THE Lincoln Community School (LCS) has held a three day annual Model United Nations (UN) Conference in Accra.
The conference was held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training §center (KAIPTC) under the theme “Globalisation of Human Rights through education and develoment”.
It brought together over 240 international students who had practical experience of the operations of the United Nation.
The students were from the Lincoln Community School, Tema International School (TIS) and American International School, as well as first time participant, Roman Ridge School, all of whom formed the Ghanaian delegation.
Students from American International Schools from regions in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Lebanon and Germany formed the rest of the international delegation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of the LCS Model United Nations Conference, Mr John Scwerk said the conference would enable the students to interact, discuss, debate and research into global conflicts and other issues.
He said the conference sought to help them to have an understanding of how foreign policies were made at the United Nations (UN) and how issues were deliberated on to arrive at appropriate solutions he stated.
“This conference will provide the basis for learning and defending human right issues and also for generations to come, in the hope that the students would be abreast with judicial and political issues,” he stated.
Mr Scwerk said the conference was to enable the students to learn the act of public speaking, solving problems on their own.
The Director said the conference started five years ago with only five participating schools, with the sole objective of informing students about proceedings at the UN, with students acting as delegates representing an assigned country.
He said the students researched into policies, discussed current issues which reflected those discussed at the UN and held debates to reach a resolution.
Mr Scwerk said the conference would feature a Security Council and three committees namely; Environmental Policy, Economic and Social Council and Human Rights Council.
The participants would be made to tour some tourist sites in the country as part of the programme.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Protect children against malarial attacks(28/4/09)
The Medical Superintendent of the Princess Marie Louis Children's Hospital (PMLH), Dr Eric Sifah, has advised nursing mothers to protect their children from malaria particularly during the rainy seasons.
He noted that most nursing mothers did not understand the causes and effects of malaria, and therefore, left their children unprotected against mosquito bites.
Dr Sifah said this at the inauguration of the Contract Cleaners Association (CCAG) and clean-up exercise at the Princess Marie Louis Children’s Hospital.
He said most deaths recorded at the various health institutions particularly at the PMLH were as a result of malaria infection.
He, therefore, called on the appropriate authorities to ensure the intensification of education on malaria.
The president of the CCAG, Mr George Abanyie, said the clean-up exercise formed part of their social responsibility and to officially relaunch the association which had been dormant for sometime now.
He said the association, which was founded 12 years ago, sought to bring together all registered contract cleaners to assist and regulate members to work as a consortium when necessary.
"Our aim is to create awareness of the need for standards in cleaning services and to also for the association to be recognised by the relevant institutions," he stated.
He said the mobilisation effort by the association would help improve on cleaning services in the country, adding that "we would like to announce to the heads of institutions and individuals that there are many professional cleaning companies around that are efficient and cost effective".
Mr Abanyie also called on the government to appreciate their role and reduce the duties being placed on imported cleaning materials.
He noted that most nursing mothers did not understand the causes and effects of malaria, and therefore, left their children unprotected against mosquito bites.
Dr Sifah said this at the inauguration of the Contract Cleaners Association (CCAG) and clean-up exercise at the Princess Marie Louis Children’s Hospital.
He said most deaths recorded at the various health institutions particularly at the PMLH were as a result of malaria infection.
He, therefore, called on the appropriate authorities to ensure the intensification of education on malaria.
The president of the CCAG, Mr George Abanyie, said the clean-up exercise formed part of their social responsibility and to officially relaunch the association which had been dormant for sometime now.
He said the association, which was founded 12 years ago, sought to bring together all registered contract cleaners to assist and regulate members to work as a consortium when necessary.
"Our aim is to create awareness of the need for standards in cleaning services and to also for the association to be recognised by the relevant institutions," he stated.
He said the mobilisation effort by the association would help improve on cleaning services in the country, adding that "we would like to announce to the heads of institutions and individuals that there are many professional cleaning companies around that are efficient and cost effective".
Mr Abanyie also called on the government to appreciate their role and reduce the duties being placed on imported cleaning materials.
(25/4/09)Prof Sai honoured for contribution to family health
A special award ceremony was held on Thursday to honour Professor Fred T. Sai the Honorary Professor of Community Health, University of Ghana, for his contribution towards women empowerment and family health in the country.
Prof Sai, who was a former Presidential Advisor on Population and Health, was presented with a plaque and a cheque for an undisclosed amount of money by his family and patrons of Family Health International (FHI).
Dr Ward Cates, President of Research at FHI, who delivered a lecture to mark the occasion, said it had been projected that the population of sub-Saharan Africa would increase in the next 50 years, due to the low level of family planning practice among families in the region.
He said there was the need to educate women to practise birth control measures, adding that better reproductive health depended on being able to exercise the right to decide freely and responsibly, the number of children to bring forth and at the right time.
He said family planning helped individuals and couples to avoid unwanted pregnancies, thereby improving access to obstetric care, and reducing maternal deaths.
The Chief Executive Officer of FHI, Dr Albert Siemens, said FHI is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which was founded 38 years ago to improve people's access to quality reproductive health services, especially safe, effective, and affordable family planning methods.
He added that FHI also aims at designing, delivering, and evaluating local responses to the most pressing public health problems in resource-poor settings.
He explained that through research, FHI identifies and develops effective, evidence-based strategies and interventions to solve health problems in those areas.
"Our goal is to improve the health of women and children, especially those who live in resource-constrained settings," he said.
Dr Siemens noted that with funding from various donors, governments and the private sector, FHI worked with many organisations to strengthen the ability of countries and communities to implement their own responses to these problems.
Prof Sai expressed gratitude to his family and friends for the award
and donated the cheque to support a scholarship scheme, set up by his family at the University of Ghana. Known as Women in Sciences foundation, which was set to encourage female education at a higher level, the scheme has benefited over 70 females students.
Prof Sai, who was a former Presidential Advisor on Population and Health, was presented with a plaque and a cheque for an undisclosed amount of money by his family and patrons of Family Health International (FHI).
Dr Ward Cates, President of Research at FHI, who delivered a lecture to mark the occasion, said it had been projected that the population of sub-Saharan Africa would increase in the next 50 years, due to the low level of family planning practice among families in the region.
He said there was the need to educate women to practise birth control measures, adding that better reproductive health depended on being able to exercise the right to decide freely and responsibly, the number of children to bring forth and at the right time.
He said family planning helped individuals and couples to avoid unwanted pregnancies, thereby improving access to obstetric care, and reducing maternal deaths.
The Chief Executive Officer of FHI, Dr Albert Siemens, said FHI is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which was founded 38 years ago to improve people's access to quality reproductive health services, especially safe, effective, and affordable family planning methods.
He added that FHI also aims at designing, delivering, and evaluating local responses to the most pressing public health problems in resource-poor settings.
He explained that through research, FHI identifies and develops effective, evidence-based strategies and interventions to solve health problems in those areas.
"Our goal is to improve the health of women and children, especially those who live in resource-constrained settings," he said.
Dr Siemens noted that with funding from various donors, governments and the private sector, FHI worked with many organisations to strengthen the ability of countries and communities to implement their own responses to these problems.
Prof Sai expressed gratitude to his family and friends for the award
and donated the cheque to support a scholarship scheme, set up by his family at the University of Ghana. Known as Women in Sciences foundation, which was set to encourage female education at a higher level, the scheme has benefited over 70 females students.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Unilever post good results(20/4/09)
UNILEVER Ghana Limited, posted an impressive net profit of GH¢29.2m at the end of 2008 financial year notwithstanding the intense and unfair competition from the importation of fake products onto the local market.
The amount, which the company described as ‘healthy’ was Gh¢16.8 million more than the previous year’s figure.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unilever Company Limited, Mr Charles Coffie who announced this at the “Facts Behind the Figures” presentation at the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) last Friday, subsequently, declared a final dividend of GH¢0.1005 per share and recommended paying a final dividend payout of GH¢0.2128 per share.
He said “2008 was another successful year. We improved on our previous years achievements and delivered on our promise which we outlined in 2007 annual review, through the consolidation of our growth and improvement in profitability”.
He attributed the achievement to team work, strong support and cooperation from all their stakeholders including suppliers, service providers, customers among others.
Mr Coffie stated that the company’s performance was also against the background of significant increases in the input cost of palm oil and crude oil, particularly in the first half of 2008.
He noted that the company recorded significant increases in crude palm oil prices, which began to decline towards the end of the year.
“Our plantation performed very strongly, on the basis of the strong prices, improved volumes and initiatives to reduce cot and improve efficiencies,” he stated.
On the cash flow of the company, he said cash was generated from operations was GH¢23.6m at the end of the period, against GH¢16.6m for 2007, representing an increase of 42.4 per cent.
The CEO said uncertainties in the business environment and the market place had impacted on the operations of the company and their consumers and stated that “the risk and threats from unfair competition and counterfeiting are expected to heighten further”.
He said the company could explore and take the appropriate internal actions with the aim of pursuing the strategic objectives of improving the operations of the company and shareholder value.
The amount, which the company described as ‘healthy’ was Gh¢16.8 million more than the previous year’s figure.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unilever Company Limited, Mr Charles Coffie who announced this at the “Facts Behind the Figures” presentation at the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) last Friday, subsequently, declared a final dividend of GH¢0.1005 per share and recommended paying a final dividend payout of GH¢0.2128 per share.
He said “2008 was another successful year. We improved on our previous years achievements and delivered on our promise which we outlined in 2007 annual review, through the consolidation of our growth and improvement in profitability”.
He attributed the achievement to team work, strong support and cooperation from all their stakeholders including suppliers, service providers, customers among others.
Mr Coffie stated that the company’s performance was also against the background of significant increases in the input cost of palm oil and crude oil, particularly in the first half of 2008.
He noted that the company recorded significant increases in crude palm oil prices, which began to decline towards the end of the year.
“Our plantation performed very strongly, on the basis of the strong prices, improved volumes and initiatives to reduce cot and improve efficiencies,” he stated.
On the cash flow of the company, he said cash was generated from operations was GH¢23.6m at the end of the period, against GH¢16.6m for 2007, representing an increase of 42.4 per cent.
The CEO said uncertainties in the business environment and the market place had impacted on the operations of the company and their consumers and stated that “the risk and threats from unfair competition and counterfeiting are expected to heighten further”.
He said the company could explore and take the appropriate internal actions with the aim of pursuing the strategic objectives of improving the operations of the company and shareholder value.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Keep the environment clean to prevent communicable diseases-Urges Bannerman-Mensah(13/4/09)
THE Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to keep their environment clean to prevent schoolchildren from contracting communicable diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid.
“These diseases can affect the education of the pupil, thus reducing teacher-pupil contact hours required for effective teaching and learning process for quality education,” he said.
He said this in an address read on his behalf at the awards ceremony of the Healthy School Environment competition organised by the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) in Accra.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah said these communicable diseases could be prevented through the observance of simple personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.
He lauded the initiative of the school health education programme, which was established to provide preventive, protective and health promotion strategies to reduce factors that militate against school attendance and academic performance of pupils.
"The programme promotes strategies to complement current efforts being made by the government and civil society to find solutions to the current environmental sanitation and waste management challenges facing the country," he observed.
The Director-General noted that the GES, through a DANIDA project, had benefited from the construction of 1,907 latrines and the provision of water, hand-washing facilities and sanitation manuals to ensure the reinforcement of the campaign for maintaining good sanitation in schools.
He said the new health enhancing programmes like effective hand-washing with soap and good sanitation learned and practised in schools and at home could lead to the development of life-long positive health needed to sustain the sanitation crusade.
"The GES supports the view that provision of safe water and sanitation facilities is a first step towards a healthy and physical learning environment," he added.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah called on stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that school water and sanitation facilities were properly maintained.
He advised communities to construct their own toilets, urinals and refuse dumps, and stop vandalising and abusing such facilities provided in the schools.
He said it was unfair for schoolchildren to clear adult human excreta and other waste produced by drug addicts in their classrooms, adding that "communities should also stop encroaching on school lands meant for gardening and sports because those lands are not being wasted".
He said the lands were useful for implementing portions of the school curriculum needed for the development of the children.
He commended the participating schools and urged them to carry on with the sanitation campaign to ensure a healthy and good sanitation for learning.
For her part, the Health Information and Promotion Officer at the Word Health Organisation, Ms Sophia Twum-Barima, pointed out that children should be equipped with the skills needed to promote good health.
"Health education in schools must become more comprehensive if children are to be empowered to pursue a healthy lifestyle and to work as agents of change," she said.
Ms Twum-Barima said effective school health programme was the most cost-effective investments a nation could make to improve upon education and health.
"It is important the education ministry gets schoolchildren to engage in such activities to promote their physical and psychological well-being," she said.
The National SHEP Co-ordinator, Mrs Ellen B. Mensah, said the programme sought to achieve healthy lifestyles for the pupils by developing and supporting conducive environments for the promotion of good health.
"The SHEP is to create a well-informed and healthy school population equipped with life skills to maintain healthy habits, attitudes and behaviour to achieve educational goals," she added.
Schools that participated in the competition included the Prussic Staff Basic School, University Primary, Faith Montessori School, Samsam Presby Primary School, St Stephen RC Basic School and Dodowa Primary School.The rest were Doblo Gonno Community Basic School, Services Basic School, Ayikuma R C Basic School and the Kinder Paradise Basic School.
At the end of the programme, awards were given to the participating schools which excelled in the competition. They were given certificates of participation, books, wheelbarrows, drinking buckets and hand-washing bowls.
“These diseases can affect the education of the pupil, thus reducing teacher-pupil contact hours required for effective teaching and learning process for quality education,” he said.
He said this in an address read on his behalf at the awards ceremony of the Healthy School Environment competition organised by the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) in Accra.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah said these communicable diseases could be prevented through the observance of simple personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.
He lauded the initiative of the school health education programme, which was established to provide preventive, protective and health promotion strategies to reduce factors that militate against school attendance and academic performance of pupils.
"The programme promotes strategies to complement current efforts being made by the government and civil society to find solutions to the current environmental sanitation and waste management challenges facing the country," he observed.
The Director-General noted that the GES, through a DANIDA project, had benefited from the construction of 1,907 latrines and the provision of water, hand-washing facilities and sanitation manuals to ensure the reinforcement of the campaign for maintaining good sanitation in schools.
He said the new health enhancing programmes like effective hand-washing with soap and good sanitation learned and practised in schools and at home could lead to the development of life-long positive health needed to sustain the sanitation crusade.
"The GES supports the view that provision of safe water and sanitation facilities is a first step towards a healthy and physical learning environment," he added.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah called on stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that school water and sanitation facilities were properly maintained.
He advised communities to construct their own toilets, urinals and refuse dumps, and stop vandalising and abusing such facilities provided in the schools.
He said it was unfair for schoolchildren to clear adult human excreta and other waste produced by drug addicts in their classrooms, adding that "communities should also stop encroaching on school lands meant for gardening and sports because those lands are not being wasted".
He said the lands were useful for implementing portions of the school curriculum needed for the development of the children.
He commended the participating schools and urged them to carry on with the sanitation campaign to ensure a healthy and good sanitation for learning.
For her part, the Health Information and Promotion Officer at the Word Health Organisation, Ms Sophia Twum-Barima, pointed out that children should be equipped with the skills needed to promote good health.
"Health education in schools must become more comprehensive if children are to be empowered to pursue a healthy lifestyle and to work as agents of change," she said.
Ms Twum-Barima said effective school health programme was the most cost-effective investments a nation could make to improve upon education and health.
"It is important the education ministry gets schoolchildren to engage in such activities to promote their physical and psychological well-being," she said.
The National SHEP Co-ordinator, Mrs Ellen B. Mensah, said the programme sought to achieve healthy lifestyles for the pupils by developing and supporting conducive environments for the promotion of good health.
"The SHEP is to create a well-informed and healthy school population equipped with life skills to maintain healthy habits, attitudes and behaviour to achieve educational goals," she added.
Schools that participated in the competition included the Prussic Staff Basic School, University Primary, Faith Montessori School, Samsam Presby Primary School, St Stephen RC Basic School and Dodowa Primary School.The rest were Doblo Gonno Community Basic School, Services Basic School, Ayikuma R C Basic School and the Kinder Paradise Basic School.
At the end of the programme, awards were given to the participating schools which excelled in the competition. They were given certificates of participation, books, wheelbarrows, drinking buckets and hand-washing bowls.
Royalhouse honours Afari Gyan(13/4/09)
THE Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has called on religious leaders to educate their congregations on the need to abide by the rules governing elections in the country.
“It is particularly important to make the electorate fully aware that votes represent the will and choices of the people in the selection of their political leaders; votes represents the desires and aspirations of people as to what they want for themselves and their country. Under our electoral system, a candidate can win by just one vote," he said.
Dr Afari-Gyan made the call at an awards ceremony held to honour him for his contribution to Ghana's democracy by the Royal House Chapel at the weekend.
He was presented with a citation, a plaque, a Bible, a cheque for $5,000 and an annual salary of $1,000 after retirement.
The Chairman of the EC, who expressed his sincere gratitude to the church for the award, noted that Ghana's democracy could be deepened if people were fully aware of the true significance of their votes.
He said votes represented the only legitimate door to democratic leadership, adding that for the purposes of democracy, "men of God must stand up for the sanctity of the vote".
The Apostle General of the Royal House Chapel, Rev Sam Korankye Ankrah, thanked Dr Afari-Gyan and the members of staff of the EC for conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2008, to the admiration of the international and local communities.
"It is, indeed, a fitting endorsement of the Royal House Chapel’s appreciation of your exalted achievement and extraordinary contributions towards Ghana's democracy and support for exhorting the principles of good governance which is a vital ingredient in governing God's people that we bestow on you this award," he said.
Rev Ankrah said Dr Afari-Gyan's bravery and self-sacrifice to the service of the nation was worthy of emulation, adding, "Royal House rewards you for your heroic achievements and in recognition of your own unique contributions to the socio-political development of the nation."
“It is particularly important to make the electorate fully aware that votes represent the will and choices of the people in the selection of their political leaders; votes represents the desires and aspirations of people as to what they want for themselves and their country. Under our electoral system, a candidate can win by just one vote," he said.
Dr Afari-Gyan made the call at an awards ceremony held to honour him for his contribution to Ghana's democracy by the Royal House Chapel at the weekend.
He was presented with a citation, a plaque, a Bible, a cheque for $5,000 and an annual salary of $1,000 after retirement.
The Chairman of the EC, who expressed his sincere gratitude to the church for the award, noted that Ghana's democracy could be deepened if people were fully aware of the true significance of their votes.
He said votes represented the only legitimate door to democratic leadership, adding that for the purposes of democracy, "men of God must stand up for the sanctity of the vote".
The Apostle General of the Royal House Chapel, Rev Sam Korankye Ankrah, thanked Dr Afari-Gyan and the members of staff of the EC for conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2008, to the admiration of the international and local communities.
"It is, indeed, a fitting endorsement of the Royal House Chapel’s appreciation of your exalted achievement and extraordinary contributions towards Ghana's democracy and support for exhorting the principles of good governance which is a vital ingredient in governing God's people that we bestow on you this award," he said.
Rev Ankrah said Dr Afari-Gyan's bravery and self-sacrifice to the service of the nation was worthy of emulation, adding, "Royal House rewards you for your heroic achievements and in recognition of your own unique contributions to the socio-political development of the nation."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
CEPS assists three health institutions(9/4/09)
THE Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has presented three cheques totalling GH¢11,000 to three health institutions to help improve on their services.
They are the Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital.
Presenting a cheque for GH¢5,000 to the Cardiothoracic Centre, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration and Human Resource at CEPS, Mr Paul Adu Bofour, said the presentation was part of the service’s yearly commitment to the centre and also in line with its social responsibility to support quality healthcare delivery in the country
He said the money, which was made possible through some deductions from the salaries of all staff members and management, was a way of contributing to the development and maintenance of the hospital.
The Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, who received the cheque, expressed his profound gratitude to CEPS for the support.
He noted that the centre would celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and as part of the event funds were being solicited from benevolent societies and individuals to establish a $14-million Paediatric Heart Centre to cater for children.
He said children constituted 45 per cent of all patients who went to the centre and that building a centre to take special care of them was in the right direction.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng appealed to individuals and organisations to help set up a playroom with toys and teaching and learning aids for the children at the centre.
Receiving a cheque for GH¢3,500, the Deputy Commander of the 37 Military Hospital, Group Captain Nii Laryea, was grateful to CEPS for its support.
He said the presentation would enhance and improve healthcare delivery at the hospital.
At the Pantang Hospital, Mr Bofour presented a cheque for GH¢2,500 to the hospital to help improve on the conditions of the inmates.
The acting specialist in charge at the Pantang Hospital, Dr Anna Puklo-Dzadey, expressed her gratitude to CEPS.
She assured the service that the money would be used for the intended purpose.
Dr Puklo-Dzadey took the opportunity to advise CEPS personnel to desist from taking alcohol, adding, “Check the health status and stress level of officers before they are employed.”
She said renovation works at the rehabilitation centre of the hospital had been completed and it would be opened soon.
They are the Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital and the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital.
Presenting a cheque for GH¢5,000 to the Cardiothoracic Centre, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration and Human Resource at CEPS, Mr Paul Adu Bofour, said the presentation was part of the service’s yearly commitment to the centre and also in line with its social responsibility to support quality healthcare delivery in the country
He said the money, which was made possible through some deductions from the salaries of all staff members and management, was a way of contributing to the development and maintenance of the hospital.
The Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, who received the cheque, expressed his profound gratitude to CEPS for the support.
He noted that the centre would celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and as part of the event funds were being solicited from benevolent societies and individuals to establish a $14-million Paediatric Heart Centre to cater for children.
He said children constituted 45 per cent of all patients who went to the centre and that building a centre to take special care of them was in the right direction.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng appealed to individuals and organisations to help set up a playroom with toys and teaching and learning aids for the children at the centre.
Receiving a cheque for GH¢3,500, the Deputy Commander of the 37 Military Hospital, Group Captain Nii Laryea, was grateful to CEPS for its support.
He said the presentation would enhance and improve healthcare delivery at the hospital.
At the Pantang Hospital, Mr Bofour presented a cheque for GH¢2,500 to the hospital to help improve on the conditions of the inmates.
The acting specialist in charge at the Pantang Hospital, Dr Anna Puklo-Dzadey, expressed her gratitude to CEPS.
She assured the service that the money would be used for the intended purpose.
Dr Puklo-Dzadey took the opportunity to advise CEPS personnel to desist from taking alcohol, adding, “Check the health status and stress level of officers before they are employed.”
She said renovation works at the rehabilitation centre of the hospital had been completed and it would be opened soon.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Glona Healthcare centre honours founder
A special award ceremony was held at the weekend to honour Mrs Lydia Odoley Glover, the Founder of the Glona Healthcare and Vocational Training Centre, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and school, for her contribution towards social and community development.
She was presented with a framed picture, a plaque and a citation by volunteers and pupils of the school.
The school, which was established 12 years ago, started as an informal child literacy programme for deprived children. It sought to provide voluntary services such as health care and vocational skills training for the less-privileged.
In an address read on her behalf, the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, commended Mrs Glover for her contributions to the reduction of poverty through the education of the less privileged in society.
She observed that Glona's efforts were in line with the social democratic principles of the new administration.
The minister said the government had introduced interventions such as meeting the examination fees of senior high students and free exercise books for pupils in deprived areas and enhanced the existing facilities of the school feeding programme and the capitation grant.
"All these interventions are to relieve parents and guardians from the burden of educating children and affording all underprivileged children an opportunity of having education, at least up to the second-cycle level," she added.
Ms Dansua called on other individuals to emulate Mrs Glover’s move, adding, "We need men and women with a heart to help the vulnerable in society."
The Director of the school, Mr William Anum Annang, said the school had provided help for the deprived in society to make them realise the importance of education and health care as factors that built good living.
"Glona is challenging those involved in poverty eradication efforts to develop sustainable programmes that produce tangible and observable results," he said.
She was presented with a framed picture, a plaque and a citation by volunteers and pupils of the school.
The school, which was established 12 years ago, started as an informal child literacy programme for deprived children. It sought to provide voluntary services such as health care and vocational skills training for the less-privileged.
In an address read on her behalf, the Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, commended Mrs Glover for her contributions to the reduction of poverty through the education of the less privileged in society.
She observed that Glona's efforts were in line with the social democratic principles of the new administration.
The minister said the government had introduced interventions such as meeting the examination fees of senior high students and free exercise books for pupils in deprived areas and enhanced the existing facilities of the school feeding programme and the capitation grant.
"All these interventions are to relieve parents and guardians from the burden of educating children and affording all underprivileged children an opportunity of having education, at least up to the second-cycle level," she added.
Ms Dansua called on other individuals to emulate Mrs Glover’s move, adding, "We need men and women with a heart to help the vulnerable in society."
The Director of the school, Mr William Anum Annang, said the school had provided help for the deprived in society to make them realise the importance of education and health care as factors that built good living.
"Glona is challenging those involved in poverty eradication efforts to develop sustainable programmes that produce tangible and observable results," he said.
Technical skills programme for oil industry on drawing board
THE Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy to develop an engineering technical skills programme for the oil sector.
The training programme is expected to be implemented in technical schools and polytechnics, as well as in the informal engineering sector, particularly in the Western Region, where oil-related industries are located.
The Executive Director of COTVET, Mr Dan Baffour-Awuah, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of entrepreneurship skills trainees at the Vocational Training for Females (VTF) in Accra.
In all, 40 trainees graduated in entrepreneurial skills training, while 76 others received working equipment such as hair dryers, sewing machines and overlock machines. Certificates were presented to the trainees.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said the council was taking steps to adopt a strategy towards achieving sustainable development of technical engineering skills for the oil sector, which would form the basis for the development of technical skills to support the engineering sector.
He stated that COTVET had discussed the potential skills needs, skills gap, modalities for the training and the mapping out for the institutions in terms of resources and equipment to ensure the smooth running of the programme.
He noted that the programme was timely as beneficiaries would take advantage of the emergence of the skills development fund to access funding to support their activities.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Women and Children’s Affair, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, said her ministry’s major goal was to enhance employment opportunities and the social status of females for sustainable livelihoods.
“Socio-economic empowerment of women is being vigorously pursued by MOWAC because of our conviction that if a woman is educated and gainfully employed, her self-esteem and confidence are boosted,” she said.
Ms Dansua said that would enable women to function effectively and also participate in decision-making at all levels.
She commended the VTF for facilitating vocational training for women over the years and also taking the necessary steps to support trainees with equipment to begin their businesses.
The acting Director of the VTF, Ms Linda Agyei, said the institution started 17 years ago to enhance employment, social and the political status of women for a sustainable livelihood.
She advised the trainees to use the equipment presented to them for the intended purpose.
The training programme is expected to be implemented in technical schools and polytechnics, as well as in the informal engineering sector, particularly in the Western Region, where oil-related industries are located.
The Executive Director of COTVET, Mr Dan Baffour-Awuah, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of entrepreneurship skills trainees at the Vocational Training for Females (VTF) in Accra.
In all, 40 trainees graduated in entrepreneurial skills training, while 76 others received working equipment such as hair dryers, sewing machines and overlock machines. Certificates were presented to the trainees.
Mr Baffour-Awuah said the council was taking steps to adopt a strategy towards achieving sustainable development of technical engineering skills for the oil sector, which would form the basis for the development of technical skills to support the engineering sector.
He stated that COTVET had discussed the potential skills needs, skills gap, modalities for the training and the mapping out for the institutions in terms of resources and equipment to ensure the smooth running of the programme.
He noted that the programme was timely as beneficiaries would take advantage of the emergence of the skills development fund to access funding to support their activities.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Women and Children’s Affair, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, said her ministry’s major goal was to enhance employment opportunities and the social status of females for sustainable livelihoods.
“Socio-economic empowerment of women is being vigorously pursued by MOWAC because of our conviction that if a woman is educated and gainfully employed, her self-esteem and confidence are boosted,” she said.
Ms Dansua said that would enable women to function effectively and also participate in decision-making at all levels.
She commended the VTF for facilitating vocational training for women over the years and also taking the necessary steps to support trainees with equipment to begin their businesses.
The acting Director of the VTF, Ms Linda Agyei, said the institution started 17 years ago to enhance employment, social and the political status of women for a sustainable livelihood.
She advised the trainees to use the equipment presented to them for the intended purpose.
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