By Edmund Mingle
The government of the United States of America yesterday, encouraged Ghana to continue pursuing efforts towards peaceful elections, and commended the government for the measures in entrenching democracy in Ghana.
Visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, William J. Burns, during a call on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra, said the US was proud of Ghana’s democratic and economic progress.
He said the US, would join Ghanaians in looking forward to peaceful elections, expressing optimism the impending elections would be successful to further consolidate Ghana’s democratic status in Africa.
Mr. Burns also commended Ghana for the economic progress, citing the congenial investment climate that US businesses continue to enjoy in Ghana.
He gave the assurance that the US government was prepared to enhance its partnership with Ghana in addressing development challenges.
Mr. Burns, who is in Ghana to hold bilateral talks with the government focusing on Ghana’s participation in the US government’s “Partnership for Growth” programme that is helping nations to meaningful development results, said the US was proud to partner Ghana in various development interventions.
“This is an important moment in our relationship,” he stressed.
President Mills has reiterated government’s commitment for peaceful, free and fair elections, saying noting would be made to adversely affect the nation’s forward march to socio-economic progress.
“We have a standard to maintain,” he said.
The President expressed appreciation for the continuous support offered Ghana by the US, citing the anticipated second compact under the Millennium Challenge Account for Ghana.
“We value our relationship with the US especially because it inures to the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Partnership for Growth (PFG), is a partnership between the US and a select group of countries to accelerate and sustain broad-based economic growth by putting into practice the principles of President Obama’s September 2010 Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development.
Ghana, El Salvador, Philippines and Tanzania are the first four countries to have agreed to join the programme, which has a core objective of engaging governments, the private sector and civil society with a broad range of tools to unlock new sources of investment, including domestic resources and foreign direct investment.
It which involves rigorous joint analysis of constraints to growth, the development of joint action plans to address those constraints, and high-level mutual accountability for implementation.
By improving coordination, leveraging private investment, and focusing political commitment throughout both governments, the PFG hopes to enable partners to achieve better development results.
END
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
President reshuffles cabinet
By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills has reshuffled his government in what appears to be his new team to implement his development strategy in the last year of this first term.
A couple of Cabinet Ministers lost their positions, and new appointments were made while a number of them had new portfolios in yesterday’s reshuffle.
John Tia, Information Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, the Health Minister and Col. (Rtd) Cyril Neku, deputy Volta Regional Minister, were the first casualties in the reshuffle, of which a second list is expected tomorrow.
Dr. Ben Kunbour, the current Interior Minister was named Minister of Justice and Attorney- General, while William Kwasi Aboah, a retired Commissioner of Police, has been appointed as Interior Minister-designate.
Fritz Baffour, NDC Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, replaces John Tia as Information Minister, while Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Lee Ocran has been appointed Education Minister-designate.
Alban Bagbin, the current Works and Housing Minister is moving to the Health Ministry while his current position will be taken over by E. T Mensah, the current Minister of Employment and Social Welfare. Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam, secures an appointment as Employment and Social Welfare Minister.
In the deputy Ministerial changes, James Agyenim Boateng, deputy Tourism Minister gets a comeback to the Information Ministry, as a deputy. Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal replaced takes his position as the deputy Tourism Minister.
Dr Mustapha Ahmed, currently the deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, replaces Dr. Edward Omane Boamah as the deputy Minister of Environment, Science and technology. Dr Omane Boamah heads to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a deputy Minister, with Nii Reuben Nortey Dua, current deputy Youth and Sports Minister going to Water Resources, Works and Housing as a deputy Minister.
Steven Ackah, Member of Parliament for Suaman has been made deputy Minister-designate for Local Government and Rural Development, while Isaac Vanderpuije Thomas Aquinas, current deputy Minister of Local Government and Henry Ametepey, are taking positions as deputy Ministers-designate for Greater Accra, Central and Volta regions respectively.
Alhaji Amin Sulemana, Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt takes as the Upper West Region Minister-designate, with Alhaji Said Sinare, getting an ambassadorial appointment as Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt.
Dominic Azembe Azumah, MP for Garu Timpane, goes to the Presidency as a Minister of State, to replace one of the Ministers of State at the Presidency who is on the way out.
END
President John Evans Atta Mills has reshuffled his government in what appears to be his new team to implement his development strategy in the last year of this first term.
A couple of Cabinet Ministers lost their positions, and new appointments were made while a number of them had new portfolios in yesterday’s reshuffle.
John Tia, Information Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, the Health Minister and Col. (Rtd) Cyril Neku, deputy Volta Regional Minister, were the first casualties in the reshuffle, of which a second list is expected tomorrow.
Dr. Ben Kunbour, the current Interior Minister was named Minister of Justice and Attorney- General, while William Kwasi Aboah, a retired Commissioner of Police, has been appointed as Interior Minister-designate.
Fritz Baffour, NDC Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, replaces John Tia as Information Minister, while Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Lee Ocran has been appointed Education Minister-designate.
Alban Bagbin, the current Works and Housing Minister is moving to the Health Ministry while his current position will be taken over by E. T Mensah, the current Minister of Employment and Social Welfare. Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam, secures an appointment as Employment and Social Welfare Minister.
In the deputy Ministerial changes, James Agyenim Boateng, deputy Tourism Minister gets a comeback to the Information Ministry, as a deputy. Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal replaced takes his position as the deputy Tourism Minister.
Dr Mustapha Ahmed, currently the deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, replaces Dr. Edward Omane Boamah as the deputy Minister of Environment, Science and technology. Dr Omane Boamah heads to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a deputy Minister, with Nii Reuben Nortey Dua, current deputy Youth and Sports Minister going to Water Resources, Works and Housing as a deputy Minister.
Steven Ackah, Member of Parliament for Suaman has been made deputy Minister-designate for Local Government and Rural Development, while Isaac Vanderpuije Thomas Aquinas, current deputy Minister of Local Government and Henry Ametepey, are taking positions as deputy Ministers-designate for Greater Accra, Central and Volta regions respectively.
Alhaji Amin Sulemana, Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt takes as the Upper West Region Minister-designate, with Alhaji Said Sinare, getting an ambassadorial appointment as Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt.
Dominic Azembe Azumah, MP for Garu Timpane, goes to the Presidency as a Minister of State, to replace one of the Ministers of State at the Presidency who is on the way out.
END
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Workers get early pay
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
By Edmund Mingle
All public sector workers have been paid for January, says Ralph Tuffuor the Controller and Accountant General said yesterday.
The early payment was in compliance of a government directive workers be paid early this month as a way of cushioning them against the expenses made during the yuletide, and the effect of the recent increase in fuel prices.
Mr. Ralph Tuffour the Controller and Accountant General, told the Times in Accra that the commercial banks were given the mandate to credit the accounts of public sector workers last week.
He said some workers, especially those on the electronic banking system, received information of their credits last Friday and expressed optimism that all accounts would be credited by the banks by close of work today.
He said the Bank of Ghana facilitated the early crediting of the accounts of all public sector workers to enable salaries to be accessed by today, and asked the banks to guard against delays in payments.
A number of banks contacted by the Times indicated that workers’ accounts had been credited with their salaries.
A source at the head office of the Agricultural Development Bank told the Times that the bank’s staff worked at the weekend to credit all the accounts of workers.
Similarly, other banks including Ghana Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, HFC Bank and SG-SSB Bank, have had most of the accounts credited.
The managements of the banks are optimistic that the crediting operation would be completed before close of banking hours yesterday.
A similar directive by the government for early salary payment last month was frustrated by the banks, which triggered agitations from workers.
By Edmund Mingle
All public sector workers have been paid for January, says Ralph Tuffuor the Controller and Accountant General said yesterday.
The early payment was in compliance of a government directive workers be paid early this month as a way of cushioning them against the expenses made during the yuletide, and the effect of the recent increase in fuel prices.
Mr. Ralph Tuffour the Controller and Accountant General, told the Times in Accra that the commercial banks were given the mandate to credit the accounts of public sector workers last week.
He said some workers, especially those on the electronic banking system, received information of their credits last Friday and expressed optimism that all accounts would be credited by the banks by close of work today.
He said the Bank of Ghana facilitated the early crediting of the accounts of all public sector workers to enable salaries to be accessed by today, and asked the banks to guard against delays in payments.
A number of banks contacted by the Times indicated that workers’ accounts had been credited with their salaries.
A source at the head office of the Agricultural Development Bank told the Times that the bank’s staff worked at the weekend to credit all the accounts of workers.
Similarly, other banks including Ghana Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, HFC Bank and SG-SSB Bank, have had most of the accounts credited.
The managements of the banks are optimistic that the crediting operation would be completed before close of banking hours yesterday.
A similar directive by the government for early salary payment last month was frustrated by the banks, which triggered agitations from workers.
Govt. moves to replace STX housing deal
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
By Edmund Mingle
The government yesterday began a major move to find alternatives for the botched STX housing project as it initiated talks with Shelter Afrique to support affordable housing development in the country.
As the largest housing development support organisation in Africa, the government believes partnering with Shelter Afrique will yield immense dividends in its quest to build affordable houses for Ghanaian workers.
In furtherance of this objective, President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday received the executive of Shelter Afrique at the Castle, Osu in Accra to inform him of the organisation’s investment plans for Ghana.
Ghana is the third largest shareholder in Shelter Afrique, with its 8.4 per cent shares, and the pan-African organisation plans to invest about 100million dollars in its initial plan for housing development in Ghana.
According to President Mills, the government’s decision to join the organisation in 2011 was informed by the critical role the organisation was playing in the development of the housing sector on the continent.
He said government remained committed to addressing the housing deficit in Ghana, indicating that more housing units were needed to shelter many Ghanaians.
“Anyone who shows interest in helping to beef up our housing stock is someone we have to sit and talk with,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the government would take the partnership with the 30-year-old organisation very seriously since “there is something positive to come out from it.”
Alhassane Ba, Chief Executive of Shelter Afrique, in his remarks, commended Ghana for joining the organisation, which has 43-member countries.
“From now on, we recognize we have a duty to help Ghana to implement its housing policy,” he said.
As part of its support plan for Ghana, the organisation, which works under the auspices of the African Development Bank, said it plans to operate in Ghana through a-four-pronged approach.
The approach, Mr. Ba said included undertaking a public-private sector partnership and partnership with public finance institutions such as the pensions fund to build affordable houses for workers.
In addition, he said “Shelter Afrique plans to assist private developers build more affordable houses, and also help to improve the availability of financial resources for housing projects.”
“We are ready to cooperate with the government to make a big difference in the housing sector in Ghana,” he stressed.
To demonstrate its commitment to Ghana, the organisation has already granted a loan of 5million dollars to a single private Ghanaian company to undertake a housing project in the country.
Established in 1982, Shelter Afrique operates to mobilise financial and technical resources deployed for funding housing development in Africa.
By Edmund Mingle
The government yesterday began a major move to find alternatives for the botched STX housing project as it initiated talks with Shelter Afrique to support affordable housing development in the country.
As the largest housing development support organisation in Africa, the government believes partnering with Shelter Afrique will yield immense dividends in its quest to build affordable houses for Ghanaian workers.
In furtherance of this objective, President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday received the executive of Shelter Afrique at the Castle, Osu in Accra to inform him of the organisation’s investment plans for Ghana.
Ghana is the third largest shareholder in Shelter Afrique, with its 8.4 per cent shares, and the pan-African organisation plans to invest about 100million dollars in its initial plan for housing development in Ghana.
According to President Mills, the government’s decision to join the organisation in 2011 was informed by the critical role the organisation was playing in the development of the housing sector on the continent.
He said government remained committed to addressing the housing deficit in Ghana, indicating that more housing units were needed to shelter many Ghanaians.
“Anyone who shows interest in helping to beef up our housing stock is someone we have to sit and talk with,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the government would take the partnership with the 30-year-old organisation very seriously since “there is something positive to come out from it.”
Alhassane Ba, Chief Executive of Shelter Afrique, in his remarks, commended Ghana for joining the organisation, which has 43-member countries.
“From now on, we recognize we have a duty to help Ghana to implement its housing policy,” he said.
As part of its support plan for Ghana, the organisation, which works under the auspices of the African Development Bank, said it plans to operate in Ghana through a-four-pronged approach.
The approach, Mr. Ba said included undertaking a public-private sector partnership and partnership with public finance institutions such as the pensions fund to build affordable houses for workers.
In addition, he said “Shelter Afrique plans to assist private developers build more affordable houses, and also help to improve the availability of financial resources for housing projects.”
“We are ready to cooperate with the government to make a big difference in the housing sector in Ghana,” he stressed.
To demonstrate its commitment to Ghana, the organisation has already granted a loan of 5million dollars to a single private Ghanaian company to undertake a housing project in the country.
Established in 1982, Shelter Afrique operates to mobilise financial and technical resources deployed for funding housing development in Africa.
Toshiba makes Ghana regional hub
By Edmund Mingle
Toshiba Corporation, the multinational electronics firm is planning to make Ghana its regional hub to serve West Africa and other parts of Africa.
The company believes that it can best serve the sub region through Ghana which it says has a huge potential for business and investments.
To give meaning to the plan, the global firm has stationed engineers in Ghana to provide services to clients in the sub-region.
It is also in the process of establishing a unit in Ghana to undertake assembling and installation of hi-tech medical equipment in hospitals in Ghana and other West African nations.
Mohamed Haroun, Toshiba’s Area Manager for the Middle East, who is Ghana to supervise the installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines in regional hospitals in the country, described the move to cite the hub in Ghana as “strategic.”
Toshiba Corporation is a multinational electronics, electrical equipment and information technology corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and household appliances.
In 2010, Toshiba was the world's fifth-largest personal computer vendor measured by revenues (after Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer and Lenovo).
In the same year it was also the world's fourth-largest manufacturer of semiconductors by revenues (after Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments).
As a leading manufacturer of diagnostics imaging scanning machines, Toshiba prides itself as the company to have produced the most advanced MRI machines- Toshiba Vantage Titan 1.5T MRI System-that is about four years ahead of existing technology.
According to Mr. Haroun, the development of the assembling and service hub would be economically beneficial for both the company and clients in the sub-region, since it would ensure efficient and effective services from the company.
He could not say how much is expected to be invested in the hub, but noted that the company was committed to exploring the business opportunities in Ghana through substantial investments.
END
Toshiba Corporation, the multinational electronics firm is planning to make Ghana its regional hub to serve West Africa and other parts of Africa.
The company believes that it can best serve the sub region through Ghana which it says has a huge potential for business and investments.
To give meaning to the plan, the global firm has stationed engineers in Ghana to provide services to clients in the sub-region.
It is also in the process of establishing a unit in Ghana to undertake assembling and installation of hi-tech medical equipment in hospitals in Ghana and other West African nations.
Mohamed Haroun, Toshiba’s Area Manager for the Middle East, who is Ghana to supervise the installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines in regional hospitals in the country, described the move to cite the hub in Ghana as “strategic.”
Toshiba Corporation is a multinational electronics, electrical equipment and information technology corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and household appliances.
In 2010, Toshiba was the world's fifth-largest personal computer vendor measured by revenues (after Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer and Lenovo).
In the same year it was also the world's fourth-largest manufacturer of semiconductors by revenues (after Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments).
As a leading manufacturer of diagnostics imaging scanning machines, Toshiba prides itself as the company to have produced the most advanced MRI machines- Toshiba Vantage Titan 1.5T MRI System-that is about four years ahead of existing technology.
According to Mr. Haroun, the development of the assembling and service hub would be economically beneficial for both the company and clients in the sub-region, since it would ensure efficient and effective services from the company.
He could not say how much is expected to be invested in the hub, but noted that the company was committed to exploring the business opportunities in Ghana through substantial investments.
END
Govt. acquires MRI machines for regional hospitals
By Edmund Mingle
The government has acquired new ultra-modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan equipment for four regional hospitals to improve safe diagnostic operations as part of measures to improve health care delivery in the country.
The four machines, meant for the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the Cape Coast, Ho and Tamale Regional hospitals, form part of the first phase a hospital development project to install MRI machines at all regional hospitals.
Currently, installation of the equipment at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Regional Hospital, have reached an advanced stage, while those of the Ho and Cape Coast Regional and have started with the preparatory works.
The present equipment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which is said to have elapsed its lifespan and has been characterised by frequent breakdowns, would be replaced with a new one in the second phase.
Ghana becomes the third Africa nation, after South Africa and Egypt to have access to an ultra modern MRI system that would make health diagnosis more effective, efficient, cheaper and safer in the country.
Mohamed Haroun, Area Manager for Toshiba, manufacturers of the MRI machines, arrived in Ghana from the Middle East yesterday to supervise the installation process.
He told reporters on arrival at the airport that the Vantage Titan MRI system procured for the government was the best in the world saying,” it is highly in use in Europe.
The first four machines are expected to be fully operational by March, this year, and according to Mr. Haroun, Ghana could easily become the West African hub for medical diagnosis and treatment since other neighbouring African countries would rely on them for medical services.
“With these machines here, people would not need to travel outside the country for medical examination,” he said.
Each of the machines has the capacity to take care of about 70 patients a day.
As part of the procurement arrangement, medial doctors expected to handle the equipment are being trained to enhance their capacity and to ensure maximum utilisation of the system for the benefit of patients.
Besides, the manufacturers have provided resident engineers to take care of the machines that would be fitted with hi-tech security systems for their protection against misuse and destruction.
He lauded government appreciation of advanced MRI technology, saying not many governments were concerned about what kind MRI systems they procured for their countries.
“The Ghana government was strict on the specifications, and would reject anything less,” he said.
The cost of the four was not immediately available, but Mr. Haroun noted that the benefits Ghana stood to gain from the equipment far outweighed the cost.
He described the equipment as “a complete revolution in MRI system technology,” indicating that it was 100 per cent safer for patients.
“Ghanaians and African deserve safe and efficient health care,” he said, and gave the assurance that the safety and comfort of patients were guaranteed.
The Vantage Titan 1.5T MRI system by Toshiba has been designed with features to improve the patients comfort and increase the range of patients who are able to undergo MR exams. It has been equipped with the Pianissimo technology to dramatically reduce acoustic noise that is a significant cause of discomfort during exams. Patients who are sensitive to contrast agents now have the option available to have a contrast free exam.
The Vantage Titan is a large open bore MRI system that improves patient care with its reduced noise, extended field of view and increased homogeneity.
With the largest and widest open bores available, the system has an open bore that is 18 per cent larger than other 1.5T systems with a 71cm aperture, and offers one of the most powerful MR systems that is available with a 30/130 gradient platform.
This MRI system has a field-of-view size 55 x 55 x 50 cm that is very unique in size which produces high-quality images without compromising homogeneity or overall imaging performance.
Gamel Sinare, Managing Director of Toshiba Ghana, in his remarks, gave the assurance that the machines would be installed on schedule for Ghanaians to derive the desired benefits.
He thanked the government for the cooperation, and pledged the company’s continued commitment to the provision of advanced technology for health care delivery in Ghana.
The government has acquired new ultra-modern Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan equipment for four regional hospitals to improve safe diagnostic operations as part of measures to improve health care delivery in the country.
The four machines, meant for the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the Cape Coast, Ho and Tamale Regional hospitals, form part of the first phase a hospital development project to install MRI machines at all regional hospitals.
Currently, installation of the equipment at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Regional Hospital, have reached an advanced stage, while those of the Ho and Cape Coast Regional and have started with the preparatory works.
The present equipment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, which is said to have elapsed its lifespan and has been characterised by frequent breakdowns, would be replaced with a new one in the second phase.
Ghana becomes the third Africa nation, after South Africa and Egypt to have access to an ultra modern MRI system that would make health diagnosis more effective, efficient, cheaper and safer in the country.
Mohamed Haroun, Area Manager for Toshiba, manufacturers of the MRI machines, arrived in Ghana from the Middle East yesterday to supervise the installation process.
He told reporters on arrival at the airport that the Vantage Titan MRI system procured for the government was the best in the world saying,” it is highly in use in Europe.
The first four machines are expected to be fully operational by March, this year, and according to Mr. Haroun, Ghana could easily become the West African hub for medical diagnosis and treatment since other neighbouring African countries would rely on them for medical services.
“With these machines here, people would not need to travel outside the country for medical examination,” he said.
Each of the machines has the capacity to take care of about 70 patients a day.
As part of the procurement arrangement, medial doctors expected to handle the equipment are being trained to enhance their capacity and to ensure maximum utilisation of the system for the benefit of patients.
Besides, the manufacturers have provided resident engineers to take care of the machines that would be fitted with hi-tech security systems for their protection against misuse and destruction.
He lauded government appreciation of advanced MRI technology, saying not many governments were concerned about what kind MRI systems they procured for their countries.
“The Ghana government was strict on the specifications, and would reject anything less,” he said.
The cost of the four was not immediately available, but Mr. Haroun noted that the benefits Ghana stood to gain from the equipment far outweighed the cost.
He described the equipment as “a complete revolution in MRI system technology,” indicating that it was 100 per cent safer for patients.
“Ghanaians and African deserve safe and efficient health care,” he said, and gave the assurance that the safety and comfort of patients were guaranteed.
The Vantage Titan 1.5T MRI system by Toshiba has been designed with features to improve the patients comfort and increase the range of patients who are able to undergo MR exams. It has been equipped with the Pianissimo technology to dramatically reduce acoustic noise that is a significant cause of discomfort during exams. Patients who are sensitive to contrast agents now have the option available to have a contrast free exam.
The Vantage Titan is a large open bore MRI system that improves patient care with its reduced noise, extended field of view and increased homogeneity.
With the largest and widest open bores available, the system has an open bore that is 18 per cent larger than other 1.5T systems with a 71cm aperture, and offers one of the most powerful MR systems that is available with a 30/130 gradient platform.
This MRI system has a field-of-view size 55 x 55 x 50 cm that is very unique in size which produces high-quality images without compromising homogeneity or overall imaging performance.
Gamel Sinare, Managing Director of Toshiba Ghana, in his remarks, gave the assurance that the machines would be installed on schedule for Ghanaians to derive the desired benefits.
He thanked the government for the cooperation, and pledged the company’s continued commitment to the provision of advanced technology for health care delivery in Ghana.
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