Lapaz Community Hospital Wins International Award

After twelve years of dedicated medical services to the public, the Lapaz community Hospital has attracted international attention and recognition, winning and joining the elite club of global health care providers committed to the welfare of mankind.

At an impressive ceremony in London, organizers of the prestigious international quality crown award London 2016, the BID Group, said the choice of the Lapaz Community Hospital for the category of “customer satisfaction, leadership, innovation and efficiency” was driven by the facility’s uncompromising adherence to customer satisfaction and consistent quality services, which are two key indicators underpinning the Group’s principles of total quality management model.

The citation accompanying the award which was presented by the President of BID, Jose E. Prieto, singled out Lapaz Community Hospital’s outstanding commitment to quality and excellence, stating in part that “our company accepts quality as a factor of development.

Lapaz Community Hospital, the citation continued,  is publicizing this quality culture with employees, suppliers, and clients to bring about customer satisfaction, team work and effective human resource management,” it concluded.  

Radio Presenter Killed Over 15-Year-Old Girl

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A former radio presenter based in Tarkwa in the Western region has been allegedly murdered during a fight over a 15-year-old girl.

The deceased, Kojo Quayson who was an employee of Tarkwa-based Pure FM was said to have been hit on the back of his head with a fufu pistol by the father of the teenager.

The suspect, Ali Mohammed, according to reports, was angered when the late Quayson disregarded his order not to see his teenage daughter again.
Uncle of the deceased in an interview with Adom News said, the late radio presenter on Sunday November 27, 2016 went to look for the girl in the absence of her father.

“His elder daughter called him on phone to inform him about Quayson’s visit and Ali quickly rushed to the house” he added.

The uncle noted that, Ali out of anger confronted the deceased which resulted in a fight and allegedly hit Quayson’s head with a fufu pistol.

The deceased who was also the Safety officer at Goldfields Ghana Limited Tarkwa Mines lost consciousness and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

His uncle indicated that, he is not surprised about the conduct of Ali since he had always threatened to kill his nephew.

Meanwhile, the Tarkwa Divisional Police Command has arrested Ali Mohammed after committing the heinous crime.

Divisional Crime Officer, Superintendent Augustine Anyara said the suspect is in police custody assisting with investigations.

The body of the deceased, he stated has been deposited at the Tarkwa government hospital morgue.

3 Arrested For Dealing In Fake Visas

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested three persons for allegedly issuing fake visas and other travelling documents to unsuspecting people.

The suspects are Kofi Owusu, 50, Emmanuel Odai aka Ogyam, 61 and Kweku Ameyaw, 51.

The suspects, part of a syndicate, produce the visas to travelers for fees ranging from $500 to $5,000.

They were arrested at Kaneshie, near Mataheko upon a tip-off.

A number of passports bearing the fake visas and other types of stamps, as well as other traveling documents, were retrieved from them upon their arrest.

The Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID), COP Prosper Kwami Agblor, who briefed the media on their arrest, said on October 24, 2016 personnel from the CID arrested Owusu at Kaneshie in Accra and a search on him revealed one blank Ghanaian passport which was about to be given to a victim.

A further search in his car revealed three Ghanaian passports with other victims’ bio-data.

Another passport found in the car contained a genuine United Kingdom Visa believed to have been stolen from the owner for sale to another person.

COP Agblor said further investigation led to the arrest of Odai at Mataheko and a search conducted in his shop revealed four stamps.

COP Agblor stated that while the search was ongoing, Ameyaw showed up at the shop of Odai to have some passports stamped for him and was also arrested.

Ameyaw, upon seeing the police, took to his heels but was arrested.

Further investigations revealed that Odai embosses all kinds of forged stamps in passports to indicate that they have travelled to some ECOWAS countries.

He advised travelers to contact the authorized embassies for their visas, adding that the police would continue to investigate the matter.

Former EC Boss, Afari Gyan Is Best Fish Farmer For Gt/A (PHOTO)

A former chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Afari Gyan, has been honoured for emerging as the ‘Best District Fish Farmer’.

Dr Gyan beat his compatriots to the award at the 32nd National Farmers' Day celebration under the theme: 'Agriculture: A Business Response to Economic Growth.'

Dr Gyan had always expressed his love for farming, which he has been involved in for more than 20 years as a hobby.

While in office he had revealed on countless occasions his desire to go into full time fish farming during his retirement.

Robert Crentsil, 42, from Ajumako Enyan Essiam in the Central Region, was adjudged the 2016 National Best Farmer.

He has several plantations comprising cocoa (12 acres), rubber (80 acres), plantain (60 acres), cowpea (60 acres), cassava (30 acres), oil palm (7 acres), coconut (6 acres), citrus (15 acres).

The husband and father-of-three will be given a fully-furnished three-bedroom house to be built in a place of his preference among others.

Addressing farmers at the event held at Kintampo, President John Mahama refuted claims by the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that agriculture had been declining under his administration.

“The impression created in the media is false. Let me state for a fact that the agricultural sector is not in decline. A sector that is growing at 2.5 per cent cannot be said to be in decline. The statistics can be crosschecked at the [Ghana] Statistical Service. The fact that agric’s contribution to the GDP is not what it used to be in the past, does not mean that it is declining; it simply means that other sectors of the economy are also doing well, which is good for the economy and normal for every developing and developed country,” he stressed.

He made these comments in his address at the 32nd Farmers’ Day celebration in the Brong Ahafo Region.

This year’s celebration, which is being held under the theme: ‘Agriculture: A Business Response to Economic Growth’ was scheduled for Friday, 4 November, due to electioneering activities as the country prepares for polls on December 7.

Mr Mahama’s comments come just a day after Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minority spokesperson on agriculture, had said there was a sharp decline in agricultural growth from 7.4 per cent in 2008 and 7.2 per cent in 2009 to 5.3 per cent in 2010 and 0.8 per cent in 2011.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, 3 November, the Kwadaso legislator said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) shared in the difficulty which farmers and fishermen in Ghana had to contend with under the Mahama administration.

Reviewing the performance of the agriculture sector, Dr Afriyie Akoto said: “By the measure of annual growth performance, Ghana’s agriculture has been sluggish from 7.4 per cent in the year 2008 and 7.2 per cent in 2009. Agricultural growth slowed to 5.3 per cent in 2010 hitting 0.8 per cent in 2011. It then stayed down at 2.2 per cent in 2012 recovering somewhat to 5.7 per cent in 2013 and then 4.6 per cent in 2014”.

According to him, “The growth registered in the two years of 2013 and 2014 was in large part on account of unprecedented growth in forestry and logging activities. If logging activities are dramatically increasing without commensurate growth in reforestation, the obvious implication is that we are further degrading our forest cover and opening the country up for the invasion of savannah and Saharan conditions.

“The crop sector which engages most of the 4.5 million farmers in this country, recorded growth of only 3.6 per cent in 2014. The 2015 budget statement expected a 5.8 per cent growth. In the event, the recorded growth was not even half of it, it was only 2.4 per cent in 2015. … Over the last six years, since 2010, we have an average growth of 3.5 per cent per year. It is not even half of the Malleable Declaration of minimum target of 6 per cent per annum for all African countries. This declaration, Ghana is a major signatory to. And it is saying that the target for agricultural growth must be a minimum of 6 per cent and Ghana as I’ve demonstrated to you has done only 3.5 per cent.

“With a population growth rate of 2.7 per cent per annum, Ghanaian agriculture is growing at a net rate of only 0.8 per cent per annum. It accounts for the rapid urbanisation typified by the Kayayei phenomenon …so you see that the sector is not performing at all.”

194 new tax officers pass out

The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), George Blankson, says there is no doubt the job of revenue collection requires determination, hard work, compassion, discipline, tenacity and above all integrity to succeed.

He said because tax administration exposes practitioners to compromising situations, the authority is progressively modernising the process through the deployment of ICT.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony for 194 new tax officers, Mr. Blankson said since tax administration strives on confidence, the GRA has adopted a code of ethics to guide its employees in the performance of their duties.

He reminded the new tax officers of management's strict adherence to transparency, integrity and honesty.

GBC

President Mahama Officially Opens Newly Constructed Burma Camp-Airport Hills Overpass

President John Mahama has presided over a ceremony to officially open the newly constructed Burma Camp -Airport Hills Overpass Road.

This road is expected to ease congestion on the main Burma Camp, Teshie and Tetteh Quashie road.

He has also cut sod for a new flyover on the Tema Motorway.

President Mahama said government recognises the importance of roads to the country's socio-economic development and will invest heavily in that sector.

He also hinted that the Kwame Nkrumah interchange will be opened to traffic by the end of this month.

GBC

Elections 2016: GBC To Hold Presidential Debate Next Month

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, (GBC) will from the first of next month, (November), tentatively, begin its 2016 Presidential debate encounters with Candidates contesting the December Polls.

The platform will provide the electorate the opportunity to quiz the Presidential hopefuls on their vision.

It will also ensure that the candidates focus attention on issues instead of personalities.

The Chairman of GBC's Political Broadcast Committee, Ebenezer Ampaabeng said GBC is collaborating with the National Commission for Civic Education, (NCCE), with support from STAR- Ghana.

ExplaIining modalities for the debate, Mr. Ampaabeng said GBC will allot equal time to each candidate as the constitution mandates the State Broadcaster.

Meanwhile, International Election Observers from the National Democratic Institute, who were in Ghana to assess the country's preparedness for the December polls say it is inconceivable and surprising that a party struggling to occupy the Presidency will not take advantage of a debate platform to sell their message.

The Election Observers are therefore appealing to Presidential Candidates contesting the polls in December to avail themselves to be assessed by voters on Media and debates platforms, such as the one being organised by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

According to the delegation’s spokesperson, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, such platforms provide a critical discourse to the democratic process because it gives opportunity for citizens to clearly understand candidates manifestos and ask their own questions. Above all, debates are also a marketing opportunity for the candidates.


GBC

 

People Doing These Jobs Are Most Likely To Cheat On Their Partners

People in the financial industry are the most likely professional group to cheat on their partner.

Bankers and brokers are the most likely to play away from home, followed by pilots and flight attendants and then doctors and nurses, a survey reveals.

The findings come from a poll of more than 5,000 women who have or are currently cheating on their partner.

The poll also revealed that two out of three unfaithful women (65%) say they cheat at work.

But 85% said that they don’t recommend sleeping with a colleague.

The survey suggests suggests the most positive thing about having an affair with a colleague is that it makes work exciting, fun - and easier.

Top 10 cheating professional circles
Financial (Bankers, brokers, analysts, etc.)
Aviation (Pilots, flight attendants, flight pursers, etc.)
Healthcare (Doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, etc.)
Business (CEOs, managers, secretaries, etc.)
Sports (Athletes, instructors, representatives, etc.)
Arts (Musicians, models, actors, photographers, etc.)
Nightlife Industry (DJs, dancers, waiters, etc.)
Communication (Journalists, public relations, communicators, etc.)
Legal (Lawyers, secretaries, prosecutors, judges, etc.)
Other sectors
Cheaters said the workplace is also the easiest place to find someone that you connect with, and somewhere can hide and not need to go anywhere else.

But the most negative aspect of having an illicit liaison at work,according to nearly 70% of the women polled, is that there’s the potential for it to end badly - and you still have to work with that person.

More than one in five (21%) said that if rumours in the office start, there is a more likely chance that your partner will find out.

But only 10% were concerned for their careers, fearing that mixing work and pleasure could hamper their job performance.

The poll of 5,658 cheating women was conducted by Victoria Milan, a dating website for married and attached people looking to cheat.

'Majority of cheaters would steer clear of mixing work with pleasure'
Sigurd Vedal, founder and chief executive of Victoria Milan, said the survey showed that people are more into having a great time and enjoying life than advancing their careers.

He said: “The survey clearly shows that even though there’s a risk to your career, having an affair at work makes life a lot more pleasant.

“At the same time, the majority of cheaters would steer clear of mixing work with pleasure - not because it damages their career, but because they are at risk of being found out, or will feel uncomfortable.”

Akosombo Dam Water Level Rising Steadily

Managers of Akosombo Hydro Dam said water from the upper parts and middle belts of the country keep trickling into the dam giving a positive outlook for the dam in recent times.

According to the managers, per the rate of the inflow, the water level is expected to hit its maximum of 278 feet in few weeks.

Reports say as at Tuesday, October, 18, 2016, the water level in the dam was 251.76 feet, 11 feet above the minimum operating level.

As a result, four out of the six turbines of the facility are operational, contributing 680 megawatts of power to the national grid at off- peak hours, and five turbines during peak hours depending on the demand in the system.

Corporate Communications Manager at the Volta River Authority (VRA) Mrs. Getrude Koomson, speaking in an interview with The Ghanaian Times in Accra, said the development is encouraging and painted a brighter picture for power generation from that facility in the coming months.

The dam in recent months, had operated below the minimum level of 240 feet, forcing it to operate three turbines for many months as a result of the low water level.

However, Mrs. Koomson said unlike in the recent past where the managers had to decide on daily basis how many turbines were brought on stream, the plant was at a firm operating state with the four turbines guaranteed to operate.

“The lake level hasn’t reached the maximum yet so we are still managing the reservoir and it will not be prudent to run all the turbines,” she noted revealing that one of the six units was undergoing annual maintenance with the other turbines to follow subsequently.

She said though the VRA’s facilities across the country have the capacity to generate enough power to meet the demands, the challenge had been availability of gas in the case of thermal plants and dwindling water levels in the case of the Akosombo dam.

“If you look at the frequency of outages, one can safely say that we have enough generation in the system that meets the demand,” she said stressing that the authority would continue to ensure it produced enough to serve the needs of its clients.

According to Mrs. Koomson, with installed capacity of about 2300 megawatts, the authority is generating about 1800 megawatts to augment the effort of the other power generating firms in the country.

Mrs. Koomson said work is being intensified on the Akuse retrofit adding that plans were far advanced to diversify the VRA’s power generation front with wind and coal plants in the Volta, Greater Accra and Central regions.

She said the VRA is going through environmental clearance from other partners to ensure it met the standards and requirements in order for it to carry out an efficient social impact assessment before they are rolled out.

Unable to say whether or not the country is out of the power crisis, it faced in the last four years, Mrs. Koomson said the power stability being enjoyed now, can be sustained.

She however, advised the citizenry to conserve energy.

EC Withholds Publishing Of Polls Pending Court Cases

EC Withholds Publishing Of Polls Pending Court Cases

The Electoral Commission says it is holding on with publication of notice of polls for all the court cases to be cleared before.

However, the commission says this will not in any way affect the calendar of the commission in the conduct of the December 7 election.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission Kwame Amoah said this at a training program for journalists in Accra.

The training is to build the capacity of journalists to be abreast with the CI 94 and the electoral process.
He said the CI 94 did not give a specific time for the publish of the notice of polls.

He said what is state in the CI 94 is the notice of poll should be publish as soon as the EC receive the nomination.

Mr. Amoah said the commission is going to use both the manual and electronic verification for election. On the filing fee or deposit, Mr. Amoah said the law gives the EC the power to determine the fee.

And at the end of the election, Presidential candidates who get 25 percent will have their fee refund to them, and with the parliamentary candidates they have to get 12 point five in the election to have their money refunded.

FUNNY FACE ENDORSES SARK

Funny Face Endorses Sarkodie As Ghana's Best Rapper

Updated on 08-Oct-2016



In a grand styled picture on Facebook, Comedian Funny Face has just endorsed Sarkodie as the only Best Rapper Ghana has ever produced.

The comedian cum musician shared a photo of Sarkodie and himself with caption “Best Rappers in Ghana!! #MrHappiness”

The tagline ‘Best Rappers in Ghana’ is, however, unclear if Funny Face faces himself as a rapper too. It is likely that more celebrities will join the craze pretty soon.

Meanwhile, Fans of Sarkodie are happier at the moment since there is a strong contention between Sarkodie and M.anifest as to who is the best rapper. Funny Face endorsement is definitely is all Sarkodie and his team needs now.