WILLIAM Ramzy Amui, aka, Ramzy, first runner up in the first edition of music reality show, Stars of the Future was last Monday sentenced to a 10-year imprisonment with hard labour by a Tema High Court presided over by Justice Peter Offei.
Ramzy and eight others pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy, armed robbery and dishonesty receiving under article 29 Clause 146 of the criminal code.
Ramsey who spotted a black suit and a neck tie was, probably confident of going back to the comfort of his home.
He however stripped himself of the jacket and his neck tie which he handed over to his mother apparently to ease the intense heat he felt when the presiding judge began reading the sentence.
His counsel, Capt Nkrabea Effah-Darteh was not in court at the time of the sentence.
Prosecuting the case, State Attorney, Ms Hilda Worwonyo told the court that the compliant the Mrs Cynthia Kordah, a Tema based businesswoman on the 23rd January 2007 reported an armed robbery attack to the Tema Regional Police.
According to Ms Worwonyo, Mrs Kordah said 4x4 Toyota Hylander with registration number GT 6409 X and an amount of GH¢300 were taken from her at a gun point at her community 11 shop the previous evening.
Ms Worwonyo indicated, Ramsey who is the 8th accused in the case on the same day in the company of his friends Francis Amuzu and Jerry Boampong approached a businessman in Abeka Lapaz, a suburb of Accra apparently to sell the vehicle.
The businessman feigning interest in the deal asked for documentation to which the accused persons were not able to provide.
He therefore alerted the police who swooped in on the accused persons when they were about to take delivery of the money from the transaction.
Ramsey and his group was also alleged to have robbed another businessman of his Grand Cherokee 4x4 vehicle with registration number GT 1791 V in 2006 at community 9, also suburb of Tema for which another case is currently pending before court.
He is due to re-appear before the court at a later date for the commencement of the second case.
Ramzy, a budding musician placed a closed second at the maiden edition of Stars of the Future, a musical reality show organized by Charterhouse in 2006.
He also auditioned for the Mnet West African Idols contest in 2007 in Nigeria.
He returned to Ghana after he qualified to take part in the singing competition but his dreams of being an idol were dashed when he was arrested in 2007 along with eight others, just days before he was schedule to go back to Nigeria.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
CELEBRITY LAUNCHES COCA COLA MONTHLY MEDAL, DAILY GRAPHIC, THUR JAN 28,10 (PAGE 63)
CELEBRITY Golf Club will launch the maiden Coca Cola monthly medal tournament on Saturday.
The monthly tourney is a big boost from the soft drink giant and club Captain, Pierre Coussey believes it would enhance the club’s youth development policy being also being rolled out.
Briefing the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Coussey disclosed that the club after making strategic progress in its development was now ready to enter into long term mutually beneficial corporate relationships with well established blue chip companies.
‘It is for these reasons; the Committee of the Club is in the process of finalising a long term involvement of Coca Cola and its presence in Golf in Ghana’, he said.
According to him, the monthly tournaments are built to make golfers and ready for major events.
The competition is open to all golfers across the country.
Mr Coussey also noted the competition also aimed among other things to help golfers improve on their handicap.
Mr Coussey further indicated that the Celebrity Golf Course is acknowledged to be one of the best designed Golf Courses in West Africa and such strategic associations with Blue Chip Companies is geared to improve the facilities in order to upgrade the playing surface to a world class standard.
‘It is with this vision that Celebrity Golf Club Committee and its members have decided to take this step with Coca Cola and to use its synergy of its worldwide corporate structure to identify the best possible assistance to be given to the Club to achieve its ultimate goal’, he remarked.
The monthly tourney is a big boost from the soft drink giant and club Captain, Pierre Coussey believes it would enhance the club’s youth development policy being also being rolled out.
Briefing the Daily Graphic yesterday, Mr Coussey disclosed that the club after making strategic progress in its development was now ready to enter into long term mutually beneficial corporate relationships with well established blue chip companies.
‘It is for these reasons; the Committee of the Club is in the process of finalising a long term involvement of Coca Cola and its presence in Golf in Ghana’, he said.
According to him, the monthly tournaments are built to make golfers and ready for major events.
The competition is open to all golfers across the country.
Mr Coussey also noted the competition also aimed among other things to help golfers improve on their handicap.
Mr Coussey further indicated that the Celebrity Golf Course is acknowledged to be one of the best designed Golf Courses in West Africa and such strategic associations with Blue Chip Companies is geared to improve the facilities in order to upgrade the playing surface to a world class standard.
‘It is with this vision that Celebrity Golf Club Committee and its members have decided to take this step with Coca Cola and to use its synergy of its worldwide corporate structure to identify the best possible assistance to be given to the Club to achieve its ultimate goal’, he remarked.
Monday, January 25, 2010
MILLICENT OPPONG WINS LADIES PRIZE, GRAPHIC SPORTS, FRI 19 JAN, 10 (PAGE 16)
FORMER Lady Captain of Kumasi royal Club, Millicent Ivy Oppong, playing handicap 16 netted a total score of 73 to beat Achimota based Margaret Anderson on count back to emerge the winner of the 2009 edition of the Lady Captain’s prize played at the Tema Country Golf Club last Sunday.
The tourney which saw over 120 golfers from Takoradi, Achimota, Kumasi and Bok nam Kim participating in the one-day 18 hole event was sponsored by Mrs Victoria Adjei, lady Captain of the Tema Golf Club.
Ghana’s scratch queen expert, Mona Myers Lamptey who is yet to recover from an injury she sustained scored 76 to place third.
The same can be said of Lady Scientific, Florence Etwi-Barimah who netted apiece 77 to place fourth.
Mathias Dorfe of Achimota maintaining his winning ways defeated his closest contender Hang Tang on a count back by a net score of 63 to take home the giant trophy as well as sponsors souvenirs donated by Colonel Raj Kumar who co-sponsored the tourney.
Tang was closely followed by Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah of the host club who scored 64 to place third.
The men’s category B saw Samuel Afari returning a net score of 62 to place first beating Nahesh Shish on count back while Appau from Achimota came third with a net of 64.
Host Club’s Minghong Ding played a net of 63 to in the ladies category B to place first while Celebrity lady captain Briggette Harrington and Grace Amoah netted 79 and 82 to place second and third respectively.
Mrs Victoria Adjei in her welcome address challenged colleague golfers to help draw up strategies that would attract the youth’s interest into accepting the sports.
Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Mathew Quarshie, who chaired the event paid glowing tribute to visiting golfers for honoring the competition in their numbers and making the programme a success.
The tourney which saw over 120 golfers from Takoradi, Achimota, Kumasi and Bok nam Kim participating in the one-day 18 hole event was sponsored by Mrs Victoria Adjei, lady Captain of the Tema Golf Club.
Ghana’s scratch queen expert, Mona Myers Lamptey who is yet to recover from an injury she sustained scored 76 to place third.
The same can be said of Lady Scientific, Florence Etwi-Barimah who netted apiece 77 to place fourth.
Mathias Dorfe of Achimota maintaining his winning ways defeated his closest contender Hang Tang on a count back by a net score of 63 to take home the giant trophy as well as sponsors souvenirs donated by Colonel Raj Kumar who co-sponsored the tourney.
Tang was closely followed by Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah of the host club who scored 64 to place third.
The men’s category B saw Samuel Afari returning a net score of 62 to place first beating Nahesh Shish on count back while Appau from Achimota came third with a net of 64.
Host Club’s Minghong Ding played a net of 63 to in the ladies category B to place first while Celebrity lady captain Briggette Harrington and Grace Amoah netted 79 and 82 to place second and third respectively.
Mrs Victoria Adjei in her welcome address challenged colleague golfers to help draw up strategies that would attract the youth’s interest into accepting the sports.
Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Mathew Quarshie, who chaired the event paid glowing tribute to visiting golfers for honoring the competition in their numbers and making the programme a success.
TOR ASSURES OF FUEL SUPPLY, DAILY GRAPHIC, THUR JAN 21, 10 (FRONT B)
THE management of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has given the assurance that in spite of the fire outbreak which occurred at the Loading Gantry of the refinery, fuel supply will not be interrupted.
The managing Director, Dr Kwame Ampofo gave the assurance when the two deputy ministers of energy Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah and Dr Kwabena Donkor paid a visit to the refinery.
He ahs therefore advised the public against panic buying.
The two deputy ministers were at the refinery to confer with management and asses the extent of damage caused by the fire outbreak.
Dr Ampofo explained that fuel supply to the depots was done through direct pumping which did not need the tankers before being delivered.
Interacting with journalists, Mr Buah commended personnel of the emergency support services for promptly responding to calls that salvage the situation last Tuesday.
He noted that looking at the strategic importance of TOR; government would pursue measures to prevent the recurrence of such an incident in future.
He said government was saddened by the fire and express condolences to the families of the deceased workers.
Dr Donkor appealed to the media to assist in assuring the nation of continuous supply of fuel thorough the various storage depots across the country.
Earlier in the day, officials of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) led by its board Chairman, Mr Kojo Fynn, had also visited the fire scene.
They expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place by TOR’s management to ensure safety while investigations continued.
Meanwhile the death toll from the outbreak has risen to two. That followed the death of another worker, Humphrey Ahiekpor, 57, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday.
Ahiekpor was transferred to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit of Korle Bu from the Tema General Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for severe burns he sustained.
The incident initially claimed the life of Thomas Ebow Friar, 60 and injured two others.
A deputy Minister of Energy, Dr Kwabena Donkor confirmed the death of the second person.
The family of Ebow Friar was in a state of mourning when the Daily Graphic visited his residence at Tema community 7 yeateday.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mrs Elizabeth Ogoe Friar said her husband left home on that faithful day in good health and there was no indication he would never return.
She said, her daughter had called her to inform her of a fire outbreak at the refinery where her father worked.
Mrs Friar said, all attempts to reach him proved futile and therefore she called other people including his son-in-law who also works at the refinery to find out if Ebow was safe.
‘It was not until in the evening when her husband did not return home that information reached their residence of his death, she remarked.
The managing Director, Dr Kwame Ampofo gave the assurance when the two deputy ministers of energy Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah and Dr Kwabena Donkor paid a visit to the refinery.
He ahs therefore advised the public against panic buying.
The two deputy ministers were at the refinery to confer with management and asses the extent of damage caused by the fire outbreak.
Dr Ampofo explained that fuel supply to the depots was done through direct pumping which did not need the tankers before being delivered.
Interacting with journalists, Mr Buah commended personnel of the emergency support services for promptly responding to calls that salvage the situation last Tuesday.
He noted that looking at the strategic importance of TOR; government would pursue measures to prevent the recurrence of such an incident in future.
He said government was saddened by the fire and express condolences to the families of the deceased workers.
Dr Donkor appealed to the media to assist in assuring the nation of continuous supply of fuel thorough the various storage depots across the country.
Earlier in the day, officials of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) led by its board Chairman, Mr Kojo Fynn, had also visited the fire scene.
They expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place by TOR’s management to ensure safety while investigations continued.
Meanwhile the death toll from the outbreak has risen to two. That followed the death of another worker, Humphrey Ahiekpor, 57, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday.
Ahiekpor was transferred to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit of Korle Bu from the Tema General Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for severe burns he sustained.
The incident initially claimed the life of Thomas Ebow Friar, 60 and injured two others.
A deputy Minister of Energy, Dr Kwabena Donkor confirmed the death of the second person.
The family of Ebow Friar was in a state of mourning when the Daily Graphic visited his residence at Tema community 7 yeateday.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mrs Elizabeth Ogoe Friar said her husband left home on that faithful day in good health and there was no indication he would never return.
She said, her daughter had called her to inform her of a fire outbreak at the refinery where her father worked.
Mrs Friar said, all attempts to reach him proved futile and therefore she called other people including his son-in-law who also works at the refinery to find out if Ebow was safe.
‘It was not until in the evening when her husband did not return home that information reached their residence of his death, she remarked.
INVEST IN THE ARTS,DAVID DONTOH, GRAPHIC SHOWBIZ, THUR 14 JAN, 10 (PAGE 8)
RENOWNED Ghanaian actor, Mr David Dontoh has urged the business community to channel some of its resources into promoting the arts and not only spend on beauty pageants and football.
Speaking on a broad range of issues relating to the development of arts and culture in an interview with Showbiz in Tema, Mr Dontoh regretted that a cosmopolitan city like Tema which has the biggest drydock facility in Africa has no decent, purpose built theater to host various cultural events.
He said an important body like the National Development Commission has no representation from the arts community on it and that meant issues pertaining to the industry hardly appear on its agenda.
‘My suggestion is that there must be a quota representation of arts people on the commission.
That quota can be filled at various times by people involved with either dance, film, music, theater or the visual arts at different times.
According to the well-known actor, ‘South Africa is hosting the world cup today because of investments made towards the arts, entertainment and the tourism industry that has marketed them to the world over the years.
Continuing, he said credible research findings indicates about 93 different careers under theater while the film industry has a total of over 204 careers under its belt.
It is therefore important to develop those areas so the youth can study and get jobs there.
Mr Dontoh said, Nigeria’s movie industry has risen to become one of the highest foreign exchange earners for the country and has generated a lot of jobs because attention is being paid to the sector, and that Ghana can learn from that.
He regretted the film policy has been in parliament for over six years without a passage, yet, it took legislators 48 hours to approve the controversial Chinnery Hesse’s recommendations on emoluments for public service holders.
Mr Dontoh call on the government set up a theater and arts endowment fund that corporate institutions can donate a percentage of their profits to help boost and create jobs there.
He expressed disappointment at the decision of local companies to sponsor foreign soap operas and sitcoms on television at the expense of local productions and charged Ministry of Tourism and Culture to formulate policies that can bolster the production of local programmes.
He again challenged the Tourism Ministry developed blue prints that would go to streamline the operations of hotels and hospitality centers across the metropolis.
He said, hospitality is absence if structures referred to as hotels lacks performance stage and cinema halls for adequate entertainment of their guests.
‘Hospitality goes beyond sleeping and eating and we must be aware of that in order to speed up the development of tourism in this country’, he added.
Speaking on a broad range of issues relating to the development of arts and culture in an interview with Showbiz in Tema, Mr Dontoh regretted that a cosmopolitan city like Tema which has the biggest drydock facility in Africa has no decent, purpose built theater to host various cultural events.
He said an important body like the National Development Commission has no representation from the arts community on it and that meant issues pertaining to the industry hardly appear on its agenda.
‘My suggestion is that there must be a quota representation of arts people on the commission.
That quota can be filled at various times by people involved with either dance, film, music, theater or the visual arts at different times.
According to the well-known actor, ‘South Africa is hosting the world cup today because of investments made towards the arts, entertainment and the tourism industry that has marketed them to the world over the years.
Continuing, he said credible research findings indicates about 93 different careers under theater while the film industry has a total of over 204 careers under its belt.
It is therefore important to develop those areas so the youth can study and get jobs there.
Mr Dontoh said, Nigeria’s movie industry has risen to become one of the highest foreign exchange earners for the country and has generated a lot of jobs because attention is being paid to the sector, and that Ghana can learn from that.
He regretted the film policy has been in parliament for over six years without a passage, yet, it took legislators 48 hours to approve the controversial Chinnery Hesse’s recommendations on emoluments for public service holders.
Mr Dontoh call on the government set up a theater and arts endowment fund that corporate institutions can donate a percentage of their profits to help boost and create jobs there.
He expressed disappointment at the decision of local companies to sponsor foreign soap operas and sitcoms on television at the expense of local productions and charged Ministry of Tourism and Culture to formulate policies that can bolster the production of local programmes.
He again challenged the Tourism Ministry developed blue prints that would go to streamline the operations of hotels and hospitality centers across the metropolis.
He said, hospitality is absence if structures referred to as hotels lacks performance stage and cinema halls for adequate entertainment of their guests.
‘Hospitality goes beyond sleeping and eating and we must be aware of that in order to speed up the development of tourism in this country’, he added.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Lady Captain's tourney at Tema tommorow, Daily Graphic,Fri Jan 15, 10 (Page 47)
THE Tema Country Golf Club would tomorrow play host to the 2009 edition of the Lady Captain’s prize tournament.
The competition which is the club’s first for the year seeks to re-enact rivalry among the sports top guns.
A released signed by Mr Ebenezer Adablanu, manager of the club indicated the competition has been categorized in various handicap.
According to Mr Adablanu, the Men handicap A would play in 1-18, while hole 19-28 would play for handicap B.
In the ladies category, the handicap A would be 1-20, while B would range from 21-28.
The competition which is open to all golfers from golfing clubs within the Accra and Tema metropolis would see Ghana’s scratch queen expert Mona Myles Lamptey challenging the likes of Lady Scientific, Florence Etwi- Barimah and Achimota based Ama Morgan for the honours.
The tourney is being sponsored by the club’s lady captain, Mrs Victoria Adjei.
The competition which is the club’s first for the year seeks to re-enact rivalry among the sports top guns.
A released signed by Mr Ebenezer Adablanu, manager of the club indicated the competition has been categorized in various handicap.
According to Mr Adablanu, the Men handicap A would play in 1-18, while hole 19-28 would play for handicap B.
In the ladies category, the handicap A would be 1-20, while B would range from 21-28.
The competition which is open to all golfers from golfing clubs within the Accra and Tema metropolis would see Ghana’s scratch queen expert Mona Myles Lamptey challenging the likes of Lady Scientific, Florence Etwi- Barimah and Achimota based Ama Morgan for the honours.
The tourney is being sponsored by the club’s lady captain, Mrs Victoria Adjei.
HAVOC AT TOR, As fire kills one worker, destroys nine tankers, DAILY GRAPHIC, WED JAN 20, 2010 (FRONT LEAD)
A HUGE inferno engulfed the loading gantry of the Tema Oil Refinery yesterday, claiming the life of a worker of the plant and injuring two others.
Also destroyed in the blaze were company equipments and nine fuel tankers.
The charred body of the worker has been conveyed to the police hospital while two injured workers identified as Humphrey Aheikpor, 57, and Samuel Okine, 30 are receiving treatment at the Tema General Hospital.
The deceased worker, Thomas Ebo Friar, 60 was said to be due for retirement in March this year.
Two of the nine tankers were burnt beyond recognition. The equipments which was affected by the fire for whose cause is yet to be determined included, meters, pipe systems and an automatic fire sprinkling system.
It was a run for your life scene as smoke blended with flames could be sighted from afar.
According to eye witness account, the vicinity of the refinery became charged when the fire started, with tanker drivers moving their vehicles while workers ran helter-skelter for their lives.
They said the tankers were being loaded with premix fuel for distribution to outlets in the country when the incident occurred.
The fire also caused a panic situation as hawkers, drivers and workers of other industries within the vicinity took cover.
All vehicles moving towards the industrial area were directed to return.
Briefing the media after the fire has been brought under control, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr Albert Gaisie said, the Tema Fire station had a call at about 10am concerning the fire outbreak.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service promptly mobilize six fire tenders with support from nine other stakeholders including, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), The Volta River Authority (VRA), Immigration Service and the Tema Oil Refinery’s fire brigade to fight the raging fire.
Mr Gaisie said, it took the team 20mins to bring the fire under control, although smoke continue to emanate from the burnt tankers.
Also destroyed in the blaze were company equipments and nine fuel tankers.
The charred body of the worker has been conveyed to the police hospital while two injured workers identified as Humphrey Aheikpor, 57, and Samuel Okine, 30 are receiving treatment at the Tema General Hospital.
The deceased worker, Thomas Ebo Friar, 60 was said to be due for retirement in March this year.
Two of the nine tankers were burnt beyond recognition. The equipments which was affected by the fire for whose cause is yet to be determined included, meters, pipe systems and an automatic fire sprinkling system.
It was a run for your life scene as smoke blended with flames could be sighted from afar.
According to eye witness account, the vicinity of the refinery became charged when the fire started, with tanker drivers moving their vehicles while workers ran helter-skelter for their lives.
They said the tankers were being loaded with premix fuel for distribution to outlets in the country when the incident occurred.
The fire also caused a panic situation as hawkers, drivers and workers of other industries within the vicinity took cover.
All vehicles moving towards the industrial area were directed to return.
Briefing the media after the fire has been brought under control, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr Albert Gaisie said, the Tema Fire station had a call at about 10am concerning the fire outbreak.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service promptly mobilize six fire tenders with support from nine other stakeholders including, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), The Volta River Authority (VRA), Immigration Service and the Tema Oil Refinery’s fire brigade to fight the raging fire.
Mr Gaisie said, it took the team 20mins to bring the fire under control, although smoke continue to emanate from the burnt tankers.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
ASHAIMAN TRADERS ACCUSE ASSEMBLY OFFICIALS, DAILY GRAPHIC JAN 13,10 (PAGE 30)
THE Ashaiman Peace Traders Association and the Municipal Assembly are on a collision course following the decongestion exercise being carried out by the assembly.
The exercise was meant to relocate members of the association and other trading groups in the municipality to the old lorry park popularly referred to as the ‘Kufour Station’.
The traders alleged that top officials have misappropriated large sums of money through the allocation of plots to the hawkers at the cost of GH¢500.
They claim in a memorandum of understanding signed between the hawkers, the assembly agreed to allot the plots free of charge while the traders erect their own sheds, but the municipal chief executive, Mr Addison Adinortey-Numo and his allies were selling the plots to the applicants.
In addition, they said a brother of the MCE is allegedly allocating plots at GH¢500, even though he is not an employee of the assembly.
According to them, although more than 900 plots had been demarcated for allocation, to the hawkers, only 282 out of a total of 852 names submitted by the association to the assembly had had plots allocated to them.
They further claim that members of the Ashaiman NDC Task Force had been given 24 plots although they were not traders.
In addition, they said, the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Alfred Agbesi, the presiding member of the assembly, Mr Emmanuel Nikoi Dsane, officers of the First Battalion of Infantry who assisted in the recent decongestion exercise as well as the traditional council were all allocated a total of 70 plots to be developed into sheds although these individuals and groups do not fall under the traders association nor performs any trading activities.
The brother of the chief executive when contacted on the telephone admitted allocating structures to some traders and people who fall under the assembly’s protocol list at a cost of GH¢180 and not GH¢500 as being alleged.
The MCE would not confirm or deny the allegation by the traders but warned that he would take on any individual or group of persons that spreads falsehood on his role in the allocations.
Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Alfred Agbesi, on the other hand admitted a receipt of two plots and not five as indicated.
The chairman of the Ashaiman Peace Traders Association, Mr James Mensa challenged the chief executive to come out openly and explained the rationale behind the activities of his brother who continually constructs sheds at the new market although he is not an employee of the assembly.
Mr Mensah noted, members of the association would renege on the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties and return to the streets if the assembly do not fulfils its promise of providing space for the over 500 members who had still not been given plots.
The exercise was meant to relocate members of the association and other trading groups in the municipality to the old lorry park popularly referred to as the ‘Kufour Station’.
The traders alleged that top officials have misappropriated large sums of money through the allocation of plots to the hawkers at the cost of GH¢500.
They claim in a memorandum of understanding signed between the hawkers, the assembly agreed to allot the plots free of charge while the traders erect their own sheds, but the municipal chief executive, Mr Addison Adinortey-Numo and his allies were selling the plots to the applicants.
In addition, they said a brother of the MCE is allegedly allocating plots at GH¢500, even though he is not an employee of the assembly.
According to them, although more than 900 plots had been demarcated for allocation, to the hawkers, only 282 out of a total of 852 names submitted by the association to the assembly had had plots allocated to them.
They further claim that members of the Ashaiman NDC Task Force had been given 24 plots although they were not traders.
In addition, they said, the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Alfred Agbesi, the presiding member of the assembly, Mr Emmanuel Nikoi Dsane, officers of the First Battalion of Infantry who assisted in the recent decongestion exercise as well as the traditional council were all allocated a total of 70 plots to be developed into sheds although these individuals and groups do not fall under the traders association nor performs any trading activities.
The brother of the chief executive when contacted on the telephone admitted allocating structures to some traders and people who fall under the assembly’s protocol list at a cost of GH¢180 and not GH¢500 as being alleged.
The MCE would not confirm or deny the allegation by the traders but warned that he would take on any individual or group of persons that spreads falsehood on his role in the allocations.
Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Alfred Agbesi, on the other hand admitted a receipt of two plots and not five as indicated.
The chairman of the Ashaiman Peace Traders Association, Mr James Mensa challenged the chief executive to come out openly and explained the rationale behind the activities of his brother who continually constructs sheds at the new market although he is not an employee of the assembly.
Mr Mensah noted, members of the association would renege on the memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties and return to the streets if the assembly do not fulfils its promise of providing space for the over 500 members who had still not been given plots.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
INCULCATE SAVINGS HABIT IN CHILDREN, DAILY GRAPHIC, FRI JAN 8, 10 (PAGE 33)
THE GENERAL Manager of HFC Investment Services, Mr Joseph Nketsiah has challenged parents and guardians to inculcate of savings in their children.
Mr Nketsiah made the appeal in Tema when the company introduced the kiddie version of the HFC Unit Trust to students of the Tema International School.
The package known as ‘piggy’ investment fund is a capital preservation towards catering for future needs.
According to the HFC officials this was to help the students save towards expectations that wouldn’t see them being over-dependent on parents and guardian for basic necessities.
The outreached programme initiated by the company is expected to be taken to basic and second cycle institutions within the Accra and Tema metropolis is expected to be replicated in other major cities across the country effective January this year.
Mr Nketsiah noted, the ingredients that a makes a nation is investment, hence the need to orient children who are tomorrow’s leaders into appreciating the need to invest in one’s future.
An Investment officer with the company, Mr Kingsley Soglo who took the students through some investment tips encouraged them to embrace the scheme being put together by the fund.
He further charged them to programme their finances while they made strides into ensuring a fruitful future in the absence of their guardians.
The Head of Funds Management at the company, Ms Aileen Conteh appeal to the students to make conscious efforts into safeguarding their future well being through the adoption of positive investment attitudes.
Continuing, she indicated, the piggy fund which is part of the campus banking for students below the legal age of investing.
Ms Conteh noted that, the individual fund would be part of a pool of resources that would be rolled into various investment portfolios’ for the future benefit of the individual and charged parents to clinch the initiative which would relief them of various financial obligations.
Students who participated in the forum describe the presentation as a useful experience which would influence their spending positively.
Participating students were presented with certificates and GHC20 seed money to begin with the fund.
Mr Nketsiah made the appeal in Tema when the company introduced the kiddie version of the HFC Unit Trust to students of the Tema International School.
The package known as ‘piggy’ investment fund is a capital preservation towards catering for future needs.
According to the HFC officials this was to help the students save towards expectations that wouldn’t see them being over-dependent on parents and guardian for basic necessities.
The outreached programme initiated by the company is expected to be taken to basic and second cycle institutions within the Accra and Tema metropolis is expected to be replicated in other major cities across the country effective January this year.
Mr Nketsiah noted, the ingredients that a makes a nation is investment, hence the need to orient children who are tomorrow’s leaders into appreciating the need to invest in one’s future.
An Investment officer with the company, Mr Kingsley Soglo who took the students through some investment tips encouraged them to embrace the scheme being put together by the fund.
He further charged them to programme their finances while they made strides into ensuring a fruitful future in the absence of their guardians.
The Head of Funds Management at the company, Ms Aileen Conteh appeal to the students to make conscious efforts into safeguarding their future well being through the adoption of positive investment attitudes.
Continuing, she indicated, the piggy fund which is part of the campus banking for students below the legal age of investing.
Ms Conteh noted that, the individual fund would be part of a pool of resources that would be rolled into various investment portfolios’ for the future benefit of the individual and charged parents to clinch the initiative which would relief them of various financial obligations.
Students who participated in the forum describe the presentation as a useful experience which would influence their spending positively.
Participating students were presented with certificates and GHC20 seed money to begin with the fund.
GCNet TO CREAT SINGLE WINDOW, DAILY GRAPHIC, FRI JAN 8, 10 ( PAGE 33)
THE Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) in collaboration with the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has organised stakeholders meeting on the deployment of the single window concept for the clearing of goods across the country’s ports.
The forum which was to gather feedback from users of the new system following the two entities decision to digitise the processes of documentation, was to afford managers an opportunity to access first hand information on its performance following its introduction in October last year.
Addressing participants at the forum, Operations Manager of GCNet, Mr Chris Holden indicated the new system was developed in consultation with stakeholders in the supply chain of clearing and forwarding is aimed towards a reduction of traffic associated with clearing procedures.
He noted, over 10 governmental agencies which includes the Foods and Drugs Board, Minerals Commission, Ghana Standards Board, Vertinary Services, etc. who are all involved in the online application of trade related transactions had been integrated onto the system following an approval from the National Communications Authority.
This new development according to Mr Holden would reduce considerable dalliance in government business and promote efficiency in the bargain.
Continuing, he noted the single window concept also forms part of the government’s e-governance project aimed at reducing the level of paper works in major ministries, departments and agencies across the country.
‘And when deployed entirely in major cities across the country, it can allow users to make payments online at any GCNet location thereby enabling easy process of documentations in all MDA’s’, Mr Holden remarked.
He also hinted of a proposed prepaid account to be activated effective march 2010 for importers as part of efforts being made to reduce the carriage of physical cash which would in turn go into reducing incidents of bribery and corruption at major transit points.
Mr Holden therefore called for support from stakeholders in the revenue mobilisation industry to embrace the new system aimed at achieving the country’s developmental goals.
Participants at the forum were optimistic the new system would help propel the country into achieving the set goal of a middle income status as well as propelling business competitiveness within the global economy.
They however regretted the internet connectivity was sluggish when one is logged, a situation they described as a frustrating which was impacting negatively on their businesses, and call on managers to improve and upgrade the system to enhance smooth delivery.
They also calls for an early passage of the data protection act which is currently at the consideration stage before parliament so as to make the deployment of the e-payment system an easy one.
The forum which was to gather feedback from users of the new system following the two entities decision to digitise the processes of documentation, was to afford managers an opportunity to access first hand information on its performance following its introduction in October last year.
Addressing participants at the forum, Operations Manager of GCNet, Mr Chris Holden indicated the new system was developed in consultation with stakeholders in the supply chain of clearing and forwarding is aimed towards a reduction of traffic associated with clearing procedures.
He noted, over 10 governmental agencies which includes the Foods and Drugs Board, Minerals Commission, Ghana Standards Board, Vertinary Services, etc. who are all involved in the online application of trade related transactions had been integrated onto the system following an approval from the National Communications Authority.
This new development according to Mr Holden would reduce considerable dalliance in government business and promote efficiency in the bargain.
Continuing, he noted the single window concept also forms part of the government’s e-governance project aimed at reducing the level of paper works in major ministries, departments and agencies across the country.
‘And when deployed entirely in major cities across the country, it can allow users to make payments online at any GCNet location thereby enabling easy process of documentations in all MDA’s’, Mr Holden remarked.
He also hinted of a proposed prepaid account to be activated effective march 2010 for importers as part of efforts being made to reduce the carriage of physical cash which would in turn go into reducing incidents of bribery and corruption at major transit points.
Mr Holden therefore called for support from stakeholders in the revenue mobilisation industry to embrace the new system aimed at achieving the country’s developmental goals.
Participants at the forum were optimistic the new system would help propel the country into achieving the set goal of a middle income status as well as propelling business competitiveness within the global economy.
They however regretted the internet connectivity was sluggish when one is logged, a situation they described as a frustrating which was impacting negatively on their businesses, and call on managers to improve and upgrade the system to enhance smooth delivery.
They also calls for an early passage of the data protection act which is currently at the consideration stage before parliament so as to make the deployment of the e-payment system an easy one.
INNER WHEEL assists REMAR FOUNDATION, DAILY GRAPHIC, SAT 9th JAN, 2009 (PAGE 18)
THE Inner Wheel Club of Tema, a charitable organisation made up of the wives of Rotarians in the Tema metropolis has donated quantity of assorted items valued at GHC200 to inmates of the Remar Foundation located in Tema.
The items made up of used clothing, foodstuffs, fruits, disinfectants and groceries according to the President of the club is to bring joy to the faces of inmates throughout the yuletide.
Making the donation, Mrs Googie Nuno, President of the club indicated the donation forms part of the group’s social responsibility programme aimed towards giving back to the less privileged society.
Continuing, she noted, strides being made by managers of the center to reform destitute children who idles on various streets across the country was what informed her outfit’s decision to adopt the center in 2001.
Mrs Nuno regretted poverty and broken homes has seen orphan children and brilliant but less fortunate children loitering about thus engaging in negative social vices such as the abused of drugs, prostitution as well as criminal activities.
She commended the managers of the center for reaching out to the children and helping them make meanings out of their lives and appealed to corporate institutions and well meaning individuals extend a helping hand to them as these children according to her are the heartbeat of society who ought to be provided and cared for as they were being prepared to take over the responsibility of leadership in future.
She paid glowing tribute to members of the Inner Wheel Club, whose contribution she described as being tremendous towards the transformation of inmates into responsible citizens. The group also organised a new year dinner for the inmates at the cost of GH¢300.
The Public Relations Manager of the foundation, Mr Joshua Mamphey, who received the items on behalf of the center, expressed profound appreciation to the group for the gesture.
He expressed profound appreciation to the group for the consistency they have showed over the years towards the activities of the center which serves as a correctional facility for children rescued from the streets across various metropolises in the country.
He indicated the foundation which was incorporated as a charitable organisation in the country some 10years ago as a rehabilitation center for socially rejected people has over the years transformed more than none hundred thousand of persons considered as social miscreants into useful individuals.
He however regretted, although the foundation has been in the country over a decade, it has no permanent structure that houses inmates and appeal to corporate bodies and well meaning Ghanaians to extend a helping hand towards helping the foundation acquire a permanent facility.
Remar foundation is a Christian charitable organisation founded in 1982 in Spain by Miguel Biez, a philanthropist and a businessman to provide humanitarian assistance to the most needy, abandoned children as well as people orphaned by HIV and AIDs.
The foundation since its establishment apart from providing support for the above mentioned group of affected persons has over the year’s educated young people who miss out on education owing to poverty.
The foundation which currently has centers in over fifty three different countries worldwide has also been providing assistance to many prisoners across their country of operation.
The items made up of used clothing, foodstuffs, fruits, disinfectants and groceries according to the President of the club is to bring joy to the faces of inmates throughout the yuletide.
Making the donation, Mrs Googie Nuno, President of the club indicated the donation forms part of the group’s social responsibility programme aimed towards giving back to the less privileged society.
Continuing, she noted, strides being made by managers of the center to reform destitute children who idles on various streets across the country was what informed her outfit’s decision to adopt the center in 2001.
Mrs Nuno regretted poverty and broken homes has seen orphan children and brilliant but less fortunate children loitering about thus engaging in negative social vices such as the abused of drugs, prostitution as well as criminal activities.
She commended the managers of the center for reaching out to the children and helping them make meanings out of their lives and appealed to corporate institutions and well meaning individuals extend a helping hand to them as these children according to her are the heartbeat of society who ought to be provided and cared for as they were being prepared to take over the responsibility of leadership in future.
She paid glowing tribute to members of the Inner Wheel Club, whose contribution she described as being tremendous towards the transformation of inmates into responsible citizens. The group also organised a new year dinner for the inmates at the cost of GH¢300.
The Public Relations Manager of the foundation, Mr Joshua Mamphey, who received the items on behalf of the center, expressed profound appreciation to the group for the gesture.
He expressed profound appreciation to the group for the consistency they have showed over the years towards the activities of the center which serves as a correctional facility for children rescued from the streets across various metropolises in the country.
He indicated the foundation which was incorporated as a charitable organisation in the country some 10years ago as a rehabilitation center for socially rejected people has over the years transformed more than none hundred thousand of persons considered as social miscreants into useful individuals.
He however regretted, although the foundation has been in the country over a decade, it has no permanent structure that houses inmates and appeal to corporate bodies and well meaning Ghanaians to extend a helping hand towards helping the foundation acquire a permanent facility.
Remar foundation is a Christian charitable organisation founded in 1982 in Spain by Miguel Biez, a philanthropist and a businessman to provide humanitarian assistance to the most needy, abandoned children as well as people orphaned by HIV and AIDs.
The foundation since its establishment apart from providing support for the above mentioned group of affected persons has over the year’s educated young people who miss out on education owing to poverty.
The foundation which currently has centers in over fifty three different countries worldwide has also been providing assistance to many prisoners across their country of operation.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
31ST DECEMBER REVOLUTION MARKED (PAGE 13, JAN 2)
THE former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has described the 31st December Revolution as one that relit the flame of freedom and justice, awakening the Ghanaian to a renewed sense of patriotism and dedication.
He made the remarks in Tema when he addressed a symposium to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the 31st December Movement.
The programme was on the theme: The Spirit of the 31st Revolution, The Better Ghana Agenda.
The symposium was marked with a call on Ghanaians to remind themselves of the principles of probity, accountability,intergrity and justice.
Addressing a fully packed hall of cadres and members of the 31st December Women's Movement, he indicated that the revolution was based on the outcome of the June 4, 1979 uprising, an eruption created by the failure of successive governments to respect the sanctity of justice as well as the creation of equal opportunities for citizens of our country.
He explained that the call was necessary because of deterioration of the moral fibre in certain sections of the society.
Former President Rawlings said his heart bled because of some happenings within the NDC, which, if not checked, could affect the party.
He noted that “you must move with a united front to seek audience from the leadership and talk to them.”
He said the NDC was built on a foundation of visionary leadership and self discipline.
FL Lt Rawlings was of the view that most Ghanaians who believed in the national motto of Freedom and Justice, irrespective of their political affiliations, would expect that a government born out of noble principles would act more expeditiously to uphold justice.
He said the party would go to congress early next year, and urged delegates to elect individuals who had credibility and shown genuine commitment to the party.
He said as they remembered the day, the cadres needed to question their continued sense of dedication to its ideals and questioned if after 28 years the flame was not in danger of being extinguished by their inaction as a political force.
Former President Rawlings was not happy that those who worked hard to bring the party to power had been shown disrespect by their own colleagues, which prompted him to send words of advice to them .
He stated that the pieces of advice was not taken and they continued to do wrong things which further prompted him to come out once a while to the public domain .
Flt Lt Rawlings said that was not taken kindly and he was therefore therefore criticised for speaking against wrong things .
He said he would not keep quiet but ensure that the right thing was done by people in government and urged the cadres to also come out to talk about evil doings that he claimed were going on in the system The Ex- President assured the caders that he would not keep quiet but fight on till people in government changed their ways to justify the June 4 revolution .
The former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said women in Ghana took a bold step by coming together to form the 31st December Movement, which had corrected many negative tendencies which had hindered their progress.
She said 27 years ago the movement was formed based on the legacies and tenets of the 31st December Revoultion and called on them to hold high the flame to uphold the objectives of the NDC .
A Cadre, Madam Cecilia Akuerter who is aspiring to become the NDC Deputy National Organiser, urged women to step up advocacy for appointing more women to positions of responsibility.
She appealed to the government to fulfil its promise of achieving the 40 per cent appointment quota for women.
Other Speakers at the symposium included Mr Huudu Yahaya, who spoke on the 'Genesis and Effects of 31st December Revolution', Dr Ayerebi Acquah, who spoke on ' Achieving the sustainability of the ideals and gains of 31st December : Role of the patriotic Ghanaian '. and Nana Otuo Barima, who spoke on 'Labour participation in decision making at workplace in enhancing productivity — an ideal of 31st December'.
A minute's silence was observed for departed souls who fought to save the land.
He made the remarks in Tema when he addressed a symposium to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the 31st December Movement.
The programme was on the theme: The Spirit of the 31st Revolution, The Better Ghana Agenda.
The symposium was marked with a call on Ghanaians to remind themselves of the principles of probity, accountability,intergrity and justice.
Addressing a fully packed hall of cadres and members of the 31st December Women's Movement, he indicated that the revolution was based on the outcome of the June 4, 1979 uprising, an eruption created by the failure of successive governments to respect the sanctity of justice as well as the creation of equal opportunities for citizens of our country.
He explained that the call was necessary because of deterioration of the moral fibre in certain sections of the society.
Former President Rawlings said his heart bled because of some happenings within the NDC, which, if not checked, could affect the party.
He noted that “you must move with a united front to seek audience from the leadership and talk to them.”
He said the NDC was built on a foundation of visionary leadership and self discipline.
FL Lt Rawlings was of the view that most Ghanaians who believed in the national motto of Freedom and Justice, irrespective of their political affiliations, would expect that a government born out of noble principles would act more expeditiously to uphold justice.
He said the party would go to congress early next year, and urged delegates to elect individuals who had credibility and shown genuine commitment to the party.
He said as they remembered the day, the cadres needed to question their continued sense of dedication to its ideals and questioned if after 28 years the flame was not in danger of being extinguished by their inaction as a political force.
Former President Rawlings was not happy that those who worked hard to bring the party to power had been shown disrespect by their own colleagues, which prompted him to send words of advice to them .
He stated that the pieces of advice was not taken and they continued to do wrong things which further prompted him to come out once a while to the public domain .
Flt Lt Rawlings said that was not taken kindly and he was therefore therefore criticised for speaking against wrong things .
He said he would not keep quiet but ensure that the right thing was done by people in government and urged the cadres to also come out to talk about evil doings that he claimed were going on in the system The Ex- President assured the caders that he would not keep quiet but fight on till people in government changed their ways to justify the June 4 revolution .
The former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said women in Ghana took a bold step by coming together to form the 31st December Movement, which had corrected many negative tendencies which had hindered their progress.
She said 27 years ago the movement was formed based on the legacies and tenets of the 31st December Revoultion and called on them to hold high the flame to uphold the objectives of the NDC .
A Cadre, Madam Cecilia Akuerter who is aspiring to become the NDC Deputy National Organiser, urged women to step up advocacy for appointing more women to positions of responsibility.
She appealed to the government to fulfil its promise of achieving the 40 per cent appointment quota for women.
Other Speakers at the symposium included Mr Huudu Yahaya, who spoke on the 'Genesis and Effects of 31st December Revolution', Dr Ayerebi Acquah, who spoke on ' Achieving the sustainability of the ideals and gains of 31st December : Role of the patriotic Ghanaian '. and Nana Otuo Barima, who spoke on 'Labour participation in decision making at workplace in enhancing productivity — an ideal of 31st December'.
A minute's silence was observed for departed souls who fought to save the land.
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