Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Mr Claude Maerten, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Ghana, on Tuesday said the Union would not monitor the December 2012 general elections.    The Union has observed that Ghana has developed internal structures and has the capacity to organize free, fair, transparent and credible elections without the monitoring of the international community.   He also noted that due to the maturity of the nation’s electoral processes, institutionalization of democratic structures and cooperation among the political parties Election 2012 would as usual be peaceful and successful.     Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr Maerten said the Union is however providing technical assistance to the Electoral Commission for the discharge of its duties.   “Ghana has come a long way in the organization of its elections and I believe it can be done again”, he said.   The Union used the occasion to express its appreciation to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for its decision to award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the EU as a body for its advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe and the rest of the world.   “We thank the Norwegian Nobel Committee for acknowledging the EU’s most important results: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and democracy and human rights”, he said.   He said the Union had played a major role in transforming Europe from a continent of war in the olden days to a continent of peace and stability.   Mr Maerten, who is also the French ambassador to Ghana, intimated Ghana and the rest of Africa could only develop if they could concentrate on peace building.   He pledged the commitment of the EU delegation to Ghana towards helping to promote peace, rule of law and prosperity in Ghana.   Present at the ceremony were the Ambassadors of Spain, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Germany and the Czech Republic.   GNA...

Nkroful (W/R), Oct. 16, GNA – The people of Ellembelle constituency in the Western Region, have been asked not be swayed by rumours, calculated to destroy the image of Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, a Deputy Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for the area.   Mr. Daniel Adea-Kaku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) propaganda Secretary for Asasetre Zone in Ellembelle, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), at Nkroful.   He said democracy in Ghana has advanced, and politics of blatant fabrications to dint the character of political opponents to win votes, must be strongly condemned.   Mr Adea-Kaku appealed to the people to vote massively to retain Mr. Buah in Parliament, in the December polls, because he has worked hard to bring development to the constituency.   Earlier, a group demonstrated to express its displeasure over allegation by political opponents of the MP that he had an affair with a married woman.   They group said it was a desperate attempt by some politicians to blemish the character of the MP.   GNA...

Bekwai (Ash), Oct. 15, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Aaron Ofei, has appealed to Ghanaians to accept to voluntarily donate blood to help prevent avoidable deaths.     He said the availability of safe blood at the health facilities held the key to achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs) on health saying it would significantly assist in reducing maternal deaths, save anaemic children and accident victims.     Dr Ofei said this at the launch of the 33rd national health week celebration of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Medical Students Association at Asante-Bekwai.     The event provided the platform to rally people in the Municipality to give blood in support of the hospitals.   The response was quite encouraging as 40 among the gathering readily donated their blood and there was also free medical screening while others were given medication.     Those, whose cases were complicated, were referred to the Bekwai Government Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for further checks and treatment.     Mr Noah Asante Manu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said there was the need to intensify the blood donation campaign to bring on board more voluntary donors.     He said people must appreciate to donate blood as service to humanity and they must do this without expecting anything in return.     Dr Nana Yaw Manu, Medical Superintendent of the Bekwai Hospital, said it was not true that blood received from donors is sold to patients.     He said the stipend collected by the facilities is only to take care of its treatment and screening to ensure safety.     Mr Cephas Avoka, Vice President of the Federation of Ghana Medical Students Association (FGMSA), said as part of activities marking the week, there would be outreach programmes in all the districts across the nation to convince people to donate blood.     GNA...

Kumasi, Oct 15, GNA – The youth have been urged to uphold peace and avoid doing anything that could mar the upcoming December 7 general elections.   Mr Opoku Agyeman Prempeh, Executive Director of Centre for Moral Education (CEMED), said the youth should be inspired by the recent meeting between former President Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to be tolerant of each other, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliation.   He said the historic meeting should send strong message to all about their concern for the unity and stability of the nation.   This must not be missed on the youth, who are the country’s future.   Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, Mr Opoku Agyeman said the youth needed to accept responsibility and ensured that the nation had successful polls.   Again, he said the youth have to conduct themselves well and refuse to allow themselves to be manipulated by anybody out there to cause mischief and confusion.   Under no circumstance, he said, should they yield to overtures from self-serving politicians to commit acts that could jeopardize the country’s future.   He repeated the resolve of his organization to continue working hard to educate and inculcate in the young people good moral values to enable them grow into responsible adults.     GNA...

Accra, Oct.15, GNA - Mohammed Abu, unemployed, who allegedly collected sums of money totaling GH¢ 13,150 from some people, under the pretence of enlisting them into the Police Service, was on Monday remanded by a circuit court in Accra.   He was believed to have introduced himself to traders, security guards and shop owners in Accra as a senior Police officer with the responsibility of enlisting people into the Police Service.   Abu was charged with falsely pretending to be a public officer, six counts of defrauding by false pretences and three counts of fictitious trading, contrary to section 135 of Act 1960/29.   He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before court on October 24, 2012.   Chief Inspector Charles Chester told the court presided over by Mrs Patience Mills-Tetteh that said the complainants were traders and private security officers.   He said the accused introduced himself to his victims as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, working at the third floor of the Police Headquarters, and was tasked to recruit drivers into the Police service.   Chief Insp Chester said in June 2012, the accused collected GH¢ 3,100, GH¢ 3,170, GH¢ 1,200, GH¢ 1,000,   and GH¢ 400 from Mohammed Yussif, Moses Anibaturo Nabare, Ishmael Dadzie, Robert Dadzie and Isaac Golightly respectively to recruit them into the Police service.   The prosecution said the accused also collected from the victims two passport sized photographs each, photocopies of driver’s licenses, educational certificates and result slips.   Chief Insp. Chester said the accused approached Bernard Tetteh, a security officer, at the Judicial Service and collected GH¢ 400 to auction a motor bike for  him from the Police Headquarters.   The prosecution said the accused also introduced himself to other victims as Chief Inspector Adams stationed at the Visa Fraud Unit, Police Headquarters, and collected three Sony digital cameras each from Isaac Golightly and Kojo Asante Danso valued at GH¢ 1,450 and GH¢ 1,200.   Chief Insp. Chester said the accused collected a camera and two Samsung mobile phones from Splendy Okla valued at GH¢610 and promised that the unit Commander would give him money for payment.   The prosecution said Abu after committing the various crimes went into hiding at “One Stone” Guest House at Tabora, a suburb of Accra.   Chief Insp. Chester said on October 9, 2012 at about 18hours, the accused was spotted at graphic road, Accra, by the complainants and they immediately arrested Abu and handed him over to the Police.   The prosecution said when a search was conducted on the accused at the Police station, a recruitment application form with serial number NOROO7O1711 bearing the name Aminu Mohammed, two mobile phones, GH¢ 620 and a toy pistol.   He said a further search by the Police at the “One Stone” Guest House room where he was lodging, revealed eight copies of recruitment form with the same serial number NOROO7O1711 on them, 13 blank Police extract forms, three copies of birth certificates, copies of testimonial, copies of results slips and educational certificates of the applicants.   The prosecution copies of dismissal letters of two Policemen namely Constable Seth Quaye and Constable Stephen Baffoe as well as three passport size photographs of prospective applicants were also found.     GNA...

Accra, Oct.15, GNA – The National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Monday announced the Minimum Guaranteed Price for rice, maize and soya beans for the 2012-13 crop seasons.   The farm gate price for an 85-kilogramme bag of paddy rice is GH¢ 50.00 whiles the price for a 100-kilogramme of maize was GH¢ 60.00.   Mr Eric Osei Owusu, NAFCO Chief Executive Officer who made the announcement in Accra, added that the farm gate price for a 100-kilogramme bag of soya bean had been pegged at GH60.00.   The price is a little bit lower than the 2011-12 crop season for soya bean which was GH¢ 70.00.   Mr Owusu explained that the price differential for soya bean over the previous years was due to better farming practices that were implemented by the farmers during the planting season.   He said the practices included improved seeds and fertilizer application.   Mr Owusu explained that the Company had focused on the three crops (rice, maize and soya bean) due its contribution to Ghana’s food security and nutrition.   He said as NAFCO matured, it would include other staple food crops to the existing portfolio.   The Minimum Guaranteed Prices are considered by the Post-Harvest Committee and approved by the Board of NAFCO which the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, serves as the Chairman.   For the 2011-12 crop seasons, the farm gate prices were: GH ¢40.00 for paddy rice (85 kilogrammes), GH ¢50.00 for maize (100 kilogrammes) and GH¢70 for soya bean (100 kilogrammes).       GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Richard Koranteng and Mr Stephen Mintah, both students were at the weekend, adjudged joint first prize winners in the Western Union Back to School Promotion that spanned from 3rd to 30th of September 2012.   For their prize they each received GH¢ 2,000.00.   The second prize of GHC¢ 1,000.00 was awarded to Ms Comfort Dei and Ms Elizabeth Yaa Boadiwaa, whiles the third prize of GH¢ 500.00 was given to Mr Kevin Asare and mr Matthew Ogbonu, all loyal customers of the Western Union.   Other customers were given consolation prizes.   The Western Union one of the leaders in global money transfer business across the globe had over the years rewarded millions of customers with exciting promotions in Ghana and other African countries.   The promotion had become an annual flagship held with the aim of supporting basic education.   Customers were given the chance to be part of the over 95 lucky customers to share in the GH¢ 25,000.00 scholarship prize by filling out coupons which were later entered into a draw.   The draw was held in both the northern and southern sectors and 96 customers were selected.     GNA...

Koforidua, Oct. 15, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region on Sunday organized parliamentary primaries in all the five newly created constituencies to elect candidates to contest the December polls.     At the Akyem Oda Constituency, Mr William Kwaito Agyapong, emerged winner after defeating two other candidates, Mr Larry Kwaku Attafuah, who polled 68 votes and Mr Kofi Diawuo who obtained 14 votes.     Ms Abena Osei Asare was elected to contest the Atiwa East Constituency after obtaining 155 votes to defeat two men, Mr Ernest Adade who got 77 votes and Mr Kwabena Nkansah who managed to get 78 votes.     At the Fanteakwa Constituency, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Kwabena Amankwah Asiamah, polled 326 votes to defeat Mr Kofi Asare Lartey, former Constituency Chairman of the party, who got 249 votes.     The MP had lost an initial primary to Mr Kofi Agyekum Arafat early this year who is now contesting at Fanteakwa West.     At Akyem Swedru, Mr Kennedy Osei Nyarko, was elected by popular acclamation as he was the only who person who filled his nomination to contest.     The Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the NPP, Mr Frank Annor Dompreh, obtained 366 votes to defeat former MP, Mr Seth Wiafe Dankwa, who polled 116 votes to contest the Nsawam-Addoagyiri seat.     After the elections, all the defeated candidates pledged their support to the elected candidates to ensure that they win the seats for the party come December.     The Eastern Regional first deputy regional chairman of the party, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), congratulated all the candidates and urged them to work hard to bring glory to the party in this year’s general election.     He also commended the defeated candidates for showing high sense of democratic maturity and urged them to make themselves available during the campaign to ensure that the NPP wins all the newly created seats in the region.       GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - A proponent of the Akuafo Cheque system under which farmers are paid with a special cheque for the purchase of cocoa has thrown his weight behind the demand of cocoa farmers that the payment system in its original form should be brought back.   In a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, Dr Michael Gbordzoe, who said he and three others submitted proposals for the Akuafo Cheque system to the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), defended the merits of the system in its original form and said the gains must not be lost.   "The significant advantages that the farmers have gained through the Akuafo Cheque payment system should be defended and not thrown away," he said.   The Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Shea-nut Farmers Association should do everything legally possible to exert pressure on the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the current Government to put measures in place now to entrench the original Akuafo Cheque payment system to the advantage of the farmers and the nation Ghana and not allow this to be manipulated by the Licensed Buying Companies.   Dr Gbordzoe said the rationale behind the introduction of the Akuafo Cheque payment system included the failure or inability of COCOBOD to pay the cocoa farmers for cocoa and the acute liquidity problems prevailing at the time leading to the withdrawal of the 50 cedi notes from circulation.   "Even if the PNDC could mobilize funds from any sources at that time to pay the farmers for their produce, the banks would be left with serious and acute-to-chronic liquidity problems if the COCOBOD were to embark on cash payments."   If cash payments were effected, most farmers would put their sums of money 'under their pillows' or elsewhere at home and would not necessarily or willingly go to banks to save their money.   Farmers are now being paid in cash and with the Akuafo Cheque system.   Dr Gbordzoe said paying through the cheque system implied also creating savings accounts for the farmers, preferably with the Agricultural Development Bank or other Ghanaian-owned banks, with long term advantages for the farmers and the banks.   "The farmers' cheque payment system would also contribute in a way to the capitalization efforts of the banks since the farmers would not normally withdraw all their monies from the bank within a short period of time," he said.   The system was also to eliminate the tremendous influence of middlemen associated with cash payments by buying agents leading to the farmers getting less net earnings for their produce.   Dr Gbordzoe said most of these factors were still relevant today, especially liquidity factors, net earnings for the farmers for their produce, reduction of the influence of middle men associated with local or foreign controlled Buying Agents or Companies, and speculation on the commodities associated with cash-flows.     GNA...

Kumasi, Oct. 15, GNA – Government would roll out appropriate social pension schemes to provide income security for those who are unable to contribute to any social security schemes.   Mr Moses Asaga, Minster of Employment and Social Welfare, who made this known at the weekend, said the scheme would be implemented side by side with strengthening of existing social security schemes.   He was speaking at the Third Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the SSNIT National Pensioners Association (NPA) held in Kumasi.   Mr Asaga gave the assurance that the Government would pursue a national development agenda that prioritises the realization of citizens’ rights and entitlements and which enhances Ghana’s democratic development.   “As a Government that believes in social democracy, issues relating to the creation of a solid protection floor for working people are a core focus for us”, he said. “Promoting decent work and enhancing social protection schemes is consequently very high on the development agenda of my ministry.”   Mr Asaga said the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare was currently engaged with the Ghana Health Service to mainstream services for the elderly into the Health Delivery System at the community level.   “The engagement is also looking at the best ways of integrating nutrition issues of the elderly into the programme of work of the Ghana Health Service”, he added.   Mr Edward Ameyibor, General Secretary of SSNIT NPA, said the Conference was organized to provide the platform for more pensioners to get involved in decision-making process of the Association and to make the activities of the Association more visible in the regions.   The participants adopted a 15 bullet-point resolution aimed at improving the welfare of its matters.   The resolutions included the establishment of a Charity Fund by the National Executive Committee to assist pensioners in emergency medical situations.   “The NPA intends to pursue these demands vigorously with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning”, it said.   The resolution also said “the NPA looks forward to consolidating our relationship with the Public Services Workers Union and HelpAge Ghana, to whom we are affiliated, so that together we fight for a life of dignity for older persons and pensioners.”   “NPA appeals to the Trades Union Congress to support genuine demands for pensioners under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme and to always add their voices to our concerns”, it said.   It said the “NPA appeals to the government to consider allocating money from the Consolidated Fund to cushion the meagre monthly allowances of SSNIT pensioners, as being enjoyed by Ghana Government Pensioners (Cap30)”.   The resolution said that the NPA believed that the issue of corruption in the public service could be effectively tackled through adequate, secured and more rewarding pensions and called on political parties to cool down the political temperature.   The resolution urged the parties to place issues of old people and pensioners high in their manifestoes and address how their lots could be improved.       GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday set-out acts and inactions that may constitute electoral offences in Election 2012 and called on the political parties and other democratic stakeholders to respect the laws or face the consequences.   The offences include: to make or publish, by written or spoken word or by song, a false statement about the personal character of another candidate or the conduct of a political party; and to excite enmity against a person, group of persons, or political party on grounds of religious, ethnic, professional, regional, or political affiliation.   In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the EC Chairman, explained that a careful examination of the offences indicated that an election official, a polling agent, a party official, a candidate, a voter, or any member of the general public could commit an election offence.   “To give or receive money or something of value as a means of inducing a person to vote, or not to vote, in a certain way; to use or threaten to use force or violence against a person or group of persons; and to inflict or threaten to inflict physical or spiritual injury or harm on a person.   “A person found guilty of an election offence may be fined or imprisoned or both. For some offences, a person may also be qualified from voting in subsequent elections or from holding public office,” he stated.   Sanctions includes a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units; or imprisonment not exceeding two years; or both fine and imprisonment; and five year disqualification.   A list of the Election 2012 offences obtained by the GNA indicates that to organize or train a group of persons in the use of force or violence for election purposes, to compel or induce a candidate to withdraw his or her candidature; and to canvass for votes or seek to find out how a person intends to vote within 500 metres of a polling station.   To remove any notice lawfully exhibited in connection with an election; to intentionally destroy a ballot paper or any form related to an election; to impede, or prevent a voter from freely exercising his or her right to vote as an offence; and to take to a polling station anything that reveals the candidate or party you intend to vote for.   Others are to forge, print or be in possession of a ballot paper without lawful authority; to tamper, or attempt to tamper, in any way with the contents of a ballot box; to misconduct yourself as an election official; and to impede, or prevent a voter from freely exercising his/her right to vote.   To force somebody to vote in a particular way; to put anything other than a ballot paper into a ballot box when an election is in progress; to vote in the name of another person-living, dead or fictitious; and to vote or attempt to vote if you are not qualified to do so.   To attempt to vote before the poll officially opens, or after it closes; to have your name in the voter’s register of more than one polling station.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Supreme Court will on October 19th deliver judgment in the case in which a businessman is challenging the authority of the Electoral Commission (EC) to create 45 new constituencies.   The Court on Monday gave respective counsels the opportunity to argue their cases out.   Mr Godfred Yeboah–Dame told the court that the EC owed Ghanaians the explanation as to why they did not publish the modalities and criteria for the creation of the 45 new constituencies.   According to Mr Yeboah–Dame, the creation of the constituencies was not a simple matter, adding there were certain guidelines the EC should have followed.   “The EC could have come out to tell us the reason for which a particular constituency was divided. It only went ahead to publish the list of the 45 new constituencies, but declined to give reasons for which they arrived at that decision,” he said.   Mr James Quarshie-Idun, who represented the EC, noted that although Article 47 of the constitution spelt out the modalities to be used in demarcations, Article 48 remedy the issues concerning demarcations.   According to him, a party aggrieved over the demarcation would have to appeal to a three member panel set up by the Chief Justice.   Mr Cecil Adadevoh, who represented the Attorney General and Mr David Annan, who acted as a friend of the court relied on their statements of case.   The court presided over by Mr Justice William Atuguba had other Justices on the panel to include Ms Rose Owusu, Ms Sophia Adinyira, Professor Dateh Baah, Mr Anin Yeboah, Mrs Vida Akoto Bamfo and Mr Sule Gbadegbe.   Mr Ransford Frances and his lawyers are praying the Supreme Court to declare the Constitutional Instrument 78 as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.   This was after the court had dismissed a writ for an interlocutory injunction filed by lawyers of the plaintiff seeking to prevent Parliament from passing the C.I. 78 that was intended to give legal backing to the creation of the 45 new constituencies.   The businessman was challenging the power of the EC to go ahead with the creation of new constituencies without first laying it before Parliament, a Constitutional Instrument indicating clearly the mechanism, formula or modalities by which it intended to undertake that exercise.   On July 16 this year, the plaintiff proceeded to the SC praying it to perpetually restrain the EC from laying before Parliament any Constitutional Instrument creating new constituencies or revoking the Representation of the People (Parliamentary Constituencies) Instrument, 2004 [C.I. 46], until it lays before Parliament a Constitutional Instrument which clearly sets out the processes to be adopted by the EC.     GNA...

Akyawkrom (Ash), Oct 15, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has elected Madam Ama Pomaa Boateng as it parliamentary candidate for the newly created Juaben Constituency.   She polled 155 votes to beat off the challenge from her four other contestants at the party’s delegates congress held at Akyawkrom.   They included Stephen Agyei Wiredu, who had 36 votes, Francis Owusu, 82, Madam Abena Pokuaa, 67, and Alexander Oworae, three votes.   Madam Pomaa Boateng pledged to work together with the members and supporters to deliver the seat to the NPP on December 7.   She said she was not going to disappoint them and that their target was not just to win but achieve that by a wider vote margin.   Mr Fredrick Fredua Anto, the Ashanti Regional Chairman, called on the party’s loyalists to intensify their electioneering campaign to ensure massive victory.   He described the performance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in government as abysmal and urged Ghanaians to vote it out.   He said it was worrying that social interventions introduced by the Kufuor Administration were all now in a mess and near collapse.   He mentioned among these interventions - the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Capitation Grant, free maternal health care, free busing of school children, the cocoa mass spraying and fertilizers.   Political parties, he said, are elected into power to provide social services and make life better for the people, but this had been lacking over the last four years. That was why the electorate must vote for change.   Those who were defeated promised to stand with Madam Boateng every step of the way to bring victory to the NPP.       GNA...

Abesim (B/A) Oct. 15, GNA – Barimah Kumi Acheaw II, Chief of Abesim in the Sunyani Municipality at the weekend advised the youth to be more discerning in order not to sell their conscience to politicians for monetary gains.   He entreated them to rather concentrate on how they could use their exuberances healthily and obtained better jobs to fend for themselves and their families.   Addressing thousands of enthusiastic New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at the official launching of the Sunyani East Constituency campaign at Abesim, near Sunyani, Barimah Acheaw II asked the youth to think about their future and vote wisely.   He alerted them that some selfish politicians would approach and entice them with monies and gifts ostensibly to use them as a tool to foment trouble.   Barimah Acheaw II, who is the Kyidomhene of Dormaa Traditional Council, told the youth to remember what they had gone through for the past years and boldly ignore politicians who might use them to cause confusion.   “These politicians will have nothing good to offer you and if you allow them to sway your minds for their individuals political ambitions you will definitely suffer the consequences at the long run”, he stated.   Barimah Acheaw commended Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East for putting the Abesim main lorry park in a good shape.   He said though traditional rulers were barred from engaging in active partisan politics, the Abesim traditional area would not hesitate to support politicians whose agenda was to facilitate accelerated national development.   Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh, MP for Nsuta Kwamang noted with concern that the bane of Ghana’s democratic governance was vote buying.   He said because the government could not fulfill its 2008 utopian campaign promises, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would deliberately approach the electorate with monies and other juicy items to win their votes.   “Those monies are state resources so you can take them but make sure it does not influence your voting pattern”, he told the ecstatic supporters.   Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh said when the NDC came to power in 2009 there was not a single school in the Municipality, which held classes under trees because of the massive infrastructural development in schools during the eight-year NPP administration under former President Kufuor.   The MP for the area advised the constituents to retain him come December 7th to enable him complete on-going projects in the area.   Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, former MP for Sunyani West, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin South, Mr. Kofi Jumah, MP for Asokwa and Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah MP for Afigya Sekyere took turns to address the crowd.   Their messages were all centered on the NPP’s implementation of the free Senior High School education.   Mr. Adu Asare, Sunyani East Constituency Chairman of the NPP, advised supporters of the party to conduct themselves well and guard against inflammatory statements that could mar the elections.     GNA...

Awaradone (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has called for the need for communities to adopt the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) concept of the World Vision to fight desertification.     The FMNR involves selecting and pruning stems regenerating from stumps of naturally grown trees on the field to give them more space to grow.      A Deputy Chief Disaster Control Officer of NADMO in the Upper East Regional Directorate, Mr Paul Wooma, said this the International Day for Disaster Reduction held at Awaradone in the Talensi District over the weekend.      He said the FMNR had proved to be more reliable, cheaper and sustainable than the usual conventional methods of tree planting saying about five hundred acres of forest reserve had been created in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region within two and a half years under the Farmer Managed and Natural Regeneration (FMNR) programme.      Mr Wooma appealed to policy makers to infuse the FMNR into Forestry Commission Programme activities and called on communities in the region to establish woodlot projects for future firewood harvesting.      He said disaster management and its reduction called for a multi-sectorial approach and that was why NADMO worked with all stakeholders including the Ghana Education Service and NGOs in disaster management.      He said his outfit together with District Assemblies ensured that all new school buildings adhered to building codes and standards that incorporate disaster resilience and climate change adaptation.      He called on School authorities to conduct safety reviews of existing school infrastructure with respect to local hazards on a regular basis.       The Day is celebrated on the 13th October every year to raise public awareness about what member countries of the United Nations can do to reduce the Risk of Disasters from Floods, Wildfires, Droughts, Desertification, Earthquakes and Hurricanes among others.      The event was on the theme: “Women and Girls the Invisible Force of Resilience” and it attracted stakeholders including school children, parents, the National Disaster Management Organizations, Assembly Members and NGOs among others.     GNA...

Awaradone (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - This year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction has been marked in the Upper East Region with a call on stakeholders in education to speed up the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in the school curricular.   The year’s event which was organized at Awaradone in the Talensi District of the Region by the World Vision Area Development of the Talensi and Nabdam Districts under the theme: “Women and Girls the Invisible Force of Resilience”, attracted stakeholders including school children, parents, the National Disaster Management Organizations, Assembly Members and NGOs.   The Day is celebrated on the 13th of October every year to raise public awareness about what member countries of the United Nations can do to reduce the risk of disasters, floods, wildfires, droughts, desertification, earthquakes and hurricanes among others.   Speakers laid emphasis on the need for the MOE and GES to quickly ensure the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in the school curricular so as to inculcate in school children, the spirit to fight to reduce disasters.   Mr Norbert Baba Akolbila, Manager of World Vision Ghana in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts, said children were the major agents of change and regretted the undue delay of policy makers to ensure the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction in their curricular.   “What these people don’t know is that we are the agents of change and should be encouraged to participate in disaster risk reduction and decision making. The formation of Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Clubs in our Schools by World Vision is very good.   It gives us the chance to talk about things that affect us and our environment. It helps us to contribute to our own safety and keep the environment safe for future generation.   This project must be commended and extended to other schools for others to also gaint”, said Miss Stella Abisiba, a Pupil of the Awaradone Primary School in a speech.   Mr David Aloku, Chairman of the Disaster Risk Reduction Task force of Awaradone Community, advised the pupils to stop creating bush fires in search of rats and also appealed to parents to desist from felling trees for charcoal.   Ms Mame Ntome, a taskforce Member of the Disaster Risk Reduction in Awaradone, said since the formation of the Task Force by World Vision and NADMO, disasters such as floods, bushfires and drought have been reduced drastically in the area.   Ms Dziedzorm Awude, Programme Officer in charge of Children Emergency Response and Disaster(C-ERDM) of World Vision, expressed happiness about the involvement of females, especially school girls in Disaster Management saying women could play a major role when it came to disaster risk reduction.   The pupils treated the gathering to a drama and poetry recital on Disaster Risk Reduction which attracted applause from the audience.     GNA...

Accra, Oct 15, GNA - Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, has appealed to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Education Service to put up pragmatic plans that would promote hand washing with soap and water on Monday in Accra.   Mr Mensah quoting a statistic from the GHS said there had been 5,800 reported cholera cases resulting in sixty deaths from January to September this year.   “This is sad, because these are people who should not have been ill at all in the first place. Cholera can easily be avoided by keeping our environment clean and simply washing our hands with soap, after using the toilet and before handling food - that is before cooking, serving or eating.”   He made the appeal at the commemoration of the 2012 Global hand washing day celebration, which was aimed at inspiring commitment, fostering a global and local culture of hand washing with soap and supporting the campaign for the prevention of cholera.   The day was on the theme: “Five years of global hand washing day celebration: going beyond the fifth birthday of children”.   Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment Science and Technology at the celebration encouraged teachers to have hand washing places at vantage points on school compounds to help inculcate the habit of hand washing with soap and water in the pupils.   Dr. Gloria Quansah said this year’s theme could not have been more appropriate and timely, particularly in the face of Ghana’s renewed committed towards reducing mortality to its barest minimum in children less than five years.   “It is important to note that more than half of under-five child deaths are due to diseases that are preventable and treatable through simple and affordable interventions, one of which is washing hands with soap,” she added.   She said hand washing with soap and water was the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent diarrhea and acute respiratory infection.     GNA...

Sunyani, Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has stated the need for Ghanaians, especially the youth to understand and apply Information Technology in all areas of socio-economic development to enhance governance.   He said the world had become a global village and businesses and individuals are trading across globe through the Internet.   The Deputy Regional Minister was speaking at a ceremony to hand-over 6,624 rIG laptops to 250 basic and Junior High schools in the region to help improve their ICT knowledge in Sunyani.   He said the policy was initiated by the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills to supply over 60,000 laptops to public school nationwide to promote computer literacy in basic schools.   Mr Eric Opoku said 150 computers had already been supplied to 10 rural community schools under phase one of the programme.   He said 31 instructors three from each beneficiary district had been trained by rLG and supplied with laptops to equip them with the skills and knowledge to handle the computers appropriately and also to train the pupils.   The Regional Minister urged the beneficiary schools to take good care of the computers to enhance and build their knowledge in ICT.   Mr George Adjei–Henney, Regional Educational Director, thanked all stakeholders particularly the management of rLG for supporting government to implement the Better Ghana agenda.   Mr Emmanuel Arthur, Corporate Affairs Manager of rLG Communications said over 27,000 laptops out of the 60,000-laptop contract between the company and the Ministry of Education, had already been distributed to basic and junior high schools in five regions and promised to supply the remaining laptops before the year ends.     GNA  ...

Accra, Oct 15, GNA - The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo on Monday handed over 110 motorbikes and desktop computers to beneficiary districts assemblies under the Ghana Social Opportunities Project to enhance monitoring and supervision of projects.   He said the national social protection strategy represented, government of Ghana’s vision of creating an all-inclusive society through the provision of sustainable mechanisms for the protection of persons living in situation of extreme poverty, vulnerability and exclusion.         Mr Ampofo said one of such sustainable mechanisms for protection against extreme poverty was the Labour-Intensive Public Works Programme that has been piloted under the Ghana Social Opportunities Project to offer extreme poor households better access to employment and income to facilitate opportunities in the poor communities within the 40 poorest districts in the country.   He said although the actual implementation of the labour-intensive public works programme began barely six month ago, it had generated over 25,600 temporary jobs for the extreme poor in over 180 poor communities within the 40 beneficiary districts.   Over this same period, about GHc1.96 million had been transferred into the pockets of the poor in eight beneficiary districts.   He said between now and the start of the 2013 major rainy season, the GSOP would implement additional 152 Labour-Intensive Protection Works subprojects in 228 new communities to generate over 49,800 jobs for the poor and transfer to their pockets over GH¢ 11.94 million during the agricultural off-season, the period of low employment, especially in the northern regions of the country.   Mr Robert Austin, the National Coordinator of the Ghana Social Opportunities Protection, said the project was specifically designed as an exceptional social protection mechanism for protecting the extreme poor and marginalized in the society.   He said to improve access to employment and income earning opportunities, GSOP was piloting the Labour-intensive Public Works programme through the existing decentralized local government structures and all activities of implementation from identification, design, contracting and construction of the subprojects were carried out by the beneficiary district assemblies and communities.   He said the GSOP under component 'one' was undertaking study of all existing social protection interventions to help government to redirect its social protection expenditures to the most effective areas and reduce those in less effective areas.   Mr Austin said the labour-intensive Public Works was to assist district assemblies to identify suitable subprojects such as feeder roads, small dams and dugouts and watershed management and other climate change activities within very poor communities as captured in the district assemblies own medium term development plans.     GNA...

Baare (U/E), Oct. 15, GNA - The Chief and people of Baare in the Talensi District, have appealed to government to help de-silt the only dam in the area which is the major source of livelihood of the people.      Naba Nyaakora Mantii made the appeal during the celebration of the “Daa festival” of the area.   The festival was on the theme: “Promoting Unity and Creating Awareness through Education and Culture”.      Naba Nyaakora Mantii,  known in private life as Sylvester Balagumyetime, said since the construction of the  dam  25 years ago, it  had not been de-silted and this made it difficult for  people to embark on dry season farming of crops such tomato, pepper, okro and onions.      “The dam helped retain the people of this area as it engaged the youth in some meaningful occupation,” he said.   He said the main source of drinking water was also from the dam and this encouraged the youth to go into livestock rearing in the area saying they could, however, no longer undertake these activities with the choked dam.      Naba Mantii appealed to government to also help the area construct a befitting market structure with decent market stalls saying the Baare market which is one of the famous and oldest markets in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts and the Gurune Speaking areas, when properly constructed would help generate more revenue for the Assembly.      He also called for aid in connecting electricity to the area to enable small scale industries thrive.      The Chief commended the Government for extending the School Feeding Programme to the Baare Primary School and appealed for an additional School block and teachers’ accommodation to help cater for more school children.      The Chief paid tribute to the World Vision Ghana for the numerous support and projects it had brought to Baare especially borehole, KIVP toilets and introduction of the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) among others and called on other NGOs to emulate World Vision.      The Daa festival is celebrated by the people of Baare every year to thank the gods and ancestors for granting them good harvest and protecting them throughout the year and to also ask for further protection.      The Chief also used the occasion to en-skin a new Queen Mother and Youth Chief for the area.          The new Queen Mother is Mrs Geogina Bonsarigya, a 46-year old Medical Assistant.       GNA...