HIV menace on the rise

Story: Fauziatu Adam
Current estimates indicate that 267,000 Ghanaians, including 25,000, children are living with HIV/AIDS, according to the International Health Care Centre (IHCC).
What is even frightening is that 2,500 Ghanaians are infected with the virus and 2,000 deaths are recorded annually.
Dr Naa Ashiley Vanderpuije, a health expert at the IHCC which manages AIDS cases, made this known at a workshop organised on HIV/AIDS for opinion leaders in Muslim communities in Accra.
The workshop was funded by the African Women's Fund and initiated by Yada da Allah, a Muslim women’s outreach organisation, and the Muslim Women and AIDS Association of Ghana.
The estimates are consistent with projections by the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) from 2009 to 2015.
In its National HIV Prevalence and AIDS Estimates 2009-2015 Report, the NACP projected that the country's HIV prevalence was expected to rise gradually from 267,069 in 2009 to 280,219 in 2011.
That is due to the combined effects of population growth and an increasing number of HIV-infected persons who are living on anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
According to the report, 22,177 new infections were registered in 2009, while 20,313 AIDS deaths were recorded, with 26,150 new infections and 17,046 deaths being projected for 2011.
Addressing the workshop, Dr  Vanderpuije said people living with the virus could also play an important role in limiting its spread and, therefore, stigmatising them would not help them progress in society.
"They can help prevent further infections and improve the quality of their own lives through positive behavioural change. People who have HIV but who are not yet ill can live full and productive lives. People living with HIV/AIDs should not be stigmatised or discriminated against. Rather, they deserve our compassion, care and support," she added.
She called on leaders in all sectors to do their part to limit the spread of HIV.
"If our leaders — political, religious, business, non-governmental, community, district and all others — individually and collectively do their part, I am convinced that we can change the course of this epidemic and limit its impact on the development effort in Ghana," she noted.
The President of Yada da Allah, Mrs Mariam Yussif, said the main aim of the workshop for opinion leaders in the Muslim community was to sensitise them to the virus and what they could do to prevent it.

She added that stigmatisation of HIV/AIDs patients was very rampant in communities, hence the need to reach out to the leaders of the communities to enable them to disseminate the message to the people.

A Poly Inaugurates Competency-Based Resource Centre

Story: Fauziatu Adam

Accra Polytechnic has inaugurated a GH¢35,000 Competency Based Training (CBT) resource centre to enhance the training of middle-level, career-focused students who are equipped with skills and competence for the work environment.

The centre was financed by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), an independent government agency in Japan that provides technical co-operation and other forms of aid to developing countries.

The CBT, which promotes practical training instead of theoretical learning, ensures that all learners gain the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes or values to be successful in the learning environment and the workplace, particularly in the industrial sector.

An important characteristic of CBT is that it is focused not only on the actual jobs that are required in the workplace, but also the ability to transfer and apply skills, knowledge and attitudes to new situations and environments.

The assessment of competency of a learner under CBT is not about passing or failing someone, but the assessor's role is to work with the individual to ensure that sufficient evidence is collected to establish competence that meets the required standard.

Inaugurating the centre, the Director of the school, Dr Festus Addo-Yobo, said the school needed more committed and motivated staff with the needed competence to teach, using examples and relating theory to practice.

He said another major challenge was developing skills in the use of equipment or technique that requires the students to have access to the equipment and resources needed by polytechnics to provide the equipment for students to practice their skills before they are identified as competent.

He acknowledged the support of JICA which donated a Robust Photocopier Machine, a Camcorder, set of office furniture, Hydraulic Simulator, among others for the school.

He assured JICA that the institute would continue to ensure the efficient training of middle-level, career-focused and hands-on skilled power.

The Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Jiro Inamura, expressed her appreciation to members of staff and students of the school for their support to the Japanese disaster-hit victims.

She expressed optimism that the centre would be used to disseminate the CBT methods to other vocational training institutions in a sustainable manner.

AAU TO BIDGE INFORMATION GAP WITHIN MEMBER UNIVERSITIES

Story: Fauziatu Adam

The Association of African Universities has established an Open Access Institutional Repository (database) (OAIR) to harness and disseminate research information within member universities for the development of Knowledge based economies in Africa.

A two day advocacy workshop organised by AAU and collaborated by the Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) and the Royal Tropical Institute of the Netherlands seeks to critically discuss and develop all technical issues, including copyright and the use of standard software in creating such a gigantic repository.

" The Rationale behind this workshop is to afford an opportunity for government officials, the academic and research communities, institutions and organisations to learn about the potential benefits of open access, to share ideas with colleagues and to inspire wider participation of the project" said secretary General, AAU, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede.

Participants from the universities across the continent are expected to acquire requisite knowledge to engage in advocacy for the creation of these repositories in their various institutions and the countries as well.

Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Mahama Ayariga in a speech read on his behalf  was of the view that national repository centres in Africa should act on a national scale, to serve all libraries in the country.

" Other roles that these centres should have are a national collection policies which would assist libraries in national inter-lending and  act as legal deposit and engage in co-operative cataloging to union databases" he said.

The challenges facing the African scholarly publishing and dissemination, he observed,  included the fact that universities, research bodies, research NGOs produce a large amount of knowledge, but do not always disseminate it widely.

" Apart from the lack of investment to do research, and to disseminate and publish research findings, the human resources capacity with the requisite publishing skills are not always readily available" he added.

He expressed his hope that the advocacy workshop would enable participants bring out policies which would act as guidelines for the establishment and smooth running of institutional repository centres which would enhance the production and dissemination of knowledge as a priority.

AAU is an international non- governmental organisation set up by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and with the international academic community.

The organisation was established in 1967 under the initiative of El Nazeer Dafaala, Director of the University of Rabat, Morocco at a founding conference in Rabat attended by representatives of 34 universities who adopted the constitutions of the organisation.

Headquartered in Accra, the organisation is the principal forum for consultation, exchange of information  cooperation  among universities  in Africa and operates in 3 official languages including English, French and Arabic.

Membership is opened to universities and other institutions of higher education in Africa as well as organisations and networks whose members are universities or engage in supporting universities.

Kenyasi Visit- Fun side...

Working for a new foundation has not been easy, albeit, I had fun. Apart from visiting the beautiful city of Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana to do a special report for Newmont Gold Ghana Limited, Ahafo mine, I did not miss that opportunity to make the most out of it by having so much fun. I hope you would enjoy the pictures. Have fun guys!

I thought of pursuing another profession, that is teaching. I felt good being around these kids in Kenyasi

I wonder what I was even asking the CEO of CSRF Ghana, Byron Nana Taylor

After the launch of the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADef), the CSRF team engage Dr. Toni Aubyn, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines

In a tete a tete with the Regional Vice President, Environment and Social Responsibility of NGGl, Mr Randy Barnes 

Exploring the Ahafo site

TRADERS COMPLAIN OF LOW PATRONAGE... Despite reduction in prices of goods!

By: Fauzia Adam

The drizzles at the central business district could not deter motorist, shoppers and hawkers from causing traffic and pedestrian jam.

Even the presence of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) task force known as ‘Abaaye’ was not a hindrance for hawkers to go about their everyday business.

With the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration just a day away, all roads leading to the Makola, Kantamanto, Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) and the Agbogbloshie markets were choked with vehicular and human traffic.

Interestingly, most of the traders who sold foodstuffs lamented of low patronage of their items while second-hand clothes and shoes dealers were satisfied with their sales.

One Akwasi who deals in ladies shoes told Fauzy about the satisfaction of his business so far. Akwasi who claimed to be selling ‘first class store reject’ shoes said the shoes ranged from GHC 7 to GHC40.

“I have sold plenty shoes since Saturday. Business has been good so far and I know more women would come in for the shoes. We know their types of shoes. They like open toe, wedge, and so on,” Akwasi told Fauzy.

Fauzy interviewed a shopper who expressed his preference for slightly used clothes to new ones. He complained of the high cost of new clothes and shoes hence his preference for second- hand goods.

One Mariama Adamu who sells food spices complained of low patronage of her items but expressed the hope that things would be better by the end of Tuesday (tomorrow).

“Last year was better than this year. This time people do not buy things at all which affect our business drastically,” she said.

Other traders who complained of low patronage were chicken sellers in Kantamanto.

One Bozie who sells chicken in the Belly of Kantamanto said he is expecting a high patronage of the chicken by tomorrow.

 “People do not buy chicken a week before the celebration for the fear that the chickens would grow lean before the day. That is why I just sold only two chickens today” he added.

Compared to the previous months when a basket of tomato was sold for GHC6, the same basket now sells at GHC2 per basket likewise onions, tubers of yam.

 “This is the season for foodstuffs so the prices have gone down drastically” said one of the traders.

Among the goods in high demand were food items such as rice, oil, confectioneries, as well as clothes, especially women and children’s wear and shoes.

Africa Muslim Agency Donates to 70,000 Muslims

Story: Fauziatu Adam
Seventy thousand poor Muslims across the country would enjoy this year's Ramadan following the donation of food items by the African Muslim Agency (AMA) in Accra today.
The GHC115,400 food item basket include rice, beans, a tinned tomato, cooking oil and a bag of dates for each family.
AMA is a humanitarian organisation which started its operations in Ghana in 1990. It can boast of four centres which can be located in Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and Tamale housing over 800 orphans across the country.

The organisation however started its works since 1981 as a voluntarily non-governmental institution interested in the development in the neediest places in Africa.
The Kuwait based agency mainly targets orphans, single mothers and people with special needs especially in remote areas and dispatches its aid items to these individuals.
The agency, seeking leadership, was one of the first charity societies in the Islamic World that revived the traditional acts of the prophet Peace Be upon Him in constructing the small endowment projects in remote areas.
Moreover, the organisation has sponsored over 100 Muslims and non Muslims brilliant but needy  students across the universities in the country to promote education and sponsors 10 Muslims to go for Hajj every year.
The institution’s activities targets development projects in poor African communities. Under the slogan “Every Child in Africa has the Right to Education,” Direct Aid has been mainly focusing on education as a basic means to make a difference in poor African communities.

346 Ghanaians deported from Europe, 1st three months

Story: Fauziatu Adam

THREE hundred and forty six Ghanaians with ages ranging from 20 and 40 were recorded by  the Ghana Immigration Service for the first three months of this year to have been deported  from other countries for illegally entering those countries.

A total of 17,565 Ghanaians were also recorded to have been evacuated from Libya this year due to the crisis that escalated in that country early this year.

The Assistant Controller of Immigration (ACOI), Mrs Belinda Adwoa Sika Anim disclosed this to the Daily Graphic  after a sensitisation workshop at Kinbu Secondary School to sensitise students about the dangers of illegal migration to other country.

She said there was a pressure on the North African countries to clamp down on irregular migration occurring over their territory through increased border controls, toughening migration laws, readmitting irregular migrants from Europe and deporting others from their territory.

She lamented about  the swelling masses of Ghanaians who flee from poverty to try to enter Europe illegally at an alarming rate.

She said that irregular migration issue had been put high on the Policy Agenda of the European Union and its member states.

The ACOI mentioned the effects of irregular migration  as fatalities in the desert  and the Mediterranean,  poor living conditions for illegal immigrants, under employed and overworked in dirty, dangerous and difficult jobs.

Mr Belinda said the reason why  they were targeting the schools was that many of the students fall victims of illegal migration and they record the highest number anytime any Ghanaian was deported back to the country.

She observed that people who went travelled through the dessert did not tell the real stories whenever they come back to the country.

She said the immigration service has targeted all the senior secondary schools in the country to sensitise them about the need to stay in the country after their education.

The workshop included a drama about four students who left the shores of their country for greener pastures and some of them died due to snake bites while others were arrested and sent to prison and later deported to their country.

Ghana, 3 others to access further grants under MCC

Story: Fauziatu Adam

Ghana has been selected among four developing countries to continue to access grants under the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) of the United States of America (USA) for its development.

The other three countries are Tanzania, El Salvador and The Philippines.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hannah Tetteh, announced this at the second International Convention of Edmark, manufacturers of health products for direct marketing industry, in Accra.

The theme for the convention was, “Love’s the Reason”.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a bilateral United States agency created by the US government in 2004 to give a new dimension to foreign aid.

A country is considered eligible for a compact if its score on 17 indicators exceeds a median score.

The 17 indicators include good economic policies such as a free market and low corruption.

The focus of the MCC is to promote economic growth in the recipient countries. The programme emphasises good economic policies in recipient countries. 

Ghana received $547 million in the first compact in 2007. The second compact is contingent on the successful completion of the first compact, continued good policy performance and the development of proposals that have significant potential to promote economic growth and reduce poverty.

Ms  Tetteh said the US government had seen that there was potential in the country’s economy and had, therefore, chosen to partner Ghana to look at its challenges and possible areas of investment.

“This is the second time the country has been given this opportunity to partner the US government to develop proposals that have the potential to promote economic growth and move the country to the next level,” she added.

Sha lauded the ideas of Edmark to invest in Ghana’s economy by setting up a one-stop centre for the sale of Edmark’s healthy living products.

That, she said, would reduce unemployment in the country and improve economic growth.

“There are many young people in the country who do not know how to start businesses or manage them and I believe that Edmark will help these youngsters achieve their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs,” Ms Tetteh said.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Vice-president, Mr John Mahama, suggested that Edmark rather establish its manufacturing company for the country to be able to export its products.

That, he explained, would create more job opportunities for the youth and help in rapid economic development.

He advised Edmark to live up to its corporate social responsibility and also ensure the safety of its staff.

The CEO of Edmark, Mr Sam Low, expressed appreciation to the government for allowing it to work in the country, adding that Ghana was a very good place for investment.

Ghana Database Project in the offing

Story: Fauziatu Adam & Dana Sherne

Government is to establish a national information portal, the Ghana Database Project, to make important economic and cultural information widely available to investors, tourists and Ghanaians.

Speaking at a meeting with the Greater Accra Regional Minister and District Chief Executives (DCE) in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Baba Jamal, said that the project would help brand Ghana from inside by publicising information on the Internet.

The enterprise, which is expected to begin on July 1 and end within eight weeks, would allow everyone to easily access information on each of the 158 districts in the country.

The Ministry of Information, in partnership with the District Assemblies, is to collect relevant information on each district’s infrastructure, including major towns and landmarks, schools, government agencies and hospitals, as well as the contact information for all of these institutions.

The portal would also make demographic information such as population size, major ethnic groups and main languages available to the public. 

Mr Jamal added that the project would include major tourist attractions and the investment potential of the districts. All of this information would be available on the website for all stakeholders.

“We will brand our districts to make them more attractive and encourage foreign firms to invest in Ghana,” he said.

According to him, the portal would allow each district to control its own branding, complete with slogans to establish a sense of belonging and pride in that area’s heritage. For example, the Central Region adopted the slogan, “Centre of Excellence,” and the Volta Region adopted the slogan, “Very Reliable.”

Mr Jamal added that each car registered in the district would have that slogan embossed on its license plate.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Ashiettey Armah, said that such branding is “long overdue,” adding that he would do everything in his power to support the project.

Mr Jamal’s meeting with the regional minister and DCEs, as well as staff from the Ministry of Information, was the culmination of his two-week tour throughout the different regions of the country.

His talk also focused on the management of government information on the ground level as well as the diffusion of tension between the DCEs and the Information Service Officers (ISO). Mr Jamal warned that ISO’s who did not conform to government policy could be fired.

He reprimanded all ISOs who did not propagate the ideas of the government, adding that “outside of the office, you have no opinion except those in line with party policy.”

He advised that this could best be accomplished by maintaining good rapport with the DCEs and their staff.

GHANA HAS 33,000 STREET CHILDREN

Story: Fauziatu Adam

RESEARCH conducted by the Department of Social Welfare indicates that there are 33,000 children living on the streets in the country.

According to the research, 75 per cent of all street children live in Accra and Kumasi, with 71 per cent of them being illiterate.

The Country Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr Iyabode Olusanmi, made the revelation at this year’s celebration of the International Day of the African Child in Accra yesterday.

The celebration was on the theme, “All Together for Urgent Action in Favour of Street Children”. 

The International Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991 when it was first initiated by the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and now the African Union (AU)..

The day honours those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 and also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement in the education provided for African children.

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about 10,000 black schoolchildren marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language.

Hundreds of young students were shot. More than 100 people were killed in the protests that ensued the following two weeks and more than 1,000 were injured.

 The 2011 observance of the day seeks to contribute to widespread awareness of the dangers street children face, promote the taking of urgent steps to protect them and determine strategies for providing effective child protection and care.

Dr Olusanmi added that the theme was a real call to action for everyone, given the scientific, as well as physical, evidence.

“This theme challenges us to reflect on the data available on street children and advocates with civil society, the development partners and the government to mobilise all our efforts towards improved well-being of children and for greater resource mobilisation for the protection of children living on the street,” she added.

She noted that Ghana was the first country in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and, therefore, was bound by international law to act in the best interest of those children.

She gave assurance of UNICEF’s commitment to protect the vulnerable in society and expressed belief in strengthening community-based systems which were very effective in protecting children and preventing unsafe migration.

“Our approach is to support government institutions such as the departments of Social Welfare and Community Development to implement community-based protection interventions by empowering child protection teams (CPTs) to equip communities with the knowledge and skills required to take measures to prevent children from unsafe migration,” she said.

As a result of those efforts by UNICEF, some 19 communities in the Northern and Upper East regions are completely free of kayayeis, while 30 communities in the same regions have achieved 100 per cent birth registration.

The UNICEF Country Representative urged stakeholders to propose effective, innovative and sustainable child protection and care strategies and support child participation forums.

She commended the government’s efforts at incorporating children’s issues in the ongoing constitutional review and

congratulated it on the recent launch of the National Plan of Action for the protection of orphans and vulnerable children.

 One of the interventions of that action plan, she added, was the provision for the reunification and reintegration of orphans and vulnerable children, including street children, with families or within family-based care.

The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah, called on all stakeholders and collaborators to continue to support the government to chart a good path for the young ones.

She said the call for urgent action was a reminder that the active involvement of all duty bearers was critical to complement one another’s efforts at curbing the menace of streetism.

A number of social protection interventions and strategies were also in place to address the phenomenon of street children, she added.

These include the establishment of community child protection teams, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), the capitation grant and the school feeding programme, the implementation of the free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE), the registration of young girls doing menial jobs (Kayayes), among others.