Information reaching the Eastern File reveals that a 22 year old young man, Joseph Mawuli of the Suhum municipality, hung himself in the early hours of last Thursday.

Confirming the story to the paper, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Yaw Nketia-Yeboah, said his office had immediately launched investigations to unravel the circumstance that led to the death of the man.

Briefing the paper further, he said the police had information about the untimely death of Mawuli, but information leading to his death was very little, compelling the police to commence investigations.

When asked if the victim might have committed suicide, he averred that the situation cannot be described as suicide until the police complete their investigations.

The body of the late Mawuli has since been taken to the Suhum Government Hospital morgue and is awaiting autopsy to clearly establish the cause of death.

In a related development, the police in Tarkwa in the Western Region have retrieved a Nissan Sentra taxi cab from suspected car-snatchers.

Making this known through the Eastern Regional Police Public Affairs Unit, the PRO said the yellow and ash taxi cab was intercepted on Thursday July 11, this year, in Tarkwa.

The side address and registration number of the cab had been tampered with, making identification difficult.

Victims and owners of the said vehicle have, therefore, been asked to contact the Tarkwa District Police Command with valid documents for investigation and collection.

Stories from Isaac Akwetey-Okunor

An impending acute food shortage would hit the Krobo State, which is made up of the Yilo, Lower Municipality and Upper Manya Krobo Districts of the Eastern Region, following a decision by drivers plying the areas to stop work.

The action of the drivers follows the deteriorated state of the roads in the areas, which is gradually bringing about a state of food insecurity, since there are no vehicles to cart foodstuffs produced by the poor peasant farmers from the farm gates to the available markets, leaving them to rot.

Consequently, prices of foodstuffs from Upper Manya to the Agormanya market in the Lower Manya municipality have increased considerably in recent times, since the few drivers who have decided to work on humanitarian grounds charge way above what they normally do.

Speaking to the Eastern File, the Director of Communications of Klo Hengme, a non-profit pressure group in the area, Mr. Ike Otu Tamatey said the daily outcry and incessant appeals by the Krobo citizenry to the government to as a matter of urgency attend to the deteriorated roads have fallen on death ears.

“As we speak now, all our roads have deteriorated, it is difficult going out and it is unattractive to drive vehicles,” he retorted.

He continued that in Yilo-Krobo, for instance, the only major road network which is Tlom Junction to the Somanya Intersection (popularly known as ‘Somanya Roundabout’), to Sawer, has become a death trap, with lots of accidents being recorded every day.

The Klo Hengme Director of Communications averred that the main road from Atua through Odumase to Agormanya and Kpong are riddled with gaping potholes, resulting in accidents, as drivers drive dangerously to avoid these potholes, and sometimes use the opposite lane.

With Upper Manya-Krobo, he said, the little one talks about it the better, as the state of the major roads is simply sorrowful.

He described roads such as the one from Asitey to Oterkpolu and Otrokper to Asesewa as terrible and worrying.

Other roads in Upper Manya Krobo which have not been attended to since the colonial days (over 56 years now) and have now been rendered impassable are the Asesewa- Kokoney road, the Akatawia- Sekesua road, the 1-kilometre Asesewa-Odometa road, the 21-kilometre Asesewa-Bisa road, and the 7-kilometre Bisa junction-Aframase road.

All these are major roads link the farming areas to the commercial towns of Asesewa, Agormanya, Akateng and Nkurakan.

The Krobo State, which is regarded as the “food basket” of the entire Krobo area and the Eastern Region in general, is gradually losing its status because of the umotorable nature of the roads.

According to Mr. Tamatey: “It is heartbreaking that our drivers continue to pay road tolls and waybills on such dehumanising roads,” and “Since all appeals to our leaders have fallen on deaf ears, there is the need to embark on a more ‘aggressive method’ as a way of communicating to them.”

By Sebastian R. Freiku

 KUMASIANO, AN official mouthpiece of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has been launched in Kumasi as an additional newspaper on the newsstands.  

The 8-page bi-monthly, the baby  of the new mayor, Hon  Kojo Bonsu, would  project unfolding   events  in the garden City as well as  provide minute by minute  news items for  consumption of the  reading public by upholding  the core values  of  entertaining, informing and educating  of the media.

The newspaper, which would be distributed every two weeks free of charge to members of the public, would be available at hotels, offices, public places, transport terminals and supermarkets, among others.

The mayor said at the launching last Monday that Kumasiano would be financed by proceeds from the sale of its advertisement spaces to advertisers and emphasized that funding had nothing to do with KMA coffers.

As announced by the mayor in his maiden address during the first ordinary meeting of the 3^rd session of the assembly on Tuesday May 21, 2013, the newspaper would seek to bring governance closer to the doorsteps of the people of Kumasi and highlight development projects, programmes and activities at the Assembly.

Kumasiano is edited by Mr. Godwin Okumah Nyame, the Public Relations officer of KMA as the head of an eight-member Editorial team.

An appeal  for funds  at the launching, which was witnessed by management personnel of KMA including  heads of  department and sections, assembly members  and some  corporate entities,  yielded  GH¢30,000.00 with B.K. Nsiah Compan donating  the  highest amount of  GH¢5,000.00.

Conspicuously absent at the launching was the Presiding member, Nana Kofi Senyah, whose absence was filled by Nana Apeasa II, the former PM.

Stories Complied By Sebastian R. Freiku

THE TEPA Traditional Council, headed by its President, Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem II has bestowed the title of Sompahene on Hon. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for being an industrious public officer.

It is for his contributions towards the general development during his tenure of office as District Chef Executive (the District Secretary) for the Ahafo Ano North District which spanned over 12 years.

Mr. Opong-Fosu also served as the President of National Association of Local Government (NALAG) and headed the Local Government Service under late President Mills’ administration.

He also doubles as the Member of Parliament for the Amenfi East constituency in the Western region since January 7, 2013.

A citation read by the Queen mother of Tepa, Nana Agyeiwaa Premo II, indicated that  the appointment  of Mr. Opong-Fosu as the Minister of Local Government was an honour  and has made Tepaman proud having risen to the apex of  the Local government structure after learning the rudiments of  the system as DCE  at  the Ahafo Ano North district.

She said the Traditional Council shared in his promotion, which has made the chiefs and people proud.

The citation, which catalogued the various development projects initiated by Mr. Opong-Fosu during his tenure of office as DCE described him as humble, respectful and hardworking.

Besides the citation, Mr. Opong-Fosu was presented with a cloth and a stool as symbol of office as Sompahene.

The Traditional Council also recognized the role of Mrs. Opong-Fosu by presenting her with a cloth.

Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem II, Omanhene of Tepa Traditional area hoped the Minister   would continue to champion the development of the area by dint of his new responsibility as Sompahene and a member of the ruling government.

Mr. Opong-Fosu expressed  appreciation  for the  honour done him and urged  DCE’s  to be guided  by the  honour  accorded him  and give off  their  best in their performance  as DCEs while serving  the people.

Hon. Collins Dauda, the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing was similarly honoured for his singular efforts in the upgrading of the Health Assistants Training School into a diploma awarding midwifery.

Nana Kwame Ntim II, Omanhene of Manfo, presided over the ceremony which coincided with the observation of the Akwasidae festivity.

From Albert Nana Asante

The Alliance for Obuasi Development (AFOD), an Obuasi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has reminded the new Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of his vision to get a tertiary educational institution established in the municipality.

According to the Alliance, Obuasi has one of the single largest goldmines in the country and two each of public and private Senior High schools, and that the establishment of a tertiary institution in the municipality was long overdue.

In a congratulatory message to the MCE, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, and signed jointly by the Executive Director, Albert Nana Asante, the Projects Manager, Richard Ellimah, and Malik Bin Ibrahim, Communication/Advocacy Director, the NGO also reminded him of his desire to decongest the heavy traffic jam by developing alternative routes in the municipality.

The message further hoped that the MCE would facilitate the development of Obuasi, and also ensure that alternative employment avenues, aside galamsey, were created for the youth.

“The Assembly bye-laws on school children should be enforced to check the rate at which these children roam about in the streets at night, instead of studying at home,” the message stressed.

The Alliance was of the view that the MCE would see to it that the assembly’s scholarship scheme was transparently executed to benefit brilliant children in the deprived communities in the municipality.

It pointed out that education was one of the keys that could open up the development of the area, and that support to needy but brilliant children was essential to the assembly’s development agenda.

The message encouraged the MCE to facilitate the acquisition of viable land for small mining activities to help enhance the local economy.

From Albert Nana Asante

The Obuasi Municipality has, once again, maintained its first position on the nationwide ranking of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Mr. Johnny Owusu-Boadi, Municipal Director of Education, who disclosed this at the 2012 Best Teacher Awards held at Obuasi, noted: “I am pleased to announce to you that the municipality maintained its first position in the national ranking of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) with an improved percentage.”

The Municipal Director of Education commended the teachers for their dedication to work, and urged them not to be complacent.

Mr. Eric Opoku, Ashanti Regional Minister, noted that the theme “Teacher Motivation – The Key To Academic Excellence” selected for the day was unique, since those who imparted knowledge or moulded character needed to be motivated adequately to help improve performance.

The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr. Kofi Sarfo-Kantanka, warned that he would not hesitate to withdraw the services of teachers from communities which were hostile to teachers.

He commended the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders for consistently recognising the good works of teachers, and appealed to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to find a means of supporting and encouraging other assemblies to organise best teacher award ceremonies in their districts, to help improve education performances in schools in the region.

In all, twenty-nine teaching and non-teaching staff were honoured.

Ms. Valentina Getrude Asamoah of Primary “B” took the first prize in the primary category, with the Junior High category going to Ms Gladys Kenyenso, whilst Mr. Gilbert Benjamin Opoku took the prize in the basic technical and vocational category, with Madam Alice Odure emerging as the Best Head Teacher for the JHS category.

From Albert Nana Asante

Residents of Obuasi are currently living in fear following the recovery of two dead bodies within a week.

The lifeless bodies of the two were found in the early hours of Saturday and Tuesday at the Obuasi Central market and Kunka junction respectively.

DSP Matthew Asante, Obuasi Municipal Commander of Police, in an interview yesterday, said one of the victims had been identified as Ama Serwaa, 50, a native of Jacobu.

The bodies have since been deposited at the Obuasi Government Hospital.

The Municipal Commander said the investigation was at its initial stage, and that his outfit would do everything possible to unravel the cause their deaths.

A number of residents who spoke to this reporter appealed for adequate security. While some were calling for adequate security, others threatened to flee the town if the current situation is not brought under control.

Stories by Richard Attenkah

Construction of the new state-of-art mortuary building, which successive governments have used as a campaign tool on election platforms, now seems to have been abandoned to its fate. Work on the project came to a standstill not long after the 2012 general elections.

Aside the fact that weeds are gradually taking over the new building which residents in Tema thought would have been completed by now, following the kind of attention it garnered during the last general elections from candidates who wanted to win political power, the building is currently at the lentil level.

The decision to construct the new facility became imminent when the old mortuary gained media attention in 2011, as a result of the fact that the over 50-year-old dilapidated mortuary was said to have become breeding grounds for mice and rats, which fed on corpses in the facility, which also had no preservation equipment.

Robert Kempes Ofosuware and Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who were parliamentary candidates for Tema East and West respectively, and Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, used this facility to attract votes for themselves.

It was, therefore, obvious that after the election, work on the project would continue unabated. Unfortunately, nothing has been going on as far the continuation of the building is concerned, leaving residents in Tema and beyond who patronise the facility in limbo.

A visit there recently by the Tema File showed that work had stopped, while the old mortuary is also not being patronised Tema for obvious reasons.

In an interview with some of the workers at the mortuary last Monday, the Tema File gathered that people no longer patronise the facility, and rather preferred to send their dead to funeral homes or the Akuse Government Mortuary, where their corpses would be kept in a better and conducive facility.

The situation has, therefore, affected the revenue generation of the old facility.

A worker told the paper that despite the fact that the Tema General Hospital Mortuary provides the best embalmment service in the Greater Accra Region, the weak structure of the facility coupled with broken equipment, could be reasons why revenue generation had drastically declined.

Stories By Richard Attenkah

The Data Link Institute, following approval from the National Accreditation Board (NAB), is scheduled to commence post graduate programmes from September this year.

The programmes are Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc in International Marketing Strategy, MSc Business Computing, MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc Corporate Governance and Leadership, MSc Management (Logistics and Operations) and MSc International Management.

This was disclosed by Prof. Victor Patrick Yao Gadzekpo, president of the Institute, at the 4^th Graduation Ceremony of the Institute at Tema over the weekend.

In all, 424 students, made up of 216 females, representing 51%, and 208 males representing 49%, graduated from the Institute.

According to Prof. Gadzekpo, the duration of the programmes, which the institute is offering in collaboration with the University of Northampton Business School in the United Kingdom (UK), is 20 months.

“The programme will begin with the MBA, and this will be in September. The rest will be in January 2014. I want to use the opportunity to invite all potential applicants to take advantage of these useful programmes and earn a second degree. We have arranged for loan facilities with reasonable interest rates for applicants who will need it,” he said.

Prof. Gadzekpo revealed that plans were underway for the institute to introduce the School of Social Sciences, which will offer courses such as French, English, Economics and Mathematics, Psychology, Actual Science, Computer Science Education and Business Education.

He explained that the curriculum for the education programmes had been developed and sent to the University of Education, Winneba, for affiliation. The others are currently being developed and would be sent to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for affiliation. Ultimately, they will all be sent to the NAB for accreditation.

Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Pro Chancellor, Central University College, who was the Guest Speaker, speaking on the theme; “The Role of Private Tertiary Education In The Socio-Economic Development of Ghana”, said Ghana seemed to be in crises because good quality higher education, which is critical for a nation to become globally competitive, was lacking.

She stressed: “The apparent inadequacy and lack of capacity of public universities concerning admission of numerous applicants to various institutions has been widely reported in the media this week. We seem to be in crises.”

She explained that the situation has been compounded when approximately 409,000 senior high school graduates will be seeking to be admitted into the various universities and other tertiary institutions in the country this year, adding more than 40,000 had applied to KNUST, which can only admit less than a quarter of the figure.

It is against this background that, according to her, the bulk now stops with the private tertiary institutions in the country to meet the growing demand to provide that quality higher education for Ghanaian youth.

Dr. Joyce Aryee continued that a careful study of the curriculum of the over 55 private tertiary institutions in the country reveals a dangerous trend of over concentration on business education, saying such institutions should endeavour to fill the gap of providing the kind of quality entrepreneurs and leaders to help confront Ghana’s socio-economic challenges.

Mr. Ernest Ansah, Founder and Chancellor of the institute, urged the graduands to be proactive as they go into the job market, saying, “This is the beginning of a new era for you, and you will have to make all the difference with the knowledge and skills you have acquired.”

He expressed his profound gratitude to KNUST and NAB for the immense support and guidance, the two institutions had provided the institute all these years, adding, “We are very truly proud about our affiliation to KNUST, and we would continue to uphold the high standards they expect of us.”

By Masahudu  Kunateh

Back from Geita & Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Communities in which gold are being mined are yet to see the benefit of hosting one of the world’s most sought-after commodities which currently trades at $1,325.46 per ounce on the international market today.

The poor nature of the roads, coupled with other basic amenities of life, makes living in Geita and its surrounding communities frightening, according to residents of the district.

A 65-year-old retiree, Ismael Dauda, who shares the same sentiments expressed by the over 800,000 people in the district added: ‘Look at the dusty and bumpy nature of our roads, if someone tells you that we produce gold here you would not agree’.

Journalists from Ghana and Uganda traveling to the gold-rich district, Geita District of the Mwanza Region of Tanzania, said it reminded them of the conditions back home.

The residents of the dry and windy district blamed their predicament on the Geita District Council and the Geita Gold Mine (GGM), owned by AngloGold Ashanti, a leading global gold producer operating in 11 countries and listed on five stock exchanges, including the Ghana Stock Exchange.

He continued: ‘I honestly wonder how the royalty meant for the district is being utilized. For over the past nine years that GGM is paying the royalty and if it was being correctly used, we would have seen some improvements in the district’.

Mr. Dauda, who has lived in the district for over three decades told Business Chronicle in an interview that the  boom in the mining industry has only brought negative activities, including environmental degradation, high cost of living, stealing and rising illegal mining, inadequate compensation for affected farmers, overcrowding and joblessness to the district.

He added: ‘ Mining in the district not only contributes to forest and environmental degradation, changes in water tables, air pollution and other serious ecological impacts, but also indigenous people living adjacent to the mines benefit least from the positive mining effects’.

Worse still, gold mining takes away large tracts of agricultural land from farmers, but does not provide adequate jobs to offset subsequent employment in agriculture, the sector that is the foundation of the rural majority in the district, Mr. Dauda indicated.

He observed that the gains from the mining sector in the form of increased instruments are mostly achieved at significant environmental health and social costs to people. This is because mining activities account for serious consequences on the environment, locally and globally.

The retired teacher stated: “This situation has accelerated for the occurrence of a number of existing conflicts in mining sites reported in Geita District”.

Adams Hamisi, a former employee of GGM said that the multiple open-pit operation being practiced by GGM with underground potential, which is currently serviced by a 6Mtpa carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing plant causes harm to the environment, explaining that “Standard open-pit mining methods are employed: hard overburden is drilled and blasted, hydraulic excavators are used to load waste material into a fleet of 100t dump trucks exposing the gold-bearing ore material which is directed to the processing plant”.

Admittedly, the District Commissioner for Geita District, Manzie Mangochie said the contribution of mining to the district was minimal despite receiving $200,000 a year as royalty from GGM.

He told a team of journalists from Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania on a study tour to the Geita District to acquaint themselves to the challenges of the mining sector and that his district also contributed $100 million last year as revenue to the Tanzanian government for national development.

This amount pushed the district to become the second in the country in terms of revenue mobilisation for the country Mr. Mangochie hinted.

Reacting to the concerns that royalty accrued from the GGM was not properly utilized, he said the district was using chunk of it to provide basic amenities such as water, shelter, and school accommodation for the people.

Mr. Mangochie was quick to disclose that the district was working assiduously with the GGM to set aside 0.3% of its gross revenue for the development of the district.

Touching on compensation, he said the Geita District was also working with the central government and the GGM to ensure that farmers who lose their lands and farm crops are promptly and adequately compensated.

In his words: ‘We at the district would ensure that people affected by mining activities are being compensated fairly’.

However, the outspoken district commissioner emphasized that intruders or illegal miners on legal concession(s) have no right to compensation according to the new Tanzanian mining law.

Further adding his voice to the plethora of challenges confronting the health in the district, Mr. Mangochie said the district being new one lacks staff, shortage of medicines, inadequate, and poorly equipped hospitals for over 800,000 inhabitants in the district.

Because of the gold mine in the area, many young people from other parts of the country throng the district in search of jobs and other opportunities there. This influx of people to the area increases the number of people in the district thereby making the cost of living to go high, he stated.

Later, at Nyakabare, a mining village closer to Geita Gold Mine concession, illegal small scale miners busily grinding rocks stolen from the concession. An elder of the village, William Pawulo said they got the rocks from the concession which they grind to get an average of three kilograms of gold which they sell to dealers from Dar es Salaam, Kenyans, and others for a fee.

But another unlicensed small scale miner, Lordrick Samuel revealed that GGM employs about 45 people from the village and pays each 200, 000 Tanzanian Shillings ($125). Out of this amount, 40,000 Shillings ($25) is monthly deducted and paid to the village to undertake development projects.

‘This whopping amount is used to purchase desks and dispensary for village school clinic respectively’, he said.

In a bid to address the illegal mining activities in the district, District Commissioner for the Geita District, Manzie Mangochie, said the district regularly holds public rallies to educate young people about rules and dangers involved in illegal. While small parcels of lands are being allocated to legal small scale miners operating in the district.

The Geita District Resident Mines Officer and Inspector of Mines and Explosives at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Sementa Juma Haruna added that plans were underway to support legal artisan and small scale miners to enable them undertake profitable and environmental friendly gold mining in the area.

He stated that ‘plans are underway to assist the small scale miners with finance from the Bank of Tanzania, while over 300 hectares of land are to be allocated to them soon’.

According to him, the ministry in collaboration with the Dodoma University also provides equipment at a fee to the small scale miners in the gold-rich district. While mining activities of Geita Gold Mine are being monitored by the ministry, he noted.

Stories by Sebastian R. Freiku

The 54-member Ahafo Ano North District, last Friday, retained David Addae Amankwah as the District Chief Executive following his re-nomination by the President.

Forty five members (83.3%) of the house endorsed his re-appointment over and above the two-thirds mandate to exercise his functions as the political head of the district. Nine members dissented.

The polls, conducted under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, led by the Regional Electoral Officer, Mr. Samuel Tetteh, was generally smooth and peaceful.

The Regional Minister, Mr. Eric Opoku, was represented at the polls by Ebenezer Opoku Aloke, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist.

The occasion was also graced by Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem II, Omanhene of the Tepa Traditional Area and Nana Kwame Ntim II, Omanhene of Manfo and party executives.

In a post election address, Addae Amankwah thanked the members for the honour done him by confirming his appointment, and called on them to unite to forge ahead in development as a priority.

He reminded the Assembly that the district lagged behind development and hinted of major projects in the pipeline.

The DCE announced that the Assembly was going to prioritise the construction of a 20-seater Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit (KVIP) as well as a mechanised borehole at Manfo, a market for Mabang, and a police station for the Asuhyia and Suponso communities.

DCE Amankwah urged the members to consolidate the Internally Generated Funds to enable the Assembly embark on programmes and projects.

Meanwhile, the Omanhene of Tepa has donated 20 bags of cement as his personal contribution to the intended constructed of a police station by the Ahafo Ano North district Assembly at Asuhyia.

The gesture was in appreciation of the smooth manner the polls were conducted to confirm the President’s nominee, which, he said, was a sign of respect by the assembly for the President.

Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem advised the DCE to be all embracing to advance the cause of development in the district.

Stories by Sebastian R. Freiku

The Amansie West District Assembly has eventually elected Mr. James Asafo Akowuah, a Tutor of Manso-Adubia Senior High School, as its new Presiding Member at a special meeting at Manso-Nkwanta.

Mr. Asafo Akowuah, 54, polled 61 votes at the end of the third round of voting, with 10 members voting against.

There was no winner in the first and second ballots, as none of the two candidates obtained the two-thirds mandatory mark of 52 votes of the 79-member house.

The new Presiding Member pledged to work tirelessly, but with the co-operation of the assembly members to develop the district.

He appealed to the District Assembly to procure a vehicle to help with revenue mobilisation.

Mr. Akowuah also asked the Assembly sub-committees to work hard to enable the District Assembly function effectively

He said the District Assembly would consider the re-shaping some of the feeder roads in the district to enhance easy movement of goods and services, for which the Assembly was to hire or repair its grader.

The newly-elected Presiding Member is to be sworn into office by the District Magistrate, Mr.  Akwasi Adjei, at the Assembly’s next meeting.

From Ernest Best Anane

The Aduman Senior High School (SHS) in the Afigya-Kwabre District has observed its 2^nd Speech and Prize-Giving Day celebration with a call on the government and stakeholders for infrastructural development to address the major challenges of the school.

Mr. Prince Joseph Aguri Amanfo, Headmaster of the school, said at the occasion, which was observed under the theme: “Discipline, an essential tool for academic excellence”, that the school cannot boast of befitting Assembly Hall and good road network to the institution.

He said the school’s social activities, including church services, entertainment, seminars and other gatherings, were performed under trees and scorching sun due to lack of an Assembly Hall.

According to him, students converge in the open for regular and routine assembly, and called for the construction of an ultra modern and multipurpose assembly hall.

In the interim, the Headmaster said the dining hall served as the only source of accommodation for all functions, including examinations. He described the situation as a major challenge, since most of the furniture had deteriorated as a result of such movements.

He said housing facilities for staff were also inadequate, compelling most of the personnel to commute from afar to come to work, and would need to be housed on or around the campus to promote quick teacher response to duty.

He said a spacious and well-equipped ICT laboratory was needed to facilitate the practical driven instructions in the ICT Department, while other facilities needed include a well-conditioned storeroom to keep agricultural produce, an artisan workshop and studio for the Visual Arts Section, and an ultra-modern laboratory for Home Economics.

Mr. Aguri stressed that roads are a key component to human movement, without which life becomes stale, pointing out that the road leading to and out of the premises had always been in a deplorable state, thus affecting their core function of training the youth who travel from other places to pursue education.

Mr. Kaakyire Oppong Kyekyeku, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Afigya Kwabre, as Guest of Honour, commended the Headmaster and the school authorities for their tremendous effort in bringing the school to a desired standard.

He urged parents to complement the efforts of teachers in the upbringing of children in society to ensure a disciplined society.

Nana Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi, Omanhene of the Akyerensua Traditional Area, who presided over the celebration, cautioned the students to be disciplined in all their endeavours, because it was the key to a successful life, pointing to the military as a good source of discipline, because it was its life-force.

Stories by Sebastian R. Freiku

Thirty-two persons, made up of 29 males and three females, have been ordained as the first batch of graduates to pass out from the Shiloh Bible College at the Effiduase Campus in the Sekyere East District.

The grandaunts received a Diploma in Theology after  studying Church History, Bible Doctrine, Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey and Hebrew/Greek, Vision and Evangelism, Preaching Biblical Message, Ministerial Ethics, English Language and Church Administration over 12 months.

The graduation and ordination ceremony was performed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Richard Addae, Bishop of Shiloh United Church Ghana and West Africa. He was supported by Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Akwaboah, General Overseer of Christian Hope Ministries International, Very Rev. Osei Bonsu, General Secretary, Shiloh United Church, and Very Rev. Divine Agyemang Badu, Area Head Shiloh United Church, Effiduase.

Dr. Addae, who is also the President of the International Council of Churches and Ministers of Great Britain (ICCM GB), prayed for the new pastors and admonished them to be good shepherds, and at all-times guide their flock so that they do not go astray.

The Bishop was of the view that some pastors were not able to shepherd their flock to the “promised land”, because of their desire to become rich overnight.

“I urge you to always allow yourself to be guided by the principles and teachings of the Bible,” Bishop Addae advised.

Bishop Dr. Addae told the spouses of the pastors to be supportive of the pastors in all their endeavours.

The Very Rev. Badu stated that the college was established to train Christians who had the desire and the calling to become pastors, and called on the new pastors to see themselves as elders of the church, and serve out of love for God.

Alexandra Kwabena Afrifa was adjudged the best preacher. Other students who excelled in various areas were awarded with certificates.

By Richard Attenkah

Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Deputy Minister for Transport, has called on stakeholders in the maritime and transport trade, especially the media, to help her ministry fight against high seas piracy in the country.

She noted: “One growing canker in the global maritime trade is the surge of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. As a country, we must all be concerned about this, particularly, as we are now producing and exporting oil.

“We must be alert and develop antennas to detect any sound of such vices. I believe our news producers, such as the Maritime and Transport Digest, will spearhead the crusade against high seas piracy in Ghana.”

The Deputy Minister for Transport made the call when she launched a new weekly newspaper, Maritime and Transport Digest, at Tema over the weekend.

The 16-page newspaper, which has Mr. Kennedy Mornah as its Managing Editor, is expected to focus exclusively on the maritime trade and logistics industry, locally and internationally.

Mrs. Bawah Mogtari disclosed that her ministry was in the process of developing the necessary legislature intended to take care of the needs of the country’s emerging oil and gas industry.

She noted that as part of its plans to make Ghana the transportation hub in the sub-region, the Transport Ministry was determined to pursue the development of transport infrastructure in the country to improve service delivery in the sector.

She commended the Managing Editor and his team for the production of such a specialised publication, adding: “You can only be objective if you are impartial in your reportage. I urge you to take all the necessary steps to investigate and write your stories, so you become a credible and reliable paper.”

Dr. Kofi Mbiah, Executive Director of the Ghana Shipping Council, explained that because journalists view happenings in the maritime transport sector as too technical, they had not taken keen interest in reporting issues in the sector in the media.

He, however, hinted that there had been a gradual shift from that position in recent times, saying some media houses now devote whole pages and programmes to maritime and trade-related issues, saying “This is worthy of commendation.”

Dr. Mbiah cautioned: “To survive as a newspaper in this rather competitive era, would require appropriate packaging of worthy new items, timeliness, content and quality.

“These would be the driving force for sustainability and growth, and should thus form the bedrock upon which the paper is anchored.”

He was hopeful that the newspaper would provide the platform for highlighting the broad spectrum of issues in the industry, specifically, issues that affect the competitiveness of shippers’ investments and ownership of ships among others.

In his welcome address, Mr. Mornah noted that the new weekly newspaper would be a reliable source of maritime information, which could be used by maritime trade and logistics players, including practitioners, students, researchers and the general public.

From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor

The Commanders of the various security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Fire Service, Immigration Services, have warned the general public, particularly elements hatching plans to destabilise the peace of the country.

According to them, it would be in the best interest of any Ghanaian to either sit close to his or her television set to clap or otherwise if he or she wanted to do so, rather than pour onto the streets to cause mayhem.

“Don’t try and tempt us, because we will be everywhere on the day that the Supreme Court will give the verdict to meet face to face with anybody or group of people who want to take the law into their hands,” they warned.

This was made known by the commanders of the various security agencies in Koforidua, when they addressed their men shortly after a five-hour security awareness walk through the principal streets of the New Juaben Municipality.

The men and women, whose smart and sense of combat readiness could speak volumes of their intention to clamp down on troublemakers, started the march from the premises of the Eastern Regional Police Command, through Adweso, Koforidua Zongo, Effiduase, Asokore and finally to Jackson Park.

The men, despite the smart and brisk walk, which started with some amount of energy amidst the chanting of war songs and other associated security songs, began falling back when fatigue started setting in.

However, they regained their energy after a short period, as they walked more briskly than before, and sang and danced to brass band music provided in the background by the Eastern Regional Police Band, with residents of the areas coming out to catch a glimpse of them.

Addressing the charged men and women, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Yaagy Akuriba, called on the security agencies to be steadfast in these challenging times.

Throwing light on the essence of the walk, the Police Commander said this was to send a message to the general public that the security agencies were on the ground and ever ready to match any person or group of persons boot for boot in the unlikely event that they take the law into their hands after the Supreme Court verdict.

He urged the security agencies to act professionally in the unlikely event that there were misunderstandings, since their sense of professionalism would the only tool for them to gain control of situations, leading to peace.

He further assured the general public of the agencies’ readiness to protect any law abiding citizen, adding that the security agencies were ready to confront any person or group of persons if they decided to do the unthinkable.

The Eastern Regional Police Commander encouraged the public to use the legal or necessary public procedures to register their displeasure if the verdict did not go their way, in accordance with the public Act 419.

He also urged the media to be circumspect in its reportage, with a special appeal to the practitioners in the electronic media to desist from airing and showing elements that had the tendency to incite mayhem.

On his part, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Fred Ntiri, re-echoed that the exercise was a clear testimony that the security agencies were ready to confront any challenges that would appear after the Supreme Court verdict.

He called on the personnel of sister security agencies to continue to walk in unity, and put the country ahead of any personal interest and protect the peace and unity.

From Ernest Best Anane

The women’s wing of House of Faith Ministries has donated items worth GH¢1,000 to the female inmates of the Kumasi Central Prisons, as part of activities marking their National Convention in Kumasi.

The items included sanitary towels, slippers, used clothing and a variety of toiletries.

Rev. Mrs. Joyce Anim, Co-ordinator in-charge of the Women’s wing, who made the donation, also led the visiting team to share the word of God with both the inmates and the prison officers.

Receiving the items, ASP Dora Annang, in charge of Religious Affairs of the prisons, expressed gratitude to bodies and individuals to augment the government’s provision for the prisons.

House of Faith Ministries is led by Rev. Alfred Nyamekye, and ably supported by Rev. Dr. Esther Nyamekye.

Stories From Ernest Best Anane

Nana Osei Kofi, known in his private life as Mr. George Atta-Sei Anane, has sworn the oath of allegiance to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, as the new Chief of Sabin Akrofuom in the Kwanwoma District.

He was selected by Otumfuo to succeed his uncle, Nana Kwaku Duah, an Obrempon of Otumfuo.

His mandate is to ensure that the people remain united for development in peace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the swearing-in ceremony, advised the new chief to ensure that he improved the lot of the people, be transparent, and consolidate the gains of his predecessor.

The Ashanti King charged Nana Osei Kofi to protect government lands of schools being encroached, upon instead of serving the needs of the community at large.

The new chief has indicated that his focus would be on education, and ensure that all children of school-going age are encouraged to pursue formal education for societal growth.

Nana Osei Kofi has also pledged to discourage land litigation among his people, and that he would not encourage the sale of land to two different persons. 

He appealed to colleague chiefs to also desist from such acts, and allow peace to prevail in the Ashanti Region. 

Nana Afia Kwartemaah, Queenmother of Sabin Akrofuom, advised him to be tolerant in dealing with detractors, and focus on unity, peace and progress, for the benefit of all the citizens of the community.

From Ernest Best Anane

Orphan and Needy Smile Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has presented items worth GH¢20,000 to the less privileged in the Ahafo Ano North District in the Ashanti Region.

The items include clothes, toilet soap, sandals, toys, biscuits and rice.

The visit to the district by the NGO coincided with the opening of a branch office in the area to always ensure that every district is capable of taking care of the targeted audience.

Bishop Dr. S.R. Addae, Patron of the organisation, explained that the gesture was a directive from God to be each other’s keeper.

He said it was the responsibility of individuals and corporate organisations, as well as NGOs, to provide love for orphans, widows and the destitute, so that society does not take undue advantage of them..

He called on the philanthropists, civil organisations, and the government to join hands to make sure the needy in the society are taking good care of, for no one body knows who they can become in future, for Nelson Mandela and Prophet Muhammed were all orphans, and have made prominent impacts in the lives of their people.

From Ernest Best Anane

The Board of Governors of Mansoman Senior High School at Manso Atwere in the Amansie West District has honoured Mr. Daniel Opoku, out-going Headmaster of the school, for his dedication and commitment to the development of the school.

He received a citation from the Board.

Lawyer Francis Annin, Board Chairman of the school, who performed the presentation, commended Mr. Daniel Opoku for his hard work.

According to him, the outgoing headmaster was influential so much that he lobbied the school’s Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) to put up a 5-unit classroom block, girls dormitory, and a large dining hall.

Mr. Daniel Opoku, who assumed the headship of the school in September, 2009, when the school, being a deprived one, said it (school) then faced a number of challenges, including the lack of accommodation for both staff and students.

He said the girls were being accommodated in the community center in town, amid threats and harassment from the towns-folk when commuting to and from the main school campus, because a Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) project meant to serve as girls dormitory had taken more than ten years to be completed.

The Krontihene of Manso-Atwere, Nana Moses Owusu Antwi, who chaired the function, also commended the Headmaster and staff of the school for their hard work, and urged them to keep it up.

He appealed to the in-coming Headmaster to help fence the school land, to prevent encroachment.

Mr. Andrews Kofi Sarkodie, the in-coming Headmaster, said while outlining his vision for the school was to, first and foremost, ensure that both teachers and students work towards academic excellence and get good passes in examinations.