Accra, Nov. 8, GNA-   The President on Thursday congratulated the Israeli government for sending in experts in rescue mission to assist in efforts to help people trapped under the debris of the collapsed Achimota branch of Melcom Shopping Mall.      Madam Sharon Bar-Li, Israeli Ambassador led the eight member team accompanied by a sniffer dog to the scene at exactly 1400 with high tech equipment including life detectors, sensors, cameras and drilling equipment.      President John Dramani Mahama, who was addressing journalists called for a thorough investigations into what might have caused the collapse and the appropriate punishment meted out to those who would be found culpable.     He however urged Ghanaians not to read meanings into the incident.     He expressed his appreciation to all those involved in the rescue mission especially Corporal Nestor Anieteba, of the Striking Force, for risking his life to save about four people who were trapped.      Madam Bar-Li, said the Israeli government decided to assist in the rescue efforts because the country  have specialists in the field and had undertaken such missions all over the world including the United States, Haiti, and Turkey.      She said Israel decided to assist due to the good relations with Ghana.      So far 78 people have been rescued with nine confirmed dead. Nine more dead bodies have been discovered by the Israeli team under the rubble and efforts are underway to bring them out.      In a related development, a truck with a Burkina Faso registration number heading towards Tema caught fire at Achimota.     The truck which was overloaded with rubber plants tough lights and other carbon substance caught fire because the cargo had reached the ignition level.      It took the effort of officers of the Ghana National Fire Service who were helping in the rescue mission at the site of the collapsed Melcom building to put off the fire.      The truck has been impounded by the Police.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.8 GNA- The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction about the falling standards of legal education in the country.   She said one of the reasons for the falling standards of legal education is embedded in students’ lazy attitudes towards reading. The Chief Justice made this known in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of a book titled: “Becharming the law school devil,” by Ms Akosua Adjeibea Ahenkorah, a law student, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana.   The book is about exercising control over the law school challenges.   The book also talks about that the challenges that prospective students face when they enter the law school, overcoming examination fears as well as the author’s own personal life experiences as a law student.   The Chief Justice said the liberalisation of legal education and the growth of aw schools across the country have increased the number of lawyers being produced.   She said the legal profession has become increasingly competitive than before and as such law students need to put in extra effort in order to stay afloat.   She commended the author for putting together great information in her book aimed at helping prospective law students to overcome the hurdles one is bound to face in the first year.   Mrs Justice Wood said admissions to the professional law course have become overly competitive and as such it is important for law students to prepare adequately and effectively to make one eligible for the Bar training programme.   “Reading this book and adapting the suggestions to your personality would set you up for the next level of your legal education,” she said.   Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Tourism said the book should be for all students and not only law students to help them in their academic work.   She said the book must serve as a guide to all students to help them in their planning, time management and how to prepare for examinations.   Ms Sena Dansua urged the law school to train their students in ICT to make them more competitive on the job market.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 08, GNA -The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday outlined modalities for declaring a duly elected candidate either at the Presidential or Parliamentary elections and called on all to adhere to the procedure.   The EC in a document obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Accra stated that: “except where a candidate is declared elected unopposed, the winner of a parliamentary election would be decided on a simple plurality or first-past-the post basis.   “This means that the candidate who obtains the highest number of valid votes cast wins the election.”   The EC reiterated that the winner of a presidential election must obtain at least 50per cent plus one of the total valid votes cast.   The Commission explains that in event of a run-off; it shall be conducted between the candidates who obtained the two highest numbers of votes within 21 days after the declaration of the result.   On the issue of Vice President, the EC said a person is deemed elected Vice-President when the Presidential Candidate who designated him/her as the running mate is duly elected.   The EC explained that the results of a presidential election are officially declared through a Constitutional Instrument (CI) signed by the EC’s Chairman.   It said the result of parliamentary elections would be officially declared by Gazette notification.   The EC said a citizen of Ghana may challenge the validity of the election of the President in the Supreme Court within 21 days after the result has been declared.       “A citizen of Ghana may challenge the validity of the election of a Member of Parliament in the High Court, within 21 days after the result has been declared, with a right of appeal to the Appeal Court”.   According to the EC three things are particularly noteworthy from the description of what happens from the voting period through the counting of the ballots to the declaration of the results of the elections.   The EC said the process leading to the declaration of the final results of the elections are thoroughly decentralized and transparent.   In the case of a presidential election, the results are first declared at the more than 20,000 polling stations then at the 275 constituency centres and next at the 10 regional capitals before they are finally transmitted to the EC's Head Officer in Accra.   In effect the EC Commissioners in Accra are the last to see the results and cannot, therefore, alter them.   GNA observations are that the arrangement is such that a well-organized political party or candidate should be able to know the outcome of the elections long before the Commissioners in Accra announce the final results.   Thus, a candidate or party can add up the scores and challenge the authenticity of the results declared by the Commission if they did not tally.   The results of an election can be verified at various stages all the way down to the individual polling stations.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated US President Barack Obama for his re-election for a second term saying it shows the unshakable confidence of Americans in him and the Democratic Party.   In a letter to the US president released by the Office of the President on Thursday, President Mahama said he had received with great joy the news of President  Obama's re-election and was wishing him success during his second term of office.   “Your resounding victory in the closely fought presidential election held on Tuesday 6th November 2012, is a strong testimony of the unshakeable confidence reposed by the American people in you and in the Democratic Party, to lead the United States of America in the years ahead, to continue to strengthen America’s economy, maintain its strong political institutions, protect its borders and give hope to the millions of people around the world who cherish the values of freedom, unfettered economic growth and the pursuit of their ideals of a better life,” the letter said.   President Mahama said he looked forward to continuing to work with the US president and the government to strengthen and deepen the excellent partnership between Ghana and the United States of America over the next four years, for the realistion of fruitful programmes that would inure to their mutual benefit.   President Obama defeated the Republican Party challenger, Mitt Romney, in the election held on Tuesday.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – An 18-man Israeli Rescue Mission is expected to arrive in Ghana on Thursday to help locate and extract any remaining survivors in the collapsed Melcom shopping mall disaster that took place on Wednesday.     In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday an Official of the Embassy of Israel Eyal Lampert said the team would move straight from the airport to the disaster zone immediately to assist the Ghanaian rescue team on the ground.   He said the Israeli team is expected to work in collaboration with the detachment from the Field Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army currently at the site.     The hard work of the Field Engineer Regiment, NADMO (National Disaster Management Organisation) and other emergency institutions including the Ghana Police and the National Ambulance Service has led to the rescue of at least 51 persons from the rubble.      According to the Embassy official the team would undertake initial assessment at the site using special equipment and sniffer dogs that would help identify the locations of possible survivors or corpses.      He Israel has in addition to the rescue to team put on standby about 150 support team and logistics including field hospitals, concrete cutters among to move to Ghana should the initial assessment deem it necessary.   GNA...

We reproduce below, the congratulatory message from President John Dramani Mahama to United States President Barack Obama, following the latter's victory in last Tuesday's election in America: Excellency, I have received with great joy the news of your re-election as the 44th President of the United States of America, and on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana and on my on behalf, I wish to convey to you our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for success during your second term of office. Your resounding victory in the closely fought presidential elections held on Tuesday 6th November 2012, is a strong testimony of the unshakeable confidence reposed by the American people in you and in the Democratic Party, to lead the United States of America in the years ahead, to continue to strengthen America’s economy, maintain its strong political institutions, protect its borders and give hope to the millions of people around the world who cherish the values of freedom, unfettered economic growth and the pursuit of their ideals of a better life. I look forward to continuing to work with you and your government, to strengthen and deepen the excellent partnership between Ghana and the United States of America over the next four years, for the realisation of fruitful programmes that will inure to our mutual benefit. Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.     GNA  ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has accepted an offer from Israel to help locate and extract any remaining survivors in the collapsed Melcom shopping mall disaster that took place on Wednesday.     A statement on Thursday signed by Mr John Jinapor, Presidential Spokesperson, said an 18-man team from Israel would arrive in Accra during the day.     The statement said the Israeli team would be working in close collaboration with the detachment from the Field Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army currently at the site.     "The hard work of the Field Engineer Regiment, NADMO (National Disaster  Management Organisation) and other emergency institutions including the Ghana Police and the National Ambulance Service has led to the rescue of at least 51 persons from the rubble."      Mr. Jinapor said the team would make an initial assessment of the site using special equipment and sniffer dogs that would help identify the locations of possible survivors or corpses.      An additional team of about 150 with additional equipment including field hospitals, concrete cutters among others are on standby to move to Ghana should the initial assessment deem it necessary.      President Mahama on Wednesday suspended his campaign in the Upper East Region and flew to Accra following news of the collapsed building.      He has since visited the site and some hospitals where the rescued workers and shoppers are recuperating.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - The Greater Accra Kickboxing Association (GAKA) and the Ghana Kickboxing  Association (GKA)  will in December hold three Kickboxing Championship as part of efforts to promote peace before, during and after the 2012 General Elections.       A statement signed by Charles Christian Nortey, General Secretary of GKA and copied to the GNA Sports said, the three events are slated for the 1st, the 15th and the 29th December, 2012 at the Rawlings Park, Salenko Night Club - High Street and the RLG/Hathramani Sports Hall, Accra Sports Stadium respectively at 7.00 pm each night.      According to the statement, the three events, will also serve as a platform to unearth talents to form the nucleus of the national team.        It said, the GAKA and the GKA will on Friday, December 14, hold a press conference ahead of the championship, at the Media Center at the Accra Sports Stadium to announce their preparations for the three events.        The Associations will also use the occasion, to present awards and certificates, to both fighters and sponsors who made it possible for the former event at the Sea View Hotel last year. GNA...

Accra, November 8, GNA - The Board and Management of Globacom, the African telecommunications giant, has sent a message of condolence to the captain of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan and his family, following the loss of his mother, Madam Cecelia Amoako, on November 6.       In a letter sent to the ace striker and signed by Patrick Awotwi, Head of Business, Glo Mobile Ghana, said ”coming on the heels of your recent appointment as captain of the Black Stars, the sudden passing of his mother must be devastating not only to you, but also to your family and all those who are concerned about your welfare and the progress of your career as an international football icon”.       It said "On behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, the Management and Staff of Glo Mobile Ghana, we convey to you and your family our heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of your dear mother, Madam Cecelia Love Amoako".       He said Glo Mobile Ghana sincerely commiserates with Gyan and his extended family in this period of pain and prayed to the Almighty God to grant him the strength and fortitude to bear the pain of the irreparable loss.        In February 2011, Gyan was unveiled in Accra as Glo’s seventeenth Brand Ambassador, joining the network’s impressive line-up of local stars and icons, mostly musicians and movie stars.          Gyan’s recent appointment as captain of the Black Stars was widely hailed as a wise move by the Management and staff of Glo, who considered the elevation as an endorsement of the vision and confidence the company has always reposed in Gyan as a super sports brand.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – Sweden Ghana Medical Center ( SGMC), providers of specialized cancer treatment, on Thursday launched the Sweden Ghana Cancer Foundation (SGCF), a non-profit organization, in Accra.     The objective of the foundation is to provide financial support for early treatment to Ghana's cancer patients, who would not be able to afford cost of treatment, and to educate the public on cancer prevention.    Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who launched the foundation, said the foundation is to expose and fight the disease, to promote good healthy life and protect the lives of cancer patients.     He said the initiative was a course for humanity and that there was no better way to show love for Ghanaians cancer patients than to support the foundation.     Former President Kufuor said the SGCF would bring life and hope to Ghana’s cancer patients, especially children, and called for the sustenance of the foundation.     He said: “I am appealing to Ghanaians, cooperate bodies and organizations to support the foundation.”     Professor Joe-Nat Clegg-Lamptey, Head of the Department of Surgery at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, said the increasing number of cancer cases, especially breast cancer, in the country was alarming and Government alone could not tackle the situation.      He said the causative factors for the increase in the prevalence of the disease was lack of knowledge, late detection and diagnosis, delayed in treatment procedures, negative socio-cultural beliefs and lack of funds for treatment.     Prof. Clegg-Lamptey said the National Health Insurance Scheme was covering only the basic treatment of breast and cervical cancer, and lauded the SGMC for establishing the foundation.     He said it was important for medical health professionals to continue to educate Ghanaians and extend the coverage of breast cancer management to the rest of the country.     Mrs Gladys Boateng, a survivor of breast cancer,  and Chief Executive Officer of Reach for Recovery, said the organization last year, had screened more than 23,000 cancer patients, and was important to support the foundation to save lives.     She said screening people in the rural areas was difficult, adding, “People in the rural areas believe in their cultural practices and they don’t want anybody to touch their breast in any way for screening.”     “We must extend serious education on cancer to the rural areas, especially breast and cervical cancer and Government should support the treatment of child cancer patients and design appropriate guidelines for cancer treatment.”     Dr Henry Broni-Amponsah, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, said the treatment of cancer was expensive than that of HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis.     He said: “No matter how little you contribute, it will save the life of somebody. The SGMC has provided seed capital of GHC 200,000 to start the operations of the foundation.”     The board of trustees are  Dr Henry Broni-Amponsah, Board Chairman of SGMC, Mrs Julia Osei Tutu, Wife of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - The U.S. Embassy in Accra on Thursday expressed its condolences for the loss of lives following the Melcom Shopping Mall disaster in Achimota in Accra. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, the first responders and the people of Ghana during this tragedy," a statement issued by the Embassy said. It said the Embassy had provided a 40 KV mobile generator with two 250 watts metal highlight lights to assist National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) personnel in their continuing efforts to locate and extract the remaining victims of the collapsed building. Nine people have so far been confirmed dead in Wednesday morning's disaster when the five-storey building collapsed. Mr Prince Billy Anaglate, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Fire Service (GNFS), said 76 people had been rescued from the ruins of the building. Meanwhile, a nine-man Israeli rescue mission on Thursday joined the Ghanaian team at the disaster site to assist in locating and extracting any remaining survivors. The team, whose plane landed at 13:37 hours on Thursday, was briefed by some Ghanaian officials at the site. President John Dramani Mahama accepted an offer from Israel to help locate and extract any remaining survivors in the collapsed Melcom shopping mall disaster. A statement on Thursday signed by Mr John Jinapor, Presidential Spokesperson, said the Israeli team would be working in close collaboration with the detachment from the Field Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Army currently at the site. The rescue team includes the Field Engineer Regiment, GNFS, NADMO and other emergency institutions, including the Ghana Police and the National Ambulance Service. Mr. Jinapor said the team would make an initial assessment of the site using special equipment and sniffer dogs that would help identify the locations of possible survivors or corpses. An additional team of about 150 with additional equipment including field hospitals, concrete cutters among others are on standby to move to Ghana should the initial assessment deem it necessary. President Mahama on Wednesday suspended his campaign tour of the Upper East Region and flew to Accra following news of the collapsed building. Candidates of the other parties have also suspended their campaigns.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – In-form Liberty Professionals will be face their major test as they  hosts leaders Medeama SC in their week seven clash of the 2012/2013 Premier League on Sunday at the Sly Tetteh Stadium, Dnasoman.     With the biggest game of the first halve of the season between bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak rescheduled for next week,  the match in Dansoman could pass the bill for this weekend’s topliner.     Liberty have been in superb form with victories in their last two games thanks to goals from new sensation, Kennedy Ashia, who sits at the apex of the scorers chart with five goals from six games.     The Dansoman lads are gradually discovering their feet and appear to have recovered from the departure of some key players, which affected their output in the opening matches.     Medeama, who are four points richer, will certainly be a mountain too tall to climb for the hosts, with the clash coming on the wheels of their lone-goal loss to Asante Kotoko last weekend.     The defeat to the Porcupine Warriors brought an end to the unbeaten run of the ‘Mauve and Yellow’ and coach Bashir Hayford will be banking on a positive outing on their third trip away from home this season to consolidate their hold at the top.     At Berekum, Chelsea are favoured to ditch Edubiase at the Golden City Park, with the false start of the latter serving the measuring rule. Chelsea has been impregnable at their backyard and Edubiase will have to cough out a magical performance to stun them.     AshantiGold will be at home to Aduana Stars in a dicey clash at the Len Clay Stadium. The Miners, yet to suffer a loss like Asante Kotoko will be hoping to add the Dormaa lads to their list of victims.     Aduana boasts of an impressive away record with just a loss and are the perfect side to test the three-match winning streak of the Miners, a point shy off leaders Medeama.     Matches between the two sides have been too close to call and this encounter is expected to follow tradition.     At Kpando, Heart of Lions welcomes King Faisal to their ‘den’ whilst Amidaus look set to add to the woes of bottom-placed Berekum Arsenal at the Tema Park.     Real Tamale United (RTU) will launch their six-match home ban against Tema Youth at the Essipong Stadium, near Sekondi. The Tamale lads are faced with a doubled agony; playing outside their home ground and the absence of head coach Mohamed Gargo on the bench, and must brace up for the challenge from the youth-dominated Tema Youth.     Any result other than victory will further add to the plight of the premiership returnees, still without a win from their last six games.     Ebusua Dwarfs will travel up north to face Wa All Stars at the Wa Park.     Meanwhile, the Asante Kotoko/Hearts of Oak clash will take place on November 18 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. All the matches were pushed forward following the amendment of the fixtures by the Premier League Board (PLB), but the ‘el-clasico’ can only come on next weekend due to the unavailability of the Baba Yara Stadium this weekend.               GNA ...

Accra, Nov.8, GNA - The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) seeks to use its commitment to provide stable and reliable energy supply to consumers as an electoral massage to win the December 2012 polls.     The NPP manifesto for Election 2012: “Transforming lives, Transforming Ghana,” made available to the Ghana News Agency indicates that the party seeks to complete the power generation expansion programme started under the previous NPP era to drive industrialization.     The NPP also promises to tackle what it describes as “the problems of neglect and mismanagement of Ghana’s energy resources” to ensure that there is adequate energy to drive business productivity and development and also meet the needs of domestic users for cooking, lighting and other uses.     According to the manifesto, under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the next NPP government will work with the private sector to increase output,  and re-open negotiations with interested partners to develop and complete the mini-hydro power projects such as Pwalugu, Juale, Ankobra and Tano.     The party also plans to exploit gas resources to increase energy supply, and by the end of 2016 extend rural access to electrification to 90 per cent.      In the petroleum sub-sector, the NPP argues that reforms in the governance structure initiated by the previous NPP government led to the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2007.      “Our policy on the petroleum sector will be to focus on the continued exploration for more reserves and ensure transparency in the operations of Ghana’s oil fields and outputs”.      According to the manifesto, the party will enact laws that will improve the legal regime for petroleum exploration, production and services and enhance Ghanaian participation in the oil sector.       The NPP will also enter into partnership with the private sector to actively pursue the potential of building another refinery and processing plant in Ghana.       It also promises to make the Western Region the hub of the oil and gas industry, by developing services and institutions related to the industry in the region.     The party is also promising to introduce an “Accelerated Oil Capacity Development Programme” which will target training of Ghanaians in high job creating sectors, including fabrications and installations, manufacturing of equipment and construction of oil and gas infrastructure.     On sources of renewable energy, the NPP intends to develop, diversify and ensure sustainability of energy sources; it will therefore reform the governance arrangements in the sector and pursue strategic partnerships that will help to exploit actively Ghana’s renewable energy potential from sources such as solar, wind and biomass.    The NPP however blamed the NDC government for allowing Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to trespass into the domains of other agencies such as the Tema Oil refinery.      The party also claimed that under former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the government initiated measures to increase power generation which, according to the party, had been neglected by the current NDC administration to reach a generation capacity of 5000 mw.     According to the NPP, between 2007 and 2008 the then Kufuor administration initiated and contracted major generation projects which would have placed the nation’s power capacity beyond 5000 mw by the end of 2012 instead of the current installed capacity of 2,210 mw.     “While a few of these projects are currently being pursued by the NDC, for example the 400 mw Bui Hydro Dam and 132 mw thermal plant at Takoradi, other initiatives such as the 220 mw Alstom Turbines have been left to rot at Kpone” said the manifesto.       It stated that funding for the implementation of mini-hydro projects have been diverted for non energy projects and active agreements and memoranda of understanding for more thermal as well as waste-to-energy plants had sadly been abandoned by the NDC government.     Meanwhile, a National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) survey on “Election 2012: matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter”, reveals that out of 489 responses received, the highest proportion of 289 (59.1 per cent) said power outages should stop.        A copy of the survey report made available to the GNA indicates that Ghanaians abhor the frequent power outages, which they said was destroying electrical gadgets and also rendering some newly established industries dormant.        They also wanted the government to extend electricity to the rural area, whilst another 143 respondents (29.3 per cent) wanted government to have more subsidies on energy. Twenty-seven other respondents (5.5 per cent) said that there should be uninterrupted gas supply for Ghanaians.        According to the NCCE survey, 17 respondents (3.5 per cent)  agreed that oil and gas proceeds should be used to finance the economy.     Respondents mentioned that the rate at which expatriates were infiltrating the oil industry to compete with Ghanaians for jobs  was quite alarming.        The survey said an insignificant number of respondents, 2 (0.4 per cent), said the youth should be trained to take up jobs in the oil and gas sector.     GNA ...

Techiman (B/A), Nov. 8, GNA – The Agri-Business Department of the Techiman Campus of Valley View University (VVU) has started supplying  fresh soy-milk to children in some educational institutions in the area. They include  Nkwaeso Methodist School, Agosa Seventh-Day-Adventist School, Zongo Ameyaw Local Authority School. Professor J.K. Osei, Rector of Techiman VVU Campus, said the supply was a jointly undertaken  by  the university, Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Ghana, and ADRA International.    He was speaking at the third matriculation of the university, where 1,462 students were admitted to pursue courses in Education, Science, Business, Accounting and Agri-Business. Prof. Dr Daniel Buor, Vice Chancellor of the VVU, said the Techiman Campus would be made semi-autonomous by 2015. Oseadeeyo Asa Akompanin, Kyidomhene, and Krobohene of Techiman Traditional Area, appealed to the university to engage private food vendors in the provision of meals for the students. He called for private partnership in the provision of accommodation for students to reduce the high rent charges.   GNA ...

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Nov. 8, GNA – The Dormaa Central Municipal Inter-Party Dialogue Committee formed under the auspices of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to monitor and promote free, fair and violent free elections on December 7 has expressed appreciation at the level of peace in the municipality. Okatakyie Ansu Gyeabuor Chairman of the Committee and Adomankomahene of Dormaa Traditional Area addressing a meeting of the Committee attributed the level of peace to commitment of all stakeholders to co-exist peacefully in the Dormaa Community. He commended the media in Dormaa for showing high level of circumspection in their reportage and urged them to exhibit same throughout the election period. Mr Kwaku Adinkra-Kosopre, Dormaa Central Municipal Director of NCCE commended the committee for discharging its duty fairly and with objectivity. He expressed appreciation to security agencies in the municipality for their ability to be on top of all election-related security matters. Mr Adinkra-Kosopre reminded politicians to show the way of peace since those politicians who refused to lead by example were only manifesting their lack of capacity to rule and therefore should be rejected. He said he was hopeful that all political parties would display civility and decorum over the remaining period of political activity to guarantee peace before, during and after Election 2012. Mr Gordon Asubonteng, Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, said establishment of the Committee was ideal and commended the NCCE for the initiative. Representatives of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Democratic Congress (NDC),Convention People’s Party (CPP) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) who attended the meeting pledged their continued support for all processes designed to attain peaceful Election 2012 and therefore urged each another to refrain from acts that could jeopardise the prevailing peace. They agreed to adopt what they termed “peer review” to watch over each other and report any nefarious behaviour to the committee for timely redress.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov 08, GNA -The maiden Africa Construction and Development Conference opened in Accra on Thursday with a call on contractors to improve technical capacity and eschew shoddy work so as to earn the trust of the public. Nii Nortey Dua, the Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, said delayed projects and wrong classification that members were often accused of was a dent on the work of contractors. More than two hundred participants from Ghana and other African countries are participating in the maiden two-day conference. It is to create a platform for contractors, built environment professionals and stakeholders in the Construction Industry on the continent to deliberate on how to develop the industry. The conference is a prelude to the second edition of the National Contractors Excellence Awards slated for Saturday November 10. Nii Nortey Dua said the country stood on the threshold of a massive infrastructure development to meet the growing needs of the increasingly urban population which would require an organised group of contractors to see the agenda through. He said it was important that indigenous contractors built their skills and seeped in best practices so that government could rely on them to undertake the projects. “We are also hopeful that our indigenous firms will partner others from the continent and elsewhere to ensure that they are strong enough to be the major players,” he said. Nii Nortey Dua called on the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG) to dialogue with government on the call for a regulatory body for the construction industry so that together they could develop a roadmap for the way forward. Mr Martins Nnuro, President of the ABCECG, said the collapse of the building housing the Melcom supermarket reinforced the Association’s call for a regulatory body to check poor and substandard delivery on construction works and promote excellence. He said if the construction industry had a regulatory body chances were that there would be proper supervision and the sad accident and lives that were lost would have been avoided. About 20 speakers and discussants from Egypt, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Ghana will address participants on issues bordering on the growth and development of the construction industry, with the objective of creating construction giants on the continent of Africa. GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – A 62-year old trader, Louis Osei Manu, also known as Joe Louis, who was arrested with huge consignment of cannabis at Avenor last year was on Thursday sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court. He was found with 16 maxi sacks, three half fertilizer bag sizes and eight parcels wrapped with cello tape, 138 parcels wrapped in cement paper, all full of cannabis. Charged with possession of narcotics drugs without lawful authority, Manu pleaded not guilty. The case of prosecution was that on Friday March, 11, 2011 the police had information that Manu had received some cannabis sativa (wee) consignment which had been off-loaded into a store room in his residence for onward distribution to retailers in Accra.   Personnel from CID Narcotics Unit mounted surveillance in the area and arrested him at his Avenor residence. He led police into a store room where a search led to the discovery of the stuff.      Several empty polythene bags and jute sacks, whose content were suspected to have been sold out were also retrieved. The Police said Manu had allegedly been in the trade for over 20 years now and was on the police wanted list.     GNA ...

Goaso (B/A), Nov. 8, GNA – Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North has presented a water tank estimated at GHC1,800.00 to the authorities of Ahafoman Senior High Technical School (ASHTS) at Goaso in the Brong-Ahafo Region. He said the water tank would not only make provision for potable water, but also help to prevent water-borne diseases among the students who were forced to use nearby streams during acute water shortages. Mr Sarfo-Mensah advised the students to be law-abiding and refrain from acts that would affect their education. They should also use the appropriate channels to seek redress to their concerns. Madam Victoria Owusu Kyeremaah, Headmistress of the school expressed appreciation for the donation, saying that it would assist in addressing the acute water shortage facing the school. She appealed to the Government to pay all the arrears in the capitation grant which was affecting the running of the  school. GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA – The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has handed a six-match home ban to Real Tamale United (RTU) for misconduct of their fans during their league clash with Aduana Stars last month.    RTU were held to a 1-1 draw by Aduana at the Tamale Stadium but their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abu Nurudeen and a section of the supporters went wild and launched an assault on Assistant Referee Kofi Asare, who was latter hospitalized. A GFA statement copied to GNA Sports said the DC found both the club and Nurudeen culpable and charged them with misconduct.    “RTU is banned from its home venue for six matches and additionally, fined 5,000 Ghana Cedis for its supporters’ assault and battery on Assistant Referee Kofi Asare as per GFA regulation 39(7) (b).”    The ban takes immediate effect as the ‘Pride of the North’ will host Tema Youth in their week seven clash at the Essipong Stadium, Takoradi.    The DC also sanctioned the CEO plus a further fine for the Tamale-based club for bringing the game into disrepute.    “Mr. Abu Nurudeen, CEO of RTU is given a four month ban from all GFA approved activities in line with GFA Regulation 39(1) (a). “Again, RTU is fined 5000 Ghana Cedis for indulging in acts which have the effect of putting the game of football into disrepute, as demonstrated by the unwholesome behavior of its supporters. (GFA Regulation 39(7) (a).”    The legislative body has also directed RTU to take care of the 155 Ghana Cedis medical bill of Assistant Referee, Asare. RTU becomes the first club to taste the wrath of DC of the GFA in the six-week old league. GNA ...

Kumasi, Nov. 8, GNA – The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), on Thursday denied media reports that the facility has run out of stock of Anti-Retroviral (AVR) drugs for persons suffering from HIV and AIDS. Professor Ohene Adjei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, said the facility’s HIV Clinic needed more space for large stock of the drugs. Speaking at a media encounter in Kumasi on Thursday, the CEO of KATH said as of October 31 this year, the KATH had received 2,166,840 AVR drugs, and dismissed media claim that the lives of people living with the disease were in danger. He said there were enough AVR drugs for the more than 5,500 HIV-infected persons, who attend the hospital. Prof Ohene Adjei said: “what is rather happening at the moment is that some health facilities under the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Ashanti Region are having difficulties with the supply of the medicines”. He said that just like the GHS, the hospital was an autonomous body of the Ministry of Health (MOH). Prof. Ohene Adjei said as a public health institution, the KATH acknowledged its responsibility towards ensuring public health and safety, and was ever prepared to do so through collaboration with other agencies of the MOH, including the Regional Directorate of the GHS. He said that the hospital could not be held responsible for the ARV medicine challenges confronting GHS facilities in the region. “It is, therefore, wrong for anybody to attribute the shortage of AVR medicines in those facilities to KATH management. Indeed it is the KATH Clinic, which has been coming to the aid of persons living with HIV and AIDS from the GHS facilities in the region as a result of the challenges”, Prof Ohene Adjei said. The Director of Pharmacy at the Hospital, Mr. Anthony Mensah, conducted journalists round the Pharmacy to see the AVR stock.      GNA ...