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.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Prez Wants US Support For Industry
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 30 November 2007
President John Agyekum Kufuor has asked the government of the United States of America to consider going beyond the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to provide support towards developing the industrial potential of the country.
He said it was only by having a developed industrial base that Ghana and other African countries could effectively participate and benefit from the facilities under AGOA.
The President told a Congressional delegation from the US that called on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra on Tuesday that Ghana is appreciative of the support, but called for support in developing "our industrial minds."
AGOA, a US Trade Act that significantly enhances US market access for currently 39 Sub-Saharan African countries, grants the export of 6,400 duty free commodities from Africa to the US.
But President Kufuor stressed the need for the capacities of industries in Ghana and other African countries to produce more for export to the US market in taking advantage of AGOA.
Touching on security on the continent, President Kufuor, who is also the African Union Chairman, called for cooperation between Africa and the US, especially improving peace keeping operations in conflict zones on the continent, such as Sudan and Somalia.
"Africa truly needs cooperation on the security front," the President said.
He urged the six-member delegation from the US Congress to assist in getting the entire Congress "to appreciate the potential in here" so that Congress will not hesitate to approve any support facility for Africa.
He noted that Africa is lifting herself out of poverty and conflict and will count on the support of her friends such as the US.
Senator James Inhofe, a member of the Armed Services Committee of the US Senate, who led the delegation, commended President Kufuor for contributing to the progress of Ghana and the AU.
He said the delegation earlier met with the Defence Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss areas of need for the country, and hoped that there would be some collaboration to address the identified challenges.
Also at the Castle was a delegation of African trades union leaders and executives of the newly founded International Trades Union Organisation (Africa Regional Organisation).
Led by Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, the delegation was at the Castle to inform the President of the formation of the new union which is now the main labour union for Africa.
The new union is a merger of two major trade unions namely the International Confederation of Free Trade Union with the African Regional Organisation as its African wing and the World Confederation of Labour, having its African wing as the Democratic Organisation of African Workers Trade Union.
Mr. Adu-Amankwah, told the President that the merger reflects happenings around the globe in which unions are merging to consolidate the labour front and to improve the welfare of workers.
President Kufuor congratulated them on the merger and commended them for the objective of helping to protect and improve the welfare of workers.
He was particularly happy that the merger took place in Ghana, and reminded them of the need to partner government to advance the wellbeing of the labour force saying public-private partnership has become vital for socio-economic development.
Friday, 30 November 2007
President John Agyekum Kufuor has asked the government of the United States of America to consider going beyond the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to provide support towards developing the industrial potential of the country.
He said it was only by having a developed industrial base that Ghana and other African countries could effectively participate and benefit from the facilities under AGOA.
The President told a Congressional delegation from the US that called on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra on Tuesday that Ghana is appreciative of the support, but called for support in developing "our industrial minds."
AGOA, a US Trade Act that significantly enhances US market access for currently 39 Sub-Saharan African countries, grants the export of 6,400 duty free commodities from Africa to the US.
But President Kufuor stressed the need for the capacities of industries in Ghana and other African countries to produce more for export to the US market in taking advantage of AGOA.
Touching on security on the continent, President Kufuor, who is also the African Union Chairman, called for cooperation between Africa and the US, especially improving peace keeping operations in conflict zones on the continent, such as Sudan and Somalia.
"Africa truly needs cooperation on the security front," the President said.
He urged the six-member delegation from the US Congress to assist in getting the entire Congress "to appreciate the potential in here" so that Congress will not hesitate to approve any support facility for Africa.
He noted that Africa is lifting herself out of poverty and conflict and will count on the support of her friends such as the US.
Senator James Inhofe, a member of the Armed Services Committee of the US Senate, who led the delegation, commended President Kufuor for contributing to the progress of Ghana and the AU.
He said the delegation earlier met with the Defence Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss areas of need for the country, and hoped that there would be some collaboration to address the identified challenges.
Also at the Castle was a delegation of African trades union leaders and executives of the newly founded International Trades Union Organisation (Africa Regional Organisation).
Led by Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, the delegation was at the Castle to inform the President of the formation of the new union which is now the main labour union for Africa.
The new union is a merger of two major trade unions namely the International Confederation of Free Trade Union with the African Regional Organisation as its African wing and the World Confederation of Labour, having its African wing as the Democratic Organisation of African Workers Trade Union.
Mr. Adu-Amankwah, told the President that the merger reflects happenings around the globe in which unions are merging to consolidate the labour front and to improve the welfare of workers.
President Kufuor congratulated them on the merger and commended them for the objective of helping to protect and improve the welfare of workers.
He was particularly happy that the merger took place in Ghana, and reminded them of the need to partner government to advance the wellbeing of the labour force saying public-private partnership has become vital for socio-economic development.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
GIFEX Back Next Year
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 30 November 2007
A 13-member council tasked to plan and promote the Ghana International Furniture and Woodworking Industry Exhibition (GIFEX) for 2008 was inaugurated in Accra yesterday.
GIFEX is an international multi stakeholder exhibition that brings together local and foreign companies and institutions in the timber and wood products industry to promote the development of the industry.
The biennial exhibition, introduced by the Forestry Commission in 1985 but suspended since 1997 due to some challenges, aims at promoting the Ghanaian wood and timber industry towards making the country a hub for quality wood products in West Africa.
The council, chaired by Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, constitutes representatives of relevant organisations including the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Ghana Timber Millers Association and Ghana Investment Promotion Council.
In addition, sub-committees on works and services, operations, finance and marketing and public affairs were inaugurated to support the council to plan the event which is expected to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre between October 17 and 27, 2008.
Alhassan Atta, Executive Director of TIDD, inaugurating the council’s sub-committees, urged them to evolve development measures to create awareness about the potentials of the wood industry to contribute immensely to economic growth.
He said it was possible for the country’s wood industry to move from primary processing to a leading secondary processor of wood in the sub-region. To achieve this, he said would require the commitment of all stakeholders in the industry.
He hoped that the Forestry Commission would provide the necessary support and resources to enable the committee to deliver in the interest of the wood industry.
Friday, 30 November 2007
A 13-member council tasked to plan and promote the Ghana International Furniture and Woodworking Industry Exhibition (GIFEX) for 2008 was inaugurated in Accra yesterday.
GIFEX is an international multi stakeholder exhibition that brings together local and foreign companies and institutions in the timber and wood products industry to promote the development of the industry.
The biennial exhibition, introduced by the Forestry Commission in 1985 but suspended since 1997 due to some challenges, aims at promoting the Ghanaian wood and timber industry towards making the country a hub for quality wood products in West Africa.
The council, chaired by Professor Nii Ashie Kotey, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, constitutes representatives of relevant organisations including the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Ghana Timber Millers Association and Ghana Investment Promotion Council.
In addition, sub-committees on works and services, operations, finance and marketing and public affairs were inaugurated to support the council to plan the event which is expected to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre between October 17 and 27, 2008.
Alhassan Atta, Executive Director of TIDD, inaugurating the council’s sub-committees, urged them to evolve development measures to create awareness about the potentials of the wood industry to contribute immensely to economic growth.
He said it was possible for the country’s wood industry to move from primary processing to a leading secondary processor of wood in the sub-region. To achieve this, he said would require the commitment of all stakeholders in the industry.
He hoped that the Forestry Commission would provide the necessary support and resources to enable the committee to deliver in the interest of the wood industry.
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