Nurses Association condemns attacks on nurses
Accra, Feb. 28, GNA -
The National Executive Committee of Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) on Wednesday condemned attacks on its members describing them as totally repugnant and disgusting.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Samuel MacCarthy, Public Relation Officer of GRNA said the association considered the attacks as violence against nurses, majority of whom were women and appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to lead a crusade to curb the trend.
"Without any reservations, the health and safety needs of all members stand paramount in its activities. Perpetuated acts of abuse on its members by bandits armed or unarmed would in future, compel health workers, especially nurses to refuse taking up night duties in particular and afternoon shits," it added.
The statement said the association had received news of an attack on a member, Miss Cecilia Eshun, a nurse at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi by unidentified armed robbers on her return home from work after an afternoon shift just opposite the casualty ward of the hospital on Saturday, February 15.
In addition, Miss Victoria Obuobi, a nurse on her way to work at Tema was also attacked by robbers and valuable items taken away and currently on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio-Thoracic recovery ward receiving treatment.
The statement said at Saltpond, a nurse had to run for her life to avoid being attacked by a psychiatric patient and similar cases of attacks had been recorded in Kumasi and Wa.
It appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to put in place measures to assure safety to nurses and called for appropriate compensatory packages to be given to victims of such unfortunate acts in the form supportive treatment and claim procedures.
The statement noted that nurses work in unfriendly environment and compromised their duties because most hospitals lacked the needed infrastructure, logistics and equipment to assure quality care which had contributed to the nurses' brain drain in the country. "The onset of this current problem of insecurity in and out of the work place would further increase the attrition rate thereby lowering productivity."
"If quality care cannot but be compromised by reason of infrastructural deficits, the few health professionals remaining should be assured of security and be treated with dignity and respect" it added.
Source: GNA
Blackout during Golden Jubilee celebrations ?
28.02.2007
Ghana’s dwindling energy resources will receive a lifetime with the arrival today of the first consignment of three power generating sets from donor sources.
The package is an 80 megawatt emergency electric power supply arrangement by the government t end the load shedding exercise during the celebration of the country’s Golden Jubilee.
The nation-wide load shedding exercise began six months ago as a result of the low water level in the Akosombo Dam, the country’s main hydro-electric power generator, necessitating frantic efforts by the government to institute medium and long term measures to improve the situation.
In President Kufuor’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament recently, he outlined all the measures which had been taken to salvage the situation.
They included power supply from the West Africa Power Pool,a 200 megawatt supply from Nigeria and Cote d’Ivore and a Volta River Authority 300 megawatt plant in Tema.
Other measures were the empowering of the Osagyefo Power Barge to produce 120 megawatt supply through a Ghanaian/ Chinese joint venture and the generation of 100 megawatts by three American companies by April this year.
The arrival of the generating sets today will augment the country’s energy needs considerably if other measures indicated, such as arrangements with Nigeria to supply power to Togo and Benin, thereby reducing the country’s burden.
Site preparation for the installation of the sets was near completion when the Minister of Energy, Kofi Adda visited the place last Monday to inspect progress of work.
The Managing Director of Kampsad Company which has been contracted to undertake the site preparation, Eddie Armah said the work would be completed on schedule.
The sets will be installed on a 10,000 square metre plot of land which was formerly owned by PSC Drydock.
Nearby, workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana were working to install switches, cables and equipment for the distribution of electricity with the installation of generators. They indicated that they would be working throughout the night to complete the work on schedule.
Mr Adda who was satisfied with the work done, congratulated the workers on their contribution to the nation’s efforts at development and towards the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
He later said that the government is on course with its plans at resolving the energy problems in the country.
Source:
Daily Graphic
Veep asks media to shy away from politics
Accra, Feb. 28, GNA -
Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Tuesday asked journalists to give adequate coverage to developmental issues and convey the necessary feedback to Government for informed policy formulation.
"It is not only politics and politics that make news, but other developmental issues that affect the very core of our livelihood," he said at the launch of a 398-page book: "Jubilee Ghana, A 50-Year News Journey Thro' Graphic, published by Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL).
He said "Our rural communities need such basic amenities as potable water, housing, good health and freedom from ignorance. I believe there is no better way to influence such issues than through the media." Vice President Mahama lauded the management of Graphic Communications Group for blazing the trail, but added that as a developing nation, Ghana deserved more interplay between the people and the Government.
He said all over the world good newspapers had been known not only as conduit for the dissemination of news but also as moulders of public opinion.
"It is this task that we as a nation of 50 years expect from our media," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the book would serve as a great source of history.
"The contents of this book would provide a one for all source from which the elderly would derive an opportunity to relive history; the relatively young ones would reflect over the achievements and disappointments of the past. And for students and researchers, valuable leads to events over the 50-year period," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana's Independence was an occasion for deep reflection as well as celebration.
"Deep reflection because as it is said an unexamined life is not worth living. It is a good opportunity for us to look back to see where we have come from, where we are now and where we are now going."
"It is also not only an opportunity to celebrate this important milestone of our nationhood but also to exhibit our dynamic culture to the entire world whilst reigniting Ghana's pre-eminence on the African Continent," he added.
Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, who reviewed the book, said the book had shifted the focus of publications in the Graphic from the gate-keeping role of the media to delve into the realm of history.
However, he warned that when journalists were writing history it could enhance the process or subvert it. Prof. Yankah said the book had captured the entire story of Ghana's contemporary history.
He said it comprised the odd things of life such as a man biting a dog, politics and social issues. The Pro-Vice Chancellor said management of Graphic Communications Group had pioneered excellence in the print media and a generic word for the newspaper industry in Ghana.
Osaahene Kwasi Offei Agyeman IV, Krontihene of Akropong-Akuapem and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCGL, described the book as a reference point of history.
Mr Berfi Apenteng, former Managing Director of GCGL said the book, which started as a dream was made a reality through the hard work of staff of the company to facilitate review of the country's performance since 1957.
Source:
GNA
Cross-road Shooting incident marked
Accra, Feb 28, GNA -
Wreaths were laid at the Osu Cenotaph on Tuesday in commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the three ex-servicemen who were gunned down at the Christianborg Crossroads on February 28, 1948, while going to present a petition to the British Colonial Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy.
They were Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, all members of the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force that fought alongside the allied forces during the Second World War.
The Colonialists had demobilised them promising to resettle them but had reneged.
Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence, laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana and Lt-Gen J.B. Danquah, the Chief of Defence Staff, laid one on behalf of the security services. The Chairman of the Veterans Association of Ghana, Air Vice Marshal Odartey Barnor laid one on behalf of the veterans while Nii Adote Obuor, Sempe Mantse and President of Ga Traditional Council, laid one on behalf of traditional rulers.
About 155 men drawn from the Army, Air Force, Navy, the Police and the Veteran Soldiers mounted a parade, which was witnessed by a large crowd.
Special prayers were said for the love, dedication and the service the three soldiers rendered to the country.
Major D. B. Bangsiibu, Chaplain of the Ghana Armed Forces thanked God for sustaining the country since the colonial era and prayed for peace and stability in Ghana and in the world. Major U. S. Ahmed, an Imam of the GAF also prayed for sustenance of peace and stability.
The Osu Wulomo, poured the libation. Before the commencement of the ceremony, a thrilling enactment of the incident was performed by the Actors Guild to a wild and ecstatic crowd that had gathered at the fringes of the Cenotaph to observe the goings-on.
This year's remembrance celebration witnessed an unusually large crowd compared to previous events that were very low-keyed. Relatives of the fallen heroes, Ministers, parliamentarians as well as other important dignities graced the occasion.
On Saturday, February 28, 1948, a number of ex-servicemen were marching from Accra to Christianborg Castle to present a petition to the Governor on their unpaid war benefits when they were intercepted at the crossroads by a contingent of armed policemen.
The contingent led by British Superintendent Mr Imray ordered that they dispersed and when they refused to obey, he gave an order to the police to open fire and the three ex-servicemen were killed. The ex-soldiers had fought alongside the allied forces in the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force during the Second World War and had returned home poor and were not paid their gratuities.
After several appeals to the colonial government to consider their plight had failed, the ex-servicemen decided that a direct approach should be made to the British Colonial Governor of the Gold Coast.
News about the death of the servicemen spread rapidly, leading to a situation where law and order broke down in Accra and other parts of the country.
It encouraged anti-colonial movements to press the British government to institute a committee to investigate the killings and general disorder.
The Committee recommended self-government for the Gold Coast, which subsequently led to the attainment of political independence for the country.
Source:
GNA