THE Dzorwulu railway crossing in Accra turned into a scene of horror for hundreds of churchgoers, motorists and pedestrians yesterday when a cargo train ran over a 27-year-old gospel singer on her way to church.
Known as the ballast train, the carrier was returning from Sakumono after offloading materials needed for maintenance work on some of the rail lines, when it ran over the lady, identified as Deborah Ashitey.
Eyewitnesses said the lady was about to cross over to the Christ Co-Workers Fellowship International Church, which was about 50 metres away, where she used to fellowship as the lead singer, when the train crashed into her, severed her head c ompletely and left her mutilated body about four metres away.
Late into the day, the accident spot was still a scene attracting scores of curious people who turned out to catch a glimpse of the clothes, bones, hair, fingers, torn tissues and other body parts that had been chopped off the main body and which were still scattered around after the body and head had been taken away by officers from the Kotobabi Police Station.
According to the Crossing Keeper at the Dzorwulu Crossing, Mr Isaac Konotey, the accident occurred at about nine o’clock in the morning after he had blocked the road to stop vehicles crossing the rail line to allow the ballast train to pass.
He said just as the train passed and he reopened the road for vehicles, little did he know that the lady waiting few metres for the train to pass had been knocked down.
He said immediately the train passed, he entered his cubicle and picked his things to go home when just few metres away he saw blood on the railings.
Mr Konotey said when he looked further he saw the body of a woman with the head chopped off lying on the rail line.
He said he immediately realised that the lady he saw standing by the railing for the train to pass had been knocked down by the train.
Mr Konotey explained that the train was returning from Sakumono after it had gone to discharge ballast (stones) on the Tema Accra railway as part of their maintenance programme.
He said it was not the engine part that knocked the lady but part of the bucket attached to the engine thereby reducing mutilation of the body.
He, however, said her head and hands were chopped off as she was dragged for a few metres on the rails.
The crossing keeper said he immediately informed the Railway Police Station to come to the scene and pick the corpse to the Korle Bu Hospital for post mortem.
The crossing keeper said some policemen dispatched from the Kotobabi Police Station, however, arrived at the scene and with the help of some church members took the body away to Korle Bu.
The Pastor of her church, Pastor Frederick Kwaku Ntow, said no sooner had he started to preach than an usher of the church walked to him at the pulpit to inform him that the train which just passed had knocked down a member of the church.
He said there was pandemonium in the church and the whole congregation left the church hall and went to the scene of the accident, about 50 metres away.
The pastor said when the church members got there they saw only the body of the victim lying on the rails without the head.
He said few metres away they also saw the head lying near the rail with some of her chopped hands and fingers.
Mr Ntow said the people around warned them not to touch the body before the police arrived, and when they arrived on the scene they picked the pieces into a car boot and drove to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Family members said Deborah had been recently divorced from her husband with whom she had two children aged four and three.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
MINISTRY TO CLOSE DOWN 125 BROTHELS (SPREAD)
ONE hundred and twenty five brothels in Accra have been targeted by the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) for a special exercise aimed at rescuing a number of teenagers involved in child prostitution.
Among the facilities targeted is the Soja Bar, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, from where 60 child prostitutes were rescued last January.
The bar was closed down immediately after the January operation but brisk activities by sex workers have resumed there, barely three months after the owners had pulled down parts of the structures used for their operations.
The dismantling of the structures was carried out after a visit to the area by the Parliamentary Caucus on Population and observers described the move as a ploy by the owners to avoid the imminent destruction of the structures by state agencies.
Investigations conducted by the Daily Graphic revealed that the owners of Soja Bar had rehabilitated some of the cubicles and were renting them out to sex workers, some of whom were said to be as young as 12, and their clients.
The number of children engaged in the practice is not known but the ministry said those found to be involved would be provided with shelter, where they would be encouraged to learn trades to enable them to stop the practice.
Announcing the ministry’s measures at a press briefing in Accra last Thursday, the sector Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, said the African Development Bank had agreed to provide the shelter for the child prostitutes and other street children.
She said the issue of shelter was crucial because all the 60 child prostitutes who were rescued from the Soja Bar in January had told officials of the ministry that the lack of accommodation had forced them into the illicit act.
The minister said 46 out of the 60 rescued children had been reunited with their families, while 14 had been taken to the Department of Social Welfare for training in income-generating ventures.
She noted that none of those rescued had returned to the Soja Bar.
The prevalence of child prostitution in the country raised concerns recently, with a statement being made in Parliament to the effect that the 125 brothels were undermining the moral values of the country.
Hajia Mahama made it clear that the operation was not going to be a nine-days’ wonder but that periodic swoops would be conducted by the ministry, in conjunction with related agencies and the security forces.
On why the Soja Bar had been allowed to return to business, she said the demolition of the bar could be carried out only with a court order, saying the order could only be obtained if a concerned Ghanaian took the matter to court and secured a legal backing that the bar was posing a major threat to the health and safety of children who were not mature enough to make sound decisions.
She, therefore, urged civil society to complement the efforts of the government by showing concern so that the numerous brothels sprouting up in the metropolis stop luring children to their destruction.
The minister said her outfit had in place a Gender and Child Policy on Early Childhood Development Programme,
saying that under the programme regional and district child protection committees had been formed to work on child protection issues at the local level.
Hajia Mahama said studies in child prostitution undertaken by the Department of Children of her ministry revealed that the canker was present even at the district levels.
Among the facilities targeted is the Soja Bar, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, from where 60 child prostitutes were rescued last January.
The bar was closed down immediately after the January operation but brisk activities by sex workers have resumed there, barely three months after the owners had pulled down parts of the structures used for their operations.
The dismantling of the structures was carried out after a visit to the area by the Parliamentary Caucus on Population and observers described the move as a ploy by the owners to avoid the imminent destruction of the structures by state agencies.
Investigations conducted by the Daily Graphic revealed that the owners of Soja Bar had rehabilitated some of the cubicles and were renting them out to sex workers, some of whom were said to be as young as 12, and their clients.
The number of children engaged in the practice is not known but the ministry said those found to be involved would be provided with shelter, where they would be encouraged to learn trades to enable them to stop the practice.
Announcing the ministry’s measures at a press briefing in Accra last Thursday, the sector Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, said the African Development Bank had agreed to provide the shelter for the child prostitutes and other street children.
She said the issue of shelter was crucial because all the 60 child prostitutes who were rescued from the Soja Bar in January had told officials of the ministry that the lack of accommodation had forced them into the illicit act.
The minister said 46 out of the 60 rescued children had been reunited with their families, while 14 had been taken to the Department of Social Welfare for training in income-generating ventures.
She noted that none of those rescued had returned to the Soja Bar.
The prevalence of child prostitution in the country raised concerns recently, with a statement being made in Parliament to the effect that the 125 brothels were undermining the moral values of the country.
Hajia Mahama made it clear that the operation was not going to be a nine-days’ wonder but that periodic swoops would be conducted by the ministry, in conjunction with related agencies and the security forces.
On why the Soja Bar had been allowed to return to business, she said the demolition of the bar could be carried out only with a court order, saying the order could only be obtained if a concerned Ghanaian took the matter to court and secured a legal backing that the bar was posing a major threat to the health and safety of children who were not mature enough to make sound decisions.
She, therefore, urged civil society to complement the efforts of the government by showing concern so that the numerous brothels sprouting up in the metropolis stop luring children to their destruction.
The minister said her outfit had in place a Gender and Child Policy on Early Childhood Development Programme,
saying that under the programme regional and district child protection committees had been formed to work on child protection issues at the local level.
Hajia Mahama said studies in child prostitution undertaken by the Department of Children of her ministry revealed that the canker was present even at the district levels.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GHANA TO HOST CENTE ON DRUGS SAFEFY (BACK PAGE)
THE Finatrade Group of Companies has announced a reduction in the prices of all its rice brands with immediate effect.
It said it started releasing a new consignment of rice to its customers last Friday.
It said all things being equal, consumers should be benefiting from the reduced prices by the close of this week.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Nabil Mourkazel, told the Daily Graphic that it was criminal for the company’s customers to continue to sell at the old prices to consumers, saying, “We expect the change to reflect on the market.”
A 50-kilogramme bag of Vietnamese rice, which was sold at a wholesale price of GH¢53, will now go for GH¢49, while Thai rice of the same weight will now go for GH¢50, instead of the previous price of GH¢55.20.
Texas rice, the highest quality rice, will now sell at GH¢57, instead of GH¢61, per 50-kilogramme bag at the wholesale.
President J. A. Kufuor, on May 23, 2008, announced measures to mitigate the hardships on Ghanaians resulting from the global food and fuel crises.
He asked all Ghanaians, particularly importers, to co-operate, so that the benefits could be felt by all.
Following that, Parliament last week amended the Custom and Excise (Duty and other Taxes) Act 2008 to remove import duties on rice, wheat, yellow maize and crude vegetables for soap and food manufacture to become law and it was assented to by President Kufuor last Friday.
A statement signed by Mr Andrew Awuni, the Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman, and issued in Accra on Monday said, “With this law now operational, it is expected that importers will benefit from the removal of duties and other taxes and subsequently pass on such benefits to the end consumers.”
“Importers are reminded that it should be criminal for anybody to re-export these duty-free items,” it added.
The statement said the removal of the taxes was aimed at reducing the prices of those commodities on the market for the benefit of consumers, in the face of rising food and fuel prices globally.
Mr Mourkazel said Finatrade expected its clients, who were mainly wholesalers, to deliver the rice to the retailers by the close of the week so that consumers would also begin to benefit from it from next week.
He said the company would put pressure on its clients to make sure that they passed on the benefits to consumers.
“If the savings are not passed on, we will sanction them by blacklisting them. We are keen to ensure that the objective set by the government really works to the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr Mourkazel appealed to Ghanaians, particularly traders, to co-operate to ensure the success of the government’s initiative.
He explained that since the company had reduced the wholesale price to its clients, there should be a reduction in the chain.
He also explained that the company dealt in 12 different brands, all of which had different prices, and, therefore, urged the consuming public to expect similar prices on the market.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of Finatrade, Mr John Awuni, said the company would be running advertisements in both the electronic and print media to inform consumers about the new prices.
It said it started releasing a new consignment of rice to its customers last Friday.
It said all things being equal, consumers should be benefiting from the reduced prices by the close of this week.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr Nabil Mourkazel, told the Daily Graphic that it was criminal for the company’s customers to continue to sell at the old prices to consumers, saying, “We expect the change to reflect on the market.”
A 50-kilogramme bag of Vietnamese rice, which was sold at a wholesale price of GH¢53, will now go for GH¢49, while Thai rice of the same weight will now go for GH¢50, instead of the previous price of GH¢55.20.
Texas rice, the highest quality rice, will now sell at GH¢57, instead of GH¢61, per 50-kilogramme bag at the wholesale.
President J. A. Kufuor, on May 23, 2008, announced measures to mitigate the hardships on Ghanaians resulting from the global food and fuel crises.
He asked all Ghanaians, particularly importers, to co-operate, so that the benefits could be felt by all.
Following that, Parliament last week amended the Custom and Excise (Duty and other Taxes) Act 2008 to remove import duties on rice, wheat, yellow maize and crude vegetables for soap and food manufacture to become law and it was assented to by President Kufuor last Friday.
A statement signed by Mr Andrew Awuni, the Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman, and issued in Accra on Monday said, “With this law now operational, it is expected that importers will benefit from the removal of duties and other taxes and subsequently pass on such benefits to the end consumers.”
“Importers are reminded that it should be criminal for anybody to re-export these duty-free items,” it added.
The statement said the removal of the taxes was aimed at reducing the prices of those commodities on the market for the benefit of consumers, in the face of rising food and fuel prices globally.
Mr Mourkazel said Finatrade expected its clients, who were mainly wholesalers, to deliver the rice to the retailers by the close of the week so that consumers would also begin to benefit from it from next week.
He said the company would put pressure on its clients to make sure that they passed on the benefits to consumers.
“If the savings are not passed on, we will sanction them by blacklisting them. We are keen to ensure that the objective set by the government really works to the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he said.
Mr Mourkazel appealed to Ghanaians, particularly traders, to co-operate to ensure the success of the government’s initiative.
He explained that since the company had reduced the wholesale price to its clients, there should be a reduction in the chain.
He also explained that the company dealt in 12 different brands, all of which had different prices, and, therefore, urged the consuming public to expect similar prices on the market.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of Finatrade, Mr John Awuni, said the company would be running advertisements in both the electronic and print media to inform consumers about the new prices.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BOOK ON FIGHTING ROBBERY LAUNCHED (PAGE 3)
A book titled ‘Fighting Armed Robbery in Ghana’ and authored by Prof Ken A. Attafuah has been launched in Accra.
A Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Stephen Alan Brobbey, who launched the book, noted that delays in the criminal justice system had led to the creation of a vicious circle of armed robbery in the country.
He suggested the creation of special courts to deal with armed robbery and narcotic cases in the country, explaining that that would send a strong signal to armed robbers and drug barons that there was no longer a safe haven for them in this country and deter them to abandon their dangerous activities.
Justice Brobbey further observed that the delays were sometimes caused by the trial of mundane cases, such as those on divorce, in the same courts where armed robbery cases were being heard, resulting in adjournments and delay of cases which required expeditious action.
He said if the country had realised the need to establish commercial courts to deal exclusively with commercial cases, it was logical to establish special courts to tackle armed robbery which was threatening the socio-economic stability of the country.
The Supreme Court judge observed that because the criminal justice system was slow to deliver, the public had resorted to lynching people, a practice which, he said, did not augur well for the dispensation of justice in the country.
He said in the 1970s there was a robbery decree that clearly stated that the taking away of a person’s property by another person with force constituted armed robbery, adding that Ghanaians ought not wait until they had been attacked by weapons such as guns and machetes before calling the attack armed robbery.
Justice Brobbey said the legal system had effective laws, saying what was required was the establishment of special courts solely for armed robbers that could lead to the expeditious disposal of the back-log of armed robbery and narcotic cases.
Prof Attafuah, who gave an overview of the book, said one of the causes of armed robbery was the long periods of mismanagement of the country through inept and corrupt practices.
He said other factors also included disrespect for the rights of the people, especially the youth, who had to resort to armed robbery in order to attract attention to their plight.
Prof Attafuah said some youth became hardened criminals because of the single parent situation created in family circles where sometimes both parents left the country for greener pastures and left children in the hands of ageing grandparents who pampered the kids with the remittances received.
He said those remittances from abroad had also led to the springing up of uncompleted houses dotted all over the country which provided a save haven for criminals.
Prof Attafuah called for a human approach, such as the establishment of family welfare programmes to rehabilitate social miscreants, since capital punishment, which had been experimented in the country in the past, never succeeded in curbing the armed robbery menace.
A Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Stephen Alan Brobbey, who launched the book, noted that delays in the criminal justice system had led to the creation of a vicious circle of armed robbery in the country.
He suggested the creation of special courts to deal with armed robbery and narcotic cases in the country, explaining that that would send a strong signal to armed robbers and drug barons that there was no longer a safe haven for them in this country and deter them to abandon their dangerous activities.
Justice Brobbey further observed that the delays were sometimes caused by the trial of mundane cases, such as those on divorce, in the same courts where armed robbery cases were being heard, resulting in adjournments and delay of cases which required expeditious action.
He said if the country had realised the need to establish commercial courts to deal exclusively with commercial cases, it was logical to establish special courts to tackle armed robbery which was threatening the socio-economic stability of the country.
The Supreme Court judge observed that because the criminal justice system was slow to deliver, the public had resorted to lynching people, a practice which, he said, did not augur well for the dispensation of justice in the country.
He said in the 1970s there was a robbery decree that clearly stated that the taking away of a person’s property by another person with force constituted armed robbery, adding that Ghanaians ought not wait until they had been attacked by weapons such as guns and machetes before calling the attack armed robbery.
Justice Brobbey said the legal system had effective laws, saying what was required was the establishment of special courts solely for armed robbers that could lead to the expeditious disposal of the back-log of armed robbery and narcotic cases.
Prof Attafuah, who gave an overview of the book, said one of the causes of armed robbery was the long periods of mismanagement of the country through inept and corrupt practices.
He said other factors also included disrespect for the rights of the people, especially the youth, who had to resort to armed robbery in order to attract attention to their plight.
Prof Attafuah said some youth became hardened criminals because of the single parent situation created in family circles where sometimes both parents left the country for greener pastures and left children in the hands of ageing grandparents who pampered the kids with the remittances received.
He said those remittances from abroad had also led to the springing up of uncompleted houses dotted all over the country which provided a save haven for criminals.
Prof Attafuah called for a human approach, such as the establishment of family welfare programmes to rehabilitate social miscreants, since capital punishment, which had been experimented in the country in the past, never succeeded in curbing the armed robbery menace.
Friday, June 13, 2008
TREMOR COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TSUNAMI (PAGE 3)
THE earth tremor which occurred in Accra last Monday could have resulted in a Tsunami if its energy had been strong enough to lift the sea water.
This is because the tremor originated from the sea, near the Kokrobite Beach, the Geological Survey Department (GSD) has explained.
The Deputy Director of the GSD, Mr Samuel K. Amedofu, who spoke to Daily Graphic, said the epicentre of the tremor originating from the sea meant that it was a minor Tsunami.
He said if the energy from the tremor had been strong, it could have lifted the water above sea level and that could have caused flooding in Accra and surrounding villages.
He, however, assured Ghanaians that Ghana was not along the path of major earth tremors and that those that had occurred in the country, apart from that of 1939, were minor earth tremors.
He said as soon as the Seismological Observatory of the GSD recorded the tremor, technicians were sent to the field to interview people at Weija, Gbawe, Kokrobite, Nyanyano and surrounding villages, adding that residents of those localities reported that they had felt the tremor.
He said residents of Kokrobite noted that they had heard the sound associated with the tremor move from the sea and get inland.
The deputy director said there was no cause for alarm but added that the department could not be complacent, especially in this era of global warming and climate change around the world.
He said the GSD was in the process of acquiring satellite equipment to replace obsolete ones at its seismological observatories at Weija, Accra, Kukurantumi and the Shai Hills.
Mr Amedofu strongly advised developers in the various parts of the country to seek the advice of the GSD when building their houses so that they could avoid building on fractured rocks under the sub-soil.
He also advised landlords to use quality building materials and build according to acceptable standards to withstand those tremors.
Mr Amedofu said preliminary reports from the field had not indicated any major cracks or damage to buildings and property.
This is because the tremor originated from the sea, near the Kokrobite Beach, the Geological Survey Department (GSD) has explained.
The Deputy Director of the GSD, Mr Samuel K. Amedofu, who spoke to Daily Graphic, said the epicentre of the tremor originating from the sea meant that it was a minor Tsunami.
He said if the energy from the tremor had been strong, it could have lifted the water above sea level and that could have caused flooding in Accra and surrounding villages.
He, however, assured Ghanaians that Ghana was not along the path of major earth tremors and that those that had occurred in the country, apart from that of 1939, were minor earth tremors.
He said as soon as the Seismological Observatory of the GSD recorded the tremor, technicians were sent to the field to interview people at Weija, Gbawe, Kokrobite, Nyanyano and surrounding villages, adding that residents of those localities reported that they had felt the tremor.
He said residents of Kokrobite noted that they had heard the sound associated with the tremor move from the sea and get inland.
The deputy director said there was no cause for alarm but added that the department could not be complacent, especially in this era of global warming and climate change around the world.
He said the GSD was in the process of acquiring satellite equipment to replace obsolete ones at its seismological observatories at Weija, Accra, Kukurantumi and the Shai Hills.
Mr Amedofu strongly advised developers in the various parts of the country to seek the advice of the GSD when building their houses so that they could avoid building on fractured rocks under the sub-soil.
He also advised landlords to use quality building materials and build according to acceptable standards to withstand those tremors.
Mr Amedofu said preliminary reports from the field had not indicated any major cracks or damage to buildings and property.
E-ZWICH TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC BASE (PAGE 33)
THE Deputy Managing Director of the National Investment Bank (NIB), Mr K. Owusu-Tweneboa, has said the introduction of the e-zwich banking in the country will strengthen the economic base of the country.
Mr Owusu-Tweneboa, who said this at the launch of the bank’s e-zwich programme for traders in Accra, pointed out that since the e-zwich could be operated off-line, it was suited for both the urban and rural areas.
He said the spate of armed robberies on the roads, where traders were subjected to harassment and their moneys taken away would be a thing of the past.
He said the facility was another way for traders without bank accounts to have an e-zwich card, without having to visit the banks to make deposits or withdraw cash.
He said the card had no limit on the amount a trader would like to load.
Mr Owusu-Tweneboa said because of the biometrics features of the e-zwich system, fraud, impersonation had been eliminated to ensure that apart from the card holder, nobody else could use it.
He said the e-zwich had a disaster recovery system so that in case losing the card a new one could be issued.
Mr Mark Boateng, a representative of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPS), said banking charges had been suspended so that more traders would be encouraged to patronise the system.
Mr Owusu-Tweneboa, who said this at the launch of the bank’s e-zwich programme for traders in Accra, pointed out that since the e-zwich could be operated off-line, it was suited for both the urban and rural areas.
He said the spate of armed robberies on the roads, where traders were subjected to harassment and their moneys taken away would be a thing of the past.
He said the facility was another way for traders without bank accounts to have an e-zwich card, without having to visit the banks to make deposits or withdraw cash.
He said the card had no limit on the amount a trader would like to load.
Mr Owusu-Tweneboa said because of the biometrics features of the e-zwich system, fraud, impersonation had been eliminated to ensure that apart from the card holder, nobody else could use it.
He said the e-zwich had a disaster recovery system so that in case losing the card a new one could be issued.
Mr Mark Boateng, a representative of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPS), said banking charges had been suspended so that more traders would be encouraged to patronise the system.
Monday, June 9, 2008
VEEP URGES GHANAIANS TO PROMOTE RULE OF LAW (PAGE 14)
THE Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has called on Ghanaians to promote the rule of law and vote for tolerant and visionary leadership.
That way, he said, the country would continue to grow politically, socially and economically.
The vice-president, who made the call when launching the Ghana Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) in Accra, at the weekend, said Ghanaians ought to protect the basis for good governance.
He likened consumer protection to good quality politics, and urged Ghanaians to protect the country jealously with the choices they made during elections.
Alhaji Mahama said Ghanaians would be making better choices when they voted for tolerant and visionary leadership and not take the era of peace and plenty for granted.
He recalled times past when the economy was so weak, leading to scarce, irregular and poor services and a social infrastructure almost at the brink of collapse.
The vice-president explained that in such an environment, consumer protection was unthinkable, as standards and measures appeared not to matter to the market.
He said consumers were just grateful to find a desperately needed commodity or service, even if the price was unreasonable and the quality questionable.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama said presently, the trend had been turned around and given the state of the economy eight years ago, it was no mean achievement for the government.
He said the government inherited an economy with the cedi in a free-fall and a prohibitive interest rate which deterred business investment and planning.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the visionary leadership of President Kufuor took the bold decision to go HIPC, which was politically risky, but an economically sound decision.
The vice-president stated that the government had taken equally difficult decisions on the way to stabilising and growing the economy.
He said the nearly comatose financial sector was revamped and the political space expanded with the repeal of the criminal libel law.
Alhaji Mahama said those measures, including the respect for the rule of law, private property and strong commitment to good governance ensured the confidence that stabilised the economy and led to its growth.
The President of CPA, Mr Kofi Owusuhene, said the formation of the consumer protection group in the country was not meant at grounding businesses in the country through law suits.
He said the aim of the CPA was to provide channels of communication between businesses and consumers to ensure that in distribution of goods and services, both businesses and consumers would be satisfied.
Mr Owusuhene said the agency would mount a vigorous educational campaign to inform the consumers on their rights, as well as of their responsibilities to enable them know when they were being trampled on.
That way, he said, the country would continue to grow politically, socially and economically.
The vice-president, who made the call when launching the Ghana Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) in Accra, at the weekend, said Ghanaians ought to protect the basis for good governance.
He likened consumer protection to good quality politics, and urged Ghanaians to protect the country jealously with the choices they made during elections.
Alhaji Mahama said Ghanaians would be making better choices when they voted for tolerant and visionary leadership and not take the era of peace and plenty for granted.
He recalled times past when the economy was so weak, leading to scarce, irregular and poor services and a social infrastructure almost at the brink of collapse.
The vice-president explained that in such an environment, consumer protection was unthinkable, as standards and measures appeared not to matter to the market.
He said consumers were just grateful to find a desperately needed commodity or service, even if the price was unreasonable and the quality questionable.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama said presently, the trend had been turned around and given the state of the economy eight years ago, it was no mean achievement for the government.
He said the government inherited an economy with the cedi in a free-fall and a prohibitive interest rate which deterred business investment and planning.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the visionary leadership of President Kufuor took the bold decision to go HIPC, which was politically risky, but an economically sound decision.
The vice-president stated that the government had taken equally difficult decisions on the way to stabilising and growing the economy.
He said the nearly comatose financial sector was revamped and the political space expanded with the repeal of the criminal libel law.
Alhaji Mahama said those measures, including the respect for the rule of law, private property and strong commitment to good governance ensured the confidence that stabilised the economy and led to its growth.
The President of CPA, Mr Kofi Owusuhene, said the formation of the consumer protection group in the country was not meant at grounding businesses in the country through law suits.
He said the aim of the CPA was to provide channels of communication between businesses and consumers to ensure that in distribution of goods and services, both businesses and consumers would be satisfied.
Mr Owusuhene said the agency would mount a vigorous educational campaign to inform the consumers on their rights, as well as of their responsibilities to enable them know when they were being trampled on.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
HELP DISCOURAGE EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE — WAEC TELLS SCHOOL HEADS (PAGE 11)
A senior Deputy Registrar of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mrs Veronica Bampoh, has called on heads of institutions to help discourage the practice of procuring leaked examination question papers for their students.
Mrs Bampoh, who was speaking at a seminar organised by WAEC for heads of institutions, said the practice was dangerous, since it could defeat the government’s policy of providing quality education.
She said it had also come to the notice of WAEC that some headmasters and teachers on examination days hid at some places to answer questions sneaked out of examinations halls for students to copy.
She warned that since that constituted examination malpractice, heads and teachers found engaged in the practice would be handed over to the police for the law to deal with them.
Mr Paul Amuah, a lecturer of Basic Education of the University of Cape Coast, who delivered a paper on “Instructional Resources As A Critical Factor for Quality Education’’ at the seminar, said the shortage of instructional materials was affecting the delivery of quality education in the country.
He said despite educational reforms that included the Accelerated Development Plan, the Kwapong and the Dobo Committee, all aimed at addressing, these problems ended up creating “a hordes of late teenage school leavers, the majority of whom were deficient in basic numeracy and literacy”.
Mr Amuah said the products of these schools also were deficient in science and technology, as well as craftsmanship and technical skills needed for rapid socio-economic advancement.
He stressed that the problem of unemployed youth was still prevalent in the country and pointed out that in addition to the spate of unemployment there was growing indiscipline and corruption from the highest to the lowest levels of society that threatened the very survival of the nation.
He called on civil society groups and consortiums to pool resources to complement the efforts of the government by donating instructional materials to schools for quality teaching.
Mr Amuah said the provision of instructional materials was a complete industry in itself, which required technical skills and funds, adding that the cost of weighing scale needed for teaching weights and measurement in schools costs GH¢25 on the open market.
Mrs Bampoh, who was speaking at a seminar organised by WAEC for heads of institutions, said the practice was dangerous, since it could defeat the government’s policy of providing quality education.
She said it had also come to the notice of WAEC that some headmasters and teachers on examination days hid at some places to answer questions sneaked out of examinations halls for students to copy.
She warned that since that constituted examination malpractice, heads and teachers found engaged in the practice would be handed over to the police for the law to deal with them.
Mr Paul Amuah, a lecturer of Basic Education of the University of Cape Coast, who delivered a paper on “Instructional Resources As A Critical Factor for Quality Education’’ at the seminar, said the shortage of instructional materials was affecting the delivery of quality education in the country.
He said despite educational reforms that included the Accelerated Development Plan, the Kwapong and the Dobo Committee, all aimed at addressing, these problems ended up creating “a hordes of late teenage school leavers, the majority of whom were deficient in basic numeracy and literacy”.
Mr Amuah said the products of these schools also were deficient in science and technology, as well as craftsmanship and technical skills needed for rapid socio-economic advancement.
He stressed that the problem of unemployed youth was still prevalent in the country and pointed out that in addition to the spate of unemployment there was growing indiscipline and corruption from the highest to the lowest levels of society that threatened the very survival of the nation.
He called on civil society groups and consortiums to pool resources to complement the efforts of the government by donating instructional materials to schools for quality teaching.
Mr Amuah said the provision of instructional materials was a complete industry in itself, which required technical skills and funds, adding that the cost of weighing scale needed for teaching weights and measurement in schools costs GH¢25 on the open market.
Monday, June 2, 2008
NII ADJEI TAWIAH WINS NPP KORLEY/KLOTTEY PRIMARY (PAGE 15)
A 45-year-old businessman Nii Adjei Tawiah last Saturday won the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary for the Korley/Klottey Constituency by 81 votes.
He defeated the incumbent, and the Chairman of the Finance Sub Committee of Parliament, Mr Nii Adu Mante, who polled 20 votes.
The primary which was keenly contested by four aspirants, attracted 115 delegates from electoral areas such as Adabraka, Asylum Down,Tudu Osu Alata and Osu Kenkanwe.
Mr Abankwah Yeboah, the third placed contestant, polled 11 votes, while Mr Akuffo Mensah placed fourth with no vote.
Mr Adu Mante, who conceded defeat in his speech, commended Mr Tawiah for putting up a good fight this time round to defeat him in the primary, so that he could ''step into my shoes''
He said he would use his experience to assist Mr Tawiah to win the ultimate, which is the parliamentary elections in December.
Mr Tawiah said he would continue to work closely with the executive and the rank and file of the party in the constituency to ensure unity and peace for a successful campaign.
He urged the delegates and supporters of the party to get together as well as pool resources at their disposal so that both presidential and parliamentary victories would be for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and him respectively.
He said what the party appreciated and prayed for at the moment was total peace, devoid of rancour, petty squabbles and underming within the party, so that the parliamentary seat of Korley/Klottey would remain NPP’s seat in the coming elections.
Mr Tawiah said what the delegates had done at the primary was not a win for him, but a win for the Korley/Klottey Constituency for comporting themselves peacefully during and after the election, and urged them to translate this conduct into the electioneering.
The primary which was held in peaceful atmosphere attracted the Regional Executive of the party, including Mrs Vivian Garshon, Regional Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Yusif Ahmed, Regional Youth Organiser and Albert Afaglo, Regional Secretary.
Mrs Garshon who symbolically handed over the mantle and the new parliamentary candidate of the party to constituency executives urged party executives to continue to exhibit the leaders qualities that had existed in the constituency which ensured speedy resolution of difference when they popped up in the party at the constituency level.
She urged all supporters to rally behind the elected candidates of the party and Nana Akufo Addo to ensure continuity in the development of the country.
He defeated the incumbent, and the Chairman of the Finance Sub Committee of Parliament, Mr Nii Adu Mante, who polled 20 votes.
The primary which was keenly contested by four aspirants, attracted 115 delegates from electoral areas such as Adabraka, Asylum Down,Tudu Osu Alata and Osu Kenkanwe.
Mr Abankwah Yeboah, the third placed contestant, polled 11 votes, while Mr Akuffo Mensah placed fourth with no vote.
Mr Adu Mante, who conceded defeat in his speech, commended Mr Tawiah for putting up a good fight this time round to defeat him in the primary, so that he could ''step into my shoes''
He said he would use his experience to assist Mr Tawiah to win the ultimate, which is the parliamentary elections in December.
Mr Tawiah said he would continue to work closely with the executive and the rank and file of the party in the constituency to ensure unity and peace for a successful campaign.
He urged the delegates and supporters of the party to get together as well as pool resources at their disposal so that both presidential and parliamentary victories would be for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and him respectively.
He said what the party appreciated and prayed for at the moment was total peace, devoid of rancour, petty squabbles and underming within the party, so that the parliamentary seat of Korley/Klottey would remain NPP’s seat in the coming elections.
Mr Tawiah said what the delegates had done at the primary was not a win for him, but a win for the Korley/Klottey Constituency for comporting themselves peacefully during and after the election, and urged them to translate this conduct into the electioneering.
The primary which was held in peaceful atmosphere attracted the Regional Executive of the party, including Mrs Vivian Garshon, Regional Vice Chairperson, Alhaji Yusif Ahmed, Regional Youth Organiser and Albert Afaglo, Regional Secretary.
Mrs Garshon who symbolically handed over the mantle and the new parliamentary candidate of the party to constituency executives urged party executives to continue to exhibit the leaders qualities that had existed in the constituency which ensured speedy resolution of difference when they popped up in the party at the constituency level.
She urged all supporters to rally behind the elected candidates of the party and Nana Akufo Addo to ensure continuity in the development of the country.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
CJA URGES GOVT TO COME OUT WITH TRUTH (PAGE 13)
Story: Abdul Aziz
The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) has aired its views on the government measures to mitigate the effects of commodity prices, describing them as mere “tunnel vision’’ measures.
It has, therefore, called on the government to come out with the whole truth about the economy, instead of always assuring Ghanaians that there was light at the “end of the tunnel’’.
Mr Kwasi Pratt Jnr, member of the CJA, who addressed a CJA press conference in Accra on Thursday, said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had proved that it was incapable of managing the crisis in particular and the affairs of the country in general.
Mr Pratt said this was not the first time the President had resorted to the use of the term, saying that even during the energy crisis, the President still stated that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
He said Ghanaians had also heard enough of the talk that the cedi had stabilised against the dollar, when in actual fact, both the cedi and the dollar were having a free fall against the pound sterling and the euro.
He said the contradictions between the statements made by the Minister of Finance and the President on the state of the country’s finances were significant.
He said while reading the Budget Statement, the Minister of Finance claimed that Ghana’s foreign exchange reserve could provide for three months import cover.
Mr Pratt said, however, that in the Presidents address, he claimed that the foreign exchange reserve could only provide two months import cover.
He, therefore, asked whether the change from the 90 day credit basis to the 30 day credit for the supply of crude oil from Nigeria could be an indication of a lack of confidence in the Ghanaian economy or not.
The CJA has, therefore, slated June 5 to hold a public forum to provide Ghanaians the opportunity to discuss government measures.
He explained that all was not well with the economy, because of the neo-liberal economic agenda of the government which had collapsed with dire consequences for the masses.
He said given the enormous resources that had come the way of the government, the country could have done better even in the face of the global oil and food crises.
Mr Pratt said under the NPP government, the country enjoyed record high prices for cocoa from $800 per tonne in 2001 as against $2,400 per tonne this year, and gold from $250 per ounce in 2000 to about $950 per ounce this year.
On agriculture, he said Ghanaians were expecting effective solution to the problem of food unavailability and high prices immediately, but the government was telling the farmers to wait until next year for tractors and fertilisers to arrive from overseas before they prepare land for planting.
Mr Pratt said that it was pathetic that having allowed the machinery and equipment of the abandoned Aveyime Rice project to depreciate from $12 million to $2.6 million, the government was now talking of re-launching it.
The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) has aired its views on the government measures to mitigate the effects of commodity prices, describing them as mere “tunnel vision’’ measures.
It has, therefore, called on the government to come out with the whole truth about the economy, instead of always assuring Ghanaians that there was light at the “end of the tunnel’’.
Mr Kwasi Pratt Jnr, member of the CJA, who addressed a CJA press conference in Accra on Thursday, said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had proved that it was incapable of managing the crisis in particular and the affairs of the country in general.
Mr Pratt said this was not the first time the President had resorted to the use of the term, saying that even during the energy crisis, the President still stated that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
He said Ghanaians had also heard enough of the talk that the cedi had stabilised against the dollar, when in actual fact, both the cedi and the dollar were having a free fall against the pound sterling and the euro.
He said the contradictions between the statements made by the Minister of Finance and the President on the state of the country’s finances were significant.
He said while reading the Budget Statement, the Minister of Finance claimed that Ghana’s foreign exchange reserve could provide for three months import cover.
Mr Pratt said, however, that in the Presidents address, he claimed that the foreign exchange reserve could only provide two months import cover.
He, therefore, asked whether the change from the 90 day credit basis to the 30 day credit for the supply of crude oil from Nigeria could be an indication of a lack of confidence in the Ghanaian economy or not.
The CJA has, therefore, slated June 5 to hold a public forum to provide Ghanaians the opportunity to discuss government measures.
He explained that all was not well with the economy, because of the neo-liberal economic agenda of the government which had collapsed with dire consequences for the masses.
He said given the enormous resources that had come the way of the government, the country could have done better even in the face of the global oil and food crises.
Mr Pratt said under the NPP government, the country enjoyed record high prices for cocoa from $800 per tonne in 2001 as against $2,400 per tonne this year, and gold from $250 per ounce in 2000 to about $950 per ounce this year.
On agriculture, he said Ghanaians were expecting effective solution to the problem of food unavailability and high prices immediately, but the government was telling the farmers to wait until next year for tractors and fertilisers to arrive from overseas before they prepare land for planting.
Mr Pratt said that it was pathetic that having allowed the machinery and equipment of the abandoned Aveyime Rice project to depreciate from $12 million to $2.6 million, the government was now talking of re-launching it.
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