photo of the late President Mills funeral

Vodafone Ghana smashes price of international roaming

    Customers of Vodafone Ghana Limited can now stay connected to family and loved ones while traveling through the company’s new roaming service.

    Pre-paid and postpaid customers travelling to the UK can make calls and send SMS at standard local United Kingdom rates, which translate into over 100 percent reduction on roaming charges in the United Kingdom.
    A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday by Vodafone Ghana said customers could also top up their airtime using widely available Vodafone recharge cards in any Paypal shop or top up online at www.ezetop.com.
    It said postpaid and pre-paid Vodafone customers were currently enjoying Africa roaming, a product which allowed travelers in Vodafone partner countries in Kenya, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania and Congo, to receive calls and texts free of charge and make calls at reduced rates. 
    Mr Tara Squire, Head of Consumer Marketing at Vodafone Ghana said, “We want to introduce simplicity in their travel and help them stay connected by tailoring our products to their communications needs.”      He said “the world is now a global village where people are travelling around Africa and the rest of the world more than ever, either for work or for pleasure.

   “We want our customers to be confident in the knowledge that they can get the same great value for money from us when they travel as using a local SIM card.”

   Mr Squire noted that the company started this with the “know before you go’ bundle, which allowed customers to control their spending; now it was making roaming even more convenient with our localized pricing and top up and with our Africa roaming product.”

   He explained that the local pricing was available in the United Kingdom and the intention was to extend it to other countries very soon.

   He said prepaid customers travelling to the United Kingdom should dial *125*40# to opt-in and *125*41# to opt-out of the local pricing offer.

   Postpaid customers can now call 080010000 to opt-in. Travellers in Africa automatically qualify for the reduced roaming rates automatically once they activate their SIM for international roaming by calling 100 or 08001000 to first activate international roaming. 

Vodafone Healthline extends to customer’s handsets

       Viewers of the Vodafone Ghana Healthline TV show could now access more health information on their handsets through a special Vodafone short code.

     A statement issued in Accra said using the short code 1788, viewers could text ‘H’ for daily tips and advice on staying healthy; ‘S’ to receive tips on sexual health and ‘M’ to know the real facts surrounding various health myths.

     Mrs Carmen Bruce-Annan, Head of Corporate Communications at Vodafone Ghana, said the initiative was to extend the health education beyond the TV show because of the incredible number of questions received in the call for questions phase.

     She said there was a clear need for information about health and the daily health tips would keep people better informed to help them take better decisions based on the expert and reliable information they would receive.

     She noted that for 10Gp per a message, viewers and the general public could readily access and receive valuable information and advice they needed relating to specific health topics.

     This week’s Healthline episode would see the panel of doctors answering questions on Ageing, while the kids’ corner explores the developmental milestones that children should reach and display as they grow, and sexual health related questions.

     The episode also highlights two common age related conditions from two elderly people from the Brong Ahafo and the Upper East region.

     “Mr Kweku Twumasi from Nsuatre was suffering from an enlarged prostate and Akologo Atanga from Vea, near Bolgatanga had been living with a genital prolapse until Vodafone Ghana stepped in to provide financial aid for the surgeries,” Mrs Bruce-Annan said.

     The Vodafone Healthline is airs on Sundays on TV3 at 5.00pm, GTV at 8.30pm, eTV and Top TV at 8.00pm; it is then repeated on Wednesdays on Metro TV and Crystal TV at 8.30pm.

NITA trains MDAs to set up computer emergency response team

     The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) on Tuesday commenced training for Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) on how to form Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to provide security for government data.

     The training is expected to empower and provide the MDAs with the necessary tools and step-by-step processes required to start their own CERTs.

     Mr William Tevie, Director-General of NITA, speaking at the opening of a week-long workshop said, “We must be reminded that security is a process and we must be ready for possible attacks on our network.”   

    He said there was the need to maintain a reasonable level of security awareness and a reporting structure to efficiently handle incidence that were detected.

    He noted that NITA has formed an emergency response team to coordinate CERT with MDAs as constituents.

  “NITA will therefore assist each MDA set up an incidence response center within the MDA to respond reported cases of cyber fraud,” he added.

    Mr Tevie said this was the first in the series of training workshops which would include the setting up and management of CERT within their specific organisation.

   The Director-General said NITACERT was currently working on finding out vulnerabilities on all national and government websites and would recommend to operators to apply the necessary patches to mitigate risk of the sites being hatched.

   He re-affirmed NITA’s commitment to provide quality service and support to MDA, adding that the agency was upgrading the wireless network to 4G in the second phase of the e-government project.

   He said this would see additional 30 more base stations in addition to existing 30 base stations to improve the reach of the wireless network.

   Dr Nii Quaynor, Chairman of NITA, said cyber security had become a global threat, hence the government was doing all it could to fight the menace.

   He called on the youth who were computer experts to channel their expertise in the development of software rather than cyber fraud.

   Dr Quaynor noted that the youth with that expertise could also support in solving some of the technological challenges facing the nation.

Invest in your people - Kufuor urges African leaders

     Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Monday called on African governments to use state resources to invest in their citizens in order for them to attain the commanding heights to grow their economies.

     "We need this in this era of advancement in Information Communication Technology, where information is assessed at the click of knob, Africa can no longer continue to lag behind the rest of the world," he said.

     A statement signed by Frank Agyekum, the Former President’s spokesperson and special aide, said Mr Kufuor was speaking as Chairman of the IX Leon Sullivan Summit, which opened at the Sipopo International Conference Centre in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, under the theme "Africa Rising”.

     Former President Kufuor said: "Of all the continents, Africa alone is unable to feed itself largely because both the agricultural and technological revolutions which propelled others forward passed us by" and therefore called for innovative measures to overturn this.

     He said the Africa Union through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), had shown how by pooling resources together, Africans could create value, increase wealth and become more competitive in this era of globalization.

     The NEPAD blueprint, he said, called for partnerships among Africans and with the outside world on a 'win-win’ basis in an effort to make up for the lack of technological development on the continent through years of neglect and subjugation.

    "Africa can only benefit from such partnerships if it empowered its people with the cutting edge skills that will enable them to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world," he added.

    Former President Kufuor urged the governments to continue on the path of constitutionalism, saying good governance should be their hallmark while they upheld rule of law and human rights of their people.

    "Wherever possible, opportunities must be made to ensure free education for all school-going children, to at least the secondary level; healthcare must be affordable, easily and readily accessible and policies such as National Health Insurance Schemes should be instituted as safeguard for their citizenry,” he noted.

     "Other social safety nets such as Special provision for the indigent should be established to support the poor and those handicapped," he told the gathering.

     The summit was opened by the Equatorial Guinean President Obiang Nguema Mbasago, and was attended by President Yayi Boni of Benin and Chairman of the African Union, President Ernest Bailey Koromah of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Executive Secretary of the African- Caribbean - Pacific Organization, among others.

     There were also delegations from 26 African countries, about 150 African-Americans and people of African descent in the Diaspora at the five-day meeting.

     Former President Kufuor, who arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, is expected back home on Thursday, 23rd August, 2012.

President tells security to be objective in their duties

     President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday appealed to the military and other security services to discharge their duties dispassionately and objectively.

    He said the December general election was crucial and a test case for all security agencies to adhere strictly to the laws of the country without fear or favour of one group against the other.

    President Mahama said this at the Course 33 graduation ceremony of 61 military and other security services at the Ghana Armed Forces and Staff College (GAFSC) in Accra.

    The graduates, who spent almost one year in the college, undertook courses in general military professionalism, international affairs and diplomacy among others.

    Forty of the graduates are from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) while 21 are from Mali, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra leone, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Togo.

    President Mahama gave the assurance that the government would continue to resource the military and other security agencies to enable them execute their professional mandate of defending the state and ensuring peace.

    He said the government had procured two new CASA 295 aircraft while some helicopters would be received to beef up the fleet before the end of the year.

    President Mahama also promised to support the GAF with some armoured vehicles, the completion of a 15-unit room residential accommodation for the staff of the college and other logistics that would enhance their performance.

    Major General Kwesi Yankson, Commandant of the GAFSC, called on the graduates never to be hasty in their conclusion, but carefully study, understand the issues before making decisions.

    “The knowledge that you have acquired during the period should give you the confidence to overcome the challenges ahead of your career path,” he said.

    Major Gen Yankson noted that the success of the graduates depended on values, commitment and determination.

    “Remember that managing emotions is a critical success factor in any organisation, more so in the military,” he added.

    He urged them to read regularly and widely and revise what they have learnt in the college to enhance their knowledge and improve on their sphere of profession.

    Major Emmanuel Appiah from the Ghana Army was awarded the honour graduate and the Chief of Staff’s Awards, while Major Didier Bamouni from the Burkina Faso Army was the most improved student and Lieutenant Commandant Umar Saidu was adjudged the Best Allied Student.

    Second Best Student Awards went to Major Daniel Amenyo Agbekor of the Ghana Army and Major Noble Carl Doe Dei-Alorse was also awarded the third Best Student and Major George Wilson of the Ghana Army took the Commandant Prize.

    Other awards went to Major Daniel Mensah-Gorman, for the Everard Awards, Chief of Air Staff Awards went Squadron leader George Osei-Owusu of the Air Force, Lieutenant Commandant Albert Anku Kpesenu of the Ghana Navy took home the Chief of Naval Staff Awards   

85-year old woman visits the tomb of late President Mills

     Madam Lucy Afram, an 85-year old woman, has visited the graveside of late President John Evans Atta Mills at the “Asomdwee Park” (Peace Park) to pay her last respect.

     Madam Afram, who came to the Park with the daughter, told the Ghana News Agency that she was not able to view the mortal remains of the late President at the State House so she decided to catch a glimpse of the tomb today.

    “I like the man because he is a peace loving individual,” she said.

    She has taken a photograph of the late President's tomb which she promised to keep remembering him always.

    Hundreds of Ghanaians including children also turned up at the Park to look at the grave of their departed leader.

    The Park was opened to the public on Sunday between the hours of 0800 and 1700 hours and would be closed temporary on Tuesday August 14th to allow some works to be carried out.

    As at 1100 hours when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) got to the Park, Ghanaians and some foreigners were seen taking photographs of themselves close to the tomb.

    The public are not allowed to get closer to the tomb so visitors stand at a distance to catch a glimpse.

    Photographers took the opportunity to do business at the Park as they sell a photograph copy of the tomb or GH¢2.00.

    In an interview with the GNA, Mr Emmanuel Anku, a photographer, said business was good, citing so many photographers at the Park.

    He, however, expressed the hope that before the day ends he would make enough money.

    Linda Antwi, an eight-year old, said she forced her mother to the Park because she wanted to see the place the late President was buried.

    When asked what she would remember of the late President, Linda said the late President normally used the words “My brothers and sisters”.     

    President Mills died on July 24, 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, three days after his 68th birthday.