Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.

US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate.”

Veep Gives Thanks

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

The Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, held a thanksgiving service for Vice- President John Dramani Mahama with a charge for him to diligently serve the nation.
The service, hosted by the Ringway branch of the church where he worships, was also to pray for divine guidance for a successful tenure in office.
Mr. Mahama was accompanied to the service by his wife, Lordina, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, his family members and friends.
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend William W. Dontoh, in his sermon, urged the Vice President to be guided by ethical and professional standards and to shun coveteousness and corruption.
He also advised him to remain a true servant of God as well as a good leader who would not allow undue pressure from selfish individuals and political expediency to force him to compromise the truth.
Rev. Ernest K. Agyei, the host pastor, reminded Mr Mahama to consider his position in government as a calling by God to serve Ghanaians.
Mr Mahama, in his remarks, gave praise to God, saying the victory of the National Democractic Congress was the making of God’s to whom be the glory.
“We are there for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve,” he said, adding that he had confidence in the President, whom he described as “a man of faith”.
Mr. Mahama called on the church to support the government with prayers, and gave the assurance that he would serve the nation to the best of his ability.

Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.

US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate”.

Leasing Opportunities For Private Sector Funding

By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 27 February 2009

The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, opened the maiden Ghana Leasing Forum in Accra yesterday and emphasised the need for Ghana to explore viable sources of funding for the private sector.
He said in view of the fact that the global financial crisis was already having an impact on access to credit in developed countries, “we too must respond by exploring viable alternatives that provide a lifeline of credit to our private sector”.
The forum, organised by the Ghana Association of Leasing Companies, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the International Financing Corporation, aimed at discussing strategies for enhancing the leasing industry and mechanisms to support the private sector.
It had the theme, “Access to finance: leasing opportunities and private sector development,” and was attended by operators in the leasing industry, managers of private sector businesses and business support institutions.
Leasing, among other things, enables businesses to have access to equipment for their operations thereby lessening the burden of businesses to have to look for funds to purchase the equipment, some of which they would use for a short period.
Vice President Mahama observed the importance of the leasing industry, and stressed the need for the industry to be promoted to enable it to effectively support the financing of the private sector.
He said that leasing provide alternative and appropriate financing mechanisms for businesses in the country, adding that local entrepreneurs could explore it to boost their capital and efficiency to invest in key areas of the economy.
He lauded the theme for the two day forum, and said it was in tandem with the government’s objective of attracting and retaining investment in the country.
“This maiden leasing forum should encourage all of you to discuss policy issues, benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with leasing as an alternative source of asset finance,” he told the forum.
He said the government would welcome contributions and proposals from banking and non-banking institutions, business regulatory bodies, investors and development partners on how the government could support and enhance the effective use of leasing to strengthen the competitiveness of local industries.
Robert Ahomka-Lindsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, in his welcome address, said the leasing industry provides excellent financing opportunities for the private sector, explaining that using leasing to purchase capital goods would help to improve productivity.

State Burial For Salia

By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 02 March 2009

The President has acceded to a request by Parliament for the government to honour the late Edward Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, with a state burial.
“He served and sacrificed for his country, and we believe the least we can do is to accord him a befitting burial,” President Mills said of the deceased.
President Mills was responding to a request for a state burial for the late MP by the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, who accompanied a delegation of the bereaved family to formally inform the President about the death and invite him to the funeral slated for March 20, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
The President paid glowing tribute to Mr Salia describing him as “a hero who contributed immensely to national development. A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, he noted.
He said the government was saddened by the passing away of Mr. Salia who, he said, contributed a lot to the electoral victory of the National Democratic Congress , but did not live long enough to enjoy the victory.
He recalled that Mr. Salia actively participated in rallies in the Upper West Region. Even in his frail state of health, he generally gave off his best for the motherland.
President Mills traced his relationship with Mr. Salia to the 1970s when he taught the late MP at the University of Ghana , and revealed that he was one of the people on his mind for consideration as running mate for the 2000 election.
He consoled the bereaved family, especially the widow and children, and urged them to take heart since the Lord knew why He called their loved one to eternity.
Vice President John Mahama, described the late Salia as “the father of the deregulation of the telecom industry in Ghana”, saying that Mr Salia’s work in the telecommunication sector laid the foundation for its expansion across the country.
He also consoled the family and said Mr. Salia battled his illness bravely and would be remembered for the various sacrifices he made for the country.
Mr. Bagbin, making the request for a state burial, informed the President that the Majority and Minority sides jointly agreed, with the consent of the Speaker, to request for state support to honour their departed colleague with a befitting burial.
He acknowledged Mr Salia’s contribution to the enhancement of the work of the House, adding that even in ill health, he declined requests from colleagues to take a break from the House, maintaining that he was prepared to die working.
Prof Bruce Yakubu, the family spokesman, described Mr. Salia as a diligent and resourceful person of whom the family was proud.
The delegation, which was led by Alhaji Dauda, head of family, consisted of the widow, Mrs. Mary Asunta Salia, the children, family elders and some chiefs from Jirapa traditional area.