Rotary organizes free eye screening and treatment

Dr Francis Odame, Specialist Ophthalmologist of the Korle Bu and La Hospitals, on Monday suggested the establishment of an eye bank, saying this is important to replace some damaged parts of the eyes of patients.

He admitted that the establishment of such a bank would not be easy but could be done if there were ready donations to serve as stock. Dr Odame was speaking to journalists at an exercise to screen for glaucoma and cataract in Accra and its environs.

He said there was no single eye bank in West Africa but the idea was important to replace some damaged eye components through donations from those who passed away.
Dr Odame called for routine eye check-ups for school-going children while employers should also make it mandatory for workers to go for check-ups.


The eye screening exercise, which is free, is part of efforts by the Rotary Clubs of Accra Ring Road Central D9100, Windsor, Canada and the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India to bring medical assistance to the doorsteps of the needy.


It is also to create awareness about eye diseases and disorders. The programme would be followed up with medical treatment as well as surgeries at the La General Hospital.


Over 70 patients would undergo surgery, 400 would be given medicated glasses while others would receive medication. Dr Viral Purohit, Head of the Rotary Eye Institute Navsari of India and also leader of a 13-member team, said it was the hope of the Institute to establish a clinic in Ghana.


He said a mobile clinic would also be established to take care of the poor in the villages.
GNA

UN Internet Governance Forum to Focus on Development

Meeting for the first time in Athens from 30 October to 2 November, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum will focus on "Internet Governance for Development." The theme was determined by the strong consensus reached at the World Summit on the Information Society and afterwards that the Internet should be a key for development, said Markus Kummer, Executive Director of the Forum's secretariat.

Topics to be addressed at the Forum include free flow of information and access to knowledge, threats to Internet security such as spam and "phishing," the "multilingualization" of the Internet, international domain names not in the English alphabet, and expanding access for users in poor countries.

There will be no negotiated outcome, but the Forum will seek to stimulate a dialogue between the private sector, civil society and the academic and technical communities and their institutions, who are running the Internet and have their tradition of informal bottom-up decision-making and networked communication; and the more formal and structured world of governments and intergovernmental organizations.

The Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, will speak at the opening on Monday, which will also be addressed by the two "fathers of the Internet," Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, co-inventors of the TCP/IP protocols.

The Greek Minister of Transport and Communications, Michalis Liapis, will chair the four-day meeting. Nitin Desai, the Chairman of the Forum's Advisory Group, will chair the session devoted to discussing the way forward. More than 30 workshops will be held in parallel to the main session.

Ghana seeks 1.2 billion dollars Chinese support for strategic projects

Ghana is seeking 1.2 billion dollars Chinese development support towards the implementation of a number of strategic projects to help speed up the pace of the country's economic progress, Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President, said on Friday.

The projects include the Bui Dam, construction of a backbone for the telecommunication network and rural electrification. China has already advanced 50 million dollars for the telecommunication backbone project.

Mr Awuni told a press briefing that Ghana had presented the Chinese authorities with the project proposals and that these would come up for discussion during the China-Africa Heads of State Summit to be held in Beijing from November 3-5.

President John Agyekum Kufuor would join about 48 other African leaders at the Summit at which China would present its programme for investment and financial support to Africa for the next five years and the specific areas it would be ready to give support.

The meeting would also discuss international politics, trade, economic and cultural development. Mr Awuni said from China, President Kufuor would attend the first ever Korea-Africa summit to be hosted by President Roh Moo-Hyun from November 7-9.

He said Ghana and Korea would engage in bilateral talks on greater economic co-operation and trade. President Kufuor would meet the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Mr Ban Ki-Moon.

Mr Awuni said the two countries would consider co-operation on the expansion and divestiture of the Tema Oil Refinery and the building of new thermal plant to generate more energy.

President Kufuor would also pay a two-day working visit to Japan to confer with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and meet with Ms Sadoko Ogata, President of JICA, as well as the presidents of Japan External Trade Organisation and Japan Chocolate and Cocoa Associations.GNA

President Kufuor inaugurates a bus for Central Regional Coordinating Council

President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Saturday inaugurated a 33-seater bus valued at 632 million cedis, for the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) in Cape Coast.

He commended the council for the foresight and urged them to ensure that it was maintained regularly to prolong its life span.

President Kufuor called on other regional coordinating councils to emulate their example.

The bus purchased with funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund would be used to monitor projects being undertaken in the region under the fund.

It would also be used as a staff bus to ensure punctuality at work. Nana Ato Arthur Central Regional Minister, briefing newsmen later said it was purchased to reduce fuel consumption by the monitoring team that used more than six vehicles for their operations.

“With the bus it would be more convenient and easier for the team to operate efficiently and effectively,” he added. Nana Arthur pledged to ensure the bus was well maintained.

In another development, President Kufuor joined mourners at the burial and final funeral rites of Madam Monica Woode, mother of Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Omanhene of Edina Traditional Area at Elmina.

He later paid a courtesy call on Nana Conduah at his palace. Nana Conduah expressed appreciation to President Kufuor and his entourage for mourning with the bereaved family saying “ This is an honour for me, my late mother and the family.”

Madam Woode, alias Auntie Ama Gyefuaw 65, died on Monday July 31, at the Central Regional Hospital after a short illness. She left behind five children, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grand children.

Military High Command cautions Rawlings

Ghana’s Military High Command on Friday said the Ghana Armed Forces would continue to be loyal to the state and government of the day as the case was during the rule of former President Rawlings, a statement from the Military High Command said on Friday.

"We have no other option than to team up with other security services to protect the integrity and stability of our dear nation as well as the democratic dispensation being enjoyed by all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnicity and religious beliefs".


The statement was in response to a press conference the former President held on Thursday in Accra when he reacted to certain allegations President John Kufour made against him at a rally at Offinso in the Asahanti Region.


It said the High Command had noted the comments the former President made that, “he expects the Commanders to go to the Minister and tell him that his policies or other directives are not favourable to the military and cannot work hence he should change them” or words to that effect.


The statement signed by Colonel E. W. K. Nibo, Director of Public relations, Armed Forces said, “The Ghana Armed Forces would like to appeal to the former President to stop drawing it into the political utterances that appears to be the order of the day anytime he has a bone to pick with the government.


“He should allow the military to do its work as enshrined in the constitution of our dear country just as it did for him in the past". The statement expressed concern that, "such statements coming from him as a former Commander-in-Chief tend to undermine the Command, discipline, esprit de corps, teamwork and professionalism of the Armed Forces, which do not augur well for peace and stability of the country."


In as much as the former President is entitled to his opinion, the Military High Command finds it unfortunate that as a former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, such comments should be coming from him, since he is very familiar with the code of conduct of the military".


The High Command of the Armed Forces “respects him as its former Commander in Chief and would therefore expect his comments about the military to be circumspect by urging the military to continue to do the good work it has been doing rather than subjecting it to public ridicule, contempt and embarrassment", the statement said.
GNA

Total Petroleum Ghana and Total Ghana Limited merge

Shareholders of Total Petroleum Ghana Limited (formerly Mobil Oil Ghana Ltd) and Total Ghana Limited at separate meetings on Friday approved the merger of the two companies, Mr. Felix Majekodunmi, Managing Director of Petroleum Ghana Limited announced on Friday in Accra.


Mr Majekodunmi told a press conference that as part of the merger agreement, Total Ghana Limited would be put into members’ voluntary liquidation and the whole of its undertaking and assets will be transferred to Total Petroleum Ghana Limited.


Total Petroleum Ghana Limited would thus issue new shares to the shareholders of Total Ghana Limited in line with the rights of the shareholders in the liquidation. Mr Majekodunmi said the merged company’s name will be Total Petroleum Ghana Limited and would remain quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The merged company will occupy a leadership position in Ghana with an estimated market share of 28 per cent and a network of 225 service stations across the country.


“Synergies derived from rationalization of depots administrative and marketing operations will increase efficiency, reduce operating cost, consequently increasing profitability and shareholder value,” Mr Majekodunmi said.
He stressed that the benefits of the synergies would enable Total Petroleum Ghana Limited to competitively satisfy the ever challenging and increasing needs of its customers whilst putting safety first at all times. Touching on redundancies as result of the merger, Mr Majekodunmi said 46 employees had been affected because of the rationalization of assets and operations of the two companies.


Management and representatives of staff of both companies, he said, had amicably negotiated redundancy packages of the affected employees, a package which had received the approval of the Labour Department of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment for implementation. Mr Majekodunmi reiterated Total Petroleum Ghana Limited commitment to providing quality products, reliable and efficient service to its customers.


Besides, he said, the merged company would continue to be alive to its corporate social responsibilities while contributing positively to the economic growth of the country. Mr Majekodunmi was upbeat about the performance of the shares of the new company, saying once the results of the synergies began to manifest it would push share prices up. Total occupies a strong position in Africa with downstream operations in over 58 countries with about 3,800 branded service stations and shares in seven refineries.
GNA

New Nkrumahist party in the offing?

Barring any hiccups, Ghana's political arena is set to have a new member with the formation of a new political party aimed at providing an alternative based on the Nkrumahist tradition.

Officials of the yet to be named party told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday that the party would be built on Nkrumahist roots and become the unifying ground for all who positively crave for a more nationalistic, domestic-based philosophy to development.

'It will have an economy that has active roles for both the state and the private sector.'

The officials, who declined to be identified at this stage, said,

'It will fill the vacuum on the centre and left spectrum of Ghanaian politics to provide a positive alternative to the right leaning policies of the ruling NPP.'

Organization work for this group, according to the official, has been programmed to end in July of 2007 to give enough time for the wounds of the past 96 1992 to date - to be healed and understanding to be reached that will enable the middle to left of centre organization to unite those who want to avoid name.

The promoters of this organizational drive said they acknowledged the need for painstaking research to prepare its policy direction that would appeal to the ordinary Ghanaian as well as professionals and entrepreneurs who were yearning for a party that would put Ghanaians at the centre stage of opportunities in the country.

They said they were keen on building a mass political movement that were truly independent of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). They do not want to be a fragmented part of any other political organization.

=93By our hard work, we intend to build a firm place now and for the future in Ghanaian politics.=94

The promoters who spoke to the GNA said they had been engaged in quiet moves to reach people who would give the new organization credibility once it got off the ground.

=93For now, organizers 96 men and women - have been deployed throughout the 230 constituencies in the country to work the ground and determine the feasibility of launching a successful organization.=94 On how they intended to get to the masses since Ghanaians seemed to be tired of politics they said their foot soldiers were dedicated, proven political organizers who were determined and resolved to win recruits for the new organization.

They said so far, they had been encouraged by the reception given to them due to their non-confrontational stance to politics. =93They have been instructed to acknowledge contributions made by the NDC and the NPP in recent years to seek growth in Ghana. They are just selling their positive messages and promoting an alternative approach to development that is based on self-reliance and a preference to Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs while making way for the state to play a role in directly facilitating growth.=94

They say if their plans work, the new organization will attract known politicians while making big room for new people with alternative ideas that will broaden its appeal. This includes current and former

MPs, public servants, business owners and professionals. Another angle is to make significant inroads to recruit women and the youth to make the organization a truly national one with a broad base and appeal.

They declined to mention names of those behind the organizational strategy, indicating that a firm lid had been put on the identity of those giving a positive response to the recruitment process.

'Care is being taken to bring on board people with positive views on the political scene and those who have not been active participants in divisive politicking and to avoid those who have engaged in politics of exclusion through extreme ideological hard line views.

'The promoters are determined to keep working without the usual noise and claims of being on the ground and winning elections until the fundamental organization work is done,=94 they said. Source:
GNABarring any hiccups, Ghana's political arena is set to have a new member with the formation of a new political party aimed at providing an alternative based on the Nkrumahist tradition.

Officials of the yet to be named party told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday that the party would be built on Nkrumahist roots and become the unifying ground for all who positively crave for a more nationalistic, domestic-based philosophy to development.

'It will have an economy that has active roles for both the state and the private sector.'

The officials, who declined to be identified at this stage, said,

'It will fill the vacuum on the centre and left spectrum of Ghanaian politics to provide a positive alternative to the right leaning policies of the ruling NPP.'

Organization work for this group, according to the official, has been programmed to end in July of 2007 to give enough time for the wounds of the past 96 1992 to date - to be healed and understanding to be reached that will enable the middle to left of centre organization to unite those who want to avoid name.

The promoters of this organizational drive said they acknowledged the need for painstaking research to prepare its policy direction that would appeal to the ordinary Ghanaian as well as professionals and entrepreneurs who were yearning for a party that would put Ghanaians at the centre stage of opportunities in the country.

They said they were keen on building a mass political movement that were truly independent of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). They do not want to be a fragmented part of any other political organization.

=93By our hard work, we intend to build a firm place now and for the future in Ghanaian politics.=94

The promoters who spoke to the GNA said they had been engaged in quiet moves to reach people who would give the new organization credibility once it got off the ground.

=93For now, organizers 96 men and women - have been deployed throughout the 230 constituencies in the country to work the ground and determine the feasibility of launching a successful organization.=94 On how they intended to get to the masses since Ghanaians seemed to be tired of politics they said their foot soldiers were dedicated, proven political organizers who were determined and resolved to win recruits for the new organization.

They said so far, they had been encouraged by the reception given to them due to their non-confrontational stance to politics. =93They have been instructed to acknowledge contributions made by the NDC and the NPP in recent years to seek growth in Ghana. They are just selling their positive messages and promoting an alternative approach to development that is based on self-reliance and a preference to Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs while making way for the state to play a role in directly facilitating growth.=94

They say if their plans work, the new organization will attract known politicians while making big room for new people with alternative ideas that will broaden its appeal. This includes current and former

MPs, public servants, business owners and professionals. Another angle is to make significant inroads to recruit women and the youth to make the organization a truly national one with a broad base and appeal.

They declined to mention names of those behind the organizational strategy, indicating that a firm lid had been put on the identity of those giving a positive response to the recruitment process.

'Care is being taken to bring on board people with positive views on the political scene and those who have not been active participants in divisive politicking and to avoid those who have engaged in politics of exclusion through extreme ideological hard line views.

'The promoters are determined to keep working without the usual noise and claims of being on the ground and winning elections until the fundamental organization work is done,=94 they said. Source:
GNA