Albert Oppong-Ansah, GNA Special Correspondent, from Hyderabad, India  (Courtesy, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Global Environmental Facility and Internews).      Hyderabad (India), Oct. 22 GNA-The Earth's biological resources are vital to humanity's economic and social development. Human’s survival depends largely on these natural resources. Biological diversity could be described as the livings or species that found in oceans, forest, rivers and the sea which depends on each other for survival. Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, Chairman of the Biodiversity Committee explained that with urbanization and increased in population there was an extensive pressure from humanity that had resulted in the degradation of about 50 percent of the world’s biodiversity. “Again due to the crave for wealth and good living people are exploiting these natural resource through activities like mining activities, tree felling and sand wining,” he said. The result of these activities received a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present and future generations. Not only has that but, the threat to species and ecosystems in the world has never been as great as it is today. Species extinction caused by human activities continues at an alarming rate. Background to the establishment of COP Meetings In response, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity in November 1988 to explore the need for an. international convention on biological diversity. Soon after, in May 1989, it established the Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical and Legal Experts to prepare an international legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The experts were to take into account "the need to share costs and benefits between developed and developing countries" as well as "ways and means to support innovation by local people". By February 1991, the Ad Hoc Working Group had become known as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. Its work culminated on 22 May 1992 with the Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit"). It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification. The first session of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November – 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas. The Convention on Biological Diversity was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Current Agreements at COP 11 Attended by about 1400, 400 participants made up of civil societies and parties to the convention the world’s governments have agreed to increase funding in support of actions to halt the rate of loss of biodiversity at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Developed countries agreed to double funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the internationally-agreed Biodiversity Targets, and the main goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The Saragasso Sea, the Tonga archipelago and key corals sites off the coast of Brazil are among a range of marine areas to receive special attention by governments as part of renewed efforts to sustainably manage the world's oceans agreed in Hyderabad. Many of the areas are beyond national jurisdictions and, as such, receive little or no protection at present. Other key decisions taken at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 11) include new measures to factor biodiversity into environmental impact assessments linked to infrastructure and other development projects in marine and coastal areas. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity said: “These results, coming in a period of economic crisis, demonstrate that the world is committed to implementing the CBD. We see that governments are moving forward in implementation and seeing biodiversity as an opportunity to be realized more than a problem to be solved.” “We now need to move forward in the next two years, under the able leadership of India, the COP 11 president, to consolidate this work and to advance further. I look forward to other pledges in support of the Hyderabad call for Biodiversity Champions that will allow us to realize our goals” he said. Madam Jayanthi Natarajan, minister of Environment and Forests for India, and president of the COP said the present economic crisis should not deter parties but on the contrary encourage parties to invest more towards amelioration of the natural capital for ensuring uninterrupted ecosystem services, on which all life on earth depends. Mr Achim Steiner Director UN Environment Programme Executive said  the UN biodiversity conference in Hyderabad had taken forward the renewed momentum, forged two years ago in Nagoya. He added that countries had sent a clear signal and delivered additional commitments underlining the fact that biodiversity and ecosystems were development priority and central to a transition to an inclusive Green Economy. "Mobilizing the necessary financial resources from the public and private sector needed to ensure achievement of the 2020 targets remains a challenge - but here in India, many nations including developing economies have signaled their determination and sense of urgency to seize the opportunities by providing much needed additional support,” Mr. Steiner said. Funding for Developing countries On the on funding Developed countries agreed at the conference to increase funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Using a baseline figure of the average annual national spending on biodiversity between 2006 and 2010, developed countries said they would double biodiversity-related international financial flows by 2015. The COP also set targets to increase the number of countries that have included biodiversity in their national development plans, and prepared national financial plans for biodiversity, by 2015. All Parties agreed to substantially increase domestic expenditures for biodiversity protection over the same period. These targets, and progress towards them, will be reviewed in 2014. For the first time, developing countries at COP 11, including India and several African states, pledged additional funds above and beyond their core funding towards the work of the CBD. The conference also saw the launch of the Hyderabad Call for Biodiversity Champions. The programme will accept pledges from governments and organizations in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. The government of India this week committed over  50 million US dollars as part of the programme. The Global Environment Facility, the financial mechanism of the Convention, for the first time, was provided with an assessment of the financial resources required to meet the needs of developing countries for implementing the Convention. Decision on Marine Biodiversity. The 193 Parties to the CBD agreed to classify a diverse list of marine areas, some renowned for containing ‘hidden treasures’ of the plant and animal world, as ecologically or biologically significant. The COP agreed to transmit the results of this classification work to the United Nations General Assembly so that they can be considered by relevant UN processes linked to the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, in particular the United Nations General Assembly Working Group which is considering the development of an international agreement for biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Parties to the Convention also called for more research into the potential adverse effects of underwater noise from ships on marine and coastal biodiversity, and highlighted the growing concern on the adverse effects of marine litter. It also recognized the growing challenge of climate change impacts on coral reefs, which, Parties agreed, will require significant investment to overcome. There was also a call to fisheries management bodies to play a stronger role in addressing the impacts of fisheries on biodiversity. The series of agreements at COP 11 on oceans and coasts builds on the commitment of countries made at the United Nations Rio+20 summit in June to protect and restore marine ecosystems and to maintain their biodiversity. Various National Biodiversity Plan. With regards to National Biodiversity Plans much of the COP 11 negotiations revolved around practical and financial support for countries in implementing national biodiversity plans to meet the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. In reviewing global progress in implementing such measures, the COP reaffirmed the need for enhanced technical and scientific cooperation among countries, while underlining the potential for enhanced cooperation among developing countries. To support such efforts, a new National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Forum (NBSAP Forum) was launch at COP11 by UNEP, CBD, The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The online forum provides easy-to-access, targeted information such as best practices, guidelines and learning tools for countries. UNEP’s Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Initiative also presented a series of practical guides for governments at COP 11 for integrating the economic, social and cultural value of ecosystems into national biodiversity plans. COP 11 also agreed to a number of measures to engage the main economic sectors, such as business and development organizations, to integrate biodiversity objectives in their plans and programmes. COP 11 developed new work in support of achieving Aichi Target 15 which calls for the restoration of 15% of degraded lands. This work was supported by a call, in the margins of the meeting, by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and other bodies for concerted action in support of the decision. A decision on climate change and biodiversity called for enhanced collaboration between the CBD and UN climate change initiatives including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Given that forests are home to more than half of all terrestrial species, initiatives such as REDD+, where developing countries can receive payments for carbon offsets for their standing forests, can potentially help achieve international biodiversity targets, as well as those concerned with cutting carbon emissions. The decision covers technical advice on the conservation of forests, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. However the COP also noted discussions around the need for biodiversity safeguards relating to REDD+ and similar incentives. Actions such as afforestation in areas of high biodiversity value, or the conversion of natural forests to plantations, for example, may have adverse impacts on biodiversity. The COP adopted recommendations for improving the sustainable use and management of species hunted for 'bushmeat' in tropical and sub-tropical regions, where large-scale hunting and trade of animals has led to 'empty forest syndrome’, and is increasingly threatens food security, and the ecological stability of forests and other ecosystems. Together with FAO and other organizations, the CBD Secretariat will establish a global 'Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management' to support developing countries in the implementation of relevant CBD provisions. COP 11 adopted a decision on protected areas that provides a framework for achieving Aichi target 11. It calls for integration of national action plans for Protected Areas into revised National Biodiversity Strategies and action Plans. Participants adopted the Hyderabad Declaration on Subnational Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities for Biodiversity, which supports the work of cities to achieve the Global Strategy for Biodiversity and calls for greater coordination between levels of government.  ...

From Albert Oppong-Ansah, GNA Special Correspondent, Hyderabad, India  (Courtesy, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Global Environmental Facility and Internews).      Hyderabad (India), Oct. 22, GNA --The  world’s governments have agreed to increase funding in support of actions to halt the rate of loss of biodiversity at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Developed countries agreed to double their funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the internationally-agreed Biodiversity Targets, and the main goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The Saragasso Sea, the Tonga archipelago and key corals sites off the coast of Brazil are among a range of marine areas to receive special attention by governments as part of renewed efforts to sustainably manage the world's oceans agreed in Hyderabad. Many of the areas are beyond national jurisdictions and, as such, receive little or no protection at present. Other key decisions taken at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 11) include new measures to factor biodiversity into environmental impact assessments linked to infrastructure and other development projects in marine and coastal areas. Addressing the closing ceremony of the conference Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity said: “These results, coming in a period of economic crisis, demonstrate that the world is committed to implementing the CBD. We see that governments are moving forward in implementation and seeing biodiversity as an opportunity to be realized more than a problem to be solved.” “We now need to move forward in the next two years, under the able leadership of India, the COP 11 president, to consolidate this work and to advance further. I look forward to other pledges in support of the Hyderabad call for Biodiversity Champions that will allow us to realize our goals” he said. Madam Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of Environment and Forests for India, and President of the COP, said the present economic crisis should not deter parties but on the contrary encourage them to invest more towards the amelioration of the natural capital for ensuring uninterrupted ecosystem services, on which all life on earth depended. Mr Achim Steiner Director UN Environment Programme Executive,  said the UN biodiversity conference in Hyderabad had taken forward the renewed momentum, forged two years ago in Nagoya. He added that countries had sent a clear signal and delivered additional commitments underlining the fact that biodiversity and ecosystems were development priority and central to a transition to an inclusive Green Economy. "Mobilizing the necessary financial resources from the public and private sector needed to ensure achievement of the 2020 targets remains a challenge - but here in India, many nations including developing economies have signaled their determination and sense of urgency to seize the opportunities by providing much needed additional support,” Mr. Steiner said. On the funding Developed countries agreed at the conference to increase funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Using a baseline figure of the average annual national spending on biodiversity between 2006 and 2010, developed countries said they would double biodiversity-related international financial flows by 2015. The COP also set targets to increase the number of countries that have included biodiversity in their national development plans, and prepared national financial plans for biodiversity, by 2015. All Parties agreed to substantially increase domestic expenditures for biodiversity protection over the same period. These targets, and progress towards them, will be reviewed in 2014. For the first time, developing countries at COP 11, including India and several African states, pledged additional funds above and beyond their core funding towards the work of the CBD. The conference also saw the launch of the Hyderabad Call for Biodiversity Champions. The programme will accept pledges from governments and organizations in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. The government of India this week committed over US$ 50 million as part of the programme. The Global Environment Facility, the financial mechanism of the Convention, for the first time, was provided with an assessment of the financial resources required to meet the needs of developing countries for implementing the Convention. On the issue of Marine Biodiversity the 193 Parties to the CBD agreed to classify a diverse list of marine areas, some renowned for containing ‘hidden treasures’ of the plant and animal world, as ecologically or biologically significant. The COP agreed to transmit the results of this classification work to the United Nations General Assembly so that they can be considered by relevant UN processes linked to the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, in particular the United Nations General Assembly Working Group which is considering the development of an international agreement for biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Parties to the Convention also called for more research into the potential adverse effects of underwater noise from ships on marine and coastal biodiversity, and highlighted the growing concern on the adverse effects of marine litter. It also recognized the growing challenge of climate change impacts on coral reefs, which, Parties agreed, will require significant investment to overcome. There was also a call to fisheries management bodies to play a stronger role in addressing the impacts of fisheries on biodiversity. The series of agreements at COP 11 on oceans and coasts builds on the commitment of countries made at the United Nations Rio+20 summit in June to protect and restore marine ecosystems and to maintain their biodiversity. With regards to National Biodiversity Plans much of the COP 11 negotiations revolved around practical and financial support for countries in implementing national biodiversity plans to meet the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. In reviewing global progress in implementing such measures, the COP reaffirmed the need for enhanced technical and scientific cooperation among countries, while underlining the potential for enhanced cooperation among developing countries. To support such efforts, a new National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Forum (NBSAP Forum) was launch at COP11 by UNEP, CBD, The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The online forum provides easy-to-access, targeted information such as best practices, guidelines and learning tools for countries. UNEP’s Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Initiative also presented a series of practical guides for governments at COP 11 for integrating the economic, social and cultural value of ecosystems into national biodiversity plans. COP 11 also agreed to a number of measures to engage the main economic sectors, such as business and development organizations, to integrate biodiversity objectives in their plans and programmes. COP 11 developed new work in support of achieving Aichi Target 15 which calls for the restoration of 15% of degraded lands. This work was supported by a call, in the margins of the meeting, by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and other bodies for concerted action in support of the decision. A decision on climate change and biodiversity called for enhanced collaboration between the CBD and UN climate change initiatives including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Given that forests are home to more than half of all terrestrial species, initiatives such as REDD+, where developing countries can receive payments for carbon offsets for their standing forests, can potentially help achieve international biodiversity targets, as well as those concerned with cutting carbon emissions. The decision covers technical advice on the conservation of forests, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. However the COP also noted discussions around the need for biodiversity safeguards relating to REDD+ and similar incentives. Actions such as afforestation in areas of high biodiversity value, or the conversion of natural forests to plantations, for example, may have adverse impacts on biodiversity. The COP adopted recommendations for improving the sustainable use and management of species hunted for 'bushmeat' in tropical and sub-tropical regions, where large-scale hunting and trade of animals has led to 'empty forest syndrome',and is increasingly threatens food security, and the ecological stability of forests and other ecosystems. Together with FAO and other organizations, the CBD Secretariat will establish a global 'Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management' to support developing countries in the implementation of relevant CBD provisions. COP 11 adopted a decision on protected areas that provides a framework for achieving Aichi target 11 . It calls for integration of national action plans for Protected Areas into revised National Biodiversity Strategies and action Plans. Participants adopted the Hyderabad Declaration on Subnational Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities for Biodiversity, which supports the work of cities to achieve the Global Strategy for Biodiversity and calls for greater coordination between levels of government. ...

Tarkwa, Oct 22, GNA – The government would soon standardize school fees at the basic and senior high levels to eliminate all illegitimate fees being charged in most of the public schools, President John Dramani Mahama, has said. He said the current situation where some heads of schools decide on their own to charge parents was not only unacceptable but inimical to the progress of poor but brilliant children. President Mahama said this  when he addressed students of the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa as part of his five-day campaign tour of the Western Region. President Mahama said most parents preferred private schools to public ones on account of the quality the former had over the later and promised to expand facilities and provide all the logistics that would enhance the performance of public schools. He promised to expedite action on the construction of projects at the University adding “Mining is one of the critical areas in this country, considering the fact that it contributes greatly to our earnings.” The President called on the management of the university to present to the government the architectural drawings of all their projects for government to have ample knowledge of their needs before intervening. Professor Samuel Yaw Kumah, the Vice Chancellor, commended the government for the numerous facilities it benefitted from and appealed for $200million to undertake more projects. He also appealed to government to provide the university with sporting facilities as it does most of its training outside the university.     More  ...

Tamale, Oct 22, GNA -The government is to re-organise science, vocational and technical education with more emphasis on practical skills to promote self employment and boost the nation’s industrial capacity as it gears to become a full middle income nation. Consequently, a number of technical training institutions are to be set up within the next four years and existing ones improved. Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, who is on a tour of the Northern Region, said Ghana was poised for an industrial take-off and needed to develop technical expertise. The Vice President has, since Friday, been touring the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions and has inaugurated projects.  He also paid courtesy calls on traditional and religious leaders to solicit their co-operation and blessings for a  peaceful, free and fair election. Nalerigu was the first point of call for the Vice President where he was presented with a smock in the palace of the Gabaranaa, Naa Yahya Wuni at Gambaga. Vice President Amissah-Arthur said there was no need for violence during elections and assured the people of the government’s commitment to peaceful polls. Vice President Amissah-Arthur called on Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area and later addressed a rally. He said the NDC was development oriented and wanted to win the election to continue with projects the government was undertaking in the area. Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga said peace must be maintained during the election. The Vice President later called on the Wungunaaba, Alhaji Suleman Saaka at Wungu near Walewale where the chief appealed for improvement in the area’s roads. He addressed a rally at Walewale and appealed to NDC members to put any differences at the primaries behind them, must remain united and campaign for a resounding one touch victory.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - Ms Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Communication Africa (Stratcomm), has called on young women to develop self confidence to change their world.   She said they should prepare and take risk for their contribution to be felt in the development of the nation.   Ms Cobbah was speaking on “The working woman and her God, the power, the vessel and the purpose”, at a one day complete women summit organized by the Royal House Students and Associates of the University of Ghana at the weekend.   The event was aimed at inspiring young ladies to adopt good morals in their daily lives to become responsible women in future.   She urged the ladies to be submissive and prayerful but take steps to improve on their personal endeavours.   “As women, it is not just what is in our hands that matters but also what is in our hearts,” she noted.   He called on them to praise and thank the Lord for giving them the kind of talents they possess.   “You the royal house ladies can be for the society the voices of wisdom and prophetic inspiration,” he added.   Dr (Mrs) Ancestasia Yirenkyi, First Vice President of Royal Ladies Ministry, said women should know their identity to discover their purpose in life.   She asked women to take Godly decisions to unlock God’s purpose in their lives.   She called on women to devote their time to praying and the reading of the Bible.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - MTN Ghana Limited will from October 22 to November 22 2012 hold its regional festival activations in the three northern regions dubbed, “Savannafest.”   A statement issued in Accra by Mrs Cynthia Lumor, Corporate Services Manager, said a series of activities covering business, sports and entertainment have been lined up to take place in Tamale, Bolga and Wa.   It said other towns that will also experience these activities include; Navrongo, Buipe, Salaga, Chereponi, Bimbila and their environs.   The statement said the purpose of these regional festival celebrations was to enable the brand get closer to subscribers in the various regions.   “Some of the activities lined up include retailers and traders fora dubbed, “Minipa Traders Forum,” data activations, presentation of hospital equipment to the Chereponi Hospital,” it said.   Others included commissioning of a three-classroom block at Kanvilli Presby Junior High School and a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit in the Tamale Teaching Hospital.   It said there would be a health walk and screening exercise in Tamale, Bolga and Wa, as well as inter community football gala.   The statement said these engagements with customers would help us the company to demonstrate their care for the communities through the commissioning of social intervention projects that were undertaken in the regions.   Ghana’s Dancehall King, Samini, would also treat fans in Tamale to a music concert dubbed, “Samini and Friends Live”, at the Tamale Stadium on October 27th.     GNA...

Bolgatanga, Oct 21, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah – Arthur at the weekend concluded a tour of the Upper East Region, glad for psyching up traditional rulers and the electorate to partner Government more to expand development in the area.   He reminded Ghanaians on the need to keep the peace of the nation and not to do anything that would bring the nation’s next December general elections into disrepute since resultant conflicts would negatively affect the nation’s socio-economic development.   He however said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), on whose ticket he was partnering President John Dramani Mahama as running mate, has better development strategies, and urged the electorate to renew the mandate of the party to meet their aspirations adequately captured in Government’s Better Ghana programme.   Under the programme, which started under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC has been empowered by the majority of the electorate to deliver on job creation, transparency and accountability in governance, and creating opportunities for all.   While appealing to traditional and religious leaders to continue to pray for peaceful elections, Vice President Amissah-Arthur urged the enthusiasts and the faithful to come out and campaign massively to  ensure a resounding one-touch victory to the party.    “Come out and vote massively for the NDC Flagbearer President John Dramani Mahama, who is Number One on the ballot paper and the NDC aspiring Members of Parliament on Election Day, December 7, 2012,”   Vice President Amissah-Arthur had paid a courtesy on the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga, Bolga Naba Nabi Martin Abilba, at his palace.   The Vice President praised traditional rulers and religious leaders for their wisdom and prayers for a successful conduct of the December polls.   “I have come to take inspiration from traditional rulers and religious leaders,” Vice President Amissah-Arthur said.   The tour, which had taken him to the Upper West Region for the first two days was to listen to the concerns of the chiefs and people and to afford the Vice President the opportunity to introduce himself since his assumption to that position in August 2012. He was the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.   He arrived from the Upper West Region, where he commissioned several completed projects started from within the last three years under the Mills Administration, to a reception of a large crowd at the palace at Nakon , his first point of call in the Upper East Region.   Banapeh Afagachie II, the Nakonper, who is the Paramount Chief of the Nakon Traditional Area, praised the NDC as a Government known for being a leader in the provision of development projects.   He advised politicians to be civil and avoid harsh words in the electioneering campaign.   He appealed to the Government to improve the road network in the area, provision of potable water and a police station, equipped with vehicles to stem the tide of highway robbery on the road from Tumu to Nakon.   At Chiana, the Paramount Chief, Chianapeh Thomas Ditundini Adiali, described the community as a stronghold of the NDC and praised the Government of the then Provisional National Defence Council, the forerunner of the  NDC, for making  the late Paramount Chief  Pe Rowland Ayagyitam serve as Speaker of the Consultative Assembly that reviewed the draft 1992 Constitution of Ghana.   The people, wearing NDC paraphernalia in the colours of red, black, green and white, milled through the dark and listen to the Vice President announce Government’s interventions meant to improve on their lives.   Chianapeh Adiali appealed to the Government to improve the state of the roads, provide logistic support for the boarding school in the area, upgrading of the health centre there into a polytechnic, an ambulance and improvement in the water distribution system for irrigation farming.   The Vice President also interacted with the Chief of Chuchuliga, and the people and addressed members of the Tertiary Education Network of the NDC at the Navrongo campus of the University for Development Studies.   Vice President Amissah -Arthur continues with the last leg of the five-day tour to the Northern Region     GNA...

Agona Nkwanta, Oct 22, GNA – The Ahanta West District Assembly has put measures in place to control the falling standards of education as five schools scored zero per cent in the 2012 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).   The measures include the introduction of 30 minutes a day on the schools’ timetable for practical reading lessons and the formation of subject groupings to encourage better interaction to promote efficiency and effectiveness in teaching.   Other measures are strengthening supervisory role of circuit supervisors and Ghana Education Line Managers, providing orientation to teachers recruited under the National Youth Employment Programme and the adopting a school each by the district’s oversight committee and GES staff to periodically visit.   Mr. Joseph Dofoyena, the Ahanta West District Chief Executive, announced these measures when delivering his speech at the third general assembly meeting held at Agona Nkwanta on Monday.   He mentioned the Junior High schools that scored zero per cent as Cape Three Points, Hotopo Methodist, Nsemasu D/A, Salvation Army and Enomoko.   The DCE said the poor performance had placed the district on the 17th position on the BECE league table of the 17 districts in the Western region.   Later in an interview with the media, Mr. Eric Amponsah, the Ahanta West District Director of Education, mentioned poor supervisory role of teachers as well as parents in the homes, failure of qualified teachers to accept postings to deprived areas and lack of accommodation for teachers as factors contributing to the poor performance.   The Education Director noted that poor monitoring of students by parents and guardians had led to 20 teenage pregnancies among the girls for this year as against 15 in 2011.   To check these social vices and poor academic performance, Mr. Amponsah said he had come out with a theme: “Supervision, the Role of the Managers”.   Under the theme all stakeholders including parents, teachers, chiefs, and opinion leaders will be compelled to be managers to actively get involved in moulding the students academically and morally hoping that the strategy will encourage the communities to have interest in their wards’ education.   Mr. Amponsah appealed to parents to stop engaging their children on their farms during school periods.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA – Government is commitment to the provision of the needed logistics to all security agencies to enable them execute their statutory mandate efficiently, Mr Kobby Acheampong, Deputy Minister for the Interior, on Monday assured.   He said government fully recognized that mobility was critical especially as officers needed to conduct regular inspection exercises at industrial establishments, factories, banks, educational institutions etc.   Mr Acheampong made this observation at the commissioning of new vehicles for the Ghana Immigration Service, to improve the operational efficiency of the Service.   He said the provision of the vehicles was in response to a call by the Director of the Service for government’s assistance to tackle its huge logistic challenges that had affected operation efficiency at all levels.   The vehicles include 20 Nissan Pick-ups, four Mitsubishi station wagons, six Nissan Salon cars, seven Motorbikes and one unit of Toyota Land cruiser.   “The vehicles could not have come at a better time than this, since the nation is heading towards the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on December 7, and the GIS would be part of the security agencies that would provide security at the pool”, he added.   He said it was the avowed commitment of government to continue to enhance the logistic needs of officers and Men of the GIS, by doing all it could despite the perennial central government budgetary constraints, in order to motivate them to give out their best.   Mr Acheampong noted that the GIS in collaboration with other security agencies had been encountering serious operational challenges in recent times in combating illegal mining activities of foreigners, warning that those engaged in such acts would be dealt with according by the laws of the country.   He also cautioned that immigration officers, against whom evidence of collusion or criminal complicity in facilitating the illegal entry of foreigners into the country would be found, would be severely dealt with as prescribed by law.   Mr Acheampong urged the GIS to approach their election duties with all the professionalism, and avoid exhibition of partisan inclinations, adding that professional neutrality was what was expected of them.   He appealed to transport officers and service drivers, who would be handling the vehicles to take good care of them and keep them in regular maintenance to ensure that they perform to their maximum economic life span.   COP Dr Peter Wiredu, Acting Director of GIS, expressed appreciation to the Ministry and Government for the quick response to their clarion call for such urgent assistance, adding that lack of offices and residential accommodation, huge rent bills and accoutrements were also some other challenges facing the service.   He said the additional fleet of vehicles would go a long way to improve the operational efficiency of the Service throughout the country.   He assured the Minister that the vehicles would be deployed to the most critical areas of their operations, adding that management would also ensure that the vehicles were unfailingly subjected to regular maintenance and good care.   COP Dr Wireku stated that the GIS was feverishly making preparations with sister security agencies to support the Police as the lead agency to provide law and order in achieving election security, before, during and after the upcoming pools.   He said the GIS would deploy about 3000 officers and men for election duties, urging all of them to hold themselves in readiness for the all important national assignment.   “You would be called upon to perform election duties in remote parts of the country. I want to urge you to take it in good faith wherever you would be posted to and act professionally at all times on whatever task you would be assigned.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on Monday met with representatives of political parties at a roundtable meeting to discuss findings of a research conducted by the Commission on the expectations of electorate on issues bothering on health.   The NCCE in its mandate to educate the public on issues of national importance conducted a research to find out about the development needs of the Ghanaian public and their expectations of how these issues would be resolved by politicians in their various manifestoes.   Mrs Gertrude Zakariah-Ali, Director, Gender Research, NCCE, who presented the findings, explained that out of the many areas considered, education and health dominated by 70.7 per cent and 59 per cent respectively.   The report shows that all categories of age groups, which ranged from 18 and above placed premium on health and the issue was even high among people aged 40 and above because of the health challenges associated with aging.   Mrs Zakariah-Ali said some of the issues outlined by the public included their demand for the construction and adequately equipping them for quality service delivery, while embarking on public health education nationwide.   She said the electorate demanded that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) premium be reduced, while making it fully operationalised to cover all sicknesses and drugs and also training more health professionals with well remuneration.   Representatives from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Convention People’s Party (CPP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP), debated the various issues and concerns raised in the report, citing chapters in their respective party manifestoes that address some of the issues.   Professor Kofi Agyeman Badu Akosa, representative of the CPP, argued against the politicization of issues on education and health, and advocated for a well structured national system to serve as a knowledge pool and guide for political parties to borrow from.   He also indicated that quality health should not be limited to infrastructure development alone, but must involve multiple areas of critical concern such as good nutrition, clean environment, availability of drugs, water as well as proper roads to prevent accidents among other things.   He said the CPP believed in emphasis on primary health care delivery system where health care is based on community health care system of the Community-Based Health Planning Services (CHPS).   Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, who represented the NPP, urged Ghanaians to be disciplined and ensure that their environments were free from filth, arguing that no country could develop in filth.   He contended against the fact that Ghana could achieve any meaningful development with its present method of agriculture, which has lead to further entrenchment of poverty and diseases among the rural poor.    “We need a complete transformation from old ways of localized production”, he said.   He said the NPP manifesto already addressed most of the issues raised and would ensure their full implementation when the party is voted into power.   Dr Prince Omane Boamah, who represented the NDC, agreed that development should be planned to ensure quality service delivery.   He said the NDC government had introduced several policies and programmes that were tailored towards quality health care delivery and would do more if given the nod by electorates to continue its good works.     GNA...

Obuasi (Ash), Oct. 22, GNA – Wacam, human rights, environmental and mining advocacy non governmental organisation, has organised a livelihood workshop in Obuasi for communities whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the mining activities of AngloGold Ashanti.   Giving the rationale for the workshop, Mrs Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, Associate Executive Director of Wacam, said mining communities suffered violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights when surface mining operations are undertaken in their communities.   She said surface mining operations resulted in the loss of livelihoods of many land-based communities that depended on farming as a major source of income to support their families leading to worsening poverty levels in mining communities.   Mrs Owusu-Koranteng said the livelihood workshop was the first of its kind to be organised by Wacam with the objective of equipping participants, especially women, with livelihood skills to address the problem of livelihood loss and for economic empowerment.   The participants, 80 per cent of whom were women, were drawn from Anyankyirem, Akatakyieso, Amamom, Adaase, Oseikrom, Twiwaaso, Fenaso, Fawoman, Hiampenipa and Mankonoagonso. They were taught tie and dye making, soap-making, small ruminants rearing, savouries and cookies and grass-cutter rearing.   She said women in mining communities suffered the greatest negative impact when the environment was destroyed through surface mining hence the focus on women.   Mrs Owusu-Koranteng said that Wacam had been successful in the protection of the rights of mining communities through its educational programmes and developed a Sustainable Livelihood Network (SULNET) programme about five years ago based on needs assessment it undertook in mining communities.   She expressed gratitude to DKA, a Catholic Charity organisation in Austria, which provided funds for the livelihood skills development workshop, saying that the SULNET had not materialized for many years due to difficulties in securing funding for the project.       GNA...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA – Ghana is to take a lead role in the fight against epilepsy which seeks to address treatment gap in the management of the disease in the country.   A press release issued to the GNA in Accra on Monday quoted Dr. Cynthia Sottie, National Coordinator, Fight Against Epilepsy Initiative, as saying the goal of the project "is to improve access to basic health care and services for people with epilepsy, raise awareness, place treatment of epilepsy as a priority in the national health agenda and involve non-specialists providers in epilepsy care”.   Dr. Sottie, further noted that: "the project aims at reducing stigma and increasing demand for epilepsy care in the country."   She indicated “epilepsy exerts a lot of psychological effect on epileptics and their family members which sometimes leads to social isolation”, adding that the disease is not only a medical condition but also a social health issue that requires multi-disciplinary approach to its management.   The pilot project, which was launched in Tolon-Kumbungu district in the Northern Region, is to be replicated in Ashiedu Keteke sub-metro in the greater Accra region after which Ghana would take total ownership of the project and scale it up to the rest of the regions.   Epilepsy is a treatable disorder of the brain, which affect 50 million people in the world of which about 85% of them live in poor countries like Ghana.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA - Ministry of the Interior on Monday reminded the general public that Friday October 26, 2012, which marks the celebration of the Islamic Festival of Eidul-Adha is a statutory public holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country.    The reminder was contained in a statement issued by the Sector Minister, Mr. W. K. Aboah in Accra.     GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 22, GNA – Ms Gina Fiagbenu, Corporate Communications Senior Manager of MTN Ghana Limited, has complained that fiber optic cuts as a result of construction activities are the major problems confronting the company.   The problem she said creates congestion and network difficulties.   She said the company experienced 140 fiber optic cuts last year and in this year, has already experienced 398 fiber optic cuts which had not only cost the company but resulted in numerous network difficulties, adding: “The regulator is already aware of the situation.”   Ms Fiagbenu was addressing journalists an Editors Forum in Tamale on Monday which aimed at strengthening the relationship of MTN with the media.   The occasion was part of the Savannah Fest during which series of activities are planned for one month to showcase the MTN brand.   Ms Fiagbenu said MTN had introduced new innovations such as mobile money transfer and mobile money services, which she noted is making positive impact in the lives of people.   The company is currently located in 22 countries in Africa and has invested about 1.2 billion dollars in the country.   MTN is expected to invest 142 million dollars this year and to make more impact across the country.    Ms Fiagbenu said aside from providing one ICT facility in each region, it has also provided educational and health projects and introduced economic empowerment project for many deprived people.   She said the ICT industry had transformed the globe and urged Ghanaians to capitalise on the phenomenon to change their lives.   Mr James Bukhani Basiatale, General Manager of Northern Business District who launched the Savannah Fest noted that MTN was much appreciative of the symbiotic relationship that existed between the company and the media.   He noted that the media had largely contributed to the success of the company.   Mr Basiatale said as part of the Savannah Fest MTN would inaugurate a number of projects and series of activities covering business, sports and entertainment which had been lined up to take place in Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa. He said the purpose of the regional festival is to enable the brand to get closer to subscribers in the regions.   He said a three-classroom block at Kanvilli Presby Junior High School and a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit in the Tamale Teaching Hospital would be part of the activities.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - An Executive Committee Member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Mr Seth Gaisie-Amoah, has said the party had not been disqualified until a final court decision is reached.    "We are contesting the Electoral Commission's (EC) decision in court and we are asking our supporters to stay put and not to give up hope."   In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Gaisie-Amoah said he was surprised at the decision of the EC, because he felt "we could have been given a little more time to correct the anomalies that were discovered on our form".   He said he believed the EC did not treat the case with fairness adding, "why could we not have been given some time?”   On why the party was found wanting with it's submitted form even though the EC had given a dead-line for the completion and submission of forms, he said "anything can happen in the filling of forms."   In his words, "if they had given us just a little more time to correct the anomalies, we could easily have done that."   The EC disqualified the NDP from contesting the December 2012 Presidential elections last Thursday, because the EC said the party, had failed to correctly fill out it's nomination forms, before the 5pm dead-line.   Six other Political Parties also disqualified are the United Renaissance Party, the Democratic People's Party, and the Ghana Freedom Party. The rest are the Independent People's party, The New Vision Party and the Yes People's Party.     GNA...

Nkawkaw, Oct. 22, GNA -The Program Manager of Socioserve, a Political Advocacy non-governmental organization (NGO), Ms Rita Ntosu, has advised the electorate to vote on issues in the December polls instead of voting on political and ethnic lines.      She said this would ensure that only competent and hard working people who would initiate meaningful development projects to enhance the living standard of the people are elected into Parliament.      Ms Ntosu made gave the advice at an Inter Party dialogue for aspiring parliamentarians for the Nkawkaw constituency on Monday.      The dialogue was under the theme “Know your aspiring MPs Project, Get involved in a peaceful 2012 election.”      Aspiring MPs, who participated in the dialogue included Mr Alex Somuah Obeng, for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Eric Kwakye Darmour, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Ms Olivia Addo of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP).      Ms Ntosu advised all the aspiring MPs in the constituency to cooperate with all stakeholders in the election and to guard against using insulting language to ensure a peaceful election in the area.      The NDC parliamentary aspirant advised supporters of the various political parties to avoid the use of foul language that could result in violence during the campaign.      He gave the assurance that as Chairman of the Municipal Security Committee, he would liaise with the security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election in the constituency.      The PPP parliamentary aspirant advised the youth to avoid being enticed by politicians to create violence before, during and after the election.      The Kwahu West Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Arthur Wilson, advised Ghanaians to take a cue from happenings in some African countries and learn to live in peace.      The Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Michael Avedatsi, said the task force had been formed to maintain law and order during the polls.      The Chairman of the Municipal Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Reverend Atiemo Aryah, called for cooperation of all political parties and other stakeholders to ensure a successful peaceful election in the constituency.     GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA – An appeal had been made to the National Communications Authority (NCA) to work closely with musicians and producers to develop efficient ways of tackling piracy on the internet.      Mr. Ambrose Yennah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AIDEC Consultancies Limited, a management consultancy company, said this has become necessary in the face of growing electronic piracy – the result of the advancement in technology.      It was now easier for many people to illegally reproduce the work of musicians on the internet.      He underlined the need for a digital monitoring system to track pirates in the music and creative arts industry to assist save it from collapse.      Mr. Yennah was speaking at a day’s sensitization workshop organized by the Ghana National Society of Music Producers on the copyright law at the Golden Tulip, in Kumasi.      “Enforcement of the copyright law to protect the rights of musicians and music producers”, was the theme.      Mr. Yennah drew attention to the huge losses in revenue to musicians and producers due to piracy, making it impossible for them to recoup investments in their works.      About 90 per cent of the works of producers are estimated to be exposed to pirates because of technology, a situation, he warned, if unchecked, could dampen creativity and ingenuity in the industry.      He faulted the radio stations, tourist and hospitality facilities, as well as event organizers for their reluctance to pay for copyright license fees, to give them the permission to play music for commercial purposes.      Mr. Yennah advocated the establishment of a Copyright Court to deal expeditiously with copyright issues and help to bring returns on investments made by stakeholders.      Mr John Mensah Sarpong, President of the National Society of Ghana Music Producers, noted that piracy had become a major hindrance to the growth of the music industry and called for effective enforcement of the copyright law. He also urged the various splinter associations to come together to fight the common cause of bringing down piracy.     GNA...

Aflao (V/R), Oct 22, GNA - Mr Kofi Lugudor, NPP Volta Regional Youth Organizer, has called on the youth in the Volta Region to break ranks with their elders and vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the coming elections.      He said in spite of the unflinching support it had received, the NDC had taken the region for granted and only paid lip service to its plight.      Mr Lugudor, who was speaking at an NPP Ketu-South Constituency rally at the weekend at Aflao, said the youth needed to change the status quo to attract respect and benefits to the region.       Mr Lugudor said Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and NPP had what it takes to develop the country and the Volta Region as showed in the previous NPP administrations track record.      Mr Godwin Yayra Ekuawu, NPP Ketu-South Parliamentary Candidate, said the previous NPP administration had significant projects such the National Health Insurance Scheme to show for its performance, saying he was hopeful of an overwhelming victory for the NPP in December.       He said he would bring his business expertise into play by prompting and supporting the youth to undertake entrepreneurial activities as a solution to the unemployment problem.      Mr Linus Coffie, a Former Municipal Chief Executive of the area, challenged the ruling party to come out with a list of development projects for comparison with the NPP record for the area.      “I am sure the NDC will forever remain mute when they come to the reality of the facts and figures,” he said.     GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA – Two suspected members of a robbery gang that had been operating within the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science of Technology (KNUST) are now in the firm grip of the law.      Kwadwo Antonie, 21, and Edward Ayigwenam, 20, are being held by the police in Kumasi.      They were arrested by a patrol team after they had attacked and robbed a Level 300 Communications and Design student of his Dell laptop computer and modem.      Corporal Godwin Ahianyo of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, the alleged crime was committed on Monday, October 15, at about 2330 hours.      The victim was returning to his hostel at Ayigya and on reaching Bomso, the suspects, who had laid ambush, emerged from their hideouts, wrestled him to the ground and forcibly took away the computer and accessories.      He raised the alarm and a police patrol team that arrived at the scene managed to seize the suspects before they could flee.      A sharp knife and a dog chain were retrieved from them.      Corporal Ahianyo said the two had already confessed to the crime and the stolen items recovered.      They would be arraigned as soon as the police completed their investigations.     GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 22, GNA – MTN Ghana Limited, a leading telecommunication company operating in the country on Monday commissioned a three-unit classroom block for the Kanvilli Presby Junior High School to ease congestion.   The project, which was constructed at a cost of GH¢ 159,000 has store, office and an ICT laboratory, equipped with 20 computers to enhance ICT learning for academic excellence.   Mr. James Bukhani Basiatale, General Manager of the Northern Business District of MTN, who commissioned the project, said it was part of many efforts MTN was making to put smiles on the faces of its subscribers, stressing that, “MTN Foundation has invested GH¢ 9.7 million over the last five years in health, education and economic empowerment across the country.”   He stressed that the company had invested GH¢ 1.1 million in various projects in the Northern Region alone by providing services such as schools, hospital’s rehabilitation and medical supplies.   Mr. Basiatale said even though the Kanvilli Presby JHS was located in an urban area, its facilities were poor, resulting in over congestion in the classrooms, with some of the classes accommodating about 90 students, necessitating the assistance and was of the view that the facility would provide a conducive teaching and learning environment.   He said the commissioning of the three-unit classroom was part of a month long Savanna Fest being celebrated by the company, which would see the commissioning of some projects and the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.   “We will continue to invest in network coverage to improve quality”, he said and urged stakeholders to use the facility judiciously for the betterment of the people.   Alhaji Saani Abdul-Razak, Tamale Metro Director for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) urged the students to take their studies seriously to shine among their peers.   The students expressed their gratitude to the MTN Foundation for the facility and appealed for more support from the benevolent organizations.   GNA...