Yesdec/CHF to empower youth into waste management

About 400 youth in the Alajo community have been targeted to go into waste management business, courtesy Yesdec and the Corporative Housing Foundation (CHF).

Dubbed 'Yes Project', the program seeks to focus on four value chain modules in the areas of organic compost plant, tin-film, e-waste and ferrous metals in a six months pilot phase.

About 100 youth would be directly employed in the project that would in turn encourage their peers to venture into the waste management business.

'With this four value chain, we want to create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth within this sub-metro,' said Eugene Pwawole, Value Chain and Business Development Officer of CHF, an American non-governmental organisation (NGO) with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The project, which was recently launched in Alajo, a suburb of Accra, would see the youth being trained in the production and marketing of compost, in order to reduce the volume of waste in that community.

'When you look at our solid waste, about 65% of what goes into our landfill are organic, and we have a problem with finding landfill sites. And so, we want to pilot this project in what we call community level compost plant, to reduce the level of volume that goes into the landfill,' noted Pwawole in an interview with The Chronicle.

About 300 houses in the Alajo community are going to be selected for the source separation, according to Ebenezer Adu Appiah, Yesdec Project Coordinator.

The project, he said, would also involve the collection of waste plastic bags, including sachet water bags, and the collection of ferrous metal.

According to Appiah, his outfit, together with Yesdec, a subsidiary of ZoomLion Ghana Limited, would have in place a buy-back center, where the collected waste plastic bags would be bought and sold to recycling companies.

On the issue of ferrous metal, he said the joint venture identified some inefficiencies in the collection of metals, hence their decision to engage the youth in that business.

The project, according to Appiah, was also being implemented in Ga-Mashie in the Asiedu Keteke sub-metro, Nima in the Ayawaso East sub-metro and Avenor in the Okaikoi sub-metro.

Ecobank introduces mobile banking with Zap

Ecobank Ghana, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporation (ETI) on Wednesday introduced another innovative product dubbed ‘Ecobank mobile banking’ onto the Ghanaian market.
The product works in partnership with Zap, a mobile commerce service that allows Zain, now Bharti Airtel, customers to use their mobile phones like a mobile wallet to pay for utility bills and goods and services.
“For the first time in Ghana, mobile phone customers can manage their bank accounts using their mobile phone. They can transfer funds from their Ecobank account to their phones, transfer funds between Ecobank accounts and check their account balances at their own convenience anywhere and at any time. The Zap service continues to bring safety and convenience to the everyday lives of our customers with this new service”, said Philip Sowah, Managing Director of Zain Ghana at the launch of the product in Accra in a statement read on his behalf.
He added “We strongly believe innovative products like Zap is a strong contributor to this occurrence”.
The new product is, however, expected to provide faster banking service whilst expanding the customer base of both Ecobank and Zain through the provision of easy access to funds using the mobile phone.
The product allows customers of Ecobank with Zain’s Zap service account to use their mobile phones to; send money to Ecobank accounts, receive money from Ecobank accounts, transfer money between two Ecobank accounts, check bank balance, check bank statements.
Furthermore, they could also use the product to pay bills and also pay for goods and services, receive and send money to friends and family, withdraw or receive funds from accredited agents across the country and top up their own airtime or someone else.
“This is real banking in your palm and something that we are bringing to the door step of our customers”, recounts Owureku Asare, Head, Transaction Banking, Ecobank.
Customers of Ecobank, according to Owureku Asare could transact business with any of Zap’s 600 agents countrywide.
Commenting on the new product, the Managing Director of Ecobank who doubles as the Cluster Head of Ecobank West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ), Samuel Ashitey Adjei said the introduction of the ‘Ecobank mobile banking’ product is “an exciting new way of doing financial transactions at your finger tips”.
He believes that the new product will help attract the under-banked and unbanked population into banking in the country.
The Head of the Banking Supervision Department of the Bank of Ghana, Nicholas Okoe Sai commenting on the product said “This is an evolution of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System” and however, entrusted stakeholders in the banking industry to ensure that certain fundamental systems are in place for the smooth operations of electronic banking in the country.
“The Payment System needs to be highly secured and occasionally reliable. The System should be transparent and easily accessible to users. Rules relating to accountability and responsibility of stakeholders should clearly be spelt out. Participants should be committed to responsible banking in practice as far as disclosure of information is concerned”, he noted.
Mr. Sai, however, advised players in the banking industry to effectively manage the risk associated with such electronic products so as to sustain public confidence in the system.

CAPS:Nicholas Okoe Sai officially launching the Ecobank Mobile Banking product in Accra

Welfare of veteran soldiers must be improved -MPs declare

Members of parliament (MPs) yesterday paid glowing tribute to the country’s gallant soldiers who fought for peace and human rights in the world Wars I and II.

However, the MPs expressed worry over the continuous deteriorating welfare of the veteran soldiers, a situation, they said, needed immediate attention.

“One thing that we fail to note is that some of these veterans are now facing the brunt of their occupational hazards. These are former para-jumpers, who now have knee and stability problems and are wheelchair bound; there are also the bombardiers and artillery personnel who have hearing problems and permanent headaches,” recounts the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ho Central, Capt. G. K. Nfojoh (rtd), in a statement read on the floor of the House to honour the veteran soldiers.

He argued that ever since the introduction of the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) lottery to cater for the veteran soldiers, the Association of Physically and Mentally Challenged, Association of the Aged, and the Association of the Orphans and Destitute Children, “nothing has happened in that respect.”

“Considering the meritorious service rendered by these gallant men and women to the nation, the meager pension pay given them is woefully inadequate to sustain them. It is important for the government to consider instituting a Special Fund for the Retired Officers and Ex-servicemen and Women, in order to address their plight,” noted the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Nkoranza North, Major Derek Oduro (rtd), in joint statement to honour the veterans.

Contributing to the statements, the NPP MP for Sekondi, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, said the welfare of the veteran soldiers should be of national concern, and however, called on the Ministry of Sports to organise matches so that the proceeds would be used in taking care of them (veterans).

The NDC MP for Ablekuma South, Frederic Fritz Baffour, also added his voice to the call for improving the welfare of the veteran soldiers, by calling on the government to put structures in place to help rectify the issue.

The NPP MP for Akropong, William Ofori Boafo, contributing the statement, said the occasion should be extended nationally, to enable all the people to participate.

Yesterday, November 11, 2010 was ‘Remembrance Day’. It is an occasion celebrated on November 11 each year to remember those who were killed in World Wars I and II.

Formerly known as Armistice Day, the day became effective at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, when the guns fell silent on the Western front in France and Belgium, thus ending four years of hostilities. Ghana, then the Gold Coast, being part of the British Empire, also sent her sons overseas to fight in this war, and some lost their lives in action.

The day also underscores the paramount need, not only to stop wars, but also to pursue the idea of peace at all costs and at all times, as the only condition for the survival of the human race.

Time to embrace paper bags is now!

A Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim North, Kwame Anyimadu-Adu, has expressed concern over the level of aquatic pollution in the country.

According to him, the situation, if not checked immediately, would have a rippling effect on aquatic life and fishing activities, a phenomenon, he said, would have a heavy toll on the country’s scarce resources.

His concern was born out of the continuous littering of plastic bags and other materials into the sea and waterbodies across the country.

Anyimadu-Antwi was speaking in an interview with The Chronicle, after a delegation of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing, led by David Tetteh Assumeng, recently visited Ada to familiarise itself with the ongoing ‘Ada Coastal Protection Urgent Measures’, a project aimed at reclaiming lost lands, whilst protecting lives and properties from the devastating sea erosion.

“Something needs to be done to protect aquatic life in the country. Everywhere along the coast is polluted. There is so much plastic bags in the sea, and this should tell you the level at which it has been polluted. As a country, we need to sit up and address this issue. We have to re-examine the laws governing waterbodies, and see if we can do something to reduce this level of pollution,” he noted.

He added: “Maybe it is time we start introducing paper bags in the country. Another school of thought is the introduction of a levy on the producers of plastic bags, to raise revenue to address the problem. We can employ people to start picking these plastic bags along the coastal communities, and that is another way of creating employment.”

Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi said protecting aquatic life should be the number priority of the country, and called for all hands on deck in addressing the issue.

Welcome on board: Construction of €67m Ada sea defense wall to start...

Welcome on board: Construction of €67m Ada sea defense wall to start...: "The people along the coastal line of Ada in the Dangbe East District of the Greater Accra Region would from January 2011 begin counting th..."

Construction of €67m Ada sea defense wall to start in January

The people along the coastal line of Ada in the Dangbe East District of the Greater Accra Region would from January 2011 begin counting the days when they would finally be relieved from the threats of sea erosion when construction of the €67m sea defense wall in the area begins.
The project being undertaken by Dredging International Service from Cyprus, experts in marine and waterways construction is expected to be completed in 2013 bearing any unforeseeable challenges.
This came to light when a delegation from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing led by its Chairman, David Tetteh Assumeng visited Ada on Thursday to familiarize itself with the ‘Ada Coastal Protection Urgent Measures’; a project aimed at reclaiming about 5,000 meters of lost land whilst saving lives and properties from the destructive effect of the sea along the coastal line of Ada.
Briefing the delegation on the project, Deputy Director (Hydro), Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hubert Osei-Wusuansa said plans are far advanced to begin construction of the project in January, 2011.
According to him, design of the project is at its final stage and would be completed in December to pave way for construction of the sea defense.
“Work is on schedule and the contractor is ready and waiting for the final design to begin construction of the project”, he said.
He said consultancy by the contractor had been done including measurement of the site and the acquisition of data for the construction works. Other activities which have been completed according to Osei-Wusuansa include; preliminary construction of site offices, general construction works and the preparation of quarries for the supply of amour rocks had been competed.
The amour rocks are expected to be laid into the sea at a distance similar (200m) to that of the Keta sea defense wall, said Osei-Wusuansa. Additional rocks are to be laid at desire distances where the groins are expected to be filled with sand dredged from the estuary, thus where the Lake Volta meets the sea.
However, Osei-Wusuansa was quick to add that the dimensions of the groins will be determined by the final design for the project.
David Tetteh Assumeng who doubles as the NDC MP Shai Osudoku expressed the hope that work would begin as planned in order to save lives and properties along the coastline of Ada.
“The whole coastal stretch is under threat now and work must soon commence to save the people from further harm”, noted David Tetteh Assumeng.
The delegation was also taken round to inspect the preliminary construction of site offices of the project contractor, Dredging International.
The devastating sea erosion has been a threat to the coastal line of Ada for about five decades now claiming lands and destroying properties.
Forts, prisons and other monuments constructed by the colonial government have already been engulfed by the sea.
The Chief fisherman of Azizanya, Torgbui Akrofi Kabu recently told nyu.edu that ten miles into the sea used to be dry land and that was where they lived but today, the story is different as there are no lands on which farm anymore.
Also, Minister for Education, Alex Tettey Enyo in a recent GNA publication said over 5,000 metres of land have been sub-merged and that if the remaining land, which is a little bit above sea level is washed away, in a matter of days, the whole Ada land would be submerged.
The Director of Radio Ada, Kofi Larweh also told nyu.edu that research conducted in area revealed that at least two meters of land is lost to the sea every week, at certain times of the year. “If this phenomenon continues, very soon the whole of Ada will be washed away”, he argued.
However, nyu.edu in a recent publication said the threat is not only from the sea but also ejection from land owners who find the site more appropriate for the hospitality industry, hotels and chalets.

Welcome on board: Ghana's vice president cited in £40K ‘Chocfinger’ ...

Welcome on board: Ghana's vice president cited in £40K ‘Chocfinger’ ...: "Vice President John Dramani Mahama has allegedly been cited by UK media reports for being lobbied to help Armajaro Holdings’ trading ban li..."

Ghana's vice president cited in £40K ‘Chocfinger’ lobbying saga

Vice President John Dramani Mahama has allegedly been cited by UK media reports for being lobbied to help Armajaro Holdings’ trading ban lifted in Ghana.
Conservative cabinet minister, Andrew Mitchell was reported to have intervened on behalf of the owner of Armajaro Holdings, Mr. Ward, nicknamed ‘Chocfinger’ after £40,000 donations were made to his parliamentary office between August 2006 and December 2009, according to the UK Sunday Times in its October 31 publication captioned ‘Chocfinger’s Tory donation pays off’.
The company also gave £50,000 to the Conservative Party in May 2004.

Armajaro Holdings was among several other cocoa buying companies banned in Ghana following their alleged involvement in the smuggling of cocoa beans to neighbouring Cote d’ Ivoir.
Their under dealings were uncovered by investigative reporter, Anas Aremeyaw Anas in an extensive clampdown on smuggled cocoa beans in the western corridors of Ghana recently.
‘No wrong doing’
However, Vice President John Mahama has denied any wrong doing for his involvement in helping Armajaro Holdings gets its trade ban lifted.
His (Vice President John Mahama) speaking on Joy news said “we remember meeting with the British Minister in charge of African Affairs and he raised an issue with Armajaro and their concern was that if an employee of the company is caught committing an offence, you don’t embark on a collective punishment of the entire company and this is normal”.
According to him, the Vice President directed the affected company to petition the Ghana Cocoa Board on the concerns raised for redress.
According to the UK dailymail, Mr Ward had approached Vice President Mahama over a ban that had been imposed on his firm in Ghana, and asked him to lobby against the restriction ‘at a presidential level’.
Mr Mitchell, a Tory, apparently phoned the British High Commissioner in the West African state over the matter, even though it was strictly outside his department’s remit.
His officials also contacted the Foreign Office to say that the partial ban on Armajaro Holdings – imposed amid allegations that one of its contractors had been smuggling cocoa – required ‘urgent attention’.
Foreign Office minister Henry Bellingham then lobbied Ghana’s vice-president on behalf of Mr Ward’s company. The ban is said to have been lifted in all but one of the country’s districts – the one where the smuggling allegations occurred – in August.
The ministerial code according to the UK dailymail states: ‘Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.’
Internal government documents disclosed under freedom of information laws suggest Foreign Office civil servants raised questions as to why the Government should intervene to help Mr Ward’s company.
However, a spokesman for the Foreign Office has also denied any wrongdoing in their intervention to help Armajaro Holdings gets its trade ban lifted.
Mr. Mitchell’s office according to the SundayTimes also insists of doing no wrong since laid down ministerial procedures were followed in addressing the issue.
Andrew Mitchell faces questions over ‘chocfinger’
Meanwhile, the UK Independent reports that cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell faces a parliamentary inquiry into his links with Mr. Ward, the cocoa magnate who donated £40,000 to his political office.
Sources close to the minister insisted that proper procedures were followed. But a Labour MP last night referred the case to the Commons standards watchdog, claiming the contacts between the two men raised serious questions about the minister's conduct, report The Independent.

Caption: John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of Ghana.

Nakpanduri now a ghost town in the Northern Region of Ghana

Nakpanduri, a town in the Bunkpurugu Yunyoo District of the Northern Region is now a ghost town. This was when a team of military and police personnel, numbering about 100, drawn from Accra and the three northern regions, allegedly went on rampage at the town on Wednesday, beating and burning the houses of inhabitants of the area.

The security personnel, according to the Assembly Member of the area, Alhassan Moferi, went on a shooting spree.

According to him, some people had been hurt as a result of the indiscriminate firing of guns by the security men, whilst others had also fled the town for fear of their lives.

“Nakpanduri is now a ghost town,” said the Alhassan Moferi in an interview with The Chronicle.

About 19 houses, including a number of stores, are said to have been burnt as a result of the operations of the security men.

One Lafitie, a banker at the Bessfa Rural Bank, is said to be in critical condition, after sustaining various degrees of injuries, when the police fired at the building in which the bank was operating.

One Madam Yenu also sustained a head injury from a gun butt by one of the security personnel deployed the area to hunt for the notorious armed robber, Johnson Kombian.

Another man, Elija Sillim, had his house razed to the ground. Alhassan Moferi described the operations of the security personnel as highly unprofessional, since their actions have rather helped the notorious criminal to go deep into hiding.

About 20 people, including a teacher at the Assemblies of God Junior High School, one Bubik, have been arrested.

The joint security team was deployed to the area in search of the Johnson Kombian, who recently, fired gun shots at three police officers on patrol duty, killing two.

Attempts by The Chronicle to contact the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer proved unsuccessful, as he had switched off his mobile phone, after promising to speak to the paper on the matter.

Pix: Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police

Ghana receives $4.2bn in remittances

The Ghanaian economy is fast enjoying an economic rebound after experiencing some shocks from the financial meltdown that plunged many markets around the globe in 2008/09.
According to balance of payments data, total private inward transfers to the Ghanaian economy for January – May, 2010, amounted to US$4.2 billion, representing a 22.2 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2009.
Of the total transfers, US$626.2 million accrued to individuals, compared with US$604.8 million during the same period in 2009.
First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. H. A. K. Wampah disclosed this at the launch of the Ecobank’s ‘Rapid Transfer’ in Accra on Wednesday. The ‘Rapid Transfer’ an instant money transfer product which provides a fast, convenient and reliable way to transfer across and within countries where Ecobank operates.
Global remittances average about US$300 billion per year, with Africa getting about US$400 million, according to a 2009 report on remittances by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) titled ‘Sending Money Home to Africa’.
Due to the economic crises, remittances for the year 2009 decreased by 6 per cent but were expected to increase at 6.2 per cent in 2010 and 7.1 per cent in 2011, according to report on migration and remittances trends 2010 by Dilip Ratha, lead economist at the World Bank.
The strategic importance of the remittance business to the Ghanaian banking sector is underpinned by the fact that all the banks in the country serve either as agents or sub agents to giants in the remittance business, such as Western Union, Moneygram and Vigo.
However, Dr. Wampah said with the introduction of Ecobank’s ‘Rapid Transfer’ product, “a new dimension has been added onto the financial market, especially, as it focuses solely on Africa”. He described the new product as one of the manifestation of Ecobank’s vision of building a Pan African Bank focused on facilitating the economic integration of Africa.
“It is a clear indication of Ecobank’s commitment to contribute to the development of Africa using its platform to facilitate the transfer of funds within and across African countries where the bank has a presence”.
The Ecobank Rapid Transfer comes across as a fast and reliable means of money transfer through which one can send or receive money at all 750 branches of Ecobank in more than 30 African countries. Also, payments of receipts are in the Ecobank affiliate’s local currency, subject to local exchange control regulations. Above all, the risk of carrying money across borders is eliminated.
Commenting on the new product, the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Mr. Samuel Ashitey Adjei said “the Ecobank Rapid Transfer is aimed at making the transfer of money simple and fast. Sending and receiving money across Africa has been made easier”.
The Board Chair of Ecobank Ghana, Mr. Lionel Van Lare Dosoo said the Ecobank Rapid Transfer product will serve as one stop solution to the transfer of money in the African continent. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana, Jean Pierre Gbikpi also commenting on the product said “the Pan-African idea of the Ecobank Rapid Transfer product is moral boosting in the African continent”.

Ban ‘disappointed’ at Israel’s move not to extend settlements moratorium

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced disappointment at Israel’s move to not extend the moratorium on the building of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and expressed concern over provocative actions taking place on the ground.

He recalled last week’s statement by the of Middle East Quartet – the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States – which he said reflected the united call of the international community urging Israel to extend the settlement restraint policy.

Mr. Ban reiterated that settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. He urged Israel to fulfil its obligation under the Roadmap obligation to freeze settlement activity.

“The Secretary-General supports ongoing efforts to find a way to continue peace talks in an environment conducive to progress. This is the only route to a viable Palestinian State living in peace with a secure Israel,” a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

Last Tuesday, the Quartet – UN, European Union (EU), Russia and the United States – urged Israel to continue its settlement moratorium in the occupied Palestinian territory in the interests of resumed negotiations between the sides and called on Arab States to support the talks.

Voicing support for the first face-to-face talks in 19 months, a statement issued after a high-level meeting of the Quartet reiterated the goal of ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and creating “an independent, democratic, contiguous, and viable Palestinian State” living side by side in peace and security with Israel.

“Noting that mutual trust and confidence are critical to successful negotiations, the Quartet reiterated its call on Israel and the Palestinians to promote an environment conducive to progress, including by refraining from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric,” the statement said.

“The Quartet noted that the commendable Israeli settlement moratorium instituted last November has had a positive impact and urged its continuation. The Quartet recalled that unilateral actions by either party, including settlement activity, cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community,” it added. Credit: UN.

Welcome on board: UN kicks off drive to save more than 16 million wo...

Welcome on board: UN kicks off drive to save more than 16 million wo...: "Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today began a massive drive to save the lives of over 16 million women and children, with more than $40 billi..."

UN kicks off drive to save more than 16 million women and children worldwide

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today began a massive drive to save the lives of over 16 million women and children, with more than $40 billion already committed to scale up health services worldwide.
“The 21st century must be and will be different for every woman and every child,” said Mr. Ban, who launched the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health at UN Headquarters on the margins of a high-level summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs, a series of globally agreed social and economic targets with a 2015 deadline, include a number of health objectives, such as Goal 4 on reducing the mortality rate for children under the age of five by two thirds and Goal 5 on slashing maternal mortality rates by three quarters, both from their 1990 figures.
Today’s launch, which included the private sector, foundations, international organizations, civil society and research groups, represents a major step towards filling the gap between the investment needed and what is currently provided for women’s and children’s health – with over $40 billion in resources committed over the next five years.
“We know what works to save women’s and children’s lives, and we know that women and children are critical to all of the MDGs,” the Secretary-General noted. “Today we are witnessing the kind of leadership we have long needed.”
The Global Strategy identifies the finance and policy changes needed, along with vital interventions to help improve health and save lives. It is expected to prevent, between 2011 and 2015, the deaths of more than 15 million children under five, as well as 33 million unwanted pregnancies and the deaths of 740,000 women from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
To help ensure that it is successful, several agencies, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank are collaborating to mobilize ongoing political and operational support, including fighting for universal access to care for all women and children.
This team will identify and connect resources to the people who need them based on the priorities set by countries in their national health plans.
In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are working with this team to ensure integrated services and efforts across a range of health needs.
“The Global Strategy asks us to be smart, strategic and resourceful as never before,” said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. “By integrating their actions, the eight international health-related agencies will strengthen capacities across the board, in ways that meet the comprehensive needs of women and children.” Source: UN

Welcome on board: UN agency welcomes $1.4 billion French pledge to f...

Welcome on board: UN agency welcomes $1.4 billion French pledge to f...: "France has pledged $1.4 billion to United Nations-backed efforts to combat HIV, in a move hailed by the world body’s agency coordinating th..."

Welcome on board: Least developed countries remain epicentre of deve...

Welcome on board: Least developed countries remain epicentre of deve...: "The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon today warned that the world’s least developed countries (LDC’s) are still walloping in ab..."

UN agency welcomes $1.4 billion French pledge to fight AIDS

France has pledged $1.4 billion to United Nations-backed efforts to combat HIV, in a move hailed by the world body’s agency coordinating the global AIDS response.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced yesterday that his nation will provide the funds to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at a General Assembly meeting in New York on progress made in realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Halting and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015, as well as achieving universal access to treatment for the disease, are among the eight MDGs.
“At a time of difficult fiscal space, France has put the interests of people living with HIV first,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), urging all other countries to follow France’s lead.
During a meeting with the UNAIDS chief yesterday, Mr. Sarkozy praised the agency’s approach to place the response to the pandemic as part of the broader health and development agenda.
More than 7,400 people are infected and 5,500 die from AIDS-related illnesses every day, and HIV remains the leading cause of death among reproductive-age women worldwide, according to the UN.
There are also nearly 10 million people living with HIV who urgently need treatment today.
UNAIDS data shows that new infections have declined by more than 25 per cent in the 22 countries most affected by the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, home to two-thirds of all people living with HIV.
“AIDS is a smart investment that is producing results for people holistically,” Mr. Sidibé said, stressing that “this is a time for scaling up, not scaling down.” Culled from UN website.

Least developed countries remain epicentre of developmental emergency-Ban

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon today warned that the world’s least developed countries (LDC’s) are still walloping in abject poverty.
His call comes just five years remaining until the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
According to Mr. Ban, though school enrolment has improved and strides have been made in reducing child mortality and expanding access to clean water in the LDCs, they remain the group facing the most severe challenging in realizing the eight MDGs.
Hundreds of world leaders are in New York for a three-day General Assembly gathering, which started Monday, to assess progress made so far in reaching the Goals.
“The LDCs represent the poorest and most vulnerable segment of humanity,” the Secretary-General said at a side event this morning focusing on the MDGs in these countries.
“They remain at the epicentre of the developmental emergency,” he added.
Countries are classified as LDCs if they meet three criteria: a low income; human capital status based on education, nutrition, health and literacy indicators; and economic vulnerability.
Currently, more than half of the 800 million in the 49 LDCs live below the poverty line, while only six of them have poverty rates under 30 per cent.
The LDCs are also made less competitive by their inadequate transport infrastructure and uneven power supplies.
“It is increasingly clear that economic infrastructure and productive capacity-building hold the key to generating decent jobs, especially for the large youth populations of these countries,” Mr. Ban underlined.
He noted that the LDCs have made efforts to improve economic management and political governance, stressing that the international community must continue to provide support.
“This is a moral commitment, first and foremost – a test of global solidarity,” the Secretary-General said.
Also speaking at today’s event was Assembly President Joseph Deiss, who pointed to three crises – economic, food and energy – that have severely impacted the LDCs.
“We have to focus on the specific needs and constraints of the Least Developed Countries if we want to alleviate suffering and raise their population out of poverty,” he emphasized.
Although progress made in achieving the MDGs is measured globally, the targets must be realized in every country, Mr. Deiss said.
At the start of the high-level MDG meeting yesterday, the Secretary-General urged world leaders to provide the necessary investment, aid and political will to end extreme poverty.
“There is no global project more worthwhile,” he said. “Let us send a strong message of hope. Let us keep the promise.”
Mr. Ban called on wealthy countries not to pull back from their previous commitments on official development assistance to poorer nations, which he described as “a lifeline of billions, for billions.”
Culled from the UN website
Pix: UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon

Mills borrows $3.2bn in 20 months!... as against $2.25bn by Kufuor in 8 years!

When it comes to delivering on their economic promises and their Better Ghana Agenda, the popular verdict appears to be that the Mills-Mahama led NDC government is slow.

When it comes to piling up external debt on the other hand, it is clear that the NDC has resumed the ‘Usain Bolt’ borrowing pattern that landed Ghana ignominiously into HIPC.

The lightning speed with which Ghana’s external debt has increased in the first 20 months of the NDC government should be a cause of concern for all, according to Asare Otchere Darko of the Danquah Institute.

According to Mr. Otchere Darko, in just twenty months (by close of September, 2010), the Atta Mills government would have contracted a whopping $3.2 billion dollars in debts, a far cry from the track record of the Kufuor Administration.

Explaining, Mr. Otchere Darko states that at the end of 2000, Ghana’s external debt stock stood at $6.1 billion (158.4% of GDP). Total Debt Service amounted to 24 expenditure and Ghana spent about a quarter of its total export proceeds just to service its debts. The resulting sustainable situation led Ghana adopting the HIPC initiative by the Kufuor government.

By the end of 2008, Ghana’s total external debt amounted to $4,035 million (27 percent of GDP), thanks to debt relief and a relatively prudent borrowing. At the end of 2008 Ghana used less than 5% of its export proceeds to service its external debts.

According to figures from the Bank of Ghana, during the eight-year period under President Kufuor (2001 – 2008), the total amount of external loans contracted by the NPP government amounted to $2.252 billion.

In stark contrast, says Mr. Otchere Darko, by the time Parliament went for recess at the end of last July (extended by one week to August 3 to approve more loans), the NDC, in just under 20 months of its return to office, had added, by the count of the Danquah Institute, an estimated $2.97.0 billion to the international debt they inherited in January 2009.

In fact, this figure leaves out several small loan facilities, says Mr. Otchere Darko.

He goes on to further state that it was announced, happily to Ghanaians on Thursday, September 8 that President Mills will sign a $273 million loan agreement with the EXIM Bank of China when he visits the Republic of China this month.

Thus, by the end of September, the NDC external borrowing portfolio will climb to 3.24 billion! Yes! In the first 20 months in office, the NDC government has contracted more external loans (44% more) than the NPP government did in 8 years!President Mills has quickly and surely overtaken his predecessor in public debt pile-up – the very thing that his government has spent the best part of two years condemning President Kufuor on!”Mr. Otchere Darko states.

Source: The Daily Searchlight/Ghana

UN members states call for strengthening of rights of persons with disabilities

A United Nations-backed conference aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities concluded today with countries underscoring the need to continue building on recent momentum to ensure that the rights of the world’s estimated 650 million people with disabilities are protected and strengthened.
Hundreds of delegates and civil society representatives took part in the three-day conference at UN Headquarters in New York to see how to better implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into force in 2008.
The convention, among other elements, asserts the rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the law for persons with disabilities.
The number of countries that have ratified it has jumped from 66 to 90 in the past year and the number that has signed has risen from 142 to 146.
Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, the President of the conference, told the closing session today that he hoped that “the number of signatures and ratifications continues to increase” and that ongoing efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities bear fruit.
He welcomed the enthusiastic participation of national delegations, experts and civil society representatives in the conference, which included interactive dialogues, round-table discussions and formal presentations.
Many of the discussions focused on the right to education for persons with disabilities, the need for measures for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, and care provided during disasters and emergency situations.
Shuaib Chalklen, the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, told the UN News Centre that the conference had an important “consciousness-raising” value for governments and policymakers to take action to ensure that the convention is implemented on the ground.
While the rising number of ratifications means more countries will have to report on what measures they are taking to meet their obligations, Mr. Chalklen said all too often this is failing to translate at the local level, both in rich and poor countries.
He cited education as an example, with administrators, principals and teachers at many schools often unaware of the barriers that can exist to prevent a child with disabilities from attending and fully participating in classes.
A pupil using a wheelchair or crutches may face stairs to get to class, a lack of appropriate bathrooms and a viewpoint that it is the child with the problem rather than the school.
“It’s an attitudinal problem and there needs to be a commitment to make it work… But unfortunately there is a lack of awareness,” Mr. Chalklen said.
The next conference of States Parties to the convention will be held in early September 2011. Culled from UN website.

Kofi Annan calls for united effort to accelerate African Green Revolution

Former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan has called for a united effort to accelerate African green revolution in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of halving poverty by 2015.
“As former Secretary General of the United Nations, I called for a uniquely green revolution in Africa to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger by 2015. And six years later, I am encouraged to see that the Green Revolution has taken hold and is gaining momentum. We have reached global consensus that agriculture is Africa’s lifeline and, from that realization, we are gaining global support and funding commitments as well as the support of African governments and the attention of the private sector. But we need an action plan to translate this momentum into tangible support for Africa’s famers,” says Mr. Annan.
Mr. Annan made this observation in press release ahead of a program to be held in Accra by the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) from September 2-4 this year.
The program will bring together high profile African heads of state, ministers, farmers, private agri-business firms, financial institutions, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and scientists.
Delegates will create an action plan on the acceleration of a Green Revolution in Africa.
Chaired by Kofi Annan, chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), this is the first time the forum will be held in Africa.
It is expected to be one of the continent’s major gatherings of both public and private players to focus solely on agriculture development.
“We will be looking to governments for leadership to create an environment that will enable agriculture to prosper and grow and we will be looking to the private sector to drive and sustain that growth,” says Kofi Annan. “Working together we can achieve a food secure and prosperous Africa,” he added.
According to Mr. Annan, to substantially increase food production in Africa, it requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of smallholder farmers.
Concerned about the environment, Mr. Anna said urged that the new expansion must take into account its effect on climate change.
The warming planet is expected to reduce yields by 20-30 percent by 2050 if left unchecked, according to reports.
Jørgen Ole Haslestad, Chief Executive, Yara International ASA, says: “At the African Green Revolution Forum in Ghana we expect to continue the momentum from other recent summits. We need both the entrepreneurship attitude from business and political leadership to create environments that enable financing and smallholder farmers to flourish.”
Clive Tasker, Chief Executive, Standard Bank Africa, says: “Commercially viable agriculture can yield food for millions and eliminate hunger. Farmers, NGOs, public and private partners will sit at the same table at the African Green Revolution Forum. Together we will support the real progress on the ground.”
The NEPAD Agency Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, says “Africa has the potential to become a major food producer ensuring food security on our continent and beyond. This opportunity can only become reality if systemic transformation takes place at the farmer, NGO, policy and continental level. Moving AGRF to Africa, is a clear statement on the need for rooting the Green Revolution on the ground, and will be a key driving force, in eliciting stakeholders’ commitments to transformation.”
"Governments must create the right policy environment to allow for appropriate investments in research and development to enhance productivity and increase production" says Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural development (IFAD).
Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation, says “The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to continue our almost century long commitment to food security around the world. As we look back on the lessons of our own Norman Borlaug and his colleagues, we are proud to now work with dedicated partners to bring a Green Revolution to Africa. The African Green Revolution Forum is an enormous opportunity to connect partners from governments, foundations, NGOs and the private sector to find new ways to increase food security in an era of climate change and establish Africa as a thriving and innovative global agricultural market.”
The Ministers, private sector partners and donor representatives at the AGRF will launch national breadbasket projects for Ghana and Mali.
The projects, which enable agricultural areas with high production potential to gain access to new markets, are a model for delivering on the AGRF’s aims to achieve food security through sustainable agriculture and to reduce poverty in Africa.
The AGRF will also review progress of the Beira Agricultural Growth Corridor in Mozambique, and the second corridor project in Tanzania.
The AGRF promotes investments and policy initiatives that will drive income growth for African farmers in an environmentally sustainable way.

Ghana: Disability Council Calls For Speedy Passage of Mental Health Bill & Ratification of UNCRPD

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled on Tuesday petitioned Parliament to speed up the processes of passing the Ghana Mental Health Bill and the ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) without further delay.
The petition was presented by Mr. Yaw Ofori Debrah, Chairman of the National Advocacy Committee of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled and received on behalf of the Speaker by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe North and Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises Mr. Prince Jacob Hayibor.
He was accompanied by two members of the Committee, Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, MP for Ayawaso West and Mr. Wallace Abayateye, MP for Sege.
The Federation also presented Guidelines for the disbursement and Management of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for Persons with Disability (PWD).
The Federation in its petition, expressed surprised that till date, Ghana has not been able to ratify the UNCRPD despite having met most of the issues in the Convention as attested to by the country’s Person’s with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
“Ghana was one of the first countries which signed this Convention when it was promulgated by the UN but has not yet ratified it even though most of the issues in the Convention have been taken care of by the country’s Person’s with Disability Act,” noted Mr. Debrah in the petition.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 2.2 million persons with Disabilities in Ghana whose needs are varied vis-à-vis; education, provision of assistive devices, removal of barriers, adequate health delivery among many others.
By ratifying the UNCRPD, the Federation contends that it “will no doubt afford the country to access the technical, development and financial benefits that the Convention makes available to its member countries.”
It would enable disability organizations make representation through Government to the UN to assist Government to deliver adequate support to the organizations and their membership.
The status of the Mental Health Bill on the other hand, according to the Federation, is not yet known though it has been submitted for consideration and approval by Parliament.
To that effect, the Federation appealed to the Government and Parliament “to show understanding and commitment for this noble cause.”
The Parliamentary Select Committee in its response thanked the Disability Council for showing concern in matters relating to the welfare of the physically challenged in the country and promised that Parliament would do all it could to ensure their safety by passing out the Mental Health Bill and also ratify the UNCRPD.

KNOC eyes energy blocs in Ghana

Korea on Friday publicly announced her interest in Ghana’s new find oil an dgas.

A team of oil experts from Merrill Lynch led by the President and Chief Executive of Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), Mr. Young-Won Kan is currently in talks with the Energy Minister, Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei and the technical experts of Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to bid for Kosmos Energy’s thirty percent (30%) stake in the giant offshore Jubilee field.

Korea now joins China and India as they search to expand and deepen their footprint in West Africa.

After the failure to win original contracts in Ghana, a new policy of buying established equity assets is being enacted to secure burgeoning oil reserves by the Asian powers.

In August 2008, a team of Chinese officials led by China People’s Political Consultative Committee heavyweight Zhu Welin, arrived in Ghana to secure extraction rights to oil blocks on behalf of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The company had previously failed to find oil in one of the exploration blocks in which Tullow were later successful. Chinese officials were understood o be greatly aggrieved by the missed opportunity. The decision to send senior officials to Ghana in order to take their claim shows the importance Beijing places on Ghana’s oil contracts, according to the China-africa.com.

Talks of a stake sale have been in the news ever since a dispute broke out over technical data sharing. Players in the oil industry have been tracking this development, since the stake in the Jubilee field has huge prospects.

Jubilee field which is forecast to begin commercial production in the fourth quarter of this year, has recoverable reserves of 800 million barrels according to Dr. Oteng-Adjei.

CNOOC had enlisted Goldman Sachs in an advisory capacity to help them in their pursuit of the stake but the deal is said to be hanging when Kosmos Energy last month announced its plans to enter into drilling. India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), US based Exxon Mobil, Chevron Corp, Royal Dutch Shell, ENI of Italy and Chinese Sinopec are among bidders in the said Kosmos Energy’s stake worth $4 billion.

The increase in taking over equity assets in the successful western companies that won contracts in the oil fields shows that Ghana is still a top priority for the Asian tigers that have resorted in building flagship projects in order to win the government’s heart to secure contracts in the country’s oil industry.

Ghana’s new found oil and gas continues to be an attractive destination for developed economies as a substitute for conflict ravaged Middle East.

Korea had learnt at first hand about Ghana’s oil find when a team of energy experts visited KNOC last year.

According to Mr. Kan, Korea’s interest in Ghana’s oil and gas became eminent early this month when the Vice President, John Mahama led a delegation to strike a 2,000 housing units for the law enforcement agencies with the Korean Government.

He told the Ghanaian team that his outfit is interested to tie-up with the GNPC to put in their bid for Kosmos Energy’s stake.

But will this partnership work since the GNPC is extremely keen to buy Kosmos stake with financing proposal from the Chinese Government?

Dr. Oteng-Adjei in a discussion however told the Korean delegation of a number of blocs he believes they can enter into to explore oil. He told the delegation that his outfit is particularly interested in working together with state run oil institutions since they have the experience in using the revenue generated from the oil and gas to the benefit of the citizenry.

He outlined the principles of managing the oil and gas industry in the areas of; transparency and integrity, local content and job creation whilst stressing much on environmental safety.

“In their respective countries, companies do their very best to protect the environment but renege when they enter into other countries. The only legacy we can give to our grandchildren is the environment,” he noted.

Korea consumes three million barrels of oil annually, a vital strategically important component driving the national economy. Korea is the world's fourth-largest oil importer and the sixth-largest oil consumer. So, a stable supply of petroleum is fundamental to the well being of the Korean economy, for its future development and for its status in the world market place. Korea National Oil Corporation was established in 1979 and its founding principle is to secure oil supplies for the nation, by exploration for and development of oilfields, by holding petroleum reserves and by building a national distribution network.
For the last quarter of a century, KNOC has invested in petroleum development in Korea and twenty-one countries overseas in order to acquire its own independent sources of supply. KNOC currently operates in Nigeria.

NDC gurus run for cover

The mandate of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to investigate non-public officers and ex-public officials, was yesterday challenged by counsels for Mr. Kwame Peprah and His Excellency Baba Kamara, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and Dr. Ato Quarshie, when the Commission opened investigations into the Mabey and Johnson bribery case yesterday.

Samuel Cudjoe, counsel for Mr. Kwame Peprah and Baba Kamara, and Nana Ato Dadzie, counsel for Dr. Ato Quarshie, questioned the basis under which CHRAJ was mandated to investigate their clients, since Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution clearly stipulates the mandate of CHRAJ to investigate only public officials.

“This is a case which has criminal connotations, and must be guided by the stretch of criminal jurisprudence by this country. What is not there cannot be placed there. This commission is a commission created by a constitution, and its jurisdiction must be limited to what the Constitution and what the Law says,” noted Nana Ato Dadzie.

Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution states the functions of the CHRAJ as follows; (a) to investigate complaints of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, injustice, corruption, abuse of power and unfair treatment of any person by a public officer in the exercise of his duties; (e) to investigate all instances of alleged or suspected corruption and the misappropriation of public moneys by officials and to take appropriate steps, including reports to the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General, resulting from such investigations.

H. E. Baba Kamara had earlier raised a similar objection over the same issue, when the Commission commenced its investigations into the case.

Mr. Tadeus Sorry, a private legal practitioner whose services was employed by the Commission to assist in its investigations into the said issue, also objected to the reasons raised by Mr. Samuel Codjoe and Nana Ato Dadzie.

According to him, there was nothing under Article 218 that prevents the Commission from investigating a person who is not a public officer, citing several Articles in the Constitution to buttress his argument.

“My Lord, there is nothing in the Constitution that says that the mandate of the Commission should be restricted to presently serving public officers. The mandate of the Commission was not investigating the named persons in their present capacity as public officials, but in the capacity of which they served as public officers,” he noted, whilst urging the Commission to dismiss the objections raised by Mr. Ato Dadzie.

The Commission having listened carefully to the barrage of objections raised by the aforementioned counsels, and that of H. E. Baba Kamara, was of the view that where in the discharge of its constitutional mandate of investigating public officials on grounds of alleged or suspected corruption, a private individual who is alleged or suspected to be involved in the alleged acts of corruption by the public officials, cannot object to the Commission investigating him alongside the public officials, on the basis that he is not a public official.

“It is the view of the Commission that to uphold such an objection challenging the investigative mandate or powers of the Commission to investigate a private individual, is not only untenable, but is contrary to public policy,” he emphasised, adding, “such objection carries with it the grave danger of frustrating and stultifying the constitutional mandate of the Commission to investigate all instances of alleged or suspected corruption.”

According to him, the Commission, having listened to the plea tendered in by H. E. Baba Kamara, was of the view that there was nothing in Article 218 of the Constitution which justified his claim.

The Commission, before stating its position on the said issue, observed that “once public officials, by the very nature of their functions, are appointed to provide services, including serving private individuals and institutions, the instances would be many in which at the centre of bribery or corruption allegation private individuals would most certainly be involved.

It is common knowledge that in most corrupt transactions involving public officials, private individuals and entities are at the other end of the spectrum. Invariably, it is the private individuals or entities that pay bribes to public officials, especially in large investments contracts executed by multinational companies, like the contracts awarded to Mabey and Johnson.”

The Commission was however of the view that the private person or entity cannot, and ought not to be allowed to successfully prevent the Commission from investigating his or her involvement in the alleged corruption.

Mr. Emile Short buttressed his argument with section 241 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29), which recognises as a criminal offence corruption of a public officer, adding, “it would, therefore, in our view, be defeating or frustrating of the mandate of the Commission, the primary Anti-Corruption Agency of the State.

If the Constitution were to be interpreted to preclude the Commission from investigating private persons who are alleged to be involved in corrupting public officials, especially, where public monies are involved.”

However, in order not to prolong things on the said objections raised by the counsels and H. E. Baba Kamara, calm looking Emile Short, with his usual soft voice, referred the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation, under Article 130 (2) which states; where an issue that relates to a matter or question referred to in clause (1) of this article in any proceedings in a court other than the Supreme Court, that court shall stay the proceedings and refer the question, of law involved to the Supreme Court for determination, and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court.

“With respect to the objection raised by Baba Kamara, we shall refer the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation. Because, as we have demonstrated in the decision, it raises an issue of interpretation of certain provisions of the Constitution, and the authorities said it is quite clear that that is a matter and exclusive preserve of the Supreme Court,” noted Emile Short in his ruling.

Having ruled on the said issue, Mr. Emile Short said H. E. Baba Kamara would not appear before the Commission until the Supreme Court gives its ruling on the said objection raised by him.

The CHRAJ’s position to refer the matter to the Supreme Court was to seek a determination of whether or not, upon a true and proper construction of article 218(e) of the 1992 Constitution, the mandate of the Commission to investigate all instances of alleged or suspected corruption applies to private individual and entities, and also whether or not the Commission has the mandate to investigate a private individual who is alleged to be involved, or implicated, in acts of corruption allegedly committed by public officials.

Mr. Kamara was mentioned in the said matter as having served as an agent, who used his influence to corruptly secure contracts for Mabey and Johnson.

However, counsel for Dr. George Sipa Yankey, Mr. Kwame Djan, told the Commission that his client was prepared to testify before Commission at any given period.

Other members allegedly involved in the said scandal include Brigadier-General Edward Lord-Attivor (rtd) (a former PNDC Secretary for Roads and Highways), Dr. Ato Quarshie (a former Minister of Roads and Highways), Mr. Kwame Peprah (a former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning), Alhaji Amadu Seidu (a former Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways) and Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique (a former Desk Officer in charge of UK, Spain and The Netherlands Economic Cooperation, including the Export Credit Guarantee Department of UK, at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.)

The aforementioned persons are alleged to have operated as agents for Mabey and Johnson during its operations in the country in the 1990s, when the company was awarded numerous contracts by the Government of Ghana.

It was alleged by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) that in Ghana, and very much to the knowledge of Mabey and Johnson, the agents recruited were involved in corrupt relationships with public officials with influence over Mabey and Johnson’s (M&J) affairs.

M & J is alleged to have agreed with these agents to pay bribes directly to the public officials.

Where is our share of the booty? - Rambo questions President Mills

According to some members of National Democratic Congress (NDC), the President’s reshuffling exercise is a step in the right direction, while others have also expressed misgivings for being left out of the government.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Upper Manya, Hon. Michael Teye Nyaunor, aka Rambo, commended the President’s reshuffle exercise, but has expressed worry over his home region, the Eastern region, having been sidelined in the ministerial appointment.

“We must admit that when sharing ministerial appointments, it is not going to be a permanent thing. The President has tried to bring experienced people on board, to inject new ideas into the government. In spite of this, I am virtually not happy that nobody is coming from the Eastern Region.

“I am wondering whether the Eastern Region did not contribute to the winning of the elections by the NDC? I am very sad about this situation. They have not treated us fairly at all,” noted the disgruntled MP in an interview with The Chronicle.

According to him, the Eastern Region also deserves a place in government, since they also contributed immensely to our winning back power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. Nyaunor’s argument stems from the fact that the only person from Eastern Region, Mr. Stephen Kwao Amoanor, was sacrificed in the reshuffle exercise. “Look at the first ministerial position giving to a true son of the Eastern Region, Mr. Stephen Kwao Amoanor. What is it at that Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare that he could use to help his constituency, he asked. He however consoled himself with the fact that things will get better soon, saying “It is not yet over.”

However, The Chronicle’s observation in Parliament yesterday revealed the impact that it has had on the affected ministers. After sitting, MPs who are holding ministerial positions but were not affected by the reshuffle were congratulated by their colleagues.

That notwithstanding, ‘Rambo’ could not hide his emotions over the vacuum created by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Alban Bagbin, who has been nominated as Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing.

He was however quick to recommend Mr. Cletus Avoka to fill that position. Avoka must muster courage to fill the vacuum created,” he added.

Gov't blows ¢210m on drinks

The minority members of parliament were yesterday taken aback when the Minister of Education, Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, told the house that as much as GH¢21,600 was spent on refreshments alone during the various educational fora that discussed the duration of the Senior High School programme.
The Minister, who appeared before the House to answer questions relating to his ministry, further told the house that the amount represented almost fifty percent of the total amount spent on the programme.

Before the minister could finish his submissions, an unidentified member from the minority side, screamed at the top of his voice “Eei, GH¢21,600 spent on tea alone?”

The minority became jittery about the Minister’s disclosure, and began asking probing questions to know how much was spent on other items. “Madam Speaker, I would like the Minister to give the full details of how much was spent on other items,” asked the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo-North, Robert Sarfo-Mensah. But, Majority Leader Alban Bagbin intervened to give the Minister a lifeline. “Tell them, tell them the number of people who attended the fora,” Bagbin whispered from behind.

With this intervention, Tettey-Enyo told the House, “Madam Speaker, this expenditure was spent on about one thousand participants.” To prevent being heckled by the minority members, who were fired up to ask questions, the Education Minister declined to give further details on the expenditure.

Earlier on, Mr. Tetteh-Enyo told the House that his ministry had communicated the outcome of the fora on the duration of years for Senior High School, in the form of a memorandum to Cabinet for approval.

This, he said, was to enable the government reverse the duration for Senior High School education, from the current four years, to three years. “Cabinet accepted the proposed reversal to three years, and indicated that school enrolment for the three-year program should commence in September 2010,” he told the House.

According to him, Cabinet had also approved the implementation plan for the reversal to three years.

He further told members that the three-year SHS program was still in the preparatory process for its implementation, but gave the assurance that, “the reversal will still take place.”

However, the question of whether or not Parliament would approve the reversal of the four-year duration to three years still remains unknown, since the House appears divided on the issue.

The minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), then in majority, had reversed the duration from three years to four years during their second term in office. Upon assumption of office, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government decided to change the duration, in fulfillment of its party manifesto and campaign promise.

The NDC criticised the NPP for rushing to make the duration four-years without putting the needed infrastructure, including syllabi and textbooks, in place. However, those in support of the four-year duration argued that increasing the number of the years would help reverse the high number of students who were unable to qualify to the universities and other tertiary institutions, because of inadequate preparation.

The first batch of four-year SHS students, under the reforms introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is expected to enter the fourth year in the 2010/11 academic year.

Pix: Mr. Alexander Teye-Enyo, Minister Education.

Ghana:Pressure group drags former Youth & Sports minister to CHRAJ

The Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF), an Accra based non-governmental organisation (NGO) has petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to probe the conduct of the former Youth and Sports Minister, Alhaji Mubarak Muntaka, whilst in office

The organisation alleged abuse of office and conflict of interest by Alhaji Muntaka when he took office as Minister of Youth and Sports. It further accused him of fraud, after he allegedly used false information to secure a German visa for his girlfriend, Ms Edith Zineuali, together with using the Ministry’s (Youth and Sports) resources to finance their trip to watch the CHAN tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire last year.

According to the PNF, in a petition dated January 1st, 2010 and signed by its spokesperson, Richard Kwesi Nyamah, to CHRAJ, Alhaji Muntaka had till date, failed to produce receipt of US$10,000 he received from some government officials, upon his request to settle landing charges for the aircraft the local national team used for the CHAN tournament.

Muntaka is also blamed for an irregular transaction he executed to secure an amount of GH¢1,410,051.58 from the National Sports Council, for its expenditure incurred in April, 2009, without being processed through the Office of the Chief of Staff.

“Detailed actual receipts, which should have been processed through the office of the Chief of Staff, were not attached, but Alhaji Muntaka signed a covering letter addressed to the Hon. Minister of Finance for the release of the amount. It was an irregular transaction, which the minister knowingly signed,” noted Kwesi Nyamah in the petition to CHRAJ.

The PNF also questioned the conduct Alhaji Muntaka in personally arranging for the accommodation of the Black Stars players and officials in Navaisha, Kenya, in a pre-match camping against Sudan, without the involvement of any other official of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Alhaji Muntaka was also reported to have done the same in Khartoum, Sudan.

He was also accused of wrongful act, for requesting a refund of GH¢674.02 in respect of baby oil, baby food, mouth wash and other household items from the imprest cashier of the ministry.

In addition, the former Youth and Sports Minister was cited for wrongful act, by requesting for a refund of GH¢15,200 with a receipt in the name of Zinabu Mubarak, in respect of meat and other food items purchased from the market.

Again, he was accused for collecting US$25,000, but released only US$13,000 to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), for the payment of protocol, when the GFA had actually spent US$18,000 on the exercise.

Furthermore, the PNF accused Alhaji Muntaka of requesting GH¢1,000 for the services of a ‘Mallam,’ and also allocating a VW Passat, with registration number GT 1351 Z, to his wife.

He is also accused for requesting a payment of GH¢12,000 for the purchase of gifts for his constituency, on a trip to Kumasi.

The petitioner is claiming, among other things, a declaration that the former minister indeed abused his office, and engaged in acts of conflict of interest for his personal gain, at the expense of the Republic of Ghana.

The PNF is again seeking a declaration that the former minister abused the trust the people of the Republic of Ghana reposed in him, and his oath of office. It is also seeking that criminal charges are preferred against the former minister, where he has been found to have acted in a fraudulent way.

It will be recalled that in June 2009, Mr. Adim Odoom, Principal Accountant of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, petitioned the President of the Republic of Ghana, on allegations of corruption against Alhaji Muntaka when he was in charge of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.