, knowledge, as well as give students the best training as far as the growth of communication and journalism is concerned.
"The emphasis on research would form the basis of our future curriculum development," Mr Rockson said at the launch of GIJ’s Golden Jubilee celebration under the theme: "50 Years of GIJ-Defining Africa's Communication Agenda.”
He said continuous refinement of the school's programmes was to equip graduates to fit into the job market and make relevant contribution to the industry and society as a whole.
"We envisage a type of professional journalist who has the ability to objectively analyse issues and provide the public with relevant information.”
Mr Rockson said GIJ would continue to modify its curricula in accordance with modern and international trends, adding “we are currently in the process of creating a Sandwich Centre and a Centre for Media and Public Policy, which will serve as a platform to engage the media and policy makers on national issues."
He said the upgrading of the Institute to University status had further deepened its position as a prestigious communication institute not only in Africa but across the globe.
"The GIJ has the capacity and desire to expand and admit more students who want to further their education in the area of communication and journalism studies.
“We are, however, constrained in terms of space which is affecting our ability to admit more students for our various programmes."
Mr Rockson lauded the vision of the founding fathers, whilst acknowledging the contributions of stakeholders to the development of the school.
Dr Joe Annan, Deputy Minister of Education, tasked media personnel to specialize in order to make them more knowledgeable in those particular areas, saying "all over the world, specialization is the order of the day".
He added that journalists must use the power vested in them to foster unity and development through good, accurate, accountable and quality reports.
Mr Abrahim Awal, Managing Director, Graphic Communications, who chaired the function, noted that Ghana's quest for true democracy could be achieved only when journalists played their expected role in society.
The move is to provide the relevant skills, knowledge, as well as give students the best training as far as the growth of communication and journalism is concerned.
"The emphasis on research would form the basis of our future curriculum development," Mr Rockson said at the launch of GIJ’s Golden Jubilee celebration under the theme: "50 Years of GIJ-Defining Africa's Communication Agenda.”
He said continuous refinement of the school's programmes was to equip graduates to fit into the job market and make relevant contribution to the industry and society as a whole.
"We envisage a type of professional journalist who has the ability to objectively analyse issues and provide the public with relevant information.”
Mr Rockson said GIJ would continue to modify its curricula in accordance with modern and international trends, adding “we are currently in the process of creating a Sandwich Centre and a Centre for Media and Public Policy, which will serve as a platform to engage the media and policy makers on national issues."
He said the upgrading of the Institute to University status had further deepened its position as a prestigious communication institute not only in Africa but across the globe.
"The GIJ has the capacity and desire to expand and admit more students who want to further their education in the area of communication and journalism studies.
“We are, however, constrained in terms of space which is affecting our ability to admit more students for our various programmes."
Mr Rockson lauded the vision of the founding fathers, whilst acknowledging the contributions of stakeholders to the development of the school.
Dr Joe Annan, Deputy Minister of Education, tasked media personnel to specialize in order to make them more knowledgeable in those particular areas, saying "all over the world, specialization is the order of the day".
He added that journalists must use the power vested in them to foster unity and development through good, accurate, accountable and quality reports.
Mr Abrahim Awal, Managing Director, Graphic Communications, who chaired the function, noted that Ghana's quest for true democracy could be achieved only when journalists played their expected role in society.
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.
Right activist stress right to information
Accra, Ghana– The right to information is key for effective and functional democracy especially in developing countries, Ms Florence Nakazibwe of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, said on Thursday.
“Indeed information is central to the development of Ghana’s young democracy,” she said, adding that this was why the authorities must furnish the public with information to ensure transparency and accountability.
Ms Nakazibwe said this at the Second National Organizing Committee (NOC) meeting of the National Commission on Civic Education charged with the responsibility of planning this year’s Constitution Week celebration.
She noted that the demand to operationalise the right to information was therefore imperative to empower the people to exercise their monitoring role on the activities of government.
“It is important to note that protecting this right will promote civic participation in the democratic process, build confidence in government activities and strengthen its credibility and effectiveness among the citizenry,” she added.
Ms Nakazibwe said the quest for information flow could only be attained through strong legislation “and the process of law making must be participatory and informed by realities of communities concerned”.
This year’s Constitution Week celebration under the theme: “Beyond Elections: Citizen Participation and Government Accountability” would be marked by series of lectures and round-table discussions on selected topics.
The topics include: Realizing Constitutional Values through the Protection of the Right to Information; “Building a New Participatory Culture for Ensuring Government’s Accountability” and “The Role of Chiefs in Ghana’s Democracy”.
“Indeed information is central to the development of Ghana’s young democracy,” she said, adding that this was why the authorities must furnish the public with information to ensure transparency and accountability.
Ms Nakazibwe said this at the Second National Organizing Committee (NOC) meeting of the National Commission on Civic Education charged with the responsibility of planning this year’s Constitution Week celebration.
She noted that the demand to operationalise the right to information was therefore imperative to empower the people to exercise their monitoring role on the activities of government.
“It is important to note that protecting this right will promote civic participation in the democratic process, build confidence in government activities and strengthen its credibility and effectiveness among the citizenry,” she added.
Ms Nakazibwe said the quest for information flow could only be attained through strong legislation “and the process of law making must be participatory and informed by realities of communities concerned”.
This year’s Constitution Week celebration under the theme: “Beyond Elections: Citizen Participation and Government Accountability” would be marked by series of lectures and round-table discussions on selected topics.
The topics include: Realizing Constitutional Values through the Protection of the Right to Information; “Building a New Participatory Culture for Ensuring Government’s Accountability” and “The Role of Chiefs in Ghana’s Democracy”.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Prioritize your activities-Akua Dansua
Accra, Ghana – Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, has called on heads of departments under the Ministry to prioritize their activities to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
She said the ministry would soon undergo re-engineering aimed at bringing all sectors - Department of Children, Department of Women and Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) - among other collaborators to address some teething difficulties that were hampering quality and efficient work.
Ms Dansua said this when she paid a working visit to the departments to assess the working situation as well as find common grounds of making things easier for workers.
She noted: “My success or failure depends on you. Therefore let’s work together in unity to move the ministry forward.”
Ms Dansua noted that capacity building to develop local skills would be enhanced and would also intensify the relationship between district assemblies.
She said the Scheme Level to ratify salary levels among workers was also on course to motivate staff.
“The ministry has initiated a lot of programmes including education of MMDCEs and parliamentarians to have better understanding of women and children’s issues.”
Ms Dansua noted that a budget had been approved for the construction of new MOWAC offices while the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park had been given to a private investor to give it a facelift.
She urged the staff to be serious with their work, saying’ “I urge you to meet deadlines and report back on seminars and workshops you attend.”
She said the ministry would soon undergo re-engineering aimed at bringing all sectors - Department of Children, Department of Women and Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) - among other collaborators to address some teething difficulties that were hampering quality and efficient work.
Ms Dansua said this when she paid a working visit to the departments to assess the working situation as well as find common grounds of making things easier for workers.
She noted: “My success or failure depends on you. Therefore let’s work together in unity to move the ministry forward.”
Ms Dansua noted that capacity building to develop local skills would be enhanced and would also intensify the relationship between district assemblies.
She said the Scheme Level to ratify salary levels among workers was also on course to motivate staff.
“The ministry has initiated a lot of programmes including education of MMDCEs and parliamentarians to have better understanding of women and children’s issues.”
Ms Dansua noted that a budget had been approved for the construction of new MOWAC offices while the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park had been given to a private investor to give it a facelift.
She urged the staff to be serious with their work, saying’ “I urge you to meet deadlines and report back on seminars and workshops you attend.”
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 19, 2009
Salia goes home
Accra, Ghana- Thousands of mourners from all walks of life on Thursday gathered at the forecourt of the Parliament House to pay their last respect to: a Friend, colleague, father, husband and a comrade- Mr. Edward Salia, 57 and NDC MP for Jirapa Constituency.
Mr. John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana, Members of the Council of State, the Judiciary, Parliamentarians and members of the Diplomatic Corp were all spotted in their black attire to mourn the late MP.
The atmosphere was that of a forlorn amidst dirges, tribute and eulogies from the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church choir and the Ghana Police Band.
On significant feature was the wearing of smock among sympathizers.
Ms Emmanuella Salia, last of the four daughters of the late MP who read a tribute on behalf of the children recollected fond memories of a good father, “One thing we knew was, never take your home-work to Daddy to sign, you will re-do it a hundred times”.
She promised to keep the strong bond they built as a family, “It will not be broken even in your death”.
Dr Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, who poetically recited the party’s tribute, said the late MP was an inspiration to all members of the NDC as he was instrumental in its return to power.
“Edward was a friend to all and worked hard to keep the party machinery running even in opposition”, he said.
Mrs. Salia in a tribute to the late husband said “You have achieved so much in your life. Each day, I am reminded by friends and family what a great person you were”.
She added: “I know I will see you again someday and I know by the time I get there you would have achieved greater things there too, see you later”.
Wreaths were laid by the President on behalf of people of Ghana, the children and wife, Parliament and the NDC.
Most Rev Paul Bemile, Bishop of Wa Diocese who conducted the burial service sprinkled water amidst burning of incense as a last prayer for the departed.
Pall bearers clad from the Ghana Army swing their hands in readiness to aid the departed home.
Mr. John Evans Atta Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana, Members of the Council of State, the Judiciary, Parliamentarians and members of the Diplomatic Corp were all spotted in their black attire to mourn the late MP.
The atmosphere was that of a forlorn amidst dirges, tribute and eulogies from the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church choir and the Ghana Police Band.
On significant feature was the wearing of smock among sympathizers.
Ms Emmanuella Salia, last of the four daughters of the late MP who read a tribute on behalf of the children recollected fond memories of a good father, “One thing we knew was, never take your home-work to Daddy to sign, you will re-do it a hundred times”.
She promised to keep the strong bond they built as a family, “It will not be broken even in your death”.
Dr Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, who poetically recited the party’s tribute, said the late MP was an inspiration to all members of the NDC as he was instrumental in its return to power.
“Edward was a friend to all and worked hard to keep the party machinery running even in opposition”, he said.
Mrs. Salia in a tribute to the late husband said “You have achieved so much in your life. Each day, I am reminded by friends and family what a great person you were”.
She added: “I know I will see you again someday and I know by the time I get there you would have achieved greater things there too, see you later”.
Wreaths were laid by the President on behalf of people of Ghana, the children and wife, Parliament and the NDC.
Most Rev Paul Bemile, Bishop of Wa Diocese who conducted the burial service sprinkled water amidst burning of incense as a last prayer for the departed.
Pall bearers clad from the Ghana Army swing their hands in readiness to aid the departed home.
Security urged to take swift action
Accra, Ghana– The Right Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), has appealed to the security agencies to be swift and professional in apprehending trouble makers in the northern part of the country to avoid political coloration.
“Much as we commend government for the prompt action taken to address the situation, we wish to advise all the political parties to desist from any form of action that will aggravate the situation,” he said.
Rt. Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Council, therefore urged all warring factions to allow the National Peace Council to do its work to ensure lasting solution.
“The peace and unity of the people for development is paramount on government’s agenda,” he said.
He noted that, conflicts in that part of the country were major factors hindering its underdevelopment, saying donors were sometimes unwilling to give their support to projects in that area due to the conflicts.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso said the Council would continue to be the voice for the voiceless in advocating peace and social justice where the highest premium would be placed on unity and respect for the dignity of God’s creation.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary, CCG, said the Council would continue to work effectively on its main focus of socio-economic development, gender and human rights.
He called for a review of the CCG Constitution to enable it to meet the challenges of the time.
Rev. Dr. Deegbe mentioned some successes chalked by the CCG as intensification of education on child trafficking; support for HIV/AIDS patients; training and voter education; election monitoring and networking with other civil society players towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
“Much as we commend government for the prompt action taken to address the situation, we wish to advise all the political parties to desist from any form of action that will aggravate the situation,” he said.
Rt. Rev. Dr Frimpong-Manso, speaking at the annual general meeting of the Council, therefore urged all warring factions to allow the National Peace Council to do its work to ensure lasting solution.
“The peace and unity of the people for development is paramount on government’s agenda,” he said.
He noted that, conflicts in that part of the country were major factors hindering its underdevelopment, saying donors were sometimes unwilling to give their support to projects in that area due to the conflicts.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso said the Council would continue to be the voice for the voiceless in advocating peace and social justice where the highest premium would be placed on unity and respect for the dignity of God’s creation.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary, CCG, said the Council would continue to work effectively on its main focus of socio-economic development, gender and human rights.
He called for a review of the CCG Constitution to enable it to meet the challenges of the time.
Rev. Dr. Deegbe mentioned some successes chalked by the CCG as intensification of education on child trafficking; support for HIV/AIDS patients; training and voter education; election monitoring and networking with other civil society players towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Today is Social Workers Day
Accra, Ghana- Government was on Tuesday urged to focus attention on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society as it grappled with the effects of the global financial crisis.
“We need, as a nation, to act in unity to make sure that resources are made available to the less privileged, vulnerable and disadvantaged, a statement by the Ghana Association of Social Workers in Accra said.
The statement signed by Mr DanielObeng Asamoah, President, said this required that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for the welfare of the less privileged and vulnerable adequately resourced to enable them fulfil their mandates effectively.
The statement forms part of activities marking the third World Social Work Day which fall on March 17. It is under the theme "Social Work and Social Development: the Agenda".
The Day is aimed at bringing to the fore the invaluable contribution of the Social Work profession to Social development and the need to recognize and involve social workers in our developmental efforts.
“Our nation is confronted with a myriad of social problems and as Social Workers our role is to create an enabling environment that makes sure that the average citizen can thrive despite the problems”, the statement added.
It noted that with the global financial crisis unfolding, Ghana would not be spared of its adverse socio-economic effects adding, “We all need to find new ways to cope with this”.
It is our fervent prayer that more of such pro-poor programs will be put added to the existing ones to give meaning to NDC manifesto promise of “investing in people”.
Investing in people this way calls for an improvement in the salaries and conditions of service of all Social Workers, especially those in government employment.
“Indeed investing in Social Work is the surest way of achieving real Social development”, the statement said.
“We need, as a nation, to act in unity to make sure that resources are made available to the less privileged, vulnerable and disadvantaged, a statement by the Ghana Association of Social Workers in Accra said.
The statement signed by Mr DanielObeng Asamoah, President, said this required that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for the welfare of the less privileged and vulnerable adequately resourced to enable them fulfil their mandates effectively.
The statement forms part of activities marking the third World Social Work Day which fall on March 17. It is under the theme "Social Work and Social Development: the Agenda".
The Day is aimed at bringing to the fore the invaluable contribution of the Social Work profession to Social development and the need to recognize and involve social workers in our developmental efforts.
“Our nation is confronted with a myriad of social problems and as Social Workers our role is to create an enabling environment that makes sure that the average citizen can thrive despite the problems”, the statement added.
It noted that with the global financial crisis unfolding, Ghana would not be spared of its adverse socio-economic effects adding, “We all need to find new ways to cope with this”.
It is our fervent prayer that more of such pro-poor programs will be put added to the existing ones to give meaning to NDC manifesto promise of “investing in people”.
Investing in people this way calls for an improvement in the salaries and conditions of service of all Social Workers, especially those in government employment.
“Indeed investing in Social Work is the surest way of achieving real Social development”, the statement said.
Develop the tourism sector to attract foreign exchane
Accra, Ghana – Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah, on Tuesday said the growth of the hospitality industry was imperative in increasing the country’s foreign exchange and thereby enhancing development.
At a meeting with the Project Manager of Ambassador Hotel, Mr Clovis Abi Nade, Mrs Azumah expressed happiness for the hotel’s “come-back”.
“Ambassador Hotel reminds me fond memories in the 60th and 70th where highlife music was the order of the day”.
She urged the project implementation team to employ more local people during and after its completion to offer jobs to them.
Mr Nade, assured the ministry of timely project completion to serve the needs of expatriates and tourists at large.
The Ambassador hotel, a five star deluxe establishment when completed would have 260 rooms, gym, shops, playgrounds, pool side among other facilities.
At a meeting with the Project Manager of Ambassador Hotel, Mr Clovis Abi Nade, Mrs Azumah expressed happiness for the hotel’s “come-back”.
“Ambassador Hotel reminds me fond memories in the 60th and 70th where highlife music was the order of the day”.
She urged the project implementation team to employ more local people during and after its completion to offer jobs to them.
Mr Nade, assured the ministry of timely project completion to serve the needs of expatriates and tourists at large.
The Ambassador hotel, a five star deluxe establishment when completed would have 260 rooms, gym, shops, playgrounds, pool side among other facilities.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Cinderella told in the African way
Accra, Ghana– The National Theatre, Ghana and the National Touring Theatre of Sweden is to produce a film to highlight some of the challenges women and children go through particularly in Africa as well as finding solutions to them.
The project dubbed: “The African Cinderella” tells a story of how step children especially suffer in second marriages. The story brings on board rich Ghanaian cultural heritage in areas of Proverbs, idioms, costume and palatial as well as rural settings to make individuals relate with it.
Efo Kojo Mawugbe, Artistic Director, National Theatre said the project was an artistic product meant for export and therefore would bring best experiences and characters to carry out the various themes: Self Esteem and woman empowerment and child abuse among others.
“This project aims also at teaching and bring back lost values to the society”, he added.
Efo Mawugbe noted that cast in the project were expected to speak three or more Ghanaian languages fluently.
“A memorandum of understanding between the two countries has been signed and we hope to start the ball rolling by March 2, 2010 with a tour across the ten regions of the country aside some tour in Sweden, UK and some Anglophone countries, ”.
Efo Mawugbe said there would be ten performances in every region, with community participation as a tool for discussion and debate, “we are collaborating with Plan International, MOWAC and the ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture among other to ensure it success.
Mr Markwei Amartefio, consular of Sweden noted that the project was a door-opener to more partnership in the area of business and culture: “Cultural exchanges are very important in political and economic relationship”.
He said it was another area of investment to the country which would attract investors, “I travel to Sweden once very year to patronize their theatre performances and I am looking for a day people from that country will also come just for cinema performances”.
Ms Fransesca Quartey, Director of the Project noted it was using culture as a tool to finding answers to problems that women and children in particular faced.
The project dubbed: “The African Cinderella” tells a story of how step children especially suffer in second marriages. The story brings on board rich Ghanaian cultural heritage in areas of Proverbs, idioms, costume and palatial as well as rural settings to make individuals relate with it.
Efo Kojo Mawugbe, Artistic Director, National Theatre said the project was an artistic product meant for export and therefore would bring best experiences and characters to carry out the various themes: Self Esteem and woman empowerment and child abuse among others.
“This project aims also at teaching and bring back lost values to the society”, he added.
Efo Mawugbe noted that cast in the project were expected to speak three or more Ghanaian languages fluently.
“A memorandum of understanding between the two countries has been signed and we hope to start the ball rolling by March 2, 2010 with a tour across the ten regions of the country aside some tour in Sweden, UK and some Anglophone countries, ”.
Efo Mawugbe said there would be ten performances in every region, with community participation as a tool for discussion and debate, “we are collaborating with Plan International, MOWAC and the ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture among other to ensure it success.
Mr Markwei Amartefio, consular of Sweden noted that the project was a door-opener to more partnership in the area of business and culture: “Cultural exchanges are very important in political and economic relationship”.
He said it was another area of investment to the country which would attract investors, “I travel to Sweden once very year to patronize their theatre performances and I am looking for a day people from that country will also come just for cinema performances”.
Ms Fransesca Quartey, Director of the Project noted it was using culture as a tool to finding answers to problems that women and children in particular faced.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ghana asked to check sex-tourism
Accra, Ghana- International players in the tourists industry, have advocated the establishment of stringent measures to check sex- tourism and other negative spots, likely to be associated with the fledging tourist business in Ghana.
Mr Pimo Mazurczak, Regional Admissions Director, of the Swiss-based Glion Institute of Higher Education, expressed these views during a day’s seminar for stakeholders in the tourists industry in Ghana.
The resource person who was in the country to whip up the interest of students to take up academic courses in the hospitality industry, was unanimous about the need for the right legislation to nip in the bud any aspect of tourism that is inimical to national interest.
Mr Pimo Mazurczak, Regional Admissions Director, of the Swiss-based Glion Institute of Higher Education, expressed these views during a day’s seminar for stakeholders in the tourists industry in Ghana.
The resource person who was in the country to whip up the interest of students to take up academic courses in the hospitality industry, was unanimous about the need for the right legislation to nip in the bud any aspect of tourism that is inimical to national interest.
I'll resign if....Mumuni
I’ll resign if… – Mumuni
Accra, Ghana – Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on Tuesday said he would only resign if it was proven that he had committed any act of criminality and or corruption.
He made the statement at a press conference to set the records straight on the meaning of a court judgement against him in a case he filed in the courts seeking damages for defamation against the publishers, editor and a reporter of Daily Guide Newspaper and the auditors who compiled a forensic audit report that sought to incriminate him.
“…Should it be shown or proven that I have stolen a single pesewa of taxpayer’s money or taken a personal benefit whether directly or indirectly or been corrupt or abused my office or been guilty of wrongdoing, I am prepared not only to resign…but also offer myself for prosecution and any penalties prescribed by law,” he said.
A pressure group by name Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), presented a petition to the Appointments Committee of Parliament seeking to stall the appointment of Alhaji Mumuni as Minister.
During his vetting the Minority in Parliament walked out when their effort to seek a suspension of the vetting to await the determination of the court case.
A couple of days ago, the Accra Fast Track High Court dismissed the claims of Alhaji Mumuni and ruled in favour of the defendants and awarded cost against the plaintiff.
Alhaji Mumuni noted that the dismissal of his claim for damages against the defendant did not mean that he had been found guilty of criminal charges, saying that he took the matter to court and not the other way round.
“I have never been charged with any criminal conduct before a court of law nor has any charge been brought against me before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), so I am a free man,” he said.
Touching on the court judgement itself, he said he had pointed out to the court that, there were important omissions from the record or proceedings based on which the judgement was given, but the court ignored his call for corrections to be made.
He said he had subsequently instructed his lawyers to challenge the court ruling through the legal process.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was not surprised that his political opponents would seek to drag his name in the mud based on a report by Baffuor-Awuah and Associates given that it was the same organizations which conducted forensic audits involving NDC officials like Mr. Dan Abodakpi, Kwame Peprah, Dr. Ato Quarshie and Ibrahim Adam, some of whom ended up in jail.
“I feel like am in a slave ship of the NPP and I am surprised that the NPP will use the audit outfit against their political opponents in such a disgraceful manner,” he said.
He said beside the fact that the said forensic audit was not properly authorized as per the 1992 Constitution, it was also not properly laid before Parliament for eight years.
“If the NPP claims that I have squandered 19 million Ghana cedis, then why have they waited for eight years before they are bringing the matter up,” he said.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was also surprised that the spokesperson for AFAG, who also doubled as counsel for Daily Guide Newspaper in the defamation case, could go to every extent to snub the ethics of his profession and the duty to uphold the integrity of the court and commit such contempt of court by discussing a court case at a press conference.
He assured the public that he was innocent and would go to every extent to prove that.
Accra, Ghana – Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on Tuesday said he would only resign if it was proven that he had committed any act of criminality and or corruption.
He made the statement at a press conference to set the records straight on the meaning of a court judgement against him in a case he filed in the courts seeking damages for defamation against the publishers, editor and a reporter of Daily Guide Newspaper and the auditors who compiled a forensic audit report that sought to incriminate him.
“…Should it be shown or proven that I have stolen a single pesewa of taxpayer’s money or taken a personal benefit whether directly or indirectly or been corrupt or abused my office or been guilty of wrongdoing, I am prepared not only to resign…but also offer myself for prosecution and any penalties prescribed by law,” he said.
A pressure group by name Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), presented a petition to the Appointments Committee of Parliament seeking to stall the appointment of Alhaji Mumuni as Minister.
During his vetting the Minority in Parliament walked out when their effort to seek a suspension of the vetting to await the determination of the court case.
A couple of days ago, the Accra Fast Track High Court dismissed the claims of Alhaji Mumuni and ruled in favour of the defendants and awarded cost against the plaintiff.
Alhaji Mumuni noted that the dismissal of his claim for damages against the defendant did not mean that he had been found guilty of criminal charges, saying that he took the matter to court and not the other way round.
“I have never been charged with any criminal conduct before a court of law nor has any charge been brought against me before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), so I am a free man,” he said.
Touching on the court judgement itself, he said he had pointed out to the court that, there were important omissions from the record or proceedings based on which the judgement was given, but the court ignored his call for corrections to be made.
He said he had subsequently instructed his lawyers to challenge the court ruling through the legal process.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was not surprised that his political opponents would seek to drag his name in the mud based on a report by Baffuor-Awuah and Associates given that it was the same organizations which conducted forensic audits involving NDC officials like Mr. Dan Abodakpi, Kwame Peprah, Dr. Ato Quarshie and Ibrahim Adam, some of whom ended up in jail.
“I feel like am in a slave ship of the NPP and I am surprised that the NPP will use the audit outfit against their political opponents in such a disgraceful manner,” he said.
He said beside the fact that the said forensic audit was not properly authorized as per the 1992 Constitution, it was also not properly laid before Parliament for eight years.
“If the NPP claims that I have squandered 19 million Ghana cedis, then why have they waited for eight years before they are bringing the matter up,” he said.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was also surprised that the spokesperson for AFAG, who also doubled as counsel for Daily Guide Newspaper in the defamation case, could go to every extent to snub the ethics of his profession and the duty to uphold the integrity of the court and commit such contempt of court by discussing a court case at a press conference.
He assured the public that he was innocent and would go to every extent to prove that.
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