Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire Agree On Roadmap To Resolve Maritime Boundary Dispute

By Edmund Mingle

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire yesterday agreed on an action plan to effectively resolve the maritime boundary dispute between the two countries.

After two days of meeting in Accra, the members of the Boundary Commission of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire adopted actions and timelines that would culminate in the resolution of the matter by June 2014.

As part of the actions, a joint technical committee of the Commissions would re-survey the common land boundary, Boundary Pillar 55 (BP 55) to confirm the geographical co-ordinates.

The two sides also agreed to exchange data on the base points from the breadth of the territorial waters in measured.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which is the sixth bilateral maritime negotiation between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, said the two countries “undertake to respect the schedule of activities that will lead to the delimitation of the maritime boundary between the two countries.”

The Ivorian team was led by the Benard Ehui Koutuoa, Ivorian Ambassador to Ghana, while the Ghana side was led by Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who is also the chairman of the Ghana Boundary Commission.

Cote d’Ivoire’s claim to portions of the oil jubilee oil fields along the maritime boundary was intensified with a recent announcement by Cote d’Ivoire that it has discovered oil in the same area where Ghana also prospecting for oil.

In spite of fears that it could create some form of conflict between the two West African neighbours, the meeting was optimistic that the challenges would be resettled amicably.

Alhaji Fuseini, answering questions after the meeting issued the communiqué, explained that the joint commission was conducting a general boundary demarcation exercise and not focusing on the oil prospecting site which has generated the problem.

He said the technical committee would visit the BP 55 from November 26 to 28, after which the next two meetings of the joint commission would be held in Abidjan.

According to him, the joint commission was applying international legal procedures and United Nations conventions on maritime boundaries to resolve the matter.

Asked whether the prospecting of oil in the disputed zone would cease until the determination of the matter, the Minister said “the two countries have agreed to engage in a way that will not exacerbate the challenge that is confronting us.”

For his part, Ambassador Koutuoa, expressed appreciation to the government of Ghana for the committed it has exhibited towards settling the matter.

He said the government of Cote d’Ivoire shared the view of the government of Ghana that the resources should not create division but should be managed in a way that would promote regional integration.

“We are also fully committed to the peaceful resolution of the matter and we appreciate the atmosphere of friendliness in which we have held the discussions,” he said.

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Obeng Kyereh Adjudged Journalist Of The Year

By Edmund Mingle

Kingsley Obeng Kyereh has every reason to smile

Mr.  Kingsley Obeng Kyereh of (GBC) Radio, was at the weekend adjudged the Journalist of the Year at the18^th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 2013 Awards at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

His award was for an expose on the dangers of lead poisoning of foods through the use of metallic cooking utensils.

Mr. Kyereh, who also won the Best Science Report award, captivated the awards committee with his piece titled, “Where did half the ladle go?”.

The Banquet Hall went agog with the announcement of the ultimate winner, as his family members, staff of GBC and friends jubilated, while others in the Hall accorded him a standing ovation.

For his prize, which was sponsored by Unilever Ghana, Mr. Kyereh would embark on a fully sponsored training programme abroad, a holiday in the United Kingdom, as well as receive a laptop computer and an LED television.

It was a night of recognition for professionalism and development of journalism as journalists from the Graphic Communications Group Limited and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation topped the awards chart.

The other winners, all of whom will have a LED television, were Charles Benoni Okine of Graphic Business, (Best in News Reporting-Print); Kwaku Owusu Peprah of  Joy FM, (Best in News Reporting-Radio); Manasseh Azure Awini of Joy FM, (Best in News Reporting-TV); Edmund Kofi Yeboah of Daily Graphic, (Best in Feature-Print); Odelia Ofori of TV3, (Best in News Reporting-TV); Kwetey Nartey of TV Africa, (Best in Investigative Reporting);

Emmanuel Quaye of Daily Graphic (Best in Photojournalism); Dzifah Tetteh of The Ghanaian Times (Best in Sports Reporting) and Rebecca Awuah of GTV24, (Best in Arts/Entertainment & Domestic Tourism).

The rest are Maxwell Akalaare of Graphic Business, (Best Entry in Small and Micro Scale Enterprises); William Asiedu of The Mirror (Best in Environmental Report); Rebecca Quaye of The Mirror (Best Report in Health Reporting); Jamila Akweley Okerchire of Daily Guide (Best Report in HIV and AIDS Reporting); Efua Acquaah-Harrison  of TV3 (Best in Development Journalism for furthering MDGs); Gifty Andoh Appiah  of Joy FM (Best in Rural Reporting); Konrad Kakraba of GTV (Best in political Reporting); Fanny Nana Ampong of GTV (Best Human Rights Report on Child Rights); Rosemary Gaisie  of GBC Radio (Best Report on Disability); Seth Bokpe  of Daily Graphic (Best Report on Education) and Isabella Owusu Oppong of GTV (Best Report in Agriculture)

The Young Promising Journalist of the Year award went to Hannah Acheampong Amoah of Junior Graphic while David Adadevoh of The Ghanaian Times was adjudged the Young Promising Journalist of the Year (Runner-up).

Radio XYZ, won the Best Report on Peace, Democracy and Peace Building while the

Best radio programme in Akan went to Radio Peace (Winneba), with Best radio programme Ga going to Obonu FM

Honorary awards were presented to Mr. Cyril Acorlatse, Ms Wendy Asiamah, Mr. Tom Dorkenoo,

Mrs Margaret Sarfo and Mr Theophilus Mawusi Afele, all senior journalists for their contribution to the progress of the GJA and the media in Ghana. 

Ghana Needs Men Of Integrity---Chief Justice

By Edmund Mingle

Chief Justice Georgina T. Wood

The Chief Justice, Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, has called for high level of integrity at all levels of the Ghanaian society to deal with the nation’s development challenges.

Citing corruption as a major menace which has to be tackled, she said there was an urgent need for men of integrity to deal with the challenges.

“Ghana needs men of integrity, able, visionary and decent leaders urgently,” she said, and bemoaned the increasing politicization of corruption in the country.

Addressing the 18^th annual Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony at the Banquet Hall in Accra on Saturday night, the Chief Justice, who was the guest speaker, said it was regrettable that “greed, corruption, abuse of office, nepotism have become the bane of Ghana.”

The awards had the theme, “Promoting healthy and fruitful Partnership in governance: the role of the media.”

The situation, she noted had been worsened by the blame game by the political parties over corruption issues.

According to her, the situation had been worsened by the blame game by the political parties over corruption issues.

Describing the situation as dangerous to the nation’s democratic and economic growth, the Chief Justice, indicated that tendency undermines the country’s ability to deal with effectively the corruption menace.

 “Unhealthy politicization of corruption only breeds equalization,” which she said does not help in nation building.

Touching on the performance of the media, Justice Wood commended the media for its contribution to the sustenance of Ghana’s democracy and good governance, but noted that there was more room for improvement.

She particularly lauded the role the media play in the coverage of the 2012 presidential election petition, and noted that although there were a few violations of the rules of court by journalists, the performance was generally good.

The Chief Justice also criticized the media for allowing its platform to be use by people to attack the Justices after the ruling on the petition, describing the attacks as unwarranted and should have been prevented, especially where there are avenues to channel grievances against Judges for redress.

“This is very dangerous and does not promote national cohesion,” she stressed.

She lauded the theme for the event, saying she was glad that the media recognized the need for quality partnership with other arms of government and sections of society.

Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, United Nations Resident Coordinator, who chaired the event, lauded the contribution of the media towards socio-economic progress, saying the UN appreciates the work of journalists and would continue to promote interventions to protect their welfare.

“A strong media equals a strong democracy,” he said.

Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations, for his part, congratulated the nominees and promised the media of a stronger partnership with government to help in addressing the societal challenges.

He said the government appreciates and recognizes the critical role of the media as reliable development partners, and called for more development oriented journalism.

“It is critical that the media focuses more on developmental issues and reduce the attention of politics,” he said, adding that there was a need for less partisanship in national discourse.

Kabral Blay-Amihere, Chairman of the National Media Commission, also lauded the theme and the desire for increased partnership in governance.

He, however, warned that the quest for partnership should not result in the media losing its focus from its core mandate of playing a watch-dog role.

Dr. Roland Affail Monney, President of the GJA, in his welcome address, reiterated the call for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill and the Broadcasting Bill, to improve access to information and effectively regulate the broadcast industry, respectively.

“The GJA considers the passage of the broadcasting law as crucial to promoting greater professionalism and decency on our airwaves.

“We cannot afford to leave the development of an influential medium as broadcasting, to chance,” he said.

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Conversion Of Polytechnics To Technical Universities Gets Boost

By Edmund Mingle

Efforts to convert the Polytechnics into Technical Universities have been given a major boost, as the technical committee working on the conversion process, completes its task.

Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa,
Deputy Education Minister

Consequently, the technical committee, which was tasked to work on the modalities for the conversion of the Polytechnics into universities, has presented its report to the Education Ministry.

The submission of the report, which endorses the introduction of public technical universities, paves the way for the government to implement the next phase of the conversion process which involves the upgrading to the polytechnics.

Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education, who disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, described the submission of the report, as timely to address the waning interest in polytechnic education.

He said the Ministry would study the report and make the appropriate input for a final report to the submitted to Cabinet before the end of the year.

“After that the President would decide when to do full implementation,” he said.

He explained that the final report would include an action plan to effectively implement the project which he said was critical to holistic skills training in the country.

“President is committed to fulfilling the promise of transforming the polytechnics into universities to help in building the needed skilled human resource base which is vital for national development,” he said

Among other things, the report recommended that in addition to the characteristics of technical universities globally, those to be established in Ghana should research into, and provide support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises; promote technology adaptation and innovation; train skilled personnel for key sectors of the economy; emphasize industry and business driven curriculum and develop strong training partnerships with employers and industry.

With regard to the criteria for qualification, the Committee, chaired by Dr. George Afeti, “recommends that in order for a polytechnic to be granted technical university status, it should be offering a minimum of four Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) degree programmes which should be skewed in favour of science and technology based disciplines.”

In addition, the committee recommended that conversion should be accompanied by clear policies and regulations to prevent the new institutions from deviating from the desired objective of providing technical training and skills development of the kind that are not currently available in the traditional universities.

“The lessons learnt from the upgrading of the polytechnics to tertiary status provide a useful backdrop of policy shortfalls and implementation pitfalls to be avoided in transforming the polytechnics into technical universities,” the report said.

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Second Lady Calls For Quality Teaching In Rural Areas

 From Edmund Mingle, Bobikuma.

The Second Lady being welcomed  to Bobikuma

The Second Lady Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur has asked teachers, especially
in the rural areas not to allow the quest for best conditions of service to
take the better part of them.

Rather she urged them to provide quality teaching for children in the rural
areas to perform creditably, as the government works to enhance their
remuneration.
The Second Lady made the call when she opened an ICT Centre for Lower Bobikuma in the Agona West Municipal area of the Central region on Thursday.

She bemoaned the poor academic performance of children in the rural areas,
and encouraged teachers to help reverse the trend.

Mrs Amissah-Arthuer being assisted
by Nana Kofi Yeboah (second left) and
Samuel Sarpong (third right) to cut the
tape to open the Centre

According to her, although children in the rural zones were disadvantaged with access to education facilities, evidence showed that they could compete academically with those in the urban areas when offered quality teaching.

She also urged all stakeholders including district directorates of education and community leaders to monitor the academic performance in basic schools towards improving output of both teachers and pupils.

The newly opened ICT Centre for Bobikuma

In addition, she gave the assurance that the government would play its part by providing the necessary facilities to enhance teaching and learning, adding that the ICT Centre was indicative of government's commitment in that regard.

Touching on the relevance of the centre, she was optimistic that the
facility would enable children in the area to acquire the necessary IT skills to
advance their knowledge to effectively participate in the global village.

Mrs. Amissah-Arthur therefore, admonished the education authorities to properly maintain the facility to serve its purpose.

The Centre, which consists of an IT section, a library and a teachers’ research unit, was built by the Agona West Municipal Assembly at the cost of GHc 123,480 with funding from the World Bank, while the computers, furniture and library books were provided by the Second Lady.

The Second Lady interacting with pupils working
on the computers at the Centre.

She secured the computers from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFTEC) and personally funded the furnishing and stuffing of the library with the books.

Nana Kofi Yeboah VIII, chief of Agona Bobikuma, in his remarks thanked the Second Lady for the support in helping to improve the level of education in the area.

He described the establishment of the centre as the realization of dream by the traditional leaders, saying the speed in which the Second Lady and Municipal Assembly responded to their request for the centre was commendable.

The chief however, noted that more needs remained to be addressed, citing the need for the provision of tarred roads, potable water and extension of electricity coverage to parts of the area.

The Second Lady addressing the durbar of
 chiefs and people of Bobikuma

Samuel Sarpong, Central Regional Minister, addressing durbar, asked community to own the project, and also charged the school authorities to properly maintain the facility in order to derive the desired benefits.
End