Accra, Nov 18, GNA - Lufthansa German Airlines has introduced Mr. Kevin Markette as its new General Manager for Ghana.   Mr. Markette takes over from Mr. Yannick Aplogan, who left the position to take up a new one as General Manager for Gabon.   Speaking at a roundtable with journalists in Accra on Saturday, Mr. Claus Becker, Lufthansa Managing Director, West and Central Africa, who introduced the new GM, said Lufthansa business had been developing nicely in the region, especially in Ghana.   He commended, Mr. Aplogan, the outgoing GM for his contributions to the growth of Lufthansa business in Ghana and the legacy he was leaving for Markette.   Mr. Becker noted that Ghana was in good shape with developments in various areas including the budding oil and gas industry.   He stated that Ghana had an advantage over Nigeria because Ghana had a more diversified economy stemming from the fact that she had not been ‘spoiled’ with oil from the beginning and so had developed potential and competence in other areas, especially in agriculture.   “If Ghana manages to keep these industries beside the developing oil industry, then Ghana has a bright future” he stated, adding that Lufthansa would like to be part of such development.   Mr. Aplogan described his tenure an in Ghana as a great experience, being his first time working in an Anglophone market. He said although it was challenging in the beginning, they found ways to improve which had made customers to adapt Lufthansa products.   He expressed appreciation to Ghana’s airport authorities he closely worked with.   Markette, on his part, reiterated Lufthansa’s commitment to its Ghanaian market. He stated that his port of call as GM for Ghana would be to develop good working relationship with his colleagues and stakeholders, including the media.   He would also be exploring some ideas he has for the airline’s operations in Ghana, which would be things that are specific to the Ghanaian market and finding creative ways to grow the market.   Mr. Markette has extensive experience in sales and marketing including four years as Lufthansa regional manager, marketing and business development in Dubai July 2008-October 2012, Manager Marketing and business development, Lufthansa Karachi/Lahore in Pakistan and Afghanistan from January – July 2008 and some experience in Johannesburg, Lagos, Abuja and Accra.   GNA...

Tarkwa, Nov 18, GNA - A 30 year-old  farmer, Kwasi Owusu has been sentenced to five-year imprisonment with hard labour by a Tarkwa circuit court for intentionally and unlawfully causing harm to his relative Kwaku Mensah.   He pleaded guilty.   Prosecuting Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant is related to the convict who both reside in the same village at Domeabra near Aboso in the Prestea Huni/Valley district.   According to Inspector Amponsah on Sunday October 10, at about 0900 hours, the convict who was drunk started singing that he would kill human beings in their house.   He said his actions made the complainant to caution him on the consequences of what he was saying.    The Prosecutor said the convict got annoyed brought a short cutlass and attempted to cut the complainants head off but in the process he slashed the complainants hand when he tried to protect himself.   He said the complainant’s wife emerged at the scene raised alarm and neighbours nearby came to rescue him.   Inspector Amponsah said the convict was arrested by the village folks who handed him over to the Police together with the cutlass.   The Prosecutor said the complainant was issued with a medical form to attend hospital for treatment. He said after investigation the convict was charged with the offence.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers Association of Ghana (RAAG), has been formed to ensure high professionalism in the industry.   The Association aims to give voice to the industry, which has become dormant and neglected by government for so many years.   Speaking at the inauguration of the association recently in Accra, Reverend Father Joshua Annoh, President of RAAG, said the many quack engineers in the sector called for the formation of this Association to get rid of them.   He said the Association would seek to train its members to provide quality services to customers.   He said RAAG would serve as a platform for its members to come together to share ideas and experiences to help promote the industry.   Mr John Sewu, Secretary of the RAAG, said many people were ignorant about the important of the profession, hence its formation.   He said RAAG would put in place pragmatic measures to ensure that fake spare parts brought into the country to be used for servicing refrigerators and air conditioners become a thing of the past.   He called on government to ensure fairness in the award of public contracts by recognizing the important role of local contractors as well.     GNA...

Fiapre (B/A), Nov. 18, GNA – Government has provided 30 million dollars towards infrastructural development at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Fiapre in the Brong-Ahafo Region.   In addition, GH¢15 million has been provided to the University as seed money.   This was announced by President John Dramani Mahama, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education at the inauguration of UENR.   The occasion was also used for the investiture of the pioneer and founding Vice Chancellor Professor (Mrs) Esi Awuah, the induction of the Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Daniel Obeng-Ofori and Mr Andrews Kwasi Boateng, Registrar.   The occasion also saw the matriculation of the first batch of 154 pioneer students for the 2012/2013 academic year, to pursue courses in Renewable Natural Resources and Renewable Energy Engineering.   President Mahama said government considered the University as a repository of knowledge, ideas and expertise, which could assist in turning the nation’s fortunes around, and assured the authorities of government’s continuous financial support.   He said the nation faced many challenges like insufficient energy supply to meet the current demand for both domestic and industrial use and faster depletion of natural resources and expressed the hope that UENR would rise to the challenge in reversing the negative trend.   President Mahama said much as the University was expected to have global impact, it should also have a significant presence in meeting national and global aspirations, adding ”It must therefore, be seen as a growth pole, a technology centre and a knowledge warehouse”.   He congratulated the officials inducted into office and expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the nation.   Mr Ocran later unveiled a plaque to inaugurate the newly refurbished one-storey central administration block of the University to signify the formal inauguration of the institution.   Prof. Esi Awuah said the establishment of UENR was timely because of the nation’s oil discovery and the policy to increase the renewable energy resources from 0.1 per cent to 10 per cent onto the national grid by 2020.   She said it therefore, behooved the nation to develop local capacity in the oil and gas and renewable energy sector to buffet the relevant industries, assuring that the University would be up to the task of providing the critical mass of manpower for that endeavour through focused training in the appropriate disciplines.   Prof. Esi Awuah pointed out that the current trend of environmental degradation, resulting from the exploitation and mismanagement of the nation’s natural resources with dire consequences called for insightful solutions, which the School of Natural Resources would be relevant and positioned to address.   Recounting the history of the University, she announced that the National Accreditation Board (NAB) had already accredited three start up programmes of Renewable Energy Engineering, Forest Resource Management and Wildlife and Range Management under the School of Engineering and School of Natural Resources.   Prof. Esi Awuah said by an Act of Parliament, Act 830, Act 2011 establishing the University, Sunyani would be the site for the central administration, School of Natural Resources and Graduate School while Nsoatre would host the School of Sciences and School of Engineering.   She said Dormaa Ahenkro would be the site for School of Agriculture and Food Technology and the School of Geosciences, and explained that Brosankro and Mim were not mentioned in Act 830 but those sites would be used as field training stations with Mim doubling as a Distance Learning Centre.   On its vision, Prof. Esi Awuah said it placed on the management and staff, a vigorous agenda to develop the students to their fullest potentials in a holistic manner with discipline and integrity as the bedrock to handle the challenges of the society.   She implied that the knowledge to be acquired by the students would not only be for the enrichment of their minds but would also be used for the benefit of the nation and mankind in general.   “The graduates would become global leaders in their respective fields of expertise to provide innovations for the present and future. They would be referred to as Technologians derived from the Greek word Technologia which is the application of scientific methods and material to achieve a commercial or industrial objective to provide service for sustainable development.”   Prof. Esi Awuah stressed that her vision for the University was to enhance its participation in national development in the energy and natural resources management through the pursuit of quality teaching, learning and research at the highest level.   Prof. Aba Bentil Andam, Associate Professor, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and Chairperson of the UENR Council, performed the investiture with the administration of the Oath of Office, while Prof. Esi Awuah administered the matriculation Oath to the students.   GNA...

Fiapre (B/A), Nov. 18, GNA – Ghana on Saturday inducted her second female Vice Chancellor into office at the inauguration of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Fiapre in the Brong-Ahafo Region.   She is Professor Mrs Esi Awuah, the first Vice Chancellor of UENR, one of the universities established under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government. The other university is in the Volta Region.   Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) was the first female Vice Chancellor in the country.   The investiture of Professor Esi Awuah was performed by Professor Aba Bentil Andam, Chairman of the University Council, who also administered the Oath of Office.   Professor Daniel Obeng-Ofori was also inducted into office as the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Mr Andrews Kwasi Boateng, as the first Registrar of UENR.   Matriculation of the first batch of 154 students, made up of 128 males and 26 females took place with Professor Esi Awuah administering the Matriculation Oath.    Eighty-one of the students made up of 73 males and eight females would undertake courses in Renewable Natural Resources, while 73 students made up of 55 males and 18 females would undertake courses in Renewable Energy Engineering.   The UENR was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 830, 2011 on December 31, 2011 with the authority to award its own degrees and diplomas.   Its aims are to provide higher education, disseminate knowledge related to energy and natural resources, undertake research and foster collaborations with persons in the country and institutions outside the country.   The university’s vision is to become a world class institution for generating, advancing and applying knowledge in energy and natural resources.   When fully operational, the University would have six schools for Engineering, Sciences, Geosciences, Agriculture and Technology, Natural Resources and Graduate Studies.   The University would also have three campuses located in Sunyani, Nsoatre and Dormaa Ahenkro, and four field training stations at Mim, Brosankro and Nkyeraa for the Agriculture and Forest Resources Management students and one at Bui for Engineering students.   It hopes to become a centre of excellence for the training of scientists and technologians for Ghana and beyond.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 18, GNA – Tourists and the general public have been entreated to shun patronizing unlicensed hospitality facilities to ensure their safety and security.   Mr. Ekow Sampson, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), said those who patronize them “do so at their own risk as such facilities do not meet the 2012 operational requirements of the Authority”.   Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi on Saturday, the Regional Manager decried the impunity with which some unlicensed facilities in the Region operated in-spite of several notifications and directives issued by the GTA.   Currently, about forty of such hospitality and tourist facilities were operating in the Region, putting the safety and security of customers in danger.   He said the unlicensed guest houses include Jordan, Simple, Badu Brago, Adwoa Boahemaa, Skad, Ejura Paradise, Lake Bosomtwe, Moreeda, Sunstar, K. Asante, Trinity, Arriva, Rockson Kofi Nsiah, Nosa, Nimo, Gold Sunny, Maria, Julian, Sam and Bea Royal Palace and Pejotal.   In addition, eight hotels namely, Zanama, Osaa, A.B. Amansan Boafo, Emmanuel, Abronoma, Naka Royal, Ingot and Garden City were also operating without license, as well as the Icon Pub., Echoes V., Royal, Grandees Pub., Brigina Catering Services and Tinadus Restaurants.   Furthermore, the Starline, Top Girls, Morich and Just Line Travel and Tours had also not been licensed.   Mr. Sampson indicated that his outfit would ensure that all facilities operating in the Region met the fire safety, environmental, security and structural strength requirements as prescribed by the Authority.   It would soon embark on an exercise to close down illegal facilities to bring sanity into the tourism industry for the benefit of the nation.   GNA...

Anyako, Nov 18, GNA - Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector-General of Police has reassured that the Police Service would continue to provide security for every citizen in the country.   He said while there were constraints that made that task a daunting one, the Police was not deterred.   Mr Quaye said this in an address read on his behalf at ceremonies marking the reopening of a Police Station at Anyako and a district police headquarters at Abor both in the Keta Municipality.   The station at Anyako was shut down some 30 years ago while that of Abor was closed seven years ago.   Mr Quaye said to overcome some of the challenges; the police administration sometimes involved various stakeholders, as security was now widely accepted as a shared responsibility.   The IGP, who attributed the closures of both stations to obsolete infrastructure, commended the two communities and the Keta Municipal Assembly for renovating a private apartment at Anyako and an old colonial outpost at Abor to house the stations.   “This act leading to the reopening of the two stations to serve the people surely gives credence to the Police Administration’s quest to promote partnership with the civilian population,” Mr Quaye stated.   He was however quick to say that the two structures did not meet the standards and appealed to the Assembly and the communities to urgently consider putting up permanent structures for the Police there.   Mr Quaye said the closure of the station was a great disappointment for his outfit as it made security issues difficult for the people, adding the reopening had come at the right time when election was around the corner.   He appealed to the communities to collaborate with the staff by providing information and avoid seeing Police personnel as adversaries.   Mr Alex Bedie, Volta Regional Police Commander said he would prefer if people stopped writing anonymous letters against police personnel but rather use the proper channels for redress.   Mr Sylvanus Tornyeava, Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the Assembly spent GH¢8,000.00 in the renovation of the Abor block and pledged to support the building of permanent structures for the Police in the two towns.   Togbe Tenge Dzokoto Gligui VI, Dufia of Anyako and his Abor counterpart, Togbe Dordzeavudzi Atsrifo II, pledged to support police operations to tackle increasing challenges of crime in the area.   Mr David Anaglate, Chairman of the Anyako-Konu Development Union, said a plot of land had been acquired for a permanent station and barracks for the Police at Anyako.   GNA...

Ho, Nov 18, GNA - Dr Victor Jakpasu Afun, Rector of the Ho Polytechnic has again cited polytechnic education as the answer to Ghana’s need for the practically oriented and self-motivated workforce to prosecute its development agenda.   He said against the backdrop of high unemployment in the country, a job seeker with a polytechnic certificate was “five times more likely to be employed…than those with others”.   Dr Afun said the product of a polytechnic was also “10 times more likely to set up his own establishment and be the CEO than the others”.   He was addressing the 20th (2012/2013) matriculation ceremony of the Ho Polytechnic in Ho on Saturday.   A total of 2,259 are offered admission with 82 per cent in the tertiary category and 18 percent in the non-tertiary category.   Dr Afun told the matriculating students to cast off any uncertainty and negative feeling they had about polytechnic education and that “they are at the right place at the right time”.   He said academic progression through the polytechnic was also fluid, especially now that government had promised to expand facilities at the polytechnics.   Dr Afun observed that certificates did not matter as what one could use his or her head, heart and hand to do after acquisition of the certificates.   “In Ghana today we need young men and women who have critical and analytical minds and think three dimensionally and are practically oriented.   “These are the agents of change who can change our country from dependence to independence,” the Rector stated.   He said the polytechnic would not countenance indiscipline, fighting, assault, unruly behaviours, excessive noise making, provocative dressing, drug use and sexual assault.   “Even though lectures do not appear to be compulsory, anyone who absents himself of herself for 14 consecutive days will be barred from writing the end of semester exams,” he stated.   The faculties into which the students were matriculated are Applied Sciences and Technology, Art and Design, Business and Management Studies and Engineering.   The students took the matriculation oath and declaration of obedience, which enjoined them from many things, including “cheating during examinations”.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 17, GNA – The Tamale Polytechnic has admitted a total of 2,636 students for the 2012/2013 academic year to pursue various Higher National Diploma (HNDs) and other non-tertiary programmes in the school for a given period.   Out of the figure, 1,953 were admitted to pursue HND in business engineering and applied sciences while 683 for non-tertiary programmes such as intermediate, advanced and Diploma in Business Studies.   Dr. Abdulai Salifu Asuro, Rector of the Tamale Polytechnic, announced this in Tamale on Saturday during the 18th matriculation ceremony.   He said the polytechnic had introduced two new programmes namely; HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and HND in Tourism and had admitted students for the year in line with the commitment to provide the appropriate skills and knowledge.   The Rector also announced that very soon the school would introduce HND in Communication Studies, HND in Purchasing and Supply, HND in Computer Science and Bachelor of Technology Programmes.   He advised the students to be discipline and take their studies seriously to ensure that they attain their dreams and fulfill their future goals.   Naa Yakubu Abdulai, Chief of Sagnarigu, who is also Ghana’s Ambassador to Senegal, appeal to the Polytechnic authorities to design a quota system to consider surrounding communities of the school to as a form of social responsibility to them.   He encouraged the matriculates to take their studies seriously in order to justify the admissions offered them, saying they were among the chosen ones.   GNA...

Winneba (C/R), Nov. 17, GNA – A total of 82 youth have graduated in Effutu Municipality after undergoing a six-month intensive training in hair dressing and tailoring under the Local Enterprises and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP).   Sixty-six of the beneficiaries were hairdressers and were each given a set of hairdressing tools at a cost of GH¢602.65 to repay in monthly instalment of GH¢33.48 for one and half years. The remaining 16 were dressmakers and also given one sewing machine at the cost of GH¢99.11 each to repay in monthly instalment of GH¢8.26 for one year.   Addressing the graduates at a ceremony in Winneba, Mr Mike Allan Hammah, Member of Parliament for Effutu, asked them to work with the machines to justify the purpose for which they were given to them.   LESDEP is an intervention by the government to support the youth who due to one reason or the other could not further their education to help them obtain vocational skills to forge ahead.   “The programme is also a way to reduce poverty in the society as well as preventing the youth from migrating to the cities to seek for white colour jobs which are not there,” Mr Hammah said.   He urged other youth to take advantage of such innovations by the government to acquire entrepreneurial skills and aspire to establish their own businesses to earn a living.   Mr Edwin Okpoti Sowah, Central Regional LESDEP Coordinator, said 2,102 youth in the Central Region had undergone job training and entrepreneurial training under the programme and resourced to set up their own businesses.   They were provided with skills beauty care, fashion and garment, transport services and block moulding.   Very Rev Eldad Bonney, Presiding Member for Effutu Municipal Assembly, said these interventions by the government to better the lots of the people, especially the youth, were clear testimonies that the Better Ghana Agenda was on course.   He said it was also a means to help drive economic youth growth in the country, adding parents should encourage their children to be part of the programme.   Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, urged the beneficiaries of LESDEP to make good use of the equipment to effect the requisite change in their lives and the communities they live in.   He said the items given them were not gift, adding they should adhere to the payment agreement as schedule for others to also enjoy.   GNA...

Cape Coast, Nov.17, GNA-The   Cape Coast office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on Friday organized a  debate for  Parliamentary aspirants  in the  Cape Coast South constituency to enable them inform the electorate about their visions and aspirations.     The  well attended debate had  Mr. Kweku Rickets-Hagan of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Bright Edem Droefenu of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and Mr Ato Adu Nyanor of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)  answering questions  on education, unemployment, corruption and health.     Alfred Kojo Thompson of the New Patriotic Party  (NPP) was  however absent      Dr. Mrs Sena Kpleplo, a lecture at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Mr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, the Manager of ATL FM station  in UCC   moderated the debate of which the aspirants  gave their answers in  Fanti (local dialect) to enable all to feel part of the debate.   On Education, Mr. Rickets-Hagan  said when given the nod  he would ensure that teacher trainees are given  quality education who would in turn give  quality education to the students which would go a long way to improve upon their performance in Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results     On  corruption  he said he would lead an exemplary life  and would make sure that those who  embezzle Government  funds  are punished accordingly stressing that  no one  is above the law.       Mr Hagan said to boost the agricultural sector, he would  put in place   infrastructure  that would  help mechanize farming  in the country  to make it more attractive to the youth, adding that he would institute a loans scheme  for the fisher folks so that they could invest more  in their fishing activities .      On health, he said he would put in place measures that would   help reduce HIV/AIDS cases and that he would ensure that the treatment for the disease is included in the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) and that he would also ensure that condoms were made available and  affordable to all especially the youth.     Mr Hagan  further said  he would  use health workers and psychologists to intensify public  education  on the need for  those already infected with the disease  to take care of themselves so they do not infect others.     On Unemployment  Mr. Rickets-Hagan said plan were far advanced to address the situation and that  the NDC  party  in the region has already acquired a piece of  land which would be used as a poultry farm of which  some unemployed youth would be engaged to manage the farm.        For his part on education  Mr. Droefenu  said he would promote the use of community libraries and that students would be  provided with the requisite books to enhance teaching and learning adding that students who perform well at the  SHS  would be encourage to go to  the teacher  training college  so that enough trained  teachers would be produced to manage  schools in the constituency .    On agriculture, he  said when given the nod  he would provide facilities and farm implements to make farming  easier  for farmers and  that he would  also give farm implements on credit to those who would not to be able to buy  them out-front.        On corruption, he  said  he would make sure that contractors did  not pay any percentage of money to any one before they  are awarded contracts and that he would also get involved and closely monitor their work to ensure that jobs were completed on schedule whilst  avoiding shoddy works.       Touching on health he  pointed out that he would ensure that public  education on HIV/AIDS is extended to homes, communities and schools and  that the treatment of the disease would be included in the NHIS.        On the reduction of unemployment  Mr. Droefenu  said, he would set up labour desk and register those in need of jobs and fix those with  the requisite qualification into the appropriate  companies, and  give soft loans to those who have a vocation but do not have the capital to set  up their  own businesses.       He said those who did not have any  vocation at all, he  would be place them   in individual homes to do jobs like gardening, cooking and babysitting for a fee, this he noted would  provide them with an income.      The CPP Parliamentary aspirant, Mr. Nyanor of the CPP  said education would be his priority and  that he would employ committed and dedicated teachers who he would   motivate to give of their best.   On agriculture, he said he would give incentives to farmers which he noted would also encourage the youth to take up farming as a vocation and that fishers would also be provided with  equipment to enhance their  fishing activities.     He  said his vision for  the health is to ensure  that electricity  is provided at hospitals and health centres that did not have lights  to enhance health care delivery and that  he would also make sure that the treatment for  HIV/AIDS is included in the NHIS.    To reduce the level of unemployment, Mr. Nyanor  said he would encourage the youth to start their own businesses such  as fruit processing  since the region has a lot of citrus which could be processed into juice.   At the end of the debate all the three candidates advised the people to restrain from any form of violence in the coming December 7 election so that the elections would be  free, fair and violence-free and that they  should see themselves as just political opponents and not enemies   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 18, GNA -Youth Alive, a Tamale based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has educated street youth on the need to play their role effectively to support the nation’s quest for a successful election.   As part of the day’s educational programme funded by Star-Ghana, the group was educated on the need for peace and was shown movies on post election disruptions in Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire.   Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency during the event in Tamale, Ms Agnes Chiravira, Director of the NGO, said most of them just had basic education or none at all and did not understand electoral issues and it consequences.   “This is to expose them to the good and bad results of post electoral incidences so that they will resist attempt by political parties to create violence,” she said.   Ms Chiravira said because street youth had very low income or no income, politicians often lured them with money and influenced them to engage in violence.   “These are the young and able people who are used by politicians to engage in ballot box snatching and burning of houses. Instead of them contributing to the process to be peaceful they are swayed to fight against peace,” she said.   She said her outfit had already trained 16 peer educators who often met all the street youth to educate them on how to help maintain peace.   Mr Adams Abubakar, 47, a member of the street youth, said the group had advised themselves and had taken a firm decision not to allow any party to use them for any form of electoral violence.      Recounting some of the group’s activities, he said during elections some party officials often gave them between five Ghana cedis and GHc 10.00 to engage in some electoral activities adding that such activities had ceased after its encounter with the NGO and its teachings.     GNA...

Tamale, Nov.18, GNA- The mortal remains of Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former Vice President were laid to rest at his private residence at Kalpohin Estate in Tamale.   President John Dramani Mahama who followed the casket from Accra to Tamale, handed over the mortal remains draped in the national colours to the family for the private burial.   The burial ceremony was preceded by a Muslim prayer at the Jubilee Park.   This was after a state funeral was held earlier in the day in his honour at the Black Stars Square in Accra.   The former Vice President, who was born at Yendi in the Northern Region in 1946, died last Friday at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a short illness.      Alhaji Mahama corpse was flown on an Air force Jet, which landed at the Tamale Airport at about 1430 hours to an awaiting crowd of dignitaries including President Mahama and leaders of the various political parties.   The body was evacuated from the jet and put onto an ambulance escorted by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.   Some of the dignitaries at the burial included former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Flag bearer and running mate of  New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo and Dr Mahamud Bawumia, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament as well as a host of politicians from the various political parties.   People from all walks of lives lined-up along the principal streets to catch a glimpse at the cortege, which arrived at the Tamale Jubilee Park around 1600 hours to the welcome of a large crowd of mourners.   At the Jubilee Park, Alhaji Abdul Salam, Regional Chief Imam said prayers committing the late Vice President to the bosom of his maker for a peaceful rest.   On behalf of the family, Alhaji Mustapha Aliu Iddrisu commended the government for giving the former Vice President a befitting burial and announced that on Tuesday, the third observance of the burial will take place in Yendi and Tamale simultaneously.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - David Arkutu grossed 153 over two days to defend his title in the Men’s Group ‘A’ of  the 24th Ostec Ghana Amateur Seniors Open Championship, at the  Bok Nam Kim Golf Course, Burma Camp, Accra on Sunday.    He beat Tema’s Alex Fiagome by 154 strokes in the event which recorded a low turn out but attracted high profile personalities like Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin, Sam Jonah, Dr Felix Frempong, president of Ghana Golf Association(GGA), among others.   Joe Danso, S.O Odame and Dr Frempong followed in that order with scores of 163,164 and 166 respectively in the 36-hole event.   The winners received beautifully designed trophies as well as souvenirs for their efforts.   It was Eric Asare, who finished first in the Men’s Handicap event after recording 132 gross, while Okyehene followed closely in second position after recording 138 gross.   Tema’s E.T Mensah grabbed the Men’s Group B event, while Esther Antwi won the females version.   Achimota’s Beatrice Vetch-Bempong  who had a gross of 65 to beat Esther Amedzro by a stroke to emerge tops in the women’s Group ‘A’ category, while Royal Club’s Margaret Ivy Oppong picked the second runners-up prize after a gross score of 172.   Esther Antwi from the Tema Country Golf Club won the Ladies Handicap event with a gross of 138 with Suzie Abaloo-Kumasah, Achimota finishing second after recording 145 gross.   Ace Golfer, Florence Etwi-Barimah reigned supreme in the Ladies 65 and above category, while Ann Brown went home with a special event award.   The GGA boss commended the sponsors for supporting the event, which he described as a way of developing the sport, as well as the golfers for participating.   The competition was put together by OSTEC, a Ghanaian IT Solutions and Network Company, experts in providing IT services, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions and Disaster Recovery Services. OSTEC is a sub regional giant in Technology Consulting.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 18, GNA -  Defending champions, Asante Kotoko Sporting Club (SC), were held to a pulsating 0-0 drawn game by arch-rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak SC, in their day seven outstanding Glo-Premier League duel at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.   The match marked the 96th time the two combatants were meeting since the inception of the league in 1958, saw them demonstrating zeal to overpower each other in most part of the encounter.   David Duncan’s Hearts of Oak came into the match full of determination to salvage their image following some string of unsuccessful outings so far in the league.   Midfielder Laryea Kingston nearly opened the scores for the visiting Phobians as early as the ninth minute when he out-paced his marker in a solo effort and entered into the Kotoko 18-yard box only to shoot feebly into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye who reacted swiftly to save the situation.   A minute later, Laryea again came close to scoring with a well-taken free-kick but the ball missed the post by inches.   Kotoko, having been let off the hook, marshalled men in defence to ward off the early surging runs upfront by the visitors and succeeded to keep the Hearts attack at bay.   The Porcupine Warriors, being cheered on by their teeming supporters responded to the occasion with a quick defence-splitting move upfront, and nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute but skipper Nti Boakye’s low grounder hit the body of the Hearts keeper for a corner which was wasted.     As the game wore on, Kotoko’s Issah Yakubu fired a thunderbolt on the stroke of half time when the going went tough but it missed the target narrowly.   In the second half, the pattern of the game did not change with both sides concentrating most of the action in midfield and the flanks.   Kotoko brought on Michael Anaba, Dan Nii Adjei and Nurudeen Ali for Issah Yakubu, Richard Mpong and Michael Helegbe, respectively, however, these changes did little to change the trend of the game.   Hearts’ Alhassan Ali was red-carded in the 79th minute for rough play on Nii Adjei.   The game was full of events in the latter part with both sides fighting gallantly to at least salvage a point.   They all messed up the good chances that came their way.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - About 5,000 runners are expected to hit the streets of Accra on Saturday, December 1, for “the race for peace” ultra-marathon event.   The 50km event, put together by Runathon Ghana Foundation is to drum home the essence of peace and national unity ahead of the 2012 General Elections.   The event dubbed “All-out run, All-out peace” will see athletes commence the race at the Independence Square, through some principal streets like Liberia Road, Graphic Road, Kaneshie, Odorkor, Mallam Junction, Abeka Lapaz, Achimota, Nogahil, African Regent, 37, El-Wak, Burma Camp, Trade Fare, La, Labone, Danquah Circle, Adabraka, Wato Club, Department of National Lotteries, with the Independence Square as the final point.   Eric Adae, founder of Runathon Ghana Foundation, former long distance runner described the event as historic, saying “there has never been an ultra-marathon event on the soils of Ghana.   “Our choice of this distance of 50 km underscores the need for us all to go that extra mile in preserving and deepening national peace and unity as we go for the 2012 general elections.   “Running such a great distance will also give our long distance athletes the needed depth of aerobic base and fitness, to get faster in long distance events”. He stated.   According to Adae, prospective runners should be 18 years and above and can contact any CAL Bank nationwide for the registration forms for 20ghc.   He added that, foreigners resident in Ghana as well as non residents will be required to pay 100 dollars as registration fee.   At stake is a mouth watering prize of 5,000ghc for the ultimate winner with the second place picking home 3,000ghc whilst the third place takes a prize of 2000ghc.   Adae, noted that the event is expected to be attended by Ben Johnson, Canadian former 100 meters record holder and high ranking officials.   The Runathon Ghana Foundation is a non-governmental, sports development organization which seeks to focus attention on developing long distance events in Ghana.   The event will being sponsored by Phoenix Insurance and SBC Beverages Limited, manufactures of Pepsi, Mirinda and Aqua Splash Mineral Water.   Phoenix will be insuring all the runners, while SBC, the official beverage sponsors will refresh runners at every 3km during the race as well as offer guests their products at heavily discounted rates.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Reverend Maxwell Owusu Frimpong, General Overseer of Overcomers Worship Centre at the weekend called on Ghanaians to help promote and maintain peace before, during and after the elections.   He said “'as we tolerate each other, we please God by obeying his principles".   Reverend Frimpong was speaking as the main preacher at the fifth anniversary celebration of the Centre, at Nungua in Greater Accra Region.   As part of the anniversary celebration, which took effect from October 13 to  November 18, the church organised a clean-up exercise and health walk in the Nungua community.   A week crusade and revival was also organised to thank God for his goodness and protection over the church.   “Winning power at all cost is not the ultimate (So Ghanaians should not ) accept any offer to create violence during elections.” Reverend Frimpong advised.   Although all the candidates contesting for the parliamentary seat of Krowor at Nungua were invited, only Madam Kate Quaye representing Convention Peoples Party was present.   Madam Quaye promised to use her common fund to a provide place of convenience for every community in the constituency and roads to ease the traffic in the community.   She advised women with interested in politics to participate in it fully.   GNA...

Asamankese (E/R), Nov. 18, GNA – Alhaji Yussuf Captain, Coordinator of Zongo Caucus of the  National Democratic Congress (NDC) said plans were advanced by government to offer scholarships to qualified Zongo students to study in various fields of academic excellence.   He said courses under the scholarship include Medicine, Engineering, and Oil and Gas adding that the first batch of applicants were in the screening process after which recommendations would be made to government for implementation.   Alhaji Captain was briefing the Greater Accra Regional Council of Muslim Zongo Chiefs on government plans to developed Muslim and zongo communities through education and proper maintenance of sanitation.   He said the number of students who applied for the scholarship was encouraging and appealed to government to expand the scheme for more students to benefit.   He advised parents in the zongo communities to take advantage of the school feeding programme and send their wards to school.   Alhaji Bawa Ismael, Executive Member of the Caucus, and former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, said the drain from Kanda to Mamobi, which was a major problem to the community, was under construction and expressed the hope that it would be completed soon to prevent flooding in the area.   “This would also improve the environmental degradation and pollution and help solve the problem of poor sanitation in the area,” he said.    GNA...

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA – One Globe Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in the Ayawaso East Constituency, has organised a forum for parliamentary candidates in the area to pledge their commitment to peaceful elections.   The forum was on the theme: “The role of the youth and politicians in keeping peace in Ghana before, during and after2012 elections.”   Alhaji Haruna Zagoon, an Islamic scholar said it is the responsibility of every Muslim to promote peace in the area.   He said politicians who provoke violence should be discouraged and called on Muslims and non-Muslims to remain focus in the promotion of peace and unity.   Alhaji Zagoon spoke against ethnic politics and the use of intemperate language which have the tendency to disrupt the country’s peace.   Sheikh Hidri Adam, asked Ghanaians to strive to keep the nation united after the general election.   Mr Abubakar Alhassan, Parliamentary Candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party pledged to maintain and promote peace in his campaign before, during and after elections.   The Parliamentary Candidate for the National Democratic Congress , Alhaji Nazer Toure Mahama and Alhaji Baba, Candidate of New Patriotic Party and Mrs Addoley, Candidate of Convention People Party were not present at the forum.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 18, GNA – The College of Technology Education, Kumasi, of the University of Education, Winneba, is to introduce new postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in the 2013/2014 academic year.      The courses are Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, Bachelor of Arts in English Education, Arabic Education as Bachelor of Business Administration in Functional French and Bachelor of Science Business.       Prof. Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, announced this at the 17th Congregation of the college in Kumasi on Saturday.       A total of 2,545 students graduated in various courses including 117 post graduates, 1140 graduate and 1, 288 diploma students.       He said the university was committed to playing a leading role in Ghana’s drive to train scholars whose knowledge would be fully responsive to the realities and needs of society.       Prof Asabere-Ameyaw said the university was to ensure that students maintained excellent academic work and equipped with diverse skills to become competent in their profession.       He paid glowing tribute to their predecessors for laying a strong foundation for the growth and rapid development of the university.       The Vice-Chancellor said the university had improved on its infrastructure including new hall residence with a capacity of 500 students, a faculty block with 30 large lecture halls and 90 offices.   Others are 11 consulting rooms, Auditorium Complex of 3,000 seating capacity, and four mini conference rooms.       He decried graduate unemployment which had been on the increase and that most of the youth roamed the streets of cities looking for jobs.       Prof. Asabere-Ameyaw stressed the need for the country to think of expanded quality education and reflect on how to expand the economy to provide jobs for the youth.       He advised the graduates to be good ambassadors of the university and contribute meaningfully towards the development of the nation.       Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, in a speech read for him, lauded the immense contributions of the university towards the sustainable development of the country.       He urged the university to reflect on the need to adopt effective and innovative technologies in areas of information and communication technology, agriculture, nutrition and entrepreneurial capabilities to ensure the growth and development of the university.       Mr Francis Sakodie Boamah was adjudged the overall best graduating student in Bachelor of Education in Accounting, Miss Challote Ama Mensah, best female graduating student in Bachelor of Education in Information Technology, and Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Yankyera, best graduating student with disability in Bachelor of Education in Accounting. They were presented with prizes and certificates.       The other graduating students were also presented with certificates.   GNA...