Increase admission to science education

THE Chief Director of the Ministry Of Education, Mr Paul Bautsi, has called for an increase in the admission of students to pursue science and technology courses in tertiary institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Oda Senior High School, he said availability of scientific equipment in schools would enable more students to read science to accelerate the development of the country.

He noted that technology had a positive impact on the level of poverty through  improvement of health care services, sanitation, among others.

‘With this advantage of science and technology education, the need for the government to continue to promote science and technology is paramount,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcoming address, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Francis K. Appiah, observed that the foundation of science was getting weaker and, therefore, the country was not able to produce most of what it consumed.

“We would, therefore, want to use part of the period of the celebrations to highlight the need for an increase in science and technology education,” he added.

He, therefore, called on stakeholders to come to the aid of the school to enable them to renovate most of their deteriorating structures and also help build additional dormitories.

The anniversary is on the theme “Science and Technology Education: An Indispensable Tool for National Development”.

The school was established on September 30, 1960 and has most of its past students occupying high positions in the country.

DOVVSU receives more cases

By Ruth Oppong Nyarko

THE Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) recorded 5,705  cases in 2009 as against 4,904 in 2008. 

Chief Inspector Irene Oppong, Public Relations Officer of the Accra unit, told The Mirror that there was an increase in cases involving assault, failing to supply the necessities to children, exposing children to harm, abduction, rape and compulsion of marriage.

She said, however, that there was no report on sodomy, depriving people of property and insulting behaviour.

Ms Oppong said defilement, child trafficking, attempted suicide, incest, child labour and unlawful ejection cases reduced compared to 2008.

 The PRO said as part of measures to reduce domestic violence in the country, the unit would soon embark on outreach programmes in collaboration with stakeholders such as the INDEPTH Network, Ark Foundation, Project Abroad and Women Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE) as well as the media.

Ms Oppong explained that outreach programmes would cover educational campaigns against domestic violence in schools and security tips for prevention and defence of  violent attacks.

Touching on the issue of rape, Ms Oppong said most perpetrators lured their victims, for example, by sending them on errands and asking them to send the items into their rooms, thereby abusing the victims, and urged women and young girls to be wary of such miscreants.

 Ms Oppong urged parents to educate their children on sexual abuse and sex, adding that "if the children are aware of what sex is and how to abstain, as well as  identify perpetrators, it would help reduce most of the criminal cases relating to sexual abuse".

Ms Oppong, however, appealed to the public to report domestic violence cases early to help speed up investigations.

Book launch

The Executive Chairman and co-founder of Databank, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta , last Thursday launched his book entitled “Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Values” to herald the bank’s 20th anniversary next year.

The book a compilation of his speeches, statements and writings, is his reflection on the many issues and topics pertinent to Ghana.

Briefing the Press, he noted, that the book has been written in a language that suit the intellectual market. Adding that it is a compendium of his speeches within the last twenty years.

He hopes that the book would inspire people to believe in themselves and exhibit the can do spirit to help them succeed in whatever they want to achieve in life.

Adding that the bank which started with only three people but now boast of over 50 employees, which is an indication of what the can do spirit can lead to.

Kwaku Sakyi Addo in his review of the book described the book as a ‘Three Legged Stool’. He also read portions of the book which stated that ‘our focus is to seek the economic and moral kingdom other than the political kingdom”.

In launching the book, Dr Mensah Otabil, General overseer of Internnational Central Gospel Church, noted that the book is well packaged and designed for the target market.

He also noted that the author has not made himself only his but that of the nation. Thus his parthering with his colleagues to set up a bank to help secure the finances of the people.

‘I believe in the can do spirit that they exemplify all the time’ he added.

Mr Otabil urged everyone to get a copy since the book is full of wisdom, knowlege and dares one to aspire for more in life.

Mr Jude Bucknor, Managing Parthner of Kingdom Zephyr Africa Management, in his remark encouraged the author to work hard in serving as a role model to the young ones.

The occasion which was also used to formally launch the 20th anniversary of the Bank was graced by individuals from the financial as well as the political arena.

The book which is on the market costs GH¢30

from revel films to kids

Revele Films has rolled out a Christmas entertainment package for children, in line with the company’s aim to provide quality recreation to the family at all times.

The package includes Christmas carols in orchestra, exciting Christmas contemporary plays, traditional Christmas displays, hiplife music meets GH rap, festive delights and drinks as well as some goodie bags.

The event will take place at the Accra Mall from December 19 to 23, 2009 with performances by Rana. The MC’s for the shows will be Junior and Nina of Home Sweet Home.

The publicist at Revele Films, Mrs Judith Oluwole Kuwornu, said the event was also aimed at bringing children of all ages together at the special time of Christmas in the hope of entertaining, educating and, above all, nurturing their talents which often went untapped.

The programme will also bring families together to share quality time in the spirit of the Yuletide.

“Revele believes entertainment plays a vital role in the lives of people in general, and children are no exemption. And that it is in the light of this that we are organising this programme for children”.

She also noted that a Christmas play set in contemporary times entitled “Meet me at the manger” would be performed by some talented children. The play was written to bring kids the same Christmas message in a modern setting.

Gospel legends explode at National Theatre

Episode 7 Events Limited last Wednesday launched their maiden show for gospel music lovers dubbed “Gospel Music Legends Night”.

The event, according to the organisers, is to give top singers and the up-and-coming ones the credit they rightfully deserve as well as offer the public good entertainment while raising their spirits.

The event is scheduled for January 2, 2009 at the National Theatre, Accra. Artistes billed to perform on the night include the Tagoe Sisters, Rev. Kusi Berko, Amy Newman, Stella Seal, Bernice Offei.

The show will also seek to promote and raise the standard of gospel events and reward individuals who, in diverse ways, have contributed to gospel music in Ghana while inspiring budding musicians to aspire for excellence.

Briefing the media, Mr Andrews Lartey, the Events Co-ordinator, noted that the event was to honour gospel musicians who had been around for 20 years or more and had attained legendary status.

“This event is designed to showcase, celebrate and appreciate the greatest gospel tunes and musicians of all times,” he stressed.

UCC beat Legon in TV Africa quiz

By Ruth Oppong Nyarko

Students from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the University of Ghana (UG) last weekend churned out excitement on TV Africa in a hotly contested quiz dubbed, 'Knowing Africa'.

After two hours of brain war, the University of Cape Coast beat their colleagues from the University of Ghana to win the top prize.

The 15-week competition saw 16 students from the various tertiary institutions participating.

In the final event, the competitors showed how truly African they were as they answered most of the questions correctly. Prior to the commencement of the quiz, the anthem of the two schools were sang which was probably to lift high the spirits of the contestants.

The quiz had five rounds with each segment getting ‘tighter’ as the contestants proved how truly African they were.

After a very competitive first round, UCC led their counterparts, then the tables turned when UG took the lead in the second round which was a true or false section.???? The fourth round was a riddles contest, in which the contestants battled hard to win but was finally taken by UCC.

Then came the time to prove who had really come for the prize. The final round was an identification contest and there again, UCC won.

The battle for supremacy was settled when UCC was announced the winners of the first ever quiz on Africa.

The General Manager of TV Africa, Mr Kwaw Ansah, noted that the competition had been designed to serve as a platform for students to know their roots, as well as their culture. 

“If people get to know what the struggle has been, it will empower them to be confident and move ahead instead of depending on others,” he added.

The winning students took home a trophy, a laptop each, scholarship from NIIT, books from Readwide Books and Stationery, cash prize of GH¢500 and will also go on a seven-day trip to  Egypt, courtesy of Staple Tours. 

The first runners-up also took home laptops each, scholarship from NIIT, books from Readwide Books and Stationery, cash prize, and will enjoy a trip to Benin, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria,  courtesy of Eco Travel and Tours,

The second runners-up received laptops, books, scholarship from NIIT and a certificate of participation. 

The quiz master was Nanabayin Arhin. The competition was sponsored by NIIT, House Party computers, Eco Travel and Tour, Readwide Books and Stationery and TV Africa.

it was indeed "Decemba 2 Rememba"

By Ruth Oppong Nyarko

Citi FM’s ‘Decemba 2 Rememba’ show really lived up to its name and will really be remembered every 24th December night.

One would have considered it as a flop since the room was rather half-empty when the scheduled time was up, but for Africans, that was another manifestation of ‘African time’ as patrons started trooping in about an hour-and-a-half after the start of the programme.

The Accra International Conference Centre came alive as artistes took turns to sing from their new and old albums.

Songstress and newcomer, Raquel, ‘opened the night’ with soulful tunes, followed by the trio, Niimei. 

4x4 and VIP were sensational as they both performed tracks from their old and new albums. ‘I think I like am’ as well as ‘Fresh One’ from VIP and 4x4 respectively seemed to be the favourite of the crowd as they sang along from the first line till the end.

Sarkodie, who performed last, did justice to the show as the room was still full till he finished his performance. Of course, being the last to perform didn’t make any difference to the reception. It was after he had left the stage that the audience started moving out of the auditorium.

The comic interlude which featured funny interviews and a video clip was climaxed with a surprised performance by a Nigerian comedian, Bash, who got the audience laughing from his first utterance till he moved off the stage. 

Citi FM’s, Voice Factory winner, Fritzs’, rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ moved the audience into the Christmas mood as his silky voice got those who knew the lyrics singing along with him.

The crowd couldn’t help, but stand and shake their bodies to the rhythm of ‘Gologolo’ from Echo.

Praye, who were not billed to perform, turned up, made their presence worthwhile as they gave the audience a good show for their money. The hiplife group Bradez, however, did not really get the audience going as they seemed to have missed the presence of their member, Kunta Kinte.

  Morris Babyface was also there to perform alongside Okyeame Kwame, who was full of energy as he performed new and old songs from his days of Akyeame to his going solo.

Lord Kenya also lived up to expectation as he mounted the stage to deliver a good performance. 

It was really a ‘Decemba 2 Rememba’, considering how the audience got involved in the show from the start to the end.