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, February 6, 2008
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.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Hospitality Operators Fail To Attend Seminar
By Edmund Mingle
Saturday, 29 December 2007
OPERATORS in the hospitality industry have been accused of showing little interest in training programmes organised to improve their efficiency.
Emmanuel Agyarko, Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Board ( FDB) and Martin Mireku, Executive Director of Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), made this accusation following the low turn-out at a training seminar for managers of some hotels in Accra designated for the GHANA 2008.
The 12 hotels have been designated to accommodate officials for the tournament, and the seminar was organised by the FDB to educate the managers on food safety to ensure that there were no problems with food preservation for the visitors.
It was on the theme, "The challenges of food safety- what managers must know."
Out of the lot, only eight were represented, and most of the representatives arrived more than 40 minutes late. Also, they were not the managers but chefs.
Officials of the FDB told the Times that they had not received any notification from the other four hotels indicating their inability to attend the seminar, which the board considered vital to the success of hosting the tournament.
"This is completely unacceptable," Mr. Agyarko declared, warning that Ghana’s hosting of the tournament could be brought into disrepute if there was any problem with food for the officials.
He said a team from the board will inspect sanitation facilities in the designated hotels and make recommendations for improvement, adding that the Local Organising Committee would be notified about those hotels that would show uncooperative attitude.
The GHANA 2008 designated hotels in Accra are: La Palm Royal Beach, Labadi Beach, Crystal Palm, Fiesta Royale, Alisa, Novotel, High Gate, M-Plaza, Golden Tulip, Africa Regent, Cresta Atlantic and the Accra International Conference Centre.
Mr. Mireku, on his part, bemoaned the general apathy of the operators to such training programmes, saying the practice was not helpful.
He said although the two boards have the authority to inspect and shut down hotels and other institutions in the industry for non compliance with food safety regulations, he thinks there is the need to get the managers to appreciate the importance of abiding by the regulations.
Asked about what provisions have been made to ensure that all other hotels and local restaurants provided safe food for the visitors, he said that various training programmes had already been organised for all other food and accommodation providers.
John Odame-Darkwah, Deputy Chief Executive (Food Division) of the FDB, urged the operators to follow internationally accepted standards on food handling, storage and catering practices to avoid incidences of food poisoning.
Saturday, 29 December 2007
OPERATORS in the hospitality industry have been accused of showing little interest in training programmes organised to improve their efficiency.
Emmanuel Agyarko, Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Board ( FDB) and Martin Mireku, Executive Director of Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), made this accusation following the low turn-out at a training seminar for managers of some hotels in Accra designated for the GHANA 2008.
The 12 hotels have been designated to accommodate officials for the tournament, and the seminar was organised by the FDB to educate the managers on food safety to ensure that there were no problems with food preservation for the visitors.
It was on the theme, "The challenges of food safety- what managers must know."
Out of the lot, only eight were represented, and most of the representatives arrived more than 40 minutes late. Also, they were not the managers but chefs.
Officials of the FDB told the Times that they had not received any notification from the other four hotels indicating their inability to attend the seminar, which the board considered vital to the success of hosting the tournament.
"This is completely unacceptable," Mr. Agyarko declared, warning that Ghana’s hosting of the tournament could be brought into disrepute if there was any problem with food for the officials.
He said a team from the board will inspect sanitation facilities in the designated hotels and make recommendations for improvement, adding that the Local Organising Committee would be notified about those hotels that would show uncooperative attitude.
The GHANA 2008 designated hotels in Accra are: La Palm Royal Beach, Labadi Beach, Crystal Palm, Fiesta Royale, Alisa, Novotel, High Gate, M-Plaza, Golden Tulip, Africa Regent, Cresta Atlantic and the Accra International Conference Centre.
Mr. Mireku, on his part, bemoaned the general apathy of the operators to such training programmes, saying the practice was not helpful.
He said although the two boards have the authority to inspect and shut down hotels and other institutions in the industry for non compliance with food safety regulations, he thinks there is the need to get the managers to appreciate the importance of abiding by the regulations.
Asked about what provisions have been made to ensure that all other hotels and local restaurants provided safe food for the visitors, he said that various training programmes had already been organised for all other food and accommodation providers.
John Odame-Darkwah, Deputy Chief Executive (Food Division) of the FDB, urged the operators to follow internationally accepted standards on food handling, storage and catering practices to avoid incidences of food poisoning.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Pharmacist Contests For Gt. Accra CPP Chair
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 06 December 2007
Susan Adu-Amankwah, a pharmacist, is contesting the race for the Greater Accra Regional chairmanship of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
She believes she has what it takes to win the leadership slot and to revive the party to become a favourite for the Ghanaian electorate in the region.
The 38-year-old pharma-cist told the Times in an interview that her dynamism coupled with her understanding of the CPP’s ideologies of social justice which she would pursue when given the nod, are what she would use to revive the party in the region.
“Greater Accra Region was once the flagship of the party, and I want the regional branch to regain that status to attract more followers,” she said.
She was optimistic that her age would be of an added advantage since the current thinking of the party is that there is a need for older generation to “take a back seat and be advisors”.
“The CPP is a party for the masses and we have to make it attractive,” she said, adding that it was about time the CPP reflected the reality at all levels of society.
Mrs. Adu-Amankwah, a scientist with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research of the University of Ghana, has an extensive experience in political activism and mobilisation, having been a member of the Patriots, a dynamic youth wing of the CPP.
Her plan towards reviving the CPP in the region included a programme aimed at creating partnership among all the regional and constituency executives.
She also hopes to improve on the governance structure at the regional level and to collaborate with the national executives of the party in making the CPP a credible party for the electorate in the 2008 elections.
Mrs. Adu-Amankwah, who described herself as “a genetically CPP lady” because she was introduced to Nkrumaism at a very younger age, commended the outgoing regional executives for holding the fort, saying it is time for the party to move ahead with young and dynamic leaders.
She appealed to the delegates at the Greater Accra Regional congress of the CPP which would be held on Monday December 10, to vote for her promising that she would deliver to make a difference.
Thursday, 06 December 2007
Susan Adu-Amankwah, a pharmacist, is contesting the race for the Greater Accra Regional chairmanship of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
She believes she has what it takes to win the leadership slot and to revive the party to become a favourite for the Ghanaian electorate in the region.
The 38-year-old pharma-cist told the Times in an interview that her dynamism coupled with her understanding of the CPP’s ideologies of social justice which she would pursue when given the nod, are what she would use to revive the party in the region.
“Greater Accra Region was once the flagship of the party, and I want the regional branch to regain that status to attract more followers,” she said.
She was optimistic that her age would be of an added advantage since the current thinking of the party is that there is a need for older generation to “take a back seat and be advisors”.
“The CPP is a party for the masses and we have to make it attractive,” she said, adding that it was about time the CPP reflected the reality at all levels of society.
Mrs. Adu-Amankwah, a scientist with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research of the University of Ghana, has an extensive experience in political activism and mobilisation, having been a member of the Patriots, a dynamic youth wing of the CPP.
Her plan towards reviving the CPP in the region included a programme aimed at creating partnership among all the regional and constituency executives.
She also hopes to improve on the governance structure at the regional level and to collaborate with the national executives of the party in making the CPP a credible party for the electorate in the 2008 elections.
Mrs. Adu-Amankwah, who described herself as “a genetically CPP lady” because she was introduced to Nkrumaism at a very younger age, commended the outgoing regional executives for holding the fort, saying it is time for the party to move ahead with young and dynamic leaders.
She appealed to the delegates at the Greater Accra Regional congress of the CPP which would be held on Monday December 10, to vote for her promising that she would deliver to make a difference.
’2007 Best Farmers On National Tour
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
SEVENTY-two best farmers and fishermen selected from across the country for prizes at the 2007 Farmers Day, have started a tour of some facilities in the country.
As part of the facility visit, the best farmers were taken to Akosombo to familiarise themselves with operations at the Volta River Authority hydro-power generating plant, as well as the Volta River Transport Company.
They are scheduled to visit the Cocoa Processing Company and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority at Tema today.
They will be honoured at the 23rd National Farmers’ Day to be held at Wa in the Upper West Region on December 7.
It has the theme: "Ghana @50: progress and challenges of sustainable agricultural development."
Yesterday, the farmers called on Hannah Nyamekye, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, at the start of their tour.
During their interaction, Ms. Nyame-kye commended them for their contribution towards national food security. "We cherish your efforts and we celebrate you," she stated.
She said that the awards are to recognise and honour farmers for their contributions to the development of the agricultural sector.
She, however, encouraged them to put in more efforts to achieve adequate national food security, and assured them of the government’s continuous support.
The National Best Farmer will win a three-bedroom house, to be built at a place of his or her choice. It will be funded by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
A number of pick-ups, tractors and other farming and fishing implements will go to the runners-up.
Last year, Mohammed Tetteh Akpah, from Afienya- Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region, was crowned the overall National Best Farmer at last year’s celebration at Nkawie, in Ashanti.
Akpah also received a fully-furnished three-bedroom house financed by the ADB at a cost of ¢650 million.
Agriculture contributes about 36 per cent to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 50.6 per cent of the economically active population, and provides 52 per cent of Ghana’s total foreign earnings and about 10 per cent of total revenue.
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
SEVENTY-two best farmers and fishermen selected from across the country for prizes at the 2007 Farmers Day, have started a tour of some facilities in the country.
As part of the facility visit, the best farmers were taken to Akosombo to familiarise themselves with operations at the Volta River Authority hydro-power generating plant, as well as the Volta River Transport Company.
They are scheduled to visit the Cocoa Processing Company and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority at Tema today.
They will be honoured at the 23rd National Farmers’ Day to be held at Wa in the Upper West Region on December 7.
It has the theme: "Ghana @50: progress and challenges of sustainable agricultural development."
Yesterday, the farmers called on Hannah Nyamekye, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, at the start of their tour.
During their interaction, Ms. Nyame-kye commended them for their contribution towards national food security. "We cherish your efforts and we celebrate you," she stated.
She said that the awards are to recognise and honour farmers for their contributions to the development of the agricultural sector.
She, however, encouraged them to put in more efforts to achieve adequate national food security, and assured them of the government’s continuous support.
The National Best Farmer will win a three-bedroom house, to be built at a place of his or her choice. It will be funded by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
A number of pick-ups, tractors and other farming and fishing implements will go to the runners-up.
Last year, Mohammed Tetteh Akpah, from Afienya- Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region, was crowned the overall National Best Farmer at last year’s celebration at Nkawie, in Ashanti.
Akpah also received a fully-furnished three-bedroom house financed by the ADB at a cost of ¢650 million.
Agriculture contributes about 36 per cent to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 50.6 per cent of the economically active population, and provides 52 per cent of Ghana’s total foreign earnings and about 10 per cent of total revenue.
Today Is National Farmers Day
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 07 December 2007
TODAY is being observed throughout the country as National Farmers’ Day.
The day, has been set aside to honour farmers and fishermen whose toil and sweat have sustained the economy up to this time.
The first Farmer’s Day was celebrated at Osino in the Eastern Region.
This year’s event is under the theme: "Ghana at 50: Progress and challenges of sustainable agricultural development".
The national event is taking place at the Jubilee Park at Wa, in the Upper West Region, where 72 farmers, fishermen and agricultural extension officers will be honoured.
Similar events are being held in the various regional and district capitals throughout the country.
The observance of the day, which rotates among the regions, will be used to highlight some of the challenges and the needed solutions towards achieving national food security.
Prior to today, the farmers who are to be honoured at the Wa national celebration toured Akosombo to familiarise themselves with operations at the Volta River Authority Hydro-Power generating plant as well as the Volta River Transport Company.
They also visited the Cocoa Processing Company and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority at Tema where some of them had first-hand information on how cocoa and other products are processed and exported. They were later treated to a cocktail party at the forecourt of the State House.
The overall National Best Farmer for 2007 will receive a three-bedroom house to be built at a place of his or her choice. It will be financed by the Agricultural Development Bank.
FIFTY year-old Mohammed Tetteh Akpah, from Afienya-Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region, was crowned the overall National Best Farmer at last year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration at Nkawie.
Agriculture contributes about 36 per cent to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 50.6 per cent of the economically active population, and provides 52 per cent of Ghana’s total foreign earnings and about 10 per cent of total revenue.
Friday, 07 December 2007
TODAY is being observed throughout the country as National Farmers’ Day.
The day, has been set aside to honour farmers and fishermen whose toil and sweat have sustained the economy up to this time.
The first Farmer’s Day was celebrated at Osino in the Eastern Region.
This year’s event is under the theme: "Ghana at 50: Progress and challenges of sustainable agricultural development".
The national event is taking place at the Jubilee Park at Wa, in the Upper West Region, where 72 farmers, fishermen and agricultural extension officers will be honoured.
Similar events are being held in the various regional and district capitals throughout the country.
The observance of the day, which rotates among the regions, will be used to highlight some of the challenges and the needed solutions towards achieving national food security.
Prior to today, the farmers who are to be honoured at the Wa national celebration toured Akosombo to familiarise themselves with operations at the Volta River Authority Hydro-Power generating plant as well as the Volta River Transport Company.
They also visited the Cocoa Processing Company and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority at Tema where some of them had first-hand information on how cocoa and other products are processed and exported. They were later treated to a cocktail party at the forecourt of the State House.
The overall National Best Farmer for 2007 will receive a three-bedroom house to be built at a place of his or her choice. It will be financed by the Agricultural Development Bank.
FIFTY year-old Mohammed Tetteh Akpah, from Afienya-Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region, was crowned the overall National Best Farmer at last year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration at Nkawie.
Agriculture contributes about 36 per cent to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 50.6 per cent of the economically active population, and provides 52 per cent of Ghana’s total foreign earnings and about 10 per cent of total revenue.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
ILO Assesses Child Welfare Programme
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 30 November 2007
A THREE-day workshop aimed at assisting stakeholders of the Lutrena Good Practices and Lessons Learnt Partners, a child welfare prog-ramme, to document the findings and achievements of the programme, started in Accra yesterday.
The Lutrena project, initiated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 is part of efforts by the organisation to compile technical notes on good practices and participatory processes towards supporting victims of child trafficking.
Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, opening the workshop, lauded the objective of the project saying it was important to create a pool of resources from many stakeholders for the fight against child trafficking.
He noted that Ghana was one of the first countries to ratify the UN convention on the rights of the child adopted at the 1990 World Summit on Child, and explained that the ratification of the convention provided a critical policy framework and strategies demonstrating the government’s commitment to meet the needs of children in Ghana.
"Government has been making strenuous efforts to address many factors underlying the child labour problem," he said.
In addition, he said a memorandum of understanding was signed with the ILO in 2000 to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
He said the constitution guarantees the child’s protection from engaging in any work that is considered injurious to his health, education or development.
"The Children’s Act 1998 (ACT 560) seeks to protect the rights of children, including the right to education, health, shelter and proscribes the engagement of children in exploitative labour, which in line with Article 28 (2) of the constitution, is seen as any labour which deprives the child of his health, education or development," he said.
He however said these guarantees reflected the nation’s growing concern about the employment of children, particularly in activities that are exploitative.
Mr Dugan said many institutions in Ghana were also working to combat human trafficking. The ILO runs several programmes that directly has a bearing on trafficking.
Mr Matthew Dally, National Programme Coordinator of the ILO said the outcome of the workshop will be disseminated through a global workshop; to exchange achievements and assess the feasibility of replication at country and project levels.
He said it will also provide the organisa-tion the opportunity for self examination, and critical assessment of their mandate and how they have fared over the years.
Friday, 30 November 2007
A THREE-day workshop aimed at assisting stakeholders of the Lutrena Good Practices and Lessons Learnt Partners, a child welfare prog-ramme, to document the findings and achievements of the programme, started in Accra yesterday.
The Lutrena project, initiated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 is part of efforts by the organisation to compile technical notes on good practices and participatory processes towards supporting victims of child trafficking.
Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, opening the workshop, lauded the objective of the project saying it was important to create a pool of resources from many stakeholders for the fight against child trafficking.
He noted that Ghana was one of the first countries to ratify the UN convention on the rights of the child adopted at the 1990 World Summit on Child, and explained that the ratification of the convention provided a critical policy framework and strategies demonstrating the government’s commitment to meet the needs of children in Ghana.
"Government has been making strenuous efforts to address many factors underlying the child labour problem," he said.
In addition, he said a memorandum of understanding was signed with the ILO in 2000 to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
He said the constitution guarantees the child’s protection from engaging in any work that is considered injurious to his health, education or development.
"The Children’s Act 1998 (ACT 560) seeks to protect the rights of children, including the right to education, health, shelter and proscribes the engagement of children in exploitative labour, which in line with Article 28 (2) of the constitution, is seen as any labour which deprives the child of his health, education or development," he said.
He however said these guarantees reflected the nation’s growing concern about the employment of children, particularly in activities that are exploitative.
Mr Dugan said many institutions in Ghana were also working to combat human trafficking. The ILO runs several programmes that directly has a bearing on trafficking.
Mr Matthew Dally, National Programme Coordinator of the ILO said the outcome of the workshop will be disseminated through a global workshop; to exchange achievements and assess the feasibility of replication at country and project levels.
He said it will also provide the organisa-tion the opportunity for self examination, and critical assessment of their mandate and how they have fared over the years.
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