Page 15, March 11, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government has begun arrangements with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to source funds for the training of 15,000 junior high school graduates who were unable to continue their education to the second cycle level.
According to the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, the ministry, in collaboration with the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and other agencies responsible with apprenticeship training, would implement a programme meant to provide apprenticeship training in both formal and informal sectors.
The 15,000 youth are expected to be trained under the first phase of the programme.
Answering questions in Parliament last Tuesday, Mr Tettey-Enyo stated that plans were far advanced to establish the National Apprenticeship Board under the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) to oversee apprenticeship training in the country.
The Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, Mr George Yaw Boakye, posed a question inquiring from the minister about plans put in place for the large army of basic school leavers who were unable to continue their education to second cycle level, to make them productive.
Mr Tettey-Enyo explained that the curriculum of the apprenticeship programme would cover 25 identified skilled areas, and would also include communication, entrepreneurial and numeracy skills.
He stated that the government had also instituted long distance education programme, which would be launched at the Suame Magazine by June 2010, adding that courses available were automotive engineering, carpentry, welding and fabrication, hospitality and tourism, numeracy and English as a second language.
The minister said all these courses might be taken online and would be free of charge, explaining that students would learn at their own pace and acquire the work experience at the master's workshop.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said it was envisaged that graduates, after training, would be adequately prepared to start small businesses at the level of their competence in order to contribute to national development.
He explained that the government would provide the trainees with a start-up capital after their completion of the training to enable them to set up their businesses.
Answering another question, Mr Tettey-Enyo told the House that the One Laptop Per Child Programme would be scrapped and would be placed by a new programme, E-School Programme, which would be instituted by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the GETFund and the Ministry of Communications.
He said the new programme would enable the ministry to supply more laptops to schools to enable children throughout the country to be computer literate.
Mr Tettey-Enyo disclosed that the 1,000 laptops received as part of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) programme had already been distributed to 30 primary schools throughout the country, explaining that each of the laptops cost $205.
He noted that even though the OLPC programme was good, there were serious sustainability and security issues that needed to be guaranteed, adding that the ministry was committed to the deployment of ICT in teaching and learning processes.
"Efforts are being made to provide laboratory solutions and not one-to-one solution at the pre-tertiary level in view of the capital-intensive nature of ICT deployment," he said.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Assist Kulmasa disaster victims — MP
Page 14, March 8, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Mr Donald Dari Soditey, has appealed to the government and non-governmental agencies to assist victims of a recent rainstorm that hit Kulmasa in his constituency.
He said on February 20, 2010, a devastating rainstorm hit the town, ripped off the roofs of more than 73 houses, while over 700 people, mostly women and children, were rendered homeless.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Soditey said public property which was affected included two primary school buildings, a Community Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) compound and the central mosque in the town.
Mr Soditey said the victims were at the moment putting up with relatives in nearby communities such as Gindasuo and Nyoli.
The MP explained that foodstuffs and personal belongings destroyed during the disaster amounted to several thousands of Ghana cedis.
He added that as a result of the rainstorm, teaching and learning had become difficult, since schools which were destroyed during the disaster were now holding classes under trees.
Teachers, the MP stated, currently used improvised teaching and learning materials and appealed for assistance from all quarters, since the damage was too much for the district assembly to bear.
MPs who contributed to the statement sympathised with the victims of the rainstorm and called on the government to properly resource the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to enable it to offer prompt assistance to people in times of disaster.
Meanwhile, the House continued the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament on February 25, 2010.
The debate continued to be polarised, as MPs from the Majority side accused the NPP government of leaving behind a run-down economy, while the Minority side accused the President of failed promises.
The presence of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, to take part in the debate generated argument between the two sides of the House.
The MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, raised a point of order when Mrs Mould-Iddrisu was given the chance to make her submission.
He explained that it would be proper for the Executive not to interfere with the debate and allow MPs to deliberate on the address.
But the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, referred the House to Article 111 of the Constitution which permitted the Vice-President, ministers and deputy ministers to take part in debates and proceedings of the House.
The First Deputy Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, then ruled that the Attorney-General could take part in the debate.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Mr Donald Dari Soditey, has appealed to the government and non-governmental agencies to assist victims of a recent rainstorm that hit Kulmasa in his constituency.
He said on February 20, 2010, a devastating rainstorm hit the town, ripped off the roofs of more than 73 houses, while over 700 people, mostly women and children, were rendered homeless.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr Soditey said public property which was affected included two primary school buildings, a Community Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) compound and the central mosque in the town.
Mr Soditey said the victims were at the moment putting up with relatives in nearby communities such as Gindasuo and Nyoli.
The MP explained that foodstuffs and personal belongings destroyed during the disaster amounted to several thousands of Ghana cedis.
He added that as a result of the rainstorm, teaching and learning had become difficult, since schools which were destroyed during the disaster were now holding classes under trees.
Teachers, the MP stated, currently used improvised teaching and learning materials and appealed for assistance from all quarters, since the damage was too much for the district assembly to bear.
MPs who contributed to the statement sympathised with the victims of the rainstorm and called on the government to properly resource the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to enable it to offer prompt assistance to people in times of disaster.
Meanwhile, the House continued the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address presented to Parliament on February 25, 2010.
The debate continued to be polarised, as MPs from the Majority side accused the NPP government of leaving behind a run-down economy, while the Minority side accused the President of failed promises.
The presence of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, to take part in the debate generated argument between the two sides of the House.
The MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, raised a point of order when Mrs Mould-Iddrisu was given the chance to make her submission.
He explained that it would be proper for the Executive not to interfere with the debate and allow MPs to deliberate on the address.
But the Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avoka, referred the House to Article 111 of the Constitution which permitted the Vice-President, ministers and deputy ministers to take part in debates and proceedings of the House.
The First Deputy Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, then ruled that the Attorney-General could take part in the debate.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Upper Denkyira West Constituency development on course — MP
Page 11, March 5, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Upper Denkyira West, Mr Benjamin Kofi Ayeh, has instituted a scholarship scheme to assist needy students in their academic pursuits.
Currently, 750 students in second-cycle and tertiary educational institutions are benefiting from the scheme, which is being financed with the MP’s share of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
Mr Ayeh told the Daily Graphic that the decision to institute the fund was born from his belief that the area would be well developed if the potential of the youth were properly harnessed.
He said it was his aim, therefore, to support the human resource development through the scheme and also provide educational infrastructure to create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the constituency.
Mr Ayeh added that he had been organising vacation classes for final-year students in basic schools in the area to enable them come out with better results.
He stated that he had used part of his share of the various funds to construct a 12-classroom block for the Ayanfuri Senior High School (SHS) and also provided 40 computers, 100 bags of cement and two water tanks for the Diaso SHS.
Mr Ayeh said there were plans for the establishment of a new SHS in the constituency next academic year to offer junior high school (JHS) leavers second-cycle education.
On energy, the MP stated that during his tenure of office, about 30 communities had been connected to the national electricity grid, which had helped in the establishment of small-scale businesses in the area, while 500 electric bulbs had been distributed to the various communities.
Mr Ayeh said he had reshaped the Agona Port-Asaman road at his own expense while the Nkwantanum-Asaman road would be reconstructed under the Cocoa Roads Rehabilitation Programme.
The MP said the constituency, which was raised to a district status recently, had witnessed considerable development with 13 towns being provided with potable water under the Small Towns Water Project being implemented by the Community Water and Sanitation Programme in addition to the provision of several boreholes.
The beneficiary communities are Ntom, Bethlehem, Maudaso, Amenase, Ayanfuri, Nkotimso, Nyinawusu, Obuasi, Anwiaso, Ananekrom, Jamesonkwanta, Agona Port and Diaso.
Mr Ayeh said to help the beneficiary communities to pay their counterpart contribution towards the water projects, the Central Ashanti Gold Company provided GH¢35,000 while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the 2008 general election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave GH¢20,000.
He added that a number of markets had also been completed at Gyaman, Nkotimso, Anwianwia and Besease while blocks were currently being moulded for the construction of new ones at Agona Port, Maudaso, Bethlehem and Obuasi.
The MP said through his efforts and that of the district assembly and the government, the young Upper Denkyira West District had seen considerable development within a relatively short time.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Upper Denkyira West, Mr Benjamin Kofi Ayeh, has instituted a scholarship scheme to assist needy students in their academic pursuits.
Currently, 750 students in second-cycle and tertiary educational institutions are benefiting from the scheme, which is being financed with the MP’s share of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
Mr Ayeh told the Daily Graphic that the decision to institute the fund was born from his belief that the area would be well developed if the potential of the youth were properly harnessed.
He said it was his aim, therefore, to support the human resource development through the scheme and also provide educational infrastructure to create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the constituency.
Mr Ayeh added that he had been organising vacation classes for final-year students in basic schools in the area to enable them come out with better results.
He stated that he had used part of his share of the various funds to construct a 12-classroom block for the Ayanfuri Senior High School (SHS) and also provided 40 computers, 100 bags of cement and two water tanks for the Diaso SHS.
Mr Ayeh said there were plans for the establishment of a new SHS in the constituency next academic year to offer junior high school (JHS) leavers second-cycle education.
On energy, the MP stated that during his tenure of office, about 30 communities had been connected to the national electricity grid, which had helped in the establishment of small-scale businesses in the area, while 500 electric bulbs had been distributed to the various communities.
Mr Ayeh said he had reshaped the Agona Port-Asaman road at his own expense while the Nkwantanum-Asaman road would be reconstructed under the Cocoa Roads Rehabilitation Programme.
The MP said the constituency, which was raised to a district status recently, had witnessed considerable development with 13 towns being provided with potable water under the Small Towns Water Project being implemented by the Community Water and Sanitation Programme in addition to the provision of several boreholes.
The beneficiary communities are Ntom, Bethlehem, Maudaso, Amenase, Ayanfuri, Nkotimso, Nyinawusu, Obuasi, Anwiaso, Ananekrom, Jamesonkwanta, Agona Port and Diaso.
Mr Ayeh said to help the beneficiary communities to pay their counterpart contribution towards the water projects, the Central Ashanti Gold Company provided GH¢35,000 while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for the 2008 general election, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave GH¢20,000.
He added that a number of markets had also been completed at Gyaman, Nkotimso, Anwianwia and Besease while blocks were currently being moulded for the construction of new ones at Agona Port, Maudaso, Bethlehem and Obuasi.
The MP said through his efforts and that of the district assembly and the government, the young Upper Denkyira West District had seen considerable development within a relatively short time.
Lively, decorous debate on President's address
Page 17, March 4, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
LIVELY and decorous exchanges characterised the beginning of the debate of the President’s State of the Nation’s address which he delivered to the House last Thursday.
While the address, which touched on various aspects of the social, economic and political sectors of the country, received commendations from the Majority members who contributed to the debate, MPs from the Minority side maintained their stand that the address woefully failed to address the real needs of the people.
The NDC MP for Garu-Tempani, Mr Dominic Azumah, who moved the motion to thank the President for the address, said the President deserved high commendation for what he described as “his remarkable submissions”.
“In his usual calm, humorous and intelligent presentation, the President has indeed proven to all Ghanaians that he is President for all,” he said.
Mr Azumah explained that by his reconciliatory message and the invitation for the inter-party collaboration, the President had exhibited he would move the country forward.
He said with the economic challenges in 2008 arising from several factors including the world economic meltdown, the country needed a well economic management team to take bold and difficult measures to be able to achieve fiscal and microeconomic stability.
Mr Azumah stated that through the sterling performance of the President and his team, the economic paradigm of the nation would now shift from dependence on traditional raw material exports, such as cocoa, gold and timber, to diversified commodities, adding that that was a sure way of creating jobs for the youth.
He said the address made it amply clear that the President had recognised agriculture as the mainstay of the country’s economy and thus taken measures to move it a step further by the establishment of a buffer stock management agency, which would in the course of the year, rehabilitate 12 warehouses of the Ghana Food Distribution Corporation.
Mr Azumah stated that the fertiliser subsidy programme was also being expanded to all crop farmers throughout the country.
He said with the formation of premix and beach landing committees last year, the issue of premix diversion had been brought under control.
On education, Mr Azumah argued that the President, recognising that the NDC was a social democratic party, had instituted the free uniforms concept for basic schools, free education for the disabled, refurbishment of science laboratories, abolishment of the school shift system and the elimination of schools under trees.
The MP also touched on security and said statistics currently showed that armed robbery, murder, rape and narcotic offences were on decline, and commended the security forces for a good work done.
He said the government, as stated by the President, would continue to strengthen the human and material resources of the security agencies to enable them to safeguard lives and property.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Essikado-Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey, who seconded the motion moved by Mr Azumah, said it was unfortunate that the President failed to tell the people the state of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
To him, the scheme was now an apology of itself as beneficiaries were now supplied with only cheap medicines such as “codeine and APC”.
Mr Ghartey stated that nothing was also said about human rights issues in the country, and called for the abolition of section 208 of the Criminal Code which criminalised freedom of speech.
He accused the President of running away from his own promise during the 2008 election campaign in which he promised to put money in the pockets of Ghanaians.
Mr Ghartey explained that even though the NDC professed to be socially democratic, it was the NPP which actually implemented policies aimed at putting money in the pockets of the people.
He mentioned policies such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, the Metro Mass Transit and the LEAP as some of the Kufuor government’s initiatives that aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor in society.
Other MPs who contributed to the debate include the Minister of Communications and NDC MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, and the MP for Nsuta-Beposo-Kwamang, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
LIVELY and decorous exchanges characterised the beginning of the debate of the President’s State of the Nation’s address which he delivered to the House last Thursday.
While the address, which touched on various aspects of the social, economic and political sectors of the country, received commendations from the Majority members who contributed to the debate, MPs from the Minority side maintained their stand that the address woefully failed to address the real needs of the people.
The NDC MP for Garu-Tempani, Mr Dominic Azumah, who moved the motion to thank the President for the address, said the President deserved high commendation for what he described as “his remarkable submissions”.
“In his usual calm, humorous and intelligent presentation, the President has indeed proven to all Ghanaians that he is President for all,” he said.
Mr Azumah explained that by his reconciliatory message and the invitation for the inter-party collaboration, the President had exhibited he would move the country forward.
He said with the economic challenges in 2008 arising from several factors including the world economic meltdown, the country needed a well economic management team to take bold and difficult measures to be able to achieve fiscal and microeconomic stability.
Mr Azumah stated that through the sterling performance of the President and his team, the economic paradigm of the nation would now shift from dependence on traditional raw material exports, such as cocoa, gold and timber, to diversified commodities, adding that that was a sure way of creating jobs for the youth.
He said the address made it amply clear that the President had recognised agriculture as the mainstay of the country’s economy and thus taken measures to move it a step further by the establishment of a buffer stock management agency, which would in the course of the year, rehabilitate 12 warehouses of the Ghana Food Distribution Corporation.
Mr Azumah stated that the fertiliser subsidy programme was also being expanded to all crop farmers throughout the country.
He said with the formation of premix and beach landing committees last year, the issue of premix diversion had been brought under control.
On education, Mr Azumah argued that the President, recognising that the NDC was a social democratic party, had instituted the free uniforms concept for basic schools, free education for the disabled, refurbishment of science laboratories, abolishment of the school shift system and the elimination of schools under trees.
The MP also touched on security and said statistics currently showed that armed robbery, murder, rape and narcotic offences were on decline, and commended the security forces for a good work done.
He said the government, as stated by the President, would continue to strengthen the human and material resources of the security agencies to enable them to safeguard lives and property.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Essikado-Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey, who seconded the motion moved by Mr Azumah, said it was unfortunate that the President failed to tell the people the state of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
To him, the scheme was now an apology of itself as beneficiaries were now supplied with only cheap medicines such as “codeine and APC”.
Mr Ghartey stated that nothing was also said about human rights issues in the country, and called for the abolition of section 208 of the Criminal Code which criminalised freedom of speech.
He accused the President of running away from his own promise during the 2008 election campaign in which he promised to put money in the pockets of Ghanaians.
Mr Ghartey explained that even though the NDC professed to be socially democratic, it was the NPP which actually implemented policies aimed at putting money in the pockets of the people.
He mentioned policies such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme, the Metro Mass Transit and the LEAP as some of the Kufuor government’s initiatives that aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor in society.
Other MPs who contributed to the debate include the Minister of Communications and NDC MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, and the MP for Nsuta-Beposo-Kwamang, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh.
NHIA in danger if......
Frontpage March 4,2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
RESERVES for the sustenance of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) could be depleted by 2016 without the introduction of the one-time premium payment, the Ministry of Health has indicated.
According to the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, an actuarial analysis indicated that the NHIS, in its present structure, would experience a negative balance this year when the expenditure is expected to exceed revenue.
The study is one of five which have been conducted to inform the government about the way forward for the implementation of the one-time premium payment by beneficiaries of the NHIS.
He explained, however, that “an actuarially determined premium, based on current annual premiums, will give rise to amounts beyond the pockets of most Ghanaians”, adding that the study found that a one-time premium within the reach of most Ghanaians would result in the NHIF reserves getting depleted in 2015.
Further to that, the NHIS reserves would be completely used up in subsequent years and get depleted by 2016.
However, speaking to Joy FM yesterday evening to explain the position of the government on the one-time premium payment, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, stated that the government was still committed to the one-payment policy.
He said the position presented to Parliament on behalf of the ministry by his deputy was one of five scenarios being looked at by the government and that no position had been taken on the issue yet.
He said the scenario presented to Parliament by his deputy was an actuarial study conducted by the National Health Insurance Authority and that the authority was concerned about management and administrative issues, adding that policy matters were the preserve of Cabinet.
He said the position presented by his deputy that gave the impression that the one-time premium payment would be beyond the reach of many people was misleading and that the policy was doable and the government was committed to it.
Dr Kunbuor added that the government would apologise to Parliament.
Speaking on the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said in order to avoid a situation where the NHIS reserves would be depleted, the ministry was exploring other sources of funding to further build up the National Health Insurance Fund reserves and make the NHIS sustainable, even after the introduction of the one-time premium payment as proposed by the government.
On the one-time premium itself, he said a study had indicated that beneficiaries entering the scheme at 18 were to pay GH¢618, while those who would enter at 30 would have to pay GH¢587.
Similarly, those entering the scheme at 50 would pay GH¢355, while those who would enter it at 60 would pay GH¢214.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo added that due to the prevailing economic situation, especially in the informal sector, the study also considered the payment of a GH¢50 flat rate, irrespective of age, for those in the informal sector, should the medium annual premium scenario be accepted.
According to the deputy minister, who announced this in Parliament yesterday, such new sources of funds for the scheme would be proposed to the government by the ministry before submission to Parliament for consideration.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, who wanted to know whether the actuarial analysis relating to the one-time payment for the NHIS had been done.
Answering the question, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the analysis, which had been concluded, considered the inclusion of both the military and the Police Service in the NHIS.
The deputy minister stated that an actuarially determined premium, based on current annual premiums, would give rise to amounts beyond the pockets of most Ghanaians, explaining that the study found that a one-time premium within the reach of most Ghanaians would result in the NHIF reserves getting depleted in 2015.
Pressed further by the questioner, Mr Mettle-Nunoo explained that the said analysis, which is only one of the five studies shown, showed that based on a medium annual premium of GH¢27.60 scenario, Ghanaians were expected to pay the listed premiums under the one-time premium policy of the NHIS, even though the levels of premiums had not been fixed.
He said the ministry was, therefore, undertaking reform programmes to pave the way for the implementation of the one-time premium payment for the NHIS, explaining that the programme would ensure improvement in the use of standard treatment guidelines and rational prescription by service providers to reduce the cost of treatment.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo added that the reform programme would also ensure the improvement of a logistic management system in the sector to bring down cost of inputs such as medicines and consumable.
Another area which would be improved was the claims management process to reduce connivance and wastage, while the scheme would also undertake legal review to improve efficiency and reduce cost, he added.
Answering another question, the deputy minister told the House that the Ministry of Health had procured enough motorcycles for all health facilities in the Brong Ahafo Region, including Community Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) centres.
He said in answer to a question posed by the MP for Asunafo South, Mr George Yaw Boakye, that CHIP centres at New Sawreso and Noberkaw in the Asunafo South District would benefit from the package to make them functional.
In an answer to another question posed by Mr Joe Appiah, the MP for Ablekuma North, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the Accra Metropolitan Health Directorate had acquired a parcel of land in the Ablekuma North Constituency for the construction of a polyclinic to serve the people in that area.
He said that land belonged to the defunct Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC) and explained that the ministry was currently looking for funding to undertake the project.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
RESERVES for the sustenance of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) could be depleted by 2016 without the introduction of the one-time premium payment, the Ministry of Health has indicated.
According to the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, an actuarial analysis indicated that the NHIS, in its present structure, would experience a negative balance this year when the expenditure is expected to exceed revenue.
The study is one of five which have been conducted to inform the government about the way forward for the implementation of the one-time premium payment by beneficiaries of the NHIS.
He explained, however, that “an actuarially determined premium, based on current annual premiums, will give rise to amounts beyond the pockets of most Ghanaians”, adding that the study found that a one-time premium within the reach of most Ghanaians would result in the NHIF reserves getting depleted in 2015.
Further to that, the NHIS reserves would be completely used up in subsequent years and get depleted by 2016.
However, speaking to Joy FM yesterday evening to explain the position of the government on the one-time premium payment, the Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, stated that the government was still committed to the one-payment policy.
He said the position presented to Parliament on behalf of the ministry by his deputy was one of five scenarios being looked at by the government and that no position had been taken on the issue yet.
He said the scenario presented to Parliament by his deputy was an actuarial study conducted by the National Health Insurance Authority and that the authority was concerned about management and administrative issues, adding that policy matters were the preserve of Cabinet.
He said the position presented by his deputy that gave the impression that the one-time premium payment would be beyond the reach of many people was misleading and that the policy was doable and the government was committed to it.
Dr Kunbuor added that the government would apologise to Parliament.
Speaking on the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said in order to avoid a situation where the NHIS reserves would be depleted, the ministry was exploring other sources of funding to further build up the National Health Insurance Fund reserves and make the NHIS sustainable, even after the introduction of the one-time premium payment as proposed by the government.
On the one-time premium itself, he said a study had indicated that beneficiaries entering the scheme at 18 were to pay GH¢618, while those who would enter at 30 would have to pay GH¢587.
Similarly, those entering the scheme at 50 would pay GH¢355, while those who would enter it at 60 would pay GH¢214.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo added that due to the prevailing economic situation, especially in the informal sector, the study also considered the payment of a GH¢50 flat rate, irrespective of age, for those in the informal sector, should the medium annual premium scenario be accepted.
According to the deputy minister, who announced this in Parliament yesterday, such new sources of funds for the scheme would be proposed to the government by the ministry before submission to Parliament for consideration.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, who wanted to know whether the actuarial analysis relating to the one-time payment for the NHIS had been done.
Answering the question, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the analysis, which had been concluded, considered the inclusion of both the military and the Police Service in the NHIS.
The deputy minister stated that an actuarially determined premium, based on current annual premiums, would give rise to amounts beyond the pockets of most Ghanaians, explaining that the study found that a one-time premium within the reach of most Ghanaians would result in the NHIF reserves getting depleted in 2015.
Pressed further by the questioner, Mr Mettle-Nunoo explained that the said analysis, which is only one of the five studies shown, showed that based on a medium annual premium of GH¢27.60 scenario, Ghanaians were expected to pay the listed premiums under the one-time premium policy of the NHIS, even though the levels of premiums had not been fixed.
He said the ministry was, therefore, undertaking reform programmes to pave the way for the implementation of the one-time premium payment for the NHIS, explaining that the programme would ensure improvement in the use of standard treatment guidelines and rational prescription by service providers to reduce the cost of treatment.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo added that the reform programme would also ensure the improvement of a logistic management system in the sector to bring down cost of inputs such as medicines and consumable.
Another area which would be improved was the claims management process to reduce connivance and wastage, while the scheme would also undertake legal review to improve efficiency and reduce cost, he added.
Answering another question, the deputy minister told the House that the Ministry of Health had procured enough motorcycles for all health facilities in the Brong Ahafo Region, including Community Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) centres.
He said in answer to a question posed by the MP for Asunafo South, Mr George Yaw Boakye, that CHIP centres at New Sawreso and Noberkaw in the Asunafo South District would benefit from the package to make them functional.
In an answer to another question posed by Mr Joe Appiah, the MP for Ablekuma North, Mr Mettle-Nunoo said the Accra Metropolitan Health Directorate had acquired a parcel of land in the Ablekuma North Constituency for the construction of a polyclinic to serve the people in that area.
He said that land belonged to the defunct Ghana National Trading Corporation (GNTC) and explained that the ministry was currently looking for funding to undertake the project.
Kan-Dapaah elected Chairperson of WAAPAC
Page 15, March 1, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, has been elected as the chairperson of the West African Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) for a two-year term.
His unanimous election took place at the annual general meeting of the association held in Accra.
The WAAPAC brings together members of the Public Accounts Committees in West Africa to promote non-partisan forum and encourage its members to exchange views on issues of general interest to PACs.
WAAPAC also facilitates and encourages interactions among PACs, governments and other relevant role players in order to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds within the sub-region.
Mr Kan-Dapaah, who was a Cabinet minister in the Kufuor administration for eight years, brings into his new assignment a wealth of experience in auditing and parliamentary duties having been a Member of Parliament since 1997.
He was once the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana and the Vice-President of the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA).
Mr Kan-Dapaah told newsmen that his election was an honour and a challenge.
He will be assisted by two deputies one each from Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, has been elected as the chairperson of the West African Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) for a two-year term.
His unanimous election took place at the annual general meeting of the association held in Accra.
The WAAPAC brings together members of the Public Accounts Committees in West Africa to promote non-partisan forum and encourage its members to exchange views on issues of general interest to PACs.
WAAPAC also facilitates and encourages interactions among PACs, governments and other relevant role players in order to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds within the sub-region.
Mr Kan-Dapaah, who was a Cabinet minister in the Kufuor administration for eight years, brings into his new assignment a wealth of experience in auditing and parliamentary duties having been a Member of Parliament since 1997.
He was once the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana and the Vice-President of the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA).
Mr Kan-Dapaah told newsmen that his election was an honour and a challenge.
He will be assisted by two deputies one each from Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
House gives approval to ministerial nominations
Centre Spread, Feb 19, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday gave its approval to seven people nominated by the President for ministerial and deputy ministerial positions.
The House gave its approval when members unanimously endorsed the 17th Report of the Appointments Committee of the President’s nominations for ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments.
Those whose nominations were endorsed by the House were Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare designate; Mr Martin Amidu, Minister of the Interior designate; Mr John Akologu Tia, Minister of Information designate, and Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing designate.
The rest are Mr John Gyetuah, Minister of State designate for the Presidency; Mr Moses Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister designate, and Mr Inusah Abdulai Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy designate.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, however, explained that the nominee designate for Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, would be considered in a separate report to be submitted to the House in due course.
He explained that the committee was satisfied that the nominees had fully met requirements of the Constitution and, therefore, recommended their nomination to the House for approval.
Contributing to the debate before the approval, the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, congratulated the nominees on their new positions and expressed the hope that they would bring their experience to bear on the governance of the country.
He said he expected Mr Bagbin in particular to deliver by introducing bold decisions to solve the perennial water problem that cropped up in some parts of the country from time to time.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah expressed the displeasure of the people of the Western Region at the fact that nobody from that part of the country was currently in the Cabinet of the President.
His assertion, which was reiterated by the MP for Essikado/Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey, was, however, disputed by the MP for Mfantseman East, Mr George Kuntu-Blankson, who stated that the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, hailed from the Western Region.
The Minister of Communications and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the appointment of the new ministers would add new impetus to the governance of the country and help the President to achieve his ‘better Ghana’ agenda.
He noted that although the government was doing a lot, its achievements had not been properly communicated to the people and expressed the hope that the incoming Minister of Information would be able to communicate the achievements of the government to the people.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, a former Minister of Information and NPP MP for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, said the perception by the Executive that the ministry should be a propaganda wing of the government was wrong.
He noted that it was because of such perception that ministers appointed to the ministry did not stay there for longer periods.
Mr Botwe said while he was going through the profiles of ministers of Information over the years, it came to his notice that some even lasted for only one month and attributed that high attrition rate to the perception that the ministry was a propaganda tool and that a minister who did not ascribe to that perception got the sack.
He appealed to the government to properly equip agencies under the ministry, such as the Ghana News Agency and the Information Services Department (ISD), to enable them to properly disseminate government’s information and collect feedback from the people for the government.
The MP for Zebilla, Mr Cletus Avoka, commended the Appointments Committee for a good work done and noted that the nominees were qualified to be appointed as ministers to assist the government to achieve its objectives.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, commended the nominees for their appointment and expressed the hope that they would use their experience in the House to contribute to the achievement of the government’s set targets.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday gave its approval to seven people nominated by the President for ministerial and deputy ministerial positions.
The House gave its approval when members unanimously endorsed the 17th Report of the Appointments Committee of the President’s nominations for ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments.
Those whose nominations were endorsed by the House were Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare designate; Mr Martin Amidu, Minister of the Interior designate; Mr John Akologu Tia, Minister of Information designate, and Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing designate.
The rest are Mr John Gyetuah, Minister of State designate for the Presidency; Mr Moses Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister designate, and Mr Inusah Abdulai Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy designate.
The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, however, explained that the nominee designate for Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, would be considered in a separate report to be submitted to the House in due course.
He explained that the committee was satisfied that the nominees had fully met requirements of the Constitution and, therefore, recommended their nomination to the House for approval.
Contributing to the debate before the approval, the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, congratulated the nominees on their new positions and expressed the hope that they would bring their experience to bear on the governance of the country.
He said he expected Mr Bagbin in particular to deliver by introducing bold decisions to solve the perennial water problem that cropped up in some parts of the country from time to time.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah expressed the displeasure of the people of the Western Region at the fact that nobody from that part of the country was currently in the Cabinet of the President.
His assertion, which was reiterated by the MP for Essikado/Ketan, Mr Joe Ghartey, was, however, disputed by the MP for Mfantseman East, Mr George Kuntu-Blankson, who stated that the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, hailed from the Western Region.
The Minister of Communications and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the appointment of the new ministers would add new impetus to the governance of the country and help the President to achieve his ‘better Ghana’ agenda.
He noted that although the government was doing a lot, its achievements had not been properly communicated to the people and expressed the hope that the incoming Minister of Information would be able to communicate the achievements of the government to the people.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, a former Minister of Information and NPP MP for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, said the perception by the Executive that the ministry should be a propaganda wing of the government was wrong.
He noted that it was because of such perception that ministers appointed to the ministry did not stay there for longer periods.
Mr Botwe said while he was going through the profiles of ministers of Information over the years, it came to his notice that some even lasted for only one month and attributed that high attrition rate to the perception that the ministry was a propaganda tool and that a minister who did not ascribe to that perception got the sack.
He appealed to the government to properly equip agencies under the ministry, such as the Ghana News Agency and the Information Services Department (ISD), to enable them to properly disseminate government’s information and collect feedback from the people for the government.
The MP for Zebilla, Mr Cletus Avoka, commended the Appointments Committee for a good work done and noted that the nominees were qualified to be appointed as ministers to assist the government to achieve its objectives.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, commended the nominees for their appointment and expressed the hope that they would use their experience in the House to contribute to the achievement of the government’s set targets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)