Saturday, December 27, 2008

Ghana Decides Tomorrow

Hannah Annor writes from Accra

Dec. 27, 2008-Ghanaian electorates would tomorrow, Sunday go to the polls again for the presidential run-off election to choose a presidential candidate to succeed President John Agyekum Kufuor.
None of the presidential candidates attained the constitutional requirement of 50 per cent plus one vote during the December 7 general election, hence the need for the run-off.
The two candidates, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), son of Ghana’s former Head of State, Edward Akufo-Addo and Professor John Evans Atta- Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are contesting.
Nana Akufo-Addo was a former Attorney-General, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern region of Ghana whilst Prof Atta-Mills was a Vice President of the Republic during President Jerry John Rawlings regime that handed over to President Kufuor.
The polls which begin at 0700 hours and end 1700 hours started on Tuesday with the Special Voting which involved persons whose services would be needed on duty on the Election Day.
They include officials of the statutory body responsible for the election, the Electoral Commission, security personnel, media and party representatives who would monitor it.
Both candidates have in the last two weeks intensified their campaigns in order to win the presidential seat.
Whilst the NPP goes with the campaign message “Moving Forward’, the NDC is calling for change, using the Akan dilate “Yeresesam”.
In the December 7 polls which attracted lots of commendation for Ghana from the international community and election observers due to peace and tranquillity which prevailed, Nana Akufo- Addo pulled 49. 13 per cent and Prof Atta-Mills had 47. 92 per cent.
A gap of only 102,000 votes separated the two candidates in an election in which eight million people voted.
Nana Akufo-Addo, 64, has a former Deputy Governor of Ghana’s Central Bank, Mamudu Bawumiah as his vice presidential candidate and Prof Mills, 64, has John Mahama, Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi in northern Ghana and former Minister of Communications under the Rowling’s administration.
Nana is married to Rebecca with 5 children whilst Prof-Atta-Mills also has Naadu as wife with a son.
-End

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Ghana's election shinning example to Africa-says AU Observers

Story: Hannah Annor

Accra, Ghana-Dec. 9, 2008 -Ghana has distinguished herself in Africa by demonstrating that it is possible to run elections in the continent without violence, the African Union (AU) Observer Mission said on Tuesday.
It said Ghana's election was also a big relief to Africa after recent election violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
"Ghana has become a shining example at the time when Africa is passing through difficult times in efforts to consolidate democracy," Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Head of the AU Observer Team, said at a news conference in Accra.
He said the team was impressed with the patience, resilience and high turnout by the Ghanaian electorate during the polls, which proved the country's political maturity.
Dr Salim said the voting process was conducted peacefully and orderly with much vigilance and enthusiasm from both voters and civil society.
He said Ghana's elections also showed the exercise of democracy without fear or favour, describing the process as most inspiring.
Dr Salim thanked Ghanaians and other observers who worked during the elections to help further consolidate the country's democracy.
Touching on the purported delay by the Electoral Commission (EC) in releasing certified results, Dr Salim urged Ghanaians to continue to exercise patience.
He said constitutional provisions indicated that the EC had 72 hours to declare the results and there was no cause for worry, since the EC had not exceeded its mandatory time.
Dr Salim also advised political parties to exercise restraint, have confidence in the EC and avoid declaring the results ahead of the EC.
Political parties, he said, must also learn to accept the election results when they are declared and respect the decision of the electorates.
The team also recommended to the EC to create additional polling stations in order to reduce the long queues during voting to manageable sizes.
On electoral materials, the team asked the EC to ensure that polling stations were well supplied with sufficient materials both for the conduct of the elections and for incidental purposes should voting and counting continue after night fall.
The team said essential voting materials such as booths should also be adaptable to the environment, such as the ability to withstand strong wind or rain.
On voter transfers, the team urged EC to improve on the process of transfers and to ensure that the transfer lists were available at all polling stations.
"The EC should consider listing the names alphabetically to ease reference," it added.
The team also called on the EC to constantly inform the public that it was the only statutory body to announce results.
Political parties should also be less intrusive at polling stations and in particular refrain from being involved with electoral officers in locating voter names in the voters’ register.
The team announced it would issue its full report on the elections soon.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Ghana writers Mark 2008 Day of the Imprisoned Writer

Story: Hannah Annor

Accra, Ghana-Nov 17- The Imprisoned Writer-2008 Anniversary was marked at the weekend in Accra, with a call on writers to use the pen as an instrument to promote peace during the upcoming Ghana's December, general election.
This year’s event marked the 24th Anniversary of the annual celebration to salute writers world-wide who have been attacked, imprisoned, harassed or lost their lives in the course of practising their profession.
By June this year, 40 writers and journalists world-wide had been killed, 189 disappeared, 65 attacked and 30 detained, whilst 150 others also faced death threats.
The Ghanaian Centre of International Pen (GCIP), comprising poets, editors and novelists dedicated the event to salute writers, including the Senegalese writer, Pierre Lambo Sandjo, said to have alleged that his country’ President was involved in money laundering.
Professor Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa indicated that the pen stood for the values of freedom of expression, which remained key to human rights and democracy.
He recalled historical experiences that hindered freedom of expression in the country and expressed worry that infringement on this right still pertained in other countries.
He therefore asked the younger generation to strive to preserve the enjoyment of the right of freedom of expression by guarding against any attempt to create barriers.
Prof. Karikari also reminded writers that responsibility should not be left out when enjoying freedom of expression, adding, freedom should go along with discipline, sensibility and feeling towards others.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Haruna-Attah, President for GCIP, said the Anniversary was worth celebrating in Ghana, especially with the clean record the country had maintained in recent years in ensuring that writers were not harassed for their works.
He however called on writers, especially the media to avoid using the pen
against national interest.
He reminded the public that violence did not originate from vacuum but was rather instigated, nurtured, directed by persons, hence the need for all to work at sustaining peace in the country.
Mr. Frank Mackay Anim-Appiah, Executive Director, GCIP also cautioned writers, saying, “we don’t want Ghanaian writers to have bad
name and record, that they were those who marred the edifice of Ghana’s peace.”

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

NGOs call for commitment in providing essential social services

STORY: Hannah Annor

Accra, Ghana-Nov. 11, 2008 - International finance institutions and current world rade systems are undermining citizen's access to essential social services, a coalition of non-governmental organisations said on Tuesday.
The coalition dubbed: "Essential Services Platform" said, if the trend should continue, many poor countries, especially in Africa risked missing the Millennium Development Goals on health, education, water and sanitation.
Mr Alhassan Adams, a member of the National Coalition Against Privatisation of Water and also member of the Platform said at the launch of the Platform in Accra.
The Platform comprises NGOs working on health, education, water and sanitation that have come together to advocate for a change in unbridled trade liberalisation regimes affecting citizens from enjoying their economic and social rights.
Mr Adams mentioned the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as some of the regimes adding to the woes of the poor in accessing services.
On health, Mr Adams said, despite improvement in government expenditure to the sector, access to quality health care continued to elude majority of Ghanaians, whilst life expectancy had also stagnated between 57, 42 years in 2000 to 56 years from 2005.
He indicated that infant mortality rates have also not seen any significant change in recent years.
Mr Adams further expressed disappointment on access to basic education despite government's interventions such as the School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant.
He therefore urged all Ghanaians and other civil society groups to join the Platform in order to hold policy makers accountable to respect the economic and social rights of all persons.
The Platform further pledged to periodically review its performance and remain focus in the advocacy campaign to effect the desired change.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Ghanaian media should not be pawns for politicians

Accra, Ghana-October 22, - Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Graphic Communication Group Limited on Wednesday asked the media to be cautious in stories put out by politicians in order not to be seen as pawns in the hands
of any political party.
" Journalism can not be subordinated. The moment they do, they loose their essence and effectiveness", he added.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh made the call in Accra at this year's Sam Arthur Memorial Lecture organised by the Ghana Institute of Journalism under the theme: "The Media in the Hands of Politicians, Implication for 2008 General Elections".
He therefore urged the media to be objective and committed by ensuring that their reports were factual, accurate, valid and verifiable.
"It is only when these principles are upheld that the media become useful for national unity and integration", he noted.
He added: "We must be in control and work towards peace and conciliation rather than become war-mongers and focus on national integration",
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also observed that there was no need for the media to introduce adjectives such as " mammoth, well-attended or intolerant party' in their reportage, since these have some negative implications.
He tasked the media to impress on the public to refrain from violence or any unlawful acts, educate them on why they should not allow themselves to be abused or misused and empower them to exercise their franchise whilst respecting the rights of opposing factions as well.
"No Ghanaian should die because of elections, those for whom they are ready to fight know so well that fighting is not necessary, what is important is to allow the people to freely, peacefully and voluntarily chose their leaders", the General Manager added.
He reminded journalists that although they worked for an employer, they owned an equal responsibility to society and should therefore abide by the National Media Commission's guidelines for political reporting that demanded the publication of truthful, unbiased information.
On the part of politicians, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh entreated them not unjustifiably destroy the integrity and character of opponent, but to act in ways that would promote and enhance democratic stability and constitutionalism.
"Political parties and their leadership must equally meet all obligations and responsibilities to be faithful to Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution which provides that the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from performance of duties and obligation.
Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Government Spokesperson for Social Services who chaired the lecture also reminded the fourth estate of the realm to reinforce their support for effective political actions and focus on educating the public on controversial policies and issues to enable them make informed decisions.
Sam Arthur was a Director of GIJ from 1962 to 1963; he is described as an epitome of free and independent journalism.

Ghanaian media should not be pawns for politicians

Accra, Ghana-October 22, - Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Graphic Communication Group Limited on Wednesday asked the media to be cautious in stories put out by politicians in order not to be seen as pawns in the hands
of any political party.
" Journalism can not be subordinated. The moment they do, they loose their essence and effectiveness", he added.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh made the call in Accra at this year's Sam Arthur Memorial Lecture organised by the Ghana Institute of Journalism under the theme: "The Media in the Hands of Politicians, Implication for 2008 General Elections".
He therefore urged the media to be objective and committed by ensuring that their reports were factual, accurate, valid and verifiable.
"It is only when these principles are upheld that the media become useful for national unity and integration", he noted.
He added: "We must be in control and work towards peace and conciliation rather than become war-mongers and focus on national integration",
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also observed that there was no need for the media to introduce adjectives such as " mammoth, well-attended or intolerant party' in their reportage, since these have some negative implications.
He tasked the media to impress on the public to refrain from violence or any unlawful acts, educate them on why they should not allow themselves to be abused or misused and empower them to exercise their franchise whilst respecting the rights of opposing factions as well.
"No Ghanaian should die because of elections, those for whom they are ready to fight know so well that fighting is not necessary, what is important is to allow the people to freely, peacefully and voluntarily chose their leaders", the General Manager added.
He reminded journalists that although they worked for an employer, they owned an equal responsibility to society and should therefore abide by the National Media Commission's guidelines for political reporting that demanded the publication of truthful, unbiased information.
On the part of politicians, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh entreated them not unjustifiably destroy the integrity and character of opponent, but to act in ways that would promote and enhance democratic stability and constitutionalism.
"Political parties and their leadership must equally meet all obligations and responsibilities to be faithful to Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution which provides that the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from performance of duties and obligation.
Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Government Spokesperson for Social Services who chaired the lecture also reminded the fourth estate of the realm to reinforce their support for effective political actions and focus on educating the public on controversial policies and issues to enable them make informed decisions.
Sam Arthur was a Director of GIJ from 1962 to 1963; he is described as an epitome of free and independent journalism.

Ghanaian media should not be pawns for politicians

Accra, Ghana-October 22, - Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, Graphic Communication Group Limited on Wednesday asked the media to be cautious in stories put out by politicians in order not to be seen as pawns in the hands
of any political party.
" Journalism can not be subordinated. The moment they do, they loose their essence and effectiveness", he added.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh made the call in Accra at this year's Sam Arthur Memorial Lecture organised by the Ghana Institute of Journalism under the theme: "The Media in the Hands of Politicians, Implication for 2008 General Elections".
He therefore urged the media to be objective and committed by ensuring that their reports were factual, accurate, valid and verifiable.
"It is only when these principles are upheld that the media become useful for national unity and integration", he noted.
He added: "We must be in control and work towards peace and conciliation rather than become war-mongers and focus on national integration",
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also observed that there was no need for the media to introduce adjectives such as " mammoth, well-attended or intolerant party' in their reportage, since these have some negative implications.
He tasked the media to impress on the public to refrain from violence or any unlawful acts, educate them on why they should not allow themselves to be abused or misused and empower them to exercise their franchise whilst respecting the rights of opposing factions as well.
"No Ghanaian should die because of elections, those for whom they are ready to fight know so well that fighting is not necessary, what is important is to allow the people to freely, peacefully and voluntarily chose their leaders", the General Manager added.
He reminded journalists that although they worked for an employer, they owned an equal responsibility to society and should therefore abide by the National Media Commission's guidelines for political reporting that demanded the publication of truthful, unbiased information.
On the part of politicians, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh entreated them not unjustifiably destroy the integrity and character of opponent, but to act in ways that would promote and enhance democratic stability and constitutionalism.
"Political parties and their leadership must equally meet all obligations and responsibilities to be faithful to Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution which provides that the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from performance of duties and obligation.
Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Government Spokesperson for Social Services who chaired the lecture also reminded the fourth estate of the realm to reinforce their support for effective political actions and focus on educating the public on controversial policies and issues to enable them make informed decisions.
Sam Arthur was a Director of GIJ from 1962 to 1963; he is described as an epitome of free and independent journalism.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Tertiary institutions asked to set up quality assurance units

Story: Hannah Annor

Accra, Ghana-October 18 - Mr Kwame Dattey, Executive Secretary of the Ghana's National Accreditation Board, on Saturday asked tertiary institutions to establish internal quality assurance units in order to periodically assess their performance.
This, he said, would enhance quality standards of tertiary products and enable institutions to meet targets in helping to meet development goals.
In Ghana, not all the tertiary institutions have these units. Critics have however complained of falling graduate performance standards both in academic and the job market.
Quality assurance units would therfore beef up performance.
Mr Dattey made the call in Accra at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) matriculation ceremony for the 2008/2009 students batch.
He also stressed the need for tertiary institutions to conduct more academic and professional research to contribute to general knowledge and assist society in addressing basic problems.
As a professional institute, he challenged IPS to establish close links with the business and industrial communities to enable faculty members conduct research that would help solve some challenges confronting the sectors.
“In the same vein, strategies should be evolved to attract experienced business practitioners to interact and share their experiences with faculty and students to get a feel of the real world”, Mr Dattey said.
He called on institutions to take global technological and economic trends into account when designing their curricula in order to churn out products relevant for the job market.
He commended IPS for designing additional programmes to help provide more opportunities for eligible candidates, but warned that opening more avenues should not be at the expense of quality education.
Professor Joshua Alibi, Acting Rector of IPS, said IPS intended to establish a Quality Assurance Directorate to assess its performance.
He said IPS had come out with a journal for business research to help publish research papers and findings.
As the only public institution mandated by law to offer both degree and professional programmes, Prof. Alibi said, IPS would remain focused on its vision to become the leading business professional education provider and institute of excellence in Africa and beyond.
Prof Alabi said IPS would begin Master of Administration programmes next academic year, as part of efforts to meet emerging needs of the commerce and industry.
He appealed to the students to make good use of opportunities on campus and to study hard to achieve higher academic laurels.
“As bona fide students of this institute, I implore you to avoid examination malpractice of any kind. You are also to be cautious of secret societies and cultism’, Prof Alabi said.
Mr Idris Egala, Chairman of IPS Council, suggested the introduction of online education and week-end classes in IPS to expand access to tertiary education.
In all 2,091 students were admitted to pursue undergraduate courses in business administration.
They include the first batch of students for a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance and tertiary diploma in Accounting, Marketing, and Public Relations Management.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Medic:Base Malaria Treatment On Thorough Examination

Medic: Base malaria treatment on thorough examination
Story-Hannah Annor
Accra, Ghana October 14, - Dr Constance Bart-Plange, National Malaria Control Programme Manager, on Tuesday expressed worry over the disregard for thorough medical examination in malaria treatment in the country.
She reminded medical professionals that symptoms alone were not enough to detect a disease and called for critical examination before any treatment.
"This practice of mistaking some other symptoms for malaria has resulted in some deaths, because people have been given a different treatment for another illness," she observed.
Dr Bart- Plange was speaking to newsmen after the opening of the Third Annual International Conference of the VOICES for Malaria-free Future Project in Accra.
The four-day conference under the theme: "Consolidating Advocacy Investment to Date-Malaria Advocacy" is aimed at building consensus on successes and harmonising effective malaria advocacy approaches across continents.
Opening the conference, Dr Gladys Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health, said government had positioned itself to chalk gains from the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) to move Ghana's malaria campaign from a control phase to elimination.
World political leaders and philanthropists at the United Nations High-level Meeting in New York made a pledge on September 25, to commit three billion dollars to among other interventions reduce malaria deaths to near zero by 2015 in the globe.
Dr Ashitey stressed that malaria was a complex problem that needed all hands on deck to eradicate, saying that as a result Ghana had intensified its advocacy campaign to motivate all stakeholders on board.
She also said the country hoped to achieve 80 per cent coverage of the usage of insecticide treated nets, Intermittent Preventive Treatment for expectant mothers and Artemisinin-based combination medicines by 2015.
The Deputy Minister called for greater political commitment and accountability to attract more resources, shape policy and remove barriers hindering effective application of tested, preventive and treatment tools.
Dr Matthew Lynch, Global Director of Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communications Programmes, sponsors of the VOICES Project, observed that funding was no longer a major constraint to the fight against malaria as a result of new GMAP.
Mr Daniel Kertesz, World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, in a statement read on his behalf, called for a sound strategy through traditional and modern channels to get the public more concerned with malaria control.

14 Oct. 08

Monday, October 6, 2008

70 per cent of Ghana National Service Personnel to teach

STORY-Hannah Annor

Accra,Ghana, Oct. 6, GNA- About 70 per cent of Ghana's national service personnel for 2008/2009 have been posted to the educational sector to enhance government's effort in providing quality education, the National Service Scheme (NSS) announced on Monday.
This would help meet the shortfall in the supply of teachers in rural areas, Mr Kofi Obiri Yeboah, Executive Director of the NSS said at a news conference in Accra.
As usual, the Greater Accra region, which habours Ghana's city topped the list of postings, having 10, 988 out of the 34,500 personnel, which is the highest national posting record since the Scheme began in 1973.
Mr Yeboah therefore asked all service personnel to contact the NSS website; www.nssghana,org to check their posting and print out their appointment letters with effect from Wednesday, October 8.
He reminded personnel that national service was a call to national duty and postings must be accepted in good faith, adding " It should never be seen as a form of punishment when one is service his nation".
The NSS Executive Director also cautioned user agencies against the practice of submitting a list of preferred personnel to the NSS for posting.
He further explained that some organisations have developed the habit of going to the various tertiary institutions to conduct attitudinal test to compile a list of preferred personnel, saying that it was only the NSS that had the legal mandate for posting.
Mr Yeboah also announced an increase in the allowances of personnel from 1,250 to 1,443 and salary areas for the 2007/2008 batch.
Mr Alhassan Imoro, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Posting Coordinator, also explained that Greater Accra had the highest posting due to the number of vacancies available within the region.
On accommodation, Mr Imoro mentioned that the NSS was liasing with the district assemblies as well civil society organisations to provide accommodation for personnel posted to remote areas.
Meanwhile, the remaining percentage of the personnel would work with the Ministries, Department and Agencies, district assemblies and the private sector.
Ashanti region will have 5640 personnel, Brong Ahafo, 2667, Central region, 2080, Eastern, 2871, Western, 2690 and 1571 for the Volta region, The Northern, Upper West and Upper East would also receive 1871,710 and 698 personnel in that order.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Ghanaian Journalists asked to deploy ICT for election coverage

ICT key for effective election reportage-ICT expert

STORY-Hannah Annor

Accra, October 2, -The use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools by the media is crucial to ensuring effective reportage in the December general elections, an ICT expert observed on Thursday.
Mr. Ibrahim Inusah, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS) who made the observation, said adopting ICT would facilitate the media's role in monitoring and ensuring transparency in the elections.
Mr. Inusah was speaking to newsmen after a day's workshop organised by GINKS in Accra to expose journalists to the use of ICT for election reportage.
He indicated that media knowledge on ICT was low, hence the need to build their capacity to enable them to make good use of the emerging global technology.
He identified the use of SMS text messaging as an effective ICT tool, which the media could deploy effectively in its dissemination and information gathering processes.
Mr. Inusah therefore challenged the media to develop their knowledge in the technology and pledged his organisation's continuous support to organise similar workshop for journalists.
GINKS, established in 2003, consists of a broad range of people drawn from various fields of endeavour mainly involved in ICT and sustainable development.
It provides solutions to challenges in the ICT environment through networking, information and Knowledge sharing among all stakeholders; conducting research; publicity and advocacy.