Lisbon, Nov. 14, GNA - Ghana's Black Stars registered a lone goal victory over Cape Verde on Wednesday in an international friendly in Lisbon, Portugal.   Spain-based midfielder Mubarak Wakaso scored the only goal of the match on 63 minutes to cap a spectacular night for the Espanyol player, who was by far the man-of-the-match.   Wakaso collected a loose ball before firing a long range range effort on his favourite left foot that beat the Cape Verde goalie.   Ghana, parading a depleted side without several key players had the better of the exchanges but had to wait till the second half to break the deadlock.   The match was to afford Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah the final opportunity to observe some players before naming his provisional 25-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.   Line- up : Fatau Dauda, Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, LeeAddy/John Paintsil, Jerry Akaminko, Nana Akwasi Asare/Anthony Annan, Alfred Duncan/Christian Atsu, Derek Boateng/Solomon Asante, Mubarak Wakaso, Albert Adomah/Afriyie Acquah, Abdul Majeed Warris/Richmond Boakye Yiadom     GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 15, GNA – Madam Adwoa Kluvitse, Country Director of ActionAid Ghana has downplayed the nomination of women by some political parties as their running mates saying, that merely choosing women as running mates is no achievement.   "What we want is the passage of an affirmative action law”, said Madam Kluvitse in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the recent nomination of some women as running mates to flagbearers of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) for the December 7 general election.   She explained that the minimum acceptable levels at which the country could pat itself on the back was to give 30 per cent representation to women at all levels of decision making in the country, stressing that women constituted more than 51 per cent of the population and must be accordingly represented.            “We want the passage of an affirmative action law that will tackle problems relating to women, children and the vulnerable in society and when that is achieved, we can then jubilate”, she said.   She enumerated some of the factors militating against women's active participation in politics saying that the negative perception of Ghanaians about women, social and cultural barriers, and unequal levels in the political playing field as some of the challenges.   Madam Kluvitse whose organization has been championing and advocating for the interests of women and the vulnerable, said women in the country had not been given a good foundation, thereby making some women to lack the courage and confidence to compete favourably like their male counterparts.   She called for a quota of women to be given positions in the District Assemblies, as well as the building of capacities of women and urged society to reflect positively about the role of women.     GNA...

Takoradi, Nov.15, GNA—The Minister of Interior, Mr. William Kwasi Aboah, on Wednesday charged the security agencies to act professionally, remain impartial and demonstrate integrity in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the elections.   He entreated the men in uniform to recognize that they owed allegiance to the state and not to any political party and therefore, they should remain neutral in order to anchor the tenets of professionalism, impartiality and integrity.   Mr. Aboah gave the advice during an interaction with the various security agencies in the Western Region in Takoradi to acquaint himself with their preparedness for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.   The Minster’s maiden visit to the Region was also aimed at boosting the morale of security personnel and enabling him to acquaint himself with the challenges confronting them in the discharge of their duties.   Mr. Aboah assured the security agencies that his Ministry would provide the necessary logistics for them to discharge their mandate, adding that “As the leading agencies and custodians of internal security, you have significantly contributed to anchor democratic governance in this country.   “I am, therefore, convinced that with the level of professionalism exhibited so far, your Constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order would be displayed to the letter to ensure a peaceful election come December 7, 2012”, he said.   The Minister, however, expressed dismay over recent involvement of some security personnel in narcotics, armed robbery and extortion of money from civilians, describing such unprofessional conduct that had dragged the reputation of the service into disrepute as untenable.   Mr. Aboah applauded the government for providing the various security agencies with resources to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness, adding that a number of strategic and technical training programmes had been organized to build the capacity of security personnel.   He entreated leaders of the various political parties, civil society organizations, the clergy, traditional authorities, the media and all stakeholders to educate and advice their sympathizers to avoid acts of violence that could plunge the country into chaos.   In his welcome address, the Western Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Ransford Moses Ninson, pledged the commitment of the Command to ensure peace and harmony before, during and after the elections in the Region.   The security agencies were drawn from the Police Service, Immigration Service, Prison Service, Customs Execise and Preventive Service who were also given the platform to ask questions and express their concerns.     GNA...

Bolgatanga, Nov. 15, GNA- Mr Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information (MoI) on Wednesday reiterated the need for staff of the Information Services and Auxiliary Departments to promote peace by disseminating information that would lead Ghanaians to seek the needed peaceful environment.   He said no country developed under situations of chaos and conflicts and added that the peace the country enjoyed was a prerequisite for development.   Mr Baffour who is also the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency was addressing staff of the ISD and Ghanaian Times during a visit to Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, as part of his official working tour of the three regions in the north.   The Minister said the visit offered him the opportunity, since his assumption of office, to gather information on the Ministry and to come out with modalities for addressing issues that would emerge after interactions with staff of the Ministry.   He expressed regret that successive governments had not thought through to invest in existing state institutions and called for policies that would enable government to reinvest in restructuring such institutions. He said the MoI was working diligently to promote change in the institutions that are under the Ministry.   During a stopover at the Bolgatanga office of the Ghana News Agency, Mr Baffour observed that the two-storey building had not been renovated since the 1970s when it was built, and assured the staff that the necessary arrangements would be done to repair it. He said his Ministry would equip journalists with the needed tools to do their work effectively.   Mr Nelson Mba, Upper East Regional Director of ISD appealed to the Minister to consider providing the office with logistics to carry out public education which was a major aspect governing the mandate of the ISD.   He said the absence of ISD in communities to deliver information on policies of government and reach out to rural people who had no access to television and radio was undermining their work.   Other challenges the Director mentioned that needed consideration were equipment for the Bawku and Navrongo offices of the ISD, computers and fixed line phones and internet connectivity for all the districts. He also complained about delays of staff promotions and inadequate staffing.   In Navrongo, the Minister and his entourage inspected the ISD office and also paid a courtesy call on the acting Navro Pio, Pe Wekem Arthur Balinia Adda. They had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Bolga Naba, Martin Abilba III.     GNA...

Wa, Nov. 15, GNA – The Upper West Regional Office of the Electoral Commission (EC) in conjunction with the KAB Governance Consult on Thursday held a dialogue with parliamentary candidates in the region and their representatives under the “Enhancing the Credibility of 2012 Elections” project.   The dialogue sought to deepen the confidence of the candidates in the electoral process through an enlightened appreciation of the electoral system, identify factors necessary for the realization of peaceful elections and update them on preparations made so far made by the EC towards free and fair elections in December.   The meeting was also to explore options for improved collaboration between the Commission and the candidates by providing a platform for candidates to seek explanation from the Commission at the highest level on matters of policy that might be agitating their minds.   Mr. Ali Dauda, Deputy Regional Director of the Commission, assured the candidates that the EC would provide a fair playing field for all the candidates.   He therefore appealed to them to also reciprocate by playing it fairly.   He advised them to organize their campaigns according to the rules so that everybody would stand to benefit.   Parliamentary candidates who attended the meeting included, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister representing Sissala West and Mr. Alban Bagbin the Minister of Health seeking re-election to occupy the Nadowli/Kaleo seat.      Other candidates, who attended were, Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Deputy Majority Leader vying for Wa Central and Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, former Minister of Health seeking to retain the Wa West seat.   GNA...

Sumbrungu (UE), Nov. 15, GNA - The Bolgatanga Polytechnic has held its 10th matriculation ceremony at its Sumbrungu Campus with a call on newly admitted students to take their studies seriously to enable them become productive in national development.   The Rector of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Dr Atinga Mba, who made the call, told the matriculates to take their academic work seriously, stressing that their success in future would depend on that.   He told them that the oath they had taken enjoined them to refrain from immoral and illegal acts such as drug abuse, indecency and unethical behaviour as the School would not countenance such acts.   He said in spite of the fact that the Polytechnic was confronted with challenges such as lack of auditorium and lecture theatre complex, the lecturers and administrators were doing their best hoping that things would be improved upon in the near future.   Dr Mba indicated that this year, the School admitted 525 students out of which 194 were females and 331 were males.   He regretted that there was no female in the Building Technology Department, the newest department and also no male in the Hostel, Catering and Institutional Management this year.   The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Mr Donald Adabre, challenged both lecturers and students to play their complimentary roles very well for the school to maintain its centre of excellence.   Mr Adabre, who is also Ghana’s Ambassador to Mali, said plans were far advanced to introduce degree programmes in the Polytechnics and impressed upon the final year students and those who had completed to take advantage and get enrolled into them to better their lot.   He indicated that the Governing Council of the Polytechnic would continue to play its leading roles at enhancing the growth of the school and called on the students to reciprocate that by putting up their best.   GNA...

Pusiga (UE), Nov 15, GNA - Lack of irrigation facilities in the Sugudi Community in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region is one of the major problems confronting farmers in the area.   Members of the Sugudi Asangkat Nong Cooperative Farmers Society made this known at a press briefing at Pusiga recently. Farming in the dry season is therefore a major problem for the farmers.   “The situation is getting worse and worse as there is no source of drinking water for our livestock during the dry season because we have only one rainy season in a year and that also affects our livestock,” the Treasurer of the Association, Mr Charles Abugre said.   Mrs Akandibila Asule, a 38 year old woman, said the challenge was seriously undermining education in the area as many of them could not engage in dry season activities such as tomato, onion, pepper and green leafy vegetables among others to cater for their children’s education.   “As a result of this many of our children have left for the southern sector and neigbouring countries and thereby forfeiting their education”, she indicated.       The community indicated they were prepared to release land for the construction of a dam for them and called on government as a matter of urgency come to their aid to ameliorate their plight.   “We are also ready to ensure that we help maintain the facility if we get it since we are in dire need of it, it will help us in all year farming”.   A research conducted by BUSAC service provider, Mr Richard Ananga, confirmed the farmers’ plight and recommended the construction of a dam for the community since majority of the community members were farmers and their livelihoods impinges on that.   It, however, recommended for all stakeholders to be involved including the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, Irrigation Company of Upper East Region, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) among others.   Mr Ananga said BUSAC had been supporting the farmers to do advocacy and lobbying aimed at getting the duty bearers to come to the aid of the farmers and noted that so far 30 of the farmers had received advocacy training and a research conducted on the needs of the farmer among others.   GNA...

Dzolokpuita (V/R), Nov. 15, GNA - Mr Samuel Ewode, Ho West District Chief Executive, on Thursday presented 264 laptop computers to 11 basic schools in the District.   The schools received 24 laptops each and are expected to establish computer laboratories and centres to develop Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills of the pupils.   Mr Ewode said the presentation was a demonstration of government’s commitment to education and called for the support of all.   He said the Assembly was making frantic efforts to improve education in the area and consolidate its position as a model in the provision of quality education.   Mr Emmanuel Bedzra, Member of Parliament for the area, advised the pupils to use the laptops judiciously to derive maximum benefit from them.   He charged teachers in the beneficiary schools to ensure that the laptops were used for the purpose for which they were given.   Ms Liticia Doamekpor, a Junior High School pupil, who received the items on behalf of the schools, commended government for the foresight and commitment to basic education.   She assured that the laptops would be put to good use.   GNA...

Cape Coast, Nov. 15, GNA - The Acting Central Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Alex Sackey has entreated Ghanaians to guard against violence in this year’s election since Ghana is the only country for them.   He urged representatives of political parties and members of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees (IPDC) to be ambassadors of peace and educate the electorate on the need to exercise restraint.   Mr Sackey was addressing participants during a focus group discussion as part of measures in ensuring the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in December.   The forty participants, who took part in the discussion organized by the NCCE in collaboration with the Oguaa IPDC, deliberated on issues that bordered on the challenges of women and people with disabilities in elections and the role of the IPDC in ensuring violence free elections.   Mr. Sackey noted that Ghana’s democracy had come a long way and was gradually growing and therefore Ghanaians should protect it.   The participants during the discussion expressed concern about the indiscriminate mounting of public address systems by political parties in the various communities and stressed the need for the various assemblies to enact bye-laws to regulate its usage to stem confusion.   They called on the electorate to resist the temptation of double voting because the computers would expose culprits and the law would severely deal with them.   The participants also appealed to electoral officers to give priority attention to the vulnerable in society like pregnant women, persons with disabilities, nursing mothers and the aged during voting and not allow them to stay in long queues.   They called on the government to empower the IPDC and resource it for it to be effective in settling electoral disputes.   GNA...

Accra, Nov 15, GNA - Dr Steve Manteaw, Chairman of the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG), an organization that seeks to ensure transparency in the receipts and payments of the oil and gas, has advised journalists to be interested in mining, oil and gas issues.   He said, “Journalists are first and foremost Ghanaians and any decision taken by our politicians affects them first as citizens and then as Journalists.”   Dr Manteaw gave the advice on Thursday at an inception meeting of a group of journalists passionate about reporting on the extractive industry.   The group, Ghana Network of Extractive Journalists (G-NEJ), met to discuss how to build capacity to enable them properly understand the extractive industry in order to enhance their reportage on the subject.   Dr Manteaw noted that most at times journalists were left behind when important meetings and training on the oil and gas sector were held, “yet the public expects journalists to be on top of issues and report accurately”.   He, therefore, advised the group to build themselves into a formidable force and ensure that they were not left out in contributing to the development of the extractive industry.   Mr George Mireku Duker, also a member of the CSPOG, stressed on the need to build capacities, especially at the local level to enable Ghanaians to effectively participate in the development of the extractive industry.   Mr Frederick Asiamah, President of the Ghana Network of Extractive Journalists, said the group was ready to work together with all sector players to enable them give balance and accurate reportage.   He, therefore, appealed to all sector players including the Ghana Gas Company, the Ghana National Petroleum Company, Ghana Chamber of Mines and other groups to engage the Network in their meetings and training programmes.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – Dr Craig Emerson, Australia Minister of Trade and Competitiveness said Austrade-led mining mission, (Australian businesses) is in Ghana to explore trade and investment opportunities in West Africa.   A statement signed by Dr Emerson copied to Ghana News Agency on Thursday noted, “fast-growing countries of West Africa offer business opportunities to Australian exploration, mining and mining services companies.”   The statement said demand for skilled workers in mines, as well as in agriculture and infrastructure sectors pointed to a potential role for Australia's international education institutions.   "Australian mining services companies recognized the opportunities of Africa, but this mission gives them actual exposure to the mines and broader market conditions.”   It said, "This is in keeping with the refocusing in Austrade on emerging and frontier markets where Australian companies often have more difficulty with market access and intelligence.”   "Companies taking part in this mission will meet mine managers and see for themselves the potential for their goods and services," he said.   The statement said West Africa was enjoying a period of stability and prosperity, recognizing this, the potential of the region for Australian businesses; the Australian Government was expanding its presence in the sub-region.   It said, “Dr Emerson in March announced Austrade would open a post in Accra, Ghana.”   The statement said Australian companies have about 90 resource projects in West Africa and that Australian investment in Africa stood at more than 50 billion US dollars.   It said Austrade and Austmine, which represents Australia's mining equipment, technology and services industries, were the organizers of the 10-day business mission.   The statement said delegates of the mission would visit the mines in Ghana and Burkina Faso and be briefed on the mining sector and other aspects of commercial life in West Africa.   Ghana is Africa's second-largest gold producer after South Africa, and has more than 10 operating gold mines.   Burkina Faso's six operating gold mines make it Africa's fourth-largest producer of gold.   GNA...

Koforidua, Nov. 15, GNA - The fifth annual conference on Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners Association, Ghana, opened in Koforidua on Thursday.     The four-day conference is under the theme “The role of the Supply Chain Practitioner towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) 4, 5, and 6”.      Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, announced that the Ministry would soon outdoor a five-year master plan for the public health sector commodity supply chain to accelerate Ghana’s quest to meet the MDGs.     “The country has initiated some unique strategies to address specific goals such as the MDG Accelerated Framework (MAF) for goal five”.     He said that plan when operationalized would transform the health supply system from a non-performing system to one that would guarantee ready access to good quality and affordable health commodities.     It would strengthen commodity security for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and other public health commodities for the MDG to be met.     Mr Bagbin urged the participants to be thorough in their deliberations and come out with the best options to support the development and implementation of national policies to meet its health objectives.     “In your daily practice, put the client first, eliminate waste, and improve information management and data visibility to help provide a responsive supply chain system for all,” he said adding that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government since January 2009 had been proactive and committed to the improvement of the health care delivery system in the country.     Mr Bagbin said that was demonstrated by the fact that the government had provided various infrastructures in various hospitals throughout the country and the general working conditions of health Personnel at all levels had witnessed significant improvement.     Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister, urged the Supply Chain Practitioners to ensure that goods and services procured were really essential to the conduct of public business and those goods and services brought into stores were utilized economically and to the maximum effect.     He urged that procurement process be guided by transparency, efficiency and optimum benefit to the organization and the nation.     Mr Smith challenged them to contribute towards the achievement of the MDGs four, five and six, which deal with infant mortality, maternal deaths and HIV and AIDS.   He charged them to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of national resources at their disposal.     Mr Joseph Kotie-Nkansah, President of Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners Association, expressed worry over poor remuneration and general conditions of service of members.     He noted that an appropriate remuneration and better conditions of service would not only retain the few members in the service but also attract a lot into it.   GNA...

Kumasi, Nov 15, GNA – Renowned actress Nadia Buari’s quiet, yet trendy fashion, seems to be capturing the imagination and attention of aficionados across the world.       She was the Special Guest at the Eredi Pisano’s annual fashion event held in New York, United States (US) together with the tall list of celebrities in the fashion, sports and entertainment industry.       A press release mailed to the Ghana News Agency by the Akwaaba Media said the event was hosted jointly by Ferrari Maserati, Bice Restorante, Morton Brown, Davidoff Cigars, Tourneau and Alaskan Water.       Nadia was joined by New York Giant football players Prince Amakamura, Justin Tryon, Ramses Barden, Keith Rivers, Kevin Brown, Michael Coe and musician, B Clay to celebrate the sophistication and classic elegance put on show by Eredi Pisano.       In her interviews with some newspapers, magazines and fashion bloggers on her fashion sense, she declared, “I like to be comfortable in anything I wear”.   GNA...