23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General William E. Ward has commended Ghana's military for supporting critical peacekeeping operations in Africa and other parts of the world.
Ghana is currently the seventh largest peacekeeping contributing nation and has contributed in bringing peace to the global community.
According to General Ward, Ghana was serving as the host of two major international activities: The African Partnership Station which was going on now and an annual exercise known as Africa Endeavour, which will take place in August this year.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Inspector General’s Conference hosted by AFRICOM at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre at Teshie in Accra.
The purpose of the conference was to share with African military eadership, United States experience in establishing Inspector General (IG) systems as models of defence oversight, and to illustrate how the work of the IG contributes to the defeat of crime and corruption in the military context.
It was attended by representatives from 23 African and European countries and also provided a forum to discuss U.S, Africa and French IG systems.
The Commander indicated that Africa Endeavour was a multinational initiative that encouraged interoperability and information exchanges among African nations.
He said it will also assist the African nations to link their communications network in the deployment planning for regional peace support, peacekeeping, humanitarian, disaster relief operations and enhance and contribute to the work of the African Union to establish Regional African Standby forces.
"It is important to me that our African partners understand our intentions, our intentions are not to create arms of the US military in Ghana or anywhere else in Africa. Our desire is to assist African nations in achieving a more secure and stable environment and do those things they ask of us to achieve their goals", he noted.
On the issue of establishing a base in Africa, General Ward made it clear that the US was not seeking to establish its headquarters or base in Ghana or anywhere else in Africa adding that "my headquarters is in Germany and that is where it will be for the foreseeable future".
General Ward expressed satisfaction at the bilateral relationship between the United States and Ghana and said militaries from the two countries had conducted numerous events and activities through the years.
On his part, the Commandant of the KAIPTC thanked General Ward for his address which will be beneficial to all present.
He said those ideas will advance the course of the various nations in terms of good governance, accountability and professional military conduct.
General Ward later paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen Peter Blay at the general headquarters and the Minister of Defence, Lt Gen J. H. Smith to discuss issues relating to regional, military, safety and security, partnerships, peacekeeping, training models and programmes.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
GICEL makes part payment to SSNIT
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Ghana Industrial Commercial Estates Limited (GICEL) yesterday made a final payment of GH¢ 94,978 to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in Accra.
This brings to GH¢ 694, 978 total payments so far made to SSNIT by GICEL.
Presenting the cheque at a ceremony, the board chairman of GICEL Mr Kwesi Asemone Edjah thanked the board and management of SSNIT for their support to GICEL during its difficult formative years.
He said the current picture of GICEL shows a vast improvement from what it was 10 years ago when the company was in distress but now it is able to meet all its corporate responsibilities.
The Board Chairman said even though it had been an uphill task GICEL is now firm on the ground and this came about as a result of a new marketing strategy which was adopted in 2007.
He said this new strategy focused on improving the visibility of the estate through effective advertisements and collaboration with the tenants association on the state.
Mr Edjah said this was aimed at attracting manufacturing companies to the estate and improving the marketing of the products and services of the tenants.
Consequently, he said at the end of 2009, 33 per cent of the occupants were into manufacturing as compared to 13 per cent in 2003, adding that GICEL also aggressively pursued tenants who defaulted in their rent payments, repossessed facilities from absentee and absconded tenants and allocated same to new tenants.
“We will also be expanding our operations to the other regions so that SME’s in other communities could also benefit from the Weija experience and be part of the SSNIT informal sector”.
He indicated that GICEL intends to present its future development programmes in the form of strategic plan soon for 2010-2014 and hope they could count on SSNIT’s support.
In 2004, he said SSNIT in conjunction with GICEL took a decision to disentangle itself from the day to day management of the company by appointing a substantive managing director for the GICEL board.
He said by dint of hardwork and strict financial controls and good governance, GICEL Weija had developed into a distinct viable estate which hosts over 400 small and medium scale manufacturing enterprises and small artisans and provides a one stop shop for the businesses to interact and share common ideas.
Receiving the cheque, Dr Frank Odum, Director General of SSNIT thanked GICEL for honouring its promise and said the success of GICEL had brought the informal sector into the SSNIT fold.
He said SSNIT funds were long term investments whose returns it became difficult sometimes to wait for, but this achievement shows that SSNIT was on track.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Ghana Industrial Commercial Estates Limited (GICEL) yesterday made a final payment of GH¢ 94,978 to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in Accra.
This brings to GH¢ 694, 978 total payments so far made to SSNIT by GICEL.
Presenting the cheque at a ceremony, the board chairman of GICEL Mr Kwesi Asemone Edjah thanked the board and management of SSNIT for their support to GICEL during its difficult formative years.
He said the current picture of GICEL shows a vast improvement from what it was 10 years ago when the company was in distress but now it is able to meet all its corporate responsibilities.
The Board Chairman said even though it had been an uphill task GICEL is now firm on the ground and this came about as a result of a new marketing strategy which was adopted in 2007.
He said this new strategy focused on improving the visibility of the estate through effective advertisements and collaboration with the tenants association on the state.
Mr Edjah said this was aimed at attracting manufacturing companies to the estate and improving the marketing of the products and services of the tenants.
Consequently, he said at the end of 2009, 33 per cent of the occupants were into manufacturing as compared to 13 per cent in 2003, adding that GICEL also aggressively pursued tenants who defaulted in their rent payments, repossessed facilities from absentee and absconded tenants and allocated same to new tenants.
“We will also be expanding our operations to the other regions so that SME’s in other communities could also benefit from the Weija experience and be part of the SSNIT informal sector”.
He indicated that GICEL intends to present its future development programmes in the form of strategic plan soon for 2010-2014 and hope they could count on SSNIT’s support.
In 2004, he said SSNIT in conjunction with GICEL took a decision to disentangle itself from the day to day management of the company by appointing a substantive managing director for the GICEL board.
He said by dint of hardwork and strict financial controls and good governance, GICEL Weija had developed into a distinct viable estate which hosts over 400 small and medium scale manufacturing enterprises and small artisans and provides a one stop shop for the businesses to interact and share common ideas.
Receiving the cheque, Dr Frank Odum, Director General of SSNIT thanked GICEL for honouring its promise and said the success of GICEL had brought the informal sector into the SSNIT fold.
He said SSNIT funds were long term investments whose returns it became difficult sometimes to wait for, but this achievement shows that SSNIT was on track.
PMMC to add value to raw gold (Centre Spread)
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) will from next year add value to raw gold by converting it into jewellery before exporting it to maximise returns.
Consequently, the PMMC is to partner with other international jewellery companies for the project to take off on schedule.
The Managing Director of the Company, Mr Reuben Damptey made this known in Accra when the Parliamentary Select Committee for Employment, Social Welfare and State Owned Enterprises paid a familiarisation visit to the PMMC.
He said the company decided to seek a joint ventureship due to the expense involved in the purchasing of the machinery besides the international jewellers have a ready market for the products.
He indicated that already the company had received proposals from companies in Turkey, Egypt and Italy which will be critically examined before submitting a proposal to the board of directors for adoption.
Mr Damptey said the company will maintain its hand -crafted and traditional designs but will also produce other new designs for the market.
He said over the years PMMC have contributed towards the foreign exchange earnings of the country and added that gold exports for 2009 amounted to $75.48 million as against $32.87 million in 2008 representing an increase of 129 per cent.
He said Diamond export has seen consistent growth over the years until it was hit by the 2008 global financial crises which contributed to the continued reduction in the market price of the product whilst the local cost of production went up significantly leading to downward trend in the company’s exports.
The Managing Director said diamond exported by the company amounted to $7.32 million in 2009 as against $20 million in 2008 but revenue from production and sale of gold jewellery has increased consistently and total revenue realised in 2009 amounted to GH¢2, 237, 349.
Mr Damptey said between 2002 to 2009 the company has paid GH¢520,336 as dividend to government and have also met their corporate tax obligations.
He said socially the impact of the company has been felt by the creation of about 500,000 jobs in the small scale mining sector, employment of jewellers in Accra and setting the pace for the growth of the jewellery industry in the country among others.
He said the PMMC is faced with a number of challenges which include keen competition, the upsurge of jewellery shops arround the country selling mainly imported jewellery among others.
The leader of the Committee, Prince Jacob Hayibor, who is Member of Parliament for Hohoe North said the commiittee decided to visit the company to have an insight into their operations in order to be well informed.
He said the mandate of the committee was deruived from Article 103 of the 1992 constitution and order 184 of the standing order of parliament and has 20 members and their duty is to review and study on a continues basis the operations of state enterprises with a view to determining their economy and eficiency.
Mr Hayibor said praised the board and staff of the PMMC for their hard work and dedication and urged them to work even harder in order to meet their aspirations.
Story: Mary Mensah
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) will from next year add value to raw gold by converting it into jewellery before exporting it to maximise returns.
Consequently, the PMMC is to partner with other international jewellery companies for the project to take off on schedule.
The Managing Director of the Company, Mr Reuben Damptey made this known in Accra when the Parliamentary Select Committee for Employment, Social Welfare and State Owned Enterprises paid a familiarisation visit to the PMMC.
He said the company decided to seek a joint ventureship due to the expense involved in the purchasing of the machinery besides the international jewellers have a ready market for the products.
He indicated that already the company had received proposals from companies in Turkey, Egypt and Italy which will be critically examined before submitting a proposal to the board of directors for adoption.
Mr Damptey said the company will maintain its hand -crafted and traditional designs but will also produce other new designs for the market.
He said over the years PMMC have contributed towards the foreign exchange earnings of the country and added that gold exports for 2009 amounted to $75.48 million as against $32.87 million in 2008 representing an increase of 129 per cent.
He said Diamond export has seen consistent growth over the years until it was hit by the 2008 global financial crises which contributed to the continued reduction in the market price of the product whilst the local cost of production went up significantly leading to downward trend in the company’s exports.
The Managing Director said diamond exported by the company amounted to $7.32 million in 2009 as against $20 million in 2008 but revenue from production and sale of gold jewellery has increased consistently and total revenue realised in 2009 amounted to GH¢2, 237, 349.
Mr Damptey said between 2002 to 2009 the company has paid GH¢520,336 as dividend to government and have also met their corporate tax obligations.
He said socially the impact of the company has been felt by the creation of about 500,000 jobs in the small scale mining sector, employment of jewellers in Accra and setting the pace for the growth of the jewellery industry in the country among others.
He said the PMMC is faced with a number of challenges which include keen competition, the upsurge of jewellery shops arround the country selling mainly imported jewellery among others.
The leader of the Committee, Prince Jacob Hayibor, who is Member of Parliament for Hohoe North said the commiittee decided to visit the company to have an insight into their operations in order to be well informed.
He said the mandate of the committee was deruived from Article 103 of the 1992 constitution and order 184 of the standing order of parliament and has 20 members and their duty is to review and study on a continues basis the operations of state enterprises with a view to determining their economy and eficiency.
Mr Hayibor said praised the board and staff of the PMMC for their hard work and dedication and urged them to work even harder in order to meet their aspirations.
GOVT HAS SET UP NATIONAL FOOD BUFFER STOCK COMPANY (Front Page)
19-03-10
Story: Mary Mensah
A novelty entity known as the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) has been set up by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to purchase, preserve, sell and distribute foodstuffs in the country
The company, solely and fully owned by the government, will guarantee farmers an assured income by providing a minimum guaranteed price and a ready market for their produce.
It will also boost agricultural production that will make Ghana the bread basket of the sub-region and ensure the security of farmers and insulate them against losses resulting from the anticipated increases in production.
Inaugurating the board of NAFCO at a ceremony in Accra, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, who is also the chairman of the board, said the mandate of NAFCO, among others, was to mop up excess produce from all farmers in order to reduce post-harvest losses resulting from spoilage due to poor storage and thereby protect farmer incomes.
He indicated that the government, recognising agriculture as the mainstay of the economy, had decided to stop paying lip service to the efforts of farmers by the introduction of initiatives that would boost agricultural production in the country.
Mr Ahwoi said that would help to expand the demand for food grown in Ghana by selling to all state institutions, such as the military, schools, hospitals, prisons, among others.
He said the operations of the company would ensure the stability of food prices, employment creation, the establishment of emergency food reserves, macro-economic stability and increase foreign currency revenue.
He said according to statistics, in 2009 the total domestic production of maize amounted to 1,619, 600 metric tonnes, as against the demand of 1,197, 000 metric tonnes, indicating a surplus of 145,000 metric tonnes which needed to be stored.
Mr Ahwoi said in times past, such surplus went to waste.
The minister said NAFCO would mop up excess food supply and release it to the market at appropriate times to ensure continuous food supply and thereby stabilise food prices.
He said the concept would increase employment, guarantee prices and provide ready market for food items to motivate farmers to increase food production and also others to go into farming.
“It will also sustain the block farming concept within the Youth in Agriculture programme and result in the creation of more employment avenues for the youth of the country," he stated.
Mr Ahwoi charged members of the board to ensure that the company was managed in a manner that would make everybody proud.
Other members of the board are Dr Sam Mensah of SEM Group Limited; Mr Eric Osei-Owusu, a business/consultant and Managing Director of NAFCO; Mr Kwesi Boamah, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA); Mr Charles Ofori, Mrs Magdalene Ewurasi Apenteng, a director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and Mr Kweku Bram-Larbi.
Mr Osei-Owusu, who spoke on behalf of the other members, pledged to work hard and ensure the success of the company, adding that for now the company would rely on cereals and add perishables as time went on.
Story: Mary Mensah
A novelty entity known as the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) has been set up by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to purchase, preserve, sell and distribute foodstuffs in the country
The company, solely and fully owned by the government, will guarantee farmers an assured income by providing a minimum guaranteed price and a ready market for their produce.
It will also boost agricultural production that will make Ghana the bread basket of the sub-region and ensure the security of farmers and insulate them against losses resulting from the anticipated increases in production.
Inaugurating the board of NAFCO at a ceremony in Accra, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, who is also the chairman of the board, said the mandate of NAFCO, among others, was to mop up excess produce from all farmers in order to reduce post-harvest losses resulting from spoilage due to poor storage and thereby protect farmer incomes.
He indicated that the government, recognising agriculture as the mainstay of the economy, had decided to stop paying lip service to the efforts of farmers by the introduction of initiatives that would boost agricultural production in the country.
Mr Ahwoi said that would help to expand the demand for food grown in Ghana by selling to all state institutions, such as the military, schools, hospitals, prisons, among others.
He said the operations of the company would ensure the stability of food prices, employment creation, the establishment of emergency food reserves, macro-economic stability and increase foreign currency revenue.
He said according to statistics, in 2009 the total domestic production of maize amounted to 1,619, 600 metric tonnes, as against the demand of 1,197, 000 metric tonnes, indicating a surplus of 145,000 metric tonnes which needed to be stored.
Mr Ahwoi said in times past, such surplus went to waste.
The minister said NAFCO would mop up excess food supply and release it to the market at appropriate times to ensure continuous food supply and thereby stabilise food prices.
He said the concept would increase employment, guarantee prices and provide ready market for food items to motivate farmers to increase food production and also others to go into farming.
“It will also sustain the block farming concept within the Youth in Agriculture programme and result in the creation of more employment avenues for the youth of the country," he stated.
Mr Ahwoi charged members of the board to ensure that the company was managed in a manner that would make everybody proud.
Other members of the board are Dr Sam Mensah of SEM Group Limited; Mr Eric Osei-Owusu, a business/consultant and Managing Director of NAFCO; Mr Kwesi Boamah, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA); Mr Charles Ofori, Mrs Magdalene Ewurasi Apenteng, a director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and Mr Kweku Bram-Larbi.
Mr Osei-Owusu, who spoke on behalf of the other members, pledged to work hard and ensure the success of the company, adding that for now the company would rely on cereals and add perishables as time went on.
NEWMONT OPENED LOCAL VENDER SUPPLIERS SUMMIT (Business Page)
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
NEWMONT Ghana has opened a local vendor registration programme and suppliers summit in Accra to expand its local supplier database and develop business relationships with qualified local manufacturers, service providers, consultants and trading companies.
The summit was also to provide information to prospective local vendors on how Newmont does business in Ghana and to unveil its local sourcing policy.
During the last quarter of 2009 Newmont Ghana, with the full support of the Africa Regional Leadership Team (ARLT), made a decision to develop a Local Sourcing Policy and it was intended that the policy would set out the company’s commitment to local sourcing, but also interface with the broader industry initiative and this was approved by the ARLT on February 8, 2010.
Mr Simon Blamires, an official of Newmont Ghana said currently there are 521 local suppliers doing business with the company and Newmont intend to empower them and to help the economy to grow.
He said trade between the local Ghanaian companies and Newmont stands at $150 million but plans are far advance to increase this amount to either $200 million or $250 million.
He said Newmont intend to enhance local capability by increasing the capital base of the local companies so that they can compete with international companies.
Mr Blamires indicated that throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, the Social License under which mining companies operate is changing besides the key objective of the Government of Ghana is to increase both the use and development of local manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants.
He said the above objective is required by law and in the investment agreements of several companies including Newmont it is a commitment of this government to the people of Ghana adding that the mining industry is a critical component of the Ghanaian economy and a primary user of many local suppliers and vendor businesses and it is our intention that this increases.
He stated that throughout 2009 Newmont’s SCM group has been working with the Chamber of Mines and the Minerals Commission to develop a local sourcing policy for the industry adding that this work is continuing and a second draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to be circulated to all stakeholders for review by the end of March 2010.
Mr Blamires said Newmont intends to be the most respected mining company in Ghana in terms of optimising the value of in-country spend and the development of sustainable local businesses.
“To deliver price and quality competitive goods and services, safely and in a timely manner to meet the needs of the business on a “lowest total cost” basis whilst providing transparent opportunities for Local Companies to secure contracts”, he said.
He asserted that Newmont will continually striving to increase the amount of expenditure with and the sustainability of local companies; maximizing the contribution of Newmont Ghana’s mining activities to the broader Ghanaian economy; supporting capacity building and partnering with Local Companies on a broader front with industry groups, NGOs, vendors and investors so as to develop long term sustainable businesses.
Story: Mary Mensah
NEWMONT Ghana has opened a local vendor registration programme and suppliers summit in Accra to expand its local supplier database and develop business relationships with qualified local manufacturers, service providers, consultants and trading companies.
The summit was also to provide information to prospective local vendors on how Newmont does business in Ghana and to unveil its local sourcing policy.
During the last quarter of 2009 Newmont Ghana, with the full support of the Africa Regional Leadership Team (ARLT), made a decision to develop a Local Sourcing Policy and it was intended that the policy would set out the company’s commitment to local sourcing, but also interface with the broader industry initiative and this was approved by the ARLT on February 8, 2010.
Mr Simon Blamires, an official of Newmont Ghana said currently there are 521 local suppliers doing business with the company and Newmont intend to empower them and to help the economy to grow.
He said trade between the local Ghanaian companies and Newmont stands at $150 million but plans are far advance to increase this amount to either $200 million or $250 million.
He said Newmont intend to enhance local capability by increasing the capital base of the local companies so that they can compete with international companies.
Mr Blamires indicated that throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, the Social License under which mining companies operate is changing besides the key objective of the Government of Ghana is to increase both the use and development of local manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants.
He said the above objective is required by law and in the investment agreements of several companies including Newmont it is a commitment of this government to the people of Ghana adding that the mining industry is a critical component of the Ghanaian economy and a primary user of many local suppliers and vendor businesses and it is our intention that this increases.
He stated that throughout 2009 Newmont’s SCM group has been working with the Chamber of Mines and the Minerals Commission to develop a local sourcing policy for the industry adding that this work is continuing and a second draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to be circulated to all stakeholders for review by the end of March 2010.
Mr Blamires said Newmont intends to be the most respected mining company in Ghana in terms of optimising the value of in-country spend and the development of sustainable local businesses.
“To deliver price and quality competitive goods and services, safely and in a timely manner to meet the needs of the business on a “lowest total cost” basis whilst providing transparent opportunities for Local Companies to secure contracts”, he said.
He asserted that Newmont will continually striving to increase the amount of expenditure with and the sustainability of local companies; maximizing the contribution of Newmont Ghana’s mining activities to the broader Ghanaian economy; supporting capacity building and partnering with Local Companies on a broader front with industry groups, NGOs, vendors and investors so as to develop long term sustainable businesses.
POLICE ADMINISTRATION EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERN (PAGE 3)
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has noted with grave concern the activities of some unscrupulous persons and criminals who are using the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye to defraud prospective investors living in the Diaspora.
These criminals operating under the guise of the Advance Fee Fraud Scam (419), have manage to defraud their victims of moneys running into several thousands of dollars.
The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori said these scammers use the name, picture and office of the IGP and have even created an identical police website all in an effort to dupe their victims.
He said the criminals also purported on their website that they are agents of the police who have been tasked by the government to act on behalf of the police.
He said some of them uses addresses, emails and post office boxes that are not for the police or not in existence.
DSP Ofori said the Police Administration will like to distance itself from the activities of these criminals and appealed to all well meaning Ghanaians and foreigners to be wary of the activities of these con-men or criminals.
He stressed that the police administration does not have agents working for it besides it has worked very hard over the years to put the name of the police very high and for such criminals to use the name outside the jurisdiction of the country to defraud is a very serious offence.
“This criminal activities has been a source of great worry to the administartion and we will co-operate with our international partners like the Interpol, West African Police and other sister police forces in Europe and America in order to arrest them and bring them to book”, he stated.
He indicated that the official police website is www.ghanapolice.info and want the public to take note of that.
DSP Ofori warned the criminals to desist from acts that will tarnish the image of the police and said when arrested they would be severely dealth with according to the tenents of the law.
He also appealed to anybody with information about the activities of these criminals to report to the police.
The Police Administration has noted with grave concern the activities of some unscrupulous persons and criminals who are using the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye to defraud prospective investors living in the Diaspora.
These criminals operating under the guise of the Advance Fee Fraud Scam (419), have manage to defraud their victims of moneys running into several thousands of dollars.
The Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori said these scammers use the name, picture and office of the IGP and have even created an identical police website all in an effort to dupe their victims.
He said the criminals also purported on their website that they are agents of the police who have been tasked by the government to act on behalf of the police.
He said some of them uses addresses, emails and post office boxes that are not for the police or not in existence.
DSP Ofori said the Police Administration will like to distance itself from the activities of these criminals and appealed to all well meaning Ghanaians and foreigners to be wary of the activities of these con-men or criminals.
He stressed that the police administration does not have agents working for it besides it has worked very hard over the years to put the name of the police very high and for such criminals to use the name outside the jurisdiction of the country to defraud is a very serious offence.
“This criminal activities has been a source of great worry to the administartion and we will co-operate with our international partners like the Interpol, West African Police and other sister police forces in Europe and America in order to arrest them and bring them to book”, he stated.
He indicated that the official police website is www.ghanapolice.info and want the public to take note of that.
DSP Ofori warned the criminals to desist from acts that will tarnish the image of the police and said when arrested they would be severely dealth with according to the tenents of the law.
He also appealed to anybody with information about the activities of these criminals to report to the police.
TWO GHANAIANS ARRESTED AT KIA FOR POSSESSING NACORTICS
23/05/2010
Story:Mary Mensah
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has arrested two Ghanaian-born Dutch nationals and a Nigerian for allegedly possessing substances suspected to be cocaine at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The three were arrested on arrival at the KIA from Brazil on board a South African Airlines and when their luggage was searched, the substances were found hidden in it.
The Head of Operations at NACOB, Mr Dickson Akatsa, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that about 11:30 p.m. on March 8, 2010, operatives of NACOB arrested the three persons as they were going through arrival formalities.
He said the first person to be arrested was Alice Akosua Effah, 53. When her luggage was searched, three parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 7.8 kilos were found hidden in it.
He said Alice, a Ghanaian-born Dutch national resident in Amsterdam, upon interrogation, told the officials that one Natasha, a Brazilian also living in Amsterdam, had introduced her to the trade.
She claimed that on February 18, 2010, the said Natasha took her to Brazil to buy the drugs. She said she was introduced to a Ghanaian by name Kwabena, resident in Brazil, who supplied them with the drugs to be delivered to an unnamed person in Accra for a fee of $8,000.
On the same day, Mercy Vivian Quao, 52, also a Ghanaian-born Dutch citizen resident in Amsterdam who was on the same flight with Alice, was found to have concealed four kilos of a substance suspected to be cocaine in her luggage.
Upon interrogation, she stated that one Ghanaian woman by name Akosua, also living in Amsterdam, had sponsored her to Brazil where one Kojo, a Ghanaian resident in Brazil, gave her the drugs to be delivered in Accra for a fee of $10,000.
Mr Akatsa said the third person was a Nigerian by name Charles Emeka Ngige, 46, who was taken through a body scanner on suspicion that he had injected illicit drugs.
He said it was detected that he had foreign materials in his stomach and upon interrogation, he admitted swallowing 80 pellets of a drug suspected to be cocaine.
Ngige claimed that another Nigerian, by name Jude, domiciled in Brazil, gave him the drugs to be given to another person in Lagos for a fee of $3,000.
Mr Akatsa indicated that Ngige had since expelled all 80 pellets, all of which tested positive for cocaine.
He said all the arrested persons would be arraigned, while samples of the drugs would be sent to the Ghana Standards Board for further examination.
Story:Mary Mensah
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has arrested two Ghanaian-born Dutch nationals and a Nigerian for allegedly possessing substances suspected to be cocaine at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The three were arrested on arrival at the KIA from Brazil on board a South African Airlines and when their luggage was searched, the substances were found hidden in it.
The Head of Operations at NACOB, Mr Dickson Akatsa, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that about 11:30 p.m. on March 8, 2010, operatives of NACOB arrested the three persons as they were going through arrival formalities.
He said the first person to be arrested was Alice Akosua Effah, 53. When her luggage was searched, three parcels of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 7.8 kilos were found hidden in it.
He said Alice, a Ghanaian-born Dutch national resident in Amsterdam, upon interrogation, told the officials that one Natasha, a Brazilian also living in Amsterdam, had introduced her to the trade.
She claimed that on February 18, 2010, the said Natasha took her to Brazil to buy the drugs. She said she was introduced to a Ghanaian by name Kwabena, resident in Brazil, who supplied them with the drugs to be delivered to an unnamed person in Accra for a fee of $8,000.
On the same day, Mercy Vivian Quao, 52, also a Ghanaian-born Dutch citizen resident in Amsterdam who was on the same flight with Alice, was found to have concealed four kilos of a substance suspected to be cocaine in her luggage.
Upon interrogation, she stated that one Ghanaian woman by name Akosua, also living in Amsterdam, had sponsored her to Brazil where one Kojo, a Ghanaian resident in Brazil, gave her the drugs to be delivered in Accra for a fee of $10,000.
Mr Akatsa said the third person was a Nigerian by name Charles Emeka Ngige, 46, who was taken through a body scanner on suspicion that he had injected illicit drugs.
He said it was detected that he had foreign materials in his stomach and upon interrogation, he admitted swallowing 80 pellets of a drug suspected to be cocaine.
Ngige claimed that another Nigerian, by name Jude, domiciled in Brazil, gave him the drugs to be given to another person in Lagos for a fee of $3,000.
Mr Akatsa indicated that Ngige had since expelled all 80 pellets, all of which tested positive for cocaine.
He said all the arrested persons would be arraigned, while samples of the drugs would be sent to the Ghana Standards Board for further examination.
ELECTRICITY DEMAND REDUCED (page 30)
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
ELECTRICITY demand in the country reduced by 124 megawatts in 2008 as a result of the mass adoption of the Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) as the standard electricity device and the phasing out of the incandescent filament bulbs.
This translates into an annual cash savings of $33 million to the economy and carbon savings of 105,000 tons per annum.
The Chairman of the Energy Commission, Professor Abeeku Brew-Hammond, told the press in Accra on Tuesday that Ghana had been able to avoid the use of one thermal electricity generating turbine as a result of the CFLs programme.
He announced that the Energy Commission had approved a project to enforce minimum energy performance standards for refrigerators and deep freezers.
To this end, he said only refrigerating appliances that met the minimum energy performance standards would be placed on the Ghanaian market.
He said the appliances had to be labelled appropriately to enable the purchaser to know in advance the annual electricity consumption of the product before the first retail purchase.
He said the commission had also submitted a draft Energy Renewable Law to the Minister of Energy for onward submission to the Cabinet and final passage by Parliament and had also made progress in the establishment of a Ghana Energy Renewable Fund (GREENfund).
He said the commission had launched a pilot project on solar and wind grid-connected systems with a commitment of up to GH¢100,000 from the Energy Fund and the first set of eight projects should be completed by the end of April, 2010.
Prof. Brew-Hammond announced that the National GRID Code to guide the operations of the Electricity Transmission Utility (ETU) was completed and launched in February, this year and the Natural Gas Transmission Utility Operator had also been appointed.
The chairman said the commission was the government’s energy policy advisor and would make national energy policy recommendations to the Minister of Energy for the efficient, economic and safe supply of electricity, petroleum products and natural gas having due regard to the national economy.
He said since its establishment in 1998, the commission had, as of July, 2009, made major accomplishments and mentioned the enactment of 11 pieces of legislation on technical and operational rules and standards of performance of public utilities engaged in the supply and distribution of electricity and natural gas, among others.
Prof. Brew-Hammond mentioned the passage of Renewable Energy Law, the completion of the Woodfuels and Biofuels Policy and Legislative Framework, the establishment of the GREENfund, completion of Grid-connected solar and wind pilot projects and the establishment of a National Data Processing and Information Centre as some of the commission’s targets for 2010 and beyond.
For his part, Mr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, explained the shortage of LPG gas in the country and said gas was imported into the country every week and that the recent problem the country faced demanded an expanded storage facility.
He said 50 per cent of the gas went to the transport sector and vehicles fitted with cylinders had to go for periodic checks to ensure the safety of passengers.
Mr Ahenkorah said as soon as the Jubilee Fields started production it would generate a lot of gas and plans were far advanced to encourage the use of gas.
Story: Mary Mensah
ELECTRICITY demand in the country reduced by 124 megawatts in 2008 as a result of the mass adoption of the Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) as the standard electricity device and the phasing out of the incandescent filament bulbs.
This translates into an annual cash savings of $33 million to the economy and carbon savings of 105,000 tons per annum.
The Chairman of the Energy Commission, Professor Abeeku Brew-Hammond, told the press in Accra on Tuesday that Ghana had been able to avoid the use of one thermal electricity generating turbine as a result of the CFLs programme.
He announced that the Energy Commission had approved a project to enforce minimum energy performance standards for refrigerators and deep freezers.
To this end, he said only refrigerating appliances that met the minimum energy performance standards would be placed on the Ghanaian market.
He said the appliances had to be labelled appropriately to enable the purchaser to know in advance the annual electricity consumption of the product before the first retail purchase.
He said the commission had also submitted a draft Energy Renewable Law to the Minister of Energy for onward submission to the Cabinet and final passage by Parliament and had also made progress in the establishment of a Ghana Energy Renewable Fund (GREENfund).
He said the commission had launched a pilot project on solar and wind grid-connected systems with a commitment of up to GH¢100,000 from the Energy Fund and the first set of eight projects should be completed by the end of April, 2010.
Prof. Brew-Hammond announced that the National GRID Code to guide the operations of the Electricity Transmission Utility (ETU) was completed and launched in February, this year and the Natural Gas Transmission Utility Operator had also been appointed.
The chairman said the commission was the government’s energy policy advisor and would make national energy policy recommendations to the Minister of Energy for the efficient, economic and safe supply of electricity, petroleum products and natural gas having due regard to the national economy.
He said since its establishment in 1998, the commission had, as of July, 2009, made major accomplishments and mentioned the enactment of 11 pieces of legislation on technical and operational rules and standards of performance of public utilities engaged in the supply and distribution of electricity and natural gas, among others.
Prof. Brew-Hammond mentioned the passage of Renewable Energy Law, the completion of the Woodfuels and Biofuels Policy and Legislative Framework, the establishment of the GREENfund, completion of Grid-connected solar and wind pilot projects and the establishment of a National Data Processing and Information Centre as some of the commission’s targets for 2010 and beyond.
For his part, Mr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, explained the shortage of LPG gas in the country and said gas was imported into the country every week and that the recent problem the country faced demanded an expanded storage facility.
He said 50 per cent of the gas went to the transport sector and vehicles fitted with cylinders had to go for periodic checks to ensure the safety of passengers.
Mr Ahenkorah said as soon as the Jubilee Fields started production it would generate a lot of gas and plans were far advanced to encourage the use of gas.
NIGERIAN WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DEALING IN N)ARCOTICS (Page 3
23/05/2010
Story & Pictures: Mary Mensah
A 41-year-old Nigerian woman has been arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) for importing 80 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be heroin from Iran into the country.
The suspect, Nmerika Enock, had concealed the drug in eight huge metal blocks which, she claimed, were spare parts for vessels.
She was arrested at the Aviance Cargo Village, where she had gone to clear the eight metal blocks.
According to Mr Dickson Akatsa, the Head of Operations at NACOB, the board had identified some countries as sources of drugs and was, therefore, always thorough in its investigation of people or goods arriving from those countries.
He said on March 4, 2010 NACOB officials at the Aviance Cargo Village spotted eight metal blocks which had been imported from Iran whose covering papers indicated that they were gear boxes for the Hyundai Grace mini-bus.
He said the address of the consignee, when verified, turned out to be false so the cargo was set aside for a thorough inspection and she was arrested when the suspect showed up to clear the cargo the following day.
Mr Akatsa said upon interrogation, the suspect claimed to be a trader who dealt in spare parts and that the metal blocks were spare parts for vessels which she imported from Iran to be supplied to a customer whose name she could not mention.
He said the blocks were suspected to contain illicit materials so one of them was opened in the presence of the suspect and it turned out to contain a powdery substance and a field test conducted proved that it was heroin.
The suspect was then arrested, together with the eight packages, to the offices of NACOB for further investigations.
Mr Akatsa said when the remaining metal blocks were cut open by welders, they were each found to contain 10 parcels of heroin.
Enock told interrogators that she lived in Nigeria and had arrived the previous day in Accra to clear the cargo for somebody in Lagos.
The officials did not believe her story and when they persisted in interrogating her, she claimed she lived at Ofankor.
She then took NACOB officials to a house at Ofankor, where sources said she used to live about two years ago but she had not been seen in the area since she left there.
After several hours of interrogation, the suspect broke down and informed the officials that she lived in Tema with her accomplice boyfriend, Felix Odyh. She took them to house number D9 in Community 16.
On arrival in the house, according to Mr Akatsa, NACOB officials detected that Felix had packed some valuables out of the house and left in an Infinity Four Runner vehicle, with registration number Abuja BK -5333-YAB.
The NACOB officials also found five of the metals boxes that had previously been cleared from Aviance and the contents removed.
Mr Akatsa said importation documents found in the house showed that between 2008 and the time of her arrest, the suspect and her boyfriend had succeeded in importing and clearing 14 of the metal blocks into the country.
He said upon further interrogation, the suspect said after clearing the goods from Aviance, they used a huge metal device like a crane to dismantle the metal blocks and then sent their contents to one Daniel in Abuja through a certain Maxwell in Lagos.
Investigations are continuing into the case, after which the suspect will be arraigned.
CAPTION : Suspect Nmerika Enock, a 41-year-old Nigerian, with the metal blocks and some of the substances.
Story & Pictures: Mary Mensah
A 41-year-old Nigerian woman has been arrested by officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) for importing 80 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be heroin from Iran into the country.
The suspect, Nmerika Enock, had concealed the drug in eight huge metal blocks which, she claimed, were spare parts for vessels.
She was arrested at the Aviance Cargo Village, where she had gone to clear the eight metal blocks.
According to Mr Dickson Akatsa, the Head of Operations at NACOB, the board had identified some countries as sources of drugs and was, therefore, always thorough in its investigation of people or goods arriving from those countries.
He said on March 4, 2010 NACOB officials at the Aviance Cargo Village spotted eight metal blocks which had been imported from Iran whose covering papers indicated that they were gear boxes for the Hyundai Grace mini-bus.
He said the address of the consignee, when verified, turned out to be false so the cargo was set aside for a thorough inspection and she was arrested when the suspect showed up to clear the cargo the following day.
Mr Akatsa said upon interrogation, the suspect claimed to be a trader who dealt in spare parts and that the metal blocks were spare parts for vessels which she imported from Iran to be supplied to a customer whose name she could not mention.
He said the blocks were suspected to contain illicit materials so one of them was opened in the presence of the suspect and it turned out to contain a powdery substance and a field test conducted proved that it was heroin.
The suspect was then arrested, together with the eight packages, to the offices of NACOB for further investigations.
Mr Akatsa said when the remaining metal blocks were cut open by welders, they were each found to contain 10 parcels of heroin.
Enock told interrogators that she lived in Nigeria and had arrived the previous day in Accra to clear the cargo for somebody in Lagos.
The officials did not believe her story and when they persisted in interrogating her, she claimed she lived at Ofankor.
She then took NACOB officials to a house at Ofankor, where sources said she used to live about two years ago but she had not been seen in the area since she left there.
After several hours of interrogation, the suspect broke down and informed the officials that she lived in Tema with her accomplice boyfriend, Felix Odyh. She took them to house number D9 in Community 16.
On arrival in the house, according to Mr Akatsa, NACOB officials detected that Felix had packed some valuables out of the house and left in an Infinity Four Runner vehicle, with registration number Abuja BK -5333-YAB.
The NACOB officials also found five of the metals boxes that had previously been cleared from Aviance and the contents removed.
Mr Akatsa said importation documents found in the house showed that between 2008 and the time of her arrest, the suspect and her boyfriend had succeeded in importing and clearing 14 of the metal blocks into the country.
He said upon further interrogation, the suspect said after clearing the goods from Aviance, they used a huge metal device like a crane to dismantle the metal blocks and then sent their contents to one Daniel in Abuja through a certain Maxwell in Lagos.
Investigations are continuing into the case, after which the suspect will be arraigned.
CAPTION : Suspect Nmerika Enock, a 41-year-old Nigerian, with the metal blocks and some of the substances.
IGP CAUTIONS PAULICH AGAINST FALSE ALARMS
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Quaye, has cautioned the public against raising false fire alarms and bomb threats.
He indicated that some unscrupulous people were taking advantage of the increasing spate of fire outbreaks in the country to create panic and anxiety in the minds of people by raising false alarms.
Speaking at the annual WASSA celebration of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra, the IGP noted that those threats seemed be to spreading across the country, adding that they were a matter of grave concern which demanded professional solutions.
Mr Quaye, therefore, called on detectives to elicit information that would identify those faceless and unscrupulous individuals whose stock-in-trade was the dissemination of those misleading threats.
He said the Ghana Police Service, and for that matter the CID, had a duty to stop those ill-intended alarmists before permanent damage was inflicted on the security image of the country.
He observed that the corporate image of the police had sunk low and noted that it required a Herculean task and effort to redeem it.
The IGP said 2010 was a year of image redemption for the police and went on to state that the police had focused on activities that would do away with all negative perceptions about the service, whether real or imagined.
He advised the personnel to turn around in the manner in which they treated suspects and accused persons in custody and also eschew corrupt practices and the tendency to accept money to influence the bail of suspects in custody.
He said personnel who disregarded those cautions and got themselves entangled with corrupt practices would not be treated with kids’ gloves, neither would they be shielded by the administration.
Mr Quaye said two current major interventions embarked upon by the police in the provision of state-of-the art equipment for the police were aimed at turning the fortunes of the CID around immensely.
He explained that the establishment of a DNA laboratory and an automated fingerprint identification system were two conspicuous components that could boost scientific investigations and the operational effectiveness of the CID.
For his part, the Director-General of the CID, Mr Frank Adu-Poku, said statistics from the court unit indicated that 518 cases were prosecuted, with 170 convictions, while 322 cases were still undergoing prosecution.
He announced that the CID Headquarters was receiving a facelift, with the beautification of the compound and plans to renovate the building.
“As detectives, we must avoid acts, omissions or commissions that will drag the image of the Police Service in the mud. We must respect the rights of suspects and prisoners and be very civil to the public whose support and co-operation have brought us far,” he stated.
Story: Mary Mensah
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Quaye, has cautioned the public against raising false fire alarms and bomb threats.
He indicated that some unscrupulous people were taking advantage of the increasing spate of fire outbreaks in the country to create panic and anxiety in the minds of people by raising false alarms.
Speaking at the annual WASSA celebration of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra, the IGP noted that those threats seemed be to spreading across the country, adding that they were a matter of grave concern which demanded professional solutions.
Mr Quaye, therefore, called on detectives to elicit information that would identify those faceless and unscrupulous individuals whose stock-in-trade was the dissemination of those misleading threats.
He said the Ghana Police Service, and for that matter the CID, had a duty to stop those ill-intended alarmists before permanent damage was inflicted on the security image of the country.
He observed that the corporate image of the police had sunk low and noted that it required a Herculean task and effort to redeem it.
The IGP said 2010 was a year of image redemption for the police and went on to state that the police had focused on activities that would do away with all negative perceptions about the service, whether real or imagined.
He advised the personnel to turn around in the manner in which they treated suspects and accused persons in custody and also eschew corrupt practices and the tendency to accept money to influence the bail of suspects in custody.
He said personnel who disregarded those cautions and got themselves entangled with corrupt practices would not be treated with kids’ gloves, neither would they be shielded by the administration.
Mr Quaye said two current major interventions embarked upon by the police in the provision of state-of-the art equipment for the police were aimed at turning the fortunes of the CID around immensely.
He explained that the establishment of a DNA laboratory and an automated fingerprint identification system were two conspicuous components that could boost scientific investigations and the operational effectiveness of the CID.
For his part, the Director-General of the CID, Mr Frank Adu-Poku, said statistics from the court unit indicated that 518 cases were prosecuted, with 170 convictions, while 322 cases were still undergoing prosecution.
He announced that the CID Headquarters was receiving a facelift, with the beautification of the compound and plans to renovate the building.
“As detectives, we must avoid acts, omissions or commissions that will drag the image of the Police Service in the mud. We must respect the rights of suspects and prisoners and be very civil to the public whose support and co-operation have brought us far,” he stated.
Alhassan Appoints as Deputy IGP
23/05/2010
Story: Mary Mensah
The President, John Evans Atta Mills, in consultation with the Police Council, has appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan as the Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Fourteen other senior police officers have also been promoted from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP).
All appointments took effect from February 1, 2010.
Before his appointment, Mr Alhassan was the Director General in charge of Administration and was once Commissioner of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
On his return from Liberia, he was made the Western Regional Police Commander before taking appointment as the Director General at the headquarters.
Mr Alhassan was also once in charge of the Southern Command Operations.
The 14 others are Mr Daniel Julius Avorga, Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Prosper Kwame Agblor, once head of Interpol and now head of Interpol Regional Bureau for West Africa in Abidjan, Robert Adibura Ayalingo, the in-charge of CID Operations and Timothy Aquamor Ashley, Director of PIPS.
The others are Mr David Nenyi Ampah-Bennin, Volta Regional Police Commander, Mr Ransford Moses Ninson, Deputy Regional Police Commander, Brong Ahafo Region, Mrs Beatrice Zakpa Vib-Saziri, Police Attaché at the Ghana Mission in the United Kingdom, George Akuffo Dampare, Director of Finance, and Yaagi Akuribah, Chief Staff Officer.
The rest are Mr Roy Ayinibisa Amuni, Mark Robert Azu, Second in Command in the Central Region and now on UN Mission in Sudan, William Jib Kwanair, Railway and Port at Tema, Ms Mina Ayim, Divisional Commander, Akropong, and Albert Onwona-Agyemang, Head, Police Education Unit, whose promotion took effect on January 1, 2010.
Pictures of Alhassan saved in today’s file 2/03/ 2010 as Alhassan Deputy IGP.
Story: Mary Mensah
The President, John Evans Atta Mills, in consultation with the Police Council, has appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan as the Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Fourteen other senior police officers have also been promoted from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP).
All appointments took effect from February 1, 2010.
Before his appointment, Mr Alhassan was the Director General in charge of Administration and was once Commissioner of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
On his return from Liberia, he was made the Western Regional Police Commander before taking appointment as the Director General at the headquarters.
Mr Alhassan was also once in charge of the Southern Command Operations.
The 14 others are Mr Daniel Julius Avorga, Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Prosper Kwame Agblor, once head of Interpol and now head of Interpol Regional Bureau for West Africa in Abidjan, Robert Adibura Ayalingo, the in-charge of CID Operations and Timothy Aquamor Ashley, Director of PIPS.
The others are Mr David Nenyi Ampah-Bennin, Volta Regional Police Commander, Mr Ransford Moses Ninson, Deputy Regional Police Commander, Brong Ahafo Region, Mrs Beatrice Zakpa Vib-Saziri, Police Attaché at the Ghana Mission in the United Kingdom, George Akuffo Dampare, Director of Finance, and Yaagi Akuribah, Chief Staff Officer.
The rest are Mr Roy Ayinibisa Amuni, Mark Robert Azu, Second in Command in the Central Region and now on UN Mission in Sudan, William Jib Kwanair, Railway and Port at Tema, Ms Mina Ayim, Divisional Commander, Akropong, and Albert Onwona-Agyemang, Head, Police Education Unit, whose promotion took effect on January 1, 2010.
Pictures of Alhassan saved in today’s file 2/03/ 2010 as Alhassan Deputy IGP.
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