Sekondi, Nov. 02, GNA - The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Friday honoured 18 farmers who had contributed towards the development of agriculture in the area at this year’s Metropolitan Farmers Day celebration at Sekondi.       Mr Emmanuel Kofi Tawiah, 54, who was adjudged the Metropolitan Best Farmer, was presented with a 24-inch LCD television, four pairs of wellington boots, one full piece of wax print, a refrigerator, among other items.       Mr Joseph Oko-Adotey, 48, who won the Metropolitan Best Fisherman award, was presented with items including an outboard motor and 21 inch colour television.       Captain Anthony Cudjoe (rtd), the Metropolitan Chief Executive, commended farmers and fishermen in the area for helping to meet the country’s food needs and for contributing towards the development of the economy.       He said the NDC government was committed to building a strong and viable agriculture sector.       Captain Cudjoe said the fertilizer subsidy programme was an ample testimony of the government determination to assist farmers with inputs, machinery and equipment to deliver.   He urged the teeming youth including the unemployed to avail themselves of the government’s agricultural interventions to improve their lot and to put them in a better position to contribute positively towards the country’s development.   GNA  ...

    Winneba (C/R), Nov. 02, GNA - Thirteen farmers and fishermen were on Friday awarded in the Effutu Municipal National Farmers’ Day celebration at Nsuaekyre.       They were presented with ice chests, aluminum bows, wellington boots, knapsack sprayers, weedicides, shovels, television set and certificates.        Mrs Mary Asmah, a 40-year old farmer from Effutu Nsuaekyre , was adjudged the District’s best farmer.       The theme for the celebration was: “Grow more food; strengthening farmer based organizations for market place bargaining power”.          Mr Emmanuel Oduro, Effutu Municipal MOFA, urged farmers to adopt modern farming practices, especially usage of approved chemical to food production.         He said through the support of Effutu Municipal Assembly the Ministry has been able establish a 15-acre maize farm at New Winneba.          He said ten farmers in the area have been also introduced to the cultivation of Chili Pepper for export.          Mr Mike Allen Hammah, MP for Effutu, commended the farmers for their immerse contribution to the development of the nation and hoped they will continue to work harder to increase productivity.         He said the government will continue to give support and intervention to increase food production in the country and appealed to chiefs and land owners to release land for agriculture.         Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, said government has introduced useful policies and programmes including the root and tuber improvement and market, northern rural growth , youth in agriculture and the supply of subsidized fertilizer to help increase food production.           He said for the past three years the Municipal Directorate of MOFA in collaboration with Assembly has also introduced programmes such as the Farmer Based Organizations in other to adopt best farming techniques and practice.           The MCE said under the programme over 100 youth have been supported to cultivate over 150 acres of maize.                                GNA  ...

   Wechiau (U/W), Nov. 2, GNA – Mr Abu Nabong, a 35-year old maize farmer from Mwanduanu in the Sissala East District has emerged as the 2012 Regional Best Farmer for the Upper West Region.      Mr Nabong took away a corn mill, a spraying and sewing machines, 12 machetes, a radio cassette recorder, one pair of Wellington boots and a certificate as his prize.       In all 22 farmers including three women were honored at a ceremony in Wechiau in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.       Mr Nabong has 350 acres of maize, 110 acres of groundnuts, five acres of yam, 50 acres of rice, two acres each of cashew, bambara beans and groundnuts and an acre of tomato.      He also has 1,500 cattle, 80 sheep, 50 goats, 45 local fowls, 15 ducks, 150 pigeons and a donkey.       The 2012 Regional Best Farmer is also a proud owner of three tractors, animal drawn ridges and block cart, four shellers and one grinding mill.       Mr Nabong has also built a mosque for the community, offered free tractor services to needy people in the community and help to transport sick people to Tumu or Wa for medical care.       Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, thanked all farmers in the region for their commitment and dedication to food production in the country.       He said the theme for the occasion: “Grow More Food – Strengthening Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs), for Market Place Bargaining Power” was appropriate because it was linked to the Medium-Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.       He said the Plan which has a lifespan of five years was geared at empowering the farmer to bargain for fair prices for their produce and equipping them with the requisite knowledge and practices to manage their farms in view of the dwindling number of Agricultural officers.   Alhaji Sulemana urged framers in the region to turn their attention to some of the non-traditional export crops including fruit-tree crops such as mango, cashew, shea as well as industrial crops such as cotton and moringa.       He said government since 2008 had introduced subsidies in prices of farm inputs such as fertilizers farm machinery and improved seeds adding that this had gone a long way to mitigate the sufferings of farmers while boosting the yields of the various crops.       The Regional Minister said a total of 13,345.9 metric tonnes of fertilizer (266,918 bags) were distributed in the region for the 2012 cropping season.       Alhaji Sulemana expressed concern that the fertilizer was being smuggled out of the region into neighbouring Burkina Faso, thereby, denying some farmers especially those in the Sissala area access to fertilizer.                GNA  ...

Apemenim (W/R), Nov. 02, GNA - Farmers in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region would from next year start benefiting from highly subsidized palm nut seedlings.   The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Dofoyenah said this on Friday at this year’s District Farmers Day celebration at Apemenim.   He said in view of the proliferation of inferior oil palm seedlings in the District, the Assembly had decided to undertake the cultivation of about 30,000 quality oil palm seedlings next year and sell them under subsidized prices for farmers.   Speaking on the theme: “Grow more food; Strengthening Farmer Based Organisation (FBOs) to Enhance Bargaining Power at the Market Place”, the DCE entreated all unemployed youth to consider undertaking farming activities as it is very profitable.   Mr Dofoyenah said all the great nations in the world have successfully transformed their local economies through sustainable agriculture mechanization programmes and improved marketing strategies adding that as a developing nation we need to re-focus our attention and set our priorities right.   “We can achieve a lot as a people if we collectively resolve to change our attitude on what we grow, what we eat, and what we wear and be more nationalistic in building a better Ghana”, he opined.   The DCE said government had taken a number of interventions towards sustainable agriculture including payment of bonuses to farmers, provision of subsidy on fertilizers, mass cocoa spraying, supply of agriculture inputs as well as the introduction of modern techniques of farming and new varieties of drought resistant cereals.   Mr Dofoyenah said the district agriculture directorate in collaboration with other donor partners is undertaking studies on cassava flour for bread making, local poultry improvement programme, cassava multiplication and pig-feed environmental projects to improve the local economy.   He said farmers acting collectively in strong producer associations or cooperatives would be able to take advantage of many opportunities including access to markets, strong bargaining power and better economic conditions.   Mr Ofori Acheampong, the District Director of Agriculture, said 28 farmers in the District were selected for various awards in this year’s District Farmers Day for their meritorious service and contribution towards the sustenance of food security.   Some of the award recipients received cutlasses, sewing machines, mobile phones, wax prints, spraying machines, wellington boots, animal feeds, among others.   Mr Andrew Asamoah, 45, from Kanfakrom was adjudged the overall best district farmer.      He took home a pair of wellington boots, 4 cutlasses, mobile phone, bicycle, spraying machine, animal feed, radio cassette and a certificate.         GNA  ...

Asasetre (W/R), Nov. 02, GNA - The MP for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has affirmed his decision to bring more social interventions to accelerate the pace of development in the area.    He said the NDC-led administration is committed towards the economic emancipation of the citizenry.      Mr Buah, who doubles as the deputy Minister for Energy, was addressing a teeming crowd of NDC party faithfuls at the Asasetre zone after a keep-fit exercise from Tandan to Bomoakpole.      Outlining his vision for the area,  he promised to establish an elderly village as a special center  to cater for the social and economic needs of the aged.      He said the Ellembelle food basket will also be established where there will be collaboration with major stakeholders such as the Christian council, farmers and fishermen to make food available to the deprived in the area.      Mr Buah said it was also his intension to create a youth camp for each town to bring the youth together to foster social integration and forge a network for jobs.      He said the impending elections is about sharing ideas and choice and entreated all to be peaceful as they go about their campaigns.      He urged party members to move from house to house to explain government policies and manifestos to the electorate and dismiss the falsehoods being peddled against the party by the opposition NPP.      The Propaganda Secretary of the Asasetre zone, Mr Daniel Adea-Kaku, asked the NPP to tell Ghanaians the truth and stop promising heaven on earth just to win power.     GNA  ...

Kpalgigbini (N/R), Nov. 02, GNA – The Yendi Municipality on Friday honoured seventeen selected farmers who had contributed to the development of agriculture in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.       Asutana Micheal Baba of Kuga was adjudged the best farmer for the District and he was presented with cutlasses, two jute sacks, radio recorder, a bottle of atrazine, wellington boots and a motor bike     Other award winners were; Nafisa Hardi  of Bunbon, the best woman farmer; Mama Sibidow of Kuni, the best Agro-Forestry Farmer;  Lefei Jaldido of Adibo, the best yam farmer; Mr Nson Aboleh Evans of Yendi, the best worker farmer; Fatimah Mohammed of Yendi, the best shea nut picker.        Mr Issah Zakaria, Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, commended farmers in the area for helping to meet the country’s food needs and for contributing towards the development of the economy.       He said government was committed to building a strong and viable agriculture sector and that through the Youth in Agriculture Block farm Programme, government made available inputs at affordable rates to the youth and other small scale farmers.       Mr Zakaria said with the fertilizer subsidy, a total of 37, 854 bags of assorted fertilizer were received and distributed to farmers during the 2012 farming season.       He said the country was left with some few days to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections and urged all to ensure that the peace in the area remains.        The Yendi Municipal Director of Agriculture, Ambrose Buokanso Ansaayiri, said Farmer Based Organizations (FBOS) are the core component of Agriculture Extension delivery system in the nation and urged all interested in farming to join such organisations.         The Best Farmer, Asutana Michel Baba, appealed to the fertilizer distribution agents to sell the fertilizer at approved rates adding that currently prices of the commodity was very high.   GNA  ...

Wisconsin, Nov. 3, GNA – With only four days to go for the United States elections, the two leading political parties have stepped up their campaign activities to win more votes.   At Wisconsin, believed to be a battleground in US elections for both the Republican and the Democrats, have seen the current Democrats regime visit the State five times and is yet to make another last appearance by Monday.   The Republicans have set up a call-centre at Wisconsin where volunteers were seen busily calling and reminding or persuading friends and families to give their vote to Romney.   A visit to the Mitt Romney Call Centre at Madison-Wisconsin saw about 12 volunteers making calls to convince last minute voters and swing voters.   Mr. Greg Christensen, an Engineer, told the GNA that though he voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 elections, the Democrats government had not lived up to expectation in terms of national defence, health care, taxes and spending on federal agencies.   He said, “The race may be close for both Obama and Romney but I think Romney will win”, adding that, “I have made over 90 calls and sent messages within just an hour.”   Mr. Brian Schemming, First Vice Chairman of the Republican Party at Wisconsin said the Republicans won both majority in Congress and in the Senate in 2010 and that it would not be surprising should the party carry the federal electoral victory.   He said Wisconsin was a major determining State in getting a party to the White House and therefore the party was poised at working for victory in that state.     Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent in Wisconsin, USA (Courtesy US Embassy)  ...

Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday fixed November 6th as the date to dialogue with Presidential Candidates contesting Election 2012.   The EC and Presidential Candidates dialogue aims at building on the integrity of the electoral process for a peaceful poll in December, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, EC Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.   He said the dialogue was to brief the candidate on preparations towards Election Day, and also to develop a healthy relationship between the EC and the candidates.      Dr Afari-Gyan told the GNA that the platform was also to listen to any concern of the political parties and assured the political leadership that Ghana's electoral system had an inbuilt mechanism for free, fair and transparent election.   The EC Chairman reiterated that electoral management was a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including the political parties, media, electoral administrators and democratic institutions.   He therefore charged all to play their roles effectively to ensure that the credibility of the electoral process was not tarnished.   The platform also seeks to offer the candidates the opportunity to fraternise, share jokes, and dialogue as leaders of the opposition sits on the same table with the ruling presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.   The Presidential Candidates expected to participate in the dialogue are; President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Convention People’s Party’s (CPP) Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP).   The rest are The Peoples National Convention’s (PNC) Mr Hassan Ayariga, United Front Party’s (UFP) Mr Akwasi Adddai Odike, the Great Consolidated Popular Party’s (GCPP) Mr Henry Lartey and an Independent Candidate, Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah.   GNA’s investigation indicates that the EC on October 20th, 2008 held the maiden inter-presidential candidates' dialogue dubbed: "Safeguarding the Integrity of the Ballot".   The maiden dialogue was attended by Presidential Candidates who contested Election 2008; NPP Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi; Democratic People's Party (DPP), Mr Thomas N. Ward-Brew; and the running mate of the PNC, Ms Petra Maria Amegashie.   Others were; CPP, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, and independent presidential candidate, Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah.   The NDC was represented by the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia and National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats was represented by Mr Francis Kyei, General Secretary.   Since 1992, Ghana has had uninterrupted democratic practice, conducting five globally acclaimed successful elections.     GNA...

Sagnarigu (N/R), Nov. 3, GNA – The people of Sagnarigu community in the Northern Region have been advised to adhere to peace and promote oneness to ensure speedy the development of the area and the nation at large.   Alhaji Saani Abdul-Razak, Northern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) observed that violence create retrogression, bitterness and ill-feeling and also destroys societies prematurely, and advised all Ghanaians to abhor violence and promote peace.   Citing examples from war-torn countries, he said many children and families had been disintegrated and development had come to a stand-still, saying that, “without peace, no development can take place.”   Alhaji Abdul-Razak was speaking at Sagnarigu on Friday during a durbar organized by the Center for Active Learning and Integrated Development (CALID) and sponsored by Star-Ghana.   He encouraged the people to promote peace, and that, a peaceful nation would attract investment, create jobs and enhance living standards of the people, saying that “we should ensure that the coming elections is peaceful.”   Mr. Sumani Mohammed Awal, Coordinator for CALID, challenged political leaders and followers to preach peace during their campaigns to show their commitment toward peaceful elections.   He observed that Africa has in recent times witnessed a number of political disturbances, usually emanating from bad forms of governance and political intolerance, adding that, elections in the Northern region during the last elections witnessed some violent clashes and cautioned the youth against violence.   Mr. Awal urged the people to dispel the fear of any violence and come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise during the polls.     GNA...

Kenyasi (B/A), Nov. 3, GNA – An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released has indicated that the fish kill at the Water Storage Facility (WSF) at the Newmont Ghana Gold limited Ahafo Mine was due to oxygen depletion and over population of the fish stock.      It said the fish kill was not as a result of elevated levels of sodium cyanide and or heavy metal contamination.      A copy of the report made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kenyasi in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Friday said “Based on the result of the analysis, it is evident that the fish kill was not as a result of elevation levels of sodium cyanide and or heavy metal contamination.      “However, it was as a result of oxygen depletion and over population of fish stock in the Water Storage Facility (WSF).”      The report was an investigation into Fish Mortality in the Water Storage Facility (WSF) at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Ahafo Mine at Kenyasi.      The report said at the time of writing, results of metal analysis were yet to be received, and although those data were relevant to the study, they were not the source of the fish kill, adding “Their presence in the water will result in bioaccumulation in the fish muscles”.         It said the fact that the section of the water where the incident occurred had turned green in colour as in eutrophic water; it was likely that an increase in organic matter and nutrients in the water encouraged algal growth in the pond.      The report said this was confirmed by the dense population of algae present in the water and by the greenish colouration observed in the water.      These algae made a high demand on oxygen at night and early hours but generated oxygen at day time. It was possible that the increase in algal population and or decomposition of algae and other organic matter in the water resulted in a critical oxygen depletion which eventually led to the fish kill.      “This assertion is collaborated by the high BOD levels and the account of the community, which said that they saw the fishes coming up, meaning that the fishes were gasping for air,” the report added.      The EPA conducted the investigations based on a report by the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA) an environmental integrity and non-governmental organisation that 3,000 fishes that were discovered dead in a dam at the premises of the Mine on January 3, 2012 was as a result of cyanide spillage.     GNA...

Odomase, Nov. 3, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister on Friday called on farmers to help promote peace during Election 2012.      He made the call at the 28th Brong-Ahafo Regional Farmers’ Day celebration at Odomase, near Sunyani on the theme “Grow More Food, Strengthening for Market place Bargaining Power.”      Sixty-three farmers were awarded with bicycles, cloth, Wellington boots, spraying machines, cutlasses and soap.      Mr Zakari Atanga of Kobedi Number One, who was adjudged the Best Regional Farmer, took home a corn mill, a piece of cloth, cutlass, and soap.      Mr Nyamekye-Marfo observed that Ghana belonged to the citizenry and not any political party, therefore there was the need to unite in peace.      He asked the farmers to advise their children and the people in their communities against vices which could instigate violence to derail the prevailing peace in the country.      “It is only when there is peace that farmers could go to their farms to support their families,” he added.      On bushfires, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo advised the public to desist from setting fire in the bush to destroy farms and the vegetation during hunting and burning of charcoal.      He said fire volunteers would be well resourced this year, to encourage them to help in the fight against bushfires in the Region.      Mr Kwabena Taah Korang, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) of the Ghana Fire Service said the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recorded 129 bushfires between January and April this year, as compared to 53 bushfires in 2011.      Mr Korang, who is the Second-in-Command for Brong-Ahafo Region, said fire destroyed properties worth GH¢ 700, 000 with 12 deaths, while four forest reserves and four forest plantation were destroyed.      He appealed for more resources for fire volunteers to improve their performance and urged the public to appreciate their efforts in the prevention of bushfires.      In the Atebubu-Amanten District, 23 farmers were honoured at the celebration held at Watro, a farming community.       Mr Sanja Nanja, Atebubu-Amanten District Chief Executive said 600 farmers had been supported with improved maize seeds, fertilizer and tractor services under the SADA Africa connection for maize production in the district.      He said the assistance covered 550 hectares and that government would continue to subsidize the cost of fertilizer and other farming inputs for farmers.      Mr Nanja said government would continue to embark on the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme, block farming and other programmes to benefit framers, adding that, 320 farmers in the district had benefited from such programmes.      He said farmers at Sampa, Mem, Nwonnwam, Duabone Number One and Abotreye had benefited from the Commercial Feed Yam Programme this year.      Mr Nanja reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that potential investments in agriculture would be encouraged for municipal and district assemblies to establish agro-processing industries, which had the potential to attract the unemployment youth into farming.      He appealed to the youth in the district to desist from migrating to urban areas, which had been a major cause of low productivity in the country.      Mr Wilfred Anonabaga, Atebubu-Amanten District Director of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) advised the farmers to see agriculture as a business, which emphasised the theme for this year’s celebration.      He said MOFA had re-awakened farmers on the need to be self-reliant and forge a united front in their activities.      Mr Anonabaga said that would strengthen their efforts to improve on their livelihood, and increase their income.      Twenty-three farmers were honoured in the district with 39-year-old Anthony Kofi Bonna, being adjudged as the overall best farmer.      He was presented with a motorbike (Tricycle), Wellington boots, two machetes, a knapsack, radio cassette player and a packet of roofing sheets.      Mr Bonna cultivated 14 acres of maize, six acres of yam, six acres of cassava, 24 acres of rice, two acres of mango as well as breeding 20 pigeons, 40 cattle and 23 local fowls.      A 56-year-old farmer, Mr Issaka Widani at Abesim was adjudged the overall best farmer in the Sunyani Municipality.      He received a motorbike, radio cassette player, spraying machine, cutlasses, Wellington boots and a citation.      Mr Paul Awentarega, a farmer from Yawhima was adjudged second best farmer and took home a refrigerator, wax prints, Wellington boots, cutlasses, bicycle, a coloured television set and a spraying machine.      Twenty-six other farmers were honoured for their contribution to national food security.      Mr Kwasi Oppong Ababio, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive emphasised that agriculture continued to be a major contributor to Ghana’s economy as 28.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was from the sector.      He said government would continue to intensify and expand the youth-in-agriculture programme through the supply of farm inputs and equipment, such as improved seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigational equipment and tractors at subsidized prices.      In addition, government would improve the mass cocoa spraying exercise and create avenues for increased research in the agriculture sector.      Barima Kumi Acheaw, Chief of Abesim commended government for the celebration of the Day and advised farmers to engage the services of agricultural extension officers to increase food production.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday began a two-day pilot biometric verification exercise in two districts in the Greater Accra Region.   The exercise is to enable the EC to have a firsthand experience of what the actual polls will be like on December.   Mr. Alexander Doku Akubia, Greater Accra Director of the EC told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the exercise took off smoothly and was progressing peacefully and successfully.   The exercise is taking place at two polling centres in the Ashiedu Keteke District – the YCWA Polling Station and the Sempe Primary Number One Polling Station.   Tomorrow November 4th, the EC will move to the Ga West District to conduct the exercise at the Church of Pentecost and Pobiman Private School Polling Stations.   Mr Akubia appealed to voters in the polling stations to be patient with the election officials. He said the Voter ID card was required to vote.   He also advised the general electorate to cooperate with the election officials on voting day should a problem arise, noting that Presiding Officers were well capable to deal with election issues.   "Our officials should also keep to the regulations of the EC", he said.   Mr. Maxwell Kwamina, Deputy Returning Officer at the Accra Sempe Primary Number One Polling Station, said after verifying 115 voters, he had been re-assured that the system was perfect.   "Nobody should even think of cheating because this system would definitely give them away," he advised.     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA - Inflation in the Communication industry is 0.6 per cent, the lowest among all the key sectors in Ghana.   The near-zero growth in cost of telecommunication services in Ghana has produced a stabilization effect on Ghana’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth month on month.   The Consumer Price Index measures changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households.   A statement from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication said between Jan and July 2012, telecoms recorded stable inflation, yielding 0.7% each month, with notably transportation being the highest commodity group with 19%.   Electricity, which constitutes 50% of the operating expenditure of telecom companies and other utilities, recorded 8% average inflation.   In August and September 2012, telecoms inflation dropped even further to 0.2%, with the highest commodity group still being transportation with 19.4%.   The statement said the telecom sector, which had created over 1.5 million jobs, had had a positive influence on general inflation.   "Telecommunication has been acknowledged as a major driver of economic growth and social development globally."     GNA...

Accra, Nov 3, GNA - Majority of Ghanaians are suffering from glaucoma without knowing it, Mrs Lydia Attoh, Principal Nursing Officer, Korle-Bu has said.   Available statistics show that currently 600,000 Ghanaians have Glaucoma with about 30,000 already blind.   She said people had a negative culture of not going for medical check-ups and rather preferred self medication without the optician’s advice.   Mrs Attoh said this on Saturday at an eye screening organised by the First Premium Lion, a voluntary organisation and a member of the international Lion Club in Accra over the weekend.   Majority of the people screened were said to be affected with glaucoma and other diseases, which can cause blindness. Glaucoma can damage the eyes’ optic nerve and result in blindness.   Mrs Attoh said through early detection and with proper treatment, satisfactory sight could usually be preserved indefinitely.   The Principal Nursing Officer said the eye needed a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball in shape so that it could work properly.   “In some people, the damage is caused by raised pressure. Others may have an eye pressure within normal limits but damage occurs because there is a weakness in the optic nerve. In most cases both factors are involved but to a varying extent,” she added.   She said certain tissues within the eye such as the lens were nourished by a fluid called aqueous humour and that if the optic nerve came under too much pressure it could be injured.   Mrs Attoh stated that Glaucoma risk factors included family history of glaucoma, myopia, diabetes and high intraocular pressure.   She said cataract is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness that affects children as well as adults and its treatment was much more difficult in developing countries.   She said many people were needlessly blind from cataract because they don’t know that it could be cured or do not have the money to visit the hospital.   She advised people to refrain from robbing the eye, staying behind computer for a longer period as well as avoid treating the eye not recommended by a doctor.   Mrs Fredrica Odie Benefo, a nurse, debunked a notion that eating of gari causes blindness and advised that people should eat balanced diet.   She commended the Club for the exercise and promised to work with any organisation that wanted to partner with them to embark on a sensitization programme.   Lions Club embarks on programmes that help the vulnerable.   Lion Atawa Akyea, a past President of the Club, said they performed volunteer work for many different community projects – including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding the disabled.   Lion Akyea said the Club was putting up an eye clinic at Korle-Bu to augment the work of other eye centres.   The exercise formed part of Lions social responsibility towards the development of the nation and also to help address the issue blindness.     GNA...

Takinta (W/R), Nov. 3, GNA - A 61-year-old farmer at Onzanyamenleye, near Elubo, Mr Charles Hammond on Friday adjudged the Jomoro district overall best farmer in the 28th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Takinta near Half Assini.   He took home double-door refrigerator, Sonica radio cassette player, fornix bicycle, a spraying machine, six pieces cutlasses and two pair of Wellington boots.    Seventeen other outstanding farmers were also awarded for the hard work and given full piece of Wax prints, a pair of Wellington Boots, three pieces of cutlasses and bags of wheat.   The Jomoro District Chief Executive, Mr Sylvester Daddie urged farmers to form effective and sustainable cooperatives to market their produce at competitive prices.   He said food supply chain had been characterized by a lot middlemen, who over the years had robbed farmers of their needed rightful income.   The Omanhene of Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye, who chaired the function, said the oil extraction in the area would affect sea fishing and   He therefore urged the youth who could not weed to enter into fishing to enable them earn a livelihood.     GNA...

Washington, Nov. 3, GNA – A major phenomenon observed in this year’s US political campaigns ahead of the November 6th polls is advertisement by individuals and organisations to promote favourite candidates.   Unlike the 2008 presidential elections where social media such as “facebook and twitter” became the main mediums of campaign by political parties, particularly the Democrats, this time round advertisement of all sorts is dominating the contest.   This revelation came to light during a tour by 11 West African and Ethiopian Journalists to various US Federal agencies and some private organisations to acquaint themselves with their functions and responsibilities.   Mr. William Buzenberg, Executive Director, Centre for Public Integrity, an investigative journalism body in the US capital, who was not so enthused about the current development, questioned the factuality of campaign messages put across by these society and individual.   “It only goes to affirm the positions and beliefs and not exactly the realities on the ground. Some are indeed misleading,” he said.   Dr. David Alexander, Assistant Director, Centre for Design, methods, and Analysis of the US Government of Accountability Office, said unlike other countries in the world, the US election system was highly decentralized with authority being shared by Federal, State and Local officials.   The states are therefore responsible for the administration of their own elections as well as regulating the various aspects of the electoral process. But Congress has the explicit authority under the Elections Clause to regulate the times, places and manner of congressional and presidential elections.   Dr. Alexander said the primary responsibility for managing, planning and conducting elections, resided locally with about 10,500 jurisdictions nationwide, adding that the Federal Government had a one-time grant to aid local authorities in conducting their own elections.   He said about two million poll workers were needed for the November 6 federal elections, adding whiles some were paid by appointing political parties, others came as volunteers.   The US citizen could either vote through a paper ballot, lever machines, punch cards, optical scan and direct recording elections machines. Early or absentee and provisional voting was also allowed under the system.   Dr. Alexander said a major issue of the 2012 elections was voter identification requirement, adding whilst 31 states had requirement for all eligible voters to show identification card, 11 states specified identification cards with the voter’s photograph.   Some of the institutions visited included the Office of the Inspector General of the District of Columbia, US Government Accountability Office (GAO), and International Centre for Journalists, the Centre for Public Integrity and the “OpenTheGovernment.org”.   GAO is an independent body mandated to investigate and conduct research and other finding for Congress to take action.   Mr. Chuck Young, Managing Director of the Public Affairs, said the agency was created to assist Congress to meet its constitutional responsibilities and improve the performance and ensure accountability of federal government for the benefit of the American People.   The GAO reports therefore thrive on accountability, integrity and reliability with strict performance standards.   Mr. Young said the GAO supported congressional oversight by investigating auditing agencies, illegal and improper activities, reporting on government programmes and policies, performing policy analysis and outlining options for congressional consideration as well as issuing legal decisions and opinions.   Mr. Charles Willoughby, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, District of Columbia, said the office, also an independent body, existed to promote the quality of lives of the people as well as ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in district government programmes and operations.   The office provided leadership, coordination and recommended policies designed to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in district.     From Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent, Washington DC (Courtesy US Embassy)...

Apowa (W/R), Nov. 3, GNA - The Western Regional branch of the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU), have called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to re-open negotiation to conclude agreement on the payment of critical support premium.   They said the critical support premium was for teaching and learning of teachers and non-teaching staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES).   The call was contained in a resolution adopted at a two-day training workshop for District Council Officers of the TEWU in the Western Region at Apowa near Takoradi on Friday.   Brother Robert Zanutey, Regional Chairman of the Union and Sister Doris Abadoo, President of the Women’s Wing, Brother Anthony Compson and Sister Wilhelmenia Bart-Plange, National Executive Committee members, signed the resolution.   The Union said it was giving the FWSC up to November 16 this year to re-open the negotiation or it will advise itself.   It said the premium was being paid to all teachers and 11 out of 22 grades of non-teaching staff of the GES and this was causing problems.   The Union said the grades that had been left out, contributed significantly to education delivery.   It said FWSC was paying the premium to all teachers in offices doing the work of non-teaching staff.   The Union said this was discriminatory because the non-teaching staff provided the necessary support to make the work of teachers complete.   It said when FWSC asked the union to give justifiable reasons why all grades of non-staffing should benefit from the premium, it did so but the Commission had still not called for the negotiation.   The Union further urged the FWSC to listen to demands of workers of the education sector for a review of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in order to resolve distortions relating placement and grades.   It asked the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to approve the operation of the second tier of the National Pension Scheme so that workers could enjoy their benefits when they retire. The Union added that the government should lift the ban on the recruitment of non-teaching staff of the GES so that vacant positions could be filled.     GNA...

Manso-Atwere (Ash), Nov. 3, GNA – Mr Charles Oti Prempeh, Amansie West District Chief Executive (DCE), has encouraged farmers and other workers in the agricultural sector to continue to work hard to increase agricultural productivity.   He said this was important because the government could not achieve its food security agenda and accelerate the development of the nation without the hard work and effective contribution of people in the agricultural sector.   Mr Prempeh was speaking at the 28th district farmers’ day celebration at Manso-Atwere in the district.   In all, 20 farmers were honoured with the overall district best farmer award going to the 54-year-old, Mr Adanse Bona of Muano.   For his prize, he was presented with a double-decker refrigerator, a 21-inch television set, a full piece of wax print, 12 pieces of cutlass, five bars of soap and a certificate.   Each of the other award winners took home half piece wax print, pieces of cutlass and bars of soap.   The DCE congratulated the farmers and reminded them of government’s policies and programmes put in place to address challenges facing agricultural development in the country.   Dr. Albert Kofi Kwansah-Filson, the District Director of Agriculture, expressed concern about the extensive degradation of land and environment by the uncontrolled gold mining activities in the district.   He said the challenges for residents, were not only high prices of food and services in the area, but the total cost of rehabilitation of the environment.   Dr. Kwansah-Filson said there was therefore the need for all stakeholders to come together to reclaim the environment.   Brigadier General Opoku Adusei, General Officer commanding the Northern Command, called for effective monitoring of the operations of illegal miners in the area.       GNA...

Kenyase, Nov. 3, GNA - A 39-year-old carpenter from Bampenase Asamanya, Mr Amos Boateng was on Friday crowned the overall best farmer in the Kwabre East District of Ashanti.   This was at the 28th farmers’ day celebration held at Kenyase.   He received a table top fridge, a bicycle, a radio cassette recorder, three cutlasses, full piece of wax print, wellington boots, a spraying machine and two bars of soap.   Mr Boateng has a large palm and orange plantation farms, among other crops, and rears variety of animals and livestock as well as owns a fish pond with about 5,000 fishes.   Twenty two (22) other farmers were also awarded at the ceremony which attracted a large crowd of people.   Madam Abena Wusuaa of Kenyase, was adjudged the first runner-up and took home a 21-inche colour television, two cutlasses, half piece of cloth, a knapsack spraying machine, wellington boots and two bars of soap.   The district best youth farmer, went to Mr Kwame Oppong Mansuo, a teacher. He received a sewing machine, a half piece of wax print, wellington boots and two bars of soap.   All the other awardees received prizes ranging from Knapsack spraying machines, herbicides, cutlasses, pieces of cloth and others for their efforts.   The theme for this year’s celebration was “Grow more food, strengthening farmer-based organizations for market place bargaining power”.   Mr Iddisah Adams, District Chief Executive, said government had initiated a number of programmes to promote agricultural development and growth in the district.   Among them are fertilizer subsidy, mass cocoa spraying exercise as well establishment of funds to provide credit facilities to farmers to expand their operations.   Mr Adams advised farmers in the district to form associations to enable them benefit from financial assistance to expand their farms and increase production.   Mr Samuel K. Semakor, the District Director of Agriculture, congratulated the award winners for their hard work and promised government’s support to help them expand their activities.   He expressed concern about sand winning activities currently taking over farm lands in the district and appealed to chiefs to take a second look at the situation since that was affecting food production.   Mr Kofi Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East Constituency, advised farmers to adopt new methods of farming to suit the changes in weather to enable them increase yield.   He advised the youth in the area to go into farming since it was a profitable business venture.   Mr Boateng, the best farmer thanked government for the honour and called for pragmatic measures such as ready market for their produce, credit facilities to help motivate the youth to go into farming.               GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 3, GNA – Christian students have been advised to be morally upright and live above reproach so as to be able to transform others in society.   They should desist from acts of vandalism, hooliganism, rioting, cheating and examination malpractices which are the order of the day in some tertiary institutions.   Professor William Oduro of the Institute of Natural Resources of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), gave the advice at the 37th matriculation of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi on Saturday.   Three hundred and eighty eight (388) students made up 216 males and 172 females out of 731 applicants were admitted and swore the matriculation oath to pursue degree and diploma programmes in Theology, Computer Science, Business Administration and Communication Studies.   Professor Oduro was worried about the involvement of so-called Christians in all forms of sin and said this had resulted in the situation whereby there was no marked difference between a Christian and a non-Christian in terms of attitude and lifestyle.   He said the Christian was not an ordinary citizen but a chosen and prepared vessel through which God executes His agenda of transforming and reconciling the world onto Himself.   Professor Oduro advised the students to be focused and have positive attitude towards what they did and obeyed the rules and regulations of the College.   Professor Emmanuel Frempong, President of the University, said there were 1,695 students currently pursuing various degree and diploma programmes at the University.   He said the University offered the best environment and opportunities for students to accomplish their vision and advised the new students to take advantage and study hard to achieve their aims.     GNA...