Kade, Oct. 18, GNA - Mr Solomon Nkansah, Deputy National Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic congress (NDC), has noted that the promise by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of free education at the Senior High School (SHS) level only aims at conning the electorate to give him the nod.     He challenged Nana Akufo Addo to show Ghanaians where the needed classrooms and other facilities were for the implementation of his policy.     Addressing a large crowd at the launch of the Kade constituency branch of the NDC at Kade on Thursday, Mr Nkansah said the NPP Presidential candidate only wanted power at all cost hence “his sweet talk about the free education”.     Ms Mavis Ama Frempong, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Birim North, who is contesting the New Abirem seat, said the administration of President J.A. Kufour had many cabinet ministers from the Eastern Region yet they did practically nothing for the region.     She said the NDC government was currently constructing a number of projects including re-building roads which were in a bad state.    Ms Frempong appealed to the people of the region to vote for the NDC to enable the party to complete the projects.     Mr Tawiah Boateng, Eastern Regional Organizer of the NDC, told the crowd that they should not be deceived by the promise of free SHS education by voting for the NPP since that would not be possible.     Mr George Agyemang Dua, Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, said the electorate could testify the number of development projects he undertook or initiated since assuming the post only 18 months ago.  He said he would serve with dedication and honesty to bring even greater development and progress to the Kade constituency.     GNA...

A Former Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, has advised leaders of the party to concentrate their energies and resources on the most crucial assignment, winning the 2012 elections.

Bahankra (Ash), Oct 18, GNA – The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has donated building materials worth GH¢3,500.00 in support of the construction of a permanent classroom block for the Bahankra D/Assembly Primary School in the Sekyere-Afram Plains District.   These include 50 bags of cement, eight bundles of roofing sheets and eight boxes of nails.   The school with a population of 280 pupils is presently housed in a wooden structure.   Mr C. K. Adum-Nti, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the GNAT, said the donation was part of an initiative to assist schools in deprived communities and that the Association  wanted to create awareness about the need to improve education infrastructure in the rural areas to promote quality.   Mr Adum-Nti said GNAT was not committed only to the welfare of its members but equally concerned about the environment in which “teaching and learning takes place”.   The association had already provided school uniforms, bags, shoes and books to 50 needy pupils in some selected deprived schools.   Additionally, it had honoured hard working and dedicated teachers in the region with television sets, laptop computers, refrigerators and motorbikes as part of the celebration of this year’s World Teachers’ Day.   Mr Paul Agyei Boakye, the Regional GNAT Trustee, handing over the items said it was a demonstration of the commitment of the Association to work together with all stakeholders to develop education.   Mrs Agnes Akpenyo, the District Education Director, said the school was grateful for the donation.     GNA...

The Supreme Court has ruled that it is unlawful for the Minister of Local Government to create electoral areas.

Koforidua, Oct. 18, GNA - About 200 stakeholders in the mining industry on Thursday attended a day’s sensitization workshop on the Minerals and Mining Health, Safety Regulations 2012 Legislative Instrument (LI 2182), in Koforidua, capital city of the Eastern Region.    The workshop, which was organized by the Minerals Commission, aimed to sensitize participants and the public on the LI, to enable them to play active roles in the enforcement of provisions of the legal document.        The event also aimed to strengthen collaboration between stakeholders and regulators in the mining industry.      Mr Kofi Adjei, Senior Inspector of Mines in charge of the Eastern Region, noted that Ghana had been operating outdated mining laws, and said since mining was dynamic, Parliament in June this year came out with six legislations (Minerals and Mining Regulations 2012).      He said that previous Legislation Instruments, among many things did not make provisions for surface mining and dredging and “no provisions were also made for processing plants, especially with regards to cyanide tailings storage”.       Mr Adjei said existence of current health, safety and technical regulations had addressed those challenges.       He challenged the participants to operate within the laws, warning that those who may go contrarily to the laws, could face prosecution in the law courts and be jailed without option of a fine.   Mr Adjei said the Minerals Commission would henceforth descend heavily on those violate mining laws.        He advised workers in the mining industry to regularly go for medical checks and said: “do not think somebody is responsible for your safety, you should ensure your own safety”.        Participants included representatives of large-scale mining companies, medium and small mining companies, industrial mineral operators, explosive companies, exploitative companies, service companies, district assemblies and traditional authorities.     GNA...

The People's National Convention (PNC) has named Mrs Helen Sanorita Dzatogbe Matervi, an educationist and French language translator, as running mate for the party in this year's general election.

Cape Coast, Oct 18, GNA - Wesley Girls’ High School on Wednesday “rolled the red carpet” for Form One students as the little girls, escorted by their visibly excited parents and guardians, entered the walls of the magnificent Wey Gey Hey to begin a three-year academic battle from which much is expected of them.   These small, small girls, 14 and 15 years old, might have been wondering what was in stock for them when they set off from various parts of Ghana to begin a new era, a very important chapter, in their schooling.   “I was apprehensive.  I did not know what to expect because I have heard about experiences of new arrivals in certain school.  They were not pleasant stories, the show of power by some seniors, the bullying” one told the GNA.   A parent said he took his boy to a school in Koforidua four years ago and a housemaster had a cane he surprisingly used on some of the Form One students.   “My boy got caned on his first day at senior high school and tears swelled in his eyes but I pretended I did not see it. It was a baptism of fire.  I knew it was wrong but I said nothing.  I held my cool,” a parent told the GNA.   The welcoming ceremony at Wey Gey Hey was magnificent, well organized and executed with precision. Nothing was overlooked and surprisingly there were no mistakes. Staff, non-teaching staff and students were all involved and rolled out a welcoming ceremony that the first years would never forget.   The school was decorated in bunting and music blared in the dormitories.  Some of the parents who have children in other senior high schools said the spectacle surprised them.   One said when she entered the compound with the daughter, she thought the school was preparing to have a big function like a speech day and it took her sometime to realize Wey Gey Hey was welcoming her daughter to the school.   “All the flags, all the decoration, all the music and all the dancing in the dormitories were meant to make my daughter, our daughters to feel at home and get down to serious business of studies. Thank you Headmistress, staff, non-teaching staff and students,” the lady, who wants to remain anonymous, said.   There were no classes on Wednesday as the day was declared a holiday by an “Executive Instrument” the Headmistress signed.   The school’s cadets, looking smart in their military uniforms, were prominent and executed their assignments with precision.  They saluted parents as they drove in with their beloved daughters and directed them where to park.   The admission procedure was not performed as a mere formality, not as a ritual that is gone through every year. It was performed with passion and it took time. Every student was handled as an individual and made to take an oath to be a good student.   Following their formal admission to Wey Gey Hey and having been allocated Houses, the little girls were escorted “queenly” to their dormitories with fanfare and surprisingly, their seniors carried their suitcases and chop boxes.   “I was flabbergasted. Seniors carried my daughter’s luggage,” a parent said.   In the dormitory the form ones opened their suitcases and seniors checked their clothes to make sure they did not include things they were not supposed to take to school.   A parent walked down memory lane and said a little girl once told him “Daddy, your daughter is supposed to bring two white T-shits but she has brought four.  Take two away.”   The seniors really had time for the new arrivals.  They taught them how to lay their beds, how to fold their clothes in their lockers and suitcases and lectured them about what to do and what not to do in the dormitories.   As these processes went on, music blared and students, some in fanciful attires, did their own thing, including Azonto, on stages they had mounted.   When the GNA enquired about the criteria that would be used to allocate the newest dormitory to students who would be interested, a student said there was balloting.   She said “there is no favouritism at Wey Gey Hey.  There is no “whom you know” business here.  There is absolute fairness.”   An elated parent told the GNA that he was pleased with what he had witnessed and expressed the hope that his daughter would live, for the rest of her life, the Wey Gey Hey motto “Live Pure, Right Wrong, Speak True, Follow the King.”   “As a Wey Gey Hey father, this is what I wish for all our Wey Gey Hey daughters including BEK, HMGA and PO. God Bless the Headmistress, staff and non-teaching staff and students of Wey Gey Hey,” he said.     GNA...

Etwebo (W/R), Oct.18, GNA - Employees of Chirano Gold Mines Limited on Thursday presented a cheque for GH¢ 41,210 to the family of the late Simon Larbi, a colleague who passed away last June.   Presenting the cheque, Mr. Thomas Nyarko-Danquah, Human Resource Manager of the company said the contributions were made voluntarily by all employees to serve as an educational investment fund for the children of the late employee. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the family,    Mr. Francis Antwi, an uncle of the deceased, expressed appreciation to the management and employees of Chirano Gold Mines Limited for the support, adding that only a few organizations would think about their employees in times of crisis. He assured the management and staff of CGML that the fund would be devoted to the educational needs of the wards.   The late Larbi who was a driver of the company met his untimely death in June while on official duty. He is survived by a wife and three children.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Mr Ebenezer Appiah Denkyirah, Director-General of the Ghana health service (GHS), on Wednesday in Accra, launched a 47-page manual to serve as a regional reference document for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries, institutions and organisations in the management of health care waste.   The document provides legal, administrative and financial guidelines on daily basis for rational and responsible management of health care waste in the sub-region.   The manual, which is to read, understand and implement, was developed by the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation (ALCO), a sub-regional institution, mandated to help in the prevention of HIV and AIDS, facilitation of free movement of people and goods along the road linking Abidjan and Lagos, among other functions.   The fight against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs) as well as HIV and AIDS along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, requires a multi-dimensional approach to halt the potential risk of further spread of the disease along the stretch due to poor management of health waste. The ALCO’s intervention, therefore, covers five ECOWAS member countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.   Governments of these countries have ratified the document, to affirm their commitment to ensuring the implementation of the guidelines for the proper management of health care waste in their respective countries.   Mr Appiah Denkyirah said although Ghana had a similar document, its implementation had not been effective, and expressed the hope that the new manual would complement the existing one to promote best practices along this corridor.   Dr Edith Clark, Programme Manager, Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, who gave highlights of the manual, said health care waste was any form of waste generated at health care facilities.   She explained that health facility waste could be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous, where the former included sharp and contaminated objects that need to be packaged separately in a coded disposal bag to prevent contamination.   The manual, contains basic information about the nature, generation collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of health care waste hence its implementation would certainly ensure a culture of best practices at health facilities and borders  to help minimise the incidence of infections of STIs as well as HIV and AIDS, Dr Clark said.   According to her, it was clear that management of such waste in the sub-region was bedevilled with challenges such as ignorance among stakeholders, absence of strong policies, legal framework and weak capacity of waste management professionals, among others.   Dr Clark noted that poor management of health care waste increasingly exposed medical staff and the population to an unhealthy environment and the risk of infections.   She said, consequently, ALCO's interventions were focused on awareness campaign, provision of equipment for personal protection, construction of incinerators and septic tanks, and partnership with the private sector in the collection, removal and disposal of such forms of waste.    Dr Clark asked stakeholders to embrace the use of the manual to ensure safe health care environment for both medical staff and patients.     GNA...

Tarkwa Banso (W/R), October 18, GNA -  The Esuoso Traditional Council has advised Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) Limited to desist from going further to procure the Console Number Two land  for the company’s gold mining project.       Nana Asare Kojo, Gyasihene of Esuoso Traditional Council, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the company had gone on the quite about this land for their Nsuta gold mining project without consulting the traditional authorities of the Esuoso Stool Council.   He said the land GMC was striving to procure include part s of Tamso, Akyempim and Akyem and was undergoing series of infrastructural development by the occupants.      Nana Kojo said due to the steps the company had taken, most of the tenants who had been issued with the necessary documents covering the land had threatened to sue the traditional authorities.       GNA...

Wa, Oct. 18, GNA – Nana Perbi and Friends, a group of celebrated gospel musicians, have organised a peace musical concert in the Upper West Region to promote peace, especially with the forthcoming December elections.      The programme, dubbed: “Nana Perbi and Friends National Peace Musical Tour,” is under the auspices of Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.       It is being organised by Nana Perbi Group of Companies Africa Holdings, in collaboration with Stella Seal Ministries, with local support from the Sombo Lifestyle Center and Winner’s Chapel International – Wa Branch.      Speaking to the media in Wa, Nana Perbi said there had been various calls by politicians, the clergy, Muslim leaders, traditional leaders and well meaning Ghanaians on the need for peaceful elections, saying the Nana Perbi and Friends Musical Tour was aimed at building on that call.       He said elections across Africa had, to a large extent, been always marred by violence and anarchy but Ghana had always stood tall over the years, adding that this was the time to consolidate the achievement and continue to be a shining example to Africa and the rest of the world.      Nana Perbi made a special appeal to religious and traditional leaders to influence their people to eschew acts that could undermine the conduct of this year’s elections.       He also appealed to the media to help promote the peace musical tour event to enable it to achieve its intended purpose.      The nationwide tour, which started from the Upper West Region, would be featuring seasoned and budding gospel artistes including Stella Seal, Amy Newman, Selina Boateng, O.J. Nicholas Omane Acheampong, DSP Kofi Sarpong, and Cece Twum.     GNA...

Bawku, Oct. 18, GNA - Mr. Roland Adatuu, founder and leader of Youth Link Ghana and the Executive Board Chairman of the Yes-Ghana Youth Manifesto Coalition, has warned the youth of Bawku not to allow themselves to be used by politicians during the December polls to foment trouble.        He said this when he interacted with the youth of the municipality to advise them on how to conduct themselves during the election.   Mr. Adatuu said the youth had always been engaged by politicians to cause mayhem during elections, the consequences of which actions often affect the youth themselves.   He pointed out that politicians from especially the two leading parties, the NDC and NPP, had often made the youth to engage in acts of violence.   He noted that the youth also assisted politicians in their campaign activities and often engaged in acts of indiscipline such as careless riding, unnecessary tooting of horns and unleashing of insults on their opponents.   Mr. Adatuu said the youth are the future leaders of the country and that if they allowed themselves to be misused by politicians, they would ruin their own future.   He called on the youth of Bawku to exercise decorum in their speech, especially during campaigns and other party activities.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA – Screening for the Glo Soccer Academy (GSA), commenced at the Lizzy Sports Complex in Accra on Wednesday with hundreds of teenagers showing up for the exercise.   Players between the ages of 14 to 17 years displayed their skills in a bid to attract the attention of the coaches in the two day exercise.   Coach Tony Baffoe, one of the technical officials for the exercise expressed satisfaction with the level of skills displayed by the teenagers adding that adding that the momentum would be sustained for the exercise in the coming weeks.   “I am also delighted that parents are making time off their busy schedules to accompany their wards to the venue of the screening.” Baffoe stated.      The Academy is designed to scout for talents from Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.   In all 33 talented finalists will be shortlisted for the Dream Team and camped in Lagos where they will be trained by celebrity coaches from West Africa and Manchester United for five weeks.   The sixteen finalists who make the Dream Team will go on training tour of Manchester United Soccer School in the UK and also become Glo Ambassadors.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA – The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has congratulated the senior national team, the Black Stars, on qualifying for the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa next year.   It said the Black Stars lone goal victory over Malawi at their own back yard was a clear demonstration of their determination and commitment to make a representation at the continent’s biggest football festival.   According to the statement, qualifying for the competition is just the beginning of the journey to glory, hence the team should not be swollen headed but remain focused in the attempt to restore the glory of the nation at the continental level.   “We have for the past 30 years gone without any continental glory despite the many successes chalked over the years.   “It is, therefore necessary for members of the technical team and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to draw up a comprehensive programme for the competition to enable the team put to up a good show at the continental show piece,” the statement noted.   It also congratulated the national under-17, female team, the Black Maidens on winning the bronze medal at the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) under-17 female World Cup in Azerbaijan.   It said the performance of the team gives the nation enough hope that will one day the country will conquer the continent and world in the near future.   SWAG also congratulated the GFA for ensuring the successes of the two national teams and urged them to remain focused to ensure the effective execution of future assignments.     GNA...

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - The 20th edition of the annual Thome Halim Cabalan basketball memorial tournament will commence on Monday October 22, in Accra.   This year’s edition marks the 20th anniversary of the death of the man, who donated the Lebanon court to the Ghana Basketball Association (GBA), which has helped to develop the game tremendously.   The championship will be fought keenly between the top flight sides in both the male and female divisions in the Greater Accra League.   Teams expected to competitive in this year competition include CEPS, Tema Youth, Reformers, Holy Family, Fire, Magic, Panthers and Police during the two-week period.   At stake will be a giant trophy and cash prizes for winners.       GNA...

Accra, Oct 18, GNA - Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), on Wednesday called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to vigorously investigate allegations that foreign entities were funding political parties in the country.   He said if such allegations were true, it contravened the Political Parties Law,  Act 574, that prohibits foreign funding of political parties, demanding that the Electoral Commission investigate the matter properly to engender confidence in the country’s political order and to bring about transparency in the body politick of Ghana.   “The EC should not take this matter lightly; it should build the capacity to handle these issues in order to bring greater transparency in our political processes so that the people can accept the outcomes of the election”.   Dr Nduom who was speaking to journalists after filling his nomination papers at the EC, said foreign interest should not invest in political parties because the political entities end up doing what is consistent with the interest of the foreign entities.   He said Ghanaians should not trust and vote for any political party in Ghana that does not disclose the sources of its funding, challenging his political opponents to disclose their sources of funding for accountability and transparency sake in order to protect the sovereignty of Ghana’s electoral process.   The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has alleged that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was being financed by a Chinese company, Huawei.   Dr Nduom also cautioned those who intended to cheat in the polls to gear up for a show-down with the PPP, because the party would contest the EC in court to annul the results of any polling station that records even one vote more than what is on the register.   “We will not allow anyone to cheat or steal in this elections and go  free….So if some people thinks that a polling station is in their strong hold and wants to use that advantage to subvert the electoral process should think twice.   “Those who want to cheat and steal should stand ready to face the consequences of their actions”, he declared.   Dr Nduom also renewed his challenge to other contestants in the presidential race to make firm commitments to transparent and incorruptible leadership, by declaring their assets and tax obligations to Ghanaians.   He reiterated that what Ghana needed to propel it to the enviable economic status was a competent and incorruptible leadership, one which the PPP would offer and bring about true progress, peace and prosperity to “Ghanaisn”.   Dr Nduom said that he was committed to the principle of incorruptible leadership and had thus requested the Internal Revenue Service to furnish him with certified true copies of his income tax returns and that this would be made available to the public when he gets the document.   He disclosed that he had also asked the Auditor-General to provide certified true copies of the assets report that he filed as a Minister of State and Member of Parliament and his party’s National Treasurer was working to provide the public the PPP’s financial report that would include the sources of funding for  national campaign.   He said PPP was a purposeful, positive and peaceful entity, saying, “Ï am happy that in this short period the party has attracted the right people for the right image”.   He said “there is a silent majority who are supportive of this party and we are very confident of our chances in this elections”.   “Whatever the outcome of results of the election, I would be proud of the PPP and the team it has built….And no matter the results of the elections, the PPP would keep the message of incorruptible leadership on the front burner”.     GNA...

Tamale, Oct. 17, GNA – Madam Delores Dickson, Executive Director for Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED-Ghana), has suggested the need for a linkage between school curricula and the industrial field for graduates to properly integrate into the job market.   She said what was being taught in our schools does not have much relevance to the job market thus creating problems in the system saying ‘there needs to be a better link between skills development, education and industry’.   Madam Dickson was speaking in Tamale on Wednesday during a learning forum for national partners of CAMFED innovation bursary programme where selected young ladies were being linked to some individuals and institutions to sharpen their business ideas. She said about 30 young ladies were being assisted by her outfit on the path to successful entrepreneurship.   Madam Millicent Achimboye, Business Development Manager of CAMFED, said had developed CAMFED Master Card Foundation partnership programme, a five-year pilot programme targeted at Cama members thus young women that have been trained by CAMFED.   She said the programme offers an innovative approach to expose beneficiaries to new knowledge, skills, markets and financial services that will allow them to replicate business models in their communities.   Madam Achimboye said the objective of the programme was to create the opportunity for potential young entrepreneurs to lead the change through innovation and diversification to be delivered with a network of partners both locally and internationally.   She noted that the new innovation had established businesses in rural communities using appropriate technologies and generating new employment generated by Cama entrepreneurs adding that it ‘will become a foundation for a more vibrant local business environment’.   She mentioned soap and detergent production, solar energy generation, textiles and agro-processing, mobile health servicing, crafts and catering services, Information Communication Technology /photography, bead making, fashion designing and shea butter processing as some of the business ideas that the Cama members were engaged in.   Madam Achimboye said young women needed to develop good business plans to attract funding support provided by micro finance institutions.   Alhassan Sohua, a young entrepreneur trained by CAMFED, said she has ventured into solar installation and selling of solar energy products to hospitals, schools and communities and making good profit and entreated more young people to develop interest in business activities to make good money for themselves.   She said her products have helped most deprived communities to have access to electricity noting that the set up capital has been a major worry and appealed to organizations to support young persons interested in growing their own businesses.     GNA...

Kade, Oct.18, GNA - A police prosecutor on Wednesday challenged the eligibility of a lawyer to ply his trade and dared him to produce his license in court.        Police Chief Inspector, Francis Cobbina, said since Mr Osei Kwadwo Addo’s name was not on the list of lawyers permitted to practice law in 2012 published by the General Legal Council, he should not be permitted to appear for a client facing a criminal charge before the Kade District Magistrate’s court.     When the Magistrate, Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu, asked the prosecutor for the grounds for the submission, he said he had the list of lawyers who had been licensed to practice in 2012.     The Magistrate therefore asked Inspector Cobbina to submit the list and he later produced a Daily Graphic issue of June 17 this year, which had the names of all licensed lawyers.     The magistrate then requested Mr Addo to produce his license but he replied that he left it at home.     The case was then adjourned to November 08 for the lawyer to produce his valid license which allows him to practice law in Ghana.     It all started when Mr Addo, who was defending Christopher Gbadasu, who stood surety for one Victoria Agboada, facing charge of “fictitious trading”, submitted that his client never entered into any agreement with the Police before Victoria was released.     The lawyer called on the prosecution to prove that the surety truly entered into bail agreement (bond) of GH¢ 10,000.00 before Victoria was released.     The prosecution had it that Gbadasu after signing the bond on January 07. was asked to produce Victoria on January 10 and when he failed to do so on January 13, a forfeiture of recognizance was served on him and was summoned to appear before the Court to show cause why the bond of GH¢ 10,000.00 should not be extracted from him.     Chief Inspector Cobbina not satisfied with the submission of the lawyer, who is also the counsel for the Kwaebibirem District Assembly, applied to the court to ask Mr Addo to show his valid license that allows him to practice law for the year 2012.     GNA...

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has secured a $1.2 million from the government of China to finance the installation of street lights at Cantonments in Accra.

Telecommunication operators are calling on government to review the Communication Service Tax possibly in the 2013 budget.