3 sponsor GJA Awards

THE GHANA Journalists Association (GJA) has received sponsorship packages from three companies ahead of its 16th Annual GJA Awards ceremony.
Multichoice Ghana and Plan Ghana presented a cheque of GH¢3000 each while rLG Communications pledged an amount of GH¢2000 and other items towards the event to be announced later.
Vice President of the GJA, Affail Monney, in his remarks, observed that the media plays a significant role apart from informing, educating and entertaining the public, saying the media has played a role in the country’s journey towards attaining democracy.
He however noted that the media faces certain challenges which the GJA is helping to resolve such as poor standards and ethical response as well as loose entry into the profession.
“This is making standards in the service of journalism abysmal,” he noted
Mr Monney however said that it is not enough to bemoan the poor standard of journalism but rather reward the outstanding ones
Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, General Manager of Multichoice, noted that his outfit supports journalism in Ghana and Africa as a whole therefore it will continue to support the GJA awards ceremony.
He said the company’s contribution must be directed towards honoring a winner in the education category.
Project Manager of Plan Ghana, Shadrack Frimpong for his part, called on journalists to help bring child rights issues into the limelight.
He indicated that his outfit’s contribution is for sponsorship of the human rights reporting category with respect to child rights issues.
Mr Monney lauded the three companies for their support and called on other corporate institutions to emulate their example.
“We thank the sponsors and will extend invitations to other corporate bodies to identify themselves with this gesture to improve journalism,” he added.
This years’ award ceremony is scheduled for August 20, 2011 at the Banquet Hall, State House under the theme: “Giving Impetus to Democracy and Development in Africa: The role of Investigative Journalism.”

GJA Treasurer, Linda Asante-Agyei receiving a dummy cheque from Project Manager of Plan Ghana, Shadrack Frimpong. Looking on is Vice President of the GJA, Affail Monney

GACC Calls for Replacement of CHRAJ Commissioners

THE GHANA Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has called on government to appoint a substantive Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
This it said is to ensure that the commission’s crucial mandate of carrying out administrative justice and anti-corruption are not duly disrupted by the resignation of the Acting Commissioner, Anna Bossman.
Chairman of the coalition, Rev. Fred Deegbe observed in a statement that “Ms. Bossman’s resignation coming soon after the voluntary retirement of Justice Francis Emil Short last December has created a serious vacuum that could seriously affect CHRAJ’s performance if steps were not taken to find suitable replacement.”
“The two pioneers of the CHRAJ commissioner post have unfortunately gone with the rich knowledge they acquired over the years, robbing the commission of their rich experience,” the statement said.
All efforts must be made to fill the gap as quickly as possible if CHRAJ’s operations are not to suffer,” it added.
Rev. Deegbe explained that the operations of the commission per Section 2 of the CHRAJ Act 456 revolve around the composition of the commissioners which is made up of a commissioner and two deputies.
Thus owing to the relevance of the position of the commissioners, the exit of the two commissioners has created a yawning gap in the administrative set up of the commission which is mandated to carry out unique diverse mandates.
“These are investigating complaints of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, injustice and corruption; abuse of power and unfair treatment of persons by public officers in the exercise of their duties, and power to seek remedy in respect of such acts or omissions and to provide for other related purposes.”
He further stated that the coalition is concerned about the practice of appointing high profile officers in acting positions for a long period and the dilemma such officers face.
“We believe it is desirable to avoid appointing these commissioners in acting positions beyond two months,” he noted.

Legon Gives Students Lifeline

The University of Ghana has issued new directives in the payment of school fees, beginning next academic year.

This is to address the concerns raised by the Students’ Representative Council for a review of fees and charges for certain services for the 2011/2012 academic year.

In a statement issued by the university recently, F. K. Yeboah, Acting Registrar of the university, indicated that management had decided that as a concession and contrary to the usual practice of students paying full fees at the beginning of the academic year, all Ghanaian students may pay a minimum of 50 percent of all dues, fees and charges for the first semester.

“The balance will be due at the beginning of the second semester,” he noted.

He explained that this is a measure intended to provide a significant relief to students and their parents or guardians.

He, however, stated that payment of due fees is a requirement for registration for the semester by August 5, 2011, adding that registration can only be done online.

He again noted that only students who have evidence of registration will be assigned to rooms in the halls of residence, adding that a student’s failure to register before the deadline will lead to him/her not taking their semester exams.

He reiterated that main campus students who wish to be residents are required to select and be assigned to halls of residence as part of the registration process.

“For that reason, all those who have not been assigned to any halls are being given a final chance to either select a facility or indicate a non-resident status. By not making a choice, students cannot be registered,” he noted.

He explained that new ID cards showing their new residential status will be issued to students in the new semester.

However, students of the Accra City Campus will be issued with separate directives later.

Youth Urged to partake in Voluntary Work

EDUSEI DERKYI, Chief Adviser of International Youth Fellowship (IYF) has called on government to resource the National Youth Council adequately to enable it organize more training programs from the youth.
He also called for more volunteerism among the youth especially as the world was going through a lot of socio-economic upheaval at the moment.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s IYF World Youth Camp, the Director of Tertiary Education, Beatrice Oduro observed that it would be in the interest of all people, especially the youth to imbibe the spirit of volunteerism.
“It should not be a self-seeking, self-centered venture that would hurt us: It does not pay to always look for immediate gains after offering services. Mind you, the returns will definitely come back to you though not immediately,” she noted.
Mrs. Oduro further called on the youth to be selfless and cultivate good leadership skills and values that would benefit the country.

Rev. Ato Edwin, Deputy General Secretary of IYF on his part noted that in recognition of the many problems facing 21st century youth his outfit felt it imperative for youth organizations to come up with activities which would help rectify some of these problems.
“It is necessary for discussions to be made in solving youth problems rather than just identifying them,” he added.
According to him, the IYF believes that youth problems could be addressed if conscious efforts were taken practically to solve them.
He said that the IYF placed a high prominence on volunteerism, as it was a very necessary ingredient towards national development.
“Many developed countries have risen to their level of development as a result of selfless and good leadership,” he noted.
He observed that this year’s World Youth Camp will take place from the 21-29 July under the theme: ‘Engaging the Youth in Volunteerism.’
Rev. Edwin further said that the objective of the organization was to raise God fearing, selfless and multi-talented leaders for the future as well as a competent youthful human resource base with a global-mindset to replace the current ageing labor force.
He gave highlights of the programme as touring landmarks in Ghana, staging a short distance marathon, musical concert, lectures by notable speakers and a host of others.

Legon inaugrate 4 new halls

The University of Ghana has added four new halls to its traditional halls, which are expected to house students next academic year.
The new halls, which cost GH¢55million, are expected to house about 1,600 students.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Ernest Aryeetey, at a ceremony to inaugurate the halls on Friday, noted that the establishment of the halls is to address the pressure on the traditional halls as well as increase the number of students who gain admission to the university.
He said that students, who reside in hostels, leave the university without taking part in elections to elect Junior Common Room (JCR) members who steer the affairs of the hall and also participate in other sporting activities which makes their stay fun.
Prof. Aryeetey stated that this and other reasons led to the convention of the hostels to tradition halls to enable the students take part in various activities.
He also said that the other private hostels will soon be converted to traditional halls of residence as negotiations are still on going to come out with significant names of deserving Ghanaians.

He stated that the new halls have been named after well-deserving Ghanaians, Dr. Hilla Limann, Dr. Jean Nelson Aka, Prof Alexander Adum Kwapong, who have played a significant role in the development of the country, adding that a fourth one is expected to be named after a female, who has distinguished herself in the promotion of girl child education.
He further explained that naming a hall after Hilla Limann is appropriate as his party played a role in deepening democracy in the country.
The other two halls were named after Alexander Kwapong and Jean Nelson Aka, the first indigenous VC of the University and an Alumnus respectively.
He called on students as well as the alumni not to relent in contributing their quota to developing the institution as they will be recognized and appreciated at the appropriate time.
The outgoing Pro VC, Prof Kwesi Yankah, also observed that the naming of the hall after these noble men is not just to celebrate them as individuals but their virtues, adding that the university recognizes the virtue of leadership.
Prof. Aryeetey also lauded the banks for their contribution towards the construction of the halls.
The daughter and son of Limann and Aka respectively commended the university for recognizing the contributions of their fathers, adding that the students, who reside in the halls will live up to expectation.
Prof Kwapong also commended the authorities for the gesture and noted that it is rare to see people being honoured whilst alive.
“I truly appreciate the unprecedented honour that has being bestowed me while I live,” he added.
He further stated that the new halls are a worthy addition to the existing ones, as the university is experiencing rapid growth in student population.

"Food Safety Essential"

THE MINISTER of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh has observed that there is the need to implement food laws in order to control the negative socio-economic trends that confront food safety.
He however stated “we need to updated food standards to guide the implementation of these laws.”
The minister noted that rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes have increased people’s demand for food prepared outside the home.
“More and more people are now buying processed foods, eating in restaurants or from streets vendors,” he said.
Speaking during the opening of the International Food Processing Conference and Exhibition, he observed that the integration and consolidation of food industries and globalization of the food trade are contributing to the changing patterns of food production and distribution.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognizes this and has assigned the Ministry of Health as the key agency to set standards under the new food safety regulations which require health ministries to clear and integrate all existing food standards, which will benefit consumers, food producers, traders and inspectors alike,” he noted.
Mr. Yieleh Chireh said that processing food with obsolete technologies pose food safety, quality and nutritional challenges coupled with the inability to compete on the international market.
“Food processing equipment must therefore be hygienically designed in addition to achieving optimum output.”
He further noted that breastfeeding; the optimal nutritional option for newborns and infants is unfortunately often replaced with infant formula and sometimes even with sub-quality formula.
He suggested that “it is best to eat organically grown foods but due to population growth and modernization, food processing has become one of the most important components of the health sector.”
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kwesi Ahwoi, in a speech read on his behalf, said the agricultural sector is the key to the overall economic growth and development of Ghana.
The sector however continues to face basic challenges such as low levels of mechanization in production and processing, high post harvest losses, inadequate markets and processing facilities, over reliance on rain-fed agriculture and low performing irrigated agriculture among others.
He said his ministry considers it a priority to take stock of the food processing industry and realizes its importance to the development of the sector at a broader level.
“It is for this reason that the government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture continues to identify and promote appropriate processing technologies for both on-farm and off-farm levels,” he said.
Mutawakil Riyad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ridmut Consult, organizers of the event reiterated the aim of the conference saying it is to “create a global platform for networking, partnership and information dissemination in food processing.”
It is also aimed at discussing how to create an enabling environment for a sustainable business sector.

Imitated processed food on display.

Canadian convoy Lauds Ghana

TRUDY KERNIGHAN, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, has observed that Ghana is the highest recipient of Canadian development assistance in the world.
She said Canada had also invested in measures that support effectiveness, efficiency and accountability in priority areas such as parliamentary oversight and civil society participation.
“The Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) bilateral program in Ghana focuses on two priorities: food security and children and youth, with an emphasis on water and sanitation,” she added.
Speaking at a reception held to mark Canada Day, Mrs. Kernighan lauded Ghana for her strong commitment to democracy, respect for the rule of law and her pursuit of good governance.
“Canada admires the commitment of the government of Ghana to integrity, transparency, the respect for human rights and its devotion to people of this proud nation,” she added
Mrs. Kernighan also said that 80% of Canada’s support is currently delivered through the government of Ghana’s systems and programs.
She added that Canada continues to have a special focus on Northern Ghana and is committed to supporting efforts to address peculiar development challenges in that part of the country.

Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh and Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs. Trudy Kernighan raise their glasses to commemorate the day, looking on is Mr. Mark Giralt.



She further noted that Ghana’s governance record had opened the doors to investment opportunities and financial growth. “Today about 30 Canadian companies have opened offices and established operations in Ghana,” she said.
She again stated that the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) had played a pivotal role in developing many projects in Ghana. “With Canadian and international business partners, the CCC is collaborating with Ghana on a 132 megawatt thermal power plant project at Takoradi. It is also working in various infrastructure areas with great expectations for new projects to be implemented in the coming year,” she added.
The Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh also noted that Ghana is proud to associate herself with Canada in the pursuit of global peace and security, particularly in the area of international peacekeeping.
“It is pertinent to recall our complimentary efforts together with other contributing nations to transform United Nations Peacekeeping into a more responsive, multi-disciplinary venture that not only monitors peace agreements, but builds on such momentum, to usher in post-conflict infrastructure for the restoration of democratic institutions,” he stated.
He also noted that Canada through CIDA has over the past five years injected $2 billion into various sectors of our economy, such as food and agricultural sector development, growth and poverty reduction, environmental conservation and also assisted in addressing malnutrition in the three Northern regions.
The Minister also reiterated government’s commitment in sustaining true democracy and the rule of law.
“We will continue to take proper measures to forestall any occurrences that may be detrimental and threaten to derail the peace that Ghanaians and foreign guests are enjoying. We will endeavour to continue to prove to the whole world that Ghana is indeed the gateway to Africa,” he assured.