Accra, Nov. 7, GNA – Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) telecommunications company of the year, Vodafone Ghana is currently offering consumer international calls which can save subscribers up to 90% on charges.   In an age of connectivity, consumers demand an international calling service, which is cost effective and keeps them connected to their loved ones abroad.   In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, Tara Squire, Head of consumer marketing, Vodafone Ghana explains: “Demand for calls to places in the US, Canada, UK and other destinations is such that we need to make sure that our customers are receiving the best value for money on these international calls.   “In today’s global village, our customers need to communicate comfortably with their loved ones so we have developed different international packages to suit their needs”.   Customers therefore can subscribe to daily or monthly bundles which allows them to make international calls for as low as 10 pesewas per minute to places such as US, UK, China and other popular destinations.   The friends and family package also allows customers to include one international number to the four local numbers to get extra value for money.   To subscribe to the daily and monthly international bundles, customers can dial *125*30# for the monthly bundle and *124*31# for the daily offer.   To add an international number to the family and friends package, customers must dial 555 and follow the prompts.   “Vodafone believes in innovative and helpful ways to support our customers and by introducing packages such as the International Packs, the focus is to better serve customers by giving them the power to connect on an international level without breaking the bank,” the statement said.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA – Ashford Tettey Oku, one of the long serving administrators of Accra Hearts of Oak has resigned from the club with immediate effect.      Tettey Oku, who acted as the General Manager of the Phobians tendered in his resignation letter to the Board of Directors on Monday afternoon.      Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the veteran administrator fell out with the top hierarchy of the club over the recent problems hanging around the poor start to the league, and he felt the best decision was to bid farewell.      His resignation comes barely four-days after head coach Charles Akonnor was given the boot after the unfamiliar start to the season.      The Club’s Board of Directors have yet to comment on the latest development which will no doubt create a huge vacuum in the administrative set up of the oldest exiting club.      Tettey Oku, also Vice Chairman of the Premier League Board (PLB) has served the Phobians for well over two decades.      He served as Administrative Manager for nearly two decades before being elevated to the position of General Manager following the floatation of shares last year.   GNA...

Accra Nov. 6, GNA – An Accra Fast Track High Court on Tuesday dismissed a writ of mandamus filed by the Independent People's Party (IPP) praying it to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to accept the party’s presidential candidate's nomination form for the December 7, polls.   The court presided over by Mr Justice U. P. Dery noted that any delay against the EC would be detrimental to the whole nation.   It said the EC under the law had the mandate to regulate electoral activities as such published on October 17 and 18 as date for parties to submit their nomination forms.   The court said the IPP did not meet the deadline adding that a look at the form showed that the party did not provide the name of their vice president.   According to the court, the EC noticed that in some instances two signatories had the same identity card numbers while other identity card numbers did not exist.   It said even though the EC did not give the IPP time to correct or amend their nomination forms, the anomalies on the forms were huge hence the commission rejected it.   The court however did not award any cost.   Mr Kofi Appaloo, the IPP presidential aspirant, said he was not going to appeal against the court’s decision.   The EC in October rejected the presidential nomination form and the party filed a writ of mandamus praying the court to compel the EC to accept the party’s nomination form so it could contest in the December 7, polls.   The IPP noted that the acceptance of the nomination forms would enable the party’s Flag bearer, Mr Appaloo to take part in the December 7 Presidential Election.   According to the IPP the EC acted arbitrary when it failed to accept the Flag bearer’s nomination form adding that conduct amounted to public neglect.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov. 6, GNA – A former Director of the United Nations Development Programme Energy and Atmosphere Programme, Professor Emeritus Thomas Johansson, has underlined the need for emerging economies to invest more in efficient energy technologies.      The lack of access to clean and modern energy, he said, remained a major challenge and stifling industrial and socio-economic growth in many countries.      It is estimated that about two million people worldwide are without access to clean energy like wind and solar, which affects the quality of life and industrial development.       Prof Johansson was delivering a paper on “Global Energy Assessment (GEA) – Toward a sustainable future”, at a public lecture organised by the Kwame Nkrumah University of science and Technology (KNUST) Energy Centre in Kumasi.       The GEA is a research-based document, defines a new global energy policy agenda to transform the way society thinks about, utilise and deliver energy.       It was developed by the Cambridge University Press in partnership with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis.       Prof Johansson noted that the document was the first ever fully integrated energy assessment with suggestions on energy opportunities and strategies for developing countries and emerging economies to meet the demands of the growing population.       He said more should be done to evolve energy efficient cars, buildings and domestic appliances, adding that, research showed that efficient end-use technologies could significantly contribute to large carbon emission reduction.       Prof Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Director of the KNUST Energy Centre, said modern and alternative energy sources would aid the fight to bring down poverty.       He pointed out that Ghana could not continue to rely on hydro to generate power to meet industrial and economic needs.       He called on technocrats, scientists and industries to brainstorm on ways to find alternative energy sources from waste, wind, natural gas, solar and nuclear to benefit the people.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov.  6, GNA – Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader, has urged supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to reach out to voters and assist them to have better understanding of the party’s manifesto.     This, he said, would help to win them over and assure the NPP of resounding victory on December 7.                        Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, was inaugurating the party’s constituency youth wing at a rally at Suame.      Its 10-member executive is chaired by Mr Mustapha Owusu.       The MP accused the ruling National Democratic Congress of poor performance, which, he said had led to widespread economic suffering, rising cost of living and joblessness.     The NPP represents hope for the nation and cannot afford to disappoint the people in the pending general election.       He said the party’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, would provide strong and effective leadership to transform the economy and make things better for the population.       Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu insisted that the free senior high school promise is not just a campaign tool to win elections.   He asked the people to ignore the mischief and desperate attempts by the party’s political opponents to discredit it.       The Minority Leader appealed to the people to vote massively for the NPP to put the nation on the path to real development and wealth creation.       Nana Kofi Senyah, the assembly member for New Suame, commended the MP for his tremendous contribution to the development of the area.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov 6, GNA - The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has vowed to continue with its nationwide strike.      It said its members would not return to work until its demand for premium is met.       This was contained in a joint statement signed by Kumasi, Kwabre East, Sekyere East and Ahafo-Ano South branches of the association in Kumasi on Tuesday.        The members warned that they would be in for a long haul and that “none of its members would go to work”.         CLOGSAG declared nationwide industrial action on Wednesday, October 31 and dissociated itself from the appeal by the Local Government Workers Union (LGWU) for the “payment of special allowances” to public sector workers.        The statement said this is not what members asked whilst LGWU has no bargaining certificate to negotiate for special allowances.        It said though few staff of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies belong to the LGWU, “it must be emphatically stated that since time immemorial, the ministries, departments and agencies have been CLOGSAG members and it is CLOGSAG that has been negotiating for salaries and allowances over the years”.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 6, GNA – The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed the need to bring together all trade unions in the country under one umbrella to ensure effective implementation of policies that would protect and sustain the welfare of workers.   Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, Deputy Secretary General of the TUC said the trade unions have been so divided that there are more than 50 unions which does not make positive impact on their members.   He said the TUC has therefore targeted the Nurses and Doctors Union, Teachers Union and Civil Servants among other unions.   Dr Baah was addressing the Northern Regional Council of Labour in Tamale on Tuesday. The meeting was also used to elect new executives for the union in the region for the next four years.   He said the informal sector would also be brought under the trade union to ensure that workers push their interests further.   He said the TUC is strategising to make sure member’s interest are sustained and protected through welfare schemes.   Dr Baah however expressed worry about the over politisation of issues in the country which he said does not auger well for the fledgling democracy.   “The focus of the elections must be about poverty and not about personalities,” he stressed.   He asked the youth to join the union and take leadership positions.   Mr Abudu Iddrisu, Chairman of the Regional Council of Labour said the union had chalked out successes in the past four years and noted that retention of the premium of some members is   worrying.   Mr Evils Mahama was elected the Chairman for the Tamale Regional Council of Labour while Issah Alhassan got the Vice Chairman position. Yidana Salifu was elected Secretary while Madam Comfort Juayidind emerged as the Women Chair.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA- Ghana will observe the 2012 World AIDS Day on November 27 instead of December 1, acclaimed globally, Dr Angela El-Adas, Director- General, Ghana AIDS Commission announced on Tuesday.   She explained that with the consent of President John Mahama as Chairman of the Ghana AIDS Council, the day had been moved to November 27 to make way for preparation of the all important December 7 general election.   Launching the day in Accra on the sub-theme: “Accelerating to Zero Together,” under the world theme: “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV/Infections, Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths,” Dr El-Adas said a month-long activity would be rolled out to culminate in a national durbar to be held in the Central Region.   She said despite advances that had been made globally and locally in national response to HIV in terms of treatment, care and support interventions, many people do not know their status while others do not know the facts about protecting themselves against the disease.   “Adults including pregnant women and babies are still dying of AIDS-related illness and we are still recording new infections,” she noted.   She said HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and their families also remain a reality though “our heart–to-heart ambassadors are breaking difficult grounds by sharing their experiences and intensifying education to demystify misconceptions and negative attitudes towards PLHIV”.   Dr El-Adas said this year’s focus would be on revitalising efforts to create an enabling and supportive environment for the achievement of zero new infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero discrimination by promoting acceptable attitudes towards PLHIVs, their families and key populations.    She indicated that attention would also be directed at community mobilisation to support the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.   She stressed the need for the nation to accelerate efforts to promote country and community ownership of the response to HIV.   Mr Girmay Haile, Country Director, UNAIDS said global annual rate of HIV infections had declined by more than 25 per cent over the last five to eight years while an estimated 6.6 million people in low and middle income countries are receiving antiretroviral therapy, a nearly 22-fold increase since 2001.   About nine million people in low and middle income countries who are eligible for antiretroviral treatment are not receiving them, while many people do not have access to adequate care services.   Mr Haile commended Ghana’s efforts at achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, which had led to reductions in national HIV prevalence from 3.4 per cent in 2004 to approximately 1.5 per cent in 2011.   He stressed the need for the legal audit and assessment of HIV and AIDS related laws and policies in Ghana and the recent strategy for most-at-risk populations to be harnessed to contribute to the achieving zero AIDS related discriminations in Ghana.   Among activities to be undertaken during the celebration is national and regional talk shows on radio and television, nation-wide heart-to-heart caravan tour to galvanise regional and community support and sensitisation of the public on the benefit on HIV testing and counseling.   Alongside the launching which was held at the Obra Spot at Nkrumah Circle in Accra, was an HIV free counselling and testing for the public.   Mr Samuel Opoku, a team member of Ghana West Africa Programme to combat AIDs and Sexually Transmitted Infections said from 1000 to 1200 hours, 74 people from 20 and 50 years are testing their HIV status with a few of them proving positive.   GNA...

Accra, Nov, 6, GNA- The Saudi Fund for Development {SFD} and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning on Tuesday signed a 12 million dollars loan agreement for the construction of a Trauma and Acute Care Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.   The project is aimed at enhancing, facilitating and widening essential health care service.   The project will comprise three basement floors with the first ground floor including laboratory, medicines and general stores.   There will also be a central unit of sterilisation, laundry, units for accidents, diagnostic radiation, digital photograph, intensive care, anesthesia recovery and surgical emergency rooms.   Mr Hasan Alattas, Director-General SFD said the agreement would clearly reflect the close relations of Saudi Arabia and Ghana and the genuine efforts made by the Arab nation to support local development projects.   He said the finance of the project and the total commitments of the Saudi Fund to Ghana is 391.65million Saudi Riyals, equivalent to 104.44 million dollars.   Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said the agreement would promote good and quality health care and ensure sustainable expansion of infrastructure in the health sector.   Professor Nii Otu Nartey, Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital said the emergency centre of the health facility is diminutive to clutch a number of patients.   GNA...

Accra, Nov.6, GNA - The Volta Youth Network, a youth group from the Volta Region on Tuesday endorsed President John Dramani Mahama, pledging to massively campaign to mobilise the grassroots to ensure victory for the party.   “Having accessed policy statements of the NDC (National Democratic Congress) and the conduct of President Mahama in the high office… thus far, we are confident that he is better placed to lead as Commander in Chief of our Armed forces and the President of the Republic of Ghana, come January 2013.”   The Group made this position known at a press conference in Accra.   Mr  Mathias Alagbo-Johnson, President of the Network and Convener of the message, stated that based on the track record of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) and NDC, electing Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP would pose a lot of national security risk and threat to the country.   “Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP’s wholesale free SHS promise without giving details of its affordability, sustainability and the Nation’s infrastructural readiness for such an exercise in 2013-2014 academic year raised a lot of suspicion and doubts.   “President John Mahama’s presidency can thus be described as one that inspires hope, promotes universal peace, freedom and committed to delivering justice to Ghanaians”.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA – Stakeholders in the cocoa industry have been asked to pay attention to climate change, which is leading to high temperature, to ensure the sustainability of industry and livelihoods.   Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, who made the call, said climatic changes might impact negatively on morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of cocoa plants and beans.   For instance, in cocoa regions of Ghana temperature is predicted to rise by 2.4 degrees Celsius by 2050 with changes in precipitation being trivial.   “It is predicted that suitability of cocoa production within current cocoa growing areas will decrease by 2050, while it may increase at higher elevations,” he told the opening session of the National Cocoa Stakeholders Conference in Accra on Tuesday.   The two-day stakeholders’ conference will discuss the issue of sustainable cocoa economy, cocoa certification and its benefits and environmental governance.   Prof Asenso-Okyere said it is important that Ghana develop crop simulation models to estimate crop sensitivities to current and future trends in growing regions.   He said to counteract the effects of climate variability and extreme weather events, farmers should embrace adaptations strategies, such as screening, breeding and evaluation of drought tolerant genotypes and introduction of irrigation in Ghanaian cocoa production.   Prof Asenso-Okyere said because of scarcity of water, the irrigation system should incorporate water conservation practices that allow water harvesting and ground water recharge.   “Drought contingency planning, drought preparedness and impact assistance policies should be put in place as part of public policy facilitated by an early warning system,” he said.   He stressed that index-based weather insurance could help in assessing crop failures and provide disaster payments to farmers.   Besides, as part of climate change mitigation, research and extension should identify and develop eco-friendly technologies for reduced Green House Gas emissions during the cocoa chain period from production to consumption.   Prof Asenso-Okyere said Ghanaian farmers should also enjoy the benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism by providing monetary returns to farmers for the eco-services rendered by cocoa cropping through the sale of certified emission reduction credits.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA – Former President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday called on former executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from across the country to hit the party’s Election 2012 Campaign trail.   “I enjoin all of you here to hit the campaign trail. Your input is valuable to the cause so don’t go back home and watch from the sidelines,” former President stated during interaction with over 100 former NDC executives, who called on him to encourage him to join the campaign trail to ensure victory for the NDC in the December elections.   President Rawlings said: “My dear friends and senior colleagues; I am also deeply touched by your plea that I overlook the deep problems our party has encountered since 2009 and join the campaign trail.   “I have in recent public statements expressed my desire to see the NDC win the election and have also expressed the feeling that John Mahama has brought some sense of hope to the NDC.   “We may however have to call on our dear brothers and sisters in the NDP, the party leadership and membership to consider seriously withdrawing parliamentary candidates from constituencies where the NDC has credible candidates.   “I hope to play my part in this election period. I am four years older than I was in 2008 and all the exertion plus my international roles mean I am a tired man. I was hoping to retire after the last election but unfortunately things did not fall in place the way they should have.   “We must keep the channels of communication open so we can work hand in hand tore-ignite the revolution to restore our party to its rightful position of respect and value in our society.   “Corruption and injustice have never had and will not ensure any future in national governance”.   President Rawlings also noted that he wished the current crop of party executives would take a cue from the level of deep commitment and love exhibited in the past by the former executives.   The NDC founder said even as young faces were introduced into the party, the NDC should not ignore the old experienced hands, who still had so much to offer.   He explained that his recent past criticism of the party was always done with deep pain, but failure to do so would be a betrayal of the people who held the party up and gave it a life.   He stressed: “Your statements here today are not cosmetic and will be followed up with real action and words of reproach and action to the current leaders of the party, some of whom approach party issues as if they have no understanding of the issues that affect the ordinary people of Ghana.   “As a party we have failed in several aspects of governance, particularly with respect to offering confidence to the people that they will receive justice at all times. I need not delve into the details because you are aware of these and I have stated them several times over”.   In an address read on behalf of the group by Alhaji Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah (aka Alhaji PMC), the former executives said: “it is our belief that your party needs to be revolutionized and reinvigorated.   “We as former executive of this party from various levels can, therefore, not continue to sit idle when just a few people in the name of being executives of the party or ministers of state engage in acts that have the tendency to destroy this great party of ours.   “We share with your concerns and we are here to identify with you. We also will want to inform you of plans we have put in place to help in the 2012 general elections.   “…Our campaign machinery cannot fly without your involvement. We have witnessed our campaigns in the past and can say without fear or favour that your absence on the trail is not a good development.   Mr. Kofi Adams, spokesperson for the former President enjoined the former executives to strengthen their front and constitute themselves into a formidable group or organization so they could offer valuable advice and input to the party’s progress.   Notable former executives who called on President Rawlings were Nana Osei Bonsu, former National Vice-Chairman, Kofi Mintah, former Central Regional Chairman, Kofi Sarfo; former Eastern Regional Chairman and Nana Nimpong, founding member fromBrong Ahafo.   Others are Hajia Tanato Yakubu, former Northern Regional Women’s Organiser and Iddrisu Ismaila, a former Constituency Chairman in the Northern region.   GNA...