Government to create 30,000 jobs next year

Sunyani (B/A), Oct. 31, GNA - Government will create 30,000 jobs, 300 in each of the 100 selected Districts in the country, next year, following cabinet's approval for implementation of the National Plantation Development Programme.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who announced this, said the initiative sought to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable forest management through large scale commercial forest plantation.

He was speaking at the 14th Annual General Meeting of Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF), on the theme: "Forest Law Enforcement-Impact on Forest Degradation and Climate Change", in Sunyani on Friday.

Alhaji Dauda expressed worry that some technical officers of the forestry sector assisted people to illegally fell valuable trees and urged the Institute to support the Programme to ensure sustainable management of the country's forest.

Dr. Kwame Asamoah Adam, national president of GIF, said research indicated that permanent forest estates were not responding positively to management interventions, which were based mainly on selective logging.

He said that forest managers continued to rely on basic forest management methods that were devoid of forest stock improvement. This, the GIF national president, said resulted in significant decline in forest stock between 1972 and 2001, "as indicated in comparative analysis of stocking levels between 1989 and 2001 forest inventory results.

Dr Adam said through out the world, communities were demanding prudent forest management including "forest certification", from forestry authorities.

He said even though Ghana embarked on forest certification almost a decade ago, not a single forest reserve had been certified.

Dr Adam explained that this was due the lack of management plans, legal constraints, non-existence of tested forest management systems and lack of collaboration between forestry institutions for the gathering of information needed to improve forest management systems as well as the lack of commitment from timber utilization contract holders.

He expressed regret that forest reserves continued to be depleted through illegal farming and logging and explained that tress actually fell had since 1994 exceeded the legally fell tress by more than 200 per cent.

Dr. Adam said corruption in the forestry sector was undermining the rule of law, democratic governance and human rights and alleged that forestry personnel were being attacked, maimed or killed by illegal chainsaw operators, farmers and hunters, during surveillance of the forests.

He called on security personnel to enforce laws on the forest to stop illegal chainsaw operations and farming at forest reserves, which had created conflicts between some communities and forestry personnel.

Mr. Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, appealed to the people to support government to protect the environment, particularly the forest from destruction and expressed worry that the practice has assumed an alarming dimension in the country. 31 Oct 09 Attention recipients, item 01 ends first cast.

Nkroful (W/R), May 24, GNA- Mr. Francis Obeng Boampong, Acting Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in the Ellembelle district, has observed that Africa's poverty has increased due to low level of productivity and the increase in youth unemployment.

He said while some of the developed countries are striving to reduce poverty in their countries, some developing countries are still battling with the payment of heavy international debt.

Mr. Boampong made the statement during a sensitization forum on African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) organized by the District Oversight Committee (DOC) at Esiama in the Ellembelle district of the Western Region.

The purpose of the forum was to accord the NCCE in the district the opportunity to explain the meaning of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and their roles as well as other government policies to the people.

He said there was the need for people in the district to be abreast of some global issues particularly, those on Africa, to deepen their understanding of government policies and decisions.

The chairman of D.O.C., Mr. Edward Arthur, indicated that APRM seeks to ensure the adoption of good policies and practices to foster political stability and economic development.

He said these could be achieved through democracy and good governance, economic governance and management, co-operate governance and socio-economic development.

For his part, the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Joseph K. Armah, noted that for good governance to be realized in the country, all departments must ensure probity and accountability.

GNA

 Health extension workers under NYEP lay off

Takoradi, Feb 9, GNA - The hope of personnel working under the Health Extension Module of the National Youth Employment programme to have a permanent job would soon be dashed as directive have been given to some hospitals authorities to sack such personnel.

The Ghana News Agency's investigation in three major hospitals: Effia-Nkwanta, Takoradi and Essikado Hospitals in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis revealed that some personnel had already been sacked, while some had voluntarily returned to work. An official of the Takoradi Hospital who spoke to the GNA on condition of anonymity said the hospital was issued with the directive last week and already about 40 personnel had been sent home.

This official was however not happy with the initiative adding, "The disposal of these health extension workers will definitely create a gap in quality service delivery. We need them to work with".

The number of personnel sacked by the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital amounted to almost 100, a source told the GNA. The source said management would however hold an emergency meeting to find ways where such people could be internally assisted in order for them to stay at post.

At the Essikado Hospital, the situation was quiet different. It came to light that, though the hospital had received the directive, it was yet to take action. When the GNA contacted the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Directorate of the NYEP, it was told that the older staff had been laid off, while new officers had been sent to post.

GNA

First youth conference opens in Accra

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA - Young Professionals Transformational Leadership Conference

(YPTLC), to build the capacity of the youth and equip them with modern leadership tools,

has been scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre on Friday. The day's conference, under the auspices of Young Professionals and Youth Coalition

(YPYC), a youth development and career enhancement group, will be attended by young

professionals from diverse fields. It will offer the participants the opportunity to learn, share, network and maximize their

leadership abilities for national development and self-actualization. It is under the theme; "The Emerging Youth Leadership in the 21st Century". A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday and signed by Mr

Andy Osei Okrah, President of YPYC, said the conference was unique and would address

challenges of transformational leadership that the country was required to develop. "This is the conference to stay current, informed, educated, networked, changed,

prepared, inspired and transformed for good works towards the society and nation," the

statement said. It said this was the maiden conference and would be held annually in all the regions.

Ghana Labour College in deplorable state

Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - The deplorable conditions at the Ghana Labour College is affecting teaching and learning, Mr Isaac K Yanney, Principal of the College said on Friday.

The problems include irregular water supply, inadequate and poor state of computer laboratories, infrastructure and accommodation. Mr Yanney made the observation at the graduation of 34 students after completing the 2009 Certificate in Labour Studies in Accra.

Courses being pursued at the College include, labour economics, industrial relations, computer literacy, basic accounting, research methods and communication skills.

The rest are union management, interpretation and analysis of financial Statement, gender and labour relations, occupational safety health and environment and labour legislations.

Mr Yanney appealed to stakeholders in education and the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) to assist the college improved the conditions and facilities.

He called on employers to allow employees pursuing courses at the college on full time basis for the country's human resources development.

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of TUC urged the students to participate and contribute effectively in the country's democratic dispensation.

Mr Emmanuel C. Y. Dolly, on behalf of the students appealed to authorities of the University College of Cape Coast to introduce its diploma in labour studies and sandwiched programmes for the college. 30 Oct. 09