Backpage, Dec 29, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE government is to assist the private sector to set up 10 medium-scale enterprises in six regions for the processing of fruits into juice and jam for the local and international markets next year.
Already, 10 fruit procession plants imported into the country under the Ghana Private Sector Development Fund at a cost of about 1.5 million euros are ready for installation.
The plants — which would process oranges, mangoes, water-melons and pineapples, among others — would be sited in the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Eastern, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions.
This came to light when the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, held discussions with Madam Ruth Akyeampong, a consultant to the entrepreneurs undertaking the projects.
Madam Akyeampong, who was accompanied by Madam Gifty Klenam, an industrialist, told the Daily Graphic that although the establishment of the enterprises were mentioned in the 2002 budget, it was not until the middle of this year that the plants were imported into the country.
“Since the implementation of the policy delayed, there is the need for the government to assist the entrepreneurs for the acquisition of additional funds for the installation and expansion of their businesses,” she said.
Madam Akyeampong explained that the installation of the plants would ensure the provision of jobs for thousands of people and save the country from the importation of fruit juice and jam.
She said currently, Ghana was importing about $25 million worth of fruit juice from South Africa alone, adding that the project would drastically reduce post-harvest losses associated with the fruit industry.
Madam Akyeampong said the fruit juice industry had a huge market both in the country and Nigeria, which needed to be exploited by Ghanaians.
Responding, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government was ready to assist the small- and medium-scale industries in the country to ensure the rapid expansion of the economy.
He, therefore, gave assurance that everything possible would be done to enable the entrepreneurs to get the necessary assistance to install and operate the plants.
In a related development, the Finance Minister has complained about the failure of many Ghanaians to send out made-in-Ghana goods as Christmas gifts.
He observed that a hamper which contained 16 items presented to him did not have a single locally-manufactured product but were made either in England, Ireland or some other foreign country.
“This is what is killing us. How can we move ahead if we keep on spending the little we have to import from other countries?” He querried.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
DCE cautions farmers, palmwine tappers
Page 36, Dec 24, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THIS year’s anti-bushfire campaign in the Jaman South District of the Brong Ahafo Region has been launched at Adiakor Number Two as part of the Farmers’ Day celebration with a warning to farmers, palm wine tapers and hunters to be careful about the way they handle fire in the bush.
The Jaman South District Chief Executive, Mr Apraku Tanoh who gave the warning said there was the need for the people to adhere to anti-bushfire laws, rules and slogans that admonish them to the safe use of fire.
He said the district had chalked a lot of successes in the prevention of wild fire adding that for the second time running, the district was voted the best at the regional level as the district with the least fire outbreaks.
“We should try as much as possible not to allow our appetite for game to sway us from protecting our forest reserves, which are dwindling at each passing day”.
At the farmers’ day, a 50-year- old farmer from Kwasibourkrom, Opanin Yaw Kyere, was adjudged the overall best district farmer.
He received a spraying machine, wax print, Wellington boots, a radio cassette player, cutlasses and a certificate as his price.
Opanin Kyere called on farmers to avoid igniting fire in the bush during the dry season in order to preserve the forest and their crops.
The acting District Director of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Kuma advised farmers to repay their loans promptly to enable others to benefit from the package.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THIS year’s anti-bushfire campaign in the Jaman South District of the Brong Ahafo Region has been launched at Adiakor Number Two as part of the Farmers’ Day celebration with a warning to farmers, palm wine tapers and hunters to be careful about the way they handle fire in the bush.
The Jaman South District Chief Executive, Mr Apraku Tanoh who gave the warning said there was the need for the people to adhere to anti-bushfire laws, rules and slogans that admonish them to the safe use of fire.
He said the district had chalked a lot of successes in the prevention of wild fire adding that for the second time running, the district was voted the best at the regional level as the district with the least fire outbreaks.
“We should try as much as possible not to allow our appetite for game to sway us from protecting our forest reserves, which are dwindling at each passing day”.
At the farmers’ day, a 50-year- old farmer from Kwasibourkrom, Opanin Yaw Kyere, was adjudged the overall best district farmer.
He received a spraying machine, wax print, Wellington boots, a radio cassette player, cutlasses and a certificate as his price.
Opanin Kyere called on farmers to avoid igniting fire in the bush during the dry season in order to preserve the forest and their crops.
The acting District Director of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Kuma advised farmers to repay their loans promptly to enable others to benefit from the package.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Parliament holds carols night
Page 15, Dec 14, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister in-charge of the Victory Presbyterian Church at Adenta, Reverend Dr Abamfo Atiemo has charged people in power to evaluate the impact of policies on the people before their implementation.
“You need to be careful in order not to inflict pain and hardships on people who voted you into power through the enactment of bad laws, and policies”.
Rev Dr Atiemo was giving an exhortation at a festival of nine lessons and carols organised by Parliament under the auspices of the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes to usher in the Christmas festivities.
In attendance were the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Doe Adjaho, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, Ministers of State and some members of the diplomatic corps.
It was on the theme: “Ghana @50, Crowning Jesus as Lord of all”.
Rev Dr Atiemo asked Ghanaians to portray the country’s history in a positive manner notwithstanding some turbulent periods in the nation’s history.
“God has been good to us over the years and as we celebrate 50 years as a nation, we need to move ahead in unity to usher the country into the next 50 years”, he said.
A number of choral groups, including the Voices of Democracy made of staff of the Parliamentary Service entertained the packed audience with melodious carols.
Mrs Georgina Wood read eighth lesson while Mr Sekyi Hughes read the ninth lesson with the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, who is also the President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship reading the second lesson.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Minister in-charge of the Victory Presbyterian Church at Adenta, Reverend Dr Abamfo Atiemo has charged people in power to evaluate the impact of policies on the people before their implementation.
“You need to be careful in order not to inflict pain and hardships on people who voted you into power through the enactment of bad laws, and policies”.
Rev Dr Atiemo was giving an exhortation at a festival of nine lessons and carols organised by Parliament under the auspices of the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes to usher in the Christmas festivities.
In attendance were the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Doe Adjaho, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Anyimadu, Ministers of State and some members of the diplomatic corps.
It was on the theme: “Ghana @50, Crowning Jesus as Lord of all”.
Rev Dr Atiemo asked Ghanaians to portray the country’s history in a positive manner notwithstanding some turbulent periods in the nation’s history.
“God has been good to us over the years and as we celebrate 50 years as a nation, we need to move ahead in unity to usher the country into the next 50 years”, he said.
A number of choral groups, including the Voices of Democracy made of staff of the Parliamentary Service entertained the packed audience with melodious carols.
Mrs Georgina Wood read eighth lesson while Mr Sekyi Hughes read the ninth lesson with the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, who is also the President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship reading the second lesson.
Generate revenue to support common fund
Page 27, Dec 27, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Dormaa District Chief Executive, Squadron Leader (retd) Ben Anane-Asamoah, has called on district assemblies to adopt new innovations in order to generate more revenue internally to supplement their share of the common fund.
He said although the Dormaa District Assembly estimated to collect GH ¢293,079 this year, only GH ¢184,395, representing 65 per cent was collected as of September.
“This means that the assembly’s revenue collection mechanism is not effective and needs to be revamped”, he said.
Sqd Ldr Anane-Asamoah was delivering his sessional address at the general meeting of the assembly at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
He said the assembly intended to re-value properties in the district and widen its revenue net in order to collect more revenue for its development programmes.
“The very survival of our district depends on our ability to generate more and how the revenue generated is judiciously utilised for the overall development of our district”.
The DCE informed the assembly about the creation of Dormaa East District out of the Dormaa District with its capital as Wamfie while Dormaa had been raised to a municipal status.
On development projects, he said, the assembly had projected to fence the DCE’s residence and re-roof the assembly’s conference hall in 2008.
Other projects to be executed are a six-unit classroom block at Amasu, six unit classroom block at Dormaa Akwamu, a six unit classroom block for the Dormaa Ahenkro Methodist School and a three-unit classroom block at Akontanim.
He stated that contracts had already been awarded for the execution of the projects and appealed to the assembly members in the beneficiary communities to assist the contractors to complete the projects on schedule.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Daniel Kumi-Djan, advised the assembly members to embark on public education on the payment of their taxes to enable the assembly to generate more revenue.
He thanked the government for the creation of another district out of the Dormaa District and expressed the hope that the gesture would speed up the development of the area.
Mr Kumi-Djan advised farmers and hunters not to lit fire in the bush during the dry season so as to curb the incidence of bushfire.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Dormaa District Chief Executive, Squadron Leader (retd) Ben Anane-Asamoah, has called on district assemblies to adopt new innovations in order to generate more revenue internally to supplement their share of the common fund.
He said although the Dormaa District Assembly estimated to collect GH ¢293,079 this year, only GH ¢184,395, representing 65 per cent was collected as of September.
“This means that the assembly’s revenue collection mechanism is not effective and needs to be revamped”, he said.
Sqd Ldr Anane-Asamoah was delivering his sessional address at the general meeting of the assembly at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
He said the assembly intended to re-value properties in the district and widen its revenue net in order to collect more revenue for its development programmes.
“The very survival of our district depends on our ability to generate more and how the revenue generated is judiciously utilised for the overall development of our district”.
The DCE informed the assembly about the creation of Dormaa East District out of the Dormaa District with its capital as Wamfie while Dormaa had been raised to a municipal status.
On development projects, he said, the assembly had projected to fence the DCE’s residence and re-roof the assembly’s conference hall in 2008.
Other projects to be executed are a six-unit classroom block at Amasu, six unit classroom block at Dormaa Akwamu, a six unit classroom block for the Dormaa Ahenkro Methodist School and a three-unit classroom block at Akontanim.
He stated that contracts had already been awarded for the execution of the projects and appealed to the assembly members in the beneficiary communities to assist the contractors to complete the projects on schedule.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr Daniel Kumi-Djan, advised the assembly members to embark on public education on the payment of their taxes to enable the assembly to generate more revenue.
He thanked the government for the creation of another district out of the Dormaa District and expressed the hope that the gesture would speed up the development of the area.
Mr Kumi-Djan advised farmers and hunters not to lit fire in the bush during the dry season so as to curb the incidence of bushfire.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Ayawaso East MP supports 3 institutions
Page 30, Dec 21, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso East, Alhaji Dr Mustapha Ahmed, has presented three cheques totalling GH¢2,060 (¢20.6 million) to three educational institutions in the Accra metropolis.
The institutions are the Sal Valley Preparatory/Junior High School, the Qubbatul-Khadra Islamic School, Nima, and the Greater Accra Islamic Educational Unit.
The amount is to enable the Sal Valley and Qubbatul Islamic schools to carry out renovation works on their blocks, while the Greater Accra Islamic Educational Unit would use it share for the implementation of performance enhancement programmes for its teachers.
Making the presentation, Alhaji Ahmed urged Muslim parents to be serious with the education of their children, instead of using their wealth on less important social ventures.
He stressed that only education could enable Muslim youth climb up to the top of the social ladder and advised parents to allow their children to stay in school till they achieved higher academic laurels.
The Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Islamic Educational Unit, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, who received the cheques on behalf of the institutions, thanked the MP for his continued assistance to educational institutions in his constituency.
He said the apathy of parents and the attitude of Muslim children to education were the major factors that drew back the development of Muslim communities.
Sheik Armiyawo said the unit was working hard to change those negative attitudes to ensure that both parents and children made education a priority in Muslim communities.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso East, Alhaji Dr Mustapha Ahmed, has presented three cheques totalling GH¢2,060 (¢20.6 million) to three educational institutions in the Accra metropolis.
The institutions are the Sal Valley Preparatory/Junior High School, the Qubbatul-Khadra Islamic School, Nima, and the Greater Accra Islamic Educational Unit.
The amount is to enable the Sal Valley and Qubbatul Islamic schools to carry out renovation works on their blocks, while the Greater Accra Islamic Educational Unit would use it share for the implementation of performance enhancement programmes for its teachers.
Making the presentation, Alhaji Ahmed urged Muslim parents to be serious with the education of their children, instead of using their wealth on less important social ventures.
He stressed that only education could enable Muslim youth climb up to the top of the social ladder and advised parents to allow their children to stay in school till they achieved higher academic laurels.
The Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Islamic Educational Unit, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, who received the cheques on behalf of the institutions, thanked the MP for his continued assistance to educational institutions in his constituency.
He said the apathy of parents and the attitude of Muslim children to education were the major factors that drew back the development of Muslim communities.
Sheik Armiyawo said the unit was working hard to change those negative attitudes to ensure that both parents and children made education a priority in Muslim communities.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Political activities peak at Legon
Page 15, Dec 21, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of the Legon Friends of Nana Akufo-Addo (LEFONAA) have besieged the University of Ghana campus to drum home their support for Nana Akufo-Addo, one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), during Saturday’s delegates’ congress.
The group organised a float yesterday on the campus to champion the cause of Nana Akufo-Addo during which they held placards some of which read, “No Nana, no NPP”, “Vote for Number 10”, “NPP is not Abramovich”, and “Nana is Ghana’s Political Soldier”.
The drumming, dancing and chanting of appellations of Nana Akufo-Addo attracted a large crowd to the place.
A visit to the campus yesterday showed that political activities had peaked and the campus had virtually become a tourist centre as a lot of people were seen trooping in.
The large presence of the police could also not be missed, as five bus-loads of policemen were cited on recce operations.
Also present to lend a hand towards the “D-Day” were about 200 ushers and caterers who were being taken through a lecture on customer service.
According to Ms Esther Ofori, Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the congress, the need to provide ushers with the necessary skills had become paramount in view of past experiences in Koforidua where there were numerous complaints about the quality of service.
Scores of people were also trooping in to catch a glimpse of the special billboards of all the aspirants. Posters of all the 17 aspirants had been posted on all available structures and trees from the entrance of the university to the Commonwealth Hall.
Members of the LOFANAA, who wore T-shirts bearing the photograph of Nana Akufo-Addo, also distributed leaflets to bystanders to educate them on their preferred candidate.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Vice-President of the group, Mr Bright Owusu, urged the delegates who would attend the congress to be guided by the strength of the presidential candidates of other parties before they elected the party’s presidential candidate.
“Let us not allow our emotions and material considerations to clout our judgement,” he said, adding that “the party is at a crossroad and we will retain power only if we present a strong candidate like Nana Akufo-Addo”.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has been through it all and he has a real fighting spirit that will enable him to deal with every situation. Let us give him chance to do what he is capable of doing,” he said.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MEMBERS of the Legon Friends of Nana Akufo-Addo (LEFONAA) have besieged the University of Ghana campus to drum home their support for Nana Akufo-Addo, one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), during Saturday’s delegates’ congress.
The group organised a float yesterday on the campus to champion the cause of Nana Akufo-Addo during which they held placards some of which read, “No Nana, no NPP”, “Vote for Number 10”, “NPP is not Abramovich”, and “Nana is Ghana’s Political Soldier”.
The drumming, dancing and chanting of appellations of Nana Akufo-Addo attracted a large crowd to the place.
A visit to the campus yesterday showed that political activities had peaked and the campus had virtually become a tourist centre as a lot of people were seen trooping in.
The large presence of the police could also not be missed, as five bus-loads of policemen were cited on recce operations.
Also present to lend a hand towards the “D-Day” were about 200 ushers and caterers who were being taken through a lecture on customer service.
According to Ms Esther Ofori, Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the congress, the need to provide ushers with the necessary skills had become paramount in view of past experiences in Koforidua where there were numerous complaints about the quality of service.
Scores of people were also trooping in to catch a glimpse of the special billboards of all the aspirants. Posters of all the 17 aspirants had been posted on all available structures and trees from the entrance of the university to the Commonwealth Hall.
Members of the LOFANAA, who wore T-shirts bearing the photograph of Nana Akufo-Addo, also distributed leaflets to bystanders to educate them on their preferred candidate.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Vice-President of the group, Mr Bright Owusu, urged the delegates who would attend the congress to be guided by the strength of the presidential candidates of other parties before they elected the party’s presidential candidate.
“Let us not allow our emotions and material considerations to clout our judgement,” he said, adding that “the party is at a crossroad and we will retain power only if we present a strong candidate like Nana Akufo-Addo”.
“Nana Akufo-Addo has been through it all and he has a real fighting spirit that will enable him to deal with every situation. Let us give him chance to do what he is capable of doing,” he said.
Make banking flexible to stand competition, Kwapong tells rural banks
Page 57, Dec 20, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Emmanuel K. Kwapong, has advised rural and community banks to embark on aggressive and flexible approach to banking in order to increase their profit levels and survive in the increasing competition in the banking industry.
“You should also strengthen your internal control mechanisms to ensure that the banks operate in a sound and safe financial environment,” Mr Kwapong said.
The managing director of the Apex Bank, a mini central bank for the rural banks, gave the advice in an address read on his behalf at the 19th annual general meeting of the Kaaseman Rural Bank at Kaase in the Western Region.
He stated that the ARB Apex Bank had over the years undertaken a number of activities which had helped to strengthen the operations of rural and community banks.
Mr Kwapong urged the rural bank to enhance its product base by granting good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals within its environs in order to improve the livelihood of the rural community.
Presenting the annual report and financial statement of the bank, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Kwame Twumasi Ankra, said the bank recorded a profit before tax of GH¢55,030 (¢550.3 million) in 2006 as against GH¢88,030 (¢880.3 million) in 2005.
He said total loans and overdrafts outstanding in all sectors, including agriculture, trade, cottage industries, salary workers and micro-credits increased from GH¢1.30 million (¢13 billion) in 2005 to GH¢1.49 million (¢14.9 billion) in 2006.
The bank’s total assets also increased within the same period from GH¢1.46 million (¢41.6 billion) to GH¢5.14 million (¢51.4 billion) while its investment in treasury bills jumped from GH¢1.10 million (¢11 billion) to GH¢1.85 million (¢18.5 billion).
The bank honoured 10 staff for hard work and dedication, including the Chief Manager, Mr David King Gbeblewu, who has served the bank for over 20 years.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Emmanuel K. Kwapong, has advised rural and community banks to embark on aggressive and flexible approach to banking in order to increase their profit levels and survive in the increasing competition in the banking industry.
“You should also strengthen your internal control mechanisms to ensure that the banks operate in a sound and safe financial environment,” Mr Kwapong said.
The managing director of the Apex Bank, a mini central bank for the rural banks, gave the advice in an address read on his behalf at the 19th annual general meeting of the Kaaseman Rural Bank at Kaase in the Western Region.
He stated that the ARB Apex Bank had over the years undertaken a number of activities which had helped to strengthen the operations of rural and community banks.
Mr Kwapong urged the rural bank to enhance its product base by granting good advances to companies, enterprises and individuals within its environs in order to improve the livelihood of the rural community.
Presenting the annual report and financial statement of the bank, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Kwame Twumasi Ankra, said the bank recorded a profit before tax of GH¢55,030 (¢550.3 million) in 2006 as against GH¢88,030 (¢880.3 million) in 2005.
He said total loans and overdrafts outstanding in all sectors, including agriculture, trade, cottage industries, salary workers and micro-credits increased from GH¢1.30 million (¢13 billion) in 2005 to GH¢1.49 million (¢14.9 billion) in 2006.
The bank’s total assets also increased within the same period from GH¢1.46 million (¢41.6 billion) to GH¢5.14 million (¢51.4 billion) while its investment in treasury bills jumped from GH¢1.10 million (¢11 billion) to GH¢1.85 million (¢18.5 billion).
The bank honoured 10 staff for hard work and dedication, including the Chief Manager, Mr David King Gbeblewu, who has served the bank for over 20 years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)