Accra, Oct. 22, GNA – Mr Frederic Clavier, the French Ambassador in Ghana, has said that Ghana remains the only English speaking country in Africa that benefits from French policies and would continue to have confidence in its future due to the macro economic development of the country. He said France was interested in the development of the country since it was a development pillar of France and that it would continue to support the decentralisation, cultural and socio-economic sector of the country. Mr Clavier said this at the launch of the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) activity report for 2011. The report throws more light on the activities of the AFD worldwide with the focus on Ghana and evaluates its impact on the nation in line with the development agenda of the Ghana government. “Ghana is one of the countries with economic stability, democracy, and respect for human rights. A country that has the ability to for its own development and has made several efforts to reduce elements of poverty and continues to make changes in most aspects and has an influence on the sub region’s platform,” he said. Mr Burno Leclerc , Resident Manager, AFD said the sub-Saharan African countries continued to be the number one priority of the AFD with more than  2.7 billion euros support with Ghana receiving almost GHc16.8 billion representing two-thirds of the French bilateral aid, in 2011. He said“ in 2011, AFD committed in Ghana 240 million euros, including two loans to the government for the retrofit of the Kpong Dam and a new contribution to the district development facility, a direct loan of 141 million euros to GRIDCO interconnection between Ghana and Burkina Faso and a new 330KV line between Kumasi and Bolgatanga, three credit lines to local banks, several guarantees of loans to SMEs and a grant to a microfinance institution (FIDES) that was intended to develop activities in the north of Ghana”. Mr Laclerc said the activities of AFD were in line with government’s strategy as defined in the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda and were part of the French cooperation strategy in Ghana. He said both countries jointly decided to concentrate in three major sectors including agriculture, urban development and support to local government and energy, adding that innovation was a key driver of the AFD.  “Added value and comparative advantage of ADF were its wide range of financial instruments that allowed it to finance programmes in a sector with mix of modalities including, soft loans to government, direct loans to state-owned companies without the guarantee of government in order to avoid increasing the indebtedness of the state of Ghana, loans and equity participation to private companies and grants”. According to Mr Leclerc the total estimate of commitments for 2012 could amount to more that 150 million Euros, since a 40 million Euro to government had already been committed for sanitation and rural water supply in four regions as well as participation of AFD group in the financing of the third turbine of the Takoradi 2 power point. He said after 2013 AFD would continue to provide soft loans to the government of Ghana, increase direct loans to public and private companies, and focus on analytical works as well as training. The AFD is a public development finance institution implementing the French aid policy in the countries in which it operates, including Ghana and some other West African countries. It was opened in Ghana in 1985 to support the national development strategy, by concentrating in three major sectors including the agriculture, local government and urban development and energy, support the private sector and organise training activities.       GNA ...

Accra, Oct 22, GNA – Members of Parliament are to reconvene on Monday, October 22, 2012 to continue with the unfinished business of the House for the First Sitting of the Third Meeting of Parliament.      Meanwhile, inside the chamber, only six members of parliament were seen on their seats, two for minority and four for the majority side, as at 10.00 hours when the GNA was in the Press Gallery expecting proceedings to begin at normal time.      Normal business of the House begins at 10.00 hours.      Mondays are not sitting days for members except when the Business Committee of Parliament decides to call on members to meet.      On the Order Paper for the day, six papers on loan agreements are to be presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning while other committee reports would be presented.      Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2012 is also expected to be presented and read for the first time as well as Internal Revenue (Tax Amnesty) Bill, 2011, and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2009 which are at the consideration stage.     GNA  ...

Apam (C/R), Oct. 22, GNA -The President of the national African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council, Rev. Professor Samuel Kwesi Adjepong, has said that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of violence. Rev. Professor Adjepong was speaking at a validation workshop on draft district APRM governance report for the Gomoa West District at Apam on Friday. He said the work of the APRM had always been non-partisan and therefore urged the participants to state their minds without fear or favour. The participants include, Assembly Members, traditional rulers, identifiable groups, heads of departments and religious bodies. Rev. Professor Adjepong called for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to be properly resourced to enable it discharge its constitutionally mandated civic education responsibility. He expressed the hope that through the APRM, corruption would be reduced and that more parents too would be encouraged to enroll their children in schools. The Administrator of the Apam St. Luke Catholic Hospital, Mr Francis Yawson, expressed regret that some people have been abusing the National Health Insurance Scheme, collecting drugs at the hospital for others. The chief of Apam, Nana Effrim X, who chaired the function, expressed concern about high rate of indiscipline in society.     GNA ...

Bolgatanga, Oct 21, GNA - The Export Development Fund, now known as Export Development and Agriculture Investment Fund (EDAIF), has supported 765 export oriented projects to the tune of 293.52 million Ghana cedis since its inception in 2001. Major Albert B. Don-Chebe (Rtd), Director in charge of Cooperate Planning and Communication of EDAIF, told journalists at a briefing that in addition, 206.72 million Ghana cedis had been approved for 286 projects under the credit facility including another 86.80 million Ghana cedis approved for 479 projects under the Export Development and Promotion Facility. He said with the amendment Act 823 dated 25 October 2011, additional facility known as Agriculture and Agro-Processing Development and Credit Facility had been added to the Export Credit and Projects Facility and the Export Development and Promotion Facility. Major Don-Chebe said the facility is for the provision of financial resources for the development and promotion of agriculture related industries. He said the new component would be of benefit to farmers in the three northern regions and appealed to them to take advantage of it. Alhaji Sulemana Yusif, the Officer in charge of EDAIF, said hitherto, EDAIF centralized in the southern sector but has now moved to the northern part of the country with its in headquarters in Tamale. He said EDAIF services include grants and loans and that the loan component had the least interest rates as compared to traditional bank rates.     GNA ...

Winneba, Oct. 22, GNA -The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, has said the youth should regard the nation as their legacy and should not allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to destabilize it. He said the youth should be “bold enough to say no to violence and injustice, for Ghana is the only country that we belong and live in”. Most Rev. Professor Asante, who is also the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist of Church of Ghana, said this at the induction service of Right Rev. Kweku Buabeng-Odoom as the bishop of the Winneba Diocese of the Church at Winneba on Sunday. Most Rev. Prof Asante said people should choose Ghana first and not to create mayhem before, during and after the December elections. “Ghana is our only country, let us share ideas, tolerate each others’ views and never to indulge in any acts that can plunge the nation into discomfort as occurred in some countries,” he said. Most Rev. Asante advised people who use phone calls to insult and attack others to put a stop to it because it is not the best in the country’s democratic dispensation. He appealed to Right Rev. Kweku Buabeng-Odoom, 55, to serve, trust, and have confidence in the Lord, for people who waited on him had their strength renewed.     GNA ...

Akyem Tafo (E/R), Oct 22, GNA - Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister, has appealed to the people of Abuakwa North constituency to reject political and traditional affiliations and focus on development. He said they should vote for a true son of the land who has the potential and ability to bring development to the area. Mr Smith was addressing supporters, friends and sympathizers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a “Keep Fit” exercise organized by the minister, who is the parliamentary candidate of the NDC for the constituency. The exercise started at about 6:10 a.m. from the Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS) junction through New Tafo and ended at Old Tafo. Mr Smith said the exercise was also to create awareness that the seat was no more a safe seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He said the people of Abuakwa were lagging behind in development because the NPP had taken them for granted and denied them the development due them. Mr Smith said the people would compare the development projects he had brought to the area when he is not yet the Member of Parliament for the area with what had been given them over the years. He assured the people of more projects when voted as the MP for the area and called for peaceful elections devoid of any unacceptable behavior that could lead to violence.    GNA ...

 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...