Zebilla (U/E), Oct. 29 GNA - A group of farmers in the Bawku West District, calling itself “Afaataba Multipurpose Cooperative Society”, have appealed to government to rehabilitate Kamega Irrigation Dam.     Speaking at a Press Conference at Zebilla, Mr Robert Abugri, Coordinator of the group, said since the construction of the dam in the 1960s it had not been repaired and silt deposits had reduced its capacity to hold water.     This, he said, had reduced the production of crops such as rice, maize, onion, tomato and other vegetables.     “The facility which is the major source of livelihood of the people in the area has its challenges including broken down canals, shortage of water due to siltation of the reservoir, leakage of the valve leading to wastage of water, termites infestation on the dam walls and bad nature of the spillway”, he said.     Mr Abugri said apart from the facility being used for irrigation purposes, people in the area relied on it to water their animals and for building.     “This implies that the contribution of the facility to food security and other usage are very enormous. Afaataba Multipurpose Cooperative Society and other farmers in Kamega areas are making a passionate appeal to the Bawku West District Assembly and the Government to rehabilitate the facility with a special focus on de-silting the dam reservoir, repair and construction of the new canals and the repair of leakages”.     Mr Vincent Subbey, Monitor of BUSAC Fund, said as the Region depended largely on rain fed agriculture which over the years had been disappointing, it would be appropriate to expand irrigation so as to enable the people produce more food.     He said if government paid attention to such facilities it would help curb the spate of migration of the people particularly the youth to the southern sector to look for greener pastures.     Mr Ernest Beyuo, a Service Provider of BUSAC, said BUSAC had empowered the farmers in the area with advocacy and lobbying skills, supported them conduct research on the facility and organized stakeholders’ meeting.     He said plans were far advanced to support the group to engage the District Assembly and other stakeholders including the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and the Northern Rural Growth Project.     Participants stressed the need for SADA and the Northern Rural Growth Project to go to the aid of the farmers by contributing to repair the dam.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct 29, GNA - Madam Doris Darimani, Private Schools Coordinator of the Ga West District of the Ghana Education Service, has said it is important for parents to make the education of the child a priority.     She said quality education was the greatest assert parents could offer their children adding that there should be no excuse why children should be left out of school.     Madam Darimani made the call at the 10th anniversary celebration of California Star School Complex over the weekend in Accra.     The event was on the theme: “Ten years of Discipline and Academic Excellence”     “Many parents complain of lack of money to support their children in school yet some could go to any length to buy ceremonial clothes for all occasions, as seen during funerals,” she said.     Madam Darimani advised students to be selective in the friends they associate themselves with since their choice could negatively or positively influence their lifestyles both at home and at school.     Dr Lawrencia Serwaa Manu, of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, urged teachers and parents to inculcate discipline in children to ensure that educational standards were maintained.     “Teachers must also entreat them to be serious in all subjects to enable them prepare themselves well for responsible professions in future,” he said.     Dr Manu tasked students to develop a winning attitude, desire to succeed and be honest in their pursuit for excellence.     Mr Edward K. Manu, Proprietor of the School, appealed to government to extend the capitation grant to cover the private schools since it could contribute immensely to the development of that sector.     He said the school since its inception in 2002 had chalked many successes with excellent grades by students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination saying “this year a total of 57 students were presented and all of them have gained admission into Senior High Schools”.     Mr Manu said the school had also been supporting brilliant but needy students, with 15 current beneficiaries, calling on churches, benevolent organisations to come to the assistance some of these children in the school.    He said the School also needed a library for effective teaching and enhanced learning for staff and students.     GNA ...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The Asomdwe Memorial Park in Accra will be re-opened to the public on Friday, November, 2, 2012 following the completion of the first phase of construction works, a statement signed by the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, said on Monday.   The Park, near the Independence Square in Accra, is a presidential mausoleum which currently holds the mortal remains of President John Evans Atta Mills.   It was opened to the public after his funeral on August 10, 2012.   The park was originally planned to be re-opened to the public at the end of September 2012, but construction works took longer than anticipated, the statement said.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA – The European Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs will on Tuesday October 30th meet with Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe  Amissah-Arthur  to discuss Ghana’s democratic development.   They would also discuss the modalities which ensured a smooth political transition after the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.   A statement issued in Accra on Monday to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said Commissioner Piebalgs will announce EU’s additional support to Ghana’s efforts in tackling maternal health.   The support will also help improve the role of local authorities to accelerate the achievement of the Millennial Development Goals.   Commissioner Piebalgs will take part in a high level forum: “Towards Sustainable Energy for All in West Africa,” which is expected to result in the adoption of a regional renewable energy policy and an energy efficiency policy.   The policies are one of the first steps towards the implementation of the United Nations (UN) initiatives to promote sustainable energy for all by 2050.    According to the statement Commissioner Piebalgs acknowledges Ghana’s democratic and economic achievements, describing them as role models in the Sub-Saharan Region.   The statement said the Commissioner would be discussing how the EU and Ghana would deepen political dialogue and ensure Ghana’s sustainable and solid development, an area the EU said it would be a “steadfast partner in that endeavour”.   The Commissioner will sign funding agreements, which would help Ghana to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and consolidate governance.   One of its priorities was to promote the development of sustainable energy in Africa, with Ghana as one of its most committed partner.   The EU, the statement added, has already mobilized more than 500 million Euros  this year for the UN initiative for Sustainable Energy for All and would also support West Africa, firmly in line with the its objective to provide access to energy to 500 million people in developing countries by 2030.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - IBM’s Corporate Services Corp (CSC) team to Ghana has made an immediate, medium and long term recommendations to help the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly’s to streamline processes and harmonize operations across departments.   The recommendations will see the assembly deploying its operational processes and technology assets in an innovative way to support and supplement departments and units of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly’s existing programs in the area of internally generated revenue collection, data management and planning, process and workflow management.   Other areas include internal and external customer service delivery, community engagement, communications, skills / knowledge transfer and capacity for enhanced services delivery.   The CSC team, which spent four weeks in Tarkwa, worked and provided consulting services to authorities on a new ICT enabled district assembly plan for revenue management; setting up a database management system & training of officials; strategy development for rolling out micro enterprise programmes and firms and change management, customer satisfaction, and Human Resource process improvements.   The team of IBM specialists told the media in Accra that the comprehensive set of “Smarter Services” recommendations and solutions would help the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly to improve its capacity to manage revenue and ICT infrastructure, deliver education, healthcare and social services to citizenry.   The IBM CSC team said it identified gaps and developed recommendations, plans, and tools which would ensure that government agencies, businesses and citizens of the Tarkwa Nsuaem area benefit from IBM’s Smarter Planet concept, which seeks to promote the use of cutting edge technology solutions, services and ideas in Business and Governance.   One key issue tackled by the CSC team working with the Department of Community Development in Tarkwa was the issue of economic empowerment for women and youths.   The CSC team developed a blueprint document, which identified the problems and challenges facing this section of the Tarkwa population and suggested a series of skills development ideas and programmes for implementation.   The blueprint also explored external funding options to support the Community Development department’s economic development programs.   The key recommendations of the CSC team are that the Tarkwa Nsuaem Community Development team should be empowered to support communities, there should be increased knowledge sharing, awareness and coordination with other government agencies to leverage existing programs and educate communities about them.   Design an end-to-end training package, which, in addition to skills training, includes benefits of group formation, basic business skills etc.   Key Deliverables of the CSC team to the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly include a database management tool and the training of staff on how to use it, a manual on the processes for future training and detailed report containing recommendations.   Over the last four years, IBM has sent eight teams to Ghana to work with various public and private sector bodies as part of its corporate citizenship programme.   Several Corporate Service Corps (CSC) and Executive Services Corp teams have through their interactive leadership consultancy programs in Ghana have delivered high quality problem solving for communities and organizations in a number of sectors including health.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29 GNA – Mr Jones Quaye, a contractor who defrauded a businessman by selling a plot of land at new Bortianor to two different developers for GH¢12,000.00 and GH¢15,000.00 respectively on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.   The accused has been charged with defrauding by false pretences contrary to section 131 at Act 29/60.   He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢ 20,000.00 with two sureties to be justified. The case has been adjourned to November 19, 2012.   The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Samuel Sarkwa said the complainant, who is a businessman lives with the accused at Aplaku, a suburb of Accra.   He said in March 2012, the complainant met the accused and during conversation, the accused informed the complainant that he has a plot of land at New Bortianor for sale, which the complainant expressed interest in it.   He said the accused took the complainant to identify the land and negotiated the cost of the land at GH¢ 12,000.00.     Chief Inspector Sarkwa said the accused showed the complainant an indenture bearing the name of one Joshua Obuobi as the one whom he purchased the land from.   He said a full transfer had not yet been made into his name.   He said to show his commitment to purchase the land the accused demanded that the complainant must make part payment of GH¢ 5,000.00 and wait for the documents to be prepared for him.   Chief Inspector Sarkwa said as the complainant was waiting, he had information that the said land was being developed by someone. He rushed to the scene and met a (lady) developer who claimed ownership of the land.   He said when the complainant confronted the lady; she informed the complainant that the accused person sold the land to her at cost of GH¢ 15,000.00 and has since prepared documents for her.   He said the complainant confronted the accused about the issue and accused admitted re-selling the same land to the (lady) developer.   Chief Inspector Sarkwa said a complaint was made to the Police and accused was arrested.   He said during investigation it was revealed that the accused had re-sold the land but failed to refund the complainant’s part payment to him.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA -Parliament on Monday passed the Internal Revenue (Tax Amnesty) Bill, 2011, granting reprieve to tax defaulters, and seeking to widen the income tax net to improve Ghana’s revenue inflows.      The introduction of the Bill is expected to motivate liable tax payers to voluntarily regularise their tax position with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), grant amnesty to certain categories of persons as stipulated by the law, from paying penalties and interest on outstanding taxes due the State.     The Bill stipulates that persons, who duly register with the GRA or the Registrar General’s Department submit or amend their tax returns or pays assess and outstanding tax within a certain time frame could benefit from the Amnesty.       The new law widens the scope of the amnesty to include persons who had previously registered with the GRA but have not renewed their registration, and those who have registered with the Authority but have not submitted returns or disclosed their incomes as required for a specific period, as well as persons liable to pay tax but who have previously not registered with the GRA.      The Law also preserves the prerogative powers of the Commissioner-General of the GRA to remit tax under section 158 of Act 592 and provides interpretation of the terms used in Act.      At the consideration stage of the bill earlier in the year, the Minority showed uneasiness, stating that the country stood to potentially loose significant revenue if the bill was passed into law, citing inherent flaws in the document.      But the Majority insisted that the tax reprieve in the Bill would enable a significant number of liable tax payers a break to start afresh in fulfilling their tax obligations that would result in the widening of the tax net to generate more revenue for the country.        The side also noted that the rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product demanded that government took deliberate measures to improve tax collection, touting the waiving of penalties and interest for tax defaulters as a panacea to tax evasion.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The contribution of agriculture to the country's economic growth continues to be significant, despite Ghana's oil find.   "For the country to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), such as the eradication of poverty and hunger, Government is taking steps to increase agricultural production, food security and income," Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said this at the Third National Farmers' Forum, held in Accra on Monday.   The forum on the theme: "Grow More Food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organisations for Market Place Bargaining Power,” was to herald the 28th National Farmer's Day Celebration, which comes off on November 2nd 2012 at Abokobi, in the Greater Accra Region.   Mr Ahwoi said the strategy for the development of the Agricultural sector in Ghana, hinged on the Medium Term Agricultural Investment Plan (METASIP), which runs from 2011 to 2015.   The Minister said under the plan, the government sought to expand irrigation infrastructure, subsidize fertilizer and seed cost, encourage the youth to take on farming as a profession among several others.   He said the most important resource for "this task is our farmers."   Mr. Ahwoi noted that if farmers were assisted to have easy access to information on best practices, and building their capacities, their production and incomes would in effect also be increased.   He said one effective way of "achieving these" was through facilitating the establishment of sustainable Farmer Co-operatives or Farmer Based Organizations.   Speaking on the theme for this year's Farmer's Day Celebration: "Grow More Food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organizations For Market Place Bargaining Power,” he said it reflects the role Farmer Based Organizations (FBO) are playing in agricultural production in the country.   He said the importance of FBOs as economic development institutions within the country, had led to the government developing a policy to promote FBOs, register and train 5,658 active FBOs in Enterprise Development, among several others.   Mr. Ahwoi cited some good works of FBOs as the Rubber Out Growers and Agents Association in the Western Region, which had built their own office and were able to negotiate competitive prices for their members.   He also mentioned the Ejisu-Juaben Pig Farmers Association, which had trained members, given soft loans to members and even non-members, and provided three bore-holes for their community.   The Minister said there was a general consensus that the production of small holder farmers would increase if farmers came together for easy access to inputs, training and market linkages, among others.   "It is therefore the policy of the government to continue supporting the development and strengthening of Farmer Based Organizations, as a means of supporting farmers to become more competitive, cost effective in their operations and have stronger bargaining power in the market place," said Mr. Ahwoi.   The forum was organized by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.   GNA...

Bawku (U/E), Oct. 29, GNA - Mr. Kofi Asante-Owusu, Bawku Municipal Electoral Commission Officer, at the weekend called on security officers in the Bawku municipality to be wary of deviant people in society and be professional in their duties during and after the December elections.   Mr. Asante-Owusu said most people may take their leniency to be their weakness and misconduct themselves to distract the election process.      He noted that if they perform their duties with much vigilance they would outwit people who have the intension to cause mayhems during the election in the area.      Mr. Asante-Owusu was speaking at the annual inter-security services root match organized by the security agencies through the principal streets in the municipality to create awareness on the need for peace and to assure the people of their safety.      He said the commission was committed to collaborating effectively with the security agencies to ensure a violent free election in the area.      He noted that the commission would continue to promote the relationship between the security and the commission in the country as they were partners in development.      Mr. Asante-Owusu called on the electorate to exercise their franchise with maturity in order not to jeopardize the peace being enjoyed in the country.      Heads of security agencies, who took part in the exercise, commended the people in the area for the peace they were enjoying, saying’ it was the surest way to bring development to their communities.      Mr Asante-Owusu later presented items including nonalcoholic beverages to the security agencies after the exercise to motivate them to perform their duties as expected.   GNA...

Techiman (B/A), Oct. 29, GNA – The Brong-Ahafo Regional Branch of the Ghana Blind Union, on Monday commended the Government for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the right of persons with disability.   It expressed the hope that the ratification would be followed by positive actions for the absolute wellbeing of the blind.      The commendation was contained in a communiqué signed Mr Ebenezer Nsoah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chairman of the group,   after its general meeting at Techiman,  copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).      It called on the Government to fulfill its promise of increasing the disability fund from two per cent to three per cent as captured in the national budget.      The communiqué expressed worry about the delay in the enactment of Legislative Instrument to back the Disability Act, and called on the Government to facilitate its passage before the end of the year.      It noted that people with disabilities would suffer the consequences of any post and pre election violence, and appealed to political parties and stakeholders to ensure peaceful polls in December.   GNA...

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The Worldwide Miracle Outreach (WMO), has invited President John Dramani Mahama, two former presidents; Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, and presidential candidates of Election 2012, to a Ghana for Christ Crusade.      Dr Lawrence Tetteh, President and Founder of WMO told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra at the weekend that “letters have been sent to the President who is the Flag bearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress, the two former Heads of State as well as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Presidential Candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party and other players in the 2012 elections”.   “The WTO is inviting all these personalities for the Ghana for Christ Crusade because it is going to be a platform to pray for peaceful elections and to neutralise any diabolical intention of the devil against Ghana.   “All these people matter in ensuring peace before, during and after the December 7 General Election and there is no better platform for these personalities than Ghana for Christ Crusade,” Dr Tetteh said.   The crusade takes place at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre in Accra from November 1- November 3 and would be addressed by personalities like Dr Richard Roberts of the Oral Roberts Ministry in the US and Reverend Paul Naughton of the Benny Hinn Ministries in the UK.   Dr Tetteh asked the political leaders as well as the citizenry to be cautious in their utterances in order to keep Ghana safe and united.   “We (Ghanaians) have a collective responsibility to make Ghana a beacon of democracy for the West African sub-region.   “Every Ghanaian should be an ambassador of peace,” Dr Tetteh said, adding it will be a big loss for Ghana for anyone to lose a dear one for the simple reason of choosing a president or members of parliament.    The WTO President said it is the civil and religious responsibility of every Ghanaian to guard and guide against all acts that could plunge Ghana into violence, stressing: “Ghana deserves peace and stability and not political strife or bloodshed.”   Dr Tetteh called on Ghanaians to pray for the nation without ceasing explaining that “a prayerless nation is a powerless nation.   GNA...

Tarkwa, Oct. 29, GNA – The circuit court at Tarkwa has sentenced a 48-year-old bicycle repairer, Musah Kusasi, to 15 years imprisonment for robbery and possessing locally manufactured pistol without lawful authority.       The convict pleaded guilty, and Alhassan Yakuba, his accomplice, was acquitted and discharged.       Chief Inspector Edward Paddy told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that on March 15, 2010, at about 0400 hours, the complainant,  Amevor Delali, was traveling with his daughter, on a motor bike  from Kyekyeada to Dadieso in the Western.      The court heard that on reaching a section of the road near Nyamekelgene junction,  Kusasi and  Yakubu  ordered Delali to stop but he (victim) ignored them and sped away.      Insp. Paddy said the convict shot the victim at the upper part of his abdomen with a locally manufactured pistol.   The prosecution said Delali managed to ride to Kwabena Nateg check point, and reported the matter to the security officers there.     Insp. Paddy said security officials accompanied the victim to the scene but the convict and his accomplice had fled.     The prosecution said the victim later identified the convict on unregistered motor bike believed to have been stolen from the security check point.      Insp. Paddy said when Kusasi was arrested and a search was conducted on him, a locally manufactured pistol and two life cartridges were found concealed in a compartment of the motor bike, and a wrap of dried leaves, suspected to be Indian hemp in his possession.      The prosecution said when the weapon was sent for examination, it was found to have been fired, and the suspected dried leaves found to be cannabis.   GNA...

Nkoranza (B/A) Oct. 29, GNA – The First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama at the weekend called for an effective collaboration between chiefs and the security agencies to sustain national stability towards Election 2012.           She emphasised that as the embodiment of the people, the role of chiefs is paramount in peace building since most Ghanaians hold them in high esteem.           Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza to climax the Munufie Kese Festival, Mrs Mahama noted that views of chiefs have influence on their communities whilst their opinions are well respected.          This year’s celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Paramount Chief of Nkoranza.          It is a period for the purification of the various stools and insignia of the State, which are the embodiment of Nkoranzaman.          The festival was attended by thousands of indigenes of Nkoranza from all walks of life to prepare and strengthen them for the challenges and opportunities of the ensuing year and formally permit the eating of the new yam planted during the preceding farming season.          Mrs Mahama, who is an inhabitant of Nkoranza, told the chiefs that although they are barred from active partisan politics; it does not that they should remain unconcerned when political parties engage in activities that could jeopardise national stability especially in the heat of the electioneering.         She appealed to the people to support President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to retain power to facilitate more development projects.         The First Lady explained that it is the desire of President Mahama not only to promote quality education but also ensure that the health needs of the people are achieved.         Mrs Mahama said 2013 is an action year where the citizenry would witness tremendous improvement in their standard of living through job creation and poverty reduction interventions.         She said all these would be a reality when the electorate vote for the NDC and ensure that national peace is sustained before, during and after the elections.         Mrs Mahama presented 260 laptops for distribution among students in the traditional area and additional 40 computers for a new ICT centre she had built for the people.        In addition, she presented alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and GH¢5,000 cash to support the celebration. Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Member of the Council of State who represented President Mahama emphasised that Government would not tolerate individuals and groups whose activities could cause tension in Election 2012.      She advised the political parties to adhere to the electoral laws and conduct their campaigns based on development issues.      Mrs Johnson advised chiefs to take the responsibility to sensitise their people on the need for national peace as the government had directed the security agencies not to deal leniently with trouble makers.      Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister called on the people to play their part at peace building and sustenance as a collective responsibility.      Okatakyie Kudom noted that political stability, expansion in socio-economic infrastructure and the unity in development that the traditional area had enjoyed for the past years was unprecedented.      He said road network, education and agriculture had all increased and improved but added that the two major roads connecting Nkoranza to Jema Nkwanta and Nkoranza-Abease-Atebubu needed immediate attention.      Okatakyie Kudom emphasised that Ghanaians have no other place to run to when politics of insults and violence destabilised the country.      He entreated the citizenry to collectively and jealously protect the prevailing peace in the country to achieve the objective of development in unity.   GNA...

Tamale, Oct 29, GNA - Three youth groups on Sunday embarked on a float through the principal streets of Tamale in support of President John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming December 7th polls.       They are members of the Zongo Community, ‘Girls Girls’ for John Mahama and Youth for John Mahama.        Dignitaries including, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, Madam Hawa Boya Gariba, Deputy Minister of Women and Children were present to grace the function.          Addressing the gathering after the procession, Mr. Mabengba said John Mahama-led government was committed to empowering and developing the country’s future leaders.      He called on the youth to vote for NDC to retain the party in office due to the massive developmental projects in education, health, economic, social and agricultural sectors.      Mr Mabengba said NDC was confident that, per the good initiatives implemented, the NDC would win the election one touch.      He, however, said that does not mean the party should rest on its efforts but should rather work tirelessly for its dream to be achieved.      Mr Asiedu Nketia inaugurated leaders of the groups and charged them to canvass for more votes for the President, to help the NDC retain power in the general elections, in order to be able to pursue the Better Ghana Agenda.       Ms Cornelia Daasah, the Organiser of the Programm told Ghana News Agency in an interview that considering the limited time left for the elections, the groups would embark on effective campaign programmes for the President.      She said they would adopt house-to-house, door-to-door and face-to-face campaigns at the market places to sell the message of the good works under the leadership of John Mahama's government and the NDC to the electorate.       “We know this elections will not be like the last elections where we went on the first, second and the third round before the Electoral Commission (EC) was able to declare the winner,' she noted, and emphasized that John Mahama would win the elections in a 'one touch' victory.       She was convinced that a presidential candidate with the caliber of John Mahama, a peace loving person who preaches peace, deserved the mandate of the people to help sustain peace in the country.     GNA...

  Yendi (NR), Oct 29, GNA - The Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services (AGREDS), has presented items worth GH¢15,000.00 to the people of Zugu, Gbangbaliga, Kpachiyili and Adibo communities in the Yendi Municipality of Northern Region.      The items include 62 dual desks for Zugu and Kpachiyili Early Childhood and Development Centre (EDC) schools, eight groundnut shelling machines and 32 bee hives for Zugu, Gbungbaluga, Kpachiyili and Adibo communities worth GH¢15,000.00.        The Programme Coordinator for Yendi Area Child Development Programme (YACDP), Mr. George Maalung Kombian, who presented the items on behalf of the Executive Director of AGREDS, Mr. Joseph Kwame Wumbe, stated that apart from the items, an amount of GH¢18,000.00 had been granted to four groups of Adibo and Kpachiyili as credit micro schemes for them to go into groundnut extraction, trading and farming to be paid within six months period.        Mr. Kombian indicated that the four groups were made up of 120 members of which 85 per cent comprised women.         He noted that the core business of Yendi Area Child Development Programme was child family sponsorship through the support of Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC).       Mr. Kombian said Yendi Area Child Development Programme collaborated with their local communities and as well as state and non-state actors to sponsor children, families and communities in water, sanitation and hygiene (IWASH), health and Nutrition, education, micro Enterprise Development and strengthening community organization.         According to the Programme Coordinator Yendi Area Child Development Programme government siminar committed to education and community sustainability of six schools in Zugu Primary School, Gbungbaliga Primary and Junior High School, Kpachiyili Primary and Adibo Primary and Junior High School all within its catchment areas.        He announced that AGREDS had started the construction of a two classroom block for an Early Childhood Development Centre for Kpachiyili, three classroom blocks for Gbungbaliga, Junior High School which will soon be completed.        Mr. Kombian stated that their aim was to promote the holistic development of children in the Yendi Municipality by providing and influencing the child’s access to education, recreation, health care good nutrition, life skills among others.        Mr. Kombian advised the school teachers and the communities to use the items judiciously, adding that the maintenance of the dual desks and the other items should be a responsibility of the schools and communities if they were to be sustained.   GNA...

Cape Coast (C/R), Oct. 29, GNA - Alhaji Yussif Captain, National Coordinator of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Zongo Caucus, has urged the caucus membership to forge ahead with unity to ensure victory for the party in the upcoming general elections.      He said the NDC stood for peace and development and appealed to the rank and file to forgive and forget each others’ sins and unite for the party to retain power under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.       Alhaji Captain was addressing regional, districts and wards coordinators of the Zongo Caucus in Cape Coast at the Central Region on Sunday.       He said over the last three years the NDC had improved the lives of people in Zongo communities through development of education, health and social infrastructure and human resource.       Alhaji Captain said the New Patriotic Party in its quest for political power was giving series of promises to win votes in the Central Region, which members of the Zongo Caucus must beware of.      Earlier at a funeral in Takoradi for late Hajia Ayishetu, mother of Alhaji Bawa Ismael, former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, noted that peace and unity was more than wealth and urged party members to continue to preach peace in all their endeavors.      He said the ”All-Die-Be-Die” agenda, which was being pursued by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), was not out of Ghanaians minds, adding that “The NDC is a peaceful party and would continue to be peaceful till thy Kingdom come.”       Alhaji Ismael said because the NPP lost most sweats in the Central Region in the last elections, it was doing all it could to penetrate the minds of the people.       He said the NPP free Senior High School (SHS) policy was impossible and that the NDC government in its quest to prioritize education was currently providing free school uniforms, exercise books, increase Capitation Grant by 50 per cent and also expand the School Feeding Programme to reach more deprived school.       Mr Mohammed Barkwa Ali, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Effia Constituency in the Western Region, said the responsibility of every Muslim in the election was to preach peace unity and development.       Mr Ali said the NDC Government had recognized the contribution of Muslims in the country, adding “This has reflected in the organization of Hajj in the past four years.”       Alhaji Abubakar Hajj Issah, Deputy Regional Coordinator of the Zongo Caucus in the Central Region said, “We (Caucus) are facing too many logistical and financial problems in running the caucus in the region.”       “We are being neglected by the Regional Minister, the Municipal and District Chief Executives, Members of Parliament (MP) and the Party Regional Executives”.   GNA  ...

  Kumasi, Oct. 29, GNA – Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, has urged the youth to be vigilant and resist any attempt by someone or group of persons to engage in electoral violence as the nation prepares for the December 7th polls.   The youth, he said, were likely to be targeted by self-seeking politicians to foment trouble in the run up to the December general elections and warned that this could be counterproductive to the sustenance of peace in the country.   He reminded them of their constitutional mandate to use their energies, expertise and skills for productive ventures, saying it was the responsibility of the Ghanaian youth not to repeat the mistakes of other war-torn African countries.   Dr. Agyemang-Mensah, who was addressing a peace rally at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi on Sunday cited the untold hardships and calamities that befell some youth who engaged in such violence.   The rally was organized by the Ashanti Regional Cadet Corps and had in attendance about 5,000 pupils and students drawn from 75 schools.   It aimed at creating awareness about the role of the youth in ensuring incident-free elections.   “The Youth as Tools for Peaceful Elections” was the theme.   The Minister called for regular sensitization workshops and educational programmes to create the awareness for peaceful polls.   Dr. Agyemang-Mensah urged the Cadet Corps to liaise with other related organizations with the view to embarking on outreach programmes to demonstrate to the people the negative effects inherent in electoral violence.   Mr. Felix Atingyena, the Regional Cadet Commander, enumerated the significance of the concept of cadet in nation building and noted that it helped in moulding the youth into responsible adults.     GNA  ...

  Kyebi (E/R), Oct. 29, GNA - The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin II, had blamed unnecessary political interferences in the educational system for the falling standard of education at all levels in the country.      He said if the trend continued, it would do more damage to the country and therefore called on politicians in the country, to stop playing politics with the educational system.      Addressing the 21st anniversary and the first speech and prize giving day of the Kyebi Senior High and Technical School at Kyebi on Saturday, the Okyenhene said it was time government prioritize education and push more resources into it by motivating teachers, especially those who accept postings to rural areas.      Okyenhene said to ensure quality education at all levels, it was necessary for all stakeholders to play their respective roles and therefore urged parents to consider education of their wards important investment and commit resources to it.      “Parents must be responsible enough to ensure that all children of school going age should be in school and provide them with all the necessary resources,” he stressed.      The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Victor Emmanuel Smith said the bold decision of government to expand access to secondary education by adding 119 second cycle schools to the then existing ones in the 1987 educational reforms, had yielded results.          Mr Smith said every child born on this earth was endowed with potentials or abilities which could only develop to the fullest with formal education.      Mr Smith said government had committed huge percentage of its budget to education in the form of salaries of teachers and educational staff, subsidizing school fees, providing free text books, training teachers, providing infrastructure and supporting manpower needs to facilitate teaching and learning.      He urged teachers to consider themselves as part of the solutions to the many problems that confront the youth in the country.      “They must serve as good role models for students and inspire them to rise to the highest academic levels,” he said.       The Headmaster of the school, Mr Stephen Aglah said the school was established in 1991 as one of the 119 secondary and technical schools established to absorbed products of the then junior secondary schools to expand access to secondary education.       The school has a population of 1,500 comprising 850 boys and 650 girls.       Mr Aglah mentioned some of the challenges of the school as lack of classroom blocks, lack of boarding facilities to cater for ever increasing number of boarders and lack of accommodation for teachers.       The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Mr Attah Akyea donated GH¢ 3,000 to support the fund raising aimed at completing the ongoing Parents Teachers Association (PTA) projects in the school.       GNA  ...

Apam (C/R), Oct. 29, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has embarked on outreach programmes to ascertain the party’s preparedness for the December seven general election.   Mr Jacob Arthur,  leader of one of the outreach teams in the Central Region told supporters of the Party at Apam that the people of the Region must count themselves lucky for the nomination of Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur as the Vice-President and the Running Mate for the party’s flagbearer, Mr John Dramani Mahama.   He pointed out that Mr Amissah-Arthurs’ nomination was the result of the good relationship between the late President John Evans Atta Mills and the current President John Dramani Mahama whom the former had prepared very well for the presidency.   Mr Arthur appealed to supporters to abide by the electoral regulation and comport themselves well before, during and after the elections, since the NDC could not afford to miss a single vote from its supporters.   He cautioned them to desist from engaging in political arguments, especially on the day of the election which could degenerate into violence.   Professor Samuel M. Quartey, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic called on Ghanaians to change their mind-set about joining political parties.   He said some people regarded political parties as gold mines and wished to become rich through the party. They must let the development of their communities to override their personal interests, he added.   Prof Quartey appealed to the party supporters to stay away from the polling station after casting their votes to allow the electoral officers and the accredited party agents to do the rest of the work.   Mr Francis Kojo Arthur, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West and the NDC parliamentary aspirant, assured the team that the party would retain the seat in the December elections.   He said his assurance was based on the good work the party had done in the constituency.   He said the party was ready to sweep the election and appealed to the party to provide additional T-Shirts for the teeming supporters.   GNA...

Saltpond (C/R), Oct. 29, GNA – The Deputy Central Regional Minister, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah has urged Ghanaians to rally behind the winners of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.   He said the bitter rivalry currently going on amongst supporters of various candidates must cease immediately after the elections to pave way for the people to rally behind the winners to facilitate the development of the nation.   Mr Quansah was addressing the Ayerye Festival of the Nyimfa Division of the Nkusukum Traditional Council at Lower Saltpond, also called Nankesido, at the weekend.   The Deputy Regional Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman, said it was unfortunate that due to partisan politics some politicians on the opposition side could pray for the failure of a project their counterpart was lobbying for in order not to get credit for it no matter whether the project would benefit the one seeking its failure or not.   “Politics is a process, a politician will come and play his or her part and go for another person to come and continue,” he said, and added that “people must not be misled to perceive that it is only when one is in government that one can bring development to the people”.   Mr Quansah expressed concern about land litigation in the constituency and appealed to chiefs and land owners to quickly resolve problems over lands meant for projects in the communities.   He said recently a community in the constituency lost a school project because the land allocated for it was in dispute.   The Deputy Minister appealed to Ghanaians to make the upcoming general election an incident–free one.   He urged them to pray for God’s direction before they cast their votes and to go home after exercising their franchise.   Nana Baa VII, Nyimfahen of Nkusukum Traditional Area and chief of Nankesedo appealed to television stations and video operators who had video clips on civil wars to constantly screen them for Ghanaians to see how devastating it was so as to scare them from doing anything which could degenerate into a war.   Nana Baa pointed out that majority of civil wars in Africa were caused by elections and appealed to Ghanaians to bear in mind that there was only one Ghana in the world which they dared not destroy.   GNA...