Wa, Nov. 12, GNA – Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister of Health, has donated five Rlg laptop computers to the Upper West Regional Health Directorate to help improve its data management system. Presenting the computers on Monday in Wa, Mr Bagbin commended the health Authorities in the region for putting in place several initiatives that had helped in raising standards in the sector. He said challenges of the health sector were too many for government alone to solve adding that initiatives by health authorities to help bring improvement to the sector were welcomed. The Health Minister advised them to put the computers to good use to help improve their data management system since it was an important component to quality health services delivery. Dr Kofi Issah, Deputy Regional Director of Health Services in charge of Public Health, thanked the Minister for his personal commitment to addressing the health challenges in the region. He assured the Minister that the computers would be put to proper use to help improve the data management system.   GNA ...

Takoradi, Nov.12, GNA - The Western Regional branch of the Nana Addo for President 2012 (NOFP) has claimed that some people are clandestinely replicating Biometric Voter ID Cards of unsuspecting people. Mr Sampson Nimako Darko, Regional Coordinator of NOFP, who said this at a press conference at Takoradi, displayed a photocopy of such Voter’s ID Cards produced at Darkokrom, a suburb near Takoradi. Mr Darko said this could not have happened if the Electoral Commission (EC), which is the trustee of the country’s Bio Data, had not collaborated with the miscreants involved adding that the incidence has been reported to the Western Regional Police Command. He called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as the other opposition political parties to work together and ensure that the EC provides a detailed voter’s register. “This, we believe, is going to prevent the rigging of the 2012 General Elections”, he said. Mr Darko urged the EC to live up to its constitutional mandate by educating and providing accurate information to the electorate and the political parties.   GNA ...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 12  GNA - A two-day tripartite meeting of security personnel of neighbouring Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana has ended in Kombissiri, Burkina Faso, with a call on authorities of participating countries to strengthen closer relationship in dealing with trans-border crimes. The meeting was to develop new perspectives and strategies for practical trans-border cooperation in the area of security, free movement of goods and people, child trafficking, drug smuggling and small arms proliferation. Authorities of the Savanna region of Togo, Central East Region of Burkina Faso and the Upper East region of Ghana have since September 2009 been meeting annually to develop new approaches to effectively fight high banditry, trans-border crimes and ultimately promote cohesion and peaceful coexistence between the three countries. Speaking at the opening of the meeting at the weekend, Burkinabe Minister of Territorial Administration and Security, Dr Jerome Bougma, noted that trans-border crimes such as the proliferation of small arms and weapons in the West African sub-region stifled the socio-economic development of countries. He said engagements like annual tripartite meetings, offers the three regions the opportunity to deliberate on the way forward in dealing with trans-border crimes such as the proliferation of small arms to further promote integration in the sub-region. Dr Bougma said the dangers of illicit proliferation of small arms in the West-African sub-region were enormous and appealed to security agencies in the three countries to collaborate effectively in dealing with the menace. He said: “Most conflicts in West Africa are facilitated by the illegal importation and exportation of these illegal small arms”, and called on countries in West Africa to continue with the collaboration to curb the use of arms. Mrs Lucy Awuni, Upper East Deputy Regional Minister , led a delegation of security personnel including officials from the Ghana Police Service, Customs Exercise and Preventive Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Bureau of National Investigations. She expressed optimism that collaborations among the three countries would be fortified to check trans-boundary crimes and improve trade relations. Mrs Awuni said collaborations between security agencies led to the arrest of criminals seeking refuge in other neighbouring countries and cited the arrest of Kombian, a notorious Ghanaian criminal, in neighbouring Togo. Mr Allahidi Diallo, Governor of the Central East Region of Burkina Faso, and Governor of the South East Province of Burkina, Madam Tchombiano Maimouna, both expressed gratitude to Ghana and Togo for their efforts and renewed commitment in ensuring that trans-border crimes were reduced to the barest minimum. The Kassena Nankana Municipal Police commander, ASP Abdul-Latif Nbonwura, a participant, in an interview with the GNA said the meeting had enhanced his capacity in the fight against trans-border crimes. He said the emerging trends of trans-border crimes called for serious attention, and that the reinforcement of regulations by security agencies from the three countries was the way forward. ASP Abdul-Latif Nbonwura said that the movement of livestock, especially cattle, had become a threat to society and that “the activities of some Fulani herdsmen pose a serious threat to the security of the country. Some of them have fomented trouble in parts of the country with many crop farms devastated by the cattle of these herdsmen”.   GNA ...

Sunyani, Nov. 12, GNA - Mr Kwasi Appiah Donkor, a Pharmacist at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, has said the amount of sugar and caffeine in many of the imported energy drinks could have adverse effects on the health of consumers. He said although the energy drinks were generally safe, they should be taken in moderation since consuming much could lead to heart palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and could make a person feel jittery and irritable. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, Mr Donkor said although it is stated on such drinks that the contents could improve endurance and performance, many health experts disagreed with those claims. He said a typical energy drink could contain up to 80 milligrammes of caffeine about the same amount as a cup of coffee and are designed for students, athletes and anyone else who wants an extra energy kick. Mr Donkor said a look at some of the contents of such drinks include: ephedrine, a stimulant that works on the central nervous system, taurine, a natural amino acid produced by the body that helps regulate heart beats and muscle contractions, ginseng, a root believed to have several medicinal properties including reducing stress and boosting energy levels. He said caffeine worked by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical involved in sleep and when it succeeded in blocking the effects of adenosine, it causes neurons in the brain to work as if the body was in an emergency. “Thinking that the body is in an emergency, the pituitary gland initiates the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response by releasing adrenaline, a hormone which makes the heart beat faster and the eyes to dilate and causes the liver to release extra sugar into the blood stream for energy.” Mr Donkor said caffeine also affected the levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain’s pleasure centre and all these physical responses made one feel as though he had more energy. He said overtime, caffeine could become addictive, cause the kidneys to remove extra fluid into the urine and thereby leave less fluid in the body. “Drinking an energy drink while exercising could be particularly dangerous since the combination effect of the caffeine as a diuretic and sweating could severely dehydrate the individual,” he said. Mr Donkor said most people mixed energy drink with alcohol to make a high-energy cocktail, but since alcohol was a depressant, it had a tranquilizing effect on the body that could make the individual unaware of how much he/she had drunk. “A study found that men who combined energy drink with alcohol felt alert and sober even though they were actually drunk. And since both alcohol and energy drink dehydrate the body when combined they can cause body fluids to drop to dangerous levels,” he explained. Mr Donkor said because little research had been done on the long term health effects of consuming taurine and other ingredients in the drink, that had led to the misinformation and misuse of energy drinks by the public and urged pregnant women and children to avoid drinking them. Some energy drinks found on the Ghanaian market are red bull, burn, booster, blox  and x-power.   GNA ...

Takoradi, Nov. 12, GNA -The Western Regional branch of the Nana Addo for President 2012 (NOFP) on Monday alleged that some people are clandestinely replicating biometric voter ID cards of suspecting people. Mr.Sampson Nimako Darko, Regional Coordinator of NOFP, announced this at a media encounter at Takoradi on Monday. The Ghana News Agency observed that Mr Darko displayed photocopy of some of the Voter ID Cards produced at Darkokrom, a suburb of Kojokrom, near Takoradi. Mr. Darko said the case has been reported to the Western Regional Police Command, which gave the assurance that the Police would work with the Electoral Commission (EC) to investigate the matter for the appropriate action to be taken. He called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as other opposition political parties to join hands and demand from the EC detailed voter’s register with photographs and other details of bearers to prevent rigging of Election 2012. Mr. Darko appealed to the EC to educate the electorate on election modalities and to remain neutral in the discharge of its duties.   GNA ...

Koforidua, Nov. 12, GNA-Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, has said it was important for the youth to give meaning to the huge amount of financial, logistical and human resource being put at their disposal by the government by taking their studies seriously and eschewing laziness and bad habits. He said the government was putting a lot of premium on investment in education because it believes that the return was invaluable and also serves as the backbone of sustainable development of the country. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo added that the government over the period had implemented policies that had positively promoted quality teaching and learning from the basic to the tertiary level with special attention at the Basic and Senior High School (SHS) level. He was speaking at the 55th Anniversary Ceremony and Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary (POJOSS) in Koforidua, under the theme “Education, the greatest treasure for the Ghanaian youth.” Mr Ofosu-Ampofo observed that government in recent budget statement for 2012, emphasized infrastructure development as key growth and employment generation. “Quality education is therefore crucial to providing the needed infrastructure for socio-economic development of our people”, he added. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said as a country, Ghana treasured assets is its human resources adding “Growth and sustenance depends largely on the development of its human population through the provision of quality education”. “We have a strong belief that quality education constitutes the single most important factor that has the potential to lead us to global competitiveness, progress and prosperity”, he added. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said it was in that regard, government as part of the “Better Ghana Agenda” was committed to providing quality education to every institution of learning in order to produce the needed skills required to propel the development of the country to the highest level. He said government was therefore focusing on areas like increasing access to and participation in education and training at all levels, bridging gender gaps to education, improving quality teaching and learning and improving efficiency in the delivery of education services. It was also focusing in areas like the promotion of science and technology at all levels with particular attention to the increase in the participation of girls and enhancing infrastructure development at all levels in education. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said government was committed to strengthening and continuing the provision of capitation grant, free uniforms, free exercise books and tuition for teachers, replacing schools under trees and revamping collapsed science resource centres. He said in the Eastern Region alone, government invested a total amount of GHC 71,981,452.32 in the construction of 563 educational infrastructures for the period between 2009 and June 2012. “I am happy to note that POJOSS has had its fair share of the cake and therefore has benefited from the provision of a six unit classroom block and a two- storey dormitory”, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo added. Mr Isaac Lawer Odenteh, Headmaster of the school, appealed to government to provide them with a vehicle and also a standard science laboratory. Isaac Baah, School Prefect, on his part appealed to government, corporate organizations and philanthropists to provide them with a power plant to limit the time being wasted during the load shedding period.     GNA ...

Asanso (Ash), Nov. 12, GNA – An appeal has gone to communities, civil society organizations, and non-government organizations to do more to supplement government’s efforts in promoting Information Communication Technology (ICT) education.    Mr. Samuel Ansah, Director, Teacher Education Division, Ghana Education Service (GES), said the deployment of ICT in schools was a capital intensive project that required “all hands on deck”.        “Indeed no government, not even in developed economies across the globe has been able to single-handedly, provide ICT logistics to all its educational institutions”, he added.    Mr Ansah was speaking at the inauguration of a GH¢250,000.00 library built for the Asanso Community in the Asante-Bekwai Municipality by Mr Kwabena Appiah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Modex Oil Company.    The ceremony was also used to raise funds towards a computer centre project, started by the benefactor.          Mr Joe Osei Owusu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, underlined the importance of education to the progress of the individual, community and the nation and that was why it should be given every needed attention.           He pledged to continue working hard to create the right environment for effective teaching and learning in the area.    Mr Appiah, a native of the town, said part of the funds for the project, was from donations he received during his late mother’s funeral, last year.    Nana Anor Brafo, chief of the area, said they were grateful to Mr Appiah for his tremendous assistance towards the development of education in the community.         He has over the years been providing scholarships to brilliant but needy students as well as incentive packages to motivate teachers posted there.         The chief advised the school children to take advantage of the facility to improve on their academic performance.        Dr K. K. Sarpong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, urged the teachers and pupils to take good care of the library. GNA ...

Aflao (V/R), Nov 12, GNA - Johnson Frank Awunie, a suspected robber believed to be operating on the Ghana/Togo border, is in the grips of the Aflao police.     He was arrested at a police snap checkpoint at Tokor-Denu on November 2.  A Togolese registered cross-country vehicle with registration number  TG6 566 AM snatched from its owner at Adidogorme, near Lome by a gang of robbers was retrieved.     Awunie was suspected to be driving the stolen vehicle to Accra to look for buyers.     Mr Emmanuel Odonkor, Aflao District Police Commander told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that on that day, Awunie, 27, whose nationality remained in doubt, was flagged to stop at the checkpoint.     He said the officers became suspicious upon finding both wind shades (front door glasses) of the vehicle shattered.     Mr Odonkor said Awunie told the police he was on an errand to fetch a fetish priest from a shrine at Nogokpo to revive a dying relative of the owner of the vehicle.     He said the suspicion of the police heightened when the suspect failed to mention the right name on a Togolese driving license found on the vehicle and so arrested him.     Mr Odonkor said a check with the Togolese authorities revealed that the vehicle was snatched from its owner, one Anthony Kwojovie, of Kwodjoviakope when he was returning home at about 2330 hours on November.     He said the Togolese security said four men riding on two motorbikes waylaid and snatched the vehicle and in the process shattered both wind shades with cutlasses.     Mr Odonkor said the gang inflicted wounds on the victim and the female friend he was travelling with, both of whom fled and reported the incident to the police.     A magistrate court at Agbozume has remanded Awunie into police custody to be brought before the court again on November 13.       GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – A People’s National Convention (PNC) led administration would adopt a mixed approach and strategy to build more hydro-electric dams to meet Ghana’s energy requirements for industrialization and public consumption, according to the party’s 2012 manifesto titled: “Service with honesty”, obtained by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicates.     It explained that a PNC government would exploit; the abundant wind along Ghana’s coastal areas to generate more electricity, the sunshine in the country to generate additional electricity, and explore the possibility of using Ghana’s nuclear reactor to generate further electricity.     GNA scrutiny of the manifesto showed that the party believes putting these strategies together would propel Ghana to achieve self-sufficiency in energy production.     The PNC said since no country could develop without regular and dependable sources of energy, whereas it also takes some time to tap these resources, a PNC administration would be swift in exploiting the non-renewable energy resources such as oil in a manner that would satisfy both investors and Ghanaians.      It noted that Ghana was blessed with abundant natural resources in energy, including renewable types, meanwhile “The energy from the Volta Dam is already proving inadequate for our industrial and other requirements”.     The PNC added that it was aware the total power output from both Kpong and Akosombo Dams was insufficient for additionally projected exploitation of Iron ore deposits near Oppong-Manso, the Bauxite project at Kibi and Nyinahin and several others.     Proponents of the manifesto opined Ghana was gradually becoming a major exporter of energy to its neighbours, and that called for constant exploration for additional sources of energy.     PNC is of the view that given the available sophisticated transmission technology, the present energy situation in the country made building of more dam projects more urgent than ever before.     A PNC administration would therefore re-enter into negotiations with appropriate foreign investors, for the development of mini-hydro projects on some of the smaller rivers such as the Ankobra, Pra, Oti, and Tano, it declared.    GNA analysis discovers the party has pledged to vigorously pursue Oil and gas exploration under such terms that derived maximum benefit for the ordinary people.     The party has indicated that with more oil and gas reserves discoveries in the country, PNC would give greater attention to unexplored inland basin, where the cost of exploration would not be as capital-intensive as offshore types.      “A PNC led government would vigorously promote the use of natural gas for the thermal generation of electric power and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for household to save trees from being turned into charcoal and firewood,” the PNC stated.     This according to the party would also serve as an alternative auto fuel, since it will be cheaper than petrol and gasoline, as well as being environmentally friendly by emitting less greenhouse gases.     The PNC is convinced that along with the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) coming on stream and the already known abundant deposits of gas in Ghana, wider use of gas would stimulate both local and foreign investment in the gas industry.     The PNC indicated that in its previous manifestos, it promised to establish a National Petroleum Commission as the umbrella for effective operation of all the various government and parastatal agencies engaged in the petroleum industry.     “It is gratifying to note that our nation now has a Petroleum Commission with the responsibility to supervise prospecting for crude oil, exploitation, refining and distribution of oil products”.     However, a PNC administration would critically examine the operations of this body, so as to remove bottlenecks and related inefficiencies that had recently been alleged to be detrimental to its operations.     A PNC government would expand and modify the existing plant capacity of our refinery in Tema so as to enable it refine a much wider spectrum of grades of crude oil and also use more advanced technologies for deriving other products of crude oil such as hydro solvents, paraffin wax, lubricating oils and bitumen.    The PNC assured Ghanaians that if voted into power it would lay firm foundations for a viable petrochemical industry to serve the needs of the Ghanaian population and sister countries in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).     The party said in its medium and long-term policies, it would actively explore the use of non-conventional sources of renewable energy such as those of solar, nuclear and thermal sources.     Drawing on experiences from Eastern and Southern Africa where solar energy is contributing immensely to rural life, GNA has established that a PNC administration would continue the rural electrification program and where practical economics dictates, solar energy would be used for isolated or target spots and localities that are distant from power lines, the party envisioned.     GNA findings on the manifesto also revealed a PNC administration intends to partner the private sector to encourage large-scale developments of other renewable natural fuels in the areas of:    “The production of diesel from the phyxic nut (Jatropha) that a highly enterprising Ghanaian scientist has been able to develop-for all practical purposes this product has a limitless market at home and abroad.     “Tree planting for providing firewood and charcoal-these elements shall play a vital role in our projected iron and steel industry”, “The manufacture of charcoal briquettes from saw dust and wood waste.      “The production of biogas from animal droppings and sewage for household fuel”.      GNA has also established that PNC plans to revive the sugar industry in some parts of the country to use the byproduct, sugarcane biogases, for generating electricity.     The areas under consideration are Asutsuare Komenda and new sites such as Fumbisi in Upper East region, Katanga (between Kpembi and Kpandai) and other suitable locations in the nation.     Meanwhile, a National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) survey on “Election 2012: matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter”, reveals that 489 responses received, the highest proportion of 289 (59.1 per cent) responses said power outages should stop.     The nationwide survey ranked energy as the eleven out 14 matters of concern to the electorates in Election 2012.         A copy of the survey report, made available to the GNA, indicate that Ghanaians abhor the frequent power outrages, which they said was destroying electrical gadgets and also rendering some newly established industries dormant.     They also wanted the government to extend electricity to the rural area, whilst another 143 (29.3 per cent) responses wanted government to have more subsidies on energy, other responses 27 (5.5 per cent) said that there should be uninterrupted gas supply for Ghanaians.     According to the NCCE survey, 17 (3.5 per cent) respondents agreed that oil and gas proceeds should be used to finance the economy, but, 11(2.2 per cent) wanted government to create jobs in the oil and gas sector for the youth.     Respondents mentioned that the rate at which expatriates were infiltrating  the oil industry to compete with Ghanaians for jobs  was quite alarming.     The survey said an insignificant number of respondents, 2 (0.4 per cent), said the youth should be trained to take up jobs in the oil and gas sector. GNA ...

Koforidua, Nov 12, GNA-Reverend Dr Charles Gyan-Duah, Koforidua District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana , has appealed to all political parties contesting this year’s elections to demonstrate their commitment to peace by accepting the results of the elections.    He said no political party would stay in power for ever and since 1992 when Ghana adopted constitutional rule, successful elections had changed governments indicating that the people had choice so the political parties must obey the right of the people to choose.    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency(GNA) during a Peace Service organized by the Church in Koforidua to raise awareness for peace in the upcoming elections, Dr Gyan-Duah said the church is aware that members of the congregation belong to different political parties and so the need to create the awareness.    He said the Presbyterian Church as an institution does not belong or support any political party but recognized authority and would work with any political party that wins the election.     Dr Gyan-Duah said the Presbyterian Church’s colours of red, blue and white  that had been misconstrued as colours of the New Patriotic Party was adopted in 1928 to represent the Scottish and Swiss background of the Church.    As part of the service, the youth of the congregation wore T-shirts of all the political parties to signify the reality that members belong to different parties but are one and could live in harmony for peaceful elections.     GNA ...

Abetifi Kwahu, Nov. 12, GNA - The Presbyterian University College at Abetifi Kwahu has admitted 857 students for the 2012/2013 academic year bringing the total population of the university to 2, 300.    The students are to offer Business Administration, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Community and Rural Development, Nursing, Business Economics, Mathematics, Agribusiness, Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Medical Health Assistance.    Speaking at the ceremony Professor Sraku-Lartey, said the list of programmes mentioned was contrary to the assertion that private universities offered only the social sciences and humanities.    He said the Presbyterian University College was promoting the balanced pursuit of the humanities, the sciences and the development, application and management of technology.    Prof Sraku-Lartey said the excellent results of Senior High Schools this year which made entry into tertiary institutions very difficult compelled them to turn away many qualified students, especially at the Asante Akyem campus for lack of accommodation.    He said next year with two batches of SHS students coming out the problem could be worse.    He therefore appealed to give them equal opportunity to benefit from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) to expand their infrastructure.    Prof Sraku-Lartey said for any meaningful development to take place, tertiary enrolment in Ghana should be at least 25 percent of the population and for that to be possible not more than 250, 000 students should be enrolled every year into tertiary institutions.    He expressed worry that even though Ghana has about 50 tertiary institutions, all put together could not admit more than 70, 000 students, which represent 30 percent of tertiary graduates, needed every year.     Prof Sraku-Lartey said the rate of numerical progression from the kindergarten through primary, junior high and senior high to the tertiary was highly inadequate.    “It is therefore very important to put measures in place to review and plan education right from the kindergarten taking into account funding, human resource and physical resources” he said.    Prof Sraku-Lartey said lack of adequate facilitates made it difficult to provide enough practical content to students at tertiary institutions and even where facilities exist, industries and companies are unwilling to engage the students for internship.        Rev Bawua Bonsafo, Kwahu Presbytery Chairperson of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, said since the establishment of the university, the church had supported it in various ways.    He said the Presbyterian Church of Ghana over the years had supported the government to improve the human resource base of the country by the provision of agriculture and medical services and also participating in education delivery system of the country.    Rev Bonsafo pledged that the Church would continue to offer all the needed assistance to the university to make it a centre of excellence.       The Presbyterian University College was established in 2003 at Abetifi and has campuses at Akropong Akuapem, Agogo and Tema with Kumasi campus to be opened next year.   GNA ...

Koforidua, Nov. 12, GNA - Mr Alex Asamoah, New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, has said quality education was what Ghana needed to ensure that products from educational institutions are marketable.    He said it was for that reason that the government was committed to improve infrastructure in all basic schools such as removing schools under trees so as to lay a solid foundation at the basic level.   Mr Asamoah, who said this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the Bassare Educational Fund in Koforidua at the weekend, said education was the bedrock of any society and should therefore not be taken for granted.   The occasion coincided with the one year anniversary celebration of Uborte Ahmed Sulemana Bawa 11, the Bassare Chief.   He said the government would continue to establish more colleges of education to produce enough teachers and also expand education infrastructure in senior high schools.   Alhaji Abdul Karim, a businessman, said the launch of the fund aimed at sponsoring brilliant but needy Muslims students was timely since education is the single most powerful weapon people could use to change for a “better communities, Nation as well as the world”.   He said the vision of the fund was to have more teachers, nurses, police officers, Judges and Lawyers in the Zongo communities.   Alhaji Karim appealed to those who would be defeated in the December polls to accept defeat in good faith and not to do anything that could plunge Ghana into chaos.    Uborte Bawa on his part, said in consultation with the Council of Bassare Chiefs in the Eastern Region, decided to launch the fund to support brilliant but needy students, the vulnerable and disable child who deserve some special training.   He said it was his conviction that Zongo chiefs had a role to play to complement whatever social interventions successive governments were putting in place to make living bearable for the citizenry.    Uborte Ahmed Sulemana Bawa said the launch of the fund did not support or negate the current debate about making second cycle education free adding “Be free or otherwise the fund is very relevant”. He said the reason why politicians normally used “macho men” from the Zongo to do their dirty job for them was the high illiterate rate in the Zongo communities and said it was about time to change that negative trend.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will introduce programmes that will encourage and bring women into the mainstream of economic and political activities should it be given the mandate come December 7.    In its Election 2012 manifesto made available to the Ghana News Agency, the NPP said it was committed to the development and welfare of Ghanaian women in granting that the party should be voted for to pursue its agenda.    The manifesto entitled: “Transforming lives, Transforming Ghana,” touted NPP’s record in advancing the cause of gender equality and in unlocking the potential of women.      According to the party, an NPP government will reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality through the revitalization of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Free Maternal Care Policy and Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), and encourage the provision of quality childcare facilities for mothers at work places, markets and community centres in cities and towns.     “NPP government will encourage young girls to go to school, stay in school and open up science and mathematics education for girls at all levels of education by enforcing an affirmative action policy,” the NPP stated.     The Party also promised to work with traditional authorities to free women from such oppressive and discriminatory practices as ostracisation of so-called witches in special villages and widowhood rites.     It said though over 51 per cent of Ghanaians were women, they faced historical, social, political and cultural challenges.     It noted that women currently accounted for less than 10 per cent of people in  public office and only 8 per cent of Members of Parliament.     The NPP gave reference to its achievements when it was in government, citing the appointment of a cabinet Minister in charge of women and children and the girl child education, and passing the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Acts to protect women and children.     It also cited the appointments of women to head key public service organisations and providing free medical care for all pregnant women.      Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education ranked Women and children issues as the number four out of 14 matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter in election 2012.    On regional ranking of Women and Children issues, Western ranked it third while Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Central, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West considered it as the fourth most priority in Election 2012.  Brong Ahafo ranked it fifth.       According to the survey an overwhelming majority of 71.6 per cent were females whilst 27.9 per cent were male.    The survey revealed that most people recommended that government should provide women with soft loans; women and children issues should be given priority attention by the government.     Other issues raised in the survey were that government should educate women and children on their rights and privileges; government should give free education to children; create more employment opportunities for women; offer higher positions and appointments to women as their male counterparts, and that women and children should be given free health care.   GNA ...

Offinso (Ash), Nov 12, GNA –   Mr Sylvester Barimah-Antwi, Director of Offinso Training and Rehabilitation Centre, said the facility has in the past 25 years aided the physically challenged to inquire employable skills to improve their standards of living.     He said the centre had trained and set up businesses for 950 physically handicapped persons, 80 per cent of whom were reportedly doing well, and become bread winners for their families.     Mr Barimah-Antwi, who was speaking at the launch of the Centre’s Silver Jubilee Celebration at Offinso, said the physically challenged had received tools and equipment and GH¢ 500.00 each, on completion of their training.     He said 400 of the beneficiaries were into dressmaking, 500 undertaking shoemaking, 40 into the carpentry and the remaining 50, into batik-tie-and-dye making.     Mr Barimah-Antwi said the centre had supported 500 physically challenged persons to undergo orthopedic surgery and 300 others to have artificial limbs.     He said the centre would establish basic schools (Kindergarten to Junior High School) that would be friendly to children with physical disability.     Dr K.O. Antwiagyei, Programme Manager, National Immunization Programme, said Ghana was making headway in the battle against poliomyelitis, recording zero per cent between the years, 2008 and 2012.    Baffour Kesse Amankwaah, the Offinso Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly would ensure that all public places become accessible to the physically challenged.               GNA ...

Accra, Nov 12, GNA - Ghana Coach, Kwesi Appiah has drafted two additions to his squad billed to engage Cape Verde in a FIFA international friendly day  game in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday, November 14.        According to information pieced together by GNA Sports, midfielder Afriyie Acquah and China-based defender Lee Addy have been drafted into the squad.      The two have been called up as replacement for Captain, Asamoah Gyan and Jonathan Mensah who have both  pulled out of the friendly.      Gyan withdraw from the game which serve Ghana’s last official friendly ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations slated for South Africa following the demise of his mother, Cecilia Amoako last week.        France-based defender, Mensah however excused himself from the game after injuring his thigh while playing for his club Evian, last week.         Afriyie and Addy are expected to join the Black Stars camp in Lisbon, late Monday ahead of the Wednesday meeting.            Both countries would use the mid-week game as preparatory duel for the South Africa tourney.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov 12, GNA – Organizers of the scheduled Black Stars international friendly with Cape Verde have pushed the game a day forward. The game billed for Lisbon, Portugal, originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, has now been pushed to Wednesday, November 14.           A communique from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) copied to the GNA Sports said ‘organizers of the game have informed the Ghana Football Association that the game will now be played on Wednesday.  The venue remains the University of Lisbon Stadium in Lisbon.’       Ghana, housed in Group B alongside DR Congo, Mali and Niger is expected to use the game as a preparatory ground for the biannual competition commencing in South Africa next January.   GNA ...

Dzodze, Nov. 12, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) has been asked to remain realistic and avoid unattainable promises merely intended to hoodwink the people to vote for him in December.     The “John Mahama 2012 Group” a pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) group in the Ketu-North District of the Volta Region, making the call, identified the NPP’s Free Senior High School concept as a deceit of the people to gain votes and turn round to give excuses.     In a statement signed by its president, Mr Armstrong Mensah, the group said what the nation required now was a massive investment in educational infrastructure and other resources to improve access and quality.     “The Free SHS promise by the NPP is misplaced for now since classes cannot be held under trees,” the statement said.     Praising the NDC’s promise of establishing more pre-schools and teacher training colleges among others, the statement said “the educational policy of the NPP is to promote their so-called private sector individualistic goals of destroying the public schools to establish expensive private ones “.     “We plead with Ghanaians to vote NDC to strengthen the public school system, enhance accessibility first towards a progressive removal of fees as enshrined in the constitution,” the statement said.     The statement accused Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate of failing to educate Nana Akufo Addo on the theory of scarcity of resources and scale of preference and choice, saying with the current resource constraints all the educational cost cannot be taken away at a go.     It said the choice of President Mahama to increase subsidy to reduce cost to parents was the best choice to vote for.     The group finally demanded an apology from the NPP to all the people of the Volta Region for its lies about NPP agents being manhandled during in the region the 2008 elections and for describing the establishment of the University for Health and Allied Sciences in Ho as a waste of resources.     GNA ...

Nkoranza (B/A), Nov. 12, GNA – Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joseph  Owusu, Nkoranza South Municipal Police Commander, has advised Ghanaians, especially the youth, to be disciplined  and respect electoral laws as the country gears up for Election 2012.       He said the Ghana Police Service would deal ruthlessly with miscreants during the polls on December 7, to ensure, free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.       DSP Owusu gave the advice at a debate organised for parliamentary candidates in Nkoranza South Constituency, at Nkoranza, to inform the electorate about their vision for the area if elected into Parliament.        It was organised by Ahenbronoso Care Foundation and Techiman Civic Union, both Techiman-based non-governmental organisations (NGO), and sponsored by STAR-Ghana and its partners.         The candidates,  Mr Kwame Amporfo-Twumasi, incumbent NPP Member of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, the National Democratic Congress candidate , and Mr Isaac Asirifi Kodom, contesting on the ticket of the National Democratic Party, were asked to deliberate  on education, HIV and AIDS, health, water and sanitation, child labour and teenage pregnancy.        DSP Owusu warned that any person who would be caught destroying political party posters would be arrested and prosecuted.       Mr Davis Boamah Asumadu, Deputy Executive Director of Ahenbronoso Care Foundation, commended STAR-Ghana and its partners for their efforts to ensure peaceful elections on December 7.       He appealed to presidential and parliamentary candidates for Election 2012 to ensure that their supporters comport themselves during the polls.       Mr Mohammed Manu Busi, Principal Education Officer of National Commission for Civic Education in Sunyani, commended the NGOs for their initiative to enhance peace in the  Techiman and Nkoranza municipalities.           The parliamentary candidates pledged to promote peace during the polls, and to offer selfless and dedicated services to the people if elected.       Nana Okofo Agyapong III, Adontenhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area, appealed to the citizenry to eschew acts that could affect the polls.     GNA ...

Sunyani, Nov. 12, GNA – Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), has said voting on partisan lines had been the bane of accelerated national development. He therefore appealed to the electorate to vote for the PPP for the country to witness rapid transformation and national economic growth. Dr Nduom said this when addressing supporters of the PPP at separate rallies at Atronie lorry station and Victory Park in the Sunyani East Constituency on Sunday. He was from the Northern Region through Brong-Ahafo Region to Accra, and noted that the hope and aspirations of Ghanaians were still in ruins because “greedy and needy” politicians continued to form the executive arm of government. Dr Nduom said the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress  had done everything possible but unemployment and poverty were still high in the country. He said both political parties had failed Ghanaians in the national re-construction processes and had nothing new to offer and advised the electorate to be more discerning, vote and give the mandate to the PPP on December 7. Dr Nduom said free basic and Senior High School education had been on the drawing board of the PPP and it was left to Ghanaians to benefit from such policy in 2013 by voting for the party. He formally introduced Mrs Vivian Kakie Tetteh, PPP Parliamentary Candidate for Sunyani East Constituency and advised the electorate to vote for her. Mrs Tetteh appealed to women to support women parliamentary candidates to win their seats because that was the only way women participation in governance and decision making processes could be improved. Mrs Tetteh said her intention to contest was due to the fact that the constituency lacked basic necessities such as potable water,  classrooms and good roads.     GNA ...

Wa, Nov. 12, GNA – The Upper West Regional office of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) at the weekend destroyed unregistered and unwholesome products worth 20,660.00 Ghana Cedis at a landfill site in Wa. The items, which were considered to be noxious and posed health risk to consumers, included 26 bags (50kg) of bread floor and assorted medicines, including herbal and aphrodisiac products The products were confiscated from 342 retail shops by the FDB during routine inspection and post-market surveillance in the region to prevent customers from buying unregistered, unwholesome and expired products. Briefing journalists before the exercise, Mr. Gordon Akrugu, Upper West Regional Manager of the Board, said the area had ceased to be a dumping ground for sub-standard products after the FDB opened an office in Wa in August last year. He cautioned the public against purchasing unwholesome food and counterfeit and substandard products that appear appetizing but had traces of high level contamination because of the unhygienic environment under which vendors operated. Mr. Akurugu pledged the Board’s commitment to ensuring safety and quality of food, drugs, cosmetics, household chemicals and medicines and medical devices. He said, consequently, the FDB was strengthening its regulatory systems by supporting manufacturing Industries to adopt good management practices.   GNA ...