Asante-Mampong (Ash), Nov. 16, GNA – Professor Emmanuel Nicholas Abeka, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has called on farmers to develop the interest and readily adopt improved farming technology.       He said it was important for them to recognize and accept that proven technology was the basis for improving crop yield.       This was why, he said, they needed to change their attitude and to introduce innovations into agricultural production practices.       Prof Abeka  said this when opening an agricultural exhibition and fair organized by the College of Agriculture Education of the University, Asante-Mampong Campus.     On display were fufu-pounding machines, irrigation equipment, and products from poultry, citrus and cocoa.      It was meant to provide the platform to showcase the benefits of technology and generate new ideas and approaches to boost the nation’s agriculture.      Prof Abeka underlined the need for an aggressive push towards achieving food security, poverty reduction and sustainable production of agro-industrial raw materials to feed the local industries.      Research activities should also be stepped up to address production constraints, he added.      Prof Harrison Dapaah, Principal of the College, said it has since its establishment in 1992, the college has been making some steady progress with two faculties and seven academic departments.   GNA...

Agogo (Ash), Nov. 16, GNA – Mr Samuel Anyan-Kusi, an Independent Candidate, has vowed to win the newly created Asante-Akim North Constituency seat.        He said he was confident that the outpour of massive goodwill and support by the people for his campaign would translate into votes on December 7.          Mr Anyan-Kusi said he decided to go solo after he was disqualified at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primary election on the basis of his dual nationality.        Mr Anyan-Kusi has since renounced his American citizenship.        Launching his campaign at a well-attended rally at Agogo, he promised to bring development to the people, if given the mandate to represent them in parliament.        He said he would provide an open, transparent and accountable leadership and called on the people to turn out in their numbers on voting day.        Scores of known supporters of the NPP, who thronged the rally ground, said they would vote for him and Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, their party’s presidential candidate.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA – A massive crowd gathered at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday morning when the news of the death of the former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama was announced.   Government officials, leaders of the New Patriotic Party, family members as well as many ordinary Ghanaians all came around to verify the information and pay their respects.   In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Henry Martey Newman, the Chief of Staff, said the former Vice President deserved to be recognized and given a befitting burial.   He said government had declared a state of national mourning for two days for all Ghanaians to mourn the Late Vice President saying he played a major part in our democratic process.   He said when government received the news of his ill health, it was decided to fly him abroad if his situation improved and was in a stable situation, but this morning the news of his sudden death was received.   Mr Martey Newman said the former Vice President was a calm, gentle and focused man, who had the interest of his people at heart adding that it was important for all to recognize and pay respects to such a man who worked wholeheartedly for the nation.   He said after some consultations with the family, he would on Saturday November 17 be given a state burial in Osu, to be preceded by a Muslim prayer service at the forecourt of the Statehouse adding that aircrafts would be arranged for family members to be flown to Accra on morning of the burial.   Alhaji J. J Suleiman, brother of the Vice President Mahama, said the family was still in shock as a result of the loss saying it was a big blow to the family and the nation.   He expressed his gratitude to the government for their support and added that the family would soon meet to discuss his burial details adding that “we have not yet decided where he should be buried, but we would be very happy if he would be buried in Yendi, since all family members were up there in the north and his soul would be at peace if he were buried there”.   Mr Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong, Special Aide to Aliu Mahama, said the Late Vice President was in a good health until they returned from the Presidential Debate, held in Tamale when he complained of ill health.       GNA...

Accra, Nov 16, GNA - Dr. George Ahadzi, Executive Director of Green Earth Organisation, has appealed to the government to invest more in agriculture to guarantee sustainable food supply.   He said food security largely depended on contributions of smallholder farmers, but these farmers were facing many challenges such as lack of access to services of extension officers, non-availability of fert...

Agona Swedru, Nov. 16, GNA - Banks and other financial institutions in the country have been asked to be alive to their social responsibly, and help in promoting security.      Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, the wife of Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, who made the call, said this would help the District Assemblies to curb criminal acts towards national development.   She was inaugurating a 400-member Neighborhood Watch Committee for the Agona West Municipal, at Agona Swedru.   Mrs Ammissah-Arthur cautioned committee members not to condone with criminals to thwart efforts of the Assembly at fighting crime in the municipality.      She expressed worry about the increasing rate of crime in the Agona West and commended the Assembly for taking steps to address the issue.      Chief Superintendent Alhaji Fuseini  Mohammed Suraji, Director of Community Policing Unit of the Ghana Police Service, expressed concern about increasing rate of rape, armed robbery , drug abuse, cyber fraud  known as (Sakawa) at Agona Swedru.      He said the committee members have been properly screened, vetted and orientated on policing.   The Assistance Commissioner of Police Owusu Donyina, Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, cautioned the committee members not to behave like police officers, but to refer cases to the police.       Mr Samuel Oppong, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive said the Assembly has provided uniforms, whistles, boots, batons and vehicle for the committee, to facilitate its operations.      Warrant Officer (rtd) Tony Kwesi Essuman, Coordinator of Local Neighborhood Committee, said membership of the Agona West     Neighborhood Watch Committee would be increased from 400 to 1,000 to enable it to cover the entire Agona West area.   GNA...

Tamale, Nov. 16, GNA – Some volunteer teachers drawn from the West Mamprusi, Jirapa and the Talensi/Nabdam districts are undergoing a three-day capacity building training workshop in Tamale.   Mr. Alhassan Abdulai Iddi, Executive Director of Net Organization for Youth Empowerment and Development (NOYED-Ghana),  addressing the workshop in Tamale on Friday said the workshop was aimed at enhancing the capacities of the volunteer teachers and to encourage them.   He said NOYED in collaboration with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has been supporting and promoting local volunteering initiatives to complement the vacancies at the Ghana Education Service particularly in the deprived communities.   Mr. Iddi said the volunteer teachers were engaged by his outfit to carry out regular and remedial classes for selected schools and was in the process of helping them form associations for their personal development.   Mr. Ziblim Abukari Shaibu, Northern Regional Coordinator of the National Youth Council, appealed to the youth to take up voluntary activities seriously in their communities because it would give them skills and open doors for better opportunities.   Alhaji Mohammed Harun, West Mamprusi District Director of the Ghana Education Service, said volunteer teachers were important to educational delivery particularly in deprived communities of the northern parts of the country.   Mr. Lebug Jeremi Tunaba, a volunteer from the Talensi District who spoke on behalf of the teachers, commended NOYED and VSO for engaging them and expressed regret that due to financial constraints their regular allowances were facing difficulties and appealed for support.   He said the volunteer teachers in the three districts organized effective extra classes to help their students to improve quality basic education.   Mr. Junaba appealed for means of transport for the volunteer teachers and adequate supply of teaching and learning materials.   GNA  ...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - The 24th edition of the Ghana Amateur Seniors Open Golf Championship tees off this Saturday, November 17 at the Bok Nam Kim Golf Club, Air Force Officers Mess, Burma Camp.   The event under the sponsorship of OSTEC, a Ghanaian IT Solutions and Network Company will attract golfers drawn from selected golf clubs including Achimota, Celebrity, Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi and Obuasi, Damang, Tafo, Tarkwa and Nsuta.   According to the Ghana Golf Association (GGA), there will be three age categories of competitors; 50-54years, 55years and above as well as a special group of 65 years and above.             There will be Men and Ladies categories at all three groups with attractive prizes for winners.   The event will end on Sunday, November 18.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA – All eyes, cameras and lenses will focus on the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, when Asante Kotoko plays host to bitterest rivals Hearts of Oak in unarguably the top liner of the first halve of the season.   The clash involving the nation’s most decorated clubs wraps up the week seven matches of the 2012/2013 Premier League being the only game during the weekend.   The euphoria engulfing matches between the two clubs often dubbed “El Clasico” has been ever-present as far as this encounter, 47th meeting with the Porcupine Warriors as hosts is concerned.     For the second successive season, Kotoko are hot favourites this time backed by their unbeaten status in the six-week old against the wishy-washy performance of their opponents, still searching for their lost shine.   Under new coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani, the Porcupine Warriors are gradually discovering their old self thanks to successive wins over Berekum Arsenals and Medeama away, and are better placed to tear the Phobians into apart.   Dramani has refused to buy into the age-long adage that matches between the two sides hinges on no form, insisting that it does play a huge role in the modern game.   Kotoko are perched on seventh place on 10-points whilst Hearts are five places below with seven points from six games apiece.   That is another advantage on the cards for Kotoko with the other being the quality of players at hand for the homers. In the Michael trinity of Helegbe, Anaba and Akuffo coupled with the likes of Kofi Nti Boakye, Daniel Nii Adjei, Ransford Osei, Yaw Frimpong and Kwabena Adusei; the Porcupine Warriors have the men capable of weathering the Phobian storm.   Hearts will be guided by new coach David Duncan and what a way to make his bow, against no other side than Kotoko. Duncan has carved a niche as one of the respected coaches in the country and the Hearts job serves the biggest test so far in his career.   Though not a stranger to playing against the 21-league champions due to his stints with Great Olympics, Sekondi Hasaacas and AshantiGold, the derby has no rival and the Phobians cannot afford to accept any result other than one they deem convincing under their current status.   After taking over the team earlier in the week, it is expected that Duncan would have identified the leaks in the Hearts team and propel them to a performance better than the previous against Real Tamale United, which they won 3-2.   The Phobians can take solace in the fact that they have a superior record in matches hosted by their rivals and will be banking on that psychological edge to escape unscathed. Hearts have won 18 times against 17 by Kotoko in matches at the Baba Yara Stadium with 12 ending in stalemates.   Hearts will be relying on Mahatma Otoo, Isaac Ofori, Prince Attakora Gyimah, Nuru Sulley, Godwin Osei Bonsu backed by the experience of Laryea Kingston to grab a positive result that will spur the turnaround of the club.     GNA...

Ho, Nov. 16, GNA - Professor Fred Newton Binka was on Friday inducted into office as the first Vice- Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) with the promise to make the University one of the best in the country.       He said UHAS would focus on “innovation with a hands on practical and community service” to deliver a unique service to the community.      The ceremony which marked the formal inauguration of the University and matriculation of the pioneer students, also witnessed the induction of Professor Edwin Kwame Wiredu as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University.        Prof Binka said in the next five years, the University would expand with other campuses located outside the Volta Region.       He said the expansion of the University would also see the upgrading of the Volta Regional Hospital into a Teaching Hospital to be managed jointly by the University and the Ghana Health Service.       Prof Binka said the University has already established relationships with other universities in and outside the country and would soon begin reaping the fruits of such relationships.       He commended members of various committees, which worked on the establishment of the University, for their hard work towards success of the University.         Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, Vice President who inaugurated the University, commended other government institutions which helped in the establishment of UHAS saying it would enjoy every support that other public universities were enjoying.        Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education, commended chiefs and landowners for releasing large plots of land to the University saying “today, my fears are over”.        Togbe Afede XIV, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, expressed gratitude to government for fulfilling its promise.       He urged the pioneering students to work for success and not just desire it.       A total of 155 students took the matriculation oath.   GNA...

Bunso (ER), Nov. 16, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,  Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called off his campaign tour in the Eastern Region due to the sudden death of the former Vice President under the Kufour Administration, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.     Nana Akufo-Addo was scheduled to tour the newly created constituencies in the region and Nkawkaw on Friday.     ...

Dormaa Ahenktro (B/A), Nov16, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Friday expressed shock and sorrow at the death of former Vice President Aliu Mahama.    President Mahama, who at Dormaa Ahenkro as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region, told Journalists that although he was aware of his admission in hospital, little did he know it could lead to his death.   He said the government would accord the former Vice President all state courtesies and that Mr Newman Mantey, the Chief of Staff, was liaising with the family and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party for funeral arrangements.   The President on behalf of government and people of Ghana expressed condolence to the family, widow and the NPP.   GNA...

Koforidua, Nov. 16, GNA -  Rev Rose Donkor, the Founder of the Women’s Development Centre (WDC) of the All Nations University College in Koforidua, has urged women to empower themselves to have access to skills to improve their standard of living.   She also appealed to them to be outspoken and have the ability to make decisions about their personal and collective circumstances.   Rev. Donkor was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 45 women from the WDC in Koforidua on Thursday.   She said women’s empowerment had been the issue of hot debates worldwide, especially in countries where females were suppressed and confined within the walls of the house.   “Women have to understand that power has to be fought for; it would not be given out easily” Rev. Donkor said.   “Our graduating students have chosen to take the power by embracing the opportunities presented to them to be empowered by the WDC”, she said.   Rev. Donkor said empowerment included the ability to make decisions about personal or collective circumstances to access information and resource for decision making and to learn and access skills for improving a person’s circumstances.   She added that the ability to influence other’s perception through exchange, education and engagement and increasing one’s ability in discreet thinking to sort out right and wrong were also empowerment.   Rev. Donkor appealed to women to increase their “positive self-image” and overcome stigmatization.   She urged the graduates to let society and the country as a whole benefit from their expanded pool of talent.   Ms Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, urged the graduates to put whatever they had learnt into practice to benefit their communities and the nation at large.   She urged them to be women of substance to be highly respected in their communities to be able to form part of decision makers.   The graduates were taken through English, Mathematics, Introduction to Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and Business and Entrepreneurial skills.   The WDC centre,  since its establishment in 2004 had trained over 1,545 women and been a source of strength and hope to women in the Eastern Region and beyond.   GNA...

Badu (B/A), Nov 16, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has said the electorate would this year denounce their political traditions and vote massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on account of the human-centred  programmes the government had initiated over the years.    He said the performance of the NDC in the last four years had overwhelmed the electorate to the extent that they were not longer loyal to their political traditions but are influenced by NDC’s projects all over the country.    President Mahama said “The days of I was born into this or the other political tradition is fast fading off as the people now give support to parties that provide their needs and not traditions that cannot serve them.”    President Mahama said this at separate rallies at Techiman, Kintampo, Bono Manso, Offuman, Wenchi, Jema, Nsawkaw and Odumase.   He said the dynamics of Ghanaian politics favoured the NDC because of the numerous development projects it had provided in the last four years and called on party members to step up their education programmes on their performance.   He said people who had deserted the NDC in the past were returning into their fold on account of their human-centeredness and gave the assurance that they would record a one-time victory on December 7.   “Let me assure all of you here that you will all enjoy your Christmas this year because the election will be one touch and no need to move into a second or third round that will impede our Christmas festivities.” President Mahama said.   The president said the opposition had over the years concentrated on the use of traditions by influencing the electorate with such ideas but the people are becoming conscious of their rights.   He urged party members to conduct themselves peacefully and professionally for a peaceful election.   GNA...

Suhum, Nov. 16, GNA - Mr Kwabena Owusu Dome, a timber contractor, has appealed for early payment of compensation to communities whose properties were destroyed in the course of reconstructing the Nsawam/Suhum stretch of the Accra/ Kumasi highway.   He said the delay in the payment of compensation was impacting negatively on the lives of residents in those communities.   Mr Dome was speaking to the GNA after angry protestors on Wednesday blocked the Suhum stretch of the Accra/ Kumasi road to press their demand for compensation for their properties which were destroyed.   The action of the demonstrators brought traffic on the highway to a standstill.   The demonstrators held placards with inscriptions, “dust is killing us, mud is swallowing us, pay us now and we need our compensation or…..”   Mr Dome told the GNA that the communities had a letter from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning signed by the sector Minister to the effect that compensation had been paid to them but they had not received anything.   He said the people were suffering since some of them did not have anywhere to “lay their heads” and were depending on friends to survive.      Mr Dome said those whose farms were affected did not have any job presently since they lacked the finances to acquire new land to continue their farming and were therefore depending on others to survive.   He said if by November 21 they were not paid the compensation, they would stop all the contractors from working on the road.   Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi, the Suhum Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), showed to the GNA a copy of a letter from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, dated October 16 authorizing the Controller and Account General to release GH¢ 4,514,353.55 for compensation to the persons affected by the construction of the project.   He promised to make a follow up to the Controller and Accountant General’s Department and appealed to the people to exercise maximum restraint.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA.- The Government of Ghana, on Friday announced the demise of Former Vice President Aliu Mahama.   A press statement signed by Mr. Fritz Baffour, Minister of Information and copied to the Ghana News Agency, announced the sad even in Accra Friday morning.   "The President, John Dramani Mahama, Former President John Agyekum Kufour and the entire family of Former Vice President Aliu Mahama announce with deep sorrow, the passing away of Alhaji Aliu Mahama today November, 16, 2012 at 9:45am after a short illness", the statement said.   It said funeral arrangements would be announced later.   GNA...

Accra , Nov. 16, GNA - Alhaji Aliu Mahama, a 66-year-old Civil Engineer, was born in Yendi in March 1946. After a period of elementary education at Yendi, he enrolled at the Government Secondary School (now Tamale Secondary School). He then entered the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and graduated after four years with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Subsequently, he secured employment with the State Construction Corporation (SCC) as a Civil Engineer and worked at various stations including Koforidua, Bolgatanga and Accra, finally returning to Tamale as the regional head. Alhaji Aliu resigned from the Corporation in 1992 to form the Lidra Construction Company Limited based in Tamale and had since been a key figure in the construction industry. In 1978, Alhaji Aliu was a councillor for the Yendi District Council. He was also an active member of the Dagbon Youth Association and contributed in various ways to its sustenance. He was also Chairman of the Tamale-Louiseville Friendship Association, which seeks to promote fraternal relations between the two sister cities in Ghana and the USA. He was a keen sports enthusiast and a member of the Board of Directors of Real Tamale United, where together with Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, NDC Member of Parliament to Chogu-Tishigu and others, sustained the club for years. A founding member of the NPP, he was married with five children. GNA...

Takoradi, Nov 16, GNA - Dr. Kwaku Kakari, in-charge of Western Regional Public Health Unit of the Ghana Health Service, on Tuesday warned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies against the diversion of money allocated for malaria control into other projects.   He said cleaning the environment and desilting gutters were good environmental practices but did not necessarily mean controlling mosquitoes, as the parasite only rely on clean water to breed and lay it eggs.   Dr. Kakari issued the caution at the launch of Power Wind Pamasonik mosquito trap machine, a new intervention in the malaria control programme, at Takoradi.   He said that was as a result of collaboration between the Western Regional Health Directorate and the Ghana Coalition of NGOs.   The machine, certified by the Ghana Standards Authority and approved by the Ghana Health Service, serves as an added strategy in tackling mosquitoes and malaria.   Dr. Kakari said this complementary strategy could be used hand-in-hand with the long lasting insecticide treated nets and other repellents.   Mr. Albert Arthur, inventor of the trap mosquito machine, said it took him about 11years to invent the machine, amidst frustrations and disappointments by some people .   Mr. Arthur said he was finally assisted by a Nigerian businessman, Mr. Isaac Igoma, Director of Pamasonik Home Appliance Limited, to realize his dream.   Mr. Arthur appealed to adults to help the youth in the country to develop their talents.   Mr. Igoma said Africa must stand on its own, and face its developmental challenges.   Some schools and institutions were presented with the new mosquito machine.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - The late former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama will be given a state burial on Saturday afternoon the Osu Military Cemetery, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, announced on Friday.   He said the State Burial would be in accordance of Muslim rites.   He said President John Dramani Mahama had declared a state of national mourning.   Mr Iddrisu said the body of the late Vice President would be conveyed to the State House at 1200 hours and there will be no lying in state and no file past. The National Chief Imam will lead the prayers at 1330 hours at the forecourt of the State House before the burial.   Alhaji Aliu Mahama passed away at 0945 on Friday at the Korler Bu Teaching after a short illness.   Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, described his Vice President as a good man who served his country very well.   Personalities who are at the hospital have described the death as a big loss.   The Chief of Staff, Mr Henry Martey Newman, said the state would provide two or three aircraft to bring his family to Accra.   He said President Mahama has called off his campaign tour and is expected in Accra.   The presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also called off his campaign tour and is on his way to Accra.   GNA...

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA – Fertilizer importing companies have been advised to deliver their goods on time and to set up storage facilities in remote areas to stock fertilizers to increase timely access to farmers.   Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said this a speech read on his behalf on Thursday at the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) West Africa Fertilizer Programme launch in Accra.   The five-year project seeks to significantly increase food security and reduce poverty and hunger in West Africa.   It is designed to increase smallholder farmers’ use of fertilizer in order to increase agricultural productivity and thereby reduce poverty and hunger in West Africa.   Mr Ahwoi  said the collaboration between private fertilizer companies and the government should further be strengthened to promote increased fertilizer use.   “The banks are encouraged to provide affordable loans to all the actors on the fertilizer supply chain, whiles institutions that are capable of providing farmers with guarantees should assist small holder farmers”, he said.   Mr Ahwoi lauded contributions made by agro-dealers and said they played critical role in bringing retail prices of fertilizers down and making them more affordable and accessible to farmers.   He said by building the capacity of the agro-dealers and giving them credit, they might be in a position to move closer to the farm gates which would help remove internal transport costs and travel times of farmers to access input.   Mr Ahwoi said the government was in “talks with foreign investors to establish fertilizer production plant…to take advantage of the by-products from Ghana’s crude oil production”.   He said the government had passed the Plant and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803) and had set up the necessary Fertilizer Regulatory System to ensure that fertilizers imported or produced locally were in the highest quality and contained the right nutrients and bag weight to protect farmers, businessmen and the environment.   Mr Ahwoi expressed hope that countries in the sub-region would align themselves with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Fertilizer Regulation to create a bigger sub-regional market which allows unimpeded trade of high quality fertilizer.   Dr Kofi Debrah, Chief of Party to the USAID West Africa Fertilizer Programme, said the project was being implemented by the International Fertilizer Development Centre in collaboration with the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership, an independent non-profit organization, as a sub-guarantee.   He explained that the programme would establish a private-public sector West Africa Fertilizer Stakeholder Forum and a possible formation of a private sector-led West Africa Fertilizer Trade Association.   “It will establish and monitor fertilizer quality standards to decrease incidents of adulterated fertilizer products.”   The project which is to be implemented in Ghana, Senegal, Liberia and Mali is targeting actors along the agricultural value chain.    Dr Debrah said fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa was the world’s lowest,  averaging less than eight kilogrammes per hectare annually.   He said African farmers needed to have mineral fertilizers that brought life back to the depleted soils and to feed the continent.   Dr Debrah expressed worry that small-scale farmers, who comprised the vast majority of the farming population, had little access to fertilizers and few could afford them.   He identified challenges to higher agricultural productivity to include tariff and non-tariff barriers impeding intra regional trade, blanket use of outdated fertilizer recommendations, inadequate quality control, limited access to market information and finance credit.   Dr Debrah expressed optimism that the USAID sponsored West Africa fertilizer programme would achieve result with positive rippling effects on the economies of beneficiary countries and households.   GNA...

Gomoa Debiso-Ohua (C/R), Nov. 16, GNA - The head master of the Gomoa Debiso-Ohua Everlasting Academy, Mr Sylvanus Kweku Quarshie, has appealed to parents to desist from physically attacking or insulting teachers who cane their children at school since the act could breed indiscipline.      Mr Quarshie said this at the Speech and Prize-giving Day celebration of the school at Gomoa Debiso-Ohua near Apam.     He said the situation where some parents rush to the school or the house of a teacher to fight with him or rain insults on him for canning their children is not the best.      Mr Quarshie said if such behaviour is not stopped, it would lower the morale of the teachers from giving off their best and could also discourage people from entering the teaching profession which would affect quality education.   The Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinator of the Gomoa West District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service, Mr Kwesi Coffie, appealed to teachers not to be deterred by the attitude of such parents.             The chairman of the Gomoa West District Private Schools Association, Mr Hayford Quaye, appealed to the government to support private schools to enable them  contribute towards the provision of quality education.   GNA...