Month: April 2012

Information Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour has underscored the need to empower the National Media Commission (NMC) with authority to sanction errant media outfits.

According to him the NMC “has no teeth” and therefore is mostly helpless when complaints of unacceptable behaviour by media houses and personnel are made to the commission.

Mr Fritz Baffour made these statements on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Wednesday.

The MP, who until recently was a member of the NMC, stated that the commission is not just beset with the issue of “little sanctioning power” but it also lacks the needed resources to fully discharge its mandate.

The media front, according to him, has in recent times changed with technological advancements and with it, the availability of enhanced platforms for public inputs.

But he said the public can sometimes be emotive and called for proper moderation of programmes by media practitioners to ensure unprintable words are not used on these platforms against others. Again he said the government considers new media an asset and is ‘responding slowly’ to its emergence.

On government’s relationship with the media, the Information Minister said the administration has to work in harmony with the media in order to breed some sort of etiquette between the two institutions.

“I think we should work with total cordiality because at the end of the day if there is an element of mistrust then we have a problem… then everybody’s credibility is under threat.”

Rather than censoring the media, the Information Minister said he believes self-regulation would be best to promote democracy, but he also maintained that that can only be achieved when the media shows responsibility.

He added that work on the broadcasting bill was far advanced and should soon be in parliament for consideration.

Mr. Fritz Baffuor also touched on the government’s outdoored “Overview of the Better Ghana Agenda”, otherwise called “Green Book” which lists a number of achievements of the Mills administration.

The Minster said far from being a propaganda tool, the Green Book should be seen as the government’s account of its stewardship.

Source: myjoyonline.com

About 2,030 Junior High students who have registered to sit this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the La Dadekotopon constituency, have received custom-made success cards and other learning aids from their Member of Parliament.

Nii Amasah Namoale’s constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress presented the items on Wednesday at brief separate ceremonies at the Marley Dada Junior High School at La and at Burma Camp basic schools to heads of schools.

The success cards to together with pens and mathematical sets were presented to be distributed to the candidates who are preparing to start their exams on April 16th next week.

The aim according to Ms Rita Odoley Sowah, a constituency executive member, was to motivate the candidates to do well in the exams and also assured them that the entire constituency was behind them to come out with good results.

She said education had always been a topmost priority for Nii Namoale, especially when performance in the basic level of education in public schools had been poor over the years.

Ms Sowah said the success cards, which have every candidate name, school embossed and the MP’s signature on them, contain words to inspire and motivate them to learn well and more importantly urge them to have a sense of hope and optimism that their efforts would be rewarded with success.

Ms Sowah charged the students to take their learning more serious and make good use of their time so as to have the confidence to face their first major academic exams in life.

About 50 percent of candidates failed in last year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination. Some schools scored even zero percent but Ms Sowah said the MP was determined to support public basic schools in the constituency in order to improve their academic performance.

Some of the BECE candidates, who were at the ceremony for the presentation, thanked the MP and assured him and their school heads that with such assurance and expectation, they would do their best not to disappoint well wishers.

In 2007, the MP made a similar donation to the schools in the constituency.

This year’s items are valued at GHc7, 600.00.

GNA

Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma Central, has assisted Da-Awatul Islamic Primary School at Lartebiokorshie with GH¢ 4,000 to re-roof the academic facility to improve teaching and learning.

The donation, which was from the MP’s share of the Ghana Education Trust Fund forms part of his programme to improve the infrastructure of schools in the constituency.

Addressing the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Mr Chaie said education is one of his priorities and he is determined to provide the infrastructure for learning to be enjoyable to the pupils.

He said since basic education is free and compulsory the Muslim parents should take full responsibilities in providing the school needs of their children for them to have interest in studying to become good adults in future.

The MP said the government recognises that the only way for national development is to ensure a holistic provision of educational infrastructures to enhance teaching and learning in schools.

He expressed the need for the people to assist the government to solve the problems confronting the education sector.

Mr Yussif Adam, the Headteacher said: “We are delighted to share the honour and glory with you and our continuous prayers and support for you to always succeed in your genuine efforts to ensure that children get a better place to learn.”

GNA

A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Stephen Ackah has said the lack of constant electricity supply in Suaman constituency in the Aowin/ Asuaman is militating against the smooth conduct of the on-going biometric registration exercise in his area.

According to him, the intermittent power cuts as the registration exercise is in session ,slows down the process creating a lot if inconvenience for both the registrants and those who have spent several hours in wait of their turn to register.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, Hon. Stephen Ackah who is also the Member of Parliament for Suaman stated that but for the unstable power situation every bit of the registration exercises has been peaceful and orderly.

He said in an attempt to keep electricity supply constant at the registration centres, generators have been allocated to the affected areas to help them conduct the exercise.

Hon.Stephen Ackah was excited about the high level of participation by the people in the area and expressed confidence that the people would repose trust in him and retain him as MP in the upcoming December elections which is seen by most political watchers as crucial.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Former Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Armah Ashitey is to petition the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Paul Tawiah Quaye to investigate and sanction the Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service ACP Angwubutoge Awuni for the manner in which he (ACP) Awuni verbally assaulted and mishandled him last weekend.

The two, were embroiled in verbal exchanges after the former regional minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korley Constituency was said to have physically prevented people from registering because he suspected most of them were from the Odododiodoo constituency – which is only separated from the Klottey Korley by a street.

ACP Awuni is reported to have asked Nii Ashietey to leave the scene since his attempts to stop others from registering were unlawful and created further chaos at the registration center but the MP refused, forcing the police officer to order his men to force the former minister out of the place.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Eko Sii Sen programme on Tuesday, Hon. Niii Armah Ashitey stated that his presence there was to ensure that non residents of Klottey Korley are allowed to register in his constituency which was a lawful act.
He said he felt hurt and humiliated by both the verbal and physical assault on him by ACP Awuni especially when he did nothing to warrant such action.

“ Just over a month ago Awuni would see me and salute me as the Regional Minister, today Awuni will order his men and brutalize me and he stands there and look on, he should know that tomorrow he will leave office as a police man and the same treatment will be given him’’ Nii Armah said.

Hon. Nii Armah Ashitey added that he’s tempted to believe that ACP Awuni by his actions is in connivance with his political opponents to ensure he’s defeated in the upcoming December elections.

Meanwhile ACP Awuni has admitted exceeding his limit in the manner in which he dealt with the former Greater Accra Regional Minister over his conduct during the biometric registration exercise in the in Accra last Thursday.
ACP Awuni said Nii Ashitey threatened to get him dismissed; explaining that he (Awuni) therefore lost his temper in the process and insulted the former minister.

“…He made mention that he would make sure that I am dismissed from the Police Service and so when they (the policemen) brought him in (to the charge office) I gave him my (police) cap. In fact I was furious; I gave him my cap that if he is a man he should dismiss me. I was doing my job, he did not employ me…”

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh

Mr. Samuel Kweku Obodai, the Member of Parliament for Agona West, has cautioned Christians against double registration in the on-going Biometric Voter Registration Exercise.

He said double registration, apart from being ungodly, could also lead to imprisonment.

Mr. Obodai made this known when he addressed Members of the Agona Swedru Branch of the Christ Apostolic Church International to mark their four-day Easter Convention at Agona Swedru on Sunday.

The MP said God had already chosen a winner in the December 7, Presidential and Parliamentary elections, even before the commencement of the voter registration exercise because it is He who appoints leaders.

He said: “As Christians, what we need to do is to seek the face of God to ensure free, fair and transparent electioneering process to avoid chaos that could spell the doom for the country’s democratic dispensation.”

Mr. Obodai, therefore, appealed to Christians, especially the clergy and leaders, to use the pulpits to educate members on the need to register their names as eligible voters.

He warned minors and foreigners to stay away from the registration exercise because offenders could face arrest and prosecution.

Apostle Dr Stephen Amoani, Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) asked Christians to use the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to desist from lifestyles that could impede socio-economic advancement of the country.

He said they should also know that the death of “our Saviour has brought economic independence to mankind and Ghanaian Christians must ensure that the nation enjoys those blessings from God”.

The Reverend Dr P. K Takyi, Agona Swedru Area Head of CAC, called on the members to lead lifestyles worthy of emulation.

GNA

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Adenta, Kojo Adu Asare is skeptical about the ability of traditional rulers to reconcile President John Mills and former President Jerry Rawlings.

He said the eminent chiefs are not professional mediators thus lack the requisite skills to settle the rift between the sitting President and his predecessor.

Adu Asare was reacting to the formation of a Coalition of Traditional Rulers by the NDC to settle the almost four years rift between Mr. Rawlings and President Mills ahead of the December polls.

This initiative by the ruling party is to ensure the Rawlingses play active role in the ruling party’s electioneering campaign as President Mills bids for a second term.

However, on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Kojo Adu Asare proposed the ruling party employs a professional mediator to initiate the peace process.

He noted that a professional mediator would know the appropriate strategy to adopt to ensure the two gentlemen settle their differences amicably to avoid any factionalism in the NDC.

The Adenta MP feared the consequences for the NDC if the wrangling between them becomes protracted – at a time he said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is desperate to win power.

Kojo Adu Asare said the onus lies on the National Executives of the NDC to ensure a united front for a resounding victory on December 7.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wugon, William Duworkpor wondered why the NDC has ignored its Council of Elders and is now counting on chiefs to settle its internal matters.

He said the intervention of the chiefs in partisan politics sends a wrong signal about the country’s chieftaincy institution.

William Duworkpor advised the ruling party not to allow its internal issues affect the governance of the country.

Myjoyonline

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, has posited that Ghana’s economy could only develop when jobs are created to boost the human resource base of the country.

He said the government needed to transform the fortunes of Ghanaians through the oil find by financing some specific targeted activities to achieve that feat.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto made the remark during a public lecture organised by the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of the University of Ghana City Campus, to celebrate TESCON week.

According to him, Manufacturing and Agriculture sectors also requires to be transformed in order to make meaningful contributions to the country’s development.

Dr Akoto further stressed that agro processing needed to be promoted, marketed and extended to farmers that need support to develop their skills to cultivate and rear crops and animals to meet international standards.

radioxyzonline.com

The only New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament in the Volta Region, Joseph Kwaku Nayan says he remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and successful biometric voter registration exercise, despite the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) efforts at corrupting the exercise in his area.

According to him, the leadership of the NDC party in his constituency has adopted several measures including carting people from Togo to register and also registering underage persons, all in an attempt to wrestle power from him during the upcoming December elections.

The registration exercise which is being done nationwide has been fraught with a lot of incidents such as shooting of guns, disruption of exercise by “macho” men especially in the strong hold of the opposition in the Ashante Region.

Speaking to ghanamps.gov.gh, Hon Joseph Nayan stated that inspite of the initial afore mentioned problems, the exercise has been generally successful with about 14,000 people registered in the first ten days of the registration exercise.

He expressed confidence that the next phase of the registration exercise which started on Wednesday 4th April 2012, will be conducted unhindered with all the competing political parties accepting the outcome of the exercise.

Hon. Joseph Nayan further stated that though he is the only NPP MP out of 22 NDC MPs in the Volta he was sure of retaining the seat during the December election due to the massive development that he has brought to the area and is certain that the people will keep faith with him.

“The NDC are bent on taking away my seat which is the only one for the opposition in the Volta region, and this is an exercise that they would fail miserably’’ he said.

“ I have ensured a lot of development in electricity generation, water provision and construction of feeder roads to my area which is a rural setting, I helped for the creation of the Nkwanta North District which was formerly under Nkwanta region during my tenure as the deputy Volta regional minister, and I know my people remember me for this’’ Joseph Nayan added.

Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh

Mr Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information, on Tuesday presented fishing materials to fishermen at Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region.

The materials were fishing ropes and wire mesh, which were bought with profit on the supply of premix fuel to the fishermen in the area.

Mr Baffour, who is also Member of Parliament, for Ablekuma South, said Government supplied the premix fuel to fishermen at a discount price and the profit made from the supply was used to develop the areas by providing social amenities and fishing material to the fishermen.

He said the irregular supply of premix fuel to fishermen was affecting their livelihood as the fishermen could not use their boats without the premix.

Mr Baffour said plans were advanced to set up a cold store for fishermen in the area, scheduled to begin in two month and be completed by the end of the year.”

He asked the people in the area to register in the biometric voters’ registration in order for them to exercise their franchise in the December.

Mr Bismark Duko, Acting Chairman of the London Beach Community in Chorkor, said under the premix policy, 47 per cent was to be shared among the Executive Committee who managed the premix and 53 per cent was to be used to support projects.

“This fishing ropes is bought out of the 53 per cent at a cost of 6,000 Ghana Cedis and also part of the money would be use to support the London Beach project.

“The cold store would help the fishermen to store fish and would go a long way to improve on our livelihood.”

GNA