Story:Michael Donkor, Monrovia, Liberia
THE Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General in Liberia, Ms Ellen Margrethe Loj has lauded Ghana’s role at helping in reconstructing Liberia after the war.
She said apart from the tremendeous support that Ghana has rendered, its expertise had distinguished themselves among their counterparts from other countries who had also come to Liberia to help rebuild that nation.
Ms Loj made the call when the Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah paid a courtesy call on her in her office at the UN Headquarters in Monrovia .
The Defence Minister recently lead a delegation in Liberia to witness the United Nations Mission in Liberia’s Ghanbatt eight medals day celebration.
Experts in various areas such as the Judiciary, Armed Forces, the Police Service and the Prisons Service
have been sent to Liberia by the government as part of its contribution to help reconstruct the country
Ms Loj commended the Ghanaian troops serving with the UN mission in Liberia for the professionalism and discipline that they had demonstrated on the mission
She said Grand Bassa and River Cess counties where Ghanaian troops were deployed was a difficult area but so far they have been able to maintain effective security there.
She explained that the area was difficult because of the influx of unemployed migrants.
She said some of those people posed security threats but there had not been any single incident of security lapse recorded by the UN.
The Minister later called on the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in charge of Rule of Law, Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu who also emphasized the good works of the Ghanaian peacekeepers.
She said the Ghanaian troops had discharged their duties well and won the hearts of many in Liberia.
She said the human rights record in Liberia had improved over the years.
She said a Women and Juvenile Unit of the Liberia Police Force was being established.
She said efforts were also underway to establish a Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice in Liberia.
Prof. Mensah-Bonsu said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was also making progress towards healing the wounds of the people and unifying the country
Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia, Major-General Francis Adu-Amanfoh (retd) said Ghanaians in Liberia have been law abiding and were going about their duties freely.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Seven Hundred Ghanaian Soldiers Honoured(Inside page) July 26, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor, Buchanan, Liberia.
SEVEN Hundred Officers and Men of the Ghana Armed Forces serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have been presented with medals for their distinguished services.
The Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General at UNMIL, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Loj, presented the medals at a colourful parade held at Buchanan the capital of Grand Bassa County in Liberia last Thursday.
At exactly 10a.m., the soldiers, smartly dressed in their camouflage uniforms, lined up at the parade square to happily receive their medals.
The Ghanbatt eight band drilled the audience to a spectacular performance and played some favourite tunes to the joy of everybody present.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of , Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia, Maj-Gen Francis Adu-Amanfoh (Retd), the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in-charge of Rule of Law in Liberia, Prof. Henrieta Mensah-Bonsu and other senior military officers serving with UNMIL.
In an address, Ms Loj said UNMIL’s success chalked at the mission was due to the behavior and conduct of the peacekeepers particularly that of the Ghanaians.
She commended the Ghanaian contingent for the distinguished and professional manner in which they discharged their duties and urged them to continue with that gesture.
Ms. Loj said as guests they were supposed to show their appreciation for the hospitality of the host country by being of the best behavior and projecting the right image.
She said their contribution and sacrifices would be easily tarnished and diminished by any act of indiscipline and bad behavior directed at Liberians who were their hosts.
She mentioned in particular, sexual exploitation and abuse and cautioned the troops never to accept such misbehavior amongst them.
Ms. Loj charged each and everyone of them to strictly observe the Secretary-Generals policy of zero tolerance against sexual exploitation and abuse.
She said although she had not received any negative report about Ghanbatt eight, they should continue to live up to the ethics of their profession throughout their period of duty in Liberia.
Ms. Loj urged the soldiers to continue to work in a concerted manner to implement measures to give people the sense of security and restore their confidence in Liberia’s Rule of Law Institutions.
She urged community leaders and elders to support UNMIL efforts to win back their communities, streets and alleys from criminals.
The Chief of Staff of UNMIL (Contingent Commander of Ghanbatt eight), Brig Gen Emmanuel C Quist, pledged the unflinching support of the Ghanaian troops to the maintenance of peace and security in Liberia.
He said Ghana considered Liberia as a sister country and would do her best to help reconstruct the country.
SEVEN Hundred Officers and Men of the Ghana Armed Forces serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have been presented with medals for their distinguished services.
The Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General at UNMIL, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Loj, presented the medals at a colourful parade held at Buchanan the capital of Grand Bassa County in Liberia last Thursday.
At exactly 10a.m., the soldiers, smartly dressed in their camouflage uniforms, lined up at the parade square to happily receive their medals.
The Ghanbatt eight band drilled the audience to a spectacular performance and played some favourite tunes to the joy of everybody present.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of , Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia, Maj-Gen Francis Adu-Amanfoh (Retd), the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in-charge of Rule of Law in Liberia, Prof. Henrieta Mensah-Bonsu and other senior military officers serving with UNMIL.
In an address, Ms Loj said UNMIL’s success chalked at the mission was due to the behavior and conduct of the peacekeepers particularly that of the Ghanaians.
She commended the Ghanaian contingent for the distinguished and professional manner in which they discharged their duties and urged them to continue with that gesture.
Ms. Loj said as guests they were supposed to show their appreciation for the hospitality of the host country by being of the best behavior and projecting the right image.
She said their contribution and sacrifices would be easily tarnished and diminished by any act of indiscipline and bad behavior directed at Liberians who were their hosts.
She mentioned in particular, sexual exploitation and abuse and cautioned the troops never to accept such misbehavior amongst them.
Ms. Loj charged each and everyone of them to strictly observe the Secretary-Generals policy of zero tolerance against sexual exploitation and abuse.
She said although she had not received any negative report about Ghanbatt eight, they should continue to live up to the ethics of their profession throughout their period of duty in Liberia.
Ms. Loj urged the soldiers to continue to work in a concerted manner to implement measures to give people the sense of security and restore their confidence in Liberia’s Rule of Law Institutions.
She urged community leaders and elders to support UNMIL efforts to win back their communities, streets and alleys from criminals.
The Chief of Staff of UNMIL (Contingent Commander of Ghanbatt eight), Brig Gen Emmanuel C Quist, pledged the unflinching support of the Ghanaian troops to the maintenance of peace and security in Liberia.
He said Ghana considered Liberia as a sister country and would do her best to help reconstruct the country.
Ghana to Train Liberian Soldiers(Page 3) July 28, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor, Monrovia, Liberia
Ghana and Liberia have signed an agreement by which Liberian soldiers will be trained by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while the Liberian Minister of Defence, Mr Brownie J. Samukai, signed on behalf of the Liberian government.
The agreement will allow Ghana to officially train Liberian soldiers in basic military skills, offer advance courses for its officers in Ghana and send some personnel of the GAF to Liberia to train its soldiers.
The move forms part of Ghana’s efforts to assist in the reconstruction of Liberia.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said Ghana played a meaningful role towards ending the crisis in Liberia because it considered that country a sister country, noting that the challenge facing Liberia now was how to ensure that peace and security were maintained in that country.
He said it was based on this that the government agreed to train Liberian soldiers by organising basic military courses for non-commissioned officers and advance courses for officers both in Liberia and Ghana.
He said some men of the GAF had already been to Liberia to start training Liberian soldiers and gave the assurance that the GAF would provide proper efficient training for the Liberian soldiers.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said without proper and adequate security, no serious investor would invest in Liberia and the excellent human resource that country had outside would also not return to that country.
He said the GAF was in the best position to undertake the task because of its experience and track record, adding that
the government was prepared to respond to any request that Liberia would make for the reconstruction of that country.
Mr Samukai thanked the government of Ghana for its kind gesture and said the government and people of Liberia were happy for the assistance.
He said some Liberian soldiers were already tapping the skills and expertise of their counterparts in Ghana and noted that the move was to help replicate the sustained peace that Ghana had enjoyed over the years in Liberia.
Earlier, Mr Kan-Dapaah had visited the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), which is the second largest producer of rubber in that country.
He was taken through the process of working on the liquid product to its finished stage before it was exported.
Ghana and Liberia have signed an agreement by which Liberian soldiers will be trained by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The Minister of Defence, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while the Liberian Minister of Defence, Mr Brownie J. Samukai, signed on behalf of the Liberian government.
The agreement will allow Ghana to officially train Liberian soldiers in basic military skills, offer advance courses for its officers in Ghana and send some personnel of the GAF to Liberia to train its soldiers.
The move forms part of Ghana’s efforts to assist in the reconstruction of Liberia.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said Ghana played a meaningful role towards ending the crisis in Liberia because it considered that country a sister country, noting that the challenge facing Liberia now was how to ensure that peace and security were maintained in that country.
He said it was based on this that the government agreed to train Liberian soldiers by organising basic military courses for non-commissioned officers and advance courses for officers both in Liberia and Ghana.
He said some men of the GAF had already been to Liberia to start training Liberian soldiers and gave the assurance that the GAF would provide proper efficient training for the Liberian soldiers.
Mr Kan-Dapaah said without proper and adequate security, no serious investor would invest in Liberia and the excellent human resource that country had outside would also not return to that country.
He said the GAF was in the best position to undertake the task because of its experience and track record, adding that
the government was prepared to respond to any request that Liberia would make for the reconstruction of that country.
Mr Samukai thanked the government of Ghana for its kind gesture and said the government and people of Liberia were happy for the assistance.
He said some Liberian soldiers were already tapping the skills and expertise of their counterparts in Ghana and noted that the move was to help replicate the sustained peace that Ghana had enjoyed over the years in Liberia.
Earlier, Mr Kan-Dapaah had visited the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), which is the second largest producer of rubber in that country.
He was taken through the process of working on the liquid product to its finished stage before it was exported.
Friday, July 18, 2008
NADMO must be alert-Addo-Kufuor(Back Page) July 17, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has charged NADMO to intensify its awareness creation and education on the negative consequences of previous floods along the White Volta and its tributaries to avoid similar calamities.
Dr Addo-Kufuor made the call when he paid a working visit to the NADMO headquarters in Accra yesterday.
He said the impending spillage of the Kompienga and Bagre dams in Burkina Faso had the capacity to cause flooding and negatively affect life and property in communities living in the downstream of the White Volta.
He urged NADMO to collaborate with the relevant district assemblies, the Volta River Authority and all the other stakeholders to ensure that all communities living along the White Volta and its tributaries were adequately informed about the impending crisis.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government would do all it could to ensure that NADMO was provided with the resources and the equipment it needed to enable it to be efficient and effective.
He said subject to budgetary constraints, their conditions of service would also be regularly reviewed to ensure that NADMO personnel were adequately motivated.
He appealed to the NADMO officials to empathise with victims in times of disaster while carrying out their duties in a professional manner.
The National Co-ordinator of NADMO, DCOP Douglas Akrofi-Asiedu, said NADMO as an emergency response organisation was always prepared to play its role in the event of emergencies.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to adequately resource NADMO to perform its functions creditably.
THE Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has charged NADMO to intensify its awareness creation and education on the negative consequences of previous floods along the White Volta and its tributaries to avoid similar calamities.
Dr Addo-Kufuor made the call when he paid a working visit to the NADMO headquarters in Accra yesterday.
He said the impending spillage of the Kompienga and Bagre dams in Burkina Faso had the capacity to cause flooding and negatively affect life and property in communities living in the downstream of the White Volta.
He urged NADMO to collaborate with the relevant district assemblies, the Volta River Authority and all the other stakeholders to ensure that all communities living along the White Volta and its tributaries were adequately informed about the impending crisis.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government would do all it could to ensure that NADMO was provided with the resources and the equipment it needed to enable it to be efficient and effective.
He said subject to budgetary constraints, their conditions of service would also be regularly reviewed to ensure that NADMO personnel were adequately motivated.
He appealed to the NADMO officials to empathise with victims in times of disaster while carrying out their duties in a professional manner.
The National Co-ordinator of NADMO, DCOP Douglas Akrofi-Asiedu, said NADMO as an emergency response organisation was always prepared to play its role in the event of emergencies.
He, therefore, appealed to the government to adequately resource NADMO to perform its functions creditably.
Recruitment into GAF not based on Regionalism(Page 3) July 17, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE Military High Command has stated that recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is not based on regionalism and ethnicity.
It made it clear that recruitment and commission into the GAF was based on the people who made themselves available for employment into the service, and therefore called on all Ghanaians to avoid dragging the military into issues that could jeorpadise the security of the country.
The command was reacting to a recent statement by former President Jerry Rawlings that President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), appointed his brother, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor as the Minister of Defence, and had recruited more Ashantis into the GAF.
A source close to the command told the Daily Graphic that out of a total of 6,410 recruits and 462 officers enlisted into the Ghana Armed Forces between 2001 and 2007, the Volta Region recorded the highest number with 1,334 and 108 respectively.
This was followed by the Eastern Region which had 1,122 for other ranks and 74 commissioned as officers.
The Greater Accra and the Brong Ahafo regions each had 53 officers commissioned within that period but had 502 and 480 enlisted as other ranks respectively.
The Ashanti Region had 875 enlisted as other ranks and 48 commissioned as officers .
The others are the Central Region which had 53 commissioned as officers, with 819 recruited as other ranks, while the Northern Region had 338 recruited as other ranks and 29 commissioned as officers.
The Upper East Region had 33 commissioned as officers and 446 recruited as other ranks while the Upper West Region had 220 recruited as other ranks and 29 commissioned as officers.
The rest are Western Region; 16 commissioned as officers and 274 as other ranks.
Currently, 27.6 per cent of the other ranks and 24.6 per cent of officers of the GAF, the higest regional percentages are from the Volta Region
This is followed by 15.9 per cent from the other ranks and 19.3 from the officer level coming from the Eastern Region.
Upper East Region has 7.7 per cent as other ranks and 7. 1 per cent as officers in the GAF.
Ashanti Region has 11.5 percent as officers and 10.3 as other ranks while Brong Ahafo 5.0 per cent as other ranks and 3.4 per cent as officers.
Central Region has 11.1 per cent as officers and 10.6 per cent as other ranks while Greater Accra Region has 6.8 per cent as other ranks and 11.4 per cent as officers.
Northern Region has 6.2 per cent as officers and 5.5 per cent as other ranks in the GAF while Upper West has 3.8 per cent as other ranks and 5.5 per cent as officers.
Western Region has 3.2 per cent as officers and 3.3 per cent as other ranks in the GAF.
The source said further that considering the statistics available, a lot of qualified people from the Volta Region had interest in joining the GAF to serve the country hence the high number from the region in the service.
It said this did not mean that someone deliberately enlisted them into the GAF based on their ethnic background.
The source said the GAF was a professional institution and non-partisan and would continue to be as such.
It therefore, appealed to politicians and other members of the society not to try to divide the GAF on political or ethnic lines since that would not augur well for the service.
It also cautioned Ghanaians not to drag the military into politics.
It said having joined the army, one became first and foremost a Ghanaian serving his or her nation with all the loyalty, commitment and dedication.
The source explained that the GAF was full of professionals, and warned that any attempt to sow a seed of mistrust in the service would not be accepted.
THE Military High Command has stated that recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is not based on regionalism and ethnicity.
It made it clear that recruitment and commission into the GAF was based on the people who made themselves available for employment into the service, and therefore called on all Ghanaians to avoid dragging the military into issues that could jeorpadise the security of the country.
The command was reacting to a recent statement by former President Jerry Rawlings that President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), appointed his brother, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor as the Minister of Defence, and had recruited more Ashantis into the GAF.
A source close to the command told the Daily Graphic that out of a total of 6,410 recruits and 462 officers enlisted into the Ghana Armed Forces between 2001 and 2007, the Volta Region recorded the highest number with 1,334 and 108 respectively.
This was followed by the Eastern Region which had 1,122 for other ranks and 74 commissioned as officers.
The Greater Accra and the Brong Ahafo regions each had 53 officers commissioned within that period but had 502 and 480 enlisted as other ranks respectively.
The Ashanti Region had 875 enlisted as other ranks and 48 commissioned as officers .
The others are the Central Region which had 53 commissioned as officers, with 819 recruited as other ranks, while the Northern Region had 338 recruited as other ranks and 29 commissioned as officers.
The Upper East Region had 33 commissioned as officers and 446 recruited as other ranks while the Upper West Region had 220 recruited as other ranks and 29 commissioned as officers.
The rest are Western Region; 16 commissioned as officers and 274 as other ranks.
Currently, 27.6 per cent of the other ranks and 24.6 per cent of officers of the GAF, the higest regional percentages are from the Volta Region
This is followed by 15.9 per cent from the other ranks and 19.3 from the officer level coming from the Eastern Region.
Upper East Region has 7.7 per cent as other ranks and 7. 1 per cent as officers in the GAF.
Ashanti Region has 11.5 percent as officers and 10.3 as other ranks while Brong Ahafo 5.0 per cent as other ranks and 3.4 per cent as officers.
Central Region has 11.1 per cent as officers and 10.6 per cent as other ranks while Greater Accra Region has 6.8 per cent as other ranks and 11.4 per cent as officers.
Northern Region has 6.2 per cent as officers and 5.5 per cent as other ranks in the GAF while Upper West has 3.8 per cent as other ranks and 5.5 per cent as officers.
Western Region has 3.2 per cent as officers and 3.3 per cent as other ranks in the GAF.
The source said further that considering the statistics available, a lot of qualified people from the Volta Region had interest in joining the GAF to serve the country hence the high number from the region in the service.
It said this did not mean that someone deliberately enlisted them into the GAF based on their ethnic background.
The source said the GAF was a professional institution and non-partisan and would continue to be as such.
It therefore, appealed to politicians and other members of the society not to try to divide the GAF on political or ethnic lines since that would not augur well for the service.
It also cautioned Ghanaians not to drag the military into politics.
It said having joined the army, one became first and foremost a Ghanaian serving his or her nation with all the loyalty, commitment and dedication.
The source explained that the GAF was full of professionals, and warned that any attempt to sow a seed of mistrust in the service would not be accepted.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Man 26, Commits Suicide (Page 40) July 14. 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE usually quiet area of Gbawe, a suburb of Accra, was yesterday turned into a state of mourning when the people woke up to a horrific news that a 26-year old man, David Kofi Twerefoah Mensah, had hanged himself.
A large crowd besieged the scene of the incident to catch a glimpse of the youngster who was hanging on a rope tied to a tree.
The people could not assign any reason for the horrendous act but said they suspected David might have committed suicide.
According to Rev. Prophet Samuel Ike Amoateng of the Heavenly Impact International Worship Centre, who is a close friend to the family of the deceased, David’s lifestyle changed for some time now.
He said David had associated himself with some notorious wee smokers in the Gbawe vicinity.
He said several attempts to help him desist from such habits had failed until early this morning when they were informed that David had hanged himself.
He said David left home two days ago and nobody knew his whereabouts until the news of his death broke.
He said he suspected that David might have committed the act early yesterday dawn.
The deceased’s uncle, who only mentioned his name as Wofa K, could not assigned any reason for the act.
He said the family would be counting on the police for their assistance to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of David.
The Odorkor police confirmed the story when they were contacted but could not give any detail.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital morgue in Accra.
THE usually quiet area of Gbawe, a suburb of Accra, was yesterday turned into a state of mourning when the people woke up to a horrific news that a 26-year old man, David Kofi Twerefoah Mensah, had hanged himself.
A large crowd besieged the scene of the incident to catch a glimpse of the youngster who was hanging on a rope tied to a tree.
The people could not assign any reason for the horrendous act but said they suspected David might have committed suicide.
According to Rev. Prophet Samuel Ike Amoateng of the Heavenly Impact International Worship Centre, who is a close friend to the family of the deceased, David’s lifestyle changed for some time now.
He said David had associated himself with some notorious wee smokers in the Gbawe vicinity.
He said several attempts to help him desist from such habits had failed until early this morning when they were informed that David had hanged himself.
He said David left home two days ago and nobody knew his whereabouts until the news of his death broke.
He said he suspected that David might have committed the act early yesterday dawn.
The deceased’s uncle, who only mentioned his name as Wofa K, could not assigned any reason for the act.
He said the family would be counting on the police for their assistance to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of David.
The Odorkor police confirmed the story when they were contacted but could not give any detail.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital morgue in Accra.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Prisons Service gets GH¢181,934 to cover NHIS(Page 35) July 11, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE government has made available GH¢181,934 to the Prisons Service towards the registration of its officers and inmates with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has said.
He said it was expected that the measure would improve the health status of prisoners and personnel of the service and their dependants.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said this when he paid a working visit to the Headquarters of the Prisons Service in Accra on Thursday.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr K. Tahiru Hammond, and the Minister of State at the Interior Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government had just taken delivery of 55 vehicles under a package from Paramount Logistics Corporation of South Africa for distribution to selected prisons.
He said the package included workshop tools and equipment, which would soon be installed to revamp the carpentry and other workshops in the prisons.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government had also tasked the Prisons Council to review the service conditions and come up with appropriate recommendations for consideration.
He said a technical committee had been set up, under the guidance of the Prisons Service Council, to come up with appropriate designs for a new James Fort Prison, a new prison officers training school and a new senior correctional centre with modern dormitories, classrooms, workshops with machinery and s gymnasium.
He said the gesture was aimed at affording the inmates the chance to undergo trade training, formal education and engage in sporting activities.
He said barracks accommodation for staff of institutions to be relocated would be provided with social services like markets, hospitals and entertainment centres, before steps were taken for the re-location.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the service had been linked up to the Department of Social Welfare to take custody of children born to imprisoned pregnant women whose relatives were unable to provide custody for the babies.
He said a second intervention was the setting up of a mother and baby friendly centre at the Nsawam Female Prison to provide a temporary but more congenial atmosphere for babies who were born to such mothers.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said in accordance with its programme of reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, the Ghana Prisons Service, in partnership with the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), had donated television sets, computers and their accessories, stationery and furniture to help establish a senior high school at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, while the President’s Special Initiative on Distance Learning had also been established in four major prisons, namely, Nsawam, Kumasi, Tamale and Wa.
He said additionally, the Senior Correctional Centre, formerly the Borstal Institute, had started running courses of the National Vocational Training Institute.
He said last year 16 inmates who sat for Trade Test Grade II Examination had passed.
The Director-General of the Prisons Service, Mr William Asiedu, gave the assurance that personnel of the service would continue to give of their best, despite the constraints they were faced with.
He said the service would collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure that the justice system was upheld.
THE government has made available GH¢181,934 to the Prisons Service towards the registration of its officers and inmates with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, has said.
He said it was expected that the measure would improve the health status of prisoners and personnel of the service and their dependants.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said this when he paid a working visit to the Headquarters of the Prisons Service in Accra on Thursday.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr K. Tahiru Hammond, and the Minister of State at the Interior Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government had just taken delivery of 55 vehicles under a package from Paramount Logistics Corporation of South Africa for distribution to selected prisons.
He said the package included workshop tools and equipment, which would soon be installed to revamp the carpentry and other workshops in the prisons.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the government had also tasked the Prisons Council to review the service conditions and come up with appropriate recommendations for consideration.
He said a technical committee had been set up, under the guidance of the Prisons Service Council, to come up with appropriate designs for a new James Fort Prison, a new prison officers training school and a new senior correctional centre with modern dormitories, classrooms, workshops with machinery and s gymnasium.
He said the gesture was aimed at affording the inmates the chance to undergo trade training, formal education and engage in sporting activities.
He said barracks accommodation for staff of institutions to be relocated would be provided with social services like markets, hospitals and entertainment centres, before steps were taken for the re-location.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said the service had been linked up to the Department of Social Welfare to take custody of children born to imprisoned pregnant women whose relatives were unable to provide custody for the babies.
He said a second intervention was the setting up of a mother and baby friendly centre at the Nsawam Female Prison to provide a temporary but more congenial atmosphere for babies who were born to such mothers.
Dr Addo-Kufuor said in accordance with its programme of reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, the Ghana Prisons Service, in partnership with the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), had donated television sets, computers and their accessories, stationery and furniture to help establish a senior high school at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, while the President’s Special Initiative on Distance Learning had also been established in four major prisons, namely, Nsawam, Kumasi, Tamale and Wa.
He said additionally, the Senior Correctional Centre, formerly the Borstal Institute, had started running courses of the National Vocational Training Institute.
He said last year 16 inmates who sat for Trade Test Grade II Examination had passed.
The Director-General of the Prisons Service, Mr William Asiedu, gave the assurance that personnel of the service would continue to give of their best, despite the constraints they were faced with.
He said the service would collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure that the justice system was upheld.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
ZAIN to launch services in Ghana(Page 38) July 10, 2008
Zain to launch services in Ghana
Story: Michael Donkor
ZAIN Communication Ghana, a mobile telecommunication operator, is to launch its services in the country by the end of the year.
Currently, the company is on a massive infrastructural development that is expected to be completed soon.
The Chief Executive of Zain in charge of Africa, Mr Chris Gabriel, said at a news conference in Accra last Tuesday that the company would launch a world-class network offering unparalleled modern communications services across the country and assured Ghanaians of quality service.
Mr Gabriel said Zain would roll out with a microwave network and later build a fibre network.
He said they would design services that would meet the demand and expectations of Ghanaians.
Mr Gabriel said Zain, through its African subsidiary, Celtel, had pioneered the development of innovative services such as the world’s first borderless network, which covered close to half of the African population.
He said Zain won the best Telecom Operator in Africa award at the prestigious Business in Africa Awards held in London recently.
Mr Gabriel said Zain currently operated in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan and Iraq and in Lebanon as “mtc touch”.
He said Zain operated as Celtel in Burkina Faso, Chad, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Mr Gabriel said the company had over 15,000 employees providing a comprehensive range of mobile voice and data services to over 45.7 million individuals and business customers.
He said Zain considered itself defined by a commitment to excellence in providing world-class mobile and data services, as well as an ethos of corporate social responsibility in supporting communities, offering employment and creating business opportunities where it operated.
He said it was important to Zain that its economic, social and cultural projects had a positive impact on the people of all the countries in which they operated.
Story: Michael Donkor
ZAIN Communication Ghana, a mobile telecommunication operator, is to launch its services in the country by the end of the year.
Currently, the company is on a massive infrastructural development that is expected to be completed soon.
The Chief Executive of Zain in charge of Africa, Mr Chris Gabriel, said at a news conference in Accra last Tuesday that the company would launch a world-class network offering unparalleled modern communications services across the country and assured Ghanaians of quality service.
Mr Gabriel said Zain would roll out with a microwave network and later build a fibre network.
He said they would design services that would meet the demand and expectations of Ghanaians.
Mr Gabriel said Zain, through its African subsidiary, Celtel, had pioneered the development of innovative services such as the world’s first borderless network, which covered close to half of the African population.
He said Zain won the best Telecom Operator in Africa award at the prestigious Business in Africa Awards held in London recently.
Mr Gabriel said Zain currently operated in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan and Iraq and in Lebanon as “mtc touch”.
He said Zain operated as Celtel in Burkina Faso, Chad, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Mr Gabriel said the company had over 15,000 employees providing a comprehensive range of mobile voice and data services to over 45.7 million individuals and business customers.
He said Zain considered itself defined by a commitment to excellence in providing world-class mobile and data services, as well as an ethos of corporate social responsibility in supporting communities, offering employment and creating business opportunities where it operated.
He said it was important to Zain that its economic, social and cultural projects had a positive impact on the people of all the countries in which they operated.
Police investigate Dr Yankah's death(Page 3) July 9, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
THE police have begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a urologist at the 37 Military Hospital.
Consequently, the police have taken statements from Prof Kwadwo Amoako Attah, Dr Yankah’s friend whom the late urologist called to his residence shortly before his death, and the deceased’s house boy.
A source close to the police said two officers had been detailed to guard Dr Yankah’s house since the incident occurred, while the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
Meanwhile, efforts to get Dr Yankah’s wife who had just returned from the US to comment on husband’s suicide have proved futile.
A family source told the Daily Graphic that Dr Yankah had always complained about how life had treated him unfairly, adding that he had always been comforted that everything would be well.
The source said Dr Yankah had always expressed gratitude to his friend, Prof Attah, for the tremendous assistance he had offered to him in life.
It said the will left by Dr Yankah was addressed to Prof Attah to ensure that it was administered accordingly.
Dr Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the US, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
THE police have begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a urologist at the 37 Military Hospital.
Consequently, the police have taken statements from Prof Kwadwo Amoako Attah, Dr Yankah’s friend whom the late urologist called to his residence shortly before his death, and the deceased’s house boy.
A source close to the police said two officers had been detailed to guard Dr Yankah’s house since the incident occurred, while the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
Meanwhile, efforts to get Dr Yankah’s wife who had just returned from the US to comment on husband’s suicide have proved futile.
A family source told the Daily Graphic that Dr Yankah had always complained about how life had treated him unfairly, adding that he had always been comforted that everything would be well.
The source said Dr Yankah had always expressed gratitude to his friend, Prof Attah, for the tremendous assistance he had offered to him in life.
It said the will left by Dr Yankah was addressed to Prof Attah to ensure that it was administered accordingly.
Dr Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the US, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Grisly Suicide:I failed to reconcile with life, Dr Yankah said in a hand written note(Front Page) July 8, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
DR Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the USA, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic yesterday that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
It said Dr Yankah’s wife returned from the US about a month ago but did not live in the same house with her husband.
Although Dr Yankah left behind a hand-written will, details of it were not disclosed to the Daily Graphic.
Dr Yankah graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1978 and travelled to the US to further his studies in medical practice.
While in the US, he lived at 101 Park Place, Alabama, and was affiliated to the Vaughan Regional Medical Centre. But he relocated to Ghana in February last year to work at the 37 Military Hospital.
When the Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier-General Jaswant Mante Wadhwani, was contacted, he said he had been informed about the tragedy last Saturday by one of his officers at the hospital.
He said Dr Yankah was a urologist who acquired his specialist training in the US between 1992 and 1996 and had been in practice abroad.
He said the deceased applied to join the Military Hospital as a civilian specialist doctor in February 2007.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said Dr Yankah passed an interview conducted according to the hospital’s regulations and was appointed Specialist Urologist at the Department of Surgery.
He said in August 2007, the deceased tendered in his resignation and cited personal reasons for his action.
The Commanding Officer said he gathered that Dr Yankah was offered a job in Cape Coast and later worked at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a urologist.
He said while the deceased was at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, he had gone to him ((Brig-Gen Wadhwani) and expressed interest in going back to the 37 Military Hospital.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said the hospital wanted more urologists so he readily accepted him.
He said he asked Dr Yankah to re-apply, which he did, and it was processed through the Military High Command, after which he was given back his job.
He said Dr Yankah worked very well, leading to his confirmation about six weeks ago, adding that the deceased was due to travel shortly to Egypt for a urologists conference.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani described Dr Yankah as a fine gentleman.
DR Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the USA, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic yesterday that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
It said Dr Yankah’s wife returned from the US about a month ago but did not live in the same house with her husband.
Although Dr Yankah left behind a hand-written will, details of it were not disclosed to the Daily Graphic.
Dr Yankah graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1978 and travelled to the US to further his studies in medical practice.
While in the US, he lived at 101 Park Place, Alabama, and was affiliated to the Vaughan Regional Medical Centre. But he relocated to Ghana in February last year to work at the 37 Military Hospital.
When the Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier-General Jaswant Mante Wadhwani, was contacted, he said he had been informed about the tragedy last Saturday by one of his officers at the hospital.
He said Dr Yankah was a urologist who acquired his specialist training in the US between 1992 and 1996 and had been in practice abroad.
He said the deceased applied to join the Military Hospital as a civilian specialist doctor in February 2007.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said Dr Yankah passed an interview conducted according to the hospital’s regulations and was appointed Specialist Urologist at the Department of Surgery.
He said in August 2007, the deceased tendered in his resignation and cited personal reasons for his action.
The Commanding Officer said he gathered that Dr Yankah was offered a job in Cape Coast and later worked at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a urologist.
He said while the deceased was at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, he had gone to him ((Brig-Gen Wadhwani) and expressed interest in going back to the 37 Military Hospital.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said the hospital wanted more urologists so he readily accepted him.
He said he asked Dr Yankah to re-apply, which he did, and it was processed through the Military High Command, after which he was given back his job.
He said Dr Yankah worked very well, leading to his confirmation about six weeks ago, adding that the deceased was due to travel shortly to Egypt for a urologists conference.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani described Dr Yankah as a fine gentleman.
Grissly Suicide:I failed to reconcile with life, Dr Yankah said in a hand written note(Front Page) July 8, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
DR Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the USA, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic yesterday that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
It said Dr Yankah’s wife returned from the US about a month ago but did not live in the same house with her husband.
Although Dr Yankah left behind a hand-written will, details of it were not disclosed to the Daily Graphic.
Dr Yankah graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1978 and travelled to the US to further his studies in medical practice.
While in the US, he lived at 101 Park Place, Alabama, and was affiliated to the Vaughan Regional Medical Centre. But he relocated to Ghana in February last year to work at the 37 Military Hospital.
When the Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier-General Jaswant Mante Wadhwani, was contacted, he said he had been informed about the tragedy last Saturday by one of his officers at the hospital.
He said Dr Yankah was a urologist who acquired his specialist training in the US between 1992 and 1996 and had been in practice abroad.
He said the deceased applied to join the Military Hospital as a civilian specialist doctor in February 2007.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said Dr Yankah passed an interview conducted according to the hospital’s regulations and was appointed Specialist Urologist at the Department of Surgery.
He said in August 2007, the deceased tendered in his resignation and cited personal reasons for his action.
The Commanding Officer said he gathered that Dr Yankah was offered a job in Cape Coast and later worked at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a urologist.
He said while the deceased was at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, he had gone to him ((Brig-Gen Wadhwani) and expressed interest in going back to the 37 Military Hospital.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said the hospital wanted more urologists so he readily accepted him.
He said he asked Dr Yankah to re-apply, which he did, and it was processed through the Military High Command, after which he was given back his job.
He said Dr Yankah worked very well, leading to his confirmation about six weeks ago, adding that the deceased was due to travel shortly to Egypt for a urologists conference.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani described Dr Yankah as a fine gentleman.
DR Hayford De-Graft Yankah, a 55-year-old Ghanaian urologist with 30 years’ practical experience in the USA, hanged himself in his Adjiriganno home over the weekend, leaving behind a hand-written will and a note to the effect that he had failed to reconcile with life.
Family sources disclosed to the Daily Graphic yesterday that moments before hanging himself in that grisly circumstance, Dr Yankah had called a close friend on the phone and invited him to come to his house.
They said the friend received the call about 9.00 a.m. and set off for Dr Yankah’s house, but while he was on his way, Dr Yankah called him again at 9.30 a.m. to find out where he had reached.
According to the sources, the friend replied that he was close to the house and eventually got there about 10.00 a.m., by which time Dr Yankah had asked his house boy to stand at the gate and open the gate for his friend to come in.
They said when the friend drove in, the main entrance to Dr Yankah’s hall was locked up and several knocks at the door, including calls to his phone for him to open the door, did not yield any results.
The source said the door was later forced open by the friend, who was greeted with the shocking spectacle of Dr Yankah’s body hanging on a computer cable wire tied around his neck.
It said Dr Yankah’s wife returned from the US about a month ago but did not live in the same house with her husband.
Although Dr Yankah left behind a hand-written will, details of it were not disclosed to the Daily Graphic.
Dr Yankah graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Ghana Medical School in 1978 and travelled to the US to further his studies in medical practice.
While in the US, he lived at 101 Park Place, Alabama, and was affiliated to the Vaughan Regional Medical Centre. But he relocated to Ghana in February last year to work at the 37 Military Hospital.
When the Commanding Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier-General Jaswant Mante Wadhwani, was contacted, he said he had been informed about the tragedy last Saturday by one of his officers at the hospital.
He said Dr Yankah was a urologist who acquired his specialist training in the US between 1992 and 1996 and had been in practice abroad.
He said the deceased applied to join the Military Hospital as a civilian specialist doctor in February 2007.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said Dr Yankah passed an interview conducted according to the hospital’s regulations and was appointed Specialist Urologist at the Department of Surgery.
He said in August 2007, the deceased tendered in his resignation and cited personal reasons for his action.
The Commanding Officer said he gathered that Dr Yankah was offered a job in Cape Coast and later worked at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a urologist.
He said while the deceased was at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, he had gone to him ((Brig-Gen Wadhwani) and expressed interest in going back to the 37 Military Hospital.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani said the hospital wanted more urologists so he readily accepted him.
He said he asked Dr Yankah to re-apply, which he did, and it was processed through the Military High Command, after which he was given back his job.
He said Dr Yankah worked very well, leading to his confirmation about six weeks ago, adding that the deceased was due to travel shortly to Egypt for a urologists conference.
Brig-Gen Wadhwani described Dr Yankah as a fine gentleman.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Efforts to protect country's ports(Page 32) July 7, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has initiated a programme to prevent ships from foreign countries that are not seaworthy from docking at the country’s ports.
Known as “Port State Control Programme” it would also ensure that such ships did not operate within the territorial waters of Ghana as practised in the other regional blocks of the world.
The Director General of GMA, Mr Issaka Peter Azuma, said this at the opening session of a three-day workshop organised by the GMA in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in Accra yesterday.
The workshop which is on “the London Convention” is being attended by representatives from seven West African countries, namely Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Liberia and the Gambia.
It is aimed at increasing the awareness of the effects of dumping of dangerous materials within the Gulf Stream.
Mr Azuma said the authority would not compromise with the port state control measures on unseaworthy ships especially crude oil carriers and chemical tankers.
He said the authority would also intensify work on its audit programme on operators of reception facilities and off-shore monitoring systems in order to prevent possible pollution of the marine environment of the countries in the sub region.
The Minister for Harbours and Railways, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, deplored the dumping of dangerous materials into the Gulf Stream and called for the application of the provisions of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution at combating such unlawful practices.
Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi said the timing of the workshop was opportune and relevant within the context of Ghana’s oil find and the consequential shipping and related maritime activities that would soon take place in the country’s territorial waters.
He said as a result, they all need to consider the possible negative impact associated with some of these activities on their maritime environment and design proactive measures to combat or prevent their occurrence.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said government had initiated work towards the installation of an electronic surveillance system with the coverage range of up to 200 nautical miles into the sea and a complete coast line stretching from Axim to Ada to enable the authorities to survey and monitor on a 24-hour basis.
He said the technology had been found to be more technically and economically feasible than any other means.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said the GMA would play a lead role in collaborating with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as well as the security agencies to effectively implement the maritime security surveillance project.
THE Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has initiated a programme to prevent ships from foreign countries that are not seaworthy from docking at the country’s ports.
Known as “Port State Control Programme” it would also ensure that such ships did not operate within the territorial waters of Ghana as practised in the other regional blocks of the world.
The Director General of GMA, Mr Issaka Peter Azuma, said this at the opening session of a three-day workshop organised by the GMA in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in Accra yesterday.
The workshop which is on “the London Convention” is being attended by representatives from seven West African countries, namely Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Liberia and the Gambia.
It is aimed at increasing the awareness of the effects of dumping of dangerous materials within the Gulf Stream.
Mr Azuma said the authority would not compromise with the port state control measures on unseaworthy ships especially crude oil carriers and chemical tankers.
He said the authority would also intensify work on its audit programme on operators of reception facilities and off-shore monitoring systems in order to prevent possible pollution of the marine environment of the countries in the sub region.
The Minister for Harbours and Railways, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, deplored the dumping of dangerous materials into the Gulf Stream and called for the application of the provisions of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution at combating such unlawful practices.
Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi said the timing of the workshop was opportune and relevant within the context of Ghana’s oil find and the consequential shipping and related maritime activities that would soon take place in the country’s territorial waters.
He said as a result, they all need to consider the possible negative impact associated with some of these activities on their maritime environment and design proactive measures to combat or prevent their occurrence.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said government had initiated work towards the installation of an electronic surveillance system with the coverage range of up to 200 nautical miles into the sea and a complete coast line stretching from Axim to Ada to enable the authorities to survey and monitor on a 24-hour basis.
He said the technology had been found to be more technically and economically feasible than any other means.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said the GMA would play a lead role in collaborating with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as well as the security agencies to effectively implement the maritime security surveillance project.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Holiday Makers Thronge Beaches(Centre Spread) July 2, 2008
Story: Michael Donkor
HUNDREDS of holiday celebrants yesterday thronged the various beaches in Accra to commemorate Republic Day.
Dressed in swimming costumes and casual wears, most of the holidaymakers could not tell the significance of the day but were busily seen enjoying themselves to live band and recorded music which were played at the beaches.
A visit to the La Pleasure Beach saw fun seekers, males and females, some of whom were accompanied by their children, in frenzy as they observed the day.
Others were also seen swimming while some rode horses and played football.
At the Dutch Beach near Nungua, some of the holidaymakers enjoyed the cold sea waves as it drizzled.
They described the day’s drizzling as a blessing to Ghana’s Republic Day.
Some of the gathering there danced to local music popularly called Jama.
At the Independence Beach, some of the holidaymakers brought along their own musical systems for their entertainment.
The peaceful enjoyment there was nearly marred when a fight broke out between two gentlemen over a lady.
This attracted a large crowd because the two gentlemen, who came from Osu, were popular among the gathering.
It took the security details around the beach about an hour to completely cool down tempers.
At the Osikan Beach, brass band music was played to the enjoyment of the holidaymakers. Some of the holidaymakers who spoke to the Graphic said July 1 was a great day and needed to be celebrated as such. They could not explain what makes the day great.
Adwoa Frimpomaa said every July 1, she goes to the beach with her friends to celebrate the day.
She said at the beach they eat, drink and have fun till the evening before they depart.
Bosah Bosah said the only time that he enjoyed himself was such holidays and that he never missed such occasions.
Barimah Sarpong said considering the history behind the July 1, it needed to be celebrated in grand style hence on such occasions he goes to the beach to spend time there and celebrate it with other holidaymakers.
Some expatriates were also seen celebrating the day with their Ghanaian counterparts.
Jeff Morgan, an American, said he had adopted Ghana as his second home that was why he had joined in celebrating the day Ghana gained full political autonomy.
Ranshi Samir, also an expatriate, who described Ghana as a peaceful place, said on such occasion he could not stay indoors than come out to join in the celebration.
Others mounted mini tents in which they served food and drinks to their loved ones as they listened to music in the background.
Kwaku Afriyie, who took advantage of the day to pickpocket was arrested and beaten. He would have been lynched but for the timely intervention of the police.
HUNDREDS of holiday celebrants yesterday thronged the various beaches in Accra to commemorate Republic Day.
Dressed in swimming costumes and casual wears, most of the holidaymakers could not tell the significance of the day but were busily seen enjoying themselves to live band and recorded music which were played at the beaches.
A visit to the La Pleasure Beach saw fun seekers, males and females, some of whom were accompanied by their children, in frenzy as they observed the day.
Others were also seen swimming while some rode horses and played football.
At the Dutch Beach near Nungua, some of the holidaymakers enjoyed the cold sea waves as it drizzled.
They described the day’s drizzling as a blessing to Ghana’s Republic Day.
Some of the gathering there danced to local music popularly called Jama.
At the Independence Beach, some of the holidaymakers brought along their own musical systems for their entertainment.
The peaceful enjoyment there was nearly marred when a fight broke out between two gentlemen over a lady.
This attracted a large crowd because the two gentlemen, who came from Osu, were popular among the gathering.
It took the security details around the beach about an hour to completely cool down tempers.
At the Osikan Beach, brass band music was played to the enjoyment of the holidaymakers. Some of the holidaymakers who spoke to the Graphic said July 1 was a great day and needed to be celebrated as such. They could not explain what makes the day great.
Adwoa Frimpomaa said every July 1, she goes to the beach with her friends to celebrate the day.
She said at the beach they eat, drink and have fun till the evening before they depart.
Bosah Bosah said the only time that he enjoyed himself was such holidays and that he never missed such occasions.
Barimah Sarpong said considering the history behind the July 1, it needed to be celebrated in grand style hence on such occasions he goes to the beach to spend time there and celebrate it with other holidaymakers.
Some expatriates were also seen celebrating the day with their Ghanaian counterparts.
Jeff Morgan, an American, said he had adopted Ghana as his second home that was why he had joined in celebrating the day Ghana gained full political autonomy.
Ranshi Samir, also an expatriate, who described Ghana as a peaceful place, said on such occasion he could not stay indoors than come out to join in the celebration.
Others mounted mini tents in which they served food and drinks to their loved ones as they listened to music in the background.
Kwaku Afriyie, who took advantage of the day to pickpocket was arrested and beaten. He would have been lynched but for the timely intervention of the police.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
3 More arrested over cocaine case( Front Page) July 1, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE police have arrested three more people in connection with the seizure of the substance suspected to be cocaine at Ataabadze Junction, near Elmina in the Central Region, at the weekend.
They are Derick Armah Kwatreng, David Agyemfrah and Charles Lartey.
Lartey was arrested when he allegedly went to the Central Regional Police Command with $6,000 and CFA200,000 to bribe the police for the release of Mills-Robertson, the man who had been arrested earlier, while the other two were picked up at a filling station in Cape Coast close to the Regional Police Headquarters.
Agyemfrah was identified as one of the suspects who escaped from the vehicle, while Kwatreng is said to be the owner of the vehicle.
According to a source close to the Police Headquarters in Accra, the suspects were being interrogated, after which they would be prosecuted.
The source gave the assurance that efforts were being made to track down the other suspects who escaped when the vehicle carrying the substance was intercepted.
Officials of the Cape Coast Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) at the weekend intercepted 380 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine which were concealed in 19 travelling bags at Ataabadze Junction.
The Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio-Atinga, at a press briefing in Cape Coast, said following directives from the Police Headquarters for the police to embark on aggressive vehicle checks for items such as arms and drugs, the regional MTTU began the exercise on Sunday.
She said the officials, led by the Unit Deputy Commander, ASP Frederick Kojo Asare Mensah, were on duty at Ataabadze Junction about 8.00 a.m. when they intercepted a Toyota vehicle with three people on board heading towards Accra.
She said when the vehicle was searched, 19 travelling bags loaded with a substance suspected to be cocaine were concealed in the boot.
DCOP Bio-Atinga said while the search was being conducted, two of the suspects, known only as Chiko and Michael, escaped into a nearby bush, while the driver, Mills-Robertson, 49, was arrested.
She said Mills-Robertson offered the police $5,000 for his release but they refused the offer and took him to the Regional Police Headquarters.
Mills- Robertson told the police that he had been hired by some Nigerians to convey the substance from Bogoso to Accra for a fee of $40,000.
DCOP Bio-Atinga called on the public to support the police by giving them the relevant information to enable them to do their work effectively.
THE police have arrested three more people in connection with the seizure of the substance suspected to be cocaine at Ataabadze Junction, near Elmina in the Central Region, at the weekend.
They are Derick Armah Kwatreng, David Agyemfrah and Charles Lartey.
Lartey was arrested when he allegedly went to the Central Regional Police Command with $6,000 and CFA200,000 to bribe the police for the release of Mills-Robertson, the man who had been arrested earlier, while the other two were picked up at a filling station in Cape Coast close to the Regional Police Headquarters.
Agyemfrah was identified as one of the suspects who escaped from the vehicle, while Kwatreng is said to be the owner of the vehicle.
According to a source close to the Police Headquarters in Accra, the suspects were being interrogated, after which they would be prosecuted.
The source gave the assurance that efforts were being made to track down the other suspects who escaped when the vehicle carrying the substance was intercepted.
Officials of the Cape Coast Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) at the weekend intercepted 380 parcels of a substance suspected to be cocaine which were concealed in 19 travelling bags at Ataabadze Junction.
The Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio-Atinga, at a press briefing in Cape Coast, said following directives from the Police Headquarters for the police to embark on aggressive vehicle checks for items such as arms and drugs, the regional MTTU began the exercise on Sunday.
She said the officials, led by the Unit Deputy Commander, ASP Frederick Kojo Asare Mensah, were on duty at Ataabadze Junction about 8.00 a.m. when they intercepted a Toyota vehicle with three people on board heading towards Accra.
She said when the vehicle was searched, 19 travelling bags loaded with a substance suspected to be cocaine were concealed in the boot.
DCOP Bio-Atinga said while the search was being conducted, two of the suspects, known only as Chiko and Michael, escaped into a nearby bush, while the driver, Mills-Robertson, 49, was arrested.
She said Mills-Robertson offered the police $5,000 for his release but they refused the offer and took him to the Regional Police Headquarters.
Mills- Robertson told the police that he had been hired by some Nigerians to convey the substance from Bogoso to Accra for a fee of $40,000.
DCOP Bio-Atinga called on the public to support the police by giving them the relevant information to enable them to do their work effectively.
Reshuffle in Police Service(Page 3) July 1, 2008
Story:Michael Donkor
THE police administration has effected changes in its hierarchy as part of measures to strengthen the service.
According to the changes, some of which will take effect from July 4, 2008, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Kwaku Opare-Addo, will move to the Ashanti Region while DCOP James Oppong-Boanuh, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander moves to become the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander.
According to a source at the Police Headquarters others affected by the changes are ACP Mr Seth Charles Oteng, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander who moves to become the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander and ACP Mr Kwasi Appiah Boateng, the Second in Command in the Accra Region who also moves to the Upper West Region.
It said ACP Ms. Florence Arthur of the Accra-South-West Division has been moved to the Community Policing Unit at the Headquarters while ACP Bright Oduro, of the Ashanti Regional Police Command becomes the second in command in the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.
The source said ACP Mr Richmond Boi-bi-Boi has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Headquarters and Mrs ACP Elizabeth Allandu of Accra North-East (Madina) Division becomes the officer in-charge at Akosombo Division in the Eastern Region.
It further stated that Chief Superintendent Mr Abdulai Mohammed of Accra West (Kaneshie) Division now becomes the officer in-charge of Ashanti South (Bekwai) while Chief Superintendent Peterkin Gyinae of the Akosombo Division becomes the officer-in-charge at the Accra West (Kaneshie) Division.
Chief Superintendent Mrs Elizabeth Apollonia Dassah, Accra East Division becomes the officer-in-charge of Accra South West (Dansoman) Division,. Chief Superintendent Mr Paul Kwame Ayittey, Madina District is the officer-in-charge of Accra North-East (Madina) Division and Chief Superintendent Mr Mathew Osew Adjei, Kibi Division becomes the officer-in-charge of Ahafo Ano (Tepa) Division in the Ashanti Region with immediate effect.
The source stated that Superintendent Mr Samuel Kofi Tetteh, Tema Community Two District is the new officer-in-charge, Ho District in the Volta Region while Superintendent Mr Gabriel Amankwah Dokyi of the Kotobabi District moves to become officer in-charge Community two District.
Superintendent Mr Joseph Adotey Allotey, Accra Central (Nima) moves to Bimbilla District in the Northern Region, Superintendent Mr Ernest Aboagye Sarpong, Bimbilla District moves to Operations in Accra and DSP Mr Jonathan Akuettey Lamptey, Accra South District become the officer-in-charge Kotobabi District, the source added.
THE police administration has effected changes in its hierarchy as part of measures to strengthen the service.
According to the changes, some of which will take effect from July 4, 2008, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Kwaku Opare-Addo, will move to the Ashanti Region while DCOP James Oppong-Boanuh, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander moves to become the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander.
According to a source at the Police Headquarters others affected by the changes are ACP Mr Seth Charles Oteng, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander who moves to become the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander and ACP Mr Kwasi Appiah Boateng, the Second in Command in the Accra Region who also moves to the Upper West Region.
It said ACP Ms. Florence Arthur of the Accra-South-West Division has been moved to the Community Policing Unit at the Headquarters while ACP Bright Oduro, of the Ashanti Regional Police Command becomes the second in command in the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.
The source said ACP Mr Richmond Boi-bi-Boi has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Headquarters and Mrs ACP Elizabeth Allandu of Accra North-East (Madina) Division becomes the officer in-charge at Akosombo Division in the Eastern Region.
It further stated that Chief Superintendent Mr Abdulai Mohammed of Accra West (Kaneshie) Division now becomes the officer in-charge of Ashanti South (Bekwai) while Chief Superintendent Peterkin Gyinae of the Akosombo Division becomes the officer-in-charge at the Accra West (Kaneshie) Division.
Chief Superintendent Mrs Elizabeth Apollonia Dassah, Accra East Division becomes the officer-in-charge of Accra South West (Dansoman) Division,. Chief Superintendent Mr Paul Kwame Ayittey, Madina District is the officer-in-charge of Accra North-East (Madina) Division and Chief Superintendent Mr Mathew Osew Adjei, Kibi Division becomes the officer-in-charge of Ahafo Ano (Tepa) Division in the Ashanti Region with immediate effect.
The source stated that Superintendent Mr Samuel Kofi Tetteh, Tema Community Two District is the new officer-in-charge, Ho District in the Volta Region while Superintendent Mr Gabriel Amankwah Dokyi of the Kotobabi District moves to become officer in-charge Community two District.
Superintendent Mr Joseph Adotey Allotey, Accra Central (Nima) moves to Bimbilla District in the Northern Region, Superintendent Mr Ernest Aboagye Sarpong, Bimbilla District moves to Operations in Accra and DSP Mr Jonathan Akuettey Lamptey, Accra South District become the officer-in-charge Kotobabi District, the source added.
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