One hundred and four unemployed youth in the Accra metropolis have been selected to undergo a one-week training programme in mushroom farming and snail rearing to empower them economically.
The programme, which is being sponsored by the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, is expected to create employment for the youth.
The Director of the All for Yahweh Mushroom and Snail Training Centre, Mr Benedict Nuwame-Sobo, said the trainees would be introduced to the feeding and controlling of pests on snails, as well as the harvesting of mushrooms, among others.
“They will be taken through training which will earn them a lot of money at the end,” he said.
Mr Nuwame-Sobo said too much attention had over the years been given to the exportation of gold and cocoa, to the disadvantage of other things such as mushroom and snails which could generate a lot of income for the youth.
He expressed his gratitude to the deputy minister and called on others to take up such initiatives to contribute to the economic growth of individuals and reduce unemployment.
Friday, May 22, 2009
‘Degradation of ecosystem can undermine achievement of MDGs(21/5/09)
THE Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Jonathan Allotey, has cautioned that the continuous degradation of the ecosystem can undermine the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He, therefore, stressed the need for intensified efforts, such as significant changes in policies, institutions and practices, to protect the ecosystem.
Mr Allotey gave the caution at the opening of the 29th annual meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) in Accra yesterday. The meeting seeks to explore ways of safeguarding the ecosystem and improving human well-being.
Participants from more than 100 countries are attending the one-week conference, which is on the theme, "Impact assessment and human well-being".
Mr Allotey, who is also the Chairman of the IAIA, said changes in ecosystems had contributed to increased risk of non- linear changes and increased poverty for some groups of people.
"These problems, unless addressed, will substantially diminish the benefits that future generations obtain from the ecosystem," he added.
He said the IAIA, which was established 25 years ago, initiated the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) to assess the consequences of ecosystem change and human well-being.
He indicated that the MEA found out that over the past 50 years humans beings had changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history to meet the demand for food and shelter.
"This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth," he added.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Science, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, said there was the need for Ghanaians to guard against ecosystem degradation, as about 70 per cent of the country’s resources came from environmental sources.
He expressed the hope that the conference would develop tools for mainstreaming ecosystem services into development and economic decision making.
“I hope you will explore to build and improve on the knowledge base of the links between ecosystem services and human well-being,” he stated.
The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketia, delivering the keynote address, called for measures to be put in place to address to the issue, as most environmental degradation practices were taking place in the villages.
He, therefore, stressed the need for intensified efforts, such as significant changes in policies, institutions and practices, to protect the ecosystem.
Mr Allotey gave the caution at the opening of the 29th annual meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) in Accra yesterday. The meeting seeks to explore ways of safeguarding the ecosystem and improving human well-being.
Participants from more than 100 countries are attending the one-week conference, which is on the theme, "Impact assessment and human well-being".
Mr Allotey, who is also the Chairman of the IAIA, said changes in ecosystems had contributed to increased risk of non- linear changes and increased poverty for some groups of people.
"These problems, unless addressed, will substantially diminish the benefits that future generations obtain from the ecosystem," he added.
He said the IAIA, which was established 25 years ago, initiated the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) to assess the consequences of ecosystem change and human well-being.
He indicated that the MEA found out that over the past 50 years humans beings had changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history to meet the demand for food and shelter.
"This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth," he added.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Science, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, said there was the need for Ghanaians to guard against ecosystem degradation, as about 70 per cent of the country’s resources came from environmental sources.
He expressed the hope that the conference would develop tools for mainstreaming ecosystem services into development and economic decision making.
“I hope you will explore to build and improve on the knowledge base of the links between ecosystem services and human well-being,” he stated.
The Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketia, delivering the keynote address, called for measures to be put in place to address to the issue, as most environmental degradation practices were taking place in the villages.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Zoomlion to undertake mass spraying exercise
ZOOMLION Ghana Limited, a waste management company, will begin a mass mosquito spraying exercise of parts of the Accra metropolis by the end of this month as part of a nation-wide mosquito control programme.
The exercise, which is scheduled to start from the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipality is part of efforts to reduce malaria in the country.
The General Manager of Zoomlion, Mrs Florence Larbi, who made this known to the Daily Graphic during the opening of a one-week training programme for trainers in Accra, said a baseline survey would start next Thursday.
The survey is to study the scope of work and how it can be sustained once the exercise kicks off.
A total of 70 recruits drawn from the 10 regions of the country will take part in the programme. They include 10 vector control officers, 10 assistant pest control officers and 50 sprayers.
Other resource persons such as a Business Development Manager with Valant Biosciences with the United States of America as well as the Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Nation-wide Mosquito Control Programme, Dr Kofi Ahmed will take part in the training programme.
The one week training is to introduce participants to the management of the new World Health Organisation (WHO) certified mosquito spraying chemicals and also on the effective usage of the newly acquired spraying machines, indoor residual machines and foggers.
Mrs Larbi told the Daily Graphic that the company had already committed more than 2,000 spraying machines already in the country with 3,000 more to be delivered for the exercise.
Further, Mrs Larbi said the company had also purchased 1,000 indoor residual machines and 40 foggers.
She said the programme was being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, during which 5000 unemployed were expected to be engaged.
Asked how the company intended to sustain the programme in view of the country’s environmental challenges, Mrs Larbi said Zoomlion was intensifying public education campaigns especially through music to reverse the negative sanitation practices such as dumping solid waste into drains.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kumbour expressed the readiness of government to fully support the exercise adding that “one objective of the government is to ensure that filth and waste are removed from our homes”.
He stated that in 2006 alone, the country spent US$760 million on malaria cases alone adding that for that reason government had made the control of malaria one of its cornerstone in health care delivery.
The acting Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Joseph Edmund cautioned the trainers against carelessness stressing that although the chemicals had been certified, it could still cause health hazards if not handled properly.
He announced that a previous residual chemical, DDT had been banned and added that safer chemicals were now being used to minimise the health risks.
The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Nii Nortey Duah called for regular mass spraying exercises adding that the current situation at the municipality with regards to mosquitoes was unbearable and consequently commended Zoomlion for the initiative.
The exercise, which is scheduled to start from the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipality is part of efforts to reduce malaria in the country.
The General Manager of Zoomlion, Mrs Florence Larbi, who made this known to the Daily Graphic during the opening of a one-week training programme for trainers in Accra, said a baseline survey would start next Thursday.
The survey is to study the scope of work and how it can be sustained once the exercise kicks off.
A total of 70 recruits drawn from the 10 regions of the country will take part in the programme. They include 10 vector control officers, 10 assistant pest control officers and 50 sprayers.
Other resource persons such as a Business Development Manager with Valant Biosciences with the United States of America as well as the Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Nation-wide Mosquito Control Programme, Dr Kofi Ahmed will take part in the training programme.
The one week training is to introduce participants to the management of the new World Health Organisation (WHO) certified mosquito spraying chemicals and also on the effective usage of the newly acquired spraying machines, indoor residual machines and foggers.
Mrs Larbi told the Daily Graphic that the company had already committed more than 2,000 spraying machines already in the country with 3,000 more to be delivered for the exercise.
Further, Mrs Larbi said the company had also purchased 1,000 indoor residual machines and 40 foggers.
She said the programme was being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, during which 5000 unemployed were expected to be engaged.
Asked how the company intended to sustain the programme in view of the country’s environmental challenges, Mrs Larbi said Zoomlion was intensifying public education campaigns especially through music to reverse the negative sanitation practices such as dumping solid waste into drains.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kumbour expressed the readiness of government to fully support the exercise adding that “one objective of the government is to ensure that filth and waste are removed from our homes”.
He stated that in 2006 alone, the country spent US$760 million on malaria cases alone adding that for that reason government had made the control of malaria one of its cornerstone in health care delivery.
The acting Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Joseph Edmund cautioned the trainers against carelessness stressing that although the chemicals had been certified, it could still cause health hazards if not handled properly.
He announced that a previous residual chemical, DDT had been banned and added that safer chemicals were now being used to minimise the health risks.
The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Nii Nortey Duah called for regular mass spraying exercises adding that the current situation at the municipality with regards to mosquitoes was unbearable and consequently commended Zoomlion for the initiative.
Training programme for refugees
THREE hundred and eighty-nine refugees have completed a six-month training programme in Accra in vocational skills and competencies to make them employable.
The programme, which was rolled out by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) under the auspices of the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund was sponsored by the Japanese Government at a cost of $1,700.00.
The beneficiary refugees are from Liberia, Togo, Chad and Cote d’ Ivoire.
The refugees were trained in baking, tailoring, dressmaking, batik tie and dye, beauty care, masonry, carpentry and soap science.
The National Project Co-ordinator of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr Kwame Asante, said in all 428 refugees made up of 331 females and 97 males, completed the training programme but 389 wrote the NVTI examination.
“This is in line with the aspirations of the project to empower more women who form the bedrock of sustainable livelihood and the growth of the private sector”, he said.
Mr Asante said so far 675 refugees and host community members had also enrolled to undertake the training at the Buduburam settlement.
For his part, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwaw, in a speech read on his behalf, urged the trainees to work hard, comport themselves and let customer satisfaction be their priority.
He expressed the hope that the programme would address human security needs and generate income for the refugees and their host communities.
“It is not only to assist the refugees to find profitable and sustainable activities to serve their short term needs, but also to provide them with the needed skills, knowledge and experience to be productive,” the minister stated.
The Director of the NVTI, Mr Stephen Amponsah, said the trainees were empowered with employable skills to enable them to fend for themselves and contribute to the development of the country.
He observed that the risk of unemployment was greater for people without skills than those with qualifications and skills, thus that made the course very crucial, given the global trend in which one could hardly walk out of a classroom into a waiting job.
Mr Amponsah added that vocational skills training created an opportunity through which people could develop their abilities and use what they had learnt to make a difference in their lives.
There were fraternal messages from the UNDP, Japan Embassy and UNHCR.
The programme, which was rolled out by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) under the auspices of the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund was sponsored by the Japanese Government at a cost of $1,700.00.
The beneficiary refugees are from Liberia, Togo, Chad and Cote d’ Ivoire.
The refugees were trained in baking, tailoring, dressmaking, batik tie and dye, beauty care, masonry, carpentry and soap science.
The National Project Co-ordinator of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr Kwame Asante, said in all 428 refugees made up of 331 females and 97 males, completed the training programme but 389 wrote the NVTI examination.
“This is in line with the aspirations of the project to empower more women who form the bedrock of sustainable livelihood and the growth of the private sector”, he said.
Mr Asante said so far 675 refugees and host community members had also enrolled to undertake the training at the Buduburam settlement.
For his part, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwaw, in a speech read on his behalf, urged the trainees to work hard, comport themselves and let customer satisfaction be their priority.
He expressed the hope that the programme would address human security needs and generate income for the refugees and their host communities.
“It is not only to assist the refugees to find profitable and sustainable activities to serve their short term needs, but also to provide them with the needed skills, knowledge and experience to be productive,” the minister stated.
The Director of the NVTI, Mr Stephen Amponsah, said the trainees were empowered with employable skills to enable them to fend for themselves and contribute to the development of the country.
He observed that the risk of unemployment was greater for people without skills than those with qualifications and skills, thus that made the course very crucial, given the global trend in which one could hardly walk out of a classroom into a waiting job.
Mr Amponsah added that vocational skills training created an opportunity through which people could develop their abilities and use what they had learnt to make a difference in their lives.
There were fraternal messages from the UNDP, Japan Embassy and UNHCR.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Unilever rewards mothers on Mother’s Day(14/5/09)
Unilever Ghana Limited, producers of Geisha soap, at the weekend honoured some mothers in Accra as part of this year’s Mothers Day celebration.
The competition, dubbed "Sing for Mum competition", which was keenly contested by 20 finalists, was won by Mr Ralph Ayitey, a visually impaired person.
He was presented with GH¢1,000 as seed money for a business to be set up by his mother, a four-burner gas cooker, a microwave oven and a hamper containing Unilever products.
The first runner-up, Mr Attah Appiah, was given GH¢500, a television set and a hamper. Ms Esther Davids Yeboah, who was adjudged the second runner-up, was given GH¢300, a sewing machine and a hamper.
Ms Comfort Chidi, who placed fourth, was presented with GH¢250, a rice cooker and a hamper. Consolation prizes were given to the fifth to the 10th placed persons.
The Brands Manager for Geisha soap, Mrs Regina Ofori, said the programme was organised annually to celebrate and appreciate mothers.
She said it also served as a reminder of the numerous lullabies mothers sang when their children were young to express their love and care for the children.
“The celebration is all about a good mother who cares so much about her children that within her limited resources she wants to offer them the best,” she said.
Mrs Ofori noted that mothers were the backbone of any nation but regretted that their efforts were relegated to the background.
“Motherhood is a career that deserves to be honoured on all platforms for brining up the next generation of teachers, seamstresses and so on,” she added.
The programme was attended by various women’s groups in the country, including the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), the Fire Service Women Association, the Ahmadiyya Moslem Mission, among others.
The competition, dubbed "Sing for Mum competition", which was keenly contested by 20 finalists, was won by Mr Ralph Ayitey, a visually impaired person.
He was presented with GH¢1,000 as seed money for a business to be set up by his mother, a four-burner gas cooker, a microwave oven and a hamper containing Unilever products.
The first runner-up, Mr Attah Appiah, was given GH¢500, a television set and a hamper. Ms Esther Davids Yeboah, who was adjudged the second runner-up, was given GH¢300, a sewing machine and a hamper.
Ms Comfort Chidi, who placed fourth, was presented with GH¢250, a rice cooker and a hamper. Consolation prizes were given to the fifth to the 10th placed persons.
The Brands Manager for Geisha soap, Mrs Regina Ofori, said the programme was organised annually to celebrate and appreciate mothers.
She said it also served as a reminder of the numerous lullabies mothers sang when their children were young to express their love and care for the children.
“The celebration is all about a good mother who cares so much about her children that within her limited resources she wants to offer them the best,” she said.
Mrs Ofori noted that mothers were the backbone of any nation but regretted that their efforts were relegated to the background.
“Motherhood is a career that deserves to be honoured on all platforms for brining up the next generation of teachers, seamstresses and so on,” she added.
The programme was attended by various women’s groups in the country, including the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (GHABA), the Fire Service Women Association, the Ahmadiyya Moslem Mission, among others.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Set up Maternal Health Trust Fund (9/5/09)
THE Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) has called on the government to set up a Maternal Health Trust Fund for training more midwives to add up to the existing numbers.
It said training more midwives would help replace the ageing ones in the system, with the young trained ones assisting in reducing maternal mortality.
The Chairperson of the association, Mrs Evelyn Hammond-Aryee, made the call at a women’s forum organised by the GRMA as part of this year’s International Midwives Day, which fell on May 5.
The forum sought to bring women groups together to interact and share knowledge on health-related issues.
Mrs Hammond-Aryee noted that in order for the Millennium Development Goals to be achieved, there should be a well-educated midwifery workforce within the health service to maintain high standards and quality care.
“Having a skilled professional at child birth protects the life of the mother and the child by recognising problems early enough, especially at a time the situation can be controlled,” she added.
The Deputy Minister for Women and Children’s Affair, Ms Hawa Boya Gariba, acknowledged the role midwives played and congratulated them on the enormous work they did for the nation.
She said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, would continue to promote reproductive health to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Ms Gariba, therefore, called on other health care professionals such as doctors to provide skilled care during pregnancy, child birth and emergencies when life-threatening complications developed.
Present at the forum were the Prison Officers Wives Association (PROWA), women in the security service, midwives, nurses, among others.
It said training more midwives would help replace the ageing ones in the system, with the young trained ones assisting in reducing maternal mortality.
The Chairperson of the association, Mrs Evelyn Hammond-Aryee, made the call at a women’s forum organised by the GRMA as part of this year’s International Midwives Day, which fell on May 5.
The forum sought to bring women groups together to interact and share knowledge on health-related issues.
Mrs Hammond-Aryee noted that in order for the Millennium Development Goals to be achieved, there should be a well-educated midwifery workforce within the health service to maintain high standards and quality care.
“Having a skilled professional at child birth protects the life of the mother and the child by recognising problems early enough, especially at a time the situation can be controlled,” she added.
The Deputy Minister for Women and Children’s Affair, Ms Hawa Boya Gariba, acknowledged the role midwives played and congratulated them on the enormous work they did for the nation.
She said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, would continue to promote reproductive health to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Ms Gariba, therefore, called on other health care professionals such as doctors to provide skilled care during pregnancy, child birth and emergencies when life-threatening complications developed.
Present at the forum were the Prison Officers Wives Association (PROWA), women in the security service, midwives, nurses, among others.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Pray to reduce mysterious deaths(7/5/09)
The Head Pastor of the Prayer House Chapel International, Prophet Charles Entsir-Eghan, has called on Ghanaians to pray fervently to reduce the mysterious deaths in the country.
He said prayer is every Christian's weapon in life There was, therefore, the need for Ghanaians to pray ceaselessly for the nation.
Prophet Entsir-Eghan said this in a sermon on the theme, "Break Camp and Advance" to climax the fifth anniversary of the Prayer House Chapel International in Accra at the weekend.
He advised Christians to seek God’s guidance in solving problems such as searching for jobs, marital disputes, and economic hardships as well as physical and mental challenges, adding "We need to pray as God has given us the power to take possession of all things."
He also asked Christians to pray for peace and stability in the country and remain focused as one people and one nation.
"Your love for Christ would sometimes bring differences but you must remember that Jesus Christ who was faultless, died through crucifixion to save the souls of humanity," he said.
As part of activities marking the anniversary, the church also organised a clean-up exercise in its environs and donated some items to the Countryside Orphanage. The church has three other branches in the country.
He said prayer is every Christian's weapon in life There was, therefore, the need for Ghanaians to pray ceaselessly for the nation.
Prophet Entsir-Eghan said this in a sermon on the theme, "Break Camp and Advance" to climax the fifth anniversary of the Prayer House Chapel International in Accra at the weekend.
He advised Christians to seek God’s guidance in solving problems such as searching for jobs, marital disputes, and economic hardships as well as physical and mental challenges, adding "We need to pray as God has given us the power to take possession of all things."
He also asked Christians to pray for peace and stability in the country and remain focused as one people and one nation.
"Your love for Christ would sometimes bring differences but you must remember that Jesus Christ who was faultless, died through crucifixion to save the souls of humanity," he said.
As part of activities marking the anniversary, the church also organised a clean-up exercise in its environs and donated some items to the Countryside Orphanage. The church has three other branches in the country.
The world needs midwives - To fight maternal deaths(7/5/09)
The International Day of the Midwife was marked on Tuesday, May 5. The day is observed by many midwives each year to bring them together for educational meetings, promotional events and celebrations.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever’. International Day of the Midwife was first celebrated on May 5, 1991, and has since been observed in over 50 nations around the world.
The idea of having a day to recognise and honour midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.
Midwives in the Greater Accra Region used the occasion to interact, educate, counsel and screen market women in the Accra metropolis on issues relating to their health.
It is said that a number of women died from obstetric complications because there was not enough skilled, regular and emergency care. It is estimated that in the developing countries, one in 16 women stood the risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth over a lifetime, compared with about one in 2,800 women in the developed world.
Considering the fact that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate is estimated at 210 per 100,000 live births, the country has intensified efforts to reduce deaths resulting from pregnancy related cases and in accordance with attainment of the Fifth Goal of Millennium Development Goal (MDG5).
The fifth target of the MDG talks about improving maternal health by reducing maternal mortality ratio by three quarters in areas where high risk of women dying during pregnancy or childbirth is prevalent.
In support of set goals and priorities for the Global Safe Motherhood Initiative and also in conformity with national safe motherhood programmes, the stimulation of research, mobilisation of resources, provision of technical assistance and sharing of information, services at the health facilities are being carried out to make childbirth and pregnancy safer.
A report compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to promote the health of mothers and new-borns during birth and the postnatal period from a pre-congress collaborative workshop held in Brisbane, Australia in July 2005, chronicles key strategies identified in current midwifery initiatives and programmes.
Central themes underscore promoting the normal progress of labour and safe birth, prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and advocacy campaigns to promote the health and well-being of mothers and new-borns in the participating countries.
The immeasurable roles played by midwives in improving maternal mortality and reducing infant mortality calls for commitment and dedication on the part of midwives to work relentlessly to promote safe motherhood.
It will be recalled that the National Chairperson of the Government Registered Midwives Group (GRMG), Mrs Rizwana Hawa Amoako-Agyei, at the launch of the Northern Regional branch of the GRMG in Tamale recently, expressed regret about what she termed the increasing complaints by some women who had allegedly been mistreated by midwives while in labour, and entreated midwives in the country to rededicate themselves to the pledge of supporting pregnant women, especially when they were in labour.
She also advised them to avoid insulting pregnant women, show them love, care and concern, instead of hate or rejection, since the way they handle the women in labour can affect their condition, which would also have ripple effects on their babies.
Similarly, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana (NMC), Reverend Veronica Darko, was reported to have expressed concern over the intolerant manner in which some nurses and midwives treat patients under their care.
She said some of the concerns had to do with the impolite way the patients are welcomed to the health facility, the insults rained on them when they are unable to provide certain vital information and the impatient manner in which prescriptions are explained to them.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at a health screening exercise organised by the Greater Accra Registered Midwives Association for women at the 31st December Women's market, to commemorate this year's celebration of the International Midwives day in Accra, the National Secretary of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), Ms Esther Quaye-Kumah, said the country needed to invest more resources for the training of midwives to render valuable services.
She advised expectant mothers to be serious with the attendance of child welfare clinic and utilise health facilities at the various communities to enhance safe delivery.
She regretted that there was low patronage of the Maternity Homes in the country due to the government’s free maternal health care policy, and explained that most pregnant women were unaware that some registered midwives were accredited to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to also offer free maternal health care to patients. She, however appealed to the government to regularly reimburse them with funds for services rendered under the scheme to make the system effective.
Ms Quaye-Kumah said midwives played important roles in improving maternal mortality and reducing infant mortality, stressing that “we are wide awake to our responsibilities and would work accordingly to make the desired impact”.
She stated that midwives were committed to work relentlessly to promote safe motherhood and called on pregnant women to patronise their services for quality health care and delivery.
Ms Quaye-Kumah urged nurses and midwives to continue to exhibit professional conduct and be sympathetic, caring and patient to patients.
Reverend Darko was speaking at the close of a two-day workshop on enhancing the image of nursing and midwifery practice in Ghana in Accra yesterday.
Investing in human capital, such as the training of midwives, as well as building the capacity of midwives and strengthening the midwifery profession to enable them improve the quality of services provided, is a valuable investment and this must be the priority of governments.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever’. International Day of the Midwife was first celebrated on May 5, 1991, and has since been observed in over 50 nations around the world.
The idea of having a day to recognise and honour midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.
Midwives in the Greater Accra Region used the occasion to interact, educate, counsel and screen market women in the Accra metropolis on issues relating to their health.
It is said that a number of women died from obstetric complications because there was not enough skilled, regular and emergency care. It is estimated that in the developing countries, one in 16 women stood the risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth over a lifetime, compared with about one in 2,800 women in the developed world.
Considering the fact that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate is estimated at 210 per 100,000 live births, the country has intensified efforts to reduce deaths resulting from pregnancy related cases and in accordance with attainment of the Fifth Goal of Millennium Development Goal (MDG5).
The fifth target of the MDG talks about improving maternal health by reducing maternal mortality ratio by three quarters in areas where high risk of women dying during pregnancy or childbirth is prevalent.
In support of set goals and priorities for the Global Safe Motherhood Initiative and also in conformity with national safe motherhood programmes, the stimulation of research, mobilisation of resources, provision of technical assistance and sharing of information, services at the health facilities are being carried out to make childbirth and pregnancy safer.
A report compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to promote the health of mothers and new-borns during birth and the postnatal period from a pre-congress collaborative workshop held in Brisbane, Australia in July 2005, chronicles key strategies identified in current midwifery initiatives and programmes.
Central themes underscore promoting the normal progress of labour and safe birth, prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, and advocacy campaigns to promote the health and well-being of mothers and new-borns in the participating countries.
The immeasurable roles played by midwives in improving maternal mortality and reducing infant mortality calls for commitment and dedication on the part of midwives to work relentlessly to promote safe motherhood.
It will be recalled that the National Chairperson of the Government Registered Midwives Group (GRMG), Mrs Rizwana Hawa Amoako-Agyei, at the launch of the Northern Regional branch of the GRMG in Tamale recently, expressed regret about what she termed the increasing complaints by some women who had allegedly been mistreated by midwives while in labour, and entreated midwives in the country to rededicate themselves to the pledge of supporting pregnant women, especially when they were in labour.
She also advised them to avoid insulting pregnant women, show them love, care and concern, instead of hate or rejection, since the way they handle the women in labour can affect their condition, which would also have ripple effects on their babies.
Similarly, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana (NMC), Reverend Veronica Darko, was reported to have expressed concern over the intolerant manner in which some nurses and midwives treat patients under their care.
She said some of the concerns had to do with the impolite way the patients are welcomed to the health facility, the insults rained on them when they are unable to provide certain vital information and the impatient manner in which prescriptions are explained to them.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at a health screening exercise organised by the Greater Accra Registered Midwives Association for women at the 31st December Women's market, to commemorate this year's celebration of the International Midwives day in Accra, the National Secretary of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), Ms Esther Quaye-Kumah, said the country needed to invest more resources for the training of midwives to render valuable services.
She advised expectant mothers to be serious with the attendance of child welfare clinic and utilise health facilities at the various communities to enhance safe delivery.
She regretted that there was low patronage of the Maternity Homes in the country due to the government’s free maternal health care policy, and explained that most pregnant women were unaware that some registered midwives were accredited to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to also offer free maternal health care to patients. She, however appealed to the government to regularly reimburse them with funds for services rendered under the scheme to make the system effective.
Ms Quaye-Kumah said midwives played important roles in improving maternal mortality and reducing infant mortality, stressing that “we are wide awake to our responsibilities and would work accordingly to make the desired impact”.
She stated that midwives were committed to work relentlessly to promote safe motherhood and called on pregnant women to patronise their services for quality health care and delivery.
Ms Quaye-Kumah urged nurses and midwives to continue to exhibit professional conduct and be sympathetic, caring and patient to patients.
Reverend Darko was speaking at the close of a two-day workshop on enhancing the image of nursing and midwifery practice in Ghana in Accra yesterday.
Investing in human capital, such as the training of midwives, as well as building the capacity of midwives and strengthening the midwifery profession to enable them improve the quality of services provided, is a valuable investment and this must be the priority of governments.
Women achievers to be honoured(2/5/09)
Brein Consult, a media and event management organisation, has, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, launched a programme to honour the efforts and contribution of women to national development.
The programme, slated for May 10, 2009, is on the theme, “Celebrating Womanhood, A key Element for National Development.
Touching on the essence of the programme, the Executive Secretary of Brein Consult, Ms Augustina Serwa Ansa-Bonsu, said there was the need to honour women, because they played a vital role in development, adding, “We believe honouring and appreciating the pain and tears of womanhood will inspire them to take up the mantle of leadership and responsibility.”
She said the ceremony signified the uniqueness of women, adding that the awards sought to identify and appreciate female role models for the young generation.
Launching the award ceremony, the Queen of Offinso Kayera, Nana Ama Serwa Bonsu, who lauded the initiative, pointed out that celebrating women’s achievements and promoting women’s empowerment were steps in the right direction, since according to her, Ghanaian women had contributed immensely towards the stability and development of the nation.
The Frafra Chief of Asante, Naba Musa Akambonga II, was optimistic that the programme would spur on the youth to strive for excellence in all their endeavours to achieve honours.
The awards are in various categories and include education, security, sports, entertainment and media.
The nominations for the various awards were done by heads of the various institutions in the aforementioned categories.
Two nominees were presented for the awards, after which a research team from the MOWAC and Brein Consult selected the final winners.
The nominees are women who have worked with their organisations for more than 10 years, were on high repute in their various fields of work and had achieved a lot in their various fields of interest.
The programme, slated for May 10, 2009, is on the theme, “Celebrating Womanhood, A key Element for National Development.
Touching on the essence of the programme, the Executive Secretary of Brein Consult, Ms Augustina Serwa Ansa-Bonsu, said there was the need to honour women, because they played a vital role in development, adding, “We believe honouring and appreciating the pain and tears of womanhood will inspire them to take up the mantle of leadership and responsibility.”
She said the ceremony signified the uniqueness of women, adding that the awards sought to identify and appreciate female role models for the young generation.
Launching the award ceremony, the Queen of Offinso Kayera, Nana Ama Serwa Bonsu, who lauded the initiative, pointed out that celebrating women’s achievements and promoting women’s empowerment were steps in the right direction, since according to her, Ghanaian women had contributed immensely towards the stability and development of the nation.
The Frafra Chief of Asante, Naba Musa Akambonga II, was optimistic that the programme would spur on the youth to strive for excellence in all their endeavours to achieve honours.
The awards are in various categories and include education, security, sports, entertainment and media.
The nominations for the various awards were done by heads of the various institutions in the aforementioned categories.
Two nominees were presented for the awards, after which a research team from the MOWAC and Brein Consult selected the final winners.
The nominees are women who have worked with their organisations for more than 10 years, were on high repute in their various fields of work and had achieved a lot in their various fields of interest.
Efforts to augment ICT facilities in SHSs (1/5/09
PLANS are underway for the Ministry of Education to acquire additional facilities on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to augment the already existing ones in all senior high schools in the country.
The ministry has also put in place strategies for creating an enabling environment towards capacity building of teachers to equip them with the needed relevant knowledge and skills.
This is expected to lead to the efficient management and delivery of quality education in the country.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo said this at the presentation of Omatek products to beneficiaries under the e-Xpress Scheme in Accra.
Ten people, including teachers benefited from the e-Xpress scheme.They were presented with Omatek computers.
Mr Tettey-Enyo, who lauded the initiative of the company, said it would go a long way to support government's efforts at bridging the digital divide and making ICT an enabler of growth and accelerated development.
"In our efforts to keep pace with the fast growing application of ICT in education, the ministry has put strategies in place aimed at ensuring that Ghana is not left behind," he noted.
He observed that only a few teachers had the opportunity of being trained in ICT during their professional education and said the intervention by Omatek had created a challenge to the ministry in the development of ICT in the educational system.
Mr Tettey-Enyo stated that, "it is important for the products of our educational system today to fit into the job market of tomorrow".
He said his ministry was committed to ensuring that the right environment was created in schools to provide the job market with people who had the skills to productively transform knowledge and information into innovative products and services.
The minister indicated his ministry's commitment to ensure that students had the skills necessary to collaborate, work in teams and share information across global networks to analyse issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.
He assured Omatek and other ICT companies of government's commitment to create an enabling environment for making computers available to all and also assist in making the scheme a success.
The Group Managing Director of Omatek, Mrs Florence Seriki, said the e-Xpress Scheme was designed to make ownership of computers and other ICT related products available to civil servants and other public workers who would pay over a period of time.
"Omatek in a bid to buttress government’s efforts in making computers available to every Ghanaian, initiated the e-Xpress Scheme under the Government Assisted PC Programme," she noted.
A representative of the Minister for Communication, Mrs Alice Atipoe, said the Ministry of Communication had launched the Government Assisted PC Programme (GAPP) to promote accessibility to PCs and the Internet.
She said the programme would enhance the activities of locally assembled companies to generate employment and provide affordable but quality PCs for the Ghanaian market.
She lauded the initiative by Omatek, saying that it would increase home ownership and access to PCs at affordable rates in the country.
Mrs Atipoe encouraged Ghanaians to patronise the scheme, adding that "It seeks to compliment Internet access, connectivity and enrich local content development".
The ministry has also put in place strategies for creating an enabling environment towards capacity building of teachers to equip them with the needed relevant knowledge and skills.
This is expected to lead to the efficient management and delivery of quality education in the country.
The Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo said this at the presentation of Omatek products to beneficiaries under the e-Xpress Scheme in Accra.
Ten people, including teachers benefited from the e-Xpress scheme.They were presented with Omatek computers.
Mr Tettey-Enyo, who lauded the initiative of the company, said it would go a long way to support government's efforts at bridging the digital divide and making ICT an enabler of growth and accelerated development.
"In our efforts to keep pace with the fast growing application of ICT in education, the ministry has put strategies in place aimed at ensuring that Ghana is not left behind," he noted.
He observed that only a few teachers had the opportunity of being trained in ICT during their professional education and said the intervention by Omatek had created a challenge to the ministry in the development of ICT in the educational system.
Mr Tettey-Enyo stated that, "it is important for the products of our educational system today to fit into the job market of tomorrow".
He said his ministry was committed to ensuring that the right environment was created in schools to provide the job market with people who had the skills to productively transform knowledge and information into innovative products and services.
The minister indicated his ministry's commitment to ensure that students had the skills necessary to collaborate, work in teams and share information across global networks to analyse issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.
He assured Omatek and other ICT companies of government's commitment to create an enabling environment for making computers available to all and also assist in making the scheme a success.
The Group Managing Director of Omatek, Mrs Florence Seriki, said the e-Xpress Scheme was designed to make ownership of computers and other ICT related products available to civil servants and other public workers who would pay over a period of time.
"Omatek in a bid to buttress government’s efforts in making computers available to every Ghanaian, initiated the e-Xpress Scheme under the Government Assisted PC Programme," she noted.
A representative of the Minister for Communication, Mrs Alice Atipoe, said the Ministry of Communication had launched the Government Assisted PC Programme (GAPP) to promote accessibility to PCs and the Internet.
She said the programme would enhance the activities of locally assembled companies to generate employment and provide affordable but quality PCs for the Ghanaian market.
She lauded the initiative by Omatek, saying that it would increase home ownership and access to PCs at affordable rates in the country.
Mrs Atipoe encouraged Ghanaians to patronise the scheme, adding that "It seeks to compliment Internet access, connectivity and enrich local content development".
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