STOP ATTACKS AND THE KILLING OF FORESTRY PERSONNEL

The Center for the Management of Impact of Climate Change (CeMICC), an environmental Non-Governmental Organization has observed with great concern and outrage, a seemingly disastrous development which if not stopped would lead to a situation where Ghana’s already fast depleting forest reserves will totally disappear as a result of the activities of chain saw operators, illegal surface miners, illegal farmers in the forest and other criminals.


These miscreants have resorted to killing forest guards and rangers who have been legally employed by the Government of Ghana in their bid to plunder the little remaining forest.

They have been physically attacking and killing forest guards in cold blood in their quest to extract precious resourced from nature.

The Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission has a core function to protect, manage and develop forest resources in the national interest and for the benefit of owners.

In pursuance of this, the Division has a duty to take necessary steps to prevent the commission of an offence under the Forest Protection Act 1974, National Redemption Council Decree (NRCD) 243.

Under this same Act, Forest Guards and Rangers are permitted to arrest persons who are reasonably suspected to have committed or are concerned in as act under the Act.

Offences under the Act include

             • Felling, uprooting, tapping or damaging a tree or timber in the forest reserve without permission of the competent forest authority

             • Making or cultivating a farm or erecting a building in a forest reserve without written authority

             • Causing damage by negligence in felling a tree or cutting or removing timber in the forest without written authority

             • Setting fire to grass or herbage or kindling of fire without taking due precaution, etc.

In summary, the offences can be described ordinarily as illegal chainsawing, encroachment or illegal mining also known as galamsey.

A survey conducted by CeMICC in the first quarter of 2013, has revealed that not less than five barbaric attacks had been waged on forest guards and rangers in the Ashanti region alone as nationwide attacks are being tabulated.

The situation had become more dangerous with the entry of illegal mining business by foreigners, especially Chinese, who backed by Ghanaian partners wiled deadly weapons.

These weapons included assault rifles, machete and clubs which indicated that they were ever ready to kill anyone who tried to stop them from plundering forest reserves.

In January 2013, a range supervisor and two forest guards were brutally assaulted when they attempted to arrest illegal chainsaw operators, who were destroying the forest without authorization at Nkranpo near Sekyereduamsi in the Mampong Forest District.

Also in the same month, some forestry officials were brutally beaten when they attempted to drive out illegal farmers from the Anumso Forest Reserve.

These illegal farmers have erected cottages in the forest reserve without authorization. In an attempt to ward them off, the forest guards were pounced upon and brutally assaulted with machetes. One guard nearly had his hand severed off.

In February 2013, a combined team of military and forestry guards were nearly lynched by a mob at Koniyaw in the Bosomtwi Forest Reserve in Bekwai. The team had gone there to stop the operations of a gang who were massively engaged in illegal surface mining activities.

The gang mounted a road block, captured the forest petrol team and gave them the thrashing of their lives with clubs and machetes. They were only rescued when a police reinforcement team was called in. Injuries sustained by the two soldiers were too severe that they had to be hospitalized for months at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

In March 2013, a Range Supervisor, Kwame Owusu and two Forest Guards were captured by an armed gang at the Tinte Bepo Forest Reserve, near Abesewa where they had gone to check about illegal chainsaw operations in the reserve.

They were overpowered by a gang armed with machetes and shot guns and subjected to severe beatings by the gang and made to load vehicles of the gang which they had looted.

Perharps, the most disastrous of the deadly assaults so far in the Ashanti Region is the killing of one e Kwaswo Wireko, a Forest Guard in the Offinso District was shot and killed whilst on duty in the Afram Headwaters Forest Reserve near Abofour.

He had gone there on usual patrolling duties and the poor man never returned home. He is believed to have been shot and killed at close range.

There are many more of such incidents in the country. Many happen unheard of whilst others are taken for granted, and loosely considered to be occupational hazards.

The question is who gets employed and lowered into the lion’s den to be devoured? Who seeks employment knowing that he is going to be sent, unarmed, to face armed gangs?

The values of forest are far too much to be enumerated here. Forests provide clothing, food, and shelter in ways several books will have to contain.

They act as carbon sinks by way of absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Forests provide medicine for humanity and provide habitats to animals. They protect water bodies and generally add aesthetic values to life and Ghana derived tremendous revenue from wood exports whilst creating employment for millions of people.

In recognition of this, Government through the Forestry Commission established forest guards to protect the valuable natural resourced so that Ghanaians will continue to enjoy life naturally.

Why then should we allow people to kill these innocent guards who are simply protecting our common heritage?

There are over 220 forest reserves in Ghana and these attacks only happened in five reserves. What would be the situation should it be allowed to continue in other reserves? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is therefore the need for Government as a matter of urgency, arm forest guard and rangers to give them some level of security in the discharge of their duties

Policemen and the military are feared basically because they carry firearms and can shoot to kill if attacked.

The guards should also be made to patrol in groups of five or six at all times to avoid a scenario where one guard could easily be ambushed and killed.

Forestry guards, from the nature of their work and the harm they are exposed to, need military training to equip them well to conform some of these dangers.

Also, in cases where guards have lost their lives in the course of discharging their duties, their families and other dependents must be taken care of by government, especially those who have children in school.

Ghana’s forest resources are already degrading fast and therefore those who have out their lives at stake to halt this unhealthy trend must be protected.

LUFTHANSA AWARDS TRAVEL AND TOUR AGENTS

LUFTHANSA, a German Airline in operating in the country, has awarded its travel agents for their contribution to the company in 2012.


The awards were categorised into two ; the top ten awards for travel agents and six other awards for agents who had contributed to the success of the company in the year under review.

Travel agents who won under the top ten category received a plaque and a citation.

They are Euro Tour Ghana Limited, Journeymax Travel, Satguru Travel and Tours, Travel Zone Limited, Venture-G Travel and Yoshiken Travel and Tours.

Sunlife Travel Tours Limited won the award for Top Agent for 2012 with Stellar Travel and Doscar Travel and Tours Limited being adjudged the first and second runners up respectively.

The six special awards were received by Expert Travel, Travel Matters Limited and Graceland Travel and Tours Limited, Land Tours Ghana Limited for best premium sales growth, Litina Travel and Tours Limited for best overall growth and Travel Bureau Limited for Best growth in North America.

Other winners, who were awarded for outstanding support to Lufthansa, were Euro Tour Ghana Limited, Journeymax Travel, Satguru Travel and Tours, Travel Zone Limited, Venture-G Travel and Yoshiken Travel and Tours.

The Managing Director of Lufthansa Ghana, Mr Kevin Markette, said at the awards ceremony in Accra that the although the Lufthansa Group experienced some challenges in 2012, its Ghanaian market performed well, recording higher revenues in spite of reduced capacity.

“The year was, therefore, successful due to the support of and hard work of our agents who put in extra efforts to bring passengers onboard the airline,” he said.

Mr Markette pledged the airline’s continued commitment to the Ghanaian market, adding that it would continue to be innovative and deliver on its brand promise of value for money, individual caring, quality promise and leadership.

The Executive Director of Sunlife Travel Tours Limited, Mr Mike Banful, thanked Lufthansa on behalf of the agents and pledged their commitment to continue partnering with the airline to boost its sales.

GHANA URBAN MALARIA STUDY REPORT LAUNCHED

A January 2013 research report on Ghana Urban Malaria study has revealed that data on malaria testing that were routinely reported to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) were often incomplete and internally inconsistent.


This was due to the fact that some policy makers, public health programmers, and clinicians in spite of well documented variation in the incidence of malaria, reported roughly only 40 per cent of pediatric outpatients diagnosed with malaria throughout the year.

“Thus, malaria data routinely reported by health facilities in Ghana do not provide a reliable indication of the burden of malaria,” the report said.

The report further stated that the burden of malaria was lower in the large cities of the country largely because of the environmental changes.

Also, the intensity of malaria transmission was lower in neighborhoods of Accra and Kumasi than in surrounding rural areas adding that transmission was especially low in urban neighborhoods that were distant from urban agricultural plots.

Additionally, the prevalence of malaria infection was higher for children living in the poorest urban households compared to those living in the wealthiest households.

This, the report said , may be due to less frequent use of protective measures such as household screening, insecticides, insecticide treated nets and anti-malarial drugs.

The report, however, added that it was surprising that the proportions of children benefiting from appropriate malaria control practices were no higher in the cities than in rural areas in the country.

Also, laboratory confirmation of suspected malaria was least common in Accra where the prevalence of malaria was the lowest and presumptive diagnosis of fever was least reliable.

Speaking at the stakeholders debriefing meeting on malaria programme review and urban malaria study dissemination report in Accra, the Minister of Health, Madam Sherry Ayittey said malaria was till a troublesome disease in the country responsible for the death of many people in the country.

“It accounts for over 30 per cent of all out patients attendances in our health facilities and also the leading cause of under five –mortality in the country,” she said.

She said the country had made great strides in the fight against malaria that involved multi and inter-sectorial partnerships working together on agrees plan to reduce death and illness due to malaria by 75 percent by 2015.

She expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity for all stakeholders in the health sector to share findings and recommendations on the study which would intend control intervention efforts.

She said government was committed to the fight against malaria and the needed resources would be made available through the district assemblies’ common fund, tax exemptions of malaria commodities and drugs as well as direct provision of drugs and logistics.

REGISTRAR TAKES GOVERNMNET TO COURT

The Registrar of the Knutsford University College, Dr Nana Oppong, has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking a declaration to compel the government to take effective, immediate and continuing action to prevent foreigners from taking over the lands of the country.


The plaintiff also seeks to enjoin the government to ensure that most of the lands of Ghana remain permanently under the control and management of indigenous Ghanaians for posterity.

Another relief being sought by the plaintiff is an order compelling the government to pass the necessary legislation and create and fund the necessary institutions for them to fulfill their duties.

The suit, which was filed at the Supreme Court on April 9, 2013, is also seeking a declaration that the government has breached its duty to prevent “foreign takeover of lands of Ghana”.

Explaining the details of the suit at a press conference in Accra yesterday, Dr Oppong, who is also a land lawyer, said over the past five years a great number of lands had been transferred from Ghanaians to persons of foreign origin.

He said the lands involved in such transactions usually happened to be some of the best lands for agricultural or housing purposes, adding that the quantities of land typically transferred measured in the 10s, 100s and sometimes even 1,000s of hectares.

Dr Oppong said he had witnessed the sale of 10,000 acres (in one case) in the Brong Ahafo Region; 5,000 acres (another case) in the Central Region and 20,000 acres in the Volta Region.

He said currently foreigners on short-term visits and even tourists could, within a few days of their arrival, own any land in the country with a long-term lease.

“Thus, at this rate of land transfers to persons of foreign origin, it was only a matter of time before very large, if not most, portions of the country fall outside the control and management of indigenous of Ghanaians,” he said

Additionally, he said, with the logic of demand and supply, there was a real possibility that foreigners with money could possess and take over most of the lands in the country, since there was currently no limit to how foreigners could come into the country and buy lands.

Dr Oppong said at the moment the only check on the transfer of lands to persons of foreign origin was a limitation of 50 years at a time.

“Article 266 (4) of the Constitution states, ‘No interest in, or right over, any land in Ghana shall be created which vests in a person who is not a citizen of Ghana a leasehold for a term of more than 50 years at any one time’,” he added.

However, the 50-year limitation only applied to maximum term per lease and did not allow renewals of the same lease for another 50 years.

“It appears the Government of Ghana is not sufficiently prepared to deal with the challenges that such rapid and massive exposure to foreigners pose to Ghana’s national welfare,” he said.

Dr Oppong explained further that the probability that heirs of a lessor under a long-term lease would repossess the lands at the end of a lease would depend on many things, including the existence and accuracy of inter-generational memory or excellent record keeping about the transaction.

“Furthermore, while lawyers, the Constitution and other sophisticated persons may be able to distinguish between long-term lease and a sale, the majority of Ghanaians, especially the illiterate and people of rural persuasion, view the transfer of land by indenture to another for a lump sum as sale.

“If the arrangement for the transfer is not abunu or abusa, a short-term rental or similar things, our culture and ordinary expectations are that the signing of documents and giving lands to strangers for a lump sum is a sale.

“The point is that leaving the control and management of land transactions in Ghana to largely illiterate and poor individual Ghanaians to deal with sophisticated and rich foreign buyers is not a very good recipe for the protection of the independence, integrity, security and welfare of Ghana. This is the crux of the matter,” Dr Oppong said.

ABANTU SUSTAINS INTEREST OF WOMEN IN POLITICS

RWANDA has spearheaded affirmative action leading to an increase in the number in women’s representation in that country’s parliament, with 56.25 per cent of members of the legislature being women.

World regional average representation of  women in parliament, released by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, dated February 1, 2013 placed Senegal 6th with 42.5 per cent female representation in parliament, South Africa 8th, with 42.3 per cent of women in the legislature, calculated on the basis of 54 permanent seats, excluding 36 special rotation delegates appointed on an ad hoc basis. Mozambique has 39.2 pe cent of women, Uganda has 35.0 per cent female representation in parliament and Angola, 34.1 per cent.

More efforts are being made to increase women’s representation in decision-making and gender quotas have increasingly been used as a tool for increasing gender equity in political representation.

During the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, Ghana did not file any female presidential candidate as efforts by the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Madam Akua Donkor to contest the elections on the tickets of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the United Freedom Party (UFP) respectively, did not materialise as a result of their inability to meet the deadline for the filing of nominations at the Electoral Commission

For the parliamentary elections, 133 women out of the total of 1,332 parliamentary candidates contested the elections, as against 103 women who contested the elections in 2008. Out of the 133 candidates, 30 emerged victorious.

To help sustain the interest of female parliamentary candidates who contested in the 2012 elections but lost in their bid to go to parliament, ABANTU for Development, a non-governmental organisation, on Tuesday organised a consultation workshop for 30 non-elected women parliamentary candidates to strengthen their capacities for future elections.

The workshop was also to create an environment where participants could share their experiences and deliberate on lessons learnt from the elections and also utilise  the platform to enhance ongoing discussions  on how women’s increased representation and effective participation in politics and decision making in the country could be enhanced.

Also, the workshop was intended to develop an action plan on continuous advocacy on women’s representation and effective participation in elections and governance process in general.

Speaking on the topic, “ Women’s Candidature in Election 2012: Perspectives from the Electoral Commission of Ghana”, a Commissioner of the Electoral Commission Mrs Pauline Adobea Dadzawa said as the country continued on its path as a leader in democratic reforms in Africa, it was important that its achievements were reinforced by the progress in women’s political participation.

“Ghana has earned the title of one of Africa’s most hopeful democracy by making continuos progress in closing the gender gap in governance and ensuring that women participate in decision making at all levels,” she said.

She said as part of strategies for strengthening women’s participation in politics, the African Union should continue its cooperation with regional structures to strengthen electoral process.

Also, regional and national organisations should conduct an audit of performance against targets set by member countries adding that many African countries need to embark on deliberate electoral reform to ensure the advancement of women’s representation in governance.

She said amendments to existing constitutions should guarantee gender equality, as happened in South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia.

“Lobby groups should also advocate a 50-50 campaign in favour of ‘One man and one woman’ regardless of the electoral system adopted,” she added.

Mrs Dadzawa, however, recommended that government should actively promote and encourage candidacy of women candidate through the use of quotas that could be re-enforced through appropriate systems, adequate electoral systems and legal measures to emphasise women’s right.

She said the national constitution and other national legal frameworks, specifically family law, must guarantee women’s equal rights.

She also urged various political parties to promote the candidature of both men and women in elections, publish party lists with male and female candidates, and comply worth parity quotas regardless of whether or not they are voluntary.

The Resource Mobilisation and Sustainability Manager of ABANTU for Development, Mrs Hamida Harrison in her address reaffirmed the organisations commitment to strengthen the capacity of women who have demonstrated an interest in national leadership and public office.

“It is interrelated in our long-term development objective of mobilising, harnessing and sustaining the national will, especially of the women, exchange of knowledge and skills and mutual sharing of experiences and information to enable us stand up and demand for non-discriminatory and fair action that will recognise the rights of all,” she said.

She lauded the efforts of the women for exhibiting commitment, confidence and faith, adding that “By your candidature, you have reinforced the demands that women must be entitled to equal distribution of public, private responsibilities and that more equitable presence of men and women in political process is fundamental in redressing gender inequalities and imbalances”.

Mrs Harrison urged women to work collaboratively to ensure better response to their efforts, needs and concerns adding that they must work for enabling environments, tools and frameworks that will allow for a truly transformational social value system.

This, systems, she said must include the recognition and the creation of a gender playing field of equality of political rights and to allow not only the right to elect but also be elected.

STRIKE ACTIONS AFFECT THE VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY

The President of Young Professionals and Youth Coalition (YPYC), Mr Andy Osei Okrah, has appealed to doctors and pharmacists in the country to call of their strike as their actions affect the vulnerable in society.

“Looking at what is happening in the labour front, it is the youth and the vulnerable in society that suffer a lot and there is the need for them to consider the plight of the young and vulnerable people in society who cannot do anything for themselves,” he said.

The YPYC is a youth development organisation that focuses on the development and empowerment of the youth on leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

Mr Okrah told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the services of doctors and pharmacists as well as other medical practitioners were essential to the development of the country.

He also called on government and all agencies involved in the negotiation process to be truthful and honest in the negotiation process and address the issue with urgency.

“There is the need for them to be definite about when they are going to pay the doctors and also live up to their promises so that we don’t keep going back and forth about the strike,” he added.

He also appealed to social commentators to be circumspect and think about the young people and the vulnerable in society before making any remarks in the media.

ECG REWARDS STAFF FOR HARDWORK DONE

The Minister of Energy, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah, has charged the staff and management of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to strife harder to reduce the system loses, especially power theft, from its current level to more acceptable levels. “We need the revenues to ensure that ECG is properly resourced to discharge its responsibilities to adequately fuel the economy,” he said. He also urged them to exhibit positive attitudes at the work place to enhance good performance and corporate success. Mr Buah was speaking at the 10th National Best Employee Awards ceremony of the ECG in Accra last Friday, organized to appreciate the efforts of employees as a lever to attaining higher corporate performance. This year’s event was on the theme; “Positive Attitude-The Key to ECG’s Success.” The Principal Technical Engineer of Accra East (ECG), Mr Jonathan Asante, was awarded  the overall 2012 National Best Employee of ECG and received GH¢ 2000, certificate, a plaque, laptop and a trip to visit any country of his choice in Europe. A system operator in the Central Region, Mr Stephen Ackah, was the first runner-up  and received GH¢ 1000,  certificate, a plaque and a laptop while Mr Haruna Kpakpo Saka, a foreman at the Accra West Region won the second  runner-up award receiving GH¢ 1000, certificate, a plaque and a laptop. Other staffs of the company in the various regions in the country were also recognized with citations for being the best employee in 2012. They are, Mr Alex Keteku form the Head Office, Mr Benjamin Mantey, a Senior Driver in the Western Region, Mr Theophilus Akuoku, a tradesman in the Eastern Region, and Mr Osei Nyarko, a Senior Artisan in the Asante Region. The rest are Gideon Kwame Out, a Senior Technician Engineer in the Volta Region, Mr Farouk Abubakari, a Senior Technician Engineer for Tema Region, Mr Andrews  Owusu Peprah, a Principal Technician Engineer for Ashanti West,  and Mr Benjamin Odame Thompson, a Principal Technician Engineer for Subtransmission. Mr Buah also encouraged all public and private organizations to institute performance management procedure to ensure that hardworking staff is rewarded while non performers are made to sit up and improve upon their work. He lauded management for instituting the awards scheme adding that people inadvertently downplayed the role of human capital which constantly turned the wheel of progress in the organization. 'My consolation is in the fact that you are evolving an enduring system to improve upon the quality of service delivery to the citizenry which must translate into tangible improvement in the service to the customer,' he said. He also commended management of ECG, Volta River Authority and GRIDCo for instituting performance management procedures as a measure of ensuring individual responsibility and corporate advancement to transform the work culture of these utilities. Mr Buah further urged management to manage the load shedding timetable well so as to distribute available power equitably and enable customers to plan the use of their share of the power. He said government was working tirelessly to address the current challenges facing power supply and urged them to put their best foot forward in recouping what was owned them by customers. Speaking on the theme, the Managing Director of ECG, Mr William Hutton-Mensah, in his address said over the years it had become more evident that technical competence alone could not deliver the corporate success of the company and that the missing link to staff performance had been attitudinal. 'The need for the right behavioral competence, appreciable character traits, personal discipline and positive attitudes cannot be over emphasized in every field of endeavor and it is mainly attitude that would improve the fortunes of the company,' he said. He said some of the challenges of the ECG included efficient network operations and reduction in power outages, system loss reduction, revenue collection and debt management, and the improvement in customer service with emphasis on prompt provision of service to both internal and external customers. However, the company over the years had chalked up some success with regard to system loss reduction and revenue collection but not with supply availability and service satisfaction. “Once our customers express dissatisfaction with our work, then it means we still have a long way to go with supply availability and customer service satisfaction. The customer is king and we must succumb accordingly,” he said. He said any outage that would be experienced during the day time would be as a result of equipment failure or a planned maintenance programme adding that it will soon publish a load shedding schedule to reflect the current improved situation. He said the company as part of some interventions had embarked on live-line work project to carry out planned maintenance and fix faults on energized networks to benefit customers since they would enjoy electricity supply and live on the distribution networks at all voltage levels. Mr Hutton-Mensah said management was improving upon the speed and accuracy of its billing process through the use of data loggers and the Automatic Meter Reading Technologies and urged employees of the company to be disciplined and work hard to protect its image. He however, urged the staff of the company to continue to exhibit positive attitudes towards work adding that the conduct of every member of the company goes a long way to tarnish or redeem the image of the company. “ECG is a service oriented company and consequently our customers are our first and ultimate target for responsible service. Our service to them must be as effective as possible, irrespective of the prevailing challenges,” he said.

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TV3 NETWORK GOES DIGITAL

TV3 Network Limited has migrated from an analogue to a digital transmission in order to provide quality content to its viewers.

The migration was intended to conform to the National Communication Authorities’ directive for all television networks in country to move from analogue to digital by the year 2014.

Ghana signed the Geneva 2006 (GE06) Agreement establishing the Digital Terrestrial (DTT) Broadcasting plan in the bands at the Regional Radio Communications Conference (RRC-06).

The agreement set June 17, 2015 as the deadline for the cessation of international protection for analogue broadcasting transmissions in the said bands.

The migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting is expected to have an impact on almost every citizen of this country, considering the pervasiveness of television access and the reliance of the populace on TV for information dissemination, education and entertainment.

Compared with terrestrial analogue television, DTT offers an improved spectrum efficiency which can be used to provide a variety of new services that include mobility, interactivity, high-definition TV, enhanced video and audio quality as well as increased programme choice.

Addressing the gathering at a launch in Accra, the Board Chairman of TV3 Network Limited, Nene  Drolor Adametey I, lauded the staff of the company for their contribution towards the migration from analogue to digital.

He said the migration would help the company  not only seek news but also give the best of news to its viewers as well as add value to the staff of the company.

He recalled in 2010, the company was under a new management whose core mandate was to offer the best programme to viewers and uplift the dignity of Ghanaians by way of providing quality and informative programmes.

“I am happy that we are able to achieve this target and we are going to do more to move the network to the next level,” he said.

Nene Adametey , however, urged the staff of the organisation to work hard in order to make the company the best in Africa and the world at large.

The Chief Executive Officer of TV3 Network Limited, Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, in his remarks said the new digital transmission would offer the organisation the opportunity to broadcast more channels.

“We intend to give more to our viewers by adding value to their interest because they are the most valuable assets that we have,” he added.

He appealed to the staff to build a culture of maintenance and ensure that the equipments were well maintained at all times.

The Acting Director of Operations, Mr Augustus Bamfo Dickson said the new equipments included a digital production facility, post production editing facility, a out broadcasting equipment, new digital cameras, high speed server systems among others to provide efficiency and quality service to its clients.

AGAMBIRE ADJUDGED GHANA'S TOP BUSINESSMAN

The Chairman of the AGAMS Group and CEO of Rlg Communications Limited, Mr Roland Agambire, has picked up an award in Nigeria for being ‘Ghana’s Leading Businessman of the Year’.

He picked up the award at the 16th City People Awards for Excellence, 2013 at the Balmoral Event Centre, Oregun in Lagos, last Sunday, March 31.

The awards ceremony, which is organised by Nigeria’s leading celebrity and lifestyle publication, City People, recognised individuals and corporate bodies who stood above their peers in 2012.

Mr Agambire’s award comes on the heels of the launch the $10bn Information Technology hub, the HOPE City, aimed at creating jobs for over 300 million youth in Africa.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Agambire said it was time for Africans to think big and do big things, adding that Rlg Communications Limited remained focused on turning Ghana and Africa into a knowledge society and active player in the global economy.

“One thing we in Rlg believe in is the youth. I believe the youth are our future and currently we train and employ thousands of young men and women not only in Ghana but also Nigeria. I believe most of them will be assembling and fixing your Rlg phones and devices right here in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Agambire’s Rlg Institute of Technology has already trained over 50,000 youth and persons with disability across Ghana.

The company currently has operational presence in The Gambia, Nigeria, China and Dubai.
Mr Agambire has won several awards and is the reigning Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Man of the Year.

The CIMG also adjudged Rlg phones as Product of the Year 2011, while the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s (GIPC’s) latest Ghana Club 100 listing also ranked Rlg as the Second Best Company in Ghana, in addition to being the Fastest Growing Company, the Leader in Ghana's ICT Sector and the Best Entrant into the Club

MR KOJO YANKA IS PR PRACTIONER OF THE YEAR 2012

MR KOJO YANKAH

THE Founder and President of the African University College of Communications (AUCC), Mr Kojo Yankah, was last Friday given the Public Relations Practitioner of the Year 2012 award.

The Media and Public Relations Manager of UT Holdings, Ms Sophia Lissah, was given the Promising Practitioner of the Year 2012 award under the Competitive Awards category.

The awardees were honoured at the Institute of Public Relations Excellence Awards and Presidential Ball held in Accra on the theme: “IPR at 40: Consolidating the Image of Ghana as a Peaceful and Democratic Nation”.

Past presidents of the IPR were also awarded certificates of recognition for their laudable service to the institute.

Other special awards were given to individuals who had played various roles in the development and progress of the institute since its inception in the country.

In attendance were the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga; the Minister for Women, Gender and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, and the Chief Executive Officer of Rlg Communications, Mr Roland Agambire.

Other awardees at the ceremony were Global Media Alliance and Airtel Ghana, which won the PR Consultancy Firm of the Year 2012 and the Best Community Relations Programme 2012, respectively.

The rest were PR Organisation of the Year 2012 (Telecommunications category), Vodafone Ghana; PR Organisation of the Year 2012 (Public Sector category), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and PR Campaign of the Year 2012, Airtel Ghana.

Some corporate institutions which had exhibited their immense support to the institute over the years were also rewarded.

They include the Graphic Communications Group Limited, SSNIT, the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited and Accra Brewery Limited.

The rest are GTP NUSTILE, the Ghana Commercial Bank, Contact Consultancy and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Limited.

 In a speech read on his behalf, President John Dramani Mahama said it was important for all forms of communication in the country to be free from insults.

He said the government was committed to making use of existing trained professionals and PR officers who had been deployed by the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by  building their capacity to play their roles for the development of the country.

“The Ministry of Information, in collaboration the IPR, is undertaking programmes that will enhance the skills and build the capacity of PR officers and properly place them at the forefront of  dealing with the communication challenges of MDAs,” he said

The President urged the IPR to partner the ministry and other stakeholders to make use of the Media Development Fund for the improvement of communications in the country.

The President of the IPR, Major Albert Don-Chebe (retd), said PR practice in the country had gained considerable acceptability and due recognition over the years.

“We, as PR practitioners, have a crucial role to facilitate the cultivation of an image of peace and security in order to differentiate our country from others and consequently attract the critical investments that will transform our socio-economic conditions,” he said.

Mr Agambire, who chaired the function, urged PR practitioners and the media to continue to positively brand and propagate the good works of the country, saying, “The way we choose to brand our country has a great impact on the economy as a whole.”

Private-Public Partnership To Give Impetus To Private Sector

The government, as part of efforts to boost the private sector, has developed the private/public partnership policy which provides opportunities for the private sector to participate in the delivery of infrastructure in the country.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the policy was intended to support the growth of industries and help the private sector discover new opportunities and promote innovation.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf at the Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs’) Breakfast Meeting organised by the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in Accra yesterday.

The meeting, which was organised on the theme: “Moving from a lower middle income to upper middle income: The role of the private sector”, was intended to discuss and obtain first-hand information on the challenges facing the business community in the country.

It was also to provide a platform for captains of industry to take stock of  their activities and their contributions towards national development.

Some of the speakers at the meeting were the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mr Alhassan Andani; the CEO of the KAMA Group, Dr Agyekum Addo, and the Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Kwame Ameyaw Domfeh.

Mr Iddrisu said the government was making efforts to implement policies that would provide the requisite environment for the private sector to grow.

Among those policies was the Private Sector Development Strategy (PSDS) II which, when implemented, would ensure that the cost and risk of doing business were reduced and the financial sector  would be more efficient and relevant to the needs of the private entrepreneur, he said.

He, however, urged the private sector to continue to work hard and not relent in its efforts to provide support to help move the economic status of the country from a lower middle income to a higher middle income.

In his welcome address, the President of the GCCI, Mr Seth Adjei-Baah, said the private sector was an instrument of change, growth and prosperity.

He said Ghana was currently a lower middle income country and the private sector had a role to play to ensure that it moved to an upper middle income level.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide a collective solution to the growing economic crisis  facing  the country.

The Chairman for the occasion, Mr Terrence Darko, in his address, said the private sector faced numerous challenges, adding that the problems made it difficult and expensive  to run businesses  in Ghana.
“It renders our businesses uncompetitive in the international market,” he said.

He said as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Ghana’s economy had reached its transitional stage, adding, “It is either we work hard and move to the upper middle income or we continue to complain and deteriorate economically and more.”

COMMITTEE INAUGRATED TO PROBE GYEEDA

A five-member committee has been set up by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to investigate alleged corrupt deals that  have characterised the operations of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Agency (GYEEDA).

Known as the Ministerial Impact Assessment and Review Committee, members are to review the operations of GYEEDA and make recommendations to improve the long-term viability and sustainability of the programme.

The committee is expected to complete its work within eight weeks and shall have two weeks to submit its final report thereafter.

However, the committee would submit interim reports to the Minister of Youth and Sports every fortnight, prior to the submission of the final report.

Also, where the committee finds appropriate, it shall refer any matter for prosecution for further investigation, or convene a separate body of enquiry as it may deem appropriate on the conduct of any agency, department, ministry or persons.

Members of the committee are Mr Ferdinand Gunn, a senior partner at Ernest and Young, and Chairman of the committee; Mr Edward Amuzu Tuinese, a lawyer and lead consultant for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); Mr Randolph Nsor-Mbala, an accountant; Mr Kwame Edem Senanu, a management and development consultant, and Mr Mike K. Gaba, a human resource manager and representative from the Public Services Commission.

GYEEDA, formerly the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), was established to arrest the rising youth unemployment in the country. So far about 450,000 people have benefitted from the programme.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in Accra yesterday, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, said the terms of reference of the committee included: performing current state analysis of financial management of GYEEDA; operation of bank accounts, procurement and contacting procedures, disbursements, human resource and other management practices.

It would also review the capacity of persons entrusted with certain key responsibilities related to the mandate of the programme; conduct in-depth investigations into possible irregularities of crime and related financial loss and actions taken by management to recover possible embezzlement of money and other assets as the case may be.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah said the committee would evaluate administrative and accounting procedures and disbursement procedure that had been followed over the years and review and investigate potential conflicts of interest, among others.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah was, however, quick to add that the terms of reference of the committee might be added to, varied or amended as and when it became necessary.

He reiterated that the government was not interested in witch-hunt, adding that the prime objective of the exercise was to undertake an overall impact assessment of the programme since its inception in 2006.

“It has become necessary to take corrective measures to ensure that the mandate of the programme is delivered in the supreme interest of the collective youth of this country,” he said.

He said currently, measures were being put in place to diagnose and prescribe remedial therapy to the programme as it was posing a huge inconvenience to its service providers, partners and some beneficiaries.

He expressed regret about the current state of the programme and expressed optimism that the committee would deliver on its mandate.

He also urged all persons to cooperate with the committee and give it the necessary support.

Ministry To Hold Counselling Sessions -For Alleged Victims of Prayer Camp

Nana Oye Lithur

THE Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, has said her ministry is in the process of initiating a  programme to counsel alleged child traffic victims of the Maranatha Adventist Prayer Camp.

The victims would also be protected and go through medical check-ups and provided with the opportunity to be integrated into society.
   
These, she said, were necessary to help the victims, especially the children among them, to overcome the trauma that they went through during their stay in the camp.

Nana Lithur made this known when members of the Seventh Say Adventist Church today (Thursday), donated items worth GH¢2,000 to the ministry to help take care of the victims.

The donation was also to show the church’s support to the victims and demonstrate the church’s readiness to help them get back on their feet.

The Maranatha Adventist Prayer Camp situated at Mentukwa in the Brong Ahafo Region is alleged to have trafficked children aged between six and 18 from Aflao in the Volta Region to the camp and denied them education, medical care and the basic necessities of life.

Upon a tip-off from the ace investigative reporter, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who joined the members of the camp to have first-hand knowledge of activities there, members of the church were arrested with the help of the Ghana Police Service.

Nana Lithur, however, called on individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the victims by providing support in any way they could, to help in their upkeep.

The Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police  Mrs Patience Quaye, told the Daily Graphic that currently, the children were faring well and under protective custody.

She also called on Ghanaians to do their bid by providing information to the police in order to arrest individuals who tended to abuse the rights of other people.

Presenting the items, the General Secretary of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Kwame Boakye Kwanin, said the church was ready to assist the victims in order to integrate them back into society.

“This is what Christianity is all about and as Christians we need to love and support each other,” he said.
Some of the items donated were bags of rice, sugar, beans, gari, cartons of milk, cartons of milo, bars of soap, cooking oil and toiletries.

CHRONICLES OF LOVE

CHRONICLES OF LOVE

He looked into my eyes and said I LOVE YOU
I looked into his eyes and said nothing
Not that i didn't know what it meant
But that i couldn't see it in his eyes

He whispered to me the words again
I only smiled in return
Not that i didn't hear what he said
But that i couldn't feel him say it.

Love is meant for everybody to have
But my life is not that of love
I remember crying for love
But now love means nothing

My life is that of opportunites
I grab them anytime they come by
But should an opportunity of love come  by
Am too scared to grab it

For love hurts when its complicated
Love hurts when its not complete
Love hurts when its too far
Love hurts when its too scary
And love hurts when its not love.

I pray for love everyday
But not for me to have
But to the one who would love me
For with him I can feel love

To the day he would say I LOVE YOU
Guess what i would do
For I want to tell him I LOVE YOU
But am afraid he might not love me in return.

READ IF YOU ARE ASKED TO..

 READ IF YOU ARE ASKED TO

I  took a pen and paper to write. But I actually didn't know what to write about I still wanted to write something. So it came to me to write about my life in 2010.The year 2010 was somehow rough and smooth.
January I remember was a scary month for me. As to why it was scary for me, I do not want to share with you cos i do not want to talk about it.

February soon came and took away my fear cos it was the month of Love. Now THEY SAY, its the world Chocolate month. Whether Chocolate or Love, I spent it with my family cos I was still lonely.

March, April, May, June are months I would always want to relive.I had Fun with friends and also met different kinds of people. But the most amazing part is, I got scared at a point in time trying to socialize, because I didn't know what their intentions towards me where. Some say am so cool to be around with, others say the mere sight of me makes them happy. But I say am one HELL of a character...so I blend in anytime. Back to their response on why they like me, I do not believe them at all. Sometimes, I wish I had the ability to read minds and Hearts. Then I can really know who my true friends are. But I guess I cant play God.

July soon sneaked on me. Derm! I LOVE THE MONTH OF JULY. I love to be put to sleep with the sound of rain drops singing to me a lullaby,the uncalled for visits by the rain any time anyday.I guess u have concluded by now that I love rain. YES! YES! But  can you blame me? I was born in the month of July for God sake. The rain brings peace and joy to my soul. I climaxed the month with a silent birthday. ooooooh poor me! But thanks to my friends on facebook, I got lots of wishes. GUYS, I cant thank You enough. I thank Allah for you.

August, September, October to November has been hectic for me. I have to WORK, WORK,WORK and it almost ate my whole being. But the month of OCTOBER changed my life. YES! YES! YES! OCTOBER!

IN OCTOBER, I found SOMETHING SPECIAL. As to what it is, am not ready to share that with you too. I call it my LUCKY CHARM, MY TREASURE. This treasure made me realize what I have been missing this past years. I guess you cant run away from somethings huh? I hope and for it to keep me as am keeping it. As I wish for it to be mine, I pray it wished that too. As I think about it everyday, I want it to think about me too.

But come to think of it, WHY ARE YOU INVADING IN MY PRIVACY UNINVITED AND READING THE MOST BORING LIFE STORY OF 2010? OH SORRY, I FORGOT THIS IS FACEBOOK. Please get off my NOTE and go write yours. Wait, you and I know am joking right? LOL.

MY LOVE

                     MY LOVE

What is it with Love

That makes me

Then breaks me

When in love

Do I truly love?


Is it really love

Or do I think that I love?

Maybe I just love being in love

Or love the idea of being in love?

I spent my whole life chasing love.

In the end the one thing I truly love

Could just be the meir pursuit of love.

I CURSE YOU

Writing is my hobby but poetry is my first LOVE. Unlike other poets I write my poems with no motive. The words kept flowing and I kept writing and in 10 minutes I got this piece. Hope you enjoy it...
                                    
                                            I CURSE YOU


I write these words with a heavy pain in my heart

That for every tear I shed in your name, I curse you

That for every pain you've caused me, I curse you

That for every moment I believed in your lies, I curse you

That for every minute I spent with you out of love without you loving me back, I curse you

That this curse I curse shall be with you until your last breath

That you will never find happiness as I shared no happiness with you

That my name shall forever remain on your lips as no name shall no longer be soothing to the ear

That you will forever live in pain knowing that you can no longer have me

That love shall forever fail you everywhere you go

That you shall forever not find happiness even in your grave

That any woman who comes into your life after me shall pit in your face

That every eye you shut shall be opened by a mere dream of me

That I love you so much to not curse you this much.