Since the inception of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) in 2005, there have been allegations of misappropriation of funds and other related concerns raised by groups such as the Committee for Joint Action (CJA).
The basic concept is to provide children in primary schools and kindergarten with one hot, nutritious meal prepared from locally grown foodstuffs every school going day.
Target groups include deprived districts, poorest and most food insecure districts, low literacy, low enrollment and attendance level and high school drop-out rate districts.
To begin with, its first Executive Chairman, Dr. Amoako-Tuffour was dismissed according to the Local Government Minister to pave way for investigations into the activities of the programme as part of efforts to ensure efficiency into the programme.
Anomalies including alleged inflation of enrolment figures in a number of schools, feeding of school kids with unwholesome meals and administrative lapses in the operations of the programme, unearthed by an audit conducted by Pricewater
House Coopers, at the instance of the Royal Dutch Embassy were detected.
Now a guideline to provide a single source of information for officials of the GSFP including auditors, has been launched in Accra.
Issues in the guideline include measures intended to compel officials of the programme to maintain adequate record, monitoring of quality food served at the beneficiary schools and minimum number of times that the officials of the programme should meet at ordinary meeting to deliberate on matters affecting the programme.
Giving an overview of the manual, the Auditor General (AG), Mr. Edward Dua Agyemang noted that in view of the number of beneficiary primary schools involved and the expanding nature of the programme, effective monitoring could be achieved when the monitoring unit of the GSFP establishes offices in all regional capitals and eventually in all district capitals.
He stated that inspection of the quality of food and water served to pupils, ascertaining the actual number of school children at the school during the terms and investigating any discrepancies that would be detected are some of the duties to be fulfilled by the monitoring and evaluation officials.
“Even if it means tasting the food themselves they should do it. They are to monitor the receipt of kitchen items and foodstuffs from the National Secretariat (NS) and confirm the actual number of school days to ensure that any savings made as a reduction in the number of school days are reported and taken into consideration, during the next computation of feeding grants.”
According to him, district finance officers are required to maintain separate and adequate accounting records in respect of GSFP’s feeding grants received and the cost of bulk purchases made from them.
The caterers, he stressed are required to maintain basic accounting records which will enable any inspector to identify the amount of feeding grants released to them, the dates of the releases, the number of children who were served meals on each school day, as well as the dates and quantities of foodstuffs and kitchen equipments received from the District Implementation Committee (DIC) and the NS.
Mr. Dua Agyemang said district auditors are required to conduct monthly audit inspection of the accounting and store records of the DIC of the GSFP and also to visit beneficiary schools to examine their accounting records of the school implementation committee and the quality of food served to the children.
“Three months after the end of each year, the accounting records and financial statements of the GSFP should be prepared by the NS and submitted through the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment to the AG for his certification.”
He added that the AG may as a result of operational exigencies contract an accounting firm to conduct the audit of the GSFP and report on it.
He expressed concern about the negative and positive remarks made by the public about the GSFP, concluding that, “Some people go through life pleased that the glass is half full. Others spend a lifetime lamenting that the glass is half empty. The truth is that there is a glass with a certain volume of liquid in it. From there, it is up to us how we manage it.”
Mr. Michael Nsowah, National Coordinator of the GSFP recalled that the programme which began as a pilot project in September 2005 with ten primary schools, one in each region, currently has 987 public schools with 477,714 (four hundred and seventy-seven thousand, seven hundred and fourteen) children in all the 170 districts benefiting from it.
He announced plans to scale up the programme to benefit one million and forty thousand pupils by the end of the first phase in 2010.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Ghana take steps to improve efficiency of land use planning
Ghana had a tradition of national social and economic development planning that operated in tandem with national and regional spatial and local-level land use planning policies.
However, in the last decade, a disconnection has opened up between the socio-economic and the spatial and land use policy and planning domains.
Some of the laws that regulate land use management and planning are very old and have provisions which have outlived their usefulness.
In effect, there is a general lack of proactive legislative mechanism in land use planning which leads to situations where human settlements and development control become an afterthought on uncontrolled human settlement and development.
The need for planning today is greater looking at the rapid rate of development.
Towns and villages are developing and redeveloping countrywide.
This development is now the subject of discussion and steps are being taken to correct the situation.
Workshops are being organised in Tamale, Kumasi and Accra to provide interested stakeholders the opportunity to help formulate the policy framework for the proposed new law that will establish a new system of Spatial and Land Use Planning and Management (SLUPM) in Ghana.
According to the Land Use Planning and Management Project (LUPMP), a component of the Land Administration Project (LAP), the three zonal workshops are to give stakeholders throughout the country the chance to review and comment on a series of papers, which will provide the framework for the proposed SLUPM law, which forms part of the proposed changes to legislation in the land sector being prepared under the LAP.
The expected outcome of the workshops is consensus on the guiding principles for the new law which will be able to meet the administrative, institutional and legal challenges facing spatial land use planning and to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development objectives.
Mr. Alistair Blunt, Project Manager of LUPMP explained that it is a three year project with the objective of re-establishing land use planning and management system in Ghana by enhancing the institutional, legal and technological capacity of the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD).
He said LUPMP is engaging in a number of pilot projects in some communities. He added that training programmes will be designed and implemented to build sufficient capacity at the TCPD head office, regional and district offices and that the training will encompass local facilitators of land use planning from pilot areas.
According to the LUPMP, a good land use plan takes care of all community interest and a legacy for generations yet unborn. It says good laws on land use mean better value for land.
“A well planned community prevents disasters such as flooding and allows for better management of disasters. It promotes good environmental health and attracts investments, business and creates jobs”.
However, in the last decade, a disconnection has opened up between the socio-economic and the spatial and land use policy and planning domains.
Some of the laws that regulate land use management and planning are very old and have provisions which have outlived their usefulness.
In effect, there is a general lack of proactive legislative mechanism in land use planning which leads to situations where human settlements and development control become an afterthought on uncontrolled human settlement and development.
The need for planning today is greater looking at the rapid rate of development.
Towns and villages are developing and redeveloping countrywide.
This development is now the subject of discussion and steps are being taken to correct the situation.
Workshops are being organised in Tamale, Kumasi and Accra to provide interested stakeholders the opportunity to help formulate the policy framework for the proposed new law that will establish a new system of Spatial and Land Use Planning and Management (SLUPM) in Ghana.
According to the Land Use Planning and Management Project (LUPMP), a component of the Land Administration Project (LAP), the three zonal workshops are to give stakeholders throughout the country the chance to review and comment on a series of papers, which will provide the framework for the proposed SLUPM law, which forms part of the proposed changes to legislation in the land sector being prepared under the LAP.
The expected outcome of the workshops is consensus on the guiding principles for the new law which will be able to meet the administrative, institutional and legal challenges facing spatial land use planning and to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development objectives.
Mr. Alistair Blunt, Project Manager of LUPMP explained that it is a three year project with the objective of re-establishing land use planning and management system in Ghana by enhancing the institutional, legal and technological capacity of the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD).
He said LUPMP is engaging in a number of pilot projects in some communities. He added that training programmes will be designed and implemented to build sufficient capacity at the TCPD head office, regional and district offices and that the training will encompass local facilitators of land use planning from pilot areas.
According to the LUPMP, a good land use plan takes care of all community interest and a legacy for generations yet unborn. It says good laws on land use mean better value for land.
“A well planned community prevents disasters such as flooding and allows for better management of disasters. It promotes good environmental health and attracts investments, business and creates jobs”.
Ghana and UK share experiences in oil and gas sector
Government has set up a Local Content Committee aimed at ensuring local participation in the economic derivatives in the oil and gas industry.
To achieve this, the committee is putting in place a comprehensive Ghana Content Development Policy as a framework to guarantee active participation of Ghanaians in oil and gas activities without compromising standards.
The Energy Minister, Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong who disclosed this at a United Kingdom (UK) oil and gas workshop in Accra, said the policy also focuses on the promotion of value addition in Ghana through utilization of local raw materials, products and services, in order to stimulate growth of indigenous capacity.
The announcement of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Ghana by Kosmos Energy, Anadarko Petroleum and Tullow Ghana Limited has brought a flurry of oil-related activity.
This explains why the UK Trade and Investment organised the workshop to create awareness of the opportunities in the oil and gas sector in Ghana for UK companies and to facilitate joint venture partnerships between UK companies and their Ghanaian counterparts.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong said the workshop was timely, as Ghana prepares for the proper management of the oil and gas, which calls for innovation, partnerships and new collaborations.
“As Ghana becomes an oil producing country, problems associated with such new developments will confront us. It is nonetheless not out of place for our government to partner our development partners and play its expected role to champion the well being of her people.”
He assured that government will continue to enforce the relevant laws of the country and where necessary enact appropriate laws and regulations that would be consistent with the new oil economy.
“It is also important for our policy initiatives to take advantage of the renewed interest of international oil companies in the geological basins of Ghana.”
The workshop coincided with a visit by UK oil and gas trade missions to Ghana, led by the UK West Africa Action Group.
The Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment, Mr. Andrew Cahn said his team recognizes the huge uncertainties in the oil and gas industry and that the sudden development in Ghana calls for cautious polices to be put in place to build up security networks to enable the Ghanaian industry develop smoothly.
Mr. Jon Woodwards, International Business Director, UK West Africa Advisory Group noted that the key issue for Ghana is the need for her to act fast in order not to be overtaken by events.
“The approach could include consistency of policy, promotional activities and the creation of simple and welcoming business climate. Ghana must also be equitable by sharing risks and rewards.”
In the global competition, he said Ghana should be positioned to attract the right investors to the supply chain, since the country will be competing with other countries for finance, specialist and expertise.
To achieve this, the committee is putting in place a comprehensive Ghana Content Development Policy as a framework to guarantee active participation of Ghanaians in oil and gas activities without compromising standards.
The Energy Minister, Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong who disclosed this at a United Kingdom (UK) oil and gas workshop in Accra, said the policy also focuses on the promotion of value addition in Ghana through utilization of local raw materials, products and services, in order to stimulate growth of indigenous capacity.
The announcement of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Ghana by Kosmos Energy, Anadarko Petroleum and Tullow Ghana Limited has brought a flurry of oil-related activity.
This explains why the UK Trade and Investment organised the workshop to create awareness of the opportunities in the oil and gas sector in Ghana for UK companies and to facilitate joint venture partnerships between UK companies and their Ghanaian counterparts.
Mr. Owusu-Adjapong said the workshop was timely, as Ghana prepares for the proper management of the oil and gas, which calls for innovation, partnerships and new collaborations.
“As Ghana becomes an oil producing country, problems associated with such new developments will confront us. It is nonetheless not out of place for our government to partner our development partners and play its expected role to champion the well being of her people.”
He assured that government will continue to enforce the relevant laws of the country and where necessary enact appropriate laws and regulations that would be consistent with the new oil economy.
“It is also important for our policy initiatives to take advantage of the renewed interest of international oil companies in the geological basins of Ghana.”
The workshop coincided with a visit by UK oil and gas trade missions to Ghana, led by the UK West Africa Action Group.
The Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment, Mr. Andrew Cahn said his team recognizes the huge uncertainties in the oil and gas industry and that the sudden development in Ghana calls for cautious polices to be put in place to build up security networks to enable the Ghanaian industry develop smoothly.
Mr. Jon Woodwards, International Business Director, UK West Africa Advisory Group noted that the key issue for Ghana is the need for her to act fast in order not to be overtaken by events.
“The approach could include consistency of policy, promotional activities and the creation of simple and welcoming business climate. Ghana must also be equitable by sharing risks and rewards.”
In the global competition, he said Ghana should be positioned to attract the right investors to the supply chain, since the country will be competing with other countries for finance, specialist and expertise.
Ghana moves to ensure safe medicine
Ghanaians have been urged to exercise their civic responsibility by buying drugs at the right places to avoid more deadly incidents by traders in counterfeit products.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), estimates that more than 30% of drugs could lead to the horrid healthcare crises that fake drugs often unleash. The rate of fake drugs is between 10 to 30% in developing countries.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drug Board (FDB), Rev. Jonathan Martey expressed worry that Ghana is experiencing the influx of fake products, particularly those perceived to be sexual enhancement drugs which are mostly in languages people cannot read.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum on Safe Medicines in Accra, he noted that the situation poses a real threat to public health that needs massive campaign against it.
Rev. Martey deduced that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will improve access to quality medicine in remote villages.
He explained that with the NHIS, procurement is also controlled and the FDB is part of a committee that will provide the necessary information about companies that meet the requirement to supply medicines, saying “The future is not bleak. A lot is being done to ensure that Ghanaians get better access to safe medicines.”
Rev. Martey stated the need for multi-sectoral approach to fight counterfeiting, emphasising the important role of the media and the need for health professionals, manufacturers and importers to uphold the trust Ghanaians have in them.
Mr. Scott LaGanga, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (OSM), a coalition of organisations and individuals dedicated to protecting consumers from counterfeit medicines said in today’s global environment, it does not matter if one lives in America, Europe, Asia or Africa, everyone is at risk from counterfeit drugs.
“Counterfeit drug is a global public health hazard that requires an international solution. All across the world we are seeing more incidents of counterfeiting involving more types of drugs in more countries.”
He stressed that regions must unify in the fight against counterfeit drugs as unscrupulous counterfeiters do not hesitate to use foreign and even toxic materials in their products.
Meanwhile, Ghana is exploring ways to enhance the adoption of new concepts of regulating drugs to enhance health service delivery. Ghanaians could be able to successfully use SMS text messages to authenticate drugs by the end of this year.
The technology trail initiative by mPedigree, early this year afforded Ghanaian consumers in Accra and Kumasi the chance to pick the code on a drug, (Efpack Junior Products ) send SMS to 1393 to any of the networks and had a response instantly that “quality is assured or it is a genuine product”.
Also, Ghana is a pilot country for the roll-out of Medical Transparency Alliance (MeTA) programme with the objective to relieve consumers of the burden of drug affordability, accessibility and quality.
Further, the National Health Insurance Authority has identified a number of ICT interventions such as diagnostic groups modeling, as critical in its quest to deliver.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), estimates that more than 30% of drugs could lead to the horrid healthcare crises that fake drugs often unleash. The rate of fake drugs is between 10 to 30% in developing countries.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drug Board (FDB), Rev. Jonathan Martey expressed worry that Ghana is experiencing the influx of fake products, particularly those perceived to be sexual enhancement drugs which are mostly in languages people cannot read.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum on Safe Medicines in Accra, he noted that the situation poses a real threat to public health that needs massive campaign against it.
Rev. Martey deduced that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will improve access to quality medicine in remote villages.
He explained that with the NHIS, procurement is also controlled and the FDB is part of a committee that will provide the necessary information about companies that meet the requirement to supply medicines, saying “The future is not bleak. A lot is being done to ensure that Ghanaians get better access to safe medicines.”
Rev. Martey stated the need for multi-sectoral approach to fight counterfeiting, emphasising the important role of the media and the need for health professionals, manufacturers and importers to uphold the trust Ghanaians have in them.
Mr. Scott LaGanga, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines (OSM), a coalition of organisations and individuals dedicated to protecting consumers from counterfeit medicines said in today’s global environment, it does not matter if one lives in America, Europe, Asia or Africa, everyone is at risk from counterfeit drugs.
“Counterfeit drug is a global public health hazard that requires an international solution. All across the world we are seeing more incidents of counterfeiting involving more types of drugs in more countries.”
He stressed that regions must unify in the fight against counterfeit drugs as unscrupulous counterfeiters do not hesitate to use foreign and even toxic materials in their products.
Meanwhile, Ghana is exploring ways to enhance the adoption of new concepts of regulating drugs to enhance health service delivery. Ghanaians could be able to successfully use SMS text messages to authenticate drugs by the end of this year.
The technology trail initiative by mPedigree, early this year afforded Ghanaian consumers in Accra and Kumasi the chance to pick the code on a drug, (Efpack Junior Products ) send SMS to 1393 to any of the networks and had a response instantly that “quality is assured or it is a genuine product”.
Also, Ghana is a pilot country for the roll-out of Medical Transparency Alliance (MeTA) programme with the objective to relieve consumers of the burden of drug affordability, accessibility and quality.
Further, the National Health Insurance Authority has identified a number of ICT interventions such as diagnostic groups modeling, as critical in its quest to deliver.
Trade beyond aid will push Africa to sustainable development
Panelists at an aid forum have said that until problems relating to the issues of trade, debt cancellation and aid have been resolved, there is no way Africa can wean itself of aid.
They said it is only when existing disparities in trade relationships have been addressed that the continent will be self dependent.
“If you are able to address trade problems then you also address the issue of the debt which include ecological debt. Then the continent must be able to stand on its feet and everything will flow,” stated Charles Mutasa, Executive Director of AFRODAD.
He observed although several attempts at total debt cancellation over the years have not been comprehensive, it is needed alongside addressing trade issues.
He said when trade issues are addressed then it will be certain that the continent can be able to have sustainable development without being aid dependent.
He cited protectionist agriculture in Europe and the issue of African export fetching little money on the export market as some obstacles to Africa standing on its feet.
“Otherwise we are saying that there should be reduction of aid and finally an exit because as long as we are receiving aid then there will always be conditionalities,” he added.
In a statement by the Secretary-General of the OECD, Angel Gurria at the Third High Level Forum in Accra, he called on the participants in negotiations for a new multilateral trade agreement to ‘go the last mile’ and bring the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha round to a successful conclusion.
He said that open markets are particularly important for economic and social development and was therefore, a wise decision at Doha to place priority emphasis in this round of WTO negotiations on development.
“Developing and emerging economies must be enabled to improve their own economic prospects by getting better access to growing markets and seeing subsidies reduced that distort competition with their producers.”
He added, “At the same time, it is also important to remember the experience of many rapidly growing economies that markets open to foreign products have proven a most successful ingredient for economic growth”.
He emphasized that what is needed now is the political will, including the highest level of governments, to go the last mile.
Mrs. Rose Mensah-Kutin, Convenor of Network for Women’s Right in Ghana (NETRIGHT) said in addition to the Paris Declaration and Aid Effectiveness process, there is also the UN Financing for Development Initiative that need to be prioritized, in order to make those critical linkages between aid, trade, debt and investment to address poverty and promote real development.
She regretted that today the world is faced with an unprecedented combination of natural, political, economic and social crises that increase poverty and the burden of survival for poor women, especially in developing countries.
“As development actors, it is crucial that we understand the political context and unequal power relationships within the aid architecture and the challenge posed by the implementation of the PD”.
She reiterated that change has to happen to ensure that issues of poverty eradication, gender equality, human rights, disability and environmental sustainability are the real pillars of development effectiveness.
“We need to use international agreed human rights provisions as the basis for global governance and relationships so that aid will one day become unnecessary.”
Using Zambian ecological debt as case study, an independent researcher, Brenda Mofya revealed although the country has a legal framework to ensure that environmental / ecological damage are taken care of, now the emphasis is more on foreign direct investment.
She said the main environmental concerns have been air pollution; exceeding normal allowed international standards, land degradation and water pollution. Brenda said aid and privatization have become prerequisite for the sale of mines and lately for any debt relief. She said that Africa does not need aid and should rather mobilize resources.
She admitted it is indeed difficult to quantify the amount of damage of Zambia after over 100 years of mining. “There is need for deliberate efforts from academia and CSO to re-scrutinize and demand the stoppage of some of these investments. Everything that has been happening is political. We need to mobilize the law courts and the political elites because at some point they seem to be powerless”.
She added, “here is need for total cancellation for third world debt and need for redress for industrial damage”.
They said it is only when existing disparities in trade relationships have been addressed that the continent will be self dependent.
“If you are able to address trade problems then you also address the issue of the debt which include ecological debt. Then the continent must be able to stand on its feet and everything will flow,” stated Charles Mutasa, Executive Director of AFRODAD.
He observed although several attempts at total debt cancellation over the years have not been comprehensive, it is needed alongside addressing trade issues.
He said when trade issues are addressed then it will be certain that the continent can be able to have sustainable development without being aid dependent.
He cited protectionist agriculture in Europe and the issue of African export fetching little money on the export market as some obstacles to Africa standing on its feet.
“Otherwise we are saying that there should be reduction of aid and finally an exit because as long as we are receiving aid then there will always be conditionalities,” he added.
In a statement by the Secretary-General of the OECD, Angel Gurria at the Third High Level Forum in Accra, he called on the participants in negotiations for a new multilateral trade agreement to ‘go the last mile’ and bring the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha round to a successful conclusion.
He said that open markets are particularly important for economic and social development and was therefore, a wise decision at Doha to place priority emphasis in this round of WTO negotiations on development.
“Developing and emerging economies must be enabled to improve their own economic prospects by getting better access to growing markets and seeing subsidies reduced that distort competition with their producers.”
He added, “At the same time, it is also important to remember the experience of many rapidly growing economies that markets open to foreign products have proven a most successful ingredient for economic growth”.
He emphasized that what is needed now is the political will, including the highest level of governments, to go the last mile.
Mrs. Rose Mensah-Kutin, Convenor of Network for Women’s Right in Ghana (NETRIGHT) said in addition to the Paris Declaration and Aid Effectiveness process, there is also the UN Financing for Development Initiative that need to be prioritized, in order to make those critical linkages between aid, trade, debt and investment to address poverty and promote real development.
She regretted that today the world is faced with an unprecedented combination of natural, political, economic and social crises that increase poverty and the burden of survival for poor women, especially in developing countries.
“As development actors, it is crucial that we understand the political context and unequal power relationships within the aid architecture and the challenge posed by the implementation of the PD”.
She reiterated that change has to happen to ensure that issues of poverty eradication, gender equality, human rights, disability and environmental sustainability are the real pillars of development effectiveness.
“We need to use international agreed human rights provisions as the basis for global governance and relationships so that aid will one day become unnecessary.”
Using Zambian ecological debt as case study, an independent researcher, Brenda Mofya revealed although the country has a legal framework to ensure that environmental / ecological damage are taken care of, now the emphasis is more on foreign direct investment.
She said the main environmental concerns have been air pollution; exceeding normal allowed international standards, land degradation and water pollution. Brenda said aid and privatization have become prerequisite for the sale of mines and lately for any debt relief. She said that Africa does not need aid and should rather mobilize resources.
She admitted it is indeed difficult to quantify the amount of damage of Zambia after over 100 years of mining. “There is need for deliberate efforts from academia and CSO to re-scrutinize and demand the stoppage of some of these investments. Everything that has been happening is political. We need to mobilize the law courts and the political elites because at some point they seem to be powerless”.
She added, “here is need for total cancellation for third world debt and need for redress for industrial damage”.
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