'License journalists' – Executive Secretary of NAB

The Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board (NAB), Mr. Kwame Dattey, has called for the licensing of journalists as a prerequisite to practice journalism in the country.The licensing, he said, did not imply that restrictions were being placed on journalists in the performance of their legitimate duties and work but rather to inject more sanity into media practice.Making the suggestion at the first meeting of the Governing Council of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in Accra yesterday, Mr. Dattey said the licensing would rather help to improve the media landscape as the unprofessional ones would not be allowed to operate.He said there are too many individuals in the country who carry themselves as journalists, but whose conduct is questionable and denigrate the image of the profession.Providing further justification for his suggestion, Mr. Dattey said the measure, if implemented, would contribute to eliminating “mushroom” journalism schools, most of which are operating without proper accreditation from the NAB.By his suggestion, unless one is licensed by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) or an appropriate body, that person should not be allowed to do anything as a professional journalist or be recognized as such.The Chairman of the Governing Council of GIJ, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseni, assured the public of the council’s commitment to transform the institute to reflect the current trends in the media industry.Alhaji Fuseni explained that recent developments in the media landscape required a very high calibre of human resource to match the challenges of the industry.He said the challenge demands absolute commitment on the side of the council to formulate policies and give strategic direction to the institute to enhance the caliber of products it would turn out every year.Alhaji Fuseni added that one of the immediate tasks of the council was to help in shaping students for the job market, both in and outside the country.“To this end, our focus as council would be to update training facilities, especially in the areas of information communication technology (ICT), provision of basic infrastructure and the recruitment of seasoned staff, both teaching and non-teaching, for the institute,“ he said.He, however, expressed worry about the limited facilities in the school, saying the situation was driving away too many potential students from being enrolled in the institute.He, therefore, called for extra commitment on the side of council members to address the situation. The Rector of the institute, Mr. David Newton, in his report, gave an overview of previous strategic plans developed and what had been achieved in that direction.Mr. Newton said in 2006, another corporate strategic plan was developed, and noted that “so far, two major achievements have been recorded under the new corporate strategic plan”.The two, he said, included the passage of the new legislation, Act 717, to make GIJ a degree-awarding institution and the granting of a Presidential Charter to the institute in June, 2009.He informed the council on progress made so far on the construction of a 12-unit classroom block which was awarded as far back as 1998 and noted that only the basement of the project had so far been completed.Mr. Newton attributed the delay in the project to a lack of funds and the inability of the contractor to pre-finance the project.

Source:MacLiberty Misrowoda

World Mosquito Day celebrated today

"Raising Global Awareness of the Importance of Mosquito Elimination Program"

In honor of World Mosquito Day, observed annually on August 20, but ignored in most African countries including Ghana, Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa (VPWA) and its partners in Sub Saharan Africa are working to increase awareness of the importance of efficient technology to kill mosquitoes and therefore eliminate mosquito borne diseases including Malaria.World Mosquito Day originated in 1897 by Dr. Ronald Ross of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. After dissecting mosquitoes known to have fed on a patient with malaria, Ross discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach wall of the mosquito. Through further research using malarious birds, Ross was able to ascertain the entire life cycle of the malarial parasite, including its presence in the mosquito's salivary glands. Ross confirmed that malaria is transmitted from infected birds to healthy ones by the bite of a mosquito, a finding that suggested the disease's mode of transmission to humans. For his findings, Ross is credited with the discovery of the transmission of malaria by the mosquito, and was honored with a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902.Presently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide each year, and more than one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism, and afflict not only humans, but animals as well.VPWA is using this year’s Mosquito Day to point out the flaws in current African policies and recommending to committed leaders on the continent to rethink Malaria strategies. Leaders should take the bold initiative of implementing a result oriented initiative that could eradicate Malaria in 3 years, probably within first term of some African leaders.First, the bed net: Research finds that bed nets are only 25% effective in preventing Malaria. This means that, in the unlikely event of every person within a given geographical area (for example: Ghana) sleeping under bed nets from 5pm-7am, Malaria cases are likely to be drop by 25%. Despite these research findings, we still we have NGOs raising money all around the globe in pursuit of ‘blanketing’ Africa with nets. It should be noted that, mosquitoes do not bite only when you are in bed.Second, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS): Indoor Residual Spraying is the dispensing of insecticides on walls made from porous materials such as mud or wood. The idea is that, after the mosquito has taken the blood meal, it will land on the wall and die. In some African countries where DDT is used, this repels the mosquito from even entering the house. Less effective insecticides like permethrin are also used for this purpose. This method has proven to be about as effective as bed nets achieving only around a 25% reduction in transmission rates and is not designed for plaster city dwellings. Studies on biting rates done in Mali, indicate that about 38% of all biting occurs outdoors. As a consequence this is why bed nets, and Indoor Residual Spraying, will never break the malaria transmission cycle.Third, truck mounted "fogger" units: These units are only capable of reducing mosquito populations by about 30% in the US, where they are in common use. However this is under better circumstances than are available in Sub-Saharan Africa, where there is a general lack of a good road grid pattern, typical of American Suburbs.It must be understood that a 30% reduction in mosquito population does not translate into a 30% reduction in malaria transmission. The Centre for Disease Control did a study some time ago in Sub-Saharan Africa and managed to get a 90% reduction in mosquito populations, however only a 25% decrease in transmission rates was achieved.This having been said, one must realize the reduction levels achieved with these experiments were given on the basis of a controlled research protocol. A real world situation would not be controlled. Not everyone would sleep under a bed net, not every house would be treated with Indoor Residual Spraying, and the truck mounted fogger units are a bigger joke than either bed nets or IRS treatment, when it comes to reducing the transmission of the malaria parasite. These considerations are however not applicable in a program involving the treatment of an entire region with an aircraft equipped with insecticide aerosol generators.In the unlikely circumstance the whole of Ghana is blanketed with nets, meaning, all inhabitants of homes, hotels etc. sleeps under nets, and IRS enabled in every home, and truck mounted fogger units dispensing insecticides in our neighborhoods, Ghana will see a reduction of only 50% in Malaria transmission. However for Ghana to even implement this multi faceted approach and be successful, the nation will spend a huge chunk of its GDP annually to maintain it. Failure to maintain the exercise will also lead to a catastrophic rise in human death due to Malaria.

What are we proposing?

VPWA is proposing Aerial Spraying or what the Americans call “space spraying.” This technology consists of an aircraft equipped with a high pressure aerosol generator, treating the entire environment the mosquito lives in, effectively eliminating the mosquito.We are proposing this project be funded by the grant money currently being wasted on marginally effective interventions and wish to introduce this method to Ghana as a model for the elimination of malaria in Africa. We estimate that for only about 2% of the total direct and indirect costs presently associated with Malaria in Ghana, the disease could be eradicated within 3 years. Within 30 days the transmission cycle could be broken within a given treatment area.That having been said, defeating malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa is the challenge of all challenges, and certainly not a task for amateurs. Sadly however in this case, amateurs are in charge of this effort. The irony is it would cost much less to succeed, in this endeavor, than pursue the present failed strategy.

Hayford Siaw-Executive DirectorVolunteer Partnerships for West Africa

info@vpwa.org

233 21 928245

+233 24 3340112
Source:Hayford Siaw

Ghana@50 Commission of Enquiry not happy with testimonies

Justice Isaac Duose, Chairman of the Ghana@50 Commission of Enquiry on Tuesday warned that district assemblies that do not account for proceeds of the of Ghana@50 souvenirs should put their acts together or face the law.The warning was necessitated by the evidence given to the Commission by district assemblies in the Volta Region, suggesting that those assemblies arbitrarily gave out items that were supposed to be sold for free without approval from the Regional Co-ordinating Council or from the Ghana@50 Secretariat thereby causing financial loss to the state. ""Those of you who decided to give out items free of charge when you were supposed to sell and make accounts of proceeds should prepare to account to the law," he stressed, adding: "All of you are singing the same songs as if you have rehearsed.We are fed up."The district assemblies received about 2,500 Ghana@50-branded T-shirts, 1,500 baseball caps, anniversary mugs and jubilee cloths, with explicit orders in the form of memoranda accompanying the items, to sell them at prices fixed by the Ghana@50 Secretariat and account for the proceeds to the secretariat.But some of the assemblies in the region that testified before the commission said they could not account for the items because they were expensive as compared to similar products on the market. They were therefore compelled to give them out for free to identifiable groups and individuals.Some of the district officials told the commission that they were not aware that they were supposed to sell the items and render accounts of the proceeds, since they did not spot any memoranda to that effect. Others said although they knew that the items were fore sale there was a clause in the memoranda accompanying the souvenirs that if they failed to render accounts for the items, it would be surcharged to their respective distri ct assemblies' common fund, and so decided to absorb the cost.Justice Duose rebuffed the argument, saying, "The Common Fund is meant for development of your districts and for this purpose in question"."This excuse you people are giving the commission is not tenable. You were ordered to sell and render proceeds. "And I hope other district assemblies yet to appear before the commission would not give the same testimonies," he said. All assemblies in the region, received GH¢10,000 from the Ghana@50 Secretariat to support the Jubilee celebrations. The Ho District assembly did not submit its memoranda on time to the commission and was asked to appear on Wednesday August 12.
Source:GNA

Let's promote small and artisanal mining, says Miss Aryee

Miss Joyce Aryee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has said artisanal and small scale mining must be properly promoted to enable the sector to contribute to national development.She said this could reduce unemployment, promote safe practices, reclaim mined out areas and reduce the miners' use of mercury and other dangerous chemicals in their operations. Miss Aryee said this at a day's workshop on the theme "Mainstreaming artisanal and small scale mining" at Tarkwa on Tuesday. It was organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the BUSAC Fund for chiefs, opinion leaders and artisanal and small scale miners in the Western Region.She said a conscious effort must be made by all stakeholders especially the government to seriously promote small scale mining to enable the sector to develop adequately. Miss Aryee said this could be done if the cumbersome licensing procedures were simplified and modified while at the same time making available to the miners information on concessions that has enough minerals to meet their needs.She said presently it was too expensive for a small scale miner to undertake exploration and therefore called for a thorough study to identify and build a comprehensive database on small scale mining. Miss Aryee said the present situation where several illegal miners operated in tailings dam of large scale mining companies, illegally capturing and occupying concessions of mining companies, theft of mine property and the increasing environmental pollution should cease. She said there was the need for large scale mining companies to assist artisanal and small scale miners by engaging in exploration activities for small scale miners.Additionally, mining companies should share geological information with the government which would in turn assist small scale miners. Dr. Aryee suggested that successful small scale and artisanal mining groups should be show-cased and used as models for other emerging groups.Prof Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology who chaired the function, commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for spearheading the campaign for small scale miners. He said their efforts could be rewarded if they were assisted to regularise their operations, operate within the acceptable laws and practices and some credit facilities made available to them to buy tools and protective clothing.
Source:GNA

Ghana banned from use of Credit Cards

Ghana is faced with a huge task to fight the global menace posed by cyber fraudsters, literally known as internet fraud (Sakawa). According to latest report Ghana is ranked among the world's top 10 countries in cyber crime and poses a threat as well as a disincentive to investment in the country's ICT sector.As an immediate step to remedy the situation Government is considering setting up an emergency Cyber Crime Response Team, to review existing legislature governing the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) activities and strengthen the country's cyber security.It is however believed such bold initiative could deal with the growing incidence of reported cases of cyber crime, popularly known as “Sakawa”. Ghana's security agencies should also go beyond merely dealing with the criminals and search for other collaborators who may aid and abet cyber fraud.The Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu who expressed worry that use of credit cards in the country is restricted because of the growing incidence of cyber fraud, added that the act is endangering the safety, use and growth of ICT in Ghana.On the possible negative social impact of cyber crime, Mr Raymond Codjoe, a legal practitioner, cautioned that if the situation is not properly addressed, software and computer viruses may in the future mutate data and alter Internet Protocol addresses in the same manner that AIDS does to the human immune system.“This would result in emails being misdirected, web sites being relocated and the internet infrastructure being compromised radically,” he said.He called for capacity building for the appropriate organs of state as well as international co-operation for investigation and prosecution of cyber crime.Mr Codjoe suggested that the Electronic Transactions Act (ACT 2008) and regulations made under the Act, should be implemented and its provisions enforced to deal with cyber fraud.Mr Jimmy Allotey, an Information Technology Security Manager of Ghana Community Network Services Limited, observed that many of the victims of the Sakawa reported cases include vulnerable lonely youths who search for marital relationships and resort to get-rich-quick schemes.He cautioned against unsolicited lotteries and wager messages, which according to him are some machinations of perpetrators of cyber crime, intended to lure greedy victims to dupe them.Mr Allottey called for increase and strict vigilance on operations of banks and other financial institutions that deal with money transfer in order to track down on activities of fraudsters who transact businesses with such institutions.He called for strict enforcement of Article 141 of the Electronic Transaction Act (ACT 2008) that mandates the security agencies to confiscate accesses of cyber fraudsters.
Source:Ghanaian Journal

"Lift Your Game" TV show launched.

Awesome Ventures Limited (AVL), producers of the popular TV3 "Masem" show has formally launched “Lift Your Game” TV show, in Accra, which is aimed at sharpening the entrepreneurial skills and creating jobs and wealth for Ghanaians. “Lift Your Game” show is a 13-week TV programme supported by MTN Ghana limited with partners such as Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) and Business Development Services (BDS) Fund. Participants of the show would be expected to showcase the best of Ghanaian entrepreneurial talents to a wider audience including a 3-week enterprise growth training workshop. Speaking at the launch on Monday at the Fiesta Royal hotel, the Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Hannah Tetteh stated emphatically that the new TV program will help the youth learn from the experiences of participants in the show so as to establish and grow their own businesses from a small beginning to a bigger ending. “The youths must learn from the many famous successful individuals who had made it in life through hard work, discipline and modesty.” She advised the youth and business men to learn a lot from the show to make-up their lifes because government can not give employment to all.
Ms Tetteh disclosed government’s steps to restructure the National Board for Small-Scale Business Industries, to inject efficiency in the operations of corporate entity to further assist entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Giving further synopsis of the show, Mr. Leslie Boafo, the Training Manager of Awesome Ventures Limited (AVL), said a grand seminar would be held for some 500 selected participants who have been in business for at least a year, after which they would be asked to produce an attractive business plan for sponsorship. 30 participants would then be selected based on the merit of the proposal and would then receive 3 weeks training workshop after which 15 finalists would be selected for the reality show. “The 15 participants would be selected by a panel of entrepreneurs on the basis of proposals submitted at the end of the 3 week training workshop and presented with cash and other prizes". He expressed the hope that the show would inspire at least 50,000 Ghanaians to learn how to start and grow their own businesses through best practices.Mr. Torgbor Mensah, Chairman of the Argon Group, a private Ghanaian business group, said the country was blessed with dedicated and hardworking citizens but they lacked prudent business direction to enable them to create wealth. “Lets all make good use of this opportunity Masem is providing us.”

BY:Michael Amedor

Malfeasance hits forest plantation fund

A probe has been ordered into the stewardship of the former management board of the Forest Plantation Development Fund (FPDF), following reports of alleged misapplication of funds.The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Collins Dauda has tasked the new management board to investigate allegations that some beneficiaries of the fund diverted monies disbursed to them into purchasing taxi cabs and Urvan buses instead of investing it into developing forest plantations.Inaugurating the new management board chaired by Dormaahene Osagyefo Osadeeyo Agyeman Badu, the minister lamented that for eight years there seems to be “nothing to show for the GH¢22.6 million which accrued to the fund” , established in 2000 to support reforestation efforts in the country.With proceeds from timber export levy forming its seed capital, Hon. Collins Dauda expressed disappointment that management of the fund never submitted any annual report to parliament, nor did they submit any audited accounts to the august house.“Lack of effective supervision of the activities of the beneficiaries leading to situations where some of them used funds to procure taxis and Urvan buses instead of investing in plantation development is one of the concerns I have about the management of the fund in the past”, said the minister.According to him, the former board also had the tendency of investing resources accruing to the fund in money market instruments for interest instead of investing in actual plantations which is the core objective of the fund.The former board was under the chairmanship of Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin IIThe minister tasked the current board to devise transparent means of allocating the resources available to the fund, in order to overcome some of the afore-mentioned operational lapses.“This will require that guidelines must be developed by the board to satisfy the establishment of viable forest plantations in the country, the minister urged, adding that the board must also devise means of making the fund attractive to other donors with interest in the plantation development program of Ghana.The Forest Plantation Development Fund was established in 2000 under the Forest Plantation Development Fund Act (Act 583) with the objective of providing financial support for reforestation of degraded forest areas in the country. It is also to encourage and support increased establishment and management of forest plantations by private and public sector agencies.The fund is also to provide incentives, training and technical advice to persons involved in commercial plantation.Hon. Collins Dauda expressed concern over the rate of depletion of Ghana’s forest reserves. “Ghana’s total forest cover which stood at 8.2 million hectares at the turn of the 20th Century, has decreased to about 1.6 million hectares”, he noted, warning that if the current depletion rate of 65000 hectares per annum is not halted, and reversed, Ghana’s total forest cover would have been depleted within the next 23 years.He said his priority now is to reverse the natural depletion rates and promote and establish large scale forest plantations.The chairman of the new board Osagyefo Agyeman Badu promised the minister that his team would work assiduously to ensure that the purpose for the establishment of the board is realised.Other members of the board are Ahmed Bin Salih, Chief Director of Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources(Secretary); Alhaji Alhassan Attah, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission; Peter Sangber-Dery, Fund Manager at Agric Development Bank; Kobina Amoah, Representative of Ministry of Finance; Naa Robert Logah; Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, from Friends of Rivers(an NGO); and Osei Kwame Boateng Poku.
Source:Financial Intelligence (Justice Lee Adoboe)