A CROSS-SECTION of Ghanaians yesterday turned out at the ‘Citadel House’, the residence of the Founder and Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Dan Lartey, to mourn the passing away of the elder politician.
The businessman and politician passed away in his sleep at the home he had named ‘Citadel House’ at the age of 83, leaving behind an 87-year-old wife and eight children, comprising five men and three women.
Although some people were wailing at the time the Daily Graphic visited the residence at Kaneshie First Light, the mood of the immediate family was, however, not that of sorrow.
In an interview, the deceased’s eldest son, Mr Henry Lartey, said in spite of some adversities, his late father lived a fulfilled life, for which reason the family would remain grateful to God and celebrate his life.
A former publisher and labour unionist, Dan Lartey's name became a household one following his 2004 mantra of “domestication”, the political philosophy of growing Ghana from Ghana, rather than depending on foreign aid and investments.
His political career started in 1969 when he contested the Gomoa East Constituency seat on the ticket of the National Alliance of Liberals (NAL) in the parliamentary election of that year.
In 1972, he was appointed a special adviser to General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong’s National Redemption Council (NRC) government.
In 1978, he represented Gomoa-Ewutu-Effutu at the Constituent Assembly in the writing of the Third Republican Constitution.
Mr Lartey was a founder member of the People's National Party (PNP) in 1979 and an aspiring presidential candidate of the National Independence Party (NIP) in 1992 and lost to Mr Kwabena Darko.
With signs of old age and its attendant ill health, Mr Dan Lartey returned to Ghana on November 29, 2009 after a six-month visit to the United States of America (USA), where he received medical treatment, but he passed away last Monday, December 28.
Christened Daniel Augustus Lartey, the 2000 and 2004 presidential candidate of the GCPP was born on August 1, 1926 at Winneba in the Central Region.
After his elementary education in Ghana, he proceeded to the UK, where he obtained a diploma at the London Chamber of Commerce and Sloan's Shorthand Certificate of Proficiency. He also obtained a diploma in commerce and industry from the London School of Economics in 1956.
From 1944 to 1958, Mr Lartey worked with the then United Africa Company (UAC), where he rose to senior management status and was posted to its headquarters at the Unilever House in London.
Mr Lartey established a number of businesses, including Lartey & Lartey Books and Stationery, which later became the nucleus of Ghana Book Supply, Citadel Printing Press and the Federal Stores of Nigeria.
According to his son, Henry, the late Mr Lartey established five newspapers — the Citadel Daily, African World, Citadel Sports, The Guardian and The Guardian Sports.
He was said to have suffered under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), during which his printing press was closed for about a year.
When he realised that he could not revamp the press house, the late Mr Lartey leased a greater part of the structure to individual enterprises and kept some of the rooms as his political party office.
Later in life, he became the Odikro of Gomoa Lome in the Central Region but had to vacate the stool when he decided to engage in active political party activities in 1992.
When the ban on party politics was lifted in Ghana, private newspapers such as The Vanguard, edited by Mr Osbert Lartey, The Experience, with Mr Stanley Solomon as the Editor, and The Christian Chronicle, which was edited by the late Mr George Naykene, were all housed within the Citadel House.
Some individuals who often visited Mr Dan Lartey’s Citadel House in the early 1990s were Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Mr Joe Baidoo Ansah, Mr Akoto Ampaw, Dr Sekou Nkrumah, Mr Ali Masmadi Jehu-Appiah, among others.
Mr Lartey, a staunch vestige of Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Nkrumahist adherent, ran for national president on the ticket of the GCPP on two occasions since breaking away to form the party as a splinter of the CPP.
After the 2000 and 2004 elections, he was only stopped from having a third bite at the 2008 presidential race when the Electoral Commission (EC) disqualified him for submitting his nomination papers late.
He had just managed to beat an October 17, 2008 deadline for the exercise and paid the stipulated GH¢5,000 nomination fee, only to be told of errors in his documents. The documents and the money were returned to him, but that was too late to beat the deadline.
Although he had been on his sick bed, Mr Lartey managed to grant an interview to the Daily Graphic which was published on December 19 and 22, this year.
In the first story, he asked Ghanaians to be adequately educated on the principles and functions of electronic voting if the country decided to use it for the 2012 elections.
Mr Lartey, who had returned from a trip abroad, said much as his party was in support of such an innovation, there was the need for care to be taken to prevent any individual or group of persons from taking undue advantage of the move.
In the other story, the late Mr Lartey urged the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to sit up and take up its constitutional duties effectively in order not to allow non-governmental institutions to take the shine out of it.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Health Insurance registers 13,840,198 people
THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) had registered 13,840,198 Ghanaian residents under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by the end of November, 2009.
Officials of the NHIA, regulators of the NHIS say the figure represents about 67 per cent of the population of Ghana.
Information made available by the officials indicated that out of the 13.8 million persons who had registered as of November 2009, about 12,846,526 of them, representing 87.8 per cent had been issued with identification (ID) cards which enabled them access healthcare facilities without paying at the delivery point.
Taking into consideration the objective for the establishment of the scheme under Act 650 of 2003 by the Government of Ghana, which is to provide basic healthcare services to persons resident in the country through mutual and private health insurance schemes, that figure could be considered a positive achievement.
Funds for the scheme are from subscribers’ premiums which range from GH¢7.20p to GH¢48, as well as 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy; 2. 5 per cent Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) deductions from the formal sector; funds from the Government of Ghana to be allocated by Parliament, as well as returns from investment made by the NHIA.
To fulfil its manifesto promise to the people of Ghana, the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is planning to initiate a one-time-payment policy to ensure an affordable health service for the people.
The policy, which is expected to be implemented by the end of next year, is to grant Ghanaians equal access to quality healthcare.
At a staff durbar held on December 22, 2009, the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, said recent auditing conducted within the various district schemes had revealed that about 20 per cent of funds meant for claims and re-insurance have been wrongly used for administrative purposes.
That, according to the authority, could partly be blamed for some of the problems associated with the non-payment of claims to service providers under the NHIS; an issue which had remained a major challenge to service providers under the scheme.
He hinted the NHIA would next year put in place measures to further eliminate leaks which had previously been going on within the schemes, adding that any scheme manager who misapplied money meant for claims would be sanctioned.
The CEO announced a number of changes and transfers at the NHIA head office, as well as regional offices; a move, he explained, was meant to strengthen the various units and directorates.
On November 5, 2009, a month-long refresher course for personnel of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in information, communication technology (ICT) ended in Accra.
The programme, which was organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), was to provide the necessary capacity for claim managers as well as officials working within the management information system (MIS) units in the various schemes to ensure improvement on performance.
The object of the programme, according to the CEO of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, was to conduct the personnel through new ICT modules in order to sharpen their brains for the work ahead.
Mr Mensah said some of the major challenges that had affected implementation of the NHIS since its inception in 2004 were claims management and registration of members. He, however, expressed the hope that with the training being effected, those officers should be able to effect significant changes in their areas of operation.
Being in its fifth year of implementation, the managers of the NHIS are scrutinising the operations of the scheme to determine whether some areas in the Act which established it should be reviewed.
In that direction, the NHIA has engaged the services of a consulting firm, Development and Law, to look into Act 650 of 2003.
On Wednesday, October 8, 2009 the NHIA organised a two-day seminar for the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to consider how best to review portions of the law to enable the scheme offer better services to Ghanaians.
The seminar became necessary after the consultants had identified 59 legal, as well as 108 implementation and operational challenges in the legislative instrument governing the NHIS.
The findings, according to officials of the NHIA, had necessitated the authority to strengthen its call for amendments to Act 650 of 2003 which has the objective of providing affordable and quality healthcare to all residents of Ghana.
In his presentation, Dr Raymond A. Atuguba of Law and Development Associates said after five years of implementation of the scheme under Act 650, some issues had come up which made it necessary for the law to be reviewed to ensure smooth operation.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the opening of the seminar, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Alhaji Dr Mustapha Ahmed said the review of the law had become more significant now that the government was planning to introduce one-off-time premium under the NHIS.
Officials of the NHIA, regulators of the NHIS say the figure represents about 67 per cent of the population of Ghana.
Information made available by the officials indicated that out of the 13.8 million persons who had registered as of November 2009, about 12,846,526 of them, representing 87.8 per cent had been issued with identification (ID) cards which enabled them access healthcare facilities without paying at the delivery point.
Taking into consideration the objective for the establishment of the scheme under Act 650 of 2003 by the Government of Ghana, which is to provide basic healthcare services to persons resident in the country through mutual and private health insurance schemes, that figure could be considered a positive achievement.
Funds for the scheme are from subscribers’ premiums which range from GH¢7.20p to GH¢48, as well as 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy; 2. 5 per cent Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) deductions from the formal sector; funds from the Government of Ghana to be allocated by Parliament, as well as returns from investment made by the NHIA.
To fulfil its manifesto promise to the people of Ghana, the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is planning to initiate a one-time-payment policy to ensure an affordable health service for the people.
The policy, which is expected to be implemented by the end of next year, is to grant Ghanaians equal access to quality healthcare.
At a staff durbar held on December 22, 2009, the Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, said recent auditing conducted within the various district schemes had revealed that about 20 per cent of funds meant for claims and re-insurance have been wrongly used for administrative purposes.
That, according to the authority, could partly be blamed for some of the problems associated with the non-payment of claims to service providers under the NHIS; an issue which had remained a major challenge to service providers under the scheme.
He hinted the NHIA would next year put in place measures to further eliminate leaks which had previously been going on within the schemes, adding that any scheme manager who misapplied money meant for claims would be sanctioned.
The CEO announced a number of changes and transfers at the NHIA head office, as well as regional offices; a move, he explained, was meant to strengthen the various units and directorates.
On November 5, 2009, a month-long refresher course for personnel of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in information, communication technology (ICT) ended in Accra.
The programme, which was organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), was to provide the necessary capacity for claim managers as well as officials working within the management information system (MIS) units in the various schemes to ensure improvement on performance.
The object of the programme, according to the CEO of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, was to conduct the personnel through new ICT modules in order to sharpen their brains for the work ahead.
Mr Mensah said some of the major challenges that had affected implementation of the NHIS since its inception in 2004 were claims management and registration of members. He, however, expressed the hope that with the training being effected, those officers should be able to effect significant changes in their areas of operation.
Being in its fifth year of implementation, the managers of the NHIS are scrutinising the operations of the scheme to determine whether some areas in the Act which established it should be reviewed.
In that direction, the NHIA has engaged the services of a consulting firm, Development and Law, to look into Act 650 of 2003.
On Wednesday, October 8, 2009 the NHIA organised a two-day seminar for the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to consider how best to review portions of the law to enable the scheme offer better services to Ghanaians.
The seminar became necessary after the consultants had identified 59 legal, as well as 108 implementation and operational challenges in the legislative instrument governing the NHIS.
The findings, according to officials of the NHIA, had necessitated the authority to strengthen its call for amendments to Act 650 of 2003 which has the objective of providing affordable and quality healthcare to all residents of Ghana.
In his presentation, Dr Raymond A. Atuguba of Law and Development Associates said after five years of implementation of the scheme under Act 650, some issues had come up which made it necessary for the law to be reviewed to ensure smooth operation.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the opening of the seminar, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Alhaji Dr Mustapha Ahmed said the review of the law had become more significant now that the government was planning to introduce one-off-time premium under the NHIS.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Darkuman Pentecost ends Convention
THE newly constituted Darkuman District of the Church of Pentecost (COP) last Sunday ended a four-day Christmas Convention at the P & T park at Darkuman.
The church used the occasion to honour some officers within the various assemblies as well as the Darkuman District office of the COP who have helped in diverse ways and at various stages in the development of the church.
Preaching the sermon, the District Pastor, Reverend Matthew Larbi-Wettey, urged Christians to allow themselves to be filled with the spirit of the Lord to effect changes in society.
He called on each Christian to be what he termed “a campaign manager” for Christ and win souls for the kingdom of God.
Speaking on the theme “The Causes and Effects of the Good News of Great Joy”, Rev. Larbi-Wettey said Christians should accept the message of the birth of Jesus with all their hearts and spread it to rest of the world.
He said when one was filled with the Holy Spirit just like the shepherds who received the news of Jesus were, one should be able to do wonders for the benefit of society.
He said with the spirit, the sick person turned into a healer; the accursed became blessed and an the low in society began to do wonders.
As the world prepares to enter a new year, Rev. Larbi-Wettey asked for peace for the nation and advised Ghanaians to allow themselves to be filled with the good news of Jesus.
Using the examples of Saul, the king of Israel and the other Saul who later became Paul, the Apostle of Christ, the District Pastor said when a person was touched with the holy spirit he become a changed person in all things.
The church used the occasion to honour some officers within the various assemblies as well as the Darkuman District office of the COP who have helped in diverse ways and at various stages in the development of the church.
Preaching the sermon, the District Pastor, Reverend Matthew Larbi-Wettey, urged Christians to allow themselves to be filled with the spirit of the Lord to effect changes in society.
He called on each Christian to be what he termed “a campaign manager” for Christ and win souls for the kingdom of God.
Speaking on the theme “The Causes and Effects of the Good News of Great Joy”, Rev. Larbi-Wettey said Christians should accept the message of the birth of Jesus with all their hearts and spread it to rest of the world.
He said when one was filled with the Holy Spirit just like the shepherds who received the news of Jesus were, one should be able to do wonders for the benefit of society.
He said with the spirit, the sick person turned into a healer; the accursed became blessed and an the low in society began to do wonders.
As the world prepares to enter a new year, Rev. Larbi-Wettey asked for peace for the nation and advised Ghanaians to allow themselves to be filled with the good news of Jesus.
Using the examples of Saul, the king of Israel and the other Saul who later became Paul, the Apostle of Christ, the District Pastor said when a person was touched with the holy spirit he become a changed person in all things.
Monday, December 28, 2009
LET'S FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER- Ghanaians urged (Front Page)
By Graphic Reporters
CHRISTIANS throughout the country marked the annual observance of Christmas with church services and conventions, during which they expressed gratitude to God and prayed for the peace and stability of the nation in the coming year.
Carols nights, crusades and vigils were also held to usher in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. And the common message in most churches was need for peace, love and goodwill among men as well as the call for forgiveness and compassion.
At the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono in Accra, the Head Pastor, Rev J. N. N. Ocquaye, called on Ghanaians to pray for leaders who had the fear of God to lead the country, reports Emmanuel Amoako.
He said just as Jesus came to promote peace, justice and goodwill among men, it behoved leaders to ensure equity, fair play and justice in all spheres of our national life.
Rev Ocquaye also urged Ghanaians to forgive anyone who had wronged them in the course of the year.
“If God, out of love, gave us His only begotten Son to wipe away our sins and reconcile man onto Himself, why must we allow the wrongs of others to block our blessings?” he asked.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, advised Ghanaians not to lose hope in the midst of current global economic difficulties, reports Augustina Tawiah.
Rather, he said, they should have faith in the Lord that He would strengthen them to overcome the current difficulties.
In an interview yesterday after delivering a sermon at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church in the Kaneshie North Circuit, the Most Rev Prof Asante explained that "the message of Christmas is about hope to the hopeless because Jesus became flesh in order to redeem us. We may think that things are hopeless but because God is part of us, we have hope that He will redeem us".
He added that just as Mary conceived Jesus, who became the Saviour of the world, Ghanaians should conceive ideas that would contribute to the growth of the nation.
To the leaders of the nation, he urged that the birth of Christ should become an empowerment for them to spend and be spent for the nation.
"May Jesus enter their lives so that they will contribute to the well-being of the nation," he noted.
Earlier in his sermon on the theme, "How to grow with wisdom and favour in God", the Most Rev Prof Asante said those who lived in the Lord grew in wisdom and strength.
The Superintendent Minister of the Kaneshie North Circuit of the Methodist Church, the Very Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea, in his message, urged Ghanaians to work towards peace and make sure that they maintained discipline at their various workplaces.
The church used the occasion to honour some members who had distinguished themselves in the work of the Lord.
At Sowutuom, members of the newly created Sowutuom District of the Church of Pentecost organised a Christmas convention on the theme, “The Son of the Living God Is Born”, reports Lucy Adoma Yeboah.
Preaching at the convention, the Dansoman Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Prophet Osei Amaniampong, said the nation needed the favour of the Lord to guide individuals, families, the church and the country to achieve positive results.
He advised Ghanaians not to despair because of the current global economic situation but that they should continue to depend on the Lord for His blessings.
He prayed to God to smile at Ghana in the coming year.
The General Overseer of the Ablaze Chapel International, Apostle Daniel Clad, said, “As a nation, we need to understand that what will lead to our progress is unity,” reports Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho.
Delivering a sermon on the last Sunday of 2009, Apostle Clad said Christmas represented the demonstration of God’s love for all mankind and underscored the need for people to show love and compassion to their fellow Christians and their neighbours.
“Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works,” he said, and called on people to stop the pull-him-down attitude.
Preaching at the Christian Praise International Centre (CPIC) at Pig Farm in Accra to commemorate Christmas, the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the church, Rev Dr Augustine Annor-Yeboah, said Jesus Christ came to restore man from sin to salvation, reports Kofi Yeboah.
He said in order to accept Jesus Christ and enjoy salvation, there was the need for man not to surrender to the will of Satan, such as unbelief and self-centredness.
“We are not complete in ourselves; our sufficiency is of God,” he remarked.
The Pastor in charge of the Global Evangelical Church branch at Kotobaabi in Accra, Rev Francis F.K. Abotchi, urged Christians to lead the crusade against climate change, reports Seth J. Bokpe.
“The Copenhagen conference would have been unnecessary if we had all played our roles well in conserving the environment God gave us,” he stated.
In a sermon entitled, “The Good News”, Rev Abotchi said it was regrettable that some Christians were part of those releasing toxic waste and other materials that posed a threat to the environment and generations yet unborn.
The birth of Christ signified love, reconciliation, peace and unity given to mankind by God, the Assistant Parish Priest of the All Saints Anglican Church, Rev Fr Raymond Otchwemah, said in a sermon to mark the occasion, reports Matilda Attram.
He said Christmas called for sharing, although most people linked it with merrymaking in their own ways.
“Beloved Christians, Christmas is a time for reconciliation; it’s the time to forgive, just as our God forgives our trespasses; it’s the time to let go and show love. This is the time to sacrifice the little we have and share with others what we have,” he stated.
The Head Pastor of Faith Cathedral Church, Rev Ebenezer Okoe Aryee, said for one to attain his goals in the coming year and be lifted to higher levels, there was the need to acknowledge the existence of God in one's life, Henrietta Brocke reports.
"In this race, one needs to run as fast as a deer and never hesitate to trust in his God when confronted with problems,” he said.
Rev Aryee advised the congregation never to cease praying because prayer was the key to success, adding that for success to prevail, it was relevant for the congregation to unite with each other.
From Lapaz, Gloria Kyeremeh reports that the Head Pastor of the Abeka-Lapaz Community Chapel of the International Central Gospel Church, Rev Emmanuel Nene Dugbatey, said members should apply the law of recognition in their lives.
He said it was very important for Christians to acknowledge the existence and power of God over their lives, since humans were just mortal beings and had no authority over their lives.
Rev Dugbatey advised members to show gratitude at all times and to everybody, saying it was only by doing that would Christians grow in the Lord.
His sermon was on the theme, “Love”, based on Colossians 3: 12-17.
From Tamale, Vincent Amenuveve reports that Christians in the Tamale metropolis marked Christmas with church activities, while revellers celebrated the occasion with social events.
Churches in the metropolis, including the OLA Cathedral, the Bethel Chapel of the Methodist Church, Ghana, among others, were filled to capacity by Christians as they held church services, including vigils and carols nights.
The Co-ordinator of the Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Tamale Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Reverend Father Boniface Maasoayele, in a message, urged both Christians and non-Christians to “take away their worried faces and shut off the darkness of worries that could prevent people from approaching them”.
He entreated residents of the metropolis to make peace and avoid hatred, saying Jesus Christ came into the world to ensure that people opened their hearts to their fellow brothers and sisters.
He indicated that there was a reason for Christ to have chosen to come into the world in a humble manner which many did not expect because He was supposed to be “the King of Kings”.
He explained that by coming into the world in that manner, Jesus Christ wanted to make Himself approachable to all mankind, adding that in the same manner, He wanted Christians to make themselves approachable.
In his message, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, stated that just as the wise men in the Bible presented “Baby Jesus with gold, incense and myrrh, so must Ghanaians present Mother Ghana with hard work, devotion and dedication”.
He urged Christians and Ghanaians to pray for peace, particularly in the north, saying by that “we shall continue to pride our nation as the source of peace in the sub-region”.
Benjamin Xornam Glover reports from Bolgatanga that the Head Pastor of the Kingdom Life Ministry Church, Rev Joseph Anyindana, called for peace and tolerance among the various political parties and asked politicians to offer constructive criticism to meet the basic needs of society.
“When this is done religiously and without malice, Ghanaians will be happier and a new and better Ghana will be built,” he said.
Rev Anyindana said the time had come for “politicians in Ghana to stop criticising each other unwisely, unfriendly and unproductively. They must also stop sabotaging each other’s efforts and rather appreciate and complement each other”.
At the Bolgatanga Peniel Presbyterian Congregation, the Resident Minister, Rev Fie Hyeamang, said God gave His only begotten Son to the world to dwell among men so that through Him people would turn their backs on sin and turn to God for salvation.
He advised the congregation to use Christmas to learn how to give, especially to the vulnerable in society, as Christ Himself was a gift from God to mankind.
In Kumasi, hundreds of worshippers converged on the St Cyprian’s Anglican Cathedral to mark the occasion with a church service, reports Kwame Asare Boadu from Kumasi.
In his Christmas message, the Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, the Rt Rev Dr Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, said Christmas reminded Christians to pursue peace, love, unity, goodwill and reconciliation for national development.
He said Ghanaians now needed peace and unity to build democratic governance, adding that Christians had a big role to play in making that a reality.
He quoted Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone,” and urged politicians to speak words devoid of abuse and rather join the people together for national development.
He urged Ghanaians to put their trust in God and allow Him to lead the nation to progress.
The Bishop said 2009 saw the nation facing some challenges but he was confident that with God, things would improve in the coming year.
At the St Peter’s Catholic Church at Asuoyeboah in Kumasi, Rev Fr Peter Osei Amoateng, who preached the sermon, said the birth of Christ gave Christians the authority to be children of God so there was the need for them to lead dignified lifestyles, reports George Ernest Asare.
“Any negative attitude such as rancour, back-biting, bribery and corruption, envy, among others, dishonoured the authority bestowed on you as Children of God, ” he noted.
He, therefore, charged Christians leading lifestyles that undermined the authority bestowed on them as children of God to change their attitudes as they entered the new year.
He said the three stars that led the Wise men to the birthplace of Jesus Christ also signified the victory of light over darkness and, therefore, charged Christians to worship God in truth, unity and holiness.
He said by worshipping God in truth, holiness and unity, Christians would be able to entice others to emulate their shining examples at their workplaces, their immediate environments and communities to enhance peace on earth.
Rev Fr Amoateng said leading exemplary lifestyles as Christians was also the best way to entice others who did not believe in their faith to accept Christ as their saviour.
While church services were underway, revellers used the occasion to organise social events such as parties, street jams and picnics, while families used it for social gatherings.
The various night-clubs and entertainment centres were also filled with holiday makers who were entertained with a variety of music from ace musicians in the country.
CHRISTIANS throughout the country marked the annual observance of Christmas with church services and conventions, during which they expressed gratitude to God and prayed for the peace and stability of the nation in the coming year.
Carols nights, crusades and vigils were also held to usher in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. And the common message in most churches was need for peace, love and goodwill among men as well as the call for forgiveness and compassion.
At the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono in Accra, the Head Pastor, Rev J. N. N. Ocquaye, called on Ghanaians to pray for leaders who had the fear of God to lead the country, reports Emmanuel Amoako.
He said just as Jesus came to promote peace, justice and goodwill among men, it behoved leaders to ensure equity, fair play and justice in all spheres of our national life.
Rev Ocquaye also urged Ghanaians to forgive anyone who had wronged them in the course of the year.
“If God, out of love, gave us His only begotten Son to wipe away our sins and reconcile man onto Himself, why must we allow the wrongs of others to block our blessings?” he asked.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, advised Ghanaians not to lose hope in the midst of current global economic difficulties, reports Augustina Tawiah.
Rather, he said, they should have faith in the Lord that He would strengthen them to overcome the current difficulties.
In an interview yesterday after delivering a sermon at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church in the Kaneshie North Circuit, the Most Rev Prof Asante explained that "the message of Christmas is about hope to the hopeless because Jesus became flesh in order to redeem us. We may think that things are hopeless but because God is part of us, we have hope that He will redeem us".
He added that just as Mary conceived Jesus, who became the Saviour of the world, Ghanaians should conceive ideas that would contribute to the growth of the nation.
To the leaders of the nation, he urged that the birth of Christ should become an empowerment for them to spend and be spent for the nation.
"May Jesus enter their lives so that they will contribute to the well-being of the nation," he noted.
Earlier in his sermon on the theme, "How to grow with wisdom and favour in God", the Most Rev Prof Asante said those who lived in the Lord grew in wisdom and strength.
The Superintendent Minister of the Kaneshie North Circuit of the Methodist Church, the Very Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea, in his message, urged Ghanaians to work towards peace and make sure that they maintained discipline at their various workplaces.
The church used the occasion to honour some members who had distinguished themselves in the work of the Lord.
At Sowutuom, members of the newly created Sowutuom District of the Church of Pentecost organised a Christmas convention on the theme, “The Son of the Living God Is Born”, reports Lucy Adoma Yeboah.
Preaching at the convention, the Dansoman Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Prophet Osei Amaniampong, said the nation needed the favour of the Lord to guide individuals, families, the church and the country to achieve positive results.
He advised Ghanaians not to despair because of the current global economic situation but that they should continue to depend on the Lord for His blessings.
He prayed to God to smile at Ghana in the coming year.
The General Overseer of the Ablaze Chapel International, Apostle Daniel Clad, said, “As a nation, we need to understand that what will lead to our progress is unity,” reports Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho.
Delivering a sermon on the last Sunday of 2009, Apostle Clad said Christmas represented the demonstration of God’s love for all mankind and underscored the need for people to show love and compassion to their fellow Christians and their neighbours.
“Let your light so shine before men, so that they may see your good works,” he said, and called on people to stop the pull-him-down attitude.
Preaching at the Christian Praise International Centre (CPIC) at Pig Farm in Accra to commemorate Christmas, the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the church, Rev Dr Augustine Annor-Yeboah, said Jesus Christ came to restore man from sin to salvation, reports Kofi Yeboah.
He said in order to accept Jesus Christ and enjoy salvation, there was the need for man not to surrender to the will of Satan, such as unbelief and self-centredness.
“We are not complete in ourselves; our sufficiency is of God,” he remarked.
The Pastor in charge of the Global Evangelical Church branch at Kotobaabi in Accra, Rev Francis F.K. Abotchi, urged Christians to lead the crusade against climate change, reports Seth J. Bokpe.
“The Copenhagen conference would have been unnecessary if we had all played our roles well in conserving the environment God gave us,” he stated.
In a sermon entitled, “The Good News”, Rev Abotchi said it was regrettable that some Christians were part of those releasing toxic waste and other materials that posed a threat to the environment and generations yet unborn.
The birth of Christ signified love, reconciliation, peace and unity given to mankind by God, the Assistant Parish Priest of the All Saints Anglican Church, Rev Fr Raymond Otchwemah, said in a sermon to mark the occasion, reports Matilda Attram.
He said Christmas called for sharing, although most people linked it with merrymaking in their own ways.
“Beloved Christians, Christmas is a time for reconciliation; it’s the time to forgive, just as our God forgives our trespasses; it’s the time to let go and show love. This is the time to sacrifice the little we have and share with others what we have,” he stated.
The Head Pastor of Faith Cathedral Church, Rev Ebenezer Okoe Aryee, said for one to attain his goals in the coming year and be lifted to higher levels, there was the need to acknowledge the existence of God in one's life, Henrietta Brocke reports.
"In this race, one needs to run as fast as a deer and never hesitate to trust in his God when confronted with problems,” he said.
Rev Aryee advised the congregation never to cease praying because prayer was the key to success, adding that for success to prevail, it was relevant for the congregation to unite with each other.
From Lapaz, Gloria Kyeremeh reports that the Head Pastor of the Abeka-Lapaz Community Chapel of the International Central Gospel Church, Rev Emmanuel Nene Dugbatey, said members should apply the law of recognition in their lives.
He said it was very important for Christians to acknowledge the existence and power of God over their lives, since humans were just mortal beings and had no authority over their lives.
Rev Dugbatey advised members to show gratitude at all times and to everybody, saying it was only by doing that would Christians grow in the Lord.
His sermon was on the theme, “Love”, based on Colossians 3: 12-17.
From Tamale, Vincent Amenuveve reports that Christians in the Tamale metropolis marked Christmas with church activities, while revellers celebrated the occasion with social events.
Churches in the metropolis, including the OLA Cathedral, the Bethel Chapel of the Methodist Church, Ghana, among others, were filled to capacity by Christians as they held church services, including vigils and carols nights.
The Co-ordinator of the Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Tamale Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Reverend Father Boniface Maasoayele, in a message, urged both Christians and non-Christians to “take away their worried faces and shut off the darkness of worries that could prevent people from approaching them”.
He entreated residents of the metropolis to make peace and avoid hatred, saying Jesus Christ came into the world to ensure that people opened their hearts to their fellow brothers and sisters.
He indicated that there was a reason for Christ to have chosen to come into the world in a humble manner which many did not expect because He was supposed to be “the King of Kings”.
He explained that by coming into the world in that manner, Jesus Christ wanted to make Himself approachable to all mankind, adding that in the same manner, He wanted Christians to make themselves approachable.
In his message, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, stated that just as the wise men in the Bible presented “Baby Jesus with gold, incense and myrrh, so must Ghanaians present Mother Ghana with hard work, devotion and dedication”.
He urged Christians and Ghanaians to pray for peace, particularly in the north, saying by that “we shall continue to pride our nation as the source of peace in the sub-region”.
Benjamin Xornam Glover reports from Bolgatanga that the Head Pastor of the Kingdom Life Ministry Church, Rev Joseph Anyindana, called for peace and tolerance among the various political parties and asked politicians to offer constructive criticism to meet the basic needs of society.
“When this is done religiously and without malice, Ghanaians will be happier and a new and better Ghana will be built,” he said.
Rev Anyindana said the time had come for “politicians in Ghana to stop criticising each other unwisely, unfriendly and unproductively. They must also stop sabotaging each other’s efforts and rather appreciate and complement each other”.
At the Bolgatanga Peniel Presbyterian Congregation, the Resident Minister, Rev Fie Hyeamang, said God gave His only begotten Son to the world to dwell among men so that through Him people would turn their backs on sin and turn to God for salvation.
He advised the congregation to use Christmas to learn how to give, especially to the vulnerable in society, as Christ Himself was a gift from God to mankind.
In Kumasi, hundreds of worshippers converged on the St Cyprian’s Anglican Cathedral to mark the occasion with a church service, reports Kwame Asare Boadu from Kumasi.
In his Christmas message, the Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, the Rt Rev Dr Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, said Christmas reminded Christians to pursue peace, love, unity, goodwill and reconciliation for national development.
He said Ghanaians now needed peace and unity to build democratic governance, adding that Christians had a big role to play in making that a reality.
He quoted Colossians 4:6, “Let your conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone,” and urged politicians to speak words devoid of abuse and rather join the people together for national development.
He urged Ghanaians to put their trust in God and allow Him to lead the nation to progress.
The Bishop said 2009 saw the nation facing some challenges but he was confident that with God, things would improve in the coming year.
At the St Peter’s Catholic Church at Asuoyeboah in Kumasi, Rev Fr Peter Osei Amoateng, who preached the sermon, said the birth of Christ gave Christians the authority to be children of God so there was the need for them to lead dignified lifestyles, reports George Ernest Asare.
“Any negative attitude such as rancour, back-biting, bribery and corruption, envy, among others, dishonoured the authority bestowed on you as Children of God, ” he noted.
He, therefore, charged Christians leading lifestyles that undermined the authority bestowed on them as children of God to change their attitudes as they entered the new year.
He said the three stars that led the Wise men to the birthplace of Jesus Christ also signified the victory of light over darkness and, therefore, charged Christians to worship God in truth, unity and holiness.
He said by worshipping God in truth, holiness and unity, Christians would be able to entice others to emulate their shining examples at their workplaces, their immediate environments and communities to enhance peace on earth.
Rev Fr Amoateng said leading exemplary lifestyles as Christians was also the best way to entice others who did not believe in their faith to accept Christ as their saviour.
While church services were underway, revellers used the occasion to organise social events such as parties, street jams and picnics, while families used it for social gatherings.
The various night-clubs and entertainment centres were also filled with holiday makers who were entertained with a variety of music from ace musicians in the country.
Let's uproot ills that hinder development -Rt Revd Frimpong-Manso
Thursday, December 24, 2009
THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has called on Ghanaians to demonstrate a high level of commitment towards uprooting activities that hinder the development of the nation.
He said such activities, including bribery and corruption, dehumanisation and marginalisation of people, political incorrectness and greed, were part of some major practices obstructing the development process.
“Let us, as a nation, rise up and build our walls of fellowship, commonality and fellow-feeling to strengthen our welfare systems. We are to contribute our quota towards the building of the political, social, economic and religious walls of our nation,” he stated.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made this remark at a press conference in Accra to deliver his last Christmas and New Year message as a moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
It was on the theme: “Christ, The True Model of Leadership.
Rev Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to reflect on past years and engage in activities that would encourage the youth to contribute to the development of the nation.
He said Ghanaians could do better in developing the nation, if the needed support was generously rendered to each other in all activities.
He added that the rebuilding process of development was a collective task in which all had special roles to play towards the success of the church and the nation.
Rev Frimpong-Manso provoked Ghanaians to reflect on the leadership roles of their various positions and emulate the example of Christ as a model of leadership, who worked to benefit others.
He pointed out that God blessed his people with a peaceful kingdom which needed to be nurtured and developed by its leaders through His spirit to fulfil their leadership mandate for the good of all.
"The world today is facing many challenges which need leaders who will emerge from humble beginnings and yet allow the spirit of God to use them in performing their roles. Let us therefore reflect on the type of kingdoms we are building as leaders," he said.
He further entreated Ghanaians to remember their responsibilities towards the aged, widows, orphans, the needy and the youth as they celebrated the birth of Christ in order to appreciate the vision of Christ that He came for all to have life.
"Of particular concern to me is the ever-increasing numbers of the aged, widows and orphans, who need our material and spiritual support in this time of our lives. Let us create a better welfare system that will take care of the weak and vulnerable in society," Rev Frimpong-Manso added.
He challenged Christians and the public to pray for peace, justice, integrity and righteous living in the new year as the nation prepared for her District Assembly and Unit Committee elections.
Lucy Adoma Yeboah reports that the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Most Reverend Dr Justice O. Akrofi, in a message, has said that the Christmas and the New Year period is time for reflection and for resolving to commit ourselves to important agenda, adding that “for in it shall we find our peace and security”.
He noted that Ghana had been under the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President John Evans Atta-Mills for about a year and that the excitement of the presidential and parliamentary elections had now given way to reality and sobriety.
“State-building is working at what it takes to have a vibrant and vital nation-state, buoyant economy, good health system, and moral fibre. It is not the task of only the government; it is the task of all of us. Let all of us, no one excluded, commit to working at building a viable, vibrant and vital state,” he stated.
“At this Yuletide, our deepest prayer for this nation is for peace and reconciliation. Ghana is our only home. The painful experiences of Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone should warn us to so behave as not to destroy our nation or dispossess or disinherit anyone,” he added.
For his part, Reverend Derek Amanor, the Resident Pastor of the RoyalHouse Chapel International, wished all Ghanaians God’s blessings, goodwill and peace at homes, at workplaces, among their neighbours and members of the various political parties.
He recalled an earlier message to the church in which he indicated that in the coming year, God was going to favour Ghana with double blessings.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to live in peace with one another and work towards national development.
Rev Amanor observed that just as the angels sang when Christ was born, Christmas meant peace on earth and goodwill to all men and urged Ghanaians to ensure that they lived in peace throughout the coming year.
THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has called on Ghanaians to demonstrate a high level of commitment towards uprooting activities that hinder the development of the nation.
He said such activities, including bribery and corruption, dehumanisation and marginalisation of people, political incorrectness and greed, were part of some major practices obstructing the development process.
“Let us, as a nation, rise up and build our walls of fellowship, commonality and fellow-feeling to strengthen our welfare systems. We are to contribute our quota towards the building of the political, social, economic and religious walls of our nation,” he stated.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made this remark at a press conference in Accra to deliver his last Christmas and New Year message as a moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
It was on the theme: “Christ, The True Model of Leadership.
Rev Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to reflect on past years and engage in activities that would encourage the youth to contribute to the development of the nation.
He said Ghanaians could do better in developing the nation, if the needed support was generously rendered to each other in all activities.
He added that the rebuilding process of development was a collective task in which all had special roles to play towards the success of the church and the nation.
Rev Frimpong-Manso provoked Ghanaians to reflect on the leadership roles of their various positions and emulate the example of Christ as a model of leadership, who worked to benefit others.
He pointed out that God blessed his people with a peaceful kingdom which needed to be nurtured and developed by its leaders through His spirit to fulfil their leadership mandate for the good of all.
"The world today is facing many challenges which need leaders who will emerge from humble beginnings and yet allow the spirit of God to use them in performing their roles. Let us therefore reflect on the type of kingdoms we are building as leaders," he said.
He further entreated Ghanaians to remember their responsibilities towards the aged, widows, orphans, the needy and the youth as they celebrated the birth of Christ in order to appreciate the vision of Christ that He came for all to have life.
"Of particular concern to me is the ever-increasing numbers of the aged, widows and orphans, who need our material and spiritual support in this time of our lives. Let us create a better welfare system that will take care of the weak and vulnerable in society," Rev Frimpong-Manso added.
He challenged Christians and the public to pray for peace, justice, integrity and righteous living in the new year as the nation prepared for her District Assembly and Unit Committee elections.
Lucy Adoma Yeboah reports that the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Most Reverend Dr Justice O. Akrofi, in a message, has said that the Christmas and the New Year period is time for reflection and for resolving to commit ourselves to important agenda, adding that “for in it shall we find our peace and security”.
He noted that Ghana had been under the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President John Evans Atta-Mills for about a year and that the excitement of the presidential and parliamentary elections had now given way to reality and sobriety.
“State-building is working at what it takes to have a vibrant and vital nation-state, buoyant economy, good health system, and moral fibre. It is not the task of only the government; it is the task of all of us. Let all of us, no one excluded, commit to working at building a viable, vibrant and vital state,” he stated.
“At this Yuletide, our deepest prayer for this nation is for peace and reconciliation. Ghana is our only home. The painful experiences of Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone should warn us to so behave as not to destroy our nation or dispossess or disinherit anyone,” he added.
For his part, Reverend Derek Amanor, the Resident Pastor of the RoyalHouse Chapel International, wished all Ghanaians God’s blessings, goodwill and peace at homes, at workplaces, among their neighbours and members of the various political parties.
He recalled an earlier message to the church in which he indicated that in the coming year, God was going to favour Ghana with double blessings.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to live in peace with one another and work towards national development.
Rev Amanor observed that just as the angels sang when Christ was born, Christmas meant peace on earth and goodwill to all men and urged Ghanaians to ensure that they lived in peace throughout the coming year.
More die from liver diseases - Study (The Mirror)
Sat, December 24, 2009
A study conducted in Accra between 1996 and 2002 has shown that out of 22,394 persons who died and passed through autopsies, 1,176 suffered from liver diseases.
The study, conducted by the Dean of School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Edwin Kwame Wiredu, also revealed liver diseases had been rising at the rate of about 0.3 per cent annually in Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address at a day’s symposium sponsored by the University of Ghana Research Fund in Accra last Wednesday, Prof. Wiredu said liver diseases, which include Hepatitis, was a major health problem in the country and must be tackled with all the seriousness they deserved.
Speaking on the topic “Mortality from Liver Diseases in Accra—Autopsies from 1996 to 2002”, he said the study was conducted on all persons above 20 years who died in Accra during the seven-year period.
In addition, Professor Wiredu said all deceased persons diagnosed with liver cases were also investigated to determine the specific disease, adding that more men suffered and died from liver diseases than women.
The Head of Molecular Virology and Diagnostics Development Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, Professor J.P. Allain, said most children who suffered from Hepatitis were infected before 10 years.
He explained that children easily passed the virus on to other children and pointed out that it was important to protect them, since they tended to have weak immune system.
Professor Allain pointed out that Hepatitis, if not treated, could become chronic and urged sufferers to seek early treatment.
Giving an overview of the “Prevalence of Hepatitis in Ghana—an epidemiological perspective”, Mr Anthony Dangdem of the Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service (GHS), said tests conducted during blood donations indicated that cases of Hepatitis was increasing in the country.
He explained that Hepatitis carriers posed a risk to others, since it was highly infectious.
Mr Dangdem said Hepatitis was an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection, adding that there were five main Hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids, for example, blood transfusions or invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment. Hepatitis B is also transmitted by sexual contact.
The symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice; that is yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
In his welcoming address, the Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Professor Alexander Nyarko, said although liver diseases were causing too much harm to people globally, not much was known about them, adding that evidence of the diseases abound in the hospitals.
The chairman for the function, Professor Yao Tettey, who is also the Vice Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, expressed the hope that participants in the symposium could come out with recommendations to help clinicians in their work at the hospitals.
A study conducted in Accra between 1996 and 2002 has shown that out of 22,394 persons who died and passed through autopsies, 1,176 suffered from liver diseases.
The study, conducted by the Dean of School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Edwin Kwame Wiredu, also revealed liver diseases had been rising at the rate of about 0.3 per cent annually in Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address at a day’s symposium sponsored by the University of Ghana Research Fund in Accra last Wednesday, Prof. Wiredu said liver diseases, which include Hepatitis, was a major health problem in the country and must be tackled with all the seriousness they deserved.
Speaking on the topic “Mortality from Liver Diseases in Accra—Autopsies from 1996 to 2002”, he said the study was conducted on all persons above 20 years who died in Accra during the seven-year period.
In addition, Professor Wiredu said all deceased persons diagnosed with liver cases were also investigated to determine the specific disease, adding that more men suffered and died from liver diseases than women.
The Head of Molecular Virology and Diagnostics Development Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, Professor J.P. Allain, said most children who suffered from Hepatitis were infected before 10 years.
He explained that children easily passed the virus on to other children and pointed out that it was important to protect them, since they tended to have weak immune system.
Professor Allain pointed out that Hepatitis, if not treated, could become chronic and urged sufferers to seek early treatment.
Giving an overview of the “Prevalence of Hepatitis in Ghana—an epidemiological perspective”, Mr Anthony Dangdem of the Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service (GHS), said tests conducted during blood donations indicated that cases of Hepatitis was increasing in the country.
He explained that Hepatitis carriers posed a risk to others, since it was highly infectious.
Mr Dangdem said Hepatitis was an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection, adding that there were five main Hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids, for example, blood transfusions or invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment. Hepatitis B is also transmitted by sexual contact.
The symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice; that is yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
In his welcoming address, the Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Professor Alexander Nyarko, said although liver diseases were causing too much harm to people globally, not much was known about them, adding that evidence of the diseases abound in the hospitals.
The chairman for the function, Professor Yao Tettey, who is also the Vice Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, expressed the hope that participants in the symposium could come out with recommendations to help clinicians in their work at the hospitals.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
NHIA kicks against of misuse of insurance money
THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says recent auditing conducted within the various district schemes has revealed that about 20 per cent of funds meant for claims and re-insurance have been wrongly used for administrative purposes.
That, according to the authority, could partly be blamed for some of the problems associated with the non-payment of claims to service providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Addressing a staff durbar in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, said the use of claim funds for administrative purposes, which could be described as a leak, had been stopped to ensure that money meant for specific items was disbursed appropriately.
He explained that before that decision was taken, scheme officials were withdrawing money and disbursing it any how.
He said the NHIA would next year put in place additional measures to further eliminate leaks which had previously been going on within the schemes, adding that any scheme manager who misapplied money meant for claims would be sanctioned.
Mr Mensah ordered that all schemes were to operate not more than two bank accounts and said currently some of the schemes had about five separate bank accounts, a situation which created room for financial indiscipline.
The CEO said a series of clinical auditing so far conducted had shown that a lot of rot existed in the system, adding that so far eight scheme managers had been interdicted, while 20 other staff members against whom adverse findings had made were awaiting sanctions from the authority.
Additionally, he said, four public hospitals, four private hospitals and four mission hospitals would be suspended before the end of the year.
The CEO announced a number of changes and transfers at the NHIA head office, as well as regional offices, a move which, he explained, was meant to strengthen the various units and directorates.
Mr Mensah stated that 2010 was expected to be a busy year for the schemes, adding that the authority would put up buildings to provide office accommodation for each region and provide vehicles to ensure efficiency.
Within the last few months, he said, the NHIA had established new divisions within it as part of efforts to enhance its operations and commended the staff for working so hard to move the NHIS forward.
The Chairman for the occasion, Dr Nicholas Tweneboa, urged all stakeholders to play their respective parts to ensure the sustenance of the scheme, which was established to take care of the health needs of Ghanaians.
Dr Tweneboa, who is the Director of Operations of the NHIA, said figures on registered members of the NHIS were encouraging and explained that the situation implied that Ghanaians were happy with the scheme.
That, according to the authority, could partly be blamed for some of the problems associated with the non-payment of claims to service providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Addressing a staff durbar in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHIA, Mr Sylvester Mensah, said the use of claim funds for administrative purposes, which could be described as a leak, had been stopped to ensure that money meant for specific items was disbursed appropriately.
He explained that before that decision was taken, scheme officials were withdrawing money and disbursing it any how.
He said the NHIA would next year put in place additional measures to further eliminate leaks which had previously been going on within the schemes, adding that any scheme manager who misapplied money meant for claims would be sanctioned.
Mr Mensah ordered that all schemes were to operate not more than two bank accounts and said currently some of the schemes had about five separate bank accounts, a situation which created room for financial indiscipline.
The CEO said a series of clinical auditing so far conducted had shown that a lot of rot existed in the system, adding that so far eight scheme managers had been interdicted, while 20 other staff members against whom adverse findings had made were awaiting sanctions from the authority.
Additionally, he said, four public hospitals, four private hospitals and four mission hospitals would be suspended before the end of the year.
The CEO announced a number of changes and transfers at the NHIA head office, as well as regional offices, a move which, he explained, was meant to strengthen the various units and directorates.
Mr Mensah stated that 2010 was expected to be a busy year for the schemes, adding that the authority would put up buildings to provide office accommodation for each region and provide vehicles to ensure efficiency.
Within the last few months, he said, the NHIA had established new divisions within it as part of efforts to enhance its operations and commended the staff for working so hard to move the NHIS forward.
The Chairman for the occasion, Dr Nicholas Tweneboa, urged all stakeholders to play their respective parts to ensure the sustenance of the scheme, which was established to take care of the health needs of Ghanaians.
Dr Tweneboa, who is the Director of Operations of the NHIA, said figures on registered members of the NHIS were encouraging and explained that the situation implied that Ghanaians were happy with the scheme.
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