Apam (C/R), Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education, has donated a quantity of furniture to schools in Gomoa West District.   The presentation of the furniture was an outcome of the Minister’s visit to some schools in the district about three months ago.   During the visit, the Minister observed that the schools were in need of furniture and therefore ordered 1,900 dual desks, 2,800 mono desks, 400 tables and 2,400 chairs for kindergarten children and 260 tables and chairs for teachers.   Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Gomoa West District Chief Executive, who presented the furniture on behalf of the Minister to the District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service for distribution to the schools, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the gesture.   He said the furniture would go a long way to enhance teaching and learning in the schools.   The DCE said the donation re-enforced government decision to expand access to facilities in schools to make teaching and learning comfortable.   “These are some of the basic things the schools need to promote quality education but not make SHS education free,” the DCE pointed out.   Mr Aidoo-Mensah expressed concern about use of classrooms for public activities such as meetings and church services and advised teachers to take good care of the furniture.   Mr Victor Okoe Marbell, Human Resource Officer at the Gomoa West District Directorate, who received the items on behalf of the Acting District Director, said the furniture situation in the schools was worrying and thanked the Minister for solving one of the major problems facing the district.     GNA...

Wa, Oct.16, GNA – Mr David Osafo Adonteng, a Director of the National Road Safety Commission, has appealed to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Wa to train motor bike riders in the region before issuing them with licenses.     This, he said, would help calculate riding ethics and skills and other road safety requirement in the riders.     He said a large number of motor riders in the region grew up learning riding skills on their own without any formal orientation and such riders could be skilful but their knowledge of defensive riding and related road safety requirements were very limited.     Mr Adonteng said this during a regional monitoring programme in Wa on Monday.     He said the DVLA could not prevent people from acquiring motor bikes in the region but it could provide training for them to enable riders acquire special skills that would help ensure the safety of all road users.     He urged the regional branch of the Commission to educate all road users on the new Road Traffic Regulation (LI 2180) which bans the usage of hand –held communication gadgets to make or receive calls whiles driving and the operation of motor cycles.     Mrs May Obiri Yeboah ,the  Director of planning and programmes for the Commission, called on the Ghana Education Service to incorporate road safety topics  as part of the educational syllabus, so that children in basic schools could be taught issues relating to road safety .     She said children were usually ignorant about road safety issues and so are usually victims of road accidents.     Mr Abdul-Samad Mohammed, Regional Manager of the Commission, said road safety was a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to help reduce carnage on the roads.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – The Annual conference of Directors and Regional Fire Officers of the Ghana National Fire Service, has ended in Accra.   A statement issued in Accra on Monday by Ellis Robinson Okoe, DOIII, Acting Head of Public Relations, said the three-day conference was used to draw the curtain on the programmes and activities for 2012.   It was also used to appraise the past activities of the service in terms of its strengths, weakness and the way forward.   The statement said Regional Commanders also used the period to brief management on their activities in the Regions as well as their challenges.   It urged the Regional Commanders to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations by personnel in other to grow the service.   It reiterated the need to strengthen the Retired Fire Officers Association to address the welfare needs of retired officers.   “In this direction, a veteran's dues of GH¢ 5.00 per month would be deducted from every personnel’s monthly salary with effect from October towards the veteran fund,” it noted.   It said plans were advanced to refurbish an old bungalow to serve as a Retired Fire Officers Secretariat.     GNA...

Sunyani (B/A), Oct. 16, GNA – Nana Amankona Nimpong, Twafohene of Dormaa-Akwamu in Brong Ahafo Region has endorsed recent historic meeting of New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo and former President Jerry John Rawlings.      Nana Nimpong described the meeting as historic unification move which should be food for thought for other politicians irrespective of political interest and ideology.      The Twafohene, a 78-year-old senior citizen in Sunyani, was speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani on Monday, concerning political interpretations given to the historic meeting.       He prayed for a day when political party leaders would emulate Nana Akufo-Addo by finding a date to meet former president Rawlings to discuss matters of national interest.        He disagreed to the assertion in some political circles that Nana Akufo-Addo’s visit was to solicit former President Rawlings’ support to enable the NPP win the December elections.      Nana Nimpong rather saw the meeting of the two as a move to bring down political tension which was gathering momentum on the airwaves.      Commenting on President Rawlings attendance of National Democratic Party (NDP) during the party’s inauguration in Kumasi, Nana Nimpong said “it has been a normal practice in Ghana by political parties to invite their counterparts to attend such functions”.      He said such invitations must not be seen from a partisan perspective but another democratic line to bring unity amongst politicians and their followers.      Nana Nimpong advised party activists and supporters to avoid comparing commodity prices by using the “gauge of commodity prices of a previous government”.      He said that was a waste of time and distraction of focus because governance was not static and prices gods and services kept moving as and when necessary.      Nana Nimpong also advised Ghanaians not to be swayed by politics to do anything that would disturb the national peace.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Monday said he is focused on winning the December 7 general election and would therefore not be derailed by former President Rawlings’ decision to support Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.   He said: “In the 1992 constitution, there is an important article of freedoms including that of association and I will respect his opinion and continue to focus on winning the December 7 polls to pursue the “Better Ghana Agenda” initiated by late President John Evans Atta Mills.”   President Mahama, who was responding to a question posed by Journalists on his arrival at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoko International Airport, said his visit to some of the districts revealed that there was a lot to be done for Ghanaians, which was currently his pre-occupation and would continue to campaign to help them to come out of their challenges.   The President on Wednesday last week, embarked on a five-day campaign tour of the northern parts of the Volta Region and later crossed over to the eastern parts of the Northern region, where he addressed rallies, inspected and inaugurated development projects initiated over the years.   On Saturday, while on his tour, former President Rawlings, the Founder of the National Democratic Congress, declared his support for his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who had been elected to lead the National Democratic Party in the December polls.   The declaration therefore confirmed the speculations that the former President, who had been critical of the NDC, would not lend his support to President Mahama in the campaign leading to the polls.   President Mahama said he would engage all stakeholders by building a formidable government and effective economic policies that would propel the country to the pinnacle of potent economy and political recognition.   He promised to engage professionals in the development and growth of the economy, irrespective of their social, ethnic, religious or political affiliation.   President Mahama pledged to heighten the development of effective economic policies that would promote business in the country to create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates in the country.   “Currently, my concern goes beyond campaigning to win elections, but what I am thinking of now is how to provide schools, health facilities, water and good roads for Ghanaians all over to make their lives meaningful in their various locations.”   Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Campaign Coordinator of President Mahama said the declaration of former President Rawlings had rather psyched them up to campaign vigorously to win the elections, come December 7.   “You saw the crowd for yourselves, everywhere we went, people were ready to sacrifice and even wait for us till late hours, which is a clear testimony that the people have the confidence in the NDC and will therefore keep them to power.     GNA...

  Fiapre (B/A), Oct. 16, GNA - Mr Benjamin  Yaw Osei,  a Circuit  Court Judge at Fiapre  has  advised parents to prevent their children from begging for monies and other petty things from strangers and neighbours.     He said the practice encouraged abduction and defilements as the vulnerable children were left unprotected.     Mr Osei said this last week when a number of abduction and defilement cases was brought before the Court and he appealed to parents to control their children not to accept offers from strangers or follow them for soft drinks, biscuits and toffees.     During the session, Abubakari Yaaya, a 35-year old Fulani herdsman, was remanded into prison custody by the Court for allegedly defiling a 14 year old pupil of the Roman Catholic basic school at Bomaa in the Tano North District of Brong Ahafo Region.       Chief Inspector Kingsley Baafi, told the court that both the accused and victim were formerly living in the same area at Bomaa adding that victim used to visit accused in his house anytime from school for money until accused moved to settle at another place near victim’s school.     He said about three months ago, the accused lured the girl to his room and sexually abused her saying that the act continued on three different occasions when victim went there to ask for money.     He said accused offered GH¢2.00 to victim after every act and warned her not to disclose her ordeal to any body or would die.     Chief Inspector Baafi said on October 3, this year luck eluded Abubakari when he was caught by the girl’s head master, Mr Osei Boateng dragging victim to his room to defile her.  He said the head master raised an alarm and accused person was arrested and sent to the police station.     He said victim was issued with the police medical form to attend hospital and medical report indicated that she had been defiled and had the hymen broken.       GNA ...

Cape Coast, Oct. 15, GNA - First National Bank has donated ten quality gas cookers worth GH¢ 5,000.00 to the Central Region office of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to be given to selected best teachers in the Region.   The donation was in support of the Teachers’ Day celebration, held about a week ago.   Mr Andrew Gyawu-Mensah, Communications Officer of the First National Bank, expressed unhappiness that teachers were not accorded the needed recognition in spite of their important role in the society.   “It was for this reason that the Bank deemed it appropriate to motivate them” with its token donation, he said.    Mr John Hayford, Head of Planning and Statistics of the GES who received the cookers on behalf of the Award Planning Committee, thanked the Bank for the gesture and gave the assurance that it will be given to deserving teachers.   He was of the hope that the relationship between the Service and the Bank will be sustained and called on other stakeholder to assist the Service.     GNA...

  Kaleo (U/W), Oct. 16, GNA – A 364,000 Ghana Cedis ultra-modern library complex is being constructed for the Kaleo Senior High Technical School (SHTS) in the Nadowli West District of the Upper West Region.     The multi-purpose library facility which is being financed by Mr Alban Bagbin, Member of Parliament (MP) for Nadowli West Constituency and Minister for Healt,h consists of an ICT facility, a reference center, a children’s apartment and an office for the liberian.     The facility which is already at an advance stage of construction, when completed would enable the students have access to modern books and also improve their ICT skills.     Mr Bagbin said this when he presented some items including a Samsung flat screen television, Rlg laptops, a set of jerseys, two new volleyballs and net to the school.     The Minister of Health said since he became the MP for the area, he had taken interest in the development of the school and did a lot including the construction of an Assembly Hall at the cost of GH¢9,600, the extension of telephone lines to the school, construction and equipping a laboratory.     Mr Bagbin disclosed that he has been offering scholarships to the best two students from the school annually to enable them further their education at the tertiary level and that since 2009, expanded education and health infrastructure were his topmost priority.     The MP urged the students to vote for him and President Mahama in the December elections in order to have a good pair that would develop the constituency and the country at large.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday reaffirmed its dedication to work with communities, civil society, governments and the private sector to end hunger in our lifetimes.   In a statement to mark World Food Day, which falls on Tuesday, WFP said over the last year, communities on almost every continent had felt the devastating impacts of high food prices, natural disasters, climate emergencies and conflict, which have exacerbated hunger and poverty. Fortunately, working with partners across the globe WFP’s food assistance had brought hope and relief to millions, the statement said.   “WFP faces many challenges as we work to ensure that the hungry poor receive the right food at the right time,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin.   “From the Sahel region stricken by the third drought in recent years, to unrest in the Middle East, to communities whose imported staple foods have become inaccessibly expensive, WFP delivers life-saving food assistance where it is needed most.”   The statement said in 2011, WFP reached almost 100 million people in 75 countries, including over 11 million children who received special nutritional support and 23 million children who received school meals or take-home rations.   “Here in Ghana, WFP supports the national school feeding programme, special nutritional programmes for vulnerable women and children, refugees, food for asset programmes which rebuild vital community infrastructure, and nutrition-linked income generating activities,” said WFP Representative/Country Director, Ismail Omer.   “Another key area of support is to smallholder farmers.” The theme of this year’s World Food Day is: “Agricultural Cooperatives - Key to Feeding the World.”   The statement said WFP worked with agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ organizations in many countries around the world, providing training to help improve crop quality, strengthen business practices and increase access to markets.   In particular, WFP’s Purchase for Progress (P4P) pilot project had worked with more than 800 farmers’ organizations, comprised of more than one million smallholder farmers, in 20 countries to build capacity and maximize developmental impact of food procurement, it said.   “Under WFP’s P4P initiative in Ghana, some 1,500 smallholder farmers in 26 rice, cowpea and maize farmer organizations in Tolon Kumbungu, Tamale and Ejura Districts, have been trained and provided with basic equipment. We have also bought their produce for use in our food assistance programmes,” Mr. Omer said.   “Empowering farmer organizations enables them increase food production which benefits them as individuals and the country as a whole. Negotiating with one voice, they are better able to obtain fair prices for their produce, earn more money and consequently reduce their vulnerability to food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty and shocks.”   WFP celebrates World Food Day along with its sister UN food agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).   The three Rome-based agencies often work closely together to invest in and boost the production of smallholder farmers and increase people’s access to nutritious food.     GNA...

  Kenyasi Number two, Oct. 16, GNA – Management of the Ahafo Project of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) in the Asutifi North District of Brong-Ahafo on Tuesday handed-over the Kenyasi Water project to the chiefs and people of the mining community. The company spent 477,000 US dollars towards the expansion of the project to meet the ever-increasing water needs of residents.     In addition, the mining company presented three motor bikes, five bicycles and other logistics worth GHC15,000 to support the Water Board to work effectively.     Works on the expansion and integration of the project, which included water drilling and engineering study, drilling of new 200 meter deep borehole, installation of a new submersible pumps commenced in the first quarter of 2010.     Other major works comprised installation of electrical panels, fencing of both old and newly-drilled wells, fixing of buster pumps as well as rehabilitation of existing pump house, reservoirs and booster station.     Mr. Paul Sowley, General Manager, Environment and Social Responsibility of the Ahafo mine, explained that the NGGL had always maintained its position to partner the District Assembly for development.      This partnership, he said was in line with Ghana’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) seven to halve the proportion of persons without access to safe drinking water by 2015.     Mr. Sowley said the system was expected to provide a more reliable, safe, adequate and sustainable water for residents.     He pledged Newmont’s unflinching commitment towards creating shared value through its social responsibility programmes, especially in the areas of health and agriculture.     Mr. Divine Dugbartey, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chief Water and Sanitation engineer said the ownership and management of the Kenyasi Water System were in the hands of the local people.     He called on the District Assembly and the people to fully cooperate in maintaining the facility for the benefit of all.     Mr. Eric Addae, District Chief Executive said the assembly recognized and appreciated the support of the mining company in the development of communities in the area.     He expressed the hope that such collaboration between the two bodies would be strengthened for mutual benefits.     Mr. Addae advised the residents to take proper care of the facility.     GNA ...

  Busunya (B/A), Oct. 16 , GNA – Madam Joyce Ampomah, Nkoranza North District Girls Education Officer, on Monday observed that the rate of teenage pregnancies and school drop-outs were high in the area.     Madam Ampomah, who was sharing ideas about the challenges of girls’ education with 30 traditional rulers and assembly members at Busunya, said due to teenage pregnancy some girls ended their education at the primary level.     She, therefore, appealed to queen-mothers to revisit the organisation of puberty rites, “Bragoro” since the practice served as a monitoring indicator for girls to grow as adults before they took sexual partners.      Madam Ampomah urged parents to provide their girl-children with personal and other basic necessities of life to motivate them in their education because lack of parental support was a major contributory factor to teenage pregnancies among the girls in the communities.     She said there was the need for assembly and unit committee members to organize their people to raise funds to support the education of needy but brilliant girls to enable them to compete with their male counterparts.     She called on churches to set up endowment funds to promote girls education, particularly the brilliant but needy ones. GNA ...

  Accra, Oct. 16, GNA – An Accra District Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday asked an Attorney at the Attorney General's Department to appear before it and explain the state of affairs in the case of Justin Katinan, an ally of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, currently in custody.     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 today, 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.     According to DSP Annor, INTERPOL Accra and Abidjan started sorting things out from Monday, October 15 to enable the team to come to court at the next adjournment to inform it about the latest development.     He acknowledged that the liberty of the accused was at stake but declared that "where justice was delayed, justice was also denied," adding that, "justice hurried was justice buried".     Mr Patrick Sorgbordzor, counsel for Katinan said if the prosecution was now saying that they were exchanging documents, then on what basis was his client arrested.     Mr Sorgbodzor said a look at the charge sheet shows that the facts were “scanty,” and the prosecution had not been able to tell the court how Katinan committed the offence they alleged he committed.     According to him, he got in touch with the co-accused Dalo Desire’s counsel, who had written to him saying that Dalo had been charged with certain offences but he has not been arraigned.     Mr Sorgbordzor noted that Dalo has not been charged with murder in Ivory Coast and wondered why Katinan should be put before court on murder charges.     Counsel further lamented over his client being put before two similar courts saying that amounted to absurdity and urged the Court not to be drawn into that.     He quizzed the whereabouts of the Chief State Attorney who had indicated that she was going to withdraw the murder charge at one of the District Magistrate Court in Accra and put him before the Osu District Court.     Counsel therefore prayed the court to admit Katinan to bail as his passport had been seized, adding that, Katinan has an Asylum Seeker Certificates.     Meanwhile at the Osu Magistrates’ court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh, later in the day, adjourned the matter to Wednesday October 17 whiles waiting for what transpired at an Accra District Magistrates’ Court.     Katinan was earlier on put before the Osu District court following charges of robbery preferred against him but was however granted GHc 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 ...

  From Albert Oppong-Ansah,  GNA Special Correspondent, Hyderabad, India (Courtesy: Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Global Environmental Facility and Internews). Hyderabad (India), Oct. 16, GNA - Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India has called on parties to the Biodiversity Convention to adopt traditional methods which are bio friendly to conserve the world’s natural Resources.      “We are enjoying the benefit of biodiversity now because the previous generation appreciated the critical role it played in their lives so they put in place traditional measures like sustainable farming to protect it”, he said.     Dr Singh made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the High Level Segment (HLS) of the on-going 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known as COP 11 in Hyderabad, India.     The HLS would see ministerial delegations discussing four key issues namely, the implementation of the strategic plan on Bio diversity 2011 to 2020, Coastal Marine Biodiversity, Bio Diversity for Livelihoods and poverty reduction.      With the world facing food insecurity, Dr. Singh said our Biodiversity could be a solution to the challenge of lack of enough food.     He said increased forest growth and adaptation of organic sustainable farming could help address food security challenges.     As the current president of the Convention of Biodiversity, Dr. Singh, on behalf of the people of India, pledged to commit 50 Billion dollars to support India's Bio-Diversity and those of other developing countries like Ghana.     The facility would mainly be used to develop human capacity, technologies and strengthen institutions, which he said was an important element in preserving Bio- Diversity.     He urged governments and multinationals to back the talks with action to ensure that the world was protected, adding that “Our very existence depend on nature”, he said.     Ms Jayanthi Natarajan, Indian Minister for Environment and Forest said posterity would not forgive the current generation if nothing was done to preserve the biodiversity.     “Let us not take entrenched positions but agree on reasonable terms to enable the world to reduce the destruction of biodiversity for the sake of the next generation,”     “There was the need for parties to the convention to embark on rigorous public awareness creation on the preservation of biodiversity to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan of 2011 to 2020.”     “The road ahead is tough…. but with determination, hard work, perseverance and focus we can make it”, she said.     Touching on urbanization, she explained that infrastructural development had both negative and positive implications, such as destruction of conservations, hence the need for countries to adopt environmentally sustainable mechanism to address challenges that would pop-up.   Mr Braulio Dias, Executive Director of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011-2020 was crucial to the sustenance of the world’s biodiversity.     He called on parties to mobilize resource from both local and international sources to protect nature for safe human existence.     Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, who led Ghana’s delegation to the conference, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, called for an attitudinal change of humanity toward nature preservation, “We can better protect our natural resource if we begin to cultivate the habit of loving and appreciating nature”, he said.     GNA ...

Bibiani (W/R), Oct 16, GNA – The body of unidentified man believed to have been murdered, had been found on a plantation behind the Officers’ Mess of the Noble Gold Mining Company at Bibiani.         The deceased body was spotted by some children whilst playing and they raised the alarm.          Superintendent of Police Francis Enor, the Bibiani Commander who confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the police would do everything to get to the bottom of the murder and bring whoever is involved to justice.                 Police Superintendent Enor said the deceased is suspected to be in his early thirties and that his body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, carried a deep cut on the forehead, heightening their conviction of foul-play.          It has been deposited at the Bibiani Government Hospital for autopsy.   GNA...

Tema, Oct 16, GNA – The Tema Police Regional Command  has identified 62 electoral flashpoints in the Tema Region as part of the Command’s security preparations towards the December 7 general election.   The flashpoints are in the Ashaiman District, Community One, Community Two, New Town District and Sakumono.  Others are in Prampram, Dodowa, Kpone and Ada districts.   Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Maxwell Atingane, Tema Regional Police Commander, said this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Region’s Joint Election Security Task Force.   The Task Force comprises personnel from the Police, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Electoral Commission, National Security, Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.     DCOP Atingane said the Command and the Task Force had resolved to provide adequate security for a smooth electoral process in the Tema Region.   He said each flashpoint would have two or more security officers stationed at the polling station and standby teams would also be located near them for any emergencies.   He said all the 468 polling stations in the eight constituencies under the region would have adequate security before, during and after the elections.             DCOP Atingane said a political investigation desk has also been put in place to investigate any alleged political offences during the period. Day and night patrols would also be carried out by a joint police and military patrol teams.   DCOP Atingane called on the general public to help the security agencies to maintain the country’s peace as peace was a shared responsibility and cautioned the public against fomenting trouble, during, before and after the election as the security agencies were well prepared to deal with such miscreants.               The security, he said, would not tolerate insulting behaviours, defacing of party posters, acts aimed at disrupting the electoral process, snatching of ballot boxes, provocative acts and disturbing public peace.   Motorbikes and other vehicles, as well as unaccredited persons, he noted, would not be allowed 50 meters radius of a polling station and appealed to drinking spot operators located within 50 meters of any polling station not to open it to the public on the day of election.   He said rechargeable lamps would be provided at the all the collating centres to cater for any blackouts.   GNA...

Bibiani (W/R), Oct 16, GNA - The Bibiani Circuit Court has sentenced an 18-year old mechanic,  James Ofori, to 24 months imprisonment,  for breaking into a room and making away with items valued at GH¢936.00.         He pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and stealing.         Chief Inspector Emma Mma-Abotsi told the court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ankamah, that the crime was committed on Sunday, October 7.         The complainant, Naomi Serwaah, had left the house at about 0500 hours and detected the burglary on her return.   Chief Inspector Mma-Abotsi said the personal belongings of the complainant, valued at GH¢936.00 were all gone.         She said Serwaah made a formal report to the police and the convict was arrested following a tip off.   Ofori confessed to the crime during interrogation and led the police to retrieve the stolen items from where he had hidden them.   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...

From: Albert Oppong-Ansah, GNA Special Correspondent, Hyderabad, India (Courtesy, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Global Environmental Facility and Internews). Hyderabad (India), Oct. 16, GNA - Ms Sherry Ayettey, Minister of Environment Science and Technology is expected to join other ministerial delegations of other countries at High Level Segment (HLS) of the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known as COP 11, in Hyderabad. Already a three-member technical team led by Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, Chairman of the National Biodiversity Committee is participating in the various plenary and group deliberations. HLS provides an opportunity for Heads of States/ Delegations to facilitate the discussions and the adoption of a set of far-sighted decisions by COP that reflect the urgency of the issues facing the implementation of the Convention. The Minister of the Environment of India, Jayanthi Natarajan,  as host of the meeting, had identified four key issues, namely the Implementation of the strategic plan on Biodiversity 2011-2020, Coastal and Marine Biodiversity, Biodiversity for Livelihood and Poverty Reduction for discussion. Ghana as part of the HLS is expected to moderate a section on issues including Biodiversity for Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction on Tuesday. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the progress made by the African group, Prof Oteng-Yeboah said the African Group Delegation had finalized key issues including the Implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention and the Achie Biodiversity Target for 2011-2020 and Financial Resources Mobilisation, to support the conservation of biodiversity which would be submitted to the HLS for consideration. He said in line with the aims of the Biodiversity Conventions, Ghana’s strategic plan would be finalized by the end of the year and sent to Parliament for final review. “We have done the majority of the work that is documentation, consultations and stakeholder’s discussions in all the regions where the public were allowed to make inputs”,” he said. Shedding light on the Strategic Plan, he said the first feature was the creation and strengthening of the management of protected area systems. “This includes initiatives like the creation and rehabilitation of permanent protected forests, the creation of Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs), the implementation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) which use birds as indicators of habitat quality, and the establishment of biodiversity corridor,” he said. Professor Oteng-Yeboah said the plan would help the creation and strengthening of management of ex-situ conservation systems while the thirdly characteristic of the plan dealt with the incentive measures and sanctions for the conservation, and the sustainable utilization of biological diversity, including economic and social incentive measures and sanctions. GNA...

Accra, October 17, GNA – The Ark Foundation, Ghana, on Tuesday launched a documentary dubbed: “Grandmothers Speak for Peace,” as part of its efforts to ensure peace before, during and after elections 2012.   The 15 minutes documentary features 20 grandmothers with ages ranging from 59-89 years, sharing their views on the importance and benefits of peace.   This is to sensitize the general public on the dangers of conflicts, particularly to women and children.   The documentary also seeks to bring to the fore creative ways in which women could work to prevent electoral violence and enhance peace in the society, and admonishes politicians and the youth not to engage in activities that would result to violence and confusion.   Ms Esinam Horsoo of the Ark Foundation, said the documentary was to heighten the awareness on the high cost of civil strife and war which could result from election violence and encourage citizens to collectively work towards ensuring violence free elections.   “The Ark is optimistic that through policy advocacy, public education and engagement with active civil society groups and members of the general public, it would help members of the public to begin to understand the root causes of violence and the need to free society of attitudes, beliefs and practices that perpetuate abuse and violence of all forms against all persons, particularly women and children,” she said.   Madam Eugenia Ayabigah of Star Ghana, said it was important for Ghanaians to develop peace and goodwill within their homes, their communities, societies and then the general public.   She lauded the initiative of the Ark Foundation, saying it was very important for space to be allocated to the elderly in society to mentor and train the youth to gradually develop the habit of maintaining peace wherever they found themselves.   Madam Ayabigah urged the youth to develop the zeal for patriotism that could help them develop and eliminate all forms of difference that could cause confusion or violence.   Madam Caroline Akrong, representative of the grandmothers, said peace was something that could not be over emphasized and the backbone of every development and it was important for the public to endeavour to speak the language of peace in the forthcoming election.   She appealed to politicians and supporters to maintain the current peace in the country and urged the youth to desist from being used as tools for electoral violence.   The documentary is being funded by STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism (by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID), to increase the influence of civil society for a peaceful elections.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA – The Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) on Tuesday issued an ultimatum to all loan beneficiaries who have defaulted in the repayment schedule to redeem it or face legal actions, Mr. Henry Nii Dottey, Public Relations Officer, said in a statement.   The SLFT said “we are ready to pursue all defaulters of the scheme, especially those who have completed their courses of study but have failed to repay the loans."   “These monies if not recovered, would put the loan scheme under pressure and that would cause a constraint and its ability to support other eligible students,” Mr Dottey stated in the statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.   He said SLTF is using the first option of appealing and reminding all defaulters to pay back or face the necessary action that the fund may employ to redeem the money.   As part of the measures to redeem the money, Mr. Dottey said, the Fund Administrators are collaborating with government departments and agencies as well as the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to start monthly deductions at the end of November from the salary of defaulters on government payroll.   He reminded all employers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies of their obligations under section 24 of the SLTF Act 2011 Act 820 to deduct and remit monthly repayment amounts to the SLTF.   Mr. Dottey assured Ghanaians that the SLTF would not renege on its responsibilities but would seek to pursue and recover all such monies paid as loans to borrowers in order to sustain the scheme to enable other eligible students pursuing tertiary education to also benefit.     The scheme is a government social intervention aimed at providing financial support to Ghanaian tertiary level students and all efforts must be made to ensure the sustainability of the fund by recovering loans due it.   GNA...