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.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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.
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.
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