Sack Milovan Rajevac: Nana Akomea

Nana Akomea, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okai-koi South said categorically that Black Star’s coach Milovan Rajevac should be sacked.
He made this known on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show hosted by Shamima Muslim when he was asked to comment on the performance of the Black Stars in the tournament.
Nana Akomeah explained that he felt Prince Tagoe was one lousy player who needed to be taken off the field. “Milovan’s timing for substitution is very poor. Why will you let a player who is not performing well play full time when you have other players on the bench? Of what use is a winger who can’t even cross the ball for strikers from the wings?” He said.
He further asked that why are we keeping the coach if the team is not playing well.
In another development coach Milovan Rajevac insisted that he will carry on with his traditional 4-3-2-1 formation in our pending matches.
He further defended his tactical formation, which the critics cited for Ghana’s inability to score more than one goal in a match.
Coach Milovan is more concerned about his team’s conversion rate; he does not only consider the 4-3-2-1 formation as the most progressive, especially, at such high levels, but rather blames the frontline players for not being able to utilize their chances created in matches.
Addressing the issue of Ghana’s poor conversion rate during matches, Milovan explained that the players sometimes hold on to the ball for too long. He noted that in our match against USA on Saturday it is very important that the Black Stars scored a ‘proper goal’.

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We Have Been Vindicated – AMA Boss

The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Vanderpuije says the AMA was not wrong in pulling down houses supposedly built on waterways in most parts of the capital.
Alfred Vanderpuije explained that the demolishing exercise carried out at Osu, Mataheko, Sakaman, Odorkor, Kaneshie, chorkor and other surrounding areas in the capital helped to prevent some of these areas from experiencing severe floods as compared to the previous years
He noted that the demolishing exercise was a move in the right direction, adding that AMA would continue to demolish houses built on waterways to prevent floods during severe rainfall.
“Ghanaians must thank the president and government for taking such a bold step to decongest the city,” the AMA Boss said, and advised all citizens to stay away from unhelpful politics.
17 people were reported dead at Ashaiman due to the torrential rains which led to severe flooding in most parts of Ashaiman and the Tema Municipalities.
A total of 35 bodies have so far been retrieved from floodwaters across the country by volunteers and rescue workers and hundreds of people are reported to have lost properties amounting to millions of Ghana Cedis in what Ghanaian media consider the nation’s worst flood disaster.

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The President Has Said It Well, But?

President Mills has cautioned that government would not hesitate to demolish structures that are situated on waterways in every part of the country.

His statement follows the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Alfred Vanderpuije’s position that the demolishing exercise that took place around some areas like Osu and Sakaman earlier this year prevented those areas from flooding.

On Tuesday, The AMA Boss said that more lives would have been lost had they not done that job.

A lot of lives are lost every year just because people continue to build on water ways, and also because of inadequate drainage facilities in most communities, and even in places where they exist people keep dumping refuse and other solid waste in them; this makes it difficult for water to flow to where it is supposed to when it rain.

There is a big argument surrounding the flooding issue. Every year when the rains come, parts of the country always get flooded.

Some parts of Abose Okai, Kaneshie and other part of Accra got flooded in 2009 as a result of choked gutters and poor drainage system in the area.

Ghana has been facing the issue of poor drainage for a very long time.

There are areas in Accra that do not have drains and as a result, these areas flood anytime the rains come.

As the issue of demolishing of structures, which have been built on water ways is being tackled, the districts, municipal and metropolitan assemblies and the government in collaborating with the Ministry of Roads and Transport should also try to identify ways of planning the drainage systems in the country and how to distil choked gutters in the country.

It is about time that horrible attitude of dumping refuse in the gutters by residents be stopped.
The masses also should be educated on the dangers involved in dumping them in the drain and how to properly dispose refuse in order to save us all and our properties.
Bismarck Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

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GFA Clear the Atmosphere of Doubt

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that Sulley Muntari is still a member of the Black Stars team for the World Cup tournament underway in South Africa.

The GFA noted that Sulley Muntari reacted angrily and in a way that was offensive to the team’s Code of Conduct in the outcome of Ghana’s game against Australia last Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

He was accordingly reprimanded for his behaviour with the player explaining that, his actions were borne out of his frustration by the team’s inability to record a win.
Muntari has since apologized to the Management, technical team and playing body of the Black Stars.

The player has also reiterated his commitment and loyalty to the team and his readiness to play and give off his utmost best to the team.

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Checks and Balances in the Media

It has become a common say that the media is the fourth estate of a nation besides the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The media is suppose to bridge the rift between the government and the governed, providing a platform for social debate and consensus building as well as the stage for diverse ideologies on the best development prospects for the nation.
Many international organizations in formulating their index variables for measuring the development of a country don’t fail to consider the “freedom of expression” in each country. Due to the pivotal role of the media in the worldwide campaign for greater freedom, the expression freedom of speech is frequently used interchangeably with freedom of the media.
Freedom of speech has never been practiced in its absolute form but has been curtailed by various forms of limitations from governments, agencies and trade associations.
In its broad sense it isn’t just the liberty towards verbal speech but also the will to seek, receive and to impart ideas or facts on a subject.
In Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of speech forms part of the fundamental human rights of an individual likewise in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights where it stands for “the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression.”
Reporters without borders, a team of global media monitors in a publication in the first quarter of the year ranked Ghana as first in terms of press freedom in Africa and the twenty seventh in the world. This comes as an indication of the increasing respect for freedom in the country.
Indeed Ghana has come a long way in terms of press libration. Backtracking to the regime of the first President of the republic, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, informed by his socialist ideas intended to make the media a partner of the government in their development efforts. The media will associate with the government and communicate the intent of policies so it can galvanize mass support from the governed.
Though many who buy into such socialist ideas believe it was the best thing for a young independence, it can equally be argued that it places some undesirable limitations on the practice of journalism. Particularly, it does not allow public debate and stifles the quest for alternative developmental ideas.
Subsequently, the country witnessed even more stringent limitations under different regimes through the enactment of draconian laws and jurisprudence. A classic example of such a law is the Criminal Libel Law to which many media practitioners have fallen victim.
In May 1999, an Accra High court leveled civil damages to the tune of 40 million cedis (4,000 Ghana cedis) against the publishers of the Ghanaian Chronicle after the court found libelous a report by the paper alleging self-dealing and other misconduct by the then Minister of Roads.
While public officials could resort to the law to protect their reputation to provided no excuse of libel for journalists, not even for those who genuinely err in practice without the share intent to do so.
Thankfully, 2001 saw the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law through a unanimous vote by parliament and the passage of the Criminal Code (Repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Laws-Amendment Bill) Act 2001
On the flip side of the coin, there is the need for some form of regulation for any kind of profession. This helps to wean off unprofessional tendencies as well as maintain decency within the profession.
In the first quarter of this year, Ghanaians were stupendously dismayed by the confessions of Baby Ansabah, (whose real name is Ebenezer Ato Sam) the editor of the ‘Punch newspaper’ about how he deliberately published maligning stories about the health of the then candidate Mills now president of Ghana.
He was relentless in publishing how sick his subject (President Mills) was, suggesting that the professor was going to drop dead anytime. This sought to score point for an opposing candidate and render Mills unpopular.
So the question still remains as to the best way to maintain checks and balances in the media practice. One suggestion is self regulation and the observation of ethics in the media.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), a professional body for media practitioners is championing this course with its adoption of the code of conduct for the media.
Article 1 for instance stipulates that, “the duty of every journalist is to write and report the truth, bearing in mind his/her duty to serve the public. The public have the right to unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information as well as express themselves freely through the media. A journalist should make adequate enquiries and cross-check his/her facts.”
But can an organization whose membership is wholly voluntary and again without any legal enforcement powers manage such a vibrant and devise industry like the media. Either way, the media excruciatingly cries for some regulation.
To prevent the reoccurrence of the earlier mentioned external regulation, the media must be seen to be performing it’s duties with every iota of professionalism. After all, it’s the fear of the media that leads governments to take protective measures.
As put by Napoleon Bonaparte, "I fear the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets."
ARCHIBALD MANU OWUSU-ANSAH JNR

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Water Performs Miracles

Drinking a lot of Water has magical effects in curing so many diseases.


You will never believe it unless you try it.

It has been proven my doctors that it is very healthy to drink about two glasses of water in the morning when you get out of bed even before you brush your teeth.

It is healthy to eat any food an hour before or after drinking a glass of water.

It is advisable to drink about two liters of water which is equivalent to eight glasses every day. When starting, one may find it difficult to drink two glasses of water every morning but with practice, it is possible and your body will gradually get used to it.

Drinking a lot of water you can prevent some diseases and cure others.

If you drink water sufficiently, it will help in enhancing your glow of skin and keep you physically fit.

Drinking water is useful in regulating the temperature of your body.

If you consume water properly then you can be free from constipation.

Acidity also can be cured by drinking a lot of water.

Diabetes can be treated by drinking about 8 - 10 glasses of water or more every day.

According to experts in Water Therapy, one can control hypertension with about four weeks of water therapy.

Some cancers are also controlled with water therapy.

If you have pulmonary Tuberculosis, then three months of water therapy will help.

Since it is entirely natural treatment, it has no side effects.

If one is suffering from the following diseases. These include; Anemia, rheumatism, general paralysis, obesity, arthritis, sinusitis, tachycardia, giddiness, cough, leukemia, and asthma.

Water therapy is the best remedy for these diseases.

If water is said to cure all these diseases, then water indeed is life.

The Ministry of Health therefore advises Ghanaians to drink a lot of clean water daily to prolong their lifespan.

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Fabio Capello: I will announce my squad 2 hour to the match.

England manager Fabio Capello insists he will not release his starting eleven for the match against USA even to his players until two hours to kick-off.
Journalists and analyst are trying as much as possible to guess his selection and formation for the match but the clever Italian also confirmed he already knows what his starting XI will be.

However, rather than serving the purpose of simply keeping the nation on tenterhooks ,Capello stated that his decision has sound logic.

"I will not tell the players who is playing until two hours before the game, which is what I always do," he told a press conference.

"The reason I do that is because if you name the side overnight and then someone is injured, it is not easy to recall the other player who was not originally picked”.

"What I am looking for is the same spirit that England showed in qualification games for the World Cup. I want us to be really compact on the pitch. These players are physically fine and their minds are very focused on this game coming up. They have a lot of desire and appetite to do well. The players here are the best English players. I am confident."
The Italian coach faces his international tournament as England take on the USA in Group C.
The England boss confirmed that Gareth Barry, the Manchester City midfielder, would be among the substitutes for the match, as he hasn't fully recovered from the ankle injury he suffered at the end of the season.

"He has been training normally for three days and has trained hard. He will be on the bench, but I am not sure of the first 11," Capello continued.

"England is ready for this match. The first game is always hard because expectation levels are really big.
"But we have been here eight days, training has gone very well and we are confident.
"We know the expectation levels of the fans are really good. I am sure the team can reach the finals. I genuinely believe we have a squad that can make it to the final."

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Kojo Antwi Happy about BET nomination

Ghana's music icon and legend Kojo Antwi has been nominated for the International Act category at the BET awards.
Kojo Antwi, a true son of Ghana, expressed much enjoy and noted that he was glad that such a prestigious group like Black Entertainment Television (BET) had recognized his work and had nominated him in the International Act category which happens to be a new one.
"Awards are meant to widen the horizon of musicians and I am happy I have being nominated." he said
The BET awards, which will be held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, would come off on the 27th of June 2010. Other African musicians like M.I., Peter and Paul popularly known as P Squared and K'naan have also been nominated.
Some fans of Kojo Antwi were excited about the nomination and noted that Kojo has made Ghana, African and his fans all over the world very proud.
Some also added that they would try as much as possible to watch the show and also added that they hope he wins the award.
Kojo, all the lovely people of Ghana wish u luck.

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Kwesi Pratt Gives Credit to Professor Sawyer

Kwesi Pratt a member of the socialist forum and the Kwame Nkrumah Centenary earlier on today noted that Ghanaians should deal with the centenary committee if they realize after the celebrations that moneys have been misused.
“If we as a committee are properly audited and Ghanaians realized that the money has been misused, they should deal with us." he emphasized. he also added that because of the structures the members of the committee laid down when they started and the good leadership they have, it will be difficult 'chop' the money.
He also explained that when the committee started working, the funds had not been released so he went round in the name of the socialist forum and sort for funds. He got an amount of 100 GHC which he and some members of the socialist forum presented to the committee last year.
He further explained that advertisement about the celebrations in some foreign agencies like New York Times and CNN was very expensive. "I am glad Professor Sawyer says we are still below the budget.
“The Prof. knows what he is doing and will not just approve of anything i doesn't know of." he said.
He concluded by saying that the committee was on course and asked Ghanaians to patronize the programs which will begin on the 22nd of May.

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chapter one complete

THE CONTRIBUTION OF FARMERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY OF GHANA.A STUDY OF FARMERS AT DODOWA.




BISMARCK NII OGBAMEY TETTEH

INDEX NUMBER: DCSA 2010105



CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION



1.0 BACKGROUND


Agriculture constitutes 40 percent of Ghana’s annual income. Considering the fact that the under-developed countries employ 80 percent or more of their population in agriculture, the developed countries employ less than 20 percent to as low as 5 percent of their population in Agriculture. Agriculture is the key instrument driving their economy. Ghana, yet still has a big question about whether she is able to feed herself and improve her economy through the Agriculture sector. In its starkest terms, economic development is nothing more than the reverse of the proportions above.

Agriculture is the main stay of the Ghanaian economy and source of livelihood for a majority of our country’s populace. It is the source of raw materials for industries; the main foreign exchange earner and also the main source of food security for the country. Agriculture is the main employer of rural households and the backbone of the agricultural economy.

Mostly, Agriculture is done by small scale men and women farmers who produce for incomes, food and employment. Agriculture, in addition to being a key thematic area for Action Aid International Ghana’s Country Programme is also the Government’s Priority in Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRSII). It is the means to eradicate poverty in the country and to meet the first Millennium Development Goal of reducing hunger and eradicating poverty. This signifies the importance of the sector to stakeholders.

The late Mr. Dan Augustus Lartey, presidential candidate, leader, founder and chairman of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) had a very important ideology of “Domestication” which stood to be “growing what we eat and eating what we grow”. By domestication, Dan Lartey means favouring what is locally produced and strengthening the domestic economy, from agriculture to manufacturing -- for domestic and export markets.

Grow what you eat and eating it, says Lartey calling for self-sufficiency in Ghana’s primary economic sector, food, clothing and shelter. He pledged to radically correct an over reliance on imports if he is elected into office. Most of the things eaten and drunk in Ghana are imported from developed countries.(http://allafrica.com/stories/200012070313.html)

According to the encyclopedia of Nations, agriculture accounted for more than 40 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1999 and employed three-fifths of the workforce. However, despite its importance, sectoral growth has lagged behind other sectors of the economy and has been unpredictable, as most farming is reliant upon rainwater.

The Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama predicted dire consequences on the economy, particularly agriculture and health, if there was an increase in the factors that contributed to climate change. He expressed the fear that if the “current trajectory remains unchanged, cocoa trees, as well as maize crops, cannot thrive in Ghana in the near future”. (http:www.Africanews.com)

The country continues to be a net importer of food and agriculture products amidst the significant improvements made in the agriculture sector as in the strategies for agriculture development in the Ghana Vision 2020.

The research is going to consider the Agriculture sector, specifically mango farmers at Dodowa in the Damgbe West.

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study will seek to address the state of Agriculture production in Ghana. It will also examine if Ghana is able to feed her citizen.


General Objective

* To examine the contribution of Farmers to the economy of Ghana



Specific Objectives

* To determine what Farmers are doing to help boost Ghana’s economy at Dodowa.
* To examine if the farmers at Dodowa are prepared to increase agricultural produce.



1.2 RESEARCH QUESTION

* What is the contribution of farmers towards the development of the economy of Ghana through the Agriculture sector?
* What policies can help raise productivity and increase employment opportunities of farmers at Dodowa?




1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The economy of developing countries depends on three main sectors; Agriculture,industry and services.Agriculture is the bedrock of the economy as it produces the rawmaterial to feed the industries for processing into final products.

Ghana is an Agrarian country, majority of Ghanaians are employed in the sector but the operations are rudimentary and lacks modern methods of Agriculture such as the use of advance technology to improve agricultural productivity.

Dodowa is a urban town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.Majority of the people are farmers who cultivate mainly mangoes, mazie and cassava.

There is the need to examine their contribution to the economy of Ghana by looking at their productivity, land and challenges they face.



1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study will seek to address what happens to the mangoes after they are harvested. Mangoes are classified under non-traditional export products.

The research will also help the government in the formulation of policies to resolve the financial problems that the farmers at Dodowa go through from the planting to harvesting and selling. It will also look at the number of the mangoes that are exported to other countries, consumed in Ghana and the numbers that rots and go to waste.


1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

The research which has its study on Farmers at Dodowa therefore is going to look at Farmers who grow specifically mangoes at Dodowa in the Damgbe West constituency and what they do to the mangoes after harvesting them. The research will consider the Ministry of Food and Agriculture both Dodowa division and the main office and the part they play in mango production at Damgbe West constituency Dodowa.

1.5 ORGANISATION OF STUDY

Chapter one consist of the background, objectives of the study, the research question, statement of the problem, significance of the study and the scope of the study.

Chapter two will consist of Literature which will contain the review of theories, related studies, statements of hypothesis, rationale for research question and operational definition

Chapter three will based on the Methology.

Chapter four will consist of

Chapter five will have discussion, Limitation and recommendation and conclusion

Chapter six wil also have References and Appendices.

1.5 ORGANISATION OF STUDY

The study is made up of five chapters which are as follows;

The first chapter is the introduction to what the study entails,which focuses on the background of study, the statement of problem, objective of study, research questions, relevance of study, and the scope of study.

The second chapter comprises of the literature review, which has the review of articles from other books and the internet which are related to the study. It also reviews and related the study to the theories that frames it, the testing the rationale for hypothesis and the operational definition of some keywords in the context of the study.

Chapter 3 involves the Methodology used in the research work. It covers sample and population, instruments used in the research design, sampling, techniques and the procedure of data collection and adequate demonstration of proper control of confounding variables.

Chapter 4 focuses on the discussion, findings and analysis of the research approach. It also presents the representation of reports .

Chapter 5 has to do with the summary, limitation, conclusion and recommendations of the study.

Chapter six wil also have References and Appendices.

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The new dawn of robbery

Many scientists believe that most of the things in this world go through some form of evolution or the other. Over the years, robbery has taken many forms like armed robbery, snatching and robbing in taxis.

Behold a new era of robbery has emerged. In these recent times where mobile phones are the order of the day, people will give anything to possess them. Since demand for the mobile phones are high, these criminals have taken it upon themselves to rob Peter just to pay Paul.

They started picking them from innocent victims' pockets and bags, developed on that and started snatching the phone from their victims. Another development was made and this time they started attacking victims with guns, machete and razor blades.

This new form of robbery is yet another development which employs very powerful tools, so powerful that it is very difficult to defeat them.

These criminals wait till their victims are asleep at night, then they cut the neat on their windows and place a very sticky substance on a pole which gives the access to most of the things in their rooms from hand bags, wallets, dresses, money and mobile phones.

The ultimate tool they employ here is sleep. Since it is very difficult to stay up through the whole night till the next morning, every one is at risk.

A lot of victims have lost their phones, money, and other valuables to this new type of robbery. The question is, how are we going to help the police fight these criminal activities?

Speaking to a Crime Investigation Department Officer, he admitted that the police were aware of this type of robbery. He disclosed that it is because of this type of robbery that the Ghana Police are against the sales of 'second hand' phones.

These 'second hand' phone vendors in a way promote the stealing of mobile phone. He added that he was sure citizens were aware that regular exercises are conducted to smoke out those vendors who promote the phone theft.

Possibliy when the national identification system (NIS) goes through it will be easy for the police to curb this crime.since with the NIS, there will be a database on very one, it will speed up the finger print analyses process.

Even though this will not completely stop this activity, it will be better for all not to leave their phones or any valuables around or on their beds whiles sleeping.

Let as help ourselves to help achieve a better Ghana for all.

Bismarck Nii Ogbamey Tetteh.

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