By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
In the past, it was mainly cases involving adults defiling children that came to the attention of the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU), of the Ghana Police Service. That is fast changing, as juveniles are fast learning the trade from adults.
Information gathered from WAJU shows that currently the unit is receiving complaints of juveniles defiling juveniles. Children between the ages of 14 to 16 years have begun defiling children in their age group or younger, according to Chief Inspector Rita Narh, Station Officer of WAJU in Accra.
The Station Officer told Public Agenda in an interview in Accra, that the unit receives two complaints of juvenile defilement every week.
She attributed the situation to the general breakdown in moral upbringing, because children are exposed so much to technological advancement, such as watching all kinds of movies/films on television, even at odd hours.
Madam Narh explained that out of curiosity these children are tempted to try or experience whatever they see. ‘‘There seem to be lack of parental supervision. Parents, particularly, mothers are so much concerned about their job or trade that they care little about what happens to their children’, she stressed.
Chief Inspector Narh said children in this era are curious to experiment whatever they see and hear. She noted that majority of the victims of child defilement involves children who sleep outside their parents rooms due to overcrowding. She said such child defilers are usually remanded in juvenile homes and sent to juvenile court till the determination of their case. But she added that while on remand they are allowed to go to school and cannot engage in the crime again.
Defilement was the second highest case recorded by WAJU for the first quarter with the figure 94 cases. This involves grown ups who had sexual intercourse with minors or children below 18 years. Could the child culprits be drawing inspiration from the grown ups? Meanwhile, a 21 year old trader resident at Nii Boi Town, in Accra, Kwame Ampong has been sentenced to three years imprisonment in hard labour by a Cocoa Affairs Court B1 for inserting his fingers into the private parts of a four-year old girl.
Another 19 year old driver, Reuben Manu has also been remanded to prison custody for defiling a nineteen year old imbecile.
Reuben who is a driver at the victim’s home drove the victim to church on May 14, 2005 and back.
At about 4.30 pm the same day, the accused asked the victim for the car key.
His reason was to spark the car to heat its engine. When the victim handed him over the key he lured her into the garage.
The accused removed a carpet from the booth and laid it on the ground and asked the victim to lie on the carpet which she did. He removed his panties and had sexual intercourse with her causing her to bleed profusely.
The victim reported the incident to her cousin who also reported the case the police. The accused was arrested and the case referred to WAJU.
The accused in his caution statement admitted the offence claiming it was Satan. After investigation he was charged and put before court. But at the court he pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison custody until June 6, 2005.
A similar media report also states that Tarkwa Circuit Court rescored 44 defilement cases from July 2004 to May 2005, as against 24 recorded within the same period in 2003.
According to the Presiding Judge, Mr. John Ajet Nasam, defilement cases were increasing at an alarming rate despite stiffer punishment which spans seven to twenty-five years imprisonment.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Routing out trachoma: It’s a fight against poverty
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Worldwide, about eighty million people are said to be blind through trachoma, according to data from the International trachoma Initiative (ITI). Eighty-four million is reported to be suffering from active infection, 75 percent of whom are women.
The disease, which is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, is easily spread through casual and mother-to-child contact. It affects the inner upper eyelid.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 10 percent of the population in the world stands at risk of attracting Trachoma, thereby making the disease a major public health threat.
Currently, Trachoma is said to be prevalent in 56 countries, mostly in the developing world where sanitation is poor and access to potable water is largely constrained.
In Ghana, an estimated 2.6 million people are said to be at risk, with 12,000-recorded cases of trachoma-related blindness.
Infection is most prevalent in children aged one to five years.
Annually, about $3 billion productivity losses are recorded by developing countries such as Ghana from trachoma related blindness.
The Ghana Health Service, (GHS) in collaboration with other ministries and major health partners including the ITI, has thus begun implementing Ghana’s trachoma elimination efforts.
ITI is the key international organisation working to eliminate trachoma blindness worldwide. Founded in 1998 by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and a research-based pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, ITI has trachoma elimination programmes in 12 countries worldwide.
The global campaign strategy is dubbed, “SAFE”.
The SAFE, an acronym recommended by the WHO for trachoma control stands for “S” Surgery to treat complications that may cause blindness, “A” Antibiotics to treat active trachoma infections, “F” to encourage face washing to reduce disease transmission and “E” for environmental changes to improve sanitation and access to clean water.
Pfizer donated eight million Zithromax treatments to ITI’s global efforts in five years, which included over 1.3 million doses in Ghana.
The strategic plan for trachoma control in Ghana is dubbed, “Ghana Free of Blinding Trachoma”. The goal is to eliminate blinding trachoma from Ghana by the year 2010.
The disease is concentrated in the Northern and Upper West regions. Prevalence rates ranges from 2.8 to 16.1 percent. The five-year national strategic plan for the Trachoma programme began in 2005.
The surgical services strategy being implemented is the community-based approach whereby services are brought directly to the patients.
At the moment, nine districts in the two endemic regions whose prevalence rates of active trachoma are 10 percent and above are receiving district-wide antibiotic distributions. In the remaining seventeen districts, mass antibiotic treatment is being carried out in all communities with significant levels of active trachoma prevalence.
Districts and communities that have completed three rounds of antibiotic treatments and found to have prevalence rates no longer of public health significance will graduate.
From the year 2000 when the programme began, 3,177 people who were at the potentially blinding stage of the disease have been provided with surgery. Health education and promotion of face washing is encouraged among groups and individuals.
In addition, 5,546 household latrines have so far been provided to trachoma endemic communities.
Ghana has continued to have much success in the improved provision of water to affected areas. Approximately 2,134 safe water sources have been provided to trachoma endemic communities. There has been improvement in the provision of safe water, with the completion of two urban solar support water projects sponsored by ITI and executed by WaterAid for the Tamale metropolitan area.
The sanitation component concentrated on the identification, sensitization and mobilization of communities to construct and use household latrines in order to reduce the flies’ infestation and improve sanitation values.
This notwithstanding, there is a huge need for the provision of safe water and sanitation facilities in some of the trachoma endemic areas.
An important key to the success of Ghana’s trachoma programme analysts say has been the work of local health providers and educators.
At a press launch of a special media advocacy programme in Accra, President of ITI, Mr. Jacob Kumaresan, announced that Ghana is on track to eliminating blindness from trachoma. “As we went round, I observed that if services are taken to the people they will access them. Ghana will likely be one of the first African countries to eliminate blindness from trachoma since the mid-20th century and will be one of the first to do so worldwide.”
Health Minister, Major Rtd Courage Quashigah, noted that eye health is critical as any other aspect of health since the rate of blindness in a country can give an indication of that country’s level of development.
“Blindness culminates in unfortunate situations which incapacitate the victims to an extent that they cannot work. Even in cases where they do, it is far below capacity and this result in abject poverty.”
Therefore, he said as we strive to reduce poverty, it is imperative to prevent avoidable blindness and develop structures that can offer comprehensive eye health care to meet the vision 2020 global initiative.
Major Rtd Quashigah cited the lack of awareness to blindness prevention as a major challenge to eye care provision. He stated that environmental cleanliness is paramount to the prevention of blinding trachoma as it reduces the breeding of flies.
He emphasized that as government continues to support human resource development in training health personnel, awareness programmes must be given the utmost priority in the fight against preventable blindness.
“With the launch of the media advocacy on the prevention of trachoma we must act seriously to help eradicate it completely from our society.”
Worldwide, about eighty million people are said to be blind through trachoma, according to data from the International trachoma Initiative (ITI). Eighty-four million is reported to be suffering from active infection, 75 percent of whom are women.
The disease, which is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, is easily spread through casual and mother-to-child contact. It affects the inner upper eyelid.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 10 percent of the population in the world stands at risk of attracting Trachoma, thereby making the disease a major public health threat.
Currently, Trachoma is said to be prevalent in 56 countries, mostly in the developing world where sanitation is poor and access to potable water is largely constrained.
In Ghana, an estimated 2.6 million people are said to be at risk, with 12,000-recorded cases of trachoma-related blindness.
Infection is most prevalent in children aged one to five years.
Annually, about $3 billion productivity losses are recorded by developing countries such as Ghana from trachoma related blindness.
The Ghana Health Service, (GHS) in collaboration with other ministries and major health partners including the ITI, has thus begun implementing Ghana’s trachoma elimination efforts.
ITI is the key international organisation working to eliminate trachoma blindness worldwide. Founded in 1998 by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and a research-based pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, ITI has trachoma elimination programmes in 12 countries worldwide.
The global campaign strategy is dubbed, “SAFE”.
The SAFE, an acronym recommended by the WHO for trachoma control stands for “S” Surgery to treat complications that may cause blindness, “A” Antibiotics to treat active trachoma infections, “F” to encourage face washing to reduce disease transmission and “E” for environmental changes to improve sanitation and access to clean water.
Pfizer donated eight million Zithromax treatments to ITI’s global efforts in five years, which included over 1.3 million doses in Ghana.
The strategic plan for trachoma control in Ghana is dubbed, “Ghana Free of Blinding Trachoma”. The goal is to eliminate blinding trachoma from Ghana by the year 2010.
The disease is concentrated in the Northern and Upper West regions. Prevalence rates ranges from 2.8 to 16.1 percent. The five-year national strategic plan for the Trachoma programme began in 2005.
The surgical services strategy being implemented is the community-based approach whereby services are brought directly to the patients.
At the moment, nine districts in the two endemic regions whose prevalence rates of active trachoma are 10 percent and above are receiving district-wide antibiotic distributions. In the remaining seventeen districts, mass antibiotic treatment is being carried out in all communities with significant levels of active trachoma prevalence.
Districts and communities that have completed three rounds of antibiotic treatments and found to have prevalence rates no longer of public health significance will graduate.
From the year 2000 when the programme began, 3,177 people who were at the potentially blinding stage of the disease have been provided with surgery. Health education and promotion of face washing is encouraged among groups and individuals.
In addition, 5,546 household latrines have so far been provided to trachoma endemic communities.
Ghana has continued to have much success in the improved provision of water to affected areas. Approximately 2,134 safe water sources have been provided to trachoma endemic communities. There has been improvement in the provision of safe water, with the completion of two urban solar support water projects sponsored by ITI and executed by WaterAid for the Tamale metropolitan area.
The sanitation component concentrated on the identification, sensitization and mobilization of communities to construct and use household latrines in order to reduce the flies’ infestation and improve sanitation values.
This notwithstanding, there is a huge need for the provision of safe water and sanitation facilities in some of the trachoma endemic areas.
An important key to the success of Ghana’s trachoma programme analysts say has been the work of local health providers and educators.
At a press launch of a special media advocacy programme in Accra, President of ITI, Mr. Jacob Kumaresan, announced that Ghana is on track to eliminating blindness from trachoma. “As we went round, I observed that if services are taken to the people they will access them. Ghana will likely be one of the first African countries to eliminate blindness from trachoma since the mid-20th century and will be one of the first to do so worldwide.”
Health Minister, Major Rtd Courage Quashigah, noted that eye health is critical as any other aspect of health since the rate of blindness in a country can give an indication of that country’s level of development.
“Blindness culminates in unfortunate situations which incapacitate the victims to an extent that they cannot work. Even in cases where they do, it is far below capacity and this result in abject poverty.”
Therefore, he said as we strive to reduce poverty, it is imperative to prevent avoidable blindness and develop structures that can offer comprehensive eye health care to meet the vision 2020 global initiative.
Major Rtd Quashigah cited the lack of awareness to blindness prevention as a major challenge to eye care provision. He stated that environmental cleanliness is paramount to the prevention of blinding trachoma as it reduces the breeding of flies.
He emphasized that as government continues to support human resource development in training health personnel, awareness programmes must be given the utmost priority in the fight against preventable blindness.
“With the launch of the media advocacy on the prevention of trachoma we must act seriously to help eradicate it completely from our society.”
Twenty-three thousand workers down and out
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
In a space of two decades 23,000 workers in Ghana’s textile sector have lost their jobs because Ghana’s clothing industry has fallen victim to a flood of cheap Asian textiles. Now the sector that used to employ around 25,000 workers employs a mere 2000 workers countrywide.
Textile industry watchers argue that if trade policies had been favourable to local industries, the alarming loss of jobs and livelihoods would have been minimal. Cheap textiles from countries such as China have flooded Ghana’s market which has seriously injured the local industry. Stakeholders say the onus is on the government to act quickly to act to save the textile industry which has the potential to create new jobs.
Globally, there has been a decline in the performance of the textile sector. During a meeting last week in Durban, South Africa of union representatives of clothing, textile, footwear and leather workers from ten African countries, including Ghana it came to light that Africa has lost over 250,000 clothing workers over the past few years.
Countries worse affected are Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Swaziland. The rest include Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania.
As clothing makers around the world adjust to brave new ways to save their local industries, Ghana’s textile industry remains one of the biggest casualties of trade liberalization.
Ghana Textile Print, (GTP), which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet and recently laid off 60 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. Juapong Textiles has totally collapsed.
GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberation. GTP is arguably the country’s flagship textile producer and is prided with producing some of the most traditional prints in Ghana.
Unfortunately, some popular traditional GTP prints, such as Afi bi esan’, ‘entwa woho nkyere me’, ‘subura’, among others are now being pirated in India, China and South Korea and smuggled into Ghana to undercut GTP.
In interviews with several importers of cheap textile they said the cost of labour in the textile industry in Ghana is high, compared to China for instance which produces reduced costs besides making enormous efforts at restructuring its textile sector.
Consequently, they can afford to flood them cheaply here.
The textile sector in Ghana has in recent years come under intense pressure on issues of wages and conditions of service. This has led to an increase in underpayment of workers, engaging workers on casual bases and contract work in the textile industries.
At a recent Trade Union Conference on the Future of the African Textiles and Clothing Industries in Cape Town, South Africa, representatives called on governments to institute comprehensive trade and industrial policies to restructure the industry.
The union representatives were from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Lesotho and South Africa.
They noted that African governments do not have a common approach to issues of trade and investment in textiles and clothing.
“African countries should not compete against each other to attract Foreign Direct Investment through a race to the bottom. Instead, the governments should build a social floor which includes respect for core labour standards”, said Thabo Tshabalala, Regional Secretary of the International Textiles, Garment and Leather Workers Federation, (ITGLWF) .
The union representatives stated the need for coordinated action by African governments to institute temporary safeguard measures against Chinese imports of textiles.
The unionists further stressed the need to address the issue of building the capacity of workers so as to increase productivity and efficiency.
In their opinion, governments must ensure that measures are put in place minimize the impact of trade in imported second-hand clothing while at the same time ensuring that Africa’s domestic industries are able to provide affordable clothing to the continents populace.
The trade unionists proposed a summit in Africa on the future of the textile, clothing and footwear industries with greater participation by trade unions, investors and governments, in order to develop commitments for a common action plan towards the growth of the industry.
In a space of two decades 23,000 workers in Ghana’s textile sector have lost their jobs because Ghana’s clothing industry has fallen victim to a flood of cheap Asian textiles. Now the sector that used to employ around 25,000 workers employs a mere 2000 workers countrywide.
Textile industry watchers argue that if trade policies had been favourable to local industries, the alarming loss of jobs and livelihoods would have been minimal. Cheap textiles from countries such as China have flooded Ghana’s market which has seriously injured the local industry. Stakeholders say the onus is on the government to act quickly to act to save the textile industry which has the potential to create new jobs.
Globally, there has been a decline in the performance of the textile sector. During a meeting last week in Durban, South Africa of union representatives of clothing, textile, footwear and leather workers from ten African countries, including Ghana it came to light that Africa has lost over 250,000 clothing workers over the past few years.
Countries worse affected are Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Swaziland. The rest include Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania.
As clothing makers around the world adjust to brave new ways to save their local industries, Ghana’s textile industry remains one of the biggest casualties of trade liberalization.
Ghana Textile Print, (GTP), which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet and recently laid off 60 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. Juapong Textiles has totally collapsed.
GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberation. GTP is arguably the country’s flagship textile producer and is prided with producing some of the most traditional prints in Ghana.
Unfortunately, some popular traditional GTP prints, such as Afi bi esan’, ‘entwa woho nkyere me’, ‘subura’, among others are now being pirated in India, China and South Korea and smuggled into Ghana to undercut GTP.
In interviews with several importers of cheap textile they said the cost of labour in the textile industry in Ghana is high, compared to China for instance which produces reduced costs besides making enormous efforts at restructuring its textile sector.
Consequently, they can afford to flood them cheaply here.
The textile sector in Ghana has in recent years come under intense pressure on issues of wages and conditions of service. This has led to an increase in underpayment of workers, engaging workers on casual bases and contract work in the textile industries.
At a recent Trade Union Conference on the Future of the African Textiles and Clothing Industries in Cape Town, South Africa, representatives called on governments to institute comprehensive trade and industrial policies to restructure the industry.
The union representatives were from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Lesotho and South Africa.
They noted that African governments do not have a common approach to issues of trade and investment in textiles and clothing.
“African countries should not compete against each other to attract Foreign Direct Investment through a race to the bottom. Instead, the governments should build a social floor which includes respect for core labour standards”, said Thabo Tshabalala, Regional Secretary of the International Textiles, Garment and Leather Workers Federation, (ITGLWF) .
The union representatives stated the need for coordinated action by African governments to institute temporary safeguard measures against Chinese imports of textiles.
The unionists further stressed the need to address the issue of building the capacity of workers so as to increase productivity and efficiency.
In their opinion, governments must ensure that measures are put in place minimize the impact of trade in imported second-hand clothing while at the same time ensuring that Africa’s domestic industries are able to provide affordable clothing to the continents populace.
The trade unionists proposed a summit in Africa on the future of the textile, clothing and footwear industries with greater participation by trade unions, investors and governments, in order to develop commitments for a common action plan towards the growth of the industry.
Putting smiles on the faces of HIV/AIDS orphans
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The HIV/AIDS menace is still prevalent. It appears to have come to stay with mankind. Many are the people, institutions, traditional and religious beliefs that claim to have found a cure for the deadly disease that is wiping out a chunk of the world’s population, particularly the youth who are needed for sustainable development. The HIV pandemic has also left many homes in despair, anxiety and much grief.
Economically, most families have lost breadwinners to the dreadful disease and are struggling to make ends meet.
Many children have been made orphans especially in sub-Saharan Africa, adding to the economic woes facing the continent. In Ghana like any other African country there are HIV/AIDs orphans.
Certain regions particularly Eastern and Brong Ahafo seem to be currently recording increasing numbers of AIDs orphans. Few non-governmental organizations have responded to the needs of such unfortunate children. One of such groups is the Serwah Ampem Aids Foundation for Children, (SAAFC) based in Kumasi.
Established in November 2002, SAAFC is providing home-based care to over two hundred children in Ashanti region, between the ages of 0-15 infected with and affected by the HIV/AIDs disease.
The idea for the home-based care is to wipe off the stigma by leaving them to continue to live together with their families. Named after the present Asantehemaa (Queen of Asante), SAAFC is the brainchild of the Ashantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11.
According to Kwame Owusu Kwateng, assistant to Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Ashantehene, who is the Executive Director of SAAFC, the organisation basically provides educational, health, human rights and counseling services to their dependants.
“With education, SAAFC provides whatever it takes for a child to be in school. For instance in 2004 we paid school fees but last year we only provided stationery as a result of the implementation of the capitation grant.”
On health, Mr. Kwateng explained that his organisation is paying for premiums on behalf of parents with the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS). “We are also bearing the cost of some children who are infected with the disease.”
He said SAAFC employs the services of counseling specialist and district representatives to provide counseling services to the children.
According to him, some of the children suffer from psychological trauma which results in timidity and low self esteem.
Mr. Kwateng said the foundation collaborates with human rights groups such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Ghana, to protect the rights of these unfortunate children. “Periodically, we hold durbars and sensitization workshops for care givers and members of the society to inculcate in them the need to accept such children who are infected and affected with HIV.”
He observed that but for the intervention of certain NGO’s like SAAFC,
these children who are the future of the country would have fallen out. “Society in general has not given the HIV pandemic the attention it needs. There is still stigmatization and discrimination against people living with the disease and those affected by it”, he regretted.
In his opinion, it is time for all and sundry to learn to accept the presence of the disease and find ways to deal with it.
“Through no fault of theirs these children or HIV orphans have found themselves in such a situation. Society should be made aware and come to their aid since they are needed for the country’s sustainable development,” Kwateng said
He added that the vision of SAAFC is for all children, both affected by and infected with HIV/AIDs to enjoy an improved quality of life through strengthening of care and support programmes, to eliminate all forms of discrimination and stigmatization and substantially reduce new HIV infections among children.
The HIV/AIDS menace is still prevalent. It appears to have come to stay with mankind. Many are the people, institutions, traditional and religious beliefs that claim to have found a cure for the deadly disease that is wiping out a chunk of the world’s population, particularly the youth who are needed for sustainable development. The HIV pandemic has also left many homes in despair, anxiety and much grief.
Economically, most families have lost breadwinners to the dreadful disease and are struggling to make ends meet.
Many children have been made orphans especially in sub-Saharan Africa, adding to the economic woes facing the continent. In Ghana like any other African country there are HIV/AIDs orphans.
Certain regions particularly Eastern and Brong Ahafo seem to be currently recording increasing numbers of AIDs orphans. Few non-governmental organizations have responded to the needs of such unfortunate children. One of such groups is the Serwah Ampem Aids Foundation for Children, (SAAFC) based in Kumasi.
Established in November 2002, SAAFC is providing home-based care to over two hundred children in Ashanti region, between the ages of 0-15 infected with and affected by the HIV/AIDs disease.
The idea for the home-based care is to wipe off the stigma by leaving them to continue to live together with their families. Named after the present Asantehemaa (Queen of Asante), SAAFC is the brainchild of the Ashantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11.
According to Kwame Owusu Kwateng, assistant to Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Ashantehene, who is the Executive Director of SAAFC, the organisation basically provides educational, health, human rights and counseling services to their dependants.
“With education, SAAFC provides whatever it takes for a child to be in school. For instance in 2004 we paid school fees but last year we only provided stationery as a result of the implementation of the capitation grant.”
On health, Mr. Kwateng explained that his organisation is paying for premiums on behalf of parents with the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS). “We are also bearing the cost of some children who are infected with the disease.”
He said SAAFC employs the services of counseling specialist and district representatives to provide counseling services to the children.
According to him, some of the children suffer from psychological trauma which results in timidity and low self esteem.
Mr. Kwateng said the foundation collaborates with human rights groups such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Ghana, to protect the rights of these unfortunate children. “Periodically, we hold durbars and sensitization workshops for care givers and members of the society to inculcate in them the need to accept such children who are infected and affected with HIV.”
He observed that but for the intervention of certain NGO’s like SAAFC,
these children who are the future of the country would have fallen out. “Society in general has not given the HIV pandemic the attention it needs. There is still stigmatization and discrimination against people living with the disease and those affected by it”, he regretted.
In his opinion, it is time for all and sundry to learn to accept the presence of the disease and find ways to deal with it.
“Through no fault of theirs these children or HIV orphans have found themselves in such a situation. Society should be made aware and come to their aid since they are needed for the country’s sustainable development,” Kwateng said
He added that the vision of SAAFC is for all children, both affected by and infected with HIV/AIDs to enjoy an improved quality of life through strengthening of care and support programmes, to eliminate all forms of discrimination and stigmatization and substantially reduce new HIV infections among children.
Take Police off the streets
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
A researcher has called for the need to relieve police personnel off their duties as road traffic controllers. Dr. Raymond Atuguba, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana, suggests that traffic control should be separated from the law and order function of the Ghana Police Service.
“Taking the police off traffic control and debt collection would deal with the public discomfort and also improve their (Police) image in the eyes of the public”, he advised.
In his view, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) must be empowered to take up the traffic control role since they have a comparative advantage over the Police in that area. “Traffic control is closely related to the function of the DVLA as it is also the only state institution that has the technical expertise, the equipment and the system to do effective traffic control. It is only the DVLA that can verify whether a road worthy certificate is fake or not.”
Dr. Atuguba, who is also the Executive Director of the Legal Resources Centre stated this when he led a roundtable discussion organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA) in Accra, themed, “The Ghana Police Service a Practical Agenda for Reform.”
He emphasized that although maintenance of law and order is a traditional function of the police, it is not an exclusive one, since there are other institutions created for that role, even though Ghanaians do not realize it.
He cited the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Ghana Standards Board and Labour Commission, as some of such institutions.
According to the lecturer, taking police off traffic control would deal with some of their despised functions in terms of public discomfort, corruption and shear arrogance. “We need to drive home to them that they are not all powerful and indispensable. We must remind them that they are to work continuously to justify their relevance.”
He recalled a survey conducted between 2001 and 2005 by some institutions including the Centre for Democratic Development on Human Rights Practices in Ghana, which revealed that there was increasing public dissatisfaction with the police.
Chief Superintendent Victor Tandoh, Commanding officer of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service, said police personnel also provide security as they control traffic. He explained that there have been instances where the police have arrested fraudsters and criminals as they controlled traffic.
Chief Supt. Tandoh called for improved conditions of service and logistics for the police to enhance their work. Police personnel in Ghana are overburdened because the police public ratio is one is to thousand, (1000), instead of one of one to five hundred (500).
A researcher has called for the need to relieve police personnel off their duties as road traffic controllers. Dr. Raymond Atuguba, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana, suggests that traffic control should be separated from the law and order function of the Ghana Police Service.
“Taking the police off traffic control and debt collection would deal with the public discomfort and also improve their (Police) image in the eyes of the public”, he advised.
In his view, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) must be empowered to take up the traffic control role since they have a comparative advantage over the Police in that area. “Traffic control is closely related to the function of the DVLA as it is also the only state institution that has the technical expertise, the equipment and the system to do effective traffic control. It is only the DVLA that can verify whether a road worthy certificate is fake or not.”
Dr. Atuguba, who is also the Executive Director of the Legal Resources Centre stated this when he led a roundtable discussion organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA) in Accra, themed, “The Ghana Police Service a Practical Agenda for Reform.”
He emphasized that although maintenance of law and order is a traditional function of the police, it is not an exclusive one, since there are other institutions created for that role, even though Ghanaians do not realize it.
He cited the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Ghana Standards Board and Labour Commission, as some of such institutions.
According to the lecturer, taking police off traffic control would deal with some of their despised functions in terms of public discomfort, corruption and shear arrogance. “We need to drive home to them that they are not all powerful and indispensable. We must remind them that they are to work continuously to justify their relevance.”
He recalled a survey conducted between 2001 and 2005 by some institutions including the Centre for Democratic Development on Human Rights Practices in Ghana, which revealed that there was increasing public dissatisfaction with the police.
Chief Superintendent Victor Tandoh, Commanding officer of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service, said police personnel also provide security as they control traffic. He explained that there have been instances where the police have arrested fraudsters and criminals as they controlled traffic.
Chief Supt. Tandoh called for improved conditions of service and logistics for the police to enhance their work. Police personnel in Ghana are overburdened because the police public ratio is one is to thousand, (1000), instead of one of one to five hundred (500).
Time to guarantee the rights of domestic workers
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
LAWA-Ghana Alumnae Incorporated, a non-governmental organisation comprising a group of women lawyers, continues to undertake certain legislative advocacy projects to promote women’s economic and social rights in Ghana.
The latest of such projects by LAWA-Ghana is ensuring the rights of domestic workers (domestic assistants), often referred to as house helps in Ghana are guaranteed.
This group of people could include house girls and boys, maidservants, watchmen and sometimes drivers.
They often serve several categories of people in the home. It is perceived that people who often hire their services are relations due to the country’s strong cultural attitudes and practices.
Such relations often promise the domestic assistants, (DAs) greener pastures/ better life but the end these promises are not delivered.
Many of the domestic workers who are females are required to be on duty from dawn to dusk, performing countless and difficult household chores for little or no compensation.
People “employed” under such circumstances are generally from poor backgrounds. Mostly, they migrate from rural areas and are sometimes below the age of eighteen.
Twelve year old Efua Ackon (not real name), a maid servant, had a horrible experience when she was accused by her mistress for stealing. However, the madam never allowed Efua into her bedroom. But for her to confess to the crime she was severely abused.
“My fingertips were exposed to a lighted candle. I also had to sleep in the dark store room for three days without food. My madam insisted that I speak the truth, but I didn’t know anything about the missing money.”
This is just one of such ordeals domestic workers go through at the hands of their benefactors.
A research by LAWA-Ghana in the year 2003 in Accra and Tema revealed that domestic workers are usually denied basic human rights.
They do not engage in any form of contract and even when they do, it is usually done through agencies.
Many do not receive any wages, let alone plan for the future through the Social Security and National Insurance Scheme, (SSNIT).
Majority of DAs who are females are vulnerable to sexual abuses, particularly adolescent ones.
This indicates the need for a law to be enacted to provide specific labour regulations for the exceptional employment situations of domestic workers in general.
Education and sensitization of persons such as employers and domestic workers is also necessary so that both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Ministries, departments and agencies responsible to protect domestic workers should be trained appropriately. Traditional and religious leaders as well as parents and girls, particularly in the rural areas must be sensitized so that they understand the actual risks and costs of engaging in domestic work.
According to Miss Sheila Minkah-Premo, member of LAWA-Ghana, her group is poised to use human rights based approach to promote the rights of domestic assistants in Ghana.
Already, the group has drafted proposals for the passage of regulations to address the issue under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
LAWA-Ghana is to undertake further research at the regional level and do more sensitization. Rights and Voices Initiative, (RAVI) is supporting the project.
The aim is to raise awareness about the rights of domestic assistants, to mobilize them to advocate for the protection of their rights and to push for the enactment of proposed comprehensive labour Act, (Domestic Workers) Regulation as a subsidiary legislation under the Labour Act.
It will also ensure that Ghana fulfills her international labour obligations and provide job security and encourage professionalism.
Four regions, namely, Volta, Ashanti, Western and Central regions have been selected for the research to be carried between now and 2006. Miss Minkah-Premo stated, “there is need to make this vocation more attractive and professional to attract people to enter it to earn a living.”
LAWA-Ghana Alumnae Incorporated, a non-governmental organisation comprising a group of women lawyers, continues to undertake certain legislative advocacy projects to promote women’s economic and social rights in Ghana.
The latest of such projects by LAWA-Ghana is ensuring the rights of domestic workers (domestic assistants), often referred to as house helps in Ghana are guaranteed.
This group of people could include house girls and boys, maidservants, watchmen and sometimes drivers.
They often serve several categories of people in the home. It is perceived that people who often hire their services are relations due to the country’s strong cultural attitudes and practices.
Such relations often promise the domestic assistants, (DAs) greener pastures/ better life but the end these promises are not delivered.
Many of the domestic workers who are females are required to be on duty from dawn to dusk, performing countless and difficult household chores for little or no compensation.
People “employed” under such circumstances are generally from poor backgrounds. Mostly, they migrate from rural areas and are sometimes below the age of eighteen.
Twelve year old Efua Ackon (not real name), a maid servant, had a horrible experience when she was accused by her mistress for stealing. However, the madam never allowed Efua into her bedroom. But for her to confess to the crime she was severely abused.
“My fingertips were exposed to a lighted candle. I also had to sleep in the dark store room for three days without food. My madam insisted that I speak the truth, but I didn’t know anything about the missing money.”
This is just one of such ordeals domestic workers go through at the hands of their benefactors.
A research by LAWA-Ghana in the year 2003 in Accra and Tema revealed that domestic workers are usually denied basic human rights.
They do not engage in any form of contract and even when they do, it is usually done through agencies.
Many do not receive any wages, let alone plan for the future through the Social Security and National Insurance Scheme, (SSNIT).
Majority of DAs who are females are vulnerable to sexual abuses, particularly adolescent ones.
This indicates the need for a law to be enacted to provide specific labour regulations for the exceptional employment situations of domestic workers in general.
Education and sensitization of persons such as employers and domestic workers is also necessary so that both parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Ministries, departments and agencies responsible to protect domestic workers should be trained appropriately. Traditional and religious leaders as well as parents and girls, particularly in the rural areas must be sensitized so that they understand the actual risks and costs of engaging in domestic work.
According to Miss Sheila Minkah-Premo, member of LAWA-Ghana, her group is poised to use human rights based approach to promote the rights of domestic assistants in Ghana.
Already, the group has drafted proposals for the passage of regulations to address the issue under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
LAWA-Ghana is to undertake further research at the regional level and do more sensitization. Rights and Voices Initiative, (RAVI) is supporting the project.
The aim is to raise awareness about the rights of domestic assistants, to mobilize them to advocate for the protection of their rights and to push for the enactment of proposed comprehensive labour Act, (Domestic Workers) Regulation as a subsidiary legislation under the Labour Act.
It will also ensure that Ghana fulfills her international labour obligations and provide job security and encourage professionalism.
Four regions, namely, Volta, Ashanti, Western and Central regions have been selected for the research to be carried between now and 2006. Miss Minkah-Premo stated, “there is need to make this vocation more attractive and professional to attract people to enter it to earn a living.”
Women want polygamy banned
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
A non-governmental organization, LAWA-Ghana Alumnae Incorporated comprising a group of women lawyers is advocating a complete ban and criminalization of polygamy under all forms of marriages in Ghana.
LAWA argues that banning polygamy will ensure the inclusion of women’s rights in laws on the registration of marriages in Ghana and also bring into reality the goal of equality between men and women.
The move by the women lawyers was the outcome of a legal research on polygamy and its effects on women and children. For now, LAWA-Ghana is embarking on consultation with interest groups to find a common ground to present their case to the country’s lawmakers.
According to LAWA future legislation should emphasize that polygamy is prohibited in Ghana under all forms of marriages, including the statutory, customary and Mohammedan law.
“The law should also state clearly that the ban applies only to marriages contracted after it comes into force, and should not affect polygamous unions currently in force in Ghana”, the Executive Director of LAWA-Ghana, Ms Barbara Ayesu, stated at a legislative consultation workshop on ensuring the protection of women’s rights marriages in Ghana.
Ms Ayesu noted that women in polygamous unions are worse affected, compared to their monogamous counterparts due to increased labour, more parental responsibilities, access to fewer financial resources, risk to health and a large disparity in the amount of inheritance upon the death of the spouse.
She said children are also denied adequate resources and paternal support.
She explained that these inequalities results in a subordination of women generally because society accepts these inequalities. “By prohibiting polygamy, the state is saying that it supports the monogamous model as ideal, in which one man is equal to one woman. If equality between the genders in Ghana is to become a reality, this must be the basic foundation from which the government approaches the problem”, she added.
Ms Ayesu said in instituting what she described as a historic change in Ghanaian marriage law, education must be a critical component.
In addition to the legislative ban on polygamy, LAWA-Ghana says legislation on mandatory marriage registration must be passed for all customary and religious marriages. They argue that registration is necessary so that the state can track compliance with the law and ensure that people are not entering into polygamous unions unlawfully.
LAWA claims the current registration system for customary law marriages is not sufficient to track the law because if a couple chooses not to register their marriage, it leaves the state with no accurate record of their union.
A member of LAWA-Ghana, Mrs. Sheila Minkah-Premo, noted that Ghana has a number of laws in dealing with marriages, some of which have provisions that are discriminatory against women.
“These discriminatory provisions are embedded in religion and tradition and these are areas that are not easy to change. It is important that these laws are looked at critically with a modern society taking into consideration, Ghana’s international obligations”, she advised.
She recalled that the government, through the Statute Law Revision Commission attempted to revise he laws on marriages in Ghana by harmonizing all existing laws, saying, “this issue is still pending and gender activists have to stay alert to be able to make meaningful input and ensure that provisions that discriminate against women in existing laws are not included”.
A non-governmental organization, LAWA-Ghana Alumnae Incorporated comprising a group of women lawyers is advocating a complete ban and criminalization of polygamy under all forms of marriages in Ghana.
LAWA argues that banning polygamy will ensure the inclusion of women’s rights in laws on the registration of marriages in Ghana and also bring into reality the goal of equality between men and women.
The move by the women lawyers was the outcome of a legal research on polygamy and its effects on women and children. For now, LAWA-Ghana is embarking on consultation with interest groups to find a common ground to present their case to the country’s lawmakers.
According to LAWA future legislation should emphasize that polygamy is prohibited in Ghana under all forms of marriages, including the statutory, customary and Mohammedan law.
“The law should also state clearly that the ban applies only to marriages contracted after it comes into force, and should not affect polygamous unions currently in force in Ghana”, the Executive Director of LAWA-Ghana, Ms Barbara Ayesu, stated at a legislative consultation workshop on ensuring the protection of women’s rights marriages in Ghana.
Ms Ayesu noted that women in polygamous unions are worse affected, compared to their monogamous counterparts due to increased labour, more parental responsibilities, access to fewer financial resources, risk to health and a large disparity in the amount of inheritance upon the death of the spouse.
She said children are also denied adequate resources and paternal support.
She explained that these inequalities results in a subordination of women generally because society accepts these inequalities. “By prohibiting polygamy, the state is saying that it supports the monogamous model as ideal, in which one man is equal to one woman. If equality between the genders in Ghana is to become a reality, this must be the basic foundation from which the government approaches the problem”, she added.
Ms Ayesu said in instituting what she described as a historic change in Ghanaian marriage law, education must be a critical component.
In addition to the legislative ban on polygamy, LAWA-Ghana says legislation on mandatory marriage registration must be passed for all customary and religious marriages. They argue that registration is necessary so that the state can track compliance with the law and ensure that people are not entering into polygamous unions unlawfully.
LAWA claims the current registration system for customary law marriages is not sufficient to track the law because if a couple chooses not to register their marriage, it leaves the state with no accurate record of their union.
A member of LAWA-Ghana, Mrs. Sheila Minkah-Premo, noted that Ghana has a number of laws in dealing with marriages, some of which have provisions that are discriminatory against women.
“These discriminatory provisions are embedded in religion and tradition and these are areas that are not easy to change. It is important that these laws are looked at critically with a modern society taking into consideration, Ghana’s international obligations”, she advised.
She recalled that the government, through the Statute Law Revision Commission attempted to revise he laws on marriages in Ghana by harmonizing all existing laws, saying, “this issue is still pending and gender activists have to stay alert to be able to make meaningful input and ensure that provisions that discriminate against women in existing laws are not included”.
IDEG promotes civic participation in district budget process
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The Institute for Democratic Governance, (IDEG) a civil society organisation has developed a system dubbed, ‘Governance Issues Forum’, (GIF), to give Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) and citizens room to take part effectively in tracking the implementation of national economic polices.
Basically, the GIF has adopted a public deliberation procedure that allows people to outline important development issues for their local communities and the nation as a whole.
GIF involves a training programme, research and information sharing, forums and follow-up activities. GIF’s are organised through a network of civil society, private and public sector actors at the district, regional and national levels.
The programme was established in June 2005 with a pilot scheme in 22 districts and five regions in Ghana prior to the preparation of the 2006 budget.
According to the Project Officer of IDEG, Miss Ruby Quantson, the outcome of GIF deliberations last year which focused on unemployment at the district and regional levels fed into the preparation of the 2006 budget in which ¢1 trillion was allocated to support youth unemployment in the country.
In furtherance of the aims of GIF a training programme was recently held at Swedru, in the Central region under the ‘Civic Participation in the District Budget Process,’ a programme designed as a follow-up to last year’s GIF.
Participants from western, central and Greater Accra regions, included ordinary citizens and government officials who agreed to form working groups to ensure that issues discussed at the dialogues are factored into future planning for districts and regions.
The training programmes are therefore aimed at equipping rural people on district budget planning process, monitoring and evaluation and developing a district data base.
A Budget Analyst of the Budget Directorate of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Joseph Antwi, told participants that district assemblies are constrained to contribute to the budget making process because of the limited timeframe for district planning.
Mr. Antwi explained that in practice, the district budget process is characterized by unpredictability, partly due to its rather weak linkage with the national process.
In the area of civic participation in the district budget process, he said assembly members are expected to interact with the electorate and CSOs for inputs in fee fixing and budget preparation.
“Poor interaction between assembly members and CSOs and low capacity of civil society to participate in assembly activities are some of the gaps in the district budget process”, he explained.
In Mr. Antwi’s opinion, among the major challenges facing the process is how to motivate civil society actors to commit time and resources into the district budget process to facilitate civil society participation.
He suggested that district projects must be seen as state projects since they are implemented from state resources.
The Institute for Democratic Governance, (IDEG) a civil society organisation has developed a system dubbed, ‘Governance Issues Forum’, (GIF), to give Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) and citizens room to take part effectively in tracking the implementation of national economic polices.
Basically, the GIF has adopted a public deliberation procedure that allows people to outline important development issues for their local communities and the nation as a whole.
GIF involves a training programme, research and information sharing, forums and follow-up activities. GIF’s are organised through a network of civil society, private and public sector actors at the district, regional and national levels.
The programme was established in June 2005 with a pilot scheme in 22 districts and five regions in Ghana prior to the preparation of the 2006 budget.
According to the Project Officer of IDEG, Miss Ruby Quantson, the outcome of GIF deliberations last year which focused on unemployment at the district and regional levels fed into the preparation of the 2006 budget in which ¢1 trillion was allocated to support youth unemployment in the country.
In furtherance of the aims of GIF a training programme was recently held at Swedru, in the Central region under the ‘Civic Participation in the District Budget Process,’ a programme designed as a follow-up to last year’s GIF.
Participants from western, central and Greater Accra regions, included ordinary citizens and government officials who agreed to form working groups to ensure that issues discussed at the dialogues are factored into future planning for districts and regions.
The training programmes are therefore aimed at equipping rural people on district budget planning process, monitoring and evaluation and developing a district data base.
A Budget Analyst of the Budget Directorate of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Joseph Antwi, told participants that district assemblies are constrained to contribute to the budget making process because of the limited timeframe for district planning.
Mr. Antwi explained that in practice, the district budget process is characterized by unpredictability, partly due to its rather weak linkage with the national process.
In the area of civic participation in the district budget process, he said assembly members are expected to interact with the electorate and CSOs for inputs in fee fixing and budget preparation.
“Poor interaction between assembly members and CSOs and low capacity of civil society to participate in assembly activities are some of the gaps in the district budget process”, he explained.
In Mr. Antwi’s opinion, among the major challenges facing the process is how to motivate civil society actors to commit time and resources into the district budget process to facilitate civil society participation.
He suggested that district projects must be seen as state projects since they are implemented from state resources.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN DISTRESS
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Union leaders at Hall of TUC have confirmed that two of Ghana’s biggest textile manufacturing companies, Ghana Textile Print, (GTP) and Akosombo Textiles Ltd are struggling to survive in the face of keen foreign competition.
GTP, which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet and recently laid off 60 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. GTP sources told Public Agenda that management intended to lay off a 100 workers, but reduced the number because of inadequate funds to pay them off.
GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberation. Union sources told this reporter that Juapong Textiles limited is currently negotiating its payoff package and would soon lay off all its workers and fold up. The fate of Juapong Textile is not an isolated one, because GTP, which owns the largest shares in the company is itself struggling.
GTP is arguably the country’s flagship textile producer and is prided with producing some of the most traditional prints in Ghana. Some popular GTP prints include ‘Afi bi esan’, ‘entwa woho nkyere me’, ‘subura’, ‘akyekyede akyi’, ‘sika wo ntaban’, ‘meho efe kyen me kora’, ‘efie abosia’, etc. Unfortunately, these traditional prints are now being pirated in India and South Korea and smuggled into Ghana to undercut GTP.
Industry watchers have been explaining that though the Akosombo Textile Limited is the only local textile manufacturer that is holding out against competition, it is also contemplating folding up if nothing is done to save the textile industry. ‘‘ATL is able to produce currently because it has another affiliate in Nigeria, where the factory enjoys some form of government subsidy’, the source explained.
ATL management sources lamented that sometimes the company is compelled to import from Nigeria, but say that cannot continue for long and the last resort could be to relocate to Nigeria. ATL which is used to employ 2000 employees some years back currently has only 800.
Meanwhile, some union leaders in the garment sector have expressed dissatisfaction with the hasty decision taken by the Ministry of Trade Industry to announce measures to stop the smuggling of textile into the country. In their view the National Tripartite Committee is working to come out with pragmatic measures to ensure that if there is need for tax reviews parliament would at the forefront, since the Trade Ministry has no mandate to review taxes.
The textile manufacturing companies argue that the interventions announced by the MOTI&PSI are another round of promises because, in their view nothing was mentioned about the resources, both personnel and budget, that such a programme would require to be efficient.
Since Ghana liberalized her market in 1984, a number of local industries that used to compete keenly with foreign companies have folded up. Some are the sugar factory at Asutuare and Komenda, shoe and leather factories in Kumasi, Eveready factory, the tomato factory at Pwalugu in Upper East region and the Bolgatanga meat factory.
In 1999, a report by the Association of Ghana Industries, (AGI), on the state of Ghana’s industries stated that over 200 local industries have been stifled since 1984.
According to the AGI report, the worst hit sector was the garment and textile industry to the extent that Ghana which was providing items like towels and bed sheets for the tourism industry had to resort to importing cheap substitutes from South East Asia.
Thus, the so called boom in the tourism industry should have come with more jobs for the textile factories, but that is not the case.
Union leaders at Hall of TUC have confirmed that two of Ghana’s biggest textile manufacturing companies, Ghana Textile Print, (GTP) and Akosombo Textiles Ltd are struggling to survive in the face of keen foreign competition.
GTP, which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet and recently laid off 60 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. GTP sources told Public Agenda that management intended to lay off a 100 workers, but reduced the number because of inadequate funds to pay them off.
GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberation. Union sources told this reporter that Juapong Textiles limited is currently negotiating its payoff package and would soon lay off all its workers and fold up. The fate of Juapong Textile is not an isolated one, because GTP, which owns the largest shares in the company is itself struggling.
GTP is arguably the country’s flagship textile producer and is prided with producing some of the most traditional prints in Ghana. Some popular GTP prints include ‘Afi bi esan’, ‘entwa woho nkyere me’, ‘subura’, ‘akyekyede akyi’, ‘sika wo ntaban’, ‘meho efe kyen me kora’, ‘efie abosia’, etc. Unfortunately, these traditional prints are now being pirated in India and South Korea and smuggled into Ghana to undercut GTP.
Industry watchers have been explaining that though the Akosombo Textile Limited is the only local textile manufacturer that is holding out against competition, it is also contemplating folding up if nothing is done to save the textile industry. ‘‘ATL is able to produce currently because it has another affiliate in Nigeria, where the factory enjoys some form of government subsidy’, the source explained.
ATL management sources lamented that sometimes the company is compelled to import from Nigeria, but say that cannot continue for long and the last resort could be to relocate to Nigeria. ATL which is used to employ 2000 employees some years back currently has only 800.
Meanwhile, some union leaders in the garment sector have expressed dissatisfaction with the hasty decision taken by the Ministry of Trade Industry to announce measures to stop the smuggling of textile into the country. In their view the National Tripartite Committee is working to come out with pragmatic measures to ensure that if there is need for tax reviews parliament would at the forefront, since the Trade Ministry has no mandate to review taxes.
The textile manufacturing companies argue that the interventions announced by the MOTI&PSI are another round of promises because, in their view nothing was mentioned about the resources, both personnel and budget, that such a programme would require to be efficient.
Since Ghana liberalized her market in 1984, a number of local industries that used to compete keenly with foreign companies have folded up. Some are the sugar factory at Asutuare and Komenda, shoe and leather factories in Kumasi, Eveready factory, the tomato factory at Pwalugu in Upper East region and the Bolgatanga meat factory.
In 1999, a report by the Association of Ghana Industries, (AGI), on the state of Ghana’s industries stated that over 200 local industries have been stifled since 1984.
According to the AGI report, the worst hit sector was the garment and textile industry to the extent that Ghana which was providing items like towels and bed sheets for the tourism industry had to resort to importing cheap substitutes from South East Asia.
Thus, the so called boom in the tourism industry should have come with more jobs for the textile factories, but that is not the case.
No X’mas for 230 textile workers
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Ghana’s textile industry remains one of the biggest casualties of trade liberalization. Ghana Textile Print, (GTP), currently known as Text Style, which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet.
In December last year, the company laid off 170 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberalization. Juapong Textiles has totally collapsed.
Industry watchers have been explaining that though the Akosombo Textile Limited, (ATL), is the only local textile manufacturer that is holding out against competition, it is also contemplating folding up if nothing is done to save the textile industry. ‘‘ATL is able to produce currently because it has another affiliate in Nigeria, where the factory enjoys some form of government subsidy’, a source explained.
On its part, the Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company limited, GTMC shut down in December 2005 and paid off 160 workers. Even though GTMC sought approval from the National Labour Department to retrench 180 workers, it only paid off 160. The rest who are due for retirement from now to the year 2008 have been asked to stay and work together with those on contract, perhaps, in order to avoid paying them realistic packages better than what they will receive on retirement.
The retrenchment package includes a two-month salary for each year of service, whereas retirement benefit is only a presentation or gift from the company and ones social security contributions.
When this reporter contacted the National Labour Department, (NLD), it explained that it was normal that a company could apply to declare redundancy for a particularly number of its employees, and still retain some of them if it wishes.
However, it is required to notify the NLD on such decision. “The redundancy act ensures that a company is not just victimizing workers by applying to declare a state of redundancy, but give proof of being in serious crisis.”
A situation the national union argues is unfair. “The fiat issued by the labour department to GTMC covered all the workers. Why should the company go back to act differently?”
Ironically, the company is currently re-engaging the workers on contract basis, devoid of any labour conditions. They are believed to be receiving or earning far lower than what they used to.
Unfortunately, the textile industry is not the sector filing to declare redundancy but all other sectors in the country. A source at the National Labour Department, (NLD) told Public Agenda that the unit has been receiving petitions from companies in all sectors seeking to declare redundancy.
In a space of two decades 23,000 workers in Ghana’s textile sector have lost their jobs because Ghana’s clothing industry has fallen victim to a flood of cheap Asian textiles. Now the sector that used to employ around 25,000 workers employs a mere 2000 workers countrywide.
Textile industry watchers argue that if trade policies had been favourable to local industries, the alarming loss of jobs and livelihoods would have been minimal.
Cheap textiles from countries such as China have flooded Ghana’s market which has seriously injured the local industry. Stakeholders say the onus is on the government to act quickly to act to save the textile industry which has the potential to create new jobs.
Ghana’s textile industry remains one of the biggest casualties of trade liberalization. Ghana Textile Print, (GTP), currently known as Text Style, which used to hold its own against multinational textile companies, is currently finding it hard to stand on its feet.
In December last year, the company laid off 170 workers as part of measures to resuscitate its operations. GTP is not the only textile industry hit by trade liberalization. Juapong Textiles has totally collapsed.
Industry watchers have been explaining that though the Akosombo Textile Limited, (ATL), is the only local textile manufacturer that is holding out against competition, it is also contemplating folding up if nothing is done to save the textile industry. ‘‘ATL is able to produce currently because it has another affiliate in Nigeria, where the factory enjoys some form of government subsidy’, a source explained.
On its part, the Ghana Textile Manufacturing Company limited, GTMC shut down in December 2005 and paid off 160 workers. Even though GTMC sought approval from the National Labour Department to retrench 180 workers, it only paid off 160. The rest who are due for retirement from now to the year 2008 have been asked to stay and work together with those on contract, perhaps, in order to avoid paying them realistic packages better than what they will receive on retirement.
The retrenchment package includes a two-month salary for each year of service, whereas retirement benefit is only a presentation or gift from the company and ones social security contributions.
When this reporter contacted the National Labour Department, (NLD), it explained that it was normal that a company could apply to declare redundancy for a particularly number of its employees, and still retain some of them if it wishes.
However, it is required to notify the NLD on such decision. “The redundancy act ensures that a company is not just victimizing workers by applying to declare a state of redundancy, but give proof of being in serious crisis.”
A situation the national union argues is unfair. “The fiat issued by the labour department to GTMC covered all the workers. Why should the company go back to act differently?”
Ironically, the company is currently re-engaging the workers on contract basis, devoid of any labour conditions. They are believed to be receiving or earning far lower than what they used to.
Unfortunately, the textile industry is not the sector filing to declare redundancy but all other sectors in the country. A source at the National Labour Department, (NLD) told Public Agenda that the unit has been receiving petitions from companies in all sectors seeking to declare redundancy.
In a space of two decades 23,000 workers in Ghana’s textile sector have lost their jobs because Ghana’s clothing industry has fallen victim to a flood of cheap Asian textiles. Now the sector that used to employ around 25,000 workers employs a mere 2000 workers countrywide.
Textile industry watchers argue that if trade policies had been favourable to local industries, the alarming loss of jobs and livelihoods would have been minimal.
Cheap textiles from countries such as China have flooded Ghana’s market which has seriously injured the local industry. Stakeholders say the onus is on the government to act quickly to act to save the textile industry which has the potential to create new jobs.
Huge social investment bring little results
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The livelihoods of women in the Savelugu-Nanton district in the Northern Region is reported to have seen slight improvement, despite huge investment made to improve their situation in the last five years.
In terms of economic security, measures that were put in place to improve the livelihood of women in the district through credit from non-governmental organizations, religious and non-financial institutions did not help much.
Even though the credit was aimed at improving the incomes of these women, they were considered small with each receiving an amount of about ¢500,000.
A recent research, (December 2005) on the livelihoods and food security of women in the district, identified rice processing, shea-butter extraction, picking of shea nuts and farming as the main livelihood activities of the women.
The survey by the Savelugu-Nanton District Assembly through the assistance of the Foundation for Grassroots Initiatives in Africa and the International Centre for Research on Women, (ICRW), cited selling of soup ingredients, selling of firewood and production and sale of charcoal as other minor livelihood activities.
Household livelihood security is defined as adequate and sustainable access to income and resources to meet basic needs such as adequate access to food, potable water, health facilities and educational opportunities among others. The two immediate determinants of livelihood security are economic and nutritional security.
But despite all these efforts, Mr. Kareem Daari, a Lecturer at the Department of Community Nutrition of the University of Development Studies, (UDS), stated there are a lot of challenges to be met.
Speaking at seminar in Accra on the Status of Nutrition in Ghana, Mr. Daari explained, that these challenges include lack of funds for women in the district to start their own businesses or to expand livelihood activities. “Some of the women are not able to sustain their trades because they spend much of their monies on their families.”
Marketing of the produce by these women, according to the lecturer is poor, due to lack of information on market trends and activities of middlemen, who buy them cheaper from the women, leaving them with nothing.
In the area of nutritional security needs of households, which relates to improvement of household incomes, Mr. Daari stated that they have not been met. Most of the households were said to have run out of food within the year and had to resort to the sale of small animals to buy food.
Among the major reasons for food shortages are poor yields, due to rainfall pattern and inability of families to purchase farm inputs. As a result, malnutrition is high. The only people who are fortunate to have food all year round include tractor owners who are able to travel long distances.
Mr. Kareem stressed that short term plans to improve women’s livelihood activities include expansion of micro-credit scheme to cover more women and acquire processing machinery for them.
Improving literacy rate of women to support households, establishing rural enterprise projects and improvement of infrastructural facilities linked to women’s livelihood activities as some long term plans.
Dr. Rudolf Amenga-Etego, Executive Director of Foundation for Grassroots Initiatives in Africa, emphasized the need to bring issues of nutrition and gender back on the national agenda. In his opinion, the country’s struggle to provide potable water at the district level would not be able to achieve much, if it is not matched with nutrition.
The livelihoods of women in the Savelugu-Nanton district in the Northern Region is reported to have seen slight improvement, despite huge investment made to improve their situation in the last five years.
In terms of economic security, measures that were put in place to improve the livelihood of women in the district through credit from non-governmental organizations, religious and non-financial institutions did not help much.
Even though the credit was aimed at improving the incomes of these women, they were considered small with each receiving an amount of about ¢500,000.
A recent research, (December 2005) on the livelihoods and food security of women in the district, identified rice processing, shea-butter extraction, picking of shea nuts and farming as the main livelihood activities of the women.
The survey by the Savelugu-Nanton District Assembly through the assistance of the Foundation for Grassroots Initiatives in Africa and the International Centre for Research on Women, (ICRW), cited selling of soup ingredients, selling of firewood and production and sale of charcoal as other minor livelihood activities.
Household livelihood security is defined as adequate and sustainable access to income and resources to meet basic needs such as adequate access to food, potable water, health facilities and educational opportunities among others. The two immediate determinants of livelihood security are economic and nutritional security.
But despite all these efforts, Mr. Kareem Daari, a Lecturer at the Department of Community Nutrition of the University of Development Studies, (UDS), stated there are a lot of challenges to be met.
Speaking at seminar in Accra on the Status of Nutrition in Ghana, Mr. Daari explained, that these challenges include lack of funds for women in the district to start their own businesses or to expand livelihood activities. “Some of the women are not able to sustain their trades because they spend much of their monies on their families.”
Marketing of the produce by these women, according to the lecturer is poor, due to lack of information on market trends and activities of middlemen, who buy them cheaper from the women, leaving them with nothing.
In the area of nutritional security needs of households, which relates to improvement of household incomes, Mr. Daari stated that they have not been met. Most of the households were said to have run out of food within the year and had to resort to the sale of small animals to buy food.
Among the major reasons for food shortages are poor yields, due to rainfall pattern and inability of families to purchase farm inputs. As a result, malnutrition is high. The only people who are fortunate to have food all year round include tractor owners who are able to travel long distances.
Mr. Kareem stressed that short term plans to improve women’s livelihood activities include expansion of micro-credit scheme to cover more women and acquire processing machinery for them.
Improving literacy rate of women to support households, establishing rural enterprise projects and improvement of infrastructural facilities linked to women’s livelihood activities as some long term plans.
Dr. Rudolf Amenga-Etego, Executive Director of Foundation for Grassroots Initiatives in Africa, emphasized the need to bring issues of nutrition and gender back on the national agenda. In his opinion, the country’s struggle to provide potable water at the district level would not be able to achieve much, if it is not matched with nutrition.
A healthy people for a wealthy nation, says GHS
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The Ghana Health Service, (GHS) the biggest health care provider in the country, is inculcating in Ghanaians the need to develop healthy living and physical exercises to avoid preventable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which put a drain on the country’s scarce health resources.
According to the Director-General of the GHS, Prof. Agyemang Badu-Akosa, non-communicable diseases such as obesity and hypertension could easily be avoided through healthy eating and physical exercise.
“The drastic reduction in physical exertion has led to many physical, mental and emotional health problems. Compared to active people, inactive people tend to have higher blood pressure, a high risk of strokes and heart attacks, a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers and a higher risk of osteoporosis and high tendency to become obese.”
Prof. Badu-Akosa was speaking at a media briefing on the Ghana Health Service Month in Accra.
He disclosed that work done by an Endocrinologist, Dr. Francis Ofei of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital identified obesity and hypertension not only as urban phenomena but happening everywhere.
Prof. Akosa noted that moderate physical activity is vital to people’s well being. Yet, he regretted, that Ghanaians remain inactive, in spite of the exposure given to the risks of physical inactivity.
The GHS Month, November 2005, dubbed, “Healthy Life Style – Healthy Living” is an annual programme designed to take stock of the past year’s activities and create public health awareness. Deserving personnel are also rewarded during the awareness week.
Making reference to statistics from the World Heart Federation, Prof. Akosa stated that about 60% to 85% of the world’s population is not physically active enough to gain health benefits, particularly, among girls and women.
“The organisation claims that nearly two thirds of children are insufficiently active for their health. A trend, health experts worldwide view as alarming.”
Thus, he said, the campaign by the GHS to educate and encourage people on the benefits of moderate physical activity as is being done globally.
The health expert debunked claims that people who are not overweight need not engage in any exercise. “Even if you are not overweight, physical exercise is necessary to improve your overall health and help prevent serious diseases, including certain types of cancer. The fact is, many who are slim suffer mental and emotional stress, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other conditions aggravated by lack of enough exercise.”
He cited a situation where a person does not exercise or engage in any vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes three times a week, not moving from one place to another while engaging in leisure activities, and rarely walking over 100 metres a day, as some of the numerous instances of a sedentary lifestyle.
Prof. Akosa revealed that currently, overweight or obese women outnumber those who are underfed. A situation he said is a leading risk factor for heart diseases and stroke, especially when the weight is carried around the abdomen.
He asserts that ones heart health is at risk not only by the amount of fat, but also where it is located. He said weight and height are indicators of Body Mass Index, (BMI) and hip as well as waist ratio are determinants of health. “People with waist sizes above 40 inches are considered at significant risk of developing heart diseases and stroke.”
Prof. Akosa emphasized that normal BMI must be between 18 and 25, whereas between 26 and 29 is overweight and over 30 is obese. “Hip waist ratio for females must be less than one, thus one’s hip must more than her waist, and maximum of one for males. Waist size is like blood pressure and cholesterol level, therefore we should all be cautious.”
Typical of a health expert, he prescribes at least 30 minutes of brisk walking for adults daily to help reduce risk factors. Adding, that parents are powerful role models for their children and must adopt balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, low fat ad fat free products, among others. In his opinion, all such foods can be obtained locally and are affordable.
The Ghana Health Service, (GHS) the biggest health care provider in the country, is inculcating in Ghanaians the need to develop healthy living and physical exercises to avoid preventable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which put a drain on the country’s scarce health resources.
According to the Director-General of the GHS, Prof. Agyemang Badu-Akosa, non-communicable diseases such as obesity and hypertension could easily be avoided through healthy eating and physical exercise.
“The drastic reduction in physical exertion has led to many physical, mental and emotional health problems. Compared to active people, inactive people tend to have higher blood pressure, a high risk of strokes and heart attacks, a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers and a higher risk of osteoporosis and high tendency to become obese.”
Prof. Badu-Akosa was speaking at a media briefing on the Ghana Health Service Month in Accra.
He disclosed that work done by an Endocrinologist, Dr. Francis Ofei of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital identified obesity and hypertension not only as urban phenomena but happening everywhere.
Prof. Akosa noted that moderate physical activity is vital to people’s well being. Yet, he regretted, that Ghanaians remain inactive, in spite of the exposure given to the risks of physical inactivity.
The GHS Month, November 2005, dubbed, “Healthy Life Style – Healthy Living” is an annual programme designed to take stock of the past year’s activities and create public health awareness. Deserving personnel are also rewarded during the awareness week.
Making reference to statistics from the World Heart Federation, Prof. Akosa stated that about 60% to 85% of the world’s population is not physically active enough to gain health benefits, particularly, among girls and women.
“The organisation claims that nearly two thirds of children are insufficiently active for their health. A trend, health experts worldwide view as alarming.”
Thus, he said, the campaign by the GHS to educate and encourage people on the benefits of moderate physical activity as is being done globally.
The health expert debunked claims that people who are not overweight need not engage in any exercise. “Even if you are not overweight, physical exercise is necessary to improve your overall health and help prevent serious diseases, including certain types of cancer. The fact is, many who are slim suffer mental and emotional stress, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other conditions aggravated by lack of enough exercise.”
He cited a situation where a person does not exercise or engage in any vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes three times a week, not moving from one place to another while engaging in leisure activities, and rarely walking over 100 metres a day, as some of the numerous instances of a sedentary lifestyle.
Prof. Akosa revealed that currently, overweight or obese women outnumber those who are underfed. A situation he said is a leading risk factor for heart diseases and stroke, especially when the weight is carried around the abdomen.
He asserts that ones heart health is at risk not only by the amount of fat, but also where it is located. He said weight and height are indicators of Body Mass Index, (BMI) and hip as well as waist ratio are determinants of health. “People with waist sizes above 40 inches are considered at significant risk of developing heart diseases and stroke.”
Prof. Akosa emphasized that normal BMI must be between 18 and 25, whereas between 26 and 29 is overweight and over 30 is obese. “Hip waist ratio for females must be less than one, thus one’s hip must more than her waist, and maximum of one for males. Waist size is like blood pressure and cholesterol level, therefore we should all be cautious.”
Typical of a health expert, he prescribes at least 30 minutes of brisk walking for adults daily to help reduce risk factors. Adding, that parents are powerful role models for their children and must adopt balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, low fat ad fat free products, among others. In his opinion, all such foods can be obtained locally and are affordable.
MORE FOOD, MORE SICKNESS-GHS WARNS
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Prevention, it is said is better than cure. Food is vital to ensuring good and quality health than drugs. But the question of what to eat remains a nagging question in a developing country like Ghana.
Many are the people who just find anything to fill their stomach when hunger knocks. Even though accessibility to and availability of food is a basic human right, many people in Africa and for that matter Ghanaians struggle so hard to get daily bread In the search for food little attention is paid to the state of the food.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, (GHS), Prof. Agyemang Badu-Akorsah and his team have therefore focused their attention on educating the public on food safety.
Speaking at the launch of the GHS Month 2005 to promote healthy living, Prof Akorsah said, “no single food contains our body’s need. A mix of different foods can supply the nutrients our bodies need.” This, he stated can be achieved by eating a variety of foods.
“By taking care of choose foods that are in season and locally available, you can have a diet that is enjoyable, healthy and does not cost very much.”
According to the health expert, one needs to abide the following so as to stay healthy; spread meals three times a day, do not skip breakfast as it is most important meal of the day, avoid eating late, (after 7p.m), eat a variety of foods, do not gobble down food but take time to eat and avoid too much fat, sugar and salt.
Ghanaians have been further advised to eat food that contain enough fibre and starch, to eat just enough to satisfy, to exercise daily, to cook with salt but never add salt after food is served, to avoid flavour boosters but rather to use ginger, garlic and other natural spices.
Prof Akorsah emphasizes the importance of water for daily existence. He teaches that about six to eight cups of water of fluids, (three litres per day) should be taken. Alcoholic drinks, he stated should be avoided as much as possible.
He regretted that although available local foods are reliable for ensuring healthy diet, Ghanaians have sadly taken to eating expensive and dangerous foreign foods.
Ensuring food safety has unfortunately been ignored in Ghana. The health expert explained there is microbiological and chemical contamination of food right from the farm to the table. A situation he attributed to indiscriminate defecation near farm lands, coupled with run off water of rain from such areas contaminates our crops with parasites, bacteria and viruses from the excreta.
A walk through the major cities in the country, particularly Accra and other regional capitals, reveals food being sold uncovered and near drains.
The World Health Organization, (WHO) estimates about 2.2 million deaths are recorded annually from food and water borne diarrhoeal diseases especially among children.
Prof. Akorsah cited liver cancer, kidney and liver failure, brain and neural disorders as well as death, as some of the serious long term effects of food-borne diseases.
“The toll of these diseases apart from poor health and suffering is the cost to the health sector as well as loss of productivity and retardation of economic development. Therefore, there is the need for a concerted action to confront the issue of food- borne ailments with a view to finding long term practical solutions.”
He revealed that national statistics place diarrhea among children to be among the 10 leading causes of death in Ghana. He said a conservative estimate of the loss of productivity among public health facility users in Greater Accra Region from food related ailments was about ¢3.5 billion cedis for the year 2004. Further, he stated there has been an increase in such ailments from 30,911 to 38,528 between 2000 and 2004.
Unfortunately, majority of the people involved in the cultivation of vegetables especially often use contaminated water from ponds and drains to water their crops.
The situation is common along the Accra ring road. A study by the International Water Management Institute of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale in 2002 revealed all samples of cabbage, lettuce and spring onions contained at least 4000 faecal coli forms per gram, being considerably higher for samples from Accra and Tamale.
“In deed, it is essential that Ghanaians rise up to ensure that the food we put in our bodies is safe. Thus, the annual GHS month to promote food safety to ensure healthy living”, Prof Akorsah stated.
He noted that most of these ‘chop bars’ have poor drainage facilities and inadequate toilet facilities. He revealed that a study among chop bar operators showed that 20% of them had fungal nail infections while 8-11% had intestinal worm infestations.
‘‘Even at home people practice poor personal hygiene. They fail to wash their hands with soap after defecation, coughing and sneezing. They are often taken for granted”.
He also cited poor environmental sanitation and unhygienic handling of food during food preparation particularly by traditional caterers, often known as ‘chop bars’ contributory sources to the burden of disease from poor food safety practices in Ghana.
Prevention, it is said is better than cure. Food is vital to ensuring good and quality health than drugs. But the question of what to eat remains a nagging question in a developing country like Ghana.
Many are the people who just find anything to fill their stomach when hunger knocks. Even though accessibility to and availability of food is a basic human right, many people in Africa and for that matter Ghanaians struggle so hard to get daily bread In the search for food little attention is paid to the state of the food.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, (GHS), Prof. Agyemang Badu-Akorsah and his team have therefore focused their attention on educating the public on food safety.
Speaking at the launch of the GHS Month 2005 to promote healthy living, Prof Akorsah said, “no single food contains our body’s need. A mix of different foods can supply the nutrients our bodies need.” This, he stated can be achieved by eating a variety of foods.
“By taking care of choose foods that are in season and locally available, you can have a diet that is enjoyable, healthy and does not cost very much.”
According to the health expert, one needs to abide the following so as to stay healthy; spread meals three times a day, do not skip breakfast as it is most important meal of the day, avoid eating late, (after 7p.m), eat a variety of foods, do not gobble down food but take time to eat and avoid too much fat, sugar and salt.
Ghanaians have been further advised to eat food that contain enough fibre and starch, to eat just enough to satisfy, to exercise daily, to cook with salt but never add salt after food is served, to avoid flavour boosters but rather to use ginger, garlic and other natural spices.
Prof Akorsah emphasizes the importance of water for daily existence. He teaches that about six to eight cups of water of fluids, (three litres per day) should be taken. Alcoholic drinks, he stated should be avoided as much as possible.
He regretted that although available local foods are reliable for ensuring healthy diet, Ghanaians have sadly taken to eating expensive and dangerous foreign foods.
Ensuring food safety has unfortunately been ignored in Ghana. The health expert explained there is microbiological and chemical contamination of food right from the farm to the table. A situation he attributed to indiscriminate defecation near farm lands, coupled with run off water of rain from such areas contaminates our crops with parasites, bacteria and viruses from the excreta.
A walk through the major cities in the country, particularly Accra and other regional capitals, reveals food being sold uncovered and near drains.
The World Health Organization, (WHO) estimates about 2.2 million deaths are recorded annually from food and water borne diarrhoeal diseases especially among children.
Prof. Akorsah cited liver cancer, kidney and liver failure, brain and neural disorders as well as death, as some of the serious long term effects of food-borne diseases.
“The toll of these diseases apart from poor health and suffering is the cost to the health sector as well as loss of productivity and retardation of economic development. Therefore, there is the need for a concerted action to confront the issue of food- borne ailments with a view to finding long term practical solutions.”
He revealed that national statistics place diarrhea among children to be among the 10 leading causes of death in Ghana. He said a conservative estimate of the loss of productivity among public health facility users in Greater Accra Region from food related ailments was about ¢3.5 billion cedis for the year 2004. Further, he stated there has been an increase in such ailments from 30,911 to 38,528 between 2000 and 2004.
Unfortunately, majority of the people involved in the cultivation of vegetables especially often use contaminated water from ponds and drains to water their crops.
The situation is common along the Accra ring road. A study by the International Water Management Institute of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale in 2002 revealed all samples of cabbage, lettuce and spring onions contained at least 4000 faecal coli forms per gram, being considerably higher for samples from Accra and Tamale.
“In deed, it is essential that Ghanaians rise up to ensure that the food we put in our bodies is safe. Thus, the annual GHS month to promote food safety to ensure healthy living”, Prof Akorsah stated.
He noted that most of these ‘chop bars’ have poor drainage facilities and inadequate toilet facilities. He revealed that a study among chop bar operators showed that 20% of them had fungal nail infections while 8-11% had intestinal worm infestations.
‘‘Even at home people practice poor personal hygiene. They fail to wash their hands with soap after defecation, coughing and sneezing. They are often taken for granted”.
He also cited poor environmental sanitation and unhygienic handling of food during food preparation particularly by traditional caterers, often known as ‘chop bars’ contributory sources to the burden of disease from poor food safety practices in Ghana.
Invest remittances in shares, not houses-Economist
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
A Senior Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA), Dr. John Asafu-Adjaye has decried the use of foreign remittances in putting up houses. In his opinion, such remittances should be invested in shares and bonds to propel economic growth.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye said it is only when remittances are properly invested that Ghana would get better returns. He explained, “many Ghanaians abroad save and afterwards come down to put up buildings, only for them to become white elephants, as the owners seldom visit the country.”
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye who was speaking at a policy forum organised by the IEA in Accra, on the impact of Foreign Direct Investment in Ghana stressed the need to educate Ghanaians abroad on the investment opportunities available in Ghana so that they would know what to choose from.
“Capital is scarce; therefore we need to encourage people to bring it in, despite debt cancellation”, he said and stressed the need for investment rules should be balanced. “We should not do everything to bring investors here only to make things difficult for them.”
Foreign Direct Investment, (FDI) has been described in many circles as the life saving-tonic for poor countries, but recent studies by UNCTAD indicate that FDIs have done very little to solve the economic problems of poor countries. Ghana is said to receive annual remittances between US$I billion to US$1.5 billion, but their impact on the economy has been a source of disagreement between government.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye however notes that a developing country such as Ghana must begin to target FDIs into areas where she has a comparative advantage.
This, according to Dr. John Asafu-Adjaye, should be done within the framework of a broad long-term development plan. In his opinion Ghana lacks such a plan and that her development agenda is being heavily influenced by the Bretton Woods Institutions- the World Bank and the IMF.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye said currently Ghana has the Poverty Reduction Strategy supported by additional programmes including the President’s Special Initiative, among others that target some key sectors that are perceived to bring about rapid economic growth. “What is required is a comprehensive long-term development plan which provides not only a vision for where the country should be by 2015, but also a road map for achieving this vision.”
He added, “in general, improving the enabling environment for both domestic and foreign investors would be a better policy option than devising incentive packages for specific firms or projects.”
He stated that although the flow of FDI in Ghana has been low compared to South-East Asian countries, it runs 7th as most preferred destination in Africa.
This, he said indicates the great potential for FDI in Ghana’s economic development.
However, he said political instability has been very costly to Ghana’s economic growth, but positive developments in recent years, such as the adoption of the 1992 constitution that guarantees foreign investment, the Bank of Ghana Act 2002, that gives the Central Bank autonomy to implement financial policies without political interference as some policy implications to FDI.
“Over the last two years or so, positive results have begun to emerge. The economy has moved from a path of high inflation to one of disinflation and macroeconomic stability. The fiscal deficit and interest rate has declined, external reserves improved and exchange rate have remained fairly stable. These developments should boost our investor confidence.”
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye on the other hand, described the country’s financial sector as underdeveloped. He said Ghana’s economy is mainly cash-based which creates inefficiencies in business transactions.
Such economies, he stated renders the transmission mechanism of monetary policy ineffective and generally makes it difficult for the central bank to control money supply. He cited the development of ICT system, public education and measures to deal with electronic fraud, as some of issues that need to be addressed to move from the current financial system.
The Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Mr. Moses Asaga contended that a lot of Ghanaians overseas know about the market back at home and what to invest in. “Otherwise diplomatic visits by ministers has not yielded any results.
The Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. P.V. Obeng, making a contribution at the policy forum noted that there is no ambiguity about the positive impact of FDI on developing countries, particularly when they are able to manage it. “As a country, we need to build our national capacity to maximize the impact of FDI as a necessary component to enhance domestic investment. But this should not be done at the expense of our local investments.”
In his opinion, investors’ contribution to Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) should be traceable/definite.
A Senior Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs, (IEA), Dr. John Asafu-Adjaye has decried the use of foreign remittances in putting up houses. In his opinion, such remittances should be invested in shares and bonds to propel economic growth.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye said it is only when remittances are properly invested that Ghana would get better returns. He explained, “many Ghanaians abroad save and afterwards come down to put up buildings, only for them to become white elephants, as the owners seldom visit the country.”
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye who was speaking at a policy forum organised by the IEA in Accra, on the impact of Foreign Direct Investment in Ghana stressed the need to educate Ghanaians abroad on the investment opportunities available in Ghana so that they would know what to choose from.
“Capital is scarce; therefore we need to encourage people to bring it in, despite debt cancellation”, he said and stressed the need for investment rules should be balanced. “We should not do everything to bring investors here only to make things difficult for them.”
Foreign Direct Investment, (FDI) has been described in many circles as the life saving-tonic for poor countries, but recent studies by UNCTAD indicate that FDIs have done very little to solve the economic problems of poor countries. Ghana is said to receive annual remittances between US$I billion to US$1.5 billion, but their impact on the economy has been a source of disagreement between government.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye however notes that a developing country such as Ghana must begin to target FDIs into areas where she has a comparative advantage.
This, according to Dr. John Asafu-Adjaye, should be done within the framework of a broad long-term development plan. In his opinion Ghana lacks such a plan and that her development agenda is being heavily influenced by the Bretton Woods Institutions- the World Bank and the IMF.
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye said currently Ghana has the Poverty Reduction Strategy supported by additional programmes including the President’s Special Initiative, among others that target some key sectors that are perceived to bring about rapid economic growth. “What is required is a comprehensive long-term development plan which provides not only a vision for where the country should be by 2015, but also a road map for achieving this vision.”
He added, “in general, improving the enabling environment for both domestic and foreign investors would be a better policy option than devising incentive packages for specific firms or projects.”
He stated that although the flow of FDI in Ghana has been low compared to South-East Asian countries, it runs 7th as most preferred destination in Africa.
This, he said indicates the great potential for FDI in Ghana’s economic development.
However, he said political instability has been very costly to Ghana’s economic growth, but positive developments in recent years, such as the adoption of the 1992 constitution that guarantees foreign investment, the Bank of Ghana Act 2002, that gives the Central Bank autonomy to implement financial policies without political interference as some policy implications to FDI.
“Over the last two years or so, positive results have begun to emerge. The economy has moved from a path of high inflation to one of disinflation and macroeconomic stability. The fiscal deficit and interest rate has declined, external reserves improved and exchange rate have remained fairly stable. These developments should boost our investor confidence.”
Dr. Asafu-Adjaye on the other hand, described the country’s financial sector as underdeveloped. He said Ghana’s economy is mainly cash-based which creates inefficiencies in business transactions.
Such economies, he stated renders the transmission mechanism of monetary policy ineffective and generally makes it difficult for the central bank to control money supply. He cited the development of ICT system, public education and measures to deal with electronic fraud, as some of issues that need to be addressed to move from the current financial system.
The Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Mr. Moses Asaga contended that a lot of Ghanaians overseas know about the market back at home and what to invest in. “Otherwise diplomatic visits by ministers has not yielded any results.
The Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. P.V. Obeng, making a contribution at the policy forum noted that there is no ambiguity about the positive impact of FDI on developing countries, particularly when they are able to manage it. “As a country, we need to build our national capacity to maximize the impact of FDI as a necessary component to enhance domestic investment. But this should not be done at the expense of our local investments.”
In his opinion, investors’ contribution to Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) should be traceable/definite.
The haggling over domestic violence continues
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
A domestic relationship could be defined as an association among a group of people at the same place permanently. Examples of people in a domestic relationship could include people who are or were married, engaged, living together, have had or are expecting a child together, (including a foster child), people who are related to one another including parents.
House helps and people who provide refuge or shelter for others could also be within the scope of domestic relationships.
Violence that normally occurs between these groups of people is termed as domestic violence. Domestic violence although a major human rights in Ghana, is said to be prevalent as research shows that it cuts across all sectors of society and all age groups as well as sexes.
Statistics reveal that over 90% of the victims of domestic violence are women and children. Violence in the domestic situation could take many forms. The era of customary law appears to permit the right of punishment for husbands in some ethnic groups. It has led to a prevalence of wife beating in some communities.
In the home setting for instance, house helps, the aged, sick and physically handicapped members may be abused. A recent national study on violence revealed that one in three women interviewed had been physically abused by a current or most recent partner.
This situation is regarded as detrimental to victims and society as a whole. Until recently, domestic violence was not given the needed attention although Ghana has signed, ratified and adopted several international documents on conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Violence Against Women and the one on the Rights of the Child.
Over the past three years, the issue of domestic violence has attracted all kinds of debates in Ghana. Campaigners are of the opinion that the law in Ghana currently is inadequate for dealing with domestic violent crimes, and are therefore calling for a legislative instrument that is expected to remedy all these anomalies.
Proponents believe it could significantly contribute to sensitize victims on subjects that constitute domestic violence and institutions responsible for handling such cases. The drafted bill therefore defines domestic violence to include any threats or acts of physical, emotional or verbal harm that takes place within a previous or existing domestic relationship.
Expected to come under consideration by Ghana’s parliament is he domestic violence bill to provide legal framework for dealing with domestic violence. The bill is purposely targeted at improving the situation of women and children who are frequent victims of domestic violence. The issue of domestic violence is gradually becoming a social evil considering the number of complaints of abuse and assault cases reported at the Women and Juvenile Unit of the Ghana Police Service and other institutions that deal with such issues. Deaths have sometimes occurred and the need for special protection has become necessary.
Many non-governmental organisations, particularly, have in the last few years been advocating for the domestic violence bill to be passed. The campaign was intensified in the 2004 election year but was not forwarded to parliament by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs despite pressures from the campaigners. The issue has since attracted much criticism. But the Ghanaian society in which culture often plays a major role, has subjected proponents of the bill to various criticisms.
Even the church, which is expected to protect the rights of members have not lived up to the task. So many biblical scholars in the past have made statements about women that turn to push them in background. One of such men of God is John Knox, (1505-1572), who said, ‘‘Woman in her greatest perfection was made to serve and obey man’. Again thirteenth century theologian Thomas Aquinas stated, ‘‘the woman is subject to the man, on account of the weaknesses of the nature, both of mind and the body. Man is the beginning of woman and the end, jus as God is the beginning and the end of every creature’.
The contribution of the church towards ensuring the rights of people could not be overlooked since it is the core of the family. It is in this light, that a forum was held in Accra, to bring christian leaders from churches together to discuss the draft Domestic Violence Bill, which seeks to address the gaps in the current legislation. They also examined related issues of gender in relation to Christianity. It was organised by the Ark Foundation, Ghana, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on women and children’s rights protection. The inter-church leadership forum brought together leaders in the church who are involved in counseling and other activities that borders on human relations.
The Executive Director of Ark Foundation, Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, said such forums are much needed because most of the victims of domestic violence and gender inequality are Christians. ‘‘Everything about gender is a big challenge which Christians must get involved because gender refers to the home’, she noted.
The Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Esther Offei-Aboagye, who presented a paper on gender and Christianity, noted that the topic is frightening and vast. Therefore, she said gender issues should not be isolated from relations between sections of the population such as ethnicity, marginalization and vulnerability. Ms Offei-Aboagye noted that gender should not only be related to women as all persons are entitled to have life and have it abundantly. ‘‘All must be supported to have access to things they need equitably and efficiently. It is imperative to do so to equip them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country’.
She recounted that issues of gender are not static but dynamic as roles that men folk used to play have changed. These, she said are influenced by age, education, religion and political affiliation. She decried the instance of stereotyping women in certain situations, saying that it does give them the opportunity progress. Ms Offei-Aboagye explained that gender and Christianity have certain tenets such as equality, equity and empowerment in common, therefore Christianity and promoting gender equity should be contradicted.
The church leaders who participated at the forum admitted even though the church is the only means by which the world could be liberated, it has not lived up to task, as bible teachings are normally not related to life. They held the view that the church should commit itself to be more a louder voice to effect the transformation needed otherwise he laws passed will not make any impact. They also advised the women to take their own initiatives and wait to be approved by the men. The leaders emphasized the need to build the lives of people rather than cathedrals. They also resolved to influence sermons in their denominations to include issues on gender and the domestic violence.
A representative from the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, Adolf Awuku Bekoe, noted that the state’s response to fighting violence at the home has not been effective because there are efforts to protect the home, but are only fighting violence on the streets. To him, domestic violence is a manifestation of unequal power relationships and called for need for a legislative framework to help deal with the problem.
A domestic relationship could be defined as an association among a group of people at the same place permanently. Examples of people in a domestic relationship could include people who are or were married, engaged, living together, have had or are expecting a child together, (including a foster child), people who are related to one another including parents.
House helps and people who provide refuge or shelter for others could also be within the scope of domestic relationships.
Violence that normally occurs between these groups of people is termed as domestic violence. Domestic violence although a major human rights in Ghana, is said to be prevalent as research shows that it cuts across all sectors of society and all age groups as well as sexes.
Statistics reveal that over 90% of the victims of domestic violence are women and children. Violence in the domestic situation could take many forms. The era of customary law appears to permit the right of punishment for husbands in some ethnic groups. It has led to a prevalence of wife beating in some communities.
In the home setting for instance, house helps, the aged, sick and physically handicapped members may be abused. A recent national study on violence revealed that one in three women interviewed had been physically abused by a current or most recent partner.
This situation is regarded as detrimental to victims and society as a whole. Until recently, domestic violence was not given the needed attention although Ghana has signed, ratified and adopted several international documents on conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Violence Against Women and the one on the Rights of the Child.
Over the past three years, the issue of domestic violence has attracted all kinds of debates in Ghana. Campaigners are of the opinion that the law in Ghana currently is inadequate for dealing with domestic violent crimes, and are therefore calling for a legislative instrument that is expected to remedy all these anomalies.
Proponents believe it could significantly contribute to sensitize victims on subjects that constitute domestic violence and institutions responsible for handling such cases. The drafted bill therefore defines domestic violence to include any threats or acts of physical, emotional or verbal harm that takes place within a previous or existing domestic relationship.
Expected to come under consideration by Ghana’s parliament is he domestic violence bill to provide legal framework for dealing with domestic violence. The bill is purposely targeted at improving the situation of women and children who are frequent victims of domestic violence. The issue of domestic violence is gradually becoming a social evil considering the number of complaints of abuse and assault cases reported at the Women and Juvenile Unit of the Ghana Police Service and other institutions that deal with such issues. Deaths have sometimes occurred and the need for special protection has become necessary.
Many non-governmental organisations, particularly, have in the last few years been advocating for the domestic violence bill to be passed. The campaign was intensified in the 2004 election year but was not forwarded to parliament by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs despite pressures from the campaigners. The issue has since attracted much criticism. But the Ghanaian society in which culture often plays a major role, has subjected proponents of the bill to various criticisms.
Even the church, which is expected to protect the rights of members have not lived up to the task. So many biblical scholars in the past have made statements about women that turn to push them in background. One of such men of God is John Knox, (1505-1572), who said, ‘‘Woman in her greatest perfection was made to serve and obey man’. Again thirteenth century theologian Thomas Aquinas stated, ‘‘the woman is subject to the man, on account of the weaknesses of the nature, both of mind and the body. Man is the beginning of woman and the end, jus as God is the beginning and the end of every creature’.
The contribution of the church towards ensuring the rights of people could not be overlooked since it is the core of the family. It is in this light, that a forum was held in Accra, to bring christian leaders from churches together to discuss the draft Domestic Violence Bill, which seeks to address the gaps in the current legislation. They also examined related issues of gender in relation to Christianity. It was organised by the Ark Foundation, Ghana, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on women and children’s rights protection. The inter-church leadership forum brought together leaders in the church who are involved in counseling and other activities that borders on human relations.
The Executive Director of Ark Foundation, Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, said such forums are much needed because most of the victims of domestic violence and gender inequality are Christians. ‘‘Everything about gender is a big challenge which Christians must get involved because gender refers to the home’, she noted.
The Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Esther Offei-Aboagye, who presented a paper on gender and Christianity, noted that the topic is frightening and vast. Therefore, she said gender issues should not be isolated from relations between sections of the population such as ethnicity, marginalization and vulnerability. Ms Offei-Aboagye noted that gender should not only be related to women as all persons are entitled to have life and have it abundantly. ‘‘All must be supported to have access to things they need equitably and efficiently. It is imperative to do so to equip them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country’.
She recounted that issues of gender are not static but dynamic as roles that men folk used to play have changed. These, she said are influenced by age, education, religion and political affiliation. She decried the instance of stereotyping women in certain situations, saying that it does give them the opportunity progress. Ms Offei-Aboagye explained that gender and Christianity have certain tenets such as equality, equity and empowerment in common, therefore Christianity and promoting gender equity should be contradicted.
The church leaders who participated at the forum admitted even though the church is the only means by which the world could be liberated, it has not lived up to task, as bible teachings are normally not related to life. They held the view that the church should commit itself to be more a louder voice to effect the transformation needed otherwise he laws passed will not make any impact. They also advised the women to take their own initiatives and wait to be approved by the men. The leaders emphasized the need to build the lives of people rather than cathedrals. They also resolved to influence sermons in their denominations to include issues on gender and the domestic violence.
A representative from the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, Adolf Awuku Bekoe, noted that the state’s response to fighting violence at the home has not been effective because there are efforts to protect the home, but are only fighting violence on the streets. To him, domestic violence is a manifestation of unequal power relationships and called for need for a legislative framework to help deal with the problem.
Persons with disabilities demand their right to be respected
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The Ghana Federation of the Disabled, (GFD) is embarking on a campaign to effect change in the negative attitude, perception and prejudices the public holds about disabled people.
Disability is a human rights issue and there are several international conventions protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities, (PWD). Some include the UN Declaration on the rights of mentally retarded persons, the disabled persons and the UN world programme of action concerning disabled persons. These declarations define their rights to enjoy decent life, respect for their human dignity, medical, psychological and initial treatment.
Ghana is yet to pass her disability bill. Although every child has the rights to education according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990, many children with disabilities in Ghana are excluded from school due to inaccessible infrastructure and lack of special of materials. In the meantime, the GFD believes there is the need to change stereotypes that exist in the Ghanaian society.
For a start, GFD has been engaging the media in discussions on the need to create positive images on issues of disability. The belief of the federation is that, when disability issues are mentioned in the media, they get straight into people’s lives.
The GFD is inculcating in media professionals the need to be mindful of the languages and terminologies that are used to describe Persons with Disabilities, (PWD). PWD argues that they are particularly vulnerable to the use of negative terminologies and languages, which lead to discrimination and prejudices.
Consequently, a guide for media professionals on positive portrayals of disability has been developed and was made available to media professionals at the forum.
At a media forum in Accra, the federation identified environmental, institutional and attitudinal barriers as some of the issues that make it difficult for Persons With Disabilities, (PWD) to function in society.
A Resource Person for the federation, Dr. B.I Koray, noted that disability is not just a medical condition, but also arises out of the interaction between an individual with impairment and social barriers.
He said social arrangements are such that disabled persons cannot operate. “Society has to change to ensure the full inclusion of PWD. It is appropriate that such persons are defined by their impairment, as they do not form a homogenous group.” He said disability is cross cutting and therefore obstacles must be removed by addressing their needs.
Dr. Koray emphasized that although language and terminologies used to describe PWD could reinforce discrimination, it could also be a powerful tool in facilitating change in society.
Membership of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled includes the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled and Ghana Association of the Blind. The rest are the Ghana National Association of the Deaf and Parents Association of Children with Intellectual Disabilities, (PACID).
Spokespersons of the sub associations took turns to stress the need to address each group of PWD by their impairment and not as a homogenous group.
Mr. Yaw Ofori Debra, President of the GFD noted that social exclusion, prejudices and negative perception towards PWD cut across all cultures and societies. “We are struggling to free ourselves from human rights abuses. But we can’t win the battle against the violation of our rights without the collaboration of the media.”
He explained, “we believe the media can play a catalyst role by raising greater awareness of disability through articles and programmes, exposing the knowledge and experiences of PWD, influence the development of disability-sensitive policies and programmes, as well as advocating national disability legislation.”
The GFD called on the media and institutions involved in producing public information to ensure that communications are accessible to all persons with disabilities. The federation says the written word should be available in large print, on tape and in Braille, while the spoken word, including television newscasts and programmes should incorporate sub-titles or on-screen language interpretation.
The Ghana Federation of the Disabled, (GFD) is embarking on a campaign to effect change in the negative attitude, perception and prejudices the public holds about disabled people.
Disability is a human rights issue and there are several international conventions protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities, (PWD). Some include the UN Declaration on the rights of mentally retarded persons, the disabled persons and the UN world programme of action concerning disabled persons. These declarations define their rights to enjoy decent life, respect for their human dignity, medical, psychological and initial treatment.
Ghana is yet to pass her disability bill. Although every child has the rights to education according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990, many children with disabilities in Ghana are excluded from school due to inaccessible infrastructure and lack of special of materials. In the meantime, the GFD believes there is the need to change stereotypes that exist in the Ghanaian society.
For a start, GFD has been engaging the media in discussions on the need to create positive images on issues of disability. The belief of the federation is that, when disability issues are mentioned in the media, they get straight into people’s lives.
The GFD is inculcating in media professionals the need to be mindful of the languages and terminologies that are used to describe Persons with Disabilities, (PWD). PWD argues that they are particularly vulnerable to the use of negative terminologies and languages, which lead to discrimination and prejudices.
Consequently, a guide for media professionals on positive portrayals of disability has been developed and was made available to media professionals at the forum.
At a media forum in Accra, the federation identified environmental, institutional and attitudinal barriers as some of the issues that make it difficult for Persons With Disabilities, (PWD) to function in society.
A Resource Person for the federation, Dr. B.I Koray, noted that disability is not just a medical condition, but also arises out of the interaction between an individual with impairment and social barriers.
He said social arrangements are such that disabled persons cannot operate. “Society has to change to ensure the full inclusion of PWD. It is appropriate that such persons are defined by their impairment, as they do not form a homogenous group.” He said disability is cross cutting and therefore obstacles must be removed by addressing their needs.
Dr. Koray emphasized that although language and terminologies used to describe PWD could reinforce discrimination, it could also be a powerful tool in facilitating change in society.
Membership of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled includes the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled and Ghana Association of the Blind. The rest are the Ghana National Association of the Deaf and Parents Association of Children with Intellectual Disabilities, (PACID).
Spokespersons of the sub associations took turns to stress the need to address each group of PWD by their impairment and not as a homogenous group.
Mr. Yaw Ofori Debra, President of the GFD noted that social exclusion, prejudices and negative perception towards PWD cut across all cultures and societies. “We are struggling to free ourselves from human rights abuses. But we can’t win the battle against the violation of our rights without the collaboration of the media.”
He explained, “we believe the media can play a catalyst role by raising greater awareness of disability through articles and programmes, exposing the knowledge and experiences of PWD, influence the development of disability-sensitive policies and programmes, as well as advocating national disability legislation.”
The GFD called on the media and institutions involved in producing public information to ensure that communications are accessible to all persons with disabilities. The federation says the written word should be available in large print, on tape and in Braille, while the spoken word, including television newscasts and programmes should incorporate sub-titles or on-screen language interpretation.
“Worse is yet to happen”- Prophet warns unrepentant Ghanaians
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Prophet Peter Anamoh of the Machaira of the Pneuma Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, working on the spiritual and physical needs of Ghanaians, has reiterated that Ghana is set to experience more deaths this year.
He told Public Agenda after his return from a spiritual mission in Nigeria, that the mysterious deaths the country is experiencing now would be worse unless people repent.
“They are doing what they like, God is angry, He is in pain. It is going to be worse. Even I, if I do not live right it will happen to me. What God hates is for him to speak and people fail to listen”, he explained.
Barely two months ago, Prophet Peter who claims to be an apostle, a teacher, a prophet and an evangelist, prophesied that Ghana would experience so many deaths, including those in authority, if Ghanaians do not repent.
He told Public Agenda at its offices at Asylum Down that the wages of sin is death, and that everyone in Ghana could die if Ghanaians do not amend their ways.
From July 15, 2005 when Public Agenda published the prophesy, Ghana can be said to be experiencing mysterious deaths, particularly through accidents. The carnage on Ghana’s roads has worsened in the last few weeks.
On July 18, 2005, the media reported the death of 17 members of the Santansi branch of the Deeper Life Bible Church, in Kumasi. They were reported to be returning from the funeral of a colleague church member, when an articulated truck ran into a 207 Mercedez Benz they were traveling in.
Three urologists, out of the only five of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital died in a motor accident on the Accra-Kumasi road on August 27, 2005. The three medical specialists were returning to Accra after undertaking an outreach programme at the Sunyani Regional Hospital, during which they performed six major operations.
Barely four days after the doctors’ accident, another fatal accident occurred on Kumasi-Obuasi road, claiming 11 lives on the spot. On the same day, four passengers sustained serious injuries after their bus somersaulted on the Tema-Accra motorway.
Dangbe East District Chief Executive has also died in an accident with his wife and elder son.
Meanwhile, some galamsey operators remained trapped in a mining pit in Nyafom-Noyem in the Eastern region.
Prophet Peter Anamoh had also prophesied the collapse of four big churches but declined to name them when pressed to be specific. “So far none of churches has approached me because they do not care.”
Prophet Peter boasts of making some prophecies in December last year, which came true. He is believed to have made a prophecy about the wrangling in parliament, prior to the inauguration of President John Agyekum Kufuor, on January 7, 2005, which delayed the programme. He believes that the righteous man has power and that God expects nothing short of righteousness from Ghanaians. He revealed that God plans to use Ghana as the gateway to reach his people in other parts of Africa.
Prophet Peter Anamoh of the Machaira of the Pneuma Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, working on the spiritual and physical needs of Ghanaians, has reiterated that Ghana is set to experience more deaths this year.
He told Public Agenda after his return from a spiritual mission in Nigeria, that the mysterious deaths the country is experiencing now would be worse unless people repent.
“They are doing what they like, God is angry, He is in pain. It is going to be worse. Even I, if I do not live right it will happen to me. What God hates is for him to speak and people fail to listen”, he explained.
Barely two months ago, Prophet Peter who claims to be an apostle, a teacher, a prophet and an evangelist, prophesied that Ghana would experience so many deaths, including those in authority, if Ghanaians do not repent.
He told Public Agenda at its offices at Asylum Down that the wages of sin is death, and that everyone in Ghana could die if Ghanaians do not amend their ways.
From July 15, 2005 when Public Agenda published the prophesy, Ghana can be said to be experiencing mysterious deaths, particularly through accidents. The carnage on Ghana’s roads has worsened in the last few weeks.
On July 18, 2005, the media reported the death of 17 members of the Santansi branch of the Deeper Life Bible Church, in Kumasi. They were reported to be returning from the funeral of a colleague church member, when an articulated truck ran into a 207 Mercedez Benz they were traveling in.
Three urologists, out of the only five of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital died in a motor accident on the Accra-Kumasi road on August 27, 2005. The three medical specialists were returning to Accra after undertaking an outreach programme at the Sunyani Regional Hospital, during which they performed six major operations.
Barely four days after the doctors’ accident, another fatal accident occurred on Kumasi-Obuasi road, claiming 11 lives on the spot. On the same day, four passengers sustained serious injuries after their bus somersaulted on the Tema-Accra motorway.
Dangbe East District Chief Executive has also died in an accident with his wife and elder son.
Meanwhile, some galamsey operators remained trapped in a mining pit in Nyafom-Noyem in the Eastern region.
Prophet Peter Anamoh had also prophesied the collapse of four big churches but declined to name them when pressed to be specific. “So far none of churches has approached me because they do not care.”
Prophet Peter boasts of making some prophecies in December last year, which came true. He is believed to have made a prophecy about the wrangling in parliament, prior to the inauguration of President John Agyekum Kufuor, on January 7, 2005, which delayed the programme. He believes that the righteous man has power and that God expects nothing short of righteousness from Ghanaians. He revealed that God plans to use Ghana as the gateway to reach his people in other parts of Africa.
The Ghanaian street child
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
“I don’t have a mother whom I know, I don’t have a place which I call my own, nobody cares for me whether I live or die, a street child am I.” This is the cry of Ghanaian children in the streets of regional towns in the country, particularly the nation’s capital Accra.
The problem of street children is very complex and has grown over the years. Most of street girls either sell food or ice water and many are porters. Street boys however have a variety of jobs which include truck pushing, acting as aides to persons with disabilities and windscreen washing, with shoe-shining as a major source of income.
Data obtained and researches conducted have revealed the complexity of the issue. One of such research intervention is by the Catholic Action for Street Children, CAS.
The Director of CAS, Bro. Jos van Dinther recalled that in the early years of CAS’ existence it received quite some opposition from government officials and the public, as the idea that they appeared in towns and cities was not accepted. Therefore, he said it became necessary for CAS to obtain facts about them and so prove that some kind of action was needed to arrest the situation.
CAS gained recognition as a non-governmental organisation in June 1993 and committed itself to find out who the street children are, where they come from and what could be done for them. CAS has a house of refuge, a day care centre based in Lartebiokorshie-Accra with interdenominational staff strength of fifty-four. Street children are free to visit the refuge and take part in activities organised for them. These include baby-care, hopeland training centre and sponsorship programme.
Initially, the centre used to cater for pregnant street and mothers. But in 1995 it decided to separate them while collaborating with Street Aid which took over the baby care, to allow CAS concentrate on providing the children on the streets an opportunity to learn and leave the street.
Field workers go out to the street daily to interact with the children and invite them to the refuge. This often takes place at their meeting points including markets and lorry stations.
According to the CAS Director, Bro. Jos van Dinther the initiative should come from the child. As part of the orientation, they are taken through activities such as music, drama and sports to prepare them to go school and workshops. Those who really want to leave the street have to go through the preparation stage and will be sponsored.
Apart from formal education, CAS refuge has a demonstration department that trains the street children in weaving, ceramics and pottery. The refuge relies on the Catholic Church as its superior donor, Organisations and individual philanthropists for its funding. It admits children between the ages of five to eighteen.
Bros. Jos told this reporter that children who visit the centre daily are from all over Ghana. But he could not give the exact figure of children on the streets that have benefited from CAS activities, saying, “it is immeasurable. In our schools and workshops there are over a thousand children currently, whiles an average of eighty come here daily to learn.”
He said CAS does not want by any means fro street children to become dependent on the organisation, does not provide food or accommodation for street children and does not want to attract street children with gifts. “The aims include giving care and support to the children, giving them a chance to learn as well as a voice and develop their self esteem.”
The director explained that a research carried out by CAS during its 10th anniversary in 2003 that traced about half of children that have benefited its activities revealed that majority are settled. The only concern however, he said, is that they are engaged in jobs different from the training they had because traditional jobs are not there.
Consequently, he said they are now encouraging their students to take to other areas like catering.
He stated CAS is aware that 86% of the reasons why these children leave their homes are related to family problems/breakdown. “Majority of these children streets leave the home due to violence, poverty, truancy and divorce. Some are also born on the streets”
According to Bros Dinther although many of these children show interest in learning, some are just not ready. But he believes they are not to blame as they are born on the streets and are accustomed to street life such as gambling and all kinds of activities.
He laments the subject of street children is so large that it is getting out of control and that an urgent action is needed from government, saying, “NGOs can only assist but can never tackle the problem.”
The remedy he suggests is to set up family counseling groups in all regions regardless of religion. He announced that CAS is currently undertaking a research into the issue of children born on the streets to guide them in redesigning its programme.
“All working groups have a mandate to recognize the problem and coordinate child related programmes, create awareness and conduct advocacy.” He urged the media not to concentrate only on sensational political stories but developmental ones.
“I don’t have a mother whom I know, I don’t have a place which I call my own, nobody cares for me whether I live or die, a street child am I.” This is the cry of Ghanaian children in the streets of regional towns in the country, particularly the nation’s capital Accra.
The problem of street children is very complex and has grown over the years. Most of street girls either sell food or ice water and many are porters. Street boys however have a variety of jobs which include truck pushing, acting as aides to persons with disabilities and windscreen washing, with shoe-shining as a major source of income.
Data obtained and researches conducted have revealed the complexity of the issue. One of such research intervention is by the Catholic Action for Street Children, CAS.
The Director of CAS, Bro. Jos van Dinther recalled that in the early years of CAS’ existence it received quite some opposition from government officials and the public, as the idea that they appeared in towns and cities was not accepted. Therefore, he said it became necessary for CAS to obtain facts about them and so prove that some kind of action was needed to arrest the situation.
CAS gained recognition as a non-governmental organisation in June 1993 and committed itself to find out who the street children are, where they come from and what could be done for them. CAS has a house of refuge, a day care centre based in Lartebiokorshie-Accra with interdenominational staff strength of fifty-four. Street children are free to visit the refuge and take part in activities organised for them. These include baby-care, hopeland training centre and sponsorship programme.
Initially, the centre used to cater for pregnant street and mothers. But in 1995 it decided to separate them while collaborating with Street Aid which took over the baby care, to allow CAS concentrate on providing the children on the streets an opportunity to learn and leave the street.
Field workers go out to the street daily to interact with the children and invite them to the refuge. This often takes place at their meeting points including markets and lorry stations.
According to the CAS Director, Bro. Jos van Dinther the initiative should come from the child. As part of the orientation, they are taken through activities such as music, drama and sports to prepare them to go school and workshops. Those who really want to leave the street have to go through the preparation stage and will be sponsored.
Apart from formal education, CAS refuge has a demonstration department that trains the street children in weaving, ceramics and pottery. The refuge relies on the Catholic Church as its superior donor, Organisations and individual philanthropists for its funding. It admits children between the ages of five to eighteen.
Bros. Jos told this reporter that children who visit the centre daily are from all over Ghana. But he could not give the exact figure of children on the streets that have benefited from CAS activities, saying, “it is immeasurable. In our schools and workshops there are over a thousand children currently, whiles an average of eighty come here daily to learn.”
He said CAS does not want by any means fro street children to become dependent on the organisation, does not provide food or accommodation for street children and does not want to attract street children with gifts. “The aims include giving care and support to the children, giving them a chance to learn as well as a voice and develop their self esteem.”
The director explained that a research carried out by CAS during its 10th anniversary in 2003 that traced about half of children that have benefited its activities revealed that majority are settled. The only concern however, he said, is that they are engaged in jobs different from the training they had because traditional jobs are not there.
Consequently, he said they are now encouraging their students to take to other areas like catering.
He stated CAS is aware that 86% of the reasons why these children leave their homes are related to family problems/breakdown. “Majority of these children streets leave the home due to violence, poverty, truancy and divorce. Some are also born on the streets”
According to Bros Dinther although many of these children show interest in learning, some are just not ready. But he believes they are not to blame as they are born on the streets and are accustomed to street life such as gambling and all kinds of activities.
He laments the subject of street children is so large that it is getting out of control and that an urgent action is needed from government, saying, “NGOs can only assist but can never tackle the problem.”
The remedy he suggests is to set up family counseling groups in all regions regardless of religion. He announced that CAS is currently undertaking a research into the issue of children born on the streets to guide them in redesigning its programme.
“All working groups have a mandate to recognize the problem and coordinate child related programmes, create awareness and conduct advocacy.” He urged the media not to concentrate only on sensational political stories but developmental ones.
AWDF put smiles on the faces of African women
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Throughout the African continent women play vital roles in improving the lives of their families. They engage in various economic activities such as farming, pottery and weaving among others, in order to earn money to support their families.
As society is dynamic, the status of women has changed and continues to do so with interventions by governments and non-governmental organizations.
One of such groups is the African Women Development fund, (AWDF), which seeks to support African women to live in a changed world with integrity and in peace.
The AWDF is a fund raising and grant-making initiative, designed to support the effort of the various African women’s organizations.
It is the first grant- making organization in Africa that provides grants to African women’s organization and other organization, which are working for social justice, equal rights and peace.
The AWDF focuses on five thematic areas, which include political participation, peace building, health, reproductive rights and HIV\AIDS, economic empowerment, and Women’s human rights.
AWDF is therefore going to support training programmes for women entrepreneurs and a community based income-generating schemes for women with a holistic approach.
Its Small Grants Programme, (SGP), designed to enable a large category of women have access to AWDF’s funding. The SGP which is currently operating solely in Ghana also supports smaller women’s groups which are not likely to have access to any other financial support. The New Atuabo Women’s Palm Oil Processing Group in the Central Region, Ative Vocational Centre in the Volta Region and Timari-Tama Rural Women in the Northern Region are among the women groups that have received awards from the SGP.
The Executive Director of the AWDF, Miss Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi said before the SGP the women engaged in activities such as the production of batiks, confectionery and soap manufacturing under the scorching sun.
“One can therefore appreciate why the women are very excited about having a permanent structure to host their activities. Now they can boast of a concrete building where they can carry out their work, in addition to rooms for a crèche for their children, plus storage and toilet facilities, thanks to AWDF’s Small Grant Programme.”
In her opinion, even though such projects are meant for the women, the whole community stands to benefit from them.
She said with each success story, there are many more women in other women communities who need this kind of intervention. “We can all make a difference. We of course cannot reach out to everyone, but the few ones we do reach can be made possible if we put our money where our heart is.”
Throughout the African continent women play vital roles in improving the lives of their families. They engage in various economic activities such as farming, pottery and weaving among others, in order to earn money to support their families.
As society is dynamic, the status of women has changed and continues to do so with interventions by governments and non-governmental organizations.
One of such groups is the African Women Development fund, (AWDF), which seeks to support African women to live in a changed world with integrity and in peace.
The AWDF is a fund raising and grant-making initiative, designed to support the effort of the various African women’s organizations.
It is the first grant- making organization in Africa that provides grants to African women’s organization and other organization, which are working for social justice, equal rights and peace.
The AWDF focuses on five thematic areas, which include political participation, peace building, health, reproductive rights and HIV\AIDS, economic empowerment, and Women’s human rights.
AWDF is therefore going to support training programmes for women entrepreneurs and a community based income-generating schemes for women with a holistic approach.
Its Small Grants Programme, (SGP), designed to enable a large category of women have access to AWDF’s funding. The SGP which is currently operating solely in Ghana also supports smaller women’s groups which are not likely to have access to any other financial support. The New Atuabo Women’s Palm Oil Processing Group in the Central Region, Ative Vocational Centre in the Volta Region and Timari-Tama Rural Women in the Northern Region are among the women groups that have received awards from the SGP.
The Executive Director of the AWDF, Miss Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi said before the SGP the women engaged in activities such as the production of batiks, confectionery and soap manufacturing under the scorching sun.
“One can therefore appreciate why the women are very excited about having a permanent structure to host their activities. Now they can boast of a concrete building where they can carry out their work, in addition to rooms for a crèche for their children, plus storage and toilet facilities, thanks to AWDF’s Small Grant Programme.”
In her opinion, even though such projects are meant for the women, the whole community stands to benefit from them.
She said with each success story, there are many more women in other women communities who need this kind of intervention. “We can all make a difference. We of course cannot reach out to everyone, but the few ones we do reach can be made possible if we put our money where our heart is.”
24-year old man arrested for internet fraud
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Twenty-four year old Alex Gyimah and his girlfriend Matilda Nkrumah residents of Abeka-Lapaz in Accra have been arrested by the police for defrauding a Netherlands national to the tune of about 1,650 pounds.
The police arrested Alex who claims to be transport owner and also working with Donks Enterprise at Tema, at an SG-SSB Bank when he in the company of his girl friend had gone to collect his ill-gotten money through MoneyGram.
According to the police Alex posed as a female and used his girlfriend’s name, Matilda, to establish an online relationship with one Albert in Netherlands.
The police told Public Agenda that Alex put out his profile as Matilda Nkrumah aged 28 years and a hair dresser. Initially, Alex, (Matilda) received 20 Euros from his boyfriend in Netherlands to enable him communicate with his boyfriend on phone and through the internet.
Again, he received 300 Euros to process traveling document to enable him visit his boyfriend in Netherlands. The boyfriend sent another 935 Euros when Alex told him that the traveling documents were ready.
According to the police Alex further demanded 250 Euros as pocket money fro his trip to Netherlands. Alex received all these amounts through Western Union Money Transfer.
He often went in the company of his girl friend Matilda and a friend called David to collect the money. Eventually, Alex posed as a travel agent and sent an email to his boyfriend in Netherlands asking for appropriate flight schedule for his client Matilda.
However, Alex’s victim only revived a call from him, this time posing as an immigration officer claiming that Matilda has been arrested at the airport because she was found in possession of gold. Therefore, the boyfriend was required to send amount of $1,600 before his girlfriend would be released.
The Netherlands national on sensing danger contacted the police CID on the internet. Alex and his girlfriend Matilda were arrested when they to collect the money from an SG-SSB Bank through MoneyGram.
Twenty-four year old Alex Gyimah and his girlfriend Matilda Nkrumah residents of Abeka-Lapaz in Accra have been arrested by the police for defrauding a Netherlands national to the tune of about 1,650 pounds.
The police arrested Alex who claims to be transport owner and also working with Donks Enterprise at Tema, at an SG-SSB Bank when he in the company of his girl friend had gone to collect his ill-gotten money through MoneyGram.
According to the police Alex posed as a female and used his girlfriend’s name, Matilda, to establish an online relationship with one Albert in Netherlands.
The police told Public Agenda that Alex put out his profile as Matilda Nkrumah aged 28 years and a hair dresser. Initially, Alex, (Matilda) received 20 Euros from his boyfriend in Netherlands to enable him communicate with his boyfriend on phone and through the internet.
Again, he received 300 Euros to process traveling document to enable him visit his boyfriend in Netherlands. The boyfriend sent another 935 Euros when Alex told him that the traveling documents were ready.
According to the police Alex further demanded 250 Euros as pocket money fro his trip to Netherlands. Alex received all these amounts through Western Union Money Transfer.
He often went in the company of his girl friend Matilda and a friend called David to collect the money. Eventually, Alex posed as a travel agent and sent an email to his boyfriend in Netherlands asking for appropriate flight schedule for his client Matilda.
However, Alex’s victim only revived a call from him, this time posing as an immigration officer claiming that Matilda has been arrested at the airport because she was found in possession of gold. Therefore, the boyfriend was required to send amount of $1,600 before his girlfriend would be released.
The Netherlands national on sensing danger contacted the police CID on the internet. Alex and his girlfriend Matilda were arrested when they to collect the money from an SG-SSB Bank through MoneyGram.
Gov’t now takes research and development serious
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu has said that government recognizes the need to link the country’s commercial and industrial sector to research, innovation and development, in order to achieve accelerated growth.
He explained that the government seeks to achieve the set targets in the 2006 budget statement and economic policy, by ensuring that projects and programmes outlined in the budget are carried out to achieve lasting results.
Mr. Baah Wiredu stated this when he received the report of the task force for effective utilization of research findings by industry The 2005 budget statement and economic policy introduced a measure under policy initiatives to give special support to industries that will commercialize research findings.
Government re-introduced the measure in the 2006 budget statement to ensure its implementation. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the National Council for Tertiary Education, (NCTE) have been taking the necessary steps to support research commercialization.
****The formation of task force comprising the Association of Ghana Industries, (AGI), NCTE, MoFEP and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, (CSRI), is one of such steps. The AGI acted as the convener of the group which was tasked to review the proposal submitted by NCTE, dialogue with the various research institutions to determine ways to catalogue the findings and prepare a concrete action plan to commercialize pozzolana (a sandy volcanic ash of economic value), glucose syrup and activated carbon. The road map was to come with proposals that would detail the institutions to take up the production of the three products on commercial basis.
Mr. Baah Wiredu observed that the current era of linking industry to research is a good sign of private partnership. “The results of activities of the private must be linked up to government initiatives such as the National Youth Employment Programme and micro financing scheme so that young people can get work to do.” He urged private sector groups to take personal interest to ensure that results are commercialized.
According to the chairman of the eleven-member committee, Mr. Robert Nketia, the report is unique as it will be used efficiently to yield results. “The report is aligned with what the budget can afford and comes out with specific programmes and strategies to implement.”
The committee recommends that by 2007, the Technology Transfer Centre should be established whilst the site for the Technology Incubator Park should be acquired and three other research findings including local production of glucose syrup should be commercialized. The report forecasts that the building of the incubator park by 2008 would concretize the agenda for continuous commercializing of research findings.
It adds, “All research institutions- CSIR, universities and polytechnics should set up technology transfer desk that would catalogue and analyze research findings of their institutions, forward them to the centre and liaise with it on aspects of commercialization.”
It concludes with a case study on two research findings of the Cocoa Research Institute to drive home how beneficial government’s financial support for the utilization of research findings is to the nation.
The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu has said that government recognizes the need to link the country’s commercial and industrial sector to research, innovation and development, in order to achieve accelerated growth.
He explained that the government seeks to achieve the set targets in the 2006 budget statement and economic policy, by ensuring that projects and programmes outlined in the budget are carried out to achieve lasting results.
Mr. Baah Wiredu stated this when he received the report of the task force for effective utilization of research findings by industry The 2005 budget statement and economic policy introduced a measure under policy initiatives to give special support to industries that will commercialize research findings.
Government re-introduced the measure in the 2006 budget statement to ensure its implementation. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the National Council for Tertiary Education, (NCTE) have been taking the necessary steps to support research commercialization.
****The formation of task force comprising the Association of Ghana Industries, (AGI), NCTE, MoFEP and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, (CSRI), is one of such steps. The AGI acted as the convener of the group which was tasked to review the proposal submitted by NCTE, dialogue with the various research institutions to determine ways to catalogue the findings and prepare a concrete action plan to commercialize pozzolana (a sandy volcanic ash of economic value), glucose syrup and activated carbon. The road map was to come with proposals that would detail the institutions to take up the production of the three products on commercial basis.
Mr. Baah Wiredu observed that the current era of linking industry to research is a good sign of private partnership. “The results of activities of the private must be linked up to government initiatives such as the National Youth Employment Programme and micro financing scheme so that young people can get work to do.” He urged private sector groups to take personal interest to ensure that results are commercialized.
According to the chairman of the eleven-member committee, Mr. Robert Nketia, the report is unique as it will be used efficiently to yield results. “The report is aligned with what the budget can afford and comes out with specific programmes and strategies to implement.”
The committee recommends that by 2007, the Technology Transfer Centre should be established whilst the site for the Technology Incubator Park should be acquired and three other research findings including local production of glucose syrup should be commercialized. The report forecasts that the building of the incubator park by 2008 would concretize the agenda for continuous commercializing of research findings.
It adds, “All research institutions- CSIR, universities and polytechnics should set up technology transfer desk that would catalogue and analyze research findings of their institutions, forward them to the centre and liaise with it on aspects of commercialization.”
It concludes with a case study on two research findings of the Cocoa Research Institute to drive home how beneficial government’s financial support for the utilization of research findings is to the nation.
Child labour in the informal sector remains a challenge
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The Minister of Manpower Development and Youth Employment, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface has reiterated government’s support to facilitate economic activities in the informal sector.
The minister pointed out that the informal sector constitutes 70% of economic activity in the country and engages majority of the population in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing and services among others, therefore, it must be given the attention to develop.
The minister was sad that a large proportion of women and children who work in the sector do so under hazardous conditions, receive low income and are exploited.
He emphasized that enforcement of laws to eliminate child labour in the informal economy remains a great challenge, a situation he blamed on the breakdown of family units.
“Government will leave no stone unturned in giving the required support to the informal sector to ensure growth”, he promised.
Alhaji Boniface was speaking at an International conference on organising workers in the informal economy in Accra. It aims at reviewing activities of the International Coordinating Committee, (ICC), which comprises the Ghana Trades Union Congress, (TUC), Self Employed Workers Association, (SEWA) of India, Street Net International and Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC). The rest are HomeNet South East Asia and CROX of Mexico.
“Observance of labour laws depends on vigorous labour inspection. Government has noticed the lapses and is working to address them.”
He commended the trade unionists for their collaboration, stressing that it is important to integrate in the current era of globalisation.
The ICC in 2003 held its first international conference on organising workers in the informal economy in India.
The said conference resolved to work with the ILO, Global Unions and national trade union centres to redress the neglect of workers in the informal economy. It is on record that the ICC has since its inception taken various initiatives in furtherance of the resolutions.
Mr. Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Secretary General of TUC said as unionists they feel duty bound to organise workers in the informal economy to improve working conditions thereby strengthening trade union activities.
He observed that the sector is characterized by the absence of social security and poor working conditions.
“In our view, legislation and policies must conform to ILO conventions such as protection against forced labour, right to decent work and negotiation. These standards must shape the growth in the informal economy.”
He observed that the private sector has not been able to absorb the graduate unemployed workers who are compelled to seek economic activity in the informal economy.
“Looking at the size of the informal economy it is imperative for government to improve conditions for those working there. For us as trade unionists, the biggest challenge remains to organize workers in the informal economy with passion, commitment, innovation and creativity,” he added.
The Minister of Manpower Development and Youth Employment, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface has reiterated government’s support to facilitate economic activities in the informal sector.
The minister pointed out that the informal sector constitutes 70% of economic activity in the country and engages majority of the population in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing and services among others, therefore, it must be given the attention to develop.
The minister was sad that a large proportion of women and children who work in the sector do so under hazardous conditions, receive low income and are exploited.
He emphasized that enforcement of laws to eliminate child labour in the informal economy remains a great challenge, a situation he blamed on the breakdown of family units.
“Government will leave no stone unturned in giving the required support to the informal sector to ensure growth”, he promised.
Alhaji Boniface was speaking at an International conference on organising workers in the informal economy in Accra. It aims at reviewing activities of the International Coordinating Committee, (ICC), which comprises the Ghana Trades Union Congress, (TUC), Self Employed Workers Association, (SEWA) of India, Street Net International and Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC). The rest are HomeNet South East Asia and CROX of Mexico.
“Observance of labour laws depends on vigorous labour inspection. Government has noticed the lapses and is working to address them.”
He commended the trade unionists for their collaboration, stressing that it is important to integrate in the current era of globalisation.
The ICC in 2003 held its first international conference on organising workers in the informal economy in India.
The said conference resolved to work with the ILO, Global Unions and national trade union centres to redress the neglect of workers in the informal economy. It is on record that the ICC has since its inception taken various initiatives in furtherance of the resolutions.
Mr. Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Secretary General of TUC said as unionists they feel duty bound to organise workers in the informal economy to improve working conditions thereby strengthening trade union activities.
He observed that the sector is characterized by the absence of social security and poor working conditions.
“In our view, legislation and policies must conform to ILO conventions such as protection against forced labour, right to decent work and negotiation. These standards must shape the growth in the informal economy.”
He observed that the private sector has not been able to absorb the graduate unemployed workers who are compelled to seek economic activity in the informal economy.
“Looking at the size of the informal economy it is imperative for government to improve conditions for those working there. For us as trade unionists, the biggest challenge remains to organize workers in the informal economy with passion, commitment, innovation and creativity,” he added.
Budgetary support for the provision of water drops
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
Government budgetary support for the provision of potable water to rural communities has dropped drastically, according to the Acting Chief Executive of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, (CWSA), Mr. Robert Van-Ess. As a result, 48% of Ghanaians in these communities and towns are without good drinking water.
Mr. Van-Ess said all efforts by his outfit to get parliament to review budget allocation to the agency have fallen on deaf ears. He disclosed that government only showed some level of commitment to rural water delivery only when the country’s development partners threatened to withdraw their services. “There is a shortfall in budget allocation. It took development partners to try to find a solution which was not even sustainable.”
Mr. Van Ess stated these when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing paid a working visit to the CWSA head office in Accra. It was to update the Members of Parliament on the agency’s progress of work, projects and challenges constraining the expected delivery of water and sanitation facilities to rural communities and small towns.
Mr. Van Ess stated that about 90% of the money for water delivery to rural communities are grants. He told the MPs that the issue was a crucial one for them to deal with, otherwise the donors will cut their support.
He said currently the agency is operating without a board of directors, adding that the agency is understaffed with a mere 200 staff countrywide.
Responding to the concerns expressed by CWSA, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Johnfiah conceded that CWSA was lagging behind in water delivery and that government needed to urgently intervene.
“Water is life and has no substitute. Therefore we will ensure that the people of Ghana have water.” He assured the committee will meet with the relevant sectors including the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, as well as Water Resources, Works and Housing.
The CWSA was established by an act of parliament, Act 564 in 1998 to provide water and sanitation in rural Ghana. It has so far covered 52% of the Ghana. From this period, 9,958 new water points, 524 new pipe systems and 7619 rehabilitation systems have been completed and delivered to beneficiaries who are enjoying potable water.
Mr. Van-Ess described as unfortunate the fact that Ghana ranks second to Sudan as a guinea worm endemic country.
Government budgetary support for the provision of potable water to rural communities has dropped drastically, according to the Acting Chief Executive of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, (CWSA), Mr. Robert Van-Ess. As a result, 48% of Ghanaians in these communities and towns are without good drinking water.
Mr. Van-Ess said all efforts by his outfit to get parliament to review budget allocation to the agency have fallen on deaf ears. He disclosed that government only showed some level of commitment to rural water delivery only when the country’s development partners threatened to withdraw their services. “There is a shortfall in budget allocation. It took development partners to try to find a solution which was not even sustainable.”
Mr. Van Ess stated these when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing paid a working visit to the CWSA head office in Accra. It was to update the Members of Parliament on the agency’s progress of work, projects and challenges constraining the expected delivery of water and sanitation facilities to rural communities and small towns.
Mr. Van Ess stated that about 90% of the money for water delivery to rural communities are grants. He told the MPs that the issue was a crucial one for them to deal with, otherwise the donors will cut their support.
He said currently the agency is operating without a board of directors, adding that the agency is understaffed with a mere 200 staff countrywide.
Responding to the concerns expressed by CWSA, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Johnfiah conceded that CWSA was lagging behind in water delivery and that government needed to urgently intervene.
“Water is life and has no substitute. Therefore we will ensure that the people of Ghana have water.” He assured the committee will meet with the relevant sectors including the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, as well as Water Resources, Works and Housing.
The CWSA was established by an act of parliament, Act 564 in 1998 to provide water and sanitation in rural Ghana. It has so far covered 52% of the Ghana. From this period, 9,958 new water points, 524 new pipe systems and 7619 rehabilitation systems have been completed and delivered to beneficiaries who are enjoying potable water.
Mr. Van-Ess described as unfortunate the fact that Ghana ranks second to Sudan as a guinea worm endemic country.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
PHARMACISTS TURN THE GUNS ON DOCTORS
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
The industrial dispute involving workers in the health sector may not end sooner than expected as pharmacists wade into the fray, accusing doctors of greed and selfishness.
Representatives of the Hospital Pharmacists Association (HOSSPA), a union of pharmacists working in both government and private hospitals told Public Agenda that both senior and junior doctors are behaving as if they are the only health care providers who are indispensable to the economy.
The HOSSPA representatives accuse the doctors of always exploiting their administrative positions to negotiate better conditions for only their members, while turning a blind eye on the equally poor working conditions facing other health workers.
“They have succeeded in using the ‘back door’ to renegotiate a new salary structure that puts them far above everyone else”, the pharmacists pointed out, and expressed disgust at the disparities in the new salary structure, which is skewed in favour of doctors.
In their view, the recommendations of Cedar Care Trust International, the external consultants contracted by the government to work out a new salary structure for health workers has been side-stepped by the doctors.
“Relativity in the current pay structure is appalling. Even though we believe doctors should be given what they deserve, the gap should not be too big,” says GHOSPA.
GHOSPA argues that its members were better off under the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, (GUSS) which was replaced by the Additional Duty Hour Allowance, (ADHA) which consolidated salary structures based on job evaluation.
“The cynical use of 152 hours has made pharmacists worse off. The authorized number of hours for pharmacists, which is being used in tertiary institutions is 192 hours.
Information made available to Public Agenda shows that the implementation of the new salary scales for the public health sector which places pharmacists under category eight (scale 2) allots ¢16,287,191 million a month to pharmacists, compared to ¢39,219,725 million for doctors. The entry point for medical officers ( staff who have been at post for less than one year) is ¢9,607,290 million, while that of pharmacists who have been working much longer is at ¢4,646, 463 million.
The pharmacists argue that the job evaluation scheme has rather caused distortions in the salary structure, which have the potential of destroying the emerging team spirit in the health sector.
GHOSPA is therefore threatening to use any means, including strikes to get what its members deserve. “Negotiations in good faith have not been adhered to. When the independent body came in we thought there was a road map, but what we see now are arbitrary figures. Government has been very ungrateful to us for showing maturity.”
The pharmacists say if government wants them to work, it must address their grievances since the National Health Insurance Scheme will increase their workload.
Besides, pharmacists are being drawn into an evolving role in the heath care delivery process, which includes human resource management, management of a revolving fund, medicines management and drug information services among others.
GHOSPA regrets that other health professionals are never involved in the process of determining the salaries and conditions of service of their colleagues. “Therefore we reject entirely the scoring, placements and progression for pharmacists.”
The past two weeks have witnessed ugly noises from the senior and junior doctors, calling for better salaries. In response, government agreed new salaries with the help of a consultant and assured the health workers that they would have an annual salary budget of ¢2.4 trillion to reorganize the pay structure of all health professionals.
But in a sudden turn of events the doctors demanded that they be paid the over six months ADHA arrears due them this month. They are reported to have agreed at a meeting with President John Agyekum Kufuor that one third of arrears, (¢400 billion) be added to the June payroll.
The doctors are now requesting that all their arrears be paid this month despite the plea by the president that it would cause cash-flow problems for the exchequer. Pharmacists are now also demanding their pound of flesh. When all this agitation for salaries will come to an end is anyone’s guess.
The industrial dispute involving workers in the health sector may not end sooner than expected as pharmacists wade into the fray, accusing doctors of greed and selfishness.
Representatives of the Hospital Pharmacists Association (HOSSPA), a union of pharmacists working in both government and private hospitals told Public Agenda that both senior and junior doctors are behaving as if they are the only health care providers who are indispensable to the economy.
The HOSSPA representatives accuse the doctors of always exploiting their administrative positions to negotiate better conditions for only their members, while turning a blind eye on the equally poor working conditions facing other health workers.
“They have succeeded in using the ‘back door’ to renegotiate a new salary structure that puts them far above everyone else”, the pharmacists pointed out, and expressed disgust at the disparities in the new salary structure, which is skewed in favour of doctors.
In their view, the recommendations of Cedar Care Trust International, the external consultants contracted by the government to work out a new salary structure for health workers has been side-stepped by the doctors.
“Relativity in the current pay structure is appalling. Even though we believe doctors should be given what they deserve, the gap should not be too big,” says GHOSPA.
GHOSPA argues that its members were better off under the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, (GUSS) which was replaced by the Additional Duty Hour Allowance, (ADHA) which consolidated salary structures based on job evaluation.
“The cynical use of 152 hours has made pharmacists worse off. The authorized number of hours for pharmacists, which is being used in tertiary institutions is 192 hours.
Information made available to Public Agenda shows that the implementation of the new salary scales for the public health sector which places pharmacists under category eight (scale 2) allots ¢16,287,191 million a month to pharmacists, compared to ¢39,219,725 million for doctors. The entry point for medical officers ( staff who have been at post for less than one year) is ¢9,607,290 million, while that of pharmacists who have been working much longer is at ¢4,646, 463 million.
The pharmacists argue that the job evaluation scheme has rather caused distortions in the salary structure, which have the potential of destroying the emerging team spirit in the health sector.
GHOSPA is therefore threatening to use any means, including strikes to get what its members deserve. “Negotiations in good faith have not been adhered to. When the independent body came in we thought there was a road map, but what we see now are arbitrary figures. Government has been very ungrateful to us for showing maturity.”
The pharmacists say if government wants them to work, it must address their grievances since the National Health Insurance Scheme will increase their workload.
Besides, pharmacists are being drawn into an evolving role in the heath care delivery process, which includes human resource management, management of a revolving fund, medicines management and drug information services among others.
GHOSPA regrets that other health professionals are never involved in the process of determining the salaries and conditions of service of their colleagues. “Therefore we reject entirely the scoring, placements and progression for pharmacists.”
The past two weeks have witnessed ugly noises from the senior and junior doctors, calling for better salaries. In response, government agreed new salaries with the help of a consultant and assured the health workers that they would have an annual salary budget of ¢2.4 trillion to reorganize the pay structure of all health professionals.
But in a sudden turn of events the doctors demanded that they be paid the over six months ADHA arrears due them this month. They are reported to have agreed at a meeting with President John Agyekum Kufuor that one third of arrears, (¢400 billion) be added to the June payroll.
The doctors are now requesting that all their arrears be paid this month despite the plea by the president that it would cause cash-flow problems for the exchequer. Pharmacists are now also demanding their pound of flesh. When all this agitation for salaries will come to an end is anyone’s guess.
Police arrest woman suspected of child trafficking
By Ama Achiaa Amankwah
A Jamaican born British, Marilyn Taylor, (alias Ms. Bouquet) suspected to be involved in human trafficking has been arrested by the police and granted enquiry bail.
A police source told Public Agenda that a docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice and further directives.
Ms Bouquet, 52 years was arrested on June 17, 2006 after a complaint was lodged with the police about her activities. She is reported to be training the youth between the ages of 18 to 25 to work as house helps, nannies and drivers.
A source at the police headquarters told Public Agenda she has neither registered her so called ‘agency’ nor has she a resident permit.
Police moved in to investigate her activities when some of her ‘students’ reported her. According to the police majority of the complainants hail from Takoradi and claim they were introduced to the training programme by two men in Takoradi.
Some said they heard the advertisement on the radio about job vacancies for people between the ages of eighteen to twenty-five with free accommodation and a good salary.
The complainants, mostly unemployed JSS and SSS school leavers told the police that initially they were informed they were going to be trained as cooks and chefs for a period of six weeks, after which they would be given jobs in popular hotels and restaurants.
They explained they only got to know they were heading for Tema when they got to the transport yard. They stated even though they were told everything was free, they were made to pay for their own transportation from Takoradi to Tema.
At Ms Bouquet’s house, all the girls sleep in a room furnished with student beds and mattresses. The complainants claim they only ate from the house when the engaged in cooking practicals.
They told the police some of their colleagues in the house go out to work for people and return in the evening to sleep. But most of the complainants told the police they believe what they experienced was slavery as whatever money they made from working went into the pocket of Ms Bouquet.
While in the house, some of the rules and regulations stipulated for their stay include, “don’t go out of the house without permission, avoid quarrels in the house, you are to get up at 5am daily, do not spit in the house and do not eat food that has not been given to you’ among others.
When Ms Bouquet was arrested she told the police she first came to Ghana in 2003 from England on holiday, but left after a month. She said she returned and lodged at the La Palm Hotel for four months. However, upon suggestion by a friend working an NGO in Ghana, she bought a house at Tema Community twenty-one.
She stated that after visiting some suburbs in Accra and organizing a party for children in those areas, she was touched and adopted five of them, two from Chorkor and three from Tema.
Consequently she employed the services of a house help through an agency in Takoradi but claimed she was not good. Therefore she decided to train her own house helps. Ms Bouquet told the police she teaches her ‘students’ how to cook, iron, wash, serve people and to be able to cook continental dishes.
The woman claims she has since December 2005, trained fifteen house helps and sent them out to work for people but has contacts with only two of them.
Prospective students of Ms Bouquet’s school are made to buy a registration form between ¢20,000 and ¢22, 000 with a letter head which reads, “Welcome to Ms Bouquet’s Domestic and Commercial Services.” An amount of ¢500,000 is then paid as tuition fees. The amount is deducted from the salary of trainees who are unable to pay when they start working.
Like any application form, there is space to be filled by a referee in the person of a pastor, senior civil servant, head teacher, doctor and police/military officer or a chief.
Trainees are made to also fill an agreement form / declaration form. People who request the services of these ‘graduate domestic assistants / house helps” make an initial payment of ¢500, 000 for a nanny, ¢550,000 for a house girl, and ¢600,000 for a house boy. The rest are ¢650,000 for a driver and ¢700,000 for house help care.
When these domestics assistants start working, their clients are made to pay monthly salary of between ¢850, 000 to ¢2, 500, 000, depending on the duties.
A Jamaican born British, Marilyn Taylor, (alias Ms. Bouquet) suspected to be involved in human trafficking has been arrested by the police and granted enquiry bail.
A police source told Public Agenda that a docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice and further directives.
Ms Bouquet, 52 years was arrested on June 17, 2006 after a complaint was lodged with the police about her activities. She is reported to be training the youth between the ages of 18 to 25 to work as house helps, nannies and drivers.
A source at the police headquarters told Public Agenda she has neither registered her so called ‘agency’ nor has she a resident permit.
Police moved in to investigate her activities when some of her ‘students’ reported her. According to the police majority of the complainants hail from Takoradi and claim they were introduced to the training programme by two men in Takoradi.
Some said they heard the advertisement on the radio about job vacancies for people between the ages of eighteen to twenty-five with free accommodation and a good salary.
The complainants, mostly unemployed JSS and SSS school leavers told the police that initially they were informed they were going to be trained as cooks and chefs for a period of six weeks, after which they would be given jobs in popular hotels and restaurants.
They explained they only got to know they were heading for Tema when they got to the transport yard. They stated even though they were told everything was free, they were made to pay for their own transportation from Takoradi to Tema.
At Ms Bouquet’s house, all the girls sleep in a room furnished with student beds and mattresses. The complainants claim they only ate from the house when the engaged in cooking practicals.
They told the police some of their colleagues in the house go out to work for people and return in the evening to sleep. But most of the complainants told the police they believe what they experienced was slavery as whatever money they made from working went into the pocket of Ms Bouquet.
While in the house, some of the rules and regulations stipulated for their stay include, “don’t go out of the house without permission, avoid quarrels in the house, you are to get up at 5am daily, do not spit in the house and do not eat food that has not been given to you’ among others.
When Ms Bouquet was arrested she told the police she first came to Ghana in 2003 from England on holiday, but left after a month. She said she returned and lodged at the La Palm Hotel for four months. However, upon suggestion by a friend working an NGO in Ghana, she bought a house at Tema Community twenty-one.
She stated that after visiting some suburbs in Accra and organizing a party for children in those areas, she was touched and adopted five of them, two from Chorkor and three from Tema.
Consequently she employed the services of a house help through an agency in Takoradi but claimed she was not good. Therefore she decided to train her own house helps. Ms Bouquet told the police she teaches her ‘students’ how to cook, iron, wash, serve people and to be able to cook continental dishes.
The woman claims she has since December 2005, trained fifteen house helps and sent them out to work for people but has contacts with only two of them.
Prospective students of Ms Bouquet’s school are made to buy a registration form between ¢20,000 and ¢22, 000 with a letter head which reads, “Welcome to Ms Bouquet’s Domestic and Commercial Services.” An amount of ¢500,000 is then paid as tuition fees. The amount is deducted from the salary of trainees who are unable to pay when they start working.
Like any application form, there is space to be filled by a referee in the person of a pastor, senior civil servant, head teacher, doctor and police/military officer or a chief.
Trainees are made to also fill an agreement form / declaration form. People who request the services of these ‘graduate domestic assistants / house helps” make an initial payment of ¢500, 000 for a nanny, ¢550,000 for a house girl, and ¢600,000 for a house boy. The rest are ¢650,000 for a driver and ¢700,000 for house help care.
When these domestics assistants start working, their clients are made to pay monthly salary of between ¢850, 000 to ¢2, 500, 000, depending on the duties.
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