Prez Nana Addo To Make Agric Attractive To The Youth

President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo has listed a number of measures his administration has earmarked for the next 4 years in modernizing the Agriculture sector of the Ghanaian economy.

Among the plans the outlined by the President include modernize improve production efficiency; achieve food security and profitability for the Ghanaian farmers all aimed at significantly increasing agriculture productivity in the country.

He also said his government will create additional businesses and job avenues in the areas of storage; transport, processing packaging, and marketing of agricultural produce all to ensure farmers and fisher folks earn higher incomes.

President Nana Addo made these comments at the Opening ceremony of 68th New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana today (Monday January 16, 2017). This year’s event is on the theme Promoting National Development through Agricultural Modernization: The Role of ICT.

President Nana Addo’s visit is the first to his alma mater since assuming office as President of the Republic of Ghana.

Speaking as the Minister designate for the sector Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said agriculture sector has witnessed a decline growth for the past eight year. According to him the annual growth rate of the sector declined from 7.4% in 2008 to 2.4% in 2015.

In light of this poor performance of the Agriculture sector, Dr. Akoto said the Nana Akufo Addo led administration will soon launch a National Campaign dubbed “Planting for Food and Jobs.” This initiative the incoming Agriculture Minister said will help whip up the enthusiasm in the citizens to take up farming as a full or part time activity.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu on his part said positioning ICT in agriculture calls for a serious approach and fundamental shifts in policies and orientation of governments, policy makers, farmers and other relevant stakeholders. He also called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to prioritize mobile phones in revolutionizing the dissemination of timely and relevant information to farmers along the agricultural value chain.

The 68^th Annual New Year School and Conference which ends on January 20, 2016 will have participants deliberate on the theme for this year’s event and make recommendations that would scale up the use of ICT in finding solutions to the perennial problems facing farmers in the sector.

Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 FM

Professor Kwamena Ahwoi Sworn-In As New Chairman Of University Of Ghana Council

Professor Kwamena Ahwoi has been sworn-in as Chairman of the University of Ghana Council; the highest decision making body of the University. Professor Ahwoi was appointed by President Mahama and other four distinguished individuals to take over from Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah led administration.

The appointees to the Council include Professor Mahama Duwieju, Archbishop Duncan Williams, Ambassador Fati Habib-Jawula as well as Dr. William Abayaawien Atuilik.

Other new members joining the University of Ghana Council include Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Owusu Oduro; SRC President, Ms. Esinam Afi Seade; GRASAG President, Mr. Nana Asafo- Adjei Ayeh and the UTAG President, Dr. Harry Lawson Agbanu.

The University of Ghana Governing Council is responsible for the effective running of the Premier University by ensuring that the aims and objectives are realized.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the University of Ghana, Minister of Education, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said the importance of higher education in Ghana cannot be underplayed taking into consideration the transformation agenda of the country. According to her Ghana’s education system needs stakeholders to make a concerted effort in finding long lasting solutions to the numerous problems bedeviling the nation.

“The central role of Tertiary Education in the development agenda particularly, as it relates to the terminal stages of building the human resources of our country, cannot be lost on any of us. Education has featured and would continue to engage us, as we strive to find common ground to have an educational system that addresses our changing needs.” the Education Minister said.

She further congratulated the University of Ghana for been ranked by the Times Higher Education (THE) as the 7th best University in Africa, the highest ranking in the West Africa sub-region.

Professor Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang also tasked the new council members to liaise with their Predecessors to continue providing policy direction and support to secure human and equipment resources to advance academic works at the nation’s premier University.

“Like most tertiary institution, I know the University of Ghana is currently confronted with a myriad of challenges; I have every confidence that the council will aid management in rising to the occasion” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated.

She said the Ministry in collaboration with USAID is also implementing a five year technical assistance and capacity building support with $72 million directed to improve reading, teacher skills and management. The project also seeks to advance system management, facilitating effective management for government and local organizations receiving direct funds.

In his acceptance speech as Chairman, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi who is also an alumnus of the University of Ghana thanked President Mahama for reposing confidence in him and his colleagues to lead the University council for the next four years. He also assured the President and the people of Ghana of their relentless effort to make the University attain its vision of becoming a world class research intensive institution in the next decade.

Below is the list of the members of the highest decision making body:

FULL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA COUNCIL

Professor Kwamena Ahwoi ———Chairman of Council, Nominated by Government

Professor Ebenezer Owusu Oduro ——-Vice-Chancellor

Professor Mahama Duwiejua ——– Nominated by Government

Archbishop Ducan Williams——— Nominated by Government

Ambassador Fati Habib-Jawula ———Nominated by Government

William Abayaawien Atuilik ———Nominated by Government

Mercy Haizel- Asia———–Registrar

Professor Kodzo Gavua——— Elected by Convocation

Alfred Quartey ——— Elected by Convocation

John .K. Klinogo ——— Appointed by Council

Richard Kwame Asante ——— Appointed by Council

Eileen Odartei-Laryea ——— Appointed by Council

Max Price ———–Appointed by Council

Samuel Ofori-Adjei ———Nominated by Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS)

Professor Mahama Salifu ———–National Council for Tertiary Education

Kwesi Yankey ———-Nominated by University of Ghana Alumni Association (UGAA)

Nana Asafo- Adjei Ayeh ———Nominated by Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG)

Esinam Afi Seade ———Nominated by Students Representative Council (UG SRC)

Harry Lawson Agbanu ———–Nominated by University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG)

Kenneth Botchway ——— Nominated by Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU)

Ghana Education Service Calls Bluff of CHASS To Shutdown Schools

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has called off the bluff of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) to shutdown schools for the delay in paying subsidies.

Addressing a Press conference today (Thursday), the Director-General of GES, Mr. Jacob Kor said the authority to re-open and close down any public school is the prerogative of the Minister of Education; not CHASS.

He has however debunked allegations by CHASS that feeding grants and subsidies of the 2^nd term of the 2014/2015 and 3^rd term of 2015/2016 academic years are in arrears. According to Mr. Kor only the 3^rd term of the 2015/2016 is yet to be paid.

Mr. Kor explained that GH¢23.5 million has been disbursed for the first term of the 2015/16 academic year and as at the time CHASS organized its media briefing an amount of ¢23.4 million for subsidies was ready for disbursement, thus only the third term is outstanding.

The delay he partly attributed to the apathy of some heads of second cycle institutions to submit credible data for an onward disbursement of the subsidies and grants due them.

“The untimely release of subsidies and grants are partly due to the lackadaisical attitude of some heads in terms of data submission to headquarters. For instance, some heads of second cycle schools submitted their 2015/2016 first year’s admission figures and other data for funds to released just last week Thursday 14^th July, 2016 to the GES headquarters in mid-July 2016. Such heads will be given a queried.” Mr. Kor explained.

CHASS at a press conference yesterday says it is struggling to effectively manage the affairs of Senior High Schools across the country due to the delay in the payment of subsidies to schools.

According to the President of CHASS, Mrs. Cecilia Kwakye Coffie unpaid ‘absorbed fees’ and feeding grants, high utility bills and inadequate feeding fees of GH¢3.30 per student per day for 3 meals are having great toll in managing these schools. She also added students are fed on credit and heads of institutions are being harassed by their creditors on daily bases.

But the Director-General of GES has requested that all Heads of second cycle schools to exercise maximum restraint in resolving management issues of schools. He further indicated that his outfit has received the request for an increment in feeding fee thus an increase will be affected at the beginning of next academic year (2016/17).

Mr. Jacob Kor further cautioned all Heads of second cycle institutions to submit credible data to the GES on time to avert the delay in releasing the funds.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz

Government To Provide 5000 Jobs For Ghanaian Youth In A Bid To Reduce Youth Unemployment

Five thousand (5,000) Ghanaian youth in the informal sector are expected to be trained by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) with funding from the Youth Enterprise Authority (YEA)

This was disclosed by the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon Haruna Iddrisu at a meeting which saw NVTI and the YEA sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

According to the Labour Minister, the move is in line with President Mahama’s vision to support the development of skills of the youth and to prepare them for either self-employment or the world of work.

“Under President Mahama we have recognized the need to close the skills gap and to resolve the skills mismatch of our youth in the country.” the Labour Minister said.

The agreement will have the youth in the informal sector trained as artisans within three to nine months and with a certificate from the National Vocational Training Institute. The beneficiaries will have the opportunity of selecting one of the 10 trade areas for which they will be trained.

SIGNING OF MOU BY YEA & NVTI

The 10 trade areas include General electricals, Aluminum fabrication, Computer hardware, Carpentry, Plumbing and tile laying. The rest are Flora and balloon decoration, dress making, Hairdressing as well as masonry.

Executive Director of the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Mr. Stephen Bismark Amponsah said the beneficiaries will be provided with strategic set of skills that are demand-driven not only in Ghana but also across the world.

“The focus of this partnership is to look at employability. We have had various models in the past that people were trained. Unfortunately we could not point too much to the success story. This one we are providing the skills and making sure that all those who will acquire these skills put them into good use to build the economy.” Mr. Amponsah said.

Minister of Labour, Haruna Iddrisu & Deputy Baba Jamal

He further added that the programme will be in four main parts: Training; the Assessment component; Cooperative Systems where the participants will work in groups. Finally the individuals will be helped with setting up a business after which there will be consistent follow up to ensure their businesses grow.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Mr. Ebo Beecham said to be able to fulfill their mandate of developing coordinating and supervising all activities related to youth employment in the country; his outfit has adopted the strategy of partnering with some agencies like NVTI.

According to Mr. Beecham a total of 8600 youth have already been trained and deployed under modules earlier this year. Among the modules are Youth in Health, Youth in Security, Youth in Coastal Sanitation, Youth in Agriculture and Youth in Afforestation amongst others.

The Youth Enterprise Authority is expected to support the National Vocational Training Institute with at least an annual fund of GH¢10 million.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7MHz

Don’t Strike; Government Is Addressing Your Concerns- Haruna Tells CLOGSAG & Unpaid Teachers

The Minister of Employment and Labour relations, Hon Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) and the Unpaid Teachers and Education workers to rescind on their decision to embark on an industrial action as government is working to address their concerns.

The two Workers’ Union had earlier this year threatened to strike nationwide to drum home their demands.

In the case of CLOGSAG, government has paid interim premiums to other category of workers in the country but has failed to extend the payments to their members hence decision to lay down their tools. They have also chastised a committee charged to work on market premiums, for recommending their exclusion from receiving market premiums.

Whilst the Unpaid Teachers and Education workers are demanding government to pay 3000 of its members their three month’s salary arrears otherwise resort to strike. According to the teachers, government has refused to pay them despite several agitations to get these monies paid.

According to the General Secretary of the group, Isaac Amponsah they were told that the auditors had presented a report to the Finance Ministry for clearance but they still remained unpaid.

But speaking to the media to the media on Tuesday, Mr. Iddrisu said government is doing its best to maintain the industrial tranquility in the country whilst they resolve the existing impasse of the two unions.

“Government is doing everything possible to maintain the serenity of the industrial atmosphere in the country and to maintain industrial peace and harmony even as we address the legitimate concerns of the two different major categories of workers in the country.” the Labour Minister said.  

He also indicated that the subcommittee assessing the market premium relative to all categories of workers will be engaging CLOGSAG this week to reach a middle grounds after which the reports will be submitted for government consideration.

In respect to the unpaid teachers, Mr. Harruna Iddrisu said the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations met the four teacher unions in the country and have agreed on a road map to get the outstanding issues resolved.

The Labour Minister also said the teachers whose documents have been validated have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for onward payment through the Controller and Accountant Generals Department.

 “However there is a huge workload which is being worked on in regions of 60 to 90,000 and we have agreed on how to get that validated.”  Iddrisu indicated.

Mr. Haruna Iddrisu therefore assured the two unions government will resolve their concerns in the shortest possible time.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 

2016 National Science and Maths Quiz Officially Launched

The official Opening of the 21st of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has taken place at the University of Ghana with 136 schools participating  this year.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Director of the Science Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Andrew Quainoo said the wealth of a nation greatly depends on the effectiveness of the teaching and learning of Science and Technology and Mathematics in schools.

“Ghana needs to tap into the knowledge base of its people by providing inspiring Science and Maths education that develops the human resource required for the economic growth of the country as well as the personal development.” Mr. Quainoo said.

The Director of the Science Education Unit bemoaned the downward trends in the performance of students in Science and Mathematics in both the Junior and Senior High Level. He however said the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Education Service (GES) has since 2013 being implementing a number of measures to nip the recurrent problem in the bud.

The measures include the resourcing of about 300 public senior high schools with modern science equipment to make them science resource centers.

Four teachers of each of these schools have been trained in the use of these facilities to enhance lessons delivery.

Mr. Andrew Quainoo also hinted of plans in setting Science resource centers at the Basic level this year so as to enhance the quality of delivery at this level.

Also among the actions taken include the support of 125 low performing Senior High Schools to aid the students to appreciate the subject of science and mathematics.

Also speaking at the same ceremony, Immediate Past President of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Mr. Ofori Adjei has expressed worry over the low participation of students in co-curriculum activities in Senior High Schools. He however pledged CHASS’ commitment in sponsoring the National Science and Maths Quiz and also made a passionate appeal to corporate Ghana to augments its efforts in funding educational program such as the National Science and Maths Quiz in the country.

As part of plans to improve upon the national competition, an additional round known as  the "round of speed" has been introduced to make a total of 5 rounds in a single competition.

The Quiz mistress, Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufman will moderate the one-eighth stage to the finals of this year's contest. Early two Quiz mistresses were introduced by organizers, Prime-time Media to assist in the preliminaries stage.
The Senior High School students will be mentored by past participants of the National Quiz to help broaden their interests in the various aspects of the sciences.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/Radio Univers

National Blood Service Awards University of Ghana

The University of Ghana today received a Special recognition from the National Blood Service-Ghana for donating one of the highest units of blood among donor communities in the country.

Between June 2015 and June this year, the University community donated a total of 581 pints to the safe millions of unknown Ghanaians.

SRC President of the University of Ghana, Ms. Esinam Afi Seade took to her Facebook page to salute all students who contributed to achieving this feat.

By: Emmanuel Dzivenu/ Radio Univers 105.7 MHz