Seth J. Bokpe's Ghana Newsreel

THE Ministry of Energy has set up a committee of experts to draw up a security policy document for the emerging oil industry as part of measures to safeguard the industry. The policy is aimed at providing security for petroleum operations, installations and reserves. It will also protect the petroleum industry against acts of terrorism, sabotage, piracy and vandalism and render timely responses to emergencies in the oil and gas industry as well as prevent the diversion and stealing of petroleum products. The Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Gyasi, made this known in a speech read on his behalf at a workshop to extend the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to the oil and gas industry. The workshop would influence the formulation of a transparent EITI framework for the oil and gas sector in Ghana. The EITI supports improved governance in countries rich in natural resources through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oi...

THE Ministry of Trade and Industry has outlined various activities in its efforts to ensure value addition to Ghanaian raw materials through knowledge transfer and innovation. The activities have been captured in the ministry’s Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP), which is designed to implement the Ghana Trade Policy and deliver rapid and strategic expansion of the country’s productive base. The TSSP is targeted at a technological improvement programme in which existing industries would be retooled. A Technological Innovation Centre (TIC), which will use the state-of-the-art technology to manufacture capital goods such as parts and components of industrial machinery and equipment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will also be established. The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr John Gyetuah, made this known at the African Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AKTP) business forum, which was on the theme: “Successes of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in Ghana”. Mr Gyetuah p...

Stallion Motors (Ghana) Limited, sole distributors of Skoda automobile in the country has launched its latest version of Skoda model cars. The vehicles come in models, the Skoda Fabia, the Skoda Romster and Skoda Octavia. The latest Skoda range manufactured under Volkswagen standards has dual airbag, factory fitted security, on board computer, foldable rear seats among other features. Speaking at the launch, the Marketing Director of Stallion Motors, Ghana, Mr Manish Daryanani said the Skoda range of car was not only comfortable to drive but was also spacious, more reliable than its competitors. He said the company’s philosophy was to supply products of the highest quality at a reasonable price for customer satisfaction. He noted that "Stallion as the exclusive distributor of Skoda in the country will work towards enhancing the world-wide brand image & reputation of SKODA within Ghana by providing high quality products and excellent after-sales support facilities, with the i...

Water supply to some parts of Accra will not see any improvement soon if the erratic power supply to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) treatment plant at Weija is not stabilised. The problem is further compounded by obsolete equipment, some of which are between 20 and 60 years old. The Accra West Production Manager of the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL), Mr Michael Amuakwa, made this known when the board members and officials of the GWCL toured the Weija Dam. Mr Amuakwa stated that in addressing the problem, there was the need to deal with the power supply to the plant as it remained a critical point for water production and distribution. The smooth and cost-effective operation of the dam is further hampered by activities of encroachers and fishermen who pollute the dam, thereby increasing the cost of treating the dam astronomically. He said beside increasing the treatment cost, the pollutants, especially plastic bags, usually choked the intake valve at the pumping station thereby red...

APIREDE in the Akuapem North District in the Eastern Region has been hit by acute water shortage, compelling the chiefs and people to make an urgent appeal for government’s intervention. The crisis is as a result of the drying up of two streams, on which the people rely for water. The Chief of the Apirede, Nana Saforo Okoampah III, told the Daily Graphic at Apirede that the situation had become worse, because the taps which were installed during Acheampong era in the 1970s, flowed once every three months. He stated that whenever the two streams in the community dried up, the people resorted to buying water from water tankers or vendors, and cited instances where the people spent GH¢45 on water. Nana Okoampah said to resolve the problem, the Apirede Traditional Council engaged the services of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to conduct feasibility studies in the area to see the viability in the construction of a mechanised borehole. He said even though the result was positive...

THE government is to decentralise the public procurement process in order to favour the development of the small and medium-scale sectors through the Private Sector Development Strategy II (PSDS II). Under the programme, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will receive technical support and capacity building, while an enabling environment will be created for the private sector to upgrade itself and have access to finance and ultimately create jobs. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hannah Tetteh, made this known when the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by its Vice-President, Mr Affail Monney, paid a courtesy call on her to brief her on the findings of the BUSAC Fund, which is under the auspices of the GJA and is aimed at promoting SMEs in the country. Ms Tetteh said decentralising the procurement process would make it possible for the government’s purchasing power to be felt throughout the country in order to deliver development across the country. She stated that the Nat...

GREEDY ministers of the gospel have been advised to refrain from exploiting their congregations. The Presiding Bishop of the Christian Shepherd Mission, Bishop Sam Berneh, made the call at the 18th graduation ceremony of the Shambach Theological College (STC) held last Saturday in Accra. Giving a sermon on the theme “Do not Settle and Die,” he said a pastor’s call was to serve the church and not as an avenue for the exploitation of their church members. He also urged the graduates not to follow the ways of deceptive pastors who continued to bring shame to the church. “If you settle your mind on being rich but not on to enriching the kingdom of God, then you are digging your own grave,” he added. The call of God, he stated, came with different challenges and opportunities, adding that the graduates should see the two as transit points to reach greater heights. He, therefore, appealed to the new ministers not to part with the scriptures, but should continue to seek knowledge from them. ...

PROFESSIONAL Network Association (Pronet)a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with some youth groups in the Nima East Electoral area over the weekend organised a clean up exercise at Nima 441 and its immediate surroundings as part of its integrated water and environmental improvement project. The three-hour exercise had officials of Pronet and some opinion leaders supervising the youth and a few elderly people as they swept and de-silted drains heavily choked with plastic bags, pure water sachets, left-over food and human excreta. Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Nima Project Co-ordinator, Ms Mercy Ansabah said Pronet with financial support from the Community Health Foundation (CHF) identified Nima as one of the communities in Accra that needed water, health and sanitation interventions. Her outfit she stated did not only engage the youth in the community to clean the environment but also provide employment avenues for them through the provision of equipment tha...

The sanitation problem at the Arts Centre in Accra will soon be history, following the award of a contract by the management of the centre for the clearing of the mountain of rubbish at the place. When the Daily Graphic visited the market, a large portion of the refuse had been cleared. However a section closer to the beach had not, while some people were also defecating in the open. Indian hemp smokers and peddlers were around and one could smell smoke from the drug. Some cattle and domestic animals were also found roaming the site nibbling away at the remaining refuse. An art and craft dealer, Mr Dawud Tijani, expressed satisfaction with the work done so far and added that they were now confident showing customers around the market. Mr Tijani also indicated that the stench and mosquitoes had reduced drastically. He, however, urged the authorities concerned to clear the entire refuse as some tourists still take pictures of the dump site. The President of the Art and Crafts Dealers As...

The winner of the grand prize of the Vodafone Rewards Promotion was yesterday presented with a fully furnished four-bedroom house at Trassaco Valley in Accra. The plush house is connected with free internet subscription for the next three months. The 37-year old carpenter, Mr Francis Agbavetor, also became the proud owner of a Mitsubishi Pajero, which would be chauffeur driven for three months. An elated Mr Agbavetor, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, expressed his gratitude to the company for making his wildest dream come true. “Many including myself did not believe that the promotion was true but from what I have gained, I would say everything Vodafone does is true’’, adding that “ this shows that everything they do, they will succeed,’’ he said. He indicated that he would live in the house for a while before thinking about the next action to take. A Kumasi-Abrepor based construction worker, Mr Kwesi Amponsah, also took home a Mitsubishi Pajero as the second Prize. Other Cons...

A competition aimed at encouraging people to produce an appropriate energy efficient technologyto help address the water challenge facing rural communities has been lauched in Accra. The technology should be able to pump 10-20 litres of water per minute. Talent and Skills Developement Foundation with support from the Ministry of Works and Water Resources, the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology and the British Council launched the competition dubbed World Water Day Project. Launching the project, the guest of honour, ING Ebenezer Adjei Osekre said science and technolo gy remained the only option the country could use to turn the challenges sorrounding adequate and safe water supply. ''The availability and access to safe and sufficient spurce of fresh water is a major development challenge facing especially the developing world. The implication of this is that water-borne diseases are prevalent in the rural areas with its high cost of to labour productivity'...

THE Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) has launched a policy document aimed at increasing the country’s production of salt to meet the high demand expected when oil production begins in the country next year. Tagged the ‘Salt Sector Strategy’, the document spells out means of attracting more domestic, as well as foreign direct investment, into the Tekperbiawe part of the Ada Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the GEPC, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the GEPC, Mr Maxwell Osei Kusi, said the Tekperbiawe area held the potential of producing about half of the country’s potential capacity of 3,000,000 metric tonnes per annum. This potential, if realised, he added, would push the national development agenda forward through the provision of raw materials for allied industries, provision of employment and the generation of export revenue during the anticipated oil boom. According to him, the country’s ...

APIREDE, near Akropong in the Eastern Region, over the weekend was a sight of colourful cultural pomp and pageantry following the enstoolment of a 60-year-old businessman as the new Gyasehene. The chief, Nana Boadu I, known in private life as Mr Anthony Kofi Boadu, swore the oath of allegiance to the Apiredehene, Nana Saforo III, before taking office as the new Gyasehene. He pledged to heed the call of the people anytime the need arose, and also to offer his support to the Apiredehene. Later in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Nana Boadu pledged to unite the people to expedite action on various development projects earmarked for the community. According to him, his main objective was to organise the support of the people and the needed resources to facilitate the growth of the area. Nana Boadu said developing the area was not the responsibility of only one person or government but the collective responsibility of all the natives of the town. He, therefore, appealed for the co-oper...

The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) is collaborating with the National Media Commission (NMC) to ensure that advertisers, media houses and media owners comply with ethics and standards in advertising. The association is also working with the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) to ensure that stakeholders in the advertising industry comply with laws on drugs. The President of the AAG, Mr Reginald D. Laryea, disclosed this at this year’s annual general meeting of the association in Accra on Thursday. He said there was the need to ensure that the association's voice was reflected in decisions taken by local authorities because presently, outdoor advertising faced a lot of challenges in the country due to some local government authorities’ lack of consistency in policy direction. He noted that the outdoor sector alone contributed more than GH¢976,000 to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) as of October, 2009. He urged the assemblies to see ...

Procredit Savings and Loans Limited has received a 900,000-euro grant from the French development agency, Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), to facilitate increased access to financial resources by small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). The project is expected to cater for small enterprises and entrepreneurs who do not receive adequate attention from traditional commercial banks. Under the project, the AFD grant will span a three-year period within the framework of the Trade Capacity Building Programme. Procredit will then develop the lending mechanisms for the recipients. The bank will receive technical assistance to bring on board best practices regarding SMEs through the training of staff and middle-level managers, over 100 officers, including SMEs and agro loan officers, as well as specialised client relationship managers. The training is expected to cover key areas of banking and business development, including social and environmental approach and communication methodolo...

A project to reduce accidents on the Volta Lake and also make travelling on the lake safer has been launched at Tapa Abotoase in the Biakoye District of the Volta Region. Dubbed, “The Volta Lake Enhancement Project”, it is in response to a recent disaster on the lake which claimed the lives of more than 20 people. The project, which is a collaboration among Zoil Services Limited, a subsidiary of Zoomlion, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), is aimed at reducing the loss of lives on the lake. Under the project, 10,000 life jackets will be provided for boat operators and users, while 2,000 people will be recruited, trained and equipped with the capacity to monitor and ensure that lake users adopt safe practices in their operations. The Naval patrol team on the lake will also be provided with speed boats, disaster response/rescue teams will be provided with communication gadgets and other disaster management logistics will be established at vantage po...

THE Board Chairman of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Ghana, Mr Joseph B. Winful, has called on students to be time-conscious as today’s corporate world revolves around the judicious use of time. Mr Winful was addressing students at a career fair organised by SIFE GHANA. He said the private sector especially thrived on prudent use of time and any person not willing to strictly adhere to proper time management was likely to miss opportunities offered by the corporate world. According to him, one of the setbacks of the country’s educational system was the inability of most educational institutions in the country to offer career counselling services to students. This, he noted, affected students’ choices of careers, which ultimately leads to misguided career choices. He asserted that because career counselling was inadequate in schools, most students were not able to tap the entrepreneurial potential in them to get self-employed. “Sometimes, the students are lost when you mention sel...

THE Teshie Police have arrested a 38-year-old man for illegally connecting water to his business centre. The suspect, Fred Ablorh, is also being held for disrupting water services to residents of Agblezah, a suburb of Teshie. Ablorh was arrested when he was found illegally selling water to tanker owners. The Teshie District Police Commander, DSP Samuel Tibil Punobyin, who confirmed the arrest in an interview, said the suspect was in custody pending further investigations. He said soon after Ablorh’s arrest and the disconnection of his supply lines, water supply to Agblezah was restored. The Head of the Loss Control Team of Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL)/Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Mr Jordan Oku, told the Daily Graphic that his outfit, together with the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Water Sellers Association of Adjiriganor and Teshie, agreed on a schedule to enable members of the association to sell water on Wednesdays and Sundays. He said contrary to t...

GHANA’S aquaculture potential is expected to see an increased growth in the next decade, although climate change is expected to bite hard on food production across the world. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative to Africa, Dr Musah F. Mbenga made this known at a symposium in Accra, organised by the Soil Science Society of Ghana (SSG) under the theme: "Climate Change and Agricultural Productivity: Implication for soils of Ghana." Speaking on the topic: “Climate change and food security in Africa and Ghana in Particular,” Dr Mbenga stated that climate change offered new opportunities for countries in the world's warmest regions to increase their aquaculture output because of better growth rates, long growing seasons and the availability of new fish farming areas where it was once cool. Ghana's aquaculture production, he indicated had tripled over the last five years to almost 4000 metric tonnes annually and still had the potential for continued hig...

A website and guidebook aimed at making tourism products easily accessible to both domestic and foreign tourist has been launched in Accra. The products, which are the initiatives of Ghana Rural Ecotourism and Travel (GREET), would, among other objectives, market, promote and offer reliable information on tourist destinations throughout the country. Launching the initiative, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, said it was apparent that the tourism sector could only see substantial growth if private organisations joined hands with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) to initiate, plan and implement complementary programmes for effective and efficient delivery of tourism services. She stated that the MOT’s main goal was to develop Ghana as a competitive internationally preferred destination where tourism could drive the economy and contribute to poverty reduction, job creation and the conservation of the country’s cultural, historical and environmental heritage. She stated that ...

A team of officials from the Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (MWRWH) and the Hydrological Services Department (HSD), led by the Deputy Minister of the MWRWH, Miss Hannah L. Bissiw, has inspected various drainage projects aimed at reducing flooding in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. The team's first place of call was the Teshie Kordjor stream which is one of the four tributaries flowing into the Kpeshie Lagoon. Here work has reached an advance stage and would have been completed, if the residents had not asked for the extension of the dredging into the Kpeshie Lagoon. The Deputy Executive Director of the HSD, Mr Harold Clottey, indicated that the drain stretching to the spintex road was opened and re-engineered to make way for run off water. He added that the project forms part of ongoing works throughout the country meant to improve the drainage system in the country. Mr Clottey indicated that the community was not likely to face any problem concerning flooding ...

A National Dam Safety Unit (NDSU) is being established to develop a framework for the construction, maintenance and safety of dams in the country. The unit will also come up with schedules for disaster and emergency operations and preparedness, which are currently in the hands of dam owners. This came to light at a three-day workshop organised by the Water Resources Commission (WRC) at Agona Swedru to discuss and work out the technical details for the establishment of the unit. Addressing the participants, the Deputy Minister of Water Resource Works and Housing, Alhaji Saani Iddi, said dam structures remained a key water resource development and organisational infrastructure that continued to serve the nation and drive the economy enormously . He explained that the operations of Akosombo, Kpong and other dams throughout the country provided the nation with valuable hydropower, water supply, water for irrigation, fishing, recreation and flood control outlet. He, however, asserted that...

THE Art Centre in Accra might be one of the hubs of tourism in Ghana but the sanitation situation at the place is extremely deplorable. Part of the centre close to the art and craft market has been turned into a rubbish dump. A mountain of rubbish stretches from that point to as far as the beach, which is now popularly known as the ‘Bola Beach.’ Mad men are seen scavenging on the dump; a ramshackle structure on the dump serves as a place of abode for one of the mad men. A foul smell fills the air, making passers-by hold their noses while cattle and other domestic animals are constantly seen munching their way through the rubbish. Some people openly defecate in the open space while food vendors ply their trade a few meters away. Close to the beach the smell of Indian hemp also fills the air. Though partially walled, the dump is visible to anyone who walks into the art and craft section of the Art Centre. A sculptor, Nii Laryea Quartey, indicated that traders from Tema S...

Speakers at a public forum have called on African leaders to see themselves as equal partners with their western counterparts in the fight against challenges posed by the global financial crisis. Recapping discussions of the fourth General Assembly of the group, the Co-ordinator of Women for Change, Zambia, Ms Emily Sikazwe, indicated that those who created economies that had led to the world economic crisis did not have the moral ground to decide what had to be done. She said the global economic situation provided the platform to engage those who claimed that such civil society groups as Social Watch did not have the capacity to discuss issues of climate justice, human rights for all, gender equality, etc. Social Watch, she explained, had the capacity to foresee that the old economic order could not continue the way it went, and alternatives had to be found. The economic empires, Ms Sikazwe indicated, had collapsed and civil society groups, which were calling for a change in the ...

The Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has called for effective and visionary leadership backed by deeds in order to achieve the country’s quest for national branding. Mr Awal was speaking at a lecture in Accra on Wednesday, organised by the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, as part of its Annual Week Celebrations Speaking on theme “Re-positioning the Brand: National and Corporate Considerations”, he said set goals could not be achieved if the country did not have visionary leaders and effective loyal followers to complement each other’s effort. He said perceptions about a country informed how it is viewed as a tourist destination, and place of investment. Adding that Ghana could take advantage of its touted image in the international arena to correct the impression created by the western media that Africa is a single country plague with war, famine corruption and famine. He said to achieve success in the branding processe...

STORY: SETH J. BOKPE Some residents of Accra New Town have called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to consider, as a matter of urgency, the construction of the big drain that runs through the community. They contended that failure to construct the drain would amount to inviting malaria and cholera epidemics. The drain in question is filled with garbage, comprising plastic bags, empty water sachets and human waste. The stench from the drain fills the air, making breathing an arduous task and domestic animals are seen alwaysfeasting in the drain. A fish-smoking oven and a 'pito' joint sited close to the edge of the drain seem to be struggling for position with the rubbish thrown around. An opinion leader, Mr Gibriela Agadi, fingered members of the community, especially those living close to the drain, as being responsible for the filth that had engulfed the place. "When you confront them, they ask you if you sleep in the gutter," he said. He p...

THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has appealed to the media to help curb the road accident canker that plagues the country. He said the media should assume a share of the responsibility by making available part of their space and airtime to discuss some of the preventive interventions and not only the related consequences. The Vice-President made the appeal at the launch of the joint 10th anniversary of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the launch of a road awareness campaign dubbed, “Arrive Alive”, at Gomoa Assin Mampong in the Central Region. According to him, the government was concerned about the loss of lives resulting from accidents and would not renege on its commitment to keep the citizenry safe and secure. He noted that the last quarter of every year had often seen an increase in road accidents, hence the need for the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign. The campaign, he said, would see an increased road use...

A team of officials from the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), led by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, has been briefed on events leading to last week’s boat disaster on the Volta Lake at Wusuta-Kpebe in the Kpando District of the Volta Region. Recounting events before the disaster to the team, a 16-year-old pupil of the Torganu D/A Primary School, Master Aikins Kwarteng, said after the funeral of their colleague at Wusuta-Kpebe, a boat was contracted to send the school children home. Disparities in the fare charged became a problem so they had to settle for a boat operator whose fare was reasonable. According to Master Kwarteng, the operator in question used a rope to tie his canoe, which had an outboard motor, to another canoe which did not have one. He said before they set off, the headmaster of the school impressed upon the boat operator not to move because a storm was imminent, but the operator paid no heed to the advice. He said...