By Samuel Amoako, Edmund Mingle and Francis Xah.
Friday, 15 February 2008
PRESIDENT J. A. Kufuor started his last State of the Nation Address to Parliament on a light-hearted note, pointing out that although he was giving it on February 14, St Valentine’s Day, the date had not been chosen by him.
He joked that fate had brought him to the House on that date because "I want to leave this House with an effusion of love for both sides of the divide. So in the spirit of love, let me wish each of you a Happy Valentine Day."
He added that the leadership of the House should ensure an adequate supply of the food of love — chocolate, in this case Ghana’s own chocolate – apparently a reference to the celebration of National Chocolate Day yesterday.
Looking relaxed and confident, President Kufuor said Ghana has been doing progressively well under his administration and is enjoying tremendous goodwill from both the local and international communities as a result of the performance of the economy over the past seven years.
He said the progress recorded in the past years has proven beyond doubt that prudent economic policies have been implemented.He said the successful and spectacular issuance of Euro-bond on the London Stock Exchange to raise 750 million dollars was a positive indication of the performance of the economy.
The ability of the economy to withstand the heavy shocks of the rising price of crude oil, the dramatic redenomination of the cedi without incident and the flocking of many reputable banks into the country also indicated the excellent performance of the economy.
Further evidence of the consistent progress was the Gross Domestic Product (GSP), which even in the face of many difficulties, has moved beyond 6.5 per cent currently, and was expected to pass the eight per cent mark within the next three years.
With this trend, the President said the country should be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty by half ahead of schedule.
President Kufuor said there was a socially sensitive development framework already in place and called on the nation to build on it to promote growth which will reflect in the pockets of the people generally.
He briefed the House on what has been achieved in various sectors of the economy including education, health, infrastructure, energy, agriculture and employment.
On education, he said the government has since 2001 used resources from the HIPC Fund, budget allocations and the Ghana Education Trust Fund to rehabilitate broken down educational institutions from basic through secondary to tertiary level.
Other initiatives which have been implemented, he said, included the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme and the improved students’ loan scheme, all of which have contributed to increase intake of pupils and students.
He said under the new educational po-licy all the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were being upgraded to diploma awarding institutions.
On health, he said regional hospitals and district health centres have been rehabilitated under a robust health delivery programme while attention was being focused on disease prevention and promotion of healthy life styles
The President listed the roads that have been reconstructed under the government’s vigorous infrastructure development and said 1,000 kilometres of feeder roads have been surfaced nationwide while l4,800 kilometre have undergone rehabilitation in addition to 84 bridges built.
The rehabilitation of the railways, he said will commence in the course of the year using 90 million dollars of the proceeds from the Euro-bond as leverage with a consortium.
On energy, President Kufuor said the implementation of the medium-to-long-term policy would provide the country’s energy requirements for industrialisation.
The government’s intention now was to work towards adding value to agricultural produce especially cocoa, and welcomed both local and foreign investors to the sector.
The President said a total of 200,000 jobs were created in 2007 as against 120,000 in 2006.
He noted with satisfaction that the fight against corruption has found a new ally in Parliament which last year saw public hearings of the Public Accounts Committee sittings.
He said the committee’s proactive stance demonstrated an appreciation that concerns about corruption were more helpful when they go beyond mere complaints.
President Kufuor spoke about Ghana was making great strides towards a more inclusive society, adding that both genders were presented at the top in all units of the public service.
Referring to the forthcoming general election he said it was regrettable that some people have chosen the marketing strategy of presenting their opponents in the worst possible light.
"I dare say they might do better, if they focused more on what they would do differently if they received the people’s mandate."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
African, German Writers Discuss Common Challenges
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 16 February 2008
The challenges facing writers in the literature industry, especially in Africa, were the focus of discussion at a two-day historic meeting between the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) and the German Writers Union (GWU) in Accra that began last Sunday.
The problems confronting the writers include difficulties in securing publishers for the works, poor marketing and distributions structures and distortions in translations and low patronage.
However the challenges discussed did not take away the beauty of the historic meeting and its purpose of creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and collaboration between the two groups towards promoting the literary industry as well as improving the welfare of writers in Africa and Germany.
The meeting which set a good foundation for an effective cooperation between African and German writers had the theme: "Writers meeting in Accra: looking ahead."
Organised in collaboration with the Ghana Association of Writers and with support from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the meeting was also attended by leaders of the two bodies, renowned writers, critics and poets from Ghana, South Africa and Germany.
And the meeting did look ahead judging from discussions which sought identify shortfalls in the literature industry and develop ways to address them for the industry to effectively play its role in socio-economic development on nations.
Some of the topics were the "Relevance of literature in modern African society," "The rights of writers," "The role of Writers’ Associations" and "Intercultural dialogue."
Manu Herbstein, a distinguished novelist from South Africa, in his presentation on the rights of writers, illustrated the frustrations writers go through to secure publishers for their works.
For instance, he said it took him many years of failed promises from publishers before he got his award-winning book, "AMA, The story of the Atlantic Slave Trade"published.
Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA, described Mr. Herbstein’s frustrations with AMA, as the tip of the iceberg.
"There are many problems facing writers in Africa," he said, adding that in Ghana for instance, "publishers are bent on concentrating their resources in a hunt for government guaranteed textbooks at the expense of the development of general literature."
Imre Torok, President of GWU, who led the German team to the meeting, suggested that the PAWA should find ways of engaging publishers for enhanced collaboration for the publishers to understand the need to support writers.
He said in Germany, there was a high level of collaboration between the two parties, thereby providing a framework ensuring that publishers were enjoined to publish for writers work.
For his part, Setheli Ashong-Katai, a poet, said it was time for writers to institute measures to establish their own publishing house to avoid such frustrations.
"If we pull our resources together, we will realise that publishing is not all that expensive rather than continuously mourning over frustrations," he told his colleagues.
On the issue of publishing in local language, the participants were of the view that there was a need for African governments to make deliberate efforts to increase the use of local languages which reflect the identity of Africans, otherwise the languages will become extinct.
Dr. Mohammed Ben-Abdallah, a playwright and a former Minister of Education, described the inadequate publications in the local languages as unfortunate, saying that the problem was beyond just publishing.
"What is the point in publishing in local languages when schools and parents do not allow children to speak vernacular, let alone read it?" he asked.
He called for a stakeholders’ forum to discuss whether the teaching of local languages in schools should not be encouraged.
Bill Marshall, a playwright and novelist, observed that the quality of writers of local languages was an issue of concern, adding that if the publication in the local languages was to be taken serious, then the quality of writers should be improved.
Annelies Schwarz, a German novelist, speaking on intercultural dialogue, stressed the need for language barriers to be broken for an effective dialogue to take place.
That, she said, could be achieved through good translations of literary works into other foreign languages for publication.
Kwesi P. Anim-Addo, novelist, in his presentation on the topic "The relevance of literature in modern African society", urged African writers to use their literary works to positively influence the development of Africans by inspiring them to seek appropriate solutions to challenges that is confronting the continent.
"The African society is undergoing rapid modernisation, and the writer’s role is no less significant," he said.
At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between PAWA and GWU for further collaboration and strengthening of the cultural and artistic bond between the writers of their respective associations in Africa and Germany.
Among other things, the agreement enjoins the PAWA and GWU to engage in translation, publication, promotion, distribution, marketing and sale of each other’s literary works in their respective markets, as well as collaborate for joint publications and other literary activities.
Saturday, 16 February 2008
The challenges facing writers in the literature industry, especially in Africa, were the focus of discussion at a two-day historic meeting between the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) and the German Writers Union (GWU) in Accra that began last Sunday.
The problems confronting the writers include difficulties in securing publishers for the works, poor marketing and distributions structures and distortions in translations and low patronage.
However the challenges discussed did not take away the beauty of the historic meeting and its purpose of creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and collaboration between the two groups towards promoting the literary industry as well as improving the welfare of writers in Africa and Germany.
The meeting which set a good foundation for an effective cooperation between African and German writers had the theme: "Writers meeting in Accra: looking ahead."
Organised in collaboration with the Ghana Association of Writers and with support from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the meeting was also attended by leaders of the two bodies, renowned writers, critics and poets from Ghana, South Africa and Germany.
And the meeting did look ahead judging from discussions which sought identify shortfalls in the literature industry and develop ways to address them for the industry to effectively play its role in socio-economic development on nations.
Some of the topics were the "Relevance of literature in modern African society," "The rights of writers," "The role of Writers’ Associations" and "Intercultural dialogue."
Manu Herbstein, a distinguished novelist from South Africa, in his presentation on the rights of writers, illustrated the frustrations writers go through to secure publishers for their works.
For instance, he said it took him many years of failed promises from publishers before he got his award-winning book, "AMA, The story of the Atlantic Slave Trade"published.
Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA, described Mr. Herbstein’s frustrations with AMA, as the tip of the iceberg.
"There are many problems facing writers in Africa," he said, adding that in Ghana for instance, "publishers are bent on concentrating their resources in a hunt for government guaranteed textbooks at the expense of the development of general literature."
Imre Torok, President of GWU, who led the German team to the meeting, suggested that the PAWA should find ways of engaging publishers for enhanced collaboration for the publishers to understand the need to support writers.
He said in Germany, there was a high level of collaboration between the two parties, thereby providing a framework ensuring that publishers were enjoined to publish for writers work.
For his part, Setheli Ashong-Katai, a poet, said it was time for writers to institute measures to establish their own publishing house to avoid such frustrations.
"If we pull our resources together, we will realise that publishing is not all that expensive rather than continuously mourning over frustrations," he told his colleagues.
On the issue of publishing in local language, the participants were of the view that there was a need for African governments to make deliberate efforts to increase the use of local languages which reflect the identity of Africans, otherwise the languages will become extinct.
Dr. Mohammed Ben-Abdallah, a playwright and a former Minister of Education, described the inadequate publications in the local languages as unfortunate, saying that the problem was beyond just publishing.
"What is the point in publishing in local languages when schools and parents do not allow children to speak vernacular, let alone read it?" he asked.
He called for a stakeholders’ forum to discuss whether the teaching of local languages in schools should not be encouraged.
Bill Marshall, a playwright and novelist, observed that the quality of writers of local languages was an issue of concern, adding that if the publication in the local languages was to be taken serious, then the quality of writers should be improved.
Annelies Schwarz, a German novelist, speaking on intercultural dialogue, stressed the need for language barriers to be broken for an effective dialogue to take place.
That, she said, could be achieved through good translations of literary works into other foreign languages for publication.
Kwesi P. Anim-Addo, novelist, in his presentation on the topic "The relevance of literature in modern African society", urged African writers to use their literary works to positively influence the development of Africans by inspiring them to seek appropriate solutions to challenges that is confronting the continent.
"The African society is undergoing rapid modernisation, and the writer’s role is no less significant," he said.
At the end of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between PAWA and GWU for further collaboration and strengthening of the cultural and artistic bond between the writers of their respective associations in Africa and Germany.
Among other things, the agreement enjoins the PAWA and GWU to engage in translation, publication, promotion, distribution, marketing and sale of each other’s literary works in their respective markets, as well as collaborate for joint publications and other literary activities.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
African, German Writers Meeting Opens
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 11 February 2008
A two-day historic meeting, aimed at creating a platform for enhanced collaboration between African and German Writers, opened at the PAWA House in Accra yesterday.
The meeting has been organised by the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), the Ghana Association of Writers and the German Writers Union (GWU). It is being attended by leaders of the three bodies, renowned writers, critics and poets from Ghana and Germany.
It has the theme, "Writers meeting in Accra: Looking ahead."
Organised with support from the Frederich Ebert Foundation, the meeting seeks to discuss ways of collaborating for an inter-cultural exchange towards improving literary works.
Among other things, the meeting seeks to develop an inter-cultural dialogue between Africa and Germany through the use of literary works, as well as find out how literature could influence the development of societies in Africa and Germany.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the groups, led by Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA and Imre Torok, President of the GWU, will be signed at the end of the meeting today, to provide a framework for the collaboration between them.
Kwesi P. Anim-Addo, a novelist, playwright and lawyer, in his presentation on the topic for yesterday’s meeting: "The relevance of literature in modern African society," urged African writers to use their literary works to positively influence the development of Africans by inspiring them to seek appropriate solution and challenges that confront the continent.
"The African society is undergoing rapid modernisation, and the writer’s role is no less significant," said the renowned Ghanaian novelist.
Mr Anim-Addo no-ted that it was improper for some writers to portray that Africans were incapable of dealing with challenges and deplored literary works, especially films that make Africans believe they could only develop through divine intervention.
"What chance has the African child when at a tender age, he or she is fed with "juju" films on television?" he asked.
The African child must not be brainwashed to look for divine intervention as a first step of his solution to problems, especially those problems relating to natural phenomenon, he said.
Monday, 11 February 2008
A two-day historic meeting, aimed at creating a platform for enhanced collaboration between African and German Writers, opened at the PAWA House in Accra yesterday.
The meeting has been organised by the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), the Ghana Association of Writers and the German Writers Union (GWU). It is being attended by leaders of the three bodies, renowned writers, critics and poets from Ghana and Germany.
It has the theme, "Writers meeting in Accra: Looking ahead."
Organised with support from the Frederich Ebert Foundation, the meeting seeks to discuss ways of collaborating for an inter-cultural exchange towards improving literary works.
Among other things, the meeting seeks to develop an inter-cultural dialogue between Africa and Germany through the use of literary works, as well as find out how literature could influence the development of societies in Africa and Germany.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the groups, led by Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA and Imre Torok, President of the GWU, will be signed at the end of the meeting today, to provide a framework for the collaboration between them.
Kwesi P. Anim-Addo, a novelist, playwright and lawyer, in his presentation on the topic for yesterday’s meeting: "The relevance of literature in modern African society," urged African writers to use their literary works to positively influence the development of Africans by inspiring them to seek appropriate solution and challenges that confront the continent.
"The African society is undergoing rapid modernisation, and the writer’s role is no less significant," said the renowned Ghanaian novelist.
Mr Anim-Addo no-ted that it was improper for some writers to portray that Africans were incapable of dealing with challenges and deplored literary works, especially films that make Africans believe they could only develop through divine intervention.
"What chance has the African child when at a tender age, he or she is fed with "juju" films on television?" he asked.
The African child must not be brainwashed to look for divine intervention as a first step of his solution to problems, especially those problems relating to natural phenomenon, he said.
NYEP Pays Arrears Of Personnel
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Payment of arrears owed the personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) has begun throughout the country.
So far Regional coordniator’s in six regions have received cheques for the payment of the three months allowances for October, November and December 2007, while coordinators in the remaining regions are expected to receive their cheques this week, a source close to Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment told the Times.
The source said the disbursement process was gradual but was optimistic that all the personnel would have their monies by the end of the week.
The payment of the arrears comes after agitations from the personnel against the delays in the payment of their allowances.
At present, 108,000 youths are serving under the programme and GH¢ 6,400,000 is required monthly to pay them.
It urged the personnel to be patient since it was not the fault of the sector ministry nor the Finance Ministry to have the payments delayed. It said because the funding agencies of the programme release funds on quarterly basis, the ministry has no option than to wait and pay them after three months.
The programme is funded from the GETFund, HIPC fund, National Health Insurance Scheme and the Assemblies Common Fund.
Nana Akomea recently explained that the delay in paying the allowances was due to inbuilt arrears in the funding arrangement.
He said because these statutory agencies disburse the NYEP share of funding of their total revenue on quarterly basis, the programme is affected if one of them encounters a problem.
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Payment of arrears owed the personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) has begun throughout the country.
So far Regional coordniator’s in six regions have received cheques for the payment of the three months allowances for October, November and December 2007, while coordinators in the remaining regions are expected to receive their cheques this week, a source close to Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment told the Times.
The source said the disbursement process was gradual but was optimistic that all the personnel would have their monies by the end of the week.
The payment of the arrears comes after agitations from the personnel against the delays in the payment of their allowances.
At present, 108,000 youths are serving under the programme and GH¢ 6,400,000 is required monthly to pay them.
It urged the personnel to be patient since it was not the fault of the sector ministry nor the Finance Ministry to have the payments delayed. It said because the funding agencies of the programme release funds on quarterly basis, the ministry has no option than to wait and pay them after three months.
The programme is funded from the GETFund, HIPC fund, National Health Insurance Scheme and the Assemblies Common Fund.
Nana Akomea recently explained that the delay in paying the allowances was due to inbuilt arrears in the funding arrangement.
He said because these statutory agencies disburse the NYEP share of funding of their total revenue on quarterly basis, the programme is affected if one of them encounters a problem.
PAWA, German Writers Agree To Promote Works
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
The Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA) and the German Writers’ Union (GWU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote literary works between Africa and Germany and also improve the welfare of members of the two bodies.
The agreement, which was signed on Monday in Accra after a two-day meeting between the leadership of the two groups, enjoins them to cooperate on a wider range of common cultural concerns towards strengthening the cultural and artistic bonds between the respective associations.
It also tasks PAWA and GWU to encourage translation, publication, promotion, distribution, marketing and sale of each other’s literary works on their respective markets, and to collaborate for joint publications and other literary activities.
Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA, and Imre Torok, President of GWU, signed the agreement for their respective organisa-tions.
The meeting, which had the theme: "Writers meeting in Accra: Looking ahead," provided a platform for discussing challenges in the literature industry and finding solutions to them.
Topics discussed included "The relevance of literature in modern African society", "the rights of writers", "the role of Writers’ Association," and "Intercultural dialogue."
Prof. Okai commended GWU for reaching out to its colleagues in Africa; a move he noted, would enhance mutual cultural appreciation and exchange between the two groups.
Mr Torok commended PAWA’s willingness to co-operate, stressing that the relationship would help bridge the cultural gap between Africa and Europe.
He described the meeting as "a good beginning to a successful intercultural dialogue" between the two bodies.
To demonstrate PAWA’s appreciation to the visitors, Prof. Okai presented a wooden stool – a symbol of authority – and a carving of a drummer – depicting a symbol for communication – to Mr. Torok, for his union.
The GWU reciprocated the gesture with the presentation of a set of children’s novels and a giant pen (a symbol of the power of a writer) to Prof. Okai for PAWA.
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
The Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA) and the German Writers’ Union (GWU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote literary works between Africa and Germany and also improve the welfare of members of the two bodies.
The agreement, which was signed on Monday in Accra after a two-day meeting between the leadership of the two groups, enjoins them to cooperate on a wider range of common cultural concerns towards strengthening the cultural and artistic bonds between the respective associations.
It also tasks PAWA and GWU to encourage translation, publication, promotion, distribution, marketing and sale of each other’s literary works on their respective markets, and to collaborate for joint publications and other literary activities.
Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA, and Imre Torok, President of GWU, signed the agreement for their respective organisa-tions.
The meeting, which had the theme: "Writers meeting in Accra: Looking ahead," provided a platform for discussing challenges in the literature industry and finding solutions to them.
Topics discussed included "The relevance of literature in modern African society", "the rights of writers", "the role of Writers’ Association," and "Intercultural dialogue."
Prof. Okai commended GWU for reaching out to its colleagues in Africa; a move he noted, would enhance mutual cultural appreciation and exchange between the two groups.
Mr Torok commended PAWA’s willingness to co-operate, stressing that the relationship would help bridge the cultural gap between Africa and Europe.
He described the meeting as "a good beginning to a successful intercultural dialogue" between the two bodies.
To demonstrate PAWA’s appreciation to the visitors, Prof. Okai presented a wooden stool – a symbol of authority – and a carving of a drummer – depicting a symbol for communication – to Mr. Torok, for his union.
The GWU reciprocated the gesture with the presentation of a set of children’s novels and a giant pen (a symbol of the power of a writer) to Prof. Okai for PAWA.
SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALISED?
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Professor F. T. Sai, chairman of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), has called for a national debate on whether or not prostitution should be legalised in the country.
He said the issue of whether prostitution should be legalised or decriminalised as part of the measures to fight HIV spread, was one that should be discussed for a consensus to be reached on which way the country should go.
He, therefore, encouraged professional bodies, particularly the Ghana Journalists Association, to facilitate such a debate with experts.
Speaking at the media launch in Accra yesterday, of the 2nd National HIV/AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON) which is aimed at enhancing the fight against the spread of HIV in the country through the use of research, Prof. Sai said it was important that an effective framework be developed to deal with the issue of prostitution which facilitates the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The conference, slated for Accra from March 3 to 5, aims to bring together over 400 researchers, scientists, policy makers and implementers to share ideas and discuss ways of improving research in the fight against the menace.
It is on the theme: "Sustaining a comprehensive national response to HIV."
Prof. Sai urged the media to support the campaign against the disease saying, "The fight cannot be won without the full support of the media."
He called for the debate after Prof. Matilda Pappoe from the School of Public Health and a consultant with the GAC, in an answer to a question on whether prostitution should be legalised so that it could be controlled, suggested that prostitution should be decriminalised.
She explained that without necessarily legalising the profession, it could be decriminalised for the practitioners who are currently practising under cover to come out to be provided with the necessary protection against infection.
"We should allow people to work with these prostitutes for them to do the proper thing by protecting themselves and their clients," she stated.
There have been divided opinions on the issue of prostitution which is a contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
While one school of thought believes there is the need to legalise it for it to be properly regulated and for the practitioners to be provided the necessary health care and protection, another school of thought, from the religious point of view, believes prostitution is evil and should not be approved of.
Dr. Sylvia J. An-nie-Akwetey, Director of Policy Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of GAC, giving a briefing on the conference, said the thematic areas for discussions include HIV prevention among women and vulnerable groups, treatment, care and support interventions and legal issues on HIV/AIDS.
The Commission, she said has approved 56 abstracts on various topics to be presented by experts from Ghana and around the globe at the conference which would also feature exhibitions on HIV research activities.
The conference, which she said is in line with the national strategic framework on HIV/AIDS seeks to encourage co-ordinated research towards managing and preventing the spread of the disease.
Sharing lessons from the first conference in 2004, she said it was found out that there was the need for Ghanaian researchers to meet often.
As a result of that revelation, she said a network of researchers was established for more collaboration among themselves, while an HIV/AIDS database was set up to know what every researcher was working on.
Prof. Sakyi Awuku-Amoa, Director General of GAC, answering a question about the outcome of the free condom distribution during the Ghana 2008 tournament said over four million pieces of condoms were distributed to hotels, the stadia and in public and private institutions. He described the exercise as successful.
As to whether or not the condoms were actually used by the beneficiaries, he said the Commission cannot tell, but added that he believes "the objective was achieved considering the way people were cla-mouring for the condoms."
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Professor F. T. Sai, chairman of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), has called for a national debate on whether or not prostitution should be legalised in the country.
He said the issue of whether prostitution should be legalised or decriminalised as part of the measures to fight HIV spread, was one that should be discussed for a consensus to be reached on which way the country should go.
He, therefore, encouraged professional bodies, particularly the Ghana Journalists Association, to facilitate such a debate with experts.
Speaking at the media launch in Accra yesterday, of the 2nd National HIV/AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON) which is aimed at enhancing the fight against the spread of HIV in the country through the use of research, Prof. Sai said it was important that an effective framework be developed to deal with the issue of prostitution which facilitates the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The conference, slated for Accra from March 3 to 5, aims to bring together over 400 researchers, scientists, policy makers and implementers to share ideas and discuss ways of improving research in the fight against the menace.
It is on the theme: "Sustaining a comprehensive national response to HIV."
Prof. Sai urged the media to support the campaign against the disease saying, "The fight cannot be won without the full support of the media."
He called for the debate after Prof. Matilda Pappoe from the School of Public Health and a consultant with the GAC, in an answer to a question on whether prostitution should be legalised so that it could be controlled, suggested that prostitution should be decriminalised.
She explained that without necessarily legalising the profession, it could be decriminalised for the practitioners who are currently practising under cover to come out to be provided with the necessary protection against infection.
"We should allow people to work with these prostitutes for them to do the proper thing by protecting themselves and their clients," she stated.
There have been divided opinions on the issue of prostitution which is a contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
While one school of thought believes there is the need to legalise it for it to be properly regulated and for the practitioners to be provided the necessary health care and protection, another school of thought, from the religious point of view, believes prostitution is evil and should not be approved of.
Dr. Sylvia J. An-nie-Akwetey, Director of Policy Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of GAC, giving a briefing on the conference, said the thematic areas for discussions include HIV prevention among women and vulnerable groups, treatment, care and support interventions and legal issues on HIV/AIDS.
The Commission, she said has approved 56 abstracts on various topics to be presented by experts from Ghana and around the globe at the conference which would also feature exhibitions on HIV research activities.
The conference, which she said is in line with the national strategic framework on HIV/AIDS seeks to encourage co-ordinated research towards managing and preventing the spread of the disease.
Sharing lessons from the first conference in 2004, she said it was found out that there was the need for Ghanaian researchers to meet often.
As a result of that revelation, she said a network of researchers was established for more collaboration among themselves, while an HIV/AIDS database was set up to know what every researcher was working on.
Prof. Sakyi Awuku-Amoa, Director General of GAC, answering a question about the outcome of the free condom distribution during the Ghana 2008 tournament said over four million pieces of condoms were distributed to hotels, the stadia and in public and private institutions. He described the exercise as successful.
As to whether or not the condoms were actually used by the beneficiaries, he said the Commission cannot tell, but added that he believes "the objective was achieved considering the way people were cla-mouring for the condoms."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Man, 23, Arrested With 11 Bags Of 'Wee'
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
The Police at the weekend intercepted 11 bags of Indian hemp (wee) being transported from a village near Juapong in the Volta Region to Accra.
Emmanuel Quarshie, 23, believed to be the leader of an Indian hemp trading gang was arrested in the process while an Opel Kadet taxi, GT 4832 Q, that was carrying the substance has been impounded.
Police Superintendent Ernest Owusu-Donkor, Head of the Police Highway Patrol Unit, told the Times yesterday, that one of police patrol teams saw the taxi parked at a point between Juapong and Asikuma at around 3:30am, with three men standing around it in the dark.
He said the team became suspicious and got closer only to find Quarshie holding a torchlight with two others standing by him. When police asked what they were doing there at that time, Quarshie who was the driver of the vehicle replied that his car had developed a flat tyre.
However the Police were not convinced and decided to conduct a search.
"As soon as the police started alighting from the patrol car, the two accomplices of Quarshie fled into the bush leaving him behind". Quarshie made an attempt to escape but was captured.
During a search, 11 large parcels of wee wrapped in black polythene bags were found loaded in the boot and at the back seat of the vehicle.
The police team found the vehicle to be in good condition with good tyres contrary to Quarshie’s claim that he had a flat tyre.
Supt. Owusu-Donkor said the team suspected that the suspects were transporting the wee from a wee farm in the area, and therefore referred the case to the Organised Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.
He urged the travelling public and members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to assist the police to arrest people engaged in such illegal businesses.
During interrogation, Quarshie is said to have told the Police that one Gabriel, called him on Saturday afternoon that he wanted him (Quarshie) to transport some goods from Juapong to Accra.
Quarshie alleged that Gabriel and the other accomplices whose names he could not provide, joined the cab and he was directed to drive to Finte, a village near Juapong where the goods were loaded into the vehicle.
Quarshie who denied having fore knowledge about the content of the bags until his arrest said he charged GH¢40 for his services.
Asked about the destination in Accra, he said he was depending on Gabriel to direct him to where to offload the goods since he was only providing a service.
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
The Police at the weekend intercepted 11 bags of Indian hemp (wee) being transported from a village near Juapong in the Volta Region to Accra.
Emmanuel Quarshie, 23, believed to be the leader of an Indian hemp trading gang was arrested in the process while an Opel Kadet taxi, GT 4832 Q, that was carrying the substance has been impounded.
Police Superintendent Ernest Owusu-Donkor, Head of the Police Highway Patrol Unit, told the Times yesterday, that one of police patrol teams saw the taxi parked at a point between Juapong and Asikuma at around 3:30am, with three men standing around it in the dark.
He said the team became suspicious and got closer only to find Quarshie holding a torchlight with two others standing by him. When police asked what they were doing there at that time, Quarshie who was the driver of the vehicle replied that his car had developed a flat tyre.
However the Police were not convinced and decided to conduct a search.
"As soon as the police started alighting from the patrol car, the two accomplices of Quarshie fled into the bush leaving him behind". Quarshie made an attempt to escape but was captured.
During a search, 11 large parcels of wee wrapped in black polythene bags were found loaded in the boot and at the back seat of the vehicle.
The police team found the vehicle to be in good condition with good tyres contrary to Quarshie’s claim that he had a flat tyre.
Supt. Owusu-Donkor said the team suspected that the suspects were transporting the wee from a wee farm in the area, and therefore referred the case to the Organised Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.
He urged the travelling public and members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to assist the police to arrest people engaged in such illegal businesses.
During interrogation, Quarshie is said to have told the Police that one Gabriel, called him on Saturday afternoon that he wanted him (Quarshie) to transport some goods from Juapong to Accra.
Quarshie alleged that Gabriel and the other accomplices whose names he could not provide, joined the cab and he was directed to drive to Finte, a village near Juapong where the goods were loaded into the vehicle.
Quarshie who denied having fore knowledge about the content of the bags until his arrest said he charged GH¢40 for his services.
Asked about the destination in Accra, he said he was depending on Gabriel to direct him to where to offload the goods since he was only providing a service.
Ghana To Receive MCA Money For Projects
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) is committing over 106 million dollars from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to development projects throughout the country this year.
The projects include the construction of roads, extension of electricity to rural areas and building of infrastructure for agricultural development.
Martin Eson-Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, said this at a briefing at the International Press Centre on the progress of the implementation of projects under the MCA which is a foreign assistance pro-gramme developed by the United States government in 2004 to reduce poverty through sustainable growth in some developing countries.
He said since the beginning of the implementing year in 2007, the Authority has received 20.1million dollars for disbursement.
The MiDA has also signed various agreements with government, ministries, departments and agencies under whose authority the projects fall.
In Ghana’s MCA compact, the country is expected to receive 547 million dollars from the MCA during a five year implementation period to undertake private sector-led agribusiness development projects towards reducing poverty.
The interventions, which are designed to increase agricultural production and earning for farmers, are expected to help to directly alleviate over 230,000 Ghanaians from poverty as well as to enhance the livelihood of over a million people.
The overall economic return rate of the project is estimated at 20 per cent.
Mr Eson-Benjamin, said the projects are safeguarded against financial shocks because the funds have already been committed.
He said that although Ghana’s MCA compact focused on development of agriculture for poverty reduction, other sectors which complement agriculture such as road infrastructure and electricity as well as food storage facilities, have been included in the project.
The projects, are being undertaken in 23 districts in the North, Affram Basin and the southern sector, under which 230 kilometres of tarred road would be constructed in the Affram plains area and 950 kilometres of feeder roads in the north.
James Bednar, Country Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation that is tasked with the administration of the MCA, commended Ghana for showing high level of ownership for the MCA programme.
He said such commitment would ensure that the projects were sustained even after the completion of the funding period.
He described 2008 as "a year of implementation" and hoped that the desired results would be achieved.
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) is committing over 106 million dollars from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to development projects throughout the country this year.
The projects include the construction of roads, extension of electricity to rural areas and building of infrastructure for agricultural development.
Martin Eson-Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, said this at a briefing at the International Press Centre on the progress of the implementation of projects under the MCA which is a foreign assistance pro-gramme developed by the United States government in 2004 to reduce poverty through sustainable growth in some developing countries.
He said since the beginning of the implementing year in 2007, the Authority has received 20.1million dollars for disbursement.
The MiDA has also signed various agreements with government, ministries, departments and agencies under whose authority the projects fall.
In Ghana’s MCA compact, the country is expected to receive 547 million dollars from the MCA during a five year implementation period to undertake private sector-led agribusiness development projects towards reducing poverty.
The interventions, which are designed to increase agricultural production and earning for farmers, are expected to help to directly alleviate over 230,000 Ghanaians from poverty as well as to enhance the livelihood of over a million people.
The overall economic return rate of the project is estimated at 20 per cent.
Mr Eson-Benjamin, said the projects are safeguarded against financial shocks because the funds have already been committed.
He said that although Ghana’s MCA compact focused on development of agriculture for poverty reduction, other sectors which complement agriculture such as road infrastructure and electricity as well as food storage facilities, have been included in the project.
The projects, are being undertaken in 23 districts in the North, Affram Basin and the southern sector, under which 230 kilometres of tarred road would be constructed in the Affram plains area and 950 kilometres of feeder roads in the north.
James Bednar, Country Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation that is tasked with the administration of the MCA, commended Ghana for showing high level of ownership for the MCA programme.
He said such commitment would ensure that the projects were sustained even after the completion of the funding period.
He described 2008 as "a year of implementation" and hoped that the desired results would be achieved.
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