Dr. Vanderpuije – Accra Mayor

President John Mahama has re-nominated Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije for the post of Accra Mayor.

The President made the announcement today June 19, 2013 in a statement issued by the Local Government Minister, Akwasi Oppong-Fosu.

The statement also indicated that, President Mahama in accordance with Section 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462, retained some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.

They were George Opare Addo – Akuapem North; Emmanuel Atta Twum – Atiwa; Nana Baffuor Takyi – Birim South; Andrews Sodah – Yilo Krobo and Samuel Asamoah – Kwahu East.

The rest are Samuel Fleistcher Kwabi – Suhum; Joseph Tetteh Angmor – Upper Manya Krobo; Emmanuel Odor Lartey – Dangbe West and John Kwao Sackey – Ga East.

The President made new nominations in the persons of Paul Dadzie Aboagye – Birim North and Rita Odoley Sowah – La Dadekotopon.

By Ekow Quandzie

Professor Franklyn Achampong Manu, Rector of GIMPA, who announced this at the on-going Africa Public Service Day (APSD) celebration, said campuses would soon be established at Kumasi, Takoradi and Tema.

He said in future GIMPA would consider expanding to other African countries as well.

The one week programme, on the theme; “Africa Public Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving Voice to Citizens,” is being attended by Africa ministers of public service, parliamentarians, academia, civil society organisations  and identified student bodies.

The APSD is celebrated by Africa Union member countries every year to recognise the institutional contributions made by public servants to enhance the role, professionalism, image and visibility of public service, and to recognise the value and virtue of public service to the community.

Prof. Manu said though GIMPA had diverted into other disciplines, it still remained the largest trainer of public and civil servants on the continent.

He said the public perception that the Institute had lost its mission was uncalled for because adding other disciplines such as business to its core functions was to serve the need and demand of the public.

“We have not lost our mission, we are still on track and GIMPA still has one of the best Law Schools on the continent,” he said.

Prof. Manu said Africa was still suffering from mental slavery where its people found it difficult to adjust to new changes.

That, he said, was one of the major challenges facing the continent and urged governments to enforce the necessary codes of conducts to build a strong and viable Public Service.

“We need efficient Public Service to accelerate growth and development,” he said.

Dr Shaibu Ahmed Gariba, Director General of Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), said the Institute would improve its reporting and accountability to all interested stakeholders by developing an organizational communication strategy next year.

He said that was necessary for the enhancement of the visibility of the Institute in an increasing competitive environment.

Dr Gariba noted that there was the need to reassess the role its training and consultancy services should play in the capacity building and consultancy support for the public service and how that should be provided.

He said to strengthen the organizational structure of the Institute, there was the need to reorganise the Divisions to carry out their functions efficiently and effectively through staff hiring, revision and development of new programmes among other things.

He announced that by the end of the year MDPI would establish a strategy to engage the private sector in the delivery of its services to the public service while it maintained a clear distinction between the public and private interest.

“We would continue to work to ensure that there is further strengthening of the alignment of the Institute’s activities to government priorities, legislation, rules and policies such as the  Fair Wages and Salaries Commission Act and the Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715),” he said.

Source: GNA

According to Mr Stephen Hekli, officer in-charge of the library, the imprest situation had stalled counter duties, stationary supplies and administration of the facility.

He told the GNA on Wednesday that the library’s roof was leaking badly and the subscription of major dailies had been stopped 18 months ago with utility bills – water, electricity and telephone, outstanding since 2012.

Mr Hekli said the Information Communication Technology (ICT) unit of the Library, provided by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEX) for public use, was being under-utilized and hampered by lack of electricity.

He said the library provided services in research, reference purposes, learning and for ICT describing its stock as sufficient.

The officer in-charge indicated that 109 adults and 143 juveniles were registered in 2012 with 17,193 adults and 17,803 juveniles patronizing the facility last year.

Mr Hekli said a token fee was collected for annual subscription and usage of the facility. Adults pay GH¢5.00; Senior High Students, GH¢3.00; Junior High students GH¢2.00; and primary pupils attracting GH¢1.00.

He mentioned other offices in the Volta Region as Anloga, Keta, Tsito, Ho, Peki, Kpando, Jasikan, Hohoe and Agbozume.

Mr Hekli appealed to the government, financial institutions and NGO’s to come to their aid stating that correspondence between it and Hohoe Municipal Assembly for support failed to yield the needy expectation.

Dr Margeret Kweku, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly’s resources were over-stretched and correspondences were not enough to settle some of these challenges urging officers in the area to be more assertive.

Mr Alikem Tamakloe, Regional Director of GLA, said lack of funding to the Authority was a national problem that should attract the needed attention.

He said the attention and priority attained during the 1960’s and 70’s had been dissipated and therefore appealed to public and private institutions to rise up to the challenge.

On the regional library project, Mr Tamakloe said the pace of work had rather been slow but estimated about 78 per cent of works had been completed.

Source: GNA

All government pharmacies in the country have been closed to the public following an indefinite strike action embarked upon by the membership of the Government and Hospital Pharmacists’ Association (GHOSPA) over failure of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to upgrade their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure.

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the Ridge Hospital and Adabraka Polyclinic in Accra confirmed the restoration of pharmacy services to the public.

However, there was very little patronage due to the limited information to patients of the resumption of services.

Mr Joseph Adjei Tsiase, Deputy Head of Pharmacy, Ridge Hospital, explained to the GNA that the decision to resume their services followed a directive from the leadership of the Association entreating all pharmacists to resume work after reaching a consensus at their national delegates meeting in Accra.

He said while the membership of the Association awaited the report of the sub-Cabinet Committee, they expected all stakeholders to embrace the stages of the process with urgency, openness and the transparency required to ensure equity and fairness in their wages.

Mr Tsiase said most patients were still not aware of the restoration of their services due to the long break and, therefore, they still collected their prescription and went outside to purchase their medications.

He, however, expressed the hope that people would be informed through announcements in the media.

Source: GNA

A statement from the secretariat said, “The Council of Patrons, Executive Committee and members of SWAG, wish to congratulate you on ascending to the high office of Managing Director of the leading insurance company in Ghana.

“We are of the firm conviction that your ascension to the high office of Managing Director was as a result of years of dedication and commitment to the cause of the company.”

It added that, “taking into consideration your great wealth of experience in the field and the fact that you are the first woman to have ascended to this position, we have no doubt that the company will achieve greater laurels under your leadership”.

The statement said SWAG has over the years enjoyed a fruitful relationship with SIC Insurance Company and looks forward to strengthening the relationship in the future.

Source: GNA

They were Alfred Mensah, 28, Benedict Acquah, 22, and Emmanuel Kwame Coffie, 23, all from Apremdo near Takoradi in the Western Region.

The parade was organized by the Effutu Municipal Police Command and nine persons identified the suspects as people who attacked them in their rooms.

Superintendent (Sup) John Opoku, Effutu Municipal Police Commander, told the GNA that the suspects were arrested by the Police on Sunday afternoon when they attempted to rob occupants of a house, who had gone for church service.

He said from March to date, the police had recorded ten armed robbery cases in which the victims were attacked at gun-point, raped or robbed of their items.

Sup Opoku said on 16th June, the Police patrol team received a distressed call that armed robbers had attacked some residents of Winneba Low Cost North.

He said some patriotic citizens helped the police to arrest the suspects, and when a search was carried out on the suspects jewelries were found on them.

Sup Opoku said the suspects would be prosecuted, and he appealed to the public to cooperate with the police in fighting crime.

Source: GNA

She said it was much better to have enough patience to wait till they were grown-ups before indulging in adult behavior in order to jeopardize their future.

Mrs. Okine was speaking on Tuesday in Tema on the day of the African child celebration on the theme: “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children’s Education, Our Collective Responsibility.”

Mrs. Okine said young girls had to realize that their lives and future belonged to them, adding that it was their responsibility to ensure that no one jeopardized their future.

She urged them to report incidents of inappropriate behavior towards them by people who they might not be able to deal with themselves, such as their teachers to higher authorities to ensure their protection as well as sanctioning of the culprits.

Mrs. Okine said it was unfortunate that some authorities did not allow pregnant girls to write exams.

She said although those girls might have erred, it was important to grant them a chance towards a brighter future.

Ms. Priscilla Takiwaa Aforo, Social Development Officer at the Department of Social Well Fare, said irresponsible parenting, peer pressure, and poor education on the human reproductive cycle, were the key reasons for the high rate of teenage pregnancy.

Ms. Aforo said it was important for parents and other stake-holders such as churches and schools, to adequately educate the youth, especially teenage girls on pre-marital sex.

“There is the need for laws to be enacted to punish irresponsible parents,” she said, adding “parents should provide their children’s needs when the need arises.”

Ms. Sheila Aboagye, Executive Director of PerVita Foundation, urged children to project their ideas and dreams positively by being technologically oriented in the age of Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

“ICT in our era has very powerful developmental advantages, but it depends on how well we use it.”

She said in order for ICT to be used properly, teachers, parents and guardians need to ensure that it was applied appropriately through all curriculum areas.

The programme was organized by the Abibiman Foundation and I DAY Ghana.

Mrs. Judith Sawyer, Chairperson of the Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition, and Vice Chair of the School Management Committee of the Nima Cluster of Schools, chaired the function.

Source: GNA

It was to disseminate, educate, sensitize and explain the content of the budget to the residents in the Region, and illicit public response and submit feedback to the Government.

A statement issued in Sunyani and copied to the Ghana News Agency by Mr. Akwasi Amankwaa, Brong-Ahafo Regional Information Officer, said 16 FM stations and four cinema vans were used.

It said the panel members for the talk show were the Regional Information Officer (RIO), Municipal and District Information Officers, Budget Officers and some Members of Parliament and the medium of communication was Vernacular and English.

The districts were Tano North, Tano South, Kintampo North and Sene.

The in-depth discussion centered on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.

Under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), topics deliberated upon included Agricultural Mechanization Service Centres (AMSECs), Livestock Demonstration Centres, Hi-Tech Programme on Cocoa, Youth in Agriculture Programme and Fertilizer Subsidy.

Efforts by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to stop erratic supply of electricity on the country were deliberated upon. Already 133mw had been brought on stream after the inauguration of the first phase of the Bui Hydro-electric Power Project.

The people were made aware that the Bui Hydro-Electric Power would come on line with a full capacity of 400mw by December, 2013.

They were also informed about the government’s intention to connect 464 outstanding communities under the Self-Help Electricity Programme (SHEP) in all the 10 Regions.

Projects outlined for construction, upgrading and completion under the Ministry of Roads and Highways were Takoradi Port, Sekondi/Takoradi via Kojo-Asoprochona and Accra-Nsawam railway lines.

Projects identified in the Brong Ahafo Region in the Budget were highlighted to include the Berekum-Sampa road and improvement in the road network in the regional and districts capitals.

Under the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, it was made known to the people that under the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project (SRWSP), 1,200 new boreholes, 400 old boreholes and 40 limited mechanized water facilities would be developed.

Others are the construction of storm water and drainage system at Goaso in the Region, 17 houses for cocoa farmers and under the Peri-Urban Project, there would be test run for 15 small towns` piped systems whilst the Rural and Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project would fix 550 boreholes with hand pumps in the Region.

Other projects identified in the sector were Abesim and Tanoso dams’ rehabilitation.

Projects, programmes and activities under the Ministry of Education include the provision of free uniforms for pupils, Capitation Grant, distribution of free exercise books to about 5.7 million basic schools pupils and sustenance of School Feeding Programme.

Other projects are construction of teacher’s accommodation, classroom blocks and toilet facilities as well as elimination of schools under trees.

The rest are construction of 50 communities based and 10 colleges would be completed.

Under the Ministry of Health, the main projects outlined are the upgrading of some regional hospitals including the Brong Ahafo Region.

Source: GNA

The new board.

The newly re-constituted Ghana Railway Development Authority Board of Directors has been cautioned against taking over management duties of the organization.

Speaking at the inauguration in Accra, the Minister of Transport, Mrs. Dzifa Attivor said, “the unfortunate practice in some instances of the past, where the Board virtually took over management should be avoided. We have had instances where the Board took over the administration of the agency. We don’t want a repetition of that.”

The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) lacks the requisite human capacity and according to her, “I am therefore charging this new Board to immediately put in place the full complement of staff and ensure that the railway master plan is completed to guide the railway development of the sub-sector.”

She lamented the unfortunate condition of the existing railway network which is completely down especially with respect to freight haulage. This according to her has contributed significantly to the deterioration of our roads as freight meant for rail are all now going by road.

On his part, the Executive Chairman of State Enterprises Commission, Mr. Ronny Apaloo called on the new members to provide direction and leadership to the railway sector which has lost its vibrancy as a result of a myriad of challenges.

“We don’t have promises to make now but with the people put together, by the end of our tenure, we will leave a legacy and push the agenda of better Ghana forward,” Mrs. Peace Judith George the Chairperson of the Board said.

The following are the members; Peace Judith George (Mrs.) – Chairman, James Kwesi-Dapat Musey -  Member, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III – Member, Siisi Essuman-Ocran  -  Member, Godwin Brocke – Member, Representative from the Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Suleiman Huseini – Member, Dr. Isaac Frimpong Mensa-Bonsu  – Member, Dr. Toni Aubynn – Member, Ebenezer Tei-Quartey  – Member and the Chief Executive of GRDA  – Member.

By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor

“The new Efficient Grip Performance, available in 39 sizes, delivers some of the highest performance and safety capabilities commercially available on the market today,” said Ersin Ozkan, Marketing Director, Goodyear Middle East and Africa.

The Marketing Director, who disclosed this in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said the compact which is available in 26 sizes, ranging from 13 to 15 inches, “is specifically designed for smaller and city cars.”

Ozkan said one key feature of the new Efficient Grip Compact was its strength in braking on wet roads, driven by multiple biting edges with extra-large sipes, saying “Sipes cut the water layer efficiently to reach dryer surface more quickly.”

The new Efficient Grip Performance is packed with advanced technology such as WearControl, which manages a balanced wear across the tire, delivering a more optimized road grip and rolling resistance through-out the tire’s life, said Ozkan.

Its low rolling resistance and lower fuel consumption is driven by the tire’s compound formulation, which reduces heat in the lower side-wall, reducing resistance between tire and road.

It also has CoolCushion Layer that ensures management and reduction in heat and noise to the tire.

Mr. Ozkan said: “Technologies like our CoolCushion Layers are designed with regional hot weather conditions in mind and ensures safety and security”.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world.

Source: GNA