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

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

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

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

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

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

Takoradi, Oct, 22, GNA -- The MTN Ghana, on Monday organised a forum to educate members of the Ghana Hairdressers and Beautician Association (GHABA) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, on how to use modern information technology to enhance their businesses.     The participants were taught how to use the Internet to search for new hair styles, good customer service tips, data, MTN Foundation and mobile money.      The forum was instituted by the MTN early this year, for identifiable groups in the country.   The Senior Sales Manager for MTN in-charge of the Western and Central Regions, Mr. Samuel Appiah, assured subscribers that the company would continue to invest in advanced network infrastructure to boost its services.     He said that MTN would provide innovative telecommunication services to subscribers throughout the country.     Mr. Appiah said the network would continue to partner identifiable groups in the country to achieve mutual benefits.       He said the MTN had organised similar events in other regions to educate various groups on how to use modern information technology to improve their businesses.     The Western Regional President of GHABA, Mrs. Joyce Amemor,  commended the MTN for educating members on how to use information technology to enhance their work.     GNA  ...

Kumasi, Oct. 21, GNA – Defending Champions,  Asante Kotoko failed to grab all three points at stake after they were held 1-1 by visiting Heart of Lions in their Glo-Premier League duel at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi,  on Sunday.            A resilient midfield action ensured only a few scoring opportunities were created by both sides.             Kotoko, being coached for the first time by Mas-Ud Dramani, hoped to turn things around and record a possible first victory in three outings but Lions stood still and curtailed every move initiated by the homers.      Skipper Kofi Nti Boakye twice came close to giving the Porcupine Warriors the lead but lack of precision upfront saw him miss two glorious opportunities in the 13th and 43rd minutes.       From recess, Lions initiated most of the attacks especially from the flanks and nearly broke the deadlock in the 51st minute but Prince Acquah’s delivery from a counter-attack missed narrowly.   Kotoko took the game to their opponents after this early scare with series of defense-splitting moves and in one of their surging runs, striker Nafiu Iddrisu was brought down in the vital area by Lions’ Nana Egyir in the 82nd minute.   Boakye stepped forward to convert from the spot to give Kotoko the lead.   With everything pointed to a win for the Porcupine Warriors, Lions fought back for a point. Nana Egyir earned that point for the visitors when he also converted from the spot on the stroke of time after Kotoko’s Ransford Osei brought down Moro Ibrahim.   GNA...

Bekwai, Oct 21, GNA – New Edudiase United recorded their first victory in the three-week old Glo premier league with lone goal over visiting Tema Youth in their clash at the Bekwai Gyamfi Park on Sunday.              The only goal came in the 85th minutes through Sakyi Quaye when he weaved through the defence of Tema Youth and shot past goalkeeper Kofi Mensah.             Edubiase played their hearts out throughout the game but wasted their chances at goal especially in the first half.             Tema Youth in the second half also fought hard for the leader but their efforts were thwarted by the defence of Edudiase.          The last minutes of the game saw Edudiase on the war path and fought hard to maintain their lead.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – Herewith the standings of the 2012/2013 Glo Premier League after the match day three games played on Sunday, October 20 and Sunday 21, at the various league centres.  Club  P W D L GF GA GD PTS Medeama SC             3 2 1 0 3 1 2 7 Hearts of Oak            3 1 1 1 6 5 +1 4 Amidaus Profs.        3 1 1 1 2 1 +1 4 Brekum Chelsea      3 2 1 0 4 0 2 7 Aduana Stars            3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5 Tema Youth              3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5 Heartof Lions          3 1 1 1 1 3 -1 4 Asante Kotoko         3 0 3 0 3 3 0 3 AshGold    3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3 Arsenals    3 0 2 1 4 2 +2 2 RTU   3 0 2 1 4 5 -1 2 AllStars                       3 0 2 1 2 4 -2 2 Dwarfs 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4 KingFaisal                  3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4 Liberty    3 0 2 1 1 3 -2 2 Edubiase    3                            0 1 2 2 6 -4 1  GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 21, Herewith results of match day three of the Glo Premier League games played on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21, at the various league centers.   Tema:              Dwarfs                    3              Hearts            1   Kumasi:          Kotoko                  1               Lions               1   Bekwai:           Edubiase             0               T. Youth        0   Wa:                    A. Stars                1               Medeama      1   Dansoman:    Liberty                 0              Ashgold          0   Tamale:           RTU                        1              Aduana            1   Berekum:       Chelsea                2               Arsenal            0   Tema:               Amidaus              0               Faisal               1        GNA  ...

Wassa-Akropong (WR), Oct. 21, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday said the New Patriotic Party’s proposal to provide free healthcare to children under 18 years was in contrast to the National Health Insurance Authority law.    He said such children were already benefitting from the National Health Insurance Scheme from their parents and wondered how the proposal could be useful to them.    President Mahama made this known when he addressed a rally at Wassa-Akropong on the third day of his five-day campaign tour of the Western Region.    The president earlier on addressed rallies at Bogoso, Bawdie, and Nsuaem and is expected to address similar ones at Prestea, Manso and Tarkwa.     President said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not make promises that would be unredeemable and appealed to the electorate to assess the candidates on merit of workable issues and not on vain promises.    He said the performance of the NDC in the past four years had overwhelmed their political opponents compelling them to make unachievable promises.    The President said all the communities of the region would receive their share of the national cake and urged them to vote massively for the NDC in the December polls for him to continue and complete all the projects initiated by late President John Evans Atta Mills.    President Mahama said communities without second cycle institutions would benefit from the new 200 Senior high Schools to be established in the next four years of the NDC government.    As a way of increasing the number of teachers in the country, President Mahama said government would establish 10 training colleges throughout the country to absorb more students.    President Mahama also announced that two electrical contractors would soon begin work to connect 60 communities in the region.    Kasapreko Kwame Bassanyin IV, Omanhene of Wassa-Akropong appealed to government to upgrade the Police station in the area into a district police headquarters to enable the personnel to fight the rising crime in the mining areas.    He asked the government to work on Wassa- Akropong roads to facilitate the haulage of minerals and food crops to the marketing centres.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA - The National Sanitation Taskforce in partnership with Zoom Alliance and La Dadekotopong Municipal Assembly, has inaugurated a 50-member sanitation taskforce to help clean the environment and educate residents on the need to keep clean surroundings.    The inauguration of the taskforce is under the president’s special initiative of keeping the environment clean for a better Ghana.     Inaugurating the taskforce, Mr Daniel Amatey Mensah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ledzokuku-Krowor, entreated the team to exercise patience with residents in the course of creating awareness and educating them on the exercise.     Mr Amatey Mensah added that bins would be provided to residents while others would be placed at vantage points in the communities to ensure that residents do not litter around.    Explaining the work of the taskforce, the MCE said “The team will take charge of critical areas in the communities. Also, the exercise will continue for the next three months on daily basis. But, during every weekend, residents will be called upon to join the team for a massive cleanup exercise”.    “The team will take two days within each week to educate residents on the need to keep their environs clean and where they could find the bins,” he said.    Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Nii Amasah Namoale, who participated in the initial cleanup exercise, asked the residents to make conscious effort in keeping the environment clean.    He said “When the exercise goes on well for the next three months, we will call on the partners, including the sector minister to extend the duration as well as add more human resource and tools”.    The Minister further advised residents to stop throwing human excreta into gutters for a healthy life.   Commenting on the inauguration, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Zoom Alliance, Jacob Mingle, stated that the Alliance would continue to provide both the human resource and tools needed to keep the country clean.   Mr Mingle said: “We will continue to partner all sanitation organisations in the country to clean every corner of this country. Also the taskforce members will be stationed around distributed bins to ensure residents make good use of it.”        The Coordinator of the Assembly taskforce, Abraham Oko Kotey, said the body in the course of exercising their duties, would also educate residents why they need to use the bins for a healthy life.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA- The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gamey and Gamey Group, a human resource consultancy has urged Government to take immediate steps to set up the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre to offer professional approach to conflict resolution.      This, Mr Austin Gamey said is according to section 114 of ADR Act, 2010 Act 798, which has the same weight as all the international laws, rules and conventions like the International Chamber of Commerce Rules, the 1958 New York Conventions that had been domesticated into the country’s  legal system.     Mr Gamey, also the CEO of Gamey Academy of Mediation gave the advice at the closing ceremony of the 14th session of Professional Master of ADR class of the Academy in Accra at the weekend.      “Over the past few years we have all witnessed the use of ADR in the settlement of commercial cases, labour disputes, and land and chieftaincy conflicts.”      He stated it was important that ADR practitioners received quality training as Deltas or Agent of Change if ADR was to become accepted by those who seek redress for their disputes.      According to him, payment of controversial judgment debt was due to badly written agreements and failure of successive governments to seek help from practicing professionals of ADR to find out whether such agreements should be abrogated, “to devise if the matter at hand is suitable for negotiable settlement, mediation or arbitration”.     Mr Gamey mentioned that members of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament had demonstrated their lack of appreciation of the effect of the outcome of any arbitration concluded and signed by the parties concern because they had not been trained professionally as Deltas in the field of ADR.     “It is therefore necessary that all organisations learn to seek advice from ADR professionals and not just any profession,” he said.      Superintendent Abraham Acquaye, Director and Secretary of Ghana Police Council advised the participants to put to use the knowledge they had acquired from the programme and play mediating roles wherever they found themselves.      Mrs Florence Larbi, Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a waste management company noted that the programme had enhanced her human relations and the ability to tolerate different views.      Gamey and Gamey Academy of Mediation is dedicated to the training of ADR Specialised Practicing Professionals. For the past 13 sessions of the ADR Executive Master Programme, the academy had trained professionals like lawyers, surveyors, human resource practitioners, chiefs among others.      GNA...

Tema, Oct. 21, GNA – “Hope Reborn,” a health-related novel listing the consequences of stigmatisation of People Living With HIV and AIDS has been launched in Tema, with a call on Ghanaian women to develop the habit of book writing.      Very Reverend Japhet Yawo Ledo, former Moderator of the EP Church who made the call reminded women that they could do so only through hard work, zeal and determination.      The 149-page book was written by Mrs Rebecca Asembri, wife of Dr Charles Asembri, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, whilst Dr Joyce Aryee, former Chief Executive Officer of Chamber of Mines wrote the foreword.      The book seeks to demonstrate that love and sympathy from family members and the society at large could impact positively on orphans of HIV and AIDS victims.      Bishop Ledo commended the author for her high sense of determination in coming out with the book, and expressed the hope that it could influence the attitude of the youth to lead exemplary lives.      Professor Paul S.N. Buatsi, Executive Director for Africa of the International Leadership Foundation who reviewed the novel charged Ghana AIDS Commission to endeavour to translate it into a play or movie since that could go a long way to influence the lives of the youth to stay away from premarital and casual sex.      Prof Buatsi described the book as a simple piece of work that provides a good understanding of all the two issues pertaining to the AIDS pandemic.      He recommended it as a supplementary reader for schools and churches to help educate the young ones on the dangers of the pandemic.      Mrs Asembri, the author disclosed that her motivation in writing the novel was to bring to the fore the humiliating and devastating consequences of HIV and AIDS on its victims.      She said part of the proceeds from the sale of the book would be utilised to support the infrastructural needs of Eugemont Orphanage located at Ve Koloenu in the Volta Region.      Mrs Bridget Katsriku, Chairperson of the Public Services Commission who chaired the function expressed worry about the persistent stigmatisation against AIDS victims by some members of the community.      She therefore urged Ghanaians not to shun the company of their relatives and friends who fall prey to the pandemic, but to give them the needed support and encouragement to enable them seek early treatment.      Madam Christy Aku Fugar, Assistant Headmistress of Tema Senior High School auctioned the first five books for GH¢2,400.   GNA...

Ho, Oct. 21, GNA- The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) high-flying campaign banner of free senior high school education, is a choice to bring Ghanaians in line for a march against underdevelopment.      There is the other choice of only squinting at the issue, without the resolve to act.          Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister responsible for Higher Education in the John Agyekum Kufuor administration made this remark during the re-launch of Volta Region NPP Youth Wing in Ho on Saturday.      She said the NPP idea is to raise educational standards of the people as bastions for development, just as is happening in other countries.      Ms Ohene said the NPP “thinks education is important” and so decided to give it the prime of place by routing for free senior secondary education.      She said the NPP had a good track record of visionary educational management, being the political party which made two years of kindergarten education part of basic school education.      Ms Ohene said the NPP is again on the verge of redefining basic school education.      Mr Stephen Amoah, Member of NPP Communication Team said economic indices being flaunted by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is not in consonance with the living standards of the people.      Mr Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Manhyia, who stood in place of ex-President Kufuor as Guest Speaker, said the NDC is hard pressed finding valid points to counter NPP programmes.      He said propaganda could not sustain a government as the truth always triumphed.      Mr Kenwuud Nuworsu, NPP Regional Chairman, evidently upbeat about the good attendance of the launch said a youth-led reawakening to the important stake of the NPP in the politics of Ghana is imminent.      He noted that propaganda and little prejudices had worked against the interest of the NPP in the region but stressed that it would not keep the region in perpetual ignorance of happenings in political circles across the country.      He slammed the media for not raising and putting issues of development in their proper perspectives, thus allowing for half-truths and lies on the history of projects to flourish.      Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Ho-Central NPP Parliamentary Candidate said a “political tsunami” is about to happen in the region that would see the NPP gaining a lot of grounds in a region touted as a stronghold of the NDC.     A rally at Aflao, placing of wreaths on the graves of Major Courage Quashigah, Minister in the Kufuor regime and S.G Antor, Ghana’s Ambassador to Togo during the Busia regime, both luminaries of the NPP and a fundraising dinner dance were highlights of the launch.   GNA...

Ho, Oct. 21, GNA - Benjamin Kpodo, an Accountant, on Saturday launched his campaign to annex the parliamentary seat of Ho Central on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).     He pledged to facilitate the linking of roads in all the communities within the constituency.     He explained that a fluid inter-community access would make local governance and intra-constituency trading activities and social interaction more eventful.     Mr Kpodo told a well-attended rally after a float through Ho Township that he would also fight to get the Volta Regional capital a metropolitan status.     Mr Kpodo who beat incumbent Member of Parliament, Captain George Nfojoh (Rtd) said he would justify the huge confidence reposed in him.     He said he would make Ho Central pacesetters in the development of the region.     Mr Kpodo said besides serving as a good intermediary between the people and government agencies, he would also promote their interest in many other ways.      He said his campaign would strive to get all the votes for himself and President John Mahama, presidential candidate for the NDC.      Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive said government had for the past three years and over achieved a lot in infrastructure development in the municipality in the fields of education, health and local governance.   GNA...

  Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has predicted the defeat of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 General Election.        A statement issued by Mr Richard Nii Armah, National Volunteers Coordinator of the PPP said: “It is very surprising that upon all the signs that the NDC is losing the 2012 General poll, they are yet to come to terms to this fact.”      The party said the defeat of the governing party is due to “the obvious mismanagement by the government”, constant failure of leadership and gross allegations of corruption against the NDC and its functionaries.      The statement said the scenario “may not have been noticed by the NDC, as they look at those things with very political spectacles thus denying themselves the opportunity of seeing the wrongs they are doing”.     “It is time the NDC understood that they are just about losing power and must be preparing to hand over to the Progressive Peoples Party in January 2013.”      The statement said the NDC is jubilating over their number one position on the ballot paper, as if to say, that the current crop of NDC leadership and members have forgotten their history and the history of Ghana so soon.     “If they have forgotten, I (Nii Armah) would like to remind them and give them a cause to begin packing from the castle.      It said in 2000, Ghanaians went to the polls and the keen competition was all about change versus the maintenance of order.     The late President John Evans Atta Mills, who was then the Vice President was the candidate for the then ruling NDC.     The statement said Atta Mills balloted and obtained the number one position on the ballot paper and campaigned vigorously across the length and breadth of Ghana and telling Ghanaians that he was already in motion and so he should be given the chance to continue the motion.     “By the end of the elections, there was no winner as the government’s candidate failed to get the 50 per cent plus one. This necessitated a second round in which all the opposition parties came together to defeat the NDC. “In…2008, Nana Akuffo Addo became the candidate of the then ruling NPP (New Patriotic Party). He obtained a number one position on the ballot paper and prosecuted an aggressive campaign that said we (Ghanaians) are moving forward. By the end of the elections, Nana Akuffo Addo could not obtain 50 per cent plus one and was subsequently defeated in the second and third rounds of the polls. “Per the analysis… it is clear that anytime a ruling government is about to be defeated, its candidate obtains a number one position on the ballot paper. By divine intervention, this is a clear way of deceiving them and making them loose with surprise.     “We are solidly convinced that this time around, the four pillars of the PPP’s Political Platform; Stewardship, Education, Healthcare and Jobs has reflected in the number four position of the PPP on the ballot paper. This is a good sign that the spirit of mother Ghana is crying for Ghanaians to give the PPP and Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom a chance.      “Let those who have ears hear and get up. Its awake time; a time to defeat incompetence and replace it with competence; the time to remove corruption and replace it with incorruptible leadership; a time to give way for real accelerated development with a sense of urgency; a time to be bold to crash mediocrity. Let’s all come together under the sun and make Ghana proud,” the statement said.    GNA ...

  Ho, Oct. 21, GNA - Dr Jakpasu V.K. Afun, Rector of Ho Polytechnic Saturday asserted that Polytechnic Education provides the surest antidote to graduate unemployment in the country.     He therefore advised parents and guardians to encourage and sponsor their children to the Polytechnics to be trained towards becoming self-made men and women.    Dr Afun was welcoming delegates to the 2012 World Credit Union Day and Year of Co-operatives held in the Polytechnic’s auditorium in Ho on the theme: “Members matter most.”    He said less than 10 per cent of the group, described as unemployed graduates association were from the Polytechnics.    Dr Afun said parents and guardians therefore have the choice of either continuing to bear the burden of looking after their unemployed graduate children at home or enjoy seeing them gainfully employed and fending for themselves.    He said he would have encouraged and sponsored his children to acquire polytechnic education if he had the opportunity.    On the importance of the Credit Unions movement, Dr Afun said it has proved to be relevant in transforming the lives of many people in the country and raising them up the social ladder.    He therefore urged the delegates to the celebration to “plant the Credit Union seed in the Polytechnic”.    The Credit Union idea was introduced in the then Gold Coast by Reverend Father John McNulty, an Irish Canadian Catholic Priest in September 1955.   That saw the formation of the first Credit Union   in Jirapa, now Upper West Region in that year as the premier credit union in Africa, the Volta Regional Director of Education, Mr Emmanuel Keteku said in his keynote address to the delegates.   He said becoming Bishop of Wa in 1960, the late Bishop Dery formed other credit unions in the Parish and was commended by President Kwame Nkrumah as “doing a good service to Ghana and I encourage you to continue it”.   Mr Keteku therefore reminded the leadership of the Credit Union Association (CUA) in Ghana to put the satisfaction of every member as topmost priority and educate their employees to respect such members and accord them every courtesy when they called at their offices.   “The overall atmosphere and the personal connection of a member with your union are what bind the member to your union. It is this combination that makes an exceptional member’s experience.    “Customer experience will decide the winners and losers in the years ahead, because excellent customer experiences are still so novel that, when we have one, we talk about it,” Mr Keteku said.    Mr Yaw Assua-Yeboah, Chairman of CUA expressed gratitude to past and present National Boards and Managements of the Association for working hard to put the Legislative Instrument (LI) on CUA before Parliament.    He said with collaborative efforts the association would ensure the passage of the LI.”   Mr Assua-Yeboah urged the Chapters of the association to ensure that the Primary Societies honour their obligations punctually.   He urged the Chapters to impress on the Primary Societies that with the exception of CUA dues all other “obligations are investments which serve as financial security in times of need”.   Mr Assua-Yeboah appealed to members of the Association to help educate the public to ensure peaceful elections on December 7.   A report on CUA’s programmes, products and services indicated that there is a total of 408 Credit Unions in the country as at June 30, 2011 with a total membership of 366,136.   Thirty eight (38) out of the 408 credit unions were described as viable with total deposits (savings and shares) standing GHȼ253,218,980 with   assets worth GHȼ288,595,566.   Outstanding loans stand at GHȼ157,132,619 with delinquent loans that are 30 days and over amounting to GHȼ22,791,241 and a total liquidity reserve standing at 28 per cent.   GNA ...

(UW/R), Oct. 21, GNA - Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah –Arthur on Saturday reminded Ghanaians to do everything possible to make this year’s general elections incident free to prove that Ghana is a citadel of peace and democratic governance.      He said the world is watching the nation on how its elections would go and appealed to all to make the elections peaceful for Ghana to maintain its respect.      Vice President Amissah-Arthur reassured Ghanaians of Government’s commitment to peaceful elections, adding that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) would stick to its path of accelerated development when given the nod for a second term in the next December general elections.      Vice President Amissah-Arthur gave the assurance at Han, near Wa in the Sissala West Constituency, in the Upper West Region as part of his tour of the three Northern Regions, ahead of the December elections to solicit for votes for the NDC.      The Vice President, who had earlier been to the Wa Municipality, where he interacted with the electorate and commissioned some development projects, said it was Government’s determination to build a sound economy and social infrastructure for the present and future generations.      He asked Ghanaians to renew their mandate for the NDC to enable it to continue with the agenda of improving the lives of Ghanaians under the Better Ghana Programme, which the late President Atta Mills was working on before his death.      Naa Salifu Dakura, the Paramount Chief of the Kansaw Traditional Area expressed appreciation to the late President Mills for the provision of a polyclinic in the area, describing the polyclinic as a standing legacy to his memory, adding that, the Savanna Accelerated Development programme would raise the standard of living of the people.      He appealed to the Vice President to us his good office to complete a market project in the area which started sometime ago.      Naa Dakura also appealed to Government to reactivate the Han Water Project and build a community Senior High School for the area.      Vice President Amissah-Arthur made stop-overs at Pluma and Tumu, where he assured the traditional chiefs of Government's determination to bring development to the area.      He used the occasion to introduce Alhaji Amidu Sulemanu, the Regional Minister and Hajia Alijata Sulemana, NDC’s aspiring MPs for Sissala West and Sissala East respectively to the electorate.      Vice President Amissah-Arthur asked NDC supporters to put their differences behind them and forge ahead in unity for a resounding “one-touch” victory for the party.   He addressed similar rallies at Bujon, where Kuoro Willie Baah, the Regent, asked for government assistance to build more schools and a police station.      He invited the Veep to the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Kanton Senior High School.   GNA...