President Mills Promises Mega Dev’t In Cape Coast

President John Atta Mills has once again assured the people of Cape Coast that they will see many developmental projects next year.

According to him, although things were not easy when he assumed office, he was making frantic efforts to ensure that the people of Cape Coast experienced the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ as he promised them during his 2008 campaign tour.

“I promised to give you any assistance that would help this area to develop since I am from this area and will never allow this area to be destroyed. Please exercise patience with me since I have a lot of good plans for Oguaaman,” he stated.

President Mills made the statement at this year’s Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Oguaa Traditional Area, over the weekend at the Jubilee Park in Cape Coast.

The festival, which was on the theme ‘Unity And Peace, A Tool For National Development”, attracted thousands of people drawn from all walks of lives.

President Mills stressed the need for Ghanaians to ensure unity in the country to promote effective development.

He noted that Ghanaians had only one country, hence the need to ensure unity and peace which the country had experienced over the years.

He charged Ghanaians to do the right things at the right time, citing other neighbouring countries who had not experienced peace for years due to post election violence and power sharing.

President Mills emphasised the need for Ghanaians to ensure an incident-free elections in 2012, adding that the electorate had the right to vote on that day and to go home peacefully without creating chaos and mayhem in the country.

He indicated that power was from God and not humans so whoever emerged victorious in the upcoming general elections were the plans destined by God.

He underscored the need for the elderly to inculcate truth and respect in the youth so that they could take up the mantle to manage the affairs of the country in future.

“What legacies are we leaving for our children? Is it our traditions or the importation of foreign cultures and practices which can destroy the future of the youth?” he asked.

The Paramount Chief of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, commended President Mills for ensuring that the 30% allocation for students in the region into Senior High Schools (SHS) had been implemented.

Osabarima Atta hinted that plans were underway to construct a toilet facility near Anaafo market to boost tourism in the area.

“It’s very appalling when you see some residents defecating in a gutter near the market while tourist will be crossing to the Cape Coast Castle,” he said.

He therefore appealed to President Mills to ensure that proceeds from the castle allocated to the traditional council were paid on time to undertake more developmental projects in the area.

The Central Regional Minister, Comfort Ama Benyiwa Doe, said although her government had the plans of constructing the Cape Coast Sport Stadium, it could not give the exact date as to when the project would commence.

The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, Ebow Barton-Odro, expressed concern about the way two schools in the metropolis had zero percent in the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), calling on parents to invest in their children’s education.

 

He added that every nation’s development depended on its youth, hence the need to promote effective education in the country.

DAILY GUIDE observed that this year’s festival was very splendid as compared to the previous year’s, considering its organistaion.

It also noticed that this was the first time the traditional council assigned people to collect monies from individuals in the markets and offices to support the festival.

DAILY GUIDE can authoritatively state that this was also the first time that the traditional council was aiming to construct a toilet facility from the proceeds it would get from the festival.

It will be recalled that last year’s festival was nearly marred when security apparatus prevented the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from going to greet the Paramount Chief, Osabarima Kwesi Atta, while he was also not recognised, a situation which created a lot of controversy in the country.

From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Dwarfs License Memorabilia

Galamsey Gang Busted

The 6 busted Galamsey gang as they bow in shame

SIX GALAMSEY operators who decided to mine in the Ochi River at Baifikrom near Mankessim in the Central Region have been arrested by the Central Regional Police Command.

The six, made up of five people from Prestea in the Western Region and Kobla Appiah, 38, from Baifikrom, had Nurudin Salifu as their gang leader.

Nurudin Salifu admitted being the leader of the group and the owner of the pit to be used for the galamsey operations in the town, during police interrogation.

The other suspects included John Addai, 40, December Nyamagbosi, 39, Daniel Nartey, 21 and Narh Anomi, 37.

Briefing DAILY GUIDE on Tuesday, the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh Kwofie, disclosed that the team of galamsey operators were arrested by the Saltpond District Police Command upon a tipoff.

He stated that the Municipal Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Isaac Essilfie, reported to the Saltpond police that some people were planning to illegally mine in the Ochi River, which served as a work station for the company.

According to DCOP Andoh Kwofie, the work station provided water to people in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Saltpond, Mankessim and other surrounding communities.

He hinted that his outfit quickly mounted a search to arrest the perpetuators and got to know during police investigations that the owner of the machine had sought permission from the Chief of Baifikrom, Nana Arhin, to operate there.

He said the police, upon arrival at the galamsey site, realised that the galamsey equipment had already been set up for work but there was no one around.

He added that the police then confiscated the equipment and brought them to the station, after which they mounted a search for the owner of the machines.

DCOP Andoh Kwofie added that the police contacted the chief, who assisted them to arrest the six.

After interrogation, the gang leader and owner of the galamsey equipment, Nurudin Salifu, admitted he had no licence to operate.

The DCOP noted that illegal mining activities were a contributing factor to floods in the Eastern Region, stressing that he would not allow such activities to occur in the Central region.

NDC Aspirant in Hot Waters. Ahwoi Joins Race

Mr. Kwasi Ahwoi

THE CENTRAL Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) has sent a strong warning to a leading figure in the Agona East constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stop deceiving the public in an attempt to get their votes.

 

The CRCC has warned Mrs. Pokuah Sawyer who has declared her intention to contest the Agona East parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC to stop her deliberate attempt to lure constituency executives and delegates in the area into voting for her in the party’s upcoming parliamentary primaries.

Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture and brother of Ato Ahwoi, a close confidante of President Mills is also contesting the NDC slot in the constituency having picked up his nominations forms over the weekend.

A press release issued and signed on Thursday by Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the CRCC, Ike Afenyi Donkor for the Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa-Doe, said Mrs. Sawyer had allegedly allowed herself to be influenced by one Alhaji Jabire who doubles as the Chief Imam for Mankrong junction in the Agona East District, to use false information to win the sympathy of delegates in the constituency.

According to the statement, Mrs. Sawyer allegedly claimed to have financed a number of developmental projects in the district to enhance her chances in the primaries even though this was not true.

The PRO mentioned some projects the aspirant claimed to have financed as the provision of a dormitory block for the Agona Kwanyako and Awutu Obrachire Secondary Technical schools as well as financing a six-unit classroom block, an office, store and market toilet facility for the Mankrong junction Islamic Junior High School (JHS).

Mr. Afenyi Donkor alleged that all projects claimed to have been financed by Mrs. Sawyer were false adding that they were provided and funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET Fund) and the Government of Ghana (GOG).

“Nobody has personally or privately financed the said projects claimed by Alhaji Jabire and Mrs. Sawyer. Let me put on record that all those projects were financed by GETFUND and the GOG. Therefore no one can use them for political persuasions.”

Mr. Donkor apologized to the general public especially people  in the Agona East district for the inconvenience created by the inactions of Alhaji Jabire and Mrs. Sawyer, adding that, delegates and constituency members should not take them seriously.

Mr. Afenyi Donkor also called on the media to also seek clarifications from the appropriate quarters before putting out information for public consumption in order not to create any unfortunate situations.

Meanwhile, Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has picked nomination forms to contest the NDC”s Agona East parliamentary primaries.

The Minister, whose forms were picked up on his behalf, would contest the seat together with three other aspirants.

Speaking to the press on Saturday at Mankrong, his hometown, Mr. Ahwoi explained reasons why he had chosen to contest the parliamentary primaries with the other contestants.

According to him, he holds a cabinet position in the government and could easily bring development to the constituency.

He said with his background as minister and member of NDC, if given the nod during the primaries and elected as MP, he could articulate his views on the floor of Parliament.

The minister said President Mills had confidence in someone that would assist the party to get more parliamentary seats and also win the presidential election in 2012.

Mr. Ahwoi said with his position in the government, he could influence both local and foreign investors to come and invest in the constituency to create jobs and wealth for the people.

He said: “The Ahwoi brothers have the development of Agonaman at heart,” adding that since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over the parliamentary seat eight years ago, no meaningful development had been seen into the constituency.

Paapa Zabairu, Campaign Manager for Mr. Ahwoi, said the constituency had suffered a lot and asked the delegates to vote for the minister.

He said the acceptance of Mr. Ahwoi to contest the primaries was timely and urged members of the party to rally support for the minister to lead the party to victory.

From Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Dwarfs License Memorabilia

The Chief Patron urshering i the newly elected National Executives 

THE NEWLY elected Chairman of the Supporters Union of Cape Coast Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs, Amos Assifuah has promised to ensure that all persons who sell the team’s paraphernalia are duly licensed to generate more income for the football team.

According to him, Ebusua Dwarfs needed more capital to finance its administrative processes for the team to continue to stay in Ghana’s Premier League, adding that when such an action was taken, the team would be able to perform better than they did last season.

Mr. Assifuah noted that the licensing of paraphernalia in other parts of the world had made teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United Football clubs gain additional income to purchase high profile players to strengthen their teams.

He therefore hoped that by the end of his tenure of office, Ebusua Dwarfs would have accumulated huge sums of money which would be used to run the affairs of the team in the years ahead.

The occasion, which attracted 14 gardens (supporters unions), was also used to launch the team’s constitution as well as honour Nana Brew Butler and Nana Edu, past executives who chalked successes for the football club.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Patron of the club, James Yaw Ennin said it was about time the affairs of the team was left in the hands of competent, young and energetic persons.

The Central Regional Minister, Madam Comfort Ama Benyiwa Doe promised government’s commitment to support the team.

 From Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

AIDS Is Threat To Dev’t- GHS

Dr. Awuku briefing the press

A PHYSICIAN Specialist and member of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Dr. Yaw Asante Awuku says HIV/AIDS has been identified by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) as a serious threat to national development.

He said most of the youth who are our future leaders are unfortunately being infected with HIV/AIDS daily due to reckless lifestyles.

He disclosed that as at 2010, GHS and NACP recorded 221,941 persons who tested positive for HIV/AIDS with 95,206 being males and 126,735 females.

Dr. Asante disclosed this on Thursday when he made a presentation on the ‘Overview of HIV and AIDS in Ghana: Current Situation, Projections and Interventions’ to the media in Cape Coast.

He said that same year, the adult national HIV prevalence rate reached 1.5% with total annual AIDS deaths of 16,320 including 2,581 children.

Dr. Awuku said currently, a total of 12,890 new HIV cases have so far been recorded for adults and children, a situation he indicated calls for a greater concern from stakeholders and government to support the cause of reducing the HIV/AIDS rate in Ghana.

He noted that the disease is increasingly becoming pandemic in urban areas more than rural areas, adding that in 2010, the urban sector recorded 2.6% with 1.6% for the rural areas.

He said the GHS hopes to get 1,315,917 people to get tested for   HIV, saying when people see the need to get tested regularly Ghana will make a headway in AIDS prevention by 2015.

Presentation the facts, Dr. Asante Awuku said HIV prevalence among antenatal clients in 2010 decreased from 2.9% in 2009 to 2.0% in 2010 representing a 31% decrease and hoped the trend would continue.

He indicated that his outfit has changed its policy of counseling and testing to testing and counseling as well as speeding up work on the virtual elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and the management of Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI).

He added that although most blood collected by the GHS is infected with diseases particularly syphilis, the GHS would ensure blood safety transmission, infection prevention and enforce the usage of condoms to curb the situation.

Dr. Asante Awuku therefore appealed to Ghanaians to get tested for HIV and advised HIV/AIDS patients to take the antiretroviral drugs prescribed to them by doctors to help increase their life span.

He noted that improvement in data management and information generation would also be a guide to knowing the number of infected patients and patients under drug treatment.
From Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast