Asuom (ER) Nov. 20 GNA-Prophet Samuel Kwesi Twumasi, the Founder and General Overseer of the Faith in God Healing Church (FGHC), has appealed to politicians to put “Ghana first” in the course of their campaigns such that their utterances would not plunge the country into chaos before, during, and after the December polls.      He made the appeal at the head quarters of the church at Akyem Asuom in the Kwaebibirem District during the one year anniversary celebration and three days Christmas Convention of the Church.      It was under the theme “Glorifying God for peace in election 2012” and was attended by members from 21 branches of the church.       Prophet Twumasi noted that each of the candidates contesting for the various positions was qualified and appealed to those who would be defeated to accept the results in good faith.      Lamenting on devastating effects of wars and chaos as a result of upheavals, Prophet Twumasi said people would not have the freedom to worship their God if war should break out.      He therefore urged pastors to go on their knees every day for God’s divine intervention and favour for every form of tension to go down and allow peace to prevail.      Prophet Twumasi said religious leaders owed it as a duty to be bold and bring to order any politician who in his quest to win political power would either stand on the platform or use the mass media to plunge Ghana into confusion.      “Whether that person is from Government or in opposition, it is our responsibility as men of God to have courage to condemn the person or prosperity will not forgive us” Prophet Twumasi stressed.      Ghanaian politicians and supporters he emphasized ought to be circumspect in their utterances and put Ghana first since they cannot rule Ghana and its people in the midst of war.      A leader and Head Prophet of Christ Faith Word Church International at Nazareth, Akroso, Prophet Nana Kusi Afram Tawiah ll, cautioned men of God to refrain from engaging in partisan politics since taking the stand could land their own churches into confusion.     He rather advised religious leaders to concentrate in preaching the word of God and pray for national cohesion and peace at all times.   GNA...

Aflao (N/R), Nov 20, GNA - An idol, which is a subject of controversy between the Pentecostal Revival Centre Assemblies of God Church at Aflao and the traditional authorities which nearly resulted in a clash years ago is to the relocated.   Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao gave the assurance while addressing a homecoming programme by the church to reunite its former and current members.   “I can assure you the idol has already begun crawling and would soon walk away from your entrance,   “As you celebrate your homecoming the idol would also soon celebrate its home going to close the chapter on the issue,” Togbe Fiti said to the excitement of the church members.   Togbe Fiti said the huge cost of rituals involved in the relocation and foot dragging by the Ketu-South Municipal Town and Country Planning to allocate a plot along the Ghana-Togo border were reasons for the delay.   Land owners who have converted to Christianity are reluctant to give their lands to the idol.   He said his outfit is expecting Gh¢ 20,000 compensation for the removal of two other idols at Legbasime to pave way for reconstruction work on the Aflao-Accra highway.   The idol located on the land prior to its acquisition by the church had been a source of controversy between the mission and the chiefs.   The chiefs demanded Gh¢2,000.00 from the Church as a condition for the removal of the idol.   Togbe Fiti who was a member of the church when he was young man, expressed happiness at the phenomenal growth of the congregation.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – The National Pension Regulatory Authority (NPRA) on Tuesday fixed November 20 - December 3 for collection of provisional statements on workers’ five per cent contributions to the mandatory contributions to second tier occupational pension scheme.   The contributions cover a period January 2010 to June 2011.   A statement issued by NPRA in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said the provisional statements covers contributors of workers under the Controller and Accountant Generals’ Department payroll (public sector workers).   “All employers who made contributions on behalf of their staff during that period are encouraged to collect the provisional statements for onward distribution to their staff,” NPRA said.   The Authority said the 10- day nationwide distribution period would be done concurrently from 0830 hours to 1230 hours and 1300 hours to 1630 hours daily.   Employers and Institutions are requested to pick up the Provisional Statements through appropriately authorised representative staff (preferably Accountant or Human Resource Officers).   According to NPRA each representative staff will be required to submit an Authority Note from his or her employer or Head of Institution bearing the collecting Officer’s name.   In addition, each representative staff must provide any of the following identification; Voters Identity Card, Drivers Licence, Passport, National Identification Card and finally, sign a log book before statements are released to them.   Employers and Institutions who have been paying contributions to the Second Tier Occupational Pension Scheme since January 2010 should endeavour to pick up the Provisional Statements by December 3.   The NPRA has designated agents of Daily Graphic (or Graphic Communications Group) who have been assigned to do the exercise in the 10 regional collection points.   NPRA direct institutions to contact its Corporate Affairs desk on telephone: 0302 968692 or 0302 968693 or through the email: [email protected] or [email protected]   No.   Region                 Location (collection point) Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm & 1:00pm – 4:30pm each day   Graphic Designated Agents   Ashanti                  Daily Graphic Office, location: Asafo Labour, near the Ghana @50 Roundabouts and opposite the Zion School, Kumasi.   Oscar   Tigayie (0244 437642/ 0209 041074/ 0265 13306/ 0276 211516)   Daily Graphic Office, location: adjacent to the Standard Charted Bank, Obuasi   Stephen Amankwah (0277 548862)   Brong Ahafo   Daily Graphic Office, location: the Cocoa House building, Sunyani   Charles Bampoh (0278 866304 / 0244 216609/ 0261155281)   Central   Daily Graphic Office, Location: Main Ghana Commercial Bank, Annex Building, Cape Coast      Joseph Sampson (0208 224934)   Eastern   Daily Graphic Office, Location: adjacent to the SIC Office (Tema-House), Koforidua   Catherine Ablorh (0272 337952/ 0261 506157)    Greater Accra   G-PAK LIMITED (Main Sub. of Graphic Communications Group Ltd., Daily Graphic Office, Location: No. 3 Graphic Road, Accra   Martha Amoako (0272 423300 / 0302 670520 / 0302 665209)   Daily Graphic Office, Location: 2nd floor of the Kristal Plaza Building near the Evergreen Supermarket, Community 4, Tema/Teshie Nungua                 Eugenia Maccready (0303-910000)   Northern   Daily Graphic Office, Location: the 3rd Floor of Ghana Commercial Bank building, Opposite STC Yard, Tamale   Karimu Ali (0244 407468 / 0205589554)   Upper East   Daily Graphic Office, Location: the 2nd Floor of Ghana Commercial Bank Building, Bolgatanga                 George   FI. Arthur (0205 597980)   Upper West   Daily Graphic Office, Location: the Ministries Building, Block B, Wa           Judith Suglor (0201 846932)   Volta   Daily Graphic Office, Location: Ministries, opposite to the High Court Building, Ho   Charles Mensah (0244 110367)   Western   Daily Graphic Office, Location: on the Market Circle Liberation Road, Takoradi                 Roland Sampson (0312-023013)   GNA...

NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Dome/Kwabenya Constituency, Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo has been nominated to receive the Nobles International Award.

Sunyani, Nov. 20, GNA - The Brong Ahafo Regional Office of Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has intensified its last quarter market surveillance to clear and control inferior goods from the market towards Christmas celebration.       Mr Matthew Gyang Nkum, Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of FDB, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, said the exercise begun this month and would end in February, 2013.      The surveillance is being conducted on drugs, cooking oil, assorted drinks, milk, confectionery and tin products, some of which had been seized and would be destroyed soon.      Some of the seized items had expired, containers bloated, some not registered, others without batch numbers and some had their seal tampered with.      Mr Nkum pointed out that during such festive occasions, patronage of food products increased and dealers took advantage to import inferior products on the market which put consumers at risk.      He called on the public to critically check the labels of containers for expiry dates and refuse to purchase products they suspected had their expiry dates tampered with.   He said for the safety of consumers, they could report such traders at the consumers complain desk of the board for necessary action to be taken in the interest of the public.       Mr Nkum said although the board had been mandated to regulate food, drugs, medical and household chemicals to ensure they were of good quality for the safety of the public, the public could contribute immensely to achieve this.   He said shop owners after intensive education now appreciated the need for such exercises, co-operate and accept the board’s staff at their shops without any assault  and resistance.       Mr Nkum said some shop owners even called for assistance from the board to dispose off their expired products and cautioned that individuals did not have the right to dispose off any expired goods or drugs without the board’s consent.      He pointed out that shop owners found disposing off unwholesome goods or tampering with expiry dates on products would be arrested and prosecuted.   GNA...

A South African man is convicted of firing the shot which killed Swedish woman Anni Dewani on her honeymoon in 2010.

Tamale, Nov. 20, GNA –   Mr Shaibu Dawuda an official of the Northern Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate has observed that the scourge of open defecation (OD) cost the nation 79 million dollars a year.   However eliminating the practice would require less than one million latrines to be built and used, he said.   Mr Dawuda made the observation when he addressed the Chiefs and people of Dungu, a farming community and its environs in the Tamale Metropolis on Monday during this year’s World Toilet Day.   “Open defecation does not only have higher costs than any other sanitation practise yet it had serious adverse social impact,” he said.   He said about 60 per cent of diseases in the region are sanitation related, citing the more than 50 cholera cases reported in the East Gonja and Kpandai districts where two lives were lost.   Mr Dawuda called on government to address sanitation inequality through specific strategies in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.   Mr Sulemana Abudul-Karim, Executive Director of Behasun Integrated Development Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), observed that lack of proper sanitation could plunge a community into the outbreak of diseases including cholera and typhoid fever.   He called on government and political parties to fulfil their promises on sanitation made during political campaigns, as well as commitments during the “High Meetings on Sanitation and Water” to ensure sanitation and water for all.   He asked the people to develop communal regulations to ban OD to ensure environmental cleanliness.   Mr Abdul-Karim recommended that official of town and country planning should refuse estate developers who do not include a toilet facility in their building plans as a strategy to reduce the case of OD.   Mr Felix Gbevillah Programme Officer of WaterAid, an NGO and sponsors of the day, called on the public to change their attitude towards sanitation.   The day was on the theme: “Achieving Open Defecation Free.”   This year’s commemoration marks the 11th Anniversary to take concrete action aim at breaking the taboo around toilets and draw attention to the global sanitation challenge.   GNA...

Kokofu (B/A), Nov. 20, GNA – Mr Anthony Kofi Bona, Atebubu-Amantin District Best Farmer for 2012, said the use of weeding as punishment in schools discouraged the youth from entering into farming.        “Using weeding as a form of punishment in the basic and senior high school (SHS) is negative and discouraged teenagers and the youth to develop interest in farming,” he said.        Mr Bona, 39, also a teacher at the Roman Catholic Primary School in Atebubu and assemblyman for Kokofu, has, therefore, appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other stakeholders in education to prescribe alternative forms of punishment to pupils and students that would not affect farming.         In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kokofu near Atebubu, Mr Bona said some teachers, under the guise of using weeding as punishment, sent the pupils and students to work on their farms.         “Agriculture is not an avenue for punishment and poverty but a sector for wealth creation,” he said.         He said negative remarks by parents and guardians about farming to their children and wards also affected their interest to venture into farming.        Mr Bona explained that most farmers in the rural areas attributed their poverty to farming but failed accept that they were subsistence and peasant farmers which normally could not generate enough income except foodstuffs and vegetables for their survival.        He said they rather encouraged their children and wards to learn trades such as tailoring, dressmaking, carpentry and hairdressing.        Mr Bona said due to lack of knowledge in applying technology, some of these peasant farmers failed to use the services of agricultural extension officers to improve their farming.        He said the land tenure system also impeded easy access to land acquisition for commercial farming by the few interested youth in the rural communities.         Mr Bona called on the government to intervene through the traditional authorities, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies for the easy release of farmlands to interested persons based on mutual agreement and benefit for all parties.       He identified the get-rich quick syndrome as another discouraging factor among the youth to invest their time, energy and other resources in farming.       Mr Bona appealed to the government to adequately resource the Irrigation Authority to construct small dams in farming communities for irrigation purposes to encourage more young men and women to undertake commercial farming.       Mr Bona is currently a first year distance learning student of a two-year Post Diploma Basic Education at the Kumasi campus of the University of Education, Winneba.   He started commercial farming in 2008 and employs seven permanent workers and 40 casual labourers annually.      He has 73 acres of crop farming comprising 14 acres of yam, 28 acres of maize, six acres each of rice and cassava, four acres of garden eggs, a six-acre teak plantation, four acres of mango, an acre of plantain and four acres of pepper.      In addition, Mr Bona has 40 cattle, 24 pigs, 45 goats, 40 sheep and 45 local fowls.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.20, GNA – The People’s National Convention (PNC) has tagged agriculture and food security as the main stay of the nation’s economy based on which the electorates should vote for its presidential candidate Mr Hassan Ayariga on December 7.   “Food production is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the nation. It provides the fuel that drives the nation’s life. That is why the PNC finds the present high cost of food unacceptable as it is beyond the reach of the ordinary Ghanaian.   “The PNC also finds unacceptable the present situation whereby the bulk of the nation’s foreign exchange is spent on the importation of food that can be produced locally,” the PNC said.   The PNC in its Election 2012 Manifesto obtained by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), claimed that it would bring on board an integrated programme comprising the government, farmers, financial institutions, agricultural mechanization companies, input suppliers and industry on a revolving basis.   “The methodology of the programme shall be to group small scale farmers who produce the bulk of the nation’s food and the youth into co-operatives and make them the main vehicle towards achieving food sufficiency for the nation.   “A PNC government will depoliticize the sale or supply of farm machinery to individuals and facilitate as well as encourage the establishment of plant pools of farm machinery by the private sector to provide prompt and timely services to farmers at approved rate," it said.   According to the Manifesto, mechanization companies would plough the farms of the various cooperative groups and their accounts debited with the cost by the banks upon certification by agriculture extension officers.   Under regulation and ownership, the PNC said through the Department of Co-operatives, the Ministry of Agriculture would organize small scale farmers and the youth into co-operatives.   It would acquire suitable farm lands, provide irrigation facilities, arrange mechanization services, guarantee loans from financial institutions, supply farm inputs, supervise application of inputs, monitor performance of farms from planting to harvesting and ensure prompt repayment of loans.   "To further ensure that the nation achieved food sufficiency within the shortest possible time, our government shall acquire large tracts of lands and lease them to individuals, co-operate organizations, companies and investors who may wish to do large-scale farming.   "Public servants and private individuals will be encouraged and assisted to do backyard farming, high yielding crop varieties and scientific methods of farming will be introduced to farmers to increase yields,” it said.   The PNC administration will aim at increasing cocoa production from the present one million metric tons to about 1.5 million metric tons within the first four years in office.   “We shall achieve this by replanting all fallow cocoa farms, mass distribution of fertilizers, ensuring accessibility of chemicals by farmers, and effective measures to stop smuggling of cocoa, including moving cocoa depots away from boarders to curtail smuggling," it said.   According to the Manifesto, more irrigation dams would be constructed across the country to enable all year round farming.   It said: “To facilitate easy transportation of farm produce and people to urban areas, feeder roads linking all food production areas will be given high priority. A railway network to aid in transportation will be another priority of a PNC administration”.   It said a PNC administration hoped to rehabilitate abandoned silos and build new ones to help improve food storage system, reduce post-harvest lost and provide food security during the lean periods, it said.   “Our government, when given the nod, will review the existing fishing laws and block all loopholes that tend to put our fisher folks at a disadvantage. We shall also explore other ways of reviving and revamping the fishing industry.   “In this direction, our administration will tackle and solve the perennial problem of non-availability of pre-mix fuels and other fishing inputs.   “We will work closely with the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen to explore ways of assembling outboard motors and manufacturing fishing nets locally.   “We will make fish farming a key module under the National Youth Employment programme to encourage the youth to engage in fish farming and initiate policy to make it a viable source of income," the Manifesto said.   It said a PNC government would establish large plantations of sheanut trees, a sheanut marketing board will be established; expand and create more shea-butter factories to create more jobs for the youth and women in the Northern Region.   Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education, titled “Election 2012: Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter” obtained by the GNA, revealed that 48.2 per cent of respondent suggested the government should subsidize agriculture inputs.   Another 21.1 per cent said government must give financial support to farmers in form of loans and scholarships for children of farmers to enable them to continue their education to the highest level whilst 8.1 per cent called on government to provide market for farmers and also fix prices of agriculture crops.   About 7.3 per cent respondents called for mechanized farming, 5.3 per cent appealed for the provision of irrigation and access roads by government, 4.6 per cent wanted government to make farming attractive to the youth, 4.1 per cent called for the provision of storage facilities for agricultural products and 1.3 per cent suggested the reintroduction of state farms by government.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 20, GNA- Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Tuesday expressed worry over the sagging reputation of Ghana Police Service, and called for co-operation and team work to facilitate efficiency in the discharge of their duties.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur who was speaking during his maiden visit to the Head Quarters of the Service in Accra assured the personnel of continuous Government support in the form of logistics and equipment.   After inspecting a guard mounted in his honour, the Vice President who is also the Chairman of the Police Council commended the Police for its role in ensuring peaceful elections over the years and urged them to maintain their impartiality in Election 2012.   Mr William Aboah, Minister of the Interior commended the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its massive support to the Police Service.   He commended President John Mahama, immediate past Vice President,   for his “proactive leadership”, adding that through his hard work and commitment the Police Service has received unprecedented benefits.   “No Government has resourced the Police Service the magnitude that the NDC has,” Mr Aboah noted.   He said Government has empowered the Police through the provision of logistics, and training in the art of modern policing and expansion work at the Police Hospital in Accra.   Mr Aboah also praised the Vice President, the immediate past Governor of the Bank of Ghana, for raising the image of the Central Bank globally.   He gave the assurance that the Police Service would take the necessary steps for incident free elections and protect the territorial integrity of the nation.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.20, GNA - Mr Hubert Charles, National Director, World Vision (WV) Ghana, on Tuesday called on government to fulfill its promise of spending 15 per cent of the national budget on health in line with the Abuja Declaration.   He said currently, government expenditure on health is 12 per cent of total expenditure, which amounts to 325 million dollars, whiles out-of –pocket expenditure on health is 27 percent of the total health expenditure.   Mr Charles was speaking at a media encounter in Accra to announce “Child Health Now” (CHN) campaign as part of WV Global Week of Action.   WV Ghana is also taking part in activities to mark the Global Week of Action to raise awareness on the need to reduce the death of children under five as well as mothers.   Mr Charles said the state must improve the quality and access of health services with particular focus on the poor and marginalized communities.   He said the nation must also fast track the passage into law and implement of the new National Health Insurance Authority bill, which provided for the extension of health services to all children under the age of 18 years.   Mr Charles said the country must address the human resource gaps in rural health facilities, including improving incentive packages to attract personnel.   He said there was the need to ensure equitable access to health services on the agenda of District Health Management Teams.   He called for prioritization of proven interventions to improve nutrition in the national health and development agenda, and make them available to all children and mothers, particularly the most vulnerable.   Mr Charles also charged the government to increase funding and ensure rational use of funding for essential drugs, promote local production of essential drugs and improve coordination of procurement to prevent ‘stock out’.   He called for the full implementation of the child health policy on effective prevention and treatment of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria by using antibiotics that could be administered at community level.   Mr Charles said the nation must increase the capacity of communities to take first line critical actions to promote and protect the health of children, women and most vulnerable.   Mr Charles said: "these programmes can be achieved with the expansion of education for families and communities on good nutrition and health practices to improve their health-seeking behavior".   He said the empowerment of families and communities to demand quality and effective health service was very important to achieving excellence health delivery.   Mr Raymond Owusu, Nutritionist Programme Specialist of WV Ghana, who made a presentation on the CHN campaign, said the move aimed to contribute significantly to the reduction in child and maternal mortality rates, by pressing the government to focus more on family and community health in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).     He said WV views health as a development issue and through the CHN campaign "is calling for concrete action to address ineffective health systems that are not able to respond to the needs of mothers and children.’’   He said for the government to ensure equitable access to quality health services to effectively address maternal, newborn and child health, there should be a long term predictable funding for these programmes.     Mr Owusu also called for increased investment to strengthen the health systems in an equitable way.   This he said will ensure that the poor and marginalized children and their mothers and communities have access to quality essential care when and where they needed it.   Mr Owusu said donors must support national strategies and strengthen existing national systems and structures to build capacity and ensure the sustainability of support over the long term.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 20, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set the modernization of the agricultural sector, as the main bait to attract electorate to vote for the party’s presidential candidate for lection 2012, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, on December 7.   The NPP in its Election 2012 manifesto titled: “Transforming lives, transforming Ghana,” made available to the Ghana News Agency,  set out modalities to encourage small holder farmers to adopt new and improved agricultural technologies.   It said: "Small holder farmers would be provided with quality and affordable fertilizer with an improved land tenure and acquisition.We will also encourage private sector investments into large-scale commercial agriculture that also support cooperative, small and out-grower farmers.   “We are committed to completion of the restructuring of the Land Title Registration transfer of title and use of agricultural land”.   The party noted that in order to enhance the ability of Ghanaian farmers to acquire the relevant technology to make them competitive, an NPP administration would establish an Agricultural Technological Fund to provide financing to small scale farmers at subsidized rates.   An NPP government would reposition State Owned Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to fulfill its original mandate of specifically supporting agricultural financing.   The party promises to establish 250 mechanization centres across the country to provide services to farmers at competitive prices and restructure agricultural research institutions to build on the high yielding crop varieties and technologies already developed to farmers.   The manifesto said:“We would create more access roads to our farm-gates and market centres to mitigate post-harvest lost and ensure availability of foodstuff to consumers. We would work with the private sector and traditional authorities to improve our market places, and to develop warehouses and pack houses to ensure effective and efficient distribution and to minimize post harvest lost”.   In the fishing and livestock sub-sector, the NPP seeks to develop a vibrant livestock industry in addition to fisheries.   The manifesto said the NPP will re-establish the Ministry of Fisheries to implement policies that will revive a sustainable fishing industry and ensure good practices and enhanced productivity for fishermen.   With regards to the poultry industry, the NPP seeks to introduce a short measured tariff increase that would result in relative high price for broiler meat whilst providing assistance to poultry farmers to make them competitive.   The NPP said that it will address the nutritional needs of Ghanaian children by initiating policy for pupils in secondary institutions to be fed an egg a day as part of their protein supplement.   In the cocoa sector, the NPP said that it would provide cocoa farmers good incentives through high producer prices, bonuses, cocoa scholarships and extension services to improve productivity and production.    Meanwhile, in a survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education titled “Election 2012: matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter” obtained by the GNA, revealed that 48.2 per cent of respondent suggested that the government should subsidize agriculture input.   Another 21.1 per cent said government must give financial support to farmers in the form of loans and scholarships for children of farmers, to enable them to continue their education to the highest level whilst 8.1 per cent called on government to provide market for farmers and also fix prices of agriculture crops.   About 7.3 per cent of the respondents called for mechanized farming, 5.3 per cent appealed for the provision of the irrigation and access roads by government, 4.6 per cent wanted government to make farming attractive to the youth, 4.1 per cent called for the provision of storage facilities for agricultural products, whilst 1.3 per cent suggested the reintroduction of state farms by government.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - Dr Lawrence Tetteh, Founder and President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach (WMO) on Tuesday said God will give Ghana a President on December 7.   He was speaking at a press conference in Accra to formally launch a three-day miracle crusade programme by the Anglican Church of Ghana under the auspices of the St George Anglican Church, Chorkor Parish.   The  crusade dubbed: “Christ is the answer crusade” aims at seeking the face of God  for peace before, during and after the December 7, general election and to usher in a new transition of hope and prosperity for the nation.    In a homely, Dr Tetteh reminded Ghanaians that it was God who gave peace and appointed leaders and so on December 7, he would do it again for Ghana.   “True peace comes from the God we all serve and we must ensure that in our utterances and actions the characteristics of the followers of God must be evident. No political agenda or propaganda will give us a president but God. He is the one who enthrones kings. God will elect a president for Ghana come December 7, so let’s do it peacefully,” said Dr Tetteh.   He emphasised that “Ghana does not belong to any group of special people but to all of us. Ghanaians are one people and we can unite to build a peaceful and a prosperous Ghana”.   He said that political differences should not be a platform for enmity, violence, disregard for authority and intense hatred for one another.   He called on Ghanaians to learn to count their blessings and be thankful for how far God had brought the country.   The renowned global evangelist said a country that acknowledged the greatness of God was bound to succeed.   He said in that vein it was important that information on religious, economic, social and political issues be factual in order that the populace was not misled – a feat that the Ghanaian press had strived to achieve.   He addressed some pertinent issues which to him should be stressed during "this pre-election period".   Dr Tetteh indicated that respect, decorum, honesty, selflessness, Godliness and many other virtues which were synonymous with the character of the average Ghanaian was fast becoming a thing of the past.   He lamented that Ghana’s airwaves, print media, as well as the internet were fraught with insults, lies, character assassination, deceit and the use of intemperate language.   He said those vices which were corrupting the fabric of the society should be condemned in no uncertain terms by all well meaning Ghanaians.   “All leaders – political, religious, traditional and civil society in general have a crucial role to play in curbing this rather worrying trend,” he reiterated.   “Ghana is the only home we have and in fuelling violence and encouraging outright indiscipline, we are destroying the very nation we so dearly love,” he added.     Dr Tetteh urged Ghanaians to be resolute in their quest for the peace of the nation, saying “a massive united front is the way forward for Ghana in our bid to have successful and peaceful elections”.   Citing 2 Chronicles 7:14, he said: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. He said  religious leaders would continue to pray for the nation and lead by example.   He cautioned the media to abhor any unacceptable language and desist from fueling the already existing tension,  as "a wise word tends to douse the flames of a raging fire but a reckless statement fuels the fire and has far reaching consequences".   He further urged editors of all media houses in Ghana to ensure that what they put out for the public promoted the good of the nation.   He stated that presidential candidates of the various political parties had been invited to the crusade, namely President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party, Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster of the Convention People’s Party, among other candidates.   The Reverend Father Edmund Nii Kwate Quartey, Parish Priest of the St George the Martyr Anglican Church and Evangelism Coordinator of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, is the Host Minister of the Crusade.   Among the dignitaries that graced the press conference were Dr Stephen Danso, a Ghanaian Analysis Engineer, an Evangelist and a Pastor domicile in the United States of America, Rev. Patrick L. O. Ayer of the WMO and the congregants of the St. George the Martyr Anglican Church at Chorkor in Accra.     GNA...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – Liberty Professionals midfielder Kennedy Ashia leads the scorers chart of the 2012/2013 Premier League after seven weeks of matches with five goals.   Ashia, shifted to the offensive midfield this season scored his sixth goal as his side toppled leaders Medeama SC 2-1 two weeks at the Sly Tetteh Stadium, Dansoman.   He is closely trailed by the quintet of Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Yakubu Mohamed (AshantiGold), Yahaya Mohamed (Amidaus Professionals), Latif Salifu (Berekum Chelsea) and Francis Narh (Tema Youth), all on four goals apiece.   Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United) and Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko) have each hit the back of the net thrice.   As many as 50 players have each scored one goal each in the premiership which has recorded 102 goals so far.   Below is the scorers chart:   6 - Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Professionals)   4 - Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Yakubu Mohamed (AshantiGold), Yahaya Mohamed (Amidaus Professionals), Latif Salifu (Berekum Chelsea), Francis Narh (Tema Youth)   3 - Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United), Kofi Nti Boakye (Asante Kotoko)   2 - Bright Luqman (Dwarfs), Osei Bonsu, Nuru Sulley (Hearts of Oak), Louis Agyemang (AshantiGold), Samuel Azumah (All Stars), Theophilus Anobaah, Kabiru Moro (Medeama), Bernard Ofori (Edubiase), Salim Sakara (Real Tamale United), Benjamin Fadi (Heart of Lions)   1- Sulley Mohamed, Prince Boateng (King Faisal), Kwabena Twumasi, Francis Morton, Kwame Frimpong, John Arthur, Prince Appiah (Dwarfs), Ibrahim Dauda, Edmund Owusu Peprah (Berekum Arsenals), Alex Asamoah, Emmanuel Allan, Alex Aryee, Daniel Gozah, Godfred Saka, Emmanuel Akuoko, John Ashong (Aduana Stars), Francis Coffie, Didier Kore, Aaron Amoah, (AshantiGold), Hanan Giwah, Emmanuel Kwamena, (Real Tamale United), Otuo Acheampong, Daniel Larbi Koomson, Masawudu Suleiman (Medeama), Eric Bekoe, Ibrahim Issaka, Abdul Wahab (Berekum Chelsea), Michael Helegbe, Joseph Ochaya, Seidu Bancey (Asante Kotoko), Isaac Quansah, Franklin Osei, Daniel Acquaye, Prince Acquah, Nana Egyir (Heart of Lions), Seidu Salifu, Joshua Otoo, Hafiz Adams, Emmanuel Adu (All Stars), Basit Adam, Sakyi Quaye (Edubiase), Isaac Amoah, (Amidaus Professionals), Moro Iddrisu, Edward Affum, Prince Attakora Gyimah (Hearts of Oak), Derrick Mensah, Bright Adjei, Daniel Appiah (Tema Youth), Ebenezer Assifuah (Liberty Professionals), Selassi Adjei (Amidaus Professionals)   GNA...

Keta, Nov. 20, GNA – Teachers have been urged to sacrifice a lot more for their students by being caring and committed to the job as others before them did to educate them.      Mrs. Elizabeth Kudjawu, Volta Regional Guidance and Counselling and Special Education Unit Officer, Ghana Education Service (GES) was addressing a day’s workshop on guidance and counselling for basic school heads and school-based guidance and counselling coordinators in the Keta Municipality in Keta.     She said some teachers could be held responsible for poor student performance and the premature termination of education by some students.      “Commitment and the needed sacrifice in the job is becoming worrying on the part of some teachers ,who end up collecting salaries they do not deserve,”, Mrs Kudjawu stated.      She said distance education programmes had become excuses for some teachers to refuse to teach.     Mrs. Kudjawu urged teachers, parents and students to be show friendliness in their dealings with pupils.       She said bullying, insults, sexual harassment and stigmatization made the school environment unfriendly for the child.     Mrs Kudjawu advised teachers, especially female teachers to dress well and that parents should also show commitment to the welfare of their children.     The workshop also discussed drug abuse, examination malpractices, homosexuality and occultism among the children.   Mr. Nathaniel Ankutse, Regional Special Needs Child Officer, urged counsellors to always reflect high moral conduct during counselling.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – Dr Philomena Nyarko, Acting Government Statistician, on Tuesday said it was important for the country to draw on the assets and skills of women for socio-economic development.   “The true resilience, stability and economic development that we all hope for cannot be achieved if the potential of our country’s population is not fully utilized, especially given the inadequate economic opportunities for both men and women”, she said.   Dr Nyarko was speaking at a seminar on gender statistics organized by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to mark the African Statistical Day.   The Day, which is commemorated by statistical authorities in Africa, was adopted in May 1990 during the 25th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Sixteenth Meeting of African Ministers responsible for Economic Planning and Development to be celebrated each year to increase public awareness about the important role which statistics play in all aspects of social and economic life on the continent.   The theme for the 2012 celebration is: Making every Woman and Man Count: Engendering Statistics for Better Development Outcome.   The theme highlights the importance of the production and use of Gender Statistics in the development of the nation and it underscores the significance of the contribution of women and men as one of the main pillars in the Strategy for Harmonization of Statistics in Africa.   Dr Nyarko expressed the hope that those working within the National Statistics System would find ways to join forces to promote the production and dissemination of gender-based statistics to guide decisions that enhanced women’s economic empowerment.   “I would like to mention the strong collaboration between the GSS and the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, the National Development Planning Commission, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, Canadian Development Agency and the United Nations Children’s Fund in the production and use of gender-based statistics in Ghana”, she said.   On the African Statistics Day, Dr Nyarko said it created the greater awareness about the role and importance of statistics in the lives of the citizenry.   She said accurate, reliable and timely gender-based statistics was crucial for effective planning if the citizenry could find themselves in an environment that supported the development of their capacity to access opportunities and resources as well as contribute towards the country’s decision-making process.   The African Statistics Day Celebration this year, aims to highlight the need for African countries including Ghana, to do more to improve the collection, management and use of Sex Disaggregated Data and gender disaggregated data for national development.   GNA...

Accra , Nov. 20, GNA - The maiden edition of the Ada Excellence Awards (AEA) which was slated for November 24,  2012 has been postponed, in an effort to bring more people on board and to make it more attractive.    A statement signed by Mr Ebenezer Bessey, Chief Executive Officer of  Eventcomm Ghana Limited, organisers of the event, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday indicated that a new date would  be decided after the December 2012 general election.   The program was launched in June 2012 to honour deserving indigenes and non- indigenes alike of the Ada Traditional Area who have contributed towards the socio-economic development of the Ada community.   According to Mr. Abraham Shabon Tarzs-Tetteh, Marketing Director of Eventcomm Ghana Ltd, the Ada Excellence Awards was a community- based project seeking to award people who had contributed towards the socio-economic development of Ada.   “The postponement will allow us to improve on appropriate structures to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the program and also to bring more stakeholders on board”, he stated.   He said the programme was a non-political one and urged people not to associate it with politics, but to come on board to make the programme a success.   He noted that the programme had gone down well in the Ada community which was an indication of the importance the community attached to the programme.   Mr Tarzs-Tetteh said the programme which would be organized annually would serve as grounds to show gratitude to hardworking Adas and non-indigenes, and also to bring all Adas in and outside Ada together.   He called on all Ghanaians to ensure a peaceful 2012 election to attract potential investors for the socio-economic development of the country.   He appealed to organizations and individuals both home and abroad to support the awards ceremony scheduled for 2013 after a peaceful general election.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 20, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Tuesday commissioned the Forces Pension Office at Burma Camp in Accra, and  expressed the hope that the facility would end the years of slow pace of payment of pension to retired personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).   He said the facility would provide respite for the Controller and Accountant General’s Department by reducing the number of people who otherwise would have to besieged its offices.   The construction of the office is as result of the recommendations of the Bediako Commission for the pension of the GAF to be migrated, and to be administered by the GAF.   The Pension Office will be jointly manned by the staff from the Controller and Accountant General’s Department and by military personnel.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur expressed the hope that personel and logistics would be provided to make the facility serve the purpose for which it had been created.   “The least we expect for those who have served this country with distinction in its Armed Forces is for them to be able to receive their pension in a congenial atmosphere,” the Vice President said.    He suggested the creation of additional facilities for the convenience of the retired  service personnel as they waited to collect their pensions from the office.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 20, GNA - The Government of Ghana on Tuesday assured the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) of continued logistical and material support.   This to enable the GAF to professionally discharge its duty of protecting the citizenry and to reduce casualties.   The GAF would also receive improved training programmes to make security personnel more combat ready.   Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur gave the promise when he inaugurated the Peace Cenotaph at the Burma Camp in Accra on Tuesday.   He together with Mr Ahmad Soueidan, the Labanon Ambassador to Ghana, unveiled the plaque.   The Peace Cenotaph, funded by the Government and people of Lebanon, was dedicated to the honour of Ghanaian soldiers, who died in the course of duty while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.   The Vice President said Ghana’s foreign policy is committed to world peace, security and stability in which all people are free to work towards economic development and human dignity.   “Ghana as a proud member of the United Nations will always be committed to this path. We will continue to support world peace by continuously providing both military and civilian personnel to the course of peace in the world,” Vice President Amissah-Arthur said.   He recalled with pride and gratitude that the GAF had been involved and contributed to peace in Southern Lebanon since 1978.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur said during the 34 years of Ghana’s participation in peace process in Lebanon, the GAF has built a reputation for professionalism, courage and commitment to duty, which Ghanaians are justifiably proud of.   He paid paid tribute to the soldiers who died in that arena and said: ”This monument will continue to be a reminder of the nation’s appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice in the service of humanity and in our quest for international peace and security.”   Mr Soueidan said the contribution of Ghana was felt at the humanitarian, civil and peacemaking level.   He said Lebanon is indebted to Ghana, which he described as inspiring and prayed for communal relationship between Accra and Beirut to continue.     Wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen soldiers, and Madam Doreen Amenyaglo laid one on behalf of the families of the fallen soldiers.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled its policy for agricultural modernization, as a bait to attract the electorates to renew its mandate for the next four years in the December 7, general election.   In its Election 2012 Manifesto, entitled: “Advancing the Better Ghana Agenda,” NDC said under the next term of President John Dramani Mahama, the party would intensify efforts to continue to make agriculture play its key role in the Ghanaian economy.   “The accelerated modernisation of the agriculture sector is one of the major pillars in our economic transformation agenda, propelled by two main strategies - Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy and the corresponding investment plan as detailed in the Medium-Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan,” the NDC stated.   According to the NDC the key elements of its agricultural strategy include transformation of the sector from a resource-based to a technology-based industry and the provision of subsidies for improved seeds, grade breeders and stocks, pesticides, fertiliser, machinery and other inputs.   The party will promote selected crops for food security and exports to enhance returns, particularly for small scale farmers through equitable access to resources and services.   The NDC will facilitate high-value crops, value-added processing and agro-industrialisation and encourage and support farmers’ groups such as co-operatives, Farmer Based Organisations, nucleus-out grower schemes, block and contract farmers.   “We will promote rural industrialisation through the provision of incentives for the establishment of industries that have backward linkages to our agriculture resource base.   “We will construct storage facilities including silos and cold storage units at strategic locations to minimise post-harvest losses (and) implement the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project particularly as it relates to strengthening investment promotion infrastructure, facilitating secure access to land, and securing public-private-partnerships and smallholder linkages in the Accra Plains and the savannah zone.   “We will also expand the role of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in food production programme to cover the establishment of demonstration farms across the various ecological zones.”   The NDC said the NSS demonstration farms would operate out-grower schemes under which local farmers would be taught the application of modern methods in food production.   In addition, the farms will constitute open junior farm schools for the training of school leavers in agriculture in the long-term, dormitories will be built on the farms to provide accommodation for personnel.   National Service personnel who opt to go into commercial agriculture will be provided with start-up facilities that will include land acquisition, preparation, planting material, chemicals and fertiliser.   On fisheries the party said it would introduce a Fishermen’s Life Insurance Scheme (FLIS) to cover the loss of lives of marine and inland fishermen.   The NDC explained that contributions of Government, fishermen, boat owners, fish importers and exporters would serve as premium for the FLIS.   The next NDC government will invest in sanitation and other community enhancing projects of the Landing Beach Committees and the enhancement of the operations of the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service and recruitment of 2,000 young men and women into the unit over a four- year period.   Government will provide eco-sounders to fishermen at affordable prices, construct two fishing harbours at Elmina and James Town and landing sites at Axim, Dixcove, Moree, Fete, Mumford, Winneba, Senya Beraku, Teshie, Ada, Keta, Abotoase and Dzemeni using part of the Chinese Development Bank loan.   The next Mahama Administration will complete the University of Cape Coast Fisheries College at Anomabo and introduce alternative livelihood programmes for coastal communities.   In the area of Aquaculture, the party’s track record of facilitating more than 240 per cent increase in production over the past four years, from 5,600 tons in 2008 to 19,000 tons in 2011, the next NDC Government will continue to ensure the accelerated growth of the sub-sector through the development of aquaculture infrastructure including hatcheries.   The NDC will support the expansion of cage fish farming from the Volta Lake to the Bui Lake and to other major rivers including Oti, Pra, Ankobra and Tano, and the harnessing of the fish production potential at Pwalugu.   The party will continue to provide warehousing facilities, crop financing scheme, and process at least 60 per cent of cocoa beans.   Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education titled: “Election 2012: matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter,” said 48.2 per cent of respondents suggested that the government should subsidise agriculture inputs.   Twenty-one per cent said government must give financial support to farmers in a form of loans and scholarships for children of farmers to continue their education to the highest level while 8.1 per cent called on government to provide market for farmers and also fix prices of agriculture crops.   Others called for called for mechanised farming, provision of irrigation facilities and access roads.   The survey appealed to government to make farming attractive to the youth and provide storage facilities for agricultural products, and reintroduce state farms.   GNA...