Page 13, Aug 25, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, Mr Kofi Asamoah, has called on the government to put in place adequate structures and appropriate legal measures to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian benefited from the oil and gas find.
He said it would be impossible for Ghana to overcome the challenges associated with the production of oil and gas if it failed to put in place measures to ensure that people and not leaders, as well as giant oil companies benefited from the find.
He said with both good and bad lessons available from other oil and gas producing countries, Ghana could not fail, but rely on such experiences to avoid the curse associated with the industry.
Addressing a day’s seminar organised by the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union in Accra, he said averting the curse of the oil and gas industry did not require just optimism but laws to create a legitimate and effective framework to regulate the industry.
The seminar was on the theme, “Petroleum woes: repositioning for the production of oil and gas in Ghana”.
He said for the TUC, an oil economy presented opportunities for the creation of jobs and a national economy with enough fiscal space to pay a living wage.
Mr Asamoah explained that would, however, not come on a silver platter since the experience was that the multinationals were less tolerant of trade unions.
He said that required a repositioned TUC to organise and ensure that the rights of workers are protected.
“We must take keen interest in occupational health and safety issues and not only concern ourselves with bread and butter issues”.
He said the TUC had been following developments in the oil and gas sector and expressed concern about the seeming secrecy surrounding oil and gas contracts.
Mr Asamoah said it was only appropriate that Ghanaians got to know the contents of oil and gas agreements and contracts entered into on their behalf by the government.
Touching on oil-related bills currently before Parliament, the TUC boss said it was difficult to understand the fact that organised labour was not represented on the oil revenue management board and expressed the hope that such anomaly would be addressed before the bill was passed into law.
Delivering the keynote address, a Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said government was conscious of the fact that the oil and gas find in the Jubilee Field was an opportunity to enhance the country’s growth and development.
He said it was against that backdrop that the government had shown commitment by taking a number of important initiatives to make the Jubilee project happen in a manner that would ensure maximum benefit to all the major stakeholders in the country.
On human resource development for the sector, Mr Buah said the Ministries of Energy and Education were collaborating to develop the necessary curricula for Technical and Vocational Education Training (COTVET) to meet the human resource requirements of the oil and gas industry.
He said it was heartwarming that virtually all the major public universities had introduced oil and gas related studies, while some polytechnics and technical institutions had begun to introduce hands-on petroleum-related courses to provide some of the most essential skills required at the production and middle-management levels for the effective functioning of the industry.
Mr Buah gave assurance that government would continue to ensure that the right regulatory framework was in place to enable the Ghanaians worker succeed in the oil and gas industry.
For his part, the General Secretary of the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union, Mr E.A Mensah, said the union was reliably informed that even though recruitment of workers by private employment agencies for the oil and gas sector was going on well, the employers on the rigs were not treating Ghanaian personnel on-board fairly.
He, therefore, called on the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), which is the regulator to regularly monitor activities of the various rigs to protect Ghanaian workers on-board.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Politicians must not toy with educational reforms
Page 12, Aug 25, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Matilda Attram
THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has called on politicians not to experiment with the country’s educational reforms in order not to jeopardise the well being of the Ghanaian student.
Expressing concern about the recent amendment of the 2007 Education Reform Policy, which reduced the duration of senior high school from four years to three years, the General Assembly said: "We are of the view that the future of school children in particular and education in general must be of concern to all and policies on education delivery must be tried and tested over a long period before change, so that we avoid undue experimentation of education in the country."
The church expressed the concern in a communiqué adopted at the 10th General Assembly of the church held at Takoradi recently and presented at a press conference in Accra by the Moderator of the church, Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso.
"We have found that most parents, especially in the rural areas, find it difficult to provide the needs of children due to the rising cost of education, "the communiqué said and called on the government to partner with churches to find lasting solutions to challenges facing education in the country.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the communiqué also expressed concern about the reported allegations of mismanagement of funds and encouraged the government to thoroughly investigate these allegations and, if proven, seek justice for the wanton dissipation of state resources.
It, however, called for strenuous efforts to be made to strengthen and sustain the NHIS and insulate it from political interference. Touching on the provision of housing in the country, the church lauded the recent $10 billion STX and government deal to build 200,000 affordable housing units throughout the country and expressed the believe that the initiative would help to reduce the housing deficit and inject massive resources into Ghana's social development economy.
"However, we entreat government to take steps to tie up the knotty issues that were creating tension between government, the Minority in Parliament and other civil society organisations.”
On corruption, the General Assembly of the church said it found it worrying that the country was still struggling with the battle against corruption and asked the government to be passionate in leading a frontal attack on corruption by the application of appropriate sanctions to serve as a deterrent to others.
On governance, the church appreciated Parliament for its contribution to the growth and deepening of democratic governance process. It, however, appealed to the House to expedite the process of alleviating the poverty levels of the people.
The communiqué also commended the executive for its efforts to ensure general peace and stability in the country, particularly measures to curb armed robbery and other serious crimes.
It, however, considered as worrisome the unresolved conflicts in some parts of the northern Ghana.
"We note with satisfaction government efforts to curb the recent spate of indiscipline relating to attacks, seizures and closure of public offices by foot soldiers and supporters of the ruling party and urge the law enforcement agencies to apply the law."
It also touched on the performance of the judiciary and commended the Chief Justice for a good work done. It said, the General Assembly, however, was not happy about the
"seeming culture of delays in the delivery of justice and undue interference in the work of the judiciary by politicians. "We urge the judiciary to make every effort to ensure that cases are speedily tries and disposed off to reduce particularly, the number of accused persons on remand and congestion in prisons," the communiqué stated.
On the Single Spine Salary Structure, the church commended the government for the initiative and explained that even though the policy was fraught with initial problems of distortions and some inequities in assessing salary regimes and job evaluation mechanisms,
it would help in addressing the imbalances in salary administration in the civil and public services.
While commending the media for playing its watchdog role, the communiqué also said the church was not comfortable with the high levels of sensationalism and unprofessionalism in the practice of journalism, particularly by some radio stations.
It said the incidence of pornography on the screen and electronic media was not the best since it was detrimental to the development of the country.
"The General Assembly urges the Ghana Journalists Association to partner with the National Media Commission to facilitate the development and promulgation of the Broadcasting Standards Law to regulate the operation of radio stations.
On the Christian community, the communiqué said the PCG was disturbed by acts of a few Christian leaders, which had brought Christianity into disrepute.
"The General Assemble reiterate its call to the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal Council and the leaders of all other religious denominations to rise up and weed out all such charlatans among their fold."
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Matilda Attram
THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has called on politicians not to experiment with the country’s educational reforms in order not to jeopardise the well being of the Ghanaian student.
Expressing concern about the recent amendment of the 2007 Education Reform Policy, which reduced the duration of senior high school from four years to three years, the General Assembly said: "We are of the view that the future of school children in particular and education in general must be of concern to all and policies on education delivery must be tried and tested over a long period before change, so that we avoid undue experimentation of education in the country."
The church expressed the concern in a communiqué adopted at the 10th General Assembly of the church held at Takoradi recently and presented at a press conference in Accra by the Moderator of the church, Right Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso.
"We have found that most parents, especially in the rural areas, find it difficult to provide the needs of children due to the rising cost of education, "the communiqué said and called on the government to partner with churches to find lasting solutions to challenges facing education in the country.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the communiqué also expressed concern about the reported allegations of mismanagement of funds and encouraged the government to thoroughly investigate these allegations and, if proven, seek justice for the wanton dissipation of state resources.
It, however, called for strenuous efforts to be made to strengthen and sustain the NHIS and insulate it from political interference. Touching on the provision of housing in the country, the church lauded the recent $10 billion STX and government deal to build 200,000 affordable housing units throughout the country and expressed the believe that the initiative would help to reduce the housing deficit and inject massive resources into Ghana's social development economy.
"However, we entreat government to take steps to tie up the knotty issues that were creating tension between government, the Minority in Parliament and other civil society organisations.”
On corruption, the General Assembly of the church said it found it worrying that the country was still struggling with the battle against corruption and asked the government to be passionate in leading a frontal attack on corruption by the application of appropriate sanctions to serve as a deterrent to others.
On governance, the church appreciated Parliament for its contribution to the growth and deepening of democratic governance process. It, however, appealed to the House to expedite the process of alleviating the poverty levels of the people.
The communiqué also commended the executive for its efforts to ensure general peace and stability in the country, particularly measures to curb armed robbery and other serious crimes.
It, however, considered as worrisome the unresolved conflicts in some parts of the northern Ghana.
"We note with satisfaction government efforts to curb the recent spate of indiscipline relating to attacks, seizures and closure of public offices by foot soldiers and supporters of the ruling party and urge the law enforcement agencies to apply the law."
It also touched on the performance of the judiciary and commended the Chief Justice for a good work done. It said, the General Assembly, however, was not happy about the
"seeming culture of delays in the delivery of justice and undue interference in the work of the judiciary by politicians. "We urge the judiciary to make every effort to ensure that cases are speedily tries and disposed off to reduce particularly, the number of accused persons on remand and congestion in prisons," the communiqué stated.
On the Single Spine Salary Structure, the church commended the government for the initiative and explained that even though the policy was fraught with initial problems of distortions and some inequities in assessing salary regimes and job evaluation mechanisms,
it would help in addressing the imbalances in salary administration in the civil and public services.
While commending the media for playing its watchdog role, the communiqué also said the church was not comfortable with the high levels of sensationalism and unprofessionalism in the practice of journalism, particularly by some radio stations.
It said the incidence of pornography on the screen and electronic media was not the best since it was detrimental to the development of the country.
"The General Assembly urges the Ghana Journalists Association to partner with the National Media Commission to facilitate the development and promulgation of the Broadcasting Standards Law to regulate the operation of radio stations.
On the Christian community, the communiqué said the PCG was disturbed by acts of a few Christian leaders, which had brought Christianity into disrepute.
"The General Assemble reiterate its call to the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal Council and the leaders of all other religious denominations to rise up and weed out all such charlatans among their fold."
Range Rover to launch new models
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah, Back from Porto, Portugal
THE latest model of the Range Rover vehicle is expected to hit the market in 2011 to commemorate the 40th anniversary launch of the vehicle.
Launched in 1970, officials of the company maintain the Range Rover is not an entirely new type of vehicle and neither is it a Land Rover or a conventional car.
According to Mike Gould, an experienced journalist, who had been writing about the Range Rover vehicles over the years, Range Rovers combined Land Rovers and conventional cars to create a whole new concept of a vehicle which is comfortable off-road as on-road.
That is exactly what the 2011 model of the vehicle, which has been named Range Rover Autobiography, seeks to achieve.
Even though the Range Rover Autobiography is yet to be outdoored, officials of the company say clients are yearning to buy the vehicle.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary, 700 out of the number of the 2011 model of the Range Rover have been specially made and named Range Rover Autobiography Black.
This brand of the 2011 model has been described as; “The ultimate incarnation of a motoring icon, the Range Rover Autobiography Black 40th Anniversary Limited edition is quite simply the last word in bespoke vehicles”.
To prove how versatile the Range Rover Autobiography is, selected journalists who report on the motor industry were assembled in Porto, Portugal to test-drive the vehicles before they were outdoored.
Through the sponsorship of the Range Rover Company and the assistance of the PHC Motors, the sole Ghanaian dealer of Land Rover/Range Rover vehicles, this writer had the privilege of being among four selected journalists from Africa, who joined their counterparts from other parts of the world to test-drive the new Range Rover both on the on-road and off-road in Porto and Douro Valley countryside in Portugal.
The other three journalists from Africa were selected from Kenya, Zimbabwe and Angola.
The Douro Valley, near Porto, with its unique features of mountains and steeps was considered a fitting area for the selected journalists to test-drive the yet-to be outdoored 2011 edition of the Range Rover vehicle.
Briefing the journalists before the exercise, Chief Programme Engineer of the Range Rover Company, Mr Paul Walker explained that the existing Range Rover was already the world’s best luxury all-terrain vehicle adding that “a wealth of enhancements to the Range Rover for 2011 means that the best is about to become even better”.
He stated that the company had added two more functions to its patented terrain-response for added safety and peace of mind of users.
Mr Walker said while retaining the incompatible 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharge and naturally aspirated engines, the Range Rover for 2011 has additional LR-TDV8 super engine.
Already Land/Range Rover vehicles have been re-lanched in Ghana with the PHC Motors Limited as the sole dealers.
The Managing Director of PHC Motors, Mr Paul Kwabena Pepera said during the re-launch last month that it was heart-warming that 14 years after the dealership in the country was taken away from his company, it had won back the dealership.
The, company, according to him had spent one year undergoing intensive training, amassing a healthy stock of spare parts and investing in the latest Land/Range Rover diagnostic equipment, as well as assembling a team of experienced managers and technicians to handle the franchise.
THE latest model of the Range Rover vehicle is expected to hit the market in 2011 to commemorate the 40th anniversary launch of the vehicle.
Launched in 1970, officials of the company maintain the Range Rover is not an entirely new type of vehicle and neither is it a Land Rover or a conventional car.
According to Mike Gould, an experienced journalist, who had been writing about the Range Rover vehicles over the years, Range Rovers combined Land Rovers and conventional cars to create a whole new concept of a vehicle which is comfortable off-road as on-road.
That is exactly what the 2011 model of the vehicle, which has been named Range Rover Autobiography, seeks to achieve.
Even though the Range Rover Autobiography is yet to be outdoored, officials of the company say clients are yearning to buy the vehicle.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary, 700 out of the number of the 2011 model of the Range Rover have been specially made and named Range Rover Autobiography Black.
This brand of the 2011 model has been described as; “The ultimate incarnation of a motoring icon, the Range Rover Autobiography Black 40th Anniversary Limited edition is quite simply the last word in bespoke vehicles”.
To prove how versatile the Range Rover Autobiography is, selected journalists who report on the motor industry were assembled in Porto, Portugal to test-drive the vehicles before they were outdoored.
Through the sponsorship of the Range Rover Company and the assistance of the PHC Motors, the sole Ghanaian dealer of Land Rover/Range Rover vehicles, this writer had the privilege of being among four selected journalists from Africa, who joined their counterparts from other parts of the world to test-drive the new Range Rover both on the on-road and off-road in Porto and Douro Valley countryside in Portugal.
The other three journalists from Africa were selected from Kenya, Zimbabwe and Angola.
The Douro Valley, near Porto, with its unique features of mountains and steeps was considered a fitting area for the selected journalists to test-drive the yet-to be outdoored 2011 edition of the Range Rover vehicle.
Briefing the journalists before the exercise, Chief Programme Engineer of the Range Rover Company, Mr Paul Walker explained that the existing Range Rover was already the world’s best luxury all-terrain vehicle adding that “a wealth of enhancements to the Range Rover for 2011 means that the best is about to become even better”.
He stated that the company had added two more functions to its patented terrain-response for added safety and peace of mind of users.
Mr Walker said while retaining the incompatible 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharge and naturally aspirated engines, the Range Rover for 2011 has additional LR-TDV8 super engine.
Already Land/Range Rover vehicles have been re-lanched in Ghana with the PHC Motors Limited as the sole dealers.
The Managing Director of PHC Motors, Mr Paul Kwabena Pepera said during the re-launch last month that it was heart-warming that 14 years after the dealership in the country was taken away from his company, it had won back the dealership.
The, company, according to him had spent one year undergoing intensive training, amassing a healthy stock of spare parts and investing in the latest Land/Range Rover diagnostic equipment, as well as assembling a team of experienced managers and technicians to handle the franchise.
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