Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – Government is committed to lead the crusade in charting the path for empowering and integrating women and children in the country’s development process, Hajia Hawawu Boya Gariba, Deputy Minister of Women and Children Affairs, said on Wednesday.      She said the Ministry has been engaged to help promote the cessation of all forms of discrimination against women through its various stakeholder interactions.      She said priority has been placed on child protection issues including intensifying programmes to eliminate the worst forms of child labour and child trafficking, child abuse, commercial sex exploitation of children as well as the protection of children in conflict with the law.      Hajia Gariba was speaking at an Amnesty International organized public hearing on slums and forced evictions in Ghana.      The event which was used to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, also served as a platform to urge local authorities to end forced evictions, develop and adopt guidelines for evictions and push for the adoption of a national housing policy.      It brought together participants from Ministry of Water Resource Works and Housing, Ministry of Women and Children, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana Railway Development Authority and other senior public officials.      Hajia Gariba said eliminating gender inequalities and achieving women and children’s empowerment was of paramount concern to the Ministry and commended Amnesty International for the initiative saying, “It is an excellent opportunity to have an open discussion about the need and the important role we can all play in guaranteeing the rights of women and children in Ghana”.      Mr Lawrence Amesu, Director of Amnesty International Ghana, said the body recognized people living in the slums as the most vulnerable group of people who needed special attention.      “You all know the situation on old Fadama- extremely poor sanitary conditions, extreme overcrowding, lack of access roads, lack of social amenities and it appears to be devoid of any hope for a better life”, he said.      He said the problem of urban slums would continue to be major challenge to the country if attention is not given to address the increasing population, poverty and unemployment.     Mr Amesu said these factors if not properly managed would force people to migrate from rural areas to cities in search of jobs and called on government to put in place pragmatic measures to deal with the slums and squatter issue.   GNA...

Accra , Oct. 17, GNA - Nine banks have reconfigured their systems and are now able to accept each other’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cards, providing their various customers convenience and easy access to their funds.      The banks include major financial institutions such as Ghana Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Agriculture Development Bank and Zenith Bank.     Others are HFC Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), UT Bank, Prudential Bank and the Bank of Africa.      This means that customers of these banks can access their bank account and make withdrawals from the ATMs of any of the nine banks.      In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Archie Hesse, the Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS said the nine banks are now connected, adding that, transactions monitored showed that some members of the public were already enjoying the service.        “We notice that the take up has been rising and it is obvious that the public is on board,” Mr Hesse said.      He said until now, only customers of banks which issued Visa branded cards could enjoy that service.      The CEO of GhIPSS explained that the gh-link will be officially launched by the middle of next month with the number of banks that will be ready by that date.      He explained that the other banks which may not be ready by the launch date would be subsequently added.      The interbank ATM switching is the first phase of a series of new services to be launched on the gh-link.       Mr Hesse said after the ATMs were linked, the next phase would be to enable the local ATM cards to be used in Point of Sale (POS) device, so that bank customers can shop with their normal ATM cards.     Four other banks, Ecobank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Unibank and new entrant Energy Bank are close to completing the process.      The interoperability of the local ATMs of these banks marks the realization of a long held dream which remained on the drawing board until the Bank of Ghana established Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) some five years ago, Mr Hesse said.     GhIPSS has led the reform of the payment systems, acquired the National Electronic Platform christened gh-link, to enable all banks to interconnect to ensure that Ghana moved away from the era when customers had to travel long distances to access their money from the ATM.      It is expected that soon, all ATMs hooked to the National Platform would carry the gh-link label and logo to indicate the readiness of such ATM outlets to accept the local or proprietary cards. This will happen before the service is officially launched.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Flagbearer of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday filed nomination papers to contest the December polls as a Presidential Candidate.      Dr. Mahammadu Bawumia, Nana–Addo’s Running Mate, who presented the forms on behalf of the flagbearer, also deposited GH¢285,000.00 as filing fees for the Flagbearer and the 275 NPP Parliamentary Candidates to the Commission.      Dr. Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission then declared Nana Akufo Addo a legitimate Presidential Candidate of the NPP and wished him well in his endeavours.      The EC Chairman however, appealed to Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP to play by the rules and conduct decent electioneering campaigns.      Dr. Bawumia, in an interaction with the media, said free basic and second cycle education has been on the forefront of the NPP’s Election 2012 campaign.       He said the NPP would do all that it takes to implement it to benefit Ghanaian children who were wasting their talents due to some financial constraints.      “We are happy Ghanaians are buying into the free education we are promising them and gave the assurance that the NPP will not disappoint them if they give their mandate to the party come December 7,” he stated.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – The State says the two cases involving Justin Katinan, an ally of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, currently in custody would go on simultaneously.     Mrs Merley Wood, a Chief State Attorney, appearing before an Accra District Magistrate Court on Wednesday said her instructions were that the two cases would run parallel.     Mr Patrick Sorgbodzor urged the court not to allow itself to be used to practice the state of absurdity adding, “there was no basis for the state to pursue the two cases”.     The Magistrate, Mr Ali Baba Bature gave the State one week to come before it properly else would strike out the matter.     According to the court, Katinan’s rights as a refugee should be respected and he was not to be kept in custody with common criminals who might harm him.     On October 16, this year, an Accra District Magistrates’ Court asked the State Attorney to appear before it and explain the state of affairs in the case of Katinan.     According to the court, presided over by Mr Ali Baba Bature, the State had declared its intention to withdraw the charge of murder against Mr Katinan and put him before the Osu District Magistrate where he is facing robbery charges.     When the case was called yesterday, Mrs Merley Wood, a Chief State Attorney, who had earlier prosecuted the case, was not in court.     However, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abraham Annor, also a prosecutor, prayed the court to remand accused person to enable the International Police (INTERPOL) Accra and Abidjan to exchange some correspondence.     At the Osu Court today, the matter was adjourned to October 24.     Katinan was earlier on put before the Osu District court following charges of robbery preferred against him but was however granted GH¢50,000.00 bail.     However on October 1st, this year, he was brought before an Accra Magistrates’ court charged with conspiracy to murder and two counts of murder.     Katinan was said to have conspired with one Dalo Desire in Cote d’Ivoire to murder two men at Port Bouet in the Ivorian city of Abidjan.     According to the report, the first murder of a 33 year-old welder, Kamagate Seyobou, took place on March 19, 2011 while the second one, Diabate Drissa, 37, a trader, also took place on March 29, 2011, both at Port Bouet.     Katinan’s plea was not taken and he was remanded.     The state said on March 19, 2011, Katinan conspired with Desire to murder Seydou in Port Boute in Abidjan.     According to the state, Katinan and Desire on March 29, 2011 also attacked and murdered Drissa. A complainant, known as Kamgate Bakary, reported the incident to the Ivorian authorities.     On September 29, this year, Ivorian authorities issued a warrant in respect of Katinan and informed the Ghanaian authorities that he was in Ghana and demanded his arrest.   GNA...

Bawku (U/E) Oct. 17, GNA - Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister on Tuesday called on newly appointed District Chief Executives (DCEs)  for the newly created districts in the Upper East Region to operate an open door administration for collective administration.      Mr. Woyongo said an open door administration would allow all stakeholders from the grassroot level to take active part in the decision-making process for the development of the area.      He explained that this process would allow people to contribute to the development of the and upliftment of the area.      Mr. Woyongo was speaking at the confirmation of the District Chief Executive of Pusiga Mr. Alhassan Abugbila, of the newly created district near Bawku in the Upper East Region.      Mr. Woyongo noted that the newly created district would bring about good governance and development and accomplish the dream of the local governance policies.      He said this would deepen the decentralized system of governance and create platforms for people at the grass root level to participate effectively in decision-making for the development of their areas.      Mr. Woyongo disclosed that GH¢100.000 had been allocated to help start the new districts as they had not yet begun generating revenue for themselves.      He hinted that 100 street lights and other amenities had been acquired to help start the districts in the region.      The Regional Minister commended government for making good use of the decentralized concept and called on the DCEs to make good use of their position to bring development to their people.      Mr. Abugbila, who polled 100 percent votes from 15 elected and 6 government appointed assemblymen and women promised to work hand in hand with all stakeholders for the development of the area.      Mr. Abugbila said he would remain committed in serving the area by improving on health, education and the socio-economic activities of the area.      He assured that he would help mobilize revenue to develop the area and to raise the standard of living of the people.   GNA...

Nkroful (W|R),Oct. 17, GNA -The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has assured Ghanaians that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would conduct a clean, transparent and peaceful elections to position Ghana as a beacon of democracy before the international community.      He condemned those engaged in dirty politics such as the removal and defacing of posters and that of malice, hatred, character assassination and vilifications to tarnish the image of their political rivals before the electorate to win more votes.      Mr. Buah, who is also a Deputy Minister of Energy, was addressing the people of Nkroful when he filed his nomination as the NDC Parliamentary candidate at the office of the Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday morning.      He asked party supporters to eschew violence and adopt strategies such as the house-to-house campaign and retain him and the party in power to bring more development to the area.      Mr. Buah said all political parties in the country have signed a code of conduct towards a free, fair and transparent poll and dismissed rumours in certain quarters that the election is a life and death affair.      He said Ellembelle has its own code of conduct to guide him in the development agenda, adding that, if Mr. Freddie Blay, former MP for the area had such a policy document for his 12-year reign, it would have spearheaded the development of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s constituency.      He assured the EC that the NDC government will provide the necessary logistics and will not make its work difficult in the run-up to the elections.     The District Electoral Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Kwame Aidoo said copies of the code of conduct have been made available to all political parties and asked polling station executives to study it and work in tandem with it.      He asked the people to commit themselves to prayer and exercise their franchise in a peaceful manner.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – White Rose Energy Ventures, an oil and gas exploration company, has constructed a water tower worth 50,000 US dollars for the Nii Sowa Din Memorial School in the Adentan Municipality.   The four 5,000 litre tanks would hold a maximum capacity of 20,000 litres of water drawn from a bore hole purified in a reverse osmosis plant.   Mr Jim Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of White Rose Energy Venture, speaking at the inauguration of the project in Accra on Tuesday, said it was to ensure that all children have clean and safe drinking water.   “We are delighted to be able to make this donation to provide such an important basic commodity of life,” he noted.   He said they were pleased to be involved in the project and expressed the hope that the children would really benefit from the project.   Mr Bradley said the school plans to supply the water to the local community on commercial bases to raise revenue at nominal cost to cover the running cost of the project.   The company also presented over 500 science text books to the school library.   On the operation of the company in Ghana, Mr Bradley said management was in discussion with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to commence their business.   He said the company would contribute to the socio-economic development of the country by investing in sustainable community development projects aligned with local communities’ key priority areas.   “White Rose Energy Venture is committed to cooperation with local companies to facilitate the development of supplier networks for the industry,” he added.   Mrs Rosemond Keteku, the Adentan Municipal Director of Education, expressed gratitude to the management of the company for their effort to support the implementation of quality education in the country.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – Promustard Solutions Ghana, a software company, has introduced a new payment system called Advanced Bill Payment (ABP) to enhance speed, accuracy and convenience to the services providers and customers.   ABP is an Automated Teller Machine (ATM)-like machine used to pay utility bills instead of withdrawing cash from a bank account and it could be programmed to accept payments from one or more utility company.   Mr Daniel Antwi, The Managing Partner of Promustard Solutions Ghana, in an interview with the GNA in Accra on Wednesday said the device would be suitable for manufacturing companies, Banks and Telecommunication firms.   The ABP Solution delivers a turn-key payment collection system ideal for on-site bill payment and customer service.   He said ABP included all the hardware, software, and connectivity necessary to securely collect payment via visa card, cash, cheque or transfer from a bank account.   “Other banking services such as ordering a cheque book or printing a statement can be conveniently incorporated,” he noted.   He said the software would empower businesses to automate a wide-range of processes including complex banking transactions, customer-facing retail and hospitality interactions, and the secure printing of sensitive information and negotiable documents.   Mr Antwi explained that the device would provide a one-stop shopping for consumers to pay their water, DSTV, and telephone bills.     GNA...

Nangodi (UER), Oct. 17, GNA - The Nabdam District Assembly, one of the newly created Districts in the Upper East Region on Tuesday failed to endorse the President’s nominee, Mrs Vivian Anafo, as its District Chief Executive (DCE).   Out of the 15 Assembly members, she polled nine votes as the remaining six voted against her resulting in her inability to secure the mandatory two thirds majority votes to clinch an endorsement.   The Electoral Commission(EC) which conducted the exercise had therefore fixed 26th October for  a second round of voting, an opportunity granted by law.   Mrs Vivian Anafo, before her nomination by the President for the area, was the DCE for the Talensi –Nabdam District which had now been divided into two separate districts.   Before the election, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, appealed to the Assembly members to bury their differences and endorse the President’s nominee.   “I am indeed disappointed about what had happened. I never anticipated this to happen when we have barely two months to go for the general elections.  I thought you will emulate your colleagues at the Pusiga District Assembly where all the 21 Assembly men unanimously endorsed the President’s nominee. I still plead with you to get the President’s nominee for this area endorsed in the next exercise”, the Regional Minister said.     GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 17, GNA - The Northern Region (N/R) continues to suffer the consequences of low number of midwives as 53 per cent of all deliveries recorded in the region in 2011 were performed by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA).   The situation is among chief factors accounting for the high maternal mortality figure of 57 for the second quarter of 2012, half way through the 114 recorded for 2011.   Dr Akwasi Twumasi, Northern Regional Director, Ghana Health Services, disclosed this in Tamale on Tuesday at a meeting with a ten-member Friends of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) delegation from the United States.   The group is visiting the region to acquaint itself with issues confronting women and families and how UNFPA responses support them.   Friends of UNFPA is a US based non-profit organization that advances UNFPA’s global effort by mobilizing funds and action for life saving work by the Fund.   The visit to Ghana forms part of the organisation’s annual visit to field offices. The delegation, which arrived in the country on October 13th, will spend seven working days visiting selected health facilities in Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East and the Central Regions supported under the UNFPA’s fifth Country Programme (2006-2011).     Some of the projects supported by the UNFPA in the N/R include capacity building for midwives, equipping health facilities to provide adequate services to clients, provision of motor bicycles, and assistance in the building of the Tamale Fistula Centre.     Dr Twumasi said poor maternal care and delivery also caused fistula in the women since delay in getting treatment during labour or child delivery result in the abnormal tearing of tissue.   He also mentioned other causes of maternal mortality in the region as failure to attend hospital when pregnant, and haemorrhage, and appealed to donors to supply his outfit with more blood bank refrigerators to save the situation.   The Regional Chief Doctor said the Regional Health Directorate had also mounted campaigns such as "Men as Partners" programme, which involved educating men to appreciate maternal issues and sending their pregnant wives to hospital to help reduce the high trend of maternal mortality in region.     Madam Valerie De Fillipo, President of Friends of UNFPA, expressed satisfaction at the health care support being offered women at the facilities.   The delegation presented a gift to Dr Twumasi for his immense contribution to the promotion of as well as health care delivery in the Region.        GNA...

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - The Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Tuesday said it had no intention to engage Antrak Air, a domestic airliner, in a media war.   In a statement signed by the Authority's Corporate Communications Manager, the GCAA said it had taken note of issues raised by Antrak Air in the media recently but believed that the issues should be dealt with at the appropriate forum.   "The issues raised, we believe, are of a technical nature, bordering on aviation safety and security as such, the Authority is of the view that they should be dealt with in totality and at the appropriate forum.   The Authority has no intention of engaging Antrak Air in a media war." the statement said. It added that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority would continue to work in the interest of the travelling public and ensure their safety and security at all times.   Following the closure of the Kumasi Airport due to problems with the runway, Antrak called a press conference on Tuesday October 2, 2012, where it blamed the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for the closure of the Kumasi Airport.   It also accused the Minister of Transport of indecision.   According to the statement, the Antrak Chairman, Alhaji Asuma Banda, said the GCAA had caused the closure of the airport by licensing heavy aircraft used by its competitors on the Kumasi route.     GNA...

Sunyani, Oct. 16,  GNA – The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo has admitted 200 students to pursue four-year Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree programmes in the 2012/2013 academic year.       Currently, 150 students have arrived to commence lectures in three starting programmes, comprising Renewable Energy Engineering, Forest Resource Management and Wild Life and Range Management, Professor Daniel Obeng-Ofori, Pro Vice-Chancellor, disclosed at a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Sunyani.      The meeting was to brief stakeholders and solicit their views for preparation being made towards the inauguration of the university, investiture of the Vice Chancellor (VC) and induction of other senior officers as well as matriculation of the pioneer (first year) students of the university.      The stakeholders included some members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) representatives of utility providers, the Information Service Department (ISD), the Public Works Department (PWD) and the media.      The four-in-one programme slated for Saturday November 3 this year, is expected to be attended by President John Dramani Mahama, members of the University Council, traditional rulers, academicians and people from all walks of life.      Prof. Obeng-Ofori called for the assistance of stakeholders in the region to make the university not only a household name but visible in the lives of the people as their own establishment.      The Pro VC stressed, “We want the university to be owned by the region”, so that the name of the region would be identified with it over time, just as the mention of world renowned universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Cardiff in the United Kingdom had been associated with those cities for centuries, he added.   Prof. Obeng-Ofori said for UENR to be on the pedestal of academic success and research achievements to impact tremendously on the socio-economic development of the region and the country at large and to position it for international recognition and fame, it required the support of the people.       He indicated that residents and citizens of those internationally-acclaimed universities saw them as their own and cooperated in all aspects that culminated to the achievement of their status today.      The Pro VC appealed to the media, especially radio stations in the region to assist in publicizing not only the upcoming event but everything in the life of the University for it to become a household name.      Mr. Felix Chaahaah, Chief Director at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), assured the University authorities of the necessary assistance and cooperation of the Council and the REGSEC for the event to pass off successfully.     The UENR was established by Act 830 in December 2011 as one of two public-funded tertiary institutions by late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills in fulfillment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2008 manifesto promise.      The University of Health and Allied Sciences, also operational now at Ho in the Volta Region is the other institution.      The university is positioned “to become a world class institution for generating, advancing and applying knowledge and natural resource sciences” and “is expected to provide leadership in the science, technology and management of energy and natural resources and be a centre of excellence in these critical areas”.        GNA...

Agortime-Kpetoe, Oct. 17, GNA - The disabled in Ghana is not barred from pursuing careers in the various areas of the electoral process.         Eligibility would however be based on competence only, Ms Regina Tackey, Gender and Disability Desk Officer at the Volta Regional Directorate of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), said on Tuesday.         She was addressing of a colloquium of the disabled, aspiring Members of Parliament or representatives in the Agortime-Ziope and Adaklu constituencies, EC officials, Social Welfare Officers, among others at Agortime Kpetoe.        Ms Tackey said all that the disabled needed to do was to pursue those jobs, stating and demonstrating their skills and credentials not wait on the sidelines.     According to her, what the EC could do was to take into consideration the level and type of disability of the person recruited, when processing the postings, to enhance their performance.      She said electoral officers would be available to help the disabled during voting, and that where necessary, ballot boxes could be lowered for a disabled person without the reach to use it.      Ms Tackey said there were specially crafted ballot papers to facilitate the voting of the visually impaired even without an aide, if so desired.      She said arrangements at the polling stations would be disability-friendly.      The meeting was under the aegis of Voice of the People with Disability (Voice- Ghana) a disability-interest advocacy group based in Ho, working under the sponsorship of a Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Ghana (STAR) programme.      Mr Francis Asong, Director of Voice-Ghana, said the project was to stimulate the interest of the disabled in politics in the two-constituencies and across Ghana as the December general elections approached.      He listed access of the disabled to polling stations, party rally grounds and low interest of politicians in affairs of the disabled as some of the organization’s concerns.      Citing a Voice-Ghana base-survey in the Agotime-Ziope and the Adaklu constituencies, Mr Asong said while around 60 per cent of persons with disabilities were interested in political activities and had the desire to participate, 27 per cent had never attended any political party activity because of poor access.       Mr Moses Kwao Gati, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Agotime-Ziope Constituency Chairman, said his party was disability friendly as showed in the current fluid release and disbursement of the 2 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund for activities of the disabled.      Mr John Amenya, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Agotime-Ziope Constituency Secretary, said his party’s stance on the issue of the disabled, reflected in the many social intervention policies initiated while in office from 2000 to 2008.      Mr Mawunya Akunya, Youth Leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), in the same constituency said his party would actively pursue the interest of the disabled.      Madam Susan Akortia, Agotime-Ziope District Director of the Department of Social Welfare, urged the EC to make electoral officers disability-interest conscious through training.      Mr Kofi Gbedemah, a Board Member of Voice- Ghana said politicians should continually show interest in the welfare of the disabled at all times and not only during elections.     GNA...

Zenu (GAR), Oct. 16, GNA - Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, launched his campaign for re-election as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Kpone Katamanso over the weekend.   He said victory of the party depended on the supporter’s ability to promote the ideas of the party to convince people to vote for the party to continue the better Ghana Agenda.   Mr Afotey-Agbo stated that the enviable track record of the NDC was enough evidence for the public to know the vast difference that existed between the party and the New Patriotic Party.   According to him, the development projects that the party had brought to the area since coming into office would be continued when the party comes into power, urging people to not vote based on mere promises but on track record of the party.   He announced that the people living in the area would begin to have access to regular supply of water for their daily activities.   Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, noted that the NDC did not have any track record of discrimination, but rather gave equal opportunities to everyone irrespective of their ethnic origin or religious affiliation.   This, he said should sent a message to the electorate about what the party stands for and its ability to deliver on its promise.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Majority of Ghanaians believe that political party foot soldier activities could threaten the peace of the country, according the afrobarometre survey results released by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in Accra on Tuesday.   “Absolute majority (81%) of Ghanaians “strongly agrees or agrees” that some of the foot soldier activities could threaten the peace if left unchecked”   The survey was conducted in countries like Burundi, Cameroon, Mauritius, Niger, Togo, and Sierra Leone, to measure popular perspectives on the social, political, and economic environments in each country where it is implemented and across Africa.   According to the study, Ghanaians believed foot soldier exertions on behalf of for their respective parties are motivated by expectations of material rewards   “A majority of Ghanaians (60%) think political party foot soldiers are motivated by expectations of future rewards after the party wins power”   It stated a (31%) of people held the opinion that foot soldiers were motivated by their belief in the political party’s programmes, while an absolute majority, representing (88%) further agreed foot soldier activities that border on criminality must be prosecuted by the police.         “An absolute majority (81%) however agrees that political interference hinders the arrest and prosecution of foot soldiers by the police.”   Professor Gyima Boadi, Executive Director, CDD-Ghana, stated that the survey was also to give the public a voice in policy making processes by providing high-quality public opinion data to policy-makers, policy advocates and civil society organizations, academics, media, donors and investors, and ordinary Africans.   He said the study should not be seen to have an influence on the minds of people towards the upcoming elections since it was purely coincidental.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Oracle Corporations, a renowned database management company, has elevated Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Ghana as their first platinum partner in Ghana.   To this end, CWG Ghana has been positioned to support the hardware, the database and application layer for Oracle customers of all sizes.   The outstanding achievement was in recognition of CWG Ghana’s in-depth expertise and excellence in addressing Information Technology challenges of customers in Ghana. This new Oracle Status creates an edge for CWG Ghana over their competition.   This was contained in statement issued and copied to Ghana News Agency on Tuesday in Accra.   On this new level achieved, Mr Tony Dadzie, CWG Ghana Country Manager, noted that CWG Ghana has now been further enabled to continue contributing its quota to the economy by enhancing businesses in Ghana with the most recent technology.   According to Tony, CWG Ghana’s contribution has earned the company the ISO 9000:2008 certification.   With this remarkable achievement with Oracle, CWG Ghana has been given the opportunity to participate at the Oracle Advisory Board level where the challenges of customers are brought and addressed.   CWG Ghana Limited is the regional office of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), the famed ICT Company that adds value to the operations of diverse clientele in Africa, using a highly skilled and motivated workforce.   Its services and solutions cover the three areas of ICT; Hardware, Communications and Software.   “That is why we partner with the best IT Technology Companies from all over the world. As an Oracle Platinum Partner, CWG Ghana has the product expertise and certified implementation experts to help her customers get the most out of their Oracle investment.”   CWG Ghana Limited has closely aligned the technology needs of its region with the technology roadmap of Oracle, and with this partnership our customers are rest assured that by working with us, they are putting their technology strategy into the safe hands of Oracle.   In Africa, Computer Warehouse Group has played a major and significant role in enabling businesses through technology and with our strategic partnership with major global IT companies coupled with our expertise and motivated workforce, we tend to consolidate our market presence and stay true to our customers.     GNA...

Atobiase (W/R) Oct.16, GNA - Mr. Solomon Nkansah, Deputy National Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday said the party remains committed to rural development.   He was speaking at the launching of the campaign of Mr. Isaac Adjei Mensah, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Wassa East at Atiobiase.   Mr. Nkansah said rural development is of great concern to the party because of the importance of rural economy to national development.   He urged the people to vote for the NDC to enable it continue to spearhead the development of rural communities.   “Vote for the NDC as the party has shown interest in raising living standards in rural areas”, he said.   Mr Nkansah advised members and supporters of the party to desist from insulting their opponents but rather be courteous towards them.   Launching the campaign, Nana Toku, Western Regional Chairman of the NDC, spoke of the need for peaceful co-existence among members and supporters of political parties.   He said this would go a long way to preserve the peace and unity of the country necessary for national development.   Nana Toku said the doors of the party are wide open to those who want to become members.   He urged members of the party to be tolerant of people who defect from other political parties to join the NDC.   Mr. Mensah unveiled his programme for the development of the constituency saying road development will be one his priority areas.   He said good road network is vital for the development of the area adding, he would use part of his share of the Member of Parliament (MP) Fund set up a road fund. Mr. Mensah said he would also establish an Education Trust Fund to supplement government’s efforts in the education sector.   He said the area was lagging behind in development and he would do everything possible to reverse the trend.     GNA...

Wa, Oct. 17, GNA - The 38th annual national Conference of Managers of Educational Units (COMEU), is underway at Wa in the Upper West Region, with a call on educational units of religious organisations to follow Ghana Education Service (GES) procedures in the appointment of heads of their institutions.      The three-day conference, which was opened by Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, the Regional Minister, was held on the theme:” making partnership between the government, religious and other bodies work in the decentralization policy”.      Participants were sharing ideas and experiences with a view to resolving challenges and deliberating on the impact of state-religious organisations partnership regarding the changing educational and economic landscape.      Alhaji Sulemana noted that the relationship that existed between the Unit Managers and Directors of Education had often not been the best, particularly in respect with postings and transfers of teachers.       The Regional Minister expressed worry that only Catholic, Methodist, Islamic and Ahmadiyya education units had resident managers in the region, and appealed to other religious education units to open offices in the area.      He said that some of the Units operated from dilapidated buildings while their managers lived in private homes in deplorable conditions.       Alhaji Sulemana appealed to religious organizations to build more school infrastructure, and called on religious leaders to pray for free and peaceful polls in December.       Very Reverend Stephen Asher, National President of COMEU, noted that the country’s decentralization programme did not seem to have a place for educational units.       He said the religious bodies gave the type of education some parents wanted for their children.      Mr. Iddrisu Mahama, Acting Upper West Regional Director of Education, advised religious organisation to study how the GES operate, before asking for their schools to be absorbed by the government.   GNA...

Accra, Oct 17, GNA - The Centre for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources (CEPNR) a non-governmental organisation in the promotion of environmental and public issues is collaborating with Global Health Foundation to carry out fumigation and other environmental friendly activities.         The Centre, which is sponsoring the fumigation of drains and open spaces in a number of communities is inviting interested organisations and institutions to submit proposals and estimates for the fumigation of their premises for support.     A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday said CEPNR is targeting hospitals, clinics, schools churches and other institutions.    CEPNR is a body that collates and gathers information on issues affecting the environment and is teaming up with stakeholders to support government’s effort to fight against acts that undermine the environment.      The aims and objectives of the Centre is to advocate the protection of the environment and natural resources, partner organisations to campaign against the degradation of the environment and offer support in reclaiming degraded lands.      CEPNR encourages the planting of trees to protect the environment, sensitise the citizens on environmental issues and assist in the protection of river bodies.      It also aims at fumigating communities affected by outbreak of malaria and other communicable diseases as well as environmental and health challenges and ensure clean and healthy environment.     The statement called on organisations seeking support to contact CEPNR  on 0302953632, 0232968775, 0545012158, 0264375296, E-mail: [email protected], Fax 0302660190.      GNA...

Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – After giving subscribers lots of opportunities in products innovations to experience themselves, Tigo Ghana now says it wants to plant a smile on the face of every Ghanaian promising even more exciting goodies in an affordable way.     This new move, therefore changes Tigo Ghana, the country’s premier mobile operator’s long cherished tageline from “Express Yourself” to “Smile, You’ve got Tigo”.     This new slogan has come about as result of the company’s latest initiative to perk up its corporate social responsibility programme through partnership with Swedish Reach for Change to contribute to enhancing the lives of children and youth in Ghana.   Launching the new CSR initiative christened “Tigo Reach for Change”, on Wednesday in Accra, the Chief Executive of the company, Adil El Youssefi, said the Tigo was and had been the only network that truly understands the needs of its subscribers and was prepared to always take practical steps to satisfy them.     “This is our desire: to put a smile on the face of every Ghanaian with affordable products and services, quality network and excellent customer service. This is what drives us and keeps us awake at night at Tigo.”     “Tigo wants to make people in Ghana smile every day. From Experience yourself, to a smile every day,” he said.     Providing justifications why the Tigo believes it needs to put a smile now on faces of subscribers, the Marketing Manager, Tenu Awoonor said people on the platform had expressed themselves in so many different ways, so Tigo wanted to do something more to make the expression more visible and rewarding to society.     He said Tigo’s array of innovative and exciting products it had and continue to roll out for subscribers such as the Tigo Cash and Tigo Family Care Insurance provided enough reason to reward customers in a different way.     The Tigo Reach for Change CSR initiative aims to improve the lives of children through social entrepreneurs who have ideas on how to better their lives across all Tigo African operations.   GNA...