THE Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited (GTBank) has launched a campaign dubbed e-friday to encourage the public to use electronic banking for their financial transactions.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, who launched the campaign, said Information and Communications Technology (ICT) had become important to the economy and must be embraced by all.
He noted that ICT was transforming the world at a very fast pace and that its use had become a vital element for economic development, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.
The minister said for ICT to have any meaningful impact on the development of the nation, it must be seen in all aspects of the economy.
"To this end, the government intends to use ICT as a driver for its socio-economic development and has outlined policies and programmes to develop and support the ICT industry in the country," he stressed.
He said the Electronic Transactions Act 772 and the Electronic Communication Act 775 were enacted to create the necessary regulatory environment that would enable businesses such as the banks to operate in a fair and friendly marketplace.
Mr Haruna challenged GTBank to continue to observe regulations of the Bank of Ghana and the laws of the country and provide quality service for Ghanaians.
The Managing Director (MD) of the bank, Mr Dollop Ogundimu, said the campaign was in response to feedback from clients for effective banking services.
He said the feedback was that those e-products were a very important aspect of the ongoing revolution in the banking industry.
"Our customers have recognised the ease and convenience inherent in these products and want to share them with the world at large," he added.
For his part, the Chairman of the board of directors, Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim, said the bank had positioned itself to offer customers quality and convenient service, hence the introduction of the e-banking services.
He said the bank had invested heavily in technology in order to be ahead of competition in the banking industry and called for patronage of its services.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Police prevent ‘Sakawa’ race at La
THE Police last Sunday, May 25, 2009 raided the La Trade Fair site and prevented a group of people described as ‘Sakawa boys’ from engaging in a motor and car race.
Unhappy by the action of the police, the spectators, numbering more than 4,000 pelted the police personnel with stones which compelled them to call for reinforcement.
In the ensuing confrontation, the police took away two motorbikes and arrested two boys for their alleged involvement in the stone-throwing spree in which the windscreen of a police pickup with registration number GP 2406 was smashed.
The action by the police was motivated by an incidence at a similar show by the group on Sunday, May 17, 2009 in which a 26-year-old woman was killed in an accident.
The woman, whose name was given by the La Police as Mary Ayeley Oboshie-Sai, died shortly after she was knocked down by a trotro vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was said to be imitating movements of the group at the show.
In an interaction, some of the spectators said they would not be deterred by the police and that the police’s action would only prevent them from the day’s event.
Even though some of the people told the Daily Graphic that the race was put together by some benevolent individuals in the community as a means of creating entertainment for the folks in the area, it was later found out that the show was rather organised by some ‘Sakawa boys’.
When contacted at the La Police Station, the Divisional Commander, DSP Yao Tettehgah, confirmed the death of the young woman in an accident, but assured the public that the police acted to stop the race in the interest of the public, and called for their co-operation to curb the activities of the such boys.
DSP Tettegah said the organisers of the programme had no permission to put up such a programme and mentioned that it was dangerous for the public.
Unhappy by the action of the police, the spectators, numbering more than 4,000 pelted the police personnel with stones which compelled them to call for reinforcement.
In the ensuing confrontation, the police took away two motorbikes and arrested two boys for their alleged involvement in the stone-throwing spree in which the windscreen of a police pickup with registration number GP 2406 was smashed.
The action by the police was motivated by an incidence at a similar show by the group on Sunday, May 17, 2009 in which a 26-year-old woman was killed in an accident.
The woman, whose name was given by the La Police as Mary Ayeley Oboshie-Sai, died shortly after she was knocked down by a trotro vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was said to be imitating movements of the group at the show.
In an interaction, some of the spectators said they would not be deterred by the police and that the police’s action would only prevent them from the day’s event.
Even though some of the people told the Daily Graphic that the race was put together by some benevolent individuals in the community as a means of creating entertainment for the folks in the area, it was later found out that the show was rather organised by some ‘Sakawa boys’.
When contacted at the La Police Station, the Divisional Commander, DSP Yao Tettehgah, confirmed the death of the young woman in an accident, but assured the public that the police acted to stop the race in the interest of the public, and called for their co-operation to curb the activities of the such boys.
DSP Tettegah said the organisers of the programme had no permission to put up such a programme and mentioned that it was dangerous for the public.
Fire at slam
THERE was a fire outbreak at the Konkomba Market at Agbogbloshie in Accra yesterday afternoon destroying many of the buildings in the slum.
But, instead of coming together to fight the fire, the members of the community took to stone throwing at one another, thwarting the efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service from putting out the fire as early as possible.
There were no casualties but an unspecified number of the residents sustained various degrees of injuries.
A number of wooden structures within 50 metres square of the slum were burnt down, destroying all the properties in them.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established, but it was suspected to have started from a room of one of the residents.
An eyewitness told the Daily Graphic that one of the inmates of the room was smoking near to a gas cylinder.
According to the eyewitness, the smoker threw the piece of cigarette towards the direction of the cylinder.
In the process, the gas cylinder caught fire and exploded. The fire spread to the other wooden structures in the slum.
As soon as there was the explosion, the resident who was smoking, apparently shocked by the incident, jumped from the top of the wooden storey building and fled.
It was very difficult for the personnel from the Fire Service to get the location of the fire as there was no thoroughfare to the place of the fire.
It took the personnel about two hours to bring the fire under control.
But, instead of coming together to fight the fire, the members of the community took to stone throwing at one another, thwarting the efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service from putting out the fire as early as possible.
There were no casualties but an unspecified number of the residents sustained various degrees of injuries.
A number of wooden structures within 50 metres square of the slum were burnt down, destroying all the properties in them.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established, but it was suspected to have started from a room of one of the residents.
An eyewitness told the Daily Graphic that one of the inmates of the room was smoking near to a gas cylinder.
According to the eyewitness, the smoker threw the piece of cigarette towards the direction of the cylinder.
In the process, the gas cylinder caught fire and exploded. The fire spread to the other wooden structures in the slum.
As soon as there was the explosion, the resident who was smoking, apparently shocked by the incident, jumped from the top of the wooden storey building and fled.
It was very difficult for the personnel from the Fire Service to get the location of the fire as there was no thoroughfare to the place of the fire.
It took the personnel about two hours to bring the fire under control.
Govt compiles data on disabled
THE government is compiling data on all disabled persons for the formulation and implementation of policies for their development and welfare, the Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, has said.
Mrs Okaikoi was speaking during a courtesy call on her by the Ghana Federation of Disabled in Accra on Wednesday to inform the government of the forthcoming International Trade Fair by persons with disability.
The visit was also meant to solicit her assistance towards the organisation of the week-long event scheduled to take place in Accra from November 25 to December 4, 2009.
Mrs Okaikoi assured the leadership of the federation of the government's commitment to making life better for them.
The minister appealed to the public, particularly families of disabled persons, not to neglect them, since that could resort in their begging on the street.
Such a neglect and begging, she said, could be dangerous to the well-being and development of disabled persons.
Mr Okaikoi implored the federation to bring their peers who were outside their organisation to become members to enable them to benefit from programmes that would be jointly initiated by the government and the federation.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disabled, Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, said delegations from the 13 participating countries in the forthcoming fair would be accompanied by first ladies of the respective countries.
Ms Kusi said persons and organisations who had over the years contributed to the welfare of persons with disability would also be honoured.
On behalf of the federation, she appealed to the Ministry of Information to include in its education and publicity programmes, facilities such as Braille that would enable them to have easy access to information from the government.
She appealed to the government to ensure that public places such as hospitals and ministries provided facilities that were friendly to disabled persons.
The fair will showcase various products by the disabled in Africa.
Participants will be drawn from 13 African countries including Tunisia, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Morocco, Zambia and South Africa.
On display during the exhibition by the disabled will be products such as batik and tie-dye, wood work, fashion and dressmaking.
PIXY
The Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, explaining a point to the leadership while Mr Robert Frimpong Manso (standing) interpret to the deaf. With them are from right, Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, the Executive Director of the Federation of Disabled and Mr Obeng Asamoah.
Mrs Okaikoi was speaking during a courtesy call on her by the Ghana Federation of Disabled in Accra on Wednesday to inform the government of the forthcoming International Trade Fair by persons with disability.
The visit was also meant to solicit her assistance towards the organisation of the week-long event scheduled to take place in Accra from November 25 to December 4, 2009.
Mrs Okaikoi assured the leadership of the federation of the government's commitment to making life better for them.
The minister appealed to the public, particularly families of disabled persons, not to neglect them, since that could resort in their begging on the street.
Such a neglect and begging, she said, could be dangerous to the well-being and development of disabled persons.
Mr Okaikoi implored the federation to bring their peers who were outside their organisation to become members to enable them to benefit from programmes that would be jointly initiated by the government and the federation.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disabled, Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, said delegations from the 13 participating countries in the forthcoming fair would be accompanied by first ladies of the respective countries.
Ms Kusi said persons and organisations who had over the years contributed to the welfare of persons with disability would also be honoured.
On behalf of the federation, she appealed to the Ministry of Information to include in its education and publicity programmes, facilities such as Braille that would enable them to have easy access to information from the government.
She appealed to the government to ensure that public places such as hospitals and ministries provided facilities that were friendly to disabled persons.
The fair will showcase various products by the disabled in Africa.
Participants will be drawn from 13 African countries including Tunisia, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Morocco, Zambia and South Africa.
On display during the exhibition by the disabled will be products such as batik and tie-dye, wood work, fashion and dressmaking.
PIXY
The Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, explaining a point to the leadership while Mr Robert Frimpong Manso (standing) interpret to the deaf. With them are from right, Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, the Executive Director of the Federation of Disabled and Mr Obeng Asamoah.
GAAS launches 50th Anniversary
THE Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has assured the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) that the government will soon construct a modern office complex to house the academy.
This, the Vice President said, would facilitate the work of the academy and help it to carry out its mandate while contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the country. GAAS is currently located on the premises of CSIR in Accra.
The Vice President gave the assurance when he launched the six-month long 50th anniversary celebration of the GAAS.
Mr Mahama said that as a developing nation, the country needed an innovative means of tackling the challenges that confronted it and “we will need your expertise in this direction to develop the nation”.
Mr Mahama said the Prof Atta Mills administration recognised the important role science played in the development of a nation and so would not neglect its responsibilities towards the academy.
He commended the fellows of the academy for their contributions to national development over the last 50 years.
“I say this with the assurance that the next 50 years ahead of you would witness a more meaningful impact of your existence than before,” he stressed.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, in his address, admitted that unless there was the political will at all levels to support the work of the academy, it would be impossible for it to attain its mandate.
Mr Tettey Enyo said in order for the country to achieve middle income status by the year 2020, there should be a deliberate effort to develop a stable science and technology institute.
He therefore urged the GAAS to develop scientific methods by which modern technology could be delivered to the poorer groups in the country.
The minister again commended the fellows of the institute for presenting to the government various advisory reports on Agriculture, the Economy, Environment and Higher Education and promised they would be acted upon.
This, he said, would help in achieving the objectives of the academy, which include the creation, acquisition, dissemination and utilisation of knowledge for national development.
The President of GAAS, Prof Reginald Fraser Amonoo, told the Daily Graphic that the academy had over the last five decades presented a number of lectures and held public presentations on a number of public issues of national concern.
Prof Amonoo said that as part of the mandate of the academy, it had promoted the study and the extension and dissemination of knowledge of all the sciences.
The president, who also chaired the launch, said discussions on including junior fellows in the academy were on-going, stressing that that would help the younger generation to have a better understanding of the sciences and their role in national development.
Prof Amonoo appealed to the general public for financial support as government support was not enough to run the academy and also carry out its mandate. “There are a lot still to be done by the academy. However, our greatest limitation has been the financial resource to achieve our ambitions.”
The honorary secretary of the Academy, Prof S. K. A. Danso said the academy, within the last couple of decades and within the context of the environment it found itself, had broadened the scope of its activities to include roundtable discussions as a platform for public discussion of topical issues that would impact on policy formulation.
Prof Danso mentioned some of the activities lined up for the celebration as public forum on constitutional review in Ghana, inaugural lecture, annual lecture and the 5th African Science Academies Development Initiative Conference.
All these would be climaxed with an awards and dinner dance in November 2009.
PIX
The Vice President with some of the fellows of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
This, the Vice President said, would facilitate the work of the academy and help it to carry out its mandate while contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the country. GAAS is currently located on the premises of CSIR in Accra.
The Vice President gave the assurance when he launched the six-month long 50th anniversary celebration of the GAAS.
Mr Mahama said that as a developing nation, the country needed an innovative means of tackling the challenges that confronted it and “we will need your expertise in this direction to develop the nation”.
Mr Mahama said the Prof Atta Mills administration recognised the important role science played in the development of a nation and so would not neglect its responsibilities towards the academy.
He commended the fellows of the academy for their contributions to national development over the last 50 years.
“I say this with the assurance that the next 50 years ahead of you would witness a more meaningful impact of your existence than before,” he stressed.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey Enyo, in his address, admitted that unless there was the political will at all levels to support the work of the academy, it would be impossible for it to attain its mandate.
Mr Tettey Enyo said in order for the country to achieve middle income status by the year 2020, there should be a deliberate effort to develop a stable science and technology institute.
He therefore urged the GAAS to develop scientific methods by which modern technology could be delivered to the poorer groups in the country.
The minister again commended the fellows of the institute for presenting to the government various advisory reports on Agriculture, the Economy, Environment and Higher Education and promised they would be acted upon.
This, he said, would help in achieving the objectives of the academy, which include the creation, acquisition, dissemination and utilisation of knowledge for national development.
The President of GAAS, Prof Reginald Fraser Amonoo, told the Daily Graphic that the academy had over the last five decades presented a number of lectures and held public presentations on a number of public issues of national concern.
Prof Amonoo said that as part of the mandate of the academy, it had promoted the study and the extension and dissemination of knowledge of all the sciences.
The president, who also chaired the launch, said discussions on including junior fellows in the academy were on-going, stressing that that would help the younger generation to have a better understanding of the sciences and their role in national development.
Prof Amonoo appealed to the general public for financial support as government support was not enough to run the academy and also carry out its mandate. “There are a lot still to be done by the academy. However, our greatest limitation has been the financial resource to achieve our ambitions.”
The honorary secretary of the Academy, Prof S. K. A. Danso said the academy, within the last couple of decades and within the context of the environment it found itself, had broadened the scope of its activities to include roundtable discussions as a platform for public discussion of topical issues that would impact on policy formulation.
Prof Danso mentioned some of the activities lined up for the celebration as public forum on constitutional review in Ghana, inaugural lecture, annual lecture and the 5th African Science Academies Development Initiative Conference.
All these would be climaxed with an awards and dinner dance in November 2009.
PIX
The Vice President with some of the fellows of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
Beacon Reading Club
IN an effort to promote the culture of reading among Ghanaians, a reading club, known as Beacon Books Forum, will on Saturday June 6, 2009 promote reading through interview programmes on radio and articles in the newspapers at the premises of Sunny FM at North Ridge in Accra.
Members of the club will discuss the best selling first novel of the African Writers Series, “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, as part of activities marking its second anniversary celebration.
All those who attend will enjoy 5 per cent discount on books they buy from Beacon Books Company during the programme, among other activities..
The reading club which was established two years ago was to create a friendly environment where members of the club could network and exchange ideas for contiuous learning and personal development through reading.
A co-founder of the club, Mr Ebow Spio, said the club sought to inspire and equip members to develop themselves by reading a wide range of quality and mind stimulating books that would develop the person.
This philosophy he said was based on the appreciation of the Chinese proverb that says, “A book holds a house of gold”.
The club currently has a regular membership of 150 people from varied backgrounds, predominantly young business executives, graduates and students from tertiary institutions.
The club has over the last two years held a number of reading competitions and also reviewed a number of books on various topics including, leadership, change, finance and investment.
Members of the club, have, among others reviewed the books namely; “31 Days to Financial Independence” by Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, “12 Keys to Financial Success” by Stephen Adei and “Pathways of Success: 21 sure steps to the way to the top” by Dr Mensa Otabil.
Mr Spio said books for reading and reviews were selected based on recommendations of members of the club to ensure that the books selected appealed to majority of the members.
He noted that members of the club had developed a passion and appetite for reading, adding that, by this development, most members of the club have established their own libraries at home.
According to Mr Spio, members have testified that their association with Beacon Book Forum and more importantly reading and applying the knowledge and principles from the books that they have discussed, have had positive influence on their lives.
For instance, a member said he started investing in mutual funds such as EPACK after he had appreciated the importance of personal finance and investment and understood how the numerous investment instruments on the Ghanaian Stock Market worked, after participating in one of the reading programmes.
Members of the club will discuss the best selling first novel of the African Writers Series, “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, as part of activities marking its second anniversary celebration.
All those who attend will enjoy 5 per cent discount on books they buy from Beacon Books Company during the programme, among other activities..
The reading club which was established two years ago was to create a friendly environment where members of the club could network and exchange ideas for contiuous learning and personal development through reading.
A co-founder of the club, Mr Ebow Spio, said the club sought to inspire and equip members to develop themselves by reading a wide range of quality and mind stimulating books that would develop the person.
This philosophy he said was based on the appreciation of the Chinese proverb that says, “A book holds a house of gold”.
The club currently has a regular membership of 150 people from varied backgrounds, predominantly young business executives, graduates and students from tertiary institutions.
The club has over the last two years held a number of reading competitions and also reviewed a number of books on various topics including, leadership, change, finance and investment.
Members of the club, have, among others reviewed the books namely; “31 Days to Financial Independence” by Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh, “12 Keys to Financial Success” by Stephen Adei and “Pathways of Success: 21 sure steps to the way to the top” by Dr Mensa Otabil.
Mr Spio said books for reading and reviews were selected based on recommendations of members of the club to ensure that the books selected appealed to majority of the members.
He noted that members of the club had developed a passion and appetite for reading, adding that, by this development, most members of the club have established their own libraries at home.
According to Mr Spio, members have testified that their association with Beacon Book Forum and more importantly reading and applying the knowledge and principles from the books that they have discussed, have had positive influence on their lives.
For instance, a member said he started investing in mutual funds such as EPACK after he had appreciated the importance of personal finance and investment and understood how the numerous investment instruments on the Ghanaian Stock Market worked, after participating in one of the reading programmes.
Dr Akwetey on conflicts in Africa
THE Executive Director of Institute for Democratic Governance, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, has stated that the conflicts in Africa during elections could be attributed to the divisions within the people which the politicians focus on during campaigning.
Dr Akwetey said politicians resorted to that strategy to win political power, particularly from people they shared one form of relationship or the other, but that had the potential for negatively dividing the country.
Dr Akwetey said this at a two-day workshop on “Elections in Africa: Lessons from the Ghanaian experience”, organised by the Africa Advisory Board of the Open Society Institute at its bi-annual meeting in Accra.
“We must not encourage this practice in Africa as it has the possibility of developing into tribal and other forms of conflicts in Ghana and other parts of the continent as seen in some African nations,” he said.
Dr Akwetey told the participants drawn from some civil society organisations on the continent that the media played a significant role in the peace and stability that Ghana enjoyed during the 2008 election.
He described the desire of the political parties themselves to ensure peace before, during and after the election as worthy of emulation by other African countries to promote peace during elections in their respective countries.
He stressed that the openness of the Electoral Commission (EC) to the media, civil society organisations, sub-regional and international bodies worked towards the success of the 2008 general election in Ghana.
Dr Akwetey explained that the election went the way it did because of the transparency of the process and the willingness of the relevant stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.
He stated that as a result of the constructive role played by the media and the EC, members of the general public were adequately informed on the electoral process and the results as they came.
He recommended that, for elections in any country, particularly in Africa, to be successful, there should be constructive collaboration among the relevant actors in the electoral process.
He said an independent EC, the media and all the political parties must work in unity to ensure the success of the elections.
On the way forward for Ghana, Dr Akwetey called for a careful look at transitional management as had been the case in elections management.
Dr Akwetey said it was important that much attention was paid to the management of the transitional process as it had the potential for developing into a different thing if not managed properly.
“What we are witnessing in the country today after a successful election is due to the weak transitional process we have in the country,” he added.
Dr Akwetey said politicians resorted to that strategy to win political power, particularly from people they shared one form of relationship or the other, but that had the potential for negatively dividing the country.
Dr Akwetey said this at a two-day workshop on “Elections in Africa: Lessons from the Ghanaian experience”, organised by the Africa Advisory Board of the Open Society Institute at its bi-annual meeting in Accra.
“We must not encourage this practice in Africa as it has the possibility of developing into tribal and other forms of conflicts in Ghana and other parts of the continent as seen in some African nations,” he said.
Dr Akwetey told the participants drawn from some civil society organisations on the continent that the media played a significant role in the peace and stability that Ghana enjoyed during the 2008 election.
He described the desire of the political parties themselves to ensure peace before, during and after the election as worthy of emulation by other African countries to promote peace during elections in their respective countries.
He stressed that the openness of the Electoral Commission (EC) to the media, civil society organisations, sub-regional and international bodies worked towards the success of the 2008 general election in Ghana.
Dr Akwetey explained that the election went the way it did because of the transparency of the process and the willingness of the relevant stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.
He stated that as a result of the constructive role played by the media and the EC, members of the general public were adequately informed on the electoral process and the results as they came.
He recommended that, for elections in any country, particularly in Africa, to be successful, there should be constructive collaboration among the relevant actors in the electoral process.
He said an independent EC, the media and all the political parties must work in unity to ensure the success of the elections.
On the way forward for Ghana, Dr Akwetey called for a careful look at transitional management as had been the case in elections management.
Dr Akwetey said it was important that much attention was paid to the management of the transitional process as it had the potential for developing into a different thing if not managed properly.
“What we are witnessing in the country today after a successful election is due to the weak transitional process we have in the country,” he added.
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