Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 30, 2008)
THE government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have jointly signed a contract with 30 road contractors for the commencement of civil works on a total of 205 kilometres of roads in six cocoa growing regions as part of the Cocoa Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP).
The contract, which covers the first phase of a three-phased programme, will be implemented between 2008 and 2010 on regional basis to help in carting cocoa to the marketing centres.
By the end of the three-phased programme, it is expected that 25.4 kilometres in the Volta Region, 54.5 kilometres in the Central Region, 54.1 kilometres in the Eastern Region and 222.5 kilometres in the Western Region would have been reconstructed. It is also expected that 152.7 of Ashanti and 92.3 kilometres of Brong Ahafo cocoa roads would be improved.
The total contract sum for the first phase programme is GH¢25.2 million.
The Cocoa Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP) is considered the first major upgrading intervention targeted specifically at “cocoa roads” and involves the bituminous surfacing of about 600 kilometres of roads at the total cost of GH¢100 million to be provided by the government and COCOBOD.
At the signing ceremony in Accra, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, said the procurement procedures covering the first phase of the programme had been completed for work to start and ensure easy access to cocoa-producing areas.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said the government, in collaboration with the COCOBOD had in recent times embarked on various measures aimed at increasing cocoa production.
He mentioned some of the measures as remunerative prices and payment of bonuses, which he said had been paid six times since 2001, adding that the government had been fair in paying for their produce.
The Finance Minister also touched on disease and pest control exercises, improving agronomic practices on cocoa farms, increased value addition to cocoa, introduction of new methods in cocoa farming and sustained scholarship to cocoa farmers’ wards in second cycle institutions which currently stood at 7,500 as additional measures.
“This administration will continue to give all the needed support to the cocoa sector to ensure that it achieves its maximum potential”, he stated.
He took the opportunity to advise the contractors involved in the project "to do a good job and on time because the ministry will come tough on contractors who do poor work".
The Minister of State for Transportation, Mr Godfrey Banyo Tangu, said advertisement for the second phase of the programme which would cover additional 200 kilometres, would soon be published to enable interested contractors bid for the contracts.
He gave the assurance that funds for the project had been secured, adding that the "issue of delayed payment should not be an issue for you to delay in the execution of the contracts."
The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Isaac Osei, said the board saw the implementation of such programmes as part of its social responsibility to farmers and added that it also helped in the area of health and education by providing health care facilities and scholarships.
He expressed the hope that the implementation of the Cocoa Roads Improvement Programme would help reduce the cost of carting cocoa from the hinterlands and also help make life easier for farmers in those areas.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr Freddie Blay, expressed his gratitude to the government for implementing such a programme that would benefit cocoa farmers including people in his constituency.
The National Chairman of the Ghana Road Contractors Association, Mr J.Twumasi Mensah said since the government had given the assurance of funds being available, contractors on the projects would complete the work on schedule and also, according to specification.
Friday, February 1, 2008
FGM and Associated Health Problems (Page 9)
Article: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 30, 2008)
TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Hawa was sent away by her husband after a little over three months in the matrimonial home. When neighbours wanted to know her offence, her husband refused to talk but only said he was fed up with her.
Surprisingly, that was not the first time, but the third, that the beautiful, hard-working and respectful Hawa was being sent away by a husband, a situation people in her community found difficult to understand.
Hawa’s predicament elicited speculations. Some opined that she likely was not much of a cook. Some went so far as to say she might be a thief who was stealing from her husband. Other reasons assigned were that Hawa might be wetting her bed or was probably married to a spirit being, which made it difficult for men to keep her.
These rumours went on for a long time till Hawa thought she could bear it no more and decided to end it all.
One hot afternoon, a labourer in her father’s house found her lying semi-unconscious and foaming at the mouth and in the nostrils. When she was rushed to the nearest hospital, it was detected that she had taken in poison. Fortunately, the poison was not strong enough to kill her.
Hawa now preferred death to marital agony. Unknown to others, she had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) during childhood and this resulted in keliod scars around her genitalia. This made it impossible for a man to have sexual intercourse with her. Which man would want to have such a woman for a wife?
Another scenario: Lamisi lost her two children. Her third child survived only because a female teacher in the community was smart enough to send her to hospital for a caesarian section two weeks to the time of delivery.
Lamisi, also a victim of FGM, had scars around her genitalia which, although allowing painful sexual intercourse, failed to stretch out at childbirth to enable a baby to come out naturally.
At a day’s training workshop on information and communication on FGM organised for journalists by the Ghanaian Association for Women’s Welfare (GAWW) in Accra on January 17, 2008, the President of the association, Mrs Faustina Ali, said it was believed that between five and nine per cent of Ghanaian women had undergone FGM. Some reports put the figure between nine and 15 per cent.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), FGM, often referred to as 'female circumcision', entails all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.
Types
Different types of female genital mutilation known to be practised today include Type I — excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris; Type II — excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora; Type III — excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulation), and Type IV that also involves pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterisation by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts).
It is worthy of note that the introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or for the purpose of tightening or narrowing it and any other procedure that falls under the definition given above also constitutes FGM under Type IV.
The WHO states that the most common type of female genital mutilation is the excision of the clitoris and the labia minora which accounts for up to 80 per cent of all cases, adding that the most extreme form is infibulation, which constitutes about 15 per cent of all procedures.
Mrs Ali quoted from a recent research conducted by the Navrongo Health Institute on the extent of practice among the Kasena Nankanas in the Upper East Region in 1995 which revealed that about 77 per cent of all women of reproductive age living in the northern part of that area had undergone FGM, while 85 per cent of women in the same age group in the Bawku area had also undergone the practice.
She pointed out that the practice continued in other areas of the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Brong Ahafo regions by some ethnic groups.
Some of the groups mentioned were the Kasena Nankanas, Bulsas, Busangas, Kantonsis, Kusasis, Wallas, Sisalas, Lobis, Dagartis, Grunshies and Moshies.
It is important to note that migrants from areas of the country and other West African countries where FGM is practised, continue with the practice wherever they settle.
Reasons
Reasons given by those who practise FGM include reducing a woman's desire for sex and thereby reduce the chances of sex outside the marriage.
Some view the clitoris and the labia as male parts on a female body, thus their removal, it is claimed, enhances the femininity. It is also believed that unless a female has undergone this procedure she is unclean and will not be allowed to handle food or water.
Some groups believe that if the clitoris touches a man's penis the man will die. It is also claimed that if a baby's head touches the clitoris the baby will die or the breast milk will be poisonous. Additionally, there is the belief that an unmutilated female cannot conceive. For her to be fertile, therefore, she must be mutilated.
People in such communities also believe that bad genital odours can only be eliminated by removing the clitoris and labia minora, adding that it prevents vaginal cancer.
In the past there was also the belief that an “unmodified” clitoris could lead to masturbation or lesbianism, among other anti-social acts.
Health consequences of FGM
Addressing the journalists at the workshop, Dr Isaac Koranteng of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) said FGM was a cultural practice that started in Africa approximately 2000 years ago.
According to him, immediate and long-term health consequences of female genital mutilation vary according to the type and severity of the procedure performed.
Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissues. Haemorrhage and infection can cause death.
He said more recently, concerns have been raised about the possible transmission of the human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) due to the use of the same instrument in multiple operations.
Long-term consequences, according to Dr Koranteng, include cysts and abscesses, keliod scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth.
In the area of psychosexual and psychological health, he pointed out that genital mutilation may leave a lasting mark in the life and mind of the woman who has undergone it. In the longer term, women may suffer feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression.
Who practises FGM?
In cultures where FGM prevails, female genital mutilation is practised by followers of all religious beliefs including animists and non-believers. FGM is usually performed by a traditional practitioner with crude instruments and without anaesthesia and this can negatively affect the girl or woman.
It is considered primarily as a cultural practice, not a religious practice. But some religions do include FGM as part of their religious practices. This practice is so ingrained in such cultures that FGM is synonymous with cultural identity. In effect, elimination of the practice would be tantamount to eliminating the cultural belief that a girl will not become a woman without this procedure.
Prevalence and distribution of FGM It was made known at the workshop that most of females who have undergone genital mutilation live in 28 African countries, although some also live in Asia and the Middle East. Those who practise it are also increasingly being found in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA, primarily among immigrants from these countries.
Today the number of girls and women who have undergone FGM globally is estimated at between 100 and 140 million. It is estimated, too, that each year two million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM.
The age at which FGM is performed varies from area to area. It is performed on infants a few days old, on female children and adolescents and, occasionally, on mature women.
Speaking of the Law and Human Rights, Ms Chris Dadzie, a former Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), said there were laws against FGM in Ghana but that there was the need for awareness of the legislative framework to promote the translation of the law into practical policies and institutional arrangements.
Ms Dadzie also pointed out that the enactment of laws does not in itself address substantive issues which systematically undermine and constrain the ability of affected persons to participate equally and effectively in societal life.
She said there were many laws including the 1992 Constitution making provisions for the eradication of specific forms of social injustice, including FGM, adding that unfortunately the practice had persisted.
She also pointed out omissions in previous laws which targeted only practitioners and left out other parties who played a primary role in commission of the offence such as parents, guardians, families and members of the community.
She explained that both practitioners and participants of FGM were liable and could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Hawa was sent away by her husband after a little over three months in the matrimonial home. When neighbours wanted to know her offence, her husband refused to talk but only said he was fed up with her.
Surprisingly, that was not the first time, but the third, that the beautiful, hard-working and respectful Hawa was being sent away by a husband, a situation people in her community found difficult to understand.
Hawa’s predicament elicited speculations. Some opined that she likely was not much of a cook. Some went so far as to say she might be a thief who was stealing from her husband. Other reasons assigned were that Hawa might be wetting her bed or was probably married to a spirit being, which made it difficult for men to keep her.
These rumours went on for a long time till Hawa thought she could bear it no more and decided to end it all.
One hot afternoon, a labourer in her father’s house found her lying semi-unconscious and foaming at the mouth and in the nostrils. When she was rushed to the nearest hospital, it was detected that she had taken in poison. Fortunately, the poison was not strong enough to kill her.
Hawa now preferred death to marital agony. Unknown to others, she had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) during childhood and this resulted in keliod scars around her genitalia. This made it impossible for a man to have sexual intercourse with her. Which man would want to have such a woman for a wife?
Another scenario: Lamisi lost her two children. Her third child survived only because a female teacher in the community was smart enough to send her to hospital for a caesarian section two weeks to the time of delivery.
Lamisi, also a victim of FGM, had scars around her genitalia which, although allowing painful sexual intercourse, failed to stretch out at childbirth to enable a baby to come out naturally.
At a day’s training workshop on information and communication on FGM organised for journalists by the Ghanaian Association for Women’s Welfare (GAWW) in Accra on January 17, 2008, the President of the association, Mrs Faustina Ali, said it was believed that between five and nine per cent of Ghanaian women had undergone FGM. Some reports put the figure between nine and 15 per cent.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), FGM, often referred to as 'female circumcision', entails all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.
Types
Different types of female genital mutilation known to be practised today include Type I — excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris; Type II — excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora; Type III — excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulation), and Type IV that also involves pricking, piercing or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterisation by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts).
It is worthy of note that the introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or for the purpose of tightening or narrowing it and any other procedure that falls under the definition given above also constitutes FGM under Type IV.
The WHO states that the most common type of female genital mutilation is the excision of the clitoris and the labia minora which accounts for up to 80 per cent of all cases, adding that the most extreme form is infibulation, which constitutes about 15 per cent of all procedures.
Mrs Ali quoted from a recent research conducted by the Navrongo Health Institute on the extent of practice among the Kasena Nankanas in the Upper East Region in 1995 which revealed that about 77 per cent of all women of reproductive age living in the northern part of that area had undergone FGM, while 85 per cent of women in the same age group in the Bawku area had also undergone the practice.
She pointed out that the practice continued in other areas of the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Brong Ahafo regions by some ethnic groups.
Some of the groups mentioned were the Kasena Nankanas, Bulsas, Busangas, Kantonsis, Kusasis, Wallas, Sisalas, Lobis, Dagartis, Grunshies and Moshies.
It is important to note that migrants from areas of the country and other West African countries where FGM is practised, continue with the practice wherever they settle.
Reasons
Reasons given by those who practise FGM include reducing a woman's desire for sex and thereby reduce the chances of sex outside the marriage.
Some view the clitoris and the labia as male parts on a female body, thus their removal, it is claimed, enhances the femininity. It is also believed that unless a female has undergone this procedure she is unclean and will not be allowed to handle food or water.
Some groups believe that if the clitoris touches a man's penis the man will die. It is also claimed that if a baby's head touches the clitoris the baby will die or the breast milk will be poisonous. Additionally, there is the belief that an unmutilated female cannot conceive. For her to be fertile, therefore, she must be mutilated.
People in such communities also believe that bad genital odours can only be eliminated by removing the clitoris and labia minora, adding that it prevents vaginal cancer.
In the past there was also the belief that an “unmodified” clitoris could lead to masturbation or lesbianism, among other anti-social acts.
Health consequences of FGM
Addressing the journalists at the workshop, Dr Isaac Koranteng of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) said FGM was a cultural practice that started in Africa approximately 2000 years ago.
According to him, immediate and long-term health consequences of female genital mutilation vary according to the type and severity of the procedure performed.
Immediate complications include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissues. Haemorrhage and infection can cause death.
He said more recently, concerns have been raised about the possible transmission of the human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) due to the use of the same instrument in multiple operations.
Long-term consequences, according to Dr Koranteng, include cysts and abscesses, keliod scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth.
In the area of psychosexual and psychological health, he pointed out that genital mutilation may leave a lasting mark in the life and mind of the woman who has undergone it. In the longer term, women may suffer feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression.
Who practises FGM?
In cultures where FGM prevails, female genital mutilation is practised by followers of all religious beliefs including animists and non-believers. FGM is usually performed by a traditional practitioner with crude instruments and without anaesthesia and this can negatively affect the girl or woman.
It is considered primarily as a cultural practice, not a religious practice. But some religions do include FGM as part of their religious practices. This practice is so ingrained in such cultures that FGM is synonymous with cultural identity. In effect, elimination of the practice would be tantamount to eliminating the cultural belief that a girl will not become a woman without this procedure.
Prevalence and distribution of FGM It was made known at the workshop that most of females who have undergone genital mutilation live in 28 African countries, although some also live in Asia and the Middle East. Those who practise it are also increasingly being found in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA, primarily among immigrants from these countries.
Today the number of girls and women who have undergone FGM globally is estimated at between 100 and 140 million. It is estimated, too, that each year two million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM.
The age at which FGM is performed varies from area to area. It is performed on infants a few days old, on female children and adolescents and, occasionally, on mature women.
Speaking of the Law and Human Rights, Ms Chris Dadzie, a former Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), said there were laws against FGM in Ghana but that there was the need for awareness of the legislative framework to promote the translation of the law into practical policies and institutional arrangements.
Ms Dadzie also pointed out that the enactment of laws does not in itself address substantive issues which systematically undermine and constrain the ability of affected persons to participate equally and effectively in societal life.
She said there were many laws including the 1992 Constitution making provisions for the eradication of specific forms of social injustice, including FGM, adding that unfortunately the practice had persisted.
She also pointed out omissions in previous laws which targeted only practitioners and left out other parties who played a primary role in commission of the offence such as parents, guardians, families and members of the community.
She explained that both practitioners and participants of FGM were liable and could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Implement Traditional Medicine Practice Act-Quarm (Page 44)
Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 28, 2008)
A FORMER head of the Traditional Medicine Directorate of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Osofo Kwasi Dankwa Quarm, has called on the government and the MoH, to implement the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 of 2000, for efficient and safe traditional medicine practice in the country.
Osofo Quarm, who is currently the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Ethno-Medical Foundation, said it was high time the Act, which received Presidential assent on February 23, 2000, was implemented to serve its intended purpose.
The Ghana Ethno-Medical Foundation is a multi-sectoral agency comprising scientists, researchers, traditional medical practitioners, plant collectors and sellers and forest sector agencies.
It has the objective of ensuring growth and development in the herbal/ traditional medicine practice in Ghana.
The foundation also seeks to ensure that patients receive the best of services, practitioners and manufacturers give their best services and products are duly investigated and proven by scientists and researchers before use.
Osofo Quarm told the Daily Graphic in Accra that the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 was supposed to establish a Council “to regulate the practice of traditional medicine, to register practitioners and license practices and to regulate the preparation and sale of herbal medicines and to provide for related matters”.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Foundation, the Executive Secretary said it was unfortunate that such an important law should be shelved for such a long time, adding that about 70 per cent of Ghanaians depended on traditional medicine.
He stressed that since many people, especially the rural dwellers, relied on traditional medicine, it was important that the right steps were taken to protect them from quacks.
He said the vision of the foundation was to have traditional medicine practice as a formidable and credible force in medical care that effectively complemented orthodox and other forms of therapies in Ghana for provision of quality and affordable health care for all Ghanaians.
Osofo Quarm hinted that members of the foundation would continue with their advocate until the law was implemented.
"The Foundation demands that all stakeholders should act to boost the trust and confidence of the public in traditional medicine to ensure the existence of a viable industry with safe, effective and affordable products and services," he stressed.
In a related development, the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM) pledged to co-operate with the MoH and make sure that its members were registered by the Traditional Medicine Practice Secretariat in accordance with the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575).
In a New Year message, the President of GHAFTRAM, Agya Kwaku Appiah, commended the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), on behalf of the federation, for showing immense interest in the promotion of traditional medicine and its practice.
He cited an instance last year when the minister facilitated the travel of the General Secretary of the federation to China on a three-month tour to learn about traditional medicine in that country.
Agya Appiah, however, observed that there were some challenges that the federation needed to surmount. These included the registration of more members for the purposes of identification and the payment of retention fees by members.
A FORMER head of the Traditional Medicine Directorate of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Osofo Kwasi Dankwa Quarm, has called on the government and the MoH, to implement the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 of 2000, for efficient and safe traditional medicine practice in the country.
Osofo Quarm, who is currently the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Ethno-Medical Foundation, said it was high time the Act, which received Presidential assent on February 23, 2000, was implemented to serve its intended purpose.
The Ghana Ethno-Medical Foundation is a multi-sectoral agency comprising scientists, researchers, traditional medical practitioners, plant collectors and sellers and forest sector agencies.
It has the objective of ensuring growth and development in the herbal/ traditional medicine practice in Ghana.
The foundation also seeks to ensure that patients receive the best of services, practitioners and manufacturers give their best services and products are duly investigated and proven by scientists and researchers before use.
Osofo Quarm told the Daily Graphic in Accra that the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 was supposed to establish a Council “to regulate the practice of traditional medicine, to register practitioners and license practices and to regulate the preparation and sale of herbal medicines and to provide for related matters”.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Foundation, the Executive Secretary said it was unfortunate that such an important law should be shelved for such a long time, adding that about 70 per cent of Ghanaians depended on traditional medicine.
He stressed that since many people, especially the rural dwellers, relied on traditional medicine, it was important that the right steps were taken to protect them from quacks.
He said the vision of the foundation was to have traditional medicine practice as a formidable and credible force in medical care that effectively complemented orthodox and other forms of therapies in Ghana for provision of quality and affordable health care for all Ghanaians.
Osofo Quarm hinted that members of the foundation would continue with their advocate until the law was implemented.
"The Foundation demands that all stakeholders should act to boost the trust and confidence of the public in traditional medicine to ensure the existence of a viable industry with safe, effective and affordable products and services," he stressed.
In a related development, the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM) pledged to co-operate with the MoH and make sure that its members were registered by the Traditional Medicine Practice Secretariat in accordance with the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575).
In a New Year message, the President of GHAFTRAM, Agya Kwaku Appiah, commended the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), on behalf of the federation, for showing immense interest in the promotion of traditional medicine and its practice.
He cited an instance last year when the minister facilitated the travel of the General Secretary of the federation to China on a three-month tour to learn about traditional medicine in that country.
Agya Appiah, however, observed that there were some challenges that the federation needed to surmount. These included the registration of more members for the purposes of identification and the payment of retention fees by members.
Stop Misuse of Govt Funds- Sottie (Page 38)
Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 28, 2008)
THE Controller and Accountant-General, Mr Christian Tetteh Sottie, has warned government employees who misappropriate government funds to desist from that practice or face administrative and legal actions.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mr Sottie said those who handled government funds should know that the funds belonged to the whole nation and so they should not handle it anyhow to the detriment of Ghanaians.
“We should all contribute our quota to make the economy more stable,” he stressed.
Touching on the activities lined up by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) for the year, the controller said the department had put in place measures to further improve its performance in the years ahead, adding that in that direction the CAGD had begun a programme to visit each region to interact with pensioners and workers to know at first-hand the problems associated with their salaries, wages and related allowances, saying that it was better to offer education, since sometimes people acted out of ignorance.
Mr Sottie pointed out that the first of such interactions took place in Suhum in the Eastern Region on Tuesday where a large number of pensioners had the opportunity to ask questions.
He said notable among the questions were why their pension payments had not been adjusted upwards and also the issue of financial demands on the part of officials who worked on the payments.
He explained that a process had begun to adjust the allowances of all pensioners nation-wide and stressed that the payments were being adjusted as and when the personnel received the necessary inputs from the districts.
On bribery, he advised that persons who fell victim to such activities should be bold to expose those involved, else it would be difficult for the authorities to know and punish them.
He announced that there were also plans this year to restructure the treasury functions for efficiency and also make payments less tedious and arduous.
Mr Sottie, in addition, gave assurance of a better payment system this year, since many of the problems with the computer software had been rectified.
“We hope to pay workers on a timely basis and also pay the right amounts due them,” he pointed out.
He also urged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to provide the needed human resource training programmes for especially their accounting staff to improve upon their performance.
THE Controller and Accountant-General, Mr Christian Tetteh Sottie, has warned government employees who misappropriate government funds to desist from that practice or face administrative and legal actions.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, Mr Sottie said those who handled government funds should know that the funds belonged to the whole nation and so they should not handle it anyhow to the detriment of Ghanaians.
“We should all contribute our quota to make the economy more stable,” he stressed.
Touching on the activities lined up by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) for the year, the controller said the department had put in place measures to further improve its performance in the years ahead, adding that in that direction the CAGD had begun a programme to visit each region to interact with pensioners and workers to know at first-hand the problems associated with their salaries, wages and related allowances, saying that it was better to offer education, since sometimes people acted out of ignorance.
Mr Sottie pointed out that the first of such interactions took place in Suhum in the Eastern Region on Tuesday where a large number of pensioners had the opportunity to ask questions.
He said notable among the questions were why their pension payments had not been adjusted upwards and also the issue of financial demands on the part of officials who worked on the payments.
He explained that a process had begun to adjust the allowances of all pensioners nation-wide and stressed that the payments were being adjusted as and when the personnel received the necessary inputs from the districts.
On bribery, he advised that persons who fell victim to such activities should be bold to expose those involved, else it would be difficult for the authorities to know and punish them.
He announced that there were also plans this year to restructure the treasury functions for efficiency and also make payments less tedious and arduous.
Mr Sottie, in addition, gave assurance of a better payment system this year, since many of the problems with the computer software had been rectified.
“We hope to pay workers on a timely basis and also pay the right amounts due them,” he pointed out.
He also urged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to provide the needed human resource training programmes for especially their accounting staff to improve upon their performance.
3-Tier pension Scheme in March (page 3)
Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 26, 2008)
A new pensions law which will cater for the creation of a new contributory three-tier pension system to replace the existing parallel pension schemes is expected to come into force by the end of March this year.
The proposed three-tier scheme consists of a mandatory basic national social security scheme responsible for monthly pensions only. The second scheme is a mandatory, privately managed occupational or work-based scheme to pay lump sums, while the third is a voluntary provident fund and personal pension scheme which can cater for between 80 and 85 per cent of Ghanaian workers in the informal sector and others who want to contribute, in addition to the first two schemes.
Ghana is currently operating two major public pension schemes, which are the Pensions Ordinance No. 40 (CAP 30) of 1950 and the Social Security Act (PNDC Law 247) of 1991.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Project Consultant of the Pension Reform Implementation Committee, Mr Daniel Aidoo Mensah, said the National Pension Reform Bill, which could not be passed by the end of 2007, as had been expected, was before Cabinet, awaiting parliamentary deliberations and approval, in accordance with the recommendations made by a nine-member Presidential Commission on Pensions led by Mr T.A. Bediako, a retired educationist.
The commission, which was appointed by President J.A. Kufuor in July 2004, submitted its final report in March 2006 and its recommendations were approved by a government White Paper issued in July 2006.
In October 2006, the President again appointed a Pension Reform Implementation Committee, also headed by Mr Bediako, to implement the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission on Pensions. The committee came out with the National Pension Reform Bill in 2007.
Touching on the bill, Mr Mensah said it catered for the establishment of an independent National Pensions Regulatory Authority to regulate, supervise and monitor both public and private pension schemes.
He said the authority would also advise the government on overall pension matters in Ghana and approve, regulate, supervise and monitor trustees, pension fund managers, custodians and other institutions relating to pension matters.
He said there were provisions under the bill for all workers currently on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and who were below 55 years to automatically join the new scheme.
He explained that a committee would be set up to review the case of contributors who were above 55 years.
Mr Mensah pointed out that the new scheme would be an improvement on the existing Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme, as well as the CAP 30.
He pointed out that as part of its functions, the committee was currently assisting in the restructuring of SSNIT for it to fit into the new pension scheme to focus on its responsibility of managing the first tier, which involved the basic national social security scheme mandatory for all formal sector workers.
The restructuring of SSNIT, Mr Mensah noted, would involve an overhaul of the governance, management and administrative structure of the trust and also a review of the law governing it.
“The new SSNIT will have a board of trustees, instead of a board of directors,” he stated.
Making a point to support his assertion that the proposed scheme would be better than the existing ones, Mr Mensah said the period for one to qualify for pension under the new scheme would be reduced from 20 to 15 contributing years and survivors’ benefit period increased from 12 to 15 years.
Under the second-tier, which involved occupational pension scheme, the project consultant said it might allow assignment for a mortgage for a member to acquire a primary residence, adding that when approved, one could use his or her contribution for a mortgage.
On the third-tier, Mr Mensah explained that it provided for individuals within the private sector and public sector workers who wanted to make voluntary contributions to enhance their pension benefits beyond the mandatory second- tier scheme and any provident fund scheme sponsored by their employers.
He said recommendations had been made to phase out the CAP 30 scheme which was not sustainable, and for that matter there were not going to be any new entrants.
He further explained that the bill had made transitional arrangements to enable the Controller and Accountant- General’s Department to continue to pay CAP 30 beneficiaries their benefits, while it lasted, and pointed out that there was an option for public servants presently under that scheme to join the new scheme.
Programmes which the committee has lined up for 2008 include public education and training on the new pension law, facilitating the implementation of the new law, particularly the second and third-tier privately-managed schemes and special orientation for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other statutory bodies on their role in the pension reform.
Others include the establishment of administrative structures of the National Pensions Regulatory Atuhority, the completion of the restructuring of the CAP 30 scheme, continuation of the supervison of the restructuring of SSNIT, among other activities.
A new pensions law which will cater for the creation of a new contributory three-tier pension system to replace the existing parallel pension schemes is expected to come into force by the end of March this year.
The proposed three-tier scheme consists of a mandatory basic national social security scheme responsible for monthly pensions only. The second scheme is a mandatory, privately managed occupational or work-based scheme to pay lump sums, while the third is a voluntary provident fund and personal pension scheme which can cater for between 80 and 85 per cent of Ghanaian workers in the informal sector and others who want to contribute, in addition to the first two schemes.
Ghana is currently operating two major public pension schemes, which are the Pensions Ordinance No. 40 (CAP 30) of 1950 and the Social Security Act (PNDC Law 247) of 1991.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra, the Project Consultant of the Pension Reform Implementation Committee, Mr Daniel Aidoo Mensah, said the National Pension Reform Bill, which could not be passed by the end of 2007, as had been expected, was before Cabinet, awaiting parliamentary deliberations and approval, in accordance with the recommendations made by a nine-member Presidential Commission on Pensions led by Mr T.A. Bediako, a retired educationist.
The commission, which was appointed by President J.A. Kufuor in July 2004, submitted its final report in March 2006 and its recommendations were approved by a government White Paper issued in July 2006.
In October 2006, the President again appointed a Pension Reform Implementation Committee, also headed by Mr Bediako, to implement the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission on Pensions. The committee came out with the National Pension Reform Bill in 2007.
Touching on the bill, Mr Mensah said it catered for the establishment of an independent National Pensions Regulatory Authority to regulate, supervise and monitor both public and private pension schemes.
He said the authority would also advise the government on overall pension matters in Ghana and approve, regulate, supervise and monitor trustees, pension fund managers, custodians and other institutions relating to pension matters.
He said there were provisions under the bill for all workers currently on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and who were below 55 years to automatically join the new scheme.
He explained that a committee would be set up to review the case of contributors who were above 55 years.
Mr Mensah pointed out that the new scheme would be an improvement on the existing Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme, as well as the CAP 30.
He pointed out that as part of its functions, the committee was currently assisting in the restructuring of SSNIT for it to fit into the new pension scheme to focus on its responsibility of managing the first tier, which involved the basic national social security scheme mandatory for all formal sector workers.
The restructuring of SSNIT, Mr Mensah noted, would involve an overhaul of the governance, management and administrative structure of the trust and also a review of the law governing it.
“The new SSNIT will have a board of trustees, instead of a board of directors,” he stated.
Making a point to support his assertion that the proposed scheme would be better than the existing ones, Mr Mensah said the period for one to qualify for pension under the new scheme would be reduced from 20 to 15 contributing years and survivors’ benefit period increased from 12 to 15 years.
Under the second-tier, which involved occupational pension scheme, the project consultant said it might allow assignment for a mortgage for a member to acquire a primary residence, adding that when approved, one could use his or her contribution for a mortgage.
On the third-tier, Mr Mensah explained that it provided for individuals within the private sector and public sector workers who wanted to make voluntary contributions to enhance their pension benefits beyond the mandatory second- tier scheme and any provident fund scheme sponsored by their employers.
He said recommendations had been made to phase out the CAP 30 scheme which was not sustainable, and for that matter there were not going to be any new entrants.
He further explained that the bill had made transitional arrangements to enable the Controller and Accountant- General’s Department to continue to pay CAP 30 beneficiaries their benefits, while it lasted, and pointed out that there was an option for public servants presently under that scheme to join the new scheme.
Programmes which the committee has lined up for 2008 include public education and training on the new pension law, facilitating the implementation of the new law, particularly the second and third-tier privately-managed schemes and special orientation for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other statutory bodies on their role in the pension reform.
Others include the establishment of administrative structures of the National Pensions Regulatory Atuhority, the completion of the restructuring of the CAP 30 scheme, continuation of the supervison of the restructuring of SSNIT, among other activities.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Disaster Management Put To Test- At Ohene Djan (back page)
Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah (January 16, 2008)
THE Accra Venue Subcommittee for Ghana 2008 yesterday organised a simulation exercise in preparation for any eventuality during the tournament at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
Made up of security and health personnel together with volunteers from the Saint John Ambulance and the Red Cross Society of Ghana, the group put into practice how they could prevent and manage disaster should any occur at the stadium.
There are plans for similar exercises to take place in the three other stadia designated for the tournament.
Present were the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), a large number of directors from the ministry and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), senior officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Fire Service, officials from the Red Society of Ghana and the Saint John Ambulance, journalists, volunteers and spectators mostly in Ghana 2008 T-shirts and caps.
A large number of plain-clothes police officers were spotted identifying areas where they would cover during matches.
A mock match between Ghana and Benin was staged which resulted in riot with a lot of casualties. Ghana scored two goals as against a lone goal by Benin. Major Quashigah took the ceremonial kick-off.
There was “jama” songs as the supporters tried hard to cheer players of the two teams just as it happens at football matches. The teams were made of both men and women mixed in each team.
Before the mock match, a group of young volunteers mobilised purposely to help during the event were briefed by Dr Ahmed Mohammed, the Director of the National Ambulance Service, and some senior nursing officers as to how to go about things.
For easy movement and effectiveness, both the security personnel mainly from the Ghana Police Service and the health personnel were divided into groups to cover the three sections of the stadium. A group was also assigned to the VIP stand.
The teams were briefed as to how to identify injuries and some cut-out cards in red, yellow, green and black, according to the degree of injuries one was suffering were also shown to the health personnel to be used in separating the injured for effective treatment.
The red was for the severely injured, yellow for the moderately injured, green for mild injuries and the black for the dead.
To enable the group to have a feel of what could happen and how to handle them, a stage-managed riot occurred. That was during the game between the two teams (Ghana and Benin) turned into a free-for-all fight on the playing field with players attacking each other.
With “borrowed supporters” watching from afar, they also began arguing among themselves, which later turned into a large-scale fight which brought about a number of casualties. Volunteers who feigned injured were seen with red paints on various parts of their bodies indicating where the injuries occurred.
As the police tried to stop the fight with some arrests, the health personnel and the various first aid groups rushed to the various spots to assist the injured.
Some injuries which health personnel anticipate occurring in case of such a large-scale fight at the stadium are broken limbs, facial fractures, wounds with profuse bleeding and bleeding from aborted pregnancy.
Others are ear bleeding, nose bleeding, high blood pressure with no medical record, general bodily pains, shortness of breath, facial burns, multiple facial injuries, difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness and semi-consciousness, among others.
There was also a mock fire outbreak where personnel of the Ghana Fire Service quickly moved into action with fire engines and chemicals to bring it under control.
The Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Julius Avorgah, issued out instructions to both the spectators and the security personnel from the communication room at the stadium to put the situation under control.
As the exercise took place, it was observed that the security personnel were slow to respond.
Enquiries made by the Daily Graphic indicated that an alarm made to sound during such incidents failed to trigger when it was pressed because it had not been completely fixed.
THE Accra Venue Subcommittee for Ghana 2008 yesterday organised a simulation exercise in preparation for any eventuality during the tournament at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
Made up of security and health personnel together with volunteers from the Saint John Ambulance and the Red Cross Society of Ghana, the group put into practice how they could prevent and manage disaster should any occur at the stadium.
There are plans for similar exercises to take place in the three other stadia designated for the tournament.
Present were the Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), a large number of directors from the ministry and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), senior officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Fire Service, officials from the Red Society of Ghana and the Saint John Ambulance, journalists, volunteers and spectators mostly in Ghana 2008 T-shirts and caps.
A large number of plain-clothes police officers were spotted identifying areas where they would cover during matches.
A mock match between Ghana and Benin was staged which resulted in riot with a lot of casualties. Ghana scored two goals as against a lone goal by Benin. Major Quashigah took the ceremonial kick-off.
There was “jama” songs as the supporters tried hard to cheer players of the two teams just as it happens at football matches. The teams were made of both men and women mixed in each team.
Before the mock match, a group of young volunteers mobilised purposely to help during the event were briefed by Dr Ahmed Mohammed, the Director of the National Ambulance Service, and some senior nursing officers as to how to go about things.
For easy movement and effectiveness, both the security personnel mainly from the Ghana Police Service and the health personnel were divided into groups to cover the three sections of the stadium. A group was also assigned to the VIP stand.
The teams were briefed as to how to identify injuries and some cut-out cards in red, yellow, green and black, according to the degree of injuries one was suffering were also shown to the health personnel to be used in separating the injured for effective treatment.
The red was for the severely injured, yellow for the moderately injured, green for mild injuries and the black for the dead.
To enable the group to have a feel of what could happen and how to handle them, a stage-managed riot occurred. That was during the game between the two teams (Ghana and Benin) turned into a free-for-all fight on the playing field with players attacking each other.
With “borrowed supporters” watching from afar, they also began arguing among themselves, which later turned into a large-scale fight which brought about a number of casualties. Volunteers who feigned injured were seen with red paints on various parts of their bodies indicating where the injuries occurred.
As the police tried to stop the fight with some arrests, the health personnel and the various first aid groups rushed to the various spots to assist the injured.
Some injuries which health personnel anticipate occurring in case of such a large-scale fight at the stadium are broken limbs, facial fractures, wounds with profuse bleeding and bleeding from aborted pregnancy.
Others are ear bleeding, nose bleeding, high blood pressure with no medical record, general bodily pains, shortness of breath, facial burns, multiple facial injuries, difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness and semi-consciousness, among others.
There was also a mock fire outbreak where personnel of the Ghana Fire Service quickly moved into action with fire engines and chemicals to bring it under control.
The Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Julius Avorgah, issued out instructions to both the spectators and the security personnel from the communication room at the stadium to put the situation under control.
As the exercise took place, it was observed that the security personnel were slow to respond.
Enquiries made by the Daily Graphic indicated that an alarm made to sound during such incidents failed to trigger when it was pressed because it had not been completely fixed.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Assembly builds educational infrastucture for youth (page 11)
Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah, Agona Nkwanta (January 14, 2008)
THE Ahanta West District Assembly in the Western Region is putting up educational and recreational infrastructure for the benefit of the youth in the area.
The Assembly has already completed a community library with educational materials to help boost the reading habits of the inhabitants of the district. The library can accommodate 100 people.
In an interview with the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwesi Biney, at Agona Nkwanta, he said the assembly had budgeted for GH¢95,000 for additional infrastructure to enhance education and physical exercise in the community.
He said with sponsorship from the Ministry of Communications, the Assembly was presently putting up an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre which was about 70 per cent complete.
He said there were plans to construct a playing ground to house table tennis court and children’s park where games for children would be introduced.
Mr Biney pointed out that there was the need for people to develop their minds and their bodies, adding that provision of such materials were good for healthy living which imparted on national development.
He pointed out that the reason behind those projects was, among other things, to take the youth out of unproductive ventures such as drinking and smoking but rather introduce them to reading, ICT and physical exercise to improve on their minds and bodies.
The DCE said the projects were scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of the year and appealed to contractors working on them to work to meet the deadline.
THE Ahanta West District Assembly in the Western Region is putting up educational and recreational infrastructure for the benefit of the youth in the area.
The Assembly has already completed a community library with educational materials to help boost the reading habits of the inhabitants of the district. The library can accommodate 100 people.
In an interview with the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwesi Biney, at Agona Nkwanta, he said the assembly had budgeted for GH¢95,000 for additional infrastructure to enhance education and physical exercise in the community.
He said with sponsorship from the Ministry of Communications, the Assembly was presently putting up an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre which was about 70 per cent complete.
He said there were plans to construct a playing ground to house table tennis court and children’s park where games for children would be introduced.
Mr Biney pointed out that there was the need for people to develop their minds and their bodies, adding that provision of such materials were good for healthy living which imparted on national development.
He pointed out that the reason behind those projects was, among other things, to take the youth out of unproductive ventures such as drinking and smoking but rather introduce them to reading, ICT and physical exercise to improve on their minds and bodies.
The DCE said the projects were scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of the year and appealed to contractors working on them to work to meet the deadline.
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