Ho, Oct. 19, GNA - Ho Christian Women Intercessors Fellowship (HCWIF) has condemned the recent action of the chief of Likpe-Abrani, Pius Clemefi, who ordered the stripping naked and banishment of a woman from the town.   The fellowship called on all stakeholders seeking to protect the rights of women join in its condemnation of the grievous act.    A statement signed on behalf of the group by Rev Mrs Dinah Abbey-Mensah and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the act of the Mankrado of Likpe-Abrani, whose domain is located in the Hohoe Municipal Area, was most unfortunate and must be condemned in uncertain terms.   The statement said Anastasia Adom, 33, was reported to have been summoned to the chief’s palace at Likpe-Abrani on September 25, and was accused of insolence and banished from the community.   It said she was then stripped naked and paraded through the town whiles onlookers took snapshots of her.   The statement said without prejudice to the judicial process which had been initiated by the state, it was registering its abhorrence for the act, which was not in consonance with the modern thoughts of giving the woman her due place in family and in the society.   It said the fiat of banishment imposed on the Anastasia was outrageous and called for a “revisit of the impact certain outmoded customs and practices are having on our society”.   Pius Clemefi, Mankrado of Likpe-Abrani and nine others were picked up by the police for the offence and are being prosecuted.    GNA...

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA - Management of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on Friday cut the sod for construction work to begin on the 350-seater auditorium for the Institute.   Dr Christina  Amoako-Nuama, Chairman of GIMPA Governing Council, said the project was necessary because the institution does not have an auditorium for its international programmes saying when completed the project would enhance teaching and learning for the Institute.   Dr Amoako-Nuama said the cost of the project is GH¢ 1.486 million which is funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund and is expected to be completed in November 2013.   Mr Cornelius Atsu Defeamakpor, Technical Officer of GET fund, said their outfit was mandated to provide funds for the project in its quest to facilitate teaching and learning in the institute.   He said The Ghana Education Trust Fund was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 (Act 581) with the object of providing finance to supplement the provision of education at all levels by government.   Mr Osei Poku, Project Consultant for the project, said they would also work assiduously to meet the stated deadline.   GIMPA WAS Established by the United Nations in 1961,and has served as a world-class centre of excellence providing several Ghanaians and others from the sub-region with quality training in management, administration, governance and leadership and development training programmes.   GNA...

Tema, Oct. 19, GNA – Participants at a sensitisation workshop in Tema, have called for the need for politicians to factor issues relating to environmental protection into their developmental agenda.   This, they contended, would enable the electorate to hold political parties accountable if they failed to deliver on their promises after being voted into power.   The call was contained in a 12-point communiqué issued at the end of the workshop which was attended by more than 20 participants from political parties, media practitioners, assembly members and community members.   Organised by WACAM with financial support from STAR Ghana, USAID, the EU and DANIDA, the workshop was aimed at interacting with political parties on the need to include mining and environmental issues in their campaign and manifestoes, and above all, ensuring peace in the country even beyond the December 7 polls.   The workshop participants also called on political parties to join hands to campaign against companies whose activities pollute the environment, including water bodies.   They stressed the need to review the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703), to ensure that mining companies did not exploit the land and that investors also did not hide behind their so-called corporate social responsibility programmes as a form of development, while totally destroying the land.   The communiqué also called for a sustainable development plan for affected mining communities because compensation normally paid them by mining companies are woefully inadequate to sustain their future.   It also stressed the need for the law to be crafted in such a way that it dealt ruthlessly with investors whose activities adversely affected the environment within mining communities.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Tourism on Friday called on beauty pageants to preserve their moral chastity for their future husbands.   She advised them to resist the allurement of promiscuous male promoters expressing concern about public perception that pageants in contest were often exploited by some irresponsible men.   She insisted that such immoral acts needed to be exposed. Ms Dansua gave the advice when she presented a Hyundai-EON saloon car to Miss Emmanuella Esinam Awunyo, winner of the Club-Miss Tourism Ghana 2012, at a short ceremony in Accra.   She advised Ms Awunyo, who was accompanied by other six finalists, to cherish their spiritual values, saying virtue would keep them from being exploited by those who might seek them for their sexual gratification.   Ms Dansua encouraged them to promote tourism potentials in the country.   Miss Awunyo expressed gratitude to the sponsors, particularly Accra Brewery Limited, the title sponsor, for the support.   She told the Ghana News Agency that cultural tourism remained an identifiable area that needed to be further developed.   Miss Awunyo called for more efforts to develop and promote the Ghanaian culture.   Miss Awunyo, who majored in Theatre Management, is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon.   She represented the Volta Region in the contest and was crowned as Club-Miss Tourism Ghana 2012 on September 22, 2012, after beating nine other contestants at the final competition held in Accra.   The competition was organized to promote tourism in Ghana.   It was also to create awareness, in order to get the inclusiveness of all and the youth in particular, and to also awaken in the authorities in developing the existing and prospective tourism potentials in localities throughout the country.   Her winning package included a comprehensive car insurance from Metropolitan Insurance, a laptop and a mobile phone from AGAMS Group, an international travels sponsored by the British Council and Seasons Travel and Tour.   Others included winter clothing, accommodation and spending money in London, one year supply of Darling Hair product, a monthly cash allowance and assorted t-shirts.   Miss Nancy Antwiwaa Baah, who represented the Northern Region, emerged the First Princess, while Miss Clementina Yelim Boapeh of the Upper West Region emerged the second Princess.   GNA...

Wa (UWR), Oct 19, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, running mate of President John Dramani Mahama for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana’s forthcoming December 2012 elections, on Friday said a “one touch victory” for the party would benefit all Ghanaians.   He told a milling crowd of party enthusiasts at Sumbo, within the Wa Municipality that the hierarchy of the party would work with them to get more people to understand the NDC’s message of fair and equitable development.   “I have come to see the work the Regional Minister is doing. Thanks the warm welcome. I will encourage you, and you will also encourage me, and for us to do as much as we can to bring “one touch victory” for the benefit of the NDC and all Ghanaians,” the Vice President said.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur is in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, at the start of a five-day campaign tour of the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions ahead of the December 7, 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.   During the tour, Vice President Amissah-Arthur would market the party and its programmes and explain to the electorate Government development programmes and solicit the electorate to give the NDC a second term to continue with its development projects under the “Better Ghana” agenda.   From the Wa Airstrip through the Municipal street, the Vice President was given a rousing welcome by party supporters, wearing party paraphernalia and using automobiles, bicycles, tricycles and motor bikes; they shouted slogans of the NDC, touted horns, and moved beside the convoy of the Vice President to the residency at Sumbo.   With his forefinger pointing to the sky, the Vice President accompanied by sitting MPs of the area, said a one touch victory was assured for the NDC.   He gave thumbs up to President John Mahama for an excellent performance at the Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential encounter, adding that, “this is the kind of person we need to lead Ghana.”   He urged the electorate to vote massively for the NDC, and stressed that there was no need to be complacency, but hard work and convincing campaign to win more people to the side of the NDC.   Vice President Amissah Arthur later called on the Paramount Chief of Wa, Wa Na Fuseinu Pelpuo III, at his palace and introduced himself to the King.   He assured the King that the NDC Government would continue to engage traditional rulers in the governance process and team up with them in the development of their areas.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the NDC would continue to keep faith with the chiefs and people of the Wala Traditional Area.   Naa Pelpuo thanked the Vice President for the call, and underlined the need for the polls to be conducted in a peaceful manner.   At a meeting with the council of elders and landlords, the Tengdaanaba, the Vice President reiterated his earlier message, and assured the chiefs of fair and equitable development.   They expressed their gratitude to the NDC for keeping faith with the area, since 1992.   GNA...

Tema, Oct. 19, GNA – Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural development, has called on religious bodies to pray for God’s blessings on the nation.   He said the nation needs peace and stability at all times in its development efforts.   Mr Ofosu-Ampofo made the call when he joined in worship with three Tema based churches, namely, Liberty Revival Ministries; Holiness Mission International Church and the Church of Pentecost.   The Minister, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Tema West, expressed the optimism that as Ghanaians prayed for peaceful elections in December, the will of the Lord would prevail so that whoever was chosen to lead the nation would be accepted by all.   He said he would bring comfort and smiles onto the faces of the disadvantaged and under-privileged in society when given the mandate to lead the people of Tema West saying “I can offer the best solutions to the numerous challenges facing the Constituency”.   He said “I have passion for development and to assist the poor, vulnerable and the marginalized.”   Later at the inauguration of the Constituency branch of the Youth for Mahama and Ampofo Fan Club, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the time has come for Ghanaians to desist from voting along party lines.   He said Ghanaians should rather give their mandate to people who have their wellbeing at heart and promised to offer an efficient leadership that would address the numerous challenges facing the constituency.   Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged members of the Fan Club to be good and worthy ambassadors of NDC, and desist from acts that would soil the good image of the party.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA-President John Dramani Mahama says government would expand the country’s social and economic infrastructure when voted back into power in the forthcoming general election in December.   He mentioned the expansion of facilities at the Tema and Takoradi harbours, construction of the eastern and western corridor roads, establishment of an inland port for the SADA zone and the upgrading of all the regional airports into international standards.   President Mahama announced this when he outlined the NDC’s policy for the coming years in the IEA evening encounter in Accra.   President Mahama said apart from the provision of these facilities, government would also upgrade the Tamale airport to become the second international airport in Ghana.   He said the Takoradi, Kumasi and Sunyani airports would also be upgraded, while aerodromes would be established in all regional capitals to facilitate air transport in the coming years.   The President said government had set aside a 100 million dollars facility from the Chinese loan to empower small and medium scale enterprises to undertake their own programmes that would make them employers, rather than being perennial dependents on government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.   President Mahama said government would also review the procurement law that would be advantageous to the local businesses to take the centre-stage in employment and achieve the local content desires of Ghanaians.   He said the production of gas and its by-products in the coming years would not only create jobs, but would also revive the dwindling fortunes of the Volta Aluminium Company to undertake major production for both domestic consumption and for export.   The President said the Takoradi Polytechnic would be supported to train more technical persons in oil and gas extraction and production to sustain the industry for Ghanaians in the coming years.   President Mahama also answered questions on various areas of national life including the economy, education, health, salary structures, labour issues, science and technology, employment, housing and social interventions in the country.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct.18, GNA - Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster, Flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), on Thursday officially filed his nomination papers to contest Election 2012.     Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), after scrutinizing the nomination forms formally declared Dr Sakara as a Presidential Candidate to contest the Election 2012.    He called for collaboration among electoral stakeholders to ensure that the December Presidential and parliamentary polls are conducted in an atmosphere of peace for attainment of credible results.    Interacting with the media after the filing, Dr Sakara, who was earlier the morning asked to correct some errors on the nomination forms, expressed reservations about the security of Biometric Voters Identification Cards.   “ID cards numbers of some electorates who endorsed Dr Sakara’s nomination were not captured in the EC’s data base....possibly fake ID,” he said.    Dr. Sakara appealed to the EC to ensure that all holders of the Voters Identity Cards had records with the Commission to enable them to exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections.    The CPP Presidential Candidate said a government of the party would work for all Ghanaians and not few individuals and pledged that the party would not also get itself involved in acts that have the potential of causing confusion in the country.    Mr. Christian Owusu-Parre, EC Acting Director of Public Affairs, in an interaction with journalists, said the Commission was still in the process of coming out with the final voters register for the elections.     He said after the exhibition of the voters register, the district offices of the Commission were still compiling the names of some people which had not yet reached the headquarters.    “It is therefore too early for people to express worry about why their names are not with the Commission. The Commission will not disfranchise anybody,” he said.    Dr Sakara was accompanied by Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong, the CPP’s running mate and Hajia Haruna Hamdatu, National Women Organiser and other leading members.   Two other political parties, the United Front Party and Ghana Freedom Party have their nomination forms returned to them for corrections to be made.     GNA ...

  Tamale, Oct 18,  GNA - The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has donated 600 street lights to the six newly created district assemblies in the Northern Region as part of efforts to provide adequate security for residents.     The Ministry also donated 21 loudspeakers to the assemblies to support their communication drive.     Some of the new districts in the region include North Gonja, Sagnarigu, and Tolon.     Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, on behalf of the Ministry, presented the items to the beneficiary districts in Tamale on Thursday.     Mr Mabengba also announced that the government, through the District Assemblies Common Fund, had released GHC100,000 each for the six new districts to undertake their activities.     He reiterated that the idea behind the creation of the districts was to bring governance to the doorstep of the people and called on their District Chief Executives (DCEs) to discharge their duties creditably to justify the confidence reposed in them.     Mr Sorku Yahuza, DCE for North Gonja, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the Ministry for the donation and promised to put them to good use.     GNA ...

  Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - The 8th Security Watch Africa Lecture series and 9th Security Watch Africa Awards on Thursday opened in Accra.        The lecture, which being hosted for the second time in Ghana, brought together renowned African leaders, policy makers, opinion leaders, Security experts and the media and  provided an opportunity for the discussion of the continent’s security challenges and applicable solutions.     The lecture is on the theme: “Developing regional strategies and best practices in the fight against crimes and conflicts in Africa.”      Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, National Security Advisor to President John Mahama, said there was the need for West African countries to work together in maintaining peace and security in the sub-region.     He said citizens of many countries in the west African sub-region were trapped in conflicts and armed robbery because of bad social and economic lapses and that this, could be control when governments make the living conditions of their citizens better.     Bridg Nunoo-Mensah noted that information sharing was important in the control and maintenance of peace and security, adding that African countries must share information to maintain peace.     He said war was not the right option for the African Continent and that African countries must not resolve issues by war when the issue can be solved through dialogue.      Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foriegn Affairs and Regional Integration, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Kwadjo Wadie, Head of Policy Bureau of the Ministry, said the quest for peace has eluded Africa for too long and that despite the tremendous gains by some African countries, the entire continent was often judged on the basis of the few brutal conflicts and grave human rights violations.     He said the African continent was yet to rid itself of conflicts that threaten peace, security and political stability.     Alhaji Mumuni said the destruction caused to property and plight of refugees and internally displaced persons in their own land "Africa" should renew the continent commitment to tackle conflicts more forcefully.     He said the current security challenges in the sub-region, and Africa for that matter, go beyond conflict.     Alhaji Mumuni noted that food insecurity was also a problem and that a recent survey report on Food Security Index revealed that out of 59 countries that are most at risk of food insecurity in the world, 39 were in Africa.     Mr Patrick Agbambu, International Coordinator of Security Watch Africa said stated that the idea for the Lecture and Awards was borne out of the desire to see a safe and secured Africa where citizens could live in peace.     Security Watch Africa is a media NGO based in Nigeria that covers issues and events across Africa.     GNA ...

  Cape Coast, Oct.18, GNA-The Fanti Benevolent Society of Chicago, United States, in collaboration with the Mfantsiman Association of North America (MANA) on Thursday, presented pap-smear testing kits worth 10,000.00, dollars excluding shipment and duties, to the Central Regional Hospital (CRH).    The pap-smear test is carried out on women by health professionals to ascertain their cervical cancer status for prompt medical attention on detection of any unusual development around the cervix.       Nana Kobiwa-Akwa III, Queen of Bosomin-Ayeldu, in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district, who led a five member delegation from the United States to donate the kits, said it was the Society’s contribution to help save Ghanaian women from developing cervical cancer.      She indicated that with the kits, she was of the hope that more women will go for the test at the Regional Hospital for the early detection of the disease for early treatment to stem the high rate of cervical cancer deaths among women in the country.    Nana Kobiwa-Akwa said the Society has adopted the children’s ward of the Cape Coast Metro Hospital and promised to liaise with the Regional Hospital authorities to find out its immediate needs and offer support.      Mr. Yorke Eghan, an Elder of the Fanti Benevolent Society of Chicago, appealed to the Government to offer tax exemptions to benevolent organizations that offer support in the form of equipment and others to the country to encourage more of such organizations to do so.     Mrs. Alice Eghan, also an elder of the Society and a retired nurse, reiterated calls on women to avail themselves of the test at least once a year to know their status and also seek early treatment in case of any eventuality.       Dr. Daniel Asare, Medical Director of the CRH, who received the kits, expressed gratitude to the delegation for the gesture and said the support would enable the hospital attend to needy patients either at a subsidized rate or free of charge.       He urged other organizations abroad to support the hospital with medical supplies.     GNA ...

  Tamale, Oct 18, GNA- World Food Programme (WFP) has donated 151 metric tonnes (mt) of food items to flood victims in eight districts in the Northern Region to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.   The food items comprise 2,646 bags of maize, (132mt), 189 bags of beans (9.5mt), 433 cartons of vegetable oil (8mt) and 63 bags of iodized salt (1.6), and the beneficiary districts are Tamale Metro, West Mamprusi, North Gonja, Central Gonja, Savelugu, Tolon, Kumbungu and East Mamprusi Districts.      Northern Region Office of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), will under the auspices of the Regional Coordinating Council, be responsible for the distribution, coordination, monitoring and reporting of the food distribution whilst keeping proper account of all commodities received at final distribution points.     Mr Aboubacar Koisha, Head of Tamale Sub Office of the WFP, announced this on Thursday at Kpalsi near Tamale at a ceremony to distribute some of the items to some of the flood victims in the Tamale Metro.     The distribution was led by officials from the Tamale Metropolitan Office of NADMO.      Sometime in August, 2012, the opening of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso coupled with torrential rainfall in September of the same year, caused flash floods in parts of the Northern Region.     Some 10,500 people were affected and over 5,000 acres of farmlands were submerged leading to loss of crops and livelihoods.     The extent of flooding led to a request for food from WFP, by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) following a joint assessment mission conducted by the NRCC, Security Agencies, NADMO, NGOs and United Nations agencies to appreciate the magnitude of the effects of the flood in order to mobilize the appropriate additional support for NADMO.     The assessment concluded that urgent relief assistance including food, needed to be provided to 10,500 flood affected persons for a period of 30 days and it was in this direction that the WFP made the donation.     Mr Koisha said WFP and NADMO would work together to prevent any losses associated with the operation whilst ensuring that the food items reached the deserving.     He said in addition to the Northern Region, some 20,000 flood affected people in the Upper East and Upper West Regions had also received assistance during the past weeks, bringing the total number of beneficiaries across all the three northern regions to about 30,000 with a support of 443 mt of assorted commodities.     He expressed hope that the assistance would provide the energy and nutrition needs of the victims, contribute to the reduction of hunger and food insecurity which had emerged as a result of the floods and enable the recipients to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.     Hajia Habiba Kasim, Tamale Metropolitan Coordinator of NADMO, who led the distribution team, thanked WFP for the response to the call for the relief items.     She called on other organizations to emulate the gesture of the WFP     GNA ...

  Accra, Oct. 18, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday at the close of filing of nomination for December Presidential and Parliamentary polls cleared eight Presidential Candidates, whilst three parties and one Independent candidate were disqualified.    The Presidential Candidates for the seven parties were; President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party's  (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Convention People's Party's (CPP) Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP).   The rest are The Peoples National Convention's (PNC) Mr Hasan Ayariga, United Front Party’s (UFP) Mr Akwasi Adddai Odike, the Great Consolidated Popular Party’s (GCPP) Mr Henry Lartey and an Independent Candidate, Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah.    Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, EC Chairman, at the close of the two-day nomination period declared the eight candidates duly eligible.    The EC Chairman however cautioned the candidates that the endorsement of the nomination forms was based on the signing of the Statutory Declaration form saying, "We will now take our time to scrutinize the details provided, any false declaration is a crime and the culprit would face the full rigours of the law."      The Nomination forms of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings’ National Democratic Party (NDP) were reject by the EC as the Flag bearer failed to properly fill out her nomination forms and could not beat the deadline for submission of nomination forms.    The NDP had major errors on their forms and could not meet the deadline to rectify them hence they were disqualified.          The Ghana Freedom Party and the Yes Peoples’ Party also had their forms rejected.     Since 1992, Ghana has had uninterrupted democratic practice, conducting five globally acclaimed successful elections.    The EC had fixed October 17 and 18 for filing of both the Presidential and Parliamentary nominations for Election 2012.    Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, EC Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, stated that: “In accordance with regulations 4 and 5 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2012, the Electoral Commission will receive nominations for the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on the 17th and 18th of October”.    The EC therefore urged political parties desirous of sponsoring candidates for the Parliamentary elections and individuals who are interested in contesting the said elections to obtain nomination forms from the Returning Officers in the respective constituencies or the Regional Offices of the Commission.   The Commission further announced that the nomination fee for the Presidential Election was ten thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,000.00) while that for the Parliamentary Elections was one thousand Ghana Cedis (¢1,000.00).   The statement said candidates were required to submit four copies of their recent photographs (bust) with red background showing the full face and both ears on submitting the nomination forms.   It called on political parties and individuals who wanted to contest the elections to take note and act accordingly.     GNA ...

  Cape Coast, Oct. 18, GNA- Mr Alfred Kojo Thompson, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Cape Coast South, on Thursday announced that when given the nod, he would provide free crèches and Day nurseries for all the electoral areas in his constituency.  He said  to consolidate the party’ s free  Senior High School (SHS) programme it was necessary to have a solid foundation  for children to build on and it was for this reason that he would be providing the free crèches and Day  nurseries.  Mr Thompson made this known during a press soiree organized in Cape Coast to articulate his vision and programme for the constituency.  He said when voted into power, he would ensure the modernization of Cape Coast South and that his vision would be based on four thematic areas of Education, tourism, industrial development, youth empowerment and job creation.  On education, Mr Thompson said the free SHS policy of the NPP, was feasible and attainable since the country has the relevant resources and funds to implement the programme, adding “free education can be done and we are going to start from next year”.  He said the NPP government would ensure that the educational system was properly applied where at the nursery stage, the children would be made to develop their innate talents, adding that teachers would be properly motivated to enable them give off their best. Mr Thompson said distance learning would also be encouraged and that scholarships would be given to the youth who are interested to further their education.        Touching on tourism, he noted that Cape Coast has been described as the hub of tourism, but regretted   that there was nothing to show for the assertion, stressing that the region did not have a single five star hotel to accommodate tourists and said when the NPP comes to power it would improve the castles and forts in  Cape Coast to attract more tourists .      The Parliamentary candidate said there were plans to establish industrial parks in Cape Coast to serve as avenues for employment generation, adding that the fishing industry would also be given a boost where storage and processing facilities would be provided for fishermen to improve their lot.     He said the time had come for Ghana to move from exporting raw materials to value addition for the country to earn good income.       On youth empowerment, he said the youth would be empowered to enable them identify their potentials and become self sufficient and that jobs would be created in order to curb the rising unemployment.         He said the NPP was a vibrant and committed party and urged all to massively vote for the party in the December polls since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disappointed Ghanaians especially, the people of  Cape Coast for failing to fulfil its campaign promises.      He mentioned the building of a stadium,  establishment of a Coca Cola factory, Groundnut processing factory, dredging  of  the  Fosu Lagoon, building a market complex at Kotokuraba and an overpass at Pedu junction  as some of the projects promised the people of  Cape Coast which have not been achieved.     GNA ...

  Accra, Oct. 18, GNA – Affiliates and supporters of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) were on Thursday tagged "the most abusive on radio" by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).    A statement signed by Professor Kwame Karikari, MFWA Executive Director, to the Ghana News Agency explained that for eight consecutive weeks (August 19 – October 13), individuals belonging to the NPP have been at the forefront in the use of indecent remarks on radio.    “This is unacceptable and it is unfortunate that the leadership of the NPP does not seem to be making efforts to reverse this unhealthy phenomenon in our political discourse”, Prof Karikari stated.     He said during the monitored period (October 7 – 13, 2012), a total of 17 indecent expressions were recorded. Affiliates of the NPP made 13 representing 76.5 per cent.    Four individuals made more than one indecent remark and they are all affiliates of the NPP.  The only newspaper editor who has been cited severally for using indecent expressions on radio, Mr. Ken Kuranchie, the Managing Editor of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, who is also an NPP sympathiser, was once again found to have used an indecorous expression.     According to the MFWA, a Kumasi-based Angel FM was the radio station on which a lot of the indecent remarks were made. Ten out of the 17 indecent expressions were made on Angel FM.      Statistics indicates that 17 indecent expressions were made by affiliates of the two main political parties in the country; the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).    Thirteen of the 17 inappropriate remarks were made by affiliates of the NPP, and the remaining four indecorous expressions were made by affiliates of the NDC.               Expressions Used by Political party Affiliation          Expressions Used                              Political Party Affiliation                                                                                                                                     NPP                 NDC                        Total   Insulting/Offensive Comments             7                              3                              10   Unsubstantiated Allegations                 5                              0                             5                 Innuendoes                                                           1                              1                              2   Total                                                                          13                           4                             17                     Monitoring campaign language-use on radio is a project by the MFWA with funding from STAR-Ghana. The project is aimed at contributing to ensuring issues-based and decent language campaigning in the December polls.     It involves daily monitoring of language/ expressions by politicians and activists on specific programmes on 31 selected radio stations across the country.   GNA ...

  Tema Oct. 18, GNA – Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Tema West, was on Wednesday given a new Voter ID Number by the Tema Regional Office of the Electoral Commission (EC) after submitting his nomination form.     Explaining the situation to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Gabriel Manu, Tema Regional Director of the EC, said Mr Ofosu Ampofo's  ID Number on his card did not tally with what was contained in the Register.     Mr Manu said about 30 centres in the metropolis were affected by the technical error which was detected during the exhibition exercise.     He said when his office detected this problem, it quickly informed the ECHead Office which quickly rectified the anomaly.     The Regional EC Director said that was the more reason why his office could immediately issue Mr Ofosu Ampofo with a new ID Number yesterday.     He said as a result of the correction, his office could accept Mr Ofosu Ampofo’s nomination form on Wednesday.     GNA ...

Cape Coast, Oct. 19, GNA- Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General, Trades Union Congress (TUC), on Thursday called for the creation of decent jobs by governments for their citizenry particularly, the youth since the lack of it could threaten national peace and stability.      He also noted that job creation was one of the biggest challenges that needed to be given serious attention by the Government  and  that until it creates more employment opportunities for the people, all the ‘noise’ being made about poverty eradication cannot be achieved.       Mr. Asamoah said this at the Central Regional Council of Labour meeting in Cape Coast where Regional executives as well as Regional Women’s Committee executives were elected.    The meeting was attended by about 70 members of the TUC from all the twelve TUC districts of the Region.    Mr. Asamoah emphasized the need for a link between industries and tertiary institutions to facilitate the training of needed manpower for the job market in order not to leave graduates ‘stranded’.      He urged the members to use the political season as an opportunity to ask politicians about pragmatic measures they would put in place to generate employment should they come to power.     He said since rights go with responsibility, workers should not only be concerned about increases in their salaries but should work hard as expected and maximize productivity at their various work places.      The Secretary General said as leaders, they needed to update themselves and be conversant with labour laws in the country so as to be empowered to provide the kind of leadership expected of them.     He also urged them to be agents of peace and live in unity and harmony for this year’s election to be peaceful.     GNA ...

  Sunyani, Oct. 18, GNA – The Abrono Organic Farming Project (ABOFAP), a farmer-based organisation in the Techiman Municipality has called for a policy guideline on organic crop certification for easy market access in the country.       The organisation noted with concern that currently four private international organizations were certifying crops organically produced for exports with their activities centralized in Accra.    At a news conference in Sunyani, Nana Kwao Adam, Executive Director of ABOFAB, observed that the policy document of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture ‘s (FASDEP 1 and 2) did not provide clear policy direction and support to the development of organic farming.     He emphasised the need for a policy that would provide adequate support for promoting and developing the organic farming with the government playing a facilitation role by setting up a development fund to strengthen the sector.     Nana Adam, who is the Twafohene of Forikrom in the Municipality, said many farmers in the municipality had shown interest in organic farming because of its international marketing opportunities.     He said due to lack of technical knowledge, farmers in the sector were moving out.     The Executive Director expressed grave concern about the misapplication of chemicals and chemical residue on food in the domestic market which consequently led to food poisoning. Nana Adam said Ghana could develop its organic agriculture with consistent policy framework.     Mr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, Business Service Provider for ABOFAP, noted that organic farming was one of the main contributors to national food security.     He said the project with funding from the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC FUND) conducted a research on organic farming in the municipality.     Mr. Benarkuu said the research revealed lack of access to information on organic product certification, poor financing in the organic agricultural sector as well as lack of domestic and ready market for organic produce as the major factors militating against the development of the sector.     He said currently there was lack of commitment by the appropriate authorities to decentralize and enforce organic food certification guidelines.     This, he said made it difficult for farmers to access good market and fair prizes.     Mr. Benarkuu mentioned indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals environmental degradation, unsafe food production and loss of capital investment for organic farmers as some of the problems facing the sector.     He stressed the need for MOFA and the private organic food certifying bodies to form alliance to develop organic farming businesses as a means to create wealth and ensure food security and sovereignty.     Mr. Benarkuu observed that all organic farmers were gradually going out of business.     He said currently there was no Agriculture college in the country which pursued modules on organic farming and marketing, a situation which had contributed to the collapse of the sector.     “There is also no organic desk officer at the MOFA offices” he added, stating that in South Africa and Kenya, organic farming had contributed immensely to poverty reduction and job creation.     GNA ...

  Nkoranza (B/A), Oct. 18, GNA – Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, Nkoranza South Municipal Chief Executive, has commended “Adom Mmaapa Adoye Kuo”,  Nlkoranza-based humanitarian club, for supporting the vulnerable, especially widows and orphans in the area.      He asked the club to team up with other non-governmental organisations to source funding for their projects.      Mr. Agyekum was addressing members at a fund-raising rally towards the implementation of club’s programmes.     Very Reverend Major (retired) Daniel Ebo Ephraim, Superintendent Minister in-charge of the Nkoranza Wesley Methodist Church, expressed worry that that some people in the area had shirked their parental responsibilities.      He cited that some school children sought assistance from the Church to enable them go to school because their parents had failed to pay their school fees.     Rev. Ephraim praised members of the club for seeking the welfare of the vulnerable and needy, particularly widows and orphans.      Madam Agnes Gyamea, President of the group, said each member contributes GHc10.00 monthly to fund programmes.      She expressed regret that some orphans dropped out of school and had become delinquent, and said the club pays school fees for needy students, and settles hospital bills of some parents.     GNA ...

  From Albert Oppong-Ansah, a GNA Special Correspondent, Hyderabad, India (Courtesy, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Global Environmental Facility and Internews)   Hyderabad (India), Oct. 19, GNA –Three members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment Science and Technology participating in the on-going COP 11 of CBD on Friday said the conference had exposed them to many environmental issues which would help them champion biodiversity conservation.       The MPs said the meetings they attended had strengthened them to play their role in other to ensure that the country preserves its biodiversity resource.        The MP’s are part of the government delegation led by the Minister of Environment Science and Technology, Ms Sherry Aittey, to the COP 11 of CBD to learn and share experience with other participants on Biodiversity.        They are Mr Raymond Tawiah, Member of Parliamentary for Yilo Krobo and Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, Mr Abdul-Rahman, the Member of Parliament for Pru, Mr Justice Joe Appiah,  the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North and Ms Abigail Aba Anso, a Clerk of Parliament.       The MPs expressed their readiness to share the knowledge acquired with their colleague MPs to enable them to deliberate on issues relating to biodiversity conservation and other environmental issues in parliament.       Mr Tawiah told the GNA that resource mobilization was crucial to help developing countries to protect its biodiversity.       “They exploit our forests for timber, gold and diamond to develop their countries and even sell some of the end product to us at a higher cost. We need that money to solve our environmental issues,” he said.       Mr Tawiah said mining companies destroying valuable biodiversity resource only pay a token as royalties and taxes and called for a ban on mining and felling of timber. He said the country could survive and better manage its affairs without the contribution of these companies.     Mr Appiah said he wondered why humanity continued to degrade the forest despite the many benefits people derive from it.     Mr Appiah said the current deforestation, pollution of rivers bodies, hunting with chemicals, indiscriminate bush burning and illegal mining, if not checked, could turn the nation’s land to desert.     Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, Chairman of the Biodiversity Committee of Ghana, said it pays to join the global campaign of biodiversity conserve.     He said people should see the protection and preservation of natural resource as a way of life and not something optional.      Prof. Oteng-Yeboah said one of the novelty mechanisms of reducing poverty was biodiversity, adding that communities would have enough fertile land and ensure food security as well as potable water.      “This is the economic value that should be emphasized. Biodiversity is valuable and cannot be bought by money and people must know this fact…its depletion will lead to extinction of humanity”, he said.      ...