Story:Michael Donkor
A GANG of heavily armed robbers yesterday escaped with a military vehicle after they had ambushed some soldiers on an administrative duties between Takoradi and Obuasi.
The robbers later abandoned the vehicle on the outskirts of Obuasi.
Military sources said the soldiers on board the vehicle were on administrative check of armouries in the Central Western and Ashanti Regions when they were ambushed by the armed robbers.
The soldiers had concluded the inspection of the armouries in the Central and Western Regions and were on their way to the Ashanti Region when they were ambushed by the heavily armed robbers.
When the Director of the Ghana Armed Forces Public Relations, Col. E.W.K. Nibo, was contacted, he confirmed the story.
Other sources at the Military Police told the Daily Graphic that there were no arms on the vehicle that was seized by the armed robbers. The sources said that as soon as the news of the robbery got to them at dawn yesterday, personnel from the Military Police joined some infantry men from Accra to cordon off the crime scene and search other areas for the vehicle.
The sources said the robbers, who numbered about 10, wore masks and were armed with heavy offensive weapons and as the vehicle approached, they crossed the road, bringing the military vehicle to a stop, after which they attacked the soldiers in the vehicle, held them hostage and took the vehicle away.
None of the military personnel sustained any injury.
The source said investigations had been instituted into the circumstances of the robbery.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Prez revokes ban on Nunoo-Mensah, others(June 25, 2009)
Story; Michael Donkor.
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday revoked the ban imposed on certain retired service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) which barred them from visiting military installations and facilities throughout the country.
He also announced an increment in the allowance of Ghanaian peacekeepers from $27 to $30 a day.
According to him, the ban smacked of high handedness and vindictiveness, which he emphasised would not be tolerated during his term of office.
Indeed, some of the officers, such as General Arnold Quainoo and Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah, who were affected by the ban were present at a durbar of the GAF at Burma Camp where the President made the announcement.
It would be recalled that the government of former President Kufuor issued the ban on Generals Quainoo, Nunoo-Mensah, the late Rear-Admiral Kwadwo Owusu-Ansah and others from visiting any military installation or facility in the country.
President Mills said it was preposterous for the former regime to ban persons of such integrity who had devoted their entire lives to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity from visiting their friends and relations at the various barracks dotted across the country.
Again, the President said, it was also inhumane to restrain such high-ranking retired officers who posed no threat to the country’s security from seeking medical attention from the military hospitals.
He said the retired service commanders of the various sectors of the GAF had paid their dues to the building of the nation and should be treated with respect and not humiliation and contempt.
President Mills donated six buses to the GAF to be used to support the training of personnel in the service.
The buses will be distributed to the Ghana Military Academy, the Ghana Army, the Air Force, the Navy Recruit Training School, as well as the Army Combat and Armed Forces Training School.
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday revoked the ban imposed on certain retired service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) which barred them from visiting military installations and facilities throughout the country.
He also announced an increment in the allowance of Ghanaian peacekeepers from $27 to $30 a day.
According to him, the ban smacked of high handedness and vindictiveness, which he emphasised would not be tolerated during his term of office.
Indeed, some of the officers, such as General Arnold Quainoo and Brigadier-General Nunoo-Mensah, who were affected by the ban were present at a durbar of the GAF at Burma Camp where the President made the announcement.
It would be recalled that the government of former President Kufuor issued the ban on Generals Quainoo, Nunoo-Mensah, the late Rear-Admiral Kwadwo Owusu-Ansah and others from visiting any military installation or facility in the country.
President Mills said it was preposterous for the former regime to ban persons of such integrity who had devoted their entire lives to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity from visiting their friends and relations at the various barracks dotted across the country.
Again, the President said, it was also inhumane to restrain such high-ranking retired officers who posed no threat to the country’s security from seeking medical attention from the military hospitals.
He said the retired service commanders of the various sectors of the GAF had paid their dues to the building of the nation and should be treated with respect and not humiliation and contempt.
President Mills donated six buses to the GAF to be used to support the training of personnel in the service.
The buses will be distributed to the Ghana Military Academy, the Ghana Army, the Air Force, the Navy Recruit Training School, as well as the Army Combat and Armed Forces Training School.
Gov't won't interfere with Force's professional integrity, Prez Assures (Front Page) June 25 2009
Story: Michael Donkor
THE President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, yesterday paid his first official visit to the headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp and assured the soldiers that the government would not undertake any covert or overt actions that would tamper with their professional integrity.
He noted that considerable political interference and tempering with the GAF’s activities in the past created factions and deep-seated animosity between the officers and the other ranks which, in the long run, compromised professional integrity and threatened the country’s democracy.
Addressing a durbar of the GAF held in his honour, President Mills explained that the government would always accord officers, men and women of the respective security agencies in the country respect and dignity and not arrogance and contempt.
The durbar also attracted retired service commanders, including General Arnold Quainoo, General Joshua Hamidu and General Erskine.
“I have never doubted the professional integrity of the GAF and I will strive within the constraints of the national economy to enhance their pedigree,” he said.
According to him, the government had initiated a number of measures intended to provide logistical support and basic social and economic facilities for the various units of the GAF.
Those, President Mills explained, included potable water, accommodation, rehabilitation of clinics at the various barracks and improvement in their wages and salaries.
“The government has to implement far-reaching policies to boost the morale of personnel of the GAF and we have taken measures in that direction,” he said.
He said it was important for the government to equip personnel of the GAF to discharge their obligations and responsibilities of safeguarding the country against aggression and upholding and protecting the Fourth Republican Constitution.
President Mills paid glowing tribute to the GAF for the impartial role they played during the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
He said their steadfastness went a long way to prevent the polls from degenerating into confusion and plunging the country into conflict.
“We are proud of our Armed Forces. You remain the life insurance of our nation,” the President emphasised.
He reminded the gathering that the oil find in the country would bring in its wake a lot of challenges and the GAF would be prevailed upon to play a monitoring role to avoid plunder and abuse of the resource.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Defence, General Henry Smith (retd), said the GAF had a unique role to play in the country’s social and economic development.
“ It is the resolve of the GAF to pursue this agenda with all the urgency and professionalism at their disposal,” the minister said.
He said in view of the enormous challenges facing the GAF in the present century, especially with the oil find and the need to protect the country’s marine resources, the institution was embarking on a major review to redirect its scope of activities.
That, General Smith pointed out, included restructuring in order to deal holistically with the complex defence and security issues that existed today.
THE President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, yesterday paid his first official visit to the headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at Burma Camp and assured the soldiers that the government would not undertake any covert or overt actions that would tamper with their professional integrity.
He noted that considerable political interference and tempering with the GAF’s activities in the past created factions and deep-seated animosity between the officers and the other ranks which, in the long run, compromised professional integrity and threatened the country’s democracy.
Addressing a durbar of the GAF held in his honour, President Mills explained that the government would always accord officers, men and women of the respective security agencies in the country respect and dignity and not arrogance and contempt.
The durbar also attracted retired service commanders, including General Arnold Quainoo, General Joshua Hamidu and General Erskine.
“I have never doubted the professional integrity of the GAF and I will strive within the constraints of the national economy to enhance their pedigree,” he said.
According to him, the government had initiated a number of measures intended to provide logistical support and basic social and economic facilities for the various units of the GAF.
Those, President Mills explained, included potable water, accommodation, rehabilitation of clinics at the various barracks and improvement in their wages and salaries.
“The government has to implement far-reaching policies to boost the morale of personnel of the GAF and we have taken measures in that direction,” he said.
He said it was important for the government to equip personnel of the GAF to discharge their obligations and responsibilities of safeguarding the country against aggression and upholding and protecting the Fourth Republican Constitution.
President Mills paid glowing tribute to the GAF for the impartial role they played during the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
He said their steadfastness went a long way to prevent the polls from degenerating into confusion and plunging the country into conflict.
“We are proud of our Armed Forces. You remain the life insurance of our nation,” the President emphasised.
He reminded the gathering that the oil find in the country would bring in its wake a lot of challenges and the GAF would be prevailed upon to play a monitoring role to avoid plunder and abuse of the resource.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Defence, General Henry Smith (retd), said the GAF had a unique role to play in the country’s social and economic development.
“ It is the resolve of the GAF to pursue this agenda with all the urgency and professionalism at their disposal,” the minister said.
He said in view of the enormous challenges facing the GAF in the present century, especially with the oil find and the need to protect the country’s marine resources, the institution was embarking on a major review to redirect its scope of activities.
That, General Smith pointed out, included restructuring in order to deal holistically with the complex defence and security issues that existed today.
PURC committed to ensuring quality service’(June 25, 2009)
Story: Michael Donkor
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) says it will continue to ensure that utility providers offer quality services to the public.
In view of that, it will continue to intensify its monitoring role for the delivery of effective and quality services to the public, Mr Stephen Adu, the Executive Secretary of the commission, has disclosed.
Addressing a workshop organised by the PURC for stakeholders at Akosombo in the Eastern Region at the weekend, Mr Adu said although the utility providers were faced with some constraints and challenges, that did not constitute a ground for them to provide services below standard.
He gave the assurance that as part of its objectives, the commission would assist the utility providers to overcome their challenges and be able to deliver up to standard.
The Director of Legal Affairs of the PURC, Mr Emmanuel Sekor, said the commission would soon come up with guidelines to regulate the operations of water tankers.
He said that was to ensure that water tankers provided quality services for the public.
He explained that the guidelines would include monitoring and inspecting the water tankers before they delivered water to their prospective customers.
The Chief Manager in charge of Operations at the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr E. K. Garbah, said the Accra Tema Metropolitan Area (ATMA) rural projects to supply water to Somanya, the Akwapim Ridge, Atimpoku, Frankadua, Dawhenya, Dawa, Kpone, Michel Camp and Dodowa would begin this year.
He said the projects were expected to be completed in the middle of 2011 at the a cost of $71 million.
An official of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Abdul Noor Wahab, said the construction of the second transmission line between Kumasi and Obuasi would be completed in September this year.
He said the VRA would also construct its third bulk supply point for Accra at Agyirigano and it would be completed in 2011.
The Operations Manager of the Ghana Grid Company, Mr Mark Baah, gave the assurance that the company would continue to improve on its services of supplying power to the Electricity Company of Ghana for distribution.
A media consultant, Mr Berifi Apenteng, called on the media to endeavour to be accurate in their reportage, particularly what concerned utilities in the country.
He said utilities were the lifeline of the general public and any inaccurate or alarming reportage on them could create problems for the entire nation.
He said the role of the media was to educate, inform and entertain and added that those roles should not be undermined or underestimated by the people.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) says it will continue to ensure that utility providers offer quality services to the public.
In view of that, it will continue to intensify its monitoring role for the delivery of effective and quality services to the public, Mr Stephen Adu, the Executive Secretary of the commission, has disclosed.
Addressing a workshop organised by the PURC for stakeholders at Akosombo in the Eastern Region at the weekend, Mr Adu said although the utility providers were faced with some constraints and challenges, that did not constitute a ground for them to provide services below standard.
He gave the assurance that as part of its objectives, the commission would assist the utility providers to overcome their challenges and be able to deliver up to standard.
The Director of Legal Affairs of the PURC, Mr Emmanuel Sekor, said the commission would soon come up with guidelines to regulate the operations of water tankers.
He said that was to ensure that water tankers provided quality services for the public.
He explained that the guidelines would include monitoring and inspecting the water tankers before they delivered water to their prospective customers.
The Chief Manager in charge of Operations at the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr E. K. Garbah, said the Accra Tema Metropolitan Area (ATMA) rural projects to supply water to Somanya, the Akwapim Ridge, Atimpoku, Frankadua, Dawhenya, Dawa, Kpone, Michel Camp and Dodowa would begin this year.
He said the projects were expected to be completed in the middle of 2011 at the a cost of $71 million.
An official of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Abdul Noor Wahab, said the construction of the second transmission line between Kumasi and Obuasi would be completed in September this year.
He said the VRA would also construct its third bulk supply point for Accra at Agyirigano and it would be completed in 2011.
The Operations Manager of the Ghana Grid Company, Mr Mark Baah, gave the assurance that the company would continue to improve on its services of supplying power to the Electricity Company of Ghana for distribution.
A media consultant, Mr Berifi Apenteng, called on the media to endeavour to be accurate in their reportage, particularly what concerned utilities in the country.
He said utilities were the lifeline of the general public and any inaccurate or alarming reportage on them could create problems for the entire nation.
He said the role of the media was to educate, inform and entertain and added that those roles should not be undermined or underestimated by the people.
Gov't gives support to 50 assemblies(June 24, 2009) Centre Spread
Story: Michael Donkor
The government has allocated $31.9 million to be disbursed to 50 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) for the development of their respective areas.
The MMDAs were selected to benefit from the district development facility because they met the minimum conditions of a performance assessment which was conducted in 2006.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yileh Chireh, announced this when he took his turn at the Meet-the-Press Series held in Accra yesterday.
Mr Chireh explained that the first tranche of the facility would be disbursed next month while the second would be in the last quarter of the year.
He said the assessment for 2007 had been compiled and distributed to MMDAs while the next assessment would be conducted in September this year and represent the assessment for 2008.
Mr Chireh hinted that the revised Environmental Health and Sanitation Policy would soon be approved by cabinet to pave the way for its implementation.
He said when approved, some of the key challenges such as capacity development, information, education and communication, legislation and regulation, sustainable financing and cost recovery would be addressed.
Mr Chireh said the government had identified deepening local-level democracy, accelerating decentralisation and local-level development and empowerment as three main areas to promote in order to achieve good governance at the local level.
He said the ministry would also introduce a concept to be known as “ Town Hall Meetings” which would aim at creating a platform for continuous interaction between the government and communities in the districts.
He explained that the concept was to enable municipal, metropolitan and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to hold periodic meetings with people in their communities to educate them on the government’s developmental programmes and policies, and also listen to their concerns.
He said it was also to enable people at the grass roots demand accountability from those at the helm of affairs in the districts.
Mr Chireh said a broad national stakeholders conference on decentralisation would soon be held to review the 20 years of decentralisation implementation and make proposals for the way forward.
The government has allocated $31.9 million to be disbursed to 50 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) for the development of their respective areas.
The MMDAs were selected to benefit from the district development facility because they met the minimum conditions of a performance assessment which was conducted in 2006.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yileh Chireh, announced this when he took his turn at the Meet-the-Press Series held in Accra yesterday.
Mr Chireh explained that the first tranche of the facility would be disbursed next month while the second would be in the last quarter of the year.
He said the assessment for 2007 had been compiled and distributed to MMDAs while the next assessment would be conducted in September this year and represent the assessment for 2008.
Mr Chireh hinted that the revised Environmental Health and Sanitation Policy would soon be approved by cabinet to pave the way for its implementation.
He said when approved, some of the key challenges such as capacity development, information, education and communication, legislation and regulation, sustainable financing and cost recovery would be addressed.
Mr Chireh said the government had identified deepening local-level democracy, accelerating decentralisation and local-level development and empowerment as three main areas to promote in order to achieve good governance at the local level.
He said the ministry would also introduce a concept to be known as “ Town Hall Meetings” which would aim at creating a platform for continuous interaction between the government and communities in the districts.
He explained that the concept was to enable municipal, metropolitan and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to hold periodic meetings with people in their communities to educate them on the government’s developmental programmes and policies, and also listen to their concerns.
He said it was also to enable people at the grass roots demand accountability from those at the helm of affairs in the districts.
Mr Chireh said a broad national stakeholders conference on decentralisation would soon be held to review the 20 years of decentralisation implementation and make proposals for the way forward.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Board members should stick to their roles (Page 32) June 11, 2009
Story: Michael Donkor
THE Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has charged board chairmen of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to stick to their roles and not to take over the day-to-day running of the institutions.
He said the situation where board chairpersons and members virtually took over management and the day-to-day running of such institutions should be avoided.
Mr Hammah made the call when he inaugurated three reconstituted boards under the Ministry of Transport in Accra at the weekend.
They were the board of directors of the Airport Company Limited, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
He noted that the boards served as chaperons of management but cautioned that care should be taken so that as of a ship, the boards would stick to their roles as captains whiles the steering of the ship was left to the rest of the crew.
He said the realisation of the mission and vision of the ministry for the benefit of the people and the country could be possible only by a co-operative spirit.
Mr Hammah urged the GCAA board to ensure that the aviation sector was restored to the “FAA category one status”, seek title to all aviation lands and adopt strategies to effectively operationalise the hub concept, as well as ensure the implementation of the Kotoka International Airport phase III rehabilitation project.
For the Maritime sector, he urged the board of directors of GPHA to dredge the ports of Tema and Takoradi to cater for modern generation cargo vessels and review the port master plan.
Mr Hammah also urged the board to develop Boankra near Kumasi to serve as a distribution and consolidation centre for cargo for the northern part of the country and their landlocked neighbours.
He said it had come to his notice that a lot of misprocurement had taken place in some of these establishment and urged them to critically look at these issues and address them as quickly as possible.
He said a critical point worthy of note was that of the social democratic nature of the current administration.
He urged them to be guided by this in the formulation of their programmes, plans and policies, always bearing in mind that the government’s development plan was informed by the welfare of the people.
The acting Executive Chairman of the State Enterprises Commission, Mr Yao Klinogo, appealed to the board of directors to be guided by the Companies Code, 1963, act 179; Companies Act, Act 461, 1993 and Subvented Agencies Act, Act 706, 2006 in their operations.
He urged the board members to bring their individual expertise to bear on all their leadership and direction during their tenure.
The Board Chairman of GCAA, Wing Commander Andy Mensah, on behalf of his colleagues pledged their commitment and readiness to work assiduously to turn their various establishments around.
THE Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, has charged board chairmen of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to stick to their roles and not to take over the day-to-day running of the institutions.
He said the situation where board chairpersons and members virtually took over management and the day-to-day running of such institutions should be avoided.
Mr Hammah made the call when he inaugurated three reconstituted boards under the Ministry of Transport in Accra at the weekend.
They were the board of directors of the Airport Company Limited, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
He noted that the boards served as chaperons of management but cautioned that care should be taken so that as of a ship, the boards would stick to their roles as captains whiles the steering of the ship was left to the rest of the crew.
He said the realisation of the mission and vision of the ministry for the benefit of the people and the country could be possible only by a co-operative spirit.
Mr Hammah urged the GCAA board to ensure that the aviation sector was restored to the “FAA category one status”, seek title to all aviation lands and adopt strategies to effectively operationalise the hub concept, as well as ensure the implementation of the Kotoka International Airport phase III rehabilitation project.
For the Maritime sector, he urged the board of directors of GPHA to dredge the ports of Tema and Takoradi to cater for modern generation cargo vessels and review the port master plan.
Mr Hammah also urged the board to develop Boankra near Kumasi to serve as a distribution and consolidation centre for cargo for the northern part of the country and their landlocked neighbours.
He said it had come to his notice that a lot of misprocurement had taken place in some of these establishment and urged them to critically look at these issues and address them as quickly as possible.
He said a critical point worthy of note was that of the social democratic nature of the current administration.
He urged them to be guided by this in the formulation of their programmes, plans and policies, always bearing in mind that the government’s development plan was informed by the welfare of the people.
The acting Executive Chairman of the State Enterprises Commission, Mr Yao Klinogo, appealed to the board of directors to be guided by the Companies Code, 1963, act 179; Companies Act, Act 461, 1993 and Subvented Agencies Act, Act 706, 2006 in their operations.
He urged the board members to bring their individual expertise to bear on all their leadership and direction during their tenure.
The Board Chairman of GCAA, Wing Commander Andy Mensah, on behalf of his colleagues pledged their commitment and readiness to work assiduously to turn their various establishments around.
Develop framework for use of ICT-Health experts urged
Story: Michael Donkor
Vice-President John Dramani Mahama has called on health experts in Africa to develop a framework that will enhance the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to make health service accessible to the people, particularly those in the rural areas.
With the advent of mobile telephony, he said simple health messages could be devised and communicated to the people on daily basis.
He said Africa needed such a framework to review its policies and strategies for achieving its major health goals beyond the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mr Mahama made the call at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Annual Ministerial Review Conference in Accra yesterday.
The two-day conference is being attended by members of the Economic Commission for Africa, African Ministers of Health, and representatives of United Nations (UN) bodies.
Mr Mahama, therefore, called on all the members of ECOSOC to consider the meeting as one that would define how they in Africa would deploy electronic health solution for the sake of their people.
He said there was the need for an African position on the way and manner ICT must be deployed on the continent.
The Vice-President charged them to avoid a situation where solutions were not based on African problems and challenges but rather on other systems which did not have identical challenges.
Mr Mahama said he had seen proposals that aimed at high-end telemedicine technology but which did not take into account the existing human and technical resource at both ends of the set-up, the cost involved, and whether they addressed their priorities.
He said most African countries had regrettably made slow processes in the application of electronic health solutions probably because investments in this area had been misdirected by hard talking technology-oriented vendors who did not understand their circumstances and yet claimed to hold the solutions to their problems.
The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Madam-Sherry Ayittey, stressed the need for ICT to be used to improve the healthcare needs of women and children.
She said such technology should also be cost-effective and affordable and urged the government to collaborate with ICT experts to explore the power of the technology for the benefit of all.
The Minister of Health, Dr George Yankey, appealed to health experts to make ehealth a necessary facilitator in healthcare delivery.
The President of ECOSOC, Madam Sylvie Lucas, said the objective of ehealth was to improve primary healthcare delivery.
She urged African governments to seek the opportunity of ICT to advance health care in their countries.
The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Mr Thomas Stelzer, observed that ehealth could be used to address challenges such as lack of infrastructure, heavy disease burden and brain drain, in a comprehensive manner.
It could help scale health care appropriately to each economy and also enable a transformation from disease management to a focus on proactive wellness, he added.
Vice-President John Dramani Mahama has called on health experts in Africa to develop a framework that will enhance the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to make health service accessible to the people, particularly those in the rural areas.
With the advent of mobile telephony, he said simple health messages could be devised and communicated to the people on daily basis.
He said Africa needed such a framework to review its policies and strategies for achieving its major health goals beyond the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mr Mahama made the call at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Annual Ministerial Review Conference in Accra yesterday.
The two-day conference is being attended by members of the Economic Commission for Africa, African Ministers of Health, and representatives of United Nations (UN) bodies.
Mr Mahama, therefore, called on all the members of ECOSOC to consider the meeting as one that would define how they in Africa would deploy electronic health solution for the sake of their people.
He said there was the need for an African position on the way and manner ICT must be deployed on the continent.
The Vice-President charged them to avoid a situation where solutions were not based on African problems and challenges but rather on other systems which did not have identical challenges.
Mr Mahama said he had seen proposals that aimed at high-end telemedicine technology but which did not take into account the existing human and technical resource at both ends of the set-up, the cost involved, and whether they addressed their priorities.
He said most African countries had regrettably made slow processes in the application of electronic health solutions probably because investments in this area had been misdirected by hard talking technology-oriented vendors who did not understand their circumstances and yet claimed to hold the solutions to their problems.
The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Madam-Sherry Ayittey, stressed the need for ICT to be used to improve the healthcare needs of women and children.
She said such technology should also be cost-effective and affordable and urged the government to collaborate with ICT experts to explore the power of the technology for the benefit of all.
The Minister of Health, Dr George Yankey, appealed to health experts to make ehealth a necessary facilitator in healthcare delivery.
The President of ECOSOC, Madam Sylvie Lucas, said the objective of ehealth was to improve primary healthcare delivery.
She urged African governments to seek the opportunity of ICT to advance health care in their countries.
The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Mr Thomas Stelzer, observed that ehealth could be used to address challenges such as lack of infrastructure, heavy disease burden and brain drain, in a comprehensive manner.
It could help scale health care appropriately to each economy and also enable a transformation from disease management to a focus on proactive wellness, he added.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Siege at BNI as Security officials quiz Kwadwo Mpiani(June 3, 2009) Front Page
Michael Donkor
WHAT began as an invitation of former Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) yesterday turned into a political stand-off at the office of the BNI.
Scores of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) ministers and Members of Parliament, as well as hundreds of their supporters, thronged the BNI headquarters to express solidarity with the former Chief of Staff who was being questioned on what was described by the Information Ministry as “wide range of issues”.
By press time yesterday, the vigil was on with the defiant party faithful ignoring all pleas to vacate the scene.
The former ministers and the loyalists blocked the main road chanting and singing war songs and demanded the whereabouts of the former Chief of Staff.
As the interrogation went on, scores more of the party loyalists arrived in buses creating a scene at the entrance of the BNI.
At the Ministry of Information, a deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwah, obliged Graphic with some explanation indicating that the agitation of the former ministers and party loyalists was unnecessary and that the questioning of the former Chief of Staff was being carried in a friendly atmosphere.
He said what was being done was in line with the government’s policy to ensure that certain matters that bordered on national security were properly clarified.
According to him, Mr Mpiani was invited somewhere last week by the BNI to answer questions on a variety of issues.
He said he failed to honour the invitation but told the BNI that he would instead report on Monday but failed again.
He said the former Chief of Staff reported at about 11 a.m. in the company of 20 former ministers and his counsels, Mr Yoni Kulendi and Mr Egbert Faibille Junior, and were later joined by a female lawyer whose name was given as Ms Hamida Nuhu.
He said minutes after, the 20 former ministers left the former Chief of Staff in the company of his counsels
According to the deputy minister, Mr Mpiani rejected the food offered him by the BNI but accepted that which was brought later by the female lawyer, Ms Nuhu.
Asked why Mr Mpiani was being held by the BNI for that length of time, he said Mr “Mpiani was answering questions on wide range of issues and that there were intermittent breaks in the interrogation of the former Chief of Staff.
Other security sources, however, hinted that Mr Mpiani was being interrogated on his tenure as the Chief of Staff in the Kufuor administration and his role in the handling of Ghana@50 funds.
The Greater Accra Police Regional Commander, ACP Rose Atinga, later joined the security at the place and addressed the gathering and appealed for calm, assuring them of the security of Mr Mpiani.
However, her appeal for them to leave the security to do their work, made little impression.
WHAT began as an invitation of former Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) yesterday turned into a political stand-off at the office of the BNI.
Scores of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) ministers and Members of Parliament, as well as hundreds of their supporters, thronged the BNI headquarters to express solidarity with the former Chief of Staff who was being questioned on what was described by the Information Ministry as “wide range of issues”.
By press time yesterday, the vigil was on with the defiant party faithful ignoring all pleas to vacate the scene.
The former ministers and the loyalists blocked the main road chanting and singing war songs and demanded the whereabouts of the former Chief of Staff.
As the interrogation went on, scores more of the party loyalists arrived in buses creating a scene at the entrance of the BNI.
At the Ministry of Information, a deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwah, obliged Graphic with some explanation indicating that the agitation of the former ministers and party loyalists was unnecessary and that the questioning of the former Chief of Staff was being carried in a friendly atmosphere.
He said what was being done was in line with the government’s policy to ensure that certain matters that bordered on national security were properly clarified.
According to him, Mr Mpiani was invited somewhere last week by the BNI to answer questions on a variety of issues.
He said he failed to honour the invitation but told the BNI that he would instead report on Monday but failed again.
He said the former Chief of Staff reported at about 11 a.m. in the company of 20 former ministers and his counsels, Mr Yoni Kulendi and Mr Egbert Faibille Junior, and were later joined by a female lawyer whose name was given as Ms Hamida Nuhu.
He said minutes after, the 20 former ministers left the former Chief of Staff in the company of his counsels
According to the deputy minister, Mr Mpiani rejected the food offered him by the BNI but accepted that which was brought later by the female lawyer, Ms Nuhu.
Asked why Mr Mpiani was being held by the BNI for that length of time, he said Mr “Mpiani was answering questions on wide range of issues and that there were intermittent breaks in the interrogation of the former Chief of Staff.
Other security sources, however, hinted that Mr Mpiani was being interrogated on his tenure as the Chief of Staff in the Kufuor administration and his role in the handling of Ghana@50 funds.
The Greater Accra Police Regional Commander, ACP Rose Atinga, later joined the security at the place and addressed the gathering and appealed for calm, assuring them of the security of Mr Mpiani.
However, her appeal for them to leave the security to do their work, made little impression.
Rawlings witnesses June 4 wreath-laying ceremony(June 5, 2009) Political Page
Story: Michael Donkor
FORMER President J.J. Rawlings yesterday joined scores of dignitaries at a wreath-laying ceremony held at the revolutionary square to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising.
Other dignitaries who witnessed the event were the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, former Minister of State and leading member of the NDC, Mr Vallis Achianu, the former Chief Fire Officer, Lt Col. Tagoe (retd), the Secretary of the Greater Accra Market Women Association, Madam Mercy Needjan, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey.
The rest were Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo, former General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces, and Madam Roberta Hoppenba.
A number of cadres and some retired soldiers as well as functionaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were also present at the ceremony.
As early as 7 a.m., people from all walks of life started gathering at the revolutionary square, opposite the Flagstaff House, to witness the ceremony.
The grounds for the ceremony were also decorated with ribbons, while the national flag and four flags, bearing the colours of the June 4 were hoisted at the venue to give more meaning to the event. Wreaths were laid at the Revolutionary Square.
Mr Vallis Achianu, a leading member of the NDC, laid one of the wreaths on behalf of the security agencies, Lt Col. Tagoe (retd) laid one on behalf of the fallen heroes, the Secretary of the Greater Accra Market Women Association, Madam Mercy Needjan, laid one while the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Ashietey, laid the last one on behalf of the people of Ghana.
Lt Gen Quainoo and Madam Roberta Hoppenba jointly lighted the perpetual flame.
The cadres then embarked on a route march while the other members continued to Kasoa in the Central Region for a public lecture on the occasion.
Thirty years ago, former President Rawlings, then a junior officer of the Ghana Air Force, led a group of soldiers to overthrow the Supreme Military Council led by Lt General F.W.K. Akuffo.
The June 4 uprising ushered into the country’s history a revolution which lasted for 11 years.
FORMER President J.J. Rawlings yesterday joined scores of dignitaries at a wreath-laying ceremony held at the revolutionary square to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising.
Other dignitaries who witnessed the event were the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, former Minister of State and leading member of the NDC, Mr Vallis Achianu, the former Chief Fire Officer, Lt Col. Tagoe (retd), the Secretary of the Greater Accra Market Women Association, Madam Mercy Needjan, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey.
The rest were Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo, former General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces, and Madam Roberta Hoppenba.
A number of cadres and some retired soldiers as well as functionaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were also present at the ceremony.
As early as 7 a.m., people from all walks of life started gathering at the revolutionary square, opposite the Flagstaff House, to witness the ceremony.
The grounds for the ceremony were also decorated with ribbons, while the national flag and four flags, bearing the colours of the June 4 were hoisted at the venue to give more meaning to the event. Wreaths were laid at the Revolutionary Square.
Mr Vallis Achianu, a leading member of the NDC, laid one of the wreaths on behalf of the security agencies, Lt Col. Tagoe (retd) laid one on behalf of the fallen heroes, the Secretary of the Greater Accra Market Women Association, Madam Mercy Needjan, laid one while the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Ashietey, laid the last one on behalf of the people of Ghana.
Lt Gen Quainoo and Madam Roberta Hoppenba jointly lighted the perpetual flame.
The cadres then embarked on a route march while the other members continued to Kasoa in the Central Region for a public lecture on the occasion.
Thirty years ago, former President Rawlings, then a junior officer of the Ghana Air Force, led a group of soldiers to overthrow the Supreme Military Council led by Lt General F.W.K. Akuffo.
The June 4 uprising ushered into the country’s history a revolution which lasted for 11 years.
Industrial Activities in CBD to be relocated(June 9, 2009) Centre Spread
Story:Michael Donkor
SOME commercial and industrial activities in part of the central business district (CBD) of Accra are to be relocated to Adjen Kotoku to facilitate the completion of work on the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP).
Places to be affected include the Agbogbloshie Market, parts of the Timber Market and squatters around the KLERP.
The Chief Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Sam Baidoo, who disclosed this, explained that the exercise was to halt the dumping of waste into the upstream canals and the catchment areas of the Korle Lagoon.
He said the main work on the KLERP had been completed and would be handed over to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in June next year after the redevelopment of 800 acres of the land at Adjen Kotoku for the resettlement exercise.
Previously a clean stretch of water that flowed into the Atlantic, the Korle Lagoon was, at a point, described by environmentalists as one of the most polluted places on earth as the natural depression was converted into a cesspool for most of the city's industrial and human waste.
Owing to the pollution, no living thing, animal or plant, has been able to grow in it for years and its stench has enveloped adjoining suburbs whose inhabitants, because they have no sanitation facilities, have turned the lagoon into a giant latrine.
Speaking during a working visit to the project site by the sector Minister, Mr Albert Abongo, yesterday, Mr Baidoo said what the contractors were doing was just a maintenance of the lagoon.
He said a unit would be established by the ministry by June next year which would be placed under the AMA to maintain and manage the lagoon.
He said as part of the overall project master plan, the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism and Local Government, acquired about 800 acres of land at Adjen Kotoku, about 25 km from the CBD on the Accra-Nsawam road to develop a new commercial and industrial area to facilitate the relocation of commercial activities from Old Fadama.
He explained that the location was chosen for the project because of its proximity to both the Accra-Nsawam road and the railway line, as well as the availability and fairly level nature of land.
He said when completed, bulk food transported from the northern part of the country would be intercepted at Adjen Kotoku to help ease the traffic situation in the centre of the capital.
Briefing the minister, the Project Engineer, Mr Ewan Techblanche, said the redevelopment of Adjen Kotoku, which was the fourth stage of the project, was being tackled in earnest.
He said the main components of the fourth stage of the project were the construction of roads, the provision of potable water and the extension of electricity and underground sewerage infrastructure.
He said currently the construction of roads was near completion and the entire project was expected to be completed in June next year.
Mr Abongo commended the contractors for good work done so far and urged them to speed up work for the early completion of the entire project.
He gave the assurance that the government would assist in any to ensure that the project went on smoothly.
The project is being undertaken with funds from Kuwait, BADEA and the government.
The original objective, as captured in the terms of reference for consultancy services in 1994, was to address the main cause of extensive and widespread flooding which had affected the entire drainage network in Accra, resulting in serious perennial flooding for the past 20 years, leading to loss of lives and property.
SOME commercial and industrial activities in part of the central business district (CBD) of Accra are to be relocated to Adjen Kotoku to facilitate the completion of work on the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP).
Places to be affected include the Agbogbloshie Market, parts of the Timber Market and squatters around the KLERP.
The Chief Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Sam Baidoo, who disclosed this, explained that the exercise was to halt the dumping of waste into the upstream canals and the catchment areas of the Korle Lagoon.
He said the main work on the KLERP had been completed and would be handed over to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in June next year after the redevelopment of 800 acres of the land at Adjen Kotoku for the resettlement exercise.
Previously a clean stretch of water that flowed into the Atlantic, the Korle Lagoon was, at a point, described by environmentalists as one of the most polluted places on earth as the natural depression was converted into a cesspool for most of the city's industrial and human waste.
Owing to the pollution, no living thing, animal or plant, has been able to grow in it for years and its stench has enveloped adjoining suburbs whose inhabitants, because they have no sanitation facilities, have turned the lagoon into a giant latrine.
Speaking during a working visit to the project site by the sector Minister, Mr Albert Abongo, yesterday, Mr Baidoo said what the contractors were doing was just a maintenance of the lagoon.
He said a unit would be established by the ministry by June next year which would be placed under the AMA to maintain and manage the lagoon.
He said as part of the overall project master plan, the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministries of Tourism and Local Government, acquired about 800 acres of land at Adjen Kotoku, about 25 km from the CBD on the Accra-Nsawam road to develop a new commercial and industrial area to facilitate the relocation of commercial activities from Old Fadama.
He explained that the location was chosen for the project because of its proximity to both the Accra-Nsawam road and the railway line, as well as the availability and fairly level nature of land.
He said when completed, bulk food transported from the northern part of the country would be intercepted at Adjen Kotoku to help ease the traffic situation in the centre of the capital.
Briefing the minister, the Project Engineer, Mr Ewan Techblanche, said the redevelopment of Adjen Kotoku, which was the fourth stage of the project, was being tackled in earnest.
He said the main components of the fourth stage of the project were the construction of roads, the provision of potable water and the extension of electricity and underground sewerage infrastructure.
He said currently the construction of roads was near completion and the entire project was expected to be completed in June next year.
Mr Abongo commended the contractors for good work done so far and urged them to speed up work for the early completion of the entire project.
He gave the assurance that the government would assist in any to ensure that the project went on smoothly.
The project is being undertaken with funds from Kuwait, BADEA and the government.
The original objective, as captured in the terms of reference for consultancy services in 1994, was to address the main cause of extensive and widespread flooding which had affected the entire drainage network in Accra, resulting in serious perennial flooding for the past 20 years, leading to loss of lives and property.
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