Public Procurement Authority cautions public against fraudsters
The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on Thursday cautioned the public against activities of some unscrupulous persons under the guise of awarding contracts on behalf of the Government.
A statement issued in Accra on Thursday said government had not set up any tender board from the Office of the President to provide offsite procurement outsourcing solutions and award contracts on its behalf.
It said contracts in Ghana were awarded only after an exhaustive tendering process in which the awardees were expected to have participated.
“We are by this notice alerting you of their dealings and advising that no purported contract awards from such organisations should be entertained”.
“Such tender notices are put out by the individual entities and not a Central Agency on behalf of the Government,” the statement added.
The statement cautioned the general public to be wary of such scams and disregard any correspondence ostensibly coming from such entities.
Source: GNA
SIC Insurance signs MOU with National Sports Authority
State Insurance Company Limited, (SIC) the nation’s number one insurer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Sports Authority to introduce a Stadium Personal Accident Policy which will provide insurance for supporters and spectators who patronize international football matches and other games at the various national stadiums.
Mr Benjamin K. Acolatse, Managing Director of SIC Insurance who signed on behalf his company explained that fans who go to the stadia to watch any international match will now be covered by the new SIC Stadium Policy in event of an accident.
He stated that SIC Insurance has set the tone to revive the patronage of sports in the country especially football.
Mr Wolanyo Agra, Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) said the Policy has come at the right time to provide some comfort for patrons of various sporting activities in the country.
The Policy will start with the next Black Stars match in August, 2011, he added.
Source: GNA
UN Report calls for end to injustice against women
Millions of women worldwide continue to experience injustice, violence and inequality in their homes, the workplace and public life, according to a new United Nations report that calls on governments to take urgent action to ensure real equality between the sexes.
“Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice”, is the first major report by UN Women, the agency launched earlier this year to spearhead the world body’s efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The flagship report “aims to inspire bold action by governments and civil society to meet their commitments and also accelerate the achievement of women’s rights worldwide,” Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, told a news conference at UN Headquarters.
A statement released by the UN Information Centre in Accra on Thursday, said the focus on women’s access to justice stemmed from the recognition that laws and justice systems that work well were the foundation of gender equality.
She added that although the rule of law is a cherished principle and the cornerstone of democratic governance worldwide, “in too many countries still the rule of law rules women out”.
The report stated that the past century had seen a “transformation” in women’s legal rights, with countries in every region expanding the scope of women’s legal entitlements.
“Nevertheless for most of the world’s women, the laws that exist on paper do not translate to equality and justice.”
It also pointed out that while 139 countries and territories now guaranteed gender equality in their constitutions, women continued to experience injustice, violence and inequality in their home and working lives.
“With half the world’s population at stake, the findings of this report are a powerful call to action,” said Ms. Bachelet.
“The foundations for justice for women have been laid: in 1911, just two countries in the world allowed women to vote – now that right is virtually universal.
“But full equality demands that women become men’s true equals in the eyes of the law – in their home and working lives, and in the public sphere.”
UN Women called on governments to take a number of steps to end the injustices that kept women poorer and less powerful than men in every country in the world.
These include repealing laws that discriminate against women; employing more female police, judges, legislators and activists on the “frontline of justice delivery;” and investing in “one-stop shops” where women can access justice, legal and health services in one place.
Among the findings of the report is that while domestic violence is now outlawed in 125 countries, 603 million women worldwide live in countries where it is not considered a crime.
Also, women are still paid up to 30 per cent less than men in some countries and some 600 million women are employed in vulnerable jobs that lack the protection of labour laws.
The report also finds inadequate enforcement of existing laws across the board. Many women, says UN Women, shrink away from reporting crimes due to social stigma and weak justice systems.
The prohibitive costs and practical difficulties of seeking justice, from travel to a distant court to paying for expensive legal advice, leads to high drop-out rates in cases where women seek redress, especially on gender-based violence, the agency notes.
“By changing laws and giving women practical support to see justice done, we can change society and ensure women and men enjoy real equality in the future,” concludes the report.
Source: GNA