Deduako (Ash), Nov. 23, GNA – The authorities of the Community Special Vocational School at Deduako, in Kumasi, have complained about the delay in the release of the administrative grant meant for the smooth running of the facility. The school is the only special second-cycle institution in the area. Mr Simon Odei Nyarko, Principal of the school told the Ghana News Agency that since January no money had been released to the authorities, “making the going pretty difficult”. He said the school is forced to depend on charity and loans to feed the student population of 35 and to meet other operation expenditures. Mr Nyarko therefore appealed to the government, to make available the grant that had been in arrears.          Mr Nyarko said irregular release and inadequate funding is preventing the authorities to admit more students. He asked individuals, churches and organisations to give support to the school. GNA...

Cape Coast, Nov. 23, GNA - A Cape Coast Magistrate’s Court on Friday granted bail of GHc1, 500.00 with surety to Rudolph Ato Yankah, an 18-year-old student, who allegedly stole a laptop computer and a mobile phone. Yankah, who pleaded not guilty, would reappear before court on November 26. Chief Inspector Charles Anku told the court presided over by Mr. Kwame Ohemeng Mensah that the owner of the items, Mr. William Ocran is a businessman living at Adisadel, a suburb of Cape Coast. The court heard that the accused frequently visited his friend, who is the son of the businessman. The prosecution said on September 1 this year, Yankah stole the items when he visited his friend at the businessman's house and went into hiding at Ashaiman, near Tema. Chief Insp Anku said Yankah was arrested from his hide-out upon a tip off. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Government would facilitate the necessary processes to enable Polytechnics to run their degree programmes and other top-up degrees. Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education said this in a speech read on his behalf at the 11th Congregation organized by the Accra Polytechnic where 2,343 students were awarded degrees and diploma certificates. He said, “To strengthen the policy orientation of Government that places greater emphasis on science, vocational, technical education and training, more funding is expected to be directed at equipping the engineering and science departments of the polytechnics”. Prof Joshua Alabi, Chairman of the Council of the Accra Polytechnic expressed worry that few industries provided avenues for industrial attachment for students to acquire the requisite hands-on training in their courses, adding that “We wish to appeal for greater interaction with industry and commerce”. Mr Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, pledged to donate 15 lap top computers to the school. GNA...

Accra , Nov. 23, GNA - Mr. Emmanuel Bombande, Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), has asked Ghanaians not to get complacent about the country's reputation in Africa as a beacon of democracy. He said, "We particularly learnt during the Presidential election of 2008 that election results, if not properly analyzed and handled, could easily cause panic, which could lead to political chaos. "Though Ghana shines as a good example of democracy on the continent, there are always more lessons to learn from the past." Mr. Bombande said this on Friday, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among stakeholders of the Joint Party Election Results Monitoring (J-Perm) Project, for Ghana's election 2012 in Accra. The signatories to the MOU were the National Democratic Congress(NDC), represented by Mr. Kofi Portuphy, a leading member of the party who initialed for the party, while Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party signed for his party. Initialing for the People's National Convention (PNC) was Mr. Bernard Mornah, General Secretary of the party and the Convention People's Party represented by Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, General Secretary. The Progressive People's Party (PPP) had Mr. Nii Alotey Harmond, General Secretary of the party signing on it's behalf. Mr. Bombande said under the MOU, political parties, during the announcement of election results after the December 7 poll, would have first hand access to the results at both the provisional and certified levels, from a database. He said any disagreements on the results would be handled in a manner that would ensure that peace and order are maintained. "It would be guided by goodwill and peace. For example, what what would the parties be communicating to their supporters? what would be their commitment to peace? among other things", Mr Bombande stated. Mr. Bombande urged political leaders to exhibit strong leadership qualities during the election by remaining calm and assuring their followers that there was no need to panic, even in the face of discomfort. "No matter what the situation might be, if the political leaders are calm and endeavor to make peaceful and encouraging remarks, that would influence the rest of the populace to comport themselves well, which would contribute a great deal to peace building." The Rev. Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, said multi-party democracy only represented the different ways in which people sought to contribute towards Ghana's development, "but the point is Ghana and the well-being of the country's citizens." He said, "If we look at it critically, we are all concerned about Ghana, so why should anyone condone destructive tendencies?" Rev. Asante said, "let us go ahead with peace initiatives, and Ghana would be rescued." Mr. Kamil Kayode Kamaludeen, United Nations Development Program Country Director, said Ghanaians needed to know that they were one people with different perspectives. "How much we are able to collaborate and accept our differences is what determines weather we are progressive or not. What needs to be well understood is that Ghana is the goal and not the political parties or anyone", Mr. Kamaludeen said. The MOU was a collaboration between the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, (WANEP), the United Nations Development Program and the Catholic University College of Ghana, as well as the various political parties. GNA...

Kenyase (Ash), Nov 22, GNA – Professor  Steve Sobotie, President of the Garden City University College (GCUC), has appealed to graduates to use their knowledge and skills to create own jobs. He said they should become more innovative to make impact on the nation’s socio-economic growth. He said this in an address read for him at the fourth congregation of the college at Kenyase in the Kwabre East District. “Building the next generation of innovators” was the theme. In all, 480 students graduated after completing programmes in nursing, business and information communication technology (ICT). Prof Sobotie said the focus should now be on learning outcomes - not just what students should know but what they could do with their knowledge and skills. He urged tertiary institutions to restructure their curricula and adopt new approaches to teaching and learning techniques that would help their products to become competitive in the job market. This calls for greater cooperation and partnership between the academia and industry. That he said, would help to tackle the mismatch between the “skills needed on the job market and the skills possessed by the job seeker”. He also underlined the need to make the environment academic friendly. Prof William Otto Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology (KNUST), said he would deepen and strengthen the affiliation of the two universities. He appealed to the graduating students to demonstrate qualities of hard work, discipline and integrity at in their workplaces to improve productivity. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA- China’s Xiamen Airlines has joined the global airline alliance, SkyTeam, making it the 19th member of the alliance and the fourth from the greater china region. Xiamen’s membership strengthens SkyTeam’s footprints in China and its overall number one position in the region by adding three new hubs-Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou-combined with a comprehensive domestic and growing international network. A statement sent to the GNA by SkyTeam Corporate Communications team said Xiamen Airlines was China’s sixth largest carrier and one of the world’s most profitable, having posted positive financial results for 26 consecutive years. The airline flies more than 15 million passengers annually to more than 50 cities including Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei. Founded in 1984, it is headquartered in the coastal city of Xiamen in the dynamic province of Fujian. This area of China boasts of a thriving and diverse industrial economy as well as a growing tourism market.  Xiamen Airlines’ fast expanding international network which includes Southeast and Northeast Asia and the airline has announced plans to launch flights to Europe, North America and Australasia by 2014 after the introduction of the Boeing 787. “By joining SkyTeam, Xiamen Airlines opens up the world to its passengers. And today we also strengthen SkyTeam’s footprint in China,” said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam’s Managing Director. “Greater China remains a priority region for our alliance. Xiamen Airlines will join our members China Southern, China Eastern and China Airlines in developing customer-focused initiatives for the region.” SkyTeam membership offers Xiamen Airlines’ customers greater connectivity onto international routes from China operated not only by these other Chinese airlines but also nine other alliance members including Aeroméxico, Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines. Che Shanglun, President and CEO of Xiamen Airlines stated “Membership of SkyTeam will enable us to deliver enhanced customer benefits as we diversify and grow our network and this is key to the success of our new international routes. Our passengers can anticipate exciting new destinations while we look forward to a future of cooperation with our alliance partners.” In keeping with SkyTeam’s focus on enriching the customer experience, Xiamen Airlines has also started rolling out SkyPriority, SkyTeam priority airport services for SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide. Effective immediately, Xiamen Airlines’ customers will be able to earn and redeem miles on services operated by all SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Xiamen Airlines-operated flights. SkyTeam passengers traveling to China will be able to fly on Xiamen Airlines flights as part of SkyTeam’s Go Round the World and Go Greater China Passes, giving them even more options to enjoy flexible, cost-effective travel globally and throughout the region. SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive global network with more destinations, frequencies and connnectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers access to 525 lounges worldwide. The nineteen members are: Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. SkyTeam offers its 552 million annual customers over 15,000 daily flights to 1,000 destinations in 187 countries. GNA...

Kasoa, Nov. 23, GNA- Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East, has assured the people that she would seek their economic wellbeing when she is giving the nod. She said through organised programmes women would be provided with skills that would enable them to undertake and improve their small and medium scale businesses. Madam Koomson gave the assurance when she addressed a political rally organised by Joe Mens “C” branch of the NPP on Thursday at Kpormeitey near Kasoa in the Central Region. She dismissed rumours peddled by her opponents that she is an illiterate, saying: “I am a trained teacher and graduated from the University of Education, Winneba.” Madam Koomson said she would endeavour to work towards the elevation of the Kosoa Health Centre to a well equipped hospital to curtail the rushing of patients and accident victims to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital or Winneba Government Hospital for treatment. She promised to encourage the people to embrace education in order to produce the skilled manpower the nation needs.     The NPP Parliamentary Candidate expressed the need for the public to support the security to fight armed robbery and other crimes in the area. GNA...

Obuasi, Nov 23, GNA - Eligible voters have been asked to vote on issues and not party colours and symbols to advance the development of the nation, the 2004 Obuasi parliamentary candidate for the People’s National Convention (PNC) Mr. Macheal Carr, has said. “We should vote for development and not the name of the political party or its colours and symbols,” he told the GNA in an in interview. Mr. Carr expressed worry about the way a lot of ballot papers got spoiled during  elections and called on the Electoral Commission(EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ministry of Information to step up public education on voting. “It is not a healthy sign in our quest to deepen our democracy. Since 1996 the country has voted five times and yet we still spoil ballot paper”, he said. Mr Carr appealed to the youth to conduct themselves in a decent manner that would not end up in violence and that it was of no use for the youth to allow themselves to be hired by politicians to cause trouble since these same politicians would not think of them again immediately the elections were over. Mr. Carr turned his attention to Obuasi and urged the electorate to vote wisely by giving the mandate to the candidate who would help move the municipality forward. “There are parliamentarians who are always on phone. If you want to discuss development issues with him, he is always busy on phone. Avoid such people”, he said. GNA...

Koforidua, Nov 23, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama on Friday said the government would partner private universities to provide quality education for the youth. This, he said, would reduce the yawning gap between the private and public universities and to provide workable solutions for quality education in the coming years. President Mahama said this when he addressed students of All Nations University College in Koforidua as part of his three-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region. During his stay in the region, the President would also address rallies in all the constituencies of the region, inspect and inaugurate development projects and hold meetings with the party leadership. The President said there was no need to discriminate against private educational institutions since they are all serving students and pledged to offer more collaboration that would bring mutual benefits to both private and public universities. He said his administration would not discriminate anybody on grounds of ethnicity, political or religion, but would rather inspire all Ghanaians to unite for rapid growth and development for future generations. President Mahama called for the support of all Ghanaians to move the economy beyond its current level and accelerate growth in all the sectors of the economy. On the December polls, president Mahama said the government in collaboration with the Electoral Commission and the security agencies, had put in place measures that would ensure a successful and peaceful election. “While, government has adequately resourced the Electoral Commission and the security agencies, we also expect that you as electorate conduct yourselves well to avert any election related violence,” he added. He said the government would also provide job opportunities to the youth under the Young Entrepreneurs Programme where the youth would be provided with financial support for training to become self-reliant and employers. President Mahama said such programmes would also reduce the over reliance of young graduates on the government sector and promote self employment. Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, said apart from the National Democratic Congress, no other political party could provide social interventions that could transform the living standards of Ghanaians. He appealed to them to vote massively for the NDC to continue and complete all the good projects that were initiated by the late President John Evans Atta Mills. GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov 23, GNA – Some artisans in the Bolgatanga Municipality have hailed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) free Senior High School (SHS) policy and said they would go back to senior high school should the NPP win the December election. The artisans, most of who completed junior high School some years ago with good results but could not continue at the senior high school level because their parents could not afford school fees, said they believe it is not too late to go back to school. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, the artisans including masons, carpenters, fitting mechanics, tillers and electricians prayed for the NPP to win the 2012 general elections so they could rekindle their hope of continuing their education to the universities and other tertiary institutions. Mr. Moses Akabere, a 26-year-old plumber who completed the Kasapin Local Authority JHS in 1999, said his parents could not afford the school fees at that time and had to cut short his dream of becoming an engineer in future. Mr. Akabere said he had not given up with furthering his education and  that the implementation of a free SHS policy would allow more Ghanaian youth who hitherto could not further their education to go back to the classroom. “I still feel I have the urge to learn, but I cannot take care of my family and still pay my fees, so Nana Akufo-Addo’s policy is the best for people like us who are disadvantaged because we could not afford.” A 23-year- old JHS dropout, Abdul Rahaman Dauda who dropped out of school because his parents could not afford ICT fees, said he was yearning to go back to school and would be glad should he have a second chance. Dauda, whose mother is a food vender and a driver father, said his ambition was to join the military adding “I want to serve Ghana and this is the opportunity for me and all those who fall in my position”. Dauda appealed to voters, especially the youth and all those who wish to further their education, to vote for Nana Akufo-Addo so that they could realize their dreams of also benefitting from the free SHS that the NPP is preaching. Faisal Mahama, 23, a mason apprentice said at his age his interest was to concentrate on his apprenticeship training and has little interest to go back to school.   He  expressed the hope that his younger siblings would take advantage of such opportunity to go back to school. Mr. Henry Adivila, a medical representative for Hills Pharmaceuticals, lauded the NPP policy for free education and said it would not only enhance education but also build the human resource base of the country. He said the NPP’s free SHS policy had a lot of potency and other political parties are coining their policies around it with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) criticizing it. Mr Adivila said he had sponsored some few students at the SHS level because they could not afford the basic fees required by the schools. “All these brilliant students would have gone roaming the streets with consequences if some of us did not intervene,” Mr Adivila said. He appealed to voters, especially people of northern descent, not to be swayed by the NDC’s propaganda against free SHS and vote for the NPP for better future for their children and generations unborn. He said students from the north do not readily get access to southern schools that have better learning facilities because of the fees they collect when first years report at school. Mr Adivila said students from the north do not pay fees and southern schools find it difficult to admit them because of the cash demanded on the first day of admission. He said the implementation of the free SHS would therefore erase this “sectional discrimination” that has existed for years to give northerners opportunity to also gain admission to top schools like Achimota, the Prempeh College, Mfantsipim and others to improve on the quality of the human resource base of northern Ghana. The Regional Secretary of the NPP in Upper East, Mr Yaw Mort, said the free SHS policy had all the accompanying plans to improve and expand infrastructure in   senior high schools, training colleges, universities and other tertiary institutions to ensure quality education. Mr. Mort said education was dear to the NPP and it would go every length to ensure that it provides quality, free and compulsory education to Ghanaian children at the basic and secondary levels. He appealed to voters to trust Nana Akufo-Addo to deliver and vote massively for the NPP “to bring back a sound economy, improve access to jobs and quality of life which the NDC has failed to manage in the last four years.” GNA...

Nsoatre (B/A), Nov. 23, GNA – Mission of Hope Society with support from Basic Needs Ghana, a non-governmental organisation has trained 60 patients with mental illness in mushroom production in the Sunyani West District. Forty additional women whose children have mental disorders in the district also benefited from the training to enable them fend for themselves and their families. Mr Justice Samuel Adjei, Deputy Director, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Society, said this after presenting start up capital to the beneficiaries at Nsoatre. It was an opportunity for some of the patients to meet and interact with Mrs Jane Cox, Director of Operations, Basic Needs, UK Trust and Mr Peter Yaro, Chief Executive Officer of Basic Needs, Ghana. The executive members were at Nsoatre to access basic needs of the patients and how to support them. Mr Adjei said with support from Basic Needs, the Society was working in 156 communities in 10 Municipal and District Assemblies in the Brong-Ahafo Region to assist people with all forms of mental disabilities to access drugs and empower them to become independent. They are Asutifi North, Dormaa East, Techiman and Kintampo Municipalities, Kintampo South, Atebubu/Amantin, Sene East, Pru, Sunyani West and Sene West districts. Mrs Sarah Adams Kyeremeh, a Community Psychiatric Nurse at Sunyani Municipal Hospital, said strict adherence to drugs could control and sometimes cure people with mental disorders. She said the rate at which parents kept and abusing their children with mental illness at home was alarming in the Sunyani Municipality. Mrs Kyeremeh said drugs administered tor mental patients were free and the hospital had enough drugss. Mr Sampson Fordjour, a Retired Principal Nursing Officer at the Psychiatric Unit of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Hospital, said mental patients were stigmatized and because of this the unit found it a challenge to re-integrate patients who had gone through medication with their families. GNA...

Akyempim (W/R), Nov 23, GNA - Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL) has provided the people of Ayempim Mporhor Wassa East District with a mechanised water system as part of measures to ease the perennial water crisis and prevent the use of unsafe water. This is in fulfilment of an agreement reached in June last year between the leaders of the Akyempim community and representatives of GSWL. Inaugurating the facility in addition to a community centre the General Manager of GSWL, Mr. Ken Stein, said 220,000 dollars was spent on the projects and the company has targeted to invest 800,000 dollars between 2010 -2013 on water and sanitation.  GSWL has projected to use 750,000 dollars in 13 projects and these include two community centres, three bole holes and three mechanized water projects this year.    Ten of those projects have been completed and 44 youth from the company’s three sites had received skills in mining, mine maintenance, safety and other mine related skills. He thanked the people who had worked to ensure good collaboration and peaceful co-existence between the people of Akyempim and GSWL. He appealed to parents to take the education of their children seriously to enable them take up employment opportunities in the mine. The company donated 200 pieces of plastic chairs to the community. The chief of Brofoyedro, Nana Kwamena Damoah III, expressed appreciation for the facility and appealed to those who had been selected to manage it to do a good job. GNA...

Accra, Nov.23, GNA- There is consensus among stakeholders in the construction industry that government should establish a board, to deal with building defects that undermines the durability of projects. Such a board should be an independent multi-stakeholder body that would curtail the unethical practices by contractors and operate along the lines of South African Construction Development Board. Mr Martin K. Nnuro, President of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana, and Mr Pius Michael Quainoo, General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress reached the agreement at meeting to discuss matters of mutual concern. Mr Quainoo said growth in local construction cannot be achieved if there is rot in the industry. He expressed concern about foreign companies which disallow the formation of trades unions, leading to abuse of workers’ rights. Mr Nnuro spoke against the domination of the industry by foreign contractors who get the “juicy jobs” to the disadvantage of their local counterparts. He expressed concern about non-payment of jobs executed, which has brought untold hardship to members of the association and their workers. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Black Stars midfielder, Andre Ayew has been handed a second chance to win the prestigious Confederation of African (CAF) Player of the Year award. Ayew, 22, was named in the five-man shortlist for the prestigious individual honour in African football during the unveiling ceremony in Accra. The Olympique Marseille midfielder, who missed out on the award narrowly last year and hoping to follow his father, Abedi Ayew, who won the crown in 1993 faces stiff opposition from 2011 winner, Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire and compatriot Didier Drogba; Senegalese Demba Ba and Alexander Song of Cameroon. It is the second successive shortlist for the left-footed player for the coveted prize. He placed third behind Toure and Malian Seydou Keita last year. The nominees were made public on Friday by Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) at a press conference organized by CAF in partnership with telecommunication giants, Globacom, sponsors of the annual event. The top five were decided by votes from the head coaches or technical directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF. Nyantakyi, also a member of the CAF Executive Committee said Ghana was delighted to host the annual event once again and promised their support to make the event a success. Mohamed Aboutreika (Egypt) and Zambian duo Rainford Kalaba and Stoppila Sunzu are the top three for the African Player of the Year award (Based in Africa). On his part, Patrick Awotwe, Head of Business at Globacom reiterated his outfit’s commitment to the development of football on the continent citing sponsorships of the Black Stars, Ghana Premier League, Super Eagles of Nigeria and amongst others. The winners will be unveiled at a Awards Gala to be held on December 20, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra. It will be fourth time after 2006, 2009 and 2011 that the event will be staged in the Ghanaian capital. GNA...

Ho, Nov. 23  GNA – Safeway Estates Limited  presented a cheque of 200,000 Ghana Cedis to about 100 people in the Volta Region, who invested in the Safeway Tilapia Cooperative Project in July last year.      Addressing the investors in Ho on Thursday, Mr. Believe Kweku-Mensah, Marketing Manager of the company,   said tilapia farming promised to be lucrative investment in Ghana due to the high demand for fish both locally and internationally.      Mr. Kweku-Mensah appealed to people living along the Volta Lake, a natural habitat for tilapia, to take advantage of Safeway’s “cage culture fish farming method” to invest in tilapia farming for the domestic market and for export.         He said investment in the project was segmented in blocks with each block valuing 100 Ghana Cedis with the assurance that adequate internal security measures have been instituted to prevent any theft during production, harvesting and distribution.   Mr. Raymond Buama, Account at the Ho Municipal National Health Insurance Scheme, advised people ‘’to grow their own capital to start a business instead of borrowing money to start it.’’   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Professor Francis Kwasi Ampanyin Allotey, President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, has noted that with the rapid increase of urbanization energy access will become a key issue in the near future.   He said there was an accelerated demand for wood fuel, especially charcoal, in view of inadequate and uneven supply of  Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)  in most parts of the country.   Prof Allotey was speaking at the 53rd Founders Week Celebration organized by the Academy under the theme, “Ghana’s Urbanization Challenge” in Accra.   He said unsustainable production and incomplete combustion of biomass was a significant contributor of local pollution in homes, particularly, the health of women and children was continually at risk since they did most of the home cooking.   Prof Allotey said initiatives on the promotion of improved charcoal stoves had been implemented by non-governmental organizations where the Ministry of Energy left off, adding: “I am told that about 200,000 units of improved cook stoves under the brand name “Gyapa” improved cookstoves have been distributed throughout the country since 2007 by NGOs.”   He said in 2006, the Energy Commission hosted a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assisted Households Energy Project (HEP) which was aimed at enhancing access to sustainable energy service for cooking in Ghana.   Prof Allotey noted the project's objective was key in encouraging the use of efficient charcoal and firewood stoves and that heavy dependence on wood for cooking and heating increased the pressure on local natural resources and accelerated degradation.   He said the Energy Commission jointly with Energy Foundation had initiated a number of energy efficiency and conservation measures to help improve the efficiency of energy use in the country, adding that the latest was the Refrigerator Exchange and Rebate promotion programme launched last September.   Under the programme, one sends an old but functioning refrigerator to a designated retail outlet and gets a discount coupon for a purchase of a new energy efficient one.   Prof Allotey said energy efficiency was not only on the demand-side, but also covered supply-side technologies as well and that it included the improvement in the conservation efficiencies of the hydropower plants, thermal plants and also fuel consumption efficiencies of vehicles on the roads.   GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 23, GNA – Mr Yaw Mort, Upper East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday said the party had gained stronger grounds in the region more than ever before, as more and more residents of the area join it.   He said the party’s new patrons and new comers either defected from other parties especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to join the NPP, or were interested in the NPP because of its record of honestly managing the nation's economy.   He said the Nabdam and Talensi constituencies for instance had both fallen to the NPP as the youth, elderly and women had embraced  Nana Addo, Mr Boniface Gambilla and Mr Robert Mosori Doameng, NPP Presidential and Parliamentary candidates respectively.   Mr Mort said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga and indicated that fear had now gripped the NDC which hitherto had dominated the Region in terms of votes and said the dwindling fortunes of the NDC in those two constituencies was manifested in President John Mahama’s visit where the NDC failed to impress on the people.   He noted that other constituencies such the Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East were a forgone conclusion in favour of  the NPP, and said: “For the Bawku Central, the NDC is so desperate that it is taking advantage of the peace that the people have forged in that area to intimidate NPP supporters which our members would not barge”.   Mr Mort said for the Navrongo and Paga seats which were currently occupied by  the NPP,  the NDC was desperately fighting a lost battle there and had, therefore, allegedly resorted to sharing money and laptops to attract votes with the hope that it would turn their fortunes around.   The Regional Secretary expressed dismay about the NDC's strategy of sharing money and laptops and said, “They better keep the money to account for their stewardship because they will surely lose this election and will definitely account for misuse of the country’s funds”.   Mr Mort urged all NPP sympathizers and people in other parties who believed in the ideals of the NPP, especially its free SHS policy, to come out on election day and vote massively for the NPP.   He said an attempt to retain the NDC in power would see a completely damaged economy in the first quarter of the year 2013, adding “When you have people in power whose objective is to steal the country’s wealth for themselves at the expense of the ordinary people, it is the national purse that would be emptied and the people would have to suffer it”.   He further called on NPP supporters not to be disheartened by the sharing of gifts by the NDC or be daunted if on polling day people resort to acts of intimidation, and advised them to report any such behaviour to the police for action.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and all other commercial transport operators have been asked to appoint road safety officers as provided for by the Standards for Commercial Passenger Transport Operators.        The Management of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT), GPRTU and all other commercial passenger transport operators should liaise with the National Drivers Academy to put in place a programme to offer road safety refresher training programme in the manner provided for under Regulation 125 of Road Traffic Regulations L.I. 2180 2012 for all their drivers.   The call was made by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, on Friday in Accra.   It said that the agencies with responsibility to ensure compliance with existing operational safety standards, considered transport operators as frontline enforcement.   The statement said the NRSC was distressed by the safety profile of the commercial passenger transport operators, particularly the GPRTU and MMT as leading public service transport operators with responsibility to reflect a higher road safety standard.   According to the statement, “It is regrettable that over the last three years alone, the GPRTU and MMT have been involved in a number of crashes that includes some notable high casualty crashes killing a total of 97 persons.   “In August 2010, 19 persons perished in a crash at Sege when a MMT bus ran into a stationary vehicle, while in November 2011, 29 persons died in Tamale in a crash involving vehicles operated by GPRTU and MMT as a result of overloading and over speeding”.   The statement also said that in September 2012, a MMT operated vehicle hit an Urvan commercial bus at Srokpo junction on the Tamale-Savelugu highway, killing 9 persons and during that same period, a MMT bus collided with a GPRTU operated Toyota Haise bus at Bepoase, near Adukrom, in the Eastern Region, killing 9 persons.      The statement expressed worry that in November 2012, some 31 persons have been confirmed dead in a crash involving vehicles managed by MMMT and GPRTU.   It directed MMT, GPRTU and all transport operators providing service in the nature of commercial passenger transport service to submit to the Commission within two weeks from November 21, 2012 a list of road safety officers appointed and a detailed action plan for the implementation of the standards and the refresher training for all their drivers.   The statement said the Commission would work with the relevant stakeholders to exercise all the available opportunities to ensure that these measures designed to prevent road traffic crashes were complied with for the public good.   It said ‘’ the NRSC will continue to lead research, advocacy and coordination efforts to deliver a better road safety situation while expecting that they will collectively cultivate a safety culture to demand responsibility from road safety implementing agencies.’’   The statement said following the road traffic crash that occurred on Friday November 16, 2012, the Executive Director of the NRSC, Mr Noble John Appiah, led a team to visit the scene to ascertain first- hand information on the nature of accident.   It said the crash occurred at Kogni near Bawa Barracks on the Tamale-Bolgatanga Highway when a Bolgatanga bound MMT bus reportedly collided head on with a GPRTU-operated Benz bus.   The statement noted that ‘’preliminary investigations into the road traffic crash suggests a failure of the road transport operational system to comply with processes, procedures and road safety standards that guarantee quality assurance, given the state of the vehicles after the crash and the surrounding circumstances of the crash.’’   It said the NRSC has further directed a road transport safety systems investigation to establish the extent of compliance with processes, procedures and existing standards for public service transport operators in order to take further remedial steps in the public interest.   GNA...

A GNA feature by Ms Fatima Anafu Astanga   Bolgatanga, Nov. 23, GNA - Youth Parliament are newly developing phenomena where youth supporters of political parties construct sheds, most often with support from their parties, that are supposed to serve as bases for the youth to meet and discuss party issues.   As political activities heat up in the last few weeks to the December 7general election, the parties are beginning to revamp these “parliaments” by giving some face-lift to existing ones and constructing new ones. Parties are busy shaping and nailing broken wood and painting of party colors and symbols on these structures.   Conspicuously in the last elections were the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP). During this political season, more have sprung up possibly as a result of the faith the youth have kept with their parties.   So, as one walks a distance of less than a kilometer or two in most northern towns and villages, youth parliaments are visible everywhere. With the upsurge of new parties such the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the United Renaissance, Party (URP), and the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) among others, and as more constituencies are being created, more market is created for the wood industry as more youth parliaments are bound to spring up.   The interesting thing about these youth parliaments in this period of campaign is that the youth live in close proximity in the communities, but from different traditional homes and towns. This means that even if one lives in the Zongos, a youth parliament located there is likely to have their constituents from different traditional backgrounds. What the youth sit there in their numbers to do and what transpires between them should be a matter of interest for all Ghanaians during this campaign season.   The process of democratization itself creates problems with which communities must grapple. As the youth identify themselves with parties, rivalry is being stimulated. Some opinions this writer has gathered is that some of these youth parliaments are too close for comfort ,as they are perched so close to each other. A visit to some of the Youth Parliaments by this writer also revealed that the occupants of the sheds go to sit there to socialize.   While some engage in playing “oware” others simply have a nap. Most of them are unemployed and therefore spend longer hours sitting there. According to Dr Ken Peligba of the University for Development Studies (UDS), some of these youth parliaments could promote hooliganism if care was not taken. Asked as to what they sometimes discussed, Mr Raymond Agarey, a carpenter at one of the sheds belonging to the NPP in the Bolgatanga township in the Upper East region, said they discussed how to bring more people to join the party.   Interestingly, however, all occupants of the two party sheds interviewed had no idea what their various party manifestoes promoted. Another phenomenon developing is the sale of party paraphernalia in these sheds that seems to serve as a temporary source of employment for those who trade in these party symbols.   Electoral Accountability   It is without argument that the involvement of the citizenry in the promotion of good governance should be a matter of concern as all prepare to vote in the coming elections, because development is a shared responsibility involving government, local authorities and communities. So as a Ghanaian, how you are involved in key development matters should be crucial to all.   Politics is not about bloodshed that would send women and children running from their birth places for shelter in an environment they may not be familiar with and may not want to live in. The party that wins the 2012 election should be aware that it will be held accountable for its stewardship, particularly in addressing the needs of the vulnerable and less privileged. There are common aspirations among these teeming youth: jobs, education, and hope for the future, andthese should be addressed by the parties for which they are dying now.   There are communities that wished they could be provided with water, roads, electricity and other social amenities that exist in urban cities, but they look on helplessly as they get disappointed over slow pace of development or no development at all in their areas. For those, it is time to let the thumb decide.    The  youth have to take a strong stand and let their thumbs decide which party they prefer to manage the affairs of this country. The NPP’s promise of free SHS strongly assures Ghanaians of “transforming lives, transforming Ghana, building a free fair and prosperous society”. Therefore that party thinks it should be given the mandate. The CPP’s focus on free compulsory and quality education from the basic to tertiary, and more support for women to improve on their livelihoods should also let women begin to sit up and scrutinize these policies.   The NDC in launching of its manifesto assured Ghanaians of advancing the Better Ghana Agenda and making more investment in the people irrespective of gender, ethnicity or political lineage. The PPP is saddened by high unemployment in the country and has assured Ghanaians it will create Jobs and build the capacity of the private sector.   The question about total development of the country’s youth who have remained steadfast and made so much sacrifices to bring parties to power remains unanswered. During this season of campaigns there is the need for more attention to be focussed on peaceful elections, especially as the parties drum home messages through their manifestoes for Ghanaians to make informed choices.   The youth need to understand that as they play an important role in the affairs of their parties,  they should help to interpret their manifestoes to convince people to join their respective parties. They should avoid engaging in arguments that have the potential to endanger their lives since they need their lives to make their parties what they want them to be. It is said political parties will come and go but Ghana will always be there.   The display of their commitment to the parties they belong to is good but where it is combined with drinking and riding motorbikes carelessly at top speed to endanger their own lives and the lives of others  when their leaders visit the communities to campaign, is a habit every Ghanaian must jointly condemn in no uncertain terms.   Politics should be a peaceful intellectual form of war Ghanaians have to embark on to bring development to the country, but  at this time the atmosphere is charged with tension. And in times like this the electorate become important to every politician because their participation in the electoral process as voters is very crucial in conferring power on one of the contesting candidates who intend to govern the country.   This is the power the youth, as part of the electorate, have at their disposal to ensure their dreams for a future devoid of joblessness and frustration become a reality. Indeed, each and every citizen of this country has an aspiration and this should be translated into a political preference that should help them make an intelligent choice among the various Presidential and Parliamentary candidates paraded before us now. Let Your Thumb Speak!...

Prestea (W/R), Nov. 23, GNA - The Mine Manager of Golden Star Bogoso Prestea Limited (GSBPL), Mr. Samuel Agyeman, has given the assurance that the Prestea underground mine would commence full operation before the end of this year.         He said to prevent further delays in the project, which has ceased for more than 10 years now, GSBPL in collaboration with New Century Mine have planned to begin the scheme in two phases.    Mr. Agyeman said these in Prestea on Friday when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), organized a public consultative forum to solicit views of officials of the company and the chiefs and people of the area on the proposed Prestea underground project.      He said 285 people would be employed in the first phase, which has been structured for a period of three years.       Mr. Agyeman said the company has rehabilitated the central shaft, ore passes, replaced obsolete equipment and fixed new water pumps,  to ensure the safety of workers.      He said decision to send extracted material from the Prestea mine to Bogoso treatment plant for the final production did not go down well with the chiefs and people of Prestea.       Mr. Agyeman said, consequently, the Member of Parliament for Pestea Huni/Valley, Mr. Francis Adu Blay Koffie and a divisional chief of Himan, Nana Nteboaprah IV, on behalf of the people, requested the company to construct a processing treatment plant in Prestea as soon as possible.       Nana Nteboaprah IV appealed to the people, especially the youth, to seek for any clarification on the project from the traditional rulers to maintain peace as the company prepares to reactivate the underground mine.      Mr. Ali Sandow, the Deputy Director of EPA, told the Ghana News Agency that the Agency received a document on scooping concerning the GSBPL proposed project.      He said the EPA organised the event to discuss issues raised by the GSBPL and the community before final permit would be granted to the company.      Mr. Sandow said EPA would review the document and concerns raised by the chiefs and people.      He said government was committed to ensuring the reactivation of the Prestea underground mine and the EPA would take appropriate measures for the project to begin.   Mr. Sandow said the company has targeted 1,893.000 kilo ounces of gold within the phase one of the project.   GNA...