Child Right Organization Pushes for Orphanage Shutdown

A Non-Governmental Organization advocating for the rights of less privileged children has asked government to initiate measures which would result in the complete shutdown of orphanages in the country by the year 2020.

The organization “OAfrica”, known previously as OrphanAid Africa, has however proposed the need to raise under privileged children in extended families other than enrolling them in orphanages.

The recommendation, contained in a press release issued in Accra, came after an undercover investigation by Anas Aremeway Anas which highlights the plight of some children at the Countryside Children’s Welfare Home at Bawjiase in the Central Region.

Miracle Mensah Damankwah, Development Manger of OAfrica, condemning abuse at the children’s home indicated the organization has released GHC 117,000 to the Gender and Social Protection Ministry in resettling victims into “family based care”.

She said government and Non-governmental organizations should focus on strengthening support systems such as provision of scholarships and education to orphans instead of directing resources to support “unscrupulous orphanages.”

Mrs Damankwah appealed to the Gender and Social Protection Ministry to extend the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme to families that are prepared to accept children living in orphanages back to their homes.

government and Non-governmental organizations should focus on strengthening support systems for orphans

As part of strategies to help achieve the target of eradicating all orphanages, she noted that “the department of Social Welfare needs to run training programmes for social workers, police and courts on rescuing children from orphanages and resettle them in family care with minimum trauma.”  

The Development Manager also stated that the Department of Social Welfare should undertake a new data collection exercise on orphanages so it could be abreast with operations of such care-giving institutions.

OAfrica also highlighted training and awareness for the general public so individuals would appreciate the importance of caring for their own children while abusive orphanage owners are tried and jailed.

The organization has also called on international Agencies such as the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) to support the Department of Social Welfare to close down illegal orphanages and provide support for families to care for their children.

NUGS Plead With Teacher Unions

Leaders of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) have appealed to teacher unions in the country to control the frequency of strike actions embarked upon in attempt to stimulate government response to grievances.

The union has stated that although lecturers may have legitimate claims, they should endeavor to rescind their decisions in certain instances due to the consequence of such industrial actions on students.

Their plea was hinged on a months-long strike the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) has embarked on to demand payment of their Book and Research Allowance, and another “indefinite strike” the University Teachers Association (UTAG) has also announced.

Sammy Dakwa Binfoh, President of NUGS, made the request at a stakeholders’ meeting between the executives of the student union and leaders of some teacher associations in Accra.

He said government has assured that grievances of teachers would be addressed but the student body must also engage the various unions to better understand specific concerns teachers have risen.

He stated: “we don’t have to depend solely on government information churned out by the media. We must meet with the stakeholders so that our own actions, in future, would be grounded on realities and not rumor.”

The president stated issues such as the supply of teaching and learning materials as well as prompt payment of government subventions must also be addressed in addition to settlement of fringe benefits for teachers.

He said extensive consultation between government and the respective unions on attempts to establish a National Research Fund was ideal.

However, he said, when government appears to have an entrenched position on the issue without paying attention to the views of teachers, the policy would continue to suffer resistance.

He added that NUGS would continue to plead with teacher unions so students do not suffer the effects of impasses between government and lecturers.

“We would collaborate with the teacher unions to ensure their grievances are resolved amicably.   We want to assure them that we are in the battle with them as they fight for what they deserve.” Mr. Binfoh noted.

Christian Okla Odoi, Deputy General Secretary, (NAGRAT) repeated delay in the release of capitation grant, delay in the implementation of the Second Tier Pension Policy for teachers, among other concerns at the secondary level.

He said teachers appreciate government assurance to address their needs but they would continue to press until such promises manifest in the lives of lecturers and students.

Private University Students Petition Gov't

The Private University Students Association (PUSAG) has called for revision of some government policies and regulations they consider discriminatory and unfavorable to private tertiary institutions in the country.

PUSAG have requested 15% reduction in corporate tax paid by private universities and that 30% of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) should be allocated to private colleges.

They have also appealed to government to grant institutions, accredited ten years and more, autonomy to award their respective degree and diploma certificates.

Executives of the association in a petition to the President, the Education Minister, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education believe implementation of alternative procedures and policies of would lessen administrative and tuition cost of students.

Panlogo-Logodam Benjamin, president of the association, presenting a petition in Accra to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Education Minister, stated that students in private institutions contributed taxes to the GETFUND but do not benefit therefore some resources should be allocated to the development of their institutions.

He said government decision to impose 25% corporate tax on colleges equates to double taxation as students in private institutions paid taxes indirectly to government.

He indicated that such a policy compounded efforts of their institutions to put in place requisite infrastructure to provide quality education.

“Government is taxing private university students and their families, and also taxing universities that are providing quality education to students. This naturally increases the cost of providing education to the youth. It reduces funds available for building campuses, purchase equipment, and award scholarships.” He said.

Mr. Panlogo-Logodam added that as long as private universities were affiliated to traditional universities, tuition fees of students would continue to increase hence authorities must hasten to allow institutions independence when they met requirements.

“We are calling for a fair treatment of private universities. We are seeking equal rights and access to the public purse now. The unfair and discriminatory practices are becoming unbearable. We have therefore decided to speak up and make our voices heard.” PUSAG said.

Mr. Ablakwa assured government would submit a written response to the demands of PUSAG in a week.

He said some of the issues raised were receiving attention however stakeholders concerned would be engaged in further dialogue to reach a compromise.

Help Government To Provide Quality Education

A DEPUTY Director in charge of examinations in the Accra Metropolis, Kwesi Asante, has called on parents and teachers to complement government’s efforts in providing quality basic education.

He made this clear at a ceremony by the St Paul’s Lutheran School to mark its fifteenth graduation and second speech day held Saturday in Accra.  

Mr. Asante noted that in as much as government must be responsible for the provision of infrastructure and the development of curricula to enhance teaching and learning, parents had the responsibility to provide favorable learning environment for their wards.  

He cited the need for parents to secure prescribed books for their wards, pay fees and provide adequate pocket money, and ensure that the child adopts the character of learning among others as some of the numerous roles they have to play towards the provision of excellent basic education.

The Examination Director pointed out the need for parents to make good investments in educating their children based on the fact that education is sufficient legacy that they can bequeath to them.

He said teachers must also take advantage of modern innovations and equip themselves with adequate knowledge to impart in their students but also indicated the need for school managements to motivate their staff to deliver efficiently.

“There are innovations each day and teachers must update their knowledge and skills through in-service training programmes, workshops and further education. The teacher must be dedicated to work, employ modern techniques of teaching and use the right resources in lesson delivery” He emphasized.

Speaking on the theme Excellent Basic Education in the 21^st Century, Mr. Asante recorded that the provision of quality education was a key to poverty eradication hence must not be subjected to political wrangling.

A section of grandaunts at the ceremony 

Jemimah Yarquah, Executive Manager of the School, announced that there was an outright ban on corporal punishment in the school.  She said students instead are guided by sets of rules and regulation with their corresponding punishment.

She also mentioned the existence of an electronic platform for the school where school information such as terminal reports, registrations and others could be accessed.

The ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards to deserving students in pre-school, primary, and out gone JHS students amidst colorful performances.

Inflation Rises To 11.4%

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced an increase in the general price level of goods and services for June 2013.

The year-on-year inflation rate, as recorded by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of June, stood at 11.4 percent compared to 11.1 percent in May 2013.

The monthly change rate for the month also stood at 2.6 percent in relation to the 2.8 percent recorded for May.

According to the CPI, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 6.3 percent while alcohol and tobacco recorded an inflation rate of 15.8 percent. 

In the non-food category, communication recorded the lowest inflation of 0.9 percent while housing, water, electricity, gas and other utilities recorded highest inflation of 17.4 percent.  

While clothing and footwear recorded 17 percent, transport, education, hotels and restaurants, health, recreation and culture also recorded 13.1 percent, 16.9 percent, 15.3 percent, 12.4 percent and 15.2 percent respectively in June.  

On regional level, Greater Accra recorded the highest inflation of 13.3 percent in both the food and non-food categories while the Brong-Ahafo region recorded the lowest inflation of 9.7 percent.

Dr.Philomena Nyarko

Acting Government Statistician, Dr Philomena Nyarko, who announced the figures yesterday in Accra, admitted the increase in fuel prices contributed largely to the recent inflation figures.

She predicted that inflation will reduce during the harvest season.  

She also indicated that prices of goods and services in the Upper West and East regions would be recorded separately in subsequent computations.

PRINPAG Cautions Media

THE PRIVATE Newspaper Printers Association of Ghana, PRINPAG, has cautioned owners and publishers of newspapers to ensure that editors and reporters present accurate information on the ongoing court petition to the public.

Executive Secretary, Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah, indicated in a statement issued on behalf of the association that it is important for journalists to report concisely on the landmark court proceedings rather than express personal opinions and comments that may be pre-judicial to the process.

He made reference to the recent incarceration of Mr. Ken Kuranchie, Managing Editor of Daily Searchlight, and a member of the association who is currently serving a 10-day prison term as the basis for the admonishment.

The Executive Secretary in the statement also advised presenters and panelists who engage in newspaper reviews on mornings shows to be circumspect in discussing issues relating to the Supreme Court case and avoid the use of inflammatory language and comments.

Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah

Mr. Sowah further appealed of members the association to respect the independence and integrity of the 9-member panel of the Supreme Court and give fair and factual reportage on the proceedings.

He therefore reminded reporters of the various newspapers on the specialized nature of court reporting and emphasized the need to seek further explanation and clarity on information they gather from spokespersons of petitioners and respondents as well as the Court Registrar when the need arises.

He reiterated however that PRINPAG would continue to co-operate and collaborate with the Court in the performance of their constitutional mandate to ensure the conclusion of the election petition with a verdict that reflects truth and transparency which will be an indication to the Ghanaian electorate and the international community that Ghanaians are capable of managing their political affairs.

Why the Pretence?

I wonder why some people always say they are OK when in actual fact, they are not. 

I don't know why some pretend they understand everything but in reality, they don't capture anything. 

At other times too, they act like they are busy but in reality, they are lonely. 

Also, some people convince others that they just want to be friends, but what they really want is more than friendship. 
It baffles me when a guy or girl knows that the person they love has someone else but still pretend it doesn't hurt them, when it actually torments them inside.

Some people also pretend they've moved on, but the truth is, they still waiting. 

Finally, what confuses me the most is when somebody say ''it's over with him or her'', when in actual fact, they mean the opposite of they say. 

I just can't imagine what keeps some people from feeling free to express their exact feelings. Whatever the case may be, I believe one needs not pretend because life is like an ice-cream; we need to eat it before it melts.