Weeds Invade Volta Basin

By Stephen K.Effah, Sogakope
Friday, 30 November 2007

THE health of the people living in communities along the Volta Basin is threatened by aquatic weeds which provide breeding grounds for snails that play host to bilharzias, the executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has said.

The weeds he said, are rapidly invading water bodies in the lower Volta resulting in high prevalence of bilharzia in many parts of the Volta Basin, and adversely affecting the socio-economic activities and livelihood of the people.

Jonathan Allotey, executive director of the EPA, disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of an integrated management project aimed at controlling the invasion of aquatic weeds in the Tano and Volta rivers.

The 2.5-million-dollar project, being executed by the EPA, is expected to reduce by 20 per cent the aquatic weeds in the seven districts along the two rivers.

Mr. Allotey said at present, about 30 per cent of the water surface of the Volta River has been infested by the weeds in various locations while that of Tano River is 50 per cent.

According to a Volta River Authority report, about 50 per cent and 60 per cent of people of Kpong and Fodzoku, in the Dangme West District, were infested with bilharzia last year.

He said that the first invasion of aquatic weeds in the country was in the 1980s and by 1994, the problem had assumed “serious dimensions.”

“It affects navigation on the affected rivers such as Tano and Oti, irrigation, domestic water supply and hydropower generation on the Volta,” he pointed out.

“In portions of the Lower Volta Basin, stretching from Amedeka to Azizanya, massive infestation of the submerged weeds covering 70 per cent of the water column significantly constrained fishing activities, and contributed to modifying the habitat for fresh water clam,” he added.

Mr. Allotey attributed the spread of the weeds to changes in hydrology arising from damming of water courses, alteration of flow rates and nutrients inputs from agricultural and human activities.

These, he explained, affect the natural ecological balance and creates conditions that promote the rapid growth and spread of the weeds.

He said that the EPA has since 1984, led the control of the weeds in water bodies with support of other stakeholders, adding that the current project is to further control aquatic weeds.

“Removal of the weeds would improve the water transport, navigation, availa-bility of water for irrigation, improvement in the quality of the water and less infestation of bilharzia disease,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Maxwell Kofi Dwumah, said the government is aware of the challenges facing communities at the Lower Volta and the Lower Tano areas as a result of the weed infestation.

He said government is committed to assisting the communities to address the challenges to enable them to harness the opportunities provided by water resources for sustainable development.

FRESH AGONY FOR WEIJA RESIDENTS...thieves invade ruins

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Friday, 30 November 2007

ONLY hours after the demolition of some of the unauthorised houses at the Weija Dam area in Accra on Wednesday, thieves invaded the ruins of the buildings and made away with personal effects and building materials.

The Times learnt that they arrived, about 11 pm on Wednesday, barely five hours after the demolition, and looted items yet to be removed by owners of the affected buildings.

Some of the houses which were marked to be pulled down but were not because they were not too close to the dam site, were also raided by the thieves.

A number of the victims who confirmed the thefts when the Times called yesterday said that security personnel detailed to oversee the exercise left the scene soon after it ended because it was getting dark.

Some young men believed to be thieves were spotted by the Times carrying away iron rods from a razed building site.

The group, numbering about eight, bolted as our photographer tried to take shots of them.

The Times was also told that some occupants of buildings initially marked for demolition but which were not pulled down on the first day, have abandoned their homes.

According to them, they are now living in fear because the demolition team on Wednesday violated an agreement with the Weija Member of Parliament , Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, not to include buildings which do not pose any threat to the water treatment plant.

Some of them had started removing roofing sheets, louver blades and frames, doors and security gates of their buildings when the Times got there.

One of them George Wortodzor Bodzah, said, "We are now living in fear since we don’t know when they will come again. My family and I have prepared to evacuate in case the exercise would be continued. We have nowhere to go. I will have to sleep here with my family."

Another victim of the demolition, Ms Appiah Danquah Paxman, who looked distraught said, "I don’t know what to do with myself now. I have lost all that I have taken years of toil to build."

She said that her sisters, brother and herself had to put up with their friends after their house was pulled down on Wednesday.

Twenty-five unauthorised houses close to the Weija Dam were on Wednesday pulled down by a task force contracted by the Ghana Water Company.

They were among some 2,000 structures originally earmarked to be pulled down but the demolition of the others was suspended after Ms Botchway had intervened because some of them were at the centre of the town and did not pose any danger to the dam.

The demolition exercise followed warning to encroachers of land belonging to the Water Company to move from the restricted area to protect the dam.

‘PAC Needs More Powers’

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Wednesday, 28 November 2007

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Samuel Sallas-Mensah, has suggested to Parliament to amend its Standing Orders to allow the committee to institute independent investigations into information from whistle-blowers.

Speaking at a seminar by the Ghana Audit Service for its stakeholders in Accra yesterday, Mr Sallas-Mensah said that such a move would "make the committee proactive."

He explained that although the committee could examine any matters outside the Auditor General’s report, it could do so only when the matter had been referred to it by the Speaker of Parliament.

"The caveat, however, is that the matter must be referred to it by the House, the committee cannot investigate any matter suo motto," (on its own),he pointed out.

The seminar was funded by the European Commission and was aimed at brainstorming on how to improve public sector financial management and make public officers more accountable for public funds.

Mr. Sallas-Mensah said the committee has over the years, endeavoured to be objective in its deliberations while it tried to "walk the fine-line of transparency" and at the same time, strive to protect the reputation and integrity of public officials.

He said the first-ever public sitting of the committee was aimed at injecting a level of transparency into its work and bring proceedings closer to the electorate and gauge the confidence and support of the public.

"The impact was impressive and this marks significant steps in the development of our democracy," he said.

The Chairman urged the auditors of the Audit Service to be diligent and meticulous in their work and properly maintain their audit working papers since they could be recalled in any judicial process.

He also called for a review of the system of appointment of the position of Auditor General in order to strengthen its independence and make it more responsible to parliament.

He said that the Auditor General should be nominated by the President, in consultation with the Council of State and the Public Services Commission for approval by Parliament as is the case with the appointments of the Justices of the Supreme Court.

He called for collaboration between all stakeholders in public financial management to maintain an effective accountability process.

For his part, a Research Fellow of the Centre for Policy Analysis, Dr.Nii-Noi Ashong, called for sound constitutional arrangements based on the principles of accountability, good governance and independent public auditing so as to sustain and uphold the highest audit standards.

He said the Auditor General must assist Parliament to ensure proper use of public resources by auditing the government and its institutions which receive public funding.

He noted that the provision of fair and impartial audit reports and information to Parliament and the presence of the Auditor General during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) deliberations on the audited accounts of the country are important measures necessary to assure tax payers that there exists an investigative body on behalf of Parliament.

"Well organised and independent audit systems contribute to a better and more transparent control of the activities of the public sector institutions, thus contributing to their economic efficiency and effectiveness," Dr Ashong stressed.

For accountability to thrive, he said there must be effective monitoring and tracking of public expenditure by the Auditor General, adding that could be achieved through the political will to adequately resource the Auditor General to enable him to hire and maintain properly trained staff and professionals.

Give Science A Priority - Dr. Leticia Obeng

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Wednesday, 28 November 2007

The President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Letitia Obeng, has urged Ghanaians to comprehend the place of science in their lives to effectively fight poverty and reach higher heights in life.

"It appears that in Ghana, science has such a low rating in the assessment of things that there is only a lukewarm interest and, at best, inadequate public involvement in issues related to science," she observed.

Giving her presidential address in Accra on Monday to mark this year’s Founder’s Week of the Academy, she said that "It seems that science and technology are definitely not priority areas in Ghana".

The week is under the theme: "National Development in the Past 50 Years"
Dr. Obeng explained: "In this age when the life of society is firmly based on science, it is only logical that citizens must be empowered to understand something about science… as we pursue a culture of science."

She said that awareness and involvement in science in Ghana is mainly through the education system and science and technology research institutions, which she said, is far from "a show of national consciousness of science."

Dr Obeng described as invalid, the argument that the absence of science is due to poor infrastructure and funding, noting that the country currently has a number of universities, polytechnics, and research institutions which turn out large numbers of science graduates.

"So really, the country has no excuse for not having a strong science presence in our culture she said, adding "we need science to regulate and make our response to political, economic, social and development problems effective."

Education Reality Show Unveiled

By Stephen Kwabena Effah

Monday, 19 November 2007

Twelve graduates selected from across the country to participate in the first ever educational reality show, were named on Friday. The show is designed to give bright, ambitious Ghanaian university graduates the opportunity to win three post-graduate scholarships at leading universities in the United Kingdom. They were selected out of more than 2,000 university graduates based on their academic excellence, leadership competencies, character and creativity. They include: Jojo Chartei Quansah, Joan Selorm Tsorhe, Thomas Kofi Arboh, John Kesse Quarshie, Joshua Adom, Sheila Addo and Belinda D. Oduro. The rest are Seth Asiedu Miah, Esther B. Quaofio, Lily B. Atutiga, Lisboa Quarshie and Nana A.Twum-Barima. They will be given extensive personal and professional development training and compete against each other in a series of weekly tests, task and quizzes in management, leadership, creativity and U.K- Ghana trivia. Dubbed "The Challenge," the show being organised by the British Council, in collaboration with Charter House Ghana and Tigo, will be telecast on TV3 on Sundays, Tuesdays and repeated on Saturdays. Each week, one of the 12 will be evicted by the viewers through Short Messaging Service voting (texting) to cut the number to four, who will compete for the grand finale. The ultimate winner will take home a 40,000 pound scholarship to pursue postgraduate course at the University of Westminster, fully paid accommodation in an international hostel, monthly living allowance and a brand new laptop among others. On completion, the winner will have a pre-arranged lucrative job placement and a brand new Tata Safari car The two runners up will receive one year postgraduate scholarships and accommodation from London Metropolitan and Thames Valley Universities, in addition to a return air tickets and living allowance. Launching it, Nana Akomea, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, lauded the organisers for introducing such an innovative and educative reality show which he said would focus on raw intellectual and mental ability. He wished all the contestants the best in their endeavours to win the prize at stake. The British High Commissioner, Gordon Wetherell, said Ghana and the U.K or years have productive relationship in all aspects of Ghana’s economy, noting that education has been a key area in the relationship. He said that British Council underpins the fruitful relationship between Ghana and the U.K, adding that the British Government through the council has helped many Ghanaian students and is committed in helping a lot more in their education. He indicated that a large number of Ghanaians living in the Diaspora are in the U.K studying and making significant contributions to their home country. Mr.Wetherell observed that British education is now the most sought for in the world.

Ben Brako launches ‘Adende’

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
November17,2007

Nine years after the release of his last album, one of Ghana’s evergreen highlife stars, Ben Brako, last week Friday launched his latest album in Accra, which he described as “much more modern”.

The nine-track album titled ‘Adende’, features three of Ghana’s prominent hip-life artistes; Tic Tac, Soni Bali and Papa Flava, who add a youthful touch to the songs on the album.

It has songs like Dance With Me, Adoma, Yesu Beye, Serwaa, Love, and Enchie.

Before the launch of the album by Dr.Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Executive of the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat, Ben Brako, backed by Adez of the TV3 Mentor fame, thrilled the audience with some of his popular old songs as well as his new songs.

Patrons at the launch demonstrated their verdict by taking to the floor.

Ben Brako told the Times that he has been developing and writing music for the past nine years that he has been away from the music scene, adding, “It takes time to come out with good music.”

He explained that the featuring of the hip-life artistes on the new album is a strategy he has devised to attract the youth into highlife music, which seem to be on low patronage by them.

He said that he will soon embark on a nationwide and international tour beginning from the Central Region, to entertain his fans who perhaps have missed his music for sometime.

Launching the album, Dr. Wereko-Brobby observed that highlife music that was once the reigning genre of music in the country is now taking a back seat.

He said it is important for Ghanaian highlife singers to strive and ensure that they revive and sustain it because it is one of the things that could be used to identify the country.

Maybe he wasn’t joking when he said he intends to establish a highlife night club and museum in the country to be called “Charlie Wote”.

Dr.Wereko-Brobby underscored the need for Ghanaians to take pride in their rich culture and promote it.

Ben Brako hit the highlife music circle with his debut “Baya” in 1987 winning him the Leisure Foundation album of the year 1987, and Musician of the year 1987. He has five albums to his credit.

Ussher Fort Museum Inaugurated

By Stephen K.Effah

Saturday, 17 November 2007

A new museum, that gives a pictorial account of the infamous slave trade in the country between the 15th and 19th century housed in at the Ussher Fort in Accra was inaugurated on Wednesday. Situated along the beach of James Town, the Ussher Fort Museum, tells the story of how slaves were brutally captured, dehumanised and transported to Europe to be used as labour in a pictorial and sequential order. It features a miniature ship which transported the slaves to Europe, different types of shackles and other weapons used in carrying the heinous trade, as well as pictures of some people fought for the abolition of slave trade. The GH¢420,100 project was initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Dias-poran Relations with support and funds from UNESCO and the European Union respectively. Mr Stephen Asa-moah Boateng, the sector minister, in an address read on his behalf by his special assistant, Abeiku Dickson, said, Ghana’s tourism potential is found among others in its history, culture, ecology and its people. "Our recent history is dominated by the advent of Europeans, the trade in gold, arms, salt and the heinous trafficking of human beings across the Atlantic to the then new world and colonialism," he said. He said the slave trade has been described in certain circles as the "darkest spot" in the development of man, which he said has become the focus of intense research and studies among scholars of history and archeology. The tourism industry has an obligation to let the world experience "whatever relics and monuments we have relating to the search," he said The ministry he said, has for sometime now placed much emphasis on things that strengthen the advantages in the slave trade niche market segment as part of effort to attract more visitors to Ghana. He also urged Ghana Museums and Monuments Board to ensure that the museum is managed well and sustained to achieve its purpose of establishment. Mr.Ceriani Sebregondi, head of the EU delegation in Ghana, pointed out that besides acting as a reminder of Ghana’s past trade-links with Europe and legacy of its colonial past, the Ussher Fort is an important part of the recent history of Ghana. "It was used as a prison until 1985 and I know many Ghanaian political leaders and activists from independence to recent time have been jailed in this structure," he added. He said the EU is fully aware of the importance of cultural heritage and its potential role for local economic development, hence its decision to fund the museum. "Indeed, we agreed on the huge potential of James Town for the development of cultural tourism but regretted that accessibility by tourists was hampered by the deplorable state of the site and the lack of cultural institutions and facilities such as functional museum," he indicated. He said the museum would offer additional opportunity to harness education for cultural heritage development as well as attract tourists to stay in Accra before going anywhere in the country. Mr.Sebregondi said the EU has found some additional money to help to clean up the James Town area to create spaces for boutiques and shops for petty trading in goods and services to aide the improvement of their livelihood. The Organiser of the Museum, Sarah Bucknor, said the Gold Cost played a significant role in the Trans Atlantic trade because of its location on the continent, adding "the real history of Ghana must be told and shown to our young ones and to all who visit our country," "Even though monuments of some political personalities have been erected all around the nation, the history of Ghana is still not complete for those who do not know," she pointed out. For any nation to move on, its citizens must know, appreciate and preserve its history so they can learn from mistakes of their ancestors irrespective of their political affiliations, he said. Mrs.Bucknor said that the slogan ‘never Again’ will have more meaning after one has visited the new museum.

Kasoa Market Up In Flames

By Stephen Kwabena Effah, Kasoa
Wednesday, 07 November 2007

IT was tears and wailing at Ka-soa, in the Central Region, yesterday when the residents woke up to the news that the warehouse at the local market with goods worth millions of cedis in it had been gutted by fire.

The most affected traders, who got to the scene minutes after the incident, wailed uncontrollably as they looked on helplessly while the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) assisted by some residents fought desperately to extinguish the fire. It took them about five hours to bring the fire under control.

Five traders collapsed at the sight of the destruction and were rushed to hospital where they were treated and discharged.

Although the cause of the fire was not immediately established, a number of the traders the Times spoke to on arrival at the scene at about 6am, said it could be a deliberate act by someone for some unknown reasons.known reasons.

Mr. Peter Abbey, Weija Fire station officer, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, but indicated: "We will probe the cause."

He said it took personnel of the service so much time to put out the fire because, they had no breathing apparatus and masks. Besides the market lacks fire hydrants.

He said his team arrived at the scene at 5am and was later joined by personnel from Accra city, Agona Swedru and the GNFS headquarters.

An eyewitness said that the warehouse, which has no electric power supply, was filled to capacity on Monday evening with various goods for yesterday’s marketing activities.

Abraham Quansah, a security man at the market, told the Times that at about 4:30am he and his colleagues saw smoke emanating from the warehouse which alarmed them and so they went to find out the cause of the smoke.

He said on reaching the warehouse, they realised it was on fire so they quickly organised some people around at the time to help retrieve the goods but that was not possible as they could not find the keys.

"When we realised the warehouse had been locked, we forced the locks open but could not do much since the smoke had completely engulfed the warehouse and we could not see anything," he told the Times.

Mr. Quansah said they called the Ghana Fire Service which later arrived at the scene to fight the fire.

A victim of the fire, Joana Asare, a footwear dealer, said she lost all her goods valued at seven million cedis .

She said when she heard the news that the warehouse was gutted, "I couldn’t control myself as I cried and rushed to see things for myself. Now, I have lost my capital and I don’t know how I would refund the ¢3 million I took from the bank last December.

Hajia Hawa Okwan, another victim, told the Times that she was on a hospital bed when someone called her on phone to inform her about the fire. "I fell from my sick bed," she said and showed this reporter the bruise on the cheek.

She said she has invested almost ¢80 million in her wax-print business. "I have lost everything. I’m now worried as to where to get money to pay the ¢20 million loan I took and some wax-prints I took on credit from some traders at the Makola Market.

Akua Afriyie, a member of the Kasoa Urban Council, who said she used her four bedroom house at Accra Newtown as a collateral to facilitate a ¢750 million bank loan for some traders in the market, told the Times that she was worried as to how the money would be repaid.

The District Chief Executive of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District, Solomon Abam Quaye, who was at the scene, said that the warehouse was originally among the sheds at the mark but was converted into a warehouse.

Miss Malaika Beauty Pageant Finals Tonight

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 03 November 2007

The 10 finalists of the Miss Malaika beauty pageant will tonight mount the stage at the National Theatre in Accra to struggle for the coveted Malaika crown. ‘Malaika’ is a Swahili word meaning ‘angel.’

From tonight, each of the aspiring Malaika Queen is poised to bear the respect, prestige and the responsibility that has characterised the wearing of the crown. Over the past weeks, the contestants showed off their intelligence, beauty and boldness.

The 10 were among 16 promising contestants selected from across the country.

As a rule of the pageant, six of them were evicted one after the other on a weekly basis during the grooming process by viewers of the event on GTV through the short messaging service, or testing.

The contestants are: Laurie Naa Lamile,Nana Yaa Agyemang-Kwami, Ivy King Afenuvor,Millicent Owusu and Akosua Sasus. The rest are Dzifa Tay, Barbara Yaa Asantewah Obeng, Chantelle Elorm Acolatse, Helena Abena Ewusi and Leila Seidu.

The Malaika pageant, recognised as an internationally acclaimed pageant, aims at bringing out the best talents in young Africa women.

The 10 young beautiful, enterprising and intelligent ladies upon their return from South Africa barely two weeks ago as part of their prize package, have been preparing vigorously to bring out their best at tonight’s grand finale.

The event is expected to be competitive and spring surprises as all the finalists have so far proved beyond doubt that each of them deserve to be crowned Miss Malaika 2007.

The winner of this year’s event takes home a sleek Kia Cerato car,20 million cedis, a set of living room furniture, the Maliaka crown and other prizes.
Previous winners are Thelma Tawiah, 2003; Melisa Mensah, 2004; Patricia Akuamoa, 2005 and Hamamat Montia, 2006.

Five local artistes are billed to thrill the audience with good music at the event. They are the female duo, Irene and Jane, 5Five, Kofi B and Becca.

James Fort Inmates Re-Located To Nsawam

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 03 November 2007

The Ghana Prisons Service has begun the relocation of inmates of James Fort Prison in Accra, following the Ghana Bar Association’s call for the closure of the prison three weeks ago because of its dilapidated state.

The relocation, estimated to cost ¢5.8 billion, started yesterday with the transfer of all the 28 females on remand at the James Fort Female Prison. At exactly 1.50 pm, they were taken to the Nsawam Female Prison on board a Prison Service bus.

About 1,000 inmates, both male and female are expected to be transferred from James Fort.

Speaking to the Times before their transfer, the Chief Public Relations Officer, DSP Gloria F.Dzakdey, said the transfer of the inmates followed a decision by the government which was communicated to the service yesterday.

She said arrangements have been made at the receiving prison to ensure their safe transfer, after which the female prisons will be closed down.

Asked about measures put in place for the inmates to attend court proceedings, she said "those already there are always brought to Accra when they are to appear before a court, so transportation will not be a problem."

The male inmates DSP Dzakdey said will be relocated soon, but she did not give further details on where and when they will be relocated.

She said that the Prisons Headquarters is yet to decide where to assign the officers at the James Fort Prison to now that the inmates have been moved from there.

It's Lumba Brothers All Over

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 27 October 2007

After years apart, the once-upon-a-time "highlife twins", Daddy Lumba and Nana Acheampong, are on the threshold of being born-again, as twins, a reunion that is set to take high-life music to another level.

The two, formerly "The Lumba Brothers" have agreed to host a mega musical concert on December 26, at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra, to raise funds in support of the Ghana Black Stars to enable them lift the African Cup of Nations Cup next year.

Billed to perform at the function are Nana Quame, Obrafuor, Mzbel, Daasebre Dwamena, Owuraku Mickey and Wulomei among others.

The Lumba Brothers after the Accra show would embark on other concerts outside the country to raise funds to support Ghana in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, based in Cologne, Gemany, is currently in the country preparing for the concert and other programmes.

In the early 1980s, he debuted on the high-life scene with his hit "Yeya Aka Akwantuo Mu" with Nana Acheampong. Today, he is one of the most popular Ghanaian singers of high-life.

In 1999, he won three awards including best album and the most popular song of the year at the prestigious Ghana Music Awards.

Daddy Lumba to date has 22 albums to his credit all of which he wrote and produced. He is set to come out with his twenty-third album, "in December 2007. Nana Acheampong tore through the charts in 2000 with his "Anka beye den na aye wo ya"

Castro Goes Gospel - "Tagoe Sisters Are My Aunties"

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 27 October 2007

He came onto the Ghanaian hip-life music scene on a very high key note with his debut "Damages" in 2003, and managed to endear himself to the hearts of many music fans in a very short time.

Four years on and after three successive hit albums in his musical career, the Takoradi native, Castro De Destroyer, is about to stun hip-life enthusiasts, especially his fans, with his new project (surprise-surprise), a gospel album!- early next year.

The 10-track album, he told The Spectator, is to show appreciation to God for the wonderful things He has done in his life, and for bringing him to where he finds himself today. "I want to prove to people that God has done something big for me," he said, adding, "God almighty Jah has done a lot for me and the best way to let people know what he has done for me is through this music."

Speaking to The Spectator from a recording studio in Accra on Tuesday, he said "God has given me a message for the people. That is, he’s a wonderful God and as such we have to praise him for what he has done and continues doing".

He said that he has started recording the album titled "Dea Onyame Ahyira No, Atanfo Ntumi Nsae No," (translated as "Who Jah Bless, No One Curse"). It has tracks like "Ebe Yeyie" and "Otiasifuor Ye Kwa"

He explained that the album underscores the fact that "with God everything is possible; that no matter what you do, or where you’re from, you can do or become whatever you want to."

Castro, who spoke like a preacher, said it is important that as a people we remain steadfast in God and should "have vigour for prayers. Don’t think if you are a drunkard you’ll be drunkard forever. With God everything is possible".

On where he derives his lyrics from, he said "the songs come by themselves. Music is in me and it is in my family: my mother sings in church and the great gospel duo, the Tagoe Sisters, are my aunties.

Question: Is that the end of his hip-life career? The man described by his fans as Ghana’s 50 Cent, replied, "No!" Indeed, he says, "I’ll come out with a hip-life album two or three months after the release of the gospel".

He dismissed claims that hip-life is not adequately gaining international reputation because of the Ghanaian languages used. He said "It is not about singing in English. It is about promotion" citing the example of the late Fela of Nigeria who did most of his songs in local language and yet gained international attention and recognition.

Is Castro married? He said "I am not married but seriously engaged." When is the big day? He says "I’m putting one or two things together to go and see her family and take her to the altar. Whatever happens, "by next year, I will marry" but he adds quickly, "By the grace of God".

The "Sa kwa ba" man, known in real life as Theophilus Tagoe, was motivated and pushed into music by V.I.P after they discovered him perform at an event. His style of rap in Twi, Ga and Fante, and his ability to sing, rap, dance and to perform with live band has gained him much fame.

His works have won him a number of awards at the Ghana Music Award and from Ghanaians resident in the United Kingdom.

He has been nominated as the "African Best New Act" at the third Annual Black Music Awards in Cotonou, Benin, scheduled for November 30 and December 1. He is expected to perform two of his hit tracks at the event.

Contractor Told To Complete Prison Project

From Stephen Kwabena Effah, Ankaful
Saturday, 27 October 2007

The Ghana Prisons Service Council has asked the contractor working on the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons near Cape Coast to complete the project by December.

Members of the council who visited the project site on Thursday, asked the contractors, Barrys Company Limited, to complete at least two unit dormitory cells for inmates of James Fort Prison to be brought there by December.

The directive comes barely two weeks after the Ghana Bar Association called for the closure of the James Fort Prison because the building is dilapidated and overcrowded.

But the contractor, Alhaji Issah Barry said that, although the deadline for the two dormitories could be met, working at the site with the presence of the inmates and security surveillance may pose a problem for his workers.

He therefore suggested to the council to give him up to February next year by which time he would have finished work within the site and moved out all the workers, but the council insisted that the December deadline is from a "high authority" and cannot be compromised.

The estimated 70-billion cedi project, which is in phases, started in 1998 but it was not until 2005 when much attention was given to it and is expected to be completed by 2008. When completed, the reformatory prison will house long-sentence and violent prisoners.

So far, about ¢50 billion has been spent on the project which is about 80 per cent completed.

Mr Samuel Kofi Asubonteng, a council member, told the Times that it is important that the contractor redoubles his effort so as to meet the deadline, adding "if he is working for eight hours a day, he should extend it to 16 hours or increase his workforce."

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, William Asiedu, assured the contractor that the inmates will be restricted from venturing into the construction area.

He said the Maximum Security Prisons would serve as an industrial prison that would offer rehabilitation and reformation to prisoners. He added "it will make them self-employable and earn them money so that they can establish themselves after leaving the place."

M. Asiedu noted that although the prison has been designed to house 2000 inmates, it could take about 5000, noting that it would help relieve overcrowding in the country’s prisons.

He said the service has proposed non-custodial sentence to the Attorney General as a means of saving the various prisons from overcrowding, saying "it will contribute to the modernisation of the criminal justice of Ghana."

On his part, Mr Frank Ocran, a member of the council, said there is a target to achieve and that is to get the place ready for use by December, noting that a lot of investment has gone into the project, hence it is prudent to start using the facility.

He noted that although he is impressed by the quality of work the objective of using the place by December must be met.

The council was expected to meet the contractor yesterday to discuss and come out with a strategy for meeting the December deadline.

National Volunteer Policy Soon

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Thursday, 25 October 2007

Ghana has begun a series of fora to collate views from various stakeholders for the drafting of a national volunteer policy, George A.Gado, Director of the National Volunteer Programme of the National Service Secretariat, has said.

Speaking at the launch of the International Volunteer Day in Accra yesterday, Mr.Gado said the formulation of the policy was necessitated by the contributions of volunteerism to the country’s economy.

He said that such a policy would help government structure, monitor, evaluate and budget for voluntary activities in order to boost citizens’ interest in volunteerism as a complement to government’s development agenda in needed areas.

The day, which falls on December 5, was instituted by the United Nations to create and sustain a greater recognition of volunteer efforts, ensure the promotion of voluntary activities and foster networking among organisations and individuals in volunteerism.

In Ghana, the day which will be celebrated by the Coalition of Volunteering Organisations of Ghana with a fair for volunteers to interact with the public, will be climaxed with an award ceremony to recognise people and organisations involved in volunteerism in the country.

Mr. Gado said that the National Volunteer programme, started in 2003 with 53 volunteers in the Upper East Region, has 8,500 volunteers as at last year and is expected to increase to 15,000 by next year.

The volunteers, are post-national service graduates and retired but active teachers who are given monthly stipend.

Saying that most countries today are able to capture the contribution of voluntary work into their national budgets, he added "More governments have also shown increasing support and development of enabling environments for the growth of volunteerism."

He said the importance of volunteers cannot be over-emphasised as they are often the first to respond to calls in times of natural disasters.

"Volunteers have an innate motivation to seek to ameliorate situations either within their cultural groups or beyond," he noted, adding, "they seek to develop peace and well-being in situations of unrest and inequality as they build bridges of understanding"

Mr. Nii Doodo Dodoo, Head of Communications of the Coalition, said, the group is in partnership discussions with the National Blood Bank as regards members donating blood annually.

Samini Pleads For Votes

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 20 October 2007

UP against stiff competition from four great African artistes, he emerged as the people’s choice at the 11th Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards held in the United Kingdom last year when he picked the Best African Act award.

To him, winning the Best African Act award category at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, Germany on November 1, largely depends on the public who are to give him thumbs- up.

The MOBO laureate is therefore appealing to his fans and the public to vote for him via the internet on www.ema.com to be able to win the pending award, which he is competing for with the Nigerian R&B sensation D’Banj, Ugandan hip-hop/ragga crowd-pleaser Chameleone, Kenyan underground hip hop King Jua Cali and South Africa’s hottest hip-hop , HHP.

In an exclusive interview with the Spectator, the man who calls himself the ‘King of African Dancehall’ said he would only be able to bring the award to Ghana when the public gives him the necessary support by voting for him.

He indicated that winning the award would not only be a plus for him but for the growing hip-life industry in the country.

This year, Batman Samini, has again been nominated among four other African artists -- three of whom he beat last year to win the MOBO laurel -- to receive yet another international award to his credit. But this time, the task ahead seems tough.

Batman Samini’s musical career began when he was featured on Mary Agyapong’s album. With his sterling lyrics and unique reggae and ragga style, he became one of the most featured artistes in the hip-life industry, as he was featured in over 50 songs before his solo album ‘Dankwansere’ in 2004.

The hit track on his solo album, ‘Linda’ shot him into fame winning him the Hip-life Artist of the year and New Artist of the Year at the 2004 Ghana Music Awards. Two years later, he hit the airwaves with a second album which won him four awards at the 2006 Ghana Music Awards.

The same year, he was nominated in three categories at the Channel ‘O’ Spirit Africa Music Video Awards, but luck eluded him this time around he didn’t go past the nomination.

He said he was motivated to go into music because he was convinced that being the “food of the soul”, it is important to feed it after feeding the body. He said he derives his lyrics from the grassroots, saying “I lay my ears down and listen to the grassroot. I touch on real love issues” as portrayed in “Odo,” a hit track on his second album.

He indicated that he had to do a careful calculation of ‘Linda,’ which was a hit on his first album, before coming out with ‘Odo’. That, he explained, was in view of the fact that ‘Linda’ was viewed by many as profane.

He underscored the need for musicians to be carful in selecting their lyrics, saying “We have to be careful with the lyrics we bring out. No matter how happy we get, we should be careful about what message we send out”

He told the Spectator that although he studied Business Accounting while in school, intends to divert to fine arts since he is gifted in art. “As early as age 9, I used to draw for my sisters,” he recalled, noting that he is self tutoring.

Explaining why he took the name Batman, he said the ‘Bat’ represents ‘Best of All Time.’ In May last year, he outdoored his new name; Samini when he launched his second album which he self-titled. Batman Samini was born in Wa in the Upper West Region with the name Emmanuel Samini and an SSS leaver.

Soundtrack, Bane Of African Film Industry

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 20 October 2007.

Martin Loh, Director of the National Film Television Institute, has observed that one big problem in the African film industry is the issue of soundtrack , noting that most soundtracks on African films are not of African origin and where it is, not of good quality.

A good soundtrack is an indication of the quality of the film, he pointed out.
In an exclusive interview with the Times after the opening of a two-week regional workshop on writing and composing music for film in Accra on Thursday, Mr Loh said, some soundtracks do not match the mood as it was not purposely composed for that particular film.

Professionally, he said, films must be seen by the composer of the soundtrack so as to write and compose a song that reflects the mood in the film, but noted that normally film makers just pick already made songs from libraries for their films.

The workshop, which is sponsored by the French Embassy in Ghana, is being attended by 10 delegates from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo. It is expected to give them the necessary training in writing and composing film soundtrack to help the industry in Africa.

The problem arises because there are not many professional writers and composers in Africa, and therefore training of people to take up the challenge is something which must be given attention.

Mr. Loh expressed the hope that the workshop will widen the scope of the participants to help boost the film industry which he said is still developing in Africa.

Therefore, he urged film makers to make every opportunity available to improve it, adding that the industry has a responsibility to enlighten the people.

On his part, a professor of the University of Ghana School of Performing Arts, William Anku, said "people do not understand that music should be properly composed for films.

He indicated that "good music alone can sell the film. Many films are known because of their soundtrack."

He said that it is important that filmmakers look for professional composers who understand what is needed to go into the music.

Prof. Anku expressed concern about the current state of Ghanaian music in general and underscored the need for proper musical education to improve its status.

"A lot of what is going on today is drawing on other people’s experience. We don’t have creativity to take our music and turn it into a work of art," he observed.

He said that if Ghana wants to really develop its music industry for the international market, it has to start serious training of people from an early stage.

Prof. Anku indicated that through training, "you can explore traditions and cultures, and so will be able to know whether you are copying," adding that it is important that those who are into music delve deep into indigenous cultures.

He said that not only should they bring the indigenous cultures out, but rather "transform them to the works of art, which would be applicable to various users," adding that "a lot of things should go into music to make it appealing"

He also observed that the government has not done enough in the development and promotion of Ghanaian music, a contributing factor to the poor quality of most of our music.

The French Ambassador, Pierre Jacquemot, said soundtrack is very crucial in films but unfortunately, African film makers do not see it as such, adding that there is the need to prioritise soundtrack in making their films.

He said the embassy is happy to partner NAFTI in assisting to improve the soundtrack standard in the industry through training.

Empower Women To Build Nation

By Stephen K.Effah, Amasaman
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

This year’s World Rural Women’s Day was celebrated here yesterday with a call on all major players in the country to provide adequate support and put in measures to enable women to contribute their part to building the economy.

The day, celebrated on October 15, is a prelude to World Food Day, marked today globally.It provides an opportunity for obtaining recognition and support for the multiple roles rural women, especially farmers, play.

It was attended by rural farmers in the Greater Accra Region, and was themed: "The Right to Food- Rural Women Produce and Provide."

The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, in a speech read on her behalf, said women should be given technological know-how, the right capacity building and increased financial support so that they could make meaningful contribution in the country.

She said that government has made various attempts over the years to reduce the incidence of poverty among rural women through programmes by giving them credit, training and advocacy, and educating them on their rights.

She noted that even though women execute many tasks associated with agriculture in order to produce and provide food for all, they receive less income, adding that where they are in business, they do not get start-up capital of their own and therefore engage in small scale farming.

She said currently, a lot of advocacy is being done to help get rid of outmoded customary practices that prevent women from owing land and acquiring property.

"There is also an ongoing advocacy and dialogue with the traditional authorities to help influence the mainstreaming of gender into the Land Administrative Project," she added.

Hajia Mahama said that although some success have been chalked, there still remain issues to be tackled such as inadequate access to credit, problems with acquisition of land, inadequate rains, high mortality and morbidity and illiteracy.

Mrs.Victoria Tsekpo of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, urged farmer organisations to have a clear understanding of government policies so as to join efforts to maximise the use of available scarce resources and improve the lot of rural women to produce healthy nutritious food.

She commended rural women farmers for their effort at providing food for the masses in spite of the numerous challenges they are faced in their daily activities.

Edouard Tapsoba, the Country Representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation said it is common knowledge that although there is an abundance of food in many countries in the world, 854 million people still go hungry everyday.

He said that no one could deny the fact that world hunger can be overcome and that universal food security can be achieved for all.

He noted that rural women have received some kind of support but their condition does not appear to be getting better, adding "their progress appears to be almost stagnant or slipping backwards."

Mr. Tapsoba urged Farmers Organisations Network of Ghana to let this year’s celebration to invigorate them to establish clear workable programmes through which they could make contribution to the economy.

Mrs. Lydia Sasu, National Coordinator of Farmers Organisation Network in Ghana, said impoverishing women farmers would not help in providing food to the population, noting "a profitable selling price for women farmers’ products is absolutely essential to ensure their capacity to continue feeding others."

NHIS Must Cover Hepatitis B — Doc

By Stephen K. Effah
Saturday, 06 October 2007

A PHYSICIAN at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Adjoa Agyei Nkansah, has underscored the need to widen the National Health Insurance Scheme to cover Hepatitis B treatment in order to encourage people to know their status and seek treatment.

She said that not enouch attention has been given to Hepatitis B – a disease described as "a slow killer" – although its prevalence rate in the country is between eight to 15 per cent, which could be described as "high".

The disease, which is caused by a virus, is spread through blood and blood-related fluids or products. People with multiple partners and health care workers, among others, are those with high risk of contracting it.

She said that the baseline investigation of the disease alone could cost the individuals as much as ¢2 million, a situation which she said places a heavy burden on the patient.

At a symposium in Accra on Thursday to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day, which fell on October 1, she said, the disease takes a very long time to manifest while others it does not show any signs at all.

The theme for the event was: "Get Tested, Get Vaccinated, Get Treated." It was organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and was aimed at creating awareness among the public to encourage them to assess their risk factors and seek diagnosis. Participants at the symposium were given free screening for the disease.

Dr Nkansah said a survey conducted in northern Ghana, which is yet to be published, revealed that 25 per cent of the children there have Hepatitis B, noting that this does not present a good picture for the country.

She said that, Hepatitis B has been identified as a casual factor of heart cancer, as it destroys the liver in the body, saying "15 per cent of Hepatitis B may progress to cancer, but not all Hepatitis B patients have cancer."

She said a research at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital sometime back showed that between 6.7 and 10 per cent of people who donated blood had Hepatitis B, while 54.1 per cent were Jaundiced and 42.8 per cent having the scary liver (cirrhosis) disease.

She said that a total of 6.4 per cent pregnant women also tested positive for Hepatitis B. She said that it is difficult for doctors to identify for instance, about 12 per cent of patients with Hepatitis B.

Globally, she said, 400 million people have hepatitis B, with sub-Saharan Africa topping the list.

She pointed out that one cannot contract or be infected with the disease through mere casual contact and advised the public not to stigmatise people with the disease.

The Hepatitis virus, she said can survive outside the human body for up to two weeks, and advised all to be very cautious in dealing with blood and blood products in order to avoid contracting it.

Dr Nkansah also said the only way for one to be sure a person has the disease is to get tested and urged Hepatitis B patients to always try to avoid alcohol and herbal medication since they can worsen their situation.

Stephen Corquaye, a pharmacist, said treatment of the disease is very expensive because of the drugs. To this end, he urged the government to waive taxes on hepatitis B drugs or subsidise it as is the case with HIV/AIDS drugs to make it more affordable.

He underscored the need for the government and all to accord hepatitis B enough attention as is the case with HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

He said the best thing for someone who is negative to avoid the disease is to go for hepatitis B vaccination, which he explained would provide up to 95 per cent immunity for five to 10 years.

He noted that children born at some hospitals get vaccinated free of charge as part of the government’s expanded immunisation programme, noting that the distribution is not even.

Mr Corquaye said that infants have only 10 per cent of recovering from an acute hepatitis B infection while young children have up to 50 per cent chance.

Insects Causing Havoc To Tourism Potential

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Thursday, 04 October 2007

Most of the country’s waterfalls are inhabited by insects which cause onchocerchiasis or river blindness, a study has revealed, thus affecting their potential as tourist attractions.

Of the 26 waterfalls studied, 10 of them recorded the vector that cause river blindness while most of them had the larvae that cause skin lesions.

The study, conducted by the Water Research Institute (WRI), between March and September, this year, also revealed that about half the number of sites studied, have sandflies which are a nuisance to humans.

The preliminary ecological assessment study, funded by the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations,was aimed at gathering enough information about known and undocumented waterfalls in the country.

Presenting the findings on faunas of the falls, Mr. Godwin Amegbe, a Senior Research Scientist of the institute said the pressure of both the black and sand flies should be a major source of concern in efforts at developing these sites into tourist attractions.

"There is the need to control the flies which constitute a nuisance, in order to enhance the tourism potential of these sites," he advised.

Dr.Osmund Ansah-Asare, a senior research scientist said, the Amedzofe, Tsatsadu, Trudu,Kintampo Stage III and Adom waterfalls were found to be of poor quality while the rest were classified as fairly good.

He said that the poor quality of the falls were the result of domestic and agricultural activities in the catchment areas.

He also said that there is the need to do reforestation of degraded areas of the various falls to ensure that streams do not dry up in the dry seasons.

Dr.Mamaa Entsua-Mensah, a Principal Research Scientist, said that although there are numerous waterfalls in the country some of them are unknown because they have not been developed and catalogued.

"Clearly, there is a great potential for the development of more Ghanaian waterfalls into important tourist destinations," she said.

She, however, explained that eco-tourism may not necessarily pull Ghana out of its economic pain, adding that it would be prudent to view some of the falls as educational sites and preserve them for posterity and research.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Bridget Katsriku, said knowing the quality of the country’s waterfalls is very important as it would enhance and boost visitor confidence and make them more attractive.

She said that eco-tourism is not only a viable tool for environmental conservation and wealth creation but that more importantly, a tool for poverty reduction and therefore deplored the indiscriminate human activities around the waterfalls which are polluting them.

The various assemblies that are endowed with such resources should utilise the findings for the development of eco-tourism programmes in the district, she said.

TELEKU-BOKAZO A GHOST TOWN

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Wednesday, 03 October 2007

Teleku- Bokazo, a village near Nkroful, the hometown of the first President, Dr.Kwame Nkrumah, is now a ghost town.

The residents of the town have deserted the town for fear of a possible police reprisal following an attack on two policemen last Sunday by a group of young men of the town.

Constable Augustine Opoku Agyemang and Lance Corporal Kingsford Appiah, both of the Takoradi Mobile Force, were allegedly attacked and wounded by the group while providing guard to some workers of a gold mining company, Adamus Resources Limited, to convey equipment to their drilling site in the Bokazo area.

The attack was provoked by the local people’s objection to surface mining in the area.

Surface mining is a type of mining by which the soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed. Its large impact on the topography, vegetation, and water resources has made it highly controversial.

It also destroys the fertility of the soil and makes farming unprofitable. The residents prefer underground mining which according to them, does not destroy the soil.

Briefing the Times in a telephone interview yesterday, the Western Regional Deputy Police Commander, ASP Robert Mark Azu, said the two injured policemen were first rushed to the Ekwe Hospital abut later referred to the Axim Hospital.

Lance Corporal Appiah was, however, discharged on Monday.

He said that attacketrs, numbering about 40, allegedly attacked the two policemen and the workers, and in the process the policemen lost their AK 47 riffles.

ASP Azu said Constable Agyemang besides suffering a fracture in one of the arms, also had wounds all over his body while Lance Corporal Appiah lost two teeth.

He said 18 people, including two women, have been arrested by the police and would be put before the court to enable the police to have them remanded while they investigate the matter.

He said there is a reported dispute between the people and the company over the firms operations in the area.

Meanwhile, more than 50 police personnel have been deployed from Takoradi and Axim to the village to maintain law and order.

EPA Urges Special Attention For Land Management

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Tuesday, 25 September 2007

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked government to give special attention to land management and farming systems to enhance regeneration to protect the country’s vegetation.

It said a study conducted by the agency to assess the long term change in land use and cover in the sub region revealed a reduction in the country’s biodiversity as a result of increased population, illegal resource exploitation, and massive conversion reserves into cocoa plantations among others.

A Principal Programme Officer of EPA, Emmanuel Tachie-Obeng, explained that as a result, the six agro-ecological zones in the country have been re-classified into 12 to reflect the current situation.

Speaking at a workshop in Accra on Friday to validate the report, he said that the study also revealed severe dwindling of water resources in the transitional zones.

He said that the ecological changes associated with the emergence of new eco zones have occasioned the need for changes in livelihood strategies of the local people.

Mr Tachie-Obeng said that the current increases in population in the ecological region due to high demand of land for agricultural activities could affect the integrity of the environ-ment.

He said the country’s natural resources would continue to suffer decline with increased population, suspension of ban on mining in forest reserves and emergence of open cast mining.

He underscored the importance of reserving and developing some of the mountain ecosystems for eco-tourism and sustainable development for the benefit of the local communities and for the purpose of environmental protection.

He said that it is also important that mechanised agriculture is incorporated in agro-forestry practices to avert further decline of the country’s vegetation.

Mr Tachie-Obeng urged government to prioritise environmental issues and consider it as one of its key policies. He recommended the provision of logistical support to natural resources and environmental management organisations to develop management models to reverse the degrading trends.

The Deputy Executive Director of EPA, Daniel Amlalo, said the country’s natural resources have suffered much decline in the past three decades due to exploitation to meet growing socio-economic needs.

“Shifting cultivation, uncontrolled logging, wild fires, surface mining, charcoal production and increasing human population have tended to place enormous pressures on the resources in the country,” he noted.

He urged the participants to come up with directions on how best the report should be packaged in a way that all levels of society could understand and appreciate the value of the environment to safeguard and manage them as productive resources.

Artists Criticise Media

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 22 September 2007

Members of Art in Social Structures (AISS), an NGO have criticised the Ghanaian media for the little attention being given art and artists in the country leading to low interest in art among the people.

They explained that art is fundamental to civil societies and important that a community’s creative resources are preserved and nurtured for its own growth and for future generations.

The members indicated that the situation has made it difficult for people to take up art and or take artists seriously in the country.

The group made the remarks at a "Journalists Art Criticism Workshop" in Accra designed to whip up the interest of journalists with little or no art training to become engaged with visual culture.

Conceptualised by Dr. Joe Nkrumah, a former Director of the National Museum of Ghana, the workshop created a platform for the journalist participants to discuss and evaluate some art work after they were taken through the elements of art and key ingredients in critiquing art work.

Senam Okudzeto, President of the AISS said due to the absence of art critique in the country, "the people don’t feel their relationship with art. Through the media every will be able to see, share and appreciate art".

She observed that although Ghana abounds in visual art, most Ghanaians do not appreciate it and its media too has not done enough to promote it," adding "the newspapers are saturated with politics"

She said that there are a number of popular musicians, artists, writers, authors and architects whose work abroad advertise Ghana as a site of cultural excellence and are internationally lauded as global leaders in culture, yet are virtually known in their own country.

Ms.Okudzeto who is an international artists, said that local artists such as Agblade Glover, Victor Butler and Kofi Settogee who are in the country receive little media attention, though they are very respected abroad.

She said it is important that Ghanaians are made aware of the achievements of their artists both locally and internationally.

She said the AISS is much committed in encouraging a creative and practical discourse about art and contemporary life in the country.

Contributing, Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo, Ag. Director of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana said art is intrinsic to us as people, saying "we wear art in our daily lives."

She said it is the responsibility of the media to bring the meaning of art to the people in order for them to have interest in art. "You should write in such a way that will interest them," adding "We should not say people are not interested"

It is important that journalists critically look at what art is in our culture and tell it to their readers and listeners, she said, noting that Ghanaian journalists have left the stories of the country’s culture to be told by "outsiders".

Dr. Gadzekpo urged journalists to promote the beautiful things in the country’s culture most of which she noted are fundamental to art.

She indicated that art and artefacts within our society tells us that civilisation was there long before the Europeans came to Africa.

On his part, Godfried Donkor, a Ghanaian international artist, urged the Ghanaian media to look critically at the country’s culture and create wealth out of it through art.

He said historical sites like James Town in Accra should be designated as heritage sites.

Poverty And Child Trafficking- Any Justification?

...Ask Stephen Kwabena Effah
Thursday, 20 September 2007

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these," Matthew 19:14.



Children are gifts from God and are said to be the glory of every woman. They bring happiness to families. In our part of the world, many marriages have broken down due to the inability of the couple to make babies.


Because of this situation, many couples resort to various means to be able to make babies. While some seek God’s intervention, others resort to orthodox medicine or the intervention of fetish priests.



CEREMONY

Then comes the merry-making when finally a child is born to the couple. The child is officially ushered into the world at a naming ceremony full of fun and excitement. At the traditional ceremony, the child is given a drop of hard liquor and water signifying smooth or difficult times in life.


Truly, in our part of the world life has not always been the same for everyone. While some people are having it easy and smooth, others are faced with difficulties due to poverty. In Africa, generally, millions of people are poor, a situation which has made African children more vulnerable and thus suffer in the hands of their parents and other adults.


In the struggle for families’ survival, children in poor communities mostly become victims of exploitation because of their vulnerability. Most children in such communities, instead of going to school, are forced to work, sometimes in very dangerous conditions, fight in armed conflicts or even engage in commercial sex – all of which are in contravention of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.



Traditionally, it is a common practice in Africa for poor parents to hand over their children to relatives and friends who are mostly living in the cities, andpromise to give the children education or vocational training, but in most cases it never happens. In some cases, other parents give out their children to people in return for monthly, quarterly or annual compensation. This has been described as child trafficking.


Statistics on trafficking are however not available as they are difficult to obtain due to the underground nature of the activity. But it is estimated that over one million children worldwide, including thousands in West Africa, are recruited from their homes each year by individuals seeking to exploit their labour. Some of them are sold outright.



The UN has estimated that 200,000 African children, some as young as three years old, are trafficked yearly. Governments, especially African governments always do not give the true picture of the phenomenon in their countries. This has resulted in conflicting figures by government officials and non-governmental organisations.



The ninth principle of the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights of the Child states explicitly that "the child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic in any form".
Child trafficking has in recent years emerged as an issue of global concern due to the world’s consensus and cooperation in fighting this heinous crime. Currently, child trafficking has highly become lucrative especially in Europe. It has been identified as the third largest source of profits of organised crime after drugs and guns.


In Ghana, child trafficking within the country is more prevalent than transnational trafficking. These children are used as labour in the fishing industry, on farmlands, quarries, and as porters, street hawkers and truck pushers.


According to some NGOs in the country, lack of employment in many communities is the main factor compelling parents to illegally sell their children through migrant traffickers who offer "real package deals". These children who are mostly taken to the towns and villages along the Volta Lake are abused and exploited by their "owners" to make money. And the effects of trafficking are very devastating. Some of them are cut from their roots, thus losing contacts with their biological family, at times permanently.


They are deprived of the right to enjoy life to the fullest. Their harsh working conditions make them deeply traumatised and damaged both physically and mentally in the long term.


On January 25, 2006, twenty-five of such children in Ghana were rescued by the International Organisation for Migration, an NGO from Kete-Krachi where they were being used for fishing on the Volta Lake. They were from the Central, Eastern and Greater Accra Regions and rescued under the "Yeji Child Trafficking Project", which started in 2002. The project has since rescued, rehabilitated and reintegrated 612 of such trafficked children.Some of these children between the ages of six and 17, had developed signs of abuse. They had cracked lips and soles and ulcers. Their hairs were unkempt, were shabbily dressed, bare-footed, had skin rash, bilharzias and ear infections.


According to a UNDP report, 315 million people, about half the population in sub-Saharan Africa, survive on less than one dollar per day. It said less than 50 per cent of Africa’s population has access to hospitals or doctors. In 2000, 300 million Africans did not have access to safe water. The report indicated that only 57 per cent of African children are enrolled in primary education.


However the Ghana Statistical Services "Patterns and Trends of Poverty in Ghana 1991-2006 Report" released last April revealed that poverty in the country had reduced by half. It indicated that school enrolment in primary and secondary had therefore improved considerably since 1991 with four out of five Ghanaian children in the relevant age group currently attending primary school.



On health, the report said people’s preference for consulting pharmacists and chemical sellers to seeing doctors increased between the same period. Also mobile phones had increased in the last ten years while access to potable water had increased a lot in rural areas.


In fact, I read with surprise media reports on the said reduction in poverty, and asked myself whether this reduction in figure can be said of the situation on the ground, especially in the rural communities. Let us not look far. Just visit James Town, Chorkor, Alajo, Sodom and Gomorrah and Bortianor, all in Accra, and you would come to terms with what the level of poverty is like and whether the people are really better off.


In some rural communities in the country access to education, health, potable water and other basic social utilities is non-existent. Some school children in such communities walk long distances on foot to attend school daily as there is no means of transport.


Some communities which are fortunate to have schools, most of the times, lack good infrastructure and teachers. Some children study under trees while others have no teachers, which manifests in their poor performance in both Basic and Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations yearly.


Although poverty is with us, I sometimes blame those who are living in poverty for their woes. In Ghana, almost all the citizenry are looking up to the central government to provide "everything" for them, ranging from employment to social infrastructure and amenities. Some people sit idle in their homes not wanting to start anything, while others, throughout the week move from church to church and prayer camp to prayer camp wasting productive hours. Though there are a lot of opportunities in agriculture for people to take advantage of and earn a living, they seem not to be conscious of such opportunities.


Reducing poverty levels in poor communities world dramatically decrease the rate of child trafficking by making children less vulnerable. Enrolment of children in school is fundamental. Apart from protecting and educating them about their rights, it also gives them practical skills for work in the future.


The metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies must ensure that all children of school going age are enrolled in school now that the government has introduced the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme. To enforce this, the assemblies should enact by-laws to deal drastically with parents who refuse to enrol their children in school.

CAMPAIGNS

One crucial element in combating the phenomenon is through local awareness campaigns to empower communities, families and children themselves to prevent trafficking. Government must also sensitise them on the various declarations, conventions and laws against child trafficking as most communities are unaware of the existence of such laws.

Poverty must never be a justification for a parent to sell or lease his or her child to a stranger to be taken away for whatever reason. They should be ready and willing to cater for their own children. Parents must uphold their responsibilities towards their children and take their role as primary caregivers very seriously. They can best do this when they have good employment. Therefore, they should be backed by the assemblies with economic development and micro credit facilities among other things to put them in good position to look after their children, since they are the future leaders of this great nation.

CEASE FIRE - STUDENT PLEADS WITH FACTIONS

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Thursday, 20 September 2007

Distraught about the reported conflict between Konkombas and Bimobas, which has resulted in the death of six people and scores of houses burnt, a Konkomba student at the Accra Polytechnic, Augustina Nte-domoh Namuel, decided to do something about it.

Yesterday, she came to the Ghanaian Times office in Accra to seek our help in sending a passionate appeal to the groups at Jimbali, in the Bunkpurugu-Yooyoo District of the Northern Region, to immediately end the fighting.

She also called on Bimobas and Konkombas resident in Accra, to come together as one people to intervene in the clash which started last Sunday.

Ms. Namuel, 26, who came to the Times office early in the morning, expressed the fear that if an immediate solution is not found to the conflict, it could result in an escalation of the fighting.

The third year Higher National Diploma Fashion student who looked disturbed, made reference to the 1994 Konkomba-Dagomba conflict, saying that what started then as a small misunderstanding later degenerated into a disaster for the area.

She said news about the fighting between the two ethnic groups came as a shock to the Konkombas resident in Accra, adding "I have not been feeling fine since I heard about the clashes. It breaks one’s heart when you hear such a thing."

She noted that a number of Konkombas resident in Accra she spoke to are ready to join forces with Bimobas in Accra to seek security support to go to the area and broker peace.

Her mother and three siblings are at Saboba, the main Konkomba settlement, in the Saboba-Chereponi District.

She told the Times that this is not the time for her people to fight each other as "we are all one people," pointing out that "educationally, we are lagging behind and instead of catching up with the other regions, we are fighting among ourselves."

She called on the leaders of the two ethnic groups to lead in bringing about a ceasefire in the district to ensure peace and development.

The intermittent conflicts between the two ethnic groups were renewed last Sunday, allegedly following a misunderstanding between a Bimoba man and a Konkomba man at the Jimbali market in the district.

Many people have reportedly sustained various degrees of gunshot wounds and are said to be receiving medical attention at the Nalerigu Hospital and nearby clinics, while about 300 houses in several communities have reportedly been burnt to ashes.

Ocquaye ‘Meets The Volta’

From Stephen K.Effah, Sogakope
Friday, 14 September 2007

A Presidential Aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Professor Mike Ocquaye, on Wednesday held the first in the series of regional forums with party faithful at Sogakope in the Volta Region, describing it as a prelude to the formal launch of his bid.

The meeting dubbed: "Meet the Volta" was aimed at discussing with the people the various programmes and policies he intends to implement if elected as the President of Ghana.

Prof. Ocquaye said should he become the President, he would embark on a green revolution by adopting the Asian model of agriculture through the use of simple tools and implements for production, and the creation of mass ordinary producers whose net produce will be equivalent to large plantation production levels.

He said grain production in the country would be given a boost, noting that corn will be grown throughout the year with simple irrigation techniques.
"We are going to grow corn bountifully to eliminate hunger and bring up a new generation of children who will eat an egg a day," he said.

He said a Grain Marketing Board would be established to purchase grains at guaranteed price to encourage farmers to store and market their grain production.

On education, the former Minister of Communications said his government would decentralised it by empowering district assemblies to take centre stage, adding that education budget will also be decentralised as originally perceived in PNDCL 207.

He said his educational programmes would encourage part time education to enable those who are not in formal education to improve themselves, saying "every district shall have adult night school/college to serve as the focal point for part-time, continuing education."

He underscored the importance of Information Technology and Mathematics education which he said is very key to the country’s development.

The former political science lecturer, said his government will re-orient its approach to private sector development and design appropriate measures tailored to the national agenda and goals.

In the health sector, he indicated his intention to tackle environmental and sanitation problems facing the country which has resulted in the outbreak of diseases, and among other things reintroduce ‘town-council’ inspectors of the colonial times."

He said he would encourage environmental hygiene, introduce more preventive methods and intensify research to help the sector be on top of all diseases.

Professor Ocquaye, who is also a lawyer, said that law and order will be a hallmark of his government, noting that the "spate of vehicular accidents, the needless disorder in public places, recent incidents of drug trafficking and the high incidence of trafficking would all be stamped-out of the country."

Touching on the media landscape, he said that the internal self regulatory mechanism of the media as a respectable institution would be re-examined to empower it to discipline its members without external interference.

That, he explained, would help maintain high journalistic standards.
On the party front, he said if elected as the party’s presidential candidate, he will work to "build it stronger and stronger in the interest of the party and Ghana as a whole."

Prof. Ocquaye who is the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya said if elected as the presidential candidate of the party, he will operate under the policy "Party in Partnership with Government."

Ghana, Spain Strenthen Ties

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Friday, 07 September 2007

The Spanish government is in discussions with the Ghana government over how Ghanaian workers can be organised for legal employment in Spain as a means of checking illegal migration to Spain.

This is the first time Ghana is organising labour for Spain, and a memorandum of understanding is to be signed by the two countries.

Jesus Caldera Sanchez-Capitan, Spanish Labour and Social Affairs Minister, said that a total of 8,000 out of the 10,000 Ghanaians legally resident in Spain are employed in various sectors of the economy.

He said that the Spanish government would ensure that Spanish employers and companies employ the Ghanaians who will have the opportunity to be part of the recruitment when the programme starts.

Mr. Sanchez-Capitan said this when he called on the Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, Nana Akomea yesterday, to brief him on the programme.

The Spanish Minister who is in the country to strengthen cooperation between Spain and Ghana said his government has also agreed to finance the improvement of all the 38 national vocational training schools in the country, and offer scholarships to people to further their education both in and out of the country.

He said the Spanish Ambassador in Ghana has been tasked to liaise with the head of national vocational training schools to work out the modalities to determine how much it would cost.

He said that there is the need to train Ghanaians to be able to have the requisite skills so that they can get good jobs when they get to Spain.

Nana Akomea lauded the Spanish government for the support to Ghana which he said would go a long way to help a lot of the country’s youth.

He said Ghana and Spain will soon sign an agreement on how the recruitment for Spain will be done, noting that there is already a draft agreement in place.

Illegal migration to Spain on the high seas involving African youth is a major problem as it endangers their lives, he said.

He underscored the long standing support by the Spanish government, which has enabled Ghana to develop its tourism industry.

He called on the Spanish government for more and stronger social and economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that if Ghanaians remain poor, they will still be leaving the country for greener pastures.

Mr.Stephen B. Amponsah, Head of the National Vocational Training Schools, commended Spain for its initiative to support Ghana’s vocational training schools, saying this would help the schools to take up the challenge of JSS graduates who are unable to enter SSS and offer them the opportunity to be trained.

He said that the curricula of the vocational training schools would be redeveloped to meet contemporary demands which make entrepreneurship central in vocational training.

That, he said, would give vocational training a new focus to impact on those who pass through it.

The Spanish Minister also called on the President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle on Wednesday.