Tetteh Quarshie (GN)
Story: Alice Aryeetey
TWO traditional rulers have begun an initiative to celebrate and recognise the achievement of Tetteh Quarshie in the era of cocoa production in the country.
The two rulers, Nii Nortey Owuo III,Chief of Osu and the Mamponghene, Osabarima Kwame Otu Darte III, at a ceremony to begin a yearlong programme to be held next year in memory of Tetteh Quarshie , called on the government and the people of Ghana to celebrate and commemorate Tetteh Quarshie for the honour he did the country.
Tetteh Quarshie was a pre-independence Ghanaian agriculturist who first introduced the cocoa crop to the country in 1879, by bringing its seeds on his return from Fernando Po.The crop has since been the bedrock of the country’s economy.
He had also been the most successful entrepreneur the country had ever produced.
On his return to the country, Tetteh Quarshie planted the seeds in Accra, but did not yield any fruits. He therefore decided to go back to Mampong, where he worked as a Blacksmith, to plant the cocoa beans, and that was successful.
Many equally important historic Ghanaians who have contributed to the country’s development has always been remembered and celebrated, but according to the chiefs, Tetteh Quarshie has not been given the needed commemoration.
The cocoa crop he brought to the country has been a major export crop of the Ghanaian economy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nii Owuo III stated that cocoa had been of help to sustaining the country’s development, for which the one who first introduced it into the country needed to be remembered.
He also stated that if it had not been Tetteh Quarshie who brought the fruit to Ghana, the nation would have suffered greatly despite the oil production.
“Even if we have found oil, oil cannot do what cocoa has done for the country”, he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the Mamponghene, who brought up the initiative,and paid him (Nii Owuo III) a visit as well, to discuss how and what should be done in memory of Tetteh Quarshie.
Nii Owuo III further advised the youth of Osu and all Ghanaians to uphold the unity that had transpired between Osu and Mampong Akuapem, and to also urged other chiefs and people in the country emulate what the two chiefs of the Osu and Mampong Akuapem communities had done, since that would transform into bringing peace and unity among all ethnic groups and Ghanaians which would in turn aid in developing the country.
“This should have been done long ago, but we will start for our predecessors to continue”, he added.
Osabarima Kwame Otu Darte III stated that there was the need for a day to be set to celebrate and commemorate Tetteh Quarshie. He therefore appealed to all Ghanaians and the government to help in making that possible since Tetteh Quarshie had contributed greatly to the nation’s economic growth.
A yearlong programme had been tabulated for the celebration, but would begin with a memorial church service at Osu to mark his death. The chiefs would also meet with government officials to discuss the issue of setting a day to celebrate Tetteh Quarshie, as well as what would be done in memory of him.
In attendance was the elders and some people of the Mampong Akuapem who paid a brotherly visit to the Osu chief to plan the celebration of Tetteh Quarshie, and other sub chiefs and people of Osu.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Thursday 8 December 2011
Mental health care in Ghana
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 650,000 Ghanaians out of the country’s total population of over 22 million are suffering from a severe mental disorder, while 2,166,000 are suffering from a moderate to mild mental disorder.
According to the WHO, with less than 14 psychiatrists in the country to take care of the huge number of people suffering from a moderate to mild and severe mental disorder, treatment of mental illness is bound to experience a serious treatment gap of 98 per cent.
Mental health is defined by the WHO as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Most people consider mental illness as a disease for drug addicts and people who are demonised.
Speaking at the 2nd annual Inter-Medical school public speaking competition held in Accra on Monday, the president of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), Prof Dr. Dr. Sir George Wireko Brobby said one of the countless challenges confronting effective mental health service delivery in the country is the problem of stigmatisation.
He said stigmatisation had not only affected the patients, but has affected their families, as well as health workers including psychiatrists and only a few medical students are willing to take up a position in the mental health sector or major in mental health due to the stigma.
He said deep-seated stigmatisation has eroded the interest of even medical students in the field of psychiatry and unless the government is prepared to give incentives to residents of psychiatry, this condition will remain unsurmountable.
The 2nd Annual Inter-Medical school public speaking competition was organised by the Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI), in collaboration with St Patrick’s University Hospital in Ireland, St John of God Development Company, the office of the Chief Psychiatrists of the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The theme for the debate was; A modern Mental health law coupled with increased funding for mental health services delivery is essential for accelerated national development.
The competition was aimed at promoting psychiatry as a career option for medical students in line with efforts to mobilise and inspire medical students and Ghanaian residents to consider psychiatry as a career optionadvocate for the promotion of mental health.
The schools which competed in the debate were the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS),the University for Developmental Studies Medical School (UDSMS), and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medical Sciences (KNUSTSMS).
Prof. Dr. Dr. Sir Brobby said most people in the country have considered mental illness as the preserve for drug addicts and people who are demonised, adding that mental health service over the past years had also been overlooked by many people including governments.
This calls for radical steps to reform the mental health sector, a situation which justifies the one initiated by AGPI. The AGPI is an association aimed at mobilising material and human resources for development, and mobilising and inspiring Ghanaians and Africans in Ireland to enable them achieve their full potentials through education, entrepreneurship, enterprise and healthy living.
It has also been at the frontline in current efforts towards devising credible and sustainable solutions to the many problems confronting mental health in Ghana.
The Chairperson of AGPI, Dr Vincent Agyapong, urged the government to set up a Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) on Mental health and disability to radically revamp the sectors. He also called on all persons in authority to agree to and help in the enactment of the Modern health bill which is currently before parliament to be passed into law.
According to Dr Agyapong, the president should positively react to the bill by implementing its passage into law. “The president promised to be the father of all when voted to power, and no father will afford to see his children mentally ill on the streets”, he said.
All the speakers of the four medical schools challenged that with the enactment of the bill into law, most students would be encouraged to take up the course of psychiatry. They held the view that the promotion of mental health in the country would go a long way to help in the accelerated development of the country at large.
The deputy minister for education Hon Mahama Ayariga, urged other Ghanaian diaspora based organisations to emulate the AGPI to come up with initiatives and programmes that would impact on vulnerable societies across our dear nation.
UCCSMS emerged the winners of the debate,while UDSMS came second, with KNUSTSMS being adjuged third and UGMS the fourth after the competition.
Help the mentally ill.
Her clothes were tattered, her hair, dirty, brown and twisted like a nursery of sprouting seedlings.With an occasional smile and frown, she roamed bare footed on the streets, saluting anybody who cared to stare at her frightening image.
Ama Santo (not her real name) has become the street monarch of Odorkor, her appearance strikes fear into every child. Her name is nightmare for disobedient children and a parent’s triumph card for children who refuse to obey instruction. In a good mood, she is the street sweeper, the dancer and the comedian whose rumblings split lungs.
Like Ama, there are many mentally derailed people in our communities with no attempt to get them off the street. If not their families, the state has closed its eyes on them and allowed them to waste their productive years on the streets and in drains.
In the recent past, it was unusual to see many mentally ill men and women on our streets. They were either taken to the hospital or kept at home in order not to bring shame to the family.
This trend has changed so significantly that at every corner of the street you find yourself in Accra, you would definitely meet a number of “mad men” either lying down on the street, looking so dirty and sometimes naked or you would find them picking foods from the gutters and even on rubbish heaps.
Many mentally ill men have been abandoned by their families and left homeless and destitute. They do not eat or sleep in good environments, which put their lives in danger.
It is so pathetic to see your fellow brother, sister, mother, or father in that kind of devastating state.
The influx of mentally ill on the streets is a growing phenomenon in our dear motherland, in which the street has become the home and hospital of these ill persons.
Several factors have paved way for this depressing development.
One of the countless challenges confronting effective mental health service delivery in the country is the problem of stigmatisation. Stigmatisation had not affected only the patients, but has affected their families as well as health workers including psychiatrists.
Stigmatisation has worn the interest of even medical students in the field of psychiatry, unless the government is prepared to give incentives to residents of psychiatry.Only a few medical students want to take up a position or major in the mental health sector due to the stigma attached to it.
Most people in the country consider mental illness as the preserve for drug addicts and people who are demonised. Mental health service over the past years had also been overlooked by many people including governments.
The WHO estimates that approximately 650,000 persons in Ghana suffer from a severe mental disorder and further 2.17 million from moderate to mild mental disorders with a treatment gap of 98% of the affected population.
Mental health care in Ghana is based in the South, while that of the North, I read about in a publication on the website of Basic Needs Ghana, an NGO, is non-existent; There were only few beds in the regional hospitals, with no psychiatrists, or just a few nurses to cater for them. Thus making all serious cases to be sent to the hospital in Accra for treatment.
Even in Accra, there is over reliance on psychiatric hospitals to treat mentally ill people, and they are also relied on to deliver services for the whole country.
Anytime matters or issues of development are being discussed, the mentally deranged persons on our streets are forgotten about. These “mad men” on the streets poses threats to commuters or people who walk on the streets.
Ghana’s 1972 mental health decree strongly emphasised institutional care to the detriment of providing mental health care in primary health care settings, contradictory to both national and international policy directives.
The modern mental health bill which protects the rights of people with mental disorders and promotes mental health care in the country in accordance with international human rights standards which has been developed and currently before parliament to be passed into law, would go a long way to develop the country.
This bill, if enacted into law would help improve mental health care in the country, and encourage more health professionals and medical students to enter the mental health sector. The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) even failed to recognise this perturbing situation. Most people have forgotten that unhealthy people would translate into an unhealthy nation, therefore the quest to eradicate poverty in the system would remain futile if proper mental health care is absent in the system. This is because mentally derailed persons are not allowed to work to increase productivity and contribute to the development of the country.
Mentally ill men have been left hovering around the streets posing danger to commuters and themselves as well.
Many have forgotten that these “mad men” were born like each one of us by a woman, who bore her in her womb for nine good months just like any of us.
The declaration on the rights of mentally retarded persons, proclaimed by the General Assembly resolution 2856 (XXVI) of December 20, 1971 indicates that the mentally retarded person has a right to economic security and to a decent standard of living. He has a right to perform productive work or to engage in any other meaningful occupation to the fullest possible extent of his capabilities.
This is something which is missing in some parts of Africa especially Ghana. Only a few number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and individuals have taken it upon themselves to help save the lives of these mad men on the streets, and make them feel useful in the community.
Ghanaians who have disregard for the mentally ill patients on the streets should always remember that they (“mad men”) were once like them, and in every mad man, there is a potential drug addict, and slayer who can be the good cause of social vices and destruction of good things in the society.
If they have nothing to eat and go very hungry, they would turn to robbing people in the society to get food, or pick foods from the dirty gutters, which is harmful to their health.
The sleeping places of these people are nothing to write home about; some sleep in the middle of streets, others in deserted damaged cars full of mosquitoes which affect the health of these vulnerable and ignorant ones.
The government must give the due support to organizations such as the Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI), and individuals who have put forth resources to help curb this sticky situation.
Friday 2 December 2011
Lands in the capital not well managed---- Minister tells chiefs
THE Greater Accra Regional minster, Nii Armah Ashietey, has said chiefs in the region are the poorest among other chiefs in the country because they have not managed the lands in the national capital well.
According to him, lands in the national capital should have been the most expensive and hard to acquire.
In addition, he said, money or revenue generated from the sale of such lands could be used for developmental projects in the region.
He made these statements at a one-day special assembly meeting of the Ga South Municipal Assembly.
During the meeting at which the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the assembly, Sheriff Nii Otoo Dodoo, officially handed over documents to him to oversee the affairs of the municipal, following the president’s order after revoking the MCE from office.
Hon Ashietey commended the former MCE for doing his best to deliver the required services to the assembly.
He was optimistic that the next person to be appointed would deliver good services to help in the development of the municipality.
He also advised the assembly members to cooperate with the situation and join hands to help move the municipal forward.
Hon Sheriff called on the assembly members to give support to whoever was appointed to the position and promised that he wouldn always support in the development of the assembly anytime he is called upon to do so.
Hon Sheriff also thanked the assembly members for giving him the due support while he was in office, and apologised to any person he might have offended during his tenure.
Most assembly members of the various areas in the municipality complained of poor sanitation, lack of facilities to convey garbage, tools for clean-up exercises, and mobilisation allowances which have not been forthcoming.
They therefore called on the government to come to the aid of the assemblies by giving them the maximum financial support needed to help in their development which would in turn be for the betterment and development of the country at large.
Picture: Hon Sheriff Nii Otoo Dodoo handing over document to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon Nii Armah Ashietey.Looking on is the Presiding member of the assembly.
According to him, lands in the national capital should have been the most expensive and hard to acquire.
In addition, he said, money or revenue generated from the sale of such lands could be used for developmental projects in the region.
He made these statements at a one-day special assembly meeting of the Ga South Municipal Assembly.
During the meeting at which the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the assembly, Sheriff Nii Otoo Dodoo, officially handed over documents to him to oversee the affairs of the municipal, following the president’s order after revoking the MCE from office.
Hon Ashietey commended the former MCE for doing his best to deliver the required services to the assembly.
He was optimistic that the next person to be appointed would deliver good services to help in the development of the municipality.
He also advised the assembly members to cooperate with the situation and join hands to help move the municipal forward.
Hon Sheriff called on the assembly members to give support to whoever was appointed to the position and promised that he wouldn always support in the development of the assembly anytime he is called upon to do so.
Hon Sheriff also thanked the assembly members for giving him the due support while he was in office, and apologised to any person he might have offended during his tenure.
Most assembly members of the various areas in the municipality complained of poor sanitation, lack of facilities to convey garbage, tools for clean-up exercises, and mobilisation allowances which have not been forthcoming.
They therefore called on the government to come to the aid of the assemblies by giving them the maximum financial support needed to help in their development which would in turn be for the betterment and development of the country at large.
Picture: Hon Sheriff Nii Otoo Dodoo handing over document to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon Nii Armah Ashietey.Looking on is the Presiding member of the assembly.
Credit Unions to Devise strategies for competition.
1/12/11
Credit Union (Finance)
Story: Alice Aryeetey
Credit unions have been urged to devise strategies to stay ahead of the competition they face from the formal financial institutions.
According to the Metro Director of Cooperatives Department, Mr John K.Nyarko, the competition should provide an impetus for credit unions to devise strategies to attain their targets which are being wooed by the formal institutions, in the fields of both urban and rural financial inter mediation.
He disclosed this at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Associated Teachers Co-operative Credit Union Limited (ATCCUL) in Accra today(Thursday).
The ATCCUL, since its inception has had an aim of empowering its members by providing a means of self-help and mutual help, which would have a positive and lasting impact on the members’ livelihoods through improvements in their conditions of living, through savings and borrowing activities.
Mr Nyarko advised that credit unions adhere strictly to their lending policies. He stated that when members of the union borrow against their savings, and a charge is placed on such savings, such members are still allowed to withdraw their savings.
This, he said threatens the liquidity situation of credit unions and prevent the satisfaction of the needs of members in need.
According to Mr Nyarko, the empowerment of the members can be created only through the collaboration of the various players in the credit union industry. “There must be integration of our individual efforts in order for us to achieve our collective goal of life time benefits for each other”, he added.
He further stated that the union needs to stay in touch with the members and not become unspecified with growth in business and membership, because the members must derive tangible benefits in order to want to continue to belong to and sell the credit union idea to others.
The General Manager of Credit Unions Association (CUA), Mr Emmanuel Darko made said the social and economic waves blowing throughout the country calls for credit unions to sharpen their managerial and technical skills to be more competitive and be able to keep abreast with time.
He entreated all credit unions to examine the need to increase the capital base, profitability, and improve liquidity to be able to meet demand of members at the right time, and increase membership base.
Mr Darko advised members of the ATCCUL to examine their expenditure patterns, and learn how to use money profitably for the benefit of the next generation to come.
The ATCCUL, was formed in 1996 to help both teachers and the general public to gain resources from the union to reduce poverty and ensure a sustainable livelihood for their dependents through the co-operative credit union concept. The union currently have a membership of 1004, comprising of teachers, traders, and people from other business sectors.
Credit Union (Finance)
Story: Alice Aryeetey
Credit unions have been urged to devise strategies to stay ahead of the competition they face from the formal financial institutions.
According to the Metro Director of Cooperatives Department, Mr John K.Nyarko, the competition should provide an impetus for credit unions to devise strategies to attain their targets which are being wooed by the formal institutions, in the fields of both urban and rural financial inter mediation.
He disclosed this at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Associated Teachers Co-operative Credit Union Limited (ATCCUL) in Accra today(Thursday).
The ATCCUL, since its inception has had an aim of empowering its members by providing a means of self-help and mutual help, which would have a positive and lasting impact on the members’ livelihoods through improvements in their conditions of living, through savings and borrowing activities.
Mr Nyarko advised that credit unions adhere strictly to their lending policies. He stated that when members of the union borrow against their savings, and a charge is placed on such savings, such members are still allowed to withdraw their savings.
This, he said threatens the liquidity situation of credit unions and prevent the satisfaction of the needs of members in need.
According to Mr Nyarko, the empowerment of the members can be created only through the collaboration of the various players in the credit union industry. “There must be integration of our individual efforts in order for us to achieve our collective goal of life time benefits for each other”, he added.
He further stated that the union needs to stay in touch with the members and not become unspecified with growth in business and membership, because the members must derive tangible benefits in order to want to continue to belong to and sell the credit union idea to others.
The General Manager of Credit Unions Association (CUA), Mr Emmanuel Darko made said the social and economic waves blowing throughout the country calls for credit unions to sharpen their managerial and technical skills to be more competitive and be able to keep abreast with time.
He entreated all credit unions to examine the need to increase the capital base, profitability, and improve liquidity to be able to meet demand of members at the right time, and increase membership base.
Mr Darko advised members of the ATCCUL to examine their expenditure patterns, and learn how to use money profitably for the benefit of the next generation to come.
The ATCCUL, was formed in 1996 to help both teachers and the general public to gain resources from the union to reduce poverty and ensure a sustainable livelihood for their dependents through the co-operative credit union concept. The union currently have a membership of 1004, comprising of teachers, traders, and people from other business sectors.
500 Farmers gets sponsorship
MTN-ESOKO (Agric)
Story:Alice Aryeetey, Ada
Five hundred farmers in the country have received sponsorship from MTN in partnership with Esoko, to be trained on the use and benefits of the Esoko Information Product.
The Esoko Information Product is a platform which provides current market data via Short Messaging Service (SMS) and the web to stakeholders within the agriculture and trade sectors in developing countries.
Esoko is a technology-based Market Information System (MIS) classified as agricultural informatics or e-agriculture. It provides agricultural stakeholders like farmers and traders with information such as prices, and a platform for advertising, and negotiating (buy/sell) offers, and facilitates direct marketing campaigns using SMS.
The initiative, dubbed MTN farmerfirst, would provide a unique opportunity and platform for farmers and agricultural enterprises to have vital information on how much to sell and where to sell their produce, to be able to conduct their business efficiently, via SMS.
The 500 farmers were selected from the Dangbe East, Samsam Odumase (Ga West) and Akuapim South farming Districts, and they would enjoy free SMS subscription to Esoko’s market information for one year.
The farmerfirst initiative is aimed at giving all farmers across the country the opportunity to properly market their harvest to a greater buyer audience.
Access to ready and up to date information, proper storage, transportation of agricultural produce to market centres, as well as getting competitive prices for the products have been major challenges that farmers face in the country.
The farm produce, as a result of these problems do not get onto the market in a good state for human consumption, and sometimes contributes to the loss of the farmers.
At the launch of the project in Ada-Kasseh in the Greater Accra Region yesterday (Wednesday), the Corporate Services Executive (CSE) of MTN, Mrs Cynthia Lumor, said MTN partnered with Esoko to address these problems to help increase productivity in the agriculture sector, which would in turn boost the economy and lead to development.
She was optimistic that the price and advertising information would avoid post-harvest losses;thereby improving their lot.
Customers or farmers can request for information such as Price alerts, Bids and Offers, News and Advisories information through the short code 1900 at a cost of 8 pesewas. Other services available on the platform include Polls, Inventory counts, and transport information.
According to the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural development, Mr Aquinas Quansah, the initiative was a laudable one since it would assist farmers in making beneficial economic decisions and help to reduce the amount of time they spend commuting to different markets to inquire about the price of their products.
“If this technology is fully embraced, the total life cycle of food production and distribution will become more efficient”, he added.
Mr Quansah noted that the government would assist the farmer in maximising the full benefits due him on his farming activities.
Story:Alice Aryeetey, Ada
Five hundred farmers in the country have received sponsorship from MTN in partnership with Esoko, to be trained on the use and benefits of the Esoko Information Product.
The Esoko Information Product is a platform which provides current market data via Short Messaging Service (SMS) and the web to stakeholders within the agriculture and trade sectors in developing countries.
Esoko is a technology-based Market Information System (MIS) classified as agricultural informatics or e-agriculture. It provides agricultural stakeholders like farmers and traders with information such as prices, and a platform for advertising, and negotiating (buy/sell) offers, and facilitates direct marketing campaigns using SMS.
The initiative, dubbed MTN farmerfirst, would provide a unique opportunity and platform for farmers and agricultural enterprises to have vital information on how much to sell and where to sell their produce, to be able to conduct their business efficiently, via SMS.
The 500 farmers were selected from the Dangbe East, Samsam Odumase (Ga West) and Akuapim South farming Districts, and they would enjoy free SMS subscription to Esoko’s market information for one year.
The farmerfirst initiative is aimed at giving all farmers across the country the opportunity to properly market their harvest to a greater buyer audience.
Access to ready and up to date information, proper storage, transportation of agricultural produce to market centres, as well as getting competitive prices for the products have been major challenges that farmers face in the country.
The farm produce, as a result of these problems do not get onto the market in a good state for human consumption, and sometimes contributes to the loss of the farmers.
At the launch of the project in Ada-Kasseh in the Greater Accra Region yesterday (Wednesday), the Corporate Services Executive (CSE) of MTN, Mrs Cynthia Lumor, said MTN partnered with Esoko to address these problems to help increase productivity in the agriculture sector, which would in turn boost the economy and lead to development.
She was optimistic that the price and advertising information would avoid post-harvest losses;thereby improving their lot.
Customers or farmers can request for information such as Price alerts, Bids and Offers, News and Advisories information through the short code 1900 at a cost of 8 pesewas. Other services available on the platform include Polls, Inventory counts, and transport information.
According to the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural development, Mr Aquinas Quansah, the initiative was a laudable one since it would assist farmers in making beneficial economic decisions and help to reduce the amount of time they spend commuting to different markets to inquire about the price of their products.
“If this technology is fully embraced, the total life cycle of food production and distribution will become more efficient”, he added.
Mr Quansah noted that the government would assist the farmer in maximising the full benefits due him on his farming activities.
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