Ho, Nov. 01, GNA - A total of 28 farmers, including two women, have been nominated for the Volta Regional Farmers' Day awards to be held in Ho on Friday, November 02.   The oldest of the awardees is 86 years and youngest, 34 years old.   The event, on the theme: “Grow More Food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organisations for Market Place Bargaining Power,” would attract heads of decentralized institutions, farmers and chiefs.   Two schools and a farming group at Akrofu, near Ho, would also be honoured for their contributions to agriculture in the region.   The group would be given special award for introducing rice cultivation to Akrofu, a community known for growing okro.   Mr John Tsrakasu, Volta Regional Director of Agriculture, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that all was set for the event.   He said the region, which had the highest number of commercial farms, was “doing fairly well” in agriculture.   “Currently, the region is the destination for investors in agriculture. They say our people are good workers and sincere,” Mr Tsrakasu said.   He said the region could boast of having the most modern irrigation facility in the country, located at Torgorme in the South Dayi District, irrigating about 4,000 hectares of land for vegetable and cereal farming.   Mr Tsrakasu said Vegepro, the company working at Torgorme, would soon begin exporting pepper and other vegetables.   He said the Afife Rice was also doing well with no problem with marketing.   Mr Tsrakasu commended farmers in the region for their hard work and encouraged young people to turn to agriculture to enhance their lot.     GNA  ...

Akropong, Oct 29, GNA - The Okuapeman Union in Sydney, Australia, has presented 30 laptop computers and accessories to the Presbyterian University College, Akuapem campus at Akropong.      The donation formed part of the Union’s commitment to improving education standards in Ghana, particularly at Akuapem and it is the first donation since the establishment of the association.     Mr Paul Keteku, the leader of the delegation,   said globally technology was advancing and so the donation of the laptops was to facilitate the teaching of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to make the products technologically inclined to be relevant in the job market.     He said the association chose the University because of the time tested education excellence of the Presbyterian Church and the impressive performance of the university since its establishment.     Nana Dr Adjoku Aborah VII, a member of the delegation, recounted success stories of people who went through Presbyterian education system of discipline and hard work and pledged his personal support for the university.     Dr Frank S. Arku, the Akuapem campus coordinator who received the laptops, said they were overwhelmed with the gesture and appealed to the Association to continue to support the university.     GNA...

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak has parted ways with head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor in the wake of the team’s poor start to the season.   The Phobians have managed just four points of a possible 15 with losses in their last three games to Dwarfs, Wa All Stars and Berekum Chelsea.   A five-point statement signed by Ashford Tettey Oku, General Manager of the club copied to GNA Sports said the decision was arrived at an emergency meeting by the Board of Directors late Wednesday to consider and decide on issues affecting the performance of the club in recent times.   It said the meeting resolved to part ways with Akonnor, who took over last March with immediate effect.   “The Chairman, with the support of the Board will open negotiations and appoint a new head coach to assume responsibility of the technical direction.   “Pending the appointment of the new coach, assistant coach Ben Adjei should take temporary charge.”   It said the “Board has decided to take steps to revamp the Technical Team in due course to optimise efficiency. The Board also noted the disappointment and frustration of the club’s teeming fans with the performance of the club lately and appeal for patience and support for the team during this temporary setback”.   Another major decision taken was the acceptance of the apology by midfielder Laryea Kingston, who has been out of the following a rift with Akonnor.   Kingston was given the boot by Akonnor after breaking camp rules during the club’s pre-season tour of Sekondi in the Western Region. The 31-year old has yet to feature for the Phobians this season   “Management has accepted the unqualified apology rendered by player, Laryea Kingston through a letter dated October 29, 2012 and received yesterday October 31, 2012,” the statement read.   By the decision, Kingston is expected to resume training with his colleagues as they prepare for this weekend’s clash against Real Tamale United at the Accra Sports Stadium.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 1, GNA - Sacked Hearts of Oak coach, Charles Akonnor has branded his current predicament torrid but says even more difficult was life as trainer since the league began.   Hearts has hauled a paltry four points from a possible 15 and Akonnor who was shown the door late Wednesday by the Management says “it was always difficult without the needed support”.   Akonnor who becomes the league's first casualty after only five games told GNA Sports “Obviously, I feel very bad because I didn't see this coming. It is very bad for my career because I wanted to achieve something special here.   “But this is the nature of our trade; today you are here, tomorrow you are gone. I thought we will play Real Tamale United and I will seek to turn things around.  Suddenly, see what has happened. I have been surprised indeed.”   The former Eleven Wise trainer has refused to shoulder the blame for his exit, insisting “this is too bad because am not the problem. Only time will tell. Soon we will all know if I was the problem or not, which I so well know I wasn't”.   The Phobians opted to terminate their two-year marriage despite more than a year left on Akonnor’s contract citing poor results. Defeats to Dwarfs, Wa All Stars and Berekum Chelsea had made Akonnor’s spell at Hearts untenable and the supporters’ front led the crusade to have him axed.   He told GNA Sports “Hearts was a work in progress. We were working very hard and gradually, we had moved from the team none respected when the preseason began when we were losing and playing poorly to a team that was gradually gaining respect.   “Drawing the first game and beating Edubiase convincingly in the second, I naturally expected support and encouragement. But all I got was negative vibes and that surprised me. Suddenly, the team slammed again and that was shocking.”   Akonnor took charge of Hearts in March after Serbian trainer Nebojsa Vucicevic was sacked by the former continental champions.     GNA  ...

    Bogoso (W/R), Nov. 1, GNA - The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Mike Allen Hammah, has reiterated government's commitment and determination to foster peaceful co-existence between mining companies and local mine communities.   He said peace and harmony among stakeholders in the extractive industry would enhance mutual benefits and sustainable development, and noted that the passage of the Mineral and Mining Regulations law, Act 703 of 2008 required that the various stakeholders in the mining sector abide by the new legal regime.   Mr. Hammah said this in a speech read on his behalf at a signing ceremony of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Agreement between the Golden Star Resources Limited (GSRL) of Bogoso/Prestea Mine and communities within its operational area at Bogoso on Wednesday.   The Minister said the CSR principles were rooted in the national agenda of ensuring socio-economic transformation of local mine communities, and commended Professor Daniel Mireku Gyimah's Mediation Committee that facilitated the smooth negotiation between the GSRL and the nine communities affected by the company's operations for doing a yeoman's job.   In his welcome address, Mr. Jerry Agala, General Manager of GSRL, New Century Mine, stated that there were some disagreements between the company and its host communities on some aspects of its operations about two years ago, which brought mistrust and acrimony between them.   However, he said, after almost two years of deliberations on the impasse moderated by Prof. Mireku Gyimah, the immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology, the two parties came to a consensus for public endorsement of the compact.   The CSR Agreement spelt out the criteria for sharing the revenue meant for the local mine communities in order to ensure transparency and accountability. The components for the CSR Agreement include relationship and sustainable livelihood, development foundation and local employment.   Mr. John Milla, Mr. Daniel Owiredu, a senior vice president of GSRL and Mr. Jerry Agala, General Manager of GSRL, New Century Mine, signed the compact on behalf of the company, while the paramount chief of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area and some of his sub-chiefs initialed for the local mine communities.   Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI, President of Wassa Fiase Traditonal Council, applauded the commitment exhibited by the management of the GSRL throughout the negotiation process and entreated them to show same commitment in the implementation stage.   He pledged the cooperation of the chiefs and people of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area towards a successful execution of the compact.     GNA...

Wa, Nov. 1, GNA - Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) will soon be hooked onto a new budget and financial management system, known as the Ghana Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), to enhance effective management of government finances.   GIFMIS, which is a state of the art Government of Ghana official system, is targeted to meet all budgets, financial accounting and reporting, internal control, disbursements and auditing requirements.   Mr Michael Ampah, Leader of the Resource Team, disclosed this in Wa at a sensitization workshop for finance officers of municipal and district assemblies and heads of departments and agencies, organised by the Controller and Accountant's General's Department (CAGD).   Mr Ampah said the full implementation of GIFMIS would serve as a single source system for official budget creation and management, cash and treasury management, financial control, accounting and reporting for the country as a whole.   He said GIFMIS would use the latest version of the oracle E-Business suite software and rely on improved organisation and business processes.   Mr Ampah said the scope of the GIFMIS project included seven oracle E-Business suite modules namely; General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Account Receivable, Cash Management, Budgeting, Fixed Assets and Payroll.   On the benefits of GIFMIS, Mr Ampah said it sought to enhance confidence and credibility of the budget through greater comprehensiveness and transparency of information.   It also helps to improve budget planning and execution by way of providing timely and accurate data for budget management and decision making and allow for the decentralisation of financial functions and processes under the overall control of the Ministry of Finance.   Madam Boya Abdulai, Upper West Regional Director of CAGD, said the sensitization was meant to get the stakeholders equipped with information before it became operational.     GNA...

Kotingli (N/R), Nov. 1, GNA – The Kotingli zonal youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Tamale South Constituency has apologised to the Member of Parliament of the area for destroying his bill board.   The youth protested against Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Communication and MP for the area, for failing to connect the community to the national electricity grid and destroyed a bill board belonging to the MP.   At a rally at Kotingli on Tuesday, Mr Iddrisu Abdulai, Kotingli zonal chairman of the NDC said, “We in the NDC and the entire community wish to apologise to the hierarchy of the NDC and specifically to Mr Haruna Iddrisu for ignorantly protesting against him and the NDC”.   Mr Abdulai said it was ignorance that informed their decision and assured the NDC and the MP that extra efforts would be put in place to ensure that every single vote in the community was given to the NDC to retain power in a first round of voting.   “No one will abandon the NDC especially at this time when all indications are clear that President John Dramani Mahama is the only person to take Ghana to the Promised Land,” he said.   Madam Braimah Ayi, Kotingli zonal branch women’s organiser, said the NPP used and dumped the constituency like they dumped then Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and appealed to the people to vote for a party that had their interests at heart.   “Alhaji Aliu Mahama would have been contesting for the president on the NPP ticket but our brother was used as a conduit on which the NPP used to win power on two occasions and dumped him,” she said.   She thanked Mr Haruna Iddrisu for giving some women in the constituency interest free loans.   Mr Mohammed Sulemana, Tamale South Constituency secretary, said the NDC was a party for all and that the national cake would be distributed equitably and asked the electorate to remain patient since the “Better Ghana Agenda” is still on course.   He said Mr Haruna Iddrisu was not engaging in vain promises and assured the community that their concerns would be addressed appropriately.   Mr Sulemana Abdul Rauf, Tamale South Constituency chairman, said the NDC and Mr Haruna Iddrisu were development oriented and everything possible would be done to ensure that the community is connected to the national electricity grid.     GNA...

Ashaiman, Nov 1, GNA - A mediator at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre has appealed to the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly to create car parks for commercial vehicles to reduce congestion on some of the town’s major roads.   Mr Gabriel Atsu told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Wednesday that the situation was very disturbing.   He said some commercial drivers, especially taxi drivers, had turned portions of the Ashaiman night market road which leads to the main station into a loading place.   This had led to congestion in the area as pedestrians and hawkers had to watch out for vehicles plying that road to avoid being knocked down.   He said due to the location of the ADR centre, which is close to that road, it is difficult to have confidential sessions with clients due to the excessive noise created by the drivers, passengers and hawkers.   Mr Atsu said mediators at the ADR centre had to settle fights among the drivers on several occasions due to the confusion over who has the right to park at a particular place.   He said he was unhappy that despite the already congested nature of the road, a walk path behind the Ashaiman Government Basic School and the ADR centre is also being turned into a taxi station by the Ashiaman Lebanon Zone Five taxi drivers.   Mr Atsu said if the Assembly allows the walk path to be turned into a lorry station, there would be chaos in the area and pupils of the school would not have the peace of mind to study.     GNA...

Washington DC, Nov 01, GNA – GNA - Mr. Mark Toner, Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State in Washington, has said  the United States was deeply concerned by the Bahraini Government’s decision to ban all public gatherings.   He said decision to curb these rights was contrary to Bahrain’s professed commitment to reform and it would not help advance national reconciliation or build trust among all parties.   Mr. Toner told a media briefing at the State Department that freedom of assembly, association and expression are universal human rights and therefore urged the government of Bahrain to uphold its international commitments and ensure that its citizens are able to assemble peacefully and to express their views without fear of arrest or detention.   “We urge the Government of Bahrain to work with responsible protest leaders to find a way for peaceful and orderly demonstrations to take place,” he added.   The briefing is a daily event organized by the Department of State to inform journalists on the daily occurrence in and across the globe especially where US agencies and missions are currently operating.   The press briefing was the first to be carried out after the Department of State went on a three-day break due to hurricane Sandy which hit US on Sunday and caused death and massive destruction of property.   Mr. Toner appealed to the opposition in Bahrain to refrain from provocations and violence which, he said, undermined efforts to reduce tensions, rebuild trust and pursue meaningful reconciliation in Bahrain.   He said recent violent attacks, including fatal attacks on security personnel, were deeply troubling development adding the government of Bahrain must take steps to build confidence across Bahraini society and to begin a meaningful national dialogue with the political opposition.   From Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent in Washington DC, Courtesy of US Embassy  ...

Somanya (E/R), Nov 1, GNA-Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Wednesday said the priority of the government after the stabilisation of the economy was to tackle the infrastructure deficit and ensure sustained economic growth.   He said the four years of governance by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had seen unparalleled economic achievements and the crucial elements to economic growth established.   Inflation, he said, has remained a single digit for 28 months and the balance of payment had shown surplus in the last four years.   The Central Bank has also improved its reserves by 5.4 billion dollars.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur appealed to Ghanaians to retain the NDC in the December general elections to continue with the programme of equitable development under the Better Ghana Agenda.   The Vice President, who is the running mate of President John Dramani Mahama, said this after paying a courtesy call on Nene Osayem Odorkor Tumey, Acting Paramount Chief of the Yilo Traditional Area at Somanya as part of a two-day tour of the Eastern Region.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur assured Ghanaians that there would be numerous opportunities for employment with the take off of infrastructural development.   He told thousands of party supporters who thronged the forecourt of the chief’s palace“We have come here because we cannot take the people for granted. We must make sure we deliver on the promises we make. I take that as a challenge and will work on it seriously.”   Nene Osayem Odorkor Tumey commended the government for working to improve the water situation in the area.   He appealed to the government to upgrade the polyclinic in the area to that of general hospital, improve the road network and two new more senior high schools.   Vice President Amissah-Arthur also called on Nene Sackite II Kornor of Manya Krobo, at Odumase, and assured Ghanaians that government would ensure that there was peace, before, during and after the elections.   He urged the electorate not to do anything to mar the peace of the country so that Ghana would continue to be a haven of peace.   He had earlier addressed a rally at Atimpoku where he introduced Rev Dr Joses Asare Akoto, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Asuogyaman Constituency.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 1, GNA – A public servant, Mr Raphael Boadu, said on Thursday that the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) was unscientific when it kept the four presidential candidates on their feet for almost four hours when it held a debate for them at Tamale last Monday.   President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Abu Sakara of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Hassan Ayariga of People’s National Convention (PNC) and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) took part in the marathon debate. The event was for presidential candidates whose political parties have representation in parliament and drew to the Northern Regional capital the top brass of the NDC, CPP, PNC and the NPP.   Mr Boadu was among a cross section of people the GNA interviewed on their reaction to the debate as far as its duration was concerned. The 55-year-old public servant said he was surprised the IEA, made up of top class professionals, kept the presidential candidates, the President and three potential presidents, on their feet for such a long time when those who were throwing questions at them were comfortably seated.   He said the youngest presidential candidate is 40 years old and the oldest is 68 and they have been running round the country campaigning which energy is sapping. “It is absolutely wrong to keep them standing, rooted to one spot, for almost four hours when they could have been made to sit down comfortably.   I am sure some of them went home with swollen feet,” Mr Boadu said. Mr Mohamed Gariba, a businessman, said he was surprised the debate lasted more than three hours and he did not understand why the IEA, made up of seasoned professionals, could keep elderly people on their feet for such a long time. “The IEA has a retired senior officer of the Ghana Armed Forces as a member and he is aware of highly trained soldiers collapsing on parade grounds.   May be, the IEA wanted some of the candidates to collapse,” he said. A journalist said he regarded the debate as a torture session for the candidates and wondered how President Mahama, Dr Sakara, Mr Ayariga and Nana Akufo-Addo kept their focus for almost four hours, answering questions from “archeology to zoology.”   The journalist, who wants to remain anonymous, said he went to bed before the debate ended and added “If I, a journalist, could not sit through a programme related to my profession, then there was something wrong with the programme.”   He said the debate would have no effect on the December 7 election and walked down memory lane to the 2008 debate. In that debate, he went on, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, then presidential candidate of the CPP, was outstanding but his performance at the poll and that of the party the late President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah founded is now history. A medical officer told the GNA that if he were a presidential candidate he would withdraw from the rest of the debate because it would not serve any purpose.   “Those cracking their tired brains to answer questions should be comfortable and not the lady and the gentleman asking the questions,” he said. He said the lady Professor was too hard on the audience, almost treating them like school boys and girls in a classroom.   He said it was a political event and the candidates were there with their supporters and the top brass of their parties. Therefore, the audience would sometimes clap to encourage them and as a reminder that they were there for them. “There was nothing wrong with the clapping and I do not believe the clapping distracted the candidates. They are politicians and politicians love noise, they are used to noise,” he said.     GNA...

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - Emperor Gaza International Foundation (EGIF), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has launched a global campaign initiative aimed at empowering the disable and the less privileged through the use of sports.   Prince Charles Sackeyfio, President of EGIF said “The campaign does not guarantee the ultimate for the less fortunate persons but rather shows them the way to guarantee their own sustenance and livelihood.”   He said the project is also aimed at integrating the less privileged into mainstream  society and creating opportunities for them in various sectors of life though thematic areas of its concept such as sports, employment, education , health, exchange programs and infrastructural development.   According to Prince Sackeyfio, his outfit as part of the initiative, will roll out programme aimed bringing together disabled and able-bodied persons to participate in a special games known as the FUSION Games.   Sackeyfio added that the FUSION Games  is a novelty by EGIF to raise awareness on the need for the able and disabled bodied to come together in all they do to ensure greater success.   The launching was attended by Hip-Life group VIP, who have been appointed as the project’s goodwill ambassadors to support the initiative.     GNA...

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak has sacked coach Charles Kwabena Akunnor, after losing three successive matches in the five week old Glo Premier League.   This was after an emergency meeting by the Board of Directors of the club, deep into the night on Wednesday, October 31.   Coach Akunnor, who took over reins of Hearts of Oak in the middle of the last premier league season is reported to have failed to clamp down on indiscipline in the playing body as well as the technical team.   Hearts, only managed four points from five matches, with the club just hanging above the relegation zone in the premiership.   Information gathered by the GNA Sports reveals that the 2000 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League winners has lined coaches J.E. Sarpong and David Duncan as the possible candidates for the job.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 01, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday night recessed after eight days of sitting to enable members prepare for the December polls with the approval of an unequalled loan agreement totalling 1.34 billion dollars in a day’s sitting.      Uncharacteristic of such legislative venture, First Deputy Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho deftly forged consensus between both sides of the House to successfully achieve the feat without the contentious partisan objections and banter that accompanied such encounters.    The loans include a 200 million dollar agreement between Ghana’s Government and Credit Suisse International for the construction of 5,000 affordable housing units for the public.      The House also endorsed a 15.8 million Euros loan agreement between the Government of Ghana and Stanbic Bank (Ghana) for the purchase of 200 ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.     Another finance arrangement that engaged the attention of the House was a mixed credit facility between Ghana and the Export-Import Bank of China for an additional funding of 151,560, 000 to complete the Bui Hydro Electricity Power Project.    Even though the legislature approved the amount, it froze a component of 56.15 million dollars of the amount pending a comprehensive report by relevant authorities detailing a breakdown of what that amount was to be used for.     This was as a result of the Minority expressing reservations on certain unexplained escalations in the initial contract sum, and unjustified request for substantial amounts for non-core business of the Bui Power Authority.    Parliament also approved a loan agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Export Import Bank of the United States of America for an amount of 538,299,497 dollars to finance the Accra Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Drainage Alleviation Project.     The House also approved an additional 125 million dollars loan agreement between Ghana and the Standard Chartered bank Ghana to finance the same project.     A further 55.5 million dollars was approved to finance the implementation of the Wa Water Supply System Development project. That financial arrangement is between the Government of Ghana and Government of the Republic of Korea acting through the Export-Import Bank of Korea.         Parliament additionally permitted the contracting of 86,503,082 million Euros between the Ghana Government and the ABN AMRO Bank NV of the Netherlands to finance the expansion and rehabilitation of the Kpong Water Supply System.       The House also approved a credit agreement between Government and Export-Import Bank of India for an amount of 35 million dollars to finance the establishment of a sugar factory at the Komenda –Edina-Eguafo­-Abirem Municipality in the Central Region.    It also approved a financing agreement between Government and the International Development Association for an amount of 30 million dollars to finance the First Phase of the Ghana Public Private Partnership Project.      The House additionally a 32 million dollar concessional loan agreement between Ghana and China to finance the design, procurement and construction of the redeployment of the Kotokuruba Market Infrastructural Facilities at Cape Coast in the Central Region.       Mr Adjaho who performed the closing ceremony, commended members for their prompt response to duty and their commitment to discharge their constitutional mandate effectively.  He urged members who aspired to return to the House and those seeking to join the Legislature to conduct civil campaigns because the sustenance of the country’s peace depended on their good conduct during the elections.     “Your campaign should be issues-based and may God give you strength and good health” he told members.     Majority Leader Cletus Avoka thanked the Speaker for his resilience that ensured the successful sittings, urging all members who were going to their constituencies to prosecute the elections well.    Minority leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu charged the nation to take “precaution and show circumspection” in the many financial agreements it was negotiating to ensure that Ghana got value for money to enable it position itself to repay the loans.     Parliament is expected to reconvene on Monday, December 17th 2012 after the general elections.”     The House will take another break in December 21, 2012, for the Christmas and New Year break, and reconvene in January 3, 2013.   GNA ...

Accra, Nov 01, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday authorized the withdrawal of some six billion Ghana Cedis from the Consolidated Fund to meet government’s expenditure on public services for the first quarter of next year pending the approval of 2013 budget.      The House gave the approval for the expenditure in advance of the appropriation for the 2013 fiscal year  in accordance with Article 180 of the Constitution, the Financial Administration Act, 2003(Act654) and the Standing Orders of the House.     Out of the approved amount of GH¢6,067,600,241.00, the total expenditure for the first quarter is projected at GH¢5,297,275,281, representing 6.6 percent of Gross Domestic product (GDP).     This amount is expected to comprise recurrent expenditure of GH¢4,034,390,664 and a capital expenditure of GH¢1,262,884,618.     Total Budget for the first quarter contains an overall deficit balance of GH¢958,905,695 representing 1.2 percent of GDP. This deficit is the excess of projected expenditure over revenue from January to March.     According to the report of the Finance Committee of Parliament, presented on the floor of Parliament by Committee Chairman James Avedzi, before the approval of the amount, total revenue and grants for the first quarter of next year is expected to gross GH¢4,338,369,587, equivalent to 5.4 percent of GDP.     A total tax revenue for the period is also expected to amount to GH¢3,116,986,187 whilst non-tax revenue is likely to reach GH¢574,643,050.       GNA ...

Nanton (NR), Nov. 01, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday said government would continue to build on the progress it had over the years made in the advancement of porters (kayeyei) in the cities.   He said in a bid to stem the drift of young girls from the northern sector to the southern sector to engage in the practice, government in collaboration with the Council for Technical and Vocational Enterprise Training had started training the porters in hairdressing and dressmaking.   The beneficiaries, he explained, would be made to return home to train others and dissuade them from moving to the urban areas for non-existent jobs.   President Mahama announced this at Nanton in the northern region, when he addressed a mini-rally as part of his five-day campaign tour of the northern region.   He also called on Gulkpegu Naa, Dakpemah Naa, Bug Lana, Lameshegu Lana, Sheik Bayan, sagnar Naa, Nyankpala Lana, Tolon Regent, Kumbugu Naa, Nanton Naa, Yoo Naa,visited Central Mosque,Ahmaddiyya and Afa Ajura mosques  and addressed students of the Business Senior High (BISCO in Tamale).   The President condemned political opponents for advocating the construction of hostels as he said that action could perpetuate the movement of young girls from the North to the southern areas of the country.   He challenged the New Patriotic Party to come out to point to the people of Nanton what they did for them in their eight years of governance, adding “It is the NDC that has provided clinics, schools, electricity and will continue to support Nanton and other communities in the country to realize their social and economic potentials. President mahama said apart from the programmes, adequate measures had been put in place to make education accessible, affordable and acceptable at all levels and locations. On electricity, President Mahama said the perennial load-shedding would become the thing of the past by the end of 2012 as government was gearing up to add more power to the current facilities that would empower the country to be self-sufficient and a net exporter of energy.   The Chiefs and communities were unanimous in commending government for the provision of school, health and electricity facilities and appealed to government to continue to support them in the areas of roads, potable water and sanitation facilities.     More ...

Tamale, Nov. 01, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama has advised students of Senior High Schools to remain focused of their studies and exhibit high levels of discipline in order to achieve their future ambitions and aspirations.   He said:”I can see a lot of doctors, lawyers, Journalists, Nurses and teachers among you here, but you can only achieve that feat if you remain focused and disciplined in your daily activities in this school.”   President Mahama gave this advice when he addressed students of Business senior High in Tamale (BISCO) as part of his five-day campaign tour of the Northern region.   Apart from that visit, President Mahama also travelled to Nanton, Savelugu, Kumbungu, Tolon Nyankpala, Sangnerigu and Gurugu where he addressed mini-rallies to outline the National Democratic Congress political agenda to the electorate.   He also visited various chiefs in the Tamale Metropolis, called on leaders and members of the Tamale Central Mosque, the Ahmaddiyya, Afa Ajura and the Ambariyya mosques all in the Metropolis.   President Mahama said as students, it was only focusing on their studies and respecting the rules and regulations of their schools that could propel them to the apex of their education and appealed to the indisciplined students to turn a new leaf in order to achieve their ambitions.   He promised to provide the school with adequate electricity to brighten the campus, tar the main entrance road and to construct an ultra modern administration block and entertainment block for the school in the coming years.   The President said BISCO was one of the oldest schools in the region and deserved the necessary structures and logistics to match the standards of her compatriots throughout the region and the country as a whole.   Mr S.B Awari, Headmaster of the school, commended the government for providing the school with seven new school projects within a matter of four years adding “This period has been very remarkable for this school, since its establishment.”   He appealed to government to further assist the school with a public place of convenience for the students since that was crucial to maintain good environmental sanitation standards in the school.     More  ...

Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – Management of C&J Medicare Hospital Group on Wednesday cut the sod for a multi-million dollar hospital and diagnostic centre at Lashibi in Accra.     The group now operates a total of eight healthcare facilities including five in-plant clinics, two hospitals and currently a walk-in clinic at Takoradi in the Western Region.     Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries, who launched the facility, said the opening of the centre was an indication that government was providing an enabling environment for businesses to strive.     She said the private healthcare centres were important in providing support to government hospitals in delivery quality healthcare to the citizenry.     She commended the management for their foresight to expand healthcare service to the residents of Lashibi and its environs.     Dr Joyce Djabatey, Chief Executive Officer of C&J Medicare Hospital Group, said the goal of the group was to make quality healthcare easily accessible and cost effective for the ordinary Ghanaian.     She said it was in line with this goal that management has partnered with the African Health Fund.     She said the facility was the second developed as part of a long term facility strategy to establish a national network of healthcare facilities in Ghana.     Dr Djabatey said a response to the changing trends and needs, necessitated the expansion which brought on board specialists and highly skilled individuals to strengthen management to deliver quality healthcare. “In addition to the general consultation, we have 20 specialist clinics including wellMen Clinic, wellWomen Clinic, Breast Clinic and WellChild Clinic as a further drive to our preventive healthcare service,” she added.     She called on Ghanaians to take advantage of the collection of quality equipment and diagnostic services available at the facility to improve their health.     GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 01, GNA – The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) on Wednesday hosted 83 national award winners of the 28th National Farmers Day celebration to a cocktail at the Regional Minister’s residence.     The Day would be held at Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region on November 2.     Addressing the award winners, Mr Nii Afotey Agbo announced that government was considering providing diplomatic passports for the first three overall best farmers to travel to Britain, America and Germany to interact with farmers there.     He said the idea was to enable the farmers to learn modern farming practices from their counterparts in those countries and come to implement them to help improve agricultural production.     Mr Agbo reminded the farmers of the upcoming general election in Ghana and urged them to reflect on what they could collectively do to ensure peaceful election and enhance Ghana’s democracy.     He entreated them to use their position to bear on the leadership of political parties conduct their electioneering campaigns with decorum and devoid of acrimony.     The Regional Minister also appealed to the award winners to continue to share their knowledge and experience with other farmers in their communities to help increase food production.     He recommended that the farmers to take time off and visit the grave of President John Atta Mills and pay their respects to him.     GNA ...

Accra , Nov. 01, GNA - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated 2300 hygiene kits to National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to help restore a sense of dignity to women and girls in the three Northern Regions.     The donation is aimed at improving the lives of nursing mothers, pregnant women, women and girls who lost everything during the recent floods in the Northern, Upper East and West.     Each hygiene kits was made up of soap, tooth paste and brush, sanitary pads, body cream, bathing and laundry soap, bath towel, and a multi-purpose bucket.     Out of the 2300 kits, 300 kits which includes face towel, cot sheet for wrapping baby, baby dress and diapers are specifically meant for nursing mothers and pregnant women.     Presenting the items, Dr Bernard Coquelin, UNFPA Country Representative, said the donation was an effort to address the basic hygiene needs and maintain the health and cleanliness of women and girls who tend to be greatly affected during disaster.     “We know that in an emergency situation due to disasters, people face difficulties to find basic food, to find a safe place to sleep, to find basic items as soap, toothbrush and paste and adequate protection during menstrual period for women and adolescents to enable them maintain their dignity during the crises period. This UNFPA kit called ‘dignity kit’ helps to fill the void”, he said.     He pledged UNFPA’s commitment to assist and protect women, men, youth, seniors made vulnerable by natural disaster, conflict and other emergency causes and situations.     Mr Ebenezer Dosoo, the Deputy National Coordinator of Technical Operations at NADMO commended UNFPA for their continuous support to NADMO.          He assured the UNFPA of fair and equitable distribution of the items for the benefit of the larger majority of disaster victims within the three northern regions. GNA ...