Accra, Nov. 03, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the weekend urged the electorates not to take for granted the Government's achievements over the last four years, which had given hope to the nation and won international admiration.    “A change of government especially in the first term of governance would be huge drawback on the national development agenda,” Mr Danny Annan, NDC National Vice Chairman told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.    He said “the nation under the courageous leadership of late President John Evans Atta Mills and President John Dramani Mahama embarked on massive development through hard work, which have set the parameters for accelerated growth, a change of government would be setting the wheels of development backwards."    He encouraged the electorate especially the youth to stand firm and not to yield to falsehood and lies by opposition politicians and vote for the NDC saying “the youth have a secured future in NDC which have given more youthful personalities opportunities to serve in governance instead of its main opponent’s “wait for your turn posture”.     Mr Annan called on the electorates, all party members and first time voters to turn out in their numbers on Election Day to vote massively for President Mahama to continue the enviable legacies of its founder, former President Jerry John Rawlings and late President Mills.    He called on members of the NDC to exercise restraint and work to sustain the unity, stability and cohesion of the country, whilst focusing on the greater target of retaining power to work for the people.   The NDC National Vice Chairman said Election 2012 is about the political choices Ghanaians would make on December 7 and not a "do or die" affair as some have tagged it.  "Belonging to different political parties does not make us enemies, especially when we have demonstrated in several ways that we are one people. No blood should be spilled because of this election. We should listen to all messages being put out there and consider the track records of the parties and individuals and make our choices.     "We should not allow anyone to incite us towards violence, for nothing good would ever come out of a violent situation", he said.     Mr Annan said as the ruling party the NDC has a responsibility to ensure peaceful elections: "We will not incite or intimidate anyone because we want you to judge us (Government) by our track record and what we have done in changing your lives within these eight years."     Mr Annan said the Government of President Mahama would continue to invest more in genuine social dialogue and collective bargaining to ensure that peaceful industrial relations and the orderly and speedy settlement of disputes were achieved.      He recounted that “it was an NDC government that initiated the major law reform process to overhaul, update and codify the country's labour legislations culminating in the passage of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).      "With the passage of the Act the expectation of all the social partners was that the necessary flexibility will be injected into the labour market and that industrial relations will move away from the fire-fighting model to a more proactive system aided solidly by bipartite and tripartite co-operation and collaboration".    He said President Mahama and the government would continue to work with organized labour and other social partners to actualize the vision of the Labour Act and to deepen and fine-tune its provisions, if necessary, to give it more impetus and vitality.    Mr Annan said the government shall continue to do well to harness revenues from cocoa, gold, and non-traditional value added exports as well as oil export to motivate workers to increase productivity and grow the economy for the benefit of all.    “NDC under President Mahama deserve another term to accelerate the growth rate and a change of government now will be a drawback for national development.       GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 03, GNA – Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Saturday criticized successive governments for their casual treatment of discussions for educational reforms and the relationship between education and national development.     He was speaking at the University’s Congregation organized in Accra where 2,573 students were awarded various degrees, diploma and certificates.     Prof Aryeetey said “I am concerned that the funding of different types and levels of educational institutions does not appear to be inspired by any clear strategy towards the long term transformation of the national economy and society”.     He expressed concern that discussions on how the school system could be restructured including issues of access and curriculum, and how these could be related to the tertiary system, was done in small groups without any reference to the broader set of stakeholders.  Prof Aryeetey said the absence of consensus on the way forward meant that changes were not sustainable.     “The fact that many of the graduates leaving these grounds today will not be finding jobs for a long time should oblige us, as a people, to think about education in a more structured way and much more strategically” he said.     Prof Aryeetey announced that management had decided to decentralize the University’s structure and had proposed the adoption of a collegiate model.     He said the reform is to enhance efficiency and to make the University administration very effective.     Prof Aryeetey added that it would provide greater opportunity to students with respect to programme offerings and to enhance inter-disciplinary research.     Consequently, management had appointed University Structure Reform Committees to oversee the development or reorganization of four colleges.     The proposed colleges include College of Health Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities and College of Education.     Prof Aryeetey said work towards the design of the new colleges is expected to be completed by 31st March 2013.     He also announced that plans were afoot for the University to roll out its restructured four-year Doctor of Philosophy programme in January 2013.     Key aspects of the programme include compulsory course work, attachment to research projects for all candidates, the introduction of comprehensive examinations to be taken by all PhD candidates and the formal defense of the candidate’s research proposal.     These modifications are aimed at making PhD graduates perform better in research methodology, show better understanding of data collected, use more current and sophisticated analytical techniques and draw more credible conclusions from their work.     Prof Aryeetey however advised the graduates to apply themselves to hard work, dedication, honesty and independent thinking.     Mr Kwamina K Asomaning, Executive Director-Corporate and Investment Banking at the Stanbic Bank Ghana, advised the graduates not to give up when they experienced any sort of failure in life.      “…Failure or disappointment in one area of our lives typically opens up a world of opportunities and successes in other areas,” he stressed.     Mr Asomaning said that good grades alone would not guarantee their professional successes adding that they needed to develop personal qualities that could give them a competitive edge in their lives.     He challenged them to be humble, disciplined and to develop a positive attitude in life.   GNA ...

Obuasi, Nov. 03, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Obuasi West has said Nana Akufo Addo, the flagbearer of the new Patriotic Party (NPP) is not conversant with the country’s 1992 constitution.     Mr John Alexander Ackon, the candidate, said this was his perception after watching of Nana Akufo Addo’s reaction to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) issue during the recent IEA presidential debate at Tamale, “he is not on top of the constitution of Ghana.”     In an encounter with the media at Obuasi as a prelude to re-launching his campaign, the parliamentary candidate said that the NPP presidential candidate demonstrated that the he knew nothing about the NDPC as his answers to the issue portrayed.     Mr Ackon, who is the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, also challenge to the NPP parliamentary candidate for Obuasi West, Mr Kwaku Kwarteng to let the people of Obuasi know the specific Projects he claimed to have influenced for the area during his time at Ministry of Finance  during the former administration.     He said for the few years as the Municipal Chief Executive, he had helped to fashioned out healthy human relations with the people and his progressive leadership that had brought a number of socio – economic improvement in the Municipality.     “There is a future for Obuasi because we now have the right leadership. Developmental Structures are springing up and as far as educational institutions are concerned, more would follow”, he said.     Mr Ackon said he who climbed a good tree needed a push and encouraged the press to help canvass more support for him and urged them to create an equal playing field for all the parliamentary candidates.     GNA ...

Tema, Nov. 03, GNA – Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Tema West has said when given the mandate he would bring accessible and effective leadership to the area.     He said Tema deserved effective leadership than it had at the moment saying with hard work and dedicated service in humility, he was prepared to take up the mantle of leadership come December 7.     Mr Ofosu Ampofo said this on Friday at the launch of his electioneering campaign at the Sakasaka Park in Community 2, Tema.     He said he would bring his rich political experience to serve the people of Tema by ensuring consistent and sustainable development.     He urged members and supporters to embark on house-to-house campaign in order to win more floating voters.     The parliamentary candidate advised his opponents to show political maturity in their campaigns by refraining from the use of foul language.     Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, who launched the campaign assured the people of Tema that if they renew the mandate of the NDC its government would accelerate the development and transformation of the metropolis.     Some leading members of the party who also addressed the gathering included Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, Alhaji Huudu Yahya, Mr Dan Abodakpi, Mr Ebenezer Kobina Fosu and Madam Betty Moud-Idrisu.     The rest were Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Madam Faustina Nelson, Mr Harry Zakour, Mr Kempes Papa Nii Ofosuware and Ms Anita de-Zouza.     They urged Ghanaians to give the NDC another four-year term to enable the party to continue with the Better Ghana Agenda.   GNA ...

Agona Nsaba (C/R), Nov. 03, GNA - Officials of the Information Service Department from Agona Swedru on Wednesday fled for their dear lives when some angry people of Agona Nsaba chased them out of the town.     The officials had been engaged by the members of the committee appointed by the Agona Nsaba Traditional Council to investigate allegations made against Nana Kofi Agyekum, Adontenhene of Nsaba Traditional Arean and the purported death of Omanhene by his family members.     Nana Kweku Appiah, Head of Dwumona Clan of Nsaba Traditional Area who disclosed these to the press at Nsaba, appealed to the Central Regional Security Council (RESEC) to intervene to help prevent the loss of lives and properties.    He said tension is mounting in the town and this does not auger well with the beginning of the Annual Akwambo festival celebration next week.   Nana Appiah said the Nsaba Traditional Council set up a seven-member committee to investigate allegations made against Nana Kofi Agyekum, Adontenhene of Nsaba Traditional Area about the death of Omanhene by his family members.   He said the Committee’s report exonerated Nana Agyekum saying the allegations levelled against him were baseless and malicious attempts aimed at denting the hard won reputation of Adontenhene.    Nana Appiah said Nana Kofi Sekyi, Mankrado of Nsaba Traditional Area and a Member of the Committee, then ordered Information Service Department to announce that Nana Agyekum was not guilty of the charges preferred against him.   He said some family members not satisfied with decision of the Reconciliation Committee set up by the Nsaba Traditional Council, on October 31 chased officials of Information Services Department asked to announce the verdict committee out of the town.      Mr Charles Sam and his driver had to flee for their dear lives to avoid being molested by the aggrieved family members of late Nana Aseidu Buabea II who died last year, he said.    Nana Appiah said with this action there is now fear and uncertainty in the town as they prepare to celebrate the Akwambo festival.    The head of Dwumona Clan appealed to the Regional Security Council and the President of Central Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kwebu Ewusi to intervene to ensure peace and stability in the town.    When Nana Sekyi was contacted on phone he confirmed that the committee found no case against Nana Agyekum and ordered Information Services Department Officers to announce the decision to the general public.    Nana sekyi appealed to them to accept the verdict in good faith to ensure peace and development at Agona Nsaba.     GNA ...

Anloga (VR), Nov 3, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Saturday urged Ghanaians to maintain the peace and stability of the nation to propel the Government‘s accelerated development agenda.   He explained there could be no meaningful development in the absence of peace.   The Vice President asked Ghanaians to retain the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) come December 7th presidential and parliamentary elections for it to continue and complete the development projects it was working on.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur made the request when he addressed a grand durbar to climax the golden jubilee celebration of the festival of Hogbetsotsoza of the chiefs and people of the Anlo Traditional Area, in Anloga in the Volta Region.   It was held on the theme: Deepening our Reconciliation, Unity and Peace towards Accelerated Development.”   Instituted 50 years ago by Togbi Adeladza II, the Awoamefia (Paramount Chief) of Anlo of blessed memory, the festival was in remembrance of the unity of the ancestors of the land in which they planned and staged a revolution that brought them out from the tyranny of Togbi Agokoli of Notsie to the present home of the Anlos.   It was also envisaged that the Hogbetsotsoza would bring families together and where necessary help resolve family problems.   The festival was also to bring together political leaders and Anlos in the Diaspora together to help to undertake projects to develop the Anlo Traditional Area.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur eulogized the Anlo forebears for their bravery and the fight against the wicked King Agokoli.   He reassured the people of the Government’s commitment to development projects including the Easter Corridor roads, and the coastal protection projects as well as an electrification projects in some communities of the Anlo State, but reminded the people that could only take place if they renewed the mandate of the NDC.   The Vice President assured the people that the Government had built a strong foundation for an economic and social take off and urged the people to come out and vote massively to retain the NDC in power so that it would complete the projects.   Togbi Sri III, Awoamefia of the State, commended the Government on recent development achievements like the Coastal Protection Project at Akplowowtorkor, the electrification of 23 communities in the Shime Area, construction of classroom blocks to remove schools under trees, and the rehabilitation of roads.   He appealed for more projects in deprived areas and called on the Government to establish the Keta Basin Development Authority by law of funds to oversee the present and future development of the Keta Lagoon Basin.   Togbi Sri praised Anlo citizens for their virtues of loyalty accountability and courage, and urged them to eschew diffidence and lack of confidence.   Dr Bennard Glover, a Member of the Council of State, who chaired the durbar, stressed unity and peace in the development process of State.   The durbar was kept alive with traditional musical and dance performances, gymnastics and magical display.   The Government of Ghana presented a quantity of assorted drinks and GH¢ 5,000 towards the celebration.   Present were Former President Jerry Rawlings and Spokesperson Kofi Adams; Mr Victor Gbeho a former President of the ECOWAS Commission; Mr Dan Abodakpi, a Diplomat and Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Tourism Minister.     GNA...

Kpandai (N/R), Nov 3, GNA - Alhaji Abdulai Karimu, a 56-year old crops and livestock farmer from Mpaha in the Central Gonja District has been adjudged Northern Regional Best Farmer.   Alhaji Karimu cultivates cereals, root and tubers, legumes, vegetables, tree crops in large acreages and also keeps livestock at different locations in the Central and East Gonja districts of the Northern Region and at Sawaba in the Brong Ahafo Region.   For his prize, Alhaji Karimu took home a grinding mill, Knapsack sprayer, a bicycle, two bags of fertilizer, 10 cutlasses, a pair of Wellington boots, a rice cooker, a radio cassette recorder and a certificate.   The Northern Regional Best Farmers' Awards ceremony, which was held at the Kpandai D/A Primary Park, also saw Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana win the Regional Best Farmer in Maize category.   Madam Hellen Atta a 55-year old maize, pepper, and rice farmer from Nkanchina in the Kpandai District also emerged overall District Best Farmer. She took home an Apsonic Motorbike, three cutlasses, a pair of wellington boots, a radio cassette recorder, and a certificate.   In all, there were 23 regional awards for farmers and processors in all categories while the district also gave 20 competitive and five auxiliary awards with all the winners taking home various prizes including bicycles, pair of wellington boots, cutlasses, bags of fertilizers, radio cassette recorders and certificates.   Five winners out of the regional awards received their prizes at the national level in Accra in the categories of rice, cattle, yam, soyaben and best Agric Extension Agent (AEA).   This year's awards ceremony, which was the 28th in the series, was on the theme: "Grow More Food: Strengthening Farmers-Based Organizations for Marketplace Bargaining Power".   Mr San Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, urged farmers to take advantage of the Export Development and Agriculture Investment Fund to expand their productivity.   Mr William Boakye-Acheampong, Northern Regional Director of Agriculture congratulated all farmers, especially the award winners for their contribution to national development.     GNA...

Dwomo (W/R), Nov. 3, GNA - Forty-one (41) farmers received various awards at Dwomo in the Shama district as part of the 28th National and 4th District Farmers' Day celebration.   The awards include matchets, Wellington boots, bicycles, pieces of cloth, electric iron and certificates.   A middle-aged man and an experienced farmer, Mr. Albert Tawiah Asemasa emerged the overall district best farmer.   For his award, he took home a bicycle, a pair of wellington boots, half piece of cloth, two matchets, a wireless set, a lamp-side sprayer and a certificate.   Deputy Western Regional Minister, Madam Emelia Arthur said agriculture sector contributes about 35% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and admitted that farmers and fishermen held the key to the survival of the nation.   It is against this backdrop that government established the national food buffer stock to store their products and subsidized agricultural inputs such as fertilizers to make it affordable to farmers.   Madam Arthur said government spent more money to import rice hence local farmers must cultivate more and assured rice farmers whose crops were destroyed during the inland rice project, to bear with government as it finds measures to address their concerns.   She asked farmers, especially the youth to liaise with the district Assembly on guidelines to venture into aqua culture and also urged them to go into animal husbandry.   Touching on the forthcoming elections, she said it was not about war but sharing of ideas, adding that politics should not destroy the structure of the economy.   She asked Ghanaians to vote for leaders they thought could move the development of the nation forward and sustain the peace.   The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama, Mr. Enock Kodwo Appiah asked farmers to seek advice on the use of fertilizers from extension officers to improve crop yield. He said the Assembly welcomed farmers who wanted to venture into vegetable production since it would be a lucrative venture as the Western Region was full of immigrants due to the oil and gas industry.   Mr. Appiah used the occasion to appeal to farmers to take the education of their children seriously and was sad that this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination results in Dwomo were appalling.   The District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Kwaku Appiah commended the efforts of farmers in the area to ensure food sufficiency during the year under review.   He advised farmers to put in more effort so as to be represented at the national best farmers’ award category.       GNA...

Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – The Accra Plastic Waste Project (APWP) through the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology (MEST), has distributed 1,150 sachets waste rubber containers to food vendors within some ministries to ensure good sanitation.   Among the ministries that benefitted were MEST, Ministry of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Tourism and Pension House.   Miss Jane Amerley Oku, Coordinator of APWP, who led the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Taskforce in the distribution, told the Ghana News Agency said the exercise was designed for the area to deter people from throwing sachet wastes indiscriminately.   She reminded workers of the various ministries that a clean and healthy environment was the surest way to good health and urged them to keep their surroundings clean at all times.   She said the choice of Accra as a Millennium City demanded a new attitude by the people to keep the metropolis as well as the ministries area clean always.   Miss Oku advised the people to refrain from indiscriminate throwing of plastic wastes into gutters and drains and rather keep them to sell to recycling companies.   Mr Fredua Agyeman, Director of Environment at the MEST, who received the rubbers, expressed gratitude to the APWP for the good initiative.     GNA...

Kwabre, Nov. 3, GNA - Mr Kofi Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East Constituency, has stated that the December 7, general elections would not be a “do and die” affair.   He said people should therefore not characterize it with violence and bloodshed.   “It is not worth shedding blood for any politician, don’t shed blood for me, just go to the polls and vote for your favourite candidate”, Mr Frimpong stated.   He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Kenyase on the need for the people, especially the youth to maintain peace before, during and after the elections on Saturday.   Mr Frimpong advised politicians against inciting their followers to fight their opponents because that create tension in the country.   He cautioned radio station owners against allowing their airwaves to be used by unscrupulous politicians to cause tension in the country and advised presenters and journalists to play their gate keeping role effectively to avoid unbridled usurpation of radio to cause confusion in the country.   Mr Frimpong called on his colleague politicians not to use radio to condemn their opponents, spread lies but rather, be fair with each other.     GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 3, GNA – Christian students have been advised to be morally upright and live above reproach so as to be able to transform others in society.   They should desist from acts of vandalism, hooliganism, rioting, cheating and examination malpractices which are the order of the day in some tertiary institutions.   Professor William Oduro of the Institute of Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), gave the advice at the 37th matriculation of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi on Saturday.   Three hundred and eighty eight (388) students made up 216 males and 172 females out of 731 applicants were admitted and swore the matriculation oath to pursue degree and diploma programmes in Theology, Computer Science, Business Administration and Communication Studies.   Professor Oduro was worried about the involvement of so-called Christians in all forms of sin and said this had resulted in the situation whereby there was no marked difference between a Christian and a non-Christian in terms of attitude and lifestyle.   He said the Christian was not an ordinary citizen but a chosen and prepared vessel through which God executes His agenda of transforming and reconciling the world onto Himself.   Professor Oduro advised the students to be focused and have positive attitude towards what they did and obeyed the rules and regulations of the College.   Professor Emmanuel Frempong, President of the University, said there were 1,695 students currently pursuing various degree and diploma programmes at the University.   He said the University offered the best environment and opportunities for students to accomplish their vision and advised the new students to take advantage and study hard to achieve their aims.     GNA...

Kenyase, Nov. 3, GNA - A 39-year-old carpenter from Bampenase Asamanya, Mr Amos Boateng was on Friday crowned the overall best farmer in the Kwabre East District of Ashanti.   This was at the 28th farmers’ day celebration held at Kenyase.   He received a table top fridge, a bicycle, a radio cassette recorder, three cutlasses, full piece of wax print, wellington boots, a spraying machine and two bars of soap.   Mr Boateng has a large palm and orange plantation farms, among other crops, and rears variety of animals and livestock as well as owns a fish pond with about 5,000 fishes.   Twenty two (22) other farmers were also awarded at the ceremony which attracted a large crowd of people.   Madam Abena Wusuaa of Kenyase, was adjudged the first runner-up and took home a 21-inche colour television, two cutlasses, half piece of cloth, a knapsack spraying machine, wellington boots and two bars of soap.   The district best youth farmer, went to Mr Kwame Oppong Mansuo, a teacher. He received a sewing machine, a half piece of wax print, wellington boots and two bars of soap.   All the other awardees received prizes ranging from Knapsack spraying machines, herbicides, cutlasses, pieces of cloth and others for their efforts.   The theme for this year’s celebration was “Grow more food, strengthening farmer-based organizations for market place bargaining power”.   Mr Iddisah Adams, District Chief Executive, said government had initiated a number of programmes to promote agricultural development and growth in the district.   Among them are fertilizer subsidy, mass cocoa spraying exercise as well establishment of funds to provide credit facilities to farmers to expand their operations.   Mr Adams advised farmers in the district to form associations to enable them benefit from financial assistance to expand their farms and increase production.   Mr Samuel K. Semakor, the District Director of Agriculture, congratulated the award winners for their hard work and promised government’s support to help them expand their activities.   He expressed concern about sand winning activities currently taking over farm lands in the district and appealed to chiefs to take a second look at the situation since that was affecting food production.   Mr Kofi Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East Constituency, advised farmers to adopt new methods of farming to suit the changes in weather to enable them increase yield.   He advised the youth in the area to go into farming since it was a profitable business venture.   Mr Boateng, the best farmer thanked government for the honour and called for pragmatic measures such as ready market for their produce, credit facilities to help motivate the youth to go into farming.               GNA...

Manso-Atwere (Ash), Nov. 3, GNA – Mr Charles Oti Prempeh, Amansie West District Chief Executive (DCE), has encouraged farmers and other workers in the agricultural sector to continue to work hard to increase agricultural productivity.   He said this was important because the government could not achieve its food security agenda and accelerate the development of the nation without the hard work and effective contribution of people in the agricultural sector.   Mr Prempeh was speaking at the 28th district farmers’ day celebration at Manso-Atwere in the district.   In all, 20 farmers were honoured with the overall district best farmer award going to the 54-year-old, Mr Adanse Bona of Muano.   For his prize, he was presented with a double-decker refrigerator, a 21-inch television set, a full piece of wax print, 12 pieces of cutlass, five bars of soap and a certificate.   Each of the other award winners took home half piece wax print, pieces of cutlass and bars of soap.   The DCE congratulated the farmers and reminded them of government’s policies and programmes put in place to address challenges facing agricultural development in the country.   Dr. Albert Kofi Kwansah-Filson, the District Director of Agriculture, expressed concern about the extensive degradation of land and environment by the uncontrolled gold mining activities in the district.   He said the challenges for residents, were not only high prices of food and services in the area, but the total cost of rehabilitation of the environment.   Dr. Kwansah-Filson said there was therefore the need for all stakeholders to come together to reclaim the environment.   Brigadier General Opoku Adusei, General Officer commanding the Northern Command, called for effective monitoring of the operations of illegal miners in the area.       GNA...

Apowa (W/R), Nov. 3, GNA - The Western Regional branch of the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU), have called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to re-open negotiation to conclude agreement on the payment of critical support premium.   They said the critical support premium was for teaching and learning of teachers and non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES).   The call was contained in a resolution adopted at a two-day training workshop for District Council Officers of the TEWU in the Western Region at Apowa near Takoradi on Friday.   Brother Robert Zanutey, Regional Chairman of the Union and Sister Doris Abadoo, President of the Women’s Wing, Brother Anthony Compson and Sister Wilhelmenia Bart-Plange, National Executive Committee members, signed the resolution.   The Union said it was giving the FWSC up to November 16 this year to re-open the negotiation or it will advise itself.   It said the premium was being paid to all teachers and 11 out of 22 grades of non-teaching staff of the GES and this was causing problems.   The Union said the grades that had been left out, contributed significantly to education delivery.   It said FWSC was paying the premium to all teachers in offices doing the work of non-teaching staff.   The Union said this was discriminatory because the non-teaching staff provided the necessary support to make the work of teachers complete.   It said when FWSC asked the union to give justifiable reasons why all grades of non-staffing should benefit from the premium, it did so but the Commission had still not called for the negotiation.   The Union further urged the FWSC to listen to demands of workers of the education sector for a review of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in order to resolve distortions relating placement and grades.   It asked the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to approve the operation of the second tier of the National Pension Scheme so that workers could enjoy their benefits when they retire. The Union added that the government should lift the ban on the recruitment of non-teaching staff of the GES so that vacant positions could be filled.     GNA...

Washington, Nov. 3, GNA – A major phenomenon observed in this year’s US political campaigns ahead of the November 6th polls is advertisement by individuals and organisations to promote favourite candidates.   Unlike the 2008 presidential elections where social media such as “facebook and twitter” became the main mediums of campaign by political parties, particularly the Democrats, this time round advertisement of all sorts is dominating the contest.   This revelation came to light during a tour by 11 West African and Ethiopian Journalists to various US Federal agencies and some private organisations to acquaint themselves with their functions and responsibilities.   Mr. William Buzenberg, Executive Director, Centre for Public Integrity, an investigative journalism body in the US capital, who was not so enthused about the current development, questioned the factuality of campaign messages put across by these society and individual.   “It only goes to affirm the positions and beliefs and not exactly the realities on the ground. Some are indeed misleading,” he said.   Dr. David Alexander, Assistant Director, Centre for Design, methods, and Analysis of the US Government of Accountability Office, said unlike other countries in the world, the US election system was highly decentralized with authority being shared by Federal, State and Local officials.   The states are therefore responsible for the administration of their own elections as well as regulating the various aspects of the electoral process. But Congress has the explicit authority under the Elections Clause to regulate the times, places and manner of congressional and presidential elections.   Dr. Alexander said the primary responsibility for managing, planning and conducting elections, resided locally with about 10,500 jurisdictions nationwide, adding that the Federal Government had a one-time grant to aid local authorities in conducting their own elections.   He said about two million poll workers were needed for the November 6 federal elections, adding whiles some were paid by appointing political parties, others came as volunteers.   The US citizen could either vote through a paper ballot, lever machines, punch cards, optical scan and direct recording elections machines. Early or absentee and provisional voting was also allowed under the system.   Dr. Alexander said a major issue of the 2012 elections was voter identification requirement, adding whilst 31 states had requirement for all eligible voters to show identification card, 11 states specified identification cards with the voter’s photograph.   Some of the institutions visited included the Office of the Inspector General of the District of Columbia, US Government Accountability Office (GAO), and International Centre for Journalists, the Centre for Public Integrity and the “OpenTheGovernment.org”.   GAO is an independent body mandated to investigate and conduct research and other finding for Congress to take action.   Mr. Chuck Young, Managing Director of the Public Affairs, said the agency was created to assist Congress to meet its constitutional responsibilities and improve the performance and ensure accountability of federal government for the benefit of the American People.   The GAO reports therefore thrive on accountability, integrity and reliability with strict performance standards.   Mr. Young said the GAO supported congressional oversight by investigating auditing agencies, illegal and improper activities, reporting on government programmes and policies, performing policy analysis and outlining options for congressional consideration as well as issuing legal decisions and opinions.   Mr. Charles Willoughby, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, District of Columbia, said the office, also an independent body, existed to promote the quality of lives of the people as well as ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in district government programmes and operations.   The office provided leadership, coordination and recommended policies designed to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in district.     From Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent, Washington DC (Courtesy US Embassy)...

Takinta (W/R), Nov. 3, GNA - A 61-year-old farmer at Onzanyamenleye, near Elubo, Mr Charles Hammond on Friday adjudged the Jomoro district overall best farmer in the 28th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Takinta near Half Assini.   He took home double-door refrigerator, Sonica radio cassette player, fornix bicycle, a spraying machine, six pieces cutlasses and two pair of Wellington boots.    Seventeen other outstanding farmers were also awarded for the hard work and given full piece of Wax prints, a pair of Wellington Boots, three pieces of cutlasses and bags of wheat.   The Jomoro District Chief Executive, Mr Sylvester Daddie urged farmers to form effective and sustainable cooperatives to market their produce at competitive prices.   He said food supply chain had been characterized by a lot middlemen, who over the years had robbed farmers of their needed rightful income.   The Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye, who chaired the function, said the oil extraction in the area would affect sea fishing and   He therefore urged the youth who could not weed to enter into fishing to enable them earn a livelihood.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA - Majority of Ghanaians are suffering from glaucoma without knowing it, Mrs Lydia Attoh, Principal Nursing Officer, Korle-Bu has said.   Available statistics show that currently 600,000 Ghanaians have Glaucoma with about 30,000 already blind.   She said people had a negative culture of not going for medical check-ups and rather preferred self medication without the optician’s advice.   Mrs Attoh said this on Saturday at an eye screening organised by the First Premium Lion, a voluntary organisation and a member of the international Lion Club in Accra over the weekend.   Majority of the people screened were said to be affected with glaucoma and other diseases, which can cause blindness. Glaucoma can damage the eyes’ optic nerve and result in blindness.   Mrs Attoh said through early detection and with proper treatment, satisfactory sight could usually be preserved indefinitely.   The Principal Nursing Officer said the eye needed a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in shape so that it could work properly.   “In some people, the damage is caused by raised pressure. Others may have an eye pressure within normal limits but damage occurs because there is a weakness in the optic nerve. In most cases both factors are involved but to a varying extent,” she added.   She said certain tissues within the eye such as the lens were nourished by a fluid called aqueous humour and that if the optic nerve came under too much pressure it could be injured.   Mrs Attoh stated that Glaucoma risk factors included family history of glaucoma, myopia, diabetes and high intraocular pressure.   She said cataract is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness that affects children as well as adults and its treatment was much more difficult in developing countries.   She said many people were needlessly blind from cataract because they don’t know that it could be cured or do not have the money to visit the hospital.   She advised people to refrain from robbing the eye, staying behind computer for a longer period as well as avoid treating the eye not recommended by a doctor.   Mrs Fredrica Odie Benefo, a nurse, debunked a notion that eating of gari causes blindness and advised that people should eat balanced diet.   She commended the Club for the exercise and promised to work with any organisation that wanted to partner with them to embark on a sensitization programme.   Lions Club embarks on programmes that help the vulnerable.   Lion Atawa Akyea, a past President of the Club, said they performed volunteer work for many different community projects – including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding the disabled.   Lion Akyea said the Club was putting up an eye clinic at Korle-Bu to augment the work of other eye centres.   The exercise formed part of Lions social responsibility towards the development of the nation and also to help address the issue blindness.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA - Inflation in the Communication industry is 0.6 per cent, the lowest among all the key sectors in Ghana.   The near-zero growth in cost of telecommunication services in Ghana has produced a stabilization effect on Ghana’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth month on month.   The Consumer Price Index measures changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households.   A statement from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication said between Jan and July 2012, telecoms recorded stable inflation, yielding 0.7% each month, with notably transportation being the highest commodity group with 19%.   Electricity, which constitutes 50% of the operating expenditure of telecom companies and other utilities, recorded 8% average inflation.   In August and September 2012, telecoms inflation dropped even further to 0.2%, with the highest commodity group still being transportation with 19.4%.   The statement said the telecom sector, which had created over 1.5 million jobs, had had a positive influence on general inflation.   "Telecommunication has been acknowledged as a major driver of economic growth and social development globally."     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday began a two-day pilot biometric verification exercise in two districts in the Greater Accra Region.   The exercise is to enable the EC to have a firsthand experience of what the actual polls will be like on December.   Mr. Alexander Doku Akubia, Greater Accra Director of the EC told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the exercise took off smoothly and was progressing peacefully and successfully.   The exercise is taking place at two polling centres in the Ashiedu Keteke District – the YCWA Polling Station and the Sempe Primary Number One Polling Station.   Tomorrow November 4th, the EC will move to the Ga West District to conduct the exercise at the Church of Pentecost and Pobiman Private School Polling Stations.   Mr Akubia appealed to voters in the polling stations to be patient with the election officials. He said the Voter ID card was required to vote.   He also advised the general electorate to cooperate with the election officials on voting day should a problem arise, noting that Presiding Officers were well capable to deal with election issues.   "Our officials should also keep to the regulations of the EC", he said.   Mr. Maxwell Kwamina, Deputy Returning Officer at the Accra Sempe Primary Number One Polling Station, said after verifying 115 voters, he had been re-assured that the system was perfect.   "Nobody should even think of cheating because this system would definitely give them away," he advised.     GNA...

Odomase, Nov. 3, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister on Friday called on farmers to help promote peace during Election 2012.      He made the call at the 28th Brong-Ahafo Regional Farmers’ Day celebration at Odomase, near Sunyani on the theme “Grow More Food, Strengthening for Market place Bargaining Power.”      Sixty-three farmers were awarded with bicycles, cloth, Wellington boots, spraying machines, cutlasses and soap.      Mr Zakari Atanga of Kobedi Number One, who was adjudged the Best Regional Farmer, took home a corn mill, a piece of cloth, cutlass, and soap.      Mr Nyamekye-Marfo observed that Ghana belonged to the citizenry and not any political party, therefore there was the need to unite in peace.      He asked the farmers to advise their children and the people in their communities against vices which could instigate violence to derail the prevailing peace in the country.      “It is only when there is peace that farmers could go to their farms to support their families,” he added.      On bushfires, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo advised the public to desist from setting fire in the bush to destroy farms and the vegetation during hunting and burning of charcoal.      He said fire volunteers would be well resourced this year, to encourage them to help in the fight against bushfires in the Region.      Mr Kwabena Taah Korang, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) of the Ghana Fire Service said the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded 129 bushfires between January and April this year, as compared to 53 bushfires in 2011.      Mr Korang, who is the Second-in-Command for Brong-Ahafo Region, said fire destroyed properties worth GH¢ 700, 000 with 12 deaths, while four forest reserves and four forest plantation were destroyed.      He appealed for more resources for fire volunteers to improve their performance and urged the public to appreciate their efforts in the prevention of bushfires.      In the Atebubu-Amanten District, 23 farmers were honoured at the celebration held at Watro, a farming community.       Mr Sanja Nanja, Atebubu-Amanten District Chief Executive said 600 farmers had been supported with improved maize seeds, fertilizer and tractor services under the SADA Africa connection for maize production in the district.      He said the assistance covered 550 hectares and that government would continue to subsidize the cost of fertilizer and other farming inputs for farmers.      Mr Nanja said government would continue to embark on the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme, block farming and other programmes to benefit framers, adding that, 320 farmers in the district had benefited from such programmes.      He said farmers at Sampa, Mem, Nwonnwam, Duabone Number One and Abotreye had benefited from the Commercial Feed Yam Programme this year.      Mr Nanja reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that potential investments in agriculture would be encouraged for municipal and district assemblies to establish agro-processing industries, which had the potential to attract the unemployment youth into farming.      He appealed to the youth in the district to desist from migrating to urban areas, which had been a major cause of low productivity in the country.      Mr Wilfred Anonabaga, Atebubu-Amanten District Director of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) advised the farmers to see agriculture as a business, which emphasised the theme for this year’s celebration.      He said MOFA had re-awakened farmers on the need to be self-reliant and forge a united front in their activities.      Mr Anonabaga said that would strengthen their efforts to improve on their livelihood, and increase their income.      Twenty-three farmers were honoured in the district with 39-year-old Anthony Kofi Bonna, being adjudged as the overall best farmer.      He was presented with a motorbike (Tricycle), Wellington boots, two machetes, a knapsack, radio cassette player and a packet of roofing sheets.      Mr Bonna cultivated 14 acres of maize, six acres of yam, six acres of cassava, 24 acres of rice, two acres of mango as well as breeding 20 pigeons, 40 cattle and 23 local fowls.      A 56-year-old farmer, Mr Issaka Widani at Abesim was adjudged the overall best farmer in the Sunyani Municipality.      He received a motorbike, radio cassette player, spraying machine, cutlasses, Wellington boots and a citation.      Mr Paul Awentarega, a farmer from Yawhima was adjudged second best farmer and took home a refrigerator, wax prints, Wellington boots, cutlasses, bicycle, a coloured television set and a spraying machine.      Twenty-six other farmers were honoured for their contribution to national food security.      Mr Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive emphasised that agriculture continued to be a major contributor to Ghana’s economy as 28.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was from the sector.      He said government would continue to intensify and expand the youth-in-agriculture programme through the supply of farm inputs and equipment, such as improved seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigational equipment and tractors at subsidized prices.      In addition, government would improve the mass cocoa spraying exercise and create avenues for increased research in the agriculture sector.      Barima Kumi Acheaw, Chief of Abesim commended government for the celebration of the Day and advised farmers to engage the services of agricultural extension officers to increase food production.     GNA...