Accra, Nov. 25, GNA – Accra Hearts of Oak recorded a 2-0 victory over Liberty Professionals in the eighth week Glo Premier League game played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. Both goals came in the second half of the game after a tight encounter in the first half, which saw the two sides concentrating much of the action in midfield. Hearts who were bent on improving their standings on the league table, came into the second half a more determined side and had much of the exchanges. With swift combination between Laryea Kinston, Mahatma Otoo and Edward Affum, Hearts secured a penalty in the 67th minute, when Affum was brought down by keeper Daniel Nii Adjei. Ivorian import Reuben Gnagne converted it for the phobians, which paved the way for further dominance over the Dansoman boys. Hearts capitalized on this dominance to score the second goal through Ashietey Ollenu in the 73rd minute when he tapped in a quick set up by Otoo. Hearts maintained their hold on the game with occasional threats from Liberty till the close of proceedings. GNA...

Bekwai, Nov 25, GNA- New Edubiase United defeated struggling Real Tamale United (RTU) 2-0 in the 8th week game of Glo Premier League played at the Gyamfi Park, Bekwai, on Sunday. Both sides started the game well with action moving from one side to the other, as well as occasional scoring opportunities but were wasted. However, Edubiase utilised a chance in the 41st minute when Basit Adams dribbled past the defence of RTU to put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Collins Addo. Back from recess, Hamid Ibrahim made it two for Edubiase when he connected Ebenezer Ofori’s free-kick in the 47th minute. RTU came into the picture in the last minute for a consolation goal, but to no avail until the referee David Offei brought proceedings to an end. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 25, GNA – Herewith the standings of the 2012/2013 Premier League after the week eight league matches, at the various centres;  Club                               P      W    D    L    GF     GA   GD       PTS Aduana Stars             8        4     3     1      8         4      4          15  Dwarfs                           8      4     2     2         11       7       4        14      Asante Kotoko          8      3     4     1         8        4        4          14       Medeama SC              8      4     2     2         9        5       4          14       Berekum Chelsea       8       4     2     2       10        7      3         14 Liberty                            8      3     3     2         7         7       -           12       AshGold                        8      3     3     2        9         7       2           12       Hearts of Oak              8       3     2     3      13        12       1          11         Edubiase FC               8       3     1     4       7         12       -5         10        Tema Youth              8      2     4     2        8         7        1          10         Amidaus                       8      2     3     3       8          10      -2          9      Heart of Lions             8      2     3     4       7         10       -3          9 King Faisal                   8       2     2     4       5          7        -2          8     Wa All Stars                  8      1     4      3       7          9        -2          7      Arsenals                       8      1     3     4       3          8            -5         6  RTU                              8      0     4     4       7          13         -6          4          GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 25, GNA – Visiting Wa All Stars on Sunday demonstrated tenacity of purpose to force King Faisal Babies FC to a goalless draw game in their Glo-Premier League encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday. The two sides created few chances in the first half, however, it was All Stars who won the admiration of the spectators with some sublime passes and well-rehearsed counter-attacks, particularly in the latter part of the half. Samuel Azumah, in the 22nd minute, intercepted a pass from Kofi Yeboah and ran deep into the vital area of the home team but his final delivery missed the post by inches to the relief of the Faisal supporters. Azumah again came close to scoring ten minutes later as All Stars mounted incessant pressure on the Faisal defence, however, his feeble shot could not go past goalkeeper Ibrahim Iddrisu. In the second half, Faisal exhausted all their three substitutions, bringing on Pius Baffour for skipper Kwadwo Boateng, Nana Dadson replaced Eugene Owusu, while Yasir Abdullah substituted Emmanuel Agyemang. The visitors also brought on Nuhu Salifu for Samuel Azumah with Seidu Salifu also replacing Kofi Yeboah. The tactical changes made by the two sides forced most of the action to be concentrated in midfield, giving the two combatants little room to operate pushing the game to end on a barren note. GNA...

Accra, Nov. 25, GNA – Herewith results of match day eight of the Glo Premier League games played on Saturday and Sunday, at the various league centers.   Accra:                  Hearts                 2             Liberty             0   Tema:                  T. Youth             1              Kotoko          2   Cape Coast:     Dwarfs                 4            Chelsea              1   Dormaa:             Aduana              2             Lions                  0   Tarkwa:              Medeama         2             Amidaus            2   Berekum:           Arsenal              1              Ashgold             0   Bekwai:              Edubiase          2             RTU                      0   Kumasi:              Faisal                  0             A. Stars               0    GNA...

Accra, Nov 25, GNA - The maiden edition of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Ghana Industry Awards, which seeks to provide a platform to help define the highest standards of excellence in business, has been held in Accra.   The awards, which span all sectors of the economy, will be held in November each year to reward companies that have achieved outstanding success in various areas of industry and innovation.   It will be the climax of the national industrial week celebration each year.   Nana Owusu-Afari, President of AGI, said despite the many challenges, many businesses had survived and it was just proper to recognize the achievements of those that had distinguished themselves.   “Our entire economic systems are disrupted more often than we would have loved to experience, and businesses have to respond to these disruptions… The industrial sector is one area where you find such constant disruption, and therefore companies that have managed to resist these disruptions, are worth celebrating,” Nana Owusu-Afari said.   He said the AGI held the view that the country had not been able to harness the industrial potential to the full over the years and expressed the hope that the awards would encourage businesses to develop strategies to improve competitiveness.   Nana Owusu-Afari encouraged the award winners to continue their hard work and sustain the high standards they have set for companies within their respective subsectors and industry as a whole.   He appealed to government, policymakers and the private sector to support the AGI to develop the award to a big national event along the lines of the National Farmers Day celebrations in order to motivate industrialists to increase industry’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product.   The companies competed in six awards categories with Fan Milk Limited being adjudged the Overall Best Industrial Company of the Year while Duraplast Limited picked the prize for the Fastest Growing Company.   Awards in the areas of Best Corporate Social Responsibility and Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Company both went to Guinness Breweries Ghana Limited while the Young Enterprise Company –Innovation and Entrepreneurship was given to Alexiboam.   Eighteen other companies were also honoured with AGI Sector Awards in the field of; Agri-Business; Automotive and Transport; Chemicals; Electricals and Electronics; Energy; Food and Beverages; Garments, Textiles and Leather; Hospitality and Tourism; and Information and Communication and Technology.   The rest are: Metals, Building and Construction; Oil and Gas Service; Pharmaceuticals; Printing, Stationary and Packaging; Rubber and Plastic; among others.   Some of the key criteria considered for the awards include growth, tax responsibility, corporate social responsibility and employment generation.   GNA...

  Nandom (U/W), Nov. 25, GNA – The Nandom Rural Bank has witnessed a significant growth in its total assets from GH¢4,253,768.00 in 2010 to GH¢7,243,236.00 in 2011, representing 70.28%.   Mr. Peter Kuukyame Latuo, Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors announced this at the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of stakeholders at Nandom in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region.   According to him, the significant growth in the Bank’s assets could largely be attributed to the significant growth in advances from GH¢658,895.00 in 2010 to GH¢1,284,617.00, representing a percentage of 94.96%.   The Chairman noted that the Bank also recorded 87.55% increase in share capital, 40.98% increase in deposits, 26.76% increase in net worth and 20.43% increase in investments.   He said the growth in the loan portfolio by 94.96% contributed significantly to the profit the Bank recorded, saying without which the story would have been different.   Mr. Latuo said the sectors, which benefited from the Bank’s credit activities during the year under review included Agriculture (7.43%), Transport (1.98%), Trading (65.44%), and 25.15% for others.   The Board Chairman said as part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility some donations were made to some institutions including the District Directors of the Ghana Health Services, Lambussie-Karni, Lawra and Wa Municipal District Agric Development Units towards Farmers’ Day celebration.   Other institutions that benefited from the Bank’s donations include the Nandom Students’ Union Holiday Programme, Nandom Kakube 2011 celebration and the Nandom Senior High School (SHS) Fire Disaster.   Mr. Latuo mentioned development of a strategic plan, completion and the refurbishment of the Bank’s head office building and the mobilization of share capital as some of the plans the Bank intended to undertake next year.   He also mentioned post computerization and networking challenges as well as high loan default rate as some of the challenges confronting the Bank.   GNA  ...

Bugubelle (U/W), Nov. 25, GNA – Rural Organization of Women Farmer and Agro Process/Development (ROWFAD), has appealed to the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) to support it with funds to establish an Agro Processing Centre at Bugubelle in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region.   The centre will support women groups in the shea industry for easy oil seeds processing and also encourage more women to join the industry.   Mr. Yanaa Yahaya, ROWFAD Director, made the appeal at a shea clusters forum in Bugubelle in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region.   According to him, ROWFAD had already developed a comprehensive business plan to demonstrate the highly profitable and socially beneficial prospects of the centre and to attract and secure financing for the implementation of the venture.   He said the organization had identified shea kernel and butter processing as a significant way to improving the social and economic fortunes of rural people, especially women in the area, hence, its decision to seek for funds from EDAIF towards the establishment of the centre.   Mr. Yanaa said ROWFAD had put in place measures to build the capacity of 51 shea women groups in 18 communities to enable them produce quality shea kernels and butter to make some income for themselves.   Additionally, ROWFAD would improve performance of producer organizations in effective management, business development and negotiation skills as well as create an enabling environment for multi-stakeholder advocacy platforms that would lead to improved pro-poor policies and regulations.   GNA...

Adjei Kojo (GAR), Nov. 25, GNA – Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has assured the people of Tema West Constituency of quality leadership when given the mandate to serve them as their Member of Parliament (MP).   Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Tema West, gave the assurance at the weekend when addressing members and supporters of the party at Adjei Kojo in the Greater Accra Region, immediately after a four-hour keep-fit exercise through some parts of the constituency.   He advised the constituents not to allow their conscience to be bought by politicians, who would promise them heavens but would not be able to deliver when voted for.   He regretted that the Tema West Constituency had not witnessed any remarkable development in the last four years under the current MP.   Mr Ofosu Ampofo, therefore, urged the constituents not to waste another four years, but to give him their mandate to take them to the promise land and to ensure the accelerated growth and development of the constituency.   The Minister assured them that when he became their MP he would negotiate with the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to ensure proper regularization of their land title documents.   For instance, he said, veterans would not pay fees for the regularization of their land documents.   Clad in party paraphernalia, the members and supporters chanted party songs amidst dancing, jubilation and drumming.   GNA...

Hohoe, Nov 25, GNA - Mr Nutifafa K. Gbotsyo, Senior Housemaster of Hohoe EP Senior High High School, has observed that plurality in political representation creates platforms for useful development ideas.   He said it was therefore good that Ghanaians belonged to different political parties that should not result in conflicts.   Mr Gbotsyo was addressing scores of students from second cycles and tertiary institutions in and around Hohoe at a youth seminar towards peaceful elections at Hohoe on Friday.   “We need not belong to one political party as Ghana needs all those differing ideas,” he stated.   The programme was under the aegis of the National Youth Authority’s (NYA) yearly Youth Caravan, which brings youths of different backgrounds together to discuss a chosen issue.   At the forum, representatives of political parties delivered brief messages of peace, all agreeing there was no need for conflict during the coming elections.   Mr Agbenorwosi Roch-Boh, Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Hohoe-North Parliamentary Candidate, said it was sad people only rallied behind symbols instead of candidates.   He cautioned the media, especially the electronic media, to choose words carefully during the period so as not to brush the sensibilities of people.   Miss Keen Galley, Girls Prefect of Hohoe EP Senior High School, said peace was priceless and could never be bought.   Mr Yao Semordey, NYA Volta Regional Director, said besides the peace that the nation needed for the coming elections, peace was also needed in the lives of individuals, without which they (individuals) would fail to progress in life.   He said the Caravan was at Akatsi on Saturday for a programme with out-of-school youth on the elections.   GNA...

Winneba (C/R), Nov. 25, GNA - The Education Minister Mr Lee Ocran has reiterated government’s commitment to pursue education development as the core of its development strategy towards poverty alleviation and improvement in living condition.   He said the strategic direction of government’s education delivery was focused on critical areas such as equity and access, educational management and science technology and technical vocation education and training.   He said these in an address read for him at the 17th congregation of the University of Education, Winneba on Saturday during which 3,759 students graduated and awarded with degrees, diplomas and certificates.   The Minister acknowledged the supportive role of the UEW as a viable partner to effectively and efficiently implement the aforementioned as the country seeks to attain the Millennium Development Goals especially that of providing equal and full access to quality primary and secondary education for all by the year 2015.   He said the government was progressively taking steps to solve most of the problems regarding provision of educational infrastructure, staff development and motivation.   The Minister said in the light of the challenges facing teaching and learning in recent times, the UEW was being encouraged to lead the crusade of coming out with new theories in education.   He said, “Most of the pertinent traditional theories of education have outlived their usefulness to some extent as a result of the changing values, cultures and technology.”   The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, expressed concern that a large number of teachers trained by the University had not been employed while there were many classrooms without teachers.   He said UEW since its inception in 1992 to-date had turned out 70,273 graduates.   He said with assistance from the Ghana Education Trust Find (GETFund) and other areas, the University had expanded infrastructure at its campuses to enhance academic work.   The Vice Chancellor said that “as a young graduate, you’re bound to make errors, but you should learn from the errors, that you commit”. He added that too many errors would destroy their confidence and the confidence others have in them.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) over the weekend held its third post farmers day forum in Accra with the objective of strengthening the rural woman’s participation in agriculture.   In all, 45 women small holder farmers mobilized from the Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta regions participated in the forum and were taken through topics such as policies and extension services available to support the rural woman and challenges in the rural economy.   Mr Andrews Frempong, Head of Programmes and Advocacy at CCG, said apart from winning souls for Christ, the Christian Council is also mandated not only to promote peace but to ensure that food was made available to all.   He said small holder famers in the rural communities who the majority constitutes women are being confronted with hikes in fertilizer prices, lack of transportation to carry their farming produce while in the mining areas, food crops and land are being destroyed by illegal miners.   He said issues such as credit, skewed extension services delivery, labour and inappropriate technology also affected the rural farmer especially women saying in the fishing sector, the issue of premix fuel and pair trolling is still a major concern to the fisher folks.   He appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support the smallholder farmers secured enough food and also earned profit.   Ms Victoria Aniaku, Representative from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, in a presentation said government has introduced policies and strategies such as gender and agriculture development strategy, food and agriculture development policy.   She said the policies and strategies being implemented by government were to migrate Ghanaian farmers from subsistence farming to a technological one and added that government would assist women small holder farmers to produce more.   Ms Joyce Larko Steiner, Senior Programme Manager for Human Rights and Gender at CCG, said a baseline survey that was conducted revealed that the issue of food security and child rights are related, with poverty being the main reason why children were trafficked and put through labour.   She said the post farmer’s day forum by the Council formed part of measures to promote food security and child rights and would end in 2013.   GNA...

Koforidua, Nov. 24, GNA - A total of 953 Higher National Diploma (HND) students who completed their studies at the Koforidua Polytechnic in 2012 were on Saturday presented with certificates during the ninth congregation of the Institute.   Professor Reynolds Okai, the Rector of the Polytechnic, said 23 of the graduates obtained First Class honors with 469 students obtaining Second Class Upper, whilst 492 students obtained Second Class Lower.   He commended the graduands on their achievements but cautioned them against arrogance and indiscipline at workplaces.   Professor Okai reminded them that life is not rosy adding that success calls for perseverance, hard work and self-discipline among other virtues.   He announced that the Polytechnic, which started with 47 students in the 1996/97 academic year, now has student population of 5,724.   “Starting with two HND programmes 15 years ago, the polytechnic now offers two Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) programmes in Procurement and Automotive Engineering and HND programmes in 19 disciplines”.   Professor Okai said the polytechnic had shown its commitment to research and publications by the continual support of the research proposals of staff through its allocation for Staff Development/Research from the Ghana Education Trust (GETFUND).   He said the polytechnic won a research proposal submitted to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) worth 750,000.00 dollars to conduct research into renewable energy.   Professor Esther O. Sakyi-Dawson, a member of the Polytechnic Council, reminded the graduands that for them to survive and continue to remain relevant in the world of work, they needed to cultivate good time-management, good financial management and adherence to job rules and regulations.   “Plan your day properly and learn financial discipline well. Learn to save and invest in other investment portfolios available on the financial market”.   Professor Sakyi-Dawson called on education providers to add to the training of students the good job ethics and also to forge close partnership with Industries.   Nana Nkwantabisa III, the Chairman of the Polytechnic Council, commended the government for sustaining the Polytechnic through the GETFUND.   He however stressed the need for the polytechnic to be given special funding from the GETFUND to accelerate its infrastructural development.   GNA...

Accra, Nov, 24, GNA- The Ghana chapter of the Association of Certified Chartered Economists (ACCE) on Saturday held its maiden induction ceremony and professional development seminar in Accra.   In all, 31 students including a fellow were inducted at a colourful ceremony at the Coconut Groove Hotel after taken an oath administered by Mr Henry Adusei, the Administrator of ACCE.      Mr Vincent Joseph Dela Selormey, Former Head of Banking Supervision, Bank of Ghana said, the economic crunch that the world is experiencing currently once happened in the year 1930 with the name ‘the great depression’ and it lasted for 10 years.      He said even though the western world had been hit hard by the current economic crunch, Ghana was not experiencing any big impact with the reason that its exposure to the global financial system is not very deep.      Mr Selormey advised the government to ensure a strict regulation on the financial system of the country while putting in place measures to further ensure that banks were well capitalized to be in the position to absorb losses if they occur.    He, however, noted that like the great depression of 1930, the current economic crises is likely to end in 10 years but not very soon as some economists are predicting.      In his acceptance speech after being conferred with an award of a fellow member, Mr John Gatsi, thanked ACCE and American Academy of Financial Management for admitting him into the pinnacle of professional attainment in the association.      He appealed to all members of ACCE especially the chartered members to use their acquired certificates to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the various organizations, private businesses and national development.      “Passing as a chartered member alone is not sufficient to fully contribute your best but should be seen as the beginning of more focused learning period to become experienced to provide faultless professional service devoid of emotions and sentiments.    A chartered economist must be professional, objective and critical to be able to contribute effectively to national discourse and development”, he advised.   Mr Gatsi said chartered members need to consider mentorship in order to fast track their experience and confidence building, adding that they should adhere to professional code since ethical requirements are meant to ensure that they practice professionally and objectively.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 24, GNA - Samsung Electronics West Africa has been recognised by the Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce for investments made in communities and for corporate social responsibility activities it implemented in 2011 and 2012, at a colourful ceremony held in Accra.   A statement to the Ghana News Agency said receiving the award, Corporate Marketing Manager of Samsung West Africa, Tracy Kyei expressed Samsung’s gratitude to the organisations for their recognition.   She stressed that “Samsung will continue to make meaningful impact in the community in which they operate.   Our success will ultimately be measured by the lives we touch with the things we do. We have always been driven by a passion to impact lives and this we will do wherever we operate”.   The awards ceremony was also used to outdoor the second edition of the Ghana CSR Diary, a free CSR magazine that catalogues corporate social responsibility activities of companies in Ghana.   The star-studded event was under the theme: “Ghana CSR Diary and Awards, making CSR more meaningful and impacting”.   Samsung Electronics is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA – The African University College of Communication (AUCC) on Saturday held its 9th graduation ceremony with the call on graduates to make a change not only in their world view but in the lives of others.   The ceremony on the theme: “Education in an era of globalization and convergence”, saw 77 students, 27 Diploma holders and 50 Degree holders graduating after satisfying the stated conditions of the college.   Mr Kojo Yankah, President of the college, said the ceremony also marks the tenth anniversary of the founding of the institution.   He said the institution over the years has achieved a lot, including the introduction of various programmes for degree and diploma courses, received re-accreditation by the National Accreditation Board, introduced internet radio, and received post graduate scholarships from Ohio University and Clark Atlanta Universities.   He said between 2008 and 2010, the AUCC also signed various memoranda of understanding to collaborate with a number of universities abroad including the University of the Bahamas, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Simmons College, Boston, Clark Atlanta University, and Ohio University.   Mr Yankah said the College, guided by a strategic plan, had put all the necessary structures in place to meet the challenges and expectations saying the institution would not compromise on their pursuit for excellence.   “We have been taught that excellence was risking more, dreaming more and expecting more than others think it’s possible”, he added.   He said the College has also acquired new sites in various parts of the country for their major expansion drive, saying that all their new sites were on hills, depicting their confidence and growing stature.   He urged graduates not to take mediocrities as a norm, but when everything seems to be going against them, they should remember that the airplane takes off against the wind and not with the wind.   Mr Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information, said education was very crucial to development, and Ghana could not stay isolated since whatever occurs in the global world affected us.   He said we need to raise the standards of our education system, in order for our level of education to be compared to what happens in the global world.   Mr Baffour congratulated the graduates and called on them to make a positive impact where ever they found themselves, since the world of work was a more competitive and challenging one.   GNA...

Sakumono (GAR), Nov 24, GNA – KFC-Ghana on Friday opened its first Drive-Through Restaurant in the country at the Community ‘18’ Junction on the Spintex Road at Sakumono.   The restaurant is the third to be opened by KFC-Ghana after its flagship restaurant on Oxford Street at Osu in August 2011 and the one at the North Industrial Area in October the same year.   Speaking at the function, Mr Ashok Mohinani, Executive Director of KFC-Ghana, said introduced in Ghana by Masco Foods, a Mohinani Group Company, the company serves over 3,500 customers daily.   Mr Ashok paid growing tribute to Col Sanders, an enterprising chef from Louisville in Kentucky who, he said, in 1938 developed secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices to fry his chicken and have the whole of America eat out of his hands for generations.   Mr Ashok said with the opening of the Drive-Through Restaurant, KFC had created yet another element of convenience in food service to Ghanaians. He said KFC is already operating in 12 countries on the African continent, and had provided economic growth and phenomenal job opportunities for the youth and upcoming workforce of Africa.   The Executive Director assured Ghanaians that KFC would provide them with an opportunity “to enjoy chicken that is so good in a premium atmosphere backed with the culture that is built on speed with service.”   GNA...

Asamankese (ER), Nov. 24, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday reminded politicians that the use of violence and other forms of intimidations would not attract people to vote in their favour.   Instead, he urged them to campaign peacefully and avoid any form of violence that could dissuade people from voting massively for the National Democratic Congress in the forthcoming general election in December this year.   President Mahama said this when he addressed separate rallies as part of his three-day campaign tour of the Eastern Region.   He said: “The NDC is a party for all, and it will be useful on our part to campaign peacefully and ignore those preaching war to go their separate ways.”   President Mahama in his last day of the eastern Region held similar rallies at Nsawam, Kraboa Coater, Adeiso, Boadua, kade and Akyem Sewdru.   The President said winning elections should be based on issues, ideas and programmes and therefore the use of violence and intimidations would rather scare potential voters adding “we need to distance ourselves from those things in order to maintain the confidence of the people.”   He appealed to the leaderships of other political parties to constantly educate their supporters against the use of violence and intimidations since that could mar the hard won reputation of the country, due to their feat in organizing five successful elections.   President Mahama promised to adequately resource the Electoral Commission and security Agencies to effectively ensure yet another successful election next month and appealed to all stakeholders in this year’s elections to play their roles professionally and effectively to maintain the international recognition the country had gained over the years.   The President earlier in Koforidua inaugurated a multi-million Cedi Regional office of the National Health Insurance Scheme.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA – University of Ghana (UG) through the Government of Ghana has sourced a loan facility of US217 million dollars from the Israeli Government to construct a 600-bed teaching hospital at Legon. When completed all the University's constituent institutions would be relocated from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital at Mamprobi to the new hospital.   The project will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for trauma and emergency service with a heliport and internal medicine including Surgery, Obstetrics and gynecology, paediatrics, cardiology, heart surgery and medicinal imaging.   Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor, UG, speaking at the ground breaking ceremony to commence the construction work, said the project would be a model of the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel. He said the facility would provide specialized medical service, which would afford Ghanaians and the people in the sub-region the opportunity to access quality medical care in Ghana.   He said there would be a skill training unit for undergraduates and residency training.   “It will also provide additional opportunity for inter-disciplinary research and teaching which ultimately enhance the quality of facilities available for modern medical and health science education,” he added.   Prof Aryeetey noted that the project marked the beginning of relocating the Korle Bu of the University where a 400 acre parcel of land had been waiting for years to be occupied.   Rojo Mettle Nunoo, Deputy Minister of Health, said every government strove to make life comfortable for its citizens, noting that education and health were of much concern to citizens.   He said the project would ease the current pressure on the Korle Bu Teaching hospital because it has the potential of being expanded into a 1,300 bed facility.   The Deputy Minister expressed the hope that when completed it would be self-financing and be opened to the public and citizens from the West African sub-region and beyond.   He said the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel had agreed to provide all the assistance required to ensure that the facility provides the most efficient health care that would measure up to global standards.   He assured the University community of Government’s commitment to provide the needed support in health service and education institutions to help make available health for all.   “Plans are underway to replicate this at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and indeed in the other Medical Public Universities that train health professionals in the country,” he added.   Justice Dr Samuel K. Date-Baah, Chairman, University Council, said if the country needed a healthy nation then it was time to put together all the identified strategies and policy for implementation. He commended the management of the University for the foresight to provide its student quality health care education.   GNA...

Wa, Nov. 24, GNA – Zongo Youth for President Mahama in the Upper West Region have pledged to work round the clock to secure victory for President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December elections.   The group said President Mahama, having risen through the ranks as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 12 years, a Deputy Minister/Minister for Communications for four years and Vice President for three and half years put him at a higher pedestal than all his competitors.   Mr Issah Aduah, Patron of the group, said this at the launch of the group in Wa on Friday.   Zongo Youth for Mahama is a volunteer group whose membership is national in character and open to all well meaning Ghanaians who share in the vision of building a Better Ghana.   Mr Aduah cited the introduction of circular education to Arabic Schools, the amendment of the Public Holiday Act to give Muslims two Public Holidays and the establishment of the Hajj Village to provide comfort and dignity to would-be pilgrims by the first and second NDC administrations as very remarkable examples of the party’s commitment to the wellbeing of Muslims in the country.   He again commended the NDC for committing GH¢200,000,000.00 to the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) in fulfilment of the promise made by the party in its 2008 manifesto.   He noted that SADA had already created over 5,000 jobs for some youth and was looking ahead to doubling the figure if the party retained power.   Mr Aduah said for the first time in the country, the NDC government had put in place a guaranteed price for shea nuts to improve the livelihoods of women working in the business as it is done for cocoa farmers.   He said under the NDC government, the Wa Central Zongo Community can boast of getting its fair share of infrastructural development ranging from improved infrastructure in their schools, provision of boreholes and construction of better drains among others.   He called on all in the Wa Central Constituency to vote for President Mahama and the Parliamentary Candidate, Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo for them to continue with the strengthening of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to serve the health needs of the people.   Mr Aduah pledged on behalf of Zongo youth that they were committed to peace and would not allow themselves to be used by any cheap and war-mongering politician to carry out any diabolical agenda in the coming elections.   Alhaji Pelpuo called on the people to sell the NDC success story properly to ensure a one touch victory for President Mahama.   GNA...