The Methodist University College of Ghana (MUCG) has been selected to receive the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) award.
The selection was done after the ISSR reviewed a proposal sent by the MUCG Library to the society last year.
The ISSR is a society established to promote education through the support of inter-disciplinary learning and research in the fields of science and religion.
According to the Principal of the College, Rev. Prof S.K. Agyepong, the library would continue to augment its holdings of both books and journals, and improve the efficiency of its services.
As a result, the ISSR would send 224 volumes of assorted books on some selected subject areas to the library.
Prof Agyepong announced this at the school’s ninth congregation.
A total of 1,075 students graduated with various degrees. They included the third batch of postgraduate students comprising 119 MBA and two M.Phil Mathematics graduands.
There were a total of 954 undergraduates. Out of this, 66 had first class honours, 213 had second class (upper division), and 522 had second class lower division. One hundred and forty five had third class honours, and only eight had pass.
Prof Agyepong urged the government to accord the necessary support and encouragement in order to make the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) maximally productive to the benefit of the country.
According to him, they were not seeing the level of support and encouragement that should characterise such an important partnership.
He advised the graduands to go out boldly and make a positive change to serve the country with humility and integrity.
The Dean of the University of Ghana (UG) Business School, Prof. Kwame Ameyaw Domfeh, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, encouraged authorities of MUCG to sustain its desire to produce quality human resource for national development.
“After all, without quality human resource no nation can achieve sustained national development”, he said.
Prof Domfeh entreated tertiary institutions to respond to and address the global socio-economic challenges that were dynamic and had kept changing rapidly.
He implored the graduands to contribute their quota to the development of the school since the university could not solely depend on the fees from its students.
He also assured the authorities and the entire student body that the cooperative relationship with UG shall continue to work even when MUCG became a fully fledged university.
The Managing Director of Prudential Bank, Mr Stephen Sekyere Abankwah, assured the school of the bank’s financial support for on-going projects like the ultra-modern music centre and the library complex.
He stated that the MUCG would have to position itself strategically to be able to not only meet current demands in the education sector, but also have a competitive advantage over its close competitors.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, and Chairman of the MUCG, Prof E.K. Asante, urged students to be positive in their outlook, and endeavour to be agents of change by influencing society through the values in the school’s motto: Excellence Morality Service.
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Strong Partnership is key to eradication of Malaria- Prof Binka
The Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Ghana,Prof Fred Binka, has stated that the key to the eradication of malaria in the country lies in strong partnership between stakeholders and all Ghanaians.
According to him, the threats to the most effective malarial drug in the history of malaria control, Artemisinin-base Combination Therapies (ACTs), and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP),used for malaria treatment in pregnant women and infants, are costs, counterfeiting and monotherapy or treatment of a condition by a single drug.
He cited that the solutions to these threats are not within the reach of the Ministry of Health and its agencies, and thus, needed to be addressed with a strong partnership of communities, civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), media, local government agencies and development partners.
Speaking at the launch of the advocacy and communication materials to be used for a partnership initiative, “United Against Malaria” (UAM), for the winning of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2012 and the elimination of malaria,Prof Binka stated that progress towards the eradication of malaria has been made globally due to effective malaria interventions, substantial increase in funding, strong and effective partnerships, and focused research on malaria elimination.
The UAM is a partnership initiative between the John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Voices for a malaria free future, Roll Back Malaria Partnership,the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), that aims to build support for universal access to mosquito nets and malaria medicine in Africa, as the first step towards the elimination of malaria deaths by 2015, by using people’s passion for football as a catalyst to achieve that.
According to Prof Binka, the education programmes on Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) needed to be lifted up to encourage the use of the nets by all Ghanaians, especially pregnant women and children. He therefore called on NGOs, the communities, and the Ministry of Health and its agencies to contribute actively to that.
Indoor residual spraying (IRS)has now become a major component of malaria interventions to eliminate malaria. Prof Binka noted, adding that the support from Presidents Malaria Initiate (PMI) has allowed various homes in several districts to be sprayed to protect the families living in those homes.
He attributed the challenge to the (IRS) to the lack of funds to procure the insecticides and the cooperation of the communities to get the homes sprayed before the rains each year.
“We need funds for research into molecules that would be as effective as existing chemicals”, he added.
Strong and effective partnership, he believed, was the key to achieve malaria eradication, and could not be achieved without multi-sectoral collaboration and committed partnerships.
The Ag Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Gloria Quansah Asare, stated that winning the AFCON by the Black Stars was a special target to achieve, but winning the war against malaria could be more special.
She reminded all Ghanaians that the stride towards social and economic development would continue to slow down if malaria was not effectively contained.
It was in the light of that the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Control in Ghana (2008-2015) set the ambitious target of reducing the country’s malaria burden by 75 per cent by 2015, in line with the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), she said.
She further pointed out that the levels that had so far been reached in net ownership and use, availability and use of ACTs, adoption of more reliable diagnostics using RDTs and Microscopy, which has aided in saving many lives, would not have been possible without partnership from development agencies, other government sectors, the private and informal sector and NGOs.
She acknowledged the support of global players such as the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, WHO, UNICEF, USA/PMI, DFID, and the mining industry as well as some financial institution.
She called on media personnels to put more efforts in the development and presentation of health messages to their audiences, to make such messages acceptable and easily adopted by all.
The materials launched included “The Goal Newspaper” to intensify malaria prevention and treatment education during the weeks of the AFCON tournament. Other materials were, The Malaria Safe Book, The Winning Moves; a chart or enlarged reminder card which uses football language to direct leadership and staff of companies on ways to win the match against malaria, and finally, a Television spot, depicting Dede Ayew calling on Ghanaians to make the right moves in the prevention of malaria. The TV spot would be shown on GTV,METRO TV and TV3 throughout January and February.
According to him, the threats to the most effective malarial drug in the history of malaria control, Artemisinin-base Combination Therapies (ACTs), and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP),used for malaria treatment in pregnant women and infants, are costs, counterfeiting and monotherapy or treatment of a condition by a single drug.
He cited that the solutions to these threats are not within the reach of the Ministry of Health and its agencies, and thus, needed to be addressed with a strong partnership of communities, civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), media, local government agencies and development partners.
Speaking at the launch of the advocacy and communication materials to be used for a partnership initiative, “United Against Malaria” (UAM), for the winning of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2012 and the elimination of malaria,Prof Binka stated that progress towards the eradication of malaria has been made globally due to effective malaria interventions, substantial increase in funding, strong and effective partnerships, and focused research on malaria elimination.
The UAM is a partnership initiative between the John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Voices for a malaria free future, Roll Back Malaria Partnership,the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), that aims to build support for universal access to mosquito nets and malaria medicine in Africa, as the first step towards the elimination of malaria deaths by 2015, by using people’s passion for football as a catalyst to achieve that.
According to Prof Binka, the education programmes on Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) needed to be lifted up to encourage the use of the nets by all Ghanaians, especially pregnant women and children. He therefore called on NGOs, the communities, and the Ministry of Health and its agencies to contribute actively to that.
Indoor residual spraying (IRS)has now become a major component of malaria interventions to eliminate malaria. Prof Binka noted, adding that the support from Presidents Malaria Initiate (PMI) has allowed various homes in several districts to be sprayed to protect the families living in those homes.
He attributed the challenge to the (IRS) to the lack of funds to procure the insecticides and the cooperation of the communities to get the homes sprayed before the rains each year.
“We need funds for research into molecules that would be as effective as existing chemicals”, he added.
Strong and effective partnership, he believed, was the key to achieve malaria eradication, and could not be achieved without multi-sectoral collaboration and committed partnerships.
The Ag Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Gloria Quansah Asare, stated that winning the AFCON by the Black Stars was a special target to achieve, but winning the war against malaria could be more special.
She reminded all Ghanaians that the stride towards social and economic development would continue to slow down if malaria was not effectively contained.
It was in the light of that the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Control in Ghana (2008-2015) set the ambitious target of reducing the country’s malaria burden by 75 per cent by 2015, in line with the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), she said.
She further pointed out that the levels that had so far been reached in net ownership and use, availability and use of ACTs, adoption of more reliable diagnostics using RDTs and Microscopy, which has aided in saving many lives, would not have been possible without partnership from development agencies, other government sectors, the private and informal sector and NGOs.
She acknowledged the support of global players such as the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, WHO, UNICEF, USA/PMI, DFID, and the mining industry as well as some financial institution.
She called on media personnels to put more efforts in the development and presentation of health messages to their audiences, to make such messages acceptable and easily adopted by all.
The materials launched included “The Goal Newspaper” to intensify malaria prevention and treatment education during the weeks of the AFCON tournament. Other materials were, The Malaria Safe Book, The Winning Moves; a chart or enlarged reminder card which uses football language to direct leadership and staff of companies on ways to win the match against malaria, and finally, a Television spot, depicting Dede Ayew calling on Ghanaians to make the right moves in the prevention of malaria. The TV spot would be shown on GTV,METRO TV and TV3 throughout January and February.
AMA to tackle indiscriminate posting of posters
Posters are one of the most popular forms of outdoor advertising in the country. But their indiscriminate posting which has become a blot on some edifices in Accra has incurred the wrath of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
Incensed by what it described as the indiscriminate posting of posters which continue to deface the city, the AMA says it would in no time deal with individuals and organizations that continue to flout the law by posting their posters all over unauthorized places.
Ironically, guilty among the organizations that have joined the posting spree are churches with posters announcing crusades, conventions and meetings.
Entertainment event organizers and movie produces are no different as they have reduced almost all visible walls in the city to advertising boards.
The rising trend of posters of political aspirants within and around the metropolis particularly on public spaces defiantly against numerous calls against indiscriminate pasting of posters also leaves much to be desired.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Numo Blafo III, said the removal of the posters was an on-going exercise which fed into the Assembly’s aim of beautifying the city.
He, however, bemoaned the activities of some organizations and individuals who undermine efforts to beautify the national capital.
According to Numo Blafo III, these organizations and churches failed to take the right step to advertise or publicize their organizations and programmes in the metropolis.
“You need to take a permit from the AMA to post bills at vantage points provided in the metropolis”, he said.
The AMA, he stated was collating the addresses and telephone numbers of those flouting the law and would start prosecuting them very soon.
Asked about whether alternative places had been provided for such posters, the PRO said there were locations where boards had been made erected at vantage points for the posting of bills at a fees.
When the Daily Graphic went around some part of the city, it observed that a number of places which hitherto were flooded with such posters had now been whitewashed with “POST NO BILLS HERE. OFFENDERS WILL BE PROSECUTED” boldly written on the walls.
Incensed by what it described as the indiscriminate posting of posters which continue to deface the city, the AMA says it would in no time deal with individuals and organizations that continue to flout the law by posting their posters all over unauthorized places.
Ironically, guilty among the organizations that have joined the posting spree are churches with posters announcing crusades, conventions and meetings.
Entertainment event organizers and movie produces are no different as they have reduced almost all visible walls in the city to advertising boards.
The rising trend of posters of political aspirants within and around the metropolis particularly on public spaces defiantly against numerous calls against indiscriminate pasting of posters also leaves much to be desired.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Numo Blafo III, said the removal of the posters was an on-going exercise which fed into the Assembly’s aim of beautifying the city.
He, however, bemoaned the activities of some organizations and individuals who undermine efforts to beautify the national capital.
According to Numo Blafo III, these organizations and churches failed to take the right step to advertise or publicize their organizations and programmes in the metropolis.
“You need to take a permit from the AMA to post bills at vantage points provided in the metropolis”, he said.
The AMA, he stated was collating the addresses and telephone numbers of those flouting the law and would start prosecuting them very soon.
Asked about whether alternative places had been provided for such posters, the PRO said there were locations where boards had been made erected at vantage points for the posting of bills at a fees.
When the Daily Graphic went around some part of the city, it observed that a number of places which hitherto were flooded with such posters had now been whitewashed with “POST NO BILLS HERE. OFFENDERS WILL BE PROSECUTED” boldly written on the walls.
Klottey Korley NDC conference disrupted
A press conference organised by a group of concerned National Democratic Congress (NDC) members in the Klottey Korley Constituency in Accra was disrupted when thugs invaded the venue and caused commotion.
Before the conference, members of the concerned group, dressed up in the colours of the party with red bands on their arms and heads, were chanting war songs in the Ga language.
Their beef was that they would not allow Nii Armah Ashietey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, who is also the Greater Accra Regional Minister, to represent the constituency in this year’s election.
Just a minute after a member of the concerned group, Ms Eklima Mohammed-Rasheed, began reading a statement that catalogued their grievances, a number of macho men arrived at the venue, stood in front of the gathering and began raising empty chairs and shaking the canopy under which the leaders of the group were sitting.
The macho men, who according to some members of the group, were allegedly hired by Nii Ashietey, told journalists that they were also members of the party, and were not happy about the press conference. They, therefore, wanted it cancelled but their claim was disputed by the gathering.
The intervention of the police, however, calmed the situation. Upon seeing the police, the well-built men took to their heels, attracting jeers and boos from the concerned members of the NDC.
An executive member of the concerned NDC group, Mr Richmond Dizzy Quaye, briefing journalists at the event, stated that Nii Ashietey, after his election as MP and subsequent appointment as the Regional Minister neglected his duties as MP, and only focused on his ministerial duties.
According to Mr Quaye, Nii Ashietey did many things that violated the party’s constitution.
After order was restored, Ms Mohammed-Rasheed, read the statement which indicated that Nii Ashietey had removed some of his hardworking executives from their positions and was manipulating the system to his advantage.
She stated that the Greater Accra Regional Minister used fully armed policemen and women to intimidate delegates who he suspected were not on his side, and “coined teams”; ‘TEAM A’ for his supposed loyal supporters, and ‘TEAM B’ for his imaginary enemies.
According to her, anyone who dared to challenge the presence of the police and army personnel at the party’s wards elections was brutalised,while some were arrested and sent to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters.
She alleged that the MP, with the assistance of his four henchmen: Mash Turkson, the Constituency Secretary; Organiser, Maxwell Mingle; Vice-Secretary; Solomon Addo, and his own nephew, Randy Kpakpo Fairbranks, devised a plan to eliminate all the Ward Coordinators in the seven wards of the constituency.
That, according to the concerned members, was because they were in charge of all the branches, and since the MP and his men found out that they (the coordinators) would not support them to rig the constituency’s executive elections, they wanted them removed at all cost hence the use of the police and soldiers.
Ms Mohammed-Rasheed noted that the insistence of the MP to conduct ward elections was not supported by the party’s constitution and cited Article 15 of the NDC Constitution, which states that the chairmen, secretaries and organisers of branch executives within a given polling division shall constitute the ward committee. The ward committee shall appoint a Ward Coordinator for the ward within the membership of the ward committee and that the ward committee shall be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the branches and the decisions of the National Congress.
She said in spite of petitions to the party’s national executive and the Regional Chairman, Mr Kobina Ade Coker, to notify them of the irregularities in their branch elections, “no steps were taken to ensure that the due process was followed, although feverish preparations were being made for the constituency elections.”
They also noted that eight executives who filed their nominations and paid the stipulated fees with the intention of contesting various positions were not informed of the date and venue for elections, neither were they given the delegates list as required by the National Executive Committee ( NEC) guidelines.
Additionally, they claimed that the release of the delegates list for the upcoming constituency primaries had been delayed deliberately, while signatures on the list which was released yesterday (Wednesday) were forged, since several names had the same signature.
They, therefore, appealed to the appellate authorities of the party to address their grievances, saying, “The watch is tickling, the electorates have proclaimed their decision to cause harm and spell doom for the party if Hon Nii Armah Ashietey is to win the primaries. As we speak, we do not even know where the primaries will take place,” she said.
 |
| Some angry members of the concerned group (dressed in the party shirts and with red bands on) trying to deal with one of the thugs (one in the Batakari) for disrupting the conference. |
Before the conference, members of the concerned group, dressed up in the colours of the party with red bands on their arms and heads, were chanting war songs in the Ga language.
Their beef was that they would not allow Nii Armah Ashietey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, who is also the Greater Accra Regional Minister, to represent the constituency in this year’s election.
Just a minute after a member of the concerned group, Ms Eklima Mohammed-Rasheed, began reading a statement that catalogued their grievances, a number of macho men arrived at the venue, stood in front of the gathering and began raising empty chairs and shaking the canopy under which the leaders of the group were sitting.
The macho men, who according to some members of the group, were allegedly hired by Nii Ashietey, told journalists that they were also members of the party, and were not happy about the press conference. They, therefore, wanted it cancelled but their claim was disputed by the gathering.
The intervention of the police, however, calmed the situation. Upon seeing the police, the well-built men took to their heels, attracting jeers and boos from the concerned members of the NDC.
An executive member of the concerned NDC group, Mr Richmond Dizzy Quaye, briefing journalists at the event, stated that Nii Ashietey, after his election as MP and subsequent appointment as the Regional Minister neglected his duties as MP, and only focused on his ministerial duties.
According to Mr Quaye, Nii Ashietey did many things that violated the party’s constitution.
After order was restored, Ms Mohammed-Rasheed, read the statement which indicated that Nii Ashietey had removed some of his hardworking executives from their positions and was manipulating the system to his advantage.
She stated that the Greater Accra Regional Minister used fully armed policemen and women to intimidate delegates who he suspected were not on his side, and “coined teams”; ‘TEAM A’ for his supposed loyal supporters, and ‘TEAM B’ for his imaginary enemies.
According to her, anyone who dared to challenge the presence of the police and army personnel at the party’s wards elections was brutalised,while some were arrested and sent to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters.
She alleged that the MP, with the assistance of his four henchmen: Mash Turkson, the Constituency Secretary; Organiser, Maxwell Mingle; Vice-Secretary; Solomon Addo, and his own nephew, Randy Kpakpo Fairbranks, devised a plan to eliminate all the Ward Coordinators in the seven wards of the constituency.
That, according to the concerned members, was because they were in charge of all the branches, and since the MP and his men found out that they (the coordinators) would not support them to rig the constituency’s executive elections, they wanted them removed at all cost hence the use of the police and soldiers.
Ms Mohammed-Rasheed noted that the insistence of the MP to conduct ward elections was not supported by the party’s constitution and cited Article 15 of the NDC Constitution, which states that the chairmen, secretaries and organisers of branch executives within a given polling division shall constitute the ward committee. The ward committee shall appoint a Ward Coordinator for the ward within the membership of the ward committee and that the ward committee shall be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the branches and the decisions of the National Congress.
She said in spite of petitions to the party’s national executive and the Regional Chairman, Mr Kobina Ade Coker, to notify them of the irregularities in their branch elections, “no steps were taken to ensure that the due process was followed, although feverish preparations were being made for the constituency elections.”
They also noted that eight executives who filed their nominations and paid the stipulated fees with the intention of contesting various positions were not informed of the date and venue for elections, neither were they given the delegates list as required by the National Executive Committee ( NEC) guidelines.
Additionally, they claimed that the release of the delegates list for the upcoming constituency primaries had been delayed deliberately, while signatures on the list which was released yesterday (Wednesday) were forged, since several names had the same signature.
They, therefore, appealed to the appellate authorities of the party to address their grievances, saying, “The watch is tickling, the electorates have proclaimed their decision to cause harm and spell doom for the party if Hon Nii Armah Ashietey is to win the primaries. As we speak, we do not even know where the primaries will take place,” she said.
Link technical and vocational education training to the job market- Prof Agyepong.
THE Principal of the Methodist University College, Ghana (MUCG), Rev. Prof. S.K Agyepong, has stressed the need to link technical and vocational education training (TVET) to the job market in order to enhance the relevance of such training to the socio-economic development.
He said as employment opportunities in the formal sector shrank, the acquisition of business management and entrepreneurial skills for self-employment would become a major imperative in the design of vocational training programmes.
Addressing the 10th anniversary and third graduation ceremony of New Century Career Training Institute at Dansoman in Accra at the weekend on the theme, “TVET, the driving force for national development”, Mr Agyepong said the government should pay more attention to TVET to guarantee the nation with the needed economic growth and development.
He said technical and vocational education training programmes in Africa should help develop indigenous skills associated with the manufacture of traditional artefacts and crafts and also promote the culture of life-long learning.
Prof. Agyepong said in its Plan of Action for the second decade of education (2006-2015), the African Union (AU) recognised the importance of technical and vocational education and training as a means of empowering individuals to take control of their lives, and therefore, recommended the integration of vocational training into the general education system.
He said the union also recognised the fact that vast numbers of young people were outside the formal school system and consequently recommended the integration of non-formal learning methodologies and literacy programmes into national TVET programmes.
Prof Agyepong said before the new educational reform in Ghana in 2007, TVET provided undulating years of training, was underdeveloped and wrongly perceived, but indicated that the framework of training under the TVET in the new educational reform sought to provide employable skills through formal and informal apprenticeship training.
He said the awareness among policy makers in many African countries of the role TVET could play in national development had increased the importance the Government of Ghana attached to TVET.
He said TVET delivery systems were well placed to train the skilled and entrepreneurial workforce needed to create wealth and help the country come out of poverty, adding that the informal sector absorbed more than 90 per cent of all those who acquired skills training in the country.
He said the incorporation of basic vocational skills into the junior high school curriculum was an attempt to expose young people to pre-employment skills.
Prof. Agyepong urged industries within the TVET framework to collaborate in setting standards, offering training on-the-job and providing financial assistance to trainees.
He said there would be economic stability and the society would enjoy rapid and stable environmental development and experience consistent development and economic boom, when TVET framework became fully operational.
The Manager of the institute, Mrs Lydia Duvor, said the school had turned out 2000 trainees since its inception in 2001, with an employment rate of 69 per cent, with 17 per cent doing further studies and 14 per cent currently being unemployed.
She said the school had received support from the Chinese Government and mission in Ghana.
Mrs Duvor appealed to all parents to monitor the activities of their children both in school and out of home and gave the assurance that the school would continue to instil a high sense of discipline in students.
Special awards were presented to 17 graduates in the fields of electricals, electronics, dressmaking, refrigeration and air-conditioning, leather works, carpentry and joinery, computer hardware, plumbing, and draughtsmanship.
He said as employment opportunities in the formal sector shrank, the acquisition of business management and entrepreneurial skills for self-employment would become a major imperative in the design of vocational training programmes.
Addressing the 10th anniversary and third graduation ceremony of New Century Career Training Institute at Dansoman in Accra at the weekend on the theme, “TVET, the driving force for national development”, Mr Agyepong said the government should pay more attention to TVET to guarantee the nation with the needed economic growth and development.
He said technical and vocational education training programmes in Africa should help develop indigenous skills associated with the manufacture of traditional artefacts and crafts and also promote the culture of life-long learning.
Prof. Agyepong said in its Plan of Action for the second decade of education (2006-2015), the African Union (AU) recognised the importance of technical and vocational education and training as a means of empowering individuals to take control of their lives, and therefore, recommended the integration of vocational training into the general education system.
He said the union also recognised the fact that vast numbers of young people were outside the formal school system and consequently recommended the integration of non-formal learning methodologies and literacy programmes into national TVET programmes.
Prof Agyepong said before the new educational reform in Ghana in 2007, TVET provided undulating years of training, was underdeveloped and wrongly perceived, but indicated that the framework of training under the TVET in the new educational reform sought to provide employable skills through formal and informal apprenticeship training.
He said the awareness among policy makers in many African countries of the role TVET could play in national development had increased the importance the Government of Ghana attached to TVET.
He said TVET delivery systems were well placed to train the skilled and entrepreneurial workforce needed to create wealth and help the country come out of poverty, adding that the informal sector absorbed more than 90 per cent of all those who acquired skills training in the country.
He said the incorporation of basic vocational skills into the junior high school curriculum was an attempt to expose young people to pre-employment skills.
Prof. Agyepong urged industries within the TVET framework to collaborate in setting standards, offering training on-the-job and providing financial assistance to trainees.
He said there would be economic stability and the society would enjoy rapid and stable environmental development and experience consistent development and economic boom, when TVET framework became fully operational.
The Manager of the institute, Mrs Lydia Duvor, said the school had turned out 2000 trainees since its inception in 2001, with an employment rate of 69 per cent, with 17 per cent doing further studies and 14 per cent currently being unemployed.
She said the school had received support from the Chinese Government and mission in Ghana.
Mrs Duvor appealed to all parents to monitor the activities of their children both in school and out of home and gave the assurance that the school would continue to instil a high sense of discipline in students.
Special awards were presented to 17 graduates in the fields of electricals, electronics, dressmaking, refrigeration and air-conditioning, leather works, carpentry and joinery, computer hardware, plumbing, and draughtsmanship.
Eleven thousand more households are to benefit from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)
Programme this year, the Deputy Director of the LEAP Programme, Mr Lawrence Ofori Addo, has said.
Approximately 64,000 households are currently benefiting from the programme.
Averagely, a household comprises four persons and the additional 11,000 will bring the total beneficiaries to 75,000.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Wednesday, Mr Addo said currently, officials were using a community based targeting method and a proxy means testing system to identify the extremely poor households in the communities.
That, he said, was done by going to the communities to ask people who they thought were extremely poor, for the people in the various communities to give their dimension.
“We do this but cannot rely on that to identify the poor households since some people might mention only their relatives for them to be aided”, he added.
The LEAP is a programme that provides money and free health insurance to extremely poor households across the country to help improve short-term poverty and encourage long-term human capital development.
It is a flagship programme of the National Social Protection Strategy and implemented by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW).
The LEAP started on a pilot phase in March 2008 with about 2000 households, and expanded gradually in 2009 and 2010. In June 2010, approximately 35,000 households were enrolled with an annual expenditure of about USD 11 million.
Mr Addo, therefore, proclaimed that the proxy means test, which used a number of questions programmed on a database, was used to select and verify the extremely poor households, as well as categorise them into groups.
Taking the Daily Graphic through the database selection process on which various extremely poor households were selected and categorised, Mr Addo explained that poverty was widespread in Ghana, so to be able to identify the extremely poor, the two methods; community base and proxy means test were used.
He further stated that it was likely to increase the grant given to the households to about GH¢36 a month per household.
He stated that the programme looked at households which had at least one of its members who was a single parent with orphan or vulnerable child (OVC), elderly poor or a person with extreme disability and unable to work.
He held that those people suffered a lot of prejudices and abuses from the society, thus the need to help alleviate the poverty and suffering.
According to Mr Addo, there had been an agreement with the Ministries of Local Government, Education, Food and Agriculture, Women and Children’s affairs and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to use a common mechanism of targetting the poor in the communities.
He also stated that they were rolling out that strategy with the Ministry of Health as well, to identify and help individuals in the very poor households.
Delays in the releases of funds from the central government to households selected is a major challenge that has affected the implementation of the LEAP Programme.
Mr Addo affirmed to the Daily Graphic that the programme had arrears of eight months to pay to the beneficiaries of the programme, adding that funds had been released for the payment of the arrears to be made in about a week or two.
Other great challenges that had affected the facilitation and implementation of the programme was human resource constraints, which were due to the government’s policy on employment that no person be employed except when there was vacancy in an office and the giving of wrong information by the people in the communities, which made the work difficult for the LEAP officers.
According to Mr Addo, the less number of officers at the LEAP Programme office affected the work at the office since the same officers who mobilised the people for the programme were the same people to collect data in the communities.
The administration of the LEAP Programme, therefore, called on the government to help resolve these problems and assured Ghanaians that they would streamline things this year to develop a more systematic way of enrolling the beneficiaries, to allow a lot more of beneficiaries to benefit from the programme to help reduce poverty and encourage human capital development in the country.
Approximately 64,000 households are currently benefiting from the programme.
Averagely, a household comprises four persons and the additional 11,000 will bring the total beneficiaries to 75,000.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Wednesday, Mr Addo said currently, officials were using a community based targeting method and a proxy means testing system to identify the extremely poor households in the communities.
That, he said, was done by going to the communities to ask people who they thought were extremely poor, for the people in the various communities to give their dimension.
“We do this but cannot rely on that to identify the poor households since some people might mention only their relatives for them to be aided”, he added.
The LEAP is a programme that provides money and free health insurance to extremely poor households across the country to help improve short-term poverty and encourage long-term human capital development.
It is a flagship programme of the National Social Protection Strategy and implemented by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare (MESW).
The LEAP started on a pilot phase in March 2008 with about 2000 households, and expanded gradually in 2009 and 2010. In June 2010, approximately 35,000 households were enrolled with an annual expenditure of about USD 11 million.
Mr Addo, therefore, proclaimed that the proxy means test, which used a number of questions programmed on a database, was used to select and verify the extremely poor households, as well as categorise them into groups.
Taking the Daily Graphic through the database selection process on which various extremely poor households were selected and categorised, Mr Addo explained that poverty was widespread in Ghana, so to be able to identify the extremely poor, the two methods; community base and proxy means test were used.
He further stated that it was likely to increase the grant given to the households to about GH¢36 a month per household.
He stated that the programme looked at households which had at least one of its members who was a single parent with orphan or vulnerable child (OVC), elderly poor or a person with extreme disability and unable to work.
He held that those people suffered a lot of prejudices and abuses from the society, thus the need to help alleviate the poverty and suffering.
According to Mr Addo, there had been an agreement with the Ministries of Local Government, Education, Food and Agriculture, Women and Children’s affairs and the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to use a common mechanism of targetting the poor in the communities.
He also stated that they were rolling out that strategy with the Ministry of Health as well, to identify and help individuals in the very poor households.
Delays in the releases of funds from the central government to households selected is a major challenge that has affected the implementation of the LEAP Programme.
Mr Addo affirmed to the Daily Graphic that the programme had arrears of eight months to pay to the beneficiaries of the programme, adding that funds had been released for the payment of the arrears to be made in about a week or two.
Other great challenges that had affected the facilitation and implementation of the programme was human resource constraints, which were due to the government’s policy on employment that no person be employed except when there was vacancy in an office and the giving of wrong information by the people in the communities, which made the work difficult for the LEAP officers.
According to Mr Addo, the less number of officers at the LEAP Programme office affected the work at the office since the same officers who mobilised the people for the programme were the same people to collect data in the communities.
The administration of the LEAP Programme, therefore, called on the government to help resolve these problems and assured Ghanaians that they would streamline things this year to develop a more systematic way of enrolling the beneficiaries, to allow a lot more of beneficiaries to benefit from the programme to help reduce poverty and encourage human capital development in the country.
Persons in leadership asked to allow God in their mission
GHANAIANS and all Christians in leadership positions have been urged to allow God to drive and encourage them in their various leadership roles to be able to make a difference in society.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Herbert Anim Opong, speaking at the induction ceremony of the National Men’s Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Accra yesterday, stated that people in leadership positions should note that it was God who had called them into their various positions, adding that they, therefore, needed to worship God and abide by his laws.
According to him, God chose people to lead others in a group or society due to the circumstances or situations of those people.
Rev Anim Opong, therefore, advised the newly inducted executive to work together with other groups in the church to come up with solutions to alleviate the evil and wrongdoing in the church and society at large.
“You have been called by God. You should, therefore, know the meaning of the context of your calling,” he said.
Lt Col Jonas Yaw Asamoah (retd) was inducted as the national president; Mr James Frempong, the national vice-president (Finance); Dr Steve S.Y. Yirenkyi as the national vice-president (Development and Property) and Mr Stephen Kweku Armah as the national vice-president (Education and Evangelism).
Mr Felix Boampong Wiredu, Mr Charles Oduro Nyarko, Mr John Ofori Jnr, Mr Heiric H. Newman, Rev Peter Kofi Nyarkoh and Mr Patrick Frempong were inducted as national secretary, treasurer, financial secretary, music director, national chaplain and national public relations officer, respectively.
Inducting the executive members into office, Rev Opong, who represented the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, called on the almighty God to enlighten and strengthen them by the power of the holy spirit to enable them to discharge their duties to the glory and praise of God.
The newly inducted executive also pledged to discharge the duties of the various offices diligently and faithfully, according to the constitution of the Men’s Fellowship, to seek the material and spiritual growth of the fellowship, for the service of Christ and the nation at large.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Herbert Anim Opong, speaking at the induction ceremony of the National Men’s Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Accra yesterday, stated that people in leadership positions should note that it was God who had called them into their various positions, adding that they, therefore, needed to worship God and abide by his laws.
According to him, God chose people to lead others in a group or society due to the circumstances or situations of those people.
Rev Anim Opong, therefore, advised the newly inducted executive to work together with other groups in the church to come up with solutions to alleviate the evil and wrongdoing in the church and society at large.
“You have been called by God. You should, therefore, know the meaning of the context of your calling,” he said.
Lt Col Jonas Yaw Asamoah (retd) was inducted as the national president; Mr James Frempong, the national vice-president (Finance); Dr Steve S.Y. Yirenkyi as the national vice-president (Development and Property) and Mr Stephen Kweku Armah as the national vice-president (Education and Evangelism).
Mr Felix Boampong Wiredu, Mr Charles Oduro Nyarko, Mr John Ofori Jnr, Mr Heiric H. Newman, Rev Peter Kofi Nyarkoh and Mr Patrick Frempong were inducted as national secretary, treasurer, financial secretary, music director, national chaplain and national public relations officer, respectively.
Inducting the executive members into office, Rev Opong, who represented the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, called on the almighty God to enlighten and strengthen them by the power of the holy spirit to enable them to discharge their duties to the glory and praise of God.
The newly inducted executive also pledged to discharge the duties of the various offices diligently and faithfully, according to the constitution of the Men’s Fellowship, to seek the material and spiritual growth of the fellowship, for the service of Christ and the nation at large.
Work begins on Accra Academy library
WORK has commenced on the construction of a modern library block for the Accra Academy Senior High School .
The ultra-modern facility, which will also contain an administration block, is a project funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), at a provisional cost of GHC520,000.
Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the project, the Managing Director of Patriq Green Limited, the contracting firm, Mr Patrick Quainoo, said the facility, when completed would contribute to the development of the nation, by producing more prominent leaders.
He assured the board of the school, teachers and students that the facility to be built will be a 21st century library to accommodate a large number of students and generations yet unborn.
He expressed gratitude to the board of the school for awarding the contract to him and urged the students to make good use of the facility .
The fourth headmaster of the school, Mr Vincent Birch Freeman, appealed to the students to cultivate the habit of reading, to enable them excel academically, adding that “the more you read, the more you gain more knowledge to do extremely well”.
He advised that the library, when completed, be manned by a professional librarian, and not an ordinary teacher.
Mr Freeman also called on the school authorities to ensure the maintenance of the facility, and to make sure that the students, as well, make good use of the library to make the school the best school in West Africa.
An alumni of the school, Mr Ben C. Eghan, also expressed his joy over the construction of the new library, since according to him, the old one that had been there since he was a student in the 1960s, was a very small one that could not contain a large number of students at a time.
He called on the alumni of the school, to contribute their quota to the development of the school and the nation at large.
The headmaster of the school, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, said the facility, when completed, would make the school one of the top schools in Africa and would help it to improve its current standard.
The ultra-modern facility, which will also contain an administration block, is a project funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), at a provisional cost of GHC520,000.
Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the project, the Managing Director of Patriq Green Limited, the contracting firm, Mr Patrick Quainoo, said the facility, when completed would contribute to the development of the nation, by producing more prominent leaders.
He assured the board of the school, teachers and students that the facility to be built will be a 21st century library to accommodate a large number of students and generations yet unborn.
He expressed gratitude to the board of the school for awarding the contract to him and urged the students to make good use of the facility .
The fourth headmaster of the school, Mr Vincent Birch Freeman, appealed to the students to cultivate the habit of reading, to enable them excel academically, adding that “the more you read, the more you gain more knowledge to do extremely well”.
He advised that the library, when completed, be manned by a professional librarian, and not an ordinary teacher.
Mr Freeman also called on the school authorities to ensure the maintenance of the facility, and to make sure that the students, as well, make good use of the library to make the school the best school in West Africa.
An alumni of the school, Mr Ben C. Eghan, also expressed his joy over the construction of the new library, since according to him, the old one that had been there since he was a student in the 1960s, was a very small one that could not contain a large number of students at a time.
He called on the alumni of the school, to contribute their quota to the development of the school and the nation at large.
The headmaster of the school, Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, said the facility, when completed, would make the school one of the top schools in Africa and would help it to improve its current standard.
Dansoman road project ready July
WORK on the reconstruction of the Dansoman main dual carriage road will be completed by July this year.
The Chief Executive Officer of PMC Construction Limited, Mr Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, told journalists in Accra yesterday that conveying construction materials from the Central Region and the Shai Hills to the main construction site at Dansoman had been the main challenge confronting the project.
He said about 90 per cent of the work had been completed and that the rest would be accomplished by July this year.
The Dansoman main road was initially a single carriage road which, according to the contractor and the Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma South, Mr Fritz Baffuor, was full of potholes.
The initial plan was to fill the potholes which posed a threat to both drivers and all those who used the road.
The project was later changed to the reconstruction of a dual carriage highway instead to ease traffic and alleviate the various road threats it posed to those who plied it.
The dual carriage highway reconstruction, which started more than two years ago and has run far beyond its completion date, led to business activities along the Dansoman Highway coming to a standstill due to the dust that entered the shops along the highway.
While inspecting the work done so far on the project, Mr Abdullah affirmed that 13 bus stops would be put up on the road.
He also indicated that street lights, speed humps and bus stops could not be put up before the completion of the project and called on the people who were suggesting that such facilities be provided before the completion of the work to put a stop to that suggestion.
Some residents who spoke to the Daily Graphic said there had been several tours of inspection of the road but its completion had become a problem.
They complained about the health hazard the project had posed since it was started.
The Daily Graphic also noted that part of the road had been tarred, while the untarred part was sprinkled with water to avoid dust.
But, according to the residents, the sprinkling was not done always but only when there was going to be an inspection of the road.
Mr Abdullah pointed out that water could not be poured on the road always because of the cost involved in purchasing a tanker of water to the construction site for sprinkling on the ground.
“The road cannot be built somewhere and brought here, so there will definitely be dust while the construction goes on and the sprinkling of water on the road to lessen the dust was not included in the contract,” he added.
According to him, a tanker of water cost GH¢300 and in a day about five trips would be needed, which would cost the government huge sums of money if included in the budget for the construction of the road.
Mr Abdullah assured the government and the public of a 10-year warranty which would guarantee that the there would not be any potholes on the road after completion.
Mr Baffuor noted that the construction of the Dansoman main road was only one of the many projects he had embarked on and completed in the area and expressed optimism that he would win the Ablekuma South Constituency seat again.
The Chief Executive Officer of PMC Construction Limited, Mr Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, told journalists in Accra yesterday that conveying construction materials from the Central Region and the Shai Hills to the main construction site at Dansoman had been the main challenge confronting the project.
He said about 90 per cent of the work had been completed and that the rest would be accomplished by July this year.
The Dansoman main road was initially a single carriage road which, according to the contractor and the Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma South, Mr Fritz Baffuor, was full of potholes.
The initial plan was to fill the potholes which posed a threat to both drivers and all those who used the road.
The project was later changed to the reconstruction of a dual carriage highway instead to ease traffic and alleviate the various road threats it posed to those who plied it.
The dual carriage highway reconstruction, which started more than two years ago and has run far beyond its completion date, led to business activities along the Dansoman Highway coming to a standstill due to the dust that entered the shops along the highway.
While inspecting the work done so far on the project, Mr Abdullah affirmed that 13 bus stops would be put up on the road.
He also indicated that street lights, speed humps and bus stops could not be put up before the completion of the project and called on the people who were suggesting that such facilities be provided before the completion of the work to put a stop to that suggestion.
Some residents who spoke to the Daily Graphic said there had been several tours of inspection of the road but its completion had become a problem.
They complained about the health hazard the project had posed since it was started.
The Daily Graphic also noted that part of the road had been tarred, while the untarred part was sprinkled with water to avoid dust.
But, according to the residents, the sprinkling was not done always but only when there was going to be an inspection of the road.
Mr Abdullah pointed out that water could not be poured on the road always because of the cost involved in purchasing a tanker of water to the construction site for sprinkling on the ground.
“The road cannot be built somewhere and brought here, so there will definitely be dust while the construction goes on and the sprinkling of water on the road to lessen the dust was not included in the contract,” he added.
According to him, a tanker of water cost GH¢300 and in a day about five trips would be needed, which would cost the government huge sums of money if included in the budget for the construction of the road.
Mr Abdullah assured the government and the public of a 10-year warranty which would guarantee that the there would not be any potholes on the road after completion.
Mr Baffuor noted that the construction of the Dansoman main road was only one of the many projects he had embarked on and completed in the area and expressed optimism that he would win the Ablekuma South Constituency seat again.
Monday 16 January 2012
GCGL pays bills for 4 child cancer patients
THE Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) yesterday presented a cheque for GH¢10,200 to the Department of Child Health of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
The donation is to help defray the medical bills of four needy children suffering from child cancer at the hospital.
An additional amount of GH¢5,000 was donated to the parents of one of the children, Prince Kwesi, for the child’s upkeep during the operation.
The money is from the Graphic Needy Trust Fund (GNTF) which was established in the late 1980s with the aim of appealing for funds nation-wide in a co-ordinated manner to help needy people have access to medical treatment.
Since 1989, the company and its collaborators, through the fund, have helped about 180 needy patients in the country. The GNTF has become one of the company’s major tools for social responsibility, with a lot of needy Ghanaians turning to it for help to access medical care.
The Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ken Ashigbey, presenting the cheque, said that the development of the country was very critical and so there was the need to ensure that people had access to good health.
He said the situation at the Department of Child Health of the KBTH was a pathetic one that needed support from all Ghanaians, not the government alone.
Mr Ashigbey underscored the need for Ghanaians to extend support to the government, particularly in the development of infrastructure in society, stressing, “We must all see it as our responsibility when it comes to the growth of the economy.’’
He appealed to corporate organisations and the public to extend support to the needy in the communities, as well as doctors and nurses, to eliminate poverty and sickness.
The Paediatrician in charge of the Department of Child Cancer, KBTH, Dr Lorna Awo Renner, who received the cheque, expressed profound gratitude to the GCGL and other organisations which, for years, had supported the department.
She intimated that 75 per cent of child cancer could be cured when detected early, adding, “Your support will equip the institution to fully discharge its duties to save the lives of children.’’
She called on the government to include the treatment of child cancer under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
That, according to her, would aid in saving the lives of many children suffering from the disease, adding that childhood cancer represents only one per cent of cancers.
The donation is to help defray the medical bills of four needy children suffering from child cancer at the hospital.
An additional amount of GH¢5,000 was donated to the parents of one of the children, Prince Kwesi, for the child’s upkeep during the operation.
The money is from the Graphic Needy Trust Fund (GNTF) which was established in the late 1980s with the aim of appealing for funds nation-wide in a co-ordinated manner to help needy people have access to medical treatment.
Since 1989, the company and its collaborators, through the fund, have helped about 180 needy patients in the country. The GNTF has become one of the company’s major tools for social responsibility, with a lot of needy Ghanaians turning to it for help to access medical care.
The Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ken Ashigbey, presenting the cheque, said that the development of the country was very critical and so there was the need to ensure that people had access to good health.
He said the situation at the Department of Child Health of the KBTH was a pathetic one that needed support from all Ghanaians, not the government alone.
Mr Ashigbey underscored the need for Ghanaians to extend support to the government, particularly in the development of infrastructure in society, stressing, “We must all see it as our responsibility when it comes to the growth of the economy.’’
He appealed to corporate organisations and the public to extend support to the needy in the communities, as well as doctors and nurses, to eliminate poverty and sickness.
The Paediatrician in charge of the Department of Child Cancer, KBTH, Dr Lorna Awo Renner, who received the cheque, expressed profound gratitude to the GCGL and other organisations which, for years, had supported the department.
She intimated that 75 per cent of child cancer could be cured when detected early, adding, “Your support will equip the institution to fully discharge its duties to save the lives of children.’’
She called on the government to include the treatment of child cancer under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
That, according to her, would aid in saving the lives of many children suffering from the disease, adding that childhood cancer represents only one per cent of cancers.
Thursday 5 January 2012
Speech and Language Therapy Programme to be further developed in Ghana
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the University of Columbia Speech and Language Therapy Teachers College, New York, USA, is working to further develop a Speech and Language Therapy programme in Ghana.
The therapy programme will help to identify a person's communication challenges and then develop recommendations that the family and teaching or medical staff could implement to help the persons with speech and language disability communicate well.
The programme also includes the training of students from the medical school to become specialists in Speech and Language Therapy, and will help create awareness about the nature of the impediment and educate Ghanaians about it not being anything to be ashamed of.
The University has been organising the programme for the past five years and has helped to support and train doctors, teachers and specialists to treat patients,students and those suffering from speech and language impairments.
Speech and language impairment is when a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders.
The Deputy Health Minister, Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo, at a meeting with the University’s directors and eighteen students from the university today(Thursday) at Korle Bu, stated that his ministry was happy to join hands to implement such a beneficial programme for all Ghanaians, and expressed hope that the sector Ministry will establish a training unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for future training and development purposes.
According to him, the programme should ideally be opened to all to have a greater impact on schools, especially the Nursery and Primary School levels, as well as the general public.
Mr Nunoo told the Daily Graphic that Ghana should be able to train 15,000 specialists in this field in order to improve and continue to develop the training of specialists to cater for affected people in the future. .
He mentioned that it was important to raise awareness of the social challenges faced by those suffering from speech and language difficulties, whether they had suffered from a stroke, severe trauma or had faced difficulties since birth.
The Director of the Columbia University Speech and Language Therapy Teachers College, Mrs Cate Crowley, was optimistic that Ghanaians would be able to train their own speech and language therapists and stressed the importance of diminishing discrimination against those affected by speech and language impediments.
The students have worked at two major teaching hospitals in Accra and Kumasi, within Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, cleft palate, and craniofacial departments, and with the unit schools for students with disabilities. They have been working with stroke victims in an attempt to improve communication through the use of pictures and spoke positively of its success.
The therapy programme will help to identify a person's communication challenges and then develop recommendations that the family and teaching or medical staff could implement to help the persons with speech and language disability communicate well.
The programme also includes the training of students from the medical school to become specialists in Speech and Language Therapy, and will help create awareness about the nature of the impediment and educate Ghanaians about it not being anything to be ashamed of.
The University has been organising the programme for the past five years and has helped to support and train doctors, teachers and specialists to treat patients,students and those suffering from speech and language impairments.
Speech and language impairment is when a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders.
The Deputy Health Minister, Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo, at a meeting with the University’s directors and eighteen students from the university today(Thursday) at Korle Bu, stated that his ministry was happy to join hands to implement such a beneficial programme for all Ghanaians, and expressed hope that the sector Ministry will establish a training unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for future training and development purposes.
According to him, the programme should ideally be opened to all to have a greater impact on schools, especially the Nursery and Primary School levels, as well as the general public.
Mr Nunoo told the Daily Graphic that Ghana should be able to train 15,000 specialists in this field in order to improve and continue to develop the training of specialists to cater for affected people in the future. .
He mentioned that it was important to raise awareness of the social challenges faced by those suffering from speech and language difficulties, whether they had suffered from a stroke, severe trauma or had faced difficulties since birth.
The Director of the Columbia University Speech and Language Therapy Teachers College, Mrs Cate Crowley, was optimistic that Ghanaians would be able to train their own speech and language therapists and stressed the importance of diminishing discrimination against those affected by speech and language impediments.
The students have worked at two major teaching hospitals in Accra and Kumasi, within Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, cleft palate, and craniofacial departments, and with the unit schools for students with disabilities. They have been working with stroke victims in an attempt to improve communication through the use of pictures and spoke positively of its success.
Wednesday 4 January 2012
WATCH-NIGHT services were held in churches in many parts of the country, amid singing and dancing, to herald 2012.
Many people also stayed in their homes, while others were at drinking spots and tourists centres to await the dawn of the new year.
As soon as it struck midnight, revellers welcomed the year with the blaring of sirens, tooting of car horns, shouts of joy and firing of firecrackers in homes and on the streets.
Worshippers in churches greeted the new year with shouts of ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Glory to God’, amidst singing and dancing to gospel tunes.
The theme for most of the watch-night services was the need for Ghanaians to be thankful for what God had done and continued to do for them and pray for a peaceful and successful 2012 general election.
Ghanaians were also urged to stay away from indiscipline, insulting behaviour and violence and avoid being used by politicians to achieve their selfish interests.
At the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, Accra, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, urged Christians not to dwell on the bad things that happened in the past year but thank God for the good things that happened in their lives, reports Rebecca Kwei.
Quoting the Scriptures, he said all things worked for the good of those of who loved the Lord and so it was important to thank God for good health, the gift of life, family and friends, freedom to worship and the relative peace the country was enjoying.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said those who loved God saw His hand at work even in the midst of challenges and tragedies, adding, “In all things, give thanks to God, and even if you do not understand, pray that God will help you see with His eyes that He loves you.”
At the Calvary Methodist Church, Tema Community 3, the Minister in charge, Rev Ebenezer Douglas Bruce-Tagoe, advised Ghanaians, especially Christians, to have patience in all situations, since God had His own way of manifesting His love and grace for mankind, reports Albert Sam.
He said those who waited upon the Lord and lifted high His name and that of His Son Jesus Christ would have His protection and defence in a more righteous way.
Albert K. Salia reports from the St Peter’s Catholic Church, Osu, that the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Dominic Amegashiti, who based his New Year Homily on Deuteronomy 31:6, urged Ghanaians, particularly Christians, not to live in fear in the New Year, as the blessings of God would be poured upon them in abundance.
He urged them to be strong and courageous, as God would not forsake them, stressing, “Whatever we lost in 2011 will be regained in 2012. All the disappointments will be turned into divine appointment.”
Seth J. Bokpe reports that in a sermon based on Psalm 26 and on the theme: “2012, My Year of Divine Encounter”, Rev Dr Francis F.K Abotchi, the Parish Pastor of the Trinity Parish of the Global Evangelical Church at Kotobabi in Accra, called on Christians to renew their commitment to God in order to achieve their dreams.
“Delay is not denial. God will help realise your dreams, but you will have to commit your time, talents and resources because God will not put fire where there is no sacrifice,” he said.
In a rather rare message on New Year’s eve, Rev Dag Heward-Mills, the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel International, shared 25 reasons why it was important for Christians to contribute to the building of the church, Samuel Doe Ablordeppey reports.
He said the church, with all its flaws and mistakes, was God’s most important priority and, therefore, needed Christians and businesses to align their visions to what the Lord was doing in that direction.
“It is the best vision to align yourself with building and growing the church, which is the first priority of Christ, as every other thing grows out of the church,” he told an assembly of over 5,000 worshippers at The Quodesh, the global head office of the LCI.
At the Mount Olivet Methodist Church, hundreds of worshippers, many of whom were none members of the church, thronged the church premises to bid farewell to 2011 and to welcome the new year, Charles Benoni Okine reports.
In his short message before midnight, Mr Tim Acquah-Hayford, a local preacher in the church, called on Christians to ensure that they worked hard towards making their New Year resolutions a reality.
“You do not need to come here again next year same time to repeat the same resolutions,” he said, adding that resolutions were very important because of the impact they had on the lives of Christians.
Alice Aryeetey reports that at the St Peter’s Methodist Church, Odorkor, the Resident Minister, Rev Ebenezer Agyemang Badu, in his sermon, urged all Ghanaians to be very prayerful in the New Year.
He urged Ghanaians to pray for peace as the country entered an election year.
“Act according to the will of God in order to enjoy God’s mercies and let Him fulfill the promises He made for you,” he said.
The Anglican Archbishop of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Accra, the Most Reverend Dr Justice O. Akrofi, in a New Year message, called on Ghanaians to pursue peace, justice, righteousness, reconciliation, truth and true compassion as the new year beckoned, reports the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He explained that those values were needed for every nation or community to honour and uphold because any country that did not honour and uphold those values would be a ground for confusion, violence and destruction, thereby undermining the well-being of humanity.
The Most Rev Akrofi noted that 2012, being an election year, could generate heat and controversy and, therefore, urged Ghanaians to put into their minds those values which could contribute to the peace and security of all and sundry.
Mary Ankrah reports from the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) Cathedral in Accra that the priest, Isaac Asare, entreated the congregation to refrain from sin and practise righteousness so that they would receive the full blessings of God.
He said God was ready to help His children if only they obeyed and abided in His Word.
He said the congregation would be able to achieve success in 2012 if they relied on the strength and mercies of God and lived upright lives.
As soon as it struck midnight, revellers welcomed the year with the blaring of sirens, tooting of car horns, shouts of joy and firing of firecrackers in homes and on the streets.
Worshippers in churches greeted the new year with shouts of ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Glory to God’, amidst singing and dancing to gospel tunes.
The theme for most of the watch-night services was the need for Ghanaians to be thankful for what God had done and continued to do for them and pray for a peaceful and successful 2012 general election.
Ghanaians were also urged to stay away from indiscipline, insulting behaviour and violence and avoid being used by politicians to achieve their selfish interests.
At the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, Accra, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, urged Christians not to dwell on the bad things that happened in the past year but thank God for the good things that happened in their lives, reports Rebecca Kwei.
Quoting the Scriptures, he said all things worked for the good of those of who loved the Lord and so it was important to thank God for good health, the gift of life, family and friends, freedom to worship and the relative peace the country was enjoying.
The Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said those who loved God saw His hand at work even in the midst of challenges and tragedies, adding, “In all things, give thanks to God, and even if you do not understand, pray that God will help you see with His eyes that He loves you.”
At the Calvary Methodist Church, Tema Community 3, the Minister in charge, Rev Ebenezer Douglas Bruce-Tagoe, advised Ghanaians, especially Christians, to have patience in all situations, since God had His own way of manifesting His love and grace for mankind, reports Albert Sam.
He said those who waited upon the Lord and lifted high His name and that of His Son Jesus Christ would have His protection and defence in a more righteous way.
Albert K. Salia reports from the St Peter’s Catholic Church, Osu, that the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Dominic Amegashiti, who based his New Year Homily on Deuteronomy 31:6, urged Ghanaians, particularly Christians, not to live in fear in the New Year, as the blessings of God would be poured upon them in abundance.
He urged them to be strong and courageous, as God would not forsake them, stressing, “Whatever we lost in 2011 will be regained in 2012. All the disappointments will be turned into divine appointment.”
Seth J. Bokpe reports that in a sermon based on Psalm 26 and on the theme: “2012, My Year of Divine Encounter”, Rev Dr Francis F.K Abotchi, the Parish Pastor of the Trinity Parish of the Global Evangelical Church at Kotobabi in Accra, called on Christians to renew their commitment to God in order to achieve their dreams.
“Delay is not denial. God will help realise your dreams, but you will have to commit your time, talents and resources because God will not put fire where there is no sacrifice,” he said.
In a rather rare message on New Year’s eve, Rev Dag Heward-Mills, the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel International, shared 25 reasons why it was important for Christians to contribute to the building of the church, Samuel Doe Ablordeppey reports.
He said the church, with all its flaws and mistakes, was God’s most important priority and, therefore, needed Christians and businesses to align their visions to what the Lord was doing in that direction.
“It is the best vision to align yourself with building and growing the church, which is the first priority of Christ, as every other thing grows out of the church,” he told an assembly of over 5,000 worshippers at The Quodesh, the global head office of the LCI.
At the Mount Olivet Methodist Church, hundreds of worshippers, many of whom were none members of the church, thronged the church premises to bid farewell to 2011 and to welcome the new year, Charles Benoni Okine reports.
In his short message before midnight, Mr Tim Acquah-Hayford, a local preacher in the church, called on Christians to ensure that they worked hard towards making their New Year resolutions a reality.
“You do not need to come here again next year same time to repeat the same resolutions,” he said, adding that resolutions were very important because of the impact they had on the lives of Christians.
Alice Aryeetey reports that at the St Peter’s Methodist Church, Odorkor, the Resident Minister, Rev Ebenezer Agyemang Badu, in his sermon, urged all Ghanaians to be very prayerful in the New Year.
He urged Ghanaians to pray for peace as the country entered an election year.
“Act according to the will of God in order to enjoy God’s mercies and let Him fulfill the promises He made for you,” he said.
The Anglican Archbishop of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Accra, the Most Reverend Dr Justice O. Akrofi, in a New Year message, called on Ghanaians to pursue peace, justice, righteousness, reconciliation, truth and true compassion as the new year beckoned, reports the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He explained that those values were needed for every nation or community to honour and uphold because any country that did not honour and uphold those values would be a ground for confusion, violence and destruction, thereby undermining the well-being of humanity.
The Most Rev Akrofi noted that 2012, being an election year, could generate heat and controversy and, therefore, urged Ghanaians to put into their minds those values which could contribute to the peace and security of all and sundry.
Mary Ankrah reports from the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) Cathedral in Accra that the priest, Isaac Asare, entreated the congregation to refrain from sin and practise righteousness so that they would receive the full blessings of God.
He said God was ready to help His children if only they obeyed and abided in His Word.
He said the congregation would be able to achieve success in 2012 if they relied on the strength and mercies of God and lived upright lives.
GNPC supports 63rd New Year School
THE Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has presented a checque for GH¢100,000 to the University of Ghana (UG), Legon for the sponsorship of the 63rd Annual New Year School and Conference to be held this month.
The New Year School is an annual residential programme of a week’s duration organised by the Institute of Continuing and Distance Adult Education (ICDE) of the UG at which people from all walks of life meet to deliberate on topical issues of national and international interest.
The New Year School also helps to assess public opinion on pertinent issues in order to ensure good governance.
Presenting the cheque, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNPC, Nana Boakye Asafu-Adjaye said the corporation was delighted to sponsor the New Year School, which is on the theme: “One year of Oil and Gas Production: Emerging issues.
He said the GNPC was attracted to sponsor the school by the chosen theme for this year.
He said there was the need for all Ghanaians to derive or enjoy the benefits from the oil and gas industry.
He also stated that the New Year School would give them the opportunity as the real stakeholders of the oil and gas production, to educate and inform Ghanaians about the activities of the sector.
He was hopeful that the whole nation would benefit from the programme and urged all participants to take advantage of the period to learn and share their thoughts on the issues that would be raised.
Receiving the cheque, the Vice Chancellor of the UG, Prof Ernest Aryeetey, said the oil and gas that is being produced in the country means a lot to Ghanaians, and that if managed well, will help all Ghanaians.
He was also hopeful that the New Year School will attract people to discuss the new oil production.
Prof Aryeetey stated that over the years, the annual New Year School had been supported by the government, but in recent times, that support has not been forthcoming.
He expressed gratitude to the GNPC and assured that the university would use the money for a good cause and called for more support from other organisations.
The New Year School is an annual residential programme of a week’s duration organised by the Institute of Continuing and Distance Adult Education (ICDE) of the UG at which people from all walks of life meet to deliberate on topical issues of national and international interest.
The New Year School also helps to assess public opinion on pertinent issues in order to ensure good governance.
Presenting the cheque, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNPC, Nana Boakye Asafu-Adjaye said the corporation was delighted to sponsor the New Year School, which is on the theme: “One year of Oil and Gas Production: Emerging issues.
He said the GNPC was attracted to sponsor the school by the chosen theme for this year.
He said there was the need for all Ghanaians to derive or enjoy the benefits from the oil and gas industry.
He also stated that the New Year School would give them the opportunity as the real stakeholders of the oil and gas production, to educate and inform Ghanaians about the activities of the sector.
He was hopeful that the whole nation would benefit from the programme and urged all participants to take advantage of the period to learn and share their thoughts on the issues that would be raised.
Receiving the cheque, the Vice Chancellor of the UG, Prof Ernest Aryeetey, said the oil and gas that is being produced in the country means a lot to Ghanaians, and that if managed well, will help all Ghanaians.
He was also hopeful that the New Year School will attract people to discuss the new oil production.
Prof Aryeetey stated that over the years, the annual New Year School had been supported by the government, but in recent times, that support has not been forthcoming.
He expressed gratitude to the GNPC and assured that the university would use the money for a good cause and called for more support from other organisations.
Korle Bu recorded 1,036 child deaths last year
STATISTICS from the Health Information Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) indicate that 1,036 child deaths were recorded at the hospital last year.
Sources from the hospital attributed causes to the top ten deaths to premature birth, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, grunting respiration, meconium aspiration, failure to thrive (FTT), retroviral infection (HIV), neonatal sepsis, anaemia and malaria
Out of the number, premature birth mortality was the highest, accounting for 244 death of babies from January to November, 2011 while birth asphyxia came second highest with a total number of 101 deaths recorded as of November last year.
According to health experts, premature or pre-term birth refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age (time elapsed since conception), as well as the birth of a baby before the developing organs are matured enough to allow normal postnatal survival.
Online information on child welfare indicate that premature birth can occur when a pregnant woman has malaria, hypertension, early bleeding, low blood count, high blood pressure and incompetent cervix.
The Principal Nursing Officer (PNO) at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the KBTH, Mrs Abigail Aryee, told the Daily Graphic that premature babies were sometimes referred from other hospitals and clinics to the KBTH, and some of the babies were mostly in bad states before getting there.
According to her, some private hospitals that do not have incubators or ventilators to cater for the babies transferred the babies to KBTH for proper health care, and some of the babies died before getting to the hospital.
She also stated that most of the babies died due to respiratory distress, and delay in bringing the babies to the hospital on time and explained that this is because the lungs of the premature babies were not matured enough and therefore needed to be aided by giving them oxygen to keep them alive.
Mrs Aryee said the NICU had only one working ventilator, while the oxygen supply system was not functioning properly, but they had improvised on the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, to provide oxygen for the premature babies admitted to the hospital.
Another challenge confronting the unit is the small number of nurses at the NICU wards who catered for the babies at a particular time.
“Ideally it should be two nurses to a baby, but we have only seven nurses attending to over 40 babies on shift basis, and this makes the work hard for us”, she added.
A ward which was supposed to house 40 babies had exceeded the number of intake due to the increase in the number of premature births at the hospital.
Mrs Aryee advised pregnant women to regularly attend ante-natal clinics or hospital for their health conditions to be monitored to avoid complications in pregnancy.
She also advised that women who are pregnant should avoid long distance travelling and should heed to medical advice given to them when they attend the hospital.
She stated that the government had promised to provide the needed equipment and gadgets for proper facilitation of work in the hospital, and that they hope to receive them soon.
Sources from the hospital attributed causes to the top ten deaths to premature birth, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, grunting respiration, meconium aspiration, failure to thrive (FTT), retroviral infection (HIV), neonatal sepsis, anaemia and malaria
Out of the number, premature birth mortality was the highest, accounting for 244 death of babies from January to November, 2011 while birth asphyxia came second highest with a total number of 101 deaths recorded as of November last year.
According to health experts, premature or pre-term birth refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age (time elapsed since conception), as well as the birth of a baby before the developing organs are matured enough to allow normal postnatal survival.
Online information on child welfare indicate that premature birth can occur when a pregnant woman has malaria, hypertension, early bleeding, low blood count, high blood pressure and incompetent cervix.
The Principal Nursing Officer (PNO) at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the KBTH, Mrs Abigail Aryee, told the Daily Graphic that premature babies were sometimes referred from other hospitals and clinics to the KBTH, and some of the babies were mostly in bad states before getting there.
According to her, some private hospitals that do not have incubators or ventilators to cater for the babies transferred the babies to KBTH for proper health care, and some of the babies died before getting to the hospital.
She also stated that most of the babies died due to respiratory distress, and delay in bringing the babies to the hospital on time and explained that this is because the lungs of the premature babies were not matured enough and therefore needed to be aided by giving them oxygen to keep them alive.
Mrs Aryee said the NICU had only one working ventilator, while the oxygen supply system was not functioning properly, but they had improvised on the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, to provide oxygen for the premature babies admitted to the hospital.
Another challenge confronting the unit is the small number of nurses at the NICU wards who catered for the babies at a particular time.
“Ideally it should be two nurses to a baby, but we have only seven nurses attending to over 40 babies on shift basis, and this makes the work hard for us”, she added.
A ward which was supposed to house 40 babies had exceeded the number of intake due to the increase in the number of premature births at the hospital.
Mrs Aryee advised pregnant women to regularly attend ante-natal clinics or hospital for their health conditions to be monitored to avoid complications in pregnancy.
She also advised that women who are pregnant should avoid long distance travelling and should heed to medical advice given to them when they attend the hospital.
She stated that the government had promised to provide the needed equipment and gadgets for proper facilitation of work in the hospital, and that they hope to receive them soon.
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