THE Development Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr Sulley Gariba, has observed that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has come to stay.
He stated that the basic components of SADA and its objectives would not be affected by the continuous change in government in the years to come.
Dr Gariba was reacting to concerns from some technical experts in Tamale to the effect that SADA must have a sustainable plan to ensure continuity of the programmes for the benefit of the people in northern Ghana.
He made the observation at a three-day technical roundtable conference on flood mitigation and development programme for Northern Savannah organised under the auspices of SADA.
More than 40 experts drawn from the Water Resources the Commission, the Volta River Authority, the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Institution of Engineers, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the University for Development Studies, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, district assemblies and regional co-ordinating councils in northern Ghana attended the conference.
Selected media practitioners also participated in the discussion, which was designed to review existing strategies for integrated water resources management and flood control, define long-term strategies for converting flood waters into productive uses.
The conference followed an urgent call from the Vice-President, Mr John Mahama, on technical experts to convene and provide the government with a long-term solution to the flooding in northern Ghana.
Dr Gariba further stated that although the nomenclature of SADA might change from “time to time and from regime to regime, its basic thrust will remain the same”.
He said political commitment towards the successful implementation of SADA “was a tricky matter” but stressed that demands from entire citizenry, particularly those from the northern Ghana, would put governments on their toes in the years ahead.
Touching on funding for SADA implementation, he stated that there were three-pronged approaches, including regular budgetary allocation to the sector, donor and private sector funding and the proposition of a formula for funding under a law that was yet to be promulgated to help charge levies on petroleum products for the SADA funding.
The SADA Technical Team Leader, Dr Charles Jebuni, said the SADA was meant to provide additional funding to supplement the regular budgetary allocations to relevant institutions, including ministries and departments.
“SADA is not meant to reduce these budgetary allocations to the various sectors; it has been given the mandate to facilitate development in northern savannah”, Dr Jebuni stressed.
According to him, SADA was meant to address three main issues, namely, bridging the gap between northern and southern Ghana, long-term adaptation to climate changes and short-term development and security.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
COTTON FIRM TO UNDERGO RESTRUCTURING (PAGE 29, DEC 8, 2010)
THE government is to restructure the Ghana Cotton Company Limited (GCCL) and make it more viable.
As a result, the government is holding consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to set out modalities for the exercise.
The proposed modalities involve assessing the company’s debt burden, the viability of the restructuring exercise and the nature of ownership agreement, among others.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made this known in Tamale during an interaction with management and staff of the company.
The interaction followed recent industrial action by workers of the company to demand the dismissal of management to pave the way for the formation of an interim management to run the distressed company.
Mr Ayariga said it was the government’s target to put in place effective mechanisms to ensure that the nation produced not less than 30,000 metric tonnes of cotton by next year.
“We are confident that this is achievable through teamwork, transparency and dedication,” he pointed out.
He announced that in order to avoid “cheating of cotton farmers” and to fix realistic prices for cotton, a national committee comprising a team of cotton experts, the IFC, World Bank, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would be formed.
Mr Ayariga further explained that the country would be divided into four zones, namely the North Eastern, North Western, North Central and Northern Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions.
He said companies would be invited to engage in serious production of cotton in the four zones to help achieve targets in the industry.
He said activities such as land preparation, farmer mobilisation, input supply, and facilities for the evacuation of cotton from the farms to the ginneries would be undertaken by the selected companies.
The minister entreated workers to suspend their strike and work with their management while government resolved the problem.
The workers indicated that they had lost confidence in the management because of the fact that they “supervised operational losses for the past decade and we do not think they have the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the company”.
They, however, expressed appreciation to the government for the cotton support programme, saying “had it not been for your timely intervention, the company would have been on its knees”.
The workers equally appealed to the government to conduct a forensic audit into the operations of the company over the past 10 years.
As a result, the government is holding consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to set out modalities for the exercise.
The proposed modalities involve assessing the company’s debt burden, the viability of the restructuring exercise and the nature of ownership agreement, among others.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made this known in Tamale during an interaction with management and staff of the company.
The interaction followed recent industrial action by workers of the company to demand the dismissal of management to pave the way for the formation of an interim management to run the distressed company.
Mr Ayariga said it was the government’s target to put in place effective mechanisms to ensure that the nation produced not less than 30,000 metric tonnes of cotton by next year.
“We are confident that this is achievable through teamwork, transparency and dedication,” he pointed out.
He announced that in order to avoid “cheating of cotton farmers” and to fix realistic prices for cotton, a national committee comprising a team of cotton experts, the IFC, World Bank, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would be formed.
Mr Ayariga further explained that the country would be divided into four zones, namely the North Eastern, North Western, North Central and Northern Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions.
He said companies would be invited to engage in serious production of cotton in the four zones to help achieve targets in the industry.
He said activities such as land preparation, farmer mobilisation, input supply, and facilities for the evacuation of cotton from the farms to the ginneries would be undertaken by the selected companies.
The minister entreated workers to suspend their strike and work with their management while government resolved the problem.
The workers indicated that they had lost confidence in the management because of the fact that they “supervised operational losses for the past decade and we do not think they have the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the company”.
They, however, expressed appreciation to the government for the cotton support programme, saying “had it not been for your timely intervention, the company would have been on its knees”.
The workers equally appealed to the government to conduct a forensic audit into the operations of the company over the past 10 years.
FORUM TO SENSITISE PUBLIC TO POLLS (PAGE 13, DEC 7, 2010)
A day’s regional forum to help sensitise the public to the forthcoming District Assembly Elections has been held in Tamale.
It was on the theme: “Harnessing the resources of the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Information Services Department (ISD) for improved citizen participation in the 2010 district level elections.”
The EC, in collaboration with KAB Consult, organised it. District Officers of the EC, the NCCE and ISD in the northern region attended the forum.
The officers discussed, among other issues, the mode of collaboration and strategies for disseminating information.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr David Adeenze-Kangah, said the need to get persons with disabilities involved in the elections and make sure that political parties were not allowed to turn the district assembly elections into partisan politics was a major challenge to the EC.
“We must not encounter the kind of rancour that characterises general elections and that is why we are keeping political parties out of it” Mr Adeenze-Kangah pointed out.
According to him, the mounting of platforms to expose the candidates to the electorate was equally critical.
He intimated that there would be only one unit committee member in every electoral area.
The deputy commissioner said the EC started making reforms in the district level elections to ensure that the district assembly structures were more attractive to prospective candidates.
He noted that the attendance at the forum was encouraging, which was a clear manifestation of the commitment of the EC, NCCE and ISD towards a successful election.
The Regional Director of the EC, Mr Sylvester Kanyi, said in spite of concerns being raised about the delays in holding the elections, his outfit would do all it could to make the election successful to justify the delays and to inform people that a lot of preparation were made to make it succeed.
He observed that the forum was aimed at enlightening the participants on the dynamics of the elections and equip them with the requisite skills to effectively engage in information dissemination.
An EC member, Hajia Sa-adatu Maida, stressed the need for more women representation in the assemblies so that they could contribute their quota to the decision making process.
It was on the theme: “Harnessing the resources of the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Information Services Department (ISD) for improved citizen participation in the 2010 district level elections.”
The EC, in collaboration with KAB Consult, organised it. District Officers of the EC, the NCCE and ISD in the northern region attended the forum.
The officers discussed, among other issues, the mode of collaboration and strategies for disseminating information.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr David Adeenze-Kangah, said the need to get persons with disabilities involved in the elections and make sure that political parties were not allowed to turn the district assembly elections into partisan politics was a major challenge to the EC.
“We must not encounter the kind of rancour that characterises general elections and that is why we are keeping political parties out of it” Mr Adeenze-Kangah pointed out.
According to him, the mounting of platforms to expose the candidates to the electorate was equally critical.
He intimated that there would be only one unit committee member in every electoral area.
The deputy commissioner said the EC started making reforms in the district level elections to ensure that the district assembly structures were more attractive to prospective candidates.
He noted that the attendance at the forum was encouraging, which was a clear manifestation of the commitment of the EC, NCCE and ISD towards a successful election.
The Regional Director of the EC, Mr Sylvester Kanyi, said in spite of concerns being raised about the delays in holding the elections, his outfit would do all it could to make the election successful to justify the delays and to inform people that a lot of preparation were made to make it succeed.
He observed that the forum was aimed at enlightening the participants on the dynamics of the elections and equip them with the requisite skills to effectively engage in information dissemination.
An EC member, Hajia Sa-adatu Maida, stressed the need for more women representation in the assemblies so that they could contribute their quota to the decision making process.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
COTTON FIRM TO UNDERGO RESTRUCTURING (BACK PAGE, DEC 3, 2010)
THE government is to restructure the Ghana Cotton Company Limited (GCCL) and make it more viable.
As a result, the government is holding consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to set out modalities for the exercise.
The proposed modalities involve assessing the company’s debt burden, the viability of the restructuring exercise and the nature of ownership agreement among others.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made this known in Tamale during an interaction with management and staff of the company.
The interaction followed recent industrial action by workers of the company to demand the dismissal of management to pave the way for the formation of an interim management to run the distressed company.
Mr Ayariga said it was the government’s target to put in place effective mechanisms to ensure that the nation produced not less than 30,000 metric tonnes of cotton by next year.
“We are confident that this is achievable through teamwork, transparency and dedication,” he pointed out.
He announced that in order to avoid “cheating of cotton farmers” and to fix realistic prices for cotton, a national committee comprising a team of cotton experts, the IFC, World Bank, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would be formed.
Mr Ayariga further explained that the country would be divided into four zones, namely the North Eastern, North Western, North Central and Northern Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.
He said companies would be invited to engage in serious production of cotton in the four zones to help achieve targets in the industry.
He said activities such as land preparation, farmer mobilisation, input supply, and facilities for the evacuation of cotton from the farms to the ginneries would be undertaken by the selected companies.
The minister entreated workers to suspend their strike and work with their management while government resolved the problem.
The workers indicated that they had lost confidence in the management because of the fact that they “supervised operational losses for the past one decade and we do not think they have the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the company”.
They, however, expressed appreciation to the government for the cotton support programme, saying “had it not been for your timely intervention, the company would have been on its knees”.
The workers equally appealed to the government to conduct a forensic audit into the operations of the company over the past 10 years.
As a result, the government is holding consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to set out modalities for the exercise.
The proposed modalities involve assessing the company’s debt burden, the viability of the restructuring exercise and the nature of ownership agreement among others.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made this known in Tamale during an interaction with management and staff of the company.
The interaction followed recent industrial action by workers of the company to demand the dismissal of management to pave the way for the formation of an interim management to run the distressed company.
Mr Ayariga said it was the government’s target to put in place effective mechanisms to ensure that the nation produced not less than 30,000 metric tonnes of cotton by next year.
“We are confident that this is achievable through teamwork, transparency and dedication,” he pointed out.
He announced that in order to avoid “cheating of cotton farmers” and to fix realistic prices for cotton, a national committee comprising a team of cotton experts, the IFC, World Bank, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would be formed.
Mr Ayariga further explained that the country would be divided into four zones, namely the North Eastern, North Western, North Central and Northern Brong Ahafo and Volta regions.
He said companies would be invited to engage in serious production of cotton in the four zones to help achieve targets in the industry.
He said activities such as land preparation, farmer mobilisation, input supply, and facilities for the evacuation of cotton from the farms to the ginneries would be undertaken by the selected companies.
The minister entreated workers to suspend their strike and work with their management while government resolved the problem.
The workers indicated that they had lost confidence in the management because of the fact that they “supervised operational losses for the past one decade and we do not think they have the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the company”.
They, however, expressed appreciation to the government for the cotton support programme, saying “had it not been for your timely intervention, the company would have been on its knees”.
The workers equally appealed to the government to conduct a forensic audit into the operations of the company over the past 10 years.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
THRILLS AT NAFAC (MIRROR, NOV 27, 2010, PAGE 46)
From Vincent Amenuveve, Tamale.
WHEN the Ezinlibo Abram Kundum Dance Group and the Nkabom Cultural Troupe all from the Western Region took turns to entertain residents of the Tamale Metropolis as part of the ongoing National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC), it was clear that the region had a lot to offer, besides crude oil and other natural resources.
Both groups expertly performed such traditional dances as the Sekosim, asomdwee dance drama and the Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance among others thrilling patrons who had gathered at the Jubilee Park to witness the Regional Day activity of the NAFAC.
The region was paired with the Greater Accra Region (GAR) to show case their respective rich cultural and tourism potentials. Five cultural and dance groups each from the two regions performed at the function.
The Sekosim dance is a special choreographed dance for important occasions. It is a dance piece which was choreographed out of the three dances from the Western Region namely Sewurada from Shama, Kotodwe from Wasa Amenfi and Simpoa Allewuley in the Jomoro district.
The Asomdwe dance means peace in Fante and it is a dance drama which tells a story of two ethnic groups who were fighting over land for supremacy and threatened each other with war dance movements. They were later advised by another ethnic group to live in peace and harmony.
The Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance originated from a small town in Ahanta called Aboadze. History has it that during the immigration of the Nzemas, the Nvavile clan came to settle at Aboadze in Ahanta and a man called Beluhue Ackah from Nvavile clan brought the dance to Benyin and it has since become the annual dance of the Nzemas. It is performed by both males and females, young and old.
The dance has become a festival dance to thank the gods for the fruits of the earth. Its significance is that it exposes bad and good deeds in the community and teaches the youth to put up good behaviours. The Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance group was formed many years ago under the leadership of Mr. John Kwaw.
The Nkabom Cultural Troupe was formed out of the Regional Dance Association in the year 2000 under the leadership of Mr. Richard Teiko. The troupe has 25 members.
The Western region is made up of five major ethnic groups. They are Nzema, Aowin, Sefwi, Ahanta and Wassa. According to oral records, the people of the region migrated to their present location from the bank of the River Nile. They migrated partly because of the frequent attacks from the Arabs and partly in search of fertile land.
The people exhibit a high degree of cultural homogeneity, especially in the areas of lineage organisation, inheritance and succession, marriage and religion.
Traditional festivals are celebrated from January to December. The five major ethnic groups celebrate festivals which are unique from each other. Nzema and Ahanta people celebrate the Kundum festival while other ethnic groups celebrate Edie Afehye (Wasa Akropong) Odwira Afahye (Benso) Nkronu(Shama Supomu Dunkwa) Afehye (Bekwai) and Elluelie (Enchi and Dadieso).
The region is bordered by Cote D’Ivoire on the West, Central region on the East, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo in the North and 192 kilometers of Gulf of Guinea coast line in the South. It has a total land area of 23,921 kilometers which is about 10 per cent of Ghana’s total land area.
The Mass Choir and the Ledzokuku Cultural troupe from Accra performed various songs and traditional dances, respectively to the admiration of patrons.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey and the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Madam Betty Bosumtwe Sam outlined the various potentials of the two regions.
They however stressed the need for traditional authorities and those in the arts and culture industry to help safeguard the country’s rich cultural heritage inspite of the influx of foreign culture.
WHEN the Ezinlibo Abram Kundum Dance Group and the Nkabom Cultural Troupe all from the Western Region took turns to entertain residents of the Tamale Metropolis as part of the ongoing National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC), it was clear that the region had a lot to offer, besides crude oil and other natural resources.
Both groups expertly performed such traditional dances as the Sekosim, asomdwee dance drama and the Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance among others thrilling patrons who had gathered at the Jubilee Park to witness the Regional Day activity of the NAFAC.
The region was paired with the Greater Accra Region (GAR) to show case their respective rich cultural and tourism potentials. Five cultural and dance groups each from the two regions performed at the function.
The Sekosim dance is a special choreographed dance for important occasions. It is a dance piece which was choreographed out of the three dances from the Western Region namely Sewurada from Shama, Kotodwe from Wasa Amenfi and Simpoa Allewuley in the Jomoro district.
The Asomdwe dance means peace in Fante and it is a dance drama which tells a story of two ethnic groups who were fighting over land for supremacy and threatened each other with war dance movements. They were later advised by another ethnic group to live in peace and harmony.
The Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance originated from a small town in Ahanta called Aboadze. History has it that during the immigration of the Nzemas, the Nvavile clan came to settle at Aboadze in Ahanta and a man called Beluhue Ackah from Nvavile clan brought the dance to Benyin and it has since become the annual dance of the Nzemas. It is performed by both males and females, young and old.
The dance has become a festival dance to thank the gods for the fruits of the earth. Its significance is that it exposes bad and good deeds in the community and teaches the youth to put up good behaviours. The Ezinlibo Abram Kundum dance group was formed many years ago under the leadership of Mr. John Kwaw.
The Nkabom Cultural Troupe was formed out of the Regional Dance Association in the year 2000 under the leadership of Mr. Richard Teiko. The troupe has 25 members.
The Western region is made up of five major ethnic groups. They are Nzema, Aowin, Sefwi, Ahanta and Wassa. According to oral records, the people of the region migrated to their present location from the bank of the River Nile. They migrated partly because of the frequent attacks from the Arabs and partly in search of fertile land.
The people exhibit a high degree of cultural homogeneity, especially in the areas of lineage organisation, inheritance and succession, marriage and religion.
Traditional festivals are celebrated from January to December. The five major ethnic groups celebrate festivals which are unique from each other. Nzema and Ahanta people celebrate the Kundum festival while other ethnic groups celebrate Edie Afehye (Wasa Akropong) Odwira Afahye (Benso) Nkronu(Shama Supomu Dunkwa) Afehye (Bekwai) and Elluelie (Enchi and Dadieso).
The region is bordered by Cote D’Ivoire on the West, Central region on the East, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo in the North and 192 kilometers of Gulf of Guinea coast line in the South. It has a total land area of 23,921 kilometers which is about 10 per cent of Ghana’s total land area.
The Mass Choir and the Ledzokuku Cultural troupe from Accra performed various songs and traditional dances, respectively to the admiration of patrons.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey and the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Madam Betty Bosumtwe Sam outlined the various potentials of the two regions.
They however stressed the need for traditional authorities and those in the arts and culture industry to help safeguard the country’s rich cultural heritage inspite of the influx of foreign culture.
NR COMES TOPS AT NAFAC (SPREAD, NOV 29, 2010)
THE Northern Region was at the weekend adjudged the overall best at an awards ceremony held at the Jubilee Park in Tamale to mark the end of this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC).
The second position went to the Central Region, with the Ashanti Region placing third.
All the 10 regions participated in the festival which was characterised by the display of diverse rich cultural and traditional performances.
The deserving regions were all presented with trophies.
Other awards included best highlife dancer, which went to the Central Region, with the Eastern and Northern regions placing second and third respectively.
In the traditional beauty pageant category, dubbed “Miss NAFAC 2010”, Anita Adjetey, the Head of Ceramic Unit of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Accra, was crowned Miss NAFAC 2010.
Western Region was adjudged the best scientific discovery region. The best visual arts product awards went to the Ashanti Region, with Central and Eastern regions placing second and third respectively.
Dr Hajia Salamatu Ibrahim Taimako from the Northern Region was honoured for her immense contribution to the growth of herbal medicine in Ghana.
The Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine placed second, while the Eastern Region took the third position.
In the debate competition, the Saint Charles Senior High School was adjudged the best while the best team in a gala competition went to Gbewaa, followed by Tampe-Kukuo with Baby Jet taking the third position.
Former ministers, chairmen and directors of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture (MCC), National Commission on Culture (NCC) and the Centre for National Culture (CNC) were honoured.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Magbenba, was also honoured for his role in making this year’s hosting of the NAFAC in the region a success.
Speakers and patrons at the function described this year’s NAFAC as a huge success although they equally complained of poor publicity about the event. The attendance for the eight-day event was described as encouraging.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum-Ahensah, observed that “for the past eight days, Tamale has successfully hosted NAFAC”.
He, therefore, commended the chiefs and residents of the town for the warm reception accorded visitors to the NAFAC, saying, “we have enjoyed every bit of our stay here in Tamale”.
He announced that the Brong Ahafo Region would host the 2012 NAFAC.
Mr Magbenba expressed excitement at the success hosting of NAFAC by the Northern Region.
“We in the region are proud to be hosts to an elaborate display of our rich cultural heritage; hosting of this event has put us on the tourism map,” he said.
A member of the Council of State, Kpan-Naa Mohammed Bawa, observed that the event brought to the fore the need for unity and understanding.
He expressed the hope that the success of the event, particularly in terms of the good attendance, would ultimately enhance the image of the region.
The former Dean of Directors of the CNC, Mr William Addo, on behalf of the award winners, said, “we are indeed grateful for the honour done us; but I must say that standards set by the Northern Region are very high and so the Brong Ahafo Region cannot afford but to meet such standards or do better”.
The second position went to the Central Region, with the Ashanti Region placing third.
All the 10 regions participated in the festival which was characterised by the display of diverse rich cultural and traditional performances.
The deserving regions were all presented with trophies.
Other awards included best highlife dancer, which went to the Central Region, with the Eastern and Northern regions placing second and third respectively.
In the traditional beauty pageant category, dubbed “Miss NAFAC 2010”, Anita Adjetey, the Head of Ceramic Unit of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Accra, was crowned Miss NAFAC 2010.
Western Region was adjudged the best scientific discovery region. The best visual arts product awards went to the Ashanti Region, with Central and Eastern regions placing second and third respectively.
Dr Hajia Salamatu Ibrahim Taimako from the Northern Region was honoured for her immense contribution to the growth of herbal medicine in Ghana.
The Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine placed second, while the Eastern Region took the third position.
In the debate competition, the Saint Charles Senior High School was adjudged the best while the best team in a gala competition went to Gbewaa, followed by Tampe-Kukuo with Baby Jet taking the third position.
Former ministers, chairmen and directors of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture (MCC), National Commission on Culture (NCC) and the Centre for National Culture (CNC) were honoured.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Magbenba, was also honoured for his role in making this year’s hosting of the NAFAC in the region a success.
Speakers and patrons at the function described this year’s NAFAC as a huge success although they equally complained of poor publicity about the event. The attendance for the eight-day event was described as encouraging.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Alexander Asum-Ahensah, observed that “for the past eight days, Tamale has successfully hosted NAFAC”.
He, therefore, commended the chiefs and residents of the town for the warm reception accorded visitors to the NAFAC, saying, “we have enjoyed every bit of our stay here in Tamale”.
He announced that the Brong Ahafo Region would host the 2012 NAFAC.
Mr Magbenba expressed excitement at the success hosting of NAFAC by the Northern Region.
“We in the region are proud to be hosts to an elaborate display of our rich cultural heritage; hosting of this event has put us on the tourism map,” he said.
A member of the Council of State, Kpan-Naa Mohammed Bawa, observed that the event brought to the fore the need for unity and understanding.
He expressed the hope that the success of the event, particularly in terms of the good attendance, would ultimately enhance the image of the region.
The former Dean of Directors of the CNC, Mr William Addo, on behalf of the award winners, said, “we are indeed grateful for the honour done us; but I must say that standards set by the Northern Region are very high and so the Brong Ahafo Region cannot afford but to meet such standards or do better”.
SANCTION NON-PERFORMING MPS (PAGE 13, NOV 29, 2010)
PARTICIPANTS in a forum to give voice to the voiceless in Ghana’s Constitution Review Process have stressed the need for mechanisms to be put in place to sanction non-performing parliamentarians.
They noted that over the years some members of parliament engaged in absenteeism, hence they did not contribute adequately to debates on the floor of parliament yet they received their salaries and ex gratia awards.
They equally pointed out the need for the MPS to be given a maximum of three terms after which they must resign as MPs.
Such a measure they noted would ensure that they did not become ineffective and complacent.
The forum discussed the executive, legislature, judiciary, decentralisation and local government, chieftaincy, the direct principles of state policy and national elections.
The forum was aimed at, among other objectives, providing a platform for the grassroots, the vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society to share their views on key aspects of the constitution.
It was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
Other participants pointed out the need for a review of the constitution to extend the tenure of office of the President from four to six or seven years.
On women representation at the assembly level, they noted that there was the need for more than 50 per cent of the women to be present at the assemblies to ensure that they form an integral part of the decision making process.
A Policy Analyst at the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, stated that “17 years into the operation of the current constitution, serious shortcomings have been identified”.
According to him, for instance, the superimposition of a partisan central government structure on a non-partisan local government system, within the political space in Ghana gave cause for concern and hence a review.
He explained that democracy could be strengthened, if the shortcomings experienced over the last 17 years were addressed by taking into consideration the concerns of the vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Dr Ofori-Mensah intimated that the IEA was currently undertaking research and advocacy on certain provisions of the constitution that in its view required critical examination.
“In our view, the best way to address the concerns of the marginalised groups is to create the opportunity for gender advocates and representatives of vulnerable groups to speak for themselves” he stated.
A Member of the Council of State, Kpan Naa Muhammed Baba Bawa urged the participants to discuss the issues dispassionately devoid of politics.
They noted that over the years some members of parliament engaged in absenteeism, hence they did not contribute adequately to debates on the floor of parliament yet they received their salaries and ex gratia awards.
They equally pointed out the need for the MPS to be given a maximum of three terms after which they must resign as MPs.
Such a measure they noted would ensure that they did not become ineffective and complacent.
The forum discussed the executive, legislature, judiciary, decentralisation and local government, chieftaincy, the direct principles of state policy and national elections.
The forum was aimed at, among other objectives, providing a platform for the grassroots, the vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society to share their views on key aspects of the constitution.
It was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
Other participants pointed out the need for a review of the constitution to extend the tenure of office of the President from four to six or seven years.
On women representation at the assembly level, they noted that there was the need for more than 50 per cent of the women to be present at the assemblies to ensure that they form an integral part of the decision making process.
A Policy Analyst at the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, stated that “17 years into the operation of the current constitution, serious shortcomings have been identified”.
According to him, for instance, the superimposition of a partisan central government structure on a non-partisan local government system, within the political space in Ghana gave cause for concern and hence a review.
He explained that democracy could be strengthened, if the shortcomings experienced over the last 17 years were addressed by taking into consideration the concerns of the vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Dr Ofori-Mensah intimated that the IEA was currently undertaking research and advocacy on certain provisions of the constitution that in its view required critical examination.
“In our view, the best way to address the concerns of the marginalised groups is to create the opportunity for gender advocates and representatives of vulnerable groups to speak for themselves” he stated.
A Member of the Council of State, Kpan Naa Muhammed Baba Bawa urged the participants to discuss the issues dispassionately devoid of politics.
MAAKE NDC FORMIDABLE — AKACHAWON (PAGE 12, NOV 27, 2010)
A member of the communication team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale, Mr Stephen Akachawon, has entreated the rank and file of the party to unite to make the NDC formidable in the years ahead.
He equally advised members of the party to educate Ghanaians on the achievements of the NDC government after barely two years in office and why the party’s mandate must be renewed in the year 2012.
Mr Akachawon stated this during an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Tamale.
“The internal rivalry within the party ,if care is not taken will dent our image and reputation as a political party .We collectively struggled ,used every resources at our disposal to win the election hence ,it is premature for us to be pinpointing who is a saint and who is a devil” he cautioned.
He intimated that God entrusted the leadership of the county into the hands of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and that the same God would guide and direct him to effectively handle the affairs of the country.
According to Mr. Akachawon, Prof. Mills had distinguished himself as a real man for the people and had achieved a lot that needed to be lauded.
He equally advised members of the party to educate Ghanaians on the achievements of the NDC government after barely two years in office and why the party’s mandate must be renewed in the year 2012.
Mr Akachawon stated this during an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Tamale.
“The internal rivalry within the party ,if care is not taken will dent our image and reputation as a political party .We collectively struggled ,used every resources at our disposal to win the election hence ,it is premature for us to be pinpointing who is a saint and who is a devil” he cautioned.
He intimated that God entrusted the leadership of the county into the hands of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and that the same God would guide and direct him to effectively handle the affairs of the country.
According to Mr. Akachawon, Prof. Mills had distinguished himself as a real man for the people and had achieved a lot that needed to be lauded.
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