Ho Oct. 24, GNA-Togbe Dadzawa III, Paramount Chief of Shia Traditional Area, has said Ghanaian politicians were the cause of the country’s underdevelopment. “Our politicians have made us poor,” he said and added that politicians were only interested in amassing wealth for themselves and families and not the development of communities. Togbe Dadzawa was speaking on Tuesday at a Town Hall Meeting organized by the Graphic Communications Group Limited in the Volta Region in Ho. The Meeting was to provide political parties and stakeholders a platform at the regional level to discuss issues that matter to the people and give politicians opportunity to state their programmes. It was on the theme, “Projecting the key issues for a peaceful election 2012.” Togbe Dadzawa said it was unfortunate that politicians only remember the route to communities when it was time for elections and abandon those routes after making promises to the people. He said for instance, in his community, politicians had made several promises to the people but failed to honour them. Togbe Dadzawa said but for the many self-initiated projects, the area would have been cut off from the rest of Ghana. “Look, even the CEPS office at Shia was built by the community and given to government free of charge. I have to levy my people for many other projects,” he said. Togbe Dadzawa said it was time politicians renewed their commitment to the development of communities and desist from making the country and the people poorer. He said he was for instance not comfortable with the proposed hike in pay to 7,200 cedis for Members of Parliament from about 3,000 cedis, saying high earnings was the attraction to parliament and not the desire to serve the people. Mr John Tsrakasu, Volta Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, said it was unfortunate that politicians take credit for the hard work of public servants, yet were quick to blame them, should their (politicians) policies fail to work. He said public servants were doing their best for the nation and urged politicians to commend their contribution to nation building. Representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) engaged in a debate on what the parties would do for the Volta region in the areas of agriculture, economy, education, health and infrastructure should they win the December polls. Mr Richard Doe Agbenowosi, PPP Parliamentary Candidate for Hohoe-North, said his Party would establish an education police to enforce “free, compulsory but continued education of all children of school going age”. He said a PPP government would also abolish the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and focus on adequate preparation of students for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). Mr Agbenowosi said his Party would promote cleaner environment to prevent diseases and save money for other sectors of the economy. He said it would also re-introduce Sanitary Inspectors in all communities, to enhance cleaner communities and hygiene. Mr Agbenowosi said his Party would support local entrepreneurs to improve the economy and embark upon massive irrigation projects. Mr Kwasi Aboagye, Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, said his Party had delivered almost all manifesto promises made in 2008.    He said the NDC would modernize and mechanize agriculture, invest in livestock farming and maintain single-digit inflation and an annual growth rate of eight per cent to give meaning to its “Better Ghana Agenda.” Mr Aboagye said the NDC would expand education infrastructure and ensure 100 per cent access to education by all children of school going age. On health, he said, the Party would embark on “health for all agenda” and provide modern regional hospitals for all regions. Madam Exornam Jemima Lorenz, North-Dayi Parliamentary Candidate for the CPP, said the 12 years of NDC and eight years of NPP were all characterized by “heavy borrowing,” which is not good for the country’s future, and promised an incorruptible government from the CPP. She said the CPP would remove education disparities between rural and urban communities and enact legislations to regulate school fees. Madam Lorenz said a CPP government would expand the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover all ailments and make it free for the aged and children. Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Manhyia,former President Kufuor invested more in the Volta Region than other governments in the last 30 years. He said at the moment, the country was near collapse, with failed structures, weak infrastructure and unreliable power. Dr. Prempeh attributed the situation to leadership challenges and said the NPP would address the challenges and focus on how to improve livelihood of all Ghanaians. He reiterated the NPP’s commitment to offering free Senior High School education and said, “if NDC has money to build two new airports, we will use that money for the general good of our SHS students.” All the parties pledged to work towards successful and peaceful elections. GNA...

Ho, Oct 24, GNA - The Volta Regional Chapter of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana, (CLOSAG) is slating a strike action from November 1 if delays in payment of premiums to its members, under the Single Spine Salary Structure, were not addressed.     A statement issued after an “important and urgent meeting” on Tuesday, signed by Samuel N. Danquah, Chairman and Victor Xornam Kportoe, Secretary, said the association was disenchanted by the utter inaction of the ministries which brokered the suspension of an intended strike action in September to enable them tackle the issue. It expressed regret that since then nothing had been heard from the report of the Inter-ministerial committee charged to handle the issue and report back. All “efforts, messages, sent to both Honourable Ministers of Employment and Social Welfare and Finance and Economic Planning and the National Leadership to give us the update on the issue proved futile,” the statement said. The statement said CLOSAG Volta Region Branch was reliably informed that the inter-ministerial committee had submitted its reports since October 3 but to date the Ministers who set up the committee had not spoken on the issue. It expressed reservations about the posture of the two ministries over the issue and warned that it might have to resort to industrial action in reaction to the flippant treatment being meted out to the CLOSAG leadership and its members. The statement said while it was a fact that “Civil and Local Government Staff shall be responsible to Government”, it was expected of government also to show concern for its staff. It expressed unhappiness about the level of support government had offered CLOSAG in the course of the implementation of the SSSS. “We want to emphatically say here that if by Friday, 26th October, 2012 nothing is heard from the Honourable Ministers of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW) and Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) through the National Leadership of CLOSAG, the Volta Regional  Chapter of CLOSAG will have no choice than to withdraw its services with effect from 1st November, 2012,” the statement said. GNA...

Tarkwa, Oct.  24, GNA - A Tarkwa circuit court has sentenced a farmer, Stephen Issah to five-years imprisonment in hard labour for intentionally and unlawfully causing harm to Mary Duseh.   He pleaded guilty.   Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Edward Paddy told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant who is a farmer resides in the same vicinity at Hunieso Pepesa in the Prestea Huni/Valley district with the convict.   He said on Sunday, October 14, at about 1:00 am, the complainant heard an unusual noise in her room while she was asleep, so she woke up only to see the convict in her room.   The Prosecutor said the convict used a hammer he was holding to hit the head and shoulders of the complainant and also held her throat to prevent her from shouting.   Inspector Paddy said this resulted in a struggle between the two and in the process the convict sustained bruises on the face and chest but he managed to escape through a window.   He said the complainant raised an alarm which attracted the nearby residents to her room but the convict was nowhere to be found.   The Prosecutor said the complainant made a report to the police.   Inspector Paddy said during investigation the police retrieved a hammer in the complainant’s room and this led to the arrest of the suspect.   The complainant is still on admission at the Tarkwa government hospital where she is receiving treatment.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA – Nevahold, a cloud-based service that seeks to eliminate most frustrating and time consuming part in the customer service process for consumers, has been introduced.   The service takes a consumer’s question, grievance, review, praise and sends it to the company’s support channels.   Mr Alexander Kena, Chief Executive Officer of Nevahold told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that “This process saves the consumer time, and increases their chances of getting a response within minutes.”   He said the service comes with a unique feature that allowed consumers that were already requesting for support on Twitter to easily start using the service to get quick responses from companies by adding Nevahold to their tweets.   He said if the company doesn't reply quickly, the question was then blasted to all of their social media channels.   “This encourages companies to respond quickly and resolve complaints to avoid a negative online reputation,” he added.   The company has been announced as part of the winners at Webit Congress, an international event for the digital, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem.   He said customers did not have to search for the customer support information, which was often buried within websites.   “We developed the service because we’re customer service fanatics, and were tired of frustrating interactions with companies,” Kena said.     GNA...

Goaso (B/A), Oct. 23, GNA – Mr Ben Adom Agyei, former assemblyman for Manhyia Electoral Area in the Asunafo North Municipality of Brong-Ahafo Region, has appealed to the Government to provide the community with potable water to prevent the outbreak of an epidemic in the area.   Mr Agyei making the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Goaso on Monday explained that communities like Tetekrom, Agyeikrom, Nfante and Asuopiri solely depended on River Asuopiri, but had been polluted through the activities of some residents.   He said as a result, the people were compelled to depend on dug-out wells and therefore appealed to the Government for assistance.   Mr Agyei, who is also the Local Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), called on the Government to improve the road network in the area to facilitate the movement of people and farm produce.   He said roads linking the four communities were in deplorable condition due the recent rains, therefore, the need for government’s intervention to save lives and property.   On the mass cocoa spraying exercise, Mr Agyei commended the Government for the immense contribution towards the programme and warned those diverting logistics for the exercise to refrain from such illegal acts.     GNA...

Goaso(B/A), Oct. 23, GNA – The Asunafo South District Security Council (DISEC) in collaboration with authorities of Kukuom Agricultural Senior High School (SHS), have temporary closed down the school.   This followed a demonstration by the students against Mr P.K. Boakye, Headmaster and Mr Solomon Mensah, Senior Housemaster during which their bungalows were ransacked and property worth several millions of Ghana cedis was destroyed.   When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the school on Tuesday, there were armed Police personnel around to maintain law and order.   The students told the GNA that on October 18, last Thursday, Mr Takyi Samuel, Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Academic was unexpectedly transferred from the school in tears.   This angered the students, saying: “The Assistant Headmaster is a good material to us. He is hard-working and dedicated to all academic work in the school”.   They suspected that the Headmaster, Mr. Boakye was behind the immediate transfer and in a spontaneous reaction started the demonstration by first trooping to the Asunafo South District Education Directorate to demand explanation for the sudden transfer of the Assistant Headmaster.   When the GNA contacted the Headmaster and the Assistant Headmaster they declined to comment on the issue.   Meanwhile, the Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Administration, Mr M.K. Cephas told the GNA that form three and four students “are to report on Wednesday, October 24, while form two students are expected on Saturday, October 27.”   Sources at Goaso Police told the GNA that no arrests had been made.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 23, GNA – Government is certain to complete an open Government data portal by December 2013 with the implementation of the Ghana Open Data Initiative (GODI) to make Government data available to citizens for re-use.   The initiative will make government more transparent, improve efficiency and spark-off innovation from the demand side for applications to be developed to better serve the citizenry.   Mr. Eric Akumiah, Director of Operations, GODI Project Manager, said this at an executive roundtable for media experts and senior government officials on the essence and benefits of using open data in Accra on Tuesday.      He said in September 2010 Ghana made a commitment to join the open Government partnership, an initiative of the United State Government.   Mr Akumiah said the GODI project would help government to get feedback from citizens on governance and improve policy development. It will also help government to prudently apply its resources.   He observed that for data to be useful, it should be machine readability, complete, primary, timely, accessible, machine processable, non-discriminatory, non-proprietary and license-free.   Mr. Akumiah noted that the project planned to use public education to overcome perceived challenges of data collection and awareness for citizen’s use of data.   He said the Open Government Data programmes around the world had demonstrated multiple benefits such as transparency and accountability, improved public services and economic growth.   “GODI is confident of a vibrant open data community by 2013 with both demand and supply sides very active,” he added.   The programme is to be implemented by the National Information Technology Agency together with Web Foundation and its development partners.    Mr. William Tevie, Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the project would help journalists to improve on their reportage given the availability of data.   He said as part of the project they would teach people how to convert data to readable form, and added that currently it has started with 100-data set.   Dr Nii Quaynor, Board Chairman of NITA, said the project would improve productivity.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 23, GNA - Lt. Col. Gbevelo-Lartey (Retired), National Security Agency (NSA), has called on the Electoral commission (EC) to provide them with the security structural design for ensuring peaceful 2012 elections.   He said the outline would inform them on mechanizing towards ensuring peace before, during and after elections 2012.   Mr. Gbevelo-Lartey assured that the NSA would be professional and dedicated in the enforcement of all electoral statutes outlined by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the Constitution.   He made the call at a colloquium on ensuring peace for elections in Ghana on Tuesday in Accra.   The forum, which was initiated by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), was on the theme: “Preserving National Security in Elections 2012 and Beyond”.   The forum was aimed at providing a platform for security agencies and stakeholders of election 2012 to outline plans they had put in place towards ensuring peaceful 2012 elections.   Mr. Ahmed Sulley, Deputy Chairman, Finance and Administration, Electoral Commission, said the Commission expected proper security for all printing houses who would be printing electoral materials.   He said that “the strong rooms of these printing houses should be placed under twenty four hour security by the security agencies.”   Mr. Sulley said the security agencies must ensure that anybody entering these printing houses must be scrutinized.   “The security agencies are expected to provide escort for the movements of all electoral materials,” he added.   Mr. Sulley entreated the security agencies to make sure there was no sale of alcoholic beverages within 500 meters from the polling stations.   He said there should be no form of vote canvassing at polling stations, adding that fifty meters from the voting area was a no-go area for all after exercising one’s franchise.   Brigadier General Daniel Kwame Mishio, Director General Joint Operations, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), said preparations towards elections 2012 started immediately after 2008 election by examining the flaws and successes of GAF contributions toward the election.   “Before the elections GAF would support the Police to provide secure environment for smooth campaigns, prepare to assist the EC to transport/distribute electoral materials, and commence training at all military garrisons,” he said.   Mr. Mishio indicated that during the elections, GAF would deploy personnel to all boarder posts to avoid external interferences in the electoral process. The personnel will also escort and protect electoral officers and materials and liaise with all stakeholders towards peaceful elections and beyond.   “After the elections, GAF would continue to assist in maintaining law and order, monitor post election activities, respond to breaches that undermine peace and stability and ensure security of election materials, ballot boxes and declared results,” he added.   Mr. Mishio said GAF was adequately prepared for the 2012 elections.   Patrick Timbila, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, said the Police Service had put in place various mechanisms to guarantee professionalism and dedication in performing their constitutional duties towards a peaceful 2012 election and beyond.   He called on all stakeholders of peace to come on board to ensure a peaceful election 2012 and beyond.     GNA...

Accra, Oct.23, GNA – Mr Jay Ireland, President and Chief Executive Office (CEO) for General Electric (GE) Africa, has been awarded the International Business Leader of the Year by Africa Investor (AI).   He received the AI award for his role in driving the activities of GE across Africa.   The Award was presented at Africa investment and Business Leader Awards 2012, which took place during the World Bank Annual Meetings in Tokyo, Japan, organised by Africa Investor, one of Africa’s leading international investment and communications group.   The Awards are the longest-standing international awards in Africa to reward exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa.   Information available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday indicates that the award also seeks to recognise institutions and individuals for improving the continent’s investment climate.        In respond to the award, Mr Ireland described the honour as a testament to the efforts that GE had made in the past year across Africa, aimed at fostering partnerships and driving critical infrastructure projects.   He said GE was committed to supporting the continent’s growth in various sectors such as health care, energy, transportation and aviation.   GE operates in Ghana, Kenya, Angola, South Africa and Nigeria.   Mr Ireland stated that the award would further motivate the company to double its efforts in development and infrastructure, adding that Africa had a lot of potential and that it was an important key to the opportunities for growth.   Other award winners included James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Bank, who was awarded Africa’s Innovation Leader of the Year, Phuti Mahanyele, CEO of Shanduka- Leading Africa Woman in Business of the Year, Admassu Tadesse, CEO of PTA Bank- Up and Coming Future Leader of the Year and Mr Xavier Luc Duval, Minister of Finance of Mauritius for Finance Minister of the Year.   Mr Hubert Danso, CEO and Vice Chairman Africa Investor, who commented on the Awards, said: “In this complex and competitive global investment and information environment, it’s critical that Africa writes its own investment story.   “The achievements of the nominees, and winners of the 2012 AI Investment and Business Leader Awards, play an important role in that process and assist domestic and international investors in identifying partners to participate in Africa’s growth story.”   GNA...

  Old Tafo (Ash), Oct. 23, GNA –  Atwima Kwawoma Rural Bank (AKRB) has organised free health screening exercise for the people of Old Tafo, a suburb of Kumasi and its environs as part of  the social responsibilities of the financial entity.   Mr Ike Tandoh, Public Relations Officer of the Bank told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the exercise was collaborated by Breast Care International, a breast cancer awareness creation and treatment group based in Kumasi.   He said AKRB is not only concerned about doing business for profit, but also committed to the healthy development of stakeholders.   Madam Paulina Kwarteng Fukuo, Head of Business Development and Marketing of AKRB, said the programme is part of activities lined up for the bank’s 27th Annual General Meeting.   She said the bank organised the programme in line with the World Breast Cancer Awareness month to give practical meaning and support to healthy development of mankind.   Madam Adwoa Afriyie Beniako, Public Relations Officer of Breast Care International said breast cancer has become one of the devastating ailments confronting womanhood in the world hence the determination of the organisation led by Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addae, a Specialist in Breast Pathology, to fight the scourge.   She explained that while breast cancer affects predominantly women, men are also confronted with the problem of prostate cancer, and these pose very serious health hazard to both sexes.   She enumerated heredity, early and prolonged menstruation, and filth, as some of the risk factors of breast cancer, and advised women to maintain clean and healthy environment, whilst the men should avoid eating plenty meat after 40 years.   Madam Beniako however, gave the assurance that prostrate and breast cancers are not death warrants, so people must avail themselves for screening for early detection and treatment, in order to save lives.   A number of people including, teachers, pupils, market women and members of the public participated in the exercise.   GNA  ...

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA – Thirteen institutions have donated towards this year’s National Farmers day celebration slated for November 2, at Abokobi in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.   The companies include Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which presented cassava harvester worth GH¢ 5,000.00, for the best cassava farmer, while Amajaro Ghana Limited, presented a cheque of GH¢ 4, 000.00, and four motorbikes for the first, second and third best farmers, and the best extension officer in cocoa.   Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited presented a Nissan Salon Pick-up worth GH¢ 30,000.00 for the third best farmer and 100 seedlings of mango and coconut; Qualiplast Limited, presented multipurpose crates, gallons, food flask, and waste bins worth GH¢ 3,000.00; Chemico Limited, presented a cheque of GH¢ 10,000.00, and boxes of Agro-chemicals also worth GH¢ 3,500.00, and Calli Ghana Limited, presented Agro Input worth GH¢ 2, 605.00 and a cheque of GH¢ 5,000.00.   The rest are GHIHOC Distilleries, boxes of Alcoholic beverages worth GH¢ 600.00 and a cheque of GH¢ 5,000.00; Geofosa Enterprise, a cheque of GH¢ 1000.00; Agro Input Company Limited, and Forum for Agicultural Research both gave a Cheque of GH¢10, 000.00 each.   Golden Exotic, and Accra Compost Recycling Plant, and Global Haulage both presented cheques of GH¢ 5,000.00 each.   Mrs Cecelia Erzuah, Director, Finance and Administration of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, receiving the items on behalf of the Ministry, expressed gratitude to the donors and said their contributions towards the celebration was recognised by government.   She encouraged other institutions in the private sector to also come on board to support the 2012 Farmers day celebration to motivate farmers to contribute more towards the development of the economy.   GNA...

Nnuaso (Ash), Oct. 23, GNA - Mr Samuel Payne, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on voters to vote based on their conscience and refuse to be swayed by lies and propaganda.      Addressing separate political rallies at Kokobriko, Apinkra, Nnuaso and Yaase/Adwafo in the Bosomtwe Constituency, he urged the people to ignore, what he said was the mischief and desperate attempt by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to discredit the free Senior High School (SHS) policy promised by his party.      “It is not something that cannot be done. It is just about getting the government’s priorities right.”      Mr Payne said the NPP would invest in education development because it held the key to the nation’s progress.      He said a Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo led-government would revive the pro-poor safety nets introduced by the Kufuor Administration that were collapsing under the NDC.       He called on the party’s supporters to remain vigilant to prevent electoral fraud and cheating.      Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, the Member of Parliament (MP), asked the people to vote down the NDC, since it lacked ideas to change the economic fortunes of the nation.      “They simply have nothing new to offer and are undeserving of another mandate.”      He pledged a revisit of the payment of all suspicious judgment debts if the NPP is voted to power, to recover all monies dubiously doled out to cronies.   GNA...

Ejisu (Ash), Oct. 23, GNA – The Association of Catholic Teachers (ACT) in the Kumasi Ecclesiastical Province, is to hold its fourth annual conference on Saturday, October 27 at Bechem in the Brong-Ahafo Region.         About 500 education directors, heads of education institution and teachers would gather to discuss ways of improving quality education delivery.         A press statement signed by the Mr Justice Asmah, the Provincial Deputy Secretary, said the event would also provide the platform to highlight the contribution that teachers and the church could make towards ensuring peaceful polls on December 7.        The theme for the meeting is: “The role of Catholic teachers in the promotion of peace in his/her community: Blessed are the peace makers”.        The Most Reverend Peter K. Atuahene, Catholic Bishop of Goaso, the Most Rev Matthew Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and Episcopal Chairman of Education, Catholic Bishops Conference-Ghana and Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, Omanhene of Bechem are among those who would be on hand to address the conference.   GNA...

Agona-Nkwanta (WR), Oct. 23, GNA – The Ahantaman Rural Bank Limited on Monday donated farming equipment worth GH¢50, 000, to five districts in the Western Region to mark the 2012 farmers day celebration.    Mr John Dadzie, Chief Executive Officer of the financial entity said the banks activities largely revolve around rural farmers and fishermen who are the life blood of the country’s economy.      The donation is a regular feature of the bank’s yearly calendar to show appreciation to the farmers and the fishermen of the region and to assure them of the bank’s support.      This year’s National Farmers’ Day would be held on November 2, at Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region on the theme: “Grow More Food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organisations for Market Place Bargaining Power”.      The celebration is to take place earlier in view of the December 7, general election, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi announced at the launch in Accra.   GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 23, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has threatened to embark on a strike action over the premium payment.           A press release signed by Ms Mercy B. Acheampong, the Regional Chairperson, in Kumasi, said if by Thursday, October 25, no firm decision was taken by the government, they would withdraw their services.           It said members of the Association were disappointed by the delay in the payment of the premium they were demanding.           The release said they had laid down their tools on September 5, but called it off, following the intervention of the National Executive on the basis of on-going discussions with the Ministers for Employment and Social Welfare and the Finance and Economic Planning.          The regional association said it had been reliably informed that an inter-ministerial committee set up to come out with the modalities submitted its report on October 3.          “However, it appears that no firm decision has been taken on the report as we have still not received a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) indicating commitment to payment of the premium.”           The release warned that if the deadline is missed and nothing concrete is done it would convene an emergency regional council meeting to consider immediate strike action.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA –The 14th Session of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights’ (UNHCR) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will on Tuesday October 23rd review Ghana’s human rights record over the past four years.  The Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) headed by Nana Oye Lithur, together with Amnesty International Ghana Country Director, Mr Lawrence Amesu, made a submission for the UPR which summarised the human rights situation in Ghana from 2009 to 2012.  This report was prepared using information collated from HRAC research, investigative missions, stakeholder research, and other relevant sources, such as information obtained from partner non-governmental organizations, the media, and academia.  In a statement to the Ghana News Agency signed by HRAC Executive Director Nana Oye Lithur said the report highlighted a number of different human rights abuses in Ghana which remain topical in recent times.  The report acknowledged significant advancement made in the quest for abolition of the death penalty, highlighting the government’s acceptance of the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee which include removing the death penalty from Ghana’s constitution.  To achieve this, the issue needs to be taken to the people of Ghana in a referendum, which will hopefully happen without unreasonable delay.  The injustice of forced evictions was given centre stage when more than 1,000 people were left homeless after the Accra Metropolitan Assembly demolished the slum community at Odawna Railway and destroyed market stalls and containers in Kaneshie in January of this year.  The report said forced evictions violate individuals human rights because often, there is not sufficient consultation or notice prior to the evictions, and the evictions are sometimes carried out whilst people are sleeping, leaving members more vulnerable and at higher risk of injury.   Furthermore, there is no option provided for alternative location or access to legal aid, nor any compensation for the affected persons.  It said since this issue was exposed due to the actions of HRAC and other NGO’s and media organisations there have been no reports of forced evictions to date.  The report said the Government of Ghana could still do more to protect the rights of these communities by enacting a National Evictions and Demolition Policy that conforms to International Standards, however, in this area Ghana appears to be moving in the right direction.  It said many of the other human rights abuses identified in HRAC’s submission still remain pervasive in Ghana. HRAC is actively advocating on many of these issues, including fighting against gender based violence in schools and pushing for the amendment and passing of a right to information bill in Ghana.  The report said the government must prioritise the passing of the Right to Information Bill, as it allows the public to hold the government accountable and encourages transparency in government spending.  The report focusses on the rights of Most-At-Risk-Populations (MARPs), specifically Female (Commercial) Sex Workers (FSW’s); and Injecting Drug Users (IDU’s).  HRAC’s recommendations include training Ghana Police Service officers in human rights laws in order to ensure the protection and fair treatment of MARPs and the review and decriminalisation of laws affecting MARPs by the Government of Ghana.  The report said, stories of stigma and discrimination against MARPs, particularly those who are living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) are common.      HRAC recommends that legislation should be invoked for protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and HIV/AIDs status.  The report said one of the most crucial and distressing human rights issues that Ghana is facing is the treatment of the mentally ill.  Recently, a documentary and fact-finding mission exposed the horrendous and degrading conditions in prayer camps – which are the most common option for treatment of the mentally ill – and psychiatric hospitals, which remain under resourced, under staffed and overcrowded.  In 2011, HRAC trained leaders of prayer camps in order to sensitise them to correct treatment of the mentally ill. It said more projects of this nature are urgently needed, as is the inclusion of the Right to Health in Ghana’s Constitution.      It said funding and resources should be increased for the mental health sector to improve services in psychiatric care in Ghana and uphold the human rights of the mentally ill, who currently languish in abject conditions with little improvement in their illness due to lack of proper care   GNA  ...

Tamale, Oct. 23, GNA – The Northern Regional Police Command had picked early warning signals indicating that minors exercising their franchise during the December 7 General Election is likely to spark conflict.   The command has therefore warned the political parties to prevail upon their supporters who are minors to desist from voting to ensure incident free presidential and parliamentary polls.   Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) George Tuffour, Regional Police Commander who made this known to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Tuesday, said investigations had revealed that some of the political parties convinced a lot of minors to patronise the Biometric Voter Registration exercise in anticipation of increasing their voter population.    “It is fearful that the trend is likely to turn into violent confrontations during the elections,” he said.   DCOP Tuffuor said although the police got wind of the anomaly it was unable to act because it was not mandated to determine the age of voters.   The command held an emergency meeting with the political parties over the defacing of party paraphernalia.   DCOP Tuffuor said the meeting was among the series planned to engage the parties to resolve all electoral disagreements.   Touching on the preparedness of the police towards the upcoming elections, he gave the assurance that the personnel are battle ready.   The service would deploy personnel to the 2,423 polling stations out of which 736 had been identified as flash points.   DCOP Tuffuor said: “More personnel are expected from Head Quarters to fill in the gap.”   He said the police have also taken delivery of equipment to ensure effective communication on security concerns.   He said the Regional Police Operation room had been equipped with the necessary facilities to ease communication and security operations.   DCOP Tuffuor said sub-committees of the Regional Security Taskforce to be deployed on the eve of the elections have been inaugurated to monitor the effectiveness or otherwise of the polls.   The Police Commander said the police had established good relationship with the Electoral Commission and other sister agencies to collaborate effectively for peaceful polls.   He said with the advent of the biometric registration, he expressed the hope that the elections would be free, fair and peaceful.         GNA...

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA – Two sheds at the Madina Market in Accra on Monday night completely got burnt after fire gutted the market.   The cause of the fire, which started around 2100 hours, is yet to be known.   Even though the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) got to the scene on time, lack of access to the market posed a challenge to the fire fighters. However within an hour, the fighters managed to control the fire using about five fire fighting thunders.   Officials of the Ghana Police Service, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and residents of the Madina Community, who came to the scene, also assisted the fire fighters to quell the fire.   Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogho, Member of Parliament for the area and Chairman of the GNFS Council, who also visited the scene, praised the fire officers for their swift intervention to deal with the situation, noting that their new equipment helped to bring the fire under control on time.   He said extensive damage had been caused to property running into millions of Ghana cedis, adding “Thank God no casualty has been recorded.”   Alhaji Sorogho congratulated the Fire Service, NADMO, the Police and the community people for responding immediately and appealed to residents to stay away from the market till day break.   Exactly a week ago, fire also raged the Mallam Market where properties worth millions of Ghana cedis went up in flames.     GNA...

Bawku (UE), Oct. 23, GNA - Mr  Mohamudu Seidu Abugri, Manager of the Bawku Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, has called on clients of the scheme to ensure that they have a fair comprehension of the policies of the scheme.   He said the scheme had undertaken several educational programmes in the area but clients kept committing the same mistakes and thereby increasing the costs on the scheme.   Mr Abugri said clients repeatedly delayed the renewal of their insurance cards, refused to collect cards early, and did not give attention to educational programmes such as the gatekeeper system and payment  process and premium fees.   He said other information clients ignored included, waiver of waiting period for children under five and pregnant women and the awareness of the National Health Insurance caller center.   Mr Abugri said the scheme had developed an activity plan to monitor all community collectors monthly to ensure that they performed their duties diligently and organized training sessions for community collectors.   He said the scheme intended to organize twenty community durbars to educate the populace on the need for them to renew their membership yearly and to help stop abusing the system.     GNA...

Suhum (ER), Oct. 23, GNA - Kwabena Mpare, a 26-year old farmer, died on the spot when he fell from a KIA truck at “Nii 710” near Suhum at the weekend.   According to a Police source, the deceased was among over 40 people in the truck travelling from the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary to Tei Mensah near Suhum.   The source said the deceased and the other passengers including the driver were believed to have been drunk and that he fell from the vehicle and died when the driver attempted to dodge a pothole.   Meanwhile, the driver had been arrested by the Police, whiles the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Suhum Government Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy.     GNA...