Ministry institutes Diasporan Visa

Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations on Wednesday announced the institution of a Diasporan Visa to facilitate and encourage many Diasporans to return to Ghana several times and possibly invest in Ghana.


He announced also the offering of a DNA Map, to enable Diasporans who take a DNA test to have the opportunity to reconnect to their families in Africa.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng announced the steps in Parliament, in answer to questions related to the Joseph Project by the sector Ministry, in Accra, on Wednesday. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, MP for Wa West had asked whether Joseph Project of the Ministry was not a duplication of the already existing Emancipation and Panafest Programme, and therefore a waste of national resources.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the Joseph Project, also called the Akwaaba Anyemi, if anything would rather strengthen the Panafest and Emancipation and programmes and make them richer in content and enhance the personal experiences of the Diasporans. He said the Joseph Project is a series of activities aimed at reaching [descendants of], forcibly uprooted from Africa and have been lost to their homeland for more than 400 years. The programme, which was launched this year, includes activities such as a comprehensive education process for home-comers and the Diasporans to minimize the cultural shocks and conflicts that had occurred as natural development which came about during to the 400 years separation.



Mr Asamoah-Boateng said the a Nationwide Pilgrimage route has been identified and it would be offered to visiting Diasporans who would come to Ghana for Panafest, Emancipation Day or any calling. "Above all, the Akwaaba Anyemi Programme/Joseph Project seeks to invite the African Diaspora to utilize their resources to generate development and investment in Ghana in particular and in Africa generally," Mr Asamoah-Boateng said. He added that the Ministry had developed a comprehensive Tourism Policy to cover all aspects of tourism, adding; "The document is before cabinet." 21 Nov. 2007

Source:

GNA

Ghana to enjoy natural gas from December 23

Natural Gas is expected to start flowing through the West Africa Gas pipeline project from Nigeria to Ghana from December 23 this year.

Mr Aderemi Oladapo, General Manager in charge of Operations of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAGPCo), dropped the hint in Tema on Tuesday.



He said it would take four days for the gas to flow through the lines before reaching Ghana.
This follows the completion of the installation of the offshore segment of the gas pipeline by WAGPCo, which is currently conducting safety awareness campaigns across the sub-region in readiness for its take-off. Mr Oladapo was making a presentation at a day's forum organised by the WAGPCo for stakeholders in the maritime industry to sensitize them on the need to ensure that the lines were not damaged by their activities at sea.




He explained that a burst on the pipeline in Benin, Cotonou contributed to the delay of the completion of the project, but this has been rectified and was optimistic that gas would definitely flow through the line soon. The project cost about 600 million US dollars The General Manager pointed out that a colossal amount was used in repairing the lines and urged the participants to educate their staff to ensure that, at sea they observe safety measures and ensure compliance with identified safety precautions.

According to him WAGPCo would periodically organise series of such forums in the sub-region to remind stakeholders of the need to protect the lines.




Mr Opare Addo Nketsia, Technician Operator said WAGPCo conducted risk assessments posed by shipping and the collected data within the sub-region showed that fishermen were the worse offenders in the destruction of the equipment.

He mentioned possible causes of pipeline damage as the Ship Anchor Drag, illegal fishing method such as using dynamites, bottom trawling by inshore fishing boats as well as sabotage.




He advised officials in the maritime industry to be cautious and careful in their operations to prolong the lifespan of the pipelines. Mr Nketsia said there was the need for the Naval Personnel to monitor the coastline to ensure that fishing activities do not damage the pipelines.

Mr E. Oseni, Operations Supervisor warned that any damage to the pipelines would create socio-economic set back to the nation and the region and cautioned that disasters could occur through fire and loss of buoyancy.

To ensure absolute safety, Mr Oseni entreated maritime officials to strictly adhere to the regulations and not to operate close to the boundary areas, which is between 42 and 72 meters depth and two to four nautical miles away from the line.

Participating countries operating the Gas Pipeline Project are Nigeria, which is the source, Cotonou, Togo and Ghana. Participating stakeholders included Fire personnel, officials from the fishing companies and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)

Source: GNA

Zenith 4 Nation Tourney:Ghana 2-0 Togo

The Black stars defeated Togo by 2-0, at the Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday, to qualify for the finals of the Zenith Four Nation Tournament.
Two second half goals from substitute Baffour Gyan and Laryea Kingston was enough to see Ghana through to the finals where she meets Benin ...

Lineup: Kingson; John Paintsil, Kofi Amponsah, John Mensah/Anthony Annan, Sarpei; Michael Essien, Laryea Kingston/Andre Ayew, Stephen Appiah(cpt)/Moses Narh, Sulley Muntari; Mathew Amoah/Baffour Gyan, Junior Agogo

Accra:-Kufuor attends thanksgiving mass

President John Agyekum Kufuor and his wife, Theresa, on Sunday joined hundreds of worshippers at the Christ the King Catholic Parish to give thanks to God for his escape in last Wednesday's car crash at an intersection on the Airport-37 Road.He came out unscratched, when a Benz Elegance saloon car, driving at top speed rammed into the vehicle carrying him on a normal drive from his house to work at the Castle, Osu.

The bizarre accident sent shock waves across the country and to show how grateful the nation was to God for the life of the President, the congregation sang praises and said special prayers for his continued protection at the thanksgiving mass.

The Reverend Monsignor Seth Osei-Agyemang led the mass and in his homily, counseled the faithful to remain unwavering in times of difficulty and challenges.He said in the life of man there were bound to be disasters and trying moments and that when they happened "we should remain firm in our faith and trust of the Lord.""When our world come crushing down, we must save ourselves by hanging on to God", he said, citing the troubles and suffering that the biblical Job went through and the confidence he showed in the Lord.

"We must see every bad experience as an opportunity to reshape our priorities", the Reverend Osei-Agyemang added.He noted that every day and every ending could be a beginning.Accidents happen everyday but the Kingdom of God "shall endure and we shall live."He assured President Kufuor, who is a member of the Church that, the parish would always stand in spiritual closeness with him. 18 Nov 07
Source:GNA