Stop in breeding of animals to enhance the Quality of animal stock - Sci...

Northern Dimitra clubs meeting in Damongo 15

Rice Production Projections for 2015 by an expert 15

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SAVANNAH NEWS: Use Social Media To Promote Ndc Good Works, Not Pe...: Sofo Awudu Azorka THE Northern Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sofo Awudu Azorka, has cautioned the yo...

Researcher call for Establishment Shea Plantation in Northern Ghana 15

Cash Asset Creation Program by World Food Program in Northern Ghana 15

System Rice intensification Project launched in the Northern Region 15

Mental Health and Traditional Healers in the North InFocus 15

Inoculant Training for Agro input Dealers in Tamale 14

Bridging the Gender inequality Gap, Tamale Schools Set Pace 14

HIV/AIDS Celebration at Kolinvai ACDEP 14

Promoting Gender and Social Inclusion in Agriculture 14

Promoting Gender and Social Inclusion in Agriculture 14

We want a Fence Wall Jakarayilli School Demands 14

REGULATION AND CONTROL OF STUDENTS' UNION IN AFRICA

Students and their unions deserve to be strengthened in order to further expand the space for free speech and human rights within the democratic dispensation. A bill against students' activism of whatever kind or students' manipulation by opposition/foreign powers can hardly be contemplated at this time. They have used students to fight opponent and when they got power they are fixing legislation against student association.

In Nigeria the committee on Education of the House of Representatives has been considering a rather strange bill on the regulation and control of students' union activities. It is a little difficult to build up reasons or issues that precipitated this bill, at least within the orbit of current inter-locking economic, socio-cultural or political events.

That the House of Representatives is also considering another bill to regulate and control the press against the backdrop of its refusal to approve a Freedom of Information Bill. It raises the question why a parliament that is supposed to widen the democratic space is busy taking steps that will shrink political freedom. With a general election less than a year from now in the country its electoral integrity are unattractive. By the time the House completes its bill to regulate and control students' union activities. It would certainly have succeeded in turning Africa's most populous nation into a political wilderness.

The continuous ownership of student movement in Africa by politicians, will only increase the street protect by student. This is why the House of Representatives will have to reconsider its intentions and pretensions about a bill that endangers the freedom of students to express their thoughts on matters affecting their respective society and the academic community.

Besides, it is not true that students' unionism poses the kind of threat that is being suggested. Historically, all over the world, students have helped to change the course of development in their countries and beyond. Nigeria will probably not be the independent, self-minded and assertive country it is today but for the decisive role of students in preventing the parliament headed by Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa signing a Defence Pact with Britain after independence. That of Ghana is in no dispute.

Students in Europe played a critical role in pulling down the Berlin Wall in 1989 helping to thaw relations between the ideological East and West that finally led to the dismantling of communism in the Soviet Union and across the world. The brave protest of the Chinese students at Tiananmen Square, Beijing 20 years ago helped China to gain the liberalization that has brought about Chinese prosperity. The students' protests of the 1960s have turned Europe to a more respected voice in the world and the examples can be multiplied even locally. Many will remember the heroism of students in the struggle against military authoritarianism in Nigeria in the 80s and 90s.

It is not surprising that opposition is mounting against the proposed bill. What is surprising is that Honourable members of the House of Representatives do not consider the bill a waste of valuable time.

The House should perish its idea of a bill to control the democratic activities of students' unions. A better option is to give students the opportunity to develop a better sense of belonging and ownership within the academic community and such improved relations between the Students' Affairs Office and the unions that will reduce belligerence and promote self-restraint and mutual co-operation. The politician must stop recruiting corrupt students leaders who are found have misapplied student funds, levies, properties and taken per diem that can’t be supported by evidence. The castle must stop sponsoring students for the purpose of stopping student demonstration for change.

This would include their involvement in decision-making processes relating to their welfare and interests, but even more significantly, ensuring that the school system is upgraded in such a manner that promotes the objectives of quality education. Gagging students through a provocative piece of legislation that could result in further disruptions within the system is in no way in the national interest.

Academic infrastructure must be improve very well so us to allow for more intake of students in the various universities. The cost for academic fees must be reasonable for both the young and old to go for further upgrade of knowledge. Students must learn to stop believing politicians, but they must fight a good fight that can change the future of brothers and sisters who are yet to start university education. Years ago, when we found ourselves in leadership, we fought for change and groom leaders to take our place just for the fight to continue freedom for all.

We fought for Getfund but it is used us political tool for pressing for quietness in institutions whose students are trouble makers in the country or are heard in the media daily on the fight for freedom. If we have forgotten soon like the deputy minister of information Master Samuel Ablakwa then we are likely to continue to see education come to nothing. Your promise to get UD students have a comfortable life while academic work goes on is still fresh in their minds.

These are names of some NUGS presidents who suffer in the hands of politicians and their institution included Ken, Omani, Ablakwa, and Abu, who had the academic dreams in danger. Today some are found in government and little input comes from them toward the shaping of student association. The current NUGS leadership can’t speak of an own office and the finances of the association is in bad shape. The leadership is at the mercy of the politician to give them money for every function that must be organized. These are the secret regulation and control of student association. Shame!! Shame!!

IS THE FIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL READY FOR MORE FIRE IN THE YEAR

Most Ghanaian are less informed of the dangers ahead in the changes in the weather pattern for the dry season. The meteorological service, geological services which is a Government agencies that must supply most information are less resourced and lack the various apparatus that will help them to study the weather pattern.

The strong winds that is currently moving low pressure may cause a lot of dryness’ as the rainfall may also produce early dry season and that is the weather prediction for this years.

The worst-case scenarios on climate change envisaged by the UN two years ago are already being realised, say scientists at an international meeting.

In a statement in Copenhagen on their six key messages to political leaders, they say there is a increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climate shifts. Even modest temperature rise will affect millions of people, particularly in the developing world, they warn.

But, they say, most tools needed to cut carbon dioxide emissions already exist.

With the new information on how the Amazon rainforest would cope with rising temperatures, a UK Meteorological Office study concluded there would be a 75% loss of tree cover if the world warmed by three degrees for a century.

This summer's melt of Arctic sea ice has not been as profound as in the last two years, scientists said as the ice began its annual Autumn recovery.

Among the reasons for the less drastic melt are that Arctic temperatures have been cooler this year than last, researchers said, and that winds have helped disperse sea ice across the region.

Next month they will publish a full analysis including more details of how temperatures, currents and winds affected the sea ice this summer.

It’s been exactly one week since a whole government bureaucracy (the foreign ministry) was razed down by a fire outbreak. Without the necessary equipment to put out the inferno, fire personnel looked on in amazement as the blaze caused havoc. The next day, the president and other top government officials visited the scene of the destruction, expressed shock and spewed a few platitudes. The president has promised to ensure that the fire service is equipped so that they will not join spectators to admire the rage of future infernos. They are words that needed to be spoken. But will they be backed with deeds?

I am not so optimistic. In this country we tend to talk endlessly about our issues when they come up in the news. When the next big story comes, we forget about the promises that were made and just continue with the talking – about the latest news. The latest news is former president Jerry John Rawlings and whose home was gutted with fire on valentine day.

I don’t think the fire service is going to get the modern equipment it needs within a year or two. It’s not that it can’t be done. Government will just not do it. They will tell us that it takes time – and sure it does – but I am sure that a determined government should be able to supply its fire service with the basic equipment it needs within a matter of two years. But that’s not going to happen.

And it’s a shame. It’s a very big shame that in the 21st Century we have such a poorly-equipped fire service, whose officers cannot climb a five-storey building to put out a fire. We like to delude ourselves by saying that “we’ve come far”. We have not. And if you were looking for a sign that ours is a broken and wretched country, just look at our fire service and police service.

We are been told that fire officers due for promotion have not promoted. During the latter part of 2008, there was panic promotion which the former Chief Fire Officer, Felix Kwame Ferkah had to hurriedly promote some officers who were not qualified to be promoted. Someone in the Ministry of the Interior last year nullifying their promotions, with the hope that the council for fire service with the ministry of interior on board will do the right thing in the future.
But qualified officers kept pressing for their promotion to be affected but senior officers kept them in the dark.

Our police officers lack the basic facilities to conduct thorough investigations to bring criminals to justice. They don’t even have the know-how, much less the hardware, for collecting and analysing fingerprints. Kufuor’s government promised to make them efficient by giving them cars and setting up a communication system. That was more than eight years ago. Few cars were delivered and even so they were mostly used to transport officers’ wives to the markets and their children to school – not for crime fighting. How long should it take to provide your police force with the facilities they need to fight crime? I think a determined government that doesn’t delight in seeking refuge in excuses should be able to do that in a presidential term. Kufuor had two and our police service is no better than it was when he was on ordinary John.

Now, we have another John in charge and he’s making promises like the one before him did. Let’s hope he delivers – not just for the fire service but for all the other agencies that are supposed to be protecting us and providing for our well-being. That’s what governments exist for. The police and fire service are two of the most important agencies for protecting the life and property of citizens. If by the next election, the fire service still doesn’t have ladders and modern tenders and the police is incapable of collecting fingerprints and they still need to rent taxis to follow up on citizens’ complaint, I would say the Mills government has failed to secure the people. I will be disappointed. But I won’t be surprised.

And, somehow, I know what the excuse would be: “we didn’t have enough time”. It’s a flimsy excuse but many will accept it. That is why we are where we are since we have failed to think positively.

who paid this contractor in Ledzokuku Krowor for the bad drainage work.what i waste?

these are photos of bad constructional works at Nungua township in 8 months. what a shame for the tax payers whose money was wasted.

WHO CAN ACQUIRE THIS FURNITURE IN GHANA?

The cost of new Furniture in the country is very high. One will ask why that high cost for just simple set of furniture. A specialist and Business Manager in the furniture business at Kpogas standard Furniture Mr. Seth Aplerh – Doku says it is because most furniture's are imported and their purchase are done in foreign currency like the dollar. He went on to say that treated wood is on the high side and so to get the average Ghanaian to afford quality furniture one is forced to do most transaction outside which is cheaper if compared.

The big question is who can afford most durable furniture at a minimum cost? Most shops visited have no sign of affordability for the average Ghanaian. Some young adult have question the cost of living in the country as high since the salary structure favours some working class. Companies that pay well are very few if not the bank, oil company and 4 star hotels in Ghana then who can pay any worker to purchase the very best furniture for a living room.

Markets surveys have shown that most furniture’s manufactured in Ghana are very expensive to get since the cost for wood is very high. Most of the lumber extracted from the forest are mostly sold to the best foreign companies in Ghana for export, which has forced the local companies in Ghana to make use of the little wood. The forest reserves are been destroyed for mining activities and less are been planted to maintain the dream of greening the environment.

There are several checkpoints in this country that are guarded by government security agencies but timber logs go through without question since money determines the pockets of the policeman or some military men. Why? Charcoal trucks move freely on our roadblocks bribing the police while forest timber truck does likewise. Northern Ghana is now a desert since any tree that grows, is cut for charcoal burning or fire wood for cooking. The forestry department of the ministry of Agriculture is poorly structured to green Ghana of the various problems in forestry issues. Why?

The staffing of the forestry department is not the best since most of them work to their individual benefit but not to the task and interest of government, forest reserve and its timber for the local industries.

The cost of furniture set (4) which is been done by a local furniture shop is costing around GH 700 to GH1000, while the same set (4) with a foreign furniture shop is costing around GH 1700 to GH 7000.

According to the UN the continent is losing forest twice as fast as the rest of the world. ‘’Once upon a time, Africa boasted seven million square kilometres of forest but a third of that has been lost - most of it to charcoal’’. As stated if Wood and its by-product charcoal are, don’t get government to set out radical steps, then it is likely that wood will remain the primary energy source for decades. What will be the alternative to the rural area since most of them will fight to own a furniture set and charcoal? Company manufactures 250 tonnes of saleable product a month, while other countries look beyond their finite resource so get the wood for furniture.

Bamboo which is mostly used to support constructional work must be seen as an important alternative to the furniture industries in town. The construction company who discover it use for their work is making the cost of one bamboo stick to rise from GH 2 to GH 5.

Driving from the 37, Dzorwulu to the Spintex road and other places one will notice bamboo is dominating the furniture industries with good design as equal to the one been imported. The cost level is average to so many people but a lot of Ghanaian do not patronized it furniture work as compare to the wood type. Where do we go from here in the furniture industries?

People in Asian are familiar with those bamboo culms as versatile material that can be use for furniture, durable fences at backyard, and even habitable house. However, not many are aware that the plant is one of the best renewable resources in the planet and is one of the long-lasting food sources that can be considered to slow down the increase in hunger rate in different parts of the world. Its growth rate is very quick and can even grow well in crowded conditions. Bamboo has lost it value as a staple food in the world since it use have been change into household, construction and makeshift boat. Many have sighted those uses as reason why most people do not show that respect for it. Can that be attributed to the lack of recognition of bamboo at Kakum national park in the central Region without tourist attraction?

Do we force people to use the bamboo product in all our major hotels; public places etc as the first step in promoting the use of bamboo in the country? Should the government or public place take the first lead in the fight to make furniture cheaper and affordable in the country by using bamboo?

BARCLAYS BANK MUST ALLOW LOYALTY TO PAY, NOT COOL CHOP PROMO IN GHANA

I wish to state that bringing world class banking to the doorstep of every client comes out of passion and love for customers. The aging banking industries must learn to reward customers with loyalty not through promotion like cool chop. Brand must be promoted with respect and loyalty. Why should Barclays be involved in promotion which does not benefit the bank in the end like the direct sales idea that was brought by some former management staff members who also used the opportunity to enriched themselves with the help of the recruiting agencies and are in others banks enjoying. Are we also making money for advertising agencies in Ghana?

The current business of the bank organizing cool chop promotion is very unnecessary since it only put the brand of the bank in disrespect with the non performing banks in the country that lack customers, and have copy your tailed made products to attract your client. History has shown that Barclays bank have given loans and have achieved 99.5% recovery rate. But current information shows that recovery from loan is at 20%. The question is why? The bank in the name of competitors have forced itself to introduced and do things that do not reflect the mode of business that we all know of Barclays like direct sale, loans without deep background check. That is not innovation but pressure that does not exist since you are the master in the class of your competitors.

Passion which should be the measuring standard for selection and recruitment of staff who don’t have the experience of banking is nothing to write home about since most of them may have worked their way through because of attractive contacts, fast salary offer and not real work and love. Some have use Barclays brand as a stepping stone, which have never happen in the history of it staffing. What an insult in the history since the rate at which staffs are living the bank is not the best.

The question is, should Barclays train staffs for others to have? Some staffs of Barclays I describe in my own words as fashion staffs, who shows sharp smiles at sharp looking guy for quick date. Some cannot tell or understand the benefits of various products that the bank sales when you visit to enquire. This happens at some branches inside or outside Accra. Visit the banking hall in some casual dress and you will be treated with disrespect by Barclays bank staff, especially when you really do not know much about the products. The lady will pretend to be busy with the phone when they know that you just have some few minutes to spend at the bank. What a shame?

The standard for judging every bank is based on the brand and the watchword. When I walk into the banking hall I try to look for it on the faces and work relationship that staffs show to customers. My recently experience was on the 13-11-09, at Barclays bank of Tema branch were a young staff of the bank called George who sat at the entrance serving customers to open account. I asked for application form to fill for my mother back at home so that she will visit the bank compulsory after. When I told the young man that my mum cannot visit the Bank without the form he was very angry and question who my mother was to deserve that serve. I was not pleased with his indignation and choice of words towards my mother. The tone of his voice sounded like worker without passion for success and that Barclays is just a stepping stone to any Ghanaian bank. Running such test around can speak for itself that you don’t need to select potential worker by way of aptitudes test since such persons do not fit into the passion for work but money and the good looking character.

The service rendered by the staffs of Barclays at the Spintex branch (coastal Estate) and the shopping mall are far below the belt as standards since you are made to wait for longer hours for services or enquires. If looks can gratify an angry client then I am not one of those customers. Most men in the bank are doing very well in the field of services and enquire and you can see and feel it when they attend to you. There is a fair coloured young man in glasses at the shopping mall branch who is serving with passion. When he had served four customers the ladies have not finish serving the second person. I have observed that more than six times in different months.

The unprofitable work that was done by the direct sale personnel is a contributing factor if we all must go after the defaulting clients of Barclays. Some banking staff has taken loans and has travel outside for further studies. I must assure the bank that all is not lost in the recovery of most loans given out. I can do it and others can be trained in the field to help in the loan recovery provided they have the passion for secret investigation. It must be a lesson to all that things must be checked very well whether cheques or first time application documents for customers. Why the lapse on the side of most staff, I think it will be determined when some are picked up for questioning on the loans?

It will be painful if you don’t receive your salary on time at the branch. We must start thinking positive about the bank than running to other banks for fast salaries and jobs. The debt recovery ratio is now 45% because of non repayment of loans, so let all accept the new king set of laws and principles.
A replacement for cool chop is the toffees and chocolates that were on the desks closed to the tellers and personal bankers for every customer to pick while been served. A lot of customers were touched by that and some wish that it was done monthly. A lady said she went for lunch and had to come to the banking hall for quick cash. She forgot her ‘PK’ in the car, just as she sat in front of the personal banker she felt very bad because of breath while he was still putting some documents together. But just as she saw the toffees and picked one she had the confidence to speak to the personal banker about her cheque book. We don’t need cool chop for rewards but the small toffees and small chocolates are adequate.

Let me give you a few of your brand which sold well in the beginning but never caught up with new existing customers. Cash Passport , SME network ,money transfer , Aba pa account for mid class.
Some of the products were lunch way back when I was in my last days in the university studying, but never worked well in the middle class. Barclays’ cash passport is an easy way to take money with you while travelling overseas. One must just deposit funds onto it and on arrival you can have access to it around the world using the visa cash machine. Why have the idea not catch up with tertiary institution in Ghana. Your marketing standards have not help to promote the idea very well. Most banks are now marketing master card and visa card. Who brought the idea, it was Barclays?

The bank can put up for sale all the products through email to existing customers, engage at student’s forums or youth gatherings. Some of the canvassing must be done during the winter travelling season and summer for student using the travel and tours operators. I believe that when students get used to it the society get used to it. Small Medium scale network which was designed to help the existing and upcoming businesses is not at it best. The aim was to help strengthen business relationships and growth. Members are taken through seminars on how to get it done right, exchange contacts for possible support. What happen that we have to struggle to look for customers when we have the right structures in the bank? Our competitors have copied and stolen our brand ideas to make them rich? I still believes that the SME network must be reorganized by the leaders of Barclays where it core responsibility will be to networking and building on strategy to help their members business move forwards that they can still extend the friendly and loyal love to Barclays.

A desk was created to help the business men and women to have smooth transaction for transfers of money for purchase of goods and services but at the branches core dream is lacking in bank. Let us all see every act of Barclays very important that is the way forward.
The next strategy is for the bank to promote these two products i.e. Family funeral plan, Aba pa account and all in one current account. We must start getting the churches to understand us, tertiary institutions the small joints of the mechanic unit in Abossey okai, Ashaiman etc to know about it. A young mechanic shared his experience on how a lady staff of Barclays looked down on him when he was having difficulty in filling form and the spellings were not that right. Such class of persons have bad feeling about the bank. Some of the savings and loans companies have those mechanics and spare part dealers are now big clients in those banks. Some it just about draft, money transfers etc.

We must send text blast around the network, email to existing customers of the new products or ideas. We must start having relations talks with existing customers for a change in the plan to take up ‘’the all in one current account’’. Let forget about the cool chop promotion since it will not help but increase the debit of the bank on the balance sheet.
The next strategy for the bank is the mobile banking kiosks for the Aba pa clients in the market. A condition must be given to make most to save more with the bank in higher denominations like 5- 10 cedis daily. Those that cannot meet up the standard are to contribute 20 Ghana cedis weekly as savings. I know it may be difficult if not arranged well since it may not pick up well if discussions are not than in that area of operation.
Cool chop promo does not promote loyalty among customers. Most customers who were registered with Barclays by the direct sales staff, how many of such customers still do business with the bank. Those that have stay with the bank all over the years have not been rewarded for loyalty for ten years. It is a bad practice that must not be promoted by the authorities for nothing. How are we going to reward the existing customers who have shown loyalty for more than 10years without over redrawing the account? Can we have a big party where we invite customers to it and then celebrate with staffs and families of Barclays?
The bank must identify and surprise loyalty among customers who had save more than 1,000 above constantly in the year and they have maintain the relationship deeply. They must be banking with the bank for the past 10years or more. The need to be rewarded is now.

A good worker must have passion for work and must be unable to get an angry customer have a change in heart. This is just to tell you that maintaining and increasing customers depended largely on staffs at the hall. If prestige banking is 99.5% perfect why the normal banking?
Who will give birth to a dream and will not be responsible for it, let rise up to our own responsibility for the past is chasing us.