Political leaders lack loyalty and commitment to national development - Br Agbozo

     Political leaders in Africa lacked loyalty and commitment to national development, Brother Enoch Immanuel Agbozo, Leader of the Ghana Evangelical Society (GES), has said.

     “What they care about is power and their selfish gains to amass wealth for themselves and their families,” he said.

     Brother Agbozo said this at the opening of a three-day national redemption crusade dubbed: “Celebration of Divine Redemption” on the theme “Redeem Israel, O God out of all their Troubles (Ps 25: 22)” in Accra.

     He also said the frequent changes in government was the cause of underdevelopment of African countries, since all political parties want glory for themselves, they turned not to continue developments of their predecessors.

     Brother Agbozo said the African continent had enjoyed some level of progress even at its troubles, but needed to improve since there were abundant resources to harness.

     He said in Africa the desire to expand and progress was lacking, but rather the demand for higher pay was on the increase, accounting for low-productivity in the various sectors.

     On bribery and corruption, Brother Agbozo noted that all those who involved themselves in these practices or acts were enemies of the state since they hindered the growth and development of the nation.

     He also noted that the Church had failed in its duty as instrument of change, given that it was required to play significant priestly and prophetic role in the State.

Africa have been subjected to wicked powers and inhumanity over the centuries but... Bro Agbozo

Though African governments and their citizens have been subjected to wicked powers and inhumanity over centuries, under the new order, they shall no more be slaves, beast of burden, or the source of cheap resources for developed nations, Brother Enoch Immanuel Agbozo, Leader of the Ghana Evangelical Society (GES), has said.

“Africa’s sorrowful state of violence, wars and blood, barrenness and poverty, stagnation and desolation in the midst of plenty will soon be a matter of the past,” he predicted.

Brother Agbozo said this at the end of a three-day national redemption crusade dubbed: “Celebration of Divine Redemption” on the theme: “Redeem Israel, O God out of all their Troubles (Ps 25: 22)” in Accra.

He said the first two-days of the crusade addressed the causes and factors perpetuating barrenness, low-productivity, low-profitability, poverty and slow progress in Africa.

“Ghana has been delivered and redeemed from the spiritual and cultural forces, behavior patterns of evil, discord, negativity, low-productivity, poverty and stagnation,” he added.

According to Brother Agbozo, to achieve, maintain and sustain the new and golden era of Africa, Ministers of the Church and the State, traditional rulers, politicians in Ghana and Africa must denounce Satan, idolatry, blood sacrifices and open robbery and theft.

He said they must stop and remove the old traditional, religious and cultural ways of handling tribal and national affairs under the domain of Satan.

He called upon the Church and government to deliberate on God’s principles for growth and development.      

“Ghana as a chosen nation and star of Africa must lead in the new heavenly order of peace, righteousness, justice and liberty, progress and prosperity…” he noted.

On the December 2012 general elections, Brother Agbozo called on political parties to seek peace and conduct decent campaigns devoid of insults.

He asked the citizenry to be civil in the conduct of their activities and to be tolerant towards each other in unity and harmony for the development of the nation.

Seraphim Evangelical Presbyterian members drum, sing, and dance to usher in 2012

     There were drumming, singing and dancing at the Seraphim Evangelical Presbyterian Church to usher in the New Year at Kaneshie in Accra, on Saturday.
     The members, most of them dressed in black and white apparel sang joyful hymns and danced to the glory of God.
     Reverend Moses Faith Nyomi-Nyamadi, Resident Pastor, in a New Year message on the theme: “Lift up the Name of Jesus Christ”, exalted Christians to show compassion to their fellow humans for Christ to be seen in their lives.
     He said the attitude of Christians should reflect the principle of Jesus Christ, adding that “His glory has granted mankind peace and it is this peace that Ghana is enjoying.”
     Rev Nyomi-Nyamadi called on Ghanaians to live decent lives in the New Year for the glory of God to be upon them in all their endeavors.

     He urged parents to be vigilant and guide their children to become responsible adults for national development.

     Rev. Nyomi-Nyamadi prayed for world peace, especially peace for the African continent and asked God for His mercy on countries that were experiencing wars and calamities.

     He said “God is the supreme ruler and he installs kings and rulers at his own time therefore whoever wins in the forthcoming elections is the will of God.”

     Rev Nyomi-Nyamadi therefore called on political parties to conduct decent campaigns devoid of insults in the December 2012 general elections and urged the citizenry to be civil in whatever they did and to be tolerant towards each other.

GAC launches ‘Heart to Heart’ HIV campaign to outdoor Ambassadors

    The Ghana AIDS Commission in partnership with Network of Associations of Persons Living with HIV has launched a ‘Heart to Heart’ HIV campaign to outdoor four HIV Ambassadors.

   The initiative was to provide a human face to the HIV and AIDS disease through open disclosure of HIV sero-positive by Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).

   Dr Angela El-Adas, Director General of the Commission, launching the campaign in Accra said, “It is anticipated that by using ‘real’ HIV infected persons in this campaign, our message will be received by Ghanaians.”

   The campaign funded by DANIDA and supported by UNAIDS is to deepen the knowledge of Ghanaians in issues pertaining to HIV, in order to stimulate acceptable attitudes towards People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

   It is also to use the different channels of communication available to educate people on what it means to be HIV positive patient.

   The Ambassadors are Reverend John Amuzu and Mrs Lydia Amuzu, Joyce Dzidzor Mensah and Gifty Torkornu.

   She said the objectives of the campaign included advocating for gender equality and active men involvement in HIV programmes, advocating for political commitment and advocacy for sustained resource mobilisation for results.

   Others are sharing life stories of PLHIV to touch the hearts of people in order to provoke accepting attitudes towards PLHI and advocating for HIV testing and counseling as the key to prevention among the sub-population.

   Dr El-Adas said it was expected that the personal risk perception of people would be heightened and that they would take steps to avoid being infected.

   “Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public or societal action to visit their doctors to discuss possibility of testing and counseling for HIV,” she noted.

   Dr El-Adas said even when people were diagnosed positive; many were reluctant to seek medical treatment, which was readily available.

   Ms Dzidzor Mensah, one of the Ambassadors told GNA that she had been living with the disease for the past four years and on antiretroviral therapy.

   She said it had encouraged her to have a baby without any fear of transmitting the virus to the boy.

   “My son is now four years old and HIV negative, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV starts with getting tested,” she added.

Stigma and discrimination violates fundamental human rights- HIV Ambassadors

     “Stigma and discrimination violates our fundamental human rights to freedom from discrimination as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution,” ‘Heart to Heart’ HIV Ambassadors have said.

  The Ambassadors including a couple, The Reverend John Amuzu and Mrs Lydia Amuzu, Joyce Dzidzor Mensah and Gifty Torkornu are supporting Ghana AIDS Commission to fight stigma and discrimination against people living with the disease.

  They made the statement at the launch of ‘Heart to Heart’ HIV campaign during which they were unveiled as Ambassadors in Accra.

  The launch was organised by Ghana AIDS Commission in partnership with Network of Associations of persons living with HIV with funding from DANIDA and supported by UNAIDS

  Reverend Amuzu, Spokesman of the Ambassadors, noted that stigma and discrimination weakened the ability of individuals and communities to protect themselves from HIV and to stay healthy if tested HIV-positive.

  He said the practice therefore served as a barrier to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, thereby hindering the progress towards attaining the health related Millennium Development Goals.

  They recommended that legal literacy programmes should be organised to empower those affected by the disease to know their rights and laws in the context of the epidemic.

  “There should be human rights training for health care workers that focus on respect, informed consent, confidentiality, non-discrimination and duty to treatment,” he added.

  Madam Anita D’Almeida, Assistant Programme Coordinator at DANIDA, expressed the hope that the desired results would be achieved through the open disclosure of HIV sero-positive status by persons living with the disease. 

  She said DANIDA was grateful to associate itself with such a worthy course of fighting the stigma and discrimination against HIV infected persons.

  Dr Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, pledged the organisation’s support to the campaign.

  He said over the 30-year period since the disease was first diagnosed, much progress had been attained except in the area of stigma and discrimination.

GAWU supports farmers with non-farm economic activities

     The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress is implementing a project to improve the livelihoods of rural informal sector workers through mobilizing and training them in non-farm economic activities.

  Mrs Emelia Ghansah, the Project Coordinator, told the GNA in Accra that “the expectation is that farmers will acquire knowledge and skills so that they can also engage in alternative income earning economic activities.”

  She said in promoting these activities the Union had used socially and environmentally sustainable approaches and had paid due attention to gender needs.

  “It has also instigated in GAWU institutional reforms, developed capacity and strengthened internal dynamics as well as channels for influencing policies affecting rural informal sector workers,” she added.

   Mrs Ghansah said the union had organized training for 49 communities in non-farm activities, including snail and grass cutter rearing, mushroom farming and beekeeping on the need-based recommendations of the communities.

   She explained that these activities were mostly for those in the Southern Sector while farmers in the Northern Sector were introduced to commercial processing of shea butter and “dawadawa.

   She said taking into account the income levels of these poor rural subsistence farmers, their being able to start these non-farm economic activities with their own resources was commendable.

   Mr. Kingsley Ofei- Nkansah, General Secretary of GAWU, said the vision for Ghana’s Agricultural Sector under the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy II, was to modernize agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy, grounded in food security, employment opportunities and poverty reduction.

   He said the Medium Term Agricultural Sector and Investment Plan (METASIP) was also developed based on the Plan’s objectives of targeting Agricultural growth of six per cent annually.

   “It is envisaged that the plan will be implemented through existing structures and it will contribute to the overriding goal of helping African Countries increase their economic growth through agricultural-based development, eradication of hunger and poverty reduction…,” Mr. Ofei-Nkansah stated.

   He said the union was exploring means of monitoring and evaluating the entire policy formulation and implementation processes by paying attention to the policy impact in relation to small scale farmers.

   “In this connection, GAWU is seeking to find out in more concrete terms how government policies are impacting on small scale farmers, especially in terms of food security and the incomes derived from their occupation,” he said.

   He explained that leadership intended to engage with the policy makers and duty bearers as well as the media to identify limitations and policy concerns that emerged from meeting stakeholders.

   He expressed the hope that farmers would have a better appreciation of the agricultural sector policy and investment plans and be in a better position to engage with duty bearers and begin to develop perspectives on how to derive benefit from the implementation of the policy and investment plans.

9th IUF African Regional conference underway in Accra

     The 9th International Union of Food (IUF) African Regional conference is underway in Accra on the theme: “Winning Union Rights and Food Rights.”
     The IUF is an international federation of trade unions representing workers in the agricultural sector including processing and manufacturing of food and beverages and those in the hotels, restaurants, tourism and catering services and all stages of tobacco processing.
     The two-day conference seeks to discuss issues like the strengthening of trade unions and human rights in Africa, trade union action on food security, climate change, land grabbing and how occupational health safety could be an organising tool to strengthen trade union bargaining capacity.
     Mr Ron Oswald, General Secretary of the IUF Global, commended Ghana for hosting the largest conference of the union on the continent.
     He said as the labour movement grows in Ghana, trade union leaders should make sure it affect workers positively and impact on their lives for national development.
     Mr Kenneth Koomson, General Secretary of Food and Allied Workers Union said there are so many violations of labour laws against Ghanaian workers which needed to be addressed.
     He called on trade union leaders and members to network and strategise to tackle some of the issues affecting workers on the continent.
     Ms Adowa Sakyi, Regional Women's Co-ordinator for Africa, IUF noted that the conference would discuss the organisation and recruitment of members and gender equality.
     She urged participants to make useful contribution and share ideas on the best practices to improve on trade union issues on the continent.
     IUF strengthens member unions through mutual support by assisting affiliates in recruitment and co-ordinates and implement solidarity and support actions for members and combat all forms of discrimination and promote equality at work place and in the society.

RLG in partnership with Malian government to improve ICT

 A three-member Malian delegation have paid a visit to RLG Communication to see how best to cooperate in the area of Information Communication technology (ICT).

 The cooperation between the Malian government and the communication company would be in the form of training services and the provision RLG products to curb the unemployment situation in that country.

 The delegation was taken through a tour of the company’s facilities including the RLG institute of technology training center, the showroom, customer complaint unit, the laptop and mobile phone assembling plant.

 At the training institute, Mr Kwaku Nsiah Mensah, Training supervisor told the delegation in Accra that as part of the Government of Ghana’s one laptop per child project teachers were being trained to improve on their skills and knowledge.

 He said the company also offered training to the general public in areas like hardware and software and after that most of them would be offered a job in the company.

 He said with the cooperation between the two countries, it would create an opportunity to accelerate the growth of ICT on the African continent.

 On the tour to the laptop and mobile phone assembling plants, the delegation were also briefed on the operation of the unit and how demanding their job was as a department of the company.

 Mr Roland Agambire, Chief Executive of RLG, said management was delighted to have such cooperation with the Mali government, since plans were advanced to enter into the francophone countries in the West African zone.

 He said when the cooperation is finalized with a memorandum of understanding Ghanaians would be sent to Mali to train their counterparts which would also create more jobs opportunities.

 Mr Agambire said the company would continue to foster good relationships with its West African counterparts to improve on the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens.

 He said currently the company has started commercial activities in the Nigerian market following its launch in the Gambia.

 Mr Youssouf Dramane Kone, the First Counsellor at the Malian Embassy in Ghana, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to management for the tour and hoped  that the cooperation would yield fruitful in the coming years.

 He said it is the plan of the Malian government for everybody in that country to be able to have basic knowledge in ICT to improve economic activities.

 He commended the CEO for his visionary ideas in expanding ICT across Africa.

 Madam Maiga Aminata, National Director of Vocational Training, said the visit was on the recommendation of their Minister of Employment who visited Ghana during the year.