Cape Coast, Nov.1, GNA - A two-day sensitization workshop on Ghana Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) was on Thursday opened in Cape Coast with a call on the participants to show commitment to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.     The workshop which is jointly organized by the Controller and Accountant General Department(CAGD)  and the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning  is being  attended by more than 60 participants mainly accountants and internal auditors  of MMDS as well as Heads of  Departments.     The workshops  which would be  organized in all the regions in the country is to among others sensitize  stakeholders  and solicit their support to ensure the proper implementation of the system.     Mr Siraj Tanko, GIFMIS Project Accountant , who took the participants through an overview of the system, said GIFMIS is an integrated computerized   financial management system  used in budget preparation and implementation, accounting/Financial reporting, cash management  and assets management.     He said GIFMIS would help provide aggregate expenditure control, predictability for financial flows, expenditure and investment planning, ability to monitor expenditure and fiscal accountability.     Mr Tanko  said out that GIFMIS  reform process would enhance and re-enforce the internal control systems in public financial management  for accountability as well as  ensure an effective and efficient budget preparation, execution, monitoring and evaluation mechanism.     He explained that the system would also provide the ability to budget, track and monitor projects and grants through the chart of accounts by using the project accounting functionality as well as enhance enforcement of financial legislations.     The Project Accountant, disabused claim that the system was going to push  Internal Auditors  out of job, stressing that  it would rather enhance their capabilities and ensure complete and timely exchange of data and information among MDAs/MMDAs and central governments.     He said the GIFMIS would in this regard train all Internal Auditors on it’s modules  which include  General Ledger, Purchase order, Account Receivable, Account payable, cash management and fixed Assets and that  all the regions would be provided with 10 computer each in  addition to the establishment of   transaction processing centres.     He said despite that fact that the System has a lot of benefits, it has network availability and stability , low level of computer literacy in public sector and stakeholders   skeptics as some of the challenges  facing the e system.     Mr Samuel Duodu, Regional Director  of the CAGD, in a welcoming address said the GIFMIS was instituted to address the loopholes in the financial sector and urged all stakeholders to give it the needed support and commitment.     GNA ...

Cape Coast, Nov. 02, GNA- The Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast South , Mr Ebo Barton Oduro has donated a brand new desktop computer and its accessories to the Central Regional Headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS)..     The accessories included a printer, scanner, photocopier and a fax machine.     Mr Barton Oduro, who  presented the items  at a short ceremony in Cape Coast, said even though the Government may not be able to bear all the cost of their needs, his office would try as much as possible  to meet all their demands in order to help make the work of the Service easier  and efficient.    He asked that details of the cost of other projects they may need be forwarded to his office as soon as possible in order to start working on it.      The Regional Fire officer, ACFO John Amponsah Tetteh, who received the items, thanked the MP for the gesture and said the equipments had come at an opportune time since there was a lot of work to be done but that they were limited due to the lack of computers, printers and a photocopy machine.     He said the regional headquarters was made up of 14 departments and due to the lack of the requisite logistics, officers were not able to complete work in the office and in some cases had to borrow their children’s computers to do office work.        Mr Tetteh said that the Service was faced with a lot of challenges with some of the Fire Stations in the region having no equipment or office furniture and appealed to the MP to assist the office with a camera and camcorder to take shots of fire scenes to support investigations and make their work more efficient.    He expressed his gratitude to the MP for the gesture and urged   him to come to the aid of the Service so that it could  perform its statutory functions effectively and efficiently       GNA ...

Bimbilla (N/R), Nov. 02, GNA –Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS) in collaboration with the Christians Children Fund of Canada (CCFC) have successfully graduated trainees and equipped them with set up kits to start their own businesses. The trainees who were mostly girls who were expected to gain more practical knowledge in attachments with experienced dressmakers to ensure their competitiveness in the job market. The organizations would also facilitate the acquisition of National Vocational and Technology Certificates to the grandaunts to pave way for their future development in their chosen career. Madam Gifty Akosua Baka, Country Director of CCFC addressing of the grandaunts at Bimbilla in the Nanumba North, said the two organizations were Christian institutions set up to provide hope and a future for children regardless of religious and ethnic backgrounds. She urged the girls to take their profession seriously because they could make big money out of it and shine at the national and international levels. She said their support will help families and communities develop the needed skills and resources to overcome poverty saying ‘children are rightful dependants on adult support therefore their experiences of poverty result from deprivation of essential materials’. Madam Baka said there was the need to equip the youth with the necessary skills and knowledge  saying CCFC and AGREDS would continue adopting strategic approaches to reduce child poverty through developing their potential for national growth. Madam Baka urged the graduating team to be ambassadors of hope to other girls in the Nunumba district to motivate them for a brighter future. Mr. O. Baba Alhassan, Programme Coordinator of the Nanumba Child Development Programme (NCDP) of AGREDS, said the mission of the programme was to promote the holistic development of children in the Nanumba North and South Districts by providing child’s access to education, recreation nutrition and potable drinking water. He said the programme had constructed some three classroom blocks in three communities, established ICT center at Pusuga, constructed 6 rain water harvesting tanks, provided assorted textbooks for ten schools and organized extra classes for some students.   Mr. Alhassan said the organization also paid fees for 60 children to pursue SHS education, assisted 4 volunteer teachers to pursue Untrained Teacher’s Course in Basic Education and sponsoring 1,450 school children and providing food items for seven schools in their program schools.       GNA ...

Bimbilla (N/R), Nov.02, GNA – The Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS) in collaboration with the Christians Children Fund of Canada (CCFC), have recognised the efforts of some hard working teachers in the Nanumba North District.       The teachers, who have demonstrated hard work and dedication to duty, received cash rewards and set of computers.    They had also contributed to the academic excellence of their students in the district resulting in the area emerging as the best in the Regional BECE performance.     Mr. O. Baba Alhassan, Programme Coordinator of the Nanumba Child Development Programme (NCDP) of AGREDS, addressing the event in Bimbilla, observed that teaching as a profession was a career that required commitment, perseverance, honesty, integrity and discipline.     He called on teachers in the country to give out their best and avoid behaviors that amounted to nation wrecking saying “if you fail to teach the innocent children and yet go to the bank for your salaries, you are a nation wrecker”.     He said teachers with their influence transcending all sectors of society and must contribute to help change the fortunes of the nation.     Mr Alhassan said the mission of AGREDs was to promote the holistic development of children in the Nanumba North and South Districts by providing child’s access to education, recreation nutrition and potable drinking water.     He said the programme had constructed some three classroom blocks in three communities, established ICT center at Pusuga, constructed 6 rain water harvesting tanks, provided assorted textbooks for ten schools and organized extra classes for some students.     Mr Alhassan said the organization also paid fees for 60 children to pursue SHS education, assisted 4 volunteer teachers to pursue Untrained Teacher’s Course in Basic Education and sponsoring 1,450 school children and providing food items for seven schools in their program schools.     Madam Gifty Akosua Baka, Country Director of CCFC, said it was necessary to look again at the curricula used by the GES to incorporate art and craft skills acquisition and vocational knowledge to help make graduates relevant to the job.           GNA ...

Kuntanase (Ash), Nov. 02, GNA – A new College of Education is to be built at Kuntanase, the capital of the Bosomtwe District, Dr Joseph Oteng-Agyei, the Energy Minister, has announced. The project, which is scheduled to begin next year, is meant to train more teachers to meet the required numbers to boost the nation’s education. Dr Oteng-Adjei, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the area, said this when he paid a courtesy call on the acting President of the Kuntanase Traditional Council, Nana Premo Kwagyan in his palace. He appealed to the people to vote to retain the government in power to continue its development agenda. Dr Oteng-Adjei touted his development achievements in terms of the numerous projects he had assisted to bring to the area and presented himself as the most suitable person to represent the people in parliament. He pledged to use his share of the District Assembly’s Common Fund to establish a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy students if elected in the December polls. The Minister invited his political opponents to ensure a clean electioneering campaign based on issues - free from insults, lies and deception. Nana Kwagyan commended him for the significant contribution he had made towards the socio-economic progress of the constituency and wished him success in his campaign. He said the traditional council would release 70 acres of land for the construction of the College and   appealed to the Minister to assist get a fire tender for the fire station at Kuntanase to enable fire fighters to effectively handle emergencies.     GNA ...

Koforidua, Nov. 02, GNA - A three-day Capacity Building Workshop for parliamentary candidates from 30 selected constituencies has ended in Koforidua.     The workshop, which sought to prepare the candidates for their work as potential Members of Parliament (MPs), was organized by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in collaboration with Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and supported by Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). The workshop, which drew participants from Volta, Central, Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, was under the theme: “Promoting policy issue based campaign in election 2012”.   Mrs Regina Oforiwa Amanfo, Programs Officer, CDD-Ghana, said Ghana would be holding its sixth presidential and parliamentary elections under the fourth republic after five successive and progressive ones which produced two election turnovers.      She said even though the 2008 general elections were touted as generally credible and peaceful by both local and international observers, the process was not without challenges.   “The elections suffered from various political, institutional and technical gaps such as limited political space for discussing policy issues affecting marginalized groups like women, youth and the disabled, mistrust and suspicion among political opponents, political intolerance and insults, intimidation and harassment” she added.     Mrs Amanfo said all those problems needed to be avoided and resolved before the 2012 elections which from all indication would be more competitive.     She said it was against that background that CDD-Ghana in partnership with CODEO over the past years had organized parliamentary debates in selected constituencies to help shift political discourse during campaigns to focus on pertinent issues to avert the challenges that served as threats to the country’s democracy.          Mrs Amanfo said this year’s parliamentary debates like the previous ones would seek to ease the growing tension in the build up to the upcoming elections by streamlining campaign messages of aspirants to focus on issues affecting the vulnerable groups in the selected constituencies.      She used the platform to appeal to political parties to avoid politics of insults and any form of hate speeches which will affect the peaceful environment in the country.     Participants were taken through topics like, “the constitutional and constituency role of MPs, effective communication and communicating policy ideas and economic and developmental challenges facing Ghana”.    Others were governance deficits in Ghana; challenges facing Ghanaian youth: the role of Mps, issues affecting persons with disability; the disability law and its compliance and mainstreaming gender in public life: prospect and challenges.       GNA ...

Nkawkaw, Nov. 02, GNA-The General Manager of the Credit Union Association (CUA), Mr Emmanuel Oduro Darko, has appealed to the Government to pass a Legislative Instrument (LI) to govern the Association to gain more public recognition and assist the development process. He said the existing law, Corporative Decree NLCD 252 of 1968, is inadequate and completely outdated to allow the Cooperative as well as the Credit Union to be competitive and abreast with current economic situation in the country. Mr Darko made the appeal when he addressed members of CUA from the various parts of the Eastern Region at Nkawkaw on Thursday as part of the celebration of the International Credit Union (ICU) day and the International Year of Cooperative Day celebration in the Country. The celebration was under the theme: “Members matter most”. He said that Decree was unfair to the Credit Union System, which controls over 660,000 members with over 3,000.000 households. Mr Darko said Credit Unions were owned and managed by its members for their own economic and social interventions and other socio-economic development of the people for meaningful co-existence. He said CUA, which operates in all the regions in the country had employed 150 staff who mobilizes huge sums of funds to offer credit assistance to its members. The Eastern Regional Chapter Board Chairmen of CUA, Mr Francis Adu Asare, advised members of CUA to intensify their campaigns to create awareness of the credit union. He said CUA could not operate effectively in an unstable environment and advised members to preach peace, before, during and after the general election to ensure peace and development in the country. The Kwahu West Municipal Director of the Department of the Cooperative, Mr. William Acheampong, advised members to pay their credit loans regularly to sustain the association. GNA ...

Kumasi, Nov. 01, GNA - Dr Sam Jonah, a Member of the Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership Initiative (OPGI) under the Public Sector Reform Secretariat, has said the weakness in some state institutions is often due to how they had been constituted. He said more often than not weakness in state institutions had been attributed to lack of resources yet in most of the cases, the resources were there but due to a defect in the constitution of the leadership structure it became weak. Speaking at a public consultation forum in Kumasi on the OPGI, he said some of the institutions were suffering and unable to perform their functions effectively largely because the “scratch my back” syndrome appeared to weigh on the performance of the institution and not lack of resources. Dr Jonah cited the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for instance and the public outcry for the inability of the committee to prosecute or sanction people who were cited to have embezzlement huge state funds. He said the PAC was a clear example of such institution where its composition was rendering it weak and questioned how politicians at the PAC could strictly probe matters when they would in turn need the support of the very people who came before them. He called on the public to make inputs into the action plan for the OGPI to ensure integrity and accountability in managing public resources and offices for improvement in the lives of the people. The OGPI is a global tool to improve public services and increase public integrity to create safer communities and improvement in cooperate accountability and in connection with that Ghana is expected to develop a national action plan for submission to the global secretariat of the OGPI by December 2012 to demonstrate its commitment to the implementation. The four thematic areas under the OGPI are transparency, citizen participation, accountability and technology innovation. One of the key areas that the OGPI was focusing since it was the basis for transparency and accountability among public office holders is the Right to Information law. Nana Aboagyewaa Kente, the Konkrohemaa of Asante-Mampong, who was a participant at the event, said with the sudden rise in public debts payments it should be part of the thematic areas where the OGPI would focus its attention to ensure equity and transparency in public funds. She also stressed the need for the OGPI to look at the issue of gender since it was a factor in attaining any meaningful development of a country. Nana Aboagyewaa Kente urged the steering committee to demonstrate their commitment to women empowerment by involving more women on the steering committee.   GNA ...

Akaaso (W/R), Nov. 02, GNA - A former police officer, Mr Oppong Nkrumah, 54, has emerged as the best farmer for the Bibiani-Anhwaiso-Bekwai District.     He took home a motorized tri-cycle donated by Chirano Gold Mines Limited, cutlasses, bars of soaps and a certificate.     Mr Jospeh Adansi-Bornah, the District Chief Executive for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai , said the farmers day celebration which was instituted 28 years ago, was aimed at encouraging farmers to give off their best.     He said farmers had continued to play significant roles in the promotion of food security and stabilization of the country since time immemorial and all must work hard to complement the efforts of Ghanaian farmers.     Mr Bornah reminded the youth to venture into farming and make their contributions towards the rapid economic development of the country.     He commended the Chirano Gold Mines Limited and Noble Gold Mines for their continual support to various communities and the district assemblies and its allied agencies.     GNA ...

Adutor (V/R), Nov 02, GNA - Emmanuel Agbesa, 45, from Adidokpe was adjudged the best all-round farmer in the South-Tongu District during the Farmer’s Day Celebration at Adutor on Friday.     He got for his prize, a motorbike, pair of boots, spraying machine and five cutlasses.     Each of the fifteen other winners in the various categories got a bicycle, spraying machine, pair of boots and cutlasses.     Mr Daniel Amelorku, South-Tongu District Chief Executive (DCE), told the Ghana News Agency that government’s efforts to expand agricultural production in the area was being hampered by land litigation.     GNA ...

      Koforidua, Nov. 02, GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Ghana has presented 4,000 Ghana Cedis, a drink hamper and assorted MTN souvenirs to the chiefs and people of New Juaben in support of the celebration of the Akwantukese festival .       Presenting the items, Mr Samuel Adjei Saah, Senior Manager of South Eastern Business District of MTN, said MTN is offering an 11 minutes of free calls to any MTN number to all its subscribers within the next two months in commemoration of the 11 million subscribers milestone.     He said as part of the offer, those who browse on the MTN network, would receive a discount of 50 percent each time they purchase an internet bundle and 20 percent discount on pay- as-you-go service for the customers of the network.      Mr Saah said the network has also introduced the MTN 1188 directory service which provides the contact information of over 30,000 institutions and companies in the country to anybody just by dialling  1188.      He said MTN has made it a duty to support traditional celebrations across the country each year to keep alive the values and principles that identify Africans.      Receiving the items, Daasebre Oti Boateng, Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditonal Area, said the Akwatukese festival was introduced 15 years ago to commemorate the celebration of his fifth year of enstoolment as the Omanhene of New Juaben.        He said the festival was to unite the people and enhance the history and cultural development of the people of New Juaben.       Daasebre Oti Boateng said he did not come to meet the festival but he crafted it in line with the culture and tradition of the people and so nobody has the authority to prescribe how the festival should be celebrated.      On behalf of the chiefs and people of New Juaben, he expressed his appreciation to MTN for the donation.      Accra Brewery Limited also presented water and assorted drinks to support the organization of the durbar of chiefs to crown the festival on Saturday, November 3, 2012.              GNA ...

Ampabame Number -Two (Ash),  Nov. 02, GNA - A fifty-five year old widow and mother of four, Madam Akua Tiaa, from Nweneso Number-Two, on Friday emerged as the best farmer in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District.    She received a 21-inch television set, knapsack sprayer, radio set, piece of wax print, mist blower, a bicycle and certificate.    Eighteen others were also recognized for their unique performance in various fields of agriculture and were also presented with certificates, knapsack sprayers, pieces of wax print and radio sets.    Mr Anthony Nyame, District Chief Executive (DCE), commended the farmers for their hard work, dedication and commitment to feed the nation.    He gave the assurance that the government would continue to support the agriculture sector to enable it to create more jobs and ensure food security.    He appealed to the farmers to adopt modern farming practices to improve production.    Madam Tiaah called on the youth to engage themselves in farming as it had high returns.   GNA ...

Akaaso (WR), Nov. 02, GNA  - Twenty-eight  farmers in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District were on Friday, recognized at a ceremony held at Akaaso, for their contribution to the development of agriculture in the area.     Mr Oppong Nkrumah, 55, was adjudged the overall best farmer and for his prize, he carried away a tricycle, cutlasses, pair of wellington boots and a certificate.    Other award winners received refrigerators, gas stoves, television set and agricultural inputs.    Mr Joe Adansi Bonda, the District Chief Executive (DCE), encouraged them to form organizations to enable them to resist cheating by middlemen.    He said farmer-based-organizations could play a key role in tackling bottlenecks in the marketing of agricultural products.    He urged the award winners to sustain their hard work and urged them to take advantage of the expertise of agricultural extension officers to boost crop yield and returns.   GNA ...

Nkawie (Ash), Nov. 02, GNA – Mr Samuel Kofi Tetteh, a 38-year old farmer at Akomadan-Afrancho in the Offinso North District was on Friday adjudged the Ashanti Regional best farmer.      This was at the 28th national farmers day celebration held at Nkawie in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District.      He received a corn mill, motorized spraying machine, sewing machine, knapsack sprayer, bicycle, pair of wellington boots, 10 cutlasses, a radio cassette recorder, herbicides and a certificate as his prize.     Tetteh has cultivated 75 acres of maize, 10 acres of tomatoes, 15 acres of yam, 20 acres of cassava, 10 acres of cocoa, 20 acres of oil-palm 10 acres of teak plantation, four acres of cowpea and owns 22 cattle, 100 birds, nine grass-cutters and 100 snails.        Twenty (20) other farmers were also honoured at the ceremony for their tremendous contribution to agricultural development in the region.     They were presented with certificates, knapsack sprayers, wellington boots cutlasses, radio cassette recorders and herbicides.     Mr Mohamed Issah 46, from Kodie in the Afigya Kwabre District emerged best regional fish farmer, with Mr Osei Yaw Johnson, 35, from Agona in the Sekyere South, as the best youth farmer.     The two, received deep freezers, cast net and bicycles in addition to the other items given to all the award winners.     Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Regional Minister, underlined the need to strengthen farmer based organizations through market place bargaining power to enable them to provide the food requirements of the country.     He said using farmer-based-organizations to increase access to technology, inputs and market was the key to agricultural modernization and a sure way to improving human capacity for increased production and rural incomes.      The Minister spoke of government’s determination to improve food security and farmers income and encouraged them to come together in order to benefit from various government interventions in the sector.     Mr Emmanuel Eledi, the Regional Director of Agriculture, appealed to farmers to adhere to the advice by the agricultural extension agents to increase production.         GNA ...

Accra, Nov. 02, GNA – The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department’s (CAGD) on Friday called on employees who have complaints in respect to the October 2012 salaries to report to CAGD Payroll Clinics in the Regions and Districts.    CAGD in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said such complainants can also contact the Clients Service Office at the Headquarters for the necessary action.     The statement said the attention of CAGD been drawn to the effect that some employees on the Government of Ghana (GoG) payroll, particularly staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES), have complained about the alleged unjustified reductions in their net salaries for October 2012.    It said an investigation of the allegation by a team constituted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning revealed that: “The payment of the 2010-2011 Single Spine salary arrears which were enjoyed by public sector staff from October 2011 was largely completed in July 2012”.    The statement said “the payment of 2012 arrears resulting from the 18 per cent salary increase for 2012 was also completed in September 2012. Thus, at the end of October 2012, SSSS arrears (2010-2011) and the 2012, 18 per cent salary increase arrears were no longer available for public sector employees who have been paid all such arrears”.    It explained that “in September 2012, the total amount of 34.9 million Ghana cedis which was paid to GES staff as arrears was no longer available in October 2012”.    According to CAGD some staff of GES experienced significant declines in their net salaries because of their commitments under third party deductions such as servicing of loans which were honoured.    The statement said the CAGD historical information of staff on such third party deductions was updated and the necessary deductions had been duly effected and this could have “resulted in the alleged unjustified reduction in net salaries for October 2012”.    It said “an employee with a basic salary of GH¢1, 481.39 at the end of September 2012 did not suffer any loss in basic salary at the end of October 2012 and similarly, the gross salary of this staff was maintained at GH¢1, 703.60 for September and October 2012.     The statement explained that “this employee, however, who serviced an existing loan to the tune of GH¢76.14 at the end of September 2012 serviced his/her loan facility at GH¢218.74 in October 2012 and this is due to the coming into effect of an additional loan contracted earlier.     With this, the statement said, an amount of GHc403.50 paid to this staff as arrears in September 2012 was no longer available at the end of October 2012.     “Consequently, the net salary of this employee which stood at GH¢1, 639.10 at the end of September 2012 justifiably became GH¢1,000.41 at the end of October 2012 due mainly to the servicing of the additional loan and the non availability of the arrears for this staff”.     GNA ...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 2, GNA - Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister has noted that the region’s over-dependence on local farming tools, poor marketing network, coupled with erratic rainfall pattern makes agriculture less lucrative, despite huge investments in the sector.   He said government had initiated measures and programmes to support the concept of Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs) to enhance accelerated agriculture growth and enable members to access credit from financial institutions to purchase farm inputs. Mr Woyongo made the observation during the regional celebration at Paga in the Kassena Nankana West District on the theme: “Growing more food- strengthening farmer based organisation for market place bargaining power.” He said government in its bid to modernise agriculture and enhance food security had introduced the Block Farming Programme, a component of the Youth in Agriculture programme to promote the production of some selected crops, in order to create jobs for the youth and improve food security. “Under the 2012 Block Farming programme, the region achieved 1,100 hectares of rice, 2,750 hectares of maize and 140 hectares of soya beans,” he said. Mr Woyongo said the programme had employed more than 6,000 farmers, comprising 3,700 males and 2,300 females. During the 2012 major cropping season, the region took delivery of 315,000 bags of fertilisers under the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme through authorized and licensed input dealers. He said under the Northern Rural Growth Programme, the region cultivated about 1,000 hectares of maize and soya beans, with a total number of 130 farmer groups engaged. Mr Cletus Achaab, Regional Director of Agriculture, commended government for its support in the agricultural sector since it is the backbone of the economy and contributes more than 32 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Mr Thomas Addah Dalu, District Chief Executive said agriculture is a vital tool for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and eliminates extreme poverty and hunger. “Agriculture contributes to development as an economic activity since it can be a source of growth for the national economy by providing investment opportunities for the private sector and a prime driver of agriculture-related industries,” he said.   He appealed to the people of the area to continuously practice good personal hygiene and maintain a clean environment by weeding around their dwellings, saying “a clean environment enhances good health and lead to increase in economic production”. Mr Awintoma Akande, a 40 -year old farmer from Tilli, in the Bawku West District, and 2010 National Best Millet Farmer was adjourned the Regional Best farmer.        GNA  ...

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA – The government on Friday dismissed the New Patriotic Party’s claims as a credible alternative in the area of affordable housing saying the opposition party had “a cruel and unconscionable record” in the sector.   A statement issued in Accra by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the attempt by the NPP “to whitewash its sordid reputation in housing would not be allowed to stand”.   Following is the full text of the statement:   “Government has observed with amusement attempts by the New Patriotic Party to position itself as a credible alternative in the area of affordable housing and housing for other vulnerable groups.   “We have also taken notice of the vilification and name calling of President John Dramani Mahama by Mr. Boakye Agyarko at a press conference on this subject area yesterday. “Indeed, the observation is true that it is those who live in glass houses who love to throw stones.  We are absolutely amazed that the NPP will gather courage to pontificate on housing, more so housing for the vulnerable.   “This latest attempt by the NPP to whitewash its sordid reputation in housing would not be allowed to stand.  The truth will be told and the good people of this country would be constantly reminded of the NPP’s cruel and unconscionable record in housing and how the NPP systematically contributed to the current massive housing deficit the country is grappling with as it went down in Ghana’s history as the only party that ruled for 8 years without completing a single affordable housing flat and yet completed many land and bungalow grabs for itself.   “First of all, it is important to remind Ghanaians that the latest addition to the many freebies being promised by the desperate NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo in this year’s election in terms of free housing for Kayayei’s is not exactly strange.  In the NPP’s 2000 manifesto, the NPP promised on page 20 that ‘slums shall be replaced with apartment houses with modern conveniences, which will be cost-effective and environmentally friendly.’  After eight years of NPP rule, not only were the slums left unattended, more slums emerged as one of the terrible legacies of the eight year period of the NPP in which Nana Addo at all material times was a prominent cabinet Minister.   “We will not allow the NPP to run away from their true and incontrovertible record in housing.  That record is still fresh in the minds of Ghanaians. It is how the NPP focused attention on housing themselves rather than housing the ordinary people of Ghana.  In eight years, did the NPP not see the kayayeis?  What about the other vulnerable groups?  Did Nana Addo, Mr. Agyarko and the NPP just arrive in Ghana to see the vulnerable for the first time?   “Rather than fulfill their own manifesto promise in 2000 of ‘converting slums to apartment houses with modern conveniences’, they spent all the 8 years grabbing state bungalows and prime lands for themselves.   For instance, it has now become engrained in Ghana’s history that but for Ghanaians voting for the NDC in 2008, the new Foreign Ministry at the Airport Residential Area situated on the International Students Hostel Land would not have been there.  That beautiful edifice which will serve all governments, all generations and the State of Ghana would not have been constructed.  Rather, that prime land in such a choice location would have been hosting the private mansions of the following people who paid paltry sums to claim ownership of that land which had hitherto belonged to the people of Ghana: 1.    Freddie  Worsemau Blay Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament 2.    Akua Kuenyehia Dean of the Faculty of Law, Legon; NPP supporter nominated by Kufuor to the  International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. 3.    Akwasi Osei Adjei NPP Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007-2009) 4.    K. T. Hammond NPP MP for Adansi Asokwa 5.    Ben Owusu Mensah Formerly  Director-General of the GPHA 6.    Osei Kuffuor   7.    Frank Mpare Secretary to Cabinet under NPP 8.    K. K. Sarpong NPP Ex- MD of TOR 9. Esther Obeng Dapaah NPP MP for Abrem 10. Ambassador Kobina Wood NPP Functionary 11. Irene Addo NPP MP 12. Oboshie Sai Coffie Former Minister of Tourism 13. Dr. Abu Sakara Forster CPP Vice-Presidential Candidate (2008) 14. Hajia Alima Mahama NPP Former Minister for Women and Children “As many Ghanaians are aware, Airport Residential Area was just a tip of the iceberg.  Cantonments, Switchback Road and Ridge Residential Area in the Greater Accra Region were the other spoils of NPP bigwigs and those with intimate connections to them.  I intend however to also exhibit evidence of what transpired in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region: ITEM   ALLOTEES PLOTS NO.   LOCATION   ACREAGE   FEES PAID (GH¢ ) YEAR OF ALLOCATION 1 Barima Kwaku Duwa 4 Residency Link ridge Res Area   Premium 1,000.00 2004 2 Asiedu Poku/Micheal Adubofour & Louisa Aduboufour 020 Circular Road Ridge Res Area 0.31 Premium 800.00 2004 3 John Agyekum Kuffour 8 Residency Link Ridge Res Area 1.42 Premium 4,000.00 2004 4 Nana Kwabena Oduro & Adwoa Birago 026 Circular Road Ridge Res 0.39 Premium - 2004 5 Sampson Kweku Boafo 4 Acacia Close Ridge Res Area 0.42 Premium 1,000.00 2004 6 Prof. Yaw Boafo 2 Acacia Close Ridge Res Area 0.46 Premium 1,000.00 2004 7 Alhaji Haji Ibrahim BAryeh 022 Circular Road Ridge Res Road 0.38 Premium 1,000.00 2004 8 Kwadwo Okyere Mpiani 1 Acacia Close Ridge Res Area 0.33 Premium 1,000.00 2004 9 Charles Osei 07 New Lands Ave. Ridge Res Area 0.46 Premium 5,000.00 2004 10 K. Owusu- Poku 013 Circular Road Ridge Res Area 0.35 Premium 1,000.00 2004 11 Urban Roads - Danyame - - - 2004 12 Cecelia Appaigyei 1 Militia Ave Ridge Res Area 0.28 Premium 1,000.00 2004 13 Baffour Owusu Asare Amankwatia V/Kwaku 2 Militia Ave Ridge Res Area 0.28 Premium 1,000.00 2004 14 Anthony  Gambrah 5 Militia Ave Ridge Res Area 0.31 Premium 1,000.00 2006 15 Cecilia Dapaah 7 Militia Ave Ridge Res Area 0.28 Premium 1,000.00 2006 16 Akwesi Biahene 9 Militia Ave Ridge Res Area 0.29 Premium 1,000.00 2006    ...

Abokobi (GAR), Nov. 2, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Friday pledged that his Government would transform Ghana’s economy using agricultural modernisation as a tool, when re-elected for another four-year term.   He added that Government would implement the Food and Agricultural Development Policy and the Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan as the two main strategies to achieve agricultural modernisation.   Speaking at the 28th National Farmers’ Day Celebration organised at Abokobi in the Ga East District of Accra, President Mahama said the strategy would include transformation of the agricultural sector from a resource-based to a technology-based industry and would lay emphasis on irrigation agriculture.   He added that the Government would provide subsidies for improved seeds, grade breeder and stocks, pesticides, fertilisers, machinery and other inputs.   President Mahama said promotion of selected crops for food security and exports, establishments of industries with backwards linkages to agricultural resource base, construction of storage facilities, silos, cold storage units and modern markets in strategic locations to minimise post-harvest losses, would be other strategies his Government would adopt.   “Implementation of the Ghana Commercial Agricultural Programme, particularly as it relates to strengthening investment promotion infrastructure, facilitating secure access to land, and securing public private partnerships and smallholder linkages in the Accra plains, the Savannah Accelerated Development Project Zone, Afram Plains and other deprived areas,” he added.   President Mahama noted that his Government had achieved a lot in the agricultural sector adding that “productivity enhancing strategies including timely availability of needed farm inputs, opening up of marketing opportunities and scaling up credit support for agricultural purposes,” were responsible for the achievements.   He said rice production had increased from 181,000 metric tonnes of milled rice in 2008 to 295,000 metric tonnes in 2010, stressing that it was a 63 per cent increase over the 2008 figure.   President Mahama said: “Ghana now produces 53 per cent of her rice requirement locally up from 30 per cent in 2009 and has reduced rice imports by 30 per cent.   “Maize production has increased from 1.5 million metric tonnes in 2008 to 1.9 metric tonnes in 2010 and 1.7 million metric tonnes in 2011; cassava rose from 11.4 million tonnes in 2008 to 14.2 million metric tonnes in 2011,” he added.   President Mahama said the cotton industry which had collapsed had been revived adding that in 2010 and 2011 season, 200,000 hectares of land was cropped by 23000 farmers to produce 17000 metric tonnes of seed cotton with an estimated lint production of 6655 metric tonnes.   He said that fish production increased by 17 per cent from 100,935 metric tonnes to 118,504 metric tonnes.   “Of the meat production poultry increased by 32 per cent from 31,056 metric tonnes in 2008 to 41,008 metric tonnes in 2011.”   President Mahama said: “Fish production increased by 1.3 per cent from 416,552 metric tonnes in 2008 to 421,898 metric tonnes in 2011 of which aquaculture production increased from 7,200 metric tonnes in 2009 to 19,091 metric tonnes in 2011.”   He added that export earnings from fish and fishery products increased from 158 million dollars to 256 million dollars for the same period.   President Mahama commended farmers and fishers for their hard work, which contributed towards the achievements.   Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture said government had resourced the Ministry to undertake critical interventions including land administration and management, agricultural mechanisation, fertiliser subsidy programme, national buffer stock company, youth in agriculture block.   He said the interventions would open up the sector to modern business culture and technology adoption and to make Ghana’s agriculture and farmers competitive in the global market.   Mr Ahwoi commended the 80 sponsors for their contribution and support towards the celebration.   Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister called for capacity building programmes for farmers and fishers to enable them compete globally.   Meanwhile an Accra-based farmer Lemuel K. Martey of Mannah Farms Limited was adjudged the National Best Farmer for 2012.   He is expected to receive a three-bedroom house and a pick-up vehicle.   The First Runner up went to 51-year-old Enoch Elder Tei from the Greater Accra Region, while Ellen Tia, a 28 year-old from the Upper East Region was adjudged the Second Runner up.   Kwamina Oboh from the Central Region was the National Best Fisherman.   In all, 74 farmers and fishers were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the economy. The theme for the 28th Edition of the Farmer’s Day Farmer’s Day celebration was: “Grow more food: strengthening farmer based organisations for market place bargaining power”.     GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 2, GNA – “Genesis Farms Limited” at Appiadu near the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has won the ultimate at this year’s Kumasi Metropolitan farmer’s awards ceremony held at Atwima-Techiman.       The Farm Manager, Mr Anthony Badi won a 21-inch television, bicycle, knapsack sprayer, latex foam mattress, bars of key soap, six cutlasses, a pair of wellington boots and a certificate.          In all, 20 individuals and institutions were rewarded for their singular contribution to the growth of agriculture.         Their prizes included knapsack sprayers, bicycles, latex foam mattresses, cutlasses and wellington boots.         Mr Samuel Sarpong, Metropolitan Chief Executive gave high marks to farmers for their hard work and commitment towards reducing hunger in the country.         For this, he said, the government would continue to provide them with incentives to motivate them to boost production.        Mr Sarpong saluted the award winners and urged them to establish effective working relations with agricultural extension officers to improve their farming practices for increased productivity.        Nana Antwi Brempong, Chief of Atwima, advised the youth to go into farming because it is more rewarding.       GNA...

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA – The National Labour Commission (NLC) on Friday issued a Writ of Subpoena Adueces Tecum order 38 rule 10 (1) to Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) to appear before the Commission on Monday.   The Subpoena is in respect of the petition against industrial action of CLOGSAG by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).   A copy of the Subpoena obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday states: “You are commended to attend a hearing at the NLC, Ridge on Monday 5, November at 1100 a.m. fixed for the hearing of the petition.   “Notice of which is hereby given you and from day to day there after as may be needed until the end of the hearing.”   The subpoena was signed by Mr Edward Briku-Boadu NLC Executive Secretary and copied to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.   In a related development the Civil Service Council (CSC) on Friday appealed to CLOGSAG to call off its nationwide strike and return to the negotiating table.   A statement to the GNA in Accra signed by Dr Robert Dodoo CSC called on all Civil and Local Government Staff to remain calm and loyal to continue to offer dedicated services to the nation.   The statement explained that the appeal was made during an emergency Council meeting with the National Executive Committee of CLOGSAG in which the purported strike was discussed.   According to the statement, the strike declared by CLOGSAG came to the CRS as a surprise because on Monday, October 29 the Council met representatives of the leadership of CLOGSAG and heard their concerns.   “There and then, the Council agreed to formally convey the concerns of CLOGSAG to government.   According to the Council, the CLOGSAG leadership agreed to convene a National Executive Committee on Tuesday November 6 to convey the Council’s position to its members.   CLOGSAG declared an indefinite industrial action last Wednesday, to pressure government to pay premium to its members, saying: “The strike…is in response to failure on the part of government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address outstanding issues with regard to the payment of premium.”   Meanwhile the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of CLOGSAG, Mr Samuel Nii Clottey, said the strike shall remain in force until government gives in to the demand of members to pay premium   He acknowledged that though there were “few bad nuts” amongst them who are not observing the directive, the strike is in progress and is expected to pressure government to yield to their demand.   In an interview with the Ghana News Agency Mr Clottey refuted assertion that the association failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.   He said: “The association has not breached any process pertaining to the labour law on grievances and negotiations before embarking on the industrial action we followed due processes.”     GNA...