THE Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Samuel Bannerman-Mensah, has urged Ghanaians to discard the notion that technical and vocational education is for students who do not perform well at the basic school level.
“Technical and vocational skills education play very important role in our everyday lives, without which life would be very difficult, as daily activities revolve around them,” he added.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah made the remarks when he commissioned an IT hardware centre at the closing ceremony of the Computer System Support Programme (CSSP) at the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) in Accra.
The CSSP was a two-week training programme organised by the Technical and Vocational Education Division (TVED) of the GES for 10 technical skills teachers from selected technical institutions to acquire computer hardware and maintenance skills.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah, therefore, advised that students who had interest in technical and vocational skills education should be encouraged to take up the course as it would empower them economically and also contribute to national development.
He said the training centre would ensure availability of regular training materials to students undergoing the training.
Mr Bannerman-Mensah noted that similar centres would be set up in other regions which would provide maintenance and repair services to all schools with computers.
He also expressed his profound gratitude to UNESCO for sponsoring the programme.
For his part, the Principal of the ATTC, Mr Ameyaw-Baafi, also expressed his sincere gratitude to the TVED for instituting the programme, and assured Ghanaians that ATTC would maintain the tools and equipment at the centre.
“We will train and produce quality technicians for the socio-economic development of the country,” he added.
Mr Ameyaw-Baafi appealed to the government to allocate more funds to the TVED to sustain the programme.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Beauty and Spa industry needs educated people(29/6/09)
The Chief Executive Officer of Allure Africa, Mrs Dzigbodi Dosoo, has urged Ghanaians to disabuse their minds of the notion that the beauty and health spa profession is the last resort for school dropouts.
She observed that most of the people in the industry were where they were because they had educated themselves to the highest level.
Mrs Dosoo said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic at the closing ceremony of Iyaba 09 in Accra last Thursday.
The Iyaba 09, a beauty and spa exhibition, was held for the players in the industry to learn and acquire new skills.
Mrs Dosoo said they were also contributing their quota to national development through taxes and the creation of employment for the youth.
On the exhibition, Mrs Dosoo said it had a huge turnout with participants acquiring lots of new skills.
She advised the beauty and spa associations to be united as “it is togetherness that would make the industry grow economically”.
For her part, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Allure Africa, Mrs Nana Efua Rockson, noted that although the exhibition had a huge turnout, there were a few hitches, which were later rectified.
She expressed the hope that Iyaba 2010, which is slated for February next year, would attract more participants than this year’s.
Some participants and exhibitors the Daily Graphic spoke to, expressed their gratitude to Allure Africa for the initiative and asked that it should be held every year for those in the industry to learn more.
She observed that most of the people in the industry were where they were because they had educated themselves to the highest level.
Mrs Dosoo said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic at the closing ceremony of Iyaba 09 in Accra last Thursday.
The Iyaba 09, a beauty and spa exhibition, was held for the players in the industry to learn and acquire new skills.
Mrs Dosoo said they were also contributing their quota to national development through taxes and the creation of employment for the youth.
On the exhibition, Mrs Dosoo said it had a huge turnout with participants acquiring lots of new skills.
She advised the beauty and spa associations to be united as “it is togetherness that would make the industry grow economically”.
For her part, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Allure Africa, Mrs Nana Efua Rockson, noted that although the exhibition had a huge turnout, there were a few hitches, which were later rectified.
She expressed the hope that Iyaba 2010, which is slated for February next year, would attract more participants than this year’s.
Some participants and exhibitors the Daily Graphic spoke to, expressed their gratitude to Allure Africa for the initiative and asked that it should be held every year for those in the industry to learn more.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Stanchart holds final draw
STANDARD Chartered Bank at the weekend held the final draw of its "Believe and Win" promotion meant to reward loyal customers of the bank.
The grand promotion, which was also meant to instil the habit of savings among customers, saw Mr Isaac Ibrahim, a customer of the Opebia branch of the bank, emerge as the first prize winner.
For his prize, Mr Ibrahim, whose ticket was the last to be picked up, is to receive a VW Toureg, valued at $55,000.
Mr Daniel Cobbina Dehson, who emerged as the second prize winner, was also presented with an Accra-Dubai-Accra ticket.
The third prize winner was Mr Samuel Mensah who took away a plasma T.V.
The other winners from 4th to 10th were given consolation prizes, which included lap tops, mobile phones and home theatres.
The promotion was launched in November last year and the first draw was held in February during which a customer was rewarded with a VW Surano.
The Product Manager for Current and Savings Account, Mr Prince Tony Ebin, said the raffle was held to reward loyal customers of the bank and to thank their valued customers who had been with them for all these years.
He said customers who took part in the raffle were those who had deposited GH¢500 in their accounts by March 31, 2009.
He said they were issued with coupons which qualified them to take part the final draw.
He said Stanchart would continue to serve their customers better, adding, "We will continue to give out cars, houses and many more to enhance the good relationship we have with our customers."
The grand promotion, which was also meant to instil the habit of savings among customers, saw Mr Isaac Ibrahim, a customer of the Opebia branch of the bank, emerge as the first prize winner.
For his prize, Mr Ibrahim, whose ticket was the last to be picked up, is to receive a VW Toureg, valued at $55,000.
Mr Daniel Cobbina Dehson, who emerged as the second prize winner, was also presented with an Accra-Dubai-Accra ticket.
The third prize winner was Mr Samuel Mensah who took away a plasma T.V.
The other winners from 4th to 10th were given consolation prizes, which included lap tops, mobile phones and home theatres.
The promotion was launched in November last year and the first draw was held in February during which a customer was rewarded with a VW Surano.
The Product Manager for Current and Savings Account, Mr Prince Tony Ebin, said the raffle was held to reward loyal customers of the bank and to thank their valued customers who had been with them for all these years.
He said customers who took part in the raffle were those who had deposited GH¢500 in their accounts by March 31, 2009.
He said they were issued with coupons which qualified them to take part the final draw.
He said Stanchart would continue to serve their customers better, adding, "We will continue to give out cars, houses and many more to enhance the good relationship we have with our customers."
Emulate the work of early missionaries-Moderator
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has urged the clergy to emulate the work of the early missionaries who contributed immensely towards the development of the country.
Through the efforts of the missionaries, he said, schools and hospitals, as well as agricultural projects were instituted.
Reverend Frimpong-Manso was speaking at Abokobi near Accra yesterday, at the opening of a five-day seminar being organised by the Association on Churches and Missions in South Western Germany.
“The pioneer missionaries were moved by passion for Christ to bring hope to the hopeless through church life and social services,” he said.
Therefore, he noted that there was a need for religious bodies to use their office to improve on the lives of their congregation and the nation.
Rev. Frimpong-Manso said the early missionaries committed themselves to effective evangelism and in the process brought the gospel to the people.
He however, noted that these remarkable achievements by the missionaries could not effectively continue as Christians of today had relented in their efforts to evangelise.
“It is now our turn to evangelise to our communities and nation and even to the uttermost parts of the world,” he added.
He expressed the hope that the participants would provide suggestions to enhance the image of the church in Ghana and that of the International body of churches in Germany.
The Director for International and Social Relations, Reverend Dr Samuel Ayete-Nyampong said the seminar sought to bring churches together and share ideas on promoting missions.
He noted that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) had benefited in various ways from the association in the areas of healthcare, vocational skills training, scholarships among others things.
“We have also embarked on various projects such as capacity and peace building which are helping the youth in PCG immensely,” he said.
In all, 36 participants from 28 churches representing 10 countries are attending the seminar.
The Association of Churches and Missions in South Western Germany is a network of 23 churches and five mission organisations located in different countries.
Through the efforts of the missionaries, he said, schools and hospitals, as well as agricultural projects were instituted.
Reverend Frimpong-Manso was speaking at Abokobi near Accra yesterday, at the opening of a five-day seminar being organised by the Association on Churches and Missions in South Western Germany.
“The pioneer missionaries were moved by passion for Christ to bring hope to the hopeless through church life and social services,” he said.
Therefore, he noted that there was a need for religious bodies to use their office to improve on the lives of their congregation and the nation.
Rev. Frimpong-Manso said the early missionaries committed themselves to effective evangelism and in the process brought the gospel to the people.
He however, noted that these remarkable achievements by the missionaries could not effectively continue as Christians of today had relented in their efforts to evangelise.
“It is now our turn to evangelise to our communities and nation and even to the uttermost parts of the world,” he added.
He expressed the hope that the participants would provide suggestions to enhance the image of the church in Ghana and that of the International body of churches in Germany.
The Director for International and Social Relations, Reverend Dr Samuel Ayete-Nyampong said the seminar sought to bring churches together and share ideas on promoting missions.
He noted that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) had benefited in various ways from the association in the areas of healthcare, vocational skills training, scholarships among others things.
“We have also embarked on various projects such as capacity and peace building which are helping the youth in PCG immensely,” he said.
In all, 36 participants from 28 churches representing 10 countries are attending the seminar.
The Association of Churches and Missions in South Western Germany is a network of 23 churches and five mission organisations located in different countries.
(Strengthen electoral system—Alhaji Mumuni)-Alhaji Mumuni)(16/6/09)
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, has underlined the need for the Electoral Commission (EC) to strengthen the country’s electoral system for other African countries to emulate.
He said although Ghana's electoral system was on course, there was more room for improvement to help deepen our democracy.
The foreign minister said this in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of a two-week training programme on election management in Accra yesterday.
Twenty participants who are staff of electoral commissions from 15 African countries are participating in the programme to deliberate on how to ensure free and fair elections in Africa. The programme is being organised by the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA).
Alhaji Mumuni stated that it was time for Ghanaians to join the crusade that aimed at institutionalising the tenets of democracy and good governance.
"These are prerequisite for the security and stability that the continent needs for a sustainable development," he said.
Alhaji Mumuni stated that election management had become one of the biggest challenges facing Africa in its quest to establish a democratic government.
He said the programme was timely as most of the participants would share their experiences and come up with suggestions and draw lessons that could be implemented to improve election management in Africa.
The Director of LECIA, Professor Kofi Kumado, said the programme sought to sensitise participants to the Electoral Commission’s (EC’s) obligations about the basic laws of elections.
He said training would also equip the trainees with the competencies and expertise to manage elections on the continent.
“Stakes are high in elections lately; we need to have people who are prepared to prevent chaos and crisis in elections,” Prof. Kumado said.
He stated that an election management body was the authority in a nation charged with administering the electoral process.
He said although Ghana's electoral system was on course, there was more room for improvement to help deepen our democracy.
The foreign minister said this in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of a two-week training programme on election management in Accra yesterday.
Twenty participants who are staff of electoral commissions from 15 African countries are participating in the programme to deliberate on how to ensure free and fair elections in Africa. The programme is being organised by the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA).
Alhaji Mumuni stated that it was time for Ghanaians to join the crusade that aimed at institutionalising the tenets of democracy and good governance.
"These are prerequisite for the security and stability that the continent needs for a sustainable development," he said.
Alhaji Mumuni stated that election management had become one of the biggest challenges facing Africa in its quest to establish a democratic government.
He said the programme was timely as most of the participants would share their experiences and come up with suggestions and draw lessons that could be implemented to improve election management in Africa.
The Director of LECIA, Professor Kofi Kumado, said the programme sought to sensitise participants to the Electoral Commission’s (EC’s) obligations about the basic laws of elections.
He said training would also equip the trainees with the competencies and expertise to manage elections on the continent.
“Stakes are high in elections lately; we need to have people who are prepared to prevent chaos and crisis in elections,” Prof. Kumado said.
He stated that an election management body was the authority in a nation charged with administering the electoral process.
NGO raises funds to build schools(11/6/09)
THE Benedict Sanitation and Development Trust Fund, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has held an inaugural and fund-raising ceremony in Accra to raise funds for the construction of school blocks for communities in parts of the country.
The NGO hopes to raise GH¢50 million to build up to 6,000 basic school classrooms within the next six years.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, Mr Charles Owusu, who spoke to the Daily Graphic after the ceremony, said the NGO would also renovate 35 senior high schools in the Eastern, Ashanti, Central and some parts of the Northern regions.
The projects are expected to commence before the end of the year.
He stated that the project was to complement government’s efforts at alleviating poverty in deprived communities through sustainable basic sanitation systems.
Under the initiative, he said, some lavatories would be sited at some departments of the Ridge Hospital and in individual households to help forestall the imminent outbreak of contagious diseases, adding “We also plan to provide 150 public places of convenience and washrooms.”
“It is important to know that access to proper sanitation facilities is not just vital for life; it is a human right and the basis of development,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minster for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, lauded the initiative by the NGO.
He stated that despite the huge investment made by the government to improve the country’s sanitation, little impact had been made, as most cities and towns had drains which were choked with heaps of garbage.
“It is refreshing that there is increasing commitment from the government, development partners and stakeholders towards reversing the continuous deterioration of the sanitation situation in the country,” he added.
He called on other organisations to emulate the example by the NGO and support his ministry to make rapid progress to scale-up environmental sanitation infrastructure and services.
He also pledged the government’s support to ensure that the programme was sustained.
The NGO hopes to raise GH¢50 million to build up to 6,000 basic school classrooms within the next six years.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, Mr Charles Owusu, who spoke to the Daily Graphic after the ceremony, said the NGO would also renovate 35 senior high schools in the Eastern, Ashanti, Central and some parts of the Northern regions.
The projects are expected to commence before the end of the year.
He stated that the project was to complement government’s efforts at alleviating poverty in deprived communities through sustainable basic sanitation systems.
Under the initiative, he said, some lavatories would be sited at some departments of the Ridge Hospital and in individual households to help forestall the imminent outbreak of contagious diseases, adding “We also plan to provide 150 public places of convenience and washrooms.”
“It is important to know that access to proper sanitation facilities is not just vital for life; it is a human right and the basis of development,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minster for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, lauded the initiative by the NGO.
He stated that despite the huge investment made by the government to improve the country’s sanitation, little impact had been made, as most cities and towns had drains which were choked with heaps of garbage.
“It is refreshing that there is increasing commitment from the government, development partners and stakeholders towards reversing the continuous deterioration of the sanitation situation in the country,” he added.
He called on other organisations to emulate the example by the NGO and support his ministry to make rapid progress to scale-up environmental sanitation infrastructure and services.
He also pledged the government’s support to ensure that the programme was sustained.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Junior Achievement trains 30 teachers in entrepreneurship
THIRTY teachers from selected basic schools have benefited from a training programme organised by Junior Acheivement (JA) Ghana, to assist with the delivery of JA entrepreneurial and work readiness programmes.
The teachers were drawn from the Sempe Cluster of Schools, Martyrs of Uganda, Calvary International, St Anthony School and St Kizito Basic School among others.They were taken through the various sectional themes and programme standards adherence.
The Executive Director of JA, Mr Jeff Agbai said JA sought to strengthen its relations with teachers, adding that JA is a volunteer-driven organisation and its work is facilitated through the direct service provided members of the community who volunteer in the classroom to teach the kids JA programmes.”
Mr Agbai said as the demand for JA programmes continued to grow nation-wide, the capacity to meet these demands relied heavily on the JA’s ability to recruit and train new volunteers.
For his part, the Communications and Programmes Officer of JA, Mr Kwabena Gameli Kugblenu urged the teachers to work hard and accommodate the concerns of students in other to enhance the programme’s success.
He expressed the hope that the programme would complement school curriculum, adding “It is not only to assist students to be awake to global issues but to provide them with the needed skills, knowledge and experience to take their academic work seriously.”
Mr Kugblenu said JA programmes also introduced the concept of globalisation of business as it related to production materials and the need for students to be entrepreneurial in their thinking to meet the requirements of high demand careers world-wide.
The Assistant Programmes Officer, Mr Marfo Mickson Somuah observed that any problem that affected the development of every nation was a national problem, thus the collective goal of JA was to include teachers to help find solutions to some of these problems.
He said the essence of the exercise made it paramount for the involvement of all, in order to ensure accelerated socio-economic development as a nation.
"The education of the youth should be given topmost priority," he added.
The teachers were drawn from the Sempe Cluster of Schools, Martyrs of Uganda, Calvary International, St Anthony School and St Kizito Basic School among others.They were taken through the various sectional themes and programme standards adherence.
The Executive Director of JA, Mr Jeff Agbai said JA sought to strengthen its relations with teachers, adding that JA is a volunteer-driven organisation and its work is facilitated through the direct service provided members of the community who volunteer in the classroom to teach the kids JA programmes.”
Mr Agbai said as the demand for JA programmes continued to grow nation-wide, the capacity to meet these demands relied heavily on the JA’s ability to recruit and train new volunteers.
For his part, the Communications and Programmes Officer of JA, Mr Kwabena Gameli Kugblenu urged the teachers to work hard and accommodate the concerns of students in other to enhance the programme’s success.
He expressed the hope that the programme would complement school curriculum, adding “It is not only to assist students to be awake to global issues but to provide them with the needed skills, knowledge and experience to take their academic work seriously.”
Mr Kugblenu said JA programmes also introduced the concept of globalisation of business as it related to production materials and the need for students to be entrepreneurial in their thinking to meet the requirements of high demand careers world-wide.
The Assistant Programmes Officer, Mr Marfo Mickson Somuah observed that any problem that affected the development of every nation was a national problem, thus the collective goal of JA was to include teachers to help find solutions to some of these problems.
He said the essence of the exercise made it paramount for the involvement of all, in order to ensure accelerated socio-economic development as a nation.
"The education of the youth should be given topmost priority," he added.
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