Mad Rush For Elmina Gold

There are reports of a major discovery of gold at the Elmina beach.

Reports say scores of residents are scrambling for the so-called discovery while some are carting away sea sand to their homes to protect their expected booty.

Hundreds of people drawn from other regions across the country have trooped to Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region to engage in illegal gold mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The people, between the ages of 10 and 50, according to DAILY GUIDE information, started their operations about a week ago when they discovered that the beach around the castle and Ayisa, near the CG Elmina Cold store, which was established to serve as a sardine processing factory, abounded in gold.

Sources revealed that the gold discovery was made when some galamsey operators who had come for a funeral in the area went to the castle and spotted that the sand around the castle had glitter in it.

Other sources hinted that the deposits could probably come from the dredging of the Benya Lagoon which was deposited there when the lagoon was dredged about four years ago.

DAILY GUIDE also gathered that Dredging International, the company that dredged the lagoon, kept a section of the workers from entering a particular area which they now suspected might have contained the gold.

When DAILY GUIDE visited the place, persons from other mining areas in the country were busily washing the sand for gold.

The paper also spotted some gold dealers from Tarkwa, Prestea and other mining communities who had parked their cars to purchase gold from the galamsey operators.

DAILY GUIDE further gathered that the number of operators increased in the night as they used lantern and torch-light in search of gold.

This reporter also observed that fishermen had abandoned their fishing activities to join in the search for gold since they claimed the fishing business was collapsing gradually due to the ban on light fishing.

The operators threatened to clash with the police if they made any attempt to stop them from doing their lucrative business.

Some fishermen have virtually abandoned their canoes and spend the night, with their wives and children on the beach, digging and washing sand in expectation.

“We are not going to sleep,” a fisherman told a Joy FM reporter.

One of the operators who spoke to DAILY GUIDE on anonymity claimed they made close to GH¢15 million a day.

He further added that he sometimes took the gold to the Western Region to sell as other buyers also trooped to the area to buy them.

In an interview with the Omanhene of Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, he cautioned the operators to put a stop to their activities since it was destroying the area.

He lamented that his summon for the operators to meet him at his palace to find out who gave them the permission to do so did not yield any result.

He therefore asked them to cease operations as soon as possible or face the consequences.

When contacted, the regional director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Owusu Sekyere, said he only had the information on Tuesday morning that illegal mining was going on at Elmina and sent some officers to go and investigate the issue.

Mr Sekyere said the officers had not reported at the office and could not comment on the issue as at the time of filing this report.

He added that the EPA was working in collaboration with many organisations such as the Minerals Commission and the district assemblies, so they could not comment on the issue until they got in touch with stakeholders.

From: Desmond K Dapaah, Elmina

Galamsey Operators To Build Kotokuraba Market – Says NPP

Gafaro Seidu

A member of the Communication team of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Cape Coast Constituency, Gafaro Seidu has alleged that the contentious Cape Coast Kotokuraba Market would be built by Chinese 'galamsey' operators.

According to him, the Chinese were among 'galamsey' operators who were arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities in the country.

He claimed the Chinese government lobbied the Ghana Government to build the Kotokuraba Market in order to pardon the operators who were engaged in illegal activities.

Mr Seidu challenged President Mahama to come out with the true identity of the company and the Chinese who were introduced to the people of Cape Coast during the Fetu Afahye celebration last Saturday.

He disclosed this at a press conference on Friday to register their displeasure at the diabolic tactics adopted by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to deceive the people of Cape Coast.

Addressing the press, Mr. Seidu observed that Cape Coasters would not vote for the corrupt NDC government and its Members of Parliament (MP) such as Ebow Barton Odro, MP for Cape Coast to continue the deceit.

According to him, the NDC administration had failed to fulfill its promises, as the late President John Evans Atta Mills pledged to build the Kotokuraba Market and Cape Coast Stadium during the 2011 Action Year.

He therefore charged President Mahama to produce documents and cost involved in the construction of the two projects.

'The constitution did not say President Mahama should travel for 'Thank You' tour but to administer the nation. This tour should have been done by his Vice President and not him.'

'He should have been accompanied by a member from the opposition, wife of the late president and some family members on the tour to other nations but what are we seeing? This is a total waste of our resources,' he stated.

He called on leaders of the Christian Council to encourage the Electoral Commission (EC) not to create the additional 45 constituencies since the move would create mayhem.

On his part, the spokesperson for concerned party activists, a pressure group of the NPP in Cape Coast, Papa Damtse Amoah said they had given the MP of the area a two-week ultimatum to abandon the Cape Coast parliamentary election due to his alleged involvement in the Woyomegate scandal.

He noted that lawyer Oduro is the worse MP the area has ever had since 1992, adding that he had brought shame and poverty to the area.

He added that the former MP for the area, Christine Churcher championed the development of the area and supported small-scale businesses through government interventions.

Once you mention the MP's name, people reply back with judgment debt, he claimed.

From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Unite For Victory 2012 – Jake

NPP National Chairman- Jake O. Lamptey

NATIONAL CHAIRMAN of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey has appealed to regional and constituency executives of the party in the Central region to set aside their differences to allow the party win the December 7 general elections.

He said due to the conflict, disunity and numerous factions that emerged within the party during the run-up to the 2008 elections, the party lost 11 out of a total of 19 parliamentary seats in the region.

The national chairman disclosed this on Monday when he visited the region to interact with NPP constituency and regional regarding measures they had undertaken to ensure a first round victory for the party.

'If it had not been for the misunderstanding and certain conflicts that existed in the constituency and among some regional executives, the NPP would have won the 2008 general elections. But because we were our own enemies, we lost major seats to our opponents. This is unfortunate,' he told them.

'The NPP in 2008 needed more votes from the Central region because most of our governmental policies benefited and transformed the region. Therefore why should we have lost the seats? We need to unite as one family and work hard to bring NPP back to power in 2013,' he added.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey noted that although the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) used their diabolic tactics to describe the NPP as the most corrupt government in the country, Ghanaians had now realized which government was most corrupt in its administration.

He therefore charged the executives to map out strategies to change the perception of the electorate and disseminate the party's 2012 campaign message of providing free senior high school education to all Ghanaian children.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey was accompanied by NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John as well as some national executives.

For his part, Sir John said if the NPP can win the elections; it would depend on the outcome from the Central regional since the region was the route to the party's victory on its 2012 agenda.

He revealed that the NPP lost a considerable number of the votes from the region which gave it a massive victory in 2000 due to the loss of confidence voters had in the party executives.

The general secretary consequently urged the executives to forgive one another and fight for the party's victory since Ghanaians had now realized that the NPP was the only party that could save Ghana and transform their lives.

'If we do not work hard for the party to recapture power, Ghanaians will never forgive us. Everywhere you go you hear people are now yeaning for the NPP to come back. Therefore we need to bury our differences,' he said.

From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Respect Patients – Nurses Told

Madam Cecilia Mensah addressing the graduants

PRINCIPAL OF the Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery Training College (CCNTC), Cecilia Mensah has expressed worry over how some nurses in the country insulted and disrespected patients that visit various health care facilities.

She noted that their insolent attitude had contributed to the deaths of many patients and in her view, this had gradually tarnished the reputation of the nursing and midwifery profession.

Mrs. Mensah was speaking at a graduation and home coming ceremony in Cape Coast for student nurses who completed their certification programme at the CCNTC.

The occasion themed “The role of nurses and midwives in the promotion of quality health care in Ghana in the 21^st Century,”   formed part of the college’s silver jubilee anniversary.

The principal noted that although trained nurses were from diverse backgrounds, they tended to forget the oath they had sworn to render the best health care to patients no matter where they may find themselves.

“This is not what the founder of nursing did. She had time and patience to visit and serve all her patients. We need to emulate such behavior to recuperate the good lost image,” she said.

Mrs. Mensah further appealed to government and healthcare stakeholders to help the school expand in order to enroll more students.

She revealed that due to the lack of accommodation and unavailability of certain facilities to train students, the school now operated at two separate campuses, a situation she said had continuously increased their expenditure.

Addressing the gathering, a retired Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Sarah Nyampong said the practice of nursing and midwifery across the globe had undergone a drastic paradigm shift from using outmoded physical strategies of caring for the sick to the use of modern technology.

According to her, the 21^st century required nurses to embark on serious and thorough research to broaden their knowledge.

“Now that you have internet facilities at your work places, phones and homes, you need to deepen your knowledge by looking out for nursing books to increase your talent and know the new methods used in treating diseases at faster rates,” she said.

She noted that because nursing and midwifery constituted the largest work force in the health sector, there was the need for government to equip various health training colleges with sophisticated material to intensify teaching and learning in these areas.

The Central Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Samuel Quashie also called on government to support nursing training colleges with e-learning and exchange programs with foreign health institutions in order to increase the provision of quality health care.

 From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Rickets Wins Oguaa South NDC Primary

Kweku Ricket with Microphone

Kweku Rickets Hagan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of World Trade Center in Accra, has won the bid to contest for the Cape Coast South parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Cape Coast South Constituency is yet to be approved by Ghana's Parliament, when it passes the Constitutional Instrument (CI 73).

The 49-year-old, who competed against the Cape Cost Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Anthony Agyir Aikins, polled 230 votes, as against Aikins' 58 votes, out of 288 total valid votes.

Addressing the teeming crowd after the declaration, Mr. Rickets thanked the delegates for their support and urged everyone to rally behind him to win the seat for the NDC.

According to him, this was the time for the party to unite and develop strategies to send the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the bush.

He therefore promised to defend the party's constituency and asked the electorate in Cape Coast South Constituency to vote for him and the party.

On his part, the Cape Coast MCE declared his full support to Mr Hagan and promised to make resources available for him to win the seat.

At Awutu Senya East Constituency, the District Chief Executive, Adams Nuhu, beat Baba Lamin who was previously with then President John Mahama's office.

Mr. Nuhu polled 88 votes to overpower Baaba Lamin who had 52 votes.
From Desmond K. Dapaah, Cape Coast

Economy Is In Mess – Nduom

Dr. Nduom-- PPP founder

The presidential hopeful and founder of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has emphatically stated that the deteriorating economy of the country could only be salvaged if Ghanaians give the PPP the mandate.

He noted that the country, which has abundant natural resources, is currently in dilemma, adding that Ghana would have a better economy if the necessary measures are put in place.

He attributed Ghana's developmental problems to ignorance, selfishness, partiality and greed on the part of some leaders who consider their selfish interests, a situation he said has led the nation to under-development.

Dr. Nduom disclosed this at Apam in the Gomoa West District of Central Region during a nationwide tour of the Central region as part of his campaign.

Addressing the gathering at Apam, the Presidential hopeful hinted that PPP will focus on four thematic areas aimed at increasing the standard of living of Ghanaians.

According to him, the party will introduce a free educational policy from the kindergarten to the Senior High School (SHS) level.

He expressed worry about the poor educational system in the country after 55 years of independence, adding 'some pupils of school-going age cannot have access to free and quality education in this country but the PPP has a better policy to help Ghanaians realize their dreams.

Dr. Nduom observed that the fishing industry has contributed massively to the growth of the Ghanaian economy and needs effective remedy to prevent it from collapsing.

Dr. Nduom, who born and bred in a fishing community, indicated that with the provision of affordable outboard motors, financial assistance and other fishing equipment, the fishing industry will be revived.

'I am from a coastal community, I schooled and have lived most of my life there, I know and understand the intricacies in the fishing industry, therefore I will revive the industry when you vote PPP into power,' he said.

From Desmond K. Dapaah, Apam

KEEA MP Chased Away

Dr, J.S Annan -- K.E.E.A MP

Drama unfolded at Elmina-Zongo on Friday when the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency in the Central Region, Dr. Joseph S. Annan, who went to the area to present roofing sheets to some constituency members was chased out.

The unforeseen action, according to DAILY GUIDE information, happened in the evening when the MP went to the area in fulfillment of a promise he made one Summah to provide the people with roofing sheets to roof a deteriorated shed.

An eyewitness who spoke to DAILY GUIDE on condition of anonymity said the MP arrived at the place around 4:00 p.m. in his green Toyota Land Cruiser.

The source hinted that the MP has been warned not to step in the Zongo community to campaign.
According to the source, immediately the MP alighted from his car, one Baba Karime from a well-known National Democratic Congress (NDC) house in the area came out and begun insulting the MP, while other family members joined, hooting at him.

He added that the MP, sensing danger from the massive crowd which approached him from behind, quickly ordered his boys to move from the area to save their lives.

DAILY GUIDE could state on authority that the people hooted at the MP for almost 20 minutes.
DAILY GUIDE further gathered that this was the third time Dr. Annan, who is the deputy minister of Trade and Industry, had been shamed and hooted at in the area since he assumed office.

Information had it that NDC members in the area claimed to have lost confidence in the MP due to his awful relationship with them.

DAILY GUIDE investigations have revealed the irate NDC members who hooted at the MP belonged to the faction of Dr. Ato Quashie, a former MP in the area.

Dr. Quashie was vigorously preparing to contest the KEEA seat independently since he felt he was cheated in the recent primary in which Dr. Annan emerged winner.

DAILY GUIDE investigations had it that posters and bill boards of Dr. Quashie were ready and would soon come out.
 From: Desmond K. Dapaah, Elmina